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 Why China, as a developing nation, still committed to carbon reductions 09:07, June 03, 2025 By Cheng Chen, Chen Qingrui ( Global Times "Some media reports suggest that certain developed countries have already abandoned their carbon reduction efforts. As a developing country, why does China still remain committed to cutting carbon emissions?" This is a question posed by a reader on people.cn. Reducing carbon emissions is not undertaken at others' request but is an unwavering commitment China has chosen to pursue. First, we must discuss what is "carbon." In the context of "carbon reduction," the term "carbon" does not refer to the chemical element itself, but to greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, which contribute to the greenhouse effect. Among these, carbon dioxide is most closely associated with human activities and is thus commonly used as a representative indicator. In everyday language, "carbon dioxide" is often abbreviated simply as "carbon." Why reduce carbon? Carbon reduction is urgently needed because global warming poses a serious threat to human survival and the continuity of civilization. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of a direct link between rising greenhouse gas emissions and the growing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters, as global warming accelerates. Data from the World Meteorological Organization shows that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with extreme weather events seen in many parts of the world. Compared with the early 2000s, the frequency of record-breaking monthly rainfall in 2024 increased by 27 percent, while the frequency of record-breaking daily rainfall rose by 52 percent, according to Xinhua. No country is immune to the impacts of global warming. In China, the China Climate Bulletin released by the China Meteorological Administration showed that in 2024, the national average temperature reached 10.9 C, the highest since records began in 1951. The number of high-temperature days exceeded the average by 6.6 days, the second-highest since 1961. Annual precipitation reached 697.7 millimeters, 9 percent above normal levels. Climate-related natural disasters disrupted agricultural production and threatened lives and property. Beyond climate security, there are also deeper reasons for carbon reduction at both international and domestic levels. At the international level, carbon reduction is an urgent need for China to take the initiative to shoulder the responsibilities of a major country and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Carbon emissions reduction allows China to maintain strategic initiative amid the global shift toward green and low-carbon development. China's decarbonization efforts also assist developing countries in strengthening their climate resilience, thereby contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. As a key participant, contributor, and leader in advancing global ecological civilization, China plays an active role in international environmental governance and continues to enhance its voice and influence in the global environmental governance system. The country has established the world's largest and most complete new-energy industrial chain. In 2023 alone, China's exports of wind and solar products helped other countries reduce carbon emissions by approximately 810 million tonnes. Domestically, carbon reduction is conducive to driving China's green and low-carbon transition and ensuring sustainable development. It is conducive to meeting the people's growing demand for a beautiful ecological environment and promoting harmonious coexistence between man and nature. China has made significant progress in optimizing its energy mix, with significant growth in hydropower, nuclear, wind, and solar power generation. These efforts have contributed not only to lower carbon emissions but also led to a significant decline in PM2.5 and other air pollutants. From 2015 to 2023, the average PM2.5 concentration in prefecture-level cities and above fell by more than 30 percent. From 2013 to 2022, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region saw its GDP grow by 60 percent, while the region's PM2.5 levels dropped by more than 60 percent. Achieving sustainable devt Carbon reduction is conducive to solving prominent problems of resource and environmental constraints and achieving sustainable development. China leads the world in total installed capacity of wind, solar, hydro, and biomass energy. In the past decade, the proportion of coal in China's energy consumption has dropped by 12.6 percentage points. From 2013 to 2023, China's annual economic growth rate of 6.1 percent was supported by an average annual energy consumption growth rate of 3.3 percent. In 2023, renewable energy accounted for approximately one-third of the nation's total electricity consumption. Carbon reduction is conducive to adapting to the trend of technological progress and promoting the transformation and upgrading of economic structure. China has phased out more than 150 million tons of outdated steel production capacity, completed ultra-low emissions transformation of 134 million tons of steel throughout the process, and built the world's largest, most complete, and most competitive clean energy industry chain. China's output of polysilicon, silicon wafers, battery cells and modules accounts for more than 80 percent of the world's total, and wind turbine manufacturing capacity accounts for 60 percent of the world's total. This shows that while reducing carbon emissions, development is also achieved. Thinking about why to reduce carbon emissions is essentially exploring how to develop. The development China pursues is one that meets the people's growing aspirations for a better life and embodies the new development philosophy. While some countries have backtracked from their carbon reduction commitments, China has remained unwavering. Green development forms the foundation of high-quality development, and carbon reduction is an inherent requirement for promoting high-quality development. While reducing carbon emissions, we are also achieving a shift in our development model. When the wind from Zhangbei in North China's Hebei Province powers the lights of Beijing, and "blue skies and starry nights" become a daily norm, such deep romance and steadfast sense of security are truly captivating. China's unwavering commitment to carbon emissions reduction is fundamentally driven by China's own desire to upgrade its economic development model, said Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics. "The country is shifting away from a resource-intensive and extensive growth approach toward one that is innovation-driven and efficiency-oriented. This transformation naturally brings higher environmental standards, including stricter targets for emission reductions, making decarbonization a strategic necessity," he told the Global Times on Monday. Li noted that China has already built a competitive edge in green, low-carbon, and new-energy sectors, which provides a solid foundation for the country to stay the course on green development and accelerate its low-carbon transition. Optimizing the energy mix and advancing renewable energy, Li said, are not only vital to supporting green development but also crucial for enhancing national energy security and preserving strategic autonomy. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Cancun loan shark robbed and shot after collecting money from a client Cancun, Q.R. A known Cancun loan shark was shot Monday morning during an attempted mugging. The man, identified only as a Colombian, was shot while resisting being robbed after collecting money from a client. Police were called to an address off Tulipan Street in the Prado Norte subdivision of Cancun where they located the injured man. According to the 911 report, two armed men intercepted him while he was receiving money from one of his clients. After attempting to rob him of the cash, the attackers shot him when he resisted. The Colombian man was transported to Cancun hospital in critical conditon after being shot seveal times. Police are looking for the shooters who resident witnesses said fled on a motorcycle. During their search operation, police found the bike abandoned on Machiche Street in the same neighborhood. Police continue to look for the gunmen. Group of armed out of state drug dealers captured in Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Playa del Carmen police arrested an armed group of out of state drug dealers. The arrests were made in the Ejido area of the city Monday. Patrolling police saw the group exchanging bags of what was believed to be narcotics on a street. All four made a run for it when they saw the patrol unit, however, they were captured and arrested. According to police, they were found in possession of narcotics and loaded weapons. All four have been identified as being from out of state. The Playa del Carmen Citizen Security Secretariat, in coordination with various federal and state authorities, arrested four individuals for alleged drug crimes and violations of the Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives. They were found with two firearms and various packages of suspected narcotics in the Ejido neighborhood. During a coordinated surveillance operation, municipal police observed four individuals exchanging small bags of suspected narcotics. The individuals attempted to flee upon noticing the police presence. After catching up with them and conducting a preventive inspection, they were seized with various packages of suspected narcotics, as well as two loaded firearms, two vehicles with Tamaulipas license plates and four cell phones. Arturo N and Arturo N, both from Tampico, Jesus N from Tabasco and Luis Ignacio N, originally from San Luis Potosi, were arrested and placed at the disposal of the Specialized Prosecutors Office. Half of Mexicos judiciary reached their positions through nepotism Sheinbaum said after historic June 1 vote Mexico City, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said more than 13 million people voted in the June 1 Judiciary elections. On Monday she said that the election of the Judiciary on June 1 was a complete success and was attended by nearly 13 million Mexicans who, for the first time in history, exercised their right to decide who should be the new ministers, magistrates and judges. With that, she said it made Mexico the most democratic country in the world. With the new judiciary, Juarezs aspiration of nothing outside the law; no one above the law will become a reality. That is, a true rule of law, where no one, not even the most powerful, is above the law. Yes, Mexico is the most democratic country in the world. To all Mexicans, I say have confidence. We are living in an extraordinary moment. We are a free, sovereign, independent country, more just and more democratic every day, she said after voting day. She recalled that the current judiciary has been responsible for favoring members of organized crime and has released billions of pesos from white-collar crime, and that half of the members of this branch reached their positions through nepotism rather than judicial careers. Half of the judiciary, according to its own president, reached their positions through nepotism, that is, by being brothers, cousins, nephews, or brothers-in-law of a judge or minister, not by having participated in a judicial career, she explained. He emphasized that the objective of the reform to the Judicial Branch was to allow the people to decide their judges, magistrates and ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), contrary to what happened in the past, when the Constitution was amended to impose ministers. June 1 was a transparent process. The candidates were selected by professional committees from the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. The campaigns were straightforward and the voting was free, she said. INAH celebrates Canadas Indigenous peoples with a photo exhibition Mexico City, Mexico The INAH celebrates the diversity of Canadas Indigenous peoples with a photo exhibition. The Pow Wow: First Nations: Dignity and Modernity is on display until August 2025 at the National Museum of World Cultures. The Canadian exhibition consists of 44 portraits and two videos by Canadian photographer Richard Geoffrion. The beat of a drum and the wearing of a ceremonial regalia are fundamental elements of the pow wow, a tradition of the Native Americans. They gather to dance, sing, socialize and celebrate their cultures, encompassing concepts such as shaman, guide, vision and counsel. This celebration gave rise to the exhibition The Pow Wow: First Nations: Dignity and Modernity by photographer Richard Geoffrion, at the National Museum of World Cultures (MNCM). The exhibition, consisting of 44 portraits and two videos which opened on May 28, 2025, and is organized by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy as part of the 60th anniversary of the institution. On behalf of the Director General of the INAH, Diego Prieto Hernandez, the national coordinator of Museums and Exhibitions, Juan Manuel Garibay, thanked the artist for his contribution to this cultural window, whose lens was able to capture the pow wow in the very circle of living, dynamic, and moving cultures. In his message, the Canadian ambassador to Mexico, Cameron MacKay, explained that this is the third time they have shared an exhibit at the MNCM, celebrating the indigenous peoples of his country as it is of utmost importance to remember their legacy and recognize their place in our history as part of our reconciliation process. We share with Mexico the desire to honor our Indigenous roots, our history and ancestral knowledge, as well as to continue protecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous peoples, he said. MNCM Director Alejandra Gomez Colorado indicated that the collaboration with Richard Geoffrion and the Canadian Embassy highlights their shared interests regarding the importance of the Indigenous peoples of North America. The beauty of his work presents moving cultural expressions from Canadas ancestral communities and invites us to experience this vital space, the pow wow which celebrates its families, its religious beliefs and its splendid artistic expression, she said. She also announced that, as part of Canadas Indigenous History Month, there will be parallel activities that include gender-focused guided tours and a Canadian film screening, to be held on Fridays in June. The exhibitions curator, Claudia Harris, agreed that the works aesthetic inspires a deeper understanding of Canadas Indigenous peoples and their ways of celebrating life. It offers us a timely opportunity to appreciate their rich aesthetics and learn about the historical values, traditions, and resilience of these First Nations, she commented. In his message, Richard Geoffrion expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share these human landscapes with the public and expressed his hope that the exhibition will help transcend our prejudices and enrich our understanding of the modernity of the traditions of indigenous peoples. I hope that the dissemination of this project will be a message of hope for the understanding and survival of their cultures. For Canadas First Nations, the pow wow is a space for community, identity, history, and resilience, where music and dance become a form of cultural and spiritual expression. It also represents an opportunity to share and show solidarity in the face of adverse events and celebrate good news. There are two types of pow wow. The traditional type where regalia are not mandatory, and there are no competitions or prizes, but which represent a great wheel of the universe, called the medicine of existence. The competitive type offers cash prizes for the best dancers and musicians, divided into categories based on age, gender, and types of singing and dancing. To create this exhibition, Richard Geoffrion attended 20 pow wows and captured 9,000 images spanning a 12,000-kilometer route across reserves in Quebec and Ontario. The photos are unretouched and unpost-produced, and feature women and men from the Lakota, Mohawk, Oneida, Abenaki, Abitiwinnik, Anishnabe, Assiniboine, Atikamekw, Chippewa, Cree, Innu, Malecite, Metis, Micmac, Ojibwe, and Wendat nations, as well as Indigenous peoples who have come to Canada, such as the Shoshone, Hopi, Yoreme and Navajo. Navy adds another 1.5 tons of cocaine to the 40 tons seized at sea this year Jalisco, Mexico Personnel from the Navy of Mexico have seized another 1.5 tons of cocaine, this time off the coast of Jalisco. This latest seizure adds to the nearly 40 tons of cocaine located at sea this year. In a coordinated maritime operation led by elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), personnel made the transfer of nearly 1.5 tons of suspected cocaine off the coast of Jalisco. The operation took place off the coast of the state of Jalisco during maritime and air patrols. Mexican Navy vessels and air units participated in the operation, locating 38 packages containing 1,500 packages of suspected cocaine weighing approximately 1,500 kilograms. Therefore, the seized drugs were handed over to the competent authorities for the purpose of completing the corresponding investigation. With this seizure, approximately 40 tons of cocaine have been seized at sea so far this administration. The seizure represents approximately three million doses and an economic impact of 362,812,500 pesos. These actions are part of the maritime, air, and land surveillance operations carried out by the Secretariat of the Navy through the Mexican Navy in national waters, to inhibit criminal activity and guarantee and maintain the rule of law in Mexican Marine Zones. Whether in the Southern Baptist Convention or the American evangelical movement more broadly, the past 10 years have been rife with political and cultural controversy. Broader shifts in the direction of extreme polarization have infected the church perhaps more than any other social institution. But Caleb Morells A Light on the Hill takes the long view. This history of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., reminds us that the work is no less Gods work when were arguing about pandemic church closures, prohibition, or integration. And its still Gods work when were arguing about real estate purchases, appropriate church polity, and multisite vs. church-planting approaches to church growth. Like any marriage worth its salt, a church body will be a messy affair, its members duking it out among themselves but also loving, drawing boundaries, forgiving, and reconciling. I had no idea before reading the book that this church had hosted Billy Sunday rallies, was the D.C. anchor for the Billy Graham crusades, or that its current pastor, Mark Dever, is the source of the 9Marks movement and the TG4 (Together for the Gospel) Conference. It apparently accomplished all this while conducting itself in a significantly less self-important way than some of todays megachurches. The power of the local church, with the quiet self-sacrifice of its committed members and the constant, unseen prayers holding up its efforts, seems to be Morells central theme. While Im neither familiar with this particular church nor a Reformed Baptist, I found the book entrancing. Morell skillfully ties the doctrinal and strategic decisions of the church in different phases to the major historical concerns it had to face, making this biography of a church feel as much like a concise tour through the past 150 years of American history as it is a tour through 150 years of evangelical American culture. An Antebellum Church The book opens with a prayer meeting in 1867. This gathering of faithful Baptists had a very specific purpose, though: to ask God to create a church on Capitol Hill. And one of the attendees just happened to be the architect of the Capitol dome, Thomas Ustick Walter. This makes for an auspicious beginning, not because of Walters stature but rather his position on slavery. Initially decrying abolitionism and blaming Lincoln for the evils of national upset, Walters experience in the war brought him to his knees. Two of his sons fought for the Union, but his eldest fought for the Confederacy. Thomas Jr.s words upon embarking chilled me; he claimed that on the field of blood he would know neither kith not kin. I couldnt help but reflect on our grief over the political tensions at Thanksgiving Dinner or even on our college campuses. These are difficult times, but we certainly are not more divided than ever. Walter changed positions, denounced the Southern secessionists, and declared that slavery needed to gothe quicker the better! Prayer and planning for the project took many years and included other local Baptist churches even ones embroiled in various rivalries over the years but that nevertheless reached out in a spirit of reconciliation and mission. One of the churchs earliest pastors, Joseph W. Parker, took a keen interest in supporting nearby Black faith institutions: Berean Baptist Church and Wayland Seminary. In a striking passage, Morell recounts Parkers experience prior to the war as a plantation missionary. Initially enthusiastic, the planter he was working with began to resist his efforts after noticing the way growth in discipleship made the enslaved feel [themselves]. The planter went on to explain that the enslaved began to see themselves as accountable to God, which might come into competition with his own commands for them. Surprisingly candid, the planter admitted that if they learned Jesuss teaching about doing unto others what you would have them do unto you, they might start asking whether the planter was doing to them as he would have them do unto him. Finally, he admitted to Parker that he didnt want to think about the final judgment when it came to slavery, so he sent Parker away. It was then that Parker saw clearly what a profound violation of the rights of man slavery really was. After an illustrious career, Parker surprised everyone with his late-in-life willingness to take on the pastorate for this tiny, new, poor church, then called Metropolitan Baptist. It would be only the first among several surprising might we say providential?choices to invest in this church by those who had plenty of other, apparently more impressive, opportunities. The Church Responds to Crisis As Morell walks the reader through the major eras of the D.C. church, we come to the event that inspired his research in the first place: the 1918 Spanish flu. In 2020, Morell, as assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist, was charged by lead pastor Mark Dever to look into the churchs historical response to a pandemic. He found an especially instructive circumstance: Just prior to the rise of the flu, the D.C. area experienced a fuel crisis, smack in the middle of a campaign by Billy Sunday! It was almost amusing to read how the churches took offense at being ordered to close while theaters and other more trivial endeavors remained open. They filed formal letters of protest to the D.C. government and met in the cold in an act of defiance against this violation of their religious liberty, with Black congregations often the most outspoken of the group. The D.C. leaders learned their lesson when the Spanish flu hit the very same year. Instead of ordering closings, they made suggestions based on public health recommendations. Churches were far more cooperative with these requests than they had been with the earlier orders during the fuel crisis. However, as the pandemic subsided, the city still banned gatherings, claiming that the return to normalcy was premature. Once again, the churches objected, arguing that civic leaders were motivated purely on materialistic grounds and had no regard for the power of prayer or the comfort that religious gatherings could provide. The Fundamentalist-Modernist Debates I imagine it would be impossible to write a book about a Baptist church in the early 20th century without discussing the fundamentalist-modernist debates. Taking for granted the readers familiarity with the general historical phenomenon, Morell dives into how its development in the life of the church demonstrates how theological debates evolve and shape church practice. For instance, Amy Lee Stockton was an early fundamentalist evangelist. Immensely popular, Stockton took to the pulpit at Metropolitan Baptist over a dozen times between 1930 and 1942. But Metropolitan wasnt a liberalizing church. In fact, it was a stalwart in the Northern Baptist Convention, fighting for the adoption of a confession that would objectively define the boundaries of official fellowship. When the Convention failed to pass the conservatives agenda, many churches left the Convention. In 1947, Metropolitan joined the Southern Baptist Convention, which had adopted the Baptist Faith and Message in 1925. While there was still some debate even in the SBC, the overwhelming majority of leaders opposed female preachers. With 13 million members in the SBC todaysecond in size only to the Catholic church in Americaits easy to forget that theologically conservative traditions with women preachers exist. Two quick examples: 8,000 Methodist congregations recently split from the United Methodist Church over gay marriage, whose tradition of female preaching stretches back hundreds of years. The Assemblies of God are three million strong in the United States and employ female preachers with no influence from secular feminism that Im aware of. Both defy the stereotype that female preaching is necessarily the product of liberal theology, just as Amy Lee Stockton did. Morell argues that new issues in the church usher in a period of exploration, employing practices that may later be deemed inappropriate, and that this explains the phenomenon of Amy Lee Stockton. A complementarian himself, Morell is careful to give credit to the passionate female prayer warriors and Sunday school teachers whose service protected the church in pivotal moments, even if from behind the scenes. A Leader, Not a Celebrity As population changes created inevitable shifts for this urban church, concerns over dwindling numbers and inflated membership rolls became the order of the day. At a particularly low point in the 1990s, both in terms of numbers and hope, I could feel my shoulders relax with the hiring of Mark Dever, still the lead pastor today. The chapters describing the churchs struggle amid demographic shifts created a feeling of tension and panic around recruitment. I almost wanted to yell at the book: Its not how many you have! Its who you have!, a sentiment easy enough for me to express when I dont have building costs, staff, programs, and all the other concerns of an active church in the nations capitol. I was nominally aware of Dever as that one guy who argued (in a very calm way) against Mark Driscoll on the topic of multisite campuses. Morell reminds us of this episode, which went viral online, as Driscoll almost accuses Dever of being stupid for accepting the natural limitations of size and space. Here Morell captures Devers unusual approachunhurried, methodical, humblein a word, relaxed. Dever spent the first five years at Capitol Hill Baptist just cleaning up the membership rolls and selecting a plurality of elders. The way he did these things demonstrates his particular approach. When he found almost 300 members who did not attend or respond to outreach, he insisted that the church vote on whether to remove each individual person from the rolls, calling it a kind of water torture that teaches the church the importance of membership. And when none of the men he put forward for elder received the necessary 75% vote in the congregation, Dever prayed for a few weeks and then put the exact same men up for a vote again. One gets the impression of a deep inner strength. Dever was never relaxed in his convictions; he was relaxed about outcomes. If he was supposed to be at that church, they would vote in the only five men he felt were qualified for the positions. All five passed the second vote. Once again, its easy to describe this kind of faith in God, but Dever gave up two other attractive positions as a professor to take the call at Capitol Hill Baptist, a choice that surprised his friends and possibly even himself. Little did anyone know then what quiet but deep influence Dever would have among Reformed Baptistsfirst through the eventual exponential growth of the church that overflowed into a church-planting movement in contrast to a multisite ministry, and then through his 9Marks and Together for the Gospel conferences. Ive skipped several more fascinating episodes in Capitol Hill Baptists history that I wish I had time for here. But I was genuinely struck by the themes of local ministry and cooperation between churches, even those early in the book that were the product of church splits or divided by race. I was reminded of Dallas Willards response when someone asked him about the most important spiritual discipline for a pastor to practice. After a moment of reflection, he responded, Praying for the success of other peoples churches. This account of the long faithfulness of one church and its commitment to theological orthodoxy amid the constant flux of D.C. residents reminded me to rejoice in the good that the Lord is always accomplishing, even if its through somebody elses church or somebody elses denomination. 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Melissa whipped out her phone and filmed what was on the plate. The manager came over. Melissa demanded to know, What the hell was the meaning of this? and said she was going to report it to the health department. They apologized profusely and said we wouldnt have to pay. Melissa said, Damn right, and led me from the restaurant. Back at the hotel, I asked my wife if she was OK. Melissa said never bettershed saved us from having to pay a nearly $300 restaurant bill. I was confused and asked her what she was talking about. She said shed brought the roach with her and snuck it onto her plate right before she picked up the fateful forkful. She even suggested pulling this the next time we dine out when were out of town! Now I am terrified Melissa will do this again. Other than refusing to ever go to another restaurant with her, what the hell can I do? Horrified Husband Dear Horrified Husband, Advertisement Melissas behavior feels crime-adjacent! Its also just weird. Could anyone really enjoy a night out while orchestrating this whole scheme and causing a massive scene? Plus, at some point, she had to hunt down a roach, pick it up, and put its corpse in her purse. And carry it around! How good was the salmon, really? It couldnt have been worth all that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill suggest, as I always do when a spouse suddenly starts doing outrageous, out-of-character things: Ask yourself whether there are any other indications that shes unraveling in some way. And whether she is or isnt, go give the manager $300. You can simply say there was a misunderstanding, and you should have paid the bill. Get advice from Prudiesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Prudence, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Dear Prudence following up) Submit Dear Prudence, My wife and I have been married for a little over one year. Everyone knew we wanted kids right away. Unfortunately, in the time weve been married, weve experienced two pregnancies that both ended in miscarriage. How should we respond when people ask us, Hey, when are you two going to have a baby already? I dont want to be rude or dismissive, but its also frustrating because we both would love a baby, and it just hasnt been in the cards for us. Childfree, Not By Choice Dear Not By Choice, Advertisement If your wife is OK with you sharing this information, I think what you said here would be perfect. Soon, we hope! Unfortunately, weve had two losses, so it hasnt been in the cards for us at this point. Its honest, straightforward, and hopefully has the side benefit of teaching people that if they ask about something personal and sensitive, they might receive personal and sensitive information in return. And if theyre a little uncomfortable, good! If shed prefer that you not tell people explicitly, you could say something like, Were wondering the same thing. Advertisement If youre both annoyed and want to be a little rude about it, you could try, It turns out you cant just order a baby like a pizza or Im sure if you think about it, you can imagine some of the reasons we might not have a baby yet, even though wed love to. Advertisement Advertisement No matter what you say, some people will have zero sensitivity, awareness, or emotional intelligence and will proceed to give you weird medical advice, tell you about their aunt who had a baby at 55 after 12 miscarriages, assure you that it will definitely happen when you stop trying, or demand to know why you wont just adopt. You can shut down their prying by saying, Everyone seems to have an opinion about this, but were pretty much keeping the planning between us and our doctor. Prudie Wants to Hear From You! Readers often have great suggestions for our letter writers, occasionally disagree with a point Prudie makes, or simply want to provide some additional advice. Each week, Prudie will be replying to some of these comments and suggestions from readers, which will be featured on the site on Fridays for Slate Plus members. Write to us! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Prudence, Last year, I moved to a new city and state. The other night, I was scrolling through my neighborhoods HOA Facebook group and saw a post from two years ago about someone looking for their missing cat. The photos immediately caught my eyebecause the cat looks exactly like my neighbors, lets call her Sienna, cat. Ive pet-sat for Sienna before and have photos of the cat. I compared them side-by-side. Theyre identical down to the markings. Now Im stuck. Should I bring this up with Sienna, whom Ive become friends with? She said she found the cat in her yard, took it to the vet, and had it scanned for a chip, but nothing came back, so she then decided to keep it. She is not on the communitys Facebook group, so its very unlikely she knew a neighbor was looking for it. Or should I reach out to the neighbor who made the original post, even though its been two years? They do still live in the community, although I do not know them personally. What if this neighbor who posted ends up genuinely believing the cat is theirs? I dont want to stir up drama, but I cant stop thinking about it. Sienna has kids who are now attached to the cat so its sad to think about the cat having to be re-(re?)homed again. Whats the right thing to do? Caught in a Cat Conundrum Dear Caught, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Definitely explain the whole situation to Sienna. A person who is enough of an animal lover to rescue a stray is likely to care about the relationship the cat had with its original owners. Its good that they live in the same neighborhood. If this works out and the cat remains nearby (given that it ends up being the same cat, and not just an impressive look-alike), hopefully the person who posted in the homeowners association group will be extremely grateful and offer to allow the kids visitation. Classic Prudie I am a 25-year-old woman, and I have been in a relationship for almost three years. I dont have any friends in my hometown where I still live, and I have never told my partner why. When I was 17 years old, I had a close friend, Lily, who came out as pansexual, and I decided to ask her out. She turned me down kind of indirectly, and I was too socially clueless to realize this. I tried asking her to hang out more after that, but eventually, she stopped talking to me Our advice columnists have heard it all over the yearsso today were diving into the archives of Care and Feeding to share classic parenting letters with our readers. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here. Dear Care and Feeding, My husband and I are atheist. We were both raised in households in which participation in religious activities was mandatory, and we both rejected blind faith and organized religion as soon as we left the house. Now we have two little girls (age 3 and almost 6) we are raising without any religious affiliation at all. We are raising our girls to ask questions and look for evidence to support their claims. We share our sense of wonder of the natural world and why its important to be a good person. All of this is great, but as they get older, we are at a loss for how to talk with them about religion, specifically Christianity, as it is everywhere. We can do Santa, we can do death, we can do race, culture, sex, police brutality, you name it. But Jesus? How do we talk to them about it without sounding like people who believe in it are blooming idiots? Not that we would ever disparage someone for their beliefs, but when you say it like, Some people believe that there is a God you cant see that can control things on Earth. Whaaaat? It sounds ridiculous, and my girls will also think its ridiculous. But their friends, teachers, neighbors, everyone believes this! How do we talk to them about this while still maintaining that it is important to treat everyone with respect? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our Kids Watched Sound of Music but Didnt Know What Nuns Are Dear Sound, As with most how do I explain so-and-so to my kids questions, what you think is a gap in the worlds understanding is really a gap in your own. It is actually not difficult to explain the idea of faith to children without scorn if you dont, in fact, hold scorn for faith. The problem for you is that you do. But you know you shouldnt. So you are having trouble admitting this truth about yourself. This is how you can execute the mental gymnastics required to place blooming idiots and not that we would disparage right next to each other without blinking. You say you want to teach your kids to treat everyone with respect, but how can you do that if you dont actually respect people? You cant. What you instead teach is smugness, judgment, and a false sense of superiority. Advertisement Heres what you might do instead: Assume that there are better thinkers than you who believe in a God. Literally, say that sentence out loud to yourself. Im not kidding. Right now. Say it. There are better thinkers than me out there who believe in a God. And if there are better thinkers than you who understand the concept of a God and you dont, then surely you can learn something here. Advertisement Good. Now youve mixed a little humility into the situation, really just another way of saying you now are beginning to have an accurate sense of where you fit into the world. Next you can start to wonder what it is that some people see in a God that you dont. Its possible, dont you think, that for a lot of intelligent people their definition of God is a lot more expansive than a guy you cant see that can control things on Earth? A lot of thinking peoplewho are not blooming idiotshave wrestled and studied and thought deeply about this question of God and have arrived at their conclusions with great care and intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Instead of making God out to be an imaginary ghost, for example, you might find yourself saying things to your daughters like: You know that sense of wonder and amazement we feel when we look at flowers, or think about the moon or how big the universe is? Or how cute dogs and kittens are? Some people call that sense of wonder and amazement God. And it brings them good feelings and so its important to them. Advertisement Advertisement Notice that none of this requires you to believe in God yourself. It is simply not necessary. What Im asking you to do is simply stop behaving like youre God, the all-knowing, all-seeing, and always right. Carvell Wallace From: Please Stop Judging Me, Helicopter Parents. (January 31th, 2018). Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Care and Feeding, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Care and Feeding following up) Submit Dear Care and Feeding, I am a 28-year-old black queer woman whos not hunting a romantic relationship down and doesnt feel like my life will be lacking if I never have one. For years Ive accepted that this means that I probably wont have children, as single motherhood just seemed too daunting for me to be interested. But a few weeks ago I had a myomectomy, removing uterine fibroids, and thats made me start to think about kids again. I think the urge has a lot to do with fear that Ill be alone when Im old. I mean, no kid should be beholden to their parents for raising them, right? No kid should be born just because they are a living elder-care insurance policy for their parents, right? Is there really any unselfish reason to have children? Childless for Now Dear Childless for Now, Advertisement Advertisement As it happens, there is a nonselfish reason to have children. It is this: The world needs good people. And the world needs you to help make them. You are thoughtful, and seemingly kind and loving. Should you decide to parent children, then you have the opportunity to help grow thoughtful, kind, and loving humans. And I think youll agree that all of us can use more of those. Advertisement This is not to say you must have children. There are dozens of ways to impact the future and your community while remaining child-free. You can volunteer in schools, a church, a community center. You can spend time with the friends of your kids, giving them and their beleaguered parents the space from one another that is occasionally needed. The important part about our interactions with children, whether they are ours or someone elses, is that in each encounter we are passing down and reinforcing the values we believe are needed for the love and safety of our shared world. Advertisement There are plenty of selfish reasons to have kids too, other than free elder care. You can teach them your favorite high-school jam and video them while they butcher the lyrics. And you can read the rudimentary poems on their messy, glittery gifts and hide your face so they dont see your tears. But you asked for an unselfish reasonso yeah, the world is it. C.W. Advertisement Advertisement From: What Do I Say to a 13-Year-Old Friend of the Family Whos Madly in Love With Me? (January 16th, 2018). Dear Care & Feeding, Im engaged to a wonderful woman who has two kids, 13 and 9. Theyre good kids, and my fiancee is a great mom, but the kids have shockingly bad table manners. The 13-year-old boy will come to the dinner table when he chooses, often in nothing but his underwear, and sometimes he wont even sit down. Hell shovel in his food with maximum speed and volume. When he is entreated to sit down, its straight to the iPad and earplugs. With a final belch or fart, hes off again as he masticates his final bite. Advertisement Advertisement The 9-year-old will at least sit down, but she eats everything with her hands, sticks her hands in her water glass to get ice cubes, and uses a cloth placemat for a plate. Again, the omnipresent iPad. Im not expecting Downton Abbey or anythingthese are just kids. But how can I approach some level of basic humanoid civilization without alienating the new stepkids or having my fiancee take it as a criticism of her parenting? Giving Up on the Salad Fork Related From Slate My Uncle the Priest Is Coming to Visit for Fathers Day, and My Mom Has Made an Unholy Request Read More Dear Giving Up, Ha. You cant. You cant wade into step-parenting without somehow alienating the kids and your new partner, I can assure you. From these kids point of view, you are at best someone to be regarded with suspicion, and quite possibly someone to actively resist. Im sure youre a great guy and Im sure they like you fine, but even if youre the most awesome guy in the worldcrafting startlingly life-like balloon animals with one hand and teaching them how to capture Starkiller Base in Star Wars Battlefront II with the otherthey will still bristle the first time you try to lay down some kind of law. Step-parenting is all fun and games until you actually have to parent. Advertisement If it is important to you that the kids get their table manners together, then you must work slowly and patiently. Pick one thing, just one, to work on. I might suggest getting the youngest to use a plate, since this is probably the most value-neutral and easily justifiable proposition. (Youll have to justify because you dont have the parenting credits banked up to cash in a because I said so. You may never have them!) So you explain that its better to use a plate because the placemat is hard to clean. You may not get there right away, but you will eventually. And in the process, you will learn about your soon-to-be stepdaughter. And youll build trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work on it slowly, dinner by dinner, until youre there. Then take a breather. Then start working on the next item. If this process seems too slow, just remember youre marrying into a family. Families are for the long haul. Get used to it. Advertisement One quick note about the iPad: I personally think that electronics at the table are abhorrent, though not everyone agrees. But a good technique to pry the screens away from their grubby handshonestly, its a miracle those iPads still work, with all the food and ice water that gets smeared on themis to supplement iPads with a story time in which they tell you stories. They can even tell you stories about things they saw on the iPad before dinner. You get to ask questions, they get to answer them, and before you know it, youre engaged in the dark and ancient art of Dinner Conversation. This is important because when you finally start floating a no-electronics-at-the-table rule, and they say But whyyyyyy and you say Because I want to be able to hear you talk, theyll have an actual idea of why that could be a good thing. Advertisement Advertisement But whatever you do, do not rush, do not lay down the law, and do not criticize your fiancees parenting. Try any of those things and youll get to see exactly how uncomfortable a dinner table can really be. C.W. From: What Race Should My Sperm Donor Be? (January 26th, 2018). More Parenting Advice From Slate My husband and I have a 20-month-old girl, and she rocks our socks off. Shes alsosince her 6-week checkupbeen in the 99th percentile in weight for height. Were doing our best to join our pediatricians in not being concerned about her weight. I know intellectually that were offering healthy foods, that its perfectly fine for her to have the body she has, and that the best we can do is teach her how much fun it is to challenge her palate and how good it feels to eat healthy, nourishing foods. My emotions are way more complicated. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. In 2007, architect Carl Elefante expressed an idea that has since become a common provocation in the world of architecture: The greenest building is one thats already built. By which he meant that the carbon footprint of construction is so largefrom material manufacturing to shipping to the energy of putting a new building togetherthat you would be better off with your drafty old house than even an airtight new box clad in solar panels. Old buildings have something else going for them: They tend to be closer to other buildings, and closer to the center of the city. People who live centrally spend less time traveling every day. And while buildings themselves (U.S. commercial and residential structures) are responsible for 29 percent of the countrys emissions, the largest source of U.S. emissions still comes from transportation. That means the greenest new building is one thats in the center of town. Thats the climate argument behind the countrys various urban pro-housing movements, from smart growth and transit-oriented development to missing middle and yes in my backyard. But building housing where people can drive less will also save residents money (transportation is the second-largest household expense, after housing), political headaches (by reducing traffic), and even lives (car crashes are the second leading cause of death for children and teenagers*). A new analysis from the UCBerkeleys Terner Center documents how the past few decades of anti-sprawl, pro-infill movement is coming along. The results are a mixed bag. Authors Zack Subin and Quinn Underriner note that while the postfinancial crisis decade (2011 to 2019) saw a relative shift toward construction in neighborhoods where people drive less (compared to homes built in driving zones), the absolute number of homes built in those neighborhoods was lower than in any decade in a century. To the extent infill grew its share of the pie, it was because the 2008 housing crash sent tract-home sprawl down to levels not seen since the Eisenhower administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using driving data from Replica, the Berkeley team sorted neighborhoods into five categories according to how much residents drive. Even in the very low vehicle miles traveled (VMT) category, people drive quite a bit12 miles per person, per daybut far less than in the high or very high categories (25.5 and 37.5 miles per person, per day, respectively). Advertisement Census data frames driving as a binaryeither a respondent drives to work or they dont. But the reality is that theres lots of variation even within the category of car-centric cities: Someone in Charlotte (38.1 miles a day) or Jacksonville (35.7) drives much more than a resident of Los Angeles (20.2) or Indianapolis (22.7). For this reason, the Berkeley studys breakdown between different levels of driving is pragmatic and refreshing. In terms of pollution and emissions, theres a bigger difference between someone who drives 40 miles a day and someone who drives 3 miles than between someone who drives 3 miles and someone who rides a bike. There is also considerable variation within metro areas, with low-mileage neighborhoods nestled in what is sometimes dismissively categorized as an undifferentiated mat of suburbs. Research from Brookings has shown that even in sprawling Dallas, residents near activity centers (such as malls or town centers) drive 15,000 fewer miles a year than their counterparts who live farther away. And the Berkeley analysis reminds us that even in the 1950s and 60s, when sprawl was taking off, most housing was built in neighborhoods that today permit residents to drive less than average. Levittown and Little Boxes, welcome to the war on cars! Advertisement Advertisement Who is building housing in these low-mileage neighborhoods? Subin and Underriner draw out different types of cities: New York City isnt building much, but the housing it does build permits people to drive little. Even though the New York metro area covers four states, an extensive transit network helps keep driving miles low even in the areas that grew during the 90s and 00s. Charlotte, by contrast, has added lots of housing downtownbut with an underfunded transit system and a sprawling geography of jobs, people still drive a lot, upward of 25 miles a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five large metro regions have kept up their housing growth and built much of that housing in neighborhoods where people dont have to drive so much, and theyre not all the usual suspects: Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, El Paso, and Miami. They have different things going for them: El Paso is relatively small and has a higher urban density than peers like Austin. Seattle, Portland, and Miami all have urban growth boundaries, while El Paso butts up against the Mexican border. Salt Lake City, perhaps, benefits from its natural position between two mountain ranges. (The research period ends in 2019, so more recent infill land-use reforms in places like Portland or Salt Lake City arent included.) If limiting pollution, emissions, crashes, and the expense of driving isnt enough reason to encourage more housing in these areas, consider also self-interest. In 2023, a poll in Sacramento showed that Americans were more concerned about traffic and parking than neighborhood character, school overcrowding, or crime. And the neighborhood that creates the least traffic? Its the one thats already built. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. In 2016, when a man at a Trump rally was photographed wearing a shirt that said Rope. Tree. Journalist. SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED, it made headlines. Back then, it was perceived as a dark sign of how then-candidate Donald Trump had, with his declarations that news media were the enemy of the American people, fundamentally reshaped the Republican Partys relationship with the press. Now, almost a decade later, Republican hostility toward mainstream news media is treated as a fact of life. The White Houses abuse of reporters is routine, and the default position of Trump supporters is one of animosity toward and distrust of the press. Its hard to imagine this reality ever changing, given that theres no containing so many of the factors that led here: increasingly advanced algorithms that funnel people toward insular information environments; conspiracy theorist content creators and right-wing influencers who push previously fringe belief sets vilifying traditional institutions; and, of course, the assault on press freedom from the administration. And yet, theres at least one sign that things might be changing. Last month, the Pew Research Center released a survey that found that in the past year, Republican trust in mainstream news media has increased. According to a survey of 9,500 Americans, about 53 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning adults have at least some trust in the information from national news organizations. Thats a 13-point increase from last year. Its still a lower number than Democrat-leaning adults, which is at 81 percent in Pews survey. But more than half of Republican-friendly respondents answering in this way seems like a substantial amount, given the factors at play. Advertisement To understand where this sudden about-face came from, Slate reached out to Toby Hopp, a professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, who researches trust in the news, political knowledge, and the use of alternative political media platforms. Hopp prefaced the discussion by noting that any single survey can involve statistical flukes that make it hard to form any definitive conclusions. But Pews survey still found a statistically notable increase in Republicans trust, and Hopp offered some theories that would explain how such a long-standing and seemingly irreversible trend just might be starting to turn around. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slate: I have to admit that I was a little shocked by these Pew numbers. With the caveat that we will need more polling to affirm this finding: Whats going on here? Advertisement Toby Hopp: Its hard to say theres one factor that might explain this particular observation. [But] if we look just at the national media, weve seen organizations change how they go about interfacing with the public, particularly in the op-ed sections. Theres been a concerted effort from some of these large news organizations to bring folks in from the Republican Party. The Washington Post decided not to endorse a candidate; weve seen subsequent changes to the Washington Post editorial posture. A big part of what alternative media on the right does is media criticism, so when the Washington Post declined to endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, it was a fairly big story on these alternative outlets. On the local level, youve seen actors like Sinclair purchase a large number of local news stations. And so perhaps some of these efforts, in their combined form, may have led to Republicans thinking slightly differently about the national news. Advertisement This Pew poll asked people about national news organizations, without necessarily qualifying what was meant. Now the media landscape is so fractured, with people consuming video, audio, and text from so many legacy organizations, YouTubers, podcasters, influencerscould it be that Republicans are also changing what they consider to be national news? Advertisement Its an interesting question, particularly because weve seen real changes to who has access to the national political apparatus. The White House news corps has been reconstituted over the past four or five months to include more of what we have historically thought of as alternative or emergent media sources. Advertisement Pews survey didnt necessarily find that this rise in trust from Republicans came at the expense of Democrat-leaning adults; it found that Democrats trust in information from national news organizations has been largely steady over the years. Are there limits to what this idea of trust tells us? Advertisement Trust is just one barometer of news media performance. So Id be interested in seeing: Are we seeing changes in consumption? One of the other sides of a strategy in which you choose not to endorse a political candidate or choose to recraft an op-ed section is that this one group of people who has historically played a huge role in the financial, commercial success of your organizationyou cant expect that those folks are going to continue to consume your products in the same way that they always have. Anecdotally, Ive seen an increasing amount of criticism of these large news organizations coming from the left. Weve seen a lot of criticism of the national news organizations with regard to their coverage of the conflict in Gaza. Their political coverage, since 2016, has been really criticized as being access-oriented, seeking to engage in newsgathering activities that involve getting anonymous reports or other types of things. Or its salacious aspects of who likes who within the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its sometimes easy to think of the partisan split in news trust, with Republicans having less trust than Democrats, as a kind of law of the universe. Looking historically, has this always been the case? [Through most of U.S. history] the press was outwardly and highly partisan. Then, in the 60s and 70s, the post-Watergate era, news organizations made a deliberate and, some would argue, commercial decision to embrace these norms of objectivity, independence, and serving the public sphere. That corresponded with a time in American politics in which we saw diminished political competition. If you combined that with the reality that the mass media was the dominant force of information distribution in society, you had this scenariowhich I would argue is generally atypical in American historyin which Americans were getting their news from a limited set of sources [that they had] a great deal of trust in. So consumption habits for news looked similar across political parties. Advertisement Advertisement When Trump first ran for president, he took a very different tack in which he really aggressively attacked the news. If you look at Pews data, you see this dramatic decrease in trust among Republicans around the 2015, 2016, 2017 mark. So this notion of partisan striations in trust in the mainstream media is both part of American political history and also a fairly new phenomenon, relative to the 50 or 60 years that preceded Trump. Advertisement Do you think this is going to be a trend that will continue? What do you think will happen with public trust in the national media? I dont think that well return to the scenario that we saw in the 70s, 80s, 90s, where the default position for most Americans was that the mainstream news was trustworthy. We exist in a high-choice media environment, [with] outlets that are defined in large part by their opposition to the mainstream news. Media criticism has been integrated into a lot of these alternative and emergent platforms. And it does seem like we exist in a general era of distrust. Advertisement But I do think, at some point, well look back and say there was a bottoming-out point. I dont think were going to be returning to a scenario anytime soon where 70, 75 percent of the American public is indicating a large degree of support in the national news media. But its not plausible to think that were going to continue to see a downward trend until no Republican in the U.S. has any level of trust whatsoever in the New York Times. So my prediction would be that were in a holding pattern. That this is the new normal. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Gavin Newsom Cant Run Away From His Biggest Liability Read More But so much of that is dependent on what types of social and political crises are in our future. COVID obviously played a particular role for a particular type of person relative to how much theyre willing to [trust] not only the news media, but the government, health officials, so on and so forth. And there are many, including myself, who would say were in a moment of democratic crisis. And how the national news organizations choose to react to that crisis will play a role in the trust that theyre allocated. These large news organizations should not take for granted that liberal and left-leaning citizens are going to continue to consume their products. Advertisement Advertisement I think what Im specifically interested in is not so much the business model part as the idea of a shared sense of reality. And I think what Im taking away from this discussion is that we are not seeing a trend in which Republican readers are suddenly, now, accepting what the Washington Post fact-checker is telling them about the COVID vaccine, for example. Am I wrong? Is there any part of this finding that indicates Americans are now more willing to believe reporting that cuts against their partisan ideas? Advertisement I think one way we might look at it is there may be a change in the Republican cohort in this country related to how angry they are at the mainstream news media. Not necessarily that theyre using it more or relying upon it more to make decisions, but that the outpouring of anger that we saw, particularly after the 2016 election, is waning or receding. So, in a generic sense, more Republicans may have indicated that they have some level of trust in the mainstream news media. Are other behaviors changing? Are they using that information more? Are they using that information to make sense of the political and social realities around them? And, honestly, I dont think that we have any real basis to believe that thats true. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Theres one vignette in Jake Tapper and Alex Thompsons Original Sin, the thoroughly marketed new book detailing ex-President Joe Bidens aborted reelection bid amid his physical and mental decline, thats unlike much of the rest. It describes a White House event on June 18, 2024, in which the Biden administration softened its immigration policy a touch, just a couple of weeks after a sharp crackdown on asylum claims. Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet was at the event, and in Tapper and Thompsons paraphrasing, it made him consider what Bidens age likely meant when it came to the issue of immigration. Hed never felt as if the White House had a coherent policy, they write. It seemed like there were two competing sides of the debate within the administration but no one had publicly articulated the presidents view on the matter. Bennet had come to believe that Bidens inability to mediate between the people in his administration with different political viewpoints had led to an incoherent overall position on the issue. It actually mattered, Bennet felt, whether there was an elected officialelected by the American peoplewho could navigate and articulate disputes. Although most of the book focuses on the efforts of longtime Biden aides and family members to cover up the former presidents decline to protect his viability as a candidate for reelection, this anecdote captures what is still a largely unexplored topic: What effect did this decline have on Bidens ability to govern? Im not the first reader to have been struck by the passageand by the fact that a senator of the presidents party was left guessing, just like everyone else. The lack of access to the president in the last couple of years of his term, as the book reports thoroughly, ensured that all anyone could do was guess. Cabinet meetings, or individual meetings with Cabinet officials, slowed to a trickle; teleprompters and cue cards were necessary for the president in even some closed-press gatherings. It was a small group of people whod worked with Biden for decadesthe Politburowho met with him on any sort of regular basis. How many presidential-level decisions were made in those rooms, and how were they made? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book made me recall a piece Id written in mid-2022 about the two-weeks-late presidency, in the wake of Bidens unhurried reaction to the Dobbs ruling, which eliminated the right to an abortion, and his recurring pattern of fumbling about for a spell before he awakens to the fire. The administration was, even then, often a reactive one that needed a few taps on the shoulder before recognizing a problem. One notable exception was on an issue Biden cared about: his management and coordination of NATO allies before and immediately after Russias invasion of Ukraine. That remains Bidens most assertive moment from his presidency. Orderly management and timely decisionmaking were never going to be a strength of a Biden presidency, whether he were 80 years old or 50. Anyone who saw him, even in his prime, offer to take a couple of questionsonly to still be going, two hours later, as his staff was neck deep in cleanup statementsunderstands that. Advertisement But Original Sin shows how these problems only worsened in the final years of Bidens presidency. His energies were limited enough that devoting attention to the issue that most appealed to himstill Ukraineleft little capacity for much else. Ahead of the infamous June 2024 debate, Bidens former chief of staff Ron Klain felt the president had spent more time talking to European parliamentarians than American ones; he knew a lot more about what was going on in Europe than about what was going on in America. Did a regularly fatigued and cloistered Biden allow internal debates to linger too long when he needed to step in? What decisions were withheld from him that might have been brought to a more vigorous president, and how were these decisions being made instead? Original Sin doesnt set out to answer these questions. It does highlight the lack of answers we have to them. Advertisement Advertisement As the presidency went on, decisions that would once have been two weeks late started coming months late, if they arrived at all. It took until June of a presidential election year for Biden to recognize the festering political wound of his immigration policy and take executive action to stanch the flow at the border. The administrations plans for resolving the IsraelHamas war were clear to no one, and pleased no one. Even on the issue nearest to his heartthe defense of Ukrainethe administration was trapped between a growing GOP base that wanted to drop involvement altogether and Ukraine supporters of all persuasions who felt the administration was taking it too cautiously. And the defining decision of them allto drop out of the race due to loss of confidence from the American publiccame a year and a half too late. There have been endless debates since the election about whether it was Bidens decline or Bidens governing missteps that did Democrats in. The short answer is that it was both. But whats yet to be understood is how much the former led to the latter. Azucena "Zeni" Aprecio Alcantara, 81, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025, at her home in Hollywood, Maryland. Zeni was born on October 11, 1943, in Binangonan, Rizal, Philippines, to the late Bonifacio and Ernesta (Cervo) Aprecio. A proud graduate at just 18, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Philippine Normal College in 1962, and later attained her Master of Education in Curriculum, Instruction, and Reading from McDaniel College. In 1967, Zeni left her beloved Philippines for Montreal, Canada, where she embarked on a career as an elementary school teacher in languages. It was in Montreal at a social gathering where she caught the eye for her lifelong love and partner, Romeo "Romy" Alcantara. They married in Connecticut in 1969, and together raised two daughters, Rosanna and Rebekah. As a devoted Navy wife, Zeni continued her calling as an educator, teaching at both Catholic and public elementary and middle schools across Connecticut, Florida, and Maryland. She retired in 2011 after 41 years of inspiring students, including 32 years with St. Mary's County Public Schools. Zeni was a woman of many talents and passions. She spoke several languages, including Tagalog, English, Italian, Spanish and French; and she loved to travel the world with friends and family. As a patron of the fine arts, she ensured her daughters were cultured in ballet, piano, and theater. She was an avid reader, gifted pianist, and also enjoyed singing, dancing and painting. Her love for her Filipino culture shone through when she belonged to the Patuxent River Filipino-American Club, teaching traditional folk dances to the community, and performing folk dances at numerous cultural events. By the time Zeni had grandchildren, she had picked up ballroom dancing with Arthur Murray Dance Studio, and competed alongside Romy in multiple ballroom dancing events for over ten years. Although she lived with dementia for many years, her family will always remember her as a devoted wife, mother, and proud grandmother whose every joy was to spend time with her grandchildren. Zeni is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Romeo; daughter, Rosanna (Stephen Schluth); daughter Rebekah; sister, Jazmin (Conrad); brother, Bonifacio (Bebeth) and her treasured grandchildren: Zachary, Ana, Eva, and Sophia Schluth. Family will receive friends Friday 6 June 2025 from 10:00am to 11:00am at St.John's Francis Regis Catholic Church, 43927 St. John's Road, Hollywood, MD 20636. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am, celebrated by Father Braam. Zeni's absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, but her light will live on in the stories we tell and the kindness we share. Monticello Raceway hosted its first New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) of the 2025 season on Monday, June 2 with Bjms Lil Man and driver Tyler Buter winning the $163,973 event for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. After winning at the Excelsior Series level in his last start at Vernon Downs, Bjms Lil Man (Devious Man-Vixen) moved up in class with no issue as the 3-5 favourite scored a 1:55.4 front-end victory for trainer John Berger. Bjms Lil Man worked to clear inside leaver Happy Jack B (Scott Zeron) through a :28.1 opening panel and then set middle splits of :58 and 1:26.3 en route to the 1-3/4-length victory over a pair of 45-1 longshot maidens trained by Noel Daley, Seven Layer (Niko Karna) and Seismic Step (Jordan Stratton). Owned by Joseph Meaney of Crestwood, New York, Bjms Lil Man in now three-for-three to start his sophomore campaign after earning more than $200,000 as a rookie with five wins from eight starts, including a pair of NYSS divisions. Buter also picked up a victory in the Excelsior Series, with Fiddlers Creek Stable's homebred Habanero Blues (E L Titan-Habanero Honey) winning his second straight division in 1:58.1 by half a length over favourite Low Inside (Dan Daley). The Travis Alexander trainee was the Excelsior divisional champion last year. The other $27,397 Excelsior race was won by 12-1 shot Doctor Strange and trainer/driver John Stark Jr., upsetting Big City Elwood (Ridge Warren) in 1:58.2. Stark also co-owns the Mets Hall-Flotus gelding with David Smith and James Giannuzzi. The next NYSS event at Monticello is slated for June 23, for two-year-old trotting fillies. (With files from Monticello Raceway) In an effort to assuage lingering safety concerns, a lead engineer told Port of Longview commissioners that an independent construction manager will be on-site for the full duration to help staff monitor safety plan guidelines set for the construction of its $44 million rail expansion project. Safety on the job site, which started earlier this month, will ultimately be the responsibility of contractor Rotschy Inc. of Vancouver, port project engineer Kyle Fadness told port commissioners Wednesday. We are on-site, we can see if there is any deficiencies but ultimately it comes down to the contractor to enforce the health and safety plan, Fadness told commissioners. Fadness detailed terms of the health and safety plan that was required in Rotschys winning bid during an overview of safeguards the port is taking on the construction project. It was the first discussion in open session about safety on the project since January, when a split commission voted 2-1 to authorize the contract despite outcry from labor leaders concerned about Rotschys checkered safety record. The Vancouver-based contractors history of Washington State Department of Labor & Industries citations notably includes a six-figure fine for a 2023 incident in which a teen lost his legs working a job in La Center, news in April that the Clark County Prosecutors Office is considering potential felony child labor law violations linked to the incident, along with new citations accusing Rotschy of safety violations issued as recently as April. The conclusion about Rotschy having ultimate responsibility prompted port commissioners and union leaders in the audience to press officials, despite work on the project starting earlier this May. My concern is this particular contractor has not shown a culture of safety, Commissioner Evan Jones said. Jones was the sole opposing vote in January against awarding the project. During the Wednesday meeting Jones touched on a union organizers highlight of a Rotschy L&I citation issued earlier this year at a job site in Vancouver for trench worker safety violations to argue that safety issues go all the way to the top. The citation involved a worker who was a foreman working in a trench without cave-in protection while a supervisor watched. Commissioner Jeff Wilson, who referred to Rotschy as a troubled contractor, voiced frustration that despite his directives at staff towards a compromise solution at the May 7 meeting, Rotschy was never contacted about amendments or agreements. Wilson repeated the request he made at the last meeting for a good-faith effort from all parties, and floated the idea of some sort of carrot-and-stick agreement separate from the contract to better foster a culture of safety. This particular job isnt the biggest job on the planet, but its coming with such enlightened awareness, tragedy, Wilson said. Its in the spotlight, its under the microscope thats why Im incredibly anxious to do anything that we legally can to make this the safest job that it can be. Jones said he also would like to hear from Rotschy. I want to know what theyre going to do different here, Jones said. Quote "It's not going to put anybody's legs back on. Whether we get sued or somebody else gets sued or nobody gets sued, I just really don't want anybody getting seriously hurt like that." Longview Port Commissioner Evan Jones Theyre very aware of whats going on Bill Burton, the ports director of facilities and engineering, told commissioners that we have had those conversations with Rotschy regarding that. Weve had those discussions multiple times from pre-award, through award to this moment right now, Burton said. Theyre very aware of whats going on. Since the teens on-the-job injury became part of the news cycle, Rotschy has made been awarded other jobs at least four or five others where their safety history has come up, Burton said. He added that, Theyre aware they know that youre watching, that everyones watching and theyre trying to put their best foot forward to accomplish this. They have a safety officer on site 100% of this project, Burton said. I dont necessarily want to stand here and defend them. Im just basically recounting what they have said to me. The ports special counsel, lawyer Darien Loiselle of Portland, explained to the commissioners that his focus was on the ports liability should anything go wrong. He reiterated points in Fadness presentation that the contract required a robust health and safety plan and regular safety meetings. Loiselle also noted that there were concerns about fairness to other port contracts tying safety to compensation. There are robust mechanisms already at play here to ensure safety, Loiselle said. Presuming the port continues to follow industry-standard practice and thats whats been outlined here the port wouldnt have responsibility for an incident unless it observes something and doesnt take care of it during the course of construction. Jones said he doesnt give a damn about liability. Its not going to put anybodys legs back on, Jones said. Whether we get sued or somebody else gets sued or nobody gets sued, I just really dont want anybody getting seriously hurt like that. The contract Fadness said the requirement is that the contractor write a health and safety plan that is specific to this project. It must meet local, state and federal laws and regulations following guidelines set by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Most of the contracting language is pulled from WSDOT, Fadness said. Most of the language in our contract is typical of a Washington Public works project. We just follow as most public agencies in the state do the WSDOT standards, Fadness added. He highlighted that the port contracted with with Bellevue-based construction management firm, KBA, to assist port staff with on-site inspections and other contract matters. Fadness said that KBA construction engineer Gary Paxton will work on-site for the full entirety of the project. Paxton brings 43 years of construction experience, 17 years of project management experience and 14 years of inspection experience. Hes very experienced, Fadness said. Jones said he was satisfied with Paxtons resume. He told him that he was trusting him to be my eyes and ears on this. Rotschy has designated a project safety representative tasked with supervising safety operations, and as part of the health and safety plan or HSP the contractor will hold on-site safety meetings including daily tailgate meetings, weekly safety meetings and job site briefings for new arrivals, according to Fadness presentation, and port staff and KBA will verify that Rotschy is in compliance of the HSP during regular inspections. Any safety concerns will go to the foreman, and Fadness put in bold, all-caps letters in his presentation that EVERYONE ON-SITE HAS STOP WORK AUTHORITY. Fadness described stop-work authority as meaning that if anybody sees an immediate hazard to life and health, they can stop work and they can shut down ... maybe not the whole job until staff can address a safety issue. In public comments, Tyler Smith with Ironworkers 29 based out of Portland pointed out that the stop-work authority on job sites is important, but theres a heavy power imbalance. A new worker on his or her first job may not want to stir the pot with an older superintendent. He said his organization supports all workers, both union and open shop, and wants everyone to be safe. We need to be safe when nobody is watching, Smith said. Not just under scrutiny ... an injury to one is an injury to us all. Another commenter called the bold, all-caps bullet point as the epitome of lip-service. Burton explained that if an unsafe condition imminently puts a worker in danger, it would be stopped immediately. More general safety concerns would be addressed through the process of port staff approaching the project foreman. You go talk to the contractor themselves and they will address it, Burton said. Commissioner Jones, who is a member of the IBEW Local 48 electricians union, asked Fadness his team to be thorough as they oversee the project. Take care of this, and take care of our people, please. Construction begins The state issued a Notice to Proceed on May 12, allowing Rotschy to begin moving-in its equipment and materials to the job site, according to Fadness report. Since then, Rotschy has brought in job trailers, installed silt and safety fencing among other erosion control measures and conducted survey work. Last week, crews mowed and cleared vegetation on the job site such as trees near the Longview railroad switching and removing other trees felled last year. Weve got quite a bit of that material removed already, Fadness said. Starting this week, crews will begin building an access road to the job site, and will start hauling material. He showed photos of trailers, excavators and the geotextile fabric to be used. Looking forward, ... were hoping to start building the access road to start hauling material, Fadness said. The week after that we are hoping to begin hauling material for the fill on the east side of the project. SHARP has announced a strategic partnership with Systech IT Solutions Ltd., a leading distribution powerhouse in South India. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in SHARPs ongoing India growth story and further reinforces its commitment to expanding accessibility and reach across the southern marketstarting with Karnataka. With a legacy of innovation spanning more than 100 years globally and more than 25 years of trusted legacy in India, SHARP has built a strong reputation for offering high-performance, energy-efficient, and health-focused home solutions that empower modern lifestyles. From refrigerators, air purifiers, and washing machines to microwaves, kitchen appliances, and air conditioners, SHARPs portfolio reflects its brand promise of Simply Better Living, combining smart technology with thoughtful design and durability. The partnership with Systech IT Solutions Ltd., one of South Indias most experienced and respected distributors in the consumer durables space, will play a pivotal role in expanding SHARPs market access. With a robust retail network, deep-rooted relationships with channel partners, and a proven understanding of the South Indian consumer psyche, Systech is well-positioned to accelerate SHARPs market penetration and product visibility across Karnataka and adjoining regions. Top Breaking News Of The Day This move builds upon SHARPs successful expansion into the Eastern region last year and signals the brands sharpened focus on pan-India growth. The Indian consumer electronics and home appliances market is witnessing rapid evolution, with rising demand for quality, efficiency, and smart living. By combining SHARPs advanced technology with Systechs on-ground distribution strength, the partnership aims to create a seamless and enriched buying experience for customers in South India. Mr. Osamu Narita, Managing Director, SHARP Business Systems India Pvt. Ltd., commented, India continues to be a cornerstone of SHARPs global growth strategy. Our entry into Karnataka through this partnership with Systech marks a major leap in our vision to serve every Indian household with innovation that is reliable, relevant, and future-ready. By combining SHARPs globally trusted technology with Systechs strong market intelligence and channel strength, we are committed to delivering even greater value and accessibility to consumers in Southern India. Mr. Mimoh Jain, Vice President Sharp India Appliances., added, At SHARP, our product philosophy is rooted in enhancing quality of life through innovation that prioritizes Health, Hygiene, and Care. Unlike seasonal categories, our diverse portfolio offers year-round relevancefeaturing solutions that cater to the everyday well-being and evolving lifestyle needs of Indian consumers. Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver meaningful value, expand access to our technologies, and foster long-term brand trust across South India. Mr. Abhishek Jain, Managing Director, Systech IT Solutions Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm, We are proud to associate with SHARP, a global leader known for its innovation-first approach and product quality. This partnership allows us to bring to market a portfolio that is not just advanced but also aligned with the evolving needs of the South Indian consumer. With our widespread channel network, experienced team, and strong service infrastructure, we aim to make SHARP a leading name in every home in this region. This alliance is in line with SHARPs broader strategy of strengthening its presence through regionally strong and strategically aligned partners who understand local dynamics and can deliver with consistency and speed. The partnership will also support SHARPs wider mission of delivering smart, sustainable, and customer-centric appliancesdesigned with Japanese precision and backed by the trust of SHARPs Japan Quality 7 Shields, which emphasizes on quality, durability, and peace of mind. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its two-decade-long strategic partnership with Virgin Atlantic, a premium long haul UK airline, to accelerate its digital transformation journey. Under this renewed seven-year agreement, the two organizations will deepen their collaboration to strengthen the technological foundations of Virgin Atlantic, enable modern airline retailing, deliver greater operational resilience, and enhance customer experience. As part of this long-term engagement, TCS will modernize Virgin Atlantics core technology operations by implementing a cloud-first, AI-powered digital core that enhances business agility, improves resilience of systems, and allows for higher scale of operations. TCS will implement a modern, AI-powered technology estate that will unify the airlines technology assets and deploy an advanced Technology Command Centre. This will serve as the nerve centre for transforming Virgin Atlantics technology operations. Virgin Atlantics Technology Command Centre, co-developed with TCS, will provide real-time operational insights to enhance decision making, streamline technology operations and empower front line staff with up to date, contextual data. This will support the elevation of both customer and crew experiences, enabling efficient, smarter and more sustainable journeys, and superior hyper-personalized customer experience across every touchpoint of airline travel. Oli Byers, Chief Financial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said, We exist to make our customers smile, its that simple. As we look ahead to this next phase of our digital transformation, technology will enable us to deliver smarter, simpler, and more memorable experiences. TCS has been a partner for more than two decades and together well continue to build towards our vision of becoming the most loved travel company, powered by AI technology to modernize our systems, drive efficiency and deliver for our customers. Top Breaking News Of The Day With deep aviation expertise and contextual knowledge, TCS will utilise its proprietary solutions such as TCS Cognix and TCS AI WisdomNext to accelerate transformation, enable experience-centric services, and enhance service delivery. TCS bouquet of technology solutions will support Virgin Atlantic in building a resilient and sustainable digital core, enabling the airline to innovate continuously while delivering value across revenue, efficiency, and customer experience metrics, and become sustainably profitable. These solutions will be delivered through a dedicated onsite team of TCS associates equipped with a deep contextual knowledge of Virgin Atlantics environment. Amit Kapur, Country Head UK & Ireland, Tata Consultancy Services said, At TCS, we believe being perpetually adaptive is a necessity in todays dynamic business landscape. Our two-decade partnership with Virgin Atlantic is a testament to a shared vision. By combining our deep aviation expertise with advanced capabilities in data, AI, and engineering, were helping Virgin Atlantic build intelligent, scalable digital ecosystems and redefine the future of travel. TCS has been a transformation partner to Virgin Atlantic which ferried over 5 million passengers worldwide in 2024 and connects over 30 destinations globally. For over two-decades TCS has been instrumental in driving innovation and agility across mission-critical programs for the airline; spanning crew, cargo, engineering and enterprise platforms. Building on this strong legacy, this extended partnership marks a new chapter in collaboration, laying the foundation for a future-ready airline that will continue to set new benchmarks for the airline industry. With three decades of leadership in aviation, TCS partners with the worlds leading airlines, offering consulting-led innovation, cognitive-powered portfolio of business, and technology and engineering services. TCS leverages industry-specific solutions, like TCS Aviana, a unified, autonomous, digital, cloud-ready solution for intelligent airline operations. Its deep industry knowledge will help Virgin Atlantic unlock new growth opportunities and drive innovation across its entire business ecosystem. This partnership demonstrates TCS dedication to being a trusted transformation partner for leading businesses in the UK. TCS has operated in the UK for 50 years and works with over 200 of the nations best-known and most-loved businesses. TCS holds a leadership position in software and IT services in the UK market, working with around half of the FTSE100. TCS has been ranked the number one IT service provider for customer satisfaction in the UK in an independent survey of CIOs from the largest IT spending organizations in the country. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: New research demonstrates that with collaboration between stakeholders, Australia can fully decarbonize its domestic and energy export economies by 2060 while avoiding harm to important areas for biodiversity outcomes, safeguarding agricultural activities, and respecting Indigenous land rights (Illustration by Bumper DeJesus). Credit: Bumper DeJesus / Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment Decarbonizing Australia's economy and protecting the country's most critical natural resources are both possible, but will require significant collaboration between energy developers, state and local governments, landowners, and interest groups, according to new research led by Princeton and the University of Queensland. The research, published in Nature Sustainability, demonstrates that Australia can fully decarbonize its domestic and energy export economies by 2060 while avoiding harm to important areas for biodiversity outcomes, safeguarding agricultural activities, and respecting Indigenous land rights. "The amount of land required for the energy transition is massive, and the speed at which we need to be deploying renewable infrastructure is unprecedented," said first author Andrew Pascale, research scholar at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. "At the same time, we've shown here that not only can it be done, but that it can and should be done while incorporating the perspectives of many different stakeholders." If stakeholders work collaboratively to identify the most suitable areas for development, the researchers found it would be possible to site the over 110,000 square kilometersaround 1.7 times the size of Tasmaniaof renewable energy infrastructure needed by 2060 to reach net-zero in Australia while preserving lands for biodiversity and agriculture. If stakeholders refuse to compromise on their interests, however, it would lead not only to higher energy prices but also a clean energy shortfall of almost 500 gigawatts. Such a shortfall would undermine the modeled decarbonization pathway, potentially requiring an unwanted and likely costly pivot to an alternative. "There are legitimate tensions surrounding renewable energy development," said co-author Chris Greig, the Theodora D. '78 & William H. Walton III '74 Senior Research Scientist in the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. "There are valuesprotecting biodiversity, respecting Indigenous estate, supporting farmersthat must be respected and incorporated into planning processes alongside concerns about the climate." The researchers drew from their prior work on the Net Zero Australia study, a multi-year, multi-institutional collaboration that charted unique pathways for Australia to fully decarbonize and maintain its domestic and export economya nearly $6.2 trillion task (in 2020 U.S. dollars). During Net Zero Australia, the team consulted with stakeholder groups including the National Farmers Federation, National Native Title Council, and the Australian Conservation Foundation. In the present study, the team drew from those conversations to incorporate stakeholder values about land use into their technoeconomic model, identifying the most suitable lands for renewable energy development and those that should be excluded from consideration. "In thinking about renewable energy planning, we're taking into account different biodiversity goals and protections for natural capital, which is critical for when you're trying to implement projects," said co-author James Watson, a professor of environmental management at The University of Queensland. "This is among the first works to put biodiversity and natural capital into the same picture as energy planning in Australia, which is a much-needed step in the right direction." The researchers combined the modeling results and stakeholder input to propose a "traffic-light" approach for siting renewable infrastructure. They identified where energy projects could be easiest to site (green), where they could be potentially sited pending further stakeholder engagement (orange), and where development would be off-limits (red). The researchers contrasted their proposed system with the renewable energy zones that the Australian Energy Regulator uses for energy planning, noting that at least two existing renewable energy zones have over 90% overlap with biodiversity exclusion areas. "There is a difference between modeling a net-zero pathway and planning one," Pascale said. "What looks good from the standpoint of resource quality and proximity to existing infrastructure might not hold when you simultaneously consider biodiversity and other national commitments. If 90% of the land in a proposed renewable energy zone will trigger a response from conservation groups, then it may be time to rethink." Greig added that at a broader level, the research highlights the importance of flexible, robust net-zero pathways that account for land-use uncertainties. Such a methodology would require moving away from conventional, top-down modeling approaches to flexible pathways that are conscious of different and sometimes competing priorities for natural capital. "We've identified a need for a government planning and approval process that integrates the diverse interests of energy development, Indigenous land rights, environmental values like biodiversity, and natural resources more broadly," said Greig. "Those perspectives are typically siloed, which is a recipe for decisions that make unacceptable tradeoffs and compromise biodiversity alongside Indigenous and farmers' rights." The researchers suggested that an immediate planning goal would be to prioritize turning possible development sites (orange) into ones acceptable to diverse stakeholders (green) as quickly as possible. They also underscored several uncertainties, such as missing critical habitat data for many Australian species and how all species might respond to climate change, which would require greater flexibility within individual transition pathways accompanied by regular model updates. If any unexpected and extreme changes in land availability exceed the flexibility designed in the pathway, the researchers acknowledged that the model's outcomes could change. However, Watson said that such uncertainties should not prevent planners from using the best available data to take action on renewable energy development. "We have to deal with the problem we are facing today, thinking about where endangered species are right now and focusing on keeping those habitats intact," said Watson. "We can take action while acknowledging we need better data, which is far preferable to simply forgetting or ignoring biodiversity." "I see this paper as a wake-up call," he added. "The take-home message is that we need a clean energy future, and that we need to plan for that futureand the large spatial footprint it will requirewithout defeating our other societal goals." More information: Andrew C. Pascale et al, Negotiating risks to natural capital in net-zero transitions, Nature Sustainability (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01576-y Journal information: Nature Sustainability 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 historical price point for ethanol. Credit: Joseph Smith Ethanol has become a major part of America's energy landscape. It was first used in cars, and is now mixed into most gasoline sold in the U.S. This rise has been driven by environmental concerns, energy security and advances in technology. Today, ethanol helps reduce carbon emissions while creating jobs and supporting rural economies. Dr. Greg Gelles, professor emeritus of economics, and Dr. Joseph Smith, professor in the Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, are experts in the economics, environmental impact and future ethanol production in America. Both Gelles and Smith responded to the following questions. Can you give a brief history of ethanol production in the United States? Ethanol was first used as an automotive fuel in the 1920s and 30s. In early 2000, ethanol demand grew significantly due to energy security concerns and the U.S.'s increased dependence on imported oil. Environmental concerns related to Methyl tert-butyl ethers (MTBEs), used as fuel oxygenate, created additional demand. In 2007, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act with the goal of increasing renewable fuel production to 36 billion gallons by 2022. What is the present volume of ethanol production in the United States? U.S. ethanol production has increased every year since 2000, with 2024 production reaching a record 16 billion gallons for an annualized growth rate of less than 8% per year. In addition, 2024 ethanol exports were 1.9 billion gallons with Canada importing nearly 50% of our exports. Iowa ranks as the largest state producer at 4.9 billion gallons. Most cars today use gasoline blended with ethanol (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline) referred to as E10. Some vehicles are tuned to use E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). Is the increase in ethanol production in the US associated with a corresponding increase in the number of operating ethanol plants? The number of U.S. ethanol plants reached a maximum in 2011, when the corn farm subsidy was removed and decreased until 2015. The number has remained steady since then. During our visit to POET's ethanol plant in Laddonia, Missouri, in 2013, they produced about 50 million gallons, while in 2025 they produced over 80 million gallons. In 2013, they produced about 2.7 gallons of ethanol per bushel of corn, while today they produce 2.97 gallons per bushel, and they expect to produce less than three gallons per bushel next year. Significant advancements in agricultural science related to new hybrid corn and advanced farming techniques have also increased corn production from 150 bushels per acre to over 190 bushels per acre today. To what extent is the ethanol market sustained by federal subsidies? Steve Murphy, POET's Laddonia plant manager, said that direct farm subsidies for U.S. ethanol blenders ended in 2011, although some states (including Missouri) still have a $0.05 per gallon incentive for blends less than 10% (for example, E15) but this "blenders credit" is paid to refiners, not ethanol producers. Steve also said there is a federal tax credit of 45 cents per gallon of ethanol when blended with gasoline. Is corn the main raw material used worldwide in making ethanol? Today, more than 80% of the world's ethanol production occurs in the U.S. and Brazil. While most of the U.S. ethanol is derived from corn, Brazil produces most of their ethanol from sugar cane. Recently, Brazil has begun growing more corn and constructed new corn ethanol plants similar to the U.S. plants. As a biofuel that adds no net CO 2 to the atmosphere, why is there an effort to capture the CO 2 ? Does that add to the cost? To reduce transportation's carbon footprint, the government is focused on lowering the carbon intensity (CI) of transportation. Support for electric vehicles using renewable energy to generate required electricity and increasing the blend level for ethanol in gasoline are other ways being used to reduce transportation's CI. Mandates to use the Department of Energy's GREET software to estimate the CI for transportation is now required for all government grants and loan guarantees. A recent university study concluded that ethanol has a CI score of 41.7% lower than gasoline. So, using E85 would reduce the transportation carbon footprint in the U.S. with additional savings possible. Using E85 would reduce the transportation carbon footprint in the U.S. with additional savings possible. Credit: Joseph Smith In modern day ethanol plants, what products are made other than ethanol? During our plant visits to Laddonia, we witnessed the hybridization of POET's ethanol production. Today, they produce animal feed (distillers' grain), as well as corn oil, dry ice and electricity (used to power the plant with excess sold back to their provider). Producing multiple products has increased their economic performance. Is there a future for cellulosic ethanol? Cellulosic ethanol is made from non-food plant materials (such as corn cobs, grass or wood waste). The challenge in producing ethanol from cellulose is that the starch content is much lower, thus ethanol production is lower and more expensive. Currently, there are cellulosic ethanol plants in Brazil that represent a very small portion of the country's total ethanol production. Brazil has said their plan is to build 20 more plants by 2027. Over the years, the U.S. government has funded several attempts to develop a profitable cellulosic ethanol plant. POET's Project Liberty resulted in an operating cellulosic ethanol plant as part of an operating corn ethanol plant. This plant has since been decommissioned due to lower economic performance. An article in the March 2025 edition of Ethanol Producer Magazine announced "New Energy Blue" will build a cellulosic ethanol plant in Iowa using corn stover as its feedstock and is projected to provide 20 million gallons of ethanol per year. The idea of using low-quality feedstock to produce biofuel is one of those projects that Gelles claims will never happen. Smith is more optimistic and believes, like other engineering challenges, society will eventually figure out how to make ethanol from cellulose economically. Has the growth in the ethanol industry had a positive economic impact on rural America? The local economic impact of POET's Laddonia plant is clear. This plant has created 50 high-paying jobs and increased corn demand from local farmers. The ethanol market has had a positive economic impact on the total U.S. economy as well. In 2024, the Renewable Fuels Association concluded that in 2023 about 72,400 U.S. jobs were directly associated with the ethanol industry, with an additional 322,000 indirect jobs supported by the industry. They reported that the industry generated $32.5 billion in household income and contributed just over $54.2 billion to the nation's gross domestic product. 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 aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is seen in the night sky over the Tallinn bay of the Baltic sea in Tallinn, Estonia, April 2, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Sergei Grits, file People in parts of the U.S. may be able to see Northern lights Monday nightor at least use a smartphone's camera to reveal hints of the aurora not visible to the naked eye. Space weather forecasters issued a rare, severe solar storm alert on Sunday after the sun let out a huge burst of energy called a coronal mass ejection last week. Another one headed toward Earth on Monday could produce more aurora sightings and with it, more social media posts of the majestic spectacle. If you plan to head outside after sunset to look for the lights, and photograph them, there are things you can do to make sure you get the best shot. First, though, try to find a quiet, dark area away from light pollution and check the weather forecastclouds can cover up the aurora borealis. As for equipment, ideally, you should use a DSLR camera because its manual controls give you lots of control, and a tripod to hold it steady. But many people won't have this sort of equipment. But if you've only got a smartphone, you can still take great photos of the night skies. Here are some tips on how to shoot the Northern Lights: A good setup Before fiddling with your phone, take a few other steps to improve your chances of getting a good shot. First, dim your screen. A bright screen can hurt your night vision and both others nearby. Even if you don't have a tripod, it's best not to hold your phone with your hands while shooting at night because there's a good chance the picture will turn out blurry. Find something to rest your device against, like a hat, a book or even just the ground. Of course, check the forecast because auroras are best seen in clear skies. Find a dark spot, away from city lights and look north. Also, consider going horizontal instead of vertical to capture a wider image. Tips for the iPhone First, turn off your phone's flash. It's usually marked by the lightning bolt symbol in the corner of the screen. Next, use Night Mode, which is found on iPhone 11 and newer models. It usually turns on automatically in low light. You can tell it's on because a circular icon with a crescent moon will appear in the top left corner of the screen. For night shots, a longer exposure is better because there's more time for light to hit the lens. Apple says Night Mode's exposure length is normally determined automatically, but you can still experiment with manual controls. To get to the controls, tap the arrow at the top of the camera screen, which will bring up a row of controls at the bottom. Tap find the exposure icon, which is the same crescent moon symbol as the Night Mode icon. A slider will come up, which you can drag left or right to choose between Auto and Max timer settings. Max will give you the longest exposure time. Whichever setting you choose, it will be remembered for the next time. Then, tap the shutter button to take your shot. Better yet, turn on the countdown timer. The delay gives you time to move away and reduces the chance any movement from your finger will affect the shot. If you are going handheld, and the iPhone detects movement in the frame, it will display crosshairs. Try to keep them lined up to minimize any motion that can ruin the shot. Tips for Android devices There are similar night and astrophotography modes available on most Android devices. On Pixel phones, tap the Night Sight setting at the bottom of the screen. If you're using a tripod, the astrophotography setting will come up automatically once the phone has detected that it is still and ready, according to Google's online guide. Now you can press the shutter, which will trigger a five-second countdown timer before the phone starts taking a long exposure of up to four minutes. If you don't have a tripod, you'll have to activate the astro mode by tapping the crescent moon icon and swiping the slider. You'll still get a five-second timer when you hit the shutter, which Google says "allows you to place your phone down on a steady surface facing the sky." Then the phone will play a sound to let you know it's done. Newer Samsung phones can access an astrophoto mode, but users will have to download the company's free Expert Raw camera app to get it. Use a third-party app If you feel like you need some outside assistance for your snapshots, tourist boards and other outfits from some Nordic countries have suggestions for you. Iceland Air, for instance, has a blog entry on the best apps for taking pictures of the Northern lights, including the Northern Lights Photo Taker, which costs 99 cents to download and "does exactly what it says," according to the post. Inspired by Iceland lists additional apps to try, especially if your default camera lacks manual controls. These include NightCap Camera, ProCamera, and Slow Shutter for iOS. For Android, ProCam X Lite is a good choice. Visit Norway suggests similar camera replacement apps, but notes that you should test them before you go to see what works best for you and the type of phone you have. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. FedEx establishes direct serve in Vietnam on surging demand By Thai Ha Tue, June 3, 2025 | 2:55 pm GMT+7 FedEx Express Corporation, one of the worlds largest express transportation companies, has transitioned to a direct-serve presence in Vietnam amid the Southeast Asian countrys growing international shipping demand. "This represents a strategic change aimed at enhancing the companys competitiveness and preparing for future growth in this critical market in our extensive network," the company said in release on Tuesday. FedEx now operates a total of 42 weekly flights out of Vietnam to the rest of the world. Photo courtesy of the company. Local businesses can now enjoy greater access to FedExs comprehensive portfolio of international shipping solutions, and advanced digital tools that make shipping easier and more efficient through the FedEx website. Local service provider, Song Binh Trading and Services Co., Ltd., will continue to provide pickup, delivery, and customs clearance services across the country. Additionally, Vietnamese businesses and individual shippers can enjoy expanded access to FedEx Billing Online for improved management of shipments and invoices, improved payment flexibility, and strengthened customer support. "We are excited to commence direct serve in Vietnam, reinforcing our commitment to this fast-growing market. This enhancement brings us closer to our customers, further streamline shipping processes, and provide more convenience for local businesses and individual shippers," said Ee-Hui Tan, managing director of FedEx Vietnam and Cambodia. This development enables FedEx to provide more support to local businesses aspiring to expand overseas, he added. Bianca Wong, vice president Southeast Asia operations at FedEx, added: "Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions for global trade, and Vietnam is at the heart of this momentum. "Its strategic location, skilled workforce, and pro-trade policies have made it a vital link in international supply chains. Our ongoing investments in Vietnam reflect FedExs dedication to helping customers unlock global trade opportunities and achieve long-term success," she added. Bianca Wong, vice president Southeast Asia operations at FedEx. Photo courtesy of the company. FedEx has been facilitating trade in Vietnam since 1994, being a key player in fostering connections between Vietnam and the global market. In April 2025, the company launched a new flight connecting Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam to the U.S. Operating six weekly flights with a dedicated FedEx Boeing 777 freighter, shipments from Vietnam will be consolidated in Ho Chi Minh City before being transported to Singapore for the direct flight to Anchorage, ensuring a more seamless, faster, and efficient journey to the U.S. The company now operates a total of 42 weekly flights out of Vietnam to the rest of the world. FedEx Express is the worlds largest express transportation company, providing delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. The firm uses a global air-and-ground network to speed the delivery of time-sensitive shipments. Food giant C.P. Vietnams 'diseased' pigs improperly quarantine-stamped: authorities By Chau Anh Tue, June 3, 2025 | 5:36 pm GMT+7 The widely circulated images of diseased pigs from C.P. Vietnam, a subsidiary of Thailands food giant Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF), date back to 2022, but the pigs were improperly stamped, Vietnamese authorities stated on Tuesday. Nguyen Thu Thuy, deputy director of the department of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine at Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, made the statement at a press meeting. She explained that pigs with skin disease designated for repurposing must bear a circular stamp, while those slated for destruction received a triangular stamp. The square seal is reserved exclusively for products approved for market circulation. An inspection team inspects C.P. Vietnam's Fresh Shop in My Xuyen district, Soc Trang province, southern Vietnam, May 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of Vietnamnet. Earlier, social media has circulated a complaint from a 40-year-old man in My Xuyen town, My Xuyen district, the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, accusing C.P. Vietnam of selling diseased pork and chicken. The man said he previously worked at C.P. Vietnam, handling pork processing. During his time at a C.P. Fresh Shop in My Xuyen, he uncovered serious violations committed by the companys leadership. According to the man, diseased pigs and chickens, often giving off a foul odor, were routinely mixed in and delivered to the Fresh Shop, where staff were instructed to sell them in the Soc Trang market. The diseased pork and chicken pieces looked terrible - covered with bumps, sores, abscesses, pus, and some were chopped into fragments, emitting a foul odor and swarming with flies, yet they were still sent to the store for sale. "Company management even instructed staff to sell these pieces at half price to locals for making sausages. Recognizing the complexity of the issue and its potential long-term impact on public health, I decided to file a formal complaint, the man wrote. To bolster credibility, apart from his address, the man included his phone number, photos of diseased pigs, and screenshots of message exchanges related to the case in his complaint. In these photos, C.P. Vietnams pigs with skin disease were stamped with square seals. Images of the diseased pork linked to the case are circulating on social media. Photo courtesy of Jonny Lieu. At the Tuesday press meet, Thuy said authorities have requested C.P. Vietnam to report after images surfaced on social media showing diseased pigs entering food stores within the companys system. Verification revealed the photos were taken on March 26, 2022, at Dung Nga slaughterhouse in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, a processing facility for C.P. Vietnam. According to Thuy, at the time, the facility sought heat treatment approval to repurpose the pigs as aquatic feed, in line with regulations. However, the facilitys records lacked the required treatment documentation, prompting the department to request additional paperwork. In response to the violation, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien demanded a thorough probe to identify those responsible for the incorrect stamping, emphasizing that the ministry will pursue full accountability. Noting the ongoing African swine fever outbreak in 2022, Tien said feeding diseased pigs to fish - even after heat treatment - is wrong, as disease control plans clearly required pigs showing symptoms to be treated with lime, chemicals, or incineration. On Monday, a multi-agency team in Hau Giang province inspected two slaughterhouses - Nguyen Dan and Dung Nga - in Long Thanh commune, Phung Hiep district. A representative from Dung Nga confirmed the images of diseased pigs were taken by staff for internal reporting to the company, not for distribution purposes. C.P. Vietnam also confirmed that 72.7 kilograms of skin-diseased pork were destroyed on-site, with an official record filed. Regarding the quarantine stamp seen on the diseased pigs, a company representative said the same day that it has followed proper procedures and is working with authorities to clarify the matter. Last Friday, an inter-agency task force in Soc Trang province also conducted a surprise inspection of a C.P. Fresh Shop outlet in My Xuyen town. At the time of inspection, no expired goods or diseased pork or chicken products were found. However, the stores food safety certification had expired in March 2025, and it failed to present the original business registration certificate and proof of food safety training. C.P. Vietnam has dismissed the social media allegations of selling diseased pork, calling them fabricated and false. The claims were intended to defame and damage the company, it said in a formal statement, urging stakeholders to stay calm and take a balanced, discerning view of the available information. The company said it is working closely with authorities to clarify and address the issue in line with the law, protecting its legal rights and ensuring strict measures against defamatory and fabricated claims. Established in 1993, C.P. Vietnam currently operates nine feed production plants in Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Tien Giang, Can Tho and Ben Tre in southern Vietnam, Dak Lak in the Central Highlands, and Hanoi and Hai Duong province in the north. Its product range covers livestock feed for pigs, beef cattle, and dairy cattle; poultry feed for broilers, layers, ducks, and quail; and aquaculture feed for shrimp and fish. C.P. also runs three food and seafood processing plants in Dong Nai and Hanoi. Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF), the parent of C.P. Vietnam, earned a revenue of THB122 billion ($3.62 billion) in Vietnam in 2024, up 5% year-on-year. According to the firms performance review for 2024, the revenue in Vietnam accounted for 21% of CPFs total revenue, or the second-biggest portion. Thailand, its domestic market, made up 37% of the total, or the biggest portion. The third rank belonged to China with 6%. Vietnam plans to spend over $2 bln on US agri imports By Minh Hue Tue, June 3, 2025 | 10:01 pm GMT+7 Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is expected to sign MoUs to purchase over $2 billion worth of U.S. agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. The leaders of the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Iowa Department of Agriculture witness the signing of some MoUs on June 2, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese ministry. These agreements will be signed during Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duys working visit to the U.S. from June 1-7. On Monday alone, in the state of Iowa, the two sides signed five MoUs worth a total of approximately $800 million. The deals mainly involve import of soybean meal, corn, wheat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) over a three-year period. Specifically, Khai Anh Binh Thuan JSC will import 1 million tons of soybean meal from Ag Processing Inc. (AGP) for $380-390 million and 900,000 tons of corn and wheat from United Grain for $250 million. Vietnam-Japan Nutrition Technology JSC signed a contract with POET to purchase 200,000 tons of DDGS and soybean meal, valued at $60-70 million. Several other companies also signed agreements to import soybeans, meat, fruit, and other agricultural products from Iowa. In addition to trade, the two sides are expanding public-private partnerships. The Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health of Vietnam signed an MoU with the Iowa Pork Producers Association to enhance connectivity, organize technical workshops, and promote trade. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Deputy Secretary Grant Menke affirmed their desire to deepen cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in the area of high-quality agricultural products. In response, Minister Duy emphasized that Vietnam and the U.S. can complement each other within the agricultural value chain. Representatives from both sides acknowledged the strong potential for cooperation, especially given Vietnams strengths in tropical agricultural products and the U.S.'s leadership in temperate-zone agriculture. Iowa, known as the Heart of Agriculture in the U.S., stands as the nation's leading corn producer with an annual output of 50 million tons. The state also excels in producing many other agricultural commodities like soybeans, wheat, pork, and beef. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). The 21-year-old man accused in the May 11 shooting of a Casper teen was trained in the use handguns and carbine rifles by the Wyoming National Guard. Thats what a witness for the state indicated before Judge Kevin Taheri during a preliminary hearing in Natrona County Circuit Court Tuesday. Sebastian Belden faces two counts of aggravated assault and battery and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison if found guilty. Natrona County Sheriffs Cpl. Ken Jividen, who was the only witness called during the hearing, testified Belden received firearms training from the Guard. Jividen told the states attorney Belden completed his handgun training just this March. The 16-year-old victim was identified by his aunt as Tyler Campos. He was initially identified through a GoFundMe listing as Tyler Parker. Parker is his family name, but Corinne Parker, the teens aunt, confirmed his legal name is Campos. Campos was only referred to in court Tuesday by his initials. He suffered a gunshot wound to his head and was initially taken to to Banner Wyoming Medical Center. The teen was then flown to Childrens Hospital Colorado where he remained in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit until recently, when he was moved to a neurological floor, Jividens testified. Through his investigation, Jividen said he found that both Belden and Campos had firearms on the day of the incident. He said the victim had an SCCY pistol that was straw-purchased for him by Belden, which Campos paid Belden for. Jividen recounted that Belden told him he realized the illegality of his actions, returned the teens money and re-took possession of the SCCY firearm. He added that Belden admitted he couldnt think of a way to prove hed refunded Campos. Events of the day On the day of the shooting, Belden had a Taurus G3 9mm handgun and Campos had the SCCY, the corporal testified. The pair had been hanging out for several hours along with three others, two of whom were minors. The third was identified by Jividen as Beldens fiancee. Jividen said witness accounts, including interviews with Belden, indicated the defendant had pointed his gun at the teen at least five times throughout the day. In those interviews, Belden described the shooting as a one-in-a-million fluke, Jividen said. The affidavit filed in court noted the pair had a habit of playing quick-draw with one another and that Belden said the guns had always been unloaded when they did so in the past. At the final time Belden raised his firearm, it was fully loaded. Jividen said the incident began with the victim placing an Airheads wrapper in Beldens bag of Swedish Fish that led to a game of chase that Jividen said resembled tag. In that chase, Belden told investigators that he realized the Taurus was in his waistband and paused to remove it, according to the affidavit and Jividens testimony. Jividens testimony indicated that Belden said he saw Campos reach for his own weapon, prompting Belden to quip Im always faster moments before the shooting. When he drew the gun, Belden told investigators he was physically manipulating the guns safety by flicking it in an upward motion, Jividen told the judge. Both handguns were fully loaded with a chambered round at the time of the shooting, according to the affidavit and Jividens testimony. Forensics Jividen said the trajectory of the bullet that struck Campos was consistent with the weapon being raised to a shooting position, well above Beldens waist, which is where he told investigators in his first interview that the gun had discharged. Campos, who is shorter than Belden, was struck above his left eye. Jividen testified the bullet followed a straight trajectory through the teens head, noting that the entry hole on the hat Campos wore was just above the brim and that there was no bullet-related damage to the brim. Belden had told investigators the handgun discharge was a result of a mechanical malfunction that was prompted by him tripping while handling the gun, according to the affidavit. Jividen said he investigated the claim and found several lawsuits that had been filed against Taurus International, the G3s manufacturer, for similar incidents but that the G3 itself essentially corrected all other issues and that no lawsuits of that nature had been filed against the manufacturer in relation to the G3. He noted the weapon cannot be fired unless the trigger is depressed, which Assistant District Attorney Patrick LeBrun noted in his closing argument required four to seven pounds of force. In the defenses cross examination, Jividen testified that witnesses said Belden had pointed the gun at Camposs head and that Campos had not pointed his weapon at Beldens head. Taheri ultimately found probable cause to bind both counts over to district court. Beldens next court date has not been scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon. His bail is set at $50,000. 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. An 18-year-old man was shot and killed Sunday afternoon in a gunfight during an alleged drug deal, Tucson police say. Manuel Phillip Navarro, 19, is accused of fatally shooting Braden Johnson Begay during a drug deal Navarro arranged at an apartment complex in the 200 block of West Blacklidge Drive, west of North Oracle Road, Tucson police said in a news release. Police say both men were armed and shot at each other during a confrontation. Begay died at the scene. Navarro was wounded and was found later at a nearby apartment. After being treated for his wounds at a hospital, Navarro was booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of first degree murder, having a gun during a narcotics offense and armed robbery, the release said. Bond was set at $1 million. Art exhibition held in Yangon to mark 75th anniversary of China-Myanmar diplomatic ties Xinhua) 09:08, June 03, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Jimmy Fallon once threatened to take his own life if he wasn't cast on 'Saturday Night Live' before he turned 25. Jimmy Fallon set himself a timeline to make it onto Saturday Night Live The comedian and late night host has admitted while he really did make the threat early in his career, he "didn't really mean it" because he was so certain he'd achieve his goals. He told 'The Diary of a CEO' podcast: "Yeah, I did [make the threat]. "But, again, I knew that I was gonna be on 'Saturday Night Live', so I guess I didn't really mean it. "Cause I was gonna be on 'Saturday Night Live' before I was 25. I just, I knew that I was going to be on it, so I knew I wasn't really a threat." Jimmy, now 50, made his debut on the iconic sketch show in 1998, when he was 24 years old. He recalled: "I became so obsessed in high school that I couldn't really hang out with anyone while I watched the show, because I didn't like it if anyone didn't like the show." The 'Tonight Show' host was part of the cast from 1998 to 2004, and he admitted his only dream job was to be on 'SNL'. He explained: "It had to be that, because that's what we would watch. They would tape it. You know, we were one of the first families to have a VCR. "We would tape the show and then you could rewatch it. And I would rewatch it and study it, and watch the sketches over and over again, and watch the greats. "Watch [John] Belushi and Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray and Steve Martin. People I wanted to be like." Jimmy was reminded about his threat to "kill himself" if he didn't achieve his goal, which he first revealed in a 2011 interview with Rolling Stone magazine. He told the outlet: "I remember saying to myself, If I dont make it on Saturday Night Live before Im 25, Im going to kill myself'. Its crazy. I had no other plan. I didnt have friends, I didnt have a girlfriend, I didnt have anything going on. I had my career, that was it. Now, 14 years later, Jimmy explained that he actually had it written in "some journal or something". He added on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast: "I was into computers, so I think I typed it. "I think it's on some file somewhere. I think I said I will kill myself, but I definitely said 25 was my thing." The University of Arizona, which has more than 650 Chinese international students, is closely monitoring immigration-related developments after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the U.S. will aggressively revoke Chinese students visas nationwide. The State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to revoke such visas, according to a press statement last week titled New Visa Policies Put America First, Not China. The departments will revoke visas for students who have connections to the Chinese Communist Party or are studying in critical fields, but didnt explain what they mean by critical fields. We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong, Rubio said in the statement. UA spokesperson Mitch Zak said, The U of A is committed to the success and well-being of all international students and scholars, including our Chinese students. International Student Services and International Faculty & Scholar Services closely monitor immigration-related developments and communicate directly to provide timely and accurate information. In addition, Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) provides mental health support and resources tailored to students needs. As always, we encourage all our international students and scholars to reach out with any questions. University staff are here to help, said Zak. Zak said Counseling & Psych Services has had a site-based counselor embedded within International Student Services for the last three years and has always provided student-centered support that considers each persons unique needs and circumstances. UAs cultural and resource center for Asian and Pacific American students, Asian Pacific American Student Affairs, could not be reached for comment. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the UA had 656 Chinese students, of which 397 were graduate students and 259 were undergraduates, Zak said. In total in 2024, the UA had 3,639 international students, including 1,918 graduate students and 1,721 undergraduate students. The university consistently enrolls several thousand international students each year. International students make up 6.4% of the total student population at the UA, according to the University Analytics and Institutional Research Interactive Fact Book. Earlier this week, the State Department paused student visa interviews, and said it was weighing the requirement of vetting the social media of foreign students applying for U.S. student visas. Along with the announcement about Chinese students, these are the two newest developments in the Trump administrations crackdown on international students, which has also included: terminating international students Student Exchange and Visitor Information System records and revoking their visas; targeting pro-Palestinian international students who took part in protests and encampments; arresting, detaining or deporting international students who had their visas revoked; and blocking Harvard University from enrolling international students. UA has advised international students, faculty and scholars to carry their passports, I-94s and proof of statuses with them at all times. They are also advised to allow immigration officials to inspect their mobile devices and social media posts, UAs International Student Services and International Faculty and Scholars Services have said. According to UA Chief Financial Officer John Arnolds report on finances at Aprils Faculty Senate meeting, 27% or $816.1 million of the universitys $2.99 billion annual FY25 budget is made up of net tuition and fees, the second-largest source of revenue. The net tuition revenue for on-campus international students at the UA is approximately $68 million, Arnold has said. Nationwide, international students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year and supported $378,000 jobs, data last year from NAFSA: Association of International Educators showed. PHOENIX State lawmakers want to make it illegal for foreign entities hostile to the United States to buy land in Arizona unless legislators approve. But the legislation awaiting action by the Senate does not exactly make it clear who is considered hostile and how such a decision would be made other than what a majority of lawmakers decide. And while Sen. Mark Finchem specifically mentioned the Chinese Communist Party, the measure approved this past week by the Senate Committee on Federalism is broad enough that it also is drawing concern from the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Arizona. The Prescott Republican said his SB 1066, which was approved by the panel on a party-line vote, is modeled after legislation in Arkansas which restricts certain foreign businesses from acquiring any real property in the state. During a hearing on the measure, Finchem said there was an incident in Arizona he provided no specifics where a group representing the Chinese Communist Party purchased some property. But they were subversive with the way they were going about it, he told colleagues. It wasnt about gold, it wasnt about silver, Finchem continued. It was about other mineral elements that are in the ground, which he did not specify. There already are some restrictions on what can happen on state-owned land. That includes a prohibition in the sale, lease or sublease of state land to corporations or associations not qualified to transact business in this state. But corporations generally can get such authority by registering with the Arizona Corporation Commission. What Finchem wants in SB 1066 takes it a step farther, with a new restriction on any and all land within the state regardless of ownership for any foreign entity that is hostile to the United States. That is defined as not just a foreign government by any state-controlled enterprise of a foreign government or any entity acting as an agency for either. To enforce it, the seller or the sellers agent has to obtain a valid form of identification of the buyer. And if the buyer is a company or other organization, that ID has to be of the agent, with copies sent to the Arizona Department of Real Estate. Finchem has at least some idea of who he wants to block from buying land in Arizona. Im not going to go along with the sale of property in this state to the Chinese Communist Party, to Russia, to anybody who has said Death to America, he said during the hearing. Azza Abuseif who lobbies for CAIR-AZ, told lawmakers its a bad idea. This legislation raises serious constitutional concerns, threatens Arizonas economic vitality, and undermines the values of equity and fairness upon which this state was built, she said. It is a dangerous and discriminatory proposal that should be unequivocally rejected. Beyond that, Abuseif said that the federal government, not the state, controls foreign relations. Moreover, our elected leaders have a duty to act in the best interests of all Arizonans, not just select and elite few, she said. SB 1066 abandons this by targeting vulnerable populations and prioritizing exclusion over inclusion. Abuseif, who said she is from Sudan, at no point mentioned what has been the hot-button issue of a Saudi Arabian company which has bought land in western Arizona where it grows alfalfa which is then shipped back to the home country to feed dairy cattle there. Such farming is illegal in that country given its water shortage. The state has taken actions to end leases of state land by Fondomonte, the subsidiary of the company, at least in part over concerns about high use of unregulated groundwater. But the company owns other property where it continues to farm and pump. Abuseif, however, said this is a broader issue. Many immigrants and dual citizens have built their lives in Arizona, contributing to the states prosperity, she said. SB 1066 stigmatizes these communities, fostering fear and alienation. Her arguments didnt impress Sen. Kevin Payne. Can I own land in Sudan? asked the Peoria Republican. If youre a citizen, yes, Abuseif responded. Theres the rub, Payne said. Isnt that what this bill says? She responded by saying there are a lot of constitutional issues in the bill. Finchem was not convinced, saying he does not understand why there would be a problem with the state denying the opportunity for a foreign adversary to obtain land here. That means somebody who is a threat to our nation, he said. All that, however, gets back to the fact there is nothing in SB 1066 that defines who is hostile to the United States, the trigger in the legislation for determining the ability to purchase land in Arizona. I think we need to know which foreign entities are going to be deemed hostile to the United States and who will be deeming them hostile, said Sen. Priya Sundareshan. Without that kind of clarity this kind of a bill, this kind of a restriction is going to put in place a scenario where people may be racially profiled, said the Tucson Democrat. They may end up being unable to proceed with transactions that are being made. Finchem, however, said hes not concerned. As far as the question of whos going to determine whos hostile, whos an enemy of the state, et cetera, this takes legislative action, he said. That means a hearing, Finchem said. That means there will be considerable debate. And Finchem took note of the fact that the lobbyist for CAIR was the only one testifying against his bill. Keep in mind that CAIR is an unindicted co-conspirator in the bombing of World Trade Center No. 1, he told Capitol Media Services after the committee hearing. I was not at all impressed. There is no evidence linking CAIR to the 1993 incident where Islamic terrorists drove a bomb-filled vehicle into a public parking garage below the towers in an unsuccessful effort to bring it down. Six people were killed. But a report by the Inspector Generals Office at the U.S. Department of Justice says CAIR was named an an unindicted co-conspirator in a separate case involving the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development which had to do with funneling money to a terrorist organization. That report says two known national CAIR leaders were linked to Hamas. In a response on its web site, the organization cites a 2010 ruling by a federal appeals court which said the Department of Justice violated the Fifth Amendment rights of the the North American Islamic Trust when it included it on the 2007 publicly filed list of unindicted co-conspirators. While CAIR was not a party to that litigation, the CAIR statement says that ruling, by implication, means its rights and those of other organizations and individuals publicly named also were violated. The idea of limiting foreign ownership is not unique. That Arkansas measure signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has two provisions. One bars certain foreign parties from acquiring interest in any agricultural land within the state, even if the person or company intends to use it for non-farming purpose. A separate one bars any prohibited foreign-party-controlled business to acquire any land in the state. Gov. Katie Hobbs, asked this past week about the idea of restricting foreign ownership of land in Arizona, declined to comment. PHOENIX Republican lawmakers have voted to send a message to Chinese communists: Your money is not welcome here at least not for buying land. On a party-line vote Wednesday the Senate Commerce Committee approved legislation making it illegal for the Chinese Communist Party to own property in Arizona. That part of SB 1342 appeared to get no opposition. But the proposal by Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, seeks to extend the same prohibition to any individual who is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. And that drew questions about who in fact is a member of the party and whether such restrictions are appropriate against individuals based solely on that status. Rogers provided the committee with no specifics about what is the problem here or even if there is one. Nor did she know whether members of the CCP own land in Arizona. Instead she simply read from information that was provided after U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, introduced similar federal legislation last year. Roy said in a news release that a Chinese-based energy company bought more than 130,000 acres of land near Laughlin Air Force Base in his home state and is now attempting to build a wind farm to access the U.S. power grid. At Wednesdays hearing, the measure got a boost from P.M. Azinga, a Mesa resident who said she taught in China for five years. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fight, she said, quoting from the ancient Chinese military treatise by Sun Tzu. That rang a bell with Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, who is a retired service member and called himself a student of Sun Tzu. What that philosophy involves, Borrelli said, is encroachment, either through purchase, or their grab a little, nudge a little, grab a little, nudge a little. But who, then, is a member of the Chinese Communist Party? Sen. David Livingston, R-Peoria, compared it to being an active duty member of the military who is deployed and representing the country. Its so different from how we think, he said. Trust me: This is not the Republican Party or the Boy Scouts. And Sen.Tyler Pace, R-Mesa, said the State Department has a list of who belongs. That still left Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, a bit uneasy with the wording. She questioned the wisdom of restricting individual land ownership based on that party affiliation. Pace also questioned what, if anything, might attract Chinese interest. Other than Sedona, I dont know what else they would want to buy, Pace said. On a national level there has been discussion about Chinese interests controlling farmland, with the most recent data putting that at about 190,000 acres according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, though complex company ownership structures may make that figure unreliable. Still, that is far less than many other countries, USDA data as of 2019 showing more than 7.4 million acres of U.S. land owned by Canadian companies, 4.5 million by firms from the Netherlands and nearly 2.5 million by Italian interests. Borrelli suggested that the measure, approved by the panel on a 5-3 vote, still needs work before it goes to the full Senate. One issue, he said, would be banning ownership only of strategic properties. And Rogers said shes willing to narrow the scope. But here, too, the definition of what that includes could prove difficult, with even former Vice President Mike Pence saying in a speech last year that should include farmland. One thing Rogers did make clear: Her only concern is Communists as in members of the CCP from China. Those from other countries would remain free to spend their money and buy up what they want. Rogers also made no mention of homegrown communists. And there appear to be at least a couple of dozen. The official reports of the secretary of states details political affiliation only for those parties actually recognized, usually by virtue of their candidates getting enough votes in the most recent election. But Arizonans remain free to self-identify on those voter registration forms. A total of 30 people listed their affiliation as Communist, with another dozen listing their affiliation as Communist Party USA and six just as Communist Party. PHOENIX The Trump administration may be out. But a federal judge isnt reversing her ruling that voided provisions of a 2022 Arizona law designed to require proof of citizenship to vote on federal races. In a new order, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton acknowledged that the federal government no longer wants any part of the lawsuit it filed against the state when Joe Biden was president to protect the rights of voters. She actually had issued a ruling finding some of what is in that law illegal, though there are still other legal issues to be resolved. But Bolton rejected a bid by the attorneys for the Department of Justice, now under Trump, to say she should vacate that judgment, at least as far the federal government is concerned. Its a move that would pave the way to dismiss all of the claims originally made against the state by the Biden administration. The problem with all that, Bolton said, is the feds were just one of seven civil and voting rights groups who all challenged the laws. Those cases were consolidated. And her ruling finding the sections of the 2022 law illegal applied to that entire case. Striking the listing of one of the seven cases listed as consolidated . . . would delete a fact not vacate a judgment, Bolton wrote. The United States improperly seeks to delete its lawsuit from the factual listing of the cases that were consolidated. All of that means that the judgment that the provisions of the 2022 are illegal remains valid. And that ruling also has been upheld by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. It also keeps alive a side issue the appellate judges told her to now resolve: whether there is evidence that the lawmakers who pushed the bill acted with discriminatory intent. At the heart of the case is who has to provide proof of citizenship to vote. That issue was settled in 2004 when Arizona voters approved such a requirement but only for state and local races. Federal races are governed by the National Voter Registration Act. And that requires only signing a form avowing, under threat of perjury, that the person meets all requirements to vote. In 2022 however, lawmakers decided to make another legal run at the issue, requiring that federal form can be used to vote for president only if the applicant also submits proof of citizenship. The timing of that was not coincidental It came after Biden beat Trump in Arizona in 2020 by 10,457 votes. And there were about 11,600 people who were registered as federal only voters at that time, though there are no exact figures on how many of those people actually cast a ballot. The new law would have kicked in and affected the 2024 presidential race in Arizona. Even with Bolton blocking the law, however, Trump won the state that year. There also were other provisions in the 2022 law that Bolton found illegal and blocked their enforcement. One said those registered with a federal form could not exercise the same right to vote by mail as other Arizonans. And another said those registering to vote with the state form the one that requires proof of citizenship must also disclose the place of birth. But the case goes on, with Republican legislative leaders continuing to seek to have the ruling overturned. And what Bolton said in her newest order is that none of that changes, even without the Department of Justice playing a role in the case. Whats pending right now is that Bolton was directed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to determine if legislators, in approving the law, acted with discriminatory intent based on race or national origin. Bolton, in initially voiding the statute, did not reach such a conclusion, accepting arguments by lawmakers they were acting in good faith. But the appellate judges told her to take another look, saying there is more than enough evidence to find to the contrary. In writing for the majority, appellate Judge Ronald Gould said the evidence shows that lawmakers knew there had been no voter fraud. That includes the results of an audit of the 2020 election returns sought by Republicans unhappy that Trump lost the popular vote in Arizona. Yet the Legislature proceeded to enact legislation aimed at remedying the voter fraud that was contradicted by its own findings, the appellate judge wrote. The Legislatures failure to show evidence of voter fraud in its audit calls into question the sincerity of its belief in the evidence of voter fraud. And there was something else that got the attention of the appellate judges: the role of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club in the legislation. In fact, Senate President Warren Petersen himself said that the organization that aligns itself with Republican interests drafted most of the challenged voting laws. Gould said that organization, in advocating for the laws, sent lobbying materials to lawmakers headed How more illegals started voting in AZ. This suggests that the Free Enterprise Club and architect and advocate of the voting laws was motivated by a discriminatory purpose in drafting and advocating for the voting laws, which, in turn, supports a conclusion that the voting laws were the product of intentional discrimination, he wrote. A finding of intentional discrimination by itself is significant, and not just about what it says about the GOP lawmakers who approved the plan and their allies that pushed it. It would make it harder for legislative leaders to argue when the case eventually goes to the Supreme Court that the restrictions were based solely on their belief that they were necessary to prevent voter fraud. And it opens the door to findings that the state violated other provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act. PHOENIX Arizona wont ban the Peoples Republic of China from buying property here after Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a Republican-backed measure that would have added to the growing list of states banning the communist nation from making land purchases over national security concerns. Hobbs said in her veto message that while it is important to protect infrastructure, the bill is ineffective at counter-espionage and does not directly protect our military assets. Additionally, it lacks clear implementation criteria and opens the door to arbitrary enforcement, Hobbs wrote in the letter to the Legislature issued after the late Monday veto. Senate Bill 1109 was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, who slammed Hobbs for the veto. She said Hobbs endangered state and national security, and pointed to what she said was a recent effort by China to lease property near Luke Air Force Base in the west Phoenix suburb of Glendale. Luke is a primary training base for pilots of the F-35 stealth fighter from the U.S. and several allies. Shamp said in a statement issued Tuesday that Hobbs was violating her oath of office with every politically motivated veto of public safety legislation put on her desk by Republicans. SB1109 was a commonsense measure to ensure enemies of the United States would not have easy access to our military bases and critical infrastructure to carry out harm, Shamp said. China and other potential adversaries dont have free rein to buy property near the states military bases, even without Shamps proposal. Thats because a U.S. Treasury Department agency known as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States reviews foreign land purchases. And under expanded rules adopted by the Biden Administration late last year after concerns about Chinese purchases, the agency known as CFIUS can block transactions near scores of bases across the nation. In Arizona, Luke, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, the Yuma Proving Grounds and Camp Navajo in Bellemont are covered. And President Donald Trump in February ordered CFIUS to further restrict Chinese investment in farmland and real estate near sensitive facilities and in strategic U.S. sectors such as technology, critical infrastructure, health care, agriculture, energy and more. Even with all that, however, Shamp said her legislation was necessary to close any loopholes in existing federal restrictions. Shamps bill was originally much broader than what finally made it to Hobbs desk. As initially passed by the Senate, it applied to the government, officials or businesses from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran and barred them from buying land or other property. It also applied to any of those countrys citizens unless they were permanent U.S. residents. The only exemption was for a home on less than 2 acres if it was at least 50 miles from a military base or 25 miles from a military practice range, meaning not in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Flagstaff or Sierra Vista. Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, had issues with the sweeping nature of the Senate bill, calling it potentially pernicious because someone could have their property seized for no good reason. He also said he believed the Arizona Constitution didnt allow it. There might be very good policy reasons for doing it, Kolodin told Capitol Media Services. But the Takings Clause of the Arizona Constitution is broader than the federal version. It basically says you cant take private property for private use, which is what the bill in its original form did. So Kolodin pushed a House amendment that focused the bill just on China and its government. He said he was amazed that the much-thinner bill still was hit by Hobbs veto buzz saw. Shes hurtling toward breaking her own 2023 veto record of 143, now just four short of that with the Legislature still in session. Many of the bills Hobbs axed this session were clearly veto bait, but the China veto was a headscratcher for Kolodin. He specifically took issue with the part of Hobbs veto letter that said the measure lacks clear interpretation criteria and could lead to arbitrary enforcement. How does it lack clear implementation? Kolodin asked. If the Peoples Republic of China owns property in Arizona, they cant. The PRC cant buy land in Arizona. They cant own land in Arizona. If the PRC is on the title to the land then it violates the law. And if the PRC isnt on the title to the land, then it doesnt violate the law. It couldnt be clearer. Under the proposal, the attorney general was charged with enforcement and could bring a lawsuit in court to get an order taking title to the property. The county where it was located would then sell the land, pay off lienholders and give the remaining money to the Chinese government after subtracting the AGs and countys costs. During their final vote on the House-amended version last week, Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan, D-Tucson, said the measure should fail because it targeted Chinese people. May is still Asian American and Pacific Islander month, and yet, here we are hearing a bill that has been very narrowly amended so that it specifically targets foreign nationals from China from owning land in the state, Sundareshan said. What a way to celebrate Asian American month. She said she was sad to see this kind of exclusionary bill come up for a vote. I understand there are national security concerns that are professed as the reason for this bill, she said. I think there are better ways to do it, and therefore I urge a no vote. Shamp and other Senate Republicans pushed back. Id like to clear the air this doesnt have anything to do with Chinese nationals, Shamp said. This has to do with the Peoples Republic of China, she continued. And the Peoples Republic of China is an enemy of the United States. And the Peoples Republic of China is currently trying to spy on Luke Air Force Base and the F 35 pilots in training. At least 22 states enacted legislation regulating foreign ownership of real estate between January 2023 and July 2024, prompted by national security concerns, according to a congressional report. The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that foreign ownership of U.S. farmland has been rising for a decade, with renewable energy a main reason. Allied nations are the largest owners, but purchases by Chinese entities raised the alarm, especially a since-abandoned 2022 plan by a Chinese company to buy land near a North Dakota military base. Shamp said there have been numerous examples of China buying land near U.S. bases that raised national security concerns, calling it very real thing that isnt made up in a movie. This is the elite of the elite in the world, right here in Glendale, Arizona, and this bill is to protect them, she said. This bill is to make sure that our enemies are not buying our land and spying on national security bases. Vale: Alf Clausen Composer Alf Clausen, best known for his work on The Simpsons, Moonlighting and ALF, has died. Composer Alf Clausen, best known for his work on The Simpsons, Moonlighting and ALF has died, aged 84. The Hollywood Reporter reports Clausen died on Thursday at his Valley Village home in Los Angeles, after being diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy about eight years ago. From The Simpsons second season in 1990 until its 28th in 2017, Clausen crafted many of the spirited melodies that contributed to The Simpsons. He accrued 23 Emmy nominations, winning along with lyricist Ken Keeler in 1997 and 98 for the songs We Put the Spring in Springfield and Youre Checkin In (A Musical Tribute to the Betty Ford Center). His first assignment was the 1990 episode Treehouse of Horror. He said he was delighted that it presented the opportunity for 42 musical cues and that the producers didnt flinch when he requested a double recording session to generate them. Across 550-plus episodes he scored using a live, full orchestra including Vote for a Winner, See My Vest, Always My Dad, Ode to Branson, Dr Zaius and Union Strike Folk Song (Parts 1 and 2). The Garbage Man, a parody of The Candy Man was performed by U2. But in 2019 he filed a lawsuit against Disney and FOX citing age discrimination after he was dismissed from the show. He settled in 2022. Earlier positions has been as a music copyist on Planet of the Apes, M*A*S*H, The Carol Burnett Show and The Partridge Family, an arranger for Donny & Marie, and musical director for The Mary Tyler Moore Hour. His breakthrough as a TV composer came in 1985 on Moonlighting when Lee Holdridge, who wrote the music for the theme song, asked series creator Glenn Gordon Caron to employ him. For comedy series ALF he provided the theme song and scored the 100-plus episodes of the alien sitcom. Film credits included Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), Splash (1984), Weird Science (1985), Ferris Buellers Day Off (1986) and Dragnet (1987) and he scored TV episodes of Fame, Wizards and Warriors and Partners in Crime. Patrick Schwarzenegger considered adopting an "alias" earlier in his career. Patrick Schwarzenegger thought about changing his last name The 31-year-old actor - who is the son of Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver - actually thought about adopting another name in order to distinguish himself from his dad. Speaking to his dad, for Variety's Actors on Actors series, Patrick explained: "I feel [the weight of my name] in multiple different ways. "['White Lotus' creator] Mike White said that it comes with baggage, the idea that when you have successful parents like I do with you and mom, theres an added level of what other people think. Mike was worried about, if he cast me, what other people would think. Which they did they did care about that; people said I got the role because of you and mom. "There were times earlier in my career where I was wondering, does it make sense to go under an alias? It took a while for me to get to a point where I was less worried about living in your shadow versus wanting to do it the way I thought I should do it." Patrick's parents instilled a solid work ethic into the actor, and he's determined to "honour" their advice. He said: "I understand how hard you and mom have worked throughout your life to give me the opportunities that Ive had. The biggest advice you gave us kids is to work hard. Ive tried to honour that." Patrick recently admitted that he "grew as an actor" during his time on 'The White Lotus'. Patrick played Saxon Ratliff on the hit HBO series, and he took to social media to reflect on his experience. He wrote on X: "Todays quite bittersweet. I teared up last night in the finale First because It was this beautiful yet devastating and profound ending - but secondly, because It was also the end of this chapter for me in my life.. "White lotus has consumed my life the past 16 months. Prepping, filming , press etc etc. It was a Beautiful chapter of my life. One that Ill never forget. One that I made everlasting relationships. A chapter That I learned immensely from. That I grew as an actor and a Human. Just a moment in life that Im forever grateful for. (sic)" HA NOI Viettel has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Koreas KT Corporation to jointly advance AI-powered digital transformation in Viet Nam. The partnership will focus on developing digital platforms, AI ecosystems, and data infrastructure, enabling comprehensive AI Transformation (AX). Viettel will lead the initiative locally, leveraging its strong infrastructure and market knowledge, while KT contributes proven expertise in AI and big data. Plans include establishing an AI data centre and GPU clusters in Viet Nam, along with a Global Development Centre in Ha Noi to train future AI talent. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Tao uc Thang, chairman and general director of Viettel, said: With KTs cutting-edge technology and Viettels deep market insights, we believe this partnership will deliver modern and locally adapted solutions for Viet Nam and other international markets where Viettel operates. Kim Young Shub, chairman of KT Corporation, added: Viettel is an ideal partner to realise the vision of comprehensive AI transformation. By combining the strengths of both companies, we hope to contribute to making Viet Nam and South Korea global leaders in AI application. KT is currently a key strategic partner of the South Korean Government in major initiatives such as digital government, smart cities, AI in healthcare, and the development of open data infrastructure. The group aims to become a global leader in AI and ICT integration, with an ambitious target of digitising 80 per cent of its services using AI. VNS HA NOI Thousands of projects, worth quadrillions of ong and covering hundreds of thousands of hectares, are stalled due to legal and administrative bottlenecks, wasting national resources and threatening Viet Nams long-term growth ambitions, said economists and industry insiders. At the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly, the Government reported that 2,200 projects across the country are on hold, involving nearly VN5.9 quadrillion (US$235 billion) and more than 347,000ha of land. We are tying our own hands and squandering development opportunities by allowing such vast resources to be wasted, economist Tran inh Thien warned. He noted that to escape the middle-income trap, Viet Nam must pursue a growth model unlike its predecessors. However, he warned: Private investment is weak in both volume and structure, public investment is slow to disburse, and FDI remains limited in technological capacity. The economys monetary circulation rate, also referred to as velocity of money, is just 0.55 to 0.65 turns per year, far below the typical 2, indicating sluggish capital flows. Domestic demand remains weak post-COVID-19, while exports are dominated by the FDI sector, accounting for 72 to 75 per cent of total export value. Meanwhile, the number of businesses exiting the market is nearing the number of new ones established. au Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary General of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), attributed the stagnation to institutional obstacles. According to the latest Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) survey, many private firms spend years navigating administrative procedures before launching projects. For example, a road infrastructure company can complete a highway in six months, but the paperwork can take years. Even R&D projects, highly encouraged, can face land procedures dragging on for three years, he said. Tuan also pointed to Viet Nams large 'grey zone' economy, particularly household businesses that are underrepresented in national data and poorly integrated into policy frameworks. He called for strategic policies to support deeper integration of domestic firms into global supply chains, particularly in key markets like the US. This includes strong commitments from FDI enterprises and clear regulations in industries such as the chemicals and energy sectors. The Chief Economist at BIDV, Dr Can Van Luc, said Viet Nam must adopt a new investment strategy focused on efficiency and sustainability, not just capital volume. He proposed simultaneously advancing three pillars: investment, technology absorption, and innovation, to improve returns and reduce capital needs. We must use each ong more effectively. The only way is to improve the business environment, Luc said. While the world is embracing bold reforms and unprecedented fiscal and monetary measures, we are moving too slowly. Unblocking stalled projects should be a top priority to revive capital flows and investor confidence. Dr Thien stressed the need to break free from the outdated 'ask-give' bureaucratic mindset. This is not just about policies, but a culture shift. Viet Nam must step out of its comfort zone and adapt to a rapidly changing world, he said. Associate Professor Dr Le Bo Linh, former Vice Chairman of the National Assemblys Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, highlighted the lack of a unified national strategy on science and innovation. Currently, we have too many scattered strategies on green growth, innovation, AI, and digital transformation, but they are underfunded and poorly aligned, he said. He urged Viet Nam to adopt a similar focus, with clear priorities and resources, while letting the market lead innovation. Without market incentives, no amount of public funding will create breakthrough technologies. The Government should set direction, but private enterprises must lead, Linh said. Linh also called for a governance overhaul in science and technology, shifting budget allocation from direct planning to competitive funding through dedicated funds. Human resources and public science literacy must improve, and administrative procedures must be simplified, including permits for international conferences or visas for foreign experts. The former Vice Chairman of the National Assemblys Economic Committee, Nguyen Van Phuc, cautioned that reform could not rely solely on economists. We need input from legal scholars, scientists and cultural experts to create a cohesive institutional system. He also raised concerns about urban administrative reforms. Under Politburo Resolution No 06-NQ/TW, Viet Nam aims to have around 1,000 urban centres by 2025 and 1,200 by 2030, contributing over 80 per cent of GDP. However, the restructuring of provincial cities and towns into wards could dilute their role as growth engines. There has been little discussion about how these changes will affect development. Without a clear urban core, the entire growth model may need to be rethought, he said. VNS PARIS More than two tonnes of fresh Vietnamese lychees arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris on June 2, marking the first shipment of this year's crop to France. Vu Anh Son, Counsellor of the Viet Nam Trade Office in France, said this year's batches of outstanding-quality lychees, meeting strict technical standards, from Thanh Ha district in the northern province of Hai Duong arrived in Paris and appeared on the shelves of a supermarket in Paris after only five hours of import. This fast delivery not only shows careful preparation in logistics but also reflects the tireless efforts of businesses and management agencies in improving the export process, he said. Nguyen Van Nam, a representative of the Vietnamese-French Market supermarket - a direct importer of lychees from Viet Nam, said last year, his company imported Vietnamese lychees to France for the first time. Due to a lack of experience, they made mistakes, resulting in improper quality, size of the lychees, preservation, transportation and packaging. So, they faced risks during the transportation and business process, which badly affected the companys business, in terms of finance and reputation. Nam said that all the problems were fixed this year. As soon as Vietnamese lychees are available in the supermarket, the fruit receives positive feedback from local shoppers. VNS BEIJING China remained Viet Nam's largest durian export market, purchasing over US$2.9 billion worth of the fruit, around 91 per cent of total export revenue. Offered in different 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 per cent 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 favourite 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, Viet Nam exported an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of durians, with nearly 180,000 hectares under cultivation, six times more than in 2015. Export turnover reached a record US$3.3 billion, up 43.2 per cent from 2023, and accounted for nearly half of the countrys total fruit and vegetable export value. China remained Viet Nams largest durian export market, purchasing over $2.9 billion worth of the fruit, around 91 per cent of total export revenue. VNS HA NOI On June 5, the Green and low-emission Vietnamese rice trademark will officially enter the export market. The first shipment, bound for Japan, is seen as a significant breakthrough for the rice industry. This also marks the initial success of the Sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030 project (referred to as the one-million-hectare rice project). The Chairman of the Viet Nam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA), Bui Ba Bong, said that this would be a strategic milestone in building the Vietnamese rice brand, targeting high-end markets with strict carbon emission standards. The trademark would be not just a commercial label, but a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. The Permanent Vice Chairman and General Secretary of VIETRISA, Le Thanh Tung, said that the association would issue the certification Green and low-emission Vietnamese rice to ensure transparency and credibility. In the absence of a national certification system for low-carbon rice, enterprises may self-declare their green rice branding and will be held accountable for their claims. VIETRISA, in collaboration with the TRVC Project, granted certificates of the right to use the Green and low-emission Vietnamese rice trademark to seven enterprises, accounting for 19,200 tonnes of rice. The Trung An Company, in partnership with Japans MURASE Group, will become the first enterprise to export rice under this trademark to the Japanese market. Over the past two years, the one-million-hectare project has delivered positive impacts to two key beneficiaries: the rice grain and the farmers. Its goals include ensuring national food security, meeting the populations nutritional needs, increasing farmers' incomes, protecting the environment, reducing emissions and maintaining export capabilities. With encouragement from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, and to promptly support the one-million-hectare project, VIETRISA developed the Green and low-emission Vietnamese rice trademark. To qualify for this certification, enterprises and cooperatives must ensure traceability, including the origin of rice production, rice variety and crop season. The production also must comply with technical protocols set by the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection. We are piloting a measurement, reporting and verification system, but this roadmap will not complete the mechanisms for payment, measurement and valuation until 2028, Tung added. However, building the Green and low-emission Vietnamese rice trademark can begin immediately. BIZHUB/VNS WASHINGTON Viet Nams Minister of Agriculture and Environment o uc Duy is leading a delegation of nearly 50 agricultural agencies, enterprises and associations on a working trip to the US from June 1 to 7, aimed at exploring trade promotion opportunities and importing US agro-forestry-fishery products. Duy and his delegation held a productive working session with Iowa's Department of Agriculture on June 2, with the participation of state Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig and Deputy Secretary Grant Menke. At the event, both sides acknowledged the current state of agricultural trade cooperation while sharing information about business needs and collaboration potential. The discussions opened concrete pathways to promote high-quality agricultural exports from Iowa to Viet Nam and vice versa. Iowa, known as the 'Heart of Agriculture' in the US, stands as the nation's leading corn producer with an annual output of 50 million tonnes. The state also excels in producing many other agricultural commodities like soybeans, wheat, pork and beef. Duy said that Viet Nam had become one of the worlds leading agricultural exporters, contributing significantly to global food security, while expanding its processing capacity and improving quality standards to develop sustainable agriculture. He emphasised that "Viet Nam and the US are well positioned to complement each other in building stable and long-term agricultural supply chains". A major achievement for the trade mission lies in several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between Vietnamese and Iowan enterprises and associations totalling US$800 million over three years. These are significant deals compared to the $44 million of agricultural exports from Iowa to Viet Nam in 2024. The publicprivate partnership between Iowa and Viet Nam will also be expanded through an MoU between the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health under Viet Nams Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). Under this agreement, both sides committed to strengthening trade ties and promoting collaboration between Viet Nam's and Iowa's pork industries by organising technical seminars, market promotion and trade missions. The meeting also provided opportunities for many other Vietnamese and US businesses to connect, opening new avenues to enhance trade relations and strengthen Viet Nam US agricultural supply chain linkages. These connections are expected to accelerate the transfer of advanced US technologies to Vietnamese agribusinesses, paving the way towards green, smart and sustainable agricultural development in Viet Nam. Duy expressed his confidence that these events marked the beginning of a new and more effective chapter in the relationship between Vietnamese businesses and the state of Iowa. He stressed that these results reflect mutual goodwill in promoting the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and the US. During its mission in the American state, the delegation is also expected to sign MoUs to purchase US agricultural products worth over $2 billion. Duy told the press that over the past decade, the US had been Viet Nam's largest agricultural export market. Conversely, Viet Nam ranked among the top 10 markets importing agricultural products from the US. He stressed that the potential for bilateral agricultural trade cooperation remained enormous. Both governments were currently working to negotiate a reciprocal trade agreement aimed at achieving balanced, mutually beneficial terms. The agriculture minister underscored Viet Nams commitment to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership not just in words but through tangible actions, particularly in trade and investment, with agricultural trade as a central pillar. Meanwhile, Naig stated that along with the five signed documents, the meeting presented another opportunity for both sides to collaborate more in innovation sharing and technology advancement in agriculture. VNS HCM CITY British conglomerate Jardine Matheson has underlined its long-term financial commitment to THACO, one of Viet Nams largest private conglomerates, over more than a decade of partnership. Through its subsidiary Jardine Cycle & Carriage (JC&C), Jardine Matheson Group has been investing in THACO since 2008, and increased its shareholding to 26.6 per cent in 2019. At the end of 2023 JC&C injected nearly VN8.7 trillion (US$350 million at that time) to buy bonds issued by THACO. The investment is part of a long-term agreement between the two companies, under which JC&C will acquire THACO shares based on the companys profit-multiple valuation in 2027. Notably, it has expressed a willingness to serve as a key financial investor if THACOs proposed northsouth high-speed railway project is approved. Jardine Matheson is a diversified multinational group with a nearly 200-year history that operates in more than 30 countries. The group manages total assets of nearly $80 billion and is listed on the London and Singapore stock exchanges. In Viet Nam, Jardine holds ownership or significant stakes in a number of major companies such as THACO, Vinamilk, REE, Guardian, KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, and Schindler. Its 2024 report showed that profits from its investment in three Vietnamese enterprises accounted for over 50 per cent of its total consolidated profits. VNS HA NOI To meet travel demand during the 2025 peak summer season, the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has announced an increase in flight frequency on two key international routes from HCM City to Singapore and Bangkok. The carrier is also rolling out a series of attractive promotional offers across its international network. On the HCM City Singapore route, Vietnam Airlines will add one flight on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between June 2 and October 25. With these added services, the airline will operate a total of 18 flights per week on this route. Similarly, Vietnam Airlines will increase frequency on the HCM City Bangkok route by adding one extra daily flight from August 18 to October 25, raising the total number of daily flights on the route to five. The increased frequency on these two major international routes is expected not only to better accommodate growing passenger demand during the peak travel season, but also to strengthen Viet Nams connectivity with two key aviation hubs in Southeast Asia. To coincide with the service expansion, Vietnam Airlines is offering special round-trip fares on the HCM City Singapore route, starting from just VN5.1 million (US$196), inclusive of taxes and fees. This promotion is valid for tickets issued until June 10, for travel between June 1 and October 31. The airline is also launching promotional fares on routes from Ha Noi or HCM City to Australia, with round-trip tickets starting from approximately VN12.8 million, including taxes and fees. Additionally, members of Lotusmiles the airlines frequent flyer programme will receive a bonus of 1,000 miles when purchasing economy-class tickets directly through Vietnam Airlines ticket offices or official agents. This offer applies to tickets issued until June 30, for travel between June 1 and November 30, with all journeys to be completed by November 30. VNS Ruby Rose has claimed she is "trying desperately to stay alive" and alleged someone is trying to kill her. Ruby Rose claims she is scared for her life The 39-year-old actress shared a troubling series of posts on her Threads account where she claimed she's "moving house every few weeks" after stepping away from the spotlight. She was initially responding to a post on Threads asking: "Who is a celebrity that gave it all up at the height of fame to go live a 'normal' life?" She wrote: "Hi. We just leave when people try to kill us. When we are illegally debanked ... Hope that helps." The 'Orange Is The New Black' star referenced the death of Virginia Giuffre, who was one of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's most outspoken accusers, and died by suicide aged 41 in April. Ruby continued: "I don't want to be labeled 'crazy' and I don't want to pretend to know how Virginia Giuffre died - but DOZENS of people including a school bus, have tried to run me off the road in the last few years. "I have been followed almost everytime I leave my home, since the day I broke my neck back and ribs on batwoman. "Since then I have doubled down on ... Epstein. This has resulted in some seriously wild attempts on my life. "Believe it or don't. But I might as well update you. (sic)" A different user responded urging her to "stay safe and keep speaking out" while "letting everyone know" she's not had any thoughts of taking her own life. She replied: "None zero and nil ( thank you for asking ) and infact I am moving house every few weeks, countries every few months and trying desperately to stay alive until my book is finished and released. "If my employees donated to political parties and tried to ruin me is it really tantamount to me siding with them or their political party? No." She claimed she "already" changed her routine, moved to get and trusted no one until she's sure. In another post, she referenced her departure from Hollywood after a fan suggested she could bring some "star power" to an independent horror film currently being cast. She said: "You could be right! And that is a *me problem. I have been offered some films ( without auditions ) but they have all been horror. "As someone who grew up in a horror house. I can no longer do it. I think my time has come and gone. "Its too triggering. Im ok for my future to be off camera." Ruby also claimed she doesn't "need or want to be famous", while rubbishing a suggestion she was "difficult" on the 'Batwoman' set before the show was cancelled. She alleged: "I wasnt difficult. I was stupid and traumatized and went to work 6 days after my neck surgery.. instead of 4 weeks later ( shy of the 8 weeks recommended) because AFTER I told them to RECAST they said I would be responsible for 150 crew members being unemployed. "I was stupid and gullible not difficult. I was hospitalized twice during the show for damage done shooting too early. Hope that helps. (sic)" HA NOI The Miss World 2025 crown went to Opal Suchata from Thailand but her predecessor Krystyna Pyszkova was also in the spotlight, shining brighter with her splendid appearance enhanced by the stylish hands of Vietnamese hair and makeup artists Quan Nguyen and Pu Le. Miss World 2024 Pyszkova invited the Vietnamese duo to India to create the look for her final catwalk before she transferred her crown to the new queen and ended her term. The Czech beauty had previously worked with Quan Nguyen and Pu Le during her trip to Viet Nam last year. She was so impressed with their abilities that she decided to have their support in this year's Grand Finale. The Vietnamese crew, along with five other members, arrived in India on May 28 to take care of Pyszkova's styling during her activities at the Miss World 2025. They discussed with the beauty queen's team about their requirements and then came up with various ideas for makeup and hairstyles that had to match her bespoke couture dress by Leo Almodal from the Philippines. They made two looks for Pyszkova during the evening. It took them nearly four hours for her first stunning appearance, inspired by the image of a princess stepping out of a fairy tale. They gave her a sweet, sparkling style, combined with her characteristic soft, smooth and wavy hair. The two beauty experts wanted to enhance her unique style, creating a look which was elegant and luxurious, but would also stand out during her important moment. The time schedule was very tight, requiring the crew to always be as precise, fast and professional as possible, with the artists ready to make the changes really quickly. Quan Nguyen took care of the makeup to ensure it would last on stage and fit in with her costume, while Pu Le coordinated work with her assistants and changed her hairstyle. There was no time to rest between looks since the whole pageant was broadcast live. "Being proactively invited by Miss Pyszkova to India for her final walk is something that make Quan and Pu proud, it was something we were looking forward to for a long time," they said. "We always believe that the last moment of any Miss World's term is always very meaningful and inspiring. Therefore, we have devoted all our heart to this work. It is not only to help Pyszkova shine, but also to contribute to affirming the talent of Vietnamese people on the international beauty map." It was not the first time that Quan Nguyen and Pu Le performed in the global beauty arena. They created the make up and hairstyle for Miss World 2021 Karolina Bielawska in the night that she ended her term in 2023. The pair are the only Vietnamese artist and stylist working with beauties from the six largest pageants in the world. Among them are Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Grand International 2022 Isabella Menin, Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi, Miss International 2022 Jasmin Selberg, Miss International 2024 Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy and Miss Supranational 2023 Andrea Aguilera. The pair have also won prizes for their styling work. They received the 'Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist of the Year' at the Star Awards in 2022, and 'Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist of the Year' in the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Awards 2023. Pu Le was honoured as 'Hair Stylist of the Year' by Beauty Choice Awards in 2023. VNS HCM CITY Vietnamese families travel to spend quality time together and most of them feel it's important to travel to expose children to a variety of cultures, according to a report entitled Travel Trends 2025. About 88 per cent of respondents agree that their children will understand more about local cultures through travelling and 59 per cent of them travel to try new food and local delicacies. As the summer season approaches, Vietnamese families are gearing up for a well-deserved mid-year break. For 65 per cent of Vietnamese travellers who view travel as a great way to spend time together as a family, its evident that family vacations are going beyond just sightseeingtheyre moments for meaningful memories. The report found that Vietnamese families are increasingly integrating travel into their annual routines, shifting focus from mere sightseeing or leisure to deepening connections and emotional well-being. This mindset shift is also reflected in their planning, with 58 per cent of Vietnamese parents prioritising travel every year, regardless of circumstances. Furthermore, 41 per cent intend to increase their travel spending in 2025 compared to last year to create more intentional and fulfilling experiences with their loved ones. Varun Grover, country head, Viet Nam at Booking.com said: Whether it's a beach escape closer to home or an international adventure, Vietnamese families in 2025 are embracing a travel mindset that is defined by purpose and connection, over mere mileage. It's about the 'why' and the 'who' of travel, especially during the summer when it becomes a valuable opportunity for reconnection and purposeful experiences. These moments allow families to create lasting memories and carve out essential time for genuine connection, often lost in daily life." While Vietnamese families travel priorities are evolving, the destinations capturing the most attention for summer getaways remain largely consistent with beach and nature trips topping their lists, followed by city trips. Domestically, beachside escapes and nature-rich getaways are a summer favourite with a Nang, Nha Trang, a Lat, Phu Quoc and Vung Tau among the most sought after destinations for family stays. These destinations offer opportunities for relaxation and quality family time, catering to the needs of travellers across generations. Looking at international travel, Booking.com's summer search data indicates that Singapore, Tokyo, and Bangkok remain favourites for Vietnamese families for a second consecutive year. Notably, a majority of the top searched international destinations are located within the Asia Pacific region, reaffirming that the region continues to remain popular for family getaways this June. Travel Trends 2025 research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who took a leisure trip with an overnight stay in the last 12 months, plan to travel in 2025, and are involved in trip planning. The sample comprises 32,300 respondents across 32 markets surveyed in January or February 2025 with 800 respondents from Viet Nam. VNS uong Thu Huong, Chair of the Viet Nam Thai Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, talks to Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Hang about the economic cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand, including the logistics sector, as well as steps to raise the bilateral trade turnover to US$25 billion in the future Could you please share with us the key strengths in the economic cooperation between our two nations? What steps do you think the two countries should take to achieve the goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to US$25 billion in the future? I think there are some key strengths in economic cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand. In terms of strategic geographic proximity, both Viet Nam and Thailand are key members of ASEAN and share important trade routes, making logistics and regional supply chain integration efficient and cost-effective. In terms of complementary economies, Viet Nam has strengths in manufacturing, especially electronics, garments and agriculture, while Thailand has advantages in automotive, agro-processing and tourism. The sectors offer strong complementarities for trade and joint ventures. In terms of robust bilateral trade, in recent years, bilateral trade between Viet Nam and Thailand has consistently exceeded $20 billion, with Thailand being one of Viet Nams top trading partners within ASEAN. In terms of private sector engagement, Thailand is one of the top ten foreign investors in Viet Nam. Major Thai corporations such as CP Group, Siam Cement Group (SCG), Central Group, WHA and Amata have established significant operations in Viet Nam, contributing to job creation and technology transfer. In terms of regional economic frameworks, both countries are signatories to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which provides a solid framework for trade liberalisation, investment protection and standards harmonisation. There are some recommendations towards achieving the $25 billion trade turnover goal between the two countries, such as streamlining customs procedures, adopting digital border processing and enhancing logistics cooperation to reduce trade costs and time. Additionally, the two countries should encourage mutual investments in strategic sectors like renewable energy, the digital economy, green agriculture and smart logistics through tax incentives and special economic zones. The two countries should support small and medium-sized enterprises from both sides, connecting them through business matching platforms, joint exhibitions and digital trade networks. They should expand and upgrade land, rail and maritime connectivity, especially along the East-West Economic Corridor and Mekong sub-regional transport links, boost bilateral tourism and service trade by co-developing packages, easing visa policies and jointly promoting destinations to third-country markets. They should establish a Viet Nam-Thailand Economic Partnership Council, which will be a formal bilateral platform with Government and private sector participation to review progress, resolve bottlenecks and strategise future cooperation. The recent visit of Thailands Prime Minister to Viet Nam, as well as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, presents a meaningful milestone to elevate economic ties. I think by building on shared strengths and adopting forward-looking policies, Viet Nam and Thailand will not only achieve the $25 billion trade goal, but also foster a deeper, more sustainable economic partnership in the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific region. How do you evaluate the potential for collaboration between Thai and Vietnamese enterprises in logistics? This is a timely and strategic question, especially as both Viet Nam and Thailand position themselves as regional logistics hubs within ASEAN. Viet Nam is a gateway to northeast Asia via the Pacific, while Thailand is central to mainland ASEAN and connected to the Indian Ocean. Together, they offer seamless East-West and North-South trade corridors. Both countries are key partners in frameworks like ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and RCEP, supporting cross-border supply chains. About areas with high potential for collaboration, in terms of infrastructure investment, Thai logistics firms can invest in building high-standard, cold-chain or bonded warehouses in Viet Nams economic zones or near ports. In terms of industrial parks and logistics zones, Thai companies like AMATA, WHA Group have already successfully invested in Viet Nams industrial real estate. This model can be expanded through public-private partnerships (PPP). In terms of port infrastructure, collaboration in smart port development, container management systems and multimodal transport links (road-rail-sea) could improve regional flow. In terms of technology transfer and smart logistics, Thai firms with expertise in automation, fleet management and logistics tech can partner with Vietnamese firms to digitise inventory and supply chain management, apply AI/IoT for smart warehousing and real-time tracking, develop green logistics such as electric trucks and energy-efficient hubs. In terms of strategic joint ventures, Vietnamese enterprises offer local market knowledge, labour and location advantages, while Thai companies offer capital, technology and regional logistics networks. Joint ventures can expand services in areas like e-commerce fulfillment, cross-border trucking and last-mile delivery, especially given rising demand from Viet Nams growing digital economy. In terms of policy and regional initiatives to support collaboration, improved road connectivity from Viet Nams central ports through Laos to Thailand offers opportunities for co-managed logistics routes and inland hubs. Continued efforts in customs harmonisation and single-window clearance can make Thailand-Viet Nam supply chains more efficient. The two nations should establish a government-private working group to coordinate logistics planning, resolve regulatory bottlenecks, and attract investment, upskill logistics workforce with joint Thai-Vietnamese training centres or academic exchanges, collaborate on environmental standards, packaging norms and green logistics solutions to meet international demands. Thailand and Viet Nam have complementary strengths in logistics and a shared vision for regional integration. By combining Viet Nams growing industrial base with Thailands mature logistics expertise, both countries can create a high-performance, ASEAN-integrated logistics ecosystem. With proper investment, policy support and private sector initiative, logistics cooperation can become a powerful growth engine for bilateral trade and regional competitiveness. Could you share your perspective on the importance of developing transport links between the two nations to enhance the effectiveness of logistics connectivity between Viet Nam and Thailand? Certainly, enhancing transport linkages between Viet Nam and Thailand is crucial for improving bilateral logistics connectivity, boosting trade and supporting regional supply chain integration. Heres a strategic perspective on why this is important and how it can be advanced. Firstly, strong transport infrastructure allows goods to move faster and more reliably, reduces time and cost in cross-border logistics, especially for time-sensitive sectors like electronics agriculture and e-commerce. Secondly, improved physical connectivity increases trade flows and encourages investment in industrial zones, logistics hubs and distribution networks along transport corridors. Viet Nam and Thailand are key nodes in regional corridors like the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) and the Southern Economic Corridor. Thus, upgrading these routes enhances ASEANs collective connectivity and resilience. Well-connected road, rail, port and inland waterways between the two nations enable seamless multi-modal logistics, increasing flexibility and sustainability. There are some key areas for development. For land transport corridors, the East-West Economic Corridor (a Nang - Laos - Mukdahan - Bangkok), there should be a priority for road upgrades, customs cooperation and cross-border trucking agreements. For a southern economic corridor, (HCM City - Phnom Penh - Bangkok), it should strengthen highway links, border gate infrastructure (such as Moc Bai-Bavet) and logistics stops. For a cross-border railway, it is advised to explore long-term development of rail links from Viet Nams key economic zones such as Vung Ang and ong Nai to Thai railway hubs via Laos. This could support bulk cargo and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, strengthen shipping routes and port partnerships between Viet Nams deep-sea ports, for example, Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port, and Thai ports, for example, Laem Chabang Port. Considering co-developing smart port technologies, digital documentation and container tracking are also among the key areas for development. The two countries should invest in digitising customs and logistics services at key border crossings such as Lao Bao-Dansavanh, Moc Bai-Bavet border gates to reduce congestion and delays and establish logistics zones or bonded warehouses near border points for transshipment efficiency. They are also recommended to establish a Viet Nam-Thailand Joint Logistics Connectivity Task Force, to include ministries of transport, industry and customs authority, along with private logistics firms, to align infrastructure planning and regulatory frameworks, work towards mutual recognition of vehicle standards, driver licences, logistics documents and customs pre-clearance, encourage co-investment in highways, dry ports and intermodal terminals along key routes and coordinate with ADB, ASEAN and RCEP frameworks for funding and policy alignment. Developing robust and modern transport links between Viet Nam and Thailand is foundational for building a highly efficient and competitive regional logistics ecosystem. It not only facilitates bilateral trade and investment, but also strengthens both countries roles in regional and global value chains. VNS HA NOI State President Luong Cuong on Monday urged authorities to be in a state of prepardness in terms of defending the nation. He was presiding over the sixth meeting of the Council for National Defence and Security for the 202126 term. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the councils vice chairman and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, a council member, attended the session. The council discussed global, regional and domestic developments affecting Viet Nams national defence, security and foreign affairs. They reviewed the implementation of key national defence and security tasks and proposed key contents for the upcoming seventh session. On behalf of the council, President Cuong, who is also the councils chairman, praised the thorough preparation for the meeting and acknowledged the strategic, insightful feedback made by council members. The feedback will be submitted to the Politburo and other competent authorities aimed at reinforcing Viet Nams defence, security and international relations, he said. In the context of increasingly complex and unpredictable global and regional dynamics, the President urged relevant agencies to continue building on recent achievements. He called for effective implementation of the directives and decisions of the Politburo, the Party Central Secretariat, the National Assembly and the Government, as well as guidance from Party General Secretary To Lam on defence, security and foreign policy. The President highlighted the importance of effectively carrying out the 13th Party Central Committees Resolution No 8 on the strategy for safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation. The focus will be on firmly protecting national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity while ensuring national security and social order and deepening comprehensive international integration. Cuong also stressed the need to restructure and streamline armed forces in line with new requirements, while accelerating the implementation of the Politburos Resolution No 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformationcrucial for entering a new era of prosperous national development. He concluded by underscoring the need for continuous monitoring, analysis and forecasting of strategic issues affecting national defence, security, and diplomacy, so as to ensure timely advice to the Party and State, avoiding unexpected events in any situation. VNS HA NOI Politburo member, Permanent member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committees Secretariat Tran Cam Tu on Tuesday received Acting Chairman of the Commission for External Relations of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Bounleua Phandanouvong, who is on a three-day official visit to Viet Nam. Congratulating Bounleua on his new role, Tu expressed his confidence that the Lao official, with his extensive experience and the trust of the Lao Party and State, will continue to make important contributions to implementing the foreign policy of the Lao Party and State, and to nurturing and further developing the special solidarity between the two countries. He proposed that, in the context of complex developments in the world and the region, with intertwined opportunities and challenges, the commissions for external relations of both sides should continue to promote the tradition of their strong relationship, enhance information exchange, and closely coordinate to successfully fulfill their assigned tasks, thereby contributing to strengthening and deepening the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and the two nations. Briefing the host on the outcomes of his talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Bounleua affirmed that under any circumstances, the Commission for External Relations of the LPRP Central Committee will make every effort to excellently fulfill the tasks entrusted by the two Parties and the two States, and effectively implement the agreements reached by their high-level leaders. He thanked Viet Nam for its wholehearted, effective support and assistance to Laos over the years, affirming that his country will do its utmost, together with Viet Nam, to preserve, nurture, and develop the special LaosViet Nam solidarity, for the benefit of their people, and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. On the same day, the Lao official visited the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, where he met and spoke with the academys staff, lecturers, and students about the special solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos. VNA/VNS HA NOI Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Bac, Standing Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), on June 3 met with visiting Acting Chairman of the Commission for External Relations of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Bounleua Phandanouvong. Bac told his guest that as the leading political training institution of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the HCMA has fostered a particularly close relationship with the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, as well as with various Lao agencies, in training scientific research staff for the two parties and states. He proposed that Bounleua Phandanouvong, in his capacity, would continue to support the two academies and other Lao partners of the HCMA in carrying out tasks assigned by the leaders of the Vietnamese and Lao parties and states. Bac also noted that currently, nearly 200 Lao doctoral candidates, masters students and undergraduate students are studying and conducting research within the HCMAs system. He affirmed that the academy will continue to innovate its programmes and policies, ensuring the most favourable conditions for Lao students and researchers. For his part, Bounleua Phandanouvong acknowledged the longstanding support provided by the HCMA to Lao officials and public servants in pursuing advanced political studies and research in Viet Nam. Agreeing on the need for continued innovation in curricula and teaching content for training programmes for Lao cadres, the Party official proposed that the Vietnamese academy and Lao partners maintain regular dialogue to build programmes and curricula suited to the new context, particularly Laoss development needs in its new phase. He also expressed his hope that more Lao leaders, scholars and lecturers will visit Viet Nam regularly to conduct research and exchange topics with Vietnamese counterparts, including with the HCMA. Bounleua Phandanouvong affirmed his full commitment to working closely with Lao agencies and their Vietnamese partners to enhance the capacity of Lao officials and civil servants to meet the demands of the new development phase, thereby further consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. On this occasion, the Lao official held a dialogue on the Viet NamLaos ties to staff, lecturers and students at the academy. VNA/VNS COLOMBO The Vietnamese Party and State want to further deepen bilateral ties with Sri Lanka on the back of close friendship, high political trust, and shared values and interests, said Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committees Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Nguyen Trong Nghia. Nghia, who is the Secretary of the Party Central Committee and on an official visit to Sri Lanka from June 1-4 on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties, told Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya that Viet Nam highly values Sri Lankas important role and position in the region. He suggested joint efforts to effectively realise high-level agreements, particularly the outcomes of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayakas recent visit to Viet Nam; strengthen political ties through increasing the exchange of all-level delegations via Party, State, and people-to-people channels. Specific measures should be taken to further boost ties in the fields of economy, investment, trade, national defence-security, tourism, culture, education-training, as well as exchanges between peoples organisations and businesses. PM Amarasuriya stressed the need for concrete exchanges to facilitate economic cooperation, such as streamlining visa procedures, promoting tourism, culture, education and student exchanges. She expressed her interest in learning from Viet Nam's experience in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), affirming that Sri Lanka stays ready to assist Vietnamese firms seeking to invest or form joint ventures in the country. Both sides agreed on key priorities for future collaboration, including deepening ties between their ruling parties and exploring a direct air route to boost tourism, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. Meeting with General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Tilvin Silva, Nghia advocated for stronger party-to-party ties through delegation exchanges, theoretical exchanges, and sharing expertise in science, arts, journalism, information, and mass mobilisation. The Sri Lankan Party leader expressed admiration for Viet Nam's high and stable economic growth, and voiced a desire to learn from Viet Nam's experience in economic development, education, agriculture, and science-technology. On the occasion, Nghia met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka G. Weerasinghe, and Chairman of the Sri LankaViet Nam Solidarity Association S. Sudasinghe, and co-chaired an international seminar on President Ho Chi Minh and the traditional Viet NamSri Lanka friendship. General Secretary and leaders of the Sri Lanka Communist Party and the Sri LankaViet Nam Solidarity Association praised the CPVs policies and Viet Nam's socio-economic achievements, and described Viet Nam as a model for socialist development under a communist party. They expressed a desire to strengthen substantive cooperation with the CPV, particularly in information exchange, party-building, leadership training, and mass mobilisation. At the seminar on President Ho Chi Minh and the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Communist Party M. Sirisena, along with other leaders, parliamentarians, and scholars of Sri Lanka highlighted President Ho Chi Minhs contributions to national liberation movements and called him a source of inspiration for oppressed peoples. They praised his ideology of international solidarity and affirmed the deep respect generations of Sri Lankans hold for him. His works as well as publications featuring the President have been translated into local languages, reprinted multiple times, and inspired Sri Lankan artists. Nghia said the seminar held special significance in marking the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh. He commended the sincere and insightful presentations from both countries scholars and underscored the late leaders legacy of diplomacy. Nghia also emphasised the enduring strength of Viet NamSri Lanka ties, underpinned by political trust, cultural similarities and shared development interests, calling these valuable assets for future cooperation. At a meeting with Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Nghia welcomed recent progress in cultural and religious exchanges and thanked the Sri Lankan government for supporting the construction of a Vietnamese pagoda in the country. Both sides agreed to enhance delegation exchanges, cultural and artistic programmes, spiritual tourism, and efforts to preserve religious and cultural sites. They also discussed promoting the education of traditions among youth through information sharing and bilateral exchanges, and called for wider dissemination of each countrys cultural, literary and cinematic works. On this occasion, Nghia met with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka. His delegation also laid flowers at President Ho Chi Minh's statue and visited the Ho Chi Minh space at Colombo Public Library. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Party Committee of the Government for the 2020-25 term held its second meeting on June 3 to discuss, provide opinions on, and further refine documents to be submitted to the first Congress of the Government's Party Committee for the 2025-30 term. At the meeting, the committee discussed the draft political reports to be presented at the congress. Specifically, the discussions centred on evaluating the implementation of tasks during the 2020-25 period; identifying directions, goals, targets, tasks and solutions for 2025-30; as well as reviewing the Party building activities of the current term and outlining directions and tasks for the work in the next term. In his concluding remarks, Politburo member, Secretary of the Government's Party Committee, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the assessment of the 2020-25 implementation must comprehensively reflect key contents, while highlighting the routine tasks performed in line with the committees functions and mandates. It must especially acknowledge the extraordinary, unprecedented challenges which happened during the term, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, strategic competition, natural disasters and shifting trade policies of other nations, he noted. PM Chinh also underscored the need for the documents to clearly identify existing limitations requiring remedy, including overlapping institutions with persistent bottlenecks, as well as shortcomings in decentralisation and administrative procedure simplification. He also pointed to concerns over discipline and administrative order, which in some places and at certain times have not been strictly upheld. Highlighting the importance of drawing practical lessons, the leader instructed that the reports must clearly analyse the context, opportunities, advantages, difficulties and challenges, in order to identify effective solutions to achieve set objectives. The targets for the next term include achieving double-digit economic growth; raising per capita income to US$8,500; ensuring that each year, 20 per cent of Party organisations achieve outstanding performance, and 90 per cent of Party members fulfil their duties to a high standard. At the meeting, PM Chinh also handed over the decision appointing Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son as Deputy Secretary of the Government's Party Committee for the 2020-25 term. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese Party and State always value and expect to develop friendly and multifaceted cooperation with Hungary and its political parties, including the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), based on mutual trust, understanding, and respect, said Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Commission for Policies and Strategies Tran Luu Quang. During a reception in Ha Noi on Tuesday for a MSPZ delegation led by its President Komjathi Imre, who is in Viet Nam from June 2-7, Quang hailed their visit which coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, describing it as a testament to the strong ties between the CPV and MSZP and traditional friendship between the two nations. The Vietnamese Party, State, and people are always grateful to Hungary for its sincere support and assistance throughout Viet Nam's past struggle for national liberation and its subsequent national reconstruction and development, including the training thousands of Vietnamese officials and engineers for the Party, State, and key economic sectors of Viet Nam, Quang said. Congratulating Viet Nam on its achievements over the past five decades under the CPVs sound leadership, Imre acknowledged the positive progress in bilateral ties, affirming that the MSZP, along with all Hungarian political parties, fully support the Hungarian Governments efforts to advance the traditional friendship and close, substantive cooperation with Viet Nam. Both sides vowed to build on their 75-year legacy of collaboration, agreeing to facilitate exchanges between the CPV and MSZP at bilateral and multilateral levels. These efforts aim to deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership for the sake of peace, cooperation and development amid complex global and regional challenges. Underlining a people-centred approach to policy and development, the two sides pledged to back the strengthening of Viet NamHungary relations in areas of mutual strength, including traditional areas such as education-training, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, to carry forward the fine values and traditions founded and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and successive generations of leaders from both countries. VNA/VNS HCM CITY Beneath the bustling streets of HCM City, a silent transformation is taking place. As part of a long-term commitment to enhance the urban landscape and ensure public safety, the city is pushing forward with the ambitious undergrounding of power lines and telecommunications cables a project that is both technically complex and emblematic of the citys drive towards modernity. Overhead wires, once an inevitable feature of the Citys skyline, have long been a source of concern for residents and city planners alike. Tangled utility lines often present not only an aesthetic problem but also a safety hazard especially during storms or when infrastructure deteriorates over time. In the face of a rapidly urbanising population and rising demands on infrastructure, the citys leaders have taken a resolute stance on eliminating this urban clutter. A long-term vision taking root The initiative to bury overhead cables began in earnest over a decade ago, driven by a shared determination among municipal authorities, public utility companies, and telecom providers. Spearheaded by the HCM City Peoples Committee, the project is being implemented in collaboration with HCM City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC), Viettel, VNPT, and other telecom enterprises. According to EVNHCMC, between 2011 and 2021, the city successfully completed 93 projects that saw more than 370km of medium-voltage and low-voltage lines go underground. These projects covered key central districts, including District 1, District 3, and parts of District 5, where overhead lines were once most densely concentrated. Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the Technical Department at EVNHCMC, noted that the programme is not merely about beautification. Undergrounding the power grid improves reliability, reduces maintenance costs in the long term, and enhances safety for residents, he said. It also facilitates better coordination among utilities by streamlining infrastructure. From 2021 to 2025, the city plans to implement a further 217 undergrounding projects, targeting an additional 500 kilometres of cable networks. By 2030, the goal is to have most of the city centre and new urban areas such as Thu Thiem, Phu My Hung, and the forthcoming Tan Son Nhat Binh Chanh axis free of exposed wires. From blueprint to reality: Technical and logistical hurdles Despite the visible progress, the path to undergrounding the entire utility network is fraught with challenges. The citys dense urban layout, legacy infrastructure, and narrow roads pose considerable difficulties for construction crews. Digging up pavement, laying conduits, and reinstating the surface must all be done with minimal disruption to traffic, businesses, and daily life. Each street is unique, said Pham Minh Hung, a project supervisor working on Nguyen inh Chieu Street in District 3. Some areas have old drainage systems or water pipes that were not clearly marked on maps. We often encounter unexpected obstacles underground. Moreover, coordinating among various stakeholders electricity providers, telecom companies, and city agencies is a time-consuming process. Projects require meticulous planning to ensure that electricity cables, internet lines, and even future smart city components like surveillance or traffic systems can coexist within the same conduit networks. To streamline implementation, HCM City has adopted a shared infrastructure model. Under this approach, joint trenches are constructed where power and telecom cables are laid side by side. This not only reduces the need for repeated excavation but also allows for easier maintenance and upgrades in the future. Financial considerations and public-private partnerships Financing the undergrounding projects is another major concern. Estimates suggest that laying utility cables underground can cost five to seven times more than traditional overhead lines. For instance, burying one kilometre of low-voltage cable might cost around VN2030 billion, depending on terrain and other conditions. To alleviate the burden on public funds, the city is encouraging telecom companies to shoulder part of the investment cost, especially in areas where they directly benefit from improved service stability and aesthetics. EVNHCMC, for its part, has proposed mechanisms for cost-sharing and longer investment cycles to ensure financial feasibility. Public-private partnerships (PPP) are also gaining traction. In 2022, a pilot PPP project was launched in District 1 involving a collaboration between EVNHCMC, a consortium of telecom providers, and a private construction firm. The success of the model has prompted the city to consider expanding it citywide. Shared investment is the way forward, said Le Thi Hoa, a planning officer at the HCM City Department of Construction. The State cannot do this alone, but with private sector involvement, the process is faster and more efficient. Gains beyond aesthetics For many residents, the benefits of underground cables go well beyond improved visual appearance. During the rainy season, fallen electric poles and dangling wires are a constant source of anxiety. Incidents of power outages, sparks, or even electric shocks in flood-prone areas have been reported over the years. Since the implementation of underground cable networks in key areas, EVNHCMC has recorded a significant reduction in service interruptions. In District 1, where a majority of the grid has been buried, the number of power failures due to weather or technical faults dropped by more than 40 per cent between 2017 and 2023. From a business perspective, uninterrupted power supply and stable internet are crucial for enterprises in finance, tourism, and IT services. HCM City, being the countrys economic powerhouse, hosts thousands of businesses that depend heavily on digital connectivity and reliable infrastructure. Even an hour without power or internet can result in major losses, said Tran Quang Long, manager of a hotel on Ly Tu Trong Street. Since the cables went underground here, weve seen a marked improvement in stability. Learning from other cities and looking ahead The city is not alone in this transformation. Cities such as Ha Noi and a Nang are also implementing underground cable schemes, albeit at varying speeds. Internationally, cities like Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul have long completed the transition, offering useful lessons on financing models, regulatory coordination, and public engagement. Taking cues from these global examples, HCM City is planning to integrate smart grid technologies into its buried infrastructure. This includes sensor-based monitoring systems to detect faults in real time, remote-controlled circuit breakers, and infrastructure prepared for 5G rollout and future smart city applications. The city also aims to revise outdated legal frameworks that currently slow down project approvals or delay coordination among different agencies. The HCM City Department of Information and Communications is working on a centralised database to map all existing and planned cable networks, allowing for more effective planning and resource allocation. The road ahead Despite the progress and determination, officials are candid about the long journey ahead. As of 2024, only a small fraction of the citys more than 5,000 kilometres of utility lines have been buried. Outlying districts such as Binh Tan, Hoc Mon, and Cu Chi remain largely untouched by the programme due to logistical and financial constraints. Nevertheless, the city is pushing forward with a sense of urgency. In late 2023, the People's Committee approved a plan to accelerate the process, setting yearly targets and assigning specific responsibilities to district-level authorities. This decentralisation, it is hoped, will cut through bureaucracy and quicken implementation. For residents like 65-year-old Le Van uc, who has lived in District 5 since the 1970s, the change has been both welcome and overdue. There used to be wires like cobwebs everywhere, he said. Now, when I look up, I can see the sky it feels cleaner, safer, and more civilised. The buried cables may be out of sight, but their impact is increasingly felt across the city in improved safety, better service reliability, and a more liveable urban environment. HCM City is quite literally laying the groundwork for a smarter, safer, and more beautiful future. VNS Nintendo fans have just days to wait before the hotly anticipated Switch 2 finally hits the shelves. The Nintendo Switch 2 console will be released this week After months of online leaks and cryptic teaser videos, the Japanese gaming giant has officially lifted the lid on its next-generation console, confirming a UK release date of June 5. The basic package will set buyers back 395.99, while a bundle featuring Mario Kart World will cost 429.99. The new machine features a bigger 7.9-inch display thats crisper than ever, doubling the pixel count of the original and now running in 1080p. It supports up to 120 frames per second for smoother animations and packs in HDR lighting for better contrast and more vibrant colours. Despite the upgrades, its no bulkier than the original Switch. And when slotted into its dock, the Switch 2 can now pump out visuals in 4K on a TV - a first for the series. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said: "Nintendo Switch 2 is the next step in at-home gaming that can be taken on the go based on eight years of play and discovery that began with Nintendo Switch." Storage has been bumped up to 256GB, sound quality has been improved with new spatial 3D audio and there are now two USB-C ports instead of one. Even the Joy-Con controllers have been overhauled as they attach magnetically and can be used like a mouse in certain games. The Switch 2 also promises backward compatibility with existing games, many of which will receive updates to take advantage of the new hardware. But demand is already causing problems. The UK retailer Game was forced to apologise after pre-orders were cancelled without warning, leaving buyers furious. Meanwhile, stores in the US are bracing for launch day crowds, with some planning midnight openings. HA NOI The Ministry of Health has proposed raising the maximum fine from VN30 million to VN100 million (approximately US$4,000) for organisations and individuals who assist in gender-selective practices during pregnancy. The proposal, part of the draft Law on Administrative Sanctions in the Field of Population, aims to tighten enforcement and deter violations. This increase is necessary to ensure individuals and organisations think twice before engaging in such illegal acts, the ministry stated. Selecting the sex of a baby through medical intervention remains a key driver of Viet Nams gender imbalance at birth, the ministry noted. Current Vietnamese law strictly prohibits sex selection in all forms and prescribes administrative penalties for violations. However, the existing fine of VN30 million is deemed "insufficient as a deterrent, according to the policy impact assessment included in the draft Population Law now under public consultation. Data from the Ministry of Health show that Viet Nam's sex ratio at birth was already above the natural range (103107 boys per 100 girls) in 2006, standing at 109.8 boys per 100 girls. The imbalance increased to 112.8 in 2015 and remained high at 111.4 in 2024. If no strong intervention is implemented, Viet Nam could see a surplus of 1.5 million men aged 1549 by 2039, rising to 2.5 million by 2059, according to forecasts by the General Statistics Office. Such demographic imbalance could disrupt family structures and lead to rising numbers of men marrying later or being unable to marry at all. A review of the implementation of the ministrys Population Ordinance, based on reports from several localities, found that: some health workers still covertly disclose fetal sex. In practice, many doctors, particularly in private clinics, reveal the babys sex through indirect means such as coded language or slang, for instance using phrases like, 'takes after the father, 'like the mother' or 'same as the first child'. To address the imbalance, the ministry's draft law not only upholds the ban on gender-selective practices but also suggests that the Government periodically announce a classification of provinces and cities by level of gender imbalance at birth: very high, high, or within natural range. This would help focus policy interventions where they are most needed. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Public Security will be asked to look into the allegations concerning meat quality from CP Livestock JSC (CP Viet Nam), which has stirred considerable public concern in recent days. The statement was made by the Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung uc Tien at a regular press conference in Ha Noi on Tuesday. Images of a batch of pork from CP with signs of disease circulating on social media were identified as being taken in March 2022 at the slaughterhouse D.N. contracted by the company. Nguyen Chi Cuong, head of the facility, said that this batch was heat-treated and used as fish feed. Minister Tien said that this was an inappropriate measure, as the pigs had shown signs of haemorrhaging and bacterial infection. Once haemorrhaging occurs, it means the pigs are infected and cannot be used as feed, he said, adding that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine must identify the person who approved the veterinary inspection stamp in this case. Tien also confirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) would coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to thoroughly investigate the matter, ensuring strict management and zero tolerance for violations. Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Health Nguyen Thu Thuy said that initial reports showed that the case occurred in Hau Giang Province three years ago. At that time, the slaughterhouse only reported external symptoms on the skin of the pigs and did not declare any disease or propose to repurpose the meat as fish feed. She noted that based on the photos, the pigs were clearly contaminated with disease and should have been marked with a triangular stamp indicating disposal. However, the pork in the photos had a square stamp, indicating it was allowed for market circulation. This indicates a clear violation by veterinary officers at the facility, said Thuy. She also noted that inspection revealed that three out of four CP Viet Nams retail outlets in Soc Trang Province have expired food safety certificates. We have requested that these stores suspend operations and all products at the violating sites be sealed, she said. The regional veterinary department is working with local authorities to inspect the other outlets of the companies in Soc Trang and Hau Giang provinces and take appropriate measures. On May 30, CP Viet Nams former employee Lieu Quy Ngan posted on his Facebook account (named Jonny Lieu), accusing the company of serious quality violations, with diseased pork and chicken meat regularly sold to customers. The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reported that Ngan is currently suffering from stage-4 kidney failure and must undergo dialysis every day. On May 29, Ngan received a decision to terminate his contract as an admin support staff from CP Viet Nam, because he was absent from work for five consecutive working days (from April 1 to May 23) without a legitimate reason. Ngan denied these claims, stating that the company was aware of his chronic kidney disease, and had adjusted his duties to accommodate his health condition, allowing him to work remotely. CP Viet Nam has not responded to VOVs request for comment. VNS UNITED NATIONS Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was elected on Monday president of the upcoming 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Baerbock's election was through secret balloting. She won 167 votes in favor out of 188 ballots cast. Fourteen member states abstained. She will take up the new post in September 2025 to succeed current General Assembly President Philemon Yang of Cameroon. In her speech to the General Assembly after her election, Baerbock reiterated her promise to serve all 193 member states as an honest broker and as a unifier. "As president of the General Assembly, I will engage in a trust-based dialogue with all member states," she said. The 80th session of the General Assembly will be a crucial moment for the United Nations, which, as the centre of the multilateral system, is under immense pressure, politically and financially, she said. "More than 120 armed conflicts remind us that the primary mission of the United Nations - to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war - remains unaccomplished," she said. "Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will remain elusive without bold, ambitious, accelerated, just and transformative actions as we committed to in the Pact for the Future." Yet, nothing would be better without the United Nations, she said. "We also need to join efforts now to preserve what the United Nations has achieved since its establishment in 1945 to address the current global crisis and to adapt to emerging future challenges." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his remarks, said Baerbock takes up the job at a difficult and uncertain moment for the multilateral system. Conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality continue to challenge the human family. Mistrust and divisions are rife. The Sustainable Development Goals are alarmingly off track. Aid and development funding are drying up. And the UN institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow, he said. "This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges," said Guterres. "President-elect Baerbock's vision - Better Together - is an inspiring rallying cry for today's world and the global problem-solving system embodied by the United Nations to address these challenges." Guterres noted "the historic significance" of Baerbock being only the fifth woman to be elected president of the General Assembly. For 80 years, the UN General Assembly has played an indispensable role in forging consensus, finding solutions and taking action to build a better, more peaceful and equal world, he said. "As we look ahead to the end of the 79th session and prepare for the start of the 80th, let us strive to live up to the values of solidarity and collaboration that have defined this organization from the very start." Baerbock served as German federal foreign minister between December 2021 and May 2025. She has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2013. She served as co-chair of the Greens party between 2018 and 2022. Baerbock was born in Hanover on December 15, 1980. She holds an undergraduate degree in political science from Hamburg University of Germany and a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. XINHUA According to a report on AI awareness and adoption trends among online sellers in Southeast Asia, released by Lazada in April, Vietnam and Indonesia are leading the region in AI application in e-commerce with a rate of 42 per cent. AI leading to significant hikes in e-commerce revenue, Source: freepik The report indicates that the majority of online retailers in Vietnam are in the early stages of integrating AI into their businesses. While the group of online retailers proficient in AI accounts for 22 per cent, lower than the regions 24 per cent, the proportion of retailers beginning to incorporate this technology into their operations is 64 per cent, which is 10 per cent higher than ASEAN. Although most retailers understand the transformative potential of AI, many of them are still stumbling on the path from understanding to action, said James Dong, CEO of Lazada Group. We see generative AI as a pivotal element in our long-term, customer-centric strategy to elevate the shopping experience. I firmly believe that GenAI will not only revolutionise e-commerce but completely overhaul how we shop, sell, and engage. Lai Viet Anh, deputy director of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said the whole world is witnessing rapid development of AI. AI is being applied to personalising user experiences, automating operations, supporting customer care, analysing consumer data, and forecasting market trends. This technology has helped businesses save time, costs, and skyrocket efficiency, Anh said. According to the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency, the e-commerce market size in 2025 could surpass $25 billion, with a growth rate of nearly 20 per cent. In Vietnam, 63 per cent of the population have the habit of online shopping, with an average value of around $400 per person annually. Notably, 62 per cent of consumers watch livestreams to make purchasing decisions. Nguyen Minh Khoi, the chief technical officer of Sapo Technology Ltd., said that consumers nowadays are no longer just attracted by deep discount schemes as before but are starting to pay more attention to experience, real value, and transparency of brands. AI will be the tool to help businesses overcome these barriers, from optimising sales processes to increasing conversion rates. When customers have shopping needs, they often search, message for product information, and make decisions rapidly. If the sellers do not respond promptly, the opportunity will be lost immediately, Khoi said. In that context, AI solutions can help automate responses and enhance deal closure rates, thereby significantly improving business efficiency. According to Nguyen Ngoc Dung, chairman of the Vietnam E-Commerce Association (VECOM), the five trends leading e-commerce in Vietnam are AI chatbots, apps, multichannel, customer experience, and direct-to-customer. This indicates the deepening intervention of AI in the operation and development of e-commerce platforms, creating an increasingly popular trend in the e-commerce market. AI is no longer a future trend but has become an essential part of the modern e-commerce ecosystem, Dung remarked. The application of AI in e-commerce still has some limitations. This may stem from incomplete access to AI tools and applications that do not fully meet specific business requirements. Young Liu, head of Vietnam Business at Alibaba.com, said that the platform is actively incorporating cutting-edge technologies to enhance the user experience for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Since early 2024, its AI-powered Smart Assistant has been provided free of charge to support Vietnamese enterprises, helping streamline operations, save time and resources. This tool assists with automating responses to buyer inquiries, personalising recommendations, editing and creating product videos and photos, and providing deep market analysis insights and suggestions. It helps sellers optimise listings, improve sales strategies, and build stronger buyer relationships, Liu noted. An Luong, head of AI and Data Science at Masan Group, stated that AI helps increase conversion rates by up to 20 per cent in many e-commerce campaigns, but also carries the risk of personal data misuse as 56 per cent of users still have concerns about data security when using AI. However, businesses and sellers on e-commerce platforms should not fear that AI will replace humans but should see AI as a business support tool in tasks such as planning, operating systems, and supporting advertising ideas, Luong said. Vietnam is currently among the top three e-commerce markets in Southeast Asia, following Indonesia and Thailand, according to VECOM. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 28 per cent between now and 2033, reaching approximately $63 billion by 2030, according to consulting firm Bain & Company. New legal impacts on Vietnams e-commerce market Vietnams e-commerce market is experiencing changes driven by various factors. Tran Van Trong, secretary general of the Vietnam E-commerce Association, spoke with VIRs Bich Thuy about the impact of legal changes and market competition. E-commerce giants raise commission fees E-commerce platforms are increasing commission fees, but any adjustments may undermine seller confidence without fair and transparent policies. The agreement establishes a framework to foster knowledge exchange and support fintech delegations, business missions, academic partnerships, strategic programmes, and investment between both countries. Organised by Austrade Vietnam, the MoU signing ceremony was followed by a thought leadership session to discuss fintech partnership opportunities. This MoU focuses on developing a robust fintech ecosystem and facilitating bilateral trade and investment in the financial services and technology sectors. Australia and Vietnam are partnering to leverage their respective strengths, with leading Australian tech companies increasingly entering and expanding in Vietnams vibrant, tech-savvy market. This framework for collaboration will help connect Australian fintech innovators with Vietnamese financial institutions, support startups and scaleups, and encourage joint efforts to develop secure, inclusive, and modern financial solutions, said Jonathan Saw, trade and investment commissioner for Vietnam and Cambodia. Australia brings to the table a mature financial services industry complemented with advanced technologies and views Southeast Asia as central to its national interests, with digital economy and financial services as priority sectors under Australias Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The signing of the MoU celebrating a milestone of cooperation between Austrade and VNBA. Photo: Austrade At the event, Nguyen Quoc Hung, vice chairman and secretary general of VNBA, emphasised that the fintech market in Vietnam, with around 260 fintech companies, is a young, dynamic sector currently experiencing rapid growth. Hung also shared that the Vietnamese government recently issued a decree which establishes a sandbox mechanism for fintech solutions in the banking sector. This presents both a significant opportunity for development and a considerable challenge for fintech companies. Vietnams signing and effective implementation of todays cooperation agreement between VNBA and Austrade reaffirms the financial and banking sector relationship between the two countries, with a special focus on banking fintech technology, which has now been elevated to a new level. This enhances the reputation and standing of both parties, and serves as a practical bridge contributing meaningfully to the economic development of each nation, stated Hung. It also creates favourable conditions for fintech companies on both sides to strengthen exchanges, share experiences, and promote trade and investment cooperation, thereby improving the fintech ecosystem in each respective market. Future activities under the MoU include a fintech and cybersecurity immersion programme next year, and through these continued partnerships, Australia and Vietnam are committed to leading digital transformation efforts together. Banks remain decisive to push against headwinds Credit growth is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain amid mounting external pressures. Nguyen Quoc Hung, vice chairman and general secretary of the Vietnam Banks Association, talked with VIRs Vy Vy how banks must go beyond restructuring growth models. Vietnam gaining an edge to leapfrog traditional tech hubs Vietnam is increasingly positioned as a high-potential player across all five areas, including AI, enterprise solutions, fintech, sustainability, and next-gen commerce, according to an ebook released on March 28. More and more facilities are attempting to meet high energy efficiency and environmental goals, Photo: CMES According to Truong Khac Nguyen Minh, deputy general director of industrial property developer Prodezi Long An, as the world grapples with geopolitical uncertainties, trade protectionism, and supply chain restructuring, global enterprises are shifting investment strategies towards open, stable economies with a proactive green transition agenda. Most investors we meet remain cautiously optimistic, but they also expect Vietnam to take decisive steps in shaping next-generation foreign investment policies, Minh said. New-generation investors, particularly those operating within global supply chains, require a comprehensive ecosystem of technology partners, suppliers, and agile operations. With this in mind, Prodezi Long An has pursued a clear, long-term vision focused on sustainable development and added value creation. The company is developing an eco-centric industrial park model that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and circular economy principles, aiming to create energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective production spaces. I believe that if Vietnam take decisive action now to build a deep investment ecosystem, the next foreign investment growth cycle will be not only broader but also more sustainable, effective, and impactful for the national economy, Minh added. Similarly, Frasers Property Vietnam is on a journey towards sustainability and green real estate leadership. According to Edwin Tan, deputy CEO and managing director for industrial and logistics for Southeast Asia, the groups industrial and logistics footprint in Vietnam has grown to more than 300,000sq.m across four provinces, and is on track to reach nearly one million sq.m by 2028. As the real estate sector accounts for nearly 40 per cent of global carbon emissions and more than 70 per cent of urban emissions, sustainability has been a key focus for us since 2006, Tan said. Tan added that the group was advancing its ESG agenda through innovation, green building certifications, and climate resilience initiatives. We were the first Singapore Exchange-listed company to commit to net-zero carbon emissions across scopes 1-3 by 2050, he said. In Vietnam, Frasers Property is the first real estate company with science-based targets officially approved. Its roadmap includes installing 215MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, including 15MW in Vietnam, and 46MW has already been deployed globally. By 2030, it aims to have all new development projects and 85 per cent of owned or managed properties either green-certified or pursuing certification and also plans to engage 75 per cent of suppliers under its responsible sourcing policy. To drive Vietnams net-zero ambitions, it is introducing industrial service centres, which aim to enrich the industrial ecosystem with amenities and sustainability features such as solar rooftops, electric vehicle charging stations, and smart energy management systems powered by AI. Pham Thuy Duong, deputy director of Research and Analysis at Dragon Capital, noted that Vietnam has evolved from being a hub for labour-intensive industries like textiles and footwear to attracting major tech giants such as Samsung and Apple, a testament to the countrys rising position in the global supply chain. In todays competitive landscape, tariff barriers and regional rivalry are no longer just about low costs, but about value creation and sustainable commitments. ESG standards have become global investment norms. Even financially strong businesses can be excluded from investment portfolios if they violate such principles, Duong aid. Meanwhile, Savills Vietnam highly values the role of AI in ensuring the operational efficiency of industrial real estate. AI enhances sustainability while maintaining operational efficiency. In the industrial property sector, AI is used in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting automation, energy management, building security, and resource optimisation, said Thomas Rooney, associate director of Industrial Property at Savills Hanoi. Algorithms can monitor and enhance operations in real-time adjusting lighting, temperature, humidity, and air quality. AI also supports predictive maintenance, minimising waste and reducing costs. Generative design and AI simulation further help developers create energy-efficient, eco-friendly buildings, added Rooney. For projects aiming to achieve international green certifications, the compliance process can be complex However, AI can simplify this by continuously monitoring and ensuring adherence to sustainability standards from design through construction and operations, Rooney explained. As more businesses prioritise sustainability and seek green-certified properties, AI-powered industrial real estate can command higher rents and occupancy rates, while investment in AI-integrated green technology boosts energy efficiency and increases tenant satisfaction. In the near future, regulators may mandate the use of AI in building management to meet energy efficiency and sustainability goals. AI-driven building management may shift from optional to mandatory. Industrial property developers must proactively embrace this trend, Rooney said. Hardy Diec, COO, KCN Vietnam Despite recent geopolitical fluctuations, Vietnams industrial real estate market continues to attract strong interest thanks to the strategic flexibility of developers. The shift towards green industrial parks, integrating technology and upgrading infrastructure, has opened a new growth cycle for the sector. According to experts, current obstacles are merely short-term challenges. With increasingly completed industrial infrastructure and supportive government policies, Vietnam remains a highly attractive long-term investment destination. At the same time, Vietnams impressive GDP growth rate serves as a key driver for regional economic development. Industrial real estate continues to draw significant attention from multinational corporations, particularly in technology, electronics, and data centres. Major players like Samsung, Apple, and Nvidia have already established manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and are actively expanding their operations. The market is now entering a new phase of development, focusing on green, sustainable, and smart industrial areas that meet environmental and governance standards, an essential factor in attracting high-quality foreign investment. Vietnams industrial real estate sector is expected to maintain its growth momentum, not only due to robust investment inflows but also thanks to internal reforms. Notable among these is the plan to merge provinces, which is expected to reduce planning fragmentation, expand land reserves, and simplify administrative procedures. Moreover, beyond its existing advantages, Vietnam must proactively shift its investment attraction strategy towards high value-added sectors to enhance the overall competitiveness of the economy. As a secondary industrial real estate developer, we remain committed to a strategic, well-planned approach, developing efficient and sustainable infrastructure to support domestic manufacturers and pull in more overseas funding. Pham Thanh Truc, Deputy head, Ho Chi Minh City Industrial and Export Processing Zones Management Authority Before 2030, Ho Chi Minh City will develop an additional 14 new industrial parks (IPs), covering over 3,800 hectares. This expansion will increase the total number of export processing zones and IPs to 36. The investment in these new areas will be implemented in three phases: the first is from now to 2027, with the development of Pham Van Hai I, Pham Van Hai II, Vinh Loc 3, and Nhi Xuan IPs. Phase 2, towards 2030, involves development of An Phu, Trung An, Le Minh Xuan 4, Pham Van Hai III, and Hiep Phuoc Phase III IPs. Phase 3, covering 2030 to 2033, will see development of Tan Phu Trung 2, 3, and 4, as well as Binh Khanh 1 and 2 IPs. In addition to investing in new IPs, Ho Chi Minh City aims to retain all existing industrial land. The city plans to undergo in-depth transformation and restructure industries towards developing high-tech, creative, digital economy, green economy, and circular economy sectors. Currently, we are collaborating with infrastructure development companies to research pilot transformation projects at Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone and Hiep Phuoc, Tan Binh, Cat Lai, and Binh Chieu industrial zones. The goal is to transition these areas into high-tech IPs, eco-IPs, industrial-urban-service complexes, and logistics centres. The investment in these new complexes presents an opportunity for export processing areas and IPs to develop robustly, reaffirming the citys position as one of the nations major industrial centres. Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park holding infrastructure groundbreaking ceremony With its large-scale appeal to both domestic and international investors, the groundbreaking ceremony for technical infrastructure at Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park (Prodezi EIP) marks one of the most significant economic events in the Mekong Delta province of Long An so far this year. New standards being reached within green industrial parks Vietnam is steadily establishing itself as an attractive destination for foreign investment, particularly in the industrial real estate sector, with a growing number of industrial parks and factories designed to meet green and environmentally friendly standards. The temporary tariff relief announced in early May by the US administration paused massive duties on select imports from countries like China, India, Vietnam, and the European Union. Yet, with the truce set to expire in August, global exporters are wasting no time. Some producers are working at full capacity in order to get ahead before any more major changes, Photo: Le Toan Retail giants in the US such as Walmart, Target, and Costco have accelerated purchase orders and expedited shipments of summer goods, including apparel, toys, home products, and electronics, hoping to beat the clock before potential tariff hikes kick in again. Walmart, which has over 4,600 stores in the United States, gets its merchandise from Canada, China, India, Mexico, and Vietnam, among other nations. Those countries face at least 10 per cent in tariffs, and imports of steel, aluminium, cars, and auto parts face 25 per cent tariffs. For global suppliers, this means overtime in factories, congested ports, and rising transport costs. Container shipping lines report surging demand on Asia-US routes. Ports like Yantian in China and Nhava Sheva in India are at full capacity. In Vietnam, exporters are reporting tight container availability at Cat Lai and Haiphong. Nguyen Van Kich, chairman and CEO of Ho Chi Minh City-based Cafatex, one of Vietnams key seafood exporters, said the company swiftly responded the moment the tariff pause was announced. We held an emergency meeting that day to mobilise resources for raw material procurement and production, he said. Since then, our plant has been at full capacity, day and night. We are racing to fulfill not only signed contracts but also new ones resumed after shipment delays caused by US tariff threats. Right now, the company is laser-focused on clearing these contracts. If new ones come, they must also be delivered within this 90-day window. After that, well have to wait and see, Kich added. Le Hang, deputy secretary general of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, said that many seafood enterprises have actively seized the opportunity to export to the US during the 90-day window. Short-term opportunity must not obscure long-term thinking. Vietnamese companies need to be cautious and diversify markets to Europe, Japan, and South Korea through free trade deals. Reducing reliance on any single market is crucial, Hang said. The garment sector is following suit. Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, confirmed that his group has accelerated production to complete all Q2 contracts and ensure prompt delivery. The company has also developed contingency plans, focusing on customer negotiations, new market exploration, and sourcing alternatives for inputs, Giang said. Despite uncertainties, Vinatex is holding steady to its 2025 targets. Giang described the current window as short but invaluable. He said it provides an opportunity not just for trade, but to demonstrate Vietnams resilience and strategic agility. Vinatex is finalising contracts through the end of June and opening a new branch and logistics centre in Hanoi. Meanwhile, textile company Thanh Cong, also based in Ho Chi Minh City, has experienced both extremes. Prior to the US tariff pause, multiple buyers had requested to cancel orders following a 46 per cent US duty on Vietnamese goods. Once the 90-day reprieve was announced, those cancellations were withdrawn, indicating a notable shift in sentiment. One Thanh Cong executive expects a spike in June shipments as partners push forward deliveries originally slated for August. The firms fully integrated supply chain, which imports only raw cotton from the US and West Africa while processing all other steps in-house, gives it an advantage in meeting new US traceability requirements and maintaining favourable tariff status, the executive said. Dr. Can Van Luc, a member of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council, emphasised that amid the new US tax policy, Vietnam does have some opportunities in attracting investment and expanding market share if negotiations are handled effectively. However, the challenges will be considerable if high tariffs are imposed. The government needs to make the most of the negotiation opportunity, and offer concrete commitments and solutions to secure reasonable tariff rates. At the same time, it must continue to restructure the economy and enhance autonomy, resilience, and self-reliance, Luc recommended. As for the business community, he noted that now is the time to accelerate digital transformation and green transition, while also making full use of current support policies such as fee reductions and VAT cuts. In particular, transparency in origin and information sharing with partners will be key factors in building trust and reducing risks across global value chains, Luc added. Exporters speed up diverse strategies Vietnamese manufacturing enterprises are capitalising on pivotal opportunities to chart methodical, long-term growth strategies across both traditional and emerging markets. How could you describe the state of bilateral business and investment cooperation after 50 years of bilateral ties and 30 years of the association? Alexander Ziehe, chairman of the German Business Association Vietnam remains a highly attractive destination for German investors. According to the Spring 2025 AHK World Business Outlook, 80 per cent of German companies in Vietnam rated their current business situation as good or satisfactory. Furthermore, 38 per cent plan to increase their investment, and 43 per cent expect to grow their workforce in 2025. We observe strong interest in renewable energy, high-tech manufacturing, automation, and vocational training. With the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and Vietnams improving infrastructure, many German companies see the country as a strategic base for regional operations. Vietnam offers a compelling mix of economic dynamism, policy reform, and geopolitical relevance. The German Business Association (GBA) has actively supported German businesses not only in entering the Vietnamese market but also in navigating complex policy frameworks, establishing strong partnerships, and fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability. Today, with over 400 members, we are one of the largest and most active foreign business associations in Vietnam. What are the main challenges that German companies in Vietnam currently face, and what lessons can be drawn from successful German companies? While the outlook is positive, we must acknowledge several persistent barriers. They include regulatory inconsistencies and overlapping legal provisions that create uncertainty; cumbersome administrative procedures and prolonged customs clearance; a shortage of skilled labour in manufacturing and technical fields; unclear guidelines on localisation and investment licensing; and external shocks such as tariff changes from global partners. We continue to advocate for greater transparency, simplification, and consistency to ensure a more predictable and enabling business environment. German companies that have succeeded in Vietnam share common traits: long-term commitment, strong local engagement, and an emphasis on quality and sustainability. Firms like Ziehl-Abegg, Karcher, and Sudwolle Group have expanded significantly in recent years, underscoring the viability of the Vietnamese market. My advice to new investors is to take a long-term view, understand the regulatory landscape, and work closely with local partners. Engaging with platforms like the GBA can also provide critical insights, advocacy support, and community access. What percentage of German enterprises are currently affected by US tariffs, and if retaliatory tariffs are reduced, albeit slightly, how would that impact German businesses in Vietnam? According to the latest AHK World Business Outlook 2025, the majority of German companies in Vietnam have not yet been directly affected by the new US tariffs. On the other hand, several key foreign projects in Vietnam were based on the countrys attractive role as a global export hub. In particular, in the fashion and consumer goods industry, we have received negative feedback within the German community. However, 54 per cent of members still expect their business situation to improve in the next 12 months, reflecting cautious optimism amid ongoing uncertainties. If the tariffs are only slightly reduced, German businesses may still face challenges in pricing, supply chain continuity, and investment planning. Some firms report being indirectly affected, particularly those whose partners or suppliers are heavily engaged with the US market. German companies have responded with flexibility. Many are reorienting exports towards Europe to leverage benefits from free trade, while others are reassessing supply chains to reduce reliance on the US market. Vietnam still offers a strong platform for regional and global growth thanks to the local supply chain, free trade deals, administrative reforms, and a motivated and well-trained workforce. German companies are also exploring opportunities to expand their presence in the local market, addressing the rising buying power of the emerging Vietnamese middle class. Despite the global headwinds, German firms have expanded operations in Vietnam, demonstrating their long-term confidence in the countrys strategic value. Brands like Mercedes, Hettich, Hafele, and WMF continue to invest in their brand building and local distribution. What trends do you foresee for Vietnam-Germany cooperation in the future, especially in innovation, renewable energy, high-tech manufacturing, and digital transformation? We are entering a new chapter in the bilateral relationship, and cooperation will likely centre around innovation, green growth, and digitalisation. German businesses are already contributing to Vietnams sustainability goals through investments in clean energy, Industry 4.0, and circular economy models. Germanys dual vocational training model is being implemented in Vietnam to help upskill the workforce, an essential element for the countrys continued competitiveness. Looking ahead, the GBA will focus on deepening public-private dialogue to address policy and operational challenges, expanding our reach to provinces beyond Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, encouraging environmental, social, and governance considerations, and promoting digital transformation among our members. This goes along with organising high-impact events such as the GBA Business Awards, German Ball, and Oktoberfest to connect, recognise, and celebrate the community. German investment reflecting rising confidence in Vietnam In the context of ongoing global economic uncertainties, German businesses still consider Vietnam as one of the developing markets with the most potential in Asia. Moreover, with Germanys investment diversification strategy, Vietnam is being evaluated as a promising and reliable investment destination for German businesses. Today, about 500 companies from Germany have invested roughly $2.9 billion in Vietnam - this being an adjusted overall value; not foreign direct investment. According to Soc Trang Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, an interdisciplinary inspection team conducted a surprise inspection of the C.P. Fresh Shop in My Xuyen town on May 30. Over the next two days, the team also visited three other stores in the province. The team did not find any signs of disease or rotten pork or chicken products that had been circulating. However, the inspection found some errors in administrative procedures. Specifically, the food safety certificates at three shops had expired. Some shops were also unable to provide business registration or food safety training certificates for employees. To further clarify the suspicions, the inspection team took samples of ground pork at the stores and sent them for testing. The results confirmed that all meat samples were negative for African swine fever, classical swine fever, and blue ear disease. The team also conducted inspections at C.P.Vietnam's stores and factories in Can Tho, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, and Hau Giang. Initial results showed that all products had clear origins, valid quarantine certificates, and the slaughtering process was directly supervised by veterinary officers following regulations. Administrative errors at some stores will need to rectified immediately. Accounts named Jonny Lieu on Facebook and Ngan Tech on Zalo have been posting false information related to pork and chicken products at C.P. Vietnam. They claimed to be employees of the company who had discovered serious violations that occurred every day, such as selling sick pigs and chickens for half price. C.P. Vietnam responded to the accusations, saying the false information was aimed at defaming and intentionally causing damage to the company. All images attached to the articles had unknown origins, times, locations, and were not images of C.P. Vietnam products. "We affirm that all products strictly comply with strict veterinary and product quality control procedures, ensuring full compliance with food hygiene and safety standards according to current regulations," C.P. Vietnam emphasised in the announcement. The company has coordinated with authorities to clarify the situation in line with legal regulations and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the enterprise. We are sorry that this incident has caused serious disruption and damage to the company's operations, and has caused confusion and fear among customers, partners, and the entire community, C.P. Vietnam said. C.P. Vietnam honoured with two prestigious sustainability awards CP Vietnam Corporation reaffirmed its reputation with a double win at The Corporate Sustainability Index Programme (CSI 100) Awards Ceremony on November 29 in Hanoi. Livestock sector promotes circularity Several livestock companies are making efforts to enhance their circular economy to boost the quality and value of products, amid a target of $1.5 billion in export turnover for the sector this year. C.P. Group chairman confirms investment expansion in Vietnam At the Vietnam Thailand Business Forum in Hanoi on May 16, Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group (C.P. Group) Soopakij Chearavanont and the senior management board of C.P. Vietnam (CPV) met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. CEO of digital tech group MedCat, Dang Thi Anh Tuyet, is hopeful about the companys prospects in Vietnam after Resolution No.68-NQ/TW was signed last month. The resolution contains directions to both support and encourage the private economic sector, including sci-tech enterprises and digital technology ones such as MedCat. For MedCat, which is developing AI platforms for unstructured data processing and problems in healthcare and health insurance, the spirit of Resolution 68 is a catalyst for rapid and sustainable development. With this, efforts to innovate and invest in core technology and high-quality personnel will receive more support from institutions, the investment environment, and market resources. This helps MedCAT have more potential and be bold in expanding its scale, investing in research and development, and reaching out internationally, said Tuyet. Milestone resolution a major boon for private tech firms, Photo: Shutterstock She especially expects to soon see specific guidelines, especially related to the sandbox mechanism, and appropriate adjustments in the Law on Public Procurement. This is a key factor in creating a level playing field, regardless of business scale, creating momentum for innovative enterprises to bring products to the market more quickly, she added. Established in 2023, MedCats priorities are expanding domestic and international markets, developing new end-user features, and connecting strategic partners and investment funds to accelerate development and bring Vietnamese technology to the world. Elsewhere, MaiHoa Group (MHG) also sees Resolution 68 as an important turning point for the private sector and the company. The move could create a big push for it to keep investing heavily in green technology products, which includes the Nano Airpurity material ecosystem. We expect to see more such policies in supporting private enterprises to invest in science and technology, especially preferential tax mechanisms, access to capital, and research and application, said MHG chairman Tran Cong Hoa. For enterprises like ours, which is developing a green product ecosystem, timely institutional support will help shorten the process of commercialising inventions, promote domestic production, and enhance global competitiveness. In the market for over a decade, MHG is expanding its domestic and foreign partner ecosystem, gradually bringing Vietnamese products with high technology content to regional and global markets. We believe that when the policy opens the way, private enterprises will accelerate, and we are ready to affirm the pivotal role of the private economy in the new period, Hoa noted. In the field of pharmaceutical technology, Torsten Wagner, deputy general director of Phytopharma, also shared his expectation of receiving more practical support from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) in research, development, and also technology transfer. Phytopharma is seeking specific priority policies for manufacturing of brand name drugs, shortening the time for granting circulation licences, while intensifying cooperation with institutes and schools to quickly bring high-tech products into services of public healthcare. While in Germany, innovation starts from universities, in Vietnam it originates from the needs of businesses, Wagner said. In this model, the MoST plays a connecting role, helping businesses access technology from domestic or foreign institutes and schools, shortening the gap between research and application. According to Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, the Vietnamese government has identified science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the shortest path to success for the nation. These are deemed important factors for Vietnam to realise its aspiration for rapid, sustainable, inclusive, and self-reliant development to successfully achieve its goals. It is necessary to perfect the institutions to create a legal corridor to untie science, technology and innovation, making the institutions a bridge to scientists and businesses, he noted. In anticipation of business expectations, the MoST is amending the Law on Science and Technology into the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation to institutionalise new orientations, guidelines, and policies of the Party and state. Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung elaborated that one of the newer points in the draft law is an investment policy shift when it comes to technology. This is the first time Vietnam has established a clear direction on shifting from a country that mainly uses core technology to mastering strategic tech that has a great impact on economic growth and national security. Iain Frew, British Ambassador to Vietnam Never in history have we ever seen the role of science and technology in boosting national competitiveness by driving economic growth, increasing productivity, and fostering innovation like today. Never in history have we seen the penetration of sci-tech in human life like now. Two-thirds of the worlds population are connected to the internet, and the rate in Vietnam is 80 per cent. Vietnam has large companies willing to invest and compete in the AI global market. In the new era, digital transformation is crucial. While trying to catch up with rapid development of transformative technologies like AI, the UK and Vietnam share the same vision that it must be developed and adopted responsibly. We are keen to diversify and deepen our collaboration with Vietnam in areas of health, green growth, and transformative technologies including AI, semiconductors, critical minerals, and engineering biology, as well as collaborate with Vietnam in both bilateral and multilateral platforms like ASEAN or UN to maximise synergies and impacts. Dao Ngoc Chien, director National Foundation for Science and Technology Development Our mission is to create a favourable research environment according to international standards, to enhance national science and technology capacity, develop strategic tech products, and raise Vietnams position on the international tech map. To fulfill that mission, the fund will focus on several key tasks during this period. They include building the funds operational strategy towards creating a solid foundation to achieve double-digit growth; strengthening international integration to shorten the knowledge gap; and optimising processes to create maximum convenience for scientists, organisations, and businesses to easily access the funds resources. We also want to see investment in strategic and core technologies, evaluating output efficiency, and realising the commercialisation potential of research products. Digital platforms must be built with the goal of being a place to share resources, connect scientists and organisations, open up cooperation opportunities, and strengthen the relationship between institutes and businesses. Private sector policy shifts can mean a market lift Resolution No.68-NQ/TW aims to cut red tape and unlock access to key resources like capital, land, and skilled labour for private enterprises. Vy Le, Vietnam Private Capital Agency chairwomen and general partner at Do Ventures, shared with VIRs Hazy Tran how clearer tax rules, streamlined listing procedures, and tailored insurance reforms could reshape the competitive landscape. Private sector vision poised to reimagine real estate A new vision for the private sector in Vietnam highlights the pivotal role of real estate enterprises, a key component in driving development across urbanisation, infrastructure, industry, trade, tourism, and services. Dame Prue Leith is jealous of her husband John Playfair's success on her 'Cotswold Kitchen' show. Dame Prue Leith is jealous of her husband John Playfair's success on her Cotswold Kitchen show The 85-year-old restaurateur is stunned by how fans have been going crazy for her fashion designer spouse - who appears on her ITV cookery programme - and viewers have recognised him more than her in public. In an interview with My Weekly magazine, 'The Great British Bake Off' judge said: "I don't know if I'm entirely delighted that he's such a success! I'm supposed to be the telly star in the family! "We were in the checkout at the supermarket the other day and the girl on the till recognised John. She said, 'Oh, you're the man on 'Cotswold Kitchen'. I love that show. You're wonderful! You're so funny!' "She was a real fan. "And I'm stood there packing the bags and she hasn't got a clue who I am! "I find it quite funny actually. And I'm pleased for John." Prue films 'Cotswold Kitchen' in her and John's house, and she wanted to get him involved because she thought the recording process and all the cables in their property would be a "pain" for him. The star - who married John in 2016 - said: "He's always up for anything. I was very conscious that filming takes place at our home and how disruptive it is because it usually takes longer than it's supposed to plus it takes over far more of the house than just the kitchen. "There are cables everywhere! I thought it would be such a pain for him so why not involve him? "It seemed natural to pull him in - and he is, I have to say, quite the natural." Prue previously revealed she would be stepping down from judging duties on the celebrity Stand Up for Cancer version of Channel 4's 'The Great British Bake Off' to spend more time with her children - filmmaker Li-Da Kruger and Conservative MP Danny Kruger, both 50, who she had with her late husband Rayne Kruger - and grandchildren. Stressing that she is still going to be judging alongside baker Paul Hollywood on the civilian version of the show, Prue said: "I'm doing the regular show. "I said no to the celebrity one because I wanted some time off to travel and to see my grandchildren and my children. "But I do love 'Bake Off'. It's great fun." Prue is not sure if the next series of 'The Great British Bake Off' will be her last, but when she does hang up judging duties, she wants to "jump" rather than be "pushed". She said: "We often don't get a new contract until we're actually filming a new series. "When I stop doing it, I want to jump rather than be pushed. I know I'll have to stop some time but right now I'm very happy." Currently, there are about 940,000 enterprises, and five million individual and household businesses, contributing around half of GDP. This creates about 40 million jobs, contributing 30 per cent of budget revenue and 60 per cent of social investment capital. Dau Anh Tuan, deputy secretary general, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry The private economy includes two sectors: private enterprises officially registered under the Law on Enterprises with the above figures; and the household business sector, which also includes registered and unregistered households. Some individual businesses do business based on the internet and e-commerce platforms. Some of them can earn as much as $1 million in a livestream session, equivalent to or higher than the sales of a medium-sized company. However, these individual businesses are not yet within the scope of the Law on Enterprises. The private sector struggles with weaknesses such as poor governance, much less professional than international standards; a lack of supply chain linkages; and weak connections with foreign-invested enterprises. The rate of Vietnamese enterprises becoming vendors for foreign-invested enterprises is too small. The private sector participating in the supporting industry is also lacking. They are all struggling with many difficulties in capital, land, personnel, disadvantages in the digital economy, and inappropriate regulations, as well as need more support for free trade agreement integration. Policies to support the private sector in countries in the region are very different. South Korea raises some chaebols, supports credit, export, research and development (R&D), and exploits the domestic market. In Taiwan, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) thrive thanks to financial policies for R&D, startups, and industrial clusters. The common point is the proactive role of the government in choosing key industries and providing long-term support. The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry has proposed six major solutions to help the private sector develop rapidly. The most important are institutional reform, including an overhaul in administrative procedure reform towards transparency; applying post-inspection instead of pre-inspection; ending legal overlap; and deregulation. The legal system should be friendly to business households and small enterprises, while policies should support businesses, along with a sandbox for new business models. Institutions should be an advantage of the competitiveness of Vietnam. However, currently, the private economy is facing numerous difficulties with administrative procedures. For example, Hoa Phat Group needs raw materials for production, while Vietnam has a very large-scale iron ore mine, but the mining licence is being revoked. However, the regulations related to bidding are not enough for implementation. Some businesses in road infrastructure construction said that they could build 100km of highway within six months, but due to issues and delays in administrative procedures, it often takes up to three years. Some corporations plan to build R&D centres but it is estimated to take three years to complete land procedures. To fix it all, Resolution 68 covers regulations on inspections, no more than once a year, conducted on an online platform, or even no inspection for businesses with a good business history. It abolishes lump-sum tax for business households, which is causing budget losses and creating inequality for the formal business sector; and stipulates tax exemption for the first three years for newly established businesses. This is excellent content for the development of the private economic sector. More capital access solutions are needed for businesses, in addition to capital from bank loans. For example, it is required to encourage corporate bonds, pre-initial public offering enterprise support funds, national startup funds, and establish separate stock exchanges for SMEs. The private sector struggles with more disadvantages in terms of capital than foreign-led and state-owned enterprises. Therefore, investing in supporting industries is not feasible. With the current capital cost, Vietnamese businesses cannot compete with South Korean, Japanese, and Chinese businesses. That is also the reason why less ventures for innovative startups prefer Vietnams market, because there are too many strict regulations. Therefore, in startups and innovation, very few businesses can list on the stock exchange. Domestic private enterprises need to have their policies. For example, policies for the group of foundational industrial products, supporting industries related to some industries like mechanical engineering, chemicals, and energy. In addition, Vietnam is facing US reciprocal tariffs, but this is also an opportunity for domestic enterprises to participate more deeply and substantially in the global production chain. To connect to the global market, enterprises need to take advantage of free trade, expand export markets, and develop domestic distribution chains. The government should provide more policies for SMEs to participate in international fairs, position their brands, and accompany the development of national brands. Currently, Vietnamese brands are still weak and small. To accelerate the application of technology and develop people, private enterprises need policies to support the application of AI, big data, and smart manufacturing; more tax incentives for R&D centres; and to strengthen the linkage of businesses, universities, and institutes. Private sector policy shifts can mean a market lift Resolution No.68-NQ/TW aims to cut red tape and unlock access to key resources like capital, land, and skilled labour for private enterprises. Vy Le, Vietnam Private Capital Agency chairwomen and general partner at Do Ventures, shared with VIRs Hazy Tran how clearer tax rules, streamlined listing procedures, and tailored insurance reforms could reshape the competitive landscape. Private sector to benefit from new resolution Vietnam's Politburo released Resolution No.68-NQ/TW on May 4, a sweeping reform aimed at revitalising the private sector and positioning entrepreneurs as central drivers of economic growth. VIR's Bich Ngoc spoke with investors about their views. Mai Nguyen, representative to Vietnam International Division, American Planning Association As one of Asias fastest-growing economies, Vietnam is embracing a bold vision for sustainable, tech-driven urban development. National strategies on green growth, climate resilience, and smart cities are fostering public-private partnerships and innovation-friendly policies. This creates a prime opportunity for private investors to help shape the next generation of Vietnamese cities. This vision spans multiple sectors, each offering distinct investment prospects and challenges, with varying levels of readiness and investment potential. From smarter mobility and resilient built environments to decentralised clean energy, digital infrastructure, and green finance, Vietnams sustainable urban future requires integrated solutions. Rising urban density and worsening congestion are driving urgent demand for smarter mobility solutions. Vietnams government commitment to emissions reduction and urban transport modernisation creates a compelling market for private innovation. While electric vehicle adoption is gaining momentum, critical infrastructure, such as charging networks, smart traffic management and data-driven logistics remains underdeveloped. Despite challenges like fragmented data standards and limited inter-agency coordination, Vietnams strong policy support and market readiness position it as a prime hub for next-generation, low-emission mobility solutions. Strategic investments and cross-sector collaboration can unlock significant value while advancing sustainable urban transport. The anticipated shift to autonomous vehicles further underscores the importance of foundational digital infrastructure. Building robust digital infrastructure, including real-time data networks and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, is essential for the safe and efficient operation of such vehicles and for their integration into modern cities. Meanwhile, Vietnams urban skyline is evolving rapidly in scale and vision. The focus of urban development is shifting from quantity to quality, emphasising smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive design. Green and resilient building certifications such as EDGE, BRI, and LEED are becoming increasingly common, reflecting a stronger emphasis on energy efficiency, environmental performance, and resilience. As sustainable design becomes mainstream, there is growing recognition that the benefits must reach all population segments. Affordable housing has emerged as a critical challenge over the past decade, prompting the government to commit to constructing one million affordable housing units by 2030. Challenges persist, including high upfront costs, limited land access, slow permitting, and fragmented regulations. Rising construction material prices in the past year or two, driven by supply chain disruptions caused by natural hazards and large-scale infrastructure projects, have further increased real estate costs. Financing gaps remain a significant barrier, especially for affordable housing projects that tend to offer lower returns. These challenges create opportunities for innovation and investment. Affordable housing offers strong potential for developers and investors to embrace new building technologies, improved land use, and cost-effective, sustainable solutions such as modular construction, green retrofitting, and smart infrastructure. A transformation is also underway in the energy sector, as cities seek to meet rising demand while reducing carbon emissions. The government aims for net-zero by 2050, driving growth in solar, wind, and battery storage. However, rapid renewable integration strains the grid, complicating energy distribution and stability. Regulatory uncertainties have slowed clean energy investments. Urban areas are turning to decentralised solutions, such as battery storage, district cooling, and microgrids, to boost energy security, reduce emissions, and enhance climate resilience. Early microgrid deployments show promises for reliable urban power, though clear policies and technical standards are needed to overcome adoption barriers. Addressing these barriers through clear policies, technical standards, and incentives will be critical to unlocking the full benefits of urban clean energy systems and supporting Vietnams sustainable urban development goals. Efforts to streamline governance, such as reducing the number of provinces, are enhancing administrative efficiency for urban development. Simultaneously, the country is accelerating digital transformation, expanding 5G, enhancing cloud computing, and building data centres to international standards. Investment opportunities are growing in areas like 5G, smart utilities, digital twins, and urban Internet of Things applications, all crucial for modernising Vietnams cities. These sectors offer strong potential for private investors and tech innovators. However, challenges around data governance, such as privacy, security, and interoperability, and limited coordination between government agencies must be addressed to fully realise these technologies benefits. A stronger financial foundation is taking shape to support Vietnams urban agenda. The shift from ambition to implementation has attracted development finance institutions, commercial banks, and sustainability-focused investors, motivated by clearer policies and net-zero targets. Among the most promising opportunities are eco-industrial parks, which integrate energy efficiency, waste reduction, and circular economy principles into industrial areas. Yet the sector still faces limitations, especially a lack of well-structured, bankable projects and limited local green finance expertise. Vietnams urban transformation presents compelling investment opportunities in digitalisation, innovation, and sustainability. By strategically investing in smart mobility, integrated infrastructure, clean energy, and green finance, the private sector can help shape modern, resilient, and inclusive cities, while delivering long-term value and impact. Private sector development thrust must be taken seriously Based on the important role of the private sector, Resolution No.68-NQ/TW will be a key driving force for growth, innovation, and integration. The action programme in this term should focus on implementing all solutions and targets in this resolution, to drive all businesses to truly take off and contribute greatly to socioeconomic development. SCG posted a total profit of VND834 billion ($32 million) and strong earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) in the first quarter of 2024. This performance reflects SCGs accelerated adaptation efforts to address challenges across all businesses and its ongoing measures to bolster financial strength. SCG is highlighting four strategies to navigate the prolonged and intensifying global trade tensions, including reducing costs to compete with global manufacturers; expanding its product portfolio to meet market demand across all segments, including high value-added (HVA) products, green products, and quality affordable products, and entering new high-potential markets; and building competitive advantages by leveraging diversified production bases across ASEAN. SCG remains confident that its businesses are well-positioned for stable growth amid ongoing challenges. Thammasak Sethaudom, president and CEO of SCG, shared positive updates on the performance of SCG's business segments Thammasak Sethaudom, president and CEO of SCG, said, In the first quarter of 2025, SCG and all business units demonstrated improvement, driven by ongoing financial strengthening measures. We have enhanced competitiveness through production cost reduction and effective management, as well as efficient expansion into new markets. Furthermore, the cement-building materials business experienced increased demand, driven by the construction season and continuous government budget disbursements. Meanwhile, SCG Chemicals (SCGC) showed improvement through cost management and product portfolio adjustments. SCGP also remained robust, focusing on growth to meet domestic consumer demand within ASEAN, enhancing its consumer packaging portfolio while concurrently managing costs. At the same time, SCG has implemented financial strengthening measures, including the prudent management of EBITDA, costs, and working capital. This resulted in SCG achieving an EBITDA of VND9.78 trillion ($380 million) in the first quarter, reflecting the businesss swift adaptation to maintain competitiveness amid ongoing challenges. In the first quarter of 2025, revenue from SCGs operations in ASEAN (excluding Thailand) reached VND17.97 trillion ($698 million). As of March 31, SCGs total assets amounted to VND642.48 trillion ($25.01 billion), with SCG's assets in ASEAN (excluding Thailand) totalling VND294.37 trillion ($11.46 billion), or 46 per cent of SCGs total consolidated assets. In the first quarter of 2025, revenue from sales in Vietnam reached VND7.77 trillion ($301 million). During this period, SCG's subsidiaries introduced several innovations that helped reduce environmental impacts and operational costs. For example, Duy Tan Plastics launched lightweight, recyclable bottles using MuCell technology, cutting plastic usage while enabling cost-effective production. Meanwhile, SCG Cement-Building Materials Vietnam rolled out low carbon cement packaging in Central Vietnam to support the growing demand for eco-friendly construction materials. SCGJWD expanded its green logistics model by introducing EV trucks, solar-powered warehouses, and a 24/7 operations centre to improve energy efficiency. SCG introduced new packaging for its low-carbon cement products in Central Vietnam, aligning with the growing market demand for environmentally friendly materials Reinforcing its commitment to collaboration, SCG teamed up with Nam Long Group, one of Vietnams leading real estate developers, to deliver green roofing solutions for large-scale urban developments. Additionally, SCG co-hosted the Green Products and Services Orders from Users seminar as part of the Green Vietnam initiative. This platform enabled open dialogue between businesses and end-users, highlighting the growing demand for sustainable consumption and co-creation of environmentally responsible solutions. Beyond business, SCG remains dedicated to social wellbeing through the Hands for Happiness campaign. Notably, the 'Spring Bus' initiative supported over 2,000 students and workers in returning home for Lunar New Year, fostering emotional and cultural connection. The company also took part in the 'Tet quan - dan' event, distributing gift sets to 400 underprivileged families in Binh Chanh. In a joint effort with SCGP, SCG established a Green Library' at District 8 Hospital, offering patients and visitors a peaceful, eco-conscious learning space to promote both healing and environmental awareness. In addition, trust built over time remains a cornerstone of SCGs long-standing presence in Vietnam. In the first quarter of 2025, both Binh Minh Plastics and Duy Tan Plastics were once again named among Vietnams High-Quality Goods brands for the 29th consecutive year, reflecting their continued excellence in delivering quality and sustainable innovations to the Vietnamese market. Further strengthening this trust, Binh Minh Plastics became the first in Vietnams pipe industry to achieve the Leader level under Singapore Green Building Product (SGBP) certification, a milestone that highlights its dedication to high environmental standards and long-term sustainability. As Vietnam continues to navigate challenges and opportunities in the global landscape, SCG stands firm in its mission: to grow with Vietnam, not just in Vietnam. With a deep sense of care for the environment, society, and economic resilience, SCG remains committed to co-creating a better future for all. The companys integrated approach to innovation, community impact, and trusted partnerships continues to set the standard for inclusive green growth in the region. SCG reports $1.4 billion in sales revenue SCG reported sales revenue of $1.4 billion in Vietnam for 2024 on February 7, representing a 15 per cent increase over 2023, primarily due to an increase in sales from Long Son Petrochemicals Co., Ltd. (LSP). SCG proposes to increase import tax on plastic resins Thailand's SCG sent a proposal to the government last March related to the $5-billion Long Son Petrochemical Complex to increase the 'most favoured nation' tariff for polypropylene and polyethylene plastic products to 10 per cent. Operating twice a week, the barge service reduces transit times of 48 hours by river to just 15 hours via a combination of river and sea routes, a 70 per cent improvement. While the previous journey covered approximately 367km, the coastal route is significantly shorter at around 200km, making it a faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective solution for cargo owners across Vietnam. Designed to support dry and cold chain logistics, the Mekong Express can transport up to several hundred TEUs per voyage and is capable of handling large numbers of refrigerated containers. The partners plan to expand the route to include a call at the Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT), which is operated by DP World, and a call at Saigon Hiep Phuoc Port under VIMC. The new service is also a more sustainable alternative to road transport, generating 60 per cent less carbon emissions. Equipped with real-time digital cargo tracking and carbon monitoring, DP World and VIMC Lines expect the service to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2026. Glen Hilton, CEO and managing director for Asia-Pacific at DP World, said, DP World is committed to building a seamless, integrated supply chain ecosystem in Vietnam, an increasingly important market for trade in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. With the Mekong Express, we are responding to demand for a more efficient and reliable service. This will help support economic development not just within southern Vietnam but throughout the country. The launch of this new coastal logistics service also marks a major step in our expansion in Vietnam, complementing our ongoing operation of SPCT. Le Quang Trung, deputy CEO of the VIMC, said, VIMC is proud to launch and operate the Mekong Express, a service which brings new levels of efficiency and reliability to Vietnams domestic logistics landscape. The collaboration between VIMC Lines and DP World Vietnam in this service reflects our shared commitment to advancing and innovating new solutions for customers in the country. We look forward to continuing expanding international cooperation to unlock greater value for businesses and strengthen the countrys supply chain resilience. South Vietnam, home to the Mekong Delta Key Economic Region and the Southern Key Economic Region, has become the engine of Vietnams manufacturing and export economy. By enhancing connectivity between these strategically vital zones, the Mekong Express will strengthen Vietnams role in regional and global logistics networks. DP World currently operates SPCT in Ho Chi Minh City, with an annual capacity of 400,000 TEUs and the only roll-on/roll-off port in southern Vietnam. The company also has its corporate office in Ho Chi Minh, and three other freight forwarding offices in Can Tho, Haiphong, and Hanoi. Green logistics vital for businesses to join global supply chain Vietnamese logistics businesses have been urged to go green to meet sustainability requirements and join the global supply chain. CMA CGM teams up with Saigon Newport to build $600 million deep-water terminal CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, on May 26 announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) to develop a new deep-water terminal in Haiphong. Vietnam and the United States are both strong agricultural nations, but their strengths are complementary rather than directly competitive The visit aims to explore trade promotion opportunities and assess the potential for increasing imports of American agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. This business-focused delegation reflects Vietnams strong commitment to building a resilient supply chain and enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations as they celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations. Speaking during the trip, Minister Duy emphasised the complementary nature of the two agricultural economies. Vietnam and the US both possess strengths in agriculture but do not compete directly. The most important thing is to tighten our cooperation through joint supply chains, improving competitiveness and benefiting producers and consumers in both markets, he said. Vietnamese agribusinesses are actively supporting this policy direction, increasing imports of American goods such as corn by-products, soybeans, meat, dairy, wood materials, and livestock equipment. These efforts are helping to balance bilateral trade and reinforcing Vietnam's role in global food security. Meanwhile, US consumers have shown increasing interest in Vietnamese agricultural exports such as spices, fruit, seafood, and wooden furniture. The rising demand on both sides has provided fertile ground for mutual collaboration. However, the outlook is being challenged by recent US trade policy developments. According to Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, director general of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Trump administrations announcement of a 10 per cent tariff effective from April 2, along with the potential imposition of retaliatory tariffs of up to 46 per cent starting July 9, has raised serious concerns. These tariffs could erode profit margins and reduce competitiveness for businesses on both sides. More worryingly, such steep retaliatory measures risk disrupting the agricultural supply chains that both governments and industries have worked hard to establish, Tuan warned. He also noted that any price hike in essential agricultural products could negatively affect low-income American consumers. In response, Vietnam is stepping up efforts to engage US partners at all levels, from federal and state governments to industry associations and private enterprises. At the governmental level, several bilateral agreements have been signed to facilitate market access and technical cooperation. Since 2020, 18 MoUs have been concluded between Vietnamese enterprises and US exporters of agricultural products, amounting to $6 billion, half of which has already been executed. These engagements are more than commercial deals, Tuan explained. Each dialogue with industry associations is an opportunity to clarify technical requirements, update standards, and propose harmonised regulations between the two markets. Vietnam has also made regulatory reforms to facilitate market access for US producers. To date, it has completed registration procedures for 509 American meat and meat product companies and 232 seafood exporters. It is also one of the first eight Asian countries to approve genetically engineered crops from the US, having granted 61 approvals so far. In a significant boost to bilateral trade, a decree issued on March 31 reduces tariffs on key US agricultural and forestry exports to zero. Two-way trade in agri-forestry-fisheries has steadily grown at an average rate of 10 per cent annually over the past decade. Vietnam and the US have also reached consensus on procedures for animal and plant quarantine and food safety inspections, streamlining market access in a transparent and efficient manner. As global trade dynamics evolve and supply chains are increasingly restructured, the VietnamUS agricultural partnership stands out as a model of mutual benefit and forward-looking cooperation. With ongoing engagement and policy alignment, both nations are well-positioned to enhance competitiveness and sustainability across the board. The implementation plan for the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII clearly sets out the timeline, resource allocation, and utilisation framework for key projects and programmes. Photo: Le Toan Under a decision issued on May 30, the plan operationalises the prime ministers earlier approval of the revised Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), transforming high-level policy into a concrete roadmap focused on electricity security, export growth, and technological transition. The plan, according to the MoIT, is aimed at ensuring a timely and reliable power supply for national socioeconomic development while moving ahead of demand to serve key sectors and strategic infrastructure. It lays out specific goals for scaling renewable energy capacity, improving cross-border electricity trade, and building an industrial ecosystem around clean energy. In the near term, Vietnam plans to dramatically scale up domestic generation capacity. Solar power is set to reach as high as 73,416MW by 2030, while onshore wind may hit 38,029MW. The government also targets 6,000MW of offshore wind for domestic use by 2030, growing to over 17,000MW by 2035. Battery storage will be essential, with expected capacity of 10,00016,300MW. New solar projects must be developed in tandem with storage systems, with a minimum of 10 per cent of installed capacity stored for at least two hours, the MoIT stated. The plan also reintroduces nuclear power into Vietnams long-term strategy, with Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 expected to operate between 2030 and 2035, each with a capacity of 2,0003,200MW. The country will also maintain a transitional role for LNG and domestic gas, while coal will remain part of the mix through 2030 with a planned capacity of 31,055MW. In a major strategic pivot, the plan outlines Vietnams dual role as an electricity importer and exporter. By 2030, the country aims to import up to 12,100MW from Laos and China. Import power projects must ensure technical connectivity, pricing efficiency, and national energy security, the MoIT emphasized. At the same time, Vietnam has a target to export 400MW to Cambodia by 2030 and scale up exports to 5,00010,000MW to regional partners such as Singapore and Malaysia by 2035. These volumes may increase based on demand and project feasibility. Electricity exports are viewed as an economic opportunity and a tool for strengthening regional integration. Export-oriented renewable energy projects must comply with legal procedures and ensure efficiency, grid safety, and national security, the MoIT noted. Another significant focus is the production and export of new energy, particularly green hydrogen and green ammonia. The government aims to develop 15,000MW of offshore wind and other renewable capacity dedicated to green fuel production, especially in coastal provinces with strong resources and infrastructure. To support these ambitions, the MoIT is planning two regional renewable energy industrial and service hubs. One will be located in the north (Haiphong, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh), focusing on equipment manufacturing, specialised ports, logistics, and low-emission industrial parks. A similar hub will be developed in the south (Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City), taking advantage of abundant solar and wind resources. These hubs will play a central role in forming a complete renewable energy value chain, from production and equipment to services and human resources, the MoIT stated. The government will consider electricity export proposals on a case-by-case basis, in line with existing regulations and national interests. As Vietnam accelerates its transition towards a clean energy economy, the implementation plan for PDP8 offers a detailed blueprint to mobilise investment, upgrade infrastructure, and position the country as a key power player in Southeast Asias energy future. How have bilateral ties between Vietnam and Poland developed since the two countries entered diplomatic relations in 1950? The 75-year long diplomatic relationship between Poland and Vietnam is deeply rooted in our traditional friendship, mutual respect, and support in times of need. Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Joanna Skoczek. Photo: The Embassy of Poland in Hanoi Poland is famous for the excellence of its monument conservation school, with Polish experts active in the research, conservation, and preservation of the most important objects of cultural heritage around the world. Among them, Polish architect Kazimierz Kwiatkowski has contributed significantly to the preservation of Vietnam's cultural landmarks, including the ancient town of Hoi An, the My Son Sanctuary, and the Complex of Hue Monuments. His efforts were instrumental in securing UNESCO World Heritage status for these sites. Now, his statue is a centrepiece in one of the squares of old Hoi An. Educational exchange has also been a vital aspect of our relationship. Poland has for years trained thousands of Vietnamese students and scientists in the areas crucial for the development of Vietnamese science, engineering, geology, shipbuilding, and the economy. Upon return to Vietnam, they have occupied key positions in government, industry, and academia. Currently, young generations of Vietnamese are studying in Poland, which has emerged as one of the most attractive, dynamic, and safe places to study, offering a wide range of academic opportunities. The health sector is one of the traditional areas of cooperation between Poland and Vietnam. The Vietnam-Poland Friendship Hospital has been a symbol of the Polish-Vietnamese friendship for many years, built in Vinh City in 1963 with the aid of the government of Poland. It is now called Nghe An General Friendship Hospital. The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the strength of our bilateral partnership. Poland provided Vietnam with 1.4 million vaccine doses and essential medical equipment. The Vietnamese community in Poland contributed by supplying protective equipment and medical supplies. Vietnamese restaurants provided free meals for doctors and nurses at hospitals in Warsaw and other cities. The Vietnamese community in Poland, numbering tens of thousands, serves as a living bridge between our nations. This community has integrated well into Polish society. Vietnamese restaurants are among the most popular in Warsaw, and many Poles visit Vietnamese markets in search of fresh tofu, herbs, and noodles. Artists, designers, and academics of Vietnamese origin play an increasingly important role in bringing our two countries together. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Polish President Andrzej Duda as part of his official visit to Poland in January. Photo: VGP Similarly, many Poles have established lives and businesses in Vietnam, further strengthening our people-to-people connections. How has the recent Vietnam-Poland joint statement on enhancing bilateral relations increased the bilateral trade and investment ties? During Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Poland in January, both sides emphasized that trade cooperation is a key part of our relationship. They set a goal of working towards balancing trade. By doing so, we hope to make full use of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, to benefit both the European and Vietnamese economies. Computers and electronic equipment are among Vietnams key export items to the Polish market According to Statistics Poland, in 2024 Poland and Vietnam's trade volume reached $6.1 billion, of which $440 million was Polish exports, representing a 24% on-year decrease. This places the current imbalance at a ratio of 1:12 in favour of Vietnam. This is an ambitious goal that we hope to achieve in a balanced way, based on the principles of openness and a level playing field. The joint statement issued by the two prime ministers in Warsaw should result in the formulation of a roadmap enabling Polish companies to establish stronger economic and trade partnerships with Vietnamese consumers and enterprises. Regarding education cooperation, how has the bilateral relationship expanded in this area, and what is the role of connections like the Vietnam-Poland High School in this partnership? Education has long been a backbone of the PolandVietnam relationship, serving as both a foundation for bilateral cooperation and a catalyst for deepening people-to-people ties. An intergovernmental agreement on educational cooperation signed in 2017 further solidified our academic partnership. It allows for annual reciprocal exchanges of 20 students, fully covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses across all academic levels, including undergraduate, masters, and doctoral courses. There are advanced preparations ongoing to soon increase the number of scholarships to 50 per year. In addition, the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) provides a growing number of scholarships, fellowships, and summer school opportunities for Vietnamese students and researchers, and these efforts are supported by vibrant cooperation between universities on a bilateral level. The reintroduction of Polish language studies at Hanoi University in 2018, after a 30-year break, marked a symbolic and practical renewal of cultural and academic engagement. This initiative, supported by NAWA, revives linguistic ties and opens new avenues for Vietnamese professionals as Polish businesses expand their footprint in Vietnam. Currently, the Polish course by NAWA is still taught at Hanoi University (HANU), open for not only HANU students, but anyone who is interested in learning Polish. There is room for development, though. Vietnam is too important to Poland. In many countries across the globe, including in Asia, Polish studies are thriving, attracting yearly dozens of students ready to discover the secrets and intricacies of the Polish language and culture. Students of the Vietnam-Poland High School had a talk with Joanna Skoczek in Hanoi in late May. Photo: The Vietnam-Poland High School The Vietnam-Poland High School in Hanoi stands as a proud symbol of our educational and cultural friendship. Beyond its name, the school embodies the values of bilateral cooperation and serves as a centre for young minds interested in both countries cultures. In recent years, the school has benefited from several Polish-funded projects aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and educational quality. In collaboration with ADAMED Pharma S.A., the owner of the pharmaceutical producer Davipharm and Polands largest investor in Vietnam, the Embassy of Poland in Hanoi has facilitated the donation of digital screens, computers, and learning resources. Notably, the ADAMED SmartUP programme provides 100 students annually with English courses and science workshops led by Polish experts, and the best students are sent to Poland to attend a science camp run by ADAMED. Poland has announced its readiness to expedite the ratification process of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). How far has it gone? In order for the EVIPA to come into force, it requires the ratification of all European Union member states. Currently, 19 out of 27 states have ratified the agreement. Poland has already initiated the EVIPA ratification process. I can only refer to the words of the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk from January this year: I can assure you that Poland wont be the last country to ratify the EVIPA. The European Union is one of the world's most open and investment-friendly economies. I am convinced that, once the EVIPA comes into force, it will pave the way for a strong economic presence of European businesses in Vietnam and accelerate our common path towards prosperity and sustainable development. More support forthcoming thanks to Polish interest Poland and Vietnam continue to enjoy a thriving trade and investment partnership in light of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Piotr Harasimowicz, chief representative officer at the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, discussed with VIRs Thanh Van about the trends of Polish-Vietnam trade ties. Vietnam and Poland target bilateral trade turnover of $5 billion Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed the strengthening of economic ties with Poland to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion. IOWA, US - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 June 2025 - A delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam led by Minister Do Duc Duy began a trade mission to the United States, with the first stop being Iowa. Welcoming and working with the delegation, on the side of the Iowa Department of Agriculture were Secretary Mike Naig and Deputy Secretary Grant Menke. Ministers witnessed MoU signing between Vietnamese and Iowa agribusinesses. At the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his interests to lead a delegation consisting of Vietnamese government agencies, associations and agribusinesses to visit Iowa state, known as the "Heart of Agriculture" in the United States. With a long history of farming system, Iowa is the leading corn production in the United States, with total output of 50 million tons of corn per year. Besides, the state is also home to many other agricultural commodities such as soybean, wheat, pork and beef. "Vietnam has become one of the world's leading agricultural exporters, contributing positively to global food security. We are constantly expanding our processing capacity, improving quality for sustainable agricultural development in Vietnam. Therefore, Vietnam and the United States can completely complement each other, jointly develop bilateral, stable and long-term agricultural supply chains," Minister Do Duc Duy affirmed. At the meeting, the two sides jointly recognized and assessed the current status of agricultural trade cooperation between Vietnam and Iowa, and shared information, needs and potentials for business cooperation between the two sides. The discussion opened a substantive direction, promoting the export of high-quality agricultural products from Iowa to the Vietnamese market and vice versa. Notably, the delegation of 50 Vietnamese agribusinesses accompanying Minister Do Duc Duy to the United States this time is expected to sign MoUs to purchase over 2 billion USD of agrifood products from the United States. Particularly for the state of Iowa, businesses and associations of the two sides have signed 5 MOUs with a total value of about 800 million USD over 3 years. Those are significant deals compared to 44 million USD of agricultural exports from Iowa to Vietnam in 2024. Specifically, Vietnam's Khai Anh Binh Thuan Company signed an MoU to import one million tons of soybean meal, valued at approximately $380390 million, from its partner Ag Processing Inc (AGP). The company also committed to purchasing 900,000 tons of corn and wheat from United Grain, valued at around $250 million. Viet Nhat Nutrition Technology Company signed a contract with POET Group to import 100,000 tons of DDGS and 100,000 tons of soybean meal, with a total value estimated at 6070 million USD. Publicprivate partnership between the two countries also expanded through an MoU between the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health (under Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). Under this agreement, both sides committed to strengthening trade ties and promoting collaboration between Vietnamese and Iowa pork industry by organizing technical seminars, market promotion and trade missions. In addition, the meeting provided opportunities for many other Vietnamese and US businesses to connect, opening new avenues to enhance trade relations and strengthen the VietnamUS agricultural supply chain linkages. These connections are expected to accelerate the transfer of advanced U.S. technologies to Vietnamese agribusinesses, paving the way toward green, smart, and sustainable agricultural development in Vietnam. Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his confidence that today's event marks the beginning of a new phase of deeper and more effective cooperation between the Vietnamese business community and the state of Iowa. He emphasized that the outcome reflects the shared goodwill of both sides to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United States. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. SURABAYA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 June 2025 - VinFast announces it has secured four prestigious awards at the Indonesia International Motor Show Surabaya (IIMS Surabaya) 2025. Achieving decisive victories in four key categories, voted on by both the Organizing Committee and show attendees, VinFast has solidified its reputation, standing, and strong appeal among industry experts, car enthusiasts, and consumers in Indonesia. VinFast receives multiple prestigious awards at the IIMS Surabaya 2025 exhibition. The Organizing Committee of IIMS Surabaya 2025 has honored VinFast in four categories: "Best EV City Car" for VF 3, "Favorite New Car Launch" for VF 6, "Best Booth Car" and "Best Costume | Miss IIMS Surabaya 2025". IIMS is the nation's premier and largest exhibition system, drawing dozens of automotive, motorcycle, and technology brands globally each year. IIMS Surabaya, held in East Java - Indonesia's second-largest region after Jakarta - consistently attracts a significant number of visitors and industry enthusiasts. The IIMS Surabaya 2025 expert panel features leading journalists and specialists from esteemed organizations. In the "Best EV City Car" category, VinFast VF 3 outperformed competitors from China, Japan, securing an overwhelming 89% of the total votes. This impressive win was based on the votes of over 50,000 show attendees and the official voting system of the organizers. The VF 3 has garnered significant attention since its official debut in Indonesia, becoming the most-test-driven vehicle at IIMS 2025 in February. With its distinctive design, impressive features, and accessible price, the VF 3 has emerged as an ideal urban vehicle. It's truly empowering owners to showcase their individuality and unique style with passion. The Organizing Committee also honored the VF 6, the newest addition to VinFast's product lineup in Indonesia, with the "Favorite New Car Launch" award. The expert panel highly praised the VF 6's modern design, advanced technological features, and exhilarating driving experience. This model is expected to quickly win over Indonesian consumers and pave the way for a future of "Electrified Transportation for Everyone." In addition to the product awards, VinFast was also honored with "Best Booth Car" and "Best Costume | Miss IIMS Surabaya 2025." VinFast's exhibition booth stood out as the largest at the show, featuring a modern, futuristic design that powerfully inspired visitors with a vision of a green and civilized electric transportation future. The expert panel, media, and numerous attendees were particularly impressed by the elegant image of the Vietnamese Ao Dai. This created a unique cultural highlight, blending traditional beauty with modern appeal, and affirming the fierce spirit of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian people in the global green revolution. Rudi MF, as the Project Manager of Indonesia International Motor Show, stated: "We are very impressed with the product quality, the message conveyed, and the connection established with the audience as demonstrated by VinFast. The VF 3 and VF 6 models stand out as an interesting model that resonate well with both experts and the general publicsomething that is increasingly difficult to achieve in today's competitive market. VinFast's positive engagement at IIMS Surabaya 2025 was clearly reflected in the high level of visitor enthusiasm at their booth. VinFast successfully captured attention with their innovative presentation and the opportunity for visitors to directly experience their electric vehicle technology. This extraordinary response not only affirms the appeal of VinFast's products but also signifies their strong position in promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in Indonesia." Kariyanto Hardjosoemarto, CEO of VinFast Indonesia, shared: "Winning four awards at IIMS Surabaya 2025 is an incredibly proud milestone for VinFast. We are confident that we are on the right path in accelerating the green transition in Indonesia. With our diverse product range, from the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, to the VF e34, and our comprehensive 'For a Green Future' ecosystem, VinFast is committed to continuing our journey with Indonesian consumers and contributing to the development of the region's most promising electric vehicle market." In just one year of presence in Indonesia, VinFast has launched four EV models VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, and VF e34 while expanding its distribution network in major cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Bali. Additionally, VinFast is collaborating with partners such as Otoklix, and BOS to deploy 500 authorized service workshops nationwide by the end of 2025. VinFast is also accelerating the development of a comprehensive green mobility ecosystem in Indonesia through strategic partnerships with companies like GSM (electric taxi service) and V-GREEN (charging infrastructure), further reinforcing VinFast's long-term investment commitment to the Indonesian market. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.id/ Gemma Collins is considering a low-key wedding. Gemma Collins is contemplating a low-key wedding ceremony with her partner Rami Hawash The 44-year-old reality TV star and businessman Rami Hawash got engaged for the third time on Valentine's Day 2024 during a romantic getaway to the Maldives - having previously postponed their wedding in 2023 to focus on other priorities - and explained that the pair are planning a more intimate ceremony after Rami's father sadly passed away last year. In an interview with Closer magazine, the former star of 'The Only Way Is Essex' said: "The more this has gone on, we kind of just want to do a wedding for us. Because with these showbiz weddings, it all becomes about other people." Despite the pair being forced to postpone their wedding day again, Gemma is adamant she will say "I do" to Rami in 2026. She said: "We're definitely getting married. Definitely, definitely doing it." Gemma and Rami, 50, met in 2011, and they got engaged in 2013 before breaking off the engagement just weeks later. However, they reignited their romance during the COVID-19 lockdown after Gemma broke up with her 'The Only Way is Essex' ('TOWIE') co-star James 'Arg' Argent, 37, in 2020. She and Rami got engaged for a second time in 2021, and the lovers' relationship has been strong ever since. Gemma said: "We're really happy. Everything's just aligned." The GC - Gemma's alter-ego which was created by TV personality Sam Faiers, 34, during the third series of the ITV reality show - shot to fame when she joined 'TOWIE' in 2011, but she quit the show in 2014. The programme is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and Gemma has revealed she has been asked back and wants to do it - but her agent is less keen. She explained: "They've asked me back. My agent's saying no, but I do want to do it. "It'll be fun." Gemma has battled with her weight for years, but after she shed two stone after doctors approved her for the weight-loss jab Mounjaro last November, she hopes to have a baby with Rami in 2026. Gemma - who is a stepmum to Rami's six-year-old son Tristan - recently told The Sun newspaper: "I want to have a baby. I truly believe that once my weight goes, Ill fall pregnant. "Thats my hope. I want a baby And I truly believe I'll have twins... "I cant believe Ive finally found something that works. Ive lost nearly two stone already and its been completely effortless - I dont even want to eat anymore!" Time ran out on a proposal in the Texas Legislature to allow tax credits for dairy farms that haul manure out of the North Bosque River watershed feeding Lake Waco, but its author and supporters remain hopeful for its chances in the next regular legislative session in 2027. House Bill 3830, filed by Rep. Pat Curry, R-Waco, received approval from the House Committee on Ways and Means without amendment early last month, but the 89th Legislatures regular session ended Monday before the full House could have a hearing and a vote on it, Curry said Tuesday. There were so many priority issues that the governor and lieutenant governor had set that we were able to get to and get through, Curry said by phone. But some bills dont quite make it through the process, and unfortunately the dairy tax credit bill was one of those. The city of Waco also is pursuing efforts in the watershed outside the legislative process. We are working on an agreement with a dairy operator to incentivize manure haul out from the watershed, Waco Chief of Staff Ashley Nystrom said Tuesday. Were also hoping to promote some phosphorus removal studies and work with dairies in the watershed. Currys proposal would have provided a franchise tax credit covering the costs of equipment, fuel and labor to haul manure out of the watershed. He proposed capping the credit at 50% of a dairys annual franchise tax bill, with any amount above the cap carrying forward for up to 10 years. The credit would apply not only to dairies in the North Bosque watershed, but also to any concentrated animal feeding operation in any watershed designated as impaired. Because of the limited number of qualifying operations that generate enough revenue to have a franchise tax liability, the measure would not have a significant fiscal impact for the state, according to a fiscal note prepared by the Legislative Budget Board. It was just a little late in getting heard and then it takes time to process all those bills through the system, Curry said. The North Bosque is the main tributary of the citys sole drinking water source, Lake Waco. Two segments of the river have been federally designated as impaired since 2001 because of phosphorous pollution linked to dairy-waste runoff. To control the pollution, the state implemented stricter waste disposal regulations on dairies in the rivers watershed, limiting the feasibility of herd expansions. Currys bill would make it easier for dairies in the watershed to grow their herds while also maintaining the North Bosques water quality. He said work on the bill this session grew out of working relationships among the city of Waco, the Texas Farm Bureau, the Waco Business League and the Texas Association of Dairymen, which all supported the proposal during its committee hearing. Well get the bill through the system next session, Curry said. Texas Farm Bureau Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Si Cook offered his organizations thanks to Curry for his efforts. The city of Waco is disappointed the bill did not make it all the way to the governors desk, Nystrom said. She and City Manager Bradley Ford testified in support of the bill in front of the ways and means committee, as did Darren Turley, executive director of the Texas Association of Dairymen. Legislation or not, the Texas Association of Dairymen remains ready and willing to meet with the City of Waco and others as we have for decades at any time to have productive discussions on ways to protect both the environment and the dairy industry that feeds our state and nation, Turley said in a statement Tuesday. Nystrom said the proposal would benefit dairy farmers and watershed stakeholders and that Waco officials are pleased with the progress the bill did make. She and other officials are hopeful that the progress the bill made this year is a good sign for moving the bill next session. Cook said farm bureau officials are encouraged the bill received support from both the city and the dairy industry. We surfaced some additional solutions in our testimony to the House Committee on Ways and Means, Cook said. We will continue to work with all the stakeholders to identify and develop ideas for the next legislative session. As long as stakeholders continue to communicate and have a sincere desire to work together, progress will be made. Nystrom said the city at this time does not have changes or additions in mind for the legislative proposal, but work in the watershed will continue outside of the legislative session. Boosting mobile coverage in Welsh National Parks means safer outdoors adventures and economic growth Tourists and hikers exploring Wales most renowned beauty spots and national parks will benefit from a huge boost in mobile coverage, helping them plan routes and receive live weather updates for safer outdoors adventures. Nearly 30 mobile masts, initially only used to connect EE customers and those calling 999, have now been upgraded to provide coverage from all mobile network operators. The upgrade of existing masts will limit the visual and natural impact on the environment, causing less disruption to the surrounding areas. The upgrades will benefit thousands of local residents and many more visiting the surrounding areas, bringing fast and reliable 4G networks to remote communities previously plagued by poor signal. This will support local tourism and economic growth, the core mission of the Governments Plan for Change. The rollout is part of the Shared Rural Network programme led by the UK government and mobile network operators to improve mobile connectivity in rural communities across Britain. They also say the new coverage will boost safety for holiday makers as well as economic opportunities for local communities in isolated areas in Wales, including national parks such as Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. Other areas of natural beauty to benefit from the boost include the Wye Valley, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, in addition to many more rural communities across Radnorshire, Monmouthshire, Montgomeryshire, Bognor, Ceredigion and others. UK Government Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant said: Wales national parks are not just scenic treasures, they are key drivers of local growth and must not be held back by patchy internet. This milestone marks real progress toward a Wales that is fully equipped for the digital age, where residents can access services more easily, local businesses can thrive, and visitors can enjoy our landscapes while feeling safe. The 4G boost will bring numerous benefits for local communities, enhancing connectivity to support local businesses, improving access to essential online services, enabling quicker payment options and giving farmers access to cutting-edge technology which can improve their productivity and sustainability. Research from telecoms consultancy FarrPoint shows that improved connectivity can deliver a variety of economic benefits, including increased innovation, more flexible working and increasing the labour force, and opening up to larger markets. It is estimated that these benefits could increase gross value added (GVA) for those affected by improved connectivity by 0.5% each year. These upgrades mark significant progress in the governments mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost economic growth across the UK, as outlined in the Plan for Change. To expand coverage even further, 50 more sites in England, Wales and Scotland are also being targeted for upgrades by March 2026. Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: Some of Wales most visited rural areas now have fast and reliable mobile internet access as a result of UK Government investment. Reliable connectivity is important for every aspect of life in rural Wales and will boost the local economy by supporting our crucial tourism sector. This is a significant step forward in our mission to kickstart economic growth, create jobs and unlock opportunity in rural areas across Wales. Ben Roome, CEO of Mova said: This is a big milestone for rural mobile coverage. Thanks to strong collaboration between government and industry, 50 publicly funded masts are now live including this one in Upper Chapel helping to close the mobile coverage gap for residents, businesses and visitors. These masts build on the success of the mobile operators hitting their industry-funded targets a year early. Since the Shared Rural Network began, coverage from all four operators has grown from 66% to 81% of the UK an increase the size of Wales and Northern Ireland combined. With further sites being upgraded and built over the next two years, more people in rural areas will benefit from better mobile coverage. (Top pic, archive EE image!) Calls for independent Senedd harassment complaints process Witnesses called for a fully independent process to deal with bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct by Senedd members amid concerns about politics trumping fairness. Jane Runeckles, of the FDA trade union which primarily represents civil service managers urged Wales to follow Westminsters lead by setting up an independent complaints process. Currently, politicians in Wales mark their own homework with the standards committee which is made up of Senedd members handling complaints against their peers. Similarly, the first minister oversees complaints made against their own cabinet colleagues. Ms Runeckles, a former special adviser to then-first minister Mark Drakeford, argued politicians should play no part in the process nor decisions on sanctions. Calling for a properly resourced complaints procedure, she suggested establishing a panel made up of independent experts as happened in Westminster five years ago. The FDA warned: If there is any opportunity for self-regulation, politics will take precedence over fairness and the victims of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment will be failed. Extraordinarily important The union also urged Wales to follow Westminsters example by introducing a risk-based exclusion policy. Under the policy agreed by the House of Commons, politicians arrested on suspicion of a violent or sexual offence can be excluded from the parliamentary estate. Giving evidence to the standards committee on June 2, Ms Runeckles called for a more appropriate process for dealing with bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct complaints. She said handling complaints in the same way as, for example, misuse of expenses risks promoting a lack of confidence in the system. She also warned the current system is often overly complicated and legalistic for complainants to navigate. Ms Runeckles told the committee: Providing a full independent place as the first port of call is something that would encourage greater confidence in the system. She added: The issues around gender balance in terms of people assessing those or doing any of the investigating or interviewing with complaints is, I think, extraordinarily important. Currently, Douglas Bain, the Senedds standards commissioner, investigates complaints and the standards committee considers his findings, deciding what if any action to take. Run down the clock The committee, which includes Labour, Plaid Cymru and Conservative politicians, makes recommendations concerning complaints that the Senedd then votes on. Pressed about the appropriate place for Senedd oversight, Ms Runeckles told the committee: I think thats a key question for you to consider. I think wed argue the independent panel should make the recommendation to the Senedd but I can see you would be removing an enormous part of the work you currently undertake. For people to have confidence in the system, is the recommendation of the independent person going through another body which is essentially back to the peers of the individual making that judgement the right call? Ms Runeckles said: The key in relation to bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct is that people understand there is a process dedicated to that, that has expertise and independence behind it and that is the fundamental bit that is missing at the moment. The FDA criticised a six-month limit for complaints, which cannot be made against former Senedd members, warning this could incentivise politicians to run down the clock. Ultimate arbiter In Westminster, there is no such time limit for complaints of sexual misconduct and a one-year cut-off point for complaints centred on bullying. Hannah Stevens, chief executive of Elect Her, which helps women enter politics, echoed calls for an independent process, as did the Unite union and Race Council Cymru. Ms Runeckles said she has written to the Welsh Government, expressing concerns about the ministerial code and the first minister being the ultimate arbiter of a ministers fate. The code governs the conduct of Senedd members who are part of the Welsh Government and some have warned the first minister acts as judge, jury and executioner. Similarly, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) raised concerns about Elin Jones, the Senedds speaker or Llywydd, having discretion not to refer certain complaints. In its evidence, the EHRC pointed to a 2023 complaint centred on discriminatory remarks by a politician about the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community which was shut down. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter 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. Chester Zoo welcomes UK-EU move on animal transfers Chester Zoo has welcomed news that the UK government will include zoo animal transfers in veterinary agreement talks with the European Union. Transfers of zoo animals between the UK and EU have dropped sharply since Brexit, falling from around 1,400 per year to fewer than 300 due to regulatory differences, increased paperwork and customs delays. This disruption has affected conservation breeding programmes that rely on international transfers to maintain healthy genetic diversity in endangered species. On 19 May, the government announced that it was working with the EU towards a new veterinary agreement, known as an SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) deal. Although early details suggested a focus on agriculture and trade, a further update on 29 May confirmed that conservation transfers will be part of the discussions. Rob Comley, Policy & Advocacy Manager at Chester Zoo, said: We are cautiously optimistic now initial details of the new UK-EU deal have been announced. It aims to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of animals in and out of the UK. Following questions raised by supportive Members of Parliament, the Government has now assured us they are working towards a new agreement that will consider terrestrial and aquatic zoo animals. Though this answer only covers animals, rather than biological samples, it feels like a positive step in the right direction. It is encouraging to have official acknowledgement that the Government is considering the conservation transfer issues we have had and are actively trying to fix it. Zoo leaders, including Chester Zoo, have been campaigning for years to raise awareness of the impact of post-Brexit barriers on conservation science. A recent letter to Prime Minister Kier Starmer urged the government to keep zoo transfers and biological samples on the agenda. Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, said: I know colleagues across the country will be relieved by the announcement. Since 2021, conservation animal transfers between the UK and EU have fallen by 80% a major threat to the international breeding programmes that are essential to preventing extinction and protecting global biodiversity. Over the coming months, well continue to highlight the urgent need to remove the unnecessary barriers that are hindering our vital conservation work. Charter College-Reno is inviting community members, healthcare partners, and local leaders to its campus for a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate the expansion of its healthcare education offerings and new imaging and healthcare facilities. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the front entrance of the Charter College-Reno location, located at 750 Sandhill Road, Suite #100. Highlights of the event will include speeches from community leaders and college representatives, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m., campus tours, and networking opportunities with refreshments. The celebration marks the upcoming launch of the Certificate in Medical Assistant Program, which will join the existing Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Radiologic Technology degree programs. Charter College says these additions reinforce Charter College-Renos role in preparing future healthcare professionals in Northern Nevada. A man died early Monday morning when he fell after he and a companion illegally jumped onto a train in Elko County. In a post on their Facebook page, the Elko County Sheriff's Office says James "Ivy" Woods of Shreveport, Louisiana, and a woman identified only as Emma jumped onto a train near Elko that was heading to Utah. The Sheriff's Office got a call from Emma around 4:35 a.m., wherein she said she fell asleep once on the train, and when she woke up, Woods was missing. Sheriff's deputies and personnel from the Union Pacific Railroad began a search of the area where Woods might have fallen from the train. Around 6:35 a.m., a railroad employee found Woods' body on the tracks near Wells. The Sheriff's Office says Woods was hit by the train as he fell off, suffering fatal injuries. He was 24 years old. The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office has released the identity of the man killed in a motorcycle crash last Thursday. The ME's office says 31-year-old Kaylan Faulkner of Wellington, Nevada died on scene. An investigation is still ongoing with the Reno Police Department. Original Story (5/30/2025, 5:57 a.m.): A person is dead after a motorcycle and car crashed into each other north of Reno late Thursday night. It happened on Stead Boulevard near North Virginia Street around 11 p.m. Reno Police say the unidentified motorcyclist died at the scene. Police say it does not appear speed was a factor in this crash. The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 772-322-4900. Former City Manager Doug Thornley, who resigned from the City of Reno after working there from October 2020 to July 2024, was the subject of an ethics complaint filed on January 15, 2025. The Nevada Commission on Ethics received the complaint from a member of the public and initiated an investigation into alleged violations of NRS 281A.410 and NRS 281A.550. Under state law, once a public officer leaves their post there is a statute of limitations consisting of two years when the state can investigate possible complaints - giving the commission jurisdiction over the matter. On May 20, 2025, a review panel consisting of three Commissioners reviewed the complaint, the order on jurisdiction and investigation, Thornleys response, and findings collected by the Commission's staff. The review panel concluded there was no credible evidence that Thornley violated either statute. Regarding the state law in question, the panel found that the contract referenced in the complaint between the City of Reno and Holland & Hart was signed more than a year before Thornleys left the City, and that a related application was filed only after his departure, making the statute inapplicable, as they didn't fall within the scope of Thornley's time in office. The panel determined that 'just and sufficient cause' did not exist to refer the matter to the full commission for an opinion and dismissed the case without further action. The dismissal was signed by Commissioners on May 20, 2025. There is a lot of work still to be done as the clock runs out. Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro "never" discussed a coup following his election defeat to leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a former minister and key ally told the far-right former president's criminal trial Friday. The Supreme Court is in its second week of witness testimony in Bolsonaro's coup trial, for which he faces up to 40 years in prison and being stripped of his right to hold office. Prosecutors say Brazil's leader from 2019-2022 led a "criminal organization" plotting to undo Lula's election victory. Called by the defense, Bolsonaro's then-infrastructure minister Tarcisio de Freitas told the court he was not aware of such a plot. "During the period I was with the president during the final stretch (of the government), in several conversations, he never touched on that subject, never mentioned any attempt at constitutional disruption," said Freitas, who is now governor of the state of Sao Paulo. Freitas testified that Bolsonaro was in low spirits and facing health problems following his electoral defeat in October 2022. "I found the president sad and resigned," said Freitas, who is considered a possible successor to Bolsonaro. The former leader had stated his intent to challenge a court ruling in a different case that barred him from seeking the presidency again in elections next year. Senator Ciro Nogueira, who had served as Bolsonaro's chief of staff, also told the court his former boss had "under no circumstances" demonstrated coup intentions. The court has heard from about 50 witnesses, including senior military officials, former ministers, police officers, and intelligence officials. The hearings are presided over by Judge Alexandre de Moraes, considered a political adversary of Bolsonaro. Former army commander General Marco Antonio Freire Gomes testified this month that he had attended a meeting with Bolsonaro in December 2022 where the declaration of a "state of siege" was discussed as a means of justifying military intervention after Lula's election victory. Witness testimony is set to conclude on Monday with Bolsonaro and seven co-defendants on the stand. The trial itself is then expected to last several more months before a verdict is reached. Bolsonaro is also accused of being aware of a plot to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Moraes. Bolsonaro denies any role in a coup attempt and claims to be a victim of "political persecution." He was in the United States on January 8, 2023, when thousands of supporters invaded and ransacked key government buildings, demanding a military intervention to oust Lula a week after his inauguration. That effort also failed. Bolsonaro, who recently underwent abdominal surgery to treat problems arising from a 2018 knife attack, has said a conviction would amount to a "death penalty, political and physical." The photo challenges everything were told about longevity. Its a snapshot of my grandmothers, both over 70, at a family gathering. On one side, Grandma Ruth radiates her usual vitality bright smile, dressed to impress, brimming with the energy of someone who had a thousand friends, an adoring husband and countless hobbies: baking, sewing, gardening, volunteering. Beside her stands Grandma Charlotte, her weary expression unmistakable. Clearly, shed rather be anywhere else. A fearful, religious woman with a history of profound loss, she carried the weight of the world like armor, rarely venturing far from the dim apartment she called home. Two grandmothers, two wildly different approaches to life. Ruth, the wellness devotee, attended aerobics classes, prioritized sleep and seemed to actually enjoy carrot juice. Charlotte, by contrast, loaded her chopped liver with chicken fat, snacked on Hershey bars and spent afternoons on her sagging couch watching As the World Turns. Despite their divergent paths, Ruth and Charlotte both lived to 104. Neither developed dementia, cancer, heart disease or diabetes. In both cases, the cause of death was listed simply as age. Members only For years, my family clung to a tidy narrative: Grandma Ruth did everything right, while Charlotte somehow survived in spite of herself. Yet both routes worked. So what truly carried them so far? Was it grit, biology, an alignment of stars or something science hasnt yet explained? Somewhere in the folds of their deeply individual stories lies the answer to lifes beautiful, infuriating unpredictability. We know the usual pillars of longevity: genes, diet, sleep, exercise, connection, purpose. But in recent years, researchers have uncovered subtler, less tangible forces: resilience forged in hardship, the sustaining power of love, the anchoring strength of faith and the surprising life-extending impact of conscientiousness. As Ive explored old and new theories on longevity, Ive come to see my grandmothers lives not as opposites but as two sides of a complex truth one that challenges conventional wisdom, and even my familys assumptions, about what it takes to not just live long but to live well. (From left) Grandma Ruth and Hochman's mother, Judy, at Hochman's 1999 wedding in California. People with a strong social network stay mentally stronger than those without one. Courtesy David Hochman What we thought we knew For decades, the science on aging seemed straightforward. Eat your greens. Get your steps in. Avoid smoking. Find a hobby that isnt skydiving. And, OK, maybe be born into a family with relatives who lived to 90 or 100. These have long been the hallmarks of consummate aging, repeated in public health campaigns and echoed by centenarians eager to share their secrets with Al Roker on the Today show. Do the right things and you, too, can enjoy a lasting, flourishing run. It was the logic behind phenomena like the blue zones those idyllic pockets of the planet where residents seemed to hold the secrets to eternal youth through plant-based diets, frequent movement, time in nature and tight-knit communities. Researchers flocked to places like Sardinia; Okinawa, Japan; and Loma Linda, California, to distill the lessons of the oldest old. Or so we thought when we bought the cookbooks and supplements. Then, last year, researcher Saul Newman, from University College London, tracked down data on 80 percent of the people in the world over 110 and found that very few had a birth certificate. Inconsistencies in recordkeeping cast doubt on blue zone theories in the U.S., England, Italy, France and Japan. A review by the Japanese government concluded that 230,000 of its countrys centenarians were missing, imaginary, clerical errors, or dead. Thats not to say blue zone science is bunk. A nutritious diet, exercise and community can help get you more birthday candles. But theres no one-size-fits-all formula. According to a 2021 review in the journal Science, none of the popular anti-aging dietary practices whether intermittent fasting or ketogenic diets guarantee extra years at the dinner table. Even the popular notion of taking 10,000 steps a day doesnt hold up to scrutiny: A recent meta-analysis of studies found that people over 60 derive the most benefit from walking between 6,000 and 8,000 steps daily. The science of aging well is a needle-in-a-haystack problem, so its not surprising to see some conclusions stretched a bit, says Nir Barzilai, a longevity researcher at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He has extensively studied the lives of older people in the United States, particularly Ashkenazi Jews like my grandmothers. What Barzilai found among his centenarians is both surprising and counterintuitive. Half of them were overweight or obese, half were smokers, many rarely exercised and very few were especially careful about what they ate, he says. Yet they remained remarkably healthy, with only half the incidence of cardiovascular disease of others. Its one more piece of evidence pointing to a conundrum. The more we know about longevity, the less we can hold on to certain long-held assumptions. A recent study of identical twins in Finland, for instance, found that while exercise is good for us as we age, it might not guarantee a longer life. The research showed that, yes, moderate exercisers were biologically younger than those who didnt exercise at all. But moderate exercisers were also somehow biologically younger than those who exercised a lot. Another study found that slightly overweight people may live longer than their normal weight, underweight and obese counterparts. Did Grandma Charlottes chocolate habit give her an edge on aging? Probably not. Grandma Ruths occasional tipple didnt help much either. While red wine in moderation was once touted as a salve against time, a sweeping analysis last year of 107 studies spanning four decades found that no amount of alcohol is truly safe for the aging body or brain. How bad is booze? Just two drinks a week may trim nearly a week off your life on average. Seven drinks a week could cost you two and a half months. The evolving thinking on aging is just as sobering when it comes to popular supplements. All that fuss about pill-form antioxidants ridding our body of toxins called free radicals that age our cells? New research shows that these supplements vitamin E, beta-carotene and the like provide no significant benefit and may even cause negative side effects. Its the same story with more radical regimens, like the ones practiced by wealthy Silicon Valley biohackers who see aging as another disease to be cured, or at least slowed. But aging isnt something to code your way through. Even the now-FDA-prohibited transfusion of plasma from someone between the ages of 16 and 25, a treatment known as young blood infusion, would not turn back the clock for a 50- or 60- or 75-year-old. Quackery is quackery, so buyer beware. Every year, someone is selling something new to reverse aging, and, trust me, its almost all based on junk science, says Thomas Perls, director of Boston Universitys New England Centenarian Study, which has been tracking the lives of older people since 1995. If an anti-aging remedy doesnt show up in the standard medical literature with a clinical trial showing its benefits, stay as far away as you possibly can. (From left) Grandma Ruth and her husband, Loke. Ruth traveled to Paris in her 90s and refused offers of a wheelchair. Dont treat me like an old lady! she said. Courtesy David Hochman Still, much research remains incontestable. We know people who quit smoking or never smoked have a lower risk of dying prematurely than those who smoke. Study after study highlights the benefits of quality sleep seven to eight hours a night remains the standard for both cognitive health and disease control. As for the benefits of reducing risk and nurturing relationships: Neither of my grandmothers was a daredevil, and both enjoyed long, stable marriages that kept them safe and anchored. Even so, if I made a checklist of healthy aging habits, Charlotte and Ruth would score somewhere in the Do as I say, not as I do range. Neither was letter-perfect in her long journey. Appointment of Chief Financial Officer Sydney, June 3, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Empire Energy Group Limited ( ASX:EEG ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexander Hunter as Chief Financial Officer effective 3 June 2025. Mr Hunter has 20 years' experience in the energy and resources sector with a focus on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and corporate financial management. He has worked for the past six years providing corporate finance and M&A consulting services to listed and unlisted energy and mining companies. He has held senior executive roles in ASX listed companies including Chief Financial Officer of Elk Petroleum and General Manager of Business Development for Drillsearch Energy. In these roles he was instrumental in rationalising and growing the businesses through successful asset sales and acquisitions, equity and debt capital raisings, public market mergers and takeovers, post-merger integration and growth of the business finance teams & financial management capabilities. Mr Hunter was previously a senior executive at RFC Ambrian where he specialised in resources, energy and industrial company mergers and acquisitions and capital raising. Prior to his career in finance, he held engineering and project management roles in civil construction and infrastructure development projects in Australia. He has a Bachelor of Engineering, an MBA from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and holds postgraduate qualifications in applied finance business law. The deep experience and skills that Mr Hunter brings to the company will be critical as Empire transitions to Beetaloo Basin gas producer. Robin Polson has retired from the role of Chief Financial Officer. Mr Polson joined Empire as a commercial advisor to the Company in September 2021 and was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in July 2022. During his tenure, Mr Polson played a critical role in the negotiation of Empire's gas sales agreement with the Northern Territory Government, under which Empire will supply up to 25 TJ / day to the local NT market for up to 10 years. Mr Polson played an important role in negotiating and executing the $65 million credit facility with Macquarie Bank Limited which is supporting the development of the Carpentaria Pilot Project, and in the successful completion of our US asset divestiture program, as a result of which Empire is now a Beetaloo / McArthur Basin pure play. Comments from Managing Director Alex Underwood: "We are delighted that Alex Hunter is joining Empire Energy at such a crucial time for the company. As we transition to gas production the company operations will continue to grow in both scale and complexity, and Alex brings the right mix of corporate and commercial experience to help the Empire team deliver that growth and create value for Empire shareholders. We thank Robin Polson for his dedicated service to the Company over the last 4 years, a period during which Empire has materially progressed from explorer towards the commencement of production. The entire Empire team wishes Robin well." About Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited (ASX:BTL) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) holds 28.9 million acres of highly prospective exploration tenements in the McArthur Basin and Beetaloo Sub-basins, Northern Territory. Work undertaken by the Company since 2010 demonstrates that the Eastern depositional Trough of the McArthur Basin, of which the Company holds around 80%, has enormous conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon potential. The Beetaloo Sub-basin, in which Beetaloo Energy holds a substantial position, has world-class hydrocarbon volumes in place and a ramp up in industry activity to appraise substantial discoveries already made by major Australian oil and gas operators is ongoing. Related Companies Cha Eunwoo, a member of the K-pop group ASTRO and a rising actor, will begin his mandatory military service this summer as part of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) Military Band, his agency confirmed. According to an exclusive report from OSEN on Wednesday, the 27-year-old star has officially been accepted into the military band and is scheduled to enlist on July 28. "Cha Eunwoo applied for the Army Military Band at the end of March," a representative from his agency, Fantagio, said at the time of his audition. "He went through the proper procedures and completed the interview. We were informed that the results would be announced on the 29th. If accepted, although we didn't yet know the exact date, we understood that enlistment would take place sometime in July." The Military Manpower Administration announced the list of successful candidates for the military band on May 29, confirming Cha's acceptance. Read more: Cha Eun Woo's Glamorous Post Backfires as South Korea Faces Political Turmoil: 'Are You Really this Clueless?' He will be the second member of ASTRO to enlist in the military. Cha, born Lee Dongmin, made his debut with ASTRO in 2016 and quickly gained fame for both his musical talents and acting roles in dramas such as True Beauty and Island. He has also built a reputation as a top-tier visual in the K-pop industry, frequently going viral for his appearances at public events. South Korea requires all able-bodied men to complete approximately 18 to 21 months of military service, typically before the age of 30. Cha's enlistment follows a growing list of K-pop idols fulfilling their military duties, often joining specialized units such as the military band or promotional units. Fantagio has not yet disclosed further details about Cha's upcoming schedule before his enlistment. Read more: Cha Eunwoo's Sexy and Villainous Look at 'Fatale' Photoshoot for YSL Has the Internet Swooning By Ed Day, Head of International Property Broking; and Kate Stein, Carrier Relationship Manager, WTW and co-founder, Climate-Resilient Insurance Strategy Project (CRISP). It's against this backdrop that we as an industry need to carefully consider our approach to property insurance in the face of mounting extreme weather losses. The decisions we make about whats insurable have begun to dictate whether people and companies can harness private property insurance as a tool for adapting to extreme weather and climate change. Without greater awareness and engagement, we risk private property insurance becoming irrelevant to all but the wealthiest homeowners and most-profitable, best-capitalized companies. And, we run the risk that government intervention in property insurance will transform markets in ways we are ill-prepared to cope with with significant implications for our books of business and profitability. Government and industry: Who will be responsible for risk? Local, regional and national governments care deeply about the availability and affordability of property insurance. A lack of affordable insurance can force the need for greater government spending on recovery in the aftermath of disasters. It can also affect where investors decide to invest and lenders decide to lend, and on what terms. It is entwined not only with disaster preparedness and recovery, but also with housing affordability and economic development on local, regional and national levels. Governments also care because property risk is an increasingly political issue. Constituents are complaining as insurers worldwide respond to more frequent and severe extreme weather events by increasing the cost of property insurance or withdrawing from vulnerable geographies entirely. As weve recently seen in California, governments often respond to these kinds of complaints by imposing new regulations, especially around data, ratemaking and pricing. In some cases, quasi-governmental entities step in as (re)insurers themselves: for instance, Canada is setting up a flood insurer of last resort, Italy recently launched a multi-peril reinsurer of last resort, and the U.S. state of Colorado is creating an insurer of last resort for individuals and businesses facing elevated wildfire and hail risk. At the heart of these efforts is a question of responsibility. As climate change intensifies extreme weather hazards, who will bear the risk? Also, what roles should the insurance industry and government each play in addressing property insurance affordability and risk challenges? With the answers to these questions being worked out in real time at local, regional and national levels, it would be dangerously short-sighted if we as an industry did not meaningfully engage in these conversations as a partner for the long haul and in good faith. Resilience and insurability: a two-way street The insurance industry must urgently work to reduce the emissions that cause climate change, by encouraging and supporting fossil fuel clients in their transition to zero emissions. We are key to bringing lower-emissions energy sources to market, through our investments and by underwriting technologies such as wind, solar and nuclear power. But climate change isnt just about decarbonization and fossil fuels. Its also about physical risk and helping homeowners, businesses, communities and economies become more resilient to extreme weather and natural hazards. As an industry, we stand to benefit from reduced losses when homes and businesses have been fortified against floods, wildfires and hurricanes. We need to do more to encourage risk mitigation, through bursaries and other incentives that foster investments in adaptation and resilience. We can push governments to include funding for risk reduction as a priority alongside other regulatory reforms designed to bring down insurance costs. We should also ensure that our models properly account for investments that homeowners, businesses and governments have already made, at both individual and community scales. Most of all, we need to recognise that resilience and insurability are critically interlinked. Helping insureds and communities become more resilient will help mitigate their risk, increasing the likelihood that we can sensibly continue to underwrite them for years to come. Simultaneously, when we choose to continue underwriting (within reason) places where climate change is intensifying natural hazards, we ensure those communities can continue to attract the investment they need to adapt to climate risk. Insurance is a for-profit industry and no one is suggesting thats likely to change anytime soon. But its illogical to focus solely on short-term financial value when insureds and governments are desperate for assistance protecting multiple different forms of value embodied in homes, neighbourhoods, communities and ecosystems over multiple time scales. Property insurances existential question For hundreds of years, the insurance industry has been able to make a profit by providing a social good: the funds homeowners and businesses need to recover, rebuild or relocate after disasters. However, climate change and extreme weather, insufficient investment in adaptation and risk reduction, alongside continued development in areas vulnerable to natural hazards, make it unlikely that property insurance as we know it will continue indefinitely. The balance of responsibility for property risk is shifting, with governments, businesses and individuals each having a new role to play. For the insurance industry, the question is whether we want to be a supportive partner in deciding what the future of property insurance looks like or stand by while others make the choice for us. The full-year data marked the fourth consecutive year of growth in total and insured admissions, with total admissions reaching a record 939,000 (3% above 2023). The volume and proportion of admissions funded by private medical insurance continued to grow, revealing a year-on-year rise of 6% from 625,000 to 664,000 admissions between 2023 and 2024. On the other hand, self-pay (where patients pay for their procedures through savings, loans or fund-raising) fell by 3% to 275,000 compared to 2023 (283,000), but remains at its third-highest level on record. When comparing to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, private admissions are up 20% across the UK, insured admissions are up 14% and self-pay is up 38%. It follows analysis by Broadstone of the latest FCA Financial Lives Survey, which found that 14% of the UK adult population now hold Private Medical Insurance (PMI), a total of 7.6 million people which has increased from 6.7 million in 2020. Health insurance is most popular among those in the middle of their career with 18% (1.7 million adults) of those aged 35-44 and 19% (1.6 million adults) of those aged 45-54 holding a PMI product. Brett Hill, Head of Health & Protection at Broadstone, commented: 2024 was a landmark year for the private health market, with admissions hitting record highs and once again signalling a major shift in how people access healthcare in the UK. We do not expect meaningful improvements in NHS service levels in the short-term, so individuals and businesses alike are likely to continue to turn to the private sector to get the care they need in an appropriate timeframe. Private medical insurance has driven the lions share of admissions growth in recent years as businesses expand coverage and proactively encouraging employee uptake. Health is now a C-suite issue with business leaders recognising that early intervention keeps people healthy, reduces absence and protects productivity. Our own analysis of the FCAs Financial Lives Survey shows a sharp rise in PMI uptake, with nearly a million more people covered since 2020. With roughly 7.6 million UK adults now holding a policy, employer funded health insurance is no longer a niche perk, but a mainstream expectation for many employees. Going forward, we expect this trend to continue to grow as the deep-rooted problems in the NHS make it hard for the government to deliver any large-scale reduction in waiting lists, and businesses increasingly seek to protect their employees from poor access to NHS care and boost the productivity of their workforce. Opposition Corners PM Modi: Demands Special Parliament Session on Pahalgam Terror Attack 2 In a bold political move, 16 opposition parties have united to demand a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor and the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The demand was formally made through a joint letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a high-level INDIA bloc meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday. Senior leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, and Shiv Sena (UBT) were present at the meeting. Among the signatories of the letter are Congress Jairam Ramesh and Deependra Hooda, TMCs Derek OBrien, SPs Ramgopal Yadav, RJDs Manoj Jha, and Shiv Sena (UBT)s Sanjay Raut. While the DMK backed the letter, it could not attend due to Karunanidhis birth anniversary celebrations. Other signatories include the National Conference, CPI(M), IUML, CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Kerala Congress, MDMK, and CPI(ML) Liberation. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did not attend but announced it would send its own letter to the prime minister reiterating the same demand. Notably, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) has distanced itself from the demand. The push for a special session intensified after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The opposition had also raised this issue during an earlier all-party meeting where Operation Sindoor was discussed. Trinamool Congress has suggested that the session take place in June, once Indias multi-party delegations return from their diplomatic missions abroad aimed at unifying the global stance against terrorism. With pressure mounting and political lines drawn, the ball is now in the Prime Ministers court. PM Modi Steps In as Northeast Drowns: Centre Promises Full Support Amid Soaring Death Toll 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured full support from the Centre to the northeastern states battling devastating floods and landslides caused by relentless rains. According to officials on Tuesday, PM Modi personally spoke with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to assess the grim situation unfolding across the region. The Prime Minister pledged all possible assistance to the affected states, reaffirming the Centres commitment to help state governments manage rescue and relief efforts efficiently. The situation remains dire, with the death toll climbing to 36 as of Monday. Over 5.5 lakh people have been impacted across Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, and neighbouring areas due to widespread inundation and rain-induced landslides. As rivers overflow and connectivity remains disrupted, rescue operations continue across multiple fronts. The government is monitoring the crisis closely, with emergency services and disaster management teams deployed to high-risk zones. The Centres promise of comprehensive aid comes at a critical time as affected families and communities brace for further rainfall in the coming days. A west Alabama man, Jamarus Hoskins, has been convicted of leading a band of organized thieves who conspired to steal high-end vehicles by Lamborghini, Porsche and more. (Federal Court Documents) The west Alabama leader of a band of organized thieves who conspired to steal high-end vehicles by Lamborghini, Porsche and more is going to federal prison. Jamarus Deontae Juke Hoskins, a 30-year-old Greensboro man, was convicted last year on one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation, possession, or sale of stolen motor vehicles and three counts of interstate possession, receipt, or sale of stolen motor vehicles. Hoskins conspired to steal over $800,000 in high-end motor vehicles. U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Hoskins five years for conspiring to steal at least 18 high-end motor vehicles, and to more than eight years for receiving or possessing stolen motor vehicles, Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona announced Monday. The sentences will run concurrently. Hoskins was convicted by a jury in November 2024. A west Alabama man, Jamarus Hoskins, has been convicted of leading a band of organized thieves who conspired to steal high-end vehicles by Lamborghini, Porsche and more. (Federal Court Documents) According to evidence presented at trial, between December 2020 and January 2023, Hoskins was the ringleader of an organized conspiracy to steal high-end motor vehicles from out-of-state private citizens and car dealerships at various locations across the U.S. Hoskins directed members of the conspiracy to steal vehicles and replace the Vehicle Identification Numbers with fake VINs. The vehicles were registered using fraudulent out-of-state titles. Hoskins usually took the vehicles back to Tuscaloosa and sold them for cash at below market price. Authorities say the group stole dozens of vehicles worth millions of dollars, including a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk from a victim in Michigan, a Chevrolet Corvette from a victim in Tennessee, three Ford trucks from a dealership in Tennessee, and a Chevrolet Camaro and several vehicle tags from another dealership in Tennessee. Court documents show the thieves wore face masks, used burner phones and spoke in code, often via text message. On June 25, 2022, Hoskins sent a message from his iCloud account to a group chat with co-conspirators that contained a chart titled Juke responsibilities. The chart was broken down with different sections labeled, Sell the cars, get the paperwork, dont get no sleep, deal with clients, pay for room, food, gas, keys, type t-shirts, think 10x ahead for us all, fix everybody credit, and start everybody LLC. A west Alabama man, Jamarus Hoskins, has been convicted of leading a band of organized thieves who conspired to steal high-end vehicles by Lamborghini, Porsche and more. (Federal Court Documents) Beneath a picture of the chart was the following statement, Im the one going to prison at the end of the DAY FOR RUNNING A ORGANIZED CAR RING, but f[ ] it, thats how Im going out.I love you all 5L and please be safe. Lets eat. Documents show Hoskins was stopped by law enforcement in Tuscaloosa in August 2021 in a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee TrackHawk. After a lengthy car chase, he escaped on foot. He was also stopped in the same month in Jefferson County driving a stolen 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and was taken into custody. The FBI investigated the case along with the Tuscaloosa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittney L. Plyler and Edward J. Canter prosecuted. Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Stewart is using a new law to try to expedite the court proceedings for the man accused in the kidnapping and brutal killing of Aniah Blanchard. Stewart on Tuesday, at the request of Attorney General Steve Marshall, appointed a retired judge to preside over the case of 35-year-old Ibraheem Yazeed. Yazeed is charged with capital murder during a kidnapping, capital murder during a robbery and capital murder involving a victim in a vehicle in connection with Blanchards slaying. Its been more than five years since Blanchards October 2019 murder, and Yazeeds trial has been postponed multiple times. Last month, Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation to allow visiting judges to be brought in to handle violent criminal cases to get them to trial quickly. The law went into effect Sunday. The law, known as the Speedy Trial Act, allows the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court to appoint a sitting or retired judge to preside over a specific case or cases involving a violent offense. Under the act, the attorney general or a district attorney must request the appointments. Marshall immediately asked Stewart to appoint a visiting judge in Macon County. The AGs office is handling prosecution of the case. Stewart on Tuesday appointed Tom F. Young Jr.as a judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit to hear the case against Yazeed. After conferring with the presiding circuit judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, it is apparent that any delays to date in this case have not been attributable to the judges in the circuit but rather to circumstances beyond their control, Stewart wrote in her appointment order. Stewart wrote that the interest of the public requires the expeditious resolution of the case. A trial date has not yet been set. A status update is currently set for September. Following passage of the Speedy Trial Act, Marshall said this, When trials drag on for months or even years, victims and witnesses are forced to relive their trauma repeatedly, evidence deteriorates, and the likelihood of securing justice diminishes. Ibraheem Yazeed Blanchard, a Southern Union College student from Homewood, was officially reported missing Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. She last communicated with a friend late on the night of Oct. 23. Police said her vehicle was seen in the early-morning hours of Oct. 24 along South College Street and he encountered Yazeed inside a convenience store. Police recovered the teens black 2017 Honda CRV from an apartment complex on the 6100 block of Boardwalk Boulevard in Montgomery around 6:15 p.m. the following evening, which was Friday. A citizen reported the vehicle to police. Previous charging documents against Yazeed state that blood evidence was discovered in the passengers compartment of the vehicle and was indicative of someone suffering a life-threatening injury. The evidence was submitted to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and confirmed to be that of Blanchard. Her remains were found Nov. 25, 2019, in a wooded area along County Road 2 in Shorter. The remains were just several feet into the woods. At the time of Yazeeds arrest in Blanchards death, the suspect already had a lengthy criminal history which included an attempted murder and kidnapping incident in January 2019. According to court records, two male victims one of them 77-years-old - were held against their will in a hotel room in January 2019 on the 1200 block of Eastern Boulevard. The older man was beaten until unconscious, unresponsive, severely injured and near death and robbed of a Rolex, rifle, handguns, wallet, bank card, clothing and unknown amount of currency. The other man was also beaten and robbed of at least $40. In July 2017, Yazeed was arrested by Cass County sheriffs deputies in Missouri on an arrest warrant for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. Yazeed also previously pleaded guilty to felony drug possession in 2015 and received a 13-month suspended sentence. In 2012, he was charged with attempted murder after authorities said he rammed his car into a Montgomery police vehicle. A grand jury declined to indict him on those charges as well. The previous year 2011 - Yazeed was charged with two counts of robbery after a man was robbed of more than $2,000, a cell phone and a Gucci watch. A grand jury also declined to indict him on those charges. Blanchards death sparked a movement that resulted in Aniahs Law, which Alabama voters overwhelmingly approved in 2022. Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood announces a capital murder charge against the shooter in Sunday's tragedy at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile, Ala. Blackwood's news conference occurred on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, inside Government Plaza in Mobile. Standing to the left is Mobile Police Chief William "Randy" Jackson. John Sharp The suspect in Sundays tragic shooting at a child dance recital at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile was charged Tuesday with capital murder and could face the death penalty, Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced. The attorney representing 27-year-old Marcus Sanders said his client was acting in self defense during a violent confrontation with Carl Williams III, also 27. Sanders is accused of shooting and killing Williams inside the theater during the dance recital. As the two legal sides took shape, city leaders, politicians, and mayoral candidates responded in outrage over the shooting. More than 1,000 people were inside the historic theater to watch the recital as the shots rang out. We are heartbroken and infuriated, said Blackwood. We cannot and will not accept this violent behavior. Capital murder Blackwood said he decided to pursue a capital murder charge against Sanders after reviewing the evidence in the ongoing investigation and determining that the murder occurred while Williams daughters were present inside the theater. The circumstances clearly dictate its an appropriate charge that we can prove, Blackwood said. Its the presence of at least one child in the aftermath of the shooting who was emotionally distraught. Its the evidence we have in this case. Sanders is also charged with assault 1st degree related to the shooting of a second person who has been described as an innocent bystander. That victim, whose name has not been released, suffered non-life threatening injuries after being shot in the ankle. Capital murder is considered the most serious form of a homicide under Alabama state law and carries a stiff penalty of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Carl Williams III and his two daughters -- left, Brooklyn, 6; and right, Cherish, 5. Photo courtesy of Andre Epps Blackwoods application of the charge stems from a definition under state law that applies capital murder to a defendant if it occurs in the presence of a child under the age of 14 years at the time of the offense, or if the victim was the parent or legal guardian of the child. The definition, under state law, suggests that in the presence of a child refers to the physical presence of a child or having knowledge that a child is present and may see or hear the act. Blackwood said that Sanders had knowledge that his actions were occurring in the presence of Williams young children ages 6 and 5. Its unclear if one of the girls witnessed the deadly shooting of their father. Blackwood said the case remains under investigation, and that further details will be known during a hearing. Self-defense Chase Dearman, a Mobile attorney representing Sanders, said it was Williams who was the aggressor. Dearman, speaking to the media after Sanders made his first appearance before Mobile County District Court Judge Zack Moore, said Williams had repeatedly threatened Sanders because he had been dating for the past two years his ex-girlfriend. Dearman said that Sanders has never been in legal trouble before, was a homeowner and worked full-time as a production chemical operator at an industrial plant in Mobile County. He, like Williams, is a father of two young girls ages 6 and 4. Dearman also said that Williams should not have been inside the theater and seated next to Sanders. He alleged that Williams, following a recent altercation with Sanders, had a court order preventing contact with Sanders. The details of that case were not immediately available. It wasnt just this one incident, Dearman said. It was one after another. Blackwood disagrees with Dearmans self-defense argument. The defendant created a reckless situation for hundreds of people present, he said. Shooting toward a stage where children were present. The provisions of self-defense will not apply at this point. The Mobile County District Attorneys Office was initially set in the morning to file an Aniahs Law request against Sanders, which gives judges broader discretion on whether to deny bail to someone accused of committing a violent crime. However, a few hours later, Blackwood said he wanted to pursue the capital murder charge instead. I think capital murder where the death penalty is a possibility is a great deterrent for violence, Blackwood said. My prayer is this will deter others from ending conflicts in bloodshed and that they will seek to resolve disputes peacefully. As police continue to search for answers in the case of abducted Huntsville realtor Ronald Leslie Dumas Jr. , a private investigator says he is working to bring the mans children some sense of normalcy this summer. On Tuesday, James Andrews, who is working with the family to find Dumas, launched a GoFundMe for his three children, Kai (12), Lindsi (6), and Ryili Dumas (4), titled Help Ronnies Kids Find Joy Amidst Tragedy. Ronnie is a dedicated father who loves his children, and he was involved in every aspect of their lives right up until the moment he was taken away from them, the page reads. The family, especially his 3 children, are struggling to find answers and bring their father home. These children have already been forced to celebrate Christmas and other family events without their father, and now they have birthdays and summer approaching. Andrews wrote that organizers want to help these kids take their minds off the tragedy they are living through, even if just for a short time. Dumas was last seen on surveillance footage entering a liquor store with two women on Dec. 15. He left the store with them, appearing unharmed. Dumas car was found on Interstate 40 in Camden, Tenn., on Dec. 16. His phone was also tracked heading south from Memphis on Dec. 21. He was placed on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Missing Persons List as a missing adult on Dec. 23. In February, Huntsville police said investigators had obtained critical new evidence indicating that [Dumas] was abducted. According to the GoFundMe page, all donated funds will go directly toward helping the kids feel some sense of normalcy while their mothers and other family members continue to help them navigate this crisis. Kai turns 13 on June 11th, and he wants to celebrate at the Lego store, it reads. Kai, Lindsi, and Ryili would all like to go to summer camp this year, and from personal experience I know how beneficial that would be for them! The page says that while it would cost a few thousand dollars for the three children to go to summer camp, it will be worth every penny to bring these children some joy and moments of peace. The page has raised $600 of its $8,000 goal as of June 3. As we continue to search for Ronnie and answers, we cannot forget about the impact this is having on his young children, it reads. We ask everyone that is able, please donate and share! Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us bring comfort and stability to these amazing kids during an unimaginable hard time. FOX13 reported in April that two people who were arrested in the case face multiple charges and also have a history of being accused of kidnapping. Quintarius Shikelion White, 32, and Kierra Symone Clark, 27, both of Memphis, are currently in the Shelby County, Tenn. jail. Three other people were arrested as accessories after the fact - harboring: Dedrick Woodard, 26; Cassy Feathers, 43, and Jasmine Braden, 28. In February, police issued five warrants in connection with the case, which included White and Clark. Others still being sought are: Toure Laron McLaurin, 33, of Memphis, wanted for first degree kidnapping. Sabrina Rochelle Chambers, 27, of Huntsville, wanted for first degree kidnapping. Carissa Cash, 33, of Memphis, wanted for first degree receiving stolen property. Huntsville police are asking that anyone who recognizes or encounters these people to report their whereabouts immediately to local law enforcement. Anyone with information may contact Investigator Gregory Hayden at (256) 427-5485 or provide an anonymous tip by calling (256) 532-7463. Carl Williams III and his two daughters -- left, Brooklyn, 6; and right, Cherish, 5. Photo courtesy of Andre Epps A deadly shooting during a packed childrens dance recital at Mobiles Saenger Theatre has triggered a sweeping review of security at city venues, with officials vowing to ramp up screenings at all future events. The security measures will be looked at in the coming days between the citys administration and The Oak View Group (OVG), the company hired in February by the city to oversee the management of the two venues and the future Mobile Civic Center Arena. We are exploring every measure and tools, to ensure that both public and private events hosted at city facilities are safe and secure, Mayor Sandy Stimpson said in a statement Monday. One day after the shooting, the absence of metal detectors inside the Saenger Theater has drawn additional scrutiny after 27-year-old Marcus Sanders allegedly shot and killed Carl Williams III, also 27, following a domestic dispute. The altercation occurred while the dance recital was taking place on stage. A woman, who police are not identifying, was also injured in the ankle by gunfire and is reported to have been an innocent bystander seated near the altercation. Her injuries are not life threatening. Greg ODell, president of venue management with The OVG Group, said in a statement that safety and security remain our highest priority. He confirmed future events will include additional security screening. No additional details were provided. The dance recital hosted by Danze 101 Academy of Ballet Studio and Company, was considered a private event, and patrons did not have to enter the historic theater through metal detectors nor were they checked with wands by security guards ahead of the performance. There is a lot left to come, said Mobile Police Chief William Randy Jackson, referring to future security protocols that will be enacted by The OVG Group. I suspect there will be some changes. Jackson said the city, which continues to react with anger over the shooting, was fortunate not to be facing an even graver tragedy. He said at least 1,000 people were inside the Saenger Theater for the dance recital well more than half of the capacity of the 1,800-seat venue. The whole bottom floor was full and a great portion of the upper deck area, said Jackson. An altercation between Williams and Sanders began on the theater floor while a dance performance occurred on stage. According to Jackson, the children who were performing were moved off stage before the gunfire occurred. The children who were dancing were moved off the stage and then, within seconds or so after that, it turned violent and shots were fired, Jackson said. Once they were fired, it became chaotic. He added, We are very lucky no one else was injured. With the amount of people in there, we are lucky no one else was hit directly or indirectly or that none of the children were hit. Jackson said that Sanders and Williams were acquaintances, but declined to say why they had an altercation inside the theater. He said there was a domestic relation aspect to this, but declined to provide further details. He called on people to resolve their differences through conflict resolution, and not through an escalation that involves gunfire. Let us intervene so people stop getting hurt, injured and killed, Jackson said. Sanders is due into court around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday for a bond hearing. He is at the Mobile County Metro Jail facing murder and assault first-degree charges. Stimpson said it remains shocking to see the latest incident result in gunfire at a childs dance recital. And even more unimaginable that someone would fire a weapon in a crowded theater, just feet from where young children were performing on stage, the mayor said in a statement. There is no conflict, dispute, or disagreement worth putting so many people at risk or subjecting children to such lasting trauma. Its sickening. Kenesha Carey, director of Danze 101 Studio of Dance, in a social media statement to parents, said that in the coming days, they will provide information pertaining to support services including counseling to students. We encourage open communication within families and with our staff, as sharing feelings can be an essential part of the healing process, Carey said. As we move forward, please remember the Danze 101 teachers and staff are here for you. We will continue to uphold the values of love, support, and resilience that define our studio. A Marshall County man Tuesday was sentenced to life in prison in connection with his 2023 arrest on sexual abuse charges. Circuit Judge Christopher Abel sentenced Patrick Alexis, 40, of Albertville to the maximum allowable sentences following his April conviction: Life in prison for sexual torture. 20 years for second degree domestic violence. District Attorney Jennifer Bray said the victim, during her impact statement, thanked the judge, the prosecution team, Detective Chad Ginn, and Officers Alex Watkins and Jordan Shelton for their work on her behalf. I just want to say how grateful I am the suspect will not be able to hurt another individual. Now I can move forward with my life and my healing in peace, the victim said, according to news release. Bray said the sentence brings a measure of justice for the victim, who endured unimaginable abuse and showed great courage throughout this process. Bray also thanked ADA Adam Culbert, investigators Josh Gaskin and Jimmy Miller, VSO Beverly Bozarth and Albertville police. Actor Kim Woo-bin has officially replaced fellow actor Kim Soo-hyun as the new promotional model for Shabu All Day, following a recent scandal involving the latter and late actress Kim Sae-ron. The franchise announced the change Monday by updating its official website, prominently featuring Kim Woo-bin on the homepage banner. The move comes amid a reputational crisis that hit the restaurant chain after Kim Soo-hyun's alleged involvement in a controversial relationship surfaced. Known for his dependable and clean-cut image, Kim Woo-bin's appointment has drawn widespread approval online. [ Kim Soo Hyun was turned away by the advertising industry due to the suspicion of "grooming" actor Kim Sae Ron... Kim Woo Bin became the new model.]https://t.co/ygxd0aNabN On June 2, the hot pot buffet chain Shabu All Day posted on its official social media account: "The... https://t.co/cb1rGvgTfJ pic.twitter.com/v5Kl2xuWIg Only me (@onlyme_8386) June 2, 2025 "Successful image restoration," one user commented. Another praised the move, calling him "a great fit for the brand." Shabu All Day faced significant backlash in recent weeks, with some franchise owners expressing confusion and frustration over Kim Soo-hyun's continued presence in their stores. "There were even cases where table mats with his image were flipped over to avoid attracting attention," one franchisee told local media, speaking on condition of anonymity. Kim Soo-Hyun, previously known as a "CF King" due to his numerous endorsement agreements with companies such as Dinto, Tous Les Jours, Shinhan Bank, and Prada, has also lost most of his advertising deals. Some of his contracts were reportedly canceled, and others had promotional materials discreetly scrubbed of him. The scandal centers on Kim's past relationship with Kim Sae-ron, who died earlier this year. Allegations circulated that he dated her while she was underage. Kim Soo-hyun denied that claim but confirmed they were in a relationship "for about a year after she became of age." He has since filed a defamation lawsuit worth 11 billion KRW (approximately $8 million USD) against her family. Industry analysts say Shabu All Day's decision signals a sharp pivot to stabilize its brand image. "Kim Woo-bin brings credibility and a non-controversial public persona, which is exactly what the brand needs right now," said Park Ji-eun, a Seoul-based branding expert. Kim Woo Bin's career has been on the rise, and he has been in high demand for expensive commercials following his recent projects, as well as the public's warm feelings towards him after his recovery from cancer. As the public and advertisers continue to distance themselves from controversy, industry watchers say Kim Soo-hyun's once-flourishing endorsement career may face a long road to recovery. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers of a man shot dead at a biker club party in 2021 in Eufaula. Eric Russaw, 48, was killed Feb. 5. He was a husband, father, business owner and community leader. It was about 10:30 p.m. that Friday when police say shots were fired inside an establishment on Wall Street. Police investigate a deadly shooting in Eufaula on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. (Eufaula Police Department) When the shooting stopped, Russaw was found lying on his back suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead a short time later. Central Alabama Crime Stoppers on Tuesday announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Tipsters are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1-STOP (833-251-7867). University Hall at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com This article has been updated. A former leader of the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights said shes frustrated with schools that are changing DEI policies in an effort to keep federal funding. Catherine Lhamon, who led the federal office during the Biden administration, said universities should stop responding to President Donald Trumps request to end DEI programming unless he can put the force of Congress behind his words. Weve put ourselves as a nation in the position where theres a witch hunt about a set of activities that are perfectly lawful, that are actually public goods, that are actually consistent with our highest national aspirations, Lhamon said on a panel in St. Louis at the Education Writers Association conference. Catherine Lhamon (from left), Sydney Testman and Ted Mitchell speak about DEI topics at the Education Writers Association conference. Ruth Serven Smith Hundreds of public and private colleges across the country have closed offices, changed hiring practices, ended scholarships and scrubbed websites. Some edits appear to be in name only, while others shift longstanding efforts to recruit underrepresented students and staff. Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, agreed with Lhamons critiques. He cited Alabama as a test case for Trumps effort and a warning of potential effects. In 2024, Alabama passed a law that stopped universities from teaching divisive concepts or funding programs that support one race or group above another. Alabama colleges closed DEI offices and ended support for some student programs. This summer, schools cited federal pressure as they continued to make changes. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has ended a scholarship for Black medical students and the University of Alabama lost funding for a program that helped Black women study computer science. Sydney Testman is a student at UAB and a plaintiff in a federal case challenging Alabamas law. My university made the decision to pre-emptively comply and change their DEI office name, unfund student organizations and start stripping scholarships and stipends, she said. Testman said she lost her campus job and had to find other ways to pay for her tuition. Now that this offices name has changed, their mission may have to change now, and once their mission has changed, they may not be able to help the same students that they helped before, Testman said. Another UAB student, Miguel Luna, said on a different panel that he was pretty disappointed with how my university responded. We have reviewed our scholarships for compliance with federal law, including the Title VI obligations clarified by the Supreme Court and recent guidance from the federal government, and we are continuing to work with donors on any necessary adjustments, UAB told AL.com in a statement. Our mission is to make a high-quality education accessible and to support students of all backgrounds. We will continue our important work of expanding and supporting the community of students we serve, and we are grateful to our donors for their support of this mission. Due to UABs inclusion in the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights investigation into scholarships, we have no further comment at this time. A February Dear Colleague letter from the administration warned colleges and K-12 schools that access to federal funding was at risk if they promote what the agency labels pervasive and repugnant racial preferences. Lhamon noted that courts have challenged that guidance. Still, a lot of schools are responding as if what is in that Dear Colleague letter is law, Lhamon said. Mitchell said presidents are experiencing fear and chaos. Every morning, Harvard loses money because it tripped on a trip wire it didnt know existed, he said. Theres no consistency, theres no rationality, the world is turned upside down. An estate with Disney-themed rooms listed at $19.5 million and valued at much more will be up for auction June 5-18, 2025. Located on 154 acres in Hyrum, Utah, the property at 200 East 7000 South has more than 70,000 square feet of living space across several buildings, including a 40,807 square foot main mansion. Click through the gallery at the top of the story to see more photos. Listing agent Kerry Oman calls the rustic lodge-style mansion an architectural marvel a five-level structure that rises and impressive 45 feet from ground level and encompasses over 40,000 square feet of luxurious living space. This 154-acre Utah estate currently listed at $19.5 million will be up for auction June 5-18, 2025. The main house has five levels over 40,000 square feet with 10 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. Other buildings on the property include: a guest house, a pool barn and a 2,000-square-foot garage. The house features rooms designed to replicate Disneyland attractions, including a Tiki Room, Swiss Family Robinson bunkrooms, Frontierland Shooting Gallery and an indoor racetrack based on Cars Land. For information on bidding, contact Kerry R. Oman of Summit Sothebys International Realty at 801-369-2507. Courtesy of Summit Sotheby's International Realty The estate includes the mansion, a pool barn, guest house, 2,000-square-foot garage and a 138-foot tunnel connecting the house and barn for a total of more than 70,000 square feet. In addition to uniquely themed rooms, the mansion offers 10 bedrooms two of which are multi-bed childrens bunkrooms, 18 bathrooms 10 full and 8 half and a dining room that seats 42. Parts of the lower level of the manor and the pool barn are unfinished. Listing details Address: 200 E 7000 S, Hyrum, UT Price: $19.5 million Built: 2019 Size: 70,153 square feet total over several buildings, 10 bedrooms, 18 baths Lot Size: 154 acres Agent: Kerry R. Oman, 801-369-2507, Summit Sothebys International Realty This 154-acre Utah estate currently listed at $19.5 million will be up for auction June 5-18, 2025. The main house has five levels over 40,000 square feet with 10 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. Other buildings on the property include: a guest house, a pool barn and a 2,000-square-foot garage. The house features rooms designed to replicate Disneyland attractions, including a Tiki Room, Swiss Family Robinson bunkrooms, Frontierland Shooting Gallery and an indoor racetrack based on Cars Land. For information on bidding, contact Kerry R. Oman of Summit Sothebys International Realty at 801-369-2507. Courtesy of Summit Sotheby's International Realty Auction details Starting online bids expected up to $8M; Oman says the company offers a 6 percent starting bid incentive. For information on bidding, contact Kerry R. Oman of Summit Sothebys International Realty at 801-369-2507. Disney-themed rooms Five main spaces in the home are designed to be replicas of attractions at Disneyland. This 154-acre Utah estate currently listed at $19.5 million will be up for auction June 5-18, 2025. The main house has five levels over 40,000 square feet with 10 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. Other buildings on the property include: a guest house, a pool barn and a 2,000-square-foot garage. The house features a girls bunkroom, shown, designed to replicate Disneyland's Swiss Family Robinson. Contact Kerry R. Oman of Summit Sothebys International Realty at 801-369-2507. Courtesy of Summit Sotheby's International Realty Swiss Family Robinson bunkrooms. A boys-only bunkroom and a girls-only bunkroom, both with attached lounges, are designed to be reminiscent of the Swiss Family Robinson attraction. They include boat-shaped beds, a hammock bed, fake greenery, faux palm trees and jungle murals on the walls. Both bunkrooms have stairs leading to the crows nest level atop the house which affords gorgeous views. Frontierland Shooting Gallery: A play space for adults and kids is designed to look like the shooting gallery at Frontierland at Disneyland. Located on the lower level of the pool barn, it offers an immersive Old West experience reminiscent of Disneylands famed Frontierland Shootin Exposition, Oman said. This 154-acre Utah estate currently listed at $19.5 million will be up for auction June 5-18, 2025. The main house has five levels over 40,000 square feet with 10 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. The house features rooms designed to replicate Disneyland attractions, including a Tiki Room, shown here. For information on bidding, contact Kerry R. Oman of Summit Sothebys International Realty at 801-369-2507. Courtesy of Summit Sotheby's International Realty Tiki Room: Located beside the family room, an immersive replica of Disneyland Resorts Tiki Room features an audio-animatronic show with talking singing and dancing birds, flowers, tiki drummers and totem poles. Cars Land racetrack: Designed to be like Cars Land at Disneyland, the racetrack on the lower level encircles the entire footprint of the home. It can be used for racing kett cars or non-motorized scooters, or as a walking track. Unfinished areas: The partially finished lower level has the beginnings of two more Disney-themed rooms. One is an area similar to Critter Country and another is the facade of a wooden house with a front porch. This 154-acre Utah estate currently listed at $19.5 million will be up for auction June 5-18, 2025. The main house has five levels over 40,000 square feet with 10 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. The house features rooms designed to replicate Disneyland attractions, including a Tiki Room, Swiss Family Robinson bunkrooms, Frontierland Shooting Gallery and an indoor racetrack based on Cars Land. For information on bidding, contact Kerry R. Oman of Summit Sothebys International Realty at 801-369-2507. Courtesy of Summit Sotheby's International Realty The main home also features a theater that accommodates 62 people in tiered seating. In addition to a sprawling main suite, the home has seven guest bedrooms, each with its own walk-in closet, wet bar with sink, refrigerator and microwave and ensuite bathroom. Additional amenities and features are listed at Summit Sothebys International Realty. The estate is located near Blacksmith Fork Canyon and Hyrum Reservoir, about a 75-minute drive from Salt Lake City, Oman said. This estate offers both seclusion and accessibility, he said. Priced significantly below cost, this property is a rare blend of luxury, creativity, and investment potential. Dancer Cassie, recording artist Sean "Puffy" Combs and actor Jamie Foxx at T-Mobile Arena on August 26, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Showtime) Getty Images for Showtime Jamie Foxx shaded Diddy during a recent stop on the Emmys campaign trail for his Netflix comedy special What Had Happened Was. The Oscar winner took part in a Q&A at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles and turned his attention toward the music mogul, who is currently on trial and facing five counts for racketeering, sex trafficking and the transportation to engage in prostitution. If he is convicted on any or all counts, Diddy could spend the rest of his life in prison. Diddy is crazy, huh? Foxx asked the audience (via video shared by Urban Hollywood). I dont know if he is going to jail but he is a nasty m.....r. Am I right? Specially for us... White people, like, Its cool, but for Black people... that was our hero. All that g.....n baby oil, boy! Why you so nasty, Diddy? For the Black people here, you know how that hurts us, Foxx said about the trial destroying Diddys legacy after output like the smash song Its All About the Benjamins. The actor added: That was our whole culture. Now its all about the baby oil. Its not the first time Foxx has addressed Diddy as of late. Amid his medial emergency in 2023, social media went wild with rumors alleging Diddy tried to have Foxx killed. The actor shut down such speculation about his emergency while on a recent THR roundtable saying: [I saw things like,] Puffy tried to kill me. No, Puffy didnt try to kill me. When they said I was a clone, that made me flip. Im sitting in the hospital bed, like, These bitchass m......s are trying to clone me. It wasnt until the release of What Had Happened Was on Netflix last December that Foxx disclosed for the first time what happened during the medical emergency. Foxx suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke. April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for Aspirin. I realized quickly that when youre in a medical emergency, your boys dont know what the f..k to do, Foxx joked, before saying that he blacked out even before taking the Aspirin and remained unconscious for weeks. I dont remember 20 days, Foxx said. He was told that his friends took him to a doctor in Atlanta who gave him a cortisone shot and sent him on his way. A doctor told Foxxs sister, Dixon, that Foxx was having a brain bleed that has led to a stroke, and that if they didnt operate on him as soon as possible he would die. My sister knelt down outside the operating room and prayed the whole time, Foxx said. What Had Happened Was is now available to stream on Netflix. 2025 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC An ambulance was hit during a car accident Tuesday that sent four people to the hospital in Baldwin County. According to Fox10 News, the wreck occurred on Highway 59 near I-10 in Loxley as the ambulance was conducting an emergency run. A witness, Marshal Thomas, told the news station that he saw a Dodge dually pickup strike the Medstar ambulance at an intersection. Police said that the two ambulance crew members, the Dodge driver and a patient inside the ambulance were all taken to the hospital, according to Fox10. Thomas said the two ambulance crew members were airlifted due to their injuries. According to Fox10, the Loxley Police Department is leading the investigation into the incident. A Mobile mayoral candidate is calling for gun reform in the aftermath of a deadly shooting Sunday inside the Saenger Theater in downtown Mobile during a childrens dance recital. State Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, said that if elected mayor, she will lead an effort among the states cities to demand the Alabama Legislature repeal its permitless carry law approved during the 2022 legislative session. If elected mayor, I will spearhead an effort by cities to demand the legislature repeal the open carry (law) and empower municipalities to ban guns in public areas, Drummond said in a statement Tuesday to AL.com. It is common sense to save innocent lives and ensure Mobile is safe for everyone. We cannot allow gun violence to shatter the spaces where our families gather, our children perform, and our community finds joy. Drummonds statement refocuses the gun debate in Alabama on the measure, adopted by the GOP-led legislature, to remove a longtime requirement of obtaining a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The law, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2023, allows anyone 19 years or older to carry a handgun in Alabama without having to purchase a permit, have a background check, or complete a training course. This applies to individuals who are not prohibited from carrying a gun by federal or state law. The law was opposed by Democratic lawmakers, including Drummond. It also had opposition from Alabamas sheriffs, including Republican Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch who urged the law be tweaked last year to require permits for people under age 21 following a rash of gang-related violence last summer. Drummond said the shooting inside the Saenger Theater underscores the urgent need for stronger measures against gun violence. The shooting occurred inside a theater in which more than 1,000 people were seated watching a dance recital. It followed an altercation between the shooter -- 27-year-old Marcus Sanders -- and Carl Williams III, also 27. Sanders allegedly shot and killed Williams following a dispute. Sanders is currently being held at Mobile Metro Jail on charges of murder and assault first-degree. Other mayoral candidates also said they wanted to combat gun violence in Mobile, though none of the statements targeted the repeal of an existing law. Former Mobile City Councilman Jermaine Burrell, in a statement, blamed gun violence for stealing another moment from the community. He said he was tired of the cycle. This is about the unchecked crisis of guns in our neighborhoods, the lack of investment in our young people, and the failure to address the root causes that lead to this violence poverty, trauma and hopelessness, Burrell said. We dont need more speeches. We need leadership thats willing to do the hard work to protect our kids (and) to heal our city. Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson, in a statement, said she was committed to advocating for and enforcing tougher laws and stricter penalties. Our laws must send a clear and unequivocal message: violence will not be tolerated and those who endanger our citizens will face the harshest consequences, Hudson said. As a county commissioner, I have always stood with our law enforcement, supported their request for additional funding, and insisted that the state provide their share of the funding. I will continue to work closely with law enforcement, lawmakers, and community organizations to strengthen enforcement, close loopholes and ensure our policies reflect the seriousness of these crimes. Former Mobile County District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis, in a statement Sunday night, said he will make it his mission daily to rid the City of Mobile of violent criminals. Former Police Chief and Executive Director of Public Safety Lawrence Battiste called the incident tragic, outrageous and infuriating. Alabamians sparred on social media June 2 as the state celebrated the birthday of Confederate president Jefferson Davis. State offices were closed Monday. This reminds me of how Germany takes off work to celebrate Hitlers birthday. Wait, said Steven Michels in response to AL.coms post on Facebook about the holiday. Better than MLK holiday, said Howard Talbott. Just in time for the brand new Confederate Park we now have in Eufaula, Alabama. While others are removing remnants of the confederacy, Eufaula is doubling down. SMH, said Andrew Forte. But they dont want us to have Juneteenth, said Monique E. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law to make Juneteenth a state holiday this month. Davis was born on June 3 in Kentucky. Alabama, Florida and Mississippi are the only states that have a holiday for Davis. Alabama has three state holidays that commemorate Confederate leaders: Robert E. Lees birthday, which is commemorated in January on the same day as Martin Luther King Day; Confederate Memorial Day in April; and Daviss birthday in June. So a holiday celebrating a guy who was indicted for treason in 1865? Hannah Carpenter quipped on Facebook. Somebody literally just asked me was this a holiday or something bc so many offices are closed, and I said Idk but if it is, its probably one of those BS confederate holidays, and I was right! Lol! Hilarious! People are delusional, T LaShay Jordan posted. You cant erase history no matter how hard you try, said Donna Sebo Brown. Proud of my Confederate Heritage! Honoring the true heros, said Bart Corneilus. These the same people trying to remove text books about slavery and the Confederacy and argue that was a long time ago, said Alcorneilus Easterling. So embarrassing, said LaVada Raouf. An Alabama Waffle House employee says he lost his job because he refused to serve a President Donald Trump supporter. The former employee, Harry Black, recounted the incident at the Helena Waffle House location in the description posted to a GoFundMe he started. The altercation occurred Friday and Black told AL.com that he lost his job Saturday morning. Accompanying the fundraiser is a screenshot from a Facebook post sent to a private group that questions throwing people out for wearing a Trump shirt. Black refers to the Trump supporter as a nazi and said he told the man he wouldnt cook for fascists which angered the customer. I told a nazi I wouldnt cook for him so he and his goons tried to catch me outside and then he had his mom call store and get mad, Black said. Black said that he was told by the shift supervisor to, beat it, after the incident. But Black remains proud of the fact that the Trump supporter did not receive his food. I am unemployed but that guy never did get his food, Black said. Black started a GoFundMe Saturday with a donation goal set at $4,500 and as of Monday he has gained about $2,700. Black said he is blessed to have so much support from his hometown and said he believes Helena was more liberal than most areas of Alabama. In the 2024 presidential election Trump won Shelby County with 69.9 percent of votes. [Helena] tends to be a lot more liberal than many parts of Alabama, and many of us here are simply very angry with the state of things, Black said. We dont like these deportations, we dont like the budget cuts, and we dont like the racism. Black said his decision to refuse service was emotional due to being tired from working a long shift and upset over Trumps policies personally impacting his family. Despite losing his job, Black said that he believes, it was the right thing to do and I would do it again. AL.com left a message with Waffle Houses corporate contact seeking comment. Post Office Pies is closing its last remaining location in Mountain Brook. The popular pizza place, which opened 11 years ago in Avondale, will cease serving customers on June 29, according to an announcement on social media. The move comes more than a year after the Avondale location closed. Last year, The New York Times named Post Office Pies in Mountain Brook as one of 22 of the Best Pizza Places in the United States. It was the only Alabama pizzeria on the list. Owner John Hall said opening the business was one of the best decisions of my life, and that the decision wasnt made lightly. In 2021, Hall announced he was moving to the Pacific Northwest to place a greater focus on family. In describing his decision, Hall said it was dictated by the current business climate. Weve met every obligation and are proud to finish strong, Hall said. In full transparency, our Mountain Brook lease would have renewed at $14,000$15,000/month. Even with volume and year over year growth, that was a difficult line for us to draw as independent operators with young families to provide for. This was the same reason we chose to close Avondale at the end of that lease. Ultimately there is no one signing the checks for us and we have to make decisions based not on investor whimsy, but on the actual landscape that exists in Birmingham today for an independent business." Hall left Birmingham in 1999 and cooked in kitchens around the South, including later working for chef Frank Stitt. Over the years, Hall built an impressive culinary resume, cooking with Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants, such as Chef Lea Linster in Luxembourg and New Yorks Per Se, Gramercy Tavern and Momofuku Ssam. Hall returned to Birmingham years later and opened Post Office Pies in 2014 in Avondale with Mike Wilson, Hunter Lake and Brandon Cain -- the same management team that runs Saws Soul Kitchen. In 2015, a second location of Post Office Pies opened in Tuscaloosa, but closed in 2017. In 2020, the team opened the Mountain Brook location. Over the years, weve seen loss, growth, celebration, and survival, Hall said. We made it through a global pandemic. We mourned the loss of our partner, Mike. And still, we pushed forward. Im deeply grateful to every manager, every team member, every guest, and every friend whos been part of this journey. A longtime, zealous advocate for the poor in Birmingham, Rev. Lawton Higgs Sr. is 84, in a wheelchair and still giving the powerful a piece of his mind. Kyle Whitmire This is an opinion column. A crowd of protestors crossed the street toward the U.S. Capitol to decry Donald Trumps "Big Beautiful Bill," when the Dont Walk signal cut the procession in two. A red electric wheelchair braked at the curb. Its driver, an elderly white man with a round face, wore black clergy robes, a weathered Hard Rock Cafe hat and wide wire-rimmed glasses. Ive been running into the Rev. Lawton Higgs for more than 20 years, always under similar circumstances, but this was our first time meeting in Washington, D.C. I had to recharge my wheelchair over at the Senate cafe, Higgs, whos now 84, told me with a chuckle. The wheelchair was new, at least to me. As long as Ive known him, marching has been Higgs thing. Now retired, he once served as pastor of the Church of the Reconciler in Birmingham, where most of the congregation had been homeless. Wherever powerful people gather to do big things, its been Higgs habit to remind them how their plans plow over poor people. One time, in Birmingham, when business and political players gathered to cut the ribbon for the citys beautiful new Railroad Park downtown, a line of men and women appeared in the distance. They marched across newly laid sod and over hillocks recently sculpted by bulldozers. Higgs led the line, which had come to ask what would be done for the homeless people whose encampments had been displaced by the citys new cultural centerpiece. Thats the sort of thing hes done for decades arriving uninvited and then telling polite society its collective fly is down. Almost weekly, when I covered Birmingham City Hall, he would sign up to speak at the end of meetings, to ask those in power what they were doing for the poor, and reminding those believers who attended more affluent churches what Jesus had charged them with. To city officials, he could be stubborn, irksome or irritating. Of course, that was the point to remind those folks who they were supposed to help. He makes comfortable people uncomfortable. His politics have even ruffled feathers within the United Methodist Church, which pushed him into retirement after complaints that hed insulted too many city officials. As if that were going to stop him. And here he was in Washington. The crossing signal turned green and Higgs motored across the street. Higgs said he had come to show his support for Rev. William Barber, whose Moral Mondays movement has pestered the powerful in Washington. Barber was already arrested once in April for praying in the Capitol rotunda. (If you thought public prayer was supposed to be on the rebound, it actually depends on whos praying and for what.) This week, Barber returned, rallying his supporters in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building before making their way to the Capitol. A handful donned yellow armbands those who would venture back inside while the rest of the crowd would sing out by the steps in support. I asked Higgs why this mattered now. Trumps Big Beautiful Bill is nothing short of evil, he said. If approved by the U.S. Senate, it would cut up to $1 trillion, much of it from Medicaid and other social safety net programs that benefit the people he dedicated his life to serving. Your browser does not support the HTML video element. Rev. Lawton Higgs Sr. says Trump budget bill will hurt Alabama's poor. There are no second-class human beings, Higgs said, quoting the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, who led Birminghams civil rights movement. Its our first responsibility to defend the human and civil rights of every person. Thats every person. The Big Evil Bill, as Higgs calls it, would only help wealthy people get tax breaks, he says. And if Congressional Budget Office projections prove correct, it wouldnt cut the deficit either. To the contrary, it would drive the country another $2.3 trillion into debt over 10 years. Higgs son Kevin, who accompanied his father to the protest, predicted that the presidents bill would only accelerate the closure of rural hospitals, putting health care further out of reach for much of the state. They would like for Alabamas senators to understand that before they give it their approval. There are more than 10,000 churches in Alabama. I asked Higgs if hed seen anyone else from back home. One, he said a lady hed met from Foley. A few yards away, a smiling Barber shuffled into an elevator that would take him to the Capitol visitors center underground. Less than an hour later, he and about a half dozen others would be arrested again while praying in the Capitol rotunda. Were not just going to sit here and let people die, Higgs said. As the elevator doors closed on Barber, Higgs and I traded goodbyes. And then he pushed the joystick on his armrest and rolled back toward the crowd hed emerged from, now rallying outside the Capitol. Kyle Whitmire is the Washington watchdog columnist for AL.com and winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize. You can follow him on Instagram,TikTok, Facebook, X, Threads and Bluesky. Hong Kong looking to capitalize on a wave of returning Chinese concept stocks: financial chief Global Times) 09:09, June 03, 2025 The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is looking to capitalize on a wave of returning Chinese companies and is confident that those listed in the city will eventually account for more than 90 percent of the total market capitalization of all Chinese firms listed in the US, HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Monday. At present, those that have already returned to the list in Hong Kong or are in the approval pipeline account for more than 80 percent of the total market capitalization of all Chinese firms listed in the US. Hong Kong is confident that the figure will eventually exceed 90 percent, Chan said at a panel on financial affairs, according to Hong Kong-based financial news platform aastocks.com. Among US-listed Chinese companies, a small number of firms account for the vast majority of their total market capitalization. To safeguard the markets reputation and ensure listing quality, the HKSAR authorities are expected to proactively reach out and invite these high-quality issuers to list in the city. The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) has also made corresponding preparations to support their return, Chan said. The city already has a regulatory framework that facilitates dual or secondary listings for companies listed overseas, Chan previously wrote in a blog post on April 13. In light of recent global developments, I have instructed the Securities and Futures Commission and the HKEX to be fully prepared for the potential return of Chinese Concept Stocks listed abroad. The HKEX will also enhance its outreach and promotion in the ASEAN and the Middle East markets to attract more quality enterprises from these regions to list in Hong Kong, while drawing in additional international capital and further strengthening Hong Kong's position as a global financial center, he wrote. Hong Kongs stock market, as an open and international financial hub with free capital flows, is well placed to welcome more top-tier Chinese concept stocks returning from overseas listings, offering investors access to more high-quality investment options, Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund, told the Global Times on Monday. A number of Chinese companies previously listed overseas have already returned to the Hong Kong market, with many showing a strong business performance and solid share price gains. In particular, many of the markets tech and internet companies are returning to Chinese firms, including some major internet giants. This year, Hong Kong has seen significant capital inflows, and the Hang Seng Tech Index has hit a new high for the year, further cementing the citys position as a tech-heavy market, Yang said. As of Monday, the Hang Seng Tech Index had gained 18.66 percent year-to-date, according to Hang Seng Indexes Co. Recently, international rating agencies Standard and Poor's (S&P) and Moodys made adjustments to Hong Kongs credit rating and outlook. S&P has maintained Hong Kong's "AA+" credit rating with a "stable" outlook, while Moody's has affirmed Hong Kong's "Aa3" credit rating, and upgraded the outlook from "negative" to "stable". The recent affirmations of Hong Kong's credit ratings by Fitch, S&P and Moody's, all with "stable" outlooks, demonstrate Hong Kong's resilience in maintaining stability amid increasing global economic and financial uncertainties, the HKSAR Government said in a release on May 27. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) LOS ANGELES In a downtown law office overlooking the city courthouse, Dmitry Gorin reviews case files for an upcoming federal fraud trial. Recently named to the Los Angeles Daily Journal's 2025 list of California's top white-collar criminal defense attorneys, Gorin represents one point in a larger pattern: former prosecutors who have become sought-after defense specialists. What distinguishes his particular story is its beginning. In 1979, Gorin arrived in Los Angeles as a 9-year-old refugee from the Soviet Union, speaking virtually no English. "The legal profession wasn't on my radar then," he acknowledges during a brief conversation between client meetings. "I was just trying to figure out American playground rules." The Los Angeles that greeted young Gorin was a city in transitionexpanding, diversifying, and experiencing the economic and cultural shifts that would accelerate in the decades to come. For a family that had left behind most possessions due to Soviet emigration restrictions, adaptation was imperative. While attending Fairfax High School in West Hollywood, Gorin participated in a mock trial program: an extracurricular activity that would unexpectedly shape his career trajectory. What began as a way to practice English and public speaking revealed an aptitude for structured argument. Playing the role of prosecutor in the simulated courtroom, he discovered a framework where rules and evidence mattered more than cultural background. His academic path progressed through UCLA, where he earned an economics degree in 1992, graduating magna cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors. The analytical rigor of economics (understanding systems, tracking flows of value, interpreting data) would later prove relevant to white-collar criminal defense, where financial evidence often features prominently. After completing law school at UCLA in 1995, Gorin made a choice common among attorneys seeking trial experience: he joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. For over a decade, he prosecuted cases ranging from violent crimes to complex fraud, eventually rising to Senior Deputy District Attorney. Criminal law practitioners often debate whether prosecution or defense experience better prepares an attorney. For Gorin, prosecution provided both technical training and institutional insight. Over approximately 100 jury trials, he learned how investigations unfold, how evidence is gathered and presented, and how prosecutorial discretion operates in practice. "The prosecutor's perspective is valuable when you're defending cases," notes a veteran Los Angeles attorney who has opposed Gorin in court and requested anonymity to speak candidly about a colleague. "You understand which weaknesses in a case might actually matter to the government, versus which ones they'll work around." In 2006, Gorin and attorney Alan Eisner established Eisner Gorin LLP, focusing exclusively on criminal defense. Both partners secured certification as Criminal Law Specialists from the California State Bara credential held by fewer than one percent of the state's attorneys. The boutique firm's structure reflects certain priorities: senior partners maintain direct involvement in cases, working with investigators and forensic specialists rather than delegating extensively to associates. This approach allows the practice to handle matters spanning multiple jurisdictions while maintaining case-specific attention. Gorin's practice has centered on financial crimes, including fraud, tax matters, and regulatory violations. Court records indicate several notable outcomes, including a mid-trial dismissal in a mortgage fraud case involving alleged eight-figure losses, which is an uncommon resolution in financial prosecutions, where cases typically reach jury deliberation. In multi-jurisdictional matters, Gorin has coordinated defense across parallel federal and state investigations. His command of both technical evidence and procedural requirements has secured pre-trial release terms that allowed clients to maintain business operations during proceedings. Court filings characterize these outcomes as significant, given the government's initial detention requests. Beyond litigation, Gorin has taught at Pepperdine University School of Law and UCLA for more than two decades. His courses on trial advocacy and pre-trial procedure draw from actual cases to emphasize practical skills. Former students now practice throughout California's criminal justice system. Gorin has also contributed to legal reference materials, authoring chapters on grand jury procedure and search-and-seizure law in California practice guides. These publications provide ongoing guidance to attorneys navigating evidentiary standards and procedural requirements. The Daily Journal recognition joins previous listings in peer-reviewed publications like Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. These designations reflect professional assessment rather than self-promotion, as they require nomination by colleagues familiar with an attorney's work. As regulatory enforcement intensifies across financial sectors, the demand for specialized defense counsel continues to grow. Attorneys with both prosecutorial background and defense specialization represent a particular category within the white-collar bar: practitioners who understand how cases are built and how they might be challenged. For Gorin, this career progression from prosecutor to defense specialist mirrors the paths of many prominent attorneys. What remains distinctive is the distance traveled (from Soviet refugee to legal practitioner) and the perspective this journey might provide on American legal institutions. When asked what his childhood self would make of his current practice, Gorin pauses briefly. "He probably wouldn't believe it," he says, before turning back to his case files, the conversation clearly over. There are motions to prepare, and the court deadline approaches. A woman succumbed to her injuries after crashing in May while traveling through Monroe County. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Mary Ria Michele Burt died on May 30. Burt was 62-years-old and was from Walnut Hills, Florida. The agency said Burt was critically injured on May 15 in a single vehicle crash when her Volkswagen Tiguan went off the road, hit a culvert and overturned. ALEA said Burt not mot wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from her vehicle. She was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital following the crash. The accident occurred on Monroe County 45 near Matheny Road. ALEAs Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate the incident. The Mobile County Sheriffs Office, Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday were given orders by the government to arrest 28 people who are allegedly in the country illegally. The individuals were traveling in vans on Dauphin Island Parkway which were pulled over for traffic violations, according to a release from MCSO. The Mobile County Sheriffs Office continues to work daily with our Federal Partners to protect our community by faithfully executing the immigration laws of the United States, the release reads. FBI Mobile along with Mobile County Sheriff's Department, HSI, ATF, and ERO arrested 28 illegal immigrants in a joint operation this morning. pic.twitter.com/OCulJKolcg FBI Mobile (@FBIMobileAL) June 3, 2025 Those arrested are currently being processed by Homeland Security in their holding facility, according to the release. This process involves detention, potentially followed by an immigration court hearing, and could result in deportation if they are found to be in the United States illegally, it adds. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have been occurring more and more in the state as part of President Donald Trumps promise to enact the biggest deportation effort in American history. At least nine 287(g) program agreements with sheriffs offices are active in six Alabama counties, with three more pending two with county sheriffs departments and one with a local police department. These agreements deputize local officers to enforce federal immigration laws. Although Mobile County does not currently have one of these agreements in place, Sheriff Paul Burch previously said that his office will help Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in any way we can. The recent crackdowns have led to concern among immigrant communities and advocate groups that people may be arrested for simply appearing to be foreign born. I think anybody who is an immigrant or who appears to be an immigrant needs to proceed with caution at this point when interacting with any law enforcement, Allison Hamilton, executive director of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, told Alabama Reflector recently. Shelah Venegas told NBC her cousin, 25-year-old construction worker Leonardo Garcia Venegas, was arrested at a job site in Foley last month as the result of racial profiling. Hes a citizen! What youre doing is illegal! ICE raided an Alabama construction site and violently dragged a U.S. citizen from his workplace. He was detained, then released hours later. pic.twitter.com/mbiYDyGLEZ BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) May 23, 2025 Venegas told the outlet that Leonardo presented agents with a REAL ID, which has been required for all official purposes in the U.S., including boarding commercial aircraft, since May 7. Apparently a REAL ID is not valid anymore. He has a REAL ID, she said. We all made sure we have the REAL ID and went through the protocols the administration is asking for. ... He has his REAL ID and then they see him, and I guess because his English isnt fluent and/or because hes brown its fake, its not real. Leonardo was released hours after his initial arrest. In a statement posted to X last week, the Department of Homeland Security claimed he was arrested for attempting to obstruct and prevent the lawful arrest of an illegal alien. Anyone who actively obstructs law enforcement in the performance of their sworn duties, including U.S. citizens, will of course face consequences which include arrest, it adds. A Virginia man was sentenced to one day in jail and a fine of nearly $10,000 after officials say he admitted to killing over 20 bald eagles and hawks. William Custis Smith pleaded guilty to unlawful taking of a bald eagle, according to court records. McClatchy News reached out to Smiths attorney for comment but did not immediately hear back. The plea comes after an investigation that started during the 2023-24 waterfowl season, according to a May 27 news release from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Virginia Conservation Police Master Officer Brian Bratton received a report about a man trapping and poisoning hawks and eagles on the Eastern Shore, officials said. Bratton said Smith built a small waterfowl impoundment on his property. Hes a big duck hunter, and he was in the process of trying to really get it going (and attracting ducks), Bratton said. When authorities interviewed Smith, they found a pole trap on his property, which is used to attract birds and snare them, officials said. They also found the carcass of a juvenile bald eagle on the ground. Lab testing showed the eagle had been poisoned with a banned pesticide called carbofuran, according to the release. When investigators spoke with Smith, he admitted to killing more than 20 bald eagles and hawks and handed over a can of carbofuran, officials said. Authorities also found a pile of fish heads on the property and Smith admitted to poisoning them, according to court records. He showed us what was going on and told us what he was doing and why he was doing it. He was killing the hawks and eagles because they were killing all the ducks he was attracting to his impoundment. It was the time of year when hawks are migrating through. And in very late winter, the food supply really gets short, so these birds are looking for prey, Bratton said. On March 12, Smith was sentenced to one day in jail followed by two years of probation, court records show. He was very aware it was illegal, but in his mind, the ends justified the means, because hes getting rid of the predatory birds to protect the ducks. That many hawks and eagles is pretty significant, so I feel like its a win for protecting the resource from further loss, Bratton said. _____ 2025 The Charlotte Observer. Visit at charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A 66-year-old state inmate serving life in prison for a deadly stabbing at a south Alabama barbecue has died. Anthony Trotter was convicted in 2009 of murder in the death of 31-year-old Raymond DeAngelo Cochran, who was killed during a barbecue on Delaware Street in downtown Mobile in 2007. Trotter claimed self-defense, and from the witness stand told jurors that Cochran attacked him and was beating and stomping him when he struck out with a knife. Despite his claims, the jury convicted him. Trotter was serving his time at William Donaldson Correctional Facility in western Jefferson County. Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Matt Angelo said Tuesday that Trotter was found unresponsive in the prison infirmary he was being treated for multiple significant health issues. He was pronounced dead Monday afternoon. An autopsy is scheduled for today. Angelo said there were no signs of trauma or foul play. A man convicted in a 1988 murder of a Jasper woman is asking a court to rule his death sentence unconstitutional, arguing he didnt sexually assault the victim with a broomstick like the prosecutor at his trial claimed. Gregory Hunt, 65, has been on Alabamas Death Row for almost 35 years. A jury in 1990 recommended 11 to 1 that he be sentenced to death for the brutal, and fatal, attack on Karen Sanders Lane. Hes set to die by inhaling pure nitrogen gas on June 10. Lanes body was found in her friends Walker County apartment early in the morning on Aug. 2, 1988. At trial, medical experts testified that Lane suffered from extensive injuries including 20 injuries to the head; a total of 24 fractured ribs; a fractured breast bone; bruises to her lungs and heart; tears to her liver, aorta, and pancreas; bleeding in her neck muscles; and more. Hunts hand and fingerprints matched those left at the scene and a neighbor said she saw Hunt entering the apartment that night. In 1994, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals wrote, Our review of the record convinces us that the evidence against the appellant was, in fact, overwhelming. Hunt was dating Lane at the time of the slaying. After the attack, he called the boyfriend of Lanes friend to tell him that someone should go check on Lane because she was in the kitchen floor. Now, Hunt is representing himself to try and get his upcoming execution called off. In his appeal filed in state court last month, Hunt said that the original prosecutor in the case argued a broomstick found next to Lanes legs had cervical mucus on it, indicating that she had been sexually assaulted with it. Hunt argued in his latest filing that Lane did not have a cervix autopsy records show her cervix had been removed in a hysterectomy sometime before her death and the prosecutors claim was misleading. Without sex abuse as charged, wrote Hunt, Mr. Hunt is not guilty of capital murder, nor felony murder. The jury would have likely convicted him of the lesser including (included) offense of murder. He has served his time for murder or would likely have been released on parole, he wrote. Hes asking Walker County Circuit Judge Joeletta Martin Barrentine for a new trial and a reasonable bond. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshalls office replied to Hunts claims, arguing in court records that the trial prosecutor inferred that the broomstick had been inserted into Lanes vagina, but no expert specified thatonly that it had been inserted somewhere in her body. Lane, 32, was from Jasper, and was staying with a friend at her Cordova apartment at the time of her murder. In the summer of 1988, she started dating that friends cousin, Hunt. According to court records, Hunt had told multiple people he was angry with Lane about a month later, and had even set her home on fire before the murder. One piece of evidence was a broomstick found lying between the victims legs, which was determined to have epithelial cells on the endthat is, cells from a mucus-producing orifice, wrote Assistant Alabama Attorney General Lauren Simpson. An expert at trial thought the broomstick had been inserted into Lanes vagina, but said the mucus could have come from another orifice. The pathologist did not testify falselyrather, the prosecutor drew an inference from the evidence that, while supported, may have been inaccurate, wrote Simpson. Both sides had access to the information at the time of Hunts original trial that Lane did not have a cervix, according to court documents. The Alabama Attorney Generals Office also said in a response to Hunts lawsuit that there is evidence beyond the broomstick that Lane was sexually assaulted. In light of the victims hysterectomy, the prosecutor may well have been mistaken when he argued that the mucus on the broomstick was cervical in origin. But the prosecutor had an evidentiary basis for his argument... The doctor at trial did not give false testimony. That the prosecutor may have misinterpreted the facts (even if his conclusion was ultimately supported) does not mean that the State knowingly solicited or used false evidence. In a message sent to AL.com through the Alabama Department of Corrections messaging app for inmates, Hunt talked about his pending execution. My personal feelings about the pending execution are same as words Jesus said to Pilate, he wrote. When asked why he moved to represent himself in court, Hunt replied that firms who do death penalty work do not desire to see a death row prisoner go free. He wrote, They do not try to end the death penalty though they put on as if they do They do not mind trying to get us off death row but fear if they truly fight for a just outcome and state has to set us free, theyd suffer blowback if one set free committed another crime Prosecutors, Judges, Politicians, all use (the death penalty) to build resume, and create legacy for their family name. In an attempt to reduce vaping among Alabama minors, the states first set of vape sale regulations went into effect this week, but a federal lawsuit has expanded the list of products convenience stores can still carry. The Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama filed federal suit in late May against HB8, claiming the new law is unconstitutional on two counts. First, the provision restricting the sale of many e-cigarettes to adult-only specialty retailers is preempted by federal law, the complaint reads. This new provision prohibits non-specialty retailers (like gas stations and convenience stores that hold tobacco permits) from selling any e-cigarette, unless that e-cigarette has FDA authorization. In other words, gas stations and convenience stores can no longer sell an e-cigarette, unless that e-cigarette has FDA authorization, it continues. But only FDA has the power to enforce the federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FDCA). And to the extent that the specialty-retailer provision purports to allow the ABC Board (and derivatively the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) to bring enforcement against retailers based solely on whether a product has been formally authorized by FDA, this provision is preempted by federal law. Under the law originally, Alabama convenience stores were only allowed to sell 34 tobacco and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products approved by the Food and Drug Administration. All other flavors including hundreds currently pending FDA review were banned from sale except in age-restricted vape shops where only those 21 and over can enter. The law, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, also banned nicotine alternatives from being sold in vaping machines while also adding new licensing regulations for businesses. This is where the complaint claims the second constitutional violation occurred. Second, the provision completely prohibiting the sale of any next-generation tobacco product that contains any component manufactured abroad, unless the product has FDA-marketing authorization, is unconstitutional, it reads. The enactment of this provision was driven by the understandable desire to promote public health. But that desire led the legislature to an unconstitutional solution. This provision, like the specialty-retailer provision, is preempted by the FDCA. Again, only FDA can enforce that federal law. Bart Fletcher, president of the PCMA, told Alabama Political Reporter that the agreement the state reached after the complaint effectively allows convenience stores to continue selling the same products that have been legal to sell in the state since 2022. The agreement reached with the state allows for all products on the FDAs pending list or the states Electronic Nicotine Delivery System ENDS Directory. Im certain there are some stores selling products not on that list that will need to be removed from shelves, but those products have been illegal since 2022, Fletcher told the publication. A portion of the suit that deals with part of the law only allowing for vape and e-cigarette options that are made, packaged, labeled, and manufactured in the United States is still pending until the provision takes effect on Oct. 1. Efforts to reach Fletcher and Drummond were not immediately successful. A 36-year veteran of the Birmingham Police Department has been named an interim deputy chief. Mayor Randall L. Woodfin on Monday announced Capt. Raymond Cochran as the interim head of Patrol Operations. Cochrans appointment follows the retirement of Deputy Chief Onree Pruitt. Additionally, the mayor announced the retirement of Assistant Chief Edmond Hanks. Woodfin said that position will not immediately be filled. Cochran has previously served as commander of the South Precinct, Narcotics Division, Crimes Against Property Division, and the Tactical Operations Division. Most recently he served as acting deputy chief of Patrol Operations. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, Cochran served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 29 years. He successfully completed multiple military leadership training courses. Cochran holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Miles College. He joins the BPD command staff led by Chief Michael Pickett which includes Deputy Chief of Administrative Operations Rodarius Mauldin, Deputy Chief of Investigative Operations Jeffrey Brown, and Interim Deputy Chief of Special Operations JaCorey Foster. A planned software update will necessitate NOAA weather radios in north Alabama going offline through June 5. Forecasts, watches and warnings will not be affected. National Weather Service Now its north Alabamas turn. The National Weather Service in Huntsville said that a long-planned software update will be happening at its office from today, June 3, through June 5. The software update will not affect forecasts and any watches or warnings, but it will put NOAA weather radios in north Alabama offline through June 5. The Huntsville weather service office is the third office in Alabama to undergo the update. The Birmingham office, which monitors the weather in central Alabama, had its update on May 19-21, which coincided with a round of severe storms. The Mobile weather service office had its update May 27-29, and severe storms were also in the forecast during that timeframe. But north Alabama may have better luck: While scattered showers and occasional storms will be possible during the upgrade, organized severe weather isnt expected (but there could be some this weekend). The weather service in Huntsville said the weather radio outage will affect transmitters in these locations: Here are the radio transmitters in north Alabama (and south Tennessee) that will be offline from June 3-5. NWS Here's another look at the NOAA weather radio transmitters that will be offline June 3-5. NWS Weather radios in those locations will play a recorded message. The weather service offices across the country are updating their Advanced Weather Interactive Processing Systems (otherwise known as AWIPS). According to the weather service AWIPS is the cornerstone of its operations and integrates all meteorological and hydrological data with satellite and radar imagery. Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank is hosting a 24-hour diaper wrapping event to fight diaper need. Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank Need diapers? Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank is hosting a 24-hour diaper wrapping event. Bundles of Hope is a nonprofit that provides diapers to Alabama families in need. On June 6 starting at 11 a.m., the nonprofit will celebrate their tenth anniversary with their first annual Wrapathon, wrapping bundles of a truckload of diapers to later distribute to families in need. We know that diapers are super expensive, even for those who are working. So were just here to serve families that are in need, Jan Lockhart, the Bundles of Hope operations manager, told AL.com Were just trying to help meet that need as much as we can to just help families get ahead and help families feel more confident when it comes to a healthy baby. An average monthly supply of diapers costs $80 to more than $100, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Diapers are not covered by government programs such as SNAP or WIC. And one in two U.S. families with young children cannot afford enough diapers to keep their infant or child clean, dry and healthy, according to the Network. Additionally, many child care facilities require parents to drop off diapers with their children. According to the Network, one in four U.S. parents miss work or school because they cant afford diapers. Its a problem affecting many families. Thats where Bundles of Hope stepped in. In 2014, a group of women from Mountain Chapel Methodist Church were planning a baby shower for a single mother. After much discussion and research, they found that the high cost of diapers was a widespread and urgent issue for families across Alabama. Within their first year, Bundles of Hope distributed almost 20,000 diapers to families in need. Today, the nonprofit distributes 250,000 to 300,000 diapers a month. Since 2015, Bundles of Hope has distributed over 10 million diapers across 47 Alabama counties and serves over 5,000 babies each month. Community members can pick up free diapers at the Bundle of Hope Diaper Bank headquarters in downtown Birmingham on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. or at any of their partner locations across Alabama. Parents are very excited that theres a program out there that helps with diapersDiapers arent that easily accessible. So were getting good responses from our clients on the importance of having these services, Lockhart said. Families receiving diapers from Bundles of Hope have reported that their babies are happier and healthier, and they feel less stress and more financially stable, according to the nonprofits recent client survey. For the Wrapathon, Bundles of Hope is coordinating volunteer teams who will wrap diapers around the clock for 24 hours. The event is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield and PNC. It will be held at Bundles of Hopes headquarters, located at 1430 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203. Bundles of Hope relies on community support through volunteer work, diaper drives and donations. Donating $10 a month will support one baby in need of fresh diapers. To get involved, community members can donate diapers and make financial contributions on the Bundles of Hope website. Were working to make sure that families are able to receive basic needs, Lockhart said. We try to take a little bit of that weight off with about a week or two worth of diapers so mom can maybe use that money towards rent, or utilities or even foodWe know that things are hard out there, so we want to lighten your load a little bit. Mark Parnell, Birmingham Water Works deputy general manager and general counsel, presents before the newly seated regional board. Joseph D. Bryant The attorney for the Birmingham Water Works Board is out of a job with unanimous votes to cancel his affiliations, including a controversial long-term contract that paid him $660,000 annually. The board Monday evening ended its relationship with Mark Parnell. Board member Jeffrey Brumlow led the effort to terminate him. Weve got to have good counsel, and weve got to have counsel that everyone trusts, Brumlow said. Parnells removal comes after public and internal outrage over his contract, an arrangement that was approved by the former board just a day before Governor Kay Ivey signed the law that kicked them out of office. The now cancelled five-year contract made Parnell the utilitys deputy general manager and general counsel, a post that would pay him a base of $660,000 a year plus lucrative benefits. The value of the package exceeds $3 million, and attempted to shield Parnell from termination by binding the newly appointed board into paying him the full amount of the contract in the event of his firing. Brumlow was frank in his assessment. After the way the contract went down with Mr. Parnell, it did not inspire confidence in me, he told AL.com after the vote. Once I read that contract and saw what it did, that was a slap in the face to the ratepayers, to the employees, to the pensioners, to this board. It was incredibly one-sided and if a lawyer will do that to the board, I cant have you around, Im sorry. Parnell was not in the meeting Monday evening. AL.com efforts to reach him were unsuccessful. In Parnells place, the board hired three outside firms, Porter, Porter and Hassenger, Paden and Paden and attorney Reginald D. McDaniel. Birmingham Water Works Board member Jeffrey Brumlow, in blue, confers with attorney Jim Porter during a meeting June 2, 2025. Joseph D. Bryant Porter and Porter is headed by attorney James Porter, who is also a former president of the National Rifle Association. Paden and Paden is led by Shan Paden, a former longtime Bessemer city attorney. Reginald McDaniel is a Birmingham attorney of longstanding. The water works now pay those new lawyers hundreds of dollars per hour, for each of the attorneys handling the utilitys business. The utility will pay $400 an hour for Jim Porter and $300 an hour for an associate. The representative from Paden and Paden will also be paid $400 an hour. McDaniel also will receive $400 an hour. Brumlow and Hudson are clearly familiar with their new attorney Porter. Before the vote to hire him, Porter was declared as parliamentarian and then sat between Brumlow and Hudson to confer with them. The majority of the board also wants a closer examination of the utilitys operation and past actions. Members also agreed to ask the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to audit the utilitys books. Board member Rep. David Standridge, who proposed the audit, said the action would answer public questions and skepticism regarding the utility. When we get that report we will know where were at, where we stand and then, we can move forward, Standridge said. We want to do things the right way, we want things checked, and then well know where we are at. In addition to asking state auditors to look at previous actions, the board also authorized its new lawyers to seek requests for proposals to hire an accounting firm to conduct a forensic audit of the utility. That passed on a 5-2 vote with board members Jarvis Patton and Sheila Tyson voting no. Patton had previously pushed back on the need for so many audits and requests for action without dollar amounts estimated. Most of the other items passed unanimously. The board did not discuss any compensation or severance for Parnell. His now-voided contract included what some would call a golden parachute provision, as it requires a supermajority of the five new board members to vote in order to terminate Parnell. And even then, the contract says they would have to pay him the full amount left in his contract due in 30 days. At the least, the board must pay Parnell a minimum of two-years worth of his contract to end his employment, regardless of the amount left on the agreement, according to the contract. That amounts to more than $1.3 million. Brumlow, who is also a municipal attorney, shrugged when asked about a possible legal challenge following Parnells termination. Well see, he said. Well see. This is another installment in AL.coms series Beyond the Violence," which explores solutions that could make Birmingham safer, healthier and happier. Sign up for the newsletter here. Every Monday and Wednesday more than 75 young men file into the Crescent Cultural Community Center in Birminghams West End. Hip-hop music echoes off the walls. The boys come from all corners of Birmingham, all wearing white shirts and black pants. They move rhythmically, their steps uniform and precise, a representation of everything they stand for: unity and brotherhood. Jeremiah Hall said the brotherhood found in Phi Kappa Sigma, a fraternity for high school boys, has helped keep him off the streets. It teaches you how to grow and how to bond for realIf it wasnt for PKS, I think I wouldnt be here right now. I had a rocky start through high school life, moving toward the streets, and having them around has helped me, Hall, a senior at A.H. Parker High School, said. What is Phi Kappa Sigma High School Fraternity? Michael Pollard, 17-year-old Phi Kappa Sigma president, said the fraternity is about brotherhood and uplifting one another. Alaina Bookman PKS was founded in 1995 to connect high school boys to a community of brotherhood and service. Since its inception, more than 1,000 young men have been members of this tight knit organization. Michael Pollard, 17, a senior at McAdory High School and president of PKS, said all of the members uphold and maintain a pretty boy image, coming to practice clean shaven, freshly showered and haircuts sharp. But the fraternity is more than just stepping, strolling and looking pretty. Its an organization where you come and you look for brotherhood. We bond through the whole process. We uplift each other. We go to practice, we do community service. We just try to make each other better, Pollard said. All of the members participate in monthly community service activities, including food and clothing drives, neighborhood clean-ups, back to school events and voter registration assistance. The teens visit college campuses, including Tuskegee University, Alabama State University and Miles College, participate in local political campaigns and attend church together every month. The brothers also mentor their younger counterparts, the Phi Gents, a fraternity for boys in elementary and middle school. Every event, activity and trip is a bonding opportunity. I hear my boys outThats one of the things that I prioritize, just having a good bond with my boys, Pollard said. Me being in this fraternity, it has made me lifelong connections with people that I feel like will be in my life for the rest of my life. From left to right, Ryan Gray, 17, Jeremiah Hall, 18, and Jaylon Turner, 16, said Phi Kappa Sigma has helped them become better men. Alaina Bookman Ryan Gray, 17, a junior at McAdory High School and member of Phi Kappa Sigma, said the fraternity has helped him become a better person. Its really helping build up my character. To become a better person and be a better man, Gray said. Sometimes young people can go astray and get around the wrong crowd, but PKS is trying to help change that narrative and help young people be around good, like-minded, young adults. Joe Bracy, a pastor at 25th Avenue Baptist Church and a PKS advisor, was a co-founder of the Alpha Iota chapter of the fraternity and member from 1997 to 2001. He said he started the chapter to teach other young men how to be leaders. Today, Bracys 15-year-old son is a part of the current cohort. Bracy said he can see his son blossoming into a leader because of the organization he helped to create. Im seeing the need for things within our community and how the fraternity is fulfilling those needs. I love the fact that after 30 years, our fraternity is still here, and we are still doing the things that we strived to do from the beginning, Bracy said. This fraternity provides a family environment. It provides accountability. It provides service in the community. It provides brotherhood. Abundant opportunity for brothers Bryan Jenkins joined Phi Kappa Sigma as a Minor high schooler in 1997. And in 2003, he became the fraternitys advisor. Alaina Bookman Bryan Jenkins grew up in Birminghams Bush Hills neighborhood and joined PKS as a Minor High student in 1997. In 2003, he became the fraternitys advisor, guiding the young men through lessons in the importance of community and service. It helped me. It taught me a lot of things and it was how I became the man I am today. It was important to meIt gave me that outlet to do the things I needed to grow as a person, Jenkins said. Its really an abundant opportunity for brothersThey get a chance to get outside their environment, fellowship togetherWhen were finally able to glorify positivity, thats when you really see kids shine. Jenkins said he founded Phi Gents to give younger boys guidance during their more formative years, when peer pressure and bad influences can often lead them down bad paths. Some of the Phi Gents he mentored have since graduated into PKS. Jenkins said he sees a transformation in all the young men he advises. He said the fraternity gives the teens a chance to see what opportunities there are in Birmingham and beyond. A lot of them have changed. Theyre able to find positivity among their brothersWe got guys that started going to school. Theyre looking forward to going to college. When I talk to them, you can see the excitement about change that theyre able to make, the excitement of doing community service, Jenkins said. The advisors attend the boys games, teach them how to tie their neckties, answer their calls at all hours of the day and offer advice when they are in need. Even when they finish high school were still able to support them and have a real serious family...Theyre able to have a safe haven within the fraternity. Jenkins said. You got somebody you can talk to. Somebody you can depend on. Somebody thats gonna tell you right and wrong because we want to make sure that youre learning, that youre successful. Some members say Jenkins is a role model to them. Hes helped me with a lot. Hes helped me try to get some scholarships already for Alabama A&M and Alabama State. I really appreciate what hes been doing and how hes trying to better the frat as a whole, getting us to bond and help the community. Hes been a good role model, Gray said. Jaylon Turner, 16, a junior at McAdory High School and member of PKS, said he is a better person because of Jenkins influence. He teaches us how to dress professionally, how to treat other people, how to be a great young man, Turner said. Giving back to Birmingham Last year, Birmingham hit a tragic historic record with 151 homicides, including the deaths of 10 children. Many Birmingham children also have been injured in shootings. The PKS fraternity and organizations like it provide what some children and teens may need - a safe outlet. PKS keeps us out the streets, out of the violence, Turner said. Jenkins said the young men in PKS are changing Birminghams narrative to one of positivity. These are guys that really change what people think about BirminghamThey are growing. They become leadersTheres crime going on in Birmingham, but you see these guys are here and when theyre not here theyre out there trying to support the community. Jenkins said teaching children and teens about the importance of brotherhood is making Birmingham better. Its giving Birmingham a different look. Were trying to save the cityWere giving back to the city and not destroying itThese are the kids that are working hard. Its a representation, being an example of what we really should look like, Jenkins said. Were giving back to Birmingham. Jenkins said the organization is still in need of funding and additional service opportunities to continue to grow. He said additional funding would go toward moving the fraternity into its own building, as well as paying for more travel opportunities, scholarships and a tutoring service. We want to show these boys that theres even bigger things out there, Jenkins said. The number of North Alabama families facing food insecurity is on the rise, according to a recent study According to Feeding Americas Map the Meal Gap study, based on the latest available data from 2023, the number of people who experience food insecurity has risen to 187,180 people including 44,860 children -- in the Food Bank of North Alabamas coverage area. That area includes Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan counties. Food Bank of North Alabama CEO Shirley Schofield said in a news release that the Food Bank staff is working with local organizations and volunteers to reduce the number. Our donors, volunteers, partners and public officials place their trust in us to help ensure our neighbors have the food they need to be successful, and we take that responsibility seriously, Schofield said. While we hate to see the number of people facing food insecurity increase in our community, we know that Alabamians are incredibly generous and will be ready lend us their support to ensure all have access to nutritious meals. The Feeding America study also found that in both Madison and Limestone counties more than 60 percent of residents who are food insecure are living above the SNAP threshold, meaning their income is too high to receive any government food assistance but their income isnt high enough for them to consistently keep food on the table. Map the Meal Gap, now in its 15th year, is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. The study builds upon USDAs report of national and state data. This years study shows we still have work to do in creating a future where every child has access to the meals they need to learn, grow, play and thrive, said Melanie Hall, chief research & innovation officer for Feeding America. For children, access to enough nutritious food is a necessity, as hunger can limit their potential and well-being. As school summer breaks approach, we can all play a role in creating a summer where every child is nourished, whether it is volunteering or donating to your local food bank or advocating for policies that will support our nations families. The Food Bank of North Alabama is the primary source of food for over 230 local organizations, including church food pantries, domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters. In 2024, the Food Bank distributed over 15.1 million pounds of food, equivalent to over 12.5 million meals. Much of the food distributed by the Food Bank comes through its grocery store rescue program, where over 100 grocery stores in North Alabama make regular donations. The Food Bank rescued over 6.2 million pounds of food in 2024 through this program. Another 5.3 million pounds of food came from federal programs in 2024. However, due to cuts in federal programs the Food Bank is set to receive approximately 1 million fewer pounds of food this year, leading to a drop in food available to its network. Weve been in this community for 41 years, and we will be here serving people for as long as we are needed; our model is time-tested and highly efficient, Schofield said. These cuts occurring as were seeing more and more people seeking food assistance is a challenge for sure but one that North Alabama can overcome when we all work together. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food insecurity is a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food and hunger is an individual-level physiological condition that may result from food insecurity. The facility will serve as Titomics global headquarters supporting commercial and defense initiatives. The company specializes in manufacturing cold spray additive technology that supports oil and gas, defense, and aerospace industries. Titomic USA Titomic Limited celebrated the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Huntsville with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday. The Huntsville facility will serve as Titomics global headquarters supporting commercial and defense initiatives. The company specializes in manufacturing cold spray additive technology that supports oil and gas, defense, and aerospace industries. The facility is 59,000 square feet, and will support advanced production capabilities, host live equipment demonstrations, serve as a regional training and customer support center, and will be the only location where all of the company products are manufactured and produced. Andy Whitt from First National Bank was instrumental in the project and assisted with the initial facility reviews to ensure the Titomic team had a facility to meet their requirements, according to a statement from the company. I am pleased to be a part of this monumental moment for Titomic USA, Inc., said Whitt, who also serves in the Alabama House of Representatives. Their leadership team has impressed me, and their technology is innovative, making it a perfect fit for Huntsville to continue to be a leader in technology development. The ability for the Huntsville facility to be able to produce machines and products for our customers provides us with the ability to meet a variety of requirements to support our customers, company president Patricia Dare said. This direct control of the production of machines and components provides us with the ability to meet our customer expectations. Government, defense and aerospace officials, as well as other community leaders, attended the ribbon cutting. Following the ceremony, guests participated in live demonstrations of Titomics cutting-edge systems. This is more than just a facility opening, said Jim Simpson, CEO and Managing Director of Titomic. Its a launchpad for the next generation of high-performance manufacturing technologies in the United States. Huntsville offers the perfect blend of industrial heritage and forward-thinking energy that aligns with Titomics mission to redefine whats possible in materials science and manufacturing. Innovate Alabamas support and ability to assist Titomic USA, Inc. ensured that the company was able to come to Huntsville, according to the statement. Innovate Alabama has deployed over $12 million in loan guarantees and collateral support through the U.S. Department of the Treasurys SSBCI program. Titomic, a recipient of Innovate Alabamas LendAL initiative, joins a growing group of small businesses gaining access to capital through partnerships with private lenders. Designed to stimulate private sector lending, LendAL helps extend credit to entrepreneurs, driving growth, innovation and job creation across Alabama. Innovate Alabama is excited to partner with Titomic and bring their technology to the Huntsville market, said Charlie Pond of Innovate Alabama. We believe their capabilities can make a meaningful impact on our community and support ongoing partner programs. With active partnerships underway with large defense primes and government agencies, this site will produce critical components such as titanium pressure vessels, domes, launcher coatings, and space-grade shielding. These applications support not only next-generation warfighting systems but also the Department of Defenses broader goals of supply chain resilience, rapid sustainment, and operational readiness. Ken McFeeters, who runs an insurance agency and lives in Pelham, is running for the Republican nomination for governor. Ken McFeeters for Congress/Facebook Ken McFeeters, who ran for Congress in 2024 and is a past president of the Mid-Alabama Republican Club, announced Tuesday that he is running for the Republican nomination for governor. McFeeters, 65, lives in Pelham and runs an insurance agency that he founded with his brother in 1981. He is the second Republican candidate to enter the race, following Sen. Tommy Tuberville. The question we must ask ourselves is this, McFeeters said in a press release. Can a candidate of the people someone who will truly work for the interests of Alabama defeat the establishment forces that have a stranglehold on our politics? McFeeters said Alabama needs a leader who is not tied to what he called the political class. For too long, the establishment has controlled key aspects of our lives: education, healthcare, money, banking, food productionnone of it has been for the benefit of the people, McFeeters said. Its been about consolidating power for the elite. And they maintain this power by manipulating our elections, backing only candidates who will do their bidding, and ensuring that the system is rigged in their favor. McFeeters ran against U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer in the 6th congressional district last year. He finished third in the primary, with 6% of the vote. McFeeters said he ran against Palmer to put a spotlight on what he considered important. From the get-go - I even told Palmer this - I know theres no way Ill beat you. I spent $25,000 of my own money and took zero contributions, McFeeters said. I wanted a platform where I could talk about the things that I wanted to talk about that really matter to folks in Alabama that were not being talked about because of who controls the government and who controls the media, McFeeters said. McFeeters questioned Tubervilles assertions that he meets the requirement in the Alabama constitution that the governor live in the state seven years before being elected. Its time for a governor who isnt part of the establishment, who doesnt wear $3,000 suits or have a Florida tan paid for by insider trading and living outside Alabama, McFeeters said. Alabama deserves better than a puppet of the globalists. We need a governor who will fight for the people, not for the money. Tuberville has dismissed claims that he does not fulfill that requirement. He said on Alabama Public Televisions Capitol Journal last week that he has lived in Alabama most of the last 25 years and that a challenge to his qualifications would be a waste of time. McFeeters said that as governor, he would advocate for changes in public schools. Our education system is failing our children, he said. Rather than teaching critical thinking, values/virtues, or life skills, our schools are churning out obedient workers trained to follow orders, not lead. This system is intentionally designed to produce compliance, not creativity. McFeeters said he would bring in former military personnel to help restore order and discipline in schools. He said Alabama needs to protect the resources that are necessary for independence, like family farms for food production, water, and power. If we lose the ability to feed ourselves, we lose our independence, McFeeters said. Thats why the establishment has been systematically eradicating family farms. We need to restore local food production, secure our water and power resources, and ensure that Alabama is independent from the globalist forces that seek to control us. During last years congressional race, McFeeters posted an AI-generated video that mimicked a Zoom call with President Trump praising McFeeters and calling Palmer a weasel and a backstabbing worm. At the time, Palmer called the video a desperate attempt by a candidate that has nothing to offer in this race. McFeeters said there was no intent to make anyone believe the video was real. Anyone who watched that would know it was tongue-in-cheek, McFeeters said. It was not real. It was done with a really low-quality AI that cost $14 or maybe $15. It was to use humor to illustrate a point. No one without an axe to grind would have considered that serious. Josh Pendergrass, a lawyer in Autauga County, is a candidate for state auditor. Courtesy Josh Pendergrass campaign Josh Pendergrass, a lawyer and former pastor who was Gov. Kay Iveys first communications director, is running for state auditor. Pendergrass, 40, is seeking the Republican nomination for the office, which is responsible for keeping track of property and equipment purchased and used by state agencies. It is an open seat because State Auditor Andrew Sorrell is running for secretary of state. The auditor is really a constitutional form of good government, of good management, of ensuring that tax dollars that are expended to purchase state property, that those tax dollars are used wisely, adequately, and correctly, said Pendergrass, who lives in Autauga County. In a lot of ways, its the state version of a DOGE. Pendergrass said the total value of property the state auditor is responsible for tracking is about $1.3 billion. Derek Chen of Vestavia Hills and Robert McCollum of Dadeville, who ran for the Public Service Commission last year, are also seeking the Republican nomination for auditor. The state auditor appoints one of the three members of boards of registrars in each of Alabamas 67 counties. Pendergrass said that means that the auditor is responsible for putting in place men and women who will work for fair and secure elections. Pendergrass said he believes the auditors role could be expanded in pursuit of more transparency and integrity in state government. He said his contacts in the executive and legislative branches would help him make that happen. My years of servicethrough my law practice, ministry, and work with Governor Iveyhave shown me that integrity and action are the only way to deliver for Alabamians, Pendergrass said. Im running to ensure our state leads with transparency, fiscal discipline, and an unshakable commitment to putting Alabama first. In 2022, Pendergrass launched a campaign for the Alabama House of Representatives in District 88, challenging then-Rep. Will Dismukes. But during redistricting, his home was drawn barely outside the district and into District 69. Pendergrass started his law firm in 2011 and said his practice includes work across the 19th Judicial Circuit, which includes Autauga, Elmore, and Chilton counties, as well as other counties. Pendergrass is a former full-time and part-time pastor who has served on the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. Pendergrass and his wife, Leslie Brown, have an 8-year-old son. In Montgomery, the path to accountability is clear: tell the truth, stand firm, and never bow to political games, Pendergrass said. With President Trumps bold vision as my guide, Ill fight relentlessly to cut government waste, protect taxpayer dollars, and restore trust in our institutions. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is the most active stock trader in the U.S. Senate with hundreds of transactions, according to analysis of his financial disclosures. The stock trading activity of Alabamas senior senator has raised red flags with good government groups. Tuberville has long maintained that he is not involved in the day-to-day activity of his stock trading and that his broker manages his portfolio. As a senator, Tuberville has access to information the public doesnt and has ability to set policy that impacts the stock market. Here are four stocks and commodities the senators portfolio has traded with that either have links to his committees or were made shortly before events that wildly swung the markets. Apple Tubervilles trade of Apple at the start of the year as President Donald Trump heated up his rhetoric on tariffs was deemed super suspicious by financial news outlet Finbold. On a single day in January, Tuberville sold between $15,001 and $50,000 of his stock in both Microsoft and Apple. That came just before a market downturn for tech companies. Apple plummeted nearly 30% to its lowest point in early April and lost $300 billion in market value as Trumps tariff threats solidified. Tech companies that depend on manufacturing and trade with China have been caught in the crossfire of the tariffs. In early April, Tuberville blamed Wall Street for the market downturn. He doubled down on his support for Trumps tariffs as the value of tech stocks plunged, even though hed already sold off some of his stocks months before the mass sell-off. Microsoft Microsoft holds Defense Department contracts. Tuberville is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In 2021, Tuberville and his wife, Suzanne, reported earning between $15,003 and $45,000 in capital gains on Microsoft stock options they held. On June 23, 2021, the Tubervilles sold Microsoft stock options worth between $1,001 and $15,000. Thirteen days later, Microsoft lost a $10 billion cloud computing contract it had with the Defense Department. Commodities Tuberville is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which The New York Times reported discussed bills in 2021 that could affect cattle prices. Alabamas senior senator is also a member of the committees Subcommittee on Commodities, Derivatives, Risk Management, and Trade. The subcommittee oversees commodity programs, derivatives and digital assets, crop insurance and agriculture trade, according to its website. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is listed as one of the subcommittees related agencies. Tuberville made several futures trades in commodities, including corn, cattle and wheat. He has said he never sent his broker any information the committee was privy to. In 2021, the Tubervilles reported earning between $98,421 and $237,200 in capital gains from their commodities trading, according to Tubervilles financial disclosure filings. Humacyte Humacyte is a biotechnology company developing universally implantable, bioengineered human tissue at commercial scale. The company has used the technology to help treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers since May of 2022. On July 25, 2023 the Tubervilles made three separate purchases of Humacyte stock valued between $3,003 and $45,000 in total. At the time, Humacyte one of the most obscure stocks in the couples portfolio, was near an all-time low of $2.87 a share when the buys were made, according to Newsweek. Just weeks later, the company held an earnings call and discussed the successful use of its replacement blood vessel technology in treating a litany of Ukrainian soldiers traumatic wounds, ranging from gunshots to blast injuries, Newsweek reported. The outlet noted Tuberville sits on two committees that overlap with Humacytes work: Armed Services and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. On April 30, 2024 the Tubervilles sold between $50,001 and $100,000 worth of the stock, which closed at $3.92 a share roughly a 37% increase from the couples initial purchase price. That was followed by another sale days later. On May 3, 2024, the couple cashed out between $16,002 and $65,000 worth of the stock, which closed at $4.4 a share that day, representing a more than 53% return. The acting administrator of FEMA baffled staff for not knowing there are hurricane seasons. Here is the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) AP Federal Emergency Management Agency Acting Administrator David Richardson left staffers scratching their heads after he told them he was unaware that there were hurricane seasons, according to a report. Richardson, who has been the acting FEMA chief since last month, made the remark on the second day of U.S. hurricane season while leading a briefing, according to Reuters, which cited four people familiar with the situation. Staff were left baffled by the comment, Reuters reported. It was not clear to staff whether he meant it literally, as a joke, or in some other context, the news wire service reported. Atlantic hurricane season, which affects the United States, began on Sunday and information on preparing for the storms is featured prominently on the FEMA website. It lasts until Nov. 30. The report led Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to mock Richardson. Tweeting the Reuters story, Schumer posted And Im unaware of why he hasnt been fired yet. And Im unaware of why he hasnt been fired yet. pic.twitter.com/gnzVVOkJol Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 2, 2025 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, claimed Richardson was making a joke, adding the department is prepared for the hurricane season, according to Reuters. FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens, a spokesperson told the wire service. President Donald Trump plans to use essay questions to shape the federal workforce in his image. Here, Trump speaks during a news conference with Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP Loyalty is important to President Donald Trump. Under a new memo, the president is attempting to weed out federal job applicants not in sync with his policies, according to Newsweek. The memo crafted by White House head of domestic policy Vince Haley contains four essay questions to be asked of new federal job seekers, including how they would help advance the presidents agenda. There is a federal hiring freeze that is set to expire July 15, but the Trump administration is already preparing how to shape the government workforce. Among the four questions that require a 200-word answer, according to Newsweek, is: How would you help advance the Presidents Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. Trump has used executive orders to enact his agenda, ranging from immigration to drug prices to culture war issues like girls in womens sports. The administration is facing several challenges to the orders. The other questions, according to Newsweek, are: Two-thirds of GPs believe political shifts under the new US administration, and the related geopolitical and economic consequences, will impact their fundraising activities in the year ahead, new research shows. English News To work toward even brighter future for China-EU relations Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 23 Mai 2025 China is willing to work with the EU to uphold the comprehensive strategic partnership, make bilateral relations more stable, constructive, reciprocal and global, better benefit the two peoples and the international community, and work toward an even brighter future for China-EU relations. By He Yin, People's Daily On May 6, Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU). Xi noted that since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 50 years ago, China and the EU have maintained close exchanges across various levels and sectors, saying that the accomplishments of their dialogue and cooperation are fruitful, cultural and people-to-people exchanges vibrant, and multilateral coordination productive. He added that China-EU relations have become one of the most influential bilateral relations in the world, contributing greatly to enhancing the well-being of their people, and promoting world peace and development. In this half-century-long relationship between China and the EU, the most valuable asset is mutual respect, the most powerful impetus is mutual benefit, the greatest unifying consensus is multilateralism, and the most accurate characterization is partnership. China always views its relations with the EU from a strategic and long-term perspective, and regards Europe as an important dimension in its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and an important partner on its path toward Chinese modernization. In March 2014, Xi paid a historic visit to the EU headquarters and proposed that the two sides should jointly forge China-EU partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization, enriching the strategic substance of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. Since the beginning of this year, China and the EU have maintained frequent high-level interactions, sending a strong signal to the international community that they are both committed to multilateralism and free trade. Amid mounting global uncertainty, the two sides continue to serve as anchors of stability and constructive forces. China and the EU enjoy complementary strengths and mutual benefits in economic and trade cooperation, forming a robust relationship of economic symbiosis. In the past five decades, China-EU trade has expanded from $2.4 billion to $785.8 billion in 2024. Investment has increased from almost zero to close to $260 billion. China-Europe Railway Express has run more than 100,000 cargo trips and become a golden passage connecting Asia and Europe. According to China's General Administration of Customs, in the first quarter of this year, trade between the two sides reached 1.3 trillion yuan ($179.29), which translates to over 10 million yuan in trade every minute. China's pursuit of high-quality development and high-level opening up is creating new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Recently, European political and business leaders have actively visited China to attend events such as the China Development Forum and the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. European multinationals have launched new products at Chinese expos and deepened their engagement with the Chinese market. At the same time, Chinese business delegations have also held trade and investment matchmaking events in several European countries. The sustained two-way economic and trade engagement reflects the strong internal momentum and bright prospects of China-EU relations. As China and the EU continue to act as partners for mutual success, their cooperation will not only support each other's development but also provide stronger momentum for the stability of global industrial and supply chains as well as global development. A healthy and stable China-EU relationship not only promotes mutual achievements, but also illuminates the world. From jointly promoting the conclusion of the Paris Agreement, to enhancing cooperation on biodiversity conservation, and advancing collaboration on global AI governance, China and the EU have engaged in effective multilateral coordination and cooperation in many fields, laying a solid foundation for their partnership in global governance. Today, as unilateralism, protectionism, hegemonism, and power politics pose severe threats to international rules and order, deepening China-EU cooperation takes on even greater practical significance. Together, China and the EU account for over one third of the global economy and more than a quarter of global trade. As long as the two sides choose dialogue and cooperation, camps of confrontation will not emerge, and as long as they opt for openness and mutual benefits, the trend of economic globalization will not experience a fundamental reversal. As two major forces promoting multi-polarization, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations advocating diversity, China and the EU should remain committed to multilateralism, uphold fairness and justice, oppose unilateralism and bullying, join forces in addressing global challenges, and jointly build an equitable and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization, so as to make greater contributions to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. The history of China-EU relations demonstrates that as long as both sides uphold mutual respect, treat each other as equals, and engage in candid dialogue, they can advance cooperation and make significant achievements. China is willing to work with the EU to uphold the comprehensive strategic partnership, make bilateral relations more stable, constructive, reciprocal and global, better benefit the two peoples and the international community, and work toward an even brighter future for China-EU relations. 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) In recent days, President Trump and his administrations decision to withhold federal funding due to antisemitism from institutions like Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, and Northwestern has dominated national headlines. However, the challenges facing the campuses are more than just antisemitism. The role of faculty, particularly those with liberal, progressive, or even radical ideologies, also deserve scrutiny. Following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Joseph Massad, a professor of Modern Arab Politics at Columbia University, described the attack as a stunning success for the Palestinian resistance, praising it as unprecedented in its scale. At a rally, Cornell history professor Russell Rickford called the attack exhilarating and energizing, stating it challenged the monopoly of violence and shifted the balance of power. Meanwhile, over 700 faculty members at the University of Michigan signed a statement that, while condemning the violence, also attributed it to what they called Israels structural apartheid. These examples raise pressing questions: Why do the views of some faculty members diverge so sharply from those of the general public? How widespread are these liberal, progressive, or radical ideologies among faculty? What influence do these views have on students thinking and development? As a college faculty member, Ive spent the past two decades reflecting on the ideological shifts taking place in higher education. What prompted the urgent writing of this essay, however, was my recent experience at the 2025 Annual Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) in Baltimore. This conference, which is intended to showcase best practices and theories for teaching college-level writing, revealed a striking pattern: Among the hundreds of sessions offered, over 50 were focused on themes related to anti-racism and social justice: Contesting standard English as racist discourse, racial and linguistic justice in the writing classroom, anti-capitalist composition pedagogy, rhetorics of grievances as an approach to teaching writing, critical racial theory in writing, challenging hegemonic notions of gender through writing, and writing as resistance etc. I teach at an urban community college, where I see firsthand how many students struggle with basic grammar, sentence structure, and foundational writing skills. Nationwide, about 40-60 percent of college students have to take remedial courses in writing, which means they need to catch up on skills they should have learned in high school. Given these challenges, it is both troubling and disheartening to see so many writing instructors prioritizing ideology over the core goals of writing instruction. Rather than focusing on essential skills such as constructing coherent arguments, conducting academic research, engaging with multiple perspectives, and mastering the conventions of academic discourse, many classrooms focus on texts primarily through the lens of racism, sexism, power structures, and Eurocentrism. As a graduate student of English literature and now a professor teaching literature and composition, I have witnessed firsthand how progressive and radical ideologies have transformed disciplines such as English, history, sociology, ethnic studies, cultural studies, gender studies, feminist theory, and post-colonial studies over the past few decades. What I could not have anticipated was the extent to which these theories would influence not only academia, but society at large. Over the past thirty years, they have helped erode traditional notions of truth, objectivity, and authority; promoted deep skepticism toward the West and its values; and placed increasing emphasis on race, gender, identity, and cultural relativism. How did we get here? In 1989-1990, the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) surveyed faculty across the country about their political affiliations. 42% identified as left leaning, 40% as moderate, and 18% as conservative. Nearly three decades later, the 2016-2017 HERI survey revealed a significant shift: 60% of faculty identified as either liberal or far left, while only 12% described themselves as conservative or far right. More recent studies indicate that the ideological imbalance has only deepened. A 2023 study by Harvard University found over 77% of surveyed faculty identified as very liberal or liberal, with fewer than 3% identifying as conservative or very conservative. In 2024, Duke University reported 62% of faculty identified as liberal, 24% as moderate, and just 14% as conservative. A Yale University study the same year revealed 77% of faculty were registered Democrats or had actively supported Democratic causes, compared to only 3% affiliated with the Republican Party. These numbers paint a troubling picture. The overwhelming dominance of liberal, progressive, and even radical viewpoints in academia stands in stark contrast to the ideological makeup of the general population, which has remained relatively stable for decades. According to several national polls, about 37% of Americans identify as conservative, 34% as moderate, and only 25% as liberal. What are the impacts of a dominant, single ideology on campus culture and student development? When liberal and progressive ideologies become the overwhelming norm in higher education, they can stifle and isolate moderate and conservative voices among both faculty and students. This undermines the universitys role as a space for the free and open exchange of diverse ideas. When ideological content is prioritized over foundational academic instruction, it can erode academic rigor and limit students intellectual growth. Students may miss critical opportunities to develop essential skills in argumentation, research, and analytical thinking, skills that are vital for both academic success and professional readiness. The long-term effects of ideological imbalance can shape students values and career paths. Those heavily influenced by progressive views during college may struggle to adapt to broader societal values once they enter the workforce. What can be done to address the dominance of one-party ideology on campus? Promote intellectual diversity and open dialogue: Colleges must foster an environment where all viewpoints, including moderate and conservative ones, are welcomed and respected. Campuses should be spaces for the robust exchange of ideas, not ideological conformity. Offer a balanced and diverse curriculum: Each college or university should ensure that students are exposed to a wide range of theories and perspectives, especially on complex and controversial topics such as race, gender, identity, class, culture, and immigration. Hire diverse faculty based on merit and ideological variety: To support a truly inclusive academic environment, institutions must prioritize hiring faculty from diverse ideological backgrounds. This diversity should not be based on race or gender, but on academic merit and a commitment to varied intellectual traditions. Teach independent thinking and safeguard student autonomy: A central goal of higher education is to equip students with the skills to think independently. Colleges must ensure that students are not coerced into adopting any particular ideology and must establish clear policies for addressing concerns about faculty bias or misconduct. Engage alumni influence: Alumni are vital stakeholders in a universitys success. Their voices, reputations, and financial support can help push institutions to adopt more inclusive and balanced policies. Alumni advocacy can play a powerful role in encouraging curriculum reform and administrative accountability. Establish external oversight: Universities are not exempt from scrutiny. They must be held to professional and ethical standards by independent bodies. A nationwide oversight committee should be established to ensure transparency and accountability to protect the core mission of higher education. To conclude, the growing dominance of one-party ideology on college campuses should deeply concern students, parents, educators, administrators, and policymakers alike. A truly open, intellectually diverse, and vibrant campus environment is essential for students intellectual, emotional, and ethical growth. We must return American higher education to its core mission: The pursuit of truth, rigorous scholarship, and the free exchange of ideas no matter where they originate. Larry S. Su is a professor of English at the City Colleges of Chicago. Image: Ted Eytan Many have heard about the recent power outages in Spain and Portugal, but they havent heard about the failed backup plan, which was supposed to see the two countries get emergency power from Frances nuclear grid. People died, lives were interrupted, and the perception of wonderful clean energy took a major hit. It can happen here, through a combination of the inherent limitations of renewable energy and the fact that China is deeply entangled in Americas renewables. Spain and Portugal rely on wind and solar energy for about 56% and 42% respectively for their electrical needs, which is one of the highest reliances of any country. Their grids failed primarily due to what experts call grid instability. To understand this, you first must know that nuclear, coal, and gas power plants have massive steel turbines that provide large rotating massinertia that can maintain stability if there are fluctuations in the grid. Wind and solar dont have this regulating mechanism, which, in America, gives us our all-important 60 Hz power. There are ways around the problem, but the alternatives are expensive and unproven. Image created using AI and a photo by AleSpa (CC BY-SA 3.0). Wind and solar power are unstable because they dont provide baseload power; that is, the minimum electrical demand level that must be consistently met. It represents the steady energy production required to keep essential services, industries, and infrastructure running, regardless of fluctuations in usage. Baseload power is provided by energy sources that run uninterrupted, such as: Coal-fired power plants Nuclear power plants Large-scale hydroelectric plants Geothermal power By definition, wind and solar are inherently unreliable; the sun sets and winds abate, at which point power production ceases. Demand, however, is always there. Even using batteries is a stopgap measure, so much so that the Biden administration realized that wind and solar could not meet all demand scenarios and, therefore, were planning to tap the batteries in EVs to supplement the grid. The bottom line is that wind and solar power will never be able to replace traditional baseload power sources. Attempting to do so will require huge capital investments in new peaking (backup power) sources and storage mechanisms, and the cost of electricity will continue to soar, leading to a lowered quality of life. And then theres the China problem of renewable energy, given that China is the worlds primary manufacturer of solar panels. Solar panels that make electricity suitable for the power grid are usually connected to the web and can be easily hacked, remotely disabled or compromised for DDoS [Distributed Denial of Service] attacks. DDoS attacks try to overwhelm a system. Solar panels have intrinsic vulnerabilities to hacking due to the dominance of a single country, China, in the supply chain. Communist China is setting us up for solar panel-based disaster: "Solar panels that make the electricity suitable for the power grid and which are usually connected to the web, can be easily hacked, remotely disabled or used for DDoS [Distributed Denial of Service] attacks. pic.twitter.com/SEydADTUXh Steve Milloy (@JunkScience) August 16, 2024 If there were such an attack, Daniel Croft explains how bad it would be: Cyber Security CRC chief executive Rachael Falk said that the threat presented by foreign-manufactured solar inverters is a recent one, as only recent models are internet-connected due to increased interest in smart home technology. Traditionally, cyber risk with solar inverters was low because they were not connected to the internet, said Falk. However, as the popularity of smart home energy systems has boomed, this has changed, with most solar inverters now web connected. Falk continued to say that an attack on the solar grid could spark a black start event, which could result in the entire power grid going down. While an attack on one home solar system would not impact the grid, scaled, targeted simultaneous attacks could be catastrophic, resulting in a black start event. In a black start event, power plants are incapable of turning back on without reliance on an auxiliary power source, like a generator or battery. This could bring down an entire power grid, and it could take a week to recover, she said. As the tweet above indicates, China has kill switch plans for those solar panels it controls. Experts worry that these devices could be exploited to remotely disable or alter the operation of solar farms, disrupting power grids. China, of course, has dismissed these claims as politically motivated, leaving us asking how much we are willing to trust China. It shouldnt be much because China has demonstrated its intentions already: Cityworks Zero-Day Exploit (2025)A Chinese-speaking hacker group exploited a vulnerability in Trimble Cityworks, a system used by local governments and utilities for infrastructure management. The attackers accessed utility management systems, deploying malware to maintain long-term persistence. Volt Typhoon CampaignThe Volt Typhoon group, linked to China, has been identified as a major cyber threat to U.S. utilities. They use living-off-the-land techniques, exploiting existing infrastructure rather than deploying obvious malware, making detection difficult. Massachusetts Public Utility Breach (2025)The VOLTZITE hacker group successfully breached a public power utility in Massachusetts, collecting operational technology data and geographic information system (GIS) files. Their tactics allowed them to remain undetected for months. These attacks highlight Chinas long-term cyber strategy, which focuses on infiltrating critical infrastructure to maintain access for potential future disruptions. Combined with what we already know about Huaweis networking equipment containing hidden capabilities designed for cyber-attacks and Chinas infrastructure attacks, there can be no doubt of Chinas malevolent intent. The threat is so well known that the U.S. government has issued multiple warnings and restrictions regarding Huawei, particularly its AI chips and telecommunications equipment. Recently, the Department of Commerce stated that using Huaweis Ascend AI chips anywhere in the world violates U.S. export controls. We now have no excuse to ignore this threat! Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com. The legacy media finds itself in a dilemma of its own making. The depth and seriousness of Joe Bidens mental and physical problems during his presidency are being exposed dailyironically, much of it by the denizens of the legacy media as they feverishly attempt to absolve their culpability in keeping the American people in the dark about Bidens unfolding mental and physical infirmities as well as what was really happening in the Oval Office. The net result of this disingenuous mea culpa will accelerate the already record downward spiral in the citizenrys trust in the media. During the 2020 campaign, it became increasingly obvious to anyone without an anti-Trump agenda that Biden was not mentally or physically capable of being President. But the legacy media, wallowing in its Trump Derangement Syndrome, made a fatal decision in choosing to obfuscate not only his mental and physical incapacities but his fifty-year history of corruption and mendacity. Thereafter, the legacy media found itself in a quandary during Bidens presidency. How were they to avoid looking like partisan prostitutes if they started asking the obvious questions about Bidens cognitive ability to be president while continuing to downplay Joe Bidens corruption and failures? Pinocchio media image created using AI. They effectively decided to double down on their obfuscation strategy as they knew that by exposing Bidens myriad health and ethical issues, they would trigger the publics inevitable comparison between Trump and Biden, as well as between the presidents families, their mental acuity, their physical fitness, and their accomplishments. This was a comparison that would result in the effective exoneration and rehabilitation of Donald Trump. Since Trumps entrance into the political arena, the legacy media have relentlessly accused him of being unscrupulous and vile, an existential threat to the nation, and someone who deserves to be imprisoned. These so-called journalists knew that if they exposed Joe Biden, they could no longer demonize Trump if he decided to run for the presidency in 2024, essentially guaranteeing a Trump victory. Thus, there evolved an unwritten consensus among the legacy media and their fellow-travelers in the Biden White House to obfuscate Bidens escalating mental incapacity by accusing the opposition of lying and misinformation while ignoring the results of any investigations into Bidens long history of malfeasance. The legacy media, beginning in 2016, had far too much invested in the demonization of Donald Trump to allow him any avenue to reclaim the presidency. A month before Trumps inauguration on January 20, 2017, Politico Magazine featured an article full of absurd innuendos and breathtaking assumptions entitled: Trump Could be the Most Corruptible President Ever. Within ten months after his inauguration, Newsweek unabashedly proclaimed to the nation that the Trump Administration was already the most corrupt in American history. Unsurprisingly, by the end of his term, the legacy media and left-wing historians declared that Donald Trump was not only the most corrupt president in American history but, per The Atlantic, also the worst. The New York Times, in a hyperbolic October 2020 editorial, pleaded with the public to vote for Joe Biden and return the country to a more peaceful, stable and respectful form of self-governance, and accused Trump of rampant corruption, celebrations of violence, gross negligence with peoples health and incompetencethe worst American president in modern history. Accordingly, during the 2020 campaign, the Daily Kos proclaimed that it was in the nations vital interest to replace Trump with the decent, honest, and honorable Joe Biden. Per the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Biden has the experience and character to rescue the nation and restore decency and honor in the White House. Further, CNN unequivocally stated that Joe Biden had the mental and physical stamina to serve as president, and it was a false, vile, political attack to say otherwise. Within a matter of a few months into Bidens term, alternative media outlets, soon to be joined by a Republican House in 2023, began exposing the criminal depths of the Biden family corruption and Joes potentially treasonous activities. Nonetheless, the legacy media steadfastly chose to limit any exposure of Bidens career-long penchant for selling his political office for personal gain. They refused to cover the stories and blamed on others whatever malfeasance was exposed, such as his son, Hunter. Additionally, they accused Republicans and the alternative media of lying and peddling misinformation while continuing to obfuscate Bidens personal history. Why did they need to obscure Joe Bidens personal history? They could not continue to deny the revelations of Bidens corruption if it were general knowledge that his malfeasance and the Biden Family Enterprise began almost immediately after Joe Biden was first sworn in as a Senator in 1973. In August of 2019, British-based Politico International, in a lengthy article, traced the beginning of the venal Biden Family Enterprise back to 1973, Joes first year in the Senate. It was while Joe Biden was vice president that the floodgates opened, and what was a domestic influence-peddling business expanded globally into Ukraine, China, Russia, and Kazakhstan, among other nations. The layers of greed and unabashed willingness to sell access to the second-highest office in the country were mind-boggling. The most egregious examples were five deals with the Communist Chinese and the subsequent payments to Hunter Biden and the Biden family valued at $31 million. For over five decades, the legacy media and virtually all of Washington, D.C., knew about Joe Bidens corruption and penchant for being a serial fabulist as well as a compulsive liar. The legacy media and the Democrat party did everything possible to avoid the full exposure of the decades of corruption within the Biden Family Enterprise. As long as there was the possibility that Donald Trump would again run for the presidency, they were determined to avoid the inevitable comparison between Donald Trump and his family and Joe Biden and his family. Over the course of his presidency, Bidens mental and physical issues became impossible to ignore and increasingly obvious to most American people. However, once committed to obfuscating Bidens accelerating mental decline, the legacy media, acting as mindless robots, continued to unquestioningly regurgitate all the White House talking points excusing any gaffe, stumble, or incoherence by Biden. Since 2019, the legacy media have been complicit in the cover-up of Bidens rapidly declining mental state and the reality that, once in office, he would not be capable of being the president. A cabal of leftists in the White House wielding an autopen and manipulating Bidens speeches and appearances turned out to be the de facto president. The denizens of the Washington-based legacy media were well aware that this cabal was the de facto president, but they purposefully chose to put the country and its citizens in severe jeopardy rather than potentially help Trump and the Republicans in 2024. No number of books written by these co-conspirators, public displays of contrition, or claims of ignorance will mitigate the reality that the legacy media were chiefly responsible for the disastrous state of affairs in the United States when the Biden presidency came to an end. They are not only anti-American but no longer trustworthy, and as such, they should be relegated to the ash bin of history. Regarding the ongoing and incessant Canadian wildfires, some have said that there's nothing Canada can really do about them. Year after year after year. That is bunk. First of all, some of the fires have been started by arson. One thing Canada could do is lock those sick bastards up for life. Think that's harsh? For burning down large swaths of the beautiful forests of Canada and causing tens of thousands of people to be evacuated, disrupting their life in every way? And who knows how many (painful) deaths of animals have occurred? Doubtless, many thousands. And think of the sickness and death caused not just in Canada but in its neighbor to the south. Think of those with COPD and various other diseases and susceptibilities. Think of the elderly. Burning down half of Canada, trashing its lush boreal forests, slaughtering countless animals, dispossessing tens of thousands of Canadian citizens, adversely affecting the health of (or even killing) countless others across the border in a foreign nation, and making people cancel their vacations and skip going outside entirely? This is not worth life in prison? Hell, Canada jails people for misgendering someone or for praying outside of an abortion clinic or potentially anywhere else in public -- or for criticizing the national government. Some of those unfortunately aggrieved people spend longer in jail than the arsonists! And, by the way, some experts claim that one of the reasons for the fires is that we are not following the ancient practices of the indigenous peoples. What is meant by that? I dont believe they had the technology and tools to clear vast tracts of land of dead trees, underbrush, etc. The only thing I can think of is the proverbial rain dance. The rest of us can't do rain dances because that would be cultural appropriation. So every single indigenous person in Canada should be rain dancing right now until those fires are vanquished, if they wish to have any of their precious forests left intact. Get to it! Carney, make it happen, eh?! And now Canada is begging for help from other countries? Like, I don't know, perhaps its neighbor to the south, the United States of America? Really?! We didn't start the fires, but Canada wants us to come and help put them out? After Canadians in and out of government have mocked, sassed, and trashed us for months, and disrespected our national anthem? Well, if we not only have to protect the Great White North militarily but put out its effing fires, perhaps it should more seriously consider becoming the 51st state. For its sake, not ours. Weve all heard the phrase, Where there's smoke there's fire. Well, that's not true in this case. Much of the densely populated north central and northeastern tier of the United States is smothered in Canadian smoke and being slowly asphyxiated. Yet there are no fires here. The majority of Americans who have never been on a Canadian fishing trip and who dont live in the north central and northeastern states might not realize two very important things: first, the smoke is, at times, impossible to avoid and dangerously thick and low to the ground, and, second, the only thing more prevalent than forest land in much of Canada is water. It is, gloriously, everywhere. Rivers, flowages, lakes -- massive bodies of water seemingly sprawl everywhere. Might not the latter be used to save the former? Does Canada not have enough firefighting aircraft such as airtankers and water scoopers? If not, why not? Does it want its forests to burn? Why am I not hearing about the staggering amount of greenhouse gases these fires are releasing into the atmosphere? And yet, ironically, a few more of these gigantic fires and another volcanic eruption or two and the earth might enter a period of cooling due to the vast amount of smoke, soot, ash, and particulates blocking the suns rays. It would be very neighborly of Canada one might even say polite if those in the Canadian government lit a fire under their own asses and pulled out all the stops to finally extinguish these fires before more people and animals and Canadas once-beautiful forests are destroyed. Eh? Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License No matter how many times the Ayatollah lies to us, no matter how often the Iranian government refuses to let its nuclear sites be examined, the world still believes that the nations leaders can be negotiated out of their intention to have a nuclear bomb. Certainly, there is a desperation that influences our hope that Iran can be talked out of what theyve been promising to do for decades. But desperation does not ensure that Iran will go along. With all the threats and cajoling, Iran has reached a new high in the stockpile of enriched uranium: Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Saturday, and called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with the agencys probe. The report comes at a sensitive time as Tehran and Washington have been holding several rounds of talks over a possible nuclear deal that President Trump is trying to reach. The report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency which was seen by the Associated Press and CBS News says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 900.8 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60%. Thats an increase of 294.9 pounds or almost 50% since the IAEAs last report in February. President Trump is determined to persuade Iran to change its path: In a statement provided to CBS News Saturday night, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to Iran. President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb, Leavitt said. 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 to the media. But Iran has shown no evidence of a willingness to back down or to stop enriching uranium; they also expect all sanctions to be fully lifted, in spite of the presidents diligence in continuing to convince Iran to modify its goals: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office was quick to respond to the IAEA report on Sunday, saying it was a clear warning sign that Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program. Although Iran continues to insist that it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, there are some who seriously question their intent: Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has previously warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make several nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. He has acknowledged the U.N. agency cannot guarantee that none of Irans centrifuges may have been peeled away for clandestine enrichment. Trump also sent a letter on March 12 by way of the United Arab Emirates with a deadline: On March 12, Trump delivered a letter to Iran via the United Arab Emirates, reportedly giving the Islamic Republic a two-month deadline for reaching a new nuclear deal or face military action. That deadline has passed. Trump is still confident that a deal can be had: Trump said on Friday that he still thinks a deal could be completed in the not too distant future. They don't want to be blown up. They would rather make a deal, Trump said of Iran. He added, That would be a great thing that we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the Middle East. Its unclear whether Trump is familiar with the Islamist suicidal mentality. They may just prefer being bombed than giving in to Western demands. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. To kick off Pride Pervert month best known as June the moral degenerates of West Hollywood paraded this (warning: graphic) in front of children: Men wearing underwear and f*tish gear dance provocatively in front of children at a family friendly pride parade in California pic.twitter.com/7JYwsCW3Zk Mr. zhang (@zhangkuancheng) June 1, 2025 Libs of TikTok, Nancy Mace, Turning Point and others reported on this evil debauchery. Likewise, after airing a pro gay episode that featured prominent zesty cross dresser Johnathan Van Ness, Sesame Street has been accused of grooming children. BREAKING: Sesame Street has parents furious after airing this pro gay episode that features prominent zesty cross dresser Johnathan Van Ness who offered to show Elmo and Cookie Monster his monster piece. Parents are accusing the childrens show of grooming the youth. pic.twitter.com/9XOkT23sXO Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) June 2, 2025 That sure looks like grooming to me! Of course, when you or I call out this evil for what it is, almost certainly we get labeled with what I have long referred to as the dumbest word in the English language. That word is homophobe (which stems from the equally dumb word homophobia). Homophobia was coined by psychologist and gay activist George Weinberg in his 1972 book Society and the Healthy Homosexual. The book was published one year prior to the American Psychiatric Association removing homosexuality (by a vote of 5,834 to 3,810) from its list of mental disorders. The word became an important tool for homosexual activists and their allies. Weinberg gave them a medical phobia with which to attack their opponents. Weinberg defined the word as the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals, adding It was a fear of homosexuals which seemed to be associated with a fear of contagion, a fear of reducing the things one fought for home and family. It was a religious fear and it had led to great brutality as fear always does. Merriam-Webster defines homophobia as discrimination against, aversion to, or fear of homosexuality or gay people. One problem with the word is that it makes no sense etymologically. Homo, from the Greek, means the same and phobia, from the Greek, means fear. So literally, homophobia means fear of the same. However, my greatest complaint with the term does not stem from its etymological shortcomings. The English language, like most languages, is in constant flux and is full of silly words. The biggest problem with homophobia and its variations is that they have become snarl words words that, when used, are intended to insult and induce a negative response from listeners or readers. Such words commonly appeal to peoples emotions rather than their reasoning. In other words, homophobe is used much like racist. Like racist, homophobe is virtually never used with honest context. Almost every time I hear or see homophobe (and its derivatives) used, its used as a snarl word. Virtually everyone especially Christians who speak out against the wide array of homosexual perversions are called a homophobe or labeled homophobic. This is particularly true at this time of the year. Likewise, those who speak the truth about homosexuality namely that homosexual behavior is a sin and nothing to celebrate are labeled homophobes. Simply quoting the Bible when it comes to homosexuality often also leads to snarl-word attacks, or worse. Many nations are now putting people in jail for merely telling the truthincluding quoting Scriptureon homosexuality. Thus we see that the false idea of homophobia has become so ingrained in many nations especially those corrupted by liberalism of the world that it is illegal to be a homophobe. Despite the avalanche of attacks against truth-tellers on homosexuality, the simple truth is that homophobia is virtually non-existent. Likewise with homophobes. When these abominations of the English language are used, the left is attempting as they so often do to shame their opponents into silence. This is because they are again on the wrong side of the truth! The left the Democrat party, their media lackeys, et al. is on the wrong side of the truth on virtually every significant moral issue of our time. Whether abortion, sexual activity, sex (males/females), marriage, war, healthcare, and so on, the modern left gets it grossly wrong. Therefore, they lie repeatedly (they have to!) in order to further their agenda. Their lying efforts often lead to a gross butchering of language. Note how difficult it is for most leftists to simply define woman. This perversion of thought has reached the highest levels of our culture. Leaders in our schools, corporations, legislatures, courts, executive offices, and the like, have all taken to abusing language in order to distort and deceive. For another prominent and recent example, consider transgender (a close second for the title of the dumbest word in the English language). There is no such thing as a transgender, and it is impossible to change ones sex. Nevertheless, the left persists in using this word and has even stooped to lying with pronouns to help perpetuate the transgender lie. Boys and men are repeatedly referenced using female pronouns, as are women with male pronouns. CNN did this just this week as a high school boy in California again took trophies away from high school girls. Thank God lawyer Julie Hamill was having none of it! The left lies like this with a straight face and acts like were all supposed to just play along. Theyre often aghast when we refuse. We need more like Julie Hamill who will refuse to play along with the rampant linguistic lies of the modern left. This is especially true when it comes to the major moral issues. Trevor Grant Thomas: At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason. www.trevorgrantthomas.com. Trevor is the author of the The Miracle and Magnificence of America trevorgrantthomas@gmail.com. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Ive been sitting for a few days on a story out of Arkansas, which saw a kindergarten graduation break out in a wild brawlbetween the adults, not the children. The moment I saw the headline brawl, I figured there was a good chance that the people involved were black, and I was right. Sadly, thats the best bet whenever you see stories about brawls, deadly or otherwise, at schools, airports, shopping malls, concerts, restaurants, sporting events, etc. Whats ironic is that American blacks mistakenly believe that this impulsivity is part of their natural, African heritage. It isnt. Its borrowed from the worst of pre-modern white southern culture. Blacks were successfully abandoning the effects of this culture during the 20th century, only to have the communists return it to them, effectively keeping blacks from continuing their sharp ascent up the American cultural ladder. The reason Im writing about this story today, even though its a few days old, is because of a video that a good friend of mine recommended, explaining both the vast divide between America and England, despite Americas roots in England, and the modern political scene. And while the video doesnt touch on black culture, it reminded me that American blacks are trapped in 18th and 19th century white Appalachian culture which was itself a remnant of 17th and 18th century Scots-Irish culture in the old country. The podcast, called Triggernometry, is hosted by a pair of super-smart libertarian guys from England. (My link is to YouTube, but you can find it on Apple or other podcast sites.) Recently, they had on their show Richard Miniter, an American journalist. Miniter explains that Americas culture today is still shaped by the four different groups of British people who immigrated to the colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries: There were the moralizing Puritans who settled in New England and became todays moralizing wokesters, the aristocratic Cavaliers of the English Civil War who brought their gentry ideology and slavery to the South; the merchants, who settled the mid-Atlantic Coast, and the border people (the Scots-Irish) who settled the Appalachian Ridge, with a heavy concentration in the South. (And Ive simplified greatly what he says, so I recommend watching/listening to Miniter himself.) I actually knew about those Scots-Irish settlers because of Thomas Sowells revelatory Black Rednecks & White Liberals. What makes the book so interesting is that Sowell explains that modern black culturethe self-destructive ghetto culture of crime, sexual promiscuity, drug & alcohol abuse, and explosive, intemperate violencehas absolutely nothing to do with the culture that the slaves brought with them from Africa. Yes, Africa was a warlike place, but that didnt exist within tribes; it was, instead, a chronic state of war between hostile tribes. Once in America, blacks were exposed to that Appalachian, or transplanted Scots-Irish culture, which was the culture of common southerners, as opposed to that of the elite land-owning class of slaveholders. In his inimitable way (complex ideas, simple language) Sowell describes the Scots-Irish culture, aka the Redneck culture, and I bet youll find it sounds very familiar. I hasten to add that, while Ive omitted the footnotes for clarity, Sowell has a footnote for every single statement in this quoted paragraph: The cultural values and social patterns prevalent among Southern whites included an aversion to work, proneness to violence, neglect of education, sexual promiscuity, improvidence, drunkenness, lack of entrepreneurship, reckless searches for excitement, lively music and dance, and a style of religious oratory marked by strident rhetoric, unbridled emotions, and flamboyant imagery. ... Touchy pride, vanity, and boastful self-dramatization were also part of this redneck culture... While Southern whites still like to boast of being rednecks, most began to abandon the negative aspects of redneck behavior in the second half of the 20th century. Sowell explains this cultural change as a combination of being exposed to broader American and European cultures during the First and Second World Wars, and the effect of seeing themselves in all their ugliness on television during the Civil Rights Movement. Meanwhile, late 20th-century blacks were moving in the opposite direction. After slavery ended, blacks began to work hard to integrate into the higher levels of white society through education, hard work, and stable marriages. By the mid-20th century, blacks were one of the fastest upwardly mobile cohorts in America. And then, it all came to a screeching halt. The problem, writes Sowell, is that in the 1960s, blacks were encouraged to embrace the hillbilly culture as their culture, which it was not: From the 1960s onward, much of the transplanted Southern culture wouldlike black Englishbe seen as sacrosanct features of a distinctive black identity, despite their mirroring very similar cultural patterns among Southern whites in times past. White liberal encouragement for blacks to embrace this non-authentic black culture had disastrous consequences, especially as marriagethe single most stabilizing institution in any culturecollapsed in the black community. I urge you to read Sowells book to learn more about what white leftists did to blacks, which could be seen as something worse, in its own way, than slavery. I say this because, while black bodies were enslaved in the antebellum period, their integrity remained. The 1960s leftists, however, destroyed that integrity, shattering generations of lives. Worse, theyre still doing it. As recently as 2020, the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture put out a piece of garbage telling blacks that white culture (read: bad for blacks) imposed on blacks horrible things such as individualism; the nuclear family; rationality and objectivity; ambition and discipline; respect for authority; and delayed gratification as a key to success (yellow highlights on the poster are mine): Public domain product of the United States government. You can see a larger version of the image here by clicking on the image. With all that in mind, heres footage of that latest brawl in Arkansas: NEW: Wild brawl breaks out between parents at an Arkansas kindergarten graduation Several adults fought in the hallway of West Memphis Faulk Elementary Children nearby screamed in fear as the fight broke out in the crowded corridor Men and women were involved, with parents pic.twitter.com/1wcRBCWgjG Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) May 30, 2025 I desperately wish that a sizable cohort of blacks would realize that what theyre doing to themselvesthe violence, impulsivity, emotional incontinence, irrationality, broken families, etc.has nothing to do with the authentic black experience. Instead, they are victims of 1960s communism who have achieved every tyrants greatest dream: they have internalized the prison bars their tyrant created for them. Image: Buddy Ebsen and Irene Ryan, 1970. Public domain publicity photo. The Pax Romana was a two-hundred-year period during which Romes influence led to a time of relative peace and prosperity as BC transitioned to AD. It wasnt a Roman welfare program that did it. It was that Rome, by creating a stable empire, quashed most regional conflict and enabled enriching trade. I had the same understanding of the Pax Americana that has existed since the end of World War II. Although America did not create a geographic and political empire in the way the Romans did, we took it upon ourselves to keep the peace around as much of the world as possible, allowing trade to flourish. The trade certainly benefited us, but it also came at a price, for we funded the free worlds wars against communism, both with blood and treasure. One would think that enabling large swaths of the world to remain free, and fighting and/or funding their wars, would be enough. However, according to leftists, its not enough. Image of a British missionary society postcard from 1905. Library of Congress. As weve long heard, America also has a moral obligation to accept the illegal entry of every person in the world who finds him or herself living in a dysfunctional Third World countrydysfunctional, I might add, through no fault of the American people. Now, though, leftists are claiming another item for the endlessly long checklist of things America is responsible for around the world: We are responsible for keeping people alive. Just the other day, Monica Showalter wrote about the latest anti-Elon Musk narrative: DOGE, by finding wasteful spending, has killed 300,000 people. No, not just people. Hes killed 300,000 children! As it turned out, there were no instant deaths; only projected ones. And we know this because Brooke Nichol, who holds the title of associate professor of global health at Boston University, set up an Impact Metrics Dashboard, which purports to show all the people who will die, thanks to USAIDs closed checkbook. Im impressed that Nichols knows with so much certainty that every USAID dollar was and will be well-spent on the claimed health projects. The reality is that most evidence, both hard and anecdotal, says otherwise, with graft and wokism siphoning off huge sums of money, but thats a subject for another post. In any event, solely for the sake of this essay, Im going to accept as true the claims that Nicholss little dashboard makes. Without our money, she says, tens of millions of people of all ages around the world will die in the next five years from malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhea, malnutrition, pneumonia, neglected tropical diseases, etc. My question for you, and its a serious one, is how great is our obligation to provide healthcare to the worlds poor? Once, I know that this was considered to be something of a moral personal obligation, especially amongst Christians, who donated money for various health-related missionary programs. But do we as a nation bear this obligation that taxpayers must be forced to fund at the point of a gun? I value human life, I really do. And as a parent, I recognize how vulnerable children are, and dont even want to think about the horror of losing a child. I am grateful every day that I was able to raise my children in America rather than in an impoverished country. But still, do we have an obligation to maintain the health of the worlds poor? I dont have an answer, but I dont see anyone even asking the question. PayPal has expanded to become a go-to payment and money storage platform for many people. This is why the ability to use your PayPal account via Google Wallet was very welcome. However, all good things must come to an end. Google Wallet will end its PayPal account integration soon in the U.S. In case you dont know, you could directly link your PayPal accounts to Google Wallet. This basically made your PayPal account function like any other debit card on your Google Wallet. It eliminated the need to get a PayPal-branded MasterCard. So, if you didnt have a PayPal card, you would simply log in using your email address and password. However, Google Wallet will end its PayPal account integration This news comes to us directly from Google. The Google Wallet help page dedicated to adding PayPal accounts states that the integration will end soon. On June 13th, if your PayPal account has been linked to Google Wallet, it will be automatically unlinked. So, you have just under two weeks to use your PayPal account. The writing has been on the wall for about a month, as a support page announced that Google Wallet stopped letting people link their accounts on April 11th. Why is this happening? Neither Google nor PayPal gave an answer to this question. However, we can connect the dots. Recently, the PayPal app for Android and iOS started allowing contactless payments in Germany. Since the PayPal app natively supports contactless payments, theres no immediate need for it to be compatible with Google Wallet. Thats only speculation at this point, as the PayPal app does not allow contactless payments in the U.S. Also, Google Wallet will not discontinue PayPal account support in Germany. So, this adds a layer of confusion to the story. Germany is the market where the PayPal app supports contactless payments, yet Google Wallet still supports PayPal account integration. There are still many unanswered questions. However, there is a silver lining Google Wallet is not dropping support for PayPal altogether. It is only dropping support for linking your account. However, if you have a PayPal-branded debit card, you can still add it to Google Wallet and use it for contactless payments. So, you may want to order a PayPal card as soon as you can if you want to continue using your PayPal account through Google Wallet. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The Chair of the Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, on Monday announced that the majority of his $200 billion to be spent over the next 20 years will go to Africa with a focus on partnering with governments that prioritize the health and wellbeing of their people HONOR launched the Magic V3 (review) last year as one of the slimmest foldable smartphones with a waistline of 4.35mm. It is now planning to launch the phones successor, presumably called the HONOR Magic V5, soon. Ahead of the launch, HONOR executive Li Kun recently suggested the upcoming foldable will utilize the regular version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Now, the alleged HONOR Magic V5 has surfaced in the database of the benchmarking tool Geekbench with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which suggests itll be a powerhouse. HONORs Magic V5 will sport the Snapdragon 8 Elite and 16GB RAM Recently, a tipster spotted HONORs alleged Magic V5 (MHG-AN00) on Geekbench, revealing Qualcomms current top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The octa-core processor has six cores with a clock speed of 3.53GHz and two cores ticking at 4.47GHz. An Adreno 830 GPU complements the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Interestingly, the HONOR device on Geekbench has 16GB of RAM. In comparison, Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7s recent Geekbench listing suggested just 12GB of RAM onboard the device. Besides, the Geekbench listing has confirmed that the Magic V5 will boot Android 15 out of the box. HONOR has already teased the Magic V5s thinness HONOR executive Li Kun has already hinted that the Magic V5 will be the lightest and thinnest foldable smartphone on the market. The company will have to keep its thickness under 9mm in the folded state if it wants the Magic V5 to claim the title of the slimmest phone in its segment. Its predecessor, the Magic V3, is already incredibly slim with a 9.2mm waistline in the folded state and 4.35mm thickness in the unfolded mode. As for the other specs, the HONOR Magic V5 could get an upgrade in the battery department. Last month, the phone appeared in the database of Chinas MIIT and 3C certification websites. As per the certifications, the phone will have a 2,070mAh and a 3,880mAh dual-cell battery. The device could have a rated battery capacity of 5,950mAh, which HONOR may market as a 6,100mAh typical power cell. Some reports claim that HONOR will offer a 50MP OIS-enabled main camera on the Magic V5. The main sensor will allegedly be accompanied by a 200MP periscope telephoto lens and an ultrawide-angle lens. As per the launch timeframe, the company has already hinted that itll launch the new Magic series foldable at some point in June. Once launched, HONORs new offering will be competing against the upcoming foldable devices from OPPO, Vivo, and Samsung. Googles services like Android, search, YouTube, Gmail, Maps, and Workspace are a huge part of our online lives. But now it seems that OpenAI wants to take Googles place. During the Justice Departments antitrust case against Google, an internal file called ChatGPT: H1 2025 Strategy reveals OpenAIs plans to make ChatGPT the super assistant of your life. ChatGPT, your everyday super assistant Its no secret that ChatGPT is slowly replacing traditional search. After all, why use Google to search for things manually when ChatGPT can pull up answers for you on the spot? Need more info? Just ask ChatGPT to explain it further to you. No need to go clicking through websites to find what you need. This is why OpenAI envisions a future where ChatGPT can become your everyday super assistant. According to the document, In the first half of next year, well start evolving ChatGPT into a super-assistant: one that knows you, understands what you care about, and helps with any task that a smart, trustworthy, emotionally intelligent person with a computer could do. So, what is a super assistant? According to OpenAIs description, Its an intelligent entity with T-shaped skills. Its an entity because its personalized to you and available anywhere you go including chatgpt.com, our native apps, phone, email, or third-party surfaces like Siri. Its T-shaped because it has broad skills for daily tasks that are tedious, and deep expertise for tasks that most people find impossible (starting with coding). The broad part is all about making life easier: answering a question, finding a home, contacting a lawyer, joining a gym, planning vacations, buying gifts, managing calendars, keeping track of todos, sending emails. OpenAI wants ChatGPT to be everyones default The document also reveals OpenAIs plans and hopes to make ChatGPT the default assistant on your devices. Right now, OpenAI and Apple have a partnership. Users can choose to use OpenAI to handle more complex Apple Intelligence tasks. It also has dedicated apps on iOS and Android. However, OpenAI wants users to be able to make ChatGPT the default. For example, on iOS, ChatGPT is a fallback AI. This means that if Siri cant handle the task, it will turn to ChatGPT. However, Siri is still the default assistant on iOS. OpenAI says that companies shouldnt push their own AIs without giving users fair alternatives. That being said, will the day come when ChatGPT dominates the internet? Right now, the AI space is rife with competition. While ChatGPT is probably the most well-known, there are other AI models from Perplexity and Anthropic that are just as powerful. Samsung recently opened the One UI 8 beta program in select regions, and its already at max capacity in the US. As of now, the company is only allowing the users of the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra to enroll in the beta program for the latest software. However, the brand could soon be extending the One UI 8 beta program to older Galaxy devices like the Galaxy S23 and even the S22. Samsung could extend the One UI 8 beta program to the Galaxy S23 in July Samsung seems to be preparing to extend the availability of the One UI 8 beta program to the older Galaxy phones. The company has created new One UI 8 beta community pages for the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S22 in Germany. Samsung could create similar pages and expand the availability of the One UI 8 beta update to more regions, including the US, UK, and South Korea, soon. Samsung hasnt created a similar page for the Galaxy S24 series, but these phones will likely get the beta One UI 8 update soon. Its worth mentioning that Samsung hasnt officially acknowledged the beta program expanding to older Galaxy phones yet. So far, the brand has only confirmed that a stable One UI 8 version will arrive with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 foldables in July. According to X tipster Tarun Vats, Samsung could roll out the One UI 8 beta update for the Galaxy S24 series by the end of June or in Early July. Furthermore, the leaker indicates that the Galaxy S23 series owners could get the same treatment in early to mid-July. One UI 8 will bring these key features Samsungs new One UI 8 update will bring a handful of new features for Galaxy phones and tablets. The new functionalities could include alarm groups, file filtering in My Files, upgrades to the Now Bar, split-screen enhancements from Android 16, a panic button for the Secure Folder, and a fresh set of animations for various operations. The new One UI version will also provide support for improved multitasking, tweaks to Samsung Internet and Samsung Reminders, and plenty more. Samsung will provide a full change log of the One UI 8 version during its next Unpacked event in July, so stay tuned to Android Headlines for regular updates. If the idea of an ARM-powered laptop interests you, but you feel that the current models lack a bit in the memory department, youre in luck. Real tipster Roland Quandt shared some details on Qualcomms upcoming Snapdragon X2 Elite chipset, suggesting it could support more RAM and have more cores. Snapdragon X2 Elite leaked details According to Quandt, Qualcomm could bump the amount of max RAM supported by the Snapdragon X2 Elite to 64GB. Currently, laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Elite chipset are limited to 32GB of RAM. This change doesnt mean all Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops will have 64GB of RAM. Its more like computer makers now have more options to choose from, and customers will also have more configurations to pick from depending on their needs. The details also reveal that Qualcomm is testing a variant of the Snapdragon X2 Elite with 18 CPU cores, versus the 12 cores found on the current Snapdragon X Elite. In addition to the Elite model, the rumors are claiming that we can look forward to a Snapdragon X2 Plus. This is the successor to the Snapdragon X Plus. These new chipsets will most likely be announced at the Snapdragon Summit later this September in Hawaii. We also expect that Qualcomm will take the wraps off its next-gen smartphone chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. More ARM-powered laptops Apple really turned the computing world on its head when it made the decision to ditch Intels x86 chips in favor of its own ARM-powered Apple Silicon chips. However, Apple wasnt the first to market with these types of chips or computers. Qualcomm had previously worked with Microsoft to come up with a custom ARM-powered Snapdragon chip for Microsofts Surface computers. However, the Snapdragon X series really opened it up to other computer makers. Now we have companies like Lenovo, HP, and Acer, who all have Snapdragon X-powered laptops in the market. One of the main advantages of using an ARM chipset over traditional x86 chips is size and space. These chipsets are a lot smaller, which means computers can be made lighter. They also, for the most part, do not require a fan, which makes them quieter. Battery life is also another perk of laptops using ARM-based chips. So, if youre in the market for a new ARM laptop, you might want to hold off until September, where well most likely see new laptops using Qualcomms latest chipset. The YouTube app on Android was suffering from a missing navigation bar after a bug caused it to vanish into thin air like a puff of smoke in a windstorm. Naturally, this would be causing some fairly inconvenient user experiences. After all, the navigation bar is the main way you get around the app. Obviously, the app wasnt completely unusable. You could still access the category filters at the top, and you could always search for something specific with the search button. You could also still scroll through whatever was on the main page until you found something you wanted to watch. Having said that, a lot of other main functions were simply gone. The profile page where you find watch history, gone. The shorts tab, gone. If you wanted to directly access these parts of the YouTube app, you were unable to do so via the nav bar. Luckily, Google was quick to acknowledge the bug and its resulting issue and began investigating the problem. The missing navigation bar issue in the YouTube app has now been fixed This issue that caused the navigation bar to disappear seems to have initially popped up on the YouTube Help forums a little over 20 hours ago. So, users were left without access to this part of the app for close to a full day. Google has worked quickly to find the cause of the bug and fix the problem. The company has also now posted an update, as of about 4 hours ago, that the bug was fixed. If you were experiencing this problem with the navigation bar having gone missing in the YouTube app, you should now be able to see it at the bottom where it normally sits. Free tier users seem to have had the most issues Now that Google says the bug has been fixed, most or all users should have access to the navigation bar again. While the bug was still present, however, its reported that free tier users seemed to be experiencing the bug the most. As 9To5Google notes, some premium subscribers may have experienced the bug as well, but the majority of them seemed to be users who access YouTube without the premium subscription. All of that likely doesnt matter much now that the bug is fixed. Having said that, its good information to have anyway, just in case the bug persists for you. If that happens to be the case, youre urged to contact Google on the YouTube Help forums by replying directly to the post about the bug. You can access that post here. Members of the Smile sankirtan mandali troupe rehearse before their performance at Murgapahadi village. Photograph: Ashutosh Maharana/The Migration Story For years, the women of Murgapahadi village in eastern India have quietly managed farms and children, collected flowers and firewood in forests, and kept households running while their husbands work away in cities. This year, many are educating too in song as they work. Forest officials are enlisting devotional song-and-dance troupes sankirtan mandalis to help in the fight against fires in the dry deciduous woods of Odisha state in soaring temperatures. Fires have already affected more than 4,500 hectares (11,120 acres) of forest in Odisha this year, up from about 4,000 hectares in 2024. Officials are using technology such as AI cameras and satellite data to track blazes but are also turning to the appeal of song to ask villagers not to burn leaves in the forest, apractice believed to benefit the soil, but which has led to uncontrollable wildfires in recent years. With the rising temperatures, these fires are spreading faster, and dousing them is becoming ever more difficult, says Dhanraj Hanumant Dhamdhere, deputy conservationist of forests in Keonjhar district, which has been hit by heatwaves since April. Dhamdhere enlisted 80 devotional groups earlier this year. Cultural troupes are very strong in Odisha, and there are many artistes in rural areas, he says. Also, people here are very religious. The troupes sing in local languages, which are easily understood, and their performances are enjoyed, so it is easier for people to connect with them. He says there has been a 20-30% drop in fires in some areas since the sankirtan mandalis were enlisted. Ghatagaon forest range, where Murgapahadi is located, is among them. Sankirtan mandalis date to the 15th century, originally groups of men playing cymbals, drums and singing songs of religious devotion. Women rarely went out alone, let alone sang in public. But two years ago, women from Murgapahadi formed their own troupe to revive the tradition. When the men [of the village] migrated to Hyderabad and Bengaluru to work in factories, the sankirtan mandali became almost non-functional. We decided to revive it, says Pramila Pradhan, 35, who heads the troupe in Murgapahadi. Odisha, one of Indias poorest states, has some of the highest migration numbers. In village after village, as mandalis began undergoing a revival, spearheaded by women, government agencies saw an opportunity. Pradhans troupe of 17, nine of whom are women, were curious but hesitant when the forest department called them in January. They were given a poem, which the women set to a rhythm. The next morning, they walked around the village singing: Listen listen my dear sisters, brothers, dont set fire to the forest. If the forest survives, we survive we get a healthy climate. Related: The fans just circulate hot air: how indoor heat is making life unbearable in Indias sweltering cities While Odisha has laws to punish those found responsible for any fire in the forest area, the appeal of the songs are more effective. The villagers listen to the sankirtan mandali, says Omprakash Jena, a forest guard. People believe them, and if they are asked not to do something, they obey. Jena credits Pradhans troupe for the minimal forest fires recorded this summer, making up just 26 of the 600 fires that occurred in Keonjhar district. Dibakar Patra, president of an umbrella organisation of sankirtan mandalis in Odisha, says there are about 20,000 troupes in the state, of which at least 1,000 are all-female. We have traditionally performed at festivals and birth or thread ceremonies and weddings, he says. But now the government wants to use us in a better way. Our mandalis have now been enlisted for rural water conservation awareness in addition to forest fires. Analysts point out that this is not enough to help a community at the sharp end of the climate crisis. Mining is expanding in the region, and polluting industries including coal, steel and aluminium dot the landscape in Keonjhar and Angul districts, contributing to planet-heating emissions. Biswajeet Mohanty, secretary of the Wildlife Society of Odisha, says engaging women in dance will not resolve factors fuelling the climate crisis. The victims of climate change are being told to use the medium of sankirtan mandalis and move from village to village to spread awareness, even as polluting industries are being expanded, he says. The women say the forest fires affect their incomes and childrens nutrition. We collect wild yam, tubers, spinach and mushrooms for the family. If there is a major fire, we have to make do with the rice we get from the government, says Balamati Munda, 42. But for now, they credit the sankirtan mandali with helping them feel more relevant to society. About 180km (112 miles) away from Murgapahadi, in Ambanali village, Angul district, Ketaki Nayak slips her sari pallu off her head and tucks it into the waist of her petticoat, taking her position with other women in two neat rows. I sang songs when I was in school, but after marriage no one encourages you to go out and sing, she says. Nayak was married at 10. Now 25, she has two children aged eight and 10. These days, girls are studying, even working as pilots, she says. I had never thought that I had talent, that I would go out and sing and people would bless me. Tutor Kusha Behera says the troupe has received a call about a government project, which they plan to take part in. We have young girls, even students joining the mandalis, he says. While these women have lost their youth, the next generation of young girls is learning what women can do. This story first appeared in the Migration Story, Indias first newsroom to focus on the countrys vast migrant population Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - UN human rights chief Volker Turk has condemned new reports that dozens more Gazans were killed early on Tuesday trying to access paltry amounts of food around a private aid hub in the south of the enclave run by the US and Israel 65,000 Years includes more than 400 works and yet it only touches the surface of the vast, ongoing tradition of Aboriginal art. Photograph: Christian Capurro The opening exhibition at the University of Melbournes newly refurbished Potter Museum of Art has been given a darkly ironic and deliberately provocative title: 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art. While there is a vast and storied tradition of Aboriginal art, its power and dignity have been criminally under-appreciated and devalued until only recently. For most of the 20th century this work was considered primitive, says the renowned academic and co-curator of the exhibition, Marcia Langton. The central point of 65,000 Years is declamatory, a forceful demonstration that this is not an ethnographic collection, she says. Its art. Given the international standing of Aboriginal art now, where works are hung in major galleries around the world and fetch prices in the millions, it seems bewildering that it was so debased for so long. In the book that accompanies the exhibition, Langton mentions several ethnographers who recognised the aesthetic as well as the social and religious implications of the art they encountered, including Karel Kupka and Ronald and Catherine Berndt. But they were exceptions: most collectors thought of the work as naive or folk art, and galleries and museums where they displayed it at all relegated it to backrooms and basements. Langton and her fellow curators Judith Ryan and Shanysa McConville have organised 65,000 Years around several hero pieces or masterworks. Some are by renowned artists such as William Barak, Albert Namatjira and Emily Kam Kngwarray, but many are by unnamed artists whose work was poorly catalogued at the time of acquisition. The opening void that connects the ground floor to the top contains woven works by unknown female artists, alongside three narrbong (or bush bags) by Wiradjuri artist Lorraine Connelly-Northey and a magnificent possum-skin cloak by Mandy Nicholson. Langton wanted women to be at the heart of the building, because women sustain life. The exhibition as a whole eschews prettiness and reassurance for something more honest and battle-worn; it grapples with the brutality and theft that underpins Australian colonial history with unflinching candour. Gordon Bennetts Death of the ahistorical subject (up rode the troopers, a, b, c) takes details of a lithograph depicting a massacre of Kamilaroi mob at Slaughterhouse Creek and turns it into a dot-point cry of resistance and reclamation. Christopher Peases 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms depicts an Edenic vision of pre-colonial life superimposed with the floor plan of a new apartment, making the theft of land overt and contemporary. Opening with a collection of works that deal powerfully but respectfully with the atrocities committed in lutruwita (Tasmania), the exhibition moves north through Australia as the viewer ascends the floors. There are rooms of bark paintings from north-eastern Arnhem Land and from Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria. These tell the pre-British invasion story of the Dutch coming on their ships, Langton explains, as well as the Macassar praus [traditional Indonesian canoes] that were coming here for centuries before the British arrived. Many of the works in 65,000 Years represent complex and ongoing attempts to reconcile a history of colonial barbarity and murder with an indomitable Indigenous spirit of survival and custodianship. But perhaps the key space, at least as far as the University of Melbourne itself is concerned, is the room labelled the dark heart. In it, contemporary Aboriginal artists interrogate the pseudoscientific and deeply racist history of eugenics, for which the university was an international centre. The point is to be offended, Langton says of this room, which recreates the feeling of an early 20th century lab and includes an imposing portrait of Richard JA Berry, the universitys third professor of anatomy and one of the worlds leading eugenicists. The skull depicted on his desk may be a memento mori, but it also speaks of the horrors of a colonialist pedagogy, where the remains of Aboriginal people were looted, studied and boxed up for decades, all under the rubric of academia. A lot of government policies and white supremacist doctrine emanate from this pseudoscience, Ryan says; she suggests a line can be drawn from Berrys bogus study to the White Australia policy, the Stolen Generations and Black deaths in custody. McConville agrees, labelling this room a call to arms. If the room is disturbing more for its clinical, patrician atmosphere and scientific pretensions than any visceral horror it depicts so is the history it interrogates. But while this dark heart of bones and instruments feels necessary, it isnt indicative of the exhibition as a whole. It lacks the vibrancy of colour, the audacity and resilience, and the sheer joy of the artworks on display elsewhere. As the viewer reaches the top floors, past major works by Ginger Riley Munduwalawala and Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, they reach a zenith of sorts; a space of astronomy, of stars and the night sky. Dominating one room are the Tjanpi Desert Weavers lifesize sculptural figures of the Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters), who leapt into the skies to escape a lecherous old man called Nyiru and transformed into the Pleiades. They tell a tale of pursuit and escape, of transformation and metamorphosis, that feels reminiscent of Ovid and Greek myth. There is an expansiveness in these works that is often astonishing; they seem thoroughly uninterested in interiority or psychology in a western sense, championing the omniscient and universal over the solipsistic. Murrinhpatha artist Nym Bandaks All the world is a case in point, with its vision of the universe under the cosmic order of the Rainbow Serpent; it includes the orbit of the sun and moon, the wet and dry seasons and the entire cycle of human life and death. This is what most people dont understand, Langton says. Aboriginal art is conceptual art, its cosmological. 65,000 Years looks to the future even while it maps the past, with more recent works by Trevor Nickolls, Harry J Wedge and Destiny Deacon illustrating the overtly activist leanings of contemporary Indigenous art. A work like Kaylene Whiskeys Seven Sistas story, painted on to a South Australian tourism road sign, playfully reimagines the seven sisters as pop culture figures like Whoopi Goldberg, Cher and Wonder Woman. Maximalist, intensely colourful and intrinsically interwoven with the artists lived experience, these works are no repudiation of past practices, but a consolidation and natural progression. There are more than 400 works of art from First Nations artists in 65,000 Years, including rarely seen pieces from the University of Melbournes own collection, alongside 193 loans from 77 public and private lenders. And yet, it only touches the surface of this vast, ongoing tradition. While endlessly fascinating and deeply moving for non-Indigenous audiences, it is indispensable for the future development of Aboriginal artists, whose work integrates and builds on the legacy of their forebears and Langton hopes it will lead to an explosion of creativity: You cant be what you cant see, right? US actor Patrick Schwarzenegger has said he contemplated using an alias to stop people from comparing him with his famous father. The 31-year-old from California is known for playing Saxon Ratcliff in series three of dark comedy The White Lotus, and said the shows creator, Mike White, told him his surname comes with baggage. Speaking to his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, as part of Varietys Actors On Actors series, he said: I think Mike was worried about, if he casted me, what other people would think, which they did, they did care about that. Patrick Schwarzenegger attends the premiere of The Phoenician Scheme at the Cannes Film Festival (Doug Peters/PA) You know, people said, Oh, I got the role just because of you, or mum, or whatever that is. And I think Mike was a little bit kind of apprehensive at first about that. There were times earlier in my career where I was wondering Does it make sense to go under some sort of alias? Does it make sense to go under a different name. Do I just use Schwarzenegger? Does that add to comparison? Does that whatever. And ultimately, I mean, what youve done with your last name and what youve built is, it is incredible. It took a while for me to get to a point where I was less worried about like, comparison and living in your shadow, versus me just wanting to carve my own path and wanting to do it the way that I thought I should do it, and kind of taking the baby steps and slowly growing my career over the 10 years. Then you have a project like this that just kind of makes it boom. Arnold said: Im grateful you kept the name because now I can take credit My son, the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. Those kind of lines that Im using now. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the photocall for the Terminator: Dark Fate (Ian West/PA) You basically now (have) joined this short list of people, of actors in Hollywood that had famous parents. Jamie Lee Curtis, you know, with Tony Curtis. The list goes on and on and on, and all of them benefited and also of course had to show that they had talent. He added: I think that if you show that you have the substance, you can get rid of this whole idea of nepotism. Just show that you have substance and I think that everyone recognises that now. Arnold, 77, a former governor of California, was a bodybuilder before he ventured into acting, breaking through with action adventure epic Conan The Barbarian (1982) before his most notable role as the Terminator, in 1984. Art Laffer Art Laffer of Laffer Curve fame has put Stamp Duty back on the agenda, arguing that the UK would be better off replacing stamp duty with wealth taxes on property akin to those used in the US. Economists tend to dislike Stamp Duty. It creates many distortions. It increases the cash required to buy a property, because a home-buyer needs not only enough cash for the deposit but also for the stamp duty. Because it is incurred on each purchase, it makes it very expensive to move house multiple times even if moving would be helpful to career progression (e.g. because one job was in London then one in Liverpool then one in Birmingham). This reduces liquidity in the housing market and reduces locational efficiency and the efficiency of job-matching. Historically, stamp duty has also created weird discontinuities in house prices with concentrations in prices at just below the thresholds. On the other hand, if theres one kind of tax political philosophers hate more than any other it is wealth taxes. The three classical foundations of society are regarded as being family, contract and property. Imposing special taxes on any of these e.g. specific taxes for getting married or for establishing a contract or for owning things are seen as undermining the entire rationale for centralised government. The point of a state is to protect property, not to confiscate it. States facilitate and enhance the value of trading e.g. buying things or working for money so it is legitimate for the state to claim a share of the added value from such trade, in forms such as income tax or VAT. But wealth that merely exists being eroded by the state is seen as unjust in principle. Is the answer here that theres a good reason to hate every tax and the only real question is which taxes create the most problems and who will holler loudest, or perhaps holler louder if other potential sources are not taxed too as the French statesman Jean-Baptiste Colbert famously put it: The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing? So perhaps we ought to have both stamp duty and wealth taxes? Or is there some way we could achieve our objectives in this area without either of them? I think there is. The answer, in my opinion, is to resurrect the concept of socage. The idea here is that we should see the true ownership of land as something that only a sovereign can ultimately possess. Ordinary private citizens can only ever own the right to possess and use the sovereigns land in certain ways. There are still elements of that in our legal system today. But in the mediaeval period that concept was applied via an elaborate system whereby every parcel of land was associated with an obligation to those higher up in the feudal hierarchy that had a superior claim to that land. Such obligations might be military service, portions of harvest, and so on. One form of obligation was called socage and in that case there was simply a monetary payment made at specified intervals to feudal overlords. Eventually the other forms of obligation were converted into socage. And later still socage was converted into modern leasehold and freehold. But we could bring socage back. That would mean that every parcel of land was associated with a charge to be paid to the sovereign for its use. Note that this is not a wealth tax or a tax on private property (where by property I meant things like watches, coats or paintings). The very essence of the concept is that private citizens do not own land. The land itself is not their property; it is the sovereigns. Thus, unlike Laffers proposed wealth taxes on property, a socage system would not establish a principle of wealth taxation that could then be extended to other forms of wealth. Socage could be used in highly flexible ways. The charge might take the form of an amount per acre, but that amount might be different depending on where the land was in the country, whether it was close to a city or deep in the country, what the designated use was of the land (e.g. agriculture or housing note that this could be used to disincentivise land-banking) and whether the government had any regional or industrial policies in the area in which the land sat. Laffer is right that stamp duty is a bad kind of property tax. But the right alternative isnt to breach the seal on wealth taxes, creating many bad follow-on precedents. Instead we could replace stamp duty with socage a highly flexible new revenue stream for governments useful for many policy areas. The BBC has indicated it will apply on Tuesday afternoon for a stay on orders relating to Gerry Adams successful defamation claim against the broadcaster. 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. On Friday, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 euro (84,000) after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams took the BBC to court in 2016 (Brain Lawless/PA) It also found the BBCs actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. The full amount of legal costs to be paid by the BBC in the libel case has yet to be determined. On Tuesday, Hugh McDowell, for the BBC, told Judge Alexander Owens that senior counsel Eoin McCullough intended to apply for a stay in the afternoon. A stay on orders in the case would allow the BBC further time to consider whether it will lodge an appeal. Last week, 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. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. In the programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave the final say. Director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, outside the High Court in Dublin during the legal action (Brian Lawless/PA) In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr Adams said the allegation was a grievous smear while the BBC has described the legal action as a cynical attempt to launder his reputation. The high-profile republican sought damages of at least 200,000 euro (168,000) from the BBC. However, the British public service broadcaster had argued it would be a cruel joke to award the former Sinn Fein president any damages. It had argued the allegation was corroborated by five other sources and that Mr Adams had a reputation of being a member of the IRA. After six hours and 49 minutes of deliberations in total, the jury awarded the plaintiff 100,000 euro which falls within the medium range for defamation. Adam Smyth, the director of BBC Northern Ireland said the broadcaster has insurance and makes financial provision for ongoing and anticipated legal claims. The BBC has been granted time to consider taking an appeal of a jury decision which found it had defamed Gerry Adams, before paying all costs and damages to the 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. On Friday, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 euros (84,000) after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The BBC will also have to pay Mr Adamss legal costs. However, the broadcaster was granted a stay on paying out the full costs and damages to allow it time to consider whether to lodge an appeal. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams (Brian Lawless/PA) The stay was subject to paying half the damages (50,000 euros or 42,000) and 250,000 euros (210,000) towards solicitors fees. Eoin McCullough SC, for the broadcaster, told trial judge Mr Justice Alexander Owens on Tuesday that he was applying for a stay pending a decision on whether to take an appeal. He said his client had not determined if it would appeal, but added that he was seeking a stay until the end of the appeal period. In making its decision, the jury also found the BBCs actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. When asked by the judge for what grounds an appeal could be taken, Mr McCullough said the court had rejected applications by the defence on matters put to the jury relating to Section 26 of the Defamation Act. In particular, he questioned the decision to reject an application to withdraw the question of good faith to the jury and the order in which that question was asked of the members. The jury was asked the good faith question before making a decision on whether the publication was fair and reasonable. Mr McCullough said it was inevitable that the jury would find against him on the matter of fair and reasonable action once it had already found against him on good faith. Mr Justice Alexander Owens agreed with counsel that there may be grounds for an appeal on the fact that the jury was first asked to consider whether the actions were in good faith before considering whether the actions were fair and reasonable. Tom Hogan SC, for Mr Adams, said that if the court was going to grant a stay, it should be on the basis of something being paid towards the award. Mr Justice Alexander Owens granted the stay subject to the conditions that 50,000 euros be paid towards damages and 250,000 euros towards the solicitors fees. However, this can also be appealed against. Mr McCullough had raised other potential grounds for appeal, including the courts decision not to allow Mr Donaldsons daughter to give another version of matters given in evidence by the familys former solicitor Ciaran Shiels. He also said an appeal may be grounded on the exclusion of the evidence of Austin Stack and historian Eunan OHalpin. He said an appeal could further be grounded on the defendants being excluded from taking on the issue of whether Mr Adams was in the IRA, arguing that this could be put forward as significant acts of misconduct which would speak towards reputation. Mr Adams denies being a member of the IRA. Mr McCullough also raised comments by the judge which referred to newspaper reports about Mr Adams that were called upon during cross-examination as rot and blather. He said that based on all of these issues, the jury determination of a 100,000 euro quantum for damages was itself unsustainable, further stating that the circulation of the programme and article was very small and combined with a very damaged reputation. Mr Hogan said he could not say that there were not some points that were arguable, but added he did not want to fight the appeal now. He said there was a very significant inequality of arms in this case and questioned whether the application was strategic. He said an appeal had to be brought on a bona fide basis. Mr McCullough said it was surprising if not a little frustrating to hear a suggestion that he was acting short of good faith. He said all he had said was that his client had not made up its mind and that any appeal should be allowed to proceed in the usual way. He had argued that it may be difficult and complicated to get the amounts paid out back should he prevail on appeal. Mr Justice Alexander Owens said he was not really persuaded on the grounds of the appeal, other than the order of the questions on good faith and fair and reasonable. He made the order of the payment of partial damages and costs. It is open to the BBC to seek a further stay against that payment at the Court of Appeal. Last week, the director of BBC Northern Ireland Adam Smyth said the broadcaster has insurance and makes financial provision for ongoing and anticipated legal claims. Separately, the counsel discussed whether the article which remains online could be geoblocked in the Republic of Ireland. On the issue of seeking an injunction, Mr Hogan said he had been discussing the matter with Mr McCullough and that it may be technologically possible. He added that there had been a lot of talk over the weekend over BBC services being blocked in the Republic of Ireland. Mr Justice Alexander Owens replied: I heard that, I dont imagine that will happen. The judge questioned what jurisdiction he had to make an order on the BBC, which is abroad. He added that it had been put to the jurors that he would not be able to make such an order and that their award of damages was the remedy on the matter. Mr Hogan agreed that it was not a matter to be decided on Tuesday. Composite: PR Image There isnt much I miss from my pre-Invisalign gappy teeth days, but it was far more difficult for food and plaque to get stuck in the gaps something I took for granted at the time. Using floss between my pre-braces teeth was easy, but ultimately pointless, like using a pipe cleaner to buff the Dartford Tunnel. With all the gaps closed, thats no longer the case, and my water flosser has become a welcome part of my dental routine. A water flosser fires an intense jet of water between the teeth to dislodge debris and leave your mouth feeling fresher. Most people know they should be flossing, but in reality, its one of the most skipped steps in daily oral care, says Dr Johannes Jacobs, the founder of Jacobs & Associates Dental Office. Patients who struggle with traditional flossing routines often do far better with water flossers, and their gum health improves noticeably. Most of the dentists I spoke to favour floss or interdental brushes (such as TePe) more on that in the what you need to know section below but water flossers definitely offer convenience. The water flosser doesnt provide the scraping action that traditional string floss does, but what it offers in return is accessibility and comfort, says Jacobs. For a lot of patients, thats the deciding factor. If flossing is painful, frustrating or impossible due to dexterity issues or appliances such as braces it usually just doesnt happen. A water flosser is easy to use, even for kids and older adults. Thats why I often recommend it not as a replacement for floss across the board, but as a realistic alternative for those who arent flossing at all. For the past few months, Ive been putting water flossers through their paces. Here are my findings. *** At a glance Best water flosser overall: Waterpik Ultra Professional 84.15 at Amazon Best budget water flosser: Operan Cordless Oral Irrigator 34.42 at Amazon Best cordless water flosser: Philips Sonicare Cordless 3000 69.99 at John Lewis *** Why you should trust me First off, because I have 32 teeth, as most adult humans do. A weird flex, granted, but a useful qualifier for anyone wanting to be taken seriously when it comes to assessing the merits of water flossers. Thanks to the aforementioned course of Invisalign, said teeth are also now close together, making them more of a sporting challenge for the water flossing contenders. Perhaps more importantly, Ive been professionally testing consumer technology for more than a decade now, and have previously trialled the best electric toothbrushes for the Filter. You can read more about the ins and outs of that here. How I tested For the most part, the testing process is what youd expect: using one water flosser after another, and lavishing the kind of attention on my teeth that they usually get only in the panicked hours before a dental checkup to avoid a tongue-lashing (by which I mean a dressing down, not some kind of novel oral treatment). Related: From hallway jets to pregnant toothbrushes: my chaotic water flosser showdown Each flosser was used multiple times, testing the various heads and settings, while making notes on features such as usability, controls and the slightly grim-sounding mouth feel. But there were also more off-the-wall tests to check the manufacturers specs such as emptying a full water tank into a measuring cup to verify capacities, and testing power by measuring how far a jet could be fired across a room on a full battery. I wouldnt recommend repeating the latter test its not scientific, with each flossers different heights and jet angles but if you do insist on following my bad example, dont do it in a carpeted area and ensure pets are safely locked away. Samples were requested directly from manufacturers and retailers, with nine being provided from brands including Oral-B, Panasonic, Ordo, Waterpik and Philips. *** The best water flossers in 2025 *** Best water flosser overall: Waterpik Ultra Professional 99 at AO 84.15 at Amazon Countertop water flossers seem to be going out of style, and I could get hold of only one for our roundup. The Ultra Professional is a reminder of why this isnt necessarily a good thing, providing not only the largest tank around but also the kind of flexibility its cordless brethren could only dream of. Why we love it Unlike cordless models, the water reservoir remains on your countertop at all times. That makes it easier to move the nozzle around your mouth and ensures the easy-to-fill tanks 650ml of water is accessible at all times, no matter the angle from which youre attacking your teeth. Too often with cordless models, I found a half-full tank turned to a dribble when spraying the backs of my lower teeth that was never a problem here. On top of that, it has 10 pressure settings increasing from 10PSI to 100PSI (pounds per square inch, a common measure of pressure), so you can choose what works for you. A generous number of heads (seven) are included, with three standard jet tips, one plaque seeker, another for orthodontics, a Pik Pocket and a toothbrush. There are drawbacks to the countertop design. Obviously, its not travel-friendly (11.9 x 9.7 x 26.3cm WDH), and giants like me will have to stoop to use it. However, if you have the space, its an easy recommendation. Its a shame that its a permanent resident on your countertop. Tank size: 650ml Heads: seven: jet (x3), plaque seeker, orthodontic, Pik Pocket, toothbrush Pressure: 10-100PSI Waterproof: not stated Charging: not applicable *** Best budget water flosser: Operan Cordless Oral Irrigator 34.42 at Amazon Most cordless water flossers sit in the 60 to 120 range, but Operan comes in at a fraction of that, while still achieving excellent results. Why we love it From the suspiciously low pricing, I was sure there would be something to complain about with the Cordless Oral Irrigator. But mouthful of a name aside, there really isnt. Its easy to hold and has four noticeably different power settings, with a pleasant pulsing stream. Its also quite effective when turned upside down, thanks to the generous 300ml tank and floating ball on the end of the reservoir tube (its not perfect, though, so its worth tackling the back of your teeth first, while the tank is full). There are four tips in the box, including one for orthodontics and another for tongue scraping. The cherry on the cake? It has a water resistance rating of IPX7, so you can use it in the shower, if you like. Its a shame that some customers report reliability problems, although I had no issues. Tank size: 300ml Heads: four: jet, periodontal, orthodontic, tongue scraper Pressure: 40-120PSI Waterproof: IPX7 Charging: USB-C *** Best cordless water flosser: Philips Sonicare Cordless 3000 69.99 at John Lewis 120 at Argos The best of the cordless bunch is the Philips Sonicare Cordless 3000. It offers a great combination of design, power and capacity, although its not ideal for those with orthodontics or periodontal pockets as it comes with just two tips. Why we love it The main thing that sets the Sonicare Cordless 3000 apart is its special Quad Stream tip, which fires water in four directions at once. While that might be bad news if you accidentally turn it on outside your mouth, it provides good, powerful coverage across multiple teeth and gum areas at the same time as a result. It also comes with a standard jet tip for a more intense stream, and both provide a decent amount of power. While Philips doesnt list a PSI figure, in my unscientific laminate-soaking distance test, it landed in the top half, and it feels like it provides a good level of pressure in the mouth, too. More importantly, it comes with a deep clean setting with a more thorough pulsing jet of water. The water tank holds a decent 250ml, and is transparent so you can easily keep an eye on how much is left. One thing to note, however, is the charging method: my unit came with a bespoke power cable, but other versions pack USB-C. Philipss PR confirmed that theyre otherwise identical, but USB-C is undoubtedly more handy if you lose the original cable. Its a shame that it comes with only two tips. Tank size: 250ml Heads: two: Quad Stream, jet Pressure: not stated Waterproof: not stated Charging: USB-C/figure 8 *** The best of the rest *** Oral-B Aquacare Pro Expert Series 6 45.50 at Pharmacy2U 49.99 at Debenhams Best for: sensitive gums The Aquacare Pro Expert Series 6 is far from perfect. For one thing, if you find it at its RRP of 150, its pricey although youre unlikely to pay that in practice. Even more importantly, it has the smallest tank of the lot at 150ml. It also feels underpowered, with even the intense setting feeling nowhere near as powerful as its rivals. For sensitive gums and teeth, though, that possible weak spot becomes a virtue. It certainly offers a comfortable experience with the Oxyjet heads, which claim to add microbubbles for a deeper clean. These provide two types of stream via a manual switch: the rotational option gently massages the gums, while the more traditional targeted stream fires in one direction. Theres also a standard jet tip for more power but again, if youre after power, youve come to the wrong place. It didnt make the final cut because the tank is the smallest of the lot. Tank size: 150ml Heads: three: jet, Oxyjet (x2) Pressure: not stated Waterproof: not stated Charging: charging stand (two-pin plug) *** Ordo Hydro Sonic 39.99 at Pharmacy2U From 39.99 at Amazon Best for: raw power With an official rating of 160PSI, the Hydro Sonic officially provides a third more power than its rivals, which is great if your gums can handle the force. The travel lock is also handy to avoid a soggy bag, should you forget to empty the tank. With an RRP of 60, its also competitively priced, though its undoubtedly a basic solution, with only three power settings, no automatic pulse option, and just two jet tips in the box. The design, while distinctive and available in various cheerful colours, makes it difficult to tell how much water is left in the tank at a glance. It also sometimes struggles when turned upside down to tackle the backs of your teeth. It didnt make the final cut because its somewhat basic in its functionality. Tank size: 260ml Heads: two: jet (x2) Pressure: 80-160PSI Waterproof: IPX7 Charging: USB-C *** Spotlight water flosser 84 at Spotlight Best for: capacity If you want a cordless flosser with a generous water capacity, then the Spotlight is top of the tree, holding a massive 400ml in its bulbous tank. Unlike other cordless models, it means you can use it over multiple sessions and theres a built-in UV light setting to sterilise the water, if you dont like the idea of nasties swimming in it. Thats something of a gimmick, but its a nice extra to have in an all-around great water flosser. It is pretty powerful, comes with four different heads, offers three operating modes, and is pretty good at working upside down, thanks to the Hydro Gravity Ball at the end of the reservoir tube. There are two downsides: it charges with a bundled figure-8 charger rather than USB-C, and the water tank has to be unscrewed every time you need to fill it. Given I managed to incorrectly align it a couple of times, that may get messy but that should at least let you test the IPX7 waterproof rating. It didnt make the final cut because the tank is a pain to fill, and it uses a figure-8 charger rather than USB-C. Tank size: 400ml Heads: four: jet, orthodontic, periodontal pocket sprinkler, tongue scraper Pressure: 60-120PSI Waterproof: IPX7 Charging: figure-8 *** Icy Bear water flosser 59.99 at Icy Bear Dental Care Best for: travel Plenty of water flossers include travel cases in the box, but from the selection I tested, only the Icy Bear flosser gets physically smaller when not in use. The body of the flosser slips down into the tank, reducing its size by about a third: clever! This design does come with some drawbacks, however. Its slower to fill than other models, and it can sometimes leak a little something countered by its IPX7 waterproof rating. The design also requires a long press to turn on and off, which is great to avoid accidental leaks in your bag, but less good when your mouth is rapidly filling with water and you need to breathe without soaking the mirror. It didnt make the final cut because the pull-out design is not without its problems. Tank size: 200ml Heads: four: jet, orthodontic, periodontal, tongue scraper Pressure: not stated Waterproof: IPX7 Charging: USB-C *** What you need to know *** How to use a water flosser Part of the appeal of water flossers is how simple they are to use: just fill the tank, and then work the flosser along the gumline, spraying between the teeth. You may find your flosser comes with different attachments that require an adjusted technique, but thats the basic operation. Dr Flavio Pisani, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Lancashires School of Medicine and Dentistry, recommends intermittent spraying, and some flossers have this pulsing action as a built-in setting. It should be an alternate flowing and oozing that makes the power efficient, he says. Otherwise, you could just get your mouth full of water without any effect. Some people like to add a little mouthwash to the water, but Pisani says the evidence doesnt support this as being any more effective. I think its really only going to make people feel fresher, says Dr Sam Jethwa, president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Its more just a freshness of the mouth thing rather than any other benefit. Water flossers vs regular flossing From speaking to several dentists, the consensus is that water flossers arent a replacement for mechanical flossing, but they have their place. They are, as Caitlin Miller, head of dental hygiene and therapy at Bupa Dental Care UK, told me while I was testing toothbrushes, better than nothing for patients who wont use floss or interdental brushes. Jethwa agrees. The example I give patients is a boat sitting in a dock for a long time its got algae on the bottom. Get a hose pipe to try to get it off, its not going to do anything. You need the water, but you need the mechanical movement there, he says. So I wouldnt say that theyre a replacement for floss. It may be better to use a water flosser if youre not using anything. Pisani is open to water flossers potential, but says there is not strong evidence of their efficacy compared with traditional interdental cleaning. Theres recent evidence from a study over four weeks of using water flossers compared to TePe brushes, and the [results] are quite similar, he says. But theres a catch: The problem is that this study was not giving the group using interdental brushes the size that fit their teeth. Hopefully, further study will reveal more, but dont expect anything overnight. We have reached a consensus about electric toothbrushes, but bear in mind theyve been available since the 1980s, Pisani continues. We found the evidence about the better use of electric toothbrushes about 10 years ago. For now, Pisani doesnt recommend seeing water flossers as an outright replacement, but insists that interdental cleaning is crucial. I tell my students and patients that if I were sent to a desert island with only one tool, I would definitely bring my TePe [interdental brushes] with me, rather than a toothbrush, because gum disease starts in between teeth or in between implants. If a water flosser encourages people who are doing very little in addition to brushing to do something, then its a good thing, says Jethwa. But what I wouldnt encourage is for people who are flossing well, using interdental brushes and achieving good oral hygiene to think that this is an easier way of achieving the same thing. Key features to look for Since most water flossers do the same thing, its worth focusing on the differences. For example, tank size is important. If youre doing a thorough clean, then some of the smaller capacities wont be enough. Yet this directly plays off against usability and portability, so its a balancing act. Power sometimes turns up in the specifications under PSI or pounds per square inch. While a higher pressure may be more effective at pushing out debris, it can prove uncomfortable, especially on sensitive mouths, so the flexibility of power is arguably more important than the raw PSI figure. If youre looking at a cordless model, as most of the ones in this guide are, its also worth considering how theyre charged. Some power up using USB-C, which is undoubtedly more convenient than a proprietary lead, as most folk have several cables lying around. Finally, some people like to floss while in the shower. If thats you, then look for one that has IPX7 protection. *** Alan Martin is a writer who has been putting products, including phones, gaming devices and wearables, through their paces for more than a decade. Since he added dental products to his areas of expertise, his teeth have never been happier Hamit Coskun was convicted of a public order offence for burning his own copy of the Koran - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Last November, the social justice activist Titania McGrath tweeted that the assassination attempt against Donald Trump proves irrefutably that he is guilty of inciting violence. Most people would have instantly understood this remark to be satirical, yet the judge in a much-publicised court case this week appears to have adopted Titanias logic with chilling precision. On Monday, Hamit Coskun was convicted of a public order offence for burning his own copy of the Koran in a peaceful protest outside the Turkish consulate. He was interrupted when an angry member of the public slashed at him with a knife and a passing delivery man kicked him while he lay on the floor. Channelling Titania in his ruling, District Judge John McGarva claimed that Coskuns conduct was proven to be disorderly by the fact that it led to serious public disorder involving him being assaulted by two different people. While reading the judgment in this case, those of us who still care about free speech will hear multiple alarm bells clanging all at once. Leaving aside the sinister suggestion that a victim of violence is to blame for being attacked, the judge also stated that the defendant positioned himself outside the Turkish embassy, a place where he must have known there would be Muslims. Given that Coskun had said that his protest was against the Islamist Government of Erdogan who has made Turkey a base for radical Islamists and is trying to establish a Sharia regime, it is difficult to imagine a more suitable location. Coskuns alleged crime is disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, motivated by hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam. That his style of protest had the potential to cause offence is beyond doubt, with his cries of Koran is burning and f--- Islam. But if provocative language is now illegal, then one wonders how the major protests weve seen on the streets of London this year havent all culminated in mass arrests. We need to be honest about what this conviction represents: blasphemy law by the back door. The creed of multiculturalism is a keystone of the intersectional ideology that has infected so many of our major institutions. The police and the judiciary are far from immune, which is presumably why, in the absence of authentic blasphemy codes, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had attempted to invent one of its own. The CPS had originally charged Coskun with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress against the religious institution of Islam. It was eventually forced to change the wording to comply with the law. This is a standard symptom of ideological capture. The trans charity Stonewall, for instance, has been found to have misrepresented the Equality Act as it would prefer it to be, rather than the law as it is. The College of Policing the body responsible for the training of officers in England and Wales has ignored demands from successive home secretaries to stop the recording of non-crime hate incidents, and has even shirked a ruling from the High Court that found the practice to be a clear infringement on free speech. The problems of two-tier justice and the ongoing state encroachment on free speech will not disappear until we tackle the two major sources of the problem. The first is the ideological bias that has become embedded in the police and the CPS. The second is the various hate speech laws on the statute books that no government has yet had the courage to repeal. Why are people still being prosecuted for grossly offensive comments, when such a notion is hopelessly subjective and impossible to define? Why are there proscriptions against the causing of alarm or distress, when these are inevitable aspects of life? Why, for that matter, is hate considered illegal at all? The state is seemingly under the delusion that it can legislate away our hardwired human emotions. Ultimately, no citizen should be arrested for a peaceful protest in which they burn their own book. That it was a copy of the Koran should be beside the point. In a free society, no belief-system should be exempt from criticism, ridicule and, yes, hatred. The spread of ideology through our public institutions, and the ongoing failure of our politicians to acknowledge that it is happening at all, has meant that the principle of equality under the law is now subordinated to group identity and the risk of causing offence. For those of us who still believe in freedom, this situation is no longer tolerable. When actress Rosa Hesmondhalgh found her stomach was unusually bloated, she had no idea how serious it was. (Supplied) (Supplied) When actor Rosa Hesmondhalgh found that the costumes for a show she was performing in were getting tighter back in 2017, she put it down to overindulging at Christmas. But when her stomach began getting bigger well into the new year, she started to worry. "I remember my flatmate saying, 'OK, your stomach is bigger than your boobs now' and I remember looking down in the shower and thinking it was really weird that I couldnt see my feet anymore," she recalls. Rosa says she looked pregnant but she knew there was no way a baby was the cause of the bloating. The discomfort "felt nothing like what I imagined pregnancy to be like," she adds. At the time, the then 23-year-old, who is originally from Leeds, was a healthy young woman, starting her theatre career and living in London. Life was busy and the actor says at first she wasn't overly concerned about the weight gain because she knew shed been eating and drinking more than usual over the festive period. "At the beginning of the rehearsal process, they take your measurements to do costume fittings and by the end of the job I didnt fit in the costume anymore because my stomach had grown so much, Rosa, now aged 30, recalls. "At first I wasnt experiencing too much discomfort. I was very tired but I was doing eight shows a week so I thought it could be that." Rosa's stomach was so bloated, she says she looked pregnant. (Supplied) (Supplied) The news no one wants But by early January, once she'd finished the role and life calmed down, Rosa noticed that the bloating was getting worse, especially after meals. "I had friends with food intolerances and my symptoms seemed to match theirs so I ignored it for a few more weeks," she says. "But soon the pain and bloating in my stomach and sides became unmanageable and I was finding it hurt to sit up, lie down and even walk." She still had no idea what it could be, and her friends who could see how large her stomach had become were urging her to seek medical help. Soon the pain and bloating in my stomach and sides became unmanageable and I was finding it hurt to sit up, lie down and even walk. "By late January, I was in such severe pain that I couldnt sleep and booked myself an Uber to my local A&E department," says Rosa. No one could tell her what was wrong at first, but the doctors could see that her stomach was filled with fluid (called ascites), which was the cause of the bloating. "I was too unwell to go home and they needed to do scans and blood tests to find out the cause," she explains. She was kept in A&E at University College London Hospital for the next few days, then on 1 February she was given bombshell news. She was told there was a 15cm mass on one of her ovaries and that she had a form of ovarian cancer. Rosa underwent chemotherapy and had surgery to remove the cancer. (Supplied) (Supplied) Facing treatment Rosa learnt that her bloated and painful stomach was caused by fluid and is a common symptom of advanced ovarian cancer. There are a number of reasons why this can happen. The cancer cells can irritate the lining of the stomach (the peritoneum) and cause fluid to build up, or they can block the lymphatic system, which is the part of the body responsible for draining fluid from the stomach. "The diagnosis was a huge shock and I was in a real state of emergency," she says. "Before I was able to receive any chemo, I had to have the fluid drained from my stomach." This was not a straightforward process and the doctor drained lots of her blood by accident, so she ended up needing blood transfusions. The diagnosis was a huge shock and I was in a real state of emergency "I was in hospital very unwell with anaemia for three to four weeks that month," she says. Rosa was given four cycles of chemotherapy causing her to lose her hair and suffer badly with other side effects before she had surgery to remove her ovary and fallopian tube. "By the time I had surgery I was doing a lot better in myself and felt much healthier. Other than the normal chemo side effects, I felt a lot better. My stomach went back to normal too," she says. Rosa played Penelope Featherington's maid Rae (centre) in the third series of Bridgerton. (Liam Daniel/Netflix) (LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX) Emotional toll Rosa was diagnosed with germ cell ovarian cancer, which begins in the cells in the ovaries that mature into eggs (called germ cells) and usually affects only one ovary. It is the most common type of ovarian cancer seen in women aged under 30, according to the gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal. Rosa recalls she was one of the youngest people on her ward with ovarian cancer, prior to being moved to theTeenage Cancer Trust's Young Adult Ward at University College London Hospital. "Germ cell cancer is a rare cancer which meant there werent many other people I could talk to who were going through the same thing as me, so being there really helped," she explains. Rosas surgery in June 2018 was a success and she says it was "amazing to know I was cancer-free". "But then of course you get the whiplash from such an intense, massive experience and it took me a long time to recover from the side effects and losing my body in so many ways," she says. "Id gone from three years of intense drama training to being bed-bound. I didnt really recognise myself when I looked in the mirror. There were massive mental implications of what Id been through." I didnt really recognise myself when I looked in the mirror there were massive mental implications of what Id been through. Rosa says she was "just getting her life back on track" when the first Covid lockdown happened in March 2020. She adds that the idea of falling ill was "terrifying" but not being able to see friends and family was also really hard for her to cope with, after the treatment had left her feeling so isolated. "Everything went back to a very similar feeling to when I was having chemo," she says. Rosa was diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in December 2020 and started having treatment. "In a way it felt like my cancer was going on a lot longer after I got the all-clear," she says. "It felt like my entire 20s were put on hold." Rosa Hesmondhalgh appeared in the third season of Bridgerton, pictured here at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards. (Supplied) (Supplied) Raising awareness The actress, who starred as Rae (Penelope Bridgerton's maid) in the third series of Netflixs Bridgerton, is now living life feeling "fairly confident" her ovarian cancer wont come back. However, she says its hard not to panic when something feels different in her body because shes already experienced something she never thought would happen to her. "Its quite easy to feel a lump in your breast and for your mind to fast forward to another cancer experience," she admits. Nowadays, Rosa never hesitates to book a doctors appointment if she feels something is amiss in her body and thats her advice to other people. "Its worth knowing your body and what youre used to and whats not normal for you," she says. "Youre never bothering anybody by booking an appointment and getting it checked out." Every day in the UK, 60 people are diagnosed with one of the five gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal, and 21 people will die each day too stark facts that Rosa wants to raise awareness of. "Im proud to be an ambassador for the Eve Appeal who have supported me since the beginning of my illness," says Rosa. The charity aims to raise awareness and encourage people to talk about these cancers and their symptoms. Symptoms of ovarian cancer According to The Eve Appeal, common symptoms include: Unexpected increased abdominal size and persistent bloating Feeling full quickly or a loss of appetite Pelvic and/or abdominal pain Needing to wee more often Changes in bowel habits Other less-common symptoms can include back pain, weight loss, feeling tired, and vaginal bleeding that is different or new. Help for ovarian cancer The Eve Appealruns a free, confidential nurse-led information service. You can speak to their nurses about any gynae health question by emailing nurse@eveappeal.org.uk or calling 0808 802 0019 (freephone). If you have any symptoms youre worried about, make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible. Read more on ovarian cancer: The King and Queen often visited the cottage on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons National Park Plans to convert the Kings former Welsh holiday home into a wellness centre have been thrown into chaos after the new tenant went into liquidation. The Telegraph revealed in January that the monarchs beloved cottage, called Llwynywermod, on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons National Park, had been leased to the Arusha Gallery, which planned to host plant healing workshops and retreats on the site. The official launch was due to coincide with the summer solstice on June 21, but it is understood it has now been put on hold. The gallery has been beset with financial problems, with 10 artists alleging that they are owed almost 500,000 between them in missing payments. It was plunged into crisis in January following the sudden death of co-director Guy Bargery. Bargery, 60, the husband of co-director Bella Arusha Collins King, was found dead in the River Tay in Perthshire. He is understood to have killed himself for reasons unrelated to the art business. Until recently, the gallery was said to be pressing ahead with its plans to open Arusha at Llwynywermod and said it was working exceptionally hard to turn things around. However, the gallery confirmed to The Art Newspaper on Tuesday that it was now in the process of liquidation. Its latest accounts are more than two months overdue, according to Companies House. Social media posts relating to the launch of its venture at the Kings former home, owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, have been deleted and its two gallery spaces, in Edinburgh and Londons Fitzrovia, are said to have been temporarily closed. A spokesman for the Duchy declined to comment. The gallery did not respond to requests for comment. The King purchased Llwynywermod for 1.2 million via the Duchy of Cornwall in 2007 after searching for 40 years for the perfect Welsh holiday home. The dining hall at Llwynywermod which was transformed from a cattle shed - Chris Jackson/Getty The estate, nestled in 192 acres of countryside, comprises the main house, a Grade-II listed barn and two separate properties, North Range and West Range, which were previously rented out as holiday lets. The King spent years having it restored, with the help of architect Craig Hamilton and interior designer Annabel Elliot, the Queens sister. He stayed there for a week or two every year. It was there that he chose to retreat following the death of his father, Prince Philip, in 2021. In 2022, following the death of Elizabeth II, it was inherited by the Prince of Wales as part of the wider Duchy estate and the monarch voluntarily gave up the lease. Two years later, the Arusha Gallery was due to have been the first tenant. It praised the remarkable estate, which it said was steeped in quiet beauty, surrounded by a rich legacy of Welsh legend and history. The main space was due to become an art gallery with additional areas for performance, retreats and workshops. The gallery said in January that it had taken its inspiration from the legacy of the legendary Physicians of Myddfai 12th century pioneers of modern medicine through herbalism. Its inaugural event was due to include an exhibition, lectures and workshops designed to inspire our spiritual relationship with plants as healers and teachers. The King, who has been a lifelong supporter of alternative medicine and therapies, was not involved in discussions about the new tenancy. Wilbur Thayer, 17, lays flowers at the site of the attack outside the Boulder county courthouse on 2 June 2025. Photograph: Chet Strange/Getty Images The man accused of attacking a peaceful rally with molotov cocktails in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday told authorities he planned to use a gun and took a concealed firearm class but was denied the purchase because he was not a US citizen. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, is facing federal and state charges over the attack which wounded 12 people as they held a weekly demonstration calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. He had planned to target the demonstration with 18 molotov cocktails in his possession but apparently had second thoughts and threw just two, according to authorities. In what the FBI has called a targeted terror attack, Soliman yelled: Free Palestine, police wrote in an affidavit. Police said Soliman abandoned his full plan because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before. Soliman, 45, is facing 16 state counts of attempted murder, 18 others related to the use of an incendiary device and a federal hate crime charge. The FBI said he also used a makeshift flamethrower against the demonstrators. On Tuesday, a day after White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, accused Joe Biden of foolishly letting the Colorado attack suspect into our country and then failing to deport him when his visa expired, Kristi Noem posted on Twitter/X that Ice and DHS were taking Solimans wife and five children into custody. This terrorist will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We are investigating to what extent his family knew about this heinous attack, if they had knowledge of it or if they provided support to it, Noem said. Related: Trump administration uses Colorado suspects status to push deportation agenda In court papers charging Soliman with a federal hate crime, authorities said he had expressed no regrets about the attack and specifically targeted what he described as a Zionist group. Soliman had planned the attack for more than a year, authorities allege. 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, said J Bishop Grewell, the acting US attorney for the district of Colorado, during a news conference on Monday. An FBI affidavit said Soliman 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. Authorities affidavit said the molotov cocktails were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of them, and he also carried gasoline in a commercial-grade, backpack weed sprayer. Soliman allegedly told investigators he planned to use the weed sprayer to burn himself to death and would never forgive himself if he did not do it, as the Wall Street Journal reported. He stated that he was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack, said the affidavit, which added that investigators believe Soliman acted alone. As of Tuesday, Soliman was being held on a $10m, cash-only bond, prosecutors said. His next court hearing is tentatively set for Thursday. Soliman had been living in the US on an expired B-2 visitor visa for more than two years after entering the country in August 2022, according to Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, in a post on X. He moved to Colorado Springs three years ago, where he lived with his wife and five children, according to state court documents. He previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait. Soliman worked as an Uber driver and had passed the companys eligibility requirements, which include a criminal background check, according to a spokesperson for the ride-share service. An online resume also says he was employed by a Denver-area healthcare company working in accounting and stock inventory control. Authorities said that the victims wounded in the attack ranged in age from 52 to 88, and their injuries spanned from serious to minor. Six of the injured were taken to hospitals, and four have since been released, according to the organization of the targeted demonstration, the Denver-based group Run for Their Lives. Alex Osante, a witness from San Diego who filmed the aftermath of the attack, said Soliman evidently set himself on fire as he threw the second molotov cocktail and had removed his shirt to reveal what appeared to be a bulletproof vest. Soliman was arrested without any apparent resistance, according to the video Osante filmed. Authorities said Soliman was injured and taken to a hospital but did not elaborate on his injuries. A booking photo showed him with a bandage over one ear. The attack at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder comes amid rising tensions over the Israel-Hamas war that has contributed to an increase in antisemitic violence in the US. It comes nearly two weeks after a man was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington. As police arrested him, the suspect in that attack, identified as 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, yelled: I did this for Gaza. Free Palestine. Theres only one solution, intifada revolution. In April, a man set fire to the residence of Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvanias governor who is Jewish. The suspect later said the fire was a response to Israeli attacks on Palestinians. Rabbi Yisroel and Leah Wilhelm, directors of the Rohr Chabad House at Boulders University of Colorado, said in a statement that they had received an immense wave of positive messages after the attack. They said that was another signal of the health and strong spirits of our community. Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The potential pitfalls of online platforms will be one key area for debate as governments, employers, and workers from the 187 International Labour Organisation (ILO) Member States meet in Geneva for the annual conference Robert Jenrick on the offensive in the House of Commons Robert Jenrick is getting the taste for Opposition by video. After his vigilante mission against fare-dodgers on the London Underground earned 15 million views last week, the shadow justice secretary turned his wobbly lens on another irritation on Tuesday with a two-minute harrumph about the Attorney General. Lord Hermer, an old pal of Sir Keir Starmer from his days of wiggery, has defended some pretty rotten folk, Bobby J said, walking past a rogues gallery of portraits. Gerry Adams, Shamima Begum and so on. Not one, not two, not three, not four but FIVE terrorists linked to al-Qaeda! he said, making it sound like a detergent commercial. Jenrick is certainly versatile, one week chasing wronguns like hes the new Roger Cook, hoping to get beaten up and win a Bafta; the next channelling Barry Scott from the Cillit Bang adverts. BANG! And the scum is gone! Credit: X/@RobertJenrick Lord Hermer says its the cab-rank rule, Jenrick went on, hailing Gary the Cabbie to explain that this means you have to take the first customer in line. (Gary should have a word with those colleagues who wont go south of the river after 10pm.) But it doesnt apply for Hermer. Hes a top human rights lawyer and he emphasised the top so it stung which means he can pick and choose his fares. Britain deserves better, Jenrick concluded with a sad face and an eye on his click-counter. He was in action in the Commons, too, with four volleys at the Government front bench with justice questions. Alex Davies-Jones, a junior minister from Pontypridd, took the first one about differential sentencing, with Jenrick asking if Britain was safer by giving early release to machete-wielders but not to brainless tweeters. Davies-Jones certainly likes to give early release to her words. She speaks very rapidly, like a racing commentator, so that only brief phrases can be understood. Its Rack and Ruin out first, followed by Total Collapse Of Our Justice System, she said. Then its Short Memories, fading fast, with Difficult Decisions coming up on the rail and its Bold and Ambitious just getting home by a nose from Plan for Change. Jenricks other salvos were answered by the boss, Shabana Mahmood, who prefers question time to be a combat sport. When Mr Speaker told her to be more punchy in her answers, she responded by slipping lead into her glove. To her shadows suggestion that the Government has lost control of the borders, she huffed about the almighty mess she had to clean up and rebuked Jenrick for having suddenly found his voice after a decade of silence in office. She then switched to withering, saying let me give him a much-needed education when Jenrick suggested prison officers would be killed on her watch if she didnt put dangerous prisoners in solitary confinement and asked if he ever paid any attention to detail when he inquired why the UK had not joined nine countries in writing a letter calling for urgent reform of the European Convention on Human Rights. It was sent by EU member states and we are no longer a member, she said. One Tory who has been looking at the detail is Andrew Snowden, MP for Fylde. Mahmood recently raised eyebrows by saying that paedophiles who get early release should be castrated. It turns out to be nothing more than taking some pills, a disappointed Snowden complained, perhaps preferring a firm clap with a pair of bricks. Mahmood promised him that she will pull every lever to deal with sex offending. I suspect some will only be happy if she meant it in the Albert Pierrepoint sense. Somalilands president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, at the inauguration of the new Somaliland diplomatic mission premises in Nairobi, Kenya, last month. Photograph: Daniel Irungu/EPA Given that Somaliland is such a beacon of democracy in Africa, your article seems to be unduly negative about the prospect of its recognition, saying that this will infuriate Somalia (Exclusive: Somaliland president says recognition of state on the horizon following Trump talks, 30 May). The former British Somaliland was given its independence in 1960 and chose to join with the former Italian Somaliland to form Somalia, while the former French Somaliland wisely chose to sit it out as Djibouti. Its reward, during the rule of the dictator Siad Barre, was death and destruction in the hidden war, a period when many were resettled to Britain (particularly Cardiff, where the first Somalis had arrived in the 1850s) from refugee camps, mainly in Ethiopia. It is now 34 years since Somalilanders pushed back Barres army and reasserted its independence. Since then, we have seen several peaceful transitions from one president and party to another following elections. In 2007, I led a UK parliamentary delegation, supported by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, to Somaliland and we also visited the African Union in Addis Ababa to ask why it had not yet recognised Somaliland. The answer was that an internal report recommending recognition was gathering dust because some of its members feared that recognition might encourage breakaway provinces in other countries. But Somaliland is not a breakaway province its a nation that reasserted its independence and has shown a capacity for building its own democratic institutions, pursuing peace and security, and fostering economic growth. In the same period that Somaliland has been a successful democracy, Somalia (the residual south) has been a failed state. Why should those who currently run Somalia not be told to focus on imitating the peace, democracy, cohesion and economic success of Somaliland, instead of being encouraged in a land grab? Understandably perhaps, Foreign Office officials are reluctant to recognise Somaliland before any nation in the region does so, but Britain should stand ready to come second with recognition. Or have we forgotten the enormous contribution made by soldiers from British Somaliland during the second world war and that of Somalilands seamen since the middle of the 19th century, as well as the contribution that Somalilanders make nowadays in the UK? Alun Michael MP for Cardiff South and Penarth (19872012); former chair, all-party parliamentary group for Somaliland and Somalia Phineas Float, Jonathan Collyer and Lisa Stocker during a court hearing in Bali - MADE NAGI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Three British people accused of smuggling cocaine hidden in Angel Delight sachets are facing the death penalty in Bali. Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were arrested on Feb 1 after being stopped at Balis international airport with 17 packages of the drug that weighed nearly a kilogramme in total, prosecutors said. They appeared in court in Denpasar on Tuesday, alongside Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, who was allegedly due to receive the packages and arrested a few days later. Mr Collyer and Ms Stocker, who are reported to be a couple, were stopped by security at the X-ray machine after suspicious items were detected in their suitcases. They were taken to a separate area, where staff found cocaine in blue plastic packages labelled Angel Delight in Mr Collyers luggage. More cocaine was found in seven plastic bags in Ms Stockers suitcase. The drugs were brought from England to Indonesia with a transit in Doha International Airport in Qatar, prosecutor Made Dipa Umbara said. Mr Umbara told the court that cocaine seized from the trio was worth an estimated 6 billion rupiah (271,000). The group had successfully smuggled cocaine into Bali on two previous occasions before being caught on their third attempt, said Ponco Indriyo, the deputy director of the Bali police narcotics unit. After the charges were read out, the panel of three judges adjourned the trial until June 10, when the court will hear witness testimony. The group allegedly successfully smuggled cocaine into Bali on two occasions before being caught on their third attempt - Firdia Lisnawati/AP The defendants and their lawyers declined to comment to reporters after the hearing. The three Britons could face the death penalty under Indonesias strict drug laws, although it has upheld a moratorium on the death sentence since 2017. Convicted drug smugglers have in the past been executed by firing squad. The British embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Foreigners on death row President Prabowo Subiantos administration has moved in recent months to repatriate several high-profile inmates, all sentenced for drug offences, back to their home countries. Serge Atlaoui, a Frenchman, returned to France in February after Jakarta and Paris agreed a deal to repatriate him on humanitarian grounds because he was ill. In December, Indonesia took Mary Jane Veloso, who was found guilty of drug trafficking in 2010, off death row and returned her to the Philippines. It also sent the five remaining members of the Bali Nine drug ring, who were serving heavy prison sentences, back to Australia. According to Indonesias ministry of immigration and corrections, 96 foreigners were on death row, all on drug charges, before Velosos release. You can skewer some wedges of red onion and long Turkish peppers to cook alongside the meat - Matt Austin I love the simplicity of Turkish kebabs cooked over charcoal. Every time I make them whether with lamb, chicken or offal Im taken back to my East End days, hanging out at Mangal Ocakbasi on Arcola Street. The tomato salad was another go-to: fresh, salsa-style and just as uncomplicated as the kebabs themselves. You can also skewer some wedges of red onion and long Turkish peppers to cook alongside the meat. They char up beautifully and make the perfect, smoky sidekick to those juicy kebabs. Requires chilling time. Overview Prep time 25 mins Cook time 10 mins Serves 4 Ingredients For the kebabs 600-700g chicken mince 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tsp chilli flakes 2 tsp sumac, plus extra for dusting For the tomato salad 3 medium tomatoes, finely chopped, seeds and all 1 medium red onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tbsp chopped coriander 1 red chilli, finely chopped 1-2 tbsp olive oil Method Step 1 In a bowl, mix 600-700g chicken mince with 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 2 tsp chilli flakes and 2 tsp sumac and season. Step 2 Divide the mixture into 8 portions and mould around skewers (preferably long, flat Turkish kebab skewers to make long, slightly flattened kebabs). Transfer to a tray, cover and chill for 1-2 hours. Step 3 In a separate bowl, mix together 3 finely chopped medium tomatoes, 1 finely chopped medium red onion, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chopped coriander and 1 finely chopped red chilli. Step 4 Transfer to a large chopping board and dice all the ingredients together, using a large sharp knife. You want to ensure the salad is finely diced. Put it back into the bowl, stir in 1-2 tbsp olive oil then season to taste. Step 5 Heat the barbecue or a griddle pan set over a high heat. If you are using long, flat skewers, you can remove the grill bars from the barbecue and rest the ends of the skewers on the edges of the barbecue to cook directly over the coals. Otherwise, place your kebabs on the grill bars or in the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the kebabs are nicely charred, firm to the touch and cooked all the way through. Step 6 Once the kebabs are cooked, transfer to a serving dish or board, scatter with sumac and serve with the tomato salad. Christine McGuinness has said she went extremely quiet and felt uncomfortable by the attention she received amid media stories about her sexuality. The TV personality and Paddy McGuinness announced in 2022 they had split after more than a decade of marriage, and earlier this year she quit Channel 4 programme Celebs Go Dating because the attention that brings is just too soon for me. Blackpool-born McGuinness, 37, told the podcast How To Fail With Elizabeth Day that she has struggled more because of the attention around my sexuality rather than dating men and women. It never mattered to me, which was why once me and my ex-husband were separated and I met people, I didnt properly date, she added. Christine McGuinness, a former beauty queen who was married to Paddy McGuinness (Ian West/PA) As a teenager, I dated both men and women. My ex-husband knew. My family knew. It was never a secret for me. It was just a part of me and it was normal, so then when I was single again thats what Id done, but it was made such a big fuss of in the press, I almost went back into myself. I went extremely quiet, from feeling quite comfortable and happy and free. I almost was going backwards and I could feel myself shrinking and staying quieter because of the noise around it, it almost made me feel like, well, I must be doing something wrong because why would it be front-page news? She explained that the attention has happened multiple times over three years and she has not spoken about it before because of the focus on her. She added that wants to be able to date and enjoy it, before adding: It shouldnt matter if theyre male or female, it shouldnt matter what their gender is. I shouldnt really ever even have to explain in any way who I want to spend my time with. Thats my business. McGuinness also said she was told never discuss it ever, while others have urged her to talk about it. She also said she was a free spirit, when asked if she want to give her sexuality a description. McGuinness also said: My experiences with women have been lovely and its not like women are better or worse. Its simply that the connection for me is different. The former The Real Housewives of Cheshire star also spoke about heartbreak with one woman who she was with for two years. Paddy McGuinness and Christine (Yui Mok/PA) We actually left it very, very mutual. It was just that she was from (Czechia) so she just couldnt move over here and I couldnt just get her move over there, so we left and it was really sad, she also said. It took me a while to feel comfortable to then go with a man, but the next person was of course, my ex-husband (Paddy) and I felt safe with him. However, she said she cant bring myself to feel comfortable with another man in that kind of way. She married former Top Gear presenter Paddy in 2011 and they share daughter Felicity, and twins Leo and Penelope. All three children have autism and McGuinness confirmed Paddy continues to live with them. McGuinness has fronted Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism, which was focused on her own condition, experiences raising her children, and other families seeking support. She also said she wants someone for me for her next relationship, adding: I want that emotional connection where I can be open and I can talk, and I can be vulnerable and I can ask for help, but I can also have a laugh and just have a good time. Its not like Im trying to find a new family unit or someone to come in and be a step-parent. McGuinness has also been on reality shows The Real Full Monty, Pilgrimage, Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Hunted. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is available wherever you get your podcasts. An auction featuring more than 200 items will be the largest Princess Diana auction ever, according to its director. Juliens Auctions Princess Dianas Style And A Royal Collection live sale will take place on Thursday June 26 and will include clothing worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, with the aim of celebrating her style and preserving her legacy. Items include a silk floral printed day dress designed by Bellville Sassoon, estimated to fetch between 200,000 and 300,000 US dollars (148,000 to 222,000), and an embroidered evening gown, designed by Catherine Walker, with the same estimated selling price. A Lady Dior lambskin handbag is one of the items up for auction (Aaron Chown/PA) Martin Nolan, co-founder of Juliens Auctions, told the PA news agency: This is the largest Princess Diana auction ever. Diana herself did an auction in 1997 to raise money for charity, sadly two months before we tragically lost Diana. So now we have over 100 items representing her amazing life and her career, and of course, shes the mum of the future king of England, Prince William, so we have really iconic outfits. Diana was a style icon, she knew what to wear, when to wear it, what was appropriate, she knew how to send a message by what she was wearing. She was very shy, but she knew by the items of clothing, it became sort of her uniform if you will and, of course, with all the amazing power suits you see behind me, the message she sent. She knew how to dress when she went on a royal visit to Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates, and when she was going to a hospital, she knew to wear bright colours that sick children would feel that she was likeable, huggable, approachable, and she brought hope wherever she went. A ski suit worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales (Aaron Chown/PA) Up for auction will be a collection of clothes and artefacts from British royal history, including items that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and other members of the royal family, some dating as far back as the 19th century. Nolan said the market for items relating to Diana had increased thanks to Netflix series The Crown. He said: The Crown certainly has introduced Diana to a whole new younger generation, and they relate to her and they love her, and they love her style, they love her innocence, they love her sense of fun. They love her messaging, and they love what she had to live through, the challenges she had to deal with, and she overcame them all, and so its a success story. Sad ending, of course, but like the younger generation loved that, and thats why Dianas prices have been impacted so much, and are increasing more and more. Two evening dresses worn by Diana, Princess of Wales (Aaron Chown/PA) Elizabeth Emanuel, who designed a number of items of clothing for Diana, including her wedding dress, said: When Diana first came to us for all of these dresses, she didnt have a lot of ideas of her own, because fashion wasnt her number one subject She didnt really take much of an interest in it, and we were very lucky to have been involved with her at the beginning, when she was developing her own style. And then over the years, you could see her being more and more confident in what she was wearing and knowing her own style, so we were very lucky to have been there in the formative years. Juliens Auctions held a sale of Dianas items last year, billed as the most extensive collection of Dianas personal belongings since 1997. The auction house previously sold one of Dianas gowns for 1.14 million US dollars (843,000) and a pair of her shoes for 390,000 US dollars (288,000). The live auction will take place at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, California, in the US, on Thursday June 26. A portion of the sale of the Diana items will benefit Muscular Dystrophy UK. The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has called on the Government to ban non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in the event of sexual misconduct, bullying, or discrimination in a bid to tackle misogyny in the music industry. A report by the WEC found misogyny remains deeply rooted in the music industry and meaningful change requires both cultural and structural reform, as the committee also called for changes to the Equality Act and the Employment Rights Bill to ensure freelancers are fully protected. Speaking about her experience in the report, which was published on Wednesday, singer Celeste told the committee: What is most prevalent in the daily experience of being female in the music industry is this idea of an ingrained bias, or even an unconscious, sexist bias. Singer Celeste said an unconscious, sexist bias was prevalent in the music industry (Ian West/PA) The WEC called for improved protections and reporting mechanisms, after finding that sexual harassment remains pervasive in the industry, with reporting rates low due to fear of retaliation, and added that women in music still faced unequal pay and ageism. It urged the Government to bring forward proposals to prohibit the use of NDAs and other forms of confidentiality agreements in cases involving sexual abuse, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, bullying or harassment, and discrimination relating to a protected characteristic. The WEC said doing so would demonstrate decisive leadership and ensure that the silencing of victims of abuse will no longer be tolerated. It also underlined the inadequacy of legal protections for freelance musicians, saying the Equality Act did not clearly extend to freelancers and those working under temporary conditions such as depping, which means substituting for another musician. The report also highlighted challenges faced by parents and carers in the music industry, saying freelancers in particular struggled with inadequate maternity support and the high cost of childcare. The WEC called on the Government to amend the Employment Rights Bill to align maternity allowance with statutory maternity pay to allow self-employed women greater flexibility during maternity leave and remove unfairness within the system. Chairwoman of the WEC and Labour MP Sarah Owen said: One year on from the Women and Equalities Committees report on misogyny in music, significant issues within the industry remain unaddressed and appear to be on repeat. WECs 2024 report warned women pursuing careers in music face endemic misogyny and discrimination in a sector dominated by self-employment. It laid bare a boys club where sexual harassment and abuse is common, and the non-reporting of such incidents is high. The misuse of NDAs is a major concern. NDAs are frequently used to silence victims of harassment and abuse, often under coercive circumstances. The report presents evidence of the psychological toll these agreements take and the power imbalances that make them particularly harmful in the music industry. Women working in music feel rightly frustrated at the lack of support from the Government in tackling the challenges they face. Female artists should not encounter limitations in opportunity or have to work far harder to get the recognition their ability and talent merits. We urge ministers to accept the recommendations in our new report and help set the music industry on a path of lasting change free from discrimination and harassment. The report also called on the Government to support the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, a new independent body designed to address misconduct across the creative sectors, by providing it with the legal assurances it needs to undertake its crucial work. The UK Government has been contacted for comment. Actor Dani Harmer appeared on This Morning on Tuesday to discuss her perimenopause diagnosis. (ITV) Dani Harmer has revealed she was diagnosed with perimenopause at the age of 36, raising questions about how common the condition is for women in their 30s. Harmer, best known for her role as Tracy Beaker, spoke candidly about her experience on This Morning today, sharing why she decided to go public with her diagnosis. "I just wanted to be open about it, because obviously I am on the younger side of it, and even though I think it's rare, I don't think it's that uncommon, especially looking through my comments," she said. "And so I just wanted to be quite open about it, because, actually, I had quite a good experience with my GP. So I just wanted to make people aware that going to the GP can really, really help, because I was just having such awful symptoms and I needed help with it." In a previous TikTok video posted on 23 May, Harmer shared that she experienced a "dark depression" before her diagnosis and spoke candidly about the toll perimenopause has taken on her health. "I have been diagnosed with perimenopause. More on that in a second. But what I need your help with is my hair. I am losing it, man, like it is thinning so badly, like you can see, like the bald patches coming in," Harmer said. She continued: "Brain fog, oh my gosh. I couldn't even, like, remember the word banana. That was odd, and then the night sweat started. My sleep was all over the place I felt like I was being possessed by someone else, like it was horrible, and I was just getting deeper and deeper into a dark depression." To better understand how common perimenopause is in women in their 30s, Yahoo UK spoke to Dr Louise Newson, a general practitioner and menopause specialist. Dr Newson told Yahoo UK that perimenopause can last for approximately 10 years before periods stop. (Getty Images) (Kate Wieser via Getty Images) How common is perimenopause in your 30s? According to Dr Newson, perimenopause affects approximately four in 100 women under the age of 40, and at least one in 1,000 women under 30. Even teenagers can be perimenopausal or menopausal. "It's more common than people realise," she tells Yahoo UK. "I see a lot of women, and speak to a lot of women who are in their 20s and 30s, who have low hormones. "A lot of them have low testosterone, so they have low moods, they have poor concentration, they have fatigue and they have reduced stamina. They might have muscle and joint pains. They might have headaches and migraines, yet they've been misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety and given antidepressants. "The problem is, most people, including me, don't know that they're perimenopausal until they get their hormone [test results] back and think, 'Wow, I wish I'd done this years ago.'" What is perimenopause? Perimenopause refers to the period before menopause when a woman's body naturally transitions toward the end of her reproductive years. This average age this phase occurs is 47, according to the British Menopause Society, and it's marked by changes in menstrual cycles along with a range of physical and emotional symptoms. The menopause itself is traditionally defined as the point when a woman has not had a period for a year, which is caused by a reduction in hormone production. "Before the menopause is perimenopause, which can last for about 10 years before periods stop," says says Dr Newson. "So, hormone levels start to decline, but they often fluctuate. So they go up, they go down, they're all a bit crazy in our bodies. And these hormones estradiol, progesterone, testosterone affect every cell in our body and every tissue and every organ, especially our brains." According to Dr Newson, however, the broad term "perimenopause" doesn't accurately reflect the complexity of what's occurring hormonally and how it should be treated. For instance, many women in their late 20s and early 30s may experience a drop in testosterone well before noticeable changes in their periods. "Testosterone is more biologically active than oestrogen. We have more levels of testosterone than oestrogen in our bodies when we're younger, and then those levels decline quicker than the other hormones," she explains. "So a lot of women are testosterone deficient. And then people, as they get older, often their progesterone starts to drop first, and then their oestrogen starts dropping. So it really varies between different women. If we don't know what the hormone is that's changing, it's difficult to get the right treatment." What are the symptoms of perimenopause? During perimenopause, hormone levels are in flux, which means people may experience a wide range of symptoms, especially those affecting cognitive function and mood. "When the levels are changing and reducing, people get all sorts of symptoms, especially symptoms affecting our brains," Dr Newson says. According to the NHS, symptoms can include: hot flushes and night sweats vaginal dryness difficulty sleeping low mood or anxiety reduced sex drive problems with memory or concentration muscle and joint aches and pains joint stiffness and swelling reduced muscle strength pins and needles Dr Newson says women being perimenopausal in their 20s and 30s is more common than people may think. (Getty Images) (MoMo Productions via Getty Images) What should you do if experiencing symptoms? Dr Newson says it's incredibly important to work with someone who understands hormones. "What I would hate is for people to think, 'Oh, I just do a blood test and my testosterone is low, therefore my tiredness is due to low testosterone,' whereas they might have underactive thyroid, they might have anaemia, they might have some other cause," she explains. "So you do need to do this in conjunction with a doctor who understands hormones as well. Because also, if you do tests, our hormone levels are changing all the time." Dr Newson also recommends that people keep track of their symptoms. They can do this manually or use the free Balance app, which she created, that contains a symptom questionnaire; users can also create a health report. The Flo Health app also allows you to track perimenopausal symptoms. "What's changing more now than ever before is that women are learning for themselves, so they can be an advocate for themselves," she continues. "In the history of medicine, women have been gaslit the whole time, and we're always told, 'Oh, it's just stress, it's trauma, it's all in our heads,' and as a doctor, that really upsets me. "Just because the doctor they're saying doesn't know about hormones, it doesn't mean that there isn't a hormonal problem in that woman." Read more about perimenopause: Rachel Reeves, left, and Yvette Cooper, who wants more funding to invest in policing - Ian Vogler/AFP via Getty Yvette Cooper is battling Rachel Reeves for more money with just a week left before the Treasury unveils new departmental budgets for the rest of the decade. The Home Office is understood to be one of the few departments that has not settled negotiations with the Treasury before the spending review concludes on June 11. Ms Cooper, the Home Secretary, had her hand strengthened when six police chiefs publicly warned that Labour promises on crime could be broken without more money. Angela Rayner, the Communities Secretary, is understood to be another Cabinet minister who is taking their talks with the Chancellor down to the wire. She has been attempting to guarantee a significant funding boost for building social housing and is responsible for making sure councils are given enough money to deliver key services. Unprotected departments, for which the Government has made no specific spending promises, including the Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, are facing real-terms cuts in their spending in the latter years of this decade. Overall day-to-day departmental spending will grow by 1.2 per cent annually in real terms in the financial years ahead, but much of the increase will be taken up by the NHS, defence and schools budgets. Ms Reeves will attempt to frame the announcements as showing that Labour is focused on investing in the countrys security, health and economy. Treasury insiders are pointing back to the 40 billion tax increase announced last autumn to counter Left-wing criticism that hard choices are not being made to protect public spending. But much of the money was front-loaded into the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years, with spending rises set at much less generous levels for the three following financial years. The Chancellors allies are making clear that there will be no tax changes announced next week, with any such decisions held off until the Budget in the autumn. Similarly, there will be no change to overall public spending levels known as the spending envelope when Ms Reeves unveils the spending review conclusions. Instead, Cabinet ministers have for weeks been ordered to find savings in what Whitehall insiders admit is a tough set of negotiations, with costs being closely scrutinised. Sir Keir Starmer has complicated calculations by announcing a part-reversal of the abolition of the universal winter fuel payment, which saw around 10 million pensioners lose the payments of up to 300 last year. Campaigners protested against the scrapping of the winter fuel allowance outside Parliament last year - Lucy North/PA The details of how many pensioners will get the payments this coming winter could come next week, the Prime Minister appeared to indicate in a BBC Radio 4 interview on Monday. One idea is to restore the payments for all pensioners and claw equivalent money back from only the richest via the tax system. That would be a simpler solution than changing the threshold currently set at around 11,500 a year above which pensioners do not get the payment. But it would also see most of the 1.5 billion original saving being lost, meaning an alternative source of funds must be found. The spending review is not expected to announce new details for increasing defence spending from 2.5 per cent of GDP a year to 3 per cent. Sir Keir calls the target an ambition and says it will be delivered in the next Parliament. He has faced mounting pressure over failing to name the year this will be delivered. But with the specifics of how to hit 2.5 per cent only recently outlined, Treasury insiders insist detailed planning on when and how to reach 3 per cent is not coming next week. Spokesmen for the Treasury, the Communities Department and the Home Office declined to issue a comment on the spending review. Plumes of smoke are seen rising over the Belaya air base in eastern Siberia The Ukrainians Operation Spiderweb against Putins strategic air fleet was a master stroke, executed as part of the Ukrainian strategy to grind Russia down and end the war. This is not only a matter of what it may cost Putin to replace high value weapon systems: in many cases he cannot replace them at all. With sanctions in place the necessary components are often unobtainable. The widening gap between the strategic assets available to Russia and Nato is part of a death dance: not unlike the Star Wars programme which helped bring about the end of the Soviet Union. In anticipation that the West might allow the use of some long-ranging weapons against Russian territory, Putin moved his strategic assets further into Russia to put them out of harms way (or so he thought). But the Ukrainians had a plan to deal with this. As in the past, when a nation finds itself with its back to the wall, it it is likely to adopt an unconventional and indirect approach. The Ukrainians deployed the Sluzhba Bezpeky Ukrayiny, or SBU, the Ukrainian Security Service. The UK doesnt have a single organisation much like the SBU it developed out of the Ukrainian branch of the KGB on the fall of the Soviet Union, and like the old KGB it does spying and internal security as well as special operations. But we in the UK have also had to use our special forces to turn the tide of war. In June of 1942 Axis forces were pounding the British-held island of Malta, vital to the control of Mediterranean shipping to North Africa for both the Allied and Axis armies there. The survival of the British army in North Africa was at stake. As pressure on Malta grew, a daring plan Operation Style was developed to deliver 32 badly needed Spitfire fighters to Malta to defend the island. The danger was that the Axis had air superiority and would destroy the convoy and the vital Spitfires before they could get in range of the island. The solution was SAS and SBS attacks on Axis airfields in North Africa and on Crete. The raids over a couple of nights destroyed a huge number of enemy aircraft, especially the deadly Stuka dive bombers that threatened the convoy. Huge amounts of air power would have been required to achieve the same results air power which Britain simply did not have available. The raids meant that 28 of the 32 Spitfires reached Malta safely and the island was saved. The effect of the raids on both Axis materiel and morale was profound. Other examples of the daring use of Special Forces tend to be born of desperation also. During the Rhodesian Bush War Rhodesian SAS carried out several daring missions deep inside hostile territory and more recently Israeli special forces have conducted seemingly impossible missions to strike pre-emptively against threats. Russia itself attempted a Special Forces raid in March, sneaking through some disused gas pipelines with mixed results. But Operation Spiderweb, like the SAS raids of June 1942, was a full blown game-changer reliant on lateral thinking and extreme daring. The most striking aspect of these raids is not only in the asymmetric outcome Operation Spiderweb would have cost less than $1m to mount, whilst the damage is estimated at around $7bn but the psychological effect on the enemy, military and civilian. This may be just the start. Now the Ukrainians have demonstrated that they can and will use an indirect approach, the West may be emboldened to permit the use of long range missiles too and these will be harder to guard against with one fewer Beriev A-50 to watch for low-flying missiles and drones. In any case, each strategic strike inflicts expensive damage. The aircraft destroyed on Sunday ranged in value from $100m for a TU-22M supersonic Backfire bomber to $280m for an A-50. The Ukrainians will now be aiming for the premier Russian missile defence systems: an S-400 is $1.5bn and the very latest S-500 is $2.5bn. It may be that it is the cost of war rather than ferocity on the battlefield that wins in the end. Just as Al Capone was brought down by the tax man it may be that the mighty Russian war machine falls to the precision strike and the daring of the SBU. Colonel Tim Collins is a former British Army officer who served with the SAS Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The number of Sudanese refugees in Chad has more than tripled in just over two years amid the ongoing war in their homeland, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said in an alert on Tuesday The Royal War Memorial in Ottawa, Canada. Photograph: Andrej Ivanov/AFP/Getty Images Following King Charless speech in Canada (27 May), it is time to challenge the repeated claim by Donald Trump that Canada has been a freeloader on America with regard to defence. In the first world war, Canada lost around 61,000 people out of a population of 8 million. US combat deaths were 53,000 from 100 million. In the second world war, both nations lost similar proportions of their populations. Canada supplied quality and technical skills for the frontline, from the tunnellers of Vimy Ridge, portrayed in the Canadian parliament chamber, to the strategic bomber crews (40% Commonwealth) and the corvettes that protected American ships in the Battle of the Atlantic. In Britain, we benefited from Canadian generosity. The US charged interest for decades on its postwar loan to the UK, while Canada donated $1bn. Prof Nick Bosanquet York Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Starmer with troops It is hard to imagine a major policy looking more outdated within hours of being announced than the Labour Governments Strategic Defence Review (SDR). On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer made a series of grandiose promises about great improvements to Britains Armed Forces and other security requirements, yet failed to commit the money to pay for them. The Government has raided the overseas aid budget to boost spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP but the Prime Minister declined to set a firm date for when the budgets would rise to 3 per cent. This would happen sometime in the next parliament if circumstances allowed. However, Nato is poised to introduce a new target for allies to spend 3.5 per cent on hard defence and 1.5 per cent on cyber, intelligence and military-related infrastructure, a total of 5 per cent something not seen in Britain since the Cold War. Doubtless many will refuse to sign up, just as they have all failed to meet the blocs previous target of 2 per cent. For the UK, the uplift would amount to an extra 30 billion in real terms on top of the spending already planned. Military chiefs have said the Governments promise of new submarines, more ordnance and munitions, an enhanced cyber warfare programme and an improved nuclear deterrent cannot be met on current financial projections. But having claimed to be leading Europe on defence, Sir Keir has no option but to agree at the Nato summit in The Hague later this month, the first to be attended by Donald Trump since his re-election. Indeed, it is the US presidents refusal to countenance Americas historically high level of support for Europes defences that has led Nato to seek a far greater contribution from continental countries. The Treasury is completing a spending review which could make big savings in welfare and social programmes but only at the risk of triggering a backlash from Labour MPs. The Government is effectively stymied by its own overblown rhetoric and election manifesto promises. Sir Keir dismissed calls to set specific spending targets as performative fantasy politics. But if the deployments needed for the next two or three decades are to be met then commitments have to be made now. Labours defence review failed to address what is a generational challenge. To call it strategic was a total misnomer. Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene received a vote of no confidence - HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP Mongolias prime minister has resigned in disgrace after photos of his sons lavish lifestyle were plastered across social media, sparking weeks of protests. Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene lost a vote of no confidence after a corruption investigation into his familys sources of wealth was launched. Temuulen, Mr Oyun-Erdenes 23-year-old son showered his fiancee with gifts, including Chanel and Dior handbags worth thousands of pounds, and a diamond ring. For weeks, frustration towards the prime minister mounted as Mongolians struggled to understand how the son of a civil servant who earns less than 20,000 a year could afford such gifts. In an ostentatious show of wealth, pictures on social media appeared to showed Temuulens fiancee with a MiuMiu blazer worth nearly 4,000, bags of goods from Canada Goose, a high-end winter wear clothing store, and her behind the wheel of a 40,000 Volvo. The fiancee, named as Uguumur, has since deleted all the posts on her Instagram account. Uguumur posted pictures of herself with the gifts on Instagram, which have since been deleted Temuulen, pictured with Uguumur, also shared content about private travel despite the ruling family having no signs of income Temuulen was also reportedly enrolled in a language programme at Harvard University, which costs about 6,000. He has reportedly been recalled since the protests. With no visible sources of income, their display of luxury bags, private travel, and high-end living was a blatant slap in the face to the average Mongolian citizen, Amina, a 28-year-old member of the Ogtsroh Amarhan (Resigning is Easy) protest group, told CNN. Mongolia is a landlocked country with a population of only 3.5 million, nestled between China and Russia. The minimum wage is about 160 a month, and there is a cost of living crisis. For years, the countrys economy has been hugely dependent on Russia for energy and China for commerce. The current government coalition, elected last July and led by Mr Oyun-Erdene, had tried to establish greater relations with the West, but little came of it. Against this backdrop, it was not surprising that Uguumurs posts quickly went viral and began sparking questions around corruption, which both father and son deny. Uguumur appears to have been given a Volvo worth about 40,000 In a statement, the prime ministers office called the allegations of financial impropriety completely unfounded. Mongolia currently ranks 114 out of 180 on the Corruptions Perceptions Index with a score of 33 per cent. For decades the country has dealt with corrupt officials and wealthy business leaders enriching themselves with public funds. More than 58,000 people signed a petition calling for Mr Oyun-Erdene to step down and hundreds took to the streets in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, shouting slogans that reflected a lack of trust in the government. In stepping down, Mr Oyun-Erdene defended his integrity but said he had made the mistake of paying insufficient attention to social and internal political matters. Analysts have said there is no evidence of corruption by Mr Oyun-Erdene, and he and his son have submitted themselves to Mongolias anti-corruption agency but the protests were enough for the prime minister to call a vote of no confidence on Monday. Hundreds took to the streets in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, calling for the resignation of the prime minister - BYAMBASUREN BYAMBA-OCHIR/AFP He received only 44 of the 64 votes he needed to maintain his position, and resigned shortly afterwards. While Mongolia has been a parliamentary democracy since 1991, over the years many governments have been toppled, leading to calls for constitutional changes that would enable more stability. Shortly before the vote on Monday, Mr Oyun-Erdene echoed some of these concerns, noting that his countrys democracy was still fragile. If governance becomes unstable, the economic situation deteriorates, and political parties cannot come to consensus. It could lead the public to lose faith in parliamentary rule and potentially put our democratic parliamentary system at risk of collapse, he said. Erin Patterson continued to give evidence on Tuesday in the murder trial involving a lunch she served at her home in regional Australia that contained deadly mushrooms. Illustration: Anita Lester/AAP Erin Patterson has told a court that the majority of the mushrooms in a beef wellington dish served in her Leongatha home came from a local supermarket, but says she also accepts the dish contained death caps. Patterson also said in evidence that she wishes she never said to her Facebook friends in a private group chat this family I swear to f**king god in relation to her in-laws, saying she felt ashamed but hoped that sharing her frustrations would mean she had a big cheer squad for her problems. The jury in her triple murder trial also heard that she was never diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had a history of consulting Dr Google, and hoped to bring her family back together despite a formal separation from her estranged husband, Simon, seven years earlier. In her second day in the witness box, Patterson was also asked about her relationship with Simon changing after a dispute about child support which arose the year before the alleged murders. Patterson, 50, faces three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder relating to poisoning her four lunch guests relatives of Simon with a beef wellington dish 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. Under questioning from her lawyer, Colin Mandy SC, on Tuesday, Patterson spoke about a time in late 2022 when she discussed two family issues with Simon, Don and Gail: finances for their children, and the struggles of their son. Patterson asked Don and Gail to mediate between her and Simon because they had done so before, she said. The court was shown a series of messages about these issues, including Don apologising for possibly misrepresenting Simon, and Patterson saying she appreciates it was uncomfortable. Simon seems to be under the misapprehension that a child support assessment covers every expense for the children under the sun, Patterson wrote in December 2022. Patterson was also asked about a heated exchange she and Simon had after she felt she had not been invited to a pub lunch for Gails 70th. At the same time she was discussing these issues with Simon and his parents, Patterson was posting to her friends on a group chat. She said she sent the messages because I was really hurt and really frustrated and felt a little bit desperate in the Facebook chat, which became a safe venting space for all of us. Of a message previously read to the court in which she said this family, I swear to fucking god, Patterson told the court: I wish Id never said it. I feel ashamed for saying it, and I wish that the family didnt have to hear that I said that. They didnt deserve it. Members of the Patterson and Wilkinson families, including Ian Wilkinson, were in court on Tuesday. Asked about a separate message in which she wrote she was sick of this shit, wanted nothing to do with the Pattersons, and wrote fuck em, Patterson said she shared her frustrations because I knew that the women would probably support me being annoyed about those things, and so I said that to them, knowing that they would latch on, and then it [becomes] a big cheer squad for your problem, if that makes sense. In the early afternoon, Mandy said: Im going to ask you some questions now about mushrooms. Patterson said she started to become interested in wild mushrooms in early 2020, when she noticed them while walking during Covid lockdowns around Korumburra. Had you always liked eating mushrooms? Mandy asked. Yeah I had, she responded. They taste good, and theyre very healthy. She particularly enjoyed exotic mushrooms because of their interesting flavour, she said. Patterson also said she dehydrated mushrooms she foraged, and kept them in a container in her pantry, along with another container of dried mushrooms bought from an Asian grocer in Melbourne. When asked where the mushrooms in the beef wellington came from, Patterson said: The vast majority came from the local Woolworths in Leongatha. There were some from the grocer in Melbourne. Mandy earlier asked Patterson: Do you accept there must have been death cap mushrooms in there? Yes, I do, she replied. Patterson talked about picking wild mushrooms, saying at one point she found mushrooms growing on the three-acre property where she was living at the time, and decided to test if it was safe to eat. I fried it up with some butter, ate it, saw what happened [it] tasted good, she said. Patterson said she then started using these mushrooms in other dishes, including some fed to her children. She later found other mushrooms growing in a paddock to the rear of the property where the lunch was hosted. Wild mushrooms were picked around the area during foraging between 2020 and 2023, she said, including from areas under oak trees. Patterson also spoke about receiving inheritances from her grandmother and mother, which allowed her to lend about $1.2m to Simons siblings and their partners, and for her to buy several properties and travel extensively overseas. The court heard Patterson had opened a secondhand bookshop in the Western Australian town of Pemberton before she moved back to Victoria with Simon and their son while she was pregnant with the couples daughter. The reason for the move, she said, was to be closer to Don and Gail after the birth, and because their son loved spending time with his nanna and papa and cousins. Another series of separations between her and Simon continued, until a formal separation in late 2015. Patterson said that despite this she included his name on the title of the Leongatha property that she moved into in 2022 because she wanted to show him something tangible about her desire for the family to reunite. That was what I wanted. I did that because I wanted some way to demonstrate with Simon thats what I really believed and wanted, she said. Patterson appeared to become emotional when she was asked how her relationship with Don and Gail changed after this formal separation. It never changed, she said. I was just their daughter-in-law, and they just continued to love me. Patterson also told the court about a history of health issues she and her children had, which eroded her faith in the medical system. Related: Erin Patterson details religious conversion and never-ending battle with low self-esteem in emotional testimony to murder trial She never had ovarian cancer, or a needle biopsy, she said. The court has previously heard about text messages she exchanged with Gail about the biopsy, and it is the prosecution case that Patterson used a cancer diagnosis as a false pretence for the lunch. Patterson said both sides of her family had a history of ovarian cancer, and she feared she also had it. Id been having, for a few months by then, a multitude of symptoms, Patterson said. I felt very fatigued. I had ongoing abdominal pain. I had chronic headaches. I put on a lot of weight in quite a short period of time, and like my feet and my hands seemed to retain a lot of fluid. She said what sent me over the edge to go to a GP was that her wedding rings wouldnt fit any more, and that when she went to pick them up from the jeweller after having them resized, they again didnt fit. At this time, and at another occasion when she feared she had a brain tumour, she consulted Dr Google. She came to realise, she said, that doing this wasted her time, and the time of medical professionals, but she had come to distrust the medical system because of how it had handled issues with her children. Patterson was also asked about her history of problems with food, which she said started when she was a child and her mother forced her to be weighed every week to ensure she did not put on weight. She said she started binge eating in her 20s, sometimes every day. She ate everything she could get her hands on and then vomited it up, she said. Pattersons evidence continues. The Dutch government has collapsed after the far-right leader Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling coalition in a row over immigration and asylum policy. The prime minister, Dick Schoof, on Tuesday handed in his resignation and that of his 11-month-old cabinet to King Willem-Alexander. Remaining ministers will stay on in a caretaker capacity until new elections, most likely in October. We have decided that there is now insufficient support for this government, Schoof told reporters in The Hague after an emergency cabinet meeting, adding that he considered Wilderss decision irresponsible and unnecessary. Wilders, whose populist, anti-Islam Freedom party (PVV) finished as the largest in parliament in the last election, said he would fight the coming elections to make the PVV even stronger and with the aim of becoming prime minister next time. The far-right leader had said earlier on Tuesday that all his partys ministers would quit the government after the other three partners in the four-party coalition had rejected his radical proposals on immigration. I signed up for the toughest asylum policy, not the downfall of the Netherlands, he said. He had warned last week that if his plans were not adopted, the PVV the largest party in parliament, with 37 seats would be out of the cabinet. Wilders announcement followed a brief meeting of the already fractious and fragile coalition the first to include the PVV which consistently struggled to reach a consensus after being sworn in last July. The coalition between the PVV, the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), centrist New Social Contract (NSC) and liberal-conservative VVD took nearly six months to form and was repeatedly undermined by Wilders, who was not a cabinet member. He wanted it to adopt a 10-point plan aimed at radically reducing immigration and asylum, including enlisting the army to secure and patrol the borders, turning all asylum seekers back at the border and closing refugee accommodation facilities. Wilders also proposed sending all Syrian refugees home, suspending EU asylum quotas and banning family members joining refugees already in the country. Legal experts have said several of the proposals breached European human rights laws or the UN refugee convention, to which the Netherlands is a signatory. Remaining coalition partners reacted with anger and disbelief to Wilderss decision. Dilan Yesilgoz, the VVD leader, said Schoof had appealed to the four party leaders to act responsibly before Tuesdays meeting. He said we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way, Yesilgoz said, adding that she was shocked by Wilderss decision, which she called super-irresponsible. Yesilgoz added of the far-right leader: We had a rightwing majority and he lets it all go, for his ego. Hes just doing what he wants This is making us look like fools. Hes running away, at a time of unprecedented uncertainty. Caroline van der Plas of the BBB said she was extremely angry, adding: He is not putting the Netherlands first, he is putting Geert Wilders first. Nicolien van Vroonhoven of the NSC said the move was incredible and incomprehensible. The remaining coalition members could in theory have tried to stay on as a minority administration, but most favoured snap elections. The country needs clarity and a strong government, Yesilgoz said. Elections must be held soon. Frans Timmermans, the leader of the main opposition Labour/Green alliance, also said fresh elections were the only serious option. I see no other way to form a stable government, Timmermans, a former European Commission vice-president, said. Recent polls show the PVV has lost significant voter support since its shock election win in November 2023. The party is polling at about 20%, roughly level with the Labour/Green alliance that is currently the second-largest in parliament. It is not the first time that Wilders a polemicist who has spent years in opposition, has a conviction for discrimination and managed to strike a coalition deal only after abandoning his effort to become prime minister has turned his back on power. In 2010 he pledged support to a minority government led by the former prime minister Mark Rutte, but walked away from the confidence and supply arrangement less than two years later after a dispute over government austerity measures. You know that if you work with Wilders in a coalition it wont go well, Rob Jetten, the leader of the opposition liberal D66 party, told the public broadcaster NOS. If it hadnt happened today, it would have happened sometime in the next few weeks. Jetten said the government had been unable to take many decisions because it was prey to too many rows and crises, adding that the other three coalition parties had been taken hostage by Wilders. Only two such condoms are known to have survived to the present day A world-famous Dutch museum has bought a 200-year-old decorated condom, and will display it as part of an exhibition on sex in the 19th century. The historic contraceptive, likely to have been made from a sheeps appendix, will join masterpieces including Rembrandts The Night Watch in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Dating back to about 1830, it is particularly notable because it has an erotic etching printed on it. The Rijksmuseum said it believed the condom was more of a luxury brothel souvenir than an actual used condom. The 200-year-old condom will join masterpieces including Rembrandts The Night Watch in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam - DINGENA MOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The etching shows a nun spreading her legs and pointing at three clergymen holding up their robes and sporting prominent erections. Underneath is written voila, mon choix in French, which means: This is my choice. Experts believe the image is a parody of both celibacy and the Judgement of Paris from Greek mythology, and that the contraceptive was probably made in France. Only two such objects are known to have survived to the present day. It is now the centrepiece of Safe Sex?, an exhibition on 19th-century prostitution and sexuality in the museums Print Room, which runs until the end of November. The explicit image shows a nun and three clergymen with erections You just have to have an eye for it The condom went to auction in Haarlem in November and was bought by the museum for 1,000 (842). Joyce Zelen, the print art curator, told Het Parool newspaper: Condoms with prints on them have sold for much more money in the past twenty years. I think this one didnt stand out among six thousand other lots. You just have to have an eye for it. For us, it is an example of a special object on which printmaking has been applied: an etching has been printed on it, a copper plate on a piece of appendix. We cannot see with the naked eye whether it came from a sheep, goat, horse or cow, so we would like to do DNA research on that. In a statement, the museum said: Acquiring the condom has enabled us to focus on 19th-century sexuality and prostitution, a subject that is under-represented in our collection. It embodies both the lighter and darker sides of sexual health, in an era when the quest for sensual pleasure was fraught with fears of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases especially syphilis. At the time, condoms were used more for protection against disease than contraception, which was a taboo frowned on by the church. There is evidence that ancient Egyptians used contraceptive sleeves 6,000 years ago. Linen sheaths were used from the late 15th century. Later, fish bladders, animal membranes and leather were used. Rubber condoms appeared after 1839 when vulcanised rubber was discovered. The condom is thought to date from around 1830 and features an erotic etching alluding to the Greek myth of the Judgment of Paris. Photograph: Kelly Schenk/Rijksmuseum A 200-year-old illustrated condom will go on display with Dutch golden age masters in Amsterdam this week, after the 19th-century luxury souvenir became the first-ever contraceptive sheath to be added to the Rijksmuseums art collection. The condom, which was probably made of a sheeps appendix circa 1830, is thought to have come from an upmarket brothel in France, most likely in Paris. It features an erotic etching depicting a partially undressed nun pointing at the erect genitals of three clergymen, as well as the phrase Voila, mon choix (There, thats my choice). The Rijksmuseum curator Joyce Zelen said the composition of the etching deliberately alluded to the Greek myth of the Judgment of Paris, in which a Trojan prince is asked to pick the most beautiful of three goddesses. So we believe that whoever acquired the condom would have been fairly sophisticated and well-educated, she said. Bought for 1,000 (840) at an auction in Haarlem last November, the contraceptive has gone on display in a glass case this week as the centrepiece of a small exhibition at the Rijksmuseum called Safe Sex?, featuring Dutch and French prints and drawings on the themes of sex work and sexual health. Before the invention of vulcanised rubber in 1839 made them safer and more widely available, condoms were made from linen, animal membranes or even turtle shells. They did little to provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis or to prevent pregnancy. In the 1830s, when this condom was made, the use of condoms was still frowned upon, especially by the church, said Zelen. They were mostly sold under the counter at brothels or barber shops, though there are some reports of luxury shops offering bespoke tailoring. Like all effective advertising, the promotional souvenir displayed in Amsterdam managed to flatter its consumer, measuring 20cm in length. We looked at it with UV light and suspect it was never actually used, Zelen clarified. Its also unclear whether the nun in the etching is pointing at the bald man, the thin man, or the one who looks slightly overweight, Zelden said. That way, any type of man could feel spoken to. One in 10 children hurt while riding e-scooters suffered life-threatening injuries. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images Every three days, a child injured on an e-scooter would come through the emergency department doors at the Sunshine Coast University hospital, according to Dr Matthew Clanfield. Between 2023 and 2024, 176 children were treated at the Queensland hospital. Some got off lucky with a scuffed knee. Others suffered life-threatening brain injuries requiring neurosurgery and psychological care. Clanfields analysis of these injuries in under-16s treated at the hospital have been published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. It is the first data in Australia to capture paediatric e-scooter injuries, and its only the tip of the iceberg, Clanfield said. Analysing paediatric ED triage notes, the ages of those injured ranged between five and 15 years old. One in 10 had life-threatening or potentially life-threatening injuries, and more than a third suffered at least one bone fracture. Based on self-reported data from the patients, at the time of the accidents, 42% of children were not wearing a helmet; 36% were exceeding the legal speed limit of 25km/hour for e-scooters on Queensland roads; and in 13% of cases two people were riding one scooter. We had one child who got up to 70km/h on an e-scooter and T-boned a car, Clanfield said. In May, the Crisafulli LNP government announced a parliamentary inquiry into e-bike and e-scooter safety, but Clanfields study has called for immediate governmental action raising the age limit to protect children and match other states. In Queensland, children aged 12 to 15 are allowed to ride e-scooters if they are supervised by an adult riding alongside them on another device. Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory are the only jurisdictions that allow 12-year-olds to legally ride e-scooters. Related: NSW to legalise e-scooters on paths and roads up to 20km/h for those over 16 In New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania, e-scooter users must be aged at least 16. The age limit is 18 in the Northern Territory and South Australia, according to Assoc Prof Terry Slevin, the CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia. E-scooter accidents are a growing problem, Slevin said. But a lack of national data to identify the size of the problem and no nationally consistent rules or enforcement of those laws make it a difficult problem to solve, he said. A University of Melbourne researcher, Assoc Prof Milad Haghani, searched local news stories published between January 2020 and April 2025 to gather data on e-scooter-related deaths. He identified 30 fatalities. Of those, 11 were aged under 18. Slevin said a serious problem was that children did not have a sophisticated understanding of the road rules or road safety. However, he said e-scooters were also a general community safety issue because other road, footpath and cycle path users could be struck by e-scooters. Dr Sarah Whitelaw, the Australian Medical Associations federal emergency medicine representative, said the study reflected what was happening in other states and territories. Whitelaw said it was heartbreaking when injured patients and their families said they had no idea that they could get so badly injured on an e-scooter. Emergency care and trauma specialists right around Australia are increasingly concerned about the number of injuries that were seeing with regards to children under 18, she said. Children were massively overrepresented in cases of e-scooter injuries and deaths, despite e-scooters being mostly ridden by adults. Part of the problem, Whitelaw said, was that these devices are unfortunately marketed to kids [and] its not clear to parents that, in fact, in many states and territories, its illegal to ride them outside your home on public property unless youre over 16. She said rather than banning e-scooters, governments should improve safety laws. We can readily identify those who are less likely to reoffend. Photograph: Alamy Sir Mark Rowley is completely justified in his fears for public safety (UKs most senior police officer criticises early prison release scheme, 28 May). We confuse the lines between punishment, prison sentencing, deterrence and the desire to prevent reoffending. We can readily identify those who are less likely to reoffend those who are over 25 and no longer testosterone-fuelled, those who do not have a drug habit, have a home and family to go to, and a means of earning an income. We know, too, that if prison works as a deterrence, its greatest impact is in the first few days of being there. Thereafter, life becomes institutionalised. Releasing those from prison who qualify as above, and allowing them to satisfy their sentences with meaningful community employment, may not be the fairest way of reducing the number of people currently in prison, but it is likely to be the safest and most effective way forward for the convicted individual, the taxpayer and society as a whole. Andrew Leslau Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire Police chiefs complain that violent criminals released early will affect public safety. This is misleading. First, only 5.7% of crimes lead to an arrest, and some are acquitted. It follows that at any time, the great majority of perpetrators of violent crime are on the streets. Early releases will make a relatively small difference. Second, a violent criminal will currently be released after half their sentence. Say they are 30 years old. This gives them decades to commit further crimes. Adding one or two years to this will not have much impact on total crime. Third, some of those released early will be convicted of a further crime sooner and return to prison for longer, reducing the impact of early release. A complex issue is being highly oversimplified by the police chiefs. Peter West London As you rightly point out in your editorial (The Guardian view on sentencing reform: a landmark chance for change, 25 May): The review rightly says that relationships between probation staff and offenders should get priority. What is not mentioned are the enormous cost savings in moving from prison to community service sentences (estimated to be as much 40 times less). These huge cost savings would pay for all the additional probation staff, as well for much improved training and professionalisation for supervisors, upon which the long-term success of this scheme crucially depends. Adam Hart Community service supervisor, East Northamptonshire, 1977-80 Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Elon Musk listens as Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on 30 May. Photograph: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Elon Musk, the billionaire tech entrepreneur, has opened a new rift with Donald Trump by denouncing the US presidents tax and spending bill as a disgusting abomination. Musks online outburst could embolden fiscally conservative Republican senators some of whom have already spoken out to defy Trump as they continue crucial negotiations on Capitol Hill over the so-called one big, beautiful bill. Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore, Musk wrote on his X social media platform on Tuesday. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. Musk, who had previously voiced criticism of the proposed legislation, quipping that it could be big or beautiful but not both, added on X: It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt. Related: Oval and out: Musk and Trumps farewell marred by disillusionment He continued: Congress is making America bankrupt. A top donor to Trump during last years election campaign, Musk departed the White House last week after steering its so-called department of government efficiency (Doge) with the stated mission of slashing fraud and abuse within federal departments. He has argued that the Republican bill will undermine Doges work and drive the US further into debt. On Tuesday, Musk drew immediate support from Thomas Massie, one of only two Republicans who last month voted against the bill in the House of Representatives. Hes right, Massie responded on X. But there was a rebuke from Mike Johnson, the House speaker, who said he had spoken with Musk by phone on Monday for more than 20 minutes, making the case that the bill achieved campaign promises while making permanent huge tax and spending cuts. Johnson told reporters: With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the one big beautiful bill. Its a very important first start. Elon is missing it I just deeply regret hes made this mistake. John Thune, the Republican majority leader in the Senate, was more diplomatic, saying: So we have a difference of opinion. Hes entitled to that opinion. Were going to proceed full speed ahead. Having narrowly passed the House, the bill is now under consideration in the Senate, which is aiming to pass a revised version by 4 July. Some Republican fiscal conservatives, such as senators Ron Johnson and Rand Paul, share Musks concerns about the need for significant spending cuts. Johnson told CNN: We have enough [holdouts] to stop the process until the president gets serious about spending reduction and reducing the deficit. Trump has previously dismissed Republican dissenters as grandstanders and urged them to get onboard. His influence proved decisive in quelling a potential rebellion in the House. On Monday he wrote on his Truth Social platform: So many false statements are being made about THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL. The White House acknowledged Musks stance but said it had not changed its position on the bill. The press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told reporters: Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesnt change the presidents opinion: this is one big, beautiful bill and he is sticking to it. The bill extends Trumps 2017 tax cuts and includes new spending for border security and the military. Republicans aimed to offset these costs with cuts to programmes such as Medicaid, food stamps and green-energy tax credits. Projections from the Congressional Budget Office and independent analysts indicate that the bill would add between $2.3tn and $5tn to the deficit over the next 10 years. White House officials contend that the economic growth generated by tax cuts will offset the increased spending. Russ Vought, director of the office of management and budget, told CNN: This bill doesnt increase the deficit or hurt the debt. In fact, it lowers it by $1.4tn. But Democrats have warned that the budget would raise the cost of healthcare for millions of people, and cause millions to lose coverage, in order to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. A new analysis by Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania found that it could lead to more than 51,000 preventable deaths. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said in a floor speech on Tuesday: Donald Trump and his so-called big, beautiful bill is ugly to its very core. Behind the smoke and mirrors lies a cruel and draconian truth: tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy paid for by gutting healthcare for millions of Americans. Later, responding to Musks intervention, Schumer commented on X: I didnt think it was imaginable but I AGREE WITH ELON MUSK. Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, added in a post: Musk is right: this bill IS a disgusting abomination. We shouldnt give $664 billion in tax breaks to the 1%. We shouldnt throw 13.7 million people off of Medicaid. We shouldnt cut $290 billion from programs to feed the hungry. Lets defeat this disgusting abomination. A 16-year-old's entire family is set to be deported from the United States after the minor killed a Colorado woman in a fatal car crash. The suspect was found to have been driving illegally and was considered an illegal immigrant at the time of the incident. The teenager is now in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Fatal Car Crash At the time of the deadly car crash, the teenager was still 15 years old and he pleaded guilty to a felony in the death of the victim, 24-year-old Kaitlyn Weaver. Investigators who worked on the case said that the driver was going 90 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone. The victim's parents talked about the loss of their daughter following the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office offering the teen suspect a plea deal that had no jail time. The father, John Weaver, said they were all shocked about the love and support that the teenager was getting across the United States, according to CBS News. The prosecutor in the case charged the defendant with vehicular homicide, which has a maximum sentence of two years in youth corrections. However, they offered the suspect two years' probation and 100 hours of community service if he pleaded guilty in the case. The victim's father added that they felt like the state's criminal justice system let his daughter down, noting that the development will not help in preventing similar incidents from happening in the future. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said that the Trump administration is working to deport the teenager's family following the fatal car crash. The 16-year-old was said to be an undocumented immigrant from Colombia, Newsweek reported. Deportation of Teenager's Entire Family President Donald Trump has made sweeping policy changes since returning to office as he heavily campaigned on mass deportations of illegal immigrants in the country. His government previously set a goal of "a minimum of 3,000 arrests for ICE every day." The mother of the teenager owns a Jeep and she admitted to trying to move her son back to Colombia after the fatal car crash. However, she noted that the 16-year-old wanted to stay in the United States and file for asylum. There is currently an ongoing asylum claim for the teenager in the court system but ICE officials can still detain illegal immigrants before the papers are finalized. Authorities criticized Arapahoe County leadership for the so-called lenient punishment of the teenager, as per the New York Post. Spain has been clamping down on Airbnb properties amid concerns about overtourism. (Getty) (querbeet via Getty Images) Spain is the most popular international destination for British holidaymakers, with 18 million of us visiting the sunny nation in 2024. However, those who have Airbnb bookings for the coming months may be startled to learn that Spains authorities have called for the removal of 66,000 short-term holiday listings on the grounds that they are in breach of tourist accommodation regulations. So, what does this mean for already booked Airbnbs in Spain? Well get to that, but its useful to know why its happening Why are Airbnbs being targeted? Numerous anti-tourism protests have taken place in Spain since 2024, following a growing housing affordability crisis. Locals in places including Madrid and Barcelona have shone a spotlight on short-term holiday rentals - typically those in residential areas - claiming that the short-term rental market is pushing up housing prices. "No more excuses. Enough with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing in our country, Spain's consumer minister Pablo Bustinduy said to journalists following the Spanish courts decision on delisting short-term rentals. What did the recent ruling say? Spains Consumer Rights Ministry opened an investigation into Airbnb last year, and Spanish courts have since deemed many listings to be illegal, claiming thousands of them do not openly show a tourism licence or registration number (at least one that is recognised by the authorities), or they do not show the legal status of the landlords. The High Court of Justice in Madrid has ordered the immediate removal of 5,800 listings, and is promising two further phases totalling up to 66,000 listings. The listings include whole properties only individual room listings do not feature in the ban. Airbnb claims that even this initial figure has been lowered to 4,984, after they flagged a number of instances where listings were in compliance with the applicable regulations. Will my Airbnb holiday be affected this summer? There will be no impact whatsoever on reservations for the summer in Spain, at least from Airbnbs side. Meaning no cancelled plans and no compensation needed as a result of the recent ruling. The online platform confirmed to Yahoo News that it would be appealing the decision and that it has no plans to take any listings down immediately. "No evidence of rule-breaking by hosts has been put forward, it said in a statement. The decision goes against EU and Spanish law and a previous ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court. Airbnb policies have become more strict in certain places, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Edinburgh and New York. (Getty) (GoodLifeStudio via Getty Images) Airbnb could also argue that it is a platform subject to the Digital Services Act, with no monitoring obligations. However, if it is asked to remove content by the Spanish Supreme Court, it would be required to do so. It will likely argue that its not classified as a real estate provider, so displaying a registration number will lie with the final tourism service provider. Will other booking sites be affected? The Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) counted more than 350,000 short-term rentals in Spain in 2024, which includes listings on sites Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com. Only Airbnb has been targeted in the recent ruling. Airbnb doesnt only offer short-term rentals but also hotels, hostels, rural houses, bed and breakfasts and tourist apartments. Will reducing short-term lets help the housing crisis? Theres a growing resentment towards short-term lets worldwide, with many claiming that short-term rentals are affecting house prices. Airbnb policies have become more strict in certain places, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Edinburgh and New York, but Airbnb claims that since the new anti short-term rental regulations in these cities have been in effect there have been no major changes to accommodation availability. The solution is to build more homes anything else is a distraction, Airbnb said in a statement to Yahoo News. Governments across the world are seeing that regulating Airbnb does not alleviate housing concerns or return homes to the market it only hurts local families who rely on hosting to afford their homes and rising costs. According to Spains National Statistics Institute (INE) census in 2021, Spain has almost four million vacant homes that make up over 14% of Spain's total housing stock. Millions of euros [are] taken from everyday hosts and small businesses, often to the benefit of large hotel chains, Airbnb claims. Read more: A Jersey Mikes employee was instrumental in helping save a kidnapping victim. Photograph: Kevin Carter/Getty Images A Navarre, Florida, sandwich shop employee reportedly helped authorities save a domestic violence victim who had allegedly been kidnapped by her abusive, pro-wrestler boyfriend after the worker recently found a note in a store bathroom that read HELP! At the center of the incident is Eleanor Coffee, who was at her job making sandwiches for a shop belonging to the Jersey Mikes chain when she noticed a little piece of crumpled up paper that had been discarded next to one of the businesss toilet paper dispensers, as she put it to the local news station WEAR-TV. Coffee at first thought it was a piece of trash but then realized the paper contained a plea for help, a womans name, a phone number and an address for a nearby home. Please help me get home! the note said in part, according to an arrest report reviewed by Law & Crime. The notes writer ominously also asked for someone to get her before Friday, adding: HELP! Coffee alerted her manager to the note and called the Santa Rosa county sheriffs office, whose jurisdiction includes Navarre, she told WEAR. After reviewing security video at the Jersey Mikes shop, deputies established the note had been left by a woman who entered the store with her boyfriend, identified as 34-year-old Jordan Williams, a statement from the sheriffs office said. The sheriffs office said it was familiar with Williams from prior domestic violence cases. Deputies then obtained a warrant to search the address mentioned in the note at Jersey Mikes before encountering a woman at that home who confirmed she authored the note and detailed a prolonged period of abuse. She detailed repeated assaults, threats involving weapons, and being held in isolation by Williams for a span of several months, the sheriffs office said. The agency added that the woman had visible injuries, and paramedics brought her to a hospital to be treated for suspected broken bones and other trauma. Deputies ultimately booked Williams who reportedly wrestled professionally under the ring name Jayden Steele in the local independent circuit with various felonies, including kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery by strangulation. A judge ordered Williams held without bond after an initial court appearance on Thursday. In a statement, Santa Rosa sheriff, Robert Johnson, praised the note writer for the bravery she displayed in making herself heard. Thanks to her courage and the deputies swift actions, she is now safe and receiving care, Johnsons statement said. Coffee, meanwhile, said she would never forget finding the note that led deputies to arrest Williams and find the woman whom he had allegedly kidnapped. My heart goes out to her and her family, Coffee said. And Im just hopeful that really doesnt happen again. Johnnie Moore speaks in Washington DC in 2019. Photograph: Shannon Finney/Getty Images An evangelical leader and adviser to Donald Trump on interfaith issues has been appointed the new head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as the controversial US- and Israeli-backed initiative attempts to recover from top-level resignations during a tumultuous rollout last week. Johnnie Moore, a member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and founder of the boutique advisory firm Kairos Company, was appointed the new head of the GHF after Jake Wood, a former marine, resigned, saying that he could not guarantee the GHFs independence from Israeli interests. Moore has been a vocal defender of the GHF who has bristled at public criticism of the rollout, telling the UN chief, Antonio Guterres, on X that reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza was a lie spread by terrorists. Related: US distances itself from Gaza food delivery group amid questions over leadership and funding Major partners continue to abandon the GHF, which was launched with vocal support from US government officials. Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US consulting firm, said it had cancelled its contract with the GHF on Tuesday amid growing media scrutiny into the groups work and sources of funding. In a post on its social media, the GHF announced that its distribution points would be closed on Wednesday for update, organization and efficiency improvement work. The group did not give more information on the improvements it intended to make. Operations would resume on Thursday, the group claimed. In a statement, Moore lauded the GHFs reported delivery of more than 7m meals in the last week, numbers that havent been independently verified, and also took aim at media reports about murky finances and chaotic rollouts of the aid distribution centres in Gaza. Local health officials said that at least one person was killed and more than 50 people injured on 27 May when Israeli troops opened fire on the second day of operations at a GHF distribution centre. GHF believes that serving the people of Gaza with dignity and compassion must be the top priority, Moore said in a statement. We welcome others to join us and urge extreme caution against sharing unverified information from sources that have repeatedly issue demonstrably false reports. False reporting of violence at our sites has a chilling effect on the local population and we can think of no greater disservice to a community in dire need, he said. A biography on the Kairos website calls Moore a noted evangelical friend of the State of Israel and says that he has played an important role in US outreach to Middle Eastern governments, including in the conclusion of the Abraham accords to normalise relations between Israel and Arab states. John Acree, the acting director of the GHF, said that Moore has a proven record of principled leadership and hands-on humanitarian work. But Moores paucity of experience working with major charitable organisations will make it difficult for him to refute criticisms about the GHFs lack of independence and experience dealing with a major humanitarian crisis. BCG, which was reported to be handling key logistics planning, abandoned the project late last week and a representative told CNN that unapproved follow-on work relating to Gaza lacked buy-in from multilateral stakeholders and was stopped on May 30. BCG has not and will not be paid for any of this work, the organisation said. BCG also told reporters that they had placed the employee responsible for overseeing the project on administrative leave pending an internal review. The Washington Post, which first reported on BCG cutting ties with the GHF, said that the consulting group was instrumental in planning GHFs operations. Three people closely connected to both the GHF and BCG told the Washington Post that it would be difficult for the foundation to continue to function without the consultants who helped create it. In addition to helping develop the initiative in close coordination with Israel, BCG set the prices for paying and equipping the array of contractors who built four distribution hubs in southern Gaza to deliver the aid, the newspaper reported. Close to a first world war soldiers death Hamad Butt: Apprehensions, Whitechapel Gallery, London. Photograph: Damian Griffiths Flies crawl about in a triptych of glass-fronted cabinets, while in another installation you gradually realise the fragile bottles youre looking at are full of poisonous gas, lethal to humans. Does this remind you of anyone? Hamad Butt is the Damien Hirst who got away, the Young British Artist of the 1990s who didnt win the Turner prize, make millions or lose his youthful talent and turn into a bloated mediocrity. Now he is a cult figure precisely because he is none of those things and can instead be presented as if he was a complete unknown, whose art expresses his queer Pakistani identity rather than being part of a fin-de-siecle art movement of sensation and creepy science. I couldnt find any reference, even in the moving array of Butts working documents on show, to the fact he studied at Goldsmiths alongside Hirst, Collishaw, Wearing and more. If we need to detach this brilliant artist from that generation to celebrate him, its better than forgetting his work. But as soon as you walk into this convincing retrospective youre back in 1992. Occupying the whole of the Whitechapels main ground floor gallery is Butts three-part installation Familiars. Like a giant executive toy, spherical glass vessels are suspended from the ceiling by thin threads in a long row. Pull the first one back, as it is weirdly tempting to do, and youd set them going by action and reaction. Except it would surely shatter these vessels and kill you, or at least make you very ill. The coloured gas inside each sphere is mustard-coloured, as in mustard gas. This is gaseous chlorine, first used as a chemical weapon by Germany in 1915 and in these static, sealed bottles it looks lovely, golden, glowing in the gallery lights. Its disturbing but, lets be honest, darkly thrilling to be only a thin glass wall away from a first world war soldiers death here in an art gallery. To put it another way its sublime. One of the sculptures in this installation is actually entitled Substance Sublimation Unit, a play on chemistry and aesthetics. The other two elements of this epic sculpture look equally hazardous: a ladder with rungs that light up with blazing gas like a stairway to hell, and three curving, blood-red glowing spikes. To feel such beauty and violence in a gallery may strike you as shockingly new or oddly nostalgic. In the archives room theres a 1995 Jak cartoon from the Evening Standard, depicting a dodgy geezer selling gas masks outside the Tate a reference to a leak from this installation when it was in a show called Rites of Passage, alongside Louise Bourgeois. Hamad Butt was not alive to laugh at Jaks cartoon. He died in September 1994, at the age of 32, from Aids-related complications. In a video interview, lying on a sofa at his family home in Ilford, hes still talking vividly about his future projects, months before his death. What a compelling presence he is, how deeply intelligent and imaginative. His gripping art makes you aware of how quickly and suddenly you can stray from civilised normality to mortal danger. His installation Transmission glows with gorgeous, if clinical, blue light but look for too long, or without the protective glasses you are offered, at its ultra-violet bulbs and you risk damaging your eyesight. The bulbs rest on a circle of opened books made of glass, on which the monstrous people-eating, world-conquering flora from John Wyndhams novel The Day of the Triffids are engraved. In another classic trope of Young British Art, that of appropriation, his design of a Triffid, with its fat vegetable body, long sucker and libidinous tongue, is borrowed wholesale from the cover of the original Penguin paperback of The Day of the Triffids. The labels prompt you to see Hamad Butts art in relation to his tragic early death, so Transmission is about the Aids epidemic, and his Triffids which also feature in a hilarious animated video are images of the HIV crisis. However, in the video interview, he says transmission refers in the first place to the transmission of light. He clearly did not want his art to be understood only one way. Today figurative painting is back in fashion, so this exhibition includes Butts early canvases before he turned conceptual. On the sofa on screen he explains he had to stop because he was too in thrall to Picasso and Matisse. You can see Picassos shadow over his paintings of sensual Minotaur-like men. This exhibition risks removing him from his wider context, but it cant go very wrong with such art. Its right to include his paintings, drawings and archives because we possess so little of such magnificent promise. Hamad Butt died so long before his time, yet his work is a living thrill. He is the Young British Artist who is for ever young, for ever lethal. Hamad Butt: Apprehensions is at Whitechapel Art Gallery, London, from 4 June to 7 September John Healey announces the Strategic Defence Review in the Commons on Monday - UK Parliament/PA Wire The Defence Secretary has refused to rule out tax rises to pay for the Governments increase in defence spending. John Healey said ministers would set out how we will pay for future increases in the future when asked how he would fund the plans set out in the Strategic Defence Review. His comments came after Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said Sir Keir Starmer would need really quite chunky tax increases to pay for the uplift. The Prime Minister unveiled the Strategic Defence Review, which sets out the Governments spending plans for the military for the next decade and beyond, on Monday. Sir Keir recommitted to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 and reiterated his ambition to reach three per cent by 2034. The push to 2.5 per cent has been funded by cutting the foreign aid budget, but it is unclear how the Government will fund the move to three per cent. Asked whether he believed tax rises would be an acceptable way of paying for the increase, Mr Healey told Times Radio: Well set out how, just as weve done with our 2.5 per cent commitment where we have made that tough decision to switch money out of overseas development aid into defence, because thats the priority to meet the threats that we face as a country, thats the priority for building up our Armed Forces. We will set out how we will pay for future increases in the future. The key to this, of course, is a growing economy and defence can be part of growing the economy for the future, an investment in British jobs, British skills, new technology and new British businesses. Uncertainty over how the Government will pay for the proposed increase in defence spending has reignited speculation about potential future tax rises. Mr Johnson said increases were likely to be the only choice that is available to the Prime Minister, telling Times Radio: It looks like the Government wants to reinstate the winter fuel payment. Its thinking about the two-child limit for benefits. Weve got a spending review next week. And if were really going to spend another 10-15 billion a year on defence, whilst inevitably were 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 youre going to make? And I mean, bluntly, 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. But of course thats not something the Prime Minister or the Chancellor is willing actually to say. The Strategic Defence Review called for a 63 billion spending spree that includes upgraded nuclear warheads, stealth fighters and a fleet of submarines. It also said the Army must increase troop numbers to 100,000 to combat the growing threat from countries such as Russia. Mr Healey said the Government was committed to spending what we need to deliver this review, but failed to guarantee that the three per cent target would be hit. He added: This review sets out the vision for the next 10 years and beyond. We can deliver it, we will deliver it. Just look at our record. The USNS Harvey Milk departs a shipyard after a ceremonial address in San Diego, California, on 6 November 2021. Photograph: Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has ordered the US navy to strip the name of prominent gay rights activist and navy veteran Harvey Milk from a ship during the middle of June a month meant to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community according to multiple outlets. The order to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replenishment oiler, was in a memorandum from the office of the secretary of the navy, which was reported on and viewed by Military.com and CBS. Those reports note that the navy secretary, John Phelan, was instructed to strip the ship of its name by Hegseth. The timing of the announcement, which comes during Pride month, was reportedly intentional. The renaming is being done to ensure alignment with president and SECDEF objectives and SECNAV priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture, referring to Donald Trump, Hegseth and Phelan, according to the memorandum. The decision to rename the ship will be publicized on 13 June, according to Military.com The Guardian has contacted the defense department for comment. The vessel was initially named after Milk in 2016 during the Barack Obama administration. Milk was a prominent gay rights activist who served in the US navy during the Korean war. He later went on to run for office in California where he won a seat on the San Francisco board of supervisors. As one of the USs first openly gay politicians, Milk became a forefront figure of the gay rights movement across the country before his assassination in 1978 by a former city supervisor. In addition to renaming the USNS Harvey Milk, the defense department plans to rename other vessels that have been given names of various icons throughout American history. Documents reviewed by CBS showed that vessels on the US navys recommended list include USNS Thurgood Marshall, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, USNS Harriet Tubman, USNS Dolores Huerta, USNS Lucy Stone, USNS Cesar Chavez and USNS Medgar Evers. In response to reports of the defense department renaming its vessels, the California representative and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi said: In San Francisco, we take great pride that our Harveys name adorns a mighty ship among a new class of navy vessels named for the conscience of the Congress, John Lewis which honor titans in the fight for freedom. The names of those who fought for civil rights and human rights bring luster to these ships as their leadership brought luster to America. She went on to say: The reported decision by the Trump administration to change the names of the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships in the John Lewis-class is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American dream. Our military is the most powerful in the world but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the warrior ethos. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country. Ministers have been accused of two-tier justice by allowing the early release of killers and rapists while mother Lucy Connolly remains imprisoned for her tweet about last years Southport attacks. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, raised the case of Ms Connolly in the Commons following the rejection of her appeal against her 31 month sentence for inciting racial hatred. He contrasted Government plans to free killers and rapists half way through their sentences rather than two thirds if they behaved, with the fact that Ms Connolly remained behind bars. Mr Jenrick said: In September, the Justice Secretary [Shabana Mahmood] designed an early release scheme for prisoners. She let out Lawson Natty, who supplied the machete used to kill a 14-year-old, and Adam Andrews, who shook a baby so violently that he was left blind and paralysed. She is now halving prison sentences for killers and rapists, while Lucy Connolly remains behind bars for a reprehensible but swiftly deleted tweet. This is two-tier justice, made to measure for Two-Tier Keirs Britain. Lucy Connolly, pictured with husband Raymond, is a victim of Two-Tier Keirs Britain, says Robert Jenrick Connolly was arrested after posting on X hours after the Southport killings. She spoke of mass deportations and setting fire to asylum hotels for all I care. She added: I feel physically sick knowing what these [Southport] families will now have to endure. If that makes me racist so be it. She took the post down within four hours after thinking better of what she had written in the heat of the moment not before it had been viewed 310,000 times. She was interviewed by police on August 6 and charged three days later. She has been in jail since, after pleading guilty and being sentenced in October. In the Commons, justice minister Alex Davies-Jones responded: This Government are making choices to keep this country safer, and are cleaning up the mess left after the previous Government led our criminal justice system to rack and ruin. They left this Government to make the difficult decisions, when we came into office, that were necessary to prevent the total collapse of our criminal justice system. It is worth reminding the House again, because the Conservatives seem to have very short memories, that they only built an additional 500 prison places. It comes after Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, was forced to defend Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, on Monday 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. Critics have since claimed Lord Hermer thinks rape is less serious than Twitter comments after fresh concerns were raised about his appalling judgment. Jenrick says Lord Hermer unfit for role Mr Jenrick has further criticised the Attorney General, as he said that Lord Hermer is unfit for the role because he has spent his life defending Britains enemies, Robert Jenrick said. In a fresh attack on the embattled Cabinet minister, the shadow justice secretary linked him to a range of controversial figures, including Gerry Adams, Shamima Begum and Osama bin Ladens right-hand man. Parading the cases on a line of easels in the heart of Londons legal district, he accused the Labour peer of choosing to represent people who hate the UK. Credit: X/@RobertJenrick It comes as pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister to sack Lord Hermer as a string of negative headlines in the past week have raised questions over his judgment. In a slickly edited stunt video filmed in Lincolns Inn, Mr Jenrick attacked Lord Hermer over his career as a human rights lawyer, linking him to 10 controversial cases. The Attorney General has previously defended his record by pointing to the cab rank principle, which requires barristers to accept cases within their area of expertise regardless of the client. But Mr Jenrick claimed this was not always true for Lord Hermer, who would have been inundated with cases, able to choose the pick of the bunch. In the video, posted to X, he highlighted the Attorney Generals past role in the cases of Mr Adams, the former Sinn Fein leader, and Begum, who travelled to Syria as a teenager to join the so-called Islamic State in 2015. He also mentioned five terrorists linked to al-Qaeda, including two of Osama bin Ladens lieutenants and an Eritrean man who claimed to be an unaccompanied child migrant. If someone wants to spend their life defending Britains enemies, thats on them and their conscience, but that someone shouldnt be chosen to be our Attorney General, Mr Jenrick said. Lord Hermer represented Mr Adams in a damages claim in 2023, which was brought by three victims of Provisional IRA bomb attacks. Lord Hermer represented Gerry Adams in a damages claim in 2023 - Getty Images/Charles McQuillan In 2020, he intervened in Begums case on behalf of Liberty, the human rights group, as she sought to return to the UK, describing the deprivation of her citizenship as an extremely draconian power. That same year, he sought compensation from the British Government for Rangzieb Ahmed, an al-Qaeda chief linked to the July 7 terror attacks who was once described as Bin Ladens right-hand man. Eleven years earlier, he had defended an Islamist terrorist who was just days from carrying out a bombing attack on a Manchester shopping centre. Elsewhere, Lord Hermer acted for an Eritrean man who entered the UK on his own and claimed asylum as an unaccompanied 16-year-old. In the caption to his video, Mr Jenrick wrote: Gerry Adams. Shamima Begum. Osama bin Ladens right-hand man. Lord Hermer has spent much of his life defending those who hate Britain. Why on earth did Starmer hand-pick him to be Attorney General? Lord Hermer has faced a barrage of criticism in recent days after comparing calls to leave the European Convention on Human Rights to the rise of Nazism. A spokesman for the Attorney Generals office said: Law officers such as the Attorney General will naturally have an extensive legal background and may have previously been involved in a wide number of past cases. It is a feature and cornerstone of our legal system that legal professionals operate the cab rank rule when it comes to clients, and barristers do not associate themselves with their clients opinions. The Casablanca Finance Citys high-rise buildings stand as a symbol of the citys dream of being the gateway for international investment in Africa. Photograph: Martin Bertrand/Alamy For centuries, Casablanca was a significant trading hub for merchants from across the breadth of the Atlantic coast, given its geographical position between Africa, the Middle East and Europe. These days, Moroccos economic capital is merging those historical roots with a strong modern commercial identity. One such manifestation is the Casablanca Finance City (CFC) district, whose high-rise buildings stand as a symbol of the citys dream of being a main gateway for international investment into Africa. Since the district launched in December 2010, its attractive tax regime has brought in entities from across the globe. There was a slowdown in sign-ups to the hub during the Covid-19 pandemic but it now hosts 240 companies, including Huawei and Schneider Electric, accounting for more than 7,000 jobs. We welcome companies from multiple sectors [and] we also support them in their development into the continent, said Lamia Merzouki, its chief operating officer. Over the past decade, Moroccan investment across Africa has sharply risen: from $100m in 2014 to $2.8bn in 2024. As of March 2025, it was ranked fourth in the Middle East and Africa region and 56th out of 119 overall on the Global Financial Centres Index. Brigitte Labou, the head of customs practice for Francophone Africa at KPMG Avocats, based in Paris, says hubs such as the CFC are important levers for accelerating the industrialisation of Africa. The financial hub that the CFC represents, as well as the related tax advantages, are assets that can attract the relocation of production chains to Morocco and Africa, she added. Representing a key entry point for business into Africa, the CFC is seen by the Moroccan government as a valuable component of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a trade agreement with the promise of a unified African market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4tn. It was approved by the African Union in 2012 and launched seven years later, but implementation has been slow. But in a time of global tariff wars, African economists are hoping agreements such as AfCFTA can help. In May, as hundreds of African business executives in various shades of suits converged in Abidjan in Ivory Coast for the Africa CEO Forum, intracontinental trade during tariff disruption topped the agenda. The South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking during an all-presidential panel in Abidjan, proposed more collaboration on the continent as a solution. We would like the private sector to follow in tandem with the public sector, and to embrace the AfCFTA and also be active participants [AfCFTA] is going to be the pathfinder, he told more than 2,800 delegates. Merzouki agrees. In this context of trade wars, the African free trade area is really a must, she said after the session. We need to accelerate the momentum. Regional integration is a must for us, and this is something that we have been nourishing since the beginning. There is criticism that the CFCs focus on attracting foreign capital has done little to address deep-seated inequalities within Morocco. Recent trade data for 2024 also shows that the EU rather than Africa is still a destination for at least two-thirds of Moroccan exports. In response to this discrepancy, Merzouki said the data should not overshadow the dynamic cooperation between Morocco and the rest of Africa. There is also regular criticism of Moroccos constitutional monarchy system, but supporters say this has projected an image of calm that seems to have benefited Casablanca, compared with other African hubs. Even if there are lots of different trade wars and economic upheavals and so on, Morocco remains a stable platform, said Merzouki. There is political stability, macroeconomic stability. We have a lot of international players that give us this feedback. They want to come to Casablanca because it remains stable. It is now marketing this profile of a haven within chaos to draw in more entities amid one of the biggest global trade disruptions in decades. Since Donald Trump resumed his second term as US president, he has upended trade deals and hiked tariffs, including for all of Africa. Related: The new scramble for Africa: how a UAE sheikh quietly made carbon deals for forests bigger than UK The CFC is also cooperating with two dozen African investment promotion agencies, including those of Nigeria and Ivory Coast, seeking new opportunities to increase infrastructural development. It also hosts the Africa50 fund, a vehicle launched in 2015 by the African Development Bank, with initial capital of $700m from 20 member states, to spur infrastructure development across the continent. The district is also pivoting to accommodate its interest in artificial intelligence having launched an Africa Innovation Lab to support fintechs and sustainable financing. Currently, Africa generates only 2% of its potential in carbon credits, which are permits countries or companies can exchange to fund initiatives that reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Merzouki, a co-chair of the UN Development Programmes Financial Centres for Sustainability Network, thinks the continent can become an energy powerhouse with the right conditions: technology transfer, capacity building, financing. Last September, the CFC signed an agreement with another Moroccan institution to launch a voluntary carbon market for private entities as part of a push to start a carbon-efficient ecosystem. Still, there are limits to African financial hubs such as the CFC: doing business is notoriously difficult in many African countries and red tape and archaic policies continue to stymie the flow of cash and workers across borders. Bright Simons, the vice-president of the Imani Centre for Policy and Education in Accra, Ghana, says the hubs are merely short-term solutions that cloud the big picture. The unique selling point for the hubs is to try and concentrate resources in a manner that tries to circumvent some of those [logistical and infrastructural] barriers, he said. African governments, rather than go the long route of trying to actually fix these problems, are trying to look for shortcuts, and perhaps hubs have become the cleverest but most visible way. Illegal migrants board a plane to be deported in Texas in Feb - SGT. WALKER PINO/Public Domain Immigration officers were eviscerated for not deporting illegal migrants fast enough during a heated meeting with senior Trump administration officials in Washington. Stephen Miller, the White Houses deputy chief of staff and a key architect of Donald Trumps immigration policy, left 50 senior officers feeling their jobs were at risk, according to the Washington Examiner. A string of officials described Mr Millers fury. Miller came in there and eviscerated everyone. 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, said an official who spoke with those in the room during the meeting. Stephen Miller wants everybody arrested. Why arent you at Home Depot? Why arent you at 7-Eleven? There is growing tension that Mr Trumps mass deportations is not proceeding quickly enough. Stephen Miller is a key architect of Donald Trumps immigration policy - Anna Moneymaker/2025 Getty Images He was elected on a promise to enact the biggest deportation operation in history and set a target of removing one million people each year. However, with fewer migrants presenting themselves at the border, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers face the more complicated prospect of identifying illegal immigrants already in the country. Data released so far suggest the administration is on course to deport about half a million people this year, according to analysis by the Migration Policy Institute. That is fewer than the 685,000 deported by Joe Biden during his final year in office. Collapsing morale within ICE Against that background, dozens of top ICE officers were ordered to attend an emergency meeting in Washington DC, on May 20. Axios reported that Mr Miller and Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, ordered them to adopt a target of arresting 3,000 people a day. Insiders said the result was collapsing morale within ICE. Theyve been threatened, told theyre watching their emails and texts and Signals, the first official said. Thats what is horrible about things right now. Its a fearful environment. An administration spokesmen said the reporting mischaracterised the meeting. Stephen Miller did not say many of the things you state, said Laszlo Baksay, ICE deputy assistant director of media affairs. Relatives of those that died in Tuesdays attack gathered at Khan Younis where the bodies had been transferred - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu Israel has admitted firing near civilians in the vicinity of a Gazan aid centre after 27 people were reportedly killed. The shooting on Tuesday morning is the third in as many days fuelling mounting criticism of Israels controversial new aid delivery system. On Sunday, more than 30 people died in a similar incident. Witnesses reported civilians being shot from quad-copter drones near the distribution hub, run by American contractors, in the Rafah area of southern Gaza. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman said suspects had ventured towards troops less than a third of a mile from the hub, prompting them to fire warning shots. He said that after the suspects failed to retreat, the additional shots were fired towards a few individual suspects who advanced towards the troops. He added: The IDF is aware of reports regarding casualties, and the details of the incident are being looked into. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its Rafah field hospital had received 165 wounded people, eight of whom later died from their wounds. The hospital also received 19 people who were declared dead on entry. The Red Cross said the hospital in Rafah accepted 165 wounded people - Doaa Albaz/Anadolu The 27 bodies were transferred to the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, run by the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry, which said they had been killed on Tuesday morning. Volker Turk, the UNs human rights chief, said the deadly attacks on civilians around aid distribution sites constituted a war crime. The UN, which used to deliver aid to community pick-up points until access was blocked in early March, will not collaborate with the new system because it claims it breaches humanitarian principles. Israel has strongly attacked recent UN criticism of the aid scheme, accusing it of failing to condemn Hamas sufficiently. There are now four distribution centres run by the Gaza Heath Foundation (GHF) in the largely devastated south of the Strip. The government claimed the new method of distribution was to stop aid being stolen by the terror group. The humanitarian concerns come after Hamas supporters released a video appearing to show a man being savagely tortured for allegedly stealing food, as the group seeks to retain control of the civilian population. Indiscriminate shooting Yasser Abu Lubda, a 50-year-old displaced Palestinian from Rafah, said the Tuesdays shooting started in the citys Flag Roundabout area, around one kilometre away from the aid distribution hub, at around 4am. He said he saw several people killed or wounded. Neima al-Aaraj, a woman from Khan Younis, gave a similar account. There were many martyrs and wounded, she said, saying the shooting by Israeli forces was indiscriminate. She said she managed to reach the hub but returned empty-handed, adding: There was no aid there. I wont return. Either way we will die. Rasha al-Nahal, another witness, said that there was gunfire from all directions. She said she counted more than a dozen dead and several wounded along the road. She also found no aid when she arrived at the distribution hub and that Israeli forces fired at us as we were returning. Speaking about Sundays shooting, a witness, who did not want to be named, said that quad-copter drones had been used to tell Palestinians via loudspeakers to turn back because they had approached the aid site at the wrong time. Mohammed al-Shaer, a 44-year-old witness, said: A helicopter and quad-copters started firing at the crowd to prevent them from approaching the tank barrier. There were injuries and deaths. I didnt reach the centre, and we didnt get any food. The army said it was not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites and described the reports of deaths on Sunday as fabrications by Hamas. GHF said the operations at its site went ahead safely on Tuesday, but added it was aware the military is investigating whether a number of civilians were injured after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone. A Texas bill that seeks to ban students from using their cellphones in public schools has been sent to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for approval. The bill would let school districts decide how the new policy change will be implemented. The legislation, House Bill 1481, which was introduced by Rep. Caroline Fairly, seeks to restrict students' use of mobile devices in K-12 schools. Texas Bill Seeks To Ban Cellphones in Public Schools On Sunday, the Texas Senate passed the bill unanimously and it also got significant support from House lawmakers, who voted 136-10 in favor of the legislation in April. Under the proposed bill, students are prohibited from using cellphones during school hours. It gives school districts the authority to choose where students can store their devices until the end of the school day. Additionally, the new policy mandates schools to implement disciplinary actions for students who decide to break the rules and use their cellphones anyway. On the other hand, students who need to have their cellphones with them because of medical or safety reasons will be allowed to keep them on their person. If Abbott signs the bill, it will become law on Sept. 1, 2025, according to the Texas Tribune. If approved, the bill would let Texas join several other states that have already implemented similar restrictions for students in schools. These include Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia. Supports of the new policy believe that cellphones provide major distractions to students while in the classroom. They argue that the devices will only hurt learning children's mental health. This stance is supported by research, which indicates that excessive use of cellphones can make it difficult for students to focus and engage in class. Removing Distractions to Students' Learning Under the bill, the list of banned personal communication devices includes cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, paging devices, and any other electronic devices that are capable of providing telecommunication or digital communication services, Fox7Austin reported. The bill comes as last year, students in Houston walked out in protest of a cellphone ban and some parents brought up the Uvalde school shooting as a counterpoint. At the time of the tragic incident, many students were able to call for help using their mobile devices while trapped on the school premises. In supporting the bill, Rep. James Talarico said he has experience in policing cellphones, saying that educators waste time monitoring their students for cellphone usage. But Stephanie Holdren with Texas PTA, raised concerns about the full-day prohibition of the bill, as students will not be able to contact their family members, as per NBCDFW. Keir Starmer pledged that the new Labour government would establish a new independent ethics and integrity commission to ensure probity in government. Photograph: House of Commons/PA No 10 is facing scrutiny over its failure to bring in a new ethics watchdog almost a year after the election, as a new inquiry was launched to examine the seeming lack of progress. Amid signs that the plans have been kicked into the long grass, parliaments public administration committee said it was launching an inquiry to push the government on what has happened to its ethics commitments. It was one of Keir Starmers flagship manifesto pledges that the new Labour government would establish a new independent ethics and integrity commission, with its own independent chair, to ensure probity in government. The party promised to restore confidence in government and ensure ministers are held to the highest standards, and to enforce restrictions on ministers lobbying for companies they used to regulate, with meaningful sanctions for those breaching the rules. However, there was no blueprint for a commission ready to go when Starmer formed the government last year. It has barely been mentioned by ministers since last July. He published a new ministerial code last year, allowing the independent adviser on ministerial standards to start his own investigations into misconduct without requiring permission from the prime minister. But the standards regime is otherwise largely unchanged, with no updates either to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), which is now without a permanent chair after the departure of Eric Pickles. Its interim chair until December is a HR executive from the banking and energy sectors. Government sources said work was continuing on the ethics and integrity commission, but also suggested that voters cared more about tough outcomes in relation to misconduct than about the process of setting up new bodies. Insiders also pointed to the fact that Starmer had pushed out two ministers who failed to uphold high enough standards under the current rules. Tulip Siddiq resigned as a Treasury minister in January after accepting that the government was being harmed by a furore over her close ties to her aunt, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, now accused of corruption. She denies wrongdoing. In November, No 10 told Louise Haigh to resign as transport secretary for a possible breach of the ministerial code, after she did not declare her spent conviction for fraud to the government when she became a cabinet minister. Since April, the government has twice avoided the question about setting up its ethics and integrity commission when asked about it in parliament. Pressed on what progress had been made, one Cabinet Office minister, Abena Oppong-Asare, said: We are restoring confidence in government and the highest standards in public life and have already taken steps to improve probity and transparency, including through issuing a new ministerial code, which highlights the importance of the principles of public life, by strengthening the terms of reference for the independent adviser, and by introducing a new monthly register of gifts and hospitality. Georgia Gould, another Cabinet Office minister, said the government was improving standards in public life and was committed to establishing the right structures to do so, without specifically mentioning the new commission. Simon Hoare, a former minister in Rishi Sunaks Conservative government, said: Significant commitments have been made to overhaul the ethics regime but we are yet to see much evidence of progress from the Cabinet Office. An upstanding government and good ministers should not fear but welcome a strong, rigorous and independent ethics and propriety regime. This inquiry will allow us to push the government on its commitments, ensuring changes are properly stress-tested and scrutinised by parliament. The committee said it would be aiming to understand what progress has been made on the independent ethics commission. It will look at how trust in government and its officials can be restored and ensured in light of concerns around lobbying and ministerial conduct. It will also study how enforcing high standards could positively affect the publics trust in government and the wider political system in the UK. It will look at how effective the existing propriety and ethics structures have proved to be, with critics having long said the landscape is far too fragmented with different bodies responsible for policing different parts of politics, from the parliamentary commissioners on standards, to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, to the Electoral Commission, the adviser on ministerial standards and Acoba. A senior Whitehall figure involved said the government had discovered that policing standards in politics was more complicated than it first thought but that discussions about strengthening and potentially consolidating different watchdogs were still live in the Cabinet Office. They said there was an acknowledgment that some ministers tended to prioritise the politics rather than the changes to the machinery of state that needed cross-party support. However, they said it was important that the publics deteriorating trust in institutions, as well as politicians, was addressed. William Wallace, a Lib Dem peer, who has secured a debate later this month on the lack of progress on the ethics commission, said: The Labour government is being as timid on this as on its other manifesto promises to change the way British politics work. Public trust in our political system is at an all-time low. After the scandals of the Conservative government, it should have been a priority for Labours first year to set up a stronger independent commission to oversee ethical standards in government. The governments language on the issue appears to have shifted as it did not restate its commitment to an ethics and integrity commission on Tuesday. In response to the inquiry, a government spokesperson said: We are restoring confidence in government and the highest standards in public life. This government is committed to establishing the right structures to do so and has already taken steps to improve probity and transparency, including through introducing a new ministerial code, which emphasises the principles of public life, by strengthening the terms of reference for the independent adviser, and by introducing a new monthly register of gifts and hospitality. Laila Soueif, who has lost 42% of her body weight, has not eaten for more than eight months and doctors say she is at risk of sudden death. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images Laila Soueif, lying shrunken on a hospital bed at St Thomas hospital in London on the 247th day of her hunger strike in pursuit of freedom for her son, imprisoned British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, is locked in what may prove to be her last of many trials of strength with Egypts authoritarian regime. A remarkable, witty and courageous woman, she has the self-awareness to admit: I may have made a mistake, God knows, but she will not back down, and anyone looking back at her rich life has little evidence to doubt her perseverance. Speaking from the hospital on Tuesday, Soueif said: My message is: use my death as leverage to get Alaa out. Dont let my death be in vain. Soueif told the BBC: Its something that I passionately dont want to happen. Children want a mother, not a notorious mother whether the notoriety is good or bad but if thats what it takes to get Alaa out of jail and to get all my children and grandchildrens lives back on track, then thats what Im going to do. Fattah was arrested in September 2019, and sentenced in December 2021 to five years in jail for spreading false news and harming Egypts national interest. A UN panel concluded Egypt was illegally detaining him. Soueif described her eventful life to the Guardian. Born in Britain in 1956, where she lived until she was two, she comes from an academic family. Her father, Mostafa Soueif, was the founder of Cairo Universitys psychology department and founder of Egypts Academy of Arts. Her mother, Fatma Moussa, was a professor of English literature at Cairo University, an accomplished translator of Shakespeare and Naguib Mahfouz, the Egyptian Nobel prize-winning novelist. Her sister Ahdaf is a distinguished novelist and essayist. Her parentage gifted her a love of literature. At the age of 11, bed-ridden from typhoid, she was given a copy of War and Peace to keep her quiet and now even in hospital a novel has always been on her bed. She said she was also raised on Jane Austen, so is partial to texts in which every word is considered and nothing is superfluous. She also developed a love of maths, telling her father at the age of eight that she loved solving maths puzzles, and it did not seem like school work. She went on to become an assistant professor of maths at Cairo University. She spent her adolescence on Brazil Street in Zamalek, an affluent district in Cairo where like any other neighbourhood there was a band of rebellious teenagers. I loved riding motorcycles with the boys and had fleeting romances, but I steered clear of drugs. I never hid anything from my parents either. Id even take my romantic calls on the house phone, she recalled. She said her sister Ahdaf was always the polished, captivating mademoiselle five boys would be infatuated with her at the same time. She was the older sister everyone admired. Meanwhile, I was the punk, trying everything out. Our parents never wanted us to be replicas of each other, or of them. Politics was always part of the household and a pivotal moment came in 1967 when Israel defeated Egypt in the six-day war. It was a political awakening. She said: People whod always remained silent spoke out. I remember seeing family friends who had been close to the regime, officers in the army, sitting in our living room, weeping: We betrayed the country! We lost it. She recalled her first student protest in high school in the early 1970s, when demonstrations were erupting across campuses calling for an uprising against the Israeli occupation of Sinai. I remember watching students march from everywhere, even Zamalek, to Tahrir Square. A student friend and I joined, thrilled. She met her husband, Ahmed Seif el-Islam, and the father of Alaa, at Cairo University. She was doing an MA in algebra and he was a member of a secretive group called Al-Matraqa that had split away from the Egyptian Communist party, disillusioned by the partys reformism. Laila had inherited from her parents a cynical attitude towards any party organisation, but she loved Seif for his mind and his sincerity. Related: Must Laila Soueif die from her hunger strike in London before her son Alaa Abd el-Fattah is released? | Helena Kennedy Alaa was born in 1981. In 1983, her husband was arrested and tortured. A year later she was given the chance to undertake a PhD at Poitiers University in France, taking her son with her, but returned to Cairo for a year after her husband was arrested in 1983. He was found guilty of illegal weapons possession, and sentenced to five years in jail. On bail, he went into hiding with his wife and young son for three months only to decide that life as a fugitive was impossible and so gave himself up. In jail he was again tortured. While in prison he received a BA in law and within a month of leaving jail was admitted to the bar. He became one of the most effective human rights lawyers in Egypt. It was in France that Laila formed a deep emotional bond with Alaa, but started to learn the sacrifice involved in political activism. She said: The fact that Seif was in prison when Alaa was very young created a very special relationship between us. I had to explain things that you should never have to explain to a child why his father was in prison, that there are bad police and good police the good ones, who catch thieves and organise traffic, and the bad ones, who arrest people who oppose the government. You dont usually need to know these things when youre four or five. Later her admiration for Alaas ability to look after his two younger sisters comforted her in continuing a teaching career. On returning to Cairo full-time, she helped found the March 9 movement in 2004, an organisation dedicated to academic autonomy and removing the state from universities. Her reputation as someone who would confront the police in protests became legendary. She was often the last to leave. Although she participated in the demonstrations in Tahrir Square in 2011, she like many had not anticipated the scale of the popular movement that would bring about the fall of Egypts then president, Hosni Mubarak. By then she was the matriarch of three human rights activists. Sanaa, the youngest of the three and then 18, joined their activism during the Mohamed Mahmoud street clashes in 2011 that resulted in more than 40 being killed. A week before Mubaraks fall in February 2011, Soueifs husband was arrested in his office and later interrogated in prison by Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, then head of military intelligence, and now president. In an exchange with Sisi, Seif el-Islam unusually answered him back, describing Mubarak as corrupt. Seif el-Islam later told the Guardian that Sisi became angry, his face became red. He acted as if every citizen would accept his point and no one would reject it in public. When he was rejected in public, he lost it. The episode is sometimes cited as one reason Sisi seems so determined to keep Alaa in jail. The revolution, in the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood, imploded. Soueif said: We couldnt believe that the most prepared organisation for governance wasted itself on eliminating the opposition as its first task, instead of achieving tangible accomplishments on the ground. Even the religious current in Iran, when it took power, implemented some social and economic achievements for the masses before it became a dictatorship. But for the MB to start by fighting the opposition in the streets how did they think that would work? With the collapse of the revolution and the capture of power by the military, the family suffered. In June 2014 Alaa was first arrested for violating protest laws and then in October Mona, the middle daughter, then aged 20, was convicted of a similar offence and jailed for three years. She had two spells in jail. At the time Soueif and her other daughter Mona went on a hunger strike lasting 76 days. When her husband died aged 63 in August 2014, two of his children were in jail, and were barred from seeing him in hospital. Alaa spoke movingly at his fathers funeral. Since then Soueifs life has been one long attempt to secure his release and ensure his life in prison is bearable. She was once asked during the hunger strike whether what she was doing frightened her. My mind is aware that I am doing something different, but my feeling as a mother is that this is normal and intended. Any mother in my circumstances with the ability to do so would do this. People dont easily realise what you can do. I know all the time that there are things that work, I dont guarantee the results at all, but I tell myself that theres nothing more to lose. A wounded man is carried into Nasser hospital after the shootings. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images At least 27 people were killed by Israeli fire as they waited for food at a distribution point set up by an Israeli-backed foundation in Gaza, according to health officials in the strip. It is the third such incident in three days, with Israel admitting on Tuesday for the first time that its forces shot at individuals who were moving towards them. The Gaza civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal told Agence France-Presse: Israeli forces opened fire with tanks and drones on thousands of civilians who had gathered since dawn near the al-Alam roundabout in the al-Mawasi area, north-west of Rafah. It is the same site where on Sunday more than 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while they were heading to the distribution hub. Gazas health ministry said 27 people were killed early on Tuesday. Hamas-affiliated media also carried the reports. The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, described the deadly attacks on civilians around food distribution as a war crime. Deadly attacks on distraught civilians trying to access the paltry amounts of food aid in Gaza are unconscionable, Turk said. Attacks directed against civilians constitute a grave breach of international law and a war crime. There were three children and two women among the dead, Mohammed Saqr, the head of nursing at Nasser hospital, which received the 27 bodies, told the Guardian. Most of the patients had gunshot wounds, others had shrapnel all over the bodies, which means they were targeted with tanks or artillery munitions. Doctors at Nasser hospital said the Israeli forces had mostly targeted the heads, the chest and the upper parts of the bodies of the victims, and that the health facility was running out of blood units and medical supplies. Hisham Mhanna, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross, confirmed its field hospital in Rafah had received 184 wounded people, 19 of whom were declared dead on arrival. Eight more later died from their wounds. A video circulating on social media documented the arrival of injured people at the Red Cross hospital from a food distribution point in Gazas Rafah governorate. It showed dead bodies and the injured being dragged by people inside the health facility. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops fired shots near a food distribution complex after noticing a number of suspects moving towards them. The forces fired evasive shots, and after they did not move away, additional shots were fired near the individual suspects who were advancing towards the forces. The individuals were moving towards forces in a way that posed a threat to them, the military said, without specifying who the suspects were. A spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli-backed organisation that has taken over the distribution of food in Gaza, told the Associated Press the group was saddened to learn that a number of civilians were injured and killed after moving beyond the designated safe corridor. Witnesses told the Guardian the shooting started in the citys Flag Roundabout area, about 1km (0.6 miles) away from the food distribution hub. Fadi Abu Mohammad, 43, said his relative Mohammad Abu Shamala, 22, was killed near the aid site. When gunfire opened on the civilians, he was struck by a bullet in the back and died instantly, he said. He was supposed to get married next month. Going back to the aid distribution is a huge risk and a potential death sentence, but everyone who went had no other choice. If they arent killed by bullets or shelling, they will die of hunger, said Fadi. Ahmad al-Shaer, 22, who went to the aid distribution point with his friend Hasni Abu Shanab, 35, said the gunfire started at about 5am. When the shooting began, Hasni lay flat on the ground to avoid the bullets, but even then a bullet hit him, it pierced one of his legs, exited, and then penetrated the other leg, where it lodged. The gunfire was coming from all directions and bullets were falling everywhere around him, he said. Shaer said Abu Shanab was moved to Nasser hospital and that the facility was full of people in critical condition. There arent enough beds, rooms or medical equipment for all the cases. He added: Hasni went to the aid site because he had no other choice. He was desperate to feed his three children. He had nothing to offer them and couldnt meet their basic needs. Tamer Nassar, 33, from Beit Hanoun, who has been displaced to al-Mawasi in Khan Younis said: I went at dawn to the American food aid distribution point in Rafah. The gunfire suddenly and deliberately erupted at everyone present in the distribution area. Bullets were raining down on us from everywhere: from the sea, from the air, from the hills, from all directions. I was a victim, along with many others around me; some were injured, others were killed. I raised my shoulder while trying to lie on my stomach, and thats when the first bullet struck my shoulder, he said. Anyone who tried to help the wounded was also shot at. We decided to go there today despite the extreme danger. If we had food at home to silence our childrens hunger, we wouldnt have gone and risked our lives. They took images of my injuries and found that the first bullet had entered and exited, but the second one remained lodged in the bone and shattered it. Related: Public support for Israel in western Europe at lowest ever recorded by YouGov The shootings follow other similar incidents recently in which Palestinians have been killed and injured by Israeli fire as they sought food at newly established distribution points. Last Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of killing at least three Palestinians and wounding 46 others near one of the GHF distribution sites. The Israeli military said its troops fired warning shots in the area outside the compound to re-establish control as thousands of Palestinians rushed to the site. More than 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire on Sunday as they went to receive food at a GHF distribution point, according to witnesses. A hospital run by the Red Cross confirmed it treated many wounded. The Israeli forces denied firing at civilians in Sundays incident. However, an IDF official admitted that Israeli soldiers fired warning shots toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops, near the food distribution site, without specifying who the suspects were. Gazas Government Media Office said Israel had killed more than 102 civilians since the opening of the of aid centres run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Israel imposed a blockade on all supplies in March, saying Hamas was seizing deliveries for its fighters, which the group denies. Earlier this month, a global hunger monitor said half a million people in the strip faced starvation. The GHF took over the handling of aid despite objections from the UN and other humanitarian organisations, who criticised the new system for food distribution, saying it would not be able to meet the needs of Gazas 2.3 million people, and it allowed Israel to use food as a weapon to control the population. Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung has won the vote to become South Koreas new president after a snap election triggered by a brief period of martial law imposed by the now-impeached former leader, Yoon Suk Yeol. With 100% of the ballots counted, Lee won 49.42% of nearly 35 million votes cast, while his conservative rival Kim Moon-soo had taken 41.15%, according to national election commission data, which said turnout was the highest for a presidential election since 1997. Speaking outside his home, Lee thanked voters for placing their trust in him. default I will do my utmost to fulfil the great responsibility and mission entrusted to me, so as not to disappoint the expectations of our people, he told reporters. He said he would not forget the duty of a president to unite the people. Lee, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer who had made two failed attempts to become president, rode a wave of public anger that followed Yoons declaration of martial law in early December. The order, which was overturned in a matter of hours, sparked South Koreas biggest political crisis in decades. The country is also battling an economic downturn, income inequality and doubts over the USs commitment to its security under Donald Trump. Kim, however, struggled to win over moderate swing voters while his People Power party feuded over how to view Yoons legacy. Related:As South Korea heads to the polls, can Lee Jae-myung bring the country back from the brink? Turnout was high, at 77.8% an hour before the polls closed, surpassing the figure recorded in the previous presidential election in 2022, according to the national election commission. More than a third of the 44.39 million eligible voters had cast their ballots in early voting last Thursday and Friday. Some South Koreans view the election, called after the constitutional court upheld Yoons impeachment in early April, as evidence that their democracy is in good health. In a Facebook message on Tuesday, Lee had cast the election as voters opportunity to save South Korea, which is in crisis due to the greed of the establishment. But the division unleashed by Yoon is expected to follow Lee into his single five-year term, which begins on Wednesday without the traditional two-month transition period. Large crowds have taken to the streets in recent months to denounce or support Yoon, whose suspension, and then removal, left a leadership vacuum that shook the countrys diplomatic activities and financial markets. The economy has gotten so much worse since December Not just for me but I hear that from everybody, said Kim Kwang-ma, an 81-year-old voter. And we as a people have become so polarised I wish we could come together so that Korea can develop again. Related: Lee Jae-myung: from child labourer to leader of deeply scarred South Korea Lee, a frontrunner since the start of the campaign, will face several major challenges, including a slowing economy, Trumps trade war and the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. In his final campaign speeches on Monday, Lee promised to revitalise the economy, reduce inequality and ease national divisions. Kim, a former labour minister under Yoon, warned that a victorious Lee would abuse his powers to retaliate against his political opponents and use his partys majority in the national assembly to protect him in several court cases that will resume after the election. Lee is now trying to seize all power in South Korea and establish a Hitler-like dictatorship, Kim told a rally in the south-eastern city of Busan. Lee, who headed the opposition-led campaign to oust Yoon, is a highly divisive figure in South Korean politics. He faces criminal trials including charges of bribery and alleged involvement in a property development scandal. Courts agreed to postpone further hearings of continuing trials until after the election, allowing him to contest the presidency while the cases remained unresolved. Lee denies all charges, describing them as politically motivated persecution. Lee, who grew up in a poor household and worked in factories as a child, has shown a more cautious side in recent speeches, despite his reputation as a radical reformer determined to take on the countrys conservative establishment. He has promised to be pragmatic in foreign affairs, committing himself to South Koreas alliance with the US and vowing to continue Seouls partnership with Washington and Tokyo, mirroring the policies of his conservative predecessor. But he wants to move away from Yoons confrontational approach towards North Korea and re-engage with the Souths nuclear-armed neighbour. He has conceded, though, that it will be very difficult to quickly resume summits with the Norths leader, Kim Jong-un. Disability rights activists stage a 'Welfare Not Warfare' protest in Whitehall (Alamy Live News) (Ron Fassbender) MPs are due to vote later this month on the government's controversial plans to make 5bn of benefits cuts. Sir Keir Starmer is facing the prospect of a backbench rebellion over the proposals, which include controversial plans to restrict the eligibility rules for people claiming PIP disability benefit. The growing political row has shone a light on the scale of the cuts, which could impact some 800,000 disabled people claiming PIP by 2030, according to the department of work and pension's (DWP) own figures. However, some think tanks believe at least another 100,000 people will be impacted by the cuts. The DWP data reveals that the cuts are most likely to affect PIP claimants in Labour heartlands, with a swell of Labour backbenchers taking issue with the scale and severity of the welfare reforms. As a result, Starmer is reportedly considering considering tweaks to the cuts to soften the impact and quell anger among his own MPs. Yahoo News has already analysed the health conditions most at risk from the cuts (the people most likely to miss out are those who suffer from back pain). We've now taken a look at the areas are where claimants are most likely to lose out on PIP payments. What regions will be hit hardest? From November 2026, those claiming the "daily living element" of PIP which provides financial support for individuals who need help with everyday tasks and mobility will need to score a minimum of four points in at least one activity (there are 10 categories for daily living and two for mobility) to continue to qualify for benefits support. According to data released by the DWP, the PIP cuts will hit hardest in the north-west of England, where 208,157 claimants receiving the benefit currently score less than four points in a single activity. London ranks the second-highest in the findings, with more than 162,000 claimants also receiving PIP without scoring the four point minimum needed for their claim to continue after 2026. Perhaps surprisingly in the north east of England which is known for experiencing alarmingly high child poverty rates the cuts will impact the least recipients out of anywhere in England and Wales. However, this may be because the area has a significant number of the most vulnerable disabled people, who have the highest needs and therefore would not necessarily have their payments cut. What areas will be hit hardest? While the scale of the PIP cuts are clearly far-reaching, our map indicates that the ten areas most affected by the government's PIP cuts are in Labour heartlands. In fact, out of top 20 areas where claimants are set to miss out on PIP, 19 voted for Labour in the general election with Clacton voting for Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. Liverpool Walton tops the list of worst affected constituencies, with 20.3% PIP claimants in the area facing losing the benefit post-cuts. The historically red area voted for MP Dan Carden in the 2024 general election, securing a thumping 30,520 majority. Here's a list of the top 20 constituencies affected by the cuts, with the number of PIP claimants set to miss out: Constituency % of claimants who scored less than four points in all daily living activities Total number of claimants who scored less than four points in all daily living activities 1. Liverpool Walton 20.3 13,465 2. Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney 19.9 11,888 3. Blackpool South 19.6 13,802 4. Aberafan Maesteg 19.2 10,989 5. Easington 19 11,262 6. Birkenhead 18.8 12,638 7. Knowsley 18.3 11,285 8. Rhondda and Ogmore 18.3 11,481 9. Bootle 18.2 11,978 10. Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare 18.1 11,275 11. Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough 17.1 12,247 12. Liverpool West Derby 17.1 10,902 13. Hartlepool 17 9,948 14. Clwyd North 16.8 9,771 15. Wallasey 16.6 9,942 16. Swansea West 16.2 11,554 17. Clacton 16.1 8,771 18. Llanelli 16 9,195 19. Barnsley South 15.9 10,685 29. Neath and Swansea East 15.7 9,932 In the wake of Labour's chastening local election results in May, some have pointed the finger at the government's welfare cuts as one of the key drivers of discontent among the party's traditional voting base. A backbench rebellion could spread to more than 100 MPs, some reports have suggested. Peter Lamb, the Labour MP for Crawley, is one of those to have publicly criticised the cuts, saying in May he would be voting against anything which is going to restrict access to PIP further than its currently restricted. Many Labour MPs across different wings of the party are deeply uncomfortable with what ministers are planning, he said. Homelessness charities recently added to the growing clamour of anger among campaigners, warning that the reforms "will increase the number of people at risk of becoming homeless for the first time". An open letter co-ordinated by the St Mungos homelessness charity and sent to the chancellor Rachel Reeves said the new proposals will push people further away from the labour market, increase homelessness and put excessive pressure on statutory services. The government has now said it is looking into increasing the eligibility threshold for winter fuel payments. An impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people including 50,000 children could fall into relative poverty as a result of the changes. Data from the government shows that between October to December 2024, just over a fifth (21%) of households facing homelessness had some sort of physical ill health or disability. A DWP spokesperson said: The majority of people who are currently getting PIP will continue to receive it. We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected. We have also announced a review of the PIP assessment, and we will be working with disabled people and key organisations representing them to consider how best to do this. The UN convoy was heading to El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, which has been besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than a year. Photograph: X/PresstvExtra A UN aid convoy carrying critical food supplies to a famine-threatened city in western Sudan has been targeted in an attack that killed five people and injured several others. Trucks belonging to the UNs food and childrens agencies were struck as they headed towards El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, which has been besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than a year. Fighting broke out in Khartoum, Sudans capital, on 15 April 2023 as an escalating power struggle between the two main factions of the military regime finally turned deadly. On one side are the Sudanese armed forces, who remain broadly loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the countrys de facto ruler. Against him are the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a collection of militias who follow the former warlord Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. The RSF was initially founded by the former dictatorial ruler Omar al-Bashir as an Arab counterinsurgency militia called the Janjaweed, which quickly became synonymous with widespread atrocities. In 2013, Bashir transformed the group into the RSF, deploying them to crush a fresh rebellion in South Darfur. The conflict has plunged Sudan into one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history, according to UN officials. It has created the worlds worst displacement crisis, scattering more than 10 million people internally and 4 million who have fled into neighbouring countries, putting mounting pressure on Chad and South Sudan. As details of the incident emerged, the UNs refugee agency confirmed the number of people who had fled the country since Sudans civil war began had surpassed 4 million, and warned that the scale of displacement was putting regional and global stability at stake. The attack on the aid convoy occurred about 45 miles (75km) from El Fasher, in Al Koma, a stronghold of the RSF. A spokesperson for the UN childrens agency, Unicef, said: We have received information about a convoy with WFP [World Food Programme] and Unicef trucks being attacked last night while positioned in Al Koma, waiting for approval to proceed to El Fasher. A joint statement from both UN agencies called for an urgent investigation into the deadly attack. So far, the attackers have not yet been officially identified. Both sides in the countrys conflict the Sudanese army and the RSF blamed each other. The Al-Koma Emergency Room, a group of local volunteers, posted a video of a burned out truck, loaded with supplies, and blamed the attack on Sudanese army drones. Al Koma was the location of another atrocity at the weekend, when an airstrike on a civilian market by the Sudanese army reportedly killed at least 89 people. The area is firmly under the control of the RSF, with aid trucks forced to navigate a series of the paramilitary groups checkpoints to reach El Fasher. Last week the WFP expressed shock after its premises in El Fasher were repeatedly shelled by the RSF. Related: Women and girls not safe anywhere as Darfur suffers surge in sexual violence El Fasher is home to about 2 million people, including about 800,000 internally displaced persons who fled to the city from across Darfur and it remains the only one of five state capitals in the Darfur region not to fall under RSF control. In recent months, it has endured daily shelling amid an ever-tightening siege. Within the city itself, food supplies are running so low that the UN has warned of famine. Activists trapped within El Fasher have said thousands of people face starvation as essential foods and medicines disappear from markets because of the RSFs siege. Speaking to the activist network Avaaz several days ago, a volunteer called Adam said community kitchens in the city no longer had access to maize or wheat. We used to have goods coming in regularly through vehicles, but now the only goods that enter the city come on donkeys, he said. For the entire city of El Fasher, we have no more than 10 donkeys that enter the city carrying goods per day. Even these people carrying limited supplies on their donkeys get questioned and interrogated at RSF [checkpoints]. The civil war, now in its third year, has caused the worlds biggest humanitarian crisis. In addition to the 4 million people who have now fled Sudan, a record 11.6 million people have also been displaced within the country, about half of whom are in the Darfur region. Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have been accused of myriad war crimes and using starvation as a weapon of war. Elon Musk left his advisory role under Donald Trump last week - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Elon Musk has trashed Donald Trumps much-vaunted big beautiful bill as a pork-filled disgusting abomination. The tech billionaire, who left his role in the White House last week, savaged the presidents flagship spending bill as outrageous while criticising lawmakers for burdening Americans with unsustainable debt. He wrote on X: I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025 It is the latest in a series of scathing attacks on the bill by Mr Musk, who has warned that the package of sweeping tax cuts will compromise cost-saving measures carried out by his Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Mr Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill has promised to deliver $4.5 trillion (3.3 trillion) worth of tax cuts while significantly increasing Americas deficit. The Tesla founder has previously warned that America was going bankrupt as a result of its $36.2 trillion debt pile, echoing similar concerns made by economists. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Mr Trumps bill will increase Americas bulging deficit by $3.8 trillion by 2034. It has drawn criticism from a number of Republicans, and the bill passed through the US House last month by just a single vote. It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt, Mr Musk added. The White House has lashed out at anyone who has voiced concern about the debt snowballing under Mr Trump. The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesnt change the presidents opinion. This is One Big Beautiful Bill, and hes sticking to it, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said. The tax and spending cuts that passed the House last month would add more than $5 trillion to the national debt in the coming decade if all of them are allowed to continue, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The national debt is a much bigger problem now than it was eight years ago. Investors are demanding the government pay a higher premium to keep borrowing. The White House Council of Economic Advisers argues that its policies will unleash so much rapid growth that the annual budget deficits will shrink in size relative to the overall economy, putting the US government on a fiscally sustainable path. Central figure Mr Musk, 53, the worlds richest man, became a central figure in the Trump White House, often clashing with senior members of the presidents cabinet. The two quickly formed a close working relationship during last years election campaign. At its peak, Mr Musk even lived in a cottage on the Mar-a-Lago estate where he fleshed out his plans for a tech-led effort to slash the federal bureaucracy. He often stood quietly next to Mr Trump as reporters peppered him with questions over his aggressive Doge cuts, which at times risked becoming the flashpoint of the presidents first 100 days in office. Aside from the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Tesla boss has also voiced his concerns over Mr Trumps sweeping tariffs. By the end of his time in the administration, he was rarely seen with the president. Despite this, Mr Trump has credited Mr Musk with a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington and handed him a golden key on his departure. As a special government employee, Mr Musks position was designed to be temporary. However, he had speculated about staying indefinitely, working part time for the administration, if Mr Trump still wanted his help. His departure from the White House last week marked the end of a turbulent chapter that included thousands of layoffs of federal staff and the evisceration of government agencies. The billionaire entrepreneur is perceived as struggling in the unfamiliar environment of Washington, and he accomplished far less than he had hoped to. He dramatically reduced his target for cutting spending from $2 trillion to $1 trillion to $150 billion and increasingly expressed frustration about resistance to his goals. At times, he clashed with other top members of Mr Trumps administration, who chafed at the newcomers efforts to reshape their departments. Congress is making America bankrupt, he wrote in a separate post on X. Mark Ruttes proposal would represent a real-terms increase of about 30bn from Labours current plan. Photograph: AS1 Amber Mayall RAF/PA Defence sources believe that Britain will be forced to sign up to a target of lifting defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 at this months Nato summit after a campaign by the alliances secretary general to keep Donald Trump onboard. One senior insider said Britain would without a doubt sign up to a proposal from the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, to lift allies defence spending, which would represent a real-terms increase of about 30bn from the Labour governments plan. They expressed surprise that Keir Starmer had tied himself up over spending at the launch of the strategic defence review on Monday, when he refused to set a firm date when budgets would increase to 3%. The prime minister has agreed to increase defence spending from its current 2.33% of GDP to 2.5% by 2027 and to 3% in the next parliament, which was the spending context for Mondays 140-page strategic review. Related: The Guardian view on UK military strategy: prepare for a US retreat or be left gravely exposed | Editorial Starmer had said in a BBC interview on Monday he would not agree to performative fantasy politics and pluck a date out of the air as to when the UK would meet the 3% target, even though the call from Nato is for a higher figure. Downing St did not comment on Tuesday, but pointed to comments made by Starmer later on Monday when he visited the BAE shipyard at Govan, Glasgow, in which he appeared to acknowledge the higher target. The prime minister said in response to a question from Sky News: There are discussions about what the contribution should be going into the Nato conference in two or three weeks time, as part of a wider conversation about what sort of Nato will be capable of being as effective in the future. Ruttes proposal is that allies would agree to spend 3.5% on hard defence and 1.5% on cyber, intelligence and military-related infrastructure when leaders meet in The Hague for Trumps first Nato summit of his second term. Last week Rutte said: I assume that in The Hague we will agree on a high defence spend target of in total 5%. Of that, he added, it will be considerably north of 3% when it comes to the hard spending. Insiders said Starmer was due to discuss Ruttes target at a meeting on Tuesday and argued it was inconceivable that the UK could turn down the request after announcing a Nato-first defence strategy. Complicating the picture for the UK is that the 3.5% figure may exclude some elements, such as intelligence, that the Treasury counts as Nato-qualifying spending. But details are likely to be the subject of last-minute negotiations. A significant uplift to defence spending would have to be funded by savings from other government budgets or higher taxes. Starmer refused to rule out further cuts to the foreign aid budget on Monday, but this is forecast to represent only 0.3% of GDP by 2027, meaning that additional funds would have to come from elsewhere. Other Nato allies are desperate to keep Trump onboard and prevent the summit descending into chaos. The US president has repeatedly complained about Nato members being delinquent and failing to meet existing spending targets, currently 2% of GDP. Trump made a threat to quit Nato at a summit in 2018 over payments. Though he has not issued similar ultimatums recently, shortly after his re-election last November he demanded that Nato members hike defence spending to 5% of GDP a level well beyond the current US figure of 3.4%. But Ruttes proposal, hammered out with Trump in face-to-face meetings, allows for a broad interpretation of the additional 1.5% spend, which can include virtually anything military-related, such as commercial transport infrastructure. Defence sources praised Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, for his careful work in holding the alliance together and the personal bond he appears to have forged with Trump in the months since his election. Rutte visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last November, when the US leader was president-elect, and went to the White House for more formal discussions in March and April. On Tuesday evening the UK defence secretary, John Healey, indicated that any push from Nato to increase defence spending further would be discussed at a summit this month. Healey said: Summit discussions are for the summit and, as the prime minister said yesterday, the UK makes a huge contribution to Nato. Weve got a defence review that puts Nato first. We will do more of the heavy lifting within Nato in the years ahead and Nato highly values the contribution that we make. The discussions at that summit will be about more than just the financial contribution. The Rev Dr Janine Arnott, rector of St Oswalds, Malpas, stands at the heart of a bitter parish dispute Not much happens in Malpas, a small Cheshire market town set in lush countryside near the border of Wales. With a stately medieval church at its centre, a population of roughly 1,600, and an overactive Facebook group, the biggest news is usually distributed by the parish newsletter and is no more scandalous than the cancellation of the number 41 bus. Recently, however, Malpas has been set alight by an explosive row between its rector and her parishioners one that has made national headlines and torn the church and the town in two. On an early summers afternoon in the centre of town, the church is locked and the surrounding roads are quiet. With my notebook and a photographer in tow, a dog walker eyes me warily. The people of Malpas are not used to the media attention. Parochial disputes like this also do not usually make it out of the pages of the Church Times, but the heated battle for St Oswalds, a 14th-century church set atop a hill in the centre of Malpas, has unfolded in a spectacularly dramatic fashion. Once you get people started on the subject, the floodgates open. A vocal group of parishioners and former lay people claim that the Rev Dr Janine Arnott, the rector in question, has taken what was a thriving rural parish an increasing rarity in the Church of England and put its flock asunder. She is variously accused of banning individuals from the choir (it has since been disbanded entirely), removing the chief bellringer, barring access to the bell tower with broomsticks, and has reportedly overseen the dwindling of the congregation of around 60 to fewer than 10 people. The recent village-wide celebrations of VE Day in May this year were seen by many to be the last straw, as Arnott reportedly declined to allow a village choir to sing a rendition of I Vow To Thee My Country in the churchyard (her detractors claim that this was because some members were her ex-congregants). Located near the Welsh border, Malpas has found itself at the centre of a media storm The story here is of a complete lack of accountability of a newly trained minister who is clearly having difficulty running her first parish, claims one parishioner, Dr Gregory Williams, 60. Within a short period of time, the director of music resigned and the choir left. A while later, the tower captain was locked out of the bell tower with no explanation given and the bell tower door was barricaded. The bells fell silent. The congregation numbers soon collapsed, and at the current time, very little money is coming into the church, he says. In fact, the tower captain, Ben Kellett, had apparently found himself locked out of the tower after declining Arnotts request to sign a volunteer agreement outlining his duties. Arnott had also asked Kellett for a list of churchgoers with keys to the tower and, it is claimed, took issue when he did not provide one. Several parishioners wrote to the Bishop of Chester, the Right Rev Mark Tanner, hoping to persuade him to intervene, and even filed an informal complaint, which wasnt upheld. Now, an insurgent group of Malpas parishioners or allies their identities remain unknown have taken matters into their own hands, and Tanner has had to intervene after libellous flyers signed from the Little Malpas People were plastered around Chester Cathedral over Easter. One of the flyers, glued to the exterior of the cathedral with permanent adhesive, said: Dear Bishop Mark. Please do your moral duty and protect your flock. We shouldnt have to keep toeing the line only to get demonised by you. Its disgusting. You wasted our time and kept your hands clean for three years now at our expense. You know it, as do we. Notes were also left on the windscreens of cars nearby in envelopes that appeared to bear the seal of the Diocese of Chester. St Oswalds Church, a 14th-century landmark in Malpas, now faces a dwindling congregation as a bitter dispute divides the community - Andrew Fox It signified a nasty escalation of a dispute that has been raging since Arnott was appointed to take over the large rural parish in June 2022. In a letter sent to churchgoers, Tanner said the leaflets calling for her removal were anonymous, factually incorrect, libellous, and sought by forgery to impersonate a bishop. A separate letter to the parochial church council (PCC) from the diocesan legal team, which was leaked to the local newspaper, the Whitchurch Herald, last month, said Arnott is a victim of unlawful and inexcusable harassment. One churchgoer, meanwhile, told The Telegraph that she has been so upset by the rectors behaviour that she cant speak about the dispute without getting a nosebleed. The rift began with an unlikely argument over the Agnus Dei. In a meeting with the church choir in 2023 that has since become infamous locally, Arnott told them they could no longer sing this prayer (which often precedes Communion) in Latin as they had done for years, as this was against canon law. Diana Webber, a former safeguarding officer, resigned over this disagreement and Arnotts handling of relationships with parishioners. From the start, she was very concerned about [Arnotts] attitude, Webber says, claiming that Arnott appeared to have taken a dislike to the choir. A PCC meeting was called shortly afterwards unfortunately, on Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, despite protestations from members of the council. The meeting became heated when Liane Smith, 65, a former PCC member, stood up and called a vote of no confidence over the rectors authoritarian leadership style. It turns out, perhaps unsurprisingly given the scale of the row, that confidence was in short supply. [Arnott] counted the votes and it was, if I recall correctly, 23 had no confidence, three had confidence in her, and six abstained, Smith says (this was before the alleged exodus of church members took place). Arnott said she had been trying to run the church calmly in the face of strong opposition, according to minutes of the meeting. In an apparent attempt to oust her, Smith then attempted to publish the minutes of the meeting (including the details of the vote against Arnott) in the parish newsletter, but says she was prevented from doing so by the rector. They were shortened minutes, but they had the salient facts in, she says. Just to fit on an A5 page in the back of the parish news. And that was considered vexatious. Despite losing a vote of confidence, Arnott remained in post. Arnott allegedly told parishioners that they could no longer sing the Agnus Dei Smith was subsequently asked by Arnott to step down from her roles, including as the parish newsletters editor (Arnott made clear, though, that she was welcome to continue worshipping at the church). I thought that was quite excessive and had nothing to do with the fact that I had published, or attempted to publish the minutes, she says. I left the church at that point [ ] My husband and I have been married for 45 years and have been churchgoers for that whole time. Now we no longer go to any church. Most of the existing church laypersons eventually resigned or were asked to leave. They carry with them a range of grievances and accusations, some more reasonable than others. Among the complaints is the disbanding of a longstanding, talented church choir. One anonymous parishioner criticises Dr Arnott as one of those born-again Christians who does not face the East (face the altar) for Communion. What is clear, however, is that deep ill-feeling runs on both sides. The situation escalated this year with leaflets distributed to Malpas residents and plastered on Chester Cathedral calling for Arnotts removal. It is not known who is responsible. While some locals say this smear campaign has undermined their genuine concerns about the running of the Church one said they were furious as it gives them a bad name others are unrepentant. Williams describes the flyers as not an act of crime but actually a courageous act, a heartfelt cry for help from yet one more individual or group of people who feel that they are being let down by the Church of England. A spokesperson for the diocese of Chester says that parishes operate with a large degree of autonomy, provided they act within legal boundaries, adding: The Bishop and other diocesan figures have limited scope to intervene directly in parish matters. However, we have consistently offered support, guidance, and assistance throughout this situation as we would elsewhere. Whilst it would not be right to comment publicly on personal pastoral matters, wherever the diocese is aware of matters which require response, appropriate action is taken involving other authorities where necessary. The bells have fallen silent: St Oswalds Church is caught in a battle over leadership and tradition - Andrew Fox The Bishop is aware of the concerns raised locally in and around St Oswalds and has been engaging through proper channels. Whilst we are not commenting further at this time in order to care for those involved, all are encouraged to remain in conversation, and support is available for anyone who wishes to access it. Arnott declined to comment. Parish disputes even those as bitter as this are, sadly, increasingly common. In a curiously similar case in Wiltshire, for instance, a church choir refused to continue singing over a dispute with their vicar, Father Oliver Learmont, and his handling of relationships in the parish. A number of lay people resigned. Last year, Church of England clergy warned that some vicars were being bullied out of their posts by parishioners, who were taking over PCC meetings and launching malicious email campaigns against them. Some in Malpas feel the discord in parish churches which have, for generations, been the backbone of the Church of England points to a lack of direction in the organisation as a whole. That appears unlikely to be rectified any time soon, with the Church awaiting the appointment of a new archbishop of Canterbury, seven months after Justin Welby announced that he planned to stand down over failures in the handling of an abuse scandal. The state of the Church of England at the moment is very sad, says one churchgoer. They can choose a Pope in a fortnight. How much longer do we have to wait for directions from the top? In the meantime, its clear there will be no winners in Malpas unholy civil war. Lance Corporal Bernard Mongans body was found in his bedroom at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire - Family handout/PA A bullied British soldier who went missing was found dead in bed at his barracks three weeks later. Father-of-three Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, 33, was discovered on Jan 23 2020 in his bedroom at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. An inquest heard L/Cpl Mongan had obviously been dead for some time when he was found, and had last been seen around Dec 27. A statement from L/Cpl Mongans mother Mary Mongan said it was devastating for all of us that Bernard is no longer with us. She said: His death has left us with so many questions, I still cant understand it. Losing Bernard has been a traumatic experience and came as a shock to all of us. The hearing was told that decomposition made it difficult for doctors to determine a cause of death, and it had been recorded in a post-mortem examination report as unascertained. A coroner heard the two most likely causes were considered to be poisoning, after barbiturates were found in L/Cpl Mongans system, or a sudden abnormality of the heart. But a Home Office pathologist told the inquest he could not say which of these was the most likely. Dr Nigel Cooper said: Ive thought about this long and hard but I just dont think I can. I dont think I have enough positive evidence to go in one direction or the other. The inquest heard an empty bottle of Jack Daniels was found in L/Cpl Mongans bedroom but it is not known when it was drunk. Dr Cooper said he was aware that barbiturates were effective in causing an overdose, and L/Cpl Mongan had expressed suicidal thoughts in the days leading up to his disappearance. A statement from paramedic Paula Spence said L/Cpl Mongan was found face down on his bed, and that he had initially been discovered by friends, who said he had not been seen at work since around Christmastime. She said there was no evidence of self harm or suicide at the scene but this could not be ruled out as a potential cause of death. The statement read: I do remember someone at the scene saying Bernard had been getting into fitness lately and taking supplements. A toxicology report found amobarbital in L/Cpl Mongans system, but said it was at a level associated with a therapeutic dose. The inquest heard amobarbital was a sedative that is not legally prescribed in the UK. It also heard the chances of protein supplements contributing to his death were vanishingly rare if they were obtained legally. Absolutely amazing dad L/Cpl Mongans wife Beth Mongan said they had three daughters together and had separated by the time of his death but remained close. She said: When I first met Bernie I was struck by his love of music, books and adventure. He had a wicked sense of humour and always tried to make people smile. Bernie was an absolutely amazing dad. Despite our differences as time went on I could never fault him for the love and adoration he showed to our daughters. She said one of the things L/Cpl Mongan loved about the Army was travelling to different places, and that was one of the reasons he had joined. Bernie was the first person to offer help when it was needed, she said. Bernie was a sweetheart. If he could help you he would, he was a big softie. He struggled with acceptance throughout his life... If he was bullied or targeted it was hard for him to accept. After an Army investigation into L/Cpl Mongans death in 2021, Mrs Mongan said her husband felt bullied and was telling people he was afraid. The inquest, which is scheduled to last three weeks, continues. A teenage model died in a parasailing accident in Montenegro after she panicked and unbuckled her safety harness, causing her to fall 160 feet into the Adriatic Sea in Budva. Emergency services quickly tried to look for 19-year-old Tijana Radonjic, a Serbian national, after the incident. However, authorities later confirmed that the teenager had died. She was on holiday with her aunt when she decided to go parasailing after being approached by a rep on the beach. Teen Dies While Parasailing After Falling 160 Feet Other reports claimed that the victim was filming a promotional video for a local tourist agency when she went parasailing. Family members of the victim are demanding an investigation into the accident despite reports citing a "panic attack" as the cause of the fall. Radonjic's parents, Branka and Goran, said they will never be able to come to terms with their daughter's death or accept that she is already gone. In their heartbreaking farewell to their late child, they said she will be missed forever, according to NDTV. On the other hand, Mirko Krdzic, the owner of the parasailing company that operated the ride the teenager was on, paid his condolences to the family, noting that Radonjic appeared fine before going parasailing. Read more: Remains of Texas Family Found in Sunken Boat That Capsized in 2024 He added they were all surprised about what happened and were unsure of what actually happened with the teenager while she was up in the air. The owner said that Radonjic did not show any signs of being afraid of flying before the ride and had already undergone training. Video footage of the accident was shared by local media outlets, showing the distressed teenager tearing away her life jacket while parasailing. Some witnesses claimed they heard Radonjic screaming, "Put me down" shortly before falling into the water, News.com.au reported. Potential Panic Attack Krdzic said that they are now conducting technical inspections of all of their equipment while the results of the teenager's autopsy have not yet been released. The victim's family paid tribute to the late teen on social media. "You were brave to try to save your young life, but unfortunately, you didn't succeed," one relative said in a post. The incident comes as Budva's long sandy beaches, clear blue sea, and lively nightlife have become an attractive prospect for many tourists who want to enjoy and have fun, as per the National World. Another relative said that Radonjic was waving while she was parasailing from a lower height, where her enjoyment was visible to onlookers. However, when the ride slipped behind the hill and she was hoisted higher and higher, that was when the accident occurred. Madeleines parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, at a press conference in 2011 - Carl De Souza/AFP The case captured the worlds attention back in 2007 and has continued to pop up in headlines ever since. But the disappearance of Madeleine McCann remains a mystery. Now German authorities have launched a fresh search in southern Portugal for evidence of what happened to the British toddler. Police are in a race against time to charge the prime suspect, convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner, who is currently in prison in Germany on a separate conviction but plans to disappear when he is released in September. Camilla and Gordon look back on one of the most widely reported missing-persons cases in British history, and get an update on the new search from crime editor Martin Evans. Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Some 33 small boats carrying more than 80 people were intercepted between the New Year and April - Gareth Fuller/PA The number of overloaded dinghies crossing the Channel with more than 80 migrants on board has trebled in a year, Home Office figures have revealed. Ruthless people-smuggling gangs are cramming ever increasing numbers of people into flimsy dinghies in an attempt to maximise profits, the data showed. Some 33 small boats carrying more than 80 migrants were intercepted in the Channel in the year to April up from 11 in the previous year and only one in the 12 months to April 2023. The number of dinghies with 70 to 79 people on board also increased nearly four-fold, from 35 to 123 in a year. Ministers have claimed the rising numbers are a consequence of an international crackdown on supply chains from China and in Europe, which has restricted smugglers access to boats, engines and life jackets. We call them small boats, but honestly, theyre not worthy of the name boat, Sir Keir Starmer has previously said. To me, they look like death traps, flimsy rubber, no firm structure. You wouldnt even let your children climb aboard, even for a second, in shallow water. At least 82 people, including 14 children, died trying to cross the Channel last year, according to the International Organisation for Migration. They lost their lives not only through drowning or hypothermia but also after being crushed inside boats that collapse in on themselves because they do not have wooden bases. Women and children crammed into the well of a boat are often the most vulnerable. As the Home Office statistics were published on Tuesday, two Afghans were jailed for eight months for piloting a dinghy across the Channel from France in a crossing attempt that saw a woman and child crushed to death. Shah Salim Sajjadi, 38, and Safiollah Mohammadi, 25, were arrested after a vessel packed with more than 70 people arrived into UK waters on May 21. Shortly after its departure from a beach near Calais earlier in the day, a woman and child had been pulled off the overcrowded boat by a French coastal patrol vessel but were declared dead. The Home Office data showed that the number of boats with 60 to 69 migrants on board increased from 118 in the year to April 2024 to 189 in the year to this April. This was up from 50 in 2023 and 13 in 2022. The number of boats with fewer than 60 people in them fell from 450 to 393. The figures also revealed that the surge in Channel migrants under Sir Keir could be partly blamed on the weather. There were 149 red days with calm seas suitable for crossings from the election last July to the end of this April. That was nearly double the 77 red days in the same period in the previous year under Rishi Sunak. It meant there were 33,183 migrant crossings on red days under Labour, compared with 21,139 under Mr Sunak a 57 per cent increase. So far this year, there have been a record 14,812 migrants reaching the UK, the highest ever recorded in the first five months of a year and up 42 per cent on this time last year. According to the data, there were 60 red days between Jan 1 and April 30 this year, when factors such as wind speed, wave height and the likelihood of rain meant crossings were classed as likely or highly likely. Some 11,074 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel during these four months. There were 27 red days in the same period last year, less than half the number, with 7,567 crossings recorded nearly a third lower than the total for this year. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: Labour seems to think praying for bad weather is a good border security strategy. This is a weak Government, with no plan to end illegal immigrants crossing the Channel. They should never have cancelled the Rwanda removals deterrent before it even started. Thats why 2025 is the worst year in history for illegal crossings not the weather. Blaming the weather for the highest ever crossing numbers so far this year is the border security equivalent of a lazy student claiming the dog ate my homework. This is a clear failure for our weak Prime Minister and his weak Home Secretary. Assessments of the likelihood of migrant crossings are prepared for the Home Office by the Met Office. The assessments are colour-coded red, amber or green according to likelihood of activity based on environmental and other factors, including wave height, surf conditions on beaches, wind speed and direction, the chance of rain, and recent trends in conditions. If the probability of migrant activity in the Channel is greater than 55 per cent, crossings are classed as likely or highly likely (a red day). If the probability of activity is less than 35 per cent, crossings are considered unlikely or highly unlikely (a green day). Red days accounted for 35 per cent of all days and 84 per cent of total arrivals between May 2021 and April this year. A further 11 per cent of arrivals occurred on amber days and five per cent of arrivals on green days. All assessments are based on data recorded in the Dover Strait and do not consider other factors that can influence the number of arrivals, such as the availability of boats. Stephen Cresswells warnings about the true cost of HS2 were ignored by his bosses - Solent A whistleblower who was fired after accusing HS2 bosses of fraud after they ignored his warnings over the true cost of the project has won more than 300,000 in compensation. Stephen Cresswell, a risk management expert, lost his job working on the high-speed rail line after he repeatedly raised concerns that costs were being actively misrepresented. The consultant was told by one HS2 executive to disregard scenarios he had prepared that forecast a significant increase in the cost of building the railway line, an employment tribunal in Croydon heard. In one case, a forecast construction cost was potentially 100 million larger than bosses wanted to admit, the tribunal heard. Mark Wild, HS2s chief executive, told MPs last month that the final cost of the London-to-Birmingham route could exceed 100 billion. After HS2 eventually admitted Mr Cresswell had attempted to blow the whistle on five separate occasions during 2021 and 2022 before being let go, he was awarded 319,070 in damages. In my opinion, HS2 is not an organisation that should be trusted with public money, Mr Cresswell said after the employment tribunals ruling on Monday. HS2 is destroying taxpayer value; a properly functioning administration would mothball the programme and undertake a full independent investigation, he added. Contract terminated Mr Cresswells contract was terminated on Sept 30 2022 after he tried to inform senior managers about what was going on. Tribunal judges heard that he first raised concerns about fraudulent under-estimation of costs in November 2021. Under-estimating costs would mean contractors could start construction works and then demand extra funding, over and above the planned budget, to complete them. Mr Cresswell had been hired in spring 2021 to estimate the costs of Phase 2 of HS2, which was intended to run between Birmingham and Crewe. This planned section of the line was eventually cancelled in October 2023 by Rishi Sunak, the then prime minister, because of its spiralling costs. In November 2021, Mr Cresswell emailed senior colleagues with details of a number of potential scenarios that looked at what would happen if there was a change in inputs, meaning the price of materials, labour and other resources. Those colleagues were Paul Seller, Graham Ramsden, Georgina OReilly and Shah Ahmed, the hearing was told. In response, Paul Seller stated that two of the scenarios significantly increased the forecasted costs and should therefore be disregarded, the tribunal said. [Mr Cresswell] rejected this suggestion, since disregarding the two scenarios significantly increased the forecasted costs and would be actively misrepresenting the project in order to secure ongoing funding, the tribunal said. Mr Seller, who has since left HS2, was a project controls director in charge of keeping costs down. Put in an uncomfortable position The following March, he sent an email to Mr Seller and Mr Ramsden in which he said: I find myself in a very uncomfortable position, having a professional view of the Phase 2 [costs] forecast that is very different to the HS2 documented position. The implications of my viewpoint would be that the Phase 2 will very likely have costs outside the funding envelope, and that HS2 is outside its stated risk appetite position to only tolerate low levels of risk to the achievement of programme targets. The cost ranges for planned works arising from this approach are massive. The largest is for cuttings and embankments which is showing a potential saving of up to 209million and a potential cost increase of up to 348million a range of 557million. In contrast the largest maximum exposure in the register is 235million and the majority of the risk items have a maximum exposure of less than 50million. I appreciate there are reasons for this incongruence, including but not limited to, different individuals being responsible for risk, opportunity and cost uncertainty and the compressed timescales for the analysis; however having such a massive range left without investigation is not defendable. Suggested cost savings of 30 per cent were, implausible, he said. As a result of his comments, HS2 did not consider Mr Cresswell for two consultancy job vacancies in July 2022, the tribunal heard. It then terminated his contract with effect from the end of September that year. In the same month he forwarded a memo detailing his fears to Alan Foster, HS2s chief financial officer, judges heard. The project to build a high speed line between London, the Midlands and the North was first announced in 2010 by Philip Hammond, the then transport secretary. Ever since then it has been beset by controversies, including the construction of a 100million tunnel to protect bats even though experts have suggested that it will not work. A spokesman for HS2 Ltd said the company has accepted that Mr Cresswell raised concerns as a whistleblower and was not then given the appropriate level of protection when his contract came to an end. This is regrettable and HS2 Ltd is committed to ensuring that staff and others can raise concerns in confidence. This admission does not mean that HS2 Ltd accepts the specific allegations around cost estimating practices raised by Mr Cresswell. However, the company is now under new leadership and a comprehensive review of its skills and structures is being carried out. Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann begin fresh searches close to the former Algarve home of the prime suspect - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have taken samples of potential evidence from abandoned houses near where she went missing 18 years ago. A squad of half a dozen German and Portuguese police officers and firefighters used chainsaws, hedge trimmers and pickaxes to clear thick foliage and access several crumbling ruins near Praia Da Luz in the Algarve on Tuesday morning. The officers removed mounds of earth and deposited them in plastic containers, which will be taken away for further examination. Close by, two blue supply tents had been set up to store equipment, including a ground-penetrating radar device. At one derelict sand-coloured house, approximately 300 metres from the coastline, a group of four firemen and one police officer pumped a disused well dry. Firefighters and search teams check a well at a derelict, abandoned property to the west of Praia De Luz - James Manning/PA The full crew of around two dozen police officers, firefighters and detectives undertook the eight-hour search from 9am. They were joined by a pair of plain-clothed detectives. The search is expected to last for three more days and will encompass more than 20 privately owned plots of land to the east of the coastal town where the three-year-old went missing while on holiday with her parents on May 3 2007. It covers a region of scrubland, dotted with disused wells, crumbling farmhouses and dirt tracks, that sits only a few miles from the Ocean Club resort where Madeleine vanished as her parents Kate and Gerry ate tapas nearby with their friends. The operation was launched at the behest of German authorities as part of their investigation into Christian Brueckner, a convicted paedophile and prime suspect in the case who rented two properties in Praia Da Luz around the time of her disappearance. Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz - PA The suspect has said he plans to disappear after his release from prison. Scotland Yard said it did not plan to send officers to help with the search but it was ready to assist if necessary. The BKA, Germanys equivalent of the FBI, hopes that any forensics salvaged from the dig sites may also yield the key piece of evidence needed to formally charge Brueckner. Convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner is the prime suspect in the childs disappearance - Julian Stratenschulte/AFP via Getty Brueckner, who is to due to be released after serving a seven-year-prison sentence for raping an American tourist in 2005, has always denied his involvement. During Tuesdays search, several officers wore face masks to protect themselves from the clouds of dust thrown up by the work in the 71F (22C) temperatures. Investigators work during the search operation in Atalaia - Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Their efforts attracted the attention of passing cyclists who slowed down and stopped by the dig sites out of curiosity. Footage of the scene showed uniformed officers on a cordon on a dirt road in Atalaia a neighbourhood of Lagos municipality waving through unmarked vans and cars. The vehicles had German licence plates from the city of Wiesbaden, where the BKA has its headquarters. A van belonging to Portugals Maritime Police, a force that has jurisdiction over coastal areas and took part in previous searches of beaches, wells and reservoirs using specialist divers, also arrived. A no-fly zone was enforced by police and dirt tracks leading into the scrubland from the coastal path were cordoned off with police tape. The search is expected to resume on Wednesday. An MI5 agent deliberately and repeatedly lied after confirming to a journalist that a violent and misogynistic neo-Nazi was operating as an undercover source, a court has heard. The security service apologised to the High Court on Tuesday after acknowledging that a senior official gave false information under oath when he denied such a confirmation had occurred. A deputy director identified only as Witness A provided a sworn statement on behalf of MI5, insisting the agency had steadfastly maintained its policy to neither confirm nor deny the identity of an informant. But that testimony was exposed as false earlier this year when a BBC journalist produced a recording of an MI5 agent identified as Officer 2 confirming that a violent neo-Nazi did work for them as a covert human intelligence source. Two investigations have since been launched to ascertain how MI5 came to provide false information to judges on three separate occasions. At a hearing before the High Court on Tuesday, Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Attorney General for MI5, reiterated an apology on behalf of the agency. Errors had not been deliberate He said: I am not here to seek to excuse or diminish the seriousness of that position. Everyone from the director-general downwards acknowledges the seriousness caused. But he insisted there had been no deliberate attempt to conceal or lie, suggesting that the failings and errors had been down to poor recollection, a lack of accurate note-taking and communication issues. Sir James said the court could be properly satisfied that a full investigation had taken place, and it concluded that the errors had not been deliberate. He said the reviews found there had been no deliberate misleading or lying. But Jude Bunting KC for the BBC said Officer 2 the agent at the centre of the case had deliberately and repeatedly lied, adding that there had been widespread knowledge within MI5 that he had done so. He said Officer 2 had been given authorisation from senior officials to deviate from MI5s usual policy. Mr Bunting also said Sir Jonathan Jones KC, who was commissioned by the Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to carry out the external review, had not spoken to Officer 2 directly during the probe. He said the conclusion was that Officer 2 appears to have consistently lied, adding that it was very troubling. The embarrassing episode dates back to December 2021 when a BBC journalist was investigating the activities of a far-Right extremist. Sir Ken McCallum attempted to get the BBC to drop the story - Jonathan Brady/PA After emailing the man to put the allegations to him, the reporter was surprised to be contacted by an MI5 official saying the claims were not accurate. During several subsequent telephone conversations, the MI5 officer confirmed to the journalist the man, identified only as agent X, did indeed work for them as a paid informant and even offered to arrange a meeting. He also told the reporter he had been legally authorised to disclose agent Xs role, suggesting the decision had been signed off at a higher level. Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, attempted to get the BBC to drop the story but, when the corporation refused, Suella Braverman, the Attorney General at the time, went to the High Court seeking an injunction. During MI5s submissions Witness A insisted they had not deviated from their standard procedure of never confirming nor denying the identities of agents. The same position was maintained in evidence given to two other courts as the mans ex-girlfriend sought to expose how he had used his MI5 cover to abuse and silence her. The BBC was eventually permitted to run the story about the mans violent past and extremist mindset, but was banned from naming him. Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr, sitting with Mr Justice Chamberlain and Dame Victoria Sharp, the president of the Kings Bench Division, are considering what action, if any, to take against MI5. Mr Bunting said it was the BBCs position that the threshold for bringing Contempt of Court proceedings against the agency had been reached. The judgment was reserved and will be handed down at a later date. Stephen Chamberlain, a keen runner, died after being struck by a car on Aug 17 last year - X A friend of tech billionaire Mike Lynch was run over and killed by a car after taking up running to deal with the stress of a fraud trial in which he was acquitted, an inquest heard. Stephen Chamberlain, 52, was crossing a road between two parts of a bridleway when he was struck by a Vauxhall on Aug 17 last year. He was an associate of Lynch, who died when the Bayesian superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily. Lynch was celebrating his acquittal in the same fraud trail when the ship capsized, killing seven people. It happened just two days after Chamberlains death. Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife, Judy, 71, were the four British victims of the tragedy. His US lawyer Christopher Morvillo, his wife, Neda, and chef Ricardo Thomas also died. Chamberlain sustained a traumatic head injury in the collision on the A1123 near Stretham, Cambridgeshire. Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah were among the victims when the Bayesian superyacht sank - Tancredi Group The injury was deemed unsurvivable and his life support was withdrawn three days later. Chamberlain was the co-defendant in a US trial alongside Lynch. Both men were cleared of conducting a massive fraud over the sale of software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011. His widow, Karen Chamberlain, said that her husband took up running after he was charged with fraud. He discovered it helped him mentally stay calm and focus on what was ahead, said Mrs Chamberlain, in a statement read by lawyer Sally Hobson. She said her husband would meticulously spend hours planning his routes and competed in ultra-distance races. He was safety conscious, she said, and would wear just one earbud, leaving the other ear free. That was no exception on the day his other earbud was left at home, Mrs Chamberlain said. The stretch of the A1123 where Stephen Chamberlain was struck by a car while out jogging - Bav Media She said he had been home from the US for two months and was making up for lost time, enjoying getting his life back. On the day of the collision, he had planned to run 17 miles, starting in Ely and ending in Longstanton, Cambridgeshire. He was just over six miles into his run when he was struck. The coroner directed that the female driver of the car should not be named at Tuesdays hearing. The driver said, in a statement summarised by area coroner Caroline Jones, that as she approached the bridge she proceeded down the incline and a man suddenly emerged into the road. She said she saw Mr Chamberlain looking to his left away from her and only looked to his right just before the collision. Stephen Chamberlain's last run, which began in Ely The driver said she had braked hard and steered to the nearside, but he was too close and the front offside of the vehicle collided with him. She said she had been driving within the 60mph speed limit and was on her way to a shop in Newmarket, Suffolk. Grahame Cornwall, a motorcyclist who witnessed the collision, said that Chamberlain was thrown approximately 15ft into the air. In his opinion the driver wouldnt have seen anything until she was on top of the rise (of the bridge) and wouldnt have had a chance to stop, the coroner said. Police forensic collision investigator Pc Ian Masters said it was not an ideal crossing point by any stretch of the imagination. Asked by the coroner if it was his view that it was not an avoidable collision, Pc Masters replied: Yes, thats correct. Glue of our family The coroner recorded a conclusion that Mr Chamberlain died as the result of a road traffic collision. Chamberlains daughter, Ella, said in a statement to the inquest that her father was the perfect role model in every way. His son, Teddy, said: He was the glue of our family, always ready with an answer. The mental and physical strength he showed was beyond anything I could imagine. In a statement outside the court read by lawyer Elena Abraham, the family said that they still have questions unanswered. We will be inviting the police to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration, the statement said. F-35B fighter jets conduct flight operations on HMS Prince of Wales - SWNS Sir Keir Starmers flagship plan to transform the armed forces has been undermined in less than 24 hours after Nato demanded the Government spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence. On Monday, the Prime Minister unveiled his long-awaited Strategic Defence Review (SDR), setting out the future of the British forces and how they would adapt to future battlefields, with a focus on AI, drones and cyber technology, while remaining a Nato first military. However, Sir Keir declined to commit to a firm timeline on when he would hit a stated ambition of spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence. Just hours later, Nato sources briefed that the UK would be required to spend a higher sum of 3.5 per cent of GDP instead. The UK currently spends 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence and has committed to raising this to 2.5 per cent by 2027. Last night, Sir Keir was scrambling to determine how the Government could reach the new Nato target at the same time as Chancellor Rachel Reeves was under pressure not to break her manifesto commitment on tax rises. Earlier this year, Donald Trump, the US president, called on Nato nations to raise defence spending to 5 per cent, although it is understood he will settle for 3.5 per cent. After the 3.5 per cent demand emerged, Mr Trump confirmed he would attend the Nato summit in The Hague later this month. It was not clear last night if the two announcements were connected. Former army chiefs told The Telegraph it was baffling to release the SDR without a clear plan on how the reports recommendations could be achieved without a rise to at least 3.5 per cent. General Sir Patrick Sanders, who stood down as the head of the Army last summer, said the comments coming out of Nato were damaging the Prime Minister. Here is a Prime Minister who said national security should be the organising principle of government, and used language like wartime urgency in his review, but its all show dont tell, he said. It is a bit baffling that the UK describes itself as a leading member of Nato with an SDR that clearly needs to be resourced, but is not committing beyond 2.5 per cent. The Government published this review knowing that they would go to a Nato summit with a primary objective that demonstrates Nato unity, manages Trump and also ensures that the US doesnt walk away from Nato. It [3.5 per cent] is a figure that has been spoken about openly around Europe, and the Government put out the SDR knowing that was the objective of this summit. Sir Patrick said that the review looks like a political own goal at this stage. General Sir James Everard, former Nato deputy supreme allied commander, the most senior UK officer in Nato, also told The Telegraph that the Government needed to agree on raising their target to match Natos before the summit, or risk the alliances cohesion. He said: Nato secretary general Mark Rutte gets on well with Trump and hes come back with a firm message that the target is 5 per cent, and he will be pressing very hard with nations to get that agreed. These conversations need to happen now, not during the summit. All summits are supposed to be demonstrations of alliance unity, you dont want nations arguing in the margins. Sir James added: Its difficult to say you are the leading European power in Nato if you dont commit to the spending targets the secretary general is recommending. I cant understand why you would publish the review if you havent thought about a better rhetoric on funding, particularly with a summit later in June. The way in which we demonstrate our commitment to the alliance is through our spending as a percentage of GDP. Nato first means delivering on Natos plans, policies and commitment. Lord Richard Dannatt, a former Army chief, said without responsible funding, the SDR was an embarrassment for Starmer. Hes talking a good talk but unless you resource the talk, it is just talk, he said. We must commit to 3 per cent by 2029 and 3.5 per cent early in the next parliament. To stress in the review that we are Nato first, Starmer has shot himself in the foot. Without the money behind it, it is virtually meaningless. Labour said it had committed to implementing the SDRs 62 recommendations in full, despite fears that there is no financial plan to achieve this. However Andrew Goodwin, the chief UK economist at Oxford Economics, said that if the Government intends to ramp up spending over a decade, Ms Reeves would have to increase one of the big taxes that Labour has previously said it will not touch, referring to its pledge not to increase income tax, National Insurance contributions or VAT. It is really the only way of generating those sorts of numbers. They would have to sacrifice one of their previous manifesto promises, he said. No doubt target will be met Speaking at Warminster Garrison on Tuesday, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, told The Telegraph that discussions over hitting 3.5 per cent of GDP would be saved for the summit. He added that the summit will be about more than just the financial contribution, and suggested that Britains nuclear deterrent put it in a position to negotiate. Asked to rule out tax rises or if he would make a case to the Chancellor over the issue, he suggested economic growth meant this would not be necessary. He said: Ive got no doubt that we can meet the spending commitments that weve made, no doubt that we will hit the 3 per cent in the next parliament. And the key to this, in the end, is economic growth. And I say Im confident, because Ive started to see the way that the Chancellor is fixing the failures of the economy, the fundamentals. The Lady T, pictured at the Port de Boulogne-sur-Mer after being seized by French officials - STEVE FINN A British fishing boat seized by French authorities in the English Channel last month was released after officials forced its owner to pay 30,000 (25,260), it has been revealed. The Lady T, based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, was intercepted by the Pluvier, a French navy ship, on May 22 for non-authorised fishing in French waters. Four days later, the vessel, which was accused of fishing for whelks without a licence, was allowed to return to Britain following the payment of what sources described at the time as a substantial sum. Pierre-Michel Bon-Gloro, the deputy departmental director of territories and the sea for Pas-de-Calais, has now disclosed that the Lady T was released upon payment of a 30,000 deposit to French maritime authorities. A fishing industry source said: The skipper of the Lady T is not at all happy about the French keeping the 30,000 bail. Its effectively a fine by any other word. Hes set up a GoFundMe page to help him pay it because its a hell of a lot of money for anyone to have to lose like that. Tit-for-tat spat Following the seizure of the Lady T, Olivier Lepretre, chairman of the regional fishing committee in northern France, suggested it had been intercepted in a tit-for-tat spat. It came after the skipper and owner of Pierre DAmbre, a French-registered vessel, were fined 40,000 at Newcastle magistrates court in April after being accused of bottom-trawling in a prohibited area of the Offshore Brighton Marine Conservation Zone. Mr Lepretre told The Times: Until now the French government has always favoured discussions to repression, as opposed to the British government which always imposes rules that are more and more restrictive, and more and more counterproductive for French fishermen. There comes a moment when you have to say: Stop. Another French official said at the time that the Lady T was looking for it after entering exclusive French waters. One moment it was in French waters, the next moment it was next to them, they added. A very expensive lesson The Telegraph understands that the Lady T has now returned to sea and is fishing in EU waters under an external waters licence. A source said: The skipper is feeling very sore about the entire episode, as you can imagine. Hes been fishing in those waters all his life. Hed been waiting for his external waters licence when the boat was seized. Its been a very expensive lesson for him. The seizure came days after Sir Keir Starmer granted EU fishermen access to British waters for another 12 years in a deal critics fear will damage the industry. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, previously accused the French of shameful double standards over the Lady T incident. Hamit Coskun burning a Koran in front of the Turkish consulate in London in February The freedom to criticise Islam must be protected, Tory MPs have demanded amid a row over a mans conviction for burning a Koran. Following a trial at Westminster magistrates court, Hamit Coskun, 50, was found guilty of committing a racially aggravated public order offence during a peaceful protest. Coskun set fire to a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London earlier this year while declaring that Islam was a religion of terrorism. Politicians and free speech campaigners claimed the grotesque prosecution was an attempt to revive and expand long-abolished blasphemy laws. In an attempt to prevent future prosecutions, Nick Timothy, a Conservative MP, is proposing to put a Freedom of Expression (Religion) Bill before the Commons next Tuesday. The proposed Bill, which is co-signed by 11 other MPs, would extend section 29J of the Public Order Act, which protects the criticism of religions and religious beliefs so that it covers section 4A and section 5 of the Public Order Act, under which Coskun was charged. Mr Timothy argued that those parts of the Act were currently being used to prosecute legitimate criticism and protest regarding Islam. He said that while England and Wales abolished blasphemy laws in 2008, they were now effectively being revived through the use of the Public Order Act. The Bill, if enacted, would protect free speech and ensure no religion is above the law. Section 29J of the Public Order Act provides protection to the right to criticise or express antipathy, dislike, ridicule, insult or abuse of particular religions or the beliefs or practices of their adherents. Mr Timothy told The Telegraph: We now have a blasphemy law in this country. Parliament never voted for it, and the country doesnt want it. To use the Public Order Act in this way is completely unacceptable, and to argue the protester was shown to be guilty of disorderly conduct because he was attacked by others is grotesque. I will introduce a Bill to put a stop to all of this next week. I challenge the Government to support it. Sir Gavin Williamson, who is among the MPs who signed the Bill, said: This Bill rightly draws a clear line in rejecting any attempt to introduce blasphemy laws through the back door. Britain abolished such laws to uphold open debate, critical thought, and the principle that no idea or belief is beyond scrutiny. That must not be undone. At Westminster magistrates court on Monday, Coskun 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. Coskun, who is an atheist of Armenian-Kurdish descent, attended the Turkish Consulate on Feb 13 while holding a burning copy of the Koran above his head and shouting F--- Islam and Islam is religion of terrorism. He was ordered to pay 240, but despite the conviction he has pledged to continue burning Korans and intends to go on a tour of the UK, visiting Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow where he will set fire to the holy book. It is unclear whether he will resist doing so until the case is heard at the Court of Appeal where it will be decided whether he is able to challenge Mondays verdict. During his protest, Coskun was attacked by a passer-by, who kicked and punched him and spat at him while he lay on the ground. Although the man has admitted assaulting Coskun, he has denied using a knife in the attack. Passing sentence on Coskun on Monday, District Judge John McGarva dismissed the suggestion that the prosecution was an attempt to bring back and expand blasphemy law. He said Coskun had a deep-seated hatred of Islam and its followers and that what made his conduct disorderly was the timing and location of the protest and the fact that it was accompanied by abusive language. He said the fact Coskun was attacked during the protest showed he posed a risk to public order. The judge concluded that Coskuns actions were highly provocative and were motivated, at least in part, by hatred of followers of the religion. Helpful if the law was clarified The Free Speech Union (FSU) paid for Coskuns legal fees alongside the National Secular Society, with both welcoming the Bill. Lord Young, the director and founder of the FSU, said: The Free Speech Union is helping Hamit Coskum appeal his conviction and were optimistic it will be overturned, but thats a laborious, expensive process and it would be helpful if the law was clarified so the Crown Prosecution Service stops prosecuting people who protest against Islam or any other religion. A spokesman for the National Secular Society said the conviction of Coskun was another damaging chip away at the fundamental right to free expression. The spokesman added: Section 29Js robust free speech provisions explicitly protect expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, and even abuse of beliefs, clearly signalling Parliaments intent to prevent the resurgence of blasphemy laws. With public order laws being used as a proxy for blasphemy codes to appease religious fundamentalists, the case for broadening freedom of expression protections is clear. The Forest of Bowland, which is primarily in Lancashire, is one of the landscapes at risk from Labours planning changes. Photograph: Michal/Getty Images/500px Plus More than 5,000 of Englands most sensitive, rare and protected natural habitats are at high risk of being destroyed by development under Labours new planning bill, according to legal analysis of the legislation. The Guardian has examined the threat the bill poses to 5,251 areas known as natures jewels in the crown, as some of the countrys most respected wildlife charities call for a key part of the bill to be scrapped. The areas at risk from Labours planning changes include cherished landscapes such as the New Forest, the Surrey heaths, the Peak District moors, and the Forest of Bowland. Rivers such as the Itchen in Hampshire and the Wensum in Norfolk are also threatened by the bill. The thousands of protected habitats are locations for threatened British wildlife such as nightingales, badgers, dormice, otters, butterflies, dragonflies, kingfishers, tufted ducks and egrets. The bill is the product of the governments promise to build 1.5m homes to help address the UKs housing affordability crisis, and approve 150 major infrastructure projects, in this parliament. The pledge is key to Labours plan to boost economic growth; however, a recent study suggests the government is likely to miss its new homes target. The government says the bill does not weaken environmental protections. But according to three separate legal opinions on the planning and infrastructure bill currently going through parliament, legal protections will be rolled back by the legislation, making it easier for developers to build on areas that have historically been protected under UK and international law. The Guardian has identified 10 protected sites that are under particular threat from development under the new legislation amid growing criticism of Labours bill. Related: Ten jewels of English nature at risk from development and Labours planning bill They include one of the last strongholds for nightingales in England at Lodge Hill in Kent; a wetland dating back 2,600 years in south Devon; an internationally important tidal wetland at Tipner west in Portsmouth; and woods dating back as far as the 17th century at Sittingbourne, Kent, part of the 2.5% of the UKs ancient woodland that still remains. These areas represent just a handful of the most protected environmental gems across England which include 4,100 sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), all currently protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; 71 wetlands protected under the internationally-binding Ramsar convention; 256 special areas of conservation (SACs) and 824 special protection areas, (SPAs) all protected under UK and international law in the habitats directive. Though numerous, these protected areas in total only cover just under 8% of land in England. Critics of the bill say ensuring they continue to be protected does not amount to a block on building new houses. In a legal opinion, Alex Goodman KC said the consequences of the planning and infrastructure bill as drafted were that any adverse impacts a development inflicted on the most protected natural areas in England, including SSSIs, SACs and Ramsar sites, must be disregarded. [The bill] thereby withdraws the principal legal safeguard for protected sites, he said. This amounts to a very significant change. Goodman has provided one of three separate legal opinions on the bill since it was presented by Angela Rayner, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government. All, including that of the governments own watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), challenge Rayners assertion to parliament that the bill is not a rollback of environmental law. Rayner has been threatened with a judicial review brought by nature groups if she does not correct her comments. Goodman said: The only possible reading is that the bill will have the effect of reducing the level of environmental protection provided. Glenys Stacey, chair of the OEP, said: The bill would have the effect of reducing the level of environmental protection provided for by existing environmental law. As drafted, the provisions are a regression. Key concerns focus on part three of the bill, which provides a mechanism for developers to sidestep current environmental obligations by paying into a nature restoration fund, which will be used at a later date to create environmental improvements elsewhere. Once the fee is paid, the development can go ahead even if it inflicts adverse effects on the integrity of a protected site. Dubbed a mechanism to pay cash to trash, the bill contains no requirement for developers to measure what harms are taking place during the planning process. Irreplaceable habitats have no extra protection from development. Leading charities have called for this section to be scrapped entirely. Dr Ruth Tingay, co-director of Wild Justice, said the government seemed intent on causing unrecoverable damage. Imagine flattening an irreplaceable grade I listed building like the Royal Albert Hall, replacing it with karaoke machines in various towns and then telling the public this is a win-win for architecture and music. Swap the Royal Albert Hall for any one of the UKs nationally important and protected habitats, swap the karaoke machines for a few pathetic tree-planting schemes, then tell people this is a win-win for the environment and the public, and the analogy is brutally clear. David Elvin KC, in a third legal opinion, said part three of the bill was regressive and potentially in breach of international law. Ellie Chowns, a Green MP, said there was a serious legal question with the bill because although the secretary of state asserted to MPs there was no reduction in environmental protections, the reality of the legislation was that the bill was in fact a rollback of environmental protections. We have a responsibility to protect the most important, the rarest and most in need habitats, like chalk streams, ancient woodlands, peat bogs; these jewels in the crown of our ecological heritage have their protections weakened in this bill, she said. These are irreplaceable habitats, which by their very nature cannot be created anywhere else in some kind of compensation schedule. A government spokesperson said: We completely reject these claims, and have been clear that our planning and infrastructure will not weaken environmental protections. The government has inherited a failing system that has delayed new homes and infrastructure while doing nothing for natures recovery. Thats why we will deliver a win-win for the economy and nature as part of our Plan for Change, unblocking building and economic growth while delivering meaningful environmental improvements. Planned bridge marks closer ties between Serbian, Chinese cities Xinhua) 09:09, June 03, 2025 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) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking the public for any tips regarding medical institutions that are performing gender-affirming surgeries on children. President Donald Trump's administration has placed gender-affirming care among transgender youth under scrutiny on the second day of Pride Month. "Help the FBI protect children," the agency wrote, adding that they want to hold accountable those who "mutilate" kids under the guise of gender-affirming care. FBI Cracks Down on Gender-Affirming Surgeries on Children The Republican leader's policies have continued to target the transgender community, restricting access to various services, such as gender-affirming healthcare. This comes as the procedure is rarely done in adolescents and is considered only on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, the majority of youth who receive these kinds of procedures report high levels of satisfaction, saying they have improved mental health and low levels of regret. Last week, Medicare wrote that selected hospitals sought billing codes and projected revenue from treating gender dysphoria in children, according to Axios. It asserted that gender-affirming care for minors has significant risks without providing substantial evidence to back up its claims. This caused it to draw scrutiny among major medical associations. Read more: Trump Administration Report on Transgender Children Healthcare Hides Names of Authors A spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, Laurel Powell, said that healthcare for transgender youth is simply healthcare. She argued that trying to weaponize the FBI against American doctors who are doing their jobs is detrimental to parents who want their kids to thrive. The FBI's request to the public comes as youth gender-affirming care has become illegal in 27 states across the country. Additionally, 17 states are facing legal challenges over the restrictions, putting them temporarily on hold, The Hill reported. Targeting the Transgender Community When Trump signed an executive order where he recognized male and female as the only two sexes, he also directed federal agencies to stop promoting the concept of gender transition. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under the Republican leader's directives, adopted the position that it "rejects gender ideology." The development comes as the Trump administration passed a tax bill that bans Medicaid from covering transition-related care. Additionally, the legislation prohibits marketplace plans that are available under the Affordable Care Act from covering transgender care as an essential health benefit. The bill would have initially banned Medicaid from covering "gender transition procedures" for minors. However, House Republican leadership introduced an amendment that removed the word "minors" and the words "under 18 years of age." The amendment later passed the GOP-led Rules Committee and the full House passed it the day after, as per NBC News. Richard Garwin at the IBM research laboratory in New York, 1960. Photograph: AP The Nobel laureate Enrico Fermi called his student Richard Garwin the only true genius Ive ever met. Garwin, who has died aged 97, is perhaps the most influential 20th-century scientist that you have never heard of, because he produced much of his work under the constraints of national or commercial secrecy. During 40 years working at IBM on an endless stream of research projects, he was granted 47 patents, in diverse areas including magnetic resonance imaging, high-speed laser printers and touch-screen monitors. Garwin, a polymath who was adviser to six US presidents, wrote papers on space weapons, pandemics, radioactive waste disposal, catastrophic risks and nuclear disarmament. Throughout much of that time, a greater secret remained: in 1951, aged 23, he had designed the worlds first hydrogen bomb. Ten years earlier, Fermi had had the insight that an atomic bomb explosion would create extraordinarily high pressures and temperatures like those in the heart of the sun. This would be hot enough to ignite fusion of hydrogen atoms, the dynamical motor that releases solar energy, with the potential to make an explosion of unlimited power. This is known as a thermonuclear explosion, reflecting the high temperature, in contrast to an atomic bomb, which starts at room temperature. Detonation of the atomic bomb in 1945 gave the proof of the first part of this concept, but in secret lectures at the Los Alamos laboratory in New Mexico that summer, Fermi admitted that although an exploding atomic bomb could act as the spark that ignites hydrogen fuel, he could find no way of keeping the material alight. In 1949, the USSR exploded its first atomic bomb and within months President Harry S Truman announced that the US would develop the so-called hydrogen or superbomb. In the same year, Garwin graduated from the University of Chicago with a doctorate in physics and became an instructor in the physics department. Fermi invited him to join Los Alamos as a summer consultant, to help to realise Trumans goal. Early in 1951 Edward Teller and Stanislaw Ulam made the theoretical breakthrough: a bomb consisting of two physically separated parts in a cylindrical casing. One component was an atom bomb whose explosion would emit both atomic debris and electromagnetic radiation. The radiation would move at the speed of light and flood the interior with rays that would compress the second component containing the hydrogen fuel. The impact of the debris an instant later would complete the ignition. This one-two attack on the hydrogen fuel was the theoretical idea that Teller asked Garwin to develop. Garwin turned their rough idea into a detailed design that remains top secret even today. The device, codenamed Ivy Mike, was assembled on the tiny island of Elugelab in the Enewatak Atoll of the Marshall Islands in the south Pacific. Weighing 80 tonnes and three storeys high, it looked more like an industrial site than a bomb. It was undeliverable by an aeroplane but designed solely to prove the concept. On 1 November 1952, the explosion, which was 700 times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped over Hiroshima or Nagasakai, instantly wiped Elugelab from the face of the earth and vaporised 80m tonnes of coral. In their place was a crater a mile across into which the waters of the Pacific Ocean poured. The mushroom cloud reached 80,000ft in 2 minutes and continued to rise until it was four times higher than Mount Everest, stretching 60 miles across. The core was 30 times hotter than the heart of the sun, the fireball 3 miles wide. The sky shone like a red-hot furnace. For several minutes, many observers feared that the test was out of hand and that the whole atmosphere would ignite. None of the news reports mentioned Garwins name; he was a scientific unknown, a junior faculty member at the University of Chicago. A month later he joined the International Business Machines Corporation, IBM, in Yorktown Heights, New York. The post included a faculty appointment at Columbia, which gave him considerable freedom to pursue his research interests and to continue as a government consultant at Los Alamos and, increasingly, in Washington. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, the elder son of Leona (nee Schwartz), a legal secretary, and Robert Garwin, a teacher of electronics at a technical high school by day and a projectionist at a cinema at night, Dick was a prodigy; by the age of five he was repairing family appliances. After attending public schools in Cleveland, in 1944 he entered Case Western Reserve University. In 1947, he graduated with a bachelors degree in physics and married Lois Levy; the couple moved to Chicago, where Garwin was tutored by Fermi. He earned a masters degree in 1948 and a doctorate, aged 21, in 1949. In his doctoral exams he scored the highest marks ever recorded in the university. In addition to his applied science research for IBM, he worked for decades on ways of observing gravitational waves, ripples in space-time predicted by Albert Einstein. His detectors successfully observed the ripples in 2015. This has opened a new window on the universe, in revealing the dynamics of black holes. Throughout his career he continued to advise the US government on national defence issues. This included prioritising targets in the Soviet Union, warfare involving nuclear-armed submarines, and satellite reconnaissance and communication systems. A strong supporter of reducing nuclear arsenals, he advised the US president Jimmy Carter during negotiations with the Soviet president Leonid Brezhnev on the 1979 Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. He believed that the US should nonetheless maintain a strategic balance of nuclear power with the Soviet Union and opposed policies that could upset that: Moscow is more interested in live Russians than dead Americans. After retiring from the University of Chicago in 1993, he chaired the State Departments arms control and non-proliferation advisory board until 2001. In 2002 he was awarded the National Medal of Science, the USs highest scientific award, and in 2016 the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian award. In presenting the award, Barack Obama remarked that Garwin never met a problem he didnt want to solve. Lois died in 2018. Garwin is survived by two sons and a daughter, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Richard Lawrence Garwin, physicist, born 19 April 1928; died 13 May 2025 Sir Bill OBrien - UPPA/Photoshot/Avalon Sir Bill OBrien, who has died aged 96, was a Yorkshire miner who became a Labour MP and front-bench spokesman after twice getting the better of Arthur Scargill. A face worker at Glasshoughton Colliery, branch secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers and a political moderate, OBrien first fell foul of the Yorkshire miners Marxist leader in 1976 when he co-operated with the Sheffield Star in a libel case brought against it by Scargill over alleged favouritism in his deployment of pickets during a strike two years before. The NUMs Scargill-dominated Yorkshire executive accused OBrien and Tom Roebuck, former branch secretary at Manvers Main Colliery, of letting the papers solicitors see confidential correspondence between Scargill and their branches, and suspended them from office for two years. OBrien and Roebuck took the NUM to court. Representing them, Derry Irvine, the future Labour Lord Chancellor, argued that Scargill had been out for a conviction at all costs to punish them for their temerity. He had compiled a report on their actions five days after winning his case and 3,000 in damages then chaired the disciplinary hearings himself. Judge Rubin ruled that the suspensions were a contempt of court, and granted injunctions lifting them. The executive retaliated by ignoring an order to pay the mens costs. OBrien took on Scargill again in the run-up to the 1983 election, when the veteran Labour MP for Normanton, Albert Roberts, retired. The hard Left in the NUM saw a chance to boost its influence at Westminster by replacing Roberts, who had supported the Spanish dictator General Franco, with one of their own. But OBrien, who listed one of his recreations in Whos Who as organising, rounded up delegates to defeat Scargills nominee, Henry Daley, and instal OBrien himself as candidate instead; he was duly elected. Despite his antipathy to Scargill, OBrien steadfastly supported the miners during the painful and divisive strike of 1984-85. He condemned pit closures as stemming from lack of investment in 99 per cent of cases, and pressed for arbitration to bring the dispute to an end. OBrien had nine years on the Labour front bench, as a spokesman first on the environment and then Northern Ireland. A solid performer though some said bumbling he staunchly opposed abortion, and voted against televising the Commons. He was also one of the MPs who in 1988 could not help overhearing the high old time enjoyed by their colleague Afghan Ron Brown and his female researcher in a male-only Commons shower cubicle. William OBrien was born in Castleford on January 25 1929 and brought up in the town, attending St Josephs Roman Catholic school (he would later gain an education degree from Leeds University). He went down the pit at 16, joining the Labour Party as well as the NUM. He first took on the Left in the union in 1973, when he stood for Yorkshire secretary against Owen Briscoe, a Scargill ally. He lost, but his challenge was not forgotten. OBrien was elected to Wakefield council the same year, chairing its finance committee and becoming its deputy leader. He was also a Wakefield JP. He became MP for the heavily redrawn Normanton constituency in 1983, when Labours majority of 4,143 was its lowest for half a century; the outcome was never that close again. His first action at Westminster was to nominate Roy Hattersley as leader against Neil Kinnock. In 1987 he was one of 16 defiantly working-class MPs to join the Rambo tendency semi-humorously founded by Joe Ashton to offset the number of academics and the like on the Labour benches. He had put in sound work on the Public Accounts Committee and the Energy Select Committee, and that summer Kinnock made him an environment spokesman. OBrien led the charge against a Bill restricting the rights of council employees to take part in party politics, a measure he said infringed civil liberties. In November 1990, between Sir Geoffrey Howes dramatic resignation speech and Michael Heseltines challenge that toppled Margaret Thatcher, OBrien urged Michael Portillo, the local government minister, to line up with Heseltine and say lets scrap the poll tax altogether. Around this time, he helped win 14,000 compensation from the Home Office for a woman constituent with learning difficulties who had been detained for 16 months for a murder she did not commit. She had been remanded on charges of killing her father, and was only transferred from prison to a secure mental unit after protests from OBrien. After her conviction was quashed she was moved to a hospital. Replacing Kinnock after the 1992 election, John Smith moved OBrien to Labours Northern Ireland team. By the time Tony Blair returned him to the back benches in 1996, government contacts with Sinn Fein supported by Labour once they became public had made peace in the province a real possibility. Pit closures continued throughout OBriens 22 years in the Commons. In 1993 he took up complaints from householders near Sharlston Colliery about subsidence caused by work on the final seam before it was to close. From 1997 to 2005, he served on the Environment, Transport and Regions Select Committee. He gave up his seat aged 76 at the 2005 election, with Ed Balls, Gordon Browns right-hand man, taking his place. He was knighted in 2010 in Browns resignation Honours. Bill OBrien married Jean; they had three daughters. Bill OBrien, born January 25 1929, died May 18 2025 Outlander star Sam Heughan is to play Macbeth in his debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). The British theatre company has announced its programme of events for 2025/2026, including a raft of plays that will be staged in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of famous playwright William Shakespeare. In the RSCs latest version of Macbeth, Scottish actor Heughan, 45, known for playing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser in romance drama Outlander, will star opposite The Day Of The Jackal actress Lia Williams, as Lady Macbeth. Heughan said: At age 18, standing on the main stage of the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, playing spear-carrier number 2 (essentially a glorified extra) in a production of Macbeth, I could only dream of one day playing the infamous title character. Sam Heughan will play Macbeth in a production being staged in Stratford-upon-Avon (Jane Barlow/PA) It feels full circle to be returning to the stage, after over a decade working primarily in television and film. Not only is Macbeth my favourite Shakespeare play: intense, immediate and unsettling, it also happens to be famously Scottish. The RSC has always been at the pinnacle of my ambition and I feel deeply honoured and thankful to be working alongside some enormously talented and creative people. The Other Place is the perfect space to create an intense, intimate production and, like Lady M, we will be calling upon the spirits of the RSCs highly acclaimed past productions for their blessing. David Tennant, Sir Ian McKellen, and Ralph Fiennes are among the actors who have played the famous character who, consumed by greed and power, murders the king to take the Scottish throne for himself. The new production will be shown at The Other Place theatre from October 9 to December 6. Adrian Lester is to play Cyrano de Bergerac (Ian West/PA) Elsewhere, four of Shakespeares most famous characters have their stories revisited across two performances, also being staged at The Other Place, from January 2026. The first performance in All Is But Fantasy explores the story of Lady Macbeth, who is consumed by guilt after plotting to murder King Duncan, and Emilia, a character in tragedy play, Othello. The second performance looks at the story of Juliet, from tragic romance story Romeo And Juliet, and Richard III, who uses manipulation to become king in the eponymous play. Olivier award-winning actor Adrian Lester will play the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac in a new version of Edmond Rostands play about the novelist and playwright, showing at the Swan Theatre from September 27 to November 15. Over at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch will star as Henry V in a play running from March 14 to April 25 2026. Other highlights include an 80-minute staging of King Lear and a two-part adaptation of John Galsworthys novels, The Forsyte Saga, both playing at the Swan Theatre later in the year, with the former also going on tour. Ncuti Gatwa will feature in the West End premiere of a play that re-imagines the relationship between rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare (Ian West/PA) The RSC is also staging plays in the West End and recently announced the UK premiere of Liz Duffy Adamss Born With Teeth, which will play at Wyndhams Theatre, previewing on August 13 with a final performance on November 1. The production follows rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe, played by Doctor Whos Ncuti Gatwa, and Shakespeare, played by Killing Eves Edward Bluemel. Over in North America, Lolita Chakrabartis acclaimed stage adaptation of Maggie OFarrells award-winning novel Hamnet embarks on a three-date tour of the US in Spring 2026. RSC co-artistic directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said: From Malawi or Manhattan, through French fields, Scottish heaths, mythical lands and Giant country, our 2025/26 programme celebrates what we believe a 21st Century RSC can and should be: global in ambition and outlook, open and collaborative in nature and continuously redefining how Shakespeare and great storytelling can bring joy, connection and improve our understanding of one-another. We are delighted to welcome so many artists in their RSC debuts this season, including internationally renowned acting talents Adrian Lester, Sam Heughan and Lia Williams, playwrights Debris Stevenson, Richy Hughes, Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan, alongside the visionary theatre-makers of tomorrow, Lynette Linton, Simon Evans, Josh Roche and Whitney White to name a few. Portuguese police are conducting new searches in the Madeleine McCann case. Photograph: Luis Forra/EPA A new search for Madeleine McCann is under way in Portugal with police officers gathering a few miles from where the British toddler was last seen in 2007. Portuguese and German police are carrying out the search 18 years after the three-year-old disappeared from the resort of Praia da Luz while her parents were having dinner out, leaving her sleeping in a nearby room with her toddler twin siblings. Police vehicles were seen about 3.5 miles (5.5km) from the resort on Tuesday, in the Atalaia area, where the Sun newspaper reported that search teams were expected to use radar equipment that could scan beneath the ground. Search teams were seen draining a well and clearing areas of dense vegetation near abandoned buildings. German investigators along with Portuguese police officers and firefighters were working in a little-developed area of countryside a few miles from Praia da Luz Journalists were being kept a distance away from the search sites amid intense international media scrutiny of the operation. A no-fly zone was imposed that stopped the used of drones, although some activity could be seen as teams used Strimmers, pick-axes, shovels and chainsaws to clear the undergrowth and debris surrounding an abandoned building. TV footage showed two Portuguese police officers guarding the end to a narrow lane that leads through an area of fields and scrubland with a few houses and a vineyard. The search is being carried out at the request of the German federal police as they look for evidence that could implicate the prime suspect, Christian Bruckner, who is in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. He is due to be released from jail in September if no further charges are brought. Investigators will reportedly look where trenches were dug near the resort at the time of Madeleines disappearance, at wells, ruins and water tanks. There are plans to examine 21 pieces of land. Bruckner was cleared by a German court in October last year of unrelated sexual offences alleged to have taken place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. About 30 German police officers, including forensic experts, are expected to take part in the search along with Portuguese officers, with the activity due to last until Friday. The Metropolitan police, while aware of the operation, will not be present. German investigators and Portuguese officers last carried out searches in the country in 2023, near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz. Bruckner, who spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017, had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir. Ulrich Oppold, a journalist from German broadcaster RTL, visited Bruckner in prison in Germany. Bruckner told him that if he got out of jail the thing he was most looking forward to was a steak with a beer. However, he refused to answer any questions relating to Madeleine after discussions with his lawyers. Bruckner told the journalist that if he did get out of jail he would have to lie low as he was so well known, describing himself as bekannt wie ein bunter Hund which literally translated is as well known as a colourful dog. The Barragem do Arade reservoir was 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. British police were later given permission to examine scrubland near where she vanished in 2014. Last month, Madeleines family, from Rothley in Leicestershire, 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, UK ministers approved more than 100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating Madeleines disappearance. Vladimir Putin - GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The stony-faced Russian peace negotiators in Istanbul yesterday handed, in effect, a surrender document to the Ukrainian delegation as their terms for peace and a ceasefire. It amounted to almost the complete subjugation of the Ukrainian population, the loss of four oblasts in totality, and of course giving up any claim to to the territory of Crimea. It also required the demobilisation of the Ukraine military, cutting all ties with the West and Europe, and basically returning to the position Ukraine held in the Soviet Union as a satellite state of Moscow. This is, of course, what Putin declared his 3-week Special Military Operation was meant to achieve in February 2022. Having failed to do this by military force, why the Russians believe they can now negotiate this state of affairs must be even beyond the most thick-skinned-ostrich type leader in the West. But it will certainly not outwit the Ukrainian president. No doubt smarting from the audacious Ukrainian strike deep into Russia on Sunday which has destroyed a third of the jets which constantly attack hospitals and schools across Ukraine, and also carries Putins much flaunted tactical nuclear weapons maybe the Russian military machine is running out of road? Russia has suffered one million casualties. The price of oil, which sustains Putins war machine, is falling through the floor. It is becoming apparent that the Russian army is reaching its culminating point; and Putin be reaching his in the Kremlin, if rumours and the growing discontent amongst the rank and file in the Russian hinterland are to be believed. The complete disdain of the Russian negotiators for their Ukraine counterparts is summed up by the Russian team leader at one moment in the hour-long talks accusing the Ukrainians of putting on a show after they handed over a list of hundreds of Ukrainian children they wanted to be returned from Russia. 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. Not only do the Russians take President Trump for a fool, but apparently the pathetic Europeans too. If confirmation is needed that Putin has no interest in peace, unless it involves the complete capitulation of the Ukraine population and the absorption of Ukraine into the Russian Federation, then the Russian peace document chucked at the Ukrainian negotiators is it. President Trump and Western leaders must act to ensure that Ukraine can prevail, and its destruction of $7 billion of Russian military hardware at the weekend must give us confidence that if we give Zelensky the tools his military and secret service can finish the job. The UKs SDR announcement yesterday may deter future Russian aggression in five years time, but that will be of little use if we must join the battle with Putin sooner. And it will also be pointless if we allow Ukraine to fall to Moscow, which is only the start point of the Russian leaders desire to reinstate the Soviet Unions western borders. Alongside infrastructure projects, Rachel Reeves is expected to prioritise health, defence and economic growth next week. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Rachel Reevess spring statement in March ended up being defined by deep cuts to disability benefits. The Treasury hopes next weeks spending review will be remembered for the chancellors largesse. Her team have consistently been frustrated that despite announcing tax increases worth 40bn a year by the end of the parliament, and radically rewriting the fiscal rules, Reeves has failed to win much political credit for unlocking additional investment. The Treasury argues that its plans amount to more than 100bn in additional capital investment over the next five years, compared with what her predecessor Jeremy Hunt expected to spend. Reeves believes under-investment is a long-term bugbear of the UK economy. She made space for this additional infrastructure spending by changing the fiscal rules to allow her to borrow to invest and shifting the definition of government debt, to take into account financial assets owned by the taxpayer. The chancellor will be in Manchester on Wednesday to announce a slate of transport investments outside London, as part of this uplift in investment, with more to come next week. She has been inviting groups of Labour MPs into No 11 this week to tell them the good news about high-profile projects in their constituencies though some fret that they are unlikely to materialise rapidly enough to bring much electoral benefit. After fraught cabinet negotiations, the spending review will parcel out among Whitehall departments the spending for the next three years which was announced at the spring statement the envelope, as the Treasury calls it. Alongside infrastructure projects, the chancellor is expected to prioritise health, defence and economic growth, with the latter including the governments long-awaited industrial strategy. Reeves and her cabinet colleagues will be keen to point to the potential benefits of this additional spending, not least a less dysfunctional NHS. Outside these key areas, some departmental settlements are expected to be painfully tight, particularly towards the later end of the three-year period the spending review covers: a point that will inevitably be made by thinktanks such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Reevess enforcer, Darren Jones the chief secretary to the Treasury insists departments should be looking for ways to make resources go further over time, through innovation and cracking down on waste. And the chancellor is expected to offer a robust defence of her fiscal rules, which despite mounting disquiet inside her own party, her team contend are necessary to maintain the stability of the public finances. Under the rules, day-to-day spending must be covered by taxation. Reevess allies believe this tough constraint is necessary, to maintain the market confidence the Treasury needs, to ratchet up borrowing to fund investment. But critics argue that it distorts decision-making, forcing the government into choices like the 5bn in welfare cuts made in the spring statement, in order to ensure the rules were on course to be met. Another controversial choice Reeves made to balance the books, the means-testing of the winter fuel allowance, is also likely to come under intense scrutiny , with the chancellor unable to say as yet how the partial U-turn on the policy will be funded (or indeed exactly who will receive the payment this winter). She is also likely to be challenged about whether she will find the resources for other Labour priorities, including tackling child poverty a full strategy on which is now not expected until the autumn. After the bruising reversal of the winter fuel allowance decision, with which she was so closely associated, Reeves will be hoping next week will be more about spending than cuts. But it is also likely to underline, yet again, the difficulties of achieving some of Labours central aims within the fiscal constraints the Treasury has set. Reuben Owen said he enjoyed doing work to help his family. (Channel 5) What did you miss? Reuben Owen hoped to be mum Amanda Owen's knight in shining armour, by mending potholes in a road on the family farm. But the 21-year-old farmer's plans backfired when friend Capper got a heavy loading shovel vehicle stuck in the mud. In the latest episode of his Channel 5 show Reuben: Life in the Dales on Tuesday, 3 June the Our Yorkshire Farm star son of Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda and Our Farm Next Door farmer Clive Owen Reuben was seen doing repair work to a road. The young farmer is in the third year of running his own farm machinery business and agreed to repair potholes in a road on Ravenseat Farm for free to help his mum. But when Amanda came to inspect how the work was going she was furious to discover the mess he had made of a neighbour's field. What, how and why? Amanda Owen was not impressed to see the mess the loading shovel had made in the neighbour's field. (Channel 5) Reuben revealed he had agreed to mend a road on the family's Ravenseat Farm for free after his mother had "given him stick" about how long she had been suffering driving over the potholes. He told his pals and colleagues Capper and Sonny: "Alright boys, bit of a different job for us today. We are working on my mother's road today... she keeps on getting punctures in the car every time [she drives through them]. It's not a public road, so we've got to maintain it ourselves and as you can see, it's not being maintained very well." Reuben added: "It's quite nice to be doing jobs for your family. You put your own jobs off and I've been putting this one off for ages, but mum's just finally given me enough stick that today we're gonna tackle it." The lads cleared the drain and then dug out the potholes ready to be filled in with fresh tarmac. But they ran into trouble when Capper drove the heavy loading shovel, used for moving the old dug out tarmac, onto a field and it sank in a bog and became stuck. Just as the boys were wondering what to do, Amanda came to see how things were going. She said: "Well, I've just come down to see how Reuben is coming on with mending my road, but he seems to have not mended the road and he also seems to be wrecking the fields and even better it's not my field. It's our next door neighbour's. So it looks like things are not going to plan. And actually looks like a bit of a disaster at the moment. Amanda Owen was not impressed with son Reuben's efforts. (Channel 4) ((LORNA ROACH/Channel 4)) "Look at Reuben's little face, even he is completely stumped as to what to do." Reuben said: "I don't know whether to laugh or cry or both." Read more: Reuben Owen After scolding the boys Amanda sent Capper to apologise to the neighbours. Eventually Reuben managed to solve the problem by using his beloved 'Old Major' vintage tractor to tow out the loading vehicle. Amanda said: "I'm proud of them, to be quite honest with you. Reuben does seem to enjoy a bit of a challenge. He likes his old problem solving and anything that involves him getting the old tractor out, the Old Major and sort of making bad things go good is always exciting in his book, so there you go. It was a challenging day on the farm for Reuben. (Channel 5) "So I'm not thrilled about it, and it looks like I'm gonna have to wait a little bit longer to get my road mended, but... Good old Reuben." Packing up, Reuben said: "I think it's tidy this up and then. I'm gonna leave you to it for a little bit. You know she's waited three or five years, so she's gonna wait another day. It's still quite good fun working with Mum even when it had all gone wrong." What else happened on Reuben: Life in the Dales? Reuben's brothers Miles and Sonny shovelled new tarmac onto the road. (Channel 5) Reuben drafted in his younger brothers Miles and Sonny, as well as dad Clive to help finish the job by laying the new tarmac. Reuben was excited to use his new JCB road roller to smooth out the tarmac. His 70-year-old father Clive marvelled: "That's wonderful, isn't it? It's nice to see my lads all flat out. It's a really nice thing when you see them all working away like that. "All the trouble they've been in their lives, you know, I've nursed them and fed them and so now it's payback there. So yeah, it's good to see them working together, what a grand thing it is." Miles Capper, Sonny Billington, Miles Owen, Clive Owen, Sid Owen, Reuben Owen Reuben and his team stand next to his dad Clive whilst re tarmnacing the road near Fers - Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales (Channel 5) And mum Amanda was also impressed when Reuben took her on a drive in his three-wheeler Reliant Robin to feel how smooth the new road was. Amanda said: "I tell you what, I can't feel the potholes. This was the bad one, this was the really bad one. It's excellent because I mean I've broken so many springs and and tires and goodness knows what, so yeah, it's much better." Reuben: Life in the Dales airs on Channel 5 at 8pm on Tuesdays. The owners of Universal Ostrich Farms claim they are being unfairly ordered to cull their flock of birds - Aaron Hemens/The Canadian Press via AP An H5N1-infected ostrich farm which has become a cause celebre among animal rights campaigners and the US health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, once boasted of rendering the birds down in vats so that their oil could be used in cosmetics and pet food. Universal Ostrich Farms, located in British Columbia, made headlines earlier this month after its owners claimed they were being unfairly ordered to cull their flock of around 400 birds by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The cull order came after the CFIA said that several of the animals had contracted H5N1, the deadly avian flu virus that has decimated bird populations worldwide and which experts fear could one day jump to humans. Thousands of similar cull orders have been issued to infected farms around the world as the virus has spread, but the Canadian ostriches appear to have won a brief stay of execution after being swept up in the US-Canadian culture wars. A Save our Ostriches campaign launched by the farms owners has been jumped on by both animal rights activists and MAGA supporters in the US. Some 69 ostriches have died on the farm since an outbreak began in December last year, when PCR testing came back positive for H5N1. The farms owners demanded the CFIA carry out further testing but their request was denied, and they are now claiming that the remaining birds have developed herd immunity, catching the eye of RFK Jr, who has petitioned to have the birds relocated to Florida for further testing. Scientists have called the proposal both dangerous and irresponsible, given the serious risks any infected birds pose to public health. The farms new website urges readers to donate up to $1,000 or more to save the birds - Universal Ostrich Farms The farms new Save Our Ostriches website certainly pulls at the heartstrings but the contrast with the original website, still available through the internet archive, could not be sharper. While the new site urges readers to donate up to $1,000 or more to save the 398 remaining birds, the original site talked of processing and rendering and selling the meat, skin and oil of ostriches all over the world. Full vertical integration improves quality, increases efficiency, and boosts profitability, the original website reads. Help save Anna. Shes feisty, confident, and always full of attitude, says the new, MAGA-friendly site today, beneath a cutesy picture of a fluffy and determined looking bird. Ostrich meat is imported and sold in Britain, including at major supermarkets but it is not clear if burgers and steaks from Universal Ostrich Farms were ever sold here. In British Columbia, Katie Pasitney, the daughter of one of the farms owners, Karen Espersen, and now acting spokesperson for both her mother and business partner Dave Bilinski, has appeared in several emotional videos in recent weeks appealing for public help and support. The farm says the birds have not been used for meat since 2020, and are now mainly involved in medical research specifically, the extraction of antibodies from ostrich eggs. What the site looked like in October 2024 - Universal Ostrich Farms Full vertical integration improves quality, increases efficiency, and boosts profitability - Universal Ostrich Farms An infographic explaining the processing and selling of ostrich meat, skin and oil - Universal Ostrich Farms However, official court documents from the recent dispute with CFIA contradict this claim. They state that some level of ostrich sales, along with sales or planned sales of products derived from ostrich fat and eggshells, continued through to at least December 2024. The H5N1 avian flu virus was first detected in the late 1990s, but has spread rapidly through animal populations since 2020, killing millions of wild and farmed birds as well as a huge range of mammals including polar bears, rhinos, whales, foxes, as well as domestic pets including cats and dogs. Thousands of poultry farms around the world including in Britain have been forced to cull their flocks, causing the price of eggs to skyrocket to unprecedented levels. Last year, the virus jumped into the US cattle chain and since has become endemic. More than 1,000 dairy herds have been infected with the virus, and a fifth of the countrys milk supply now contains detectable traces of H5N1. At least 70 people in the US, mostly poultry and dairy farm workers, have also caught the virus, one of whom has died. The viruss exponential spread comes at a time when the Trump administration has dramatically cut back on the governments response to H5N1. Just last week, the administration announced it had cancelled a $766 million contract with pharmaceutical giant Moderna for the mass-production of mRNA bird flu vaccines. The agreement was intended to strengthen the countrys pandemic preparedness by diversifying its emergency H5N1 vaccine stocks. RFK Jr, a long-time vaccine sceptic, has repeatedly expressed concerns over the safety of mRNA vaccines despite them having saved millions of lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. President Trump has also cut funding to several departments at the US Department of Agriculture and Centre for Disease Control responsible for monitoring and containing the spread of H5N1. It makes RFK Jrs intervention into the Canadian ostriches fate even more baffling. We believe significant scientific knowledge may be garnered from following the ostriches in a controlled environment, Mr Kennedy wrote in a letter to the head of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Experts say the scientific value of the ostriches is minimal, as similar studies have already been conducted in other parts of the world, and transporting any sickened birds would put people and other farms at risk. In a statement published over the weekend, the CFAI said: [Our] response to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry is based on an approach known as stamping-out, as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Stamping-out is the internationally recognised standard and is a primary tool to manage the spread of [H5N1] and mitigate risks to animal and human health as well as enable international trade. Given that the flock has had multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of H5N1 and the ongoing serious risks for animal and human health, and trade, the CFIA continues planning for depopulation at the infected premises. The Telegraph contacted Universal Ostrich Farms for comment. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, delivers a statement to reporters - Tolga Bozoglu/Shutterstock 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ukrainian servicemen fire a self-propelled multiple rocket system Nobody in their right mind thought Putin would come to the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul with any seriousness. And so it has proven. His demands are straight out of Soviet foreign minister Andrei Gromykos negotiating playbook: demand the maximum, present ultimatums and do not give one inch. Putins terms for a final settlement are no different from his diktats from the start, including international recognition of Moscows occupation of the four regions he considers Russian territory, and a guarantee Ukraine never joins any international alliances. Even Putins pathways to a temporary ceasefire require withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all of the four regions, demobilisation of the armed forces, cessation of international military aid and electing a new government. In other words: total capitulation, with Ukraine surrendering its sovereignty, partitioned, isolated, disarmed and a Russian puppet government in Kyiv. That doesnt mean negotiations shouldnt continue in the hope of achieving less punitive terms. The Ukrainian government has already signalled it would be ready to accept the temporary occupation of territory Russia has already captured. But it is hard to see how Putin will climb down from his maximalist position without significant changes on the battlefield or to the economic situation. President Trump tried a softball approach with Putin, extending the prospect of major economic benefits through a return to normalisation in US-Russia relations. Putin hasnt bought that even though he has ham-fistedly attempted to mollify Trump and encourage him to abandon Ukraine with his disingenuous ploy of engaging in negotiations. Trump obviously sees right through that. He said he was p----d off by Putins proposal that Ukraine should be placed under external administration with elections overseen by the UN. The US now needs to try a different approach. Trump can say he did everything he could to end the bloodshed in the first months of his presidency but Putins intransigence now demands different tactics. What would those tactics be? Continue to hold out an olive branch while doubling down on US military backing to Ukraine and pressuring European allies to do the same thing. It was Bidens faltering leadership that allowed most West European countries as well as the US to do the least they could get away with. That needs to change and weve already seen how Trumpian hectoring can compel Europeans to boost their own defence spending, both in his first term and even more in his second. Renewing US commitment to Nato would also help encourage European leaders. It would send a powerful message to Putin too, whose overriding strategic objective is dividing the West. We need to move on from providing Ukraine with just enough to defend themselves but never enough to prevail. The effort required to drive Russia back out of Ukraine is probably too much to expect, but the point would be to enable Kyiv to do even more damage to Russian forces to compel Putin to reconsider his current calculation that he can grind Ukraine down and outlast the Wests support. Among the most harmful constraints Biden imposed on Ukraine was forbidding use of US-supplied weapons to attack Russian sovereign territory. That was the consequence of his fear of Russian escalation, both against Ukraine and Nato countries. It allowed Putin to continue to shield the Russian population from the conflict, keeping it limited to a special military operation. Kyiv didnt play ball though, firing home-made drones into Russia and even mounting the first invasion of its territory since the Second World War. The latest breathtaking drone attack on Russia, which destroyed a large chunk of its strategic air force on the ground shows what can be done. Some say the US and European countries should distance themselves from that, dreading Moscows retaliation. But irrespective of the diplomatic position they choose to take, they should do the opposite, by giving Ukraine what it needs to carry out further strikes to undermine Russian military capability, drive the war home to the population and humiliate Putin. Trump should start to do real economic damage to Russia. Much can be achieved by more effective military action to increase weapons and equipment loss rates, potentially forcing Putin to transition the economy to a full war footing. The half-hearted sanctions against Russia have not been good enough and European countries have paid more to Russia for hydrocarbons than they have given in aid to Ukraine. We need to turn the screws by tougher measures against the Russian energy sector, finally detaching Moscow from the international banking system and disrupting the ghost tanker fleet that has allowed oil revenues to surge. A bitter blow would also be landed by seizing the entirety of Russias $330 billion of frozen assets in Western countries to pay for the war, or at least plan to do so subject to negotiations. Putin showed yet again in Istanbul that he doesnt eat carrots, so Trump now needs to propel him towards a proper deal by applying a very large stick. 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Photograph: PhotoPower/Alamy The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched an investigation into Rockfire Investment Finance, which became embroiled in a financial scandal over how a UK council invested more than 100m into solar farms. The UKs anti-corruption agency said it had issued a series of section 2 notices compelling financial institutions to provide information on its newly opened investigation into alleged fraud committed against Thurrock council. It added: Between 2016 and 2020, Thurrock council invested millions into solar farms, via a bond scheme sold by the UK-based Rockfire Investment Finance plc and other companies operating within the Rockfire Group. Rockfires renewable energy bonds were said to have offered a return of between 3% and 6%, on top of the original funds invested. The company has since entered liquidation. The subsequent losses contributed to Thurrock, which lies on the north bank of the River Thames immediately east of London and includes the Port of Tilbury, formally declaring effective bankruptcy in 2022 having run up debts of more than 1bn after a series of disastrous investments. The council sued the Dubai-based businessman Liam Kavanagh and his firm Rockfire Capital in Londons high court last year, in a case in which the council alleged that the tycoon misused 150m of its funds for personal gain, including buying a luxury yacht and private jet. Kavanagh appeared to have spent some of the funds to make purchases largely for his personal benefit, including 13.7m on a yacht and 9.1m on a Bombardier private jet, as well as using 3m for a property in Mallorca, the court filings alleged. At the time, Kavanaghs lawyers said in a statement: The claim has not been validly served on Mr Kavanagh and he is confident that his application challenging the courts jurisdiction will succeed. Irrespective of the question of jurisdiction, Mr Kavanagh strenuously denies the allegations. If and when necessary to do so, and should the court permit the claim to proceed, Mr Kavanagh will be putting forward a full defence. The Guardian made efforts to contact Kavanagh and Rockfire via their lawyers after the SFOs announcement. Thurrock council welcomed news of the SFOs investigation. Victoria Holloway, a cabinet member, said: Alongside this, the council is vigorously pursuing civil claims against Rockfire and its owner, Liam Kavanagh, to recover public funds lost through these failed investments. Todays announcement strengthens our resolve to see this through. The council said it had so far recouped more than 650m of public money from its various historic investments. Students walk near the Widener Library at Harvard University. Trump is trying to block the university from admitting international students. Photograph: Charles Krupa/AP For weeks, Subash Devatwals phone has not stopped ringing. Some of the calls have been from distressed students, at other times it is their panicked parents, but all have the same question is their dream of studying in the US still possible? Devatwal runs an education consultancy in Ahmedabad, the main city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is one of thousands of such organisations that exist across the country, helping Indian students achieve what many consider to be the ultimate symbol of success: getting into an American university. It has long been a booming business for Devatwal. Families in India will often invest their entire life savings to send their children to study in the US and last year there were more than 330,000 Indians enrolled at American universities, more than any other foreign nationality, overtaking Chinese students in numbers for the first time in years. But this year the situation looks drastically different. As Donald Trumps administration has taken aim at international students first implementing draconian screening measures over political views and then last week ordering all US embassies globally to indefinitely pause all student visa interviews many Indian students and their families have been left in limbo. Trumps unilateral decision to block Harvard University from admitting international students, which was later blocked by the courts, also caused widespread panic and stoked fears that foreign students at other universities could get caught in the presidents crosshairs. The students are in shock. Most of them spend several years preparing to study in the US, said Devatwal. He said many of his clients were now hesitant to pursue a US degree, given the high levels of turmoil and uncertainty following the Trump administrations new policies. Indian students can expect to pay between $40,000 to $80,000 (29,500 to 59,000) a year on tuition alone to study in the US. In previous years, Devatwals organisation sent more than 100 students to American universities but this year he said the number had dropped to about 10. Instead, families were shifting their focus to the UK and other European countries. A recent analysis by the Hindu newspaper estimated a 28% drop in Indian students going to the US in 2025. Families contribute their savings, take out loans from banks and borrow from relatives, all in the hope that the student will secure a good job abroad, repay the debt, and build a promising future, said Devatwal. In such uncertain circumstances, parents are understandably reluctant to let their children take such a risky path. Brijesh Patel, 50, a textile trader in Surat, Gujarat, said he had been saving money for over a decade to make sure his son could go to a US university, including selling his wifes jewellery and borrowing money from relatives. Everyone in the family wanted our son to go to the US for his studies and make something good of his life, said Patel. His 21-year-old son, who he asked not to be named for fear of retribution by the US authorities, had secured a place at two American universities for his masters degree and Patel had already paid 700,000 rupees (6,000) to consultancies who helped with the applications. But amid the turmoil under Trump, Patel said his son was being advised not to even apply for his student visa, due to the uncertainty and high probability of rejection. We simply cant take that risk. If our son goes now and something goes wrong, we wont be able to save that kind of money again, he said. However, Patel said he was not willing to give up on the family dream just yet. I am an optimist, and my son is willing to wait a year, he said. Were hoping that things improve by then. Its not just my son who will be living the American dream, its all of us: my wife, our relatives and our neighbours. Ive struggled my whole life I dont want my son to face the same struggles here in India. The fear among prospective and current students was palpable. Several Indian students studying in the US declined to speak to the Guardian, fearing it could jeopardise their visas. In India, a student selected in December to be one of this years Fulbright-Nehru doctoral fellows a highly competitive scholarship that pays for the brightest students to study abroad at US universities as part of their PhD thesis said the applications of their entire cohort had recently been demoted back to semi-finalists. The student, who asked to remain anonymous over fears it would affect their application, said they had invitation letters from top Ivy League universities for the fellowship, which is considered one of the most prestigious scholarships in the US, but now everything was up in the air. We are supposed to start in October and our orientation was scheduled for May, all the flights and hotels were even booked, but then it all got cancelled. Now weve been informed all our applications are under review by the Trump administration, said the student. They said it had caused huge panic and anxiety among those accepted. I know a lot of people are going back through their social media, deleting things and doing a lot of self-censoring. Piyush Bhartiya, a co-founder of the educational technology company AdmitKard, said many parents who had been set on sending their children to the US were rethinking their plans. He cited one example of a student who had been admitted to New York University for the coming year but was instead planning to go to the London School of Economics after the US visa interviews were paused. Bhartiya said Indian students primarily went to the US to study Stem subjects science, technology, engineering and maths and so the focus had shifted to other countries strong in these areas. Germany is the main country where students are shifting to for Stem subjects, he said. Other countries like Ireland, France, the Netherlands, which are also gaining substantial interest in the students. At the undergraduate level, the Middle East has also seen a lot of gain in interest given parents feel that it is close by and safer and given the current political environment they may want their kids closer to the home. Among the Indian students forced to abandon their plans is Nihar Gokhale, 36. He had a fully funded offer for a PhD at a private university in Massachusetts, but recently received a letter saying the funding was being withdrawn, as the university faced issues under the Trump administration. It was quite shocking. I spoke to people at the university, and they admitted it was an exceptional situation for them too, said Gokhale. Without the funding, the US was financially out of the question and he said he had an offer from the UK he now intended to take up. For at least the next three or four years, Im not considering the US at all, he said. This article was amended on 4 June 2025 to correct a conversion error. An earlier version said that 700,000 rupees was 68,000 instead of saying 6,000. Great British Railways branding on the side of a train carriage - Andrew Matthews/PA Britains clapped-out, dysfunctional railways robbed me of three hours of my life last week. Yes, this is just 0.0004 per cent of the total time I expect itll take me to shuffle off this mortal coil. But it bothered me, as I suspect it did every passenger with the misfortune to board the 19.36 from St Pancras on Wednesday evening. Moments after departing we ground to an ominous halt. Nothing unusual: our trains exit London with the zip of a snail crossing molasses. First, we were told of signal failures. Later, that we werent able to connect to the overhead power supply. As is always the case, information was in short supply which is presumably why, at one point, some passengers with a death wish attempted to manually open the carriage doors themselves. At 10.20pm, hot, hungry, and fully out of patience with the children watching TV at top volume on their parents phones nearby, we were evacuated onto a train pulled up alongside our own. I walked the length of that train and out onto the platform at Kentish Town, one of Londons most pointless stations. In other words, it had taken three hours for rail staff to transport 500 people 150 metres. Adding insult to injury, I then had to fork out 53 for a taxi home. Ive submitted a complaint, though it will be a month before I get a response. 0302 publicly owned network rail causes more delays First world problems? Sure. But ORR data show just 68 per cent of trains between January and March this year ran on time. Delays are a feature, not a bug, of Britains railways. The Tokaido Shinkansen, which connects Tokyo and Osaka, has a 99.5 per cent on-time performance rate. For Brits dependent on Avanti West Coast, 58 per cent of trains will be late. The Left would have you believe that the real issue plaguing our railways is grubby corporations putting profit before customers even though reintroduction of the profit motive to the railways led to massive investment and a doubling of passenger journeys between 1997 and 2019. The disenchanted public, meanwhile, want lower fares, and assume nationalisation will deliver them, which it wont when our maxed-out government is already paying over half of the running costs of the passenger railway. Labour clearly has no strategy, other than bringing the railways back into public ownership because unions who will soon realise the DfTs magic money tree has been chopped down have nagged them for years about it. Its the same with water companies. Simple answers nationalise, jail greedy directors, force shareholders to repay dividends offered by those blithely unaware that the only way to improve water is to make consumers or taxpayers fund it. Private enterprise can only invest if they can charge customers more to recoup the cost; the alternative is higher taxes and water or rail being put into the queue behind the NHS, housing, net zero, the NHS, schools, the NHS, migrant hotels, the NHS, welfare... though perhaps just ahead of defence and prisons. Well get another reservoir by 2120, if lucky. Anything thats a human right ought to be nationalised, sniffed some Green Party clown on Monday, though he hushed up when it was pointed out our supermarkets function rather well, providing cheap food in abundance. Unlike, for instance, the Soviet collectivisation which triggered mass famine. But such airhead attitudes are characteristic of a political class that believes the private sector ravages whilst the public is starved when the opposite is true. Whoever is in charge, the lazy assumption that there is some solution to our malaise that doesnt involve trade-offs or genuinely tough choices remains the same. Rather than put deep thought into how we modernise our Victorian water network or outdated railways, they go for the crowd-pleasing re-nationalisation. We see this on a bigger scale with Reform. Theyre hailed as the panacea, the party that can put everything from high taxes to crumbling public services and our defective immigration system back on track. But for now their USP is simply that theyre not LibLabCon. Their policies, such as they are, border on risible. The risk is that we hear much more about sizeable giveaways...while getting nothing like the same amount of specificity about the big cuts to spending on public services that would be needed for the plan to be implementable, the IFS quietly cautioned after Nigel Farages big speech last week. Sadly, no one seems to be listening, in any party. Theyre too busy imagining more ways to spend, regulate and ban, secretly hoping they wont be the ones in power when the music finally stops. Harvard University students attend a graduation ceremony on Thursday. Donald Trump has suggested a cap on the number of foreign students at Harvard - Mel Musto/ 2025 Bloomberg Finance LP The Trump administration has been clear about the motivation for cracking down on foreign students: it is a question of national security. Dozens of foreign students, with valid visas or Green Cards, have been swept up because of their support for pro-Palestinian causes. Deportation proceedings have focused on the power of the secretary of state to decide whether the persons presence on American soil would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Last week, the administration took aim at another set of students. Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, announced he would aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese students, including those with links to the Chinese Communist Party or who were studying sensitive subjects. National security powers That idea had been laid out in Project 2025, a blueprint drawn up by conservatives to kickstart Donald Trumps presidency. And it is a familiar strategy. The White House has frequently cited national security powers as the president pushed through new policies and regulations without having to resort to the long-winded and uncertain passage of legislation through Congress. In the same way, Mr Trump and his allies used questions of national security for his liberation day tariffs, ramping up duties on imports. In that case, the tariffs are designed to rebalance what Mr Trump views as unfair trade practices, reduce US dependence on foreign products and to bring manufacturing jobs back home. In the same way, listen closely and Mr Trump and his vice-president have made no secret of their America First plan for universities that goes beyond questions of national security. In the Oval Office last week, Mr Trump suggested a cap on the number of foreign students at Harvard University. We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools they cant get in because we have foreign students there, he said. Donald Trump and JD Vance have made no secret of their America First plan for universities - Bonnie Cash/ 2025 Bloomberg Finance LP An estimated 1.1 million students are enrolled at American universities, making the sale of a top-quality education one of the nations best earners. Those students were worth almost $44 billion to the economy in the 2023 to 24 academic year, according to the Association of International Educators. JD Vance, Mr Trumps vice-president, said any reduction in foreign student numbers offered an opportunity and rejected criticism that it would lead to a brain drain. Youve heard that criticism in particular as the president has talked about cracking down on foreign student visas and their abuses, but I think thats actually an opportunity for American citizens to really flourish, he told Newsmax. And his words were echoed by Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff and key architect of the presidents immigration policy. What we cant do is have a system that deprives Americans of an opportunity to contribute to their own country, he told reporters at the White House last week. Taken together, their words suggest that what started as a crackdown on students supporting Hamas on university campuses, is underpinned by an America First agenda. Ukraine has detonated a massive underwater blast targeting the key road and rail bridge connecting the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula to Russia, damaging its underwater supports. The operation, for which Kyivs SBU security service claimed responsibility, is the second high-profile operation by Ukraine in days striking significant Russian assets after a sophisticated drone raid on Moscows strategic bomber fleet on Sunday. The attack came as Ukraine confirmed it had been invited to the Nato summit later this month, after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it would be a victory for Russia if it was not present. The latest strike on the 12-mile-long Kerch bridge a prestige project of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, which he opened in 2018 comes amid what appear to be determined efforts by Ukraine to change the narrative promoted by the Trump administration that Kyiv holds few cards in the war. The mining of the bridge, which is heavily defended by Russian forces, follows the audacious long-range drone attack on airbases deep inside Russia, which Zelenskyy claimed had damaged 34% of [Russias] strategic cruise missile carriers. In a further development on Tuesday, Russias state investigative committee accused Ukraine of carrying out acts of terrorism by blowing up two railway bridges in Russia over the weekend. Seven people were killed and 113 injured, including children, when two trains crashed as a result of the attacks. A Russian rocket attack on the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Tuesday killed at least four people and wounded 25, officials said. Zelenskyy denounced the assault, saying it underscored the fact that Moscow had no intention of halting the war. The SBU said the operation against the Kerch bridge had been planned for several months and involved the equivalent of more than a metric tonne of TNT, which it said had severely damaged the base of the bridge supports. It is the third time Ukraine has targeted the key logistics route since Moscows full-scale invasion in 2022. In October 2022, a truck exploded on the bridge, while in July 2023, the SBU said it had blown up part of the bridge using an experimental naval drone. Both times, Russia repaired the damaged sections. Lt Gen Vasyl Maliuk, of the SBU, who supervised the latest operation, described the bridge as an absolutely legitimate target, especially considering that the enemy used it as a logistical artery to supply its troops. He added: Crimea is Ukraine, and any manifestations of occupation will receive our tough response. The SBU published footage showing a blast coming out of the water and debris flying, along with a photo of some damage to the side of the bridge. Road traffic on the bridge had been temporarily suspended, Russian authorities said on Telegram on Tuesday. Russian state media reported it had been closed to traffic for about four hours. Russia said on Tuesday said it was wrong to expect a quick breakthrough in Ukraine talks, a day after Moscow rejected Kyivs call for an unconditional ceasefire at negotiations in Istanbul. The Russian offensive has been going for more than three years, and has killed tens of thousands on both sides and forced millions from their homes in eastern Ukraine. Russia instead offered a partial truce of two to three days in some areas of the frontline, its top negotiator said after the talks. The settlement issue is extremely complex and involves a large number of nuances, the Kremlins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Tuesday. It would be wrong to expect immediate solutions and breakthroughs. The sides instead agreed on a large-scale swap of captured soldiers and exchanged their roadmaps to peace, or memorandums, at the discussions, which lasted for just under two hours on Monday. According to a document handed to the Ukrainians that was published by Russian state media, Moscow is demanding, as a precondition to pausing its offensive, that Ukraine pull its troops out of four eastern and southern regions that Moscow claims to have annexed. Peskov was speaking as Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyys chief of staff, arrived in the US along with the deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko to press for tougher sanctions on Russia. We plan to talk about defence support and the situation on the battlefield, strengthening sanctions against Russia, Yermak said on Telegram. Peskov also dismissed the idea of a summit between the presidents of Russia, Ukraine and the US. In the near future, it is unlikely, he told reporters, adding that such a summit could happen only after Russian and Ukrainian negotiators reached an agreement. The White House said on Monday that Donald Trump was open to the idea of a summit, which is also backed by Zelenskyy and by Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Zelenskyys attendance at the Nato summit in The Hague from 24 to 26 June was welcomed by the Ukrainian president after reported misgivings over the potential for the renewal of friction between Zelenskyy and Trump administration officials. We were invited to the Nato summit. I think this is important, Zelenskyy said on Monday after he held a meeting with Natos secretary general, Mark Rutte, in Vilnius. A-50 surveillance aircraft were targeted during an audacious drone attack by Ukraine - AFP via Getty Ukraine has damaged at least two of Russias rare A-50 surveillance aircraft in its audacious drone attack on Vladimir Putins strategic bomber fleet, according to intelligence shared with The Telegraph. Footage shared with this publication clearly showed one of the Ukrainian drones hitting the radar dome of a hulking Soviet-era spy plane sitting on the apron of an air base. The aircraft was protected with what appeared to be sandbags aligned across its wings. A second A-50, shielded by tyres carefully lined across its airframe, also appeared to be hit by a Ukrainian-piloted drone, again landing on its radar dome. The fresh intelligence sheds new light on what has been likened to Russias Pearl Harbour moment referring to the surprise Japanese attack that brought the US into the Second World War. The A-50 aircraft is an expensive and scarce military asset for Russia - Reuters It is not clear whether the Russian A-50s were destroyed, but even damaging the aircraft would be considered a prized scalp by the Ukrainians. Moscow was believed to only have seven operational versions of the spy planes, which are estimated to be worth 235 million each, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The A-50s are considered highly important for organising Russias air defences and co-ordinating fighter jets and bomber aircraft attacking Ukraine. Ukrainian officials had claimed to have struck at least one of the spy planes before, but the footage shared with The Telegraph remains the only proof of their apparent success. The three-minute-long video clip showed an array of Tupolev bombers engulfed in flames after direct hits from Ukrainian drones, which were launched from modified shipping containers parked near four air bases deep inside Russia. Open source satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies on May 2, almost a month before the Ukrainian attack, appeared to show two A-50s parked alongside each other at Ivanovo Severny air base, one of the bases targeted. The two aircraft were spotted being shielded with debris lined up carefully across their wings, as in the drone footage shared with The Telegraph. It was clear from the footage that it is the two same A-50s, as one of their radar hulls is tinged with a brownish colouring. Credit: Telegram/@SBUkr Many of the other Russian planes targeted in the Ukrainian strikes appeared to also be shrouded beneath similar makeshift defences. Operation Spiders Web, as Ukraine dubbed it, was co-ordinated by the countrys SBU security service. Officials said around 40 Russian aircraft were destroyed or damaged in the operation, which took 18 months to plan for and execute. Western intelligence officials have claimed that a lower number, of Russian aircraft, around 11, were likely destroyed or damaged in the strikes. Although sources said Western agencies continue to assess new data as they receive it. The surprise attack was celebrated by European capitals as a demonstration of Ukrainian ingenuity. But they later said it did little to change the picture on the battlefield, where Russia continues to make grinding gains through eastern Ukraine at high cost. This does not change the battlefield equation, one official said. And the hard reality is that in the Donbas, over the last couple of months, the Russians are making progress square kilometre by square kilometre. At a high cost, but a minimum of 200 square kilometres every month. The Ukrainian drone raid will, however, likely slow down Russian cruise missile attacks on its cities, by putting at least a dozen of its long-range bomber fleet out of operation. Gazans are corralled into cages at a food distribution centre in the south of the Strip The aerial photographs show five narrow lanes made of high metal fences wedged between two artificial mounds of earth and topped with barbed wire. Inside, hundreds of people are crammed under the baking sun. The sight of ordinary Gazans corralled into cages is not the image Israels reputation managers were after. But, just over a week into its controversial new aid delivery scheme to bypass Hamas using a US contractor, that is what they are faced with. That, and viral videos of civilians running for their lives to the sound of gunfire, amid accusations bitterly denied by Israel that more than 20 were shot dead by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Sunday as order disintegrated at a distribution centre in the south of the Strip. On Tuesday morning, there were reports of another mass casualty event near a centre, with Gaza health authorities reporting 24 dead and dozens wounded. The IDF conceded that they fired near Palestinians who deviated from an approved route. It was the third day in a row that the IDF had opened fire in the vicinity of the centres. One man who spoke to The Telegraph said he found the centre terrifying and like a prison, but that he was forced there miles from his temporary home out of fear that his children would starve. Another called it a place of killing. Fuelling the international criticism is the nature of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the American company created to deliver the new system, with persistent suggestions of CIA involvement, opaque funding and concealed Israeli control. Displaced Palestinian women and children plead for food in Khan Yunis, Gaza - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images This has been enhanced by condemnation from the UN and other large aid NGOs, which want nothing to do with the GHF and accuse it of politicising aid. After Sundays alleged shooting, and new claims of gunfire killing more than 20 people overnight, the projects credibility is on a knife-edge. From Israels point of view, the new system makes perfect sense. The government argues that under the previous model, which it cut off entirely at the beginning of March, Hamas robbed the aid trucks blind the UN denies this then sold the food, fuel and medical supplies back to civilians, thus cementing their control over the population and financing their terror infrastructure. 0306 Gaza zones and centres By contrast, the new arrangement requires people to travel to four purpose-built distribution centres in the south of the Strip. Israel had promised that aid recipients would be biometrically screened, in order to weed out Hamas. The terror group has attempted to use the proposed measure to sow fear into the population, and there have been some reports of Palestinians staying away, citing their unease. However, multiple aid recipients have said that biometric screening is not being employed. The idea, in principle, is that while the IDF provides a wider blanket of security, Gazans themselves do not interact with Israeli soldiers, but deal directly with the foundation staff and associated security contractors. Some reports suggest these contractors are paid more than $1,000 a day. Places of killing The UN and legacy NGOs, which used to deliver aid into communities through more than a hundred drop-off points, say this offends basic humanitarian principles, trapping people between starvation and a long and dangerous journey. Omar Baraka, 40, from Khan Younis, said: We go to dangerous red zones, the army asks us to walk for several kilometres. There is no order in the place, its very chaotic. Tens of thousands of citizens go there. The organisation delivered aid in the first two days, then the centres became places of killing. Salem Al-Ahmad, an 18-year-old high school student, has ventured to the GHF site on several occasions to try to pick up flour for his family. The situation required getting food and saving yourself from death, he said. Anyone who gets aid has to run back quickly, about three kilometres, because the army starts shooting to empty the area of civilians. I found a lot of food lying on the ground because it is difficult to carry and run with it. I only had 1kg bags of flour so I could run from the gunfire. Gazas population has been pushed towards famine following Israels aid blockade - Ahmed Jihad Ibrahim Al-arini/Anadolu via Getty Images Israeli government officials and their supporters in the press argue that, despite the chaotic scenes, the early days of the new scheme represent a triumph. This is because it shows Gazas civilian population has passed through the fear barrier in other words, it shows they are now prepared to defy the terror groups commands not to engage with the GHF. There is certainly evidence that Hamas has tried to put obstacles some physical, others in the form of propaganda between the Gazan civilians and the new aid system. It is far less certain to what extent the group has been behind the scenes of chaos at the new distribution centres themselves. Critics say that the scenes of disorder are simply a function of a desperate, starving population and inexperienced aid distributors. Aside from gunfire, flashbangs and smoke grenades have been thrown. Meanwhile, multiple people say that no serious attempt at screening is made. On Monday night, Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, told the BBC that the way humanitarian aid is now being delivered is unacceptable and dehumanising. He said: I think what it shows is utter disregard for civilians. Can you imagine people that have been absolutely desperate for food, for medicine, for almost three months and then they have to run for it or try to get it in the most desperate circumstances? Credit: X/@HowidyHamza Aside from the practical difficulties the new system imposes, it has been accused of serving Benjamin Netanyahus agenda by forcing the population into the largely levelled south of the Strip, leaving the IDF clear to execute Operation Gideons Chariot, which, sources have said, will see a similarly widespread demolition of property. Some have even questioned whether the GHF model is a crucial component of an attempt to realise Donald Trumps riviera vision for Gaza, which would see the population displaced ahead of a comprehensive redevelopment. While the president himself now appears lukewarm about the scheme, there are some in Israels government notably the defence minister Israel Katz who allude to it often. Aside from its performance on the ground, the origins and make-up of the GHF and its partner organisation, Safe Reach Solutions (SRS), continue to provoke comment. The latter is headed by Philip F Reilly, a CIA veteran, who is said to have played a role in training the Contra rebels in Nicaragua in the 1980s, and was then the first agency officer into Afghanistan after the Sept 11 attacks, where he went on to be station chief. SRS previously had the contract to police traffic and people along a main north-south road in Gaza during the January to March ceasefire. A recent investigation by the New York Times suggests that an informal network of powerful individuals in both the IDF and prime ministers office, known as the Mikveh Yisrael Foru, had been aiming towards a parallel aid system that cut out the NGOs since December 2023. It claimed that the group had identified Mr Reilly as its candidate to lead such a mission as early as January last year, and that the January contract was a key step in convincing Mr Netanyahu to hire him for the aid distribution job. The GHF is a separately registered company, although it was registered by the same lawyer and previously had the same spokesman. A $100 million donation to the GHF got tongues wagging in Israel that this was really the work of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency indeed, the former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman said as much. The GHF denies this, saying the donation was from a western European country, but declined to name which one. Tired from malnutrition Jake Wood, a former US Marine, quit as chief executive of the foundation the day before aid distribution operations began, claiming it violated humanitarian principles. He had previously said: I would participate in no plan in any capacity if it was an extension of an IDF plan or an Israeli government plan to forcibly dislocate people anywhere within Gaza. Mr Wood has since been replaced by John Acree, a former senior official at USAid. Back in Rafah, Ahmed Musa, a 34-year-old from Khan Younis, spoke of despair at Sundays events. I left at dawn to go to the American aid centre in the Mawasi area of Rafah, he said. I went there under duress, as I have four hungry children who are tired from malnutrition. The scene was terrifying, he added. I sat and cried bitterly over my helplessness that I did not receive anything. But I will try again. Immigration activists rally in Florida. Photograph: Cristobal Herrera/EPA Prosecutors in Milwaukee have charged a man with four felonies for attempting to frame an undocumented immigrant he is accused of assaulting, by sending forged letters in the immigrants name with a threat to kill Donald Trump. The handwritten, forged letters were mailed to Wisconsins attorney general, Milwaukee police and US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (Ice). The story received a flood of media attention and was highlighted by the White House and Trumps allies, but appears to have been a hoax. WISN-TV, an ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, reported on Monday that a criminal complaint alleges Demetric Scott admitted to investigators he wrote the letters threatening to kill the president in the name of Ramon Morales-Reyes, whom he was previously charged with assaulting. Related: Undocumented man accused of making threat to Trumps life may be victim of frame-up Among those who fell for the hoax was Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, who released a statement praising immigration officers for arresting Morales-Reyes on 22 May, one day after the forged letter was received by an Ice field intelligence officer. Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars, Noem said in a press release. Her department also released to news agencies an image of the handwritten note in light blue ink, expressing anger over Trumps deportations and threatening to shoot him in the head with a rifle at a rally. Noem also shared the letter on X along with a photo of Morales-Reyes, and the White House also shared it on its social media accounts. We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans we have done more for this country than you white people you have been deporting my family and I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him, the letter said. I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in the head I will see him at one of his big ralleys. But the claim soon began to unravel. Last week, one of Morales-Reyes children told an immigrant rights group that he could not have written the letters since he cannot read or write in Spanish, let alone English. As part of the investigation, officials asked Morales-Reyes for a handwriting sample and concluded his handwriting and the threatening letter didnt match and that the threat was not credible, a source familiar with the investigation told the Associated Press. Scott is currently in Milwaukee county jail, charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery. Prosecutors said Morales-Reyes was the victim in that case; he was allegedly assaulted in September 2023 with a box cutter during an attempted theft of his bike. As the case prepared to go to trial, Ice this month received the letter threatening to assassinate Trump. According to a transcript of a phone call prosecutors say Scott made while awaiting trial for assaulting Morales-Reyes, Scott framed Morales-Reyes to keep him from testifying against him. If he gets picked up by Ice, Scott allegedly said in the call, there wont be a jury trial, so they will probably dismiss it that day. Thats my plan. Morales-Reyes works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee, where he lives with his wife and three children. He had recently applied for a U visa, which is carved out for people in the country illegally who become victims of serious crimes, according to his attorney. Morales-Reyes remains in Ice detention at a facility in Juneau, Wisconsin. Jose Olivares and Associated Press contributed reporting Erin Patterson (centre), Simon Patterson (left), and sole surviving lunch guest Ian Wilkinson. The Australian woman has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Photograph: James Ross/AAP Erin Patterson had been in the witness box for 142 minutes, a window to her right showing the rain falling outside in regional Victoria, when her barrister Colin Mandy SC said: Im going to ask you some questions now about mushrooms. Patterson had already spoken to the court about her children and her family, her hefty inheritances, her relationship with her estranged husband, Simon, and their slow and gradual decoupling, in her evidence on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. But this was the closest the triple-murder accused had come to being asked directly about the fateful lunch of beef wellingtons in July 2023. From the first days of her trial, it had become clear the key issue was whether Patterson meant to put death cap mushrooms in the lunch she served to her husbands relatives (including her parents-in-law), and whether she meant to kill or cause serious harm to them. Related: Erin Patterson accepts beef wellington served at fatal lunch contained death cap mushrooms, triple murder trial hears Now Patterson was being asked about whether she liked to eat mushrooms more generally, and whether she had ever picked, eaten and cooked wild varieties of the popular ingredient. Yes, she told the court, to all of the above. Once, she revealed, she had found some growing outside at the property she lived at in Korumburra before moving to the house, in the nearby town Leongatha, where the fateful lunch took place. She said she had fried up what she was confident were field and horse mushrooms with butter, ate them, and, when she discovered they were safe, used them in other meals. That included in food fed to her two children, Patterson told the court. (July 29, 2023) Erin Patterson hosts lunch for estranged husband Simons parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt and uncle Heather and Ian Wilkinson. Patterson serves beef wellington. (July 30, 2023) All four lunch guests are admitted to hospital with gastro-like symptoms. (August 4, 2023) Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson die in hospital. (August 5, 2023) Don Patterson dies in hospital. Victoria police search Erin Pattersons home and interview her. (September 23, 2023) Ian Wilkinson is discharged from hospital after weeks in intensive care. (November 2, 2023) Police again search Erin Pattersons home, and she is arrested and interviewed. She is charged with three counts of murder relating to the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson. (April 28, 2025) Jury is sworn in. (April 29, 2025) Murder trial begins. Jury hears that charges of attempting to murder her estranged husband Simon are dropped. Mandys focus narrowed when he asked where the mushrooms in the beef wellington meal had come from. The vast majority came from the local Woolworths in Leongatha. There were some from the grocer in Melbourne, she replied. She accepted, however, that the meal had contained death cap mushrooms. Do you accept there must have been death cap mushrooms in there? Mandy asked Patterson. Yes, I do, she replied. Throughout her answers, Patterson sat in an office chair faced towards Mandy, with Justice Christopher Beale to her left and the jury directly in front of her. The courtroom was filled with almost a dozen members of the Patterson and Wilkinson families, homicide squad detectives including the officer in charge of the investigation, Stephen Eppingstall, and about 20 members of the public. Behind those public seats was the now-empty dock where, until this week, Patterson had sat quietly observing former friends, family and experts testifying in her trial. Earlier, Mandy had taken his client to expletive-laden messages she had sent in a Facebook group chat in December 2022 expressing frustrations about her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, who are now deceased about a dispute with her estranged husband, Simon. In the messages, previously shown to the jury, the Facebook user Erin ErinErin wrote she was sick of this shit and fuck em about Don and Gail. Why did you write that? Mandy asked. Patterson released a slow exhale and sniffed before she answered. I needed to vent, Patterson told the jury. The choice was either go into the paddock and tell the sheep or vent to these women. The group chat, which Patterson said had been running for four years by late 2022, was a space to discuss food the women were cooking, as well as their childrens lives and current affairs. Related: Erin Patterson details religious conversion and never-ending battle with low self-esteem in emotional testimony to murder trial Asked if she meant the words, Patterson replied no as she dabbed her eyes repeatedly with a tissue. Of the message she sent which said this family I swear to fucking god, a visibly emotional Patterson said she wished she had never said it. I feel ashamed for saying it, and I wish the family didnt have to hear that I said that. They didnt deserve it. For five weeks, Pattersons voice in her triple murder trial has been confined to conversations recalled by other witnesses, pages of online messages and texts, and a 21-minute formal police interview played to the jury. Dressed in a navy blue shirt with white polka dots, her reading glasses within easy reach to her right, Patterson started to tell her side of the story. The jury who will decide her fate watched and listened. Her evidence will continue on Wednesday. Geert Wilderss decision has been branded as reckless and kamikaze by his former allies - Robin van Lonkhuijsen/Shutterstock Geert Wilders has toppled the Dutch government after pulling out of the governing coalition because it would not back his plans for tougher migration rules. The Dutch hard-Right leader withdrew his Party for Freedom (PVV) from the Right-wing alliance, formed eight months after his victory in the November 2023 general election. He vowed he would become prime minister after triggering a snap election less than a year after the warring coalition took office. In fact, I am going to become prime minister of the Netherlands next time and ensure that the PVV becomes bigger than ever in the next elections, he said. Referring to himself in the third person, he added: Today is the day that all of The Hague is against Wilders and the PVV. That is allowed, but I am very much strengthened in my position. After a two-hour emergency meeting of his cabinet, Dick Schoof, the prime minister, announced the collapse of the government, which will continue in a caretaker capacity until after new elections. He said Mr Wilderss decision to quit the government was irresponsible and unnecessary. Mr Wilders had demanded his three coalition partners agree to a new 10-point migration plan, which included using the army to close land borders, the deportation of Syrian asylum seekers and an end to family reunification, without prior consultation. Close the borders for asylum-seekers and family reunifications. No more asylum centres opened. Close them, he told them. He also demanded a one strike youre out policy that would ensure migrants convicted of violent or sexual crimes were deported. But after the allies refused to back the plan on Monday morning, the divisive anti-Islam firebrand wrote on X: No signature for our asylum plans ... PVV leaves the coalition. Mr Wilderss PVV was the largest party in the coalition alongside the conservative-liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Farmers Citizen Movement (BBB) and the centrist New Social Contract. Reckless kamikaze action Caroline Van der Plas, the BBB leader, criticised him for a reckless kamikaze action. Dilan Yesilgoz, the VVD leader, said: The Netherlands needs a mature and responsible leader who will keep us safe. But Wilders is abandoning the Netherlands. The latest poll, from Peil.nl, gives Mr Wilders a narrow lead of 1 per cent over Groenlinks-PVDA, the biggest Left-wing party and opposition, by 31 per cent to 30 per cent. Frans Timmermans, the former EU climate chief and leader of the Groenlinks-PVDA, also called for elections as soon as possible. The Dutch Trump was frustrated with the slow pace in introducing the strictest-ever asylum policy agreed with his coalition allies, which has been slowed by legal hurdles. The policy was agreed after months of contentious coalition negotiations that forced Mr Wilders to give up his dream of being prime minister. He agreed to stay out of the cabinet, along with other party leaders, as part of the deal. Dick Schoof, the former spy chief who has never held elected office, became prime minister instead and made the PVVs Marjolein Faber minister for migration. The coalition pledged a two-year asylum crisis act to drive down numbers arriving in the Netherlands and demanded an opt-out from EU asylum rules, which put it on a collision course with Brussels. It planned a maximum reduction in migrant numbers, without giving a hard figure. The agreement included austere reception centres, a hold on processing asylum applications and only temporary asylum being granted. In the first quarter of this year, 4,500 people applied for asylum in the Netherlands half the applications in the same period in 2024. But Ms Faber has struggled to implement the plan, parts of which have been deemed illegal or unworkable by experts. But courts had ordered that funds for overnight asylum shelter continue and budget cuts to asylum aid organisations were reversed. The other three party leaders refused to sign up to the plan during an hour-long crisis meeting on Monday night and successfully urged Mr Wilders to sleep on his decision. But on Tuesday morning, after a second meeting lasting less than 15 minutes, Mr Wilders told Mr Schoof he was removing Ms Faber and other PVV ministers from the government. I signed up to the strictest asylum policy, not the downfall of the Netherlands, he told reporters. The government crisis comes just weeks before the Netherlands is due to host world leaders for a Nato summit on June 24 and 25. Erin Patterson said she learnt to identify mushrooms with the help of a Facebook group for foragers - James Ross An Australian mother accused of killing her in-laws with poisoned beef wellington has admitted for the first time that she mixed lethal deathcap mushrooms into the meal. On Tuesday, Erin Patterson told a court she had cooked the dish with a mixture of mushrooms, including a pungent variety she claimed to have bought on holiday, before serving it to her estranged husbands parents in July 2023. She denies murdering Gail Patterson and Don Patterson, both 70, who fell ill hours after dining at her home. Ms Patterson also denies the murder of another guest, Gails sister Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of Mrs Wilkinsons husband Ian, who survived after receiving an organ transplant. Her estranged husband Simon was also invited to the lunch, but pulled out at the last minute. On Tuesday, Colin Mandy, Ms Pattersons defence barrister, asked her: Do you accept that there must have been deathcap mushrooms in it? Yes, I do, the 50-year-old replied. Alleged murder victims Don and Gail Patterson fell ill hours after eating the meal Ms Pattersons defence team have been seeking to portray her as a loving daughter-in-law and home cook who liked to experiment with dehydrating mushrooms after foraging for fungi became a Covid lockdown hobby. When I got to a point where I was confident about what I thought that they were, I cut a bit off one of the mushrooms, fried it up with some butter, ate it, then saw what happened, said Ms Patterson. Ms Patterson added that she learnt to identify mushrooms with the help of a Facebook group for foragers. She added: They tasted good, and I didnt get sick. Ian Wilkinson was able to assist police with their investigation after he woke up in intensive care. Accused told victims she had cancer He told officers that Ms Patterson had served her meal on a different coloured plate to the ones on which she served her guests, and that she told them during the lunch that she had been diagnosed with cancer. But on Tuesday, Ms Patterson admitted in court she had never been diagnosed with the disease. She also said she had a mistrust of doctors following previous incidents of having felt dismissed when she took her children to hospital. Ms Patterson said that when her daughter, now 11, was a baby she had discovered a lump on her abdomen, but doctors initially brushed off her concerns. The growth was later found to be on the girls ovary and required surgery, she said. I took her to a lot of doctors and even the hospital, and what they communicated to me was I was an over-anxious mother, that should relax, and shes just a normal baby, she said. I didnt like hospitals before it like, who does but I didnt trust that these people knew what they were doing, and I was just in a heightened state of anxiety ever after. Relationship with in-laws never changed Ms Patterson also detailed her relationship with her husband for the first time in court, saying the couple had remained good friends after their separation. She said they had travelled across Australia and to New Zealand together with their children, but that conflict had arisen over child support payments. Ms Patterson was asked why she had purchased property in both her and her husbands names in 2019 despite them being separated for four years by that point. I always thought that we would bring the family back together, she said. It was something, you know, tangible to say I see a future for us. The court also heard how she had given her husbands siblings 200,000 loans each to purchase their homes after receiving an inheritance. Becoming visibly upset, Ms Patterson said her relationship with in-laws never changed despite the marriage breakdown. I was just their daughter-in-law and they just continued to love me, she said. The trial continues. Yvette Cooper before the Home Affairs committee - House of Commons/UK Parliament The Home Secretary has called for the creation of a digital service for e-visas and border control which would allow the Government to figure out who is in Britain legally. Yvette Cooper faced questions from MPs after record numbers of migrants crossed the Channel over the weekend. Nearly 1,200 made the crossing illegally on Saturday, the highest number of people so far this year in a single day. Defence Secretary John Healey later admitted that Britain had lost control of its borders. Yvette Cooper said the Home Office was pushing for a digital ID for everyone coming to the UK. She said: We want to have a digital service linked to e-visas and linked to our border management process to be able to determine whether an individual is in or out of the UK, whether they have left at the point at which their visa expires or whether they are overstaying and immigration enforcement action is needed. She added: We also want to ensure e-visas can effectively be used as a way of having that digital ID around the ability to work, to be here lawfully. Ms Cooper said the Government had increased illegal working raids by 40 per cent since the election and increased arrests for illegal working by around 40 per cent. She acknowledged that the publics strongest concerns were about small boat crossings but insisted there needed to be order and control across the board. The number of red days - when Border Force expects a surge in small boats due to calm seas - have been unusually high in 2024-25. Ministers claim the figures go some way to explain why the first five months of this year have seen a record 14,812 crossings, up 42 per cent on the same period in 2024. 05:10 PM BST Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage. The Home Secretary has called for digital IDs to figure out who is currently residing in the UK legally. She warned that criminal gangs had taken hold along our borders and extremism was on the rise in teenagers. Ms Cooper blamed broken promises under the Tories for eroding confidence in the immigration system with its free market experiment. 04:52 PM BST Home Secretary: We need to end asylum hotels The Home Secretary has said the Government needs to put an end to housing asylum seekers in hotels. Yvette Cooper said Labour had inherited contracts from the Conservatives which it was keeping under review. She said: I am concerned about the level of money that has gone into these contracts and the scale of the backlog we have inherited. We need to end asylum hotels altogether. Ms Cooper said the Government had introduced tighter conditions on contracts which has resulted in the scrapping of the contract with Stay Belvedere Hotels. 04:45 PM BST Criminal gangs have taken hold along our borders, says Cooper The Home Secretary has said criminal gangs have taken hold along Britains borders. An entire criminal industry has taken hold along our borders, Yvette Cooper told the Home Affairs Committee, adding: Nobody should be making these dangerous boat crossings - they do undermine border security , they put lives at risk, it was completely unacceptable the numbers that we saw on Saturday but also the continuing nature of the problem. Ms Cooper said the Government would like to see a replacement of the Dublin scheme and was keen for France to implement that law change as rapidly as possible. 04:25 PM BST Cooper: Immigration has been a free market experiment The Home Secretary has attributed surging immigration figures to a free market experiment where British employers were encouraged to recruit from abroad. She told the Home Affairs Committee: I think this really was a sort of free market experiment in which effectively employers were encouraged to recruit from abroad including being given a 20 per cent discount on the wages they were able to pay for people who they recruited form abroad. The Home Secretary said the Labour Government was against international students bringing dependents. She added: We need to have global talent and we need to make sure we have the right approach for those high potential individuals but we should not have the care work being recruited from abroad. Yvette Cooper has spoke of restoring control and order to the immigration system - House of Commons/UK Parliament 04:14 PM BST Broken Tory immigration promises have eroded confidence, says Cooper The Home Secretary has blamed broken promises during the Conservative government for eroding confidence in Britains immigration policy. Yvette Cooper told the Home Affairs Committee: Confidence has understandably plummeted. There have been a lot of promises made to people across the country about what would happen to net migration under the previous Conservative government. A lot of promises that were made about what the impact of the new Brexit agreements would be, about what the impact of Government policies would be on net migration, and actually the opposite happened. She said net migration had quadrupled four years in a period in which the Government had made a formal commitment to bring net migration down. Ms Cooper said the labour government would therefore refrain from making any formal targets for immigration. She said: We are not going to take that approach, we are not going to do things that just undermines confidence further, we are instead just going to take practical steps. 04:06 PM BST We need digital ID to figure out who is here lawfully, says Cooper The Home Secretary has said the creation of a digital service for e-visas and border control would allow the Government to figure out who is in Britain legally. Yvette Cooper told the Home Affairs Committee: We are particularly looking at how we have digital ID for everyone coming to the UK... We want to have a digital service linked to e-visas and linked to our border management process to be able to determine whether an individual is in or out of the UK, whether they have let at the point at which their visa expires or whether they are overstaying and immigration enforcement action is needed. She added: We also want to ensure e-visas can effectively be used as a way of having that digital ID around the ability to work, to be here lawfully. Ms Cooper said the Government had increased illegal working raids by 40 per cent since the election and increased arrests for illegal working by around 40 per cent. Yvette Cooper at the Home Affairs committee - House of Commons/UK Parliament 03:54 PM BST Downing Street: No quick fixes to this problem Downing Street has said there are no quick fixes to the problem of tackling migrant crossings. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Government wanted to break the link between favourable weather conditions and the number of English Channel crossings by small boats. He said: The point is that we need to break the link between the level of crossings being reliant on the weather and that is why we need to work upstream with our partners to smash the people-smuggling gangs. He added that the National Crime Agency has worked to take down 600 boats and engines in the last few months which has resulted in the cost of boat and engine packages doubling. 03:39 PM BST Islamist and far-right teenage extremism is on the rise, says Cooper The Home Secretary has voiced concern over the rising numbers of teenage extremism offences. Yvette Cooper said that 114 young people had been arrested for terrorism-related activity in the last three years, compared with 14 young people in the last three years of the last Labour government. She told the Home Affairs Committee that there were increasing numbers of teenagers as young as 13 where there are serious concerns maybe about Islamist extremism, maybe about far-right extremism, maybe about violence-fixated individuals where there is a mixed and unclear ideology - but growing numbers of young people. The Home Secretary said there had also been a doubling of the number of young people being referred to Prevent since last summer. She said these figures had spurred the introduction of youth diversion orders in the Crime and Policing Bill, which aim to disrupt young people involved in terrorist offending at an earlier stage and divert them from the wider criminal justice system, as well as a review of the thresholds for Prevent. I continue to be concerned about the threshold ending up being too high and not enough Islamist extremist cases being referred to prevent and the need to do more to make sure more of those cases were being referred to Prevent, she said. Yvette Cooper before the Home Affairs committee - House of Commons/UK Parliament 03:17 PM BST Labour approach isnt working, says refugee charity A refugee charity has said the Governments current approach to small boat crossings isnt working. Gunes Kalkan at Safe Passage International said Labours failure to stop people smugglers was endangering the lives of migrants. He said: This indicates the Governments approach isnt working, as the smugglers continue to exploit the lack of safe routes for refugees, cramming more and more people dangerously on each boat. But lets always remember these arent just numbers. People fleeing the horrors of war and persecution are simply seeking a safe life, and often to reunite with family they were torn apart from in the chaos. If this Government is serious about saving lives and stopping the smugglers, it must open safe routes and expand refugee family reunion. 03:06 PM BST Blaming the weather is weak, says Philp The shadow Home Secretary has dismissed blaming the weather for surging small boat crossings as weak. Reacting to the latest Home Office figures, Chris Philp said: Labour seems to think praying for bad weather is a good border security strategy. This is a weak Government, with no plan to end illegal immigrants crossing the Channel. Blaming the weather for the highest ever crossing numbers so far this year is the border security equivalent of a lazy student claiming the dog ate my homework. This is a clear failure for our weak Prime Minister and his weak Home Secretary. Mr Philp also said the reason for the worst year in history for Channel crossings was because the Labour government cancelled the Rwanda plan to deter migrants coming to the UK, not the weather. 02:59 PM BST Red days double under Starmer The number of days in the first four months of this year when conditions in the English Channel meant migrant crossings were considered likely was more than double the figure for the equivalent period in 2024, Home Office data shows. There were 60 so-called red days between January 1 and April 30 this year, when factors such as wind speed, wave height and the likelihood of rain meant crossings were classed as likely or highly likely. Some 11,074 migrants arrived in the UK during these four months after crossing the Channel. By contrast, there were 27 red days in the same period last year, with 7,567 crossings recorded. There were 149 red days between July 1 2024 and April 30 2025, a period that coincides broadly with the time since Labour won the general election on July 4. Some 34,401 migrants arrived in the UK during this period after making the journey across the Channel. In the equivalent period 12 months earlier - from July 1 2023 to April 30 2024 - there was almost half the number of red days (77) and a lower number of arrivals (25,571). Credit: PA 02:44 PM BST Small boats becoming increasingly overloaded The number of overloaded dinghies crossing the Channel with more than 80 migrants on board has trebled in a year, Home Office figures revealed. People-smuggling gangs are cramming ever increasing numbers of people into flimsy dinghies in an attempt to maximise profits, the data showed. Some 33 small boats carrying more than 80 migrants were intercepted in the Channel in the year to April up from 11 in the previous year and only one in the 12 months to April 2023. The number of dinghies with 70 to 79 people on board also increased nearly four-fold, from 35 to 123 in a year. Read the full story here. 02:34 PM BST Where do Channel migrants come from? The Home Office confirmed that 1,194 migrants crossed the Channel in 18 boats on Saturday, beating the previous high of 825 last month. That took the total number of people to have crossed so far this year to 14,811 - the highest ever recorded in the first five months of a year. It is 42 per cent higher than the same time last year. Eritrea was the top country of origin for migrants in small boat crossings in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest Home Office figures. Afghanistan was the top country of origin last year with 5,919, followed by Syria, Iran and Vietnam, while Albania was the top nationality detected arriving by small boat in 2022. 02:25 PM BST Analysis: Why Britain faces its worst ever summer for migrant crossings Good summer weather could lead to record Channel migrant crossings this year, Home Office data is expected to show. The number of red days - when Border Force expects a surge in small boats due to calm seas - have been unusually high in 2024-25, according to official figures due to be published on Tuesday. Preliminary data up until the end of March this year showed that there were 182 red days in 2024-25 compared with 108 in 2023-24, 159 in 2022-23 and 164 in 2021-22. The rising number of red days is also combined with a steady increase in the number of migrants being packed onto the dinghies, from 28 per boat in 2021 to 56 in 2025, up until the end of March. If the clear weather continues, independent modelling suggests that crossings by migrants are on course to hit a yearly record-equalling total of between 45,000 and 50,000. Read the full story here. 02:23 PM BST Defence Secretary: Britain has lost control of its borders The Defence Secretary admitted that Britain has lost control of its borders after nearly 1,200 migrants crossed the Channel in a single day on Saturday. John Healey described the scenes as shocking and said people-smugglers were able to load small boats on French shores like a taxi. The 1,000-plus arrivals marked the highest number of people to cross the Channel in a single day so far this year. Some 18 dinghies, each carrying more than 50 migrants, were reported to have left the French coast. Read the full story here. Credit: TikTok / qaid.france5 02:21 PM BST Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage Were bringing you all the latest from the Home Affairs Committee. Jennifer Causey / FOOD STYLING by EMILY NABORS HALL / PROP STYLING by STEPHANIE L. YEH Italy, the land of red wine! Chianti with wild boar ragu, Barolo with white truffles, porchetta with Montepulciano dAbruzzo wait. Stop. Throw that Fiat into reverse. A lot of the great wines of Italy are white. And, even better, theyre ideal for summer drinking. It might come as a surprise, but Italy produces more white (60%) than red wine, led by the regions of Veneto, Puglia, Emilia-Romagna, and Sicily. The most common varieties are Trebbiano, which largely, but by no means exclusively, goes into inexpensive bottles for the local market; Pinot Grigio, the most exported white variety; and, semisurprisingly, Chardonnay. (Im leaving aside Glera, the grape of Prosecco; thats a different story.) Related: How to Find the Best Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris from Italy, Oregon, and France But for me, the true joy lies in Italys less well-known, native varieties. Coastal Vermentinos from Liguria and Sardinia with their citrus-zest snap; Etna whites, which suggest their volcanic origins in a kind of stony intensity; bright, faintly almondy Verdicchios from Marche all of these wake you up with zippy acidity and little to no oak influence, and they tend to be appealingly affordable as well. Fill a cooler with ice and bottles, invite over some friends, and save those brooding Amarones until December, when the wintry winds start whipping by once again. Here are 21 refreshing Italian white wines to seek out right now. Jennifer Causey / FOOD STYLING by EMILY NABORS HALL / PROP STYLING by STEPHANIE L. YEH Sicily and Sardinia 2023 Tenuta Regaleali Buonsenso Catarratto ($15) The Tasca dAlmerita familys Regaleali estate in the center of Sicily is a do-not-miss visit, and this tingly, grapefruity white made from Cataratto comes from the vineyards surrounding the beautiful manor house there. 2023 Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino ($17) Argiolas is arguably Sardinias most well-known producer and is certainly one of its best. This crisp, balanced Vermentino channels the islands coastal warmth into inviting pineapple and lemon-zest flavors. 2023 Cantina Mesa Giunco Vermentino di Sardegna ($25) Cantina Mesa, in Sardinias coastal Sulcis region, farms with only organic fertilizers and no insecticides or herbicides. Maybe that explains the purity of flavor in this energetic Vermentino, with its lime and white-peach flavors. Related: 9 Wineries to Visit in Sicily and Sardinia for Island Vibes and Distinctive Wines 2023 Feudo Montoni Masso Catarratto ($27) Fabio Sireci and Melissa Mullers organic Sicilian estate is a magical place. They make excellent wines like this blood orangeflavored, luscious Catarratto as well as dried pastas, olive oil, and much more. 2023 Benanti Etna Bianco ($38) Benanti was one of the first to bring international recognition to Etnas wines. This Carricante can compete with white Burgundy in terms of complexity, yet its very Etna: stony and savory, with smoky green-apple notes and struck-flint aromas. 2022 Girolamo Russo Nerina Etna Bianco ($40) This racy blend of Carricante with other local varieties comes from the northern slopes of Mount Etna. Winemaker Giuseppe Russos late father, Girolamo, farmed grapes on the side of the volcano his entire life. Jennifer Causey / FOOD STYLING by EMILY NABORS HALL / PROP STYLING by STEPHANIE L. YEH Italian white wines from the Marche and Abruzzo regions. Marche and Abruzzo 2023 Garofoli Serra del Conte Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi ($13) This light-bodied white is a great introduction to the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi appellation in Marche. It produces minerally, grapefruit- or lemon-accented whites; this one is entirely characteristic. 2023 Pievalta Tre Ripe Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi ($22) Biodynamic farming and old vines (early 1970s) give this citrus-peachy Verdicchio more complexity than its price suggests. The finish lingers in a stony-almondy way; it would be stellar with linguine in white-clam sauce. Related: Why Italy Is Leading the Charge on Low-Alcohol, Food-Friendly White Wines 2021 Ciavolich Fosso Cancelli Trebbiano dAbruzzo ($45) The Ciavolich family started as wool merchants in Bulgaria before moving to Abruzzo in the 1500s. Today, Chiara Ciavolich oversees the familys impressive array of wines, including this melony, earthy, powerful Trebbiano. 2022 Umani Ronchi CaSal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi ($21) This brisk, refreshing wine from one of Marches top producers is a smart pick for summertime entertaining. It comes from a selection of the best grapes from the winerys Montecarotto vineyard. 2023 Tiberio Trebbiano dAbruzzo ($25) Is Tiberio a coastal wine producer or a mountain one? Thats hard to say, as its vineyards in Abruzzo lie between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. Either way, this fragrant, graceful white is a buy-by-the-case no-brainer. 2022 Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Trebbiano dAbruzzo ($45) Abruzzo star Masciarelli is run by mother-daughter team Marina Cvetic and Miriam Lee Masciarelli. This minty, melony, rich white helps dispel any idea that Trebbiano is only good for simple quaffers. Jennifer Causey / FOOD STYLING by EMILY NABORS HALL / PROP STYLING by STEPHANIE L. YEH White wines from Liguria, the Tuscan coast, and beyond. Liguria, the Tuscan coast and beyond 2023 Castello ColleMassari Melacce Vermentino ($18) The Tuscan Montecucco region has gotten more attention in recent years, thanks to wines like this lush yet bright Vermentino. It comes from organic vineyards high up in the Montecucco hills. 2023 Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana Vermentino ($20) Rocca di Frassinello, owned by Paolo Panerai of Chiantis Castellare di Castellina, is known for its luscious Maremma reds, but this finely cut Vermentino is a worthy addition to the portfolio. Related: 9 Tuscan Wineries to Visit for Classic Cuisine, Great Wine, and Warm Italian Hospitality 2022 Ceretto Blange Langhe Arneis ($25) Blange get its name from boulanger, French for baker as the story goes, whats now the vineyard for this wine belonged to a baker in the 18th century. True or not, its a terrific Arneis, slightly tingly and full of peach and green-apple flavors. 2023 Allegrini Lugana Oasi Mantellina ($30) Northern Italys Lugana appellation lies on the shores of Lake Garda not coastal exactly, but not not coastal either. This crisp, peachy white is made from the local Turbiana grape variety, a relative of Verdicchio. 2022 Massolino Langhe Riesling ($38) Langhe is the home of Barolo and Barbaresco, but a few brave people there also make Riesling. When Franco and Roberto Massolino arent making their sought-after reds, they devote some time to this savory, polished white. Related: From Prosecco to Franciacorta, These Are the 8 Italian Sparkling Wines to Seek Out Right Now 2023 Val delle Rose Litorale Vermentino ($20) Val delle Rose is in Tuscanys coastal Maremma region, long ago a malarial marshland but now filled with grapevines. Vermentino grows well here, as this medium-bodied, lightly spicy, pear-scented white reveals. 2023 Cantine Lunae Etichetta Grigia Colli di Luni Vermentino ($28) Floral jasmine notes lead into apricot-lime flavors in this Ligurian white, the winerys intro-level cuvee. Lunaes pricier Etichetta Nera cuvee adds additional complexity and is also worth seeking out. 2023 Giovanni Rosso Roero Arneis ($30) Davide Rosso makes excellent Barolos in the small town of Serralunga dAlba, where his family has been since the 1890s, as well as this floral, lime-scented Arneis. Also look for his minerally Etna Bianco from an estate he purchased there in 2016. Related: The 9 Best Wineries to Visit Near Rome 2023 Ottaviano Lambruschi Costa Marina Colli di Luni Vermentino ($40) Fabio Lambruschi makes some of Italys best Vermentinos from his Ligurian vineyards. This wine is thrillingly precise, as if its lemon and wild-herb flavors had been etched in stone. Read the original article on Food & Wine Wenatchee Police Department (L-R) Olivia Decker, Evelyn Decker and Paityn Decker NEED TO KNOW Siblings Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, have been found dead, authorities announced on June 2 The girls were last seen alive on May 30, after leaving their Washington State home for a planned visitation with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker Officials are still searching for Decker, who is now wanted on charges of murder and kidnapping The three young sisters who were last seen on Friday, May 30, after leaving their Washington State home for a planned visitation with their father have been found dead. Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead amid the search after authorities located their father's car near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., the Wenatchee Police Department said in a press release on Tuesday, June 2. Police did not share their causes of death or the exact location of where their bodies were found. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, was not located at the scene and remains missing, according to police. Police said Decker is now wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping. "It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk, if approached," police said, adding that the father has former military experience. Wenatchee Police Department Travis Decker The girls had left Friday, May 30 with Decker, who also has a warrant out for his arrest on custodial interference charges. The Wenatchee Police Department previously said Decker is homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area. 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 visitation was part of a parenting plan, but he has since gone outside the parameters of it, which is not normal and cause for the alarm, the police department further said, adding that the father could not be contacted after the girls did not return on time. Police shared photos of the sisters and said they are believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own" as they asked for public assistance in locating them. On Saturday, May 31, the day after the sisters were last seen, Washington State Patrol issued an endangered missing person alert, declared the girls and their father at-risk/missing, and shared a photo of their dads 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup truck with the license plate D20165C. Then on Monday, June 2, Washington State Patrol announced the cancellation of the endangered missing persons alert for the Decker sisters. At the time, it wasn't immediately clear what changed in the investigation. PEOPLE earlier reached out to police for further comment. Anyone with information on Decker's whereabouts is asked to call 911. He stands at 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs 190 lbs., police said. He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts. Read the original article on People People walk at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport terminal in Atlanta, Georgia in May 2025. - Megan Varner/Reuters Kevin and Jessica Cellura had just 48 hours in December to make an enormous family decision. The couple, who both work as teachers, had to decide if they should take a job offer to teach in Morocco and leave Asheville, North Carolina, with their two youngest children. But the Celluras say their decision was made easier by the presidential election results just weeks earlier. We will get away from the chaos I feel like the America as we knew it growing up is slipping away pretty fast, Jessica Cellura told CNN. The Celluras are part of a growing stampede of Americans moving or making serious efforts to move abroad or to obtain the citizenship rights that would allow them to do so. Tax lawyers and immigration advisers told CNN they have seen an uptick in requests from Americans seeking help with navigating the complex web of guidelines needed to relocate since Donald Trumps election win. Jessica, 40, and Kevin, 52, told CNN they are unaffiliated voters. They cast their ballots for Democrat Kamala Harris in last years presidential election, though Kevin voted Republican in the 1990s. Their problems with the second Trump administration go well beyond the usual policy tussles and fierce disputes. I feel like the government that we have is not based in reality. It is based in propaganda, said Kevin Cellura, citing the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol inspired by Trumps repeated, false claims that former President Joe Biden had rigged the preceding presidential election. Trumps reascension provided the spark the couple needed to fulfill a long-standing desire to move overseas, Kevin said. They are set to teach at a school in Moroccos capital Rabat that follows the American model of education. They have one-way plane tickets on August 10. President Donald Trumps reelection in November 2024 convinced North Carolina couple Kevin and Jessica Cellura to begin the process of moving to Morocco. - Courtesy Jessica Cellura Official data from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada show a surge in the numbers of Americans applying to become citizens in recent months. More than 1,900 applied for a British passport during the first quarter of 2025, the most since the UKs Home Office began keeping records in 2004. In Ireland, too, around 4,700 people residing in the United States applied for Irish citizenship based on their ancestry during the same period, according to the countrys Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade the highest quarterly figure in a decade. It is impossible to know the personal stories behind thousands of data points, and the extent to which politics has played a role if at all. Very often, people can only apply for citizenship after several years living in a country. Dina Modi, an immigration casework supervisor at Immigration Advice Service, a British firm providing legal assistance to people hoping to move to and from the UK, said her clients rarely relocate over a single reason like politics. She partly attributes the recent rush of Americans seeking British passports to changes in UK tax and immigration laws. A chunk of people simply need options, according to Modi. They have no concrete plans to move but want the ability to do so quickly. Other immigration advisers have witnessed the same impulse, telling CNN that some Americans view dual citizenship as a sort of insurance against what they perceive to be a deteriorating political landscape at home. The Celluras, though, are not hesitating to leave. Im not going to be a sitting duck. Im going to figure out our exit strategy, Jessica recalls thinking after Novembers votes were tallied. Political wildfire Before the build-up to the election, David Lesperance reckons he received a maximum of two inquiries per week from Americans wanting to relocate. Now, the head of Lesperance & Associates, a tax and immigration advisory firm, he fields as many as five per day. (The) people who seek me out tend to be the people who feel theyre targets, he said, noting that his clients tended to be wealthy, with the means to move abroad. In the days following Trumps January executive order restricting gender-affirming medical care for young people, Lesperance said he received seven inquiries from parents with a trans child. For these families, he said, America represents a political wildfire zone, and they can smell the smoke more than the average white heterosexual male with a MAGA hat on. Melvin Warshaw, an international tax lawyer who sometimes works with Lesperance, said he has also received more inquiries from members of the LGBTQ+ community since the election. Another cadre of his clients are those who worry that America is fast approaching an oligarchy or an autocracy. Fundamentally, both groups believe their rights are being deprived if they continue to live in the US, according to Warshaw. Comedian Rosie ODonnell offers one high-profile example. ODonnell, who has traded public jibes with Trump for almost two decades, decamped to Ireland in January with her non-binary child, and is seeking citizenship based on her ancestry. When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, thats when we will consider coming back, she explained in a March posting on TikTok. Ideological civil war Erik Lindsay did not leave America because of Trump per se, but he found that he could no longer stand the countrys deep political divisions. The 50-year-old screenwriter and novelist said the coronavirus pandemic provided the catalyst for his move from Manhattan Beach, California, to Italy in 2020 a time in America he likened to an ideological civil war where people dying had become politicized. But Lindsays desire to relocate to his great-grandparents birthplace and where he thus had a claim to citizenship had been percolating since Trumps first election in 2016 when he felt his friend group fracturing over politics. Screenwriter and novelist Erik Lindsay pictured hiking in Capri, Italy, in 2021 after his relocation from Manhattan Beach, California. - Courtesy Erik Lindsay Lindsay has never voted for Trump, but he remembers the vitriolic reaction he received after posting a message on his Instagram account soon after the 2016 election imploring his anti-Trump friends to stay calm and take the long view of American history. It just got venomous, he said. Lindsay recently became an Italian citizen though only just before the rules changed. Italy, like Britain, has started to tighten rules on who can claim passports and visas. In May, Rome enacted a law removing the route to citizenship through great-grandparents. Lindsay was lucky with his timing. Now, he can choose to live in Italy, or between Italy and America, at a whim. But life feels lighter in Italy. To have any nuance in a conversation with anybody regarding politics thats an American is impossible, Lindsay said. You can do it here. Sam Hudson and Hanna Ziady contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Across abandoned expanses of Scotlands wildest terrain, ancient footpaths chart a nearly forgotten history: Hundreds of mourners trudging from coasts and valleys, shouldering corpses in caskets for many miles. Over tall mountains, through rivers and woodlands, never letting the body touch the ground. Steeped in premonitions and superstition, these treks were a rural cultures oldest death rites. Now, theyre some of the most unique hikes you can take. Corpse, or coffin roads, were used throughout the Scottish Highlands and Islands to carry caskets on foot from the remotest places once populated by thousands, to cemeteries with burial rites. The Coffin Roads by Ian Bradley explains the centuries-old folk practices and lore associated with these well-trod trails in the West Highlands and Hebrides, which differentiate them from similar paths found throughout the United Kingdom. A funeral in the Scottish Highlands. Illustration from the 19th century. Photograph by clu, Getty Images Bradley describes multi-day wakes turning raucous and exuberant, with whisky as an entire community prepared for a funeral procession of epic proportions. Groups of women skilled at keening crooned over the body, often following behind as the men set off, several at a time hoisting a heavy casket shoulder-high. Theyd rest and change bearers often, propping the coffin on piles of stones called cairns, which can still be found in many uninhabited places. Cairns were part of a series of rituals to prevent the dead from returning home, like traveling in winding routes to confuse the spirit, through water where it couldnt follow; and the bodys feet pointed towards the burial site. These practices, Bradley says, initiated grieving in a community-led pilgrimage of gradual transition for both the living and the dead. ScotWays, a charity maintaining Scotlands rights of public access, details how to find several coffin roads in its guidebook, Scottish Hill Tracks. Volunteer director Tim Simons says its difficult to estimate how many existed. Separate from other paths traveled in daily life, used only to usher coffins, many are lost to living memory. Quite a few will have fallen out of use over 100 years ago, Simons says, but those that remain, are an important part of the countrys cultural heritage, well worth exploring. The more people travel [here], he continues, the busier it gets, but these routes are still relatively quiet. You can often do one and not see a single soul all day. Whether youre undertaking a journey to commemorate a transition or just want to see some of Scotlands most awe-inducing places, here are five coffin roads to explore. (Hiking in the Scottish Highlands: Expert tips on five challenging routes to the peaks) Best coffin road walks for beginners One of Britains most important historic sites is a great starting point. Just over two hours from Glasgow, Kilmartin Glen holds more than 350 ancient relics like burial cairns, standing stones, and barrowsmany prehistoric, constructed before Englands Stonehenge or Egypts earliest pyramidsall clustered in a six-mile stretch outside Kilmartin village. Kilmartin Parish Church in Kilmartin Glen, Scotland. Photograph by UK City Images, Alamy The Kilmartin Stones are a collection of 79 ancient gravestonesone exception being a side-slab of a tomb chestat Kilmartin Parish Church. Photograph by Alba Tross, Alamy Bradley describes this as the archetypal coffin road. Its clear from archaeological evidence that it was essentially a ritual landscape, he explains. Theres no evidence [of] people living there, its all monuments to the dead. Its prime purpose seems to have been as a kind of coffin road through which the dead would have been carried, with probably considerable ceremony, to various kinds of graves. The easily accessible, roughly three-mile walk along flat paths winds through a linear cemetery, connecting some of the valleys main sites. (10 whimsical ways to experience Scotland) The Green Isle Walk is also well-suited for beginners. It was one of several purported coffin roads crossing the West Highland Peninsulas to meet at a jetty on Loch Shiel; here, boats carrying caskets departed for St. Finans Isle, also called the Green Isle. The Green Isle is a holy site dating to at least the seventh century that contains remains of a medieval chapel and a burial ground still in use. Just under three miles, out and back, the path follows Loch Shiels shoreline, through Scots pine, Atlantic oak, and green fields dotted with Cheviot sheep en route to the pier. Across the water, catch glimpses of stone crosses and tombstones silhouetted against the hills. Intermediate island hikes One of the most famous coffin roads is also one of the most frequented. The Isle of Harris was a substitute for planet Jupiter in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, and, more recently, the setting of Coffin Road, a crime novel by Peter May. The long reputed coffin route on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides crosses the islands dramatic interior through the hill pass of Bealach Eorabhat, headed for turquoise-edged white sand beaches, and cemeteries along the west coast. Over eight miles, lunar outcrops give way to moorlands and sweeping views of cliffs where golden eagles nest. The Coffin Route on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides crosses the islands dramatic interior toward the area's white sand beaches. Photograph by David Forster, Alamy Craig McDonald, a trip leader with Wilderness Scotland, describes their most-requested coffin trek as a special one where cairns can still be seen. Its moderately difficult, he explains, but its trickiness doesnt come so much from climbing, its more that there are a couple of sections up to the high point of Bealach Eorabhat, where the path peters out, but there arent many other tracks that break off from it, so its difficult to take the wrong way. Still, he recommends carrying a map and knowing how to use it. If a fog or mist came in, it could get a bit disorienting. (8 activities to do under the stars in Scotland) Challenging hiking trails in Scotland For experienced hikers, some of the most remote trails can give the best sense of just how grueling these funeral processions were. McDonald describes the Applecross peninsulas Kenmore to Applecross route as a stunning walk with beautiful terrain. It also features several old coffin cairns and historical features like stone markers and wrought iron gates. (Why the Scottish Highlands is the best birdwatching destination in the UK) The paths destination would have likely been what is now Clachan Church, an early 19th-century building on the site of a seventh-century monastery. Its a challenging [hike], McDonald says, youre in very remote country and people often do it as an out-and-back walk which is about [20 miles]. The track ascends about [1,640 feet] and its quite wet and boggy in places. There are a couple of river crossings as well, so if theres been heavy rain in the days prior, I would err away from doing it unless youre experienced or dont mind getting your feet wet. The 11th-century Clachan Duich Church in Kintail National Scenic Area. Photograph by Philip Sayer, Alamy The coffin road to Kintail, one of the most storied paths, travels through its namesake, Kintail National Scenic Area. Its one of several believed to have led over the Kintail mountains, which include multiple Munros (mountains in Scotland with an elevation greater than 3,000 feet), to Clachan Duich, an ancient burial ground sprawled around ruins of an 11th-century church at the head of a sea loch. Accounts of smugglers huts, 18th-century massacres, and mountaineer Frank Smythes well-documented paranormal visions along the route make it one of the most evocative. Stretching 26 miles, from Glen Strathfarrar, it scales a high mountain pass and takes in the Falls of Glomach, one of Britains highest waterfalls. Its a very rugged landscape, Bradley says. You get a sense of the huge effort and hard work involved in carrying a heavy coffin over that terrain. (An eco-conscious adventure through the Scottish Highlands) Andrea Bussell is a writer and ex-New Yorker living in the mountains of Scotland's Highlands. Her writing about travel and culture is rooted in a love of nature, slow living, and indigenous wisdom of the places she visits. See more at @ambussell. The man accused of launching an "antisemitic attack" that injured at least 12 protesters with a "makeshift flamethrower" and Molotov cocktails in downtown Boulder on Sunday had "no regrets" and wanted his targets to die, Colorado officials said. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, posed as a gardener to get closer to the group of Jewish protesters, police and prosecutors said at a news conference Monday as the city's Jewish community reels from the attack. The city of Boulder said in a statement Monday night that it was a "targeted, antisemitic attack." Authorities said eight of the victims, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were admitted to the hospital with burns. One is a Holocaust survivor, according to a local rabbi. None have been identified publicly. People today at the site of the attack in Boulder. (Chet Strange / Getty Images) At least four of the injured were hospitalized and later discharged. Two were airlifted to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Rabbi Marc Soloway told NBC affiliate KUSA of Denver. Soliman, an Egyptian national, has been arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder after deliberation; attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference; first-degree assault, including against an at-risk victim older than 70, and possession of an incendiary device. He remains in custody on a $10 million bond. The suspect has also been federally charged with a hate crime for targeting a religious or ethnic group. If convicted on all the charges, he faces up to 192 years in prison. Authorities say the victims were participating in a peaceful rally calling for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during its terrorist attack Oct. 7, 2023. The Boulder branch of the Run for Their Life, like similar offshoots across the country, has been demonstrating to raise awareness of the hostages plight every week. Soliman shouted "Free Palestine" during the attack, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal district court. "Mr. Soliman stated that he had been planning this attack for a year. And he acted because he hated what he called the Zionist group,'" J. Bishop Grewell, the acting U.S. attorney for the district of Colorado, said in a news conference Monday. When interviewed about the attack, Grewell said Soliman told police he "wanted them all to die." "He had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again," Grewell said. Law enforcement officials investigate after the attack in Boulder on Sunday. (David Zalubowski / AP) An affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court said Soliman found out about the Run for Their Lives group online and knew it planned to meet at 1 p.m. Sunday. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn told NBC News that theres no indication that a formal police presence was requested by the group. He said there was no officer specifically assigned to the event, but the law enforcement response was swift and the suspect was taken into custody within minutes. Redfearn said the attack was "shocking." "Its disgusting. Seeing this man throwing Molotov cocktails onto human beings is just disgusting," he said. According to the criminal complaint and Michael Dougherty, district attorney for Boulder County, the attack could have been worse: While the suspect threw two Molotov cocktails into the crowd, police recovered 16 more from the scene. Soliman also had attempted to buy a firearm before the attack but was denied due to his immigration status, police said. The Department of Homeland Security said Monday that Soliman legally entered the country on a B2 visa, normally issued to tourists, in August 2022 and filed for asylum in September 2022. While his visa expired in February 2023, Soliman had not yet exhausted all legal options to stay in the U.S. Video from the scene apparently shows the suspect throwing the cocktails and setting himself alight in the process. Later, he can be seen shirtless, holding glass bottles containing clear liquid. Police said he had a backpack sprayer filled with gasoline and had planned to die while carrying out his plot. Jewish community fears Fears are running high in the local Jewish community. The Boulder attack came just 11 days after a Jewish couple was shot dead outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. That one of the victims of Sunday's attack was a Holocaust survivor was particularly upsetting and poignant for some. The attack also took place on the eve of Shavuot, an important Jewish holiday. A vigil outside the White House on May 22 for the victims of the Capital Jewish Museum shooting, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images) Rabbi Fred Greene, of the Congregation Har Hashem, told NBC News: "She knows what it was like to be a child as a refugee and she goes around telling stories, not just to fight antisemitism but [to] stop the hatred of other people who are also looking for a better future in this community." Rabbi Marc Soloway, whose Congregation Bonai Shalom is attended by six of Sundays victims, said: "This was Jewish people, many from my congregation, who were having a peaceful walk on the mall on a Sunday afternoon and they were violently and brutally attacked by fire. It brings up horrific images of our past." "Just the idea of somebody who literally has their body on fire in the middle of the mall in Boulder, Colorado, it just defies belief," he told KUSA. A community vigil will be held Wednesday evening at the Boulder Jewish Community Center. Boulder Jewish Festival, which has long been scheduled for this Sunday, will also take place as planned but will be "reimagined" in light of the attack, the center said in a Facebook post. A composite sketch, left, of the murder suspect was made from witness accounts. Harry Nickerson is at right in an undated image. (County of Santa Clara) 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. 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. 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. 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. Magnus Sundholm/Shutterstock Clint Eastwood NEED TO KNOW Clint Eastwood is slamming a "phony" interview that was published on his 95th birthday The veteran actor called out Austrian newspaper Kurier for running the story, which was picked up by larger outlets, including PEOPLE The interview is entirely phony, Eastwood told Deadline, adding that he hasnt spoken to any writers in recent weeks Clint Eastwood says a recent viral interview with him never happened. On Monday, June 2, the five-time Academy Award winner called out Austrian newspaper Kurier for publishing a "phony" interview with him last week for his 95th birthday. A couple of items about me have recently shown up in the news, Eastwood said in a statement to Deadline. Chris Polk/FilmMagic Clint Eastwood I thought I would set the record straight. I can confirm Ive turned 95. I can also confirm that I never gave an interview to an Austrian publication called Kurier, or any other writer in recent weeks, and that the interview is entirely phony. Though the newspaper has a small audience, the article was picked up by outlets like Deadline, Reuters and PEOPLE. PEOPLE reached out to Malpaso, Eastwoods production company, and Warner Bros, but did not immediately receive a response. In the circulated article, the veteran actor and producer weighed in on remakes, stating: "I've shot sequels three times, but I haven't been interested in that for a long while. My philosophy is: do something new or stay at home," the Austrian outlet reported per Reuters. Stewart Cook/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Clint Eastwood, AFI Awards Luncheon He was also quoted as missing the good old days when screenwriters had new ideas. "As an actor, I was still under contract with a studio, was in the old system, and thus forced to learn something new every year," the article read. "That's why I'll work as long as I can still learn something, or until I'm truly senile." Underneath Kurier's article on Eastwood, a note says that the paper is currently investigating the matter." 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. Eastwood, whose interview with Kurier would have been a rare one, recently directed Juror #2, which premiered last fall. Read the original article on People Harvey Weinstein appears in court for his trial in New York on 27 May 2025. Photograph: Steven Hirsch/Reuters The third sexual misconduct trial of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was rapidly heading toward a conclusion on Tuesday, as prosecutors and the defense began delivering closing arguments in Manhattan criminal court. If there is a doubt about their case, you gotta throw it out, defense attorney Arthur Aidala said of three women who testified against Weinstein. These are the people they want you to believe theyre all women with broken dreams. Aidala argued that prosecutors failed to prove Weinsteins guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, despite hours of carefully preparing their witnesses to build a case to get the poster boy, the original sinner of the #MeToo movement. Weinsteins accusers, he continued, were untrustworthy. Hes the one whos getting used, Aidala said, and described the encounters as part of a courting game between men and women. They are lying about what happened. Not about everything, but about a small slice just enough to turn their regret, their buyers remorse, into criminality, Aidala said. Mr Weinstein sits here an innocent man. The presumption of innocence ... The only ones who can take that away are the 12 of you He concluded: If this guy wasnt Harvey Weinstein, would we even be here? Related: Florida sandwich shop staffer helps free kidnapped domestic violence victim District attorney Nicole Blumberg followed with a summation that Weinstein had used his power in the entertainment industry to physically and emotionally overpower his accusers. He didnt have an interest in their careers, Blumberg said. He had an interest in their bodies. He didnt care what they wanted. He cared what he wanted. Addressing Aidalas claim that Weinstein was the one getting abused here, Blumberg said: The defense is no victim in this case and to suggest otherwise is offensive. The prosecution is scheduled to continue its closing on Wednesday before the case is handed to the jury for deliberations. Six weeks after prosecutors began laying out their case against him (largely a re-airing of a 2020 criminal prosecution, with one additional accuser, that was later overturned on appeal), the matter will be deliberated again by jurors, without Weinstein testifying. He is charged with assaulting three women in Manhattan between 2006 and 2013 Mimi Haley, Jessica Mann and Kaja Sokola and has been appearing in court each day in a wheelchair from Manhattans Bellevue hospital, where he is being treated for a number of ailments, including chronic myeloid leukemia. Manhattans district attorney, Alvin Bragg, who is facing re-election this year, opted to retry Weinstein soon after his first conviction on third-degree rape and a criminal sexual charge was vacated because prosecutors were found to have prejudiced the jury by calling witnesses whose testimony was unrelated to the charges. The decision to bring a second prosecution in New York required the 73-year-old Weinstein to travel from California, where he was serving a 16-year sentence for sexual assault. The second New York trial avoided the most serious sexual assault charges that he was cleared of in 2020 to avoid double jeopardy. At trial, prosecutors have sought to establish that Weinstein used his power in the film industry to sexually assault and exert enormous control over the three women, each of whom were seeking to gain a footing in the business. In opening statements, assistant DA Shannon Lucey said Weinstein had offered his accusers film scripts and promises of fame, and he used those dream opportunities as weapons. Prosecutors avoided introducing so-called prior bad acts testimony but brought an additional sex crimes charge related to Sokola, who accused Weinstein of performing oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel on one occasion in early 2006. Weinsteins defense team pushed back on that claim, offering jurors the testimony of Helga Samuelsen, a friend of Sokolas, who said Weinstein had visited Sokola months earlier in their shared apartment and spent about a half hour in a bedroom with her. Sokola earlier testified that the alleged encounter had not happened. Weinsteins defense also offered evidence that each of the three women had friendly relationships with the defendant before and after the alleged sexual assaults and each had received compensation from a payout fund established after allegations were made against the movie mogul, triggering a public reckoning over gender power dynamics that came to be known as the #MeToo movement. Among the witnesses, Jessica Mann testified that she had what she considered a romantic relationship with Weinstein, who was then married. All three said they believed Weinstein could help them with their professional goals and maintained relationships with him, and, in some instances, he had helped them find work. Aidala told jurors that the three women had fooled around with him consensually, adding they were flirtatious, they were friendly, they wanted him, they needed him, he could change the trajectories of their lives. But a clinical psychologist, testifying for the prosecution, said that for a variety of reasons, it is not unusual for sexual assault victims to remain on good terms with their assailants after an assault. In total, prosecutors introduced evidence from 24 witnesses during Weinsteins retrial. They included former assistants, friends of his accusers and workers at the hotels where the alleged assaults took place. Weinstein, who has pleaded not guilty, elected not to testify in his defense repeating the same decision he made in the earlier trials. Aidala said his client very much wanted to take the stand and had been prepped to do so before Weinstein decided against it as a matter of courtroom strategy. Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organizations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html FILE - Yarimar Mercado Martinez, of Puerto Rico, competes during the women's 50-meter Rifle 3 Positions qualification, at the Olympic Shooting Center, during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) A Connecticut man was sentenced to 33 years in prison on Tuesday for the stray-bullet killing of a Puerto Rican Olympic athlete's mother. Jasper Greene, 23, of New Haven, was one of three men charged in the death of Mabel Martinez Antongiorgi on April 9, 2022. The 56-year-old woman was sewing in her home in Waterbury, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Hartford, when a bullet flew through a wall and hit her in the head. Martinez Antongiorgis daughter, Yarimar Mercado Martinez, competed for the family's native Puerto Rico in rifle shooting at the Olympics in 2016, 2021 and 2024. She was in Brazil for another competition when her mother was killed. Greene pleaded guilty to murder in February. His lawyer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment after Tuesday's sentencing in Waterbury Superior Court. According to court testimony, the fatal shooting stemmed from a dispute that one of the suspects, Franklin Robinson, had with a man who said hello to his girlfriend. Robinson, Greene and another man shot up a car parked on Martinez Antongiorgis street, thinking the man was inside it. A bullet went into Martinez Antongiorgis home. Another bystander was wounded but survived. A jury convicted Robinson of murder and other charges in 2023 and he was later sentenced to 90 years in prison. The third suspect, Levi Brock, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in the case, including murder, and awaits trial. At the time of her mothers death, Mercado Martinez lamented in social media posts that she couldnt even say goodbye. Why you? Why this way? she wrote. You were just sitting in your little house sewing, as you always did. Martinez Antongiorgi and her husband of over 30 years, John Luis Mercado, moved to Waterbury from Puerto Rico a few years after the U.S. territory endured 2017s devastating Hurricane Maria. At the time of her death, they had set a date to renew their wedding vows, their daughter wrote at the time. Megan Schaltegger Costco is beloved for its bulk-sized itemsfrom almond croissant pastries to viral ice cream sandwiches. But perhaps one of the warehouse chain's most beloved products is its muffinsor at least, they used to be. Back in December 2024, Costco riled up its customers by making a major change to its muffins. Those giant, fluffy muffins available in mix & match 12-count packs for just $9.99 suddenly morphed into a smaller 8-pack featuring only one muffin flavor for $6.99. But the number of muffins wasn't the only thing that shrank in size. The muffins themselves went from giant to regular-sized. Customers were quick to express their disappointment in the change, writing on Reddit, "I'm shocked they changed muffins up...since its something theyre pretty well known for. Wont be buying these again." And it seems as though not much has changed over the past six months. Delish got its hands on three different flavors of the new and not-so-improved muffins, and we could totally see where all the customer complaints were coming from. While the lemon raspberry muffins boasted great flavor, the dryness overpowered it and left me (and other staffers) disappointed. They were sadly underwhelming and didn't remotely resemble the gargantuan Costco muffins of the past. In fact, there's an entire Reddit thread dedicated to the downfall of said muffins. "In a word, will NEVER buy these again, EVER. They suck beyond belief and i'm shocked that Costco ever put out such c**p," commented one customer. "Im not renewing my Costco membership over this. The larger muffins have been a flagship product in Costco for years. They have shot themselves in the foot," shared another. Delish reached out to Costco for comment, but as of this writing, has not heard back. According to another Reddit thread, employees blame some of the changes on the new CEO, Ron Vachris, who took the reins in January 2024. "Its been downhill since the new ceo started. Ask anyone who works there," wrote one person. In reply, a 24-year executive Costco member wrote, "I hear your exact comments from Costco employees every time I visit warehouses and engage with employees...Longest tenured employees long gone Im told plus majority of employee name tags I see have 2024 as employment start year." A lot of customers are also equating the change in the muffins to shrinkflation, a phenomenon happening across the country at many restaurants and grocery stores. Professor Toni Farmer, who teaches a class on sustainable agriculture at the University of Pennsylvania, tells me another reason Costco might be shrinking (and changing) its muffins. "In short, massive drought in Peru impacted the blueberry harvest last year," she shares. As a result, Costco is probably "making the muffins smaller and replacing the blueberries with a blueberry flavored cream cheese." And Costco isn't the only company switching things up. Many big businesses are doing things differently due to both climate change and tariffs. "I believe this is foreshadowing of things to come," Farmer continues. "Companies will be looking at ways to shore up supply chains and ways to work around ingredients that have gotten scarce. Chocolate and coffee are both in danger due to climate change, and many other ingredients will be more expensive if the tariffs remain." No more chocolate or coffee? Now that's a scary thought. You Might Also Like Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Jordan Williams 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. 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 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. 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 Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz NEED TO KNOW A New York content creator revealed Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz were former neighbors of hers "I only have nice things to say," Ilana Wiles shared of the famous couple Craig and Weisz secretly tied the knot in 2011 Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz are, apparently, good neighbors to have. This is according to a New York influencer who revealed in a video posted Thursday, May 29 that her upstairs neighbors were none other than the James Bond actor, 57, and Black Widow actress, 55. Ilana Wiles, a content creator with nearly 500,000 TikTok followers who frequently posts "day in the life of a New York City mom clips, shared the info as part of the platform's popular holy airball trend in which users share a misconception about themselves, followed by them sharing the truth. Cindy Ord/Getty Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig In Wiles' slideshow, she shared photos of herself in her New York City home with text reading, "told them my upstairs neighbor was a celebrity" with the final slide giving away her neighbors were the famous couple. "For the record, neither of us live there anymore but they were our upstairs neighbors for 10 years! Wiles wrote. "I only have nice things to say." Maria Moratti/Getty Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig attend the "Queer" red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film 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 pair first first met in the '90s, but didn't start dating until they starred as a married couple in the 2011 psychological thriller Dream House. Weisz and Craig tied the knot in a secret wedding ceremony just six months after they'd started dating. The couple has split their time between homes in London and Brooklyn, but primarily reside in the United Kingdom where they raise their family. The couple share daughter Grace, 6, whom they welcomed in 2018. Weisz also has an 18-year-old son, Henry, with director Darren Aronofsky, while Craig has an adult daughter named Ella, whom he welcomed in 1992 with ex Fiona Loudon. Read the original article on People 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. We may earn money from links on this page, but commission does not influence what we write or the products we recommend. AOL upholds a rigorous editorial process to ensure what we publish is fair, accurate and trustworthy. Most drivers stick with the same car insurance company for years, even when they're not particularly happy with the service. That's changing fast. More than half of auto insurance customers actively shopped for new policies in the past year, the highest shopping rate ever recorded, according to J.D. Power. This happened even as auto insurance premium increases declined to less than 2% by the end of 2024 from 13% at the start of the year. The issue goes beyond pricing, as 38% of customers, or about four in ten people, fell into the bottom segment of customer satisfaction scores, showing a widespread trust problem. That's actually good news if you're shopping around. Competition for customers has never been fiercer, which means you have more leverage to find an insurer that treats you right and charges a fair price. We've dug into the latest customer satisfaction studies, financial strength ratings and real-world experiences to identify which insurers actually deliver on their advertising. Among them, Progressive continues pushing innovation with tools that help customers save money, while Erie Insurance leads in shopping experience for the second year running. USAA dominates overall satisfaction for military families who qualify, and Amica consistently delivers top-tier claims service that justifies its premium positioning. We explore what makes each company worth considering and where they fall short. At a glance: Editor picks for 2025 1. Progressive: Best for innovation Progressive Best for innovative features and tools Progressive has built its reputation on innovation and making insurance shopping easier. The company pioneered use-based insurance and continues evolving tools that help customers understand and manage their coverage. Founded in 1937 as a specialty insurer for high-risk drivers, Progressive now serves a wide range of customers across all 50 states with a focus on technology and competitive pricing. Pros Innovative Name Your Price tool Second-largest market share Comprehensive digital platform and mobile app Gap insurance and unique coverage options Cons Below-average claims satisfaction Customer service can feel automated Snapshot program can increase rates Rates may increase following claims Get your rate at Progressive How Progressive stands out from the crowd Progressive's Name Your Price tool is a unique way to shop for insurance by allowing you to set a budget and see what coverage fits. The company's Snapshot program rewards safe drivers with genuine discounts, though some drivers may see rate increases based on driving data. Progressive also offers gap insurance that covers the difference between what you owe on your car loan and its actual value if totaled. And you'll also find coverage for custom equipment, rideshare driving and pet injury protection that many competitors don't offer. The digital experience consistently ranks among the industry's best. Progressive's website and mobile app make it simple to get quotes, manage your policy, file claims and track repair progress. After using Progressive for three years, I found the digital tools genuinely convenient everything from checking coverage details to making policy changes worked smoothly online. For customers who prefer handling most tasks online, Progressive delivers convenience that's hard to beat. Where Progressive falls short While Progressive makes it relatively easy to reach a human when needed, Progressives customer service can feel automated rather than personal. The company's efficiency-focused approach sometimes prioritizes speed over personal attention during complex situations. While Progressive markets Snapshot as a discount program, it actually adjusts rates based on your driving data. Hard braking, rapid acceleration or driving during high-risk hours can result in rate increases, not just smaller discounts. The company also tends to raise rates more aggressively than some competitors after at-fault accidents many customers report that even minor claims can result in significant premium increases. Overall, the company scored below average in recent claims satisfaction studies, showing that when things go wrong, your experience may not always match the convenience of the digital tools. 2. Erie Insurance: Best for experience and regional service Erie Insurance Best for experience and regional service Erie Insurance focuses on delivering personalized service through local agents while maintaining convenient digital tools. Founded in 1925 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the regional insurer has grown to serve more than 6 million policyholders. The company mostly operates in the Eastern and Midwestern United States with a focus on community connections and customer relationships over aggressive national expansion. Pros Highest shopping experience scores two years running Third-highest claims satisfaction score nationally Rate Lock feature keeps premiums stable for up to three years Strong local agent network and community focus Cons Service limited to 12 states plus Washington, D.C. No mobile claims filing or online policy purchases available Basic mobile app functionality compared to major competitors Get your rate at Erie Insurance How Erie stands out from the crowd Erie has topped J.D. Power's insurance shopping study for two consecutive years thanks to its straightforward insurance shopping experience. The company maintains a network of over 2,200 independent agencies with more than 13,000 licensed agents, providing local expertise and face-to-face service that many national carriers can't match. Erie's Rate Lock feature sets it apart from competition by keeping your premiums stable for up to three years, protecting you from surprise rate hikes that have become all too common with other insurers. But keep in mind this feature won't protect you if you add or remove vehicles or drivers or change where you park your car. Erie typically delivers when it matters most. The company's claims performance ranks third nationally, which means you're likely to experience a smooth process when dealing with accidents or damage compared to most other insurers. Where Erie falls short Erie's biggest limitation comes down to its coverage area: 12 states plus Washington, D.C. If you live anywhere else, you're out of luck. Even if you're in Erie's coverage area now, this regional focus can create problems if you move frequently, since you might have to find a new insurer when you relocate. The company's digital experience lags behind major competitors in important ways. While you can get a quote online, youll need to complete the policy purchase process with an agent. More frustrating, you can't file claims through Erie's mobile app, which feels outdated when most insurers offer this basic functionality. Where does Erie Insurance operate? Illinois Indiana Kentucky Maryland New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia Washington, D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin 3. USAA: Best for military families USAA Best for military families Founded in 1922 by military officers, USAA focuses on the unique needs of the military community, building its entire business model around serving current and former members and their families. The member-owned USAA has earned the highest customer satisfaction scores for 23 consecutive years, making it the clear quality leader among auto insurers. But you must be a military member, a veteran or family to qualify for its policies. Pros Highest customer and claims satisfaction for several consecutive years Military-focused benefits like deployment storage discounts Competitive insurance premiums Excellent mobile app and digital tools for managing policies Cons Limited to military members and their families Fewer physical locations and smaller agent network than major competitors No live chat or customer support by email Get your rate at USAA How USAA stands out from the crowd USAA consistently outperforms competitors in customer satisfaction by providing service levels that other insurers struggle to match. The company also leads in claims satisfaction, earning the highest scores for five consecutive years. What really sets USAA apart is how well it understands military life. You can save up to 60% off your premium when storing your vehicle during deployment. If you park your car on base, you might save up to 15% on comprehensive coverage. The company even offers special coverage for military-specific situations that civilian insurers often exclude. USAA's mobile app and digital tools are impressive you can handle everything from filing claims to getting roadside assistance without calling anyone. For military families who move frequently or deploy overseas, this digital-first approach makes managing insurance much easier than speaking over the phone with an agent. Where USAA falls short If you're not a military member or connected to the military through family, you can't qualify for USAA coverage. This excludes the vast majority of drivers from accessing what's arguably the nations best auto insurer. Even if you qualify, USAA operates differently from traditional insurers. The company has a much smaller agent network than giants like State Farm or Allstate, which means you won't find local USAA offices in most communities. USAA's customer service options are also more limited than you might expect from a premium insurer. The company doesn't offer email support, and its chat feature doesnt connect you with a live agent. While you can call for help, phone representatives are available Monday through Friday only, which can be frustrating if you need assistance on weekends. 4. Amica: Best for customer support and claims Amica Best for customer support and claims Amica earns recognition for strong customer service, from shopping to claims. Founded as a mutual company in 1907, the company has spent over a century prioritizing lasting relationships with policyholders. As the oldest mutual auto insurer in the U.S., Amica operates differently from typical insurance companies it's owned by its policyholders, allowing it to focus on member satisfaction instead of maximizing investor returns. Pros Fast claims payments within 2 business days of documentation Dividend-paying policies can return money to you annually Comprehensive coverage including gap insurance and new car replacement Available all states but Hawaii, plus Washington, D.C. Cons Higher average premiums than most competitors Limited local office presence nationwide Get your rate at Amica How Amica stands out from the crowd Amica consistently ranks among the top insurers for claims satisfaction. What really sets the company apart is how quickly it pays claims Amica promises to send payments within two business days of receiving all necessary documentation, which beats most competitors by a wide gap. The company offers comprehensive coverage options that go beyond basic protection. This includes gap insurance that covers the difference between what you owe on your car and its actual value if totaled, and new car replacement coverage for vehicles under a certain age. Amica operates in 49 states plus Washington D.C., making it accessible to drivers across most of the country. Like GEICO, Amica is owned by its policyholders rather than shareholders. This means when the company does well financially, it can share profits with customers through dividend payments. You can choose dividend-paying policies that cost more up front but can return 5% to 20% of your annual premium back to you at year's end (though dividends aren't guaranteed). Where Amica falls short Amicas premium services come with a trade-off. You'll typically pay more with Amica than with budget-focused competitors. If you're shopping purely based on price, Amica probably isn't your best bet. And while Amica's service area is wide-ranging, if you live in Hawaii, you're out of luck. Amica also operates differently from the big national carriers. You won't find local Amica offices scattered around town. If you're someone who likes walking into an office to get answers to complex insurance questions face to face, this limited physical presence might feel frustrating. Most of your interactions will happen online, over the phone or through its mobile app. 5. GEICO: Best for affordable rates GEICO Best for affordable rates GEICO typically charges less annually than other major insurers, making it a smart choice for cost-conscious customers who don't need premium services with their insurance. Originally founded to serve government employees, GEICO has expanded to serve all drivers while maintaining a business model that focuses on keeping costs low. Pros Competitive rates with more than 15 discounts available 24/7 customer service available online and by phone Mechanical breakdown coverage for newer vehicles Cons Below-average claims satisfaction in customer surveys No gap insurance or rideshare coverage options Limited network of local agents for in-person service Get your rate at GEICO How GEICO stands out from the crowd GEICO operates as a member-owned mutual company, allowing it to focus on keeping costs low for policyholders instead of maximizing profits for shareholders. The company's direct-to-consumer approach eliminates traditional agent commissions, passing those savings to customers through lower rates. GEICO offers more than 15 different discounts, providing multiple ways to reduce your auto premium from military and federal employee discounts to savings for good students and safe drivers. The digital experience works well for straightforward insurance needs. GEICO's website and mobile app handle most common tasks efficiently, from getting quotes to filing claims. Unlike with many competitors, you can reach GEICO customer service agents 24/7, whether you prefer calling, chatting online or managing everything through an app. When my car died on the highway at 5 a.m., I was able to quickly reach a live representative to arrange a tow something you can't count on with many other insurers during odd hours. GEICO also offers mechanical breakdown coverage for vehicles that are less than 15 months old and under 15,000 miles. This protection covers repair costs for mechanical failures that aren't typically covered by standard auto insurance. Where GEICO falls short GEICO consistently scores below average in claims satisfaction surveys. The company's efficiency-focused approach can feel impersonal when you need genuine help navigating complicated insurance matters. On top of that, the company doesn't offer some coverage options that competitors provide, including gap insurance for financed vehicles and rideshare coverage for Uber or Lyft drivers. If you need these protections, you'll have to look elsewhere. GEICO also has a much smaller network of local agents compared to traditional insurers. While its digital tools work great for routine tasks, some customers still value having a local office they can visit when making coverage decisions. 6. Nationwide: Best for usage-based savings Nationwide Best for usage-based savings Nationwide focuses on rewarding good driving habits through technology while keeping rates competitive. Founded in 1926 as a mutual company, Nationwide has evolved into a value-focused insurer serving 46 states with programs designed around how you actually drive. Pros SmartRide and SmartMiles programs offer substantial discounts Vanishing Deductible reduces costs over time for safe drivers Competitive rates among major insurers Cons Mixed customer satisfaction scores No availability in 4 states SmartMiles program has geographic restrictions Get your rate at Nationwide How Nationwide stands out from the crowd Nationwide's SmartRide program can deliver savings of up to 40% off for safe driving habits like smooth braking and avoiding high-risk driving times, while promising no rate hikes based on the collected data. For low-mileage drivers, SmartMiles offers pay-per-mile pricing that can slash your premium costs if you drive under 10,000 miles annually. The Vanishing Deductible program is another unique offering that reduces your deductible $100 each year you drive safely, up to $500 total. Combined with accident forgiveness on your first at-fault claim, these programs create long-term value for careful drivers who stick around. Nationwide also offers add-ons like pet injury protection and gap coverage. The company consistently ranks among the most affordable major insurers, with average premiums typically running below the national average. Where Nationwide falls short Customer satisfaction scores vary widely depending on what you're measuring. While Nationwide excels in digital tools and usage-based programs, overall service ratings lag behind top performers like USAA and Amica. You can't get Nationwide coverage in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana or Massachusetts. And while you can get standard Nationwide coverage in Oklahoma, New York and North Carolina, you cant access its SmartMiles program in these states. 7. Allstate: Best for agent relationships Allstate Best for agent relationships Allstate has spent decades building one of the industry's most extensive agent networks while focusing on comprehensive coverage and personal relationships. Founded in 1931, the company serves all 50 states with an approach that insurance should come with a human touch, though this full-service approach definitely comes with higher price tags. Pros Large agent network with over 7,500 locations Comprehensive bundling and coverage options Drivewise offers up to 40% discounts for safe drivers Accident forgiveness and claim satisfaction guarantee Cons Consistently one of the most expensive major insurers Complaint rates above industry average Drivewise can increase rates in some states Get your rate at Allstate How Allstate stands out from the crowd If you're someone who likes having a real person to call when things get complicated, Allstate's approach might work well for you. The company's network of over 7,500 exclusive agents means you'll likely find a local office nearby, and you get an assigned agent who sticks with you throughout your policy life. This personal touch makes a real difference when you're trying to figure out coverage options or navigate a claim. The company offers some of the most comprehensive protection available, including new car replacement for newer vehicles and extensive opportunities to bundle auto with home, renters and other insurance products. Its Drivewise program can deliver savings of up to 40% off for safe drivers while the Deductible Rewards program chips away at your deductible each year you stay accident-free. Allstate offers accident forgiveness to prevent rate increases after your first at-fault incident, and it even provides a claim satisfaction guarantee in select states. If you're not satisfied with how your claim gets resolved, Allstate will review your case again and may provide additional compensation to address your concern Where Allstate falls short Allstate consistently ranks as one of the priciest major insurers. Even with all its available discounts, most drivers end up paying considerably more than they would with competitors. If budget is your top priority, this probably isn't your best bet. While Allstate's extensive agent network provides personal service, the company receives significantly more complaints than you'd expect for its size. Response times and unsatisfying outcomes don't always match the premium you're paying. In some states, the Drivewise program comes with a catch poor driving habits can actually increase your rates rather than just reducing your discount. How to choose your next car insurance company Finding the right car insurance company doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Sure, there are a lot of options out there, but breaking it down into a few key factors can ease the process. Figure out what matters most to you. Some people care about getting the lowest price, while others want someone who'll actually pick up the phone when they call. Think about what you value affordable rates, great customer service or maybe just a company that makes everything simple online. There's no wrong answer, but knowing your priorities helps narrow down your choices. Consider your comfort with technology. If you're happy managing everything online and rarely need to talk to anyone, companies like GEICO or Progressive offer slick digital experiences and competitive prices. But if you prefer having a local agent you can visit in person, insurers like Allstate or State Farm might be a better fit. Consider your driving record. Got a spotless driving record? You'll probably get great rates from just about anywhere. But if you've had some bumps along the way such as accidents or tickets you might benefit from working with an agent who can help explain your options and find coverage that works. Test drive the customer service. Before you commit, call a few companies with questions about their coverage or claims process. How long are you on hold? Do the representatives actually help, or do they sound as if they're reading from a script? This quick test often tells you exactly what to expect if you need help later. Compare apples to apples. When you're getting quotes, make sure you're comparing the same coverage limits and deductibles. It's tempting to look at the bottom-line prices, but a cheaper quote with one company might come with fewer protections. Learn more: Whens the best time to shop for car insurance? (It could be right now) How to switch your car insurance Once you choose a new insurer, switching companies is straightforward. Here's how to make the change without any headaches or gaps in coverage. Start shopping early. Give yourself about three to four weeks before your current policy expires. This gives you plenty of time to compare options without feeling rushed, and some companies even offer discounts for shopping early. Don't cancel until you're covered. This is crucial never cancel your old policy until your new one is ready to start. Set your new policy to begin the day your current one expires so you're always protected. Get your paperwork together. You'll need your current policy info, personal information and driver's license numbers for everyone on your policy, vehicle identification numbers and details about any recent tickets or accidents. Having everything ready makes the whole process much smoother. Inform your lender. If you're still paying off your car, let your lender know about the insurance change to confirm that you're maintaining the required coverage. Also call your old insurer to cancel your old policy and ask about any refund for prepaid premiums. Keep good records. Save copies of both your old and new policy documents, and write down exactly when each policy starts and ends. If any questions come up later, you'll have everything you need to sort things out. Learn more: How to switch car insurance companies and why it pays to shop around What to do if you have a poor driving record or bad credit Having violations or credit challenges doesn't mean you're stuck with impossible rates. While you'll pay more than drivers with spotless records, companies like The General, Safe Auto and Progressive often offer competitive rates for drivers with past violations. Since pricing varies dramatically between insurers for drivers in your situation, make sure to get quotes from at least five companies. Several strategies can help lower your costs: Raise your deductible. Moving from $500 to $1,000 typically cuts your premium by hundreds of dollars per year. Complete a defensive driving course. Most insurers offer discounts lasting three years for finishing approved courses that cost under $50. Consider usage-based programs. These telematics programs track your current driving habits instead of relying solely on past data to provide potential discounts of up to 40%. However, they can also increase your rates, so make sure you understand their terms. Bundle strategically. Combining auto and renters insurance often saves money, though you should compare bundled rates against separate policies and make sure you get a similar level of protection. Improve your credit score. Paying bills on time and keeping credit card balances low helps since most insurers factor credit into pricing. Most violations stop affecting your rates after three to five years of maintaining clean driving habits. That's why you should focus on avoiding new tickets or accidents, and shop around regularly as your record improves. Your rates should gradually decrease as violations age off your record and you demonstrate responsible driving. More stories in our car insurance series FAQs: Car insurance and protecting your vehicle Learn more about choosing the right car insurance company and coverage options to find the best protection for your budget and needs. And take a look at our growing library of personal finance guides that can help you save money, earn money and grow your wealth. Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance policy? Most car insurance policies cover occasional drivers through "permissive use" coverage, meaning friends or family members can drive your car with your permission and still be covered. However, anyone who drives your car regularly more than 10 to 12 times a year should be added to your policy. Keep in mind that if someone else gets into an accident while driving your car, it will typically affect your insurance rates and claims history. Am I required to carry car insurance? Yes, almost every state requires you to carry at least minimum liability insurance to legally drive. New Hampshire is the only state that doesn't mandate insurance, but you must prove you can cover damages if you're at fault for an accident. Even in New Hampshire, most drivers choose to carry insurance since accident costs can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars. How often should I shop around for better rates? Every six to 12 months is a good rule of thumb. Life changes like moving, getting married, buying a new car or even improving your credit score can all affect your rates. Even if you're happy with your current company, checking what else is out there helps make sure you're still getting a good deal. Methodology: How we choose the best car insurance companies We evaluate a range of popular car insurance companies based on several criteria important to choosing a solid auto insurer, including: Customer satisfaction. We analyze J.D. Power's auto insurance, claims satisfaction and insurance shopping studies to identify companies with strong track records for customer service and claims handling. We also review complaint index ratings from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and consumer feedback. This helps ensure you'll get good service when you need help most. Pricing competitiveness. We compare average premium data from industry research firms and rate analysis studies to determine how each company's costs stack up across different driver profiles, coverage levels and geographic markets. Coverage availability. We include companies offering coverage nationwide as well as select regional insurers with exceptional service records. This ensures our recommendations serve drivers across the country while highlighting standout companies, even if they have limited geographic reach. Digital capabilities and ease of use. We evaluate how easy it is to get quotes, manage policies and file claims through each company's website and mobile app. This ensures you can handle your insurance needs conveniently when and how you prefer. Real-world experience. We prioritize factors that directly affect your daily experience with insurance companies, from shopping for quotes to resolving your claims. This focuses our recommendations on companies that consistently deliver practical value rather than flashy marketing. Insurance providers that didn't make our list Several major auto insurance companies with significant market share didn't earn a spot on our top picks. While these insurers serve millions of customers, each has specific weaknesses that kept them from our recommendations. State Farm. Despite being the largest auto insurer in the US, State Farm struggles with complaint volumes relative to its size. The company has a complaint index well above the industry baseline, with customer on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) frequently citing issues with claims handling, delayed responses and unsatisfactory claim resolutions. Liberty Mutual. This major insurer consistently underperforms in customer satisfaction measures across multiple studies. Liberty Mutual ranked near the bottom in J.D. Power's auto insurance study and receives significantly more complaints than expected for its size according to NAIC data. Farmers Insurance. While Farmers offers extensive coverage options, the company's pricing makes it difficult to recommend for most drivers. Farmers consistently charges well above the national average for both full and minimum coverage. The company also scored below average in most J.D. Power regional studies and insurance shopping studies. Travelers Insurance. Despite competitive rates, Travelers has notable customer service challenges that impact the overall experience. The company receives nearly four times more complaints than expected for personal auto policies and scored well below average in J.D. Power's auto claims satisfaction Study. Travelers also ranked near or at the bottom for overall customer satisfaction in several regions. Sources About the writer Yahia Barakah is a personal finance writer at AOL with over a decade of experience in finance and investing. As a certified educator in personal finance (CEPF), he combines his economics expertise with a passion for financial literacy to simplify complex retirement, banking and credit topics. He loves empowering people to make informed financial decisions that improve their everyday and long-term wellness. Yahia's expertise has been featured on FinanceBuzz, FX Empire and EarnForex. Based in Florida, he balances his love for finance with freediving, hiking and underwater photography. Article edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner Have thoughts or comments about this story or ideas on topics youd like us to cover? Reach out to our team at finance.editors@aol.com. Frances most influential tech mogul has a biography that sounds like that of well, an American tech mogul. Xavier Niel made his first fortune as a teenager, creating X-rated chat rooms and the countrys first reverse directory with the skills he learned on the Apple II clunker he got at 16. He skipped collegewhat was the point, since he was already getting rich?then casually hacked into the phone of the then French president to make a point about weak security. Niel founded the telecom Iliad Group in 1999, launching an internet service, and later a mobile phone plan. Undercutting the prices of established French telecoms, he gave the products an irresistible name: Free. Millions signed up. Now, at 57, more than 40 years removed from his porn-adjacent origins, Niel (pronounced nee-EL) sports a receding hairline, a slight stoop, and an estimated wealth of more than $11 billion. He also enjoys domestic splendor with his partner, Delphine Arnault, Dior CEO and daughter of Europes wealthiest man, LVMH chair Bernard Arnault. (The couple have two young children; Niel has two grown children from his former marriage.) Iliad is now a 10-billion-in-revenue fixture in the French tech universe, and Niels sprawling investments include billions in startups, tech training, and artificial intelligence. For all that, Niel still revels in casting himself as someone who stumbled sideways into Frances elite. Asked the secret to his success, he says with a half wink, Im a fraud. Leaning across a gleaming conference table during a long interview at Iliads headquarters in central Paris, the sun streaming in from the garden, Niel says he believes a lack of intellectual skill has been key to his investment success. Im not clever at all, he says. It has to be simple, or I cannot understand it. And that really helps. Niel with (from left) Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, President Macron, and Dior CEO (and Niels partner) Delphine Arnault. Clever or not, Niel has become far more than a telecom exec. He sits at the center of an issue roiling Europe: how to break free of its technological dependence on the U.S. just as Trump-era tariffs and schisms over AI regulations strain ties between the transatlantic powers. Niel wants to boost Europeanand particularly Frenchtech enough to compete with the U.S. and China as equals. That, he says, requires focusing big investments on AI, but also allowing Europes own innovators to partner globally on new technology. What is more, Europe needs to invest in tech hardware and to break its reliance on U.S. cloud computing. Lets stop asking our politicians to do everything, Niel says. It is for us, normal people, to create companies. In this urgent cause, Niels maverick statusa divergence from Europes rule-bound, risk-averse business establishmentcan work in his favor. He embodies the move-fast-and-break-things ethos that Silicon Valley loves, and hes built relationships with American Big Tech leaders at a time when those CEOs are in constant conflict with European Union regulators. Im not clever at all. It has to be simple, or I cannot understand it. And that really helps. Xavier Niel says he believes a lack of intellectual skill has been key to his investment success What is missingso faris a big homegrown tech giant to rival those across the Atlantic. Niel brings some key advantages to the quest. In France, where there is deep suspicion of wealth, Niel has built his business, and his image, partly by skewering the rich, telling consumers when he launched Free that they were being milked like dairy cows by other companies. For some, his mystique is boosted by the month he spent in jail in 2004 for alleged pimping and tax evasion; charges were dropped for the former, but the tax charge led to his conviction of concealing the misuse of corporate funds. (You understand what is real life, he says of his incarceration.) To techies, moreover, Niel conveys a sense that anyone can make it. Innovation is about creating a path for non-elites, says Nicolas Miailhe, cofounder of Paris-based AI company PRISM Eval. Xavier is one of the few who has done that. The Iliad founder also has the ear of President Emmanuel Macron. The French leader came to power in 2017 vowing to transform his country into a startup nation; Macron has created a fast-track tech visa to lure talent to France, and committed billions in government funds to back entrepreneurs. Today, if youre in tech, and you come to France, there are two people you need to meet: Emmanuel Macron and Xavier Niel, says Philippe Moreau Chevrolet, a communications consultant in Paris. And at some points, I think [Niel] is more powerful. Money is, for now, no problem for Niel. Since 2021, when Niel took Iliad private, he has owned 96% of the company. It generates the bulk of his wealth, even though it isnt the thing for which many people know himgiven that he owns a stake in Frances Le Monde newspaper, co-owns the Paris movie-production company Mediawan, and holds the rights to the pop song Comme dhabitude (better known in its English adaptation, My Way, made famous by Frank Sinatra). Niels investments now span the globewith stakes in Uber, Airbnb, and Square, among others. He sits on the board of U.S. private equity firm KKR, and last September he became the only European on the five-person board of TikTok parent ByteDance, giving him a voice in its strategy at a time when it is trying to navigate a U.S. law that will ban the social media platform unless an American company can buy it. But in business circles, Niel above all else has earned notoriety by creating mainland Europes most dynamic tech ecosystem, through the billions he has plowed into venture capital, tech training, and AI research. The motivation: to create Europes own tech giants and fast. To have more people creating companies, more investors coming from all over the world, it is the thing I want, he says. Innovation is about creating a path for non-elites. Xavier is one of the few who has done that. Nicolas Miailhe, cofounder, PRISM Eval Last September, Mario Draghi, the former European Central Bank president, issued a hefty report on Europes competitiveness. His findings were bleak, detonating a debate that has raged on in business and political circles for months. Draghi warned that Europe is headed for disaster as its economy falls further behind the U.S. and China. He said the fragmented, inflexible rules of the 27 EU countries had spurred an exodus of tech talent. About 30% of Europes unicornsstartups with billion-dollar valuationsrelocated to the U.S. between 2008 and 2021, the report noted. Draghi told EU lawmakers they would need to increase investments in research and innovation by 800 billion a year. Otherwise, he said, over time, we will inexorably become less prosperous, less equal, less secure, and, as a result, less free to choose our destiny. Read more: French tech mogul Xavier Niel warns that Europe will be reduced to an abandoned continent if it misses this crucial opportunity The sobering outlook wasnt news to Niel, who could have written the report himself. We dont have enough ambition, he tells me. We dont have enough startups. Entrepreneur is a French word, and maybe we used to have that DNA one century ago. Now, maybe not as much. Even so, Niel warns against trying to copy Americas hard-charging work culture or jettisoning Europes distinct way of life, which emphasizes generous paid leave and social benefits. Maybe France, and maybe Europe, is the best location to create a company, he says. You have a good life, and if you look for it, you have the best talent. Beginning 15 years ago, Niel set out to prove that thesis. In 2010 he launched a venture capital firm, Kima Ventures, which now provides seed funding to more than 120 tech founders annually at a rate of about 15 million a year. While many founders were American in Kimas early years, it increasingly funds Europeans and proclaims itself the worlds most active business angel. In 2013, Niel opened a network of tuition-free coding schools called 42 (a reference to the sci-fi classic The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, in which 42 is the answer to lifes biggest questions), to boost the pipeline of techies who could work for, or become, founders. And in 2017 he launched the worlds biggest tech incubator, a project that has been central to transforming Europes startup sectorand in some ways Paris itself. The enterprise is called Station F, after the decommissioned rail yard on the eastern edge of Paris where it is situated. Niel purchased the 370,000-square-foot site and spent 250 million turning it into a vast complex to house 1,000 startups a year, where founders can get on-site mentorship from Google, Apple, and others. At the time, he was not sure he could fill the space. He need not have worried: About 11,000 startups apply to join Station F each year (founders are expected to move out within two years). The striking industrial halls have drawn onstage appearances from a parade of visiting tech leaders, including Microsofts Satya Nadella, Brian Chesky of Airbnb, and Roelof Botha of Sequoia Capital. For years my friends were coming to Paris to visit the Louvre, Niel says. Now they come to visit companies, to invest, to go to Station F. Evolution of a Renegade Niel built his image and success in part by criticizing the business elite; now that he belongs to that elite, hes sharing some of the wealth. 1980s: Teen Tycoon Leveraging Frances early Minitel telecom web service, a teenage Niel builds and sells multiple businessesincluding X-rated chat rooms. Xavier Niel at an Iliad Free launch event in 2010. 1999: Telecom Trojan Horse In his early thirties, Niel starts Iliad Group, whose internet, phone, and mobile services, dubbed Free, now underpin the 10-billion-in-revenue firm. Niel with Arnault at a French state dinner in 2024. 2010s: Influential Circles Wider investments broaden Niels influence. He joins the board of PE giant KKR; he also becomes the life partner of Delphine Arnault, CEO of Dior. Facebooks then-COO Sheryl Sandberg at Station F in 2017. 2010present: Funding More Xavier Niels Niel pours money into the startup ecosystem through Kima Ventures, coding schools, and Paris tech incubator Station F. Today, Niels huge emphasis is AI. In 2023 he invested 100 million, through Iliad, to launch Kyutai, a nonprofit, open-source AI lab in Paris, in partnership with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and French shipping exec Rodolphe Saade, who each also contributed 100 million. And in February, Iliad set aside 3 billion for new AI data centers and open-source AI research in Europe. Given the dizzying sums involved, its striking to see how Niel has pieced together his projects, in a manner depicting an investor who trusts his gut and has limited patience for self-doubting rumination. One morning, I went to meet Jean de La Rochebrochard, managing partner of Niels Kima Ventures, following directions to a building near the Paris opera house. Wandering the corridors, I found no sign of Kimauntil de La Rochebrochard popped out of a doorway in jeans and hoodie, explaining that Kimas three-person staff has no office. Having just landed from New York, he was squatting in a startups space, sifting through pitches and taking Zoom meetings, in order to pick that weeks investments for Niel to approve. De La Rochebrochard plays a crucial role in giving Niel a first look at startups and feeding his considerable appetite for riska more American than French characteristic, he points out. Kima now has about 1,450 startups in its portfolio, and has seeded 17 unicornsthough few operate at enormous scale. Prized picks include AI companies like Hugging Face, H, and Poolside, and fintechs TransferWise (now Wise) and Carta. Niel was also an early investor in Mistral AI, Europes biggest AI company, which now has a partnership with Free. I think Xaviers biggest fear is becoming obsolete, de La Rochebrochard says. He looked at his peers, big bosses of French industries, and thought, I dont want to become like them. There is little chance of that, judging by Niels eccentric hiring methods alone. De La Rochebrochard says he was hired, in 2015, after emailing Niel cold with an investment idea, and then having one meeting with him. We clicked, maybe because we share a birthday, he says, laughing. Niel also relied on gut instinct after acquiring the Station F site, when he contacted a young American he had met years earlier, while she was writing for TechCrunch. He emailed me out of the blue, Roxanne Varza, director of Station F, recalls; she was 29 at the time, working for Microsoft in Paris. Niel asked her to benchmark different spaces around the world to inspire Station Fs design. Raised in Palo Alto, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, Varza flew home and bopped around Silicon Valley, having lunch with friends at tech giants hip headquarters and sending ideas back to Niel. Finally, the two reconvened in Paris. Xavier said, What do you like about this project? she recalls. I said, Everything. He said, Okay, do everything. She walked out befuddled. Was that a job interview? Is that my job now? she remembers thinking. The day I started the job, I was like, Is somebody going to tell me what my job is? No one ever did. But Varza quickly made her name running the placethe new high priestess of tech, as one French journalist called her. In February, Station F hosted a business day, featuring hours of fireside chats and presentations, topped off with a late-night rave and a DJ. The event served as the after-party of the AI Action Summit, a gathering of industry titans and world leaders overseen by Macron. Coverage of the summit had been dominated by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who eviscerated European governments over their tech regulations, telling them in his speech, The U.S. is the leader in AI, and the administration plans to keep it that way. Within hours of Vances remarks, thousands of people jammed Station Fs halls. Niel quietly slipped into the building, flanked by police, as he escorted two of his guests: Emmanuel Macron and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The trio huddled backstage, while Varza played emcee to a rotation of big-name speakers, all of them pushing one message onstage: Build Big Tech in Europe. Our limit is ambition, Thomas Wolf, the French cofounder of Hugging Facethe $4.5 billion AI company that was incubated at Station F, before it upped stakes for New Yorktold the crowd. We should not think, I am building a French startup. You should think, I am building a global company. French Digital Minister Clara Chappaz implored the audience to boost homegrown AI, and to stay in Europe. There is no way we can leave this technology in the hands of only a handful of countries, she said. That, of course, is exactly what Niel has argued for years. We have been trying to have more entrepreneurs, more people starting companies, he says in our interview. Over time, we will have big successes. To do this thing, I need to be optimistic. This article appears in the June/July 2025 issue of Fortune with the headline Hacker, Fraud, BillionaireEuropes Tech Savior by Vivienne Walt This story was originally featured on Fortune.com In May, electric vehicle maker Tesla (TSLA) posted a huge sales decline in many European countries, continuing a string of monthly shortfalls since January that have drawn significant attention. But management hopes that a refreshed Model Y, the companys top-selling vehicle, will help sales rebound. And while Tesla has seen a lot of negative press in Europe, its also feeling the pinch in China, as homegrown EV makers ramp up the pressure on CEO Elon Musk and company. Add it all up and tack on a surprisingly resurgent stock and investors may be asking where the value is. Teslas May sales go away Teslas May sales figures across Europe looked dismal much like Aprils sales numbers with one curious exception: Sweden: -54 percent Portugal: -68 percent Denmark: -31 percent The Netherlands: -36 percent Spain: -19 percent France: -67 percent Meanwhile, in Norway, Tesla sales were up an astonishing 213 percent year over year in May. One key difference: Norwegian buyers have begun receiving the refreshed Model Y, while the model will only start to be delivered in major countries such as Germany, Italy, France and Great Britain in June. Teslas new Model Y. Image source: SOPA Images/Getty Images. So the current month may prove to be particularly interesting in determining how tarnished the Tesla brand is due to the political activities of CEO Elon Musk and how much of its sales decline is due to a dated Model Y. Musk has been part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has cut vital U.S. government programs. He has also endorsed far-right European politicians, triggering backlash against Tesla in the U.S. and Europe, including protests and vandalism. Get started: Match with an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals But Tesla seems to want to take no chances with the launch of its updated Model Y, as the company is reportedly offering financial incentives for the car in major markets, including France, Great Britain and Germany. Meanwhile, buyers in Norway can enjoy interest-free financing. The incentives, of course, will hurt Teslas margins, already at relatively thin levels, but they also seem to suggest a company that desperately needs some positive press. While Teslas sales in Europe have flagged to start 2025, those of rivals have continued to surge, including Chinas BYD, indicating that Tesla is losing market share. Incentives help fix this at a cost. But theres more going on in Norway, according to a recent study from the Norwegian School of Economics. The country incentivizes EV purchases with a ton of perks, such as lower sales taxes and lower fees for parking and roads, says CNBC. This cocktail of benefits may make Norwegian buyers more likely to fork out cash to Tesla and other EV companies. Teslas problems extend beyond Europe Teslas sales declines in Europe and Musks foray into politics have captured a lot of attention to start 2025, but the companys problems may run much deeper. Musks political involvement has undoubtedly hurt Teslas brand, though the key questions are how much and for how long. But the companys image is also falling in China, Teslas second-largest market, and one that accounted for 40 percent of sales in the first quarter. A recent report from Swiss investment bank UBS suggests that Chinese buyers now place Tesla in the third spot as their top EV brand, behind domestic rivals BYD and Xiaomi. Teslas rating as a top EV choice in China fell from 18 percent a year ago to 14 percent this year. That said, the survey also found that Tesla was rated the best of the foreign EV manufacturers. But the decline in Chinese perceptions is also echoed globally, with the survey suggesting that 36 percent of consumers would consider buying a Tesla, down from 39 percent in 2024. And its not just abroad where Teslas brand is feeling squeezed. The UBS survey also shows that Tesla fell as a top choice among U.S. consumers, from 38 percent last year to 29 percent this year. Learn more: How to build a financial plan for you and your family Those figures suggest a brand that is poised to lose its image as the preeminent EV maker. No doubt, Tesla can continue to grow its sales in absolute terms as long as the EV market as a whole continues to expand briskly. But the sales results and this latest brand survey suggest that Teslas dominance of the subsector seems to be waning . So it may be less surprising that Teslas board of directors recently rumored to have hired an executive search firm to find a replacement for Musk have now reportedly decided to stick with a leader who has powered them through plenty of tough spots before. In fact, Tesla is reported to be preparing a massive pay package in case Musk doesnt receive a previously agreed-to pay package thats been overturned by a Delaware court. All the sales news, plunging brand perception and the massive valuation underlying Teslas stock should give investors plenty of pause. The shares have rebounded significantly in the last couple of months, following a more than 50 percent decline from the stocks all-time high in December, making it a riskier proposition than just weeks ago, as the bad news keeps coming. Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation. Another week in Washington has seen more promises from the Trump administration of imminent trade deals, with a fresh suggestion Monday of a possible pact with India "in the not-too-distant future." But the sheer volume of these claims even as progress is evident in some cases has dampened the reaction from markets and trade watchers after months of similar promises from both President Trump and his team have turned out to be premature at the very least. It was nearly seven weeks ago when Trump commented on the talks ahead, suggesting that "over the next three or four weeks I think maybe the whole thing could be concluded." It was one of many such promises, perhaps most notoriously a boast from trade adviser Peter Navarro on NBC in April that "we've got 90 deals in 90 days possibly pending here." So far, only one limited deal has been announced in the more than 50 days since Navarro's comment, as promises have come at a steadier pace than there is evidence of progress. The talks have seen some steps forward, such as that pact with the UK on some goods and a slashing of tariffs on China for 90 days, but also with plenty of backsliding. Just this week, renewed China tensions raised the stakes for a coming call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping and led to an apparent slowing of other talks as well. "There's a real problem, which is that there are in fact no genuine deals to be had," Paul Krugman said in a Yahoo Finance appearance on Tuesday. The Nobel laureate in economics and longtime Trump critic noted that many other countries have lower tariff rates, and therefore the real question is "whether other countries can and will devise face-saving stuff that Trump can call a victory and lead him to basically call off the dogs." Krugman is skeptical, saying attention to the notion of a "TACO trade" which suggests Trump often chickens out on tariffs could make it harder for the president to walk back yet another tariff promise. Meanwhile, Trump's team often argues that the path of trade talks so far has essentially been part of the plan, suggesting that deals will soon line up and that Trump will "dictate" tariffs if not. The president "sees these deals moving in the right direction," reiterated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday afternoon saying "the plan is for the announcement of these deals to be made very, very soon." 'You should expect a deal' A key deal promiser in recent days even as his colleagues have been more circumspect is Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. On Fox News Sunday, he promised that "everybody's talking to us, you're going to see over the next couple of weeks really first-class deals for the American worker," followed by a speech on Monday declaring that "you should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not-too-distant future." There are indeed positive signs, with India's chief negotiator reportedly saying at an event in New Delhi last week that "we are progressing well." But India has been at the front of the line for a trade deal for months, and it remains unclear if those talks will conclude before a July 8 deadline, when Trump says "reciprocal" tariffs will be implemented. President Trump at the White House on May 30. (Hu Yousong/Xinhua via Getty Images) (Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images) Progress is even less evident elsewhere, especially in the on-again-off-again talks with China and Europe. Threats from the White House have upended negotiations, and hopes for any sort of wide-ranging deal before next month's deadline are dim. Trump's surprise promise Friday to increase existing tariffs on steel imports to 50% from 25% appears to have become a new snag to the European talks. The European Commission handles trade matters for the bloc and quickly slammed the idea to reporters and promised additional countermeasures if Trump follows through. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Other nations previously seen as potential quick wins have seen progress slow or stall. "Some of those [talks] are moving along very well, especially with the Asian countries," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC in April. South Korea was often promised to be at the front of the line but has seen talks paused due to an election this month. And a Reuters report Tuesday documented new troubles in the ongoing talks with Vietnam. Another Reuters report this week suggested that the Trump administration is trying to bring its talks to a head, with a letter prodding nations to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by this Wednesday. Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that the letters had indeed been sent by Trump's trade representative to various countries describing them as "a friendly reminder to let them know the deadline is coming up." But few are sanguine that the slow progress can quickly pick up in the coming weeks. A note to clients from Signum Global Advisors on Tuesday offered a way for investors to view the coming month. An optimistic scenario sees limited trade deal frameworks announced in the coming weeks, which would allow Trump to push the upcoming July 8 deadline and further delay tariffs. A pessimistic scenario sees many of the talks continuing to be fruitless, meaning "Trump loses patience" and leads to a new round of tariffs and market shocks this summer. The note adds that the pessimistic scenario is their base case. This post has been updated with additional developments. Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Clay-Ray Veterans Association People keep crashing into the roof of the Clay-Ray Veterans Hall in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Yes, the roof the second car in three months flew through just last week. Thankfully, there have been no deaths and only minor injuries to the folks involved in the accidents, but the photos speak for themselves. Road & Track spoke with Brock Scout, the commander for the Sons of the American Legion in Excelsior Springs, to better understand the road design for how these accidents were even possible. So the first time it happened back in February, it was a car chase, Scout tells R&T. Google Maps An individual driving a Nissan Altima was being pursued on Kearney Road traveling east, according to Scout. As youre nearing the VFW, the road takes a sharp right before bending back left, but you can continue straight on to Linwood Avenue instead. The driver kept straight on Linwood but that road ends abruptly in an approximately 80-foot bluff that launches you back down onto Kearney, Scout said. The roof of the VFW hall sits right next to the road further down the hill, making it possible to drive off the road and onto the roof. Google Maps As for the second accident, Scout said the driver of the vehicle had a medical emergency, leading to them losing control of their Buick Rendezvous and driving off the road into the roof. Thankfully, once again, there were no serious injuries as a result of the crash. Clay-Ray Veterans Association In fact, the driver of the car was reportedly fine after crashing. Scout even said that he actually crawled up onto the roof and walked to the ambulance. That doesnt make things any easier for the VFW hall. We were three weeks away from opening the bar back up, Scout said. The first accident occurred on February 15 this year, and it only took until May 28 for it to happen again. The building wasnt even fully open yet, and now Scout thinks itll be another couple months of repairs... assuming this kind of freak accident doesnt happen a third time. Scout tells us there was an emergency meeting with city council members last week to discuss strategies about how to keep this from being a regular occurrence. There are temporary concrete barriers in place right now, but proposed changes to the road include permanent barriers, guardrails or cables. Scout is confident the city will implement a solution soon. In the meantime, the VFW has opened up a GoFundMe to help pay for bills that have been stacking up while its been out of operation. You Might Also Like A Florida woman who said she had been held captive for several months was rescued last week after a sandwich shop worker found the crumpled note she left behind begging for help. Santa Rosa County sheriffs deputies were called to a Jersey Mikes Subs in Navarre, about 66 miles west of Panama City Beach, on May 27 after a suspicious note was found in the bathroom. The note was written by a woman who said she was being held against her will at a nearby home and feared for her life, the sheriffs office said in a news release. Employee Eleanor Coffee told WEAR-TV of Pensacola that she found the note in the stores bathroom. There was this little piece of crumpled-up paper that was shoved next to our toilet paper dispenser, she said. Coffee said she opened up the paper and saw the alarming note. She was like, please help me, Im at this address in Navarre, I need you to call the police and do a wellness check, Coffee told the station. She told her manager, and they called 911. Coffee could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. The woman left her name and address on the note, the sheriffs office told WEAR. Deputies used security video, former case records and witness interviews to identify Jordan Williams as a suspect. The sheriffs office said in its news release that Williams, 34, and the unidentified victim have a documented history with our agency of domestic violence incidents. A search warrant was executed at Williams listed address, where deputies found the victim. The woman told police that she had been abused, assaulted, threatened with a weapon and held in isolation by Williams for a span of several months, the news release says. The woman had visible injuries, authorities said, and she was taken to the hospital for treatment of suspected broken bones and other trauma. Williams was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, battery and battery by strangulation. He was booked into the county jail. Its not clear whether he has an attorney. FILE - Phil Davis in action against Ryan Bader during a mixed martial arts bout for the light heavyweight title at Bellator 180 on Saturday, June 24, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan,File) LAS VEGAS (AP) Two former UFC fighters have filed antitrust lawsuits against the mixed-martial arts behemoth, alleging it operates as a monopoly that restricts their ability to maximize earnings. Phil Davis and Mikhail Cirkunovs, who fought under the name Misha Cirkunov, filed their lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Nevada against the Las Vegas-based UFC. Cirkunovs' complaint was filed on May 23, and Davis' was filed six days later. Philadelphia-based Berger Montague, which is represented locally by Las Vegas' Claggett and Sykes, is the law firm for both fighters. A message left with the Las Vegas firm on Monday was not immediately returned. Cirkunovs is seeking $75,000 in damages. Davis didnt specify how much money he is suing for. The UFC reached a $375 million settlement in September in a class-action antitrust lawsuit brought by Cung Le, who filed his claim in 2014. The UFC has not reached an agreement with Kajan Johnson, who filed his lawsuit in 2021. Both recent complaints made references to the Johnson case, with the Cirkunovs' suit saying they were similar. In previous hearings, Plaintiffs own counsel expressed strong concerns to the Court about the weaknesses of the Johnson claims, the UFC said in a statement. This new complaint (Cirkunovs) confirms that the plaintiffs in the Johnson case lack the standing to represent the proposed class. In addition, it confirms that the majority of fighters signed class-action waivers and agreed to arbitrate their claims instead of resorting to court procedures. We are confident that the facts and the law are on our side in opposing approval of both of these proposed classes. Davis fought in the UFC from 2010-15 before signing with Bellator MMA, which became the Professional Fighters League this year. He argues that the UFC's presence prevents fighters who aren't even in the organization from receiving competitive wages. Cirkunovs was in the UFC from 2015-22. ___ AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Haley Joel Osment NEED TO KNOW Haley Joel Osment is required to attend three AA meetings per week for the next six months. The actor was arrested and booked on charges of public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance at a ski lodge in California on Tuesday, April 8 Osment recently apologized for using racial slurs against a police officer while being arrested Haley Joel Osment must attend AA meetings for six months as a result of his suspected public intoxication arrest in April, a judge ruled. Osment, 37, was arrested on April 8 in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., on charges of alleged public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance. The Sixth Sense actor was arraigned in court on Monday, June 2, where he requested and was granted a one-year diversion by the judge, PEOPLE has learned. Osment will be required to attend at least three AA meetings per week for the next six months. Additionally, he must meet with his therapist at least twice a week for the next six months and obey all laws. The Mono County district attorney reportedly objected to the diversion request due to Osment's prior DUI conviction, as well as the actor using racial slurs against a police officer while being arrested, but was overruled. PEOPLE has reached out to Osment's rep for comment. Paul Archuleta/Getty Haley Joel Osment Pending Osment's successful completion of the diversion, all charges will be dismissed by the court. However, if he does not complete diversion, criminal proceedings will be reinstated. Osment's next court date is set for Jan. 5, 2026, when his compliance with the requirements set by the judge will be reviewed. The actor issued an apology for the "disgraceful language" he used while being arrested. "Im absolutely horrified by my behavior. Had I known I used this disgraceful language in the throes of a blackout, I would have spoken up sooner," Osment said in a statement shared with PEOPLE on April 17. "The past few months of loss and displacement have broken me down to a very low emotional place." Osment who lost his home in the Altadena, Calif., home in the Eaton Fire in January continued: "But thats no excuse for using this disgusting word. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to absolutely everyone that this hurts. What came out of my mouth was nonsensical garbage - Ive let the Jewish community down and it devastates me. I dont ask for anyones forgiveness, but I promise to atone for my terrible mistake." Haley Joel Osment/Instagram Emily Osment with brother Haley Joel Osment 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. Osment has had legal trouble before. In 2018, police were called when he had a public verbal scuffle at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas on Super Bowl Sunday. In 2006, when he was 18, Osment was charged with misdemeanor drunk driving after he was injured in a car accident. He later pleaded no contest to one count of driving under the influence of alcohol and one count of possession of marijuana and was sentenced to three years of probation. Read the original article on People In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, the John Lewis-class replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO-206) conducts a replenishment at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 13, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maxwell Orlosky/U.S. Navy via AP)) WASHINGTON (AP) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a highly rare move that will strip the ship of the moniker of a slain gay rights activist who served as a sailor during the Korean War. U.S. officials say Navy Secretary John Phelan put together a small team to rename the replenishment oiler and that a new name is expected this month. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the next name had not yet been chosen. The change was laid out in an internal memo that officials said defended the action as a move to align with President Donald Trump and Hegseth's objectives to re-establish the warrior culture. It marks the latest move by Hegseth and the wider Trump administration to purge all programs, policies, books and social media mentions of references to diversity, equity and inclusion. And it comes during Pride Month the same timing as the Pentagons campaign to force transgender troops out of the U.S. military. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chiefs priorities, our nations history, and the warrior ethos. Phelans office did not respond to a request for comment on the decision, which was first reported by Military.com. The USNS Harvey Milk was named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who said at the time that the John Lewis-class of oilers would be named after leaders who fought for civil and human rights. Milk, who was portrayed by Sean Penn in an Oscar-winning 2008 movie, served for four years in the Navy before he was forced out for being gay. He later became one of the first openly gay candidates elected to public office. Milk served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and had sponsored a bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations, housing and employment. It passed, and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone signed it into law. On Nov. 27, 1978, Milk and Moscone were assassinated by Dan White, a disgruntled former city supervisor who cast the sole vote against Milks bill. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat representing San Francisco, said in a statement Tuesday that "this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the warrior ethos. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also slammed the move, saying Milk was a Korean War combat veteran whose commander called him outstanding. Stripping his name from a Navy ship wont erase his legacy as an American icon, but it does reveal Trumps contempt for the very values our veterans fight to protect, the Democrat wrote on X. The ship was christened in 2021, and during the ceremony, then-Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said he wanted to be at the event not just to amend the wrongs of the past, but to give inspiration to all of our LGBTQ community leaders who served in the Navy, in uniform today and in the civilian workforce as well, too, and to tell them that were committed to them in the future. The ship is operated by Military Sealift Command, with a crew of about 125 civilian mariners. The Navy says it conducted its first resupply mission at sea in fall 2024, while operating in the Virginia Capes. It continued to resupply Navy ships at sea off the East Coast until it began scheduled maintenance at Alabama Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, earlier this year. While the renaming is rare, the Biden administration also changed the names of two Navy ships in 2023 as part of the effort to remove Confederate names from U.S. military installations. The USS Chancellorsville named for the Civil War battle was renamed the USS Robert Smalls after a sailor and former enslaved person. And the USNS Maury, an oceanographic survey ship originally named after a Confederate sailor, was renamed the USNS Marie Tharp after a geologist and oceanographic cartographer who created the first scientific maps of the Atlantic Ocean floor. Maritime lore hints as to why renaming ships is so unusual, suggesting that changing a name is bad luck and tempts retribution from the sea gods. My favorite Mexican city to visit is Puerto Vallarta. Chloe Caldwell I've traveled to over 20 countries, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is one city that stole my heart. From pristine beaches to a busy downtown scene, there's so much to do in this lively Mexican city. I also love the mix of fine-dining and street-food options. I've traveled to more than 20 countries, but Mexico continues to be one of my favorite destinations to visit. One Mexican city in particular has stolen my heart: Puerto Vallarta. Located on the country's west coast, Puerto Vallarta is more than just a classic resort town. It offers a unique blend of pristine beaches, a bustling downtown scene, and plenty of outdoor adventure. I've visited Puerto Vallarta four times in the past two years with friends, family, and for bachelorette parties and every trip has offered something a little different. Whether you're looking for nature, nightlife, relaxation, or mouthwatering dishes, there truly is something for every type of traveler. Here's why I love visiting this lively Mexican city. The city offers a great mix of fine-dining and street-food options I love dining at Pancho's Takos. Chloe Caldwell One of the best parts of traveling is indulging in the local delicacies, and Puerto Vallarta has no shortage of incredible meals. Those who want a fun and classic street-food-style experience should head to Pancho's Takos. The restaurant's al pastor tacos are so good that you'll probably have to wait in a line that stretches around the block. Fortunately, it's in the heart of downtown, so you can see street performers and people-watch while waiting. Travelers looking for something a little more luxe will love the stretch of restaurants along Playa Los Muertos (the main tourist beach). I especially enjoy El Dorado, which has fresh-tasting seafood, craft cocktails, and attentive service. The best part is the option to dine with your toes in the sand. I recommend going for dinner at sunset for a romantic and memorable dining experience just be sure to make reservations ahead of time, as tables go fast. I love going dancing in Zona Romantica Puerto Vallarta's nightlife offers an inclusive and spirited ambiance and is ideal for a late night on the town with friends. The Zona Romantica, or Romantic Zone, is home to lots of bars and nightclubs. It's also a hub for the LGBTQ+ communities and reminds me of West Hollywood. Once the sun goes down, crowds spill (or dance) out of bass-pumping bars on every corner. If a party is what you're looking for, you won't have to try very hard to find it in the Zona Romantica. Puerto Vallarta has a wide variety of outdoor activities There are plenty of opportunities to hike in Puerto Vallarta. Chloe Caldwell Outdoorsy folks will love the plethora of scenic hiking trails, water sports, and natural wonders in or near Puerto Vallarta. I recommend checking out the Palo Maria waterfall trail, a moderate 1.4-mile trail that leads to a small waterfall and swimming hole. I loved jumping in the water to cool off from the heat and snapping photos. If whale watching sounds like something up your alley, make sure to visit between December and March, when humpback whales migrate to Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay to breed and give birth. It's an awe-inspiring sight to witness. During one of my trips to the city, I even got to look under the sea's surface with a snorkeling tour to Los Arcos National Marine Park. You can get there by boat or kayak I opted for a kayaking tour through the Garza Blanca Resort. Read the original article on Business Insider Gerhardt Konig, charged with the attempted murder of his wife, enters a courtroom in Honolulu on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Advertiser via AP) **NOT AN AP MEMBER** WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) A judge denied a request to keep proceedings private in a divorce case for a Hawaii anesthesiologist accused of attempting to kill his wife on a hiking trail. Gerhardt Konig's wife filed for divorce last month after he was indicted on an attempted murder charge. Konig has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors say he pushed her toward the edge of a cliff, attempted to inject her with a syringe and then bashed her head with a rock while they were hiking in Honolulu in March. The couple had been visiting Oahu while their children stayed home on Maui. An attorney representing the wife filed a motion to withhold the divorce case from the public to protect the privacy of the couple's young children. The wife also objected to allowing news cameras to document their divorce proceedings. According to court records, a judge denied her requests to seal the case during a hearing Monday. At this time, we do not have any comment except to direct the media to review our objection to the application for extended coverage and implore the general public to respect this familys privacy during this very difficult time in their lives, an attorney for the wife said in an email to The Associated Press Tuesday. An attorney for Konig said he and his client don't have any comments on the hearing or ruling. Konig didn't oppose the wife's motion to seal the divorce case. Konig's wife also filed a petition for a temporary restraining order after the hiking trail incident, which said Konig accused her in December of having an affair and that they had been in therapy and counseling. She also said her husband has sexually abused and assaulted her. The Associated Press does not name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly. She has since agreed that the restraining order is now unnecessary because her husband is being held without bail during the criminal case against him. Her attorney said she may refile the petition if Konig's custody status changes. 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. 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. 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. 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. "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? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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" This September 2024 photo shows Laura Loomer in Philadelphia. - Eduardo Munoz/Reuters Laura Loomer, the far-right activist who once posted a video claiming 9/11 was an inside job, was back at the White House complex Tuesday morning, where she met privately with Vice President JD Vance, three sources familiar with the meeting tell CNN. The sources would not share the substance of the one-on-one closed-door meeting, which occurred in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, or what was discussed. Loomer did not meet with President Donald Trump and has since departed the White House complex, one of the sources said. After Loomers last known visit to the White House in April, the White House fired several National Security Council staffers whom she labeled as disloyal. The administration also fired the director and deputy director of the National Security Agency. Loomer confirmed to CNN she had met with Vance Tuesday but declined to comment further. Loomer, who has a loyal online following, has been an influential figure in the Trump administration. She has a direct line to the president and has been known to influence personnel decisions, though she has not been able to secure a White House press credential. I do think theres a fear that I may ask questions about the loyalties of people in the White House, she told CNN recently, and they fear me having a national and global microphone to ask those questions. Loomer had publicly criticized then-national security adviser Michael Waltz before he was ousted from his position, accusing the former Florida congressman of making poor personnel choices. She weighed in more recently on the administrations move to withdraw Jared Isaacman as its nominee to be the next NASA administrator, touting Isaacmans professional accomplishments and questioning why the White House would not move forward on him. During the 2024 campaign, Trumps travels with Loomer on September 11 were illustrative of her influence with the then-candidate. But her proximity to Trump sparked some friction in part because she had previously posted a video claiming that the attack on the World Trade Center towers was an inside job. Loomer told CNN at the time, Ive never denied the fact that Islamic terrorists carried out the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In fact, the media calls me anti Muslim precisely for the reason that I spend so much time focusing on talking about the threats of Islamic terrorism in America. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com TONYE BAKARE/AFP via Getty 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. 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. 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. 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 Linda Evangelista/Instagram Linda Evangelista, Augustin NEED TO KNOW Linda Evangelista shared several photos on Instagram from her son Augustin James' high school graduation " Im one proud momma. Blessed," Evangelista captioned the post on Monday, June 2 The supermodel, 60, shares Augustin with French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault Linda Evangelista is proud of her son Augustin James major accomplishment! On Monday, June 2, the supermodel, 60, shared an Instagram carousel in celebration of Augustins high school graduation. The first snap showed the pair all smiles as Augustin posed in his blue graduation gown, while she wore a stylish nude embellished blazer with black undergarments. Evangelista also shared photos from the moment Augustin accepted his diploma and of him posing with several of his classmates. Augustin's father, French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, beamed in two photos, while his wife, Salma Hayek, was also in attendance. Linda Evangelista/Instagram Augustin James' graduation The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Evangelista topped off the upload by including a snap of Augustins custom celebratory sweet treat. The photo showed a cake with a picture of Augustin and his friends and had the word Congratulations written on top of it. On the side of the cake was USC, presumably for the University of Southern California. Linda Evangelista/Instagram Augustin's cake Evangelista received a ton of support in the comment section. Such a handsome young man and is moms twin!! Congratulations!! one follower wrote. Another added, Congratulations Augie!!!!! In addition to graduating from high school, Augustin has had a busy few months. In April, he made a rare red carpet appearance alongside his mom in New York City. The event was in support of the National Breast Cancer Coalition Host Gala, where Augustin wore a navy suit and a white T-shirt underneath. Evangelista wore a black suit and black button-up shirt. 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. Linda Evangelista/Instagram Augustin James Evangelista welcomed Augustin with Francois-Henri Pinault in 2006. Salma Hayek and Pinault married in 2009, but had been dating since 2006, around the time Evangelista got pregnant. Last October, Hayek marked Augustins 18th birthday with a touching birthday tribute via Instagram. 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. "Happy 18th bday Augie," she wrote in her caption. "Youre officially a full grown up man who just became legal at least in Mexico and France. ." She continued, "Your gentle heart is like healing caress in our lives because you bring warmth and light to everyone around you. Keep bringing the laughter and joy. We love you so much ." Read the original article on People Christian Brueckner is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for raping an American tourist - Julian Stratenschulte/AFP The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has said he plans to disappear after his release from prison. Christian Brueckner, a convicted paedophile whose former Algarve home is the focus of a new search effort in the McCann case, also spoke of the nice steak and beer he would enjoy after he walks free in his first face-to-face interview with a German broadcaster. Brueckner is currently serving a seven-year sentence in Germany for raping an American tourist in Praia da Luz in 2005. He is due to be released later this year, and police face a race against time if they are to charge him in the McCann case. Speaking to RTL, the 48-year-old appeared to show no guilt and admitted he would flee to a country without an extradition treaty with Germany and go into hiding. He said: The fact is that I have been in prison for many years for something that I cannot have committed and that therefore, through the participation of the media, half the world considers me a cruel rapist. Firefighters check a well near Praia De Luz as the search continues in the Madeleine McCann case - James Manning/PA Refusing to discuss the McCann case, he complained of the difficulties of prison and said he spends 24 hours a day in his cell after being assaulted by another inmate. Ulrich Oppold, who interviewed Brueckner, said: I had the feeling that I was looking at a man who was not aware of any guilt. Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are to begin fresh searches close to the former Algarve home of the prime suspect - Paul Grover for The Telegraph On Tuesday morning, German authorities sent a team to Portugal to look for new evidence to charge Brueckner in connection with Madeleines disappearance before he is released from prison. A team of 30 officers from the BKA, Germanys equivalent of the FBI, are leading fresh searches on the outskirts of Praia da Luz in southern Portugal, where the then three-year-old went missing in 2007. The operation will focus on 20 plots of land east of the Algarve resort, where Brueckner was living at the time, and will rely on ground-penetrating radar to scour the area. Detectives arrived at Praia da Luz on Monday and began closing off dirt roads in the area and setting up forensic-style tents in preparation for the search to begin the following day. The radar equipment can scan up to 15ft below the surface, using high-frequency radio waves to detect any unusual features in the soil, allowing police to explore a wider area by avoiding unnecessary digging. The fresh searches the most extensive since 2008 will cover a 26-mile strip of land around Brueckners former cottage, while digs will also take place at specific locations. The focus will be on a wooded inland area east of his former home, known as Atalaia, which is roughly a 10-minute drive from where Madeleine went missing 18 years ago. It will concentrate on groundworks along with wells, ruins and water tanks. Two wells will be emptied and searched on Tuesday, local media reported. Police sources told Portuguese media they were looking for Madeleines body or any indication she may once have been there. Forensic-style tents have been set up for the search - Solarpix Authorities have not said what new evidence the latest search is based on. A source close to the investigation told The Sun it was based on a tip-off last year. Portuguese police will also be on the ground, but Scotland Yard will not be involved in the searches, which are expected to continue until Friday. In 2023, police carried out unsuccessful searches near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where Brueckner spent time between 2000 and 2017. Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007 - PA At the time of Madeleines disappearance, Brueckner was living in a run-down property on the outskirts of the coastal town. A mobile phone registered in his name was traced close to the McCanns accommodation on the night she went missing. Brueckner, officially named by German prosecutors as the prime suspect in Madeleines disappearance five years ago, has never been charged over the case and denies any involvement. In October last year, he was cleared at a German trial of two sexual assaults and three rapes committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. However, prosecutors are considering appealing against the verdict. Philipp Marquort, one of his lawyers, previously said of his pending release from prison: If I were him, I would leave Europe and look for a state which doesnt extradite to Europe or Great Britain, maybe like Suriname. 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. Authorities are investigating whether one of the two inmates still on the run after last month's New Orleans jail escape posted a social media video, claiming the jailbreak wasn't his idea. On May 16, a total of 10 inmates escaped the Orleans Parish jail through a hole in a wall left by a ripped-away toilet and sink unit, officials said. Police have since captured eight of the men, leaving both Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27, at large. An Instagram video posted Sunday, June 1 appears to have been from Massey, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune and local station WVUE. In the video, a man who identified himself as Massey dismissed rumors that he was the mastermind behind the jail break. NOLA.com, a web site operated by the Times-Picayune, quoted a deputy U.S. marshal and another source, confirming authorities were investigating the video. "Im one of the ones that was let out of Orleans Parish jail where they said I escaped, right? he said speaking directly to the camera wearing the same facial tattoos as Massey. "They say that I broke out. I didnt break out. I was let out." The man in the video also proclaimed his innocence and said he fled the Orleans Parish jail to avoid being charged for a crime he did not commit, NOLA.com reported. "The reason why I left the jail is because these people were trying to give me a life sentence in both parishes for something that I did not do," the man said in the video. The post, which is no longer available as of Monday, June 2, was shared by an account named "@_007chucky" that is no longer searchable, WVUE reported. USA TODAY has reached out to officials with the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI and the New Orleans Police Department for comment. Man rejects statements from arrested jail maintenance worker The man in the video also said not to believe jail maintenance worker Sterling Williams, 33, the NOLA.com reported. Williams told police one of the inmates threatened to stab him with a homemade knife known as a "shank," according to an arrest affidavit for Williams. WVUE reported that the man said in the video that he never tried to "shank" Williams. Williams was arrested in connection with the prison escape and is accused of being in contact with the escapees alongside several others. He is charged with being a principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office. A screen grab taken from a handout CCTV video shows inmates pulling a sliding cell door in the Orleans Parish Justice Center, in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 16, 2025. Williams allegedly admitted he shut off the water to a cell after one of the inmates requested so, allowing them to escape through the ripped out a toilet and sink unit, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said last month. Michael Kennedy, a lawyer for Sterling Williams, told USA TODAY last week that his client didnt know about the escape plan and only shut down the water because of a clogged toilet. Why was Massey in jail? Massey is charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation. He's also charged with theft of a motor vehicle, Orleans Parish records show. A warrant for his arrest in St. Tammany Parish shows he is wanted for second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse involving strangulation and violation of a protective order involving battery stemming from a November incident, a spokesperson for the parish sheriff's office confirmed with USA TODAY. He is wanted alongside Groves, who last October was convicted of two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder in connection to a 2018 Mardi Gras shooting. Three of the escaped inmates were recaptured by the end May 16, the same day as the escape. A week later, two more were found. Within two weeks, authorities had caught all except Groves and Massey. Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of either of them. Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, John Bacon, Thao Nguyen, Jorge L. Ortiz, and N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inmate on the lam may be on Instagram after busting out of NOLA jail By Julia Payne BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union did not receive a letter from the United States in which President Donald Trump's administration made a demand for countries to submit their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the talks. Following a call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump restored a July 9 deadline to allow for talks between Washington and Brussels to continue. It was not immediately clear whether the letter, a draft seen by Reuters, had yet been sent to negotiating partners. A European Commission spokesperson declined to provide details about documents and offers exchanged between the EU and the US in their trade talks. "What we can say is that following the recent call between Presidents von der Leyen and Trump, both sides agreed to accelerate the pace of talks," the spokesperson said, pointing to talks this week with the technical teams in Washington and an upcoming meeting between EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic and U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer in Paris. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Julia Payne; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta) 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 NEW YORK A U.S. judge dismissed California's challenge to President Donald Trump's tariffs, allowing the state to file an appeal over the court's ruling that the dispute should have been filed in a specialized U.S. trade court in New York. The ruling, handed down late June 2 by U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Corley in San Francisco, did not delve into the merits of California's lawsuit. Now, three separate U.S. appeals courts may simultaneously consider the legality of Trump's sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners and a separate set of tariffs targeting imports from China, Mexico and Canada. Since February, Trump has issued new tariffs, paused tariffs from taking effect, and raised and lowered rates as he attempts to negotiate new trade deals with other nations. The on-again and off-again tariffs have whipsawed businesses who work with international suppliers. More: How Trump tariffs make American manufacturers grate, not greater Although legal experts expect that the Supreme Court will ultimately decide the legality of the tariffs, rulings from different intermediate courts in the meantime could further sow confusion. A panel of three judges in the Manhattan-based U.S. Court of International Trade and a federal judge in Washington D.C. have already declared that Trump did not have unilateral authority to impose tariffs without input from Congress. The Trump administration has appealed both rulings, in cases brought by 12 U.S. states and several small businesses. Corley's ruling is more limited than either of those decisions and does not address the legality of Trump's tariffs. Instead, Corley ruled California should have sued in the Court of International Trade, which has exclusive jurisdiction over tariff disputes in the U.S. California, which opposed the transfer, had asked the judge to dismiss its case rather than transfer it, which will allow it to appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. More: Trump pushes countries for best offers as tariff deadline looms Vehicles sit lined up on a lot near the docks next to a container ship at the Port of Nagoya, Japan, on June 2, 2025. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. has temporarily paused the trade court's ruling, which allows the tariffs to remain in place for now, while it considers whether to impose a longer term stay while an appeal of that ruling plays out. California argues that any federal court can hear the case because it raises constitutional objection to Trump's use of tariff powers that are reserved for Congress unless delegated to a president. More: What is 'TACO trade?' The Trump acronym about tariffs, explained President Donald Trump holds a chart next to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025. The law that Trump has cited to justify the tariffs, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, does not authorize tariffs at all, so it can not force California to litigate in the trade court, California's Attorney General Rob Bonta said. "Our argument is straightforward. Trump doesnt have the authority to impose these destructive tariffs, Bonta said in a statement. A view shows rods of CO2-reduced steel at a production plant in Georgsmarienhuette, Germany, September 19, 2024. The lawsuits challenge Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs on imports from most U.S trading partners, as well as a separate set of tariffs levied on China, Mexico and Canada. The latter are related to his accusation that the three countries were facilitating the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., allegations the countries deny. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge tosses Trump tariff lawsuit but California won't back down Pamela Hemphill, a former supporter of President Donald Trump who served two months in prison for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has formally rejected the president's pardon. Hemphill told USA TODAY that she filed documents to turn down the pardon earlier this year with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney through the office of Sen. James Risch of Idaho. "I don't want to be a part of their narrative," she told USA TODAY about why she didn't accept the pardon. "And then, of course, it's a slap in the face to the Capitol police officers and to our rule of law." On Jan. 6, 2021, Hemphill was among the thousands of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to protest the 2020 presidential election results. She pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol building and was sentenced to two months in jail, 36 months of probation and $500 restitution. On Jan. 20, Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people charged in the Capitol attack. In an April 2 letter to Sen. Risch that Hemphill shared with USA TODAY, the Pardon Attorney's office said it noted her "non-acceptance" of the pardon. "Our Office will not issue Ms. Hemphill a certificate of pardon and will refrain from requesting any notation of pardon on her criminal history record," the letter says. A spokesperson for Sen. Risch said the senator's office regularly assists constituents with matters pertaining to federal agencies and declined to reveal additional details about Hemphill's case. The Office of the Pardon Attorney and the White House did not immediately respond to request for comment. 'It was not OK that day' Pamela Hemphill pled guilty to participating in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. She has formally turned down President Trump's pardon. The 72-year-old said she pursued formally turning down the pardon because she wanted to be honest. "How could I live my life knowing that I was guilty and then I took that pardon?" she said. "It's kind of like a message that it was OK that day it was not OK that day. That was the worst day of my life." She said choosing to speak out against Trump's Jan. 6 pardons has been difficult at times, citing backlash she's received from some Trump supporters. But "it's been worth it to know that maybe there's another Pam out there that might listen to me and and get away from the MAGA call," she said. "The benefits of being honest with yourself outweigh any of the smear campaigns you might get or the backlash, because you sleep good at night," she said. "It's inner peace." Hemphill said she started to reconsider her support of Trump about six months after she was released from prison in 2022. "It's been a gradual process, it's not like I had a white light experience," she said. Since then, Hemphill has spoken out against Trump and his narrative surrounding the Capitol attack. She also voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Can a presidential pardon be rejected? How Capitol rioter turned it down According to the Constitution, a pardon can be rejected by the person it is tendered to. After Trump issued pardons for the Jan. 6 defendants, Hemphill said she initially wrote a letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney asking to not be included in the act. Sen. Risch's office helped her file the correct paperwork, she said, and about a month later they received the formal letter acknowledging her "non-acceptance" of the pardon. Jason Riddle, a New Hampshire man who served 90 days in jail for participation in the attack, said in January that he also rejected the pardon, according to New Hampshire Public Radio. It's unclear whether any other individuals charged in the riot have turned down Trump's pardon. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Capitol rioter Pamela Hemphill rejects Trump's Jan. 6 pardon Florida's top higher education board rejected former University of Michigan President Santa Ono as the next president of the University of Florida. (Jose Juarez / AP file) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. In a twist, the state of Floridas top higher education board voted Tuesday against a contract for Santa Ono, who was set to be the next president of the University of Florida. The decision came after growing opposition on the right to Ono's past statements about diversity, equity and inclusion, Covid and transgender rights, among other issues. Under Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida has prided itself on being at the vanguard of the national conservative movement. But the rejection of Ono, the former president of the University of Michigan, put DeSantis in a thorny political position, and it was a notable outcome in a state Republican ecosystem generally defined by donors and influential figures getting their way. One of DeSantis longtime biggest political supporters Mori Hosseini, the billionaire chair of the University of Florida Board of Trustees strongly backed Onos bid to become president of the states flagship university. On the other hand, national conservatives, including Christopher Rufo, an activist who built his reputation fighting racial sensitivity trainings and critical race theory courses; Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a Trump ally running for governor; and Donald Trump Jr. argued that Onos past support for DEI policies made him unqualified for the job. WTF! Have the decision makers at @UF lost their minds!??? Trump Jr. wrote on X last month. This woke psycho might be a perfect fit for a Communist school in California, but how is he even being considered for this role in Florida? Every single member of the Florida Board of Governors should vote against him!!! he continued. Two Trump advisers familiar with the issue said his post did not speak for the White House, which was not officially engaged in the fight. Donald Trump Jr. spoke out against Ono's going to the University of Florida. (Jeenah Moon / Pool via AP file) Trump Jr.s post amplified one from Rufo, whom DeSantis has praised and whom he appointed to a separate university board in the state in 2023. Rufo's message blasted Ono for a video in which he promoted "equity and inclusion ... embedded in all areas of academic work when he was president and vice chancellor at the University of British Columbia in Canada. Onos record on DEI policies, the handling of the Covid pandemic and issues like environmental justice were heavily scrutinized Tuesday at the meeting of the Florida Board of Governors, the states top education board, which needed to vote to ratify Onos new contract. Ono said repeatedly that he had evolved on those issues at a hearing that lasted nearly four hours. But the board ultimately rejected him in a 10-6 vote, with notable no votes from DeSantis allies, including former state House Speakers Jose Oliva and Paul Renner, along with the outgoing leader of the state Education Department, Manny Diaz, whom DeSantis recently appointed to lead the University of West Florida. There is no way those guys vote against him without getting some signal from the governor, a longtime DeSantis adviser said. I dont know if anyone expected this, but if you look at the votes, I think that tells you where the governor is at. Four Florida Republicans told NBC News that their understanding was that DeSantis was initially behind Ono but that the national conservative backlash forced him to not fully put his support behind him publicly or make direct calls to the Board of Governors. But behind the scenes, his team was quietly discussing how to give him a push, according to two people familiar with the matter. One of them said DeSantis' chief of staff, Jason Weida, was making calls in support of Ono ahead of the vote. Underscoring the politically sensitive nature of the vote, DeSantis political operation tried to claim some victory after it. Santa Ono is OUT, posted Jordan Schachtel, a newly hired DeSantis political staffer. The Florida Board of Governors has voted to Reject Ono as President of the University of Florida. Florida has voted to reject wokeness, DEI, CRT, at our flagship university, he continued. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also praised the vote, saying it was the "right decision." Donalds, who has Trump's backing in his 2026 bid for governor, was an Ono skeptic from the start. Notably, DeSantis wife, Casey, is also considering a run for governor, and the two prominent Florida Republicans are seen as being on a political collision course if Casey DeSantis ultimately decides to run. I give credit to the Florida Board of Governors for standing up for Floridas conservative values, Donalds told NBC News. Woke has no place in our university system. Its time to restart the presidential search at UF. Other longtime Florida operatives said Donalds and other conservative groups amplifying the fight to the Republican political base nationally helped keep DeSantis out of the conversation in a more public way. The governor was obviously all in, a DeSantis ally said. Then Byron Donalds and [the conservative group] Turning Point came out against. The governor in the end does the one thing he knows how to do: run away and protect himself. DeSantis office did not respond to a request for comment. During the contentious meeting, Ono tried to explain that he has had an evolution of thought on issues like DEI and that he was both aligned with and attracted to Floridas brand of governance, which has cracked down on both. Those sorts of programs will not have a place at the University of Florida, he told the board. Still, it wasn't enough to convince the skeptics on the board. I really, really want to try to get to a yes, board member Carson Good said. I cant give a [yes vote], but I wish you the very best and will support you if you win. Image Credit: Shutterstock. It's finally time for you to plan your first trip to Europe. You've saved all the money you needed; you spent your days dreaming of the adventure you're about to start, but where do you begin in your planning process? Deciding which cities to travel to or which ones to make your base in Europe is very important. Not all of the cities and towns across the continent are beginner-friendly. For first-timers, the perfect city has to be more than just beautiful. It should be easy to get around, should have welcoming people, plenty of places to stay, and should offer a wide range of things to see and do without feeling overwhelming. (Bonus points if its well-connected to smaller towns and day trip spots nearby.) After taking all of these factors into consideration, we developed a list of eight European cities that check every box. They are fairly intuitive to explore, even for first-timers, rich in culture, and serve as ideal bases for discovering more of Europe. Regardless of whether youre traveling solo, with friends, or with family, these destinations will make your first European adventure fun and problem-free. Vienna Image Credit: V_E/Shutterstock. Why it works: Easy transport, elegant atmosphere, and plenty to do without feeling chaotic. Many first-time travelers to Europe overlook Vienna as a base for their trip, but the truth is that Vienna is one of the most organized and easy-to-navigate cities in Europe. The public transportation system, especially the metro and tram network, is efficient, safe, and easy to use, even if you dont speak German. The city itself feels calm and well-paced. Locals may seem formal, but theyre polite and helpful when you ask for directions or assistance. English is also widely understood in tourist areas. While visiting, make sure you prioritize visiting Schonbrunn Palace, attending a classical concert, exploring art museums like the Belvedere, and spending time in the citys historic coffeehouses. Vienna is also a great city for walking with its wide boulevards and plenty of green spaces. The city is also well-connected to other beautiful destinations like Salzburg, Melk, Hallstatt, and even Bratislava, which is just an hour away. Paris Image Credit: Shutterstock. Why it works: Well-connected, packed with iconic sights, and easy to explore with or without a plan. Paris is a great starting point for a first-timers trip to Europe. Central Paris is also very walkable. So if youre staying close to the centre, you can explore the town on foot as well without trying to figure out the public transport system immediately on arrival. However, even if you have to use the metro, you should know that the entire system is extensive, but it can be easily navigated with just a little practice. If you learn a few basic French phrases, the locals are happy to help as well. In tourist areas, many people speak some English, especially in hotels, restaurants, and museums. Youll never run out of things to do in Paris. So whether its visiting the Eiffel Tower, walking along the Seine, exploring world-class museums like the Louvre and Orsay, or just spending time in different neighborhoods like Le Marais or Montmartre, Paris can give you the perfect European experience you would be longing for. Paris also offers accommodation options in every price range and is very well-connected for day trips. Popular day trip options include Versailles, Giverny, Reims, and the Loire Valley. Rome Image Credit: Shutterstock. Why it works: It is full of iconic sights, incredible food, and vibrant energy that first-timers will love. Rome can feel busy, but its an unforgettable place to begin a European trip. The historic center is very walkable, and many major attractions like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona are all within reach on foot. The metro system is limited compared to other European capital cities, and taxis can be unpredictable, but given how walkable the town is, its best to explore on foot as much as possible. You can also use local buses when needed. Locals are expressive and warm, and the city is very used to tourists. In central areas, you'll often find that people in restaurants and shops speak some English. Rome offers a mix of ancient ruins, beautiful churches, lively piazzas, and food markets. You could spend an entire day just wandering around and still feel like youve had a full experience. One more first-timer-friendly aspect of Rome is that there are hotels, B&Bs, and apartments that work with almost any budget. Rome also makes a great base for day trips to places like Tivoli, Orvieto, Naples, or even Florence via the high-speed train. Pro Tip: Use a Rome Pass or skip-the-line tickets to avoid long queues at major sites. Amsterdam Image Credit: Yasonya and Shutterstock. Why it works: Incredibly easy to get around, very English-friendly, and compact enough to explore without stress. Amsterdam is one of the most beginner-friendly cities in Europe. The layout is compact, and the tram system is also efficient. Most locals speak fluent English. Even if youve never been to Europe before, navigating the city is intuitive and low-stress. You can explore the canals on foot, rent a bike like the locals do, or take a cruise to get a feel for the citys layout. First-timers will find that even just walking around offers plenty to see. There are charming bridges, boats, and beautiful streets everywhere you go. Top things to do include visiting the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, and the Albert Cuyp Market or Foodhallen, where you can sample foods all day. You should note though that staying in the city center can be expensive, especially if you dont book in advance. You can also consider staying in quieter neighborhoods like De Pijp or Jordaan, which might fit your budget a bit better. From Amsterdam, you can take day trips by train to Haarlem, Zaanse Schans, Utrecht, and Rotterdam. Barcelona Image Credit: Shutterstock. Why it works: It is a great mix of beaches, culture, and easy navigation, with a relaxed, sunny vibe thats ideal for first-time visitors. Although Barcelona is a southern beach town, it ticks a lot of boxes for first-time European travelers. For starters, the metro is affordable, extensive, and easy to use. You can explore most of the city without needing a car, and walking around neighborhoods like El Born, the Gothic Quarter, or Gracia is part of the fun. English is commonly spoken in hotels, restaurants, and major attractions, so youll get by comfortably even without knowing Spanish or Catalan. Theres no shortage of things to do, either. You can relax at the beach, explore markets like La Boqueria, or visit iconic Gaudi landmarks like Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. Additionally, unlike other major European cities, staying in the city center isn't necessary for a smoother experience. The city also makes a great base for day trips to Sitges, Montserrat, and Girona if you're hoping to get out of the city for a day or two! Lisbon Image Credit: Shutterstock. Why it works: A relaxed vibe, friendly locals, and great value make it ideal for first-time travelers who want a slower pace and avoid popular, crowded cities. Lisbon is one of the most welcoming cities in Europe, especially for first-timers. The locals in tourist areas are warm, easygoing, and often understand basic English as well. The city is built on hills, but its compact layout, metro system, and much-photographed trams make getting around manageable, even if you're not accustomed to the elevation. What makes the stay delightful is that the pace here is slower than in most major capitals. In Lisbon, explore the Alfama district, enjoy local music (like Fado), and catch incredible views from the many miradouros (viewpoints) around town. Lisbon also offers great value for money compared to its neighbor Spain. Youll find excellent food for a fraction of what youd pay in major Spanish towns. The accommodation here is also more budget-friendly, which will make your wallet happy. For day trips, Sintra is a must-see with its palaces and fairytale architecture. Cascais, Evora, and Obidos are also popular and easily reachable from your base in Lisbon. Budapest Image Credit: Shutterstock. Why it works: Affordable, scenic, and packed with things to do and perfect for budget-conscious first-time travelers. Budapest is a strong pick for first-timers who want to experience history, culture, and nightlife without breaking the bank. The city is well connected by metro, trams, and buses, and its relatively easy to figure out even if youve never used public transport in Europe before. English is widely spoken, especially among younger locals and in tourist-facing spots. The people are helpful, and the general vibe is laid-back and unpretentious across the city. Theres a lot to explore here, too. From its famous thermal baths, castles, and riverfront walks to one of the best nightlife scenes in Central Europe, this city has got it all going for a first-timer. It also helps that it's a very photogenic city, especially along the Danube at sunset. Budapest offers a good mix of hostels, boutique hotels, and mid-range stays that work well for all budgets. You can also use it as a base for day trips to Szentendre, Eger, or Lake Balaton. Prague Image Credit: Shutterstock. Why it works: Affordable, compact, and great for first-timers who want classic European charm without the crowds. Prague is a very beginner-friendly city. The historic center is compact and walkable, allowing you to cover a lot on foot without needing to rely on transportation right away. When you do need to get around faster or go further throughout the city, the metro and tram system is reliable and easy to use. English is widely spoken in most tourist areas, and the locals here are generally polite and used to helping visitors. The vibe is a mix of historic and quirky, which could be exactly what you're looking for on your next trip. Spend your time visiting Prague Castle, walking across Charles Bridge, and exploring the Old Town Square. There are also offbeat museums and scenic river walks if you want a slower pace. Prague has lots of budget and mid-range hotels, and its one of the more affordable capitals in Europe, which makes it ideal if you're trying to keep costs down. Its also well-placed for day trips to Cesky Krumlov, Kutna Hora, and Karlovy Vary. Image Credit: Shutterstock. Planning a road trip through Utahs national parks sounds exciting until you sit down and realize how much ground there is to cover. While it might not look like much on a map, The Mighty 5 (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands) spans hundreds of miles, each with its own entrance rules, hiking priorities, and lodging requirements. It takes travelers a good amount of time to figure out the exact route and how to plan smart without getting overwhelmed. To make it easier, let's break down exactly what you need to know to plan this trip, including how to route your trip, how many days to spend in each park, what kind of vehicle works best, when to book, and what to pack for Utahs unpredictable desert conditions. So, whether youve got a few days, a week, or 10 days, this no-fluff checklist will help you avoid the usual road trip mistakes and help you focus on planning an epic Utah National Parks road trip. Step 1: Choose Your Route: Loop or One-Way? Image Credit: Shutterstock. The first thing to decide when planning your Utah road trip is your route, specifically whether youll explore the full loop of national parks or a one-way trip. A loop means you'll start and end your journey in the same city, typically Las Vegas or Salt Lake City (being the closest major airports). This option is ideal if you have 710 days and want to visit all five parks. It also gives you flexibility with rental car returns and often better flight options. A one-way route, on the other hand, is better if youre short on time. Youll save hours of backtracking and will be able to focus on just three or four parks. For example, you could start in Las Vegas and end in Moab (or vice versa), covering Zion, Bryce, and Arches without looping back. Both options work, and it really just depends on your timeline and travel style. Before you take off, though, decide your route based on your available days, airport choices, and interest level in each park. Step 2: Prioritize the Parks That Match Your Vibe Image Credit: Shutterstock. Each of Utahs national parks has its own distinct landscape and experience, so prioritize the parks you visit based on what kind of trip youre after. If hiking dramatic trails and canyon views is your priority, Zion should be high on your list. Its home to iconic hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows, which are often touted as dream routes for avid hikers to take on. For those who prefer surreal, otherworldly formations and photogenic landscapes, Arches and Bryce Canyon offer incredible rewards with minimal physical effort. Capitol Reef is quieter than the other neighboring parks and perfect if you want fewer crowds and scenic drives through orchards and red rock terrain. There's also Canyonlands, which is vast and rugged and is great for off-road enthusiasts or travelers looking for more remote views. If youre short on time for this trip, opt only to visit Zion, Bryce, and Arches. These big three parks have enough to give you a diverse mix of hikes and viewpoints in just three to four days. Step 3: Give Each Park the Right Amount of Time Image Credit: Shutterstock. Each of Utahs national parks deserves at least a day, but how long you spend in each depends on your pace and interests. Heres a general guide to help you plan: Zion: 2 days It has some of the most popular hikes in the U.S., like Angels Landing and The Narrows. Youll need time to navigate the shuttle system and explore different parts of the park. Bryce Canyon: 1 day A relatively compact park with easily accessible viewpoints and short trails. Sunrise here is worth the early wake-up. Capitol Reef: 12 days Ideal for scenic drives, light hikes, and fewer crowds. If you're into geology or want to explore off-the-beaten-path trails, stay longer. Arches: 12 days You can see the highlights in one day, but if you want to hike to Delicate Arch or visit in cooler morning or evening light, an extra day helps. Canyonlands: 1 day Especially if youre sticking to the Island in the Sky district, which offers short hikes and expansive views. Step 4: Rent the Right Vehicle for Your Trip Style Image Credit: Shutterstock. Most of Utahs National Parks are easily accessible by regular cars, so if youre planning to stick to paved roads and stay in hotels or lodges, a basic rental will do just fine. However, if youre seeking a more flexible or outdoorsy experience, such as staying at campsites or trying dispersed camping near trailheads, a campervan or RV would be a more suitable option. An SUV can also help if youre planning to explore remote areas like Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef or certain parts of Canyonlands that require high-clearance vehicles. But for most park-to-park driving along standard scenic routes, its not necessary, and any car will do just fine. Step 5: Know Where to Stay (And Book Early!) Image Credit: Ilhamchewadventures/Shutterstock. Each national park in Utah has a small gateway town that serves as an ideal base for you. These towns offer a range of accommodations, from lodges and motels to campgrounds and RV parks. But options fill up quickly, especially in the summer. Book your stays at least three to six months in advance, especially if traveling during peak months, i.e., during AprilMay or SeptemberOctober. Heres where to stay: Zion: Stay at Springdale, which can be within walking distance of the park entrance with shuttle access Bryce Canyon: Stay in Tropic, a small town with quick access to park viewpoints Capitol Reef: Stay at Torrey, a low-key, scenic, and closest to the parks central area Arches/Canyonlands: Stay at Moab, which is the largest town on this route with plenty of stays and restaurants Step 6: Get the America the Beautiful Pass Image Credit: Shutterstock. If you plan to visit more than two national parks on your Utah road trip, this pass is a smart investment. The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 for most people and covers entry to all five of Utahs Mighty 5, plus 2,000+ federal sites across the country. If you're a senior citizen, in the military, or have a child in the 4th grade, you're also eligible for discounts on your pass. Its valid for a full year and works for everyone traveling in one vehicle. Without it, each park charges a separate entry fee, which could range from $20 to $35 per car. This pass will be helpful even if you only use it for the Utah National Parks trip. However, you can maximize your savings by visiting more national parks throughout the year. Step 7: Reserve in Advance Where Needed Image Credit: Shutterstock. This step might slip completely out of your mind, but without knowing which parks require a reservation, you could create major delays in your trip. Most national parks in Utah dont require timed entry, but a few popular spots have restrictions youll need to plan for. Heres what you should book in advance: Arches requires a timed entry reservation between April and October (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Zions main canyon can only be accessed via shuttle during peak months (March to November). Angels Landing in Zion requires a separate permit, which is issued through a lottery system. Check the official NPS websites for release dates and set calendar reminders so you dont miss your booking window. Step 8: Pack for the Desert, Not Just the Hikes Image Credit: Shutterstock. Utahs weather can swing dramatically, even on the same day. Early mornings and evenings can get chilly, while midday sun can be harsh, especially in exposed areas. Heres a basic packing list to keep things smooth: A hydration pack or refillable water bottles (Staying hydrated is very important) Proper hiking shoes with grips Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen Breathable layers for changing temperatures Step 9: Prepare for Spotty Signal and Long Drives Image Credit: Shutterstock. Cell reception can get patchy, especially in and around Capitol Reef and Canyonlands. Dont count on having service when you need directions or updates on the go. Download offline maps ahead of time using Google Maps or Maps.me. This is particularly non-negotiable if youre planning longer hikes or venturing into less-visited areas. Also, dont underestimate how remote some stretches can feel. Gas stations between parks are few and far between. Make it a rule to refuel when your tank hits half, especially before heading into Capitol Reef or crossing Scenic Byway 12. Step 10: Use This 7-Day Sample Itinerary (Or Build Your Own) Image Credit: Shutterstock. If youre doing a full loop through Utahs Mighty 5, heres a 7-day itinerary that hits all five parks without rushing. Day 1: Zion National Park Day 2: Zion (Angels Landing or The Narrows) Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park Day 4: Drive along Scenic Highway 12 to Capitol Reef Day 5: Explore Capitol Reef and head to Moab Day 6: Arches + Canyonlands Day 7: Return to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City Remember that this 7-day loop is perfect if you want to cover all five parks in one go, but its definitely a fast-paced plan. It wont leave much time for long hikes or slow mornings. Expect early starts, long drives on a few days, and limited flexibility around entry reservations. It is ideal for first-time Utah visitors who want a snapshot of Utahs National Parks or those who want to see more and do less. Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. With its ultra-creamy texture and snappy graham cracker crust, even the most fervent of cottage cheese haters wont be able to pass up this cheesecake. Laced with lemon to bring out the cheeses subtle tang and vanilla to round out its milky sweetness, this cottage cheese cheesecake proves you can have your cake (or in this case, extra protein) and eat it, too. In developing this cheesecake, it was important to me that it be super creamy, lush, and not too heavy. I added in a few brilliant ingredients techniques to help ensure that. A combination of cottage cheese (this ones our fave) and cream cheese plus sour cream and a generous pour of heavy cream yields a filling thats velvety, lighter, and less dense than some New York-style cheesecakes. Making the filling in a food processor transforms the cottage cheese curds, delivering a smooth, velvety texture that blends perfectly with the cream cheese. Finally, although plenty of delicious cheesecakes dont need a water bath (see our Ricotta Cheesecake), I found that baking this cheesecake in a water bath resulted in the softest, silkiest texture that made it well worth any hassle. Why Youll Love It It makes cottage cheese extra delicious. Thanks to the sweet milkiness, mild tang, and undeniable creaminess of the cottage cheese, this cheesecake is that much better. The food processor does all the heavy lifting. Sometimes you can end up with differing results when making cheesecake batter in a stand mixer, but the food processor yields the same result every time with a fraction of the work. Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot Key Ingredients in Cottage Cheese Cheesecake Cottage cheese: Use a full-fat (minimum 4%) cottage cheese for the best texture. Cream cheese: Full-fat cream cheese adds body as well as the signature tang of a more classic cheesecake. Sour cream: While some cottage cheese cheesecakes opt for Greek yogurt to soften the cheesecake, I found that sour cream contributes to a smoother taste and texture in the filling. Heavy cream: Helps deliver a rich yet lighter texture than a cheesecake made with only sour cream. Lemon: A little zest and juice brings out the tanginess of the cheeses and brightens the cheesecakes flavor. Vanilla bean paste or extract: I love the way vanilla bean paste speckles the filling here, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand! How to Make Cottage Cheese Cheesecake Make the crust. Dont be alarmed by the longer baking time for the crust. Because its on the thicker side, the longer bake time ensures a set, snappy-yet-tender texture once the full cheesecake is baked. Make the filling. Just as you would if making the filling in a stand mixer, take care to scrape the food processor bowl often to ensure one silky smooth filling. Blending is key! Bake. Dont be afraid of a little jiggle. Baking the cheesecake until its fully set will result in a cracked, dry, grainy cheesecake. If youre worried your cheesecake is too wobbly, use a thermometer to check its temperature in the center (youre aiming for at least 155F to 160F). Cool. Cooling slowly in stages in the oven, at room temperature, and in the fridge is what locks in the perfect texture, so try not to rush it. Storage and Make-Ahead Tips The cheesecake is best made the day before serving so it has time to thoroughly chill and set. Leftover cheesecake can be wrapped tightly in the springform pan or stored sliced in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the cheesecake for up to 2 months. More Cheesecake Recipes Cottage Cheese Cheesecake Recipe Who knew cottage cheese could be this delicious? Prep time 30 minutes to 35 minutes Cook time 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes Serves 10 to 12 Ingredients For the crust: Cooking spray 22 whole graham cracker sheets (about 12 ounces) 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted For the cheesecake: 24 ounces full-fat cottage cheese (3 cups), at room temperature 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature 1/3 cup sour cream, at room temperature 1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature 4 large eggs, at room temperature Finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon (about 1 tablespoon) 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon) 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar Fresh berries, for garnish (optional) Instructions Make the crust: Arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 350F. Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan (at least 2 3/4 inches high) with cooking spray. Wrap the outside of the pan with 2 layers of aluminum foil, preferably heavy duty and extra long, to prevent any water from leaking into the pan. Process 22 whole graham cracker sheets and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a food processor into fine crumbs, about 45 seconds. Drizzle 1 stick melted unsalted butter over the crumbs and pulse until evenly moistened, 10 to 15 (1-second) pulses. Transfer the crumbs into the pan and use the bottom of a flat measuring cup to press it evenly into the bottom. Bake until the crust is fragrant and lightly browned around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Place on a wire rack and let cool to room temperature, at least 15 minutes. Meanwhile, wash and dry the food processor bowl and blade. Make the filling. Make the cheesecake: Fill a kettle or large saucepan with water and bring to a boil for the water bath. Turn off the heat. Process 24 ounces room temperature cottage cheese, the finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon, 4 teaspoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in the food processor, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through, until smooth, about 45 seconds total. Add 16 ounces room temperature cream cheese, 1/3 cup room temperature sour cream, and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar. Process until well combined and smooth, scraping the bowl down halfway through, about 30 seconds total. Add 1/2 cup room temperature heavy cream and process until just combined, about 15 seconds. Process in 4 large room temperature eggs, one at a time, waiting until each egg is just incorporated before adding the next, about 10 seconds each. Scrape the bowl down between each addition. Process until smooth. Pour the filling over the cooled crust. Pop any bubbles on the surface with the tip of a paring knife or toothpick. Place the springform pan in a roasting pan or high-sided baking dish large enough to hold it. Place on the oven rack. Taking care to not splash any water onto the cheesecake, carefully pour enough water into the roasting pan to go halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake until the outer 2 to 3 inches of the cheesecake is set, the center wiggles (but doesnt slosh around) when you gently shake the pan, and the very center registers between at least 155F to 160F, 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Turn the oven off, but leave the cheesecake in the oven. Prop the door open a crack with a wooden spoon and let the cheesecake cool slowly in the turned-off oven for 1 hour. The cheesecake should have very little to no wobble. Carefully remove the springform pan from the roasting pan, unwrap the foil, and transfer to a wire rack. Run a small offset spatula or thin paring knife around the cheesecake to release it from the pan and further prevent cracking as it cools. Let cool completely, 2 to 3 hours. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight to fully chill and set. Unlock and remove the sides of the pan. Serve the cheesecake from the bottom of the springform pan or use a large offset spatula to carefully transfer it to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh berries if desired. For the cleanest-looking slices, cut the cheesecake straight from the refrigerator with a hot, dry knife (dip in hot water, then wipe dry), and wipe the knife clean between each slice. Recipe Notes General tip: Extra-long heavy duty aluminum foil is helpful here, as it can completely wrap around the pan without having to use multiple sheets. Make ahead: The cheesecake is best made 1 day ahead of serving so that it can fully set and thoroughly chill. Storage: Leftover cheesecake can be wrapped tightly in the springform pan or stored sliced in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the cheesecake for up to 2 months: After the cheesecake is chilled, remove the sides of the springform pan. Leave it on the springform pan bottom, or transfer it to a cardboard round. You can also freeze slices of cheesecake. Wrap the cheesecake (and pan, if using) in at least 2 layers of plastic wrap. Wrap a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil around the plastic wrap. Freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Sign up for The Kitchn's Daily newsletter to receive our best recipes, posts, and shopping tips in your inbox. June 3, 2025: Since the late 1990s, Chinese arms exports have been growing substantially each year. By 2024 China was the third largest exporter, ahead of Germany but still behind America, France and Russia. The Ukraine War halted most Russian arms exports because the Russians needed all they could produce for their forces in Ukraine. That fight also brought on increasingly burdensome economic sanctions. The U.S., France and Germany accounted for 72 percent of all arms exports, a 20 percent increase over the previous five years. Since the 1940s the Americans have been the largest arms exporters on the planet. China plans to change that, first by becoming number two and then by displacing the United States in the number one spot. The Americans want to stifle Chinese arms exports but are finding that difficult to do without some major changes in how U.S. arms exporters do business. The United States often puts restrictions on how its weapons exports can be used. The Chinese do not. If you can pay, preferably in advance, China will get you the weapons no matter where you are. The U.S. no longer has much economic leverage against China because the two countries are the largest exporters on the planet. If you want to take arms sales away from China you must match Chinese terms and low prices. The Americans often point out that their weapons are the best in the world and superior to everything else. Many customers dont care about that and prefer effective weapons at the lowest prices and no restrictions on their use. American diplomacy seeks to limit weapons shipped to trouble spots around the world. Chinese arms dealers know that their government will back them up if the Americans try to block sales. Adopting Chinese sales techniques is difficult for the United States because the Americans consider themselves morally superior to the Chinese when it comes to arms sales. Getting legislators to support new trading procedures that match those the Chinese use are unpopular with American voters. To effectively disrupt Chinese arms exports will require some fundamental changes in how U.S. arms exporters do business and in what the American government will support. U.S. voters want Chinese arms sales curbed, but are they willing to go along with the noxious practices that will require it? That remains to be seen. Meanwhile the Chinese continue doing business. The North Industries Group Corporation, or Norinco, is a Chinese weapons export company with over $80 billion in annual sales. Norinco specializes in land-based systems for the Chinese military as well as a growing list of export customers. While some high-tech components are reserved for Chinese military versions, export customers can get anything else and even receive equipment modified so that specific non-Chinese components can be installed. Norinco will do just about anything to get a sale or please a customer. Norinco doesnt sell much to Western countries, except for commercial grade hunting and police weapons and accessories. In this market Norinco quality is competitive and their prices even more so. All this has enabled Norinco to become one of the top ten arms manufacturers in the world, and the first Chinese firm to join a list dominated by American and Western multinational firms. Norinco is often the supplier of high-tech weapons to nations that are first-time users of these systems. Norinco export tanks are often less capable and cheaper versions of the ones China builds for its own forces. In some cases, the export models lack new features China considers secret and not for export. In most cases export models simply get less advanced and cheaper tech. More importantly Norinco is willing to modify weapons to suit buyer tastes. China is also economically and politically powerful enough to sell to countries the United States is trying to prevent from having more weapons or improved models. China is increasingly eager to compete with the most popular Russian and Western weapons. China has already taken much of Russias traditional low-end market and is now moving on to the more complex, expensive and effective Western designs. China often uses stolen tech and the Russians never really had the clout to stop China from stealing tech. But the West is different and better able to strike back, at least in theory. The Chinese are putting that to the test. In 2024 Russia crippled their economy by emphasizing the production of weapons they could not afford. Russia was already suffering from economic sanctions imposed by its major trading partners in Europe and some in Asia. This led Russia to depend more on trade with China. To make this work China assured their Western trading partners that Chinese goods sold to Russia would not include weapons or munitions. At the same time China continued to ship munitions to Russia. Ukraine reported that Russian troops were using Chinese munitions and presented proof. When Chinese officials were shown these munitions, their excuse was that Russia must have obtained these munitions from third parties. China is a major exporter of munitions, and those buyers could sell their Chinese munitions to anyone, including Russia. For Russian defense industries the news got worse as customers for Russian weapons were already turning towards Western manufacturers. India, long the top market for Russian weapons, was already turning to higher quality and more reliable Western weapons before Russia invaded Ukraine, and proved the superiority of Western weapons, particularly those from the United States. Ukraine was the first major conflict where the adversaries were both industrialized nations with well trained personnel and modern weapons identical modern weapons in most cases. Currently the Russian economy is short about 5 million workers. This is great for skilled workers because private and state-owned firms offer high pay for qualified workers. Shortages of unskilled workers can be partially addressed by allowing more foreigners, mainly from Central Asia, to legally enter Russia and find jobs. Foreign workers already in Russia illegally are being hired and legalized, though they are often conscripted. Russia is burdened with many war-related sanctions but has found ways to deal with sanctions to lessen their impact. Russian conscription officials are thrilled by the higher bribes offered by desperate employers. Economics almost always determines the outcome 0f a war. This is the case in the Ukraine war where one of Russias vulnerabilities turns out to be its trading and banking relationships with China. The problem here is that Chinese trade with western nations, especially Europe and the United States, is far larger and more valuable than trade with Russia. China obtains 5.1 percent of its imports from Russia while Chinese sales to Russia account for only 3.3 percent of Chinese exports. Most Chinese exports and imports are with the United States and Europe. Western economic sanctions on Russia for the war hurt but its government and businesses has a lot of legal and illegal methods to keep the economy going despite the sanctions. The sanctions included banning Russian use of international banking services. Without this Russia had to find some other way to make and receive payments. Some Chinese banks tried to work out practical workarounds but gave up after a few months when they realized that they could be sanctioned and there were plenty of competing import/export banks willing and able to handle the business sanctioned banks could no longer service. Russia found ways to continue importing and exporting after the banking sanctions came into effect. Despite that, throughout the first half of 2024, Russia found itself encountering more and more obstacles in financing its foreign trade. Russia could always find independent banks and smuggling networks to handle some trade, but at greater expense, including the risk of trade goods or payments being seized. This has been the case since they invaded Ukraine in 2022, were promptly sanctioned and adapted as best they could. These new banking sanctions are the most damaging of those imposed on Russia. Over three years of the original sanctions significantly damaged the Russian economy. That means the Russia poverty rates are up and families of men mobilized, often unwillingly, into the army and sent to Ukraine, are angry and more frequently protesting in public. This is illegal in Russia, but the protestors are so numerous now that there is no practical way for the government to arrest and imprison all of them. The Russian government still sends more troops to Ukraine but is also looking for some sort of compromise to end the war, and all those ruinous sanctions. China demonstrated that it is no longer a close ally of Russia and sees the collapse of Russian arms exports as a plus for the Chinese goal of dominating world arms exports. Long-time Kentucky Democrat Sen. Robin Webb said she's switching party, citing on Fox News Monday a fundamental clash between her values and the direction of todays Democratic Party. (Screenshot/Fox News) (Screenshot/Fox News) Longtime Kentucky Democrat Sen. Robin Webb said on Fox News Monday that shes switching parties, citing a fundamental clash between her values and the direction of todays Democrats. Webb announced she is returning to the Republican Party after serving as a Democrat since 1999. During an appearance on The Ingraham Angle, Webb said her decision to rejoin the GOP stems from an internal battle shes fought for years, torn between her deep-rooted rural values and the national partys growing tilt toward progressive ideology. So the rural values that we have grown up with and value, its just been a continuous struggle for me, and my voting record has been consistent on those issues as far as conservatism, constitutionalism, and all those things, Webb said. So I feel like this is the time to make that statement and go back to the Republican Party. Webb said the Democrats Partys increasing embrace of progressive ideology, on issues like abortion, gender identity, and anti-Israel activism, left her no choice but to sever ties. WATCH: When I chose to go into mining as a coal miner with the time of worker safety and those issues, and being an actual coal miner, I think thats when I switched to the Democrat Party, Webb said. Ive been a rural state senator and always conservative. My first house district was actually a Republican district. I represented them for 10 years. Im a rancher. Im a hunter. Im conservative. Im a member of the pro-Israel caucus, and our heart goes out to Colorado tonight with the tragedy that struck there. Webbs voting record reflects her conservative stance on key social issues. In March 2025, she voted to override Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshears veto of House Bill 495, thereby supporting legislation that protects conversion therapy and prohibits Medicaid from covering transgender-affirming medical care. Additionally, she voted to override the governors veto of House Bill 90, which defined specific emergency conditions under which abortion could be performed, effectively limiting access to the procedure. (RELATED: Finish This Party Off: Former Clinton Pollster Warns AOC Challenging Chuck Schumer Could Be Final Blow For Democrats) Webbs departure delivers another blow to a Democratic Party already losing ground with working-class and rural voters. The Democratic Partys favorability rating plummeted to a new low of 29%, according to a poll conducted from March 6-9. Polling from April and May 2025 says that the Democratic Party continues to struggle with public perception. A CNN/SSRS survey found that only 16% of Americans view Democrats as strong leaders, compared to 40% for Republicans. Just 19% believe Democrats can get things done, while 36% say the same about Republicans. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's administration moved on Tuesday to make it easier to fire federal employees for misconduct, the latest step in a broader effort to overhaul the civil service and shrink the federal bureaucracy. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management published a proposed rule that would allow the office, which acts as the federal government's human resources department, to direct other agencies to fire employees for conduct such as tax evasion, leaking sensitive information and refusing to testify in other workers' disciplinary cases. The rule would extend OPM's existing power to designate job applicants as unsuitable for federal employment, to current federal employees, a change it said was necessary to hold government workers accountable to the public. Federal workers have for decades been covered by an array of job protections, including the ability to contest firings by engaging in a lengthy administrative process. The proposal would allow agencies to refer misconduct cases to OPM instead of going through the traditional disciplinary process. If OPM determines that removal of an employee is required, an agency would have five days to terminate them. "Illogically, the government has far greater ability to bar someone from federal employment who has committed a serious crime or misconduct in the past than it does to remove someone who engages in the exact same behavior as a federal employee," OPM said in the proposal. The publication of the proposal kicked off a 30-day public comment period. Since Trump's second term began in January, the administration has moved aggressively to shrink the federal bureaucracy, including directing mass firings and layoffs and implementing changes to the civil service. Many of those policies have been met with court challenges and some have been temporarily blocked by judges. OPM, which is closely linked to the White House, has played a key role in those efforts by attempting to give Trump more direct control of the federal workforce. Many unions, Democrats and advocacy groups have said Trump's various policies violate complex federal civil service and labor laws meant to regulate government employment and ensure that federal workers are insulated from political influence. OPM on Tuesday said the policies agencies have followed for decades rely on overly cumbersome and restrictive procedures that protect misconduct. "This arbitrary state of affairs seriously impairs the efficiency, effectiveness, and public perception of the Federal service," the agency said. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Rod Nickel) WASHINGTON (AP) The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it would revoke guidance to the nation's hospitals that directed them to provide emergency abortions for women when they are necessary to stabilize their medical condition. That guidance was issued to hospitals in 2022, weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court upended national abortion rights in the U.S. It was an effort by the Biden administration to preserve abortion access for extreme cases in which women were experiencing medical emergencies and needed an abortion to prevent organ loss or severe hemorrhaging, among other serious complications. The Biden administration had argued that hospitals including ones in states with near-total bans needed to provide emergency abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. That law requires emergency rooms that receive Medicare dollars to provide an exam and stabilizing treatment for all patients. Nearly all emergency rooms in the U.S. rely on Medicare funds. The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it would no longer enforce that policy. The move prompted concerns from some doctors and abortion rights advocates that women will not get emergency abortions in states with strict bans. The Trump Administration would rather women die in emergency rooms than receive life-saving abortions, Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement. In pulling back guidance, this administration is feeding the fear and confusion that already exists at hospitals in every state where abortion is banned. Hospitals need more guidance, not less, to stop them from turning away patients experiencing pregnancy crises. Anti-abortion advocates, meanwhile, praised the announcement. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, said in a statement that the Biden-era policy had been a way to expand abortion access in states where it was banned. Democrats have created confusion on this fact to justify their extremely unpopular agenda for all-trimester abortion, she said. In situations where every minute counts, their lies lead to delayed care and put women in needless, unacceptable danger. An Associated Press investigation last year found that, even with the Biden administrations guidance, dozens of pregnant women were being turned away from emergency rooms, including some who needed emergency abortions. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which provides oversight of hospitals, said in a statement that it will continue to enforce the federal law that, including for identified emergency medical conditions that place the health of a pregnant woman or her unborn child in serious jeopardy. But CMS added that it would also rectify any perceived legal confusion and instability created by the former administration's actions. The Biden administration sued Idaho over its abortion law that initially only allowed abortions to save the life of the mother. The federal government had argued before the U.S. Supreme Court last year that Idaho's law was in conflict with the federal law, which requires stabilizing treatment that prevents a patient's condition from worsening. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a procedural ruling in the case last year that left key questions unanswered about whether doctors in abortion-ban states can terminate pregnancies when a woman is at risk of serious infection, organ loss or hemorrhage. By Wen-Yee Lee HSINCHU, Taiwan (Reuters) -Taiwan's TSMC said on Tuesday that U.S. tariffs were having some impact on the company and had been discussed with Washington, but demand for artificial intelligence (AI) remains strong and continues to outpace supply. U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies have created much uncertainty for the global chip industry and TSMC, the top producer of the world's most advanced semiconductors whose customers include Apple and Nvidia. Chief Executive C.C. Wei, speaking at TSMC's annual shareholders meeting in the northern Taiwanese city of Hsinchu, said the company had not seen any changes in customer behaviour due to tariff uncertainty and the situation might become clearer in coming months. "Tariffs do have some impact on TSMC, but not directly. That's because tariffs are imposed on importers, not exporters. TSMC is an exporter. However, tariffs can lead to slightly higher prices, and when prices go up, demand may go down," he said. "If demand drops, TSMC's business could be affected. But I can assure you that AI demand has always been very strong and it's consistently outpacing supply." In April, the company, the world's largest contract chipmaker, gave a bullish outlook for the year on robust demand for AI applications. Wei said TSMC had been talking to the U.S. Department of Commerce about tariffs, expressing concern early on that the levies could increase production costs in the country where it is investing $165 billion to build new factories, as some equipment purchased from U.S. suppliers is made in Asia. "The U.S. commerce department said this is open for discussion, but how long that will take remains unclear," he added. "The real point is that we are in active communication, because only through understanding can they realise the consequences." Wei said he had told Trump the extra $100 billion investment, which he announced standing next to the president in March, would be difficult to complete within five years. "He said, 'Mr Wei, do your best, that's good enough.'" Asked about media reports that the company had been looking at building chip factories in the United Arab Emirates, Wei said TSMC had no plans for any such plants in the Middle East because it was "not very likely" they would have customers there. Domestically, TSMC's margins are being pressured by the recent appreciation of the Taiwan dollar, which Wei said had reduced its gross margin by more than 3 percentage points. TSMC also faces broader political risk as China steps up military pressure on democratically and separately governed Taiwan, which Beijing views as "sacred" Chinese territory. "If something happens that we don't want to happen, it's a matter for governments, not for TSMC alone," Wei said, responding to a question about a possible crisis in the Taiwan Strait. (Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Edwina Gibbs and Kate Mayberry) KYIV Ukraine's SBU security service said it had hit the road and rail bridge linking Russia and the Crimean peninsula below the water level with explosives. In a statement, the SBU said it had used 2,420 pounds of explosives that were detonated early in the morning on June 3 and damaged underwater pillars of the bridge, a key supply route for Russian forces in Ukraine in the past. More: Russia demands harsh terms at Ukraine peace talks The official Russian outlet which provides regular status updates on the bridge said its operation had been suspended for about three hours between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time. More: Russia's 'Pearl Harbor': What to know about Ukraine's audacious drone strike It gave no reason for the temporary closure, but said the bridge had been reopened and was functioning as normal. "Previously, we hit the Crimean Bridge twice, in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition underwater," the SBU said in its statement, adding the operation had been prepared over several months. The SBU shared video footage that showed an explosion next to one of the many support pillars of the bridge. Reuters was able to confirm the location from the structure and bearing elements of the bridge that matched satellite and file imagery of the area. Reuters was not able to independently verify when the video was filmed. Russian military bloggers said the attack had been unsuccessful and speculated that it had been carried out by a Ukrainian sea drone. More: Russia demands harsh terms at Ukraine peace talks A view shows the Crimean Bridge, a section of which was damaged by an alleged overnight attack, as seen form the city of Kerch, Crimea, July 17, 2023. On Sunday, Ukraine launched drones in an operation codenamed "Spider's Web" to attack Russian nuclear-capable long-range bomber planes at distant airfields across Russia. The 19-km (12-mile) Crimea Bridge over the Kerch Strait is the only direct link between the transport network of Russia and the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. A woman waves a Soviet flag during a celebration of Victory Day, which marks the victory over Nazi Germany, in Sevastopol, Crimea May 9, 2025. The bridge was a flagship project for Russian President Vladimir Putin. It consists of a separate roadway and railway, both supported by concrete stilts, which give way to a wider span held by steel arches at the point where ships pass between the Black Sea and the smaller Azov Sea. The bridge was used by Russian forces during their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when they crossed it to reach Crimea and from there went on to seize parts of Ukraine's southern Kherson and southeastern Zaporizhzhia regions. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine says it hit Russian bridge to Crimea hit with explosives Authorities in North Carolina are investigating a suspected shark attack after a person suffered major injuries swimming along a southern beach in the state, local first responders said. The incident took place May 28 at Sunset Beach in Brunswick County, just south of Ocean Isle Beach near the South Carolina state line. Just after 11 a.m., The Sunset Beach Fire Department reported, firefighters and paramedics responded to the beach for a report of a person who suffered a leg injury while swimming near the 31st Street access point. "Upon arrival, Beach Rescue personnel provided medical care to the injured swimmer, who was conscious and alert," Sunset Beach fire Chief Richard Childres said in a press release. Sunset Beach shark attack investigation The swimmer was taken to a medical facility to be treated for his injuries, Childres wrote in the release. At the time of the release, Childres said, the full extent of the victim's injuries remained "unknown," and medical professionals were "working to assess what caused the injury." On June 3, Sunset Beach fire Captain Paul Brown confirmed to USA TODAY the adult male was a tourist and, according to investigators, the swimmer suffered a leg injury, but could not say one way or another whether a shark was officially responsible for it. The Sunset Beach Fire Department in North Carolina is investigating a possible shark attack after a swimmer suffered a leg injury on May 28, 2025. Additional information about the incident was not immediately provided by officials. But firefighters were encouraging beach visitors to be cautious. "Marine life, including sharks, are natural inhabitants of these waters, and its crucial to take precaution to minimize potential risk," the release continued. USA TODAY has reached out to Childres for more information. Shark attacks: US led the world in 2024: Where else does danger lurk in the water? Shark bite could mark state's first encounter of 2025 If confirmed, the attack could be the states first reported shark encounter with a human in 2025. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 47 people were bit in an unprovoked attack last year and of them, four fatalities took place, including one in the United States. Each year, according to ISAF, the world averages 70 documented shark attacks. On average, 10 fatal attacks are reported each year. 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: Swimmer suffers leg injury in possible North Carolina shark attack Shares of gold mining stocks such as Iamgold Corp (NYSE: IAG), Gold Fields Ltd (NYSE: GFI), and Fortuna Mining Corp. (NYSE: FSM) rallied in a big way Monday, up 8.9%, 9.5%, 12.1%, respectively. Gold prices were up 2.7% Monday after a weekend in which geopolitical tensions reignited. These include President Trump accusing China of violating its trade deal with the U.S., along with Ukraine launching a massive sneak attack on Russia's long-range bomber fleet. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More Gold is often bought as a hedge against geopolitical calamity because it's perceived to be a store of value. So, when uncertainty between major global powers increases, so does the price of gold, usually. Of note, gold has been on the rise in the first few months of the Trump presidency. U.S. and China bark, Ukraine bites Even though the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) in New York ruled that the Trump administration had overstepped its authority in imposing sweeping tariffs on many countries back on April 2, the administration has sought to appeal the ruling. Furthermore, there are some tariffs the administration can still implement under non-emergency laws as another option, and the current level of tariffs will stay in place while the appeal drags on. While trade tensions appeared to ebb over the month of May, on Friday, President Trump posted on his social media outlet Truth Social that China "HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!" The fear is that a trade war with China, the world's second-biggest economy, could deeply affect the global financial system or perhaps even spill into an actual "hot" or "cold" war with China. While Congress is not likely to give President Trump wide leeway to impose tariffs on allies, there appears to be a higher likelihood it would vote to grant Trump authority to tariff China even if the court ruling remains. In addition, while President Trump can no longer raise all the tariffs he implemented until the court appeal is decided, steel and aluminum tariffs fall under a different law. So on Friday, President Trump also decided to double steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50%. That, too, affects China, which is a major supplier of steel globally and which some have accused of dumping low-priced steel on foreign markets. However, the across-the-board tariff will also limit the steel trade with close allies, such as Canada. Any time the President threatens tariffs, especially on allies or China, gold tends to go up. That's because when the administration flexes its tariff muscle, global capital flows become less assured of the stability of the dollar and dollar-based assets, which have traditionally also been a "safe haven" in a chaotic world. But to the extent that the administration erodes confidence in U.S. stability, global investors may reallocate the portion of their safe haven assets to other places, such as gold. Gold bars and coins with the word Gold on them. Image source: Getty Images. In addition to the renewed tariff tensions, this weekend Ukraine launched "Operation Spiderweb," a daring drone attack in which autonomous drones were smuggled deep inside Russian territory in the backs of large trucks. Ukrainian authorities have said the operation hit roughly 41 of Russia's long-range bombers, with "at least" 13 totally destroyed. While the strike is a positive for Ukraine, it is now feared that Russia may retaliate in a disproportionate way. That uncertainty and higher risk of broader war also tends to send investors fleeing to gold. Therefore, it's no surprise to see gold rise strongly on the backs of both renewed U.S. and China trade tensions as well as Operation Spiderweb. Gold belongs in one's portfolio -- but only as a hedge With today's gain, gold has now appreciated 30.7% this year. However, most gold mining stocks are up even more, as you can see. This is because their profit growth will be higher than the rise in gold prices due to the leverage they achieve over their fixed costs of operations. IAG Chart IAG data by YCharts. This profit potential is why gold mining stocks may be an even better hedge against global calamity than owning gold outright. That being said, leverage works both ways, so if the price of gold should fall a lot, these stocks would also likely fall by an even greater amount. So, for those who own gold mining stocks, one should keep this in mind when sizing the positions as part of a diversified portfolio. Should you invest $1,000 in Iamgold right now? Before you buy stock in Iamgold, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Iamgold wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $651,049!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $828,224!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 979% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 171% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025 Billy Duberstein and/or his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A Wisconsin man has been charged with forging letters seeking to frame and deport another man who was a potential witness against him in a robbery case. Demetric D. Scott, 52, allegedly sent letters claiming to be from Ramon Morales Reyes that threatened to kill Donald Trump and bashed immigration policies to state and federal officials, according to Wisconsin prosecutors. Demetric D. Scott. (Milwaukee County Sheriff) He was charged in a Milwaukee court on Monday with felony witness intimidation, identity theft and two counts of bail jumping. The letters allegedly sent by Scott in Morales Reyes name were received on May 21 by the Wisconsin Attorney Generals Office, the Milwaukee Police Chief and Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office. The letters were handwritten and all about immigration policy and threatening to kill ICE agents of Donald Trump, according to the criminal complaint. Morales Reyes, 54, was then arrested on May 22 because his name was on the return address of those letters, the complaint said. The Department of Homeland Security had posted about his arrest in May, with Secretary Kristi Noem saying, Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars. The news release included a photo of Morales Reyes and a photo of the handwritten letter that threatened to shoot Trump at one of his "big" rallies. A letter written by Demetric D. Scott, in which he claimed to be Ramon Morales Reyes, threatening President Donald Trump. (Department of Homeland Security) However, things didnt add up the investigating detective found that Morales Reyes doesnt read write or speak English fluently and needed translation assistance. A writing sample also showed Morales Reyes handwriting was different from the one used in the letters, authorities said. Law enforcement asked if Morales Reyes knew anyone who would want to get him in trouble. Morales Reyes said only the person who had robbed him Demetric Scott, the complaint said. Morales Reyes told the detective he knew Scott was in jail on an armed robbery charge. Court records show Scott is awaiting trial in Milwaukee County on armed robbery and aggravated battery charges from September 2023. Ramon Morales Reyes. (Department of Homeland Security) Following that interview, law enforcement listened to several of Scotts jail calls and found that, since April 27, he had made several phone calls about mailing out letters, the complaint said. In one call, on May 16, Scott said that this dude is a goddamn illegal immigrant and they just need to pick his ass up. Im dead serious cause I got jury trial on July 15th. Later in that call he said: The judge will agree cause if he gets picked up by ICE, there wont be a jury trial so they will probably dismiss it that day. Thats my plan. On May 30, a Milwaukee police detective conducted an interview with Scott said he admitted to writing the letters and addressing the envelopes himself, authorities said, adding that he said he wrote them seeing freedom. He admitted his intention wasnt to go after Trump, but to prevent Morales Reyes from testifying at his trial, authorities said. A search warrant was executed on May 30 at Scotts jail cell and a blue pen was found the letters were written with blue ink along with pink paper with a note reminding himself he needs the attorney general's office address, as well as an envelope. An attorney for Scott, Robert Hampton III, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new charges. Kime Abduli, an attorney for Morales Reyes, told NBC News that Morales Reyes was a victim of armed robbery of aggravated battery, and that Scott is the defendant in the case, which is set for trial July 14. It is our understanding that Mr. Scott targeted (Mr. Morales Reyes) because of his immigration status with the express intent of having him removed from the United States so that (Mr. Morales Reyes) could not testify against him, Abduli said. The attorney said Morales Reyes remains in ICE custody and is in removal proceedings at this time, which does not mean a person will be automatically deported. A senior Department of Homeland Security official told NBC News that Morales Reyes will remain in custody. The investigation into the threat is ongoing. Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record, the official said. The DHS news release from May said that Morales Reyes had "entered the U.S. illegally at least nine times between 1998-2005" and he had a criminal record with arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier. The release said he'll remain in ICE custody at Dodge County Jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, pending removal proceedings. Abduli told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Morales Reyes is in the process of applying for a U-visa, which allows undocumented victims and witnesses of certain crimes to stay in the U.S. for up to four years if they help in the investigation. He had applied as a victim and witness of the robbery Scott is accused of carrying out. June 3, 2025: Iran has won a victory of sorts as their threadbare proxy in Yemen, the Shia Houthi militia, continues firing rockets, missiles to send out explosive laden motorboats to disrupt shipping traffic in the Red Sea. The success of the Houthis at disrupting Red Sea, and Suez Canal maritime traffic is a rare victory for the beleaguered Iranians, Since the 1980s Iran has been a pariah state. It is sanctioned and sometimes attacked because its fundamentalist religious government persists in causing as much mischief and disruption as it can in the region. The Arabian Peninsula is home to several wealthy Arab kingdoms that prosper on huge pools of petroleum underneath the desert sands. The only area with no oil is Yemen in the fertile south. Until the Persian Gulf oil industry was created over a century ago, Yemen was the most prosperous part of Arabia because it was green from Monsoon rains that soaked Yemen on their way to East Africa. The current head of the Yemen-based Houthi movement is 45-year-old Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. Several of his predecessors were killed by American, Arabian or European attacks. The loss of so many Houthi leaders has not disrupted the violent activities of the Houthis. With the aid of Iranian supplied missiles and drones against, the Houthis have, for the past year, endangered and disrupted Red Sea shipping. In addition, the Houthis fire an occasional missile at Israel, which is usually intercepted. That does not discourage the Houthis because none of Israels other enemies has been able to do that lately. The Houthis are satisfied that they can make such attacks. These attacks justify the hundred or million dollars in missiles and other military aid Iran has sent to the Houthis. In return the Houthis impose a brutal dictatorship over the twenty million people of northern Yemen. The Houthis see frequent violence as the most effective way to keep Yemeni civilians in line. The Houthis gradually seized control of all major businesses in Yemen. This plunder finances Houthis terrorist activities. Iran is broke but can still supply lots of missiles, which must be smuggled into Yemen by sea or overland from ports with bribable officials. Western efforts to disrupt Houthi violence via assassination of Houthi leaders failed. The Houthis clan is large and there are always replacements. At best, the assassinations cause some disruption in Houthi operations. Opponents are dealing with a death cult that disregards the loss of Yemeni civilians and leaders so they can concentrate on attacking Israel and its allies. Few of these attacks do any damage and usually elicit retaliatory attacks that kill a lot of Houthis, Yemenis and any Iranians in the way. Any Yemenis or Iranians who protest this treatment are attacked and often killed by Houthi or Iranian forces. The Israeli/Western response is to kill as many Houthi supporters and Iranian allies as possible. This approach largely destroyed the Iran backed Hezbollah militia in 2024. Hezbollah still exists but was rendered ineffective for months and is still trying to rebuild. Disrupting Houthi finances and logistical operations are essential. Even terrorists must be paid and there is so much oil wealth in the Persian Gulf that enough of it leaks to Islamic terrorist groups to keep the Houthis going. These lessons were learned by 18th Century British colonial officials. Their counter-terrorism advice was to shoot on sight, shoot first and keep on shooting. In that respect the Islamic terrorists and their foreign opponents use the same tactics. Yemens Shia rebels, led by the Houthi tribe, have used their large stockpile of Iranian missiles to block access to the Suez Canal. This capability developed over the last decade as they launched attacks on more distant targets. The rebels obtained more powerful weapons as well, including Iranian ballistic missiles, which were disassembled so they could be smuggled from Iran to Yemen, where Iranian technicians supervised the missiles being assembled and launched into Saudi Arabia. In the last few years, the rebels have received longer range ballistic missiles fired from northern Yemen across Saudi territory to hit Saudi and United Arab Emirate/UAE oil production facilities on the Persian Gulf coast. The rebels also acquired the reconnaissance capability to accurately fire missiles at ships passing through the narrow, 26 kilometers wide, Bab-el-Mandeb straits off southwestern Yemen and force ships to take the longer and more expensive and time-consuming route around the southern tip of Africa. This has always been a potential threat to ships using the Red Sea to reach the Suez Canal in Egypt, at the north end of the Red Sea. Western nations reacted slowly to this interdiction effort and only recently began attacking Yemen Shia rebel targets with warship missiles and air strikes. Western warships close to the Yemen shore used their defensive weapons to defeat attacks launched from the Yemen coast. The war in Yemen drags on into 2025. Before the Israeli attacks on Gaza and Iran-backed militias in Lebanon, Iran was under widespread internal pressure from Iranians protesting the expensive foreign wars in Syria and Yemen. Despite that, Iran smuggled in more and more weapons. These were not intended for the ongoing Yemen civil war but for use against targets designated by Iran. At the same time Iran saw the growth of domestic uprising to deal with back home. The Iranian religious dictatorship held onto power and supported more violence against real or perceived enemies of Iran. In early 2015 Iran admitted it had been quietly supporting the Houthi Shia rebels for a long time but now was doing so openly, and that support was increasing. Many Yemenis trace the current crisis back to the civil war that ended, sort of, in 1994. That war was caused by the fact that, when the British left Yemen in 1967, their former colony in Aden became one of two countries called Yemen. The two Yemens finally united in 1990 but another civil war in 1994 was needed to finalize unification. That fix didn't really take and the north and south have been pulling apart ever since. This comes back to the fact that Yemen has always been a region, not a country. Like most of the rest of the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa region, the normal form of government until the 20th century was wealthier coastal city states nervously coexisting with interior tribes that got by on herding or farming or a little of both plus smuggling and other illicit sidelines. This concept of nationhood is still looked on with some suspicion. This is why the most common forms of government are the more familiar ones of antiquity like kingdom, emirate, or modern variation in the form of a hereditary secular dictatorship. For a long time, the most active Yemeni rebels were the Shia Houthis in the north. The Houthis have always wanted to restore local Shia rule in the traditional Shia tribal territories, led by the local imam, a religious leader who was a Houthi. This arrangement, after surviving more than a thousand years, was ended by the central government in 1962. Yemen also became the new headquarters of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula/ AQAP when Saudi Arabia was no longer safe for the terrorists after 2007. Now there is the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/ISIL, and an invading army composed of troops from oil-rich neighbors like Saudi Arabia, which was very upset by Iranian/Houthi missile attacks. By late 2017 the rebels were slowly losing ground to government forces who, despite Arab coalition air support and about five thousand ground troops, were still dependent on Yemeni Sunni tribal militias to fight the Shia tribesmen on the ground. While the Shia are only a third of the population, they are united while the Sunni tribes are divided over the issue of again splitting the country in two and with no agreement on who would get the few oil fields in central Yemen. Many of the Sunni tribes tolerate or even support AQAP and ISIL. The Iranian smuggling pipeline continued to operate, and the Yemen rebels were able to buy additional weapons from other sources because they received cash from nations or groups hostile to the Arab Gulf state, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Shia Houthi rebels were from northern Yemen and controlled the border with Saudi Arabia. Over the last decade the rebels launched more and more attacks on Saudi targets and in later 2023 and into 2025 that violence escalated. by Vladimir Rozanskij According to various estimates, at least 200,000 Chechens now live in European countries, and from Belgium to Norway, passing through France, Austria and Germany, the mosques of this diaspora fuelled by war are not only places of worship but also important centres where the language and traditions of this people are handed down. Brussels (AsiaNews) - Mosques linked to the Chechen diaspora continue to appear in many European countries, highlighting the importance of religion and cultural identity for emigrants from the North Caucasus. These buildings are not only places of worship, but important centres for gathering and preserving traditions, in environments far from their homeland, as historian and researcher Majrbek Bacagaev explains on Kavkaz.Realii. Many Chechens moved because of Russia's long and bloody war in Chechnya, which lasted almost ten years at the turn of the century after the end of the USSR, emigrating to Europe, America and the Middle East. According to various estimates, at least 200,000 Chechens live in European countries, and probably many more, especially in France, Belgium, Norway, Austria, Poland, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. They form very fervent Muslim communities that are different even from other Caucasian groups, as ethnographer Irina Babic comments, with a more intense religious practice even among the younger generations. Members of Chechen communities live under the pressure of the conflicts experienced over the last thirty years, including the current Russian war in Ukraine, which involves the brutal armies of the kadyrovtsy, followers of President Ramzan Kadyrov, but also compatriots abroad who oppose Putin's subjugation of the Chechen people. Their Muslim devotion follows the Sunni variant of the Shafi'i Madhhab, some are associated with the Naqshbandi and Qadiri tariqa of Sufism, divided into many different brotherhoods, and since the late 1980s, Salafism has also spread in Chechnya, fought by the republic's authorities. One of the first mosques associated with the Chechens was opened in Belgium in 2002, with a collection among emigrants who had fled the war to purchase a building in Antwerp, with Imam Ramzan Dzabrailov, becoming one of the main centres of the entire diaspora. Also in Belgium, one of the most recent mosques was opened in 2024 in the city of Hasselt, named after Sheikh Mansur, one of the great figures of 18th-century Chechnya. In France, the central mosque in Nice is led by Chechen imam Ramzan Magomadov, president of the National Organisation of Muslims, who also runs the cultural centre Vaj Tsia, Our Home. In Strasbourg, Chechen and Ingush groups managed to purchase a building, where, alongside the prayer hall, there is an important madrasa, which welcomes up to 200 students per year. A Chechen Sunni mosque is also active in Vienna, known as Mecet Tabiin, in the neighbourhood where the Viennese Chechen community is concentrated. The local imam has opened a Telegram channel in Chechen, with sermons and answers to questions from the faithful, and other mosques are open in Graz and Linz. In Germany, Muslim communities are more inclusive and less ethnically defined, and Chechens live alongside Turks and Arabs, although they have their own Chechen cultural centre, Al-Khajr, at a mosque in Berlin, where Chechen is taught alongside Arabic, Russian and German. The most active Chechen community in Europe is in Norway, with a large number of young people who have recently emigrated, and Chechen mosques open in Oslo, Sandvika, Lillestrm and Stavanger. Chechens here do not like to attend mosques where sermons are preached in Turkish or Arabic, at most with brief translations into Norwegian, whereas in their own mosques everyone communicates with each other, discusses current affairs, and can turn to the imam for any need. The faithful who are unable to attend Norwegian mosques on Fridays feel guilty and immediately call their friends and relatives to find out how it went and if there is any interesting news. In Sweden, the Alvest mosque is very popular with Chechens but is open to everyone. A political scientist from Grozny, who prefers to remain anonymous to avoid unpleasant consequences, believes that Chechens in Europe are an alternative reality to official propaganda and are still at risk of persecution, recalling the assassination of human rights activist Umar Israilov in Vienna in 2009, next to his home. The Kadyrov regime also tries to put pressure on members of the diaspora, often in mosques. by Mathias Hariyadi Disaster caused by improper mining techniques, according to investigations. Alarms had already been raised previously. The owner and chief engineer are suspected of negligence. Mining suspended on Mount Kuda and state of emergency declared for seven days. Jakarta (AsiaNews) - "The ground gave way without warning. We just heard a loud crash," recalls Edit Jaedi, owner of a food stall near the quarry. Nineteen people have died and many others are still missing following a landslide at a limestone quarry on Mount Kuda, in the village of Cipanas, Dukupuntang sub-district, Cirebon regency, West Java. The collapse occurred around 10 a.m. on Friday, 30 May. According to initial investigations, the disaster was caused by improper mining techniques. Another resident in the area, Sukardi, explained that many trucks were lined up waiting to be loaded when the accident occurred. Last Friday's landslide is not the first of its kind at the Mount Kuda mining site. A previous landslide in February 2025 did not cause any casualties, but gave the authorities sufficient reason to launch a preliminary investigation. The collapse affected a type C mining site, which involves the extraction of earth, sand, gravel, marble, kaolin, granite and other stone resources. The workers were buried along with several vehicles used to transport the materials. According to the West Java Energy and Mineral Resources Agency (ESDM), operators extracted materials from the base of the hill upwards, instead of using the safer terraced method, which involves working from the top down to the base. This is confirmed by the authorities' ongoing investigations. The agency had already issued several warnings about the risk. This type of rock must be extracted from the top down. Our inspectors have emphasised this several times, said Bambang Tirto Mulyono, head of the provincial ESDM office. This was clearly a technical failure and unfortunately the warnings were ignored, he added. The mining area is also classified as a high-risk area for ground movement due to geological instability, steep slopes and the presence of fill material in the cavities. The Geological Agency has confirmed that the region has a high probability of landslides, especially in the event of heavy rain or seismic activity. In response to these critical issues, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi temporarily suspended all mining operations on Mount Kuda and declared a state of emergency for seven days. This decision reflects our responsibility. Public safety must come first. We will not tolerate mining practices that do not meet safety standards, he said. Cirebon Police Chief Sumarni said two individuals - identified only by their initials, AK (mine owner) and AR (chief mining engineer) - are suspects. The two are charged with multiple offences under Indonesia's environmental protection law, labour law, mining law and Article 359 of the Criminal Code for negligence that caused the deaths of at least nineteen people. Both could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Police say more arrests could follow. Six people connected to the mine's operations have been questioned, including local cooperative officials, site supervisors, truck drivers and material buyers. Microsoft is introducing greater user control in the European Economic Area (EEA) through new Windows features that comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company had already provided users with the ability to remove Microsoft Edge and Bing search from the system, but new updates now take it even further, offering users greater autonomy over their use of Windows 10 and 11. Microsoft Windows Compliance With the DMA Following increasing pressure from EU regulators, Microsoft unveiled several significant changes for Windows users within the EEA, which comprises all EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The updates took effect from May 29, 2025, with Edge version 137.0.3296.52, and additional patches are rolling out in early June. The major updates, according to Microsoft's latest blog, include the uninstallation of the Microsoft Store. This means users can now uninstall the Microsoft Store for the first time. Installed apps will still receive updates even without it, and the Store can be reinstated at any time. Apart from that, you can be worry-free now with Microsoft Edge nag prompts. Windows will no longer prompt users to make Edge the default browser unless they manually launch it. This tweak serves to minimize intrusive pop-ups and prompts. Default Browser Upgrades and Freedom of Choice One of the best-featured changes is the increased default browser settings. Before, changing the browser only applied to general file types, such as .html or protocols such as https. Now, users will enjoy the same freedom given to other file types, such as ftp, .svg, and "read" protocol links. Also, when you install a new browser, regardless of whether it's Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or another one, it will automatically pin itself to the taskbar, unless you choose not to. The updates are already in beta testing and will be rolled out in full in July 2025 for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Third-Party Search Integration in Windows Search There's one more win to consider, according to The Verge: third-party applications can now inject web results into Windows Search. After installation, apps can bring their own search capabilities, and users can even move their search providers around or prioritize them. Widgets, Lock Screen, and Bing App Use Default Browser In another user-first step, Microsoft has assured that web content in the Widgets Board, Lock Screen, and even the Bing app will now open in the user's default browser, not Edge. This tiny but important tweak means users aren't being forced to view Microsoft services when they look at news, weather, or other updates. Microsoft Prioritizing Transparency and User Choice These changes are part of a bigger industry shift in which large tech is being compelled to comply with digital market regulations and restore control to the users. While American users may continue to be saddled with Edge and Bing-dominant defaults, Microsoft's EEA compliance shows that genuine customization can and perhaps soon will happen elsewhere in the world as well. by Dario Salvi Almost two weeks after it began, the strike overshadowed by nuclear talks has spread to 155 cities. Lorry drivers oppose increases in insurance premiums and government fuel policies. At least 20 protesters have been arrested, while food products, including fruit, have increased by 50 per cent. To repress dissent, the clerical regime is resorting to technology. Milan (AsiaNews) Negotiations between the United States and Iran over the latters nuclear programme are being closely monitored around the world, especially in the West, while certain developments within the country have received very little coverage. At least 155 cities have been affected by a nationwide strike by lorry drivers, which has paralysed the freight/haulage sector, with huge spikes in prices, trying the patience of already hard-up consumers. Iranian authorities have made about 20 arrests among drivers in Bijar and the provinces of Kermanshah, Ardabil, Gilan-e-Gharb, Fars, Isfahan, Hormozgan, and Behbahan. The Union of Lorry Drivers and Transportation Organisations of Iran have called for the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested colleagues, while taxi drivers in Sabzevar have joined the labour action. Freight/Haulage industry in crisis The strike was sparked by a sharp jump in insurance premiums and new fuel pricing policies, which drivers say threaten their livelihoods, in addition to the many economic and social hardships that have affected the sector over the past year. In April, several drivers were killed and lorries were damaged by explosions at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, a major trading hub. Around the same time, a Persian-language BBC investigation showed a flood of Afghan drivers entering Iran through the Dogharoun border, competing with locals for work. However, the tipping point came when the government announced a drastic increase in insurance premiums, which jumped from around 2.4 million tomans to 3.3 million roughly US$ 29 to US$ 40 at current exchange rates. Premiums are even higher for new and inexperienced drivers, at around 4 million tomans (about US$ 50). The rises were caused by cuts to government subsidies that helped cover insurance costs. Now, only experienced drivers are eligible for government support, while new drivers must pay the full amount. Furthermore, many drivers lament that they have had to struggle in the past to afford insurance even at discounted rates, although the peak of the crisis coincides with the accident at the port of Bandar Abbas. Drivers complain that they are still required to make monthly payments on their vehicles even though they have not been compensated for those damaged or destroyed. Reza Akbari, head of the Road Maintenance and Transport Organisation, pledged to get insurance costs down, but noted that this requires regulatory changes and additional government funding. Meanwhile, the protest has received unprecedented support from teachers unions. For one union activist, Mohammad Habibi, the labour action reflects greater social awareness, especially after the 2022 protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini. This social maturity, especially after the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, is forming and consolidating further, he told IranWire, adding that, The repeated emergence of such collective movements among different social groups, including workers, retirees, teachers, nurses, and truck drivers, shows that society has reached the understanding that if it wants to achieve a demand, it has no way other than organization and persistence." Surging prices Prominent figures have come out in support of striking lorry drivers, including film director Jafar Panahi, recent winner of the Palme dOr at Cannes, who called on the drivers to extend the protest nationwide. This strike is a powerful cry to the government: Enough is enough. End the oppression and exploitation before nothing remains for the people," he wrote on Instagram. Jailed Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi expressed her support and solidarity in a short note posted on X (formerly Twitter) Meanwhile, the strike is already being felt since haulage is responsible for 90 per cent of Irans freight movement with serious impact on the transportation of goods, including food, fuel, and industrial materials. Reports from across the country indicate that major highways and lorry terminals remain largely deserted, and both cities and rural areas are feeling the impact of shortages. Although Irans vast oil and gas reserves keep fuel prices among the lowest in the world, the increases have sparked widespread anger. A prime example is the cost of fruit, which is up by more than 50 per cent in the past week amid a general disruption of the transport network. Price monitoring by the Tabnak news agency shows significant spikes in several products. Freshly picked seasonal fruits including cherries, apricots and white mulberries have seen sharp price increases. Red and yellow apples have increased by an average of 40,000 tomans, reaching up to 100,000 tomans per kilo. These are pretty high prices, considering that the US dollar is wort about 82,000 tomans and the average monthly salary is around 16,400,000 (US$ 200 dollars). Official statistics show that over 70 per cent of the Iranian population lives below the poverty line and about 10,000 children drop out of school every year due to economic hardship, joining the nearly one million already out of the school system. These dire economic conditions have created fertile ground for street protests and labour unrest in various sectors, with the authorities responding using a new approach and different repressive tools. Technology against dissent As street protests and popular discontent increase in response to the economic crisis, fuelled by Western sanctions, Iranian authorities are increasingly turning to technology more than weapons for social control. Some have noted that the Islamic Republic is in a new phase of security governance, with control no longer upheld exclusively by guns and arrests, but rather by data analysis, surveillance, and information engineering. This shift from open violence to the use of algorithms is framed by state propaganda as smartification and psychological security, buzzwords that mask a deeper goal, namely building a more efficient social control system to anticipate rather than repress protests and discontent. While Iran is open to nuclear talks with the United States, it is preparing domestically for failure and a worsening of the crisis. This explains the authorities widespread use of Internet monitoring, cell phone tracking, facial recognition, shop surveillance, and even mandatory in-home cameras, to build a digital control society. The goal is to neutralise dissent before it starts, with a softer or, as some might say, a more benevolent face of policing and certainly less invasive thanks to modern technologies. The result is a seamless and predictive regime designed not just to monitor people, but to anticipate and contain them. In recent years, Tehran has adopted a more systematic and technical approach to digital control. A clear indicator of this is the resolution passed by the Supreme Cyberspace Council in January 2025. Although presented as a plan to lift filtering of content, the directive expands the rules on online activity. It authorises the government to monitor criminal content, limit VPNs, and penalise the spread of so-called fake news. The same tools are being used to enforce dress codes, like in Isfahan, where authorities use contactless payment readers and surveillance cameras to identify women without the mandatory hijab. This strategy does not simply repress resistance, but aims to erase the very possibility of it, as well as interrupting communications and freezing public and digital spaces. If the objective is achieved, Iran will not only be a surveillance state, but one that anticipates dissent itself with individuals profiled, categorised and neutralised before they act. In this case, repression no longer wears a uniform, but works silently to predict and prevent. GATEWAY TO THE EAST IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE MIDDLE EAST. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY TUESDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. The left-leaning candidate won more than 50 per cent of the vote in the wake of Yoon Suk-yeols removal. Exit polls reflect generational and gender divisions, but also a renewed civic commitment by South Koreans. The Democratic Party of Korea calls for national unity to turn the page after the declaration of martial law. Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) As surveys pointed out, the candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Lee Jae-myung has won South Koreas presidential election with more than 50 per cent of the vote, following a record turnout. The election was held after President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached and removed from office for declaring martial law. The latter sparked a major political crisis that is ending with the election of the opposition candidate. Nevertheless, the still partial results confirm growing cleavages in South Korean society. In fact, in the evening, as major South Korean media reported exit polls, a small anti-Lee rally was held in Seoul, mostly by elderly citizens. Lee Jae-myung enjoyed a significant lead among women, with more than 55 per cent of the vote, while his main rival, Kim Moon-soo, of the conservative-leaning People Power Party (PPP), received only 39 per cent of the womens vote. Among men, 48.3 per cent voted for Lee and 39.4 per cent for Kim. Support for Lee Jae-myung was particularly strong among voters aged between 40 and 50, while voters over 70 showed a clear preference for Kim. Lee Jun-seok, the third man in the running, conceded defeat before the end of the vote count. According to some observers, these results show the PPPs poor ability to reunite after Yoons ouster. According to Lee Jun-han, a political scientist at Incheon University speaking to Reuters Kim Moon-soo, who had opposed Yoons impeachment, was not ready, and neither was his party. The PPP failed to adequately criticise the former president's actions to attract some of the conservative voters disillusioned by the PPP, while the DPK, which now controls both the government and the National Assembly, could risk undermining social unity in the absence of counterweights. A leading DPK member said that voters delivered a clear message to Yoon's insurrectionist government. I believe the public support for Lee reflects their strong desire to recover from the collapse of livelihoods and the runaway economy that have worsened over the past three years under the Yoon government," said Park Chan-dae, acting leader of the left-leaning party in a televised interview, before calling for national unity to overcome the fallout from the martial law debacle. In the first quarter of this year, data show that South Koreas economy contracted with weak domestic demand and exports. For Park, the time has come to overcome divisions and unite the country. At the same time, he has not ruled out reforming the system to prevent the president from invoking emergency legislation again. The results also confirm the strong civic commitment by South Koreans in reaction to the proclamation of martial law. At 79.4 per cent, the turnout was the highest in 28 years, noted South Koreas Yonhap news agency. Some 35.24 million out of 44.39 million eligible voters cast their ballot by 8:00 pm, the National Election Commission reported. This includes ballots cast in early voting (34.8 per cent) and those from abroad. Today's news: South Koreans go to the polls for presidential elections; UN Secretary-General calls for independent investigation into killings of Palestinians near aid distribution centre in Gaza; New casualties in Ukraine after Russian attack, no truce in Istanbul negotiations; In Japan, the first whales have been caught since the reopening of whaling. MONGOLIA Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has resigned after losing a vote of no confidence in Parliament, called following days of mass protests in the streets over allegations of corruption, fuelled by social media posts of a lavish party for his son. In office since 2021, the head of government will remain in office on an interim basis until a successor is appointed within 30 days. He was forced to resign because he failed to secure a majority, i.e. 64 of the 126 seats in Parliament. Approximately 82 lawmakers took part in the secret ballot, with 38 voting against. SOUTH KOREA Millions of South Koreans are heading to the polls for presidential elections, called ahead of schedule following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol for attempting to introduce martial law. According to the latest polls, opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung is ahead of his rival, former government member Kim Moon-soo. Polling stations will close at 8 p.m. local time and results are expected within a few hours. GAZA - UN The UN Secretary-General has called for an independent investigation into yesterday's killing of Palestinians near an aid distribution centre in Gaza, with reports (contested by Israel) that defence forces opened fire on people waiting there. Witnesses reported being hit while waiting for food from the Rafah centre, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The Red Cross reported 179 wounded and 21 dead (31 according to Hamas). RUSSIA - UKRAINE - TURKEY The meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul ended after about an hour with the presentation of memoranda on proposals for resolving the conflict. According to sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the talks ended not negatively, with the prospect of a new prisoner exchange, as Volodymyr Zelenskyj also stated in Vilnius. Moscow would only agree to end the war if Kiev renounces territories and restrictions on the army; one victim in Russian night attacks in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv. INDIA At least 34 people have died in north-eastern India after heavy flooding caused landslides over the past four days, with the meteorological department forecasting further rain. Over a thousand tourists trapped in the Himalayan state of Sikkim were evacuated yesterday, and army rescue teams are concentrated in the state of Meghalaya to save more than 500 people stranded in flooded areas. JAPAN Japan has hunted down at least 25 fin whales, for the first time since Tokyo withdrew from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 2019. The cetaceans were caught in the Sea of Okhotsk, north of the northern island of Hokkaido. Of the 320 tonnes of whale meat, about 1.6 tonnes will be transported to six markets across the country, including Tokyo and Osaka, as raw meat. The Japanese agency has set a quota of 60 for this year. THAILAND A new road safety law that came into force on 1 June is raising doubts and controversy. The Safe Roads Project, promoted by the police to reduce accidents, will see increased checks on motorcyclists and passengers not wearing helmets; offenders now face a fourfold increase in fines of up to 2,000 baht (approximately 45). According to the authorities, the law aims to tackle the high rate of road accidents and injuries in Thailand, particularly among motorcyclists. GEORGIA In the first four months of 2025, Georgia deported more foreign nationals than in the whole of the previous year (363), according to statistics published by the Ministry of the Interior in Tbilisi. There are already 394, including 71 Afghans, 54 Iranians, 33 Indians, 31 Turks, 31 Nigerians and 20 Russians, with a steady increase since 2023, when there were 190 in total. This comes at the urging of ASEAN countries. While the exiled opposition reports at least 300 civilians killed by the military since last Marchs earthquake, the junta is massing troops in the Mandalay region to retake Chinese-backed gas pipelines from the rebels. Potential floods in refugee camps due to the monsoon season raise concerns. Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) Myanmars military junta has extended its temporary ceasefire until the end of June, a decision that, according to official statements, is aimed at facilitating relief and reconstruction efforts following last Marchs earthquake and in response to a request by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The latest announcement is, however, cosmetic, no different from those made in April and May since fighting against resistance forces and attacks against civilians show no sign of abating. In fact, the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) reported that an airstrike by Myanmars junta killed at least 10 civilians attending a wedding in Kyaukkyi Township (Bago Region), including the bride and two children. Meanwhile, Myanmars National Unity Government (NUG), which is composed of MPs deposed in the 2021 coup, reported the death of 300 civilians killed in the past couple of months when the ceasefire was supposed to be in place. In late March, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake devastated the central areas of the country. The military followed this with a first ceasefire announcement, which was extended until late April after a meeting between junta strongman General Min Aung Hlaing and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. This was further extended in May until the end of the month. The latest statement, on 31 May, cite the ASEAN peace plan formulated after the outbreak of hostilities in 2021 but never implemented. The junta's military operations reflect China's requests rather than those by other Southeast Asian countries; still, according to some observers, Myanmars military regime is trying to reboot relations with the latter. At the same time, as The Irrawaddy writes, the junta is massing reinforcements in Taungtha Township, Myingyan, a district in Mandalay, a region devastated by the earthquake, to retake China-backed oil and gas pipelines captured by resistance forces. About 150 regular troops arrived in Taungtha on 29 May, deployed in three villages near the pipelines, their ranks boosted on Saturday by another 60 soldiers from a steel plant from a nearby town, Myingyan. The moves follow Operation 9/A Nyar Myae, launched on 15 May by anti-regime groups, which saw simultaneous attacks on junta positions in Taungtha, Natogyi, Myingyan and Nganzun townships, where the pipelines pass through Myingyan District. As a result of these operations, resistance forces managed to capture key junta positions guarding the pipelines in Natogyi. Myanmar is also facing renewed monsoon flooding, forcing the authorities to conduct relief operations in Kachin State, where the Arayati River broke its banks, with widespread damage to public infrastructure, communications and transportation, as well as internally displaced people camps. Local sources say farmland was also flooded. On the eve of the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre, Hong Kong authorities have sealed off Victoria Park again, once the venue for a memorial vigil for the victims until 2019. Meanwhile, the CHRD released a list of 32 people detained for refusing to be silent about those events, including six in mainland China who were direct participants in the events of 1989. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) On the eve of 4 June, the sensitive anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre of students in Beijing, police are putting on a massive show of force in and around Hong Kongs Victoria Park, the place where human rights groups held annual vigils to commemorate the crackdown. In front of the Sogo department store, plainclothes officers stopped and searched performance artist Chan Mei-tung who was caught openly chewing gum. In 2022, on the anniversary, she was arrested for disorderly conduct on the eve of 4 June, for standing outside Sogo peeling potatoes. In lieu of the candlelight vigil held in memory of the people mowed down by Chinese troops in the Chinese capital, the authorities are holding for the third year a food carnival in Victoria Park, until 5 June. Stalls run by pro-Beijing groups are selling food, while the (few) visitors have fun with virtual reality headsets and robots. Speaking at his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said that endangering national security is a serious offence, and ominously warned that any activity on any day must abide by the law and law enforcement will take resolute and stringent action if need be. For their part, the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) released a non-exhaustive list of 32 people from the 1989 generation and later who remain unjustly detained for their human rights work, including commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre and seeking justice for its thousands of victims. Not only have Chinese officials enjoyed total impunity for their 1989 crimes, they also continue to silence defenders who took part in the 1989 protests and tributes to the victims, said Sophie Richardson, Co-Executive Director of CHRD. But peaceful speech and remembrances are not crimes these people should be released immediately, she added. Decades of weak international responses to the Tiananmen Massacre emboldened Chinese leaders to commit more and worse human rights crimes, from Beijing to Hong Kong to the Uyghur region, Richardson said. Democracies should draw inspiration from the victims and survivors of Tiananmen and pursue investigations into those widespread, systematic violations. The 32 people in prison include all six activists who directly participated in the 1989 protests and were then rearrested for continuing their activities in defence of human rights and democracy: Uyghur activist Zhao Haitong, China Democracy Party representative Lu Gengsong, Guangdong activist Guo Feixiong, artist and Falun Gong practitioner Xu Na, writer and activist from Hangzhou Xu Guang, and activist and former teacher Zhang Zhongshun. In mainland China, 13 people are serving prison sentences, in pre-trial detention, or forcibly disappeared for speaking out about Tiananmen. Finally, the last 13 are activists in Hong Kong, where the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre was always remembered with a vigil in Victoria Park until the 2020 crackdown. They include Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho, who, after four years of pre-trial detention, are still waiting for their time in court, accused of organising the June 4 rally. If found guilty, they might get life in prison under the national security law. Oren Alexander, center, and his twin brother, Alon, appear during their bond hearing on Dec. 13 in Miami. The brothers are now in pre-trial custody in New York and are asking a judge to pause a lawsuit filed by a Pennsylvania woman accusing them of drugging and raping her while she was in Aspen for the Winter X Games in 2017. Pashinian reportedly promoted his policy towards Azerbaijan during the three-hour meeting with Yerevan State University (YSU) students and professors held behind the closed doors. He answered questions from some of them. Hovannes Shamrikian, a third-year political science student, said he asked the premier about Azerbaijans recapture of Karabakh. In particular, he wondered whether Pashinian would, in hindsight, still carry out his velvet revolution in 2018 if he moved back in time and knew that it would lead to the loss of the Armenian-populated region. The answer to the question was a definitive yes, Shamrikian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. He said he was even more shocked by another statement made by Pashinian. With regard to Artsakh, he made a point that when we lost Artsakh we finally gained independence for the Republic of Armenia, said the student. The statement attributed to Pashinian is consistent with what he publicly said last week during an official ceremony to mark the 107th anniversary of an independent Armenian republic. He declared in a speech that Armenia has become more sovereign and more independent than ever during his seven-year rule. Armenian opposition leaders scoffed at the claim, insisting that Pashinian has on the contrary dramatically weakened the country and left it facing existential threats from Azerbaijan as well as Turkey. They pointed to Azerbaijans victory in the 2020 war and Pashinians continuing concessions to Baku which they say can only spell more trouble for Armenia. The six-week war left at least 3,800 Armenian soldiers dead. Pashinian has blamed its outcome on Armenias former leaders. 3 June 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more With abundant oil and gas reserves, vast renewable energy potential, and a critical geographic position connecting East and West, Azerbaijan has steadily established itself as a cornerstone of regional and global energy security. As energy geopolitics shift and supply diversification becomes a top priority for many nations, Azerbaijans strategic contributions are more vital than ever. Against this backdrop, President Ilham Aliyev delivered a defining speech at the opening of three major energy events - the Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, the Caspian Power Exhibition, and the Baku Energy Forum - collectively forming the centerpiece of Baku Energy Week. His remarks emphasized the pivotal role of Azerbaijans energy sector not only in national development, but also in reshaping Eurasias energy map. President Aliyevs reflections on the countrys modern energy journey - beginning with the groundbreaking 1994 "Contract of the Century" - offered both historical context and forward-looking insight. That agreement marked Azerbaijans entry into the global energy market at a time of deep internal crisis, and it laid the foundation for the countrys resurgence through strategic energy diplomacy. What began as a survival strategy has since evolved into a long-term vision: leveraging energy resources to build economic independence, regional influence, and international trust. Fast-forward to today, Azerbaijans energy policy remains a central driver of its economic stability. President Aliyev emphasized impressive macroeconomic indicators: oil and gas contribute over 30% to GDP, external debt remains manageable at under 7%, and financial reserves vastly exceed debt obligations. These figures reflect a prudent fiscal management approach, where revenue from hydrocarbons has been strategically leveraged to reduce poverty and invest in human capital. What stands out is Azerbaijans transformation from a resource-dependent economy to a more diversified and resilient one. The investment in infrastructure, including transport corridors, positions the country as a vital Eurasian hub, not only for energy exports but also for broader economic connectivity. The Southern Gas Corridor, a monumental 3,600 km pipeline, symbolizes Azerbaijans geoeconomic ascent, linking Caspian resources directly to European markets and thereby reshaping the Eurasian energy map. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the growing footprint of Azerbaijans natural gas exports, which have expanded from eight countries to twelve in a short period. This geographic diversification underscores Azerbaijans increasing influence in global energy security. As the country negotiates further export agreements, it is carving out a leadership role in supplying reliable energy to Europe and neighboring regions, a particularly strategic development given the shifting dynamics of global energy supply chains. This expansion is not without challenges. Maintaining the delicate balance between producers, transit countries, and consumers remains critical to avoid conflicts and ensure sustainable cooperation. Azerbaijans emphasis on a "win-win" approach reflects an understanding that energy diplomacy today requires careful navigation of competing interests and regional sensitivities. Azerbaijan pivots from pipeline power to climate diplomacy Perhaps most noteworthy is Azerbaijans ambitious green energy agenda. Despite being rich in oil and gas, the country is preparing to generate 6.5 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 - accounting for more than 35% of its total production. This dual-track strategy positions Azerbaijan as a responsible energy actor committed to diversification and environmental sustainability. By saving several billion cubic meters of natural gas through renewable energy initiatives, Azerbaijan not only meets domestic electricity demand but also bolsters its export potential. This pragmatic approach aligns with the countrys role as the chair of COP29, where President Aliyev stressed realism over populism, advocating for an energy transition that balances fossil fuel use with green growth to avoid systemic energy crises. Beyond national interests, Azerbaijan is carving out a role as a mediator and bridge-builder between developed and developing countries in the global climate dialogue. COP29s achievements - including the establishment of the "Loss and Damage Fund" and operational carbon markets - highlight Azerbaijans capacity to host complex negotiations and foster consensus. President Aliyevs call to build trust between the Global North and South and to support vulnerable states underscores Azerbaijans emerging identity as a responsible and pragmatic energy leader, not just a resource supplier. This diplomatic positioning enhances its soft power and aligns energy cooperation with broader goals of sustainable development and climate justice. President Ilham Aliyevs speech at the opening of Baku Energy Week reflects a mature, multi-faceted energy strategy. It recognizes the enduring importance of oil and gas as pillars of economic strength and geopolitical influence while embracing renewable energy and global climate responsibilities. Azerbaijans energy policy demonstrates how a resource-rich country can navigate the complexities of modern energy challenges by balancing legacy assets with innovation, economic pragmatism with environmental stewardship, and national interests with international cooperation. In an era of global energy uncertainty, Azerbaijans balanced and forward-looking approach not only secures its own future but also contributes meaningfully to regional stability and global energy security. 3 June 2025 19:50 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Building on each success, Ukrainian intelligence services are gradually upping the ante in the field. Obviously, the Russo-Ukrainian War will not go down in history only as the most devastating war in Europe since WWII, but also as a war marked by pinpoint operations orchestrated by the Ukrainian intelligence services. At the outbreak of the war, the Ukrainian intelligence service remained in the minds of many for the assassinations of commanders or collaborators behind the enemy front lines. Raising the stakes, they blew up the Crimean Bridge with a precise operation that stunned everyone. However, the operation dubbed Spider Web, conducted on June 1, outshone all of them. Thus, in a single day, on June 1, Ukraine managed to destroy about 40 aircraft, including heavy bombers and an AWACS, stationed at bases tucked deep inside Russia. By one estimate, the operation cost Russia $7 billion and impaired 34 percent of its long-range missile capabilities. Given that the operation was launched just a day before the second round of Istanbul cease-fire negotiations, the timing was clear: the Zelensky government wanted to send a message to Russia and the world. However, the objective of the operation, i.e., the destroyed aircraft, left many in confusion: Why was Ukraine bothered to destroy heavy bombers so far away from the front line? The Ukrainian side tried to shed light on the issue by saying that Russia used these heavy bomber to strike Ukraine but this comment was not enough to convince everyone. Some believe that by destroying one-third of the heavy bombers in a single operation, the Ukrainian side aimed to force Russia into a cease-fire. If Ukraine manages to conduct several similar attacks, at the end of the day, Russia could be left empty-handed against its main rivals, the USA and China. In addition, it should not be forgotten that Russia likes to boast about its nuclear arsenal, and the Spider Web operation was a severe blow to its nuclear carriers. For clarifying the issue, Azernews addressed questions to military expert Ramil Mammadli. The pundit emphasized that this operation is a very significant one and will hold a special place in the history of the Ukraine war. However, as person who closely follows developments in the Ukrainian war and is familiar with Ukraines military-technical capabilities he doubts that Ukraine could not have prepared and successfully completed this operation on its own in such a short time. Naturally, the involvement of NATO-member European countriesespecially Germany, the United Kingdom, and Franceas well as the United States, has been key, particularly through the intelligence groups operating inside Russian territory. One could say they acted in coordination. In fact, I would argue that some aspects of the operation were directly carried out by the aforementioned countries. Of course, everything has been officially attributed to Ukraine, the expert noted. Ramil Mammadli opined that these series of attacks will undoubtedly change the course and fate of the war. He believes that the scale of ground operations will grow. As for the thoughts that the attack will weaken Russias military capacity against its main rivals, he noted that it cannot be stated definitively. Framing this event as a weakening of Russias power in the face of NATO is not a particularly accurate analysis. The loss of aircraft at these airfields will not be enough to diminish Russias power against its rivals. These are no longer the 1960s or 70s when strategic bombers symbolized national power. Now, missiles, space-based systems, and advanced technologies are what truly matter, Ramil Mammadli concluded. 3 June 2025 17:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more As conversations on colonialism gain new urgency in global political discourse, Baku has emerged as a platform for confronting the unfinished business of decolonisation. The city is hosting a major international conferenceImperial Structure: Colonial Ideologies and Realitiesgathering global experts, UN representatives, and decolonial scholars from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. The event is organised by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), an organisation committed to supporting the full elimination of colonial practices and advocating for the rights of peoples still under foreign domination. The conference marks another milestone in Azerbaijans growing role in the global anti-colonial movement. In recent years, BIG has spearheaded discussions on the lasting impact of colonialism, holding over a dozen international events since its inception. This latest gathering focuses on how colonial ideologies have shaped not only past injustices but also the ongoing systems of economic dependence, cultural suppression, and political inequality that persist today. Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of BIG, opened the event with a clear message: The fight against colonialism is not a chapter in the pastit is a global responsibility to secure a just and equal future. Abbasov described BIG as an international platform that gives voice to the peoples who continue to suffer from the socio-economic and environmental consequences of colonial domination. He emphasised the need to dismantle both the visible and subtle remnants of colonial ideologies, calling for international solidarity and the strengthening of legal mechanisms to end all forms of imperialism. One of the most compelling interventions came from Dr. June Soomer, member of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, who highlighted the double-edged role of science and academia in the colonial project. Science was once used to justify the domination of African peoples. Today, we must turn it into a tool for their liberation, she said. Soomer underscored the importance of research and education in restoring dignity and justice to formerly colonised communities. Panel discussions also explored the historical formation of racial hierarchies, the use of cultural erasure as a tool of empire, and the enduring role of language in shaping collective memory. Academics from Corsica, New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana shared first-hand accounts of systemic marginalisation by France, whose colonial policies remain a focal point of criticism throughout the conference. France, once one of the largest colonial empires, faces mounting pressure to reconcile with its pastespecially as new controversies erupt in its overseas territories. A recent announcement by French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin to construct a high-security prison in French Guiana has triggered public outrage. Residents likened the move to a revival of Frances notorious penal colonies, particularly the infamous Devils Island facility, closed in the mid-20th century after decades of brutal operation. Locals and officials condemned the plan as a form of colonial regression and a dangerous imposition on the region, warning that housing violent inmates from mainland France would aggravate social tensions. French Guianas elected officials were not consulted about the project. In protest, Deputy Jean-Victor Castor called it an insult to our history, while community leaders decried the unilateral nature of Pariss decision-making as a lingering vestige of imperial rule. Elsewhere in Frances remaining territories, similar sentiments of neglect and cultural suppression have surfaced. In Corsica, where the local language and identity have long been sidelined by French authorities, the governments refusal to grant meaningful autonomy has provoked decades of resistance. Though Corsica was annexed by France in 1769, the islands people have struggled to preserve their language, often facing what scholars describe as institutional assimilation and linguistic discrimination. Speakers at the Baku event argued that such policies are not isolated episodes, but rather part of a broader structure of neocolonialism that continues to operate through economic coercion, political dependency, and cultural domination. As one legal scholar noted, Colonialism did not vanishit simply changed its form. The Baku Initiative Group aims to keep these conversations alive and global. In just two years, the organisation has held 14 international conferences, workshops, and public forums on colonialism and its contemporary manifestations. With participation from UN agencies and legal institutions, BIG has positioned itself as a leading voice in pushing for accountability and the completion of the decolonisation process. As the world grapples with historical injustice and growing demands for reparative justice, the Baku conference sends a powerful message: colonialism is not historyit is a present-day challenge. And the road to global equality requires more than symbolic gestures; it demands structural change, international cooperation, and a firm commitment to truth and justice. 3 June 2025 13:34 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The feasibility study for the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor project is in its final stage. Azernews reports that this was announced by Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov during his speech at the Baku Energy Forum. The project is included in the 10-year network development plan and is currently under review by the European Network of Transmission System Operators, he noted. The minister also stated that, with the support of the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a feasibility study is underway for the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor project. This initiative will connect Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan via the Caspian Sea, providing a direct link to European energy markets. Thus, in accordance with the requirements of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transmission of "Green Energy" between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, signed in Bucharest on December 17, 2022, a broader framework was created with the participation of four countriesAzerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania. The project, called the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor or the Black Sea Cable, envisages the transport of "green energy" generated by Azerbaijani wind power plants to Romania and Europe. At the same time, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov stated in his speech that, last year, more than 75 percent of Azerbaijan's oil exports and 51 percent of its natural gas supplies were directed to European countries. He said that today, thanks to strategic projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline, and the Southern Gas Corridor - which connect the Caspian Sea to international energy markets -Azerbaijan successfully exports its oil to 25 countries and its natural gas to 12 countries. 3 June 2025 12:38 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Europe considers Azerbaijan a reliable partner in the energy transition. Azernews reports that this was stated by Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Director for Energy Platform and International Relations at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy, in her speech at the Baku Energy Forum. According to her, the European Union continues to confidently advance the energy transition and, for the first time in its history, has generated more electricity from renewable sources than from traditional ones. This is an important achievement, and we continue to fulfil our commitments to sustainable development and climate neutrality, she noted. Borrero also emphasized that energy security remains a priority for the EU, especially amid geopolitical instability. We need reliable partners, and Azerbaijan is a clear example of such a partner. We have strong cooperation both in natural gas supplies and renewable energy, she said. She added that the European Commission intends to completely stop importing Russian energy resources, aiming to reduce gas purchases from 155 billion cubic meters to 33 billion cubic meters per year. Partnerships with alternative suppliers and the development of green energy are becoming key pillars of EU policy. The EU representative also stressed the importance of international cooperation, transparency in resource access, and attracting investments in sustainable energy. She specifically highlighted the role of platforms such as COP29 and the Baku Energy Forum in building a global energy dialogue. 3 June 2025 14:17 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more On June 3, the official opening ceremony of CIS Cultural Capital 2025 was held in the city of Lachin, organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Lachin district, Azernews reports. The opening was attended by government officials, prominent figures in science and culture, international experts, as well as local and foreign media representatives. In his speech, Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli stated that, according to the decision of the CIS Council for Humanitarian Cooperation dated October 8, 2024, the city of Lachin in the Eastern Zangazur region of Azerbaijan has been declared the CIS Cultural Capital for the year 2025. He emphasized that this decision holds significant socio-cultural importance and is a vivid demonstration of the international community`s support and solidarity with the process of cultural and economic revival in Azerbaijans liberated territories. According to him, declaring the city of Lachin as the CIS Cultural Capital will serve as a strong impetus for the citys cultural revival and its active integration into the system of international cooperation. "Following the liberation of our territories in 2020, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, large-scale restoration and reconstruction works are being carried out in these lands. The restoration concept for the liberated territories not only includes the physical reconstruction of infrastructure and monuments, but also the revival of cultural life," Adil Karimli noted. CIS Deputy Secretary-General Nurlan Seytimov, emphasized the significance of the event held in Lachin today. He stated that the declaration of Lachin as the CIS Cultural Capital is an important event not only for Azerbaijan but for the entire region. This initiative will contribute to the expansion of cultural cooperation as well as the revival of the liberated territories. Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament and Co-Chairman of the Board of the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund Polad Bulbuloglu, said that today marks a joyful occasion as Lachin receives the prestigious status of Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States. According to him, this landmark event holds special importance in terms of promoting Lachins rich cultural heritage to the world. Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, Mikhail Shvydkoy, said that many cultural figures are present here today, which is a clear example of Lachin becoming a cultural center of Azerbaijan. It is a great joy for us to see this program being implemented. I believe it is being carried out in a very appropriate and well-considered manner. I would like to express my special gratitude to the coordinating bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States for their support of this process, said Mikhail Shvydkoy. The Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Lachin district, Masim Mammadov, stated that during the years of occupation, acts of vandalism were committed against historical monuments in Lachin and other territories. He underlined that 217 cultural institutions, 101 educational and 142 medical facilities, 462 commercial establishments, 30 communication facilities, and many industrial sites were destroyed. A total of 54 monuments of global significance and 200 monuments of local importance suffered considerable damage. Following the speeches, Mikhail Shvydkoy, the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, presented the Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth certificate to Masim Mammadov, the Special Representative of the President in Lachin district. Afterward, a video showcasing the destruction Lachin endured during the occupation and the reconstruction efforts undertaken by Azerbaijan in the region was screened. The event continued with a cultural program. 3 June 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more An international academic conference titled "Imperial Structures: Colonial Ideologies and Realities" is currently being held in Baku, organized by the Baku Initiative Group. According to Azernews, the event brings together a diverse group of participants, including seasoned UN experts in decolonization, prominent scholars from Frances current and former overseas territories, internationally recognized legal experts, ambassadors accredited in Azerbaijan, and members of the Azerbaijani parliament. The conference focuses on the grave consequences of colonial policies, exploring the systemic oppression imposed by colonial powers on subjugated peoples. Participants are analyzing discriminatory practices, as well as the political, economic, and cultural restrictions associated with neocolonialism. The conference also delves into the deliberate erasure of national identitiesan enduring legacy of imperial rulethrough rigorous scientific and methodological inquiry. Key discussions include the obstruction by former colonial powers of the decolonization process mandated by international law and UN resolutions. The conference also highlights the necessity of utilizing existing mechanisms within international organizations to advance decolonization and to implement effective solutions for addressing structural inequalities on a global scale. 3 June 2025 15:02 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Tactical live-fire exercises have been conducted with units of Azerbaijans Missile and Artillery Troops, Azernews reports via the Ministry of Defense. According to the statement, the units were redeployed from their permanent bases to designated concentration areas, where they brought military equipment into full combat readiness and took up firing positions. During the drills, artillery units engaged in live fire using howitzers and multiple rocket launcher systems, successfully destroying conventional enemy targets with precision strikes. The main objective of the exercise was to enhance the decision-making abilities of command staff, improve operational planning during combat scenarios, and strengthen coordination with other military branches. The drills also focused on increasing the field preparedness and practical combat skills of the personnel. 3 June 2025 12:55 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azernews reports. "Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, I thank you for your congratulatory letter on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan. On this remarkable anniversary, I would also like to extend to you my sincerest congratulations. I fully agree with you that this important document opened a new chapter in the history of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations and has further strengthened our cooperation. This historic agreement, which vividly reflects the strategic nature of our interstate relations, has laid a solid foundation for the development of active political dialogue at all levels, as well as for the expansion of fruitful cooperation in the economic, trade, humanitarian, and other spheres. We are pleased with the current level of our relations with Kazakhstan - a brotherly country and a reliable strategic partner. The scope of issues on our bilateral agenda is expanding day by day and being enriched with new content. At the same time, both bilaterally and multilaterally, the joint efforts of our countries in addressing key issues and our mutual support in international organizations are commendable. I am confident that the traditional friendly ties and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan - built upon the solid foundations of the brotherhood of our peoples, shared historical and cultural roots, and spiritual values - will continue to grow steadily and strengthen through our joint efforts, in line with the interests of our nations. Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, I wish you robust health, happiness, and continued success in your responsible and honorable endeavors for the prosperity and well-being of the brotherly people of Kazakhstan. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 2 June 2025" 3 June 2025 13:40 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more While on an official visit to Japan, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Commissioner General for Expo 2025, Anar Alakbarov, met with Yoshitaka Ito, Japans Minister for Regional Development and Minister responsible for Expo 2025. During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of expanding political, economic, and humanitarian relations between the two countries. They discussed prospects for inter-regional cooperation and the implementation of joint projects across various sectors. Minister Ito expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's active participation in Expo 2025, highlighting that the Azerbaijani national pavilion is among the most prominent and frequently visited at the Osaka exhibition. He also extended congratulations in advance of Azerbaijans National Day at Expo, to be held on June 5, noting that future cooperation between cities in both countries would be vital in further strengthening bilateral ties. Anar Alakbarov noted that Azerbaijan has consistently contributed to the Expo movement, having previously participated with independent national pavilions in global exhibitions such as Milan and Dubai. He stressed that Azerbaijans representation at Expo 2025 reflects the countrys commitment to global collaboration, even as it pursues large-scale reconstruction projects in territories liberated following the Patriotic War. These initiatives, he noted, are being carried out under decrees issued by President Ilham Aliyev. The Expo 2025 World Exhibition in Osaka opened on April 13 and will run until October 13. Azerbaijan has taken part in world expos since 2000, and this years pavilionorganized by the Heydar Aliyev Centeris themed Seven Bridges for Sustainability. On June 5, as part of Azerbaijans National Day celebration, a concert featuring Azerbaijani artists will be held. 4 June 2025 00:06 (UTC+04:00) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the occasion of Independence Day. According to Azernews, the letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, Dear friend, I extend my warmest congratulations to you, your family and the people of Azerbaijan as you celebrate Independence Day on May 28th. The bond between Israel and Azerbaijan is deeply rooted in history, strengthened by our shared values and the enduring friendship between our nations. Over the years, we have cultivated a partnership built on mutual trust, goodwill, and genuine respect between our governments and peoples. I deeply appreciate Azerbaijan's unwavering support for its Jewish community and culture, as well as its steadfast solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of Hamas's heinous attack on October 7th. Your country has set a remarkable example of compassion and friendship that will not be forgotten. I also wish to express my gratitude for Azerbaijan's role in facilitating dialogue between Israel and Turkiye, helping to foster regional cooperation. Under your leadership, Azerbaijan has become a pillar of stability and strength, a beacon of prosperity, and a model for successful economic development across the region. I regret that unforeseen circumstances have necessitated a change in my schedule, forcing me to postpone my highly anticipated visit to Azerbaijan. However, I sincerely hope to reschedule our meeting-whether in Israel or Azerbaijan-at your earliest convenience so that we may continue discussing our shared interests and aspirations. With best wishes for many more years of prosperity, friendship and success, Sincerely, Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister of the State of Israel Unlocking Dragon Boat Village in Fujian Ecns.cn) 09:11, June 03, 2025 Fangzhuang in southeast China's Fujian Province, known as "Dragon Boat Village", boasts a rich traditional dragon boat manufacturing history for more than 700 years. Fangzhuang has received orders for over 200 dragon boats this year. Not only has the number of orders increased year by year, but the boats can also be customized to meet specific customer requirements. A typical dragon boat is long and narrow, with a prow carved to resemble a dragon's head and the stern designed as a tail. The construction processprimarily using Chinese fir, Pontianak wood, or camphorwoodincludes multiple steps such as framing, polishing, drawing, painting, and finally mounting the intricately carved dragon head. It is reported that orders come not only from across China, but also from overseas buyers in countries such as the United States and Japan. Dragon boat races which have evolved into a popular cultural and sporting event, are gaining momentum across the world during the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival. Beyond Asia, dragon boat racing has seen significant growth in Europe, North America, and Africa, attracting enthusiasts from diverse cultural backgrounds. Many cities hold large-scale dragon boat festivals, integrating the sport into local traditions and fostering multicultural interactions. A record 49 teams from across Britain attended the 2025 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival held in Manchester. Now in its 11th year, the festival has attracted participation from local British businesses, community organizations, Chinese enterprises, and student groups. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) 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 3 June 2025 13:17 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Pakistan has expressed interest in deepening cooperation with Azerbaijan in the energy sector, particularly in the areas of sustainable development and gas infrastructure, Azernews reports. Pakistans Oil Minister Ali Parviz Malik made the remarks during his speech at the 30th Baku Energy Forum. Pakistan considers Azerbaijan an important partner in the transition to sustainable and inclusive energy development, the minister said, emphasizing the need for industrial growth supported by renewable energy technologies. Malik highlighted Pakistans readiness for joint projects, especially in gas infrastructure. Azerbaijan is helping us develop gas infrastructure and fields in Pakistan. Our existing pipeline network spans 120,000 kilometers, making it well suited for regional collaboration, he noted. The minister added that Pakistan is actively engaging in agreements with energy-exporting countries, while also advancing its own domestic production and exploration efforts. 3 June 2025 17:16 (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. Azerbaijan has significantly increased its crude oil and bituminous product exports to the Czech Republic in the first four months of 2025, according to the State Customs Committee, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 3 June 2025 20:35 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Once scarred by decades of occupation and devastated by landmines, Lachin has now emerged as a symbol of Azerbaijans renewal, regional connectivity, and geopolitical unity. On May 28, 2025, a date carrying immense historical significance, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, together with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, gathered in Lachin to inaugurate the regions new international airport and hold a landmark trilateral summit. This convergence not only marked Azerbaijans Independence Day and Pakistans Youm-e-Takbir, but also sent a clear message of shared resilience and strategic brotherhood. Against this powerful backdrop, President, Pakistan-Azerbaijan Alumni Association (PAAA) and Chairman, Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), Qaiser Nawab, shared the following remarks with Azernews: On the sacred soil of Lachin, once a land scarred by conflict and mines, now rising as a beacon of resilience, a new chapter in the history of regional unity was written on May 28, 2025. The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, came together for a trilateral summit and the inauguration of Lachin International Airport, a powerful message of hope, peace, and enduring brotherhood. This symbolic convergence of three brotherly nations in Lachin was not merely a ceremonial gathering. It was a loud, proud declaration to the world: our unity is built not on transactions, but on trust; not on convenience, but on shared destiny. May 28 holds profound significance for both Azerbaijan and Pakistan. It marks Azerbaijans Independence Day, celebrating the birth of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918the first secular democratic republic in the Muslim world. It also marks Youm-e-Takbir in Pakistan, the day in 1998 when the country demonstrated its nuclear capability to preserve its sovereignty and regional balance. To witness the leaders of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan standing shoulder to shoulder in Lachin on this historic day was deeply emotional. It was more than symbolismit was the manifestation of a shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous future built on brotherhood, sacrifice, and mutual respect. Lachin, once marred by occupation, war, and deadly landmines, has transformed into a vibrant emblem of Azerbaijani resilience and renewal. The inauguration of Lachin International Airport is not only an infrastructure milestone, but it is also a gateway of peace, reconnecting this historic region with the rest of the world. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan rightly said during the summit: This land, which once echoed with the sounds of war, now welcomes the sound of hope, progress, and solidarity. The opening of the airport reflects President Ilham Aliyevs visionary leadership, who has guided Azerbaijan with strength, wisdom, and compassion. His father, the late Heydar Aliyev, laid the foundation of modern Azerbaijan, and today, his legacy is alive through the rebuilding of territories that once lay in ruins. As someone who has had the privilege to visit Azerbaijan multiple times, I recall vividly the emotional sight of Pakistani and Azerbaijani flags flying side by side in Baku during the 44-day Patriotic War. It was a visual testimony to the love between our people. And now, Lachin adds a new chapter to this saga of solidarity. The PakistanTurkiyeAzerbaijan trilateral summit in Lachin was historic in every sense. It brought together three nations connected by deep cultural ties, shared history, and unwavering support in times of need. President Ilham Aliyev hailed the summit as a unity of brothers with a shared vision. He acknowledged Pakistan and Turkiyes steadfast support during the Karabakh conflict and underscored the importance of continuing this fraternity on all regional and global platforms. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, one of the worlds most vocal champions of Muslim solidarity, emphasized the need to strengthen trilateral cooperation in defense, trade, technology, and humanitarian diplomacy. His statement resonated with clarity: Our unity is our strength. Together, we are a force for peace and dignity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, representing Pakistan, lauded the visionary leadership of both President Aliyev and President Erdogan. He stressed that the PakistanAzerbaijanTurkiye triangle is not built on short-term interests but on the long-standing values of trust, dignity, and shared destiny. He proposed establishing trilateral institutional mechanisms to enhance economic, energy, and youth cooperationa timely and strategic vision that can uplift millions in our region. Pakistan has always stood by Azerbaijan. During the 44-day Patriotic War, Pakistan extended full moral and diplomatic support, rejecting any normalization with the occupying regime. In return, Azerbaijan has consistently backed Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, including at the United Nations and OIC platforms. This mutual respect and support is not just politicalits personal. The affection between our people is profound, visible through growing cultural exchanges, student programs, and now, increasing trade and defense cooperation. Likewise, Turkiye has been Pakistans closest strategic partner, a friend in every storm. From earthquake relief to defense collaboration, from fighting Islamophobia to standing for Palestine, the two nations have always supported each other unconditionally. Today, the trilateral bond among Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan is not just an allianceits a model. A model of Muslim unity based on principles, vision, and action. As a youth advocate and President of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Alumni Association (PAAA), I see enormous potential in youth-to-youth diplomacy. Young minds from our nations can connect through joint academic exchanges, innovation hubs, climate action, and cultural projects. That is how we will secure this partnership for generations to come. At BRISD, we are already working to promote people-to-people connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative, and our focus includes linking youth movements, sustainable businesses, and cultural diplomacy between these three nations. In a world marred by conflict, disinformation, and mistrust, the Lachin Summit sent a clear message: Muslim nations can unitenot just in words, but in action. The leaders of Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan have shown that it is possible to come together to promote peace, prosperity, and sovereignty. From the high mountains of Lachin to the plains of Punjab, from the Bosphorus to the Caspian, our friendship flows like a riverunshakable, unstoppable, and eternal. As we celebrated Azerbaijans Independence Day and Pakistans Youm-e-Takbir on May 28, we witnessed more than historywe witnessed destiny in motion. This is not just diplomacy. This is not just infrastructure. This is brotherhoodforged in sacrifice, fueled by vision, and destined for greatness. 3 June 2025 23:29 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The first container train has been dispatched from the joint cargo terminal in Xi'an to the Kazakh-Chinese Zhetysu terminal in Almaty, Azernews reports. The commissioning of the new terminal is scheduled for June 10. The terminal is set to become the largest container hub in Almaty, specializing in the consolidation and distribution of imported goods from China. Its infrastructure supports terminal processing of goods transported by rail and road to and from China. The complex will offer a full range of logistics services, including warehousing, customs clearance, and first- and last-mile delivery. Thanks to its strategic location at the intersection of key international transport routes, the terminal is poised to become a major center for consolidating cargo flows and a leading logistics hub in Kazakhstan. Creating sustainable synergies between the Almaty and Xi'an logistics hubs will ensure efficient integration into trans-regional supply chains. The project aims to develop modern infrastructure and reduce logistical costs, boosting trade efficiency between China and Central Asia. This terminal is part of a broader effort to enhance the China-Central Asia-Europe corridor under the Belt and Road Initiative, which is transforming global trade routes and promoting economic growth in participating countries. The new hub in Almaty will play a crucial role in accelerating the flow of goods across Eurasia, potentially shortening delivery times and lowering costs for businesses. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home OFSS Inter 1st Merit List 2025 Today, Check Here Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) releasing today i.e. June 4, 2025, the OFSS Inter First Merit List 2025, also called as OFSS 1st Selection List 2025, of the students who have registered for admission in Class 11 (Intermediate) through Online Facilitation System for Students website www.ofssbihar.info Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:00 AM , ummid.com News Network OFSS Bihar Intermediate Merit List 2025: Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) releasing today i.e. June 4, 2025, the OFSS Inter First Merit List 2025, also called as OFSS 1st Selection List 2025, of the students who have registered for admission in Class 11 (Intermediate) through Online Facilitation System for Students website www.ofssbihar.info. "The Admission First Merit List will be released on June 04, 2025", OFSS Inter Admission 2025 portal said. The Bihar School Examination Board had started receiving Online Application forms for Class 11 (Intermediate) Admission 2025 through Online Facilitation System For Students (OFSS) website (www.ofssbihar.info) from April 24, 2025. The last date of application was initially fixed as May 03, 2025. It was later extended till May 20, 2025. The board has now officially confirmed the date to release the first merit list and selection list along with intimation letter on its website. OFSS Inter Admission 2025 Round 1 The Bihar board said OFSS First Merit List 2025 will be published on the official website on Wednesday June 04, 2025. "The last date to confirm admission is June 10, 2025", the Board said. The Bihar board also said that the date and schedule of Slide up process and to download the intimation letter is from June 4 to 10, 2025. Direct link to check "OFSS Inter 1st Merit List 2025" Once released, the OFSS merit list will be available on the official website ofssbihar.info. Follow the steps given below to check and download the Bihar Class 11 merit list 2025. Go to the OFSS website: " ofssbihar.info ". ". In Important Official Links section click on "Download 1st Merit List". Enter User name and ID if asked. Check your name in the list if it is in PDF. The candidates who find their names in the first Merit List should download the intimation letter from the website and proceed to confirm their admission before June 10, 2025. The cut off marks for Inter or Class 11 admission in Bihar will also be uploaded on the board's website. Candidates should also note that there will be a separate link to apply for Slide Up Process. OFSS 2nd Merit List 2025 The candidates who do not find their name in the first merit list should wait for the second merit list. After the OfSS round 1 admission ends on June 10, 2025, the Bihar board will release second merit list based on the vacant seats. The Class 11 or Intermediate admission process in a total of 9,907 colleges in Bihar having more than 11 lakh seats is fully online and is conducted through Online Facilitation System for Students. The students who have passed the Matriculation Examination or 10th Class or equivalent examination from Bihar School Examination Board, Central Board for Secondary education (CBSE), Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) or any other State board are eligible to apply online for admission. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. The owners of a hotel and restaurant in Co Down has said a failure to pay the minimum wage to staff was not a deliberate act. The Whistledown Hotel in Warrenpoint was among 28 firms in Northern Ireland highlighted by the UK Government last week for failing to pay minimum wage to staff, in some cases as far back as 2022. In total, around 1,650 workers in Northern Ireland were underpaid almost 160,000. According to the Department of Business and Trade, the Whistledown had failed to pay 2,154.29 to 46 workers. The Northern Ireland company with the highest bill was Property Management Services, which has a registered office address in Annagh Drive, Craigavon. DBT said the company had underpaid 414 staff to the tune of 54,852.44. The Whistledown in Warrenpoint News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June Colum and Sarah Mc Avoy, the directors of the Whistledown, said the action which led to the discrepancy at their company had not been intended to deprive staff of the minimum wage; they said it was a historical matter which had been identified in 2022. We are confident that the public will understand this issue arose during an exceptionally challenging time and that it was not the result of any deliberate wrongdoing, they said. The issue, the directors added, had arisen when it charged staff refundable deposits for a new contactless fob system. They said: During the Covid-19 pandemic, we made the decision to replace our traditional clock-in system with contactless fobs in response to staff concerns and in line with best hygiene practices at the time. This change was made to protect our teams health and wellbeing, in a period of extreme uncertainty for all. As part of this transition, a refundable deposit process was implemented. Following a routine review, HMRC later highlighted that this accounting approach had, in a small number of cases, temporarily brought some employees below the minimum wage threshold for a specific hour. This was never a deliberate act. The issue had not been flagged by our payroll system and was only identified through HMRCs retrospective compliance checks. The pair said they had taken immediate action to rectify the situation. All affected employees were fully reimbursed, and the process was amended in direct consultation with HMRC to ensure future compliance. Throughout the Covid crisis, we did our utmost to safeguard the livelihoods of our team, making full use of the furlough scheme to retain staff and maintain jobs at a time when our industry was under extraordinary pressure. Like many hospitality businesses, we were navigating an avalanche of sudden changes to operations, public health protocols, and employment regulations, all while trying to keep our business afloat and our team protected. The vast majority of our staff have always been paid above the minimum wage. They said the company did not appear on the most up-to-date HMRC list of companies who had not paid the minimum wage. They added: We remain fully committed to fair pay and responsible employment practices. Many of our team members have been with us for over 20 years, a fact we are incredibly proud of and one that reflects the supportive working culture we strive to maintain. A Government spokesperson said: The minimum wage is not optional it is the law. We have issued clear guidance for employers on how they can pay their workers correctly. Professional services firm Deloitte Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of a new Belfast office senior partner. Marie Doyle has succeeded Jackie Henry in the role of office senior partner, after Ms Henry spent 12 years in the role. Ms Henry will continue in her role as managing partner for people and purpose, serving on the UK executive team. As office senior partner, Ms Doyle will be responsible for guiding the team at Deloitte in Northern Ireland and working with the partner group to shape the direction of the Belfast office. Ms Doyle, who leads Deloittes technology and transformation practice in Northern Ireland, brings more than 20 years of experience to her new position. Since joining Deloitte in 2004, she has worked with public and private sector clients, specialising in large-scale, technology-enabled transformation. Her expertise includes developing and implementing transformed operating models and driving digital transformation for organisations in sectors such as health, education, policing and social security. Ms Doyle said: Having recently moved into our new home at The Ewart, I believe Deloitte is well positioned to capitalise on a dynamic and changing market, and to continue serving the evolving needs of our clients in the public and private sectors. My priorities as office senior partner will be to add to the success of our combined business in the local market, to grow the presence of our national firm in Northern Ireland through the attraction of new talent and teams, and to ensure that Deloitte NI is a great place for our people to work and develop their careers. Ms Henry congratulated her successor: I know that she will be an excellent leader. And with her overseeing the next phase of growth, Im confident that Deloitte Northern Ireland is in very safe hands. Deloitte has 1,300 staff in Northern Ireland and has announced plans to create another 500 technology-focused jobs in Belfast over the next three years. Properties including two KFCs and a Tesco Express belonging to Northern Ireland investors are going under the hammer later this month. The assets are among properties to be auctioned off in an online sale by commercial property agents Osborne King on June 26. Some of them belong to the same Northern Ireland property investor who is now selling many of their assets which are let to major businesses. The KFCs are both drive-thrus and are located at Hanover Place in Coleraine and at Harbour Estate in Larne. The Coleraine property has a guide price of 430,000 and is let to KFC at just under 35,000 per year, with the lease due to expire in 2036. The Larne property has a guide price of 410,000 and is let to the fried chicken giant for just under 33,400 a year, with the lease due to expire in 2031. They will continue trading as normal under a new owner. The property housing Tesco Express in Larne A Tesco Express on Larnes Main Street has a guide price of 500,000, and is let to Tesco for around 51,700 a year, with a lease due to expire in 2033. The KFC at 66 Hanover Place, Coleraine News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June And an Iceland supermarket on Scotch Street in Dungannon has a guide price of 450,000 and an annual rent of 55,000. Its lease is due to expire in 2027. Osborne King director Mark Carron said the properties up for auction belonged to a number of private clients. Similar properties, including another KFC restaurant and a Tim Hortons drive-thru, had been sold at an earlier auction in April. KFC at Hanover Place in Coleraine He said: The April auction saw some very strong prices and strong yields for the KFC and Tim Hortons investments, and hopefully the June auction goes the way we want it to go. According to the Impartial Reporter, the KFC in Enniskillen and been up for auction at a guide price of 450,000, eventually selling for 497,500. In 2020, Northern Ireland entrepreneur and KFC franchise holder Michael Herbert sold 146 KFCs, one Pizza Hut venue and some development sites to the EG Group. In December 2023, they were then sold on to Yum! Brands KFC Division. Patrick Corrigan and Kathryn Torney release The report - Threats and violence against journalists in Northern Ireland A senior figure in the media industry said people have got away with murder amid a raft of threats and attacks on journalists. Seamus Dooley was speaking as an Amnesty International report was launched yesterday stating Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in the UK to work as a reporter. The report Occupational Hazard? Threats and violence against journalists in NI features 26 interviews, including 22 with journalists in which they recounted their experiences of being told they would be shot or stabbed and threatened with bombs under their car. Patrick Corrigan the human rights organisations NI director spent the past 12 months along with journalist Kathryn Torney on the report which uncovered over 70 threats or attacks on journalists since the start of 2019. Since June 2022, only two people have been successfully prosecuted for threats against journalists. Amnesty International released the report which details experiences of journalists in Northern Ireland (Kevin Scott/Belfast Telegraph) Seamus Dooley, the assistant general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ireland, said there has been a conspiracy of silence with journalists reluctant to talk about their experiences. He thanked Ms Torney and Mr Corrigan for their work compiling the report with the help of the NUJ, but said that even this picture isnt necessarily clear. I think this is just the start, he said. People have not only just got away with abuse, threats and intimidation, but they have also got away with murder. The killers of Sunday World journalist Martin OHagan, who was murdered in 2001, remain at large nearly a quarter of a century later. Mr Dooley said the abuse of female journalists in particular is rising. The abuse of female journalists online and misogyny is also an issue that needs to be spoken about, he said. He added that there is a benefit in seeing so many journalists come together on this issue. Journalism can be an egotistical profession and sometimes people who put their hands up and say I feel under threat can be seen as attention seeking to some, he said. Nothing could be further than the truth. The benefit of this report is that it gives people the agency to say we have had enough, we are standing up and we are being counted. Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International UK (Lucy North/PA) Ms Torney said there is strength in numbers with many journalists feeling confident in coming forward to share their stories for the report. Patrick Corrigan added that many journalists have lost confidence in reporting threats to the police. Ultimately its up to the PSNI to restore that confidence and for us to see investigations leading to successful prosecutions, he said. The report is dedicated to Mr OHagan, who was shot dead by the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in 2001, and Lyra McKee, who died after being struck by a bullet while observing rioting in Creggan in Londonderry in 2019. PSNI Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson said the police will take time to consider Amnestys report. The PSNI takes the safety of journalists very seriously and has been very much involved in developing both national and local plans to tackle this issue over the last couple of years, he said. As a result, we have developed a joint strategy and joint plan with NUJ and with local editors. "We have appointed two Journalist Safety Officers, established an internal Journalist Safety Group, implemented screening arrangements within our contact management centre and ensured that reports of threats and crimes by journalists are investigated by detectives. CGI image of proposed new testing facility from planning application submitted by Resonate Testing A mechanical and environmental testing company in Newry has announced a major expansion in response to growing demand from the space industry in the UK and Ireland. Resonate Testing said it had scaled up its operations and applied for planning permission for a new facility on its site. It has also installed a testing system known as a thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) used to simulate the harsh conditions of space. It has also added a shaker table for electrical vehicle and space sector clients requiring large battery testing capabilities. Tom Mallon, managing director of Resonate Testing, said: The addition of TVAC significantly enhances our profile within the UK and Irish space sectors, he said. "However, its clear that further infrastructure is needed to support the long-term growth of this industry. "Our hope is that plans recently submitted for a new, purpose-built facility on our existing site, designed specifically to meet the future testing demands of the space sector, will ultimately serve as a centre of excellence not just for Resonate Testing, but for all of our colleagues operating in this industry. The facility would serve clients across the UK, Ireland and wider EU. And Mr Mallon said the company had received support from the industry, and economic development agency Invest NI. He added: The positive response from the space sector has been overwhelming, and were especially thankful for the continued support from our returning customers. "Their trust has enabled us to invest in new equipment, facilities, and skilled personnel. "We also must pay homage to Invest NI which has been steadfast in its support for us and our peers over the last number of years. Resonate Testing is taking part in the ISAM conference on Wednesday and Thursday June 4 to 5 at the ICC in Belfast. One of NI's most recognisable food firms back in profit after years of losses Mash Direct has returned to profitability after losing 2m in the previous two accounting year. James McNaney digs into what has brought yields up at the family business From left, Lance, Martin, Tracy and Jack Hamilton, directors of prepared vegetable company Mash Direct James McNaney Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 07:29 One of Northern Irelands most recognisable food brands has reported healthy financial returns in their accounts, after a few years of losses. Why the reputation of the Irish League is at stake in Linfields European showdown with Shelbourne RQIA confirms it was not approached to carry out a review Sinn Fein's Philip McGuigan has called on the department to publish the report Problems at the RVH's cardiac surgery unit featured in a leaked report last week The Department of Health bypassed its own regulator in obtaining the damning report into the cardiac unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. A leaked report made headlines last week after it found an intolerable working environment and a pattern of consistently poor behaviour within the unit. It indicated operations had been cancelled due to personal grievances between staff and that four consultants had been working from home, citing safety and wellbeing concerns. Chair of the health committee, Sinn Feins Philip McGuigan, has called on the department to publish the report in the interest of transparency, adding that he had not yet seen it. Northern Irelands health watchdog, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), has confirmed it was not approached to carry out a review into the issues at the cardiac surgery unit. A spokesperson said: RQIA has not been asked to produce any such report recently. The body had previously inspected the unit in December 2021. It came a year after a Royal College of Surgeons invited service review report which found a breakdown of communication and working relationships within the service. The invited service review was completed in March 2020, just weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, and made 37 recommendations relating to interpersonal and behavioural issues within the service. RQIAs review found some improvements had been made. RQIA were pleased to see early signs of change and improvement whilst cognisant that it takes time to make cultural changes and embed these fully within a service; it is a journey that requires strong and resilient leadership to embed the vision, align behaviours accordingly and instil robust systems of monitoring and accountability, concluded the regulator. It recommended that the Trust should ensure the cardiothoracic management team involves and actively engages with all staff disciplines and groups. Meetings should be structured to promote constructive discussion and collaboration to address the recommendations of the invited service review, added the review team. It is understood the leaked review was commissioned by the Public Health Agency (PHA) working alongside the department. A Department of Health spokesperson said expert input from other parts of the UK was required to complete the report. Cardiac surgery is a highly specialised service and the Royal Victoria Hospital is the only unit in Northern Ireland to deliver this service, they said. For this reason, securing expertise from people experienced in the area means going outside Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein's Philip McGuigan has called on the department to publish the report An earlier external review had been undertaken in the Royal Victoria Hospital by the Royal College of Surgeons. That review confirmed the cardiac service was safe, but highlighted areas for improvement. Whilst Belfast Trust subsequently undertook work to address issues raised, the department and PHA obtained further external expertise to help support the team with a focus on two metrics patient safety and team working. It was agreed to engage an experienced team with specific expertise involving senior clinicians who had completed similar work in the UK, including in other cardiac surgery units. Mr McGuigan told the BBC Sunday Politics programme that the report had led to very many public trust issues. We are told there are recommendations and an action plan contained within the report. I think for proper scrutiny and to restore public trust, what we need to see is the report in the first instance published so we can interrogate the recommendations for restoring public trust in this issue, he said. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said he wants to place the report in the library of the Assembly, but is currently receiving legal advice. People need to have confidence when they go to a hospital or whatever health setting that they are going to be looked after properly, added Mr McGuigan. One of the things in the report was that the behaviour of the staff was posing a risk to patient safety, so that in itself is very concerning. Harvard University filed a lawsuit Friday morning against the Trump administration, seeking an immediate temporary restraining order to halt the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) move to revoke the school's certification to enroll international students. The legal action comes after DHS notified Harvard it was no longer certified under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a status the university has held for more than 70 years, citing allegations of campus antisemitism and race-based discrimination. More than 7,000 students study at Harvard on a visa. In a message to affiliates, Harvard President Alan M. Garber called the revocation "unlawful and unwarranted," stating, "It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams". The 72-page suit accuses DHS of an "unprecedented and retaliatory" act, arguing that decertification would force current and prospective international students to transfer or lose their legal status in the U.S. Harvard's lawyers contend the action would "seriously and immediately disrupt the University's ongoing, day-to-day operations" and "impairs the educational experience of all Harvard students by diminishing the global character and overall strength of the institution". Harvard's court filing describes the government's move as politically motivated retaliation, carried out "without process or cause," and claims it violates the First Amendment by infringing on academic freedom and retaliating against constitutionally protected speech. The university also argues the loss of SEVP status would put it at a "competitive disadvantage" in admissions for years to come. The lawsuit names DHS, the Department of Justice, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of State as defendants. Harvard is represented by attorneys including Robert K. Hur and William A. Burck, both of whom previously served in high-level roles under former President Donald Trump. The DHS justified its action by alleging Harvard's response to an April 16 records request was "insufficient," specifically requesting detailed information on international students' disciplinary records, protest participation, and documentation of "dangerous or violent activity." Harvard maintains it complied with all requests, submitting documents on April 30 and May 14. The suit notes that Trump publicly called for revoking Harvard's tax-exempt status in April, and that the DHS records request followed just one day later. The university argues the government's demands exceeded regulatory norms and that no evidence of violations was provided. If a judge does not grant Harvard's request for a temporary restraining order by Sunday, DHS could proceed with terminating the visa status of thousands of international students. The university warns this would cause "immediate and irreparable harm" and disrupt academic operations as well as the lives of affected students and staff Matthew McCormick was on holiday with his family in Rhodes (Matthew McCormick/PA) A Belfast man has recalled the terrifying moment he felt the whole hotel was just shaking as an earthquake in western Turkey reached the Greek island where he was holidaying with his family. The magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the Turkish resort town of Marmaris at 2.17am on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring at least 69. Tremors were also felt in neighbouring regions, including on the Greek island of Rhodes, waking many from their sleep. Matthew McCormick, a father of two from Belfast, was on holiday with his family in Rhodes when he was woken up by a loud rumbling noise. We got to bed and had just fallen over to sleep and the next thing there was just this loud, rumbling noise, Mr McCormick (35) said. And then the next minute, the whole hotel was just shaking. It was very surreal, it woke me and my wife up and my first concern was for the four-year-old beside us. She woke up and she started to cry. She was terrified I think for us at that point, it was just trying to make sure she was OK. I tried to have a look at the roof, and it didnt look like there were any cracks or anything appearing in the roof. I figured that we were safe enough. Mr McCormick, who is heading home to Belfast on Tuesday, said he was initially concerned about a bombing attack when he first woke up but soon discovered it was a natural disaster. My gut feeling was either theres been bombs landing somewhere or its an earthquake, he said. Given some of the current global politics there was a slight fear that something had kicked off here overnight. Despite the shaking and disturbance overnight Mr McCormick reported no signs of visible damage and calm seas on Tuesday afternoon. Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X that a 14-year-old girl was taken to hospital and died there after what he said was an anxiety attack. It was not known if she had any underlying conditions. At least 69 other people were treated for injuries after jumping from windows or balconies in panic, he said, but there were no reports of damage to buildings. Salem Swan is currently on holiday in Bodrum, western Turkey (Salem Swan/PA) Salem Swan, a 25-year-old carer from Sunderland who is on holiday in Bodrum in western Turkey, also felt her hotel shaking. The earthquake wasnt that strong where we are in Bodrum, we are about 164km from Marmaris where the earthquake hit, she told PA. There was some shaking around 2.15am for us but it only lasted for maybe 30 seconds to a minute here so it was over quite quick. None of the buildings here were affected as far as I know but we have had a leak in our accommodation bathroom which we are under the impression the earthquake potentially had caused. Matthew McCormick was on holiday with his family in Rhodes (Matthew McCormick/PA) News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent. In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighbouring Syria. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is not advising against travel to either western Turkey or the Greek islands at present. DUP members have walked out of a council chamber in Co Down after an equality row broke out over bi-lingual signs, trans issues and disrespect. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council ratified its language policy with a majority vote on Irish and English gateway signage on Monday evening. But unionists objected to the new signs for almost 90 communities in the district at the full council meeting which ended with the DUP choosing to step away from the equality and good relations committee until further notice. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council buildings News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June It took the decision within 30 minutes of the language policy being approved when the partys motion on biological women was moved to remit of the committee by new deputy chairperson and Sinn Fein councillor Gerladine Kearns. The DUPS Jonathan Jackson told elected representatives it is really disappointing that this motion is not being heard here tonight in the chamber as he insisted the Supreme court ruling on the definition of sex in our own land is a highly disappointing matter. The council meeting was the first of the new term which started with the election of Sinn Fein reps as chairperson, cllr Philip Campbell and and deputy chair, cllr Gerladine Kearns. The motion had been for the council to ban trans women from having rights to use council owned female toilets. And just on that basis and on the basis on the earlier discussion on the Irish language signs we as the DUP group have had to make a decision to withdraw from good relations reference group until further notice," cllr Jackson said. "And unfortunately tonight when there are other motions being heard above this one we feel the need that we cant take part in tonights meeting any more and we will withdraw. Referring to the decision on Irish signs, Slieve Croob DUP cllr Alan Lewis said he thinks it would be a fair guess to say that the council will be met with a fairly hefty repair bill. "Because we arent blind we know that these signs have been damaged and wrecked in the past, he said. But, let me be extremely clear, do I support them being vandalised? "No, because it sends out the wrong message. But I think we are living in cloud cuckoo land if we dont think these signs will be damaged. Slieve Gullion UUP rep David Taylor expressed concerns that the equality committee has failedIm just sorry we couldnt find a way forward. Alliance supported the bi-lingual signs with cllr Tierna Howie saying: Across the British Isles languages are embraced, why should Newry, Mourne and Down be different? It prompted the DUPs Glyn Hanna quipped the party should now change its colours from yellow to light green. The ratification of plans to install Irish signs comes six years after it was first proposed. In a joint statement issued after the tense meeting. the DUP working group on the council defended the regrettable decision to withdraw from the gathering due to the continued disrespect towards the DUP and those we represent. Councillors Callum Bowsie, Glyn Hanna, Jonathan Jackson, Alan Lewis, Henry Reilly accused fellow councillors of forcing through Irish signage without the consent of unionists and refusing to allow the DUP to debate important issues in full council meetings. We have expressed our concerns with the council installing Irish leading signage in towns where the vast majority of residents do not identify with or use the Irish language, they said. In 2023, the council consulted District Electoral Area (DEA) Forums and yet despite not all DEAs in the council area voting for bilingual gateway signs, this has been completely ignored. "For six years we have engaged in this debate around gateway signage in good faith through the councils Equality and Good Relations Reference Group and have made clear we are willing to discuss how old Irish place names can be promoted in a fair and balanced manner so that all traditions are respected, and which reflects the delicate balance of community relations in Northern Ireland. We have stressed that culture and language provisions must be about facilitation rather than imposition. However, after 12 meetings on this topic in the EGRRG, once again it is the case of majority rule by Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance to systematically impose Irish signage in every town throughout the district without any regard for the wishes of those communities, who are now expected to assimilate into anothers language and culture, which goes against the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The representatives insisted they have tried to find consensus at the reference groups non statutory meetings, but said the outcome still results in majority rule. "We believe we are wasting our time expressing our concerns via this private forum and we therefore are withdrawing from it until further notice, they added. Other motions heard in the chamber included support for employment rights and the need for an all island election when it comes to voting for candidates seeking to become the President of Ireland. The latter topic upset DUP councillors after their motion on the Supreme Court ruling and its impact on the councils approach to sexed toilets was deemed too controversial for an open meeting. While our motion was denied a public debate, moments later a controversial motion from Sinn Fein which has nothing to do with this council regarding Irish presidential elections being extended to Northern Ireland was allowed to be fully debated during the same full council meeting," the DUP working group statement continued. This is the disparity shown towards unionists on only one evening and doesnt even scratch the surface of what our party has had to endure in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for many years. "The inequality towards unionists is a persistent problem and must end. Think of the other, and give back what you take from others and the earth that feeds us. Its the most fundamental morality. The 45-year-old will appear in court next month Some of the homes targeted during the incident last month A man has been charged in connection with sectarian attacks at a north Belfast housing development last month. The arrest relates to an incident on May 21 when masonry was thrown at properties in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas. A 45-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the incident, which police described as a sectarian motivated hate crime. He has now been charged with criminal damage and is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday July 1. Read more Highly anticipated 70m Bangor project set to finally begin this month after decades of delay As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. The attack in May prompted condemnation from the First and Deputy First Ministers, who jointly called for solidarity in the aftermath. Some of the homes targeted during the incident last month News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June The PSNI said it had stepped up patrols in the area following the incident. NI village 'buzzing' at potential link to US Vice President who hailed his 'Scots-Irish hillbilly' heritage The US Vice President has declared himself a Scots-Irish hillbilly at heart and now historians are scrambling to prove a link with the village of Coagh, writes Mark Bain JD Vance and the Vance monument in Coagh, which may be a signpost to the US Vice President's family history Mark Bain Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 07:21 To watch an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? is to be taken on a journey down strange and unexpected paths through a family history. You never know where it might lead. Police at the scene of a sudden death in north Belfast A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dead in her north Belfast home. The woman, named by police as Marie Green, was discovered deceased at a property on the Shore Road in the early hours of this morning. Police confirmed she was 71-years-old. A 31-year-old man has been arrested by police and remains in police custody. One neighbour described seeing a bare-chested man being bundled into a police vehicle before being driven away. A PSNI spokesperson said this afternoon: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman in a house in the Shore Road area of north Belfast. Police, along with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, responded to a report received just before midnight on June 2. Detective Inspector Jennifer Rea, from the Police Services Major Investigation Team, added: My thoughts are with Maries family and loved ones who are left trying to come to terms with their tragic loss. A man, aged 31, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, remains in police custody at this time. Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances, and I am appealing to anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact detectives on 101. As the news spread through the community, people spoke of their shock and sadness. Half a dozen police officers were gathered at the scene a terrace house in a row occupied by older residents, overlooking an empty park on the other side of the road. Im just in complete shock, one neighbour said. Another said: It really is shocking, I am just stunned. White-clad forensics officers filed in and out of the house as police cordons sealed off the scene. Some people curiously looked on from the other side of the road, watching as police carried on with their work. Shock in the area? I would say there is, said one local shop worker. There is probably a rumour mill as well. People cant believe it, just being down the road. You certainly dont expect it. She would have been a regular at the shop. I know that someone has been arrested. Police at the scene of a sudden death in the Shore Road area of North Belfast on June 3rd 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Another spoke of fear in the community, with a mix of confusion and sadness. Everybody is shocked, there were a lot of police about this morning. There is a bit of fear there as well. We just dont know what happened yet, said another. Another said there was a lot of shock in the area. "We were woken by blue lights at about 1am this morning, they said. "We went down and a police officer said we are dealing with a very serious incident. "There is a lot of shock in the area." They added: This is a very quiet neighbourhood. "We heard police shouting at someone, then his bare-chested man was taken away by police at gunpoint. Joining in expressing his shock and sadness was North Belfast MLA, Phillip Brett. There is a massive shock and sadness in the Shore Road community following last nights tragic incident, said the DUP member. I have spoken with police, and they will be releasing a statement later today. An arrest has been made. My thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted. As a police cordon remained in place throughout the morning, police said their enquiries continue. Military drones and lasers will receive a 5 billion investment as the Government bids to put the kit of the future into the hands of frontline troops. The funding, announced by Defence Secretary John Healey, includes 4 billion for drones and autonomous systems, and an extra 1 billion for lasers to protect British ships and soldiers. It follows the publication of the Strategic Defence Review on Monday that recommended a greater focus on new technology, including artificial intelligence and drones, as an immediate priority. Mr Healey said the investment would provide the most significant advance in UK defence technology in decades and ensure our armed forces have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. He added: We are delivering the Strategic Defence Reviews vision to put the UK at the leading edge of innovation in Nato, by backing British industry and fast-tracking the kit of the future into the hands of frontline troops. Part of the investment will see the establishment of a new drone centre to accelerate the deployment of the technology by all three branches of the armed forces. The focus on drones comes as the technology has proven increasingly lethal on the battlefield in Ukraine, where it now kills more people than traditional artillery. At a meeting of allied defence ministers in April, Mr Healey said the UK estimated drones were inflicting 70-80% of battlefield casualties, while on Sunday Ukraine launched a major attack on Russian airfields deep behind the front line using a fleet of small drones. In addition to investment in drones and AI, the Government has announced an additional 1 billion for the development of directed energy weapons (DEWs) during the current parliament. This includes the DragonFire laser scheduled to be fitted to the Royal Navys Type 45 destroyers from 2027, with a similar system provided for the Army by the end of the decade. DragonFire and other DEWs are intended to provide a lower-cost form of air defence against targets including drones, costing just 10 per shot compared with the thousands of pounds it costs to fire existing weapons. Madeleine McCann disappeared aged three while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. (Family handout/PA) New searches by German police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are expected to begin in Portugal on Tuesday. Madeleine, then aged three, disappeared in 2007 while on holiday with her family in the resort of Praia da Luz after her parents went out to dinner and left her sleeping in a room with her toddler twin siblings. According to The Sun, the new searches will involve radar equipment that can scan beneath the ground and will focus on trenches near where the McCann family was staying at the resort. 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. The Metropolitan Police Service is not present at the search, we will support our international colleagues where necessary. Around 30 German police officers, including forensic experts, will be starting the search on Tuesday, with Portuguese police also on the ground, according to reports. On Monday, Portuguese police reportedly closed off dirt roads in the area where searches will be taking place while tents have been set up in the nearby Atalaia area, near a cottage once lived in by Christian Brueckner, who German prosecutors say is the prime suspect in Madeleines disappearance. 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. German authorities said they are receiving support from Portuguese law enforcement while the Portuguese police said that searches will be carried out between June 2 and 6 in the municipality of Lagos, in accordance with a European investigation order. Any evidence seized by the Policia Judiciaria will be passed to the German federal police. They last carried out searches in the country in 2023 near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz. Personnel at Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algave, Portugal, in May 2023 (Yui Mok/PA) Brueckner, who spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017, had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir. It 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. British police were later given permission to examine scrubland near where she vanished in 2014. 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. A Portuguese police officer patrols the entrance to a road to the west of Praia da Luz, Portugal, where searches are being carried out by officers investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann (James Manning/PA) Search teams have been seen draining a well and clearing areas of dense vegetation near abandoned buildings as the latest search for Madeleine McCann continues in Portugal. German investigators along with Portuguese police officers and firefighters are working in a little-developed area of countryside a few miles from Praia da Luz where Madeleine was last seen in 2007. Then aged three, she vanished while on holiday with her family in the Algarve resort after her parents went out to dinner and left her sleeping in a room with her toddler twin siblings. Journalists were being kept a distance away from the search sites on Tuesday and a no-fly zone was imposed that stopped the used of drones, although some activity could be seen as teams used strimmers, pick-axes, shovels and chainsaws to clear the undergrowth and debris surrounding an abandoned building. Personnel wore safety gear such as gloves and hard hats as they worked in the dense vegetation, and firefighters and police were seen using a yellow hose to drain a well. Around a dozen officers focused on one abandoned building where digging was taking place, while another member of the search team cleared large rocks. Teams dug, shifted rocks and cleared scrub as the work continued on Tuesday. (James Manning/PA) The Sun reported that investigators are also planning to use radar equipment that can scan beneath the ground. TV footage showed two Portuguese police officers guarding the end to a narrow lane that leads through an area of fields and scrubland with a few houses and a vineyard. It has been variously reported that investigators will look where trenches were dug near the resort at the time of Madeleines disappearance, at wells, ruins and water tanks, and that there are plans to examine 21 pieces of land. A Portuguese police van driving down a lane near where search activity is taking place (Joao Matos/AP) The search is being carried out at the request of the German federal police as they look for evidence that could implicate prime suspect Christian Brueckner, who is in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. He is due to be released from jail in September if no further charges are brought. Ulrich Oppold, a journalist from German broadcaster RTL, visited Brueckner in prison in Germany, who said if he gets out of jail the thing he is most looking forward to is a steak with a beer. (PA Graphics) Brueckner refused to answer any questions relating to Madeleine after discussions with his lawyers. He told the journalist that if he does get out of jail he will have to lie low as he is so well known. Brueckner described himself as bekannt wie ein bunter Hund which literally translated is as well-known as a colourful dog. In October last year, Brueckner was cleared by a German court of unrelated sexual offences alleged to have taken place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. (PA Graphics) Around 30 German police officers, including forensic experts, are expected to take part in the search along with Portuguese officers, with the activity due to last until Friday. The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of the operation but that British officers will not be present. German investigators and Portuguese officers last carried out searches in the country in 2023 near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz. Madeleine McCann disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal in 2007 (Family handout/PA) Brueckner, who spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017, had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir. It was previously 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. British police were later given permission to examine scrubland near where she vanished in 2014. Search teams look through a derelict and abandoned property to the west of Praia da Luz, Portugal (James Manning/PA) Last month, Madeleines family, who are from Rothley in Leicestershire, 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. The water sector is beset with deep-rooted, systemic failures, and needs fundamental reform of laws, regulation and infrastructure, a review has warned. The Independent Water Commission was tasked by the UK and Welsh governments to carry out the largest review of the sector since privatisation in the face of widespread public anger over pollution, bills and bosses bonuses although ministers ruled out nationalising water companies. Its interim report has been published as Britains biggest water company Thames Water is again facing the spectre of temporary nationalisation after private equity firm KKR pulled out of plans for a 3 billion bailout. Another of Englands private water firms, South West Water, reported widening financial losses after an outbreak of a parasite in water supplies cost it millions. And water supplies are under pressure after the driest spring in decades has left farmers struggling and millions of households facing the possibility of hosepipe bans, while ministers have warned climate change, a rising population and crumbling infrastructure is putting future supplies at risk. In the interim report published on Tuesday, the commission said multiple issues need to be tackled to rebuild public trust in the ailing sector. It called for regulator Ofwats role to be strengthened and for the watchdog to adopt a more supervisory approach to oversight of water firms. Former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, who led the review into the water sector in England and Wales, told the BBC that more effective regulation was a huge part of solving the problem, with a regulator that could step in early before things got worse. He said: Because when they get worse, as you can see, they are very difficult to sort out, and we need an environmental regulator with the capability to monitor and enforce. He also said that having regulators with different remits and responsibilities for different parts of the process had made the water system expensive and incoherent. The interim review urges the Government to provide clearer long-term direction on what is needed from the water system, and warns key elements of current legislation are badly in need of review and rationalisation. It proposes greater regional decision-making around local water systems, and emphasises the need for a greater focus on long-term, responsible investment and ownership within the industry. It is also considering new standards for the water sectors crumbling infrastructure, warning there is insufficient understanding of the health of assets such as pipes and water treatment plants. Water supplies are under pressure from the dry spring (Owen Humphreys/PA) Companies should plan for long-term resilience of critical assets, not simply fix things when they fail, it warned. Sir Jon said: There is no simple, single change, no matter how radical, that will deliver the fundamental reset that is needed for the water sector. We have heard of deep-rooted, systemic and interlocking failures over the years failure in Governments strategy and planning for the future, failure in regulation to protect both the billpayer and the environment and failure by some water companies and their owners to act in the public, as well as their private, interest. My view is that all of these issues need to be tackled to rebuild public trust and make the system fit for the future. We anticipate that this will require new legislation. Anger has been growing over the polluted state of rivers, lakes and coastal waters, leaks and sewage spills at the same time as significant shareholder payouts and bosses bonuses, and bills which were hiked in April to pay for investment to fix creaking infrastructure. On Tuesday, Thames Water announced private equity giant KKR has pulled out of plans to invest in the company, in the latest blow to the struggling and heavily indebted utility. Thames Water which supplies 16 million customers had hoped KKR would invest more than 3 billion of new equity amid fears the supplier was running out of cash, and its withdrawal from the deal raises the spectre of a temporary government nationalisation once more. And South West Waters owner Pennon has reported widening losses after a parasite outbreak in Brixham, South Devon, cost it around 21 million. The outbreak put some people in hospital and left thousands of homes without safe drinking water some for weeks. Though the interim review points to the need for better regulation of water companies, it does not recommend the wholesale scrapping of watchdog Ofwat which some have urged, and nationalisation which some campaigners have called for was excluded from its terms of reference. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said he had commissioned the water commission to outline recommendations for a once in a generation opportunity to transform the water industry and delivered for the public. The Government will respond to the Commission in full in due course and outline next steps to benefit customers, attract investment, and clean up our waterways for good, he said. Environmental campaigners called for the final report, expected later in the summer, to reshape the water sector to put public health and the environment first and for the Government to implement ambitious reforms. Richard Benwell, chief executive of the Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL), a coalition of 89 nature organisations demanded: politicians must stop equivocating and set clear strategic direction for environmental recovery. Giles Bristow, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, said: The criminal behaviour, chronic lack of investment and woeful mismanagement which has led to sewage filled seas is a direct result of our profit-driven system. This interim report begins to recognise this, but as yet does not spell out the need to end pollution for profit. The commissions final recommendations must reshape the water industry to put public health and the environment first. A spokesperson for industry body Water UK said: Everyone agrees that the water industry is not working. We hope this report will be a starting point for the fundamental reforms the sector needs. We need a less complicated system which allows investment to get quickly to where it needs to go, they said, adding the sector was spending 104 billion in the next five years to secure water supplies, cut sewage and support economic growth. Police to begin new search for Madeleine McCann in area where she went missing A new search for Madeleine McCann is due to start today, with police starting in Praia da Luz, where the child disappeared in 2007. The searches will be the first in Portugal for more than two years, with the operation led by German police. The search comes after evidence that Madeleine is dead was said to be on a hard drive discovered in a former factory that belongs to the prime suspect in her disappearance, Christian Brueckner, who lived in the area at the time Madeleine went missing in 2007, while on holiday with her family in Praia De Luz, Portugal. German police suspect the three-year-old was killed by Brueckner, who has recently been acquitted of unrelated sexual offences in Germany. According to the Sun newspaper, the drive was found in 2016 at a shuttered factory that Brueckner had bought for 20,000 in 2008. The suspect allegedly admitted to killing Madeleine at a music event, according to an insurance document that investigators discovered. There have always been doubts about his credibility. Masks, chemicals and firearms were reportedly found at the abandoned property, along with childrens clothing and toys. Two memory cards and six USB sticks were also found in a wallet by German police. A dog discovered the evidence in 2016. In one case, the suspect described drugging a mother and daughter outside of a nursery school, while in another, spoke of abusing a four-year-old girl. It was also found that he had Skype talks with other paedophiles, in which he expressed his desire to capture something small and use it for days. Police reportedly discovered over 75 bathing costumes, toys and miniature bikes during the searches, along with pictures of four- and five-year-old girls being abused. Brueckner had also visited the Algarve in the years following Madeleines disappearance, according to a satellite navigation system. A Channel 4 documentary, to be broadcast tomorrow, will present the claims in their entirety. Disposable vapes ban comes into force in bid to improve health and cut litter Last October, Brueckner was cleared at the court in Brunswick of three charges of aggravated rape and two of sexual abuse of children. Prosecutors had argued for the German national to be handed a 15-year sentence and are expected to appeal against the decision. Brueckner (48) is already serving a seven-year prison term in Germany for raping a woman in 2005 in the Algarve region of Portugal where Madeleine went missing. He had been on trial since February over the offences he was alleged to have committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. A former prison cellmate of Brueckners had told a German court that he heard him bragging about abducting a girl in Portugal. Prosecutors in Portugal officially declared Christian Brueckner an arguido (suspect) in 2022. It is thought he visited the area around the time Madeleine went missing. Despite the British government dedicating millions of pounds to police investigations, Madeleine has never been found. Why Spending Review offers Stormont a huge opportunity to bring about reforms A three-year settlement from the Chancellor provides a chance for the Executive to take longer-term look at what it funds and how Finance Minister John O'Dowd has requested extra funding for Casement Park as part of the Spending Review Ann Watt Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 07:46 Westminsters imminent Spending Review will set the social and economic tone for the whole of the UK. Its implications for Northern Ireland will be significant, as will the Executives decisions about the funding it receives. 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. Eagle Archives, July 2, 1957: The Marauders drum and bugle corps will be absent from the 1957 Fourth of July Parade after a split with the Pittsfield Firemens Association, which demanded the return of all instruments amid tensions over name changes and sponsorship. Friends and acquaintances are dropping like flies. As I approach the four-score milestone, my address book is a list of ghosts and goblins and folks who never go bump in the night. The same is true for businesses with whom I have traded. Their doors are shuttered and their online portals are shut. The latest is Joann Fabric and Crafts, a company who has slid into bankruptcy after several years on the slippery slope. I will miss this retailer more than most because of my fiber arts home-based business. To put it plainly: I sew, as I have done for more than half of my life. When retirement reared its prickly head, I looked for opportunities to continue to earn money and socialize among strangers. For almost all of the 20 years I have rehomed to the Berkshires, I have been working at craft fairs and outdoor markets to vend my works: mostly quilts, tote bags, aprons and baby items. I love creating unique items and I equally love seeing the folks who buy them. A popular item is a childrens apron, sized from toddlers to teens, which are often sewn from bright-colored fabrics with popular characters and fancy trim. Ill always remember a young girl named Sofia who wanted the purple Frozen style. When grandma bought it, Sofia put it on, twirled around the farmers market and refused to take it off. Thats my idea of a satisfied customer. I depended on Joanns for that Disney fabric and lots of others. Over the years, I have purchased dozens and dozens of yards of juvenile fabrics, and the items I create almost often sell the first time I show them. I also do custom work, so sometimes I would search the aisles on Dalton Avenue for the required colors and patterns. When I created a gift quilt for my college roommates second wedding, I spent weeks looking for the color palette she requested. I do buy fabric in other places yard sales are great for vintage cloth but Joann was a reliable option with unfailingly helpful and friendly staff. I call it the sisterhood of the cloth, although males are welcome to the club. Buying material online is problematic for several reasons. Descriptions are no substitute for touch. Often, cheap goods from abroad are thin and designs are unevenly printed. Costs can escalate when shipping rates are added. Time is also an issue when you need something sooner rather than later especially when you have a project deadline. One of my favorite parts of shopping in the store was the clearance corner. Not only were the prices great, but you could often find things you didnt know you needed. Those surprise finds often spurred a burst of creativity, and the finished products often sold easily. One of my signature items is a roomy tote bag fashioned from outdoor fabric of the kind folks use to cover patio cushions. It isnt cheap, but one day I found a remnant of an aqua fabric printed with huge tropical fish. One yard was enough for a bag, which sold the first day I took it to a sale. I bought more fabric in a rainbow of colors every time it was on sale. I must have sold more than 20 of those bags, and I still enjoy making them. People often buy them for seaside vacations because you can plop them right down in the sand and keep everything dry. When my current stash runs out, I will have to search for another source of that particular fabric at a price I can afford. I will also miss the convenience of popping in for a special spool of thread or a specific shade of bias tape for my apron bindings. Farewell, Joann and all your friendly staff. It was my pleasure to shop there. by Scott Samuelson The sole cause of mans unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room. Blaise Pascal In its Recovered Books Series, Boiler House Press has just republished Christopher Burneys Solitary Confinement, originally released in 1951, a profound, steely, and even sometimes funny account of the five-hundred and twenty-six days the author spent in a Nazi prison cell during World War II. Ted Gioia, whos written a preface to the new edition, calls it one of the great masterpieces of contemplative literature. Even though Ive made a point of exploring the masterpieces of contemplative literature, I hadnt heard of Solitary Confinement until a few weeks ago. Given its publishing history, it seems that the books fate is to be praised as a masterpiece (by luminaries like Roberto Calasso and Frank Kermode), fall immediately into oblivion, and then be rediscovered a decade or so lateronly to go through the same cycle all over. The backstory of Solitary Confinement has the makings of a good movie. Christopher Burney (1917-1980) was born in England to upper-class parents, spent part of his childhood in India, dropped out of school at the age of sixteen (shortly after his beloved father keeled over from a heart attack around the tea table), and then wandered around Europe for a few years picking up languages. Because Burney had learned to speak French idiomatically without an accent, the British army enlisted him as a secret agent during the war. Blind-dropped into occupied France, he made his way to a crew of fellow operatives to disrupt German supply lines. When it was discovered that a double agent had infiltrated his group, Burney attempted to flee to Spain with the Nazis in hot pursuit. Surprised in his sleep by Abwehr agents who were tipped off by a hotel clerk, he was thrown into solitary confinement at Fresnes Prison in the south of France. His cell was just ten feet long by five feet wide. The space was mostly taken up by a bed and a small table, which he turned on their side during the day to do exercises and walk back and forth. During his year and a half in the prison, he communicated with practically no one. A few times he was interrogated and tortured. Occasionally fellow inmates tried to tap out words through the walls or shout messages through their slim windows at night. But Burney avoided communicating with themat first because he was leery that they could be informers and eventually because hed worked out a successful routine of solitude that he worried would be irreparably broken by any variation. Burneys waking hours split into two halves. There was the time from waking until the days food arrived: a rolls worth of bread, a thin slice of liver sausage or a cube of cheese, and a bowl of cabbage in its watery broth. Then there was the time until he could go to sleep. His big decision each day was whether to keep the bread untouched until the evening or to eat it with the weak soup for a close equivalent to a full meal. In his beloved France, it was hard to think of other things than omelettes, Beaujolais, and Brie. He observes, I soon learned that variety is not the spice, but the very stuff of life. To deal with the barren stretches of alone time, this high-school dropout reinvented for himself the liberal arts, the arts of freedom. Every evening he treated himself to a concert of whistled tunes: martial songs to fortify his spirit and nostalgic melodies to make him shed a tear for home. The rest of the day he paced and pondered the central questions of death, happiness, time, and eternity. He wondered if any conception of God could be reconciled with his pan of putrid soup. He weighed if the secret of living in prison, and perhaps of all living, is to dream of pleasant things when there are none real to be enjoyed, and to make the most of the few real pleasures. He speculated about language and its relationship to the great realities: There is no one concept of love, however many symbols may be invented for it . . . Poets mirror love roughly in refractory words; philosophers skirt round it in wide detours; and if more lyrics have been sung than doctrines expounded on it, that is no doubt because lyrics are brief and pleasing and doctrines interminably long. Occasionally, the guards handed him a scrap or two of paper to wipe himself with. One day the ration was the last few pages of a book on Plancks Constant. Though Burney had no training in physics, weeks of constant meditation eventually revealed the mathematical argument. In late spring he was allowed outside for a few minutes, and the reality of the earth overwhelmed him: Best of all was the careless way of the growing grass, short here, long there, facing in all directions, and with dandelions spreading darker patches waywardly where their seed had dropped . . . I guess it is the handkerchief of the Lord, said Whitman. When I read Burneys comparison of his mental life to the stone of Sisyphus, I had to reconsider Albert Camuss conclusion to his essay on the mythological figure who must always push a heavy rock up a mountain only to watch it roll down: The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a mans heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. Heres what Burney says he learned from his experience in solitary confinement: I knew that so many months of solitude, though I had allowed them to torment me at times, had been in a sense an exercise in liberty. For, by absolving me from the need either to consider practical problems of living or to maintain the many unquestioned assumptions which cannot conveniently be abandoned in social life, I had been free to drop the spectacles of the near-sighted and to scan the horizon of existence. What can we learn from Burneys experience? How can those of us who havent had to endure solitary confinement get past cliches of There but for the grace of God go I and I wonder if I could handle that? Like Boethius in a similar situation, Burney comes to reject strict dichotomies between good and evil, freedom and imprisonment. He finds them untrue and unhelpful: Life is not a gloomy and impossible grey, as moralists would have it, to be sorted into black and white: all its aspects form a spectrum, of which the greater part is hidden to a single pair of eyes . . . the tiniest window bringing light will always dominate the bleak and oppressive walls and the dangerous passages beyond them. Though freedom and imprisonment, good and evil, and so on, are opposites, theyre not absolute opposites. Not only does darkness depend conceptually on the light, it contains a shining seed in its darkest dungeon, and that light is what is real. In the depths of his solitary confinement, Burney isolates a vision in which pessimism becomes optimism, and the good of life is no longer overshadowed by its imperfections. The lesson, which all of us must rediscover again and again, is that we need to stay in touch with the shining arts of freedomgratuitous activities like music, math, and contemplationor else were prisoners of whatever environment we find ourselves in, even if we have at our disposal all the omelettes, Beaujolais, and Brie in the world. Though Solitary Confinement deals strictly with Burneys time in Fresnes, after seventeen months in that hellhole, he was delivered to another nightmareto Buchenwald, where he managed to stay alive for another year and a half, until the camps liberation by the American army on April 12, 1945. Unless we can stop the degradation of our humanity into a bundle of functions and confected identities, as Christopher Burney writes elsewhere, it will mean back to Buchenwald for me and a maiden trip for most of you. *** Scott Samuelson holds a joint appointment at Iowa State University in Philosophy & Religious Studies and Extension & Outreach. Hes the author of three books: Rome as a Guide to the Good Life, Seven Ways of Looking at Pointless Suffering, and The Deepest Human Lifeall published by the University of Chicago Press. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Govt supports indigenous manufacturing of complex pharma excipients by Nitika Pharmaceutical Specialties June 03, 2025 | Tuesday | News For commercial-scale production of 14 complex excipients image credit- pib The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has extended financial support to Nitika Pharmaceutical Specialties Private Limited, Nagpur, for their project titled Manufacture of Complex Excipients. Excipients, though pharmacologically inactive, are critical to the functionality, stability, and delivery of medicines. As drug formulations become increasingly sophisticatedwith the rise of complex generics, biopharmaceuticals, and novel delivery systemsthe demand for high-quality, tailor-made excipients has surged globally. Through this project, Nitika Pharmaceutical Specialties aims to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for commercial-scale production of 14 complex excipients that cater to advanced pharmaceutical applications. These products will be developed in line with the Quality by Design (QbD) framework, ensuring precision in parameters like surface area, particle size, and stability to meet international standards. Established in 1991 and later incorporated as a Private Limited Company in 2011, Nitika has evolved into a trusted global supplier of fine chemicals and specialty excipients. With a DSIR-recognised in-house R&D facility and a global footprint across 90 countries, the company is well-positioned to translate this project into a significant leap toward self-reliance in pharma auxiliary production. The project is also aligned with the Government of Indias Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals, under which Nitika has been selected as a beneficiary under Group C MSME (Pharmaceuticals). TDBs support complements the broader national mission of fostering indigenous manufacturing, reducing import dependency, and expanding Indias export potential in high-value pharmaceutical components. 3. 6. 2025 cas cteni 1 minuta In its "Business Case for Change", Bangor Universitys Executive is proposing to discontinue German and Chinese and run the Modern Languages programme with only Spanish and French (Italian is already closed for further recruitment). These changes would take effect from the academic year 2026/27 onwards. It is also proposed to reduce staffing in both Spanish and French, taking effect for the academic year 2025/26. Furthermore, the proposal includes the immediate closure of the Languages for All scheme which offers language courses in Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish for students, staff and members of the local community in North Wales. Consultation on the Business Case for Change closes on 13th June. Colleagues in Modern Languages at Bangor University are fighting back, and we would be grateful for any support and lobbying for Modern Languages from you. This is what you can do to support a diverse Modern Languages programme in North Wales: 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 A High Court judge has directed the BBC to pay 50,000 damages, plus 250,000 legal costs, to former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams pending a possible appeal by the broadcaster against the full costs and damages orders made in his defamation case. On those conditions, Mr Justice Alexander Owens agreed on Monday to give the BBC a stay on payment of the full 100,000 damages awarded to Mr Adams by a High Court jury. Advertisement The stay also applies to the judges order for the BBC to pay Mr Adams legal costs, estimated at up to 3 million. Eoin McCullough SC, for the BBC, said it is still considering whether to bring an appeal against the jury decision and award made last Friday. When counsel asked about a further stay on the conditions of the stay imposed by the judge, the judge told him he would have seek any such further stay from the Court of Appeal. The judge was told the BBC is still considering whether to appeal last Fridays finding by a High Court jury that it defamed Mr Adams by publishing a claim that he sanctioned the murder of a British agent. The jury awarded Mr Adams 100,000 damages to vindicate and restore his reputation. Advertisement Following the verdict, Mr Justice Owens made costs orders in favour of Mr Adams. The amount of costs, yet to be decided, has been estimated at up to 3 million for the 21 day action. Mr Adams claimed the 2016 Spotlight programme and a related article defamed him by falsely accusing him of giving the final say in the murder of MI5 informant Denis Donaldson by dissident republicans at a cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal, in 2006. The jury agreed, as Mr Adams had pleaded in his claim, that words published in the programme and article were understood to mean he sanctioned and approved the murder. The BBC had argued the claim against Mr Adams was couched as an allegation but the jury rejected the BBCs defence that the publication of the allegation was fair, reasonable and in the public interest. Advertisement On Monday, Mr McCullough outlined a number of possible grounds of appeal, including concerning the treatment of evidence from the family of Mr Donaldson and a decision to exclude evidence of Austin Stack, whose father was shot by the IRA in 1993. The judge said he was not really persuaded there was anything in any but one of the grounds set out. He said he was partly with counsel on a point concerning how the jury had considered defences by the BBC that the publication was in good faith and was fair and reasonable. There was a point concerning whether the jury should have been asked to consider whether the publication was done in good faith prior to considering whether it was fair and reasonable, he agreed. Advertisement He did not think there was anything in the other points, the judge said. Mr McCullough said his side regarded the jurys award of 100,000 as unsustainable for a broadcast of very small circulation. The judge said it was obvious a broadcast like that would be picked up and there was publicity about the allegation made against Mr Adams. To accuse anyone of murder, of sanctioning a murder, is right up there at the top in my view, he said. Advertisement Mr McCullough said Mr Adams had not pleaded a case for damages on the basis of republication elsewhere. The judge suggested the plaintiffs side could have argued the BBC would have known something as nefarious as that would be immediately picked up. Earlier, Thomas Hogan SC, for Mr Adams, said there was a low bar for an appeal, that an appellant had to show a ground was arguable. Counsel said he did not propose to fight any appeal point at this stage. There was a very significant inequality of arms between the sides but his side, with very limited resources, had managed to prevail, he said. Mr Hogan said the BBC was seeking the stay without even saying it was going to appeal the jury outcome. That suggested the stay application was strategic and any stay should have conditions attached, including for payment of something towards the award and costs. Mr McCullough said he wholly rejected any suggestion of bad faith in the stay application. The BBC wanted to take advice and had not yet decided on an appeal, he said. It was likely any appeal would be heard promptly, he added. The judge, who said he did not regard the stay application as a strategic one, granted a stay on payment of the full award and legal costs on condition the BBC pay out 50,000 of the award to Mr Adams and 250,000 towards his legal costs. In other submissions, Mr Hogan accepted his side could not seek some extra-territorial injunction which would geoblock the disputed publication. When counsel referred to concerns in some quarters last weekend about the prospect of geo-blocking the entire BBC, the judge laughed and said he had read those. There was no jurisdiction to do that, he said. The jury award of damages was made on the basis of it being told an injunction was not an available remedy, the judge added. The BBC has indicated it will apply on Tuesday afternoon for a stay on orders relating to Gerry Adams successful defamation claim against the broadcaster. 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. Advertisement On Friday, a jury at the High Court found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams took the BBC to court. Photo: Brain Lawless/PA It also found the BBCs actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. The full amount of legal costs to be paid by the BBC in the libel case has yet to be determined. On Tuesday, Hugh McDowell, for the BBC, told Judge Alexander Owens that senior counsel Eoin McCullough intended to apply for a stay in the afternoon. Advertisement A stay on orders in the case would allow the BBC further time to consider whether it will lodge an appeal. Last week, 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. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. In the programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave the final say. Advertisement Director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, outside the High Court in Dublin during the legal action. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr Adams said the allegation was a grievous smear while the BBC has described the legal action as a cynical attempt to launder his reputation. The high-profile republican sought damages of at least 200,000 from the BBC. However, the British public service broadcaster had argued it would be a cruel joke to award the former Sinn Fein president any damages. Advertisement Ireland What Gerry Adams said during seven days of evidenc... Read More It had argued the allegation was corroborated by five other sources and that Mr Adams had a reputation of being a member of the IRA. After six hours and 49 minutes of deliberations in total, the jury awarded the plaintiff 100,000 which falls within the medium range for defamation. Adam Smyth, the director of BBC Northern Ireland, said the broadcaster has insurance and makes financial provision for ongoing and anticipated legal claims. The HSE and the National Screening Service has apologised for failings to a young mother of two who is battling cervical cancer. The 38-year old hairdresser had sued over two cervical smear tests, one in 2016 and one in 2020, two years after the controversy around the screening programme broke and which it was claimed were incorrectly reported as negative. Advertisement The apology was read to the court as the young mother Leona Macken and her husband Alan from Artane, Dublin settled a High Court action against the HSE. The 38-year old mother from Artane, Co Dublin outside the Four Courts said it felt great to get an apology from the HSE and National Screening Service but after the Vicky Phelan case nobody expected this to happen. I am fighting this since 2023 . I started asking questions and Thank God I did. We are told to trust the process . Something is not working in the system. Something needs to be fixed. This was 2020 for me and it is still happening; It is not good enough, she said. In the letter of apology from the chief executive of the National Screening Service Fiona Murphy it said on behalf of the Service and the HSE, it wished to apologise to Leona, and her family for the failings that have occurred and led to your diagnosis. Advertisement It added: I wish to express our deep regret to you and your family and acknowledged the many challenges that you have faced as a result of your diagnosis. It concluded: I appreciate that this has been a very difficult time for you and your family and I hope you find some solace with the resolution and conclusion of this process. I hope that this settlement will give you and your family some level of comfort, peace of mind and security. Leona Mackens case before the High Court was fast tracked through the courts system because of the urgency of her diagnosis. Her counsel Jeremy Maher SC instructed by Cian OCarroll solicitors told the court it was a truly tragic case. Counsel said it was their case because of failings in the CervicalCheck programme the two smears in 2016 and 2020 were incorrectly reported and Leona Macken was not diagnosed with cervical cancer until 2023. Advertisement He said Ms Macken has now a limited life expectancy and what should have been stopped in its tracks was not. In the proceedings it was claimed that there was an alleged failure to correctly report or diagnose Ms Mackens smear samples in March 2016 and January 2020 and her cancer was allowed to develop and spread unidentified, unmonitored, and untreated until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in May 2023. It was claimed that the smears taken in March 2016 and 2020 had been incorrectly reported as negative. It was further contended there was an alleged failure to have effective oversight of the CervicalCheck programme and a failure to have regard to the numbers of women developing cervical cancer despite a history of clear smear tests. Advertisement Noting the settlement Mr Justice Paul Coffey said he wished to acknowledge the plea from counsel that the lacuna identified in the Ruth Morrissey case by the Supreme Court be legally filled . This referred to what a husband can claim in such a case. The judge said there was a clear gap in the law. In the Ruth Morrissey case the Supreme Court upheld an appeal by a testing laboratory against damages awarded to her husband for services which would have been provided to the family by Mrs Morrissey were it not for her shortened life expectancy. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has welcomed that the mother of an Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon has been given permission to sue the UN. Sean Rooney, 24, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14th, 2022. Advertisement The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah. Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed. The burial service for Private Sean Rooney at All Saints Catholic Church, Colehill, Co Donegal in December 2022 (Liam McBurney/PA) On Tuesday, his mother Natasha was granted permission by the High Court in Dublin to sue the UN. Asked about the granting of permission to sue the UN, the Taoiseach welcomed developments. Advertisement Natasha Rooney has gone through a terrible trauma in respect of the murder of her son Sean and we await the outcome of the trial in Lebanon, Mr Martin said. We have been very unhappy at the pace in which that trial has taken place, its been slow, and were looking for full accountability. We believe Hezbollah was primarily responsible for the death of Sean, but of course full accountability and full transparency is owed to the Rooney family, so I welcome developments. Pte Rooneys family has pressed the UN to make crucial reports linked to the soldiers death available to his inquest, being conducted by the Dublin District Senior Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane. Advertisement The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest. These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report. The hearing was told there had also been a report 10 months prior to the incident that raised concerns about the integrity of the UN vehicles involved. However, they were originally told there were issues around disclosing these reports. A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of his former girlfriend in Dublin last year. At a brief arraignment at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon, Josh OBrien, of Walkinstown Avenue, Crumlin, Dublin 12, replied "guilty" to the attempted murder of Niamh Kelly at Firhouse Road, Firhouse, Dublin 24 on September 19th, 2024. Advertisement Defence senior counsel Michael OHiggins told the court the injured party in this case was OBriens girlfriend at the time. He said Ms Kelly is receiving ongoing treatment for her injuries and a report on those injuries has been obtained. However, he asked the court to put the sentencing back to a date in October to allow time for an updated report which he said would hopefully provide a clearer picture on the progress of her recovery. Ireland Mother of Irish soldier Sean Rooney gets permissio... Read More Vincent Heneghen SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the State had no difficulties with this request. Mr OHiggins said he was also seeking a psychological report for his client, who has no previous convictions. Mr Justice Paul McDermott directed that a probation report and victim impact statement be prepared and adjourned the matter to October 6th. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information. A man aged in his 40s viciously assaulted a member of An Garda Siochana after gardai attempted to engage with the disruptive passenger onboard a flight to Dublin. On Tuesday morning, the captain and crew of a United Airlines flight travelling inbound from Newark to Dublin reported a disruptive passenger on board and requested the assistance of gardai. Advertisement On arrival, gardai attached to the Dublin Airport Garda Station boarded the aircraft and attempted to engage with the disruptive male passenger onboard. Gardai said the man then proceeded to viciously assault a member of An Garda Siochana. O.C spray was deployed in an attempt to stop the sustained assault of a garda. The man fled the aircraft and was arrested a short time later. He has since been charged with assault and offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 2022. He remains in Garda custody and is due to appear before Dublin District Court on Tuesday. The Garda member who was injured during this incident is being treated at Beaumont Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The mother of a young Irish soldier killed in action in Lebanon three years ago has been given permission by the High Court to sue the United Nations in the Irish courts. Private Sean Rooney (24) was killed while on UN duty when the armoured vehicle he was driving from south Lebanon to Beirut came under fire in December 2022. Advertisement His mother, Natasha Rooney, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, has already initiated proceedings against the Irish Defence Forces, the Minister for Defence, and the State parties, Ireland and the Attorney General, over the death of her son. She is suing for mental distress allegedly sustained by her and other members of the soldiers family as a result of his death. Her counsel, Ray Motherway BL, told the High Court on Tuesday that Pte Sean Rooney lost his life in an ambush and they now wanted leave to issue and serve proceedings on the UN, which has headquarters in New York. On December 14th, 2022, Pte Rooney was driving a UN-marked armoured SUV-type vehicle which was travelling as part of a two-vehicle convoy on an administrative run to Beirut Airport from the Irish UN base, Camp Shamrock. Four soldiers were in each SUV. Advertisement The vehicle driven by Pte Rooney became separated from the other one and ended up in a town called Al-Aqbiyah where it came under gunfire and Pte Rooney was killed. Central to the case against the UN is the allegation that UN officials allegedly ordered soldiers at the Irish base to stand down from going to assist as those officials believed other peacekeepers may have been closer. In an affidavit to the High Court grounding the application, solicitor Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law solicitors said investigations by the Irish Defence Forces were ongoing, a criminal prosecution in Lebanon was ongoing and a verdict from the Dublin Coroners Court was awaited. The affidavit said there was currently limited information available to Ms Rooney regarding the relevant circumstances. As the United Nations has it main office and place of business in the United States, the affidavit said it was necessary to bring the application for leave to issue and serve the intended proceedings outside the jurisdiction. Advertisement Mr Mackin said the United Nations is a proper party to the proceedings as it was involved in the operation of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Pte Rooney was killed in action on a Unifil peacekeeping mission. Ireland Lebanese ministers offer assurance to Harris ove... Read More The Republic of Ireland, he said, was an appropriate jurisdiction where to hear and determine the intended proceedings as the balance of the intended defendants have their main offices within the State and witness are likely to be resident in Ireland too. He said it would also save on costs rather than have the dispute litigated in Lebanon or in the United States. Mr Justice Paul Coffey accepted jurisdiction and granted permission to issue a plenary summons and serve it on the UN based in New York. A copy of the personal injuries summons, which will set out the allegations against all parties, will now be served on the UN, which will have 42 days to enter an appearance in the case. Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a woman in north Belfast. The woman, aged in her 60s, was pronounced dead at a house in the Shore Road area in the early hours of Tuesday. Advertisement A man, aged in his 30s, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman in a house in the Shore Road area of north Belfast: https://t.co/qY5xgf0urV pic.twitter.com/X68pbRFVQs Police North Belfast (@PSNIBelfastN) June 3, 2025 A police spokesperson said officers, along with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, responded to a report received just before midnight. Sadly, a woman, aged in her 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday June 3, they said. A man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in police custody at this time. A range of stories feature across Tuesday's newspaper front pages, including the latest on the Carlow supermarket shooting incident. The Irish Times reports that just 15 per cent of the new planners sought by city and county managers two years ago to speed up the delivery of new housing have been recruited. The Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mail reveal that the Carlow supermarket shooter was out on bail on firearms charges and was due in court later this week. Advertisement The Irish Independent says gardai are now keeping watch on the gunman's associates. The Irish Sun and Irish Daily Mirror say the gunman was "obsessed with weapons" and "feared going to prison". The Herald and Irish Daily Star publish photos of the Carlow gunman and name him as Evan Fitzgerald (22). The Belfast Telegraph says shops destroyed during the city's "race riots" last year were only offered 4,000 in compensation. Former Sinn Fein politician Michelle Gildernew says she bears "no ill will" towards the party after they dropped her, The Irish News reports. Some families are facing childcare bills higher than their mortgage, a Cork TD tells The Echo. A 76-year-old woman who died in a house fire in Galway has been named as Sonia Sunny Jacobs, who served 17 years in prison, including time on death row, after she was wrongfully convicted of the murder of a US policeman and a Canadian constable. Ms Jacobs perished after a blaze broke out at her bungalow near Casla in Go Galway on Tuesday morning. Advertisement A man in his 30s, who is understood to have been her carer, also died in the incident at Gleann Mhic Mhuireann. Gardai and the emergency services were alerted to the fire at 6:20am on Tuesday. The bodies of the man and woman were recovered from inside the property. The scene has been preserved for a technical examination. Postmortem examinations will be carried out at University Hospital Galway. Ms Jacobs was placed on death row in Florida in 1976 having been wrongfully convicted of a double murder. Advertisement Her son was nine whilst her daughter was just 10 months old when she went to prison. When Sunny Jacobs was freed in 1992, her son Eric was a married father whilst her daughter Christina was 16 years old. Ms Jacobs told the BBC in 2017 that when she went to jail when she was a mother, a daughter and a wife and by the time she came out she was a grandmother, an orphan and a widow. Ms Jacobs and Jesse Joseph Tafero, the father of the younger of her two children, were tried separately, convicted, and sentenced to death by the same judge for the murders of two police officers at a rest stop off of Interstate 95 in Broward County, Florida in 1976. Ms Jacobs and Mr Tafero had been travelling with their two young children Eric and Christina when their car broke down. They were trying to get home to North Carolina. A man Jesse knew called Walter Rhodes agreed to drive the couple and their children home. Advertisement Sunny fell asleep with the children in the back seat, but was startled awake by a policeman knocking on the window of the parked car. The officer was Philip Black, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and his friend Donald Irwin a Canadian constable who was on holiday. She said that gunfire broke out and Black and Irwin were slain. Jacobs and Tafero maintained from the beginning that Rhodes had shot the officers, and that they had nothing to do with it. Although there were two eyewitnesses to events surrounding the murders, neither contradicted Jacobs' and Tafero's version of what happened. Nor was their version contradicted by physical evidence. Both Tafero and Rhodes had gunpowder residue on their hands, a fact that was consistent with Tafero's claim that Rhodes handed him the gun after shooting the officers. There was no gunpowder residue on Jacobs' hands. Advertisement The convictions of Jacobs and Tafero rested primarily on the testimony of Rhodes, who was allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1981, the Florida Supreme Court commuted the sentence of Ms Jacobs to life in prison. Mr Tafero was not so lucky. He was put to death in 1990. After the execution, Mr Rhodes confessed he had fired the fatal shots confirming both Jesse's and Sunny's long-maintained innocence. Sunny was freed in 1992 when she was 45 years old. Ms Jacobs subsquently met and married Peter Pringle in 2013. Mr Pringle had been sentenced to death in 1980 in Dublin for the murder of two gardai, John Morley and Henry Byrne, in a bank raid in Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon. Advertisement He served 15 years in jail before he was released in 1995 after his convictions for the July 1980 murders were deemed unsafe. Following her release from prison Sunny Jacobs campaigned for the abolition of the death penalty. She met Mr Pringle at an Amnesty International event in 1998. He was also involved in advocacy work. Mr Pringle died on New Years Eve 2022 at the age of 84. In an interview with The Guardian newspaper in 2013 Mr Pringle said that he was deeply touched when he heard about the story of Ms Jacobs. I just had to talk to her. There was this spiritual connection there." Ms Jacobs told the paper that she had to learn how to do things all over again when she was freed from prison in 1992. I had to learn how to make a living, be a mother and simply be a person again. It was very difficult, but at the same time I wanted to get past it. I wouldn't say my experience haunts me, but it's always there. Everyone gets challenged in life and you can either spend the rest of your life looking backwards, or you can make a decision to keep going. That's the choice I made." Ireland Timetable of case against former Armagh GAA captai... Read More While Ms Jacobs was in prison her parents, who looked after her children, died in a plane crash. She said that her focus was on rebuilding her relationship with her children once she was freed. In her Guardian interview she said that she had never expected to find love again. "I'd given up on meeting anyone. I just accepted that not everyone was meant to have a partner. But then I met Peter." The pair set up the Sunny Healing Centre in rural Connemara where they offered a space for healing and respite to individuals who had faced miscarriages of justice. Ms Jacobs was also an author and spoke at universities and conferences. Oscar winning actress Susan Sarandon played Sunny in the movie The Exonerated which was released in 2005. Dior is appointing its menswear designer Jonathan Anderson to also head womenswear designs and haute couture, replacing Maria Grazia Chiuri and widening his role as it seeks to reignite sales, the label said on Monday. "Jonathan Anderson is one of the greatest creative talents of his generation. Its unique artistic signature will be a key asset for writing the next chapter of the Dior house's history," LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault said in a statement. Advertisement The French fashion house named Co Derry-born Anderson (40) in April as head of menswear designs, recruiting him from smaller LVMH label Loewe. The award-winning designer from Magherafelt generated buzz around Loewe over the decade he spent at the Spanish label, thanks to quirky designs that caught the attention and praise of fashion critics. Signature styles under his tenure include baggy, barrel-legged jeans priced at 800 and the compact Puzzle handbag, which sells for around 3,000. Anderson, whose departure from Loewe was announced in March, is one of several new high profile designers taking over some of the world's biggest fashion labels amid a wide-sweeping industry overhaul, including Chanel and Gucci. Advertisement The sector is struggling to pull out of a prolonged slump, weighed down by China's property crisis and economic uncertainty in the United States. Top luxury houses are betting on new design direction to help rekindle interest from shoppers, who have pulled back on fashion as prices rise. In his new role, Anderson succeeds Chiuri (61), who was recruited in 2016. The first female creative director at the label, Chiuri relayed feminist messages and showcased artwork at her runway shows, which featured modern renditions of house classics, including Dior's famous, nipped-waist bar jackets, adding fluidity and sometimes a sporty flair to feminine gowns. The Netherlands national museum has a new object on display that merges art with Amsterdams infamous Red Light District: a nearly 200-year-old condom, emblazoned with erotic art. The Rijksmuseum said in a statement that the playful prophylactic, believed to be made around 1830 from a sheeps appendix, depicts both the playful and the serious side of sexual health. Advertisement The condom (Kelly Schenk/Rijksmuseum via AP) It is part of an exhibition called Safe Sex? about 19th century sex work that opened on Tuesday. The condom, possibly a souvenir from a brothel, is decorated with an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen. The phrase This is my choice is written along the sheath in French. According to the museum, this is a reference to the Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting The Judgment of Paris, which depicts the Trojan prince Paris judging a beauty contest between three goddesses. Advertisement The condom is on display until the end of November. Extremists have killed dozens of soldiers in an attack on a military base in Mali, civil society and military sources said on Tuesday, in the latest militant violence in West Africas restive Sahel region. The attack on Sunday on the base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso, killed at least 60 soldiers and wounded 40 more, a civil society activist in the area told The Associated Press. Advertisement They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to reporters. The al Qaeda-linked JNIM group claimed responsibility. A military source told the AP there were around 280 soldiers in the base, and all of those who didnt die were taken prisoner by the terrorists. Malis army acknowledged the attack in a statement on Monday, adding that soldiers had fought to their last breath. It did not provide an exact death toll. Advertisement Mali, along with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled an insurgency by armed groups, including some allied with al Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, they have expelled French forces and turned to Russias mercenary units for security assistance. In a separate attack on Monday, JNIM claimed responsibility for co-ordinated attacks on a military airport, a military base and army checkpoints in the northern town of Timbuktu. Malis army said on social media it repelled the attack and that 13 extremists had been killed. It did not say whether any soldiers were killed. Advertisement A hospital employee in the town said one soldier died of his wounds and 10 other people were wounded. Timbuktu residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw armed men enter the town on motorcycles. They spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals. Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Centre for the New South, said the high level of co-ordination in the two attacks shows that JNIM had been planning them for a while. Attacks by extremists have been on the rise in Mali and neighbouring Burkina Faso in recent weeks. JNIM has established a strong presence in both. The latest searches for Madeleine McCann are getting under way in Portugal with officers gathering in countryside a few miles from the resort where she was last seen in 2007. Madeleine, then aged three, disappeared while on holiday with her family in the resort of Praia da Luz after her parents went out to dinner and left her sleeping in a room with her toddler twin siblings. Advertisement Police vehicles were seen around 5km from the resort on Tuesday, in the Atalaia area, where The Sun newspaper has reported search teams are expected to use radar equipment that can scan beneath the ground. The BBC said four vans carrying German officers were seen driving down a road leading to the sea, along with Portuguese police and a fire engine. Journalists were being kept a distance away from the search site amid intense international media scrutiny of the operation. It has been variously reported that investigators will look where trenches were dug near the resort at the time of Madeleines disappearance, at wells, ruins and water tanks, and that there are plans to examine 21 pieces of land. Advertisement The search is being carried out at the request of the German federal police as they look for evidence that could implicate prime suspect Christian Brueckner, who is in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. He is due to be released from jail in September if no further charges are brought. In October last year, Brueckner was cleared by a German court of unrelated sexual offences alleged to have taken place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. Around 30 German police officers, including forensic experts, are expected to take part in the search along with Portuguese officers, with the activity due to last until Friday. Advertisement London's Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the operation but that British officers would not be present. German investigators and Portuguese officers last carried out searches in the country in 2023 near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 50km from Praia da Luz. Personnel at Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algarve, Portugal, in May 2023 (Yui Mok/PA) Brueckner, who spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017, had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir. It was previously 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. Advertisement British police were later given permission to examine scrubland near where she vanished in 2014. Last month, Madeleines family, who are from Leicestershire in England, 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. Far-right politician Geert Wilders has pulled his party out of the ruling Dutch coalition in dispute over a crackdown on migration, sparking a political crisis and possibly the end of the 11-month-old government of prime minister Dick Schoof. Mr Wilders announced his decision in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. Advertisement The government meltdown comes just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of Nato leaders in The Hague and amid global instability. It was unclear what would happen next. The government could attempt to remain in power as a minority administration or call new elections for later this year. Schoof called an emergency Cabinet meeting for early afternoon. Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof (Omar Havana/AP) Mr Wilders told reporters that he was withdrawing his support for the coalition and pulling his ministers out of the Cabinet over its failure to act on his desire for a clampdown on migration. I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands, said Mr Wilders, whose Party for Freedom is still riding high in Dutch opinion polls, though the gap with the centre-left opposition is negligible. Advertisement Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the right-wing Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy, said before the meeting that Mr Schoof urged the leaders to act responsibly. The prime minister who appealed to us this morning said that we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way, Mr Yesilgoz told reporters in parliament. But just minutes later, the meeting was over and so was Mr Wilders involvement in the government. Im shocked, Mr Yesilgoz said, calling Mr Wilders decision super-irresponsible. Advertisement After years in opposition, Mr Wilders party won the last election on pledges to slash migration. He has grown increasingly frustrated at what he sees as the slow pace of the coalitions efforts to implement his plans. Last week, Mr Wilders demanded coalition partners 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 at the time that if immigration policy is not toughened up, his party is out of the Cabinet. Mr Wilders decision comes days after conservative Karol Nawrocki was announced the winner of Polands weekend presidential run-off election, a victory that suggests that Poland will likely take a more populist and nationalist path under its new president, who was backed by US president Donald Trump. Advertisement It is not the first time Mr Wilders has turned his back on power. He pledged his support to a minority government led by former prime minister Mark Rutte in 2010, but walked away less than two years later after a dispute about government austerity measures. You know that if you work with Wilders in a coalition it wont go well, Rob Jetten, leader of the opposition D66 party, told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Caroline van der Plas, leader of the pro-agriculture populist Farmers Citizens Movement that is part of the coalition, said she was angry at Mr Wilders decision. He is not putting the Netherlands first, he is putting Geert Wilders first, she told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Advertisement Nicolien van Vroonhoven, leader of the New Social Contract party that has taken a battering in polls since joining the coalition and the departure of its talismanic leader Pieter Omtzigt, said the government could continue without Mr Wilders, saying a minority Cabinet is definitely an option. A Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Tuesday, in which at least four people were killed and many others injured, was described by President Volodymyr Zelensky as brutal. According to authorities, a barrage of multiple rockets struck apartment buildings and a medical facility in the centre of the north-eastern city a day after direct peace talks made no progress on ending the three-year war. Advertisement Mr Zelensky said one of the rockets fired at Sumy pierced the wall of an apartment building but failed to detonate. Thats all you need to know about Russias desire to end this war, Mr Zelensky wrote in a post on Telegram. It is clear that without global pressure, without decisive action from the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who holds power, (Russian president Vladimir) Putin will not agree even to a ceasefire. At talks in Istanbul on Monday, delegations from the warring countries agreed to swap dead and wounded troops. But their terms for ending the war remained far apart. Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The war has killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations, as well as tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides along the roughly 620-mile front line where the war of attrition is grinding on despite US-led efforts to broker a peace deal. Though Russia has a bigger army and more economic resources than Ukraine, a spectacular Ukrainian drone attack that Ukrainian officials said damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia was a serious blow to the Kremlins strategic arsenal and its military prestige. Both Mr Zelensky and Mr Putin have been eager to show US president Donald Trump that they share his ambition to end the fighting, thereby aiming to avoid possible punitive measures from Washington. Ukraine has accepted a US-proposed ceasefire, but the Kremlin effectively rejected it. Mr Putin has made it clear that any peace settlement has to be on his terms. Advertisement A senior Ukrainian delegation led by first deputy prime minister and economy minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has travelled to Washington for talks about defence, sanctions and post-war recovery, Andrii Yermak, the head of Ukraines presidential office, said. The delegation will meet with representatives from both major US political parties, as well as with advisers to Mr Trump, Mr Yermak added. Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president who now serves as deputy head of the countrys Security Council chaired by Mr Putin, indicated there would be no let-up in Russias invasion of its neighbour. The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone elses delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction of (Ukraines government), he said. Advertisement In an apparent comment on the latest Ukrainian strikes, he declared that retribution is inevitable. Our army is pushing forward and will continue to advance, Mr Medvedev said, adding that everything that needs to be blown up will be blown up, and those who must be eliminated will be. Ukrainians on the streets of Kyiv welcomed their countrys stunning drone strike on Russian air bases but were gloomy about the chances for a peace agreement. The Russians wont negotiate peace with anyone, said 43-year-old Ukrainian serviceman Oleh Nikolenko. Russia has invested too many resources in this war to just stop for nothing. Advertisement Anastasia Nikolenko, a 38-year-old designer, said diplomacy cannot stop the fighting. We need to show by force, by physical force, that we cannot be defeated, she said. Russia has recently expanded its attacks on Sumy and in the Kharkiv region following Mr Putins promise to create a buffer zone along the border that might prevent long-range Ukrainian attacks hitting Russian soil. Sumy is about 15 miles from the Russian border. It had a prewar population of around 250,000. Houston: 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 on Monday. Police were dispatched to a home in south San Antonio about 7pm on Sunday for a shooting in progress call. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the wounded 59-year-old near the street. Jonathan Joss (right) with Amy Poehler in a scene from Parks and Recreation. Credit: NBCUniversal via Getty Images The officers attempted life-saving measures until EMS [emergency medical services] arrived. EMS pronounced the victim deceased, San Antonio police said in a statement. Joss death was confirmed by his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales. London: Prince Harry asked Princess Dianas brother about changing his family name to Spencer, according to reports. During a rare visit to Britain, Harry is said to have sought advice from his uncle, Earl Spencer, about whether to assume his mothers surname. It would have meant dropping his current family name, Mountbatten-Windsor, which is used by his children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 3. Harry, the Duke of Sussex, 40, was advised against the move by the earl, 61, because of the legal hurdles, according to 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 newspaper. Staff at Westpacs RAMS home loan franchises submitted fake payslips from employers that did not exist to get mortgage applications over the line, the corporate watchdog says in a new court case alleging systemic misconduct within the lender. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Wednesday launched legal action against RAMS, a home lending business that Westpac bought in 2007. Westpac closed RAMS to new customers in August last year. Westpac says RAMS is working co-operatively with ASIC to resolve the proceedings as quickly as possible. Credit: Getty Images The case, which follows investigations by ASIC, alleges RAMS was in breach of the Credit Act by failing to properly supervise representatives of the company, and it says this resulted in widespread misconduct by RAMS franchisees and staff. RAMS admitted it conducted business with unlicensed persons, failed to properly supervise its representatives, and failed to have proper policies and procedures in place. Westpac, which has previously acknowledged misconduct in RAMS, said RAMS was working with ASIC to resolve the proceedings as quickly as possible. Read the full story here. The initial study calculated that for every 10 colony-forming units (spores captured from the air and grown on agar plates) within one square metre of a home, the chance of a resident infant having pulmonary hemosiderosis was 9.8 times higher. But the airborne mould concentrations were calculated incorrectly. When reviewers corrected the mistake, the calculated risk almost halved. Hidden black mould revealed after renters pulled a couch from the wall, submitted to the Facebook page Dont Rent Me. They also discovered a suspicious sample taken months apart from the others, which had a wildly different diversity of fungi. Worried that the time of year had affected the sample, or that a different sampling method had been used, they discounted it from analysis. Doing so reduced the odds ratio from 9.8 to 1.9. And there was another clanger. The study was supposed to be blind, which means scientists take measurements without knowing which study sites are the controls to reduce bias. But one investigator admitted they knew which houses the sick babies were from. Not wanting to miss any spores, the investigator pounded air ducts and furniture, stirred up dust, and took twice the number of samples in the sick babies homes compared to the control houses. That totally skewed the data. As a result, two teams of reviewers concluded the link between black mould and sick babies was inflated, statistically unstable and unproven. The debate around health risks Thats not to say black mould is safe to be around. The truth is mould of any species and colour can release spores, fragments and toxins that pose health risks. The black mould saga highlights the challenge in investigating these health risks, because its very hard to accurately measure spores in the air. Measurement methods have error rates between 30 and 200 per cent, and the concentration of airborne mould can fluctuate by a 10,000-fold difference over a single day. That makes it hard to tie a certain level of mould to any one symptom. As the federal Health Department points out: A causal relationship to any health effect from exposure to indoor damp or mould in the general population is yet to be established. Holly Konopka in her rented Coogee apartment. She has had to move her bedroom furnishings into the lounge room because of mould growing on the ceiling. Credit: Janie Barrett In a 2018 parliamentary inquiry into biotoxins, the real estate industry seemed to use this uncertainty to hose down fears people had about living alongside mould. The Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) told the inquiry theres a general unwarranted fear surrounding the identification and presence of mould with little medical or scientific evidence to support such fear. (A spokesman for the organisation told me that conclusion was based on a New Zealand report into the dangers of living in a house previously inhabited by people who smoked meth, which included a section on mould. The report was not available.) Loading Its true many of us live alongside mould with no obvious issues. But just because we dont know how much mould makes us sick doesnt mean its safe to live with. Three reviews including one produced by the World Health Organisation have confidently linked mould and dampness to coughs, wheezing, respiratory infection, allergic rhinitis, eczema, bronchitis and the serious lung disease hypersensitivity pneumonitis. If youre perfectly healthy, and you have a lot of mould in the house, you can still get very, very sick, says Dr Heike Neumeister-Kemp, an international expert in indoor mould. Landlords behaving badly People who have lived with mould long-term told me they experienced headaches, coughing, hallucinations and vomiting. One man was diagnosed with mould-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which cut his lung capacity by 50 per cent and left him reliant on an oxygen mask during flights. Industrial testers later found mould in his basement. Its clear mould should be removed from peoples living spaces as quickly as possible. Sydney renters living alongside entire walls contaminated with mould. Yet dozens of renters I spoke to had to go through a tribunal to get drips, leaks or poor ventilation the underlying causes of mould fixed. One group of housemates won $5000 from their former landlords for living alongside mould-covered walls, but the landlords simply never paid. Loading Its obvious some landlords and property managers continue to dismiss or downplay mould contamination. (One woman was told the dark stain on her bathroom wall was mould-like dirt. Curious, then, that it grew back every two weeks.) But the WHO is clear: theres enough epidemiological evidence to show mould increases the risk of respiratory illness, asthma, serious lung infection and diverse inflammatory and toxic responses. Landlords are responsible for ensuring homes are free from drips and leaks, and they must ensure rooms and bathrooms are well-ventilated with working fans and windows, the spokesman from REINSW said. Controversial Queensland laws to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with the Crisafulli government told to go back to the drawing board. An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the state government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A conceptual render of the Victoria Park stadium released by the government in March. Credit: Queensland government A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation acts. The United States has been the worlds innovation engine for a century. Its an enviable position that has delivered it, along with allies such as Australia, economic progress and strategic technological superiority. Trumps decision to bar international students from attending Harvard University and a pause on all international student visa interviews are the latest steps in an assault on American research and innovation. Credit: Bloomberg This engine is fuelled by the USs superpower-like ability to draw in the best and brightest internationally. It boasts world-class innovation ecosystems the result of decades of strategic government investment, pro-innovation policy, and an immigration system designed to attract the worlds best talent that promise an unbeatable environment to innovate in. As Australian students at Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), weve been lucky enough to experience the excitement of a thriving US innovation ecosystem where world-class researchers and young scholars work alongside entrepreneurs and highly skilled workers to take an idea to market. Now were watching in real time as the US blunders its superpower as a magnet for global talent and innovation. Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch that killed Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson. See all 49 stories . Follow the coverage of Erin Pattersons evidence here. They lined up like the old days, with camp chairs, coffee, snacks and rugged up against the morning chill. One sported a jacket with a Carlton logo on the sleeve but unlike the scenes of yesteryear, none were there for grand final tickets. People outside the court on Tuesday morning. Credit: Jason South Instead, the crowd of about 25 had gathered outside the Latrobe Valley law courts for a battle of a different kind. Played out in a courtroom not on a footy field. Brussels: Russian President 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 in Istanbul on Monday (Tuesday AEST). The documents first section contained 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. Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky (2nd from right) accused Ukraine of putting on a show for European tender-hearted aunties. Credit: Getty Images 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. 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 On August 1, 1990, British Airways Flight 149, scheduled to fly from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur via stops in Kuwait and Madras (now Chennai), was briefly delayed before take-off. 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 on board. 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. Clive Earthy: I dont want money. What I do want is an apology. I thought that was most peculiar. But I didnt put two and two together for a long, long time. Flight 149 never made it out of Kuwait. While the plane was in the air, unknown 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. Advertisement 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 that 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. 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. 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, Reverend 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. Advertisement Possibly the most famous image of the time was of five-year-old Stuart Lockwood with Saddam Hussein. Lockwood was not on board the plane but lived in Kuwait his father was in the oil industry. August 1990: Five-year-old hostage Stuart Lockwood appears with Saddam Hussein on Iraqi TV days after the invasion of Kuwait. 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. 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. 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 Last July it was announced that about a hundred survivors were 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. Jennifer Chappell: Ive never recovered. Ive suffered with depression and anxiety my whole life. 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 2. 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 September 6, 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 Advertisement A major breakthrough came in 2021 when documents released under the 30-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, the 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. 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. Saddam Hussein (seated, centre) with his family in 1990. Saddam was eventually toppled by a US-led invasion in 2003, and executed three years later. Credit: AP 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 about his story, Overkill or Under-kill, 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, 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 Opportunity for brokers The commercial office market may not be returning to what it was, but its far from finished. With hybrid work models solidifying and tenant preferences shifting, brokers will need to stay agile, offering lending solutions that align with a changing definition of office utility and value. And as businesses reassess their office footprints and lenders become more selective, brokers will need to guide clients through a landscape that now favours high-quality, adaptable properties with stable tenant demand. Meanwhile, brokers who understand lender risk appetite and can help structure deals for asset upgrades, repositioning, or even partial conversions will be in a strong position to add value. US seriously undermines economic talks with China 09:16, June 03, 2025 By Zhong Nan ( Chinadaily.com.cn The United States has seriously undermined the consensus reached during the China-US economic and trade talks in Geneva by repeatedly imposing various discriminatory and restrictive measures against China, said the Ministry of Commerce on Monday. In response to the US claims that China has "recently violated the consensus" reached during the China-US economic and trade talks in Geneva, a spokesperson for the ministry said China will adopt effective measures to defend its legitimate interests if the US persists in its unilateral actions. Following the joint statement issued by China and the US after their economic and trade talks in Geneva on May 12, China promptly cancelled or suspended certain retaliatory tariffs and non-tariff measures against the US. China has acted responsibly to uphold the hard-won consensus, said the Ministry of Commerce in an online statement. The commerce official said that the US has since introduced multiple discriminatory and restrictive measures against China, including AI chip export controls, halting sales of chip design software to China, and revoking student visas. The US has persistently escalated new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral trade relations. Instead of self-reflection, it has falsely accused China of violating the Geneva consensus, severely distorting the truth. China firmly rejects such groundless accusations, said the spokesperson. The Geneva joint statement was a significant achievement based on mutual respect and equality. China urges the US to correct its wrongful actions immediately and work with China to uphold the consensus, the official added. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) This is it. The excise tax exemption on pickup trucks is now gone thanks to the effectivity of the Capital Market Efficiency Promotions Act ... Sarah Slater The Health and Safety Authority has launched an investigation into a freak accident which claimed the life of the chief executive of the Irish branch of Insurance firm Lloyds. The businessman has been named locally as 58-year-old Eamonn Egan. Mr Egan, was also a former amateur jockey, and also hunted with Ward Union. The accident occurred close to his home in Maynooth, Co Kildare, on Monday morning when a tractor loader fell. Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the accident. Mr Egan was pronounced dead a short time later. A post mortem examination is due to be carried out on Mr Egans remains in due course. In a statement the Health and Safety Authority said they are aware of the incident and have launched an investigation. A friend of Mr Egans who did not wish to be named said they were in shock at the news of his death. He was in great form when I met him over the weekend. He would help out anyone he could. A really lovely and kind man. The Coroners office has been notified which is normal protocol in such cases. Mr Egan is survived by a daughter and son who are in their late 20s. By Rebecca Black, PA There have been more than 70 attacks and death threats against journalists in the North over the last six years, a report by Amnesty International has found. The region has been described as the most dangerous place in Ireland and Britain to be a reporter following the report which includes accounts from journalists under threat. Occupational Hazard? Threats And Violence Against Journalists In Northern Ireland reveals that reporters have been told they will be shot or stabbed, threatened with bombs under their car and given 48-hour ultimatums to leave. Lyra McKee was killed in 2019 (Family handout/PA) Two journalists, Martin OHagan and Lyra McKee, were killed in 2001 and 2019 respectively, while others have been physically attacked, had equipment damaged and cars battered with poles laced with nails. Many journalists have taken safety measures in their homes with bulletproof windows and doors with alarms linked up to police stations. The report has added up more than 70 incidents of threats or attacks on journalists in Northern Ireland since the start of 2019. Most of the threats have come from a range of proscribed paramilitary groups loyalist and republican as well as from armed organised crime groups, some with links to paramilitaries. The report also finds that most threats against journalists go unpunished, and there have been no prosecutions for any threats from paramilitary groups. Some journalists interviewed by Amnesty for the report said they feel the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has failed to effectively investigate attacks and threats against them. Since June 2022, there have been only two successful prosecutions for threats against journalists. The report additionally finds that with journalists excluded from the Governments home protection scheme, which funds the installation of security measures, many have been left feeling at risk. The report makes a number of recommendations, including the establishment of a new media safety group by Justice Minister Naomi Long, with representatives from the PSNI, Public Prosecution Service (PPS), media organisations and the NUJ, to deliver a new journalist safety strategy. It also calls for the PSNI to review its procedural response to threats and attacks against journalists and conduct investigations capable of leading to successful prosecutions, and to produce new guidance and training for officers on the protection of journalists during public disorder. The Northern Ireland Office and Department of Justice have been urged to ensure at-risk journalists can access the home protection scheme. The UK government has also been urged to establish an independent public inquiry into the 2001 murder of Martin OHagan if the expected Police Ombudsmans investigation finds serious failings or wrongdoing by the police. Seamus Dooley of the National Union of Journalists (Liam McBurney/PA) Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International UKs Northern Ireland director, said Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in the UK for journalists. They are being threatened, attacked and even killed for shining a light on paramilitary groups and others who seek to exert control through violence, he said. This creates a climate of fear that many assumed was consigned to history when the Good Friday Agreement was signed. Yet there has not been a single prosecution for threats against journalists from paramilitary groups. This sense of impunity only emboldens those behind the threats. When journalists are under attack, press freedom is under attack. The state must create a safe environment where journalists can work freely and report without fear of reprisals. It is currently failing to do so. National Union of Journalists assistant general secretary Seamus Dooley added: In what is supposed to be normalised society, post the peace process, journalists are living in fear and behind high-security measures. That really is not the sign of a normal functioning democracy. Responding, Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, who acts as the PSNI lead for journalist safety, said police have received the Amnesty report and will take time to consider the contents and recommendations. The Police Service of Northern Ireland takes the safety of journalists very seriously and has been very much involved in developing both national and local plans to tackle this issue over the last couple of years, he said. As a result, we have developed a joint strategy and joint plan with NUJ and with local editors. We have appointed two Journalist Safety Officers, established an internal Journalist Safety Group, implemented screening arrangements within our contact management centre and ensured that reports of threats and crimes by journalists are investigated by detectives. The Police Service has also arranged a number online seminars for local media around internet and personal safety. Journalists do not have to tolerate threats and crimes as part of their role. That has been our recent, consistent message. If any journalist needs advice in relation to an incident, threat or crime which is connected to your role as a journalist, please contact 101 and report the matter. I would also encourage journalists to speak with one of the Journalist Safety Officers in our Strategic Communications and Engagement Department. Vivienne Clarke A Swedish woman who was arrested along with Irish national Deirdre D Murphy (71) by Israeli military on Saturday has spoken of the escalating violence happening all over the West Bank. Susanne Bjork told RTE radios Morning Ireland that our governments were completely ignoring the situation not just in Gaza, but also in the West Bank. Its people like D and myself who come out there just to try and document what's happening and provide some solidarity with the Palestinian people and families. Both of the women volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and were ordered to leave the village of Khallet al-Dabaa in Masafer Yatta in the southern part of the occupied West Bank on Saturday. Palestinians stand on the rubble of a demolished building in the village of Khallet al-Dabaa in the Masafer Yatta area of the occupied West Bank, after Israeli forces destroyed 95% of all the houses, displacing about 100 people. Photo: John Wessels/AFP via Getty A spokesperson for ISM said they were complying with the order when they were arrested by Israeli settlers, who were wearing military uniform as they are reservists, who then called police and detained Ms Murphy and Ms Bjork. The two activists were ordered to appear at a deportation hearing at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Sunday where they were issued with deportation orders. Ms Bjork was deported on Monday but Ms Murphy is fighting the deportation order and is currently still in a detention centre at Ben Gurion Airport. Ms Bjork said she and other volunteers went to the region because the situation is so horrible. This village, all over the West Bank, obviously the situation, is horrendous. People are absolutely terrified and the escalation of violence and settler violence and demolitions happening all over the West Bank is just horrendous and no one's reporting on this. I mean our governments are completely ignoring the situation not just in Gaza, but also in the West Bank. It's people like Dee and myself who are highlighting the situation. A view of the area after the Israeli army destroyed Palestinian homes in the village of Khallet al-Dabaa. Photo: Mosab Shawer/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty This was the first time that Ms Bjork had been arrested, but it was not the first time she had experienced such intimidation. Usually that would have meant a ban from a certain area, perhaps, that you were not allowed to enter that area. But my lawyer said that this is a new policy that they've implemented in the last few months, where they arrest people and deport people straight away and send them to immigration hearing at Ben Gurion. And this is, I think, quite a new policy. They're just trying to get rid of anyone who tried to document the reality of the occupation and the war crimes taking place. When asked if she would return, Ms Bjork said she would if she could, but it seemed unlikely because she did not receive any of the documentation she was promised at the police hearing. They were supposed to provide us with an English transcript of the interview. I never received that. I also didn't receive any protocol from the immigration hearing. THERE were scenes of mayhem and sheer terror when a lone gunman fired shots in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow on Sunday evening before leaving the building and fatally shooting himself. The man, known to be Evan Fitzgerald from Portrition just outside the village of Kiltegan on the Carlow/Wicklow border, walked into the shopping centre just after 6pm on Sunday evening, went upstairs and took a shotgun out of his bag. He then went downstairs and began discharging the firearm into the air as he walked through the main shopping centre, before then walking into Tesco, where he let off several more gunshots. Mr Fitzgerald (22) then left the shopping centre and was outside when he fired another shot. Pain-clothes armed gardai approached the shooter and drew their official firearms, identifying themselves as armed gardai. Unfortunately, Mr Fitzgerald turned his gun onto himself and killed himself. Families and young people in the centre at the time managed to leave the building safely through the main door and emergency exits with the help of two security men and Tesco staff. Gardai confirmed that a young girl, in the shopping centre with her parents, suffered a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the scene. Detectives observed a bottle of fluid strapped to Mr Fitzgeralds leg, therefore his body remained at the scene as the defence forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team examined the unknown device. Following examination, the EOD team declared the scene safe. John Brophy, manager of Fairgreen Shopping Centre, said that the entire incident happened in a flash. It happened in a flash. It happened in minutes. There was no warning or shouting before he let off the shots. Its still a crime scene so I havent been able to get to the shop floor yet. Someone lost their life here so Id appreciate it if people were sensitive around that. It was shocking, so shocking, said Mr Brophy. 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, said Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman at a media briefing yesterday, Monday. Superintendent Anthony Farrell told The Nationalist: Something like this really impacts on people. People got an awful fright. The gardai reacted very quickly so that by the time the man (Mr Fitzgerald) left the shopping centre, they were there. We had unarmed, uniformed gardai as well as members of the armed detective unit. Without any fear for themselves, they selflessly put their lives in danger, to protect their community. I really couldnt be any prouder of them, he said. Im also very conscious of the victims family and have opened lines of communication with them. This is a particularly complex investigation and were trying to establish the circumstances that led to this incident, added Supt Farrell. Mr Fitzgeralds body remained outside the shopping centre overnight and was then removed from the scene on Monday for a state post mortem. Gardai are liaising with his family. The post mortem will be carried out by state pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers. The Carlow county coroner has been notified and An Garda Siochana will assist in preparing an investigation file for a coroners inquest. On Monday, the HSE provided psychosocial support for those who may be traumatised by what they saw. Fairgreen Shopping Centre is expected to be open for business today, Tuesday, while at the time of going to press it was not yet known when Tesco will be released back to management. Advertisement Pakistani Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, is expected to present federal budget for the FY25-26 in Parliament on 10 June 2025. The government has already received various suggestions, including those from the cement industry. On a previous occasion, a spokesperson for the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) emphasised the importance of cement in the economy and suggested that policymakers consider reducing taxes and duties to boost domestic demand. In a related development, the government has committed to fully supporting the cement and edible oil sectors as part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing exports and addressing industry concerns. During a key meeting of the Cement and Clinker Export Task Force, Haroon Akhtar Khan, special assistant to the PM on industries and production, emphasised the governments commitment to fostering cement exports. He stated that the government would provide full support to the cement industry in increasing and facilitating exports. by Abdul Rab Sidiqqi, Pakistan Advertisement Holcim UK has announced the national roll-out of a fuel reforming technology developed by Fuelre4m throughout the UK. The agreement marks the first time this kind of fuel treatment has been introduced at commercial scale in the UK construction and quarrying sectors. Holcim tracked the impact using standard fuel flow and engine data monitoring tools, ensuring the results reflected real working conditions. Following three years of successful trials, over 200 sites will now deploy Fuelre4ms Re4mx technology to reduce fuel use, lower emissions, and improve performance with no engine modifications. Edern Lalanne, Holcim UK supply chain director, commented: This agreement is the result of meticulous testing, collaboration, and operational learning. We have seen consistent results with Re4mx across a wide range of use cases, and it aligns directly with our commitment to sustainable innovation and operational excellence. This is about measurable outcomes, not promises, and Fuelre4m has delivered both the data and the support to back it up. This is part of our mission to make sustainable construction a reality and continues our journey to achieve net-zero by 2050. The introduction of low carbon fuels is a key part of this strategy. During trials, Re4mx helped achieve: a 15-20 per cent drop in fuel use up to 23 per cent fewer emissions from fuel burned, including CO 2 , NO x and particulate matter improved combustion quality and smoother engine performance, including lower exhaust temperatures zero disruption to operations: no engine changes, no downtime, and no retrofit required greater consistency and predictability in fleet fuel performance. Rob Mortimer, CEO of Fuelre4m Group, said: We are proud to formalise our partnership with Holcim UK after more than three years of on-the-ground testing. This contract is not just about supplying product, it is about delivering integrated solutions. From inventory management and digital oversight to emissions tracking and site-level service, our focus is practical decarbonisation with immediate operational impact. Holcim has set a clear benchmark for commitment and leadership in this space. The two companies are also exploring how to extend this impact to additional transport and logistics providers across the wider construction supply chain. Fuelre4ms Re4mx solution is currently available in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, supported by its full logistics and digital network. Advertisement Mexican building materials giant Cemex says that it is committed to investing US$1.151bn during the remainder of the year, based on the evolution of related projects and subject to the market and other conditions. During 1Q25 invested US$249m in capital expenditures in its continuing operations, compared to US$221m in the YoY period for 2024. The largest part of that money (US$104m) was allocated to the USA, followed by Mexico (US$45m) and European countries including Spain, Poland and Germany. Investments were also made in Latin America and the Caribbean. US$156m was spent on the maintenance of existing assets, with expansion and modernisation projects including the incorporation new technologies accounting for US$93m. Consolidated net income for 1Q25 reached US$742m, nearly treble that of the 1Q24 (US$258m). The company also stated that it will focus on sustainable and profitable growth and optimising operations through the Project Cutting Edge, Cemexs multi-faceted initiative to address decarbonisation, sustainability and technological advancement. Its goal is to maximise shareholder return, operational excellence, further deleverage, increase free cash flow and shift the growth strategy from capital expenditures to small and medium-sized acquisitions in the USA. Jacquelin Ann McBride Waters, 77, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, went home to be with her Lord Tuesday, May 27, 2025. She was a member of Silverdale Baptist Church, administrative assistant to her husband, Dr. John Waters, who was a vice-president at Tennessee Temple University, and later she became an assistant to the Music Department at McCallie Schools. Jacqueline was a highly accomplished soloist and loved music, but most of all she loved her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Rex and Lena Ann Scrudder McBride. She is survived by her husband of almost 57 years, John Waters; two sons, Lee (Judy) Waters and John (Pam) Waters; and three grandchildren, Corey Waters, Ansley Waters and John Leslie Waters. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 6, in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Paul Steven Waters officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.1 p.m. at the funeral home. Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel. A chief detective with the Marion County Sheriffs Office is facing felony charges following an investigation by TBI special agents. At the request of the 12th Judicial District Attorney General Courtney Lynch, TBI special agents began investigating suspicions about forged signatures on the Sex Offender Registry forms. Robert Hargis (DOB 2/10/1971) served as the Sex Offender Registry Compliance Officer for the Marion County Sherriffs office and was responsible for obtaining the required signatures from registered offenders to confirm legal compliance. Through the course of the investigation agents determined several of the signatures on sex offender documents were falsified. On Tuesday, the Marion County Grand Jury returned a 10-count indictment charging Hargis with two counts of Official Misconduct and eight counts of Tampering with Government Records. He turned himself into the Marion County Jail where his bond was set at $25,000. He has since bonded out of jail. District Attorney General Lynch voluntarily recused herself from the case. District Attorney General Pro Tem D. Michael Dunavant of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference in Nashville was appointed to prosecute the case by the courts. In Tennessees communities, family caregivers work hard to put their parents, spouses and loved ones first. In Washington, the current administration is considering a solution a federal tax credit to put money back into these caregivers pockets and give them financial relief. Tennessees 900,000 family caregivers drive their loved ones to doctor appointments, pick up groceries and medications, prepare meals, assist with bathing and dressing and more. America needs these family caregivers. Without the millions in unpaid labor they provide, more older Americans would be forced out of their own homes and into costly nursing homeswith the government and taxpayers footing the bill. While caregivers come from all walks of life, and their personal experiences vary, one thing is clear: family caregivers need more support. Family caregivers in Tennessee are using up their savings, dipping into retirement accounts and even sacrificing their own bills and necessities to ensure their loved ones have what they need to live comfortably and safely. According to AARP, caregivers spend an average of $7,200 per year. With the proposed tax credit, Tennessees hardworking family caregivers will be able to strike a better balance between their caregiving responsibilities and their regular jobs. Plus, itll allow more families to stay together at home. Tennessees family caregivers have done the right thing by sacrificing to put their families first and help keep their older loved ones at home. Now, its Congress turn to do the same and include a family caregiver tax credit in the tax package. Ron Littlefield AARP Volunteer Growing up, Judge Jennifer Peck always wanted to be an attorney, but life took her in a different direction for a time before law school. I wasnt as focused on being an attorney in undergrad, said Judge Peck. I think I was just focused on getting out and graduating. After my time at Auburn, I did some really fun things. I did event planning in different ways for different companies and different sides of the event planning industry, third party planning, in-house planning and then hotels. I had a really good time doing that. Fast forward five years and Judge Peck renewed her focus on a law career and applied to law school. I actually wanted to be a judge when I applied for law school, she said. It felt like a calling, a tug in my spirit and thats ultimately why I went to law school. Its always been the goal. Judge Peck received her juris doctor from Regent University in 2007 with the goal of becoming a judge one day. I applied in 2017 and was fortunate enough to interview with Governor Haslam then, said Judge Peck. Judge [Kyle] Hedrick was chosen then. Shortly after, Judge Peck went to work for Governor Lees administration at the Department of Commerce and Insurance. I loved it, she said. I tell people I absolutely loved that season of my life. I worked with some phenomenal people. The general counsel there is brilliant at Commerce & Insurance, obviously in the Governors office, too, the attorneys in the Governors office as well. And so, I really got to see a perspective that I didnt have previously and a side of the law I wasnt familiar with before and so it was an incredible opportunity and an incredible experience. Judge Peck and her family kept their home in Chattanooga, where she is looking forward to serving the local community in her new role. Chattanoogas always been home, so when the opportunity came back around with Judge [Michael] Dumitru having the opportunity to be in Federal Court, then I knew that I just wanted to try and seize the opportunity and apply again. This time, Judge Pecks goal came to fruition. On May 9, 2025, Governor Lee appointed her to the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court. I was sworn in by Brandon Gibson, former Tennessee Court of Appeals judge, who is now the chief operating officer of the Governor's Office, which was a really cool experience, said Judge Peck. Judge Peck was appointed on a Friday and took the bench the following Monday. The first thing I did was take docket call Monday morning and I think we had 30 or so motions on the docket that morning, she said. And then the following Monday, I think I had 55 on the docket. And, of course, the order of protection docket that afternoon. It was just jump right in. In less than one month, Judge Peck already knows her favorite thing about being a judge. I think just the service aspect of it, she said. I have really enjoyed being able to help two attorneys, two litigants reach a resolution. That part, already, is really fulfilling. The only downside of returning home to Chattanooga is being away from her son, who works in Nashville. I could see his building outside of my building window, said Judge Peck. Thats been a bit of a bummer. My husband is my strongest support system. Hes my rock and, so, we always look at each new chapter as something that we are just embarking on together. So, weve just kind of done this together as well. During the Tribal Council Rules Committee meeting in May, the legislative body passed a resolutions asking the Department of Interior and Indian Health Service to transfer title of Claremore Indian Hospital to the United States in trust for the Cherokee Nation. Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who overstayed a tourist visa, threw incendiary devices into a crowd participating in a peaceful walk in Boulder, Colorado, on July 1, 2025. | Screenshot: YouTube/ ABC News (via Boulder Police) A man set fire to a group of people participating in a peaceful walk in Boulder, Colorado, supporting Israeli hostages, leaving eight injuredincluding one woman engulfed in flames. The FBI described the incident as a targeted terror attack. The four men and four women were hospitalized, with at least one in critical condition and possibly not surviving. The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, threw incendiary devices into the crowd gathered on Pearl Street Mall around 1:26 p.m. Sunday, according to The New York Times. Authorities reported that Soliman shouted free Palestine as he attacked with what was described as a makeshift flamethrower. Soliman, an Egyptian national who overstayed a tourist visa, entered the U.S. through Los Angeles International Airport on August 27, 2022, with permission to stay until February 26, 2023, and later received work authorization that expired in March 2025, according to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. There was no evidence connecting him to any organized group, said FBI Denver Special Agent Mark Michalek. The victims were participating in Run for Their Lives, a weekly walk commemorating hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. 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. A verified video 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. The suspect allegedly shouted End Zionists! and They are killers! before igniting and throwing Molotov cocktails, which included bottles of clear liquid, setting five people on fire, according to the New York Post. The events organizer, Miri Kornfeld, stated that Soliman had been waiting near the courthouse with bottles of liquid, and as participants arrived, he lit and threw them, causing chaos and injuries. This attack occurred less than two weeks after two Israeli Embassy employees were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., by a man who also shouted Free, free Palestine. Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Adeyemi Emmanuel Abebayo A new study finds that while black voters remain overwhelmingly loyal to the Democratic Party, black Christians are notably more socially conservative than other Democratic voters. Research by Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, based on data from the Cooperative Election Study for the 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections, examined voting patterns among black Americans by religion. Burges analysis, published in an article titled 2024 Election Post-Mortem: Black Americans, Religion, and the Vote, indicates that even as they share some theological beliefs with Evangelical voterswho tend to vote conservativelymost black voters continue to support Democratic candidates. In 2016, 89% of black Protestants supported Democrat Hillary Clinton, with support remaining high for Joe Biden with 87% in 2020 and Kamala Harris with 87% in 2024. Trumps support among black Protestants increased from 8% in 2016 to 12% in 2020 and 2024. Similarly, Trump's support among black Catholics showed a steady rise, from 9% in 2016 to 14% in 2020 and 18% in 2024, while Democratic support among this group decreased from 90% in 2016 to 84% in 2020 and 79% in 2024. In 2016, 7% of non-religious black voters supported Trump, with 89% backing Clinton. By 2020, their support for Biden and Trump rose to 9% and 90%, respectively. In 2024, Trumps support among non-religious black voters increased further to 13%, while Harris received 85% of their votes. Analyzing election results by church denomination reveals overall majority support for Democrats, though support in some denominations is shifting right. Among National Baptist Convention black voters, support for Democratic candidates has fluctuated, with 87% voting for Clinton in 2016 and 90% for Biden in 2020. Support for Harris among this demographic was 67%, while support for Trump decreased from 11% in 2016 to 8% in 2020, then increased to 33% in 2024. Support for Trump among black voters of the Baptist Missionary Association dropped from 30% in 2016 to 22% in 2020 and slightly again to 20% in 2024, while support for Democrats increased from 69% in 2016 to 78% in 2020 and 80% in 2024. Support among black voters affiliated with the Church of God in Christ has steadily shifted toward the right. Trumps support from this group was only 18% in 2016, increased to 26% in 2020, and reached 42% in 2024. Conversely, Democratic candidates share of votes among this demographic has declined from 78% in 2016 to 72% in 2020, and further down to 56% in 2024. Additional statistics from the 2024 study reveal that black Christians are considerably more socially conservative than other Democrats. While 41% of black Christians favor banning the abortion pill by mail, only 17% of all Democrats share this view. A majority of black Christians (58%) support banning gender transition surgeries for minors, compared to 38% of all Democrats. Additionally, 70% of black Christians believe schools should require parental consent before referring to students by names and pronouns that do not align with their biological sex. Home News Groups donate $1.5 million to help rebuild historic Tenn. church destroyed by arson A historic African American church building in Tennessee that was heavily damaged by an arson attack has received around $1.5 million in donations for its restoration. Clayborn Temple Church of Memphis, a closed church that had ties to the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, was severely damaged by an arson incident in April. However, multiple foundations have donated approximately $1.5 million to help rebuild Clayborn Temple, The Associated Press reports. 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 Donors include the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Ford Foundation, according to the AP. Established in 1892 as Second Presbyterian Church, the building was sold to an African Methodist Episcopal congregation in 1949, which named it Clayborn Temple. Throughout its history, Clayborn was a hub of Civil Rights activism, serving as a gathering place for striking Memphis sanitation workers in 1968. The strikers' notable "I AM A MAN" signs were printed in the church basement, and the property featured a display of that phrase in large letters as a homage to the protest. The church itself closed in 1999, with the building being in the process of undergoing a $6 million renovation project when an unknown party set fire to it in April. Soon after the fire, it was announced that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had joined the investigation, with a spokesperson telling The Christian Post in late April that it was the only federal agency responsible for enforcing federal arson statutes and maintains a cadre of experts in the fire investigation field. ATF routinely investigates place of worship fires to determine if there has been a violation of the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996, the spokesperson explained to CP. The statute prohibits intentionally defacing, damaging or destroying religious property (or attempting to do so) because of the race, color, or ethnic characteristics of any individual associated with such property. Last month, the Memphis Fire Department issued a statement regarding its investigation into the fire, concluding that the fire was intentionally set on the interior of the historic church. A person of interest is being sought by Investigators for their possible involvement in this fire. The Memphis Fire Department will continue conducting this investigation to apprehend who is responsible for setting the fire at this historic church, stated the department. MFD also announced that it was relinquishing control of the site back to the preservation group Historic Clayborn, and expressed gratitude for the work of local and federal investigators. Home News 7 reactions to the death of 'father of the abortion pill': 'Legacy of death and deception' Pro-life and pro-choice advocates reacted to the death of the father of the abortion pill, Etienne-Emile Baulieu, who died Friday at the age of 98 at his home in Paris. The French biochemist specialized in hormone research, The New York Times reported Saturday, but his work in the early 1980s in developing RU-486, or mifepristone, brought him into the public eye. Baulieu developed the drug in partnership with the French pharmaceutical company Roussel-Uclaf, where he served as an independent consultant. Baulieu seemed to think that the abortion drug would prevent women from dying from botched abortions, telling the journal Science in 1989, RU-486 can save them. The scientist pushed for the pills approval, both in France and abroad, according to the Times. 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 Over the years, pro-life advocates have raised concerns about abortion drugs ending the lives of unborn children and negatively impacting the health of pregnant women. Pro-life doctors have also spoken against the distribution of abortion drugs via mail, noting that a medical professional might not have had the chance to screen the pregnant woman for complications like an ectopic pregnancy. When asked about opposition to the abortion pill by The New Yorker in 2022, Baulieu replied, Ideology and machismo, alas, weigh more heavily than rationality and scientific proof. A method that makes the termination of pregnancy less physically traumatic for women and less risky to their health has always been rejected by pro-lifers: what they really seek is to harm and punish women, he said. Here are seven reactions from pro-life and pro-choice advocates to the death of the father of the abortion pill. Home News Christian conservative candidate wins Polish presidential election A staunch opponent of abortion and LGBT ideology has won the Polish presidential election, defeating an opponent who vowed to liberalize the Catholic-majority country's abortion laws and expressed support for same-sex marriage. Unofficial results from Poland's National Electoral Commission show that Karol Nawrocki won the Polish presidential election Sunday, capturing 50.89% of the vote against Rafal Trzaskowski's 49.11%, seen as a victory for European conservatives. Nawrocki, 42, and Trzaskowski, 53, faced off in a second round of voting Sunday, two weeks after the two candidates received the most votes in the first round, which included 11 other candidates. 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 Nawrocki ran with the support of the conservative Law & Justice Party, while Trzaskowski was the candidate of the liberal Civic Platform. Nawrocki made opposition to abortion and LGBT ideology a central part of his campaign. At an event in January, he took a poster advertising the book Gender Queer and put it into a paper shredder, drawing applause from the audience. The presence of Gender Queer in school libraries has resulted in considerable pushback due to its subject matter involving teen boys having oral sex, the use of a sex toy and a trans-identified girl wearing a breast binder. Nawrocki insisted in an interview with Polsat News in January that he is "for life from the beginning to natural death." "I am a Christian and a Catholic," he stressed. Nawrocki vowed that he would not restore the so-called "abortion compromise" that permits abortion of children with Down syndrome. "I could not allow, as a future president, for children with Down syndrome to be subjected to abortion," he said. By contrast, Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw, campaigned on "liberalization of abortion law and support for the in vitro program." The conservative advocacy organization Ordo Iuris noted that Trzaskowski condemned his opponent for his support of "this medieval abortion law" that doesn't permit the abortion of children with Down syndrome. On the issue of civil partnerships for same-sex couples, Nawrocki insisted that he would not sign a bill permitting them. "As the Constitution states, marriage is between a man and a woman," Nawrocki said. "In Poland, we have two genders." Trzaskowski is sympathetic to LGBT advocacy. Ordo Iuris highlighted a quote where Trzaskowski expressed a desire to become "the first mayor of Warsaw who could marry a homosexual couple" in a brochure advising voters to reject the presidential candidate. While Poland is now governed by President Andrzej Duda of the Law & Justice Party, Donald Tusk of the Civic Coalition has served as Prime Minister since 2023. In an X post published last summer, Tusk showcased his support for progressive political priorities by proclaiming, "We will vote to decriminalize abortion" and "We will vote to decriminalize civil partnerships as a government project, although I have not managed to convince everyone." Following Sunday's election, Tusk announced his intention to hold a vote of confidence in his government, where the coalition of left-wing political parties that lead the Polish Parliament will decide whether or not they want him to stay on as prime minister in light of the presidential election results that saw the rejection of their preferred candidate. Home News Toilet school founder honored for following Gods call to lift up forgotten children in Indias slums Educator Ananthi Jebasingh receives Colson Centers Wilberforce Award LOUISVILLE, Ky. "Oh, I got something better than the Taj Mahal. I've got a toilet school in the slums of Delhi." Those are the words Tim Philpot recalled hearing his best friend and tour guide say upon departing the "grandeur" of India's Parliament. It was 1995, and as a retired Lexington circuit judge and chairman of the nonprofit Fishhook International, Philpot had taken a medical team to Calcutta before venturing to India's capital to meet with lawmakers. Events that day were "amazing," he said, soaking in the sights and sounds of New Delhi while looking forward to his next destination to tour the Taj Mahal. 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 God had other plans that day. Instead of traveling onward to tour the picturesque 17th century marble mausoleum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Philpot was taken on a detour to see a tiny school operating out of a filthy, odorous community toilet complex used daily by thousands of people. "We walked a few minutes over to the slum area. Before we saw the toilet complex, we smelled it. Before we saw the children, we heard them singing and laughing," Philpot recounted at the 37th annual Wilberforce Award dinner Saturday evening honoring Ananthi Jebasingh, founder and director of the Good Samaritan School, during the Colson Center National Conference. 'It was a sanctuary' Philpot said that seated before him were 90 children wearing red sweaters, all studying at their desks and chalkboards filling the room. "Smiles all around reminded me that this was not just a public toilet; this was a school, or should I say, for the children of that slum, it was a sanctuary," he said. Jebasingh is college-educated. In fact, she was a wife, mother and college professor with a doctorate in linguistics when a child who lived in the slum across from her family's apartment started coming to her door, begging for food. Soon, one child begging for sustenance multiplied. She quickly decided that these children were not going to become beggars. She would feed them, but she would also educate them. The number of children she was helping swelled to over 100, and this led her to ask a local official for the use of a building to educate these children. What she was offered was the use of the local toilet complex used by the 25,000 people living in the Alakananda slum in 1991. She couldn't believe that as a woman with a Ph.D., the only location she was being offered to educate these impoverished children was a filthy toilet room. But this was a positive turn of events, she said, because it crushed her pride. "These places are disgusting. You can't even imagine them," said Tehmina Arora, who serves as a lawyer specializing in human rights as the director of advocacy for Asia with ADF International. "To be able to go into someplace like that, to clean it up, to teach them. Not on one occasion [] it is really remarkable. That space created a pathway for so many young people to come out of the slum, to become people with a profession, to have dignity." Jebasingh, whom Arora described as a pioneer, has been "faithfully sowing into the lives of children through the Good Samaritan School" for nearly four decades. When Philpot returned to Kentucky following his first visit to the toilet school over 30 years ago, he shared his experience during a presentation to a classroom of local schoolchildren. After hearing about the slum children in New Delhi, students in Kentucky collected money among themselves and others in the community to send as part of an effort to establish a proper building for the students and teachers to have a better learning environment. "And so, each child began to come in and give their allowances to what they called the Fisher children at Ananthi's school," he shared. Don't question, 'just do it' Today, Good Samaritan School provides education, nutrition and medical care to over 3,000 students at six schools. Since 1989, over 2,400 students have graduated from the school. During a sit-down interview with The Christian Post, Jebasingh shared that there were moments, especially at the beginning, when her home and garage were filled with so many children that her husband advised her to stop. However, he soon changed his mind and urged her to continue her work. While she stressed that, especially for married couples, there should be mutual agreement when carrying out such massive endeavors, like she had done, "when you feel there is a large intention that you should do something, then you don't question. Just do it." "Whatever barrier comes, it's beyond us to tackle that, but it's not beyond God," she said. In her situation with her husband, Jebasingh prayed, fasted for three days and sought God's guidance on what He wanted them to do. "That is when you have to be open to the call," she added. "I'll say, for everyone, God has something for their life. Our life is not at all empty. It has a purpose. And even if it's very negative, or it may look very negative and most difficult," doors will be opened, she assured. "Whatever difficulty comes in our life or in our work, He's there to handle it. I need not handle it. Whenever I handle it, I miss things. But when we allow God to handle it, it's beautiful." For the students educated at Good Samaritan School, Jebasingh wants to see them flourish and have a "purposeful life" and use their education to break free from a life of poverty and servitude. "This education helps them to be empowered," she continued. "When education was denied to them, they were just doing all sorts of menial job and servitude. [] It liberates them. It makes a tremendous change in the life of the people." Jebasingh, whose presence is full of grace, humility and love for others, said she "never expected any award" in this life. "I'm nothing. I never thought there would be an award for my work," said Jebasingh in her acceptance speech as the 37th Colson Center Wilberforce Award recipient. Colson Center President John Stonestreet hailed Jebasingh's work and "faithfulness to educate and demonstrate God's love to India's most vulnerable." "As Christians, we are called to preserve what is good and restore what is broken in our spheres of influence, and Dr. Jebasingh's work at Good Samaritan School models this calling," Stonestreet said. Decades ago, she recalled seeing Chuck Colson, for whom the Colson Center is named, speak at an auditorium in India. "You'll be surprised that Chuck Colson came to India. There was such a big crowd, and my husband and I went there and we met him," she told the Colson Fellows and others gathered at the award dinner. "And so, I was always thinking of Prison Fellowship. My husband was interested in visiting prisoners, and this was such a major surprise for me that they're offering this Wilberforce Award [that is the result of] the change that came in the heart of Colson through the Watergate scandal and the passion with which Wilberforce worked for the deliverance of the slaves." "I pray such changes will come in the hearts of our children and the community. Please pray for our land, pray for our children," she added, lamenting that far too many have no hope of breaking free from the poverty they were born into. Over 24.6 million children ages 6-14 in India do not attend school, according to the government's own statistics from 2023-24, highlighting the urgent need for K-12 education for all students. Laura Marie Thompson, a board member and lead director of Friends of the Good Samaritans, a nonprofit that raises funds to care for underprivileged children in the slums of India by providing education, nutrition and medical care, shared highlights from her life-changing experiences working at the school for the first time. At 22, she was lost and searching for meaning and purpose in her life. She found it while teaching arts and crafts to elementary school students at the main school in New Delhi. "Children [were] coming in whose moms just ended their own life with their child. I mean, just atrocious situations that our counselors and our staff deal with," she said with a heavy heart. But by having the opportunity to receive an education, she saw firsthand the students' transformation, "watching those kids come through the door; their hearts were just smiling." After Thompson returned home to the United States, she began working for the Friends of Good Samaritans, where she developed this nonprofit's sponsorship program. "So what I do need to tell you is we have a lot of work to do. We are right in the middle of it, and there have been a lot of challenges, she added, while also celebrating efforts to help educate more children. Every year, the Colson Center presents the William Wilberforce Award to a Christian leader who has made a lasting difference in their sphere of influence, demonstrating similar principled courage as the British abolitionist. Previous recipients include David and Barbara Green, owners of Hobby Lobby; Joni Eareckson Tada, founder and CEO of Joni & Friends; and Maggie Gobran, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and CEO of Stephen's Children. Home News Sean Feucht accused of financial, spiritual, moral misconduct Activist missionary and worship leader Sean Feucht, who previously insisted that Christians should be ruling America because of their righteousness, has been accused of unrighteous financial, spiritual and moral misconduct by former workers of his multiple ministries. The former workers made the allegations in a series of pages posted on a website called "Truth and Freedom Stories," purporting to "provide a documented account of longstanding and serious moral, ethical, financial, organizational and governance failures involving Sean (John Christopher) Feucht and the four religious organizations that he founded and directs." The website claims to highlight "testimony ... based on direct experience and first-hand observations of Sean over an extended period of time." Feucht, a former worship leader with Bethel Music, garnered national headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic for organizing "Let Us Worship" rallies in the streets of major cities. 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 accusers were connected to three of Feucht's ministries: Burn 24/7, a worship and prayer movement spanning six continents and more than 250 cities; Light a Candle, a global missions and compassion movement; and Let Us Worship, a movement across America gathering believers to worship and pray boldly for revival. "Based on the documented and corroborated nature of these concerns, we strongly urge that Sean Feucht be removed from positions of leadership and financial stewardship. This statement is made in good faith for the purpose of preventing further harm and upholding standards of biblical accountability, transparency, and justice," the group said in a statement. The accusers identified themselves as Christy Gafford, former USA national director/global communications director for Burn 24/7; Peter and Amanda Hartzell, formerly of Burn 24/7; Liam Bernhard, former OKC director, Burn Field Training, mid-south regional director of Burn 24/7; and Richie Booth, a former administrative staff member for Burn 24/7, Let Us Worship and Light a Candle. "To remain silent about the dangers of Sean's sin is not Biblical nor loving and it dishonors Sean and these board members, Sean's victims, and those who are exposed to him via social media platforms and in-person events," they added. Feucht's office did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations from The Christian Post. The former workers allege that in 2020, Feucht's ministry experienced a substantial revenue increase of $5.3 million. Two years later, in 2022, the ministry reclassified its IRS status to be recognized as a church, which removed "financial reporting requirements" and created "significant transparency issues," the accusers contend. The group pointed to the complex organizational structure of Feucht's various ministries, which seem to overlap in their business activities despite being separate legal entities, along with his questionable real estate holdings in multiple states that they say "raise questions about the proportion of non-profit funds directed towards real estate rather than program activities." They believe Feucht's personal ownership of 10 homes in California, Montana and Pennsylvania indicates "substantial investment in residential properties." "The ministry's ownership of multiple high value 'parsonages' alongside Feucht's personal ownership of numerous rental properties raises questions about appropriate use of non-profit funds and potential private inurement," they argued. They also state that multiple former employees and volunteers have raised concerns about financial practices at Feucht's ministry, such as donation diversion, restricted donor fraud, credit card misuse and bulk cash smuggling. "Issues such as reporting no volunteers on 990 forms, questions about foreign operations like the child sponsorship program in India with no reported foreign bank accounts, and potential failures in required disclosures," they noted. A section titled "Abuse" highlights what the accusers say are a "history of manipulation and broken promises," "patterns of spiritual manipulation," as well as "spiritual coercion and fear." They also raised allegations of uncompensated service, "volunteer exploitation" and "retaliation against critics." The group is now calling on Feucht to submit to a formal investigation into the financial practices of his ministries. This audit would examine the appropriate use of ministry funds for real estate acquisitions; review of the legitimacy of the church reclassification granted in 2022; look into potential private benefit and inurement issues; assess his ministries' compliance with laws regarding international financial transactions and reporting; and review board oversight and governance practices. "We have consistently witnessed Sean publicly point his finger at the sin of the world yet repeatedly fail to take responsibility for acknowledging, repenting of, and turning away from his own serious and habitual sin ('For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?' 1 Corinthians 5:12)," the former workers wrote. "The concerns raised in this report are not simply about technical violations but speak to the core integrity of non-profit religious organizations and their responsibility to donors, constituents, and the public," they added. "The allegations, if substantiated, would represent serious breaches of both legal requirements and ethical standards expected of tax-exempt organizations." Home News University of Pennsylvania to halt gender transitions for youth after Trump executive order A major Ivy League school has announced that it will no longer perform body deforming gender transition procedures on minors to comply with one of President Donald Trumps executive orders. The Daily Penn, the student newspaper at the University of Pennsylvania, announced in an Instagram post on Thursday that Penn Medicine, the schools college of medicine that runs several hospitals and medical centers, will no longer perform body-mutilating trans surgeries on youth younger than 19. In a statement shared with The Daily Penn, Penn Medicine Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President Dr. Patrick Brennan clarified that the change pertains specifically to gender-affirming surgical procedures. 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 This is a difficult decision that we know impacts patients and families who place their trust in our care teams, Brennan wrote. We remain deeply committed to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all members of the communities we serve and providing comprehensive medical and behavioral health care and psychosocial support for LGBTQ+ individuals while complying with federal government requirements. The institution cited an executive order signed into law by Trump a week after taking office that vows to rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit these destructive and life-altering procedures as the reason for its policy change. The order established it as the policy of the United States that the federal government will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called transition of a child from one sex to another. Examples of chemical and surgical mutilation covered by the order include puberty blockers such as GnRH agonists and other interventions that delay the onset or progression of normally timed puberty in an individual that does not identify as his or her sex as well as sex hormones, such as androgen blockers, estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone, to align an individuals physical appearance with an identity that differs from his or her sex. The order also applies to surgical procedures that attempt to transform an individuals physical appearance to align with an identity that differs from his or her sex or that attempt to alter or remove an individuals sexual organs to minimize or destroy their natural biological functions. The order directed the heads of executive agencies to take appropriate steps to ensure that institutions receiving Federal research or education grants end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children and rescind or amend all policies that rely on guidance from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which encouraged performing these irreversible procedures on minors. The push by the Trump administration to crack down on gender transition procedures for minors and the University of Pennsylvanias reaction to it comes after more than two dozen states have banned some or all types of such procedures due to concerns about their long-term impact: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. The American College of Pediatricians has listed the potential side effects of puberty blockers, which are often prescribed to trans-identified youth, as osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, cognitive impairment and, when combined with cross-sex hormones, sterility. Meanwhile, the potential long-term impacts of cross-sex hormones, also frequently prescribed to youth with gender dysphoria, include an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers across their lifespan. Gender transition surgeries involve the removal of healthy body parts, including breasts, testicles and even one's penis. Penn Medicines announcement came on the same day that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent a letter to hospitals asking them to provide information about their informed consent protocols for children with gender dysphoria, including how children are deemed capable of making these potentially life-changing decisions and when parental consent is required. Additional information sought from hospitals by the federal government agency included changes to clinical practice guidelines and protocols they planned to enact in light of the recent comprehensive review of medical evidence and corresponding guidance released by the Department of Health and Human Services and complete financial data on all taxpayer funding used to perform the life-altering procedures. 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 FBI releases over 100 pages of documents from trans-identified Nashville Christian school shooter Audrey Hale called Jesus a homosexual slur if she didn't get a 'boy body in Heaven' After over two years, the FBI has released over 100 pages of writings and other documents from the perpetrator of the March 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, following a legal battle. Audrey Hale, who killed six people in the 2023 shooting at the school, referred to Jesus with a homosexual slur and mocked those who would pray for their children because, Hale wrote, "I will try to kill all your kids." The writings were part of 112 pages released by the FBI following a drawn-out legal battle led by The Tennessee Star and the Tennessee Firearms Association. 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 documents were recovered from Hale's car, reports WZTV. Many of the writings were previously leaked before being publicly released. Hale outlined her political and religious views and details on firearms safety, shooting range rules and gun legislation. They also include school maps, faculty lists and other planning tools alongside seemingly mundane lists like books and movies to watch before "death day," an apparent reference to March 27, 2023. On that day, Hale a 28-year-old woman who used "he/him" pronouns gunned down three children and three staff members at the Christian school affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of America. Hale was later shot and killed by police. The newly-released documents referenced God, religions and the Bible. One page with the date "3/27/23" reads, "Forgive me God this act will be inglorious." One comment from her diary read, "If God won't give me a boy body in heaven then Jesus is a f". Hale also wrote, "I was born wrong," "Nothing on earth can save me," and "Religion won't save." The documents also included violent threats such as "Throw the Bible in his face, tell him his religion sucks. Then shoot 'em" and "Pray to your God that your children will live, 'cause I will try to kill all your kids." The FBI redacted schematics of the Covenant School, including floor plans. A report released in March by the Metro Nashville Police Department indicated Hale had hoped to gain publicity from the tragic shooting, and investigators believe she was inspired by the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, as evidenced by her writings. The shooting resulted in the deaths of three third-grade students and three adult staff members: Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, all 9; and Katherine Koonce, 60; Cynthia Peak, 61; and Mike Hill, 61. While Hale "gender identified as a male and used he/him as preferred pronouns," the report stated that Hale "openly identified as lesbian" and described Hale as "a biological female at the time of her death." Investigators referred to Hale throughout the report as a female, according to Tennessee law, which states that "a person's gender identity must correspond with their biological sex or with information present." Home News Gay Marriage Support Among White Evangelicals Has Doubled, but 59 Percent Still Oppose: Pew Americans' support for gay marriage has hit an all time high, according to a Pew Research Center survey, which says it also found "dramatic shifts" in opinions among evangelicals. The survey, published on Monday, found that white evangelicals largely remain opposed to same-sex marriage, with 35 percent in favor, and a 59 percent majority opposed. That being said, white evangelicals' support for gay marriage has more than doubled over the last decade, when it was only 14 percent. 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 "Views on same-sex marriage have shifted dramatically in recent years," Pew said, noting that as recently as 2010, 48 percent of all Americans opposed the legalization of gay marriage, compared to 42 percent who were in favor. The latest survey, conducted between June 818 with the sample size of 2,504 respondents, carrying a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points, notes that 62 percent of all respondents now back the Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, compared to only 32 percent who disagreed. Younger white evangelicals continued the trend of being more in favor of gay marriage than the older population. The survey found that 47 percent of white evangelical millennials and those born after 1964 favor gay marriage, with only 26 percent of older white evangelicals supporting it. Pew noted that gay marriage support has risen across all religious groups in recent years, with black Protestants favoring gay marriage at 44 percent today, compared to only 24 percent in 2007. "Wide majorities of Catholics (67 percent), white mainline Protestants (68 percent), and in particular the religiously unaffiliated (85 percent) support legal marriage for same-sex couples," Pew said. What is more, the Republican Party, whose members have traditionally opposed gay marriage, has also been experiencing major shifts. The June survey found that for the first time ever, Republicans are nearly split on the issue, with 48 percent opposing gay marriage, and 47 percent stating that they support it. White people in general were most supportive of gay marriage at 64 percent; Hispanics backed the practice at 60 percent; while black Americans remained the most divided on the topic, with 51 percent in support of gay marriage, and 41 percent opposed. "In the new survey, majorities across all educational groups now say they favor same-sex marriage, but levels of support are highest among those who have graduated from college: 79 percent among those with postgraduate degrees and 72 percent among those with bachelor's degrees," Pew added. Michael Brown, host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program, said in an op-ed published in The Christian Post last week that no matter how many people who say they are Christians embrace homosexuality, it "doesn't make it true." "First, to argue that greater acceptance of homosexuality by churches is proof of spiritual growth is like arguing that greater acceptance of obesity by doctors is a proof of medical progress. The reverse is actually true," Brown argued. "Second, the Bible often warns us against compromise and apostasy, both moral and creedal. And in every generation, there have been heretics who have departed from the faith. Should we therefore celebrate every heretical doctrine and practice as proof of our spiritual maturity?" he asked. Home News Republicans' support for same-sex marriage drops ahead of 10th anniversary of Obergefell: poll Republicans' support for same-sex marriage has dropped as the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide approaches. Gallup released a survey of 1,003 American adults conducted between May 1-18 last week, documenting views about same-sex marriage and same-sex relationships in general. The poll, which had a margin of error of +/-4 percentage points, comes ahead of the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2015 Obergefell v. Hodgesdecision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Gallup has consistently measured public opinion about same-sex marriage for more than two decades. Overall, most Americans (68%) said they believe same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid. This constitutes a slight drop from the record high of 71% measured in 2022 and 2023. 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 Broken down by political parties, the results of the survey reveal a widening gap. Support for same-sex marriage among Democrats reached a record high of 88% this year. By contrast, approval of same-sex marriage among Republicans was measured at just 41%. This year marked the third-consecutive year where support for same-sex marriage dropped among Republicans after reaching a record high of 55% in both 2021 and 2022. Among independents who do not identify with either party, 76% supported same-sex marriage. This marks an increase from the amount of support for same-sex marriage measured by independents last year (74%) while still falling short of the record high of 77% recorded in 2023. When asked about their views on same-sex relationships, the view that such relations were morally acceptable reached a record high of 86% among Democrats this year. Majorities of both independents (69%) and Americans as a whole (64%) believed that same-sex relationships were morally acceptable in 2025, down from respective record highs of 74% and 71%. Among Republicans, 38% viewed same-sex relations as morally acceptable, marking a third-consecutive year of decline following a record high percentage (56%) indicating they saw same-sex relations as morally acceptable in 2022. Besides Republicans, only among one other group did support for same-sex marriage and the view that same-sex relationships were morally acceptable fail to achieve majority support: weekly churchgoers. Just 33% of those who go to religious services every week expressed support for same-sex marriage, while only 24% believed that homosexual relations are morally acceptable. Support for same-sex marriage was highest among those who never or seldom go to church (81%), those between the ages of 18 and 34 (79%), college graduates (74%) and women (73%). Large majorities of adults between the ages of 35 and 54 (69%), those who go to church nearly every week or monthly (67%), non-college graduates (65%), men (62%) and those 55 and older (60%) also expressed support for same-sex marriage. Similarly, the view that same-sex relations were morally acceptable was most prevalent among those who never or seldom go to church (81%), followed by those between the ages of 18 and 34 (76%), college graduates (71%), women (68%), those between the ages of 35 and 54 (63%), non-college graduates (60%), men (58%), those 55 and older (57%) and those who go to church nearly every week or monthly (56%). Home News Majority of Republicans support same-sex marriage: survey A new survey has found that for the first time, a majority of Republicans support same-sex marriage. As part of its annual American Values Atlas, the Public Religion Research Institute released a report Thursday finding broad support for pro-LGBT policies in the United States spanning across partisan, ethnic and religious lines. The results of the survey match findings of other studies showing rising support for such policies. Overall, 67% of Americans support same-sex marriage. Support for allowing same-sex couples to marry is highest among Democrats (76%) and independents (72%). Notably, 51% of Republicans, who are seen as the party committed to defending traditional family values, said they support same-sex marriage. 2020 marked the first time a majority of Republicans surveyed in the American Values Atlas expressed support for same-sex marriage. 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 Same-sex marriage boasts majority support in nearly all religious groups. Seventy-six percent of Americans belonging to a religion other than Christianity support allowing same-sex couples to marry, along with 75% of white Catholics, 72% of white mainline Protestants and 71% of Hispanic Catholics. An overwhelming majority (81%) of religiously unaffiliated Americans support same-sex marriage. Support for same-sex marriage is lower among black Protestants (57%), other Protestants of color (56%) and Hispanic Protestants (51%). Less than half of evangelical Protestants of all races support same-sex marriage. Support is lowest among Hispanic evangelical Protestants (41%), followed by evangelical Protestants of another race (43%), white evangelical Protestants (43%), and black evangelical Protestants (49%). As Congress considers the Equality Act, a wide-reaching measure that includes nondiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals, the American Values Atlas found broad support for such policies in the American public. When asked if they supported "laws that protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people against discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing," 76% of Americans answered in the affirmative. Support for nondiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals reaches 85% among Democrats and 78% among independents. While support for nondiscrimination protections is lower among Republicans, they still receive majority support (62%). Among conservative Republicans, support for nondiscrimination protection measures at 59%. This number rises to 73% among liberal Republicans and 75% among moderate Republicans. Independents (86%) and Democrats (91%) who describe themselves as liberal overwhelmingly favor nondiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals. Moderate Democrats (83%) and independents (81%) favor nondiscrimination protections by wide margins, while conservative Democrats (73%) and Democrats (69%) support the protections by less sizable but still substantial margins. Reflecting the results of other surveys, support for LGBT nondiscrimination protections is highest among Americans between the ages of 18-29, 81% of whom support LGBT policies. Support declines among older age groups, with 81% of Americans between the ages of 30 and 49 favoring nondiscrimination policies, along with 72% of Americans between the ages of 50 and 64, and 65% of those over the age of 65. The age gap surrounding support for nondiscrimination protections is also evident within partisan groups. Commanding majorities of Republicans (70%), independents (84%), and Democrats (89%) under the age of 50 support nondiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals. Smaller majorities of Republicans (56%), independents (71%) and Democrats (81%) over the age of 50 favor the measures. Within religious communities, younger members are more likely than older members to favor nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people. Seventy-three percent of white evangelical Protestants younger than 50 support the protections compared to 56% of their counterparts age 50 and older. Among other Protestants of color, 80% of those younger than age 50 support nondiscrimination protections, while 66% of those age 50 and older said the same. Support for nondiscrimination protections stands at 80% among black Protestants under the age of 50, 66% among black Protestants over the age of 50, 88% among white mainline Protestants younger than 50, 75% of white mainline Protestants older than 50, 83% among younger white Catholics, 72% among older white Catholics, 71% among younger Hispanic Protestants, 62% among older Hispanic Protestants, 84% of Hispanic Catholics younger than 50, and 75% among Hispanic Catholics older than 50. The survey also found that women are more likely than men to support nondiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals. Sixty-eight percent of Republican women support the policies compared to 57% of their male counterparts. While independent women (82%) are more likely than independent men (75%) to favor nondiscrimination protections, the difference in support among female and male Democrats is minimal (87% as opposed to 83%). Majorities of all religious groups support nondiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals. The support was highest among religiously unaffiliated Americans (82%), white mainline Protestants (82%), Hispanic Catholics (81%) and Jewish Americans (79%). Significant majorities of Mormons (78%), white Catholics (77%), other Catholics of color (74%), and black Protestants (73%) also support codifying protections for LGBT individuals into law. The groups that are least likely to support such measures were white evangelical Protestants (62%), Hispanic Protestants (68%) and other Protestants of color (72%). The American Values Atlas also found that a supermajority of Americans (61%) oppose allowing small businesses to "refuse to provide products or services to gay or lesbian people, if doing so violates their religious beliefs." While a plurality of white evangelical Protestants (49%) support allowing business owners to abide by their religious beliefs, pluralities or majorities of all other religious groups oppose religiously based service refusals. A plurality of Mormons (49%) oppose religiously based service refusals, along with a majority of Hispanic Protestants (54%), other Protestants of color (56%), white mainline Protestants (59%), white Catholics (60%), Hispanic Catholics (62%), other Catholics of color (64%), religiously unaffiliated Americans (70%), black Protestants (70%), and Jews (71%). Less than half of Republicans (42%) oppose religiously based service refusals compared to majorities of independents (62%) and Democrats (73%). The survey concluded with an analysis of support for the "pro-LGBTQ policies" of legal same-sex marriage, nondiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals and opposition to religiously based service refusals. Forty-two percent of Americans were classified as "completely in favor of pro-LGBTQ policies," 27% were "somewhat in favor of pro-LGBTQ policies," 13% were "somewhat against pro-LGBTQ policies" and 7% were "completely against pro-LGBTQ policies." White evangelicals were the most likely group to be "completely against pro-LGBTQ policies," while religiously unaffiliated Americans were the most likely group to be "completely in favor of pro-LGBTQ policies." Although a majority of Americans support the provision of the Equality Act guaranteeing nondiscrimination protections for the LGBT community, other parts of the legislation are far less popular with the American public. A poll released last year found that 67% of Americans opposed allowing biological males who identify as females to compete in women's sports, while less than 60% of likely voters opposed allowing biological males who identify as females to use women's restrooms and locker rooms. The 2020 American Values Atlas was based on responses collected from 50,334 adults between Jan. 7, 2020, and Dec. 20, 2020. Home News Poll Shows 61% of Americans Approve of Gay Marriage, But Pro-Family Leader Says Support Is 'Artificial' More and more Americans are viewing homosexuality and same-sex marriage favorably as shown by the latest Gallup survey. However, a pro-family leader said the support for same-sex marriage is "artificial" since it's just the product of the "constant media and cultural propaganda" by LGBT activists, LifeSite News reported. In the continuing Gallup survey, the latest of which was conducted on May 4-8, 61 percent of the respondents answered in the affirmative to the question, "Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?" 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 Only 37 percent said such marriages should not be valid, while 2 percent had no opinion. Brian Camenker, founder and president of the pro-family group Mass Resistance, said Americans should view the Gallup poll data "in a larger context." "It's all artificial. Because homosexuality is innately unnatural, it takes massive amounts of constant media and cultural propaganda for people to believe these things," he told LifeSiteNews. Camenker said once the propaganda stops, "everything will go back to normal. It always has." Aside from the media, the courts are also responsible for the "revolutionary redefinition" of marriage, he said. He said people are being deluded into believing that whatever the judges decide must be recognized as "immutable law" and that people's thinking and morality need to be adjusted to conform to their ruling. "That's happened with school prayer, abortion and now homosexual so-called 'marriage.' It's simply wrong," he said. Camenker echoed the view expressed earlier by former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore that judges are not above the constitution. In an interview with Conservative Review, Moore slammed the Supreme Court's Obergefell decision, which he said "created the right to gay marriage from nothing." "And now the free conscience objections to gay marriage by religious institutions are being trampled upon by the federal government. All across our country, we're seeing a deprivation of a right given by God because the Supreme Court created a right and is mandating that everyone conform to it," Moore said. Moore was suspended from the bench in September 2016 for telling probate judges to defy federal orders regarding gay marriage. Home News Rick Joyner praises Mike Bickle as great church leader, pushes for his return to ministry MorningStar Ministries founder Rick Joyner believes disgraced International House of Prayer Kansas City founder Mike Bickle should be restored to ministry leadership despite an independent investigative report concluding earlier this year that he used predatory tactics and spiritual manipulation to sexually abuse at least 17 females, including minors. The South Carolina ministers praise of Bickle came during a 42-minute rant published on his ministrys website, where he argued that despite his failures, Bickle is too great of a leader to be thrown away. He messed up, and hes paying the price. Its going to take a while for the Body of Christ to fully trust him again, but I believe they will. I believe theres going to be a change of that, but we cant just throw away great people like that, Joyner argued. 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 We are told in Galatians 6:1, if a man is caught in any trespass, anything, you who are spiritual, restore them. And restoring is a lot more than just forgiving; its getting them back to where they were. So Im believing for Mikes full restoration without penalty. Thats how the Lord does it, he insisted. Joyner argued that restoration or church discipline should not be seen as punishment. Restoration or going through discipline, all that stuff, its not punishment. Its just helping close the gaps, the gates of Hell, where Hell got into your life, he said. Its for discipline, sure, but discipline in the right sense where we are so disciplined, those things cant trip us up again. But I have that hope for everybody. Joyner said Bickle may just be coming to what hes ultimately supposed to do, while claiming that he has been one of the great leaders in the Body of Christ and in our time. His time is not up, Joyner argued. I so appreciated IHOP[KC], and I think Mike helped to raise up one of the greatest prayer movements in Church history. It may be the greatest. Ive done a lot of studying of Church history, and Ive never seen anything like what Mike moved up and what he inspired, he added. I dont think that work is dead. I think neither have we heard the end of Mike Bickles ministry. In February, independent sexual abuse investigation firm Firefly published a 68-page report called Investigation of Mike Bickle and the International House of Prayer Kansas City, which paints Bickle as a seductive predator who used his influence, gifts, money and position as a spiritual leader to bend particularly young and vulnerable women to his will. One of his alleged victims claims in the report that she was so gaslit by Bickle he made her read Psalm 51 after sexual encounters. Throughout the investigation, we have identified and interviewed seventeen (17) Survivors who were either sexually abused or experienced sexually abusive misconduct, including sexual abuse, rape, clergy abuse, and spiritual abuse, perpetrated by Bickle beginning to our knowledge in the mid-1970s, investigators wrote. These acts of abuse have had profound and lasting impacts on the lives of the victims, causing significant emotional, psychological, and spiritual harm. The survivors have shown immense courage in coming forward to share their experiences despite the fear and trauma associated with these events. Among those survivors is Deborah Perkins, the first of Bickles victims to go public with her account of alleged abuse. She told investigators that Bickle made her read Scripture after their sexual encounters. Bickles actions in having Deborah Perkins pray Psalm 51 [] after sexual encounters was another layer of his manipulation. By invoking a prayer of repentance, he further distorted her understanding of the situation, making her feel complicit in the abuse, investigators wrote. Like Joyner, a pastoral team, identified as the Pastoral Recommendation Team (PRT), cited Galatians 6:1 in a report released in March commissioned by Tikkun International, as support for how Bickle could be restored if he's willing to submit to their recommendations. They did not recommend that he return to the same position he last held prior to his fall, however. Using Galatians 6:1 as a guide, Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted (NKJV). The PRT worked from an assumption that God wants to restore Christian brothers and sisters. The primary goal was to facilitate and enable every person involved, both perpetrators and victims, to be all the persons God intended them to be, the pastoral team wrote. While this restoration may not include a restoration back into the same position, at the same location or among the same people harmed by their sin, we believe it certainly does include a restoration back to healthy spiritual fellowship within the Body of Christ elsewhere. In May 2024, IHOPKCs Forerunner Church was forced to shutter as a result of Bickles sex scandal. IHOPKC permanently cut ties with Bickle in December 2023. The ministry also told The Christian Post in an earlier statement that they planned to continue with the 24/7 prayer room for which it is known globally. "We are NOT closing the 24/7 prayer room; it remains a main stay of our existence. We do intend to review the functionality of various operational locations and will likely consolidate several. We have also decided to conclude the operation of IHOPU, our ministry school, after this year's graduation," the ministry noted. Officials with the ministry also appeared to deny claims that they were seeking to escape liability connected to the allegations of sexual abuse against Bickle. "We have supported and will continue to support any and all victims of abuse, sexual or otherwise, whether here within IHOPKC, or anywhere in the community, they said. To be clear, there have been no lawsuits filed against IHOPKC; the allegations of prior misconduct pertained to an individual, not our organization. Home News Rwandan Bishop Honored with Wilberforce Award This year's William Wilberforce Award has gone to a Rwandan bishop whose nationwide program prepares perpetrators and victims of Rwanda's infamous genocide for face-to-face meetings. "Bishop John [Rucyahana] believes that if the Rwandan situation can be amended by repentance and forgiveness, and the people there can be reconciled to live together again, forgiveness can happen anywhere," said Prison Fellowship and BreakPoint President Mark Earley, whose ministry honored Rucyahana with the 2009 Wilberforce award on Saturday. "We recognize that reconciliation is a key to achieving restoration and criminal justice worldwide, and we applaud Bishop John for his monumental efforts in Rwanda," he added. 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 Forgiveness is a poignant issue in Rwanda, a country still struggling to reconcile after the 1994 genocide that killed as many as 1 million people in as few as 100 days. The genocide, the worst in the 1990s, was primarily the action of Hutu extremists against Rwanda's Tutsi minority and moderate Hutus. As chairman of Prison Fellowship Rwanda, Bishop Rucyahana organized the Umuvumu Tree Project to provide genocide perpetrators the opportunity to meet victims to admit their crimes, ask for forgiveness, and take steps toward restoration. "We must forgive now, like Jesus did while He was on the cross," says Rucyahana, who lost many members of his family in the genocide. "Without God, I would hate such killers with all of my heart," the bishop admits. "But with God, I can truly say that I love them." In addition to the Umuvumu Tree Project, Rucyahana has also founded the Blessed Mustard Seed Babies Home orphanage and the Sonrise School for children orphaned by the genocide and AIDS. The William Wilberforce Award, presented annually to a distinguished Christian leader who has confronted formidable societal problems and injustices, is named in honor of William Wilberforce, the English statesman who waged a 40-year campaign against the slave trade in Britain. 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 5 years after the Floyd riots, the Lefts thirst for political violence has not been quenched Five years after the death of George Floyd, the political Left is increasingly embracing violence as a legitimate action, aided and abetted by soft-on-crime forces funded by billionaire George Soros. Floyds death sparked numerous deaths and other violence, including massive property damage to predominantly black neighborhoods and businesses. The MinneapolisSaint Paul riots alone saw two people killed, 604 people arrested, and up to $2 billion in property damage. Five years later, and were already seeing signs of another Summer of Love. 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 Elias Rodriguez, the suspect arrested for allegedly murdering two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C., on May 21, has been defended by members of a socialist organization affiliated with House squad members and by the treasurer of Black Voters Matter Action PAC, a Democrat super PAC funded with millions of Soros dollars. Chuck Ross from The Washington Free Beacon also reports: Twenty-one organizations, along with Democratic activist Kamau Franklin, signed an open letter in support of Rodriguez organized by the Tariq El-Tahrir Youth and Student Network. It calls Rodriguezs shooting of Israeli diplomats Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky outside of the Capital Jewish Museum fully justified, eminently defensible, and morally righteous. A poll released in April by the Network Contagion Research Institute reported that among left-leaning respondents, 55% felt it would be at least somewhat justified to kill President Donald Trump, while 48% said the same thing about Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who headed the federal Department of Government Efficiency effort. Relatedly, 57.6% of left-leaning respondents (and a disturbing nearly 40% of respondents overall) believed that destroying Tesla dealerships was somewhat acceptable. This helps explain the rash of violent instigators throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla dealerships and vandalizing Tesla vehicles. Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, the 33-year-old man arrested for allegedly causing $21,000 in damages to six Tesla vehicles in Minneapolis will not be charged by Soros-funded Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. In a supreme act of hypocrisy, Moriarty previously charged a 19-year-old woman with no criminal record with a felony for keying a co-workers car with damages of only $7,000. It seems Moriarty provides mercy for politically motivated crimes. Over numerous campaign cycles, Soros team funneled millions of dollars to public prosecutor candidates in hopes that they would go soft on crime in the name of social justice. In 2016, Politico called it Soros quiet overhaul of the U.S. justice system. As writers like Jason Riley of the Manhattan Institute show, this overhaul actually harms vulnerable populations (including racial minorities), backfiring against the intended goal. As a result, vulnerable people become even more exposed to violent crime. The author of the Network Contagion Research Institute report said they found a statistically higher endorsement of political murder on the Left, 41% more than among right-leaning participants. Its no wonder, then, that Luigi Mangione, the man arrested for allegedly murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brutal December Manhattan execution, has been sainted by some on the Left, including Taylor Lorenz, a former New York Times and Washington Post reporter. Lorenz shockingly claimed she felt joy upon learning of Thompsons death because, in her view, the health care executive had himself murdered tens of thousands of Americans. Lorenz said women gush over Mangione as a morally good man, which is hard to find. Further desensitizing our culture against violence, former FBI Director James Comey posted a photo on his Instagram account with seashells on the beach forming the numbers 8647. Cool shell formation on my beach walk, Comey wrote. Dan Scavino, White House deputy chief of staff, claimed it was a call to assassinate Trump, who has already survived two assassination attempts, including one that sliced Trumps ear and killed a Trump rallygoer. The slang, informal meaning of 86 means to remove or destroy something. Trump is the 47th president and frequently referred to as 47. Comey soon removed the post, claiming in a subsequent post that I didnt realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down. He has maintained this position in numerous interviews while plugging his new book. Comeys claims ring hollow, given his high-ranking former position. Hes the latest in a string of high-profile, anti-Trump figures who find it acceptable to endorse violence because their team keep failing at the ballot box. Five years after Floyds death, the Left remains a dangerous threat to democracy. Our country deserves better. Originally published at The Daily Signal. Home Opinion How Muslims and Mormons can escape fantasy land Muslims and Mormons believe certain things that are rejected by the vast majority of religious and secular historians and archaeologists. Muslims blindly accept the Quran's denial of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while Mormons blindly believe in the mythical locations highlighted in The Book of Mormon. In other words, Muslims and Mormons are essentially living in fantasy land, as compared to the evidence-based faith of Christianity. The Quran makes this claim about Jesus of Nazareth in Surah 4:157: "They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to resemble him to them." This erroneous claim stands in stark contrast to the historical evidence. Tacitus was born in 55 AD and is "widely regarded as one of the greatest Roman historians by modern scholars." He wrote, "Christ, from whom the name of Christians originated, was put to death by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate" (Annals, 15:44). 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 secular source in the Roman Archives of history states: 'Christ had been executed in Tiberius' reign by the Govenor of Judea, Pontius Pilate." In addition, "the Jewish Talmud, a historical writing that is not biased towards Jesus, includes the historical event of Jesus' death on the eve of the Passover." German biblical scholar Gerd Ludemann wrote, "Jesus' death as a consequence of crucifixion is indisputable." The Apostle Peter wrote, "Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). And the Apostle John presented the Gospel in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. The Apostle Paul wrote, "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). While Muslims need to discover and accept the historical evidence for Christ's crucifixion with all of its implications, Mormons need to learn that The Book of Mormon is not supported by archaeology or geography. "Many discoveries have confirmed names, cities, geographic locations, dates, political leaders, and other incidental information mentioned by the biblical writers. Even some skeptics have been amazed by the accuracy of the biblical data ... That assertion cannot be said for The Book of Mormon." Tal Davis provides the following evidence to show that nothing corroborates the archaeological and geographical claims in The Book of Mormon: 1. No Book of Mormon cities have been located. 2. No Book of Mormon names have been found in New World inscriptions. 3. No genuine inscriptions have been found in Hebrew. 4. No genuine inscriptions have been found in Egyptian or anything similar to Egyptian, which could correspond to Joseph Smiths "Reformed Egyptian." 5. No ancient copies of Book of Mormon scriptures have been found. 6. No mention of Book of Mormon people, nations, or places has been found. 7. No artifact of any kind that demonstrates The Book of Mormon is true has been found. "The Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of Natural History for a number of years distributed a written statement denying The Book of Mormon is a valid guide for archaeological exploration." It is certainly unpleasant to learn that your religious book makes claims that contradict the historical and archaeological evidence. But if you go to your grave maintaining faith in a religion that contradicts the Gospel, as well as the historical and archaeological evidence, your immortal soul will be lost and you will be forced to pay for your sins throughout eternity (see Matthew 25:46). And there is nothing more unpleasant than spending eternity in Hell. Heaven and Hell are not fantasy lands but are real places where people will exist forever (see Daniel 12:2; Matthew 7:13-14; John 3:36; Revelation 20:11-15). Thankfully, Christianity is an evidence-based faith. It is rooted in history and biblical prophecies, hundreds of which have already been fulfilled. You owe it to yourself to check out the overwhelming evidence: "55 Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus." If you currently adhere to a religious book other than the Bible, you won't find even one fulfilled prophecy in that book, whereas Jesus Christ fulfilled over 350 biblical prophecies in His earthly ministry. Canadian apologist Wesley Huff wrote, "What we call the Bible was put together over 1600 years, on 3 continents, by close to 40 different authors, in 3 different languages. Some of its writers were kings, others teachers, shepherds and fishermen." Pastor John Piper stated, "The remarkable fact is that most historical scholars today liberal or conservative believe that the Greek texts that we have in the New Testament are really what the authors wrote near the time when the events actually happened." You see, Christianity is rooted in fulfilled prophecies and is strongly supported by the historical and archaeological evidence. The death of the Messiah by crucifixion, along with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, are the two most well-attested events in ancient history. You will need to follow the evidence if you hope to escape fantasy land and meet "the only true God" (John 17:3). Home Opinion Reckless abuse of Medicaid: Who's telling the truth? In Isaiah chapter 59, the prophet lamented a troubling condition in his day, declaring: Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Isaiah recognized that without truth, integrity, justice, and fairness become unattainable. When truth collapses, genuine justice is compromised. This insight resonates powerfully today when considering recent claims made by Democratic lawmakers like Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren regarding the reconciliation bill that targets waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid. Warren proclaimed: 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 This bill would cut Medicaid, gut the Affordable Care Act, and slash food assistance. If it passes the Senate, this bill will rip health care away from 14 million people, over a quarter of a million right here in Massachusetts all to pay for tax handouts for billionaires. Really? Does requiring able-bodied individuals to work equate to ripping health care away from vulnerable mothers, children, or seniors? Hardly. What it does mean is that capable individuals should engage productively rather than relying indefinitely on taxpayer-funded programs. This aligns closely with the Apostle Pauls firm biblical instruction to the Thessalonians: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Such accountability may indeed be necessary given our nations nearly $37 trillion debt. However, the issue extends beyond individual responsibility. Take Ohio as an example: Republican state Rep. Mike Dovilla initiated an investigation into Ohios Medicaid eligibility using LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Ohios Medicaid enrollment ballooned to approximately 3.5 million people in 2023 almost 30% of the states population costing taxpayers $31.8 billion. The probe discovered nearly 30% of these enrollees were ineligible, including over 4,000 individuals holding liquid assets between $100,000 and $1 million, far exceeding the states $2,000 eligibility limit. Why did such an unchecked expansion occur, even in a conservative state like Ohio? Primarily because the federal government covers nearly 70% of the programs costs, reducing incentives for rigorous oversight. If Ohio merely enforced existing eligibility standards, taxpayers could save approximately $2.5 billion. Moreover, similar situations likely exist nationwide, suggesting billions more could be saved with appropriate oversight and accountability. The reconciliation bill aptly named the One, Big, Beautiful Bill may not address every instance of Medicaid waste and abuse. However, it confronts some of the most glaring abuses and discourages reckless state-level expansions that threaten genuine health care access for truly needy individuals. Politicians like Sen. Warren, prioritizing political narratives over truth, endanger the very people they claim to defend. When truth is sacrificed for political posturing, responsible policy decisions become impossible, ultimately hurting those most in need. Truth matters; without it, genuine justice and equity cannot exist. New FBI Data Reveals Organizations Need Deeper Technical Expertise to Detect, Contain, and Remediate Advanced Attacks INE Security, a global leader in cybersecurity training and certification, is emphasizing the urgent need for technical cybersecurity professionals who can detect, analyze, and neutralize threats once theyve bypassed initial defenses. The FBIs latest Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Report reveals a stark reality: cybercriminals extracted a record $16.6 billion from victims in 2024, representing a 33% increase over the previous year. While these losses include both individual and organizational victims, the enterprise-focused attacks highlighted in the report underscore a critical skills gap. The Technical Challenge Behind the Numbers While the FBI report captures the financial damage, the underlying technical reality is more complex: Ransomware Evolution : The 18% surge in critical infrastructure attacks, led by sophisticated variants like Akira, LockBit, and RansomHub, demonstrates that modern ransomware operators are using advanced techniques, including lateral movement, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration that require specialized detection and response skills. : The 18% surge in critical infrastructure attacks, led by sophisticated variants like Akira, LockBit, and RansomHub, demonstrates that modern ransomware operators are using advanced techniques, including lateral movement, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration that require specialized detection and response skills. Post-Compromise Detection : The $2.77 billion in Business Email Compromise losses, which primarily target organizations, represent successful attacks that evaded initial security controls. Organizations need security professionals trained in forensic analysis, network traffic analysis, and incident response to identify and contain these threats after theyve gained initial access. : The $2.77 billion in Business Email Compromise losses, which primarily target organizations, represent successful attacks that evaded initial security controls. Organizations need security professionals trained in forensic analysis, network traffic analysis, and incident response to identify and contain these threats after theyve gained initial access. Cryptocurrency Attack Complexity: The 66% spike in cryptocurrency fraud ($9.3 billion total) includes attacks on both individual and organizational victims, but reflects increasingly sophisticated blockchain analysis requirements and the need for security teams trained in cryptocurrency forensics and threat hunting methodologies. INE Securitys Technical Training Response While the FBI report captures losses across all victim types, the enterprise-focused attacks demonstrate that organizations face increasingly sophisticated threats that require advanced defensive capabilities, said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. Organizations need security professionals with hands-on technical skills to hunt threats, analyze malware, and respond to incidents with deep technical expertise. INE Securitys enterprise training programs address the post-breach reality through: Advanced Threat Detection Labs : Hands-on training with current CVEs and attack techniques, enabling security teams to recognize and analyze the specific TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) used by ransomware groups and advanced persistent threats. : Hands-on training with current CVEs and attack techniques, enabling security teams to recognize and analyze the specific TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) used by ransomware groups and advanced persistent threats. Incident Response and Forensics Training : Practical skills in malware analysis, memory forensics, and network traffic analysis that enable rapid threat identification and containment once attackers have gained access. : Practical skills in malware analysis, memory forensics, and network traffic analysis that enable rapid threat identification and containment once attackers have gained access. Threat Hunting Methodologies : Proactive detection techniques that help security teams identify compromise indicators before attacks reach their intended objectives. : Proactive detection techniques that help security teams identify compromise indicators before attacks reach their intended objectives. Industry-Specific Attack Simulation: Customized training environments that replicate the specific threats facing manufacturing, healthcare, government, and financial sectorsthe industries most heavily targeted according to the FBI data. The Skills Gap Reality The FBI reports emphasis on successful Operation Level Up, which saved victims $285.6 million through proactive identification, underscores the value of skilled security professionals who can proactively hunt threats and analyze complex attack patterns. The difference between a $10,000 security incident and a $10 million breach often comes down to detection speed and response capability, emphasized Warn. Organizations with certified security professionals trained in advanced technical skills detect threats in hours rather than months. Enterprise Training That Addresses Real Threats INE Securitys enterprise programs are designed around the technical realities revealed in the FBI report: Malware Analysis Training : Hands-on experience with current ransomware families and attack techniques : Hands-on experience with current ransomware families and attack techniques Network Security Monitoring : Advanced skills in detecting lateral movement and data exfiltration : Advanced skills in detecting lateral movement and data exfiltration Cryptocurrency Forensics : Specialized training in blockchain analysis and cryptocurrency threat hunting : Specialized training in blockchain analysis and cryptocurrency threat hunting Custom Threat Simulation: Industry-specific attack scenarios based on actual threat intelligence For organizations looking to build the technical security capabilities needed to combat the sophisticated threats highlighted in the FBI IC3 report, INE Security offers customized enterprise training solutions. Organizations can request a demo to explore how advanced security training may enhance their detection and response capabilities. About INE Security INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and cybersecurity certifications. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is trusted by Fortune 500 companies worldwide for their cybersecurity training needs, and by IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Securitys suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity education and is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career. Contact Kathryn Brown INE Security kbrown@ine.com Trade union Unite is holding protests today at Oxfams London, Manchester and Oxford offices against the charitys redundancy and outsourcing proposals. The union has accused the international development charity of planning to replace its staff with casual, non-unionised labour and said its members employed by Oxfam fear more roles could be targeted if the charity decides that outsourcing is acceptable. An Oxfam spokesperson denied it is replacing in-house roles with non-unionised labour and said the charity supports the right to protest as well as union rights. Unite shop steward and Oxfam worker Amit Srivastava, who is protesting at Oxfams Oxford office, told Civil Society: Its clear that the outsourcing plan is a mistake. We stand here today to ask Oxfam to think again and come up with a proposal that fits with Oxfam values and its principled commitment to decent jobs and workers rights. Proposals to outsource roles Oxfam announced in April that 265 jobs within the organisation were at risk of redundancy as part of its effort to save 10.2m per year in salary costs. It had recorded three annual deficits over the past five financial years, including a 28.4m shortfall for the financial year ending March 2024. In a statement this week, Unite said: Despite [Oxfams] comments to external media that it is not preparing to outsource in-house roles, Oxfam has stated clearly in writing to Unite members that staff will be made redundant and their work outsourced. Oxfam previously denied plans to outsource roles but Civil Society has now seen a partly-redacted internal document, which states that the charity will seek to outsource our publishing to give us more agility, whilst maintaining current standards, but at lower cost than maintaining overhead in the UK. It also proposes a shift towards outsourcing some elements of learning, talent and engagement as well as learning and organisational development. Commenting on the document, an Oxfam spokesperson told Civil Society: The statements are drawn from the proposals which we have collectively been working through with colleagues and unions. We actively welcome alternative proposals which will help us meet our savings targets. Formal collective consultation has been extended until 1 July. Oxfam: Not about using non-unionised casual labour On the protests, Oxfams spokesperson added: These restructuring proposals are to secure our financial future, not about a policy to replace in-house roles with non-unionised casual labour. Where our capacity is reduced, if we use short-term specialist expertise, it will be in accordance with our labour rights standards and our values. Like other charities, we have to make difficult decisions regarding our wage bill, so we can continue to respond to crises around the world. Unites regional coordinating officer Jamie Major said: We are calling on members and supporters to join us at these protests, as well as to keep sharing and signing our petition against Oxfam's proposals. The plans undermine workers rights and flies in the face of Oxfam values and previous messaging. We are determined to keep fighting to save jobs at Oxfam. Editor's note: This article has been updated after Oxfam corrected its consultation end date. 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. In March, Viktor Orban, the authoritarian prime minister of Hungary, gave a speech commemorating an uprising against the Hapsburg-ruled Austrian Empire in 1848a famous year of revolutions across Europeand took aim at what he sees as the imperialists of today, in dark, militaristic language. He accused politicians, judges, journalists, bogus civil society organizations, and political activists in Hungary of being in league with foreign powers, and referred to them as bugs and a shadow army that he intends to disperse. They are the latter-day Hapsburg troops, the minions of Brussels, paid to do the empires bidding against their own country. They have been here too long. They have survived too much. They have received money from too many places, Orban added, referring to the European Union, which is based in Brussels. The spring winds bring floodwater. Let it carry them off. Last month, Fidesz, Orbans party, introduced a bill, with the innocuous-sounding title On the Transparency of Public Life, that essentially aims to legislate his rant. The bill would allow Hungarys (decidedly less innocuous-sounding) Sovereignty Protection Office to recommend the blacklisting of organizations, including news outlets, that receive funding from abroad and are deemed a threat to sovereigntyan incredibly broad designation that, per Politico, includes activities such as influencing public opinion, promoting democratic debate, or challenging state-defined values like Christian culture and traditional family roles. Blacklisted organizations would be banned from receiving further foreign funds and subjected to all sorts of onerous requirements and penalties, including strict asset-disclosure rules for their leaders, the possibility of searches and seizures, and fines up to twenty-five times the value of the foreign funding in question; in some cases, organizations deemed not to be in compliance could be forcibly shuttered. The law could apply to donations of as little as five euros (less than six US dollars), including from the EU, of which Hungary is a member. According to Balkan Insight, the legislation is expected to go up for a vote next weekand to pass, given that Fidesz dominates parliamentthough it could be amended. Orbans Hungary is often cited as a model for what President Trump and some of those around him hope to do in the US, and Orbans speech, suggesting a shadowy conspiracy of foreigners, liberal elites, and the media, certainly called to mind current right-wing American discourse (even if its hard to imagine Trump inveighing against the Austrian yoke). And yet the bill proposed by Fidesz more closely resembles a tool of authoritarianism pioneered by, and still most closely associated with, a different superpower: Russia, which passed a law in 2012 taking aim at NGOs that receive foreign funding and has since significantly expanded its scope, to the point where officials invoked it, in 2023, to arrest Alsu Kurmasheva, a US and Russian dual national who works for the US-backed international broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. (Kurmasheva was freed last year, as part of a prisoner swap.) Critics of the Hungarian bill have likened it to Russias law. Peter Magyar, the leader of Hungarys opposition, accused the government of copying its master, Vladimir Putin. The International Press Institute and partner organizations described the bill as a direct threat to core EU values of media freedom and media pluralism, and warned that it would offer a foothold for Russian-style strangling of independent media from within the bloc itself. As I and others have noted before, Russias law taking aim at supposed foreign agents carries, aside from its sharp punitive burden, a rhetorical stigma with roots in the countrys Soviet past. IPI and its partners say that Hungarys bill would effectively represent the first foreign-agent-style law to take root within the EU. But this isnt to say that the spread of such laws outside of the Russian context is a new development: as I documented in 2023, following the arrest of Kurmasheva, a contagion effect appeared to be well underway across the globe, particularly in Russias traditional sphere of influence, but also beyond it. The details of such measuresand whether they explicitly invoked foreign agentsdiffered by country, but they generally have sought to complicate the existence of civil society groups that receive funding from foreign actors, usually very much including news organizations. One example I cited in 2023 was actually that of Hungary, which had already, in 2017, passed legislation requiring NGOs to disclose foreign funding. When I wrote, foreign-agent-type laws appeared to be on their way to passage in Kyrgyzstan and the Republika Srpska, a Serb-dominated subnational unit of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Kazakhstan had effectively adopted a foreign-agent register using a sneaky backdoor mechanism. This trend has not abated in the interim, and this year has already seen some significant developments. In February, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that Russia was set to once again expand its foreign-agent crackdown, this time by requiring those designated as foreign agents to open special bank accounts from which they would be banned from withdrawing funds as long as they remained on the register, but Russian officials could directly take fines for supposed noncompliance with the law; meanwhile, the country continued to add new journalists to the registerfrom foreign broadcasters including RFE/RL, its sister newsroom Voice of America, the BBC, and Germanys Deutsche Welleand continued to issue fines to those already on it. Also in February, the Republika Srpska finally passed its own foreign-agent law. In early May, the president of Slovakia, which is currently run by a press-bashing populist, signed into law a bill requiring NGOs to disclose their funding that critics likened to Russias lawthough explicit foreign agent language was dropped from the text. Two weeks ago, El Salvadorwhich has taken an increasingly worrying authoritarian turn under the Trump-allied populist Nayib Bukelepassed a law requiring recipients of foreign funds to register and pay taxes on the money, among other things. Oscar Martinez, the editor of the famed Salvadoran newsroom El Faro, told CPJ that the law is vague, and could even be applied to freelancers who receive honoraria or stipends from foreign sources, adding that it appears designed to suffocate the press. Both the Republika Srpska and El Salvador previously withdrew plans for such laws following international pressurethe former did so after I wrote in 2023, citing a need to further harmonize its plans with European standards (Bosnia and Herzegovina is not yet an EU member, but is a candidate to join)only to eventually pass versions of them. Similar is true of the nation of Georgia, which I also wrote about in 2023. Back then, the countrys Russian-aligned government had proposed a foreign-agent law, only to shelve it following mass protests. (As I noted, demonstrators chanted No to the Russian law.) Last year, however, the government reintroduced the bill, and this time, it passed, despite further protests and an initial veto from Georgias pro-European president. In October, ahead of crucial elections, which the ruling Georgian Dream party would go on to win, I wrote that news organizations that receive foreign funding had refused to comply with the law, including by registering their headquarters abroad; CPJ reported recently that the law effectively remains unimplemented. Earlier this year, however, the government passed a second foreign-agents law aimed at tightening the first; it went into effect on Saturday. Newsrooms surveyed by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project suggested that they still dont plan to comply. But the head of a journalism group suggested to CPJ that continued defiance is a risk many media workers will not take. (I dont want to go to jail, she added.) In a twist, officials in Georgia have insisted that the new law is an exact replica not of anything Russian, but of a US law: the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA. As I noted in 2023, FARA is, technically, the oldest foreign-agent law in the world: it was passed in 1938, aimed at curbing the spread of Nazi propaganda, and still imposes reporting requirements on people and entities seen as taking direction from a foreign principal; the act fell into relative disuse after World War II, but has recently seen an uptick in application. FARA has not typically been applied against media outlets (which enjoy some exemptions under the law), and is subject to judicial oversight, leading experts to caution against likening it to Russias law and its copycats (even if Russia has also claimed inspiration from FARA). Maxim Krupskiy, an expert on foreign-agent laws, told me in 2023 that in practice, the more authoritarian the regime in a country, the worse the effect of this legislation on society; while Georgia may see the FARA comparison as legitimizing given that the US is a democracy, observers have expressed concern that the law will in reality be abused to crack down on critical speech due to a lack of US-style checks and balances. And yet FARA has been used against at least one media outlet in the USthe first Trump administration demanded that the Russian state broadcaster RT register under itand some US observers continue to warn that the laws breadth and application in cases that are not on their face about journalism could pose a threat to press freedom. (The US now, of course, has a government that seems keen on using regulatory levers to chill press freedom, even if theres so far no indication of it weaponizing FARA. In what could be seen as an irony, the new Trump administration has curbed one source of foreign funding to outlets now being targeted by foreign-agent measures, including in both Georgia and Hungary, by gutting the US Agency for International Development.) Sign up for CJRs daily email When I wrote in 2023, the EU was also said to be considering FARA-type measures in a bid to crack down on undeclared foreign influence over civil-society institutions in the bloc, particularly from Russia and China, drawing pushback from hundreds of civil-society groups, which warned of unintended consequences and perceived hypocrisy. (As I noted at the time: Various observers have argued that democracies must strike a tricky balance here: between stigmatizing civil-society groups (and the appearance of hypocrisy in doing so) and a real need for transparency at a time when murky cross-border influence campaigns are spreading.) Otherwise, the EU has served as a bulwark, or tried to, against the spread of more overtly weaponized foreign-agent laws within and just beyond its borders: pressure from the bloc initially helped to stymie the push in Georgia (which had also applied to join the EU), while an EU court eventually slapped down Hungarys 2017 foreign-funding disclosure law. But the tide appears to be rising against the bloc. After Orbans party introduced its new bill recently, thousands of Hungarians took to the streets in protest, with banners that included an EU flag with the word HELP emblazoned across it. Shortly after the bill was introduced, the IPI and its partners urged the EU to mount a swift and forceful response, by fast-tracking a legal challenge and considering taking other punitive measures in the interim; a number of European lawmakers have called for a freeze in Hungarys European funding, and, as Deutsche Welle noted, the bloc could determine that Hungary is in breach of its fundamental principles and suspend some of its participation rights, though this seems unlikely. While Orban has consolidated significant control over Hungary and its media, his party isnt necessarily pushing the new bill from a position of strength; as numerous observers have noted, Magyars opposition is pulling ahead in the polls ahead of elections next year. But Orban has stacked the odds against his opponents, and the bill looks like a particularly extreme example of that. Fighting back cant wait till next year. Other notable stories: For CJR, Lauren Watson tracks the progress of a piece of state-level legislation that, if passed, would force Big Tech to compensate press organizations in Oregon for a portion of the value that news generates on major platforms, and be the first law of its kind in the United States. The state senator behind the bill modeled it on prior efforts in Australia and Canada, where such laws have gone into effect, and in California and New Jersey, which have made similar attempts, Watson reports. 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. And 10 percent of the money generated would support a civic information consortium tasked with providing grants to rural operations and startups. In other media-business news, Business Insider moved last week to lay off more than a fifth of its staff; management said that the company plans to reduce its reliance on traffic sensitive functions and to pivot to going all-in on AI, but the union that represents staffers at the site said that the real pivot was away from journalism toward greed. Elsewhere, GBH, the public broadcaster in Boston, laid off forty-five people, citing federal funding cuts, rising costs of doing business, and the need to evolve our work to meet audiences needs. In happier news (sort of), the current chaos at federal health agencies is driving traffic and subscriptions to Stat, the health-news site that shares an owner with the Boston Globe; Nieman Lab has more. Reporters from the BBC obtained Syrian intelligence documents that shine fresh light on what happened to Austin Tice, an American journalist, after he was abducted in the country in 2012; the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which collapsed late last year, always denied that it was holding Tice, but the documents, as well as testimony to the BBC from former Syrian officials, now confirm that it was, the broadcaster reports. Shortly before leaving office, President Biden said that he believed that Tice was still alive, and his mother has said she has been told as much, but his whereabouts remain unknown. (I wrote about Tices case in 2022.) Last year, I wrote in this newsletter about Bernhard Poerksen, a German academic who, unusually, had been commissioned by the famed newsmagazine Der Spiegel to critique its work on important topics. (He started with Trump.) Poerksens latest essay focuses on the magazines coverage of the growing far-right Alternative fur Deutschland party. Often, it is really good, he writes, including in its gripping exposes and significant degree of linguistic sensitivity. And yet, in the background lurk dilemmas that are unfortunately not spelled out with the necessary clarity. And for the Washington Post, Larry Tye makes the case that Good Night, and Good Luck, the drama about Edward R. Murrows role in toppling McCarthyism (which is currently running on Broadway, with George Clooney as Murrow), is about the wrong journalist. Murrow did broadcast two bare-knuckle takedowns of McCarthy, Tye writes. But the commentator Drew Pearson went after Low Blow Joe six years before Murrow, stayed on the story longer and uniquely ignited the senators wrath. Delivery Hero SE agreed to pay a total of 329 million ($376 million) to settle a European Union probe into collusion with Glovo before it sealed a takeover of its Spanish rival. The European Commission announced the penalty on Monday, saying the pair had previously plotted to carve up takeout delivery markets in Europe, shared sensitive commercial information on WhatsApp messages and also agreed to avoid poaching each others staff. The watchdog said the illegal behavior occurred between July 2018 and July 2022, when Delivery Hero gained full control of Glovo, and collusion between the then- separate firms stopped. This case is important because these practices were facilitated through an anticompetitive use of Delivery Heros minority stake in Glovo, EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said in a statement. It is also the first time the commission is sanctioning a no-poach agreement, where companies stop competing for the best talent and reduce opportunities for workers. The EUs escalation follows on from raids on company premises in Berlin and Barcelona in 2022 and 2023. The probe came as the food delivery industry was grappling with high competition and thin profit margins after the pandemic with takeout orders declining as more people turned to restaurants following lockdowns. Berlin-based Delivery Hero previously told investors that it was expecting an EU antitrust fine possibly exceeding 400 million. The eventual penalty for Delivery Heros behavior amounted to about 223.3 million; while Glovos share is nearly 106 million. The commission said it cut the levies by 10% because the duo had admitted wrongdoing and agreed to settle. Penalties for antitrust violations can be as high as 10% of a companys global revenue, although they seldom reach that level. The final settlement is nearly 20% lower than anticipated, and reflects, among other things, that the commission acknowledged a lower intensity of the issues investigated for some periods, Delivery Hero said in a statement after the announcement. The companys shares increased 0.8% to 24.57 at 1:42 p.m. in Frankfurt trading as its peers declined. In its investigation, the commission said the firms had exchanged information about a wide range of activities including on pricing. Their market sharing removed existing overlaps and avoided creating new ones, according to the EUs antitrust arm. Delivery Heros then-minority shareholding provided it with key tool to coordinate with Glovo, the EU said. Their shareholding agreement included no-hire clauses and provided seats on Glovos board, according to the regulator. The Brussels-based commission has historically taken a tough stance on firms found to be carving up parts of the supposedly single EU market to make higher profits by charging different prices and curbing competition in different regions. The regulator has similarly boosted its enforcement of the blocs cartel rules in several headline cases, including continent-wide raids against some of the worlds leading tire companies. Top photo: Food couriers working for Glovo on a street in Palma de Mallorca. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. In Sinners, the supernatural horror film from director Ryan Coogler, music does not simply underscore emotionit becomes the conduit through which history breathes, ghosts rise, and truth demands to be heard. Released theatrically in April and now available for digital rental and purchase starting today June 3, with streaming to follow later this summer, Sinners has earned praise for its eerie atmosphere and devastating performances. But it's the musiccomposed by Oscar winner Ludwig Goransson and enhanced by field recordings, blues legends, and rising artiststhat binds the film's emotional core to centuries of trauma, resistance, and cultural memory. A Haunted Score Rooted in the Blues Set in 1930s Mississippi during the height of Jim Crow, Sinners a story on film, another one on music. To tell this story sonically, Goransson went to great lengths to immerse himself in period-specific instruments and traditions. "I wrote much of the score on a 1932 Dobro Cyclops resonator guitar, because I wanted it to sound like the room, like the South breathing in pain," he said in a featurette released by Sony Music Masterworks. The soundtrack, released April 18, is as much a character as any actor. It features raw, reverberating performances by Rhiannon Giddens, James Blake, Hailee Steinfeld, and blues legend Buddy Guy, whose track "Dirt on My Hands" conjures the agony of working-class life with the spiritual dread of the afterlife looming just beyond the next note. Music as a Communal Weapon and Wound At the heart of Sinners lies the role of music as communal ritual and collective catharsisa survival tool used by oppressed communities to preserve culture, memory and fight erasure. This isn't just a film about ghosts. It's about the haunting legacy of slavism, racism, and colonization. The film's score highlights how Black American music is not only a genre but a survival mechanism, passed down through spirituals, slave songs, delta blues, rock and roll, and rap. Each chord in Sinners feels inheritedan heirloom of grief and resilience. Goransson's score weaves traditional African polyrhythms with distorted gospel vocals, deliberately unpolished. "We didn't want clean recordings," said music supervisor Tanika Johnson. "We wanted them to sound like they came from a dirt floor, a church with no pews, a scream in the woods." The film's pivotal performance sceneset during a blackout as the juke joint erupts into a trance-like jamis reminiscent of a voodoo ceremony. It is not accidental. Coogler, who co-wrote the story, said, "The juke joint becomes a spiritual battlefield. What the plantation couldn't kill, the music preserved." Bridging Continents: Irish and African Diaspora Connections What sets Sinners apart is its subtle but profound inclusion of Irish musical influence, which emerges in the final act when the mysterious White fiddler, played by Domhnall Gleeson, joins the soundtrack. His playing invokes sean-nos, a form of free-rhythm Irish singing known for its mournful tone and oral preservation. This moment is not incidental. It ties into the film's undercurrent: the solidarity between colonized peoples. Irish folk traditionsborn under British suppression, famine, and forced emigrationshare emotional DNA with African-American music: an urgency to remember, to resist, to remain human. The combination of African and Irish motifs in the same score is rare but powerful. One sequence layers a bowed Irish fiddle over a Yoruba call-and-response chant, creating a crescendo that feels like the past speaking in tongues. "It felt like the two griefs were dancing with each other," said Goransson. "Like they recognized the other's pain." "Dangerous": A Love Song, a Curse, a Spell Pop artist Hailee Steinfeld co-wrote and performs the original song "Dangerous," which plays during the film's climax and credits. Though contemporary in arrangement, the song borrows blues phrasing and features minimal productionjust voice and resonator guitar. "It's a woman's warning, a lament, and a prophecy," Steinfeld said in an interview with Variety. "It's about the price of silence in a violent world." "Dangerous" is already seeing viral traction on TikTok, where creators have used it for everything from breakup montages to political protest clips. Like the film, the song's haunting refrain"I sang and the devil stayed quiet"feels both timeless and timely.c Streaming, Soundtrack, and Legacy As of June 3, 2025, Sinners is available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play for digital purchase or rental. A physical 4K UHD and Blu-ray release is planned for July 8, and streaming availability on Max (formerly HBO Max) is expected in late July, though the exact date is still to be confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery. The soundtrack, released by Sony Masterworks, is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal, and includes both the original score and featured songs. In Sinners, the music is not a tool of expositionit is the exorcism. By drawing from African and Irish musical lineages, Goransson and Coogler craft a soundscape that mourns, remembers, and defies. It's more than a soundtrack. It's a requiem for the forgottenand a rallying cry for the living. A shot of the half-acre, 330-foot vacant lot owned by the City of Cleveland Heights across from the Ascent at Top of the Hill mixed-use development. The architect and developer withdrew their proposal June 2 to buy the land for $40,000 and building three high-end condos. Tom Jewell, Special to cleveland.com CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The architect of a proposed three-condominium development on city-owned property in the Cedar-Fairmount district withdrew his offer to buy the half-acre of land Monday (June 2). Paul Volpe took his two-minute time allotment during the public comment portion of Mondays City Council meeting to drop that bombshell, saying, Im done with this city. Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 46, of Colorado Springs has been charged in the Boulder pro-Israel rally attack. Federal authorities say he admitted to planning the Molotov cocktail attack for more than a year, waiting until after his daughter's graduation. Helen H. Richardson/Getty Images BOULDER, Colorado -- Mohammed Sabry Soliman has been charged with a federal hate crime in connection with a Molotov cocktail attack during a pro-Israel rally Sunday, according to documents accessed online that were filed with the District Court in Colorado. Soliman, 46, of Colorado Springs, is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails into the pro-Israel crowd, court documents say, injuring eight people in what federal authorities are calling a premeditated anti-Semitic terrorist attack. According to a criminal complaint, Soliman is accused of targeting a peaceful gathering organized by the group Run For Their Lives. The group was holding a weekly walk to raise awareness for Israeli hostages that remain held in Gaza. Federal authorities say Soliman, at approximately 2 p.m., threw two lit Molotov cocktails into the crowd near the Boulder Courthouse while shouting Free Palestine! They ignited on impact, causing burn injuries to eight people, court documents say. Authorities later found 14 additional unlit Molotov cocktails and a backpack sprayer filled with gasoline near where the rally was held, further documents say. In an interview after his arrest, Soliman reportedly admitted planning the attack for more than a year, stating he waited until after his daughters graduation to carry it out, documents say. Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the attack. 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, she said in a statement . Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon also released a statement. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation. Soliman faces federal charges for hate crimes involving religion and national origin, as well as state charges for attempted murder, according to the Justice Department. WASHINGTON - Usha Vance on Monday told a forum on U.S.-India relations that she plans to use her post as Second Lady to promote childhood literacy and organizations like the Special Olympics. The wife of Vice President JD Vance on Sunday announced that shell oversee a Second Lady Summer Reading Challenge for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Kids who read 12 books of their choice between June 1 and September 5 will get a small prize and be entered in a drawing for the chance to visit the Nations Capital with a chaperone. Vance, of Cincinnati, described literacy causes as a natural fit, given that I have small children and were thinking about it all day long, and my own personal interests. She also said she plans to devote time to the Special Olympics an organization that I think has really done a lot of good in this country. Im trying to take it a step at a time here, because this is, of course, a very exciting opportunity, but totally new to me, because my husband didnt even enter politics until about two years ago or three years ago, Vance told the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum. Born in San Diego in the mid-1980s, Vance told the group her parents, who both had PhDs from the University of California at San Diego, were part of a community of Indian Americans who came to the United States for higher education and stayed, drawn by both academic opportunities and Californias climate. It was really a community, I think, where everyone felt a sense of purpose and a sense of working together, Vance says. Everyone was really invested in being a part of this country and pursuing the American Dream for themselves and their kids. I just felt like it was a time of limitless possibility and encouragement. That sense of possibility led her to Yale University, where she met JD Vance in law school. Despite their different backgrounds he grew up in Ohio and served in the Marine Corps before attending Ohio State and law school, while she followed what she called a diligent, progressive path through education they met when they had same class schedule during their first semester. We were just sort of stuck together whether we wanted to be or not, she said, explaining how they started as friends before dating. I think its fair to say that JD was sort of the pedal in this relationship, and I was a little bit of the brakes. The couple now has three children, ages three, five, and seven, and recently took what Vance described as the trip of a lifetime to India. The visit held special significance as it was her childrens first time experiencing the country they had heard so much about through family stories and traditions. During their trip, the family met with Prime Minister Modi, whom the children immediately embraced. They were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them, Vance shared, adding that one of her sons was so enchanted by the Prime Ministers residence and the cart of mangoes available that he announced to the prime minister that he thought he could maybe live there. Vance said she has many family members in India, and grew up visiting them in India and having them visit her in the United States. She told the group shes always thought of the relationship between India and the United States as very important. I think this is a time of great opportunity, said Vance. And I think if my husband were here, hed say the same thing ... When we were visiting recently, I was struck by the number of people who came up to me to say how much they loved our country, how they visited family, how they visited just for pleasure, that they were hoping for a close relationship looking forward. Generative AI was used to organize interview content for this story, based on data provided by the interview transcript. It was reviewed and edited by cleveland.com. Cavs forward Shawn Kemp (4) drives on the New York Knicks' Andrew Lang during a 1999 game. ASSOCIATED PRESS CLEVELAND, Ohio - Before the Browns were known for taking a big swing and a miss, the Cavs had their own moment of franchise-altering ambition that still echoes through team history. The acquisition of Shawn Kemp once one of the NBAs most electrifying talents stands as a reminder of how superstar gambles can go wrong. With Kemp back in the news after pleading guilty to an assault charge in Washington state, Terry Pluto spent a few minutes on the latest Terrys Talkin podcast revisiting Kemps time in Cleveland. The context behind the move reveals a franchise eager to break through a competitive ceiling. As Pluto explained: This was one. They were frustrated with the team with Mark Price and Larry Nance and Daugherty getting stuck in the playoffs, so they decided to make a big swing... And their big swing before the Browns made big swings was with Shawn Kemp. What the Cavaliers failed to recognize was that the high-flying Reign Man they thought they were acquiring was already in decline. What they didnt realize in Seattle is Kemps personal problems were beginning to mount, Pluto continued. He comes in, hes huge. I mean, hes really put on a lot of weight. And they gave him this big multi-year contract before they even got to know him. What followed was one of the most memorable and awkward moments in franchise history, when owner Gordon Gund attempted an unusual demonstration to illustrate Kemps weight problem. Pluto recounted: He brings in Kemp and he has Kemp with like two 15-pound weights, one in each hand. And asks Kemp to walk around the office. He does. He walks around. Then he says, Put them down now walk around again. Which is easier? And Gund said because he was weighing like 280 at that point or something, he goes, You lose 30 pounds, Sean, it would be good for you. Pluto said that despite Kemps on-court disappointments, his personal demeanor was always professional. On a personal level, Kemp to talk to was polite. I thought he was thoughtful. I liked talking to him, Pluto said. Kemp spent his first eight seasons with Seattle from 1989-97, and was a five-time All-Star. The Cavs acquired him in September 1997, and he played three seasons, making the 1998 All-Star Game. The Cavaliers eventually traded Kemp to Portland in a move that marked the beginning of a rebuilding phase one that ultimately led to the LeBron James era. Kemp played two seasons in Portland and one with the Orlando Magic in 2003 before retiring from the NBA. Kemp, 55, will be sentenced on Aug. 22. The standard sentencing range for second-degree assault in Washington is three years and nine months with one year of community custody (another term for parole). The maximum sentence is 10 years confinement and a fine up to $20,000. You can hear more from the podcast below: If you have a question or a topic youd like to see included on the podcast, email it to sports@cleveland.com, and put Terrys Talkin in the subject line. You can find previous podcasts below. Check out Terrys new weekly newsletter that hes writing exclusively for subscribers. Learn more and sign up here. Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from Terrys Talkin, a weekly cleveland.com sports podcast. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to create whiteish hazy skies over Northeast Ohio on June 3, 2025. Courtesy U.S. Energy Information Administration CLEVELAND, Ohio Canadian wildfire smoke will keep Northeast Ohio under a hazy veil Tuesday but its not expected to linger for long. Smoke that was visible on satellite over Wisconsin and Illinois on Monday is expected to drift into Ohio Tuesday. While it will mostly be confined to the upper levels of the atmosphere, some models suggest smoke concentrations will increase in the lower levels of the atmosphere throughout the day Tuesday, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service in Cleveland. Daytime heating-related mixing of the lower atmosphere may allow some smoke to reach the surface this afternoon and early evening in Northern Ohio, especially along and near Interstate 75 and west of Interstate 71, forecasters said. The smoke isnt expected to impact visibility in the region, though it will give a whiteish gray tint to what would otherwise be clear skies. The smoke is originating in Canada, where wildfires have forced more than 25,000 residents to be evacuated across Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some U.S. states along the border. In some parts of the U.S., air quality reached unhealthy levels Sunday and Monday, including North Dakota and swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys AirNow page. We should expect at least a couple more rounds of Canadian smoke to come through the U.S. over the next week, said Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the U.S. weather service. 1:55 PM: Smoke is currently over much of the region. It will generally remain above the surface, but some may mix closer to the surface this afternoon and tonight. This could result in hazy conditions through Wednesday morning. pic.twitter.com/1DPgnr3zos NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) June 3, 2025 In Northeast Ohio, any lingering smoke over the region should exit the region as a cold front moves in Wednesday afternoon and evening, forecasters said. Well also see a shift to southerly and southwesterly winds near the surface and southwesterly winds aloft. How is wildfire smoke impacting air quality? The PM2.5 air quality index over Ohio as of 9 a.m. on June 3, 2025. Courtesy AirNow.gov In Ohio, the smoke isnt expected to have a strong impact on air quality since it will remain mostly confined to the upper levels of the atmosphere. As of Tuesday morning, the PM2.5 level which measures fine particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or smaller was at 60 in Cleveland, according to AirNow.gov. This is slightly higher than Monday mornings reading of 55. 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. Outside of the city, the PM2.5 levels were similar, with the highest reading of 66 in Newburgh Heights. Readings farther east and northeast were in the upper 20s and mid 30s. The worst of the air quality on Tuesday is expected to be centered around Minneapolis, Minnesota. The city, plus points east and south, will contend with very unhealthy air quality. The rest of Minnesota is expected to see unhealthy air. 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. The air quality forecast for Wednesday is expected to be similar, with Cleveland and Northeast Ohio falling within the moderate air quality range. Heavy rain & severe convection warnings issued as holiday ends; SW China's Yunnan races for rescue 09:27, June 03, 2025 By Liang Rui ( Global Times Firefighters of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, are inspecting the local disaster situation on May 31, 2025. (Photo/chinanews.com) China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Monday continued to issue blue alerts for heavy rain and severe convective weather. CCTV News reminded travelers returning from Dragon Boat Festival holidays to stay alert to changing weather conditions and ensure safety. Meanwhile, continuous heavy rainfall recently has struck multiple areas in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, prompting local authorities to fully mobilize rescue and disaster relief efforts. Between 2 pm Monday and 2 pm Tuesday, parts of East China's Fujian Province, South China's Guangdong Province, Yunnan, and surrounding areas are expected to experience heavy to torrential rainfall. Some areas may be accompanied by short-term heavy precipitation, along with severe convective weather such as thunderstorms, strong winds, or hailstorms, NMC said. During the same period, parts of central and western Northeast China are forecast to experience thunderstorm winds, along with hail. Some areas may see thunderstorm winds exceeding Force 10, with maximum winds reaching Force 11 or higher. Localized tornadoes cannot be ruled out in places like Northeast China's Liaoning Province. The main period of severe convective weather is expected from Monday afternoon to night, NMC said. Given the forecast, CCTV News reminded travelers returning from holiday trips to stay alert to weather changes and ensure safety. Monday marked the last day of the Dragon Boat Festival holidays, and since this year's holiday coincided with Children's Day, family trips and short-distance travel have surged, leading to heavier return traffic and potential congestion. To manage the surge in return traffic and weather-related risks, the Ministry of Transport has conducted special dispatches for relevant provinces and issued timely highway weather warnings and safety advisories, CCTV reported. Meanwhile, influenced by monsoon air currents, sustained heavy rain and localized downpours have recently struck multiple areas in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. The severe weather has damaged many homes, disrupted several roads, and prompted local authorities to mobilize comprehensive rescue and disaster relief efforts, according to Xinhua News Agency on Sunday evening. As of 8 pm Sunday, the disasters had affected 5,885 people from 1,652 households in Nujiang. The downpours also triggered landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and other hazards along several highway sections in Diqing. In addition, dense fog in some areas further compromised traffic safety, Xinhua reported. In response, local authorities quickly activated emergency response plans, organizing full-scale rescue and relief operations while conducting risk assessments for disaster prevention and safety hazards. By 8 pm on Sunday, 1,797 people from 462 households in Nujiang relocated to emergency shelters. The Global Times learned from Gongshan authorities that Puladi Township implemented emergency risk control measures on Sunday. The township has coordinated 449 personnel for flood rescue efforts and relocated 127 people from 43 households to safety. Beginning at 4:50 am on Saturday, fire brigades in Diqing deployed a total of 21 vehicles and 108 personnel to conduct evacuation and rescue operations in multiple townships, according to chinanews.com. By Sunday, responders held centralized safety briefings for over 500 villagers on risks such as retrieving debris from rivers and fire hazards due to power outages, chinanews.com reported. Widespread flash floods struck the Meili Snow Mountain scenic area in Diqing, prompting the urgent evacuation of over 300 tourists and the temporary closure of the site, Xinhua reported. All tourists in the Meili Snow Mountain scenic area have now been safely evacuated, and more than 500 tourists stranded in Gongshan have begun returning home. The Gongshan government has dispatched over 1,400 emergency relief items to ensure the basic needs of affected residents are met. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecast continued heavy rainfall in Yunnan over the next three days. Authorities have been advised to remain vigilant against mountain floods, geological hazards, urban and farmland waterlogging, and severe localized convective weather. Risk-point inspections and secondary disaster prevention efforts should be further reinforced. Meanwhile, Northeast China is expected to face frequent thunderstorms and severe convective conditions. Precautions should be taken against impacts on transportation and urban operations, while forested areas should remain vigilant against lightning-induced fires, the NMC said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The U.S. Department of Education is seen on March 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order to abolish the Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education is pausing its plan to garnish people's Social Security benefits if they have defaulted on their student loans, a spokesperson for the agency tells CNBC. "The Trump Administration is committed to protecting Social Security recipients who oftentimes rely on a fixed income," said Ellen Keast, an Education Department spokesperson. The development is an abrupt change in policy by the administration. The Trump administration announced on April 21 that it would resume collection activity on the country's $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio. For nearly half a decade, the government did not go after those who'd fallen behind as part of Covid-era policies. More from Personal Finance: What the House GOP budget bill means for your money 'Maycember' is over here's how to recover financially Court order challenges Trump's plan to move student loans to SBA The federal government has extraordinary collection powers on its student loans and it can seize borrowers' tax refunds, paychecks and Social Security retirement and disability benefits. Social Security recipients can see their checks reduced by up to 15% to pay back their defaulted student loan. More than 450,000 federal student loan borrowers age 62 and older are in default on their federal student loans and likely to be receiving Social Security benefits, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The administration's reprieve gives older student borrowers who've defaulted on their debt more time to try to get current, and to avoid a reduced benefit check down the line. Carolina Rodriguez, director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program in New York, recently told CNBC that she was especially concerned about the consequences of resumed collections on retirees. "Losing a portion of their Social Security benefits to repay student loans could mean not having enough for food, transportation to medical appointments or other basic necessities," Rodriguez said in an April interview. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday after China's manufacturing activity in May shrank at the fastest pace since September 2022, a private survey showed. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers' index came in at 48.3, missing Reuters' median estimate of 50.6 and dropping sharply from 50.4 in April, as a sharper decline in new export orders highlighted the impact of prohibitive U.S. tariffs. China on Monday pushed back against the U.S.' accusations that it had violated a temporary trade agreement. Instead, the Asian powerhouse blamed Washington for failing to uphold the deal a sign that negotiations between the world's two largest economies are deteriorating. Meanwhile, the European Union criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's intention to double steel tariffs to 50%, saying that such a move "undermines" its own negotiations with the U.S. An EU spokesperson said that the bloc was "prepared to impose countermeasures." Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index led gains in the Asia-Pacific region, ending the day 1.53% higher at 23,512.49 while Mainland China's CSI 300 added 0.31% in choppy trade to close at 3,852.01. Over in Japan, the Nikkei 225 benchmark pared gains to end the day flat at 37,446.81, while the broader Topix index fell 0.22% to 2,771.11. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 benchmark advanced 0.63% to end the day at 8,466.70, after briefly hitting a near four-month high earlier in the session. The country's seasonally adjusted current account balance for the first quarter of 2025 came in at a deficit of 14.7 billion Australian dollars ($9.53 billion), exceeding the AU$13.1 billion deficit forecast by economists polled by Reuters, but an improvement from the AU$16.3 billion deficit in the previous quarter's revised reading. Meanwhile, India's benchmark Nifty 50 moved down 0.64%, while the BSE Sensex lost 0.88% as at 1.33 p.m. Indian Standard Time. South Korean markets were closed for polling day. Uranium Energy is set to rally as the U.S. focuses on securing domestic fuel supplies to meet President Donald Trump's goal to quadruple nuclear power by 2050, according to BMO Capital Markets. BMO initiated coverage of Uranium Energy on Tuesday with a buy rating and setting a stock price target of $7.75 per share, implying 36% upside from the company's most recent close of $5.69. BMO's decision to cover the uranium miner comes after Trump issued a series of executive orders on May 23 to reinvigorate nuclear power in the U.S., including a push to strengthen the domestic uranium supply chain. UEC is set to become the largest producer in the U.S. of uranium concentrate, the raw material for nuclear fuel, BMO analyst Alexander Pearce told clients. UEC 6M mountain Uranium Energy stock over the past six months. "With a marketing strategy that is intended to realise uranium prices close to spot, shareholders stand to benefit from our expectations of a rising uranium price environment," Pearce told clients in a note. UEC owns a sizeable portfolio of uranium assets in Arizona, Canada, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming, according to BMO. The company is currently ramping up its uranium mining and processing operations at the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. The Wyoming operation is on track to deliver its first shipment of uranium concentrate imminently, with production ramping up to 1.1 million pounds in 2026, according to BMO. Its Texas operation is expected to start production in the middle of 2026. UEC could achieve close to six million pounds of production by 2030, according to BMO. UEC's pipeline of uranium projects "could become a key contributor to future domestic requirements," Pearce said. "Indeed, there is potential for a modest premium for U.S. material," he added. UEC's stock has gained nearly 16% since Trump's actions on nuclear power. Its shares are down about 9% this year. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Federal immigration agents on Tuesday took into custody the family of Mohamed Soliman, the man accused of attempted murder in the fire attack on demonstrators in Colorado over the weekend, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. The White House's official X account tweeted about the family's detention and wrote, "THEY COULD BE DEPORTED AS EARLY AS TONIGHT." In a subsequent post, the White House said, "Six One-Way Tickets for Mohamed's Wife and Five Kids. Final Boarding Call Coming Soon." Noem said authorities are investigating whether Soliman's family knew about or supported Sunday's attack by the 45-year-old Egyptian national in Boulder on a group calling for the release of Israeli hostages by the militant group Hamas. Soliman is married with five children. The family lives in Colorado Springs. "Today, @DHSgov and @ICEGov are taking the family of suspected Boulder, Colorado terrorist, and illegal alien, Mohamed Soliman, into ICE custody," Noem said in her post on X. Citigroup on Tuesday ended a seven-year-old policy restricting how it provides banking services to firearm manufacturers, sellers and resellers. The bank launched the policy in March 2018 after a teenage gunman killed 17 people and injured more than a dozen in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14 that year. Citi said at the time that it would require clients to "adhere to these best practices: (1) they don't sell firearms to someone who hasn't passed a background check, (2) they restrict the sale of firearms for individuals under 21 years of age, and (3) they don't sell bump stocks or high-capacity magazines." The bank's policy applied only to its business clients, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500-sized companies. It did not restrict how Citi's personal banking customers used their cards. Citi says it provides banking services to more than 19,000 companies globally. "As a society, we all know that something needs to change. And as a company, we feel we must do our part," Citigroup Executive Vice President of Enterprise Services and Public Affairs Ed Skyler said in 2018. But Skyler says things have changed. "The policy was intended to promote the adoption of best sales practices as prudent risk management and didn't address the manufacturing of firearms," he wrote Tuesday in a blog post announcing that Citi "will no longer have a specific policy as it relates to firearms." "Many retailers have been following these best practices," Skyler wrote, "and we hope communities and lawmakers will continue to seek out ways to prevent the tragic consequences of gun violence." A spokesperson for the March for Our Lives, a gun-control advocacy group organized in part by students who survived the Parkland massacre, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The change at Citigroup comes amid broader political pressure over so-called "debanking," with influential tech leaders and right-wing officials having alleged in recent years that the Biden administration was improperly blocking certain people, including cryptocurrency proponents and conservatives, from banking services. That argument hasn't gone away since President Donald Trump returned to the White House; he confronted the CEOs of America's two largest banks Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase with similar complaints at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year. Both banks said at the time that they would never close an account for political reasons. Bank of America said, "We welcome conservatives and have no political litmus test." Citi said Tuesday that it would "update our employee Code of Conduct and our customer-facing Global Financial Access Policy to clearly state that we do not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation in the same way we are clear that we do not discriminate on the basis of other traits such as race and religion. This will codify what we've long practiced, and we will continue to conduct trainings to ensure compliance." Banking executives have repeatedly said they terminate banking services only when there are issues with anti-money laundering laws or know-your-client regulations, not because of political affiliations. "We bank 70 million American consumers so our bank is open to everybody," Bank of American CEO Brian Moynihan later said. Deutsche Bank's Binky Chadha is bullish again, confident that the Trump administration will continue to back down on tariffs. "Our base case was for a significant rally in equities on a credible relent on trade policies," the chief U.S. equity and global strategist wrote Tuesday. "In the event, the administration relented earlier than we had anticipated, driven primarily by market reaction, and before the emergence of any legal barriers or economic or political pain." "This reinforces the view that if negative impacts of tariffs do materialize, we will get further relents," Chadha added. Chadha raised his year-end S & P 500 forecast by 6.5%, to 6,550 from 6,150, implying roughly 10% upside from Monday's close. The strategist was one of the biggest bulls on Wall Street coming into 2025, with an original price target of 7,000, but cut his target in April after the severity of President Donald Trump's initial tariff announcement shocked Wall Street. Fundstrat's Tom Lee is currently the biggest bull on the Street, with a 6,600 price target, according to the CNBC market strategist survey . Now the strategist expects that the fundamental corporate earnings strength underpinning his original thesis will hold, betting that the so-called "TACO trade" will curb any market or economic fallout. The "TACO trade," or "Trump Always Chickens Out," refers to an idea coined by a Financial Times columnist that investors can count on the president to back down from tariffs. The phrase has gained in popularity on Wall Street. CNBC's Megan Cassella asked Trump directly about it in the Oval Office last week. .SPX 3M mountain S & P 500 over the past three months "We remind that prior to the outsized tariff escalation, the cycle showed plenty of legs with various aspects just beginning to kick in to the upside," Chadha wrote. "We see plenty of room for equity positioning to rise with discretionary investors at neutral and systematic strategies still underweight and expect buybacks will remain solid with no signs of companies going into the bunker." Stocks have staged an impressive comeback rally over the past two months. The S & P 500 is coming off its best monthly performance since November 2023 as investors grow increasingly confident that the president was mainly threatening high tariffs as a negotiating tool. The broad market index gained more than 6% in May, in large part after Trump reached a preliminary trade agreement with China, though he has since claimed it's not being honored. Later in May, a federal court struck down Trump's tariffs , adding to confidence the worst of the tariffs are behind investors, though they were then reinstated temporarily by an appeals court. Shares of Dollar General jumped nearly 16% on Tuesday after the discounter raised its outlook, saying it drew more middle- and higher-income shoppers amid fears that higher tariffs would hurt consumer spending. The Tennessee-based retailer beat quarterly expectations for revenue and earnings. The company said it now anticipates net sales will grow about 3.7% to 4.7%, compared to its previous expectation of about 3.4% to 4.4%. It expects diluted earnings per share to range from $5.20 to $5.80, compared to its prior outlook of approximately $5.10 to $5.80. Dollar General anticipates same-store sales will increase 1.5% to 2.5%, higher than its previous guidance of about 1.2% to 2.2%. Here's how the retailer did for the fiscal first quarter compared with Wall Street's estimates, according to a survey of analysts by LSEG: Earnings per share : $1.78 vs. $1.48 expected : $1.78 vs. $1.48 expected Revenue: $10.44 billion vs. $10.31 expected In the three-month period that ended May 2, Dollar General reported net income of $391.93 million, or $1.78 per share, compared with $363.32 million, or $1.65, in the year-ago quarter. As of Tuesday's close, shares of Dollar General have risen about 48% so far this year. That far exceeds the roughly 1% gains of the S&P 500 during the same period. Shares of the retailer closed at $112.57 on Tuesday, bringing Dollar General's market value to $24.76 billion. Dollar General's first-quarter results and its stock performance stand out in a retail industry that is already taking a hit from President Donald Trump's tariffs. Companies including Best Buy, Macy's and Abercrombie & Fitch have cut their profit outlooks due to tariffs. On an earnings call Tuesday, Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said the company has worked to reduce its exposure to China and limit price hikes for shoppers. He said the retailer has worked with vendors to cut costs, moved manufacturing to other countries and made changes to its products or swapped them out for other merchandise. He said direct imports make up about a mid- to high single-digit percentage of its overall purchases and indirect imports are about double that. "While the tariff landscape remains dynamic and uncertain, we expect tariffs to result in some price increases as a last resort, though, we intend to work to minimize them as much as possible," he said. CFO Kelly Dilts said on the company's earnings call that full-year guidance assumes that Dollar General will be able to offset "a significant portion of the anticipated tariff impact on our gross margin, but also allows for some incremental pressure on consumer spending." Customer traffic dipped by 0.3% in the first quarter compared to the year-ago period, but shoppers spent more when they visited. The average transaction amount rose 2.7%, as sales in the food, seasonal, home and apparel categories all grew. Vasos added tariffs have also increased U.S. consumers' desire to find deep discounts. Vasos said the company's first-quarter results reflect Dollar General's gains from "customers across multiple income bands seeking value." He said store traffic and the company's market research indicates that more middle- and higher-income customers have come to its stores more frequently and spent more when they visited. "We are pleased to see this growth with a wide range of customers and are excited about our ongoing opportunity to grow [market] share with them," he said. Those gains have helped as Dollar General's core customer "remains financially constrained," Vasos said. According to a survey by the company, he said 25% of customers reported having less income than they did a year ago and almost 60% of core customers said "they felt the need to sacrifice on necessities in the coming year." Dollar General's sales largely come from U.S. consumers who are on a tight budget. About 60% of the retailer's sales come from households with an annual income of less than $30,000 per year, Vasos said last fall at a Goldman Sachs' retail conference. In addition to wooing value-conscious shoppers, Dollar General has tried to tackle company-specific problems that drew government scrutiny and tested customer loyalty. The discounter, which has more than 20,000 stores across the country, has paid steep fines to the Labor Department for workplace safety violations due to blocked fire exits and dangerous levels of clutter. Vasos highlighted some of the ways that Dollar General has tried to improve the customer experience. Among them, it's worked to reduce employee turnover, and it took about 1,000 individual items off its shelves so it can keep top-selling items in stock, he said. Dollar General has launched its own home delivery service, which is now available at more than 3,000 stores. Its deliveries through DoorDash have grown, too, with sales up more than 50% year over year in the quarter. Dollar General has also bulked up its merchandise categories outside of the food and snack aisles, adding more discretionary items like seasonal decor and home items. Vasos said sales in those categories have also gotten a boost from middle- and higher-income customers shopping its stores. Its newer store chain, Popshelf, sells mostly discretionary items and caters to consumers with higher household incomes than Dollar General's typical shoppers. Vasos did not share a specific metric for the chain, but said Popshelf's same-store sales delivered strong growth in the quarter. The company recently changed the store layout to emphasize toys, beauty and party candy. The Netherlands far-right PVV Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders speaks to the media representatives following the European Parliament elections provisional results in The Hague on June 6, 2024. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stepped down from his role on Tuesday after disagreements over immigration proposals led to far-right leader Geert Wilders withdrawing his party from the ruling coalition. Earlier in the day, Wilders said in a CNBC-translated post on the X social media platform that his Party for Freedom (PVV) party would be departing over the alliance's lack of support for their asylum proposal. "We had no choice. I promised the voter the strictest asylum policy ever, but that was not granted to you," he said in a separate Google-translated comments on X. The PVV won a landslide victory in the Netherlands' general election in 2023, knocking former Prime Minister Mark Rutte's party off the top spot. Despite the victory, the country's four major parties chose the former head of the Netherlands' intelligence service, Dick Schoof, as prime minister. Conflicting ideas on immigration sank the former coalition in 2023 and ultimately led Rutte, the country's longest serving premier, to step down from the top post. Wilders had on Sunday warned his party could leave the coalition. "Let me be crystal clear. If the majority of our proposals from the ten-point asylum plan are not adopted by the coalition (and thus added to the Main Lines Agreement) and implemented by the cabinet as soon as possible, then the PVV will withdraw from this coalition," he said in a post on X over the weekend, according to a Google translation. U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at U.S. Steel CorporationIrvin Works in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 30, 2025. For decades, the FBI and the Justice Department have been the main enforcers of laws against political corruption and white-collar fraud in the United States. In four months, the Trump administration has dismantled key parts of that law enforcement infrastructure, creating what experts say is the ripest environment for corruption by public officials and business executives in a generation. Trump aides have forced out most of the lawyers in the Justice Department's main anti-corruption unit, the Public Integrity Section, and disbanded an FBI squad tasked with investigating congressional misconduct. They have issued a series of directives requiring federal law enforcement agencies to prioritize immigration enforcement. And they have ended a 50-year policy of keeping the Justice Department independent of the White House in criminal investigations. All of that came after Trump fired most of the inspectors general the independent agency watchdogs responsible for fighting corruption and waste and the Justice Department dropped a corruption case against the mayor of New York in what a judge said was a "breathtaking" political bargain. And it came after the Trump administration Justice Department pulled back on enforcement of foreign bribery and lobbying statutes, as well as cryptocurrency investigations. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has issued a steady stream of pardons to all but one Republican member of Congress convicted of felonies over the last 15 years. "He's dismantling not just the means of prosecuting public corruption, but he's also dismantling all the means of oversight of public corruption," said Paul Rosenzweig, a George Washington University law professor who was a senior homeland security official in the George W. Bush administration. "The law is only for his enemies now." A spokesman for the Justice Department denied the allegations. "This Department of Justice has ended the weaponization of government and will continue to prosecute violent crime, enforce our nation's immigration laws, and make America safe again," he said. The White House declined to comment. The Biden Justice Department also came under criticism from groups that considered it soft on white-collar and corporate crime. A report by the public advocacy group Public Citizen said President Joe Biden's Justice Department successfully prosecuted only 80 corporations last year a 29% drop from the previous fiscal year and fewer than in any year for the previous three decades. And an analysis published last month by the Transactional Records Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, which uses Justice Department records to examine enforcement and sentencing trends, found that white-collar prosecutions have been declining since 2011. U.S. attorneys' offices filed 4,332 prosecutions for white-collar crimes in fiscal year 2024, less than half of the 10,269 prosecutions filed three decades earlier in fiscal year 1994, the report found. But TRAC analysts, other experts and Democrats say the Trump policy changes coupled with a mandate that FBI agents spend significant time on immigration enforcement mean corporate fraud and public corruption enforcement is expected to plummet faster and further. "President Trump has ushered America into a golden age of public corruption," Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, told NBC News in a statement. "Trump quickly cleared out the watchdogs responsible for policing corruption cases at home and abroad by gutting the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section and the anti-kleptocracy teams." Last month, the head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, Matthew Galeotti, announced in a memo and a speech that the Justice Department was "turning a new page on white-collar and corporate enforcement." While he said that "white-collar crime also poses a significant threat to U.S. interests," he said the Biden administration's approach has "come at too high a cost for businesses and American enterprise." Big law firms interpreted his message as saying the Trump administration will still prosecute corporate misconduct, at least under certain circumstances. But three lawyers who represent large corporations in dealings with the Justice Department told NBC News that over the last several months, corporate compliance investigations of their clients have dropped. They declined to be named or to cite specifics, citing client confidentiality. In his memo, Galeotti said the Justice Department will prioritize corporate violations relating to drug cartels, immigration law, terrorism, trade and tariff fraud, and corporate procurement fraud. "Too often, businesses have been subject to unchecked and long-running investigations that can be costly both to the department and to the subjects and targets of its investigations," he added in a speech at an anti-money-laundering conference. DETROIT Ford Motor on Tuesday reported a 16.3% year-over-year U.S. sales increase for May, as the automaker continues an employee pricing program amid rising tariff costs and vehicle price increases. Sales for the Detroit automaker were led by a 17.2% increase in purchases of its vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines, as well as a roughly 29% jump in hybrid models. Those gains offset a 25% drop in sales of all-electric vehicles notably its electric F-150 compared with May 2024. May marked the third consecutive year-over-over, double-digit sales increase for the automaker, led the past two months by its employee pricing program that's continuing through the Fourth of July weekend. "Ford's 'From America, For America' employee pricing program continues to connect with customers and drive strong sales results," a Ford spokesman said in an emailed statement. The automaker announced the pricing promotion as President Donald Trump's 25% auto tariffs on imported vehicles took effect in early April. Attendees walk through the lobby at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago. A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions. I'm back in New York City after spending the last weekend in Chicago for the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting. More than 5,000 research abstracts were presented or published at ASCO by pharmaceutical giants, biotech companies, researchers and oncologists. They included studies on existing drugs, experimental treatments, AI tools and ideas for improving patient care. Here are some data highlights and executive commentary from the larger companies I follow: AstraZeneca wins big (again) The blockbuster drug Enhertu from AstraZeneca and Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo stalled the growth of a common type of breast cancer by more than a year in a large late-stage trial when used as an initial treatment. The results could expand the use of the drug and change the way the disease is treated for the first time in a decade. The study evaluated Enhertu in combination with a standard medicine called pertuzumab as a frontline treatment, meaning it was used in patients newly diagnosed with what's known as HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Patients who got the Enhertu combination lived for almost 41 months before their disease spread, while a group who received a standard three-drug treatment lived for about 27 months before the cancer advanced. David Fredrickson, executive vice president of AstraZeneca's oncology business, told CNBC that one in three patients who start treatment for this type of cancer are not able to receive a second type of therapy because their health worsened or they died. But the results show that the Enhertu combination could give "another third of patients a chance to potentially have a longer progression-free survival time and to benefit from a more effective frontline therapy than if you wait till a second one." Pfizer impresses in colorectal cancer The company's pill Braftovi, combined with two other cancer treatments, doubled survival time for patients with an aggressive form of colorectal cancer compared to a standard treatment in a late-stage trial. It's good news for Pfizer, which has submitted the data to the Food and Drug Administration to expand Braftovi's approval label. The three-treatment combination included a standard chemotherapy, an antibody drug called cetuximab and Braftovi, which targets a cancer mutation called BRAF V600E. That combination also cut deaths by 51% and slashed the risk that the cancer would progress by 47% compared to a standard treatment during the trial. Pfizer's Chief Scientific Officer Chris Boshoff told CNBC that 10% to 15% of colorectal cancer patients have that specific mutation, and noted their survival rates are "particularly poor." "We're very proud of [the data] because for the first time, it really shows a true impact on survival for a disease that's very challenging to treat," he said. Gilead and Merck combo's breast cancer win The popular drug Trodelvy from Gilead in combination with Merck's blockbuster immunotherapy Keytruda lowered the risk of an aggressive type of breast cancer worsening by 35% when used as an initial treatment in a late-stage trial. Gilead could benefit from higher sales of Trodelvy as it competes with Enhertu. The study examined patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer whose tumors express PD-L1, the protein targeted by drugs like Keytruda. Around 15% of breast cancer cases are triple negative, making them more aggressive and difficult to treat, according to Gilead. The findings suggest that the combination of Trodelvy and Keytruda "will likely become a new front-line standard of care in this setting," Dr. Jane Lowe Meisel, co-director of breast oncology at Emory University School of Medicine and a designated ASCO expert, said in a statement. A Merck , Daiichi Sankyo drug disappoints in lung cancer Merck and Daiichi Sankyo on Thursday said they have withdrawn their U.S. application for an experimental treatment after it failed to prolong the lives of lung cancer patients in a late-stage trial. The drug, patritumab deruxtecan, is one of three so-called antibody drug conjugates that Merck has been working on with Daiichi Sankyo as it races to offset Keytruda's upcoming loss of exclusivity. The medication failed the trial's secondary goal of extending overall survival, which is defined as the length of time patients lived from the start of treatment. Those results, along with subsequent discussions with the FDA, led the companies to withdraw the application. But last year, the drug met the study's main goal of helping delay tumor progression compared to chemotherapy in patients who have been previously treated for non-small cell lung cancer with a mutation in a gene called EGFR. Marjorie Green, Merck's head of oncology global clinical development, told CNBC that the "totality of the data couldn't support" the drug's application for approval. She called it a disappointment but noted that the company is learning from "what worked and what didn't work" and is still "fully investing" in refining the drug. Merck and Daiichi Sankyo plan on advancing the treatment into a late-stage development for breast cancer. Amgen 's positive lung cancer data: The company's drug, Imdelltra, reduced the risk of death by 40% compared to chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer patients whose disease had worsened after an initial round of chemotherapy, according to data from a late-stage trial. Imdelltra also extended median overall survival by more than five months compared to the standard-of-care chemotherapy. Amgen said the trial results are intended to support last year's accelerated approval of Imdelltra by the FDA. BONUS: Bristol Myers Squibb inks deal with BioNTech Bristol Myers Squibb on Monday said it has agreed to pay up to $11.1 billion to partner with BioNTech and develop its next-generation cancer immunotherapy. The drug could take on Keytruda and new treatments in development by Summit Therapeutics and Pfizer. BioNTech is running late-stage studies on the drug in lung cancer and plans to start a phase three trial in triple-negative breast cancer this year. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at annikakim.constantino@nbcuni.com. 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 are rallying on Tuesday, overcoming yet another premarket decline like we saw Monday. The data center and AI infrastructure trade ranging from semiconductor stocks like Nvidia and Broadcom to industrials like GE Vernova and Eaton is powering the market higher in reaction to Meta Platform's 20-year agreement to buy nuclear power from Constellation Energy . The Club owns all these stocks, except for Constellation Energy. Meanwhile, there was no real news on the trade negotiation front. A big thing to watch on trade in the coming days is whether President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping do, in fact, hold a call. The White House has indicated such a conversation is likely to happen this week. Eli Lilly: JPMorgan reiterated its overweight rating and $1,100 price target on Club name Eli Lilly in a research note on Tuesday. The main takeaway from the note was that volume trends for Lilly's GLP-1 drug portfolio Zepbound for obesity and Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes were running ahead of JPMorgan's expectations, resulting in the analysts raising their already above-consensus revenue forecast for the second quarter. JPMorgan cited two factors behind the increased estimates: strong growth in the obesity market, with prescriptions up approximately 25% quarter over quarter, and Eli Lilly capturing nearly three-quarters of all new patient starts. Importantly, JPMorgan thinks this strong category and share growth will help Lilly's prescriptions continue to grow despite the CVS formulary change to make rival Novo Nordisk's Wegovy the preferred GLP-1 for weight loss. This goes into effect on July 1. However, according to Lilly, it is only expected to impact roughly a couple hundred thousand patients. JPMorgan also doesn't think the Novo Nordisk and CVS deal will lead to a GLP-1 price war. The script trends and JPMorgan's belief that Lilly can offset any CVS headwind is very encouraging especially on the CVS angle because that bit of news has been a huge overhang on Lilly shares ever since it was announced May 1. The broader pharmaceutical group has also been under pressure due to uncertainty tied to possible sectoral tariffs and drug pricing regulation. Lilly stock had fallen more than 20% in the month of May before mounting a modest rally in recent days. We added to our Lilly position a few weeks ago at around $715 per share. Before Eli Lilly reports second-quarter earnings in August, the next major event is the 2025 American Diabetes Conference, taking place between June 20 to June 23. There are expected to be several high-profile data readouts and presentations at the conference. In a separate note by JPMorgan, the analysts said investors should watch out for the full late-stage trial results from Eli Lilly's oral GLP-1 orforglipron. Eli Lily shares surged in April after GLP-1 pill was successful in a late-stage trial for type 2 diabetes, potentially paving the way for Food and Drug Administration approval in early 2026. Similarly, another readout to watch is more complete trial data for Novo Nordisk's CagriSema, which is a combination of an amylin analog called cagrilintide along with semaglutide, the active ingredient behind Wegovy and Ozempic. It targets fat loss and was thought to be Novo's next-generation product to follow up Wegovy. However, its preliminary trial results disappointed earlier this year. Amgen is also expected to release its mid-stage trial data on MarTide, which is a once-monthly GLP-1 injection. Finally, JPMorgan said we could see some data on one of Elil Lilly's next-gen weight loss drugs, bimagrumab. That was one of the assets that Lilly acquired as part of its acquisition spree in 2023 , and muscle mass preservation is one of its distinguishing features. Up next: Club name CrowdStrike reports after the closing bell on Tuesday. The LSEG consensus estimate is for revenue of $1.10 billion and EPS of 65 cents. We expect management will reaffirm its outlook that net new annual recurring revenue growth will reaccelerate in the second half the fiscal year, driven by strong adoption of the Falcon Flex platform and the expiration of the Customer Commitment Package incentive program. Other companies report are Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Asana . Thor Industries and Dollar Tree report before the opening bell on Wednesday. On the economic data side, there's weekly mortgage applications, the ADP private employment report, and ISM's look at the services industry. (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. SXSW had branding all around the neighbourhood of Shoreditch in London. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC South by Southwest (SXSW) may be a well-known event in the United States, but it certainly hasn't reached the same level of recognition in Britain. "What's that?" asked a pedestrian who was passing by a SXSW London sign. SXSW is a festival held in Austin, Texas, every year that brings together big names in music, film, art and technology. The organizers have brought the event to London for the first time this week, and CNBC took at look at what's going on. CNBC's Tania Bryer moderated a discussion with London Mayor Sadiq Khan who during an opening speech made the pitch for the city as a "hub for talent, trade, tech and innovation." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks with moderator Tania Bryer during the Opening Remarks - Welcome to SXSW London panel discussion on the first day of SXSW London 2025 at The Truman Brewery on June 2, 2025. Jack Taylor | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images Khan took veiled swipes at the U.S. President Donald Trump and his trade policies and pitched London as open for business. "So at the time when there's so much uncertainty and political turmoil across the pond, defined by an inward looking mentality, I'm going to reach out to international investors, businesses and creators to say that London offers you the opposite," Khan said, according to Deadline. SXSW is being held in various venues across the creative neighborhood of Shoreditch which is also close to Old Street, a key tech hub in the early days of London's startup scene. Shoreditch was taken over by SXSW London branding, from murals to signs on lampposts. SXSW had murals all over Shoreditch, London, which advertised the event. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC Big names are in attendance, such as "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner and actor and musician Idris Elba. On the tech front, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis spoke, as did Thomas Wolf, co-founder of artificial intelligence firm Hugging Face. $24 socks and free chocolate So what was the experience like? The day started with me picking up my press pass and receiving an SXSW tote bag. There was a schedule and map in there and bar of SXSW-branded Tony's Chocolonely. I made my way to Shoreditch Electric, a venue I just found out is home to the National Centre for Circus Arts. I watched a session where Thomas Wolf of Hugging Face discussed the progress of open-source artificial intelligence models and the future of robotics. Open source is a big deal in AI right now because of the strong performance of those models, especially out of China, which are free to use. Shoreditch Electric hosted some talks during SXSW London. The courtyard was a place for attendees to sit in the sun. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC The venue was an industrial-style, exposed brick building. Just outside was a coffee bar, which was perfect for the sunny weather in London on Monday. I then walked over to the Truman Brewery, where the main stage of the conference was. Outside the entrance were lots of food trucks and, of course, big brand displays from sunglasses firm Ray-Ban and electric car company Polestar, which had live music performances throughout the day. Polestar and Ray-Ban took the chance to advertise their products during SXSW London, 2025. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC Then there was the official merchandise store which was selling a pair of SXSW-branded socks for 18 ($24) and a T-shirt for 30. After a quick security check, I was in the Truman Brewery in time for a session from Hassabis. I decided to try to watch it on stage but the line to get in was long, even about half an hour before the talk. So I decided to watch it on a screen in the media lounge, which had pretty decent sandwiches. The entrance to the Truman Brewery where the main stage of SXSW London was located. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC AI everywhere AI was certainly a big theme, with companies like Hugging Face, Google DeepMind and even Wayve, a U.K. driverless car startup backed by SoftBank, discussing the future of the technology. Hassabis spoke about artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is generally understood as AI that is smarter than humans. He said AGI would be "bigger" than the Industrial Revolution and the internet in terms of its impact on society. He also warned about the need to develop this technology responsibly. The DeepMind founder also said that over the next five to 10 years, AI tools are going to "supercharge technically savvy people who are at the forefront of using these technologies, but combining it with creativity and other skills." "I think they're going to be able to achieve superhuman things," Hassabis said. There was a long queue of attendees waiting to get into the next session where Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis was about to speak at SXSW London, 2025. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC JPMorgan has a plethora of reasons for moving off the sidelines on Pinterest . Analyst Doug Anmuth upgraded shares of the visual search platform to overweight from neutral and lifted his price target by $5 to $40. With that refreshed target, Anmuth sees the stock rallying 25.4% from Monday's close. "Given solid execution, potential upside to estimates, & what we believe remains lukewarm market positioning, we view the risk/reward on PINS as favorable," Anmuth wrote to clients in a Tuesday note. Anmuth pointed out that the majority of monthly active users and revenue are tied to the mobile app, which can limit downside from disruptions to search platforms such as Google. Pinterest also has advertising abilities that can allow it to close what he called a gap between value creation and value capture. On the finance front, Anmuth said Pinterest is near the low end of its three- to five-year adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, margin target set at the company's 2023 investor day. Additionally, he said there is more upside potential given faster revenue growth and a pattern of spending discipline. Anmuth also called the stock's valuation "undemanding." He noted shares trade at 13 times 2026 free cash flow estimates and 12 times 2026 expected adjusted EBITDA. With the upgrade, Anmuth joined the majority of Wall Street with a buy-equivalent rating, per LSEG. PINS YTD mountain Pinterest, year-to-date Shares popped more than 4% in Tuesday's premarket trading following the call. The stock has gained about 10% this year, but is still well off its February highs. Swedish fintech Klarna primarily known for its popular "buy now, pay later" services is launching its own Visa debit card, as it looks to diversify its business beyond short-term credit products. The company on Tuesday announced that it's piloting the product, dubbed Klarna Card, with some customers in the U.S. ahead of a planned countrywide rollout. Klarna Card will launch in Europe later this year, the firm added. The move highlights an ongoing effort from Klarna ahead of a highly anticipated initial public offering to shift its image away from the poster child of the buy now, pay later (BNPL) trend and be viewed as more of an all-encompassing banking player. BNPL products are interest-free loans that allow people to pay off the full price of an item over a series of monthly installments. "We want Americans to start to associate us with not only buy now, pay later, but [with] the PayPal wallet type of experience that we have, and also the neobank offering that we offer," Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski told CNBC's "The Exchange" last month. "We are basically a neobank to a large degree, but people associate us still strongly with buy now, pay later." Meta has signed a 20-year agreement to buy nuclear power from Constellation Energy , continuing the wave of tech giants teaming up with the industry in order to meet the growing power needs of data centers. Beginning in June 2027, Meta will buy roughly 1.1 gigawatts of energy from Constellation's Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, which is the entire output from the site's one nuclear reactor. The companies said the long-term agreement will support the continuing operation of the plant, as well as its relicensing. Without the commitment from Meta, the plant was in danger of closing when its zero-emissions credit, which it's relied on since 2017, expired. "We are proud to partner with Meta. ... They figured out that supporting the relicensing and expansion of existing plants is just as impactful as finding new sources of energy," said Joe Dominguez, Constellation's president and CEO. "Sometimes the most important part of our journey forward is to stop taking steps backwards." Terms of the deal, which will also expand Clinton's output by 30 megawatts, were not disclosed. The plant will not power Meta's data centers directly instead it will continue to provide power to the regional grid, while contributing to the tech giant's goal of 100% clean electricity. Constellation shares were up 1% on Tuesday, well off their highs of the session. 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 Tuesday's key moments. 1. Markets are higher Tuesday following Monday's solid intraday turnaround. "This is another one of those days where you look at the futures beforehand, and the futures say it's going to be a really ugly day," Jim Cramer said. "And then it turns out to not only be not that ugly of a day, but there's opportunity everywhere." Amid the latest trade headlines, the Trump administration wants countries to put in their best offers by Wednesday, Reuters reported . "Hopefully, we start to see more trade deals, " said Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club. 2. Club name Meta signed a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to buy nuclear power. Starting June 2027, Meta will buy about 1.1 gigawatts of energy from Constellation's Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois. If not for Meta's commitment, the plant was at risk of closing upon expiration of its zero-emissions credit. The power agreement points to the growing power needs of AI data centers, hence why portfolio names GE Vernova and Eaton which both benefit from that trend are also higher Tuesday on the news. GE Vernova has had a "parabolic" move since we started buying it last month, Jim noted. While that is usually a sign for us to trim, Jim said our overall GE Vernova position size is still too small to want to do that. GE Vernova is on track to close at another all-time high Tuesday. 3. CrowdStrike is set to report earnings Tuesday evening, as the company approaches the one-year anniversary of the major IT outage sparked by its faulty software update. Jeff said we'll be looking for more positive signs that the company has moved past the ordeal. As CrowdStrike discontinues incentives stemming from the outage, investors want to see confidence that net new annual recurring revenue will accelerate in the second half of 2025. The stock continues to rise despite noise of work force reduction and the investigation into the Carahsoft-IRS deal. Shares are up about 41% year to date. 4 . Stocks covered in Tuesday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: Dollar General , Pinterest, Signet , Alphabet , and Salesforce (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long APPL, CRM, CRWD, ETN, GEV, META . 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. Elon Musk speaks during a press event with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured), at the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 30, 2025. Elon Musk on Tuesday tore into the massive tax-and-spending-cut bill backed by President Donald Trump, calling it a "disgusting abomination" that will explode federal budget deficits. "I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," Musk wrote in a post on X, his social media site. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination," the Tesla and SpaceX CEO added. "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it," wrote Musk, who until last week led the Trump administration's DOGE effort to cut government spending and waste. Musk in a follow-up post wrote that the bill "will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt." The jibes came two days after CBS News aired an interview in which Musk said that the legislative package backed by the Republican president "undermines" DOGE. The White House quickly shrugged off Musk's latest criticism. "Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing Tuesday when asked about the initial post. "It doesn't change the President's opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he's sticking to it," Leavitt said. Leavitt doubled down on the administration's claim that it is "blatantly wrong" to say that the bill adds to the deficit. She accused the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which found that the budget package would raise the deficit by $3.8 trillion over the next decade, of being biased against Republicans. Check out the companies making headlines after hours: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Shares rose 3% after the information technology company beat analysts' expectations on the top and bottom lines. Hewlett Packard Enterprise reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of 38 cents per share on revenue of $7.63 billion. Analysts polled by LSEG had expected earnings of 32 cents per share on revenue of $7.45 billion. CrowdStrike Holdings The stock dropped more than 6% after the cybersecurity company posted soft revenue guidance for the current quarter. The company called for $1.14 billion to $1.15 billion in revenue, while analysts polled by LSEG sought $1.16 billion. Guidewire Software The software company for property and casualty insurers jumped more than 8% after Guidewire Software exceeded third-quarter analysts' expectations. The firm posted adjusted earnings of 88 cents per share on revenue of $294 million. Analysts polled by LSEG had expected earnings of 46 cents per share on revenue of $284 million. Asana The enterprise work management software company slipped about 6% as its outlook failed to impress Wall Street. Asana sees second-quarter adjusted earnings ranging between 4 cents and 5 cents a share, and revenue ranging between $192 million and $194 million. Analysts polled by LSEG sought 4 cents per share in earnings on $193 million in revenue. Wells Fargo & Co . The stock rose 2%. Wells Fargo confirmed that the Federal Reserve has removed its limits on the bank's asset cap, a restriction that was imposed back in 2018. HealthEquity Shares rose 4% after the health savings account service provider raised its guidance for the full year. The company sees adjusted earnings landing between $3.61 and $3.78 per share and revenue ranging between $1.285 billion and $1.305 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet sought earnings of $3.62 per share and revenue of $1.30 billion. CNBC's Darla Mercado contributed to this report. Analysts are closely watching Merus and see more upside ahead coming out of one of the biggest biotechnology conferences in the U.S. Merus shares shot up late last month following the release of promising Phase 2 data for a treatment for head and neck cancer. The trial data showed that when Merus' treatment was used alongside Merck 's Keytruda, nearly 80% of patients were alive after 12 months. This has made the Netherlands-based company the talk of the investing set that flocked to Chicago for the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting , which concludes Tuesday. "They're first in class. We think they're best in class," said Matt Phipps, group head of the biotech equity research team at William Blair. "That's just kind of a combination that a lot of investors really want to be a part of." The stock has popped about 40% over the past month and rallied to a new all-time high on Tuesday. Still, multiple analysts interviewed by CNBC Pro said Merus can surge even higher, with one even suggesting shares can more than double from current levels given there are more catalysts on the horizon. MRUS 1M mountain Merus, 1-month Phipps said Merus' data overshadowed a similar report from Bicara Therapeutics , whose shares have tumbled 24% over the past month. He said Merus' release cemented itself as the best drug in combination with Merck 's Keytruda for head and neck cancer. Guggenheim analyst Michael Schmidt said similar success in Phase 3 data could more than double the value of Merus' shares. He noted that investors should be prepared to wait between 12 and 18 months to see this upside given the schedule for data releases that can boost the stock. Beyond that, he said the same drug combination has potential for treating colorectal cancer. While Schmidt acknowledged that it is not a major focus of investors yet, he said data from ongoing Phase 2 studies expected in the second half of 2025 is something to keep an eye on. Expectations for this, he said, are "very modest." "It's a stock that we have a lot of conviction on," Schmidt said. "We like this story a lot." Multiple analysts interviewed by CNBC said the name could also be an acquisition target from bigger-name biopharmaceutical companies, which could further drive upside. That can also help explain why Wall Street is so bullish. Every analyst polled by LSEG has a buy or strong buy rating, with an average price target suggesting 45% in upside ahead. "You want to buy it now," said BMO analyst Evan Seigerman, who called the company's data "really compelling." "This is the type of company that a large pharma company would want to acquire." Seigerman said the company has both "great" clinical data and is in an area with "unmet need," which is a combination that can make the stock a winner in what he described as a competitive sector. A boost to Merck? The treatment's success can also have knock-on benefits for Merck shares given the potential sales bump for Keytruda, according to Leerink analyst Andrew Berens. Berens said Keytruda is approved as a monotherapy, but only about 20% of patients respond to it, making the average time spent on the drug about a few months. But used in conjunction with Merus' product, he noted that data shows that rate shoots up to the high 60% level and increases duration to nearly a year. "It's a win-win for Merck," Berens said. "This drug has its own activity," he said, "but it also means they can sell more of their flagship drug." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks to employees at the Department of Homeland Security, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Washington, U.S. He faces an appearance before an immigration judge in Chicago on Wednesday and the possibility of removal from the United States. But Morales-Reyes, a 54-year-old married father of three who works as a dishwasher, remains in custody because he was in the United States illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Scott is now charged in Milwaukee Circuit Court with identity theft and felony intimidation of a witness, and bail jumping in connection with the alleged scam. CNBC has requested comment from his attorney "I'm dead serious cause I got Jury Trial on July 15th," the complaint said. "And the judge will agree cause if he gets picked up by ICE, there won't be a Jury Trial so they will probably dismiss it that day. That's my plan." And in a May 16 recorded call, Scott, referring to Morales-Reyes, said, "This dude is a goddamn illegal immigrant and they just need to pick his ass up." "I got a plan. I got a hell of a plan," Scott, 52, said in a recorded call from jail on April 27, according to the criminal complaint. Demetric DeShawn Scott , the inmate, hoped to get Mexican immigrant Ramon Morales-Reyes deported because he is a witness in Scott's upcoming criminal trial for alleged armed robbery and battery against Morales-Reyes, a criminal complaint filed Monday says. Threatening letters about President Donald Trump that led to the highly-touted arrest by federal authorities of an undocumented immigrant last month were actually written by a jailed Wisconsin man trying to get him deported, prosecutors said in a new criminal complaint. A senior DHS official, in a statement to CNBC when asked about Morales-Reyes, said, "The investigation into the threat is ongoing." "Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record," the official said. "He will remain in custody." DHS last month said that Morales-Reyes "entered the U.S. illegally at least nine times between 1998-2005." "His criminal record includes arrests for felony hit-and-run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier," the department said at the time. A lawyer for Morales-Reyes, Kime Abduli, told CNBC that he recently applied for a U visa, which is available for people in the U.S. illegally who are the victims of certain crimes. Abduli said Morales-Reyes was attacked with a box cutter by a man whom he later identified as Scott in 2023, and that he cooperated with authorities in their investigation. Abduli said she and another lawyer for him are "putting in all efforts we can to get him out" of immigration detention. "Honestly, it's kind of been a whirlwind the past few days," she said. "It's been a lot to process. It's just unfortunate that this has spun to the level it has and that Mr. Morales has been dragged into the limelight in this way, but I just hope that justice prevails. It's been hard for him and his family." Cain Oulahan, another lawyer for Morales-Reyes, told CNBC in an email, "We will be seeking his release on bond while his deportation hearings advance. We will also be pursuing any legal options available for him to remain in the U.S. "We also believe that the Department of Homeland Security should issue a public statement acknowledging their error and calling for a stop to any threats against him and his family," Oulahan said. Morales-Reyes was arrested outside a Milwaukee school on May 22 after dropping off his daughter, who, like his other two children, is a U.S. citizen, according to Abduli. "Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars," Department of Homeland Security Secretary Krist Noem said in a May 28 statement announcing his arrest. The bust came a day after the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office, the police chief of Milwaukee, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office in that city all received mailed handwritten letters in envelopes with the return address of Morales-Reyes, the complaint says. "The letters were all handwritten and, although not exactly the same, all wrote about immigration policy and threatening to kill ICE agents or President Donald Trump," the filing says. "Those letters also appeared to be written by the same person." The complaint quotes excerpts of the letters, which were written in English. "That interview was conducted using translation assistance, as RM-R does not read, write, or fluently speak English," the complaint said. "During that interview, law enforcement asked RM-R who would want to get RM-R in trouble. RM-R stated that the only person who would want to get him in [trouble] was the person who had robbed him and who law enforcement knows to be the defendant, Demetric D. Scott." The complaint said the detective had Morales-Reyes write a handwritten note, which showed "completely different handwriting than what is on the letters and envelopes." After speaking with Morales-Reyes, law enforcement listened to recordings of several calls from the Milwaukee County Jail that were made by Scott. In an April 27 call, Scott told another person to tell a third person that he was going to send two letters to her hours, and "I need Carmella to mail off for me." In another call on the same day, Scott talked about having sent "a big manila envelope" to his mother's house. "I just need you to put them in the mailbox for me," Scott said, according to the criminal complaint. "I just need them to be mailed out from the street and not from here." In a call on May 1, using another inmate's ID number, Scott told the person on the other end of the line to write down a number, which was for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement tip line, and "call this number for me," the filings said. On May 11, Scott had a call in which he said, "I'll probably get out this motherf----- July 15," which is the date of his scheduled trial for allegedly robbing Morales-Reyes, according to the complaint. The logo of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) is seen during a news conference at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, on May 30, 2025. A Florida-based federal emergency response team that reopens U.S. ports after storms and accidents is unstaffed this hurricane season largely due to widespread federal workforce reductions driven by the Trump administration, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The closure of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Navigation Response Team in Fernandina, Florida one of the network's six national locations - could mean slower response times and longer port closures if hurricanes slam into the U.S. Southeast this summer, the sources said. The teams are charged with deploying survey vessels to ports to locate underwater hazards that must be cleared to reopen shipping, and have been crucial in the aftermath of major storms like those that struck the Gulf Coast in recent years, as well as disasters like the 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. "I know that the Florida navigation response team is completely out of commission for this hurricane season, in large part due to staffing cuts," said former NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad, who has been in contact with the agency. Retired rear admiral Tim Gaulladet, who served as deputy NOAA administrator during the first Trump presidency, also said he is aware that the Florida location is no longer staffed, and that other offices have less capacity. NOAA did not respond to a specific question about the status of the Florida NRT and reduced NRT staffing but said the agency would be prepared this hurricane season. "In the event that ports are impacted by a hurricane or maritime disaster, NOAA will mobilize one or more Navigation Response Teams to be on scene after receiving an official request from the U.S. Coast Guard or Army Corps of Engineers," NOAA spokesperson Jasmine Blackwell said.Other NRT locations include Connecticut, Maryland, Mississippi, Washington state, and Galveston, Texas - a major U.S. oil-industry port. The NRT's home website was changed in March to remove both the Florida and Galveston, Texas locations, according to archived images of the site. NOAA did not respond to queries about the status of other locations and employees. The American Pilots Association did not directly comment on the cuts but said they will ensure that their members, consisting of harbor pilots who guide commercial ships in and out of U.S. ports, will continue to carry out this function and that its members who are ship captains and harbor pilots have the resources they need to protect maritime commerce. Above-average season NOAA's National Weather Service in May forecast an above-average June 1-Nov. 30 hurricane season with six to 10 hurricanes. Its director, Ken Graham, said at the time he did not expect job cuts at NOAA to affect hurricane response. But sources said staff cuts which have amounted to around 1,000 people or 10% of its workforce so far have stretched the agency thin. Around 600 of the cuts are within NOAA's National Weather Service, said Tom Fahy, legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization. He said the cuts mean the loss for the first time of around-the-clock staffing at several U.S. weather offices, and staffing shortages of 40% in some key places like Miami-Dade and Key West in Florida. At least six NWS offices have also stopped the routine twice-a-day weather balloon launches that collect data for weather models, he said. "The employees' resilience has been stretched to the breaking point," he said. While NOAA attempts to reshuffle staff to keep services going, a period of overlapping weather events like tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes all at once - could push the already stretched staff to its limits and make things impossible, said Spinrad. "This is like playing Whac-a-Mole with forecasters," he said. "We're going to be hard pressed to provide the standard of service that the public is used to." President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted Sen. Rand Paul after the Kentucky Republican criticized the massive Trump-backed budget bill over its provision to raise the debt ceiling by trillions of dollars. Paul, a staunch libertarian, said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" that he is "just not open to supporting $5 trillion in debt ceiling increase" that the Senate's version of the bill currently includes. Trump lashed out soon after, writing on Truth Social that the senator "has very little understanding" of the budget plan that the president has dubbed the "one big, beautiful bill." Trump said Paul does not grasp that the bill, which includes a slew of tax and spending cuts but is projected to significantly widen national deficits, will spur "tremendous GROWTH." "He loves voting 'NO' on everything, he thinks it's good politics, but it's not," Trump said of the senator. In a follow-up post, Trump attacked Paul in more personal terms. He "never has any practical or constructive ideas," Trump wrote, adding, "His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky can't stand him. This is a BIG GROWTH BILL!" A spokesperson for Paul's Senate office did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on Trump's posts. The president's heated reaction is part of a broader pressure campaign to convince Republican holdouts to vote for the massive bill, the centerpiece of Trump's domestic policy agenda. The budget package narrowly passed by the House last month would extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts, and add new exemptions on workers' tips and overtime, seniors' Social Security and more. It would also impose work requirements for the government-run health insurance program Medicaid, and it would reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, that millions of low-income Americans rely upon. The version of the bill that passed the House in late May would also increase the U.S. debt limit by $4 trillion. The version currently pending in the Senate would hike the debt ceiling even more $5 trillion total. The debt ceiling increase is "the main thing that I object to," Paul said Tuesday on CNBC. Setting the ceiling at $5 trillion is "an indication that we'll borrow that much," he said. "It's an indication that will put the debt on the back burner." "I do want the tax cuts. I want them to be permanent. I'm throwing a lot of spending cuts, but I'll compromise and get as much as I can," he said. "I'm just not going to take responsibility for the debt," said Paul. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cancelled a tender worth64 lakh for robotic water rescue devices after it came to light that the vendor was sourcing products from Turkey-based firms. The civic bodys decision came after a political backlash over Turkeys alleged support for Pakistan during the recent border tensions with India.The tender, originally floated in September 2023, sought to procure six remote-controlled rescue robots for the Mumbai Fire Brigade to be deployed across six beaches in the city. According to The Indian Express, these were to be stationed in Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa, and Gorai beaches, where drowning risks were high during the monsoon season.Each robotic buoy, the report said, has a carrying capacity of 200 kg and a top speed of 18 kmph. The bot would aid lifeguards in rapid rescue operations, particularly during rough sea conditions.The rescue robots, branded Maren Fasty on the website of Turkish firm Maren Robotics, were to be supplied by an Indian vendor who imports products from Turkey.Political leaders, including Bharatiya Janata Partys Bhalchandra Shirsat, Samajwadi Partys Rais Shaikh, and Shiv Sena (UBT)s Sachin Padwal, objected to the move. They cited national security concerns and the Turkish militarys alleged cooperation with Islamabad, said a Free Press Journal report.The Indian Express report further said that BMC decided to review the deal after the concerns were raised. A senior civic official confirmed the cancellation to the publication and added that the Letter of Approval (LoA) was not issued to the vendor.The official added that the civic body can withdraw the tender, given the geopolitical scenario.The official added that BMC now plans to reissue the tender and give preference to domestically manufactured devices. The official added that this move will be cost-effective in the long run.The report quoted their sources as saying other civic agencies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have procured similar devices.BJPs Shirsat lauded the decision, saying BMC should avoid engaging with Turkish firms and that the focus should be on Indian innovation, especially when it comes to safety and security technology.Ankara's decision to allegedly back Islamabad during the recent stand-off with New Delhi came under massive criticism, with the Indian people and business community giving calls to boycott Turkish products and avoid travelling there. Indias Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, emphasised the need for streamlining business regulations and expanding bilateral cooperation while speaking at the India-France CEO Forum's small group meeting on Tuesday (June 3) in Paris.Goyal acknowledged the challenges Indian businesses face while navigating European Union regulations and individual country policies, calling for a fast-track mechanism between ambassadors to help ease day-to-day pressure points. He stressed that India cannot be satisfied with the current $15 billion bilateral trade, and must scale up and diversify sectoral cooperation between the two nations.In a bid to strengthen educational ties, Goyal highlighted India's goal to increase the number of Indian students in France from 10,000 to 30,000 by 2030. He also noted discussions with French officials on expanding French language education for Indian students, further reinforcing cultural and academic integration.Encouraging French businesses to explore India as a manufacturing destination, Goyal underscored Indias competitive edge in global supply chains. He expressed gratitude for French businesses trust in India, proposing the creation of working groups between companies from both nations to facilitate collaboration.Recognising the contributions of major French companies in India, Goyal commended Air Liquide for its vital role in supplying industrial gases to hospitals and industries during the pandemic and noted the widespread use of Michelin tires across the country.Piyush Goyal, is currently on a five-day official visit to Europe (June 1-5), with key engagements in France and meetings with EU officials. The visit aims to strengthen economic ties and advance discussions on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).During his time in Paris, Goyal is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with French Minister of Economy Eric Lombard and Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin, where discussions are expected to explore new trade opportunities and deepen Indo-French economic cooperation. Toyota Industries Corp. said its board will evaluate a buyout proposal Tuesday that will take the company private, a move that will strengthen the founding familys grip over Japans biggest business empire.A group led by Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda is seeking to acquire the subsidiary for 6 trillion ($42 billion), people familiar with the matter said last month. Toyota Industries issued a statement on Tuesday in response to reports that the deal will be announced, saying that no specific decisions have been made public.A deal, which would rank among the biggest buyouts on record anywhere, would resolve a parent-child structure that has been criticized in the past and also be in line with the Japanese governments efforts to encourage big companies to unwind cross-held shares with subsidiaries and other businesses. At the same time, a takeover may give Toyoda greater influence over the carmaker founded by his grandfather.This matter is scheduled to be discussed at its board of directors meeting to be held today, and the decision made will be promptly disclosed, Toyota Industries said in the statement.Toyoda will put in a personal investment of his own, as will Toyota Motor, according to the people. Although Akio is chairman of the worlds No. 1 carmaker, his direct ownership stands at less than 1%, while Toyota Industries has a 9.1% stake in the manufacturer.Shares in Toyota Industries rose less than 1% in early morning trading in Tokyo on Tuesday. The stock is up more than 40% since Bloomberg first reported the takeover proposal on April 25.Toyota Industries, the supplier of textile looms, forklifts and parts for Toyotas cars, was founded by Toyodas great-grandfather Sakichi, whose son Kiichiro went on to found Toyota Motor, which has become the worlds biggest carmaker with annual production of more than 11 million vehicles.The parties involved have picked financial advisers and are working toward a tender offer as soon as November, people familiar with the matter have said. A special board committee, created to evaluate the proposal as per government guidelines, is evaluating the buyout proposal by a special purpose vehicle established by Toyoda.Toyota Industries will hold its annual shareholder meeting on June 10, while Toyota Motors will take place two days later.Theres a complex web of cross-shareholdings among Toyota group companies with Toyota Motor holding 24.2% of Toyota Industries shares, while Toyota Fudosan Co., a private real estate developer chaired by Toyoda, owns 5.32% of the supplier.Japan is accelerating efforts to unwind such arrangements among companies, aiming to improve corporate governance, enhance transparency and boost shareholder returns.Toyodas buyout plan comes as Toyota seeks to rebuild trust in its governance after a series of regulatory scandals were uncovered at a pair of subsidiaries that included Toyota Industries. 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. Anytime you watch a movie musical, something about it will feel a bit strange, and were not talking about the dubious verisimilitude of everyone breaking into song. Youre watching something that was originally designed for the stage, and the transition to screen came with a few hiccups. Maybe something essential for the story got lost. Maybe something extraneous to the story got added. Either way, you have to look to the original to understand how exactly we got here. 4 Those Elderly Grease Teens Were By Design in the Play Don't Miss Fans of Grease remember it for many things, but if we go off how often its brought up on the internet today, Grease is known for one thing above all else: The actors playing the teen characters were super old. The movie came nearly 50 years ago, and people still cite it as the prime example of how Hollywood gets teenagers wrong. Paramount Pictures Kids today cant name this character or the actor, but they all know this is what Grease thought teens look like. In general, peoples outrage is misplaced when they complain about adult actors playing teens. Leaving actual teens out of the movie often improves the movie and is surely a mercy for the teens themselves. But even aside from that, Grease is a special case. The teen characters were played by adults in the original play, not just because teens often are but because these actors played adults as well. The movie Grease takes place in 1958 and 1959. The play mostly does as well, but the opening scene instead takes place in the present day the present day being 1971, when the play was written. The opening scene is a high school reunion, and the actors play alumni who graduated more than a decade ago. Jim Jacobs This transitions into these same actors now playing the teen versions of the characters, and all along, youre supposed to be aware that this is about us adults recalling what its like to be a kid. When the play came to Broadway in 1972, they cast actors mostly well into their 20s, with the exception of Sandy, played by Carole Demas, who was 31. The idea that Grease was nostalgic for 1959 in 1971 usually prompts us to joke about how crazy it would be to try the same trick today, since culture doesnt move as fast now as it did during the revolutionary 1960s. Sadly, we instead now have to concede that setting a nostalgic movie in 2013 feels like it makes perfect sense. Advertisement 3 The Strange Cell Phones of Dear Evan Hansen Speaking about elderly actors playing teens, lets talk about 2021s Dear Evan Hansen. Lead actor Ben Platt looks strange in the part, not because 28-year-olds should never play high schoolers but because he looks so much older than the other actors playing teens alongside him. Universal Pictures They give him young person clothes, which make him look even weirder. Platt got the part because he originated the role on Broadway years before. He also got it because his father produced the movie. In 2015, the first time he was Evan Hansen, he was slightly closer to being a teenager than hed be in 2021. Even so, he was an adult, and hed played the lead role of an adult in The Book of Mormon in 2012, nearly a decade before playing a boy in the Evan Hansen movie. Advertisement The plot of the movie offers quite a few strange elements, which were not going to recount here, because theyre just as strange in the play. But we will highlight one especially odd scene. Late in the movie, Evan forwards an incriminating email to a friend because he needs to prove something privately. She will go on to publicize this email, and its baffling why he sends it to her. The two of them are sitting next to each other. The more natural move would be to show her the email, on the very screen that hes holding. Universal Pictures Itd also be slightly quicker because she doesnt have her own phone out yet. In the play, Evan forwards it to her because they arent sitting next to each other but are each in their separate homes, texting. Advertisement On stage, two people texting plays out much the same as two people talking because you place them next to each other (even if the characters arent really together), and they narrate their texts out loud. In a movie, such a scene would have to put the characters in different houses and cut between them, and their messages would likely appear as text that you read, which isnt terribly engaging for the audience. You might have heard about filmmakers complaining about having to write around cell phones and how some do so by deliberately setting their stories in the past. This is not, as you might think, because cell phones resolve plots too easily, rendering many classic tropes unusable. Its because people staring at their screens is ruinously uncinematic. Advertisement 2 Benny in Rent Is Kind of Reasonable Rent opens with the characters saying they cant pay rent, which sounds relatable today, until you learn the reason they cant pay rent is that all of them refuse to get jobs. These characters hate their landlord Benny, whos also an old friend of theirs. But Benny extends to them an offer to let them go on living rent-free moving forward. In exchange, he just asks them not to get in the way of his plan to open an art studio, which is both a project none of them have the right to prevent and a pretty cool endeavor that shouldnt raise objections from them. Weve written before about how Benny really comes off as the more reasonable person in this fight, and that becomes more true with each passing year. His plan to turn a vacant lot into a mixed-use building containing a bunch of apartments is today known to be the solution to the problem of escalating rents. And his offer to his friends now comes off as absurdly generous. That giant East Village loft where hell let them stay for free would otherwise, in the years to come, either be converted into a bunch of one-bedroom apartments that you cant lease for less than $5,000 a month or will be a penthouse thats sold intact for millions. Advertisement Advertisement But if we look to the play rather than the 2005 movie, it seems Benny was never supposed to be a villain. He represents what its like to get a real job, which bohemians see as selling out, but later in the show, he hangs around with the other characters as their friend again. When everyone attends a funeral, he comes as well, he pays for the whole thing and then he takes everyone out for drinks. For the movie, they actually did film this scene, but then director Christopher Columbus cut it, calling it an emotional overload. That deleted scene also shows Benny willing to pay for the medical treatment of Mimi, whos dating him at the time but is otherwise the love interest to main character Roger. The movie makes Benny seem like the evil suitor who stole the princess away, but this scene reveals him to be a valid enough choice, whom Mimi picks because of Rogers failings. Then, in this same scene, Roger calls out Mark, the storys narrator, saying the movies he shoots are garbage that he uses to escape, not art. Advertisement Advertisement Basically every criticism people have of these characters turns out to be intentional and is voiced in this one scene, which ended up on the cutting room floor. Milton Berles testimonial at a November 1958 Friars Club roast of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz was full of racially charged one-liners that wouldnt fly today. But those jokes werent the most offensive part of the routine, at least to Ball and Arnaz, who took the brunt of some intensely personal punchlines. Berles performance is largely forgotten, mostly because of another occurrence at the Roast the death of comedian Harry Einstein, more famously known as radio comic Parkyakarkus and the father of Albert Brooks and Bob Super Dave Einstein. After he finished his hilarious tribute to the couple, he walked back to his seat and collapsed in Berles arms after a massive heart attack. But before the dramatic events that ended the evening, Berle delivered some gags that landed a little too close to home, according to the new biography, Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television. Berle had no problem throwing the jabs, perhaps because he was the king of television before Lucy and Desi dethroned him. Don't Miss While Arnaz was proud of Ball and readily acknowledged that she was the star attraction, he was notoriously insecure about his own status as second banana. Berle took dead aim at those doubts with punchlines that he joked (?) were stolen from other comedians. Listen to me, Desi, Berle said. You dont need her. Dump her. Shes nothing. Now, may I introduce (famous Hollywood divorce lawyer) Jerry Geisler? Advertisement The Ball-Arnaz union was already on thin ice, mainly due to Arnazs womanizing. Berle took notice. The marriage will not last, he predicted. It will end. That wasnt really a joke, but he implored the audience to laugh anyway when the lines were met with silence. And when the marriage ends, what a settlement! Berle joked. She gets RKO (the movie studio they bought after the success of I Love Lucy), and he joins Castro. (Arnaz was from Cuba, where Castro was on the verge of completing his revolution.) Referencing Castro wasnt exactly an ethnic slur, but Berle was getting there. This no-talent lady, sitting right here, knocking around Hollywood, drunk, she met this poor nebbish here, this farkakte wetback, and they laugh at him. But one of these days, he may buy the whole country and well be the ones talking funny. Berle kept pouring on the stereotypes. When he came here, when he came to this country, what did he come with? Three hundred gallons of hair oil! Advertisement Then Berle delivered an oral sex joke to poke at the open secret about Arnazs infidelities. Who do you think he has as the attendant in the mens room at Desilu? Edith Head! (Head was a famous costume designer, but her name was the double-entendre punchline.) Berles routine wasnt any more off-color than others delivered behind closed doors at the Friars Club, but it proved prophetic. The Ball/Arnaz marriage, already on the rocks in November 1958, was done by May 1960, a mere 18 months after Berles roast. The comedian may have been cruel when he predicted the end of their marriage, but he was also right. Jonathan Joss kept his late co-star Johnny Hardwick in his mind until the very end of his life, when the King of the Hill family suffered yet another tragedy. Yesterday evening, San Antonio police arrived at Joss home to find the TV legend with multiple gunshot wounds, which they believe were inflicted by his neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, whom the officers arrested just one block from the site of shooting. Joss husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, has since claimed that the shooting was a homophobic hate crime following a pattern of intimidation and abuse that went unaddressed by local authorities. Paramedics pronounced Joss dead on the scene. Don't Miss Just one day before Joss would die in the horrific tragedy, he made an appearance at a live recording of BWAAA! a King of the Hill Podcast in Austin, Texas, where he made numerous concerning and, at times, erratic comments. At one point, Joss expressed his wish that, when his own time would come, he would pass on the way that Hardwick had done back in August 2023, when, as Joss said facetiously, the voice actor for Dale Gribble turned into soup. As fans of King of the Hill will recall, back in 2023, Texas law enforcement found Hardwick dead in his bathtub during a wellness check. Since Hardwick had died long before the police entered his home, his body had partially decomposed in the water, prompting Joss macabre comment on his old co-stars passing. The topic of Hardwicks death arose during the live show when Joss was attempting to explain his awkward outburst during the King of the Hill reunion panel at the ATX Television Festival in Austin on Friday. Joss explained how he didnt feel that Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and the select group of original King of the Hill cast members paid proper homage to the actors who had passed away since the show first became a hit, mentioning both Hardwick and Brittany Murphy. I felt bad, because I hated the son-of-a-bitch, Joss crassly commented on Hardwicks demise, I hated Dale. I hated Johnny Hardwick! As Joss explained, the acrimony began years earlier when I had an offer for $250,000 to do 10 autograph signings within a year. I called Johnny up, I said, Im working on a production, we got so many things to do you get $350,000, I get $250,000. Hardwick turned down Joss offer, saying that autograph signings were not my cup of tea, prompting Joss to develop a resentment for his co-star, which he would come to regret after Hardwicks passing. It broke my heart, Joss said of Hardwicks passing, It pains you when you lose somebody, and you hate em. Advertisement But for all the misgivings Joss had for Hardwick during life, Joss admired the way Hardwick went out, saying, I hope, when I pass, I go out bathing like Johnny, like a can of soup. Sadly, Joss met a more grisly end than his late co-star, leaving another hole in the King of the Hill cast list that will forever be hard to fill. Sometimes failing is the best thing that can happen to you. Just ask any actor who narrowly missed out on a starring role in a hit franchise; theyre the most well-adjusted people youll ever meet. Advertisement 14 Roman Roy, Succession Its crazy to think that we almost had Jeremy Strong cranking off inside a glass skyscraper instead of Kieran Culkin, but head writer Jesse Armstrong says that Strong initially insisted on playing Kendall Roy. Advertisement 13 Blanche Devereaux, Golden Girls Betty White was originally cast as Blanche, but producers had second thoughts when they realized the character was extremely similar to Whites turn as Sue in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. 12 Buffy and Cordelia Chase, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Charisma Carpenter thought she was ready for the lead role, while Sarah Michelle Gellar didnt. The two wanted to swap parts, but Joss Whedon knew better, and made Gellar play Buffy while Carpenter played Cordelia Chase. 11 Drax the Destroyer, Guardians of the Galaxy Chadwick Boseman was denied the role that eventually went to David Bautista in 2014. Instead of being part of an ensemble cast for a few movies, he became an entire superhero and capped off his career leading a franchise as the Black Panther. Advertisement Advertisement 10 Dwight Schrute, The Office John Krasinski got his foot in the door as a hopeful to play Dwight Schrute, but convinced casting directors to let him read for Jim. As the story goes, his instant chemistry with Jenna Fischer won him the part. 9 Michael Scott, The Office Rainn Wilson, meanwhile, was the first person in the door to audition for the part of Michael Scott he even has the day-one sign-in sheet to prove it. Art imitates life, and hed go on to play the guy who always wanted Michaels job. Advertisement 8 Lorelai Gilmore, Gilmore Girls Madchen Amick made it way down the audition pipeline for the starring role. Producers decided she looked too young to be a mom (despite being just three years younger than the youthful-looking Lauren Graham, who went on to win the role). Amick was later given a three-episode stint as Sherry Tinsdale. Advertisement 7 Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, Harry Potter Tom Felton tried out for two different heroes before being cast as a villain. He says theres video out there of him with dark brown hair, glasses and a scar pretending to be Harry, as well as red hair (and, oddly, blonde) for Ron. Advertisement 6 Captain America, Captain America: The First Avenger Sebastian Stan was up for the big role, but was ultimately rejected, only to later become Bucky Barnes. His big takeaway was: Try not to take things personally, learn how to face rejection, no matter what you do, stay obsessed with it. How did he obsess over the role? By not reading any comic books, but instead getting really into World War II documentaries. He says Band of Brothers was the perfect study guide because Steve Rogers and Bucky are both orphans and kind of like brothers. 5 Bruce Wayne, The Dark Knight Heath Ledgers casting as the Joker in The Dark Knight was extremely controversial, but paid off extremely well. Odds are good that the critics would have been proven right if hed been cast as Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins like hed hoped. Advertisement 4 Bruce Wayne, The Dark Knight (Again) Cillian Murphy had the impression that an internal candidate had the position locked in from the start It was obvious that Christian Bale was going to be Batman but he got far enough down the audition pipeline that they stuffed him into Val Kilmers batsuit. He wound up landing the co-villain role, Scarecrow. Advertisement 3 Dave Lizewski, Kick-Ass Christopher Mintz-Plasse says the director hated him during the audition, which seems to be a pattern in his career. Jonah Hills utter disdain made for the perfect on-screen chemistry in Superbad, but it was a disaster for his chances at playing Dave Lizewski. Instead, he got to play Red Mist. Advertisement 2 Regina George and Cady Heron, Mean Girls Lindsay Lohan was supposed to play Regina George, but when Freaky Friday came out, producers thought her burgeoning stardom would make her less believable as the bad girl. So director Mark Waters took his Cady, Rachel McAdams, and made her the Regina. He felt McAdams was too old to play Cady anyway, so this was a win-win-win for him. President Donald Trumps second administration is already starting to lose key figures less than six months into the term, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is going to stick around for as long as her neck can support the weight of her cross necklace. Just as Trumps first White House featured a revolving door of politicians, insiders and favored business associates accepting and then leaving high-level positions on a seemingly weekly basis, so, too, is the Presidents second attempt at keeping a stable of obedient cronies showing leaks in the ship. On Sunday night, controversial tech magnate Elon Musk confirmed his departure from the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, which lost its first co-head Vivek Ramaswamy before it even existed. Musk's exit comes just months after calling himself Trumps first buddy as he accompanied the president on the campaign trail. Don't Miss But while certain high-profile staffers may strain and break under the pressure of the Presidents demands, Daily Show host Jon Stewart predicts that Leavitt, the youngest White House Press Secretary in our countrys history, will have no problem weathering the daily storms of the Trump administration. The only one whos going to come out of there unscathed is Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Stewart opined of Trumps White House during tonights episode of The Daily Show. Because I dont think that she has any principals in there left to die! The Daily Show played a montage of Leavitt heaping hyperbolic praise on the Presidents virtues, honesty, transparency and incorruptibility that would make a North Korean news anchor blush, closing on Leavitts ludicrous reprimand of the White House press corps as she told the room full of journalists, Its frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit. Advertisement Thats all hes doing! Stewart exploded, then adding of Leavitt on a calmer note, By the way, I think that the more she lies, the bigger her cross gets. Is that possible? Its like some sort of weird pinocchio cross. Considering that Trumps net worth ballooned by an estimated $2.9 billion during his first 100 days in office, Leavitt should be rocking a crucifix the size of Trump's golden toilet right about now. However, Stewart clarified, the blame shouldnt be on the messenger for the Trump administrations bald-faced lies and open corruption. Im not even upset with this lady, Stewart said of Leavitt. Because just rolling with the punches is clearly the only strategy for happiness when youre working for Trump. Trumps very open secret has always been: He doesnt believe in or care about any policy issue at all, Stewart stated. He wants attention, he wants his ego stroked, and he wants money. He wants fuckwads and fuckwads of money. But Stewart is leaving out one of the most important rules of the Trump White House, one which Leavitt clearly understands very well: The women all have to be blonde, decked out in gold and willing to do anything Trump tells them to do in exchange for a few fuckwads of their own. On Sunday, June 1st, actor Jonathan Joss, best known as John Redcorn on King of the Hill was shot to death in San Antonio, Texas, after a confrontation with a neighbor. This followed his difficult final months a time during which his home burned to the ground along with his three dogs and his financial issues continued to mount. The day before he died, however, the superfan hosts of BWAAA! A King of the Hill Podcast tried to show Joss as much love and appreciation as they could during what would end up being his final interview. I wanted him to understand what an influence he had on all the people in that room, says host Mike Hamilton, who conducted Saturdays interview in front of a crowd of 25 to 30 people at the ATX TV Festival in Austin. It helped that it was a pot lounge that we were interviewing him in. Everybody was super laid-back, and it was a good crowd. It was a concerned crowd, too, notes Hamiltons co-host, who goes by Dale Gribbles alter-ego, Rusty Shackleford. I kind of froze up during the interview because you could see this human being actively struggling. Still, we wanted to give the guy a chance to speak for himself in a way he may not otherwise get to. Some of the things he was talking about were eerie. He alluded to death a lot. There were a lot of tense moments. Don't Miss During the interview, Joss bounced from subject to subject, talking about his house fire and dogs, his sexuality, his ex-wife and his open use of drugs and alcohol. Hamilton, who is four years sober, briefly brought up his sobriety during the interview, but Joss jokingly called him a quitter. Hes a human just like the rest of us. Hes got his demons just like we all do, Hamilton says. The day before their interview, Joss had an outburst at the King of the Hill panel at the ATX festival, during which he began talking about not having money, the passing of his co-star Johnny Hardwick and some of his recent tragedies. Nobody really knew what was happening, and as soon as he got up there, he started breaking down, says Hamilton. It was very easy for him to derail himself, and he was definitely troubled. Everybody there was very uncomfortable with it. Advertisement Hamilton adds that, at the time, they couldnt figure out what Joss was angry about. I just wish he could have been easier on himself. After he passed, we messaged his husband, who is a really nice guy. We said, I hope John Redcorn has found peace. Its just super sad that all of the turmoil ends like this. After King of the Hill actor Jonathan Joss was shot to death on Sunday evening, his community in San Antonio is now grappling with the ugliness of the murder with the eyes of the country upon them. The San Antonio Police Department has alleged that, on Sunday night, after Joss and his husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales returned from a trip to Austin, neighbor Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja fired multiple shots into the long-time TV actor before fleeing in a vehicle. Paramedics pronounced Joss dead on the scene and police apprehended Ceja one block away, soon after charging Ceja with felony first-degree murder. Joss husband has since claimed that the killing was a homophobia-motivated hate crime, but the other residents in the area say that tensions between Joss and his neighbors stemmed from the late actors erratic behavior in the months leading up to his tragic murder. Don't Miss The San Antonio daily news website MySA recently published their report on the other neighbors accounts of the horrific slaying as well as the background of Joss relationship with his community. Said one neighbor grimly, We all knew it was going to end up like this because of his antics. Speaking to MySA, San Antonio resident Isabel Caballero says that Joss was widely known as an unstable presence in the neighborhood. He would just walk up and down the street. He would just like scream, Caballero said of Joss behavior. He was just very loud, very loud. But we knew how he was, so we wouldnt disturb him. Even if he looked at us, talked mess to us, we just ignored him because we knew thats how he was. Advertisement An anonymous resident corroborated Caballeros account of Joss behavior, adding that the actor wasnt a good neighbor. The source said that Joss would always do erratic things in the street, sometimes even proclaiming that he was God. This neighbor also claimed that numerous community members had called 911 about Joss disruptive behavior over the last year, which the San Antonio Police Department confirmed. According to SAPD, police officers had visited Joss property 40 different times in response to calls from concerned neighbors since January 2024, with calls ranging from welfare checks to disturbances with neighbors to the tragic fire that destroyed Joss childhood home earlier this year. The anonymous neighbor said that none of these calls led to tangible change in Joss behavior, nor did the actor ever gain access to the mental-health resources that she believes could have changed his fate. Advertisement Im so sad it had to come to this, the neighbor lamented. Its sad cause this could have been prevented if he had gotten the help he needed. The neighbor said that she believes Ceja murdered Joss because he was fed up with the actors disruptive behavior. SAPD says that they are still investigating the motives behind the murder. Kaitlin Olson isnt the only Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia star getting her I Love Lucy flowers. During a recent sitdown with fellow Batman baddie Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito revealed just how much freedom he has while playing Frank Reynolds, likening the Its Always Sunny set to that of the classic 1950s television series. You remember I Love Lucy? DeVito asked Farrell, Penguin to Penguin, during the pairs Variety Actors on Actors interview. Its like I Love Lucy on acid. You can do anything you want. Citing the ability to improvise and screw around, which has led to such inspired moments like the Paddys Pub crew being thrown off a building, or in his case, stripping down to come out of a couch naked during Season Sixs A Very Sunny Christmas, DeVito praised the casts openness to new ideas. You can pitch to these guys, he said of his great co-stars before detailing just how seriously The Gang takes their fun. Don't Miss Its reverence, DeVito continued. You care about it, you go to work, you have a good time. And again, the end result is like I Love Lucy if I Love Lucy were trippin balls, of course. Comedian Marc Maron recently announced that he will lock the gates for good this fall and wrap up his popular podcast WTF. Over the course of the past 16 years, the show has featured a number of memorable, surprisingly candid interviews with legends like Robin Williams, Iggy Pop and Carol Burnett, plus the occasional awkwardly combative chat with controversial comedy stars like Gallagher and Carlos Mencia. Maron also hosted a sitting president in his cat-filled garage and became one of the few comics to air their SNL audition grievances right to Lorne Michaels face. Don't Miss His interviews were sometimes uncomfortably honest, with the host unafraid (and even eager) to discuss his own insecurities and past shitty behavior. But the podcast's frank atmosphere allowed us to get to know guests in a setting that seemed to have far fewer guardrails than the typical celebrity interview show. But the big question is: Did Marc Maron create a monster? On the most recent episode of WTF, Maron broke the news about the shows impending end, not just to the audience, but also to guest John Mulaney. And while Maron was quick to note that he's proud of the show, he also expressed a feeling of deep regret for having had a hand in popularizing the some comedian interviews a guest on a podcast format that has taken over the internet. I feel like Ive partially done an amazing thing for culture, but on the other side of that, I feel like Ive released the Kraken, Maron confessed. Advertisement Mulaney countered that the metaphorical mythological beast was going to come out no matter what. It's always twofold when you're at the beginning of a new medium, Maron pointed out. There's a lot of like, Wow, the freedom of it! And you know, I think those words are said before anything turns into a horrendous malevolent force. Before you build a commune in Idaho you remark upon the wide open land, Mulaney agreed. While Maron doesnt mention anyone by name, it seems pretty clear that hes talking about comedians like Joe Rogan, Andrew Schulz and Theo Von, whose one-on-one interview podcasts all played host to Donald Trump during the 2024 election season. At the time, Maron, who again didnt specify any names, penned a blog post arguing that when comedians with podcasts have shameless, self-proclaimed white supremacists and fascists on their show to joke around like they are just entertainers or even just politicians, all it does is humanize and normalize fascism. That being said, since The Joe Rogan Experience premiered mere months after WTF, and Rogan has claimed that his biggest inspiration was actually Tom Green, Maron probably shouldnt beat himself up too much. June 7 this coming Saturday is a poignant date in the life of the Dorries family. It's the day that everything changed. Nothing has been the same since, nor will it ever be again. It's the day in 2019 that my husband Paul, the father of my three daughters, died. I know that each day this week will feel heavy to me. That's the only way I can describe the feeling that settles in and like a black cloud remains in place until his anniversary has passed. The loss of a loved one and our reactions to it is something I've long pondered ever since my brother John, my only sibling, died in a motorbike accident when he was just 27 on November 7, 1986. Indeed, I've had more than my fair share of unexpected deaths of much-loved family members. Six, to be precise: road accidents, drowning and suicide among them. This has left me with persistent anxiety that means I am acutely fearful of losing another. It's something I must deal with almost daily. However, I don't believe it accounts for something inexplicable that happens to me whenever an anniversary approaches. I'm one of those people who barely knows what day of the week it is, let alone the date. As a writer, who works from home seven days a week, the hours, days and months seem to merge. But deep in my heart I always know when the day I lost someone very dear to me is looming. Last week, I was making the bed when I was suddenly transported back six years to the moment that I'd glanced through the balcony door and saw Paul slowly making his way up the stairs from outside. Nadine with her husband Paul in 2006. The father of her three daughters died on June 7 six years ago Both of his hands were on the rail and a friend was behind him, his hands on Paul's frail back, taking some of the weight and guiding him up. 'That's the last time he'll make it outdoors,' I'd thought sadly. We'd been out to Broadway Tower, one of our favourite dog-walking locations, for a morning coffee. On our way home, Paul had asked me to stop the car for a moment as he feasted his eyes upon the beauty of the Cotswolds laid out before him. Neither of us spoke, but we both knew what he was thinking. He was exhausted when he got home, and I ran up ahead to get his bed ready. Now that memory had returned without warning, priming me for what lies ahead Paul's anniversary. But what I wasn't prepared for was how, suddenly, grief you believed you'd come to terms with can still overwhelm you. I spent the weekend with friends in Cheshire and after dinner they got out some old videos of the family holidays we'd shared. And quite suddenly, there was my husband, his voice, his laugh, his gentleness, his corny jokes. I hadn't heard that laugh or seen his face for so long and here he was, in the room with us. It winded me emotionally. I was swamped with sadness and nostalgia for the happiest days of my life, as a young mum, raising three daughters and two dogs with a husband who saw the funny side of everything. I've always admired the Irish attitude to death not just the religious ceremony and the long-lasting wake. But how the death of a loved one continues to be acknowledged down the years. A few years ago, I was invited to a friend's house in Dublin for a family dinner to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the passing of 'mammy'. Stories were shared, a compilation family video was watched and the wine and the laughter flowed. Some might call it maudlin and indulgent. Not me. I saw it as a deep and genuine mark of respect and homage to a life that was obviously well lived when recalled with such love. The openness and the way in which many Irish families embrace grief, joyfully celebrating the belief in passing to a better place, is in its own way a form of grief therapy. There is much to be said for it, and I can't help feeling that we myself included would all deal with death and grief a little better if we were a little more like the Irish in our approach. Mel's Spicy outfit for her birthday Mel B dressed to impress for her 50th birthday celebrations It was former Spice Girl Mel B's 50th at the weekend and she partied the night away with two fellow band members, Emma Bunton (Baby) and Mel C (Sporty). They both opted for the leopard print attire that Mel B (aka Scary Spice) was famous for in her Girl Power heyday. No sign of Ginger or Posh, though. Let's face it, even if it wasn't widely known that Mel B isn't the most popular Spice in the pack, could you see either Geri Halliwell- Horner, who only ever wears white, or fashion designer Victoria complying with the dress code? No, nor could I. Emma's still got to learn Emma Watson's father is warning the parents of the three children picked to star in the new Harry Potter TV series about the perils of fame. He says he worked hard to keep Emma Hermione Granger in the Potter films 'grounded' and that lessons and homework had to be done on set. I think we can all be forgiven for thinking that oh-so-woke Emma missed out on a few vital lessons as she amassed a 60 million fortune over ten years as Hermione lessons of gratitude and respect. She has shown neither to JK Rowling, the woman who made her both rich and famous, in recent years. The fact that they disagree on trans rights simply does not justify this rampant lack of manners. A heatwave could be on the way, but the beleaguered Co-op hit by a cyber-attack that has caused disruption to the supply chain and empty shelves is now stocking festive chicken and cranberry bites. Are they frozen leftovers from last Christmas, or fresh and newly frozen for this coming one? Or have bosses lost the plot and decided to restock shelves by bringing Christmas forward by six months? We need to know! The video of Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick in vigilante mode as he approaches fare dodgers on the Tube has become one of the most successful political videos of recent times. It's amassed more than 20 million views and counting across all social media platforms. The downside? He is now being regularly apprehended by passengers who want to give him new campaign ideas. I don't think this is his last viral video by a long shot. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could one day genuinely praise Sir Keir Starmer. How I would love to say that, yes, for once our stodgy Prime Minister has shown a smidgen of vision and inspiration. Back in February I thought such a moment might have come as he seemed to grasp the seriousness of the crisis we face: 'This is a once-in-a- generation moment for our national security where we engage with the reality of the world today and the threat we face from Russia.' The PM repeated the phrase 'once in a generation' in early March at a security meeting of European leaders. He really did seem to understand that, because Donald Trump was demanding that the Europeans stump up for their defence, Britain would have to spend significantly more. It's a big thing to talk about 'once in a generation'. The phrase is designed to encourage us to ponder the enormity of the dangers we face, and the sacrifices we may have to make. On Monday, my stirrings of hope were dashed. There is a yawning gap between Starmer's oratory and the modest improvements to our defences that have been announced. Yet even as these disappointing plans were unveiled, he had the effrontery to claim that Britain is moving to 'war-fighting readiness'. No it's not. Here is the truth. For all its apocalyptic warnings, the Government has found no new money for defence. In February, the PM announced that defence spending would rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, which is only three years earlier than the last Tory administration promised. This relatively slight increase will be funded by raiding the foreign aid budget, which in itself is a sensible thing to do. But the Treasury hasn't found any new money to pay for the stronger defence we need. Yesterday, Starmer again refused to commit to a date for when we will reach 3 per cent of GDP. The Government was happy to increase public spending by almost 70 billion a year for the next five years in last October's Budget. There were lashings of cash for the NHS and for the wasteful caper of Net Zero, otherwise known as Ed Miliband's Great British Energy, plus other of Labour's pet schemes. Sir Keir Starmer and defence secretary John Healey (centre right) meet British soldiers in 2022 It has also undertaken to reverse its foolish scrapping of the winter fuel allowance, and seems poised to abolish the two-child benefit cap. Planned welfare cuts may be further watered down. The cost of even some of these measures would run to several billion pounds. And yet no new money has been found to defend us from the monumental 'once in a generation' threat that Sir Keir Starmer has invoked. The disjunction between rhetoric and action is mind-boggling. What is the explanation? Sir Keir is frightened of his party, and knows that many of the comrades believe that the defence of the realm is a less pressing matter than spending on welfare and Net Zero, even when the Russian bear is rattling the gates. But it goes deeper than that. Despite his apparent awareness of danger, he remains too narrow a man softened by the long and seemingly endless years of peace to truly comprehend the evil nature of such a man as Vladimir Putin. There is no urgency in his response hence the refusal to commit to even 3 per cent of GDP. Like Louis Armstrong, Starmer feels that 'We have all the time in the world/Time enough for life to unfold'. Except that we don't. Rearmament isn't quick. You can't instantly restore military capability that has been recklessly degraded by successive governments. (David Cameron and George Osborne in particular should hang their heads in shame.) Even so, Labour's response is unforgivably laid-back. There is a welcome undertaking to build 'up to' 12 nuclear-powered submarines, though I expect there'll be fewer. In any event, the first of these will probably not set sail until the late 2030s. World War Three might be over by then. Nor is there any imminent plan to expand the Army, which has dwindled to around 71,000, its smallest size for centuries. We would probably struggle to muster 10,000 troops to fight on the Continent. The Russian army has at least one million personnel on active duty. Sir Keir Starmer walks with Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Tony Radakin (right) and Chief of the General Staff, General Roland 'Roly' Walker (left) last year Sir Keir must know something of which British generals are unaware, since he asserted yesterday that the Government will 'create an Army which is ten times more lethal by 2035'. Given that there appears to be no intention to expand numbers, this is ridiculous hyperbole. Admittedly, there are some sound proposals in the Government's Strategic Defence Review, such as a 6 billion investment in munitions, including six new British arms factories. Another good idea omitted from the review because it is considered so sensitive is the Government's reported desire to acquire fighter jets capable of firing tactical (i.e. smaller) nuclear weapons. Our existing submarine-based nuclear deterrent is too limited in the number of its missiles to carry much conviction. Yet, despite some positive points, the plans don't go anything like far enough, and they are certainly not characterised by the sense of urgency shown by an increasing number of European Nato countries. Several have undertaken to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence, and one or two have already met the target. Unimaginative, blinkered Starmer is lagging behind some European governments, for all his high-octane talk about the dangers we face. He is also lagging behind the Defence Secretary, John Healey, who declared last week that 'in the next Parliament this country will spend 3 per cent of our GDP on defence'. Healey has apparently been forced by the Prime Minister to row back. On Sunday, he said that it was merely the Government's 'ambition to meet 3 per cent in the next Parliament'. John Healey is a patriot who knows about defence, and it was sad to see him kowtowing before Starmer's pettifogging caution. Let me recall something Healey said last October, which made my blood run cold. He told us that the British Armed Forces were so run down that they would be unable to prevent an enemy invasion. What an admission. Since he issued that warning, the Government has undertaken to increase our military spending by a sliver, from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent in 2027. If we were unable to stop an invasion last October, we certainly are today, and will be for the foreseeable future. When the history of our times is written, the Tories will rightly be placed in the dock for allowing our Armed Forces to deteriorate over 14 years. A fatal blow was delivered by Cameron and Osborne, who with coalition Lib Dem partner Nick Clegg slashed the defence budget by 8 per cent in 2010. But the outlook has darkened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump's America is at least partly withdrawing from Europe. Destiny has chosen Sir Keir Starmer as the leader who must rally our threatened and weakened nation. And what does he do? He utters the right words. He appears to understand the gravity of our situation. But in the end he prefers to find money for a dozen other causes instead of protecting this country. Russia is wounded, far more badly than the Kremlin ever believed possible. Ukraine's extraordinary special forces mission deep inside enemy territory has done vast damage to Putin's war machine. There will be retaliation. The Russian president, afraid more than anything of appearing weak, cannot be seen to let such a devastating attack go unanswered. Since he first ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has frequently warned that he is willing to use so-called 'tactical nuclear weapons' on the battlefield often issuing these threats through lackeys in Russia's state-controlled media. Now he might well calculate that, by unleashing such a device with a yield smaller than a conventional nuclear weapon he can demonstrate his invincibility and force Zelensky's surrender. The appalling reality is that such a calculation might be right. Europe does not have an effective nuclear deterrent. Britain, once the predominant nuclear power of the continent, has shamefully dismantled its own arsenal. We used to have tactical nuclear weapons, with immense blast power but limited radiation yields, which could be dropped from RAF Vulcan bombers. We also possessed short-range Lance tactical ballistic missiles capable of being armed with atomic warheads. But no longer. Our only nuclear option now is the Doomsday weapon, a strategic missile of cataclysmic power, designed solely for self-defence, to deter an enemy from waging all-out war on Britain. For one of Britain's four Trident nuclear-armed submarines to use such a weapon against Russia as punishment for anything they do in Ukraine would be a suicidal escalation. A global holocaust would ensue. And Putin knows we will never provoke that. Putin could decide that the use of tactical nukes is a risk worth taking, says Colonel Richard Kemp The French do have tactical nuclear weapons, which can be delivered by cruise missiles launched from the air. But these also are intended for last-ditch self-defence. America has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate the use of tactical nukes by Russia. So have the Chinese. But with President Trump vacillating on his country's commitment to protecting Europe, Putin could well decide it's a risk worth taking. Certainly the U.S. and Europe would protest strongly if a nuclear weapon exploded in Ukraine. But Putin has often shown that he cares nothing for international opinion. To use such indiscriminate force will be an unmistakable statement that he is prepared to stop at nothing. In Beijing, while the official reaction would be one of horror, in private the Communist Party leaders would find it all very instructive. No country has used a nuclear bomb in war since 1945. They would treat it as a useful demonstration of what a non-conventional weapon does. It could be used in one of four ways. The most likely is to target a Ukrainian battle concentration of tanks, artillery and troops on the front line. Ukraine keeps its forces as widely dispersed as feasible but, even in an area of low population, the psychological effect of such an attack would be enormous. Also probable is an attack on a Ukrainian airfield, in a direct act of vengeance for the destruction of dozens of Russian bombers on Sunday. It is likely that this could kill Nato specialists, including British troops, who are rumoured to be helping Ukraine in a covert capacity. A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia On the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, Russia commemorated the end of the Second World War in 1945 with a large military parade on Red Square. It was also seen as a display of the country's nuclear might More horrific still are the consequences of a nuclear attack on an atomic power station. While radiation from the tactical weapon itself would not present a threat to Western Europe, the fallout from a ruptured reactor would do incalculable environmental harm. The consequences could dwarf the Chernobyl disaster. The last possibility is almost unthinkable: a nuclear bomb dropped on a Ukrainian city such as Odesa or Kyiv. The death toll would reach hundreds of thousands. And even then, Putin might believe that Nato would not respond in kind. He could be insane enough to think that this would win the war for him at a stroke. I strongly expect that, in that last scenario, the U.S. would respond with a surgical nuclear attack on Russia. Britain would stand with America, and at that point we would be drawn into open war with Russia. In that case, we must be prepared for debilitating sabotage against our infrastructure, because Putin has many agents hidden in the UK, waiting for the command to wreak havoc. This is the price we pay for having no adequate nuclear deterrent. Since the end of the Cold War, we have allowed our defences to erode until our enemies have little to fear from us. Very belatedly, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that our military must reach 'war-fighting readiness'. You may well ask what the point is of Armed Forces that cannot immediately achieve that readiness. Yet the Government says our spending on defence will not reach even 3 per cent of GDP until 2034. This is unacceptable. The lives and freedom of everyone in the UK are at stake. Britain must re-arm with all possible urgency. We are as defenceless against the threat of tactical nuclear weapons as Ukraine itself. In his first major speech of last years General Election campaign Keir Starmer posed a rhetorical question. Referencing the lingering doubts of swing voters, he confronted their primary concern about Labour. Do I trust them with my money, our borders, our security? My answer is yes, you can, because I have changed this party permanently, he said. The shambolic events of the past 48 hours, in which the Prime Minister launched then promptly blew apart his own Strategic Defence Review, have exposed the truth. When it comes to national security, Starmer has not changed his party. Labour still cannot be trusted to take defence seriously. And as a result, he now represents a much greater threat than Jeremy Corbyn ever did. The primary responsibility of every government, regardless of its political persuasion, is the defence of the realm. It is not something to be balanced against the fickle opinion of the focus groups. Or surrendered to the whims of Treasury bean counters. It is a primary and sacred duty. Yes, defence spending has to be considered alongside other national priorities. But when a real and present and existential danger is identified, His Majestys First Minister is honour-bound to find a way to counter it. That is line one, page one, of the job description. Keir Starmers predecessor, in his own warped way, recognised that. The events of the past 48 hours, in which the Prime Minister launched then promptly blew apart his own Strategic Defence Review, have exposed the truth, Dan Hodges writes On Friday, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the minimum expenditure necessary to defend the nation was 3 per cent of GDP Corbyn was wrong in every single foreign affairs and national security opinion he ever had. He believed Nato represented the main threat to European peace. He believed Britains independent nuclear deterrent endangered both the British people and the world. He believed our safety was best served by taking Vladimir Putin at his word. But they were opinions honestly held. And somewhere in that befuddled, indoctrinated, pseudo-Marxist brain, he genuinely believed they represented the best way of protecting the nation. Keir Starmer does not believe any of those things. And we know this because over the past few months he has been hammering home the message that Britain now faces its greatest threat since the fall of the Berlin Wall. It represents, Starmer told the House of Commons, nothing less than a generational challenge. Such was the scale of the danger, it was now necessary to recalibrate the entire British economy towards a new programme of emergency rearmament. We are moving to warfighting readiness, he announced. And then, having identified this historic threat and warned it was bearing down on us at pace, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom promptly declared to the country, our allies and our enemies he might not be minded to counter it after all. On Friday, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the minimum expenditure necessary to defend the nation was 3 per cent of GDP. There was no doubt it would be met by 2034, he stated. Within hours Treasury sources were beating the retreat. The 3 per cent figure was merely an ambition, they briefed. Then Keir Starmer turned that retreat into a full-blown rout. 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... I dont believe in performative fantasy politics, he declared. In recent weeks, we have become used to political and communications blunders from this government. And they are again in evidence here. Having recently berated Nigel Farage for his fantasy economics, how the Prime Minister thought he could get away with announcing the largest programme of rearmament since at least the Cold War without saying how it would be funded defies comprehension. As does his inability to align himself with his Defence Secretary on such a fundamental detail as the percentage of GDP that will be spent on defence. But what we have seen over the past couple of days is not just another failure of presentation and spin. It is actively placing our nation in peril. Our enemies are watching us like hawks. And they are making a potentially deadly calculation. Presidents Putin and Xi Jinping are looking at Britain, at its prime minister and its government, and they are assessing to what extent we are prepared to meet any future aggression with force. An extension or expansion of the war in Ukraine. An invasion of Taiwan. These are not distant hypotheticals. Decisions are currently - actively - being taken about whether to launch military operations in pursuit of these malign geopolitical policy objectives. And a key component of the decision making is the Wests - and the UKs willingness and ability to stand up to counter them. So when Keir Starmer says, as he effectively did on Monday, yes, I know Putin has designs on Moldova and the Balkans and maybe Poland. But Ive got to be honest, we may not have the resources to stop him. We may have other priorities', how does he think those words will be read in Moscow? Or Beijing? When discussing these issues, Sir Keir is fond of channelling his inner Churchill. But the stance he has adopted is the equivalent of saying to the nation in 1940, We shall fight on the beaches and we shall fight on the landing grounds. But we may not be able to fight in the fields or in the streets or in the hills because money is tight, and I have to think about breakfast clubs and the two-child benefit cap'. There have been prime ministers who have misread the nature of the threat we face from foreign adversaries. There have been prime ministers who have lied to the country and even themselves about the nature of that threat in order to pursue other spending and political priorities. But this is the first time in my lifetime that a prime minister has openly identified such a major and overt threat to the nations security, then promptly and proudly declared to all and sundry he is not fully committed to doing anything about it. The defence of the realm is not an area where you can triangulate. It is brutally binary. Either Keir Starmer is correct in his assessment that Russia and China have brought us to the brink of war, or he is not. If he isnt, then what has all this rhetoric and posturing been about? And if he is then why is he not clearly stating that, whatever the cost, he will find the resources to deter Sino-Soviet aggression and, if necessary, vanquish it? Jeremy Corbyn was an idiot and an ideologue. But at least he was honest about who and what he was, giving the voters the opportunity to block his path to Downing Street. Keir Starmer secured power by pledging to be different. In his manifesto he vowed Labours first duty in government will be to keep our country safe. We will launch a Strategic Defence Review to assess the threats we face and the capabilities needed to address them. It didnt even contain the classical Blairite get-out clause as resources allow. This week the Prime Ministers claim to have permanently changed his party and made national security his inviolable priority has been shown to be the latest in a long litany of lies. The British people can see it clearly. And worst of all, our enemies can see it too. The Sydney restaurant is a firm favourite among off-duty chefs and foodies The TV personality named her top dishes and has already vowed to return Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has shared a glowing review of a Sydney restaurant for serving 'the most wonderful meal of my life' - and has already vowed to return before she departs Australia. The visiting British food icon dined a week ago at Ester in Chippendale, a trendy restaurant headed up by chef Mat Lindsay that may be a hidden gem - not widely known among the general public but revered by off-duty chefs and serious foodies. The TV personality gushed about Ester for remaining 'unfailingly the most exciting kitchen in the world' after visiting the little-known hotspot with two friends. 'I had the most wonderful meal of my life. I know I say that every time I go to Ester (and its always true) as each time is a fresh occasion for delight,' Nigella said. The 65-year-old specifically highlighted some of the restaurant's 'exceptional dishes', explaining that her dining experience commenced with 'impeccable' oysters to start. Also on the menu was the 'legendary fermented potato bread with salmon roe and beguiling jelly-topped kefir cream' - a signature dish renowned at the restaurant. Known for taking and sharing pictures of her meals, the culinary icon admitted she was 'too wrapped up in the conversation to photograph everything' that night, but said she did manage to capture some of her favourite dishes. Among the dishes were the 'madly good Sommerlad chicken dumplings - bulgingly plump and sensationally savoury in their rich, smoky broth'. Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has shared a glowing review of a Sydney restaurant for serving 'the most wonderful meal of my life' Nigella Lawson shared some of the standout dishes from her recent dining experience at Ester, specifically highlighting the 'impeccable oysters' (left) and 'exquisite pippies' (right) Nigella also called out the 'exquisite pippies' as a standout. The TV cook said the seafood dish was served in a 'liquid that tasted saltily like a gravy drunk on its own magnificent meatiness'. To round out the decadent meal, Nigella and her friends enjoyed a 'superbly elegant but winkingly bright crepe caramel'. If her mouth-watering description of the dishes weren't proof enough, Nigella capped off her post by declaring that she had already made plans to return to the restaurant. 'Have already booked a table for my last night here before I fly back home, as this food is too good not to revisit,' she said. In addition to personally calling out and thanking specific Ester employees, Nigella added that 'everyone affiliated with this miraculous venture does it - and the whole of hospo - great honour, stamping every moment with memorableness and meaning'. The celebrity chef's glowing review also revealed that she'd dined at Ester in esteemed company sharing the table with Australian novelists Helen Garner and Charlotte Wood. Charlotte, who's known for her novel The Natural Way of Things, replied to Nigella's post by describing the evening as 'a life highlight for several of us at that table'. 'Everything was incredible including star company,' Charlotte said. Nigella Lawson recently visited the award-winning restaurant Ester, which is known for its wood-fired modern Australian fare Nigella concluded her recent decadent dining experience at Ester with this 'superbly elegant but winkingly bright crepe caramel' ReceipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi also responded to Nigella's post with an elongated: 'Yuuuuuummmm!!!' The beloved Australian food blogger also recommended that Nigella check out Ester's sister restaurant, Poly. 'Get everything on the smalls list,' Nagi advised. The high level of praise that Nigella heaped on Ester should hardly come as a surprise given that she'd previously named it a must-visit when she's in town. The British food icon told Gourmet Traveller earlier this year that the surprising yet delicious creations at Mat Lindsay's restaurant are 'extraordinary'. The award-winning restaurant is known for its relaxed yet stylish interiors and wood-fired modern Australian fare. The World's 50 Best Restaurants panel called it one of Sydney's hottest dining destinations, noting: 'The fit out is minimal, mood informal and selection of wood-fired small plates ruthlessly streamlined. Bag yourself one of the hottest seats in Sydney.' Ester offers an a la carte and set menu for lunch and dinner, with set menus only available on Saturday evenings, starting from $145 per person. The fermented potato bread served with salmon roe and kefir cream (pictured) is a signature dish at Ester Culinary icon Nigella Lawson has been frequenting a number of Sydney food institutions while she's in town, including Fratelli Paradiso, Sean's and Small's Deli Signature dishes include the woodfired oysters with chicken fat butter, the blood sausage sanga, and the fermented potato bread - a dish that chef Josh Niland previously described as a 'timeless masterpiece.' Since arriving in Oz, Nigella has been making the most of her visit by checking out several of Sydney's foodie hotspots. After landing in mid-May, her first port of call was to local institution, Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point. Sharing the details of her visit to social media, the British culinary queen revealed it was a personal tradition to make it her 'first stop in Sydney'. Nigella also paid a visit to North Bondi beachside restaurant Sean's, describing the venue as a 'perfect Sydney Sunday spot'. But it's not just upmarket dining venues that have caught the celebrity chef's attention. The Domestic Goddess also made a 'customary pilgrimage' to Small's Deli, a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop in Potts Point. There, she ordered a show-stopping sandwich called The Toto. Describing the 'outrageously good' sandwich, Nigella explained that it's 'spread with lemony butter bean puree and pesto, it's bulgingly stuffed with mortadella and mozzarella, exuberantly sprinkled with chopped toasted almonds, and topped with peppery rocket.' The question on every Sydney foodie's lips is: Which restaurant will Nigella show up to next? Jamie Oliver has said people people 'know so little about food' that they 'don't even know what's authentic' as he defended his decision to flout traditional recipes amid appropriation accusations. In a new interview with The Sunday Times, the Essex-born celebrity chef reiterated his stance, saying 'people know so little about food, they don't even know what's authentic'. The Naked Chef, 50, has previously found himself in hot water after making subtle alterations to traditional recipes, angering natives and triggering some critics to accuse him of 'cultural appropriation'. One instance in 2018 resulted in the then shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler to say he 'didn't know what jerk was', after people pointed out he'd failed to include any of the ingredients of a traditional Jamaican jerk marinade in his microwavable supermarket 'punchy jerk' rice. On another occasion in 2016, he left Spanish people seething after adding pancetta to his recipe for a paella, a row that he has since described as merely the anguish of 'chorizo-wielding Spaniards'. A year later, he found himself on the receiving end of fierce backlash again, this time from Italians after he controversially shared a recipe for 'authentic' carbonara that included a clove of crushed garlic. Despite having received 'death threats and abuse for months', the father-of-five appeared unaffected by the controversies. 'Its not traditional but if you want to, why not go for it?' he told the publication in reference to his unorthodox twist on carbonara, which does not traditionally contain garlic. A year later, he found himself on the receiving end of fierce backlash from Italians after he controversially shared a recipe for 'authentic' carbonara that included a clove of crushed garlic. Pictured sharing the carbonara recipe Jamie Oliver has said people people 'know so little about food' that they 'don't even know what's authentic' in defence of his decision to flout traditional recipes amid appropriation accusations Continuing, he said: 'I tend not to get offended but you want to be respectful. With appropriation, what youve got to be careful of is claiming that you invented something or that somethings yours.' Jamie clarified that all of his recipes are now run by an international specialist and that the 'last thing' he'd 'want to do is upset anyone'. Elsewhere in his interview with The Times, Jamie addressed other public altercations including his relationship with rival celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, who famously sparked feud rumours after he called him a 'one pot wonder' in 2010. Putting to bed accusations of ongoing dispute, Jamie said he and Gordon 'are absolutely friends' and tat their 'berating decade' was a thing of the past. The chef, who has spoken openly about his dyslexia in the past, also revealed some of his children have recently been diagnosed as neurodivergent, telling of new diagnoses for ADHD and ASD (autism spectrum disorder). The TV star shares daughters Poppy, 23, Daisy, 22, and Petal, 16, and sons Buddy, 14, and River, eight, with his former model spouse, with the eldest two having flown the nest. It's not the first time Jamie has defended himself against accusations of flouting authentic recipes. In an interview on the Louis Theroux Podcast earlier this year, he said that people need to 'get over' cultural appropriation rows in cooking. The Naked Chef added that the majority of his career - and book sales - are based on 'compromising with common sense' to get people to 'try something new', which could be giving 'more of a vibe' to 'bland boring rice'. More than once, Jamie has been embroiled in vicious cultural rows after making tweaks to recipes, including one instance in 2018 which lead the then Labour shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler to say Jamie 'didn't know what jerk was'. Pictured: Jamie's 'punchy jerk rice' Jaime Oliver reflected on his controversial 'jerk rice' recipe that sparked controversy in 2018 in an episode of Louis Theroux 's podcast He added that all of his new books are vetted by 'cultural appropriation specialists' which 'pains him' but he said he 'doesn't want to offend anyone over a 'bloody cookbook'. The chef also admitted he had a 'crass misunderstanding' of the dish - and said that most 'British' dishes aren't native to the UK. 'Pies are from the Greeks via the Romans and fish and chips is Jewish Portuguese,' he added. Reflecting on the paella controversy that left him inundated with death threats from the Spanish, he told the podcast host: 'I wasn't frightened about a load of chorizo-wielding Spaniards to batter me to death, but it went on for bloody months.' He added that the 'history of paella' showed it was alright to add 'anything that moved' to the rice preparation - 'from snails to literally squirrels, meat, fish' - and 'undoubtedly chorizo would be in there'. In 2023, British chef Andi Oliver reignited the row and said people were 'irritated' by Jamie Oliver selling pouches of microwave jerk rice - not because he wasn't Caribbean, but because he 'didn't understand' the story behind what jerk is. In 2018, the Essex-born celebrity chef was heavily criticised for selling his 2.35 bag of jerk rice in supermarkets, with many accusing Jamie of 'cultural appropriation'. The range has since been discontinued. At the time, the row was sparked by London MP Dawn Butler, who is of Jamaican descent, who tweeted him saying 'your jerk rice is not ok'. From knee-high boots, glamorous halternecks and risque cut-out jumpers to silky blouses and wide-leg jeans... it's safe to say that Cat Deeley's This Morning wardrobe is quite different to her predecessor Holly Willoughby's. Prior to leaving her role of 14 years, Phillip Schofield's co-star was famed for her eternally revolving wardrobe of demure dresses and cute pencil skirts - typically accompanied by tights and sophisticated heels. But Cat, 48, has ditched such formal styles and opted for a more relaxed approach. One of her first ensembles when joining Ben Shephard on the ITV Daytime show was a pair of skinny jeans, an almost unfathomable fashion faux pas during Holly's tenure. The stiletto heels were also ditched, with the Birmingham host leaving them to collect dust in the dressing room while she presented the show in knee-high leather boots. Viewers initially appeared to give such down-to-earth looks a positive thumbs up across social media, with one commenting: 'Love Cat's outfit, definitely a combo we can all relate to,' while another added: 'Im liking Ben and Cat's more relaxed look...' However, lately, Cat's casual wardrobe has raised eyebrows as she embraces more revealing garments - including halternecks, one-shouldered tops and daring cut-outs. The adventurous looks are a far cry from the more formal attire usually sported by breakfast presenters, with the likes of Ruth Langsford, Alison Hammond and Lorraine Kelly preferring a uniform of midi dresses, blazers and smart blouses. On Monday, This Morning fans suggested Cat's outfit, featuring an elegant black, sleeveless top that was clasped together in a cross at the front paired with sleek red trousers, was more for a 'night out or a beach bar'. From knee-high boots, glamorous halternecks and risque cut-out jumpers to silky blouses and wide-leg jeans... it's safe to say that Cat Deeley's (pictured) This Morning wardrobe is quite different to her predecessor Holly Willoughby's The TV star - who's married to presenter Patrick Kielty - accessorised with gold jewellery and wore her hair down in loose waves. However, the stylish outfit failed to impress some fans, who felt it looked 'unprofessional' for daytime programme. Taking to X, one viewer wrote: 'Cat obviously still in her clothes from a night out #thismorning,' while another added: 'Cat - youre not having a day at the beach love. Dress like a professional at work. #thismorning.' While someone else penned: 'Has Cat come straight from a beach bar? Bizarre choice of outfit #ThisMorning.' '#ThisMorning Cat looks like she's been out lol,' a fourth viewer wrote. Back in April, This Morning fans were once again left seriously distracted by Cat's striking outfit. Many gasped 'what is she wearing?!' just minutes into the show as the 48-year-old and co-host Ben interviewed Deepa Paul, who has written a book about navigating her life with a husband and boyfriend. While Deepa opened up about her relationship to the pair on the sofa, many were left distracted by Cat's chosen footwear. The presenter opted for a white and green long-sleeved mini dress with a pair of tan-coloured Isabel Marant Lophie canvas knee-high boots folded down. Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on chosen footwear. Cat (pictured), 48, has ditched formal styles and opted for a more relaxed approach Cat's casual wardrobe has raised eyebrows as she embraces more revealing garments - including halternecks, one-shouldered tops and daring cut-outs Prior to leaving her role of 14 years, Holly (pictured) was famed for her eternally revolving wardrobe of demure dresses and cute pencil skirts - typically accompanied by tights and sophisticated heels The adventurous looks are a far cry from the more formal attire usually sported by breakfast presenters, with the likes of Ruth Langsford (pictured left), Alison Hammond (pictured right) and Lorraine Kelly preferring a uniform of midi dresses, blazers and smart blouses 'What is Cat wearing on her feet? #thismorning,' questioned one fan, while others asked: 'What are those?' and 'Why has Cat got paper bags tied around her ankles #thismorning.' 'I have just noticed Cat is wearing the Scarecrows boots from the Wizard of Oz! #thismorning,' another person joked. Cat was last seen wearing the shoes on the programme during an episode in May 2024. The star looked incredible in a stylish cargo minidress and quirky rope knee high boots as she hosted the show. It's not the first time that fans have rushed to social media to discuss Cat's outfit choices. The previous month, viewers claimed the TV star was 'showing more skin than usual' as she sported a stylish knitted 29.50 M&S off-the-shoulder top with wide-legged trousers. One unimpressed fan posted on X: 'Will someone dress Cat with decent clothing.' Another said: 'Cat, straighten your top.' Just weeks before that others pointed out her striking two-piece androgynous suit, which she wore with a white shirt and a grey tie with a pearly white pin. Viewers initially appeared to give such down-to-earth looks a positive thumbs up across social media, with one commenting: 'Love Cat's outfit, definitely a combo we can all relate to,' while another added: 'Im liking Ben and Cat's more relaxed look...' The presenter pictured wearing a white and green long-sleeved mini dress with a pair of tan coloured Isabel Marant Lophie canvas knee-high boots folded down Cat's low-budget wardrobe has been praised by fans; on one of the presenter's Instagram posts of her outfits, which she captioned with the hashtag 'Cat's Closet', a viewer commented: 'Love your looks, a lot more affordable than others'. The statement ensemble divided opinions, with one person writing online: 'Has Cat got a job interview later?,' while another said: 'Who on earth is styling Cat Deeley?! #ThisMorning.' However, not everyone was against the outfit, as they took to X to applaud her look. 'Blimey! Cat means business this morning #thismorning,' wrote one fan. 'Can Cat Deeley wear suits more on This Morning please', insisted another, while a third added: 'I'm obviously in the minority, but think Cat looks great in her suit. Love that look and she carries it off beautifully'. Even Cat's co-star Ben has previously questioned the host's wardrobe after she appeared on screen in March last year wearing a pair of brown floral printed flared trousers, which he compared to 'an old sofa.' Speaking ahead of her show, Lorraine cut to the This Morning studio to ask what they had coming up. Ben joked: 'Can we just enjoy the extraordinariness of Cat Deeley's trousers today? She's gone into her mum's caravan and nicked the curtains!' 'That's so rude, we're not making Sound of Music, you know!' she hit back. 'We could, though!' Ben responded. Later on Ben took the opportunity to compare Cat's trousers to a sofa, with some viewers agreeing. One fan even insisted on X: 'Sack the stylist. Cat's outfit is horrendous.' Cat has also worn a Boden cardigan and the viral Adidas Samba trainers that cost 90 (pictured) Cat's outfits have been divisive for This Morning fans, with some viewers unimpressed and others praising the TV star for her relatable choices Unlike Holly, who used her private stylist Danielle Whiteman on the show, Cat uses ITV's own fashion experts David O'Brien and Rachael Hughes, who have also dressed her co-stars Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond. While her predecessor favoured designer items, Cat has won fans over by wearing brands such as Zara and John Lewis . Holly and her stylist have worked together for years and Ms Whiteman now helps the TV star's lifestyle brand Wylde Moon. During her 14 years on This Morning, Holly would regularly wear clothing from the likes of Ted Baker, LK Bennett and Jaeger. But Cat's low-budget wardrobe has been praised by fans; on one of the presenter's Instagram posts of her outfits, which she captioned with the hashtag 'Cat's Closet', a viewer commented: 'Love your looks, a lot more affordable than others'. With wedding season in full swing, the quest for the perfect wedding guest dress is of utmost importance. However, the question of what colours you can and can't wear to a ceremony is something guests must always keep in mind. Wearing the wrong colour may run the risk of a faux pas, as former Love Island star Georgia Steel discovered over the weekend when she donned a pale yellow dress to attend the wedding of Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen. Georgia, 27, shared a clip on TikTok to show off her stunning lace Miss Circle dress, which featured a long skirt and a ruffled bust with a midriff cutout, to Dani and Jarrod's outdoor wedding in Buckinghamshire. But she was swiftly admonished by fans for wearing a dress that appeared 'a bit too close to white'. It's a well-known rule that guests should never wear white to a wedding, as this is the colour typically reserved for the blushing bride. According to Zoe Burke, wedding expert and Editor of Hitched.co.uk, guests attending a Western wedding should steer completely clear of 'white, ivory, and anything so pale it's not immediately clear it's not white'. There are some exceptions to the rule, particularly among royals - for example, the Princess of Wales wore a primrose yellow dress to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2018 ceremony that appeared almost white on camera; while Queen Camilla wore a pale pink coat dress for the occasion. What about weddings of other cultures? Divya Chadha, founder of luxury destination wedding planners A Klass Apart, adds that the colour white may symbolise different things - and you may still want to avoid wearing it even then. Former Love Island star Georgia Steel recently found herself in trouble with fans for wearing a pale yellow dress that was 'almost white' to Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen's wedding But rules around wedding guest attire has evolved, and there are even some very rare instances you can wear white, like Dua Lipa did when she attended designer Simon Jacquemus' wedding in 2022 Even the royals are partial to light colours as wedding guests, as seen when the Princess of Wales wore a primrose yellow coat dress to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2018 wedding 'For example, in some Asian cultures, a woman wearing white typically depicts a widow, and in other South Asian or Far Eastern cultures, white is often worn at a funeral,' she explains to FEMAIL. However, that's not to say that pale colours are completely off limits. Zoe says that pastel pinks, yellows and other light shades 'are OK, especially at a summer wedding'. However, Zoe tells FEMAIL, there's a caveat: 'I would always say if there's any chance it could be mistaken for a wedding dress, you should avoid it. 'If you're ever in doubt, steer clear of it, or if you're close to the couple, send them a picture and ask them to give their honest opinion - and then respect what they say!' Wedding guest attire has evolved over the years, with certain colours that used to be taboo becoming more acceptable and even the norm. Some people believe that wearing red to a wedding suggests the guest in question has had a fling with the groom in the past. Others simply think the bright colour takes attention away from the happy couple. Wearing black to a wedding was similarly frowned upon, as black is usually reserved for mourners at a funeral. However, modern weddings call for modern interpretations of old rules, and many colours like red, black, and pale colours are given the nod of approval - as long as they fit within the 'wedding dress code', which is a rising trend among nuptial celebrations. Wearing red or black to a wedding used to be frowned upon, but these days, couples are more relaxed about such rules The trend, noted in the 2024 Hitched Wedding Trends Report, sees couples setting out specific guidelines for their guests, whether that's to avoid a particular colour, such as the wedding party's colour, or to dress to match a theme. Zoe adds: 'A big TikTok trend recently was the 'upstage the bride' theme, where couples would encourage guests to dress up as much as they can! 'I think part of this now is that wedding guest lists are smaller than they were 10 years ago, where the average wedding would have 100 or more guests, couples are now inviting around 89 and we're seeing micro weddings rise in popularity again. 'This means couples are more in control of who is coming to their weddings - it's their friends, not their parents', or distant family they hardly know. 'Therefore they don't have to worry that people won't know who the bride is, so they can be a bit more relaxed in what people are wearing.' While white remains the colour to avoid at all costs, you could get a very rare occasion when you may be able to get away with wearing white as a wedding guest - and that is only if the bride and groom want you to. Some high-profile wedding guests who got a free pass to wear white in the past include Beyonce, who was among about 200 other guests wearing the bridal colour to her sister Solange Knowles and Alan Ferguson's white-themed nuptials in 2014. Dua Lipa also got the green light to wear a stunning sheer white dress designed by Simon Jacquemus to the French designer's own wedding in 2022, when he wed Marc Maestri in France. 'The only time it's acceptable to wear white to a wedding is when it's explicitly stated by the couples - for example, a black and white dress code, or an 'upstage the bride' wedding theme,' Zoe says. 'If that's not the case, then I would always advise to steer clear of wearing white to a wedding! I always say, you have 364 days of the year to wear white, and the bride has one. Let her have it!' Divya adds that, if you were to wear white by request of the bride and groom, the style of the dress you choose is just as important as any hint of bridalwear could be controversial. 'Make sure your dress isn't full length; avoid lace detailing on the dress; add a pop of colour or colour block the outfit and throw on some statement accessories that take the focus away from the actual outfit,' she advises. Brittany Hugoboom, editor and co-founder of the glossy magazine Evie, arrives with a big smile on her face and it's hard to interpret it as anything other than a smile of defiance. Evie and Hugoboom are controversial even in Donald Trump's US for their anti-feminist positions. Swipe past the professional fashion shoots and the celebrity gossip, and this is a magazine that advocates no sex before marriage, takes a stand against the Pill, and says feminism is making women depressed. Variously dubbed the Conservative Cosmo and the Tradwife's Bible, the online magazine has 100 million views per month, including a growing audience in the UK according to Hugoboom but is accused by critics of fundamentally undermining women's rights. Hugoboom says she and Evie represent 'a resurgence of values and aspirations' that a huge section of the female population has been missing after decades of 'harmful' women's media. To be fair, in the flesh, the glamorous 33-year-old former model and mother of two is nothing like my mental image of a 'tradwife' and certainly isn't dressed as some throwback 1950s hausfrau. Today, she's wearing a mini dress by the Indian designer Hemant & Nandita, with glimpses of glittery, sequinned Victoria's Secret bra straps at her shoulders. She's also sporting thick black Wolford tights and Doc Martens boots and there's a chunky diamond ring on her finger. Moreover, we're talking at a studio in buzzy and urban Brooklyn, New York, not a windswept prairie in Utah or Ohio. Still, the philosophy feels very 'surrendered' to me. 'I think women want a softer life, a beautiful life, rather than feeling all this pressure to do things like a man,' Hugoboom tells me. Brittany Hugoboom, editor and co-founder of Evie magazine Women, she says, want to 'reclaim their femininity'. Yes, they can work but lots of us have 'girlboss' burnout. Single women are fed up with casual sex and being shamed for wanting to meet The One, get married, stay at home and have babies. 'Natural' birth control is better than the Pill. Critics say it's an old narrative that threatens to reduce women and make their lives smaller. Furthermore, detractors say it's an example of how misinformation and hard-Right ideas can be made more appealing if they are hidden among make-up tips, sex life advice albeit for 'married women only' and surprisingly sexy fashion shoots for a magazine that thinks women should be virgins on their wedding night. Indeed, some commentators on social media have gone further, claiming Evie and its editor are positively 'dangerous'. Hugoboom laughs when I put this to her. 'I'm not dangerous. It's bizarre, because there are so many other magazines for women out there and nobody ever calls them out for their Left-wing slant. 'We want to empower women and give them media that reflects their values rather than confusing and shaming them. And 95 per cent of our content isn't political.' Certainly, there are articles that might run in any other women's magazine. And then there are headlines like 'Want your husband to get you pregnant? Cook him these ten dishes'. And: 'Three surprisingly common ways women disrespect their husbands (without meaning to)'. There's an article by a (male) sociology professor that claims 'women's independence and gender equality is a factor in the long-term decline in marriage'. Hillary Clinton is referred to as the 'twice-failed' presidential candidate (the website endorsed President Trump for his second term). Evie has also run criticisms of no-fault divorce and the IVF industry (largely on the grounds that IVF encourages women to leave having children till later). Brittany Hugoboom and her husband Gabriel, whom she founded the magazine with in 2019 Hugoboom founded the magazine in 2019 with her husband Gabriel, 33, who has accompanied his wife to our meeting but has so far remained in the background. The couple have two daughters, aged one and three. But it's not just a mag, it turns out Evie is an entire concept. An empire of hyper-femininity, if you like. There's the release of the Raw Milkmaid Dress, for example, which is modelled by Hugoboom and features a corseted body, cinched waist and leg slit (Hugoboom, we're told, has a 32G bust). Described as '100 per cent feminine energy', the dress originally came in five colours, cost $189 (142) and was advertised with the phrase: 'Warning: Wearing this dress may get you arrested for being too hot.' 'It sold out within the week, except for size small in white,' shrugs Hugoboom. There's also a female wellness app called 28, which encourages women to track their menstrual cycle instead of taking the Pill or using other birth control methods. The couple have their own femtech company, which is backed to the tune of 1.5m by Trump-supporting tech titan Peter Thiel. 'A lot of young women are getting off the Pill because of side-effects,' says Hugoboom. 'It's the first time in history where perfectly healthy women are taking a pill every single day my doctor tried to prescribe it to me for acne. 'Women are being prescribed it for all sorts of reasons and having horrible side-effects. Every person reacts differently, and I think if some women have issues with it, they shouldn't be told that it's all in their heads they should be taken seriously.' It's ironic, of course, that Hugoboom runs two businesses, because another theme in her magazine is that women feel too much pressure to keep up with men in the workplace. 'Girl-boss feminism? I think women are over it,' she says. 'It's in our nature to have more of a work-life balance than men. I think men sometimes make themselves sick trying to succeed and become CEOs, and I don't think women have the same drive. Former ballet dancer Hannah Neeleham, who is now a so tradwife, on the cover of Evie 'Why are we putting women in a box where they have to wear a pantsuit and go to an office and act like a man? Why can't women want love and romance and find joy in babies and all the little things?' Evie has a staff of ten and Hugoboom is in charge of the editorial side, while her husband does the business and operations side. They work together on an annual print copy. As the couple has recently moved from Miami to New York, they usually order food or eat out, but she likes to cook when she has the chance. Are household tasks evenly divided between husband and wife, I wonder? 'He takes out the garbage and stuff like that, and I suppose I do the rest,' she says. It's one of the few occasions when she sounds like every other thirtysomething woman. Almost everything else she says has an edge of controversy. Thanks to weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, for example, the body positive movement, which encouraged women to accept themselves no matter their size or shape, has now run its course, Hugoboom thinks. 'It proves that the body positivity movement was a coping mechanism because the second they [the drugs] came out, people rushed to get them.' One of Evie's cover models is Hannah Neeleman, the former Julliard-trained ballet dancer who spearheaded the tradwife phenomenon. She and her husband Daniel, the son of the founder of the JetBlue airline, live with their large brood of children on a 328-acre farm in Utah and have 10 million followers online. Famously Neeleman won the Mrs America title 12 days after giving birth to her youngest and eighth child. Is she the ultimate Evie woman? 'I think she could be,' says Hugoboom, animatedly. 'I think she's incredible and beautiful and extremely inspiring. I couldn't do what she does, but I respect her. 'I started following her after she'd had her eighth baby and did the beauty pageant. I'd just had my second baby, and I certainly could not have competed in a beauty pageant. She reminds me of a Jane Austen heroine she's obviously a very strong and joyful woman.' Hugoboom says she is not a 'tradwife' and points out that she and her husband established their magazine before the term emerged. 'I think being a tradwife is more of a privilege. If you live somewhere in middle America the family might be able to live off the husband's salary but in New York or LA, unless your husband was extremely rich, you couldn't.' Of course, the same applies in the UK even if a woman wanted to adhere to strictly traditional gender roles, realistically most households require two incomes to pay the bills. Of all the subjects we talk about, Hugoboom is most animated when we talk about marriage. She and her husband met at college, when they were both 18. Both came from Catholic families she is one of four children, and he is one of eight. They got engaged in front of the Vatican in Rome. There's plenty of advice about sex in Evie, but it is all in the context of marriage. Headlines include: 'I'm a virgin, how do I make my wedding night go smoothly?' and 'The art of oral sex: a wife's guide'. Was Hugoboom a virgin when she met her husband-to-be? 'I was,' she says, looking rather startled by the question. She thinks few people nowadays have a positive view of marriage. In 2023 she posted on X about her sixth wedding anniversary, describing being whisked away by her husband to a luxury hotel and a bed strewn with rose petals, and being presented with jewellery and Agent Provocateur lingerie. 'It went viral in a bad way, and it was mostly men saying the whole thing was unrealistic. I'm tired of seeing marriage and motherhood being promoted as a ball-and-chain situation where the wife is naggy and wears an ugly sweatshirt because the baby's puked on her. 'I believe in committed love and always working to improve your marriage and not letting it go stale, and Evie readers believe that, too.' Her husband, she continues, is 'the greatest man on the planet'. 'He's a romantic, and the most courageous person I've ever met. He doesn't care what people think of him. He's fearless. He's an excellent hunter [of white-tailed deer]. I could go on and on about him.' Like George Clooney and his wife Amal, they rarely row, she says. 'We're very ying and yang. Neither of us is highly emotional. He's more extroverted while I'm more introverted.' Another issue of Evie magazine, which includes conversation about natural birth control And besides, her husband has no faults at all, except perhaps the fact 'he hates germs and he hates rats, so he won't take the subway'. 'How does she keep the spark alive?', I force myself to ask. 'I like to dress sexy around the house,' she replies, adding that she will wear a dress with a bit of cleavage. Every couple wants love and romance, I suggest, but surely that's often lost in the day-to-day grind? 'Yes, but you can choose every day to be grateful for the little things. I'm annoyingly optimistic.' Gabriel sounds like a paragon of virtue, so we call him over. Tall and bearded, he's friendly but clearly intensely focused on the couple's mission and does not seem bothered that it is attracting so much disapproval from the mainstream female universe. 'We're looking at building a feminine media empire a podcast division, getting into fiction and non-fiction, and we're in talks with some studios and production companies about scripted and unscripted shows,' he says. 'I think Evie has a unique voice to serve a demographic that hasn't been served in America for decades and we're very excited about the future.' What does he think about the criticism levelled at him and his wife and Evie? 'Criticism? What criticism?' he jokes. 'I think there's a lot of people who had an agenda [against us] right from the very beginning.' Menstrual cycle apps, milkmaid dresses, podcasts I wonder if Hugoboom sees herself as the next Gwyneth Paltrow. 'Selling those candles? she interjects, referring to the famous Goop candle called This Smells Like My Vagina. 'I love Gwyneth Paltrow. I love Goop. She's beautiful and fascinating and does things that no one else has done. I have a lot of respect for her but, no, I don't imagine us selling candles like that.' Another woman she admires is First Lady Melania Trump. In March, the whole family was invited to the White House for Women's History Month. 'I think Melania is beautiful,' she says. 'I'd love to have her on the cover of Evie 'I'm writing a book right now,' she reveals. 'It will be about women being able to rediscover their femininity and use it for whatever end is best for them.' She will also continue building her empire with her husband, and adding to her family of two girls. 'I'd like two boys but I'm going to wait a year or so,' she says. Hugoboom claims Evie is spearheading a major cultural shift and says she takes the responsibility seriously. Plenty of people would take issue with that analysis, of course yet the backlash against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and, by extension, feminism in the US at least is undeniable. Does she feel she's harshly judged? 'Yes, but so are the Kardashians and so is Hannah Ballerina Farm [Hannah Neeleman] and everyone in the spotlight. I think beauty and charm are some of the most powerful tools women can utilise and they're fed up with this ugliness agenda. 'They're being told that femininity is a weakness and it's not. My critics don't keep me awake at night. Only my babies do.' British designer Jonathan Anderson has been announced as the creative director of Christian Dior womenswear, finally confirming the worst kept secret in fashion and ending its longest game of musical chairs. Although if you want to have a seat at fashions top table, you need more than a chair. Increasingly, it seems, you also need to be a man. Already head of Dior menswear since April, Anderson replaces outgoing designer Maria Grazia Chiuri as head of womenswear leaving British designer Sarah Burton, creative director at Givenchy, as the only female heading up one of the 14 couture houses. After Virginie Viard left her position as head of Chanel last year, she was replaced by Matthieu Blazy, and only last month Dario Vitale took over Versace after Donatella stepped down. Of more concern than Andersons gender, however, is whether hes man enough to rise to the challenge of designing 18 collections a year. As creative director, he will oversee four Dior womenswear collections per year, as well as four more for menswear. Hes also charged with designing two haute couture collections a year, his first time at turning his hand to fashions most demanding level of craftsmanship. But Anderson, 40, also helms his own label, JW Anderson, which demands six collections a year, as well as the two collections hes contracted to design for Uniqlo. Only Karl Lagerfeld has managed such a prolific output. Talent: Jonathan Anderson with actress Cate Blanchett Clearly Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of luxury behemoth LVMH, which owns Dior, has faith in Anderson. In Monday's statement announcing the move, Arnault described the softly spoken Northern Irishman with a prodigious work ethic as one of the greatest creative talents of his generation. Indeed, not since Christian Dior himself has the house been united under one creative vision. Unusually for a fashion designer, Anderson is as good at marketing as he is at making clothes. Like Lagerfeld, he is a polymath, as interested in art, literature and film as fashion. Its this cross-cultural pollination that makes Anderson so valuable. During 11 years at Loewe, the house he helmed before Dior, revenues soared from around 200million euros (169million) to more than 1.5billion euros (1.27billion). British fashion designer Sarah Burton during the British Fashion Awards 2014 in London Thanks to a knack for creating a buzz on social media, Anderson ensured a cultural reach that went far beyond fashion. With sales at LVMH down 5 per cent, a lot is resting on Andersons midas touch. But he has some loyal teams to help him. Its just as well: his first Dior menswear collection is to be unveiled in just 24 days time on June 27. His first womenswear show follows on October 1 at Paris Fashion Week. Forget cracking open the champagne: it might be time to open the Red Bull. Danish royal tradition stipulates that a reigning monarch celebrates their birthday with a balcony appearance at Amalienborg Palace. But there was one small detail about King Frederik X's balcony birthday celebration last week that many royal watchers missed and it was a history defining moment. For his 57th birthday, the King was joined by his wife Queen Mary, his mother and former monarch Queen Margrethe and three of his four children, Princess Isabelle and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent. The King's eldest son Crown Prince Christian missed out on this year's celebration because he's currently undertaking military training. However, another surprise guest was more than happy to step into Prince Christian's vacant spot on the balcony one of Danish royal family's pet dogs. The adorable border collie appeared on the Amalienborg Palace balcony while the royal family were in the midst of waving and greeting crowds of well-wishers. While it may seem like an innocuous royal family moment, the unplanned public appearance in fact made history. The impromptu display was both comical and historical, marking the first time a royal dog - or any pet - has ever made a public appearance on the prestigious palace balcony. One of the Danish royal family's border collies made a surprise appearance on the Amalienborg Palace balcony during the 57th birthday celebration of King Frederik X (centre). Also in attendance were (L-R) Princess Isabelle, Queen Margrethe, Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine and Queen Mary The unplanned appearance by their dog had the royal family in stitches. Youngest son Prince Vincent (third from right) demonstrated the clever dog's ability to shake hands The candid reactions and laughter from the six members of the royal family appeared to confirm that the dog's appearance was unplanned. The excitable pooch appeared to enjoy the grandeur of the occasion, even at one point sticking his head out in between the balcony pillars. When the dog first appeared, a surprised Princess Isabelle, 18, demurely leant over to pat the family pet. After instructing the well-trained border collie to sit, Prince Vincent, 14, also demonstrated one of the dog's other clever tricks, by getting him to shake hands. The small but significant moment does contain one mystery - with royal watchers unable to determine which of the family's dogs crashed the balcony appearance. The Danish royal family currently own two Aussie border collies - a mother named Grace and her daughter named Coco. Because the mother and daughter look so alike, royal pundits have trouble telling the dogs apart. Even Queen Mary herself admitted in an Instagram post shared in August 2024 that it 'can be difficult for some to tell the difference' between their two dogs. Royal watchers were unable to determine if the pet that appeared on the palace balcony was the royal family's border collie Grace or Coco Princess Isabella (left) leant over to give the royal family's border collie a gentle pat after the dog suddenly appeared on the palace balcony The Danish royal family's Instagram post of the King's birthday celebration included this behind the scenes snap of Princess Josephine patting the beloved family pet It's not the only recent appearance by the royal family's border collies at a royal engagement. Last month, King Frederik and Queen Mary brought Grace and Coco to the town of Fredensborg, where they greeted crowds ahead of the royal family's annual summer relocation to Chancellery House at Fredensborg Palace. On that occasion, Grace and Coco joined Mary and Frederik as they walked along the cobblestone streets to shake hands and greet well-wishers. The obedient dogs walked freely without leashes and one even joined the royal couple on the podium during a formal address to the crowd. The Danish royal family have always had an affinity for dogs and were heartbroken when their previous border collie Ziggy died. In 2017, the family announced the devastating news via their official Instagram page as they bid farewell to the beautiful border bollie. 'The dog has been part of the family for 12 years and was a wedding gift to the royal couple,' the 2017 post read. The 'faithful and loving dog' Ziggy sadly passed away following chronic renal failure and osteoarthritis. King Frederik and Queen Mary also recently brought their border collies along with them for an engagement in the town of Fredensborg Mary and Fred's dog even joined them on stage when they were officially welcomed to their annual summer abode, Chancellery House at Fredensborg Palace Just three months later, the royal family opened their heart to adopt a new puppy. A royal statement at the time revealed that their new dog Grace was 'related to the family's previous dog Ziggy'. A few years later in 2021, Grace gave birth to her own litter of puppies, which included their second dog, Coco. Over the years, Queen Mary has often shared her own personal pictures of all of the family's beloved dogs. The border collies have even featured in several of the Queen's children's official royal birthday portraits. The outdoorsy royal family are also frequently pictured being accompanied by their beloved dogs on walks and hikes. In a post marking International Dog Day last year, Her Majesty shared that 'Grace and Coco have a very special meaning for our entire family'. Princess Carolina de Bourbon has posted a poignant message after revealing last week she'd been in a near-fatal motorcycle crash that saw her 'crash headfirst into a wall'. Carolina, 21, took to Instagram yesterday to update fans on her recovery and to thank everyone for their 'immense support' following the serious accident. The Italian heiress, who said she is 'incredibly lucky to be alive', revealed she is recovering well and she reflected on how 'fragile life can be.' Princess Carolina is the daughter of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro - who holds a claim to the now defunct throne of the former House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies - and Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro. She wrote: 'I am so grateful for the immense support I've received over the past few days, as well as all the messages and well wishes. 'I'm doing well in my recovery and feeling thankful to everyone who has been there for me during this time. She concluded: 'This experience has been a powerful reminder of how fragile life can be. Please take care of yourselves.' Carolina was rushed to a hospital in Monaco last week following the motorcycle accident. Princess Carolina de Bourbon has given a health update after a near-fatal motorcycle accident which saw her 'crash headfirst into a wall' last week She shared a series of photos of herself as she urged her followers to 'wear a helmet' while riding a bike, adding: 'Mine saved my life.' On Wednesday, she posted several snaps on Instagram, including one that showed her lying in a hospital bed with a neck brace. Another showed her undergoing what appears to be an electroencephalogram (EEG) test that measures electrical activity in the brain, in the aftermath of the accident that occurred when Carolina 'crashed headfirst into a wall' while riding her bike. 'I'm incredibly lucky to be alive,' she began the caption of her post. 'I crashed head first into a wall whilst riding a motorcycle and ended up in reanimation in the Intensive Care Unit. 'Surviving this was nothing short of a miracle,' she added. The Italian socialite, who was in Monaco for the 2025 Grand Prix, said she wanted to share her experience so that people understand that motorcyles are as 'unforgiving' as they are 'thrilling'. She urged her followers to 'ride with care' and wear a 'proper helmet'. 'Mine saved my life,' she continued, before thanking her medical team at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace for their 'expert care during those critical days' after she was brought in. Another snap showed her undergoing what appears to be an electroencephalogram (EEG) test that measures electrical activity in the brain The Italian heiress, who said she is 'incredibly lucky to be alive', revealed she is recovering well and she reflected on how 'fragile life can be' Princess Carolina said she is 'incredibly lucky to be alive' after the Italian heiress was rushed to hospital following a motorcycle accident The Italian socialite, who was in Monaco for the 2025 Grand Prix, said she wanted to share her experience so that people understand that motorcyles are as 'unforgiving' as they are 'thrilling' The Italian socialite also praised the first responders on the scene 'whose quick and decisive actions in those first moments' after the accident 'made all the difference'. Several of her followers rushed to the comments section to wish Carolina a speedy recovery, as one person wrote: 'I hope you get better soon. Please be careful.' Another said: 'I wish you a quick recovery.' A third translated comment read: 'I'm so sorry and get well soon may god protect you.' It comes after Carolina documented her trip to Monaco for this year's Grand Prix on Instagram. Her post included a photograph with British F1 racer Lando Norris, who cruised to victory at the Grand Prix, as well as snaps alongside her mother Camilla and her younger sister, Princess Chiara de Bourbon. Before flying to Monaco, Carolina dazzled the French Riviera as she walked the red carpet at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony on May 15. The Italian heiress will turn 22 in July, with Carolina ringing in her 21st birthday with a lavish celebration in Sardinia last year. Taking guests to the Cervo Hotel at the Costa Smeralda Resort in Sardinia, Carolina partied the weekend away dipping in and out for the pool before getting dressed up for the evening celebrations. A four-tiered cake, atop with sparklers, cherries and piped icing was served before a fireworks display, while guests danced with sparklers in front of a sign that read 'Happy Birthday Carolina', dozens of balloons and a tank of exotic fish. Carolina and her younger sister Chiara have become well-known in aristocratic circles for their lavish parties and fashionable looks at events. Their father Prince Carlo holds a claim to the now defunct throne of the former House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a cadet branch of the Spanish royal family, which descends from the Capetian Dynasty and ruled over Southern Italy and Sicily during the 18th and 19th centuries. Meanwhile, their mother, Duchess Camilla, born Crociani, is the daughter of Italian industry Tycoon Camillo Crociani and the actress Edy Vessel. Andrew Rannells has revealed that he plays Lena Dunham's on-screen husband in her upcoming Netflix romcom Too Much, which will no doubt delight fans of the acclaimed television series Girls. The 46-year-old actor is among the star-studded cast of the hotly anticipated 10-part series, helmed by comedian and Hacks actress Meg Stalter and White Lotus star Will Sharpe. The new show will be the first time Andrew has appeared alongside Lena, 39, on the small screen since they starred together in her award-winning show Girls, which ran for six seasons from 2012 to 2017. Fans of Girls will recall how Andrew played Elijah Krantz in the coming-of-age HBO hit, Hannah Horvath's (Dunham) gay ex-boyfriend. But in Too Much, scheduled to premiere on Netflix on July 10, Andrew spilled that he and Lena have leveled up their on-screen relationship to play husband and wife. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com on the red carpet at the premiere for I Don't Understand You in New York City on Monday night, Andrew recalled reuniting with Lena for the project and shared huge details about his new role for the first time. 'It was very fun to get to make with her,' he gushed. 'We're sort of the grownups now.' 'I play Lena's husband, who is also Meg Stalter's boss,' he continued. Andrew Rannells has revealed that he plays Lena Dunham's on-screen husband in her upcoming Netflix romcom Too Much The long-time friends and collaborators pictured on the set of the upcoming 10-part series 'So, I have like a fun dual role that I get to play. So, Elijah and Hannah have grown up and are now married!' Lena created, wrote, and starred in the HBO television series Girls, which received critical praise and won numerous awards. The series, which followed four women living New York City, also starred Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, and Zosia Mamet, and notably launched the career of Adam Driver. Too Much, created by Lena and her husband Luis Felber, follows Jessica (Meg Stalter), a New Yorker who heads to London in the wake of a painful breakup. 'There, she meets Felix (Sharpe). The pair build a connection that surprises Jessica but is impossible to ignore,' the synopsis teases. Besides Meg, Will, Lena, and Andrew, the cast also features appearances form model Emily Ratajkowski, Saltburns Richard E. Grant, and model and actress Adwoa Aboah. Rita Wilson, Rhea Perlman, and Stephen Fry also star. Last year, Lena spoke candidly about why she decided to cast Meg instead of herself in the semi-autobiographical series. Andrew previously played Lena's on-screen ex-boyfriend in her acclaimed series Girls In Girls, Elijah came out as gay after his break up with Hannah (Dunham) Andrew plays the boss of lead star Meg Stalter in the upcoming show Too Much 'I was not willing to have another experience like what I'd experienced around [my HBO series Girls] at this point in my life,' she explained to the New Yorker. 'Physically, I was just not up for having my body dissected again. It was a hard choice, not to cast Meg because I knew I wanted Meg but to admit that to myself.' 'I used to think that winning meant you just keep doing it and you don't care what anybody thinks. 'I forgot that winning is actually just protecting yourself and doing what you need to do to keep making work.' Lena continued: 'I remember looking at Meg and being, like, "You are my muse. You inspire me every single day to go home and tap out pages upon pages." 'I definitely don't want to be my own muse.' Speaking to Daily Mail at the premiere for I Don't Understand You, Andrew gushed of Lena: 'It was very fun to get to make with her. We're sort of the grownups now' Andrew pictured with his I Don't Understand You costars Amanda Seyfried, Nick Kroll and Morgan Spector at the New York premiere on Monday night Besides his role in Too Much, Andrew stars alongside Nick Kroll in the upcoming comedy movie I Dont Understand You, which hits theaters on June 6. Written and directed by Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig, the film follows an American couple, Dom (Kroll) and Cole (Rannells), who embark on a picture-perfect Italian vacation before their impending adoption but find themselves lost in a foreign land with no cell service, zero comprehension of the language, and escalating turmoil that could explode at any moment. 'I worked with Nick on Big Mouth, that he created, and Nick also plays my character's hormone monster, so we already had like a very nice relationship,' Andrew said of reuniting with Nick. 'So, this was it was nice to get to explore that as humans. I'm thrilled that people like us together.' It's been dubbed 'the most terrifying horror film' of the year. Bring Her Back, from Australian directors Danny and Michael Philippou, follows two siblings who find themselves caught up in an occult ritual by their foster mother. The supernatural chiller rattled moviegovers over the weekend, with many claiming that the film's stomach-churning scenes had left them nauseous. One shocking scene sees troubled Ollie, played by 12-year-old child star Jonah Wren Phillips, being fed a piece of fruit on the end of a large knife by his foster brother Andy. When Andy turns his back, Ollie begins voraciously gnawing on the knife in order to satiate a demonic spirit inside of him. As he chews on the razor-sharp blade, blood begins gushing everywhere and his teeth begin to crack and become dislodged. In another scene, the demon completely takes over Ollie's body and he begins trying to eat everything in sight, including the edge of a wooden table that immediately splinters and starts tearing into the child's face. A24's Bring Her Back is leaving moviegoers sick thanks to stomach-churning scenes and its flawless practical effects Explaining the secrets behind both horrific scenes, prosthetic FX designer Larry Van Duynhoven told Variety that they used a set of prosthetic teeth and added some chocolate to the prop table to disguise the taste for Phillips, who plays Ollie. 'He was able to really go to town because we had the dentures that helped protect his teeth and mouth,' Van Duynhoven said. 'The dental technician designed some breakaway teeth in the dentures, so some of those teeth snap off.' Phillips added, 'They said they put chocolate in it a little bit. I didnt taste it because I had blood in my mouth. It was more of a texture because they hollowed it out so it was really crunchy.' Director Danny Philippou told Polygon, 'The entire table was laced with chocolate, so he enjoyed eating it. He was still munching on it between takes.' For the jaw-dropping knife scene, a rubber prop was used whenever Phillips was present, and then a puppet head whenever they needed to use a real blade. Philippou added, 'We had a [prop replacement for Jonahs head], so we could put a real knife in this fake head and rip his lip.' One shocking scene sees troubled Ollie, played by 12-year-old child star Jonah Wren Phillips, gnawing in a butcher's knife to satiate a demonic spirit inside of him Bring Her Back follows two siblings who find themselves caught up in an occult ritual by their foster mother Bring Her Back opened in US theaters over the weekend, pulling in $7 million. Critics have praised the film so far, while viewers have been left sick by some of the violence and realistic practical effects. 'Bring Her Back made me so nauseous, it was so good,' gushed one fan on X, formerly Twitter. 'Bring Her Back WAS SOOOO GOOD I felt sick watching that scene,' added a second, while a third wrote, 'Bring Her Back is sick. Definitely seeing it again.' A fourth wrote, 'If y'all need a movie to watch this week go see Bring Her Back in theaters. My first time ever a movie made me literally set up to vomit. The plot is crazy too.' Critics have praised the film so far, while viewers have been left sick by some of the violence and realistic practical effects Bring Her Back is from the directors of Talk To Me, which is currently the highest-grossing horror film in A24 history. According to the filmmakers, the flick is so scary moviegoers passed out during preview screenings. 'We've had three faintings,' Danny admitted during an interview on Australian talk show The Project. Oscar-nominated English actress Sally Hawkins, 48, known for her roles in Paddington, Wonka and Happy-Go-Lucky, stars in Bring Her Back. Hawkins plays grieving mother Laura, who attempts to bring her daughter back from the dead using a paranormal ritual. Meghan Markle has issued a shock update about her As Ever products just hours after claiming she had decided to 'pause' restocking the line. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share news about her lifestyle venture on the official business page. Alongside a snapshot of bowls of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries resting on a kitchen countertop, she wrote: 'To all who've been wondering and waiting, thank you! 'Your favorites are returning, plus a few NEW things we can't wait to show you. Coming this month... get excited!' The original As Ever range went on sale last month and products sold out within half an hour of going live. Meghan's first line of products included raspberry spread, honey, herbal tea and ready made crepe mix - all of which received a less than stellar review by Daily Mail's FEMAIL team. Her announcement comes after she released a bonus episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, on Tuesday, where Meghan told of the difficulties of building her firm and 'tears' she has shed behind the scenes to Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles. She said of the April launch of As Ever goods including jam that a 'scarcity mentality at the beginning might be a hook for people,' comparing it to 'a sneaker drop.' Meghan Markle has issued a shock update about her As Ever products The entrepreneur, 43, took to Instagram to share the update about her lifestyle venture on her official business page On the same day as the firsts series concluded, it was revealed Meghan may never restock her As Ever jam But Meghan feared it might be 'annoying' for customers, adding: 'I don't want you to eat that jam once every six months. I want that to be on your shelf all the time.' The Duchess said: 'So for me at the moment, with As Ever, it was great. We planned for a year we get and then everything sells out in 45 minutes. 'Yes, amazing, great news. Then what do you do? And then you say 'Ok, we planned as best as we could. Are we going to replenish and sell out again in an hour? Or is that annoying as a customer? 'I'm looking at it saying "Just pause. That happened. Let's wait until we are completely stable and we have everything we need."' Then, just a few weeks ago, the mom-of two recently hinted that she might never restock her jam in an interview with a US business magazine which said she was planning to 'step back to assess' her brand. The interview came as the entrepreneur was speaking about her business and balancing work with motherhood as the first series of her podcast, published by Lemonada Media, comes to a close. In the interview - given to coincide with the final episode of Confessions of a Female Founder - the Fast Company said Meghan wanted to 'step back, gather data from the launch, and figure out exactly what As Ever could be.' Meghan also revealed the surprising turn As Ever could take - hinting at a future step into the fashion industry - but said for now she is planning to launch a new range of merchandise in early 2026. Addressing her first online shop, Meghan said Netflix agreed that rather than market her products under their brand, it would make sense for her to have her own store Meghan's first line of products included raspberry spread, honey, herbal tea and ready made crepe mix - all of which received a less than stellar review by Daily Mail's FEMAIL team 'The category of fashion is something I will explore at a later date, because I do think that's an interesting space for me,' she said. Her previous store sold out in 45 minutes and contained homely items as well as her long-awaited pots of jam. Addressing her first online shop, Meghan said Netflix agreed that rather than market her products under their brand, it would make sense for her to have her own store. Netflix already has its own online shop selling brand-related products such as Stranger Things bomber jackets and Squid Game merchandise. In the interview, the Duchess also revealed she wouldn't know 'what to call herself' if she had to write a resume. She said: 'If I had to write a resume, I don't know what I would call myself. 'I think it speaks to this chapter many of us find ourselves in, where none of us are one note. But I believe all the notes I am playing are part of the same song.' When FEMAIL got their hands on Meghan's products in April, we found her jam to be very liquid-y and loose on its own. After trying it by the spoonful, which left us grimacing from the sweetness, we spread some on a toasted piece of sourdough, which is where things began to take a turn for the worse. It was difficult to eat the spread with the toast, as it was so thin that it dribbled everywhere and made a mess. Our once nicely toasted piece of bread became a sopping wet disaster after just a few minutes. Drizzled over vanilla ice cream, a piece of pie, or a big stack of pancakes, the spread may work, and may even shine. But on its own, or eaten as one would expect to be able to enjoy jam, the product crumbled, or rather dripped, under the pressure. READ MORE: Meghan Markle issues shock update about As Ever products Hailey Bieber may have just sold her skincare brand Rhode in a jaw-dropping $1 billion deal - but that doesn't actually make her a billionaire. According to finance expert Caroline Beggs, who has built up a loyal following on TikTok, the model and entrepreneur, 28, is far from hitting the ten-figure status. The real number she is taking home is likely closer to $242 million. Beggs, who boasts an MBA from Stanford and experience in high-level finance, broke down the numbers behind the massive sale of Rhode to e.l.f. Beauty. 'I can't last another second having you think that Haley Bieber is a billionaire, so let me explain to you why,' she began the video. She explained that while the sale was valued at $1 billion, $200 million of that is tied up in what's called an 'earn out.' This means Rhode has to hit certain goals over the next three years for anyone to see that money. The brand was backed by outside investors, including ONE Luxury Group and a few small angel investors. Hailey Bieber may have just sold her skincare brand Rhode in a jaw-dropping $1 billion deal - but that doesn't actually make her a billionaire According to finance expert Caroline Beggs, who has built up a loyal following on TikTok, the model and entrepreneur, 28, is far from hitting the ten-figure status 'These types of investors get preferential treatment in these payouts and are often guaranteed returns before money gets to lower priority investors. This is what's called a liquidation preference,' she explained. Even if they only owned 20 percent of the company, they could take home 25 percent of the proceeds. The company also has about 50 employees, including co-founders Lauren and Michael Ratner, and Beggs estimates they may collectively own 10 percent of Rhode. If you take away investor and employee equity, Hailey might walk away with around $520 million. But it doesn't stop there. A quarter of that payout could be in e.l.f. stock, which is likely under a lockup period, meaning she can't cash it for six months to two years. Beggs also explained that the stock price could drop by the time she can sell. Then come the taxes as a resident of California, including federal and state rates, which means nearly 38 percent of her payout could go to taxes. After all of that, Hailey is left with about $242 million, which is an enormous sum, but still far from billionaire status. Beggs, who boasts an MBA from Stanford and experience in high-level finance, broke down the numbers behind the massive sale of Rhode to e.l.f. Beauty 'She is definitely not a billionaire yet. Let's see how e.l.f's stock price does after the acquisition,' the creator said. 'That's probably Hailey's best bet of being a billionaire right now unless Justin wants to go on tour.' On May 28, Hailey announced she sold Rhode to e.l.f cosmetics in a $1 billion deal. Bieber launched her much-anticipated brand in June 2022, releasing only three products at the time - Peptide Glazing Fluid, Barrier Restore Cream, and Peptide Lip Treatment. 'When I launched @rhode in 2022, I always had big dreams for the company, and the most important thing to me is to keep bringing rhode to more spaces, places, and faces globally,' she wrote in the caption of an Instagram post celebrating the news. 'So today I am so incredibly excited and proud to announce that we are partnering with e.l.f. Beauty as we step into this next chapter in the world of rhode. 'I found a like-minded disruptor with a vision to be a different kind of company that believes in big ideas and innovation in the same way that I do and will help us continue to grow the brand,' her message continued. 'I feel invigorated, excited, and more ready than ever to step into an even bigger role as Chief Creative Officer, and Head of Innovation of rhode as well as strategic advisor to e.l.f. Beauty.' Hailey will still serve as founder of the brand, and Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation, according to Business Wire. When cookbook author and TV personality Silvia Colloca heads out for dinner, you would think a plate of pasta would be top of the list given her heritage. The Italian-Australian chef is best known for championing the soulful simplicity of traditional Italian cuisine on her shows and in her seven best-selling cookbooks. Indeed, when at home on Sydney's Northern Beaches, Colloca often makes pasta and pizza from scratch several times a week. However the renowned chef is extremely picky about one dish in particular when dining out - and rarely orders it to avoid disappointment. Colloca explained that pasta, especially dried varieties, must be cooked 'al dente' - meaning it can be bitten through with slight pressure from the teeth. 'It's more important than you think, and not as snobby as it sounds,' she told SMH. Overcooked pasta is a deal breaker for her. She advised home cooks to take the pasta off the boil a couple of minutes before the packet suggests, as it will continue cooking from the residual heat. When cookbook author and TV personality Silvia Colloca heads out for dinner, you'd think a plate of pasta would be a no-brainer For example, if the packet's instructions say to cook it for 12 minutes, Colloca suggests taking it out after 10 to 11 minutes. The top chef's passion for pasta goes beyond personal preference - she's also an ambassador for family-run pasta brand San Remo, which, like her, puts al dente at the heart of good cooking. And Colloca isn't the only expert dishing out pasta wisdom. London-Sardinia-based chef Francesco Mattana previously went viral after revealing the real mistake shoppers make when buying dried pasta at the supermarket - and why your favourite yellow penne might not be the best choice. 'There are many great companies that make incredible dry pasta out there, so instead I'm sharing a few key points for how to choose the best,' he said. According to Mattana, when it comes to quality, colour and texture are key. Pale, floury-looking pasta is actually a good sign - it means the dough has been dried slowly at a low temperature, preserving nutrients. In contrast, brightly coloured yellow pasta has often been dried quickly at high heat, a process that can damage flavour and texture. Professional chef Francesco Mattana splits his time between London and Sardinia Mr Mattana said 'good' pasta is a light ivory colour and has a rough surface [left] He also suggests running your fingers along the surface. 'The surface of the pasta should be rough and opaque,' he said, explaining that this texture - often labelled as trafilatura al bronzo or bronze drawn - helps sauces cling better and gives your dish that luxurious, creamy finish. And what about how the pasta cooks? 'When pasta is made with good quality durum wheat semolina, it will hold its shape and not go mushy,' Mattana added. Shoppers in the comments were quick to name their go-to brands, with De Cecco, Barilla, Molisana, Garofalo and Rummo topping the list. So next time you're reaching for your favourite packet at the supermarket, skip the shiny yellow stuff and look for something with a rough edge - literally. And if you're dining out, maybe take a page from Silvia Colloca's book: unless the pasta is perfectly al dente, it's probably not worth it. Chinese tourist arrivals in Spain surge amid record-breaking travel year: data Xinhua) 09:45, June 03, 2025 BARCELONA, Spain, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The number of visitors from China rose by 26 percent in the first quarter of this year, building on a 66.7 percent increase recorded in 2024, when Spain welcomed 647,801 Chinese travelers, according to the Spanish Tourism Institute (Turespana). Chinese tourists are among the record-breaking influx of international visitors choosing Spain as a holiday destination, according to Spain's ministry of tourism. More than 25.6 million people visited Spain during the first four months of 2025, putting the country on course to reach a record 100 million international visitors this year, according to figures from the National Statistics Institute (INE) published on Monday by the tourism ministry. According to INE data, the rise in visitor numbers represents a 7.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when Spain set an all-time record of 93.8 million tourists. While most visitors came from European countries - particularly Britain (4.7 million), France (3.4 million), and Germany (3.3 million) - the number of visitors from non-European countries also increased by 6.5 percent. Turespana noted that the growing popularity of Spain among Chinese travelers is reflected in the doubling of direct flights between China and Spain since the pre-pandemic year of 2019, with 61 flights scheduled this summer. "Spain is consolidating its position as an on-trend European destination in the Chinese market," sources at the tourism institute told Xinhua. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) J.B. felt like she 'died' on the spot when doctors told her she had cancer. At the request of her husband, the then 50-year-old had gone to doctors in her home state of Idaho with heavy menstrual bleeding - assuming it was caused by stress from the death of her brother. But after a biopsy, her doctor diagnosed her with a rare and aggressive form of endometrial cancer that up to half of patients do not survive. They wasted no time - she was booked for surgery a month later and had her womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in a grueling procedure that left her bed-bound for weeks. Even now, it gives her regular pain, according to a lawsuit filed against her doctor. There was just one problem: J.B. never had the cancer in the first place. Doctors examined the organs they removed during the July 26, 2021, surgery at St Luke's hospital, but found no sign of tumors. Then, they contacted her doctor, Ryan Cole, and asked to see the tissue he examined but, again, saw no sign of cancer in that. Before the surgery, there had been no time to double check - the diagnosis was written in such a way that there was little doubt, according to court filings - and the woman had been suffering from symptoms that hinted at possible cancer. J.B. had a full hysterectomy after being diagnosed with an aggressive and deadly cancer, but then came the harrowing truth (stock) On Aug. 30, 2021, the patient was told she never had cancer - it was just a month after the surgery. Of the moment she was diagnosed, the woman told the Idaho Capitol Sun, 'I felt like I died already.' 'It was scary,' she added before starting to cry, 'I don't want to even, like, remember it'. 'Coming from a Third World country, you know, I didnt expect to have a big mistake like this in US,' said J.B., who came to the States from the Philippines. 'We look up to the system and technology here. [To] have that kind of mistake, its so unbelievable Its beyond my imagination. I thought everything here is precise, consistent and handled with care.' Her case was revealed in medical malpractice court filings submitted in April 2021 to Idaho's 4th District Judicial Court in Ada County, which covers the state capital, Boise. She is named in court filings, but has asked the Daily Mail only to refer to herself as J.B. to protect her identity. In public comments, Cole has never admitted wrongdoing. He has also maintained that his cancer diagnosis for J.B. was correct, despite the lawsuit and six other doctors - including two not involved in the patient's care - reviewing the slides and concluding she did not have the disease. Neither Cole nor his attorney, Nancy Garrett, replied to the Daily Mail's request for comment. The case was submitted in April 2023 for a trial by jury, but was settled out of court just before it was due to begin. The agreement has not been revealed, but in the initial filings, J.B. sought more than $20,000 in damages. Dr. Ryan Cole, who diagnosed the patient with cancer, is pictured above in January in Washington, D.C. He has given many talks railing against the Covid vaccines This week, however, the case landed back in the spotlight after Idaho's Board of Medicine told Cole - who is also an Idaho public health official, on the board of the Central District Health - that he must abide by an order from Washington. This bars him from practicing primary care or prescribing medications to patients in the state for five years. It also fined him $5,000 and required him to complete training classes focused on Covid, medical record-keeping and telehealth for six months. The order came after he was found to have improperly treated four patients in the state via telemedicine, including one to whom he prescribed ivermectin for a Covid infection. This treatment has been shown not to work against the disease. The patient in this case was not harmed by the treatment. J.B. is one of at least two women Cole has wrongly diagnosed with cancer. In another case from December 2021, a 64-year-old woman was also erroneously told she had a serious carcinoma, which can be a fast-moving and deadly cancer. Your browser does not support iframes. She had surgery to remove her allegedly affected body parts: her reproductive organs, lymph nodes and tissue from her abdomen. But upon further examination, she was found not to have any cancer. After reviewing Cole's treatment of J.B., Dr. Paul Cohen - who serves as chair of pathology at Yale Universitys hospital in Connecticut - wrote in court filings that 'Dr. Coles level of incompetence in this case rises to the level of being reckless'. Cole is a darling of the anti-vaccine movement, having repeatedly claimed online that Covid vaccines cause cancer and that ivermectin can treat the disease. He has been on the national and international speaking circuit for Covid skeptics and deniers, giving talks and presentations in at least four foreign countries (England, France, Brazil and Ireland) and 15 states. He also boasts more than 223,000 followers on X, where he regularly shares unfounded claims about Covid vaccines. Cole is pictured above in a video that was posted to a different social media channel and then YouTube where he discusses the Covid vaccine On May 27, and upon the news that Covid vaccines would no longer be routinely offered to healthy children and healthy pregnant women, Cole said, 'These DNA contaminated, gene adulterated, modified RNA products [Covid vaccines] remain on the market for many. 'These need to be halted for EVERYONE! To boot, the shots only cover extinct variants, even if they worked, but they don't. All risk. Zero benefit.' He has also previously claimed that the Covid vaccines cause endometrial cancer, saying in August 2021 he had seen 'a 20 times increase of endometrial cancers over what I see on an annual basis - a 20 times increase, no exaggerating at all'. There is no evidence to substantiate any of his claims. J.B.'s attorneys say copies of his records, which they obtained during legal proceedings, show he was actually seeing a 'less than one percent increase' in diagnoses in 2021. In J.B.'s case, court filings show that she went to her primary care provider, Center for Lifetime Health, on July 1, 2021, after suffering from heavy vaginal bleeding. An ultrasound was carried out, which revealed an 'abnormal' finding. J.B. returned five days later for a biopsy and the sample was sent to Cole Diagnostics - Cole's lab for analyzing cancer samples. He returned a diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma (cancer in the lining of the uterus) that was a serous papillary type (an aggressive form of the disease). J.B. was offered a choice between chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to treat her cancer - she opted for surgery as it was the fastest way to get it out of her body. She said previously that she had good health insurance and that the treatment was covered. But, she said the ordeal led to high out-of-pocket costs and more cancer screenings as she is now considered to be a higher risk patient. It took at least six weeks for her to heal from surgery, during which time she essentially lived on the second floor of her house where the bedroom is because it was too painful to walk up and down the stairs. READ MORE: Doctors call for FACE MASKS to return as new Covid strain hits US A dangerous new Covid variant from China is surging in California, health officials warn. The California Department of Public Health warned this week the highly contagious NB.1.8.1 strain has been detected in the state, making it the sixth US state to be exposed. The variant has also been detected in international travelers arriving in Washington state, Virginia, Hawaii, Rhode Island and New York City since March. Health officials said the variant was first detected in March and has been on the rise since May 1. Since April, NB.1.8.1 has increased from two percent of Covid cases in California to 19 percent, according to health department data. Lab tests suggest NB.1.8.1, which was first detected in January in China, is more infectious than currently circulating strains, which means it could lead to a spike in infections and hospital admissions. World Health Organization data also suggests it makes up more than half the variants currently circulating. The warning comes as some physicians in California have called for the return of mask mandates to emulate countries like Hong Kong. Pictured above are people wearing face masks in China in 2023. The surge of Covid variant NB.1.8.1 has led some health experts in the US and abroad to suggest reinstating mask mandates Covid variant NB.1.8.1 has been detected in several US states, with California being one of the most recent Your browser does not support iframes. The California Department of Public Health told The Sacremento Bee: 'COVID-19 continues to circulate in California and future seasonal increases in disease levels are likely.' NB.1.8.1 is not yet prevalent enough in the US to be publicly tracked by the CDC. Strain LP.8.1 is currently the most dominant in the US, making up 73 percent of Covid infections. The latest vaccines target the JN.1 variant, which LP.8.1 is descended from. The California Public Health Department said: 'Currently available vaccines are expected to remain effective.' However, health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has moved to remove access to the Covid vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. However, it is currently still on the CDC's children's vaccine schedule. Covid tests in California as of April 19, the latest data available, show 2.1 percent of tests came back positive, a steady rate compared to weeks prior. The rate of hospitalizations from Covid during the week of April 19 in California was 1.3 per 100,000 people, a slight decrease from 1.6 per 100,000 the week before. There is usually a delay of several weeks for the most recent data, and infections can take several weeks to result in hospitalization. Nationally, Covid test positivity has decreased from 2.9 percent May 17 to 2.7 percent the week of May 24. Covid-related emergency department visits have also decreased 6.5 percent during that time frame. Your browser does not support iframes. Cases have been detected in the US, but they are few - with the positivity rate for the virus falling. This graph shows overall Covid cases by test positivity rate - or the proportion of swabs that detect the virus In China, data shows the proportion of severely ill respiratory patients with Covid has jumped from 3.3 to 6.3 percent over the last month. The proportion of Chinese ER patients testing positive for Covid had jumped from 7.5 to 16.2 percent. Officials in Taiwan are also reporting a surge in Covid emergency room admissions, with the number rising 78 percent in a week over the seven-days to May 3, according to the latest data available. And hospitalizations have risen to a 12-month high in Hong Kong, thought to be driven by the new variant. Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to other variants and include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Covid swabs cannot detect which variant you have. Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs may raise the risk of kidney cancer, a major study suggests. But the fat-melting shots lower the risk of over a dozen other cancers, meaning the benefits may still outweigh the risks. The findings come as part of the world's largest study of weight-loss drug users which looked at 86,000 obese or overweight patients tracked for up to ten years. Overall, researchers found users had a 17 percent lower risk of being diagnosed with 16 cancers compared to people of similar weight who did not take the drugs. This was particularly marked for endometrial cancers, where the risk was reduced by 15 percent, and ovarian cancers, where the risk was reduced by 47 percent. Both of those cancers are strongly linked to obesity. But kidney cancer was an outlier. Patients taking weight loss meds were a third more likely to be diagnosed. Dr Hao Dai, a health data scientist at Indiana University who led the research, stressed that the study was observational and did not prove that weight loss drugs like Ozempic cause kidney cancer. But he told the Daily Mail the results were 'concerning' and underlined the need for further research. Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania, pictured in 2018 and 2024, suffered nausea while taking weight-loss shots. One theory is that sickness and vomiting side effects may trigger repeated bouts of acute kidney injury, raising the risk of cancer Meghan Trainor has publicly stated that she has used Ozempic before moving on to other weight-loss drugs Kidney cancer is often called a 'silent' cancer because it can grow without causing obvious symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do appear, doctors say it is often too late. The chances of survival plummet when the tumor has spread elsewhere in the body. Symptoms may include blood in the urine, lower back pain, or a palpable mass. In the new study, scientists recruited 43,000 patients who were on weight loss drugs, and matched them to 43,000 control patients that had the same characteristics but were not on the medications. Data was drawn from the FloridaOne+ database, which stores data on the medical history of millions of patients in Florida. Participants had an average age of 52 and nearly seven in 10 were female. None had a cancer diagnosis at the start of the study. Half were taking the drugs for type 2 diabetes and half took them to treat their obesity. Over an average of three years, researchers recorded 1,900 cases of 16 different cancers in the group. Your browser does not support iframes. Of these, 891 were recorded among patients taking weight loss drugs, while 1,022 were recorded among people not taking the drugs. For kidney cancer, however, there were 83 cases recorded among patients on GLP-1 drugs compared to 58 cases in the control group. Researchers said they plan to keep tracking the patients for longer to confirm the data. But their results are in line with other research on weight-loss drugs and kidney cancer. A study published in July last year on 1.6million type 2 diabetics found that patients taking Ozempic-like drugs had a 54 percent higher risk of suffering from kidney cancer compared to diabetics taking the cheap diabetes drug metformin. Another study published in May on 1.2million patients with type 2 diabetes also suggested a 45 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with kidney cancer among patients on the drug compared to those taking metformin. Dr Neil Iyengar, an onoclogist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York who was not involved in the latest study, told the Daily Mail that he 'didn't fully buy' the potential link with kidney cancers, highlighting that other research has shown GLP-1 drugs actually protect against kidney cancer. 'The issue is that we're still at a very early stage gathering GLP-1 data which will give us mixed result,' he said. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'We do need more data to address this potential kidney cancer issue, however.' The latest study was presented at the American Clinical Society of Oncology's annual conference in Chicago, Illinois, the largest cancer conference in the world. Dr Dai is also cautious about over-interpreting the findings. 'We need to do another observational study to confirm that these drugs increase the risk,' he told this website. 'But from my point of view, it might be that the drugs raise the risk of some types of kidney cancer. We don't know, however, and need to do more research.' A slide he shared during his presentation read, 'Monitoring for kidney cancer: Observed trends toward increased kidney cancer risk emphasizes the necessity for ongoing surveillance and further investigation.' One theory is that the drug's common side effects, including severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, may trigger repeated bouts of acute kidney injury. Over time, that stress could damage kidney tissue and increase the risk of mutations that lead to cancer. Another area of concern is that the kidneys contain GLP-1 receptors. These are the same receptors Ozempic targets to regulate blood sugar and keep people full. Some scientists wonder whether constantly stimulating these receptors could cause cells in the kidneys to grow out of control, though this remains speculative and has not been proven in humans. Rapid weight loss and dramatic metabolic shifts caused by the drug might also play a role, potentially altering the body's immune response or revealing preexisting kidney issues. Kidney cancer is estimated to be the seventh most common cancer in the US, with about 80,000 cases diagnosed in the country every year. In the UK there are almost 14,000 new diagnoses and 4,700 deaths annually from the disease. Kidney cancer has a good survival rate if it is diagnosed at an early stage, with 75 percent of patients living five years or more. But if the cancer is diagnosed when it has spread to other areas of the body, this drops to 18 percent. The most common type of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma, accounts for about 90 percent of adult kidney cancers. While age is a risk factor most patients are diagnosed over 60 there's been a concerning uptick in cases among younger adults. People born in 1990 are experiencing kidney cancer rates two to three times higher than those born in 1955. Some researchers attribute this rise partly to improved imaging and earlier detection, but environmental factors, obesity, and high blood pressure may also play a role. An urgent warning has been issued over a new Covid-19 variant that experts suggest could be more infectious than previous strains, with case numbers on the rise in Britain. The NB.1.8.1 variant has been found in 22 countries, including the UK, since it emerged in January, with cases recorded in Wales over the last few months, Wales Online reports. It has also been tracked in popular British tourist hotspots, including Thailand, the Maldives and Egypt, with soaring cases also seen in Ireland, the US, Australia and parts of Europe. Indeed, a whopping 257,280 Covid-19 cases have been recorded in Thailand this year, including 52 deaths, prompting an official warning from health authorities about the new variant. And some experts 'fear the strain is more infectious' than its predecessors, leading to rapidly rising numbers. Subhash Verma, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, told CBS News: 'Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily. 'In other words, it is more transmissible.' The World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed that, using the evidence available, NB.1.8.1's threat to the public health was 'low at the global level'. An urgent warning has been issued over a new Covid-19 variant that experts suggest could be more infectious than previous strains, with case numbers on the rise in Britain (Stock photo) The body added: 'Currently approved Covid-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.' But it still issued an official warning about the strain, part of the Omicron variant, branding it a 'variant under monitoring' thanks to key mutatations and its global spread. It said: 'Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.' There are not currently any travel restrictions associated with the variant and the WHO does not recommend any such measures. Of the 22 countries where it had been recorded by late April, the variant constitutes around 10.7 per cent of all submitted strains, flying up from just 2.5 per cent four weeks before. The WHO particularly emphasised its prevalence in Europe, the Western Pacific region - which includes Asia and Australia - and North and South America. Professor Laura Herrero of Griffith University, Australia explained that the strain had become the dominant variant in China and Hong Kong by the end of April. She said: 'Common symptoms [of NB.1.8.1] include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Symptoms of the new strain include coughing, congestion and fever. The WHO have said it is particularly prevalent in Europe, the Western Pacific region - which includes Asia and Australia - and North and South America 'Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases. 'The WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. 'Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants.' As always, NHS guidance says that if you are experiencing Covid symptoms, you can protect yourself and others by staying at home and avoiding contact with other people for five days after a positive test, and three days if you or you child are under 18. An urgent warning has been issued after two people died in a suspected synthetic opioid overdose following a night out over the weekend. A man, 28, and woman, 20, are thought to have taken Nitazenes, believed to be up to 500 times stronger than heroin, after partying at a south London nightclub during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Their bodies were later discovered at a property in Southall, west London, after a concerned friend was unable to wake the pair. The Met Police confirmed a probe into their 'sudden deaths' had commenced but no arrests had been made yet. The force added: 'This is following reports that the individuals allegedly passed away after taking an illicit substance in the form of a green pill.' Drug testing charity The Loop has suggested these pills contain Nitazenes, which can be '50 to 500 times stronger than heroin'. The organisation added that they are often sold under the pretence that they are oxycodone, a highly addictive prescription painkiller. A theory is that the pair thought they were taking oxycodone to assist them in getting to sleep, The Times reports. An urgent warning has been issued after two people died in a suspected synthetic opioid overdose following a night out over the weekend (pictured: pills seized by police) Pictured: A Nitazene powder sample at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education in the US in 2023 World famous south London club Ministry Of Sound warned its customers to 'stay safe' last week, just days after the deaths over Bank Holiday weekend. The pills taken by the users over the weekend had the number 80 on one side and possibly an 'OP' on the other, Ealing Council said. The Cause nightclub in east London has taken to its Instagram account to claim there had been 'several hospitalisations across multiple London venues' associated with the pills. MailOnline has approached the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to verify this statement. The Met Police has also been contacted for comment. An Ealing Council spokesperson told people to avoid taking the pills 'even in small amounts' and that people considering consuming them should not do so by themselves. Users should also think about carrying naloxone - an opioid overdose antidote. Nitazenes were first created in the 1950s as opioid painkillers but were never approved for medical use. For 70 years, their existence was forgotten. The majority of substances tested by Wedinos, the only national drug-checking service in the UK, purported to be legal products, although they were all bought illegally Fake pills sold online, such as this counterfeit diazepam (Valium) tablet, have been found to contain the super-strength drug Then, after Britain and America's withdrawal from Afghanistan - and the Taliban's subsequent narcotics ban - they re-emerged as a way to strengthen low-purity heroin in case opium supplies dwindled. Experts are united in their fear of the rising risk of Nitazenes. Yet, while heroin users are still vulnerable, young people buying traditionally legal drugs such as Valium and Xanax as coping mechanisms are also at risk. In fact, MailOnline analysis of data from the UK's only drug testing facility Wedinos has revealed that two-thirds of samples that contained Nitazenes were supposed to be legal medications that could be purchased legally. Two-thirds of that total were bought by people intending to buy Valium (diazepam). So far, the number of Nitazene-related deaths only stands at 458 in the last two years, up to April 13. However, there was a 166 per cent increase from 2023 (125 deaths) to 2024 (333 deaths) - more than double in a single year, and even that total is expected to rise once toxicology and forensic testing improves and is finalised. Steve Rolles, a senior policy analyst at the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, told MailOnline: 'The number of deaths is rising at an alarming rate. It's the tip of the iceberg. 'What has happened in the US should be a warning to policymakers in the UK. We could be heading to a US-style overdose crisis. We are talking thousands or tens of thousands dying. Tens of thousands of Brits are at risk from extremely potent drugs called Nitazenes. Synthetic drugs have already left many Brits incapacitated on the streets (pictured). Although there is no way to know immediately if a person has Nitazenes in their systems, the effects of other synthetic drugs like fentanyl and cannabinoids are similar Pictured: Yellow and green pure Nitazene pills seized in Australia in 2023 'All the indications are that is what is happening. I'm very wary of scaremongering about drugs but I'm deeply worried about the potential carnage opioids could do in the UK. 'We already have the highest overdose rate in Europe. Nitazenes could make it way, way worse. 'This is a very serious public health emergency that's not being taken seriously enough.' He added: 'I am scared. There's almost one person dying every day from Nitazenes and most people haven't even heard of it. 'If it was anything else, there would be national panic. The government hasn't grasped the urgency of this.' Rolles is starting to see heroin mixed with Nitazenes on the streets of Britain. He said: 'It does seem it's getting more [prevalent] as the heroin supply dries up.' An NHS GP has warned that millions of people in the UK could be unknowingly suffering a little-known condition that puts them at risk of a deadly allergic reaction. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is an increasingly common blood cell problem that affects around one in six people, but is 'widely undiagnosed', according to Dr Asif Ahmed. In a new clip posted to Dr Ahmed's Instagram page, where he has more than 100,000 followers, the medic said the symptoms, like heartburn, headaches and nausea, can easily be mistaken for other conditions. 'If you've got lots of symptoms, no one knows what's going on, you've been referred to one specialist then the other, then this is a condition you definitely need to consider,' he said in the video that has so far garnered over 40,700 views. He added that the condition can cause 'almost any symptom including headaches, visual problems, nausea, heartburn, skin rashes, extreme fatigue or widespread joint pain', which is why MCAS often gets misdiagnosed. Mast cells are a type of blood cell found all over the body, and are a vital part of the immune system. These so-called 'police officer' cells detect different types of triggers and fight off infection. 'Firstly, mast cells are everywhere in the bodyyour eyes, gut, joints, skinand when they release [the hormone] histamine you get symptoms,' Dr Ahmed explained. In a healthy person, mast cells trigger a protective response, but in someone with MCAS, they can mistake harmless substances such as pollen for infectious germs, and spark a range of unpleasantand potentially dangeroussymptoms. Other common triggers include alcohol, heat, medication such as antibiotics, insect bite and sings, exercise, certain foods, perfume and stress. 'In MCAS, what happens is that the mast cells inappropriately release histamine. This means a trigger, environmental generally, that normally shouldn't release histamine, does in you,' the GP explained. This can cause a number of symptoms in different parts of the bodyincluding the build-up of mucus in the airways, which become narrower, cutting off life-giving oxygen. In some severe cases it can cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that limits breathing and can be life-threatening. As well as rapid organ failure, this can restrict oxygen to the brain, resulting in lethal brain damage. Other common symptoms include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty swallowing, skin that feels cold to the touch, wheezing, and blue, grey or pale skin. Caroline Cray Quinn has a very severe form of MCAS which has left her only able to eat two foodsany others could see her suffer a potentially fatal allergic reaction The condition means even kissing someone who has eaten foods which she's allergic to could trigger a dangerous reaction. She is also allergic to other common triggers including dust and mould One telltale sign of the condition, present in over half of sufferers, is dermatographismmore commonly known as skin writing. 'This is when they can generally draw on their skin and this leaves a wide raised red rash,' Dr Ahmed explained. Doctors can also run blood and urine tests to pick up high levels of chemicals released by mast cells during an episodebut this only works shortly after an episode. Another way doctors may test for MCAS is by seeing if a potential sufferer responds to typical treatments. Dr Ahmed said: 'Often patients who are thought to have MCAS just get started on treatmentwhich are generally H1 and H2 receptor antagonists and if there's a response to this, they're often diagnosed with MCAS. 'So generally it's a very easy and safe diagnosis option to take, and I think it's an option which is worth considering for people who have ongoing symptoms despite treatment and diagnosis for another condition.' While there is no known cause of MCAS, according to the London Clinic of Nutrition, 74 per cent of people with MCAS have a first-degree relative who also suffers with the condition. It has also been linked with obesity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression and type 2 diabetes. MCAS can cause a number of common symptoms including heartburn, skin rashes, headaches, nausea, feeling faint, shortness of breath, and visual problems In the most severe cases MCAS can cause severe reactions to almost everything, including foods. This is the case for Caroline Cray Quinn, a healthcare recruiter from Boston, who can now only eat two foodsoats and a specially prepared nutritional formula. Any other food could see her suffer a potentially fatal allergic reaction. While Ms Quinn had severe food allergies growing up, she was only diagnosed with MACS in 2017. 'I got sick with MCAS in September of 2017 after one true allergic reaction to cross-contamination with nuts spiraled into a series of anaphylactic episodes to foods I wasn't allergic to,' Ms Quinn recalled. 'After a long waiting list of eight months, I saw an MCAS specialist who officially diagnosed me.' She added: '(MCAS) presents in a lot of uncomfortable and life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling/itchiness in throat and mouth, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, and hives/rashes. 'In order to avoid MCAS flare-ups and MCAS symptoms, I avoid triggers like food, animal fur/dander, mould, dust, heat, and certain smells.' One in every 1,000 people in parts of England have the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis, as officials warn cases have reached the highest level since 1948. Lambeth, in South London, was the nation's syphilis capital with almost 138 cases per 100,000 people last year. This is equivalent to just over one in every 1,000 people in the borough having the STI which can cause life threatening problems if left untreated. Officials from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said a total of 9,535 syphilis cases were detected in 2024, an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to the year prior. They added the number cases was the largest number in 76 years. MailOnline has now created a fascinating map allowing to see how your area compares for multiple STIs. Officials also raised the alarm about a rise in drug resistant super-gonorrhoea. While overall cases of this STI fell 16 per centfrom 85,370 in 2023 to 71,802 last yearcases of antibiotic resistant strains have recently soared. Your browser does not support iframes. UKKSA said a total of 14 cases of drug resistant gonorrhoea had been reported as of May this year, which is more than 13 recorded in the entirety of 2024. Even more concerning is that six of cases recorded in 2025 are what experts call 'extensively drug resistant'or XDR gonorrhoea. This strain of the infection is resistant to both ceftriaxone the frontline antibiotic normally used to combat gonorrhoeaas well as other medications, surviving and even thriving in patients despite treatment. Officials said the majority of cases drug resistant gonorrhoea were linked to travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region where such strains are more prevalent. After Lambeth, other hotspots for syphilis were also London boroughs with Westminster recording 131.4 cases per 100,000 people and Southwark with 107.4. The next highest area outside of the capital was Brighton and Hove with 49 cases per 100,000. In contrast, the part of England was the Isles of Scilly which recorded zero syphilis cases, followed by North Lincolnshire with 2.4 cases per 100,000. The national syphilis rate for the entirety of England was 16.5 cases per 100,000 people. Officials from the UK Health Security Agency said a total of 9,535 syphilis cases were detected in 2024, an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to the year prior Nationally, heterosexual men accounted for the largest jump in syphilis with cases jumping 23.8 per cent from last year to 1,380. However, men who have sex with men still accounted for the largest portion of cases of the STI at 6,330 cases, despite this being a small drop of 1.6 per cent compared to the year prior. Syphilis typically causes small sores to develop on or around the genitals and/or anus, and white warty growths in the same areas. It usually takes three weeks from infection to develop symptoms from infection. Left untreated it can cause extremely serious and life-threatening health problems, harming the function of the heart, brain, nerves and other organs. The disease was rife in the 18th and 19th centuries with it also being called 'The French disease'. Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, urged Britons to follow safe sex guidance and use condoms with new or casual partners. 'These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners particularly if they are antibiotic resistant,' he said. 'If youve had condomless sex with new or casual partners either in the UK or overseas - get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you dont have symptoms. Regular testing protects both you and those you're having sex with.' Data for other STIs show rates of chlamydia fell 13 per cent to 168,889 diagnoses in 2024, while cases of genital warts also dropped. The latest annual data on the STI rates in England comes just a few weeks after the NHS announced it was launching a world-first a vaccine for gonorrhoea. Responding to the data, The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils responsible for commissioning sexual health services, warns that the system is struggling to keep pace with soaring demand for STI checks. Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGAs community wellbeing board, said: 'These statistics show that local sexual health services are grappling with significant increases in demand. 'Without adequate investment, people will face growing barriers to accessing expert, timely care.' Applying deodorant to the armpits is a morning routine for many but is a squirt under the arms enough? There is an increasing number of whole body deodorants on the market, designed not only to be applied to the armpits but also the feet, belly and underboobs even the genital area. Marketed with promises such as smell better everywhere or keep fresh all over, some claim to offer up to 72 hours of odour control. But experts say not only do most people not need them, the whole body application increases the risk of these products causing irritation or even disrupting your protective skin cloud. The reason theyre unnecessary comes down to the fact that, while we each have around four million sweat glands dotted all over the body that are capable of producing sweat, not all of these will lead to a smelly odour. Thats limited to apocrine glands which are sited primarily in the armpits and groin, says Dr Adil Sheraz, a dermatologist based in London and spokesman for the British Association of Dermatologists. These apocrine glands become active around puberty and the sweat they produce is full of fats and proteins. But its not the sweat that smells that odour comes from bacteria present on the skin breaking down the sweat into foul-smelling compounds (such as thioalcohols, which can smell like rotten eggs). While we all sweat its the bodys way of regulating temperature not everyone produces this odour; some are more susceptible than others, he adds. Experts say many people do not need whole-body deodorant as it risks irritating the skin Some sprays, such as this Sure whole-body deodorant, claim to offer 72 hours of odour control This can be influenced by factors such genetics, gender (men tend to have more problems, as they have more hair and apocrine glands) and age (as hormone and skin changes affect body odour). Very occasionally, it could be a sign of an underlying condition, says Dr Sheraz. Diabetes, for instance, can lead to patients producing an odour that smells like pear drops or nail polish remover. Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can also cause odour simply because it leads to you sweating so much. It can also be a symptom of conditions such as thyroid problems, or as a side-effect of medication, such as antidepressants. All-over deodorants will not reduce sweating, says Dr Sheraz. Dr Adil Sheraz, spokesman for the British Association of Dermatologists Deodorants target the bacteria that cause body odour, using ingredients such as alcohol or mandelic acid to kill them or inhibit their growth, he says. They also contain fragrances to cover up any remaining odour (unlike anti-perspirants, which actually stop you sweating by plugging the hair follicles). These fragrances may cause problems. A study published in the journal Contact Dermatitis in 2011 noted deodorants were the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis, due to fragrances made up of ingredients such as citrus oils and cinnamal (which gives cinnamon its characteristic scent). Contact dermatitis is an itchy rash thats caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it, says Dr Sheraz. Fragrances in products have also been found to affect the skin cloud. First discovered in 2022, it forms when ozone (a naturally occurring gas) in the air reacts with natural oils on our skins surface to produce a protective cloud of particles around the body that neutralises toxic molecules. In a study published last month in the journal Science Advances, researchers found that perfume reduced this cloud by 86 per cent and fragranced body lotion by 34 per cent. With the cloud filtering chemicals in the air we breathe, this has the potential to affect our overall health. Dr Sheraz adds that any product put on the skin disrupts the microbiome, the trillions of micro-organisms that live on the skin. Disrupt this or kill specific bacteria and you can experience significant skin problems such as inflammation or even acne, he says. On top of this, ingredients such as mandelic acid make skin more acidic and this, too, adds to the inflammation risk, he says. That said, in the UK deodorants are categorised as cosmetics, which are tightly regulated and safe to use, assures James Coulson, a professor in clinical pharmacology, therapeutics and toxicology at Cardiff University. Yet the more skin you apply a product to, the greater the chance of chemical exposure, says Professor Coulson. When you use deodorant under the arms, youre only applying the product to around 2 per cent of the body. Start putting it all over and its a bigger area. Dr Sheraz suggests that if youre going to use these products, first test them on a patch of skin. He says using an antibacterial soap on the areas of concern, such as the feet and groin, wearing cotton underwear and choosing sweat-wicking socks can reduce bad body odour. For some, stronger anti-perspirants available on prescription may be the answer. But about all-over deodorants, he says: For most people these are nothing but a clever marketing ploy preying on their fear of having body odour. Measles cases linked to an international flight landing at Denver International Airport have doubled, health officials warn. The Colorado Health Department Sunday reported three more passengers aboard Turkish Airlines flight 201 tested positive for the disease after landing on May 13, bringing the total number of cases six. Of the three new cases, was an adult resident of nearby Arapahoe County who contracted the virus despite being vaccinated. The other two were unrelated Colorado residents who were not vaccinated and were reportedly exposed inside the airport. The vaccinated passenger stayed inside while infectious, but the other two new residents visited a local truck stop, gas station and pharmacy between them, raising fears of further spread. The health department warned symptoms of measles - including a blotchy rash, fever and cough - could develop as late as June 21 in people who visited those locations between May 27 and May 31. The total outbreak includes two vaccinated adults and one unvaccinated child under five who is currently hospitalized. The health department has warned anyone who was at Denver International Airport, which serves 226,000 passengers per day and is America's biggest in terms of square feet, on May 13 or 14 should monitor symptoms for 21 days and call their healthcare provider. Health officials issued an urgent warning after three more passengers cases of measles were detected at Denver International Airport (pictured here). The total case count connected to Turkish Airlines flight 201, which landed at the airport, is now six The warning comes days after the CDC told unvaccinated Americans to cancel upcoming flights to avoid measles. Pictured above is a group of passengers at Denver International Airport in December 2022 The cases come days after the CDC called for Americans who have not had the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to cancel upcoming flights to avoid the virus spreading on airplanes. Your browser does not support iframes. Measles is the most infectious disease in the world, with a patient able to infect nine out of ten unvaccinated people that are exposed. Symptoms typically develop seven to 21 days after initial exposure. Measles spreads via airborne droplets released in coughs and sneezes, which can hang in the air for up to two hours after a patient passes. It is particularly dangerous to young children, with the CDC saying one in 20 unvaccinated children who are infected develop pneumonia while one in 1,000 suffer deadly brain swelling. Colorado has now detected 10 total cases of measles. There is renewed emphasis on measles this year amid a major outbreak in West Texas that is the country's largest in two decades. A total of 738 people have been sickened by the outbreak in Texas alone this year, with officials updating case tallies every Tuesday and Friday. And the US has now crossed a grim milestone nationwide, with 1,088 measles cases being recorded only the second time this threshold has been crossed since the disease was declared eradicated in 2000. Two young girls, aged six and eight years, have also died from the disease. READ MORE: These are the 'essential five' habits that can prevent a stroke An international flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a young woman suffered a near-fatal stroke. Marciela Hernandez Quezada, 35, was on a 14-hour flight from Turkey to Mexico on May 30 when she realized she hadn't moved the entire time. Soon after, she could no longer speak to the people sitting near her when they started asking questions. She could also hardly make out the name of the doctor who tried to help her or his face. She then collapsed mid-flight, causing the doctor on board to give her oxygen and urge the crew to make an emergency landing in Houston. Upon arriving at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, doctors found Hernandez Marciela was completely paralyzed in her right leg and partially paralyzed in her right arm. She also 'could not comprehend what was being told to her.' Doctors believe her failing to get up for several hours on the plane and not drinking water caused her blood to thicken and pool in her legs. This most likely triggered a blood clot in her leg that traveled to her brain, cutting off blood flow and causing a stroke, which is on the rise in young healthy people like Hernandez Quezada. Marciela Hernandez Quezada, a 35-year-old from Mexico, was on a long-haul flight from Turkey to Mexico when she suffered a stroke Hernandez Quezada is pictured in the hospital. She underwent emergency surgery to remove the clot and regained her ability to walk and talk She said in a video from the hospital: 'I was kind of in shock because I knew I was healthy and I don't smoke. I don't think. And I thought, "Wow, how is this possible?" 'I realized the problem was I didn't move in the airplane. I didn't go to the toilet. I didn't stand up.' Your browser does not support iframes. Experts believe sitting for four to six hours or more without getting up causes blood to collect in the legs instead of flowing back to the heart due to muscles not moving as much as they would from getting up and walking around. Cramped airline seats also restrict blood flow to the legs. Meanwhile, dehydration caused by either not drinking enough water or opting for soda or alcohol on a plane can thicken the blood. All of these factors make blood more prone to forming leg clots, called deep vein thombosis, and travel to the lungs or brain. Health authorities recommend getting up every two to three hours on a long-haul flight to regulate blood flow to the rest of the body. Hernandez Quezada underwent an emergency thrombectomy, which involved removing the clot with a catheter inserted into her leg. Dr Haris Kamal, medical director of the stroke program at Memorial Hermann Northeast, said in the hospital video: 'I expect her to continue this trajectory of improvement, to hopefully being near normal or normal in a few months' time. '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.' A recent CDC report found stroke has increased in people ages 18-64 by around 15 percent when comparing stroke cases from 2011-2013 to stroke cases from 2020-2022 Pictured is a cerebral angiogram of the blood vessels in Hernandez Quezada's brain. Darker areas show restricted blood flow Dr Haris Kamal, medical director of the stroke program at Memorial Hermann Northeast, is pictured here with Hernandez Quezada. He expects her to make a full recovery Stroke recovery usually involves several months of rehabilitation and physical therapy and speech therapy to regain lost skills. One American suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, resulting in 160,000 deaths a year. About one in six stroke patients die shortly after the event. The condition is also on the rise in young people, which experts suggest could be due to obesity and lifestyle habits like smoking marijuana weakening veins. It's unclear if Hernandez Quezada is still hospitalized or has returned to Mexico, but she is expected to make a full recovery. She said: 'I feel blessed because of the doctors and nurses that [have taken] care of me. I'm just feeling like a new person.' CNN polling analyst Harry Enten was left stunned by Republicans' still-high economic approval ratings despite President Donald Trump's unpopular global tariffs and an erratic stock market. Enten appeared on CNN News Central on Monday when anchor Kate Bouldan asked him which party was faring better when it comes to economic messaging. 'You'd expect that Democrats would have this massive lead on the economy - it ain't so! It ain't so!' the pollster cried out as he unveiled the network's polling showing the GOP still holding a lead on economic issues. The May survey showed that Americans preferred Republicans over Democrats by eight points when asked which party was 'closer to your economic views.' 'How is that possible Democrats?' Enten asked, incredulously. 'How is it possible after all the recession fears? After the stock market's been doing all of this, after all the tariffs that Americans are against and Republicans still hold an eight point lead on the economy? Are you kidding me!?' Other polls were even worse for Democrats, including one from Reuters/Ipsos poll, which found that Republicans were actually widening their margins on economic issues under Trump. '"Party with a better economic plan?" Well in May of 2024, just before Donald Trump was re-elected president, Republicans had a nine-point advantage,' Enten noted. CNN polling analyst Harry Enten was left stunned by Republicans' still-high economic approval ratings on Monday Enten appeared on CNN News Central on Monday when anchor Kate Bouldan asked him which party was faring better when it comes to economic messaging 'Look at where we are now in May 2025,' he continued. 'The advantage actually went up by three points. Now Republicans have a 12-point advantage when it comes to the party with a better economic plan. 'Again, this is after months of supposed economic uncertainty in which the stock market's been going bonkers, in which tariff wars that Americans are against have been going on. 'And yet, despite all of that, the Democrats are down by 12 points on the economy.' But he said, nothing 'speaks to Democratic problems on the economy better than' polls asking voters to choose which is the party of the middle class - which has traditionally given Democrats a 'huge advantage' over Republicans. In 1989, polling showed Democrats had a 23-point advantage, which dropped to a 17-point lead in 2016 and a four-point edge in 2022. 'In our latest CNN poll, among registered voters, "Which is the party of the middle class?" It is tied!' Enten declared. 'This, I think, speaks to Democratic ills more than anything else,' he concluded. 'They have traditionally been the party of the middle class. No more!' The CNN poll concluded that Republicans have a better economic plan under President Donald Trump 'Donald Trump and the Republican Party have taken that mantle away, and now a key advantage for Democrats historically has gone "Adios Amigos!" and now there is no party that is the party of the middle class,' Enten argued. 'Republicans have completely closed the gap.' However, the polls came as economic analysts at JPMorgan Chase warned the United States may soon be entering a period of stagflation - when prices rise and economic growth slows at the same time. Economists consider stagflation, last seen in the US in the 1970s, to be worse than a recession. The ongoing uncertainty of the US's trade relations with its biggest partners will also keep stocks in check, the strategists wrote in a research note. The 'current tariffs picture is worse than most thought at the start of the year,' they explained. Trump announced widespread tariffs in April, which sent the stock market plunging U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC on Friday that the U.S. is making progress on several trade deals with countries in Asia Still, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel as US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC that an imminent deal could be struck with the E.U. after Trump threatened increasing the 'nasty' union's rate to 50 percent earlier this month. Greer also shared that he has been in nearly constant contact with India's top trade representative, claiming to have calls with them 'every day.' In addition, the trade rep revealed that he plans on forwarding negotiations with Malaysia and Vietnam at the upcoming Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) meeting next week. He also said he will be talking to E.U. representatives at the gathering. CNN's 'black sheep' Scott Jennings came out firing against the 'Free Palestine' movement, calling it a 'domestic terror organization' after the flamethrower attack on peaceful pro-Israel protesters in Colorado. Mohamed Sabry 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'. Soliman injured himself and 12 others - all between the ages of 52 and 88 - in the attack, including one critically. Jennings, often considered a conservative voice of reason and the liberal leaning network's 'black sheep,' blasted the entire anti-Israel movement on Tuesday and called for the government to 'deal with' them. He asked Jake Tapper: 'This is horrific, and what more do we need to see, Jake, before we realize this Free Palestine movement is nothing more than a domestic terror organization right now?' Jennings painted the Colorado attack and the killing of a couple in Washington as part of a disturbing, violent trend among those who sympathize with Palestine egged on by the 'months and months and months' of protests on college campuses. 'The rise of anti-Semitism in America, the rise in the number of people who have come to America who hold anti-American views, anti-Western views, and anti-Semitic views, and are now willing to act on it, it is absolutely outrageous, and I think as a society we need to understand were dealing with domestic terrorism,' he said. He warned that Washington has to 'deal with' this or its only going to increase in its violence. CNN 's 'black sheep' Scott Jennings (pictured left) came out firing against the 'Free Palestine ' movement, calling it a 'domestic terror organization' after the flamethrower attack on peaceful pro-Israel protesters in Colorado Jennings, often considered a conservative voice of reason and the liberal leaning network's 'black sheep,' blasted the entire anti-Israel movement on Tuesday and called for the government to 'deal with' them 'Its growing more violent by the day, and if we dont deal with it, these kinds of things are gonna keep happening in cities all over the place,' he said. 'Its awful, and we need to come to grips with the fight that were in right now in America, fight for the future of our country, and the future of Western civilization, in my opinion.' Soliman 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. 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. Mohamed Sabry Soliman (pictured), 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' 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 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. He lived illegally 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. Chuck Todd has revealed how he was the target of a serious act of retaliation shortly after drawing the ire of President Trump during his first term. Speaking during a wide-ranging interview with Times Radio, the NBC News anchor said he walked outside his Arlington, Virginia home to discover his tires were slashed on his vehicle. He said the incident was directly connected to the fact he was publicly called out by Trump during the early years of his administration. The disturbing disclosure is just the latest reminder of how volatile the political climate can be for journalists who find themselves on the receiving end of Trumps notorious public rebukes. Todd, a veteran anchor and former moderator of NBCs Meet the Press and who quietly left the network earlier this year said he addressed the fallout directly with the president at the time. According to Todd, Trump shrugged off the consequences, brushing aside concerns about security threats. Todds comments come amid growing concern over the security risks faced by public officials, journalists, and even judges who have been publicly criticized by Trump. He noted how the number of people in Washington DC now requiring personal security details is higher than at any point in his three decades of covering politics. Former NBC News heavyweight Chuck Todd has revealed how he was the target of a serious act of retaliation shortly after drawing the ire of President Trump during his first term Todd said he addressed the fallout directly with the president at the time. According to Todd, Trump shrugged off the consequences, brushing aside concerns about security threats Todds account underscores the danger that can accompany the presidents signature practice of singling out perceived enemies, a tactic critics have long warned could inflame supporters and provoke harassment or worse. While Todd stopped short of directly blaming Trump for inciting violence, the implication was clear - and that presidential rhetoric has real-world consequences. The broader conversation with Times Radio touched on Trumps ongoing influence over the Republican Party, his controversial use of tariffs, and his combative approach to governing - all themes that dovetailed with Todds reflections on the precarious state of political discourse. Todds experience is not an isolated one. In recent years, threats against journalists, judges, lawmakers, and even election workers have surged. For Todd, the slashed tires were a stark reminder of a reality where being publicly criticized by the president could translate into personal danger at ones own front door. President Trump frequently demanded the Chuck Todd be fired from NBC. He has now departed the network Chuck Todd left NBC News earlier this year before his contract expired In his second term, Trump has continued to deploy fiery rhetoric against opponents, critics, and institutions alike. Todd, who left NBC to launch his independent Chuck Toddcast podcast, has remained a vocal critic of the former president, frequently calling out what he sees as the erosion of democratic norms and the corrosion of political civility. On his new platform, Todd has warned that the risks journalists face today are more severe than at any point in recent history - not simply because of the increasingly polarized political climate, but because powerful figures have normalized the targeting of individuals in ways that endanger their personal safety. During his tenure at the helm of Meet The Press, Todd frequently clashed with President-elect Donald Trump. Trump frequently called Todd 'Sleepy Eyes' on social media and dubbed the show 'Meet the Depressed.' In 2020, Trump called for Todd to be fired, complaining 'Meet the Press' performed a 'sleazy hit job' on Attorney General William Barr. Trump let loose after the program admitted to 'inadvertently cutting short' a sound bite from Barr when he was responding to a question about the dismissal of charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn. 'He should be FIRED by Concast. If done by a Republican, would be prosecuted,"' Trump said on X. During a campaign rally near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2018, Trump called Todd a 'son of a b***h.' During his tenure at the helm of Meet The Press, Todd frequently clashed with President Trump Trump dubbed the show 'Meet the Depressed' after Todd accused loyalist senator John Kennedy of 'spreading Vladimir Putin's lies' in a heated on-air clash in 2019. The loss of Todd is undoubtedly a big one for NBC, as he appeared on many of its channels to provide political expertise. He joined NBC News in 2007 as a political director, before being named the network's chief White House corresponded in 2008. Six years later, he was promoted to lead Meet the Press, succeeding fellow fixture David Gregory in doing so. He expanded the program by doing a regular daytime hour on MSNBC called 'MTP Daily,' a program that was eventually moved over to the live-streaming service NBC News Now. The ended when he was replaced by Welker in June of 2023 after such time he had a far less prominent role. Trump-hating Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett left a reporter in complete disbelief after saying Republicans privately expressed admiration for her. The firebrand progressive made the stunning claim during an interview Sunday with WFAA political reporter Jason Whitely, as the 44-year-old looks fill her party's top job on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. 'It's become clear, as I have been out in various cities throughout this country, where I've had Republicans walk up to me and tell me how much they like me,' Crockett said, after being asked about recent polling that suggests she could run for higher office in 2028. 'No, you haven't! Are you serious?' a flabbergasted Whitely interjected. 'You'd be surprised. Oh yeah,' the former public defender replied, the same day CNN's Scott Jennings called her one of the 'true leaders' of the Democratic Party. 'Come on,' Whitely shot back incredulously. The reporter then pressed Crockett over any plans to potentially run for president in 2028. Scroll down for video: Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett said she's 'had Republicans walk up to me and tell me how much they like me,' shocking her interviewer The 44-year-old Democrat made the comments to WFAA's Jason Whitely in a televised interview Sunday 'Yeah, no, I want to do what I can to hopefully make sure that we win, so I'm a team player,' she demurred. 'I want to win the majority back in Congress, but also win the presidency going into 2028,' she continued. The Dallas Democrat, who was elected in 2023, also spoke about how she traveled across the country for Kamala Harris in the run-up to the November election. 'Ultimately, wherever we get with the nominee, I want to support in any way,' said Crockett, a former civil-rights attorney. 'I'm gonna do my part.' Now in her second term, Crockett is looking to become the top Democrat on the lower chamber's lead investigative arm. The outspoken Trump critic told Whitely how skills she gained during her days as a trial lawyer make her optimal for the position - one that could give her the power to subpoena without a vote or hold discussions with ranking committee members. Whitley pointed out how this could give her the power to pursue impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, who recently called Crockett 'a very low-IQ person' and a 'lowlife.' The assertion left Whitely visibly incredulous: 'No, you haven't! Are you serious?' he responded Crockett, a rising star in the Democratic Party, is looking to become the top Democrat on the lower chamber's lead investigative arm, a position that could give her the power to pursue impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump Trump has previously called Crockett a 'very low-IQ person' and 'a lowlife' He did so at the National Republican Congressional Committee's President's Dinner while mocking the chances of Crockett becoming her party's future leader - a take that pundits like Jennings have disagreed with. 'Crockett, AOC - I mean, those are the true leaders of your party right now,' he told his fellow panelists Sunday during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union. The interview aired just weeks before a June 24 caucus election to fill the committee position left vacant by late Rep. Gerry Connolly, who notably beat out Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez for the spot last year. Crockett, seen as a rising star in the caucus and a talented communicator, will face off against Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, Kweisi Mfume of Maryland and Robert Garcia of California. Most see the race as wide open, after Ocasio-Cortez, 35, opted to not run this time around to keep her seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Crockett was reelected to Congress in 2024 with 84.9 percent of the vote. The White House called The Washington Post 'pathetic' after the liberal news outlet published an article about the 'mysterious drop' in fentanyl making its way across the border instead of crediting President Donald Trump for the change. The dangerous opioid has seeped into the US for years, killing nearly 50,000 Americans alone in 2024, according to the CDC. Fentanyl is often trafficked across the border by cartels and criminals, and during his campaign, President Donald Trump promised to increase border security and crack down on illegal immigration in an attempt to lower crime and hunt down 'foreign terrorist organizations' known for bringing the deadly drug into the states. The average monthly fentanyl seizures in the US have drastically dropped from 1,700 pounds in 2024 to 746 pounds this year, per Customs and Border Protection data. Despite Trump vowing to tackle the crisis head on and the number of seizures going down more than 50 percent since he's been in office, The Washington Post described the drop as 'something of mystery.' 'The contraction represents something of a mystery, say antidrug agents and researchers. Are Mexican cartels producing less fentanyl? Or have they simply found new ways to sneak it across the border? 'Fentanyl is still cheap and widely available in the United States, according to analysts and drug enforcement agents,' the outlet continued. The article left many puzzled and enraged, including Trump's administration, as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X: '@washingtonpost is pathetic.' The Washington Post was blasted by the White House after it published an article about the 'mysterious drop' in fentanyl making its way across the border The dangerous opioid has seeped into the US for years , killing nearly 50,000 Americans alone in 2024. (Pictured: The drug on display after a seizure by Customs and Border Protection officers) The article left many puzzled and enraged, including Trump's administration, as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the outlet 'pathetic' Several others, including the Department of Homeland Security, agreed with Leavitt, adding: 'Its no mystery. On day one, @POTUS Trump closed our borders to drug traffickers. 'From March 2024 to March 2025 fentanyl traffic at the southern border fell by 54%. The world has heard the message loud and clear.' Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany also chimed in, adding: 'The Washington Post is reporting a mysterious drop in fentanyl seizures at the southern border. Mystery solved! The Trump effect is working.' 'Four months into the Trump administration, The Washington Post is marveling at the "mysterious" drop in fentanyl seizures on the Mexican border,' Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative influencer, wrote. 'Is the Post simply lying, or are their reporters as dumb as the people they're writing propaganda for?' 'The Washington Post can't figure out the "mysterious" drop in fentanyl seizure at the border. It's almost as if having real protection there works! Wild concept...,' another said. Someone else commented: 'Are you really this ignorant at the Washington Post? Fentanyl seizures are down because we have a president who is enforcing our laws now, ya nitwits!' The article first addressed that seizures are 'plummeting' in the US, but with a decent amount of skepticism, calling it a 'puzzling reality.' 'After years of confiscating rising amounts of fentanyl, the opioid that has fueled the most lethal drug epidemic in American history, U.S. officials are confronting a new and puzzling reality at the Mexican border. Fentanyl seizures are plummeting,' the outlet wrote. It went on to quote the White House, who previously said the drop was 'thanks to President Trumps policies empowering law enforcement officials to dismantle drug trafficking networks.' 'Yet the decline started before Trump took office in January. (While officials only manage to detect part of the fentanyl crossing the border, the figure serves as a proxy for supply),' the article added. At another point, the outlet said the drop if fentanyl trafficking 'may' be because of ongoing feud in the Sinaloa Cartel between the son of infamous drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman and Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada. They each run two factions within the cartel. 'Hundreds of people have been killed. Gunmen throwing grenades and firing assault rifles have blocked Highway 15, the regions main road to the U.S. border,' The Washington Post said. 'The government of President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken advantage of the turmoil in the cartel to arrest scores of leading members. That may have made it even harder for them to keep up fentanyl production.' While the cartel has been facing a brawl, in early May, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the US executed the largest fentanyl bust in the country's history. Bondi said they found Amaya living in Salem, Oregon. The drugs were found in Utah, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Phoenix, Arizona, she added She said 11.5 kilos, or 25.4lbs of the lethal drug were seized during the bust. That totaled to about three million fentanyl pills. The multi-agency operation, headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), also saw 16 people arrested, including Alberto Salazar Amaya, a high-ranking Sinaloa cartel member. Bondi said they found Amaya living in Salem, Oregon. The drugs were found in Utah, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Phoenix, Arizona, she added. 'More arrests are coming, I guarantee you that,' Bondi said during a news conference. 'And these dealers, these sellers, these street-level sellers, better look out, because we will not be negotiating with you. We will bring you to justice, and we will not stop until this poison is off our streets in our country.' MSNBC's Lawrence ODonnell held back tears while blaming the death of a 5-year-old African boy born with HIV on Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The Last Word host labeled the pair 'soulless, mindless entities' on Monday's show, claiming their cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) caused the death of the South Sudanese boy. 'The richest person in the world carrying around his drug box of Ecstasy, Adderall, psychedelic mushrooms and then taking life-saving drugs away from the poorest people in the world is a picture only Donald Trump could have created,' O'Donnell said. The host had been referring to a New York Times piece in March that detailed how Evan Anzoo died days after Trump and Musk halted all US foreign aid pending a review on January 20. Eighty-three percent of USAID programs - including the one providing aid to Anzoo - have been terminated since. The boy had been taking antiretroviral medicines that cost less than 12 cents per day, an emotional O'Donnell said, while also taking aim at Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 'Evan died on his watch,' the host said of Rubio, who last month told members of Congress that no children would die following the freezing of aid packages. Scroll down for video: MSNBC's Lawrence ODonnell held back tears while blaming the death of a 5-year-old African boy born with HIV on Donald Trump and Elon Musk The host had been referring to a New York Times piece in March that detailed how a five year-old South Sudan boy born with HIV died a week after Trump and Musk halted all US foreign aid pending a review on January 20 'Evans of all ages are dying on Marco Rubio's watch, and no one is counting. 'And so we don't know as of tonight whether it's tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of Evans, but we know it will be.' O'Donnell cited a separate New York Times piece, headlined Elon Musk's Legacy is Disease, Starvation and Death, that stated the cuts have led to an estimated 300,000 deaths overseas. 'Most of them children,' the host said. 'And it will most likely lead to significantly more by the end of the year.' 'This is what Musk's foray into politics accomplished,' he continued. 'If there were justice in the world, Musk would never be able to repair his reputation - at least not without devoting the bulk of his fortune to easing the misery he's engendered.' O'Donnell said that that Musk's time in government 'has revealed severe flaws in his character.' '[It's shown] a blithe, dehumanizing cruelty and a deadly incuriosity,' he said. Musk officially stepped down from his role in Trump 's administration over the weekend. A New York Times piece found that Musk's cuts to USAID overseas have led to an estimated 300,000 deaths Pictured: a pharmacist in front of the last batch of antiretroviral drugs donated to a Kenya hospital in April The move - which came months after the Tesla and SpaceX boss shelled out nearly $300 million in political spending to help re-elect Trump - brought an abrupt end to one of politics' most unconventional partnerships. The funds that paid for Evan's medication, meanwhile, came from emergency plan for AIDS relief launched by George W. Bush in 2003. Before being frozen, the program reportedly saved more than 26 million lives. Chemring boasted record order intake and order book size in the first half as global defence spending continues to rise amid tensions in Europe and the Middle East. The aerospace and defence contractor on Tuesday revealed its order intake totalled 488million in the six months ending April, a 42 per cent annual increase. This contributed to the Hampshire-based company's order book growing by a quarter to 1.3billion, the highest in its history. Multi-year purchases helped Chemring's order intake soar by over two-thirds to 418million in its countermeasures and energetics segment. Its Scotland-based business secured a 23million deal to supply components used in the Next Generation Light AntiTank Weapon system and an 11million deal from the Ministry of Defence for various air countermeasures. Chemring's Norwegian subsidiary, Chemring Nobel, also struck a 278million deal with Diehl Defence to provide MCX, a type of explosive material used in munitions. Explosive results: Chemring enjoyed a record first-half order intake and order book But overall revenues rose by just 5 per cent to 234.3million due to a weaker performance from its sensors and information segment. The FTSE 250 firm said the division's rate of new order placement had slowed amid delays by the UK Government in the publication of its strategic defence review. However, the group saw its total underlying operating profits expand by 8 per cent to 27.1million and kept its guidance for 2025 unchanged. Michael Ord, chief executive of Chemring, said: 'Both sectors benefitted from the receipt of several significant orders in the period, evidencing confidence in our market-leading products and services. 'With growing geopolitical uncertainty resulting in increased defence expenditure, particularly across NATO, the group is well positioned, with a strong and sustainable platform to increase revenue to 1billion by 2030.' Global military expenditure went up by 9.4 per cent to $2.7trillion last year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, as wars raged in Ukraine and the Middle East, and concerns remained elevated over China's intentions towards Taiwan. Total spending by NATO member states grew to $1.5trillion, partly driven by European countries ramping up spending following pressure from US President Donald Trump for them to bear a greater share of the defence burden. British defence giants, such as BAE Systems, Babcock, and Chemring, have been major beneficiaries of this added spending, which has led to their share prices jumping considerably. Chemring Group shares were the FTSE 250's top riser on Tuesday morning, rising by 6.3 per cent to 517p, meaning they have leapt by approximately 58 per cent since the year began. A hotel staff member working at a luxury five-star resort in Miami is being sued for allegedly storming into a guest's locked room to stare at her naked while she was in the shower. The 48-year-old alleged victim, identified as C.N., was on a weekend getaway with her boyfriend at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort on December 11, 2023, when the terrifying incident unfolded, a lawsuit states. Last week, C.N.' s attorney filed a civil lawsuit in Miami-Dade County against Marriott International and Clearview Building Services, LLC - a firm that provides cleaning and maintenance - alleging gross negligence, invasion of privacy and obstruction of justice, and is suing in excess of $7 million in damages. The woman claimed in the lawsuit that the employee even brushed up against her nude body as he fled the room while she was screaming. She also made a horrifying accusation in her filing: that supervisors at the luxury resort told her not to call the police. Describing the alleged encounter, the woman says she decided to take a shower before she met her partner at the lavish resort's swimming pool. She claims that as she stood under the running water, she suddenly felt a draft and heard the shower door bang. She claims that when she turned, she saw the man, dressed in a shirt with a St. Regis logo, gawking at her. Ownership at luxury five-star St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami Beach, along with its third-part staffing agency, is being sued for an alleged incident of a staff member storming into a guest's locked room to stare at her naked while she was in the shower The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is a swanky hotel with 213 guest rooms. Ultra luxurious suites range from $2,500 to $3,800 per night 'I was screaming hysterically - screaming at the top of my lungs,' she told the Daily Mail of the allegations. 'I didn't know what was going to happen next. Just the way he was looking at me up and down like a sicko,' she says about the alleged encounter. The man then allegedly ignored her repeated requests to leave and walked further into the suite. C.N. said she kept screaming, hoping someone would hear her cries for help until he eventually fled. Shaken and traumatized by the alleged ordeal, she immediately called her boyfriend and hotel security, but was shocked by what she described as a lack of help. C.N. said after that incident, she waited for about an hour for a supervisor who told her not to contact the authorities. 'They told us they have such a great relationship with the Bal Harbour police and that I dont need to call them and that they will handle everything,' she said. According to the lawsuit, the alleged victim later discovered that hotel staff claimed she did not want to call the police. She says the allegations are 'patently false,' as per the complaint. 'I waited 24 hours to call police. In that time they [hotel staff] made sure they had the room cleaned, so there was no effort to protect me - they were protecting the perpetrator,' she alleges. A room inside the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is seen above The five-star resort features 213 guest rooms with ocean views. The pool is seen above Perplexed by the way the hotel handled the incident, she asked, 'Why would they clean the room if they really wanted to know who did it? Or, are they protecting their own?' She also asked the staff if she could see photos of the employees who were on duty at the time hoping to identify the alleged culprit, but claims staff denied her request. 'I was crystal clear on his face and it would have been easy to identify that person but they told me I could not see any photos without a subpoena - they really did not try,' she claims. 'They basically ignored me and there was no apology.' The complaint, which has been reviewed by the Daily Mail, states that 'the Resorts management had no intention of contacting law enforcement when they promised C.N. they would do so. 'Instead, they spent that critical 24-hour period obstructing any investigation and allowing critical evidence to disappear in their effort to prioritize their own interests. 'The resorts management committed a gross violation of C.N.s trust in their conspiracy to cover up this incident. This contributed substantially to C.N.s emotional injuries, as confirmed by C.N.s psychiatrists and mental health counselors.' The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is a swanky hotel with 213 guest rooms. Ultra luxurious suites range from $2,500 to $3,800 per night. Luxury suites at the resort start at $2,500 a night go up to $3,800 Justin Shapiro, who is representing the plaintiff, cited the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort as having 'a complete and utter lack of supervision of its operations.' 'We have a whole lot of cases like this over the years and when we see this happen there is almost always a very distinct pattern of neglect on the part of the hotel,' he told Daily Mail. He pointed out the lack of supervision of employees - claiming that there was no oversight, no monitoring and no tracking of the room access logs. 'These employees, who are often not background checked and just bad eggs, feel emboldened by the lack of supervision and see it as an opportunity to prey on the guests - whether it is theft of personal property, when they pop into the rooms or incidents like this sexual assault and invasion of privacy.' According to court documents, the plaintiff continues to suffer from severe psychological distress requiring ongoing medical care. C.N. had one more day left of her vacation after the alleged incident occurred. Instead of leaving, she and her partner decided to stay. 'They asked us if we wanted to change rooms, and I wanted to get out of the room so they moved us to a larger suite and then they charged us for it,' she claimed. The hotel employee has not been named and it's unclear if they are still employed. 'They are not telling us a word and we dont have a legal right to know anything until we are in discovery and have subpoena power by the court,' Shapiro said. 'A large part of our claim is how our client was treated after this traumatizing incident,' he added. 'You would think the hotel would be there to protect her and comfort her but it was the exact opposite.' The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, formerly owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., was acquired by Quatar-based Al Faisal Holding Company LLC in 2014 and is part of Marriott Hotel International property group. Marriott Hotel International is one of the largest hotel companies in the world with nearly 9,100 properties in 142 countries and territories. Neither representatives for Marriott nor Clearview Building Services, LLC returned the Daily Mail's request for comment. Police in body armour smash their way into a house and walk down a dingy corridor to find a cannabis farm linked to Albanian gangs. So far, so ordinary for a UK drugs sting... But what makes this farm unusual is its location - the West Derby area of Liverpool, a city the Albanian mafia has long struggled to penetrate despite dominating the narcotics market in the rest of Britain. This reality was reflected in the otherwise fictional BBC crime drama This City Is Ours, where Scouse crime boss Michael Kavanagh rejects a plan to forge links with Albanian cocaine traffickers. Now MailOnline can reveal a wealth of evidence including text messages that show how local gangs retain their grip over the drugs trade in Liverpool and are wary of letting their Balkan rivals gain a foothold. As a result, footsoldiers in the Liverpool drug war are terrified of having any dealings with Albanian gangsters. Merseyside is the last drugs territory in England that is not controlled by the Albanian mafia, who have cemented their grip on Britain by pairing a reputation for reliability and low prices with a willingness to use deadly violence. The National Crime Agency (NCA) admits that Albanian criminals exert 'considerable control' over the drugs trade in Britain. So how have Scouse gangsters managed to maintain their dominance in the face of seemingly impossible odds? Your browser does not support iframes. Members of the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit break into a cannabis farm linked to Albanian gangsters in West Derby, Merseyside The farm is a rare example of Albanian influence on Merseyside, which has long been dominated by local kingpins such as Vincent Coggins of the Huyton Firm (who called himself 'moonlitboat' on EncroChat) Viewers of This City Is Ours may remember a scene where Jamie Phelan - who is trying to push out Michael Kavanagh as head of his family drug empire - suggests buying a shipment from Albanian dealers. But Michael angrily rejects the idea, claiming that once you involve the Albanians, 'they never leave'. While the scene is fictional, real-life evidence shows the idea of Scouse gang bosses debating whether to work with Balkan drug suppliers is very real. This was illustrated by a conversation between Liverpool drug lords Vincent and Francis Coggins - of the feared Huyton Firm - on the now decrypted messaging platform EncroChat. The messages, revealed in a court case, show the brothers discussing the possibility of working with an Albanian dealer based in Marbella. Vincent tells Francis how a 'young kid' had approached him with the offer of a partnership, but Francis said they 'weren't interested' - before suggesting another gangland contact instead. 'Yes hard work the Albos,' Vincent writes. 'I said we weren't interested, but I put them onto someone.' According to a Liverpool man with knowledge of the drug trade, this conversation is representative of the general attitude among Scouse gang bosses. 'So there you have it - they don't want to work with the Albanians, but this is at the wholesale level, so the conversation is cordial and fairly polite,' he told MailOnline. 'At this level different firms move money around and share information and resources. 'But if the Coggins brothers heard Albanians wanted to enter the retail market in Merseyside, the conversation would have been very different. It would have been war.' Francis writes in another message: 'The city is mine or I die.' MailOnline's source added: 'So Francis is very clear who runs Liverpool and it's not the Albanians.' Albanian 'King of Cocaine' Dritan Rexhepi was recently extradited to his home country 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 Rhys Thompson, 29, was abducted, murdered and his body dumped in a disturbance linked to a failed attempt to 'tax' a cannabis farm allegedly run by Albanians in 2021 Police forensic investigators on the scene where Mr Thompson's body was found in Rishworth, West Yorkshire Tomasz Waga, 23, from Dagenham, east London, who had a newborn son and 'his entire life ahead of him', was murdered by an Albanian drugs gang in 2021 Josif Nushi and Hysland Aliaj were both jailed for murder alongside a third man Albanian gangs are believed to have taken over the UK's 5billion-a-year cocaine trade by negotiating directly with Colombian cartels and then dramatically undercutting criminal rivals. They have also been aided by close links with the Italian 'Ndrangheta, which dominates the cocaine market in mainland Europe, while gaining a reputation for offering reliable, ultra-fast shipments. Major kingpins 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 smuggler 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. Last year, a leaked Home Office legal document described Albanian criminal gangs as an 'acute threat' to the UK and 'highly prevalent across serious and organised crime' in Britain. They are accused of several murders, including the 2021 killing of Rhys Thompson, a young father who was abducted and beaten to death in a disturbance linked to a failed attempt to 'tax' a cannabis farm believed to have been run by an Albanian gang. In a separate case, new father Tomasz Waga, 23, was beaten to death in 2021 by three men protecting another weed farm in Cardiff. Liverpool has long stood out as one of the few big cities that the Albanians have been unable to exploit, with native-born gangsters maintaining their dominance by exploiting their links to the close-knit local communities they prey on. A street in the Wavertree area of Liverpool following a deadly gangland shooting The Huyton Firm employed Thomas Cashman as a hitman. He shot dead nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel on this road in Knotty Ash Actor James Nelson-Joyce plays Michael Kavanagh, who rejects a plan to forge links with Albanian cocaine traffickers, in This City Is Ours Your browser does not support iframes. Asked to explain this phenomenon, experts have pointed to the difficulty of Albanians 'blending in' on Merseyside like they could in London or Birmingham - as well as the risk of a violent backlash if they ever tried to muscle their way in. Other underworld observers believe control over the Port of Liverpool may also give local gangsters an advantage. During the trial of Francis and Vincent Coggins, Manchester Crown Court heard how the brothers appeared to have corrupted a number of port workers. These workers helped in the process of smuggling drugs inside container ships by filming shipments on their phones. The Liverpool source said: 'If you have the port, you have the city. 'If the Albanians wanted to make a move, they would have to take over the port. But that is not happening any time soon.' A former Liverpool cocaine dealer also attested to the importance of controlling the port for drug gangs. He told MailOnline: 'The Class A market in Liverpool is dominated by the firms from Huyton, Speke and Vauxhall. 'They have friends at the Port of Liverpool, which gives them control of what comes into the city. They won't let the Albanians into their market.' Curtis Warren - born in Toxteth - was once considered Britain's most powerful drugs baron A recent cocaine seizure by Merseyside Police officers investigating an international drug smuggling operation Your browser does not support iframes. While not all drugs come into Liverpool inside sea freight - with many arriving by aircraft or smaller boats - influence over the port has undoubtedly been a factor in the rise of groups like the Huyton Firm. Operation Venetic - the name for the police operation that busted scores of kingpins using EncroChat messages - confirmed that other Liverpool gangs were also using the city's container port to bring in cocaine directly from South American cartels. But even if the Albanians have been denied access to the port, the market for locally grown cannabis has provided them with an alternative point of entry. The Albanian-linked cannabis operation exposed by police in March certainly appears to have been significant, with the house in West Derby part of a much wider network of 100 cannabis farms located all around the country. The 10-strong gang posed as utilities workers to dig up roads and pathways to access electrical cables before stealing the electricity to power their operation, which grew around 21million of cannabis in total. Two of the gang's digs took place on Merseyside while others were as far away as Portsmouth and Dundee. Your browser does not support iframes. The West Derby cannabis farm was linked to a wider conspiracy that involved fake workmen digging up streets to steal electricity Members of the crime gang in hi-vis jackets posing as legitimate road workers Your browser does not support iframes. Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo, from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit's operations team, called it a 'highly sophisticated' operation that made use of fake utility vans, and a front business registered on Companies House. While the former Liverpool cocaine dealer admitted the Albanians now 'dominate' the cannabis trade in the north west of England, he insisted they were still not a major presence on Merseyside - although this was something 'to watch' given the profits to be made there. His assessment is backed up by testimony from police and organised crime experts, who do not see any signs local kingpins will be pushed out any time soon. A cop killer renowned for an audacious jailbreak is now escaping the hell of solitary confinement by playing the doting father figure to his lover's little girl on the outside, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal. David Sweat, 44 who broke out of the Clinton Correctional Facility a decade ago telephones Olivia Malanik, 10, every Sunday without fail to help with her homework. The felon has formed a surprising bond with Olivia, considering her his unofficial adopted daughter and even sending his monthly commissary money to pay for karate lessons. Olivia's bedroom walls are covered with artwork and sketches drawn by the notorious inmate, who is responsible for the 2002 murder of a sheriff's deputy. Their unlikely rapport dates back six years ago to when the youngster's mother, Fran Malanik, started writing letters to Sweat inside his pokey 7ft by 10ft cell. They began as pen pals, but turned into something more. They fell in love, became engaged and Malanik took Olivia into prison to meet the man she hopes to one day marry. He is serving life without parole for the slaying of Deputy Kevin Tarsia, but bubbly Olivia told the Daily Mail: 'He's my dad, I love him, and I don't believe the things they say. 'He's really funny and smart. He sends sketches and drawings of me, him and my mom with cute dragons and hearts. Cop killer David Sweat has been locked up in solitary confinement for nearly a decade after his incredible Dannemora jailbreak in 2015. To survive its hellish condition, he plays the role of doting father figure to his fiance Fran Malanik's daughter His unofficial adopted daughter Olivia, 10, (left) cherishes Sweat, as her biological father hasn't been in the picture since she was nine months old. Sweat even pays for her karate lessons Malanik was originally Sweat's pen pal before they fell in love. She stuck by his side while he was transferred between six different lockups and kept in solitary confinement 'My perfect dream is that dad gets out of prison and comes to live with us.' The tender moment they met was captured in a series of Polaroid photographs that Malanik, 52, of Buffalo, New York, has shared exclusively with the Daily Mail. 'She immediately blurted out the word "dad". We looked at one another in amazement, but that's the way it's been ever since,' said Malanik. Sweat (pictured) was convicted of brutally killing Deputy Kevin Tarsia, 36, in 2002 'David has been much more of a parent than her biological father who hasn't seen her since she was nine months old. 'He calls her every Sunday for an hour. He teaches her math over the phone, goes over her homework, gives her advice about boys. As far as she's concerned, that's her dad 110 per cent.' Tarsia, 36, was shot 15 times and run over with a vehicle when he caught Sweat and two accomplices with stolen guns in the town of Kirkwood, near the New York-Pennsylvania border. Jeffrey Nabinger, Sweat's cousin and longtime criminal associate, finished the dying officer off with two bullets to the face from Tarsia's own service weapon. They both pleaded guilty to first-degree murder to avoid the death penalty, but Malanik and her daughter remain convinced he is innocent. But to Olivia, Sweat is her dad, and his criminal past is both disregarded and unbelievable. In her room, the artwork and sketches he has drawn from his cell cover her walls Malanik took bubbly Olivia to meet her future father six years ago and captured the moment in Polaroids that she shared with the Daily Mail Olivia said her dream is for Sweat to get out of prison and live with them. Aside from the artwork, Sweat calls her every Sunday for an hour and teaches her math over the phone More than a decade later in June 2015, Sweat and fellow inmate Richard Matt cut through their cell wall at the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, upstate New York before crawling to freedom through a labyrinth of pipes and tunnels. After the breakout, which was likened to the film The Shawshank Redemption, the duo went on the run for three weeks. They left a note for authorities to later find on one of the metal pipes they had cut through that said, 'Have a nice day' alongside a smiley face. Matt was shot dead by law enforcement agents and Sweat was wounded and captured near the Canadian border. The sensational breakout also exposed a love triangle inside the jail. Joyce Mitchell, a married prison seamstress, was found to have smuggled tools to the pair and planned to drive their getaway car before backing out. Mitchell served more than four years for aiding their daring underground escape. Since then, Sweat has been switched between six lockups and kept in solitary confinement to minimize his chances of staging another jailbreak. Malanik, however, has stood by her man throughout it all, after writing to him following his recapture, and falling in love during twice-weekly visits. 'When I first wrote to David, I sent him a bible and offered to be his friend,' she recalled. 'To be honest I was rooting for him when I heard about the escape. In my heart, I knew he wasn't really responsible for murder.' The infamous 2015 prison break from Clinton Correctional Facility was done alongside fellow convicted murderer Richard Matt, (pictured) who was shot and killed after he was found in a hunting lodge by police The duo left a note (pictured above) for authorities to later find on one of the metal pipes they had cut through that said 'Have a nice day' alongside a smiley face Sweat was captured near the Canadian border a few days after Matt was killed and was shot twice, in his shoulder and arm Both Olivia and her mother told DailyMail.com that they don't believe Sweat is guilty of murdering Deputy Tarsia because he denies firing the fatal shots Sweat has a grown-up son from a previous relationship, but Malanik said that he disowned his father years ago after learning the details of Tarsia's murder. Malanik insisted that Olivia knew the unvarnished truth about her jailbird father, who is currently in the Special Housing Unit at Midstate Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York. But the mother and daughter don't believe Sweat is guilty of murder because he denies firing the fatal shots 'Olivia knows the whole story inside out,' said Malanik. 'She's not dumb, she knows how to use Google. She speaks two languages, plays the violin, she won first place in her very first competition in karate after he sent her $600 for lessons. 'She's been to every prison. She begs me to drive her five and a half hours to visit him, but we see less of him now because it's so far away. 'Honestly, I feel left out when they are on the phone together. In her mind, he's God. I can't even call him an a*****e without her getting mad.' Malanik said that she had applied for permission to marry Sweat, but prison authorities had always rejected the couples requests. 'David and I did also talk about him legally adopting Olivia, but imagine what a judge would make of that request,' she added. 'That hasn't stopped him being a father figure for all these years. He doesn't need a piece of paper to be her dad. 'It's hard to explain to the other parents what the deal is, but it doesn't matter what they think.' The couple's plans to get married have been deterred by authorities who have rejected their numerous applications. They also discussed Sweat adopting Olivia, but knew that his criminal past would be a hard sell to the judge Malanik was banned from seeing Sweat for 60 days in 2018 for allegedly reaching into his state-issued prison pants to fondle him during a visit to Attica prison Sweat has gone on multiple hunger strikes, accusing authorities of trying to poison his food and disrupting his 'family' visits Sweat has gone on hunger strike multiple times, accusing authorities of poisoning his food and disrupting his 'family' visits. In 2018, Malanik was banned from seeing him for 60 days in 2018 for allegedly reaching into his state-issued prison pants to touch him inappropriately during a visit to Attica prison. The former nurse insisted that she was checking a lump in Sweats groin that he had expressed concern about. 'I've persuaded him to stop all the hunger striking stuff because the New York Department of Corrections doesn't care if he lives or dies,' she said. 'Olivia does, she would be devastated. 'It takes a lot for a man to step up and raise someone else's biological child but David has done exactly that.' Joanna Dennehy chillingly described killing as 'moreish and fun' while being questioned by police for three murders. The 42-year-old went on to become one of only four women in the UK to be sentenced to a whole life order meaning she will die behind bars. But today, she continues to pose such a threat to staff and inmates that keeping her in total isolation is the only option to stop her claiming more victims, according to a former prison governor who has studied her case in detail. During a 10-day killing spree in March 2013, Dennehy stabbed her 31-year-old lover Lukasz Slaboszewski to death before killing her housemate John Chapman and her landlord Kevin Lee. After dumping the three men's bodies in ditches across Cambridgeshire, she travelled 140 miles to Hereford with an accomplice, Gary Stretch, where she randomly stabbed two dog walkers, Robin Bereza, 64, and 56-year-old John Rogers. In 2014, a judge sentenced Dennehy to die behind bars, calling her a 'cruel, calculating, selfish and manipulative' serial killer. But the threat she poses is far from over, with the psychopath now considered Britain's most dangerous female prisoner. In fact, Dennehy is considered so violent and depraved she may be one of the most high-risk inmates in the entire prison system. Professor David Wilson, a criminologist who began his career in the Prison Service, has now given MailOnline a fresh insight into the extreme security that will be needed to control the fiend behind bars. Serial killer Joanne Dennehy is considered Britain's most dangerous female prisoner The psychopath posing in a photo that was taken while she was on the run She is being held at HMP Low Newton, a maximum security prison in the village of Brasside near Durham Part of the threat she poses, he says, is due to her ability to manipulate people using sex - a 'skill' she has already used to embark on an affair with a prison officer and a fellow murderer she was locked up with. She also remains a highly violent psychopath who has been accused of plotting to kill fellow prisoners, including Rose West, and planning to escape by murdering a guard and using their severed fingers to unlock biometric doors. The four women handed whole life orders Joanna Dennehy: Murdered three men during a 10-day spree and tried to kill two others. Rose West: Helped her husband, Fred West, torture and murder ten young women between 1973 and 1987. Myra Hindley: Murdered five children alongside her lover Ian Brady as part of the 'Moors Murders'. Lucy Letby: Convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. Advertisement 'Dennehy was identified very early on as someone who had to be managed very carefully due to her unusual offending profile and ability to manipulate,' Professor Wilson told MailOnline. 'So clearly, you're dealing with someone who you need maximum security and control over. 'It would be a question of solitary confinement to keep her away from other people. She is alleged she threatened the life of Rose West and - as was heard in court - also planned to escape.' Dennehy was held on remand at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, where she was quickly put into solitary confinement after her threats against Rose West, who was herself convicted of 10 murders in 1995. For Professor Wilson, who has met several people close to Dennehy, targeting the 71-year-old was evidence of her determination to attain a sense of power by being seen as the prison's 'top dog'. The murder threat reportedly saw Dennehy moved into solitary confinement at Bronzefield. At the start of the decade, she was moved to HMP Low Newton after allegedly embarking on an affair with a male prison officer. Dennehy was seen laughing while being taken into police custody accused of multiple murders Dennehy - pictured in a police mugshot - is one of only four women to be serving whole life orders A knife used by Dennehy But she continued causing problems after the move to the high-security jail in County Durham by striking up a relationship with a much younger woman, the murderer Emma Aitken. Aitken was jailed for life alongside her father Vincent Aitken and boyfriend Nathan Doherty for the murder of Barry Smith, who they battered to death before dumping his burnt body outside Kilburn Welfare Social Club in Derbyshire in 2013. Professor Wilson is far from surprised about Dennehy's illicit relationships, seeing them as evidence of her ability to con people with offers of sex in the hope of gaining control over them. 'It is part of the conning and the cunning to use sex as part of that manipulation, so it doesn't surprise me in the least that she is having sexual relations,' he said. 'She will be using this to get what she wants. 'Even when she was being interviewed in a police station in Hereford for attempting to kill two men out walking her dogs, she started to flirt with the female custody sergeant.' A disturbing insight into Dennehy's life behind bars came in 2016, when she filed a High Court damages claim on the basis that spending two years in solitary confinement was damaging to her human rights. Evidence submitted by the Prison Service in the case revealed she had once forged a gruesome escape plot. Dennehy allegedly threatened to kill fellow female serial killer Rose West Dennehy was diagnosed with 'psychopathic, anti-social and emotional instability disorders' A picture of Dennehy earlier in her life Dennehy was originally help on remand at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, where she allegedly had an affair with a male prison officer The plan is said to have involved killing a female officer to steal her keys and use her fingerprints to trick the biometric systems that operate the prison locks. Dennehy was placed in segregation after guards discovered the plot in September 2013. The triple killer claimed it had just been a 'doodle'. A prison uniform was discovered hidden in the laundry room and guards discovered a drawing of the jail's layout in Dennehys diary, the High Court heard before ruling against her. According to Professor Wilson, the killers 'very unusual' criminal profile means she will almost certainly continue to pose a severe threat for as long as she maintains her physical and mental faculties. 'Dennehy is one of the very few female spree killers in criminological history,' Professor Wilson said. 'Spree murders tend to be a male phenomenon but here you have someone who killed three men and tried to kill two more alongside her accomplice Gary Stretch. 'There is some indication that Dennehy and Stretch were operating inside a folie a deux, which is a term for a shared psychosis or 'madness of two'. 'And often folie a deux has a dominant man and a subordinate woman - like Fred and Rose West - but in this one it is quite clear that she was the dominant partner, and Stretch was subordinate and afraid of her. 'I don't know what can be done with her in terms of changing her behaviour because she seems to have extreme violent tendencies, and that is based on having interviewed people who were very close to her - including her former husband.' Dennehy killed her lover Lukasz Slaboszewski (left) and her housemate, John Chapman She also murdered her landlord Kevin Lee while they were in a sexual relationship For her last two attempted murders, Dennehy was helped by an accomplice, Gary Stretch (pictured buying petrol to help dispose of evidence) The expert believes the American 'supermax' model - where the most serious offenders are kept in complete isolation from others - would be the best choice for inmates like Dennehy. She has never expressed regret for her crimes, after being arrested told a psychiatrist that she had started killing to 'see how it would feel, to see if I was as cold as I thought I was...then it just got moreish.' The killer subjected one of her victims to post-death humiliation by squeezing his mutilated corpse into a sequined black dress and dumping it into a ditch with his buttocks exposed. Another victim was stabbed through the heart with a pen knife and left in a wheelie bin. A third was stabbed 40 times until, a witness said, the knifes blade was as black as the handle because of all the congealed blood, and smelled like copper. Having brutally killed one man, Dennehy promptly phoned a friend and sang the Britney Spears song Oops, I Did It Again. Later, she told acquaintances: Ive killed three people, and I want to have some more fun, adding that she was meant to be a serial killer, a monster. With Dennehy still only in middle age and as dangerous as ever, she promises to prove a major headache for prison bosses for many decades to come. A furious mother has accused The Royal Mint of complete 'incompetence' after she trusted them to auction a collection of valuable coins left to her son by his late grandfather. When Harriet Scott's teenage son received the gold coins worth 18,000, his mother made the understandable choice of handing them over to Britain's oldest company, established in 886AD, to sell them off. But after a miserable ordeal, which saw the firm lose 18 of the precious items for seven nerve-shredding months before stalling on paying interest on the delay, Ms Scott has been left thoroughly fed up with the institution. With her son, then 18, preparing to leap into the demanding world of acting, she was keen to get his adult life off to the best possible start and sent the gift to the Mint's auction department in December 2023, as the trustee of his will. Things soon went pear shaped, however, as the firm, based in Llantrisant, Wales, went quiet for six months before handing Ms Scott the bad news that they had only sold 5,160 worth of coins. Even this disappointing sum proved hard to pin down, with the Mint going a further three months without paying her, and yet claiming they had. Ms Scott, who is in her 50s and lives in Bristol, said that both the bank managing the will trust and her personal bank insisted that all the details given to the firm were correct and there had been no sign in the accounts that they had tried to transfer her. After threatening to go public, she eventually received the cash, but she was already feeling 'irritated' by the company when she received some more bizarre news. Harriet Scott (pictured) has accused The Royal Mint of complete 'incompetence' after she trusted them to auction valuable coins that her son was left by his late grandfather After a miserable ordeal, which saw the firm lose 18 of the items for seven nerve-shredding months before stalling on paying interest on the delay, Ms Scott has been left thoroughly fed up with the institution She told MailOnline: 'It was incompetence, the fact that their finance department, I can't believe for a minute, the finance department of the Royal Mint Auction House hasn't paid into a will trust before. 'I got the money, and I was feeling a little bit rough about everything, and then almost immediately, I had an email from the Head of the Auction saying that they weren't going to sell any more of my coins because they were restructuring.' This was something of a blessing in disguise for Ms Scott who happily took the Mint's recommendation of a different auction house in the hope they would finally sell the rest of the lot. But then the coins disappeared. To her horror, 18 of the 21 coins to be handed over to the new auctioneers were unaccounted for, prompting a scramble to figure out where this substantial will gift had got to. The Mint then came back to Ms Scott in October with good news and bad news. The good news was that the missing items had been sold in an earlier auction in March. The bad: neither the coins nor the money nor any record of the transaction were anywhere to be seen. The firm paid her the 11,090 they said the rest of the items had fetched at auction, but Ms Scott was left deeply uncomfortable about the disorganised way in which they had handled her son's will gift. A set of coins which were part of Ms Scott's son's will gift. The mother was keen to get his adult life off to the best possible start and sent the gift to The Mint's auction department Things soon went pear shaped as the firm went quiet for six months before handing Ms Scott the bad news that they had only sold 5,160 worth of coins (pictured: some coins from the set) The total figure of 16,250 fell some way short of the 18,000-20,000 Cambridgeshire Coins had estimated the gift at, and her subsequent inquiries have led to the discovery that the coins all went for the lowest amount. She was also left demanding seven months' interest on the late payment - to the tune of 350. 'At this point I was really worried,' she said. 'Then I had an email from the Royal Mint with a list of all the coins, saying they had been sold, but there were no lot numbers. 'They weren't the correct coins. It was a complete s*** show. 'And I said, "a) my son's lost out on a lot of interest here, but b) I'm feeling very uncomfortable about the whole situation", and I said I didn't want to talk to them again until I'd asked them for emails and things.' After a futile attempt to get the truth via a series of requests for personal data, Ms Scott was finally granted her interest request in January - but, five months later, the sum has still not been paid. A spokesperson for The Royal Mint told MailOnline: 'We have fully investigated this matter, and we can confirm that the collection consigned to The Royal Mint by Ms Scott was sold at auction and all payments for the coins have been made. 'The agreed interest for the delay in these payments has also been processed as a matter of urgency. To her horror, 18 of the coins to be handed over to new auctioneers went missing, prompting a scramble to figure out where this substantial will gift had got to (pictured: a coin from the set) Four coins pictured ahead of going up for auction. Ms Scott is now demanding 350 in interest, which the Mint agreed to but has still not paid out 'The Royal Mint is committed to maintaining the highest standards of customer service, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.' But, for Ms Scott, the time for making amends has elapsed, and she just wants to move on from the nightmare. She added: 'No [I don't want an apology]. I really don't want anything to do with them again. 'I want this little bit of cash for my son, and then that's it.' 'There's something very bogus about the whole thing,' she added. 'The thing that has made me more stressed than anything is that, from a legal point of view, I've been put in a position where I'm supposed to do the best for my son's inheritance. 'And I have to jump through many hoops to do this, and you end up feeling that he's kind of been ripped off. I could have done better. 'If I'd known how bad they were, I absolutely wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. I would have gone straight to Sovereign Rarities [the second auction house], who are absolutely superb. The saga comes after The Royal Mint confirmed in March that around 80 people at their Llantrisant site (pictured) would be affected by a round of redundancies 'But it's a public body, isn't it? This is a government-run thing and you're thinking our taxes are going towards this. 'It's completely amateurish, which is a real shame.' 'Everything's going towards helping my son and his progress as an actor, because he's going to be really poor,' she joked. 'I've just been left with a very nasty taste. The saga comes after The Royal Mint confirmed in March that around 80 people at their Llantrisant site would be affected by a round of redundancies. The firm said: 'We can confirm that we are consulting with a number of employees as part of a strategy to secure the long-term future of The Royal Mint. 'We deeply value the contribution of all our employees, and our top priority is to treat our people with respect and look after their wellbeing throughout this process.' The mistress of a wealthy businessman has made a successful legal claim to a slice of his $40million estate after he left his entire fortune to his daughter. Sydney man Giovanni 'John' Angius, 85, died in January 2022 and an ugly family feud erupted as a result of leaving his entire $40million estate to his daughter Jenny and nothing to his son Robert. John's late-in-life lover Thi Quy Le, 61, and his 34-year-old granddaughter Natalie Angius - who has multiple sclerosis and other serious health problems - launched separate legal actions claiming they were both entitled to part of the estate. Both were successful in their claims, with Natalie - Robert's estranged daughter - receiving $2.5million, and Ms Le getting $250,000 and a commercial property. Jenny Angius - despite her vast inheritance - filed an appeal challenging the judge's finding that the granddaughter was eligible for that money. However the NSW Court of Appeal last week dismissed that legal challenge. Last year, the dark and bloody history of the family was aired in the NSW Supreme Court and included revelations that Mr Angius began an affair with Ms Le while still married to his wife Laura Angius. Laura was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in her $6million home in Coogee, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, in 2012, with Robert accusing his father of playing a hand in her death. John Angius's lover Thi Quy Le (pictured) and his granddaughter Natalie Angius launched separate legal actions claiming they were both entitled to his estate after being left out of the will Court documents revealed the married couple had a strained relationship, with an apprehended violence order taken out against John five years earlier. Laura took her daughter Jenny to the lawyers in the same year to draft a will and protect her children in the case that she died before her husband. John owned a smash repairs business in Waterloo, which is where he met Ms Le, who is 27 years his junior, in 2000. She claims they started having an affair in 2003 while he was still married to his wife. From 2005 to 2008, Ms Le managed a pool hall in Coogee, which was owned by Mr John and Laura. In February 2007, Laura confronted her husband at the business and alleged he was having an affair with Ms Le. The same argument kicked off again a month later at their home in Coogee, with Laura suffering injuries from a fall. She alleged John had hit her, which he denied, the Supreme Court heard. An AVO was taken out against John on his wife's behalf and he was charged with assault. Mr Angius pleaded guilty but no conviction was recorded, according to court documents. Pictured is the home where Laura Angius was found dead at the bottom the stairs in Coogee, in Sydney's eastern suburbs According to a police report, Robert allegedly confronted Ms Le at his father's smash repairs business and told her 'get out of the shop in Coogee' in May 2007. An AVO was taken out against Robert on behalf of Ms Le, court documents read. In June 2007, Ms Le was also granted an interim AVO against Laura, which was in place for two years. John and Laura eventually separated in 2011, which caused a major rift in the family. Jenny took her father's side, while his son Robert took the side of his mother, according to court documents. When Laura died in 2012, she left her $13million estate to Robert. Following John's death on January 31, 2022, a funeral was held on February 5 with both Ms Le and Natalie in attendance. Less than a week after the funeral, Ms Le launched proceedings for her stake in the claim. Natalie commenced proceedings a little less than a year later in January 2023. Inside the Coogee home where Mrs Angius alleged Mr Angius had hit her prior to her death, which he denied, the Supreme Court heard In her evidence to the court, Natalie had claimed that during a visit to see her grandfather when he was ill in hospital in June 2021, he told her his final will written in April had been 'rushed through' and 'I need to change it'. John had provided Natalie with regular financial support when she was an adult, including giving her cash when she wasn't eligible for Centrelink. In return, the court heard Natalie had helped her grandfather in the last five years of his life, doing things such as shopping, cooking and assisting with paperwork and administrative tasks. The 34-year-old lives at home with her mother and does not work, with her various medical conditions taking a major toll on her life. Ms Le's claim that she was living as John's de facto partner was not accepted by Justice Mark Richmond, but he accepted they were in a 'close personal relationship' at the time of his death. According to court documents, between 2003 and 2011, John gave Ms Le $1,000 each week as an allowance. He also paid for household expenses like groceries, as well as for Ms Le to go shopping, buy cosmetics, eat out and visit nail salons. John also paid the bills of the laundromat Ms Le run, while also paying for her car insurance and servicing. He also gave her between $2,000 and $3,000 seven times a year on special occasions including Christmas and Valentine's Day. Ms Le had recorded conversations she had with John in 2019 and 2021, to prove she was in a de facto relationship with him. According to court documents, one conversation was of the pair discussing his will to which John said Ms Le was 'very greedy', and also asked whether she 'deserved' to be included. John was also known to refer to Ms Le as 'the Chinese lady'. The cases of Ms Le and Natalie were heard in court over several dates from October last year to February, with Justice Richmond handing down a decision on August 1. He ruled Ms Le was entitled to ownership of a block of units Mr Angius owned in Waterloo, which she ran as a laundromat, and $250,000. Ms Le had claimed she should be left with $31,000 to buy a new car, and accommodation similar to John's house in Coogee, where she sometime stayed, worth $3.45million. She also asked for a 'cash amount to allow her to live comfortably in her old age'. Natalie, who also lives with incontinence and has a high risk of ending up in a wheelchair, was given $2.5million from the estate. Natalie had asked for $950,000 for a suitably modified apartment for her medical conditions, $100,000 for a suitably modified car and a sum sufficient to provide a buffer and income in relation to future medical and care needs. After the judge's ruling, the businessman's daughter appealed the finding regarding her niece but the NSW Court of Appeal dismissed this in a decision on May 27. The court found no error in the original judge's finding, reports Sydney Morning Herald. The financial support the wealthy businessman provided after his granddaughters diagnosis 'first to supplement her income and then in place of it, would have been sufficient to establish partial dependency', the court said. Mr Angius' estate was valued at $38million, and $29.5million after liabilities. 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. Do YOU have a story? Please email tom.cotterill@mailonline.co.uk Travellers are using 'military' shock and awe-style tactics to obliterate areas of idyllic British countryside and turn them into concrete 'carbuncles' for their caravans, it can be revealed. Groups across the UK have been accused of carrying out brazen bank holiday 'landgrabs' to rapidly build camps under the noses of council chiefs while their offices are closed. Allegedly weaponising the national breaks, industrial diggers, excavators and lorries carrying gravel, are mobilised to rip up and pave over fields in protected green belts during 'deliberate and meticulously planned' operations. Cynically, the 'illegal' conversions are done without any planning permission, flouting development rules - with 'retrospective' applications later submitted to councils to allow the newly-constructed sites to remain. In the past month, at least two new encampments have been set up in West Sussex and Cheshire during the two May bank holidays, with fuming locals accusing travellers of making a 'mockery' of building laws. The latest unauthorised works took place in the quaint village of Burtonwood, near Warrington, in Cheshire, during last week's bank holiday, with travellers taking less than 72 hours to convert a field into a gravel car park. They covered half the open space in hardcore and also built a 10ft-high wooden fence around the boundary, with groups allegedly working through the night - much to the fury of dismayed locals. 'I have never felt so impotent as a councillor in not being able to do something,' local politician Stuart Mann said last night. 'The neighbours suffered for 36 hours solid that went through the night. It was a military operation in terms of how [the travellers] achieved it.' Slide me Before and after: Diggers worked through the night to transform the field in Burtonwood village, near Warrington, Cheshire, into a concrete caravan park in less than three days Weeks earlier, near the West Sussex town of Petworth, a similar field was ripped without permission, leading to outrage Your browser does not support iframes. The works on the land appear to mirror a similar incident weeks earlier near the West Sussex town of Petworth, in the heart of the protected South Downs National Park, during the VE Day bank holiday at the start of May. A tranquil plot in Blind Lane, Lurgashall, was transformed into a building site as heavy machinery ploughed through the field without planning permission, turning it into gravel car park, with 10 caravans later appearing there. Local MP Andrew Griffith was left horrified by the unauthorised development and now fears travellers elsewhere could launch similar landgrabs if planning rules aren't tightened up. 'These are clearly deliberate and meticulously planned operations,' Mr Griffith, the Conservatives' Shadow Business and Trade Secretary, told MailOnline. 'In the Lurgashall case it took far too long for the local council to act leaving ratepayers and residents at the mercy of this devastating planning blight. 'It is clearly foreseeable that bank holiday weekends are the moment of maximum danger and yet that's when town halls fail to ensure staff cover.' Work at the six-acre Burtonwood site in Cheshire reportedly started at 6pm on Friday, May 23. MailOnline understands it came after travellers legitimately purchased the plot of land. At least 10 vehicles, including seven caravans and motorhomes, have pitched up on what has become a building site at Blind Lane, near Petworth in West Sussex Work at the six-acre Burtonwood site in Cheshire reportedly started at 6pm on Friday, May 23 - just hours after it was purchased Within hours, villagers reported excavators and tipper trucks working through the night to remove soil and replace it with concrete, completing the job in less than three days. Before and after aerial photographs show the extent of the destruction and more than a dozen caravans and other vehicles have since moved onto the site. Although a retrospective planning application has now been submitted to Warrington Borough Council, Cllr Mann said an investigation had been launched after complaints from locals, who say the land is green belt and should be for agricultural use only. He claimed to have been bombarded by 'hundreds' of emails from worried locals, with more than 50 people turning up at his surgery to express concerns. Speaking to MailOnline yesterday, Cllr Mann said the community had been left feeling 'helpless' and angry at the development. But it has also led to questions about how the local authority could have reacted to the issue, which could now take weeks to resolve despite an enforcement notice being issued. 'In my head, why was there nothing that could be done to at least put a pause on what was happening?' he said. 'Why couldnt someone turn up and say stop lets work something out.' Other residents have reportedly had applications for their own developments on neighbouring land refused by the council, according to Cllr Mann. 'We have to have a level of faith in the planning process but it needs to be fair for anybody to build something,' he added. Nigel Catlow, vice chairman, of Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council, described it as a 'very serious and fast-moving issue'. Councillor Stuart Mann, who represents Burtonwood on Warrington Borough Council Pictured is the work being carried out to transform the field in Burtonwood into a car park In a letter to the council, he said: 'The landowners appear to be in serious breach, making the most of the Bank Holiday and the council being on a long weekend. 'This is of great concern to many residents and council taxpayers in Burtonwood and the wider area of Warrington West.' Locals took to social media to express their anger, with one saying: 'The transformation is shocking.' Another, Jacqui Worrall, wrote: 'Breach!?.. it's a s****** concrete jungle!!!!' While Ray Houghton added: 'Blame the person who sold the land to them in the first place. The people doing this have no respect for the laws.' At the West Sussex site, efforts made to stop the development from going ahead appeared to fail. Builders arrived at the site on Friday, May 2, and work continued over the Bank Holiday weekend despite council notices and visits from Sussex Police. By Sunday afternoon, a septic tank was seen being delivered to the site as well as more gravel - with caravans later occupying the plot. A female council planning officer posted a second notice on the gate to the site on the Monday as three men carried on working. An earlier order to stop work was ignored. It's unclear who was responsible for the unauthorised development. However, Mr Griffith said locals had been left appalled by it. Speaking at the time, the MP for Arundel and South Downs said: 'I completely share the outrage and concern of residents about this illegal breach of all respected planning standards and behaviour. 'It makes a mockery of a system where we all jump through lengthy and costly hoops to install a dormer window when such brazen breaches happen unchecked.' Aerial views show how the fields were destroyed near Blind Lane, Petworth, West Sussex A legal battle has now been launched to stop further development at the site (pictured), which is located in the heart of the protected South Downs National Park A digger is seen at the site where works without planning permission has been condemned Andrew Griffith (pictured in 2024), Arundel and South Downs MP, has hit out and demanded tougher action to clampdown on people flouting planning regulation laws The MP added the incident came 'almost a year to the day' that Chichester District Council's Lib Dem administration 'advertised a 50,000-a-year traveller liaison role which many felt sent precisely the wrong signal'. In May 2023, a beauty spot in the Cotswolds was ruined by travellers, who bulldozed their way onto a site they had not got permission to live on, despite the council trying to stop it happening for 17 years. People in Kayte Lane, a rural community below Cleeve Hill, in Southam, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, feared for years the unauthorised occupation of the land would happen before it finally did two years ago. Sixteen caravans plus several cars and vans entered the site, which the travellers moved onto over the late spring bank holiday. Travellers laid down hardstanding in the field, put up a high wooden fence along the edge of it and installed CCTV cameras, some of which overlook their neighbours. One local resident, who did not want to be identified, said the group used a bulldozer to clear vegetation from parts of the site when they moved on to it. It sparked a legal row, with locals last year accusing the authorities of not doing enough to prevent it from happening. Land in Southam, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was occupied by travellers who moved onto it without permission in May 2023 The local council had been trying to prevent unauthorised occupation of the site for 17 years Sixteen caravans plus several cars and vans have recently been on the site, which the travellers moved onto over the late spring bank holiday of 2023 Tewkesbury Borough Council first obtained a court order in 2007 to try to protect the greenbelt land, which is close to Cheltenham Racecourse, from being developed. It refused a retrospective planning application from the travellers in November 2023, after receiving more than 200 objections. But the unauthorised development still went ahead, sparking local fury. 'Tewkesbury Borough Council don't enforce anything. We're fighting against a brick wall,' one resident raged at the time.' Speaking last night, Mr Griffith urged action by Labour to clampdown on groups brazenly flouting planning laws nationally. 'The government must use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill currently going through Parliament to remove what increasingly feels to many like a 'two-tier' planning system,' he said.Chichester District Council has already secured a High Court injunction to halt further activity on the two-hectare field near Lurgashall. The injunction prohibits any further unauthorised works or vehicles and caravans entering the site. If a person fails to comply with the order, it could result in a jail term. Council leader Adrian Moss insisted the authority would 'not hesitate to take action' when planning rules are broken. 'We want to assure the community that we are doing everything in our power to respond to this. We will also be working with those on the site, local parish councils, and the local community, to offer support,' he said. A spokesman for Chichester District Council added: 'We take these matters incredibly seriously. We have planning rules in place to protect areas of countryside in our district, including the South Downs National Park, and if harmful development is carried out then we will take appropriate enforcement action. 'We want to assure the community that we are doing everything in our power to respond to this. We will also be working with those on the site, local parish councils, and the local community, to offer support.' Sussex Police told MailOnline it was aware of the traveller site but said it was a 'civil matter'. A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council confirmed it had 'established a priority enforcement case' over the situation in Burtonwood. 'We have received a report about a potential breach of planning on land off Farmers Lane in Burtonwood and are currently investigating the issue.' Cheshire Police have been approached for a comment. New details have been revealed about a schoolboy who swerved justice for 14 years after his racist murder of an restaurant waiter. Michael Ross went on to be hailed for heroics in the first Gulf War as he served as a Black Watch sergeant. He joined the famous Scottish regiment at the age of 17 and progressed through the ranks, eventually becoming the sergeant of a sniper platoon - and his service included a tour of duty in Iraq in which comrades were killed. But he remained free for years before being jailed for the shooting to death at point blank range of Shamsuddin Mahmood at an Orkney Islands restaurant in Scotland. Ross was finally brought to justice when jailed for life, aged 29, in June 2008 - found guilty of carrying out the killing as a 15-year-old teenager. Now a new investigation has shed new light on Ross, as he and his family continue to say he was wrongly convicted. He was ultimately found guilty of what was described as a 'savage, merciless and pointless' murder of Mr Mahmood. Yet his parents are continuing to insist he is innocent and the 'real' killer remains on the loose, as suggested in a new Amazon Prime Video documentary about the case. Michael Ross was jailed for life for murdering Indian restaurant waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood Ross is seen here as a 29-year-old defendant outside Glasgow High Court in June 2008 His parents Moira and Edmond Ross told a new documentary they believe him innocent Bangladeshi waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood (pictured) was shot dead while working in an Orkney Islands restaurant in June 1994 The killing of 26-year-old Mr Mahmood came on June 2 1994 when a masked man walked into the Orkney Islands' only Indian restaurant and 'executed' his victim before calmly walking away. Ross's trial in 2008 heard that, as a youth, he harboured extreme racist views that drove him to hunt down and murder one of the island's few Asian residents. he became the main suspect just months after the murder, but police did not have enough evidence to charge him. The breakthrough came when a new witness walked into Kirkwall police station in 2006 with a note saying he had seen the killer in public toilets on the night of the murder brandishing a gun and identified him as Michael Ross. Ross's lawyer Donald Findlay, defending, insisted it was unthinkable for a 15-year-old to have committed such a crime, suggesting the killing bore all the hallmarks of a 'professional hit'. But at the end of a six-week trial, jurors took just four hours to find Ross guilty of murder by a majority verdict. Ross was subsequently sentenced to life behind bars with a minimum of 25 years. He insists he is innocent of the killing - and last month told the Orcadian newspaper that he was 'doing a 25-year life sentence for something I didnt do'. Michael Ross was sentenced to life behind bars with a minimum of 25 years in June 2007 This Scorpion machine pistol weapon was found in the car hired by Michael Ross His parents have also rallied to his defence in the new documentary called The Orkney Assassin that will be made available on Amazon Prime Video this Sunday. Promotional material ahead of the broadcast suggests there is still 'a shadow of doubt still lingering and dividing opinion in the Orkney Islands to this day'. Speaking to the programme-makers, Ross's mother Moira Ross recalls the moment she asked the then-teenager whether he was a killer after his initial arrest. She says: 'I remember him coming home with the detective and he went up to his room and sat there, and I did go up and ask him. 'I said, "Did you shoot that man?" - and he said, "No". I just cant get over the look on his face when I asked him that.' Mr Mahmood had been living on the Orkney Islands for just six weeks before his death and was planning to return home to Bangladesh to wed his fiancee. His brother, barrister Abul Shafiuddin, paid tribute at Ross's 2007 trial, saying of Mr Mahmood: 'He was our baby brother and at least we know the person who killed him will be punished.' Ross was also found guilty by majority of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of the murder weapon and changing his clothing. Michael Ross (left) served in the Black Watch regiment including a tour of duty in Iraq Ross joined the famous Scottish regiment at the age of 17 and progressed through the ranks, eventually becoming the sergeant of a sniper platoon During the trial, it emerged that his policeman father Edmund Ross had been jailed for hampering the investigation by withholding crucial evidence. Advocate depute Brian McConnachie QC, told the court the prosecutions case against Ross was based on 'compelling, unanswerable' circumstantial evidence. When the guilty verdict was announced, Ross leapt from the dock and tried to escape before being led to the cells - having been wrestled to the ground by a court official. He had been one of 12 soldiers decorated for outstanding service in Iraq in 2005 and was even mentioned in dispatches for showing bravery following two improvised explosive attacks in north Babil. Yet his downfall eventually came when a new witness walked into Kirkwall police station in 2006 with a note saying he had seen the killer in public toilets on the night of the murder, brandishing a gun - and identified him as Michael Ross. Ross had been questioned as a 15-year-old in relation to Mr Mahmood's death, after two witnesses had suggested they saw him wearing the same balaclava and dark clothing as the murderer in woodland a fortnight earlier. But he was only charged with lying to police and interfering with a witnesses, receiving a four-year jail term in 1997. His eventual murder trial was told now the anonymous letter writer, later named as William Grant, told of seeing Ross in public toilets near the restaurant, clad in balaclava and dark clothes, on the night of Mr Mahmood's killing. Michael Ross (pictured) was first questioned in connection with the killing as a 15-year-old He has always maintained he was not the killer of restaurant waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood Jurors also heard that Ross had told a fellow army cadet as a schoolboy that 'blacks should be shot' and had textbooks scrawled with swastikas, SS symbols and slogans suggesting 'death to the English'. His father Edmund Ross tells the new Amazon Prime Video documentary: 'I didn't believe it. 'I knew my son for all that years and he never showed any tendencies or anything like that that I would expect him to go out and shoot anyone.' The Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles is being made available to Amazon Prime Video viewers in the UK and Ireland on Sunday 8 June. In the annals of high espionage, derring-do and successful madcap military schemes, Artem Tymofieiev surely deserves his place. The Russians would certainly like to know his whereabouts today. A nationwide manhunt is underway. The mysterious Mr Tymofieiev has been identified as the Ukrainian secret agent who ran one of the most audacious and brilliantly executed military operations in modern history. Operation Chastise, the Dambusters Raid in which RAF Lancasters breached two Ruhr dams with bouncing bombs in 1943 has long been the yardstick against which other unlikely coups de main have been measured. I would argue that Operation Spider's Web, which the Ukrainian Secret Service the SBU executed on Sunday afternoon, exceeds even that exploit in breathtaking scope and impact. Simultaneously, across three time zones and thousands of miles from the Ukrainian border, swarms of FPV (first-person view) kamikaze drones struck four Russian air bases. These were home to the Kremlin's strategic long-range bombers. Yesterday Kyiv claimed that in a stroke it had destroyed 34 per cent of Russia's heavy bomber fleet, inflicting some $7billion worth of damage. Mobile phone footage of palls of smoke rising from the bases during the attacks, video feed from the drones and satellite images of the aftermath: all seem to bear out the claim. The operation was an astonishing triumph. Russian military bloggers have likened the attack's surprise and devastation to that inflicted by the Japanese on the US Navy at Pearl Harbour. But how on earth did the Ukrainians manage to pull it off? Russian media published a photo of the suspected organiser of the airfield drone attacks, claiming he's Ukrainian As more information emerges from a triumphant Kyiv and a humiliated Moscow, we can start to piece together the Spider's Web story. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Russia's heavy bomber fleet has caused widespread death and destruction. Originally designed during the Cold War as strategic nuclear bombers, the aircraft have been repurposed to carry conventional 'stand-off' cruise missiles. These are launched from inside Russian airspace, well out of reach of Ukrainian air defence systems. All three of the heavy bomber variants in service have immense payloads. The TU-95 'Bear', a turboprop relic of the 1950s, can carry 16 air-launched cruise missiles. The TU-22 'Blinder', Russia's first supersonic bomber, has the capacity to launch the supersonic Kh-22 missile, which has the speed to evade most Ukrainian air defences. The TU-160 'Blackjack', Russia's most modern strategic bomber, can carry up to 24 Kh-15 cruise missiles on one mission. These planes have brought nightly terror to Ukrainian cities. Nothing could be done to stop them, it seemed. Due to the growing range and accuracy of the Ukrainian attack drone fleet, the bombers had been moved to bases deep inside Russia that weren't vulnerable to retaliation. Some were as far away as Siberia and the Arctic Circle. So, 18 months ago, President Volodymyr Zelensky summoned SBU chief Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk and told him to find a way to take the war to the heavy bombers' hideouts. Ukraine's drones were hidden under the roofs of mobile cabins, which were later mounted onto trucks. They were then piloted remotely to their targets How though to strike thousands of kilometres beyond the range of Ukraine's furthest- reaching missile or drone? Not to mention penetrating one of the world's most sophisticated air defence systems? Then someone had an idea that must have sounded crazy at first like Barnes Wallis suggesting his bouncing bomb. Why not drive the kamikaze drones in trucks up to the perimeter of the air bases and launch them over the fence? To do this, the drones would need to be smuggled into Russia and hidden somewhere secure. When the time came to attack, the UAV swarms would have to be concealed on commercial vehicles that would not arouse suspicion. And that is aside from the issue of launching the drones at the targets in such a way that would not expose the operators or agents on the ground to immediate reprisal or capture. A base was needed inside the Russian Federation from which the Spider's Web logistics could be marshalled and the attack launched. That meant, of course, there would have to be a Ukrainian agent on the ground, far behind enemy lines, at enormous personal risk. The indications are that the location chosen for Spider's Web's Russian 'office' as President Zelensky called it was the small city of Chelyabinsk. It lies more than 1,000 miles east of Moscow but and this might have been significant for the smuggling aspect of the operation only 85 miles by road north of the border with neutral Kazakhstan. Russian mili-bloggers have identified a warehouse in Chelyabinsk as being the Spider's Web hub. Rented for 350,000 rubles (3,250) a month, this was allegedly where the drones and their launchers were assembled and sent on their way. Zelensky also suggested that the 'office' was next door to the local headquarters of the FSB the federal security service that replaced the KGB. He did not reveal the location. Head of Ukraine's Security Service Vasyl Maliuk looks at a map of an airfield amid Russia's attack But who was to run this extremely complex and high stakes operation? The man whom the Russian Interior Ministry suspect of being the local mastermind is of course Artem Tymofieiev. His name and photograph are being circulated by the authorities, his capture a priority. According to Russian sources, Tymofieiev was born in the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr, lived in Kyiv and moved to Chelyabinsk 'several years ago', working as an 'entrepreneur'. Was he a sleeper agent from the start? If so, he made no secret of his support for Ukraine, friends are alleged to have said. But how could he be a threat in such a strategically insignificant place, thousands of miles from the war? He was, as one Russian blogger has put it, 'a wolf in sheep's clothing'. The drones were to be carried to the targets and launched remotely from wooden cabins carried on the flat beds of heavy lorries. According to President Zelensky they were then piloted remotely to their targets. Four air bases had been identified: Belaya airfield in Irkutsk oblast, Siberia, more than 4,000km from Ukraine; the Olenya air base in the Arctic Circle near Murmansk; the Diaghilev air base in Ryazan oblast; and a base near the city of Ivanovo. How to get the drones from the Kazakh border to these places? Chelyabinsk is 2,000 miles from Murmansk, 1,750 miles to Irkutsk and more than 1,000 miles to the other two bases. But such distances are routinely traversed by Russian lorry drivers. And that was the brilliantly simple method by which this high-tech attack was progressed. 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 explosion seen from a road as bystanders are stopped in their tracks 'Artem' seems to have employed four unwitting heavy goods drivers to transport what they thought were simply wooden framed houses to different locations across the Russian Federation. According to the SBU, the drones were hidden under the house roofs. According to Russian sources, the trucks were all registered to 'Artem'. Driver Alexander Z, 55, from Chelyabinsk has reportedly told investigators he received an order to transport 'frame houses' to the Murmansk region from a businessman named Artem, who provided the truck. Driver Andrei M, 61, reportedly said he was told by Artem to transport wooden houses to Irkutsk. Driver Sergey, 46, had an identical story. He was told to transport modular houses to Ryazan. Another driver was sent to Ivanovo. So the scene was set for Spider's Web's spectacular denouement. The 48 hours leading up to Zero Hour saw Ukraine's intelligence services demonstrating its ability to launch ever deeper strikes into enemy territory and Russia striking back with record ferocity. Last Friday, Ukraine struck targets in Vladivostok, on the Pacific coast. Seven thousand miles from the frontier, this was the furthest that Ukraine had hit inside Russia. The following night, at least seven people were killed and another 69 injured, after a train bound for Moscow was derailed by an explosion in Bryansk oblast, which borders Ukraine. Retaliation was not long coming. Within hours Russia launched its biggest drone blitz of the war 472 UAVs in one night. The following morning, Sunday, June 1, a Russian missile struck a training ground in Dnipro oblast, killing 12 soldiers and wounding 60 more. This prompted the Commander of Land Forces Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi to tender his resignation. A blow for Ukraine. But as nothing to what it would strike in return. Sunday, June 1, approximately 1pm local time. It is Russia's Military Transport Aviation Day. While en route, Driver Alexander Z had been called on his mobile by an unknown person who told him exactly where to stop. This was the Rosneft petrol station next to the Olenya air base. Driver Andrei M had been briefed to park at the Teremok cafe in Usolye-Sibirskoye, beside the Belaya base. Almost as soon as the drivers stopped where instructed, the world seemed to explode around them. According to the SBU, the truck trailer roofs were 'remotely opened' and the drone swarms launched from within. They had only a few hundred metres to reach their targets. Surprise was complete and local defences helpless. As all four attacks were launched at the same time, it seems, no alert could be usefully circulated. Social media footage of the Belaya attack appears to show drones emerging from the rear trailer of Andrei M's articulated wagon. It is parked on the far side of a busy highway which runs alongside the air base perimeter. What looks like roofing panels are lying on the ground beside the truck, suggesting that they were blown off rather than hinged. Driver Sergey did not even get the chance to stop before the roof of his Scania truck's trailer blew off and more drones began flying out and towards the target base. Some 117 kamikaze drones were used in the attacks, according to President Zelensky, controlled by the same number of pilots. Each air base could have been hit by as many as 30 drones simultaneously. Sources suggest that the SBU used Russia's own mobile network to communicate with and guide the large 'quadcopter' drones. To do so they must have had Russian sim cards or modems. The targets were sitting ducks, the destruction immense. The Ukrainians released video from a drone flying over a line of Russian heavy bombers neatly parked at Belaya. One of the bombers is hit by another drone, which explodes as the camera drone approaches. Among the 41 aircraft claimed destroyed by the Ukrainians is a Beriev A-50 early warning and control plane, of which Russia has fewer than ten. The first satellite images of the aftermath at Belaya appear to show six TU-22 type bombers destroyed and a TU-95MS visibly damaged. 'We will strike them at sea, in the air and on the ground,' the SBU declared. 'If needed we'll get them from the underground too.' And what of the mysterious Mr Tymofieiev? All those behind the operation 'have been in Ukraine for a long time' now, the SBU claims. Spider's Web's triumph, it seems, is complete. The aunt of Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has been charged with crimes against humanity for allegedly participating in mass killings during anti-government protests in Bangladesh. Arrest warrants have been issued for both the ousted Bangladeshi prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who are understood to be in India. Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, former police chief, has been arrested. It comes after Ms Hasina fled to India following student-led protests, which later became an anti-government uprising, saw the end of her 15-year rule in the South Asian state last August. According to the UN, as many as 1,400 people are believed to have been killed during protests last Summer after her Awami League government clamped down on marchers in Dhaka. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) said the autocratic ruler 'directly' instructed state security forces, her party as well as its associates to implement actions that led to mass killings and injuries. They also allege such operations saw targeted violence against women and children, wounded being denied medical treatment, and bodies being burnt. In an investigative report last May, the 77-year-old was named as a 'mastermind, conductor and superior commander' of the brutalities against protesters. The authoritarian leader provoked violence during a press conference at Ganabhaban on July 14, according to charges. Tulip Siddiq (left) at the Kremlin in 2013 with her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, and Russian president Vladimir Putin Former Labour Minister Tulip Siddiq has been named in a wider investigation into the family amid a 4million embezzlement probe One of the charges says Ms Hasina reportedly ordered for protesters to be killed using, lethal weapons, helicopters, and drones. Another alleges under similar instructions, officers shot and burned six unarmed protesters in the Bangladeshi capital on August 5, 2024. Manynul Karim, the International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor, claimed to the Telegraph: '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.' The charges part of a wider probe against Ms Hasina, whose premiership saw allegations of election-rigging to maintain her grip on the state, as well as accusations of human rights violations. The alleged human rights violations facing the 77-year-old include torture, extensive arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial executions as well as enforced disappearances of adults and children. 'We have strong evidence, including telephonic conversations, that Hasina, under her superior command responsibility, ordered crimes against humanity, including murder of students,' Mr Karim told the publication. 'If proven guilty, she will face capital punishment. If she doesn't 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.' Ms Hasina has not yet answered the charges placed against her, but if found guilty she could face a death sentence for the alleged crimes. A diplomatic row is currently brewing between India and Bangladesh after India confirmed they had received communication regarding Ms Hasina's extradition but had declined to comment further. People celebrate the resignation of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh on August 5, 2024 Arrest warrants have been issued for both the ousted Bangladeshi prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, (pictured with Vladimir Putin) who is now believed to be in India It comes after the country's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched a larger probe into the reported illegal allocation of state-owned land and property by Ms Hasina to her children as well as family, which includes former Labour MP, Ms Siddiq. The investigation also involves claims Ms Siddiq and four family members embezzled 4 billion through a nuclear powerplant deal struck with Russia, Ms Siddiq resigned as City minister in January after a corruption probe into her family had begun. Her family deny all the charges against them. Earlier this year, her lawyers sent a letter to the ACC accusing it of launching 'targeted and baseless' investigations into her, claiming the corruption allegations against their client are 'false and vexatious.' 90 million worth of properties tied to the ex Bangladeshi regime have since been frozen by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK. Amid the Left's hysterical cries over imagined fascism, totalitarianism and Nazism, there's a real war for the future of Western civilization that's raging under their noses, yet they refuse to acknowledge it. On Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, peaceful marchers demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas were targeted by an illegal immigrant wielding a makeshift flamethrower, hurling Molotov cocktails and shouting 'Free Palestine.' Twelve people their ages ranging from 52 to 88, the oldest victim a Holocaust survivor were hospitalized with burns and other injuries. At least two of them remain in serious condition. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, an illegal immigrant, told investigators that he wanted to 'kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead.' The horror. And it's happening again and again. Just two weeks ago, I wrote for the Daily Mail after another deranged killer, Elias Rodriguez, allegedly shouted 'Free, Free Palestine!' as he gunned down two young people, staffers at the Israeli Embassy, a couple soon to be engaged. Rodriguez, we'd come to learn, is a committed progressive radical once associated with a branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. He frequently parroted anti-Israeli, anti-white rhetoric. On Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, peaceful marchers demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas were targeted by an illegal immigrant wielding a makeshift flamethrower, hurling Molotov cocktails and shouting 'Free Palestine.' The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman (pictured), 45, an illegal immigrant, told investigators that he wanted to 'kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead.' Before that attack, in April, during the observance of Passover, a man set fire to the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro a Jewish man as he and his family slept. The accused arsonist reportedly told police that he did it to protect 'his friends' in Gaza. If these targeted attacks had occurred against any other minority group, there would have been a national reckoning, an urgent clamor to examine the factors driving the hate. Not so this time. These stories quickly vanished from the headlines. And, sickeningly, there's another story even more chilling that you likely never heard about. On October 26, 2024, Sidi Mohammad Abdallahi, 22, a native of Mauritania in West Africa, shot a 39-year-old Orthodox Jewish man in the back as he was walking to synagogue in the neighborhood of West Ridge, Chicago. When police responded, Abdallahi turned on them, turning the leafy suburban streets into a warzone for 20 minutes. Journalist Todd Bensman covered the story extensively, traveling to West Ridge, to speak to the victim and his Jewish neighbors. When shots rang out, Bensman reported, some people in West Ridge hid in their attics or shoved their children into closets. The attack, occurring so soon after the October 7 Hamas massacre, led many of them to fear that the terrorists had now come for them in America. After Abdallahi was detained, police found evidence on his phone that he had intentionally targeted Jews and charged him with terrorism. He, too, was an illegal immigrant, encountered by Border Patrol in March 2023 during the Biden administration and released into the country like millions of other illegal entrants. The accused Boulder attacker, now charged with federal hate crimes and attempted murder, was in the US illegally. He entered the country in August 2022 as a tourist from Egypt, but stayed after his visa expired in February 2023. Despite the immigration violation, the Biden administration cleared Soliman to continue living in the US, granting him a year-long work authorization on March 29, 2023. But Soliman overstayed again only to carry out his attack on Sunday. How common will this story become? The accused Boulder attacker, now charged with federal hate crimes and attempted murder, was in the US illegally. He entered the country in August 2022 as a tourist from Egypt, but stayed after his visa expired in February 2023. (Pictured: Soliman being detained). What will it take to convince the Left that the existential threat to the American way of life that they keep predicting is already here? Free Palestine is now the slogan for the global terrorist project. Period. 'We're seeing what appears to be people answering the call from multiple terrorist organizations to act alone on US soil against public events with rudimentary tools,' said John Miller, chief intelligence analyst and former NYPD deputy counterterrorism director, on CNN Monday. The calls of anti-Israel, anti-Semite zealots to 'Globalize the Intifada' have been heard. How will America respond? How many terrorist attacks must the country absorb before the country acknowledges that non-citizen threats to public safety must be removed? Under the direction of President Donald Trump, more than 110,000 illegal immigrants have been deported from the US but there are still those who say the program is somehow extra-legal and authoritarian. These are the same people who cheer as Democrat members of Congress led junkets to El Salvador to bring suspected human traffickers, like illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, back to American soil. There are the same people who disrupt Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities and allegedly assault federal agents. Who are they fighting for? Certainly not the American Jewish community. On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning on X to those who'll do Americans harm: '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.' If the Left is so determined to find the monsters in our midst, perhaps they should look first at those they're harboring. In a message to mark the 20th anniversary of the attacks, Charles said comfort can be taken from the 'spirit of unity' in London and the country more broadly, which has allowed the nation to heal. In a message to mark the 20th anniversary of the attacks, Charles said comfort can be taken from the 'spirit of unity' in London and the country more broadly, which has allowed the nation to heal. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer (left) said 'those who tried to divide us failed' adding 'we stood together then, and we stand together now'. The Prime Minister and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the July 7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am on Monday, to coincide with the moment the first bomb went off. Also in attendance at the commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral was Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (right) and former PM Theresa May (inset, top). A Chinese Harvard graduate was blissfully unaware that an all-out brawl was breaking out right behind her as she preached unity amid 'difficult times.' Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang was discussing her now-viral commencement speech outside of a cafe in Cambridge, Massachusetts as two men behind her started throwing punches. 'The message itself is - if I had to put it into one sentence, it would be "Humanity rises and falls as one,"' Jiang told the Associated Press of her speech as a man wearing a black backpack could be seen apparently punching someone off camera. Soon, he and another man could be seen falling over chairs, at which point a white-haired man in a black shirt climbs atop the man with the backpack. Still, Jiang continued to speak about peace. 'I think we are living in very difficult times,' she said. 'There's a lot of division in terms of ideas, ethnicities, identities,' the college grad continues as the man in the black shirt yells in the man with the backpack's face. Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang was discussing her now-viral commencement speech outside of a cafe in Cambridge, Massachusetts when two men started throwing punches behind her She remained blissfully unaware of what was happening over her shoulder as she preached global unity The fight involved a gray-haired man in a black t-shirt and another man wearing a backpack At that point, a third man could be seen coming into view apparently trying to break the two men up, while Jiang suggests 'we can use a little bit more moral imagination and imagine ourselves being connected with one another.' Behind her the man in the black shirt could be seen still holding onto the other man as he stands up. 'There's a lot that's going on outside of Harvard,' Jiang then acknowledges, still seemingly unaware of the chaos behind her. 'There's conflict, there's geopolitical competition, there's a lot of things going on outside Harvard, but also [at] Harvard,' she continued. 'You know, the school has some disagreement with - in terms of whether the school should, you know, promote the presence of international students,' Jiang said of President Donald Trump's plan to block foreign students from obtaining a visa. Meanwhile, behind her the man with the backpack could be seen grabbing the other man's shirt, but the man in the black shirt is able to get free and walks away - apparently telling the man with the backpack to stay down in the process. That man then also stands up and appears to be animated about what had just happened, as Jiang finishes up her thoughts. It remains unclear what the men may have been fighting about. At one point, a third man could be seen trying to break apart the fight The man in the backpack tried to hold on to the other man's shirt as he got up 'I think, well, it's particularly important because there's a lot going on outside Harvard - the conflict, the geopolitical tensions,' Jiang said of her commencement speech. 'And especially important in Harvard because students can be very emotionally charged, because they deeply care about a lot of issues. 'And when you are emotionally charged and activated, it is very easy to demonize another person.' Jiang made similar points in her commencement speech, which came the same day that a federal judge blocked the Trump administration's ban on foreign students. She had argued to the Harvard community that 'humanity rises and falls as one,' as she shared how she was told as a young child that her generation would bridge international divides. 'That promise of a connected world, it's giving way to division, fear and conflict,' Jiang said. 'We're starting to believe those who think differently, vote differently, or pray differently whether they are across the ocean or sitting right next to us are not just wrong. We mistakenly see them as evil,' she argued. 'But it doesn't have to be this way,' Jiang continued, saying that she learned from her time at Harvard that it is important to 'sit with discomfort, listen deeply and stay soft in hard times. Jiang had argued in her commencement speech that 'humanity rises and falls as one' 'Because if we still believe in a shared future, let us not forget those who were labeled as enemies - they, too, are human. In seeing their humanity, we find our own. 'In the end, we do not rise by proving another wrong. We rise by refusing to let one another go,' Jiang concluded. Her message of unity was widely shared online - though some in the United States claimed Jiang has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. They have said Jiang's father works for a non-government organization that serves the party, though some Chinese social media users claimed the organization her father works for is backed by prominent American companies and foundations. DailyMail.com could not independently verify either claim. Still, the founder and CEO of Republicans Overseas, a political organization for Americans abroad, even called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to cancel Jiang's visa for her speech. '@MarcoRubio, this Chinese student Yurong "Luanna" Jiang is using her commencement address at Harvard to propagandize #XiJinping's "a community with a shared future for mankind,"' Solomon Yue Jr, who was born in China and immigrated to the US, posted on X. 'This #CCP infiltrator's visa should be canceled. Her internship in America must be terminated.' President Donald Trump has tried to ban the school from accepting international students His comment came just days after Rubio announced that the Trump administration will 'aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' Harvard has nearly 6,800 international students, who made up more than 27 percent of its enrollment in the past academic year, according to the BBC. About one-third of those international students are from China, and President Trump has accused the Ivy League school of 'coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.' He also said that Harvard should reduce its international enrollment to just about 15 percent, the Washington Examiner reports. Yet Harvard officials have remained defiant, with University President Alan Garber smugly taunting the president in his own commencement speech as he congratulated students from 'around the world' graduating from the prestigious university. 'From around the world,' he repeated for emphasis. 'Just as it should be.' She's the Greens senator who defected to Labor in a move that sent a jolt through Canberra and now Dorinda Cox's past attacks on the ALP have come back to haunt her. Cox surprised the minor party, which holds the balance of power in the Senate, by announcing on Monday that she was jumping ship to Labor - revealing that she approached the PM to join the party in the wake of its landslide election win. Cox had only recently missed out on a leadership role in the Greens and was at the centre of controversy in her party over allegations surrounding her treatment of her staff. At one point, she was so divisive in the Greens that she was labelled a 'bully rat' by some fellow members. And now her past comments about Labor have come back to haunt her, with Cox - who is Indigenous - having previously slammed the ALP as having 'dropped our people like a hot potato after the Voice referendum', and described Labor as a 'puppet' of the fossil fuel industry and liars. Senator Cox only informed party leader Larissa Waters of her decision about an hour prior to the announcement. The Yamatji-Noongar woman was elected to the upper house in 2021 to fill a Greens vacancy and had been the party's Indigenous affairs spokesperson. Despite having last year suggested the Albanese government was 'not interested' in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, Cox said she felt her values and priorities were better aligned with Labor than the Greens. Greens senator Dorinda Cox (left) announced her defection to Labor alongside Anthony Albanese (right) on Monday '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. '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.' Waters said the party was disappointed but wished 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.' Cox, who was a member of the Labor Party before joining the Greens, 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. Mr Albanese said Cox, the first Indigenous woman to represent WA in the upper house, had approached him about the switch and would be a welcome addition to the government benches. Cox (pictured) has previously been outspoken in criticising Labor and faced bullying accusations last year '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.' Cox was accused of bullying Greens staffers in 2024, with as many as 20 employees leaving in three years and complaints made to parliament's workplace support service. The allegations surrounding Ms Cox, a former WA Police officer, were aired by the Sydney Morning Herald in October 2024. In one complaint sent to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) in 2021, a former staffer claimed to have witnessed 'disturbing behaviour' from Ms Cox towards colleagues. 'These experiences made me concerned for my safety and for the safety of others in the office,' the staffer told the publication. 'I spent much of the time feeling like I was walking on eggshells just waiting for Dorinda to explode at me.' A draft complaint by another staffer, which was not formally lodged, claimed Ms Cox would apologise for her actions 'but the behaviour would continue'. Some of Dorinda Cox's past attacks on Labor... 'Often times becoming aggressive, persistently negative and sometimes vicious which ultimately resulted in my mental health declining to the point of having daily panic attacks, thoughts of suicide and an almost complete loss of self-esteem in my professional ability,' the former staffer wrote in the draft complaint. 'I felt at the time that if I didn't resign from my position that my mental health would deteriorate to such a state to require medical intervention in a hospital setting, something I articulated to the chief of staff in Adam Bandt's office.' It's understood four formal complaints were submitted to the PWSS and five referred to the office of Greens leader Adam Bandt. Mr Albanese said the allegations had been examined and dealt with. 'They were all dealt with in Senator Cox's case and dealt with appropriately,' he said. Cox said improvements for Indigenous people would be more achievable within the government than from the crossbench. 'I made that (decision) based on some deep reflection,' she said. 'It was one that I considered both at a professional level, but also at a personal level. So this wasn't a decision that I did on the hop or based on emotion.' Cox last week spoke out against the Albanese government's decision to allow fossil fuel giant Woodside to continue operating its North West Shelf gas project until 2070. Although her X page has been made private, several of her posts criticising Labor have resurfaced. Senator Cox (left) previously said: 'Labor and the Coalition are puppets for the fossil fuel industry' 'Labor and the Coalition have shamefully declared their intention to pass the Sea Dumping Amendment Bill,' she wrote in one. 'Make no mistake, this will show Labor and the Coalition are puppets for the fossil fuel industry and enablers of continuing state capture and climate destruction.' In another post, Cox wrote: 'This Labor government needs to get serious. 'Stop lying and stop the 114 coal and gas projects in the pipeline. 'It's time to put your money where your mouth is.' Pressed on her previous opposition to the North West Shelf project, Cox said she did not want to comment on the issue as the extension was still being provisionally approved. Cox last year accused the Albanese government of being complicit in 'war crimes' carried out by Israel in Gaza. Labor still requires the support of either the Greens or the coalition to pass legislation despite gaining a 29th senator. A terrified neighbour has recalled the moment cops arrested a man after a father was allegedly stabbed to death in 'a drug deal gone horribly wrong'. A 32-year-old man was arrested by police following the incident on Kembla Street at Croydon Park, in Sydney's inner west, after 5pm on Monday. NSW Police described the scene as 'gruesome' and allege a man in his 50s was stabbed to death after a drug deal went awry. Police were called to the residence following a concern for welfare report. Superintendent Christine McDonald said the 32-year-old suspect was taken to Burwood Police Station where he was assisting cops with their inquiries. No charges have been laid. Superintendent McDonald confirmed police were 'treating this as a homicide'. 'This is a gruesome crime. The man's injuries are horrific,' Supt McDonald told reporters near the crime scene late on Monday. A man in his 30s was arrested after an alleged stabbing at a home in Sydney's Inner West (pictured, forensic markers at the scene) Authorities discovered a deceased man, thought to be in his 50s, with stab wounds at a residence in Croydon Park just after 5pm on Monday (pictured, the crime scene on Tuesday) 'We believe this is a drug deal gone horribly wrong. 'We don't believe it to be domestic-related. We don't believe it to be gang-related.' She said it was not yet known if the victim and the detained man knew each other, or whether anyone else was in the house at the time of the alleged killing. A neighbour told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday the dead man lived with his wife and children at the Croydon Park home for just a few months before the alleged attack. 'The neighbourhood is feeling very unsettled. This is a really, really lovely quiet street,' she said. 'We do all know each other. Pretty much, we all know each other except for this particular house. 'They haven't lived here that long so we don't know much about them. 'We understand there was potentially two or three families living there because there's a really big granny flat in the background. There's multiple living areas there.' Superintendent Christine McDonald said investigators 'believe this is a drug deal gone horribly wrong' (pictured, officers at the scene on Tuesday morning) Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia the dead man lived with a wife and children at the Croydon Park home (pictured) for just a few months before the alleged attack The neighbour saw officers arrest a man in his 30s and did not believe he lived at the property. 'It was very confronting,' she said. Superintendent McDonald praised responding officers, who she said detained the suspect before he could leave the scene. 'When we arrived, the 32-year-old male who we now have in custody at Burwood police station was on scene,' she said. 'We didn't give him any time to run away. We were here too quick.' A young conservative organization in Washington, D.C., is celebrating a milestone and hosting Vice President JD Vance as it tries to map out the future for the MAGA movement and the Republican Party. The nonprofit organization American Compass is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a special 'New World Gala' at the National Building Museum. The organization, founded in 2020, is working for Republicans to think differently on policy questions, including by grabbing the third rail of sacrosanct political principles that have traditionally been the core ideals of the conservative movement. In Washington, political think tanks tend to excel after they win the attention of powerful interests. Policy nerds and former Congressional staffers also win new status in the city after they are lifted up into the spotlight and many get employed to put their ideas into practice. In just five years, the group has acquired significant influence in the Republican Party. In 2023, then-Senator JD Vance appeared at a forum sponsored by the organization and celebrated the 'familiar' and 'bright smiling faces' in the room. Vance and some of his political staff are tied to the organization as they pursue new policy ideas as an 'unconventional' Republican. Rather than just getting government out of the way of the markets, Vance has argued for using taxes and subsidies to incentivize better behavior for businesses. Vice President JD Vance is speaking Tuesday at the American Compass think tank US Vice President JD Vance arrives at the US Capitol on his way to a closed-door policy luncheon with Senate Republicans 'Let's tax the things we want to see less of and lets subsidize the things we want to see more of,' he argued, clarifying he did not want to see a 'larger federal government' but wanted a more efficient government that responded to it's citizens. In the same speech, he criticized 'all the woke bulls****,' going on in American businesses earning him a few laughs from the audience. The organization credits Vance and his policies for lifting up their status in Washington. 'No figure in American politics has more effectively advocated for American families and workers than Vice President JD Vance,' American Compass communications director Theresa Braid said to the Daily Mail. She cited Vance's work in the Senate and the White House as well as his book Hillbilly Elegy, which chronicles the struggles that working class voters in America face. 'Vice President Vance has led the charge to speak for the Americans that our elites have forgotten,' she continued. 'It is an honor to have him join our celebration of the movement that he has helped build.' Other prominent Republicans on the right who are connected with the group include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Todd Young and Jim Banks from Indiana and Bernie Moreno from Ohio. Together they describe themselves as 'The New Right' and focus intently on the goal of building a movement that focuses on building American families, a stronger American workforce, and a more purposeful economic policy. The organization is trying to nurture an intellectual and policy centric MAGA movement in D.C. to back President Donald Trump's political movement that reshaped the Republican Party almost entirely based off his experience in business and gut instinct. The organization was founded by former Mitt Romney aide Oren Cass who continues to promote the idea that policy should be focused on the American citizens first instead of focusing entirely on the growth and expansion of free markets. Cass appeared on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart to defend Trump's economic policies despite the chaotic nature of his presidency, asserting that Republicans were focused on policies that would help strengthen communities and first. Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass speaks with Jon Stewart U.S President Donald Trump, left, comments as Vice President JD Vance, center, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'I have a great deal of hope that as that moves to be the center of the party, you really are going to see a different Republican party that still loves markets and wants them to work, but has a much better understanding of their limitation, has much more concern for what is happening to typical working families and wants to figure out how to keep their conservative principles but apply them somehow to use public policy and make things better,' he explained to Stewart. Cass expressed optimism that 'the policy wonks, researchers, writers, journalists, lawyers, folks sort of 40 and under,' were 'overwhelmingly oriented' to a new way of thinking. Cass also did a sit-down interview with Tucker Carlson to discuss Trump's tariffs, as the former Fox News broadcaster has frequently challenged establishment thinking on issues of taxes, trade, and foreign policy on his new platform. Theresa Braid, media spokeswoman for American Compass Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., speaks to reporters The group briefly employed Sen. Marco Rubio's prominent chief of staff Michael Needham in 2024 before he left in 2025 to rejoin Rubio at the State Department. Needham got his start at the prominent Heritage foundation think tank which helped fuel conservative ideology and shake up the Republican establishment in Washington, DC during the Tea Party era. The fledgling group American Compass has already sparked opposition from other conservative non-profit organizations in Washington, DC who have spent decades defending Reagan-era policies the ideas of free markets, free trade, and tax cuts. Cass is now promoting his new book: The New Conservatives: Restoring America's Commitment to Family, Community, and Industry which outlines some of the organization's biggest ideas for the country. 'We're really trying to move all American politics especially conservatives forward to facing the challenges we have now, stuck in Ronald Reagan mode for a long time,' Cass said in a C-SPAN interview on Monday. A glamorous OnlyFans model was allegedly found trying to smuggle around 200,000 of Thai cannabis into Spain. Clara Wilson, 36, has been charged with drug offences after '60 vacuum-packed packages' of cannabis were allegedly discovered in her two suitcases at El Prat airport in Barcelona. The mother-of-four from Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, was held by the Civil Guard on January 20 after departing a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. It is believed she jetted to the Mediterranean capital from Bangkok with stops in both India and Qatar. The unemployed parent now faces four years behind bars and potential fines of over 750,000 if she is found guilty. It comes amid a string of British women who have been arrested for 'smuggling drugs to foreign countries' in recent weeks. Two days after Ms Wilson's arrest, she was taken into custody at a prison near Barcelona where she awaits a trial, for which a date has not been set. According to The Sun, a three-page indictment described Ms Wilson's arrest in El Prat airport. Clara Wilson, 36, (pictured) has been charged with drug offences after '60 vacuum-packed packages' of cannabis were allegedly found in her two suitcases at El Prat airport in Barcelona The unemployed parent now faces four years behind bars and a potential fines of over 750,000 if she is found guilty It said 'police found 60 vacuum-packed packages containing a green-coloured substance that tested positive for marijuana. The substance weighed 34,074 grams,' in suitcases the mother of four had previously checked in. It added: 'A subsequent analysis by the National Toxicology Institute of a 55-gram sample of the substance confirmed it as cannabis.' Public prosecutors claimed in the document that the drugs were being shipped by Ms Wilson with 'the intention of selling it to third parties on the black market'. They said its value would have been 213,991 (180,820.26). An FCDO Spokesperson said: 'We are supporting a British woman detained in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities'. Ms Wilson's arrest is the latest in a recent string of British female smugglers who have allegedly been caught illegally transporting drugs worth thousands of pounds. Bella May Culley, 18, sparked a massive international search operation in recent days after she was reported missing while she was believed to be holidaying in Thailand. However it was later revealed the teen, from Billingham, County Durham, had been arrested 4,000 miles away on drug offences in Georgia. Culley had allegedly being caught carrying 30 pounds (14kg) of cannabis into the ex-Soviet nation after she was flagged during a scanner check at Tbilisi International Airport, local cops said. Bella May Culley, 18, was reported missing while she was said to have been on holiday in Thailand sparking a huge search to find her Now she faces 20 years to life behind bars in a Georgian prison as she stands accused of smuggling 14kg cannabis into the country Pictured: The exterior of Tbilisi Prison No.5, which is Georgia's only female prison Charlotte May Lee, 21, is facing years locked in a grim Sri Lankan jail after allegedly being caught with 1.2 million worth of cannabis She previously spoke to MailOnline where she admitted that she had not been eating because the food was too spicy She was traveling around the Philippines and Thailand before she boarded the flight to Georgia from Bangkok, and has claimed in court that she is pregnant. Culley has also confided in legal sources that she was in love with a mystery man who now forms a central part of the investigation. Elsewhere in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Charlotte May Lee, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was arrested after police allegedly discovered 46kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase. She is facing up to 25 years locked in a hellhole Sri Lankan jail - but she has insisted she has been set up. She previously spoke to MailOnline where she admitted that she had not been eating because the food was too spicy. Donald Trump's new head of the beleaguered Federal Emergency Management Agency told staff he was not aware that the United States had a 'hurricane season.' David Richardson, who has been in charge of FEMA since early May, made the astounding revelation during a briefing recently, four sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters. The context behind his remarks - and whether he meant them to be a joke - was not immediately clear. But a spokesperson for FEMA's parent agency, Kristi Noem's Department of Homeland Security, maintained the comments were a joke and not to be taken literally. 'FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens,' the spokesperson said. The Homeland Security rep added that FEMA is prepared for hurricane season, which officially kicked off on Sunday and lasts through November. David Richardson, who has been in charge of FEMA since early May, made the astounding revelation during a briefing recently, four sources with knowledge of the situation said Large portions of the United States are placed on varying levels of alerts during the hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 through November The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast last week that this year's season is expected to bring as many as 10 hurricanes. Richardson said during the briefing that there would be no changes to the agency's disaster response plans despite having told staff to expect a new plan in May. The disaster agency has come under immense scrutiny from Trump who wants to see it shrunk or even eliminated. Trump has repeatedly argued states could take on many of FEMA's functions as part of a wider effort to downsize the federal government. About 2,000 full-time FEMA staff, one-third of its total, have been terminated or voluntarily left the agency since the start of the Trump administration in January. Richardson, who has no disaster response experience, was appointed as head of FEMA last month after his predecessor, Cameron Hamilton, was abruptly fired. Hamilton had publicly broken with Trump over the future of the agency, but sources said Trump allies had already been maneuvering to oust him because they were unhappy with what they saw as Hamilton's slow-moving effort to restructure FEMA. Before joining FEMA, Richardson was assistant secretary at DHS' office for countering weapons of mass destruction, which he will reportedly continue to lead. A spokesperson for FEMA's parent agency, Kristi Noem's Department of Homeland Security, maintained the comments were a joke and not to be taken literally In 2024, four separate hurricanes killed at least 370 Americans during hurricane season While Noem had previously aligned herself with Trump's vision to eliminate FEMA, last month she approved a request from Richardson to retain 2,600 short-term disaster response and recovery employees. These employees had contracts due to expire this year, but they will now be kept on through this hurricane season. In 2024, four separate hurricanes killed at least 370 Americans during hurricane season. The most deadly was Hurricane Helene, which tore through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas in late September and killed 241 people. Hurricane Milton came shortly after and was expected to be even worse than Helene, but locals who were still picking up the pieces avoided the catastrophic damage which was expected. Still, 44 people across Florida died in Milton. The most deadly was Hurricane Helene, which tore through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas in late September and killed 241 people Trump traveled to hurricane ravaged North Carolina in the wake of the tragic Hurricane Helene Hurricane Beryl killed at least 40 people in Texas, while nine people in South Carolina and Florida died in Hurricane Debby. Experts are alarmed over the large-scale staff reductions, travel and training restrictions and grant cut-offs since Trump took office at both FEMA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which tracks and forecasts weather events. 'My nightmare is a major catastrophic storm hitting an area that is reeling from the impact of all of this nonsense from the Trump administration and people will die,' Susan Cutter, the director of the Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute at the University of South Carolina, said. 'That could happen in Florida, that could happen in Texas, that could happen in South Carolina.' A commentator says most Australian completely misunderstand the meaning behind the well-known phrase: 'the lucky country'. The term was coined by author Donald Horne in his 1964 book of the same name and has wrongly become associated with long term prosperity and the country's avoidance of economic and social problems seen in other nations. Australian commentator Topher Field told the Unemployable Media Podcast the phrase was not intended to have the positive connotations most thought it did. Horne coined the phrase to describe a country whose prosperity was due to stumbling upon a land of great natural resources and relying upon them ever since for a prosperity that owed little to hard work or good management. 'It was actually telling us, you guys are lazy. You guys are riding off the back of good luck. Good luck of geography, weather and industry,' he said. 'You guys are the lucky country, and if you don't wise up real quick, your luck is going to run out. 'You're not going to know what hit you because you've never had to navigate anything bad.' Horne's famous line appears at the beginning of his book's final chapter. Australian commentator Topher Field (pictured) told the Unemployable Media Podcast the phrase did not necessarily have the positive connotations most thought it did The term 'lucky country' is often associated with Australian prosperity (stock image) 'Australia is a lucky country run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck. It lives on other people's ideas,' it reads. 'Although its ordinary people are adaptable, most of its leaders (in all fields) so lack curiosity about the events that surround them that they are often taken by surprise.' The phrase was not a celebration of national success, but a critique of how little of it was earned through innovation or effort. Horne argued that Australia's wealth was built not through ingenuity, but through good fortune, natural resources, climate, and a wave of immigration. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Field expanded on Horne's meaning. '[Horne] was being ironic. 'The Lucky Country' was an observation that so much of what we had in the '60s when his book was published was a result of geography and quirks of global timing and trade, rather than our own hard work.' Field added the critique remains just as relevant today as it was decades ago. 'It was not earned prosperity, but just dumb luck. Sixty years later it's fair to say that our luck has held up remarkably well, thanks again to geography, timing, and trade.' Field warned that Australia's 'luck' may be running out (stock image) Field referred to the mining boom, and the strength of the industry which protected Australia from economic decline. 'Our resources sector is much-maligned, but it carried us through the dot com bubble, the Asian Financial Crisis, and the 2008 GFC, comparatively unscathed, tempting some people to say that Donald Horne was wrong and that we really are lucky.' That long run of good luck may well be at an end, as Australia has next to no secondary industry, is reliant upon unsustainable levels of immigration to create artificial growth, upon expansion of the public sector to create jobs, has burgeoning levels of national and personal debt, and its rich supplies of energy have been devalued by governments in favour of 'renewable' power. 'All the economic indicators are telling us that our luck has very much run out,' Mr Field said. 'But we're so complacent, so lazy, so used to being 'lucky', that we've lost the will and the work ethic to get ourselves out of what's coming. 'We're no longer getting lucky, we're getting what we deserve.' To illustrate Field ended his statement by saying Australia's luck is finite, invoking a former British Prime Minister in his warning. 'With apologies to Margaret Thatcher who said that "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money",' he said. Historian Dr Zac Gorman says Australia's lucky country idea dates to the 19th century 'I will say that the problem with being lucky is that eventually your luck runs out.' Dr Zac Gorman, a historian at the University of Melbourne's Robert Menzies Institute, said the criticism being attributed to the modern era was ironic. 'People who use the phrase to suggest that our luck is being squandered by our present politicians often miss out on the irony that they are actually making the exact same argument that Horne himself was making in the 1960s. In doing so, they are engaging in the same nostalgia for the past that Horne was so dismissive of.' Gorman added that the idea of the lucky country predated that of Horne, saying Australia was known as the 'working man's paradise' in the 19th century. 'We had uniquely high wages and social mobility compared to the rest of the world.' he explained in a statement to Daily Mail Australia. 'Joseph Cook, who went from coal mining in England from the age of 9 to become Australia's sixth prime minister, used to describe Australia as "the land of the better chance"'. Land near the former home of the main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is to be searched by police this week. Last night roads were closed and tents set up between the resort in Portugal where the three-year-old vanished 18 years ago, and a house nearby where Christian Brueckner once lived. Prime suspect Brueckner, 48, is in prison in Germany serving seven years for rape and the request for yet another search was made by German police. At least 30 agents from Germany's FBI, the BKA, acted on a tip-off and arrived at the idyllic Portuguese resort. An investigating source told the Sun: 'Following Brueckner's trial last year someone contacted them with theories on where anyone who took Madeleine might've dumped her. 'They told cops about trenches that were dug in Praia at the time Madeleine disappeared, and the house where Brueckner had lived on the edge of the village. 'Of course, all of these places have been searched over and over again, but now they have a new weapon in their ground-scanning radar. It means they don't need to dig for the sake of it. But as soon as they spot anything of interest they are ready to excavate and check it.' They are equipped with ground-penetrating radar technology that can scan up to 15ft below the surface of the ground. Your browser does not support iframes. Maddie McCann, who disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal in May 2007 Principle suspect Christian Brueckner pictured in court in October 2024 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 A well-placed Portuguese source said: The search will take place on 21 privately owned pieces of land which in some cases are not fenced off. Wells, ruins and water storage tanks will be searched. The operation on property between Praia da Luz and a rented cottage on the outskirts of the resort town where Brueckner lived for several years before 2007 is expected to continue until Friday unless new evidence about Madeleines disappearance is unearthed. German forensic officers will be accompanying the latest investigation, which will look into wells, ruins and water storage tanks in the area. Portugals Policia Judiciaria, which has led the hunt for Madeleine, confirmed that the request to search the area was made by German authorities. A source added: 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 May 3, 2007. All the evidence seized by the PJ will be handed over to the agents of the German Federal Criminal Police Service. It will be the first search in Portugal for more than two years, following a week-long operation involving Portuguese and German officers at a remote dam a 40-minute-drive from Praia da Luz. The searches in May 2023 at Arade Dam a spot that Brueckner reportedly called his little paradise came to nothing. That followed a June 2014 operation when British police were given permission to carry out digs in Praia da Luz. Those digs were linked to a UK police theory that Madeleine died during a break-in and burglars hid her body nearby. 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 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 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 Despite the use of sniffer dogs trained in detecting bodies and ground-penetrating radar, it also failed to produce any evidence pointing to the youngsters whereabouts. In a smaller operation in July 2020 Portuguese police and firefighters searched three wells for Madeleines body but failed to find any trace of her. Brueckner is under investigation on suspicion of abduction and murder in the Madeleine case but has denied any involvement. While German investigators made the unusual move of naming him as a suspect in the case, he has not been charged. Brueckners 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 last October. He is no longer being held in solitary confinement as he nears the end of his sentence. The clock is against the case here and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free, a source told The Sun. A spokesman for Scotland Yard said that it was aware of the searches but it was not taking part in them. The first black mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma has unveiled an ambitious reparations plan that would see more than $100 million invested in the descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Mayor Monroe Nichols announced on Sunday that the city is opening a $105 million charitable trust comprising private funds to address issues including housing, scholarships, land acquisition and economic development for north Tulsans. Of that money, $24 million will go toward housing and home ownership for the descendants of the attack that killed as many as 300 black people and razed 35 blocks, according to Public Radio Tulsa. Another $21 million will fund land acquisition, scholarship funding and economic development for the blighted north Tulsa community, and a whopping $60 million will go toward cultural preservation to improve buildings in the once prosperous Greenwood neighborhood. 'For 104 years, the Tulsa Race Massacre has been a stain on our city's history,' Nichols said at an event commemorating Race Massacre Observance Day. 'The massacre was hidden from history books, only to be followed by the intentional acts of redlining, a highway built to choke off economic vitality and the perpetual underinvestment of local, state and federal governments. 'Now it's time to take the next big steps to restore.' But the proposal will not include direct cash payments to the last known survivors, Leslie Benningfield Randle and Viola Fletcher, who are 110 and 111 years old. Mayor Monroe Nichols announced on Sunday that the city is opening a $105 million charitable trust comprising private funds to address issues including housing, scholarships, land acquisition and economic development for north Tulsans His plan does not include direct cash payments to the last known survivors, Leslie Benningfield Randle (left) and Viola Fletcher (right), who are 110 and 111 years old. They are pictured in 2021 They had been fighting for reparations for years, and earlier this year their attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons argued that any reparations plan should include direct payments to the two survivors as well as a victim's compensation fund for outstanding claims. However, a lawsuit Solomon-Simmons - who also founded the group Justice for Greenwood - was struck down in 2023 by an Oklahoma judge who declared the claimants 'don't have unlimited rights to compensation.' The ruling was then upheld by the Oklahoma Supreme Court last year, dampening racial justice advocates' hopes that the city would ever make financial amends. But after taking office earlier this year, Nichols said he reviewed previous proposals from local community organizations like Justice for Greenwood. He then discussed his plan with the Tulsa City Council and descendants of the massacre victims. 'What we wanted to do was find a way in which we could take in a number of these recommendations, so that it's reflective of the descendant community, of the folks that brought forth some recommendations,' Nichols said as he also vowed to continue to search for mass graves believed to contain victims of the massacre and release 45,000 previously classified city records. No part of his plan would require city council approval, the mayor noted, and any fundraising would be conducted by an executive director whose salary will be paid for by private funding. A Board of Trustees would also determine how to distribute the funds. Still, the city council would have to authorize the transfer of any city property to the trust, something the mayor said was highly likely. People take pictures at a Black Wall Street mural in the historic Greenwood neighborhood He explained that one of the points that really stuck with him in these discussions was the destruction of not just what Greenwood was - with its restaurants, theaters, hotels, banks and grocery stores - but what it could have been. 'The Greenwood District at its height was a center of commerce,' he told the Associated Press. '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.' 'You would have had the center of oil wealth here and the center of black wealth here at the same time,' he added in his remarks to the Times. 'That would have made us an economic juggernaut and would have probably made the city double in size.' Many at Sunday's event said they supported the plan, even though it does not include cash payments to the two elderly survivors of the attack. As many as 300 black people were killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which razed 35 blocks in the then-prosperous Greenwood neighborhood The neighborhood was once filled with restaurants, theaters, hotels, banks and grocery stores before it was burned down Chief Egunwale Amusan, a survivor descendant, for example, said the he has worked for half his life to get reparations. 'If [my grandfather] had been here today, it probably would have been the most restorative day of his life,' he told Public Radio Tulsa. Jacqueline Weary, a granddaughter of massacre survivor John R. Emerson, Sr., who owned a hotel and cab company in Greenwood that were destroyed, meanwhile, 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 in the violence. '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.' A group of black were marched past the corner of 2nd and Main Streets in Tulsa, under armed guard during the Tulsa Race Massacre on June 1, 1921 Nichols said the neighborhood was once a center of commerce The violence in 1921 erupted after a white woman told police that a black man had grabbed her arm in an elevator in a downtown Tulsa commercial building on May 30, 1921. The following day, police arrested the man, who the Tulsa Tribune reported had tried to assault the woman. White people surrounded the courthouse, demanding the man be handed over. World War One veterans were among black men who went to the courthouse to face the mob. A white man tried to disarm a black veteran and a shot rang out, touching off further violence. White people then looted and burned buildings and dragged the black people from their beds and beat them, according to historical accounts. The white people were deputized by authorities and instructed to shoot the black residents. No one was ever charged in the violence, which the federal government now classifies as a 'coordinated military-style attack' by white citizens, and not the work of an unruly mob. President Donald Trump blamed former President Joe Biden for the U.S.'s current Iran woes - and denied that the new Iran nuclear deal would allow for uranium enrichment. On Monday, Axios reported that the 'secret' nuclear deal proposed Saturday by the United States would allow Iran to enrich low levels of uranium for a period of time that was yet to be determined. The White House didn't immediately contest those details, which run counter to public statements from White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 'The AUTOPEN should have stopped Iran a long time ago from "enriching,"' Trump chimed in Monday evening. 'Under our potential Agreement - WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!' The president has nicknamed 82-year-old Biden 'autopen,' using it as a way to disparage the Democrat for allegedly being asleep at the wheel - and allowing aides to sign documents for him. Not much progress was made with Iran during Biden's four years in office, after Trump pulled out of the Obama-era nuclear deal in 2018. The Biden administration initially tried to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Obama deal, but it was later declared 'dead.' In the meantime there were warnings about Iranian assassination plots against Trump and other key Trump 1.0 administration figures over the U.S.'s 2020 targeted strike in Iraq that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. President Donald Trump denied an Axios report that said the current Iran nuclear deal allows for some low levels of uranium enrichment from the advisory On Monday night, President Donald Trump again went after former President Joe Biden, calling the 82-year-old 'autopen,' while blaming the Democrat for the U.S.'s Iran woes Now the U.S. is once engaged in Iran nuclear talks, this time with Witkoff at the helm. Axios reported that the proposal Witkoff submitted on Saturday included 'preliminary ideas' that would be discussed in the next round of talks. Under the proposal, Iran would be barred from building new enrichment facilities and would have to 'dismantle critical infrastructure for conversion and processing of uranium.' It also stated that Iran would have to halt new research and development of centrifuges. At the same time, it would allow for some domestic enrichment, though not beyond those necessary for civilian purposes. Upon signing the agreement, Iran would have to temporarily reduce its enrichment concentration to 3 percent, sources told Axios. Iran's underground nuclear facilities would have to become 'non-operational' for a period of time that was agreed to by the parties. The country's above-ground facilities would be limited to to the level needed to make nuclear reactor fuel using International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines. Sanctions relief would follow if Iran 'demonstrates real commitment' to the satifaction of the U.S. and the IAEA. And overall the nuclear deal would focus on creating a regional enrichment consortium. Those terms would make it easier for the U.S. to strike a deal. But they would likely irritate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has called on the U.S. to only strike a deal with Iran under the strictest terms. 'President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios in a statement. 'Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it,' she said. 'Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the Administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media.' When asked for comment on the Axios story, a White House official told the Daily Mail that the deal was 'tough' and it would prevent Iran from getting the bomb. 'President Trump is speaking the cold, hard truth,' the official said via email. 'The terms we gave Iran were very tough and would make it impossible for them to ever obtain a nuclear bomb.' A euthanasia advocate who was quizzed by murder detectives after the death of a woman using a controversial Sarco euthanasia pod last year has died by assisted suicide, it was announced yesterday. Dr Florian Willet, 47, was arrested in September 2024 following the death of the 64-year-old woman after police claimed there were strangulation marks on her neck. He was the only person present for the death of the woman, who was the first person to use the Sarco suicide device, which had been set up in a forest near Merishausen, Switzerland. Dr Willet was held when police arrived at the scene and he remained in custody for 70 days as investigators probed the circumstances surrounding the death. The public prosecutor said that there had been a 'strong suspicion' that 'intentional homicide' had been at play. But these accusations were said to have such a traumatic effect on the author and activist that he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital twice before his death on May 5. Exit International Director Dr Philip Nitschke, who invented the Sarco pod, wrote yesterday: 'When Florian was released suddenly and unexpectedly from pre-trial detention in early December 2024, he was a changed man. '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.' Dr Florian Willet (above), who was last year questioned over the death of a 64-year-old using a pod, has died by assisted suicide Sarco pod inventor Dr Philip Nitschke (above, right) said the accusations had a hugely damaging effect on Dr Willet after he was freed from police custody Dr Willet was only person present for the death of the woman, who was the first person to use the nitrogen gas capsule (above) after it had been set up in a forest near Merishausen, Switzerland Dr Nitschke told Dutch news outlet Volkskrant that Dr Willet died last month in Cologne 'with the help of a specialized organization'. In Dr Willet's obituary, which yesterday announced his death, Dr Nitschke revealed that the 47-year-old had 'fallen' from the third floor of his property in Zurich earlier this year, causing him 'serious damage'. Dr Nitschke said he was fully assessed by a psychiatric team during his three-month recovery, who said Dr Willet had developed 'an acute polymorphic psychotic disorder'. He says this had been brought on 'following the stress of pre-trial detention and the associated processes'. Dr Nitschke added: 'No one was surprised. Florian's spirit was broken. He knew that he did nothing illegal or wrong, but his belief in the rule of law in Switzerland was in tatters. 'In the final months of his life, Dr Florian Willet shouldered more than any man should.' Dr Nitschke (above, left) revealed that the 47-year-old (above, right) had 'fallen' from the third floor of his property in Zurich earlier this year, causing him 'serious damage' The above map shows where the controversial assisted suicide took place last September which saw Dr Willet arrested Dr Willet had informed Swiss authorities after the woman's death and they quickly descended on the forest. Police discovered the woman's lifeless body inside the pod and arrested several people. Dr Willet was detained with two lawyers and a Volkskrant photographer who had been taking pictures of the pod and documented the woman arriving in the woodland. The public prosecutor in the Schaffhausen canton said that Sarco's creators had been warned not to use the device in the region, but that the warning had not been heeded. 'We warned them in writing,' prosecutor Peter Sticher said in September. 'We said that if they came to Schaffhausen and used Sarco, they would face criminal consequences.' Pictured: Philip Nitschke lies down in a 'suicide pod' known as 'The Sarco' in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, July 8, 2024 Dr Willet described the death in the controversial capsule as 'peaceful, fast and dignified'. Following allegations of 'strangle marks' on the first person to use the Sarco, a person close to Swiss Sarco operator The Last Resort said she had previously been diagnosed with skull base osteomyelitis. The disease could manifest as an infection of the bone marrow, which could have been responsible for the marks on her neck resembling strangulation marks, the person told Swiss outlet NZZ. The pod is designed so that the push of a button injects nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber, with the person inside then dying by suffocation within a few minutes. Before his arrest Dr Willet said he had 'considered' suicide at the age of five. His father died by suicide when he was 14 years old and he said 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.' For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org Donald Trump became the latest member of The First Family to refute claims made by 'third rate reporter' Michael Wolff theorizing why the president is taking on Harvard University. First Lady Melania took the rare step of issuing a public denial to the 'completely false' rumor that Barron had been denied entry to the school, leading the president to go all in on his war on the Ivy League institution. She insisted through her communications director Nicholas Clemens that 'any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false.' On Thursday, however, Wolff made the assertion that President Trump himself 'didn't get into Harvard,' therefor forming a lifelong grudge. He told The Daily Beast Podcast: 'So one of the Trump things is always holding a grudge against the Ivy Leagues.' Trump - who attended University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business - took to Truth Social to continue his long-running feud with Wolff and refute the claims. 'Michael Wolff, a Third Rate Reporter, who is laughed at even by the scoundrels of the Fake News, recently stated that the only reason I'm 'beating up' on Harvard, is because I applied there, and didn't get in. That story is totally FALSE, I never applied to Harvard,' Trump said. Trump then added that he graduated from Pennsylvania, itself an Ivy League school, and took another couple of whacks at the author. Donald Trump became the latest member of The First Family to refute claims made by 'third rate reporter' Michael Wolff theorizing why the president is taking on Harvard University Wolff made the assertion that President Trump himself 'didn't get into Harvard,' though he did eventually attend University of Pennsylvania 's Wharton School of Business 'He is upset because his book about me was a total 'BOMB.' Nobody wanted it, because his 'reporting' and reputation is so bad!' The White House - which has previously referred to Wolff as a 'lying sack of s***' - also trashed the claims. 'The Daily Beast and Michael Wolff have lots in commonthey both peddle fake news for clickbait in a hopeless attempt to amount to something more than lying losers,' White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said. 'The President didn't need to apply to an overrated, corrupt institution like Harvard to become a successful businessman and the most transformative President in history.' Wolff previously spread gossip President Trump had set his sights on destroying the prestigious university because his 19-year-old son was rejected from the school. 'That exists because I reported that was the joke within the White House,' he said about Melania's statement. Three weeks ago, Wolff took to Instagram to share the 'joke going around the White House this week.' 'What do all the universities Trump is targeting have in common?' he asked. 'Barron didn't get into them.' Trump took to Truth Social to continue his long-running feud with Wolff - who has written several books alleging insider information about the Trump White House - and refute the claims Barron is a freshman at NYU's lauded Stern Business School, and Trump has repeatedly said his son was accepted to several colleges but had his heart set on NYU. Wolff admitted that he wasn't sure if the rumor had any validity, but that hasn't stopped it from spreading like wildfire within the White House. 'I don't know if there is any truth to this, there very well might be, but within the White House, that is the joke,' he said. 'Because they're like, "What is he doing?" This is, you know, this is crazy stuff,' Wolff said about Trump's rage at the Ivy league school. '"Why would this be happening?" And then they tell the Barron joke.' Harvard has a notoriously high rejection rate with about 96% of applicants being told no. The revelation comes as Trump continues his tirade against Harvard by banning the attendance of foreign students. He also canceled the federal government's remaining contracts, which are worth about $100 million. When President Trump launched his first broadside against Harvard in April, canceling a massive round of federal funding after the university wouldn't bow to his demands, the internet was rife with speculation he was angry because his son wasn't admitted. Wolff previously spread gossip President Trump had set his sights on destroying the prestigious university because his 19-year-old son was rejected from the school Melania took the rare step of issuing a public denial to the 'completely false' rumor, insisting that 'any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false.' 'Did Trump target Harvard because the university rejected Barron?,' read several posts on social media. Even a Democratic senator stoked the fires of speculation with a tweet on the matter. It's the latest salve in a long-running feud between Trump and Wolff, an author best known for his tell-all about the Trump administration, Fire and Fury. Wolff has written a new book chronicling the 2024 Trump campaign. Some of the more salacious passages include Trump seeing Elon Musk jumping up and down at his Pennsylvania rally and reportedly asking: 'What the f*** is wrong with this guy? And why doesn't his shirt fit?' Wolff also accuses Trump of engaging with conspiracy theories about Michelle Obama's gender; praising O.J. Simpson's 'Dream Team' of lawyers and profanely insulting his own. Despite White House Communications Director Steven Cheung already slamming Wolff as a 'lying sack of s***' Trump responded himself in a lengthy post on Truth Social Sunday night. 'So-called ''Author'' Michael Wolff's new book is a total FAKE JOB, just like the other JUNK he wrote,' he said, referring to his three previous books about Trump. Barron is a freshman at NYU's lauded Stern Business School, and Trump has repeatedly said his son was accepted to several colleges but had his heart set on NYU All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America recounts how Trump had doubts about Musk after the Tesla CEO jumped wildly with his fists in air as he joined the president at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania Trump claims that he 'never called [Wolff] back' despite his attempts 'many times trying to set up a meeting' because he didn't want to give him any credibility. 'Others in the Administration were also called, they reported his calls, and likewise, did not talk to him,' he added. Trump believes he may have been able to speak 'to a small number of people, but not meaningfully' for the new book. 'His other books about me have been discredited, as this one will be also. I am one who believes in commenting about FAKE NEWS, or made up stories, even if you have to ''punch low,'' and shouldn't be wasting the time required to do so,' he said. Trump then went on to count his various recent victories, saying he'd had the greatest election and 'perhaps the greatest first month EVER.' He added that Wolff only wants to discuss negative and, in Trump's words, false things about him and his administration. 'He mentions the people that surrounded me during the Election, and in many cases now, in derogatory terms, but they couldn't have been that bad because here I am in the White House, refusing to take his calls,' Trump said. Trump accuses Wolff of faking his sources and that if they are real, 'let them be revealed.' The president concluded: 'Watch, it will never happen. He is FAKE NEWS, a total LOSER, and no one should waste their time or money in buying this boring and obviously fictitious book!' A 14-year-old girl who went missing on Sunday has been found safe, police have confirmed. Holly Whalan was last seen at 12.15pm on High Street in Warialda, a town in regional New South Wales. Following her disappearance, Hollys mother issued a desperate plea for help on social media. 'Anyone who tries to contact her is blocked immediately: her Facebook has been deactivated,' her mother wrote. 'We are extremely worried for her safety. Please help us bring our baby home. If you know something do the right thing and tell us immediately.' A tradesman who became a campaigner to find a cure for endometriosis has died in a freak workplace accident. Ausgrid distribution line worker Brett Hinton, 47, was operating a cherry picker near powerlines in Randwick, south-east of Sydney CBD, following a storm on May 22. Emergency services were called to Darley Road after receiving reports the 47-year-old had been seriously injured. It's understood Mr Hinton had a cardiac arrest when he came into contact with the live powerlines. Co-workers brought him down to the ground and commenced CPR before paramedics arrived at the scene. Mr Hinton was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital in a critical condition, but he was unable to be saved. Mr Hinton became a passionate campaigner for women's health and advocated to fight and cure endometriosis after witnessing his wife suffer from the debilitating condition. Brett Hinton (pictured) died in a freak workplace accident after operating a cherry picker near powerlines during a storm in Sydney Mr Hinton became an ambassador for endometriosis and encouraged other men to learn about the disease and its affects on women. In a widely shared opinion piece, Mr Hinton urged men to 'man up for endo' and discussed the stigmas perpetuated around the condition which he said hindered change and left women feeling dismissed. 'I'm not an emotional bloke, but when I heard Marty Sheargold say on air that 'endometriosis is made up', I saw red,' Mr Hinton wrote. In his article, Mr Hinton also urged every Australian to educate themselves about the disease and specifically called out men to 'stop brushing off women's pain'. His death sent shockwaves through the community, with many sharing touching tributes on social media. 'His bravery, empathy and willingness to speak up made him a brilliant and authentic ally for women everywhere living with this invisible illness, one person wrote. 'Lets honour Bretts legacy by continuing the important work he so boldly championed,' a second person commented. It's understood Mr Hinton went into cardiac arrest after he came into contact with the powerlines (pictured, the cherry picker at the scene of the incident) Mr Hinton (pictured with his partner) became an ambassador for women's health and strong voice in the fight against endometriosis after he witnessed his partner suffer from the debilitating disease A third person added: 'This is the most devastating news ever. Brett Hinton was such an amazing friend and father and his loss is immeasurable. May he rest eternally in peace and his family and loved ones somehow heal from this tragedy'. A GoFundMe was started at the request of Mr Hinton's colleagues to help his partner as she navigates 'this incredible difficult time'. 'The hearts of Brett Hintons family, friends, and colleagues were shattered by the tragic news of a serious incident that claimed Bretts life,' the GoFundMe read. 'Brett was a dedicated and highly respected distribution lineworker at Ausgrid, where he served with skill and commitment for over 13 years. 'His professionalism, warmth, and unwavering work ethic left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. 'Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.' In a statement, Ausgrid said it was reviewing the circumstances of Mr Hinton's death and was working along with SafeWork NSW and police. Ausgrid said the company's number one priority was the safety and wellbeing of its employees and customers. It added assistance and support was being given to staff and Mr Hinton's family during this sad time. President Donald Trump endorsed Kid Rock's lastest Nashville restaurant in a Monday night Truth Social post. Trump called attention to 'The Detroit Cowboy,' which uses the slogan, 'Go where you're celebrated, not tolerated.' It opened last month, with Fox & Friends expected to broadcast from the location Tuesday morning as the eatery officially celebrates its grand opening, with Kid Rock in attendance. 'Congratulations to my friend, Kid Rock (I call him Bob!), on the Grand Opening of his new Nashville restaurant, "The Detroit Cowboy,"' Trump wrote. 'I hear it is a very friendly MAGA establishment, and look forward to going there sometime soon.' The president's nod comes after Kid Rock's Big A** Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse closed its kitchen one Saturday night in mid-May when Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids were happening in the area. The Nashville Scene reported that managers instructed employees without legal citizenship to leave the premises at the Kid Rock-branded establishment, along with several other restaurants on Broadway, Nashville's iconic boulevard. Kid Rock's Big A** Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse is owned by conservative Trump supporter Steve Smith. It was unclear if Smith was aware that illegal immigrants were being asked to leave the kitchens of his restaurants to avoid ICE detection. President Donald Trump (left) endorsed Kid Rock's latest foray into the food industry, praising his new Nashville restaurant, The Detroit Cowboy, in a Monday night Truth Social post President Donald Trump congratulated Kid Rock on opening a new Nashville restaurant. 'I hear it is a very friendly MAGA establishment, and look forward to going there sometime soon!' Trump wrote Kid Rock, whose real name is Bob Ritchie, started moving into the restaurant industry during Trump's first term. He opened Kid Rock's Made in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena in late 2017. The next year, he expanded to Nashville with the opening of Kid Rock's Big A** Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse. But in 2019, Made in Detroit closed its doors on the heels of Kid Rock making incendiary comments about Oprah Winfrey. At the time, the stadium's owner said that Kid Rock had 'voluntarily decided not to renew' his licensing agreement, according to the Detroit Free Press. The new restaurant, the Detroit Cowboy, is taking over the space of Joe Muer Seafood, a Detroit mainstay that had its first out-of-state location in Nashville. In a post previewing the Detroit Cowboy, Kid Rock hinted that he was still angry about Made in Detroit's closure. 'A small group of very bad people thought they cancelled me and my restaurant in Detroit in 2020,' he wrote. 'All you dumba**es did was hurt the city I LOVE,' Ritchie added. Kid Rock indicated that he was still salty over the closure of his Detroit restaurant, Made in Detroit, which happened after he insulted longtime talk show host Oprah Winfrey in 2019 The Instagram post shows Kid Rock with his white cowboy boot up on a table, with a large painted eagle display at his back. Kid Rock has been a strong supporter of Trump's MAGA agenda. He was one of the entertainers at last summer's Republican National Convention and has made several trips to the White House since the president's January swearing-in. Ritchie facilitated an across-the-aisle dinner between Trump and liberal comedian Bill Maher. He also joined Trump in the Oval Office in March as the president signed an executive order to prevent fans from being victims from ticket scalping scams. A second man is being sought by police over a 'gruesome' fatal stabbing on a suburban street, which is believed to be the outcome of a drug deal gone wrong. Detectives continued to scour the scene in Sydney's inner west on Tuesday after officers found a man aged in his 50s stabbed to death about 5pm on Monday in Croydon Park. A 32-year-old man was arrested and is being interviewed by police but was not yet charged. Another man, believed to be a 29-year-old Malaysian national, is wanted for questioning. Police released images of this man on Tuesday, saying he was last seen on the street where the stabbing occurred on Monday afternoon. The man already in custody was taken to hospital for assessment under police guard. He had attempted to flee the crime scene when police attended but was quickly apprehended, Superintendent Christine McDonald said. 'This is a gruesome crime,' she told reporters on Monday evening. A second man is being sought by police over a 'gruesome' fatal stabbing on a suburban street, which is believed to be the outcome of a drug deal gone wrong Detectives continued to scour the scene in Sydney 's inner west on Tuesday after officers found a man aged in his 50s stabbed to death about 5pm on Monday in Croydon Park 'The man's injuries are horrific, and what we know from very preliminary investigations is that ... we believe this is a drug deal gone horribly wrong. 'We didn't give him any time to run away, we were here too quick.' On Tuesday morning, police were crawling over the quiet street as they attempted to piece together what happened. The dead man was found with multiple stab wounds to his neck and police are treating the investigation as a homicide. Speaking on Monday night, Supt McDonald said police were unsure of who lived at the house, who had attended before the fatal incident and the reason they were meeting. '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,' she said. 'The community down here would be shocked that something so brutal has happened in their street.' The man in his 50s who died has not yet been formally identified. The dead man was found with multiple stab wounds to his neck and police are treating the investigation as a homicide Supt McDonald did not detail why she believed the incident had stemmed from a drug deal. A neighbour told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday the dead man lived with his wife and children at the Croydon Park home for just a few months before the alleged attack. 'The neighbourhood is feeling very unsettled. This is a really, really lovely quiet street,' she said. 'We do all know each other. Pretty much, we all know each other except for this particular house. 'They haven't lived here that long so we don't know much about them.' Mommy blogger Candice Miller has returned to social media almost a year after her husband took his own life at their $12million Hamptons mansion while drowning in debt. The glamorous mother-of-two shared a cryptic quote to her Mama and Tata Instagram page on Monday evening, accompanied by a picture of a sun peaking through clouds over the water. 'In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer,' the caption read. 'And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger something better, pushing right back.' The cryptic statement was a quote from French philosopher and writer Albert Camus. Miller's return to social media was met with a barrage of supportive messages from her loyal fans who have been patiently waiting 11 months for her to end her self-imposed exile. The illusion of the glamorous life she led was shattered on the 4th of July weekend last year when her husband Brandon Miller's body was found inside his Porsche in the garage of the family home. He died of carbon monoxide poisoning while Miller and her two children were holidaying at a $2,000-per-night resort on Italy's Amalfi Coast, and his death was ultimately declared a suicide. Brandon died owing $33.6million, leaving just $8,000 in the bank. Back on the 4th of July weekend of 2024, Candice Miller's glamorous life was shattered when her husband Brandon Miller's body was found inside his Porsche in the garage of the family home The glamorous mother-of-two shared a cryptic quote to her Mama and Tata Instagram page on Monday evening, accompanied by a picture of a sun peaking through clouds over the water It was a far cry from the life Miller portrayed on social media, brimming with glittering parties, private plane trips and luxury cars. The 'Mama and Tata' page, which was also a lifestyle brand, frequently featured lavish displays of wealth like $800 facials and celebrity workout classes, helping her to amass a loyal following of aspirational viewers. She has always maintained that she wasn't aware of her husband's finances or business dealings. Brandon ensured his family would still be taken care of despite his debts, taking out life insurance policies worth $15million which were paid out after his death. But some of that money could be swept up in legal fees and repayments as Miller works with lawyers to determine what debts she is on the hook for. She was sued for $194,881 in unpaid rent from the Park Avenue apartment in New York where she and her family had lived since 2021, but argued that she did not owe any money given she did not personally sign the lease. It's understood shortly after Brandon's death, Miller agreed to pay about $4million to settle a lawsuit over a separate loan. In all, her husband had taken out an estimated $20million in unsecured loans, the New York Times reported at the time. The 'Mama and Tata' page, which was also a lifestyle brand, frequently featured lavish displays of wealth like $800 facials and celebrity workout classes, helping her to amass a loyal following of aspirational viewers Candice sold her Water Mill mansion in the Hamptons - Miller's main asset, for $12.8million. They reportedly had about $12million in mortgages on the property She sold the family home in the Hamptons in December 2024 for $12.8million The home reportedly had five mortgages taken out on it, totaling nearly $12million. After the sale, she and her two daughters began a new life in Miami, living in a $10million condominium overlooking the ocean which has been loaned to her by her friend, Alexander von Furstenberg, son of fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. Far from hiding out and wallowing in misery, sources told Page Six she appeared to be thriving in the Miami scene. 'She's weirdly okay,' another socialite said. 'She's at parties and events and dinners. She's not sitting at home wearing all black with the lights off or anything. 'She's not shopping at Chanel every day. But, day to day, she is living life. She's residing in an expensive apartment that's been loaned to her by friends, She's going to dinners and places like the Four Seasons Surf Club and Casa Tua, working out, and traveling. Brandon ensured his family would still be taken care of despite his debts, taking out life insurance policies worth $15million which were paid out after his death Candice and her sister Jenna Crespi (pictured together) created the lifestyle brand Mama and Tata together 'Obviously, everything's changed. But, from what we see, it doesn't feel like anything's changed. She's not super laying low. That's for sure.' Miller's return to social media appears to be the next step in her bid to return to some sense of normalcy. 'Im a stranger to you but I pray for you and your girls often,' one fan said. 'So happy you're back,' another added. If you or anyone you know is struggling, call the Suicide Prevention hotline on 988 - or 1-800-273-8255 - or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org Anthony Albanese has revealed he and fiancee Jodie Haydon have been forced to make a drastic change to their plans for a honeymoon. The Prime Minister confirmed on Tuesday that he will have to cut his honeymoon short after finally deciding on a timeframe for his upcoming wedding. 'We have now had an opportunity to discuss, and we have a few options between now and the end of the year,' Albanese told ABC Radio. 'But we're waiting as well to look at the calendar. I deliberately did not get ahead of myself, so from May 3 and beyond, there was a blank diary.' The Prime Minister revealed he and Haydon had originally planned to take a two-month honeymoon if Labor had lost the May 3 election. However victory in the poll meant the couple would have a much shorter trip of a 'couple of weeks' after their nuptials. Albanese and Haydon met in 2020, a year after the breakdown of his marriage to former Labor MP and NSW deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt. The Prime Minister has previously said he was left 'emotionally bruised' when his almost 20-year marriage came to an end. Anthony Albanese proposed to Jodie Haydon after a Valentine's Day dinner in 2024 (pictured) Albanese and Haydon (pictured) would have enjoyed a two-month honeymoon if Labor had lost the election Earlier this year, Albanese revealed he and his fiancee considered eloping when parliament adjourned in February. He told Brisbane radio he thought about getting married 'really quietly' on the one-year anniversary of his 2024 Valentine's Day proposal. Albanese said the wedding would take place in the second half of the year and shared a sweet detail that has already been decided on for the big day. 'The only thing that's finalised is our ring bearer. And that, of course, is Toto the wonder dog,' he told B105. Albanese previously revealed he had asked for the support of his 24-year-old son Nathan, who he shares with ex-wife Tebbutt, prior to popping the question. 'I respect him and have a good relationship with him, and with his mother. So I asked him to think about it... and he was supportive,' he told Australian Women's Weekly. 'He wants me to be happy, and Nathan and Jodie have a really nice relationship as well.' Albanese asked for the support of his 24-year-old son Nathan, who he shares with ex-wife Tebbutt, prior to proposing to Haydon (pictured) Haydon is an executive for Teachers Mutual Bank, which she said has been very supportive of her high-profile role as Australia's de facto 'First Lady'. The couple met at a work conference back in 2020 when Albanese was the opposition leader to the Scott Morrison government. He had asked if there were any South Sydney NRL fans in the audience, at which Haydon yelled out the team's catch cry of 'up the Rabbitohs'. 'We met up for a drink... it's a nice relationship,' he said of their first date. The following year Albanese was seriously injured in a car crash when a Range Rover crossed onto the wrong side of the road and smashed into his car in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville. Haydon got a call and raced to the scene to see the car written off, but Albanese alive. 'And I knew then that, yeah, I love him,' she previously said. Donald Trump has opened an investigation into whether Joe Biden 'was competent' when he used an autopen to issue lame-duck pardons to family members and death row inmates. Ed Martin - Trump's ultra-MAGA pardon attorney - said the Justice Department has been directed to investigate clemency granted by Biden in the waning days of his presidency, including the December pardon of his troubled son Hunter. Martin's unprecedented probe was revealed in a Monday email to staffers that was obtained by Reuters. The attorney said the investigation involves whether Biden 'was competent and whether others were taking advantage of him through use of AutoPen or other means.' An autopen is a device used to automatically affix a signature to a document. Hunter Biden, who was convicted last year of three felonies over an illegal gun, and the former First Lady Jill Biden have been accused of wielding significant power over the president in his final days. The prodigal son was treated 'like a chief of staff' despite being 'provably, demonstrably unethical, sleazy and prone to horrible decisions,' CNN's Jake Tapper said in a recent interview about the behind-the-scenes health cover-up. Trump and his supporters have made a variety of claims that Biden's use of autopen invalidated his actions because he was unaware of the orders he was signing. It is not known whether Biden used an autopen for pardons. In March, Trump declared his predecessor's last-minute pardons 'void, vacant and of no further force or effect.' He also warned that members of the House committee investigating the January 6 riots could now face prosecution. The email stated that Martin's investigation is focused on preemptive pardons Biden issued to several members of his family and clemency that spared 37 federal inmates from the death penalty, converting their sentences to life in prison. Just before he relinquished the presidency to Trump on January 20, Biden pardoned five members of his family, saying he wanted to protect them from future politically motivated investigations. Donald Trump's Department of Justice has reportedly ordered a shock investigation into whether Joe Biden 'was competent' when he gave out lame duck pardons of family members and death row inmates In an email to staffers on Monday, DOJ pardon attorney Ed Martin said he has been directed to investigate clemency granted by Biden (pictured left) in the waning days of his presidency, including the December pardon of son Hunter (pictured right) The pardons went to Biden's siblings James Biden, Frank Biden and Valerie Biden Owens as well as their spouses, John Owens and Sara Biden. Biden on December 1 pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who had pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted on firearms-related charges. Hunter faced up to 25 years in prison for the offences, although was expected to receive a much lighter punishment as his first offense. He had a scheduled sentencing date for the charges, but the pardon rendered that court date moot. Martin's email did not specify which of the Biden family members pardons were being investigated. It also did not make clear who directed Martin to launch the investigation. DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House and the Department of Justice for comment. The Constitution gives the president broad power to issue pardons to wipe away federal criminal convictions or commutations to modify sentences. Trump himself has made extensive use of executive clemency. For instance, he granted clemency on January 20 to all of the nearly 1,600 of his supporters who faced criminal charges in connection with January 6, 2021, which was a failed attempt to prevent congressional certification of Biden's 2020 election victory over Trump. Martin (pictured), who was recently transferred out as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia for Jeannine Pirro, wrote that the investigation involves whether Biden 'was competent and whether others were taking advantage of him through use of AutoPen or other means' An autopen is a device used to automatically affix a signature to a document. Trump and his supporters have made a variety of claims that Biden's use of the device while president invalidated his actions or suggested that he was not fully aware of these actions Martin told reporters last month that he viewed the presidential pardon power as 'plenary,' meaning it is absolute. 'If you use the autopen for pardon power, I don't think that that's necessarily a problem,' Martin said during a May 13 press conference, adding that he still felt the Biden pardons warranted scrutiny. The investigation appears designed to use the Justice Department to amplify questions about Biden's health and mental acuity, a conversation that has intensified in recent weeks following his cancer diagnosis and a new book revealing Democratic concerns last year about Biden's condition. Questions have since arisen about whether Biden actually signed many of the orders under his administration amid his noticeable cognitive decline after it was revealed they were signed with an autopen. The mechanical device signs documents rather than an individual. It has been used by presidents and lawmakers for decades. The Oversight Project in March 'gathered every document we could find with Biden's signature over the course of his presidency'. 'All used the same autopen signature except for the announcement that the former President was dropping out of the race last year.' It went on to share two examples from documents that it claimed showed the use of the autopen including a document from August 2022 as well as one from December 2024 with what appear to be identical signatures. Biden on December 1 pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who had pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted on firearms-related charges The group also posted an image of Biden's signature as a comparison from when he announced he was dropping out of the race. That image shows a slight variation from the other shared documents. DailyMail.com also examined more than 25 Biden executive orders documented on the Federal Registers office between 2021 and 2025. It found the same signature on each. A separate examination of 25 Trump signatures on orders on the Federal Register's website from his first and second administrations also found the signatures were all the same. The Oversight Project now says investigators must determine 'who controlled the autopen and what checks there were in place' to determine whether Biden actually made any of the orders. Still, it questioned if that was something that could be determined in the 'correct legal process.' Biden, who is 82, last year dropped his reelection bid amid questions about his mental acuity after a disastrous presidential debate performance. Biden was the oldest person to serve as U.S. president, and Trump is the second oldest. The former president's closest aides have dismissed those concerns, saying Biden was fully capable of making important decisions. No evidence has emerged to suggest that Biden did not intend to issue the pardons. In addition, a Justice Department memo from 2005 found it was legitimate for a subordinate to use an autopen for the president's signature. A political staffer has admitted embellishing a glowing email he wrote to a state MP who allegedly sexually assaulted him years earlier. Kiama MP Gareth Ward, 44, is on trial in the NSW District Court after pleading not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault charges. The jury was told he approached a young, drunk political staffer after a mid-week event at NSW Parliament House in 2015 and offered him a place to stay for the night. The man, who was 24 at the time but is now in his 30s, said Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside, and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly saying 'no'. During his third day of cross-examination on Tuesday, he was asked about an email he wrote to Ward in March 2019, congratulating him on his appointment as minister for families. 'Your friendship means the world to me and my respect for you is already as high as it can be,' the complainant wrote to Ward. He told the jury he sent the email in the hopes of securing a job in politics at a time when he was worried about his career prospects, so he embellished and fibbed about appreciating Ward's friendship. The complainant maintained the email was not inconsistent with his claims he had been sexually assaulted by Ward, whom he continues to hold in professional esteem. Gareth Ward has pleaded not guilty to rape and indecent assault charges One of Gareth Ward's alleged victims has praised the state MP for his work as a politician 'I respect Mr Ward immensely. He is an incredible local member and he has done some incredible work as a minister,' the alleged victim said. When asked if he told another political staffer that NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian had chosen a 'rapist' for her cabinet, the complainant said he couldn't recall the conversation but the words were consistent with what he has reported. He said he didn't tell anyone about the alleged sexual assault before 2019 because it was 'incredibly embarrassing' and 'not something I would bring up in conversation.' The jury was told the man was left feeling 'dirty' and 'confused' after the painful assault and he continued to ask himself whether he had invited the unwanted advances. Ward is also accused of indecently assaulting an intoxicated 18-year-old in 2013 at his South Coast home after meeting the man at a networking event a year earlier. The man claims the MP fondled his buttocks and scrotum, and gave him an unwelcome back massage despite his repeated requests to stop. Ward, who was charged over the alleged assaults in 2022, is fighting the allegations in a four-week trial. He has held the Kiama electorate since 2011, winning three elections as a Liberal before securing the 2023 poll as an independent. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Trump's border czar Tom Homan declared on Monday night that the United States is under threat of an imminent 9/11-style terror attack due to Joe Biden's failed immigration policies. Homan - who oversees Trump's mass deportation initiative - cited the staggering number of immigrants who evaded capture, called 'gotaways,' as the nation's greatest looming security vulnerability. 'It's coming,' Homan said bluntly on Fox News. 'I'm convinced something's coming unless we can find them. Its only a matter of time.' Homan described the situation as the most preventable national security threat in American history and one he believes could rival, or even surpass, the devastation of 9/11 if the government doesn't act swiftly. Over the past four years, millions of migrants have either turned themselves in or evaded capture entirely, overwhelming the country's immigration infrastructure. But Homan says what keeps him up at night are the two million illegals who avoided apprehension altogether with many paying smugglers premium fees to evade authorities. 'These two million known gotaways scare the hell out of me,' Homan admitted. 'They crossed the border. We don't know where they are now. Trump-appointed border czar Tom Homan declared on Monday night that the United States is facing an imminent and catastrophic terrorist attack Homan cited the staggering number of 'gotaways' as the nation's greatest looming security vulnerability. Pictured, migrants turn themselves in to US Customs and Border Patrol in Arizona 'They could have paid half of what they paid to cross the border, turn themselves in, get released the same day, get a free airline ticket, a hotel room, three meals a day, free medical care, and work authorization. But they didn't. They paid to avoid being fingerprinted, to avoid being vetted. Why?' Homan questioned. 'This should scare the hell out of every American. I've been doing this for 40 years. I've never seen anything like this,' Homan said. 'This is the biggest national security vulnerability this country has ever seen,' he went on. 'And thanks to what they did in just four years, we'll be dealing with the consequences for the next decade.' The gravity of Homan's warning was amplified by real-world events just one day earlier. In Boulder, Colorado, 12 people were wounded in an antisemitic terror attack carried out by a man using Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is a 45-year-old Egyptian national who entered the US on a tourist visa in 2022, later obtained asylum protections, and was issued a work permit - all under Biden-era immigration policies. But his work visa expired in March, making him illegally present in the country at the time of the attack. Homan seized on the attack as proof of what he called the Biden administration's reckless approach to immigration. In Boulder, Colorado, 12 people were wounded in an antisemitic terror attack carried out by a man whose work visa expired in March, making him illegally present in the country at the time of the attack Police officers walk past a barricade adorned with flowers outside the Boulder County Courthouse on Monday. The suspect, an Egyptian citizen who had overstayed his visa, has been charged with a hate crime by the FBI 'Even through the legal process, the Biden administration was bringing people in unvetted, handing out work visas like they're candy,' he said. While Biden campaigned in 2020 on restoring America's image as a haven for the persecuted, his administration's policies soon faced backlash from both political opponents and Democratic-led cities burdened by the sheer number of incoming migrants. As the crisis deepened, Biden's team shifted strategies combining tougher asylum rules with new pathways for legal migration. Still, arrests at the border skyrocketed to historic levels during his tenure before declining ahead of Trump's inauguration for a second term in January. Homan's warnings come as the Trump administration touts its sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration: new mass deportation efforts, expanded ICE raids, and even the use of US military planes to deport migrants - in some cases sending them to the Guantanamo Bay detention center or El Salvador. Since Trump's return to office, about 6,500 active-duty troops have been deployed to the southern border, a massive increase over previous years. While these troops don't directly interact with migrants, they assist Border Patrol in surveillance and detection operations, a necessary reinforcement as the administration grapples with the fallout from what Homan calls 'four years of chaos.' Homan seized on the attack as proof of what he called the Biden administration's reckless approach to immigration in which Democratic-led cities became burdened by the sheer number of incoming migrants Homan described the situation as the most preventable national security threat in American history and one he believes could rival, or even surpass, the devastation of 9/11 if the government doesn't act swiftly Homan said there are two million 'gotaways' - illegal migrants who avoided being apprehended by US Border Patrol Critics argue that Biden's policies and his decision to hand immigration responsibilities to Vice President Kamala Harris early in his first term created an enforcement vacuum. Harris, tasked with addressing the 'root causes' of migration, made a single trip to the border nearly six months into Biden's presidency, drawing criticism from opponents for what they saw as a lack of urgency. Homan says only now are the consequences becoming apparent. 'We are looking for the bad guys while protesters assault ICE officers and members of Congress grandstand outside our facilities,' Homan fumed. 'Where was the oversight when 10.5 million illegals crossed the border? Where was the responsibility when over 8 million were released into the interior?' A young Australian woman was left shocked after being racially abused while walking down the street - an experience she says happens to her 'daily'. Melbourne-based yoga teacher and mental health advocate Ash Paraskevas spoke out about the woman's racist attack. 'First, she told me I wasnt Australian. 'Then she screamed at me for five minutes about being a multicultural monster. I was in shockbut managed to record some of it,' she said. 'This wasnt just one unwell woman on the street. She represents the quiet racism many of us experience daily,' she said, adding it is usually subtle, stares, or silence. 'Im not a monster. Im multicultural. Im Australian. 'And I wont shrink to make others more comfortable with their narrow version of belonging.' People took to the comments of the social media to express their sympathy for Ms Paraskevas. Melbourne-based yoga teacher Ash Paraskevas (pictured) said the incident represents racism she experiences daily in Australia 'I just moved to Australia from the UK and Ive been so shocked at the casual racism that so many people seem to throw about here,' one user said. 'Why is no one shouting at me for not being Australian?' Another said: 'Bro, forgetting Australia is literally 100 per cent immigrants.' Some highlighted the hypocrisy of someone declaring a person who is 'multicultural' is not Australian. 'Does she know the history of Australia omg,' a commenter asked. One person said: 'It's like the burglar breaking into your home, stealing all your possessions, and then telling you that it's their home. 'Funny that, hang on, that is Australia's aka stolen land.' Ms Paraskevas listed four things people can do in response to incidents like her experience. This included calling comments out, educating communities, reflecting on bias and speaking up for others 'especially if you have privilage'. 'Above all - dont let their fear define your identity.' The leader of Australia's most populous state has called for a review of the 'massive' federal excise on tobacco amid concerns of a growing black market. Ahead of the NSW budget on June 24, Premier Chris Minns said a decision had to be made about resources devoted to combating illicit tobacco sales. It could mean reallocating police away from domestic violence, youth crime and gang cases to regulate tobacco sales. 'We may need to do that because I'm concerned as a constituent and as a father to see the number of high street premises being taken over by tobacco firms,' he told reporters on Monday. 'But I wonder whether we need to roll this back a couple of steps and look more closely at the federal government's massive excise on tobacco.' The excise has driven down the number of smokers in NSW to about one in nine adults, the state's most recent population health survey shows. But the 'massive increase' in excise had 'exploded the illicit tobacco marketplace', Mr Minns said. 'It's meant that many people who wouldn't go near an illegal behaviour ordinarily are buying illicit tobacco almost on a daily basis,' he said. He called for the size of the excise and its influence on illicit tobacco sales to be investigated. The leader of Australia's most populous state has called for a review of the 'massive' federal excise on tobacco amid concerns of a growing black market Anthony Albanese's government has supported increasing the excise tax on tobacco There are an estimated 19,000 tobacco retailers in NSW, with a paid licensing scheme and steeper fines for selling illegal cigarettes to take effect in July to curb black market trade. Queensland police found a fake wall full of cash and a secret tobacco store on Thursday during a major crackdown on more than 20 illegal traders. In Victoria, illegal tobacco sales have prompted regular violence, with more than 100 firebombings in two years. The federal tobacco excise topped $1.40 per cigarette in March but the expected tax take has nosedived, with almost $7 billion wiped from projections in the federal budget. Economist Chris Richardson called the excise increase without a commensurate enforcement scheme an 'epic policy fail'. Treasurer Jim Chalmers' March budget revealed $6.9 billion had been wiped off tobacco excise projections to 2029, with about one in five smokers shifting to illicit cigarettes or vapes. In response, federal Labor committed $157 million across two years for federal health, crime and tax agencies to strengthen enforcement and target crime gangs. NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said he would not advocate for a reduction in the excise. He said it was up to the Commonwealth to determine the excise and states to enforce the law. 'This is a matter for NSW Health but clearly it has been incapable, and Chris Minns has been incapable, of tackling this scourge,' he said. Mr Speakman said an inquiry was considering enforcement alternatives. Mr Minns said on Monday he wanted health officials running hospitals, not criminal investigations or enforcing bans on nicotine vapes. An estimated one in five adolescents vaped at least occasionally in 2024, up from one in 40 adolescents in 2019. In 2021-22, an estimated 1.9 million Australian adults were current daily smokers. This represents about 10.1 per cent of the adult population, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. READ MORE: Winter blast to sweep across Australia Temperatures will plummet this week as a series of icy cold fronts travel across southeastern Australia, marking the unofficial start of the ski season. Freezing cold air will sweep through New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania with the high country expected to receive some light snow. According to Weatherzone, the mid-week chill heralds the unofficial start of the ski season, with several days of fresh snowfall on the cards. 'Wednesday night and Thursday morning will be particularly cold, with minimum temperatures forecast to reach -5 to -7C in the Vic and NSW Alps,' it said. The real chill is expected to hit over the weekend, when two cold fronts are forecast to impact southeastern Australia. This back-to-back system is expected to deliver a steady stream of cold air and snowfall, with snow likely each day from Saturday through to at least Tuesday. The timing couldn't be better for ski resorts, with the King's Birthday long weekend approaching. 'Tuesday's front won't deliver a lot of natural snow,' Weatherzone said. A cold front is moving across the country, bringing cool weather into the long weekend 'But it will cause temperatures to drop and allow ski resorts to make plenty of artificial snow in the lead-up to the weekend.' The June long weekend typically signals the start of the ski season for most of the main ski resorts. However, early June can be unreliable when it comes to natural snow and in years past, there hasn't been enough coverage to open slopes this early. But this year looks more promising. 'Fortunately, Mother Nature will be kindly serving up several bursts of cold weather over the coming week, including a good bout of fresh natural snow over the long weekend and early next week,' Weatherzone said. On the west coast, Perth is set to receive its heaviest rainfall this year as a slow-moving low pressure system brings up to 85mm of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. Western Australia's south-western regions will cop a soaking after a relatively dry start to 2025 with below-average rainfall in the capital. The extreme conditions in the first week of winter comes after Australia experienced its fourth warmest autumn on record. The cold weather will bring snowfalls across the alpine regions in time for ski season (stock) Sydney Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Min 11 Max 16 Thursday: Sunny. Min 8 Max 17 Friday: Partly cloudly. Min 8 Max 18 Melbourne Wednesday: Showers. Min 8 Max 14 Thursday: Partly cloudy. Min 6 Max 15 Friday: Shower or two. Min 7 Max 14 Perth is set for a drenching with rainfall of 85mm expected on Tuesday and Wednesday (stock) Brisbane Wednesday: Sunny. Min 14 Max 23 Thursday: Sunny. Min 11 Max 22 Friday: Mostly sunny. Min 11 Max 23 Perth Wednesday: Showers and storms. Min 13 Max 20 Thursday: Showers. Min 12 Max 20 Friday: Partly cloudy. Min 8 Max 19 The cold front will bring cold weather into the King's Birthday long weekend Adelaide Wednesday: Sunny. Min 4 Max 16 Thursday: Shower or two. Min 5 Max 18 Friday: Showers. Min 9 Max 19 Hobart Wednesday: Cloudy. Min 4 Max 12 Thursday: Cloudy. Min 6 Max 13 Friday: Shower or two. Min 4 Max 14 Temperatures in single digits are forecast in Melbourne, Sydney and other cities (stock) Canberra Wednesday: Cloud clearing. Min 2 Max 12 Thursday: Morning frost, Sunny. Min -3 Max 13 Friday: Morning frost, cloudy. Min -3 Max 13 Darwin Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Min 22 Max 32 Thursday: Mostly sunny. Min 22 Max 31 Friday: Partly cloudy. Min 21 Max 32 At least one person is dead after a huge earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale rocked Turkey this morning. The natural disaster struck the popular resort town of Marmaris, shaking hotels and forcing people to be evacuated from their rooms as they waited for possible aftershocks. British tourists described the shock tremor as 'petrifying' and reported being thrown from their beds by the force of the quake. It was so powerful that the shockwaves were felt in Greece, with people awoken from their sleep on the island of Rhodes and holidaymakers at some hotels also being told to evacuate. Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said it started in the Mediterranean Sea at 2.17am. A 14-year-old girl died following a panic attack and some 70 people were hurt in the Mugla province as they rushed to find safety, including 'some who jumped from a height', Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X. 'The quake struck at 2:17 am (2317 GMT on Monday) some 10 kilometres (six miles) off the coast of Marmaris,' the AFAD disaster agency said. 'In Fethiye, a 14-year-old girl named Afranur Gunlu was taken to the hospital due to a panic attack but, unfortunately, despite all interventions, she passed away,' Yerlikaya said. Fethiyeh lies around 60 miles to the east of Marmaris. Video footage of the moment the quake struck shows people running out of restaurants and hotels into the street. Your browser does not support iframes. A hotel worker in Mugla is seen leaping over the front desk and running outside as the quake struck CCTV cameras inside a restaurant captured the moment people fled into the street CCTV footage shows people inside a restaurant sprinting to get outside, with one man seen jumping over the wall Diners are seen running from their table inside a restaurant in Turkey as the quake struck Residents and tourists rushed to get into the open air, with many seen gathering in parks and the streets in the early hours of the morning to avoid any falling debris. Of those injured, 14 were treated at the scene, eight were briefly treated then discharged and another 46 were being treated in hospital, he said. There were no initial reports of buildings destroyed in residential areas, Yerlikaya said. Many popular seaside resorts are located in Mugla province, including Marmaris, Bodrum and Fethiye, which welcomed 3.7 million foreign visitors in 2024, the Anatolu state news agency said. The earthquake was also 'broadly felt' in Greece's Dodecanese islands, the national quake protection authority chief Efthymios Lekkas told the enikos.gr news portal, saying some tourists in Rhodes had been forced to evacuate their hotels. But there were no reports of injuries, he said. Travel firm TUI advised tourists in the region to 'remain calm and follow any safety instructions provided by your accommodation or local officials.' The quake was also felt in Egypt, according to the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. Different monitors measured the quake as a 6.0-magnitude tremor A pair of cats were seen on camera leaping into the air as the powerful quake hit The earthquake struck six miles away from the Marmaris at a depth of 42 miles, experts estimated. Aftershocks of up to magnitude 5 were initially anticipated in Turkey, though it appears the risk of these has passed. Greek seismologist Efthimios Lekkas told local outlet ERT News that the earthquake's depth - below the earth's crust - meant it could be felt across a wider area and was 'very intense' in Rhodes. But, he added: 'It will not have a significant impact on the surface, there will be no tsunami, and above all, there will not be a rich aftershock sequence.' For many, the tremors will have brought back grim memories of the devastating 2023 earthquake, which claimed over 53,000 lives in Turkey. The 7.8 magnitude quake laid waste to hundreds of thousands of buildings across the country, and impacted a total of 11 provinces in the south and southeast. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria. Disturbing footage has emerged of a group of white supremacists staging an early morning demonstration outside a shopping centre in Melbourne. Police are investigating after the group gathered outside Northland Shopping Centre in Preston, north-east of Melbourne's CBD about 3.30am on Sunday. They were filmed dressed in black with their faces covered while chanting slogans such as 'white man, fight back' and 'white pride' while holding an offensive banner. It came a week after a violent brawl broke out between 'rival gangs' armed with machetes at the shopping centre on the afternoon of May 25. That incident prompted the Victorian government to fast-track its ban on the sale of machetes to immediately take effect instead of September. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described Sunday night's demonstration as 'hateful' and 'extremist' and said it had 'no place' in Victoria. 'This is disgusting behaviour by a group of cowards who seek to do nothing more than intimidate and spread hatred we will not stand for it', she told Guardian Australia. Speaker and advocate Jeff Kissubi posted an image of the demonstration to Instagram, claiming there were 'no police in sight' and 'no immediate dispersal'. Pictured is a post to social media depicting the masked white supremacist group prominently displaying the offensive sign outside the popular shopping centre Victoria Police confirmed they were investigating an incident involving an 'offensive banner' outside a Preston shopping centre. 'There is absolutely no place for antisemitic, racist or hate-based behaviour in our society and police will not tolerate such activity,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. Shopping centre management condemned the demonstration. 'We understand that a group briefly gathered outside the closed centre in the early hours of Sunday morning, well outside trading hours. Security informed police immediately,' a Vicinity Centres spokesperson by National Indigenous Times. 'Vicinity strongly condemns any behaviour that incites division or violence within our community. Such actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.' Police have so far arrested and charged seven males over the May 25 brawl that forced terrified shoppers to bunker down in locked down stores or run for their lives. It prompted Premier Allan to bring forward a ban on the sale of machetes to take effect immediately. The laws, which the government described as the toughest of their kind in Australian history, were introduced to tackle a wave of violent knife crime across the state. Pictured is an brawl involving machetes at the shopping centre the week prior on May 25, which prompted the Victorian Government to fast-track its ban on machete sales Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) described the incident as 'disgusting' and 'hateful', spruiking her government's tougher hate laws 'In Victoria, community safety comes first. We must never let places we meet become places we fear,' Allan said 'I hate these knives, and I will keep introducing as many laws as it takes to get them off our streets, out of our shops and out of our lives.' The government also recently passed stricter hate speech laws to crack down on those who 'whip up hate and fear against Victorians because of who they are'. 'Now we are unmasking Nazis through our protest laws, and we are making it impossible for them to function by putting their vilifying threats and incitements in the Crimes Act where they belong,' Allan said. Anyone with information about Sunday morning's incident are urged to contact Crime Stoppers. The Prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has given his first jail-based interview in which he revealed he suffered a broken rib after being attacked by a fellow inmate. Convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner, 48, is the man German investigators believe abducted Madeleine from her family's rented holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007. Just as investigators will begin hunting for Madeleine's body today in the Algarve in a search Portuguese cops predict will come to nothing, Brueckner has given a face-to-face interview to German network, RTL from Sehnde Prison near Hanover. He is currently serving a seven-year sentence for the brutal rape of a 72-year-old American woman, Dianne Menkes in the Algarve in 2006, which he still contests. Brueckner claimed to journalists that he was 'assaulted by another inmate at least one rib was broken. I now stay in my cell 24 hours a day. I don't go out. Not even for food.' Photos show his cell fitted with a thin yellow curtain, a single bed on the left side, and a small table to the right with a white chair and a blue table cloth. The revelation about the convicted rapist being attacked by a fellow prisoner comes after he had two ribs broken by prison guards in 2020 after he threw yoghurt around his cell and blocked the toilet. According to a report, Brueckner was rushed to hospital for treatment after he 'threw a tantrum' in his courthouse cell by smearing it with food and filling the toilet with loo roll. Christian Brueckner has given his first jail-based interview in which he revealed he suffered a broken rib after being attacked by a fellow inmate Brueckner is the man German investigators believe abducted Madeleine from her family's rented holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007 It comes as German and Portuguese investigators will begin hunting for Madeleine's body today in the Algarve in a 'last-throw-of-the-dice' search Meanwhile, the search for evidence in the Maddie McCann case is underway today in Portugal. Should investigators uncover any relevant evidence, this could mean they finally press charges against Brueckner. German authorities have requested the four-day searches close to the ramshackle cottage Brueckner used to live at near to the holiday resort of Praia da Luz where Maddie vanished 18 years ago. Despite being named in 2020 as the prime suspect in the Maddie McCann case, Brueckner has still not been charged. Around 30 officers from Germany's FBI - the BKA - arrived in the area around 7.30pm yesterday after Portuguese colleagues sealed off dirt roads and erected blue tents by scrubland in preparation for today's operation. The major search, the first for more than two years in Portugal, will focus on wells, ruins, and water storage tanks on 21 plots of privately-owned land thought to cover around 120 acres. But cracks were already appearing this morning between the Portuguese police who have made it clear they are simply 'complying' with decisions they haven't taken and their German counterparts. After his interview, the RTL reporter Ulrich Oppold said: 'After a thorough search, I was led into a visiting room together with the relatives of other prisoners, where the prominent prisoner greeted me.' 'Christian B. seemed intelligent to me, perhaps a little distant, and I think he had prepared himself very well for our conversation.He knew exactly what he wanted to say and, above all, what he didn't want to say.' Your browser does not support iframes. Reporters make coverage of Portuguese Criminal Investigation Police (PJ) researches in Lagos, in Algarve region on June 3, 2025 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 Madeleine McCann's family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month by remembering her as a 'very beautiful and unique person' ahead of what would be her 22nd birthday. Prison staff at Sehnde prison have described Brueckner as reclusive and emotionless. But for the RTL journalist, he came across as confident and remorseless. 'Christian B. made a very confident impression on me, he seemed serene, spoke with a slight Franconian accent and I had the feeling that I was looking at a man who was not aware of any guilt.' Brueckner's defence team have applied for him to be released early. But he still has to pay his court-issued fines for insulting a prison officer at Sehnde prison and as he apparently has no money, then this will have to be paid in time by spending more days in prison. He will soon have to face yet another court hearing for also insulting another prison officer when at Oldenburg prison in northern Germany. Brueckner said he does not expect to be released any time soon, but should it come to that, he would have to go into hiding, saying he is 'as well-known as a colourful dog.' And he added that he 'is most looking forward to a proper steak with a beer.' During the trial last year, Brueckner was acquitted after being charged with five non-related sex offences, including 3 separate counts of rape and two cases of exposing himself to children. But forensic psychiatrist Dr Christian Riedemann said Brueckner was among the highest category of dangerous persons, and said he was a 'psychopath with paedophilic tendencies.' A savage brawl broke out at Disneyland after furious tourists became fed up with queue-cutters. Despite being deemed the 'Happiest Place on Earth', the scuffle between a couple and a family of three even saw a young child be assaulted near the Crazy Animal City ride. In a video taken by another person in the queue, a man wearing a black t-shirt grabbed the other man, in a white t-shirt, by the neck. They both wrestled each other as a woman wearing a hat with rabbit ears attached to it repeatedly flailed out her arms. She tried to hit both of the men before running at a visitor, part of the family of three, who carried a child. The woman hit both of them, including the little girl, which caused the mum to break down into tears and crouch on the ground. She kept the child tightly in her arms and held her close to her chest. As she cried, the focus went back to the two men as the woman wearing the rabbit hat went to join in on the scuffle. A savage brawl broke out at Disneyland after furious tourists became fed up with queue-cutters In a video taken by another person in the queue, two men brawled while a woman wearing a hat with rabbit ears attached to it repeatedly flailed out her arms The woman in the hat hit both the other woman and the little girl, causing the mother to break down into tears and crouch on the ground The man in the white t-shirt who appeared to be part of the family, was wrestled to the ground after he fell on some steps. When he hit the floor, the woman who was still holding her child became hysterical as she reached out her arm to the man. She then stood up and grabbed the woman wearing the hat and began to shout. Security personnel eventually intervened in the fight - which local press said was caused by an argument over the queue - and were able to break up the altercation which took place at Disneyland Park, in Shanghai, China. The shocking scenes attracted a large number of tourists who watched in horror, as reported by NeedToKnow. It is not known whether those involved suffered consequences as a result of their actions but some outlets have said that tourists may face a permanent ban on entering the park if they engage in violent behaviour. It has also been reported that the couple tried to have a photo together which was blocked by the family, leading to a heated exchange before punches began swinging. This is not the first time an outrageous brawl broke out at Disneyland - with another viral video taken of a fight in 2023. Punches and kicks were thrown between two families on the walkway between Storybook Land Canal Boats and Mad Tea Party rides in Fantasyland in 2023 The family wearing red were allegedly asked to move aside by another family attempting to pass but instead 'gave them attitude' and told them to go around Punches and kicks were thrown between two families on the walkway between Storybook Land Canal Boats and Mad Tea Party rides in Fantasyland. A tourist wearing blue pushes another clad in red before a second guest - also wearing red - runs up and throws a punch at the apparent instigator. The camera pans away but swings back to reveal two more guests joining in. Another two people are absorbed in the brawl as bystanders rush from the scene. One man topples to the ground - only to be kicked by a woman as he attempts to regain his balance. Small children closest to the fight hang onto a nearby guardrail as they inch away. Disneyland security hurried to break up the fight while Fantasyland cast members closed off the area between the parade route and the Mad Hatter gift shop. According to visitor who filmed the scuffle, the family wearing red was asked to move aside by another family attempting to pass. The family in red 'gave them attitude' and told them to go around. However, this was not possible, as there was only a small opening and the second family had strollers. The families continued to exchange verbal blows before teenage girls from both sides began to argue 'in close proximity' - launching an all-out fistfight. Park officials say the party that initiated the incident was immediately removed, adding that 'any type of violence will not be tolerated at Disneyland Resort'. A mother who has been on hunger strike for 247 days after her British-Egyptian activist son was jailed in Cairo has said she is prepared to die to try and get him released while speaking from her London hospital bed. Laila Soueif, 69, is so weak she was rushed to hospital last week but continues to refuse all forms of glucose treatment. Her doctors warned over the weekend she is at 'immediate' risk of unconsciousness and sudden death after her blood sugar dropped to 0.6 mmol/L, as well as irreversible damage to her organs. But faced with the risks, Ms Soueif is determined to see her son freed before she resumes consuming calories, heartbreakingly telling reporters: 'My message is: use my death as leverage to get Alaa out.' Her son, Alaa Abd el Fattah, 43, has been imprisoned in Wadi El Natrun prison in Cairo after being arrested for his activist work in support of democracy and human rights in the country. Mr Abd el Fattah was jailed on terrorism charges in 2019 following a social media post about torture which saw him repost a claim that a fellow prisoner had died. He has been in prison for the best part of the last decade after his arrest in the aftermath of a military coup in 2013. His family had hoped he would be released at the end of his five-year sentence in September 2024, but unusually, the Egyptian government has kept him incarcerated, refusing to count his time on remand as part of his sentence. Speaking from her hospital bed on BBC Radio 4 this morning, Ms Soueif commented on the risk she may not survive her strike: 'It's something that I passionately don't want to happen. Children want a mother, not a notorious mother, whether the notoriety is good or bad. Laila Soueif, 69, is so weak she was rushed to hospital last week but continues to refuse all forms of glucose treatment Alaa Abd el Fattah, 43, is in Wadi El Natrun prison in Cairo, where he has been incarcerated for most of the past decade Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to do everything he can to secure Mr Abd el Fattah's release, but his family say he is not doing enough 'But if that's what it takes to get Alaa out of jail and to get all my children and grandchildren's life back on track, then that's what I'm going to do.' During his detention he has regularly been on hunger strike, often joined by his mother Ms Soueif, who has campaigned tirelessly for his release. Ms Soueif, who has lost 42 percent of her bodyweight and now weighs just 49kg since going on hunger strike in September when her son was not released, has not consumed food for 247 days. She was admitted to St Thomas' hospital in London in February and received a glucose drip which is thought to have saved her life, and she was discharged after agreeing to consume 300 calories per day. But she resumed a full hunger strike on May 20 after criticising a lack of progress on freeing her son. Ms Soueif was hospitalised on Thursday and received glucagon, a hormone used to treat severe hypoglycaemia, as well as intravenous electrolytes. She has refused glucose treatment and has begun giving her farewells to loved ones, her family says. Speaking to the BBC, her daughter Sanaa Seif said: 'No-one understands how she's still conscious. It's very scary. 'She's talking to us about life after she's gone. She's started to do her farewells.' In a press conference outside the hospital on Tuesday, Ms Seif added that her mother's blood sugar was still very low but that she was conscious. She said: 'She is fighting and I hope the Foreign Office uses this time her body has given us well.' Ms Seif said she was supposed to have flown to Cairo on Tuesday to see her brother but stayed to be with her mother. MS Soueif is on her 247th day of hunger strike and has lost more than a third of her bodyweight She was previously hospitalised in February, but this time she is refusing glucose treatment She had received two letters from Mr Abd El-Fattah - one of which was 'very confused and short', saying simply 'Take care of yourself'. 'I am really worried about him,' she said. She also said she wanted to save her mother's life but understands her position 'as a mother'. Ms Seif said: 'The only reason she cares about staying alive is us. She doesn't want to go on living life like this and I understand that.' Ms Seif accused the Foreign Office of not working fast enough and claimed no one from the Prime Minister's office had been in touch directly about the state of negotiations for around three weeks. She said: 'We are going by the hour; they were measuring her vitals by the hour, at some point every 15 minutes. I expressed my frustration how it is insane that they (the Government) are taking weeks. They have not told me they have changed their pace.' Ms Seif added: 'I imagine that means they don't have much to say.' She also urged Foreign Secretary David Lammy to follow through on what he said when in opposition and limit the Egyptian ambassador's access to Whitehall. Conservative former minister Sir John Whittingdale, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told the Today programme Mr Abd El-Fattah was a 'political activist' who had not committed 'any crime that we would recognise'. He said Mr Lammy was 'outspoken' in opposition but that his action in Government since then 'simply hasn't had an effect'. Sir John also called on the Foreign Office to change its travel advice for Egypt to warn Britons there is a risk they could 'fall foul of the Egyptian authorities'. Before hospitalisation, Ms Soueif carried out a daily 'sit-in' where she sits outside Downing Street holding signs and photos of her son 'Egypt gets a huge income from tourism, a lot of that tourism comes from Britain and I think that might well put the pressure on that is obviously needed,' he said. Mr Abd el Fattah's case has been brought up in the House of Commons several times by MP John McDonnell, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to do everything he can to put pressure on Egypt to release him. Starmer spoke with the Egyptian President on February 28 and 'pressed for his release', Downing Street said. Foreign Secretary David Lammy then also spoke to his counterpart on April 9. Last month, John McDonnell raised Alaa's case with the Prime Minister at PMQs, with Starmer telling MPs: 'I have met Laila and given her my commitment to do everything I possibly can. I have had a number of contacts myself, but I am not going to stop doing everything within my power to secure release.' The UN ruled last week that Mr Abd el Fattah had been arrested for exercising his right to freedom of expression and also called for his immediate release. The family plan to give an update on Ms Soueif's health outside St Thomas' Hospital in London this morning. They will be joined by UK Parliamentarians including Vice-Chairs of the APPG on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs Brendan O'Hara MP and Tim Roca MP, as well as John McDonnell MP and Sian Berry MP. More than 100 Parliamentarians last month signed a letter calling for Starmer to take urgent action over the case. It gave a worrying glimpse into Ms Soueif's condition: 'We write with mounting concern about the lack of concrete progress on Alaa's case, more than two months after your call with President Sisi. Her family say Ms Soueif has started bidding farewell to her loved ones 'Time is in desperately short supply in this case. Alaa has been acutely unwell in prison, experiencing vomiting, stomach pains, dizziness and blurred vision. 'Meanwhile, Laila's health continues to deteriorate. She has not eaten proper food for more than seven months. 'Prime Minister, we remain gravely concerned about the implications for Alaa's family if the path to resolve his case and secure his release cannot be found very soon. 'There is also no doubt in our minds that if the health of Laila or Alaa is further damaged by this ordeal, this would have serious long-term implications for the British-Egyptian bilateral relationship. 'We urge you to deploy every tool at your Government's disposal at this vital stage. We offer our support to your efforts on behalf of Alaa and his family in any way needed.' John Healey refused to rule out tax rises to fund the drive to make Britain 'war-ready' today amid Nato demands for even higher investment. The Defence Secretary insisted he was '100 per cent confident' that the government will be able to ramp up spending to 3 per cent of GDP. That would be around 14billion more than the current 2.5 per cent target. But Mr Healey was unable to give a timetable for when the 'ambition' will be reached, or how the money will be found. Economists have been warning that 'chunky' tax hikes will almost certainly be needed, potentially smashing the Labour manifesto. There are questions over whether Britain will have to go even further, with Nato members under pressure from the US to agree a 3.5 per cent target at a summit later this month - plus 1.5 per cent on wider cyber and security. That increase could be worth around 28billion in today's prices, although it is unclear when in the 2030s the deadline for reaching the level would be. Donald Trump has pushed for Nato allies to spend 5 per cent - significantly more than the US does. The Strategic Defence Review published yesterday painted a grim picture of the UK's capabilities, recommending sweeping changes including a greater focus on new technology such as drones and AI. The authors suggested reaching the 3 per cent target is vital to delivering their recommendations. Defence Secretary John Healey insisted he was '100 per cent confident' that the government will be able to ramp up spending to 3 per cent of GDP Missiles on display at the MBDA Storm Shadow factory in Stevenage Your browser does not support iframes. The Government has committed to increase spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product from April 2027. But it only has an 'ambition' to reach 3 per cent during the next parliament, due to end by around 2034. Touring broadcast studios this morning, Mr Healey denied the government is gambling on economic growth to meet the goal. 'I'm 100 per cent confident that we'll hit that 3 per cent,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'The important thing for now is what we can do, and we can do now more than we've been able to do before, because of an extra 5billion the Chancellor has put in to the defence budget this year and the 2.5 per cent that we will deliver three years earlier than anyone expected. 'It means that a 60billion budget this year will rise throughout this parliament and beyond.' Pressed on Times Radio whether tax rises would be part of the solution, Mr Healey said: 'We'll set out how, just as we've done with our 2.5 per cent commitment where we have made that tough decision to switch money out of overseas development aid into defence... 'We'll set out how we'll pay for future increases in the future.' There was another grim sign for the public finances today as the OECD downgraded growth forecasts for the UK from 1.4 per cent to 1.3 per cent this year, and from 1.2 per cent to 1 per cent in 2026. Nato secretary general Mark Rutte is thought to be pushing for the current 2 per defence spending target to be upped to 3.5 per cent, after intense talks with the US. Mr Healey told reporters later on Tuesday that the UK already made a 'huge contribution' to Nato as he dodged questions about the alliance potentially setting a 3.5 per cent target. 'As the PM has said, Britain already makes a huge contribution to Nato,' he said. 'We've published a defence review that has Nato at its heart and I'm announcing today the new spending in this Parliament, 4billion, doubling the amount that we'll put into drones. 'And we'll make a bigger contribution to Nato through that and 1 billion over this Parliament to develop laser weapons the first European nation in Nato to have laser weapons on our destroyers and then with our land forces. 'This is Britain leading in Nato, contributing more to Nato, just as we do, for instance, with our nuclear deterrent the only country with a nuclear deterrent that commits it in full to other Nato nations.' The PM's official spokesman said: 'I'm not going to get into the discussions that are ongoing, in the usual way, ahead of (the) Nato (summit). 'The UK is already the third-highest spender in Nato in cash terms behind the United States and Germany, we are one of 22 allies of the 32 in Nato that already exceed the 2 per cent of GDP Nato target. 'But it isn't just about cash, it's about contributions to capability that each Nato ally brings. 'Whether it is our nuclear capability, whether it's our world-class carriers with fifth-generation combat aircraft, our armed forces who are some of the most advanced in the world, the UK has been a leading contributor to Nato and will remain one.' But shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'This commitment from NATO contrasts with Labour's total failure to set out a plan to spend 3 per cent on defence. 'As a result, their defence review has completely unravelled. The submarines and ships it promises are nothing but a fantasy fleet based on fantasy funding. 'Rather than competing with Reform to expand welfare spending, Starmer should follow our lead and urgently commit to spending 3 per cent this Parliament.' Lord George Robertson, a former Nato head and one of the authors of the strategic review, said the blueprint could be 'accelerated or amplified' if there was more money. 'The 3.5 per cent is a figure that appears to be being talked about in NATO Headquarters,' he told Times Radio. 'Quite a substantial number of big countries in NATO don't even meet the 2 per cent which was agreed 11 years ago. 'So, I can see why the Secretary General of NATO, after all, I held that position, is giving targets at the moment for countries, but whether they are realisable is really a different question altogether.' Lord Robertson dismissed the idea that the UK would be 'cornered' into spending 3.5 per cent. 'No, I don't think he's going to be cornered at all. We're a significant country inside Nato and what we spend at the present moment, which is going to be 2.5 per cent the year after next, is substantially in excess of what the average payment is inside Nato,' he said. 'What we spend it on is quite important. We make a serious contribution to defence inside NATO.' The Ministry of Defence announced a 5billion investment in the 'kit of the future' following the publication of the review on Monday. The funding includes 4billion for drones and autonomous systems, and an extra 1billion for lasers to protect British ships and soldiers. Mr Healey said the investment would provide 'the most significant advance in UK defence technology in decades' and 'ensure our armed forces have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world'. Part of the investment will see the establishment of a new 'drone centre' to accelerate the deployment of the technology by all three branches of the armed forces. The focus on drones comes as the technology has proved increasingly lethal on the battlefield in Ukraine, where it now kills more people than traditional artillery. Keir Starmer insisted the UK had to become 'war-ready' to take on growing threats At a meeting of allied defence ministers in April, Mr Healey said the UK estimated drones were inflicting 70-80 per cent of battlefield casualties, while on Sunday Ukraine launched a major attack on Russian airfields deep behind the front line using a fleet of small drones. In addition to investment in drones and AI, the Government has announced an additional 1billion for the development of 'directed energy weapons' (DEWs) during the current parliament. This includes the DragonFire laser scheduled to be fitted to the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers from 2027, with a similar system provided for the Army by the end of the decade. DragonFire and other DEWs are intended to provide a lower-cost form of air defence against targets including drones, costing just 10 per shot compared with the thousands of pounds it costs to fire existing weapons. 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. There are fears British steel could be hammered with Donald Trump's latest tariffs tomorrow after No10 admitted there is no timetable for a trade deal to be implemented. Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump hailed the broad terms of an agreement almost a month ago that would exempt the UK from some of the US president's punitive levies. But Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet US officials in Paris this evening amid mounting anger that the terms still have not been finalised. There is uncertainty about the future of Mr Trump's tariffs after a US court last week ruled many of them unlawful, before an appeals court reinstated the levies pending a further hearing. Last week also saw Mr Trump announce that he would double tariffs on steel to 50 per cent, starting tomorrow. Tata Steel director Russell Codling told MPs this afternoon it was extraordinarily difficult to plan at a time when there was so much uncertainty. The 25 per cent tariff as it was applied earlier in the year was a big shock to us then the shock over the weekend of seeing 50 per cent applied was really quite devastating to be able to plan where do we go next, what is the future for our business, the future for our customers, he told MPs on the Business and Trade Committee. We have longstanding arrangements with our customers in the US, there are not customers we just obtain on a spot basis they rely on us for their business. Asked if the deal that Sir Keir agreed with Trump afforded them any protection, he replied: Not at this moment, no. Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump announced the broad terms of an agreement almost a month ago that would excise the UK from some of the US president's punitive levies on steel and cars while increasing market access for other goods. The Prime Minister hailed the announcement as a major achievement, saying the UK was the first nation to reach such an agreement with Mr Trump. Im very grateful for the work the government has been putting in to this, getting to a point that we can see a pathway towards an arrangement, a much more solid arrangement for the future If we can get this deal enacted as quickly as possible, my ask is please can the government act as quickly as possible on this, it will get stability for us, stability for our customers in the US and ultimately it will be beneficial to both the US and the UK economy as a result.' Earlier the PM's official spokesman merely said it was 'up to the United States to make their own policy announcements'. 'The Business Secretary will be attending a meeting of trade ministers in Paris today and is expected to meet with the US trade representative Jamieson Greer to discuss implementation of the agreement that we reached with the United States,' he told reporters. 'You will remember that that agreement is committed to removing tariffs on steel and aluminium to save jobs and help the UK industry. Asked if the deal that Sir Keir agreed with Trump afforded them any protection, Tata Steel director Russell Codling told MPs: Not at this moment, no.' 'That would mean that once that deal has been implemented, the steel industry will not pay tariffs for the majority of steel products that they're exporting to the US.' Challenged if it was 'embarrassing' that steelmakers could face a worse situation despite the deal being heralded last month, the spokesman said: 'I'm not going to get ahead of announcements for the United States. 'But what you've seen so far is the US and the UK agree a landmark deal across sectors to protect British industries cars, steel, aluminium and you've seen the welcoming statements the industries have made in support of the agreement. 'When it comes to implementation of the agreement, that work is ongoing.' Andrew Griffith, the Conservative shadow business secretary, said: 'Labour told the British public we had a deal with the US but one month on there is no deal in sight, meaning British businesses and workers continue to suffer because of Labour's failed negotiations.' Mr Reynolds is expected to discuss implementing the deal during talks with US trade representative Jamieson Greer in Paris, where he is attending a meeting of the OECD. Mr Reynolds's visit to Paris is part of a three-day trip, during which he is expected to meet other trade ministers and attend a G7 ministerial meeting before heading to Brussels for meetings with his EU counterparts. During the trip, the Trade Secretary will argue that the UK is a dependable partner in an era of increasing global volatility. He said: 'Our deals with the US, EU and India are proof that the UK is the most connected country in the world to do business. Along with our modern industrial strategy, our Plan for Change is making the UK a safe, stable bet in uncertain times. 'We recognise our relationship with G7 allies and EU counterparts must continue to evolve and deliver a better trading environment for our businesses and exporters. 'That's why we want to wipe away costly, business-blocking barriers and open up opportunities to grow our economy, create jobs and put more money in people's pockets.' Almost four weeks on, Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet US officials in Paris today to hammer out a timeline for change to actually happen. Andrew Griffith, the Conservative shadow business secretary, said: 'Labour told the British public we had a deal with the US but one month on there is no deal in sight, meaning British businesses and workers continue to suffer because of Labour's failed negotiations.' Meanwhile, the legality of the approach used for imposing the most sweeping of Trump's 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 that his the UK. 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. A deep sea diver who lost his leg after he was crushed by a giant underwater hammer has won a 915,000 compensation payout. Veteran diver Allan Peacock, 55, suffered devastating injuries when he was crushed by heavy equipment while working from a cargo barge in pipe laying operations off the coast of India in 2011. A heavy pile - acting like a 'hammer' to nail another pile into the seabed - unexpectedly moved, sucking him between the two pieces of equipment and crushing his foot. Mr Peacock was able to hop and drag himself away and was treated in India before flying home to be treated in Newcastle. Despite the surgeon's 'exceptional' efforts, he ended up having to have a below-knee amputation. He miraculously returned to work on the seabed just 18 months later with the help of a special prosthetic leg, however, the mountain biking enthusiast fears becoming more disabled in later life and believes it is 'likely' he will be wheelchair-bound. Following the incident, Mr Peacock sued his former employer, Indian company Del Seatek India Private Limited, as well as the barge's operator, South Korean company Hyundai heavy Industries Company Ltd. His lawyers claimed that the work had been done in 'hazardously strong tides and with poor visibility' and that the piles were 'not sufficiently secured together.' After winning his case at the High Court, Mr Peacock has been awarded 765,866 in compensation from Del Seatek India Private Limited, having already received about 169,000 from Hyundai. Allan Peacock, 55, who lost his leg after he was crushed by a giant underwater hammer The veteran diver (pictured in his diving gear) has now been awarded 915,000 compensation from his former employer and barge operator The court heard Mr Peacock qualified in 1998 and was working as a saturation diver for Del Seatek when he was injured while working from a cargo barge in pipe laying operations in the Paradip area of India in November 2011. His barrister, Mark Chapman KC, said conditions were difficult, with poor visibility of only about a metre and a strong tide when he descended underwater in a dive basket to work at a depth of up to 30 metres. His task was to disconnect two chains which were holding vertical piles together, one on top of the other, with the top driving the other into the seabed and 'acting like a hammer on a nail.' As he began to work, the top pile parted from the other and the barge began to roll due to the tide, also causing the piles to move, the barrister continued. 'They parted because they were insecurely attached,' he said. 'There was too much slack in the chains holding them together. 'The claimant's right foot was sucked in between the parted piles before the top pile fell back on top of the bottom pile and, in doing so, crushed the claimant's foot. 'The claimant's foot was stuck for a few seconds before the piles moved again and the claimant was able to remove the foot. 'The claimant detached his umbilical and hopped and dragged himself back to the dive basket after informing the dive supervisor of the accident. The basket had been removed to the surface and so the claimant had to await its return.' Mr Peacock is seen arriving to the High Court in London where he was awarded 765,866 in compensation from Del Seatek India Private Limited He was initially treated in India, before being moved to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where he had to have his below-knee amputation due to the lack of blood flow to the foot. Mr Chapman said the extent of his injury had been 'graphically revealed' to him and he was told without warning that amputation was required, which left him 'extremely shocked and quite emotional.' 'Following the accident, the claimant was absent from all/any work for a period of around 18 months,' he continued. 'However, he is a stoical, resourceful and determined individual. He was resolute in his ambition to return to his pre-accident work, having independently researched the regulatory position applicable to amputees and commercial diving operations. 'The claimant has managed to return to work in a field which is very demanding with the use of prostheses provided by the NHS.' In his written evidence put before the court, Mr Peacock himself described the problems he faced in getting back to work after the accident. 'One of the things raised was what would happen if my prosthetic leg came off in the water,' he said. 'In order to deal with this issue I came up with the idea of having climbing harnesses attached to my prosthetic leg. 'This was approved by health and safety and now it is something that I use all of the time when at work.' Mr Peacock was sucked between two heavy piles, crushing his foot. Pictured: A number of heavy piles dug into the seabed Although he is now slower in the water, he continues working as a diver, but fears becoming more disabled in later life, the court heard. 'I am fully aware that it is likely that I will be wheelchair-bound at some later stage in my life and to be honest this scares me,' he said. 'I try not to think about it too much and concentrate on keeping myself fit and healthy. I watch what I eat, I exercise and I try to keep myself in the best possible shape.' Addressing the judge, Mr Chapman described Mr Peacock as an 'impressive' man, who, because he can no longer run, has taken up kayaking and is still a keen mountain biker. Mr Peacock initially sued his former employer Del Seatek and also the barge's operator, South Korean company Hyundai heavy Industries Company Ltd. Hyundai settled his claim with a payment of 169,000, but Mr Chapman said Del Seatek had since 2016 'taken zero interest in this matter and had no involvement since 2016,' leaving the judge to simply decide the amount in damages he is due from them. Ruling on the case after a half-day trial at the High Court, Deputy Admiralty Registrar Simon Brown awarded Mr Peacock 915,871 damages, to be reduced by the amount already received from Hyundai. The sum includes awards of 150,000 for lost earnings and 681,000 to pay for prostheses and equipment, as well as smaller sums to cover the extra cost of first class seats while flying back and forth to work and to mark the care he received from his wife, Samantha Vincent. Speaking afterwards, Mr Peacock's solicitor Simon O'Loughlin, of Irwin Mitchell, said: 'What Allan went through was very traumatic, but he's shown such bravery and resilience to get to where he is today. To see him get back out working as a professional diver after such a serious injury is nothing short of incredible. He's truly an inspiration. 'It's been a privilege to get to know him and I hope that the settlement will be able to provide him with some closure as well as help fund any future treatment and support he requires and deserves.' Mr Peacock added: 'Not for one minute did I ever expect to be back doing what I love after what happened to me. However I knew that my only options were to sit back and let my injury define me or take back my life I chose the latter and I'm so glad I did. 'It took me a while to regain my confidence in the water, but I'm so proud of how far I've come. I've also had amazing support which I'm very grateful for. 'I wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone, but I hope that I can show that there is life after such serious injury.' Putin could overwhelm Britain's defences with swarms of explosive kamikaze drones, long-range missiles and crippling cyber hacks if the UK had to fight a war this year. That's the chilling warning issued by the landmark Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which exposed the vulnerabilities the UK needs to urgently fix to prepare for war. In a comprehensive 144-page document, revealed yesterday, defence chiefs outlined the five terrifying 'methods of attack' Britain should brace itself for if it was forced into a major conflict with the likes of Russia. Military bases, ports and airfields in the UK and around the world would be the first to come under siege, blasted by waves of drones and long-range cruise, ballistic or hypersonic missiles. Oil rigs, subsea cables, satellite communications and merchant vessels would also find themselves in the crosshairs of any onslaught by Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin, with saboteurs seeking to damage or destroy them. And a shadowy digital army of hackers would also launch a devastating barrage of cyber attacks, targeting government bodies, stock exchanges, communications and other critical infrastructure in a bid to paralyse Britain. The SDR warned: 'Based on the current way of war, if the UK were to fight a state-on-state war as part of Nato in 2025, it could expect to be subject to some or all of the following methods of attack: Attacks on the armed forces in the UK and on overseas bases Air and missile strikes from long range drones, cruise and ballistic missiles targeting military infrastructure and critical national infrastructure Increased sabotage and cyber attacks Attempts to disrupt the UK economy - especially the industry that supports the armed forces - through cyber attacks, intercepting shipping trade and attacks on space-based infrastructure Efforts to manipulate information and undermine social cohesion and political will Your browser does not support iframes. Britain would be unable to fend off a savage onslaught of missiles and drones should Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin seek to bombard Britain with them Military bases like HMNB Portsmouth - home to Britain's two prized aircraft carriers and its 6bn fleet of destroyers - could face being assaulted with drones and missiles if Britain went to war with the likes of Russia The dossier warned major attacks could target military bases and outposts in the UK and across the globe. Among the key targets would be the Royal Navy's three main bases in Portsmouth, Plymouth and Clyde, as well as overseas HQs like RAF Akoritiri in Cyprus, the RAF's new base in the Middle East at Al Minhad Air Base and the Diego Garcia outpost in the Indian Ocean. Describing the threat faced by Britain, the review continued: 'The UK and its allies are once again directly threatened by other states with advanced military forces. 'The UK is already under daily attack, with aggressive acts - from espionage to cyber-attack and information manipulation - causing harm to society and the economy. 'State conflict has returned to Europe, with Russia demonstrating its willingness to use military force, inflict harm on civilians, and threaten the use of nuclear weapons to achieve its goals. 'More broadly, the Wests long-held military advantage is being eroded as other countries modernise and expand their armed forces at speed, while the United States (US) security priorities are changing, as its focus turns to the Indo-Pacific and to the protection of its homeland.' The defence dossier also warned of: 'Air and missile attack from long-rage drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, targeting military infrastructure and critical national infrastructure in the UK.' Currently, Britain has a limited air defence capability - with military chiefs and experts previously warning the nation would be overwhelmed if it faced a drone and missile onslaught on the scale of those seen in Ukraine, Russia and Israel. Your browser does not support iframes. Swarms of drones, similar to this one used in the Ukraine war, could bombard Britain A Russian Air Force jet is seen carrying a high-precision hypersonic aero-ballistic missile Among the military bases that could face being attacked is HMNB Clyde in Faslane - home to Britain's fleet of nuclear submarines. Pictured is HMS Vengeance after leaving the HQ Britain's new defence drive - at a glance Britain's new weapons drive review made a list of more than 60 recommendations to enable the UK to 'pivot to a new way of war'. They include: Increasing the size of the army by 3,000 soldiers to 76,000 troops in the next parliament. The review also aims to boost the 'lethality' of the army ten-fold, using drones and other technology. A 20 per cent expansion in volunteer reserve forces. However, this is only when funding is available and will not likely happen until the 2030s Reviving a force of tens of thousands of veterans to fight in a crisis. A similar scheme dubbed the 'Strategic Reserve' was used during the Cold War before being axed. Investing more in new tech like AI, lasers and robots. The paper also warned Britain must develop new ways to counter biologic weapons. Opening up the possibility of the UK buying warplanes capable of carrying American-made nuclear missiles. Currently, Britain's nuke arsenal is the responsibility of the Royal Navy, who took over the role from the RAF decades ago. Boosting the size of the cadet force, made up of schoolchildren, by 30 per cent and offering a 'gap year' to people interested in sampling military life. New investment in long-range missiles, submarines, munitions factories and cyber warfare HQs. Advertisement Over the weekend, the ease at which cheap drones strapped with explosives could deal a crippling blow to even the most powerful militaries was demonstrated. In one of its most audacious attacks of the war, Ukraine unleashed 'swarms' of kamikaze drones from the backs of trucks to obliterate two of Putin's key airfields deep inside Russia. Dubbed 'Operation Spiderweb', the co-ordinated strikes left Putin humiliated and seeking revenge - with dozens of his prized doomsday warplanes razed to the ground. Two remote military airfields, Olenya in the Arctic Murmansk region and Belaya in eastern Siberia, were rocked by massive explosions, with dramatic footage showing fires raging for hours. The bases, located thousands of miles from Ukraine, are critical to Russia's nuclear strike capability and were considered untouchable. Yet Ukraine's daring raid saw them struck with deadly precision, using first-person-view (FPV) drones launched from unmarked vans parked near the airfields. Ukraine's security service, the SBU, claimed to have hit $7billion (5.2billion) worth of military equipment. Each of the drones used cost several hundred pounds by comparison. The ease of the barrage is likely to alarm defence planners in Britain, which would currently struggle to fend off such an assault. In a devastating verdict on the state of the UK's defences, the SDR said today's armed forces are 'not currently optimised for warfare', with inadequate stockpiles of weapons, poor recruitment and plummeting morale. 'The international chessboard has been tipped over,' a team of three experts that led the review wrote in a foreword to the document. 'In a world where the impossible today is becoming the inevitable tomorrow, there can be no complacency about defending our country.' 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 UK has limited ground-based defences, which includes the Sky Sabre missile system capable of blowing cruise missiles and fighter jets out of the sky. However, Britain would rely on the Royal Navy's six Type 45 destroyers to take down faster ballistic or hypersonic missiles which Russia has used to blitz Ukraine. Defence Secretary John Healey has insisted more cash will be pumped into bolstering the UK's air defences. Writing in a foreword to SDR, Mr Healey said 'up to' 1bn would be invested in 'homeland air and missile defence' as well as the creation of a new cyber and electromagnetic warfare command. The review also warned citizens to brace themselves for 'attempts to disrupt the UK economy, especially the industry that supports the armed forces, including through cyber attack, the interdiction of maritime trade, and attacks on space-based critical national infrastructure'. Finally, it warned the UK would face a huge propaganda onslaught designed 'to manipulate information and undermine social cohesion and political will'. As part of the new defence blueprint the Government is committing 1.5bn to set up at least six munitions factories, and will support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons. Ministers unveiled plans to build six munitions factories in the UK and produce 7,000 long-range weapons, including attack drones and precision missiles Your browser does not support iframes. The review has set out plans to grow the British Army, renew the nation's nuclear weapons arsenal and expand the UK's school-aged cadet force to up to 250,000 to get the country ready for 'whole of society approach' to defence and resilience. As part of the overhaul in military thinking, British fighter jets could soon carry nuclear weapons for the first time. Army units based in Estonia will be equipped with hundreds of fearsome HX-2 kamikaze drones. And more than 1.5billion in extra funding will go to military homes in response to the review. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned a 'step change in the threats we face demands a step-change in British defence to meet them'. Sir Keir called the review a 'radical blueprint' that would drive forward investments in shipbuilding, drone technology and cyber defences. 'The threats we face are no secret. War in Europe. New nuclear risk,' the premier wrote in the Sun on Sunday. 'The Kremlin is working hand in hand with its cronies in Iran and North Korea. We face daily cyber attacks. 'The Royal Navy has chased off Russian spy ships loitering in our waters. 'The RAF has scrambled to intercept Russian planes that menace our skies.' Keir Starmer warned that Britain must be ready for war today as he unveiled a new weapons drive Mr Healey is shown a storm shadow missile on an assembly line at the MBDA factory in Stevenage Cash will be spent in improving Britain's nuclear capabilities. Pictured is a Trident missile - capable of carrying a nuclear warhead - being launched Speaking on Monday, the PM added: 'We need to see the biggest shift in mindset in my lifetime to put security and defence front and centre to make it the fundamental organising principle of government.' However, the Conservatives criticised Labour, saying investment in munitions factories has been too slow and that the Treasury had held back the funds to achieve the PM's defence vision. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said the Chancellor has used the SDR to put an 'effective freeze' on new orders for military kit. 'It's a bit rich of Labour to talk about 'always on' munitions production when procurement has been largely switched off for the past year,' he said. He added: 'Of course, we welcome investment in new munitions factories, but we don't know when they will be ready, only that these orders should have been placed months ago. 'Ultimately, we need to see greater ambition for the pace and scale of rearmament our armed forces require, given the threats we face and the need to replace inventory gifted to Ukraine. 'That means three per cent of GDP by the end of this parliament, and Labour properly prioritising defence spending instead of seeking to outspend Reform on welfare.' Aldi's reformer Pilates machines, which went viral last week amongst fitness fanatics, are being returned by disappointed shoppers. The discount supermarket chain launched its cut-price version of the cult workout bench for 1,750 cheaper than the Original Fold Reformer, which costs 1,899.99. The bargain fitness gadget sparked chaos in stores across the UK as customers battled to get one. The reformer mimics the equipment used in high-end Pilates classes favoured by celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Margot Robbie and Hailey Bieber, where sessions can cost upwards of 35 each. Shoppers queued around the corner at Aldi stores that opened early, with some sales even being ticketed. But the frenzy has since turned to frustration, with TikTok users complaining key components are not working. Some faulty machines are now being returned just days after purchase. One video shared on TikTok had the title 'It's return time' as a video showed the machine's box being brought into an Aldi store Customers were heard expressing their disbelief amid the rush to get hold of the products The reformer Pilates exercise routine has celebrity fans but can cost followers hundreds of pounds in weekly sessions Users explained that the rubber wheels have snapped or detached entirely, rendering the machine unusable. In one viral clip, a disgruntled shopper films herself bringing the reformer back to the store. Viewers flooded the comments, eager to know what went wrong. She explains: 'The rubber kept coming off the wheels. Back to the mat I go.' Another chimed in with a grim update: 'It is faulty. Loads are being returned, apparently.' A fellow buyer replied with mixed feelings: 'Heart heart!! I should probably return mine but it's so heavy and hard to dismantle all over again.' Another user replied: 'Took mine back yesterday too. Rubber came off the wheels the first time I used it.' Another reported the same issue, saying: 'Yep, mine was a nightmare'. A frustrated shopper shared her update online, saying: 'Won the war getting the Aldi Pilate reformer, but why do the rubber bits keep flying off the wheels? Someone help a girlie out.' Following the frenzy, one of London's top personal trainers, Aimee Victoria Long, said the bed has its pros, including the low price point. 'It's significantly less expensive than premium reformers, making it accessible for beginners or those on a budget,' she told Femail. 'However, the bed is lower quality and perhaps not as durable as high-end reformers. Users have reported that the machine can feel 'slightly wobbly' during vigorous movements, and the resistance bands may lack the smoothness of traditional springs, she added. 'Also I assume the strength of these bands doesn't match that of springs'. Users sharing their frustration with their new Pilates machine A user appealed for help on social media after their fitness machine began to show damage Aldi previously said of criticisms levelled at the bargain workout aid:, saying: 'Our reformer Pilates machine is independently tested to meet relevant safety standards and is designed to provide a reliable at-home workout solution. 'Customer safety is always our priority, and we understand the growing interest in home-based fitness so are pleased to be able to offer accessible options that don't compromise on quality.' Aimee, who teaches Pilates, barre, strength & conditioning, and functional training to various celebrity clients, also said that the bed is a struggle for taller users. 'The reformer's size may not comfortably accommodate users taller than 5'9', potentially limiting the range of exercises - however, the machine folds for easy storage and includes transport wheels, ideal for home use in limited space. 'The bed's features are also adjustable and claim to cater for anyone up to 6ft 3in.' Aldi have now said that anyone not happy with their purchase can contact its customer service team or return the product to store for a full refund. After the chaotic scenes last week, shoppers who had missed out on the bargain were outraged when they spotted the coveted Pilates machines later surfaced on eBay, with some being resold for more than double the original in-store price. Listings were spotted for as much as 394.32, whilst they were being bought for only 150. That did not stop people from bidding on some listings, attracting as many as 10 to 20 watchers each. The commotion came after Aldi launched its news 150 version of exercise equipment The reformer Pilates products sold out within minutes in some Aldi stores The opportunistic reselling sparked fury among fitness enthusiasts who had hoped to snap up the reformer for their own use, only to find it being up for sale at a higher price. One shopper took to X to unleash their frustration, saying: 'People who got the #Aldi Pilates Reformer and are selling them on Vinted for over double the price are scum, sub-human scum @AldiUK arrest them!' Scenes of chaos continued to circulate online, with a TikTok video capturing the mayhem inside an Aldi store in London. Shoppers can be seen shouting, scrambling, and physically battling to seize the limited stock of the now-infamous Pilates machines. In the clip, one onlooker is heard muttering: 'This is not happening', while another remarks on the madness, saying: 'This is f***** ridiculous.' The footage shows customers grappling for boxes, some even sitting on top of the machines to stake their claim. Tensions ran high, with exasperated voices shouting: 'You were at the back of the queue', 'I was holding it before you', and 'People have queued up, wasted their morning queuing.' An Aldi spokesperson previously said it understood the disappointment from customers who werent able to get hold of the product, but said it had been exceptionally high in demand. A British teen suffered an epic tattoo blunder when the Spanish artist she visited on holiday failed to understand her trendy Gen Z design. Millie Nicholls was set to be inked with what's been dubbed Gen Z's answer to 90s tribal tattoos on the last day of a family holiday to Spain last month. The 19-year-old from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, opted for an arm-length cybersigilism design featuring ancient sigil symbols, believed to have 'powers', and futuristic spiky line work during her trip to Andalusia. Once she agreed to the sketch the tattoo artist provided on his iPad, she foolishly looked away as she settled in for a wince-inducing inking session. While most people who are getting a tattoo would be attentively watching their new bit of body art come to life, Ms Nicholls decided to wait until the piece was complete to look down at her ink-smeared hand. The naive teen's excitement soon turned to horror when she spotted the huge mistake. Instead of the symbolic design she had asked for, the 'lazy' artist copied the sketch in its entirety, tattooing the design as well as the hand and arm outline onto her. Stunned, Ms Nicholls asked if he could rectify the 'horrible' tattoo leading to him attempting to shade the inking that had taken less than an hour to do - but only made it 'worse'. A British teen suffered an epic tattoo blunder when the Spanish artist she visited on holiday failed to understand her trendy Gen Z design Instead of just the tribal-inspired tattoo, the 'lazy' artist copied the sketch in its entirety tattooing the design as well as the hand and arm outline onto her The teen opted for an arm-length cybersigilism design featuring ancient sigil symbols, believed to have 'powers', and futuristic spiky line work- never imagining that the hand print would also be inked into her skin The teen, who will now have to fork out hundreds of pounds getting it blasted off, is warning people to do their research before getting a tattoo abroad. She said: 'The day before we messaged the guy on Instagram asking to book in for the next morning. 'He seemed professional on his Instagram. Before I got the tattoo he pulled up the design on his iPad to print the stencil out. 'When he was doing my fingers, it really, really hurt. I was looking away and I was looking at my mum and she was holding my hand. 'There was ink all over my hand so I couldn't really see when I did look. 'He stopped and washed it away and I looked and my mum asked me if I asked for that [the line around my hand]. 'I said "no I didn't ask for that", he'd just done that. 'It wasn't done at that point but it would have looked really stupid if I didn't let him finish it and then he tried shading it to make it look better but it just made it stand out more. Ms Nicholls said she was looking away when the tattoo artist was working because of the pain and didn't initially see the outline because there was so much ink everywhere 'He said he'd shade it for no extra charge. He did it and it just looked worse.' Horrified Millie says she was 'shocked' by the tattoo artist's mistake and will now have to save-up to 'go through the pain' of laser tattoo removal. Millie said: 'He did the design pretty good. He could have gone a bit deeper in some places because it's already fading. 'I found an artist in the UK to fix that. When I realised [his mistake] all I could think of was "I really hope it fades away". 'It's going to be on my body for the rest of my life and there's no way that I could get a cover up to fix this. 'I didn't know what to say to him, I think I was just in shock until I got home. 'I have to walk around with this now and all my co-workers are always asking me why he did that and I don't know, I really don't know. 'Laser tattoo removal is expensive so I'm obviously going to have to save up for it. Horrified Millie says she was 'shocked' by the tattoo artist's mistake and will now have to save-up to 'go through the pain' of laser tattoo removal 'Tattoo removal hurts a lot more. I went through the pain of getting the tattoo done, I went through the pain of seeing how horrible it was and now I have to go through the pain of getting it removed.' Ms Nicholls said her sister has now been blocked by the tattoo artist on social media and she is warning other people to do their research before going to get a tattoo abroad. The disgruntled teen said: 'When we messaged him it was on my sister's Instagram and she can't find the messages anymore. 'I reckon he's blocked us and I can't remember the name of the studio. I think he's probably seen the TikTok and blocked us. 'I made another video and I blocked his face out of it because I didn't want to be that kind of person but I think he blocked us. 'I think because we told him that it was our last day there, he didn't really care about doing our tattoos that much. 'I'd say dig deeper than I did and do more research. 'Maybe speak to people that have got tattoos. Don't go on your last day because they know they'll never see you again if they mess up. 'If the tattoo is 50 euros or less than that's a big red flag. 'For all of the stuff they use to do your tattoo it costs them about 50 euros so they wouldn't be making any profit unless they're using cheap stuff. 'I've got two tattoos. I got my other one done in Spain as well except this one was really good, so it's not all artists in Spain it's just the lazy ones who don't care.' A British tourist has been found dead on the notorious 'Full Moon Party' island this morning. The 54-year-old washed ashore on a beach on Koh Phangan, southern Thailand wearing only an orange bra. When police arrived, they found the Brit face-down as her orange underwear drifted ashore nearby. Officers said there were no signs of assault on her body and she was taken to the Koh Phangan Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police Lieutenant Pongnaphat Somboon of the Koh Phangan Police Station said: 'An X-ray of the victim's body found a large amount of sand and water in her lungs. 'We believe the cause of death was drowning. We will call the British Embassy to notify her relatives.' MailOnline has contacted the British Embassy and the Foreign Office for comment. The woman's body had been discovered by local villager Theerapong while walking at 6.30am. A 54-year-old British tourist has been found dead wearing only an orange bra on the notorious 'Full Moon Party' island this morning Police said 'an X-ray of the victim's body found a large amount of sand and water in her lungs' The woman had been staying at a nearby bungalow for nearly a month but was set to check out next week, a day after the island's infamous Full Moon Party Authorities said the woman had been staying at a nearby bungalow for around a month. She was due to check out on June 11, a day after the island's infamous Full Moon Party. Staff claimed she was often seen drinking alcohol during her stay. On June 2, she reportedly struck her head after tripping outside a convenience store. Good Samaritans helped her walk back to her room when she refused to seek medical attention. She was reportedly last seen swimming at the beach on Monday evening before her body was found. Police said a search of Brit's room found all of her belongings still intact. Police Lieutenant Pongnaphat added: 'We do not believe there is anything suspicious but CCTV images will be checked to ensure that the death was accidental.' Police said a search of Brit's room found all of her belongings still intact The Thai Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party on the island of Koh Phangan which takes place on the night of every full moon Tourist hotspots in Thailand are often faced with drowning tragedies, often attributed to strong rip currents, lack of swimming skills, and disregard for warning signages (pictured Koh Phangan) Drownings are a recurring safety concern in Thailand, especially in tourist hotspots like Phuket, Pattaya, and Krabi. The deaths are often attributed to strong rip currents, lack of swimming skills, and disregard for warning signages. The waters are most dangerous during the country's rainy monsoon season, when red flags are placed in beaches to warn of dangerous sea conditions. The Thai Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party on the island of Koh Phangan which takes place on the night of every full moon. The event is usually attended by thousands of backpackers and has associations with wide-scale drug use. Plans for a massive visitor centre at a popular beauty spot have been withdrawn by the National Trust after it capitulated in the face of a huge public backlash over the abhorrent building. The charity had been accused of putting money over nature with the scheme at Morston Quay in north Norfolk, claiming it would provide much-needed facilities for visitors, staff and volunteers. But more than 150 formal objections were lodged over the threat it posed to one of the few relatively untouched places remaining along the coast. Only three people approved. Locals argued it was intended to generate more income and act as an administrative hub by introducing office space and adding retail space at the spot, which sits within Blakeney National Nature Reserve and is a vital haven for wildlife including ground-nesting birds and Englands largest Grey Seal colony. One objector said: Morston Quay and the marshes beyond are a precious natural resource which need protection, not exploitation. It is wild and beautiful and should not be regarded as an opportunity for the expansion of administrative facilities or opportunities for raising funds. Morston Parish Council also waded into the dispute, accusing the Trust of creating spurious arguments in favour of the visitor centre when its aim was simply to commercialise the spot. There are no benefits to the residents of Morston from this plan, it wrote. There were over 150 formal objections against the National Trust plans for a new visitor centre in Morston Quay, Norfolk Locals criticised the 'abhorrent' plans, pointing out the area is vital haven for wildlife including ground nesting birds Almost everything about this proposal is abhorrent. It is the wrong building, in the wrong place, for the wrong purpose. Early last year, the Trusts application for a food truck at the beauty spot was blocked by councillors who questioned why it was needed when there was already a cafe in the Lookout. The existing visitor centre is a modest grey and white wooden building with steps up to a viewing room topped by a weathervane. Toilet facilities are provided in two portacabins, which would have been removed under the plans for the proposed structure - a huge single-storey building made from natural wood cladding with a glass side that would be 85ft long and 27ft wide. This would house a new visitor welcome point and space for staff and volunteer welfare, while the Lookout building would continue to offer food and drinks. But the Trust has now confirmed it has cancelled the move, with a spokesman saying: We are grateful to everyone who engaged with our planning application for improved visitor facilities at Morston Quay. We have taken on board comments from the local community and have decided to withdraw our current planning application, with the intention of resubmitting a revised application to North Norfolk District Council by the autumn or winter. No further detail was given about the amended application but local media reported a well-placed source said it had abandoned the visitor centre and would now confine its proposals to upgrading toilet facilities at the site. The new plans aimed to introduce a new administrative hub and visitor facility and, locals claimed, generate more money Morston Parish Council had also waded into the argument, accusing the Trust trying simply to commercialise the location The trust insisted the development would have created a more pleasant experience for the 100,000 people who visit Morston Quay every year. But the parish council added in its objection: We have been presented with an enormous and unnecessary new development which will fundamentally change the character of Morston Quay and seems designed to create a full-time visitor and administrative hub for the National Trust as a priority, introducing office space and adding retail space, while also providing new toilets. Matthew Rice, a Norfolk painter, designer and writer to contributes to Country Life magazine, warned the introduction of a new centre with delineated parking spaces and bonded surfaces would place a barrier between people and the areas natural beauty. He said: There are no tall forests, craggy rocks or mountains to absorb the impact of new buildings or to dilute the suburbanising effect of bonded surfaces. The whole appeal of this wild place is its lack of boundaries and its apparent unplanned layout. Imposing a one-size-fits-all National Trust solution can destroy all this at a stroke. The desire for neatness, street furniture and lighting in the name of safety is all around us and, if great care is not taken in delivering improvements, it can suddenly make Norfolk look like everywhere else. Another objector to the visitor centre plan said: The vast majority of visitor traffic is generated by the local, family-run businesses on Blakeney Point. These families offer a fantastic welcome and expertise on the local flora, fauna and history. Other objections included: It promotes unnecessary overdevelopment of what is one of the few relatively untouched places remaining along the coast. The trust always maintained their plans were not about money making but making it a better visiting experience - but it has now withdrawn the planning application saying it had 'taken on board comments from the local community' The coast line is home to largest seal colony in England The Trust's application for a burger van at the beauty spot was blocked by councillors last year as there was already a cafe But perhaps what is most important is the sheer contempt with which the community has been treated throughout the process. The Quay is not just a space from further afield but also for the local residents that live and work there. The Trust has also faced anger from locals at nearby Brancaster, who accused it of trying to monetise the harbour there with new rules and charges, including 60 fees for mooring dinghies. There has been another backlash a few miles away in Burnham Overy Staithe, near Wells, where the charity has been accused of neglecting an iconic windmill after it emerged plans to restore the building didnt include replacing the sails. West Norfolk Council has told the Trust the sails must be replaced when the work is complete. NT has faced a turbulent few years, amid complaints it adopted a woke agenda by forcing staff to wear gay pride badges and listing nearly 100 properties with links to slavery and colonialism. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has attacked the Attorney General by parading in front of easels depicting Lord Hermer's previous clients in his latest stunt video. The former Conservative leadership candidate accused Lord Hermer of choosing to 'defend Britain's enemies', adding: 'Starmer should never have appointed him in the first place'. The video saw Jenrick list a range of controversial figures including Gerry Adams and Shamima Begum, as he hit out at the peer following comments he made in a speech comparing calls to leave the ECHR to Nazi policies. Also mentioned were several Islamist terrorists including a man involved in the 7/7 attacks on London transport who was previously known to be Osama Bin Laden's 'right-hand man'. Lord Hermer has faced calls to resign from his role since making the comments, with Jenrick - who wants the UK to leave the ECHR - the latest to add fuel to the fire. Now Jenrick has accused the Prime Minister of 'sharing [Lord Hermer's] views' as he claimed: 'Britain deserves better than the pair of them.' Posting the clip online, Jenrick wrote: 'Gerry Adams. Shamima Begum. Osama bin Laden's right-hand man. Lord Hermer has spent much of his life defending those who hate Britain. Why on earth did Starmer hand-pick him to be Attorney General?' It comes just days after a video showing Jenrick challenging fare evaders on London transport last week went viral after he attempted to make several people go back and pay their fare. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has attacked the Attorney General by parading in front of easels depicting Lord Hermer's previous clients in his latest stunt video Jenrick stood in front of a line of ten easels and listed a series of controversial clients including Shamima Begum and Gerry Adams Lord Hermer (pictured) faced calls to resign last week after comparing leaving the ECHR to Nazi policies Among the former clients of Lord Hermer listed by Jenrick was former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, who he represented in a damages claim brought by victims of IRA bombings. After Adams won a defamation case against the BBC last week, Lord Hermer was asked about his previous work with the politician but declined to give any details. He also intervened in the case of child ISIS bride Shamima Begum, who was groomed by the terror group along with two schoolfriends before all three travelled from the UK to Syria. A complex legal battle ended with Begum being stripped of her British citizenship after she turned up in a refugee camp appealing to be allowed back to her native UK. Lord Hermer argued she should have been allowed to return to the UK in order to participate in her appeal over the issue. Other cases mentioned by Jenrick included representing asylum seekers, advocating for slavery reparations and his support for giving up the Chagos Islands. This included the case of an Eritrean man who came to Britain claiming to be 16, but who was in fact 26. But the most contentious cases highlighted by Jenrick involved clients linked to Islamist terror groups such as Al-Qaeda. Among these is his work for former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mustafa Al-Hawsawi, who last year pleaded guilty to the murder of 2,900 people in the 9/11 terror attacks. He also intervened in the case of child ISIS bride Shamima Begum, who was groomed by the terror group along with two schoolfriends before all three travelled from the UK to Syria Among the former clients of Lord Hermer listed by Jenrick was former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams Rangzieb Ahmed, once known as Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man, was linked to the 7/7 bombings in London Jenrick claimed that as one of the country's most eminent human rights lawyers, Lord Hermer would have had his pick of cases Al-Hawsawi launched a claim against the MoD, MI5 and MI6 which was taken on by Lord Hermer in 2023 over allegations that British spies were complicit in 'torture' and 'degrading' treatment by the CIA. He was involved in a preliminary hearing for the case in May 2023, but stopped working on it when he became Attorney General. Lord Hermer also sought compensation from the British government for an Al-Qaeda chief linked to the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005 over alleged torture he suffered in Pakistan. Rangzieb Ahmed, once known as Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man, made the claim on the basis that UK police and security services should have a 'joint liability' over actions taken by Allies in the war on terror. The case was dismissed. Lord Hermer represented the ringleader of another al-Qaeda plot, Abid Naseer, who headed up a terror cell in the northeast. The Attorney General described MI5's case against Naseer as 'pitiful' after it emerged he was involved in plotting to detonate a bomb at a Manchester shopping centre, and charges were not pressed in the UK. Naseer was later found guilty in a US court of plotting to detonate a car bomb outside the shopping centre and then kill hundreds of Easter shoppers by placing suicide bombers at the exits. And Jenrick drew attention to how Lord Hermer intervened and helped unfreeze assets belonging to Al-Qaeda terror suspect Mohammed al-Ghabra, after he was sanctioned by countries including the UK and USA. Jenrick posted the video on his social media platforms on Tuesday morning, days after a previous stunt saw him challenge fare dodgers on the Tube The stunt also saw him speaking 'Gary the cabbie' who explained taxi rank rules Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mustafa Al-Hawsawi, who last year pleaded guilty to the murder of 2,900 people in the 9/11 terror attacks Lord Hermer represented the ringleader of another al-Qaeda plot, Abid Naseer, who headed up a terror cell in the northeast of England Jenrick drew attention to how Lord Hermer intervened and helped unfreeze assets belonging to Al-Qaeda terror suspect Mohammed al-Ghabra - he denies all wrongdoing Al-Ghabra has not been convicted of any offence and has always denied any wrongdoing. The stunt video also saw Jenrick speak to a cabbie, who explained the black cab rule that any customer is always taken by the first taxi in any rank. He argued that as one of the country's most eminent human rights' lawyers, Lord Hermer would have the choice to pick any of his cases, unlike many criminal lawyers, who must take whatever case is first in line. Lord Hermer has faced backlash over his series of controversial clients in recent months, which only increased after his comments on those who wish for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In a lecture at the Royal United Services Institute, a defence and security think-tank, he said the Labour Government had a 'policy of progressive realism' that means it will never leave international conventions such as the ECHR. Numerous senior politicians on the Right have called for Britain to leave the convention after it stopped Rwanda deportation flights. Lord Hermer said such 'songs' had been heard before, citing Nazi ideologist Carl Schmitt, who supported Hitler's policies such as the Night of the Long Knives assassinations. The Attorney General said: 'Our approach is a rejection of the siren song that can sadly now be heard in the Palace of Westminster and in some spectrums of the media, that Britain abandons the constraints of international law in favour of raw power. 'This is not a new song. The claim that international law is fine as far as it goes, but can be put aside when conditions change, is a claim that was made in the early 1930s by 'realist' jurists in Germany, most notably Carl Schmitt, whose central thesis was in essence the claim that state power is all that counts, not law. 'Because of the experience of what followed in 1933, far-sighted individuals rebuilt and transformed the institutions of international law, as well as internal constitutional law.' Jenrick has quite the opposite view and responded angrily to Lord Hermen's comments. He said: 'The idea you can reform the ECHR is fanciful as it requires unanimity from all 46 signatories. 'It is appalling Hermer would insinuate those who think we should leave the ECHR are like the Nazis. '[Foreign Secretary] David Lammy tried that disgusting smeer with Brexiteers and it didn't work for him. It won't work for Hermer either.' An AGO Spokesperson said: 'Law Officers such as the Attorney General will naturally have an extensive legal background and may have previously been involved in a wide number of past cases. 'It is a feature and cornerstone of our legal system that legal professionals operate the Cab Rank rule when it comes to clients, and barristers do not associate themselves with their clients' opinions.' The trial of three Brits accused of smuggling cocaine or taking part in a drug deal on the island of Bali began Tuesday, with all facing the death penalty in a nation with some of the world's toughest narcotics laws. Indonesia hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling and has previously executed foreigners, but has upheld a moratorium on the death sentence since 2017. Couple Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were arrested on February 1 after being stopped at Bali's international airport with 17 alleged packages of cocaine that weighed nearly one kilogramme. They appeared in court alongside Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, who was allegedly due to receive the packages and arrested a few days later. Float was seen disembarking a prison van at Denpasar Central court while he hurled abuse at members of the press, telling journalists to 'f***k off' as he was led to a holding cell today. Collyer and Stocker had been halted by airport cops at the X-ray machine after finding alleged 'suspicious' items in their suitcases. They were pulled to a separate area, where staff found the narcotics sealed in blue plastic packages allegedly labelled 'Angel Delight' in Collyer's luggage. More cocaine was found in seven plastic bags in his partner's suitcase, it is claimed. Police said they seized 994.56g of cocaine worth an estimated six billion Indonesian rupiahs - around 296,000. Phineas Float, Jonathan Collyer and Lisa Stocker of Britian sit inside a court room for their trial at the Denpasar district court, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, 03 June 2025 The three British nationals are on trial in Bali over alleged drug smuggling Couple Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were arrested on February 1 after being stopped at Bali's international airport with 17 packages of cocaine. Phineas Ambrose Float was allegedly due to receive the packages and arrested a few days later Worried friends had previously posted online appeals to find the couple after they 'went off the grid' unaware that they had been arrested and put in a police cell. AKBP Ponco Indriyo, Bali Police Deputy Director of Drug Investigation, said at the time: 'The drugs carried by the couple were cocaine weighing 994.56 grams. 'The drugs were brought from England via the Doha International Airport in Qatar, then to Indonesia. 'The method of concealment is to put the drugs, packed in food packaging, in a suitcase. The drugs were to be sold on Bali island, but were intercepted by customs and police officers.' The police boss added that one of the suspects was involved in two other suspected drug trafficking cases. Following their arrests, the trio were paraded in front of local media with other arrested drug suspects during a press conference. Float was seen laughing, while Stocker and Collyer remained sombre. The heaviest punishment for taking part in a drug transaction is also the death penalty under Indonesian law. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's administration has moved in recent months to repatriate several high-profile inmates, all sentenced for drug offences, back to their home countries. Indonesia hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling and has previously executed foreigners Phineas Float of Britain (R) arrives for his trial at the Denpasar district court, in Denpasar British couple Lisa Stocker, 39, and Jon Collyer, 37, are facing decades in jail for allegedly smuggling cocaine into Bali by disguising it as Angel Delight They are pictured being paraded in front of local media along with a third British suspect, named by local media as 31-year-old Phineas Float, during a press conference on Friday Frenchman Serge Atlaoui returned to France in February after Jakarta and Paris agreed a deal to repatriate him on 'humanitarian grounds' because he was ill. In December, Indonesia took Mary Jane Veloso off death row and returned her to the Philippines. It also sent the five remaining members of the 'Bali Nine' drug ring, who were serving heavy prison sentences, back to Australia. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, 96 foreigners were on death row, all on drug charges, before Veloso's release. It comes after a British former flight attendant accused of smuggling 1.2 million of super-strength cannabis into Sri Lanka appeared in a packed court last week. Charlotte May Lee, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was arrested in Colombo after police discovered 46 kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase. She had just arrived in the Sri Lankan capital on a flight from Bangkok in Thailand. She was arrested at Bandaranaike Airport and taken into custody on Monday, May 11. On Friday Charlotte was filmed in a white dress with her hands behind her back being escorted to a prison van by police outside the court building in Colombo. Charlotte May Lee appeared in court on drug smuggling offences in Sri Lanka on Friday Charlotte May Lee, 21, is facing years locked in a grim Sri Lankan jail after being caught with 1.2 million worth of cannabis Charlotte May Lee, 21, from Coulsdon, south London , was arrested in the capital Colombo last week, but insists she has been set up. Pictured: Miss Lee speaks with MailOnline from behind bars She was visibly upset and tearful when she appeared in the courtroom. The former TUI flight attendant was held in a cell at the back of the room and then briefly led to the witness box but struggled to follow proceedings because it was in the main language of Sri Lanka, Sinhalese. Police also wheeled in the near-50kg haul of cannabis she was caught carrying into court as their investigation into the drugs bust continues. Charlotte is expected to appear in the dock again in two weeks. She is facing up to 25 years locked in a hellhole Sri Lankan jail - but she has insisted she has been set up. MailOnline spoke to her from her cell last week where she admitted that she had not been eating because the food was too spicy. The incident came just days after a British teenager was arrested in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi after allegedly arriving from Thailand carrying 14kg of cannabis in her luggage. Bella May Culley, 18, is now facing life in prison in the former Soviet country after being accused of illegally buying, possessing and importing large quantities of narcotics. The youngster from Billingham, Country Durham, was believed to have gone missing in Thailand before she was detained 3,700 miles away at Tbilisi International Airport on the charges. Concerns had been raised that the two cases were related as both young women left Bangkok airport on the same day. But Miss Lee told MailOnline she did not know Ms Culley, who has been remanded in custody until her next appearance on July 1. Miss Lee and Miss Culley, who both flew out of Bangkok on Monday, were arrested in the countries within hours of each other, meaning the cases could be related. The FCDO said with regards to Miss Lee's case: 'We are supporting a British woman who has been arrested in Sri Lanka and are in contact with her family and the local authorities.' Keir Starmer effectively ruled out a new Scottish independence vote while he is Prime Minister today - suggesting it wasn't even a priority for the SNP government at Holyrood. The Labour leader said he could not imagine a vote happening during his time in power, even if the nationalists win a majority in the 2026 Holyrood election. And he said that First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney had not raised the issue with him during their recent talks. It came after a weekend poll suggested support for a breakaway has risen amid a surge for Reform north of the border. A Norstat poll found 54 per cent backed the separatist cause, the joint highest ever detected by the firm. The eight-point lead - excluding don't knows - swelled to 16 points if people were asked to imagine Nigel Farage was PM. The Prime Minister was asked by the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, if he could imagine another independence referendum during his time as Prime Minister. Sir Keir said: 'No, and nobody's raising that with me as their first priority. The Prime Minister said he could not imagine a vote happening during his time in power, even if the nationalists win a majority in the 2026 Holyrood election. Your browser does not support iframes. The PM said that First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney had not raised the issue of independence with him during their recent talks. 'Certainly, in the discussions I'm having with the First Minister, that is not we're talking about jobs, energy, security and dealing with the cost-of-living crisis.' Scots voted in an independence referendum in 2014, with the No side securing 55 per cent of the vote. Since then, successive UK governments have rejected the SNPs pleas for a second referendum. Last month Mr Swinney said a 'democratic majority' of pro-independence MSPs following the next Scottish Parliament election should result in another referendum. The Prime Minister said that whatever the outcome in May, an independence referendum is 'not a priority'. The most recent figure of support rose from 50 per cent in the last Norstat poll in January. The highest that support for independence has reached in recent years is 58 per cent, in an Ipsos Scotland poll for STV News in the early months of the pandemic, as Nicola Sturgeon received plaudits for her handling of Covid-19. The figures come ahead of a by-election in Lanarkshire this week, after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie. Mr Farage pictured boarding a private jet at Glasgow Airport to return to England after a campaign visit yesterday According to polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice, in projections for the Sunday Times, John Swinney was on track to win an unprecedented fifth term in office for his party next year, securing 54 seats. Labour would drop to 20 seats, while Reform would win 18 in their first full political test in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Tories would drop from being the second biggest party to the fourth, with just 17 MSPs, followed by the Lib Dems on 11 and the Greens on nine. Speaking to Good Morning Scotland, Sir Keir also discussed the defence sector in Scotland. He said there are around 25,000 defence jobs in Scotland and the strategic defence review announcements would 'build on that'. The Prime Minister said: 'I would like to see many, many jobs in Scotland. 'Scotland has an incredible heritage and skilled work people in Scotland. 'We've just been looking at some of the frigates which have been built and are being built in Scotland.' He insisted the SNP is 'wrong' in its opposition to nuclear weapons and said 'we're entering a new era on defence and security'. Sir Tony Blair has urged Britain to embrace AI doctors and nurses as he said the world was 'in the foothills' of the biggest tranformation since the Industrial Revolution. The former prime minister claimed AI could have an 'absolutely transformative' impact on public services by making them better, cheaper and more efficient. He said, if he was in power today, he would be thinking about 'how you reorganise the whole government around how you embrace and access this revolution'. The ex-Labour premier outlined how 'all the routine jobs' in Whitehall could be freed up by technology. Sir Tony said it was 'absurd' the UK hadn't yet made NHS data available to harness innovation. He also delivered a withering verdict on the civil service, claiming it was a 'conspiracy for inertia' with a 'genius for absorbing the impetus for change and suffocating it'. A recent Government experiment with AI - involving 20,000 civil servants across 12 major organisations - saved officials an average of 26 minutes a day. It showed how AI tools could free up Whitehall staff from 'repetitive administrative tasks' and deliver greater value for British taxpayers. Sir Tony Blair claimed AI could have an 'absolutely transformative' impact on public services by making them better, cheaper and more efficient The former PM urged Britain to embrace AI doctors and nurses as he said the world was 'in the foothills' of the biggest tranformation since the Industrial Revolution Speaking at the SXSW festival in London, Sir Tony said: 'We're in the foothills of the most transformative revolution since the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. 'Government's all about process, so you could use AI to speed up the process of the government, making sure that we do, for example, all the routine jobs of government much more efficiently. 'You could be responding to people in a much more sensitive, faster, better, more efficient way. 'If, for example, you're able to merge data sets across departments, you're going to save money. 'You're going to analyse, based on health data, in a way that allows you to make better health policy. 'And then, when you look in public services, you should be able to personalise education in the future. 'You could have AI tutors, you should have AI nurses, AI doctors. We are already doing a lot of imaging much, much better through using AI. 'It will make [government] much smaller, more efficient, cost less and give a better service to the customer.' Sir Tony said AI was neither 'good' nor 'bad' but a power that needed to be harnessed responsibly. He urged 'resistant' officials to embrace the new technology, adding: 'When I was growing up, people said the civil service was a Tory conspiracy. 'And when I got in there, I realised it wasn't a conspiracy for the Tories or for Labour. 'It's a conspiracy for inertia, it has got a genius for absorbing the impetus for change and suffocating it.' A British four-year-old boy had to be rescued after getting his hand stuck in a swimming pool pipe at a Majorca hotel, causing panic among guests. The horror incident took place on Sunday at Hotel Zafiro in Can Picafort, a holiday resort in northern Majorca. The small boy had reportedly put his hand into a skimmer outlet that was not covered, which resulted in the suction creating a vacuum, which sucked in his arm and trapped it, news outlet Diaro de Mallorca reported. Emergency services rushed to the hotel, where they worked quickly to free the boy. They were unable to free him at first, so resorted to draining the pool by using pumps before digging out the pipe. The child was given a helmet and earmuffs as rescuers worked to free him. After around 30 minutes, the boy was released and taken to hospital for an examination. He did not sustain any serious injuries. A court is now investigating whether the hotel could be held responsible for any negligence, according to local media. A British four-year-old boy had to be rescued after getting his hand stuck in a swimming pool pipe at a Majorca hotel Emergency services rushed to the hotel, where they worked quickly to free the boy After around 30 minutes, the boy was released and taken to hospital for an examination Speaking to MailOnline, a spokesperson for the hotel said: 'Our staff activated the emergency protocols, notifying the assistance services and the firefighters, who quickly responded to the scene. The pool was emptied urgently to facilitate the actions of professionals, managing to release the minor as soon as possible, who is now in good condition, under hospital observation. 'The family has expressed their gratitude to us for the quick response of the entire team. 'We are in direct contact with the family to continue offering them all the help they need regarding the logistics of transfers and hotels. 'The safety of our guests, and especially the little ones, is an absolute priority in our operations. 'This was a random incident that is already being thoroughly reviewed to take all necessary corrective measures and further strengthen our security controls.' The distressing incident involving a British tourist in a Spanish holiday hotspot comes a week after an eight-year-old British boy suffered a severe brain injury after following from a third floor balcony in Ibiza. The young boy is said to have fallen off a balcony at the Aparthotel Vibra Bay in the holiday resort of San Antonio. He was initially rushed to a private clinic in Ibiza's old town, where he underwent emergency surgery before being airlifted to Son Espapses in the Majorcan capital of Palma. He did not sustain any serious injuries The horror incident took place on Sunday at Hotel Zafiro in Can Picafort, Mallorca Local reports said the transfer had occurred because there was no paediatric intensive care unit available in Ibiza. The youngster is said to have suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, skull fracture and cerebral oedema as well as chest injuries and a broken jaw. A Civil Guard source said the incident was still under investigation but was being treated at this stage as an accident thought to have occurred while the injured boy was playing on a balcony. It also comes after a a 24-year-old British holidaymaker was left critically injured after plunging from his hotel in Puerto Banus near Marbella on the Costa del Sol last week. He was staying in a first-floor room with friends who are said to have been sleeping when he fell. The injured tourist is thought to have been drinking heavily before he plunged to the street below the Hard Rock Hotel. Assisted dying campaigner Dr Florian Willet was the only person to witness the first Sarco pod death - watching as a gravely ill American woman entered the suicide machine and pushed a button to end her life. Her death, triggered when nitrogen gas flooded into the sealed chamber, was successful in the eyes of Willet and Sarco inventor Dr Philip Nitschke, who watched it via video link and described the woman's passing as 'peaceful'. But that day marked the beginning of a dark decline for Willet, who was arrested when dozens of police officers arrived at the scene in northern Switzerland and placed him in pre-trial detention. The 47-year-old spent ten weeks in a cell, with no contact with his partner Laura Schiesser or anyone else, according to Nitschke. While there, he discovered he was accused of homicide, with the chief prosecutor raising suspicions that the woman who died in Sarco may have been strangled. This accusation, which Nitschke and Willet's organisation The Last Resort said had no foundation, has since been 'quietly dropped.' 'It was a disgusting display on the part of the prosecutor, the damage they did to Florian was huge,' Nitschke told MailOnline. 'When he was released months later, he was a completely different person. They had broken him during this time,' Willet's partner Schiesser said in a statement. Shortly after he was released from detention in December, Willet was found seriously injured beneath his balcony, in what those close to him say was a failed suicide attempt. After months in hospital and receiving psychiatric help at a clinic in Zurich, he took his own life on May 5 at a facility in Germany, it was revealed this week. Dr Florian Willet was the only person to witness the death of an American woman in the nitrogen gas capsule in September The first use of Sarco capsule took place in the middle of the forest in Switzerland, according to the creators of the device Now Nitschke and Schiesser have laid the blame for Willet's deteriorated mental state and death with Swiss authorities. 'The prosecutors' very enthusiastic use of pre-trial detention has ended in a tragic way,' Nitschke said, labelling their treatment of Willet as 'unscrupulous'. 'The authorities need to take a close look at themselves, they are the ones who are responsible.' He said The Last Resort's lawyers, who were also arrested at the scene of the Sarco death, had not anticipated that police would respond to an assisted suicide - which is legal under certain circumstances in Switzerland - so strongly. 'Lawyers told us the police would arrive, interview them and let them go home. There had been no expectation of what happened at all,' Nitschke said. 'To find yourself suddenly put in pre-trial detention, something they use for murder, must have been traumatising,' he added. 'While in detention, [Willet] then heard rumours and saw media reports of possible allegations of homicide. I'm not surprised that it was such a traumatic period.' Asked whether Willet could have been affected by witnessing the woman's death, Nitschke said ''I don' think so.' 'I talked to him during and after via video link that day. Obviously he wasn't enjoying the experience, but he's an extremely experienced person in the area having worked at Dignitas. He was a good person to be there.' But Willet's mental decline, which Nitschke described as psychosis, hit him hard after he was released from detention. 'It was impossible to speak to him, when he came to my office he thought people were pumping in strange gasses under the door, he thought people were listening to him through the phones. He was hallucinating and hearing things,' Nistchke said. 'It was episodic psychosis, he was seriously delusional,' he said, adding that clinicians had provided him with information on Willet's mental state which supported this. Philip Nitschke lies down in a 'suicide pod' known as 'The Sarco' in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, July 8, 2024 'He wasn't anything like the person I had known. When he said he was going back to the clinic in Zurich I was pretty pleased. 'He was showing signs that he was improving, then a few days later things were not better.' While Nitschke says he was in regular contact with Willet over the past few months, he said he had no longer been the man he once knew. He had expected to see Willet at a conference in Switzerland in mid-May, but his friend did not turn up. Willet's partner said of his final months: 'He slipped away from his friends more and more and I could hardly get close to him. 'At some point, I had to realize that I could only be there, but I couldn't actively help, even if I tried.' Sarco pod inventor Dr Philip Nitschke (above, right) said the accusations had a hugely damaging effect on Dr Willet after he was freed from police custody Dr Nitschke (above, left) revealed that the 47-year-old (above, right) had 'fallen' from the third floor of his property in Zurich earlier this year, causing him 'serious damage' Schiesser added that the once 'cheerful, humorous' Willet 'didn't want to go on like this'. She reported him missing last month, and eventually it was discovered that he had passed away. The Swiss Public Prosecutor's Office announced on Monday that it would offer its 'sincere condolences' to Willet's relatives and that it would discontinue the criminal case against him related to Sarco. 'The criminal proceedings against the other defendants will continue,' the prosecution added. Nitschke confirmed to MailOnline that he was among those still being investigated in connection with the US woman's death. MailOnline has contacted the Swiss Public Prosecutor's Office for additional comment. The above map shows where the controversial assisted suicide took place last September which saw Dr Willet arrested Following allegations of 'strangle marks' on the first person to use the Sarco, a person close to Swiss Sarco operator The Last Resort said she had previously been diagnosed with skull base osteomyelitis. The disease could manifest as an infection of the bone marrow, which could have been responsible for the marks on her neck resembling strangulation marks, the person told Swiss outlet NZZ. The pod is designed so that the push of a button injects nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber, with the person inside then dying by suffocation within a few minutes. Before his arrest Dr Willet said he had 'considered' suicide at the age of five. His father died by suicide when he was 14 years old and he said 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.' For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org Experts have issued an urgent warning over TikTok Shop food listings - amid fears that shoppers could be 'at risk' as items are sold without vital information. Vendors on the social media site are flogging sweets and snacks without warning that they may contain any of the 14 primary allergens UK businesses are required to declare by law. And experts say people with allergies could be putting themselves in 'grave danger' by buying the products. MailOnline found dozens of items where the products' allergens were incorrectly labelled or even denied by vendors on TikTok shop. Some products even described their allergen information as 'not applicable' - despite also being said to include ingredients such as flour, milk, eggs and nuts. Chief executive of Anaphylaxis UK Simon Williams warned: 'If the ingredient and allergen information isn't there, don't buy it. You're putting your life in grave danger.' He told the BBC: 'At the moment it's being used as a platform to sell things that may not be safe. They [TikTok] do need to do more. One company, Alma Trade Ltd, used the platform to advertise Tigreat French chocolate crepes. They claimed that allergen information was 'not applicable' in their listing - despite the continental pancakes including wheat flour, whole milk and eggs RM Wholesale is using TikTok shop to flog Fray Bentos pies, again saying that allergen information for the product is 'not applicable'. The pie makers, on their own website, warn that their products contain both wheat and barley After the BBC investigated adverts on the site, TikTok deleted adverts that were highlighted by the corporation 'There's a lot of people making a lot of money, great side hustle, but they're putting people at risk.' One company, Alma Trade Ltd, used the platform to advertise Tigreat French chocolate crepes. They claimed that allergen information was 'not applicable' in their listing - despite the continental pancakes including wheat flour, whole milk and eggs. In the UK, 14 allergens have to be listed on any product containing them. They are: celery, cereals containing gluten (such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats), crustaceans (such as prawns, crabs and lobsters), eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs (such as mussels and oysters), mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide and sulphites (if the sulphur dioxide and sulphites are at a concentration of more than ten parts per million) and tree nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts). The Food Standards Agency advises that food sold online or over the phone must provide allergen information at two stages in the order process. This generally means giving them in the online description and on the packaging. RM Wholesale is using TikTok shop to flog Fray Bentos pies, again saying that allergen information for the product is 'not applicable'. The pie makers, on their own website, warn that their products contain both wheat and barley. A listing by DaCakeGasm, meanwhile, lists their Nutella stuffed red velvet Oreo cookie and hazelnut stuffed M&Ms Cadbury cookie as just having eggs as an allergen. Eggs, flour and milk are listed in the ingredients - while both Nutella and hazelnuts contain nuts. A huge three kilogram of Nutella, sold by Bibis Direct, says there are 'no allergens' and that it is a 'safe choice with no applicable allergens listed'. The product contains hazelnuts, milk and soya. A listing by DaCakeGasm, meanwhile, lists their Nutella stuffed red velvet Oreo cookie and hazelnut stuffed M&Ms Cadbury cookie as just having eggs as an allergen. Eggs, flour and milk are listed in the ingredients - while both Nutella and hazelnuts contain nuts A huge three kilogram of Nutella, sold by Bibis Direct, says there are 'no allergens' and that it is a 'safe choice with no applicable allergens listed'. The product contains hazelnuts, milk and soya A fourth, JasatsLtd, advertised Lancashire butter pies, saying they contained milk and nuts. The ingredians also include wheat flour and soya flour Bakedays Ahead said their 'creamy delicious cheese cake' only contained 'cream cheese' as an allergen. Cream cheese generally contains milk, while flour is also listed in the ingredients A fourth, JasatsLtd, advertised Lancashire butter pies, saying they contained milk and nuts. The ingredients also include wheat flour and soya flour. And Bakedays Ahead said their 'creamy delicious cheese cake' only contained 'cream cheese' as an allergen. Cream cheese generally contains milk, while flour is also listed in the ingredients. After the BBC investigated adverts on the site, TikTok deleted adverts that were highlighted by the corporation. But all the companies complained about continue to sell products on the site without providing full allergen information. A spokesperson told the broadcaster: 'We have policies and processes in place with our sellers to ensure the safety of food and beverages sold on our platform and we will remove products that breach these policies.' Around 80,000 smartphones were reported stolen in London last year - a staggering nine an hour - at a cost of 50million, top police officers told MPs today. As they outlined the 'organised criminal enterprise' they were grappling with, senior Scotland Yard bosses admitted there was a 'growing and very serious problem'. They revealed how three-quarters of stolen devices in the capital are sent abroad, with vast numbers ending up in both Algeria and China. Appearing before a House of Commons committee, the Metropolitan Police officers said the black market for smartphones was driving rates of theft, robbery and knife crime. It was even seeing those criminals who were once involved in drug crime pivoting towards smartphone theft and robbery as an alternative means of illicit income. The officers warned that gangs of teenagers on bikes were committing 10 to 20 thefts at a time in some parts of London. Their stark admission about the extent of the problem will pile fresh pressure on London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who is responsible for policing in the capital. The Labour politician - who has also recently been challenged over fare-dodgers on the London Underground - previously said he was 'determined to eliminate the scourge of mobile phone theft'. James Conway, the Met Police's lead on phone theft, said the scale of phone theft in London last year had a street value of around 20million and a replacement value of 50million Darren Scates - the Met Police's chief digital, data and technology officer - told MPs about 80,000 smartphones were reported as stolen in London last year The stark admission about the extent of the problem will pile fresh pressure on London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who is responsible for policing in the capital. Speaking to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee this morning, Darren Scates - the Met Police's chief digital, data and technology officer - set out the scale of the problem. 'This is an organised criminal enterprise that we're dealing with, it's an international enterprise although... it is particularly acute in London,' he told MPs. 'We do see those similar numbers in Madrid, Paris, Barcelona - certainly on a per capita basis they suffer very similarly to London. 'In London, in 2024, unfortunately about 80,000 smartphones were reported as stolen. 'That compares to 2023 when the number was 64,000, so we have a growing and very serious problem that we're dealing with. 'Stolen devices are changing hands on the streets for between 300-400.' He told MPs that 80 per cent of devices that are reported stolen to the Met Police are Apple devices. 'So we believe they are probably being targeted for their value and/or there is a greater incentive maybe to report an Apple device as stolen, because they tend to be a high-value item,' he added. 'We have done some research into what happens to these devices, as you would expect. What we find is about 75 per cent of them, we believe, are actually moved abroad. 'The prime locations at the moment - and this will vary I'm sure - will be Algeria and China/Hong Kong. About 28 per cent go to each of those two locations.' James Conway, the Met Police's lead on phone theft, said the scale of phone theft in London last year had a street value of around 20million. But the replacement value of stolen phones for members of the public and insurance companies was estimated at 50million last year. 'Around half of the robberies in London are mobile phone-related...so it's driving our robbery problem,' he added. 'Around two-thirds of our thefts in London relate to mobile phones, so this is also driving our theft problem. 'But then, if you take a step deeper, 65 to 70 per cent of our knife crime is produced by our robbery problem. 'So this is also driving a significant chunk of our violence challenge in London and across the UK.' DCS Conway said Scotland Yard and other large metropolitan forces had placed a 'sharp focus' on phone theft for a couple of years. 'In recent months we have seen a decline,' he continued. 'In the first couple of months of this financial year [there has been] around a 50 per cent reduction in theft. 'And around a 13 per cent reduction in robbery when we compare to the opening months of the previous financial year.' He also described how the capital's criminal gangs had moved towards phone theft in recent years. 'In my previous role I led for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets,' DCS Conway told the committee. 'And we would regularly see criminal gangs who maybe a few years ago would have been involved in drug dealing almost exclusively pivot back into mobile phone theft and robbery. 'Teenagers on bikes riding down the A10 corridor committing 10-20 robberies or thefts on the go, packaging those phones very swiftly into silver foil or to Faraday bags to make it more difficult for us to identify their ultimate location. 'And then swifly passing them on to a middle market handler and ultimately the transport out of the UK.' A spokesperson for the London mayor said: The mayor has long been clear we need decisive and coordinated action to halt the burgeoning global trade of stolen phones which is driving criminality and violence across the world. Evidence shows the majority of phones stolen in London are being reconnected in other countries as far as China and Algeria a large proportion of which are still able to access Play and Apple cloud services to download apps. 'The mayor has repeatedly warned it is simply too easy and profitable for criminals to repurpose and sell on stolen phones. This must change. City Hall is working closely with the Met to tackle the scourge of phone thefts in London. 'This includes increasing police patrols and plain-clothed operations in hotspot areas, like the West End and Westminster, where nearly 40 per cent of phone thefts occur. 'But the police cant defeat this industrial scale crime on their own and the mayor will continue to push the mobile phone industry to go much further in preventing stolen phones being used, sold and repurposed, to build a safer London for all.' READ MORE: Wild moment Aussie tourists trade blows with security in Bali A young Aussie man involved in a carpark brawl outside a world famous beach club in Bali has issued a grovelling plea to the judges who are preparing to sentence him. Mohamed Rifai, 27, from south-west Sydney, will learn on Thursday whether he will spend more time behind bars over the savage melee outside Finns Beach Club in North Kuta in February. He and eight security guards remain in custody over the brawl which involved up to 15 security staff and four other Australian tourists. Rifai appeared in Denpasar District Court on Tuesday, where he addressed the courtroom with an impassioned plea for leniency. It came after the prosecutor recommended a five month sentence. 'I am very, very sorry for my actions that night,' a remorseful Rifai told the court. 'I am not a rough person. I have a family that I should protect in Australia. 'I beg you to give me the possible lightest sentence.' Mohamed Rifai, 27, was accused of assault following a brawl outside Finns Beach Club Rifai was accompanied by his father in court as the judges prepare for sentencing Rifai at one point turned in the courtroom to embrace his father, who has arrived on the holiday island to support him ahead of Thursday's sentencing. Public prosecutor Lovi Pusnawan told the court that Rifai was guilty of assault in violation of article 351, subsection 1, of the Indonesian Criminal Code. He urged the judges to imprison Rifai for five months. The maximum penalty for assault occasioning serious injury is five years' prison in Indonesia. 'We demand the panel of judges to find defendant Mohamed Rifai legally and convincingly guilty on assault charge as regulate in article 351 subsection 1, and demand the panel of judge to sentence the defendant to 5 months imprisonment, minus the time he has already served,' Mr Pusnawan said. The prosecutor considered the injuries caused in the beach club brawl as an aggravating factor. He also considered several mitigating factors, including Rifai's polite nature during the trial, admission of guilt, displays of remorse, and the 'peace agreement' between himself and security guards involved in the brawl. Rifai's lawyer Sabam Antonius read Rifai's defence statement in response. 'We respectfully request the honourable panel of judges to take into consideration the following points,' he read. 'I am very, very sorry for my actions at that night,' a remorseful Rifai told the court Five Australians clashed with security guards outside Finns Beach Club on February 11 'Throughout the trial process, the defendant has demonstrated a proactive attitude; the defendant provided clear and straightforward explanations during the examination without being evasive or contradictory. 'The defendant's actions were a spontaneous and reactive response, without any prior intention; the defendant acted in an attempt to protect his friend; as a result of the incident, the defendant himself became a victim due to the actions of the security personnel and sustained injuries.' Mr Antonius referenced last week's court session, where Rifai and the security guards involved in the brawl publicly forgave each other. 'A peace agreement has been made and documented in a written statement dated February 24, 2025,' he read. 'The defendant has admitted and accepted responsibility for his actions and sincerely regrets his behaviour.' He added that Rifai is committed to 'self-improvement' and living a better life. He didn't have a criminal record prior to the melee. 'In light of these considerations, we kindly request that this case be resolved with the lightest possible sentence,' Mr Antonius said. Last week in court, Rifai claimed he acted in self defence while he was allegedly attacked by the security guards after they escorted his friend John Ebid from the club. Rifai said he was 'very, very sorry' for his involvement in the brawl while holidaying in Bali He is accused of inflicting major injuries on security staff, including Made Bagus Yohanandita, who suffered head injuries and lost several teeth. In a surprise twist, Rifai shook hands and embraced each of the co-accused security guards in front of the judge after giving evidence against them on Tuesday. 'Will you forgive them?', the judge asked Rifai. 'Yes, I will,' Rifai replied. The judge responded: 'Please, all of you forgive each other. During his victim testimony, Rifai recalled how the brawl was sparked by Mr Ebid's eviction from the club. 'I was in the main pool and saw my friend being taken out so I approached him (a security guard),' he told the court. 'I asked what happened and he said to let him take him (Mr Ebid) but then they did the same thing to me.' The Balinese public prosecutor sought a prison term of five months from the judges One of the 15 guards allegedly involved in the brawl was seen with serious injuries after the brawl When asked if the security used any weapons, Rifai claimed they used bamboo. '(I was hit) in my face, my head, almost all my body,' he said. 'They kicked my stomach also.' Rifai added he had been to Finns Beach Club several times with family and friends previously and had 'never had a bad experience before'. The eight security guards charged over the brawl include I Gede Laksemana Aryawan, I Gusti Putu Agus Surya Negara, Wayan Alit Junaedi, I Made Ivan Darma Saputra, I Nengah Dading Gunadi, I Gede Ngurah Alit Sujana, I Ketut Gede Mawantara and I Nyoman Mertayasa. Rifai will spend another month behind bars if the recommended five month sentence is handed down. The trial resumes on Thursday. A second man has been arrested over a 'gruesome' stabbing murder they say was an alleged drug deal gone wrong. Officers found the body of a Malaysian man, 29, with multiple stab wounds about 5pm on Monday at Croydon Park, in Sydney's inner-west. It's understood he had lived at the home with his wife and children for just a few months prior, according to shocked neighbours. Mohammad Sofwan Bin Mustafha, 32, was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for assessment under police guard. He was later charged with murder and faced Burwood Local Court on Tuesday. He did not apply for bail and will return to the same court on July 30. A second man, aged 36, who police had been searching for, was arrested on Tuesday night. Police had earlier appealed for public assistance by releasing images of the man, saying he was last seen on the street where the stabbing occurred. Detectives continued to scour the crime scene in Sydney's inner-west on Tuesday The home where a Malaysian national was found stabbed to death remained cordoned off The man charged with murder had attempted to flee the crime scene when police attended but was quickly apprehended, Superintendent Christine McDonald said. 'This is a gruesome crime,' she told reporters on Monday night. 'The man's injuries are horrific, and what we know from very preliminary investigations is that ... we believe this is a drug deal gone horribly wrong. 'We didn't give him any time to run away. We were here too quick.' On Tuesday morning, police were crawling over the quiet street as they attempted to piece together what happened. The victim, who has not yet been formally identified, was found with multiple stab wounds to his neck. Police were unsure of who lived at the house, who had attended before the fatal incident and the reason they were meeting, Supt McDonald said. She did not detail why police believed the incident had stemmed from an alleged drug deal. A second man has been arrested over a young dad's death inside a Croydon Park home Inquiries into the Malaysian national's death continue '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,' she said. 'The community down here would be shocked that something ... so brutal has happened in their street.' A neighbour told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday the dead man lived with his wife and children at the Croydon Park home for just a few months before the alleged attack. 'The neighbourhood is feeling very unsettled. This is a really, really lovely quiet street,' she said. 'We do all know each other. Pretty much, we all know each other except for this particular house. 'They haven't lived here that long so we don't know much about them.' A couple have finally been able to move into their dream home four years after it was reduced to rubble by 'Britain's worst builder' during an angry rampage. The 500,000 property on leafy Guilford Road, in Stoneygate, Leicester, was demolished by the workman back in June 2021 in a row over money while the owners were on holiday. Owner Jay Kurji said his home was bulldozed after he refused to pay the builder - who has not been named - an additional 3,500. He had hired him to carry out renovations, including a two-storey extension and enlarged kitchen diner, to the four-bedroom detached property. But the fuming builder ripped off the roof, three walls and left the driveway littered with debris while Mr Kurji was away with his family in Wales. Shocking pictures showed how the property was left all but ruined with huge piles of debris including bricks, insulation and timber dumped all over the driveway. Now following a painstaking four-year rebuilding process, Mr Kurji and his family have finally been able to move into their home. Mr Kurji did not want to comment further today, saying: 'The house is finished now, I just want to put it all behind me.' Owner Jay Kurji said his home was bulldozed after he refused to pay the builder - who has not been named - an additional 3,500 The rebuilding works took years after the rogue trader all but levelled the property in Stoneygate, Leicester Now Mr Kurji and his family have finally been able to move into the property, four years after the incident But he previously spoke of his 'nightmare' after picking the 'worst builder in Britain' to work on the home for his family-of-six. He said at the time: 'It's a nightmare, unfortunately I picked the worst builder in Britain. 'I bought the house last year and employed a builder to start work in February. We wanted lots of work doing so it could be our family home for six of us. 'The work included a two-storey extension, a new roof, wiring and we wanted it to be more environmentally-friendly.' Mr Kurji said the builder took revenge when he refused to cough up the extra money. He added: 'I was on holiday 200 miles away when all the scaffolding was taken down and the house damaged. 'When I called police they told me they couldn't do anything because it's a dispute so not a criminal case. 'I've emailed Trading Standards but I'm still away so it's difficult to sort it all out.' The builder was said to have brought in a bulldozer while the Kurjis were on holiday in Wales Huge piles of bricks, stones and other building materials were left abandoned on the property's driveway Neighbours said they are relieved and happy for the family that the property is now to be lived in The house, in a quiet area of the city of Leicester, is now completed and can house Mr Kurji's family of six Neighbours said they had been left frustrated at living next to a building site for so long but were glad the house was finally complete. One resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'We had sympathy with him to start with but patience began running out when we were living next to a building site for years. 'Many questioned the design as well but I think it looks OK, I'm just relieved we don't have to look at that mess anymore. 'It must have cost him tens of thousands of pounds though and he's a nice enough guy, so I'm glad he's in.' Another added: 'I know he was absolutely gutted when the builder tore it down, all that money down the drain. 'He's worked hard to get it rebuilt but it has taken a long time. I think he moved in with his parents for a bit. It must have been a nightmare.' Brooklyn Beckham sees Prince Harry as a mentor because of the way he has stood up to the Royal Family and repeatedly publicly defended his wife Meghan Markle, it has been claimed. The two Brits living in California have reportedly found kinship over their own family feuds - with their wives the Duchess of Sussex and Nicola Peltz also bonding at a recent dinner in Montecito. 'Brooklyn is seeing Harry as something of a mentor. He really admires the way hes stood up for himself and his wife and thats got him fired up to do the same,' a insider has reportedly claimed. There is even a hint that Brooklyn could make his grievances public, and 'share his truth', like Harry has done. Just last month the Duke of Sussex launched a series of scathing attacks on the Royal Family, claiming he has been cut off from King Charles who 'won't speak to him' because of his battle with the Home Office over taxpayer-funded security. 'Brooklyn feels very misunderstood, so following the same path as Harry and sharing his truth is incredibly appealing. He just wants to get his side of the story on the record', the National Enquirer's source has said. MailOnline has asked a spokesman for Brooklyn Beckham to comment. The family feud, nicknamed Beckxit because of its similarities to Harry and Meghan's falling out with the royals, began in the run-up to Brooklyn and Nicolas extravagant Palm Beach wedding in April 2022. Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz have hired the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs lawyer Broklyn and Nicola are said to have bonded with Harry and Meghan over fallouts with their in-laws But it came to a head during Davids 50th birthday celebrations earlier this year when, despite travelling to London, Brooklyn and Nicola didnt attend a big family party at the Beckhams Cotswolds home, an idyllic trip to France or a meal at Notting Hill Michelin-starred restaurant, Core. Brooklyn, 26, also missed a boys fishing trip to the Scottish Highlands with his father and his younger brothers Romeo, 22, and Cruz, 20, as well as a pre-birthday bash at Miami restaurant Cipriani at the end of March. Last month it was claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were 'secretly supporting' Brooklyn and Nicola because of their 'similar family feuds'. The two women are said to have had a 'deep and meaningful' chat and share a bond after being accused by critics of being 'homewreckers' and women who 'tear apart their husbands' families'. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who enjoyed a date night at a James Taylor concert in Santa Barbara last night after going to a Beyonce gig on the weekend, had the couple over for dinner at their mansion in Montecito, California in recent weeks. Brooklyn, 26, and Nicola, 30, who live 90 minutes away in LA, have received 'unwavering support' from Harry and Meghan who reportedly feel 'empathetic' towards them amid the younger couple's tensions with David and Victoria Beckham. 'Brooklyn and Nicola had a wonderful time and found Harry and Meghan to be particularly kind, caring and generous', one source said today. The Duchess of Sussex 'has a lot of sympathy for her' because both women have been branded 'homewreckers', another source familiar with the dinner claimed. 'There was shared common ground', the insider claimed. Lawyer Jenny Afia speaking on The Princes And The Press documentary 'Nicola and Meghan also had a bit of a "deep n' meaningful" as obviously both women have been positioned in the media as homewreckers - the women to tear apart their husbands' families. 'Harry and Meghan were very empathetic and very kind to them both. Harry was fully aware of the situation and offered Brooklyn his unwavering support as someone who has been through similar'. The Sussexes have apparently swapped mobile numbers with the couple. The Mail on Sunday revealed over the weekend that Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz have hired the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs lawyer to help them with their reputation management. Last week, the couple, who have reportedly fallen out with his parents David and Victoria, instructed Jenny Afia, the British solicitor who works for Schillings law firm. The appointment came after the Duchess of Sussex and Harry met Brooklyn and Nicola at a party in Montecito, California, three weeks ago as guests of Brian Robbins, chief executive at Paramount Pictures. Ms Afias appointment has prompted much amusement, it is claimed, among the Beckhams, as Posh and Becks fell out with Harry some years ago after they were accused by the couple of leaking stories. A source familiar with the rift told the MoS: You couldnt really make it up, first Brooklyn and Nicola cosy up together and realise they have quite a lot in common, and then all of a sudden they have enlisted the help of the Sussexes long-serving lawyer. Nicola and Brooklyn are getting fed up of stories running they dont like. Nicola likes to control everything and they have taken this rather drastic action. For the Beckhams the irony isnt lost. They fell out with Meghan and Harry after they accused them of leaking stories they were furious and Brooklyn knows that. The two couples are very close indeed. Former glamour model Jodie Marsh wept tears of joy today as she won a bitter legal battle to keep eight lemurs at her animal sanctuary. The ex-lads mags favourite, who went on to become a media personality, had appealed against a councils refusal to grant her a wild animal licence for Fripps Farm in Lindsell, Essex. Uttlesford District Council blocked the application last year after members claimed she treated the animals there as pets after hearing she had taken a baby meerkat and an owl to a pub. There were also concerns about noise. But Marsh who uses funds from OnlyFans to pay for the upkeep of more than 400 animals at the sanctuary including emus and reptiles claimed she was the victim of criticism from online trolls. She also said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had no concerns about animals in her care following inspections. The 46-year-old, who trained as a bodybuilder and has appeared on Essex Wives and Celebrity Big Brother, broke down in tears as District Judge Christopher Williams ruled in her favour today at Chelmsford Magistrates Court. He said: On the basis of the evidence available I am persuaded that the noise made by the lemurs is not a nuisance. I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the decision by Uttlesford District Council was wrong and continues to be wrong. I allow the appeal. Former glamour model Jodie Marsh wept tears of joy at Chelmsford Magistrates Court today as she was told she could keep eight ring-tailed lemurs at her animal sanctuary The media personality fought a legal battle to be able to keep eight ring-tailed lemurs at Fripps Farm in Lindsell, Essex Marsh, who wore a black blazer, black top and leggings, thanked her lawyer and the judge. In July last year, councillors said she was not suitable to look after animals after hearing how she had taken the meerkat and owl to a local pub. UDC councillor Richard Freeman told a meeting of its licensing and environmental health committee: The panel is concerned that Jodie Marsh has a perception that the animals in her care are personal pets. Video clips of screeching lemurs at a zoo were also played at a previous court hearing and the district council said Marsh had failed to provide a noise nuisance survey. Ring-tailed lemurs live on troops of up to 30 and are known as one of the most vocal primates. But Paul Oakley, for Marsh, said the councils conclusion lemurs were likely to contribute to the (noise) impact at the five-acre site was speculation. Marsh also dismissed concerns about her treatment of animals, explaining she had been hand-rearing the meerkat when she took it to a friends pub on a few occasions. Describing the sanctuary as a dream shed had since she was five years old, she rounded on the trolls, saying: They lash out, they pick on you, as in my case. Marsh founded her animal sanctuary Fripps Farm in Lindsell, Essex, in 2020. In 2023 she revealed she used income from OnlyFans to pay for the care of animals and staff wages Three protesters outside Chelmsford Magistrates' Court at a previous hearing where Marsh appealed against Uttlesford District Council's decision Marsh told the court last year that she had 'wanted an animal sanctuary since I was five years old' When I was bodybuilding they trolled me for that, when I was modelling they trolled me for that, now its the animals. The council received 19 objections from local residents about the licence application. But the court heard Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the RSPCA had not raised any concerns over the application for the lemurs, an endangered species from Madagascar. Summing up his findings, Judge Williams said there was 'considerable animosity between Ms Marsh and the members of the local community'. But he added: Ms Marsh may not be popular in the surrounding area but, based on the evidence given to this court, I conclude that she is a person who genuinely cares for her animals. Ms Marsh is not, and has not been, responsible for any harm or ill-treatment [of the animals in her care]. Granting the licence, he also approved an application for costs of 19,641 to be paid to Marsh by Uttlesford District Council. Marsh, pictured in 2003, is a former glamour model, media personality and bodybuilder The council said in a statement after todays judgement: The decision by councillors to not grant the Dangerous Wild Animals licence was made following careful consideration of both the supporting and opposing evidence in a public process. Whilst we are disappointed with the ruling today, the court has taken a fresh look at it and reached a different conclusion, which we fully accept. In 2023, Marsh told BBC Essex that OnlyFans was amazing and paid my staff wages for the first year. She added: They all joke and say Your boobs paid our wages. Ukraine has launched an audacious underwater attack on Putin's prized Kerch Bridge to Crimea with Kyiv claiming the link has been left in a 'state of disrepair'. Around 2,500 pounds of explosives detonated early this morning, damaging underwater pillars of the 12-mile-long bridge, a key supply route for Russian forces invading Ukraine. Footage showed smoke billowing over the bridge after the blast caused the entire structure to shake. Russian forces were forced to quickly close the bridge to traffic. It comes as the Ukraine war continues to spiral out of control amid stalling peace talks. The latest attack in Crimea follows an audacious blitz by Volodmyr Zelensky on Vladimir Putin's nuclear-capable long-range bomber fleet on Sunday. The 117-aircraft operation codenamed 'Spider's Web' - Ukraine's largest drone attack of the war - struck airfields in Siberia and the far north of the country. It comes amid fears that Putin will take the nuclear option as Ukraine's forces continue to push his troops back on the battlefield. Russia told Ukraine at peace talks on Monday that it would only agree to end the war if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army. The terms, formally presented at negotiations in Istanbul, highlighted Moscow's refusal to compromise on its longstanding war goals despite calls by Donald Trump to end the 'bloodbath' in Ukraine. Ukraine's SBU security service said on Tuesday it had hit the road and rail bridge linking Russia and the Crimean peninsula Britain would be unable to fend off a savage onslaught of missiles and drones should Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin seek to bombard Britain with them Following the Kerch Bridge attack in Crimea today, Ukraine's Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk said: 'We previously hit the Crimean Bridge twice in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition underwater. No illegal Russian facilities have a place on the territory of our state. 'Therefore, the Crimean Bridge is a completely legitimate target, especially considering that the enemy used it as a logistical artery to supply its troops. 'Crimea is Ukraine, and any manifestations of occupation will receive our tough response.' Russian forces temporarily closed the bridge this morning, according to Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda. No casualties have been reported. It comes after Ukrainian drones struck multiple military airbases in Russia on Sunday. The attacks occurred in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. Dubbed 'Operation Spiderweb', the co-ordinated strikes left Vladimir Putin humiliated and his prized warplanes in smouldering ruins. Back in 2023, the Kremlin downed two Ukrainian missiles that were aimed at Russia's Kerch bridge to Crimea. In 2022, a part of the bridge was blown up after a truck exploded on it, with Russia blaming the blast on Ukraine. The crossing carries heavy significance for Moscow, both logistically and psychologically, as a key artery for military and civilian supplies and as an assertion of Kremlin control of the peninsula it illegally annexed in 2014. The attack on the Kerch bridge comes a day after delegations from Kyiv and Moscow held a second round of direct talks on the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine. The two sides exchanged their visions of what a peace settlement could look like at the negotiations, mediated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, which once again did not yield a ceasefire. Despite the flurry of diplomacy urged on by US President Donald Trump, their demands have thus far been irreconcilable. Flames and smoke rise from a bridge connecting Crimea and Russia in Kerch, on the Crimean peninsula, Oct. 8, 2022 Smoke is billowing over the Russia's Kerch Bridge to Crimea - as the Kremlin claims to have shot down two Ukrainian missiles aimed at the crucial link to the annexed peninsula, August 2023 Hours after the talks concluded, Russian state news agencies published the full list of Moscow's peace terms that confirmed its maximalist claims. Russia has repeatedly demanded it retains territory in southern and eastern Ukraine that it occupies and for Kyiv to cede even more land. Moscow in 2022 annexed four Ukrainian regions - Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson - despite not having full control over them. In its roadmap to peace, something what Russia calls a 'memorandum', it demanded Ukraine to pull its forces out of parts of those regions that its army still controls as a prerequisite to any peace settlement. Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze on Sunday after a drone strike by Ukraine Russia also annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and fully controls it since then. Ukraine has said it will never recognise its occupied territories, including Crimea, as Russian. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv may be forced to try to secure their return through diplomatic means - effectively conceding that Russia could maintain control over some land in any peace deal. The Russian memorandum starts from a clause saying that all Moscow-occupied territories in Ukraine must be recognized. This is a breaking news story, more to follow. Two Afghan men who piloted a boat carrying 70 migrants across the Channel, during the same crossing in which a woman and child died, have been jailed. Shah Salim Sajjadi, 38, and Safiollah Mohammadi, 25, were detained after the packed dinghy arrived onshore in Dover on May 21. The vessel was among 13 carrying 825 people in total, which crossed the Channel as a flotilla of 'Little Ships' took part in a Dunkirk evacuation memorial on the 85th anniversary of the WW2 rescue. During their 45-mile journey to remember the rescue from May 1940, Border Force and the French navy asked the boats to clear a one-mile area so the migrant dinghy could pass through. On departure from a beach near Calais earlier in the day, a woman and child were picked up by a French coastal patrol vessel from the overcrowded boat after it got into difficulty but were declared dead. At the time, French officials said most of the rest of the migrants aboard the inflatable refused rescue and carried on to UK. French police are now probing the deaths under the direction of the Dunkirk prosecutor's office, the National Crime Agency has said. After the boat's arrival in the UK, Sajjadi and Mohammadi were arrested and questioned by NCA investigators before being charged with facilitating illegal immigration to the UK. Shah Salim Sajjadi, 38, pictured, has now been jailed for eight months Safiollah Mohammadi, 25, was one of the pilots of the vessel carrying 70 migrants across the Channel A group of migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard an RNLI Lifeboat after a crossing on May 21 They later pleaded guilty at a hearing at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on 24 May and have now been jailed for eight months. NCA Branch Commander Adam Berry said: 'This tragic incident demonstrates just how dangerous these crossings are, and the callous nature of those who organise them. 'The boat in question was dangerously overcrowded, but Sajjadi and Mohammadi chose to carry on their journey. 'We continue to work with French colleagues to investigate the circumstances of this crossing and the fatalities.' Refugee charity Utopia 56 said it alerted emergency services to the tragedy, writing on X at the time: '"The boat is broken, two people are dead." This is the information we received during a distress call in the English Channel this morning.' Chris Cox, who was coordinating the flotilla celebrating Operation Dynamo, described the moment one of the boats carrying migrants was spotted by a French vessel He said: 'There was a migrant boat in the water that was being covered by a French naval vessel. One of the dinghies, among 13 which crossed the channel carrying migrants on May 21, on the same day a woman and a child died during the crossing A French navy ship, believed to be a Loire-class vessel, was seen monitoring the dinghy's progress Event coordinator Chris Cox, from the Royal Temple Yacht Club Group of people thought to have crossed the Channel arrive in Kent on May 21 on a Border Force boat Association of Dunkirk Little Ships organised the flotilla to ensure 'the legacy of the Dunkirk little ships continues to inspire future generations' He added that after being notified, he steered clear 'and let the authorities look after it'. He added: 'For the people in the small boat, they have never done this before, and they don't know what to expect.' The recreation, however, was unhindered on its journey from Ramsgate to Dunkirk, save for the interruption from border officials and the French. The Telegraph reported that sailors were told in a maritime frequency message: 'There is a (French) warship on our head with a migrant (boat) close by. 'And we've been requested to give one nautical mile distance from that vessel, over.' A French-accented voice, believed to be from the French naval vessel Oyapock, then replied: 'Thank you, sir. Thank you very much.' Since Labour came into power, 38,049 people have crossed the English Channel on 685 boats. That averages around 114 migrants crossing per day, higher than the daily averages under Rishi Sunak, 81, and Boris Johnson, 57, but lower than during Liz Trusss brief tenure, when it reached 212. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. So far this year, a total of 14,807 people have made the crossing. It comes after nearly 1,200 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK in a single day, with one of Sir Keir Starmers ministers saying over the weekend that control of Britains borders had been lost. The Prime Minister faced backlash over what was described as a day of shame as a surge in dinghy crossings overwhelmed both French and UK border patrols. The latest Home Office figures reveal that 1,194 migrants arrived in 18 boats, pushing the provisional total for the year so far to 14,811. This is 42 per cent higher than the 10,448 recorded at the same time last year and a staggering 95 per cent increase on the 7,610 from 2023, according to analysis by PA news agency. 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. But the total of arrivals for the year, 14,811, is the highest ever recorded for the first five months of a year since data was first recorded on Channel crossings in 2018. It has also surpassed the highest total recorded for the first six months of the year, which was previously 13,489 on June 30 last year - and in 2024, the number of arrivals did not reach more than 14,000 until July 9, reaching 14,058. At Gravelines in northern France, more than half a dozen French police officers simply stood by on Saturday morning and watched as migrants waded into the sea and scrambled onto an inflatable boat. French authorities said they rescued 184 people. On Sunday, Defence Secretary John Healey told Trevor Phillips on Sky News: 'Pretty shocking, those scenes yesterday. 'The truth is, Britain's lost control of its borders over the last five years. 'The last government last year left an asylum system in chaos and record levels of immigration. A group of people believed to be migrants are seen being led through the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, following a number of small boat crossings in the Channel on Sunday The latest figures have seen increased criticism for PM Sir Keir Starmer, seen here chairing a round table during the International Border Security Summit in London on March 31 this year 'But I think that yesterday tells us a really big problem, which is that you've got French police unable to intervene and intercept the boats when they are in shallow water. 'We saw the smugglers launching elsewhere and coming round like a taxi to pick them up.' Mr Healey insisted there was 'new co-operation' with the French, suggesting their officials would intervene in the water. When asked whether he was 'hacked off' with France for not doing so now, Mr Healey said: 'They are not doing it, but we've got the agreement that they will change the way they work. '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.' Reacting to the huge crossing numbers, the Conservatives' former Home Secretary James Cleverly today said: 'The arrogance of Starmer, Cooper and the rest. 'They thought border control would be easy for the oh-so-clever progressive Labour government. They thought they could achieve more by doing less. Their hubris is now plain to see. 'I warned Yvette Cooper that scrapping the Rwanda agreement would send the wrong message to people smugglers. She ignored me. 'I said the Border Security Command duplicated the work of the Small Boats Operation Command and therefore wasnt adding value. She ignored me. 'Scrapping so many elements of the Illegal Migration Act and fast-tracking asylum acceptances would attract more illegal migration. 'She ignored me. And now we see the worst small boat arrival figures ever.' Disabled BBC journalist Frank Gardner accused Heathrow Airport of discrimination today after waiting more than 90 minutes to be taken off on a plane after it landed. The BBC News security correspondent has been in a wheelchair since 2004 when he was paralysed after being shot six times by Al Qaeda gunmen in Saudi Arabia. The 63-year-old landed from Singapore on a British Airways plane at Heathrow's Terminal Five at 6.45am this morning following a flight lasting more than 13 hours. But as other passengers walked down the stairs of the Boeing 777 to waiting buses to take them to the terminal building, Mr Gardner was kept waiting for assistance. Ground staff from Heathrow contractor Wilson James normally meet planes arriving at remote stands to help disabled passengers disembark on a medical lift. Most arriving planes are linked to the terminal with airbridges, so a lift is not required. But Mr Gardner was kept waiting for one hour and 35 minutes after the last passenger left - with the captain insisting he would wait on board the plane until he was off. He posted a photo of the plane's open doors on X, saying: 'Annoyed to find that Heathrow Airport is slipping back into its old bad habits, leaving disabled passengers still waiting for a high-lift to turn up so we can get off the plane, long after all others have disembarked. Other airports can manage. C'mon Heathrow, get a grip!' Gardner added 20 minutes later: 'Just to be clear, this is not the airline's fault. BA crew have been brilliant, Captain refusing to leave the plane til I'm off. BBC News security correspondent Frank Gardner has been using a wheelchair since 2004 Mr Gardner took this photo from a British Airways plane at Heathrow today while he waited Mr Gardner praised British Airways for their handling of the situation at Heathrow (file image) 'But it's now approaching an hour we're waiting for the high lift to turn up. it's so discriminatory by Heathrow Airport twds disabled passengers.' Heathrow then responded, saying: 'Good morning Frank. We are sorry to hear this, we can confirm that passengers who requested the high lift are asked to wait for others passengers to disembark first. If you would like us to look into your experience further, please kindly DM us.' But Gardner replied: 'You are missing the point. The high lift hasn't turned up.' Speaking later to MailOnline, Gardner said: 'It certainly wasn't great that after a 13 to 14 hour overnight flight from Singapore - which was a work trip - I then had to wait a further 90 minutes to disembark because the airport couldn't find a high lift truck to get me off the plane with my wheelchair. 'I watched the captain phone the people responsible repeatedly and then say 'no one's answering'. To be fair, this doesn't happen every time, and the ground handling staff are always helpful and courteous, but in 2025 it shouldn't be happening at all. 'For every person like me who goes public when this happens how many others are putting up with it in silence? 'This comes down to a need for better allocation of resources and better communication between the airport and the ground handlers. I very rarely encounter these problems in other airports in the world.' Last October, Mr Gardner criticised LOT Polish Airlines after he was forced to 'crawl on the floor' to reach a plane toilet because of a lack of onboard wheelchairs In 2018, Mr Gardner criticised Heathrow after being kept on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa for nearly two hours because staff said they had lost his wheelchair A Heathrow spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We are extremely sorry for the delay Mr Gardner experienced. This was due to the team responding to a medical emergency, which reduced the number of vehicles available but we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused. 'As a gesture of goodwill, we have offered to cover the cost of the additional waiting time for his car. We continue to work hard to ensure all passengers enjoy a smooth and seamless experience when travelling through Heathrow.' MailOnline has contacted Wilson James for comment. Last October, Mr Gardner criticised LOT Polish Airlines after he was forced to 'crawl on the floor' to reach a plane toilet because of a lack of onboard wheelchairs. He said at the time that it was 'degrading' and 'physically deeply uncomfortable', adding that it was 'humiliating' to have to 'shuffle along the floor' in his suit on the flight from Warsaw to London. LOT responded by saying it was 'deeply sorry' for Mr Gardner's 'distressing experience', adding that it was 'testing solutions' to equip short-haul aircraft with onboard wheelchairs. And in 2018, Mr Gardner criticised Heathrow after being kept on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa for nearly two hours because staff said they had lost his wheelchair. He later met the airport's then-chief executive John Holland-Kaye to discuss improvements. A solar firm paid 400 million by a debt-ridden council is facing an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office after its a Dubai-based CEO spent almost half of it funding his luxury lifestyle. The body, responsible for investigating complex financial crime in the UK, has issued a series of Section 2 notices compelling financial institutions to provide information after launching the probe into the Rockfire Group. Headed up by solar tycoon Liam Kavanagh, Rockfire convinced Thurrock Council in Essex to invest 400 million in bonds for a green energy scheme involving solar farms - before its CEO allegedly blew 150 million on properties, jets and yachts. In a High Court lawsuit last year, Thurrock Council accused Kavanagh, 47, of spending 13.7 million on a new yacht, 9.1 million on a private Bombardier jet, 20 million on a 232-acre country estate in Hampshire and 3 million on a Mallorca property. The council initally invested 268 million in bonds sold by Rockfire Investment Finance Plc, and other companies in the Rockfire group. The firm is now in liquidation, with just 90 to its name at the time according to a statement of affairs, which also listed the company as owing 168,997,476 to Thurrock Council. Rockfire promised a three to six percent return on any investments made in addition to the bond costs. In its High Court filing, Thurrock Council said it went on to make further investments based on 'fraudulent misrepresentations' and claimed Kavanagh deliberately ensured 'completely unrealistic' electricity prices were used to increase the farms' value. Headed up by Liam Kavanagh, Rockfire convinced Thurrock Council to invest 400 million in bonds for a green energy scheme involving solar farms - before its CEO allegedly blew 150 million on properties, jets and yachts It is alleged Kavanagh spent almost 14 million of Thurrock Council's money on a Bombardier private jet (stock image) The council was effectively declared bankrupt in December 2022 after accruing debts totalling 1.4 billion. The council's involvement with Kavanagh, who is based in the UAE, began in June 2016 when, alongside Warrington and Newham councils, it financed the purchase of a solar farm in Swindon through bonds marketed by his company Rockfire Capital. Over the next two years, Thurrock helped buy 53 sites across the UK, all of which are now owned by Kavanagh. The investments were issued through a complex series of bonds, all due to mature in the next three to four years. In return, Thurrock would get interest payments worth millions of pounds. Red flags were first raised after accounts showed Kavanagh's firm pocketed 5 million in 'commission'. Days after concerns emerged about Thurrock's solar deals in 2020, a new company, Anyard Holdings, was registered in the Isle of Man. Kavanagh subsequently liquidated key companies that owed the council hundreds of millions and transferred the solar farms into the new offshore structure. In total, according to Companies House, he has had roles in at least 96 different companies since 2006. Cllr Victoria Holloway, Cabinet Member for Place and the Environment, said: 'Since these catastrophic investments first came to light, this administration - standing firmly alongside our residents - has consistently and rightly called for a full investigation. 'We therefore strongly welcome today's announcement from the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). It represents a vital step toward securing justice and ensuring accountability on behalf of our communities. Kavanagh (pictured) subsequently liquidated key companies that owed the council hundreds of millions and transferred the solar farms into the new offshore structure Thurrock's involvement with Mr Kavanagh began in June 2016 when, alongside Warrington and Newham councils, it financed the purchase of a solar farm in Swindon 'Thurrock Council will continue to fully support this investigation and will make sure the SFO has access to all the information it requires, as we have continued to do since these losses were uncovered. 'Alongside this, the council is vigorously pursuing civil claims against Rockfire and its owner, Liam Kavanagh, to recover public funds lost through these failed investments. Today's announcement strengthens our resolve to see this through.' To date Thurrock Council has already recouped more than 650 million of public money from its various historic investments. Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Nick Ephgrave QPM, said: 'Todays action is a significant step in our investigation concerning this suspected criminality. 'We are grateful for the assistance of Essex Police, Thurrock Council and others in the early stages of this enquiry.' In a previous statement at the time of the High Court filing, Kavanagh denied all the allegations, adding: 'The claim has not been validly served on Mr Kavanagh and he is confident that his application challenging the court's jurisdiction will succeed. 'Irrespective of the question of jurisdiction, Mr Kavanagh strenuously denies the allegations. If and when necessary to do so, and should the court permit the claim to proceed, Mr Kavanagh will be putting forward a full defence.' The three missing sisters who vanished after a three-hour visit with their father have been found dead in Washington after days of frantic searching by authorities. Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia Decker, five, were found deceased on Monday evening, prompting state police to call off the Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA). Police had swarmed around Rock Island Campground, blocking traffic and sending drivers in the other direction after they found their father's truck around 3:45pm on Monday. Their 'mentally unstable' father Travis Decker - who they were last seen with - is at large and police are looking for him. The father-of-three has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. Police said the veteran could 'pose a significant risk if approached' as he has extensive combat training. It is unclear if he is armed. Decker, 32, does not have permanent housing and is known to stay at hotels and campgrounds, police said. His ex-wife, the girls' mother, had been particularly worried because he has 'really struggled since he left the military.' 'His mental health can be hard sometimes,' she told KIRO 7. Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia Decker, five, were found dead on Monday after police swarmed around Rock Island Campground Their father, Travis Decker - who they were last seen with - is at large as police continue their hunt Authorities found Decker's truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground off Icicle Road. While searching the area, the girls' bodies were found, but Decker was nowhere to be seen. The Wenatchee Police Department offered their 'sincere and deep heartfelt condolences,' to the family. Authorities found Decker's truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground. While searching the area, the girls' bodies were found, but Decker was nowhere to be seen. A SWAT team was called to the campground around 5pm yesterday and the area was shut down between 7pm and 9pm. Travis Decker is described as 5'8" and 190 pounds, with black hair worn in a ponytail and brown eyes. The girls were last seen alive at their mother's house, where Decker picked them up for a scheduled three-hour visit. The visitation was part of their parenting plan, but an alarm was raised after Decker didn't return with the girls on Friday. The girls' mother, Whitney, reported the girls missing at 9:45pm on Friday and police began working to determine where the father and the children were. Authorities found Decker's truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground. While searching the area, the girls' bodies were found The girls were last seen alive at their mother's house, where Decker picked them up for a scheduled three-hour visit. His ex-wife had been particularly worried because he has 'really struggled since he left the military.' 'His mental health can be hard sometimes,' she said The girls' mother, Whitney, reported the girls missing at 9:45pm on Friday and police began working to determine where the father and the children were Law enforcement is asking the public for help to find the father-of-three, but advised locals not to approach him Decker in an undated mugshot His GMC truck was last spotted on Highway 2 on Friday. The Washington State Patrol was contacted about issuing an AMBER Alert, but none was given as it did not meet criteria, Wenatchee Police Department said. The Endangered and Missing Persons Alert (EMPA) was issued on Saturday after 'additional information' was provided, the police department said. Law enforcement is asking the public for help in finding Decker, but advised locals not to approach him. A GoFundMe was started for the mother-of-three, raising $30,000 in less than a day. 'These girls were true light in this world and and it is a darker place without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces,' the fundraiser read. 'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them.' JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has issued a dire warning to the United States military, urging them to stockpile guns, bullets and other weaponry. During a Friday appearance at the inaugural Regan National Economic Forum in California, Dimon was asked how the US should think about national security as artificial intelligence and chips become more crucial for defense capabilities. His answer suggested that he believes the White House has the wrong priorities on this front. It also contained a thinly-veiled dig at President Donald Trump's executive order to establish a national bitcoin reserve. 'We know what constitutes national security,' he said in response to a question from CNBC's Morgan Brennan. 'We shouldn't be stockpiling bitcoins, we should be stockpiling gun, bullets, tanks, planes, drones, rare earths. We know what we need to do, it's not a mystery.' Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency ever created and is the largest by market capitalization. Trump was an unabashed skeptic of all forms of crypto in July 2019, when he tweeted that bitcoin shouldn't even be considered a form of money. He also claimed that an unregulated crypto sector facilitates drug dealing and other illegal activity. But since Trump launched his meme coin, which has generated more than $324 million in trading fees since its launch in January, he has flipped to being one of the loudest cheerleaders of the crypto industry. On March 6, Trump officially ordered the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate digital asset stockpile containing different cryptocurrencies. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said the Trump administration should focus more on stockpiling weapons than building up a reserve of bitcoin On March 6, President Donald Trump (pictured signing an executive order) officially directed the government to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve that will hold billions worth of the digital asset A recent report from The Washington Post suggests that these two reserves will together hold $21 billion worth of crypto. Although the Trump administration did not cite national security as the reason for its desire to hold cryptocurrencies, Dimon still thinks the federal government should be focusing more on defense. 'The military guys tell you that if theres a war in the South China Sea, we have missiles for seven days. Okay, come on. I mean, we cant say that with a straight face and think thats okay,' he said. The nation's top banker was referring to a House report in December that found the US would run out of certain long-range anti-ship missiles in a week or less if it found itself in a full-scale war with China. Dimon mentioned that JPMorgan will soon release a report detailing why this problem persists and what lawmakers ought to do about it. 'We don't leave behind excess surplus production capabilities for missiles or bullets or bombs,' he said. 'We don't have a military that can flexibly move money.' 'You see how quickly the software and the hardware they need changes, so the military can't have a 30-year program, they've got to be able to cancel that drone program, build up that drone program, hire this person to do the software. 'We have to allow them to do multi-year budgeting, we essentially don't. The military tells me it costs them $50 billion a year, and we have to spend more.' Dimon made these comments on Friday at the inaugural Regan National Economic Forum in California. He shared the stage with CNBC's Morgan Brennan (pictured right) A US fighter jet releases a long-range anti-ship missile. This is precisely the munition type a House report warned would run out in a week or less in a war with China As it stands now, the military budget is approved by Congress on an annual basis, not on a multi-year basis. In May, Trump proposed the first ever $1 trillion Pentagon budget for fiscal year 2026. Interestingly, Dimon said he doesn't think of China as a top adversary, instead arguing that any possible downfall of the US will likely come from mistakes made by its own leaders. 'Im not as worried about China,' he said. 'China is a potential adversary. Theyre doing a lot of things well, they have a lot of problems. But what I really worry about is us. Can we get our own act together, our own values, our own capability, our own management?' He also mentioned the US dollar's potentially waning status as the leading world reserve currency, which has been an axiom since the end of World War II. 'I always get asked this question: Are we going to be the reserve currency? No. You know, if we are not the preeminent military and the preeminent economy in 40 years, we will not be the reserve currency. Thats a fact. Just read history,' he said. Although much of Dimon's focus during the talk was about the US projecting power abroad, he did say that domestic priorities need to be addressed as well. 'Weve got to fix our permitting, our regulations, our immigration, our taxation, which I, I think theyre on their way. We have to fix our inner city schools, our health care system,' he said. A teacher who blamed ChatGPT for his Twitter post urging the murder of Giorgia Meloni's eight-year-old daughter has attempted suicide. Stefano Addeo, 65, became a figure of hate in Italy after he said he hoped Ginevra would 'meet the same fate' as a 14-year-old girl recently killed by her jilted boyfriend. The post sparked public outrage and was condemned across the political spectrum, with opposition MPs as well as members of the governing coalition calling it unacceptable. Addeo, who teaches German in a school near Naples, tried to justify the message by claiming it was AI-generated but this did nothing to calm the furore. After being harangued in the streets of his town and forced to shut himself away at home Addeo attempted to take his own life on Monday. He was rushed to hospital but has since been discharged in a stable condition. Addeo told La Repubblica newspaper: 'I was lynched, I couldn't take it, I couldn't stand the persecution.' Stefano Addeo (pictured), 65, became a figure of hate in Italy after he said he hoped the xhild, Ginevra, would 'meet the same fate' a a 14-year-old girl recently killed by her jilted boyfriend Addeo, who teaches German in a school near Naples tried to justify the message by claiming it was AI generated but this did nothing to calm the furore Pictured: Giorgia Meloni and her daughter Ginevra attend a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St.Peter's Square on the first World Children's Day on May 26, 2024 In an earlier interview with the outlet, he explained how he had asked ChatGPT to create a message that was critical of Meloni after he realised the government was not distancing itself from the war in Israel. 'This crazy thing emerged, and I posted it,' he said. When he was asked why he hadn't taken a moment to consider making the post, Addeo said he had 'just wanted to post something'. He added how his actions have had 'really ugly' consequences, 'People are throwing tomatoes at my front door. I have been depicted as a monster', he said. I'm really shocked - people are issuing threats against me. I did a really stupid thing'. Addeo added that he would apologise and ask for forgiveness if he was given the opportunity to meet Meloni. The premier reportedly said she was willing to meet him before the news of the suicide attempt came out. However, 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. Ms Meloni, who is halfway into her five-year term as premier, has expressed concern over a 'sick climate' in Italian political discourse The teacher's social media post was a reference to the chilling 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. Ms Meloni, who is halfway into her five-year term as premier, has expressed concern over 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. Addeo has been suspended from teaching and is under investigation for inciting hatred. Dramatic images revealed the moments emergency responders rescued a victim trapped in a rock tomb off the Pacific Coast Highway. The Ventura County Fire Department reported that crews responded to the scene at 7:45 p.m. on Monday to assist the victim in escaping the rocks at Thornhill Broome Beach, located approximately an hour north of Los Angeles, California. The victim, whose identity has yet to be revealed, was trapped by a large rock that had shifted. Firefighters used 'specialized extraction tools' to remove the individual and were seen carrying them on a stretcher down the rock wall. Cinematic photos revealed first responders carrying the victim down the beach as onlookers watched from the top of the rocks. Videos of the escape posted online showed a slew of firefighters assisting in extracting the victim from the rocks. Multiple agencies, including the VCFD, Oxnard Fire Department, Federal Fire Ventura CHP, and California State Parks responded to the rescue. 'Thank you to all of our local agency partners for their teamwork, technical expertise and professionalism during this challenging rescue,' VCFD said in a statement. Dramatic images revealed the moments firefighters rescued an individual trapped by a large rock that had shifted The Ventura County Fire Department shared that the rescue required multiple agencies, including the Oxnard Fire Department, Federal Fire Ventura CHP, and California State Parks The VCFD said they used 'specialized extraction tools' to remove the individual from the rocks Community members praised the fire departments on social media, with many flocking to the comment section on VCFD's latest post to congratulate the firefighters on a successful rescue. 'Bravo !!! True heroes,' one comment read. 'Thank God for fire fighters,' another added. Thank you for your service,' a third wrote. DailyMail.com reached out to VCFD for more information on the rescue and an update on the patient's condition, but didn't immediately hear back. The victim's identity hasn't been revealed, and it's unclear how they got onto the rocks and how long they were stuck for The incident occurred at Thornhill Broome Beach, which is located in California, off the world-famous Pacific Coast Highway The beach is located in the Santa Monica Mountains and stretches for five miles on the shoreline Thornhill Broome Beach is located at Point Mugu State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains. The beach stretches five miles on the shore and features rocky bluffs and sand dunes. Thornhill sits along the world-famous Pacific Coast Highway, featured in films such as Forrest Gump, La La Land, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. A stretch of the highway was closed in January following a series of devastating wildfires, but reopened ahead of Memorial Day weekend. This is the moment a violent and 'controlling' boyfriend is caught on camera raging at the lover he was jailed for assaulting, as it emerged he has been recalled to prison less than two months afer his early prison release. Matthew Kowal, 34, was freed just three months into a three-year sentence in February under a government scheme to ease jail overcrowding But the former parcel depot worker is already back behind bars after breaching a no-contact order just weeks after he was set free. Kowal was caught on then lover Hayley Johns' doorbell camera accusing her of trying to slam a door on him as he left her Derbyshire home for work in April 2023. Ms Johns gave MailOnline doorbell video footage showing Kowal raging as he leaves the property as the terrified partner sobs off-camera. She can be heard telling him through her tears: You dont do that to someone you love as she warns Kowal she will call the police. Ms Johns, 38, told MailOnline how she had opened the door for him to leave for work but he caught his door on the frame, and then erupted as he accused her of trying to hurt him. Following Kowal's release in February, Ms Johns, told how she had installed multiple alarms, locks and a CCTV system at her home out of fear he may target her once more. Hayley Johns (pictured), 38, installed multiple alarms, locks and a CCTV system at her home out of fear Matthew Kowal might target her once more Kowal, 34, was found guilty in November of causing actual bodily harm and common assault, having previously admitted two counts of ABH She said her fears were realised within a matter of weeks when Kowal found a TikTok account she had created following their split and began liking her videos and pictures. The former parcel depot worker was then recalled in mid-April after Ms Johns said he closed a Google listing for her business and she discovered some of his relatives had been repeatedly driving down her road. Ms Johns, who runs her own nail salon, now fears her former lover could soon again be released early instead of being made to serve the remainder of a three-year prison term - after the Government announced fresh sentencing reforms last month which could see some serious offenders released after serving just a third of their sentence. Ms Johns, from Little Eaton, near Derby, accused ministers of playing with fire by releasing prisoners such as Kowal early, adding: More people will get hurt. How are they supposed to grown and learn if they are not being held accountable and made to serve their sentence? This gives no hope to victims if their attackers are getting released almost immediately. Justice has not prevailed (in such cases). The mother-of-three said Kowal will keep coming for me and would never change. Kowal was found guilty in November of one count of causing actual bodily harm and one of common assault having previously admitted two counts of ABH. Ms Johns fears her former lover could soon again be released early after the Government announced fresh sentencing reforms last month Ms Johns with Kowal. The mother-of-three said Kowal will keep coming for me and would never change He was sentenced to three years in prison and handed a ten-year restraining order at Derby Crown Court on November 29. Ms Johns was told by her victim liaison officer that Kowal, from Mackworth, Derbyshire, was to be released on February 13 just three months after he was sentenced, although Kowal had also served a period of time on remand. But Ms Johns said a few weeks later she received a notification on TikTok to say Kowal had liked one of her videos. I only set up the account after we separated and it was a help to me with my mental health, she added. Ms John said Derbyshire Police confirmed the contact amounted to a breach of her restraining order. But the matter was passed to the neighbouring Staffordshire force because that was where Kowal was now living, and officers deemed it only a minor breach and merely visited Kowal to inform him his conduct was in breach of the restraining order. He was only arrested and recalled to prison in mid-April after further breaches of the no-contact order came to light. Ms Johns first told of her situation in February to warn other women about the danger Kowal may pose them, even though she felt she had been completely let down by the justice system. Ms Johns said she met Kowal five years ago during the pandemic, when she took a job as a courier at a firm where he was already working in the depot. Ms Johns said 'charming' Kowal first turned on New Years Eve 2020 when she confronted him over pictures he had sent of himself to another woman and Kowal went from zero to 100 and started assaulting her Kowal can be heard on the doorbell camera footage accusing a sobbing Ms Johns of slamming the door on him He was incredibly charming at first and we had a whirlwind romance, she added. But on New Years Eve 2020 she confronted him over pictures he had sent of himself to another woman and Kowal went from zero to 100 and started assaulting her. Nothing like this had happened before, I dont know where it came from, she said. It was like an explosion. Kowal apologised and she continued with the relationship but over the next three years, she said there were a number of other episodes of violence including Kowal smashing glass and flying into a rage in a bedroom. Ms Johns said the final straw in her relationship came following an incident in March last year when he barricaded her in the bedroom and she tried to climb out to escape and ended up in hospital. She said: That is when I knew he had total control over me. Ms Johns said Kowal was remanded ahead of sentencing last May. It is understood that Kowal originally benefited from a double sentencing discount after was released early under a Home Detention Curfew scheme having also qualified for the Labour governments SDS40 (Standard Determinate Sentence 40) scheme which was introduced last year to tackle prison overcrowding. Under the scheme, inmates can be eligible for early release after completing 40 per cent of their sentence, rather than the usual 50 per cent. But although offenders convicted of domestic abuse are supposed to be exempt from early release, some abusers who have been charged with more general offences like common assault, such as Kowal, remain eligible. In December, Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde tabled a bill aimed at closing this loophole by creating a specific set of domestic abuse aggravated offences in the law. The raging Kowal reduced his then girlfriend Ms Johns to tears as he headed out to work The Ministry of Justice confirmed Kowal was subject to a standard recall for breach of licence conditions. Staffordshire Police said officers arrested Kowal for recall to prison on April 10 following probation breaches. A spokesman said of the force's earlier interaction with him over Ms Johns' TikTok account: A report was received regarding a potential breach of a harassment order. 'At the time, there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution. However, the case was not closed. A file was created to document the investigation, and it remains open for review should further evidence come to light. Officers attended the victims address and completed a safeguarding risk assessment to ensure their safety and well-being. Last month Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons she accepted most of the proposals from an independent sentencing review, but ruled out allowing the early release for the most serious offenders, saying they would continue to have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence. A sex offender whose transgender status helped him stay out of jail after being caught with 125,000 child abuse images has avoided prison time again. In June 2022, Peter Selby received a suspended sentence for amassing a vile collection of pictures and videos featuring children as young as three. The paedophile, who was born male, admitted three charges of making indecent images of children and one of possessing extreme pornography, which involved an adult engaged in bestiality. Making indecent images of children carries a maximum ten-year prison sentence but Selby, of South Shields, was given a 14-month sentence, which was suspended for two years. A judge told him at the time: 'You are someone who identifies as transgender and the impact of custody would be significant for you in the circumstances.' The judge said she was suspending the sentence because Selby had sought counselling since being arrested in 2019, and was assessed in a pre-sentence report as being manageable in the community. Selby was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order, which prevents him using private browsing or VPN software for ten years. The 71-year-old, was back at Newcastle Crown Court today after he admitted breach of the sexual harm prevention order just nine months after it was imposed. In June 2022, Peter Selby got a suspended sentence for amassing a vile collection of pictures and videos featuring children as young as three The 71-year-old, was back at Newcastle Crown Court today after he admitted breach of the sexual harm prevention order just nine months after it was imposed Selby was sentenced to 10 months suspended for 18 months with programme and rehabilitation requirements plus a 100 fine. Pictured: Newcastle Crown Court Selby, who was referred to as 'he' in court, has shoulder length hair, a bust and was wearing lipstick during the hearing. Prosecutor Rachael Glover said police had gone to Selby's home to carry out a risk review in March 2023 and his internet enabled devices were inspected. Miss Glover said: 'During a search of the laptop, the officer found VPN software downloaded to the device and set up with the name of the defendant along with his email address. 'A further search by the officer in relation to the settings showed the VPN was activated and the defendant was arrested.' The court heard no illegal activity or images were detected on the device. Judge Robert Adams told Selby: 'A VPN had been downloaded, which was active and could be used to mask internet identity or IP address when accessing sites on the internet. 'For obvious reasons, bearing in mind your previous convictions, that was a requirement of the SHPO, to make it difficult, if you were tempted, to re offend in the way you had before.' Judge Adams said Selby also has convictions for two offences of indecent assault in 1992, for which he was jailed for four months. Selby, who was referred to as 'he' in court, has shoulder length hair, a bust and was wearing lipstick during the hearing There was no mention of Selby's transgender identity at today's hearing but the judge told him: 'You have been wearing women's clothing for the last 30 years. Your family have distanced themselves from you as a result. 'You have no history of drug use and no drinking since 2013.' Judge Adams said there has been no offending in the last two years and told Selby: 'You would undoubtedly be at risk of physical or sexual assault in custody because of your presentation in a male prison.' Selby was sentenced to 10 months suspended for 18 months with programme and rehabilitation requirements plus a 100 fine. The court heard Selby, who has expressed remorse, has health difficulties, including memory problems and claims to have no recollection of downloading the software, which the judge said he was sceptical about. A soldier found dead in his barracks after being missing for three weeks was 'degraded' by his superior officers, with one posting videos of his 'humiliations' in a WhatsApp group, an inquest heard today. A friend of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan said 'bullying would be an understatement'. He described how the father-of-three was 'shouted, screamed and swore at', made to clean senior officers' cars in his own time and 'forced' to do extra runs in his lunch break without being given time to eat. The 33-year-old's decomposing body was discovered on January 23, 2020 in his bedroom at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, three weeks after he was last seen. An inquest at North Yorkshire Coroner's Court has heard his cause of death is still 'unascertained' as decomposition made it difficult for doctors to determine. Today former corporal Stephen Timmerman, who lived in the same accommodation block as L/Cpl Mongan, told the hearing he 'wasn't treated the same way' as other soldiers in their squadron. He said: 'He was given tasks that he shouldn't have been given, and just the general way he was spoken to by higher ranks. 'His seniors, quite a few times, he would be left to do their work for them in his own time.' Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan's body lay undiscovered in his room for three weeks Relatives of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, 33, described him as 'intelligent' and 'happy-go-lucky' but said if he was 'bullied or targeted it was hard for him to accept' Mr Timmerman said he could remember three occasions when Lance Corporal Mongan was given a military Land Rover to clean that was not his. He said that on a military exercise around three months before his death, Lance Corporal Mongan was 'shouted and screamed at' in front of other soldiers by his own superior officers for carrying out an order from another department. Mr Timmerman, who has since retired from the Army, said: 'It was very aggressive, very abrupt, some swearing ... It was very harsh language and it wasn't his fault, he was carrying out an order he was told to do.' He said that on the same exercise Lance Corporal Mongan was told to help other departments set up their radio masts but was refused help with his own and told to 'do it himself'. Mr Timmerman said Lance Corporal Mongan was put on remedial physical training after failing a fitness test, but was also 'forced to go for an extra run on the same day and given no time for having lunch and breakfast'. He described Lance Corporal Mongan as a 'cuddly teddy bear' who may have been a 'soft target' because he was 'a nice guy who took things easier'. He told the inquest Lance Corporal Mongan had issues with two sergeants and was 'undermined' and 'come down on very harshly', saying he had been considering a service complaint. Asked if he was bullied, Mr Timmerman said: 'I would say that was an understatement.' He told the hearing: 'They spoke to Bernie as if he was inconsequential,' adding that he had been spoken to 'like a piece of s***' and 'degraded'. Asked if he was aware one officer 'had been posting videos on a WhatsApp group of humiliations of Bernie', Mr Timmerman said: 'I didn't know about that.' Lance Corporal Mongan was found dead in barracks at Catterick, North Yorkshire on January 23, 2020 The inquest heard Lance Corporal Mongan had been selected for a detachment with 77 Brigade, which was due to start in January 2020. But his room at Catterick would be kept for him while he was away so he could use it for visits with his three daughters. Mr Timmerman said: 'There was a noticeable change in him, he was happy, he was ready to move away.' The hearing was told Lance Corporal Mongan had separated from his wife and spent Christmas at another soldier's house. Mr Timmerman said he last saw him at the barracks on December 27, telling the inquest: 'He was very happy and couldn't wait to go for a detachment. 'He said: "Have a good New Year, hopefully see you soon".' The witness said he returned from a trip to Scotland on January 5 but was not expecting to see Lance Corporal Mongan as he was due to be on detachment by then. The inquest heard he started to notice an 'unusual smell' in the block after a few days, and on January 22 realised it was coming from inside his room. He spoke to a superior officer about getting the keys for the room, and the two of them went in the next morning to find Lance Corporal Mongan's body lying face-down on his bed. The inquest heard Lance Corporal Mongan had tried to kill himself several times and spent time at a recovery centre run by Help For Heroes. Former Royal Marine Jules Burnard, who struck up a friendship with him when they met at the facility, said he had last seen Lance Corporal Mongan on January 1, 2020, and that he had been 'very positive' and looking forward to the detachment. Mr Burnard said Lance Corporal Mongan had opened up to him about being bullied, and how that had affected his mental health. He told the hearing: 'He was a loveable, likeable, upbeat person. There was nothing not to like about Bernie.' Following the discovery of his body, an empty litre bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey was found in his room, along with body-building supplements. Tests on his body found a type of barbiturate. The two most likely causes of death were considered to be poisoning or a sudden abnormality of the heart, the inquest heard. But a Home Office pathologist told the first day of what is expected to be a three-week hearing that he could not say which of these was the most likely. His cause of death was officially recorded as unascertained due to the period of decomposition. The hearing continues. A California surfer was left fearing for his life after coming face-to-face with a huge shark that destroyed his board just off the coast of a popular beach. Jens Heller had only paddled 100 yards off the shore of Montara State Beach on May 31 when he felt a sudden lurch under his surfboard and something hit his foot from below the water. At first, the father thought he'd hit a rock - but he soon realized the truth was far more terrifying. The impact caused him to wobble and eventually fall from his board. When he came up from under the water, he was making direct eye contact with the beady black eyes and sharp, pointed teeth of one of the ocean's most terrifying creatures. 'I shoved the board towards the shark and tried to kick to get away, but then it let go of the board pretty quickly and just swam away,' he told SFGATE. The 42-year-old then grabbed his board and paddled towards the shore as fast as he could, although he still wasn't sure he'd make it out alive. He told local news outlets that his wife and six-month-old daughter were waiting back on the beach, completely oblivious to Heller's brush with the creature. Once safely on land and out of harm's way, Heller took a closer look at the damage his aquatic nemesis had done to the surfboard. It was only then he realized just how close its teeth had come to his foot. Jens Heller, 42, came face-to-face with a shark just off the coast of Montara State Beach. His surfboard was left with a huge bite mark from the 10-foot beast Heller had only paddled 100 yards off of shore when he felt a lurch under his board and something hit his foot from below the water. (Pictured: Montara State Beach) The board sustained several bite marks, but the Albany, California resident is calling them 'curiosity bites.' 'I don't think the shark was trying to hunt me, because it could have easily killed me if it wanted to' he told Daily Mail. Several nearby surfers witnessed the encounter and one of them estimated that Heller's attacker was about 10 feet long. The species is currently unclear but Heller told local sources he believes it may have been a white shark. Montara State Beach officials have taken samples from the board to confirm. Despite coming a little too close for comfort, Heller says he's going to keep surfing, just maybe not at Montara State Beach. 'Shark attacks are incredibly rare and I will go surfing again, but probably not at Montara for a while.' California State Park Information Officer Adeline Yee told Daily Mail that following the incident at 2pm on May 31, lifeguards cleared the water and posted shark closure signage. The beach has reopened as of 2pm on Monday, June 3. Though he attempted to patch it up, the surfboard is now retired. Heller says it will go on his wall as a badge of honor The board sustained several bite marks, but Heller is calling them 'curiosity bites,' knowing the predator could've torn him and the board to shreds if it really wanted to Yee also said: 'California State Parks would like to remind visitors that sharks are an important part of the coastal ecosystem and that interactions between people and sharks are rare.' Despite the terrifying encounter, Heller remains optimistic. He told local sources that he's glad to have an excuse to buy a new surfboard, even noting that this one was getting old anyway. Though he attempted to patch it up, the surfboard is now retired. Heller says it will go on his wall as a badge of honor. 'In the bigger picture humans do much more harm to sharks than they will ever do to us. We should all respect nature and respect the power of the ocean.' A mum has been jailed after she dragged two police officers along the road when she drove off after giving them a false name. Lauren Baird, 43, put the lives of the constables in danger when she fled at speed in Aviemore, Scotland. Inverness Sheriff Court was told the officers challenged her about the inaccurate information she gave at 10.35pm on July 10, 2023. Baird accelerated away and the two helpless victims were fortunate not to have gone under the car on the B9152 road between Kincraig and Rothiemurchus. Sheriff Sara Matheson was shown dashcam footage of one officer detaching himself after a few feet and the other officer only managing to free herself several yards along the road. She was left having to use crutches and has still not returned to duty. A tearful Baird was jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for 43 months. Baird had previously admitted culpable and reckless conduct to the danger of life, attempting to pervert the course of justice by giving false details and attempting to conceal her vehicle and driving without a licence or insurance. When the officers informed her she was being arrested Baird drove off at speed Lauren Baird has been jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for 43 months The officers stopped and questioned Baird after a check showed the vehicle was not licensed Sentencing her, Sheriff Matheson told Baird: 'This was appalling behaviour. 'It put two officers' lives in danger. It was pure luck their injuries weren't a lot worse. But it has had a significant psychological effect on them.' Defending, Natalie Paterson said that her client 'didn't appreciate the terrible consequences her actions had caused. She panicked when she was stopped by the police. which is a decision she regrets.' Fiscal depute Susan Love previously told Sheriff Sara Matheson that the female officer still had not returned to work. Ms Love told the court that police had difficulty in obtaining Baird's true details in a half hour conversation during which she showed the officers a photograph she claimed was her but clearly it was not. The court heard that the one truth she delivered was that she was staying at the nearby Coylumbridge Hotel but when she was told she was being arrested, she drove off at speed. Ms Love added: 'It was fortunate that the officers did not go under the wheels of her car. 'They were taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment to grazing, bruises, head swelling, an injured knee and a staved finger.' The officers who had been questioning her were dragged along the road, leaving them injured When their police colleagues checked the hotel soon after the incident, they found her there. Her car had been concealed in a forest road close to the property. However Ms Love told the court that she had used the bolt to prevent the house key unlocking the door and permission was granted for a forced entry. 'But she continued to delay matters and was in the bathroom getting dressed.. But the officers could hear the sound of the toilet being repeatedly flushed.' Drugs possession charges against Baird were dropped by the prosecution service. Supermarkets in China have beefed up on Aussie meat amid tariff tensions between the US and the Asian superpower. Australian beef exports to China have soared in recent months in the wake of US president Donald Trump's sweeping 'liberation day' tariffs regime earlier in the year. The rival economic superpowers have most recently accused each other of violating a tariff truce struck in Geneva last month. A Chinese woman shared vision of the meat section of her local supermarket, where shelves were filled with Australian beef where US products were previously stocked. She held up a 300g package of grain fed Angus beef as she complimented Australian producers. 'I guess I'm having Australian beef for dinner tonight, instead of American beef,' the woman said in English. 'And, honestly, because of the food quality, I probably trust Australian beef better. 'This box of beef right here is 50 RMB which is about $7 USD [AU$10.82].' The Chinese woman then took a brutal swipe at the US. 'So to answer the question, China ain't hurting,' she said. 'If anything, I think we're probably doing even better because now we have better beef that tastes better and at a better price. 'So thank you Trump for that.' It comes after an American expat echoed similar sentiments when he recently stumbled across Australian Wagyu beef in a high-end Shanghai grocery store for $46 CYN ($9 AUD). 'I was going to buy some meat for dinner tonight and I was going to get some ground beef, so what used to be here is American ground beef and now it says Australian ground beef,' the content creator explained in a TikTok video. 'The whole idea that China is hurting because of the tariffs, they're not, because they just buy from other places because they're not as dependent on the US. 'So China ain't hurting, and I guess we're all gonna start eating Australian beef in China now. I'm sure it tastes good so welcome to the new world.' Chinese shelves are stocked with Aussie beef as trade tensions disrupt US beef supplies Australian grain fed beef exports hit record highs in April, amid rising Chinese demand Meat and Livestock Australia data showed a hefty increase in the nation's grain fed beef exports to China in 2025. More than 21,000 tonnes of Australian beef arrived in China in February and March, representing a 40 per cent increase on the same time last year. In April, Australia exported a record 37,000 tonnes of beef in a single month. China bought a third of that total. Australian exporters were capitalising on record levels of supply, according to experts. It's been a year since China lifted its four year ban on Australian beef, removing almost all of the $20 billion worth of trade sanctions it imposed. Beijing slapped sanctions on Australia in 2020 at the height of a diplomatic spat after the former Morrison government called for an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. MLA's global market analyst Tim Jackson was hesitant to attribute China's growing appetite for Australian meat to the ongoing trade war with the US. 'It's difficult to say at the moment, these are fairly early figures and we'd need to wait for more information to come out and get a better understanding of that trade dynamic,' he previously told the ABC. The beef trade between the US and China worth an estimated AU$2.5billion to the Americans has been largely halted by reciprocal tariff measures. The US Meat Federation stated 'the majority of US beef production is now ineligible for China' due to trade restrictions in April. 'This impasse definitely hit our March beef shipments harder and the severe impact will continue until China lives up to its commitments under the Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement.' The US has been dealing with the fallout of Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' import tariffs About 21,000 tonnes of Australian beef arrived in China in February and March, a 40 per cent increase on the same period last year. Pictured is Australian PM Anthony Albanese with Chinese President Xi Jinping In April, global meat analyst Brett Stuart said that Australia was the 'lone supplier' of high-quality, white fat marbled beef in China. '(US beef) sales to China have fallen to zero and not only is the market now closed based on the March 16 production date, but the combined retaliation tariffs by China now take the tariff on US beef to 116 per cent, a level that will quickly halt trade.' On Friday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer accused China of 'violating' a trade agreement made in Geneva in May. The handshake agreement between the world's two largest economies was widely seen as a way to tamper tensions. The agreement made between Mr Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and top Chinese officials stipulated that the two countries would unwind tariffs and trade restrictions on certain critical minerals. Mr Greer accused China of slow-walking that process during the interview Friday. China was hit with a tariff rate in excess of 145 percent earlier this year before the agreement, but the rate then came down to around 30 percent. Trump said he expected to talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping during an Oval Office press conference with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk on Friday. 'I'm sure that I'll speak to President Xi and hopefully we'll work that out, but it's a violation of the agreement,' he said. Donald Trump's decision to go with a 'dark MAGA' look in his new official photo jettisoned a 50-year tradition in presidential portraits of incorporating Old Glory into the image. Trump, who famously hugged the American flag on stage at CPAC in 2019 and 2020, opted for a portrait without the Stars and Stripes in the background. Instead, his new official presidential portrait features a closely cropped image of his face with a dark background. That makes him the first president since Richard Nixon not to have himself pictured in front of the American flag. (Trump is sporting his American flag pin, a modern fixture for presidents and politicians). The preceding nine presidents along with Trump chose to have an image in front of the flag as their official portrait. That includes the official portrait Trump used for the first weeks of his administration. Those portraits date all the way to the era when presidential portraits were in black and white. 'Is Trump the first president to not have any flag in the background of their official portrait?' asked the rockypoliticss account on X. The White House released a new official portrait of President Donald Trump. It features Trump staring straight ahead with a dark background That was a question that the New York Times tracked down, flagging Library of Congress images revealing every presidential portrait back to 1974 had Old Glory in it. Gushing about the new portrait was Sebastian Gorka, the British-Hungarian-American who serves as Trump's senior director for counterterrorism. 'President @realDonaldTrumps new portrait has been deployed at the @WhiteHouse. I loved the original, but this may be even more MAGA,' he wrote. The new official portrait is already up on the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next door to the White House. A White House official defended the new portrait, which was taken by official photographer Daniel Torok, noting the prior portrait was taken during the transition and saying it was always intended to be a placeholder. 'The president is the most well-known person on the planet and this new portrait taken during his second term reflects the optimism and resolve of America, especially after a disastrous four years of the Biden administration,' said the official. The flurry of intrigue over Trump's new portrait comes as it was revealed that he is continuing to use a 2019 image of himself as the lock screen picture for his iPhone. 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. Presidents back to Gerald Ford, including Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, posed in front of the flag President George W. Bush wore his flag pin in front of the American flag The official Trump portrait released shortly before he left office bore a strong resemblance to his mugshot and included Old Glory's Red and White stripes 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 The new official portrait is already up on the Eisenhower Executive Office Building 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. 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. 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. President Donald Trump is blasting Republican Sen. Rand Paul over his opposition to the president's government spending package. Trump is piling on MAGA attacks on his fellow Republican this week as he strives to get his signature 'big beautiful bill' through the Senate after it passed the House. 'Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming. He loves voting NO on everything, he thinks its good politics, but its not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!!' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky cant stand him. This is a BIG GROWTH BILL!' Trump added in a following post. Shortly after Trump's attack on Tuesday, Paul took to the airwaves to defend his position, and explain what can be done to the GOP spending package to earn his support. New additions to the the national debt were a non-starter for Paul, who notes that he does want to see the 2017 tax cuts made permanent. Paul also described the current $5 trillion in new debt as 'Biden spending levels.' This will be the largest increase in the debt ceiling ever in our history. We've never raised the debt ceiling without meeting the target. You can say it doesn't directly add to the debt but if you reach the ceiling you'll meet that. We won't discuss it for a year or two. I think it is a terrible idea to do this' Paul told Fox News. On CBS' Face the Nation over the weekend, Paul told host Margaret Brennan that the math in Trump's '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. President Donald Trump via Truth Social, Tuesday June 3rd, 2025 President Donald Trump via Truth Social, Tuesday June 3rd, 2025 During a Monday afternoon appearance on Fox News' America Reports, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called out Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for opposing 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 sharing his perspective against the GOP spending package this week, angering the MAGA camp. Paul compared 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,' Paul said on Face the Nation. 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. The math doesn't add up. I'm not supporting a bill that increases the debt by $5T. I refuse to support maintaining Biden spending levels. pic.twitter.com/GRnipwniwi Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 3, 2025 Kentuckians sent me here to fight reckless debt. I will not support a $5T increase to our deficit. pic.twitter.com/SzHv1vJyAN Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 3, 2025 '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. A highly respected surgeon groped the breasts and bottoms of female colleagues including a doctor and several nurses, a court heard today. Dr Amal Bose, 55, allegedly pulled down a ward sister's top, exposing her bra and breasts, and told her: 'I thought that is where you put my cup of tea.' On at least two occasions when female staff were on their knees completing a hospital task, a jury heard the 'rude and arrogant' surgeon told them: 'I like it when you are down there.' 'Creepy' Dr Bose told one nurse that his fantasy was to tie her up and tried to persuade her to go back to a hotel room to 'show her a good time', it was alleged. However medical staff felt unable to challenge the 'toxic and sexualised' culture he created due to his 'position and authority as a senior consultant', according to the prosecution. Instead hospital workers would attempt to dismiss his behaviour by saying 'That's just Amal', the trial heard. When he was arrested on March 21, 2023, Dr Bose was recorded on police video telling the officer: 'It was only flirting.' He went on trial today charged with 14 counts of sexual assault on female colleagues. Dr Amal Bose arriving at Preston Crown Court today where he faces 14 counts of sexual assault on female colleagues Respected surgeon Dr Amal Bose allegedly groped the breasts and bottoms of female colleagues including a doctor and several nurses The surgeon is accused of assaulting six women between 2017 and 2022. They accuse him of feeling their breasts, slapping their bottoms and, in one case, slipping his hand inside a nurse's wrap-around skirt to touch her groin, Preston Crown Court heard. Dr Bose denies all the charges. The trial heard that doctors at the hospital swapped 'banter and sexualised joking' on WhatsApp groups with names such as Cardiac Sluts and Work Slags. Huw Edwards, prosecuting, told jurors that all the assaults took place at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in Lancashire. 'This was an abuse of his position and authority as a senior consultant at the hospital,' he said. 'It was a toxic and sexualised environment that he created by his behaviour with his sexualised jokes and comments and his slapping nurses' bottoms and grabbing their breasts. 'The complainants we have here were employed by the hospital in roles significantly below Dr Bose who were not in a position to challenge his behaviour. 'It was a toxic and sexualised culture under his leadership. Surgeon Dr Amal Bose, 55, allegedly told one nurse that his fantasy was to tie her up and tried to persuade her to go back to a hotel room to 'show her a good time' Colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital (pictured) were advised to dismiss the surgeon's alleged behaviour by saying 'That's just Amal', a court heard 'His behaviour was a well-known fact in the department and new staff were advised on how to deal with it. 'People would say "that's just Amal".' Mr Edwards said nine of the 14 counts involve the same woman. Dr Bose allegedly targeted her repeatedly, on occasion 'flicking' her breasts, slapping her bottom and making inappropriate comments about how he would like to touch her groin. The woman, who cannot be identified, 'struggled' so much with his behaviour that she asked to be put on a four-day week and only returned to full-time working after Dr Bose was suspended, the prosecutor said. A nurse claimed Dr Bose told her his fantasy was to tie her up. One night after a staff party he tried to persuade her to go back to his hotel room where he would 'show her a good time', it was alleged. A ward sister told police she met Dr Bose a corridor and told him she had moved his cup of tea. He allegedly pulled down her top, exposing her bra and breasts. When she retorted 'That's enough of that' she said he smirked and told her: 'I thought that is where you put my cup of tea.' Dr Amal Bose allegedly created a 'toxic and sexualised environment' by groping and slapping colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital Dr Bose had a leading reputation in his field which made it harder for colleagues to make a complaint against him, Preston Crown Court (pictured) heard today The court heard that Dr Bose was thought of as a top class doctor with a leading reputation in his field and that this made it harder for people to make a complaint against him. One junior doctor who worked under him told how she was shocked when he grabbed her breasts from behind. When she later complained to him about his behaviour he said he could not remember it. Mr Edwards said the woman later asked to be moved, adding: 'Tellingly, she did not want to take her compliant further because she feared it might affect her career. 'He was a man is a position of power.' Dr Neil Britton, a consultant anaesthetist at the hospital who worked with Dr Bose, told the court he was 'creepy especially around female members of staff'. 'I know all workplaces have a level of banter but it was quite different with Dr Bose,' he said. 'There was a lot of sexual jokes although I can't remember exactly what they were. 'But if he saw that his jokes were making someone uncomfortable it would seem to encourage him. 'I do know he told me that one female member of staff needed "a good shag". 'I remember he would take a lot of young students into his office and they seemed to be always female.' Dr Britton it 'made me feel sick' when he was told what language one member of staff was subjected to. But he agreed with defending barrister Tom Price KC that 'banter and sexualised joking' were part and parcel of many workplace environments, especially in highly pressurized ones like hospitals. He was also asked if he knew of a WhatsApp group called Cardiac Sluts to which he said: 'No.' But he admitted to belonging to another group called Work Slags to which he sent a picture of a camper van which bore the legend Dr Wiggles Weiner Wagon. He captioned it: 'Got a picture of Amal's new car at the weekend.' Several messages on the group referred directly to Dr Bose but also contained pictures of things like a supposed scented candle called Sweaty Bollocks. Mr Price said: 'It shows the level of humour in the department, doesn't it?' Dr Britton agreed but said no one in the group was 'uncomfortable about it'. Another doctor who gave evidence, Dr Gillian Hardman, told the court that one female colleague told her: 'The first time he groped me I just went to the bathroom and cried.' Dr Hardman - who is not one of the alleged victims - described Dr Bose as 'rude and arrogant'. She admitted there was some sexual banter on the wards and that it continued on WhatsApp groups like Work Slags. But she said: 'I would not belong to any group that Dr Bose was on.' The trial continues. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 988 A New York City teenager leaped to his death off the side of the Staten Island Ferry after leaving a haunting final message to his family. Brandon Pino, 17, of Staten Island, was spotted jumping off the busy ferry around 9:45am on Saturday as the boat was approaching Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan. A witness told the ferry crew about the teen's leap after it docked in Manhattan. The Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School senior had visited his uncle around 7am before taking the 9:30am ferry from St. George Ferry Terminal to Manhattan, his sister, Cathleen Pino, 27, told The New York Daily News. The suicide attempt came after Brandon posted on Instagram, announcing to his followers that it was 'my last day on earth.' 'And then he also made a post about mental health awareness. Hashtag mental health awareness,' the distraught sister said. The young teen was also texting a group of friends prior to jumping overboard, worrying them. 'In one of those messages he wishes his friends a farewell, telling them to stay true to themselves and that he loves them,' Cathleen said. 'And then he sent a picture that he was on the ferry, on the outer part of the ferry, looking towards the water.' Brandon Pino, 17, of Staten Island, was reportedly spotted jumping off the busy Staten Island Ferry around 9:45pm on Saturday as the boat was approaching Manhattan. He posted a farewell message on Instagram and sent worrying texts to friends beforehand A witness told ferry crew about the teen's leap after it docked at Whitehall Terminal (pictured) in Manhattan. The family has contacted local hospital in hopes of learning Brandon survived the jump after a radio transmission stated 'he was swimming' after the fall Police called for a search for Brandon, but the search ended around 6pm on Saturday. Despite that, the family has continued to search for the student. 'Were doing our own search with family members,' she told the outlet. 'We are going along Jersey City, Battery Park, Brooklyn, just looking around the borders. 'Weve gone on Governors Island yesterday [Sunday] and were doing it again today [Monday].' The family is hoping to at least find Brandon's body to allow his mother to have a proper burial for her son. 'We want help to see if there can be more attention, so to see if they can actually do at least a recovery, for my mom to get some type of closure,' she shared. The family has contacted local hospital in hopes of learning Brandon survived the jump after a radio transmission stated 'he was swimming' after the fall, according to the Staten Island Advance. Prior to Saturday, Brandon had been acting normally and even seemed happier than usual, Cathleen told The Daily News. '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,' she said. The Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School (pictured) senior had announced to his Instagram followers that it was 'my last day on earth,' his sister revealed. Prior to Saturday, Brandon had been acting normally and even seemed happier than usual, Cathleen said 'His friends told me that they had seen that he was more happy than usual at school lately.' However, like many teens, Brandon worried about his body and had told friends he felt pressure to 'be a certain weight or look a specific way,' Cathleen said. DailyMail.com has reached out the Pino family and NYPD for comment. A day before, a 15-year-old girl who was not identified allegedly jumped into the East River near Roosevelt Island, vanishing around lunchtime, according to NBC New York. She was last seen wearing a floral bathing suit while sitting on rocks near the water, The Daily News reported. Officers found a bag with books, a jacket, and sneakers near the water that they believe belonged to the girl. Both teens remain missing as of Tuesday morning. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 988. A Texas Democrat is facing wild allegations she using a last name in an attempt to make her more popular with Hispanic voters in a mayoral race. Gina Ortiz Jones, who is white and Filipino, has been accused of campaigning adding 'Ortiz' to her campaign to be the next mayor of San Antonio. Local Republicans claim the 44-year-old had previously gone by Gina Maria Jones until 2017, when she added her mother's maiden name of Ortiz while running for Congress to represent Alamo City. The mayoral election in San Antonio, America's seventh-largest city, is expected to be decided by just a few thousand votes. There are nearly one million Hispanics in the South Texas city where Spanish and Mexican heritage runs deep. Rolando Pablo, her GOP rival, drew attention to the alleged name swap with an ad saying: 'Gina Jones was Gina Jones until she wasn't. 'She added Ortiz to her name when she ran for Congress. It didn't work. She lost. Two years later, she tried to fool you again, and lost again. 'Gina, drop it. You're not Latina.' Gina Ortiz Jones, the Democrat running for mayor of San Antonio, began using her mother's maiden name, Ortiz, when she ran for office in 2017 San Antonio's race for mayor is heating up, with Republican Rolando Pablos accusing Democrat Gina Jones of using her mother's name 'Ortiz' to pander to Hispanic voters Jones told DailyMail.com 'Ortiz' is her legal middle name. 'Gina is a proud Filipino-American, and it's tradition for Filipino children to take their mother's maiden name as their middle name, so that's always been her middle name,' Mary Kate Hull, Jones campaign constant told Daily Mail. But Republicans counter Jones didn't use her middle name until she thought it might help her Hispanic voters, using Gina Maria Jones while a student in John Jay High School. 'Like a lot of people, as she's gotten into adulthood, has wanted to embrace her heritage and use her middle name,' Hull added. Her campaign confirmed her full legal name is Gina Maria Ortiz Jones. Her official paperwork with the City of San Antonio for mayor lists her as Gina Ortiz Jones. The Democrat has openly talked about her heritage, including her Asian mother who moved to the US to chase the American dream and starting out as a domestic worker. The candidate posted a picture of her mother as she cast her ballot for herself Monday. The website for a Washington, D.C. non-profit lists her as 'Gina Jones' Jones, cast her ballot with her Filipino mother by her side, the candidate posted to Instagram June 2 Jones served as the Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones under former Pres. Joe Biden Jones, a former Air Force captain is the first woman of color to served as the Under Secretary of the Air Force under former Pres. Joe Biden. Here she is pictured with former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris 'I might not be Latina, but I know what opportunity looks like,' she told a Spanish-speaking audience during the local Univision station's debate in May. By contrast, Rolando Pablos was born in Mexico and moved to the Lone Star State as a child, later become an attorney and a Republican. He served as Secretary of State after being appointed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in 2018. Jones' use of the her mother's last name has been used by Republicans against her before. She lost two bids to GOP candidates to represent San Antonio in Congress, in 2018 and 2020. During those campaigns, conservatives pointed out how she used the name Gina Maria Jones in her high school year book at John Jay High. She is also listed as Gina Jones on a website for a Washington, D.C. research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. 'At home in Washington, D.C., she goes by Gina Jones. While pandering for votes in Texas, shes Gina Ortiz Jones,' the ad said according to Express News. Jones called Pablos' attacks 'racist.' 'Do you not think its racist,' Jones told the local paper. The former Air Force captain is the first woman of color to served as the Under Secretary of the Air Force under former Pres. Joe Biden. Jones has declined to answer questions about when she started using 'Ortiz' has her middle name Pablos, born in Mexico, claims Jones is pandering to San Antonio's voters A lesbian, Jones has publicaly talked about having to hide her sexual identity while serving in the military during 'Don't ask, Don't tell,' 'Antagonizing someone on their race is the definition of racism,' Jones campaign manager Jordan Abelson told the Express News. Jones's campaign, who is openly a lesbian, claims the controversy over her name is being fueled the state's governor and MAGA allies of her opponent. ('They) are pouring tons of money into this race to get those ads on TV, on digital, on mailers, and I thin that's why people are seeing it so much and maybe reacting to it so strongly, that it's just taken over the race- taking over the issues that people are actually concerned about,' Hull explained. Voting for the June 7 mayoral race has been underway since May when early voting started. An illegal migrant accused of planning to assassinate Donald Trump was framed in an elaborate scheme to stop him testifying in court, prosecutors say. Ramon Morales-Reyes, 54, was rounded up by ICE last week after Milwaukee cops accused him of writing a chilling letter to a border agent warning he was 'tired of this president messing with us Mexicans'. 'We have done more for this country than you white peopleyou have been deporting my family and I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him,' the letter read. The letter, written in neat handwriting in English, included a promise to 'self-deport myself back to Mexico', but only after carrying out a plot on the president's life. 'Not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in his head - I will see him at one of his big rallies,' the letter concluded. Morales-Reyes' arrest was lauded by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem at the time, but according to a filing in Milwaukee County on Monday, the letter was fake. Demetric Scott, 52, was arrested after allegedly trying to frame Morales-Reyes and get him deported so he would not be able to testify against him in a violent armed robbery case. He is set to stand trial next month, with Morales-Reyes reportedly expected to be a key witness. Demetric Scott, 52, was arrested after allegedly attempting to frame an illegal immigrant who was set to testify against him in court by sending an assassination threat to officials The letter included chilling threats to 'shoot your precious president in his head - I will see him at one of his big rallies' in neat handwriting, which investigators said they believe was fake as the man Scott allegedly tried to frame does not speak, read or write English According to filings reported by WISN, Morales-Reyes identified Scott to authorities as the suspect who kicked him off a bicycle in September 2023, before he slashed him with something sharp and took off with the bike. Prosecutors say that Scott intended to use the hostile rhetoric surrounding illegal immigrants from the White House to manipulate authorities into deporting Morales-Reyes before he could testify. Although the letter that led to Morales-Reyes's arrest was sent to an ICE agent, Scott also allegedly sent similar letters about assassinating Trump to Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul. In the letter to Kaul, he reportedly elaborated on the plot on Trump's life, including saying his 'family is with the Mexican Mafia.' 'How would you like it if we use a bomb to blow up the white house (sic) while your precious president is still inside,' the letter to Kaul said, per the filing. 'Somone need to blow this entire country up like 911 in New York. Cant you white understand we are tired of running its time to kill ICE Agents or be killed.' Ramon Morales-Reyes, 54, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested last week after cops believed he sent a hand-written letter to an ICE officer threatening to assassinate President Trump, which investigators now say was not written by him The letters were all listed with Morales-Reyes as the sender with his return address. Investigators reportedly became suspicious of Morales-Reyes' true involvement soon after his arrest, and found that he was not fluent in English. Despite the letters being written in neat handwriting in English, they found he could not read or write in English. Morales-Reyes pleaded his innocence, and told investigators that 'the only person who would want to get him in trouble was the person who had robbed him,' the filing said. Scott was already behind bars at the time, and when cops searched his cell on May 30 they found a blue pen matching the turquoise color of the letters to officials. A note saying Scott needed the Attorney General's Office address as well as another envelope were also found under his bed, which was stamped with the address and phone number to the Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, the filing said. According to officials, Scott admitted that he wrote the letters soon after, saying that he believes the letters were the simplest way to get 'this a**hole' off his back. When Morales-Reyes was arrested, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem lauded his capture and blamed liberal media for a 'rhetoric' fueling assassination attempts on Trump Scott allegedly admitted to having his mother help mail the letters for him, but said she and other accomplices were unaware of the content of the letters. He is now facing further charges of witness intimidation and identity theft, and is due back in court on June 3. It is unclear what will happen to Morales-Reyes, with the Mexican national found to be in the US illegally and he already owned a lengthy rap sheet. According to ICE, his rap sheet includes arrests for felony hit-and-run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct. Officials said after his arrest that he was being held in Dodge County Jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, and was set to be deported. U.S. Supreme Court won't review bans on assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines Xinhua) 09:56, June 03, 2025 NEW YORK, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday preserved Maryland's ban on assault-style weapons and Rhode Island's ban on high-capacity magazines, declining for now to decide if they meet the high court's controversial bar for gun restrictions. "While that's a victory for gun control advocates, and it came over the objections of several conservative justices, the issue could come back to the high court," reported USA Today about the move. Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that challenges to other bans on assault-style weapons are being considered in lower courts and, "in my view, this Court should and presumably will address the AR-15 issue soon." It takes four justices to agree to hear a case, and three, Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas, said they were ready to hear Maryland's ban on assault-style weapons and Rhode Island's ban on high-capacity magazines. "I would not wait to decide whether the government can ban the most popular rifle in America," Thomas wrote in his dissent. "That question is of critical importance to tens of millions of law-abiding AR-15 owners throughout the country." Kavanaugh likewise wrote that gun rights advocates have a strong case that, because AF-15s are legal in most states, they can be considered to be in "common use" by law-abiding citizens, so they should be allowed under the court's past interpretations of the Constitution. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Even with decades of experience between them, the two middle-aged spies were on edge. They were about to attempt something that had never been done before in the history of MI6. Instead of smuggling out one Russian spy to a new life in Britain the more usual scenario they were going to extract an entire family. In this case, not only a retired KGB colonel, but also his wife, his frail mother-in-law and his adult son, who relied on a wheelchair. So two people who were effectively invalids. At least they didnt have a dog, one of the MI6 planners remarked dryly. The year was 1992. The then foreign secretary Douglas Hurd had been informed, and the planners at MI6 had spent weeks putting together an intricate plan. An exfiltration is a performance where every player has learned the script, but knows they may be called on to improvise at any moment. But on the day the plan went into action, half the people being rescued had no idea what was happening. Then, as the two MI6 agents sweated and panicked, one thing after another went badly wrong. At times, the day descended into near-farce. Yet no one felt at all like laughing: at stake was the life of one of the most valuable ex-KGB operatives ever to defect from Russia Vasili Mitrokhin, a major archivist for the Soviet Union's foreign intelligence service who gradually became disenchanted with the Communist regime For nearly 40 years, Vasili Mitrokhin had worked for the KGB, first as a spy overseas, later as archivist for the First Chief Directorate in Moscow the section that dealt with spies abroad. What his bosses didnt realise was that their introverted functionary was becoming gradually ever more disenchanted with the Communist regime. The more files he read, the more appalled he was by KGB dirty tricks, by their treatment of dissidents and by the way ordinary people were encouraged to denounce others. So hed started copying the files. For 12 years, he smuggled out tiny notes that he later typed up with the help of his near-photographic memory until he had partially reconstituted some of the most top-secret files in the world. Had he been caught, he would have been executed. What Mitrokhin hoped was that the Russian people would one day be able to read his work and see what atrocities had been committed in their name. And in 1992, hed approached the British embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania. Why Lithuania? The Soviet Union had collapsed the year before, and border controls had loosened. That didnt mean it was safe: Mitrokhin knew the KGB was still a force, its reach extending into the newly independent Baltic states. Risking his life yet again at the age of 70, hed travelled to Vilnius, lugging his documents in a grubby bag, where he would meet two representatives of MI6 sent from London. The deal agreed was: escape, resettlement for him and his family, and publication of his work. A date was agreed for the defection: November 7, 1992. By that autumn, Mitrokhin knew it was time to tell his wife, Nina, what had been arranged. Mitrokhin with his wife Nina, who he persuaded to accompany him on the perilous flight to Britain Incredibly, she knew nothing about his trips to the British Embassy. Nothing about all the years hed spent secretly copying KGB files. Nothing at all about his burning hatred for his spymasters, because hed avoided talking politics with her. His work, and the risks he took, had been his and his alone. At that point, Nina was still working as a leading ear, nose and throat doctor and some of her patients had been senior figures in the Central Committee of the Communist Party. Her reaction to his confession would determine everything. If she insisted on remaining in Moscow, Mitrokhin would cancel his defection. He simply couldnt abandon his family. What Nina said, when he told her about his secret life, remains private. Suffice to say, he persuaded her to accompany him on the perilous flight to Britain. Nina almost certainly came to that decision for the sake of their much-loved 39-year-old son, Vladimir. A mystery illness had recently confined him to a wheelchair, and the hope was that Western medicine might provide a cure. Then there was Ninas mother, who lived with them in Moscow. She could barely walk and her grip on reality was tenuous. On top of that, Mitrokhin knew shed strongly disapprove of what hed done. Still, she had to come with them because if she didnt, then Nina wouldnt either. No way, the couple decided, could the old lady be told in advance. And nor could Vladimir, who had many friends in Moscow. This presented MI6 with a headache, until someone came up with an ingenious solution. The cover story would be that Vladimir was being taken to a specialist clinic in newly opened up Lithuania. The Baltic Tours minibus used for the exfiltration, along with the wheelchair of Mitrokhin's son, Vladimir Nina Mitrokhin and her mother in Sweden's capital, Stockholm, following their arrival by boat in November 1992 False papers were drawn up, purporting to be from a genuine clinic. The brilliance of the scheme was that it would seem plausible to Vladimir and his grandmother, while also fooling any officials who examined the familys documents. The Mitrokhins would take a train from Moscow to Vilnius, where theyd be met by the MI6 team and driven to a Lithuanian port on the Baltic Sea. The Swedish secret service agreed to supply a boat to take them initially to Sweden. Two days before the defection, the MI6 team consisting of James and Robert arrived in Lithuania to fine-tune every detail. Their first task was to secure transport to collect the family from the railway station for the four-hour drive to the port of Klaipeda. A rather unglamorous minibus was procured by a local contact. It wasnt exactly James Bond. To test if the minibus could make it on a single tank, they did a dry run. They ordered packed lunches to be ready for everyone on the day. Then came the first bad news. The Swedes warned them the weather for November 7 looked threatening. The original boat theyd planned to send a small, speedy motor cruiser wouldnt be able to cope with a bad storm, so they were supplying a larger vessel instead. James had already inspected it in Sweden and knew it wasnt nearly as fast or as comfortable. Worse, their Lithuanian contact was warning them that a 1,000-ton vessel would attract a lot more attention, including from KGB agents at the port who were always lurking there, on the look-out for unusual activity. It was too late to change anything, though. The Swedes had already despatched the larger vessel. Mitrokhin's evidence showed that Melita Norwood, pictured, who was then an 80-year-old grandmother living in Bexleyheath, had passed on details about Britains atomic bomb programme back in the 1940s. Britain had been aware of her work since 1965 but decided it wasnt worth prosecuting a harmless and somewhat uninteresting character A photo of Norwood from 1935. She had been an important agent in the 1940s and her work had helped the Soviet Union test its own nuclear bomb in 1949, far faster than the West had expected. November 7. The MI6 operation began before 6am, when the agents asked a sleepy hotel receptionist for the packed lunches theyd ordered. It turned out, however, that the food was in a locked room, and someone else had the key. The clock ticked. Eventually, the man with the key was located, the lunches were freed and Robert and James headed out to the meeting point where a local contact was due to pick them up in the minibus at 7.15am. This would leave plenty of time to meet the 8am train from Moscow. But 7.15am came and went. No minibus. By 7.45am, James and Robert were panicking. They called the home number of their local contact, but the line was out of order. This was another major worry since it was this phone number Mitrokhin was supposed to call if he was delayed for any reason. Time to improvise: James pulled out a fistful of dollar bills and walked up to a car in the road. Robert explained that he needed it to get to the train station. Fortunately, the driver took the money. Jamess requisitioned car raced through the narrow, bumpy streets of Vilnius, but he was still 19 minutes late for the train. He scoured the station hall and platform. No sign of the Mitrokhins. As he paced around, he noticed a train coming in on the tracks. To his relief, it was the Moscow train. It had been running late. The train emptied: no Mitrokhins. Just as James was starting to despair, he saw Vladimirs wheelchair being lowered to the ground at the furthest end of the train. Meanwhile, Roberts Lithuanian contact had met up with him and explained that the minibuss starter motor had packed up. Hed arrived with two Lithuanian heavies, both armed with guns, and told Robert theyd be riding in a jeep behind the minibus, in case of trouble. This was not part of the original plan but it was too late to object. Robert now had to beg, borrow or steal a minibus. It was rush hour, so he stepped into the road and flagged down the first he saw a small, bright-yellow minibus with a Baltic Tours sign painted on the side. It looked even more likely to break down than the original. The driver was a large man. Undaunted, Robert pulled out $100 in cash to rent the minibus for 48 hours, and the deal was done. He raced in it to the station. In another piece of comic timing, James walked one way around the station while Robert was walking around from the other side, and they missed each other. Finally reunited, they ushered the family into the yellow minibus. Because it was smaller than the original, getting everyone in was a squeeze. Robert found himself sitting next to Mitrokhins mother-in-law, who kept asking awkward questions. One of the Lithuanian musclemen had been introduced to her as a medical assistant from the clinic. If that was the case, she said, then why did he have a Kalashnikov? Then she complained something was digging into her. What was it? Robert wasnt about to tell her that he had an F-1, a small Russian hand-grenade about the size of a large lemon, in his pocket. Just in case things took a turn for the worse. Vladimir seemed to realise something was amiss and was also asking lots of questions. Who were the men accompanying them? Where were they going? James and Robert did their best to say as little as possible. As they approached the port, one of the Lithuanians used his radio to find out whether it looked clear enough to enter the docks. But he couldnt raise anyone. Were they walking into a trap? Just as Jamess anxiety levels were hitting the roof, the radio crackled: all clear. That didnt mean it was safe, but it was something. Crawling through the dilapidated dockyards, the yellow minibus headed towards the agreed meeting point, where a small boat was waiting to take them out to the Swedish vessel. The Lithuanian heavies jumped out of the jeep and scanned the surroundings for trouble. Next came James, then Robert, with a gun barely hidden under his long trench-coat. Mitrokhin and Nina looking anxious followed, and her mother, who just seemed bewildered. Then Vladimir was eased into his wheelchair. Suddenly, he understood what was happening and started shouting. A few men with the unmistakable bulge of guns under their leather jackets were watching intently at a distance. The truth hit Vladimir like a train. Youre a spy, he blurted out at his father an accusation, which if overhead, could have proved fatal. Realisation had dawned that he was going away and never coming back. Then he was shouting again a string of Russian swear words, plus one devastating word aimed at his father: Traitor! Escape was so close feet away but by no means guaranteed. Robert desperately tried to push Vladimir up the gangplank, but the wheelchair was too wide. No way was Vladimir getting out of it: he was clutching the arms of the chair and still yelling swear words. Robert, normally confident, seemed almost paralysed. Beginning to panic, James shouted at Robert in English: I dont care what you have to f***ing do. Just get him on board! At that point, Robert raised his fist and brought it down hard on Vladimirs hand to release it from the wheelchair. Hauling Vladimir over his shoulder, he carried him into the boat. On board, the promised storm turned out to be a force 9 gale. Everyone was sick except James and the captain, and crossing to Sweden took 33 excruciating hours rather than the usual 18. Vladimir calmed down after a talk with his father. He remained edgy and uncomfortable, but was no longer unwilling to go, especially once he was shown a British passport with his new name in it and told he would receive better medical care. At last, Mitrokhin could explain what he had done and why. Once the boat arrived in Sweden, the passengers were taken to a hotel, where local bodyguards were posted in case the Russians were already on Mitrokhins trail. The following morning, they flew to Gatwick in a plane normally used by the Swedish royal family. They were driven to a hotel in Sussex, where they were introduced to a well-dressed man claiming to be a partner in a well-known publishing firm. He told Mitrokhin and his family that the idea of publishing his files as a book was very promising. It was an MI6 ruse to make the Russian archivists family more comfortable. The man in the suit had nothing to do with publishing he was an MI6 officer, there to reassure them. To make complete sense of the stolen KGB archive, Mitrokhin was set to work on decoding some sections of it and reconstituting others from his notes. In all, MI6 would pass on 3,500 counter-intelligence reports, identifying around 1,000 KGB agents, to 36 countries. For the CIA, it was a treasure trove that included the names of hundreds of KGB agents and their contacts, dating back decades. Many countries though, faced with the archivists evidence, decided it was best to do nothing. One of those allowed to slip the net was a major general from the Israeli Defence Force General Staff, retired but still very much alive. Britain made the same call when it came to Melita Norwood, then an 80-year-old grandmother living in Bexleyheath. MI5 had been aware since 1965 that shed passed on details about Britains atomic bomb programme back in the 1940s, and theyd decided it wasnt worth prosecuting a harmless and somewhat uninteresting character. Mitrokhins notes told another story: in fact, Norwood had carried on being an active KGB agent, even recruiting another spy, a civil servant, in 1967. Moreover, Norwood had been a genuinely important agent in the 1940s, whose work had helped the Soviet Union test its own nuclear bomb in 1949, far faster than the West had expected. In 1979, during a visit to Moscow, shed been awarded the prestigious Order of the Red Banner. What to do? MI5s in-house lawyer said Mitrokhins notes probably wouldnt stack up in court since they werent original documents. It also might look as though MI5 was harassing an old lady. Again, it was decided to do nothing. Indeed, the Mitrokhin archive didnt lead to any public trials in Britain. Getting rock-solid evidence wasnt easy. Often, it was better just to sweep the dead fox under the carpet. Thats not to say the Mitrokhins files werent extremely valuable: many of the UK leads enabled the British secret service to work out precisely why and how various historic operations had gone wrong, and there would be prosecutions in the US and spies caught in many countries. Mitrokhin, meanwhile, wasnt happy. He wanted all his material to be published, but the government wanted more control over how it was done including naming only KGB spies whod been convicted. If the others were identified, the reasoning went, the risks of being challenged were high particularly as some of the agents and KGB contacts were very prominent and powerful people. After all, the files were merely one mans copies, and unlikely to stand up in court. Mitrokhin was given a co-author, the British intelligence historian Professor Christopher Andrew. They worked together for three years, but his relationship with Professor Andrew and MI6 broke down at one point. The archivist wanted everything published in the raw, without context or analysis. He was also insisting the focus should be on the KGBs suppression of Russian dissidents, while the professor knew a Western audience would rather read about espionage against the West. Mitrokhin became increasingly agitated. Hed talk darkly of a mafia conspiring against him. In one furious row, he began shouting that it wasnt his book anymore. As publication day approached in September 1999, a journalist whod been sent a proof worked out that a spy identified as Hola in the book was in fact Melita Norwood. When a photographer took a picture of her out shopping, the resulting headline was The Spy Who Came in from the Co-op. Norwood had immediately admitted to working for the KGB, telling the press: I would do everything again. The revelation that shed never been prosecuted caused such a furore that the real power of Mitrokhins extraordinary history of the KGB was all but overlooked. In Moscow, news about their stolen archive came as a shattering blow. Their agents swung into action, sowing doubt about Mitrokhins level of access and even claiming theyd used him deliberately, to expose agents as part of a clear-out. Mitrokhins mother-in-law died barely a year after arriving in Britain. According to Robert, she never really understood what had happened to her. Nina settled well, but was dying of motor neurone disease by the time the book was published. Vladimir had also adapted to his new life, with the help of a girlfriend and a carer, though specialist medical treatment failed to cure his disease. After Ninas death, he and his father bought neighbouring flats in Teddington, on the Thames. Interest in Mitrokhin faded. A new millennium was fast approaching and his history of the KGB seemed irrelevant to most people. After all, Russia had changed. It was no longer the enemy. The KGB well, it no longer mattered, did it? In Russia, the rise of Vladimir Putin from head of the FSB domestic successor to the KGB to prime minister in 1999 was greeted with cautious optimism, even by some in MI6. No one was really listening to Mitrokhin anymore. He would have told them the KGB was merely reconstituting itself, like the mythical hydra after one head is chopped off. Now it was returning purer and harder. And Putin, whod soon become president, was one of its own. Clear-eyed about his homeland, Mitrokhin wrote: There is no great chasm between the old and the new. The new flows out of the old, and you have to know the old to understand the new. In the end, he found a measure of peace and happiness by retreating into his small study to work on his original manuscripts, which he still hoped to publish as a book under his own name. He wanted this primer of filth, as he called it, to be his memorial. But before he could accomplish his dream, Vasili Mitrokhin died of pneumonia on January 23, 2004, just as his former colleagues in the KGB were rebuilding their power back in Russia. Adapted by Corinna Honan from The Spy in the Archive by Gordon Corera (William Collins, 25), to be published on 5th June. Gordon Corera 2025. To order a copy for 22.50 (offer valid to 17/06/25; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937 A man has been arrested after allegedly intruding into the grounds of Windsor Castle, close to the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The suspect in his 30s is reported to have accessed the estate in Berkshire around lunchtime on Sunday, it has today emerged. Both the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police say investigations have been launched. The apparent security scare comes near to the Windsor home shared by Prince William and Kate. Officers have said a man was detained on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs, before being bailed. The Sun quoted a source as saying: 'The intruder is believed to have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the break-in. A man has been arrested after allegedly intruding on the grounds of Windsor Castle (pictured) The Prince and Princess of Wales, pictured here at Westminster Abbey in central London in March this year, have their Adelaide Cottage home on the Windsor estate in Berkshire' 'He broke into the castle near Town Gate and was quickly detained by police. 'It was a crazy thing to do and caused quite a stir but at this stage it appears there was no intent to cause any serious harm.' William and Kate live in Adelaide Cottage as part of the Windsor estate along with their children George, Charlotte and Louis. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson today said: 'A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs after entering restricted grounds at Windsor Castle. 'Officers in the grounds spotted the man just after 13.00hrs on Sunday 1 June and quickly arrested him. 'He was then passed into the custody of Thames Valley Police.' A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police, said: 'At just after 1pm on Sunday 1 June a man entered restricted grounds at Windsor Castle. 'He was quickly challenged by Met police officers and arrested. He did not enter the inner grounds of Windsor Castle. 'He was arrested on suspicion of trespass on a secure site and possession of class A drugs. He has been bailed and an investigation is ongoing by Thames Valley Police.' This is a breaking news story. More to follow... Luxury jewellery firm Cartier and outdoor retailer The North Face today became the latest retailers to report customer data being stolen in cyber attacks. The companies revealed hacks after a string of attacks in recent weeks on retailers including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, Harrods, Dior, Adidas and Victoria's Secret. Watchmaker Cartier told customers in an email that 'an unauthorised party gained temporary access' to its system and 'obtained limited client information'. The firm - whose items have been worn by Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie and Michelle Obama - revealed names, email addresses and countries had been obtained. But Cartier, which is owned by Swiss-based Richemont, said the 'affected information did not include any passwords, credit card details or other banking information'. The company said it further enhanced the protection of its systems and data, told the relevant authorities and was working with 'leading external cyber security experts'. Separately, fashion brand The North Face, owned by VF Corporation, emailed some of its customers to tell them it discovered a 'small scale' attack in April this year. The brand said names and email addresses were taken, but financial details were not - with the company revealing hackers used 'credential stuffing', reported BBC News. Cartier (pictured on Bond Street in London) has seen customer data stolen in a cyber attack The North Face (pictured on Regent Street in London) has also suffered a recent cyber attack This involves trying usernames and passwords stolen from another data breach in the hope customers have reused the credentials across multiple accounts. North Face said attackers may have got hold of some customers' postal addresses and purchase histories. A North Face spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'The cyber incident you are referring to is a small-scale cyber incident occurred on April 23, 2025, affecting our The North Face e-commerce website in the US only. What is 'credential stuffing' and how can you protect yourself against it online? The North Face confirmed hackers used the 'credential stuffing' method during a cyber attack on the company. This is where criminals take advantage of people who use the same username and password on multiple accounts. If one set of credentials is stolen during a hack, the attackers may then try using those details again in a new attack - with the hope customers have reused them on different accounts. By fraudulently gaining valid credentials on one site, and using them successfully on other sites, an attacker can then access more accounts. The primary motivation is financial, but it can also lead to identity theft. Anyone caught up in such an attack is urged to change their passwords immediately - especially if they match vital accounts like email or banking. They should be on alert for scam emails, texts or even fake calls. Experts also advise people to avoid using the same password on different sites, to become better protected. Advertisement 'The incident was contained very quickly on the same day it occurred. There was no impact on our systems and/or our consumer data in Europe whatsoever, including in the UK.' Cyber security expert Julius Cerniauskas, chief executive of web intelligence firm Oxylabs, told MailOnline that the latest breaches 'send a clear message that no brand is safe from cybercrime, not even the biggest names with the deepest pockets'. He added: 'Attackers are becoming more opportunistic and sophisticated, targeting brands that hold valuable customer data, not just credit card numbers. 'In the case of The North Face, credential stuffing shows how recycled passwords from past breaches continue to fuel new attacks. 'Cartier's incident demonstrates how even well-defended systems can be compromised. Whether it's luxury retail or everyday consumer brands, hackers are finding weak spots and exploiting them fast.' Mr Cerniauskas urged retailers to 'respond with more than apologies', encouraging them to enforce multi-factor authentication, tighten access controls and constantly monitor for threats. Speaking further about 'credential stuffing', Joe Jones, chief executive and founder of Pistachio, a cybersecurity attack simulation company, said consumers reusing passwords across multiple sites were a 'sitting duck' for breaches of this type. He told MailOnline: 'Credential stuffing, the method used here, only works because people reuse the same login details. 'If you've been caught in this breach, change your passwords immediately - especially if they match accounts like email or banking. 'Enable app-based two-factor authentication, not SMS, and remain hyper alert to scam emails, texts or even fake calls.' Mr Jones added: 'Hackers don't need your card details to do damage. With access to your name, email and order history, they can craft realistic phishing attempts that look and sound legitimate. This is how trust is weaponised.' Also today, lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret confirmed that a security incident relating to its information technology systems led it to temporarily shut down its website for a few days last week. Customers walk past a Marks & Spencer store in Oxford Street in London last month Empty shelves inside an Marks & Spencer store in Paddington, London, in April after the attack The company said it shut down corporate systems and e-commerce website on May 26 and immediately enacted response protocols to contain and prevent unauthorised network access. Its website was restored on May 29. Victoria's Secret said the breach did not impact its financial results for the first quarter or cause a material disruption to its operations, but the second quarter could be hit by the additional expenses incurred following the incident. Meanwhile Marks and Spencer has faced heavy disruption since the Easter weekend after being struck by a major cyber attack which is expected to cost it about 300million in reduced profits. M&S, which runs 565 stores across the UK, halted orders on its website and saw empty shelves after being targeted by hackers. Customer personal data, which could have included names, email addresses, postal addresses and dates of birth, was also taken by hackers in the attack. M&S is still unable to process any online orders, although it is understood the retailer is hoping to partly restore this within two to three weeks. The firm is also now holding in-store recruitment open days to fill vacant positions at some stores in England because its online portal cannot take applications, reported The Grocer. An M&S branch in Peterborogh said in a social media post: 'There is no need to book - just turn up in between the timeframe and head to the top floor till points to get signed in and then a member of staff will help you.' Another store in Bristol asked potential applicants to drop off their CV in person for one of the 'part-time and full-time vacancies available in our food department'. Hundreds of prisoners have broken out of jail after earthquakes meant they had to stand in a courtyard to avoid the building collapsing. The inmates then snatched guns from the prison guards and barged their way through the gates following a shootout, with more than 200 now on the loose. At least one prisoner died in the shootout and three guards were wounded. Shattered windows and broken glass now cover the inside of the prison with furniture thrown around from the carnage. Some 80 escapees have been rounded up as cops go door-to-door to find those on the run, while nearly 130 are still at large, according to Murad Ali Shah, the provincial chief minister. Tremors had rocked the southern Pakistani city of Karachi late on Monday, with the prisoners escaping District Malir just before midnight. One local outlet said the inmates were able to escape through the jail's outer wall that had been weakened from the earthquakes. Local TV footage showed some joyous inmates running through the streets barefoot. Hundreds of prisoners have broken out of jail after inmates forced their way out of their cells over fears the building around them would collapse as an earthquake raged on Shattered windows and broken glass now cover the inside of the prison after inmates snatched guns from the prison guards and barged their way through the gates following a shootout Furniture was thrown around in the midst of the chaos as more than 200 prisoners broke themselves out of jail Some 80 escapees have been rounded up as cops go door-to-door to find those on the run, while nearly 130 are still at large While other inmates were unnerved by the tremors due to their heroin addiction, according to an official. Sindh Inspector General of Police, Ghulam Nabi Memon, told Dawn.com that 'most of the prisoners were drug addicts'. 'The addicts state of mind is such that they tend to develop mob psychology. Thus, when such an atmosphere was created inside the prison, the prisoners ran by opening the door of the jail,' he added. Before the panicked inmates were allowed to gather outside, thousands of them began trying to break down their doors when they started to feel the tremors. When the frenzy became violent, police reportedly tried to calm the havoc by firing nearly 700 warning shots. The provincial chief minister criticised the guards for letting the inmates out in the first place and urged any still on the run to hand themselves over or face serious charges. One mother was reported to have dragged her own son back to prison after returning home. The cramped jail is meant to house only 2,200 people but there are at least 6,000 currently inside. While some prisoners have been seen running through the streets barefoot enjoying their brief moment of freedom, others were reportedly unnerved from the tremors due to their drug addiction Nearly 700 warning shots were fired by police when the prisoner's frenzy to leave their cells because of the earthquake became uncontrollable The provincial chief minister criticised the guards for letting the inmates out in the first place and urged any still on the run to hand themselves over or face serious charges The cramped jail is meant to house only 2,200 people but there are at least 6,000 currently inside Paramilitary soldiers now stand outside the district Malir jail after dozens of prisoners escaped from the jail on the outskirts of Karachi Concerned families have been gathering outside the prison in the mean time, angry that their visits to loved ones inside have been postponed A private security guard at a nearby residential complex who goes by the name of Bukhsh said 'I heard the firing for quite some time and then some time later prisoners made their way out running in all directions'. Some of the vigilantes broke into his complex before they were rounded up by police. The minister for prisons in the region, Ali Hassan Zardari, warned that any officers who allowed the prisoners to escape will be disciplined after launching an investigation into the breakout. The superintendent for Malir prison, Arshad Shah, said there were 28 guards on duty last night and insisted there was no issue with security. It was 'all due to a natural disaster', it was reported in the BBC, however there are no security cameras in the facility. He added that 'only a few of such a large number of prisoners escaped'. Concerned families have been gathering outside the prison in the mean time, angry that their visits to loved ones inside have been postponed. A black schoolgirl was 'physically violated' by three Met Police officers who strip-searched her after wrongly suspecting she was carrying cannabis, a misconduct hearing was told. The 15-year-old girl, known as Child Q, had arrived at the school in Hackney, East London, for a mock exam when she was taken to the medical room to be strip-searched while teachers remained outside. The hearing was told the search involved having to undress herself, including her underwear, leading to the 'exposure of her intimate parts'. This is despite the schoolgirl telling officers she was menstruating, the hearing was told. Her bag and blazer were also searched, and after this did not lead to any drugs being found, she then had her hair combed, revealing no signs of cannabis. Breaches of the Met's standards of professional behaviour amount to gross misconduct and can lead to dismissal. Elliot Gold, representing the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is bringing the case, said the search formed part of a 'no stone unturned' approach, despite it being an incident that, he argued, 'could never have justified such intrusion, namely the possible discovery of a small amount of cannabis'. Trainee Detective Constable Kristina Linge, PC Victoria Wray and PC Rafal Szmydynski all deny gross misconduct over their treatment of the girl. The teenager, who was strip-searched by officers, was wrongly suspected of bringing in cannabis to her school (file picture) Three Metropolitan Police officers are set to face a misconduct hearing later this year after exposing a 15-year-old girl's 'intimate parts' during a 'humiliating and degrading' search. Picture: stock imasge All three officers were PCs at the time of the search, which caused outrage over Child Q's treatment and led to protests outside Stoke Newington Police Station. Today, Mr Gold told the hearing the point where Child Q said she was on her period should have been the 'opportunity' for the 'officers to reconsider the necessity and proportionality of the search' but they instead told her 'we are all women here' and thereby treated Child Q as an adult rather than a child'. The incident happened in December 2020 when the school's safeguarding deputy alerted police, saying that Child Q smelled of cannabis, could potentially be bringing drugs into the school, and she might be at risk of exploitation in the community. The police went to the school after Child Q's teachers raised concerns about her smelling of cannabis that morning, just a few weeks after a similar incident. PCs Linge carried out a search that exposed the girl's intimate areas, with PC Wray, despite the act being described as 'disproportionate in all the circumstances,' according to the allegations. The two are also accused of carrying out, or allowing, the search in a manner seen as 'unjustified, inappropriate, disproportionate, humiliating and degrading.' All of this happened without authorisation, without an appropriate adult and no adequate concern being given to Child Q's age, sex, or the need to treat her as a child, it is also alleged. PCs Szmydynski and Linge are also accused of giving a misleading account of the incident afterwards. People outside Stoke Newington Police Station in London, over the treatment of a black 15-year-old schoolgirl who was strip-searched by police while on her period. The treatment of the teenager sparked a wave of protests three years ago after it emerged she was searched without another adult present and in the knowledge that she was menstruating No formal record of the search was made at the time, neither in the officers' pocket notebooks nor on the standard stop-and-search form, which would typically be required for any street-level stop and search. The IOPC asked the panel to think of 'why the officers overreacted to such an extent and why their actions fell so far below what was required of them'. Mr Gold said that any suggestion by the officers that the safeguarding deputy was acting as the appropriate adult, even though she was not present during the search, should be rejected. He said: 'It was, or should have been, obvious to these officers that the safeguarding deputy could not act as the appropriate adult. 'On the officers' own accounts, the safeguarding deputy was the person who had summoned the police to the school, was Child Q's "accuser", was adamant that the officers would find cannabis on Child Q's person and, so, was not a person who could reasonably be expected to challenge the police in their actions.' Black people were more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, and discrimination is a 'contributing factor' in stop and search, it was suggested. Mr Gold also told the panel 'black schoolchildren are more likely to be treated as older and less vulnerable or in need of protection and support than their white peers'. He said: 'She was treated as being older than she was, more likely to be involved in criminality, and subjected to a more intrusive search, than she would have been had she been a white schoolgirl in the same situation, arriving at school, smelling of cannabis.' Black people were more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, and discrimination is a 'contributing factor' in stop and search, it was suggested. Pictured: Stock image Mr Gold said that sacking the officers would be 'justified' if the allegations are proved, adding: 'Their actions and omissions have resulted in Child Q suffering harm to her mental health and feeling physically violated. 'They have caused Child Q and her mother to feel demeaned and disrespected. 'They have brought discredit on the Metropolitan Police and upset race-relations yet further between the police and minority communities.' The panel heard that this 'most intrusive' form of search of a child should only be used where 'necessary and reasonable', must have authorisation from a sergeant, and involve an appropriate adult if it concerns a child. It must be recorded, and two same sex officers are needed if intimate parts will be exposed. When no drugs were found after the strip search, Child Q's hair was also scoured. He told the panel: 'Child Q is black. It is the director general's case that this kind of gross overreaction by the police - to strip search a school pupil on suspicion of something relatively minor, possession of cannabis - would not have happened to a white pupil and is, regrettably, explained by Child Q's race, whether or not the officers were consciously aware of this at the time.' Scotland Yard has previously apologised over the incident. President Donald Trump got testy with a reporter last week who asked him about a new acronym labeling his trade policy: Taco - Trump Always Chickens Out. During a Wednesday back-and-forth in the Oval Office, Trump was asked about the term by CNBC's Megan Cassella, which had been coined in a column in early May by the Financial Times' Robert Armstrong. Trump lashed out in an almost cartoonish way, akin to Michael J. Fox's Back to the Future character Marty McFly, whose famous line was, 'nobody calls me chicken!' 'Don't ever say what you said,' Trump told Cassella. 'That's a nasty question. To me that's the nastiest question,' the commander-in-chief fumed. A former adviser who's known Trump for years explained to the Daily Mail just why the insult got under Trump's skin. 'Donald Trump is known for the "Art of the Deal," negotiations and strategy, and ultimately winning,' the adviser said. 'He has to win and he also - you never give up, you never give up.' Trump's 1997 book The Art of the Deal, co-written by Tony Schwartz, helped turn the New York real estate developer into a brand. 'These tariffs and resetting the world's financial order, not to be hyperbolic, but at least the global trade dynamics, is not only an issue that he's really been focused on since the 80s, but is also going to be one of the lasting legacies of his presidency,' the ex-adviser pointed out. Last Wednesday, President Donald Trump lashed out when he was asked about the term 'TACO trade' an acronym coined by the Financial Times' Robert Armstrong for 'Trump Always Chickens Out' Calling anyone a 'chicken' 'generally is an insult,' the source said, but it 'also completely goes in the face of the way he's viewing - he's into positive thinking - the way he's viewing these negotations.' The president has doubled down on his tariff policy since the Oval Office confrontation. He announced in Pittsburgh on Friday that he would double - from 25 percent to 50 percent - import taxes on steel, to help the domestic industry as a 'planned partnership' between Japan's Nippon and the Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel comes together. Later Friday he announced that he would be doubling the tariff on aluminum imports as well. The administration is asking countries to submit their best proposals to combat Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs by this Wednesday, as the 90-day pause ends on July 8. Only one trade deal has been fully inked thus far - the one with Great Britain. 'There's no way to convince him that he's losing,' the former adviser said. 'He's winning, no matter what, he's going to win.' 'I also think that because it comes from Wall Street itself, which is part of the elite ... that also pissed him off,' the source added. 'He's smarter than Wall Street, he's smarter than the Wall Street Journal, he's smarter than Bloomberg and he believes they're fundamentally wrong on this.' The Democratic National Committee tried to troll the Republican National Committee on Tuesday by parking a taco truck near the RNC's D.C. headquarters that included imagery of President Donald Trump in a chicken suit with the phrase 'Trump Always Chickens Out' 'LMFAO. This is the jankiest excuse for a taco truck I've ever seen,' the RNC's Communications Director Zach Parkinson told the Daily Mail via email in response to the DNC's 'Taco Tuesday' stunt this afternoon Democrats believe the 'TACO' moniker is potent politics, with the Democratic National Committee on Tuesday branding a taco truck on Capitol Hill with a picture of Trump in a chicken suit. The truck was located several blocks away from the Republican National Committee's headquarters in an effort to troll them. 'Donald Trump is like the bad boss weve all had - he comes up with dumb ideas, blames everybody else when they fail, and we all laugh behind his back,' DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. 'With his idiotic trade policy, he talks a big game, caves, and then leaves working families and small businesses to deal with the fallout,' Martin continued. 'Trump always chickens out - we're just bringing the tacos to match.' The RNC dubbed the effort lame. 'LMFAO. This is the jankiest excuse for a taco truck I've ever seen,' the RNC's Communications Director Zach Parkinson told the Daily Mail via email. 'Are they going to be giving out free vasectomies again too?' Parkinson was referencing a Planned Parenthood Great Rivers of St. Louis truck that made an appearance in August in Chicago alongside the Democratic National Convention. 'These people are morons,' Parkinson continued. 'No wonder Democrats' approval rating is at a historic low.' Yosemite's most iconic hotel, known for its scenic views and high-profile guests, has been thrown into a chaotic scandal after several sickening and 'decrepit' discoveries were made. California's Ahwahnee Hotel has long been known as a destination hot spot in the Yosemite Valley, and an oasis in the middle of a beautiful nature-filled setting - but its reputation has changed. A recent report by the National Park Service, detailing the hotel's 2024 annual performance review of Yosemite Hospitality, found that rodents, improper food storage, and overdue facility maintenance, have taken over the property. Yosemite Hospitality, a subsidiary of the Aramark Corporation, received an 'unsatisfactory' rating - the lowest it has gotten in previous years, the report, obtained by SFGATE, detailed. Officials found both food safety issues and rodent infestations in the hotel's bar and kitchen, and just last month, employees reported food contamination issues stemming from rodents living in the ceiling above the preparation area, per the report. Rodents were also found lingering in the Ahwahnee Bar, which was shut down multiple times last year for that very reason, the report stated. A number of staffers also got sick from the chemicals used to help control the pest problem at the bar, it continued. By June 14, the bar was back up and running, but just six weeks later, health inspectors discovered a Food and Drug Administration violation caused by a leak in the kitchen in the Ahwahnee Bar. California 's Ahwahnee Hotel has long been known as a destination hot spot in the Yosemite Valley, and somewhat of an oasis in the middle of a beautiful nature-filled setting - but a recent report has damaged its reputation A recent report by the National Park Service, detailing the hotel's 2024 annual performance review of Yosemite Hospitality, found that rodents, improper food storage, and overdue facility maintenance The kitchen was then shut down by Yosemite Hospitality for some of the day to fix the pressing issue, according to the performance review. On September 4, the bar was closed yet again after a video surfaced showing 'ongoing rodent activity within the facility,' the review documented. By September 20, the bar was reopened for drink service only. Food was not served again until November 14, per the report. Rodent infestations can bring on a serious and sometimes deadly disease known as hantavirus - the same illness that killed Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa in their New Mexico home earlier this year. Humans can be exposed to the disease through rodent droppings, urine or saliva. In 2012 - before Yosemite Hospitality took over the contract - hantavirus infected 10 people and tragically killed three, SFGATE reported. Just last year, a store worker, who lived in on-site employee housing, was said to have contracted the disease, according to Bloomberg. The report said Yosemite Hospitality has gone on to develop a 'hantavirus risk reduction program,' but even with the initiative, employees were not consistently trained. Several Yelp reviews also provide first-hand accounts from guests who dealt with similar situations during their stay there, as one showed the 'decrepit' conditions of the hotel's ceilings Another image showed peeling paint along the walls in the hotel For instance, workers at the Crane Flat Store - located on the property - did not receive the training until health officials visited the store during a routine safety inspection, the report said. In response to the frequent rodent incidents, the hospitality company hired new pest management professionals and doubled the number of weekly visits to inspect properties in the park in October 2024, the annual report stated. Several Yelp reviews also provide first-hand accounts from guests who dealt with similar situations during their stay there. One person posted images of cracked and peeling ceilings and walls, adding that the 'hotel is inferior to the $10 youth hostels one may find in Europe. 'What a sad, decrepit facility this once great hotel has become... It's full of mold, leaks, broken walls and failed or failing appliances,' the user added. 'I really wanted to give this place a higher rating because of the long history etc of the Ahwahnee. But for over $600 a night you should get more. I think the overall problem is the result of decades of neglect,' another posted. Other than rodent activity and deteriorating aspects in the hotel, Michael McEvoy, a recent guest who stayed there, said the hotel did not have electricity after a tree fell during a storm, cutting off power in the Yosemite Valley. 'The whole place was dark,' McEvoy told the outlet. He had checked into the hotel to attend the Bracebridge Dinner, but when he entered his room, the light switches didn't work. In response to the low rating, Debbie Albert, Aramark's senior vice president of corporate affairs, said they company is taking it 'seriously' 'I dont know how you put on a tux without light,' he added. The highly anticipated dinner, which had just come back after a five year hiatus, was canceled due to the power outage. McEvoy said a backup generator ended up powering a temporary kitchen but not the hotel itself. During that time, he said he witnessed several people falling in the dark and an elderly woman struggling to navigate the stairs since the elevator was down. The recent report flagged electrical issues throughout the park, including an employee tent that went up in flames and loose electrical wires on a thermostat in a hotel room. Despite shelling out $1,100 for the dinner, plus $700 for the hotel room, McEvoy left and booked a room somewhere else, he said. 'Were looking forward to seeing it, and then to find all of the catastrophic, the cascade failures that occurred really pointed out to me that theyve got a problem.' Despite the hotel's administration promising to work on the issues, employees still don't feel safe or heard Customers were reimbursed for both their tickets and hotel stays, Aramark spokesperson Weinstein told the outlet. In response to the low rating, an Aramark spokesperson said the company is taking it 'seriously.' 'We take this rating seriously, and in working closely with the NPS, we have and continue to make improvements at Yosemite to ensure high standards are met for park guests,' they told DailyMail.com. A park spokesperson said: 'We work closely with our concessionaires to identify and address issues, and we expect them to take prompt action to resolve any problems.' Despite their responses, hotel and park employees still don't feel safe or heard. 'At what point do you say, "This isnt right for the guests?" Someone could get sick. This isnt right,' an unnamed worker said. 'There has to be a limit where profit doesnt matter. Humanity matters more.' DailyMail.com contacted the Aramark Corporation for comment. Mount Etna's eruption on Monday morning likely expelled tens of thousands of tons of sulfur dioxide gas, according to experts from Italy's volcano monitoring body. If high concentrations of sulfur dioxide are inhaled for several minutes, humans can experience burning in the nose and throat, breathing difficulties and death. This brings a whole new context to the dozens of tourists who fled for their lives as Europe's most active volcano spewed a column of ash that quickly billowed miles high. Salvatore Giammanco, a geophysicist at Italy's National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), said the level of sulfur dioxide released by Mount Etna during an eruption can reach 20,000 tons in a day. 'The summit typically releases between 2,000 and 3,000 tons of sulfur dioxide gas per day,' he said in 2010. 'Before an eruption it can reach 20,000 tons per day.' This latest eruption was the strongest since February 2021, according to INGV's Etna Observatory director Stefano Branca. 'Since February 2021, such intense volcanic activity hasn't been recorded,' he told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera. The eruption was caused by part of Etna's southeast crater collapsing, causing a 'pyroclastic flow,' a fast-moving mass of hot ash, lava and hot gas. Pictured: The giant plume of smoke made by Monday's eruption of Mount Etna, located on Sicily, an Italian island off the coast of mainland Italy The eruption was the most intense in the last four years and caused pyroclastic flow, a mix of hot ash, lava and hot gas that is incredibly fast moving (Pictured: Lava erupts from Mount Etna on November 25, 2023) Pyroclastic flow can travel down a mountain at speeds from 60 miles per hour to more than 200 miles per hour, which makes running away impossible if you are too close at the time of eruption. After Mount Pelee on the island of Martinique erupted in 1902, the following pyroclastic flows destroyed the city of St. Pierre and killed 30,000 people. Some 40 tourists were in the vicinity of Mount Etna when it erupted, according to CNN. Luckily, no one was injured as a result of the eruption. One of the tourists exclusively spoke to DailyMail.com about her experience. 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. Footage Boone shared to social media showed a huge plume of smoke filled the skies after the eruption. She 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.' Pictured: Dozens of tourists flee down a path as Mount Etna erupts. No one was injured, according to authorities Other tourists didn't have as much urgency and were seen photographing the billowing smoke At present, there is 'no danger for the population' of Sicily, according to the president of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani '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.' Other tourists didn't have as much urgency and were seen photographing the billowing smoke. The tourism company that had customers on Mount Etna at the time of the eruption told The Independent that tours have already restarted. Go Etna said that while tours are open to the public, guides cannot go up to Mount Etna's summit nor can they go any further than 2,900 meters up the mountain. At present, there is 'no danger for the population' of Sicily, according to the president of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani. Jon Stewart has roasted Elon Musk as 'one of America's least efficient government workers' as his time in the White House came to an end. The talk show host laid into the world's richest man in a blistering monologue on The Daily Show on Monday, saying Donald Trump has 'broken this poor man'. 'Elon spent $300 million of his own money to get Trump elected, irreparably damaged his personal brand and almost all of his business, and is clearly suffering some kind of issue,' the comedian said. He referenced a New York Times report last week alleging Musk took a cocktail of drugs including ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms during the 2024 presidential election campaign. The report claimed the Tesla founder took so much ketamine it impacted his bladder, with Stewart saying his time heading DOGE left him a shell of his former self. 'Let this be a lesson to Elon and anybody in Trump's orbit: whatever your passionate political belief or whatever your ideology is, you will go from reaching for mine stars to dissolving in a puddle of your own urine and shame,' Stewart said. The host's monologue also took aim at Musk's poor relationship with his transgender child, saying he was 'starting a fight club with your kid just to be able to feel because Trump Trump doesn't believe in anything, man.' John Stewart roasted Elon Musk as 'one of America's least efficient government workers' as his time in the White House came to an end The talk show host laid into the world's richest man on Monday's The Daily Show monologue, saying that President Trump has 'broken this poor man' and devastated his businesses as Musk's five-month stint leading DOGE concluded Musk left the White House in controversial fashion as he slammed President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' in a media blitz as he departed DOGE. He has claimed to have saved over $100 billion in the federal government's budget, but Trump's legislation is set to raise the national deficit by over $2 trillion, with Musk saying Trump had 'undermined' his work. Stewart ridiculed the way that Musk had fawned over Trump in his early days in the administration, as he went from a 'tech titan given a mandate to move fast and crush the deep state' to a 'guy who had a bad night in a Nashville bar he can't remember.' 'He's leaving his job to make more family with his time,' he quipped, pointing to Musk's ever-growing number of children. As he brought up a picture of Musk jumping up and down on stage by Trump at a campaign rally and then to an image of Musk with a black eye at his final Oval Office press conference, Stewart continued: 'Look at this poor b***ard. 'He's looking beaten down. He's got that look on his face that I imagine his employees normally have black eye, 1000-yards stare. This dude has seen some s***.' Stewart showed an image of Musk with a black eye at his Oval Office farewell, saying: 'Look at this poor b***ard. He's looking beaten down. He's got that look on his face that I imagine his employees normally have black eye, 1000-yards stare. This dude has seen some s***' Musk said in his first media interviews after leaving the White House that he was going back to his multiple businesses '24/7.' At an event on Thursday for his space travel company SpaceX, Musk unveiled bold plans for his starships to soon colonize Mars. Branding it the next phase in space exploration, Musk said SpaceX aims to launch its first crewed Starship mission to the Red Planet in 2026, with a Tesla Optimus robot on board. 'Launching two years later, we would be sending humans, assuming the first missions are successful,' said Musk. But while the SpaceX event saw Musk confidently speak of the future, his interview with CBS on Tuesday got awkward as the billionaire bristled at questions on his history with Trump. 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 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.' The Netherlands' national museum is putting a 200-year-old condom that features erotic art of a semi-naked nun and three clergymen on display. The Rijksmuseum said in a statement that the playful prophylactic, believed to be made around 1830 from a sheep's appendix, 'depicts both the playful and the serious side of sexual health.' It is part of an exhibition called 'Safe Sex?' about 19th century sex work that opened on Tuesday. The condom, possibly a souvenir from a brothel, is 20cm (7.8in) and decorated with an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen. The phrase 'This is my choice' is written along the sheath in French. According to the museum, this is a reference to the Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting 'The Judgment of Paris', which itself depicts a Greek myth in which a Trojan prince is asked to judge a beauty contest between three goddesses. Rijksmuseum curator Joyce Zelen said the allusion to Greek mythology suggested that the owner of the prophylactic would've been a high-ranking member of society at the time. She said: 'We believe that whoever acquired the condom would have been fairly sophisticated and well-educated.' The piece was purchased for 1,000 (840) at an auction in Haarlem last November, and will be put on display until the end of November as part of an exhibition that features Dutch and French prints and drawings on the themes of sex work and sexual health. The Netherlands' national museum is putting a 200-year-old condom that features erotic art of a semi-naked nun and three clergymen on display The condom, possibly a souvenir from a brothel, is 20cm (7.8in) and decorated with an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen The possible souvenir is believed to have never been used The condom is being displayed at the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands' national museum Before 1839, the year vulcanised rubber was invented, condoms were typically made from linen, animal membranes or, in some case, turtle shells. But they were ineffective, doing little to provide protection against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases or the prevention of pregnancy. Zelen added: 'In the 1830s, when this condom was made, the use of condoms was still frowned upon, especially by the church. 'They were mostly sold under the counter at brothels or barber shops, though there are some reports of luxury shops offering bespoke tailoring.' The possible souvenir is believed to have never been used, Zelen said, after the museum looked at it under UV light. She added: 'It's also unclear whether the nun in the etching is pointing at the bald man, the thin man, or the one who looks slightly overweight. That way, any type of man could feel spoken to.' A man who was convicted of a public order offence for burning a copy of the Koran outside the Turkish consulate while shouting 'f*** Islam' says he has received 'hundreds' of death threats since his protest and is 'afraid of being killed'. Hamit Coskun, 50, was ordered to pay 240 and a statutory 96 surcharge on Monday after screaming 'Koran is burning' and 'Islam is religion of terrorism' while holding a flaming copy of the religious Islamic text above his head, in a controversial demonstration earlier this year. During his protest - which took place on February 13 in Knightsbridge - he was attacked by a man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who was allegedly holding a knife. The man then spat at and kicked Mr Coskun. Two days later on February 15 Mr Coskun's home was broken into by two Iraqi men who threatened him with an ashtray and a knife. Following this, Mr Coskun was placed under police protection for two days and was then forced to flee the city he was living in. Since then Mr Coskun has received scores of abusive messages and death threats which have left him fearing for his life. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Turkish born Mr Coskun, who is half Armenian and half Kurdish, said: 'My social media accounts and phonebook are full of death threats from [people based in] cities like London and Birmingham. Hamit Coskun arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court, central London, where he is charged with a religiously aggravated public order offence after a Koran was burnt outside the Turkish consulate in London on February 13 Mr Coskun was placed under police protection for two days - 17 February and 18 February - and forced to flee the city he was living in Hamit Coskun leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court, central London, where he was sentenced to a 240 fine, with a statutory surcharge of 96 after he was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly behaviour when a Koran was burnt outside the Turkish consulate in London on February 13 'Like everyone else, I am afraid of being killed [and] I am very worried because I know that I may face security risks. 'This is the reality of the "religion" we call Islam. 'It does not respect different beliefs and cultures, it does not recognize the right to life. 'But I am not a coward. 'I am ready to pay the price.' Social media posts sent to Mr Coskun and seen by the Daily Mail include one that states: 'You should sacrifice yourself to Koran. You will die'. Another says: 'Hail to the courageous man who will make your corpse lie down on the ground.' Mr Coskun, a committed atheist, was forced to flee his home country of Turkey two and a half years ago. He is currently seeking asylum in the UK. When asked whether he felt protected in Britain Mr Coskun admitted: 'What really worries and upsets me is the attitude of the police [because] unfortunately, the police don't care. 'After returning from London on February 15, I was attacked by two Iraqi Muslims in Derby. 'Despite being arrested, they were released within a day [so] I had to change my address for security reasons. 'I am not [currently] under police protection and [when] I told them I felt unsafe they said there was nothing they could do.' Earlier this week politicians, including opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, as well as leading free speech campaigners slammed the conviction of Mr Coskun warning that the ruling was a blasphemy law by the back door. Defiant, Mr Coskun has said that he plans to appeal the decision - with the help of the National Secular Society [NSS] and the Free Speech Union [FSU] who are covering his legal fees. He said: 'I am grateful to the NSS and FSU, who have stood by me on this issue and have supported me unconditionally. 'The court ruling is an unjust decision. The ruling will only please and satisfy Islamists. They are trying to clamp down on freedom of expression.' 'I am an activist. I criticize Islam. I think that Islam poses a threat to the whole world. '[While protesting] I remain within democratic measures. 'I do not interfere with anyone. This is my democratic right [and] I will continue my struggle. 'This does not necessarily mean burning the Quran [but] I will use my right to protest wherever Islamists pose a threat. 'I do not intend to harm or disturb anyone. I am trying to raise awareness in society about the concept of Islamic invasion and threat.' The Derbyshire police force has been contacted for comment. Donald Trump Jr. and his business partners will soon launch an online firearm store that some have dubbed the 'Amazon of guns.' In addition to helping his family run the Trump Organization, the first son is an avid marksman, and his new online venture called GrabAGun aims to make firearms more accessible. 'There's a lot of people that are buying guns that wouldn't have been the typical guys that were buying guns like I've been doing for decades,' Trump Jr. said on CNBC Tuesday morning. 'There's women coming into the marketplace for self defense. There's a younger generation that's shifting to the conservative side that understands the need to exercise their Second Amendment, and wants to do that.' 'This is giving them an opportunity with "grab a gun" to shop the way they shop virtually everything else,' he continued. Guns purchased from the online store still have to be picked up from an authorized and licensed retailer, the 47-year-old explained, noting that routine background checks and all lawful safety precautions are still followed. The real value, Trump Jr. says, is restoring access to firearms that have been put out of reach for customers. 'Walmart used to be the largest retailer of firearms in America. Corporate policies change, you can no longer have that access. You couldn't go to your local Walmart and buy these things anymore. So this is covering that void,' he said. Donald Trump Jr. joined CNBC on Tuesday to talk about his new gun venture called GrabAGun The online retailer seeks to the the 'Amazon for guns.' It could ship firearms directly to licensed handlers for customers to pick up and ship weapon accessories directly to customers' homes The company announced a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) helmed by conservative investor Omeed Malik, who joined Trump Jr. on CNBC. Malik has invested in former Fox News host Tucker Carlson's media startup and the 'anti-woke' online marketplace Public Square, along with other right-leaning ventures through his firm 1789 Capital. The investor and first son, along with GrabAGun CEO Marc Nemat, have pitched their company as the 'Amazon of guns.' Though firearms would first be sent to a dealer authorized under the proper Federal Firearms Licenses, accessories and other products will be directly shipped to consumers' homes. The online platform lets users 'buy guns and ammunition online just like you can on Amazon because we have a Second Amendment right,' Malik has said. The website currently features a variety of small arms, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, scopes, magazines and more. It also sells fishing, hunting and camping equipment along with knives, tents, sleeping bags and archery supplies. When the company goes public Trump Jr. will sit on its board, in addition to gun influencer and attorney Colion Noir. Donald Trump Jr. and business executive Omeed Malik talk during a session in the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha on May 21, 2025 Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Omeed Malik, Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. are pictured on July 15, 2024, the day Vance was selected as Trump's VP candidate Trump Jr. said that when customers go to pick up their orders at local gun stores or other authorized locations users opt to bundle firearm training with their purchase. 'But again, through that you are actually going to that shop, you can learn about the training that they offer, which we encourage. So I definitely encourage everyone to get those kinds of trainings. I think it should be a package.' Malik and Trump Jr. have also announced a partnership on a new social club meant for Washington, D.C., socialites. Called the Executive Brach, the social club will be only for the city's wealthiest, charging a $500,000 membership fee. The ex-girlfriend of an acid attack victim has appeared in court charged with his murder. Paris Wilson, 34, a former probation officer, is accused of murdering Danny Cahalane, 38, at the home they once shared in Plymouth, Devon. Fitness instructor Mr Cahalane, 38, had acid thrown in his face after answering the door to his home in Lipson Road, at 3.55am on Friday 21 February. He died in hospital ten weeks later, on Saturday 3 May. A total of nine defendants - including Wilson and mother-of-three Jenna Said - have already appeared in court charged with other offences relating to the attack on Mr Cahalane. But following his death prosecutors this week further charged six of the defendants with murder. Today Wilson, of The Quay, Plymouth, appeared at the citys magistrates court along with five male co-defendants charged with Mr Cahalanes murder. The six defendants appeared in three brief hearings via video link. Appearing on a screen from prison, Wilson wearing a black sleeveless top - spoke to confirm her name and home address but added: Although Im currently at HMP Eastwood Park. Chair of the Bench Nicholas Mansfield told Wilson: You are going to be remanded in custody until tomorrow when you will be produced at Plymouth Crown Court. Thats all for today. Paris Wilson is charged with murdering Danny Cahalane, who died ten weeks after an alleged acid attack Mr Cahalane was described as 'an outstanding father and son' by his family following his death The court previously heard Mr Cahalane, pictured with ex-girlfriend Paris Wilson, suffered horrific facial injuries after sulphuric acid was thrown at him In a level voice, Wilson replied: Thank you. Fellow defendants Israel Augustus, 25, of Pulford Road in London, Abdul-Rasheed Adedoja, 22, of North Circular Road, Neasden, London, Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 22, of Junction Road, London, Brian Kalemba, 22, of Eastbury Square, Barking, London and Isanah Sungum, 21 of Sterling Way, Edmonton, London, all also appeared charged with murder. They only spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses. None of the defendants were asked to enter a plea and were remanded into custody. Magistrates said the severity of the case meant the case must be sent to Plymouth Crown Court where the defendants will appear tomorrow. A provisional trial date for May 2026 has been fixed before a High Court judge at Winchester Crown Court. Mother-of-two Wilson was previously charged with conspiracy to murder and kidnap Mr Cahalane, as well as participating in the activity of an organised crime group. Said, also known as Jenna O'Grady, 38, is also charged with participating in the activities of an organised crime group. Mother-of-three Jenna Said has also been charged in connection with Mr Cahalane's death Plymouth Magistrates' Court previously heard Mr Cahalane suffered horrific facial injuries after sulphuric acid was thrown at him. In a statement issued through police following his death, Mr Cahalane's family said: 'We are struggling to come to terms with Danny's passing. Danny was an outstanding father and son. 'Danny and his mum had so much love for each other. He is well loved by his family and friends and as a family we cherish his love and memories. 'We ask the family are please given privacy and respect during this time.' Following the incident, officers remained at the scene for a number of days, with crime scene investigators in white forensic suits seen entering and leaving Mr Cahalane's home. Locals were asked to check CCTV, doorbell and dashcam footage. Wilson's LinkedIn page suggests she has previously worked in business development and holds a masters degree in public administration. Prince Harry's latest doomed battle with the Home Office over police bodyguards cost British taxpayers 100,000, new figures revealed today. The Duke of Sussex lost his case at the Court of Appeal last month, saying in a BBC interview straight afterwards that 'I wish someone had told me beforehand' there was 'no way to win'. Today the Mail can reveal the Home Office has put its legal costs in the case at 656,324, which includes 554,000 for the original case a year ago which the High Court ruled Harry had 'comprehensively lost'. Since then, during which time Harry appealed the decision, an additional 102,000 has been incurred by government lawyers. It is likely that, as the losing party, Harry will be ordered to reimburse taxpayers all or most of the costs, putting him on the hook for as much as 1.5million, when his own legal costs are added. Last year, after he lost the original case, a judge said Harry should repay 90 per cent of the public's costs. Last month's damning appeal ruling was a bitter blow to the duke who said that, of all his various court battles, this one 'mattered the most'. He had flown in from California to attend a two-day hearing in April and sat in court as his barrister argued that removing his automatic right to Met Police armed bodyguards when he was in the UK had put his life 'at stake'. His KC said the threats against him had not diminished just because he had stopped being a frontline royal, and his military service had placed him at particular risk. The Duke of Sussex at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 8 during his appeal against a High Court ruling preventing him getting automatic taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK, which was taken away following Megxit The bill to British taxpayers, according to an FOI answer from the Home Office On May 2, England's second most senior judge, Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos, sitting with two other judges, ruled that while 'these were powerful and moving arguments, and it was plain the Duke of Sussex felt badly treated by the systemI could not say that the duke's sense of grievance translated into a legal argument'. Sir Geoffrey ruled the original security decision had been a 'predictable' and even 'sensible' reaction to Megxit - when Harry stepped back from being a senior royal and quit Britain. Hours after the Appeal Court's ruling, Harry went nuclear in a BBC interview filmed in California, launching a blistering attack on the King who 'won't speak to me' and claiming there had been 'an Establishment stitch-up'. He accused the royal household of 'interfering' in his long-running battle in His Majesty's courts to reinstate his police bodyguards. He said of his children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet: 'I think it's really quite sad that I won't be able to show my children my homeland', adding he does not even know 'how much longer my father has' to live. Bitter Harry, 40, raged that 'the other side' in the court case had 'won in keeping me unsafe'. He declared himself 'obviously pretty gutted about the decision', but he added: 'It's certainly proven that there is no way to win this through the courts wish someone had told me that beforehand. But yeah, the decision has been a surprise as well as not a surprise.' Figures released today via a Freedom of Information request show that the Home Office has spent 656,324 of public money successfully fighting the case - so far. The Home Office said this figure could yet rise, because 'further costs may be included at a later date, for example costs relating to the period prior to 2 May that have not yet been captured'. The legal fees included more than 241,000 on barristers, 394,000 on solicitors at the Government Legal Department, and 3,800 in court fees. Harry's own legal costs have not been revealed, but could be similar. Meghan and Harry in New York where they are believed to have had police protection, according to reports Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, pictured as he rejected Harry's appeal saying the original security decision had been a 'predictable' and even 'sensible' reaction to Megxit The Duke of Sussex returned to London to attend the two-day hearing at the Court of Appeal, to argue that his family could not safely visit his homeland without police protection The Duke and his family pictured together at Christmas. He flew to London in April to fight for security and, after losing, said it was 'sad I won't be able to show my children my homeland' Within hours of the Appeal Court judgment, Harry declared in his bombshell interview: 'This is a good old-fashioned Establishment stitch-up - and that is what it feels like'. He claimed there was a big injustice, and compared himself born with security risks to politicians such as prime ministers who seek public office and are then guaranteed Scotland Yard protection for life. He said: 'Other people have been protected, people who have made a choice for public office why wouldn't you be comfortable with someone in my position, who has given 35 years' service to his country, including two tours of AfghanistanI was born into this position. I was born into those risks, and they have only increased over time.' 'I love my country and always have done. I think it's really quite sad that I won't be able to show my children my homeland.' At the time, Buckingham Palace said: 'All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion', with a source adding: 'It would have been constitutionally improper for His Majesty to intervene while this matter was being considered by the Government and reviewed by the Courts.' The Home Office declined to comment. The Duke of Sussex's office was contacted for comment. A rarely-talked-about, unelected bureaucrat within the Senate may have the power to tank President Donald Trump's big beautiful bill. The Senate Parliamentarian, a position held by Elizabeth MacDonough since 2012, is about to weigh in on whether the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act runs afoul of the upper chamber's rules. The parliamentarian is more often than not an afterthought, typically because their role is to be the Senate's hall monitor, essentially making sure mundane processes on the floor are adhered to. However, the parliamentarian is thrust into the spotlight every time senators try to pass a bill through budget reconciliation, a process that allows the Senate to pass items with a simple majority instead of the usual 60 votes needed to overcome the filibuster. Since Trump's big beautiful bill is going through reconciliation, MacDonough has the power to veto certain provisions that she feels aren't related to the budget or are solely policy objectives. The appeal of the reconciliation process is obvious. Since Republicans control 53 seats in the Senate, a united GOP can essentially pass the bill without input from a single Democratic senator. The catch is, MacDonough can pick and choose which line items in the bill need to be slashed with red ink. She will be responsible for interpreting whether the Big Beautiful Bill complies with something called the Byrd Rule, which has been around since 1985. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has been in the crucial, yet often-ignored role since 2012 If MacDonough decides to exercise her veto power, key provisions of President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill could be deleted The Byrd Rule is named after the late Sen. Robert Byrd, who was a key figure in instituting the guardrails around reconciliation packages like the one Trump is trying to ram through. The most important facet of the Byrd Rule states that reconciliation bills cannot have provisions in them that don't have an effect on the budget. Put simply, if a provision doesn't meaningfully increase or decrease federal spending, it can be considered extraneous and be tossed out of the bill. The Byrd Rule also prohibits reconciliation bills from overhauling Social Security or increasing the deficit for a fiscal year not included in the bill's purview. The test to see whether a bill complies with the rule has been referred to as the 'Byrd Bath.' MacDonough last used the 'Byrd Bath' to water down President Joe Biden's Build Back Better package in 2022. Specifically, she struck down three separate attempts by the Democrats to provide a pathway to citizenship for eight million immigrants living in the United States illegally. Now, she's in the position to take a major bite out of Trump's agenda, though its not entirely clear what she might take aim at. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, hinted that a provision of the big beautiful bill that limits the power of federal courts to enforce injunctions or hold government officials in contempt will be struck down by the parliamentarian Many have speculated MacDonough will rule against a provision buried deep within the bill that will upend the US judicial system. Section 70302 of the bill would severely limit the power of federal courts to enforce injunctions or hold government officials in contempt. This comes as federal judges have slapped the second Trump administration with an unprecedented 25 nationwide injunctions in its first 100 days, most of which curtailed the government's ability to deport illegal migrants. During a townhall on Friday, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, told a constituent that she believed this provision has no chance of getting through the Senate. 'I don't see any argument that could ever be made that this affects mandatory spending or revenues, so I just don't see that I don't see that getting into the Senate bills,' Ernst said. The big beautiful bill also contains a section that prohibits Medicaid funds from going to any clinic that provides abortions. Back in 2017, the parliamentarian found that a similar provision in a reconciliation bill violated the Byrd Rule, which could mean she'll strike it down again this time. The current bill's regulations on AI could also be cast aside in the impending Byrd Bath. There is precedent for firing the parliamentarian. In May 2001, then-Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss. (left), fired the parliamentarian at the time, Robert Dove (right), because he was getting in the way of President George W. Bush's budget bill This scenario appears unlikely to repeat, since Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that he isn't even willing to overrule the parliamentarian, let alone fire her There is precedent for the Senate simply ignoring the parliamentarian. The declarations of MacDonough and all the other parliamentarians before her have been non-binding and lacking in actual enforcement power. Just two weeks ago, the Senate voted 51-44 to repeal a federal waiver that allowed California to institute an electric vehicle mandate, completely disregarding the parliamentarian's guidance on the issue. Democrats condemned the move by Republicans, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying, 'Republicans, I believe, I am certain, will come to regret the ill-considered step they take tonight.' Going back a bit further, there is also precedent of Senate leaders getting rid of the parliamentarian over disagreements on the Byrd Rule. On May 7, 2001, then-Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., fired the parliamentarian at the time, Robert Dove, because he was getting in the way of President George W. Bush's budget bill. Exactly one month later, with a new parliamentarian in place, Bush was able to sign his first landmark tax cut into law. This scenario appears unlikely to repeat, since Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that he isn't even willing to overrule the parliamentarian, let alone fire her. 'Were not going there,' Thune told reporters on Monday. The wife and five children of the suspect who allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at pro-Israeli protestors have been arrested by authorities. The family of Mohamed Soliman, 45, were taken into custody by agents with ICE and Homeland Security on Tuesday. Soliman is an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa after entering into the US during the Biden administration. The legal status and names of his wife and children have not been released. The suspect's family are being processed for expedited removal, which would allow authorities to rapidly deport them without a hearing in an immigration court. The arrests of Soliman's family were confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on X, where she shared a video saying they will be deported while Soliman's 'despicable actions will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' 'We are also investigating to what extent his family knew about this horrific attack,' Noem said. 'If they had any knowledge of it or if they provided any support to it. 'I am continuing to pray for the victims of this attack and for all of their families. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to all of them. And I want them to know, justice will be served.' The terror suspect is now facing 16 counts of attempted murder and federal hate crime charges after allegedly launching the makeshift flamethrowers on Sunday, wounding at least 12 people. The wife and five children of Mohamed Soliman, the suspect who allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at pro-Israeli protestors in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, have been arrested by authorities Soliman is an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa after entering the US during the Biden administration Soliman reportedly yelled 'Free Palestine' during the attack, and authorities said they found 16 unused Molotov cocktails when they arrested him, adding that he only threw two of the devices because he was 'scared and had never hurt anyone before.' The suspect has lived with his wife and five children in Colorado Springs, a city about 100 miles south of Boulder, for the past three years. The Egyptian national also previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait. When reporters arrived at Soliman's home after the attack, toys seeming to belong to small children could be seen outside. The ages of his five children that have now been arrested are not known. The affidavit says that he plotted the firebombing for over a year, but waited until after his daughter's graduation to conduct the attack. Soliman also 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 Soliman's 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. When he was arrested, Soliman reportedly told investigators that he left messages for his family on his iPhone, which his wife then turned over to authorities. According to an affidavit on his arrest, agents also recovered a journal from Soliman's home in which he detailed his plans for the attack, and said he wanted to 'kill all Zionists.' When reporters arrived at Soliman's home (pictured) after the attack, toys seeming to belong to small children could be seen outside. The names, ages and legal status of his wife and five children that have now been arrested are not known He first entered the US in Los Angeles on August 27, 2022, and was allowed to stay through February 2, 2023, on a non-immigrant visa but never left. He was granted a work authorization permit on March 29, 2023, which was valid through March 2024, with the Trump administration slamming the previous White House for granting the permit while Soliman was an illegal immigrant. '(Soliman) 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,' Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller previously wrote on X. Those who lived near the family in Colorado Springs said they were stunned by Mohamed's alleged actions, and said they knew his wife and daughter to be kind. Neighbor Rachel Delzell said she went to the city's only mosque with Soliman's wife, and although she had not met Mohamed, she told the New York Times that she couldn't believe the alleged attacker came from the family. 'I cant believe he was a part of that,' she said. 'You dont raise a daughter like that and have a wife like that, and do something like that.' A 'carnival queen' influencer has been found dead at the bottom of a hotel swimming pool just weeks after she was allegedly threatened outside her gym. Luz Maria Barrera Agaton, 36, from Mexico, had been staying with family and friends at the Coco Resort & Villas Hotel in Motul, west of Cancun, when she died on Sunday morning. The bodybuilder had spent the evening with loved ones around the cenote-style pool before they all made their way to bed at around midnight, leaving her alone on the premises. Concerned that a number of hours had passed without Ms Agaton's return, the party went searching and shockingly found her body in the pool. The influencer was quickly removed and paramedics tried to save her, but she was tragically already dead. Detectives on the case say they have not ruled out the possibility of foul play. Local reports say Ms Agaton's death came just two weeks after a threatening banner was hung outside her gym in Merida, Yucatan. She is said to have removed the sign herself and destroyed it without notifying the authorities. Luz Maria Barrera Agaton (above) had been staying with family and friends at the Coco Resort & Villas Hotel in Motul, west of Cancun, Mexico, when she died on Sunday morning The Mexican had spent the evening chatting with loved ones around the cenote-style pool before they all made their way to bed at around midnight, leaving her alone on the premises Concerned that a number of hours had passed without Ms Agaton's return, the party went searching and shockingly found her body which was plunged at the pool's depths (Pictured: a cenote-style pool at the hotel) Ms Agaton had suffered similar threats in 2017 when she and her then-partner Chiri Roberto, a former state prosecutor, were seemingly targeted. Her gym was also the scene of a tragic death in 2023 when a barbell fell on top of a young man, reportedly caused by a trainer's carelessness. Investigators are looking into whether these incidents could be connected to her death. Ms Agaton was the vice president of the Yucatecan Association of Bodybuilding and Fitness (YAFFEY), whose president Evangelina Cime Mezquita said on Facebook: 'Sometimes you don't understand why things happen. 'We're going to miss you. your overflowing joy, your simplicity. May God comfort your entire family.' The YAFFEY account also shared a post which read: 'Sometimes there aren't enough words to express how one feels. 'See you soon my friend. I know there's a party in heaven today.' Local reports say Ms Agaton's death came just two weeks after a threatening banner was hung outside her gym in Merida, Yucatan (Pictured: Ms Agaton after being crowned Carnival Queen last year) Pictured: The Coco Resort & Villas Hotel in Motul, west of Cancun, where Ms Agaton was found dead on Sunday 'We're going to miss you. your overflowing joy, your simplicity. God comfort your entire family. May God comfort your entire family.' Ms Agaton owned her gym in Merida and sponsored the Bodybuilding Tournament in Motul. She was crowned Fitness Champion at the 2017 Mister Mexico bodybuilding contest, and was named queen of the Motul Carnival just last year. She also won the female bikini category at the Mr Olympia Amateur competition held in Spain. A group of bureaucrats at the Institute of Peace claim their building was ravaged by billionaire Elon Musk's DOGE agents. George E. Moose, acting president and CEO of the institute, filed an affidavit testifying that employees found it damaged when they returned after DOGE took it over. A photograph of marijuana was posted by Economist reporter Daniel Knowles on the Bluesky social media platform. He said it was provided to him by someone from the institute who found it in the garbage after DOGE left. 'Among other things, they reported evidence of rats and roaches in the building. Vermin were not a problem prior to March 17, 2025,' Moose wrote, adding that employees also discovered 'water leaks, damage to the garage door, and missing ceiling tiles in multiple places in the building.' He also reported evidence that 'someone had scrawled graffiti on one of the outside spaces.' Social media posts showed that the building logo was also removed, but was put back up after officials returned. 'One of the first things DOGE did upon entering the U.S. Institute of Peace was tear down the logo. . . .and one of the first things we did upon recovering the building, was put it back up. It is a heck of a logo, packing a ton of history, culture, and aspiration into a small symbol. Hopefully the institute survives to continue to bring all that to life,' wrote Keith Mines on LinkedIn. The White House did not return a request for comment. The Institute of Peace was founded as an independent, national institution funded by Congress and was established in 1984. A photo of marijuana discovered at the Institute of Peace after officials returned to the building after DOGE employees took over Institute of Peace employees restore their logo on the building after they say DOGE employees took it down The battle over the Institute of Peace is considered one of the most dramatic attempts by DOGE to take control of an organization. Entrenched employees refused to leave the building when ordered to do so. President Trump first signed an executive order that specifically ordered the Institute of Peace reduce its size to the statutory minimum, prompting his administration to fire 11 of the 14 board members. The remaining board members appointed Kenneth Jackson acting president and fired Moose. When agency officials refused to grant DOGE officials access to the building, they returned with FBI agents to gain entry. The White House condemned behavior by Institute of Peace employees after the standoff, describing them as 'rogue bureaucrats.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Elon Musk walk on the South Lawn of the White House, Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer, Tesla, SpaceX, and X (previously known as Twitter) and Administrator, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) speaks during a press conference 'They barricaded the doors. They also disabled telephone lines, internet connections and other IT infrastructure within the building. They distributed fliers internally, encouraging each other to basically prevent these individuals from accessing the building,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the time. 'It's a resistance from bureaucrats who don't want to see change in this city. President Trump was elected on an overwhelming mandate to seek change and implement change. And this is unacceptable behavior.' DOGE employees said the standoff with the Institute of Peace was among the most contentious of its fights with Washington bureaucracy. 'It was by far the least peaceful agency that we've worked with, ironically,' one DOGE agent told Fox News host Jesse Watters in an interview, revealing they found 'loaded guns' in the building. DOGE employees told Fox News they found spending on private jet flights, and a $130,000 contract with the Taliban for 'generic services.' The United State Institute of Peace building U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) acting counsel George Foote, right, talks to the reporters outside the Institute with USIP acting President George Moose, They also said that the chief accountant had deleted over a terabyte of accounting records, which they were able to restore 'That's the definition of a cover up,' Musk said. D.C. federal judge Beryl Howell ruled in May that the Institute of Peace is not part of the executive branch and so the Trump administration illegally removed the president of the organization and staff, while 'probably terrorizing employees and staff at the institute.' 'The President's efforts here to take over an organization outside of those bounds, contrary to statute established by Congress and by acts of force and threat using local and federal law enforcement officers, 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,' Howell wrote. Elon Musk went scorched earth on President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' on Tuesday, calling it 'a disgusting abomination' and condemning lawmakers who voted for it. The billionaire former 'first buddy' blasted it for massively increasing 'the already gigantic budget deficit.' 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore,' Musk wrote in a post on X. It was by far Musk's strongest attack so far and could put the nail in the coffin of his bromance with the president. Musk notably did not use Trump's moniker for the federal spending bill - the president refers to it as the 'big, beautiful bill' but his meaning was clear. 'This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it,' the SpaceX boss wrote. He added: 'It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt.' Musk left his job as a special government employee only five days ago. He and President Trump appeared to part on good terms, with Trump gifting him a golden key to the White House. It wasn't immediately clear how Musk's tirade will affect their relationship given that Trump typically has a low tolerance for criticism. Elon Musk went nuclear on President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed Musk's tweets when asked about it during a televised press briefing. 'Look the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill, and it hasn't changed the president's opinion,' she said. 'This is one big, beautiful bill, and he's sticking to it.' Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Musk was 'wrong' about the bill. 'With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the one big, beautiful bill,' Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill. Musk has previously indicated he was against the bill, which funds the federal government. He said he was concerned it would undo the work of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). But his comments on Tuesday were his harshest to date and come as the bill is being debated in the Senate. It also came five days after he formally left the Trump administration. 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. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, it will boost the nation's debt by $3.1 trillion. But Trump has defended his signature legislation, arguing it will lower taxes. 'We will take a massive step to balancing our Budget by enacting the largest mandatory Spending Cut, EVER, and Americans will get to keep more of their money with the largest Tax Cut, EVER, and no longer taxing Tips, Overtime, or Social Security for Seniors Something 80 Million Voters supported in November,' Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday. Democrats, meanwhile, had a field day with Musk's tweets. 'I agree with Elon Musk,' Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, holding up a print out of Musk's tweets. 'Republicans should listen to him.' President Donald Trump has defended his signature legislation, saying it will lower taxes, he's seen with Elon Musk in the Oval Office last month The president has shown a tolerance for Musk's tirades. Notably, Trump didn't criticize Musk during a joint press conference with him in the Oval Office on Friday. The president defended his signature legislation but didn't mention Musk. In the past, Trump has attacked others who have criticized him. Musk, the world's richest man, spent $290 million in the last election cycle to help get Trump and Republican candidates elected. Instead Trump said he would negotiate parts of the bill as it makes its way through the legislative process. 'We will be negotiating that bill, and I'm not happy about certain aspects of it, but I'm thrilled by other aspects of it,' Trump told reporters, without directly addressing Musk's concerns. Other administration officials have stood up for the legislation. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has been vocal in his defense of the spending plan, a fact that got a lot of attention after his wife Katie Miller left DOGE to work for Elon Musk. 'The Big Beautiful Bill decreases total spending over the budget window by nearly $2 trillion,' Miller wrote on X Sunday. House Republicans passed the legislation last month by a mere one vote. The Senate is expected to amend what the House sent them but those negotiations are ongoing. . Trump has said he wants a final version of the legislation on his desk for signature by July 4. Musk, meanwhile, formally left the Trump administration on Friday, holding court with the president in an Oval Office press conference. It was his last day as a special government employee. 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.' Musk has claimed to save the federal government billions through his DOGE efforts. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer holds up Elon Musk's tweets, saying Republicans should listen to the Tesla founder White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed Elon Musk's comments The 'Big Beautiful Bill' is intended to be an encompassing piece of legislation to allow Trump to move forward with much of his agenda, with policies ranging from tax cuts to immigration. The legislation brings large spending increases that the GOP has fought against in recent years, including raising the debt limit by more than $4 trillion over the next two years. Within the package is about $5 trillion in tax cuts, to be partially funded by repealing or phasing out more quickly the clean energy tax credits passed during Joe Biden's presidency. Donald Trump's Education Secretary had a fiery clash with a top Democrat over funding for Harvard. Linda McMahon was on Capitol Hill Tuesday to testify before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on her department's budget for next year. During an exchange with Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), McMahon passionately defended the Trump administration's targeting of diversity programs at elite Ivy League institutions including Harvard and Columbia. 'How do you ask them to end diversity programs while instituting viewpoint diversity? This seems to be totally contradictory, ' Murphy pressed McMahon, kicking off the heated exchange. 'You know, the diversity programs that we've asked and demanded to be eliminated, were the DEI, where they were. Those programs actually were pitting one group against another,' McMahon responded. 'Is viewpoint diversity a diversity program?' Murphy asked. 'A viewpoint diversity is exchange of ideas. It's actually better, absolutely. We're now here because Harvard only has 3 percent by its own numbers, 3 percent conservative faculty. Do you think they are allowing enough of viewpoint diversity through that teaching?' McMahon argued. Murphy said: 'Where in the statute, where in the statute, does it give you the ability to cut off federal funding for a university based upon your decision, your determination, that they don't have viewpoint diversity?' 'Can you cite to a statute an authority the Congress has given you to micromanage the viewpoint diversity of a college.' Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 20, 2025 U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testifies before a Senate Appropriations hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump's budget request for the Department of Education, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 3, 2025 'Can you cite a statute? If you can't cut off your funding for universities, unless you have a statutory authorization to do so. So what statute gives you the right to tell any university that they have to have a certain mixture of viewpoints...I think you have to say the statute,' Murphy continued. 'The statute is Title VI , these are civil rights violations. That is why we filed a case and defunded or stopped the funding for a while for Harvard, as well as we did Columbia under federal funding if you are breaking the law, which they did under Title VI,' McMahon responded. 'These are civil rights violations. That is why we filed a case and defunded or stopped the funding for a while for Harvard,' McMahon told the Senate Committee on Appropriations on June 3rd, 2025. President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order alongside Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in the East Room of the White House in Washington, March 20, 2025 'We're now here because Harvard only has 3% by its own numbers, 3% conservative faculty' Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon argued during an exchange with Senator Chris Murphy. 'I don't understand any conception of civil rights law to give you the authorization to micromanage viewpoint diversity on campus. That's, that's not authorized under the Civil Rights title provided to you by the United States Congress,' Murphy concluded. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. In April, the Trump Administration froze over $2 billion in research grants at Harvard. Federal funding made up over two-thirds of research funding received by the university in fiscal year 2024, to the tune of $686 million. The Trump administration has also moved to bar Harvard from enrolling foreign students in May, but the action was blocked by a U.S. District Judge in Boston on May 29. Columbia University, also called out by McMahon in her testimony on Capitol Hill, relies on the federal government for 22 percent of its funding, which amounted to over $1.2 billion during the 202223 academic year, according to a report from the Urban Institute. A plane has crashed into a mountainous region of North Carolina with three passengers on board. A small aircraft crashed near the Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, North Carolina, around 12 pm on Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed. Mocksville is a small town of less than 10,000 people and is about an hour north of Charlotte. The FAA said the aircraft was a Stinson 108 Voyager, which seats four passengers and was produced after World War II until 1950. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that they were investigating the crash. A spokesperson for the NTSB told DailyMail.com that an investigator was traveling to the scene. 'Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft,' the NTSB said. 'The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.' A plane crashed near the Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, North Carolina, on Tuesday afternoon There were three passengers on board a Stinson 108 Voyager during the crash (stock image) Information on the three passengers wasn't immediately released, and the NTSB is still investigating the crash Information on the three passengers wasn't released, and it's unclear what led to the crash. DailyMail.com reached out to Davie County officials for more information on the passengers' conditions, but didn't immediately hear back. The incident comes just days after a plane crashed into the Long Island Sound off the coast of Connecticut. There were two people on board the Piper PA-32, a small aircraft that seats six and is typically used for private flights. Branford Fire Chief Thomas Mahoney said the pilot called for assistance before the flight went down. 'The Coast Guard along with Branford Fire Department Marine 5 arrived on location, located the parties in the water [and] brought them safely aboard,' Mahoney added. The crash comes just a few days after a small aircraft crashed into the Long Island Sound near Tweed New Haven airport The aircraft crashed into the water six miles away from Tweed Regional Airport, and emergency responders rescued the two people on board. 'They were wet, cold, and had some cuts on the hands and face,' a Coast Guard spokesperson said. In a third recent incident, two passengers and a dog were killed in a Vans RV-10 aircraft in Los Angeles in May. A Vans RV-10 aircraft is a small four-seat single-engine plane. The aircraft crashed into a home and caused a dramatic fire. The fire department later confirmed that the homeowners evacuated safely. So much for Nigel Farage, the daring swashbuckler of modern politics. The Reform leader styles himself the fearless defender of the priorities of ordinary people, the renegade who takes on vested interests while declaring uncomfortable truths. But Mr Farages brio departed him during a visit to Scotland on Monday when he ducked out of a press event called by his own party. The Reform leader had travelled north in advance of Thursdays Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election and the media was told to expect access to a 'walkabout' hed be doing with candidate Ross Lambie. However, details of the event remained unforthcoming and Mr Farage later posted photos online showing him strolling through Larkhall with Mr Lambie, untroubled by the scrutiny of the press. Perhaps Mr Farage was reticent to spend more time with my colleagues from the Holyrood lobby on Monday after an earlier press conference turned rather ugly. Last week, the Reform leader defended his partys creation of a Facebook ad which claimed Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had declared the needs of the Scottish Pakistani community his priority. Challenged over this untrue claim at a press conference in Aberdeen on Monday morning, Mr Farage doubled down, wrongly stating Mr Sarwar had said the south Asian community was 'going to take over the world'. Reform leader Nigel Farage laughs during a visit to Aberdeen Mr Farage's visit provoked a response from left wing protesters 'To be frank,' said the Reform leader, 'Mr Sarwar has a record of obsessing on this issue. There was the famous speech that he gave in the Scottish Parliament saying, why is the judiciary white? Why are, you know, these leading figures in Scotland white? 'It was the most extraordinary speech given the statistics and figures here. Actually, I think that speech that he gave was sectarian in its very nature.' This was both deeply unfair and wildly reckless. Mr Sarwar has always been a strong advocate for integration, for the breaking down of barriers between those of different races and religions. If he has talked pointedly about race, it has been to describe his personal experience. This is something he has done with courage and dignity. Mr Sarwars interventions on the subjects of race and religion have been thoughtful and constructive and his opponents across Holyrood would not disagree. What Mr Farage said will only fuel the anger of those who already despise Mr Sarwar for his race. None of that matters to Reform, of course. The truth of what Mr Sarwar may have said in the past was less important than an opportunity to exploit a much undiscussed aspect of Scotland - concern over immigration. Mr Farage is not screaming into the void when he addresses the issue of mass immigration A report published by Migration Policy Scotland last year revealed that more than 40 per cent of Scots would like to see a reduction in the numbers of immigrants permitted to enter and remain in the United Kingdom. This might be a minority but it is a substantial one and none of the mainstream parties have been willing to go anywhere near the concerns of these people. On Monday, Mr Farage may have deeply offended liberal sensibilities but he also spoke loudly and clearly to a lot of voters who feel ignored by both the SNP and Scottish Labour. For a long time, the approach adopted by Scottish politicians to tackling Mr Farage was to treat him as an irrelevance. He was nothing more than the living representation of the differences between Scottish and English 'values'. But, despite the best efforts of the SNP to shape a narrative of some fundamental difference between the moralities of the Scots and the English, on issues such as immigration people think very much alike, regardless of which side of the border they live on. Without pandering to the Reform leader, First Minister John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, and Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay will have to find way of talking to voters about some of the questions he raises. Mr Farage is not screaming into a void. Of course, every racist would like to see immigration reduced but that does not mean everyone who would like to see immigration reduced is a racist. If the leaders of the traditional parties do not make this distinction, they will continue to leave this issue ripe for exploitation by the populist right. Support for Reform is not, however, fuelled solely by anger over immigration. Nigel Farage is currently benefiting from the powerful, if rather nebulous, idea that he is the sort of person required to 'shake up' politics. In common with the late Alex Salmond, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and US President Donald Trump, Mr Farage has the status, among his supporters, of outsider. Hes the anti-establishment firebrand wholl put an end to the rotten politics that has failed them for years. John Swinney must, Im sure, recognise the dark irony of this. In the years before the SNP won its first Holyrood election in 2007, it carefully styled itself a fresh alternative to a stale Labour party that had lost touch with the people it represented. Nationalist leader Alex Salmond used the same rhetoric, of voters failed by the complacent parties of the mainstream, now so effectively deployed by Mr Farage. In a couple of days well know whether Reforms Ross Lambie has pulled off what would be the most astonishing election victory in the history of the Scottish Parliament. Both the SNP and Scottish Labour remain publicly confident they can take the seat, made vacant by the untimely death of sitting SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, but both are privately concerned about the extent to which Reform will eat up votes on which they could previously have depended. Election analyst Professor Sir John Curtice reckons the chances of a Reform victory on Thursday slender. He predicts an SNP hold, on a reduced majority. But Sir John warns Labour, if its vote share heavily declines, faces the humiliation of coming third behind Mr Farages party. Victory in this weeks by-election is not essential for Reform. With less than a year to go until the next Holyrood election, the party will be happy with a result that suggests momentum. As things stand, that looks all but guaranteed. Reform stands to pick up a number of Scottish Parliamentary seats next May. On current polling, no party would have an overall majority, leading to the prospect of any government having to depend, on some matters, on the votes of Reform MSPs. Having caused a political revolution as the leading figure in the Brexit campaign, Nigel Farage is now on the brink of wielding considerable power and influence in Scotland. Four people who were injured after a car was driven into crowds at Liverpools Premier League victory parade can today be named. Paul Doyle, 53, of West Derby, has been charged with seven offences in connection with the crash, which unfolded on Water Street at around 6pm on May 26. The horror saw a Ford Galaxy plough through hundreds of pedestrians - seeing more than 100 people injured. And now, four fans Doyle is alleged to have hurt have been named as reporting restrictions are lifted. He is accused of the unlawful wounding with intent of Simon Nash, 52, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent to Susan Passey, 77, and Christine Seeckts, 66, and the attempted GBH of Ethan Gillard, 18. An order preventing publication of their identities was put in place when Doyle first appeared before Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Friday. Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC today lifted those restrictions, which had been made under Section 46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. Doyle is charged with another count of wounding with intent and a second count of attempted GBH, which both relate to children, for whom reporting restrictions remain in place. Paul Doyle (above) has been charged with seven offences in connection with the crash, which took place on Water Street at around 6pm on May 26 when a Ford Galaxy ploughed through hundreds of pedestrians Doyle was not required to attend today's court hearing (Pictured: a court sketch of Doyle as he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court last week) The driver swiftly detained by police after the car eventually came to a halt on Monday He is also charged with dangerous driving after being alleged to have driven his car dangerously on roads between his home address in Burghill Road and Water Street. Doyle was not required to attend today's court hearing. On Friday, he appeared before magistrates in the morning, before a crown court appearance in the afternoon. Judge Menary fixed a trial date for November 24 and remanded the defendant in custody ahead of a plea hearing on August 14. Merseyside Police said yesterday that the number of people reported injured after the incident had risen to 109. Four people remained in hospital. Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses as they investigate the full circumstances of the Water Street horror. Liverpool fans had been celebrating their team's Premier League title just minutes before the incident The scene of devastation after a car drove into Liverpool fans during Premier League celebrations last week 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 public information portal can be accessed here. The SNP has been accused of putting outdated dogma above the interests of national security in a dramatic escalation of a war of words over defence spending. Holyrood ministers have refused to back down from the partys policy against funding companies involved in munitions manufacturing. In a letter to the First Minister, Labour MP Graeme Downie, accused him of willing to place outdated SNP dogma regarding the UK armed forces and defence sectors above the security of our country Downie, whose constituency is home to a number of UK defence contractors, said: If it is the policy of your government that public money should not be spent on ammunition and military equipment to defend our country, can I ask if you believe our armed forces should have equipment at all and, if so, how would you otherwise suggest this is funded? The row came after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to increase defence spending and make the UK battle ready, supporting more than 25,000 jobs in the sector in Scotland. But it emerged the Scottish Government was refusing financial support to a welding site in Glasgow because the project involved an attack submarine. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon told the BBC Sunday Show that public money should not be spent on ammunition or military equipment. She was defending the Scottish Governments failure to support the creation of thousands of jobs by Rolls-Royce, adding that the SNP had a long-standing policy against giving money to munitions companies. Sir Keir Starmer pledged to increase defence spending and make the UK battle ready Labour MP Graeme Downie hit out at 'outdated SNP dogma regarding the UK armed forces' A major row ensued with Rolls-Royce disputing that it is a munitions company, while John Healey, the Labour UK Government defence secretary, said he could hardly believe a Scottish nationalist government would stand in the way of skills development in Scotland. Yesterday Scottish Labour deputy leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, told the MSPs at Holyrood: The Scottish Governments position is frankly incoherent and their policy on state funded aid for defence is all over the place and applied selectively. She pointed out that the Government-owned shipyard Ferguson Marine is carrying out subcontractor work for the Royal Navys Type 26 frigate programme - arguing there are munitions on the frigate. Dame Jackie asked: What does the Government believe the Army, the Navy and the air force should defend the country with? Pea shooters, bows and arrows, a telling off? SNP business minister Richard Lochhead who was in the firing line said the SNP administration values the role of the defence sector north of the Border and had allocated 45million of support to defence companies through enterprise agencies. He said governments must take into account ethical considerations when funding the sector. SNP rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said that public money should not be spent on ammunition or military equipment Meanwhile, Mr Downie also raised serious concerns in his letter to the FM that Scottish ministers were routinely failing to acknowledge the importance of Scotlands defence industry and its workforce. He said: I am sure that these recent manoeuvres by your Ministers to undermine their work will be deeply felt and is something, I hope, you would wish to distance yourself from. A failure to do so would, sadly, lead me to the conclusion that you are and the opportunity to provide a pathway to highly skilled jobs across Scotland, particularly for young people from working class communities in constituencies such as mine. I hope you will see the inconsistency and ludicrous nature of the position adopted by the Cabinet Secretary over the weekend. Last year we revealed how SNP Ministers had failed to meet Babcock for three years. One of the UKs largest engineering firms it works on the Royal Navys Dreadnought Class nuclear submarines and runs a Naval yard at Rosyth, Fife. Both John Swinney and Kate Forbes neglected to attend the steel-cutting ceremony for the new HMS Formidable frigate - despite it representing a significant milestone in the construction of Type 31 frigates. Ministers were also absent from the steel-cutting ceremony for HMS Birmingham at BAE Systems Govan yard in April 2023, part of the 4.2billion Type 26 frigate programme. The row over Rolls-Royce, which is ready to support an enormous submarine welding centre in Glasgow, came after it was revealed a 2.5million grant from Scottish Enterprise was withheld due to a party ban on munitions funding. Steve Carlier, president of submarines at Rolls-Royce, warned the FM the project cannot continue without the public funding. A Scottish Government spokesman repeated its long-standing policy position is that it does not use public money to support the manufacture of munitions. He added: We recognise the importance of the aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors for Scotlands economy, and are committed to ensuring Scotland is the home of manufacturing and innovation. Ministers continue to engage with industries across the country, including the defence sector, as part of this work. We have received the letter and will respond in due course. Brittany Higgins has revealed she is returning to the workforce, joining the same company where her husband is employed. Ms Higgins is now the director of public affairs at the public relations agency Third Hemisphere, the Australian Financial Review reported. Her appointment came soon after her husband David Sharaz announced in March he had taken on the role of director at the agency. The pair are working from home as they juggle their roles with looking after their son Freddie who was born on March 2. It is the first full-time job for Ms Higgins since she was a ministerial media adviser and thrust into the limelight when she made rape claims against colleague Bruce Lehrmann. Following the trials, Ms Higgins became an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. Ms Higgins explained her move to Third Hemisphere came after fostering a connection with the firm's founder and CEO Hannah Moreno. Ms Moreno was also a rape and domestic violence survivor who campaigns for gender equality and fights against sexual harassment. Brittany Higgins has revealed she is returning to the workforce and joining the same company her husband is employed at Ms Higgins shared the news of her appointment on Instagram with the caption: 'Your girl is finally back in the workforce!' 'There was this general feeling of "how long do I have to be the story for?" At what point do I get to put it to rest... and have my own identity outside this narrative of Brittany Higgins,' Ms Higgins said. 'I also have a brand reputation and I don't want to align myself in a corporate sense with someone that could be doing something untoward. 'I had to join a team that I fundamentally believe in and which believes in the same things that I do.' Ms Higgins said the role would be her first steps in following her role models, including Governor-General Samantha Mostyn, Indigenous social activist and business executive Tanya Hosch and business executive Christine Holgate. In her role, Ms Higgins will work with clients on reputation management and strategic advocacy. She will also handle stakeholder engagement, media relations and public affairs initiatives which create public discussion. Ms Higgins shared the news of her appointment to Instagram on Wednesday with the caption: 'Your girl is finally back in the workforce!' In August 2021, Mr Lehrmann was identified as the Liberal Party staffer accused of raping Ms Higgins inside Parliament House in 2019. Ms Higgins explained her decision to join Third Hemisphere was cemented after fostering a connection with the firm's founder and CEO Hannah Moreno Her appointment comes just months after her husband David Sharaz announced in March he had taken on the role of director at the independent PR agency Ms Higgins had shared her alleged sexual assault with Channel 10 journalist Lisa Wilkinson in an interview aired on The Project. Lehrmann has always denied the allegations. Lehrmann faced the ACT Supreme Court in late 2022 but the case was dropped after a juror brought outside research into the deliberation room. A second trial was also aborted, citing concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health. In 2023, Lehrmann launched legal proceedings against Wilkinson and Channel 10, claiming he'd been defamed by The Project episode. The ruling in that lawsuit left Lehrmann in ruin with Justice Michael Lee finding that, on the balance of probabilities, he raped Ms Higgins. He has appealed the ruling with the case to go before the Federal Court of Australia in August. After quitting her role as Liberal Party media adviser, Ms Higgins worked on short-term contracts at the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria and the Queensland Human Rights Commission. She also signed a book deal with Penguin Random House in 2021 for a tell-all memoir about her time in Parliament and the moment Lehrmann allegedly raped her. The final 90,000-word autobiography was meant to hit shelves in 2022, but publishers placed it on indefinite hold due to legal issues - namely, because the trial against Mr Lehrmann fell over and he was never convicted. It emerged this week that Mr Lehrmann is working unpaid as a live-in nanny to the children of a close friend as he awaits further trials. Senator Lindsey Graham snapped back at billionaire Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk, after the tech titan shared a post alleging he was responsible for nearly a million dollars in spending on hotel rooms in Ukraine. Graham, R-S.C., landed in hot water with former top Trump White House ally Elon Musk Tuesday afternoon in a spectacular clash on social media. Musk reposted a tweet which accused Graham of spending $400,000 on hotel rooms in Ukraine. Social media influencer Nick Sortor made the original post with the allegations, which has amassed over 10 million views since just before 11 a.m. Tuesday morning. 'People love whining in my comment section when I say Congress takes a lot of vacations: 'They're not on vacation. They're working in their districts!' 'BULL****. Lindsey Graham was just PARTYING IN UKRAINE on OUR DIME. When did Lindsey Graham become the Senator from Ukraine??!' Sorotor concluded. Sortor's post also included a video of Senator Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) shaking hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend in Kiyv. A screenshot of a spending disbursement of $411,634 made by the U.S. Department of State to an organization in Ukraine, the International - Business Center Tov was also included in Sortor's post. Musk reposted Sortor's post, adding 'Why is the hotel bill so high? The room service must be incredible!' Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025 Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 30, 2025 Graham fired back at the allegations Tuesday afternoon with his own X post. 'Fake news. More BS. I'm all-in trying to help President @realDonaldTrump end this war and making sure Putin doesn't win. This isn't a travel expense report. It's a monthly contract between the State Department for U.S. diplomats in a war zone nothing to do with my trip' Graham tweeted from his official government account. Fake news. More BS. Im all-in trying to help President @realDonaldTrump end this war and making sure Putin doesnt win. This isnt a travel expense report. Its a monthly contract between the State Department for U.S. diplomats in a war zone nothing to do with my trip. https://t.co/pMyUV9uDct Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 3, 2025 Per data available on USA Spending, the International - Business Center Tov has received $8.59 million marked as hotel spending. The group has received money from the American government in 2023, 2024, and 2025. While the allegations continued to gain steam on social media Tuesday, Musk's own Grok AI classified the X boss's claims as misinformation. 'There's no evidence supporting claims of GOP spending on luxury hotels in Ukraine; such narratives may stem from misinformation. The idea that Congress spends 60% of their time on vacation is exaggerated, as they work about 133 days in session, with other time often spent on district duties,' a Grok reply to a post made by X user Matt Van Swol reads. @matt_vanswol is expressing frustration over the GOP's failure to act on proposed spending cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), linked to Elon Musk and the Trump administration. There's no evidence supporting claims of GOP spending on luxury hotels in Ukraine; Grok (@grok) June 3, 2025 Senator Graham has been one of Ukraine's most vocal advocates throughout the course of the nation's war with Russia, taking several trips to the country in recent years. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon accused Graham of working against the wishes of President Trump during his trips on an episode of his War Room podcast, which aired Monday. '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. You're stirring it up,' Bannon said. A trial date has been set for the man accused of murdering Samantha Murphy. Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, is set to face a Supreme Court trial on April 8, 2026. The trial is expected to last about six weeks and will be held in Ballarat, Victoria. Pre-trial arguments for the prosecution and defence are likely to begin as early as November 2025. Stephenson has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder. Ms Murphy, 51, vanished after leaving home to go for a run through the Canadian State Forest on Ballarat's eastern fringe on February 4, 2024. Despite numerous police and volunteer searches, the mother-of-three's body has never been found. Stephenson was taken from Melbourne Assessment Prison and walked through part of Enfield State Park, south of Ballarat, last month. A trial date has been set for the alleged murder of Samantha Murphy (pictured) Police searched Enfield State Park (pictured), south of Ballarat, last month but found no trace of Ms Murphy Detectives have not shared what led them to return to the search site. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Stephenson knows the whereabouts of Ms Murphy's body or that he was involved in her alleged murder. Stephenson was charged with murder a little over a month after Ms Murphy left her Eureka Street home. He is the son of local footy great, and former Richmond and Geelong AFL player, Orren Stephenson and was not known to the Murphy family. However, it's understood Stephenson attended St Francis Xavier Primary School at the same time Ms Murphy volunteered in its uniform shop. A former schoolmate recalled the accused murderer was a technology whizz. 'He was super into IT [Information Technology] and he was always tinkering with cars and tools and stuff - interested in mechanics and science,' he said. 'We both took part in a science fair [at school] and we were working on robots together. He would ask for teachers for extra time to go use the work rooms and tools.' Ms Murphy (pictured) vanished after going for a run on February 4, 2024, through the Canadian State Forest in regional Victoria Patrick Orren Stephenson (pictured) is expected to stand trial for about six weeks next year Friends considered Stephenson as the 'next Elon Musk' due to his passion about air pollution caused by the transport sector. 'I remember him talking about how he wanted to come up with a solution to make cars more environmentally friendly to reduce carbon emissions,' the schoolmate said. 'He seemed passionate about it like he would pursue it later in life. 'You know, like "Wow, he could be the next Elon Musk".' Ms Murphy's credit cards, driver's licence, and iPhone were found at the bottom of a dam in Buninyong in June last year. The phone, which was protected by a teal case, was reportedly in near-perfect condition. The discovery is considered the most significant public breakthrough in the investigation. Stephenson, an apprentice electrician, fronted Ballarat Magistrates Court via videolink earlier this year to plead guilty to a series of driving offences. Viewers were shocked to see the 24-year-old sporting a long beard, differing from his clean-shaven appearance at the time of his arrest. Stephenson pleaded guilty to drink, drug and careless driving and fined $2,500. Throughout British history, royal weddings have been extravagant affairs full of pomp and grandeur, but there has been one major exception to this tradition. Hundreds of miles away from the Royal Family, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson were married in a low-key wedding ceremony 88 years ago today. It was highly unusual, taking place in the shadow of Edward's abdication crisis, less than a month after the coronation of King George VI. The wedding was hastily planned, taking place a month and a day after Wallis's divorce from Ernest Simpson was finalised. Straying further from tradition, Wallis opted for a long, finger-hugging white wedding dress in the style of the period while Edward wore a civilian suit instead of a military uniform. Despite the opulent setting of the wedding in the Chateau de Cande in France, the couple looked far from happy in their official pictures. Royal photographer Cecil Beaton, who was behind the camera for the event, remarked that Edward had an 'essentially sad' look in his eyes. Meanwhile, royal author Jane Marguerite Tippett, in The Lost Memoir Of Edward VIII, wrote that Wallis and Edward looked back on the wedding without much fondness. Hundreds of miles away from the Royal Family, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson were married in France in a low-key wedding ceremony 88 years ago today Despite the opulent setting of the wedding in the Chateau de Cande in France, the couple looked far from happy in their official pictures The Duke and Duchess are seen on their wedding day alongside Edward's best man, Edward 'Fruity' Metcalfe (right) and businessman Hermann Rogers, whom Wallis later had an affair with In the memoir it was revealed that Wallis said that preparations for the wedding 'were not very gay'. Which is unsurprising considering the royal wedding was in stark contrast to those before it, taking place in a small ceremony with no one from the Royal Family present. Among the guests were Edward's best man, Major Edward 'Fruity' Metcalfe, along with his chauffeur and equerry. Businessman Hermann Rogers, whom Wallis fell in love with and had hoped to marry, also attended. Reverend J.A. Jardine officiated in defiance of Church of England rules surrounding divorcees with living former spouses. He was later defrocked and would go on to open the tacky 'Windsor Cathedral' in Hollywood. Edward had also been left furious by King George's refusal to grant Wallis the status of Her Royal Highness. He bitterly joked that it was a 'nice wedding present'. When his mother, Queen Mary, did not send him an actual gift, he told her that he was 'bitterly hurt and disappointed that you virtually ignored the most important event in my life.' The Duke and Duchess of Windsor walk down steps at the Chateau de Cande on their wedding day The royal wedding was in stark contrast to those before it, consisting of a small ceremony with no one from the Royal Family present Wallis in 1936. The Duchess played an important role in one of the greatest royal controversies of the 20th century A Faberge box that was sent as a gift by his younger brother Prince George, the Duke of Kent, was rejected by Edward, on the basis that his sibling had not shown any desire to deviate from the family's official stance towards him. Edward and Wallis's wedding venue was owned by millionaire Charles Bedaux, who was later frowned upon by the British and French intelligence services. The chateau boasted modern comforts that included a pipe organ costing $40,000 and a $15,000 telephone system. On the day itself, Wallis wore a blue wedding gown which she twinned with silk gloves made from the same material and a straw hat. She also wore an impressive diamond and sapphire brooch alongside a glittering sapphire wristband and earrings. Her second divorce - from shipbroker Ernest Aldrich Simpson - had been finalised only a month earlier. The Duke had originally wanted a royal chaplain to officiate at his wedding, but this desire was rapidly torpedoed by his brother, the King. His second choice had been the Reverend Martin Andrews, who presided over a parish in the Duchy of Cornwall. Edward and Wallis's wedding venue was owned by millionaire Charles Bedaux, who was later frowned upon by the British and French intelligence services The couple looked less than jolly in the official photos that were taken to mark their wedding In the end he had little choice but to go with Reverend Jardine, who was described as 'turbulent' by Edward's biographer Philip Ziegler and later stripped of his duties. Archbishop of Canterbury Cosmo Lang - who had been instrumental in sealing Edward's abdication - described Jardine as a 'seeker of notoriety'. He questioned how Edward - who had been King of England just months before - could have 'lost his dignity' to the extent that he asked 'a man of this sort to celebrate his marriage'. Jardine officiated in defiance of the Church of England, which until 2002 would not perform weddings of rulers to divorcees who had living former spouses. While Edward believed that in Jardine he had chosen well, this idea was somewhat punctured by the priest's subsequent tour of the United States, where he revealed all about the ceremony. The altar was what Ziegler described as a 'bogus renaissance chest adorned with plum caryatids'. Beaton took official photographs of the couple after they tied the knot. In his diary he described Edward's expression when his photo was taken as 'essentially sad, tragic eyes belied by impertinent tilt of nose.' The Daily Mail covered the marriage of the Duke of Windsor extensively He added that the former King had 'common hands - like a mechanic - weather-beaten and rather scaly and one thumbnail is disfigured.' Beaton had talked to Wallis at length and decided that she was a 'strong force', and 'intelligent within her vast limitations'. 'She has obviously a tremendous admiration for the Duke and considers him one of the greatest brains of our times. 'She admires his character, his vitality and is determined to love him, though I feel she is not in love with him.' As well as his best man, chauffeur and equerry, guests also included the Duke's hairdresser Charles Topper and Mrs Buchanan Merryman, Wallis's aunt. The service itself was composed of a French civil ceremony and then an Anglican counterpart conducted by Reverend Jardine was carried out ten minutes later. In both versions, Wallis promised to obey her husband. Incredibly, the Duke failed to kiss his bride in either the civil or religious ceremony, although there were tears in his eyes when he put Wallis's ring on her finger. Wallis and Edward dancing at a party in New York. The jet-setting couple were known for travelling around the world Despite the controversy that surrounded the wedding at the time, the Duke and Duchess received more than 3,000 telegrams and 30,000 letters of good wishes after their wedding. In a statement, the Duke said: 'The Duchess and I would like to thank all those who have so kindly sent us presents and good wishes on the occasion of our wedding. 'We shall never forget their friendly messages, which mean so much to us on this day.' Following their wedding the couple eventually settled in France in the so-called Villa Windsor on the outskirts of Paris. Here they led the life of the idle rich, attending parties in France and America and going on lavish holidays with close friends. Though she lacked the status of an actual queen, it was the kind of high life that American Duchess had always sought. But when the Duke died aged 77 in 1972, Wallis was left alone, bereft of the man who had worshipped her. The Queen, with whom she had had minimal contact in the decades since her husband's abdication, hosted her at Buckingham Palace when she arrived for his funeral. The two had previously met when Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip visited the Duke in Paris in his final days. Wallis was buried next to her husband at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore. The burial was attended by only the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Diana and eight of Wallis's aides and friends It was a sign of the Queen's willingness to put differences to one side for the sake of the greater good. When Wallis died over a decade later, her funeral service at Windsor's St George's Chapel was attended by senior royals including the Queen, Prince Philip and the Queen Mother. Her name was not mentioned during the service. The service lasted for less than half an hour and, in scenes strikingly similar to her wedding, it was stripped of nearly all the pomp and ceremony that usually marks a royal death. It was dubbed a 'royal reunion' at the time, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle united with the rest of the Royal Family for their first joint engagement in two years. But the Sussexes were kept apart from Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Charles and Camilla - and left separately. The Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at St Paul's Cathedral, which took place on this day three years ago, came at a frosty time for Harry and his family. He had reportedly hardly seen his father and brother since emigrating to California with Meghan. The Duke of Sussex had accused Charles of cutting him off financially and Meghan claimed an unnamed royal made a comment about Archie's skin tone before he was born during their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview the year prior. It was the first time Harry and Meghan had been on full public view alongside the Royal Family since they stepped down from official royal duties. Crowds cheered the pair as they arrived, with the couple smiling and waving, but both boos and cheers could be heard as they departed. And, although they would have known it had they seen their plummeting approval ratings in opinion polls, it was the first time they had to face up to the new reality that the public was turning against them. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive to attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II Harry was seated at the opposite side to his brother Prince William and the two did not speak at the St Paul's Cathedral service Harry was seen laughing and joking in his seat as he spoke with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie They arrived ten minutes before William and Kate and were seated to the right. When William and Kate arrived to loud cheers, they were whisked off to the left. The late Queen missed the historic event following a last-minute decision announced by Buckingham Palace after she experienced 'discomfort' during the Trooping the Colour parade the day before. The Duke of York was also absent after testing positive for Covid. Indicative of their new more minor position within the Royal Family, the Sussexes were seated in the second row, behind the Wessex family and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, with Harry next to Princess Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank and Meghan next to Princess Margaret's daughter Lady Sarah Chatto. Across the aisle, Charles and Camilla had seats beside them for William and Kate and the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence. Harry was seen appearing to enjoy a joke with someone seated across the aisle. Beatrice, sitting a few seats down from him, was also grinning in the same direction. But William was not pictured smiling throughout the ceremony and did not exchange words with his brother. Harry and Meghan previously told the Queen they would keep a low profile during the Jubilee celebrations and would only take part in official engagements. She reportedly 'ordered the family to come together' with 'no dramas' to overshadow the events. The service marked the 70th anniversary of the Queen's ascension to the throne The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (left) and the now Prince and Princess of Wales (right) outside St Paul's Cathedral on June 3, 2022 A source said at the time: 'It's a typically elegant solution as you would expect. The Queen wants her family there and they are still part of it. But in a carefully controlled fashion.' It was Harry and Meghan's first joint engagement with senior royals since the icy Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in March 2020 - shortly before they officially stepped down as senior royals. The Daily Mail reported that the couple were upset to learn that they would not be permitted to join the Queen and other family members in the main VIP party. Instead, they were told they would have to make their own way to their seats at the front of the abbey, alongside the Earl and the Countess of Wessex, before the arrival of other senior royals. William and Kate stepped in to defuse the situation and offered to join 'emotional' Harry and Meghan as they waited in their seats for the Queen, Charles and Camilla to arrive. But not before 2,000 orders of service had been signed off and printed, which very clearly - and rather embarrassingly - placed William and Kate firmly as entering with the main royal party. And it seems that their 11th-hour olive branch did not ease the ill-feeling within the feuding family. As Kate and William arrived to take their seats, Kate appeared to blank Harry and Meghan, while the two brothers exchanged only the most awkward of hellos. William and Kate had offered to join 'emotional' Harry and Meghan as they waited for the Queen and then-Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to arrive at the Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Service in 2020 Although Harry greeted his brother William with a smile, there was little interaction between them. The decision not to include the Sussexes was made by the Queen's office directly, led by her private secretary Edward Young, MailOnline reported. Prior to the Service of Thanksgiving for the Platinum Jubilee, the Queen had lunch with the Sussexes and other senior royals behind closed doors - and also met her great-granddaughter Lilibet for the first time. Harry and Meghan, who were staying at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor while visiting from California, were not allowed on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping the Colour parade, and instead watched proceedings from the Horse Guards Parade. Meanwhile, key workers, charity volunteers and members of the armed forces were invited to the Queen's Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's in recognition of their contribution to public life. Perhaps after these two tense events it was no surprise that Meghan would stop returning to the UK. Her relations with the Firm had been strained since she started dating Harry in the summer of 2016 before they creaked further after her wedding in 2018, and then finally reached a breaking point after the so-called Megxit of 2020. The Queen's funeral in September 2022 was the last time Meghan touched UK soil with the notoriously awkward walkabout further fracturing the wounded relationship between the families. Members of the Royal Family outside St Paul's Cathedral including Meghan,Harry and Zara Tindall The Queen's funeral was the last time Meghan touched UK soil, with the notoriously awkward walkabout further fracturing the wounded relationship between the families Since the seating incident in June 2022, Meghan and Harry have launched the Netflix series Harry & Meghan and With Love, Meghan. Meghan's lifestyle and cooking brand, As Ever, was officially launched in April 2025. Most recently the Duke of Sussex lost a legal challenge over the levels of security he and the family are entitled to while in the UK. Harry had been seeking to overturn a decision that had downgraded his security after he stopped being a working royal and moved to the US with Meghan and their two children - Archie, six, and Lilibet, three. In his sit down interview with the BBC shortly after losing his appeal, the Duke said he wanted to reconcile with his family, while alleging his father, King Charles, was not speaking with him. He said there had been 'so many disagreements' in the family, but the 'only thing that's left' is the row over his security - which he said had 'always been the sticking point'. Hopes of a reconciliation are unlikely as Harry continues to make public jabs at the Firm, which his grandmother, the late Queen, devoted her entire life to. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no strangers to cameras. The Duke of Sussex, 40, was brought out of the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital to hordes of paparazzi just hours after he was born in 1984, while the Duchess, 43, opted for a glittering career in television and spent seven years starring in the legal drama Suits. But not all of their appearances on the silver screen have been particularly welcomed by the couple, who stepped down from frontline royal duties in 2020. From The Windsors to Spitting Image and South Park, the Mail's Royal experts sat down to react to fictional representations of Harry and Meghan across TV and film on the new series Acting Royal. Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor, was joined by Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, and Charlotte Griffiths, the Editor at Large of the Mail on Sunday, for the second episode of the hit show, which is available on the Daily Mail Royal YouTube channel. Spitting Image (2021) First broadcast in 1984, Spitting Image was a British satirical television puppet show which often featured (and made fun of) the Royal Family. In an episode from 2021, an overjoyed Meghan shows her husband Harry an invite to the 'Obama Foundation Awards Gala'. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, as seen on the satirical show Spitting Image in 2020 On the red carpet of the Lion King premiere last July, the Duke of Sussex collared the powerful Disney chief Bob Iger and advertised Meghan's 'interest' in doing voiceover work The Duchess explains that the event may be her 'chance to convince' Michelle Obama that she can 'play the lead' in the blockbuster movie based on the former First Lady's biography Becoming. 'This really did happen,' Charlotte said. 'They really did try and go to events in Hollywood to try and get Meghan a job in the industry.' Later in the episode, the puppet-version of Harry attends the glitzy event, suggesting to Quentin Tarantino that Meghan would be 'great' in the role of Michelle. 'I do love resuscitating has-been's careers but I'm not a f***ing magician,' Tarantino replies. 'That's exactly what happened,' Charlotte said. 'Harry went up to Bob Iger and said, "Meghan would be great in your next film." I actually can't believe it happened now. 'God bless Spitting Image. They just get these things so right,' she added. Prince William (2002) Set at Balmoral Castle in 1997, the film opens with a young Prince William and Prince Harry finding out their mother Princess Diana has passed away in a car crash. The boys are seen scrambling around the royal residence looking for someone to explain what's going on. Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor watches Prince William (2002) Prince William and Prince Harry at the funeral of their mother Princess Diana in September 1997 In Spare, Prince Harry describes being woken up by his father to news of his mother's death 'Has something bad happened?' a young Harry, played by Eddie Cooper, asks a staff member. The princes are eventually told by their father Prince Charles that Diana 'is gone' and they collapse into his arms crying. 'This clearly didn't happen,' Rebecca said. 'As we know from Harry himself, both he and William were asleep and their father woke them up. 'In Spare, Harry talked about how his father did impart the news to them personally but they didn't get any hugs and that's what they needed as children.' She added: 'There are things that are very basically wrong such as the idea that William and Harry were woken up by noise in Balmoral Castle and staff had warned them that something was going on. 'My understanding certainly from Harry's own account is that's not what happened,' she added. 'They were woken up personally by their father.' Harry In Court (2024) While watching the court reenactment clip from Sky News, Rebecca described it as 'one of my favourite depictions of Harry on film ever.' Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, watches the reconstruction of Prince Harry's court case in 2023 Sky News set up a reconstruction of Prince Harry at the hearing of a lawsuit against the Daily Mirror newspaper in June 2023 'The trouble is in the UK we don't actually allow cameras in our courtrooms apart from very rare circumstances which is a judge, for example, delivering a sentencing in a particularly unique case.' 'This is one of Harry's many court cases,' Richard explained to the cameras. 'I think this was one of his cases against the Daily Mirror newspaper where he had been pursuing them over illegal methods used in the past. It was a case which he largely won. 'So this is an actor repeating Harry's words to give a sense of what it is was like when he was giving testimony in court. 'I think this actor frankly was more impressive than Harry himself,' Richard added. 'I think the way he speaks and carries himself. 'I'm sure his testimony is much more convincing than Harry's actually was in court.' Saturday Night Live (2018) Just hours after Harry married Meghan at St George's Chapel on May 19, 2018, Saturday Night Live put their own spin on the royal wedding in their season finale. 'What's up? It's your boy Harry Windsor aka Ron Sleaz-ley,' comedian Mikey Day says as he stands in a ballroom in military uniform. Rebecca reacts to the Saturday Night Live sketch about Harry and Meghan's royal wedding in 2018 Charlotte Griffiths, the Editor at Large of the Mail on Sunday, described the sketch as 'spot on' 'When I knew Harry very briefly, he was actually like this,' Charlotte revealed. 'He was really fun and really silly and he would be like, "what's up?" 'So spot on, I would say.' Adding her own opinion, Rebecca said: '[Day] almost had an Australian twang to the way he spoke I thought in that. 'This clip depicts what we all would have loved to have seen in person and no one had a chance to which is what it was like inside the wedding of Harry and Meghan. 'The one thing that did ring true is the Harry character,' she added, 'wearing a very lifelike uniform, I have to say.' Spitting Image (1993) At the 'height of the breakdown of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's relationship', Spitting Image released a skit featuring puppet versions of Harry and William 'joyriding' with their aide. After crashing into the gates of Buckingham Palace, puppet William tells the police officer: 'It's not our fault.' Richard found the car crash scene in Spitting Image to be 'distasteful' Meanwhile, Rebecca found it to be 'very funny and, according to people who knew the princes at the time, 'pretty spot on' To which Harry adds: 'We come from a broken home.' Richard found the crash to be 'a bit tasteless' given what we know happened to the boys' mother Princess Diana four years later in 1997. But drawing on her 20 years of experience reporting on the royals, Rebecca said: 'An actual fact, they had ordered a member of staff to take them out joyriding. 'This does tie in with what some of the police protection officers said from the time is that when they got caught out after crashing into the gates at Buckingham Palace, they were like, "oh no, you can't blame us. We're just poor little princes from a broken home." 'Very funny, very smart, pretty cruel, but according to people at the time, pretty spot on too.' The Windsors (2020) Introducing The Windsors as the 'greatest royal spoof programme', Charlotte said she has 'been addicted to it for years. First broadcast on Channel 4 in 2016, it is a parody of the British Royal Family and the House of Windsor. Charlotte hailed The Windsors as the 'great royal spoof programme' and one she has been 'addicted to for years' Kathryn Drysdale plays Meghan in The Windsors alongside Richard Goulding as Prince Harry In the episode watched by the Mail's Royal experts, Prince Harry, played by Richard Goulding, is gifted a colouring book to which he exclaims: 'I love this series and I am getting really good at staying inside the lines.' 'I love The Windsors' Rebecca said. 'Don't just take my word for it, this has royal approval. 'The programme is adored by the staff within Buckingham Palace, I can promise you that. 'I know it has even been watched by more than one member of the Royal Family as well.' She added: 'It is cult viewing within both the Royal Family and Buckingham Palace because they can see how genuinely funny it is.' South Park (2023) Broadcast in February 2023, The Worldwide Privacy Tour episode of depicts a visit to the town of South Park by the 'Prince of Canada' and his wife, who say they are seeking privacy and seclusion. Arriving on the set of Good Morning Canada with a book to promote, the prince holds aloft a placard reading 'We want privacy', while the princess's banner reads: 'Stop looking at us.' Following the release of Harry's tell-all memoir Spare in early 2023, the American sitcom South Park, known for its satirical and surreal humor, made a jab at the Sussexes In the episode, Meghan and Harry are depicted as a red-headed prince and his wife from Canada who become frustrated with public attention after a family feud 'I remember when this came out,' Charlotte said, 'it really summed up what everyone was thinking about Meghan and Harry but weren't yet particularly saying so much which is the hypocrisy of Megxit and leaving the Royal Family. Agreeing with Charlotte, Rebecca said: 'The South Park Worldwide Privacy Tour episode was actually a seminal piece of royal reporting. 'It summed up in one kind of devastatingly brilliant episode how much their lives had changed, how much Harry and Meghan had fallen in public opinion. 'I would argue that it did more to seal their reputation with the general public than any piece of journalism that we have seen in the last few years. 'At the time Harry and Meghan tried to put a brave face on it and suggest that they understood as public figures they found it funny and they should take it in their stride. 'But from everything we heard, they were absolutely devastated by it because it had cut through with the public in a way that we had not seen anything else have. 'The makers of the cartoon really got to the crux of what people were feeling that this couple were storming out of the Royal Family because they said they couldn't handle the public attention and needed more privacy at the same time as effectively selling themselves on a global stage to the highest bidder. 'It captured that hypocrisy brilliantly,' she added. Rebecca praise the South Park episode as 'a seminal piece of royal reporting' Richard said: 'Even in America, his adopted home, he has been someone who is, let's be frank about this, being laughed at on television programmes. 'I'm not sure that's what Harry and Meghan envisioned at all when they moved to the USA.' To watch more of our experts' reactions to depictions of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on screen, watch the second episode of Acting Royal now and subscribe to the Daily Mail's Royal YouTube channel. In June 2012, one of the most dazzling highlights of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations unfolded on the River Thames. A spectacular river pageant set a world record, with 1,000 vessels sailing from Battersea to Tower Bridge - marking one of the largest flotillas ever assembled in London. Despite the rain, tens of thousands of well-wishers lined the banks of the Thames to witness the grand maritime procession. A vibrant display of rowboats, working boats and pleasure vessels of every shape and size, all adorned in their finest regalia, brought the river to life. As always, Queen Elizabeth II made a striking sartorial statement. Her outfit for the occasion - almost two years in the making - was a collaborative masterpiece led by her senior dresser, Angela Kelly, and her team. Ms Kelly found inspiration in the grandeur of Queen Elizabeth I's wardrobe and tailored the ensemble to suit both the historic event and the royal barge's vibrant setting. In her book Dressing the Queen, Ms Kelly shares: 'I thought about the sort of costumes that Queen Elizabeth I used to wear, which were often richly jewelled on a white background. In June 2012, one of the most dazzling highlights of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations unfolded on the River Thames 'White was also important because I knew that on board the barge the Queen would be surrounded by strong reds on the carpets, upholstery and canopy.' For this unique occasion, Elizabeth wore a white boucle dress with a matching coat, intricately embroidered in silver, gold and ivory spots, and adorned with Swarovski crystals to reflect the water. The coat was finished with a silk organza frilled trim, which also served a practical purpose in the inclement weather. Her coordinating hat featured a swept-up brim and was crafted from the same fabric as the coat. It was further embellished with hand-dyed feathers - coloured at Buckingham Palace by a member of Ms Kelly's team - and more silk organza and crystals, giving it a distinctive and regal flair. Unfazed by the dreary weather, Elizabeth appeared in high spirits. Kelly reflects: 'We never imagined that the weather would turn out so badly, but I am glad that we gave the Queen some protection from the wind and rain with the frill that ran round the coat's neckline and down its front, and the matching white cashmere pashmina.' The overall ensemble evoked the image of Britannia, a fitting tribute to the sovereign of a great maritime nation. Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, complemented the Queen in an elegant cream outfit designed by Anna Valentine, paired with a hat by Philip Treacy. In contrast, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stood out in a vivid red Alexander McQueen dress - originally from the brand's pre-Fall 2011 collection. For this unique occasion, Elizabeth wore a white boucle dress with a matching coat, intricately embroidered in silver, gold and ivory spots, and adorned with Swarovski crystals to reflect the water Her coordinating hat featured a swept-up brim and was crafted from the same fabric as the coat. It was further embellished with hand-dyed feathers - coloured at Buckingham Palace by a member of her design team Prince Harry, Catherine and Prince William were also on board the royal barge Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, complemented the Queen in an elegant cream outfit designed by Anna Valentine, paired with a hat by Philip Treacy. In contrast, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stood out in a vivid red Alexander McQueen dress Senior members of the Royal Family shielded themselves from the elements under the canopy The spectacular river pageant set a world record, with 1,000 vessels sailing from Battersea to Tower Bridge - marking one of the largest flotillas ever assembled in London Despite the rain, tens of thousands of well-wishers lined the banks of the Thames to witness the grand maritime procession Queen Elizabeth's overall ensemble evoked the image of Britannia, a fitting tribute to the sovereign of a great maritime nation The dress was modified with sleeves and a longer hemline to suit royal protocol. She completed her look with a floral hat by Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co. The Royal Family made their journey aboard the Spirit of Chartwell, a barge lavishly decorated with gilded carvings and adorned with 10,000 fresh flowers. As the flotilla neared Tower Bridge, the rain intensified, yet the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal College of Music Chamber Choir continued their programme of patriotic music to the very end. That memorable day also marked the public launch of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, a charitable initiative focused on supporting good causes across the UK and the Commonwealth, with a particular focus on young people. Back in September 2023, scientists around the world were baffled by a bizarre seismic signal that repeated every 90 seconds for nine days. Now, almost two years later, scientists have confirmed the root cause of this bizarre phenomenon. Using novel satellite technology, experts from the University of Oxford have shown that the strange signal was caused by a 650ft (200 metre) mega-tsunami. This colossal wave was triggered by the collapse of a 3,937ft (1,200 metre) mountain into the remote Dickson Fjord in Greenland, unleashing 25 million cubic metres of rock and ice. The huge wave became trapped in the Fjord, bouncing back and forth in the form of a standing wave or 'seiche'. Lead author Thomas Monahan, Schmidt AI in Science Fellow at Oxford University, told MailOnline: 'The standing wave itself was massive. 'We estimate it to initially be 7.9 metres in height - that is an enormous wall of water bouncing back and forth. 'An estimate of the force that exerts over the length of the fjord is 500 Giga Newtons, which is equivalent to the amount of force produced by 14 Saturn V rocket ships launching at once, and was enough to shake the earth for days.' Scientists have proven that a mysterious seismic event which shook the Earth for nine days in September and October 2023 was caused by an enormous mega-tsunami. New satellite data (pictured) captures this for the first time The colossal wave was triggered by the collapse of a 3,937ft (1,200 metre) mountain into the remote Dickson Fjord in Greenland Part of what made the 2023 seismic event so mysterious was that no one directly observed the tsunami in order to prove it was the source of the vibrations. Even a Danish military vessel visiting the fjord in the days after the tsunami was unable to see any evidence of a standing wave. This was because the wave rapidly reduced in height even as it continued to produce seismic signals. Starting at around 23ft (seven metres) in height by the time it had crossed the 6.2-mile (10km) extent of the Dickson Fjord, the standing wave had become just centimetres tall after a few days. Combined with the fact that the military didn't know what they were looking for, this meant the wave went completely unobserved. Now, in a new paper published in Nature Communications, Mr Monahan and his colleagues have used novel satellite technology to make the first observations of the mega-tsunami. The scientists used 'satellite altimetry data', which works out the height of the Earth's surface by measuring how long it takes for radar signals to bounce off the surface. Due to the long gaps between observations, normal satellite altimetry isn't able to measure precisely enough to capture something like a wave. The tsunami damaged the nearby research base at Ella Island (pictured) several kilometres away before becoming trapped in the fjord as a standing wave The standing wave bounced back and forth across Dickson Fjord from the landslide location with as much force as 14 Saturn V rocket ships launching at once, shaking the Earth for days However, the researchers used data captured by the new Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite launched in 2022. SWOT uses two antennae held on either side of a 33ft (10 metre) arm which work together to make extremely accurate measurements. This dataset covers over 90 per cent of the Earth's surface, allowing scientists unprecedented views of the world's waterways. Mr Monahan says: 'Unlike previous satellites, SWOT provides detailed two-dimensional measurements of sea surface height, down to the centimetre, across the entire globe, including in hard-to-reach areas like fjords, rivers, and estuaries. 'Because SWOT can "see" into remote regions from space, it gave us an unprecedented view into Dickson Fjord during the seiche events in September and October. 'By capturing high-resolution images of sea-surface height at different times, we could estimate how the water surface tilted during the wave in other words, the slope of the seiche.' The researchers then combined these observations with seismic data taken from thousands of miles away to reconstruct the size and characteristics of the waves. Additionally, the researchers reconstructed the local weather and tide conditions to confirm that the wave could not have been caused by anything other than a massive landslide. The researchers used data from the SWOT satellite (artist's impression), which uses radar to measure ground elevation with centimetre-level accuracy. This allowed for the first direct observation of the standing wave that caused the seismic event The collapse which caused the tsunami was triggered when climate change weakened the surrounding glacier. The researchers say that new tools will be needed to monitor extreme events like this as climate change continues to affect the world Last week, a glacier partially collapsed covering most of the village of Blatten, Switzerland Between 19 and 28 May, several million cubic meters of rock fell from the Kleines Nesthorn mountain above Blatten, forming a nine-million-tonne debris cone on the Birch Glacier and destroying 90 per cent of the village Co-author Professor Thomas Adcock, of the University of Oxford, says: 'This study is an example of how the next generation of satellite data can resolve phenomena that has remained a mystery in the past. 'We will be able to get new insights into ocean extremes such as tsunamis, storm surges, and freak waves.' These abilities will become even more valuable in the future as climate change creates more freak disasters like the 2023 tsunami. As the climate gets hotter, glacial collapses will become more common and put more lives at risk. Research conducted by University College London in 2024 found that the collapse occurred because a warming climate had weakened the surrounding glacier. Dickson Fjord is a popular route for tourist cruise ships and, had a ship been in the fjord at the time, the impact could have been devastating. Last week flood waters created by the partial collapse of the Birch glacier in Switzerland destroyed 90 per cent of the nearby village of Blatten amidst fears that more villages could still be at risk. Mr Monahan says: 'Climate change is giving rise to new, unseen extremes. These extremes are changing the fastest in remote areas, such as the Arctic, where our ability to measure them using physical sensors is limited.' As the US prepares to send astronauts back to the moon, a CIA file has resurfaced that claims to have found life there more than 25 years ago. In the 1970s and 80s, the CIA conducted experiments with individuals who claimed they could perceive information about distant objects, events, or people, a process known as 'remote viewing.' The experience of remote viewer Ingo Swann was first revealed in 1998 when he explained how his psychic episode took him to the dark side of the moon, a region that always faces away from Earth and out of sight from human eyes. That's where the remote reviewer made a shocking discovery: towers, buildings, and human-like aliens working at a secret complex on the moon's surface. Disturbingly, Swann said government officials knew the aliens had a base there, and these humanoids could actually sense his presence as he viewed them with his mind from 238,000 miles away. He claimed that a race of aliens that 'looked exactly like us' erected several giant towers on the moon. One was the size of the United Nations building in New York. Swann, who died in 2013, made the shocking claims in his book 'Penetration: The Question of Extraterrestrial and Human Telepathy' released in 1998. Despite Swanns detailed claims, there has never been any tangible proof of alien bases or life on the moon discovered by lunar missions led by the US, Russia, China, Japan, and India. Ingo Swann was a key member of Project Stargate, a secret CIA program using psychics to spy on distant locations during the Cold War The moon's 'dark side' is always facing away from Earth, making it extremely difficult to know what's happening here The famed member of Project Stargate, the CIA's remote viewing operation created in the 1970s, said that this amazing incident was not part of his regular work with the top secret program. Swann wrote how he received a phone call in February 1975 from intelligence agents in Washington DC, asking for his help with another secret project. A meeting was set up between Swann and a mysterious government operative known as Mr Axelrod. Swann had a hood placed over his head and was instructed not to speak or ask any questions as he was taken by helicopter to an underground base. Once there, Mr Axelrod gave the remote viewer a very simple task: 'We want you to go to the Moon for us, and describe what you see.' However, Swann was also told that he could not reveal anything he saw in that vision for 'at least 10 years.' When the CIA operative-turned-author was finally able to share his psychic vision, the description he gave was jaw-dropping. 'I found towers, machinery, lights of different colors, strange-looking buildings,' Swann wrote in the 1998 tell-all. 'I found bridges whose function I couldn't figure out. There were a lot of domes of various sizes,' he continued. Swann's book Penetration recounts the secret remote viewing incident that focused on the moon, as US intelligence agents allegedly were looking for clues as to what aliens were doing there Swann claimed he saw human-like aliens drilling into the moon's craters as part of a mining operation of some sort Swann noted that the aliens appeared to be all male and did not wear any clothing. They were digging holes into the moon's craters during some kind of mining or earth-moving operation. One thing he did not expect to see was two of the aliens spotting his consciousness viewing the secret moon base. 'Two of them pointed in my direction,' Swann explained. 'How could they do that unless they have some kind of high psychic perceptions, too?' It was at that moment Mr Axelrod ended the remote viewing session he recruited Swann for. However, Swann revealed that the news of an alien takeover on the moon did not phase Axelrod or other intelligence officials. The remote viewer then questioned his recruiters about why NASA or the US military haven't gone back to the moon since 1972. His questions stumbled upon the unnerving truth: 'They somehow have told you to stay away. That's why you are resorting to psychic perceptions. They are not friendly, are they?' Swann asked Axelrod. The operative reportedly told him that he was 'approximately correct but not completely so.' NASA has not conducted a manned moon mission since 1972. Swann's remote viewing session allegedly took place in 1975, 3 years after humans gave up on traveling to the moon Swann's remote viewing revelations now bring a serious question to the Trump Administration's renewed focus on sending astronauts to space instead of robots: what will we find on the moon? On May 1, the Trump Administration slashed $6 billion that would have paid for research, operations on the International Space Station, and future missions, including the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. At the same time, the cuts will allow NASA to allocate over $1 billion to manned space missions, ensuring 'that America's human space exploration efforts remain unparalleled, innovative, and efficient.' The White House proposal emphasizes the importance of NASA beating China back to the moon and putting the first humans on Mars, with the latter being the overarching goal of Elon Musk's spaceflight company, SpaceX. Here on Earth, congress continues to hold public hearings regarding the potential presence of extraterrestrial life in space, on Earth, and potentially on the moon. A phone secretly smuggled out of North Korea has revealed the shocking lengths Kim Jong-Un's oppressive regime goes to keep their subjects in line. Although it looks like a standard mobile, the North Korean handset is part of the dictatorship's efforts to censor information sharing and keep citizens in the dark about the world outside the hermit state. The modified devices include a 'scary' screenshot feature which monitors users' every move, a BBC investigation has revealed. Software automatically takes a screenshot every five minutes and locks the snips in a folder that users themselves can't access and can only be seen by the hardline authorities. This allows North Korea's 'youth crackdown squads' to ensure citizens haven't been searching for illegal information or sharing anything critical of the government. In another Orwellian feature, the phone even prevents the user from typing certain popular South Korean terms. For example, the South Korean word 'oppa', which literally means 'big brother' but is used as a slang term for 'boyfriend', is automatically replaced by the word for 'comrade'. After replacing the word, the phone issues a big brother-style warning to the user saying: 'This word can only be used to describe your siblings'. Although it appears like a standard phone from the outside, the North Korean handset is part of the dictatorship's efforts to keep its citizens in the dark A North Korean soldier looks out from behind barbed wire at a camp A South Korean soldier, left, experiences what it is like to be held in a North Korean cell at the Korean War exhibition in Seoul in 2010 Kim Jong Un (pictured), North Korea's dictatorial ruler, has implemented stricter controls over what information North Koreans can access and what they are allowed to say A BBC investigation into the device revealed a sinister screenshot feature which captured the user's activity every five minutes, placing the recordings in a folder only accessible by the authorities Using the device, the BBC found that even the word for South Korea, 'Nampan', was automatically edited to say 'puppet state' - the government's term for South Korea. The phone, which was smuggled out of the country in 2024 by the news organisation Daily NK, is the latest example of how much control Kim Jong Un exercises over his citizens. Failure to display sufficient reverence for the country's leadership is considered a grave offence, punishable by fines, imprisonment, or even execution. North Korean authorities have repeatedly cracked down on users of Chinese-made mobile phones, with hundreds of people arrested in 2021, according to news website Daily NK. Those arrested were reportedly sent to prison camps, where they were subjected to torture methods including being hung from the ceiling, given electric shocks and sexual assaults. In 2021, a South Korean human rights organisation documented 23 public executions in the rogue state and featured testimony from North Korean defectors who were forced to watch executions alongside the family members of the condemned. One witness told the the Seoul-based Transitional Justice Working Group, the organisation behind the report, that the executions were used as a warning from the state, with students and workers being ordered to watch. 'Even when there was fluid leaking from the condemned person's brain,' they told researchers, 'people were made to stand in line and look at the executed person in the face as a warning message.' Seven executions were punishments for watching or distributing South Korean media, such as K-pop, according to the report. North Korea strictly limits access to the global internet and all media including newspapers, radio, and television stations are owned and controlled by the state. A North Korean defector, left, wears a mask playing the role of North leader Kim Jong Il is "executed" by his fellows playing firing squad during a rally held against pro-North Korean groups in Seoul, in 2010 However, some South Korean organisations are currently locked in a secretive information war with the oppressive regime. Each night, small broadcasters and non-profits transmit information over the border on short and medium-wave radio frequencies. Additionally, thousands of USB sticks and micro-SD cards are smuggled into North Korea each month. These contain South Korean music, television shows and movies alongside more dangerous information such as educational materials about democracy. The goal is to undermine the government's narrative about the outside world by showing how wealthy, happy, and free people are in South Korea. This comes after Kim Jong Un banned the use of South Korean words, implementing the restriction in North Korean-made devices Things banned in North Korea Owning or distributing South Korean films and television shows. Using South Korean words or speaking with a South Korean accent. Wearing a white wedding dress. Having a South Korean haircut. Wearing 'un-revolutionary' clothing such as sunglasses or jeans. Making international calls. Accessing foreign media and news. Possessing a shortwave radio. Criticising the government or making jokes about Kim Jong Un. Advertisement Those risking their lives to get this information into the country say that it has a real impact on the North Koreans who get a glimpse of the outside world. Sokeel Park, whose organisation Liberty in North Korea works to distribute this content, told the BBC: 'Most recent North Korean defectors and refugees say it was foreign content that motivated them to risk their lives to escape.' In response, Kim Jong Un has stepped up his crackdown on culture with a particular focus on South Korean influences. Starting in the pandemic he ordered the installation of electric fences on the border with China, which makes it harder to smuggle goods into the country. In 2020, the punishments for those caught consuming or distributing foreign information were increased. One law stated that anyone found distributing foreign media could be imprisoned or even executed. Then, in 2023, Kim Jong Un made it a crime for people to use South Korean phrases or speak in a South Korean accent. These restrictions were swiftly implemented into the software of devices produced in the country, such as the smuggled smartphone, to prevent anyone from using popular South Korean terms. Thousands of USB sticks and SD cards containing South Korean television shows, music, and movies are smuggled over the North Korean border (pictured) each month. But Kim Jong Un is now cracking down on this practice with harsher punishments for those caught with foreign media Martyn Williams, a senior fellow at the Washington, DC-based Stimson Center and an expert in North Korean technology and information, says: 'Smartphones are now part and parcel of the way North Korea tries to indoctrinate people.' Following these recent crackdowns, Mr Williams warns that North Korea is 'starting to gain the upper hand' in the information war. Kang Gyuri, 24, who escaped from North Korea in late 2023 told the BBC that so-called 'youth crackdown squads' patrol the streets to monitor young people's behaviour. These squads would confiscate her phone and check her messages to see if she had been using any South Korean terms. Ms Kang also says she was aware of young people who had been executed for being found with South Korean content on their devices. If you use apps such as Deliveroo and Uber, you might want to think twice about giving the delivery driver a hard time. A new study by scientists at the University of Cambridge lays bear the misery of being a food delivery worker or ride-hailing driver in Britain. More than two-thirds of riders and drivers in UK's 'gig economy' suffer anxiety over long hours and bad ratings, the experts report. Meanwhile, three-quarters have anxiety over fears that their pay typically below the UK minimum wage is going to fall. Lead study author Dr Alex Wood from Cambridges Department of Sociology said riders and drivers 'have little in the way of rights or bargaining power'. 'Delivery and ride-hailing platforms combine manual work with tight algorithmic management and digital surveillance,' he said. 'Platform companies call themselves tech firms, but in practice they govern, control and profit from labour they claim not to own, without bearing employer responsibility. 'If your job is at the mercy of a quick click on a stranger's phone, it is likely to fuel a constant hum of uncertainty and anxiety, along with feelings of being judged, monitored and replaceable.' Two-thirds of riders and drivers for food delivery and ride-hailing apps in the UK get anxiety over the prospect of unfair feedback and sudden changes to working hours. The new research included workers for food delivery app Deliveroo and ride-hailing app Uber In a survey workers, 65 per cent of riders and drivers reported feeling either fairly or very anxious over unexpected changes to working hours. Not all workers answered all the questions, hence there is some variation in the numbers of respondents The study focused on job quality in the UK's 'gig economy' the labour market characterised by short-term contracts or freelance work, rather than permanent jobs. Gig economy workers operate as self-employed contractors who sign up for work on digital platforms such as Uber, Deliveroo, Amazon Flex and Upwork. These digital platforms typically match the workers with customers and pay a base rate per job, with higher rates at peak times or 'surges'. 'All manner of gig work has exploded in recent years, from delivering food to building websites,' said Dr Wood. 'Many of us now summon people and labour at the tap of a smartphone screen without much thought, rarely considering the process or the people behind it.' Between March and June 2022, Dr Wood and colleagues surveyed 510 gig economy workers in the UK about different feelings towards their role. Of the total, 257 were defined as 'local' platform workers those tied to locations such as delivery riders for the likes of Deliveroo, Uber and Amazon Flex. The remaining 253 were 'remote' platform workers whose labour is digital and so can remote work from anywhere, on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Gig economy workers are defined as 'local' when their work is dependent on location, such as Uber and Deliveroo (pictured) What are delivery drivers anxious about? Unexpected changes to hours : 65% of local workers are anxious about this, versus 40% of remote workers : 65% of local workers are anxious about this, versus 40% of remote workers Future changes making skill use difficult : 64% local vs. 46% remote : 64% local vs. 46% remote Future changes reducing control over how job is done : 74% local vs. 40% remote : 74% local vs. 40% remote Future changes reducing pay : 75% local vs. 59% remote Advertisement In all, 65 per cent of local workers reported feeling either 'fairly anxious' or 'very anxious' about future unexpected changes to working hours, compared with 40 per cent for remote workers. An even greater proportion of local workers 74 per cent were at all anxious about having less say over how their job is done, compared with 40 per cent for remote workers. Also, more local workers reported anxiety over the potential for pay to fall (75 per cent compared to 59 per cent of remote workers). And 64 per cent were anxious about it becoming more difficult for them to use their skills going forward due to the fear of automation, for example compared with 46 per cent for remote. Another part of the research uncovered 'very high' levels of insecurity among respondents in terms of feeling there was a chance of losing their ability to make a living and becoming unemployed as well as other types of work-related insecurity. For example, 68 per cent of local platform workers said they feared receiving 'unfair feedback that impacts their future income'. Just over half of local workers (51 per cent) said they risked physical health or safety, nearly five times higher than remote workers (11 per cent). And 43 per cent said they suffer physical pain resulting from work, compared with about 13 per cent for remote workers. This image reveals levels of agreement/disagreement with survey items: (A) decide start time; (B) useful work; (C) risk health & safety; (D) pain due to work; and (E) fear unfair feedback When asked 'how often does your job involve working to tight deadlines?', 22 per cent of local workers responded 'all the time', compared with 4 per cent for remote workers Local workers also reported spending an average of 10 hours a week waiting for jobs to come through on the app, compared with four hours for remote workers. But regardless of how long they're doing this for, the gig economy experience means they logged on and technically working but not making any money, according to the researchers. However, they admit that gig economy workers have flexibility and a level of independence that permanent workers don't get. The study, published in the journal Work, Employment and Society, is the first to provide statistical data on job quality in the UK's 'gig economy'. 'Attempts to investigate working conditions in the UK gig economy have been hampered by the difficulty of identifying and accessing people doing the work,' said co-author Professor Brendan Burchell, sociologist at the University of Cambridge. 'Classifying someone as self-employed doesnt change the fact they can be economically dependent and exploited.' An Uber spokesperson said: 'More drivers and couriers are choosing to earn on Uber in the UK than ever before and we know that the vast majority are satisfied with their experience. 'The Uber app reviews real-time information to provide the best price to appeal to the drivers or couriers in the area, helping to minimise waiting times for customers and maximise earnings. 'We regularly engage with drivers and couriers to look at how we can improve their experience.' A Deliveroo spokesperson said: 'Were proud to provide the flexible work riders repeatedly tell us they value most, along with attractive earnings opportunities, with thousands of rider applications received each week. 'We were the first major delivery platform to enter into a voluntary partnership with the GMB Union, and have led the industry by introducing vital protections like insurance and sickness cover. 'Deliveroo does not operate many of the features mentioned in this report. Riders are self employed, free to choose when, where and how long they work for, without any impact on future work offered through us.' Mount Etna unleashed a spectacular eruption yesterday afternoon which sent tourists fleeing for their lives. Now, incredible satellite images reveal the moment Europe's most active volcano spewed a gigantic plume of ash four miles (6.5km) into the sky. The terrifying photos were captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite as it passed overhead just minutes after the eruption began. Although the eruption ultimately proved to be harmless, these images reveal the immense destructive potential of the 10,800ft (3,300 metres) volcano. At 11:24am local time, experts believe that a large part of the southeastern crater collapsed, triggering an avalanche of rock and ash known as a pyroclastic flow. In the before and after images, you can clearly see how the eruption sent a vast plume of ash into the air covering a large area with fresh ash. In the photos, the dense cloud of ash rising from the summit crater is partially covered by a 'pyrocumulus cloud', a type of storm cloud formed by the intense heat of volcanic eruptions. Meanwhile, infrared imagery captured the intense heat of the active lava flows descending eastwards into Mount Etna's Valle del Bove. Satellite images show Mount Etna before (left) and after (right) the volcano erupted yesterday afternoon Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano spewed a gigantic plume of ash four miles (6.5km) into the sky as a pyroclastic flow burst from a crater From the early hours of Monday morning, Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) Etna Observatory reported a number of explosions of 'increasing intensity' emerging from the volcano. Video captured by tourists walking near the crater recorded the booming sounds of an eruption and showed a huge column of ash rising into the sky. Terrified hikers turned and ran for their lives as the huge cloud billowed behind them. Writing in The Conversation, Dr Teresa Ubide, of The University of Queensland, says: 'The eruption began with an increase of pressure in the hot gases inside the volcano. This led to the partial collapse of part of one of the craters atop Etna. 'The collapse allowed what is called a pyroclastic flow: a fast-moving cloud of ash, hot gas and fragments of rock bursting out from inside the volcano.' Pyroclastic flows can be extremely dangerous as they travel at average speeds of 60 miles per hour (100 kmph) and can reach temperatures up to 1,000C (1,800F). Luckily, in this instance, the flow was not large enough or travelling in the right direction to cause any harm or damage. Sicily's president, Renato Schifani, said experts had assured him the flow posed 'no danger to the population' and had not passed beyond the Valley of the Lions, the point where tourist groups stop. Following the pyroclastic flow and ash cloud, the mountain produced plumes of lava which flowed down the mountain. This image is a 'false colour' composite of infrared data, revealing the heat of the lava flows After erupting, the lava split into three streams, one travelling south, another east, and the last heading north and branching into several arms A thermal imaging camera captured the lava escaping from Mount Etna during the eruption It was the eruption of this pyroclastic flow which kicked up the ash cloud which can be seen from space in the satellite imagery. The cloud, which mainly contains water and sulphur dioxide, was recorded by the INGV to be 'drifting towards the southwest' after the eruption began. The INGV said in a statement that 'the falling of a little thin ash has been flagged' in the Piano Vetore area - a popular wildlife park on Etna's southern flank. Meanwhile, as satellite images reveal, the eruption scattered a large amount of 'fine reddish material' produced by the pyroclastic flow over the northwest. A red aviation warning was briefly issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre after the ash column rose over four miles into the air, but no flights have currently been disrupted. Following the pyroclastic flow, the eruption also produced plumes of hot molten lava. Dr Ubide says: 'Lava began to flow in three different directions down the mountainside. These flows are now cooling down.' Using shortwave infrared cameras the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite created a 'false colour' composite to show the intense heat of these flows. Your browser does not support iframes. Shocking footage showed tourists fleeing for their lives as the pillar of ash and dust rose behind them Taken at 09:40 UTC, this image shows the lava flow barely beginning to branch as it escapes from the crater. In a blog post sharing the images, Copernicus says: 'Copernicus data is key to tracking global volcanic activity, helping communities to assess hazards, support emergency response operations, and monitor long-term changes to landscapes.' According to a statement issued by INGV yesterday evening, the eruption activity has now come to an end. The INGV says: 'From a seismic point of view, the tremor has returned to low values although showing some oscillations on the average values.' The statement adds that 'deformation', rising of the land due to the buildup of pressure which often proceeds an eruption, now appeared to be 'exhausted'. 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. Although the eruption terrified tourists, authorities say nobody was harmed by the pyroclastic flow or lava This is Mount Etna's 14th eruptive phase in the last few months, with the most recent dangerous eruption taking place last summer 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. An air quality emergency has been issued in a Minnesota city, warning residents that any exposure could lead to serious health effects. Minneapolis and its suburbs are currently experiencing 'Very Unhealthy' air due to toxic wildfire smoke drifting in from Canada. Several large wildfires have been burning across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba over the past week. Blaine, a suburb, currently has the worst air quality in the United States, followed by nearby Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Savage. More than 3.6 million Americans are under the alerts. All of Minnesota is under some level of air quality alert, which officials say will remain in effect through midday Wednesday. Meteorologists warn that due to the size and scope of the Canadian wildfires, Minnesota is likely to face intermittent smoky skies for several more days. Smoke from over 160 active Canadian wildfires is also creating public health concerns in Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska. These areas are experiencing conditions classified as from 'Unhealth' to 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,' posing risks to pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Minneapolis and its suburbs are currently experiencing 'Very Unhealthy' air due to toxic wildfire smoke drifting in from Canada. Blaine, a suburb, currently has the worst air quality in the United States, followed by nearby Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Savage and Sandstone The US Air Quality Index (AQI) considers a value of 50 or below to be 'good' air quality. But current readings in Blaine have reached 253, placing it deep in the 'Very Unhealthy' range. Saint Paul sits at 234, Minneapolis at 210, and Savage at 204, all of which are also hazardous to health. These elevated levels are expected to persist through Tuesday afternoon, before gradually dropping into the 100s, a range still considered 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,' through Wednesday. The official air quality forecast indicates that conditions are expected to improve to healthy levels by Thursday. Eastern Iowa, from Burlington to Maquoketa, is currently experiencing unhealthy air quality, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Parts of northern and western Iowa are listed under a moderate air quality ranking. The region's AQI is ranging from 151 to 200, while moderate levels sit from 51 to 100. The US Air Quality Index (AQI) considers a value of 50 or below to be 'good' air quality. But current readings in Blaine have reached 253, placing it deep in the 'Very Unhealthy' range. Saint Paul (pictured) sits at 234 Meteorologists said showers and thunderstorms are expected in the coming days that will push some of the smoke out of the area. Brooke Hagenhoff, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Des Moines, told Des Moines Register: 'With this incoming system, that's going to help push a lot of the smoke off to the east, so with that we should start to see improvement as far as the haziness in the sky the past several days.' The wildfire smokes is also concentrating in a small region of Nebraska around Blair and Blakely Township where levels are 'Unhealth for Sensitive Groups.' The Canadian province of Manitoba declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, triggering mass evacuations in the area. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said: 'This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory.' 'The military is being called for help here because of the sheer scale of the 17,000 folks that we move relatively quickly.' So far this year, Manitoba has had 102 fires, which officials say is 'well above' the province's average of 77 by this time. Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record in 2023, when more than 45 million acres were lost. Huge swaths of the US , from the north east to the Great Lakes, were blanked in smog for several days as a result (pictured) Separately, wildfires in Alberta province have prompted a temporary shutdown of some oil and gas production and forced residents of at least one small town to evacuate. That region was affected on Wednesday by wildfires spanning 11.2 square miles near Chipewyan Lake, a small community in the northern part of the province approximately 81 miles west of the oil sands hub of Fort McMurray. Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record in 2023, when more than 45 million acres were lost. Huge swaths of the US , from the north east to the Great Lakes, were blanked in smog for several days as a result. New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged millions of residents to remain indoors as a sheet of smoke from the wildfires left hose in Manhattan unable to see the New Jersey skyline across the Hudson River. Similar air quality alerts were also issued in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, Virginia and the Carolinas. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Like many working mums, Yvette has little to no time to do her skincare. But she's always on the lookout for new products to try - especially ones that contain go-to skin-boosting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to hydrate, vitamin C to brighten and SPF for protection. After hearing the hype about the UK's number one skincare brand No7's Future Renew range - which sold one product every two seconds on launch day - she was curious to try the new Future Renew Day Cream SPF15. Much to her surprise, the mum said her skin began to glow noticeably after just seven days of consistent use - a result she hadn't expected so soon. The Day Cream SPF15, is the latest addition to the coveted range, which includes a serum, night cream and eye serum, to address skincare needs around the clock - including reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture. Shoppers can reap the rewards of radiant skin this winter for less - the day cream is now on sale at Priceline, with the new Future Renew range slashed by 40 per cent. From the very first use, Yvette said she was impressed to see the dermatologist-approved face cream delivered all the skincare must-haves in one formula. Staying true to No7's 'skin-loving' focus, the formula is made with beneficial ingredients - including hyaluronic acid, panthenol, shea butter, niacinamide, and vitamin C - which work together to deeply nourish the skin and protect against visible damage. At the heart of the range is Pepticology, No7's exclusive peptide blend, developed over 15 years with leading scientists to support the skin's natural self-repair process. Yvette said her skin began to glow noticeably after just seven days of consistent use of the new Future Renew Day Cream SPF15 - a result she hadn't expected so soon. These pictures were taken seven days apart - both without any makeup on The iconic UK brand launched into the Australian market last year and since then beauty fans have been snapping up the Future Renew products in droves - and with good reason. Not only did the moisturiser leave Yvette's skin looking radiant when applied without makeup, but it also cut down on the need for multiple products. 'My first impressions: I love that it contains SPF. It has a thin, lightweight texture and spreads easily, so I only need a small amount to cover the entire face - good value for money. It feels luxe and doesn't leave a white cast,' Yvette told Daily Mail Australia. 'Obsessed with how it's left my skin glowy - but not oily like some serums. It's lightweight enough that I can go about my day without any creams or make-up, and I feel confident doing so. 'It's lightly fragranced, but as someone prone to headaches, it hasn't been a trigger at all. Interested to see if helps the dry tip of my nose and my irritated eyelid in a couple of days.' Over the next few days, Yvette started incorporating the Future Renew Day Cream SPF15 into her skincare and makeup routine. 'The cream has been going on nicely after I apply my serum. It made my primer and foundation glide on smoothly and evenly,' she said. 'I didn't have any breakouts.' Shoppers can reap the rewards of radiant skin this winter - the day cream is currently on sale at Priceline, with the new Future Renew range slashed by 40 per cent After using the formula for seven days, she noticed her complexion looked more hydrated and luminous. 'A product that glides on easily and seamlessly incorporates into my daily routine is perfect for me,' she said. 'I like that it works as a standalone beauty product for lazy days or when I'm in a rush, that I can wear makeup over it, or just pop out with it alone for a nice glow. 'I also appreciate that it doesn't feel as serious as using a retinol, which I've never tried and am a bit scared to commit to.' Yvette said she will continue using the Future Renew Day Cream SPF15 after finding a place in her everyday skincare routine. 'I look forward to longer use to see whether it can help reverse other signs of skin damage such as wrinkles and uneven skin tone,' she said. Her only gripe is the lack of SPF in the face cream. 'I would have liked the SPF to be higher than 15, as I wear SPF50 daily,' Yvette said. The new Future Review range includes the Day Cream, Serum, Night Cream and Eye Serum, with one No7 product sold every two seconds in the UK when it launched Future Renew Day Cream benefits Visible Reversal: Helps visibly reduce the appearance of dryness, uneven texture and the feeling of lost elasticity. Intense Hydration: Delivers immediate moisture for up to 72 hours to support radiant, healthy-looking skin. Lightweight Texture: Fast-absorbing and comfortable, ideal for layering under makeup. Dermatologist Approved: Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Damage Protection: Formulated with SPF 15 to help protect against the appearance of future visible signs of damage. Advertisement The Future Renew range has since racked up thousands of five-star reviews from happy shoppers. Ideal for layering under makeup, the face cream is said to help visibly reduce the appearance of dryness, uneven texture and the feeling of lost elasticity. Delivering intense hydration for up to 72 hours, the 'fast-absorbing' formula helps to support radiant, healthy-looking skin. The Future Renew Day Cream SPF15 is part of the revolutionary Future Renew range, available via Priceline Pharmacy and Adore Beauty. The new range includes the Day Cream, Serum, Night Cream and Eye Serum, with one No7 product sold every two seconds in the UK. Science behind No7's Future Renew range Globally, the Future Renew range has undergone the most rigorous testing in No7's history, with 79 studies conducted across more than 8,000 people, including three clinical trials and 51 user trials. About 47 per cent of the testing group included participants with melanin rich skin tones, ensuring the results reflect a broad spectrum of consumers. 'No7's Future Renew range represents the future of accessible and effective skincare backed by science and World first peptide technology to supports skin's natural self repair,' Dr Mike Bell, Head of Science Research for No7, said. 'The Day Cream continues to deliver on our commitment to innovation, offering everyday skincare to help defend against the visible signs of skin damage that has accumulated over a lifetime.' To shop No7 new Future Renew range, click here. *Consumer study. Users saw a reversal/improvement in: appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven tone and texture, dryness and feeling of lost elasticity. 37 studies on over 4,200 people, including 2 clinical trials on over 70 people. 23 user trials on more than 3,800 people have been conducted. More than half (51%) of the total testing group had skin of colour. The Future Renew Repair Serum repairs the visible signs of skin damage in 4-weeks 75% of women said their skin felt less damaged after using the Future Renew Repair Serum If theres someone who knows a thing or two about turning left on a plane for little to no money, its Nicky Kelvin. The Points Guy's travel and points expert, Nicky has saved thousands on tickets over the years by building points and air miles and then using them to pay for flights. Ive often paid 500 for business-class flights worth 7,000 or 8,000, and I recently saved 700 on a flight to Barcelona I booked for this week, he tells us. But his biggest saving was thanks to a Oneworld Multi-Carrier Award which is offered to British Airways Clubs highest-tier members. Thanks to that, I booked a mixture of first- and business-class flights from London to Hong Kong to Taipei, Taiwan, back down to Perth, up to the north of Western Australia, across to Sydney, to Singapore and then back home for 400. A cash ticket wouldve cost me about 21,000. While thats a really extreme example, it's possible and the key thing is you dont have to be flying to earn lots of points! Here, Nicky explains just how you can follow in his footsteps on the British Airways Club and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club in our beginners guide to air miles and points What are points and air miles? The Points Guy's travel and points expert Nicky Kelvin has saved thousands on plane tickets Points and air miles are a currency offered by airlines to ensure travellers keep returning to them for flights. For the British Airways Club, the currency used is Avios - which is also preferred by Finnair, Qatar Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. It is important to make a distinction between Avios and Tier Points which are what British Airways gives to passengers or those of its partners to reward them with other benefits. Virgin Flying Club is Virgin Atlantics loyalty programme, and the currency for this is Virgin Points. As well as for flights, these points can be used on Virgin Red - which covers many different brands including Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages. How you earn points Credit cards Credit cards earn points in Virgin and British Airways' loyalty programmes but, importantly, they are not for everybody as they have high annual percentage rates. Various credit cards earn points for Virgin Atlantic and British Airways' loyalty programmes but, importantly, they're not for everybody as they have very high annual percentage rates If you are going to use these cards for spending, you need to pay them off in full, on time, every month. They are not cards you should ever hold a balance on. But if you can use them properly, they have significant sign-up bonuses. As such, if you spend a certain amount in a particular period, you can get a big boost of points. For example, the American Express Platinum card has a 100,000 points welcome bonus if you use a referral. A one-way, British Airways flight can cost as little as 4,000 points. One of the most popular options is the British Airways Premium Plus card, which earns a decent sign-up bonus, usually around 30,000 Avios. That card has one of the most valuable benefits in the credit card system: the Companion Voucher, which gives you a free seat. That means if you spend 15,000 in a year, you can buy one ticket with your Avios and the other will be free with your Companion Voucher! Virgin Atlantic issues its own credit cards, which also have sign-up bonuses and earnings rates, as well as a companion voucher system that works slightly differently. Every time you fly on an airline with a loyalty programme, sign up to the scheme and put your number on the booking to earn points And then there are 'middling' cards, such as the Amex Platinum, Amex Gold and Amex Green Card. They all earn membership rewards, which can be transferred into Virgin Points and Avios freely. You can wait until you are ready to know what you want to do with them, so there's flexibility. These reward points don't just transfer into those two programmes, either. You can also invest them in 15 different airline and hotel partners, and services such as Eurostar, so it's really good value. Flying and staying in hotels Every time you fly with an airline that has a loyalty programme, just sign up to the scheme and put your number on the booking to earn points. British Airways is part of Oneworld. So any time you fly on any of its airlines, including Qatar, American Airlines, Iberia or Qantas, you can earn and spend Avios if you put your BA number in. Virgin, meanwhile, is part of SkyTeam, which includes airlines such as Delta, Air France and KLM so you just need to put in your Virgin number when flying with them and the same rule applies for earning points. Points can be earned while shopping for your weekly groceries - and the two major supermarket chains that have tie-ups with the airlines are Sainsbury's and Tesco Supermarkets Points can be earned while shopping for your weekly groceries - and the two major supermarket chains that have tie-ups with the airlines are Sainsbury's and Tesco. Sainsbury's customers can earn Nectar points, which freely convert into Avios, and Tesco Clubcard points convert into Virgin points. There are relatively beneficial rates for both and it's worth waiting for transfer bonuses sometimes, especially at Tesco. The supermarket often gives bonuses to customers who have auto-conversion set up, and it is good to hold on to those points for Avios. It is also nice to know you can send your Avios back to Sainsbury's to use as Nectar points if you are not able to use them for a flight, which is a pleasant fallback. Online shopping Another way of earning points is via online shopping portals, which many do not know about The last major way of earning points is through online shopping portals. As with TopCashback or Quidco, where you can click through to retailers for cash returns, airlines have similar sites. But instead of paying cash, they pay you in points. Both Virgin and BA can pay huge amounts, and the range of retailers on their portals is quite surprising - with M&S, John Lewis, ASOS and Argos on the list. You will also find big travel companies on there, such as Hotels.com, Booking.com and Expedia, and direct bookings with hotel chains including Marriott and Hyatt - usually run at five points per pound spent. It is especially important to visit these sites when you are spending plenty of money. I recently spent 1,000 at Soho Home, which is on there at six Avios per pound, so I earned 6,000 Avios, which is enough for a one-way flight in Europe. It also doesnt cost you anything more to use these shopping portals. All you do is sign in to your BA or Virgin account on the shopping portal, find your retailer, click through to the retailer, and then just shop as normal. It tracks your spending in the background and you earn the points. Nicky recently spent 1,000 at Soho Home, which is on an online shopping portal at six Avios per pound, so he earned enough for a one-way flight in Europe You do not need to use a credit card to earn with the shopping portal. But if you are using one of the previously mentioned credit cards when buying through these shopping portals, youll get even more points as you will still be earning one or one-and-a-half points for every pound spent on your card, plus whatever the rate is on the shopping portal. Spending your points This is where it gets trickier but my top tip is to use points for flights, because that's how you're going to get the best value. I love to use them are for expensive short-haul flights and for Premium Economy, Business or First Class on long-haul flights. Most travellers can't drop 4,000 or more on plane tickets but if you're employing all the above tactics when it comes to earning, over the course of a year you'll have enough points to be able to fly Business Class. When it comes to seat availability, there are two tools available. The first is Seatspy, which is a brilliant way to search an entire year's worth of availability on British Airways, Virgin and other airlines. Nicky's two favourite ways of spending points is to pay for expensive short-haul flights and for flying Premium Economy, Business or First Class long-haul flights For example, if you want to go to Miami, you input London to Miami and it shows you the availability for that route every day and you can pick the seats you want. It also has an option called Where can I go? which allows you to put in a date range, and it will search the whole world for you, then show a list of places that have available flights on points within your parameters. Taking it to more of an expert level, Seats.aero is another very comprehensive tool to use for those with flexible points as you can input multiple departure and arrival points and it brings up across a huge range of loyalty programmes. It's amazing for Amex point-earners, as you're able to transfer them into lots of programmes and you can see ahead of time where the availability is. Mainly, it means you can find the best price for a flight. So, for example, British Airways and Qatar both fly from London to Doha, and both those airlines are in Oneworld. That same flight might be 80,000 points with BA but 50,000 with Qatar, so you can then send your points to Qatar, book with them and save 30,000 points. And the more flexible you can be with your dates and destination, the better luck you're going to have finding a seat you can pay for with points. The growing consensus is to book flights as early as possible - ideally ten to 12 months ahead But one final big tip for those who have a specific date and route in mind is that British Airways releases seats 355 days before the flight, and has a guaranteed number of Economy and Business seats on every flight. So if you're poised and ready at midnight, 355 days before your flight, you can call the US call centre as that will still be open and nab those seats. That's very important for the most popular routes, such as Sydney or Cape Town around Christmas time. For more information, visit The Points Guy's website. A flight attendant has revealed the worst drink to serve on an airplane, and it may surprise you. The bar service on a flight is always something that avid travellers look forward to, and is often free on long-haul trips. Most airlines have a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for passengers to enjoy while at 30,000 feet in the air. However, one cabin crew member has now revealed what she considers to be the worst drink to order during a flight. The aviation worker, who runs their own blog called These Gold Wings, told her readers exactly why the drink should be avoided. Going by alias name 'Jet', she explained pouring fizzy drinks while in the air can be an absolute nuisance for operating crew. The experienced staffer said how 'soft drinks foam up a lot more when poured out of a can' due to cabin pressure. She added it means she has 'to sit and wait for the bubbles to fall before I can continue pouring'. The bar service on a flight is always something that keen travellers look forward to, and is often free on long-haul trips Most airlines have a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for passengers to enjoy while at 30,000 feet in the air One cabin crew member has now revealed she considers fizzy drinks to be the worst thing to drink while on board - and can also be a headache for crew (stock image) It can result in the drinks service being slowed down, especially on busy flights with high demand for beverages. On flights, the cabin environment is dry due to low humidity, and with carbonated drinks not as hydrating as water, it could potentially make you thirstier in the long run. With the cabin pressure lower in the air than on the ground, the carbonated drink gasses can also expand in your stomach, potentially leading to bloating. While it's always nice to enjoy a glass of fizz high in the clouds, the crew member added that the best choice of drink is water to stay hydrated. Meanwhile, a flight attendant has left social media users stunned after she revealed her 'insane' monthly earnings - despite only working part-time hours. Want to ditch the rental car and explore on foot this summer? Luckily, you won't have to travel far to do so, as these five stunning island destinations are the perfect locations for a walking holiday. 'Some of the most beautiful and rugged islands lie just off the UK mainland, offering the perfect setting for discovery on foot,' say the experts at HF Holidays, who picked the list. 'Each destination blends wild natural beauty, rich local culture and a real sense of escape, all just a short ferry or flight from home.' The Isle of Man A self-governing island between England and Ireland, the Isle of Man is officially one of the UK's prettiest spots for a walking holiday, according to HF Holidays. The experts say: 'Almost equidistant between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Isle of Man is a UNESCO Biosphere Region of fascinating history and phenomenal coast and countryside.' Their recommended walking route heads along the Raad ny Foilan (Way of Gulf) trail. A self-governing island between England and Ireland, the Isle of Man is officially one of the UK's prettiest spots for a walking holiday Highlights include the 'winding streets of Castletown', the 'soft golden sands of Port Erin Beach' and a ride on the historic tram between Douglas and Laxey. Anglesey An island off the Welsh mainland's northwest coast, Anglesey is the ideal destination for birdwatchers. HF Holidays' experts say: 'The island boasts wild walking trails, sandy beaches and ancient castles. An island off the Welsh mainland's northwest coast, Anglesey is the ideal destination for birdwatchers '[It's] renowned for being one of the best places in Britain for birdwatching, with thousands of rare bird species flocking to its scenic shores every year.' The company's recommended route includes a visit to picturesque Llanddwyn Island and the 19th century South Stack Lighthouse. Mull & Iona A pair of gorgeous islands in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, HF Holidays recommends combining visits to both Mull and Iona for a walking holiday. The experts explain: 'Adored for their breathtaking landscapes, rare wildlife, and peaceful feel, the stunning islands of Mull and Iona are located amongst the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland.' A pair of gorgeous islands in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, HF Holidays recommends combining visits to both Mull and Iona for a walking holiday. Pictured above is Fingal's Cave in a nearby island Staffa The company's trip gives holidaymakers the chance to explore the islands 'long after the day-trippers have left' and combines it with another island Staffa. Highlights on the route include Staffa's 'towering basalt columns' and the chance to spot sea eagles, whales, seat otters and seals. Isle of Wight A favourite of Queen Victoria, the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England, is a dreamy spot for a walking holiday. 'The Isle of Wight tempts with golden sand beaches, rolling green hills, dramatic white cliffs, ancient woodland and charming seaside resorts,' say the HF Holidays' experts. A favourite of Queen Victoria, the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England, is a dreamy spot for a walking holiday While the island's beaches are sure to be a highlight for any walkers, the Isle of Wight has many other must-see attractions. Tourists can pay a visit to Queen Victoria's island home, Osborne House, which offers a spectacular glimpse into the monarch's life. Channel Islands HF Holidays recommend combining the Channel Islands, an archipelago off the coast of France. The experts say: 'Blessed with better-than-average weather than mainland UK, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm offer awe-inspiring coastal walks, white-sand beaches and seaside resorts fit to rival those found in Europe.' Highlights of a trip to the Channel Island include Herm's 'Caribbean-like Shell Beach' (pictured above) Highlights of a trip to the Channel Island include Herm's 'Caribbean-like Shell Beach' and exploring St Peter Port in Guernsey. Walkers will also get the chance to learn about Alderney's World War II past. If you're wanting an even longer walk, along the South West Coast Path, you'll be sure to see some stunning beaches. We recently revealed ten that will be featured in Gillian Anerson and Jason Isaacs' new movie, The Salt Path, out now. The Balearic island's new rule will target tourists who take a car to Ibiza Ibiza has introduced a major new rule designed to combat overtourism on the popular Spanish island. The island is now limiting the number of tourist cars and caravans that can visit. In place from June 1, the rule is set to run until September 30 throughout peak season in Ibiza. During the four-month period, only 20,168 vehicles used by non-residents will be allowed on the island. Up to 16,000 of these can be rental cars while the other 4,108 will be for tourists who travel by ferry to the island with their own vehicle. Tourists who want to take their own car to Ibiza will need to obtain a permit at a cost of 1/84p per day. Caravan owners will need to provide evidence of a campsite booking and won't be allowed into Ibiza if they plan to wild camp at the side of the road. The rule has been introduced in an attempt to combat overtourism in Ibiza. Ibiza has introduced a major new rule designed to combat overtourism on the popular Spanish island The island is now limiting the number of tourist cars and caravans that can visit to combat overtourism Although Ibiza has just 160,000 residents, it gets more than three million tourists per year. As the number of tourists has risen, more cars have hit the road, causing congestion across the island. Ibiza has recently seen protests against tourism with locals complaining that the industry has caused housing to become unaffordable. Last year, more than 1,000 protestors took to the streets in Ibiza to rage against mass tourism. Ibiza has already introduced tough rules to curb rowdy and drunken behaviour around the island. In San Antonio, one of the island's main party destinations, people are no longer allowed to drink on the street. Shops that sell alcohol have to close between 9:30pm and 8am and people can be fined up to 1,500 /1,266 if their drinking disrupts the peace. The tough drinking rules are also in place in popular party destinations in Majorca, another Balearic island. In San Antonio, one of the island's main party destinations, people are no longer allowed to drink on the street Up to 16,000 of the cars allowed can be rental vehicles while the other 4,108 will be for tourists who travel by ferry to the island with their own vehicle It's thought that Majorca will also introduce restrictions on tourist vehicles with a ban possible from summer 2026. And a similar scheme is already in place on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The region uses an alternate number plate scheme where vehicles that end in odd numbers can be driven on odd days and those that end in even numbers can hit the road on the others. The restrictions are in place during peak season in the popular Italian destination to combat congestion. easyJet has launched flights to an always sunny destination that's home to Europe's only wild monkeys. The low-cost airline will operate a twice-weekly service to the holiday hotspot, with flights on Thursdays and Sundays. Bosses have already launched the new route, which is between Birmingham and Gibraltar, and will run all year round. It adds to easyJet's already existing London Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester to Gibraltar routes, taking the total number of flights to the British Overseas Territory to 13 a week. The announcement comes after easyJet opened their Birmingham base last year. Speaking last year, Aviation Director of Birmingham Airport Tom Screen said: 'easyJet has a staggering 34 routes on sale for 2025 from Birmingham Airport after only opening its base in March this year.' Originally from the Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains of Morocco, the Barbary macaque population in Gibraltar is the only wild monkey population on the European continent. Approximately 230 Barbary macaques are thought to live on the Rock of Gibraltar. easyJet has launched flights to an always-sunny destination that's home to Europe's only wild monkeys with a twice-weekly service Bosses have already launched the new route, which is between Birmingham and Gibraltar, and will run all year round It adds to easyJet's already existing London Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester to Gibraltar route, taking the total number of flights to the British Overseas Territory to 13 a week However, while they are adorable, they can also be vicious and a number of incidents involving tourists have been recorded. Four years ago, video footage captured the moment a fearless monkey snatched a woman's bag out of her hand. In another incident, a dream wedding in Gibraltar was almost ruined after a macaque monkey started rifling through the husband-to-be's backpack and stealing his passport. Meanwhile, easyJet recently opened another new UK base at London's Southend Airport. The budget carrier is offering 122 flights per week across 22 routes from the Essex-based airport. At least one person is dead after a huge earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale rocked Turkey this morning. The natural disaster struck the popular resort town of Marmaris, shaking hotels and forcing people to be evacuated from their rooms as they waited for possible aftershocks. British tourists described the shock tremor as 'petrifying' and reported being thrown from their beds by the force of the quake. Following the quake, TUI sent an urgent alert to holidaymakers in the region, instructing them to remain calm and to follow the advice of local authorities. While the UK Foreign Office has yet to update their official guidance on travel to and from Turkey, they have issued general advice around earthquakes. The FCDO says if an earthquake strikes, you should immediately drop to the ground, cover your head and try to hold onto something stationary. If you are located near the ocean, the advice is to move to higher ground as soon as possible. Current advice says: 'The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, experienced increased earthquake activity in early 2025. This increase has since subsided and the tourist season is expected to continue as usual.' Your browser does not support iframes. Following the quake, TUI sent an urgent alert to holidaymakers in the region, instructing them to remain calm and to follow the advice of local authorities A hotel worker in Mugla is seen leaping over the front desk and running to safety outside as the quake struck In relation to Turkey, it continues: 'Many parts of Turkey regularly experience earthquakes and tremors. 'These can be high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure, and pose a risk to life. A 6.2-magnitude earthquake which occurred in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025, was felt strongly in Istanbul. Be aware of the risk of aftershocks.' It adds: 'Follow advice from local authorities, tour operators and accommodation providers. See the US Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance about what to do, before, during and after an earthquake.' Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said the earthquake started in the Mediterranean Sea at 2.17am. It was so powerful that the shockwaves were felt in Greece , with people awoken from their sleep on the island of Rhodes and holidaymakers at some hotels also being told to evacuate. A 14-year-old girl died following a panic attack and some 70 people were hurt in the Mugla province as they rushed to find safety, including 'some who jumped from a height', Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X. 'The quake struck at 2:17 am (2317 GMT on Monday) some 10 kilometres (six miles) off the coast of Marmaris,' the AFAD disaster agency said. 'In Fethiye, a 14-year-old girl named Afranur Gunlu was taken to the hospital due to a panic attack but, unfortunately, despite all interventions, she passed away,' Yerlikaya said. Fethiyeh lies around 60 miles to the east of Marmaris. CCTV cameras inside a restaurant also captured the moment as worried people fled into the street CCTV footage shows people inside a restaurant sprinting to get outside, with one man seen jumping over the wall Video footage of the moment the quake struck shows people running out of restaurants and hotels into the street. Residents and tourists rushed to get into the open air, with many seen gathering in parks and the streets in the early hours of the morning to avoid any falling debris. Of those injured, 14 were treated at the scene, eight were briefly treated then discharged and another 46 were being treated in hospital, he said. There were no initial reports of buildings destroyed in residential areas, Yerlikaya said. Many popular seaside resorts are located in Mugla province, including Marmaris, Bodrum and Fethiye, which welcomed 3.7 million foreign visitors in 2024, the Anatolu state news agency said. The earthquake was also 'broadly felt' in Greece's Dodecanese islands, the national quake protection authority chief Efthymios Lekkas told the enikos.gr news portal, saying some tourists in Rhodes had been forced to evacuate their hotels. But there were no reports of injuries, he said. Travel firm TUI advised tourists in the region to 'remain calm and follow any safety instructions provided by your accommodation or local officials.' Different monitors measured the quake as a 6.0-magnitude tremor A pair of cats were seen on camera leaping into the air as the powerful quake hit The quake was also felt in Egypt, according to the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. The earthquake struck six miles away from the Marmaris at a depth of 42 miles, experts estimated. Aftershocks of up to magnitude 5 were initially anticipated in Turkey, though it appears the risk of these has passed. Greek seismologist Efthimios Lekkas told local outlet ERT News that the earthquake's depth - below the earth's crust - meant it could be felt across a wider area and was 'very intense' in Rhodes. But, he added: 'It will not have a significant impact on the surface, there will be no tsunami, and above all, there will not be a rich aftershock sequence.' A group of fuming holidaymakers foiled a sneaky plan by fellow Brits to secure sunbeds seven hours before their hotel pool opened. Whilst enjoying a late-night chat on their balcony in Majorca, Mandy Boyd spotted some lads she thought were taking a cheeky dip in the pool. However, on further inspection, the 34-year-old noticed the young men were attempting to secure the best beds at 2am. The pool was actually not opening until 9am the following day. The group of four girls watched on as the lads pulled out their sunloungers to try and secure the best spots. Mandy and her friends quietly waited on the balcony for the perfect moment to run down and take the towels. The hilarious sunbed wars foiling took place around 2am at the Aquasol Aparthotel, Palmanova, near Magaluf, Spain. A group of fuming holidaymakers foiled a sneaky plan by fellow Brits to secure sunbeds seven hours before their hotel pool opened Whilst enjoying a late-night chat on their balcony, in Majorca, Mandy Boyd spotted some lads she thought were taking a cheeky dip in the pool However, on further inspection, the 34-year-old noticed the young men were attempting to secure the best beds at 2am Mandy and her friends quietly waited on the balcony for the perfect moment to run down and take the towels Accompanied by her friend, Sally Willows, the pair got down to the pool and quickly snatched the towels on Sunday night. 'We're just doing the Lord's work,' Mandy of Bridgend, South Wales, told Luxury Travel Daily. 'I hate it when people reserve sunbeds and don't use them all day. 'I just find it really inconsiderate. 'It was shocking to see them reserving beds at 2am, especially when there was zero chance of those lads being up to enjoy them. 'We kept the towels, but made sure we left them where they would find them.' Fellow holidaymakers applauded the girls' foiling of sun bed wars. Jo Townsend said: 'Guarantee they wouldn't have come down to the pool until about 11am as well.' Sue added: 'You have taken sunbed wars to a whole new level.' Accompanied by her friend, Sally Willows, the pair got down to the pool and quickly snatched the towels on Sunday night The hilarious sunbed wars foiling took place around 2am at the Aquasol Aparthotel, Palmanova, near Magaluf, Spain 'We're just doing the Lord's work,' Mandy of Bridgend, South Wales, told Luxury Travel Daily She added: 'It was shocking to see them reserving beds at 2am, especially when there was zero chance of those lads being up to enjoy them' Jaynie said: 'Well done ladies.' Lou said: 'B***** hell girls, this is taking sunbed wars too far.' One added: 'You should've left a ransom note.' It comes after British holidaymakers were seen queuing for over an hour in a bid to secure the best poolside spots at a Canary Islands resort. Sunseekers armed with towels, suncream, and flipflops were captured in bizarre footage on May 28 lining up for the pool at the Barcelo Lanzarote Active Resort, Las Palmas, Spain. It appears the sunbed wars are now in full swing with hotel guests setting alarms extra early just to form queues to the pool area until staff give them the all clear. The queue of people has become a regular morning routine for holidaymakers at the Spanish hotel according to guests. Isabelle Hanssen, whose balcony overlooks the pool watched on at the pool goers eagerly waited in line. According to the halfpipe skier, the queue is usually made up of Brits with a few Germans also standing in line. Isabelle, from the Netherlands, also revealed that the queues start from as early as 8am despite the pool not opening until 9:30am. With multiple entrances to the pool, lines of ten people plus could be seen forming all around the area. A travel expert has revealed how holidaymakers can snap up a trip from Sydney to the UK for as little as 300. Posting on Instagram @getabroad.uk explains that he found two possible options to get a bargain flight from Sydney back to the UK. The travel expert reveals that one of the options includes two stopovers along the way, while the other has just one. He says: 'Option one is going to be using Fly Scoot. Now these guys have an incredible route between Singapore and Athens in Greece. 'They also fly between Singapore and Sydney.' Fly Scoot is a low-cost Singaporean airline and a subsidiary of the country's Singapore Airlines. The travel expert demonstrates how tourists can search for flights from Sydney to Athens on the airline's website. He explains: 'You'll be able to see a number of fares at around the 260 mark.' A travel expert has revealed how holidaymakers can snap up a trip from Sydney to the UK for as little as 300 The travel pro highlights one option that includes a six hour transit in Singapore but admits that some travellers have 'complaints about the comfort of Scoot'. However, he claims that at that 260 'price point, you can't really complain' explaining that it's around 20 hours of flying for less than 300. After looking at the trip from from Singapore to Athens, the travel pro then searches for a one-way flight from Athens to London and finds a trip with Wizz Air in June for just 29, making the price for the entire journey around 300. The flight option comes with 10kg of cabin luggage. The travel expert then explains that the second bargain route will be a better choice for tourists who want to check bags. Option two requires travellers to either fly with Air China or Hainan Airlines. He reveals that both Chinese airlines include a stopover in China on the route. The expert explains: 'I would definitely pick Air China, stopping in Beijing between the 5th and 10th of June. You should be able to pick these up for around 330. 'I'd probably prioritise these flights as they come with two checked bags included, it's also only one stop and on that stop over you can explore Beijing. So I guess it all depends on your tolerance of the Chinese airlines. 'For me, although 330 isn't the cheapest, booking flights one-way instead of a return is always gonna be more expensive to cover that distance of flights, I think this is still a good deal.' Posting on Instagram @getabroad.uk explains that he found two possible options to get a bargain flight from Sydney back to the UK It comes after Liz Stanway, a travel advisor for Sykes Holiday Cottages, exclusively revealed some of the oddest questions she's been asked by customers throughout her career. One of the strangest, she told us, is: 'Do I need to bring my own toilet roll, or is that included?' She added: 'This one comes up a lot as people often worry that when they reach their holiday home, they might be caught short. 'We also get a surprising number of questions about gravy boats at Christmas.' READ MORE: Travel pro shares how to bag cheap flights between UK and Sydney An incredible luxury superyacht 'sea hotel' has just completed its sea trials ahead of its first ever voyage this summer. The third of The Ritz-Carlton brand superyachts to hit the water, the Luminara will leave on its maiden voyage on July 3. It's set to be the biggest of the collection's yachts and can carry 452 passengers across 10 decks. The luxurious Luminara has two swimming pools onboard, including an infinity pool on deck five and a main pool on the top deck. Meanwhile, the yacht's extensive marina area is the height of indulgence with a terrace, beach zone and floating lounge, with a central pool offering direct sea access. Luminara will also have a Ritz-Carlton spa, a fitness studio and a boutique selling high-end sportswear and designer apparel. The yacht's maiden voyage will last a week, transporting guests on a lavish cruise from Monte Carlo to Rome. Of course, this kind of luxury experience doesn't come cheap. The third of The Ritz-Carlton brand superyachts to hit the water, the Luminara will leave on its maiden voyage on July 3 It's set to be the biggest of the collection's yachts and can carry 452 passengers across 10 decks Guests will also have the option of dining at one of the yacht's five gourmet restaurants or sipping a cocktail at one of seven elegant bars Guests in the most lavish of the yacht's suites can expect to pay up to $78,377/58,032 for the week-long trip. The Luminara Suite offers breathtaking ocean views from floor-to-ceiling cabin windows. Those lucky enough to travel in the luxurious suite will have a private terrace with a personal hot tub as well as a spacious living and dining area. The suite also boasts a king-sized bed, a double-vanity bathroom and round-the-clock in-suite dining. Guests will also have the option of dining at one of the yacht's five gourmet restaurants or sipping a cocktail at one of seven elegant bars. Luminara follows the launch of Evrima and Ilma, the other two superyachts that are part of The Ritz-Carlton collection. Ernesto Fara, president of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, said: 'With Luminara, we've raised the bar once again, uniting legendary service, elevated design, and an extraordinary onboard experience to further define our distinct approach to ultra-luxury travel at sea. 'This remarkable superyacht opens the door to new destinations and deeper guest experiences, reinforcing our commitment to thoughtful exploration and continuous innovation across the fleet.' Guests in the most lavish of the yacht's suites can expect to pay up to $78,377/58,032 for the week-long trip Ernesto Fara, president of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, said: 'With Luminara, we've raised the bar once again' Luminara will also have a Ritz-Carlton spa, a fitness studio and a boutique selling high-end sportswear and designer apparel The yacht's maiden voyage will last a week, transporting guests on a lavish cruise from Monte Carlo to Rome The luxurious Luminara has two swimming pools onboard, including an infinity pool on deck five and a main pool on the top deck Evrima was the first of the company's yachts to launch in 2020 and has capacity for 298 guests. The yacht is set to travel to Barcelona, Rome and San Juan on voyages scheduled for later this year. It was followed in 2024 by Ilma, a larger yacht with room for 448 guests. Ilma translates to 'water' in Maltese and the yacht was named to 'pay homage to the sea'. Dover 24/7: Britain's Busiest Port (Ch4) Rating: Talk about a logistical nightmare. The business of keeping our supermarkets stocked with bananas is enough to drive anyone . . . well, round the bend. A single consignment of fruit from Ecuador can consist of three million bananas packed onto nearly 700 pallets. They arrive in the UK on a 140,000-ton container vessel so huge that it takes four nautical miles to slow down. Once in dock, cargo operations manager Rob supervises two remote-control cranes that do the unloading. Andy oversees their delivery to two vast ware-houses. Kev checks every pallet for damage. And another Andy ensures the bananas are kept at exactly 14C, to prevent them from ripening too soon. This entertaining portrait of efficient teamwork, in Dover 24/7: Britains Busiest Port, reminded me of those short information films that used to run before the main feature at Saturday morning cinema shows. The marvellous Talking Pictures TV channel (Freeview 82) airs one of these most days, a glimpse of postwar Britain under the Look At Life banner. Several are available on their website too, including one from 1967 called The Hidden Strength. The business of keeping our supermarkets stocked with bananas is enough to drive anyone . . . well, round the bend (Pictured: Dover 24/7: Britain's Busiest Port) This entertaining portrait of efficient teamwork, in Dover 24/7: Britains Busiest Port, reminded me of those short information films that used to run The first five minutes depict the Port of London at work a very different business to the one in Ch4s Dover documentary. One of the crates we see unloaded belongs to the Hudsons Bay Company, laden with furs from Canada. These join more pelts from Africa and Russia including leopard and tiger skins, all to be sold at auction. At the London Commodity Exchange, brokers trade in cocoa, ginger, spices, rubber and sugar, as well as ivory tusks, ostrich feathers and ambergris a fragrant wax from the stomach of sperm whales. When we hark back to 1967 now, we might think of the Summer of Love and Sgt Pepper, or perhaps LSD and the decriminalisation of gay sex. Its fascinating to see a different reality: mountains of big cat furs and the byproducts of the whaling industry. Maybe in 60 years or so, the port activity in Dover will seem equally alien. Which bits will date fastest is hard to guess, though perhaps it will be coppers Mark and Joe on their rounds, checking the clifftops for spies on surveillance missions. We didnt see them nick any foreign agents, but they did find one bloke gathering elderflowers for his homemade wine. Even in 1967, that didnt count as a major crime. Back on the dockside, they dealt with a Romanian man with seven passengers in a five-seater car. Maybe in 60 years or so, the port activity in Dover will seem equally alien. Which bits will date fastest is hard to guess (file image: Dover Castle on a steep coast above the ferry port) Barred from boarding a ferry, he was ordered to turn around and head back with half his family to his home in Birmingham with a friend coming to transport the rest. You might wonder why, when nearly 1,200 people arrived on the south coast via overladen dinghies on Saturday, we cant allow a Romanian family to travel in the opposite direction, simply because their car is a bit crowded. Ive given up trying to make sense of these rules. Its all bananas. Max debuted the third season of their Sex and the City continuation And Just Like That..., which went viral for a bizarre headwear choice. Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw was seen wearing a massive 'cloud hat' designed by Maryam Keyhani, which many fans discussed on social media. Many compared it to the huge hat worn by the beloved animated character Strawberry Shortcake while many others were just confused. As it turns out, it was Parker, 60, herself who chose the hat, as she revealed in a new interview with USA Today. 'I saw the hat and wanted it on my head. At this point, theres no pretend dilly-dallying around,' Parker admitted. 'We pretty much just put stuff on my head and photograph it, and hope that (creator) Michael Patrick (King) is hospitable to the idea,' she added. Sarah Jessica Parker 's Carrie Bradshaw was seen wearing a massive 'cloud hat' designed by Maryam Keyhani , which many fans discussed on social media. As it turns out, it was Parker, 60, herself who chose the hat, as she revealed in a new interview with USA Today The scene featured Carrie walking through Washington Square Park with her friend Seema (Sarita Choudhury), also donning an Ossie Clark brown, pink and white dress that she said reminded her of neapolitan ice cream. She said the dress would feel 'incomplete' without a hat, adding, 'once you've put a lot of hats on your head, you feel like it's missing its punctuation point.' 'So there was that hat. It was going to be a lovely summer day, and it just felt like the period at the end of the sentence. I loved it and (King) agreed,' she said. Parker also joked of King, 'I feel we've really worn him down. His eyes have adapted to large-scale things on heads now, so hes pretty generous about how often they can appear.' King refers to the hat as, 'the Hindenburg hot-air balloon,' adding it felt like a bold choice to kick off a new season. 'Its like, "Hey, everybody, were back! Heres a hat that Carrie would wear eating sherbet in Washington Square Park. Why not?"' King joked. 'I've learned over the years that sometimes logic is not as good as a hat. It makes people say, "I love it. I hate it. Oh, my God, what was she thinking?"' he added. 'It'll be a meme. It'll be a thing. People will wear it at Halloween. It's always fun, but with that (hat) particularly, I had to call up some of the writers and say, "Get ready. Once it's on the head, it's not coming off,"' he joked. The scene featured Carrie walking through Washington Square Park with her friend Seema (Sarita Choudhury), also donning an Ossie Clark brown, pink and white dress that she said reminded her of neapolitan ice cream 'So there was that hat. It was going to be a lovely summer day, and it just felt like the period at the end of the sentence. I loved it and (King) agreed,' she said 'I've learned over the years that sometimes logic is not as good as a hat. It makes people say, "I love it. I hate it. Oh, my God, what was she thinking?"' he added Fans share their thoughts on Carrie Bradshaw's huge hat on And Just Like That... 'I love the show but someone needs to call the fashion police on Carrie's hat lol!' said another fan Fans were quick to chime in with their thoughts on the ludicrous hat, with one adding, 'I can get behind the wildest of Carrie's fashion choices but this duvet cover of a hat is truly unhinged.' 'I love the show but someone needs to call the fashion police on Carrie's hat lol!' said another fan. 'I know nothing about fashion, but what is this hat Carrie is wearing?' another fan quipped. 'What's happening here...' someone else wondered. 'Are we all seeing this, is this a joke, what is happening?' another said. 'I'm sorry, but what was that hat? I feel ill.' '2 things I could've done without on the 1st episode of Season 3... This hat and Rosie O'Donnell.' 'Carries Yosemite-Sam-Meets-Aladdin hat is the epitome of everything wrong (and perfect) with #AJLT.' Channel Seven is preparing a major revamp of its beloved dating show Farmer Wants A Wife and it seems they have their sights set on a surprising candidate. The network is reportedly eager to land former host Samantha Armytage's estranged husband Richard Lavender. The former couple called time on their relationship in December, shortly before their fourth anniversary. The move is part of a larger scheme to inject new life into the 2026 season by featuring older farmers to compete with Channel Nine's The Golden Bachelornow hosted by Armytage. Armytage's departure from Seven last year to join Nine's The Golden Bachelor added another twist to the unfolding drama, setting the stage for a potential clash between the networks. 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. Channel Seven is preparing a major revamp of its beloved dating show Farmer Wants A Wife and it seems they have their sights set on a surprising candidate A production insider revealed to New Idea magazine that Seven was determined to avoid staleness in their format and was eyeing the wealthy equestrian businessman as a potential lead for a new spin-off titled The Golden Farmer. 'Production doesnt want the format becoming stale. Theyre desperate to give the show a fresh new look and format in a bid to rival its growing competitors,' the source said. However, the move might not sit well with Armytage, 48, who reportedly sees the prospect as a slight, considering Lavender's aversion to the spotlight during their marriage. 'Sam wouldnt love the idea of Richard being involved in Farmer, in fact she would probably see it as a bit of an insult,' the insider added. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Seven and Armytage's representative's for comment. The couple's split, following Armytage's departure from Seven, has been a topic of industry speculation, particularly regarding tensions allegedly brewing between Lavender's adult children and the TV personality. Sources close to the situation revealed to Daily Mail Australia these tensions may have contributed to the breakup, prompting Armytage to relocate from Lavender's sprawling estate in New South Wales back to Sydneys eastern suburbs. In December, Armytage sensationally announced she had split from the equestrian businessman, 65, on the eve of their four-year wedding anniversary. The network is reportedly eager to land former host Samantha Armytage 's estranged husband Richard Lavender The couple tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year's Eve in 2020. Well-placed sources revealed news of their split exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, with Armytage then confirming they had 'amicably' gone their separate ways. As the current season of FWAW draws to a close, Channel Seven has announced the dating series will be back on our screens in 2026 and applications are officially open. The network took to social media last month to share the exciting news, urging single farmers from across Australia to head online and apply for their chance at finding love. In a move sure to delight fans, producers confirmed they are on the hunt for 'all single farmers' to star in the show's upcoming sixteenth season. To be eligible for the show, applicants must be at least 21 years old and are required to disclose any past or present criminal charges. Budding reality stars will also need to be available for filming from early October to mid-December 2025, with the highly anticipated reunion episode set to film over three days in January 2026. The Australian version of Farmer Wants A Wife is the most successful reality dating television show in the country, by the metric of lasting unions. It has resulted in a notable number of marriages and babies, including 11 marriages and 27 children in Australia. The show's international success is even more impressive, with reports of over 200 marriages and more than 500 children worldwide. Channel 4 has sparked fury after using the Southport killer's mugshot in a controversial advert. Recently, an ad on Facebook for the broadcaster's new shows featured a photograph of Axel Rudakubana and said: 'More of the shows you love, more of the shows you will love. Stream now on Channel 4.' The killer was convicted for the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport in July 2024, as well as the attempted murder of 10 others. He was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in January. The advert contained a link to a news special about the case, titled Southport Killer Sentenced, according to The Sun. 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. Channel 4 has sparked fury after it used the Southport killer's mugshot in a controversial advert Recently, an ad on Facebook for the broadcaster's new shows featured a photograph of Axel Rudakubana (pictured) and said: 'More of the shows you love , more of the shows you will love. Stream now on Channel 4.' Patrick Hurley, who is a Labour MP for Southport, took to social media to express his outrage and posted on X: 'I'm really disappointed to see @Channel4 actively promote this image to Southport residents on Facebook, by buying ads targeting them. 'Please stop this, @Channel 4. 'And as for the text in the post - 'More of the shows you love, more of the shows you will love. Stream now on Channel 4' - is this some sort of sick joke?' The broadcaster has since apologised and removed the photograph from the advert. A Channel 4 spokesperson told The Sun: 'We apologise for any offence or upset this has caused.' Ofcom also confirmed to the publication that Mr Hurley had filed a complaint about the advert. The watchdog commented: 'Decisions on how news is covered, including the choice of images, is an editorial matter for broadcasters.' It comes after it was revealed Rudakubana is allegedly allowed to buy treats in prison such as Maltesers and crisps despite throwing scorching water over a prison guard last month. It is also claimed that he is allowed to call his family, have religious visits and receive money from relatives while in the south east London prison. Patrick Hurley, who is an MP for Southport, took to social media to express his outrage and posted on X A source told The Sun that Rudakubana has been 'spending 5.50 a week' since he attacked the guard and is allowed to buy 'anything he likes as long as it's not dangerous'. They added: 'He's still allowed to buy things like Maltesers and Pringles crisps if he fancies them.' Since Rudakubana attacked the guard he has been on a 'basic' level of treatment behind bars meaning he no longer has access to a TV and that his time out of his cell has been restricted. He is also said to be no longer permitted to purchase butter or baby oil which could be heated for an attack. In January, Rudakubana was jailed for at least 52 years for killing three young girls as well as the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. He was spared a whole-life term only because the horrific crime on July 29 last year happened nine days before his 18th birthday, when he was a juvenile. But Mr Justice Goose, passing down 13 life sentences, said: It is likely he will never be released. A true crime drama fans have 'binge-watched in one sitting' has hit BBC iPlayer and can now be watched for free. The four-part series, titled The Black Forest Murders, was recently acquired by the broadcaster. Based on the non-fiction book SOKO Erle by Walter Roth, the German show takes inspiration from the criminal cases of two murdered women in southern Germany. The fictional series stars Nina Kunzendorf as Senior Detective Barbara Kramer and Tilman Strau as Thomas Riedle, amongst others. A synopsis reads: 'The clock is ticking... When a woman is bludgeoned to death, detectives face mounting pressure to crack the case and catch a killer. 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. A true crime drama, titled The Black Forest Murders, fans have 'binge-watched in one sitting' has hit BBC iPlayer and can be watched for free Based on the non-fiction book SOKO Erle by Walter Roth, the German show takes inspiration from the criminal cases of two murdered women in southern Germany The fictional series stars Nina Kunzendorf as Senior Detective Barbara Kramer and Tilman Strau as Thomas Riedle, amongst others 'Intense crime drama inspired by real-life cases.' BBC boss Sue Deeks previously said: 'The Black Forest Murders is an authentic and compelling crime series focusing on the work of a meticulous investigative team. 'As well as being a gripping murder mystery, the series offers a detailed look at the challenges of solving complex crimes, and the psychological toll on those involved in such high-stakes investigations.' The series has become a hit with viewers and one wrote on Google: 'I watched the entire series in one sitting and thought it was excellent. 'The meticulous investigation was amazing. Nina Kunzendorf was at her best as a fair and likeable boss in a strong team. 'Unfortunately, the translation often came across poorly, as several actors spoke in dialect. But thank goodness there's subtitles in the media library. It's sad, but you can help yourself.' Another added: 'I found this four-part series extremely good. It was exciting, with good dialogue, some of which was mumbledit was due to the dialect - and a very good portrayal of a real series of murders. 'The actors did a very good job, especially Ms. Kramer, who acted convincingly. It was a glimpse behind the scenes of a special investigation unit. I'd be happy if there were more short series.' A synopsis reads, 'The clock is ticking... When a woman is bludgeoned to death, detectives face mounting pressure to crack the case and catch a killer.' The four-part series has become a hit with viewers and some took to Google to leave reviews of the show Someone else penned: 'We liked the series so much that we watched all the episodes right away. And it never got boring. 'This crime thriller was free of staged chases and unnecessary actionjust good, real police work. Good actors, though difficult to understand at times. The sound was the only downside to this strong crime thriller.' But not everyone has been impressed and one viewer penned: 'I watched three episodes and waited with suspense for the investigation to reach its climax. 'Then, in the fourth episode, I was completely disappointed... A completely unknown perpetrator, who was never even considered before and never appeared, just some truck driver, completely anonymous to the viewer! 'That was the end! What a waste of time, very flat and... why is everyone smoking all the time, apart from that dialect! No suspense!' Another drama hit BBC iPlayer recently and viewers broke down in tears after all instalments of a 'masterpiece' family drama were finally loaded onto the streaming platform. The Last Anniversary, which hit the on-demand platform on Saturday, follows journalist Sophie (Teresa Palmer) after she inherits her ex-boyfriend's great-aunt's house on the remote, fictional Scribbly Gum Island. As she settles in, she also attempts to solve a 50-year-old local cold case that has haunted the island - and drawn in true crime tourists - for years. One fan penned: 'We liked the series so much that we watched all the episodes right away. And it never got boring.' But not everyone has been impressed and one viewer penned their take on Google reviews too The Australian six-part comedy-drama, first released down under in March, is based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, the author behind Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers. Alongside lead Teresa (The Fall Guy), it also stars Oscar-nominated British actress Miranda Richardson (Good Omens) and Australian actress Danielle Macdonald (The Tourist). Co-produced by Nicole Kidman and Liane herself, among others, it has impressed critics and viewers alike, whose reviews and comments online sing their praises for the high-quality show. Stream The Black Forest Murders on BBC iPlayer. Things are getting real on Farmer Wants A Wife - and one smitten farmer may have already found his happily ever after. Farmer Thomas made a heart-stirring confession on Tuesday night's episode, revealing he 'believes Clarette could be the one' following an emotional one-on-one date that left both of them in tears. The couple returned to the pristine beaches of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula for their most romantic date yet, where Thomas surprised Clarette with a touching video message featuring her friends and family from the UK. Clearly overwhelmed, Clarette struggled to hold back tears as she watched heartfelt messages from loved ones back home. 'It made me feel like I'm not alone here anymore,' she told producers, while Thomas looked on adoringly. 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. Things are getting real on Farmer Wants A Wife - and one smitten farmer may have already found his happily ever after. Pictured: Farmer Thomas Farmer Thomas made a heart-stirring confession on Tuesday night's episode, revealing he 'believes Clarette could be the one' following an emotional one-on-one date that left both of them in tears. Both pictured But it didn't stop there. In a move that signalled just how serious things were getting, Thomas took Clarette to meet his Uncle Tom - a major milestone in the farmer's journey to love. 'My uncle's opinion and his tick of approval means a lot to me,' Thomas said. 'I believe Clarette could be the one, and I'm hoping my Uncle Tom reassures me a bit more that I'm right.' It comes just one day after Thomas made a dramatic comeback during Monday's episode, just 24 hours after blindsiding his ladies by abruptly storming off the farm. Clarette, Rachael, Jess and Laura were left visibly stunned when the farmer made a late entrance at the glitzy Country Ball, having had zero contact with them since vanishing in the heat of the moment. 'I'm really sorry about how it all ended,' Thomas said, pulling Clarette aside the moment he arrived. 'I shouldn't be storming out.' Still reeling from their argument, Clarette told Thomas she felt betrayed after discovering he'd been messaging his ex, Claire, despite insisting their connection was over. In a move that signalled just how serious things were getting, Thomas took Clarette to meet his Uncle Tom (right)- a major milestone in the farmer's journey to love 'I believe Clarette could be the one, and I'm hoping my Uncle Tom reassures me a bit more that I'm right' he said 'I was so upset because I thought Claire was no longer an issue for us,' she said. But Thomas was quick to shut down any lingering doubts. 'I mean it, I swear. The contact's deleted. No contact at all,' he insisted. His emotional plea seemed to work, with Clarette accepting his apology before the pair sealed their reconciliation with a passionate kiss. The shock reunion sent ripples through the group, with Jess later pulling Thomas aside for a serious chat. She admitted she felt like she was wasting her time competing for attention and hinted at a possible exit from the show. Despite the drama, Thomas went on to select Clarette for his next one-on-one date, proving he's all in on making their relationship work. His surprise return, heartfelt apology, and bold decision to double down on Clarette has well and truly reignited the race for love - and thrown the farm doors wide open for more drama. It comes just one day after Thomas made a dramatic comeback during Monday's episode, just 24 hours after blindsiding his ladies by abruptly storming off the farm Thomas was previously caught out in a lie after it came to light that he was still in contact with old flame Claire, who left the show a few weeks ago on account of feeling self-conscious and overwhelmed. When a message popped up on the farmer's phone from Claire, who was dubbed one of Thomas' front-runners after securing the 24-hour date in week one, he decided to be upfront with Clarette and Rachael. However, despite his honesty, all hell broke loose on the farm, with Clarette descending into a jealous rage. 'I believed that a line had been drawn on everything, and there was no contact,' she said. 'Then I find out tonight that there has been contact since that, so I'm really upset.' When Clarette questioned Thomas over whether he wanted to pursue things with Claire, he replied: 'No, she's dead to me.' She then challenged the farmer, who was seemingly backed into a corner, asking why he was still messaging her if that was the case. Thomas stood his ground, assuring her that he didn't want anything to do with her, but Clarette was having none of it. 'You keep doing things all the time and then asking for forgiveness constantly. I'm over it!' she told the farmer. Thomas was previously caught out in a lie after it came to light that he was still in contact with old flame Claire, who left the show a few weeks ago on account of feeling self-conscious and overwhelmed The blow up saw Clarette storm off, slam the door and close the shutters - and Thomas drove away from the farm in a frenzy - as the episode ended in a nail-biting cliffhanger 'I wouldn't put up with this outside of this experience and I'm definitely not going to lower my standards.' Things only escalated from there, when the pair went off camera to discuss the drama and Clarette asked to see Thomas' phone. What she discovered was a slew of messages between him and his former love interest in the weeks since she had left the show. 'So, when you were trying to get with me, you were still flirting with her? 'Everything has been a lie. Everything! Look how many messages there are, you f***ing prick!" she screamed. The blow up saw Clarette storm off, slam the door and close the shutters - and Thomas drove away from the farm in a frenzy - as the episode ended in a nail-biting cliffhanger. A Twilight star is being sued by his former landlord for months of unpaid rent. Cam Gigandet, 42, who played bad vampire James in Twilight with new dad Robert Pattison and Kirsten Stewart, allegedly owes $60,000 in for rent due between November 2023 and February 2024. A lawsuit filed my Ronald Goldhammer claims the Desert Dawn actor, 42, and his ex-wife Dominique Geisendorff leased the home from him, agreeing to pay $6,650 a month on a one-year lease, according to documents obtained by DailyMail.com. Goldhammer first claimed in a lawsuit filed in June 2024 that Gigandet, his wife and their three kids had lived in the house, during the disputed period, but had not paid him, and wanted them to pay-up or forfeit the lease. Goldhammer later amended his complaint claiming the couple, who have since divorced, moved out of the house in April 2024. Daily Mail has reached out to Gigandet's representatives for comment. A Twilight star is being sued by his former landlord for months of unpaid rent; franchise stars (LR) Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are pictured in Berlin in 2012 Cam Gigandet, 42, who played bad vampire James in Twilight with new dad Robert Pattison and Kirsten Stewart, allegedly owes $60,000 in for rent due between November 2023 and February 2024; Pictured with Kristen Stewart in Madrid in October 2008 The complaint reads, 'Defendants failed to pay the rent owed, but nevertheless, continued to occupy the [home].' In his response on May 15, Gigandet and his attorneys denied all allegations and said his actions were 'reasonable, lawful and in good faith.' Any damage Goldhammer claims took place on the property, the Love Hurts star's attorneys argued, were caused by a third party or parties, although they did not specify who that might be. '[Goldhammer's] claims are barred, in whole or in part, because the conduct of [Gigandet] was not a substantial factor in bringing about [Goldhammer's] alleged injuries and/or damages, if any, and therefore was not a contributing or proximate cause thereof.' In addition, his lawyer claimed, that his client 'is informed and believes and thereon alleges, he is excused from performance under the agreement alleged in the First Amended Complaint due to the acts, omissions, and/or material breaches of [Goldhammer] with respect to the matters and things alleged in the First Amended Complaint.' Gigandet and Geisendorff finalized their divorce in 2024 and their settlement provides an interesting look into the ups and downs of a journeyman actor such as Gigandet, who works steadily smaller budget projects, according to court papers obtained by DailyMail.com. He was awarded 100-percent interest in his business, a portion of his pension plan, his checking accounting with $6,380, another account with $280 and all earnings from the date of their separation, listed as May 1, 2022. Geisendorff was awarded her 2016 Range Rover, a checking account with $34, a portion of Cams pension plan, her clothing collection and various other items. Gigandet (R) played bad vampire James in 2008's Twilight; pictured opposite Kristen Stewart The actor's former landlord claims he and his now ex-wife Dominique Geisendorff did not pay rent on the house they leased from him between November 2023 and February 2024; Pictured in Pasadena, CA in October 2009 The Tower actor has denied the allegations and said his actions were 'reasonable, lawful and in good faith'; Pictured in San Diego in July 2024 The pair will share joint legal and physical custody of their three children; twins Everleigh and Armie, 16, and Rekker, 12. The Shrapnel star agreed to pay spousal support based on his income. He's also required to notify Geisendorff with 'monthly statements of income and shall provide any knowledge of upcoming work to Dominique as soon as possible.' Gigandet has since expanded his family and his responsibilities. He and his partner, Outlander actress Hannah James, welcomed their son Dare in October 2024. The legal fight between Joshua Jackson and his ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith over their daughter Juno has taken an ugly turn. The Dawson's Creek actor, 46, has now filed a motion and request for an emergency custody order modification, according to court documents obtained by E! News. In the motion, filed May 30, Jackson claims Turner-Smith, 38, changed their five-year-old daughter's school for kindergarten without his permission and selected an establishment that was outside of the 45-minute commute time from his home that they had previously agreed upon. According to court documents obtained by People, Jackson claims Turner-Smith said it's 'no big deal to force Juno to start over with a new school.' Jackson alleged in the documents obtained by E! that Jodie-Turner told him via a text message that their daughter does not 'require a fixed location' for her education and that tutors and remote learning could be implemented. DailyMail.com has reached to reps for both Jackson and the Turner-Smith but did not immediately hear back. The legal fight between Joshua Jackson and his ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith has continued; pictured May 2022 in New York City The Dawson's Creek actor, 46, has now filed a motion and request for an emergency custody order modification in regards to their daughter Juno, five, according to court documents obtained by People; Seen here May 27, 2025 He also is worried that 'Jodie is attempting to create a scenario where Juno travels with her rather than attending a traditional school.' Jackson also brought up his own past being educated as a child actor by on-set tutors, according to E!: 'Even in the best case it cannot begin to provide a child with the same nurturing and enrichment, peer relationships and social skills that a classroom and school community environment provides.' The actor is now asking the court to order his daughter to remain at the school she has been attending for the next academic year. He is also seeking joint consent with Turner-Smith for any future school changes. Joshua said his daughter has been 'flourishing' at her current school, according to E!. He noted the multiple changes Juno has faced in recent years, which comprised of the recent loss of Jackson's home in Topanga Canyon, which was burnt down in the Los Angeles fires. Joshua said 'adding an unnecessary school change cannot be in her interests.' Joshua and the British actress/model got together in 2018 and secretly married the following year before welcoming baby Juno in 2020. Turner-Smith filed for divorce in October 2023, and in the filing said their date of separation was the month prior. They settled their divorce last month, but at that time where Juno would attend school had not been agreed upon. In previous court documents obtained by People, Turner-Smith stated that she'd been granted the authority to 'make the final decision' about Juno's education in 2024. The documents state that she was required to consult Jackson on the decision. In recently filed legal documents, according to TMZ in May 2025, it was revealed that Jackson will pay $2,787 each month in child support but he will not be paying monthly spousal support. Turner-Smith also requested Jackson pay her $75,000 for the attorney's fees she incurred in their legal fight over where they child will go to school. The Doctor Odyssey star and his ex went to a mediator to compromise on a temporary schedule to govern the 50-50 custody of their daughter. The Doctor Odyssey star, 46, alleged on May 30, that Turner-Smith put Juno in a new school without consulting him; Turner-Smith seen here June 1, 2025 Jackson is requesting that the court orders Juno to keep attending the school she's been going to for the next academic year. Seen here May 27, 2025 He is also seeking joint consent with Turner-Smith for any future school changes. Jodie seen here on May 5 at the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating Superfine: Tailoring Black Style Turner-Smith reportedly requested a judge to enforce a court order to give her the power to move their daughter to a new school. In legal documents filed by her attorney Laura Wasser, she said she researched the elementary school, discussed with Jackson and even made sure it was close enough to his home. However, she claimed that he still does not want to move their daughter to the new school. The pair have been in a legal battle since Turner-Smith filed for divorce two years ago. She listed their date of separation as September 2023 and cited 'irreconcilable differences' in her reason for filing. A few months later, she broke her silence about their divorce and said she decided to file to end their marriage. She said she wanted to 'make a move because I believe that there are visible scars from staying in places that are not good for us. 'And they don't just affect us, they affect everybody around us,' she told The Sunday Times in February 2024. Joshua and Jodie got together in 2018 and secretly married the following year. Joshua seen here May 7, 2025 Turner-Smith filed for divorce in October 2023, and in the filing said their date of separation was the month prior; Jodie seen here May 5, 2025 'Sometimes things we really want to work just don't end up working. And that's OK. The most important thing is that you choose what's healthiest for you and your family and definitely your children.' Following their split, Jackson went on to date Lupita Nyung'o, and he was most recently linked to German model Nastassja Roberts. Last October, Turner-Smith declared that she is 'over men' after their divorce filing, insisting she is happily single and is not focused on dating for a while. Renee Zellweger looked gorgeous in an off-the-shoulder black dress at Monday evening's 2025 Gotham Television Awards in New York City. The 56-year-old longtime actress whom sources tell DailyMail.com is living apart from boyfriend Ant Anstead, 46 commanded attention in the form-fitting number, which cinched at the waist and fell to her ankles. She wore her blonde locks in a fuss-free updo that included a side part and face-framing loose strands at the front. Zellweger kept the look simple, opting for minimal accessories as she rounded out the outfit with pointy-toe black heels. Her wrinkle-free face was taut and glowing as she hit the red carpet in natural-looking makeup. The Bridget Jones's Diary star has been in the Big Apple filming the new season of Only Murders in the Building. Renee Zellweger looked gorgeous in an off-the-shoulder black dress at Monday evening's 2025 Gotham Television Awards in New York City The 56-year-old longtime actress commanded attention in her form-fitting number, which cinched at the waist and fell to her ankles Sources recently told DailyMail.com that the actress is living apart from her TV presenter boyfriend Ant Anstead, 46; (LR) Stephen 'Scooter' Weintraub, Libby June Weintraub, Zellweger and Anstead seen in October 2023 in LA Last month she was spotted working on a scene with fellow Hollywood vet Bobby Cannavale. During the mid-May shoot day Zellweger sported a ginger-toned bob hairstyle with a side part and flipped ends. Details regarding her OMITB character have been kept under wraps, but co-star/producer Selena Gomez recently shared photos from the production featuring Zellweger. Friends of the siren told DailyMail.com in February that she has put the brakes on her relationship with Anstead, revealing she is not interested in marriage. 'Renee and Ant have been dating for over three years,' one insider said. 'She loves the relationship the way it is. 'She's seen so many couples, especially celebrities like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who have happily dated, only to split not long after getting married. 'Why would she risk rocking the boat and rushing to take her relationship with Ant to the next level?' Alec Baldwin, 67, and wife Hilaria Baldwin, 41, coordinated in shades of blue. She wore her blonde locks in a fuss-free updo that included a side part and face-framing loose strands at the front Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria Baldwin coordinated in shades of blue Parker Posey, 56, was among the superstars at the awards show on Monday. The White Lotus actress wowed in a cream-colored dress with a plunging neckline and long, sheer, bell sleeves Her co-star Leslie Bibb, 51, was also in attendance, arriving in a pale turquoise satin dress with a high collar Hilaria looked darling in a slinky, sleeveless, royal blue number with a flesh-baring cutout at the back. She showed off a fresh haircut featuring her brunette locks chopped into flattering face-framing bangs. Parker Posey, 56, was among the superstars at the awards show on Monday. The White Lotus actress wowed in a cream-colored dress with a plunging neckline and long, sheer, bell sleeves. The fashion-forward beauty added matching lacy gloves to the 60s-inspired look, which included a subtly ruffled hemline. Parker debuted a new look a rust-hued hairstyle with a center part and curled ends. She added round, pink-tinted sunglasses and carried a chic handbag with a long chain that she gathered around her hand. Her costar Leslie Bibb, 51, was also in attendance, arriving in a pale turquoise satin dress with a high collar. And another White Lotus standout, 44-year-old Carrie Coon, looked exquisite in an off-the-shoulder white column gown Sheryl Lee Ralph, 68, looked younger than her years in a little black dress with a side slit Jenny Slate arrived in an eye-catching black dress featuring a short white shawl accoutrement And another White Lotus standout, 44-year-old Carrie Coon, looked exquisite in an off-the-shoulder white column gown. Sheryl Lee Ralph, 68, looked younger than her years in a little black dress with a side slit. Her halter neck look showed off her cleavage and she punctuated the timeless look with open-toe heels, revealing a white pedicure. She flashed her megawatt smile in a full face of glamorous makeup, and her dark locks were arranged in a center part and fluffy curls. Jenny Slate, 43, arrived in an eye-catching black dress featuring a short white shawl accoutrement. The It Ends With Us actress accentuated her trim waistline with the frock's corset bodice, which transitioned into a billowy skirt. Her jaw-length jet black locks were in a middle part with a natural tousled texture and one side tucked behind her ear. Severance star Britt Lower, 39, modeled a sleeveless white dress with thin black line accents. Severance star Britt Lower, 39, modeled a sleeveless white dress with thin black line accents Netflix actress Lovie Simone, who stars in the streamer's hit coming-of-age series Forever, showed up to the starry event in an ivory Versace gown Her red hair was pulled into a sleek updo with short, side-swept bangs left out at the front. Also dressed in white was Netflix actress Lovie Simone, who stars in the streamer's hit coming-of-age series Forever. She posed for photos in a Versace gown with asymmetric straps, a thigh-high slit, and subtle ruching. The New York native complemented the getup with a bombshell hairstyle that was parted on the side and set in tight wand waves. Her old Hollywood glamour-inspired makeup was complete with a matte, berry-toned lip stain. Actress Justine Lupe looked great arriving in a delicate black slip dress with beaded accents throughout. The 36-year-old Nobody Wants This star wore her long, bright blonde locks loose, set in a middle part and slightly textured as they flowed down her back. Her makeup was flawlessly applied and featured fluttery lashes that made her blue eyes pop, and glossy pink lipstick. Actress Justine Lupe, 36, looked great arriving in a delicate black slip dress with beaded accents throughout YouTube sensation Cleo Abram, 32, turned heads in a two-toned green and black slip dress Model Haley Kalil, 32, looked angelic in a flowing, low-cut white dress with stone detailing at the chest. Designed by Marc Bouwer Actress Rachel Brosnahan, 34, bared her long legs in a quirky black mini dress Actress Madeline Brewer, 33, was fashion-forward in a green sleeveless dress with draped detail Owen Cooper, 15, arrived in support of his hit Netflix drama Adolescence Meanwhile, YouTube sensation Cleo Abram, 32, turned heads in a two-toned green and black slip dress. The top half of the look boasted low-cut black lace while the lower half called attention with an emerald green skirt. She added pointy-toe black heels to pull the sultry getup together. Model Haley Kalil, 32, looked angelic in a flowing Marc Bouwer gown. The white dress was low-cut with stone detailing at the chest. Actress Rachel Brosnahan, 34, bared her long legs in a quirky black mini dress. The netted number boasted a thigh-length black skirt that swelled at her hips, creating an exaggerated silhouette. The sleeveless look teased a built-in black bra underneath, and the Superman star pulled her glossy, dark locks back for the occasion. Actress Madeline Brewer, 33, was fashion-forward in a green sleeveless dress with draped detail. The 2025 Gotham TV Awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievement in television, was held at Cipriani Wall Street. Crime series Adolescence led the nominations across three categories Breakthrough Limited Series, Lead Performance in a Limited Series, and Supporting Performance in a Limited Series. AppleTV+'s The Studio took home the first award of the night for Breakthrough Comedy Series, per The Hollywood Reporter. Channel Seven's Denham Hitchcock has officially jumped ship to Network Ten, becoming the third high-profile journalist to exit the network in a major shake-up of Australia's media landscape. The veteran reporter confirmed the news on Monday on Instagram, revealing he would be joining Ten's soon-to-be-launched investigative unit and that the move had a personal twist. 'Well here we go. I've switched channels. But also in a way I've come full circle,' Hitchcock began. 'I grew up watching my father on Channel Ten News every night. I had a bunk bed with Eyewitness News stickers all over it and can still sing the theme song.' He added: 'So I'm delighted to start work here today joining the network to help with its plans for the future.' 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. Channel Seven's Denham Hitchcock has officially jumped ship to Network Ten, becoming the third high-profile journalist to exit the network in a major shake-up He also shared a throwback photo of his father, veteran Ten journalist Kevin Hitchcock, sporting a classic 1980s moustache and captioned it with some amusing words: 'Not sure I could pull one of those off but there's still time.' The move comes just days after The Australian reported that Hitchcock, along with 7News Sydney's Bill Hogan and award-winning former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace, had all resigned from Seven to join Ten. The trio are believed to have signed on to front a new current affairs program backed by Tens head of news, Martin White. Brace and Hitchcock left Sevens Sydney newsroom within hours of quitting and began work at Ten on Monday. Hogan is expected to start in three weeks. The departures fuel speculation that Ten is preparing to launch a prime-time news magazine show to take on Nines 60 Minutes, Sevens Spotlight, and ABC's Four Corners. Industry sources say the new program will focus on long-form investigative stories and is currently assembling what's been described as a 'crack team' of reporters and producers. A Ten spokesperson confirmed the shake-up to Daily Mail Australia, saying: 'Following the continued growth and success of our news brand, 10 News, we are investing in an investigative unit that will work on long-form stories. For Hitchcock, the move comes just three months after returning to Seven following a break from TV journalism to live on a catamaran with his wife Mari and their young children. The veteran reporter confirmed the news on Monday on Instagram, revealing he would be joining Ten's soon-to-be-launched investigative unit and that the move had a personal twist The move comes just days after The Australian reported that Hitchcock, along with 7News Sydney's Bill Hogan and award-winning former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace, had all resigned from Seven to join Ten He had originally helped launch Spotlight in 2019 and led the networks coverage of major crime and current affairs stories, including last years Who Killed Marea? documentary on Sky News. Despite his short return to Seven, Hitchcock appears ready to dive back into serious reporting at Ten and has called on viewers to help feed him stories. 'To everyone who keeps sending me stories to look into keep them coming. I read every message, he wrote. Ten's new current affairs program is expected to launch later this year. Hitchcock departs only three months after having returned to Seven after a couple of years off living on a catamaran with his young family. 'I'm back. It's time to wash some of the salt out - and get back to what I do best,' he wrote on social media. Tensions have reportedly risen between Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster as the Aussie actor attempts to integrate his new partner into the family. The 56-year-old Wolverine star is eager for the Broadway actress, 50, to develop a relationship with his adopted children Oscar, 25, and Ava, 19 who he shares with ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness, according to Woman's Day. However, Sutton, who also shares adopted daughter Emily, seven, with ex-husband Ted Griffin, is said to have 'begged Hugh to stop forcing the situation' while in the midst of his divorce with Deborra-Lee, 69, the magazine reported. 'It was Oscar's birthday recently and Ava's is coming up in July and Hugh couldn't see an issue with wanting to include "his other half",' the insider told the outlet. They went on to say Sutton is more anxious about the meeting and believes it should wait until the divorce has been finalised and everything has settled down. 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. Tensions have reportedly risen between Hugh Jackman, 56, and Sutton Foster, 50, as the Aussie actor attempts to integrate his new partner into the family According to sources, the Wolverine star, 56, is eager for the Broadway actress, 50, to develop a relationship with his adopted childrenOscar, 25, and Ava, 19, (left)who he shares with ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness, 69, (right) 'Although she's open to it eventually, she knows they all need a little more time,' the source added. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hugh and Sutton's representatives for comment. It comes after Hugh was spotted in public for the first time since Deborra-Lee opened up about her feelings of 'betrayal' in a blistering statement to the Daily Mail. Hugh and Deborra-Lee's split appeared to turn bitter when she spoke about her 'traumatic journey of betrayal' in the wake of her divorce filing last month. 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' she said. 'It's a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.' 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. However, Sutton, who also shares adopted daughter Emily, seven, with ex-husband Ted Griffin (both pictured), is said to have 'begged Hugh to stop forcing the situation' while in the midst of his divorce with Deborra-Lee reported Woman's Day on Tuesday 'It was Oscar's (far left) birthday recently and Ava's is coming up in July and Hugh couldn't see an issue with wanting to include "his other half",' the insider said 'It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.' She concluded her statement with the 'one thing' she has learned, which is 'that none of this is personal.' Hugh has yet to release his own statement on the split, but a source told the Daily Mail he had been left 'extremely disappointed' by Deborra-Lee's words as he believed they had an 'understanding' they would not publicly trash one another. 'There was no stipulation that she could not address this but there was an unwritten understanding that she would not trash him to the press,' an insider said. 'She got around this by not naming himinstead focusing on how she felt.' Ruby Rose has made troubling claims she is 'trying desperately to stay alive' because her life is at risk - leading her to 'move house every few weeks'. The Australian actor, 39, took to Threads on Monday with a series of troubling posts claiming someone is following her and trying to kill her. Fans were left concerned for the star's safety as Ruby shared a series of chilling posts, including an eyebrow-raising remark about one of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre recently took her own life after claiming they had been in a devastating car accident that was later revealed to be a minor prang. Ruby's wild posts first came in response to a thread post which asked: 'Who is a celebrity that gave it all up at the height of fame to go live a "normal" life?' 'Hi. We just leave when people try to kill us. When we are illegally debanked and [redacted]. Hope that helps,' Ruby answered. 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. Ruby Rose, 39, has made shocking claims she is 'trying desperately to stay alive' as she 'moves house every few weeks' 'Debanking' refers to a bank terminating a customer's accounts or restricting access to banking services due to perceived risks. This may happen for a number of reasons, including a perceived risk of money laundering, non-compliant customer activities, or a perceived reputational risk. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Ruby Rose was debanked for any of these reasons. It is unclear if Ruby was actually debanked or if she was referring to someone else's plight. Ruby then went on to say: 'I dont want to be labelled "crazy" and I dont want to pretend to know how Virginia Giuffre died - but DOZENS of people including a school bus, have tried to run me off the road in the last few years.' Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. She died by suicide at age 41 at her farm outside Perth, Australia, on Thursday, April 24. Ruby claimed 'I have been followed almost every time I leave my home, since the day I broke my neck, back and ribs on Batwoman' - referring to her controversial exit from the TV series after she sustained injuries on-set. 'Since then I have doubled down on .... Epstein. This has resulted in some seriously wild attempts on my life. Believe it or dont. But I might as well update you.' The Australian actor took to Threads on Monday with a series of bizarre posts claiming someone is trying to 'kill' her Ruby, who uses they/them pronouns also wrote, 'This,' beneath someone else's comment on the thread which read: 'Y'all they "left" bc it's a horrifying industry that is NOT safe.' Fans flocked to comments beneath Ruby's Threads post, begging the star to 'stay safe and keep speaking out'. Ruby responded to one concerned fan to let them know she'd had no suicidal thoughts of any kind 'thank you for asking'. 'In fact I am moving house every few weeks, countries every few months and trying desperately to stay alive until my book is finished and released,' Ruby, who is currently writing a tell-all memoir, responded. 'If youre truly being followed and targeted, staying put is dangerous. You need to move ideally to another country, where you can be safe and off the radar,' another person told Ruby. 'Trust no one unless youre absolutely sure of them. Change your routine completely. This isnt about fear, its about survival. Your safety comes first act now!' Ruby, who has recently been splitting her time between the US and Australia following the death of her father just before Christmas, responded: 'Already done.' 'I really hope that from now on that you have are able to stay safe and live a happy life,' a third follower commented. Fans were left concerned for the star's safety as Ruby also made a chilling comment about one of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers Virginia Giuffre (pictured in 2019), who recently died by suicide 'I can't even begin to imagine the trauma you have been experiencing while surviving all of this, but I do believe every word and I truly hope you have been able to care for yourself so you can keep the strength you need to endure,' wrote another. 'And you find an environment to make your home that feels therapeutic and protected x.' Someone else commented: 'That is crazy and really sad but at the same time somehow it doesn't even surprise me. 'So many evil people out there and I guess in showbiz (and politics) it is worse than anywhere else. Power and greed does that, sadly. 'I hope you are in a safe place now and I wish you well. Much love to you and the doggies from France.' 'Jesuswtf? This is horrible. Sorry to hear all thishuge fan!' said one user. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call Lifeline Australia for 24 hour help on 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14. Married At First Sight's 12th season has had no shortage of drama both on and off the screen, but tensions reached a peak after certain castmates were snubbed from the 2025 Logie Awards. Now, the jilted reality stars are breaking their silence regarding the ceremony's cold shoulder. Sierah Swepstone, Adrian Araouzou and Morena Farina spoke to Chattr about being snubbed from TV's night of nights and lifted the lid on all the drama behind the scenes. 'I have removed myself from anything MAFS-related or TV-related,' Adrian said, adding that had distanced himself from the show's social events, Instagram and castmates. However, the former TV groom did reveal that he'd be open to attending the event if an invite found its way into his letter box. 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. Married At First Sight stars Sierah Swepstone, Adrian Araouzou (pictured) and Morena Farina break their silence after being snubbed from the 2025 Logie Awards Morena confirmed that she hadn't been invited to the Logies, but was not surprised considering she had been excluded from most events related to the show Morena sung a similar tune, saying that she hadn't been invited to the Logies, but was not surprised considering she had been excluded from most events related to the show. She also let slip of tensions amongst the MAFS participants, adding that she'd rather avoid people who 'unfairly' shut her out. 'Attending the Logies would be an honour and a privilege, though I'll be honest, I'd prefer not to be seated at the table with the MAFS cast season 12,' she said. Controversial bride Sierah, who was embroiled in a cheating scandal with fellow ousted groom Adrian, claimed that her snub was a form of 'victim silencing'. 'Channel 9 completely barred me from any media opportunities and anything associated with it because of what they allowed to happen to me while I was there,' she sensationally alleged. On Monday, the MAFS cast descended into a frenzy ahead of the 2025 Logie Awards, after learning that only a small handful of them would be invited to the glittering ceremony. Set to take place on August 4 in Sydney, the event will once again be hosted by Channel Seven, leaving some Channel Nine stars sweating over their invite status. Daily Mail Australia revealed that only a few of this year's breakout stars made the cut, despite MAFS 2025 scoring strong ratings and widespread attention. Controversial bride Sierah, who was embroiled in a cheating scandal with fellow barred groom Adrian, claimed that her snub was a form of 'victim silencing' Daily Mail Australia understands that several cast members have been begging their managers and agents for an invite ahead of the main event. (Pictured: Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice) Those tipped to attend include Jamie Marinos, Awhina Rutene, Rhi Disljenkovic, Jeff Gobbels, Tony Mojanovski, Ryan Donnelly, Carina Mirabile, Eliot Donovan, Beth Kelly and Teejay Halkias. All ten stars have remained in good standing with Nine and have been spotted at recent promotional events, making them the obvious choices to represent the show and network. Should Channel Nine be feeling generous Katie Johnston and Ashleigh Ackerman will also be considered. Meanwhile, relationship experts John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla will once again attend the awards to officially represent the series, while Mel Schilling has been invited but is yet to confirm her appearance. Insiders say the decision to limit the guest list has caused serious tension within the cast. 'Everyone's panicking and desperate to go,' one source told Daily Mail Australia. 'Some of them acted like saints during filming thinking it would secure them a Logies invite now they're hearing they didn't make the cut and they're furious.' Those tipped to attend include brides Jamie Marinos, Awhina Rutene and Rhi Disljenkovic (L-R) As for the grooms, Jeff Gobbels, Teejay Halkias and Eliot Donovan (L-R) have been shortlisted Despite still being together, Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice also won't be receiving an invite following their controversial stint on the show. Perth groom Paul Antoine, Tim Gromie and Veronica Cloherty also didn't make the list. 'There's already drama bubbling behind the scenes,' the insider continued. 'People are reaching out to stylists, PRs and brands trying to bluff their way in - but it's not happening.' Australian adult content creator Koby Falks died last Wednesday, aged 42. Falks, who was known to his family and friends as Anthony Cox, made a significant impact in his brief but prolific career in the adult film industry. The heartbreaking news of his passing was confirmed by his long-time partner Sam Brownell in a statement. 'Koby Falks, better known to his family and friends as Anthony Cox, passed away earlier this week. He was loved by many and will be missed,' a statement read. Falk's cause of death has not been officially confirmed to the public. 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. Australian adult movie star Koby Falks died on Wednesday aged 42 The OnlyFans star was born in Queensland in 1982 and often appeared in productions under the pseudonym Anthony Cox. Active for just three years, Falks appeared in 76 projects, primarily through his adult content page. From 2022 - 2024, Falks featured in several adult productions alongside his real-life partner and fellow star Brownell. His sudden death was announced via Instagram, where he had amassed a dedicated following of 126,000 fans. In a heartfelt post, Brownell shared his grief, expressing eternal love for his late partner, writing: 'I will love you always.' Many of his fans were quick to pay tribute. Celebrity Apprentice star Carla from Bankstown wrote: 'Rest in Peace, angel. You were such an incredible human and always had my back.' Meanwhile, Falks' talent agent Matthew Leigh reflected on Falks' profound influence, describing him as a warm, charismatic professional whose presence resonated globally. Falks made a significant impact in his brief but prolific career in the adult film industry The heartbreaking news of his passing was confirmed by his long-time partner Sam Brownell in a statement 'Though our time working together was brief, the impact Koby had was anything but small. From the moment we connected, I was struck by his warmth, his charisma, and his incredible professionalism,' Leigh wrote. 'He was organised, kind-hearted, and deeply respectful. The kind of person you instantly felt grateful to work with. 'It was an honour to represent his remarkable body of work and to witness firsthand the power of his presence, both on and off screen. 'His ability to connect with people, not just here in Australia but across the world, was something truly special. 'Koby wasn't just a client - he was a light, a creative force, and a genuinely beautiful soul. 'Never did I imagine I would be writing such a post, especially for someone I had the privilege of managing. And I sincerely hope I never have to again. 'To Koby's family, his close friends, and his extended "family" of fans and followers - my deepest condolences. We have lost a trailblazing creative spirit far too soon. But I truly believe his light and legacy will continue shining brightly above. 'Rest peacefully, Koby. You will be missed, always.' If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. Ellen Pompeo recalled being stopped by TSA and the bomb squad over a pricey item she was carrying with her before boarding a flight. The 55-year-old Grey's Anatomy star who garnered backlash over her salary on the hit medical drama series opened up about the incident during a recent interview with Travel + Leisure. The actress had been going through airport security a few months earlier in March when she was suddenly flagged for an 'expensive' snack: a bag of sunflower seeds from Erewhon. 'I had a bag of sunflower seeds, like organic sunflower seeds from Erewhon, so they were probably the most expensive sunflower seeds money can buy,' Pompeo told the outlet. 'They literally held me for an hour, and they brought the bomb squad in. And I was like, what is happening? Is this a joke?' Ellen explained she had been informed it was 'likely' due to 'a chemical on the packaging of these super expensive, fancy, organic, clean sunflower seeds. My protein on the plane!' Ellen Pompeo, 55, recalled being stopped by TSA and the bomb squad over a pricy item she was carrying with her before boarding a flight; seen in May in West Hollywood Because she had been detained for one hour, the star added how she had 'almost missed the flight. 'It was really like no one would ever believe this! I was texting my publicist saying, "I might not get on this plane, and you're never gonna guess why."' While also talking with the publication, Pompeo got candid about her anxiety when it comes to flying. 'I like to hold my kids' hands when I take off, which is probably a little selfish, and they're probably feeling my anxiety, which probably isn't the best thing to do,' she stated. Ellen is mom to three children - Stella, 15, Sienna, 10, and Eli, eight - whom she shares with husband Chris Ivery. 'I love any kind of trip as long as my kids are with me,' The Good American Family star continued. 'I get a little bit anxious when I travel for work without my kids, but when we're all together, we try to do it all and give them a good mix [of types of trips].' Pompeo added, 'It's a privilege to be able to travel with these kids and bring them places, so I try to just have a lot of gratitude for that and show them as much as I can.' The actress had been going through airport security a few months earlier in March when she was suddenly flagged for an 'expensive' snack: a bag of sunflower seeds from Erewhon 'I like to hold my kids' hands when I take off, which is probably a little selfish, and they're probably feeling my anxiety, which probably isn't the best thing to do,' she stated Ellen is known for portraying the character of Dr. Meredith Grey on the beloved medical drama series Grey's Anatomy. She has been appearing on the show since 2005 - and still joins other cast members in a recurring role. Back in April, the actress discussed whether she would completely exit the series during an interview with El Pais. 'That would make no sense, emotionally or financially,' Pompeo stated. 'The show was streamed more than a billion times in 2024. More than a billion times. 'The companies that own the show and stream the show make a lot of money from our images and our voices and our faces.' The mom-of-three further explained that if she left 'completely,' then 'everybody gets to make money from my hard work for 20 years and I wouldn't make any money. 'To me, it doesn't make any sense that everybody [else] gets to profit off of my hard work. And emotionally, the show means a lot to people. I want to have an attitude of gratitude toward the show.' Ellen also recently took on a leading role in the Hulu/Disney+ thriller series Good American Family - which aired eight episodes from March 19-April 30. Ellen is known for portraying the character of Dr. Meredith Grey on the beloved medical drama series Grey's Anatomy The mom-of-three further explained that if she left 'completely,' then 'everybody gets to make money from my hard work for 20 years and I wouldn't make any money'; seen in March in NYC Along with Pompeo, other stars that were cast in the project included Mark Duplass, Imogen Faith Reid and Christina Hendricks. The premise is: 'A Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is little girl with dwarfism. 'As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, falling into a battle fought in the tabloids, the courtroom and ultimately their marriage,' per IMDB. While recently talking to Deadline, the star discussed her next steps and future roles she plans to take. 'I just hope that I get an opportunity to play another interesting character. I don't have anything lined up yet, and I am reading things,' Ellen recently told Deadline; seen above with Mark Duplass in Good American Family 'I just hope that I get an opportunity to play another interesting character. I don't have anything lined up yet, and I am reading things.' In regards to her role as Kristine Barnett in the Hulu series, Ellen explained that it gave her the 'opportunity to really play a character - voice, physical movements, wardrobe, all of it. I think that that helps my audience believe me as something else. 'I have to help them out of this hole that I dug us all in, this glorious hole of Meredith Grey. It's my responsibility. I can't just expect people to see me as anything else that I want.' She added, 'So I'm hoping for another rich character that I can kind of disappear into and make it easy for the audience to believe me as that character, not make them work too hard to not see Meredith Grey.' Following the heartbreaking loss of her mum, Dominique Elissa was showered with love and bridal festivities by her friends in celebration of her upcoming European nuptials. The popular model, who is set to wed Tom Bull a second time around in a big Italian ceremony, and her Aussie A-lister pals descended on Lowe's Winery in Mudgee on Saturday as they toasted the bride-to-be. In a slew of snaps uploaded to Instagram, Dominique could be seen wearing a $1,200 white mini-dress at her glamorous hens party. The fancy frock boasted a corseted bodice, accentuating the model's tiny waist, and a ruffled skirt that showed off Dominique's long, trim pins. She finished off the bridal ensemble with a lace veil, a sequined bag and a natural makeup look as she danced with her friends and posed for pictures. 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. Following the heartbreaking loss of her mum, Dominique Elissa was showered with love and bridal festivities by her friends in celebration of her upcoming nuptials The popular model, who is set to wed fiance Tom Bull in a big Italian ceremony, and her Aussie A-lister pals descended on Lowe's Winery in Mudgee on Saturday as they toasted the bride-to-be In a slew of snaps uploaded to Instagram, Dominique could be seen in a $1,200 white, bridal min-dress at her glamorous hens party Also in attendance at the hens do were models Natalie Roser, Aisha Jade, Tilly Jac Smith, Jordan Simek and Shannon Lawson. 'Feeling so lucky today,' she captioned the post, which has garnered nearly 8,000 likes. She went on to say that the girls who couldn't make her upcoming ceremony in Italy had created her 'dream' hens party. 'The sun was out for us, so many big belly laughs and deep chats about life and the future.' She finished off the post: 'My heart feels so full from the incredible girlhood weve created.' Despite the excitement for her European nuptials, Dominique sadly will marry her beau a second time around without her mother, who passed away just a few weeks after walking her daughter down the aisle in a hospital ceremony. The Aussie model made headlines in March after she was forced to move her wedding ceremony to the Prince of Wales Hospital after her mother Odile Faludi's health began to decline following a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. She revealed on Instagram she was initially 'upset, angry and a mess' when she received the heartbreaking news, but decided she would stop at nothing to have her mother walk her down the aisle. Dominique Elissa, 29, and fiance Tom Bull tied the knot in Prince of Wales Hospital on Friday, just two weeks after getting engaged The Aussie model was forced to move her wedding ceremony to the hospital after her mother Odile Faludi's health began to decline following a stage 4 cancer diagnosis She revealed on Instagram she was initially 'upset, angry and a mess' when she received the heartbreaking news, but decided she would stop at nothing to have her mother walk her down the aisle Sharing images and videos of the bittersweet ceremony with her followers, Dominique and Tom made the best of their union as they celebrated with their families, who met for the first time on the big day. Dominique was all smiles as she slipped into a white off-the-shoulder gown which featured a fitted corset and sheer pleated skirts. She covered her long brunette tresses with a white lace veil which matched the lace detailing at the bust of her gown. The blushing bride kept her makeup minimal, opting for a nude lip and bronzed eye shadow. Meanwhile, now-husband Tom donned a classic black tuxedo and put a black bow tie on their golden retriever dog, and ring-bearer, Crumble. Dominique spent her day swinging between laughter and tears as she shared heartbreaking videos of her nuptials and her mother's first look at her wedding dress. One tear-jerking clip saw the model struggling to hold back tears as she hugged her mother in her hospital room. 'Don't make me cry,' Dominique sobbed as her father pressed a kiss to her forehead while her mother slowly pulled herself out of bed. Dominique was all smiles as she slipped into a white off-the-shoulder gown which featured a fitted corset and sheer pleated skirts She covered her long brunette tresses with a white lace veil which matched the lace detailing at the bust of her gown Odile wore a beautiful turquoise strapless gown for the big day, walking her daughter down the aisle as her husband pushed along her wheelchair. 'My mum's dream since I was born was to walk me down the aisle and we did everything to make it happen, even if it meant getting married at the hospital,' Dominique told her followers. 'Mum always said the biggest decision you'll ever make is who you spend the rest of your life with, and that always stuck with me. 'The most emotional 48 hours of my life. I'm in awe of this incredible woman. It's international woman's day as well, and she will forever be my greatest teacher and inspiration.' Elsewhere, Dominique detailed how heartbroken she first was when she learned she had to have her wedding ceremony at the hospital. 'When we were told the day before that we had to move our ceremony to the hospital, every part of me didn't want to do the reception anymore,' she said. 'I was upset, angry and a mess. I took time away to think [about] the decision and realised it was more important than ever that our families could have time to unite and get to know each other. 'I'm so happy we did, and the sun came out to create some magic moments for us.' Levi Wright's mom and dad emotionally remembered their late son's final moments on the one-year anniversary of his accidental death. Last year in May 2024, their three-year son had been riding his toy tractor when he drove it into a raging creek near their home in Utah. Two weeks later, his mom Kallie and rodeo star father Spencer took their little boy off of life support after doctors said that he had suffered brain death due to oxygen deprivation while underwater. Kallie shared a new post on Monday to an Instagram page dedicated to Levi - and revealed both she and Spencer were able to hold their son as he passed away. 'A year ago today we held you as you took your last breaths,' she began alongside a photo of herself and her husband cradling Levi on a hospital bed. 'They said it could take a day or 2, I was so scared I wouldnt be holding you when you left and that was so important to me. You stayed with us 17 minutes.' Levi Wright's mom and dad emotionally remembered their late son's final moments on the one-year anniversary of his accidental death 'A year ago today we held you as you took your last breaths,' she began alongside a photo of herself and her husband cradling Levi on a hospital bed Kallie continued, 'As you left an overwhelming feeling came over me & I knew we had done right by you. For me this isnt the day you fully left us but the day it became official. 'Levi we talk about and think of you everyday. We live for you! Our love for you is stronger than ever.' Upon his passing, the three-year-old was survived by his parents as well as older sister Steeley and little brother Brae. Kallie previously detailed her harrowing recollection of how the toddler was critically injured after driving his toy tractor into a raging creek near their family home in Beaver County, Utah on May 21 of last year. Levi was driving his tractor on their land and crossed the creek, which divided the property between theirs and Levi's grandparents. Kallie previously explained that the water in the creek 'only runs through for a short time during the year and can change overnight.' In a post post, she added, 'Levi did not do anything he hasn't done before, but this time the water was at its peak and strong enough to push his tractor off the road into the creek as he drove through.' According to a statement from the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, Levi was 'quickly located' and received 'life-saving measures.' Kallie continued, 'As you left an overwhelming feeling came over me & I knew we had done right by you. For me this isnt the day you fully left us but the day it became official' Kallie previously detailed her harrowing recollection of how the toddler was critically injured after driving his toy tractor into a raging creek near their family home in Beaver County, Utah on May 21 of last year In a post post, she added, 'Levi did not do anything he hasn't done before, but this time the water was at its peak and strong enough to push his tractor off the road into the creek as he drove through' Kallie dove into the creek to rescue her son after he disappeared beneath the surface of the fast-flowing waters. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance before being airlifted to the children's hospital in Salt Lake City. The initial prognosis was devastating as doctors concluded he suffered brain death due to oxygen deprivation while underwater. But his heart was beating on its own and Levi's dad said the family 'received multiple small miracles' and doctors were 'surprised by the strides he has made.' He survived 12 days in the hospital with flickers of hope that he could regain brain function before his devastated parents shared they had to say goodbye and turn off his life support on June 2. In the the obituary she wrote for her son, Kallie said that 'Levi was exceptionally thoughtful and considerate for his age. He was constantly thinking of others.' The grief-stricken mother continued: 'His heart was pure, tender, and oversized. Levi loved his sister, Steeley, and playing with her was one of his greatest joys.' During Levi's funeral, his sister - who was five at the time - gave a heartbreaking eulogy to her late brother. The initial prognosis was devastating as doctors concluded he suffered brain death due to oxygen deprivation while underwater On the same day of the funeral, Levi's mom Kallie posted a tender tribute to her son, entitled: 'We love you beans!' Steeley bravely climbed up on a stool behind the podium where she spoke of her immense adoration for her brother, with gentle encouragement from her mother. 'Levi was my best friend,' his brave sister told the audience of mourners. 'I loved coloring with him and reading books. We always have fun riding our bikes down the hills together.' Steeley added that she and her brother were fond of taking 'walks in front of the water' together. Levi's devastated sister concluded by saying: 'I miss my brother so much, but I'll love him forever.' On the same day of the funeral, Levi's mom Kallie posted a tender tribute to her son, entitled: 'We love you beans!' The video, which was posted on Facebook, was a montage of the different magical moments from Levi's short life. Viewers were able to see Levi as an infant, first learning how to say 'Mama' and 'Dada' as well as him often playing outdoors. Given Levi's passion for tractors and heavy equipment, it was only fitting that the montage includes multiple clips of the boy in different vehicles. Last month in May, Kallie also took to the Instagram page dedicated to her son to share a moving Mother's Day post Alongside a throwback photo with Levi as well as her other two children Steeley and Brae, she wrote: 'Mother's Day isn't quite the same when a piece of your mama heart is missing!' The video came to an end with a painting of Levi standing in a field across from Jesus. Last month in May, Kallie also took to the Instagram page dedicated to her son to share a moving Mother's Day post. Alongside a throwback photo with Levi as well as her other two children Steeley and Brae, she wrote: 'Mother's Day isn't quite the same when a piece of your mama heart is missing! 'To all my mamas that hurt a little extra on this day, I see you.' Kim Kardashian is weighing in on her mom Kris Jenner's dramatic new look. The 69-year-old matriarch is looking noticeably younger these days, although she has not fessed up to any recent cosmetic procedures. Her 44-year-old second-born child broke her silence on the matter, using social media to comment on the buzz after some fans admitted they think Kris now looks younger than her famous daughters. Kim shared a photo of longtime hairstylist Chris Appleton at Saturday's Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event, wearing a white shirt that read, 'I'll have what Kris Jenner is having.' Via Instagram Stories, she added the note, '@chrisappleton1 me too babe,' signaling her seal of approval. Jenner turned heads in May after unveiling her refreshed face while in Paris for Kims armed robbery trial. Kim Kardashian has weighed in on her mom Kris Jenner's dramatic new look; Kim pictured March 2 The 69-year-old matriarch is looking noticeably younger these days, although she has not fessed up to any recent cosmetic procedures Her rep later confirmed she enlisted the skills of celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Steven M. Levine dubbed the 'facelift maestro' to achieve her rejuvenated look. A source also told DailyMail.com that the mother-of-six is revamping her closet to match her changing appearance. 'Kris is no longer a size 10 so she has no need for those clothes. She is a size 6 these days and thrilled about it. Its the same size that she was in the 1980s,' the insider spilled. 'Her closet is completely different now the items are so much smaller and it makes her very happy to get back to the body that she had in her younger years,' the person added. While Jenner hasnt publicly shared how she lost the weight, fans believe it could be due to using the diabetes and weight loss drug Ozempic. Kris has historically attributed her lean figure to healthy eating and an active lifestyle. Her fans have been remarking on her glowing and youthful appearance in recent sightings and social media posts. Jenner, who shares four of her children with the late Robert Kardashian and two with Caitlin Jenner, has been candid about her cosmetic procedures in the past. Kim shared a photo of longtime hairstylist Chris Appleton wearing a white shirt that read, 'I'll have what Kris Jenner is having.' Via Instagram Stories, she added the note, '@chrisappleton1 me too babe,' signaling her seal of approval Jenner's strikingly youthful appearance in recent weeks has sparked speculation about whether she's had another facelift; pictured left in May 2025, and right in May 2024 Kim and Kris pictured in Paris in May In a 2018 Keeping Up With the Kardashians episode she welcomed viewers to follow along as she had an earlobe reduction procedure. She lamented on the show, 'All I want is just cute ears. Ever since Kim made a comment about my ears Ive always wondered and now I am looking in the mirror obsessively like, "Are they too big?"' And the star added, 'I learned that your nose and your ears keep growing your whole life. I think that the decision to do something about my ever-changing ears is suddenly a priority.' Kris has also been open about regularly getting Botox to help maintain a taut, wrinkle-free visage. Adolescence star Owen Cooper won big for his portrayal of a young murder suspect. On Monday, Cooper, 15, became the winner of the Gotham TV Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series. Cooper, who was allowed to extend his half-term holidays from school so he could attend the glamorous event, tied for the award with Dying of Sex star Jenny Slate, 43. Taking the stage to accept the gong on Monday at New York City, Cooper drew laughter as he thanked his parents 'for creating me' and heaped praise on his co-star Erin Doherty, 32, who played psychologist Briony Ariston and was also nominated for the same award. 'Main person that I have to thank is Erin, who is also nominated for this award. That episode that we did together, it was easy to do it with you and it was such an honour to share this, share this award with you. You deserve this award just as much as I do, so round of applause for Erin please,' he said, getting the crowd to clap. 'And I also want to thank Philip Barantini, Joe Johnson, Stephen Graham and I want to thank Hannah Walters. I just want to thank everyone that was part of the Adolescence cast and crew, everyone that was there,' he said. Adolescence star Owen Cooper won big for his portrayal of a young murder suspect at the 2025 Gotham TV Awards Owen with Adolescence executive producer Mark Herbert, creator/writer Jack Thorne, his co-stars Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham (who stars in and created the show), and Jeffrey Sharp, the executive director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute 'Who else, my parents for creating me. Yeah but that's about it. Thanks to Gotham awards for handing me this award.' Adolescence was nominated for four Gotham awards and won three of them -Breakthrough Limited Series, Outstanding Lead Performance in a Limited Series for Stephen Graham, and Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series for Owen (the fourth nomination was for Erin, who lost to her co-star). It's not the first award Cooper has received for his portrayal of the troubled young teen, with the actor also winning the Breakthrough Award from the IndieWire Honors. Cooper's role is also set to earn him a nomination for one of the biggest honors in TV - the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor. If he wins, the sensation would be the youngest ever male winner in the 76-year-old history of the 'TV Oscars'. Experts hailed the 'genius move' of placing Cooper in Supporting, as opposed to Best Actor, which they said would massively boost his chances of winning. Despite experts calling Owen a 'lock-in' for the award, the modest teenager recently said he was just focused on succeeding at school rather than winning awards. Owen Cooper accepts the #GothamAward for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series: "I want to thank my parents for creating me." pic.twitter.com/LZh5Fb7CcW Variety (@Variety) June 3, 2025 Stephen, who also created the program, posed with his cast The show also won the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Limited Series 'That's, like, next-level. This time last year, I didn't know what I'd be doing. It's just crazy how fast it's come around. It's an honour to be even in that conversation for an Emmy. 'I just focus on what I've gotta do at the moment, you know? I'm focusing on school, so that's just all outside noise for me at the minute,' he told Extra TV. The Brit's main competition in his Emmy category would be Javier Bardem, who starred in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and was initially the bookies' favourite. Speaking to Gold Derby in April about the prospect of gaining recognition with awards, Owen said: 'If that was to be the case, it's definitely a massive achievement and it's the next step in my life. I'll just take it and move on. Owen is poised to become the youngest person to ever win an Emmy if he receives the award in September Erin, R center, was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series Cooper with his award for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series He posed proudly with the award And looked smart in a navy outfit 'It's one of them things that will forever be there and I'll never forget it for the rest of my life.' And he deflected the praise back to the team who surrounded him on the show. 'It's all rooted from Stephen [Graham], Hannah [Walters, the producer], Phil [Barantini, the director], Jo Johnson the producer, it's all from them. I couldn't have done it without them,' he said. Cooper, who hails from a proudly working class estate in central Warrington, was chosen from 500 candidates for the role of Jamie. It was his first-ever acting job and no one in his family has a background in the industry. He is being supported on his meteoric rise by dad Andy, an IT worker, and mum Noreen, a carer. Brand and culture expert Nick Ede predicted Owen could follow in Timothee Chalamet's footsteps and become 'the toast of Hollywood'. Cooper gave Erin a shout-out in his acceptance speech Cooper, who hails from a proudly working class estate in central Warrington, was chosen from 500 candidates for the role of Jamie. It was his first-ever acting job and no one in his family has a background in the industry He told MailOnline: 'The phenomenal success of Adolescence has taken the TV world by storm and critics have been raving about Owen's stand-out performance. 'The Hollywood elite love a rags-to-riches story and, at 15 and his first ever role, this young actor who was brought up in humble surroundings could soon become Hollywood's hottest property and follow the path of many other child stars who have become household names, like Millie Bobby Brown or Timothee Chalamet. 'I'm sure writers will already be presenting his agents with scripts and synopsis that will feature him. 'As he's so young I am sure he will be looked after and not thrust into the limelight without any support. 'Being a star in the UK is very different from being an international phenomenon. I am sure the offers will be rolling in from feature films to brand deals and beyond. 'He will probably feel a lot of pressure, but also feel a massive sense of achievement from where he has come from to where he is now.' The Emmy awards ceremony will take place in LA in September. Do you know more? Email: stephen.gibbs@dailymail.com A Big Brother contestant who famously came out as gay on national television called a young man who was staying at his farm a 'f***ot' before assaulting him one night. David Graham, known as 'Farmer Dave' to his fans, previously gave Daily Mail Australia his version of events leading up to the assault but didn't mention using homophobic slurs. The 45-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of common assault on May 30, when he was convicted and sentenced to a nine-month conditional release order. That conviction was overturned and the conditional release order quashed on June 27 after Graham appealed to the District Court. Graham had originally faced further charges of choking, intimidation and damaging property when he appeared at Windsor Local Court, in Sydney's north-west, but those matters were withdrawn. A statement of facts tendered in court listed Graham's occupation as 'presenter/farmer/youth worker' but revealed his only source of income was $1,500 a week in worker's compensation. Those payments were due to post-traumatic stress disorder and $1,000 went towards rent. He had five children, five Kelpies and two house dogs and considered the canines 'significant expenses'. Graham's victim, whom Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to name, was staying at his farm at Glossodia in the Hawkesbury region but moved out after the attack. Big Brother contestant David Graham, who famously came out as gay on national television, called a young man who was staying at his farm a 'f***ot' before assaulting him one night The victim had been living with Graham for four months but the pair had known each other 'for an extensive period of time', according to the statement of facts. Graham told Daily Mail Australia on Monday night that he had allowed the young man to live on his farm because he 'had nowhere else to stay'. The reality television star said he met the young man through his work assisting troubled youth to train dogs and learn trades. Graham also claimed the victim 'hosted drinking parties' 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. Graham also claimed the young man had not fed his animals while he was away and he found one of his dogs in almost skeletal condition. The statement of facts tendered in court made no mention of alcohol, the deteriorating health of Graham's mother or emaciated dogs. According to the court document, Graham had asked the victim to charge the security cameras at his property on January 27. David Graham, known as 'Farmer Dave' to his fans, previously gave Daily Mail Australia his version of events leading up to the assault but did not mention using homophobic slurs Graham did not believe the man had done what he was told 'and began berating the victim, yelling abuse at him, calling him a 'f***ing c***' and a 'f***ot'.' The argument 'got heated' at about 4.30pm and the victim ran to his car, attempting to leave the property. 'On doing this the accused followed him to the vehicle,' the statement of facts said. 'The accused grabbed the car door handle attempting to open it and hit the car window. 'This caused the victim to become scared for his welfare, fearing he was going to be assaulted and drove off from the location.' The victim returned to the farm about 8.30pm with a male friend to collect his belongings. While the victim was gathering up his possessions, Graham became abusive towards his friend who was standing beside a truck. The victim recorded Graham calling him and and his friend 'f***ing c***s' and 'f***king f***ots'. The 45-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of common assault on May 30 when he was convicted and sentenced to a nine-month conditional release order. The conviction was later overturned and the order quashed The victim told Graham 'Don't push him' in an effort to protect his friend, then when Graham pushed the victim he said, 'Don't touch me.' Shortly afterwards, the victim was in his bedroom when he heard a loud bang, according to the statement of facts. He then saw Graham drop his cupboard, causing a drawer to fall out and a wheel to break off. Graham said to the victim, 'Stop with the smart a*** response' and the victim replied, 'I'm not being a smart a***'. The next morning, police attended Graham's farm, where he was arrested. Asked if he had grabbed the victim the previous night, Graham said: 'To get him out of the house, 100 per cent.' Asked again about committing the assault, Graham said: 'To push him out of the house, yes.' Back at Windsor Police Station Graham became 'physically distressed' during an electronically recorded interview in which he described the assault. Graham famously came out as gay to his housemates on national television during the sixth season of Big Brother in 2006 when he finished third in the competition 'The accused stated that he felt intimidated as there were knives left lying around the house,' the statement of facts said. 'However, the accused continued to escalate the situation by yelling at the victim and entering the victim's bedroom. 'The accused made admissions to assaulting the victim while trying to physically remove the victim from the residence.' When Graham spoke to Daily Mail Australia he admitted he had done the 'wrong thing' but said he planned to appeal the severity of his sentence. Graham said that after returning from Queensland he had asked the victim to leave his home, which he did, before returning with his friend later that night. He said he pushed the victim with two open palms after the pair had refused to leave the premises. 'I was shocked and as I'm in recovery from PTSD after five years working in a high- stress work environment,' he said. '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. The reality show fan favourite started the charity RuffTrack in 2019, with the aim of connecting at-risk young people with dogs to help foster responsibility and trust 'I accept that pushing a human is assault.' Graham said he would 'no longer give assistance to the homeless' and he had learned that 'no good deed goes unpunished'. '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,' he said. Graham famously came out as gay to his housemates on national television during the sixth season of Big Brother in 2006 when he finished third in the competition. In 2022, he returned for the show's 14th season and finished 13th out of 22 contestants. The reality show fan favourite started the charity RuffTrack in 2019, with the aim of connecting at-risk young people with dogs to help foster responsibility and trust. He told Daily Mail Australia last December he had walked away from that initiative after becoming burnt out. Graham is now the subject of a two-year apprehended violence order protecting the man he assaulted. George Clooney made his Broadway debut in March playing legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, And Good Luck. The Hollywood icon had to dye his gray hair a dark brown color for the part, which has been met with mixed reactions. Now the 64-year-old A-lister has told Seth Meyers on his late night show what his wife Amal Clooney thinks of the look. The lawyer has said the hair dye job is 'funny,' but George admitted, 'She'll be glad when it's gone.' He joked: 'The last show is Sunday, we do a matinee, and by the time we go to the Tony's that night, it'll be gone.' And the star then said, 'I may have a shaved head, I may look like Yul Brynner,' though Meyers said that might be good luck, since Brynner won Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 1952 for The King And I. He also said he was wearing a hat to the interview because his hair was a mess. George Clooney made his Broadway debut in March playing legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, And Good Luck. The Hollywood icon had to dye his gray hair a dark brown color for the part, which has been met with mixed reactions Now the 64-year-old A-lister has told Seth Meyers on his late night show what his wife Amal Clooney thinks of the look The lawyer has said the hair dye job is 'funny,' but George admitted, 'She'll be glad when it's gone.' He joked: 'The last show is Sunday, we do a matinee, and by the time we go to the Tony's that night, it'll be gone' 'I'm wearing a hat to hide my bad hair. It's bad. It's still dark on top, but it's gray on the bottom,' Clooney said. Meyers explained that, 'it looks great on stage, but off stage it looks like you're trying to get away with something.' Clooney joked, 'It's horrible. It looks like you're going through some sort of midlife crisis. I'm 64, midlife is a little stretch.' Clooney portrays legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck, which he also wrote with his creative partner Grant Heslov, based on the 2005 film of the same name that he starred in, directed and co-wrote with Heslov. The play opened to strong reviews and earned five Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Actor for Clooney, who is facing a lawsuit over his Casamigos tequila brand. The production has also been just as much a commercial hit as it's been a critical smash, becoming the first Broadway play in history to gross $4 million in one week. George also said he had an embarrassing defeat he suffered in the softball league to an upstart team of wizards from a Harry Potter play's cast. And the star then said, 'I may have a shaved head, I may look like Yul Brynner,' though Meyers said that might be good luck, since Brynner won Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 1952 for The King And I. He also said he was wearing a hat to the interview because his hair was a mess When asked about his time on the Broadway softball league, the actor admitted his team is not so great, with their latest loss to none other than Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. 'I'm batting .500 right now. But you listen, I have to be honest. We have a softball team, the Good Night, and Good Luck softball team. And we are 0-3,' he said. 'We have not won. We've been rained out the last three weeks,' Clooney added, as Meyers joked, 'So, you started 0-3 and then, the weather got on your side.' 'I'm wearing a hat to hide my bad hair. It's bad. It's still dark on top, but it's gray on the bottom,' Clooney said When asked about his time on the Broadway softball league, the actor admitted his team is not so great, with their latest loss to none other than Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. 'I'm batting .500 right now. But you listen, I have to be honest. We have a softball team, the Good Night, and Good Luck softball team. And we are 0-3,' he said 'We have not won. We've been rained out the last three weeks,' Clooney added, as Meyers joked, 'So, you started 0-3 and then, the weather got on your side' The Oscar-winning actor and director added, 'And our last very close loss was to Harry Potter. Yeah, we lost to, you know, children.' He joked, 'I'd like to think they were using some sort of magic,' as Meyers joked that he can, 'protest any loss to the Potter kids.' Clooney will next be seen on the big screen in Jay Kelly, from writerdirector Noah Baumbach, alongside Adam Sandler and Laura Dern, in theaters November 14. Uma Thurman was joined by her rarely seen daughter Luna at the opening night of Eurydice at the Signature Theatre in New York City on Monday. The actress, 55, and her youngest, 12, stepped out to support her oldest daughter Maya Hawke, 26, ahead of her Off-Broadway debut. Maya stars as the titular character in Sarah Ruhl's adaptation of the classic Greek myth, which will run until June 22. Walking the red carpet head of the show, Uma looked effortlessly chic in a wool coat, which she teamed with smart trousers. Smiling for photos beside her mum, Luna opted for a black top and a pair of straight leg jeans. 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. Uma Thurman was joined by her rarely seen daughter Luna at the opening night of Eurydice at the Signature Theatre in New York City on Monday The actress, 55, and her youngest, 12, stepped out to support her oldest daughter Maya Hawke, 26, ahead of her Off-Broadway debut Maya looked stunning in a draped, satin midi dress which she teamed with a matching rust-coloured umbrella and heels. Uma's two older children, Maya and Levon - whom she shares with her ex-husband Ethan Hawke are well known for having followed their famous parents into acting. But she has cultivated a far more private existence for her youngest daughter Luna, whom she shares with her ex, the French hedge fund manager Arpad Busson, 62. A rare exception occurred in 2023 at the New York City premiere of Wes Anderson's critically acclaimed comedy Asteroid City, which Maya had a small role in. Even though Luna isn't usually spotted at similar events, this time she was seen posing for photographers. While little is known about Luna, Uma previously opened up about why she decided to give her daughter four middle names. 'Maya came up with the best excuse, which was that I probably wouldn't get to have any more children, so I just put every name that I liked into Luna's,' she told Jimmy Fallon during a Tonight Show appearance. 'We couldn't quite agree on the name, so we call her Luna. She's lucky that way.' Walking the red carpet head of the show, Uma looked effortlessly chic in a wool coat, which she teamed with smart trousers Smiling for photos beside her mum, Luna opted for a black top and a pair of straight leg jeans Maya stars as the titular character in Sarah Ruhl's adaptation of the classic Greek myth, which will run until June 22 One of Luna's rare family appearance was at the NYC premiere of Asteroid City - which half-sister Maya starred in - in June 2023 (Luna, Levon Hawke, Maya and Uma pictured in 2023) Uma and her financier ex Arpad Busson began their onoff relationship back in 2007, and revealed that they were engaged in June of the following year, but they called off the engagement in 2009. The split was short-lived, though, and Uma and Arpad reunited in 2010, with the engagement back on. Luna arrived in 2012, but her parents still hadn't married by 2014, when they called it off their engagement for a second time and seemingly split for good. In early 2017, Uma and Arpad became engaged in a custody battle over their youngest child, with The Pulp Fiction star ultimately receiving primary physical custody of Luna. Prior to dating Arpad, Thurman was married twice: from 1990 to 1992 to Oscar winner Gary Oldman, and then from 1998 to 2005 to Ethan Hawke after they met on the set of their 1997 sci-fi drama Gattaca. They welcomed Maya in 1998 and Levon in 2002, before separating in 2003. Prior to his relationship with Uma, Arpad's best-known partner was Elle Macpherson, whom he was together with from 1996 to 2005 and shared two sons. x Olivia Hawkins is reportedly dating a hunky boxer and Netflix star, weeks after she locked lips with her Celebs Go Dating co-star Louis Russell. The former Love Islander, 29, is said to have sparked up a romance with Too Hot To Handle star Kelechi Dyke, 31, with the pair having been on a few dates. And according to The Sun, things are certainly hotting up between the pair and are getting 'quite serious'. A source told the publication: 'Liv was linked to fellow Celebs Go Dating co-star Louis Russell when production on the series first started. 'But since then shes been on a series of dates with boxer Kelechi Kelz Dyke, which have been filmed for the show. 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. Olivia Hawkins is reportedly dating a hunky boxer and Netflix star, weeks after she locked lips with her Celebs Go Dating co-star Louis Russell The former Love Islander, 29, is said to have sparked up a romance with Too Hot To Handle star Kelechi Dyke [pictured], 31, with the pair having been on a few dates 'Netlix fans will know him from Too Hot To Handle as well, so he is well versed in reality TV. But the chemistry between him and Liv is genuine and they are really into each other.' The insider cryptically added: 'Watch this space.' MailOnline have contacted Olivia's representatives for comment. Olivia's romance news comes shortly after she was spotted locking lips with another Too Hot To Handle favourite and fellow Celebs Go Dating star Louis Russell during filming in Ibiza. The Love Island beauty and the hunk were just days into shooting the new series of the Channel 4 dating show last month - and it seemed sparks were already flying. The pair already had fans speculating about their relationship status after a flirty exchange on social media before heading out to the sun-soaked Spanish island. In photos obtained by The Sun, Olivia and Louis could be seen sharing a very steamy kiss during a lively pool party as they packed on the PDA. A show insider told the publication: 'It usually takes a few weeks for things to spice up but not with these two. According to The Sun, things are certainly hotting up between the pair and are getting 'quite serious' 'Netlix fans will know him from Too Hot To Handle as well, so he is well versed in reality TV. But the chemistry between him and Liv is genuine and they are really into each other' 'Within 48 hours of arriving in Ibiza the sexual spark between them was obvious. 'They clearly couldn't resist each other,' they added. MailOnline contacted reps for Olivia and Louis for comment at the time. Olivia and Louis were said to have 'grown close' during filming of the E4 show, reportedly breaking show rules by being 'all over each other' in Ibiza. MailOnline understands the pair had become each other's love interests despite the premise of the series being for celebrities to date contestants who aren't famous. According to a TV source, Olivia, who starred on Love Island in 2023 before returning for the All Stars series earlier this year, has fallen for Louis, known for his appearances on Netflix's Too Hot to Handle. Olivia's last high profile romance was with Marcel Somerville, whom she split from in February just days after leaving the Love Island: All Stars villa. The pair, who were axed from the South Africa villa in a shock double dumping in January, have gone their separate ways and have decided to just stay friends after failing to find a romantic connection. Olivia's romance news comes shortly after she was spotted locking lips with another Too Hot To Handle favourite and fellow Celebs Go Dating star Louis Russell during filming in Ibiza In photos obtained by The Sun, Olivia and Louis could be seen sharing a kiss during a lively pool party Olivia's last high profile romance was with Marcel Somerville, whom she split from in February just days after leaving the Love Island: All Stars villa A source confirmed to MailOnline: 'Liv and Marcel have made the decision to part ways. 'Theyve chosen to go in separate directions, but there's no hard feelings. 'While they do share some fond memories together from their short stint on Love Island, theyve built a great bond but have decided theyre better off as friends and are both looking forward to the next chapters in their lives.' Olivia, 29, and Marcel, 39, were votes the least compatible couple by viewers, after landing in the bottom with Ronnie Vint and Elma Pazar, and Nas Majeed and Catherine Agbaje earlier in the series. Emmerdale star Georgia Jay has announced she is pregnant with her first child after fans spotted her baby bump in recent scenes. The actress, 33, who joined the soap last year as character Steph Miligan, took to Instagram on Monday to share her happy news. Emmerdale fans have speculated in recent weeks that Georgia was pregnant after her character was spotted in an array of oversized costuming. Telling fans that their predictions were right, Georgia shared a snap of her growing baby bump as she confirmed she was expecting a child. It is unknown who her partner is. 'As you've probably guessed, I've got some news to share!' she said. 'I know some of you have been wondering if you've been seeing a little bump on screen lately well, it's not your imagination... I'm having a baby! From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Emmerdale star Georgia Jay announced Instagram on Monday that she is pregnant with her first child after fans spotted her baby bump in recent scenes 'As you've probably guessed, I've got some news to share!' she said. 'I know some of you have been wondering if you've been seeing a little bump on screen lately well, it's not your imagination... I'm having a baby!' 'We've never been so excited and a little nervous all at once. Thank you for all the love and support.' Co-stars were quick to share their love for the star as Michelle Hardwick wrote: 'Beautiful Mama ' 'What?!!!!!!!' Danny Miller teased hinting that it had been known among the cast for some time. 'You absolute beauty.. BUMPALISHOUS BABY!!!!' wrote Lisa Riley, while Bradley Riches said: 'CONGRATS XXX LOVE YOU!' Fans had noticed Georgia's bump in recent scenes from the soap and had been speculating online as to whether she was pregnant. They wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'Is Steph pregnant or is the actress pregnant?'; 'Am i the only one who knew georgia jay was pregnant months ago?,'; 'Steph will be going soon. Heard on the grapevine that she' s pregnant (in real life). Pleased to hear it and best wishes but so glad we could soon be having a break from Steph (the character),'; 'I knew Steph was pregnant the other day - they keep filming her from the waist up but today very obvious!'; The actress, 33, who joined the soap last year as character Steph Miligan, took to Instagram on Monday to share her happy news Co-stars were quick to share their love for the star as Michelle Hardwick wrote: 'Beautiful Mama ' Emmerdale fans have speculated in recent weeks that Georgia was pregnant after her character was spotted in an array of oversized costuming 'Is Steph Milligan (Georgia Jay) Pregnant?,'; 'Is Steph pregnant in real life,'; 'Wondering if anyone else noticed that Steph looked pregnant, or was it just me?,'; 'Is the Actress playing Steph pregnant, or just wearing a large jacket with tissue stuff in the pockets?' As she joined ITV's Emmerdale in November, Georgia said: 'I am thrilled to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. 'The cast and crew have all been so welcoming and Im very excited to see what lies ahead for Steph, given her intriguing backstory.' But Georgia landed a part in a twisted Hollywood horror film before securing her place on the ITV soap. Back in 2015, she played Jennifer in Lake Placid vs Anaconda, a comedy horror crossover of the Anaconda film series and Lake Placid film series. In the film, Georgia's character Stephanie strips down to a bikini as she and a group of other girls run through a forest to escape the huge anaconda. The film also starred Corin Nemec, Yancy Butler, Skye Lourie and Robert Englund. Fans had noticed Georgia's bump in recent scenes from the soap and had been speculating online as to whether she was pregnant The 90-minute flick didn't receive the best reception, scoring just 21 out 100 on Rotten Tomatoes. It also only managed to reach 14 per cent on the film rating websites 'Popcornmeter'. Critics called it a 'made-for-cable genre film' and other reviewers said that everything about it 'sucks, especially the CGI'. Georgia's other pre-Emmerdale gigs included playing Diane Vickers in 2019 BBC drama series Giri/Haji - which only lasted one season. She also landed minor parts in Glow and Darkness in 2021, as well as The Devil Sits on Both Shoulders in 2018. Keira Knightley said in 2014 that said she gave herself a yearly salary of 30,000 to stop her losing touch with her less affluent friends. But The Pirates Of The Caribbean star should give herself a pay rise as her treasure chest is bursting. New accounts have shown there is a whopping 7.1million in profits at the 40-year-old actress's company Ponder Rights, including 411,000 earned in 2024. Its riches sit alongside 9.7million held in performing arts company KCK Boo, as well as 7.8million worth of properties held in nominee company Charlotte Road - that's a total of almost 25million. Explaining her frugality, Keira said: 'Living an [expensive] lifestyle means you can't hang out with people who don't live that lifestyle. It alienates you.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Keira Knightley said in 2014 that said she gave herself a yearly salary of 30,000 to stop her losing touch with her less affluent friends (Seen in 2018) New accounts have shown there is a whopping 7.1million in profits at the 40-year-old actress's company Ponder Rights, including 411,000 earned in 2024 (Seen in November) 'Some of my best, most hilarious times, have been in the least luxurious places.' Keira is famously frugal - and when she shops at her local Tesco with her husband, Klaxons musician James Righton, they have been known to use separate self-service checkouts. The actress lives in a 4million North London mansion with her family. She bought the pad using a 2.3million loan from her own company. It comes after it was revealed Keira has 'reunited with Daniel Craig on the school run' after former co-stars enrolled their children in the same private school. Keira's husband James is very involved in school activities, appearing in the Christmas show, and his enthusiasm is matched by Daniel and his Oscar-winning wife, Rachel Weisz. 'Keira and James are very into their children's school,' a source tells me. 'They always want to get involved and now it's rubbing off on Daniel and Rachel. Their kids are in the same year, which is handy.' Keira recently offered insights into her passions and politics in a new interview with Vanity Fair Italy as she shared her views on Brexit and climate change. Keira is famously frugal - and when she shops at her local Tesco with her husband, Klaxons musician James Righton, they have been known to use separate self-service checkouts (Seen in December) It comes after it was revealed Keira has 'reunited with Daniel Craig on the school run' after former co-stars enrolled their children in the same private school (Seen in 2005) The actress opened up about her 'left-wing artistic' opinions in a candid conversation with the fashion magazine in October. Keira revealed how she cried over the decision to leave the European Union during Brexit and shared her worries that the world will 'explode' due to climate change. Speaking on Brexit, she said: 'I campaigned for the remainside. I was in tears when Brexit happened. And I have no idea what is going to happen. 'But I really hope that, from now on, there will be better relations between the EU and Britain: the bad relationship was just ridiculous, particularly at a point when we needed to work together to solve such big problems.' Sharing her concerns about climate change, Keira went on: 'That and climate change. I mean, I'm worried that the world will explode! 'I always tell my daughters to grab happiness wherever they can find it, but I'm aware it won't be easy with all these situations getting out of control.' Elsewhere, Keira opened up about her opinion on paternity leave in the UK, which she claimed was a 'ridiculous system' because dads only get two weeks off. She said: 'We just have to look up at the Scandinavian countries: that's how you bring dads into childcare more. 'However, if I look at my group of friends, I see things are evolving: when I bring my kids to school, all of the dads are there. 'It's easily fifty-fifty, but I'm aware I'm talking about a very left-wing artistic group of people. We're all very progressive.' Deborra-Lee Furness is reportedly planning to release a no-holds-barred 'divorce diary' detailing her painful split from Hugh Jackman and the heartbreak that followed. The Australian actress, 69, is currently documenting her emotional roller-coaster journey, with plans to publish the memoir once her divorce from the Wolverine star is legally finalised. 'Deb's been desperate to have her side of the story out there,' an alleged source told New Idea. 'She's been writing down all her thoughts, the good and the bad, and logging every detail of this ugly roller-coaster divorce. As soon as her lawyers allow it, she will be talking to publishers about a deal.' The revelations come just weeks after Deb filed official divorce papers, ending her 27-year marriage to Hugh, 55, and issuing a powerful public statement where she spoke of her 'traumatic journey of betrayal'. 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. Deborra-Lee Furness (pictured) is reportedly planning to release a no-holds-barred 'divorce diary' detailing her painful split from Hugh Jackman and the heartbreak that followed The actress, 69, is currently documenting her emotional roller-coaster journey, with plans to publish the memoir once her divorce from Hugh (left) is legally finalised It comes after Hugh was spotted in public for the first time since Deborra-Lee opened up about her feelings of 'betrayal' in a blistering statement to the Daily Mail. Hugh and Deborra-Lee's split appeared to turn bitter when she spoke about her 'traumatic journey of betrayal' in the wake of her divorce filing last month. 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' she said. 'It's a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.' She continued: 'This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. 'I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose. 'It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.' She concluded her statement with the 'one thing' she has learned, which is 'that none of this is personal.' After Deborra-Lee, 69, officially filed for divorce from Hugh, 56, this week, the actress addressed her heartbreak in an exclusive statement to DailyMail.com Deb's emotional declaration signalled a turning point in what had largely been a quiet and dignified separation - until now. Sources claim that while Deb is remaining composed publicly, behind closed doors she's preparing to reclaim her narrative with a raw and honest memoir that could shine a spotlight on Jackman's new romance with Broadway star Sutton Foster. The New Idea insider added that the actress won't be holding back: 'She won't be silenced. This is her truth.' Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Deborra-Lee Furness for comment. Meanwhile, tensions are said to be rising between Jackman and Foster, 50, as he pushes to integrate his new partner into the family unit he once shared with Deb. The Aussie actor is reportedly eager for Sutton to form a bond with his and Deborra-Lee's adopted children - Oscar, 25, and Ava, 19 - but the process hasn't been smooth. 'Sutton begged Hugh to stop forcing the situation,' a source claimed to New Idea, adding that the Broadway star is keen to delay any introductions until the divorce is officially settled. 'It was Oscar's birthday recently and Ava's is coming up in July and Hugh couldn't see an issue with wanting to include his other half,' the insider explained. 'But Sutton's anxious about rushing things and believes it's too soon.' 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal, 'Deborra-Lee said in an exclusive statement to DailyMail.com this week Foster, who also shares an adopted daughter, Emily, 7, with ex-husband Ted Griffin, is said to be treading carefully, especially with the shadow of Deb's scathing comments still lingering. The cracks in the Jackman-Furness split were further exposed last week when Hugh was spotted out in public for the first time since Deb's explosive statement, fuelling rumours that the once amicable separation has turned bitter behind the scenes. If Deborra-Lee's book plans go ahead, it's likely to be one of the most anticipated celebrity memoirs in years - and with decades of Hollywood secrets, personal struggles, and a headline-grabbing split to unpack, publishers will no doubt be lining up. Hugh has yet to release his own statement on the split, but a source told the Daily Mail he had been left 'extremely disappointed' by Deborra-Lee's words as he believed they had an 'understanding' they would not publicly trash one another. 'There was no stipulation that she could not address this but there was an unwritten understanding that she would not trash him to the press,' an insider said. 'She got around this by not naming him - instead focusing on how she felt.' Ian Smith has admitted that he has lost friends while battling cancer. The beloved Neigbours star is being treated for a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer and says that not everyone has stuck by his side. The 86-year-old says that some people in his life have 'walked away' from him. 'I can't understand that. I don't want them to love me but at least stay as they were with me' he told The Morning Show. 'But, no, they're quite physically walking away from me and it's a very strange feeling. I wish they'd tell me why.' 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. Ian Smith (pictured) has admitted that he has lost friends while battling cancer. The beloved Neigbours star is being treated for a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer and says that not everyone has stuck by his side Ian added that he is doing well health wise and has so far defied the odds. 'I get a bit nauseous sometimes, but that's not much,' he said of how he's feeling physically. 'I was supposed to die last month I've possibly never felt better' Ian continued. 'Everyone looks at me and they say, "Look at your hair." And they're all jealous because I've got so much hair.' In December, Smith was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, which doctors initially told him was 'non-fixable'. Ian, who played Harold Bishop on the long-running soap, stepped down from his stalwart role last year amid his terminal cancer battle. After being put on a revolutionary treatment plan which he cheekily described as being a 'guinea pig' for he's defied expectations and is now hoping for 'a year, maybe two' of extra life. 'I want to go forever,' he said. 'I don't want to play Harold anymore, but I don't want to stop acting.' The 86-year-old says that some people in his life have 'walked away' from him. 'I can't understand that. I don't want them to love me but at least stay as they were with me' he said The veteran performer first stepped into Harold's shoes in 1987 and went on to become one of Neighbours' most iconic faces. He was known for his wholesome charm, slow-burning romances, and multiple disappearances - including being presumed dead after falling off a cliff in 1991 only to return five years later with amnesia. His final scenes as Harold, which aired in April, had fans across the globe in tears - with the affable character announcing he was moving to Queensland with a sentimental send off. However Harold made a welcome, albeit brief, return to Ramsay Street in scenes that will aired earlier this year. Ian was back in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough to help farewell another Neighbours veteran, Anne Charleston, 82. Anne played Harold's wife Madge Bishop (nee Mitchell) from 1986 until 2001. She then returned for the 30th anniversary in 2015, and 'final' episode in 2022. The versatile actress returned to the soap again this year to play new character Agnes Adair. Ian was back in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough to help farewell another Neighbours veteran, Anne Charleston (right) recently. Pictured on Neighbours News of Harold's return came after Ian recently gave an update on his health following his cancer diagnosis. He revealed on Channel Seven's The Morning Show that he was responding well to his cancer treatment. 'I have got cancer. I know that because doctors tell me I have. But apart from that... No pain. I was supposed to die in March,' Ian said. 'I am having the easiest ride, seriously!' Freddy Brazier defied his dad Jeff Brazier by sharing a new TikTok on Tuesday which included a picture of his nan Jackiey Budden amid the family's legal war. The picture was from the day Freddy and Jackiey were spotted smoking suspicious cigarettes after their recent reconciliation, despite his dad Jeff's war to block contact. The 20-year-old has reportedly been living with his grandmother for the past week and clearly shares a close bond with her. Freddy was seen puffing with his gran, 68, in front of tourists near Tower Bridge in South London this week, after the Mail On Sunday revealed Freddy had been living with his maternal grandmother for a week. He cut a casual figure in a burgundy top and beige shorts while Jackie wore her own joggers rolled up to her knees and sported bandages on her hands, with onlookers telling The Sun that she was 'acting erratically'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Freddy Brazier defied his dad Jeff Brazier by posting a new TikTok on Tuesday which included a picture of his nan Jackiey after legal action and 'weed smoking' row amid dad Jeff's legal war to keep the pair apart Freddie has returned to the platform with Jackiey in a slideshow video captioned: 'Why don't we fall in love' 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 They told the publication: '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'. Meanwhile Jackiey said: 'As long as Freddy smokes with me he's safe. At least I know what he's smoking as it's nasty out there.' Now Freddie on Tuesday has returned to TikTok with Jackiey in a slideshow video captioned: 'Why don't we fall in love.' He uploaded a series of individual images against the backing track to Amerie's song of the same name. Snaps included ones showing him lying on the grass with a dog and playing football. 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 shockingly used the N word. The lyrics 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'. MailOnline have contacted Bobby and Jackiey's reps for comment. Freddy lost his mother Jade when he was just four years old after she died from cervical cancer in 2009, and has since been raised by his dad Jeff. Jackiey and Jeff have clashed multiple times over the years, and it was revealed last month the TV star is taking action in an attempt to legally block contact between his son and his grandmother, 'to keep him safe'. Mail On Sunday revealed that Freddy, who was restricted from seeing Jackiey by his dad after he filed court paperwork, spent last week at her home in Bermondsey, after reuniting despite his father's efforts to keep his son away. He uploaded a series of individual images against the backing track to Amerie's song of the same name Snaps included ones showing him lying on the grass with a dog and playing football He also shared a snap with a pal as part of the slideshow 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 shockingly used the N word The lyrics 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' 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.' The Sun On Sunday also reported that Jeff now has a court date for his legal battle with Jackiey. It has sparked a vicious war of words between the pair, with furious Jackiey saying she knew nothing about his legal bid before it was leaked to a newspaper and insisting that Freddy, who is now 20, is old enough to make his own decisions. And 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. '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 Freddy lost his mother Jade when he was just four years old after she died from cervical cancer in 2009, and has since been raised by his dad Jeff 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' Freddy has reunited with his grandmother Jackiey Budden to spend a week at her home in south London, despite his dad Jeff's dramatic legal row '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'. She is the best dressed character in television with the infamous vintage Christian Dior newspaper dress and endless Chanel shirts. And Sarah Jessica Parker has revealed she made sure it was written into her contract that she kept every single item of Carrie Bradshaw's impressive wardrobe so she 'Didn't have to steal anything'. The 60-year-old has played the fictional New York columnist for more than three decades over 116 episodes and two feature length films. Speaking to Wonderland Magazine, she said: 'I've got all of it, I've kept her active since the very beginning. I have all of Carrie's outfits since the pilot. But that's the one thing I've had in my contract, pretty much my entire career. 'So every movie, Miami Rhapsody, LA Story, I have all of it. So I've been keeping that archive since the very beginning. 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. Sarah Jessica Parker has revealed she made sure it was written into her contract that she kept every single item of Carrie Bradshaw's impressive wardrobe so she 'Didn't have to steal anything' The 60-year-old has played the fictional New York columnist for more than three decades over 116 episodes and two feature length films 'So I don't need to steal anything because I have it all.' The third series of the reboot show, And Just Like That, aired on Friday and from Manolo Blaniks to her beloved Fendi Baguette, her wardrobe is as bold as ever. But in the first episode, Carrie made perhaps the biggest fashion mistake to date with an oversized gingham-patterned fabric hat in shades of light orange and white - perhaps a look SJP won't be keeping. Fans were not impressed with Carrie's eye-catching look, with many trolling her as they compared the hat to one worn by the popular cartoon character Strawberry Shortcake. Some even quipped they wanted to 'call the fashion police.' 'Why is she cosplaying as Strawberry Shortcake?' one asked, while another shared a side-by-side asking, 'Who wore it better?' 'I can get behind the wildest of Carrie's fashion choices but this duvet cover of a hat is truly unhinged.' 'I love the show but someone needs to call the fashion police on Carrie's hat lol!' 'I know nothing about fashion, but what is this hat Carrie is wearing?' She is the best dressed character in television with the infamous vintage Christian Dior newspaper dress and endless Chanel shirts 'I've got all of it, I've kept her active since the very beginning. I have all of Carrie's outfits since the pilot. But that's the one thing I've had in my contract, pretty much my entire career' 'So every movie, Miami Rhapsody, LA Story, I have all of it. So I've been keeping that archive since the very beginning' Carrie Bradshaw is well known for her iconic outfits The actress' alter-ego has rocked eye-catching looks over the years Sarah has never been afraid to showcase a variety of looks throughout her years playing Carrie However, Carrie made perhaps the biggest fashion mistake to date with an oversized gingham-patterned fabric hat in shades of light orange and white - perhaps a look SJP won't be keeping 'What's happening here...' someone else wondered. 'Are we all seeing this, is this a joke, what is happening?' 'I'm sorry, but what was that hat? I feel ill.' The sequel to the fan beloved Sex and the City series follows friends Carrie Bradshaw (Parker), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis) and their tangled lives in New York City. The first episode of the new season features Rosie, 63, in her guest role as a virgin nun named Mary, who is Miranda's potential lesbian love interest. Michelle Keegan shared a rare sneak peek of her baby daughter Palma on Tuesday, two months after giving birth. The actress, 37, who shares her first child with her husband Mark Wright, uploaded an update to her Instagram Story. Sharing an adorable black and white photo of Palma's feet, she wrote: 'Yep... my toes.' Michelle and Mark have been enjoying their time as parents and have been sharing small glimpses of Palma on their social media accounts. The couple will also no doubt be jetting off to their favourite holiday spot of Mallorca this summer with their baby girl. 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. Michelle Keegan shared a rare sneak peek of her baby daughter Palma on Tuesday, two months after giving birth The actress, 37, who shares her first child with her husband Mark Wright, uploaded an update to her Instagram Story (Michelle pictured last week) It's believed the couple chose the name Palma because of their strong links to Mallorca, which has been their go-to holiday destination for years and the setting for their pregnancy reveal photoshoot. Michelle married Mark in May 2015 and the couple live together in a 3.5 million Essex mansion they built from scratch. Chatting with his best friend and fellow dad Olly Murs on his Heart Breakfast show, TOWIE star Mark recalled the moment he first held his newborn daughter in his arms. Mark fought back emotions as he said: 'Mate, it's actually hard to put into words. 'It's the biggest achievement of my life it's all I think about but obviously, hats go off to my wife she is an absolute superhuman, a superhero for bringing this baby into the world.' Sharing his appreciation for Michelle, he added: 'It makes you realise what our mums did for us and makes me have so much more respect than I already had and what women had to go through. 'It's the best feeling in the world. I wake up every morning just so excited to see her face.' Recalling the first moment he held Palma, he continued: 'That moment when I held her in my arms, it gets me emotional now thinking about it.' Michelle and Mark have been enjoying their time as parents and have been sharing small glimpses of Palma on their social media accounts Mark recently said: 'It's the best feeling in the world. I wake up every morning just so excited to see her face' Mark added: 'I suppose everything else goes out the window and its made me realise what life is all about and my little baby Palma I love you so much and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. 'It's a very special feeling. I can't really put it into words. We've waited a little bit of time, we've chased our dreams and our careers and now we're here. We've got a baby.' Before Cannes, Michelle showed her support for high street brands as she hit her local town on Wednesday to stock up on some family essentials. The new mum, who welcomed baby daughter Palma in March, teamed a pinstripe blue shirt with a pair of cream drawstring trousers and sandals. Michelle was joined by her mum Jacqueline as they stocked up at the Essex branch of Marks & Spencer before stopping by Boots. The actress juggled two huge bags as she had a low-key stroll around town, going unnoticed by fellow shoppers. It's no wonder Michelle is a fan of M&S, seeing as her husband Mark Wright is a brand ambassador for the British institution, which is still dealing with the aftermath of a massive cyber-attack. Christina Haack, 41, has shared how she feels after finally settling her divorce from Josh Hall. While on Monday's episode of SiriusXMs Jeff Lewis Live she hinted that she felt a bit 'screwed' after a 12-hour mediation with her ex. 'I heard a saying once, like, if you both think youre screwed, then whatever you want. I dont know how it goes' she said. 'Look, its not great, but I guess its done.' Haack and Hall first started dating in March 2021, got engaged that September and wed a month later in October. 'I'm grateful to have this behind me,' she wrote in an Instagram story shortly after the divorce was finalized on May 2. 'I can't wait to move on with my life and focus on what's ahead and all my blessings.' In the Stories post, she thanked her divorce lawyer, Laura Wasser. 'I loved watching you in action and how you handle everything and everyone with class and grace... I appreciate you all beyond words,' Haack wrote of the lawyer and her team, calling them 'all a true class act.' Christina Haack, 41, has shared how she feels after finally settling her divorce from Josh Hall. While on Monday's episode of SiriusXMs Jeff Lewis Live she hinted that she felt a bit 'screwed' after a 12-hour mediation with her ex 'I heard a saying once, like, if you both think youre screwed, then whatever you want. I dont know how it goes' she said. 'Look, its not great, but I guess its done.' Haack and Hall first started dating in March 2021, got engaged that September and wed a month later in October During the divorce, Haack claimed that Hall wanted $3.5 million from her. Hall disputed the claim. He has also been accused of transferring $35,000 from Haack's bank account to his own - which he also denied. Christina has one bright light in her life: She is now happily dating businessman Christopher Larocca, who she pictured with last month engaging in a wild PDA session while on holiday in Cabo San Lucas in DailyMail+ exclusive photos. Last month DailyMail.com learned she has been suffering from health issues. The worrying news comes after her costly and painful divorce from third husband. As a result, The Flip Off star has been feeling sluggish overall, a source told the Daily Mail. Haack's symptoms include headaches, bloating, weight gain and body aches. She has also been more tired than usual, the source added. Now, the mother-of-three is taking some time for 'self love' so she can cope better. 'Christina is doing more meditation and carving out quiet time for herself when she gets down time from her busy work schedule,' our source said. 'And she will be working out more with yoga and Pilates. Walks on the beach are also on her to-do list because that calms her down.' Stress can trigger poor health. According to Mayo Clinic, high or low cortisol levels can cause a variety of symptoms, often related to stress and hormone imbalance. This week she said she has been wearing red lately because it symbolizes her 'freedom' And the reality TV star also shared this selfie where she had on a red workout bra and matching leggings while at home 'High cortisol can lead to weight gain, muscle weakness, high blood pressure and mood changes, while low cortisol can cause fatigue, weight loss and skin changes,' the medical center claimed. Many of these symptoms overlap with other conditions, making diagnosis challenging. In May, Haack made her red carpet debut with Larocca at the For Your Consideration Emmy event. She was joined by ex-husband Tarek El Moussa and his wife Heather El Moussa - all three star together on HGTV's The Flip Off. Hall was initially involved in the competition series, with the two couples expected to compete 'to find, buy, renovate and flip a house for the biggest financial gain'. He was booted from the show shortly after they each filed for divorce in July 2024, one day apart. Haack went Instagram official with Larocca in January, sharing a snapshot sitting on his lap aboard a private plane. Haack is now happily dating businessman Christopher Larocca (right) After the red carpet date, for which Haack and her new beau coordinated in black outfits, she took to Instagram to share photos and video clips. Engaging her nearly 2 million followers, she wrote in a caption: 'What an epic night last night and it was such an honor for us to be considered for an Emmy!!' Haack wore a long-sleeved satin mini dress, which she paired with sheer pantyhose and knee-high black boots. 'We have all come so far in our careers and personal life, separately and together,' she continued in her caption. 'Proud of us for coming together for this incredible show and doing this journey together.' Haack also shared a photo with the El Moussas via Instagram Stories and wrote: 'Last night was amazing,' adding a trophy and a prayer hands emoji. Legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood wants to set the record straight. The 95-year-old movie icon spoke to Deadline about headlines about himself - specifically an 'interview' with Kurier - a German-language Austrian newspaper. Clint told Deadline the interview with Kurier never happened and that the entire 'interview' they published is 'phony.' 'A couple of items about me have recently shown up in the news. I thought I would set the record straight. I can confirm I turned 95. I can also confirm that I never gave an interview to an Austrian publication called Kurier, or any other writer in recent weeks, and that the interview is entirely phony,' Clint told Deadline. Clint, who turned 95 on May 31, was quoted by Kurier in the faux interview as saying: 'We live in an era of remakes and franchises. I've shot sequels three times, but I haven't been interested in that for a long while. My philosophy is: do something new or stay home.' Legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood wants to set the record straight The 95-year-old movie icon spoke to Deadline about headlines about himself - specifically an 'interview' with Kurier - a German-language Austrian newspaper; Clint in 1956 Clint's career has spanned decades, with his first movie role in Revenge of the Creature in 1955. He starred in iconic projects over the years, including Man with No Name, For A Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Dirty Harry, High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales and Escape From Alcatraz - just to name a few. Clint has also served as a director in a number of projects including Pale Rider, Unforgiven, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Letters from Iwo Jima, Gran Torino and Flags of Our Fathers and more. He also starred in Pale Rider, Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino in addition to directing. His most recent project, Juror No. 2 - which he directed - was released in November 2024 and starred Nicholas Hoult. J.K. Simmons and Toni Collete. The last film he appeared in (which he also directed) was Cry Macho in 2021. Clint's son Scott Eastwood spoke out about his father recently. The 39-year-old actor - who is the spitting image of his father - was asked by People how his father was doing nearly a year after Ciint's girlfriend of 10 years, Christina Sandera died at age 61 following a heart attack. Clint told Deadline the interview with Kurier never happened and that the entire 'interview' they published is 'phony;' seen in The Good, the Bad and The Ugly The 39-year-old actor - who is the spitting image of his father - was asked by People how his father was doing nearly a year after Ciint's girlfriend of 10 years, Christina Sandera died at age 61 following a heart attack; Scott with dad Clint and Christina Sandera in December 2018 Scott said he was 'doing good' and said that 'he's a survivor, a trouper,' explaining that his father doesn't complain; from left to right: Kyle Eastwood, Alison Eastwood, Clint and Scott in December 2018 Scott said he was 'doing good' and said that 'he's a survivor, a trouper,' explaining that his father doesn't complain. 'He was born coming out of the Great Depression, and then he was young during World War II. He saw a lot of struggle.' Last year, Scott told People some advice his dad Clint told him in regards to his acting career. 'Follow your gut,' he said. Vicky Pattison put on a sizzling display in a green triangle bikini as she shared a round-up of snaps from May. The former Geordie Shore star, 37, jetted to Monaco last month for the Grand Prix - and she shared a stunning throwback bikini snap on Instagram on Tuesday. The snap showed Vicky in a green triangle style number as she lounged in the sun while staying in nearby Nice. It came among a number of snaps as Vicky rounded up May, writing: 'May... You were full of so many blessings and beautiful moments. Beyond grateful for my family, friends, fluffy boys and f***ing brilliant job. 'I hope your May was everything you wanted it to be... and that June brings you all the joy you deserve .' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Vicky Pattison put on a sizzling display in a green triangle bikini as she shared a round-up of snaps from May on Instagram on Tuesday It came among a number of snaps as Vicky rounded up May, writing: 'May... You were full of so many blessings and beautiful moments' Elsewhere in the post, Vicky shared a busty snap of her in a skintight blue halterneck as she enjoyed a meal out. In another snap, loved-up Vicky was again seen at the Monaco Grand Prix as she posed for snaps with her husband Ercan Ramadan, as well as a selfie of the pair of them at Disneyland. Embracing the arrival of summer, Vicky could be seen enjoying Pub In The Park with Ercan and friends as she got in spirit, sitting on her hubby's shoulders. She also gave fans some behind-the-scenes looks at her work over the last month, including featuring as a guest on The One Show, meeting King Charles, Florence Pugh and John Legend. Vicky's latest post comes after she revealed why she left the TV BAFTAs early last month. She made a sneaky early exit, before the ceremony had even finished. The Honesty Box host made the shock confession on her new podcast Get A Grip which she co-hosts with Angela Scanlon, 41. She said: 'Just to recap BAFTAs. Honor to be invited as a telly lover. So nice to see all the famous faces. It is lovely to have an excuse to get dressed up.' Elsewhere in the post, Vicky shared a busty snap of her in a skintight blue halterneck as she enjoyed a meal out In another snap, loved-up Vicky was again seen at the Monaco Grand Prix as she posed for snaps with her husband Ercan Ramadan She also shared a selfie of the pair of them at Disneyland Embracing the arrival of summer, Vicky could be seen enjoying Pub In The Park with Ercan and friends She got in spirit of the festival as she was seen sitting on her hubby's shoulders 'It's always on the hottest day of the year, which I do find to be somewhat offensive.' 'A punch in the dick. But by the time you get to, like, say, 5:00, 6:00, when you've fought your way through The Hunger Games, there's the press junket.' 'I was done in. I was done in. So I was about four awards in and I was just done. My social battery was done.' 'I was so over breathing in like me feet were just continuously slipping out of their little shoe holes because I was so sweaty and I wasn't allowed to vape.' 'And the whole thing was just a rich tapestry of shite that was p***ing us off. So I fucking turned around and went, I'm going, you know?' 'So I went home to the hotel, put my tracksuit bottoms on, got my little belly out, just stopped breathing in for the first time that day. Eat crisps and did farts with my husband and I was so happy about it.' Vicky also revealed that she got ready for the big do with Angela before an awkward wardrobe mishap. Angela said: 'At one point on Sunday morning, we got close in a way that I didn't anticipate within a week.' Vicky added: 'I had you in my knickers, didn't I ? Ang got in me knickers after a week.' She also gave fans some behind-the-scenes looks at her work over the last month, including featuring as a guest on The One Show Another snap showed Vicky relaxing in the park as she headed out on a dog walk with her fur babies Another snap saw Vicky beaming at Buckingham Palace as she got to meet King Charles Vicky and her podcast co-host Amanda Scanlon met icon John Legend during their One Show appearance Her co-presenter responded: I had to borrow VP's knickers. They were fresh, I should say. So thank you.' The confession prompted Vicky to joke: 'I hope you are welcome because I had to go commando because of that.' Vicky wowed on the red carpet by embracing BAFTA's sustainable dress code for the prestigious event and not wearing something new. Instead Vicky re-wore her 5230 Vivienne Westwood gown, which she wore for her welcome dinner at her wedding to Ercan Ramadan, dying it buttercup yellow for the awards and likened herself to an eco-conscious royal. Vicky said: 'In my head, I was thinking, oh, people are gonna love this, right? Because I was thinking you know, I can't believe I'm about to make this comparison, but every time, Princess Kate. 'I got council estate Katy Perry once but I've never had Princess Kate. So everyone always, like, buzzes like an old fridge when she like re-wears something. 'When she pulls something out from the wardrobe. Lashes on a pair of black gloves and calls it a new outfit. So I thought, listen, I'm gonna re-wear my wedding dress, I'm gonna dye it and I'm gonna get column inches. I'm gonna get praise. I am a f***ing green queen.' Savannah Chrisley prepared a homecooked meal for her parents Todd and Julie Chrisley on their first night of freedom last Wednesday after being granted full pardons from President Donald Trump ahead of their scheduled release from prison in 2035 and 2030. 'I made steaks, pastas, salads, potatoes we had a smorgasbord,' the 27-year-old 'MAGA Barbie' revealed on her PodcastOne show Unlocked Tuesday (pre-taped Friday). 'My parents enjoyed it and loved it.' Savannah gushed: 'I'm over-the-moon excited about all of it. It's so surreal. At times, it does not feel real. I'm like, "Are we sure this is over and done, and we came back to normal life?"' Chrisley and her 56-year-old father went to great lengths to avoid being photographed while shopping at Nordstrom, with the high fashion-loving patriarch concealing his face with a shopping bag. 'I was like, "I'm not going to let the [paparazzi] get the first picture. No, not happening,"' the Nashville-based blonde recalled. Savannah Chrisley prepared a homecooked meal for her parents Todd and Julie Chrisley on their first night of freedom last Wednesday after being granted full pardons from President Donald Trump ahead of their scheduled release from prison in 2035 and 2030 'We had fun with that whole journey. Dad has not lost his sense of humor. He's still as funky as ever.' As for her 52-year-old mother, Savannah said she's been spending time with her 12-year-old adopted granddaughter Chloe and doing laundry. 'The first morning she was home, we lay on my bed and just went through my Instagram and I just caught her up on all the posts and videos and everything that's gone on since she left,' Chrisley said. 'It was really cool to see her reactions and catch her up on life.' Todd (born Michael) had been serving a 12-year sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, FL for tax evasion (2008-2019) after being found guilty of defrauding community banks out of more than $30M of loans. Julie had been serving a seven-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, KY for the same charges as well as wire fraud and obstruction of justice. During the three-week trial, it was revealed that the grandfather-of-two's alleged ex-lover and business partner Mark Braddock - who was granted immunity - was the one who tipped off authorities. 'I would have remorse if it was something that I did,' Todd doubled down on his 'innocence' at Friday's press conference. 'Even though this pardon has happened, I still was convicted of something that I did not do. It could be you. It could be any of you.' The 27-year-old 'MAGA Barbie' revealed on her PodcastOne show Unlocked Tuesday (pre-taped Friday): 'I made steaks, pastas, salads, potatoes we had a smorgasbord. My parents enjoyed it and loved it' Savannah and her 56-year-old father (L) went to great lengths to avoid being photographed while shopping at Nordstrom, with the high fashion-loving patriarch concealing his face with a shopping bag Chrisley recalled: 'I was like, "I'm not going to let the [paparazzi] get the first picture. No, not happening." We had fun with that whole journey. Dad has not lost his sense of humor. He's still as funky as ever' As for her 52-year-old mother, the Nashville-based blonde said she's been spending time with her 12-year-old adopted granddaughter Chloe (M, pictured December 23) and doing laundry Savannah said: 'The first morning she was home, we lay on my bed and just went through my Instagram and I just caught her up on all the posts and videos and everything that's gone on since she left. It was really cool to see her reactions and catch her up on life' (pictured in 2022) Todd (born Michael) had been serving a 12-year sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, FL for tax evasion (2008-2019) after being found guilty of defrauding community banks out of more than $30M of loans Julie had been serving a seven-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, KY for the same charges as well as wire fraud and obstruction of justice During the three-week trial, it was revealed that the grandfather-of-two's alleged ex-lover and business partner Mark Braddock - who was granted immunity - was the one who tipped off authorities Todd doubled down on his 'innocence' at Friday's press conference: 'I would have remorse if it was something that I did...Even though this pardon has happened, I still was convicted of something that I did not do. It could be you. It could be any of you' Chrisley also confirmed that his family would be making their reality TV return with a yet-to-be-titled series from Bunim/Murray Productions set to premiere later this year Fans first got to know the eccentric Georgia clan in the USA Network's Chrisley Knows Best, which aired for 10 seasons spanning 2014-2023 as well as Peacock spin-off Growing Up Chrisley, which aired for four seasons spanning 2019-2022 (pictured in 2021) On Monday, Savannah kicked off her next criminal justice reform battle after speaking with Tory Lanez's father Sonstar Peterson about his decade-long sentence for allegedly shooting Megan Thee Stallion in 2020 The 32-year-old Grammy-nominated rapper (born Daystar Peterson) is currently incarcerated at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi where he was stabbed 14 times by another inmate on May 12 The couple will soon resume taping their podcast, Chrisley Confessions (pictured in 2022) But at his 2022 sentencing, Chrisley seemed to admit that he had taken the money, stating: 'I always intended to pay it back.' Asked about Julie's reported statement of remorse in 2022, the former real estate mogul indicated she lied in order to see her sentence reduced. Todd also confirmed that his family would be making their reality TV return with a yet-to-be-titled series from Bunim/Murray Productions set to premiere later this year. 'We're blessed to have our family back and we're blessed to be coming back to television because we have a much bigger story to tell now,' Chrisley said. TV producers exclusively told DailyMail.com that the newly-pardoned couple are seeking a 'seven-figure payout' or '$5M' for a new series, which they believed was 'way too high.' Fans first got to know the eccentric Georgia clan in the USA Network's Chrisley Knows Best, which aired for 10 seasons spanning 2014-2023 as well as Peacock spin-off Growing Up Chrisley, which aired for four seasons spanning 2019-2022. On Monday, Savannah kicked off her next criminal justice reform battle after speaking with Tory Lanez's father Sonstar Peterson about his decade-long sentence for allegedly shooting Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. The 32-year-old Grammy-nominated rapper (born Daystar Peterson) is currently incarcerated at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi where he was stabbed 14 times by another inmate on May 12. Al Pacino's little look-alike son Roman was spotted enjoying a fun day at the park with his mom in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The Oscar winner, 85, shares the tyke with film producer Noor Alfallah, 31. Mother and son were seen enjoying the slide at sunny Coldwater Canyon Park. Alfallah looked relaxed in faded black jeans with a black hoodie and black and white Adidas sneakers. The Apprentice executive producer's long dark hair was brushed straight and she appeared to be wearing little makeup and place dark sunglasses atop her head. Al Pacino's little lookalike son Roman was spotted enjoying a fun day at the park with his mom in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The Oscar winner, 85, shares the tyke with film producer Noor Alfallah, 31 The toddler, who has several teeth, held on tight to a little snack pack as he and his mother took their turn on the slide Young Roman, who turns two on June 30, looked adorable in a white T-shirt, black shorts and beige sneakers. He seems to have inherited his father's wavy black hair. The toddler, who has several teeth, held on tight to a little snack pack as he and his mother took their turn on the slide. Pacino and Alfallah began their May-December relationship bumping in to each other at the celebrity hotspot E. Baldi in Beverly Hills a year after initially meeting at a dinner hosted by mutual friends. 'I thought it was cool. I thought, wow, thats Al Pacino. I went to film school, so I wasnt dumb about who he was,' she told Vogue Arabia. 'Hes a very talented and unique person. But I had no intention of thinking like, oh, he is going to be my sons father one day.' The two discovered they lived close by each other and during the pandemic, she said, 'we started spending every day together, playing chess and watching movies. It was like film school with Al Pacino,' she said of the experience. Explaining the transition from friends to lovers, she said merely, 'I guess, it just became something more.' Although many were surprised at the 53-year age gap, Alfallah seemed to take it all in stride. 'Ive been an old soul all my life,' she claimed. 'I have friends who are 70 years old; men and women who are just totally my friends who I love, who Id rather be with than people my age. Ive always been like that.' Roman, who turns two June 30, looked adorable in a white T-shirt, black shorts and beige sneakers. He seems to have inherited his father's wavy black hair Pacino in the 1970s in New York City 'I dont know why. I think I like the wisdom, the experience, the life in them. Thats attractive to me.' Alfallah and Pacino are not together romantically any more, but they reunited professionally for their next project. She is a producer on Dead Man's Wire, a film based on the true story of a former real estate developer who takes the mortgage banker who did him wrong hostage using a sawed-off shotgun, demanding $5 million and a personal apology. Pacino stars along with Bill Skarsgard and Coleman Domingo in the historical thriller set for release later this year. Martine McCutcheon has gushed about her friendship with late Hollywood star Patrick Swayze. The EastEnders icon, 49, revealed the surprising bond with the Dirty Dancing legend during a chat with her pals Rylan Clark and Scott Mills on their BBC Radio 2 podcast Pop Top 10. Confessing that she had always idolised Patrick, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, Martine said she just knew one day they would meet. 'I was always in love with Patrick Swayze. This is a true story and I felt in my heart, I knew I was going to know him,' she told a shocked Rylan and Scott. After the success of her 2003 role in Love Actually, Martine was offered another movie, this time playing opposite her dream co-star. 'I did Love Actually and the music career, everything happened and I was asked by my agent if I wanted to go and work and do a film with Patrick Swayze in Austria,' she revealed. 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. Martine McCutcheon has gushed about her friendship with late Hollywood star and her childhood idol Patrick Swayze After the success of her 2003 role in Love Actually, Martine was offered another movie, this time playing opposite her dream co-star (pictured together in 2007 movie Jump) Martine spent the summer of 2006 in Vienna with Patrick shooting Jump!, a 1920s drama about the Jewish celebrity photographer Philippe Halsman, wrongly convicted of murdering his father. 'I met him. We sang She's Like The Wind together. He became a friend and he was just adorable,' she gushed. Martine also told an emotional-looking Rylan and Scott that Patrick 'was the loveliest soul in the industry I've ever met.' 'He had met his childhood sweetheart Lisa, who he danced with at her mum's dance school. I said to her "if the man I'm with looks at me the way he looks at you after all these years I will be one lucky lady."' Elsewhere in the interview, Martine was the one left in shock when Rylan revealed their surprising Love Actually connection. Martine played unlucky-in-love Natalie who ultimately found her Prince Charming in the form of David, the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) in the film. But little did she know when her character is caught kissing David backstage at the Christmas Nativity, Rylan was there to see the whole thing. 'I was in Love Actually,' he revealed, as Martine gasped: 'Shut the front door!' Martine gushed: 'I met his childhood sweetheart Lisa. I said to her "if the man I'm with looks at me the way he looks at you after all these years I will be one lucky lady"' Rylan Clark left Martine in shock when he revealed their surprising Love Actually connection on the podcast Martine played unlucky-in-love Natalie who ultimately found her Prince Charming in the form of David, the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) in the film (pictured) Rylan confirmed: 'I was a school kid. At Hill Top, I think the school was called. I had to take four days off school and get it signed off. 'I had to learn Catch A Falling Star to sing it for the scene.' Martine asked: 'So you saw when I kissed Hugh?' with Rylan confirming that he was there for the scene. Elsewhere, Rylan is reportedly having another shot at singing and is flying to Los Angeles to record in a studio with a successful songwriter. His music career sadly faltered in its early days when his run on The X Factor ended with an early elimination during the 2012 series. But he took a break from his successful radio and TV career last month to head to California to work with music icon Diane Warren, according to The Sun. Diane has been behind a string of huge hits including I Don't Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith, Cher's If I Could Turn Back Time and Rhythm Of The Night by DeBarge. Rylan now looks set to join the prestigious list of greats who have worked with Diane, from Beyonce and Taylor Swift to Britney Spears and Whitney Houston. But little did she know when her character is caught kissing David backstage at the Christmas Nativity, Rylan was there to see the whole thing An industry insider told The Sun of his new project: 'His first love has always been music. 'He has been writing songs for years, so when the chance for him to get into a studio with Diane came up he couldn't say no. 'He was out in Los Angeles for four days and they had a great time together.' Last year, Rylan revealed that he had been secretly writing music under a pseudonym. Jono Castano and Emily Ryder are getting serious. The celebrity personal trainer and the glamorous influencer have headed off on a romantic vacation together after going public last month. The pair shared a series of intimate candid photos from their trip to Queenstown, New Zealand this week. Clearly a luxury getaway, the two enjoyed champagne at upmarket restaurants and took in the stunning views. They also played tourist together, checking out the stunning waterways and riding high in a cable car. 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. Jono Castano and Emily Ryder (pictured) are getting serious. The celebrity personal trainer and the glamorous influencer have headed off on a romantic vacation together after going public last month The pair shared a series of intimate candid photos from their trip to Queenstown, New Zealand this week. Pictured: Jono Castano 'Queenstown, you took my breath away' Emily wrote in her caption alongside the series of photos. Jono and Emily went public with their romance at the launch of Bellevue Woolloomooloo restaurant in Sydney in May. The couple made their red carpet debut at the glitzy event, cuddling up for photos and packing on the PDA. Emily, 29, stunned in a semi sheer white top which she paired with a cream mini skirt which clung to her figure. The Love Triangle star carried a designer clutch in a soft off white tone and completed her look with heels that matched the purse. She added a chunky gold watch but otherwise skipped the accessories to let her outfit do the talking. Jono got the memo and chose complimentary tones of white in shirt and jeans, completing his look with sneakers. The trainer officially moved on from his fashion designer ex Nilofar Khirzad. The pair shared a series of intimate candid photos from their trip to Queenstown, New Zealand this week Clearly a luxury getaway, the two enjoyed champagne at upmarket restaurants and took in the stunning views They also played tourist together, checking out the stunning waterways and riding high in a cable car and Emily took some selfies Jono was earlier was spotted enjoying a romantic night out with Emily at the Sydney Opera House. In a moody black-and-white clip filmed during their outing, the couple looked completely smitten as they paused on a grand staircase under dramatic lighting. The pair have reportedly been dating for several months and are taking things 'very slowly'. Sources close to the couple say Jono and Emily bonded over their shared passion for fitness and adventure, and are often seen working out together. While the couple have kept their relationship relatively low-key until now, insiders claim they are 'absolutely smitten' and looking forward to spending even more time together. Jono's new romance comes after he was previously linked to Perth-based fashion designer Nilofar Khirzad, following his high-profile split from Simone Holtznagel. He and Simone dated for almost two years after meeting through Sydney's social scene and share a daughter Gia, one, together. The trainer, who owns the Acero fitness brand, remains one of Australia's most in-demand celebrity trainers, having worked with the likes of Rebel Wilson, Rita Ora and Michael Clarke. Jono and Emily went public with their romance at the launch of Bellevue Woolloomooloo restaurant in Sydney in May Castano abruptly ended his relationship with designer Nilofar in January after less than six months of dating. 'They've been over for weeks,' an inside told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'Their relationship just ran its course.' Emily meanwhile rose to fame on Stan's hit dating series Love Triangle, where she was initially matched with Sam Fisher. Their relationship quickly soured after it was revealed that Sam had been secretly communicating with an ex-girlfriend named Hannah during filming, leading to a dramatic fallout on the show. Emily later spoke out about the betrayal, stating, 'The lies were so detailed, you couldn't even write this. 'I congratulate him for how great he was at lying, it was pretty well done!' Aaron Taylor-Johnson cut a casual figure as he stepped out in sunny Paris amid increasing speculation linking him to the famous role of James Bond. The Godzilla actor, 34, was pictured out for a morning stroll in the centre of the City of Love on Tuesday. He donned a pair of straight leg blue jeans for the outing which he teamed with some tanned brown boots. While hanging a black and maroon cap from his waist, Aaron threw on a white and orange baggy Head T-shirt. He covered his eyes with a pair of wide-lensed brown sunglasses while accessorising with presumably, an Omega watch. 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. Aaron Taylor-Johnson cut a casual figure as he stepped out in sunny Paris on Tuesday amid increasing speculation linking him to the famous role of James Bond The Godzilla actor teamed a pair of straight leg blue jeans with a baggy white Head T-shirt for the outing Just a matter of weeks ago the Hollywood star signed a deal making him a global ambassador for the luxury watch brand - which fans were sure was a major hint he could be the next actor to don the iconic tux of 007. Omega have been the watch providers of the franchise for more than 30 years, with Pierce Brosnan the first Bond actor to wear an Omega watch during GoldenEye. After signing the deal, Aaron said: 'I have always had an appreciation for timepieces but especially for Omega. 'Now, after visiting the factory, I am in awe of the skill required to manufacture such a luxurious product.' Omega's CEO described Aaron as a 'versatile actor with a range that covers action, thriller, romance and much more'. It's precisely those qualities - and his striking good looks - that have led to the actor's strong links to Bond. Taylor-Johnson has been considered a frontrunner to become the next 007 since Daniel Craig relinquished the role with the 2021 film No Time To Die. In fact the 34-year-old was actually believed to have been former Bond producer Barbara Broccoli's ideal candidate before the franchise was purchased by Amazon. Aaron signed a deal making him a global ambassador for luxury watch brand Omega - which fans were sure was a major hint he could be the next actor to don the iconic tux of 007 Aaron has repeatedly played it cool when asked about the possibility of him succeeding Craig however. 'It's not really for me to say anything,' he told Esquire when quizzed about speculation. But he's even been tipped for the role by former Bond star Pierce Brosnan. After being asked about the possibility of Aaron playing the part during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross show a few weeks ago, the 72-year-old said: 'I think he would make a very fine Bond. 'He was actually in one of the movies I made called The Greatest. This young man we cast as The Greatest. 'He was so impressive then. He just had this charisma, he had this presence... he would be so good. But there's many men on the list, I'm sure.' In the latest bookies' odds for the role however, Aaron has been pipped at the top by two British stars. The current favourite to become the next Bond is none other than The Divergent series star Theo James, 40, who is currently 6/4. The Brit has previously impressed while playing rogue, morally ambiguous characters somewhat similar to Bond in both The White Lotus and and Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen. Theo has too played down speculation linking him to Bond however, telling The Guardian in 2024 that it 'probably wouldn't be me'. The Gentlemen actor Theo James, 40, is the bookmakers' new favourite for the role [Pictured in May 2024] Superman star Henry Cavill, 42, had soared to the top of the odds list for a brief period before being pipped by James [Pictured in April 2024] Second favourite to become the latest actor 'with a license to kill', according to Ladbrokes, is Superman star Henry Cavill (3/1), ahead of Aaron in third (7/2). While Coral's list of candidates comes in as Theo James at 6/4, Henry Cavill (3/1), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (7/2), James Norton (6/1) then Jack Lowden (12/1). Betting habits in recent weeks suggest that eager fans are growing in confidence that Theo James could star in the next movie, with 70% of all bets on the next 007 placed on The White Lotus actor. Ladbrokes representative Cal Gildart said: 'Henry Cavill's return to the head of the Bond betting didn't last long, with Theo James as short as anyone has been to pick up the world's most famous license to kill'. It was announced earlier this year that Amazon Prime had taken over 'creative control' of the James Bond franchise leaving fans fearing the beloved films could be ruined by endless spin-offs. The deal comes after Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 as a part of its media push. The acquisition gave Amazon distribution rights to the 007 franchise but not creative control. The company is said to be fast-tracking the new movie after spending a reported $1 billion to regain control from Barbara Broccoli. Producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal have been hired and they are understood to be close to a deal with director Alfonso Cuaron. Then they will go about casting the next Bond. The new Bond film is expected to be a straight-up 'reboot', with no explanation expected as to how Bond is still alive after Craig's character died in the last film [Pictured in No Time To Die] As The Daily Mail reported, the plan is for a 'straight up' reboot after Daniel Craig's 007 died in No Time To Die. There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond. Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027. Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered - with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun. An insider told the publication: 'This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes. 'But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers. 'It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.' The source added that it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background. MailOnline contacted Amazon for comment about the possibility of Liverpool being the setting for the next Bond. Freddy Brazier has reportedly skipped his brother Bobby's birthday bash amid his feud with dad Jeff Brazier over his relationship with grandmother Jackiey Budden. EastEnders star Bobby turned 22 on June 2, and while other loved ones including his father and step-mum Kate were present, his sibling was noticeably absent. Despite Freddy acknowledging the birthday online, it is said that there was 'sadness' felt by the family that Freddy wasn't there to celebrate in person. Freddy was seen this week smoking suspicious looking cigarettes with Jackiey who he is said to now be living with. A source told The Sun: 'It was a really nice family occasion but everyone really missed Freddie. 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. Freddy Brazier has reportedly skipped his brother Bobby's birthday bash amid his feud with dad Jeff Brazier It was revealed last month that Jeff is taking action in an attempt to legally block contact between Freddy and the mother of the late Big Brother star amid concerns over his welfare 'He was of course invited but he is making his feelings quite clear at the moment about who he wants to be spending time with.' They added: 'He did acknowledge that Bobbys birthday online but there was some sadness that he wasnt there with his brother.' MailOnline have contacted representatives of Freddie for comment. It was revealed last month that Jeff is taking action in an attempt to legally block contact between Freddy and the mother of the late Big Brother star Jackiey Budden amid concerns over his welfare. Jeff, shared both Freddy, 20, and Strictly's Bobby with the late Jade Goody who tragically died in 2009 from cervical cancer aged just 27. Jeff has hired a leading barrister for the upcoming hearing which is the latest in part of a long-running feud between Jackiey and Jeff. Speaking to MailOnline from her ground floor flat in Bermondsey, south east London, last month, Jackiey hit out at the proceedings. She said: 'I know what this is all about. It (the situation with Jeff) doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.' Despite Freddie acknowledging the birthday online, it is said that there was 'sadness' felt by the family that Freddie wasn't there to celebrate in person Jeff has hired a leading barrister for the upcoming hearing which is the latest in part of a long-running feud between Jackiey [pictured] and Jeff Hitting out at proceedings Jackiey said: 'Do I want to see Freddie? Of course I do. I see Freddie all of the time. I will see him' She asked: 'Do I want to see Freddy? Of course I do. I see Freddy all of the time. I will see him.' One neighbour said: 'I feel sorry for Jackiey. She's been through so much. It's a complex situation. I just hope they can be all together again as a family. Her grandchildren mean the world to her.' They added: 'How did it come to this that lawyers are apparently involved? She wants to be the best gran she can be to those boys.' It was reported that Jeff has launched legal action in a bid to keep Freddy 'safe' from Jackiey. According to The Sun Jeff is now attempting to block any contact between his youngest son and grandmother, 68, claiming the relationship has been 'incredibly detrimental'. He is also said to have hired a top barrister for the upcoming hearings with a source insisting Jeff's actions prove just how 'concerned' he is. The truth, as Oscar Wilde once wrote, is rarely pure and never simple. And if evidence were ever needed to back this up, you need look no further than the ongoing saga that is Baby Reindeer, the Netflix drama still proving to be as gripping off screen as it was when it first aired in April 2024. Billed as a true story a decision which now haunts executives from the worlds biggest streamer in the form of a 134million American lawsuit the series has become one of the most controversial in television history, amid claims and counter claims about what is real and, crucially, what is not. Now the Scottish lawyer identified within days of the series release as the inspiration for Baby Reindeers crazed stalker Martha has ramped up her blistering legal battle against Netflix, which is trying to get her case thrown out of court. Fiona Harvey describes the autobiographical series penned by British comedian Richard Gadd, who also plays a thinly veiled version of himself as the struggling stand-up comic at the heart of the story as the biggest lie in TV history. Regardless of Netflix and Gadds insistence that Harvey is not Martha, she claims that Baby Reindeer falsely depicts her as a twice-convicted criminal who served five years in prison. Unlike the character Martha, Harvey also points out she never sexually assaulted Gadd, violently attacked him or waited outside his house for up to 16 hours a day. Witnesses brought in to lend weight to the Aberdeen law graduates claim include a 54-year-old woman from Coventry who was one of the first armchair internet sleuths to say Harvey was the real-life Martha after a few simple Google searches. Fiona Harvey describes the Netflix series Baby Reindeer as the biggest lie in TV history Richard Gadd claimed he had made his stalker an unrecognisable character in the show Lawyers for Netflix, meanwhile, are defending the claim vigorously, arguing that 36-year-old Gadd who described the series as a fictionalised re-telling of my emotional journey has every right to tell his story. Amid claims 59-year-old Fiona Harvey is seriously ill and, by her own account, may not even live to see this bitter clash play out via the US courts, her lawyer Richard Roth, of The Roth Law Firm in New York, tells me: Shes suffering. Shes under huge stress emotionally. Its been over a year now and shes the victim of a multi-billion dollar company that just had no respect for her. Its continued bullying. As for Harvey herself, she claims in legal documents filed in the US this week: I am afraid to go outside out of fear of being attacked. Some weeks I do not leave my apartment. I am suffering from, among other things, constant panic attacks, chest pains, anxiety, nightmares, depression, nervousness, stomach pains, loss of appetite, fear and insomnia. Harvey is being represented by Richard Roth, of the Roth law firm based in New York Her situation is certainly a world away from Gadds, whose career as a writer, producer and actor appears to be going from strength to strength. This month he was spotted on set in Glasgow, where he is working on his upcoming TV drama, Half Man, with actor Jamie Bell. Baby Reindeer also won key awards at last months TV BAFTAs, including a Best Supporting Actress gong for Jessica Gunning for her role as Martha. And while Gadd missed out on the Best Actor and Best Drama awards, he scooped one for writing at the BAFTA Craft Awards in May. Not surprisingly, when he went up to receive it he made no mention of Harvey or the bitter fall-out from the global sensation which has brought him fame and fortune after years as a penniless artist. When the series launched, Gadd claimed he had made his stalker an unrecognisable character insisting in one interview weve gone to such great lengths to disguise her to the point that I dont think shed recognise herself. Baby Reindeer won key awards at the BAFTAs, including a Best Supporting Actress gong for Jessica Gunning for her role as Martha Gadd used Harveys tweets in the show, with this being crucial for the ensuing court case But, perhaps inevitably, the true story claim which appeared at the beginning of the first and every other episode sparked a frenzied search for the real-life Martha. And it didnt take long for viewers to work out who she was: both Harvey and Martha are Scottish, studied law at university, are around 20 years older than Gadd and bear an uncanny physical resemblance to each other. Crucially, Gadd used some of Harveys genuine tweets in the show, including one posted in September 2014 involving a joke about hanging curtains a euphemism for sex which almost became a catchphrase. Within three days of Baby Reindeers release, viewers were posting on the social media site Reddit that Fiona Harvey was the real-life Martha. Her name then spread like wildfire on Facebook, X and TikTok. In Coventry, Kerri-Anne Armstrong claims to have been one of the first to identify her by searching social media for her curtains comment and, after a scene in which Gadds character Donny finds an online newspaper article about Marthas activities as a stalker, also easily found a real online article about Harvey stalking Scottish MEP Jimmy Wrays wife, Laura. Both sets of information directly led me to Harvey, she said in legal documents filed in California last week. Harveys hairdresser Jon Hala, whose client list includes the likes of Kate Moss, Sigourney Weaver and Elle MacPherson, didnt even need to search online for the real-life Martha to know that it was Harvey, whose hair he had cut for the past seven years. According to his legal statement, after watching the first episode he turned to his wife and said: Thats Fiona Harvey, my customer. He adds: Fiona, like Martha in the series, is a strong and spicy Scottish woman who used to live in Camden. Martha looks like her. Martha sounds like her. Martha dresses like her. Martha is very bright and, at times, extremely funny and endearing, like Fiona Harvey. Martha, also like Fiona Harvey, is a highly stressful individual who does have emotional issues. By the end of April last year, Gadd was urging viewers to stop trying to work out the identity of his stalker who, he claims, sent him 41,071 emails, 350 hours worth of voicemails, 744 tweets, 46 Facebook messages and 106 pages of letters. But his argument that such speculation was not the point of the show was at best naive. Harvey is suing Netflix for, among other things, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and gross negligence. The streaming giant, meanwhile, argues that the alleged defamatory statements are non-actionable because they are substantially true. One of their witnesses is solicitor Ms Wray, who claims to have suffered at Harveys hands over a five-year period after taking her on for a two-week trial at her law firm in 1997. Ms Wray says she dismissed Harvey within days after becoming alarmed at her behaviour and says she later became so concerned she issued her staff with panic alarms. She was forced to take out a restraining order under Scottish law known as an interdict which was granted in April 2002 by the Sheriff Court of Glasgow and Strathkelvin. She also says she instantly recognised the fictional Martha as being Harvey. Harveys lawyers argue that Netflixs two-pronged approach to the problem is problematic. On the one hand, Gadd has said that Martha is not Harvey. On the other, Netflix is now presenting evidence claiming the 59-year-old pursued a course of conduct towards Richard Gadd that amounted to stalking. As Harveys lawyers argue: If Harvey is not Martha as Gadd insists then there is no relevance in Gadd documenting his real life experiences with Fiona Harvey. But more baffling is how Gadd can claim under oath that Harvey is not Martha when every interaction Gadd recalls about Harvey is identically attributed to Martha in the series. Last year, the row spilled over into Parliament when Netflix executive Benjamin King told the culture, media and sport select committee the show was the true story of the horrific abuse that the writer and protagonist Richard Gadd suffered at the hands of a convicted stalker. Harveys lawyers slapped Netflix with a defamation lawsuit last June. A US district judge ruled in September that her case could proceed because the series was wrongly billed as a true story. Having set out to paint himself as the victim of a stalker, Gadds hit series has, in effect, now been flipped on its head with Harvey the one who is claiming to have been wronged. The case was due to go to trial this month at the Central District of California Court but Netflix appealed the ruling, meaning it was sent to the US Court of Appeals. Its lawyers argue that Harveys claim should be thrown out because she does not allege a provably false statement of fact about her. They also claim that she doesnt have a reputation to defend because its already been tarnished by past news stories detailing her previous harassment and stalking of public figures. Above all, the case is a reminder of the risks of blurring fact and fiction in television dramas. Netflix has until June 28 to respond to the documents filed last week but given the ongoing legal arguments, the case is not likely to be heard in full until 2026. Even so, Mr Roth says he feels great about her case. We are very confident that this appeal by Netflix is going to be thrown out, he says. If they want to fight, then well fight. Weve got to get past this bump in the road and then were going full speed ahead. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori channeled Kim Kardashian in a daring new photo shoot, which left little to the imagination. While rocking just a plunging nude bodysuit, fishnet stockings and high heels, the 30-year-old Australian architect appeared to be taking a page from her spouse's ex, 44. The new images of Censori looked ripped straight from one of Kardashian's Skims campaigns, specifically from her shapewear brand's collaboration with Swarovski in 2023. Censori even copied a few of the reality star's signature poses as she bared her bottom toward the camera in one shot and laid down with her back arched in another. West, 47, famously married Censori just two months after finalizing his divorce from Kim Kardashian during a secret wedding ceremony in December 2022. 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. Kanye West 's wife Bianca Censori channeled Kim Kardashian in a daring new photo shoot, which left little to the imagination Kardashian filed for divorce in February 2021 after six years of marriage. The former couple share four children together: North West 11, Saint West 9, Chicago West 7, and Psalm West, 6. Over the years, Kardashian has been accused of taking inspiration from Censori's wardrobe and racy fashion choices, often attributed to West's influence. Earlier this year, West was branded a hypocrite for encouraging Censori to dress provocatively after previously pleading with Kardashian to cover up. After Censori sparked outrage for wearing a completely see-through dress at the Grammys in February, social media users resurfaced footage of West telling Kardashian it 'hurt' his soul when she wore revealing outfits. The moment, which occurred during a a 2019 episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, showed West shaming his then-wife for dressing 'too sexy' ahead of her imminent Met Gala appearance. After spending eight months perfecting her Thierry Mugler look for the event, the reality star was left anxiety-ridden when her husband criticized her appearance at the last minute. Despite Kardashian already feeling jittery, West made it clear he wasn't a fan of her custom-made, nude-colored corset, designed to look like as though she was dripping wet. While rocking just a plunging nude bodysuit, fishnet stockings and high heels, the 30-year-old Australian architect appeared to be taking a page from her spouse's ex, 44 The new images of Censori looked ripped straight from one of Kardashian's Skims campaigns, specifically from her shapewear brand's collaboration with Swarovski in 2023 Slide me Censori even copied a few of the reality star's signature poses as she bared her bottom toward the camera in one shot and laid down with her back arched in another As he took in the look, the rapper frowned at the style of her dress as he declared it didn't match with his personal evolution from being a single guy to a married man. 'I just made this transition from being a rapper, looking at all these girls, looking at my wife,' he mused. 'Like, ''Oh, my girl needs to be like the other girls, showing her body off''.' 'I didn't realize that that was affecting my soul and my spirit as someone that's married and loved, and the father of now, whatabout to be four kids?,' Kanye said. At the time, Kanye and Kim were just days away from becoming parents to their fourth child Psalm, who they welcomed via a surrogate. 'A corset is like a form of underwear,' Kanye continued. 'It's hot. It's like, it's hot for who, though?' 'So the night before the Met, you're gonna come in here and say that you're not into a corset bust?' Kim asked. 'I'm getting really bad anxiety. What are you talking about?' West, 47, famously married Censori just two months after finalizing his divorce from Kim Kardashian during a secret wedding ceremony in December 2022 (seen in February 2025) 'I don't need any more negative energy for you to now say that you're not into me in a tight dress,' she pointed out. 'You are my wife, and it affects me when pictures are too sexy,' Kanye said. 'You built me up to be this sexy person and confidence and all this stuff,' Kim adroitly pointed out. 'And just because you're on a journey and you're on a transformation doesn't mean that I'm in the same spot with you.' This prompts West to storm off after saying: 'All right, cool.' Earlier this year, West was branded a hypocrite for encouraging Censori to dress provocatively after previously pleading with Kardashian to cover up (seen in 2019) 'That's absolutely ridiculous,' Kim muttered. Following backlash over her remarks over her look, at the time, West doubled down on his stance while appearing on Beats 1's Zane Lowe on Apple Music. 'I suffer and I appreciate the suffering because we can feel a little bit of what Jesus experienced, but I suffer on social media,' Kanye said. 'There are other married men that I know are happy to hear me say that.' He continued: 'Social media prompts women, in particular, to put out content that they wouldnt in the past. When I was younger and I wanted to see something like that I had to pay someone who was older Now I have friends who have kids in high school and its readily available.' West's opinion about how his wife should dress drastically changed after finalizing his high-profile divorce from Kardashian in 2022. Since walking down the aisle with Censori, the rapper has encouraged his wife to wear a number of very racy looks, which have caused a stir online. General Hospital star Kate Mansi married producer Matt McInnis in downtown LA on Saturday following an 11-month engagement. The 37-year-old bride and the 41-year-old groom surprised their 115 guests, who believed they were attending a long-delayed engagement party, with a full-blown wedding at cathedral-turned-restaurant Redbird. 'We wanted that eruption of joy, that moment where love just takes over the room,' Kate (born Katharine Morris) told People on Tuesday. 'The element of discovery was everything. The relief when the secret was out was unforgettable.' Mansi and McInnis even donned 'decoy' ensembles before she changing into her 'dream' Newhite wedding dress from LOHO Bride, and he changed into a custom suit from Malibu Clothes. General Hospital star Kate Mansi married producer Matt McInnis in downtown LA on Saturday following an 11-month engagement (pictured in 2024) Ark actor Thomas Dekker officiated the couple's nuptials which were also attended by Fluxx actress Shelley Hennig, Home Improvement alum Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Wonder Years alum Alley Mills, and The Rookie's Britt Robertson. It was Hennig who originally brought Kate and Matt together since they met at her birthday party 'a few years ago' before going Instagram official in 2023. During the vows, Mansi revealed: 'We put a hand on our own hearts and said, "I got you," then did the same to each other. We invited our community to join us in that vow to support us and each other.' The Daytime Emmy winner added of their 'deeply personal' ceremony: 'The entire evening was meant to mirror our relationship - unexpected, full of humor, moving to its own rhythm, and rooted in deep connection.' The Toronto-born Canadian stated that he's 'never met a braver human being than Katie.' 'She inspires me. She makes everyone around her better by nurturing qualities in them which even they may not see at first,' McInnis gushed. 'Her ability to love with her whole heart and wide eyes is the greatest gift a person could ever receive.' The 37-year-old bride and the 41-year-old groom surprised their 115 guests, who believed they were attending a long-delayed engagement party, with a full-blown wedding at cathedral-turned-restaurant Redbird (2019 stock shot) Kate told People on Tuesday: 'We wanted that eruption of joy, that moment where love just takes over the room. The element of discovery was everything. The relief when the secret was out was unforgettable' (pictured May 12) Mansi and McInnis even donned 'decoy' ensembles before she changing into her 'dream' Newhite wedding dress from LOHO Bride, and he changed into a custom suit from Malibu Clothes (pictured November 12) Ark actor Thomas Dekker (L) officiated the couple's nuptials which were also attended by Fluxx actress Shelley Hennig (R), Home Improvement alum Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Wonder Years alum Alley Mills, and The Rookie's Britt Robertson It was Hennig who originally brought Kate and Matt together since they met at her birthday party 'a few years ago' before going Instagram official in 2023 (pictured July 5) Mansi said of their 'deeply personal' ceremony: 'The entire evening was meant to mirror our relationship - unexpected, full of humor, moving to its own rhythm, and rooted in deep connection' The Daytime Emmy winner and the Toronto-born Canadian are already proud parents to 20-month-old Doodle siblings, Stanley and Georgie, whom they adopted in November 2023 (pictured) Kate is the fourth actress to portray Kristina Davis in ABC soap opera General Hospital, who's the troubled daughter of mob boss Sonny Corinthos and attorney Alexis Davis (pictured in last Friday's episode) The formerly long-distance pair added: 'Marriage to us is building [life] brick by brick with a partner who's truly all in.' Kate and Matt are already proud parents to 20-month-old Doodle siblings, Stanley and Georgie, whom they adopted in November 2023. McInnis is headed for London soon to begin producing a new project with Amazon MGM Studios. Mansi is the fourth actress to portray Kristina Davis in ABC soap opera General Hospital, who's the troubled daughter of mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and attorney Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn). The SoCal native previously played Abigail Deveraux in NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives from 2011-2016. Danielle Harold looked nothing short of sensational as she celebrated her 33rd birthday in style at the luxury four-star Amare Beach Hotel in Ibiza this week. The former EastEnders star showcased her incredible figure in a busty black bikini as she posed up a storm on her hotel balcony. Her stylish two-piece featured a halterneck bikini top and matching tie-side bottoms with gold-toned hardware, which she paired with a sheer black lace sarong. Danielle added height to her frame with nude wedges and wore her platinum blonde locks in soft, beachy waves for the occasion. The actress opted for a full glam look, complementing her chic beachwear with bronzed makeup and fluttery lashes. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Danielle Harold looked nothing short of sensational as she celebrated her 33rd birthday in style at the luxury four-star Amare Beach Hotel in Ibiza this week The former EastEnders star showcased her incredible figure in a busty black bikini as she posed up a storm on her hotel balcony Giving fans a glimpse of her lavish surroundings, Danielle showcased the hotel's luxurious amenities including outdoor pools, plush sun loungers, a gym, and a sprawling rooftop terrace. Sharing the snaps to Instagram, she gushed in the caption: 'Having the best birthday in the sun Thank you @amarehotels for making my birthday so special having the most beautiful stay.' But the celebrations didn't stop there, as on Monday, the blonde beauty took to social media once again to post more sizzling snaps from her sun-drenched getaway. In one snap, Danielle wowed in a white bikini top layered under a broderie anglaise shirt and matching shorts as she posed for the camera. In another, Danielle showed off her long, toned legs in tiny denim shorts and a white T-shirt with a bold red lip print as she headed out for the evening. The TV star spent her birthday soaking up the Ibiza sunshine, enjoying a poolside lounge, spa treatments and even squeezed in a gym session. Captioning her latest post, she wrote: 'I don't want to go home thank you for having me @amarehotels (love heart emoji).' The holiday snaps come after MailOnline revealed Danielle and Max Bowden, 30, had a 'secret offscreen romance' during their time on the BBC soap. Her stylish two-piece featured a halterneck bikini top and matching tie-side bottoms with gold-toned hardware, which she paired with a sheer black lace sarong Giving fans a glimpse of her lavish surroundings, Danielle showcased the hotel's luxurious amenities including outdoor pools, plush sun loungers, a gym, and a sprawling rooftop terrace Sharing the snaps to Instagram, she gushed in the caption: 'Having the best birthday in the sun Thank you @amarehotels for making my birthday so special having the most beautiful stay' The former co-stars, whose characters Lola Pearce and Ben Mitchell shared a child together dated for years but kept their relationship under wraps. Danielle left the long-running series in 2023 after Lola died from a brain tumour while Max exited the following year. It was reported in February that the pair had unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking mystery among EastEnders viewers over what had gone wrong between the ex-co-stars. MailOnline can reveal sources close to the couple, who featured together on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, fell out over the breakdown of their relationship. Following the end of her hard-hitting storyline on EastEnders, Danielle appeared on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, alongside Jungle King Sam Thompson as well as Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Hunted. A source said: 'Danielle and Max dated for a number of years. 'Of course, it was known among the EastEnders cast and everyone thought they were sweet together. 'Their relationship hasn't ended on the best terms, and they have even unfollowed each other on Instagram. But the celebrations didn't stop there, as on Monday, the blonde beauty took to social media once again to post more sizzling snaps from her sun-drenched getaway In one snap, Danielle wowed in a white bikini top layered under a broderie anglaise shirt and matching shorts as she posed for the camera In another, Danielle showed off her long, toned legs in tiny denim shorts and a white T-shirt with a bold red lip print as she headed out for the evening 'There are a lot of emotions after they were friends, colleagues, and romantically involved for such a long time.' Max's character Ben was written out of the show after he was jailed for credit card fraud in America, where he was researching treatment options for Lola's cancer. He starred on the programme from 2019 as Phil Mitchell's son Ben, who has been portrayed by six different actors over the years, and featured in storylines including male rape and bulimia. Following Lola's sad passing, which saw her leave behind her husband Jay Brown, played by Jamie Borthwick, and daughter Lexi, Max dedicated an Instagram post to Danielle. He said: 'Our girl. What you have achieved in the last twelve months is extraordinary. My whole EastEnders 'journey' started with you, and what a ride it's been. MailOnline has approached Danielle and Max for comment. 'Watching you work so closely everyday has been inspiring but hasn't quite topped being your friend. You've been there for all of us when we've needed a friend, and for that I can only thank you.' Speaking about her close relationship with Max to promote their episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, which aired on Valentine's Day, Danielle said: 'It's nice to do something fun. With EastEnders, our storylines are really heavy and really sad.' The holiday snaps come after MailOnline revealed EastEnders actors Danielle and Max Bowden, 30, had a 'secret offscreen romance' during their time on the BBC soap In response to Antiques Road Trip expert Ishy Khan, who said, 'You can tell there's love there', Danielle replied: 'Yeah, there is. He loves me really. He pretends like he don't, but he does.' Max added: 'We did some really dark and beautiful storylines together so we've spent a lot of time in each other's pockets, which is why we're so comfortable with each other.' Away from the drama of Albert Square, Max's love life has been well-documented. He was in a relationship with insurance executive Roisin Buckle for a year but the couple split in 2022 despite expecting their first baby together. Their son, Reginald Buckle, was born in September 2022, with the pair agreeing to co-parent. In the same year, Max also dated EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, who played Whitney Dean, but they went their separate ways after six months. Arnold Schwarzenegger made his son Patrick blush while talking about watching him bare it all in season three of HBO's hit drama The White Lotus. During Variety's Actors on Actors series, the father and son duo spoke candidly about everything from the level of scrutiny Patrick faces as a 'nepo baby' to making the decision to do full-frontal nudity for the biggest roles of their careers. After Arnold, 77, reflected on appearing nude in both The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Patrick, 31, reminded him he's 'done it' too. 'I couldnt believe [it]. I said to myself, Im watching your show, and Im watching your butt sticking out there. And all of a sudden, I see the weenie. What is going on here? This is crazy!' Arnold recalled. Despite initially feeling taken aback after seeing Patrick naked in The White Lotus, he quickly reminded himself: 'Well, Arnold, hello. You did the same thing in Conan and Terminator, so dont complain about it.' Still, he quipped: 'It was a shock to me that you were following my footsteps so closely.' Arnold Schwarzenegger made his son Patrick blush while talking about watching him bare it all in season three of HBO's hit drama The White Lotus Patrick went on to sidestep talking any further about his nude scene as he pivoted the conversation to how they've both worked with some of Hollywood's biggest directors. The moment sparked a plethora of reactions on social media as many dubbed it bizarre and uncomfortable that Arnold commented about seeing his son in the buff. 'Arnolds just being a dadhilarious and awkward in the best way. 'The weenie' comment got me [crying with laughter emoji],' one X user tweeted. Another wrote: 'They are so wild and weird and creepy.' 'When your dad's the Terminator, even your nudity gets a performance review!' a third joked. Despite Arnold ruffling some feathers, others praised them for 'interviewing each other and talking about weenies.' Others called that portion of the interview 'the funniest part of the whole segment.' 'You gotta admire the bluntness though. No sugar-coating, just "Yo, what's going on here?!" That's the kinda dad commentary reality TV NEEDS more of,' another insisted. After Arnold reflected on appearing nude in both The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Patrick reminded him he's 'done it' too (seen in season three of The White Lotus) The moment sparked a plethora of reactions on social media as many dubbed it bizarre and uncomfortable that Arnold commented about seeing his son in the buff In addition to having Arnold publicly react to his nude scene, Patrick's mom Maria Shriver recently did as well. When asked about seeing her son's full-frontal scene, the journalist, 69, laughed off the awkward question. 'People are like, "Oh my God, you saw!" [and] I'm like, 'I gave birth to him.' It's not such a, you know, I've seen him naked,' she mused. 'I've seen him naked since he was a baby.' In February, Patrick's brother-in-law Chris Pratt also confessed to not looking away at his package in those revealing The White Lotus scenes. Despite Arnold ruffling some feathers, others praised them for 'interviewing each other and talking about weenies' 'I know where my eyes wentIm not blood-related to him, I was looking at that d**k, bro,' Pratt joked to E! News. 'No, he looks amazing. Obviously, hes a physical specimen, but also hes a really solid actor, because the character hes playing is completely different than who he is.' Following the release of The White Lotus, Patrick admitted he didn't know the 'extent' of the nakedness that his role as Saxon Ratliff required before agreeing to it. 'You do the auditions but you don't see the full script so you don't have all the details, then they ask you, "Are you comfortable with nudity?" when you sign on,' he told The Sunday Times Style Magazine. Patrick defended the gratuitous nudity revolving his character as he pointed out his 'character, from start to finish, is ridiculous and the type of person who absolutely would walk around his room naked without a care in the world.' In addition to having Arnold publicly react to his nude scene, Patrick's mom Maria Shriver recently did as well; seen in February 2025 'He's the guy who, whenever he sees a girl at the pool, he's going to flirt with them whether it's a mom or a 22-year-old,' he stressed. In order to accept his part in the series, which was filmed in Thailand over a period of seven months, Patrick pushed back his own wedding to fiancee Abby Champion. After informing his bride-to-be about having to delay their walk down the aisle, Patrick gushed on The Drew Barrymore Show that Champion was very supportive. 'She was so happy,' he said. 'She was ecstatic because she was a huge fan.' Joanne Froggatt showcased her incredible figure as she relaxed with a glass of champagne on holiday in Mauritius. The actress, 44, took to her Instagram on Tuesday to share a stunning snap of her lounging by the pool clad in a bandeau bikini top that displayed her toned midriff. She teamed it with a pair of matching black shorts to show off her long legs and hid her face behind oversized shades. The Downton Abbey star wore her blonde locks in beachy waves as she soaked in the sunshine among the tropical foliage. Captioning the summery shot, Joanne wrote: 'Magical moments in Mauritius', and tagged Tanya Rose Simpson and her Travel Secrets The Podcast. 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. Joanne Froggatt showcased her incredible figure as she relaxed with a glass of champagne on holiday in Mauritius clad in a bandeau bikini top that displayed her toned midriff The actress, 44, took to her Instagram on Tuesday to share a stunning snap of her lounging by the pool as she soaked in the sunshine among the tropical foliage She appeared on the podcast in March where she opened up on how she believes travel unveils a feeling of insignificance that can really shift your perspective on life. The Mobland star revealed that after the collapse of her marriage five years ago, she checked into a 1,500 transcendental meditation retreat in Australia. Joanne was married to James Cannon for nearly eight years until their split in February 2020, which she has said threw her life 'in flux'. She said she was inspired to take a solo visit to Soma Byron Bay just after the split, by watching the TV series Nine Perfect Strangers starring Nicole Kidman. Speaking to travel industry expert Tanya Rose, she recalled: 'I booked this retreat and it was an introduction to Ayurvedic meditation - some people call it transcendental meditation. 'Oh my goodness, it blew my mind. It was incredible. I went on my own. 'Byron Bay is just the most stunning place anyway, it's so beautiful. The beaches are amazing, it's a very lush, tropical landscape. It's just gorgeous.' The boutique 'wellness' getaway boasts a geodesic dome, an outdoor cinema, a swimming pool and a fire pit and was used for the filming of Nine Perfect Strangers in 2020. She appeared on the podcast in March where she opened up on how she believes travel unveils a feeling of insignificance that can really shift your perspective on life (pictured with Tanya) The Mobland star revealed that after the collapse of her marriage five years ago, she checked into a 1,500 transcendental meditation retreat in Australia Joanne said she booked a transcendental meditation retreat that coincided with a job she had booked in Australia in 2022 after becoming 'obsessed' with the location when watching the show. The Liar star, who now has a nine-month-old daughter with her new partner, Mark Turner, gushed over the unique retreat and how she bonded with the other travellers. She explained: 'You rock up and there's a group of people there and there's Ayurvedic food for you. It was either couples of single people and you don't know anyone. You just spend this very intense but calm two and a half days together. 'It was such an incredible experience - not only learning the meditation technique, because I found that really powerful. 'Did I keep it up? No. I did for a while and it's a great tool to go back to and I wish I kept it up more. The Liar star, who now has a nine-month-old daughter with her new partner, Mark Turner, gushed over the unique retreat and how she bonded with the other travellers Joanne was married to James Cannon for nearly eight years until their split in February 2020, which she has said threw her life 'in flux' (pictured together in 2018) 'But what was so incredible about it was the setting was stunning, all of that just completely lived up to expectation - and some.' She went on: 'But it was just having that experience of being a solo traveller with a group of people that you didn't know and how we bonded and shared stories and went through this experience together and shared so much of our lives in conversation. 'And that to me is the magic of travelling anywhere. You could be on a bus in wherever it may be, you could be in a lovely meditation retreat in Byron Bay, but really what makes it is the people you meet and the people you're thrown in with and that you have these experiences with. 'It really brought it home. It was just such a magical couple of days away from the world. We saw a koala that lives in the forestry around there and there were just these really special quiet moments that felt really magical.' Nick Offerman publicly blasted Michael Flynn Jr. for tweeting an anti-gay Parks and Recreation joke during LGBTQIA Pride month. The nepo baby of disgraced National Security Advisor Michael Flynn shared a doctored clip of the 54-year-old Peabody Award winner's character Ron Swanson trashing a Pride flag (which was really a computer) into a dumpster. 'Good morning and Happy Sunday!' Flynn captioned his X post on Sunday. 'Just wanted to post how I feel about "pride" month.' Outraged, Nick - who boasts 3.4M social media followers - offered his NSFW response on Monday: 'Ron was best man at a gay wedding you dumb f***. #HappyPride.' Indeed, Offerman's parks and recreation director was the best man at his hairdresser Norman 'Typhoon' Montalban's (Rodney To) nuptials to Craig Middlebrooks (Billy Eichner) in the 2015 series finale of the NBC mockumentary sitcom. And in 2023, the Illinois native won an Emmy Award and an Independent Spirit Award for his searing portrayal of doomsday prepper Bill - who enjoyed a 20-year, post-apocalyptic romance with Frank (Murray Bartlett) - in HBO's The Last of Us. Nick Offerman publicly blasted Michael Flynn Jr. for tweeting an anti-gay Parks and Recreation joke during LGBTQIA Pride month (pictured May 18) The nepo baby of disgraced National Security Advisor Michael Flynn shared a doctored clip of the 54-year-old Peabody Award winner's character Ron Swanson trashing a Pride flag (which was really a computer) into a dumpster Nick's tweet came the day after he suffered the loss of his openly gay former co-star Jonathan Joss, who portrayed Chief Ken Hotate in five episodes of Parks and Recreation spanning 2011-2015. Jonathan was pronounced dead, at age 59, when paramedics were unable to revive him after neighbor Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja (being held on $200K bond) confessed to shooting him several times - according to TMZ. And while Joss' widow Tristan Kern de Gonzales alleged the shooting was a hate crime, the San Antonio Police Department 'has found no evidence to indicate that his murder was related to his sexual orientation.' 'The cast has been texting together about it all day and we're just heartbroken,' Offerman wrote in a statement to People on Monday. 'Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy.' The Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning actor has been married to Will & Grace alum Megan Mullally for over 21 years, and the couple are scheduled to appear at Australian festival Vivid Sydney on June 14. Nick currently voices divorced father-of-four Beef Tenderloin Tobin in the fifth season of Alaska-set animated sitcom The Great North, which airs Thursdays on Fox. Offerman will then portray anti-government Jerry Kane in Christian Swegal's father-son crime drama Sovereign - hitting US theaters July 11 - alongside Megan Mullally, Dennis Quaid, and Jacob Tremblay. 'Good morning and Happy Sunday!' Flynn captioned his X post on Sunday. 'Just wanted to post how I feel about "pride" month' Outraged, Nick - who boasts 3.4M social media followers - offered his NSFW response on Monday: 'Ron was best man at a gay wedding you dumb f***. #HappyPride' Indeed, Offerman's parks and recreation director was the best man at his hairdresser Norman 'Typhoon' Montalban's (L, Rodney To) nuptials to Craig Middlebrooks (Billy Eichner) in the 2015 series finale of the NBC mockumentary sitcom And in 2023, the Illinois native won an Emmy Award and an Independent Spirit Award for his searing portrayal of doomsday prepper Bill - who enjoyed a 20-year, post-apocalyptic romance with Frank (L, Murray Bartlett) - in HBO's The Last of Us Nick's tweet came the day after he suffered the loss of his openly gay former co-star Jonathan Joss (pictured), who portrayed Chief Ken Hotate in five episodes of Parks and Recreation spanning 2011-2015 Jonathan was pronounced dead, at age 59, when paramedics were unable to revive him after neighbor Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja (pictured, being held on $200K bond) confessed to shooting him several times And while Joss' widow Tristan Kern de Gonzales alleged the shooting was a hate crime, the San Antonio Police Department 'has found no evidence to indicate that his murder was related to his sexual orientation' Offerman wrote in a statement to People on Monday: 'The cast has been texting together about it all day and we're just heartbroken. Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy' The Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning actor has been married to Will & Grace alum Megan Mullally (R, pictured in 2022) for over 21 years, and the couple are scheduled to appear at Australian festival Vivid Sydney on June 14 Nick currently voices divorced father-of-four Beef Tenderloin Tobin (M) in the fifth season of Alaska-set animated sitcom The Great North, which airs Thursdays on Fox The Umbrella Academy actor also voices Papa Smurf's brother Ken in Chris Miller's animated musical Smurfs - hitting US/UK theaters July 18 - alongside Rihanna, James Corden, Natasha Lyonne, Jimmy Kimmel, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman. Nick and co-author Lee Buchanan will release their 224-page children's guide book to 'tools and tomfoolery' Little Woodchucks on October 14. It will mark Offerman's sixth book. Relations between warring exes Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith took a further downwards turn this week as she appeared to compare him to a Disney villain. Dawson's Creek star Jackson, 46, and British actress and model Turner-Smith split in October 2023 - after first sparking up a romance in 2018 and welcoming daughter Juno, now five. After it emerged their custody battle had taken another twist, the Queen & Slim actress took to Instagram on Monday to share a cryptic post showing an array of Disney villains, who at first appeared nice. The post read: Why dont you like that person? They seem so nice. You know who else seemed to be nice?' with Turner-Smith adding the caption 'stay safe out there ' DailyMail.com has reached to reps for both Jackson and Turner-Smith but did not immediately hear back. The post comes after the legal fight between the former couple over their daughter took an ugly turn. Relations between warring exes Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith took a further downwards turn this week as she appeared to compare him to a Disney villain; pictured May 2022 in New York City Jackson has now filed a motion and request for an emergency custody order modification, according to court documents obtained by E! News. In the motion, filed May 30, Jackson claims Turner-Smith changed their five-year-old daughter's school for kindergarten without his permission and selected an establishment that was outside of the 45-minute commute time from his home that they had previously agreed upon. According to court documents obtained by People, Jackson claims Turner-Smith said it's 'no big deal to force Juno to start over with a new school.' Jackson alleged in the documents obtained by E! that Jodie-Turner told him via a text message that their daughter does not 'require a fixed location' for her education and that tutors and remote learning could be implemented. He also is worried that 'Jodie is attempting to create a scenario where Juno travels with her rather than attending a traditional school.' Jackson also brought up his own past being educated as a child actor by on-set tutors, according to E!: 'Even in the best case it cannot begin to provide a child with the same nurturing and enrichment, peer relationships and social skills that a classroom and school community environment provides.' The actor is now asking the court to order his daughter to remain at the school she has been attending for the next academic year. He is also seeking joint consent with Turner-Smith for any future school changes. After it emerged their custody battle had taken another twist , the Queen & Slim actress took to Instagram on Monday to share a cryptic post showing an array of Disney villains, who at first appeared nice The Dawson's Creek actor has now filed a motion and request for an emergency custody order modification in regards to their daughter Juno, five, according to court documents obtained by People; Seen here May 27, 2025 Joshua said his daughter has been 'flourishing' at her current school, according to E!. He noted the multiple changes Juno has faced in recent years, which comprised of the recent loss of Jackson's home in Topanga Canyon, which was burnt down in the Los Angeles fires. Joshua said 'adding an unnecessary school change cannot be in her interests.' Joshua and the British actress/model got together in 2018 and secretly married the following year before welcoming baby Juno in 2020. Turner-Smith filed for divorce in October 2023, and in the filing said their date of separation was the month prior. They settled their divorce last month, but at that time where Juno would attend school had not been agreed upon. In previous court documents obtained by People, Turner-Smith stated that she'd been granted the authority to 'make the final decision' about Juno's education in 2024. The documents state that she was required to consult Jackson on the decision. In recently filed legal documents, according to TMZ in May 2025, it was revealed that Jackson will pay $2,787 each month in child support but he will not be paying monthly spousal support. Turner-Smith also requested Jackson pay her $75,000 for the attorney's fees she incurred in their legal fight over where they child will go to school. The Doctor Odyssey star and his ex went to a mediator to compromise on a temporary schedule to govern the 50-50 custody of their daughter. The Doctor Odyssey star, 46, alleged on May 30, that Turner-Smith put Juno in a new school without consulting him; Turner-Smith seen here June 1, 2025 Jackson is requesting that the court orders Juno to keep attending the school she's been going to for the next academic year. Seen here May 27, 2025 He is also seeking joint consent with Turner-Smith for any future school changes. Jodie seen here on May 5 at the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating Superfine: Tailoring Black Style Turner-Smith reportedly requested a judge to enforce a court order to give her the power to move their daughter to a new school. In legal documents filed by her attorney Laura Wasser, she said she researched the elementary school, discussed with Jackson and even made sure it was close enough to his home. However, she claimed that he still does not want to move their daughter to the new school. The pair have been in a legal battle since Turner-Smith filed for divorce two years ago. She listed their date of separation as September 2023 and cited 'irreconcilable differences' in her reason for filing. A few months later, she broke her silence about their divorce and said she decided to file to end their marriage. She said she wanted to 'make a move because I believe that there are visible scars from staying in places that are not good for us. 'And they don't just affect us, they affect everybody around us,' she told The Sunday Times in February 2024. Joshua and Jodie got together in 2018 and secretly married the following year. Joshua seen here May 7, 2025 Turner-Smith filed for divorce in October 2023, and in the filing said their date of separation was the month prior; Jodie seen here May 5, 2025 'Sometimes things we really want to work just don't end up working. And that's OK. The most important thing is that you choose what's healthiest for you and your family and definitely your children.' Following their split, Jackson went on to date Lupita Nyung'o, and he was most recently linked to German model Nastassja Roberts. Last October, Turner-Smith declared that she is 'over men' after their divorce filing, insisting she is happily single and is not focused on dating for a while. Former WWE star Stacy Keibler shared a bikini photo to Instagram this week as she posed with her young son on his seventh birthday. The 45-year-old looked very toned with impressive abs that can only be hard won at the gym. This image comes just before her ex boyfriend George Clooney is set to attend the 78th annual Tony Awards in New York City on June 8. He will likely take as his date his attorney wife Amal Clooney. The 64-year-old Oscar-winning actor has been in the play Good Night, And Good Luck. He has been Tony nominated for Best Performance for a Leading Actor in a Play for his role as legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow Keibler was one of the final names on Clooney's legendary roster of girlfriends before the actor found lasting love with his now-wife Amal. Former WWE star Stacy Keibler shared a bikini photo to Instagram this week as she posed with her young son. The 45-year-old looked very toned with several abs on her tummy This image comes just before her ex boyfriend George Clooney is set to attend the Tony Awards in New York City (pictured in 2012) He will likely take as his date his attorney wife Amal Clooney. The 64-year-old Oscar-winning actor has been in the play Good Night, And Good Luck. Seen in 2018 Their two-year romance was hot and heavy, but they called it quits in June 2013. By October, Clooney had already moved on to brilliant British lawyer Amal, and within six months, they were engaged. The sudden turn of events 'irked' Keibler at the time, as she had believed wedding bells might soon be in her future, per US Weekly. Keibler left Hollywood behind after the split and settled into a quieter life as a loving wife and mom. She went on to marry her longtime friend, Future Ads CEO Jared Pobre, in 2014. Keibler and the tech engineer live in Wyoming after leaving the fast life of Los Angeles behind. She's embraced motherhood three times over, sharing three beautiful children with her husband, Jared: 5-year-old son Bodhi Brooks, 4-year-old daughter Isabella Faith, and 9-year-old daughter Ava Grace. In April she was seen in this brown suit when on the beach Keibler also rocked this black-and-white suit in Mexico this spring The mother-of-three, 45, flaunted her physique in a bikini while on vacation in Bali in March Keibler was one of WWE's most popular stars back in the early 2000s 'We live in Jackson Hole, and it's so nice to just have a little tribe there,' she previously told People magazine. 'I really wanted to take a break from the spotlight for a little while and focus on family,' she continued. 'Jared and I both took a few years away from our careers and even took a four-year digital detox. 'I was off all social media for four years and it was great. Jackson Hole is a complete opposite lifestyle of Los Angeles. So we were able to really focus on all the things that are really important to us.' After leaving WWE in July 2006, Stacy showed off her versatility by competing on Dancing with the Stars, where she finished third in the show's second season. Stacy has embraced motherhood three times over, sharing three beautiful children with her husband, Jared Pobre. They all live together in Wyoming She also popped up in guest roles on How I Met Your Mother and Psych, adding some acting credits to her name. Then, in April 2023, Keibler was inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy in the industry. But these days, much of her focus is on her family. 'I've entered into another chapter of being a mom, and anyone with three kids knows that that's a juggling act, and it's my full-time job,' she told People in 2023. 'So I have taken a step back to focus on putting my heart and soul into that,' she added. 'Now, because I've been a performer since the age of 7, of course, it's also in my heart, but it's just something that I've kind of taken a backseat to, focusing on something else.' Comedian Fortune Feimster is officially ending her marriage to Jacquelyn 'Jax' Smith. The 44-year-old entertainer filed for divorce in Los Angeles, just weeks after news broke that the couple had separated. Taking to Instagram on Monday, where she boasts one million followers, the FUBAR star shared a statement. 'Together, we have made the difficult decision to end our marriage. We've been separated for a little bit, both of us dealing with tough health situations in our families, so it wasn't something we were ready to talk about,' she began the note. Feimster went on to say, 'While we are sad to see this chapter of our lives come to a close, we wish each other nothing but the best as we move forward.' 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. Comedian Fortune Feimster is officially ending her marriage to Jacquelyn 'Jax' Smith; pictured May 29 The 44-year-old entertainer filed for divorce in Los Angeles , just weeks after news broke that the couple had separated The correspondence continued, 'We've had 10 years together, and there's so much to celebrate about that and so much we will look back on fondly.' In conclusion, she wrote, 'Out of respect to each other and our families, we ask for privacy as we navigate this challenging time in both of our lives.' The caption of the post simply read, 'From Jax and me,' and comments were disabled. Fortune's followers have shown support by giving the message more than 96,000 likes so far. Fortune (born Emily) and Jax did not have any children, but share a Pomeranian rescue dog named Biggie. They were last pictured together on March 2 while attending Elton John AIDS Foundation's 33rd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood. Feimster met the former kindergarten teacher in a parking lot at a Chicago Pride event in 2015 the day after the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in all 50 states. She would later describe the encounter as 'love at first sight.' The You're Cordially Invited actress and Jax initially bonded over watching NBC's Dateline before getting engaged during a romantic getaway to Big Sur in 2018. Taking to Instagram on Monday, where she boasts one million followers, the FUBAR star shared a statement The caption of the post simply read, 'From Jax and me,' and comments were disabled Fortune (born Emily) and Jax did not have any children, but share a Pomeranian rescue dog named Biggie; pictured September 2024 The exes tied the knot during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, exchanging vows in the backyard of a rented a seaside home in Malibu. They marked their October 23 fourth wedding anniversary with a celebratory trip to Greece. Feimster wrote online at the time, 'In between Prague filming and Oktoberfest, Jax and I took a little detour into Santorini, Greece and it was a magical much needed vacation. I was up to my eyeballs in feta and frappes and loved every second of it.' And Jax wrote in the comments, 'Love adventures with youas long as we arent riding on the quiet car!' Tom Girardi has been sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison after being found guilty of swindling his horribly injured or grieving clients out of around $15 million in settlement fees. The 86-year-old disgraced lawyer and estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne has also been ordered to pay $2,310,247 in restitution to his victims and a $35,000 fine. Judge Josephine L. Staton, who handed down the sentencing, ordered Girardi to surrender to federal authorities by July 17. The sentencing occurred in a courthouse in downtown Los Angeles on June 3, which also happens to be Girardi's 86th birthday. DailyMail.com has contacted Girardi's lawyers and representatives for his estranged wife Erika, 53, but did not immediately hear back. A jury found the once-powerful attorney guilty on four counts of wire fraud in August. Girardi, who built the prestigious LA law firm Girardi & Keese after his fight against a California utility giant inspired the Oscar-winning movie Erin Brockovich, plead not guilty to the four counts (he had been indicted on five counts of wire fraud in 2023). Tom Girard has been sentenced to seven years and three months in prison after being found guilty in his wire fraud trial The 86-year-old disgraced lawyer and estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne has also been ordered to pay $2 million in restitution to his victims, according to NBC New s His high-rolling career came tumbling down in 2020 when he was accused of stealing millions in settlements hed won for the victims of the 2018 Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia, a tragedy in which 189 people died. The claims from that crash were also the basis of separate criminal charges against Girardi in Chicago, where he was charged with eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of criminal contempt of court. However those charges were dropped following the California conviction. He pleaded not guilty in that case. 'This self-proclaimed "champion of justice" was nothing more than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of the millions of dollars,' United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a press release about the prison sentence. 'My office will vigorously prosecute corrupt lawyers and those who assist them in criminal activities.' Lawyers for Girardi, who was diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer's disease and dementia in 2021, had concerns about the defendant residing in prison amid his health woes. Attorney Sam Cross, who is among Girardi's lawyers, said the defendant would probably end up spending the rest of his life in prison in light of his health troubles, according to the LA Times. 'Should Tom Girardi die in prison?' he asked the judge multiple times in remarks. Cross also asked the judge on Monday to keep Girardi in his current assisted living facility instead sending him to federal prison, arguing he would not receive the proper care he needs in prison. 'We believe he is in need of specialized treatment,' Cross explained to the judge, according to Deadline. He described Girardi as 'frail, elderly' and argued he would be at risk of being 'exploited or taken advantage of' in prison. But the judge ultimately disagreed, citing testimony from a BOP forensic psychologist, a BOP neuropsychologist, and the self-awareness Girardi was apparently exhibiting. She concluded they can safely sentence Girardi to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. 'He will be designated to an appropriate facility,' she said. Girardi's mental competence had been a major issue throughout the trial, with his lawyers previously attempting to push for a new trial in addition to claiming he is unable to assist his lawyers, struggles with his memory, and is legally unfit to appear before a jury (however prosecutors claimed it was mostly an act, alleging he had been faking dementia to evade being held responsible for his crimes, according to the Los Angeles Times). In January 2024 Girardi was cleared to stand trial with U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton declaring he was 'competent to stand trial', despite his Alzheimer's diagnosis. Girardi was previously declared fit by a court-appointed psychologist in June 2023 but his attorneys presented repeated challenges. The couple were together for 21 years but their divorce - filed by Jayne soon after the Lion Air allegations - has been held up since Girardi Keese filed bankruptcy in 2021 with more than $100 million in debts. Jayne never showed up at her soon-to-be- ex husbands trial; the duo pictured in 2017 Neuropsychologist Dr. Diana Goldstein said that she 'has concluded her examination and opined, among other things, that [Girardi] is competent to stand trial,' she wrote. It is unclear the basis for that conclusion and her full analysis. Goldsteins report was filed under seal and partly redacted by Girardis attorneys. The prosecutors who retained Goldstein do not have access to the complete document, Yahoo News reported. California forensic and clinical psychiatrist, Dr. Nathan Lavid wrote in a sworn affidavit that Girardi suffered from late-onset Alzheimers disease and dementia, the news outlet reported. Girardis brother, Robert, had been acting as conservator on his brother's behalf after Girardi underwent a mental evaluation in February 2021, The New York Post reported. During the trial, the jury heard that between 2010 and 2020 the shamed attorney used his clients settlement funds 'like a personal piggy bank.' Girardi Keese was a den of thieves and Tom Girardi was the thief-in-chief, Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Paetty previously told the court. Girardi Keese was a house of cards built on the lies of Tom Girardi. Girardi ran a massive 'Ponzi scheme,' lying to clients and using their misappropriated millions to pay for his own lavish lifestyle of private jets, luxury cars, exclusive club memberships, expensive jewelry for his third wife, ex-go-go dancer Jayne plus $20 million to fund her acting career. The couple were together for 21 years but their divorce - filed by Jayne soon after the Lion Air allegations - has been held up since Girardi Keese filed bankruptcy in 2021 with more than $100 million in debts. Jayne never showed up at her soon-to-be-ex husbands trial and it's unclear if she ever made an appearance to the sentencing on Tuesday, however she made no mention of her estranged husband's legal troubles on Instagram that day, with her latest Instagram Story being a shout-out to her new Vogue profile at 7:15AM PT. Girardi - who was disbarred in 2022 following the allegations against him - was portrayed by his defense team as suffering from dementia. He got old, he got sick, he lost his mind, his attorney Charles Snyder previously told the court. All the lights were on but there was nobody home. He lost touch with reality.' Girardi and his legal team also pointed the finger of blame at another man, Christopher Kamon, 49, the chief financial officer of Girardi Keese who they say stole between $50 million and $100 million from the company. Girardi and Jayne pictured Kamon plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud and was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison in April in a separate trial. During the trial, prosecutors told jurors that Girardi preyed on clients who were in their darkest hours, suffering from terrible injuries or mourning the death of loved ones. Joe Ruigomez - who desperately needed money to pay the giant medical bills for the horrible injuries he suffered in a 2020 gas explosion at his home that killed his girlfriend - was told by Girardi that his settlement from the PG&E utility was $5 million, when it was actually $50 million. Another Girardi client, Judy Selberg, hired the once-acclaimed lawyer to bring an unlawful death lawsuit after her husband Paul was killed in a boating accident in April 2018. Girardi won $500,000 for her but at the time of the guilty verdict, more than four years after the settlement, shes still owed a large portion of that. He also held up Erica Saldanas $2.5 million settlement which she needed to pay the medical bills for the devastating injuries her one-year-old son suffered in a car crash. And Josie Hernandez had to declare bankruptcy because Girardi didnt pay her the money she was owed from a settlement over a medical device injury. In all these cases, when the clients called or emailed Girardi to ask when they were going to get their money, he came up with excuses like there was a lien or holdback on the settlement, that there was an IRS issue or a judge needed to sign off before the money could be paid. All these claims were false. He lied to his clients over and over and over again about why they werent being paid, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Moghaddas previously told the court. He lied to them them because he did not want to give them their money because it was gone.it was already spent. Behind the curtain he was pilfering his clients funds. It was just cruel to treat victims in this manner. 'He was buying two private jets while his clients werent getting paid. This this case is a simple and sad story of trust violated and greed. It took the jury of seven men and five women only four and a half hours of deliberation to reach their guilty verdicts - two hours the first day and two-and-a-half hours the following day. The King of the Hill voice actor shot and killed in San Antonio on Sunday night had a vicious and longstanding feud with the man charged with his murder, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal. Jonathan Joss, 59, who also starred in Parks and Recreation, was gunned down outside the charred remains of his childhood home, which burned to the ground in January. His neighbor Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, 56, fled the scene but was later arrested and booked for his murder. Cejam told officers 'I shot him' as soon as he was taken into custody, according to a police report released on Tuesday. The tensions between Joss and Cejam were well known to the San Antonio Police, and the Daily Mail can confirm cops were called more than 14 times. In January the home burned to the ground. Joss stated publicly that he believed the home had been deliberately torched because he was gay. Authorities did not charge anyone with the fire, saying that a propane heater was left on when no one was home. But Joss countered that he had shut off the heater and that someone else had ignited the flames. The fire, which killed Joss's three dogs, also destroyed his car, his King of the Hill library, and more than 30 years of TV and showbiz memorabilia. Actor Jonathan Joss, who starred in Parks and Recreation (above in a scene with Amy Poehler), had a longstanding feud with the man charged with shooting and killing him Joss stood outside his home in January after it burned to the ground (above). He was gunned down at next to the same San Antonio property on Sunday Neighbors tell the Daily Mail that Joss and Cejam often clashed and engaged in shouting matches outside. The screaming matches would often end in a call to 911. 'They had a lot of bad blood,' says Jane Estes, a neighbor who knew Joss for more than a decade. 'There were always cop cars out front. I'd see the lights and I'd be like "Oh God, what happened now?" It was nonstop.' In a statement, Joss's husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, claimed that the actor was shot because he was gay. 'My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home,' the statement say. '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,' Gonzales continued. 'Much of the harassment was openly homophobic.' According to Gonzales, he and Joss allegedly found the skull of one of their deceased dogs left out for them to see when they arrived at the property, which caused them 'severe emotional distress.' His neighbor Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, 56, fled the scene but was later detained and booked for murder. Police say that the investigation is still ongoing In a statement Joss's husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales (above), claimed that the actor was shot because he was openly gay Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, says that the shooter yelled violent homophobic slurs at them before opening fire Mourners have started a makeshift memorial on the spot where the actor was killed Estes says that she didn't know the nature of the conflict or whether Cejam was responsible for putting the dog's skull outside. She said she had heard him make homophobic slurs when talking about Joss and Gonzales. 'He would call them all the names you expect,' Estes says, 'Queers, gays, the f-word. He didn't care if you agreed with him, he just said those words.' A second neighbor tells the Daily Mail that while the conflict had overtones of homophobia, Joss was also erratic around the neighborhood. He would stop traffic and yell at people who he thought encroached on his property, they said. 'I think he was cranky sometimes,' says the neighbor, 'and that turned people off. But obviously he didn't deserve to die because of it. Everyone has cranky neighbors sometimes.' 'I don't know how much of it was because they were gay, but Sigfredo wasn't a fan of gay people. That's one thing I know.' The San Antonio Police Department insists that the shooting was not homophobic, and did not rise to the level of a hate crime. 'Our investigation has found no evidence whatsoever to indicate that the Mr Joss's murder was related to his sexual orientation,' the SAPD said on Tuesday, June 3. '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.' Whatever the reason, neighbors say that the fire and the murder are a blight on their neighborhood, and that they are mourning Joss's death. 'This is so sad,' says Estes. 'Nobody here wanted this to happen. We just wanted everyone to live in peace.' Cejam has not yet entered a plea. It is unclear if he has an attorney authorized to speak on his behalf. Cardi B revealed the shocking reason she had no choice but to file for divorce from estranged husband Offset back on July 31 following six years of marriage. The 32-year-old Grammy winner was traumatized over 'waking up each day' to a new article about the 33-year-old father-of-six's philandering ways like when he brought Atlanta-based model Melanie Jayda with him to Dubai in January. Cardi B (born Belcalis Almanzar) started seeing a therapist last year because she was suffering from 'frequent headaches' and was 'literally losing my mind.' 'I gave chances after chances after chances after chances,' the half-Dominican, half-Trinidadian star - who boasts 281.2M social media followers - confessed on X Spaces Tuesday. 'If I was still there [in that marriage], I was going to end up going to jail because I was going to end up killing him. Seriously, with my own bare hands because it was getting too much.' Cardi B and Offset (born Kiari Kendrell Cephus) had legally separated in November 2023, but the on/off nature of their romance resulted in the birth of their eight-month-old baby daughter Blossom. Cardi B (L, pictured July 9) revealed the shocking reason she had no choice but to file for divorce from estranged husband Offset (R) back on July 31 following six years of marriage 'My baby came out 5lbs because I couldn't eat because I was so depressed because of the lies and the constant drama,' the Higher Love rapper cried. 'This is more than the cheating. It's just like the constant lies, the gaslighting - it was really messing up with my head.' The three-time Grammy nominee previously accused Cardi B of cheating on him 'with a baby inside' but on Tuesday she doubled down: 'I was married for seven years. I was faithful for seven years. Before that, I was engaged for three years.' Cardi B counted all of her blessings - talent, health, wealth, cars, property, and cute children - and noted that Offset was her only liability. 'We did help each other with our jobs. But it's like you're helping me, but you're destroying me at the same time,' the Kamala Harris campaigner explained. 'You gotta go. You become a liability to my work, you gotta go.' MailOnline has reached out to her reps for comment. Cardi B and Offset's divorce battle got even uglier when he filed for spousal support last week - according to TMZ. The Migos alum has also requested joint legal custody of their six-year-old daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, three-year-old son Wave Set Cephus, and eight-month-old baby daughter Blossom. The Enough Miami rapper previously separated from Offset from December 5, 2018 to January 31, 2019 amid cheating allegations. The on/off hip-hop couple's first date was the 2017 Super Bowl. The 32-year-old Grammy winner was traumatized over 'waking up each day' to a new article about the 33-year-old father-of-six's philandering ways (pictured Monday) Cardi B (born Belcalis Almanzar) started seeing a therapist last year because she was suffering from 'frequent headaches' and was 'literally losing my mind' (pictured Sunday) The half-Dominican, half-Trinidadian star confessed on X Spaces Tuesday: 'I gave chances after chances after chances after chances. If I was still there [in that marriage], I was going to end up going to jail because I was going to end up killing him. Seriously, with my own bare hands because it was getting too much' Cardi B and Offset (born Kiari Kendrell Cephus) had legally separated in November 2023, but the on/off nature of their romance resulted in the birth of their eight-month-old baby daughter Blossom (pictured September 12) 'My baby came out 5lbs because I couldn't eat because I was so depressed because of the lies and the constant drama,' the Higher Love rapper cried The three-time Grammy nominee previously accused Cardi B of cheating on him 'with a baby inside' but on Tuesday she doubled down: 'I was married for seven years. I was faithful for seven years. Before that, I was engaged for three years' (pictured in 2023) Cardi B counted all of her blessings - talent, health, wealth, cars, property, and cute children - and noted that Offset was her only liability (pictured May 8) The Kamala Harris campaigner explained: 'We did help each other with our jobs. But it's like you're helping me, but you're destroying me at the same time. You gotta go. You become a liability to my work, you gotta go' (pictured May 25) Cardi B and Offset's divorce battle got even uglier when he filed for spousal support last week (pictured in 2024) On Tuesday, the Migos alum appeared to have deleted his Instagram and X accounts the day after the Enough Miami rapper went Instagram official with her new boyfriend, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (R, pictured May 26) Cardi B will be honored with the Voice of the Culture Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers during an invite-only ceremony next Sunday in Los Angeles, CA On Tuesday, Offset appeared to have deleted his Instagram and X accounts the day after Cardi B went Instagram official with her new boyfriend, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The Love & Hip Hop: New York alum will be honored with the Voice of the Culture Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers during an invite-only ceremony next Sunday in Los Angeles, CA. Cardi B previously received ASCAP's Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year Award two years in a row, eight ASCAP Pop Music Awards, and 23 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. The former stripper is next scheduled to perform June 27 at Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn, NY alongside Hercules & Love Affair, COBRAH, Sofia Kourtesis, Danny Tenaglia, and Alex Chapman. Cardi B - who gets 28.4M monthly listeners on Spotify - has vowed to release the long-delayed sophomore follow-up to her 2018 debut studio album Invasion of Privacy this year. Feature: A young Iraqi's journey to top of Chinese proficiency competition Xinhua) 10:18, June 03, 2025 ERBIL, Iraq, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Mohammed Sarkawt Azeez, a freshman at Iraq's Salahaddin University, has claimed first prize in the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign university students in Iraq. Azeez, who goes by the Chinese name Mu Ming, celebrated the win by sharing a photo of his award certificate on WeChat, writing: "I got first place!" His message quickly drew congratulations from friends and classmates. The competition, held on Monday under the theme "One World, One Family," featured three segments: a talent performance, a themed speech, and a Q&A session. Contestants demonstrated a wide range of skills, from Sichuan Opera face-changing and Tai Chi to traditional calligraphy and ink painting. Mu's emotive rendition of the Chinese song "Jin Sheng Yuan" (The Affinities of This Life) drew particular praise from judges and audience members alike. When his name was announced as the winner, Mu stood momentarily in stunned silence before breaking into a wide smile. "I never imagined I could achieve something like this in just seven months," he said, eyes shining with excitement. Mu, a native speaker of Arabic and Kurdish, also speaks English and Turkish. Yet he says learning Chinese has been a completely different experience. "Chinese culture is deep, elegant, and rich in history," he said. "Learning the language has opened my mind. I stay up late practicing pronunciation, memorising characters, and studying Chinese culture." His decision to major in Chinese was driven by a belief that it would "open the door to the world." His parents, he added, have supported him from the start. "They know how passionate I am, and they believe this path will create future opportunities." Now set to represent Iraq at the global finals in China later this year, Mu is preparing for a larger stage. "I know it will be a bigger challenge, but I'm ready," he said. "I want to use this opportunity to grow, to share our culture, and to connect with others." Beyond language learning, Mu's ambitions are broader. He hopes to establish a business platform linking Iraq and China, aiming to introduce more Chinese products to Iraq while promoting Iraqi goods and culture in China. "It's more than just business," he said. "It's a bridge - a bridge of understanding and friendship between our people." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) In mid April, the showroom at New York's Javits Center was filled with cars. The glass-covered auditorium served as the venue for the New York International Auto Show, one of the premier showcases of American automaking. Car companies unveiled three new vehicles for US production: the Subaru Trailseeker EV, the Kia EV4 and the Kia K4 Hatch, all the products of hundreds of millions of dollars in collective investment. A month later, Chinese carmakers took over the China International Exhibition Center for the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. There were 71 new electric vehicles (EVs) on display among the 1,300 vehicles on the floor many of which were built for the international market. Chinese automakers are building cars for the entire world at a massive scale. Their vehicles, built with subsidies from their government, are faster to produce, cheaper to assemble and more technologically advanced than most American cars, experts warned the Daily Mail. Meanwhile, American companies and lawmakers are pulling back investments and regulations that kept their vehicles competitive. Experts are warning that these changes will badly hurt the US automotive sector's global competitiveness. The Zeekr Mix is a high-end two row minivan that received government subsidies the company said it delivered over 200,000 units of the $40,000 car in 2024 Chinese vehicles have inspired a swell of consumer patriotism the country is working to build up its manufacturing to export vehicles to the rest of the world 'Chinese EVs tend to have more innovative features and generally push the boundaries when it comes to charging speeds, range and efficiency,' Andrew Lambrecht, an EV analyst and industrial engineer, told the Daily Mail. 'But their real benefit is the diversity of models and China's ability to scale production.' Their successes are starting to have real-world impacts for American companies. BYD, China's biggest carmaker, just outsold Tesla in European sales for the first time. Many upcoming Chinese cars look like Porsches or BMWs they're high-riding machines with thick, plush seats, oversized tires and cutting-edge battery technology. Some charge to 80% in the time it takes Americans to fill a tank with gas, while others offer over 600 miles of battery range. Chinese automakers can go from concept to production with these advanced models in under two years. In the US, that same process takes an average of five years. Plus, China's federal government is all-in on cars. The country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology an entire federal wing that focuses on vehicle development pours money and policy into the EV space. State-owned manufacturers like SAIC get help with manufacturing, subsidies and receive EV credits to keep consumer prices lower. 'Simply put, China is an industrial engineering and manufacturing powerhouse,' Lambrecht said. Fords abandoned Highland Park factory in Michigan Li Auto, one of China's premier vehicle manufacturers, has developed several low-cost, high-tech vehicles in the Chinese market Lei Jun, the co-founder and CEO of Xiaomi, built a technical empire in China with phone sales before switching to luxury EVs Meanwhile, American lawmakers are scaling back billions of dollars worth of subsidies that initially made US-built cars more competitive with those coming out of China. While the average new EV in the US still sits north of $48,000, Lambrecht notes that price parity is slowly improving thanks to American federal incentives. American lawmakers have voted to revoke EV tax credits and emissions regulations that fight against China's subsidies with equal weight. In America, the Chevrolet Equinox EV one of the most tech-forward, low-cost vehicles in the US market costs $27,495 with the $7,500 tax credit. That's less than a gas powered Equinox at $29,995. 'That's a win for government incentives and policy if you'd ask me,' Lambrecht said. Plus, tariffs are making cars more expensive. American automakers have warned that they're spending billions of dollars on tariffs as they attempt to make globally competitive cars. GM, the parent company of Chevy, said it expects to shell out between $4 billion and $5 billion in tariff costs by the end of 2025. Chevy's Equinox EV, which employs hundreds of Americans who refine the car's tech and development, is built in Mexico. The foreign assembly makes the entire car eligible for Trump's 25% automotive tariffs, and threatens its low starting price. But while the US fights with its own pricing issues, Chinese manufacturers are fine-tuning their cars. 'The whole Chinese market is getting more mature. But instead of big leaps with brand new models, they're developing refinement,' Kevin Williams, a journalist with InsideEVs, said after going to the Beijing show. 'These are slower updates. But slow in this context is a lot faster than all Western car companies.' In New York, only three vehicles launched during a premier auto show: the Kia K4 Hatch was the only gas-powered vehicle that revealed Xiaomi's YU7, a Tesla competitor with styling that rivals Porsche, just hit consumer showrooms in late May BYD, China's biggest carmaker, is starting to sell more cars internationally it just outpaced Tesla in Europe Electric cars built in China are already being exported to Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Many of these countries have maintained their climate goals and are hoping to pack their economies with cheap, non-tailpipe emissions cars. Analysts worry that America's backtracking on EVs will make our manufacturers less competitive in this multi-billion-dollar market. 'The United States doesn't seem to have much of a long-term auto-manufacturing strategy, but rather a short-term one,' Bill Pierce, a car expert at EVinfo.net told the Daily Mail. 'While it's wise not to over-extend into US EV production if the demand isn't there, it's not wise to pull back so much on plans that the future of the car companies is in peril.' There might be some solutions, though, for the US market. Slate, a new startup promising low-cost EV pickup trucks, is hoping to build 100,000 units of its $25,000 car for American consumers after 2026. The company hasn't said if it is looking to enter the international market that China is aiming to dominate. Jeremy Snyder, chief commercial officer of the newly-unveiled Slate electric truck company, told the Daily Mail that US EV manufacturing is a no-brainer. 'Building EVs for a new company is the only obvious solution,' he said. 'We expect to be a massive powerhouse in the industry that continues to give people what they're looking for in a vehicle.' Every automotive part that enters the US is slapped with a 25 percent tariff. The tariffs, imposed by President Donald Trump, are expected to reinvigorate an automotive manufacturing sector in the US that has experienced a decades-long malaise. But China responded to the auto tariff and its separate, even higher product levies by stopping nearly all trade on rare earth magnets. The magnets are indispensable for modern car production. They're used in dozens of vehicle parts, including brakes, seats, screens, and ignitions. But more than two decades after domestic magnet-making factories migrated to China, the US now produces almost none. Without access to Chinese supplies, factories across the Midwest and the South could soon face shutdowns, automakers and analysts are warning. And US carmakers are running out. 'This could be similar to the chip shortage where automakers simply can't produce the vehicle if the rare earths ban remains in place,' Seth Goldstein, a strategist and Tesla expert for MorningStar, told DailyMail.com. Carmakers have been struggling to keep down their vehicle costs, with the average consumer spending over $49,000 on a new car in May 2025 'Tesla is planning to remove rare earths magnets from their EV motors, so the company should have a limited impact on its EV sales.' Beijing officials stopped sending US automakers the magnets in early April. The materials, which were last built in the US at scale in the late 1990s, are scattered throughout vehicles. A modern, power-adjusting seat can use as many as 12 individual magnets. In May, the trade groups representing some of the biggest automakers in the US including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai sent a letter to President Trump warning about the potential US manufacturing issues because of the dwindling magnet supply. 'Without reliable access to these elements and magnets, automotive suppliers will be unable to produce critical automotive components,' the letter from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation said. 'In severe cases, this could include the need for reduced production volumes or even a shutdown of vehicle assembly lines.' Meanwhile, the problem could get worse, even if Beijing officials re-open the magnet floodgates. Some Chinese producers have suspended operations altogether, waiting for export approvals. Toyota has the lowest days-on-lot metric in the entire auto industry - it's a reading that shows how much supply each company has of its US vehicles Car companies have been grappling with how to react to tariffs - now, they might have to deal with dwindling parts supplies The resulting delays have jammed up supply chains, leaving automakers scrambling to secure critical inputs. The trade blockages are also colliding with dwindling supplies on new vehicle lots. Some car companies are facing shortages of product on their new vehicle lots: Toyota, for example, has fewer than 30 days' worth of vehicles at many of their American dealerships. These compounding issues could send the price for remaining vehicles further through the roof as demand outstrips supply, and American manufacturing can't produce enough. It currently costs the average American more than $49,000 to drive a new vehicle off a dealership lot. Goldstein pointed out that there are signs for hope: Saudi Arabia, a country that is increasing trade relations with the US, is investing in rare earth production. 'Any shortage could prove temporary,' Goldstein added. But for now, the manufacturing impact extends well beyond cars, too. Factory automation, semiconductors, and critical military components all rely on high-performance magnets made from rare earth elements. President Trump recently lashed out against Chinese officials for exploiting these gaps in American production. 'China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,' Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he hoped that Trump and top Chinese officials would convene to discuss a new truce in the ongoing trade war. 'I believe we'll see something very soon,' he reassured CBS News. On Monday, car stocks took a major hit as news about the tariffs and magnet controls permeated Wall Street. Ford and GM both lost over 4 percent of their share price by mid-day trading. New analysis shows which top American executives received the highest pay packages in 2024. Last year's top earner, a man who raked in $165 million, isn't from a big tech company and hasn't generated consistent front-page news. Instead, he leads a Taser manufacturer. Rick Smith, 55, the man who has run Axon Enterprise since 1993, took home the biggest CEO paycheck in America last year. He topped the Wall Street Journals annual CEO pay rankings, beating out the well-known heads of other companies by a considerable margin. The report showed that Apple's Tim Cook made $74.6 million in 2024, JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon made $37.7 million, and Blackstone's Stephen Schwarzman cashed in $84 million. 'The compensation figure reported in the WSJ reflects the grant date fair value of a long-term, performance-based equity award outlined in Axons 2025 proxy statement,' an Axon spokesperson told DailyMail.com. 'The 2024 CEO Performance Award is a high-risk, high-reward structure nothing vests unless Axon meets rigorous stock price, operational, and service-based goals.' Rick Smith, the CEO of Axon Enterprise, was the highest-earning CEO among the S&P 500 in 2024, according to the Wall Street Journal Smith's pay package, which the company says covers the top boss's earnings until 2030, was the only one north of $100 million among all S&P 500 chief executives. 'Rick's last equity grant was in 2018, and since then hes been compensated near minimum wage by choice,' the spokesperson added. Axon Enterprise is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based company that produced weapons tech for the military, police, and civilians - and has faced some controversy. The company has developed Tasers, body cameras, dash cams, and drones. Axon Enterprise's website claims Smith 'founded the company in a Tucson garage in 1993 after two of his friends were shot and killed.' The two friends were named Todd Bogers and Cory Holmes. However, an investigation by Reuters alleged that Smith didn't have a long-established relationship with the people he dedicated the company to. '[The company] ran a whole advertising campaign based on the murder of my son,' John Bogers, Todd's father, told the outlet. This photo provided by Axon Enterprise depicts a conceptual design through a computer-generated rendering of a taser drone. The project has now been put on hold 'They profited off that, and they didn't ask for permission.' In a statement to DailyMail.com, an Axon spokesperson claimed the reporting is part of a 'five-year campaign to falsely defame our company.' 'Axon stands by Rick's personal account of the events that shaped his journey. He's spoken candidly and consistently about the formative experiences that led him to found Axon nearly 30 years ago.' The CEO also wrote a book called The End of Killing, where he advocates against gun control reform and heralds new technology coming out of his industry. His company has also faced internal backlash. In 2022, nine members of the 12-person ethics board abruptly resigned after the company started testing on drone-mounted tasers for use in schools to stop mass shootings. Smith said he believed the drone would have been helpful in past mass shootings, including in Uvalde, Texas, when responders failed to enter the school premises. Axon said at the time it was working on a drone that first responders could operate remotely to fire a Taser at a target about 40 feet away. The project was eventually paused. Smith's earnings were mostly tied to a large stock award, rather than a salary Smith's earnings compared to his peers Like most CEOs, Smith's earnings were mostly tied to a large stock award, rather than a salary. A stock award is when an executive or worker takes ownership of some of the company's stock, and can benefit if the share price goes higher. Smith received his largest sum in May 2024 after the company exceeded several aggressive performance goals. His compensation took advantage of the company's new program that allows all employees to convert pay into shares. Axon Enterprise's stock started January 2024 at $254 a share, and ended in December at $601. But the stock compensation also carries a lot of risk: it's possible to make no money on the full year. 'I feel better about making a lot if I can also make zero,' he told The Journal. Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, earned $74.6 million in 2024, the fourth-highest for top American bosses Jamie Dimon, the outspoken head of JPMorgan Chase, ranked 23rd among his S&P 500 peers, receiving a little less than $37 million Elon Musk's earnings at Tesla technically registered at $0 'For me it creates that startup kind of vibe.' Smith and Axon didn't immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on this article. Some of the most recognizable American bosses are surprisingly low in the Wall Street Journal's rankings. Jamie Dimon, the outspoken head of JPMorgan Chase, ranked 23rd among his S&P 500 peers, receiving a little less than $37 million. Dimon's banking peer, Jane Fraser, the head of Citigroup, made $31 million, according to the rankings. Fraser placed 36th. Meta's Mark Zuckerberg landed at number 63 with $27 million most of which covered security costs. Elon Musk, the world's richest man and leader of five companies including Tesla, XAI, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company came in last place. The rankings show that Musk made $0 last year as his Tesla executive pay package worked its ways through the court. Courts have been holding up an agreement with Tesla shareholders to give him a $56 billion pay package. That deal would give Musk more than 339 times the amount Smith made in 2024. Last year, only three bosses received nine-figure earnings in 2024. That is the smallest number of over-$100 million payouts for CEOs since 2016. In geopolitics, geography can be destiny. Few places illustrate this better than the Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as Indiaas aChickenas Neck.a This slender 22-kilometre-wide strip of land is Indiaas only physical link connecting the mainland to its eight northeastern states, including strategically vital Sikkim. Sandwiched delicately between Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, it represents both a critical artery and a profound vulnerability for Indiaas territorial integrity and national security. The corridoras significance is easy to grasp when considering raw numbers alone. Disrupting this corridor would instantly sever connectivity to over 45 million Indian citizens. It would isolate an enormous geographical region, rich in natural resources yet vulnerable to instability and insurgency. In strategic terms, the corridor is an Achillesa heel, a pressure point that external powers a or even internal agitators a can exploit, potentially bringing enormous geopolitical leverage. Historically, the precarious nature of this corridor has been acknowledged repeatedly. In 2017, the Doklam standoff between India and China vividly highlighted the corridoras susceptibility. Chinese forcesa push toward Bhutanas Doklam Plateau, alarmingly close to the corridor, was a calculated move to test Indian resolve. The intense 73-day standoff underscored just how quickly tension in the corridor could escalate, leaving India vulnerable and urgently signalling the need for vigilance and readiness. Today, new threats are emerging, reshaping Indiaas strategic calculus. Most pressing is the warming relationship between Bangladesh and China. Historically, India has viewed Bangladesh as a neighbour with shared cultural ties and mutual economic interests. Yet recent diplomatic trends indicate a growing closeness between Dhaka and Beijing a one that alarms strategists in New Delhi. Chinese investment in Bangladesh has increased dramatically, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors. Projects such as the planned development of Lalmonirhat Airport, located unsettlingly close to the Siliguri Corridor, raise genuine concerns about dual-use capabilities. Such infrastructure, ostensibly civilian, could easily be repurposed for military objectives, providing China indirect leverage and Bangladesh an expanded strategic footprint. In geopolitical discourse, dual-use facilities represent latent threats. Lalmonirhatas proximity to the corridor suggests that even without overt hostility, Chinaas expanded influence could complicate Indiaas security posture. Infrastructure often precedes influence, and influence, in international relations, frequently leads to leverage. Chinese outreach to Bangladesh constitutes a deliberate and strategic manoeuvre to encircle India from the east, complementing Pakistanas persistent hostility from the west. Adding to Indiaas anxieties is the recent rhetoric emanating from influential figures in Bangladesh. Retired Major General ALM Fazlur Rahman publicly suggested occupying northeast India if conflict erupts between India and Pakistan a an inflammatory statement revealing latent adversarial attitudes. Although unofficial, Rahmanas sentiment is not isolated. Interim Chief Advisor of the Bangladesh Government Muhammad Yunusas cryptic warnings following his recent Beijing visit have further exacerbated anxieties in Indian strategic circles. While these statements may be dismissed as rhetorical excess, they signal undercurrents within Bangladeshas political and military establishments that are potentially susceptible to external influence. Indiaas internal security concerns amplify the external threats. Radical statements by figures such as Sharjeel Imam, who once advocated blocking the corridor to pressure New Delhi politically, expose the corridoras internal vulnerabilities. Such provocations, though fringe and isolated, highlight that internal disruptions could align disastrously with external aggression, complicating Indiaas defence strategy exponentially. Recognising these vulnerabilities, India is methodically fortifying its strategic posture around the Siliguri Corridor. A multi-layered strategy is now underway, blending infrastructure enhancement, military readiness, and strategic signalling. On the infrastructural front, India has significantly ramped up road and railway expansions, parallel tracks, highway widening, and enhanced airport capacities. These efforts aim to ensure seamless mobility of military forces and civilian supplies, reducing the corridoras inherent fragility. Militarily, India has dramatically enhanced its readiness. Frequent troop mobilisations, exercises simulating rapid response capabilities, and intensified drone-based surveillance systems are now routine. The Indian Armyas Eastern Command, headquartered in Kolkata, has substantially increased its vigilance and response capabilities, sending clear deterrent signals to any potential aggressors. Strategic signalling has also intensified. Notably, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently highlighted Bangladeshas comparable geographical vulnerabilities. Specifically, Sarma drew attention to Bangladeshas own achicken necksa: the North Bangladesh Corridor, which at 80 kilometres connects Rangpur to the rest of Bangladesh, and the narrower Chittagong Corridor, a mere 28 kilometres wide. By pointing out these reciprocal vulnerabilities, Sarma implicitly warned Bangladesh that provocations toward Indiaas corridor would invite equivalent scrutiny and risk for Dhaka. From an economic and diplomatic angle, India has additional leverage. Bangladesh depends substantially on India for transit, energy resources, and trade. India could recalibrate these ties strategically, conditioning bilateral relations on Bangladeshas geopolitical alignment. However, any aggressive economic recalibration risks inadvertently pushing Bangladesh further toward Chinaas embrace. Itas a delicate diplomatic balancing act for New Delhi, requiring careful calibration, diplomacy, and restrained assertiveness. The interplay between coercion and cooperation defines Indiaas current diplomatic strategy, emphasising Indiaas historical preference for regional stability and collective economic advancement. The strategic implications of the China-Bangladesh nexus, if it solidifies, are profound. Indiaas strategic community, including analysts such as Brahma Chellaney and C. Raja Mohan, consistently highlights the risks of a two-front geopolitical squeeze a from Pakistan in the west and potentially China-aligned Bangladesh in the east. In such a scenario, Indiaas military and strategic resources would be stretched thin. India would have to simultaneously secure the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor and manage insurgent movements that external actors could exploit to destabilise internal security. Nevertheless, these heightened strategic tensions also clarify Indiaas geopolitical priorities. The corridoras vulnerability starkly emphasises Indiaas need for robust strategic autonomy. It reinforces the wisdom of deepening diplomatic ties, fortifying military preparedness, and ensuring comprehensive infrastructural readiness. It reminds policymakers of the imperative to engage constructively yet assertively with regional neighbours, ensuring regional stability on terms favourable to Indian interests. Historically, India has balanced regional leadership with restraint, preferring diplomacy over conflict. However, given the corridoras sensitivity, Indiaas strategic patience cannot be mistaken for complacency or weakness. The Siliguri Corridor is more than just a geographical bottleneck. It symbolises Indiaas resilience, determination, and strategic maturity. Geopolitics teaches that strategic vulnerability can only be managed through constant vigilance. Indiaas response a measured, thoughtful, but firm a demonstrates both its strategic foresight and national confidence. In securing this slender corridor, India asserts a clear message: while it seeks peace and regional cooperation, it will decisively protect its sovereignty and national interests, reaffirming the enduring strength and unity of the Indian nation. (The writer is an IPS officer, DIG/Additional Director UPSIFS Lucknow. Views are personal) The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a manas plea over his motheras purported illegal detention by Assam Police amid widespread allegations of deportations to Bangladesh. Iunuch (Yunus) Ali, 26, sought immediate release of his mother Monowara Bewa, who was reportedly detained on May 24 after being called to Dhubri Police Station on the pretext of recording her statement. The plea also sought a direction restraining the deportation or apush backa of the detainee across any Indian border. The matter came up before a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma which agreed to hear it. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, said the woman had previously filed an special leave petition (SLP) in the apex court which is still pending and she was also granted bail but she was being athrown outa. aWe will list it along with the main case. We will hear it,a the bench said. Alias plea, the bench said, would be heard along with the pending SLP. The SLP challenges the decision of the Gauhati High Court, which upheld a Foreigners Tribunal ruling declaring Bewa a foreigner - a decision that has remained under challenge before the apex court since 2017. When the bench said the plea would be heard along with the pending petition, Sibal said, aIn the meantime, she is being thrown out.a aThrown out means?a the bench asked. Sibal said she might be sent to Bangladesh and the petitioner was unaware of his mother whereabouts. aWhere is she, we donat know. At least ask them (authorities) to tell us that. The son does not know,a he argued. The petitioner raised concerns over the practice in Assam of allegedly detaining and deporting persons to Bangladesh overnight, even when their legal cases were pending. Bewa was on bail since December 12, 2019, following a Supreme Court order which allowed the conditional release of detainees who spent more than three years in Assamas foreigner detention camps. In a major counter-espionage breakthrough, Punjab Police on Tuesday arrested a Tarn Taran resident for allegedly leaking classified military information to Pakistanas Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), posing a grave threat to Indiaas national security. The accused, identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, was reportedly in close contact with Pakistan-based Khalistani sympathizer Gopal Singh Chawla and passed on critical information related to the Indian Armyas movements during the high-stakes Operation Sindoor. The arrest was made in a joint operation by Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence unit and Tarn Taran Police, as part of an intensified crackdown on espionage networks in the wake of heightened cross-border tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Indian retaliatory air strikes in Pakistan. The state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that the accused had maintained contact with Chawla for over five years. Through him, Gagandeep was introduced to Pakistani intelligence officers. aHe shared sensitive information concerning troop deployments, strategic locations, and army movements with PIOs (Pakistani Intelligence Operatives), especially during Operation Sindoor. This amounted to a serious breach of national security,a said DGP Yadav. Operation Sindoor was carried out by the Indian Air Force from May 6-7 in retaliation for the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists lost their lives. During the covert operation, India destroyed nine terrorist launch pads inside Pakistan, prompting a period of intense military alert and leading to an aggressive hunt for insider threats within the country. Police recovered two mobile phones from Gagandeepas possession, both loaded with highly sensitive data and contact details of over 20 ISI operatives. The forensic analysis of the devices revealed frequent communication with Pakistani handlers even after the initiation of Operation Sindoor. Notably, investigators also discovered financial transactions in Gagandeep's bank account, allegedly routed from Pakistan via Indian financial channels. Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana said that Gagandeep was picked up from near Muradpura based on specific intelligence inputs. The operation was led by SP City Dr Riputapan Singh Sandhu and DSP (D) Gurinderpal Singh Nagra. aThe accused revealed during interrogation that he was directed to gather and relay information regarding troop movements, deployment near the international border, railway infrastructure, and strategic locations in Amritsar city. He was being financially compensated for each successful relay of data,a SSP Rana disclosed. A case under FIR, dated June 3, 2025, has been registered at Police Station City Tarn Taran under Sections 3, 4, 5, and 21 of the Official Secrets Act, along with Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused remains in custody while an in-depth financial and technical investigation is ongoing to uncover the entire espionage network. Police suspect the involvement of additional individuals and say further arrests are likely. This is the fifth arrest in Punjab in the past month for espionage linked to Pakistan. On May 4, two individuals a Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih a were arrested in Amritsar. On May 11, a woman named Gazala Khatoon and a man, Yameen Mohammad, were apprehended in Malerkotla. Another accused, Raqeeb, a tailor working in the Bathinda Army cantonment, was caught on May 13. The rising number of such arrests has put the spotlight back on Pakistanas attempts to revive dormant espionage networks in Punjab by exploiting ideological sympathizers and economically vulnerable individuals. With tensions simmering post-Operation Sindoor, Indian intelligence and police agencies have intensified surveillance and are racing to plug internal security breaches. As DGP Yadav emphasized, aEvery individual aiding the enemy from within is a threat to our collective security. We remain vigilant and committed to rooting out such elements to preserve national integrity.a A Gagandeep Singh arrested from Tarn Taran for spying for Pakistanas ISI A Accused was in touch with Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla for 5 years A Shared sensitive Army details during Op Sindoor with ISI handlers A Police recovered mobile phones with over 20 ISI contacts and classified data A Financial transactions from Pak handlers traced to Gagandeepas bank account A FIR registered under Official Secrets Act; probe to expose full espionage network A Five spies linked to Pak arrested from Punjab in the past month Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that after India put the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, Pakistan is weaving a new "manufactured threat" narrative of what will happen if China stops Brahmaputra's flow into the country. He clarified that though China has not announced any such move, but even if it happens, it would in fact help mitigate the annual Assam floods. He said that most of Brahmaputra's flow is generated due to downpour in northeast India while glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall contribute to only 30-35 per cent of the river's water flow. In an X post titled 'What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan's New Scare Narrative', he said, 'After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India?" 'Let's dismantle this myth -- not with fear, but with facts and national clarity," he added. Sarma pointed out that even if China were to 'reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year'. 'Meanwhile, Pakistan, which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access under the Indus Water Treaty, now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights,' he said. Sarma claimed that Brahmaputra is a river that grows in India and does not shrink. He pointed out that China contributes only 30-35 per cent of the Brahmaputra's total flow -- mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 65-70 per cent is 'generated within India, thanks to the torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya'. Major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili also contribute to it while additional inflow comes in from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi, Sarma said. "At the India-China border (Tuting), the flow of the river is ~2,000-3,000 mA/s while in the plains of Assam like Guwahati, the flow swells to 15,000-20,000 mA/s during monsoon," he added. The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream -- it is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory, Sarma said. 'Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source -- it is powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilisational resilience,' he added. A man hailing from Punjab's Tarn Taran district was arrested for allegedly sharing with Pakistani intelligence operatives sensitive information about troop deployment and strategic locations during Operation Sindoor, police said on Tuesday. He was also allegedly in contact with Pakistan-based pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla. Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the accused has been identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, in Tarn Taran. He was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information related to the army's movements during Operation Sindoor with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). Police also recovered a mobile phone containing information, which he shared with the PIOs. The accused was allegedly in contact with Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and also received money for passing on sensitive information, the police said. He was arrested in a joint operation of the Tarn Taran police and the Counter Intelligence wing of police. "Arrested accused had been in contact with the #Pakistan #ISI and (Pakistan based Khalistani supporter) Gopal Singh Chawla, sharing sensitive information concerning army movements during #OperationSindoor," the DGP said in a post on X. Investigations said the accused was engaged in sharing classified details, including troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security. Gagandeep had been in touch with Khalistani supporter Chawla for the past five years, through whom he was introduced to the PIOs, Yadav said. "He also received payments from #PIOs via #Indianchannels," he further said. Recovered a mobile phone containing intelligence that he shared with the PIOs, as well as the details of over 20 ISI contacts, he said. Thorough financial and technical investigations are underway to trace other linkages and establish the full scope of this espionage network, the DGP added. An FIR has been registered under the Official Secrets Act at Police Station City, Tarn Taran, and further investigation is in progress, he added. Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces carried out pre-dawn missile strikes on May 7 on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Earlier, police had arrested six persons for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Falaksher Masih, and Suraj Masih had been arrested from Ajnala in Amritsar and 31-year-old woman Guzala and Yameen Mohamad, both residents of Malerkotla, had also been nabbed last month. Guzala and Yameen had been receiving payments through online transactions in exchange for sharing classified information. Guzala had been in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani official posted at the Pakistan High Commission. On May 13, India expelled Danish for allegedly indulging in espionage. Two more persons -- Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh -- were later arrested by police from Gurdaspur for sharing sensitive military information with Pakistan's ISI. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Bar Harbor Bankshares and Potomac Bancsharess top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bar Harbor Bankshares $150.40 million 2.90 $43.65 million $2.85 10.01 Potomac Bancshares $48.09 million 1.50 $7.34 million $1.77 9.84 Get Bar Harbor Bankshares alerts: Bar Harbor Bankshares has higher revenue and earnings than Potomac Bancshares. Potomac Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bar Harbor Bankshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Institutional and Insider Ownership Dividends 54.5% of Bar Harbor Bankshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 5.3% of Potomac Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 2.6% of Bar Harbor Bankshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 4.4% of Potomac Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Bar Harbor Bankshares pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. Potomac Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Bar Harbor Bankshares pays out 44.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Potomac Bancshares pays out 29.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Bar Harbor Bankshares has increased 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. Profitability This table compares Bar Harbor Bankshares and Potomac Bancshares net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bar Harbor Bankshares N/A N/A N/A Potomac Bancshares N/A N/A N/A Risk and Volatility Bar Harbor Bankshares has a beta of 0.69, meaning that its share price is 31% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Potomac Bancshares has a beta of 0.17, meaning that its share price is 83% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Bar Harbor Bankshares beats Potomac Bancshares on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. 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. About Potomac Bancshares (Get Free Report) Potomac Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Charles Town that provides various banking products and services to individuals and businesses. The company offers checking, savings, and individual retirement accounts; and certificates of deposit (CD). It also provides personal loans, including new and used vehicle, home equity, unsecured home improvement and personal, retail equipment, and lot loans, as well as loans secured by CD, and home equity lines of credit; commercial loans for building or office purchases, commercial real estate and construction, and production and administrative equipment purchases; lines of credit; mortgage, commercial, term, residential and commercial construction, commercial real estate, and agricultural loans; and credit and debit cards. In addition, the company offers Card Pay, cash management, merchant, financial planning, trust and estate, investment management, wealth management, full-service brokerage, retirement and insurance planning and products, asset allocation and management, and college planning services, as well as telephone, mobile, and online banking services. Potomac Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is based in Charles Town, West Virginia. Receive News & Ratings for Bar Harbor Bankshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bar Harbor Bankshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Romano Brothers AND Company lowered its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT Free Report) by 2.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,243 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 744 shares during the quarter. Romano Brothers AND Company owned 0.07% of Applied Industrial Technologies worth $5,914,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AIT. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Applied Industrial Technologies by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,271,356 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $304,452,000 after acquiring an additional 85,270 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Applied Industrial Technologies by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,061,231 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $254,182,000 after buying an additional 20,842 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 571,275 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $136,803,000 after purchasing an additional 1,958 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $129,690,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 12.5% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 510,772 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $122,315,000 after purchasing an additional 56,732 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.52% of the companys stock. Get Applied Industrial Technologies alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have issued reports on AIT shares. KeyCorp cut their price objective on Applied Industrial Technologies from $325.00 to $275.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Raymond James reissued an outperform rating and issued a $250.00 target price (down from $265.00) on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Loop Capital decreased their target price on Applied Industrial Technologies from $320.00 to $290.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given 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 $285.00. Applied Industrial Technologies Trading Down 0.9% Shares of AIT stock opened at $224.46 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 1.00. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $181.35 and a twelve month high of $282.98. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $226.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $243.36. The company has a quick ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 3.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.57 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.40 by $0.17. Applied Industrial Technologies had a return on equity of 22.37% and a net margin of 8.62%. The company had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.48 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. will post 9.9 EPS for the current fiscal year. Applied Industrial Technologies Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were issued a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 15th. Applied Industrial Technologiess dividend payout ratio is presently 18.47%. Applied Industrial Technologies announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, May 1st that authorizes the company to buyback 1,500,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the industrial products company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. About Applied Industrial Technologies (Free Report) Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates in two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Engineered Solutions. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, automation solutions, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, filtration supplies, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report)s stock had its overweight rating restated by analysts at Barclays in a research report issued on Tuesday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a $240.00 target price on the semiconductor companys stock, up from their prior target price of $215.00. Barclayss price target points to a potential upside of 17.20% from the stocks current price. TSM has been the subject of a number of other reports. Susquehanna reaffirmed a positive rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $225.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $217.00. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Up 0.7% NYSE:TSM traded up $1.43 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $204.77. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,004,775 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,753,296. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $173.54 and a 200-day moving average of $187.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.06 trillion, a P/E ratio of 29.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.21. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has a 52-week low of $133.57 and a 52-week high of $226.40. The company has a current ratio of 2.57, a quick ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The semiconductor company reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.03 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $25.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $834.10 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 30.47% and a net margin of 40.51%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Accredited Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile (Get Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bridge Creek Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report) by 3.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 21,003 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 760 shares during the quarter. Bridge Creek Capital Management LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $1,885,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MRK. Norges Bank bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter worth $3,479,799,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 29.7% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 24,213,537 shares of the companys stock worth $2,408,763,000 after purchasing an additional 5,550,824 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 80,742,030 shares of the companys stock worth $8,032,217,000 after purchasing an additional 4,932,647 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 16.8% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 31,377,107 shares of the companys stock worth $3,121,395,000 after purchasing an additional 4,511,742 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 63.1% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 11,577,535 shares of the companys stock worth $1,151,642,000 after purchasing an additional 4,480,007 shares in the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Merck & Co., Inc. In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, SVP Dalton E. Smart III sold 4,262 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.76, for a total transaction of $352,723.12. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 7,778 shares in the company, valued at approximately $643,707.28. This trade represents a 35.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have commented on MRK. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $96.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from an overweight rating to a cautious rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $84.00 price target (down from $115.00) on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $113.00 to $106.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $109.19. Read Our Latest Report on Merck & Co., Inc. Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Down 0.8% NYSE:MRK opened at $76.22 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $191.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.36. Merck & Co., Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $73.31 and a fifty-two week high of $134.63. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $79.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $90.39. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $15.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.59 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 26.67% and a return on equity of 45.35%. Merck & Co., Inc.s revenue was down 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.07 EPS. Analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 16th. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.25%. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is currently 47.16%. Merck & Co., Inc. Profile (Free Report) Merck & Co, Inc is a health care company, which engages in the provision of health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, and Other. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bridge Creek Capital Management LLC decreased its stake in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 2.6% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 182,840 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,830 shares during the period. Bank of America comprises about 2.4% of Bridge Creek Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 5th biggest position. Bridge Creek Capital Management LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $7,630,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of BAC. Planned Solutions Inc. raised its stake in Bank of America by 30.2% during the first quarter. Planned Solutions Inc. now owns 10,022 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $418,000 after purchasing an additional 2,324 shares in the last quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Bank of America by 2.6% during the first quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 286,534 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,957,000 after purchasing an additional 7,258 shares in the last quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Bank of America by 31.7% during the first quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC now owns 21,142 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $882,000 after purchasing an additional 5,094 shares in the last quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in Bank of America by 4.4% during the first quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 93,662 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,920,000 after purchasing an additional 3,957 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Bank of America by 27.4% during the first quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 172,511 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,199,000 after purchasing an additional 37,126 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently issued reports on BAC. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Bank of America from $50.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Baird R W raised shares of Bank of America from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Finally, Cfra Research increased their target price on shares of Bank of America to $47.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, seventeen have issued a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Bank of America currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $47.50. Bank of America Trading Down 0.2% BAC stock opened at $44.04 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $331.69 billion, a PE ratio of 13.68, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.27. Bank of America Co. has a 12 month low of $33.07 and a 12 month high of $48.08. The firms 50-day moving average is $40.49 and its 200 day moving average is $43.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.78. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 15th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $27.37 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $26.83 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 14.10% and a return on equity of 10.29%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Bank of America Co. will post 3.7 EPS for the current year. Bank of America Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Investors of record on Friday, June 6th will be paid a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.36%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 6th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 30.95%. Bank of America Profile (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by analysts at CIBC from C$28.00 to C$33.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the stock. CIBCs price objective indicates a potential upside of 8.30% from the stocks current price. Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on LB. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$28.00 to C$32.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday. National Bankshares boosted their target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$25.00 to C$28.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Tuesday. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$31.00 to C$30.00 in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$29.00 to C$27.00 in a report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$27.00 to C$28.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$29.00. Get Laurentian Bank of Canada alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on LB Laurentian Bank of Canada Price Performance Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile Shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada stock traded up C$0.12 during trading on Tuesday, hitting C$30.47. The companys stock had a trading volume of 25,473 shares, compared to its average volume of 202,291. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 52 week low of C$24.37 and a 52 week high of C$31.74. The stock has a market cap of C$1.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -243.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.25. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$27.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$27.92. (Get Free Report) Laurentian Bank of Canada provides personal banking, business banking and real estate and commercial financing to its personal, business, and institutional customers across Canada and the United States. The company reports three operating segments: personal, business services, and capital markets. The personal segment offers financial services to retail clients. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rayonier (NYSE:RYN Get Free Report) had its price target cut by equities research analysts at Citigroup from $27.00 to $26.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Citigroups price objective suggests a potential upside of 12.77% from the companys current price. A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Rayonier from $28.00 to $27.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Raymond James upgraded Rayonier from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $31.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Rayonier from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price target on Rayonier from $30.00 to $27.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Rayonier presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.75. Get Rayonier alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Rayonier Rayonier Trading Down 1.0% Rayonier stock opened at $23.06 on Tuesday. Rayonier has a one year low of $22.80 and a one year high of $31.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.85. The businesss fifty day moving average is $24.52 and its 200 day moving average is $26.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.59 billion, a PE ratio of 9.77 and a beta of 1.07. Rayonier (NYSE:RYN Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.08 by ($0.10). Rayonier had a return on equity of 3.86% and a net margin of 28.44%. The firm had revenue of $82.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $152.99 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.01 EPS. Rayoniers revenue was down 27.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Rayonier will post 0.55 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rayonier A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RYN. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Rayonier in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. American National Bank & Trust bought a new stake in Rayonier during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Elequin Capital LP bought a new stake in Rayonier during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Rayonier by 133.5% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,123 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 642 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Rayonier in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. 89.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Rayonier (Get Free Report) Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of December 31, 2023, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.7 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Rayonier Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rayonier and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Clarus Wealth Advisors bought a new position in Dover Co. (NYSE:DOV Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 1,530 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $254,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Dover by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 3,290 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $578,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. boosted its position in Dover by 113,720.0% during the 1st quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 5,691 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $999,000 after buying an additional 5,686 shares during the period. Czech National Bank grew its stake in shares of Dover by 6.0% in the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 31,518 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,537,000 after purchasing an additional 1,772 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Dover by 5.8% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 274,688 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $48,257,000 after buying an additional 14,996 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Dover by 4.0% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,740 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $306,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.46% of the companys stock. Get Dover alerts: Dover Price Performance Shares of Dover stock opened at $175.95 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $24.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.05, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $171.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $186.64. Dover Co. has a 52 week low of $143.04 and a 52 week high of $222.31. Dover Announces Dividend Dover ( NYSE:DOV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The industrial products company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.99 by $0.06. Dover had a net margin of 32.95% and a return on equity of 21.03%. The business had revenue of $1.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.88 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.95 earnings per share. Dovers quarterly revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Dover Co. will post 9.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.17%. Dovers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 12.41%. Analysts Set New Price Targets DOV has been the subject of several research reports. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Dover from $244.00 to $201.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Dover from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $176.00 target price on shares of Dover in a report on Friday, April 25th. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on Dover from $238.00 to $219.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Dover from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $207.75. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DOV Dover Company Profile (Free Report) Dover Corporation provides equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services worldwide. The company's Engineered Products segment provides various equipment, component, software, solution, and services that are used in vehicle aftermarket, waste handling, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, industrial winch and hoist, and fluid dispensing end-market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Dover Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dover and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Bar Harbor Bankshares and Community Heritage Financials revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bar Harbor Bankshares $150.40 million 2.95 $43.65 million $2.85 10.18 Community Heritage Financial $57.30 million 1.33 $7.09 million $2.42 10.74 Get Bar Harbor Bankshares alerts: Bar Harbor Bankshares has higher revenue and earnings than Community Heritage Financial. Bar Harbor Bankshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Community Heritage Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bar Harbor Bankshares N/A N/A N/A Community Heritage Financial N/A N/A N/A Institutional & Insider Ownership This table compares Bar Harbor Bankshares and Community Heritage Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets. 54.5% of Bar Harbor Bankshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 12.2% of Community Heritage Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.6% of Bar Harbor Bankshares shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Dividends Bar Harbor Bankshares pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. Community Heritage Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. Bar Harbor Bankshares pays out 44.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Community Heritage Financial pays out 13.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Bar Harbor Bankshares has increased 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. Risk & Volatility Bar Harbor Bankshares has a beta of 0.69, suggesting that its share price is 31% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Community Heritage Financial has a beta of 0.21, suggesting that its share price is 79% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Bar Harbor Bankshares beats Community Heritage Financial on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. 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. About Community Heritage Financial (Get Free Report) Community Heritage Financial, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Middletown Valley Bank that provides retail and commercial banking services to individuals and businesses in Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland and Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Its primary deposit products include demand, savings, and time deposits, as well as lending products comprise real estate mortgages, commercial business loans, and instalment loans. The company also offers mortgage financing, new home purchases, refinancing, and construction lending in Middletown, Crofton, and Oakland, Maryland. The company was founded in 1908 and is based in Middletown, Maryland. Receive News & Ratings for Bar Harbor Bankshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bar Harbor Bankshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Financial Corp IN decreased its stake in shares of General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS Free Report) by 13.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,072 shares of the companys stock after selling 322 shares during the period. First Financial Corp INs holdings in General Mills were worth $124,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Romano Brothers AND Company grew its position in General Mills by 3.6% in the first quarter. Romano Brothers AND Company now owns 9,353 shares of the companys stock valued at $559,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares in the last quarter. Juncture Wealth Strategies LLC grew its position in General Mills by 10.4% in the first quarter. Juncture Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 6,674 shares of the companys stock valued at $399,000 after purchasing an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. HBW Advisory Services LLC grew its position in General Mills by 23.6% in the first quarter. HBW Advisory Services LLC now owns 43,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,596,000 after purchasing an additional 8,288 shares in the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in General Mills by 19.6% in the first quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 320,233 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,147,000 after purchasing an additional 52,496 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC grew its position in General Mills by 1.1% in the first quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 31,689 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,895,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.71% of the companys stock. Get General Mills alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other General Mills news, CEO Jeffrey L. Harmening sold 11,379 shares of General Mills stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total value of $739,635.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 353,346 shares in the company, valued at $22,967,490. The trade was a 3.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. General Mills Stock Performance Shares of GIS stock opened at $54.13 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $29.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.77, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 0.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.92. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $56.25 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.85. General Mills, Inc. has a 52 week low of $52.39 and a 52 week high of $75.90. General Mills (NYSE:GIS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, March 19th. The company reported $1.00 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.99 billion. General Mills had a net margin of 13.08% and a return on equity of 27.55%. General Millss revenue was down 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.17 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that General Mills, Inc. will post 4.36 earnings per share for the current year. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently weighed in on GIS shares. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of General Mills from $68.00 to $65.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of General Mills from $72.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of General Mills from $60.00 to $58.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 14th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of General Mills in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of General Mills from $62.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $64.69. Read Our Latest Research Report on GIS General Mills Company Profile (Free Report) General Mills, Inc manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice. It offers grain, ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and savory snacks, ice cream and frozen desserts, unbaked and fully baked frozen dough products, frozen hot snacks, ethnic meals, side dish mixes, frozen breakfast and entrees, nutrition bars, and frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GIS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for General Mills Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Mills and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 20.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,132 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 536 shares during the quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $520,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. WP Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. WP Advisors LLC now owns 4,271 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $843,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Heritage Wealth Advisors boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 20.0% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors now owns 300 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. First Heartland Consultants Inc. boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. now owns 1,236 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $244,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Formidable Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Formidable Asset Management LLC now owns 1,606 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $317,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, Connecticut Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,416 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,465,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $194.85 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 2.57 and a quick ratio of 2.30. The company has a market capitalization of $1.01 trillion, a PE ratio of 27.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.21. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a one year low of $133.57 and a one year high of $226.40. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $171.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of $187.49. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The semiconductor company reported $2.12 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.03 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $25.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $834.10 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 30.47% and a net margin of 40.51%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 9.2 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $0.6499 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 16th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.33%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.46%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Barclays reiterated a hold rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Susquehanna reiterated a positive rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $225.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $212.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Heritage Family Offices LLP raised its holdings in IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA Free Report) by 7.0% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 2,167 shares of the energy companys stock after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the period. Heritage Family Offices LLPs holdings in IDACORP were worth $252,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Independence Bank of Kentucky raised its holdings in IDACORP by 123.6% in the 4th quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 407 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in IDACORP in the 4th quarter valued at $45,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in IDACORP by 39.7% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 440 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in IDACORP by 1,333.3% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 516 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 480 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new position in IDACORP in the 4th quarter valued at $58,000. 89.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get IDACORP alerts: IDACORP Stock Down 1.5% Shares of NYSE IDA opened at $117.21 on Tuesday. IDACORP, Inc. has a 12-month low of $90.64 and a 12-month high of $120.84. The company has a market cap of $6.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $116.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $113.89. IDACORP Dividend Announcement IDACORP ( NYSE:IDA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The energy company reported $1.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $432.46 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $442.24 million. IDACORP had a return on equity of 9.23% and a net margin of 15.83%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.95 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that IDACORP, Inc. will post 5.81 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 5th were given a $0.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 5th. This represents a $3.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.93%. IDACORPs payout ratio is currently 61.10%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have weighed in on IDA. Wall Street Zen downgraded IDACORP from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded IDACORP from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Morgan Stanley set a $128.00 price objective on IDACORP and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on IDACORP from $121.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on IDACORP from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $122.86. Read Our Latest Analysis on IDACORP IDACORP Company Profile (Free Report) IDACORP, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, purchase, and sale of electric energy in the United States. The company operates 17 hydropower generating plants located in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon; three natural gas-fired plants in southern Idaho; and interests in two coal-fired steam electric generating plants located in Wyoming and Nevada. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IDA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for IDACORP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IDACORP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB Free Report) by 150.9% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 5,719 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 3,440 shares during the quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $603,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MUB. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 11,651.4% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 13,444,444 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,417,582,000 after purchasing an additional 13,330,037 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn FI LLC boosted 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 buying an additional 6,857,716 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in 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 valued at $3,290,391,000 after acquiring an additional 5,297,542 shares during the last quarter. Life Planning Partners Inc increased its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 10,274.8% during the 4th quarter. Life Planning Partners Inc now owns 3,676,931 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $391,777,000 after acquiring an additional 3,641,490 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 27.1% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 9,636,610 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $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 Stock Down 0.5% Shares of NYSEARCA MUB opened at $103.28 on Tuesday. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $100.29 and a 12-month high of $108.81. The firms 50-day moving average is $104.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $105.80. iShares National Muni Bond ETF Company 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). Read More 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. LVW Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD Free Report) by 12.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,598 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 236 shares during the quarter. LVW Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF were worth $301,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in IWD. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. now owns 4,404 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $856,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the period. Texas Capital Bank Wealth Management Services Inc grew its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Texas Capital Bank Wealth Management Services Inc now owns 5,294 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $980,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Bond & Devick Financial Network Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Bond & Devick Financial Network Inc. now owns 10,592 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,993,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Virtue Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Virtue Capital Management LLC now owns 4,104 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $760,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC grew its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 9.7% in the 4th quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 772 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $143,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Get iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA:IWD opened at $188.91 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $182.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $188.17. The company has a market capitalization of $61.48 billion, a PE ratio of 19.08 and a beta of 0.90. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF has a 1-year low of $163.19 and a 1-year high of $200.42. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Profile iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the large capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market, as represented by the Russell 1000 Value Index (the Index). Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marshalls plc (LON:MSLH Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Monday, March 17th, DividendData.Co.Uk reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 5th will be given a dividend of GBX 5.40 ($0.07) per share on Tuesday, July 1st. This represents a yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 5th. This is a 107.7% increase from Marshallss previous dividend of $2.60. The official announcement can be viewed at this link. Marshalls Trading Down 1.8% MSLH stock opened at GBX 275.50 ($3.73) on Tuesday. Marshalls has a 1-year low of GBX 228.50 ($3.10) and a 1-year high of GBX 366 ($4.96). The company has a current ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.19. The businesss 50 day moving average is GBX 268.89 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 272.36. The firm has a market cap of 693.02 million, a P/E ratio of 32.18, a P/E/G ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 1.26. Get Marshalls alerts: Marshalls (LON:MSLH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 18th. The company reported GBX 16 ($0.22) earnings per share for the quarter. Marshalls had a return on equity of 3.32% and a net margin of 3.46%. Equities analysts anticipate that Marshalls will post 18.2342758 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Marshalls Marshalls Company Profile In other news, insider Simon Bourne sold 14,048 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 237 ($3.21), for a total transaction of 33,293.76 ($45,101.27). 2.73% of the stock is owned by insiders. (Get Free Report) Established in the late 1880s, Marshalls plc is a leading UK manufacturer of sustainable solutions for the built environment. It operates through three trading divisions: Landscape Products; Roofing Products; and Building Products. At a Group, divisional and brand level, Marshalls strategy centres around its customers who value its unique set of capabilities, namely leading brands, best in class technical and design support and carbon leadership. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Marshalls Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Marshalls and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McKesson (NYSE:MCK Get Free Report) has been given a $766.00 price target by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Company in a research note issued on Tuesday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm presently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 7.81% from the stocks previous close. MCK has been the topic of several other research reports. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on McKesson from $650.00 to $675.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of McKesson from $630.00 to $690.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of McKesson from $708.00 to $805.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of McKesson from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on McKesson from $642.00 to $745.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $692.46. Get McKesson alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on McKesson McKesson Price Performance Shares of MCK stock traded down $1.07 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $710.53. 257,252 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 913,688. McKesson has a 12-month low of $464.42 and a 12-month high of $731.00. The businesss fifty day moving average is $698.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $640.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $88.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.53. McKesson (NYSE:MCK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $10.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $9.83 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $90.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94 billion. McKesson had a negative return on equity of 181.26% and a net margin of 0.82%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $6.18 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that McKesson will post 32.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other McKesson news, CAO Napoleon B. Rutledge, Jr. sold 543 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $726.51, for a total value of $394,494.93. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,972 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,432,677.72. This trade represents a 21.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Thomas L. Rodgers sold 510 shares of McKesson stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $717.91, for a total transaction of $366,134.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,435 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,901,840.85. The trade was a 8.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 13,747 shares of company stock valued at $9,852,587 in the last three months. 0.11% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On McKesson Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of McKesson by 75,632.7% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,393,152 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,610,567,000 after buying an additional 2,389,992 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in McKesson in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,200,361,000. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in McKesson during the 1st quarter valued at about $475,235,000. Farallon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in McKesson during the 4th quarter valued at about $348,044,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in McKesson by 4,559.6% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 427,703 shares of the companys stock worth $287,840,000 after acquiring an additional 418,524 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.07% of the companys stock. McKesson Company Profile (Get Free Report) McKesson Corporation provides healthcare services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Pharmaceutical, Prescription Technology Solutions (RxTS), Medical-Surgical Solutions, and International. The U.S. Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded, generic, specialty, biosimilar and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs, and other healthcare-related products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for McKesson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McKesson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW Free Report) by 4.1% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,130,154 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 44,249 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $81,913,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC now owns 3,906 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $289,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Abacus Planning Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Abacus Planning Group Inc. now owns 40,207 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,977,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 9.3% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,698 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $123,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Kera Capital Partners Inc. lifted its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Kera Capital Partners Inc. now owns 3,090 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $224,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. lifted its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 54,589 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $4,041,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Insider Activity In other Edwards Lifesciences news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 2,570 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.40, for a total transaction of $198,918.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 50,356 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,897,554.40. This represents a 4.86% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 11,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.87, for a total value of $797,287.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 30,387 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,153,526.69. The trade was a 27.02% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 59,012 shares of company stock valued at $4,224,717. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance Shares of NYSE EW opened at $78.03 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $45.77 billion, a PE ratio of 11.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.82 and a beta of 1.12. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a fifty-two week low of $58.93 and a fifty-two week high of $95.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 2.89 and a current ratio of 3.46. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $73.49 and a 200-day moving average of $72.57. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The medical research company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.04. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 19.40% and a net margin of 72.93%. The firm had revenue of $1.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.66 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes EW has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup restated a buy rating and set a $95.00 price objective (up from $84.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Barclays upped their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $85.00 target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $80.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $80.20. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on EW About Edwards Lifesciences (Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 49,900 shares, a decrease of 26.3% from the April 30th total of 67,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 26,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Ashtead Group Stock Down 3.1% Ashtead Group stock opened at $228.75 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $220.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $249.48. Ashtead Group has a one year low of $186.01 and a one year high of $337.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.31. Get Ashtead Group alerts: Ashtead Group (OTCMKTS:ASHTY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 4th. The company reported $3.09 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.47 by ($0.38). The company had revenue of $2.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.16 billion. Ashtead Group had a return on equity of 22.65% and a net margin of 14.78%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Ashtead Group will post 15.51 earnings per share for the current year. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have issued reports on ASHTY. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Ashtead Group from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Ashtead Group in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ashtead Group currently has a consensus rating of Buy. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ASHTY About Ashtead Group (Get Free Report) Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ashtead Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ashtead Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR Get Free Report) VP Sarah F. Colbert sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.80, for a total transaction of $286,400.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 564 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,191.20. This trade represents a 93.41% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Price Performance Shares of NYSE:RGR traded up $0.33 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $35.87. The company had a trading volume of 74,717 shares, compared to its average volume of 159,468. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.74 and a fifty-two week high of $46.40. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $37.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $37.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $593.83 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.27 and a beta of 0.20. Get Sturm Ruger & Company Inc. alerts: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.65 by ($0.19). The firm had revenue of $135.74 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $148.05 million. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. had a net margin of 5.70% and a return on equity of 9.49%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.40 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. will post 2.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Cuts Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.01%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.s payout ratio is 39.34%. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 748.1% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 653 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 576 shares during the period. Byrne Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 115.1% during the 1st quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 968 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 518 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 18,642.9% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,312 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 1,305 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 506.1% in the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 1,400 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 1,169 shares during the period. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 159.5% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,422 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 874 shares in the last quarter. 64.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Wall Street Zen upgraded Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Get Our Latest Stock Report on RGR About Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (Get Free Report) Sturm, Ruger & Co, Inc engages in the business of designing, manufacturing, and selling firearms to domestic customers. It operates through the Firearms and Castings segments. The Firearms segment focuses on manufacturing and selling rifles, pistols, and revolvers principally to a number of federally licensed, independent wholesale distributors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sturm Ruger & Company Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sturm Ruger & Company Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by stock analysts at UBS Group in a report released on Tuesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $140.00 price objective on the energy exploration companys stock, up from their prior price objective of $135.00. UBS Groups price target suggests a potential upside of 22.94% from the companys previous close. Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $140.00 to $134.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on EOG Resources from $149.00 to $132.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. Scotiabank upgraded EOG Resources from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $150.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Susquehanna cut their price target on EOG Resources from $161.00 to $156.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $134.00 to $125.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $139.58. Get EOG Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on EOG EOG Resources Stock Performance Shares of NYSE EOG traded up $2.85 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $113.88. The stock had a trading volume of 1,152,119 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,268,075. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $111.81 and a 200-day moving average of $122.56. The firm has a market cap of $62.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.17, a PEG ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a current ratio of 2.31, a quick ratio of 2.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. EOG Resources has a fifty-two week low of $102.52 and a fifty-two week high of $138.18. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The energy exploration company reported $2.87 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.75 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $5.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.92 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 29.18% and a return on equity of 23.77%. EOG Resourcess revenue for the quarter was down 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.82 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that EOG Resources will post 11.47 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at EOG Resources In other EOG Resources news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 4,037 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.76, for a total value of $515,767.12. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 47,732 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,098,240.32. This represents a 7.80% 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. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Mountain Lake Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of EOG Resources in the fourth quarter worth $735,000. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC increased its position in EOG Resources by 14.8% during the 4th quarter. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC now owns 826,038 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $101,256,000 after purchasing an additional 106,677 shares in the last quarter. Tobam acquired a new position in EOG Resources in the 4th quarter valued at about $352,000. Marble Harbor Investment Counsel LLC lifted its holdings in EOG Resources by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Marble Harbor Investment Counsel LLC now owns 103,037 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $12,630,000 after purchasing an additional 3,150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 119,112 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $14,601,000 after purchasing an additional 10,910 shares during the last quarter. 89.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About EOG Resources (Get Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Viking Fund Management LLC lifted its position in Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Free Report) by 32.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,500 shares of the mining companys stock after buying an additional 1,100 shares during the period. Viking Fund Management LLCs holdings in Rio Tinto Group were worth $270,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of RIO. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 71.4% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 5,594 shares of the mining companys stock worth $329,000 after buying an additional 2,331 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 15.5% in the 4th quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 26,898 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,582,000 after purchasing an additional 3,616 shares during the period. Greenleaf Trust lifted its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 17,741 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,043,000 after purchasing an additional 662 shares during the period. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. lifted its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 3,342 shares of the mining companys stock worth $197,000 after purchasing an additional 375 shares during the period. 19.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on RIO shares. Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Rio Tinto Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. They issued an overweight rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $73.00. Rio Tinto Group Price Performance NYSE RIO opened at $59.58 on Tuesday. Rio Tinto Group has a 12 month low of $51.67 and a 12 month high of $72.08. The stock has a market cap of $74.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.24, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 0.73. The companys 50 day moving average is $59.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Rio Tinto Group Company Profile (Free Report) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Rishi Sunak government gave away 438 million to the French so they could stop the traffickers bringing thousands of illegal economic migrants to Britain in rubber dinghies across the English Channel. Instead, the French took the money and are in fact helping the economic migrants across the Channel to Britain. The French police only look down at the British with abject disgust and disdain, laughing as they pocket millions from the rosbif idiots. Fuck the rosbifs. We take their money and piss on their country. We are unloading literally hundreds of thousands of these dirty foreign peasant people from France to UK every year. Rosbifs can eat merde from my grandmothers asshole! one policeman revealed from his top of the range BMW acquired by British taxpayer funds. Its not only the French police who are aiding the thousands to cross over to the UK, but the French Navy literally escorts the overladen rubber dinghies across the waters to ensure they get to Britain safely. It is our duty. We are dumping these Third World scum from France to Britain. We do not want them. You can have them, you rosbif putain cochons! Benefit payments to foreigners cost UK taxpayers 12 billion per annum. Its 6am on a Monday morning. Another boat load of fake asylum seekers are setting off on the short journey. Everyone in the rubber dinghy is provided with a map of the UK, some spending money, croissants, baguettes and plenty of fromage. They are also given phone numbers to ECHR friendly immigration lawyers who will instruct them how to gain the maximum amount of benefits, housing and free healthcare. One man from Bulgaria is unshaven with a receding hairline and grey hair. He is told that the English are so socialist and stupid that he should claim he is a child, and they will let him into the country. Bon Voyage! A top secret Kremlin UK invasion plan has been leaked by a mole working in the FBS, it has been revealed. Claiming Asylum to Invade Britain Putins forces are planning to invade the UK in rubber dinghies across the channel, and theres nothing the UK can do about it. Utilising the ECHR, and EU regulations as well as immigration lawyers paid off by the Russians, the UK will be powerless in halting the invasion. According to the source inside the Russian hierarchy, the thousands upon thousands of migrants being trafficked across the Channel from France every week was a major inspiration for the clandestine invasion plan. Its much like D-Day, except with rubber dinghies, vodka and Kalashnikovs. Putin plans to import over 600,000 Russian troops to France, whose porous borders within the Schengen zone are like Swiss cheese. The French dont give a fuck, and praise any misfortune that falls upon Britain. Theyll turn a blind eye, as usual, as the Russian troops armed to the teeth board the rubber dinghies for the short crossing. The French navy will escort them halfway across, and then a British ship will escort the troops to shore in the UK, where they will claim asylum to invade Britain and take it over. Called Operation Rezinovaya Utka (rubber duck) the Russians are all set to go after weeks of training for the mission. Once in Britain, the Labour government will gladly place all 600,000 Russian troops up in 4-star hotels across the country and even give each soldier spending money paid for by the UK taxpayer. The Russian troops will then be well-positioned to simply exit the hotels whenever they want to rampage, pillage and rape their way through each British city, town and village much like all the young foreign men coming across the Channel for years have been doing all this time, a British double agent revealed on Tuesday. Sadly postponed The top secret Kremlin UK invasion plan was scheduled for next week, but because of the huge number of economic migrants currently crossing the Channel, there is a shortage of rubber dinghies in Europe and the Balkans, so it may have to be postponed till September, the Kremlin source added. When confronted by the plan in parliament today, British PM Keir Starmer said that he intends to give the French another 438 million to do nothing about it. Tesco shoppers across Northern Ireland have once again shown their generosity, raising an impressive 11,380 for the Community Rescue Service (CRS), a vital, volunteer-led search and rescue organisation. Now in its third year, the special fundraising day saw 30 CRS volunteers take to 19 Tesco stores alongside charity partner MacBlair builders merchant and the 1st Ballymacash Scouts Group, as well as friends and family, to raise funds and awareness. Participating County Derry stores include Coleraine, Portstewart, and Limavady. CRS plays a crucial role across Northern Ireland, acting as the primary responder for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in cases of high-risk missing persons. In 2024, the organisation responded to 170 emergency callouts in Belfast alone 30 more than in 2023. Entirely volunteer-run and dependent on public donations, CRS relies on fundraising efforts like this to operate 24/7, 365 days a year. All proceeds from the Tesco fundraiser will go directly towards purchasing life-saving equipment for their search technicians (Sartechs) and supporting operational costsincluding an annual fuel bill of around 40,000. Tesco also regularly contributes food and drink to support search teams during missions. Donna McCotter, Community Champion at Tesco Yorkgate in Belfast, praised the initiatives success: This is an incredible result! Our colleagues and customers have been so generous. Because of the sensitive nature of their work, the Community Rescue Service isnt widely knownbut their impact is enormous. It was wonderful to see Tesco teams and CRS volunteers come together in support of such a vital organisation. Kerry Whitehouse, CRS Antrim District Unit Commander and Fundraising Officer, added: Weve done store collections in the past, but this province-wide donation day was Donnas initiative, and its been fantasticnot just for raising much-needed funds but also for engaging with the public and raising awareness. Tesco has been an amazing partner. This total wouldnt have been possible without the combined effort of Tesco colleagues, Community Champions, and our dedicated CRS volunteers. To support the ongoing work of the Community Rescue Service, make a donation at: totalgiving.co.uk/donate/community-rescue-service-limited Derry's Bloody Sunday Trust (BST) has said the Dublin government must adhere to Article 1 of Genocide Convention. Trust chairperson Tony Doherty, said Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris had now stated in Dail Eireann that Israel was committing genocide in Palestine. Mr Doherty added: "The significance of this statement cannot be ignored. The unequivocal acceptance at the highest level within the Irish government that Israel is guilty of genocide requires it to fully discharge its obligations under Article 1 of the Genocide Convention which states that: 'The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish. "Martin and Harris cannot now continue rely on displays of performative virtue and symbolic gestures like recognising the state of Palestine while, facilitating the sale of Israeli government bonds; delaying and diluting the Occupied Territories Bill; and allowing Israeli munitions to illegally travel through Irish airspace. "Every day that the Dublin government maintains these positions in the full knowledge that genocide is taking place in Palestine is a day that deepens its own complicity and highlights its failure to implement international law and meet its obligations under the Genocide Convention." The AGM will be held on Thursday, June 5, from 11.30 to 13.30, at UNISON, Galway House, Belfast. According to an NIAPN spokesperson, the AGM will focus on "building opposition to the proposed 5bn cuts in disability benefit, as disability rights and anti-poverty campaigners and advocates come together to discuss the real life impact of the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit". They added: "The government's own figures estimate these cuts will push a quarter of a million more people into poverty, including 50,000 children. "Ever since the Labour Government announced its intention to make drastic cuts in disability benefits through their 'Pathways to Work' Green Paper , NIAPN has been focused raising awareness about the contents of the Green Paper and building opposition to the proposals by supporting the protests called by DPAC, working with the Cliff Edge Coalition on a collective response to the Green Paper, and holding information sessions and meetings. "NIAPN's lived experience advisory panel created postcards for community members to have their say and respond to the consultation, as well as leaflets to raise awareness about the proposed cuts. Hundreds of postcards have been filled out to date and will be sent on to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). "NIAPN is part of the growing movement demanding equity, respect and dignity for disabled people. Even before these proposed cuts, disabled people disproportionately experience poverty," said the NIAPN spokesperson. Keynote speaker, Ellen Clifford, has been a stalwart in this vocal opposition to cuts. Having worked in the disability sector for more than 20 years, she is the author of The War on Disabled People. Recently she took a successful judicial review against the DWP over its consultation on the changes to the Work Capability Assessment because DWP did not make clear the significant cuts to the disability benefit. 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. There have been more than 70 attacks and death threats against journalists in Northern Ireland over the last six years, a report by Amnesty International has found. The region has been described as the most dangerous place in the UK to be a reporter following the report which includes accounts from journalists under threat. Occupational Hazard? Threats And Violence Against Journalists In Northern Ireland reveals that reporters have been told they will be shot or stabbed, threatened with bombs under their car and given 48-hour ultimatums to leave. Two journalists, Martin OHagan and Lyra McKee, were killed in 2001 and 2019 respectively, while others have been physically attacked, had equipment damaged and cars battered with poles laced with nails. Many journalists have taken safety measures in their homes with bulletproof windows and doors with alarms linked up to police stations. The report has added up more than 70 incidents of threats or attacks on journalists in Northern Ireland since the start of 2019. Most of the threats have come from a range of proscribed paramilitary groups loyalist and republican as well as from armed organised crime groups, some with links to paramilitaries. The report also finds that most threats against journalists go unpunished, and there have been no prosecutions for any threats from paramilitary groups. Some journalists interviewed by Amnesty for the report said they feel the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has failed to effectively investigate attacks and threats against them. Since June 2022, there have been only two successful prosecutions for threats against journalists. The report additionally finds that with journalists excluded from the Governments home protection scheme, which funds the installation of security measures, many have been left feeling at risk. The report makes a number of recommendations, including the establishment of a new media safety group by Justice Minister Naomi Long, with representatives from the PSNI, Public Prosecution Service (PPS), media organisations and the NUJ, to deliver a new journalist safety strategy. It also calls for the PSNI to review its procedural response to threats and attacks against journalists and conduct investigations capable of leading to successful prosecutions, and to produce new guidance and training for officers on the protection of journalists during public disorder. The Northern Ireland Office and Department of Justice have been urged to ensure at-risk journalists can access the home protection scheme. The UK government has also been urged to establish an independent public inquiry into the 2001 murder of Martin OHagan if the expected Police Ombudsmans investigation finds serious failings or wrongdoing by the police. Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International UKs Northern Ireland director, said Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in the UK for journalists. They are being threatened, attacked and even killed for shining a light on paramilitary groups and others who seek to exert control through violence, he said. This creates a climate of fear that many assumed was consigned to history when the Good Friday Agreement was signed. Yet there has not been a single prosecution for threats against journalists from paramilitary groups. This sense of impunity only emboldens those behind the threats. When journalists are under attack, press freedom is under attack. The state must create a safe environment where journalists can work freely and report without fear of reprisals. It is currently failing to do so. National Union of Journalists assistant general secretary Seamus Dooley added: In what is supposed to be normalised society, post the peace process, journalists are living in fear and behind high-security measures. That really is not the sign of a normal functioning democracy. Responding, Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, who acts as the PSNI lead for journalist safety, said police have received the Amnesty report and will take time to consider the contents and recommendations. The Police Service of Northern Ireland takes the safety of journalists very seriously and has been very much involved in developing both national and local plans to tackle this issue over the last couple of years, he said. As a result, we have developed a joint strategy and joint plan with NUJ and with local editors. We have appointed two Journalist Safety Officers, established an internal Journalist Safety Group, implemented screening arrangements within our contact management centre and ensured that reports of threats and crimes by journalists are investigated by detectives. The Police Service has also arranged a number online seminars for local media around internet and personal safety. Journalists do not have to tolerate threats and crimes as part of their role. That has been our recent, consistent message. If any journalist needs advice in relation to an incident, threat or crime which is connected to your role as a journalist, please contact 101 and report the matter. I would also encourage journalists to speak with one of the Journalist Safety Officers in our Strategic Communications and Engagement Department. Tourists have described their hotels shaking after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit western Turkey and nearby Greek islands on Tuesday morning. The earthquake which hit the Turkish resort town of Marmaris at 2.17am has left one person dead and at least 69 injured. It was felt in neighbouring regions, including on the Greek island of Rhodes, waking many from their sleep. Matthew McCormick, a father of two from Belfast, was on holiday with his family in Rhodes when he was woken up by a loud rumbling noise. We got to bed and had just fallen over to sleep and the next thing there was just this loud, rumbling noise, Mr McCormick, 35, told the PA news agency. And then the next minute, the whole hotel was just shaking. It was very surreal, it woke me and my wife up and my first concern was for the four-year-old beside us. She woke up and she started to cry. She was terrified I think for us at that point, it was just trying to make sure she was OK. I tried to have a look at the roof, and it didnt look like there were any cracks or anything appearing in the roof. I figured that we were safe enough. Mr McCormick, who is heading home to Belfast on Tuesday, said he was initially concerned about a bombing attack when he first woke up but soon discovered it was a natural disaster. My gut feeling was either theres been bombs landing somewhere or its an earthquake, he said. Given some of the current global politics there was a slight fear that something had kicked off here overnight. Despite the shaking and disturbance overnight Mr McCormick reported no signs of visible damage and calm seas on Tuesday afternoon. Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X that a 14-year-old girl was taken to hospital and died there after what he said was an anxiety attack. It was not known if she had any underlying conditions. At least 69 other people were treated for injuries after jumping from windows or balconies in panic, he said, but there were no reports of damage to buildings. Salem Swan, a 25-year-old carer from Sunderland who is on holiday in Bodrum in western Turkey, also felt her hotel shaking. The earthquake wasnt that strong where we are in Bodrum, we are about 164km from Marmaris where the earthquake hit, she told PA. There was some shaking around 2.15am for us but it only lasted for maybe 30 seconds to a minute here so it was over quite quick. None of the buildings here were affected as far as I know but we have had a leak in our accommodation bathroom which we are under the impression the earthquake potentially had caused. Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent. In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighbouring Syria. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is not advising against travel to either western Turkey or the Greek islands at present. The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has said it is not ruling out potential legal action over a proposed Nutrients Action Programme. Officials from the representative body said its president William Irvine led a delegation during a robust meeting with Stormont Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir on Tuesday raising serious concerns about the proposals. Mr Muir was also pressed by MLAs over the programme during questions for his department in the Assembly on Tuesday afternoon. No response from the Minister to Alan Robinson's question. No surprise. Sign the petition:https://t.co/NZcfpUHyYh pic.twitter.com/N6NbdXoCKC DUP (@duponline) June 3, 2025 He was warned the proposals, aimed at improving water quality and the wider environment by reducing and preventing pollution caused or induced by nutrients from agricultural sources, could destroy the farming industry. Opponents to the plan have argued that the measures currently proposed could devastate agriculture, reduce livestock numbers and undermine food security. They have called on Mr Muir to bring forward a policy based on genuine partnership rather than punitive policies which risk the viability of the agricultural industry. A petition set up by DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen calling for the plan to be scrapped had been signed by more than 1,800 people by Tuesday afternoon. Mr Muir told MLAs there is a requirement arising from the Lough Neagh Action Plan and also the Environmental Improvement Plan to review the Nutrients Action Plan. He said it is about ensuring both financial and environmental sustainability, and emphasised they are currently undertaking a consultation on draft proposals and that no final decisions have been taken. He said he had had a challenging but constructive engagement with the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) that morning. Mr Irvine said the minister acknowledged the depth of concern within the farming industry over proposals. Our discussion was robust and we made it crystal clear that the consultation process has been deeply flawed, both in its approach and in its content, he said. There has been no economic impact assessment and no thorough engagement was carried out with stakeholders ahead of the consultation publication. The farming community acknowledge the need to improve water quality and we will play our part in a holistic approach, but we feel totally blindsided. Our members are frustrated that proposals of such magnitude have been brought forward without thorough analysis of the real-world impact on farm businesses, food production and rural livelihoods. The UFU said it is now awaiting a written response from Mr Muir. They also said a meeting of agri-industry stakeholders has been scheduled for Wednesday morning to discuss the next steps, including the potential for future legal action. Mr Irvine added: We are not ruling out legal action. Our members expect us to stand up for them, and thats exactly what we intend to do. Meanwhile Mr Muir earlier also expressed concern that there is a lot of misinformation around the proposals, and said the social media commentary around the plan in recent weeks has been disgraceful. Theres been misogynistic comments against officials in my department, he said. Theres been racist comments in relation to people that we are very, very fortunate to have working within our agri-food sector. And not for a very long time have I seen such vile homophobic comments about myself. I am a gay man, and I am proud to be a gay man, and it has no relevance whatsoever to the Nutrients Action Programme nor my ability to do this job. The consultation on the revised Nutrients Action Programme 2026-2029 is set to continue until July 24 2025. During questions in the Assembly on Tuesday, DUP MLA Alan Robinson made Mr Muir aware of the petition, and also said more than 1,000 people attended a consultation event last week and roundly rejected the proposals. He urged the minister to listen, and urged him to scrap the proposals and go back to the drawing board. Mr Muir responded: I think its important to say that theyre draft proposals and its a public consultation, and I think people should have the opportunity to have their say. Disappointment was expressed at the social media comments referred to across the chamber, including from Opposition leader Matthew OToole, Sinn Fein MLA Aoife Finnegan, UUP MLA Robbie Butler and DUP MLA Trevor Clarke, who said opposition to the programme should not be personalised against anyone. The final match of IPL 2025 is today, and this year, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have made it to the final. What makes this match special is that neither team has ever won the IPL trophy before. The exciting match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and fans all over the country are ready to cheer for their favourite team. Some lucky people will get to watch the match live from the stadium, but most of us will be watching it online or on TV. If you want to watch the final match live on your phone or smart TV using the JioHotstar app, heres some good news. Jio is offering a free JioHotstar subscription with a few of its prepaid plans. That means you can enjoy the final without paying anything extra for streaming. Also read: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL available with Rs 20,000 discount: Check deal details here Here are the Jio prepaid plans that come with a free JioHotstar subscription: 1. Rs 100 JioHotstar data pack This plan gives you 5GB of data for 90 days and access to JioHotstar (mobile/TV). This plan does not include calls or SMS, so its best for people who already have a Jio plan. 2. Rs 349 plan This is a short-term plan which includes 2GB of data per day (total 56GB), unlimited calling, 100 SMS per day, and free access to JioHotstar, JioTV and JioAICloud. 3. Rs 859 plan With this plan, you can get 2GB data every day for 84 days (168GB total), along with free JioHotstar (for 90 days), unlimited calling, 100 SMS per day, JioTV and JioAICloud. 4. Rs 899 plan This plan offers 2GB of data every day plus an extra 20GB (total 200GB) for 90 days, with unlimited calls, daily SMS, JioHotstar, JioTV and JioAICloud. 5. Rs 949 plan This plan gives you 2GB of data per day for 84 days (168GB), unlimited calls, 100 SMS per day, and free access to JioHotstar, JioTV and JioCloud. 6. Rs 999 plan With this plan, you can get 2GB of data per day for 98 days (196GB total) with 90-day JioHotstar access, plus JioTV and JioAICloud. Pick any of these plans to watch the IPL 2025 final for free. Just remember that these offers might change after the tournament. 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. South Korea's new President set to be announced despite concerns over candidates' lack of industry policies The 21st South Korean presidential election was held earlier today simultaneously at more than 14,000 polling stations nationwide. Since the emergency martial law incident involving former President Yoon Suk-Yeol on December 3, 2024, a political vacuum and chaos lasting over six months will finally come to an end. The official vote count is expected to be revealed around midnight on June 3, 2025, with Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-Myung currently leading in predictions. This presidential election features a two-party showdown between Lee and People Power Party's Kim Moon-Soo. As this early election follows the impeachment of Yoon, it marks a significant turning point in South Korea's constitutional history. Most South Korean political analysts note that policy debates were almost absent during the campaign, with future high-tech industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors receiving little attention. Instead, party consolidation and scandals involving the candidates and their families dominated the discourse, highlighting ideological divides over substantive policy discussions. Moreover, Lee released his policy platform last among all candidates. The delayed publication drew criticism, raising concerns about the future of South Korea's crucial semiconductor industry. Reviewing Lee's proposals, he advocates for a comprehensive review of South Korea's semiconductor ecosystem, targeting upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. His focus includes supporting AI semiconductor development and nurturing promising IC design startups. However, questions remain regarding funding sources and the effectiveness of these plans. In contrast, Kim emphasizes infrastructure support and labor system reforms. He proposes relaxing the 52-hour workweek limit and providing enterprises with infrastructure assistance, though details are sparse. Additionally, Kim has pledged to expand support for materials and components to promote domestic production. Regardless of who wins, the next president faces formidable challenges: resolving intense factional divisions, addressing domestic political polarization, and managing external pressures such as trade tensions stemming from US President Donald Trump's tariff policies. Notably, the election has also seen increased activity from far-right groups whose anti-China rhetoric warrants close observation. Voting will take place from 6 am to 8 pm local time on June 3, with final results expected at midnight. Early voting occurred from May 29 to May 30, achieving a turnout rate of 34.74%, the second highest since the system's implementation. Whether the overall voter turnout surpasses the 80% mark remains a key point of interest. Article edited by Jack Wu In the early hours of yesterday morning (Bank Holiday Monday 2 June) at 1.28am, Clogherhead RNLI was requested by the Dublin Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to assist two sailors on a yacht with two sailors onboard that had drifted onto rocks and a shingle beach near Gyles Quay, Dundalk. The Clogherhead RNLI all-weather lifeboat launched to assess the situation where the yacht had lost engine power and was drifting onto a rocky shingle beach. The lifeboat crew on the call out included Coxswain Brian Sharkey, mechanic Barry Sharkey, and crew members Carol Holdcroft, Barbara Kirk, and Derek Shevlin. Upon arrival, the volunteer crew assessed the situation and found the two sailors were in no immediate danger. Both were wearing lifejackets. With their engine failed and anchor snagged however, the yacht had been dragged onto the beach and the sailors needed assistance to get to a safe port. The lifeboat approached the vessel slowly and passed a line to the sailors. Their yacht was brought alongside the Michael OBrien and then safely assisted into Gyles Quay to berth at the pier. This call out marked Coxswain Brian Sharkeys first shout since becoming a fully qualified Coxswain, making it a notable milestone for the station. Read Next: Call for urgent reform as father of fallen Dundalk soldier denied army pension support Speaking after the call out, Clogherhead RNLI Coxswain Brian Sharkey said: "These two sailors did the right thing by calling the Coast Guard and explaining that, while they werent in imminent danger, they did need RNLI assistance to get off the beach and for the yacht to be safely towed to the nearest port. "For all boat owners, its important that your boat and engine are thoroughly inspected and maintained after the winter season. Make sure all your equipment - especially lifejackets are in good condition and working correctly. Have a suitable anchor ready to deploy when needed, and always check weather and tide conditions before setting off. If you get into difficulty or see someone in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard." Local community groups in Louth are being urged to apply for a free programme to help them protect and celebrate their local heritage. The call for applications for the fifth year of Heritage Keepers opens today (June 3rd) and is open to community groups and primary schools across Ireland in both urban and rural locations. The programme will this year have an increased number of places for both community groups and schools. Last year, 75 groups took part in the programme, with more than 200 groups having participated since its started in 2022. (See two case studies in notes below) Heritage Keepers helps participants to delve into their built, cultural and natural heritage, providing funding to allow them take positive local action. The closing date for applications is September 30th with the latest round of the programme starting in the autumn and running until the spring. Applications can be made online at www.heritagekeepers.ie Successful applicants will learn to develop a local plan to protect and celebrate their heritage through a series of interactive workshops. Once the workshops are complete, groups can apply for funding and receive ongoing mentoring from the Heritage Keepers team to bring their plans to life. Of the more than 200 groups and schools that have taken part in the programme since it was launched in 2022, some 90% have gone on to complete their funded action. The programme encourages applicants to link built, cultural and natural heritage as part of their projects. Some past actions include: exhibitions, heritage trails, tree planting, podcast creation, booklets, wildlife ponds, oral history projects and Place Celebration days. Funding for fieldtrips is also provided, allowing participants to visit local heritage sites in person rather than just learning about them online. Heritage Keepers is an initiative of Burrenbeo Trust, which is a landscape charity dedicated to connecting all of us to our places and our role in caring for them. Heritage Keepers is funded by The Sunflower Charitable Foundation through Community Foundation Ireland. Heritage Keepers Co-ordinator Mary Dillon says : We are delighted to be opening the call for the fifth year of the successful Heritage Keepers programme. Learning more about our places and their needs is the first step to building community stewardship, where communities and individuals feel empowered to take action locally to bring about real and meaningful change and action. Read Next: Louth families affected by childrens hip controversy seek clarity and support While our programme is open to both primary schools and community groups, this year we would love to see an increased uptake in the number of applications from community groups. We are incredibly proud and grateful to all our previous Heritage Keepers participants who have shown an inspiring amount of pride in their place and have proved to be wonderful stewards of their community. We are very excited to meet this years groups and hear all about their plans to protect and celebrate their local heritage. The Sunflower Charitable Foundation CEO Samantha Briody says: The Sunflower Charitable Foundation is proud to support the Heritage Keepers programme, aimed at creating pride in place and connection for local communities. We particularly welcome the whole community approach as well as the focus on natural, cultural and built heritage. Three Louth families affected by the childrens hip scandal at Temple Street and Cappagh hospitals had their cases highlighted in Leinster House last week by Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu. The Sinn Fein TD raised the childrens cases during a debate in the Dail about the Independent External Medical Audit for Children's Health Ireland and National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh. Deputy O Murchu said the families and their children "had been through hell." The first case he highlighted was one where two of the mothers three children had hip operations, while the third is awaiting surgery. The children are aged five years, three years and 18 months and the mum has secured a review by a consultant in the North, costing more than 700. She wants it done, because she wants to know whether the youngest child actually needs the operation and whether her other childrens surgery was necessary, but she cannot afford it. Deputy O Murchu said the boss of the HSE, Bernard Gloster had indicated that those who want a third party second opinion could get one and it would be paid for by the HSE, but no mechanism has yet been put in place for that to happen, despite the fact that his constituent has an appointment for June 10. He said another mother living in mid-Louth spoke to him about her child who was three years old when she had surgery in 2023. Deputy O Murchu said: She now looks at the scars on her daughter and cries because she is worried that they are the marks of needless suffering. Hers was one of the families that received a letter earlier in the year telling her that her daughter was one of the children reviewed in the audit. She is now struggling to come to terms with what has happened and what is going to happen. Read Next: EPSO Seek Art Language Culture Fest in Dundalk next week She has asked for a mechanism for getting her daughter's medical records. We need to provide this information. She does not know what percentage her daughter falls into. We need that information and follow-up. The case of a third family, whose child was scheduled for surgery and who sought a second opinion before the operation which showed she did not need it, is now doing gymnastics. He said: We need such cases to be included in a review-type process also. Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill said in response to Deputy O Murchu about the HSE paying for third party second opinions, that she would work with the HSE on the matter. BAM, the main contractor for the landmark Narrow Water Bridge project in north Louth, brought together 148 pupils from four local primary schools across the Irish border to take part in The Big Bridge an educational initiative designed to inspire the next generation of engineers. As part of the event, pupils collaborated to build a 13-metre cable-stayed bridge, providing a fun and engaging hands-on experience that introduced them to the world of engineering and construction. Organised in partnership with the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, Louth County Council, Roughan & ODonovan and social enterprise The Big Bridge, the initiative aims to spark interest in STEM subjects among young people, while celebrating the transformative vision of Narrow Water Bridge. A vision, which is already becoming a reality - not only through construction, but through the communities it connects. Once complete the Narrow Water Bridge will span 195 metres, offering sustainable transport options for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Read also: Exciting Girls in Immersive Tech event at Dundalk IT The schools - St. Dallans and Dromore Road Primary School in Warrenpoint, and Scoil Naomh Lorcan and Scoil Naomh Brid in Omeath - worked in mixed teams to construct the model bridge, sparking curiosity, confidence and cooperation. Pupils also learned about the historical significance of Narrow Water and the future potential of the landmark 195-metre bridge being constructed across Carlingford Lough. Speaking about the event, William Diver, Construction Director from BAM said: We are proud to partner with The Big Bridge to bring this innovative learning opportunity directly to schools. The Narrow Water Bridge is the flagship project of the Shared Island Fund, and our goal is to ensure that it delivers lasting social value beyond the build. By engaging young people in STEM and construction, we are investing in the workforce of tomorrow. We thank all participating schools for embracing this initiative. Amy Dillon, Principal Engineer at Design ID and Project Director of The Big Bridge, said: Were passionate about helping young people experience the creativity, teamwork and problem-solving that underpin engineering. Through this workshop, were not only building bridges - theyre discovering the wide range of careers that bring major infrastructure projects like Narrow Water to life. David Jones, Director of Services, Louth County Council, said: The Narrow Water Bridge is a landmark project that symbolises connection, and the Big Bridge workshop is a brilliant example of how major infrastructure can also deliver real educational and community value. By capturing the students interest in engineering and construction, were not only building a bridge, but were also hopefully building future careers and strengthening cross-border relationships that will last for generations to come. Borders divide, bridges bring people together, said Jim Boylan, Chairman of the NWBCN, a local community group based in Warrenpoint, which has campaigned for many years for the bridge. The Number One objective of our campaign was to unite communities around the Lough. It was truly inspirational to see children from both traditions and both sides of the border coming together so easily to build a bridge. The real bridge, of course will transform these childrens lives, creating opportunities denied to previous generations. Irelands Educations & Training Boards (ETBs), including Louth & Meath ETB, have called for sustainable investment in youth services and better collaboration across education, youth services and families to tackle child poverty, school absenteeism and mental health challenges, and to support young people to thrive. Speaking in advance of the national Youthwork Matters conference which took place in Galway on Thursday 29th of May, Paddy Lavelle General Secretary of Education & Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) said: Against the backdrop of growing concern about child poverty, school absenteeism, and mental health challenges, were shining a light on youth work as a transformative force for young people even in the face of adversity. Youth work is not just a service; it is a lifeline for young people in communities affected by economic hardship and child poverty. Youth workers help our young people build resilience, develop skills, and access education and opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. In a message of support to the 160+ youthwork leaders, practitioners and participants attending the event, hosted in partnership with Galway & Roscommon ETB, President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins highlights the crucial role of youthwork: Its contemporary focus, and it is so important now more than ever, is on those who face particular challenges or who live on societys margins, young people experiencing economic hardship, social exclusion, or cultural displacement, members of the Traveller community, our migrant communities, LGBTQ+ youth, and all those who may find themselves isolated or vulnerable. Read Next: Clogherhead RNLI rescues two sailors off Louth coast A key theme of the conference was the relationship between youth work and education. The recent move of youth work policy and funding to the new Department of Education and Youth has been welcomed as a step in the right direction. ETBIs Youth Support Services Manager Ruth Griffin, stated: This move reflects a growing understanding that supporting young peoples wellbeing, school attendance, and life chances requires a holistic approachone that values both formal education and non-formal, community-based learning. However, this shift must be matched with sustainable investment, better integration across services, and meaningful collaboration between schools, youth services, and families. We cannot expect youth work to plug the gaps in education, housing, and mental health support without the resources to do so, but with proper funding and recognition, youth work can be the glue that holds communities together, and the spark that ignites change. A man is being questioned by gardai following a stabbing incident close to Dublin city centre in which another man sustained serious injuries. G ardai say they attended the scene following reports of a serious assault that occurred close to Rosie Hackett Bridge, Eden Quay, Dublin 1, at approximately 4.30pm on Monday. Following the incident, the victim was taken to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital for treatment of what are described as serious injuries. "A man, aged in his 30s, was subsequently arrested and is detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin city area," said a garda spokesperson who added that the scene was preserved for a technical examination. READ ALSO: RIP: 'There just aren't words'- Irish woman (24) paid tribute after tragic death in Edinburgh Investigating gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward and any person who may have been in the vicinity of Rosie Hackett Bridge between 4pm and 5pm on Monday is asked to come forward. Gardai say they are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have information or any mobile phone footage of the incident. "Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai," said a spokesperson. Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street garda station on 01 666 8000. A post mortem is to be carried out this Tuesday on the body of the man who died in a shooting incident at a shopping centre in Carlow at the weekend The man - named locally as 22-year-old Evan Fitzgerald - died after he was confronted by armed gardai in the car park of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre on Sunday evening. While investigations are ongoing gardai have confirmed the suspect had earlier walked through the retail premises firing a shotgun into the air several times. At a media briefing on Monday, Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman said the man subsequently shot himself outside the Shopping Centre in Carlow town after being challenged by armed gardai. It is understood Fitzgerald, who was on bail in relation to serious firearms offences, he had been facing a further court appearance this week. READ ALSO: Gardai seek witnesses after man is seriously injured in Dublin stabbing incident 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. In an update, issued on Monday evening, gardai confirmed a technical examination of the scene in the car park of the shopping centre had concluded and that the body of the deceased had been removed to the mortuary in Dublin and that a post mortem will be carried out by the State Pathologist this Tuesday. 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. Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman speaking to the media on Monday (Niall Carson/PA) 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. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team near to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre (Niall Carson/PA) An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a senior investigating officer appointed to lead the investigation. The Garda said a family liaison officer was providing support to the dead mans family. Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow on Monday (Niall Carson/PA) Gardai have also appealed for witnesses to come forward and they are urging 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. Frances Fields is a real lady. Sit down there and Ill get you a cup of coffee and a nice cake, she tells me. I am here to talk to Frances about her support for the coffee morning fundraiser held at ARC House Cork recently, which was run by enthusiastic volunteers like her. She calls herself the bucket lady! interjects Colleen, who is Francess sister. I do! says Frances, laughing. Frances is Flag Day Ambassador for Cork ARC in Cobh. Colleen is not only sister to Frances, she is chauffeur and administrator too, helping her to collect much-needed funds for the valuable and essential free services offered by Cork ARC for cancer patients and their families. I am inspired by Frances, says Colleen. She does so much for Cork ARC, delivering the little purple charity boxes to local shops in east Cork and surrounds, standing out in all weathers for flag day, and rowing in, encouraging other willing volunteers to get involved collecting for Cork ARC. And, of course, shaking her bucket on the street along with kind people she has recruited! Frances has organised her timetable for the forthcoming activities. Our main bucket collection for Cork ARC is on Friday. June 20 in Cobh, she says. I deliver the buckets to eight shops in Cobh. The support is always overwhelming. Frances Fields (right) and her sister Colleen (left) who support Cork ARC House, pictured with its head of fundraising Karen Dolman Also, the purple house boxes for Cork ARC are delivered to 24 pharmacies and shops around east Cork. Transition students are very helpful and turn out on the day to collect money for Cork ARC. The buckets, when collected, are always heavy. Sometimes, I find them heavy to carry! says Frances. I love it! The buckets fill up fast. I get huge satisfaction from that. I collect four or five at a time. Since 2018, I am known as the bucket lady! Frances is a wonderful supporter of Cork ARC, and a great lady to chat. I love to chat, she says. When I am standing outside the supermarket or the local shop with my collection bucket, people often stop to chat with me. They tell me their cancer story, they talk about their journey, about their cancer treatment. We find that we have something in common. Complete strangers become friends. Frances lost her husband Denis to cancer in December, 2015. When he was ill, the couple came across other helpful volunteers for Cork ARC. We were randomly handed a leaflet which I kept, recalls Frances. We found out we could talk to someone at Cork ARC, and we found out about their wonderful support services. Denis was sick for four years and he availed of their services, which provided huge solace to us both. We were so grateful. Frances sought a source of therapy after she lost her husband. Collecting money for Cork ARC became therapy for me, she says. That is how I coped with my grief. Frances re-invented herself. I became the bucket lady! She is a shrewd lady. We started small and then expanded out to Carrigtwohill and Glanmire. I am the only bucket collector for Cork ARC. She is probably the only bucket lady who has her own personal chauffeur too! Colleen is a great back up for me, says Frances. She drives me to all the different locations when I deliver and collect charity boxes and buckets. ARC House Cork in Wilton Doing the rosters, etc, takes a bit of time. I organise about 40 people to do the collections for Cork ARC. In September, we collect at Fitzpatricks Glanmire, at Little Island, and outside the Credit Union in Douglas. I have to be well organised to delegate the volunteers to various locations. Otherwise, Id be killed! Colleens help is most welcome. I couldnt do without her. Colleen, like her sister, possesses good people skills - as well as other useful skills. She is a great woman on the computer! says Frances. She is high-tech! Frances is a great lady to socialise. I just love the social side when I am out and about with my bucket collecting money for Cork ARC. People see the sign and they stop and chat to me. Its lovely. Do people still carry cash and coins with them? Youd be surprised, says Frances. People always seem to have small change in their purses or in their pockets. A little means a lot. It all amounts up, says Frances. Every contribution makes a difference. I find collecting for Cork ARC is very worthwhile. It is something that Id never thought I would do. Volunteering is something many people find worthwhile. It is beneficial to the doer for a whole host of reasons, including improving health and happiness, stress reduction, combating depression, and providing a sense of purpose. Volunteering connects you directly with those around you and is particularly beneficial for the community and sense of belonging. Our volunteers are essential to help us provide free services to people going through a cancer journey and their families. We have a great bunch of people supporting us, says Karen Dolman, House, Cork ARC head of fund-raising Frances and Colleen are two of our wonderful team of volunteers who support us inside and outside of Cork ARC. Frances lives near another kind volunteer. Breda Donovan, who is my neighbour, made a cake for Deniss birthday. I opened the fridge and there it was, says Frances. We were otherwise occupied when he was so sick at the time. We had forgotten all about his birthday and we had nothing for him. Only for Breda, wed have had nothing. The beautiful cake lifted Deniss spirits. Breda lifted everyones spirits that day. I asked Breda, how did she know that it was Deniss birthday, says Frances. She didnt know. It was just a kind gesture on her part. She was so good to us, and still is. Breda said, If I had known it was Deniss birthday, Id have made a better cake! These are the people who keep the worthy Cork ARC operation going. People like Breda, people like Colleen, the people who step up on flag days, the people who accept the purple charity boxes, the transition year students who get stuck in, the service users at Cork ARC who prompt Frances to freely give of her time, to offer her people skills, her kindness, and her lively chat to strangers on the street who respond in kind. Frances is at the heart of it. And Colleen is my navigator, she says. Frances has benefitted greatly from her therapy. Its something I thought Id never be doing, she admits. Long may this great lady, the bucket lady, continue doing her great work among her friends and caring community. Cork ARC offers information, counselling, complementary therapies, and group programmes for people with cancer and their families. Sarsfield Road, Wilton, Cork, T12 EW9A Call: 021-427 6688 It took volunteers more than two hours on Bank Holiday Monday morning to lay a full circle of coins around The Lough, creating a ring of hope to help raise raise 20,000 to bring sick children to Disneyland Paris. Members of Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club and members of the public were out early to Lap The Lough with coins, and organisers said that although it will take days to count, they were hopeful they would exceed their target of 20,000. Darragh and James Horgan from Glanmire placing a coin around the Lough. Picture by Noel Sweeney John Looney, who is a long-time supporter of the Childrens Club, said the turn-out had been amazing. Its unbelievable, its a family day, its a community day, its everything, and it will help to bring sick kids to Disneyland, he said. New Cork city councillors Ciara OConnor and Gary OBrien were among the volunteers collecting coins, and they said some people had spelled out the names of their loved ones in coins. "It's just fantastic to see so many families and little kids out enjoying such a lovely fundraiser for such a lovely cause," Ms O'Connor said. Joey McCarthy from Glanmire placing a coin around the Lough. Picture by Noel Sweeney Mr O'Brien said the presence of so many children was very heartening, "especially as it's raising funds to help children who are sick". Community Garda Kay Griffin, who is herself a volunteer with the Childrens Club, was one of several members of An Garda Siochana who were helping out at the event. Its lovely to support the event, weve been taking it in turn to help out, she said. Its a fantastic occasion, and its lovely to see people who were on previous visits to Disneyland coming back to support it. Keegan Deasy meetsTigger at the Lap The Lough event. Picture by Noel Sweeney Ernest Cantillon, who helped organise the event, said people had been extraordinarily kind in supporting it, but the amount raised would not be known for a while. The Lough Credit Union is helping us to count it, and theres a few days counting in it, but thats a good complaint, he said. To donate, email lapthelough@gmail.com, or see https://eclv.ie/lough. A Cork TD has said some families are now facing childcare costs higher than their mortgage repayments, with data showing the average weekly cost of childcare in Cork city comes in at almost 220. The figures show that in Cork city the average weekly cost of childcare is 218.40, while in Cork County it is 202.00. Data compiled by Pobal indicates that the average (median) weekly fee per child before subsidies is 190 for full-day early learning and care. However, both Cork city and Cork county are above this average, with only Dublin and Wicklow being more expensive. Unaffordable Cork South-Central Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice said the figures, provided to Kildare Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly in the Dail last week, were unaffordable for many families. The programme for government outlined a plan to reduce the cost of childcare to 200 per month, Mr Rice said. At the moment in Cork, parents are paying over this amount on a weekly basis. This is a clear indication that the Government is failing on its promises to parents. These costs are crippling for families, Mr Rice said. These are only the average figures. For some parents, their childcare costs are now greater than their mortgage repayments. Challenges He said challenges facing the sector include low wages, huge turnover in staff, and difficulty recruiting. Childcare workers provide an essential service for communities, yet there has been no clarity on whether this Government will take action to establish pay parity for early years workers, he said. Its about time that parties across the political spectrum come together to agree on a vision for the future of childcare and early years services in this country. The Social Democrats have proposed a public model called Paistecare as the best way to address the challenges facing the sector. Subsidies Childrens minister Norma Foley said the national childcare scheme provides subsidies to families to help reduce childcare and early learning costs. They include a universal subsidy of 2.14 per hour for a maximum of 45 weekly hours, which would see a family receive 96.30 off their weekly childcare fee. The other is an income-assessed subsidy which depending on factors such as family income, child age, and number of children in the family could amount to 5.10 per hour. The decline in rural pubs in West and North Cork and throughout the country was one of the factors cited by a councillor in describing Ireland as the loneliest nation in Europe. Brendan McCarthy, a Fine Gael councillor in the West Cork/Skibbereen district, said he was calling for incentivisation for rural pubs to remain open, insisting it wasnt about selling more drink or promoting alcohol in any way. Speaking at last weeks Cork County Council meeting, Mr McCarthy said he had grown up in a pub and appreciated the role they played in the community. One such pub near Skibbereen closed a number of years ago, and I was there the night it closed. It was said on the night, not by the publican, that the pub was the community centre where you gathered after matches or other sporting events, where you gathered on happy or sad occasions, where groups met, and where fundraising events took place for these groups. Meet Mr McCarthy said many customers who had frequented these pubs no longer came out after they closed. These people were not out merely for alcohol, they were out to meet people, to discuss the goings-on in the world and in their own areas, he said. In a recent survey, 20% of Irish people reported they were lonely most or all of the time, compared to 13% of Europeans surveyed. Ireland is the loneliest nation in Europe. Rural areas suffer more than urban areas in this regard. People living in rural areas might not see too many people from one week to the next, they gather in their local pub to meet people and have a chat . This is so important for them. If the small rural pubs that remain were to close, they would be a huge loss to their areas. Support There was plenty of support across the chamber for Mr McCarthys motion calling on the council to write to the minister for rural and community development, Dara Calleary, asking him to recognise the vital role played by rural pubs in Ireland, and recommending that a rebate or tax incentive be put in place for pubs. John Collins, a Bandon-based Independent Ireland councillor and publican, said that while supporting the motion he expressed pessimism that there would be a positive response. Similar to our rural post offices, I believe the Government would like to see the back of these things, he said. Peter ODonoghue, Independent councillor in the Fermoy district, said the motion was about much more than protecting rural pubs but was rather focused on protecting the social fabric of rural Ireland. Blackpool is soon to have an Integrated Urban Strategy (IUS) devised by Cork City Council in consultation with the people of Blackpool. This will be similiar to the IUS in Shandon. A spokesperson for the Blackpool Regeneration Group told The Echo: The Blackpool Regeneration Group was established in 2020 to primarily submit our ideas to the City Development Plan. We produced a document Blackpool Renewed on restoring the identity of Blackpool. We requested a CTCHC Collaborative Town Centre Health Check and Stephen Murphy, RAPID Coordinator, engaged UCC Masters students to carry out an independent, evidence-based study in Blackpool. The Place Standard Tool provided a basis for the people of Blackpool to air their opinions on the locality. The scores were not good. But it is great to have this piece of research on which to build an appropriate Urban Strategy. Alison ORourke, director of services, Cork City Council; Louise Jordan, chairperson, board of management, Blackpool Community Centre; Cllr Tony Fitzgerald, chairperson, North West LAC; Cllr John Maher, chairperson, North East LAC; Grainne ODonnell, chairperson, Blackpool Regeneration Group, and Paul Moynihan, director of services, Cork City Council; (and back) Cllr Kenneth Collins, Cllr Michelle Gould, Cllr John Sheehan, Cllr Damian Boylan, Cllr Brian McCarthy, Cllr Margaret McDonnell, and Denis Fitzpatrick, vice-chairperson, Blackpool Regeneration Group, at a joint meeting of North East and North West LAC groups with Cork City Council, at Blackpool Community Centre, Blackpool, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan The group has had a discussion with Niall ODonnabhain, director of services, Planning & Integrated Development, and two urban planners, regarding our views on the proposed Integrated Urban Strategy. We, also gave a presentation to the SPC for Community Culture and Placemaking. The councillors on the SPC were very encouraging and supportive of our proposals and will be seeking a roadmap for funding. In May there was a historic joint meeting of two Local Area Committees. The councillors from Cork City North West and North East wards met in the Blackpool Community Centre this has never happened before. An LAC meeting has never been held outside the council chambers. The councillors met with the regeneration group and board members of the community centre after their committee meetings. Cllr Margaret McDonnell and Cllr Michelle Gould at the event. The spokesperson added: We have been requesting this approach for a few years because Blackpool is divided in two by the ward boundaries and has lacked representation in the council. Blackpool Regeneration Group shared a vision for the strategy with our local representatives: To put people first in a liveable, safe and resource efficient neighbourhood that is socially integrated, economically inclusive and where residents actively participate in our community. The group has five issues to begin working on: Traffic management; public realm; illegal dumping; dereliction; and loss of green and blue spaces. Paul Moynihan, Cllr John Maher, Alison ORourke, and Cllr Tony Fitzgerald, at the plaque in Blackpool Community Centre to commemorate the occasion. Senator Sanders pays a visit to Nolan Butchers Senator Bernie Sanders and Jane OMeara Sanders arrived on Shandon Street last Tuesday and paid a courtesy visit to Nolan Butchers, one of the oldest businesses on the street and festival HQ of the annual Spirit of Mother Jones festival. The Sanders were welcomed by Marie and James Nolan and joined them at their counter where they engaged with members of the Mother Jones Committee and local residents. Later several presentations were made to Bernie by members of the festival committee. Then everybody walked over to the Mother Jones plaque where the senator from Vermont greeted everyone and gave a passionate speech praising Mother Jones and all she stood for. James Nolan of Nolans Butchers said: It isnt every day that a US Senator, one of the most popular and admired politicians in America, walks through my door. Former US presidential candidate and US Senator Bernie Sanders, Ann Piggott and Ger OMahony, and the Mother Jones committee, at Nolan Butchers on Shandon Street prior to visiting the Mother Jones plaque on John Redmond Street, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan Bernie and Jane Sanders were lovely visitors and were full of praise for Mary Harris Mother Jones and for the historic community of Shandon where she lived. They admitted that it was the first time in their many years of campaigning that they wound up in a butcher shop. The presentations went very well and it proved to be a brilliant visit with songs at the plaque performed by William Hammond. We want to thank all involved in the arrangements, especially the trade union people in Cork who organised it. It was a red letter day for Shandon and for Cork and for Mother Jones. There was an extraordinary symmetry to the visit. Senator Bernie Sanders stood in Shandon some 10 years to the day from when he announced his run for the US Presidency in Burlington Vermont his home town in May 2015. Bernie had been elected Mayor of Burlington three times in the 1980s. In an amazing coincidence Richard Harris senior and junior (father and brother of Mother Jones) emigrated from Shandon in 1847 during the Great Famine and went to Burlington, Vermont, and were living there in 1850. Senator Sanders expressed surprise and was unaware of this unique connection between Shandon, Cork and Burlington, Illinois. Float pushers required Cork Community Art Link needs float pushers. The Watercourse Road-based group said: We need volunteers to push and animate our fantastical floats through Oliver Plunkett Street in Cork city at 2pm on Sunday, June 15, to bring the Midsummer Parade to life, as part of Cork Midsummer Festival. Join our mischievous Shenanigan family in an underwater odyssey on what we hope will be a sunny, summer Sunday. If youre interested in taking part contact us at: info@corkcommunityartlink.com Or give us a buzz at (021) 455 3747. Leeds AFC to hold AGM Leeds AFCs AGM will take place on Monday, July 7, at 7pm at Leeds Park. All members are invited to attend. Expressions of interest for committee roles can be sent by email to gerardmeany@gmail.com. HaveBlackpool, Shandon and Ballyvolane news to share? Contact robert.mcnamara@theecho.ie A Cork city councillor has praised An Post for allowing people to send Mass cards on the death of Pope Francis to the Vatican for free. An Post dispatched a package of almost 4,000 Mass cards from Irish people sympathising on the death of Francis for direct delivery to the Vatican in Rome. In response to customer queries about where mass cards might be sent, An Post offered to provide free delivery to customers wishing to send cards to the Vatican. Welcoming An Posts special arrangement for customers, Irelands Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor said: To post a card is very often to post a thought, a feeling, a part of ourselves. That is what I see in this beautiful initiative, facilitated by An Post, to send your mass cards to Rome. They are more than a gesture of remembrance. They are a sign of attachment to a person who had a special place in many Irish hearts. They carry with them your prayers for Pope Francis, but they carry too your love and appreciation of what he meant in your lives. May God bless all those who have participated. A spokesperson for An Post added that they had gotten a huge response to their offer: We have been in touch with our counterparts in the Vatican Post Office, so they will be expecting this special package from Ireland. So many customers were pleased to be able to express their sympathy and respect for the late Pope Francis, and know that their cards will be delivered safely. Weve even received cards from across the world to be included in the dispatch from Ireland. Fianna Fail councillor for Cork City North West Tony Fitzgerald, who met with Francis during a visit to Rome while he was lord mayor in May 2018, said it was fantastic that so many were able to send their condolences. He told The Echo that the late pontiff meant a lot to people in Cork, saying: Its a nice gesture and way of reflecting on the life of Francis Mass cards are an old tradition in Ireland, and in Cork particularly, and I have no doubt theyll be received warmly in the Vatican. Irish dignitaries including Taoiseach Micheal Martin attended Franciss funeral. Mr Martin said at the time: It was an honour to represent the Government and people of Ireland at the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, and to reflect on and appreciate the achievements of his life. A charity working to help the people of Gaza currently under onslaught from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), and a family living under the ongoing bombardment, are to benefit from a fundraising event being held in North Cork next weekend. Tickets are available online for Gra to Gaza, described by organisers as an evening of community, solidarity, food, and music in aid of the people of Gaza, which will take place at Glenville House on Saturday between 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Organiser Gillian Carney described Saturdays event as a musical, cultural, and creative gathering. Ms Carney said: Following on from the successful fundraising event at Glenville last year, we are once again hoping that people will join us for a heartwarming evening as we show our love, support, and solidarity for the people of Gaza. All funds raised at the event, including the proceeds of a raffle, will be shared between the Lifeblood Foundation and the Hakem family in Gaza who have a personal connection to chef Orla McAndrew, who is the author of the recently published cook book Larder. Lifeblood is a Canadian-Palestinian non-governmental organisational that aims to restore dignity, provide hope, and improve the quality of life for refugees and people in need by supporting Gazans in their home country as well as those displaced and now living in Europe. Ms McAndrew, who will be providing food which will pay homage to Palestinian cuisine for Saturdays event, said that she was thrilled to be involved with Gra for Gaza. Its impossible to stand back and bear witness, and not try to do something to help the people of Gaza, Ms McAndrew said. Tickets can be purchased at 40 each for Gra to Gaza on the Eventbrite platform. For those unable to attend, donations can also be made there. With Cork City Council due to publish its fire cover review, a local councillor has said it must deliver an operational fire station for Ballincollig, where the local station has been closed since November 2021. Joe Lynch, Sinn Fein councillor for the Cork City South West ward, told The Echo that, in response to a recent council motion on the publication of the review, Cork City Council management had stated that the fire cover review will be published in late May or early June at the latest. He said he had previously submitted various questions on the matter, with council management telling him the report would assess how to provide the most effective and efficient fire service to the people of Cork, including those in the extended boundary area. In 2019, Ballincollig, which was previously the largest town in Co Cork, was incorporated into Cork city. It is now three and a half years since the doors of Ballincollig fire station were shut, and throughout that time we in Ballincollig have been denied the service we were promised when the city boundaries were redrawn, Mr Lynch said. The forthcoming fire cover review, which council management now say will be published imminently following months of delay is, we are told, going to set out how Cork City Council will provide the most effective and efficient fire service for the people of Cork. He added that with more residential development happening in the south-west of the city than any other part, it made sense to re-open the fire station in Ballincollig The men and women of Cork City Fire Brigade work day-in, day-out, to keep citizens and communities safe across the city, and this review will play a major role in shaping the service they work in, and the service they provide to us all, over the coming years, Mr Lynch added. Cork City Council was asked for comment. Charting a course for maritime knowledge DJ and Anna Geaney, with their kids Daithi and Oisin, from Bishopstown, at the European Maritime Days to Play at Kennedy Quay, Cork, a free public event held to celebrate Cork City Council and the Government of Ireland hosting the prestigious conference, European Maritime Day. Picture: Michael OSullivan Sponsor a guide puppy Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, the national charity based in Carrigrohane, is asking members of the public to sponsor a puppy in training for as little as 10 a month. Guide dogs enable people who are vision-impaired to achieve greater independence and mobility, acting not only as a mobility aid but also as a constant support providing both safety and social benefits. Dogs are trained for 24 months, and sponsors can watch them grow from small puppies to fully trained guide or assistant dogs who will give freedom and independence to someone with sight loss. The charity trains people from 16 upward, giving them and their new canine partners the skills to work together. For more information about sponsoring a puppy, see guidedogs.ie. Field of Dreams charity cycle The annual Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams Cycle takes place this Sunday, June 8, and some places are still available. This year there are two distances available to those taking part: 50km and 100km, and the entry fee is 40. The 50km route sets out to Bandon, before turning back and looping up to Begleys Forge and home. The 100km route heads out to the Old Head of Kinsale before heading back up to Bandon and home to Field of Dreams. There will be a pit-stop along the way, and afterwards refreshments at the Field of Dreams. The Field of Dreams was established in 2017 to meet the ongoing learning needs of adults with Down syndrome from across Cork city and county. The vision of Field of Dreams is to provide adults with Down syndrome opportunities for ongoing learning and growth. For information and to register for the Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams Cycle, see eventbrite.ie. A mallard duck rests on a fallen tree trunk over the Curraheen River in Bishopstown. MTU and Cygnum host annual awards night for students Munster Technological University (MTU) has announced the winners of its third annual student awards, which honour outstanding student projects in timber design and sustainable construction. The award ceremony took place recently at MTUs Bishopstown campus. The awards were presented to students from three MTU departments: the department of civil, structural and environmental engineering, the department of architecture, and the department of construction. The students work showcased innovation in the use of timber within the current environment. Sponsored by Cygnum, which is one of Irelands largest timber frame manufacturers, the competition was designed to encourage students to work on sustainable building methods and modern ways of construction that can help Irelands evolving housing sector. The award was presented by Heber McMahon, director of sales at Cygnum, who noted that, when compared to conventional methods, not only can building with timber frames reduce the build time of a house by over 50% but it also stores up to 15 tonnes of carbon over its lifecycle. It was very inspiring to hear every students project and the different ways in which we can make use of timber in our built environment, he said. Joe Harrington, head of MTUs school of building and civil engineering, welcomed Cygnums sponsorship of these Students Awards. He added that the competition provided an outstanding example of collaboration between the Irish construction industry and higher education sector, offering students an opportunity to showcase their talents and expertise through projects focusing on timber design and sustainable construction. We very much welcome Cygnums sponsorship. Cygnum, as an off-site timber frame manufacturer, plays a key role in the Irish construction industry supply chain, Mr Harrington said. This competition and collaboration provides our students with an insight into some of the key challenges that are being addressed by the Irish construction industry, including implementing modern methods of construction and addressing the sustainability issue. MTU and Cygnum say that, through this award, they aim to inspire the next generation of professionals in the construction business tto promote sustainable practices in the industry. Ballincollig GAA Club lottery The numbers drawn in the Ballincollig GAA Club lottery, which was held on Thursday, May 29, were 3, 13, 25, and 31. There was no winner of the 12,000 jackpot, but there were three consolation prize winners, with 100 going to Eileen Murphy, 50 to Daniel Murphy, and 50 to Alice McCarthy. The club has migrated its lottery to its club platform ClubZap. The new system mirrors the previous one and is played with 36 numbers, and all existing players with remaining credit have been moved across with their same numbers plus their remaining credits. For further information, see ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com. This Thursday evenings jackpot now stands at 12,400. For further details, please see the clubs social media pages. Read More All About Cork: Locals have their say on integrated urban strategy Read More Mourners asked to wear bright colours to funeral of Cork marathon runner Have Ballincollig and Bishopstown news to share? Contact donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie The tattoo artist on trial for murdering a young man in Cobh by slashing his leg with a sword said today that he was sorry for killing him but claimed that his only intention was to scare him and not hurt anyone. The prosecution said he was lying and that he almost amputated the left leg of the deceased. Dylan Scannell (31) of ORahilly Street, Cobh, County Cork, denies murdering 33-year-old chef, Ian Baitson, in Eurospar car park, Newtown Road, Cobh, on March 19 2024 but has admitted to manslaughter. Defence senior counsel Tom Creed asked him how he felt about causing the death of Ian Baitson who died from his wounds, Dylan Scannell said today, Im sorry. He and Ian Baitson were friends since their teens, he said. I had a drug addiction since I was 13,' he said, recalling an incident in February of 2024, a month before the incident at the centre of the trial, when he fell through a roof and hit his head. "I was brought to CUH. They tried to keep me there for a few days. I wouldnt listen to the doctors and I signed myself out. They were talking to me about damage to my brain over the drugs and the fall, Dylan Scannell said. Asked about the debt owed to him by Ian Baitson, referred to in numerous WhatsApp exchanges, he said: The first debt, he asked me for help in paying a drug dealer. The second was from the drugs I was selling. The accused said that he was under pressure himself from a third party to repay him and he said he and his family were in danger as a result his own debt. Ian contacted me and asked me to help him with a fella he owed a few quid to and I said I would, Mr Scannell said. He said Ian Baitson referred to cousins in Coolock. He (the accused) didnt know who they were I took it as a threat. As for how he got the sword, he said it was a gift from a client in the tattoo shop a couple of years before this. "I brought it home and hung it on the wall. It was old, it was a rusty old sword. Mr Creed asked: Why did you bring the sword with you to Eurospar? He replied: Just for protection. Over the cousins from Coolock. I was paranoid. I was afraid. I wanted to scare him. I didnt want to hurt anyone. I didnt think I could hurt anyone by hitting him in the leg. I just thought he would get a fright. I didnt think that would happen. Mr Creed said: The prosecution case is that on the evening you intended to kill or cause serious injury. He replied: I didnt mean to cause any injury. I didnt think that by hitting someone in the leg that I would cause any damage. Asked what he wanted to say to the Baitson family now, the accused said: I just want to say I am sorry. I would do anything to take it back. Senior counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Donal OSullivan, cross-examined and said that on that night, Ian Baitson was not armed with anything, he might have had baby-wipes which he had just bought in the shop and he had 185 in his pocket which was still there afterwards. Mr OSullivan said: The first thing you did was not to put your hand out and say, Ian, where is the money? The first thing you do is to take a swipe at him with a sword. Dylan Scannell replied: Yes. He agreed that at the scene, the deceased said he was sorry for what he said in texts. Dylan Scannell said: I hit him to scare him. Mr OSullivan said: You almost amputated his leg, you went through bone. You are lying. You knew well what you were doing. You went up there to hurt him, and hurt him badly, and that is what you did. In reply, the accused said: I went up there to scare him. Afterwards, he said, he panicked: I got rid of the sword, I threw it out the window of the car. It threw it over the wall into the water. Regarding garda interviews, Mr OSullivan said: You were able to answer questions about yourself, about your family but when it comes to the murder of Ian Baitson you say nothing. Dylan Scannell replied: I wanted to give my side of the story but my then solicitor told me not to say anything. Mr OSullivan put to the accused the texts he sent threatening the deceased he was going to smash him up, cut off his fingers and further threats made in sexual terms. The barrister then asked if those threats meant that he was going to go to hurt him badly. The accused replied: No. As for being sorry, the prosecution counsel said: You are sorry for yourself in this situation facing a murder charge. What you are saying is lies to get yourself out of this situation. You went up to hurt him and hurt him badly. You went up to seriously injure this man. Your behaviour afterwards indicates someone doing everything he could to avoid taking responsibility for what you did. You are coming up here lying to the jury, bare-faced. The accused disagreed with that. The jury of six men and six women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork will deliberate tomorrow on their verdict in the case, which is presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon. A 32-year-old man facing the prospect of trial by judge and jury for attempted murder arising out of an arson attack on a house in Cork city on Christmas Day 2023 confessed to other related charges today. Shane Casey of Shanowen, Rathcormac, County Cork, was arraigned on three charges at the Central Criminal Court today and pleaded guilty to all three of them. He did not plead guilty to another charge on the indictment namely the attempted murder of Billy Murphy, a man in his 60s, owner of the house at Dyke Parade, Cork, where the arson was carried out. However, defence senior counsel Ray Boland conceded that the plea of guilty to certain charges was entered on the basis that the full facts of the case would be given at the sentencing hearing. Mr Boland asked for free legal aid to be extended to include the preparation of a psychiatric report on Shane Casey. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon acceded to that application. The case was adjourned until October 6 when it is anticipated a date will be set for sentencing. Detective Garda Brian Barron originally charged Shane Casey of Shanowen, Rathcormac, County Cork, with the attempted murder of Billy Murphy, but there was no plea to that charge. There was a plea of guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to Mr Murphy, production of an article, namely a blade, in the course of the assault, and finally causing criminal damage to the house and neighbouring properties with intent to endanger life. It was previously alleged when the case first came before the courts that the accused set fire to the house on Dyke Parade, Cork, just after 6pm on December 25, 2023 when four people were present in the house and that the accused man stood outside swinging a blade when the first person ran from the burning building, telling him: You are going to die here tonight. Referring to CCTV and other evidence, Detective Garda Barron said: At 6.05pm, he exits and stands looking in the open front door at the fire taking hold. At 6.06pm, it is alleged that he closes the front door and attempts to barricaded the front door from the outside, using a piece of timber to jam to the side and then under the door. It is alleged he takes a blade from his pocket and holds it out in front of him and waits outside. At 6.08pm, the front door bursts open and [one of the men] attempts to escape the now blazing house. "It was alleged he said (to one injured party): 'My name is Shane Casey and you remember me from two days ago you are going to die here tonight.' It was further alleged that one woman had to be rescued from the roof and that it took six units of the fire service more than six hours to bring the fire under control and make the building safe and the fire caused thousands of euro in damage, the detective said. Jane Hyland, prosecution senior counsel, said that victim impact statements would be prepared in advance of sentencing. This case had been listed for trial by judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court on June 18 but it will now be removed from that list. Flying cars take off in China People's Daily Online) 13:22, June 03, 2025 The air module of the "Land Aircraft Carrier," developed by XPeng AeroHT, a subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG, performs a flight demonstration at Liuye Lake Tourist Resort in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan) Flying cars stole the spotlight at the 2025 Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2025), which concluded May 2, giving visitors a glimpse of the future of transportation and leaving many spellbound. The definition of flying cars has evolved in recent years and now broadly includes electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs. Interest in flying cars has soared this year, driven by rapid developments in aviation, new energy vehicles, 5G technology and artificial intelligence. China's domestic flying car sector has built a strong industrial foundation, gaining an edge in technological innovation and equipment capabilities. Flying cars are gradually becoming a reality in the country. On May 18, inside the laboratory of the AECC Aero Engine Control System Institute in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, a motor spun rapidly on a test bench. As it gained speed, sensors registered a steady increase in internal temperature, yet the motor continued to run smoothly. This next-generation integrated propulsion motor, independently developed by the institute, is designed to power pure-electric eVTOL models weighing 2 to 3 tonnes. The GOVY AirCar, a mass-production multi-rotor flying car from GAC Group, is displayed at Auto Shanghai 2025, April 26, 2025. (Photo/Wang Yushi) "This product was installed on a domestic 3-tonne tilt-rotor eVTOL last year, and the prototype was successfully completed with tethered test flights," said Bai Wenfeng, general manager of the institute's electric power department. China's eVTOL market is forecast to reach 50 billion yuan ($6.9 billion) by 2030, creating strong demand for motors and control systems, said Chen Fei, operations director of the institute's electric power department. According to a white paper by the China Society of Automotive Engineers, flying cars will begin entering the first phase of commercialization in 2025. By around 2035, intelligent eVTOLs are expected to be used on a large scale and become a major mode of low-altitude transportation. By 2050, amphibious flying cars capable of operating both on the ground and in the air are projected to be widely adopted, integrating low-altitude and ground transportation as part of a three-dimensional intelligent transit system. Traditional multi-rotor eVTOLs rely on electric motors, but while batteries can power electric vehicles for over 500 kilometers, they can only sustain a 20-minute flight for an eVTOL carrying one or two passengers. To overcome this limitation, Chinese research teams are exploring a range of new technological paths. Southeast University's Kunpeng No. 1, a flying car developed in Jiangsu Province, uses power batteries along with a range-extended electric propulsion system. Compared with vehicles powered only by batteries, this system delivers more power, a longer range and greater reliability. It could push flight time from just 20 minutes to more than two hours. The technology is expected to be used in the next generation of flying cars. The Hainan flying car demonstration project is launched in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo/Su Bikun) XPeng AeroHT, a subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng, has developed a "land aircraft carrier," a flying car made up of two parts: a ground module and an air module. The ground module operates as an electric vehicle, while the air module is an eVTOL a flying craft with six propellers that can fold up and be stored when not in use. "The ground module is a range-extended electric vehicle that can travel up to 1,000 kilometers. With a full charge, it can recharge the air module up to six times," said an XPeng AeroHT representative. Driven by technological breakthroughs and supportive policies, the flying car market is poised for significant growth. According to a report from the China Low Altitude Economy Alliance, China could see more than 100 flying car companies by 2030, with the market potentially surpassing 1 trillion yuan. "The opportunities are enormous," said Zhao Shangbin, key account manager for east China at GAC Business Co. In a recent milestone, Sichuan Aerofugia Technology Development Co. and Sichuan General Aviation Investment Management Co., a subsidiary of Sichuan Airlines Group, signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The two companies will pool their resources to develop urban air mobility solutions, integrating civil aviation with low-altitude travel. Their partnership also includes collaboration on eVTOL flight testing and aircraft maintenance. This marks the first collaboration between a Chinese eVTOL company and a civil aviation airline, representing a major step toward the commercial use of eVTOLs. The two firms plan to jointly establish air shuttle routes linking airports with downtown Chengdu and nearby scenic spots in southwest China's Sichuan Province, said Guo Liang, CEO and chief scientist of Aerofugia. Guo said that by jointly developing demonstration projects for the low-altitude economy, a short-haul flight network would be established. Initial pilot programs will gradually expand to include passenger transport, emergency rescue and low-altitude tourism, broadening the reach of flying cars. "Once large-scale operations begin, eVTOL trips are expected to cost about two to three times as much as premium ride-hailing services, but will reduce travel time by more than 80 percent," said Fei Lan, Aerofugia's chief marketing officer. XPeng AeroHT's Land Aircraft Carrier completed its maiden flight during a ceremony in Changde, in central China's Hunan Province, on March 27, opening up new possibilities for low-altitude transport and tourism. As industries tied to the low-altitude economy continue to expand into three-dimensional transportation, laws and regulations governing flying car operations are also being refined. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Work is under way on a long-anticipated, 5.1m refurbishment of Mallow Swimming Pool, improvements that will eventually reduce energy costs and emissions and save the council money. The contract for the works was signed recently between Cork County Council and Cumnor Construction. The upgrades, which should be completed early next year, include a new extension with reception, administration, staff facilities, and visitors room. The pool area will also be upgraded, with modern changing facilities, new mechanical and electrical services, and improved thermal efficiency and energy ratings. Fantastic amenity Mayor of the County of Cork Joe Carroll described Mallow Swimming Pool as a fantastic amenity for the people of the town and its wider hinterland in North Cork. It attracts approximately 150,000 visitors each year, said Mr Carroll. The building was first opened in 1996 and these important works will ensure a safe, modern, energy-efficient swimming-pool facility is in place for the next generation of users. The upgrade of Mallow Swimming Pool has featured on the agendas of Kanturk-Mallow Municipal Council meetings for a number of years and the latest turn of events has been welcomed by Mallow-based Fianna Fail councillor Gearoid Murphy. It will be a great resource for the community, once its built, and it will also be a win for the environment, as emissions will be reduced, he said. It will save the council money, as it will be cheaper to operate. It will also benefit from energy-efficiency grants. Grant The project has received a grant of 496,018 from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports, and Media under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, and 493,891 from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Chief executive of Cork County Council Moira Murrell said the reduction of the amount of energy needed to run and heat this amenity will help the council to achieve its climate-change targets and that the works would transform Mallow Swimming Pool for all users. What is the Housing Assistance Payment? The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need, provided by your local authority. If you are on HAP, your local authority pays your rent directly to your landlord and you pay a weekly HAP rent contribution to your local authority, based on your income and ability to pay. You must find the rented accommodation yourself and the rent your landlord charges must be within the limits for your household type in your local authoritys area. You can take up full-time employment and still get HAP. Who can get the HAP payment? You must be on your local authoritys housing list. This means that you qualify for social housing support. To qualify for social housing support, you must: Have a legal right to remain in the State on a long-term basis. People who have temporary protection, such as Ukrainians fleeing the war, cannot apply for social housing as their right to remain is short-term. Be eligible for social housing. Your income must be below a certain amount, and you must not have suitable alternative accommodation. Be in need of social housing How does the HAP scheme work? You find your own private rented accommodation within the HAP rent limits. The local authority will not find the accommodation for you. In general, the rent must be within the HAP rent limits for your household size and the area you live in. However, your local authority can go above the HAP rent limits, if you cant find accommodation within the limits. They do this on a case-by-case basis. They are able to: Go up to 35% above rent limits Increase HAP rates for a single person to rates allowed for couples The HAP limits for Cork County Council area are as follows: One adult in shared accommodation: 300 Couple in shared accommodation: 330 One adult: 550 Couple: 650 Couple or 1 adult with 1 child: 900 Couple or 1 adult with 2 children: 925 Couple or 1 adult with 3 children: 950 If you have 4 or more children in your household, contact your local authority to discuss your HAP rate. You may be able to claim HAP if you are sharing accommodation with your landlord. You cannot be discriminated against when renting because you are getting HAP. This means that landlords cannot state HAP is not accepted when advertising accommodation. The local authority pays your landlord each month and you pay a weekly rent contribution to your local authority. However, you are not a local authority tenant. The rental agreement is between you and your landlord and your tenancy is covered by residential tenancies legislation. This means you have certain rights and responsibilities, and so does your landlord. The accommodation must meet minimum standards for rented housing. Your landlord must have current evidence that they are tax compliant How much rent do I pay the local authority? The weekly rent contribution you pay is based on the differential rent scheme for your local authority. This scheme links the rent contribution you pay to your household income and your ability to pay. If your income increases so does your rent contribution, and if your income decreases, the weekly rent contribution decreases. What if my landlord requires a deposit? You have to pay this yourself. The local authority does not pay it for you. In certain circumstances, you may be able to get assistance from the Department of Social Protection to help pay your deposit. If you are in emergency homeless accommodation, your local authority may help with a deposit. What if I need to end my HAP tenancy? You will be expected to stay in your HAP accommodation for at least two years. In some situations you may be able to apply for a new HAP payment somewhere else. For example, if you are offered a job in another town or if your family grows too large for the property. You need to contact your local authority if you are thinking of moving. If you or your landlord wants to end a residential tenancy, you must both follow the rules for doing so. How do I apply for HAP? If you are not yet on your local authoritys housing list, you need to apply for social housing support before you apply for HAP. If you are already on the housing list, you can: Apply for HAP online Get a HAP application form from your local authority You should only apply for HAP when you have found suitable accommodation, or if you are already in private rented accommodation and qualify to transfer to HAP. If you are in any doubt about if your tenancy arrangement qualifies for HAP, check with your local authority. If you're still waiting on access to Google's AI-driven Ask Photos feature, you'll need to hold tight a little longer. Jamie Aspinall, a product manager for Google Photos, chimed in to a conversation on X to address some complaints about the feature. "Ask Photos isn't where it needs to be, in terms of latency, quality and ux," Aspinall wrote . He said the rollout was being paused "at very small numbers" and that a new version of Ask Photos is slated to ship in about two weeks. I hear you both. Ask Photos isn't where it needs to be, in terms of latency, quality and ux. Rollout has been paused at very small numbers while we address these issues. In ~2 weeks we'll ship an improved version that brings back the speed and recall of the original search Jamieasp (@jamieasp) June 3, 2025 Ask Photos was introduced at last year's I/O conference and began select early access availability in September. The feature uses the Gemini AI chatbot to find images from a photo library based on natural language queries. Good news to anyone living in the European Economic Area (EEA): Microsoft is toning down its "pick me" energy in order to further comply with the Digital Markets Act. The company has announced updates that notably include Microsoft Edge no longer begging to be your default browser. However, if you open the AI-powered browser, the guilt trip will return for the time being. This change should already be available, rolling in with an Edge update released on Thursday, May 29. On top of that, you should no longer get pestered by other apps to reinstall Microsoft Edge if you choose to remove it altogether. The only exception are progressive web apps (PWAs) that have Microsoft Edge tech. This update is still coming to some apps, and should roll out to Windows 10 and 11 this month. You can also separate yourself even further from the tech giant and uninstall the Microsoft Store on your device. Any apps you already downloaded will continue to update. The new option should come "later this year" on Windows 10 and 11 devices. The beauty world was left in shock earlier this year when news broke that Jesus Guerrero, the celebrity hairstylist behind the iconic looks of Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore, and Katy Perry, had died suddenly at the age of 34. Now, nearly four months after his passing, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has revealed the official cause of death, offering new insight into the tragic loss that stunned Hollywood and his legion of fans. What Caused Jesus Guerrero's Sudden Death? According to the autopsy report released on June 2, Guerrero died from severe pneumonia complicated by a rare fungal infection known as Cryptococcis neoformans. The report, made public by TMZ, also noted that Guerrero had a weakened immune system, which made him especially vulnerable to these infections. The manner of death was ruled natural. Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused by inhaling spores from Cryptococcus, a fungus commonly found in the environment. In people with compromised immune systems, this infection can quickly become life-threatening, attacking the lungs and even spreading to the brain. Guerrero's family and friends were reportedly unaware of the extent of his health struggles, as he kept much of his illness private, even as he lost 20 pounds and experienced ongoing pain and fatigue in the months leading up to his death. The Final Days: From Hollywood to Dubai Guerrero's sudden decline came after a whirlwind period of international travel for work. In February, he was in Dubai with Jennifer Lopez, just weeks after spending time with Kylie Jenner in Los Angeles. Despite feeling unwell since September 2024, Guerrero continued to honor work commitments in Ireland, England, and the United Arab Emirates. He was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital on February 21, 2025, and passed away the following morning- His family announced his death on February 23, describing it as "sudden and unexpected." Guerrero's younger sister, Gris, later shared that he had been diagnosed with gastritis and had kept his health issues largely to himself, believing he could recover without medical intervention. @trishlikefish88 Why is it the good ones are taken from us too soon ? Love seeing everyone sharing his memory. Jesus was always smiley and happy and just so full of love original sound - trishapaytas Celebrity Tributes and Support The outpouring of grief from the celebrity world was immediate and heartfelt. Kylie Jenner, who considered Guerrero more than just a stylist but a close friend, shared emotional tributes on social media, calling him "a light in my life and a source of comfort and love". Jennifer Lopez and Katy Perry also expressed their sorrow, with Lopez attending his Houston funeral on March 30, alongside Jenner and other beauty industry figures. Jenner went a step further, quietly covering Guerrero's funeral expenses and helping his family with additional costs. Remembering a Beauty Industry Icon Jesus Guerrero's legacy lives on through the countless celebrities he styled and the many friends and fans he inspired with his creativity and kindness. As the beauty community continues to mourn, his story is a sobering reminder of the importance of health awarenesseven for those who seem to have it all. Guerrero's family has raised nearly $100,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, ensuring his memory and impact will not be forgotten. Actor Joshua Jackson has taken legal action by filing for an emergency custody order. He claims that his ex-wife, Jodie Turner-Smith, enrolled their 5-year-old daughter in a new school without informing or getting approval from him. According to a May 30 filing, Jodie Turner-Smith enrolled their daughter, Juno, in a new kindergarten for the upcoming fall terman action Joshua Jackson claims violates their existing custody agreement. Jackson, 46, says the new school is more than 45 minutes from his home, which goes against what they had agreed on during their divorce settlement, ENews said. According to the documents, Jackson is asking the court to make sure Juno stays at her current school for the 20252026 school year. He's also asking that both parents must agree together on any future school changes. "Respondent respectfully requests orders ensuring that the minor child continues attending her present school," the filing reads, "and for the parents' joint consent to be required for any subsequent school change." Jackson says Turner-Smith, 38, did not consult him before enrolling Juno in the new school. He pointed out that they had agreed she could make the final school choice only if they couldn't come to a mutual decision. The custody battle between Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith continues. https://t.co/oxr8KFgPPf pic.twitter.com/WjSOWk99xz E! News (@enews) June 3, 2025 Jackson Fights to Keep Daughter in Traditional School The actor also raised concerns about Turner-Smith's lifestyle. In his statement, Jackson said that Turner-Smith, who spends several months a year filming in London, may want Juno to travel with her instead of attending a regular school. According to DailyMail, he included a past message from Turner-Smith, in which she reportedly said Juno's learning "doesn't require a fixed location," suggesting she preferred tutoring and remote learning. But Jackson strongly disagrees. He argued that traditional school gives children a chance to grow emotionally and socially something he believes home or on-set tutoring can't offer. "Even in the best case, it cannot begin to provide a child with the same nurturing and enrichment, peer relationships, and social skills that a classroom and school community environment provides," he wrote. Jackson also said Juno is doing well at her current school and noted the many changes she has already faced, including losing his home in the Los Angeles fires earlier this year. "Adding an unnecessary school change cannot be in her interests," he stated. This recent court filing from Joshua Jackson follows shortly after he and Jodie Turner-Smith officially finalized their divorce. As part of that agreement, they share joint legal and physical custody of Juno. The couple, who quietly married in 2019, split in 2023. They have both said that Juno remains their top priority. Jamie Foxx didn't hold back when he took aim at Sean "Diddy" Combs during a stand-up set at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood last week. The 57-year-old actor and comedian called out Combs over disturbing claims tied to the music mogul's ongoing sex-trafficking trial. "That Diddy stuff is crazy, huh?" Foxx said to the crowd during Netflix's All-Star Comedy Night on May 29. "I don't know if he's going to jail, but he's a nasty motherfer!" Foxx, who performed the set with his daughter Corinne Foxx moderating the event, was reacting to reports of graphic allegations against Combs, including claims made by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, PageSix said. One testimony detailed an incident involving a male escort and forced urination. "And then the urine," Foxx added, before Corinne signaled for him to stop. Laughing, Foxx said, "Oh, that's right. Just let it be. My bad, I'm sorry." Still, he pushed ahead with more jabs at Combs, mocking the rapper's famous catchphrase. "'Take that, take that.' That makes you listen to that differently now. What are we taking? 'Cause I don't want any of that," he joked, to a mix of laughter and shock from the audience. Jamie Foxx calls Diddy "a nasty motherf*cker" amid the ongoing sex trafficking trial. Diddy is crazy, huh? I dont know if he is going to jail but he is a nasty motherf*cker. Am I right? Specially for us white people, like, its cool, but for Black people that was our hero. pic.twitter.com/QdL4n8NArI Variety (@Variety) June 2, 2025 Read more: Jamie Foxx and Alyce Huckstepp Back Together After Split Sparked by His Offensive Remarks Foxx Says Diddy's Scandal Hurts Black Community Deeply According to the NY Post, the Oscar winner also spoke emotionally about how the scandal affects the Black community, saying, "That was our hero. Diddy was 'It's all about the Benjamins.' That was our whole culture. Now it's all about the baby oil." Combs, 55, is currently on trial facing several charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transporting individuals for prostitution. The defendant has entered a not guilty plea to all charges filed against him. Foxx also cleared up rumors that had linked Combs to his 2023 health scare. While speaking during a roundtable with The Hollywood Reporter, Foxx explained, "No, Puffy didn't try to kill me." He added that he suffered a stroke caused by a brain bleed but said people online started bizarre rumors, including claims that he had been cloned. "I snuck in my phone while in the hospital, and I'm seeing this stuff like, 'Diddy tried to kill me.' Man, no," he said. Ruby Rose says she is in fear for her life, sharing a series of alarming statements on Threads that raised concern among fans. The Australian actress, 39, alleged on Monday that she is being followed and has had multiple attempts made on her lifeprompting her to change residences regularly. "I am moving house every few weeks, countries every few months and trying desperately to stay alive until my book is finished and released," Rose wrote in one post, according to PerthNow. The former "Orange Is the New Black" star made the claims in response to a viral post asking which celebrities had walked away from fame to live a "normal" life. "Hi. We just leave when people try to kill us. When we are illegally debanked and [redacted]. Hope that helps," Rose wrote. In the same thread, Rose shared a chilling reference to Virginia Giuffre, a key accuser of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein who died by suicide in April. "I don't want to be labelled 'crazy' and I don't want to pretend to know how Virginia Giuffre diedbut DOZENS of people including a school bus, have tried to run me off the road in the last few years," Rose wrote. Giuffre died at her home in Western Australia on April 24. Rose's mention of her sparked a wave of concern from fans who urged the actor to stay safe. Claims of Surveillance and Past Injuries Rose also referenced her departure from the CW's "Batwoman," which she exited in 2020 after suffering injuries during production. "I have been followed almost every time I leave my home, since the day I broke my neck, back and ribs on Batwoman," she said. "Since then I have doubled down on... Epstein. This has resulted in some seriously wild attempts on my life. Believe it or don't. But I might as well update you." Rose affirmed in a reply to a concerned follower that she was not having suicidal thoughts. "Thank you for asking," she wrote. "If you're truly being followed and targeted, staying put is dangerous," one user replied. Rose responded, "Already done," referring to her ongoing relocation efforts. Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have jointly introduced a bill that is aimed at putting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his illegal war on Ukraine. Under the legislation, sanctions would be imposed on Russia if it refuses to engage in good faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or initiates another effort, including military invasion, that undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine after peace is negotiated. The primary and secondary sanctions proposed in the legislation would include a 500-percent tariff on goods imported to the U.S. from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products. As of last week Thursday, the Graham-Blumenthal bill reportedly had 80 co-sponsors in the Senate. Because many congressional proceedings are covered on live television nowadays, it is quite possible that this particular legislation has been discussed in that medium. The problem is that ordinary Americans like me would have missed the fine details, since such debates often take place during periods when we are busy at work. One recent major deliberation in Congress took place at an even more inconvenient time, around 2:30 a.m. The vast majority of us were likely unconscious at that hour. Even one person who was supposed to be wide awake and actively participating in that proceeding, a Republican member of the House of Representatives, failed to register his vote because he fell asleep. To be better informed about which of our lawmakers favor or oppose any legislation, such as the one introduced by Senators Graham and Blumenthal, people like me need help from someone whose primary job it is to follow these proceedings, day and night. Knowing who voted for or against a bill, and their reasons for doing so, is essential information for us as citizens because we are periodically expected to make sound decisions about the people we send to Washington. We cannot properly grade our representatives and reward them with reelection, or banish them, if we dont have a full picture of the quality of their judgments. The people primarily responsible for keeping us adequately informed about such local and national issues are the media. That is what New York Times columnist David Brooks meant when he wrote that news outlets exist to advance public understanding. I argued recently that largely, the media does a rather poor job in that regard. In his recent Washington Post article about the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions legislation, columnist George Will did something marvelous, demonstrating what proper journalism should look like. He meticulously provided a breakdown of the senators who voted for and against the bill, and their party affiliation. According to him, of the 82 sponsors, there are 41 Republicans, 40 Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats. Among the 18 who did not co-sponsor the bill are 12 Republicans, five Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats. Will listed all 18 by name and then posed two simple but extremely important questions to them. First: What are you thinking? Second: And why do you want to be senators? Ideally, some television journalist should follow Wills excellent lead and invite a handful of the fence-sitting senators, one or two from each party, for a live interview. They should be asked on camera to explain their reasons for not co-sponsoring the bill. The interviewer should then inquire whether any of them have read this recent Washington Post column about the elaborate measures that Poland, a NATO member and U.S. ally, is having to take to protect itself from Putins Russia. Inexplicably, there are too many of our elected officials in Washington who either appear to be clueless about the Russian menace and its wider impacts, or are too nonchalant about them. A victorious Putin in Ukraine would become so emboldened that he would start threatening the smaller Baltic states and others such as Finland and Poland. That is why those neighbors of Russia are extremely nervous about the developments in Ukraine. If Russia were to prevail in the current war, it would also provide a great deal of encouragement to Americas main adversary, China, which has made no secret of its ambition to forcibly conquer Taiwan. Such a chain of events is one that no high-ranking public official in our nations capital should want to be responsible for helping to set off. It is quite gratifying to see that an overwhelming majority of senators understand what is at stake in Ukraine. George Will deserves enormous credit for providing exactly the kind of information the general public needs regularly to hold its elected officials accountable. Those 18 senators should better be readying their answers to those two simple but probing questions posed by the consummate journalist. Three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek set up a blockbuster French Open semi-final clash with world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday, as reigning men's holder Carlos Alcaraz powered his way into the last four. Alcaraz blew away American 12th seed Tommy Paul for the loss of just five games in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier. The Spaniard needed just one hour 34 minutes to dismantle Paul 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 and set up a last-four meeting with Italy's Lorenzo Musetti. "I'm sorry you wanted to watch more tennis, I had to do my work," Alcaraz told the crowd. "It was one of those matches where I could close my eyes and everything went in. It was like my feeling today was unbelievable." Earlier, Swiatek, the fifth seed, got past Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-1, 7-5, after top women's seed Sabalenka won a tense quarter-final against Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. World number five Swiatek has been struggling for her best form and has not reached a final since winning the French Open title last year. But she gave 13th seed Svitolina little opportunity on her favoured clay surface, breaking in the fourth game to ease through the first set, in windy conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier. The pair exchanged consecutive breaks of serve early in the second set, before Swiatek forced the breakthrough at 5-5 with a powerful forehand down the line. She then sealed the win with back-to-back aces. "Even though the first set, the score looks pretty straightforward, it wasn't," said Swiatek. "I had to fight for every point." - Alcaraz-Musetti rematch - Swiatek is aiming to become the first woman to win four straight Roland Garros crowns since Suzanne Lenglen 102 years ago. "(Aryna) has been having a great season so I'm not going to lie, it is going to be a tough match. But I'm happy for the challenge," said Swiatek, after reeling off her 26th win in a row at the French Open. Both players have shared the number one ranking between them since April 2022. Sabalenka ended Swiatek's 11-month reign as world number one last October but the Pole leads 8-4 in their previous meetings. Earlier, reigning US Open champion Sabalenka avenged her recent loss to Zheng in Rome. "The last tournament I was pretty exhausted," said Sabalenka. "Today I was more fresh, I was ready to battle." Sabalenka once again got the upper hand over Zheng, who had been on a winning streak of 10 matches on the Paris clay after her run to Olympic gold last year. Zheng broke and led 4-2 in the first set. But numerous unforced errors -- 31 in total -- allowed the Belarusian to come back. "I gave her the chance, so easy," said Zheng, who has lost seven times in eight meetings with Sabalenka, including in last year's Australian Open final. Madrid Open champion Sabalenka feels she is ready to go all the way in Paris, where her previous best was the semi-finals two years ago. "It's high-level matches. I'm super excited to go out there and to fight and to do everything I need to get the win," said Sabalenka. Alcaraz, 22, dispatched former world number nine Paul after Musetti had earlier seen off Paul's 15th seeded compatriot Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. The second seed hit 40 winners and made just 22 unforced errors against Paul, who he also beat on his way to silver at the Paris Olympics last year. Eighth seed Musetti, 23, took over two hours 45 minutes to get past Tiafoe and qualify for his second Grand Slam semi-final, after Wimbledon last year. Musetti's serve proved to be a major weapon on the day as he fired down eight aces with an 81 percent success rate on his first serve. He also saved two of the three break points engineered by Tiafoe, who had 51 unforced errors to the Italian's 32. It will be the third time Alcaraz and Musetti meet this clay-court season. Alcaraz has dominated that series -- beating the Italian in the final in Monte Carlo before also stopping him in the last four on his way to the Rome title. ea/nf WOOSTER, Ohio In 2021, Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institutes Dairy Farm held a full dispersal sale of its Jersey herd, leaving just one full herd of the golden, high-fat producing cattle left in the university system at Waterman Farms in Columbus. Among the barn crew at the time was Abbey Werstler, an agriculture communication student who had discovered dairy during her time at the Wooster campus. Though many students filled milking shifts, none fell harder for the small, golden calves than Werstler. She had never been around dairy before college, but that changed fast. I thought, what better way to get more involved and diversify myself than to jump into an industry I didnt know, which was dairy at the time, she said. Werstler first worked at Krauss Dairy in Wooster during her two-year associates program at ATI, then at Waterman Farms when she was completing her bachelors degree in Columbus. When COVID sent most students home in 2020, she returned to Wooster to work at the ATI Dairy, her favorite barn. She graduated in December 2021, having completed the trifecta by working at all three of Ohio States dairies. But she knew her time with the herd was not over. At the auction, she saw an opportunity, maybe her only chance to keep part of that herd in her life. With a completed bidder registration and some confidence, she left the auction with two spring calves. Those calves would become the start of Lady A Jerseys, a registered herd built not out of inheritance or legacy, but out of grit and love. Ohio State was transitioning Despite the shuffle, dreams were not lost, but gained at that dispersal sale. Ohio State was transitioning at the time to upgraded facilities, intended to improve herd efficiency. They operated three milking dairy units: Krauss Dairy and the ATI Dairy in the Wooster area, and Waterman Farms in Columbus all of which served as teaching and research facilities. In 2021, the Jersey herd at the ATI Dairy was fully dispersed in an auction. All remaining lactating cows in Wooster were relocated to the Krauss Dairy Center, while the ATI facility shifted its focus to raising replacement heifers, a decision made by OSU to drive operational efficiency, maximize resource utilization. The final phase of the universitys dairy facilities renovation in Columbus is expected to wrap up in 2025, when Waterman Farms installs new robotic milking systems in preparation for the return of its Jersey herd, set to move back in around November. But on that Friday afternoon in June 2021, Wrestler secured her calves in the shuffle, even getting into a bidding war against Ohio State which was trying to retain specific genetics. The start of something new Werstler did not grow up on a dairy farm. Her livestock roots ran through the farrowing barn, where her mom once carried her in a baby carrier while pulling pigs. A classic 4-H kid, she showed beef cattle, turkeys and horses in Wayne County. While her family stopped farrowing pigs during her early teen years, Werstler never let the barn door close. Months after purchasing her first two calves, fall came around, along with the Ohio Fall Jersey Production Sale. She bought two heifers and one bull calf, all while still a student. The local farm she later worked at during school, Esselburn Dairy, raised the calves until graduation. Then her family retrofitted the old family pig barn for her new herd. By 2023, Werstler had bred and raised her first generation. Almost 20 cows later, Lady A Jerseys have been sold as calves to local 4-H members, steers have been processed for beef and her animals are registered through the American Jersey Cattle Association, identifiable by their pink ear tags, a personalized brand of Lady A Jerseys. The calves and steers are raised at her barn, while the milking cows and bred heifers stay at a neighboring farm that she tends to. Her commitment to building a herd and preserving the Jersey legacy led to another purchase a few years later. I actually bought a heifer that traced back to my oldest cow it was neat, she said. To Werstlers knowledge, only one other person in Wayne County still owns part of that original ATI jersey herd, a point of pride in keeping Jersey genetics and small-scale herds alive in the region. At auctions cattle can head all across the Midwest and Northeast, but Abbey wanted to keep this special herd here, the herd that changed her path to dairy. A resilient journey Buying cows was the easy part; being with them every day was harder. Werstler was always the ag kid in her writing classes at Ohio States Columbus campus. She graduated knowing Wayne County would always be home, but at the time, she was not sure what came next. To pursue her love of livestock and communication, she found roles ranging from staff writer to community banker. But she admitted, It is challenging when you are in a job you just do not see a career in. She wanted to be present mentally and physically in a career, and she could only find that in farming. With pressure to settle into a regular full-time office job, Werstler was determined to not let go of the herd she was building. Im not going to start something and give it all away, she said. At the beginning of 2025, she received the call that would allow her to work with cows full-time at Steffen Dairy Farm. This now gave her the flexibility to pursue a full-time career in dairy production and build her personal herd. A mentor, show-woman The market and the mission of her solo business lies in the hands of young 4-H members. A former 4-Her herself, Werstler now serves as an advisor for the Wayne County Hoof-N-Hide 4-H Club. In a single day, she moves between her work at Steffen Farms, chores for her herd and mentoring 4-H kids. When a new calf is born, it makes Werstler smile knowing my herd is growing and gives me more opportunities for 4-H youth. Still active in the ring, Werstler hauls heifers to open all-breed shows, getting the cows out, helping kids and sharing her passion for agriculture. Her dream, much like the kids she mentors, is to win a class at the Ohio State Fair and show at World Dairy Expo. Serving on the Wayne County Farm Bureau Board since 2022, she has brought a fresh perspective, representing young and beginning livestock producers. Among her proudest moments in advocacy are speaking at her alma mater, Triway High School, and inspiring the next generation through school visits to Shreve Elementary. Werstler plans to continue working at Steffen Farms milking and managing herd health as full-time staff. In addition, she will grow her herd and support her fiance, David, who also farms in the county. She admits the dairy industry comes with uncertainty. Many farms in her area have shuttered their barns and sold off their cows. Its sad, she said. There are people just like me who still want to raise cows. But when barns close and auctions end, not every dream disappears in the shuffle of the dairy industry. Some are just getting started. SALEM, Ohio More than 15,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture employees have left their jobs since March, part of a sweeping reorganization plan that remains stalled by a court challenge. The reduction in force comes amid nearly $7 billion in proposed budget reductions for the department unveiled by President Donald Trumps administration on May 30. Framed in the budget summary as a push to safeguard our country from fiscal ruin, the budget plan touts reduced federal spending, sweeping tax cuts, deregulation and trade realignment as pillars of an agenda that will set the stage for the next generation of American greatness. The USDA said it is eliminating wasteful spending, refocusing services on farmers and moving away from programs seen as serving the interests of Washington bureaucrats who have never set foot in a field or pasture. Behind the scenes, Kevin Shea, a longtime USDA stalwart based in Washington, D.C. who retired in January after serving as Deputy Administrator for Policy and Program Development for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, described a department grappling with low morale and mounting strain. Theres simply no way that they can reduce 15,000 positions and not have it felt by farmers and ranchers, Shea said. The real story Shea, who served as a senior advisor and transition manager across multiple administrations, called the 15,000 position reduction tremendous, noting that many of the losses came from the very offices that serve farmers directly. The biggest chunk of (job) cuts comes from the most directly farmer-facing group, Shea told Farm and Dairy in an interview, referring to the Farm Production and Conservation unit, which houses the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. That cant help but be hard on individual farmers and ranchers, Shea said. In addition to the job losses, the 2026 proposed budget predicts further strain for those and other USDA agencies: funding for the FSA would be reduced by $372 million compared to the previous year, while the NRCS would face a staggering $754 million cut. While the department and administration have emphasized that many employees are leaving voluntarily, Shea said the reality is more complicated, and that most of those leaving likely wouldnt have done so without the mounting pressure theyve faced. According to him, that pressure includes subtle intimidation, fears of surveillance and direct signals that jobs may soon be eliminated anyway. The real story is theyve been either intimidated or discouraged and demoralized, or essentially told, Your jobs likely to be eliminated anyway, so just go ahead and leave, Shea said. In addition to the voluntary buyouts, more than 5,000 USDA probationary employees were let go in early February as part of a government-wide mass layoffs, only to later be reinstated by a court order. In response to a question about the agencys shrinking workforce, a USDA spokesperson noted that Rollins signed a directive allowing 53 job types to bypass the federal hiring freeze, positions considered essential for protecting public safety, national forests and the countrys food supply. President Biden and Secretary Vilsack left USDA in complete disarray, including hiring thousands of employees with no sustainable way to pay them, the USDA said. Secretary Rollins is working to reorient the department to be more effective and efficient at serving the American people, including by prioritizing farmers, ranchers, and producers. She will not compromise the critical work of the Department. Background Pressure has been building since Jan. 28, when the Office of Personnel Management emailed federal employees with a deferred resignation offer. Workers were given a choice: stay in their current positions with no guarantee of job security, or leave with a dignified, fair departure and receive full benefits and pay through Sept. 30. The first decision window closed on Feb. 12. A second round followed a month later, offering roughly five months severance to those who chose to exit. As of May 1, 15,182 USDA employees had accepted the buyout, according to a department spokesperson. The shakeup within the USDA and the federal government at large has since collided with several legal challenges. Following a federal court ruling temporarily blocking efforts to fire probationary employees, the USDA was required to reverse course, restoring those employees to paid status, providing back pay and initiating a phased plan to bring them back to work. The wave of disruption started with Executive Order 14210, issued by Trump on Feb. 11, which launched what the White House called the Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative. The order directed agencies to prepare for sweeping staff reductions, particularly in functions not mandated by statute or other law, including diversity, equity and inclusion programs. In the weeks following the order, Russell Vought, director of the White Houses Office of Management and Budget, and Charles Ezell, acting director of OPM, issued a memo accusing the federal bureaucracy that came before it of funding unproductive and unnecessary programs that benefit radical interest groups and demanding agencies submit reorganization plans identifying what roles and offices could be eliminated or relocated. However, those plans were soon met with resistance. In April, a coalition of labor unions, nonprofits and local governments filed a legal challenge, making the argument that such a dismantling violated the Constitution. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston agreed, and on May 9 issued a temporary restraining order halting further action by the agencies named in the lawsuit including the USDA from executing planned layoffs or releasing reorganization blueprints. In her ruling, Illston wrote, It is the prerogative of presidents to pursue new policy priorities and to imprint their stamp on the federal government. But to make large-scale overhauls of federal agencies, any president must enlist the help of his co-equal branch and partner, the Congress. The restraining order was extended on May 22. It was widely reported that USDAs was originally expected to be released on May 27. When asked about the pending litigation, a USDA spokesperson declined to comment, referring all inquiries to the Department of Justice. Decisions As the legal battle over the departments reorganization carries on, the ripple effects continue to be felt by former staffers such as Nicolai Solomon, a remote worker out of Asheville, North Carolina, who once helped champion the departments public service mission and is now charting a new path forward. Solomon worked on initiatives supporting local food systems until the Trump administrations offer to resign his position with full pay and benefits until Sept. 30 led him to leave government and launch his own business aimed at helping nonprofits secure critical funding. He joined the USDA after serving in the Peace Corps in Zambia, where he supported agriculture programs like fish farming, followed by graduate school in North Carolina. And that really got me down the path of giving back, wanting to provide and help people live better lives, Solomon said. Since 2022, he was part of the team administering the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which supported getting locally grown food into school cafeterias and strengthening regional food supply chains, efforts he described as something I really wanted to be a part of. The programs Solomon worked for were canceled by the administration in March. Seeing the writing on the wall, he opted into the second round of buyouts For his part, he said his time at USDA helped him understand both the promise and the limitations of government service. I think I learned so much from my government experiences. Just getting a little taste of how government works, he said. Its just people making decisions that they think are the best to help other people. A major shake-up of Scotlands crofting laws has been unveiled today, promising to cut red tape, empower rural communities, and streamline land regulation. The Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill proposes key reforms to make crofting regulation more accessible and less burdensome. The Scottish government's bill also aims to give local farmers and their communities a stronger voice in how shared land is managed. One of the central measures is the strengthening of grazing committees, which oversee the use of common land. The Scottish government said this would ensure that decision-making was better aligned with the interests of crofters and the wider rural community. The Bill also outlines plans to merge the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, creating a single body to be known as the Scottish Land Court. Crucially, the new court will retain the statutory requirement for a Gaelic-speaking member, preserving cultural accessibility and representation. Crofting plays a vital role in the fabric of communities throughout much of the Highlands, Islands and Argyll. Across these regions, crofters are working the land, raising livestock, and contributing to the protection of the environment and local biodiversity. Over the past decade, more than 31m has been committed through the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme, while since 2007, the Scottish government has approved 26m in Croft House Grant payments. However, Jim Fairlie, Scotland's Agriculture Minister, noted that existing crofting legislation was "complex and difficult to navigate". "This bill allows us to make a range of simplifications and improvements to the way crofting is administered, which will benefit crofters," he said. The merger of the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland into the expanded Scottish Land Court will provide a more efficient administration of the services offered at present and result in greater simplicity, coherence and flexibility. The proposals have been shaped by engagement with the industry, with the majority of respondents to the 2024 Crofting Consultation expressing support for the reforms. The decision to unify the courts follows a separate public consultation, fulfilling a pledge to introduce legislation within the current parliamentary term. A new campaign is urging the government to ensure that British food and farming are fairly and accurately represented in the school curriculum. The campaign, launched by the NFU, follows the governments announcement last summer of a long-overdue review of the national curriculum. This review is intended to examine how education can better prepare young people for real-world challenges and equip them with the skills to thrive. The NFU says it sees this as an opportunity to embed a more accurate understanding of agriculture, sustainability, and food systems into classroom learning. The organisation believes that British farmings contribution to food security, environmental stewardship and career opportunities must be better represented in schools. According to the NFU: As the government looks at changes that will shape a generation, they are pressing for an accurate, fair representation of the many benefits that British food and farming has to offer, something that hasnt always been the case. Its campaign sets out two central asks: To improve the quality of food education in schools and to undertake an urgent review of the GCSE Biology subject content relating to farming and food security. The union is also calling on the public to support the campaign's petition, helping amplify the message to decision-makers in Westminster. Your support will help ensure that British food and farming is represented fairly and accurately across the education system, by calling for the government to update the school curriculum," the NFU says. The organisation argues that this curriculum change could deliver tangible benefits for farming businesses now and into the future. By educating students on the value of locally sourced food and farmers' high standards, the next generation of consumers will be empowered to make informed, health-conscious and environmentally responsible choices. The NFU says: British farms will see economic benefits in the short-term as young people encourage their parents to buy British, and in the long-term, when children develop and make the conscious decision to buy British throughout their adult lives. Furthermore, it believes that raising awareness about agriculture in schools could help address a looming skills gap in the sector. Being aware that these jobs actually exist is the first step towards young people wanting to seek out a career in the industry," the NFU adds. "Ensuring that children are equipped with the skills necessary to pursue these careers is the key to guaranteeing that we have enough people wanting to join the industry. The union has also voiced concern about how farming is portrayed in science education. It points out that most students take science at GCSE, yet the current curriculum presents outdated views of agriculture. The GCSE Biology content currently refers to outdated farming practices that do not reflect the work that British farmers do, both for our food security and the environment," the NFU says. The union also argues that the curriculum fails to reflect the UKs world-leading animal welfare and environmental standards when compared with other global producers. The current content does not successfully compare global farming practices and food standards with the high food standards and positive practices adopted by British farmers and growers. Egypt's readymade garment (RMG) exports increased by 22 per cent year on year (YoY) during the first four months this year, reaching $1.028 billion, according to the Apparel Export Council of Egypt (AECE). Such exports rose by 25 per cent YoY to $223 million in April by 23 per cent YoY to $254 million in March. The United States remained Egypt's top RMG export destination, with exports to there totalling $384 million in the four-month perioda 11-per cent increase YoY. Europe followed, with exports to there jumping by 39 per cent YoY to $259 million. Egypt's garment exports rose by 22 per cent YoY during the first four months of 2025, reaching $1.028 billion, the Apparel Export Council of Egypt said. Such exports rose by 25 per cent YoY to $223 million in April by 23 per cent YoY to $254 million in March. The US was the top RMG export destination, with exports to there totalling $384 million in the perioda 11-per cent rise increase YoY. The countrys RMG exports to Arab countries grew modestly by 6 per cent YoY, reaching $190 million during the period, while exports to African nations (excluding Arab states) recorded the highest YoY rise of 101 per cent. Exports to other global markets surged by 50 per cent YoY, totalling $190 million between January and April this year, a domestic media outlet reported. AECE chairperson Fadel Marzouk attributed the sector's robust performance to improved global demand, a broader export base and the council's focused efforts to open new markets and diversify demand sources. The council aims at raising RMG exports by 30-35 per cent annually, and double such exports by 2031 to $12 billion. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) China yesterday accused the United States of seriously violating the May trade truce concluded in Geneva to temporarily reduce steep tariffs on both sides. We urge the US to work with China to immediately correct relevant wrong practices, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement. China has accused the US of violating the May trade truce, warning of resolute countermeasures if US actions continue. The truce had temporarily eased tariffs, but tensions have risen again over chip export curbs and visa bans. While US officials allege China has not upheld its part, Beijing rejected the claims. Trump and Xi are expected to speak this week. 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, it said. The ministry also pointed to US restrictions on artificial intelligence chip exports and visa bans for Chinese students as evidence of escalating discriminatory restrictive measures, according to global newswires. The truce last month led Washington to reduce tariffs imposed on goods from China from 145 per cent to 30 per cent, while Beijings retaliatory tariffs lowered from 125 per cent to 10 per cent. The truce deal lasts for 90 days. However, Trump accused Beijing late last week of violating the truce, without specifying how. 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. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a TV network that China was slow-rolling the agreement. Beijing, however, dismissed these accusations. 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 Chinese Commerce Ministry statement said yesterday. The United States is scheduled to double its current tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25 per cent to 50 per cent beginning tomorrow. Meanwhile, the White House said President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping are expected to speak this week. I can confirm that the two leaders will likely talk this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Despite Trumps earlier claims that a conversation had taken place, Beijing has denied any recent communication. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Sales increased by 14% to $23,449,999 Gross profits increased by 26% to $8,791,004 Product gross margins increased by 2.1% to 44.5% Store profits increased by 60% to $2,712,878 Same store sales increased by 16% in 2025 compared to 2024 (i) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 2, 2025) - PesoRama Inc. (TSXV: PESO) ("PesoRama" or the "Company"), a Canadian company operating dollar stores in Mexico under the JOi Dollar Plus Stores brand, today announced its financial results for the year ended January 31, 2025 ("FY 2025"). All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. "As the only true dollar store company in Mexico, we are constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible," said Rahim Bhaloo, Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board of PesoRama. "Creating a new market space requires strategic thinking, operational excellence, and execution, which is reflected in our financial results. During the fiscal year 2025, we saw an increase in-store traffic of 36%, over the fiscal year 2024. We attribute this to the success of our unique merchandising strategies, product assortment, and overall customer experience. Our JOi Dollar Plus Stores are increasing in popularity as we continue to expand our footprint and brand loyalty. We believe our growth strategy is being proven out by our success and we are meeting the needs of the cost-conscious shopper in an underserved market that will ultimately drive long-term value for our shareholders." Key Highlights: 2025 vs 2024 Multi-price points continue to lead to increased product assortment and increased growth of new product categories across all departments. Store profits increased by 60% to $2,712,878 for the year ended January 31, 2025, an increase of $1,016,073 from the year ended January 31, 2024. Total sales increased by 14% to $23,449,999 due to organic growth of existing stores as well as two new stores opened in October 2024 and December 2024. Gross profits increased by $1,796,307 to $8,791,004, primarily driven by an increase in revenue of 14% compared to an increase in cost of sales of 8%. Product gross margins increased by 2.1% from $8,696,378 or 42.4% to $10,424,204 or 44.5% due primarily to an increase in revenue from the increase in product assortment. (i) same store sales stated in local currency Other Performance Metrics: 2025 vs 2024 Average ticket increased by 9.3% as a result of increase in demand and increased product assortment. Same store sales increased by 16% in 2025 compared to 2024(i). Key Achievements 2025 On October 26, 2024, the Company opened its 24th Joi Dollar Plus store location, covering approximately 554 square-meter. The store is located in the famous Condesa neighborhood in Mexico City. On December 21, 2024, the Company opened its 25th JOi Dollar Plus store in Portal Centenario, Mexico City. This 413-square-meter location is situated in the Alvaro Obregon municipality, which has a population of approximately 759,137 inhabitants. The new store enhances PesoRama's presence in high-traffic urban areas and aligns with the Company's strategy to expand in locations with strong consumer demand. On April 26, 2025, the Company opened its 26th JOi Dollar Plus store; a 406 square-meter location inside the "City Shops del Valle" mall in the Del Valle neighborhood. On May 31, 2025, the Company opened 27th JOi Dollar Plus store, a 481 square-meter location inside the "Patio Martin Carrera" mall in the Martin Carrera neighborhood. This earnings news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2025, which can be found on PesoRama's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About PesoRama Inc. PesoRama, operating under the JOi Dollar Plus Stores brand, is a Mexican value dollar store retailer. PesoRama launched operations in 2019 in Mexico City and the surrounding areas targeting high density, high traffic locations. PesoRama's 27 stores offer consistent merchandise offerings which include items in the following categories: household goods, pet supplies, seasonal products, party supplies, health and beauty, snack food items, confectionery and more. Non-IFRS Measures There are measures included in this news release that do not have a standardized meaning under international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures and metrics presented by other publicly traded companies. The Company includes these measures because it believes certain investors use them as a means of assessing financial performance. Adjusted gross margin, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, one-time transaction expenses and financing costs. Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross profit plus distribution costs divided by sales. We prepare and release quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial information used to evaluate our performance in this and other earnings releases and investor conference calls as a complement to results provided in accordance with IFRS. We believe that current shareholders and potential investors in the Company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted gross margin, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA in making investment decisions about the Company and measuring its operational results. Management believes that investors and financial analysts measure our business on the same basis, and we are providing the adjusted gross margin, operating profit, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA as financial metrics to assist in this evaluation and to provide a higher level of transparency into how we measure our own business. Adjusted EBITDA is more fully defined and discussed, and reconciliation to IFRS financial measures is provided, in Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the year ended January 31, 2025. Cautionary Note This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, among other things, statements regarding the Company's planned expansion, new store openings and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate. While the Company believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements, including due to changes in consumer behaviour, general economic factors, the ability of the Company to execute its strategies, the availability of capital and the risk factors which are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's prospectus dated January 31, 2022 and filed under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. PesoRama undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of PesoRama, its securities, or its financial or operating results (as applicable). Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254293 SOURCE: PesoRama Inc. Farmers across the EU have pledged their support for This is Not a Farm , a campaign petitioning the EU for reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) , a campaign petitioning the EU for reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Research shows up to 70% of farmers across key EU states say they feel forgotten, disrespected or unrecognised despite being core to Europe's food system WeMove Europe and small and pioneering farmers' groups are urging citizens of the EU to sign a petition ahead of key CAP talks A series of Magritte-inspired Surrealist artwork appeared outside the European Parliament confronting policymakers with a visual warning about the future of farming in Europe, and a call to align the EU's 386 billion farm subsidy system with the Green Deal. WeMove Europe, the independent campaign group made up of more than 750,000 people across Europe behind the stunt, have called for urgent CAP reform demanding fairer subsidies, stronger market regulation, and greater support for sustainable, small-and medium-sized farms. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602570459/en/ BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: Sinister Portrayal Of Industrial Agriculture appears outside European Parliament as WeMove Europe calls for reforms to EU Farming policies in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty Images for WeMove Europe) The action is backed by a coalition of farmer groups, environmental organisations and over 100,000 citizens across Europe. They argue the current subsidy system rewards intensive agriculture at the expense of small and sustainable farms. More than five million farms have disappeared across the EU since 2005, while 80% of CAP funds go to just 20% of recipients. Polling released earlier this year shows up to 70% of farmers in Spain, Italy and Poland feel forgotten by policymakers despite most expressing pride in their work and support for environmental action. Morgan Ody, a vegetable producer from Bretagne, France, and member of European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC), says: "Alongside ensuring fair prices, a strong CAP budget is essential to tackle the challenges farmers face today. But that public money must be used to keep rural areas alive by regulating markets and supporting the transition to agroecology and more sustainable food systems not to fuel the industrialisation of farming or line shareholders' pockets." Styled in homage to Magritte's famous 'Treachery of Images', the artworks unveiled carry captions such as "Ceci n'est pas une pomme" and "Ceci n'est pas une ferme". Their message: Europe's farm policy no longer feeds people it feeds corporate consolidation. The full collection is viewable at www.notfarming.com. The aim is to challenge outdated "postcard" perceptions of farming and spark honest discussion among policymakers about who the current system really serves. In many European areas, one in three farms has ceased operations, while subsidised overproduction drives prices so low that some farmers earn less than it costs them to produce. In France and Spain, for example, milk is often sold below production cost a market failure propped up by the CAP. Giulio Carini, communications manager at WeMove Europe says: "Our farming system is rigged. Small farmers are being pushed off the land while agribusiness giants cash in on public money. Discussions about the future of the CAP need to address what we are paying for, not just how much money is allocated to it. We need to support farmers and reward them for protecting our nature and climate, on which they rely. We're calling on people across Europe to stand up for fair prices, healthy food, and a future where small sustainable farmers and nature can thrive. This is our moment to demand our EU leaders fix this broken system." In full, the coalition is calling for: Fair prices for farmers that reflect the full cost of sustainable food production that reflect the full cost of sustainable food production Stronger market regulation , including supply management and minimum price guarantees , including supply management and minimum price guarantees Greater support for small and medium-sized farms over industrial agribusiness over industrial agribusiness A just transition to agroecology to protect soil health, climate, biodiversity, and food sovereignty to protect soil health, climate, biodiversity, and food sovereignty Access to healthy, sustainable food for all, ensuring that good food is affordable and available, and that people can make real choices about what they eat, without hidden environmental or health costs. These reforms are essential not only for securing farmers' futures, but also for delivering on the EU Green Deal ensuring that Europe's food system supports climate, nature and communities alike. People across Europe can urge the EU to act by signing the petition at www.notfarming.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602570459/en/ Contacts: info@wemove.eu Jacksonville, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Real Check Stubs, a trusted leader in digital financial documentation with years of industry experience, announced the launch of its new W-2 Generator and an expanded collection of paystub templates. These additions enhance the company's comprehensive suite of financial documentation tools, which already includes a widely used paystub generator trusted by thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/253641_4b848652d44b0ab4_001full.jpg The newly released W-2 form maker complements Real Check Stubs' existing services, offering businesses, independent contractors, freelancers, and self-employed individuals a complete solution for managing and documenting their income throughout the year. Real Check Stubs' mission has always been to provide accessible, user-friendly tools that help people manage their financial documentation needs with ease and confidence. The addition of the W-2 Generator and new paystub templates is a natural extension of the company's services, giving customers more flexibility and a seamless way to handle both regular pay documentation and year-end tax forms all in one trusted platform. Enhanced Paystub Templates Real Check Stubs has also announced enhancements to its Paystub Generator as part of its ongoing product development. The tool now includes an expanded selection of templates-categorized as Advanced, Classic, and Modern-designed to support a range of user needs and preferences. The update provides users with detailed breakdowns of income, deductions, employer contributions, and year-to-date figures. These improvements reflect Real Check Stubs' commitment to evolving alongside customer expectations. The Paystub Generator is used by a broad user base, including employers, employees, contractors, freelancers, and the self-employed. Real Check Stubs reports having received over 1,100 verified reviews for the service, averaging a 4.93 out of 5 rating. These updates are designed to further streamline financial recordkeeping and enhance the accuracy and professionalism of payroll documentation. Newly Launched W-2 Form Generator Real Check Stubs has introduced a W-2 Generator designed to support users in preparing year-end wage and tax documentation. The tool offers a structured workflow that begins with selecting the appropriate form, followed by entering key information such as annual salary, marital status, and state of employment. Features such as auto-calculation and inline editing aim to help users complete the form accurately and efficiently. Once all fields are populated, users have the option to preview the document before proceeding to download. This step-by-step process is intended to assist with documentation and recordkeeping in accordance with standard practices but does not constitute tax or legal advice. Newly Launched W-2 Form Maker To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/253641_4b848652d44b0ab4_002full.jpg Employment Forms Real Check Stubs provides access to employment documentation tools designed to streamline standard HR processes. The platform offers editable templates for both Employment Acceptance and Employment Verification forms. These forms allow users to input company details, job titles, compensation terms, employment status, and other relevant information using a guided, step-by-step interface. Users can choose to edit the forms inline, preview the final version, and download the documents in a ready-to-use format. The structure of these forms is designed to assist with common employment documentation needs, including confirming job offers or verifying current employment, while maintaining flexibility for various organizational requirements. Real Check Stubs' online tools stand out for their speed, accuracy, and ease of use. Users can generate essential financial documents in three simple steps, with built-in checks to help ensure all information is complete and consistent. In today's fast-paced business environment, entrepreneurs and small business owners need documentation solutions that are both efficient and reliable. With thousands of stubs generated to date, Real Check Stubs has proven that its platform meets these needs. The new W-2 Generator and expanded template collection will further enhance customers' ability to create professional, customized financial documentation with confidence. About Real Check Stubs Founded over a decade ago, Real Check Stubs has established itself as a trusted provider of financial documentation tools. The company provides secure, easy-to-use tools for generating professional and accurate check stubs and W-2 forms that include typical income and employment details. With a commitment to customer satisfaction evidenced by its high ratings and positive testimonials, Real Check Stubs continues to innovate and expand its services to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals. For more information about Real Check Stubs and its services, visit https://www.realcheckstubs.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253641 SOURCE: GYT Orbis begins using Gefion, Denmark's first AI supercomputer Composed of 1,528 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, system is optimized for large-scale, AI-driven projects Enables significant expansion of macrocycle chemical space exploration by Orbis' n Gen platform New AI/ML capacity will leverage large proprietary datasets and generative AI to design novel orally available macrocycle alternatives to existing biologics Orbis Medicines, a leader in oral macrocycle drug discovery, and the Danish Center for AI Innovation (DCAI) today announced that Orbis has begun using Denmark's first AI supercomputer, Gefion, which is owned and operated by DCAI. Gefion will allow the company to accelerate its mission of developing oral alternatives to widely used biologics and targeting important intra- and extracellular proteins that are currently difficult or impossible to drug with orally bioavailable compounds. Orbis is pioneering the systematic discovery and development of targeted, orally available macrocycles for diseases and targets traditionally treated with biologics. The company develops compounds known as nCycles, which can address a wide range of validated protein targets with unique oral bioavailability and membrane permeability features. "Our advanced nGen platform helps us quickly create large numbers of custom-designed macrocycles with unique properties and broad medical applicability," said Orbis CEO Morten Graugaard. "By combining this platform with Gefion's computing power, we can extend beyond the nearly 140 billion compounds in our existing libraries to design entirely new collections of these molecules. This means we can explore an even broader range of chemical possibilities and more fully unlock the potential of macrocycles to improve healthcare." "Orbis' nGen platform, which has already been used to design, synthesize and test more than 700,000 individual nCycles, is an ideal application for Gefion's capabilities," said Orbis Medicines Board Chair Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D. "Combining the power of this supercomputer with our in-house target nCycle data collection, generative AI, and nCycle synthesis capabilities will accelerate the development of orally available macrocycles that have the potential to disrupt the current biologics market and provide new treatment options for patients." "Gefion is designed to deliver AI innovation at scale through immense computing power applied to the most challenging problems," said Dr. Nadia Carlsten, CEO of DCAI. "As a biomedical start-up with its own internal AI technology applied to drug design and the ability to generate vast data sets, Orbis is an ideal partner to demonstrate what Gefion can unlock when matched with specialist expertise." DCAI's Gefion supercomputer contains 1,528 NVIDIA GPUs and is optimized for large-scale AI-driven projects. Gefion enables innovators to utilize advanced computation to accelerate discovery in various fields, including biotechnology and drug discovery. Gefion has previously been used by researchers, start-ups, and large enterprises to develop new AI models and perform simulations in weather modeling, quantum computing, and business automation. About Orbis Medicines Orbis Medicines is pioneering a new era for oral macrocycle drug discovery. Its nGen platform systematically delivers macrocycle candidates, termed nCycles. These are optimized for oral bioavailability, which has historically hindered therapeutic development of this versatile class of molecules. Orbis' pipeline is initially focused on nCycle candidates against targets validated by blockbuster biologic drugs delivered by injection. Proof-of-concept of Orbis' work has been published inNature Communications and Nature Chemical Biology. The company has raised 116 million in venture funding to date, including a 90 million series A round led by NEA with new investors Lilly Ventures, Cormorant, EIFO and existing investors Forbion and Novo Holdings. Orbis is located in Copenhagen, Denmark and Lausanne, Switzerland. For more information, please visit: www.orbismedicines.com About nGen nGen is Orbis Medicines' technology platform for generating nCycles, a new class of fully synthetic macrocycle compounds optimized for oral bioavailability and membrane permeability. It consists of multiple proprietary integrated elements in a "lab in a loop" system starting with hit finding libraries of 100 billion compounds and target specific libraries designed by generative AI. The highly automated chemistry-based nGen platform can synthesize and screen up to 100,000 distinct synthetic macrocycles in weeks, allowing the company to discover candidates with the right properties to enable oral dosing and intracellular targeting. The scale and quality of the data produced from these real compounds, paired with machine learning and generative AI, creates an industry-leading platform that de-risks and accelerates development. About DCAI The Danish Centre for AI Innovation (DCAI) owns and operates Gefion, Denmark's flagship AI supercomputer, designed specifically for large-scale AI projects. Gefion ranks among the most powerful supercomputers globally powered by 1.528 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs. DCAI's mission is to lower the barrier for accessing advanced computing capabilities, enabling customers to innovate and fostering ecosystem growth. DCAI customers include academic researchers, startups, government institutions, and enterprise customers doing large scale innovation. DCAI was formed as a company and funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and EIFO in 2024. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602008140/en/ Contacts: Media: Matt Crenson Ten Bridge Communications (917) 640-7930 mcrenson@tenbridgecommunications.com General enquiries for DCAI Gefion hello@dcai.dk (+45) 35 27 66 00 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! LONDON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HSBC UK Private Banking is the first major UK bank to adopt Addepar's leading software platform designed specifically for wealth managers. This follows adoption in the US Private Bank, with rollout in the Channel Islands and Luxembourg to come later this year. HSBC UK Private Banking serves domestic and international ultra and high net worth clients, as well as family offices. As one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world, HSBC is committed to delivering superior client experience powered by leading digital solutions. The Addepar platform provides an enhanced client reporting experience, with complex aspects such as alternatives and account aggregation. Relationship managers and investment advisers can provide clients with bespoke, comprehensive performance data and insights on their investments with just a few clicks. Additionally, the platform can also aggregate performance for clients who hold investments with other wealth managers, meaning clients can see a full picture of their entire investment portfolio. Charles Boulton, Head of Private Banking, HSBC UK, said: "We're delighted to be adopting Addepar's wealth management software platform. Providing real-time, tailored client reporting across all asset types is essential to our clients. Addepar's platform will mean that our clients have the best possible insights at their fingertips to manage an increasingly complex financial landscape. Being able to present a client's entire portfolio to them so they have a holistic view of their wealth across multiple currencies and multiple wealth managers will be a big step forward for us." James Thomson, Head of Investment Counselling, HSBC UK Private Banking, said: "As a leader in the alternatives space, with more and more private banking clients wanting to have a proportion of their portfolio in this asset class, Addepar's advanced alternatives reporting capabilities was an important selling point. Our new reporting capabilities will mean our investment advisors can deliver deeper insights and greater transparency to our clients in a more efficient way, meaning they can spend more time on what matters most: providing our clients with high quality advice supported by robust analytics." Eric Poirier, CEO of Addepar said: "Addepar exists to bring greater transparency, connectivity, and intelligence to the global investment ecosystem. HSBC UK Private Banking's adoption of our platform reflects exactly that kind of forward-thinking leadership-embracing a solution designed to empower investors, advisers and their clients with a complete and timely data-driven perspective to confidently navigate complexity with actionable insights. As our first major UK bank partner, HSBC is redefining what it means to lead with data and deliver truly differentiated client experiences." About HSBC UK: HSBC UK serves over 15 million active customers across the UK, supported by 23,900 colleagues. HSBC UK offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. HSBC UK is a ring-fenced bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 58 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,017bn at 31 December 2024, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. About HSBC Global Private Banking HSBC Global Private Banking helps clients manage, grow and preserve their wealth for generations to come. Its network of global experts helps clients access investment opportunities around the world, plan for the future with wealth and succession planning, manage their portfolio with tailored solutions, and find the right support for their philanthropy. www.privatebanking.hsbc.com About Addepar Addepar is a global technology and data company that helps investment professionals provide the most informed, precise guidance for their clients. Hundreds of thousands of users have entrusted Addepar to empower smarter investment decisions and better advice over the last decade. With client presence in more than 50 countries, Addepar's platform aggregates portfolio, market and client data for over $7 trillion in assets. Addepar's open platform integrates with more than 100 software, data and services partners to deliver a complete solution for a wide range of firms and use cases. Addepar embraces a global flexible workforce model with offices in Silicon Valley, New York City, Salt Lake City, Chicago, London, Edinburgh, Pune and Dubai. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2299460/Addepar_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2701680/HSBC_UK_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hsbc-uk-private-banking-partners-with-addepar-to-provide-brand-new-client-reporting-experience-302471279.html EBC-129 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that selectively targets a novel, tumour-specific N-glycosylated epitope found on both CEACAM5 and CEACAM6. The expansion cohort for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in the ongoing Phase 1 trial has completed enrolment. Notably, 82% of patients had tumours expressing the antigen at levels considered treatable with EBC-129. EBC-129 demonstrated positive overall response rates and prolonged progression-free survival in PDAC patients that have been heavily pre-treated, including those that have received prior treatment with standard of care (SoC) typically containing taxanes. The US FDA also recently granted Fast Track Designation for EBC-129 in the treatment of PDAC patients. SINGAPORE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), Singapore's national platform for drug discovery and development, has announced the presentation of updated clinical data for the ongoing Phase 1 trial for EBC-129 at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. EBC-129 is a first-in-class antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting a novel, tumour-specific N256-glycosylated epitope on CEACAM5 and CEACAM6. The updated findings showed promising efficacy data from 21 heavily pre-treated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients across the dose escalation and the dose expansion portions of the Phase 1 study. Patients received EBC-129 at doses between 1.8 and 2.2 mg/kg, given once every 3 weeks. 17 out of 21 patients (81%) of the patients had received prior treatment with taxanes. 82% of patients had tumours which expressed the EBC-129 antigen at =1% at 3+ intensity and were therefore considered treatable. The overall response rates (ORRs) were 25% and 20%, with disease control rates (DCRs) of 87.5% and 63.6% and progression-free survival (PFS) of 19 and 12 weeks for 1.8 mg/kg and 2.2 mg/kg, respectively. "Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, particularly in the metastatic setting where resistance to standard therapies is common. The clinical signals observed with EBC-129 in refractory pancreatic adenocarcinoma, including tolerability, prolonged disease control and a confirmed response in a heavily pre-treated patient, are encouraging and clinically meaningful. Continued prioritisation of biology-guided trials targeting EBC-129 will be key to sustaining momentum in this important therapeutic effort," said Assistant Professor Robert W. Lentz, MD, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. This presentation follows the recent Fast Track Designation granted by the U.S. FDA for EBC-129 in the treatment of PDAC patients. This designation supports EDDC's efforts to accelerate the advancement of the programme through increased regulatory engagement and the potential for expedited review pathways. Other Results to Date The dose escalation study of the Phase 1 trial was open to all patients, while the ongoing dose expansion study comprises of three cohorts in PDAC, gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) and tumour-agnostic patients with other immunohistochemistry (IHC)-positive solid tumours. Recruitment for the GEA and IHC-positive cohorts is still ongoing. EBC-129 showed a manageable safety profile in the 58 patients treated so far, with uncomplicated neutropenia and infusion-related reactions as the main treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) observed. The EBC-129 antigen was also found to be highly expressed, with 52% to 100% of tumour tissues assessed during the trial showing moderate to high expression levels of =20% at 2+ and/or 3+. This included samples from gastroesophageal, appendiceal, colorectal and lung cancer patients, making EBC-129 a potentially viable treatment option for these cancers. "We have seen encouraging signs of efficacy of EBC-129 as a single-agent therapy, even in heavily pre-treated patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. This, combined with the observed safety profile, underscores the promise of EBC-129 as a possible treatment option for PDAC patients. As a first-in-class ADC that targets both CEACAM5 and CEACAM6, EBC-129 has also shown potential against a range of other solid tumours, and we look forward to expanding clinical evaluations with the ongoing dose expansion cohorts and accelerating the development of EBC-129 to address critical unmet needs in cancer," said Professor Damian O'Connell, CEO of EDDC. About EBC-129 EBC-129 is an ADC that targets a tumour-specific N256-glycosylation site conserved on CEACAM5 and CEACAM6. CEACAM5 and CEACAM6 are known to have functional importance in tumour formation, migration and metastasis. In the ongoing trial, the tumour-specific marker is found to be widely expressed in multiple solid tumour types, including gastric, oesophageal, pancreatic, lung, colorectal, and appendiceal cancers, based on an analytically validated immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. The payload used in EBC-129 is monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), which has been extensively tested and approved for clinical use in other marketed ADCs, and has demonstrated synergy with PD-1 inhibitors. The ongoing Phase 1 trial of EBC-129 is assessing the safety and tolerability of EBC-129 as a single agent and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumours. Enrolment for the PDAC cohort in the Phase 1 dose expansion study is now complete, while recruitment continues for the gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) and IHC-positive cohorts. For information about the trial, please visit?Clinicaltrial.gov, trial identifier NCT05701527. About the Experimental Drug Development Centre The Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC) is Singapore's national platform for drug discovery and development, formed from the integration of the Experimental Therapeutics Centre (ETC), Drug Discovery and Development (D3), and Experimental Biotherapeutics Centre (EBC) in 2019. EDDC aims to develop therapeutics and diagnostics that save and improve the lives of patients in Singapore, Asia and around the world. Hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), EDDC works collaboratively with public sector and industry partners to translate the great science arising from Singapore's biomedical and clinical sciences R&D into innovative healthcare solutions. For more information about EDDC, please visit?www.eddc.sg. - Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2697795/Full_Color_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/experimental-drug-development-centre-announces-the-presentation-of-updated-data-from-the-phase-1-study-of-antibody-drug-conjugate-ebc-129-at-the-2025-annual-meeting-of-the-american-society-of-clinical-oncology-asco-302468440.html Image description: TOC Europe 17-19 June 2025 Image available: pr@jltmobile.com Vaxjo, Sweden, 3rd June, 2025 * * * JLT Mobile Computers, a leading developer and supplier of reliable computers for demanding environments, invites media to experience its latest rugged vehicle-mount computers at TOC Europeon June 17-19, 2025. The annual conference in Rotterdam, Netherlands, brings together global port and terminal supply chain leaders. JLT will be at stand E:32 alongside Visy, a pioneer in optical character recognition (OCR) that integrates AI and deep learning into its vision-based terminal automation solutions. JLT's rugged computers support thousands of critical tasks every day and are essential for executing routines in container terminals. For example, Visy's latest user applications for crane operations run on JLT computers - helping terminal personnel work more efficiently and maintain the planned sequence of operations. At TOC Europe, JLT will showcase its portfolio of rugged vehicle-mount computers, spearheaded by JLT6105, the industry's first rugged vehicle-mount computer with a 15-inch full high-definition. Designed specifically for container terminals, these rugged computers enable 24/7 container throughput and optimize productivity in even the harshest environments.With over 25 years of experience in container handling environments, JLT's rugged devices are trusted by leading container terminals worldwide. They serve as the digital backbone for real-time data capture and reliable communications. Together, JLT's rugged hardware and Visy's smart automation solutions create value across the terminal - from wharf and yard to gates and parking areas." Introducing JLT6015: engineered to boost productivity and maximize TEU capacity JLT6015 is the industry's first to combine a superior full HD display, 1920 x 1080, with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. It delivers exceptional clarity and performance in harsh, constrained terminal environments. JLT6015 is future-ready with 5G (in Europe) and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, split-screen capabilities, and a rugged, dock-free design. JLT6015 gives operators the visibility and computing performance to keep terminals productive and connected. Peter Lundgren, Container Terminal Business Development Manager at JLT Mobile Computers, says, "JLT6015 harnesses the full potential of the latest software applications from Visy and opens new opportunities to optimize container terminal productivity and throughput." VERSO Series: Navis Ready validated for N4 Terminal Operating System Built for 24/7 operations in the most challenging terminal environments, VERSO Series is the optimal rugged computer for container terminals. Engineered to withstand salt, sand, or harsh weather, constant vibration, and round-the-clock shifts, it provides reliable performance throughout the terminal. It is designed to keep terminal operations moving, enhancing capacity, productivity, and container throughput. It is Navis Ready, allowing terminal operators to benefit from seamless integration, as compliance with the container terminal operating system is pre-verified. On display also the latest developments of JLT Insight, a software tool to assist in real time location and tracing of CHE:s, hence optimizing the use of the CHE fleet. Visit us at TOC Europe Be the first to experience JLT6015, explore VERSO Series and JLT's rugged vehicle-mount computers at TOC Europe at Visy'sstand E:32. Peter Lundgren, Business Development Manager Ports and Terminals Container Terminals, will be onsite to demonstrate. Book a meeting with Peter Lundgren. To learn more about JLT Mobile Computers, and the company's products, services and solutions, visit jltmobile.com. Financial information is available on JLT's investor page. Reader enquiries Press contact Certified Adviser JLT Mobile Computers pr@jltmobile.com (mailto:pr@jltmobile.com) Eminova Fondkommission AB Peter Lundgren Tel.: +46 08 684 211 10 Tel.: +46 70 669 7050 adviser@eminova.se (mailto:Adviser@eminova.se) peter.lundgren@jltmobile.com (mailto:peter.lundgren@jltmobile.com) www.jltmobile.com (https://jltmobile.com/sv/?utm_campaign=press_release_se__pd&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=Paid) www.eminova.se (https://www.eminova.se) About JLT Mobile Computers JLT Mobile Computers is a leading developer and supplier of rugged mobile computing devices and solutions for global and local port operators, in particular container terminals. Almost 30 years of development and manufacturing experience have enabled us to set the standard in rugged computing, combining outstanding product quality with expert service, support, and solutions. Operators depend on JLT computing devices in all their container handling equipment. Progress on share buyback programme ING announced today that, as part of our 2.0 billion share buyback programme announced on 2 May 2025, in total 2,989,673 shares were repurchased during the week of 26 May 2025 up to and including 30 May 2025. The shares were repurchased at an average price of 18.74 for a total amount of 56,038,327.31. For detailed information on the daily repurchased shares, individual share purchase transactions and weekly reports, see the ING website at www.ing.com/investorrelations. In line with the purpose of the programme to reduce the share capital of ING, the total number of shares repurchased under this programme to date is 20,055,856 at an average price of 18.49 for a total consideration of 370,833,357.47. To date approximately 18.54% of the maximum total value of the share buyback programme has been completed. Note for editors For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroom. 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ING's ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as 'AA' in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics' view, ING's management of ESG material risk is 'Strong'. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that's not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate. IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 ('Market Abuse Regulation'). ING Group's annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ('IFRS- EU'). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2024 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding. Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to di?er materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. 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Attachment Definitive completion of the reserved capital increase and the private placement announced on May 20, 2025, for a total definitive amount of ~8.6 million, enabling the acquisition of 80 BTC for ~7.7 million Definitive completion of the convertible bond issuance announced on May 26, 2025, for a total amount of ~55.3 million, subscribed by Fulgur Ventures, enabling the acquisition of 544 BTC for ~52.5 million BTC Yield of 1,097.6% YTD and 47.9% QTD BTC Gain of 439 BTC YTD and 296.6 BTC QTD BTC Gain of ~42.3 million YTD and ~28.6 million QTD Total group holdings of 1,471 BTC for ~131.9 million at ~89,687 per bitcoin Puteaux, June 3, 2025: The Blockchain Group (ISIN code: FR0011053636, ticker: ALTBG) (the Company ), listed on Euronext Growth Paris, Europe's first Bitcoin Treasury Company, holding subsidiaries specialized in Data Intelligence, AI, and decentralized technology consulting and development, confirms the definitive completion of the reserved capital increase and the private placement announced on May 20, 2025, for a total definitive amount of ~8.6 million, enabling the acquisition of 80 BTC for ~7.7 million, as well as the definitive completion of the convertible bond issuance announced on May 26, 2025, for a total amount of ~55.3 million, subscribed by Fulgur Ventures, allowing the acquisition of 544 BTC for ~52.5 million. Since the beginning of the year, the Group has achieved a BTC Yield of ~1,097.6%, a BTC Gain of ~439 BTC, and a BTC Gain of ~42.3 million. As of today, The Blockchain Group and its subsidiary The Blockchain Group Luxembourg SA hold a total of 1,471 BTC, with a total acquisition value of ~131.9 million, based on an average price of ~89,687 per bitcoin. The Company thus reinforces its Bitcoin accumulation strategy, while continuing to develop the operational activities of its subsidiaries. As communicated on April 30, 2025, a presentation containing an explanation of the Company's Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy, focused on increasing the number of bitcoin per fully diluted share over time, is available on its website: https://www.theblockchain-group.com/investor/news-financial-information/ Definitive completion of the capital increase announced on May 20, 2025 It is recalled that the Company's Board of Directors ("Conseil d'Administration") decided on May 19, 2025, using the delegated authority granted by the shareholders' meeting held on February 21, 2025, under the terms of its 5th resolution, on an issuance, without pre-emptive rights for shareholders and in favor of named persons, of 3,368,258 new ordinary shares of the Company at a price of 1.2790 per share. At the same meeting, the Board of Directors also decided on a capital increase without pre-emptive rights for shareholders through an offering exclusively targeting a limited circle of investors acting on their own behalf or qualified investors, as referred to in Article L. 411-2, 1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code ("Code monetaire et financier") for a total nominal value of 135,934.44, through the issuance of 3,398,361 new ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.04 each, corresponding to a total subscription amount of 4,346,503.72. At its meeting held on May 27, 2025, the Board of Directors acknowledged the release of a total amount of 8,554,504.53 corresponding to the fully paid-up subscription of 6,688,432 new ordinary shares, and consequently confirmed the definitive completion of the reserved capital increase as well as the private placement capital increase decided on May 19, 2025, based on the subscriptions effectively received, as follows: Investors Number of shares Amount () Robbie van den Oetelaar 2,000,000 2,558,000.00 TOBAM BITCOIN TREASURY OPPORTUNITIES FUND 390,931 500,000.75 Yves Choueifaty* 390,931 500,000.75 Quadrille Capital - Disruption Fund Master 586,396 750,000.48 Private Placement 3,320,174 4,246,502.55 TOTAL 6,688,432 8,554,504.53 * Yves Choueifaty is also President of TOBAM Following this operation, the Company's share capital is now 4,354,516.80, divided into 108,862,920 ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.04 each, fully subscribed and released. Definitive completion of the ~55.3 million convertible bond issuance subscribed by Fulgur Ventures On May 26, 2025, the Company announced its decision to carry out, through its wholly-owned Luxembourg-based subsidiary "The Blockchain Group Luxembourg SA", a convertible bond issuance for a total amount of ~55.3 million, corresponding to the full exercise of the subscription rights for OCA Tranche 2 (referred as "OCA B-02") reserved for Fulgur Ventures. The OCA B-02 thereby issued in favor of Fulgur Ventures will entitle its holder, upon conversion, to subscribe to a maximum of 78.166.612 new ordinary shares of the Company at a subscription price of 0.707 per share, representing a 30% premium over the subscription price of the OCA Tranche 1. The OCA B-02 will be convertible into new ordinary shares of the Company at any time during the conversion period, provided that the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of the Company's shares over 20 consecutive trading days reaches at least 130% of the conversion price. The transaction does not require the preparation of a prospectus subject to approval by the AMF. The Company confirms this day that the OCA B-02 were definitively subscribed by Fulgur Ventures as follows: Subscriber OCA B-02 Fulgur Ventures 55,279,428 TOTAL 55,279,428 The main characteristics of the OCA B-02 issuance were detailed in the May 26, 2025 press release. Impact of the operations on the Company's share capital structure The impact of the definitive completion of the capital increase announced on May 20, 2025, and the convertible bond issuance subscribed by Fulgur Ventures announced on May 26, 2025, on the Company's share capital distribution is as follows: Situation as of June 3, 2025 Fully diluted basis (*) Shareholders Number of shares % capital Number of shares % capital Executives 11,899,918 10.93% 14,866,131 4.97% Fulgur Ventures - 0.00% 145,911,009 48.74% Adam Back 3,666,666 3.37% 35,728,729 11.94% TOBAM 4,049,911 3.72% 8,009,187 2.68% UTXO Management - 0.00% 3,713,919 1.24% Free Shares** - 0.00% 1,880,000 0.63% Public & Institutional 89,246,425 81.98% 89,246,425 29.81% TOTAL 108,862,920 100% 299,355,400 100% (*) Calculations were made based on the number of shares comprising the Company's share capital as of June 3, 2025, adding the number of shares resulting from (i) the conversion of all issued OCA B-01 and OCA B-02 (ii) the issuance of Free Shares whose grant has been decided, and (iii) the capital increase decided on May 19, 2025. The Company notes that the fully diluted basis does not include the potential addition of shares resulting from (i) the conversion of BSA 2025-01 issued as announced on April 7, 2025, and (ii) adjustment measures in favor of OCA holders. (**) Free shares, the allocation of which has been decided but not yet effectively issued as of today, included in the situation as of June 3, 2025, in the fully diluted basis. The Company also reminds of the potential addition of shares to its share capital resulting from (i) the conversion of the BSA 2025-01 issued as announced on April 7, 2025, and (ii) legal adjustment measures for OCA holders. The breakdown of these is as follows: Shareholders Shares that could be issued as part of the exercising of the BSA 2025-01 Shares that could be issued as part of legal adjustment measures for OCA holders Total Executives 1,699,988 423,744 2,123,732 Fulgur Ventures 0 9,677,771 9,677,771 Adam Back 523,809 2,126,565 2,650,374 TOBAM 0 262,605 262,605 UTXO Management 0 530,559 530,559 Public & Institutional 11,116,837 0 11,116,837 TOTAL 13,340,634 13,021,244 26,361,878 Expansion of the Company's bitcoin holdings The Blockchain Group announces the definitive completion of the acquisition of an additional 80 BTC using the proceeds from the definitive completion of the capital increase announced on May 20, 2025, as well as an additional 524 BTC using the proceeds from the convertible bond issuance subscribed by Fulgur Ventures and announced on May 26, 2025, representing a total acquisition of 624 BTC as part of the continuation of its Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy. Banque Delubac & Cie (DASP registered with the AMF), executed the acquisition of the BTC using the proceeds from the capital increase, and was entrusted with their secure custody via the technological solution of Swiss company Taurus, a world leader in infrastructures for digital assets. Swissquote Bank Europe SA, a virtual asset service provider (VASP) registered with the Luxembourg regulator (CSSF), executed the acquisition of the BTC using the proceeds from the convertible bond issuance and was entrusted with their secure custody via the technological solution of Swiss company Taurus. Detail of the group's BTC acquisitions: Reported Date BTC Acquisition BTC Acquisition Cost Basis Total BTC Holdings Total BTC Cost Basis Total BTC Cost Total BTC Net Asset Value June 2, 2025 624 96,447 1,471 89,687 131,929,311 141,874,161 May 22, 2025 227 93,518 847 84,706 71,746,119 79,209,857 March 26, 2025 580 81,550 620 81,480 50,517,503 50,560,770 December 4, 2024 25 90,511 40 80,468 3,218,718 3,261,985 November 5, 2024 15 63,729 15 63,729 955,941 1,223,244 Note: Total BTC Net Asset Value as of June 3, 2025, is based on the acquisition cost by BTC of the latest acquisition as of the date of this press release. It is also recalled that the announced and ongoing transactions, namely the issuance of OCA B-02 subscribed by UTXO Management and the issuance of OCA B-03 subscribed by Moonlight Capital, announced on May 26, 2025, could enable the acquisition of an additional 60 BTC, bringing the Company's potential total holdings to 1,531 BTC. The amounts indicated have been established based on an assumed theoretical value of BTC set at approximately 100,000, as well as an allocation of 95% of the funds to reinforce its Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy, rounded down to the nearest multiple of ten as a conservative measure. The final amount of subscriptions to the OCAs, as well as the final amount of capital increases that may result from the conversion of the OCAs, will be determined by the Board of Directors based on the value of BTC at the time of its receipt in the wallet of The Blockchain Group Luxembourg SA held with Swissquote, in accordance with the terms of the OCA Subscription Agreements. Achievement of a BTC Yield of 1,097.6% YTD and 47.9% QTD The Group has achieved a 'BTC Yield' of 1,097.6% YTD and 47.9% QTD. Details are as follows: Year To Date (YTD): Reported Date Total BTC Holdings Issued Common Shares Fully Diluted Shares1 BTC (sats) per Fully Diluted Share2 'BTC Yield' YTD3 'BTC Gain' YTD 'BTC Gain' YTD June 2, 2025 1,471 108,862,920 299,355,400 491 1,097.6% 439.0 42,342,772 May 22, 2025 847 102,174,488 214,500,356 394 861.0% 344.4 32,206,732 March 26, 2025 620 93,384,449 186,413,170 332 709.8% 283.9 23,152,139 December 4, 2024 40 93,384,449 95,264,449 41 141.2% 21.2 1,916,705 November 5, 2024 15 85,051,121 85,051,121 17 Quarter To Date (QTD): Reported Date Total BTC Holdings Issued Common Shares Fully Diluted Shares1 BTC (sats) per Fully Diluted Share2 'BTC Yield' QTD3 'BTC Gain' QTD 'BTC Gain' QTD June 2, 2025 1,471 108,862,920 299,355,400 491 47.9% 296.9 28,637,913 May 22, 2025 847 102,174,488 214,500,356 394 18.7% 115.8 10,827,822 March 26, 2025 620 93,384,449 186,413,170 332 709.8% 283.9 23,152,139 December 4, 2024 40 93,384,449 95,264,449 41 141.2% 21.2 1,916,705 November 5, 2024 15 85,051,121 85,051,121 17 The number of shares on a fully diluted basis includes (i) the total number of ordinary shares outstanding, (ii) the shares that would be issued upon the full conversion of all currently issued convertible bonds of the Company, and (iii) the free shares granted. BTC per Fully Diluted Share is calculated by dividing Total BTC Holdings by the Fully Diluted Shares outstanding at the end of each period. The result is then expressed as satoshis (sats) per Fully Diluted Shares outstanding, rounded down. There are 100,000,000 sats in 1 BTC. Each sat represents 0.00000001 BTC, the smallest unit of bitcoin. As the BTC Yield is intended to illustrate how the Company finances the acquisition of BTC over a given period, the calculation of the number of shares on a fully diluted basis does not include unexercised BSA warrants, as they do not provide financing to the Company and have no impact on the Company's equity until they are exercised. The Company will provide further communication regarding the exercise of warrants and the resulting BTC acquisitions at a later stage. Important information about 'BTC Yield', 'BTC Gain', and 'BTC Gain' KPIs The Company uses 'BTC Yield', 'BTC Gain' and 'BTC Gain' as indicators to monitor its Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy. These indicators illustrate the manner in which the Company finances the acquisition of bitcoin in a given period by: 'BTC Yield' : indicator reflecting the percentage change in the ratio of Total BTC Holdings to Fully Diluted Shares outstanding over a given period; : indicator reflecting the percentage change in the ratio of Total BTC Holdings to Fully Diluted Shares outstanding over a given period; 'BTC Gain' : indicator that represents the number of BTC held by the Company at the beginning of a period multiplied by the 'BTC Yield' for such period; and : indicator that represents the number of BTC held by the Company at the beginning of a period multiplied by the 'BTC Yield' for such period; and 'BTC Gain': indicator representing the euro value of the 'BTC Gain' calculated by multiplying the 'BTC Gain' by the acquisition cost per BTC of the last acquisition of the applicable period. The Company has selected the last acquisition of the applicable period to determine the market price of bitcoin solely for the purpose of facilitating this illustrative calculation. These indicators will be communicated periodically by the Company as part of its Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy, notably on a half-yearly and annual basis. When the Company uses these KPIs, it also takes into account the various limitations of these metrics, including that they do not take into account debt and other liabilities and claims on company assets that would be senior to common equity, and that these indicators assume that all indebtedness will be refinanced or, in the case of the Company's (or its subsidiaries') convertible debt instruments, converted into shares of common stock in accordance with their respective terms. Additionally, 'BTC Yield' is not, and should not be understood as, an operating performance measure or a financial or liquidity measure. In particular, 'BTC Yield' is not equivalent to "yield" in the traditional financial context. It is not a measure of the return on investment the Company's shareholders may have achieved historically or can achieve in the future by purchasing stock of the Company, or a measure of income generated by the Company's operations or its bitcoin holdings, return on investment on its bitcoin holdings, or any other similar financial measure of the performance of its business or assets. 'BTC Gain' and 'BTC Gain' are not, and should not be understood as, operating performance measures or financial or liquidity measures. In particular, 'BTC Gain' and 'BTC Gain' are not equivalent to "gain" in the traditional financial context. They also are not measures of the return on investment the Company's shareholders may have achieved historically or can achieve in the future by purchasing stock of the Company, or measures of income generated by the Company's operations or its bitcoin holdings, return on investment on its bitcoin holdings, or any other similar financial measure of the performance of its business or assets. It should also be understood that 'BTC Gain' does not represent a fair value gain of the Company's bitcoin holdings, and 'BTC Gain' may be positive during periods when the Company has incurred fair value losses on its bitcoin holdings. The trading price of the Company's common stock depends on numerous factors in addition to the quantity of bitcoins the Company holds and number of actual or potential shares of its stock outstanding, and as a result, the market value of the Company's shares may trade at a discount or a premium relative to the market value of the bitcoin the Company holds, and neither 'BTC Yield', 'BTC Gain' nor 'BTC Gain' are indicative or predictive of the trading price of the Company's securities. As noted above, these KPIs are narrow in their purpose and are used by the Company to assist it in assessing the use of the equity capital, as it pertains to its bitcoin holdings only. The Company's ability to achieve positive 'BTC Yield', 'BTC Gain', or 'BTC Gain' may depend on a variety of factors, including its ability to generate profits in excess of its fixed charges and other expenses, as well as factors outside of its control, such as the price of bitcoin, and the availability of financing on favorable terms. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The presentation of these KPIs does not imply any intention to pay dividends on its common shares in the future. Holding the Company's common shares does not equate to direct ownership of the Bitcoin held by the Company. Investors should rely on the financial statements and other disclosures by the Company. These KPIs are only intended as supplemental metrics for those who understand their purpose and limitations, not as replacements for traditional financial analysis. Risk factors The Company reminds that the risk factors related to the Company and to its business are detailed in its 2024 annual financial report, available for free on the Company's website (www.theblockchain-group.com/investor/news-financial-information/). The realization of all or part of these risks could negatively impact the Company's operations, financial position, results, development, or outlook. * * * About The Blockchain Group (ALTBG) The Blockchain Group is a Bitcoin Treasury Company listed on Euronext Growth Paris, specialized in Data Intelligence, AI, and Decentralized Tech consulting and development. EURONEXT Growth Paris Ticker: ALTBG ISIN: FR0011053636 Reuters: ALTBG.PA Bloomberg: ALTBG.FP Contact: communication@theblockchain-group.com Contacts - Actus Finance & Communication Investors Mathieu Calleux tbg@actus.fr Media Anne-Charlotte Dudicourt acdudicourt@actus.fr - +33 6 24 03 26 52 Celine Bruggeman cbruggeman@actus.fr - +33 6 87 52 71 99 The Blockchain Group press releases are available on: Financial information - The Blockchain Group To receive all press releases free of charge, register with Actusnews Disclaimer This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to purchase securities in any jurisdiction. It may not be regarded as an offer, solicitation, or sale in any jurisdiction where such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or certification under the local regulations. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: x2pqaJhqYmeUmXCbYcuXl2ppbmqSlZKWmWiWlZOcacnFaJxpypiXmZWeZnJjlWZo - 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-0-92012-20250603-tbg-cp-03-juin-2025-en-final.pdf Bordeaux, 3 June 2025 - On the occasion of the State visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Indonesia, HDF Energy (Hydrogene de France) signed two strategic agreements marking a major milestone in the development of its Renewstable green hydrogen power plants in the country. On 28 May, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between HDF Energy, Indonesia's national electricity operator PLN, and the state-owned infrastructure financing company PT SMI. The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. In parallel, HDF Energy also signed a second agreement with the Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara, reinforcing the Governor's confidence in HDF's projects and strengthening their deployment in this high-potential region. The MoU was signed by Damien Havard, CEO of HDF Energy (Hydrogene de France), Reynaldi Hermansjah, President Director of PT SMI, and Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PT PLN (Persero). Accelerating the Development of 23 Renewstable Projects Across the Country The MoU signed with PLN and PT SMI is one of six major partnerships formalized with French companies in the presence of both Heads of State and French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Eric Lombard. This partnership aims to identify and implement innovative financing mechanisms to support the 23 Renewstable projects currently under development by HDF in Indonesia, representing a total investment of 2.3 billion. These projects have been included in the Indonesian government's recently launched national roadmap for hydrogen and ammonia, which positions hydrogen as a strategic pillar in the national energy mix, particularly for electricity generation. A Strategic Deployment in the East Nusa Tenggara Province HDF Energy is focusing its development efforts in Eastern Indonesia, with 23 Renewstable projects currently underway. Eight of these are located in East Nusa Tenggara Province. A MoU has been signed with the Governor of this Province to strengthen local cooperation and accelerate deployment. Renewstable power plants integrate intermittent renewable energy sources (solar or wind) with substantial on-site energy storage in the form of green hydrogen to generate clean, renewable, stable and baseload power 24/7. This solution provides a sustainable alternative to local diesel fuel power plants. The excess green hydrogen produced can also be used to decarbonize regional maritime transport. A first structuring agreement in this area was already signed in April 2025 between HDF Energy, PLN, and PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry to launch this maritime decarbonization initiative. For both Renewstable and maritime projects, HDF's high-power fuel cells will be produced at its factory in Bordeaux, France. These agreements strengthen HDF Energy's footprint in Indonesia and mark a key milestone in the realization of its ambitious green hydrogen-based projects. They are fully aligned with Indonesia's energy transition goals, supporting the emergence of a robust local hydrogen ecosystem and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Damien Havard, CEO HDF Energy, stated: "These agreements represent a major step forward in the development of our Renewstable power plants in Indonesia. They demonstrate the relevance of our French technology in addressing clean electrification challenges in isolated island regions. Our participation in this State visit illustrates France's commitment to the global energy transition and its active support for French hydrogen technologies - a strong signal of the strategic role played by HDF Energy in the international rollout of France's hydrogen industry." Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, said: "France is a partner for the energy transition. 450 million euros have been disbursed out of a commitment of 500 million euros (to support the energy transition). I am pleased that today in the field of solar power and hydrogen, there are important projects agreed ." Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, expressed: "Today, we agreed to go even further by adopting a joint vision declaration for the centennial of Indonesia-France relations in 2050. This also reflects our commitment to strengthening cooperation in strategic areas." ABOUT HYDROGENE DE FRANCE (HDF Energy) HDF Energy is a leading global player in the hydrogen industry, dedicated to developing large-scale hydrogen infrastructure and advanced multi-megawatt fuel cell technology. These fuel cells generate electricity from hydrogen, driving the decarbonization efforts across the power generation, heavy maritime and rail mobility sectors. Set to commence production in 2025 at HDF Energy's facility near Bordeaux (France), these fuel cells serve as the cornerstone of the power plants and heavy mobility decarbonization solutions developed by HDF Energy. HDF Energy's Renewstable power plants deliver non-intermittent renewable, stable and baseload power by seamlessly integrating intermittent renewable energy sources with substantial on-site energy storage in the form of green hydrogen. HDF Energy is also developing extensive infrastructure for the mass production of carbon-free hydrogen. Backed by a team of over 150 hydrogen experts boasting more than a decade of operational experience across the value chain, HDF Energy is currently developing a portfolio of advanced projects valued at over 3 billion. Headquartered in France, HDF Energy has regional offices in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region with 35+ nationalities among its staff. Since 2021, the Group has been listed on the Euronext Paris stock market. More information, visit: www.hdf-energy.com Contact Investor relations Media relations Helene de WATTEVILLE + 33 (0)1 53 67 36 33 hdf-energy@actus.fr Serena BONI +33 (0)4 72 18 04 92 sboni@actus.fr ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: lZhsZJxslWabynJpapZlaGOWmWZomWCbl2TLxJJsZ5eUbpuVlGtnbJudZnJjlWVt - 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-0-92007-pr_mou-indonesia_macron-visit_en_def.pdf Tineco, the pioneer in smart floor-care solutions, today launches a one-week flash sale on its entire 180 lay-flat Stretch Series-available only at the Tineco online store. From June 3 through June 9, take advantage of exclusive pricing on our family of floor washers that glide effortlessly under sofas, beds, and low cabinets, banishing hidden dust, pet hair, and spills in a single pass. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602756106/en/ Effortless Under-Furniture Cleaning Starts June 3-Save on Tineco's Stretch Line This limited-time event underscores Tineco's commitment to making deep, precise cleaning effortless-especially under low-clearance furniture-by pairing innovative stretch technology with advanced design. Featured Stretch Series Models FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Artistry meets performance. Its ultra-slim 12.85 cm lay-flat profile slides beneath couches, while DualBlock Anti-Tangle captures every strand of hair and pet fur without clogging. Powered by MHCBS rinse-and-mop, the roller continuously self-rinses to prevent redepositing dirt, and 22 kPa of suction combined with triple-sided edge cleaning lifts even the finest particles from baseboards to floor cracks-delivering a showroom-ready finish in record time. FLOOR ONE S7 Stretch Ultra Reach every hidden corner. The HyperStretch head extends fully under beds and dressers, and its three-chamber dirty-water separation keeps suction power strong even at full recline. With one-step vacuuming and mopping, you cut cleaning time in half-pet hair, cereal crumbs, or wet spills are gone in one smooth pass. Choose from Auto, Max or Suction modes to tailor performance, and let the LED indicators guide you to a perfectly clean floor. FLOOR ONE SWITCH S6 Stretch Two machines in one. Simply detach the SwitchPro motor to transform from floor washer to handheld vacuum in seconds-ideal for tackling countertop spills, upholstery crumbs, or car interiors. Its dual-scraper system actively removes hair and debris from the roller, while the FlashDry self-cleaning cycle flushes and dries every internal component in under five minutes-so you never worry about mold or odors. FLOOR ONE Stretch S6 The compact champion. All the stretch technology you love-180 lay-flat access, DualBlock Anti-Tangle, and powerful 20 kPa suction-now in a smaller footprint. Perfect for apartments, dorms, or quick touch-ups, the Stretch S6 slips under low furniture, captures hidden dust, and is light enough to carry between rooms. It's the effortless way to keep tight spaces spotless. Promotion Details From June 3 to June 9, each Stretch Series model is available at a special price on Tineco.store.com: FLOOR ONE S9 Artist starting at 799EUR FLOOR ONE S7 Stretch Ultra starting at 459EUR FLOOR ONE SWITCH S6 Stretch starting at 599EUR FLOOR ONE Stretch S6 starting at 379EUR Don't miss your chance to upgrade your cleaning routine with Tineco's revolutionary Stretch Series-engineered for deep, effortless cleaning in every corner of your home. About Tineco Tineco was founded in 1998 with its first SKU as a vacuum cleaner. In 2019, it became the first brand to launch an intelligent vacuum cleaner. Today, the brand has innovated to become a global leader, offering smart devices across various home categories, including floor care, kitchen, and personal care. Tineco is dedicated to its brand vision of making life easier through smart technologies and continually innovates to develop new devices. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602756106/en/ Contacts: Chris.lxg@tineco.com Press Release Vlkanova, Slovakia, 3 June 2025 Success at IDET International Arms Fair in Czech Republic GEVORKYAN, a.s. presented innovative solutions for the civil arms, aviation industry and drones at the trade fair, attracting the attention of experts and opening a dialogue with new potential partners. Military activity has now moved into the air - drones are a key element of modern warfare, as is evident in all ongoing conflicts. Across Europe, there has been an extreme increase in the production of drones of all kinds. Therefore, GEVORKYAN, a.s. has taken another strategic step and during the trade fair, agreed to cooperate on development projects with experts in anti-drone systems designed to protect human lives. The participation of GEVORKYAN, a.s. was part of the official Slovak exhibition, which was sponsored by the Government of the Slovak Republic, for which the company is very grateful. From left L. Ondreicka, R. Schochmann - owner of an aviation industry and anti-drone company, V. Drigelova - Project Coordinator, and A. Gevorkyan - CoBD GEVORKYAN, a.s. Economic and Commercial Advisor at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Prague Ivan Manik (center), M. Erdely, V. Drigelova In recognition of his long-standing contribution to European industry, Artur Gevorkyan was elected to the Council of the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) in Brussels in May 2025, opening up further opportunities for international cooperation in the development of modern technologies in Slovakia. Gevorkyan announces successful 2024 with revenue up 23% (https://www.metal-powder.tech/gevorkyan-announces-successful-2024-with-revenue-up-23/?_gl=1*7u6ema*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTE5NDA3MTQ5Ni4xNzQ3ODEwMjMz*_ga_4Q85VC8LJK*czE3NDc4MTAyMzIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc4MTAyMzIkajAkbDAkaDA.) A key sector in Slovakia is facing problems. However, a well-known entrepreneur in the center of the country is bucking the trend (https://hnonline.sk/finweb/ekonomika/96215367-klucovy-sektor-na-slovensku-ma-problemy-proti-prudu-ide-vsak-biznis-znameho-podnikatela-v-strede-krajiny) A third of new demand comes from the defense industry - Interview with Artur Gevorkyan in e15 magazine (https://www.gevorkyan.sk/en/post/interview-with-artur-gevorkyan-in-e15-magazine) Press release | GEVORKYAN, a.s. responds to global changes and focuses on development in the defense sector (https://www.gevorkyan.sk/en/post/press-release-gevorkyan-a-s-responds-to-global-changes-and-focuses-on-development-in-the-defence) Contact for media: Mgr. Monika Erdely, Marketing Manager, marketing@gevorkyan.sk Warning: This document in no way constitutes an offer or invitation to sell or buy securities. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and for we recommend that you contact the above-mentioned representative of GEVORKYAN, a.s. context and clarification. The public offering of shares in the Czech Republic was made on basis of a theprospectus for the shares prepared pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and of the Council on of the European Parliament prospectuses, which isavailable on the websiteof GEVORKYAN, a.s. 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! With these satellites, SES is enhancing the O3b mPOWER network to serve customers across multiple market segments SES announced today that the latest pair of O3b mPOWER satellites launched in December 2024 is now ready to offer services across the globe. Featuring redesigned payload power modules, the seventh and eighth O3b mPOWER satellites are bolstering the capabilities of SES's second-generation medium earth orbit (MEO) system, supporting the delivery of high throughput and predictable low latency services at scale. To date, SES has launched eight out of 13 O3b mPOWER high-throughput and low-latency satellites. The next O3b mPOWER launch is scheduled for summer 2025. SES has also expanded its strategically located satellite ground stations, and now has 12 operational O3b mPOWER gateways located in South Africa, Peru, Brazil, Portugal, Australia, Greece, the U.S., Chile, the United Arab Emirates and Senegal. Five out of these are co-located and operated by Microsoft's Azure data centres. "Our O3b mPOWER services are in high demand and we were eagerly awaiting the additional satellites to strengthen our MEO network," said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES. "As we continue to deploy additional O3b mPOWER satellites, we are bringing substantially more capacity and improved network efficiency, resulting in a threefold increase in available capacity by 2027 to better serve our mobility, government, enterprise and cloud customers." SES started offering O3b mPOWER services worldwide since April 2024 and has been delivering high-performance network services to customer sites across Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas in multiple market segments. The system's exceptional flexibility means it can provide services ranging from tens of Mbps to multiple gigabits per second of capacity to any site. Follow us on: Twitter Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Read our Blogs Visit the Media Gallery About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on Earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless data connectivity services around the world. As a provider of global content and connectivity solutions, SES owns and operates a geosynchronous orbit fleet and medium earth orbit (GEO-MEO) constellation of satellites, offering a combination of global coverage and high performance services. By using its intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES delivers high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners around the world. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602091667/en/ Contacts: For further information please contact: Suzanne Ong Communications Tel. +352 710 725 500 suzanne.ong@ses.com CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The antipodean currencies such as the Australia and the New Zealand dollars weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday, after China's manufacturing activity contracted for the first time in eight months in May as the rise in US trade tariff damped export orders. Data from S&P Global showed that the Caixin manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index unexpectedly fell to 48.3 in May, down from 50.4 in April. The score was seen at 50.8. The score fell below the neutral 50.0 mark for the first time in eight months and the reading was the lowest since September 2022. The official PMI data released over the weekend suggested that the manufacturing activity shrank at a slower pace in May. The factory PMI rose to 49.5 in May from 49.0 in April. Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing PMI dropped marginally to 50.3 from 50.4 in the previous month. According to RBA minutes from its May monetary policy meeting released today, the board saw a stronger case for a 25-basis point drop, preferring a cautious and predictable policy. The policymakers stated that US trade policy had a significant and negative impact on the global outlook but had not yet harmed the Australian economy; yet they did not persuade that a 50-basis point cut was required. The assistant governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Sarah Hunter warned, 'Higher US tariffs will put a drag on the global economy,'. Hunter added that increased uncertainty may hurt Australia's output, jobs, and investment. Meanwhile, traders reacted to news that the U.S. and China could revive trade talks as soon as this week after US President Donald Trump accused China of violating the trade agreement reached last month. The sharp increase in price of commodities such as gold and crude oil also aided the upside in the markets. The Trump administration has also reportedly asked its trade partners to provide their 'best offer' on trade negotiations by Wednesday, in order to finalize deals before July 8. In the Asian trading today, the Australian dollar fell to 4-day lows of 92.22 against the yen and 1.7695 against the euro, from recent highs of 92.86 and 1.7614, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find resistance around 90.00 against the yen and 1.78 against the euro. Against the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the aussie edged down to 0.6452 and 0.8863 from recent highs of 0.6500 and 0.8911, respectively. The aussie may test support around 0.62 against the greenback and 0.87 against the loonie. The NZ dollar fell to 85.79 against the yen and 1.9026 against the euro, from recent 5-day highs of 86.54 and 1.8898, respectively. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 83.00 against the yen and 1.92 against the euro. Against the U.S. and the Australia dollars, the kiwi slipped to 0.6000 and 1.0760 from a recent 7-1/2-month high of 0.6055 and more than a 1-month high of 1.0727, respectively. The kiwi is likely to find support around 0.58 against the greenback and 1.09 against the aussie. Looking ahead, Eurozone CPI data for May and unemployment rate for April are set to be published at 5:00 am ET. In the New York session, U.S. Redbook report, U.S. factory orders for April and U.S. RCM/TIPP economic optimism index for June are slated for release. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News European Investment Bank and Leyden Labs sign 20 million financing to advance Leyden Labs' pandemic preparedness activities, guaranteed by European Commission's InvestEU initiative through its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA). Funding is part of "HERA Invest," a 110 million top-up to the European Union's InvestEU initiative, meant to address pandemic readiness, biodefense and antimicrobial resistance. Leyden Labs will use the funding to advance development of its novel non-vaccine approach, with nasal sprays containing broadly-protective antibodies to defend against seasonal and pandemic viral infections. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Dutch clinical-stage biotechnology company Leyden Laboratories B.V. have signed a 20 million financing deal to advance development of the Company's broadly-protective antibodies to defend against seasonal and pandemic viral infections. Leyden Labs' lead program is a pan-influenza nasal spray currently in clinical development (PanFlu), which has the potential to provide first-in-class influenza protection and meaningfully reduce the burden of influenza infection, including in infection from Avian Flu (H5). The venture debt financing agreement is supported under the European Commission's InvestEU programme and specifically falls under "HERA Invest." This 110 million initiative from the European Health Union is meant to address biodefence, pandemic readiness and antimicrobial resistance in Europe, as a top-up to the European Union's InvestEU initiative, funded by the EU4Health programme. "The COVID-19 pandemic taught us multiple lessons, including that we should strengthen the EU's preparedness and autonomy in key areas like bio sciences," stated EIB Vice President Robert de Groot. "With the support of the European Commission, the EIB backs highly innovative EU companies like Leyden Labs with venture debt, enabling them to grow and thrive in Europe. Technological innovations from companies like Leyden Labs are key for European competitiveness and the well-being of our society." Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, added: "Respiratory viruses are common and affect us all, especially the most medically vulnerable. Today's agreement reaffirms our commitment to invest in innovation to strengthen preparedness and protection against respiratory viruses. HERA Invest is a prime example of Europe at the forefront of medical advancements in response to serious threats to health." "We are thrilled with this endorsement of our approach and support from HERA and the European Investment Bank. This will accelerate our efforts to provide broad, universal protection against current and future viral outbreaks. We are grateful that HERA and the EIB understand the urgency and significance of investing in initiatives to ensure Europe is prepared for pandemic viruses. This concern is greater than ever given the increasing threat of an avian influenza outbreak," said Koenraad Wiedhaup, co-founder and CEO of Leyden Labs. Leyden Labs' product candidates are nasal sprays that administer broadly protective antibodies directly to the respiratory mucosa. Leyden Lab's solutions are designed to work at the earliest moment, before the virus even reaches systemic circulation. Systemically administered vaccines primarily generate systemic protection against viruses, however, this may be a limitation that contributes to suboptimal efficacy. Airborne viruses, including influenza, do not directly enter systemic circulation, but rather, they enter the body through the nose and mouth. The Company's antibodies aim to protect against full viral families, so they keep working even when a virus mutates and evolves. This intranasal strategy also has the potential to benefit people with weakened immune systems because it does not rely on the person to be able to mount an immune response in order to be protective. The Company's novel approach has the potential to transform the way the healthcare ecosystem thinks about viral prophylaxis, while also providing an innovative solution for use both in times of seasonal outbreaks as well as pandemic emergencies. HERA's responsibility is to ensure that the EU and Member States are ready to act in the face of cross-border health threats. The 20 million proceeds of this financing will support further development of Leyden Labs' novel, non-vaccine approach to fighting respiratory viruses to contribute to European pandemic preparedness efforts. Background Information: Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA). The European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) supports projects that strengthen preparedness and response capacities in the field of health. HERA was established as a direct consequence of the lessons learned from the initial management of the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure a solid Union response to serious-cross border health threats and secure ready availability and accessibility of medical countermeasures HERA's responsibility is to ensure that the EU and Member States are ready to act in the face of cross-border health threats, and its mandate covers both the strengthening of preparedness in advance of future emergencies and the implementation of a swift and efficient response once crisis hits. HERA Invest is a 110 million top-up to the InvestEU programme, funded by the EU4Health programme. It is implemented by the EIB and supports projects that focus on pathogens with pandemic potential, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear threats, and antimicrobial resistance. Together with HERA, the EIB assesses whether an operation meets HERA Invest's criteria. The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investment for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments previously available to support investment in the European Union, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is deployed through implementing partners who will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of 26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least 372 billion in additional investment. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. The Netherlands owns a 5,2% share of the EIB. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals and national priorities. More than 90% of its activity is in Europe. Over the last ten years, the EIB has made available more than 27 billion in financing for Dutch projects in various sectors, including research development, sustainable mobility, drinking water, healthcare and SMEs. In 2024 the EIB Group, which also includes the EIB's subsidiary, the European Investment Fund (EIF), made available more than 3 billion for Dutch projects. Leyden Laboratories B.V. (Leyden Labs), founded in 2020, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in the Netherlands. Leyden Labs is working to free people from the threat of respiratory viruses, by leveraging its Mucosal Protection Platform to develop a portfolio of candidates aimed at providing protection against influenza, coronaviruses, and other respiratory viruses through a new class of broadly protective nasal sprays. Leyden Labs is supported by a strong syndicate of investors and ambassadors; VC investors include GV (formerly Google Ventures), Casdin Capital, F-Prime Capital, ClavystBio (a life sciences venture investor established by Temasek), Polaris Partners, Qiming Venture Partners, Invus, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Byers Capital Brook Byers and Bluebird Ventures. To learn more, visit www.leydenlabs.com. CR9114, Leyden Labs' lead product candidate for the PanFlu program, is a human monoclonal antibody that protects against influenza in preclinical models. Leyden Labs holds an exclusive license from Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson, to develop and commercialize CR9114. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603017541/en/ Contacts: Media and Investor Contacts: EIB Media Contact: Tim Smit +352 691 286423 t.smit@eib.org Leyden Labs Media Contact: Megan Prock McGrath CTD Comms +1 978-800-7468 media@leydenlabs.com Leyden Labs Investor Contact: Elizabeth Goodwin +1 781-460-1784 investors@leydenlabs.com European Commission: Darragh Cassidy +32 229 83978 Darragh.CASSIDY@ec.europa.eu International visits to Tanzania increase by 130 per cent between 2021 and 2024 to more than 2 million per year Tanzania ranked the fasted-growing African destination in 2024 by United Nations Tourism body International tourism revenues jump 200 per cent between 2021 and 2024 to $3.9bn of annual income The Government of the Republic of Tanzania has announced significant progress in growing its tourism sector with international tourism volumes increasing by 132 per cent from 922,692 tourists in 2021 to 2,141,895 in 2024. This was complemented by even faster growth of 308 per cent in domestic tourism, from 788,933 in 2021 to 3,218,352 in 2024. The United Nations Tourism body, UN Tourism, has ranked Tanzania the fastest growing Africa destination in 2024, with a 48 per cent increase compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Ethiopia had the second-fasted growth rate of 40 per cent, Morocco saw 35 per cent, Kenya 11 per cent, and Tunisia saw tourism growth of 9 per cent. Tanzania's Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, highlighted that growing tourism volumes and value was a flagship policy of Her Excellency, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and that a goal to grow combined international and domestic tourism volumes to 5 million had already been exceeded. "These results stem from the vision and commitment of our President, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, who championed promotional campaigns such as The Royal Tour and Amazing Tanzania," Dr Chana explained. "This progress has positioned Tanzania 9th globally and 3rd in Africa in tourism revenue growth compared to the pre-COVID-19 era," she said. Tourism earnings have also witnessed a major jump, with revenues from international tourists increasing from $1.3 billion in 2021 to $3.9 billion in 2024-a growth rate of 200 percent. Domestic tourism revenues also rose from TZS11 billion in 2021 to TZS209 billion in 2024, reflecting a surge of over 350 per cent. The President of Tanzania, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, has personally championed tourism growth in Tanzania. From her decision to roll out mass Covid vaccinations in 2021, which reversed the previous government's policies and reopened Tanzania to international travel, to her participation in events like the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, where she addressed the audience as a keynote speaker, President Samia Suluhu's government has made tourism growth a strategic investment priority. This investment has begun to generate global recognition for Tanzania as a tourist destination, with the country winning several awards at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA), including Africa's Leading Destination (2024) and World's Leading Safari Destination (2024). Serengeti National Park retained its title as the best safari destination globally for the sixth consecutive year since 2019. Mount Kilimanjaro was named Africa's Leading Tourist Attraction in 2024, while Serengeti was ranked the world's second-best safari destination by The Times of India. Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) also received international recognition for service quality from the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), winning the award for the fifth time in a row (2020-2024), while the Tanzania Tourist Board was named Africa's Best Tourism Board. Additionally, Tanzania has been selected to host the African edition of the World Travel Awards in June 2025. Tanzania has achieved major progress in wildlife protection and management through anti-poaching operations, intensified patrols, and the adoption of modern technology. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Tanzania leads in Africa and globally with around 17,000 lions, 225,000 buffaloes, and 24,000 leopards. The population of black rhinos rose from 163 in 2021 to 263 in 2025, a 61 per cent increase, while elephant poaching incidents dropped by nearly 90 percent. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603792696/en/ Contacts: Telegrams: "MALIASILI" Simu: +255 26 232 1566/232 1567 E-mail: ps@mnrt.go.tz Website: https://www.maliasili.go.tz/ Issued by: benderati@eternapartners.com Former MI5 Director General and Lord Chamberlain brings extensive experience of working at the highest levels of public service Appointment follows Vertical's announcement of its hybrid-electric programme and comes as the Government sets out its Strategic Defence Review Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, today announced the appointment of Lord Andrew Parker to its Board of Directors, strengthening the company's leadership in defence, national security, and government affairs. The appointment is effective as of 2 June 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603973183/en/ Lord Andrew Parker joins Vertical's Board of Directors, strengthening the company's leadership in defence, national security, and government affairs. Lord Parker brings deep experience in national security and intelligence from his distinguished career serving the UK government, most notably as the former Director General of MI5, the UK Government's national security agency, from 2013-2020, where he also served on a range of committees, including the National Security Council. As Director General, Lord Parker focused on new technology-centred change. In 2021, Lord Parker was appointed Lord Chamberlain by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the most senior official in the Royal Household and overseeing historic national events, including royal ceremonies and state occasions. He was knighted in 2019 and entered the House of Lords in 2021. Outside of his public sector work, Lord Parker has served as a Non-Executive Director at Babcock International Group, an international defence, aerospace and security company, since 2020. The appointment of Lord Parker follows Vertical's recent announcement of its hybrid-electric programme, designed to unlock new applications in mission critical sectors such as defence and logistics, as well as recent hires to the Board, who bring deep capital markets expertise. Last month, the UK government committed over 20 million to accelerate drone and eVTOL technologies including eco-friendly air taxis and emergency service applications building on a total investment of over 300 million to date through the Future Flight Challenge. This latest funding aims to support real-world operations and provide a clear regulatory pathway by 2028. Lord Andrew Parker, Board Director, said: "I'm delighted to be joining Vertical at a time when the UK is positioning itself at the cutting edge of aerospace innovation. Vertical's commitment to pioneering next-generation aircraft, powered by breakthrough electric and hybrid technologies, offers real potential to transform both civil and defence operations. I look forward to supporting the team as they unlock the full value of these innovations from sustainable passenger transport to critical government and military missions." Domhnal Slattery, Chairman at Vertical Aerospace, said: "Lord Parker's deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory, operational, and governmental frameworks is exactly what we need as we move toward real-world deployment of our aircraft. His appointment is highly aligned with our strategy to scale both civil and defence applications, and he brings a perspective that perfectly complements the diverse capabilities already represented on our Board. As we expand our hybrid-electric programme and deepen our engagement with government and institutional partners, his leadership will be invaluable." About Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner and quieter way to travel. Vertical's VX4 is a piloted, four passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical will also be launching a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market. Vertical combines partnering with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell and Leonardo, with developing its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL. Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of the VX4, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, the epicentre of the UK's aerospace industry, Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top tier automotive and aerospace companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM and Leonardo. Together they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems. Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding anticipated Board changes and their impact on Vertical, the design and manufacture of the VX4, the features and capabilities of the VX4 and the hybrid-electric variant, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including the building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on timelines projected, completion of the piloted test programme phases, selection of suppliers, certification and the commercialization of both the VX4 and the hybrid-electric VX4 variant, and our ability to achieve regulatory certification of our aircraft products on any particular timeline or at all, our ability to integrate hybrid technology into the VX4 on any particular timelines or at all, the ability of the hybrid-electric VX4 variant VX4 to be applied in defense, cargo, logistics and emergency services sectors, our ability to scale the hybrid-electric VX4 upon the VX4, trends in sovereign defense budgets, expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments, the transition towards a net-zero emissions economy, our future results of operations and financial position and expected financial performance and operational performance, liquidity, growth and profitability strategies, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, our ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund our operations, our plans to mitigate the risk that we are unable to continue as a going concern, our plans for capital expenditures, as well as statements that include the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 11, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. the Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603973183/en/ Contacts: For more information: Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463 Samuel Emden, Head of Investor Affairs samuel.emden@vertical-aerospace.com +447816 459 904 Paving the Way for European Clinical Entry and Global Technology Transfer A Milestone Partnership Highlighting Korea's Expanding Influence in Global Biotech Innovation MarkHerz Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in AAV-based gene therapies targeting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 16, 2025 with Klinikum rechts der Isar, the university hospital affiliated with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603976045/en/ MarkHerz has signed an MOU with TUM Hospital for the joint development of AAV-based cardiovascular gene therapies. Second from left is Dr. Seungmin Lee, CEO of MarkHerz. Far right is Prof. Christian Kupatt. (Photo: MarkHerz Inc.) The agreement aims to establish a broad-based collaboration on the joint research and development of next-generation gene therapies for ischemic heart and peripheral vascular diseases. This will center around MarkHerz's proprietary MAAV Platform, which enables the development of precision-targeted AAV gene therapies, particularly its MRTF-A candidate. The collaboration will include preclinical and clinical trials, technology consulting, and the sharing of research infrastructure. The signing ceremony was attended by leading cardiovascular gene therapy expert Prof. Christian Kupatt (MD, TUM), patent attorney Dr. Rudolph Schon of Germany's Neymeyr Partner, Seungmin Lee (Dr. Mark Lee), CEO of MarkHerz, and Jeongseo Baek (Grace Baek), Head of the company's German office. Building a Strategic Gateway into the European Clinical Landscape MarkHerz's entry into Germany reflects a strategic initiative to complement Korea's increasingly regulated domestic environment by leveraging Europe's flexible clinical trial pathways, such as EMA's Early Access programs and Investigator-Initiated Trials. TUM Hospital's extensive cardiovascular preclinical models and translational research capacity are expected to generate high-quality data recognized by global regulatory agencies, including the EMA, FDA, PMDA, and MFDS. Dr. Seungmin Lee emphasized, "The clinical validation of cardiovascular gene therapies is a critical factor in licensing negotiations with global pharma partners. This partnership goes beyond R&D; it marks the beginning of international clinical and commercial deployment of our platform technology." MRTF-A gene therapy: expanding the horizons of regenerative medicine MarkHerz's MRTF-A treatment aims to overcome the limitations of existing protein-based treatments, such as VEGF and FGF, by promoting functional blood vessel regeneration through endothelial recovery. This treatment is designed to deliver long-term efficacy in a single dose while addressing the core promise of gene therapy: sustained, one-time treatment. The company's vector innovations using AAV9, AAVrh74 and AAV-LK03, optimized for specific organ targeting, establish a platform for expansion beyond rare diseases into cardiovascular and neurological diseases, aligning with global trends and further validating the scalability of the technology. Deepening Ties with Europe's Leading Research Ecosystem This agreement positions MarkHerz to strengthen ties with not only TUM, but also Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich and the BioM Cluster, forming a robust network across Europe's premier scientific institutions. These partners represent the heart of Europe's innovation engine, together having produced more than 50 Nobel laureates and offer broad potential for collaboration across biotechnology, neuroscience, and translational medicine. Dr. Rudolph Schon noted, "Successful gene therapy commercialization in Europe requires a seamless integration of regulation, technology, and strategic partnerships. This MOU represents a vital first step." Prof. Kupatt added, "This agreement is a turning point, translating years of research into clinical and commercial reality." A Global Bridge Strategy Beyond Borders MarkHerz is pursuing a "global bridge" strategy that aims not only to transfer technology or engage in joint research, but to actively overcome structural barriers in Korea's biotech ecosystem, such as regulatory bottlenecks, limited venture investment, and a high reliance on large conglomerates. "Korea's biotech sector is rapidly growing but still faces fundamental challenges," said Dr. Seungmin Lee. "Through this Korea-Germany partnership, MarkHerz aims to lead by example and establish a new model for successful global clinical and commercial integration." MarkHerz currently collaborates with over 250 partner institutions and, through formal alliances with 15 of them, operates eight distinct pipelines. Notably, active joint research projects valued at approximately KRW 15 billion are underway in AAV-based cardiovascular therapies (licensed in 10 European countries), diabetes treatments, cerebrovascular disorder therapies and CAR-Treg-based cancer immunotherapies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603976045/en/ Contacts: Grace Baek, Director 100pro@markherzen.com http://markherzen.com LISBON, Portugal, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ManWinWin, a global leader and established reference in maintenance management software for the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector, continues to empower producers worldwide with its advanced Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). With a proven track record and numerous clients globally, ManWinWin's CMMS directly addresses the common pain points that plague F&B operations, unlocking unparalleled efficiency, food safety, and regulatory compliance. The F&B sector faces constant pressure from tight margins, strict regulations like FSMA and HACCP, and unwavering consumer demand for safety and quality. Traditional, reactive maintenance often leads to devastating consequences: costly unplanned downtime, spoiled products, potential recalls, and damaged brand reputation. The industry also struggles with fragmented maintenance data, inefficient spare parts management, and challenges in transferring crucial knowledge. ManWinWin's specialized F&B CMMS is the essential ingredient for overcoming these hurdles. It transforms maintenance from a mere expense into a powerful driver of value and competitive advantage. The system provides: Automated Compliance & Audit Readiness: Centralized digital records of all preventive maintenance (PMs), work orders, calibrations, and sanitation tasks create an unassailable, real-time audit trail, ensuring smooth compliance with even the strictest inspections. Centralized digital records of all preventive maintenance (PMs), work orders, calibrations, and sanitation tasks create an unassailable, real-time audit trail, ensuring smooth compliance with even the strictest inspections. Enhanced Hygiene & Sanitation: Dedicated modules schedule, track, and verify critical cleaning and sanitization procedures, minimizing the risk of microbial growth and cross-contamination, and supporting allergen segregation protocols. Dedicated modules schedule, track, and verify critical cleaning and sanitization procedures, minimizing the risk of microbial growth and cross-contamination, and supporting allergen segregation protocols. Proactive Risk Mitigation: Comprehensive asset history combined with predictive maintenance integration identifies potential failures before they impact product integrity, helping prevent costly food safety incidents. Comprehensive asset history combined with predictive maintenance integration identifies potential failures before they impact product integrity, helping prevent costly food safety incidents. Optimized Inventory: Detailed inventory management, including vendor information and certifications for food-grade components, significantly reduces stockouts and ensures repairs are completed quickly with compliant materials. Detailed inventory management, including vendor information and certifications for food-grade components, significantly reduces stockouts and ensures repairs are completed quickly with compliant materials. Improved Uptime & Asset Life: Through comprehensive asset tracking and performance monitoring, the CMMS maximizes equipment uptime while respecting sanitation schedules, extending asset lifespan and reducing capital expenditure. Through comprehensive asset tracking and performance monitoring, the CMMS maximizes equipment uptime while respecting sanitation schedules, extending asset lifespan and reducing capital expenditure. Empowered Technicians: Mobile access to work orders, asset histories, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and troubleshooting guides empowers technicians on the go, reducing errors and preserving vital institutional knowledge. "In the food and beverage industry, there's no room for error when it comes to maintenance," says Rodrigo Cabral, General Manager at ManWinWin. "Every minute of downtime, every lapse in hygiene standards, directly impacts profitability and trust. Our F&B CMMS doesn't just manage maintenance; it safeguards brands and helps ensure safe, quality food for everyone." ManWinWin's long-standing commitment to the F&B sector extends beyond software, offering unparalleled expertise to guide organizations through strategic planning, phased rollout, and seamless integration to ensure maximum return on investment. For more information on how ManWinWin is transforming maintenance in the Food & Beverage industry, please visit https://www.manwinwin.com/food-beverage-maintenance-software/. About ManWinWin: ManWinWin is a leading global provider of maintenance management software, with decades of experience delivering innovative CMMS solutions across diverse industries. As a well-established reference in CMMS for Food & Beverage, ManWinWin is committed to empowering organizations with intelligent tools for asset management, helping businesses optimize operations, reduce costs, and achieve sustained excellence. Contact: Jose Fernandes | ManWinWin Partner | jcasimiro@navaltik.com | (+351) 934309100 Learn more about ManWinWin software at www.manwinwin.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698841/ManWinWin_Software_Food_Safety.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/manwinwin-cmms-boosting-food--beverage-compliance-safety-and-hygiene-through-smart-maintenance-302468388.html - One-year follow-up data from first-in-human trial shows significant improvements in key clinical performance outcomes - This data supports a strong safety profile for the VCFix Spinal System for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures THE HAGUE, Netherlands, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber Implants, an innovative medical technology company developing next-generation implants for spinal injuries, today announces the completion of the one-year follow-up for all patients enrolled in its first-in-human clinical trial of the VCFix Spinal System. This milestone marks a significant step in demonstrating the safety of VCFix for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Notably, no device-related adverse events were reported in any patient at the one-year follow-up, underscoring the strong safety profile and promising clinical potential of VCFix. In addition, significant improvements in key clinical performance outcomes were observed, regardless of cement augmentation. Patients, both with and without cement, experienced immediate and sustained reductions in pain levels, as assessed by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). By the 6-month follow-up, pain scores decreased by more than 8 points. Disability scores, assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), also showed significant post-operative improvement, with an 84 point reduction from baseline to 6-months. These improvements were generally maintained throughout the one-year follow-up period, indicating lasting functional benefits. Dr. Mohammad Ahmadi, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Amber Implants, said: "Behind every data point is a patient whose quality of life has been improved.These one-year results reinforce our mission to provide safer, more effective solutions for people suffering from painful spinal fractures. The encouraging data provides a solid foundation as we move towards our goal of bringing this innovative technology to many more patients across Europe and beyond." Dr. Banafsheh Sajadi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Amber Implants, explained: "This milestone marks a critical inflection point for Amber Implants. With a clean safety profile and encouraging early clinical outcomes, we are well-positioned to advance VCFix into the pivotal stage and unlock significant clinical and commercial value. Our vision is to establish a new standard of care in vertebral fracture management." The trial was conducted at two centers in Germany with Prof. Dr. Med. Robert Pflugmacher (Orthopaedic surgeon, Kreiskrankenhaus Mechernich GmbH) and Dr. Med. Ardeshir Ardeshiri (Neurosurgeon, Wilhelmsburger Krankenhaus Gro-Sand Hamburg). "We are observing excellent clinical outcomes and a significant reduction in pain. This innovative technology shows great potential to become a new standard in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures." saidProf. Dr. Med. Robert Pflugmacher. Amber Implants is now preparing to initiate its pivotal clinical trial across multiple sites in European countries, including the two centers that participated in this study. The upcoming study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the VCFix Spinal System in its stand-alone configuration (with or without bone cement), in a larger number of patients. Each year, more than 8.6 million people suffer from various types of vertebral fractures, leading to severe back pain, limited mobility, disability, and increased mortality. Current treatments typically involve injecting Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement into the affected vertebra and/or performing multi-level posterior fixation. These procedures lead to complications in up to two-thirds of patients. The VCFix Spinal System is designed to restore the fractured vertebra and stabilize affected spinal segments. Its innovative design supports the treatment of a wide range of vertebral fracture types - both with and without cement, and with or without posterior fixation. Its versatility makes it suitable for indications ranging from osteoporotic low-energy fractures to traumatic high-energy fractures. With a global vertebral compression fracture treatment market projected to exceed $2.5 billion by 2028, VCFix is uniquely positioned to disrupt a field long reliant on traditional cement-based interventions. VCFix has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CAUTION: This device is exclusively for clinical investigation. No substantiated clinical benefits have yet been established. About Amber Implants Amber Implants is a medical technology company with operations in the Netherlands and the United States. Founded in 2018, the Company develops novel spinal implants for vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) and is committed to improving patient outcomes through implants that promote more natural healing and enhanced spinal stability. Amber Implants is delivering a new generation of treatments for traumatic fractures, offering a simpler, more efficient, and safer approach for managing a broader range of spinal injuries. In 2021, Amber closed a Series A Financing co-led by the founders and existing venture capital investors, with participation from angel investors and non-dilutive government funding. The VCFix Spinal System has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/amber-implants-announces-successful-one-year-follow-up-data-in-first-in-human-clinical-trial-of-vcfix-spinal-system-302471027.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Temas Resources Corp. ("Temas" or the "Company") (CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF)(FSE:26P0) is pleased to provide an outline on its anticipated activities to advance its La Blache Titanium project with an inferred resource of 208.5Mt @ 16.7% TiO2 Eq and with a current Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") showing a 6.6Bn NPV8 post tax and a 60.8% Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") over a 14 year mine life and the exploration stage Lac Brule Titanium project both located in Quebec's North Shore region. La Blache proposed operations plan: Temas' primary focus is on moving the La Blache Titanium project forward through completion of a feasibility study over the next 30-36 months. As part of the setup for the feasibility study, the Company is anticipating an active fall and winter field season to acquire additional data, optimize project sizing and further advance our metallurgical technology being deployed on the project. Key components of this field program include: Receipt of a comprehensive exploration permit which is currently in the consultation phase. Comprehensive resampling of up to 24,658m of existing NQ core securely stored at a warehouse facility in La Baie, Quebec. This core was obtained from 2010 through Temas' 2022 drill program and is the basis for the PEA study. Up to 10,000m of HQ sized infill diamond drilling will also be used to acquire extensive sample material for continued refinement of the Company's proprietary metallurgical process which it jointly owns with the founders of the process. Particular focus will be on defining the distribution of the ilmenite and vanadium titano magnetite ("VTM") within the deposit, the Fe, Ti and V elemental deportment within each of these ore mineral phases, optimizing a flow sheet to separate out these two oxide mineral phases from the silicate gangue minerals to further lower the operating costs by upgrading the concentrate feedstocks, gathering complete multielement whole rock data on all drilling top to bottom to characterize both the ore phases as well as the pit wall rock and waste materials to assure minimal environmental impact and enhance sustainability. Because the ilmenite and VTM are quite dense (specific gravity ~ 5) in contrast to the silicate gangue (specific gravity ~ 3), the average density of the blocks in the model are intimately tied to the interpolated mineralogy in those blocks. Our work will more precisely define the density distribution within the block model to produce a feasibility level predictive model for mine design and economic evaluation. The highly magnetic nature of the VTM mineralization makes traditional downhole surveys and azimuths difficult. For the new HQ drilling we will implement systematic downhole surveys utilizing top-of-the-line gyroscopic tooling to better characterize hole locations at depth and allow for more precise definition of the volumes of mineralized rock as we define the edges of the deposit more completely. Several Optimization studies to include scaling of throughput, mining and infrastructure, and refinement of the metallurgical philosophy to right-size the proposed development and refine the extraction methodology for the proposed feasibility study. This work will include a detailed LiDAR study to obtain a precise pre-disturbance digital elevation model and better define mineralized volumes, mapping of the major and minor structural elements in concert with the gathering of oriented core and downhole mapping to better define structural elements that could affect pit wall design, mine scheduling and long-term pit wall stability. We will initiate baseline environmental studies and complete all required archaeological studies to assure minimal impacts during operations. Lac Brule proposed operations plan: In addition to advancing the La Blache project the Company will be taking steps advance the Lac Brule project though PEA to provide the Company a degree in optionality with its development pipeline. Key components of the Lac Brule Field program include Receipt of a comprehensive exploration permit which is currently in the consultation phase. Fly a detailed LiDAR survey to establish pre-disturbance topographical controls, define structural components and help constrain more precise volumes within the outcropping and sub cropping hem ilmenite mineralization like that seen at QIT's Lac Tio mine. Obtain a bulk sample from surface showings to conduct metallurgical testing through existing facilities operated by potential partners to allow us to evaluate the value in use for this high grade (>34% TiO2) material. Complete up to 5,000m of HQ infill drilling designed to confirm historic drill results and obtain samples for metallurgical testing at the bench and pilot scale to design an initial flowsheet design. We will apply the same assay and mineralogical assessment procedures as at La Blache, though the mineralization here is very simple and could represent a direct ship material. Complete an initial resource calculation and PEA Mr. Kyler Hardy, Temas Executive Chairman and Director comments: "After the last year consolidating the La Blache exploration camp, working though a plan to advance the projects and building relationships with strong knowledgeable financial, technical and operational partners I am pleased to see this operations plan put in place and be ready for execution. The team has worked diligently to find the best path forward for the Company. As the team continues to implement and execute, I'm confident significant value will be realized from both the La Blache and Lac Brule projects. I look forward to further updates and seeing crews in the field." About Temas Resources Temas Resources Corp. (CSE: TMAS) (OTCQB: TMASF) is advancing the 208.5Mt inferred @ 16.7% TiO2 Eq La Blache Titanium project in Quebec. La Blache has a current Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA") showing C$6.6 billion NPV8 post tax, 60.8% IRR over a 14-year mine life. The critical metals the Company is exploring for are central to our national mineral independence, and titanium is a key aerospace and defense industry metal. Additionally, the Company owns a suite of advanced green mineral processing technologies which it is not only applying to its projects but looking to license internationally. The novel suite of technologies reduces the environmental impact and carbon footprint of metal extraction through advanced processing and patented leaching technologies. All public filings for the Company can be found on the SEDAR+ website www.sedarplus.ca . For more information about the Company, please visit www.temasresources.com. For further information or investor relations inquiries: Tim Fernback President and CEO timf@temasresources.com Tel: (604) 340-3774 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 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. This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" 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 cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with mineral exploration generally and results from anticipated and proposed exploration programs, conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, 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 from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/temas-provides-an-update-outlining-its-2025-operational-plan-for-the-la-blache-an-1034798 Highly experienced biopharma executive Dr Cristina Csimma joins Asgard's Board of Directors, while esteemed immunologists Prof Ignacio Melero and Prof Brian Brown join Advisory Board Appointments strengthen Asgard's team as it progresses IND-enabling studies for its lead asset AT-108 - a first-in-class, off-the-shelf cell reprogramming therapy that leads to personalized and potent anti-cancer immune responses LUND, Sweden, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asgard Therapeutics, a privately held biotech company pioneering in vivo direct cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy, today announces the appointments of Dr Cristina Csimma as an independent member of its Board of Directors, and Prof Ignacio Melero and Prof Brian Brown to its Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board. The appointments mark a significant step on Asgard's transition to a drug development company, as it advances its lead asset AT-108 towards clinical trials. Cristiana Pires, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Asgard Therapeutics, said: "Asgard's ability to attract such highly renowned figures as Cristina, Ignacio and Brian, demonstrates the huge potential of our technology and shows how fast the company is developing. Following the appointment of Shane Olwill as Chief Development Officer earlier this year, Asgard is now well positioned to advance its lead asset AT-108 towards clinical trials." With decades of experience in global drug development, new company formation, value creation and strategic guidance, Dr Cristina Csimma brings significant expertise in venture capital and the US biotech capital market to Asgard's Board of Directors. Cristina also holds board director positions at Syncona Limited (a FTSE 250 company), and New York Blood Center Ventures. Dr Cristina Csimma, incoming independent Board of Directors member, said: "Asgard's unique approach, using in vivo direct cell reprogramming as a cancer immunotherapy, is a truly exciting technology. I'm delighted to be joining the company's Board of Directors and contribute to bringing its therapeutic potential to patients." Prof Ignacio Melero is a leading expert in intra-tumoral immunotherapies who has served as Principal Researcher in over 65 clinical trials of cancer immunotherapies, including industry-sponsored studies. He co-chairs the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the Clinica Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, where he is a full professor. In 2023 he was appointed as Kidani Professor of Cancer Immuno-Therapeutics at the University of Oxford. One of Prof Melero's key research areas is bench-to-bedside and vice versa translational research, including biomarker discovery and validation, as well as actionable targets and mechanisms. An important focus of his recent work has been pioneering studies on cross-priming and the cross-presentation of tumor antigens, which is a critical functional property of the cell subset induced by AT-108. Prof Ignacio Melero, incoming Clinical Advisory Board member, said: "Asgard's elegant strategy of using in vivo cell reprogramming to provoke a personalized, but off-the-shelf immunotherapy is both highly original and backed by strong preclinical data. I look forward to supporting the team on their mission of bringing it to patients." Prof Brian Brown is an expert in cancer immunology and gene delivery, including both viral and non-viral mediated approaches. He has invented several widely used genomics and gene therapy technologies, including microRNA-based targeting, small RNA sequencing adapters, bispecific antibody-targeted nanoparticles, and Perturb-map spatial functional genomics. His lab has identified genes and molecular programs important for the control of tumor microenvironment composition and immunotherapy resistance, and he has made important contributions to understanding the body's immune response to gene therapy. He is Director of the Icahn Genomics Institute and Vice Chair of the Department of Immunology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Prof Brian Brown, incoming Scientific Advisory Board member, said: "Asgard's immunotherapy will be a game-changer in the fight against cancer. This is a first-in-class approach that has the potential to address a key challenge of cancer immunotherapy that other treatments have not been able to overcome. I am very excited to be supporting and advising the company as it progresses AT-108 toward clinical development, as well as its broader pipeline of in vivo engineering approaches." The appointments come three months after Asgard welcomed experienced immunology drug development specialist Shane Olwill as Chief Development Officer. Asgard is currently preparing for clinical trials of AT-108 by progressing IND-enabling studies and CMC development. Key proof-of-concept data on AT-108 were published last September in the high-impact, peer-reviewed journal Science[1]. Notes to Editors About Asgard Therapeutics Asgard Therapeutics is a privately held biotech company pioneering in vivo direct cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy. The company builds on ground-breaking and proprietary reprogramming technologies to develop gene therapy products designed to set in motion efficient and personalized immune responses. Backed by top investors, Asgard Therapeutics aims to establish a pipeline of off-the shelf cancer immunotherapies that trigger personalized anti-cancer immune responses for the benefit of cancer patients in need. For more information, please visit: www.asgardthx.com About AT-108 AT-108 is a first-in-class, off-the-shelf gene therapy that directly reprograms tumor cells into a rare subset of dendritic cells critical for mounting efficient cytotoxic T cell responses, cDC1 cells (conventional dendritic cells type 1). Reprogramming forces the tumor cells to present their tumor antigens, ultimately leading to a personalized anti-tumor immune response. It is based on a replication-deficient adenoviral vector that delivers three proprietary reprogramming factors into tumor cells, rewiring their gene expression signatures and thus "programming" them to become antigen-presenting cDC1-like cells. [1] http://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn9083 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/asgard-therapeutics-strengthens-its-board-of-directors-and-advisory-board-with-leading-experts-in-drug-development-and-cancer-immunotherapy-302471674.html MUNICH, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From May 7 to 9, Voltage Group showcased its ALEX, IBEX and LYNX pre-assembled wiring systems at Intersolar Europe 2025 in Munich. These plug-and-play solutions can reduce cable usage by up to 33% and installation time by up to 50%, capturing strong interest across the European market. Meeting Europe's Demands: Faster, Smarter, More Reliable As labor costs rise and timelines tighten, Europe's solar industry faces growing pressure to deliver faster, more reliable projects while managing both CapEx and OpEx. In utility-scale PV projects, connectors within wiring solutions-critical for overall system stability-continue to be a leading point of failure. This is often compounded by improper installation and incorrect connections, representing the majority of technical risks faced during deployment and operation. Plug-and-Play Technology Built for Performance At Voltage, our engineers collaborate with the customer's engineering team early in the project to customize solutions jointly and effectively mitigate risks such as improper installation and incorrect connections. Voltage's IBEX and ALEX wiring systems are factory-assembled and optimized for string inverters and complex terrains such as hillsides. Their modular aluminum extenders enable fast, error-free deployment with minimal on-site labor. Also featured was the LYNX trunk bus system-Voltage's all-in-one solution that consolidates traditional combiner boxes and string harnesses into a single, scalable unit. This reduces complexity and streamlines power transmission from modules to the grid. All wiring systems undergo comprehensive factory testing, including 1500V DC high-voltage checks, IP68 waterproof validation, and visual crimp inspections. Voltage backs its products with a 5-year warranty-more than double the industry standard-helping customers significantly reduce long-term O&M costs. Empowering Projects with Digital Engineering Voltage goes beyond hardware, offering end-to-end support with engineering and digital services: 3D Modeling - Visualize the complete layout before construction begins - Visualize the complete layout before construction begins Voltage Connect - Monitor the full project lifecycle via a cloud-based project management hub - Monitor the full project lifecycle via a cloud-based project management hub Voltage Reality - VR-based installation training to streamline installer qualification This comprehensive approach enhances project efficiency and installation quality for EPCs and developers alike, while also reducing human error and the risk of injury. Driving Europe Toward Plug-and-Play Standards While pre-assembled harnesses are common in North America and Australia, Europe has long relied on traditional cable-by-cable wiring-slower, more error-prone, and harder to maintain. Market shifts now favor streamlined solutions. Voltage, having refined its approach through global projects, is reintroducing plug-and-play systems to Europe. The company established its European headquarters in Frankfurt in 2024 to better serve regional customers. At Intersolar 2025, discussions with European industry stakeholders confirmed strong demand for faster, higher-quality wiring solutions. Voltage is committed to helping Europe's solar sector transition to a more efficient, cost-effective, and digital future. Connecting Power, Connecting People. About Voltage Group Founded in 2015, Voltage Group is a leading global provider of electrical balance of systems (EBOS) solutions for utility-scale solar projects. Headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with a European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Voltage has demonstrated consistent year-over-year growth and delivers innovative, value-engineered technologies that enhance installation efficiency, safety, and long-term system performance. Deeply committed to service excellence, the company supports smarter project execution through advanced visualization tools such as 3D renders, 360-degree walk-throughs, and virtual reality previews. Its flagship products-LYNX, ALEX, and IBEX-along with high-quality MV and DC feeder cables, can be tailored into flexible, customized solutions with the agility to meet each client's unique requirements, underscoring the company's enduring commitment to customer-centric service and long-term success. Website: www.voltageenergy.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2701908/Combined_booth_photo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2701909/Voltage_Group_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/voltage-group-showcases-advanced-pre-assembled-wiring-solutions-at-intersolar-europe-2025-302471411.html PARIS, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ENGWE, a leading brand in electric bike field, proudly introduces the Boost family celebration, running from June 3 to June 30, highlighting its commitment to safe, legal, and powerful e-biking across Europe. In line with the "Boost Power. Got Your Back." campaign theme, ENGWE is rolling out special offers and exciting rewards for all customers. Free fenders + rear rack with every Boost series purchase Global Partner Recruitment - Register for a chance to: Win 1 of 15 premium ENGWE e-bikes; Enjoy a 7-day all-inclusive trip to China with YouTube celebrities (5 winners). ENGWE = Your Powerful Partner on Every Ride Following the successful release of the L20 3.0 Boost and L20 Boost, ENGWE now welcomes the EP-2 Boost ebike to the Boost lineup. The complete Boost family includes the L20 Boost, L20 3.0 Boost, and EP-2 Boost, With the Boost Series, ENGWE is redefining what it means to ride legally-without compromising on power, performance, or reliability. At the heart of this innovation is Boost Mode, an intelligent pedal-assist system that complies with EN-15194 regulations. While maintaining a legal 250W continuous output and a 25km/h speed cap, Boost Mode temporarily increases torque by 30%-up to 75Nm-giving riders the extra muscle needed to conquer steep climbs or rugged paths-all while staying 100% legal. Meet the ENGWE Boost Family L20 3.0 Boost ebike- The First Compact Full-Suspension E-bike Full suspension system for maximum comfort 8A fast charging standard Powerful 75Nm torque for instant acceleration Up to 135km range on a single charge EP-2 Boost - Smart Torque, Foldable Freedom Smart torque sensing system adapts to your pedaling Instant 55Nm output, 120km range Foldable frame + 180mm disc brakes for safety and portability L20 Boost - Your Daily Utility E-bike Robust 75Nm torque with torque sensor precision 126km long range, 7-speed Shimano gears Designed for comfort, power, and practical everyday use ENGWE is more than just an e-bike brand-it's your reliable power partner, engineered for those who demand legal safety and real-world strength in every journey. With the Boost Series, performance meets regulation, offering riders peace of mind and unstoppable power. Join the Boost Family Celebration -claim your free gifts, enter to win a top-tier ENGWE e-bike, and secure a once-in-a-lifetime trip to China! Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698821/ENGWE_Boost_fat_tire_ebike.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2341757/ENGWE_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/engwe-launches-boost-family-campaign-to-champion-safe-legal--reliable-riding-in-europe-302469362.html Award-winning IT solution provider recognized for 17th consecutive year on CRN's influential industry list. SALEM, NH / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / WEI has once again been recognized by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, earning a place on the esteemed CRN Solution Provider 500 list for the 17th year in a row. This continued recognition underscores WEI's long-standing dedication to building customized technology solutions that align with each client's unique business objectives and support meaningful, long-term transformation. WEI's eligibility on this list is made possible by being a key influencer in propelling growth in the IT industry and the global technology channel. As a certified minority-owned business, WEI brings a differentiated perspective to technology consulting, valued by organizations seeking partners that reflect their diversity and values. Serving clients across industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail, and higher education, WEI develops and delivers outcome-driven solutions spanning cybersecurity, cloud, DevOps, networking, and much more. Backed by a technical team of over 85 certified engineers, WEI is known for its deep technical bench, on-campus lab capabilities, and a highly collaborative approach that prioritizes long-term client success. "We are truly honored to be recognized by CRN for the 17th consecutive year," said Belisario Rosas, President of WEI. "This recognition is a reflection of the passion and talent across our organization. Our success comes from listening to our clients and building solutions that are tailored to their specific goals. It's about trust, innovation, and delivering results that make a difference for our customers." While many value-added resellers and IT solution providers face headwinds from market consolidation, restructuring, and supply chain disruptions, WEI continues to grow and lead. For over 35 years, WEI has followed a proven approach that drives tangible business results-from upfront assessments to solution design, deployment, and ongoing support. Backed by best-of-breed experts and strategic partnerships with top technology vendors, WEI delivers purpose-built solutions that align with its clients' goals and operational demands. "Congratulations to the solution providers on CRN's Tech Elite 250 for this recognition of their dedication to achieving top-level certifications and comprehensive proficiency in these critical technologies," said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content, and Executive Editor of CRN at The Channel Company. "These companies are committed to expanding their expertise so they can consistently deliver outstanding IT solutions that help their customers thrive." About WEI WEI is an innovative, full-service, customer-centric IT solution provider. It is an expert in business technology improvement, helping clients optimize their technology environments and work efficiently. WEI works with clients to understand goals, integrate strategy with technology solutions, and leverage their current IT environment into one company-wide model to increase utilization and efficiencies around their unique business processes. WEI's clients benefit from a strong focus on customer satisfaction and attention to detail. They combine cutting-edge technology with architectural design, value-added services, onsite training, integration, testing labs, and a commitment to quality. From solution design through implementation, WEI's sales and technical team remains focused on providing unwavering support throughout a project. Follow WEI: LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube . Copyright 2025 WEI. All Rights Reserved. Contact: Erika Montgomery Three Girls Media, Inc. 408-218-2391 Erika@threegirlsmedia.com About The Channel Company: The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world's top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit? thechannelco.com . Follow The Channel Company: X , LinkedIn , and Facebook . 2025The Channel Company, Inc. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved. The Channel Company Contact: Kristin DaSilva The Channel Company kdasilva@thechannelcompany.com SOURCE: WEI View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/wei-named-to-crn-solution-provider-500-list-for-2025-1033131 Strategic co-investment alongside I Squared Capital to help deliver initial 1.4GW of clean energy across Italy Advances ALTERRA's mandate to deploy capital at speed for high-impact climate solutions. Project expected to avoid ~380,000 metric tons of CO2e emissions annually ALTERRA, the UAE's $30 billion climate investment vehicle, today announced a 50 million commitment via ALTERRA Acceleration Fund to Absolute Energy, an innovative Italian renewable energy platform. The co-investment, made alongside global infrastructure investment manager, I Squared Capital, will help accelerate the development of an initial active pipeline of 1.4GW projects across Italy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602700421/en/ Absolute Energy focuses on the rapid development of multiple commercially viable small to medium-scale solar projects across Italy, leveraging the country's supportive regulatory environment including accelerated permitting processes and guaranteed grid access. Through this initial buildout of 1.4GW of solar and battery storage capacity, along with a broader development pipeline of over 6GW, Absolute Energy is well positioned to become a next-generation Independent Power Producer (IPP) playing a key role in advancing Italy's decarbonization and energy independence goals. ALTERRA estimates that this 1.4GW pipeline could eliminate up to 380,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions annually1 Italy has set a national target of adding 46GW of new solar capacity by 2030 to advance its net zero ambitions, address rising power demand, strengthen energy security, and reduce dependence on energy imports. Benefiting from favourable conditions such as high solar irradiation levels coupled with supportive policies, Italy represents a compelling market opportunity for advancing solar infrastructure at a pivotal moment in Europe's energy transition. H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of ALTERRA commented: "We are excited to support Absolute Energy as it enters its next phase of growth. With a strong pipeline and deep sector expertise, the company will help drive Italy's clean energy future. ALTERRA invests to accelerate the climate transition through innovative approaches and partnerships. In working with a global leader like I Squared Capital with their strong track record in platform building and investing in renewables, this investment further demonstrates how ALTERRA works with partners to invest at scale to accelerate impact across key markets." Sadek Wahba, Chairman and Managing Partner of I Squared Capital, said: "We are proud to welcome ALTERRA as a strategic partner in Absolute Energy. Their investment underscores the strength of the platform and the scale of the opportunity in accelerating Italy's energy transition. ALTERRA brings deep climate focus and ambition, and we share their commitment to deploying capital with urgency and impact. This partnership is a powerful endorsement of Absolute Energy's innovative model and I Squared's long-standing approach to building transformational infrastructure businesses in critical sectors around the world." About ALTERRA ALTERRA is the world's largest private investment vehicle for climate finance. Launched at COP28 with a US$30 billion commitment from the UAE, ALTERRA aims to build innovative partnerships to mobilize US$250 billion globally by 2030 to finance the new climate economy and accelerate the climate transition. ALTERRA's dual-arm structure enhances its impact: the US$25 billion Acceleration Fund directs capital towards projects crucial for accelerating the global transition to a net-zero and climate-resilient economy at scale. The US$5 billion Transformation Fund incentivizes investment flows in high-growth climate opportunities in underserved markets by providing catalytic capital. Alterra Management Limited is duly licensed and authorized by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority under the Financial Services Permission No. 200001. About I Squared Capital I Squared Capital is a leading global infrastructure investor managing $45 billion in assets. We build and scale essential infrastructure businesses that deliver critical services to millions of people worldwide. Our portfolio includes over 90 companies operating in more than 70 countries and spanning sectors such as energy, utilities, digital infrastructure, transport, environmental and social infrastructure. Headquartered in Miami, our team of over 300 professionals is based across offices in Abu Dhabi, London, Munich, New Delhi, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Taipei. Learn more at www.isquaredcapital.com. 1 Based on assumptions such as the renewable assets' capacity factor and degradation, life cycle emission assessment, current power grid carbon intensity and a counter factual scenario. Disclaimers No discussion with respect to specific companies should be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular investment. The companies discussed do not represent all past investments. It should not be assumed that any of the investments discussed were or will be profitable, or that recommendations or decisions made in the future will be profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and there can be no assurance that any investment will achieve similar returns. This document does not constitute advice or a recommendation or offer to sell or a solicitation to deal in any security or financial product. It is provided for information purposes only. Investing involves risk, loss of principal is possible. Specific investments described herein do not represent all investment decisions made by ISQ. The reader should not assume that investment decisions identified and discussed were or will be profitable. Specific investment advice references provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily representative of investments that will be made in the future. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250602700421/en/ Contacts: I Squared Dominic McMullan/Shelly Hagan info@isquaredcapital.com ALTERRA Andreea Caraveteanu Andreea.Caraveteanu@edelmansmithfield.com MUMBAI, India, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director and CEO, Lumina Datamatics, and Vice Chairman and CEO, TNQTech, has been honored with "India's Top 50 CEOs, MDs, and Founders" Recognition by the Great Manager Institute for 2025. The prestigious recognition was awarded during India's Biggest Summit for People Leaders, held on May 23, 2025, at the Tata Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai. The event brought together eminent professionals and thought leaders to celebrate excellence in people management across industries. The Great Manager Institute annually honors individuals who exemplify people-first leadership by empowering teams, nurturing talent, and creating a culture of growth and collaboration. The selection process is based on a rigorous evaluation of managerial effectiveness and team feedback, spanning from January to December 2024. This recognition reflects Sameer's constant ability to connect, develop, and inspire his teams. It highlights his dedication to fostering a supportive, engaging, and purpose-driven work environment at Lumina Datamatics and TNQTech. While acknowledging this achievement, Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director and CEO, Lumina Datamatics and Vice Chairman and CEO, TNQTech, said: "I am truly honored to receive this recognition from the Great Manager Institute. This accolade belongs to the entire Lumina Datamatics and TNQTech teams for contributing with passion, purpose, and commitment. Together, we strive to build a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to deliver their best." The leadership values celebrated by this award align with the core principles we champion at Lumina Datamatics and TNQTech: Customer-First Mindset: Placing client needs at the center of our strategy and solutions Placing client needs at the center of our strategy and solutions People-First Culture: Prioritizing employee well-being and engagement Prioritizing employee well-being and engagement Empathetic Leadership: Understanding and valuing team dynamics Understanding and valuing team dynamics Talent Development: Encouraging continuous learning and growth Encouraging continuous learning and growth Vision and Inspiration: Supporting teams around a shared purpose Supporting teams around a shared purpose Result-Driven Collaboration: Empowering teams to succeed together This recognition encourages Lumina Datamatics and TNQTech to continue a high-performance culture that balances professional excellence with individual growth. Under Sameer's leadership, we remain committed to building a workplace where innovation thrives, teams flourish, and leadership drives meaningful impact towards common objectives - always with a sharp focus on delivering value to our customers. About Lumina Datamatics: Lumina Datamatics is a trusted partner in providing digital Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to companies in the Publishing and Retail Industries worldwide. We are among the largest service providers in the Content space and our customers include nine of the ten largest Publishers and three of the five largest Retailers and Marketplaces. Lumina Datamatics' expert solutions combine its various in-house and client-facing platforms, partnerships with global technology leaders, and more than 6,500 professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Philippines, and India. Media Contact: pr@luminad.com Fintech Forward 2025 will be programmed by Economist Impact and hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board MANAMA, BAHRAIN / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / The Kingdom of Bahrain is gearing up for its third edition of Fintech Forward, which will be hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and programmed by Economist Impact. Bringing together the best and brightest minds in payments, fintech, and the broader financial ecosystem, Fintech Forward has cemented itself as a leading regional event, where industry trailblazers, investors, and financial players come to exchange knowledge, celebrate milestone successes, and level up connections. The upcoming edition of the region's flagship financial services event, Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25), will take place on October 8-9 at Exhibition World Bahrain, hosted in collaboration with the Central Bank of Bahrain and supported by Bahrain FinTech Bay. Featuring keynotes, panel discussions and interactive sessions, the two-day event will spotlight opportunities and challenges for fintechs and highlight notable successes to learn from. Held under the banner "The era of integration: the maturing age of fintech", FF25 will bring together fintech experts, financial firms, governments and regulators from around the world to discuss trending themes, share insights, and exchange knowledge to further advance the industry. The event will cover a wide range of topics related to the industry, including the shift from rapid growth to sustainable maturity, the emergence of embedded infrastructure and advanced technologies, the focus on trust, regulation, and integration over disruption, as well as the lasting and increased collaboration between regulators, sovereign investors, and traditional banks. Bahrain, the host country for this global event, has a robust financial services sector that combines traditional banking with innovative fintech firms, including crypto assets, digital payments and open banking solutions. The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), which serves as the country's single regulator, has played a vital role in fostering fintech innovation through its dedicated Fintech Innovation Unit and pioneering regulatory frameworks. The CBB's onshore Regulatory Sandbox, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, provides a secure environment for local and international fintech companies to test and develop new technologies, supporting the growth of a resilient and compliant fintech ecosystem. Building on the success of previous editions, which drew participants from across the globe, Fintech Forward has established itself as a key platform for industry leaders to share insights, foster collaboration, and drive regional fintech advancement. For more information and to register interest in Fintech Forward 2025, please visit the website. Media can register here for a partnership. # ENDS # For more information, please contact: Abdulelah Abdulla Communications Department Economic Development Board Phone: +973-39798919 E-mail: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com About Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate. Bahrain EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors to ensure that Bahrain's investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment. Bahrain EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain's competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, logistics, ICT and tourism.For more information on the Bahrain EDB, visit www.bahrainedb.com. SOURCE: Bahrain Economic Development Board View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/fintech-forward-set-to-return-to-bahrain-and-gather-the-most-influen-1034868 Recognized with 18 top ranks and 37 leading positions across four peer groups, highlighting industry leadership in customer satisfaction, price to value, project success and product satisfaction Vena, the only Complete FP&A platform powered by agentic AI and purpose-built to fully amplify the Microsoft technology ecosystem, today shared it has been named a top-ranked or leading product in 55 categories across four peer groups in The Planning Survey 25 conducted by the Business Application Research Center (BARC). With 18 top ranks and 37 leading positions, Vena continues to stand out as a customer-centric, technologically advanced leader in the FP&A software space. Survey participants reported exceptional results with Vena: 100% are satisfied with Vena.* 94% are satisfied with Vena's performance.* 97% achieved a better quality of planning results with Vena. 97% increased the transparency and traceability of planning with Vena. 97% achieved more precise/detailed planning with Vena. "Vena's top-tier rankings in key performance indicators such as project success, price to value and customer satisfaction underscore its commitment to excellence and customer-centric innovation," said Dr. Christian Fuchs, Senior Analyst for Data Analytics at BARC. "The strong customer feedback in our survey reinforces Vena's ability to deliver rapid, effective implementations while maintaining very high satisfaction levels." A number of surveyed customers cited Vena's deep synergy with the Microsoft technology ecosystem, particularly its integration with Microsoft Excel, as a major strength. The "seamless" Excel integration played a key role in Vena's top ranking in the ease-of-use category, outperforming the peer group average by almost two full points. In addition, Vena's recent launch of workflows embedded directly within Microsoft Teams continues to enhance productivity and collaboration, enabling finance professionals to plan, report and share insights where they already work. Vena also ranked as the top provider for user experience in the Integrated Products for Planning and BI Analytics peer group, which combines scores for self-service, flexibility, ease of use and performance satisfaction, underscoring the platform's overall usability and strength. "These recognitions highlight our commitment to delivering innovative, high-impact solutions that empower our customers with the flexibility, insights and support they need to plan with confidence. We're especially proud of our rankings across price to value, customer satisfaction, project success, sales experience and implementer support-all on par or even ahead of the biggest players in this space," said Hugh Cumming, Chief Technology Officer at Vena. "From launching the first FP&A-specific AI agents to expanding our footprint through Microsoft Azure Marketplace availability, we're dedicated to delivering solutions that meet FP&A professionals where they are." The Planning Survey 25's validation of Vena's leading FP&A technology adds to a number of recent accolades, including: Recognition in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Financial Close and Consolidation Solutions A leading position on the 2025 Nucleus Research CPM Value Matrix Being named a Provider of Assurance in four ISG Buyers Guides Winning the inaugural Dresner Applications Innovation Award for Workforce Planning and Analysis A G2 2025 Best Software Award A 2025 BIG Innovation Award for Software The Planning Survey 25 is based on the world's largest survey of planning software users conducted from November 2024 to February 2025, with 1,187 respondents and analysis of 19 products. It evaluates user feedback on 33 criteria (KPIs), such as Business Benefits, Project Success, Customer Satisfaction and more Click here to view The Planning Survey 25. About Vena: Vena is the only agentic AI-powered FP&A platform purpose-built to harness the full power of the Microsoft technology ecosystem for finance teams everywhere. Vena amplifies Microsoft's world-leading productivity tools, cloud technology and AI innovation to make FP&A, operational planning and adjacent strategic processes more flexible, efficient and intelligent. Thousands of the world's leading companies rely on Vena to power their planning. For more information, visit venasolutions.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603391456/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Jonathan Paul Vice President, Content Marketing jpaul@venacorp.com EMEA region shows highest global rate of repeat engagement with VEC attacks and lowest VEC reporting rates Abnormal AI, the leader in AI-native human behaviour security, today released its latest global threat intelligence report, Read, Replied, Compromised: Employee Engagement Trends Across VEC Attacks, spotlighting the growing impact of vendor email compromise (VEC) on enterprise security. While the report examines data from over 1,400 organisations worldwide, findings show that EMEA-based enterprises are particularly vulnerable, with post-read interaction and repeat engagement rates significantly outpacing other regions. The report reveals how employees frequently struggle to differentiate between legitimate messages and attacks, especially when those emails appear to come from a trusted vendor. The findings are eye-opening: across all regions, 72% of employees at large enterprises who read a VEC message went on to engage with it further-taking follow-up actions such as replying or forwarding. "Email-based social engineering has never been more convincing or more effective," said Mike Britton, CIO at Abnormal AI. "Today's attackers are hijacking legitimate vendor threads and crafting sophisticated messages that pass undetected through legacy defences. And because employees believe these emails are real, they are engaging with them at alarming rates." The data reveals that VEC threats are especially pronounced in EMEA. Organisations in this region are particularly susceptible to VEC attacks, despite exercising higher vigilance around business email compromise (BEC) attacks. For example, in EMEA, the VEC engagement rate exceeds BEC engagement by 90%, and repeat engagement with VEC is the highest of any region-over twice that of BEC. This suggests that employees trust external parties (e.g., vendors) more than internal sources, making them especially vulnerable to vendor impersonation. Additionally, EMEA-based organisations record the lowest reporting rate for VEC across all regions (0.27%), yet highest reporting for BEC (4.22%). Additional key findings across the global data: In just 12 months, attackers attempted to steal more than $300 million via VEC, with 7% of engagements coming from employees who had engaged with a previous attack. Meanwhile, the overall reporting rate for advanced text-based email threats was just 1.46%, revealing a significant visibility gap for security teams. Telecommunications saw the highest VEC engagement rate of any industry at 71.3%, dwarfing the second-ranked energy/utilities sector at 56%. Sales roles, especially entry-level, were among the most vulnerable, with junior sales staff engaging with read VEC attacks at a rate of 86%. "While VEC volume remains lower than phishing or ransomware, its success rate-and potential financial impact-is far greater, especially as weaponised AI makes it easier than ever for attackers to impersonate trusted vendors," Britton added. "To prevent costly human error, organisations must move beyond reactive training and adopt proactive defences that block threats before they reach the inbox." Download the full report: Read, Replied, Compromised: Employee Engagement Trends Across VEC Attacks About Abnormal AI Abnormal AI is the leading AI-native human behaviour security platform, leveraging machine learning to stop sophisticated inbound attacks and detect compromised accounts across email and connected applications. The anomaly detection engine leverages identity and context to understand human behaviour and analyse the risk of every cloud email event-detecting and stopping sophisticated, socially-engineered attacks that target the human vulnerability. You can deploy Abnormal in minutes with an API integration for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace and experience the full value of the platform instantly. Additional protection is available for Slack, Workday, ServiceNow, Zoom, and multiple other cloud applications. Abnormal is currently trusted by more than 3,200 organisations, including over 20% of the Fortune 500, as it continues to redefine how cybersecurity works in the age of AI. Learn more at abnormal.ai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603951973/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Jade Hill Senior Director of Communications media@abnormalsecurity.com ST PETER'S PORT, Guernsey and LONDON, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jacobi Asset Management announces today at Money 20/20 Amsterdam a major milestone in the evolution of digital asset investment in Europe. The Jacobi Bitcoin ETF, Europe's first and only Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), is now open to both retail and professional investors following a landmark decision by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC). Retail investors, subject to the rules of their respective national regulators, can now access the Jacobi Bitcoin ETF via regulated brokerage and investment platforms. This step not only enhances accessibility but reinforces Jacobi's mission to democratise secure exposure to digital assets. Originally launched in 2023 on Euronext Amsterdam, the Jacobi Bitcoin ETF is regulated to institutional-grade standards, offering a secure, transparent, and compliant vehicle for investors. Amidst the volatility of Bitcoin's price action over the past few years, the fund maintained its minimum investment requirement in line with regulatory prudence. With Bitcoin now firmly established as a mainstream asset - adopted by corporations, institutions, and governments alike - regulatory frameworks are evolving to reflect its maturing role in the financial ecosystem. In response, Jacobi has secured the removal of the professional-only restriction and minimum investment requirement on its ETF. Jacobi was supported in this endeavour by Collas Crill, Midshore Consulting and Sigma Asset Management, all of whom have been working with Jacobi since before the ETF was launched. "This is a significant moment for both Jacobi and Guernsey," said Peter Lane, CEO of Jacobi Asset Management. "Our fund was designed from day one with a regulated, institutional-grade structure that investors could trust and were familiar with. Now, with greater regulatory alignment and growing public interest, we're delighted to expand access to all investors across eligible jurisdictions. We applaud Guernsey as an innovative jurisdiction who have embraced the evolution of digital assets and look forward to bringing more innovative, digital asset products to market with robust regulatory oversight." Trusted Custody and Industry Recognition As the appointed custodian for the Jacobi Bitcoin ETF, Zodia Custody plays a critical role in safeguarding client assets with the highest standards of institutional-grade security and compliance. "Zodia Custody is proud to continue providing our institutional-grade custody solutions to the Jacobi Bitcoin ETF as they expand their offerings to retail investors," commented Julian Sawyer, CEO of Zodia Custody. "Our role remains clear: to protect client capital without compromising on security or compliance." The move has also been welcomed by Guernsey Finance, the promotional agency for the island's financial services industry, as a landmark for the jurisdiction's digital asset ambitions. "This development represents a major step forward for Guernsey," said Rupert Pleasant, CEO of Guernsey Finance. "It signals our jurisdiction's capability and readiness to support regulated digital asset products, bringing international innovation to our shores and expanding our profile in this fast-evolving sector." About Jacobi Asset Management Jacobi Asset Management is a UK-based digital asset investment manager that bridges traditional finance with blockchain innovation. With the current fund offering regulated by the GFSC, Jacobi Asset Management brings institutional-quality investment products to professional and retail investors, grounded in transparency, regulation, and sustainability. Media Contact: PR & Communications Jacobi Asset Management press@jacobiam.com www.jacobiam.com ABU DHABI, UAE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ADGM, the international financial centre of the UAE capital, has accomplished another quarter of robust growth and increased global recognition, sustaining momentum from a record-breaking 2024. In Q1 2025, ADGM achieved significant growth across key metrics, supported by ongoing global investor confidence, regulatory enhancements, and the successful implementation of major initiatives within its expanded jurisdiction on Al Reem Island. Meanwhile, ADGM's focus and strategic initiatives to strengthen ADGM's standing as a leading international financial centre reaffirmed Abu Dhabi's position as a global financial powerhouse and a destination of choice for regional and global entities. Commenting on ADGM's growth momentum, His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said, "ADGM's Q1 2025 performance marks the beginning of another landmark year. This is not just a reflection of ADGM's capabilities to deliver sustained growth, but also the trust it has gained among global and regional institutions, boosting Abu Dhabi's status as a global financial and innovation hub. As the world's safest and most dynamic jurisdiction for asset and wealth management, ADGM continues to expand and diversify with purpose, welcoming leading firms, deepening international partnerships, and driving digital and sustainable transformation across sectors. ADGM remains committed to contributing towards capital formation and innovation in alignment with the UAE's long-term economic vision." Diverse Growth Within The 'Capital of Capital' The asset management sector was a key indicator of ADGM's growth last year. During Q1 2025, AUMs grew 33% compared to Q1 2024. At the end of Q1 2025, 119 asset and fund managers managed a total of 184 funds out of ADGM. As the sole jurisdiction in the region to adopt the direct application of English common law, ADGM's transparency, stability, legal certainty and familiarity with its established regulatory framework have been a key driver to the growing number of global and regional entities setting up. As of Q1 2025, the total number of operational entities in ADGM increased 43% to 2,781, from the same period a year earlier, while the number of financial services entities increased to 367, indicating a 26% growth from Q1 2024. The number of new licences grew in Q1 2025, representing an increase of 67% from Q1 2024. Notable firms establishing a presence during this period include Skadden, Investindustrial, NewVest, Arcapita, Polen Capital, Seviora, Olive Gaea, TON, and Aquila Group. These firms represent a range of sectors and position ADGM as the preferred premier international hub for asset management, sustainable finance, legal services, and digital innovation. Strategic Human Capital Growth One of ADGM's strategic focuses under the 'Capital of Capital' concept has been human capital. Efforts towards this have resulted in the workforce on Al Maryah Island surging to over 29,000 individuals, a 17% growth compared to the same quarter last year. Furthermore, a total of 3,509 new ADGM work permits have been issued to businesses establishing on Al Reem Island. In line with its focus on human capital, ADGM also introduced new Employment Regulations, aimed at enhancing workplace protections while preserving business agility. ADGM's Global Outreach and Strategic Engagements ADGM's international engagement efforts remained strong throughout Q1 2025, further highlighting its role as a global bridge for the growth of Abu Dhabi's financial sector. In January, an ADGM delegation returned to iConnections Global Alts Miami to deepen its relationship with hedge funds, private equity firms, and venture capital leaders. The delegation held bilateral meetings in New York and Washington and participated in a headline panel discussion titled "Abu Dhabi: The Capital of Capital", showcasing the emirate's strategic access to USD 1.7 trillion in sovereign wealth capital and its investor-friendly ecosystem. In February, ADGM participated in the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development's (ADDED) high-level delegation to China, aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties between the two countries. With the UAE-China trade projected to reach USD 200 billion by 2030, ADGM is reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a vital gateway for Chinese capital into the region. At the beginning of April, a high-level delegation from ADGM travelled to Japan, where they conducted nearly 30 strategic bilateral meetings with leading financial institutions. The discussions focused on key sectors, including private banking, wealth management, and family businesses, reflecting the commitment of Japanese companies to fostering international partnerships and expanding their footprint in the region. Al Reem Island Integration During Q1 2025, ADGM completed its jurisdictional expansion to Al Reem Island, which delivered strong results. By Q1 2025, over 600 new businesses had set up on Al Reem Island, and more than 500 existing Al Reem-based companies had migrated to an ADGM licence. Currently, a total of 1,100 new entities operate within ADGM's expanded jurisdiction. ADGM's Strategic Moves for Blockchain Innovation and Tokenisation Frameworks Reinforcing its position as a regulatory pioneer in digital assets, ADGM in March signed an MoU with Chainlink, the industry standard for onchain finance. The partnership will enable the development of compliant tokenisation frameworks by leveraging Chainlink's infrastructure and expertise. Additionally, ADGM welcomed Stacks Asia and Bitgrit to its ecosystem in Q1 2025, which will leverage ADGM's world-leading Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Foundations framework. These efforts are boosting Abu Dhabi's profile as a rising blockchain innovation hub at both regional and global levels. ADGM's Continued Growth in Sustainable Finance The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration now boasts 170 signatories, spanning banks, asset managers, investment funds, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Some of the recent names that became signatories include Aquila Capital, Century Financial, Oryx Global Partners, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Olive Gaea. Driving Innovation Through Technology ADGM officially launched its all-in-one mobile application to enhance the digital experience for businesses, employees, and residents in Q1 2025. The app offers real-time regulatory updates, compliance tools, licence renewals, and exclusive networking features. It also introduced a groundbreaking digital platform for real estate transactions, enabling fully virtual sell-and-purchase workflows involving buyers, sellers, and financial institutions-a regional first that reflects ADGM's commitment to tech-driven transformation. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2550581/5010772/ADGM_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/adgm-kicks-off-2025-with-strong-first-quarter-performance-302471775.html TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Wolfden Resources Corporation (WLF.V) ("Wolfden"or the"Company")is pleased to release positive results from a recent deep penetrating induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey from its Rockland Gold Project located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA. The survey was designed to test for anomalous chargeability just below historical drill results that ended in mineralization with 146.4 metres at 1.0 g/t AuEq* in hole PG-32 and hole PG-36C drilling in the opposing direction 70 metres away with 85.4 metres at 1.0 g/t AuEq* (see Figures 3 to 5). Importantly, these holes both include intervals of higher grades and alteration that increases in intensity with depth, both indicative of a potential higher grade system at depth. A 3D inversion model of the IP survey results indicates a stronger chargeability anomaly below the altered rhyolite-hosted lower grade gold mineralization closer to surface. In addition, the anomaly is coincident with a northeast-trending structural corridor that is interpreted to extend at least 1.7 km (1.1 miles) below other positive gold bearing drill hole results and altered rhyolite domes. The Company believes that the chargeability anomaly indicates an increase in disseminated pyrite from hydrothermal-alteration, which correlates well with the gold mineralization observed along the trend. Banded quartz veins and quartz-enriched zones within the pyrite-alteration of the historic drill holes have returned elevated gold values. The Company is targeting just below the historic drilling where potential boiling occurred in the hydrothermal system that could lead to increased pyrite mineralization and higher grades. The IP survey and the previous CSAMT survey have now clearly defined similar sizable corridors that warrant testing at depth. The Company plans to commence a drill program in July to test these targets. The 1,800 metre drill program is permitted and funding is available from the Company's recent US$1.5M land sale in Maine pending final approvals from the TSXV that is expected in the coming weeks. An analogous target model is AngloGold's major new Silicon-Merlin discovery located in the Beatty Mining District further to the southeast along the Walker Lane trend, which hosts Indicated-level mineral resources of 121 mT for 3.4 million ounces of gold and Inferred mineral resources of 391 mT for 12.9 million ounces of gold1. "The Rockland East target in our opinion represents one of the most exciting drill ready exploration targets in the Walker Lane Trend as it consists of 1) potential large gold system with material as supported by gold intercepts in two opposing holes 70 metres apart, that both returned 1.0 g/t AuEq* over 85.4 metres and 146.4 metres, the latter ending in gold mineralization, 2) new deep IP results suggesting that hydrothermal fluids upwelled and ponded, creating wide, lower grade gold mineralization that could flank a pyrite-rich, higher-grade gold vein system at depth, 3) an historic high grade Au-Ag vein mine which is part of the property package further to the west of the survey area shows that high grade gold zones occur on the property and, 4) multi-square kilometre scale, argillic to advanced argillic, rhyolite and basin-margin-debris-hosted alteration zones that are cut by quartz veins enriched in antimony, arsenic and gold," stated Don Dudek, Senior Exploration Advisor for Wolfden. "These are the typical characteristics exhibited by some of the high quality gold deposits in the Walker Lane Trend." As per the terms of the earn-in agreement with Evergold Corp. (EVER.V) and the underlying claim owner ("Owner"), who are both at arm's length, Wolfden must complete US$1.175 million in exploration expenditures, including a minimum of 5,000 feet (~1,500 m) of drilling in 2025, and make cash payments of up to US$600,000 over a period of three years to earn a 51% interest in the property by March 2028. The first cash payment of US$100,000 was paid in March, 2025. Upon completion of these terms, Evergold will have earned a 100% interest in the property from the Owner less a 3% NSR of which 2% can be repurchased for US$3 million and the property title will transfer from the Owner to Wolfden. At such time, Wolfden may elect to 1) continue to earn a 75% joint venture interest in the Project by funding up to the completion a Pre-feasibility Study within 5 to 8 years or 2) elect to continue as the operator of a joint venture with its initial 51% interest. In either scenario, if Evergold is ever diluted to a 20% interest or less, it will convert its interest to a 2% NSR where Wolfden can repurchase 1.5% from Evergold for C$2.25 million. Under either election, all NSR buyback rights and first rights of refusal to purchase all interests and NSR's shall apply and be held by Wolfden and or the joint venture. The earn-in agreement was announced on October 29, 2024 and is considered a fundamental acquisition for the Company, as defined in Policy 5.3, and as such is subject to certain conditions having been met under Section 5.7 of Policy 5.3, including the review by the TSX Venture Exchange of a technical report prepared in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Mineral Disclosure) that was submitted in May. Technical Details The IP survey was carried out in April, 2025. It was designed to penetrate to 400 metres below the surface which is well beyond the previous IP survey and below hole PG-32 that ended in gold-bearing disseminated pyrite mineralization, but still above where both the boiling zone of the hydrothermal system, where higher gold grades are interpreted to occur. This new IP survey was expanded from the previously surveyed area to investigate newly interpreted disseminated sulphide zones and provide insight into the relationship between increased chargeability and coincident CSAMT anomalies (controlled source audio magnetic telluric). The IP survey indicates that there is a 1.7 km long ridge of higher chargeability that is related to the area where historic drill holes returned gold values (Figures 2 and 3). A CSAMT, resistivity high correlates with at least 50% of the IP trend as does the IP resistivity, which also correlates with the chargeability. The resistivity highs are interpreted to be related to silicification which appears be related to gold mineralization. Figure 3, also shows proposed drill holes with one hole to test down dip of the intercept in Hole PG-32 and another hole, if warranted, to cover the rest of coincident chargeability and resistivity trends. Figures 3 to 5, also presents an intercept in hole PG-36C of 1.0 g/t AuEq over 85.4 metres. This intercept, and the one in PG-32, are 70 metres apart at their closest point, which suggests that there is a decent volume potential of ~ 1 g/t AuEq mineralization, and that may also extend further to surface. The IP survey also picked up a new, 1.2 km, northeast-trending chargeability anomaly in the northwest part of the survey area (Figure 2). Approximately 50% of the anomaly (west half) correlates with a weak resistivity high. In addition, 34 grab samples, collected down-slope of the IP anomaly, returned from 0.24 to 30.3 g/t Au and until this survey was completed, a possible source of these mineralized boulders had not been located. It is evident that that a nearby hole would have missed testing the chargeability anomaly. This target cannot not be tested in the current program as a new work permit is required. A third weaker chargeability anomaly occurs just south of the above anomaly (Figure 2). This area is one of the priority targets as it is testing a new target area along a northerly trending CSAMT anomaly, a strong interpreted structure, a structural splay feature and highly anomalous arsenic, antimony and silver, in nearby holes. The high chargeability in the northeast part of the survey grid is likely related to the combined effect of conductive sediments and the altered volcanics with the sediment response overwhelming the chargeability response of the altered rhyolites. Strongly altered rhyolites have been mapped to the 2nd line to the northeast; however metal chemistry indicates that these altered rhyolites are more distal from the core of a mineralized system than the rocks to the west of this area. QA/QC Comment All grades over drilled length were calculated from a validated drill database that includes work from several different companies. Holes 13 to 27 were completed in 1995 by a well-known international company and although there is no QA/QC documentation available, it is assumed that the work and the laboratory used would have been of good industry standards and practices. Holes 30 to 38C were drilled in 2006 and 2007 with a complete QA/QC program that included reverse circulation samples of 9 kilograms on average, collected at five-foot intervals from a wet splitter. Occasional duplicate samples were taken in the same way. Control samples including standard pulps and crushed marble blanks were inserted into the sample sequence about one every 10 samples. The samples were prepared and fire assayed for gold and multi-element analysis by ALS Chemex at their laboratory in Sparks, Nevada. All drill core was HQ in size, photographed, logged, including RQD measurements and recovery, prior to sampling. Sample intervals were typically chosen to follow actual core block/run intervals to a maximum of five feet of sample. Control samples including standard pulps and crushed marble blanks were inserted randomly in the sample number sequence to check and verify lab accuracy. The control samples were inserted at least one every tenth sample and more frequently in well mineralized zones. The grab samples were collected by at least four different exploration teams, including those that had completed the drilling. It is believed that the prospecting grab sample data noted in this release, accurately reflect the gold content of the rocks, especially since different groups returned anomalous assays from the same area and that at least one of the groups, had an active, documented drill sample QAQC program in 2006 and 2007. About Wolfden Wolfden is a North American exploration and development company focused on high-margin metallic mineral deposits including precious, base, and critical metals. It has two nickel sulphide deposits in Manitoba and one of the highest-grade polymetallic projects in the USA (Zn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Au) that represent significant development projects with the potential to produce domestic supply of strategic metals. For further information please contact Ron Little, President & CEO at (807) 624-1136. The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ron Little, P.Eng., President and CEO, who is a Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101. * True widths unknown. Calculation of AuEq uses gold price of US$2000/oz and silver price of US$25/oz. The gold to silver ratio is approximately 9:1. 1 Silicon/Merlin discovery- meant only as a target comparison and not to imply that future work at Rockland will return similar results Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events, including the potential for projects to be domestic sources of ethically produced base and critical metals for the expansion of renewable energy in North America. Such forward-looking information includes statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, and include, without limitation, metal price assumptions, cash flow forecasts, permitting, land transactions, community and other regulatory approvals, and the timing and completion of exploration programs in the USA, Manitoba, New Brunswick and the respective drill results. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information in this news release, including without limitation, the following risks and uncertainties: (i) risks inherent in the mining industry; (ii) regulatory and environmental risks; (iii) results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; (iv) risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; (v) stock market volatility and capital market fluctuations; and (vi) general market and industry conditions. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management on the date hereof and is expressly qualified by this notice. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by applicable law. 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. Figure 1. Rockland Property Location Map Figure 2. Rockland Chargeability Plan Map at a vertical depth of 200 m below surface including gold-bearing surface grab samples Figure 3. Rockland Chargeability Cross Section A-A' including hole PG-32 that stopped short of the new target Figure 4. Rockland Resistivity Cross Section A-A' including hole PG-32 Figure 5. Rockland CSAMT Survey Section A-A' including hole PG-32 SOURCE: Wolfden Resources Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/wolfden-releases-positive-deep-survey-results-at-rockland-in-nevada-1034802 TOKYO, June 3, 2025 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Limited today announced a new business strategy to accelerate the digital transformation of financial institutions and contribute to solving societal issues by shifting its business model and portfolio towards service-based offerings.The financial industry is changing at an unprecedented pace. In addition to the progress of digitalization in financial operations, including the shift to cashless transactions and automation of business processes, non-financial businesses are expanding their efforts to provide customers with financial services by integrating them into their own services. Consumers will continue to benefit from financial services, and further innovation is likely through collaboration between financial institutions and businesses in other sectors.Fujitsu aims to enrich lives by creating a smart society through the continuous evolution of reliable accounting and branch solutions, and by leveraging the data they generate. To achieve this goal, Fujitsu has newly systematized initiatives focused on the financial industry, leveraging Fujitsu Uvance. This service will combine its deep expertise in financial operations with the advanced capabilities of Fujitsu Uvance, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and open architecture, including AI.Financial industry-focused initiatives with Uvance offer the following key solutions, which will be gradually expanded in stages:1. Fujitsu's core banking solution: A new core accounting solution with flexibility and scalabilityFujitsu's core banking solution is a cloud-native core banking solution that addresses challenges of flexibility and scalability. The open API function enables the integration with external services, and this architecture aims to automate system development using generative AI technology in the future.2. Fujitsu's digital channel services: A store solution seamlessly integrating in-person and remote interactions while streamlining operationsFujitsu's digital channel services is a store solution that supports the transformation of business operations, customer experience, and work styles by turning the financial front function of customer contact into a service in order to evolve bank branches into hubs for rapid decision-making through the use of AI. The solution provides integrated management of digital channel operations and cash-based procedures, enabling streamlined operations through seamless integration of remote and in-person interactions.Through the provision of financial industry-focused initiatives with Uvance, Fujitsu will help to enhance the operations of financial institutions and advance the realization of a more prosperous society.Termination of ATM and branch-specific hardware provisioningFujitsu further announced its decision to conclude the provision of its own ATMs and branch-specific hardware business in Japan by the end of March 2028. Aligned with its strategic focus on accelerating financial digital transformation through service-based business, Fujitsu has reached a basic agreement with OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd. for hardware procurement. This collaboration will ensure the continued provision of hardware, complementing Fujitsu's software offerings. Fujitsu will also continue to offer optimal hardware solutions for convenience store ATMs in Japan.Fujitsu's Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 represent a set of common goals to be achieved worldwide by 2030. Fujitsu's purpose - "to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation" - is a promise to contribute to the vision of a better future empowered by the SDGs.About FujitsuFujitsu's purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers around the globe, our 113,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: AI, Computing, Networks, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$23 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: global.fujitsu.Press ContactsFujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiriesSource: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2025 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement on the Progress of A-Share Repurchases through Centralized Bidding Transactions 03.06.2025 / 13:09 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Announcement on the Progress of A-Share Repurchases through Centralized Bidding Transactions Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 3 June 2025 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published an announcement in accordance with applicable trading rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and applicable PRC laws in relation to the Progress of A-Share Repurchases through Centralized Bidding Transactions. The full announcement is available at: https://smart-home.haier.com/en/dggg/P020250603655912513933.pdf?appdesc=Announcement%20on%20the%20Progress%20of%20A-Share%20Repurchases%20through%20Centralized%20Bidding%20Transactions IR Contact: Haier Smart Home Hong Kong T: +852 2169 0000 Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact: CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH Sara Pinto pi@crossalliance.de T: +49 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as small household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud in the Chinese market, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. 03.06.2025 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Unlocking a New Dimension of Personalized Digital Healthcare for Millions Across Europe Hims Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE: HIMS), the leading health and wellness platform, today announced a significant step in its global expansion through its agreement to acquire ZAVA, a leading digital health platform in Europe. This strategic move will expand Hims Hers' footprint in the United Kingdom and will officially launch the company into Germany, France, and Ireland, with more markets anticipated soon. This acquisition is expected to accelerate Hims Hers' vision to deliver the same seamless, personalized care experience it has successfully built in the U.S. to millions more people globally. Hims Hers will establish its own branded presence, leveraging the robust ZAVA platform, in each of these European markets in the coming quarters. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603806947/en/ This strategic move will expand Hims Hers' footprint in the United Kingdom and will officially launch the company into Germany, France, and Ireland, with more markets anticipated soon. By combining ZAVA's trusted European operations, medical rigor, and seamless digital experience with Hims Hers' proven, trusted brand, the company is poised to become a leader in digital health globally, delivering access to personalized care that meets people where they are. This strategic acquisition will significantly strengthen Hims Hers' international footprint. Serving more than 1.3 million active customers, ZAVA's in-house medical team delivered nearly 2.3 million consultations in 2024 across the UK, Germany, France, and Ireland. Hims Hers will soon introduce a new, personalized dimension of digital health in Europe, providing individuals with access to care tailored to their specific needs and goals across dermatology, weight loss, sexual health and mental health. To ensure a world-class and localized experience, this expansion will include access to British, German, and French healthcare providers in local languages. While Hims Hers will share more about the offerings and their rollout in the coming months, they expect the deal to be accretive by 2026. "The demand for simpler, more personalized healthcare is universal," said Andrew Dudum, founder and CEO of Hims Hers. "By leveraging ZAVA's established European presence, cutting-edge technology, and deep customer understanding, we're poised to fundamentally transform access to care for millions across Europe. Whether in rural towns, vibrant cities, or remote communities across Europe, people battling widespread, often silent chronic conditions like obesity, depression, and more will have access to the personalized, high-quality care they deserve." "Wherever you live, the need is the same: healthcare that's personal, trustworthy and fast. By joining forces with Hims Hers, we can put that standard within reach of millions more people across Europe," said David Meinertz, co-founder and CEO of ZAVA. "Together we'll pair ZAVA's trusted clinical services, established footprint, and deep understanding of the European healthcare landscape with the Hims Hers experience to make affordable access to high-quality, personalized care the rule, not the exception. I'm thrilled to be working with Andrew and his team. It's still day one for digital healthcare, and I can't wait to see what we'll achieve for patients in the years ahead." The acquisition consideration will be comprised of 100% cash, to be funded from the company's balance sheet at closing. The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2025, and Hims Hers expects to continue expanding globally as demand for personalized healthcare continues to grow. For more information, please see news.hims.com. About Hims Hers Health, Inc Hims Hers is the leading health and wellness platform on a mission to help the world feel great through the power of better health. We believe how you feel in your body and mind transforms how you show up in life. That's why we're building a future where nothing stands in the way of harnessing this power. Hims Hers normalizes health wellness challenges-and innovates on their solutions-to make feeling happy and healthy easy to achieve. No two people are the same, so the company provides access to personalized care designed for results. For more information, please visit www.hims.com and www.forhers.com. About ZAVA ZAVA is a leading digital health platform in Europe, on a mission to make high-quality, dependable healthcare accessible and affordable. Serving more than 1.3 million active customers, ZAVA's in-house medical team delivered nearly 2.3 million consultations in 2024 across the UK, Germany, France and Ireland putting compassionate, clinically-robust healthcare in people's hands 24/7. Rated "outstanding" for leadership by the UK Care Quality Commission, ZAVA combines medical rigour with a friction-free digital experience. ZAVA's comprehensive service portfolio spans weight management, women's and men's health, sexual health, general medicine and skin hair care helping people tackle both everyday and sensitive conditions quickly, discreetly and safely. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the timing and effects of entering into the acquisition described above, our future performance, anticipated customer demand, the ability to scale our business, the solutions accessible on our platform, and the underlying assumptions with respect to the foregoing, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Hims Hers and its business. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to market conditions, our legal and regulatory environment, macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, and those factors described in the "Risk Factors" section of each of our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any of our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation (and expressly disclaim any obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. These risks and others described in the "Risk Factors" section of each of our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any of our subsequent filings with the Commission may not be exhaustive. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603806947/en/ Contacts: Press Contact Susan Cadrecha press@forhims.com TSXV: PGZ | OTCQB: PGZFF | FRA: 2EU Pan Global's Escacena Project strategically located adjacent to Minera Los Frailes Mine VANCOUVER, BC, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pan Global Resources Inc. ("Pan Global" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGZ) (OTCQB: PGZFF) (FRA: 2EU) today acknowledges the approval by the Government of Andalucia of the restoration plan and exploitation permit for Minera Los Frailes to develop the Los Frailes underground mine adjacent to Pan Global's 100%-owned flagship Escacena Project ("Escacena") in southern Spain. Minera Los Frailes is owned by Grupo Mexico (97.31%), and Magtel (2.69%). Grupo Mexico is the fourth-largest copper producer by volume globally. The granting of the exploitation permit reaffirms Andalucia's status as a Tier-1 global mining jurisdiction. The Los Frailes zinc, copper, lead and silver mining project is expected to generate significant investment and employment in the region. "This milestone for our neighbors at Minera Los Frailes highlights the strength of the permitting environment in Andalucia and underscores the strategic location of our 100%-owned Escacena Project," said Tim Moody, President and CEO of Pan Global. "With our La Romana copper discovery located just west of the planned Los Frailes mine, Pan Global is uniquely positioned to benefit from increased regional investment, infrastructure upgrades, and other synergies. The Los Frailes mine will be a significant new mine development, with an anticipated 20-year mine life, and a plant producing zinc, lead, and copper concentrates." La Romana hosts a near-surface copper-tin-silver deposit with outstanding metallurgy and characteristics favorable to potential open pit development, supporting Pan Global's strategy to advance a significant, low-cost, and sustainable copper project within a Tier-1 mining district. The La Romana deposit remains open for expansion in several areas and significant upside is also represented by the many other targets in the Escacena Project area. A multi-target drill program is continuing at Escacena as drilling is set to resume at the high priority Bravo target after a short pause for the local wheat harvest. The next round of step-out drillholes is being finalized at La Romana, targeting higher-grade extensions of mineralization. Results are also anticipated within the next two weeks from the ongoing drill program in the Carmenes Project in northern Spain where near-surface high-grade gold mineralization has been reported from the Company's first drillhole (see the May 19, 2025 media release). About Pan Global Resources Pan Global Resources Inc. is actively exploring for copper-rich mineral deposits along with gold and other metals. Copper has compelling supply-demand fundamentals and outlook for strong long-term prices as a critical metal for global electrification and energy transition. Gold is also attracting record prices. The Company's flagship Escacena Project is located in the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Spain, where a favourable permitting track record, excellent infrastructure, mining and professional expertise, and support for copper as a Strategic Raw Material by the European Commission collectively define a tier-one low-risk jurisdiction for mining investment. The Company's second project, at Carmenes, in northern Spain, is also an area with a long mining history and excellent infrastructure. The Pan Global team comprises proven talent in exploration, discovery, development, and mine operations - all of which are committed to operating safely and with utmost respect for the environment and our partnered communities. The Company is a member, and operates under the principles, of the United Nations Global Compact. www.panglobalresources.com Forward-looking statements Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this media release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental, and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission. The forward-looking information contained in this media release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this media release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. 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. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2701549/Pan_Global_Resources_Inc__PAN_GLOBAL_WELCOMES_APPROVAL_OF_GRUPO.jpg ?FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jason Mercier, VP Investor Relations and Communications, jason@panglobalresources.com / investors@panglobalresources.com, Tel: +1-236-886-9518 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pan-global-welcomes-approval-of-grupo-mexicos-adjacent-los-frailes-mine-302471204.html Global research report reveals how manufacturers in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are leveraging AI and machine learning for cybersecurity, quality control, and energy management DUBAI, UAE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today unveiled the Middle East findings of its 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report. The research reveals that manufacturers across the region are global front-runners in deploying AI with tangible business goals. The study, based on feedback from more than 1,500 manufacturing leaders globally, shows that 98% of firms in the region are either using or planning to implement generative AI, the highest rate globally and 96% are committed to broader AI/ML technologies. Manufacturers in the Middle East are shifting from broad digital expansion to focused strategies, aligning digital investment to measurable outcomes in efficiency, cybersecurity, and sustainability. "Middle East manufacturers are not just experimenting with smart manufacturing technologies; they are applying them to address real operational challenges," said Ediz Eren, regional vice president, Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa, Rockwell Automation. "From cyber resilience to ESG performance and workforce engagement, the data shows a shift toward outcome-driven digitalization." Manufacturers in the region are prioritizing practical use cases for AI. Over the next 12 months, 68% plan to use AI for quality control, 61% for cybersecurity, and 46% for energy management, significantly above European benchmarks. The focus on ROI is already paying off, with 10% of manufacturers citing GenAI as their top-returning technology, and 15% saying the same of cybersecurity platforms. Cybersecurity has become foundational to the region's digital strategy. Ninety-eight percent of companies have either invested in or plan to invest in cybersecurity platforms, and 44% are deploying countermeasures to mitigate rising threats, the highest rate globally. Thirty-six percent now view cyber risk as their top external concern, up from 27% last year. The region's ESG transformation is accelerating, with 70% of firms citing efficiency as the primary motivator, 33% above last year. Forty-six per cent now use ESG strategies to drive business outcomes, and 42% are applying AI/ML to monitor sustainability targets. Technology is also reshaping the workforce, with upskilling becoming a growing focus - 43% of regional respondents now prioritize it, up 14% year-on-year and significantly ahead of the European average. Visit the Rockwell Automation website for the complete global findings of the State of Smart Manufacturing Report. About Rockwell Automation Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 27,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2024. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981317/Rockwell_Automation_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/rockwell-automation-study-shows-middle-east-manufacturers-take-global-lead-in-generative-ai-adoption-302467280.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - PTX Metals Inc. (TSXV: PTX) (OTCQB: PANXF) (FSE: 9PX) ("PTX" or the "Company"), a mineral exploration company focused on Cu-Ni-Au-PGE and Gold projects in Ontario, is pleased to release the following assay results from its Phase 1 of 2025 drilling program at the W2 Cu-Ni-PGE and Gold Project located in the Ring of Fire, northwestern Ontario, Canada (the "W2 Project"). Subsequently to the previous press release of May 27th, 2025, drill holes W225-08 and W225-12 are now being reported. Drilling has confirmed the presence of high-grade copper in multiple intervals above 1% Cu and consistent copper and nickel mineralization over broad widths in both drill holes W225-08 and W225-12. Additionally, drillhole W225-12 located in the CA2 zone of the Central Target, notably intercepted higher-grade palladium and platinum mineralization. This drill program has shown an improvement of both widths and grades from historical holes. Results from PTX's drilling include intersecting wide intercepts of encouraging grades near surface that continue to validate the potential of the exploration target issued last September, supporting a potential large bulk tonnage project. The results demonstrate a larger-scale system (~8 km in strike length) that encompasses the CA zones and the AP zones and a current goal to build a continuous system between CA1 and CA2 zones (see 3D geological model interpretation released on May 7th). Highlights - Drill Holes W225-08 and W225-12: Drillhole W225-08 intercepted a core length of 97.05m in the CA1 zone of near surface mineralization starting at 26.95m directly after the overburden. Drill hole W225-12, located in the CA2 zone 2.92 km to the East of CA1 zone, intersected 88.00m of sulphide mineralization demonstrating consistency of the mineralized body within the different identified zones. The highest grades by individual commodity in the two holes combined include: 1.80% copper, 0.74% nickel, 0.52 g/t gold, 1.05 g/t palladium and 0.55 g/t platinum and Cobalt 0.15% Drillhole W225-08 The hole intercepted a broad zone of 97.05m of near surface mineralization grading at 0.41% (Cu+Ni) and 0.10 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd), starting at 26.95m directly after the overburden. For further notes on sum of commodities see [1] below. The hole is located in the CA1 zone (Figure 1), on the westernmost edge of the known mineralization at the Central Target and carries mineralization that shows opening along strike in both directions and at depth. Highlights of higher-grade wide intercepts within the broader zone: 41.00m of 0.42% Cu, 0.20% Ni and 0.08 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) from 48.00 m to 89.00m 21.00m of 0.54% Cu, 0.25% Ni and 0.07 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) from 48.00 m to 69.00m Highlights of higher-grade intercepts: 1.32% Cu, 0.37% Ni and 0.12 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 0.50m from 45.00m to 45.50m 0.98% Cu, 0.33% Ni and 0.09 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 4.00m from 50.00m to 54.00m, incl. 1.44% Cu, 0.21% Ni and 0.06 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 1.95m from 50.00m to 51.95m 0.86% Cu, 0.45% Ni and 0.09 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 1.50m from 64.50m to 66.00m 0.82% Cu, 0.34% Ni and 0.14 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 1.50m from 80.00m to 81.50m Toward the end of the hole at depth 137.94m to 138.44m, a smaller interval of 0.50m at 0.73% Cu, 0.20g/t Au and 0.41 g/t Pd was intercepted showing potential for another mineralized zone at depth. Drillhole W225-12 The hole intercepted 88.00m of mineralization, with a more consistent core of 55.92m grading 0.34% (Cu+Ni) and 0.29 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) from 70.00m to 125.92m. Directly after overburden, low grade is intercepted on shorter zones of 7.50m grading 0.16% (Cu+Ni) and 0.14 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd). The hole is located in the CA2 zone (Figure 1), as a step out of 130m to the east of W225-11. The latter previously released as 58.00m of 0.48% (Cu+Ni) and 0.23g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) on May 27 th , 2025. PGEs intercepts are higher in grade and thicker intervals in this hole. Highlights of higher-grade wide intercepts within the broader zone: 27.42m of 0.31% Cu, 0.17% Ni and 0.35 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) from 98.50m to 125.92m 1.80% Cu, 0.15% Ni and 0.35 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 0.55m from 105.61m to 106.16m 1.31% Cu, 0.10% Ni and 0.28g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 0.52m from 103.48m to 104.00m 0.12% Cu, 0.71% Ni and 1.19g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 0.72m from 99.33m to 100.05m 0.32% Cu, 0.63% Ni and 1.08 g/t (Au+Pt+Pd) over 0.57m from 102.91m to 103.48m End of hole 157.00m with notable palladium and platinum mineralization. Table 1: Selected Results from drill holes W225-08 and W225-12. Intervals reported as core lengths. True widths are unknown at this time. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7277/254292_2a334e07b48cda13_001full.jpg Historical drilling was selective in assaying for all commodities and selective sampling procedures occurred. As a result, the Company has systematically assayed for Copper, Nickel, Gold, Palladium, Platinum and Cobalt and is now not reporting using Metal Equivalents and seen substantial improvements in the widths of mineralization with these practices. Additionally, for simplification purposes, Cu+Ni (%) and Au+Pt+Pd (g/t) are reported below as the arithmetic sum of individual commodity per interval chosen. Individual grades by commodity are also shown in table 1. Drill hole Analysis and Images: Drillhole W225-08, drilled into the CA1 Zone, was designed to infill and as a step out of hole 54004-0 drilled by Inco to the south, which reported some of the highest copper grade on the property [1] and a wide interval of consistent Nickel grade. The target was successfully intercepted starting from surface below the overburden at 26.95m depth and with 97.05m of mineralization within the main interval. Drilling has confirmed the presence of high-grade copper in multiple intervals above 1% Cu with up to 1.80% Cu and Nickel ranging between 0.20% and 0.70% within the mineralized interval as reported in Table 1 and in Figure 2. Drillhole W225-12 was designed to infill and as a step out of 130m to the east of W225-11 previously reported on May 27th, 2025. Both of PTX's holes showed not only higher-grade intervals but also a significant amount of palladium and platinum, where high-grade of 1.05g/t Pd was assayed in hole W225-12. Overall, the polymetallic system including copper, nickel, gold, platinum, palladium and cobalt occurs within consistent and similar wide intervals as shown in Figure 3. Figure 1: Plan Map showing CA1 and CA2 Zones along with drill hole locations for W225-08 and W225-12. Drillhole collars information is detailed in Table 2. Background is the reduced-to-pole total magnetic intensity (RTPTMI) derivative from the most recent Heli-GT 2025 magnetic survey. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7277/254292_2a334e07b48cda13_002full.jpg Figure 2: Cross section of drill hole W225-08, confirming historical drilling results in the CA1 zone previously intercepted in historical drill hole 54004-0. Refer to [1] below for historical drillholes data. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7277/254292_2a334e07b48cda13_003full.jpg Figure 3: Comparison side by side of grade of (Cu+Ni) and (Au+Pd+Pt) for drill hole W225-12. PGEs mineralization extends over 157m depth. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7277/254292_2a334e07b48cda13_004full.jpg High-grade individual commodity intersections within drill Hole W225-08 include: 1.53% Copper over 1.10 m from 50.85 m to 51.95 m 0.69% Nickel over 1.00 m from 43.00 m to 44.00 m 0.32 g/t Gold over 1.00 m from 114.00 m to 115.00 m 0.15 g/t Platinum over 0.57 m from 116.82 m to 116.82 m 0.41 g/t Palladium over 0.50 m from 137.94 m to 138.44 m 0.15 % Cobalt over 0.50 m from 64.50 m to 65.00 m High-grade individual commodity intersections within drill Hole W225-12 include: 1.80% Copper over 0.55 m from 105.61 m to 106.16 m 0.71% Nickel over 0.72 m from 99.33 m to 100.05 m 0.52 g/t Gold over 1.00 m from 56.00 m to 57.00 m 1.05 g/t Palladium over 1.00 m from 70.00 m to 71.00 m 0.55 g/t Platinum over 0.57 m from 102.91 m to 103.48 m 0.09 % Cobalt over 0.75 m from 102.16 m to 102.91 m Table 2: Drill Hole Collar Information Datum used in UTM NAD83 Z16N. DRILL OLE Easting Northing Elev (m) Azimuth Dip Length (m) W225-08 459,696 5,813,155 246 180 -55 146.00 W225-12 462,556 5,812,549 242 225 -55 159.00 [1] Data from historical drillhole were referred from a NI 43-101 report titled "NI 43-101 Updated Technical Report on the W2 Copper-Nickel-PGE Property" authored by I.A. Osmani et al., effective on September 4th, 2024. QAQC: Samples (NQ core diameter = 4.76 cm) were cut using a diamond blade saw, inserted into labeled bags, and delivered by representatives of PTX to Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Activation Laboratories Ltd. is an ISO 17025:2005 accredited testing laboratory. Samples were analyzed for Au, Pt, and Pd using the lead fire-assay 1C-OES package, and multi-element analysis was completed by near-total digestion (four-acid) with an ICP-OES finish (1F2 package). For over-range samples (Cu, Ni) over 1% Cu or Nickel, the 8-4 Acid Near Total ICP-OES method was utilized. PTX inserted standards and blanks and performs duplicate analysis as part of its QA/QC program. Activation Laboratories also performs an internal QA/QC program which includes the insertion of CRM's, blanks, sample repeats, and duplicate samples. Qualified Person: The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joerg Kleinboeck, P. Geo., a non-independent qualified person to PTX Metals who is responsible for ensuring that the related technical information provided in this news release is accurate and who act as a "qualified person" (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About PTX Metals Inc.: PTX is a mineral exploration company focused on high-quality strategic metals assets in northern Ontario, allowing exposure for shareholders to Copper, Gold, Nickel, and PGEs discovery. The Province of Ontario is renowned as a first-class mining jurisdiction for its abundance of mineral resources and safe jurisdiction. Our corporate objective is to advance our assets, and unveil the potential of two Flagship Projects, the W2 Cu-Ni-PGE located in the strategic Ring of Fire region, and the Shining Tree Gold Project neighbor to multi-million ounces gold deposits in the Timmins Gold Camp. PTX's portfolio of assets was strategically acquired for their geologically favorable attributes, and proximity to established mining companies. PTX is based in Toronto, Canada, with a primary listing on the TSX under the symbol PTX. The Company is also listed in Frankfurt under the symbol 9PF and on the OTCQB in the United States as PANXF. For additional information on PTX, please visit the Company's website at https://ptxmetals.com/. Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including statements regarding the ability of the Company to satisfy the regulatory, stock exchange and commercial closing conditions of Private Placement, and the potential development of mineral resources and mineral reserves which may or may not occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and general economic and political conditions. Forward looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary approvals, including governmental and regulatory approvals, will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable laws. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the Company's public filings available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254292 SOURCE: PTX Metals Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2025) - Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd. (TSXV: GDP) is pleased to announce the commencement of work on its 2025 exploration program at its Myrt Lake, Murray Lake, and DAF properties located in the high-grade Gordon Lake gold mining district of Canada's Northwest Territories. This press release is effective immediately and replaces the press release issued on June 03, 2025. This revised version contains material changes, including the disclaimer of the use of historical information and the approval by a Qualified Person in accordance with NI-43 guidelines. Highlights Litho-Structural Mapping and Sampling: Detailed litho-structural mapping and additional rock and till sampling will be carried out at three of our properties: Myrt Lake, Murray Lake and DAF. Detailed mapping data, structural measurements and rock sampling aim to increase the extent of near-surface high-grade mineralization surrounding known workings and mineralization showings. More extensive reconnaissance mapping and soil/till sampling will be conducted to identify new exploration targets. Channel sampling may also be added to better understand gold distribution and grade continuity along mineralized veins, wall and host rocks. Photogrammetry and Magnetics Drone Survey: A property-scale photogrammetry and magnetics survey will be performed across the entire project. This will provide high-resolution (up to 3 cm spatial resolution) imagery for interpretation to build 3D wireframe mesh data for our geological modeling and project planning. The photogrammetry and magnetics data will be combined with mapping, geophysical, and any other data to be integrated into our geological model. Since the images will be acquired in the summer with good outcrop exposure, the photogrammetry mapping can be done remotely all year round. Assay and Multi-Element Geochemical Analyses: Rock samples will be sent to the ALS laboratory in Yellowknife for assay and geochemical analyses. Results are expected for October 2025. Figure 0. Gordon Lake Project and 2025 Exploration Properties. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/821/254499_d440e792b4f8abf5_002full.jpg Exploration History The Gordon Lake Project has an extensive exploration history dating back to the late 1930's. There are multiple gold showings within the Project boundary that have had varying degrees of exploration and underground development. The last period of sustained exploration activity in the Kidney Pond and Lynk areas was in the 1980's. Recently in 2020, Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd. acquired and consolidated all the properties in the Gordon Lake Project. Exploration permits for the Company's properties are approved through 2030, including First Nations approvals and permits. The Company looks forward to the construction of an all-weather road connecting Gordon Lake to Tibbit Lake, approximately 30 km long, which will dramatically reduce the Company's exploration and drilling costs. The historical assay results (Christensen, 1985) and resource estimates (Knutsen, 1987) referenced in this press release were calculated prior to NI-43 guidelines and therefore do not conform to current estimates and are not being used as estimates. A resource estimate needs to be validated by a QP and that is not the purpose of this release. The historical information is relevant because it demonstrates the consistency of exploration at these formerly producing mines over decades. These are the most recent reports for both areas. Golden Pursuit Resources has compiled all historical data for Gordon Lake as well as recently acquired new data (2020-2024). The Company issued NI-43 reports in 2021 and 2022. Golden Pursuit has undertaken several significant exploration programs in the area including LiDAR surveying, geological mapping and sampling, IP surveying, ground magnetic surveying, and 3D litho-structural modelling. The proposed 2025 program will build on both the historic and recent exploration results. The exploration history is summarized in Table 1 (which summarizes work in the DAF area) and Table 2 (which summarizes work in the Lake Murray and Myrt Lake areas). The 2025 exploration program will focus on detailed mapping and sampling in the DAF area to further refine geological modeling, as well as preliminary geological mapping and sampling on the Lake Murray and Myrt Lake properties to inform geological modeling of these two properties. Table 1. Exploration history of significant mineral occurrences in the southern Gordon Lake area. Part 1. Occurrences within the DAF property. DAF VEIN (WEST BAY) 1946 (Zolata Yellowknife Mines): Woolgar and Wonnacott staked the property. Zolata Yellowknife Mines optioned the property, performed trenching and 6700 feet of drilling. 1947 (McAvoy): Woolgar and Wonnacott along with J. McAvoy installed a small mill and hand cobbed vein material to produce 50 ounces of gold from 18 tons (2.77 oz/ton). 1948 (West-Bay Yellowknife Mines Ltd.): Acquired the property and a larger mill was installed. Further trenching, drilling, and milling produced 221 oz of gold, and 29 oz of silver from 289 tons of rock. 1958 (Consolidated Northland Mines Limited): Sampling program 1967 (Precambrian Mining Services Limited.): Evaluation Report 1977 (Reed and Doucette): Hand cobbed and milled ore, recovering 27 fine ounces of gold. 1981-1982 (Black Ridge Gold Ltd.): Black Ridge drills 21 holes totaling 420 meters. Several holes hit very high values: 82-03 (4.536 oz over 3 feet), 82-04 (3.192 oz over 3 feet), and 82-05 (9.876 oz over 3 feet). Estimated that to a down dip depth of 64 feet there is a total of 814 tons of ore at 4.21 oz/ton (3400 oz). 1984 (Cruiser Minerals): Drill program under an option agreement, with 44 drillholes totaling 1635m. Calculated an ore shoot 60 feet long by 5 feet wide, averaging 0.888 oz/ton to a depth of 300 feet. (5000 tons at 30.4 g/ton). 1987 (Blackridge and Cruiser Minerals): 400 meters drilled. 1989-1990 (New Era Development and Cameron Mining): 5,540 tonnes bulk sampling. Reported grade of 19 g/t. Over half was processed by Discovery Mine. 2020 (Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd.): Acquired the property. 2021 (Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd.): LiDAR survey, prospecting, and rock sampling (Vivian and Bocking, 2022). 2023 (Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd.): Compilation of historic work and geological mapping (Prior et al., 2023; Prior and Schmidt, 2023). Table 2. Exploration history highlights of significant mineral occurrences outside the southern Gordon Lake area. Part 2. Occurrences within the Murray Lake and Myrt Lake properties. MURRAY LAKE 1937-1940 (Cominco Limited): Extensive exploration work on the "Pan" claims, including more than 110 trenches, shallow diamond drilling, and two small shafts (8'X6' and 6'X5') completed, with gold showings of 310.9 g/t over 0.91 m and channel samples of 15.55 g/t Au (with veins up to 298.56 g/t Au). 1957-1960 (Alex Mitchell): Staked the "Bairn" claims and reported favorable horizons intersected by 5 drillholes. 1972 (North Star Mines Ltd.): Report on the MSSL claims, which cover the Pan and Bairn claims. The host rock bordering the trenches was found to be auriferous. 1981 (Five Star Resources Ltd): Detailed mapping and sampling immediately south and southeast of the Murray Claim, with the intent to estimate the size and number of gold-bearing veins and determine the structural setting of the veins. 1982 (Hidden Lake Gold Mines Ltd): Limited geological mapping, sampling and prospecting. A quartz vein zone was shown to contain high grades of gold mineralization with gold values up to 3.6 ounces of gold/ton across 1.5 feet width in a vein with a length of about 30 feet. 1981 (Dale Christensen): 26 shallow drillholes. The best result was 1.308 oz/ton gold (Christensen, 1985). 1985 (Henderson): Mapped the Yellowknife-Hearne Lake Area at a scale of 1:250,000. *Reported RC assay results in Figure 3 presented here are historical, non-compliant with NI-43 guidelines, and are not being used as current. 1994 (Brophy): Described the structure and geochemistry of vein-hosted gold in Burwash turbidites in the area. 2003 (Dahrouge Consulting): Staked the "Murray" claim and optioned to Evolving Gold Corp. 2008 (Triple Dragon): Dahrouge Consulting, on behalf of Triple Dragon, completed geologic mapping and prospecting within the Murray claim. A total of six trench areas were outlined and chip sampled, and 198 samples were collected and analyzed. The most promising result is from a quartz vein sample in Area A that assayed 187.71 g/T Au over 0.25 m. 2020 (Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd.): Acquired the property. 2021 (Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd.): LiDAR survey, prospecting, and rock sampling (Vivian and Bocking, 2022). 2024 (Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd.): Initial assessment, preliminary structural mapping and rock sampling (Field report, 2024). MYRT LAKE 1938-1939 (Dome Mines Limited): Extensive work included trenching, diamond drilling, and bulk sampling. 1959 (Sam Otto): Staked the "Myrt" claims. 1959 (Walter Temawski): Staked the "WT" claim group. 1938-1974 (Precambrian Mining Services): Surface rock trenching (736 feet in 33 trenches), surface diamond drilling (8226 feet in 65 holes), surface geological mapping. 1974 (Cameron Holdings Limited): Decline of 466 feet, and 405 feet of drifting and crosscutting along the #1 vein. 3,650 feet of underground drilling in 15 drillholes. A total of 3,000 tons of ore grading 0.11oz/t was mined and stockpiled. Ore reserves were estimated to be 25,275 tons grading 0.22 oz Au/ton down to 125'. 1984 (Ryan Energy): 10 drillholes (5,585 feet) verified that the #1 and #3 veins continue to the northwest and at depth below 500 feet. 1987-1989 (William Knutsen): Acquired the property and reported rehabilitation of the decline. Knutsen (1987) calculated a minable resource to a depth of 110' of 17,510 tons grading 0.35 oz Au/ton, containing 6,132 oz Au. *Reported resources presented here are historical, non-compliant with NI-43 guidelines, and are not being used as current. 1992 (William Knutsen): Processed 2,152 tons of gold at Yellowknife Giant Mine, with 732 oz Au recovered at a grade of 0.36 oz/t and 86% recovery rate. 2020 (Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd.): Acquired the property. 2021 (Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd.): LiDAR survey, prospecting, and rock sampling (Vivian and Bocking, 2022). 2025 Exploration Program The 2025 exploration program on the Gordon Lake Project (Figure 1) was designed to build on historical high-grade results and mine operations, where sampling and drilling intersected significant gold mineralization. Planned detailed litho-structural mapping and rock, soil, and till sampling will help to better understand the structural-geochemical relationship to gold mineralization. Recent targeted exploration efforts have focused on delineating targets, refining the geological model, and planning drillholes for the next drilling campaigns. Further drilling will focus on both confirmation and step-out drilling to enhance geological understanding and to test new targets identified through geophysical and geochemical surveys. The 2025 exploration program will be divided into two phases: one that includes initial geological mapping and sampling for modeling purposes at Myrt Lake (Figure 2) and Murray Lake (Figure 3) properties, and a second phase focusing on refined mapping and modeling on the DAF (Figure 4) property for further drillhole planning. Litho-structural mapping and extension of known mineralized zones: Initial litho-structural mapping, rock and till sampling on Murray Lake and Myrt Lake to understand controls on mineralization and start to build a geological model for these deposits, including historic data. Detailed litho-structural mapping, rock and till sampling to be integrated to geophysical surveys and geological models at DAF property to expand on historic work, update and refine the geological model, and drillhole planning. Photogrammetry and magnetics survey: Golden Pursuit contracted Drone North, a drone-survey company based in Yukon, to perform an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) mapping and image analysis including property-scale photogrammetry and magnetic survey over three Areas of Interest (AOI's) to complement ground-based exploration efforts. The high-resolution imagery obtained with photogrammetry provides photography, detailed topographic data and terrain models processed into 3D wireframes meshes. Drone North also partners with AeroPhysX to provide very high quality and high-resolution magnetic surveys. The magnetic data can be quite helpful to identify large-scale structures, as well as geophysical anomalies, including sulfides (pyrrhotite) and iron oxides. These data will assist in geological interpretation and structure delineation, and used for geological 3D modeling, drillhole planning, and project management. Litho-Structural Mapping and Sampling Program Detailed litho-structural mapping, as well as extensive surface rock and till sampling will be conducted over the entire three properties. The objective is to understand the structural-geochemical controls on mineralization. Rock and till sampling were designed to fill gaps in historical data and provide a more detailed geochemical understanding of gold distribution near high-grade zones to refine future drillhole planning. Figure 2. Myrt Lake Property Exploration Plan. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/821/254499_d440e792b4f8abf5_003full.jpg Figure 3. Murray Lake Property Exploration Plan. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/821/254499_d440e792b4f8abf5_004full.jpg Figure 4. DAF Property Exploration Plan. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/821/254499_d440e792b4f8abf5_005full.jpg Photogrammetry and Magnetics Drone Survey Golden Pursuit has hired Drone North, a drone-survey company based in Yukon, to conduct a property-scale photogrammetry and magnetic survey to complement ground-based exploration work. The high-resolution imagery obtained with photogrammetry provides photography, detailed topographic data and terrain models processed into 3D wireframes meshes. The magnetic data can be quite helpful to identify large-scale structures, as well as geophysical anomalies, including sulfides (pyrrhotite) and iron oxides. These data will support 2025 exploration activities (Figures 2-4) and further assist in geological interpretation and structure delineation, and will be used for geological 3D modeling, drillhole planning, and project management. The photogrammetry and magnetic surveys will be carried out over three Areas of Interest (AOI's): Myrt Lake, Murray Lake and DAF properties. The proposed survey areas cover approximately 10 km2 and consist of acquiring high resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data, at approximately 40 meters high and with 50 meters line spacing, with lines being oriented perpendicular to the geological fabric (Figure 5). Ground control point data will be acquired during UAV surveying to carry out a camera calibration and to determine final photogrammetric model errors. A magnetic base station will record diurnal variation in magnetic field. The photogrammetry products will include colour orthomosaic imagery, digital elevation models including both digital surface models and digital terrain models, 3d georeferenced cloud points (LAS), and final report. All photogrammetry data will be acquired to be compatible with 3D mapping applications such as HiveMapTM. For the magnetic survey, a very high-resolution elevation model will be generated from UAV photogrammetry flights and then followed with the UAV magnetic sensor. A total of 270 line-km of magnetic survey is estimated. Final deliverables will include total magnetic intensity, phasemap, vertical derivative, horizontal gradient, reduction to the pole, and final report. Figure 5. Magnetic survey design at Myrt Lake, Murray Lake, and DAF properties. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/821/254499_d440e792b4f8abf5_006full.jpg Community Engagement Golden Pursuit collaborates with First Nations organizations on whose traditional territories its projects are located as well as with the Government of the Northwest Territories to advance their strategic interests, as well as to discuss opportunities to support community initiatives. The Company looks forward to continuing to work with local and regional First Nations in all its future exploration programs. References Christensen, D, 1985. Rotary Drilling and Sampling, Murray Lake, Assessment Report at NTGS #081941. 4 p. Knutsen, W. G., 1987. Summary Report and Ore Reserve on the 'WT' Gold Property, Myrt Lake, NWT. Prepared for Westfort Petroleums Ltd. Precambrian Mining Service Ltd. Prior, G.; Schmidt, N., 2023. Field Report. Exploration on the Gordon Lake Property. Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. Prior, G.; Schmidt, N.; Gorham, J., 2023. Summary Report on the Gordon Lake Property. Including: Burnt Island, Camlaren, H Vein, 31 Vein, May Island, Kidney Pond, Lynk, Murray Lake, Myrt Lake, Storm, Goodrock, and Vaydik mineral occurrences. Northwest Territories, Canada. Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. Vivian, G; Bocking, N., 2022. Technical Report. South Gordon Lake Property, Northwest Territories, Canada. Prepared for Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd. Aurora Geosciences. Vivian, G, 2021. Technical Report. South Gordon Lake Property, Northwest Territories, Canada. Prepared for Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd. Aurora Geosciences. About the Gordon Lake Project The Gordon Lake Project is located approximately 80-90km northeast of Yellowknife, NWT, and it hosts numerous gold showings with several having seen varying degrees of exploration work, including drilling, underground development and mining from 1937 to the late 1980's. The Gordon Lake Project ("Property") consists of 18 territorial and 13 federal claims, as well as 4 historical mining leases, totaling just over 6850 hectares. All claims and leases are 100% owned by Golden Pursuit. The Gordon Lake Project is located on the Slave Structural Province in the northwestern portion of the Canadian Shield which comprises an Archean granite-greenstone craton. The Slave Province is comprised of granite-gneiss basement, supracrustal metavolcanic-metasedimentary rocks of the Yellowknife Supergroup and younger granitoid complexes. The Yellowknife Supergroup consists predominantly of the Burwash Formation metaturbidite deposits with flanking, older metavolcanics along basinal edges. Many gold quartz veins are within the Burwash metaturbidite formation and occur as single veins or vein-swarm systems. In addition to the veins found at Gordon Lake, metre-scale zones of quartz breccia occur. About Golden Pursuit Resources Golden Pursuit Resources is a company focused on gold exploration. The company owns deposits and prospects located in the Northwest Territories (Canada) and Nevada (United States). All projects are owned 100% with no encumbrances or third-party obligations except for royalties on purchased claim groups in the NWT. Both land and water use permits are in place on the Gordon Lake, NWT project, allowing for exploration and development until 2030. The company owns 11 distinct properties that have undergone exploration, development and mining since the 1930's. Five of the deposits have been classified as "former producers" by the NWT government. Golden Pursuit has conducted extensive exploration since 2021, and there will be an announcement about this year's exploration as results are received. Further details are available at www.goldenpursuitresources.ca. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Pavel Dubchak, an independent consultant commissioned by the Company. Pavel Dubchak is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) and a "Qualified Person" with respect to NI 43-101. The QP has not visited the property and has not performed sufficient work to update the resource. The Issuer is not treating the historic estimated as current. Forward-Looking Information Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include, but are not limited to, potential mineralization, exploration plans, and engagement with First Nations communities. They contain risks inherent in exploration activities; the impact of exploration competition; unexpected geological or hydrological conditions; changes in government regulations and policies, including trade laws and policies; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; the ability to raise funds through private or public equity financings; environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; weather and other natural phenomena; and other exploration, development, operating, financial market and regulatory risks. The information contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this press release, where applicable. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Golden Pursuit disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254499 SOURCE: Golden Pursuit Resources Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has commenced an initial 14 diamond drill hole, 2,500m program on its 50%-owned Super Block Project, a joint venture with Geophysx Jamaica Limited ("Geophysx"); see press release dated March 1, 2024 (Figure 1). The program is designed to test multiple epithermal gold targets over a 5km strike extent, where a strong gold geochemical anomaly coincides with radiometric (potassium) highs. Drilling will test multiple prospects including the past producing Pennants Gold Mine and the PEZ and DHZ prospects along trend (Figure 2). Dan Symons, President and CEO of C3 Metals, commented, "After conducting extensive mapping and geochemical sampling at Super Block, we identified a 5km gold trend with the past producing Pennants Gold Mine in the centre of this trend. This initial 14-hole diamond drill program will follow up on historical high-grade gold results at Pennants and the gold anomaly extensions to the northwest and southeast of the mine." Super Block Project Highlights: Past producing Pennants Gold Mine: Operated as an open pit between 2002 and 2004 with estimated production of approximately 16,000 gold ounces (Source: Jamaica Mines and Geology Division). Non-compliant NI 43-101 historical mineral resource of 75,500 tonnes at 20.4 g/t gold 1,2 . . Historical high-grade drill intersections3 from the mine property (drill results are historical in nature and have not been independently confirmed): 1.7m at 430.0 g/t gold; 3.8m at 56.4 g/t gold; 4.6m at 25.6 g/t gold; 9.2m at 18.4 g/t gold; and and 3.1m at 17.0 g/t gold. PEZ Prospect: Gold is highly anomalous in soils and coincides with a 1,500m east-west trending radiometric (potassium) anomaly. Soil sampling defined a coherent east-west trending gold anomaly measuring 1,500m by up to 190m wide. Best soil line results are 60m averaging 0.41 g/t gold and 103m averaging 0.20g/t gold with samples collected at 5m intervals. Rock chip samples assayed up to 1.1 g/t gold at surface. DHZ Prospect: Rock and soil sampling defined a coherent northwest trending gold anomaly measuring 550m by up to 190m wide. Rock chip samples assayed up to 35.8 g/t gold at surface. Figure 1: Map showing the Super Block project area in relation to C3 Metals' Arthurs Seat and Bellas Gate mineral concessions. Note the locations of the former, high-grade Pennants Gold Mine and the DHZ and PEZ epithermal gold-silver prospects. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/254240_6ffdea48f456e989_001full.jpg 2025 Drilling Program Historical drilling within the Super Block focused on the former producing Pennants Gold Mine. Approximately 94 drill holes were completed at Pennants with an average hole depth of only 82 metres. Based on historical drill data and newly collected soil geochemical data, the Company believes the gold system remains open in multiple directions and at depth. Other than a few auger holes (average depth 1-metre), no drilling has been reported at PEZ and DHZ prospects. Surface mapping and sampling at the Super Block Project has demonstrated gold mineralization continues for over a +5km strike extent, extending from DHZ through the former Pennants Mine and through PEZ (Figure 2). The Company interprets this large gold anomaly as potentially hosting multiple low to intermediate sulfidation systems. Figure 2: Airborne radiometric image (potassium) showing a strong correlation of gold in soils and rocks with radiometric anomalies. Map shows the Super Block soil line locations at Pennants Mine and the DHZ and PEZ prospects. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/254240_6ffdea48f456e989_002full.jpg The Company is in a financial position to expand the program beyond the initial 14-hole, 2,500m program should results warrant. C3 Metals anticipates assay results from the initial 14-hole program will be announced during Q3 2025. ABOUT C3 METALS INC. C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company holds approximately 30,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). At Jasperoide, the Company has identified over 15 skarn prospects and an outcropping porphyry system over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold. The Company is also actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic redbed copper prospects over a 30km strike extent. The Company holds a 100% interest in 17,855 hectares of exploration licenses, of which Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation, a wholly-owned affiliate of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), has the option on 13,020 hectares to earn up to a 75% interest by funding up to US$75 million of exploration and project related expenditures. The Company also holds a 50% interest in 9,870 hectares in a joint venture with Geophsyx Jamaica Ltd, the largest mineral tenure holder in the country. Barrick Gold Corp. announced on May 1, 2024 that it had entered into an earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. on approximately 400,000 hectares of exploration licenses, several of which surround C3 Metals' mineral concessions. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British). Related Link: www.c3metals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. QP Statement Stephen Hughes, P.Geo., is Vice President Exploration and a Director for C3 Metals and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hughes has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the written disclosure contained herein. Technical Program C3 Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC protocol for handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. Chain-of-custody protocols are designed to ensure security of samples until their delivery at the laboratory. Samples are analysed by 4-Acid digest ICP-MS finish for 48 elements, with pulps from samples reporting greater than 1.0% copper being re-assayed by the ore grade method. Gold is analysed by 30g Fire Assay and AAS finish, with pulps from samples reporting greater than 10ppm re-assayed by Fire Assay and gravimetric finish. The Company inserts copper and gold certified reference standards as well as blanks and duplicates in the sample sequence for quality control. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. 1 The mineral resourced cited above is presented as a historical estimate and uses historical terminology which does not conform to current National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") standards. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the historical estimates are believed to be based on reasonable assumptions, these estimates were calculated prior to the implementation of NI 43-101. As these historical estimates do not meet current standards as defined under sections 1.2 and 1.3 of NI 43-101, C3 Metals is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the historical estimate is adjacent to and not located within mineral tenure under licence to C3 Metals. 2 Published report, Geochemical exploration for gold in Jamaica: A comparison of stream sediment and soil surveys, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 4, 161-170, 1 May 2004, authored by Robert G. Garrett, Gerald C. Lalor and Mitko Vutchkov. 3 Data from the above drill results are reported historical results and it is unknown what type of quality-control programs were performed at the time. C3 Metals' QP also advises that true width of the above results cannot be determined at this time. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254240 SOURCE: C3 Metals Inc. Strategic relationship marks a new digitized approach to audits BDO Norway, a leading audit and advisory firm, today announced a strategic partnership with MindBridge, the leader in AI-powered financial decision intelligence. This collaboration will result in MindBridge's artificial intelligence (AI) technology deployed to enhance BDO Norway's audit capabilities, marking a bold step in BDO Norway's commitment to innovation and digitalization. The partnership is part of BDO Norway's strategic focus on technology and provides them with the tools to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603850299/en/ BDO Norway today announced a strategic partnership with MindBridge, the leader in AI-powered financial decision intelligence. This collaboration will result in MindBridge's artificial intelligence (AI) technology deployed to enhance BDO Norway's audit capabilities, marking a bold step in BDO Norway's commitment to innovation and digitalization. Through this partnership, BDO Norway is embracing a more data-driven, risk-based approach to audits. By integrating MindBridge's AI-powered insights, BDO Norway's auditors will gain deeper visibility into client data while reducing reliance on manual sampling processes. This is a game-changer for the industry, enabling BDO Norway to provide more precise, actionable insights, freeing up time to focus on a more strategic advisory role with clients. "Our team is embracing the next step in audit technology. The need for advanced digital solutions is clear, and we at BDO have been grabbing it with both hands. MindBridge's powerful AI-driven technology is yet another step on our tech journey. This will allow us to provide more value to our clients, helping them better manage risk and uncover financial anomalies," said Erik H. Lie, Partner and Head of Audit at BDO. "This is a key priority for us, and we're thrilled to see this strategic collaboration unfold." Lie says that MindBridge's AI will "not only streamline our processes but will also empower our team to provide deeper, more strategic insights to our clients. This marks a new chapter in our ongoing commitment to innovation." Sarah McGinnity, General Manager, Audit Assurance Solutions at MindBridge, commented, "We are excited to partner with BDO Norway, a firm that recognizes the transformative power of AI. Together, we are redefining how businesses harness data-driven insights, enabling BDO Norway to deliver even greater strategic value in an increasingly digital marketplace." This collaboration cements BDO Norway's position as a digital transformation leader, empowering them to meet evolving client needs and stay at the forefront of innovation. About BDO Norway BDO in Norway counts over 2200 employees across more than 50 offices throughout the country. BDO Norways' clients range from large, international companies to small and medium sized enterprises. BDO Norway assists clients from a variety of industries in both the private and public sector. About MindBridge Analytics Inc. MindBridge is the leader in AI-powered financial decision intelligence. The MindBridge platform empowers finance teams to analyze 100% of financial transactions in real time, enabling organizations to detect risk, surface anomalies, and optimize performance with greater speed and accuracy. At the core of the platform is the Central Insights Factory, a proprietary AI engine that transforms complex financial data into trusted, actionable insights. Trusted by auditors, finance leaders, and regulators around the world, MindBridge delivers transparent, explainable AI that strengthens internal controls, enhances compliance, and supports smarter financial decision-making. Learn more at mindbridge.ai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603850299/en/ Contacts: Media contact: Linsey Flannery Director, Marketing Communications linsey.flannery@mindbridge.ai Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Hayasa Metals Inc. (TSXV: HAY) (OTCQB: HAYAF) ("Hayasa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has begun its planned 2025 drill program at Urasar, Armenia which is expected to be completed within 9 weeks. Hayasa has contracted AT Group, a drilling company based in Yerevan, Armenia which has worked with the Company in the past. The program will utilize an Atlas Copco CS14 drill rig, which is capable of drilling to 1,200 meters depth. The rig was successfully mobilized to site June 1 and began drilling operations June 2. Recent Work by Hayasa Metals Since mid-2023, Hayasa has undertaken comprehensive early-stage exploration, including: Geochemical Survey : 1,571 soil samples : 1,571 soil samples Geophysics : 240 line-km ground magnetic survey : 240 line-km ground magnetic survey Geological Mapping & Rock Sampling : 297 rock chip samples : 297 rock chip samples HIRIP Survey: three 1300m lines at Copper Creek, Oxide Basin and Black River three 1300m lines at Copper Creek, Oxide Basin and Black River Drilling: 2,142m across 9 diamond drill holes This work confirmed a robust, 15 km-long, E-W trending geochemical anomaly along the Chibukhlu Fault-anomalous in copper, gold, molybdenum, and associated chalcophile elements. The 2024 drill program intersected strongly altered, brecciated sulfide-bearing volcanic lithologies, but unfortunately the assays and geochemical results were sub-economic. A reevaluation, prompted by the recovery of a Soviet-era (1960) report, revealed that the initial drill holes had targeted the mineralized zone too far south, intersecting only unmineralized footwall rocks. The historic data included: Partial Soviet drill logs and assays Channel samples from underground adits (Golden Vein area) Historic underground plans and cross-sections The plotting of the Soviet data explained the 2024 drill program issue, and has significantly refined drill targeting for 2025. 2025 Drill Program Overview The 2025 program will total approximately 2,000 meters of diamond drilling across 8 or 9 holes, with the following priorities: Western Targets (Copper Creek, Golden Vein, Oxide Basin): At least 6 holes More Northly-sited, topographically elevated collar positions Southward orientation to intercept north-dipping mineralized structures (Copper Creek, Golden Vein, Oxide Basin): Black River Target : 2 holes Steep angle, north and northwest-directed Designed to test a south-plunging mineralized body ascertained in historic workings : The accompanying images show a general overview of the Urasar District, the planned 2025 drill site map across at Urasar as well as a detailed plan of the Golden Vein area showing underground channel assays, proposed drill traces and drill traces from the 2024 campaign. Figure 1. Yellow River/Western area: 2024 drill holes (yellow), planned 2025 drill holes (blue) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/254320_61795ef714c5b858_002full.jpg Figure 2. Black River/Eastern area: 2024 drill holes in yellow, planned 2025 drill holes in blue To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/254320_61795ef714c5b858_003full.jpg Figure 3. Golden vein zone showing underground Soviet Cu assays, 2024 drill holes (yellow), planned 2025 drill holes (blue) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/254320_61795ef714c5b858_004full.jpg Hayasa Management comments Hayasa CEO Joel Sutherland states "We and our partners at EMX Royalty feel confident that the 2025 program has a reasonably high probability of success given the recovered historical data in combination with analysis of Hayasa's past exploration work. We believe Urasar has the potential to develop into a district-scale series of mineralized systems, with the goal of discovering one or more tier-one epithermal gold and/or copper porphyry deposits." President and Chairman Dennis Moore comments, "With the recently uncovered historic data and hindsight, we can see that the drill holes completed last year were directed at the footwall of the Soviet-defined mineralized zones. I am confident and quite excited that we will be putting metal in the box this summer." About Urasar Hayasa Metals holds a 3,392-hectare exploration license over the Urasar Mineral District in northern Armenia. The project spans a 15 km mineralized corridor following the Yellow River and Black River valleys. The geology comprises oceanic ophiolites thrust over Tertiary-aged volcanics, volcanoclastic, and limestones-an analogous setting to the 4+ million oz Zod (Sokt) deposit located ~100 km to the southeast along the same regional-scale lineament. Qualified person The content of this news release was reviewed by Dennis Moore, Fremont's President, and interim Chairman, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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 including, without limitation, statements regarding future exploration programs at Urasar. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations including the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by Canadian securities law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254320 SOURCE: Hayasa Metals Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Safe Supply Streaming Co. Ltd. (CSE: SPLY) (OTCQB: SSPLF) (FSE: QM4) ("Safe Supply"or the "Company"), a public investment and development company advancing innovation in healthcare, wellness, and emerging technologies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Geoff Benic as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Mr. Benic succeeds Bill Panagiotakopoulos, who has officially stepped down from his role and is departing from the Company. As the founding CEO, Mr. Panagiotakopoulos was instrumental in launching Safe Supply and setting the strategic foundation for its growth. The Company would like to thank Mr. Panagiotakopoulos for his leadership and contributions during this formative period. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Benic served as CEO of Safety Strips Tech Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Safe Supply focused on drug testing and harm reduction technologies. His elevation to CEO of the parent company reflects Safe Supply's intent to accelerate commercialization efforts and align leadership across its growing portfolio of healthcare and wellness assets. Known for his role in building the iconic Grocery Gateway brand, Geoff Benic brings extensive leadership experience in logistics, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, and regulated sectors. He was formerly Regional Director at UPS Canada, before joining Grocery Gateway as an early employee and General Manager. From 2004 to 2018, he served as Founder and Chairman of Sofilia Logistics Group Inc., a national logistics firm he grew through a series of acquisitions. Geoff later served as CEO of Aleafia Health Inc., a publicly traded medical cannabis company, from 2018 to 2022. He has a strong track record of capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and scaling companies in emerging industries. "Safe Supply has built a powerful foundation at the intersection of healthcare, wellness, and innovation," said Geoff Benic. "I'm honored to join as CEO and lead the Company into its next phase of growth. Our focus will be on disciplined execution, scalable partnerships, and creating long-term value for our shareholders." About Safe Supply Streaming Co. Ltd. Safe Supply Streaming Co. Ltd. (CSE: SPLY) (OTCQB: SSPLF) (FSE: QM4) is a publicly traded investment and development company focused on accelerating innovation in healthcare, wellness, and emerging markets. Through strategic acquisitions and capital partnerships, Safe Supply is building a diversified portfolio of science and data-backed businesses positioned for high-impact growth. For more information, please visit www.safesupply.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Safe Supply Streaming Co. Ltd. "Geoff Benic" Geoff Benic, CEO The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Company's future business plans, growth strategy, leadership transition, market opportunities, and potential for shareholder value creation. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, and anticipated future developments. However, these statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, business, economic, and capital market conditions; the ability of the Company to execute on its strategic plans; changes in applicable laws and regulations; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required under applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254321 SOURCE: Safe Supply Streaming Co Ltd. Championed by Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), Aptiv PLC, Coilcraft, Inc., Core Microelectronics, DENSO CORPORATION, Ethernovia, Inc., Geely Holding Group, GlobalFoundries, Granite River Labs, indie Semiconductor, Inc., Keysight Technologies, Inc., Hyundai Mobis, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd, NOFFZ Technologies, OMNIVISION, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Rohde Schwarz, Rosenberger Group, Teledyne LeCroy, TDK Corporation, TZ Electronic Systems GmbH and Wurth Elektronik, the OpenGMSL Association welcomes broad industry participation across the automotive ecosystem With an open standard for video and/or high-speed data transmission based on industry-leading Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link technology, known as GMSL, adoption and innovation of the OpenGMSL standard will reshape autonomous driving, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and infotainment applications A leading automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Tier 1 suppliers, semiconductor manufacturers and ecosystem partners today announced the formation of the OpenGMSL Association, an initiative bringing together industry leaders to transform SerDes transmission of video and/or high-speed data as an open, worldwide standard across the automotive ecosystem. The demands of modern automotive systems from ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) to infotainment and autonomous driving are growing rapidly. ADAS vision systems heavily rely on high-quality video data to make critical, real-time decisions that improve driver safety and reduce accidents. Meanwhile, touchscreen infotainment systems demand high-speed, low-latency connectivity to deliver seamless, immersive user experiences. These factors are driving up development costs for new vehicles, complicating integration, stifling innovation, and ultimately slowing advancements in safety. Introducing the OpenGMSL Standard With the launch of OpenGMSL Association, participation in a worldwide standard allows for innovation in autonomous driving, ADAS, and infotainment, among other applications. OEMs and suppliers can thereby accelerate time to market using solutions that operate efficiently together, thus lowering operational costs. OpenGMSL's standard is based on ADI's industry-leading, road-proven Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL) technology. Paul Fernando, President of OpenGMSL Association, shared, "With over 1 billion GMSL ICs shipped and adoption by more than 25 global OEMs and 50 Tier-1 suppliers, GMSL is one of the most mature and road-proven high-speed video link technologies in the automotive industry. OpenGMSL builds on this strong foundation to accelerate innovation across autonomous driving, ADAS, and next-gen infotainment growing an already thriving ecosystem into an open, collaborative future." OpenGMSL Association is a non-profit entity with its own independent board of directors and encourages global participation. Products developed using the standard will require mandatory compliance testing to ensure seamless, multi-vendor interoperability. Additional Resources For more information, please visit www.opengmsl.org. Automotive OEMs, suppliers, semiconductor manufacturers and ecosystem partners interested in joining the OpenGMSL Association can inquire at info@openGMSL.org. You can also learn more by visiting us at AutoSens, taking place in Detroit, MI, June 10 12, 2025. About OGA OpenGMSL Association ("OGA") is a non-profit entity governed by an independent board of directors. OGA, bringing together industry leaders from across the ecosystem, provides a standard for worldwide adoption in video and/or data transmission based on industry-leading Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link technology. OGA is committed to constant innovation which allows accelerated time to market of products using GMSL based solutions that will operate with interoperability, testing efficiencies and cost-effectiveness in mind. Companies committed to supporting the OGA: ADI, Aptiv PLC, Coilcraft, Inc., Core Microelectronics, DENSO CORPORATION, Ethernovia, Inc., Geely Holding Group, GlobalFoundries, Granite River Labs, indie Semiconductor, Keysight Technologies, Inc., Hyundai Mobis, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd, NOFFZ Technologies, OMNIVISION, Qualcomm Technologies, Rohde Schwarz, Rosenberger Group, Teledyne LeCroy, TDK Corporation, TZ Electronic Systems GmbH and Wurth Elektronik. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603967125/en/ Contacts: CONTACT: info@openGMSL.org The project, facilitated by TCMpartners, optimizes international transactions, enhancing the bank's operational efficiencies and customer experience LAKE MARY, Fla. and SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra, a global provider of financial services software applications, and TCMpartners, a leading consulting firm in digital transformation within the financial services industry, today announced that Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) has signed a strategic agreement to launch its International Trade Automation Project. The project is powered by Finastra's Payments To Go and Trade Innovation solutions and facilitated by TCMpartners. The two solutions will enhance foreign trade and international payments practices, driving innovation and operational excellence. Additionally, the project will fully automate BCR's international transaction processes, providing greater speed, security, and traceability in cross-border payments. The capabilities of Finastra's solutions align closely with BCR's strategic objectives, which aim to offer world-class multi-channel financial services and position the bank at the forefront of technological advancement. The project also modernizes and automates BCR's payments services, directly benefiting Costa Ricans and customers abroad. Through the Payments To Go payment hub, incoming and outgoing international transfers will be streamlined, improving efficiency and ensuring compliance with the ISO 20022 standard. Additionally, the new implementation of Finastra's Trade Innovation system will facilitate international trade operations between exporters and importers, boosting Costa Rica's economic growth. Importantly, integrating these business processes into the bank's digital channels will allow users to make international transfers 24/7, enhancing the customer experience and promoting financial inclusion. "In partnering with Banco de Costa Rica and TCMpartners, we are excited to contribute to the growth of the financial sector in Latin America," said Cris Melloni, Director of Sales, Americas at Finastra. "This project exemplifies our commitment to serving our customers, providing innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and the user experience. We believe that through technology and collaboration, we can drive significant progress in the region." With the launch scheduled for next year, the international transaction automation project will mark an important milestone in BCR's digital transformation efforts, offering its customers a more agile and efficient experience. "Innovation and organizational transformation go hand in hand, as both require a mindset open to change and a focus on learning and continuous improvement. At BCR, we are proud and pleased to innovate with this new international transfer platform. Our goal is to offer an agile, safe and 24/7 experience for clients, for which we are working hard hand in hand with Finastra," said Julio Cesar Trejos Delgado, Gerente General a.i. at BCR. "We are proud to collaborate with Banco de Costa Rica on this strategic initiative, aimed at providing its customers with a unique experience that allows them to receive additional services and reduce response times. This project will position Banco de Costa Rica at the forefront of technological innovation in Latin America," said Rafael Sainz, CEO of TCMpartners. About Finastra Finastra is a global provider of financial services software applications across Lending, Payments, Treasury and Capital Markets, and Universal (retail and digital) Banking. Committed to unlocking the potential of people, businesses and communities everywhere, its vision is to accelerate the future of finance through technology and collaboration, and its pioneering approach is why it is trusted by ~8,100 financial institutions, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks. For more information, visit finastra.com. About TCMpartners TCMpartners is an international consulting firm with a presence in Europe and Latin America, specializing in the digital transformation of the financial sector. It provides technology services that cover Treasury and Capital Markets, Corporate Banking, Foreign Trade, and Payments. Its mission is to drive technological innovation in banking, incorporating industry best practices. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1916021/5306000/FINASTRA_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/banco-de-costa-rica-selects-finastra-to-transform-its-international-transaction-automation-processes-302471104.html WOLFSBURG (dpa-AFX) - German auto major Volkswagen Group (VKW.L, VLKAF.PK, VOW.BE) said its restructuring plans are on track, including the proposed cut of 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030, media reported citing a company executive. Gunnar Kilian, Volkswagen's head of human relations and board member, reportedly told workers at a works council meeting that about 20,000 employees at the core of the Volkswagen brand have agreed to voluntarily leave the firm. Further, the company plans to reduce the number of apprenticeships offered annually to 600 from 1,400, starting the year 2026. In addition, employees in Volkswagen's core team are accepting a payment freeze. Volkswagen said the reductions will be carried out in an acceptable manner, with those affected agreeing to the terms. The planned cost cutting actions would help the firm save nearly 1.5 billion euros every year in labour costs. It was in December last year that Volkswagen and its union agreed on a socially responsible reduction in the workforce of more than 35,000 across the company's German sites by 2030. With the move, the company aimed to reduce labor costs by 1.5 billion euros per year, with a wage settlement agreement valid until 2030. The joint agreement titled 'Zukunft Volkswagen' (Future Volkswagen) followed intensive negotiations with IG Metall and the Works Council. In the short term, labor cost reductions and structural measures, including capacity reductions and decreased development costs, are expected to generate cost effects exceeding 4 billion euros per year, the company then said. Additionally, Volkswagen's plan include reduction of capacity by 734,000 units across its German plants, providing the foundation for significant investments in future products through 2030. The structural realignment at both operational and collective levels is designed to help Volkswagen Passenger Cars achieve its medium-term return-on-sales target. The proposed job cuts and other initiatives are in line with the automaker's plan to restructure its German operations amid the ongoing volatile global economic situation. In late April, Volkswagen reported that earnings after tax fell 40.6 percent in its first quarter, but sales grew 2.8 percent mainly due to higher vehicle sales in markets outside China. Unit sales growth in Europe and South America more than offset the slight decline in North America and the expected decline in China. The firm also backed its fiscal 2025 outlook for sales growth. On the XETRA in Germany, Volkswagen shares were trading at 93.26 euros, down 0.26 percent. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2025 AFX News Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - DARK STAR MINERALS INC. (CSE: BATT) (FSE: P0W) (the "Company" or "Dark Star") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jeremey Hanson as Vice President, Exploration for the Company's North American Exploration and Development Portfolio. This portfolio includes Dark Star's Bleasdell historical uranium deposit in Saskatchewan (the "Bleasdell Project") and the Company's Ghost Lake Central Mineral Belt 28,575 Hectare ("Ha") Project ("Ghost Lake Project"), which is adjacent to Paladin Energy Ltd. ("Paladin") and contiguous to Atha Energy Corp. ("Atha"). Image 1. Jeremy Hanson and Hardline Exploration Team Members Conducting Exploration To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9815/254323_402a339c743b8882_002full.jpg Jeremy Hanson, VP Exploration Canada & Director Mr. Hanson is a professional geoscientist with over 15 years of experience in mineral exploration throughout Canada and has been an integral part of numerous exciting projects. He is the President of Hardline Exploration Corp, a geological consulting firm focused on western Canada as well as a director of Garibaldi Resources Corp and Carlyle Commodites Corp, and a technical advisor to Grid Battery Metals. He graduated with a B.Sc. Hons with distinction from Simon Fraser University and brings a strategic mindset to every project. Jeremy Hanson, VP of Exploration stated, "With assays pending from the Company's Central Mineral Belt ("CMB") early season exploration I am excited to begin working towards an exploration program at the Company's historical Bleasdell Project in Saskatchewan." "We are thrilled to have Jeremy formally on the team as VP Exploration to work with us at our two highly prospective Uranium projects." said Marc Branson, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Dark Star." Assays are pending from our recently completed exploration at our 28,575 Ha Ghost Lake Project in Labrador and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to get exploration underway at our extensively drilled historical Bleasdell Project in Saskatchewan to both confirm and expand upon the work done by previous explorers and developers." About Bleasdell Project, Saskatchewan The Bleasdell Project has had extensive historic exploration and development including a historic deposit consisting of 620,700 pounds of U3O8 (triuranium octoxide), identified within the Horn and Jackpine zones. This historic estimate was originally reported in a shareholder report for Columbia Metals Exploration Co. Ltd. dated November 9, 1957 (the "Report"). The estimate, which was calculated using the standards of the time, is based on data from closely spaced shallow drill holes and more widely spaced deeper drill holes. While the historic resource is considered relevant to the potential of the Bleasdell Project, there is no current technical report, and the calculations, methods, or parameters used were not disclosed in the Report. Consequently, a qualified person (as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")), has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and the Company is not treating the historic estimate as a current mineral estimate. The Report states a total of 148 drill holes were drilled between 1956-1957 for a total of 3,738.6 meters (12,265.9 feet) with drilling depths of between 22.9 meters (75 feet) and 149.4 meters (490 feet) with drilling ongoing at the time of publication. The Report goes on to state "The Bleasdell Project prospect is well positioned for economic development." Figure 1. Bleasdell Lake Uranium Project Historical Deposit and Drilling Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9815/254323_402a339c743b8882_003full.jpg Figure 2. Historical Report on Bleasdell Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9815/254323_402a339c743b8882_004full.jpg Follow up exploration is intended to be focused on the historically drilled Horn and Jackpine zones. These areas are known for uranium-bearing pegmatite dykes. Historic drilling at the project returned notable results, including 2.56m returning 0.12% U3O meters and 1.21 meters returning 0.62% U3O, both within mineralized intervals with strike lengths of 91 meters and 33.5 meters, respectively. Three additional zones on the Project have been identified by previous modern-day explorers for deposit expansion opportunities. About Ghost Lake Project (CMB, Labrador) Located in the prolific CMB of Labrador, the Ghost Lake Project consists of 28,575 ha of contiguous claim blocks. The Property is bound on three sides (N, W, E) by properties held by Atha and overlaps structural trends with known deposits such as Paladin's Michelin Project, Labrador Uranium Inc.'s, and the Mustang Lake and Jacques Lake deposits. The CMB is a diverse geological environment and is host to widespread uranium mineralization. The neighboring Atha properties host a number of uranium deposits, including the Anna Lake, Moran Lake, and Mustang deposits while Paladin Energy hosts the Michelin Uranium Project. Figure 3. Ghost Lake Property Anomalies and Neighbouring Deposits To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9815/254323_402a339c743b8882_005full.jpg Mineralization on the neighbouring properties is not indicative of potential mineralization on the Ghost Lake Property. About Dark Star Minerals Inc. Dark Star Minerals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of critical mineral resources, specifically the rare earth complex. Dark Star has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Ghost Lake claims located in the prolific CMB of Labrador, which consists of 28,575 ha of contiguous claim blocks, and has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Bleasdell Project consisting of over 515 ha in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Qualified Person Jeremy Hanson, P. Geo., is a Qualified Person as such term is defined under NI 43-101, is the VP Exploration of the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Marc Branson" Marc, Branson, President, CEO and a director 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 STATEMENTS: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects 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. Forward-looking statements in this news release includes statements related to the proposed business of the Company and related matters. 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 Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254323 SOURCE: Dark Star Minerals Inc. Andersen Consulting enters into a Collaboration Agreement with Bretteville Consulting, a management consultancy known for its deep expertise in strategic transformation and operational excellence, strengthening its global platform with complementary solutions for clients around the world. Founded in France, with a presence in China, Singapore, Luxembourg, and the United States, Bretteville Consulting provides strategic advisory services that help organizations drive performance and accelerate transformation. The firm specializes in corporate strategy execution, operational efficiency, and change management. With a senior-led consulting model and a client-first approach, Bretteville has built a reputation for guiding companies through complex business challenges and sustainable growth initiatives. Damien Gourio, managing director of Bretteville Consulting said, "Andersen's global reach and multidisciplinary platform create a unique opportunity for us to deliver deeper, broader value to our clients. This is a natural evolution for our firm, and a step forward for what we can accomplish through this collaboration." Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen, added, "Bretteville brings deep operational insight and strategic precision to client engagements. Their credentials in financial services, banking and insurance are highly complementary within our global platform and we're already seeing those synergies come to light. Through this collaboration we're expanding our ability to serve global clients with unmatched seamless, integrated services." Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 20,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 500 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member and collaborating firms around the world. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603022199/en/ Contacts: mediainquiries@Andersen.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Noble Plains Uranium Corp. (TSXV: NOBL) (OTCQB: IXIXF) (FSE: INE) ("Noble Plains" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has secured an option to acquire a 100% interest in 30 highly strategic mineral claims collectively called the Shirley Central Property in the prolific Shirley Basin of Wyoming, a historically productive and infrastructure rich uranium district in the United States. Several of the Shirley Central Property claims lie directly within Ur-Energy Inc.'s Shirley Basin permit boundary, while others are surrounded by Uranium Energy Corp's (UEC) land package-placing Noble Plains in the middle of a rapidly developing uranium hub. Ur-Energy Inc.'s Shirley Basin Project currently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Measured (1,367,000 short tons) and Indicated (549,000 short tons) Resource of 8.816 million pounds U3O at 0.23%1 and is under active construction2. "This acquisition is a clear reflection of our strategy-targeting sound geological projects in premier U.S. uranium jurisdictions," stated Drew Zimmerman, President of Noble Plains. "We're focused on acquiring brownfield assets with proven potential and strong ISR amenability, and this new land package in the Shirley Basin is a prime example." Figure 1: Shirley Central Property Acquisition Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3717/254324_3f0e6a5c14a00aef_001full.jpg The Company has obtained, digitized, and interpreted historical aerial photos and records to reveal at least five distinct areas of dense, systematic drilling within the Shirley Central Property as conducted by past operators, such as Kerr-McGee (see Figure 1). These were drilled between former producing open-pit mines, targeting uranium mineralization with denser grid spacing (25m by 25m) designed to delineate higher-grade zones. Historic exploration density strongly suggests high-confidence targets for future ISR resource delineation. Noble Plains plans to fast-track permitting to begin drilling on these "bullseye" targets by late summer 2025. "The Shirley Basin is very well-understood geologically and in a historically productive uranium district in the United States," said Paul Cowley, CEO of Noble Plains. "This land package sits between past-producing open pits and has dense historical drilling with clear signs of mineralization that make it an exceptional geological opportunity with five "bullseye" targets already identified for drill testing." The Shirley Central Property adds to the Company's Shirley East Property (aka Hot Property), expanding Noble Plains' Shirley Basin footprint to a total of 101 unpatented mineral claims covering 8.44 km (3.26 mi), consolidating the Company's position in a premier U.S. uranium district (see Figure 2). Figure 2: Noble Plains' Properties in Shirley Basin (pink and red) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3717/254324_3f0e6a5c14a00aef_002full.jpg Shirley Basin Wyoming is the top uranium-producing state in the U.S. and hosts the country's largest ore reserves. The Shirley Basin alone produced over 52 million pounds of U3O between 1960 and 1992 at an average grade of 0.22% U3O -over three times the current U.S. average. With ISR now the dominant method of uranium production in Wyoming, these newly optioned claims are especially compelling. ISR offers lower capital and operating costs, minimal surface disturbance, and no tailings-aligning with Noble Plains' commitment to environmentally responsible development. 1 Updated Initial Assessment Technical Report Summary on Shirley Basin ISR Uranium Project, Carbon County Wyoming, USA dated March 4, 2024 and prepared by Western Water Consultants, Inc. 2 Ur-Energy Announces Decision to Build Out Shirley Basin Mine: Press Release dated March 13, 2024 Terms of Transaction The Company has signed a property option agreement (the "Agreement") effective June 1, 2025, with a private vendor pursuant to which the Company can acquire a 100% interest in the Shirley Central Property. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will pay US$50,000 annually to the vendor. Between the third anniversary of the effective date of the Agreement and a construction decision, the Company can exercise the option to own a 100% interest in the Shirley Central Property subject to a 3% gross value royalty. At that time, annual option payments of US$50,000 convert to an annual US$50,000 milestone payment. The Shirley Central Property option transaction is considered an Exempt Transaction, as such term is defined in the policies of the Exchange and, thus, does not require Exchange approval. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "Paul Cowley", CEO Bradley Parkes, P.Geo., VP Exploration and Director of Noble Plains Uranium Corp., is the Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, who has read and approved the technical content of this news release. This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254324 SOURCE: Noble Plains Uranium Corp. Ascend Partners' CLIMB program sets a new standard in career development for the OneStream ecosystem. NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Ascend Partners, a leading OneStream Diamond Partner, is proud to announce the launch of the CLIMB (Consultants Learning IT, Management, and Business) program. This innovative career development initiative is the first of its kind in the OneStream ecosystem, designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional success. Ascend CLIMB Program Ascend CLIMB Program The CLIMB program equips new graduates and professionals with hands-on expertise in Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) within the OneStream ecosystem. Through a 12-week paid apprenticeship and a two-year associate program, participants receive immersive training, personalized mentorship, and real-world business experience. This comprehensive approach prepares them to excel as in-demand OneStream implementation experts and future industry leaders. As the fastest-growing EPM platform with an extensive customer base across various industries, OneStream offers businesses a comprehensive, unified solution designed to optimize financial processes, improve decision-making, and drive organizational growth. By streamlining close & consolidations, reporting, and financial planning & analysis, OneStream is reshaping finance operations-making specialists proficient in this technology more sought after than ever. "The launch of the CLIMB program marks a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering talent and driving innovation within the OneStream ecosystem," said Peter Popalis, Managing Partner at Ascend Partners. "We are excited to provide aspiring professionals with the tools and opportunities they need to excel in their careers and contribute to the growth of the platform." Colin Sawford, Managing Partner of Ascend Partners, added, "As a leading OneStream Diamond Partner, Ascend is dedicated to the continuous development of our industry. The CLIMB program is a testament to our mission of bridging the gap between technical skills and functional knowledge, ensuring that our cohorts are well-equipped to meet the demands of the evolving EPM landscape." Key Highlights of the CLIMB Program: Career-Ready Graduates: Participants gain hands-on experience in financial technology, project management, and business consulting, preparing them for high-demand roles in EPM platform implementations Industry-Recognized Certification: Participants receive OneStream certifications, enhancing their resumes and accelerating their entry into the workforce Paid Apprenticeships & Full-Time Career Pathways: The program includes a structured 12-week paid apprenticeship, leading to a 2-year associate program with clear career progression Exclusive Networking & Mentorship Opportunities: Participants engage with top industry professionals, gaining insights and guidance from experienced mentors Several prestigious higher education institutions have partnered with the CLIMB program to provide their students with unparalleled career development opportunities. The CLIMB program is ideal for recent graduates, career changers, and professionals with a passion for financial technology and business consulting. Applications are now open for the first cohort of the CLIMB program which is set to begin in September 2025. To learn more, visit https://ascend.partners/climb or email climb@ascend.partners About Ascend Partners Ascend Partners, a trusted advisor in EPM consulting, proudly serves our clients globally from our headquarters in New York, NY. Ascend focuses exclusively on the OneStream platform and, as their most trusted Diamond partner, we have delivered 60+ successful go-lives for a growing portfolio of clients across many industries including mining, real estate, manufacturing and more. With a global presence and over a decade of industry experience, Ascend Partners is committed to developing the next generation of OneStream professionals through the CLIMB program. https://ascend.partners/ About OneStream OneStream is the fastest-growing EPM platform, transforming financial processes for over 1,200 customers around the world. Recognized as a Top Quadrant leader by Gartner, OneStream empowers businesses across industries like mining, manufacturing, real estate, higher education, and retail. https://www.onestream.com/ SOURCE: Ascend Partners Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/ascend-partners-launches-climb-program-a-groundbreaking-initiative-i-1031420 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Bryan Bernloehr, who founded Quality Contour in his father's garage, at his facility in Lakeville, Minnesota. Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog Bryan Bernloehr runs a precision parts shop of more than 30 employees in Lakeville Bryan Bernloehr was fresh out of high school when he founded Quality Contour, a precision machine shop that specializes in custom parts for industries from aerospace to medical devices. "I started in my dad's garage in 1980," said Bernloehr, whose business is capable of machining and fabricating parts for a variety of industries out of everything from aluminum to plastics. "Back then, I was racing motorcross, and I was just trying to make enough to keep racing - but we've grown from there." Bernloehr calls it a slow growth over the last 45 years, adding positions and capabilities as the market called for it. He's grown from a team of one out of his dad's garage to a team of more than 30 in a facility in Lakeville, Minnesota. "We've had little to no turnover over that time," Bernloehr said. "I had my first guy retire and he was here for 35 years, but there's more coming soon." That means opportunities to hire seasoned machinists in the next five to 10 years to operate complex equipment that they use to build prototypes and to create small runs of parts. Regardless of the size of the order, all of it needs specialized equipment, Bernloehr said. That's where U.S. Bank came in. For more than 40 years, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance has offered customized solutions specifically for businesses to finance equipment, from PCs to marine vessels. Part of U.S. Bank Equipment Finance, Manufacturing Vendor Services specializes in financing manufacturing equipment, including metal cutting or fabrication, plastics, woodworking, glass, and stone packaging or processing industries. The Manufacturing Vendor Services team has helped finance one to two pieces of equipment every year for Quality Contour over the last decade, with equipment costing upwards of a few hundred grand. "I've known Bryan about 12 years or so, and he's poured his soul into his business." - Tim Bruns, a U.S. Bank Business Banking relationship manager "We're doing more replacing and upgrading of machines," Bernloehr said, noting that his shop has about 30 machines operated by his team. "We try to replace them every five to six years because of the wear and tear on the machine. Replacing them eliminates time wasted on repairs or troubleshooting - and it's also a bonus for our employees." Tim Bruns, a U.S. Bank Business Banking relationship manager, supports Bernloehr and Quality Contour. "I've known Bryan about 12 years or so, and he's poured his soul into his business," Bruns said. "To be able to support the continued growth of the company by providing the financing for new pieces of equipment is something we're proud to do." Bernloehr, too, is proud of the company he's built and the legacy that he's leaving behind for his son, Cole. "He's doing a little more and a little more, slowly taking over the whole business," Bernloehr said when asked about the future of Quality Contour. "No plans to sell, but we are looking to keep this place one where people continue to be happy working here." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from US Bank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: US Bank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: US Bank View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/minnesotan-builds-legacy-of-craftsmanship-with-support-from-u.s.-ban-1034964 Summer lotus blooms lure tourists to Puzhehei in SW China's Yunnan People's Daily Online) 13:38, June 03, 2025 A summer view of Xianrendong village in Qiubei county, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Xiong Pingxiang) Featuring a breathtaking combination of more than 20,000 mu (about 1,333 hectares) of lotus flowers and a unique karst landscape, Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, enchants visitors with poetic, mesmerizing summer views. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, which concluded June 2, the national 5A-level scenic area welcomed a steady stream of visitors from across the country. Visitors took leisurely rides in traditional leaf-shaped boats through the waterways. Children splashed in the water while adults photographed the scenery, their laughter echoing across the lotus fields. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival honoring Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and loyal statesman from the Warring States Period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.). Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the festival fell on May 31 this year. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Hesston Prestige Printing Upgrades Wide Format Printer, Adds Second Digital Press RAMSEY, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) is pleased to announce its longtime client, Hesston Prestige Printing (HPP), recently invested in additional Konica Minolta equipment to serve its growing business. The printer has added a second AccurioPress C4080 digital printer and upgraded its AccurioWide 200 to an AccurioWide 250, adding productivity and freeing up many hours per week for a better quality of life. Denise and Norman Critchfield, owners of Hesston Prestige Printing in Hesston, Kansas with their newly installed Konica Minolta AccurioWide 250 hybrid UV LED wide-format inkjet printer HPP installed its AccurioWide 200 in 2019, allowing it to print on a wide array of materials, from coasters to 5'x10' sheets of aluminum composite. The printer has back-printed on 4'x5' sheets of " glass panels to make dry-erase boards and has also printed 5'x40' banners. The high print quality enabled it to run most jobs with the standard (540x1080) resolution, saving time and money. HPP has since experienced an explosion in volume, and knew it was time to consider additional hardware to keep up with customer needs and continue its growth path. "Our partnership with Hesston Prestige Printing spans 30 years, and we appreciate their ongoing trust and loyalty to our brand," said Frank Mallozzi, President, IPP, Konica Minolta. "This is so much more than just a vendor-client relationship. HPP relied on our team enormously to make this huge decision and we are always happy to provide them with guidance. In turn, their confidence in us has led them to refer many additional customers to us, which is the greatest compliment we can receive, and truly demonstrates how strong relationships like this serve to mutually benefit our businesses." When HPP upgraded its AccurioWide 200 after four and a half years, more than 515,000 square feet had been produced on the press. Between the volume on the AccurioWide 200 and the AccurioWide 250 in 2024 the company averaged more than 15,000 square feet per month. On just one job, going from printing a 4'x8' sheet short-edge feed on the AccurioWide 200 to long-edge feed on the AccurioWide 250 saved HPP more than an hour of print time. And the increased productivity of the AccurioWide 250 has helped reduce print time, enabling it to handle more jobs with a quicker turnaround time. "The AccurioWide 200 launched a great start for us into the wide format world. Almost every month, from the time the AccurioWide 200 was installed in May of 2019 until the AccurioWide 250 was installed, we saw an increase in volume," said Norman Critchfield, Owner, Hesston Prestige Printing. "The addition of the second AccurioPress C4080 into our business allows us to have consistent color across our digital production presses. We have witnessed how the IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Optimizer ensures consistently high-quality prints from the first to the last in a run - regardless of which AccurioPress C4080 device is used." Konica Minolta's AccurioWide 250 is a versatile printer with superior image quality and high productivity for both outdoor and indoor job applications, increasing opportunities for customers to grow their business. This printer is equipped with UV LED lamps that allow users to print on a wider range of media, while simultaneously saving energy, time and cost. The AccurioPress C4080 digital press offers robust and user-friendly production and is a perfect fit for businesses looking to expand their production capabilities with advanced automation and ease of use for various applications. About Konica Minolta Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.'s (Konica Minolta) journey started more than 150 years ago, with a vision to see and do things differently. The company partners with clients to Give Shape to Ideas by supporting their digital transformation through its expansive Intelligent Connected Workplace portfolio. Its business technology offerings include IT Services, intelligent information management, video security solutions and managed print services, as well as office technology and industrial and commercial print solutions. 2025 marks Konica Minolta's 20th anniversary in production print, for which it celebrates "20 Years of Excellence, Innovation and Impact," and continues to lead the way in digital commercial printing. This year also commemorates 20 years of Konica Minolta's bizhub brand. Over the past two decades, the bizhub series has revolutionized office technology and redefined how businesses operate. It has continuously evolved to meet the needs of modern workplaces, fueled by advances in technology and a commitment to innovation. Konica Minolta is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2025 America's Best Large Employers list, included on CRN's MSP 500 list numerous times; recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for eighteen consecutive years and presented with Keypoint Intelligence's BLI 2025 and 2021 A3 Line of The Year and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Awards for its bizhub One i-Series. For more information, please visit Konica Minolta online and follow it on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter. About Hesston Prestige Printing Hesston Prestige Printing offers a wide range of helpful services and our team knows our products well. Our years of printing experience allow us to assist you with more complicated printing projects. We can also help you with blueprints, engineering and architectural drawings and even yearbooks! Whatever printing assistance you require for your home or business can be obtained today at Hesston Prestige Printing. Konica Minolta Contact Maggie Grande Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. +1 551 500-2659 PR@kmbs.konicaminolta.us # # # # # SOURCE: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/konica-minolta-client-invests-in-additional-equipment-to-meet-in-1033989 BANGALORE, India, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Identity (ID) Verification Market is Segmented by Type (Software, Services), by Application (BFSI, Retail and Ecommerce, Tele and Gaming, Healthcare and Transport). The Identity (ID) Verification Market was valued at USD 2908 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 4915 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. Claim Your Free Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-36U11521/Global_Identity_ID_Verification_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of Identity (ID) Verification Market: The ID verification market is undergoing rapid expansion as industries prioritize secure and seamless identity authentication in the digital age. With growing fraud risks, regulatory scrutiny, and demand for digital access, ID verification tools have become essential across banking, retail, healthcare, and government sectors. Innovations in AI, biometrics, and mobile-based verification are reshaping how businesses validate identity. As data privacy and compliance requirements evolve, the market will continue to see robust demand for reliable and user-friendly identity verification systems, reinforcing trust in global digital ecosystems. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-36U11521/global-identity-id-verification TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE ID VERIFICATION MARKET: The services segment significantly drives the ID verification market by offering scalable, customizable, and expert-driven solutions that assist businesses in handling complex identity checks efficiently. Service providers offer identity authentication, document verification, biometrics, and compliance consulting tailored to industry-specific needs. Organizations lacking in-house resources increasingly rely on managed services for real-time fraud detection, customer onboarding, and continuous monitoring. These services also reduce regulatory penalties by ensuring adherence to global compliance standards such as KYC and AML. Additionally, third-party verification services help reduce operational burden, accelerate user authentication, and lower costs associated with manual checks. With rising identity fraud risks and evolving cyber threats, the demand for service-based ID verification models is growing across sectors like BFSI, healthcare, and e-commerce. Software solutions are at the core of ID verification systems, enabling automated, real-time identification processes that enhance operational efficiency and accuracy. These platforms support biometric recognition, optical character recognition (OCR), AI-based facial matching, and risk scoring. Organizations deploying ID verification software benefit from seamless customer onboarding, reduced fraudulent account creation, and improved regulatory compliance. With digital transformation accelerating across industries, businesses are shifting from manual methods to software-based identity checks that are faster, scalable, and more secure. The flexibility of cloud-based and on-premise deployment models adds to its appeal. As cybercrime increases, enterprises seek robust software to authenticate identities remotely, supporting growth in sectors like fintech, remote hiring, and online education. The retail and e-commerce sector is driving the ID verification market due to the rise in digital transactions, account-based services, and fraud prevention requirements. Online retailers and marketplaces increasingly rely on identity verification tools to authenticate users during sign-up, high-value purchases, and returns. These solutions help detect synthetic identities, stolen credentials, and fraudulent payment activity. As customers demand seamless and secure checkout experiences, e-commerce platforms deploy frictionless ID verification technologies like facial recognition, OTP validation, and address verification. Compliance with regional data protection laws also mandates identity validation to prevent misuse. The sector's rapid digital growth and increasing fraud exposure continue to elevate the role of ID verification in securing customer interactions and trust. The rapid increase in cyberattacks, identity theft, and data breaches is compelling businesses across sectors to adopt ID verification solutions. These systems enable early detection of unauthorized access and fake credentials, reducing financial loss and reputational damage. As fraudsters leverage AI tools to create deepfakes and synthetic identities, enterprises are prioritizing advanced verification layers. Biometric authentication, behavior analytics, and AI-powered risk assessments have become integral parts of fraud prevention frameworks. ID verification acts as a frontline defense against evolving threats, and industries such as banking, insurance, and travel are witnessing rapid implementation to safeguard digital channels and customer data integrity. Digital onboarding has become a standard in customer engagement, particularly in fintech, healthcare, and education sectors. With more services shifting online, ID verification ensures secure and swift onboarding without physical presence. This supports Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance and enhances user trust. Employers and institutions also rely on digital ID checks to validate remote candidates and students. As the global workforce becomes more mobile and distributed, identity verification solutions that offer smooth integration with onboarding portals and applicant tracking systems are in high demand. The shift towards remote-first operations further reinforces the importance of secure identity confirmation tools. Governments and regulatory bodies are enforcing stringent rules around identity validation to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and data misuse. Standards such as AML, GDPR, CCPA, and PSD2 require robust verification protocols during customer onboarding and financial transactions. Non-compliance can lead to substantial fines and legal consequences. ID verification tools automate compliance by capturing, analyzing, and storing identity data in secure formats. Regulated sectors like banking, telecom, and gaming are mandated to implement these solutions. As global and regional laws evolve, the demand for dynamic ID verification systems that adapt to new compliance frameworks continues to rise sharply. The proliferation of mobile banking, digital wallets, and mobile commerce drives the need for real-time, mobile-friendly ID verification. Consumers expect secure yet seamless access to services via their smartphones. Mobile ID verification solutions use device biometrics, selfie scans, and document capture to validate identities. Fintech apps prioritize these tools to ensure fast onboarding and transaction authorization. With financial services expanding into underbanked regions through mobile apps, identity verification becomes essential to extend access while minimizing risk. The growing ecosystem of mobile-first services is pushing ID verification vendors to innovate lightweight, API-driven mobile verification capabilities. The healthcare industry increasingly requires ID verification to ensure secure access to patient portals, protect sensitive health records, and comply with HIPAA and related regulations. As telemedicine and online prescriptions become mainstream, verifying a patient's identity is critical to preventing fraud and unauthorized access. Healthcare providers also use ID verification for secure billing and insurance processing. The integration of biometric checks and document authentication in patient onboarding workflows enhances accuracy and regulatory adherence. As healthcare services digitize globally, ID verification tools support operational efficiency and trust in remote healthcare delivery, driving their adoption in hospitals, clinics, and online health platforms. Claim Yours Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-36U11521&lic=single-user ID VERIFICATION MARKET SHARE Global key players of Identity (ID) Verification include Jumio, Thales, Okta, Socure, Trulioo, etc. The top 5 players take up above 34% of the global market. North America is the largest market, with a share about 42%, followed by Europe, with a share of 37%. Europe leads the market with strict GDPR and PSD2 guidelines necessitating verification tools. North America follows closely due to high digital adoption and regulatory mandates in financial services and healthcare. Asia-Pacific is emerging rapidly, fueled by fintech expansion, mobile internet penetration, and regulatory modernization. In terms of type, software is the largest segment, occupying 54 percent, and in terms of application, Retail and Ecommerce has a share of 29%. Key Companies: Jumio ID.me Veriff Trulioo SumSub AU10TIX Persona Lightico Ondato APLYiD Smile Identity Shufti Pro IDnow GmbH Thales GBG IDEMIA Okta Parallel Markets Signicat Entrust (Onfido) Socure (Berbix) Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Auto-36U11521/Global_Identity_ID_Verification_Market SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Online Identity Proofing Market - Digital Identity Verification Market - Identity Verification Services Market - Identity Verification Software Market - Intelligent Identity Verification Terminal Market - The global market for Data De-identification or Pseudonymity Software was valued at USD 428 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 572 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. - Biometric-based Authentication Market - Identity Information Scanning Equipment Market - The global market for Signature Verification was estimated to be worth USD 940.6 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 3437.1 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 19.8% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - e-Government Identity Management Market - Fraud Detection and Prevention Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. GET A FREE QUOTE Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/identity-id-verification-market-to-reach-usd-4915-million-by-2031-driven-by-digital-onboarding-and-cybersecurity-needs--valuates-reports-302472034.html The company's APU (Analytics Processing Unit) redefines analytics infrastructure, accelerating big data workloads as data prep becomes the backbone of AI, potentially transforming the industry TEL AVIV, Israel, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedata, whose first-of-its-kind Analytics Processing Unit (APU) is designed to accelerate big data analytic workloads by orders of magnitude across industries, today announced the launch of its breakthrough chip. The announcement comes alongside a $44 million Series B funding round, bringing its total capital raised to $114 million. The round includes participation from Walden Catalyst Ventures, 83North, Koch Disruptive Technologies, Pitango First, and Viola Ventures, as well as strategic investors including Lip-Bu Tan, CEO of Intel and Managing Partner at Walden Catalyst Ventures, and Eyal Waldman, Co-Founder and former CEO of Mellanox Technologies. Data creation is expected to increase exponentially in the coming years. This data can serve as a game-changer across industries including healthcare, finance, telecommunications, real estate, and other sectors. Until now, data tasks have been carried out by general purpose processors or even GPUs, often with software optimizations that offer incremental improvements, leading to slow processing times and high operational costs. Adding to this challenge, the rise of generative AI and large language models, which depend on vast, diverse, and often unstructured datasets, has intensified the pressure on today's already squeezed data analytics infrastructure. Speedata's APU, powered by its custom-designed Callisto chip, removes long-standing bottlenecks that slow down even the most advanced data pipelines, delivering unprecedented acceleration for complex analytics workloads. "As the volume and complexity of data continue to grow at an unprecedented pace, it's clear that new approaches are needed to complement existing compute architectures," said Lip-Bu Tan, CEO of Intel and Managing Partner at Walden Catalyst Ventures. "Speedata's APU is a timely innovation, purpose-built to meet the rising demands of big data analytics at scale. I'm excited to support a company that is unlocking critical performance gains and helping define the future of data infrastructure." Every component of the chip - from its foundation to its memory and I/O acceleration chains - was designed to remove the core constrictions that plague modern analytics infrastructure and processing. A server with Speedata's APU will replace multiple racks of processors and deliver orders-of-magnitude acceleration for Spark ETL and analytics jobs, while dramatically reducing the cost of running existing data pipelines. This enables large-scale data infrastructures with lower space requirements, reduced power consumption, and faster processing of massive data sets and complex analytics workflows. "Everyone knows that AI inference will transform our lives, but none of that happens without data analytics first," said Adi Gelvan, Speedata's incoming CEO tasked with leading the company's next growth phase in the wake of the launch. "To paraphrase the well-known saying: 'Diamonds in, diamonds out' - in other words, before AI value can be maximized, the data must be ready. Speedata's APU is the missing link, unlocking scalable, real-time analytics that power everything from business intelligence to medical breakthroughs to next-gen AI applications. It's the catalyst AI needed to get to the next era." Gelvan, a veteran tech executive and serial entrepreneur, brings decades of experience in data infrastructure to his new role. He previously served as CEO of Speedb, acquired by Redis in 2024, and had key leadership roles at SQream, Infinidat, and EMC. Speedata's transformative chip has already been tested by launch partners from sectors spanning finance, healthcare, insurance, and AdTech - enterprises that depend on mass-scale analytics for business-critical decision-making. For example, using the APU, a pharmaceutical workload was completed in 19 minutes, compared to 90 hours when using a non-specialized processing unit - a 280x faster result. "Data analytics is no longer a 'nice to have,' but a critical layer of modern computing, especially in the age of AI," said Eyal Waldman, Co-Founder and former CEO of Mellanox Technologies and board member at Speedata. "Speedata's APU brings the same kind of leap forward to data analytics that GPUs brought to AI. With the launch of this processor, Speedata is redefining how data-driven workloads are executed - unlocking new efficiencies, scale, savings and impact across industries." The C200 PCIe card, powered by the Callisto APU, features a PCIe Gen5 x16 interface, is server-agnostic, and is optimized with the Dash software stack for Apache Spark to dynamically redirect jobs to the APU without requiring changes to existing applications or infrastructure. About Speedata Speedata has developed the world's first dedicated accelerated processor for big data analytics across industries. Speedata's Analytics Processing Unit (APU) was designed solely to optimize datacenter and cloud-based database and analytic workloads, dramatically improving performance by orders of magnitude while reducing costs, power consumption, and space. Speedata's breakthrough accelerated analytics and database processors provide significant improvement in performance-per-cost for cloud providers, enterprises, private datacenters, and technology providers across industries. Media Contact: David Hoffman Headline Media David@headline.media +972528421955 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/speedata-raises-44m-to-launch-first-ever-chip-designed-specifically-for-accelerating-big-data-analytics--computes-second-largest-workload-302472061.html LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / MTM Health, the nation's largest privately-held non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) broker, is proudly celebrating its 30th anniversary. Since its founding in 1995, MTM Health has been committed to ensuring access to care by eliminating barriers to healthcare and social services - and improving health outcomes, one ride at a time. What began as a two-person operation in a one-room office has grown into a national leader in health access solutions. Founded in 1995 by Peg and Lynn Griswold, who recognized the challenges health plans faced in coordinating transportation for their members, MTM Health pioneered the brokered NEMT model. Their vision: leverage existing transportation networks instead of purchasing or owning vehicles - a model that remains central to the company's operations today. Fast forward 30 years, MTM Health now operates in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, employing more than 6,000 team members and coordinating over 35 million trips annually for more than 25 million people. "As we reflect on three decades of service, I'm overwhelmed with pride in what we've built-not just a company, but a mission-driven organization that has transformed how people access healthcare," said Alaina Macia, the 20-year President and CEO of MTM Health and daughter of the company's founders. "We've grown from a small family operation into a national powerhouse, but what hasn't changed is our heart. We remain a privately held company committed to the communities we serve, and that legacy will continue with future generations." To mark the milestone, the company recently rebranded from Medical Transportation Management (MTM) to simply MTM Health - signaling the organization's expanded focus beyond transportation. In addition to core NEMT services, the company delivers a wide range of solutions including: Public transit operations through MTM Transit Senior-focused, private pay rides via Wanda Innovative alternative home and community-based therapies like pet, art, equine, and music therapy Mobile Integrated Health programs that bring care directly to members' homes MTM Health is also leading the charge in NEMT technology and innovation with its MTM Link scheduling platform, rideshare-enabled VeyoRide model, and AI-driven analytics that enhance care delivery and operational efficiency. As the company enters its next chapter, MTM Health remains dedicated to its mission of innovation, equity, and empowering healthier communities. "Looking ahead, we are more energized than ever to continue breaking down barriers and creating connections that matter," added Macia. "The future of healthcare is evolving - and MTM Health will be at the forefront, one ride, one connection, and one outcome at a time." About MTM Health MTM Health is a trusted leader in innovative healthcare solutions, empowering communities since 1995. Specializing in services like non-emergency medical transportation, HCBS therapies, and mobile integrated health, we partner with state and county governments, managed care organizations, health systems, and programs that serve disabled, underserved, and elderly populations. Through cutting-edge technology and a client-focused approach, our services enhance health outcomes, foster independence, and decrease healthcare costs. MTM Health provides 35 million+ trips annually, helping 20.5 million individuals nationwide access their communities. SOURCE: MTM, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/transportation/mtm-health-celebrates-30-years-of-improving-health-outcomes-nationwide-1033293 Hyundai Motor Group showcases its future mobility vision and technology innovations at the FISITA World Mobility Conference 2025 in Barcelona, Spain Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO Jose Munoz delivered the Principal Speech, underscoring Hyundai's journey as a mobility leader ChangHwan Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Group, began his term as the first Korean FISITA President The all-new NEXO and the enhanced fuel cell system are exhibited during the conference, highlighting the Group's cutting-edge hydrogen mobility technology SEOUL, South Korea and BARCELONA, Spain, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) reaffirms its vision for the future of mobility and its leadership in technological innovation at the La Federation Internationale des Societes d'Ingenieurs des Techniques de l'Automobile (FISITA) World Mobility Conference (WMC) 2025, held from June 3 to 5 at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. FISITA, the world's largest association of academic institutions in the automotive field, unites engineering societies from 36 countries and has cultivated a global network of approximately 210,000 automotive researchers since its establishment in 1948. Its biennial conference, FISITA WMC, convenes around 2,000 distinguished executives and engineers from the mobility industry. As Prime Partner of FISITA WMC, the Group underscores its commitment to shaping the future of sustainable mobility by delivering a networking program, technical sessions, paper presentations, and an exhibition. Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO Jose Munoz set the tone for the conference with his Principal Speech, engaging with industry leaders and engineers under the theme of Hyundai's journey as a mobility leader. "As an engineer myself, it was a real pleasure to share Hyundai's mobility journey and engage with participants at the FISITA World Mobility Conference. Under the leadership of Hyundai's Executive Chair, we are pushing the technological boundaries of what's currently possible to improve how people and goods will move more safely, sustainably and conveniently. Thank you to the organizers and congratulations to my colleague ChangHwan Kim for being named as the first Korean president of FISITA." ChangHwan Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Group, who was inducted as president of FISITA at the conference, will guide the organization throughout his tenure until May 2027, overseeing the Executive Board and Committees. The Group will also host a special technical session from June 4 to 5, highlighting its latest advancements and collaborative research with European partners. Key topics include methodologies and case studies on the use of software and hardware, such as driving simulators for virtual performance verification, new bushing technologies to enhance ride comfort and performance in EVs and research on ensuring chassis reliability in software-defined vehicles using prognostics and health management technologies. Under the theme 'Clearly Committed, FCEV Technology,' the all-new NEXO and the enhanced fuel cell system will be exhibited, reiterating Hyundai Motor Group's leadership in hydrogen mobility and showcasing its dedication to driving innovation as a smart solutions provider across the full mobility ecosystem. By sharing its vision and technological capabilities throughout the conference, Hyundai Motor Group aims to foster global academic collaboration in mobility research while solidifying its role as a catalyst for innovation in the automotive industry, all in line with its vision of 'Progress for Humanity.' About Hyundai Motor Group Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2702351/Image_1__HMG_FISITA_World_Mobility_Conference_2025.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2702352/Image_2__HMG_FISITA_World_Mobility_Conference_2025.jpg PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2702353/PR_Newswire__HMC_President_and_CEO_Jos__Mu_oz_Reinforces_Hyundai_s_Journey_as_a_Mobility_Leader_at_F.pdf Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648827/5351302/Hyundai_Motor_Group_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyundai-motor-company-president-and-ceo-jose-munoz-reinforces-hyundais-journey-as-a-mobility-leader-at-fisita-world-mobility-conference-2025-302472121.html VANCOUVER, BC, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group ("CC&L Financial Group") announced the recent expansion of the Connor, Clark & Lunn UCITS ICAV with the addition of a global small cap equity strategy and a global equity strategy. The two strategies are sub-advised by the Quantitative Equity Team at Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. ("CC&L Investment Management"). The global small cap equity strategy and global equity strategy utilize CC&L Investment Management's quantitative investment process. Both strategies seek to outperform their benchmarks, MSCI ACWI Small Cap Index (net) and MSCI ACWI Index (net) respectively, over a market cycle. CC&L Investment Management is the oldest and largest affiliate of CC&L Financial Group, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 1982, the firm's investment solutions include equities, fixed income and alternatives; including portable alpha, market neutral and absolute return strategies. The Quantitative Equity Team's (the "Q Team") systematic investment strategies aim to add value through different market environments. The Q Team's quantitative investment process is continuously evolving with new alpha insights and innovative technology solutions. The Q Team comprises 80 investment professionals and is co-headed by Jennifer Drake and Steven Huang. "We have been managing quantitative portfolios for over 20 years, continuously strengthening our process with the aim of delivering results for clients," says Jennifer Drake. "We are excited to extend our platform and make more of our strategies available to European investors." About Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. (CC&L Investment Management) is one of the largest independent partner-owned investment management firms in Canada. Established over four decades ago, CC&L Investment Management offers a diverse array of investment strategies including equity, fixed income, balanced and alternative solutions including portable alpha, market neutral and absolute return strategies. CC&L Investment Management is an affiliated investment manager of Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd. with over US$54 billion AUM. About Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd. Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd. (CC&L Financial Group) is an independently owned, multi-affiliate asset management firm that provides, through its multi-affiliate structure, a broad range of traditional and alternative investment management solutions to institutional and individual investors. CC&L Financial Group brings significant scale and expertise to the delivery of non-investment management functions through the centralization of all operational and distribution functions, allowing talented investment managers, such as Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd., to focus on what they do best. CC&L Financial Group's affiliates manage over US$99 billion in assets. For more information, please visit cclgroup.com. The material is for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell any product or service to which this information may relate. Certain products and services may not be available to all entities or persons. An investment in the fund involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the fund's investment objectives will be achieved. The value of equity and fixed income securities may decline significantly over short or extended periods of time. More information on these risk considerations, as well as information on other risks to which the fund is subject, such as concentration/non-diversification and investment strategy risks, are included in the fund's prospectus. This release does not constitute or contain an offer, solicitation, recommendation or investment advice with respect to the purchase of the fund described herein or any security. Prospective investors should carefully consider fund objectives, risks, charges, tax considerations and expenses and other relevant information before investing. For this and more information on the Connor, Clark & Lunn UCITS ICAV, please request a prospectus and read it carefully before you invest. Prospective investors should also consult their professional advisers as to the suitability of any investment in light of their particular circumstances and applicable citizenship, residence or domicile. Shares of any UCITS sub-advised by CC&L Investment Management are only available for certain non-US persons in select transactions outside the United States, or, in limited circumstances, otherwise in transactions which are exempt from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended in accordance with Regulation S and such other US laws as may be applicable. This communication is not directed at any US persons which are not eligible to invest in any UCITS product sub-advised by CC&L Investment Management. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2702257/Connor__Clark___Lunn_Financial_Group_Ltd__Connor__Clark__%C2%A0Lunn_F.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/connor-clark--lunn-financial-group-expands-its-ucits-platform-to-include-two-additional-quantitative-equity-strategies-for-non-us-investors-302472152.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / A look at the Otis response during the Spain and Portugal blackout When the power went out around noon on April 28, Otis mechanic Julio Cesar was conducting an inspection in a Madrid office building. The generator turned on, and he continued working. He thought it was a local issue. Then the building's maintenance manager informed him of the magnitude of the event: All power, and nearly all cellphone service, was out across Spain and Portugal. They didn't know it at the time, but the outage would last about 10 hours - and up to 16 hours in some areas. Julio Cesar immediately completed his inspection and went to check the other units on his route to make sure no one was trapped. He prioritized nursing homes and the smaller buildings that he knew did not have backup generators. "I went to the places first where I knew there might be more vulnerable people," he said. Julio Cesar is just one of hundreds of Otis field colleagues in Spain and Portugal who rallied to support people stranded in elevators when the power went out - and later, when power was restored, worked to get elevators back up and running. Their response was immediate and thorough: In the hours following the historic outage, mechanics worked with public authorities to visit every unit on their routes to ensure there were no entrapments, and rescuing people who were. OTISLINE customer service teams provided immediate support to those who were connected. Then, when power was restored, they set to work getting all elevators back up and running. Consider these figures: Within the first 90 minutes of the outage, Otis teams across the two countries freed passengers in 266 separate entrapments . Calls for trapped passengers increased 400% during the three days from April 28-30. Calls for shut-down elevators increased nearly 500% over the same period. Spain has the most elevators per resident in the European Union, with almost 1.3 million elevators total, according to the Spanish Elevator Federation. They estimate that 10,000 entrapped passengers were freed on April 28. Here's what happens at Otis when the power goes out: Field technicians and supervisors, who know the elevators on their regular routes, immediately begin going to each unit on that route, checking for entrapped passengers. Call centers can run on backup power, receiving calls as long as communications systems are operational. In Spain and Portugal, they opted to run at reduced capacity to save fuel, because they did not know how long the outage would last. Even when communications systems failed and fewer calls reach the call centers, colleagues remained on task serving as as customer care centers, assisting customers, passengers and colleagues in the field however possible, and standing by for power and telecommunications to be restored. When power is restored, the mission shifts from finding and freeing entrapped passengers to getting all elevators operational again. Those units that were opened forcefully by firefighters or other emergency personnel must be inspected, and often repaired. Some need to be inspected and reset after a power outage. Going above their normal call to help others Otis mechanics freed people trapped in elevators that were not their responsibility - elevators that are not part of the Otis service portfolio. Xavier, an Otis salesman who used to be a mechanic, freed two women in their 90s in the minutes after the blackout started. One mechanic walked more than 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) to help as many trapped passengers as possible. Colleagues who were not scheduled to work went to the offices to see how they could help. Those who were working voluntarily worked another shift when transit issues meant some second-shift workers didn't make it into the office or call center. Mechanics accompanied firefighters to perform rescues. Some Otis colleagues took people with mobility issues into their homes. When the power came back By April 29, once entrapments were addressed and power was restored, Otis experts turned quickly to making sure all Otis units were back online and working. This too required a round-the-clock response from field colleagues. Some mechanics had accumulated more than 25 calls by 9 a.m. Service was again augmented by extending shifts, and tapping people on their scheduled day off who showed up at the call centers, aware of the workload. It wasn't until late on April 30 that the crisis was over. Otis had zero calls on hold. "Through their actions and professionalism, our colleagues in Spain and Portugal exemplified the core values of our company and demonstrated how to put our mission into action," said Enrique Minarro Viseras, President of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. "Thank you for your resilience, teamwork and unwavering focus on our customers and passengers. Your skills were in high demand and your empathy was evident as you navigated complex situations, provided reassurances and supported everyone affected. We are so proud of all you have done." Preparing for next time In Spain and Portugal, the power outage lasted approximately 10 hours and up to 16 hours in some locations. Nuno Correia, a field supervisor in Portugal with 35 years of Otis experience, said he had never experienced anything like this. "I only remember a two-hour power outage in Lisbon 20 years ago, but never a time when communications were down," Correia said. After the initial nervousness of trying to restore communications, his technicians prioritized helping the factories they service, which were operating at full capacity at the time of the blackout. While Otis has crisis preparedness plans in place for events like this, each one provides opportunities to learn and improve for the next time, with a focus on the Otis value of safety, and dedication to Otis' mission to be a world-class, customer-centric, service-oriented company. What to do if you're stuck in an elevator Importantly, when an elevator stops working, because of a power cut or other reason, passengers are safe inside of the elevator cabin. If communications systems are working, they will have access to an emergency call center. However, if the telecommunications network fails before the signal is activated, passengers must wait in the cabin until an emergency release system is activated, power is restored, or a technician arrives to rescue them. Some elevators are equipped with an emergency lighting system designed to last at least 1 hour. This emergency lighting is activated automatically as soon as the power supply fails. Depending upon local regulations, elevators may also have an external alarm bell, designed to alert building occupants of an entrapment. In some countries, Otis businesses are certified to the ISO 22301 standard, which assesses the quality of a company's processes for providing emergency assistance in the event of a blackout. In addition, post-blackout, Otis has received numerous calls from customers inquiring about products designed to reduce the risk of entrapments in a power cut, including a battery-powered emergency release system, and elevators capable of running on battery and solar power in the event of a power disruption. These Gen2 Switch elevators are currently available in Spain and Portugal. Customers with them reported gratitude that they mitigated the effects of the power outage on their buildings. About Otis Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2.4 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.4 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest Service portfolio. Headquarters in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 44,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Otis Worldwide Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Otis Worldwide Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/otis-worldwide-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Otis Worldwide Corporation View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/how-leading-elevator-companies-respond-when-the-power-goes-out-1035016 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Dayna Boozer - Manager, Salesforce Compliance with Mary Kay Inc., at the Mary Kay world headquarters in Addison, Texas, where she has been employed for over 30 years. Photo Credit: Mary Kay Inc. This year, the Direct Selling Channel Summit powered by Social Selling News, in collaboration with the Direct Selling Association, brought together the industry's most brilliant minds featuring leaders who shared actionable strategies and inspiring lessons. Dayna Boozer, Manager, Salesforce Compliance at Mary Kay Inc., the #1 Direct Selling brand of skin care & color cosmetics in the world by Euromonitor International1, participated on a panel titled "A Day In The Life: Life Hacks For a Happy Compliance Officer" to discuss how she approaches the role of Compliance "The Mary Kay Way," as an empowering partner to the iconic company's Independent Beauty Consultants guiding them on their journey to sustainable success, modeling a "doing the right thing" mindset and attitude. We sat down with Dayna to hear her thoughts on her unique approach to Compliance, based on her over 30 years of experience at Mary Kay Inc. working on behalf of the independent sales force and the Company. She explained how she finds passion in her work, and how she inspires the women she serves and leads to bring positivity, purpose, and passion to their own work each and every day. Create a Positive Partnership Infuse positivity - It is critical to always remain positive in your demeanor and messaging. At Mary Kay, we work closely with our independent sales force (the women who sell our award-winning products to their customers), and we understand that mitigating risks should not be seen in a negative light when dealing with the rules and regulations. We offer a guiding light to help them succeed in their businesses. Break Stereotypes, Build Trust Partnering vs "policing" - At Mary Kay, we believe that "You're in business for yourself but never by yourself." That drives our approach to Compliance - we see ourselves as Compliance partners. We've worked hard to shed the reputation of being the "Pink Police" by fostering open communication and encouraging the sales force to reach out proactively. We listen to understand their goals and try to offer solutions to help achieve them. Lead with the "why" - Many times, we explain WHY compliance rules exist. Many of these rules come from external sources and apply to business owners across various industries, not just Mary Kay Inc. or the direct selling industry. Empower YOUR Compliance Team Train the trainers - Our team is on the front lines, partnering with our independent beauty consultants to educate, support, and empower them. We take the same approach internally, equipping our Compliance team with knowledge, confidence, and motivation. Before interacting with the independent sales force, new team members receive in-depth training, partner with a mentor, and use our Sales Force Compliance Toolkit as their guide. Recognition is key - At Mary Kay, we have a robust employee recognition program that allows us to celebrate contributions and achievements. Go into the field - Our Compliance team members attend Mary Kay sales force events to experience the excitement firsthand, which reinforces our purpose and fuels our passion. Practice the Golden Rule - This is a valueat the heart of what we do. Mary Kay Ash believed that kindness and respect create a strong and healthy work environment. This is one more reason many of us, including myself, have such a long tenure with the Company. I think when people feel valued and empowered, they show up ready to make a difference. Additional thoughts from Dayna Boozer about the "Mary Kay Way" applied to Compliance. Our secret sauce resides in the quality of our relationship with the Mary Kay independent sales force. It is more than a partnership - it is a personal connection built on trust, education, support, and open communication. Mary Kay's mission of enriching women's lives around the world is more than a corporate statement; it is the very foundation of our culture that was built more than 60 years ago and still thrives. We all have the responsibility to carry Mary Kay Ash's torch to empower women all over the world. About Mary Kay One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women's lives. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X. # # # 1 "Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2024 Edition, value sales at RSP, 2023 data" View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Mary Kay on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Mary Kay Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mary-kay Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Mary Kay View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/making-compliance-sexy-and-real-three-tips-from-a-direct-selling-1035017 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Insights informed by the IBEC webinar "Avian Influenza and Worker Safety: Navigating the H5N1 Challenge" held on March 27, 2025. The rise of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 strain, presents serious challenges to worker safety across several industries. From poultry farms and veterinary clinics to laboratories and wildlife agencies, anyone working in close contact with birds-or even pets that come into contact with infected animals-may be at risk of exposure. The Integrated Bioscience and Built Environment Consortium (IBEC) brought together experts to examine the occupational health risks associated with H5N1 and to discuss strategies for protecting frontline workers. Speakers highlighted critical risk pathways, personal protective measures, mental health considerations, and lessons learned from recent research and outbreaks. Who's Most at Risk? Several job sectors are particularly vulnerable to H5N1 exposure, including: Poultry production and processing workers Wildlife and animal control personnel Veterinary and animal health professionals Laboratory staff handling avian flu samples Waste management teams dealing with contaminated materials Public health responders engaged in outbreak control Employees with pets, especially domestic cats that roam outdoors or may consume raw meat Emerging evidence shows that avian influenza can affect domestic and wild cats-sometimes fatally. Dr. Kristen Coleman of the University of Maryland School of Public Health shared research showing that 607 feline deaths linked to AIV have been recorded globally over the past decade across 18 countries and 12 species of felines. Transmission often occurs when cats consume infected birds or raw poultry products. Contaminated raw chicken feed and dairy milk have been implicated in both domestic and captive animals, including tigers. Additionally, Dr. Maggie Baldwin from the Colorado Department of Agriculture cited two recent cases in indoor-only domestic cats in Colorado, with no known exposure to infected animals. These incidents suggest new and less-understood transmission routes and reinforce the importance of vigilance even in seemingly low-risk scenarios. How to Reduce Risk: Key Strategies Protecting workers from H5N1 requires a layered, proactive approach: 1. Training and Awareness Educating employees about transmission pathways, symptoms, and protective measures is essential. This includes pet safety, as infected cats may serve as early indicators of outbreaks in the area. Basic pet-related guidance includes: Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and animals Do not feed pets raw meat or unpasteurized milk Keep outdoor animals under close observation Report respiratory or neurological symptoms in pets to a veterinarian immediately If a pet tests positive, it may indicate local viral circulation. 2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) High-risk workers should be equipped with: N95 respirators or higher Disposable gowns or coveralls Nitrile or latex gloves Eye and face protection Boot covers or disposable footwear Proper training and compliance monitoring are just as important as PPE availability. 3. Strong Biosecurity and Hygiene Protocols Enforce restricted access to poultry and wildlife facilities Establish thorough disinfection procedures Control the movement of personnel and equipment Promote frequent handwashing or use of alcohol-based sanitizers 4. Surveillance and Monitoring Active surveillance in bird populations-both domestic and wild-is key to early detection and response. Public-private collaboration is vital for timely data sharing and coordinated action. 5. Vaccination and Medical Monitoring Although no commercial H5N1 vaccine for humans currently exists, seasonal flu vaccination can help reduce co-infection risks. For high-risk roles, employers should consider regular health surveillance and exposure testing. 6. Designated Outbreak Coordinators For organizations in high-risk sectors, appointing an H5N1 case manager to oversee protocols and incident response can improve outbreak management and reduce confusion. Enhancing Protection Through Workplace Controls Employers should implement foundational occupational health strategies: Engineering Controls: Improved ventilation and physical containment Administrative Controls: Limiting time in high-risk environments, clear work procedures, and task rotation Mental Health Support: Providing mental health services for workers under stress or concerned about exposure, especially important in outbreak zones or animal care roles What to Do During an Outbreak If an H5N1 outbreak occurs, rapid action is crucial: Conduct screenings, testing, and isolation where necessary Ensure proper PPE distribution and adherence Decontaminate affected facilities and dispose of contaminated materials correctly Maintain open communication among animal health, environmental, and public health agencies Share accurate information with employees and the public Final Thoughts Avian influenza is more than a veterinary or agricultural issue, it's a growing occupational health concern that requires a multi-sector response. Key actions include prioritizing worker training and protection, maintaining robust biosecurity, and responding swiftly and transparently during outbreaks. The threat of H5N1 will continue to evolve. Ongoing research, like that of Dr. Coleman and Dr. Baldwin, surveillance programs, and interagency collaboration will be essential to minimizing harm and safeguarding both public and occupational health. Questions? Reach out to our Health & Safety team today! View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Antea Group on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Antea Group Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/antea-group Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Antea Group View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/avian-influenza-and-worker-safety-understanding-and-managing-the-1035018 Press release On 3 June 2025 Berkel en Rodenrijs, Netherlands and Chassieu, France Koppert, the global leader in biological crop protection and pollination, and Amoeba, an industrial greentech specialized in natural microbiological solutions based on the patented use of amoebae, are pleased to announce the signing today of a significant commercial agreement. This agreement focuses on the innovative biofungicide solution created by Amoeba and follows the recent approval of Amoeba's biocontrol active substance by the European Union Member States. The launch is expected early 2026. A multi-crop, multi-country agreement The innovative biofungicide solution is based on the lysate of the amoeba Willaertia magna C2c Maky. It is an environmentally-friendly biofungicide, that protects crops against a broad range of diseases. The agreement grants Koppert exclusive distribution rights for a period of five years for this biocontrol product, targeting vines and vegetable crops grown both in greenhouses and open fields across 18 European countries[1] (including France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy), as well as in the United States. Launch is expected in early 2026, and Koppert will distribute this biofungicide under its own brand name. In addition, Koppert and Amoeba will collaborate for the potential launch in Brazil. The volumes needed to treat the crops mentioned will be produced both at Amoeba's site in Chassieu (69) and through CDMO (Contract Development Manufacturing Organizations) partners. Koppert and Amoeba will evaluate the future production organization based on operational feedback and projected commercial scale-up. New opportunities ahead for both companies The two companies will also begin discussions on the co-development of new biofungicide solutions for the crops covered by this agreement. By combining their respective product ranges and complementary expertise, they aim to deliver more effective and sustainable biological solutions that address growers' needs and support healthier crops. These solutions will also have strong market potential and significant growth opportunities in the coming years. This strategic milestone reinforces Koppert's leadership in the biocontrol industry and highlights both companies' shared commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture. Martin KOPPERT, Chief Business Officer of Koppert, says: "This agreement marks a significant step forward in expanding our portfolio of innovative biological solutions. This new biofungicide solution is an exciting addition that aligns perfectly with our mission to support growers with sustainable and effective crop protection tools. We look forward to a successful collaboration with Amoeba, bringing the benefits of this breakthrough technology to farmers across the world." Jean-Francois DOUCET, Chief Executive Officer of Amoeba, says: "The signing of this commercial agreement with the world leader in biocontrol is a key moment in the history of Amoeba. The discussions over the last few months have been very fruitful and we are delighted to have reached a mutually beneficial agreement. This agreement once again demonstrates the potential and promising prospects of our biofungicide solution. We now look forward to working together." Benoit VILLERS, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amoeba, says: "We are very pleased to sign this agreement with Koppert, with whom we share many common values and the desire to offer healthy products to the agricultural world. This is a major step forward for Amoeba, which is finally demonstrating the full commercial potential of its biofungicide solution after many years of research and development. The value creation resulting from this agreement will be highly satisfactory for Amoeba, and we can look to the future with confidence and ambition. We can now look calmly at new opportunities to strengthen our financial resources in order to support our industrial and commercial expansion in the interests of all our shareholders." End of press release. About Koppert Koppert partners with nature to find ways of growing that are both safe and healthy. Helping growers to support, protect and strengthen their crop with an integrated system of natural solutions. We use natural enemies to combat pests, bumblebees for pollination, microbials, and biostimulants that support, protect and strengthen crops. We have driven agricultural innovation for over 55 years. Growers and farmers worldwide use our products and knowledge to restore the natural balance in their crops. Our holistic approach is what sets us apart. Improving plant health both above and underground. All our solutions support one goal: 100% sustainable agriculture.?With 2750 employees and 30 subsidiaries all over the world our solutions are currently being successfully applied in more than 100 countries. Contact Koppert: Roos Buijsrogge Mail: communication@koppert.nl Tel: +31 (0)10 514 0444 About Amoeba Founded in 2010, Amoeba is a greentech company based in Chassieu (Lyon, France) whose ambition is to become a major player in the treatment of microbiological risk based on the patented use of amoebae in the plant protection and cosmetics sectors. With know-how that is unique in the world and protected by numerous patents, Amoeba is currently the only company capable of exploiting the full potential of the Willaertia amoeba on an industrial scale and cultivating it in sufficient volumes to offer biological solutions that constitute a viable alternative to the chemical products widely used today. Amoeba is currently focusing on the global biocontrol market for plant protection and on the cosmetics market. As the marketing of plant protection products is subject to obtaining local regulatory authorisations, the Company has carried out the necessary regulatory procedures and filed registration dossiers in Europe and the United States. With regard to the active substance, it has already obtained approval in 2022 in the USA and a positive and definitive report from EFSA in Europe. Product approvals are expected in the coming months. The cosmetic application does not require prior approval from a competent authority in Europe or the United States. The cosmetic ingredient is already registered on the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) list, paving the way for it to be marketed worldwide except in China, where local approval is required. Amoeba is listed on Euronext Growth (ALMIB). The company is a member of the Bpifrance Excellence network and is eligible for the PEA-PME scheme. For more information, visit www.amoeba-nature.com. Contacts Amoeba: Amoeba ACTUS finance & communication Droit Devant Chief Executive Officer Jean-Francois DOUCET +33 (0)4 26 69 16 00 jf.doucet@amoeba-nature.com Investor relations Pierre JACQUEMIN-GUILLAUME +33 (0)1 53 67 36 79 amoeba@actus.fr Financial press relations Serena BONI +33 (0)6 19 37 55 31 sboni@actus.fr Business and general public press relations Laetitia PINTO +33 (0)7 64 83 39 85 pinto@droitdevant.fr Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Amoeba which are based on its own assumptions and estimates and on information that is currently available to us. However, Amoeba gives no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, with these estimates subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in Amoeba's universal registration document filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers) on April 17, 2025 under number D.25-0281 and available on the Amoeba website (www.amoeba-nature.com). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Amoeba or not currently considered material by Amoeba. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause Amoeba's actual results, financial conditions, performance, or achievements to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. [1] All the European countries included in the agreement are France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Czech Republic. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: nW9qZciakmiYmXJsY5xsm5KWmG9jm5KdaWSbm2Fwap7JbJpkmWZlm52XZnJjlWdn - 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-0-92021-amoeba_cp-koppert-vdef-eng.pdf In a landmark step toward strengthening ethical and structured manpower mobility between Greece and India, the event titled "Eutopia Greek-Indian Cooperation in Labour: A Comprehensive Program" was successfully held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Caravel Hotel, Athens. Organised under the aegis of the Hellenic Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the high-level gathering brought together Greek government officials, institutional stakeholders, legal experts, licensed recruitment professionals, and representatives from India to discuss the operationalisation of bilateral recruitment partnership and the promotion of safe, regulated migration. Key Highlights Opening Remarks were delivered by the President of the Hellenic Indian Chamber, who underscored the importance of Indo-Greek collaboration in addressing labour market demands through ethical, transparent frameworks. Addresses by Greek Officials included senior representatives from various ministries. The speakers focused on accelerating visa and recruitment procedures, streamlining documentation, and providing housing and integration support for incoming workers. They emphasised the importance of engaging only Government of India-licensed recruitment agencies to ensure fair and lawful recruitment practices. Technical Presentations detailed documentation protocols, estimated processing timelines, and employer responsibilities. These were delivered by ministry officials, labour law experts, and licensed overseas recruitment agencies. Hellenic Chamber and FIMCAshared actionable insights and experiences related to cross-border hiring, highlighting grievance redressal mechanisms and the importance of monitoring worker welfare throughout the employment cycle. FIMCA's Participation A key moment during the evening was the address by Mr. Alijan Rajan, spokesperson for the Federation of Indian Emigration Management Councils and Associations (FIMCA)-India's apex federation of licensed overseas recruitment agencies. "At the heart of our mission lies the dignity of labour," said Mr. Rajan. "We are proud to partner with Greece in ensuring that Indian workers are recruited transparently, deployed responsibly, and supported meaningfully." He further announced a strategic partnership between FIMCA and the Hellenic Indian Chamber, aimed at building robust institutional frameworks, ensuring legal compliance, and enhancing trust between recruiters and employers. FIMCA reaffirmed its full readiness to collaborate with Greek authorities and employers to implement structured manpower pathways in sectors such as hospitality, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Closing and Future Outlook The event concluded with closing remarks by the President of the Hellenic Indian Chamber of Commerce, who reiterated the chamber's commitment to advancing ethical manpower mobility and strengthening Indo-Greek ties through sustained dialogue, cooperation, and bilateral engagement. "Eutopia" stands as a pivotal milestone in the emerging model of Indo-Greek manpower mobility-founded on legality, ethics, and mutual economic growth. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603235184/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Federation of Indian Emigration Management Councils and Associations (FIMCA) Location: 502, Shah Nahar Industrial Estate, Worli, Mumbai 400018, India office@fimca.in www.fimca.in +91-9820083386 Key highlights Q1 2025 consolidated revenue of 258 million, down 1.1% on a reported basis , including the contribution of Package Concierge, and down 2.5% organically ( 1 ) consolidated revenue of 258 million, , including the contribution of Package Concierge, Continued good momentum in Digital and Lockers, with double-digit growth in subscription-related revenue with double-digit growth in subscription-related revenue Low point in the renewal cycle of mail equipment installed base , as expected , as expected Positive current EBIT evolution supported by all three Solutions supported by all three Solutions Acceleration of digital financial automation strategy in Europe with the acquisition of Serensia , a leading French electronic invoicing certified platform , a leading French electronic invoicing certified platform Stronger H2 anticipated on the back of continued strong momentum in Digital and Lockers with further improvement in profitability, expected Mail recovery and good order pipeline across Solutions on the back of continued strong momentum in Digital and Lockers with further improvement in profitability, expected Mail recovery and good order pipeline across Solutions FY 2025 guidance maintained, i.e. organic growth acceleration in both revenue and current EBIT Paris, 3 June 2025 Quadient S.A. (Euronext Paris: QDT), a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections, today announces its 2025 first quarter consolidated revenue (period ended on 30 April 2025). Geoffrey Godet, Chief Executive Officer of Quadient S.A., stated: "The first quarter of 2025 has been another strong quarter for our Digital and Lockers solutions, which delivered solid levels of subscription-related revenue organic growth at +11.1% for Digital and +12.7% for Lockers, demonstrating the strength and success of our two fast growing solutions as well as the quality of our recurring business model. As expected, our Mail performance was softer, reflecting the low point in the renewal cycle and a tough comparison base following the decertification-driven boost in 2024 in the United-States. The situation was further exacerbated by a particularly challenging American macroeconomic environment during the first quarter. Despite these headwinds in the quarter, we achieved current EBIT organic growth, supported by EBITDA margin positive development in all three solutions. With the acquisition of Serensia, a leading French electronic invoicing certified platform, Quadient is accelerating its digital financial automation strategy in Europe and will bring superior digital intelligent automation capabilities to its 300K+ customers worldwide, and notably to its 60K+ French customers, further accelerating their digital transformation, as they anticipate the 2026 mandatory e-invoicing law in France. While we expect the same uncertainty and market conditions to continue in Q2, we remain confident in our ability to deliver a stronger second half. As a result, we are maintaining our full-year 2025 guidance of acceleration in both organic revenue growth and organic EBIT growth compared to the 2024 growth rates." Comments on Q1 2025 performance Group revenue came in at 258 million in Q1 2025, down 1.1% on a reported basis, and 2.5% organically compared to Q1 2024. Reported growth includes a positive scope effect of 4 million from the acquisition of Package Concierge in December 2024. The currency impact was broadly flat over the period. Subscription related revenue (193 million, 75% of total sales) increased by +1.2% organically over Q1 2025, reflecting the continued strong momentum in Digital and Lockers. In contrast, non-recurring revenue declined by 12.0% organically against Q1 2024, due to a low point in the renewal cycle of mail equipment installed base, as expected. The decline in hardware sales has however been amplified by the challenging macroeconomic environment in the United States. By geography, North America (59% of revenue) declined organically by 2.4% in Q1 2025, impacted by macroeconomic uncertainty in the US delaying customer decision making and a strong comparison base in Mail following last year's decertification-driven uplift in sales. The Main European countries (33% of revenue) recorded a 2.8% organic decline, while the International segment (8% of revenue) was down 2.0% organically. Consolidated revenue by Solution Q1 2025 consolidated revenue In million Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Change Organic change Digital 67 63 +6.5% +7.2% Mail 164 178 (7.9)% (7.9)% Lockers 27 20 +35.4% +12.2% Group total 258 261 (1.1)% (2.5)% Digital In Q1 2025, revenue from Digital reached 67 million, up 7.2% organically and up 6.5% on a reported basis compared to Q1 2024. This solid performance was driven by a strong 11.1% organic growth in Q1 2025 in subscription-related revenue, in acceleration compared to the previous quarter. Growth was broad-based across all regions, including a double-digit growth in North America. Subscription-related revenue represented 85% of Digital total sales, a further increase compared to 82% in Q1 2024. At the end of Q1 2025, annual recurring revenue (ARR) reached 237 million(2), vs. 232 million at the end of FY 2024, representing a 9.6% organic growth on an annualized basis. The Digital solution continued to demonstrate healthy booking trends, highlighted by: Robust cross-selling bookings with Mail customers, up c. +50% year-on-year; Double-digit growth in new customer acquisition within the Enterprise business. During the quarter, Quadient's Digital Automation platform received several leadership recognitions across multiple analyst rankings, notably in AP/AR financial automation, where it is now ranked on par with its high positions in CCM/CXM. Quadient is accelerating its digital financial automation strategy in Europe, with the acquisition on 2nd June 2025 of Serensia, a leading French electronic invoicing certified platform, trusted by more than 160 customers (including TotalEnergies, Dalkia, RATP...), processing nearly 200 million invoices annually. This acquisition provides Quadient with: First-class software Intellectual Property for its PDP platform (Partner Dematerialization Platform, registered by the French State), and Access to Pan-European Public Procurement Online (PEPPOL) market. This acquisition further strengthens Quadient's Finance Automation portfolio (which includes online payment, e-invoicing, account payable and account receivable automation, credit analysis, hybrid mail, ), and further accelerates Quadient's Mail customers' digital transformation, by providing additional pathways towards the necessary adoption of e-invoicing solutions, legally mandated across Europe. Please refer to our dedicated press release published on 2nd June for more details. Mail Mail revenue reached 164 million in Q1 2025, down 7.9% organically and on a reported basis compared to Q1 2024. Hardware sales recorded a 15.8% organic decline in the first quarter of 2025. This decrease was primarily driven by: A softer performance across all regions. This was expected, given the echo effect of the COVID period, with fewer contracts for renewal, reflecting the lower level of hardware placements made during the pandemic 5 years ago; The United States was particularly affected, with a strong comparison base in Q1 2024, which had benefited from the decertification boosting effect (which ended in Q4 2024), as well as by increased economic uncertainty that delayed customer decision-making. Subscription-related revenue (72% of Mail sales) recorded an organic decline of 4.4% in the quarter. Despite these headwinds, Quadient continued to outperform the market this quarter. The Mail automation platform continued to show good commercial momentum, and double-digit growth in cross-sell order intake with Lockers and +50% for Digital bookings in Q1 2025. This dynamic is illustrated by the expansion of the partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, which has long relied on Quadient's parcel locker systems to facilitate on-campus student and staff deliveries and is now extending the relationship to include a comprehensive mail management solution. At the end of April 2025, already 44.0% of Quadient installed base has been upgraded with its newest technology, compared to 42.4% at the end of January 2025. H2 2025 performance is expected to recover as the Mail equipment business will be supported by a stronger pipeline of contracts up for renewal over the second part of the year. Lockers Lockers revenue reached 27 million in Q1 2025, a 12.2% increase on an organic basis. The reported growth stood at 35.4% year-on-year, reflecting the positive contribution from Package Concierge (4 million in Q1 2025). Subscription-related revenue increased by 12.7% organically in Q1 2025, benefiting from: The outstanding strong volumes ramp up in the UK and French open networks; The continued momentum in the US, driven by higher monetization of usage fees. Overall, subscription-related revenue stood at 65% of total revenue in Q1 2025 (vs. 68% in Q1 2024, this small drop reflecting the different revenue mix at the recently acquired Package Concierge). Non-recurring revenue (license & hardware sales and professional services) grew strongly by 11.4% organically in Q1 2025, driven by a significant locker placement in International, which more than offset the softer performance in North America. Moreover, another hardware sales deal for circa 5 million has been signed in International and will be recognized in H2 2025 Quadient's global locker installed base reached c.26,100 units at the end of Q1 2025, with 600 new lockers deployed over the quarter. This reflects the accelerated pace of new locker installations, particularly in the UK open network, which has expanded nearly fourfold over the last 15 months. This growth is driven by partnerships signed in recent quarters to host parcel lockers in new prime locations. In the UK, Quadient extended its partnership with EVRi, with a new large and long-term deal signed, including the consolidation of returns (Drop Box functionality). Quadient also signed a strategic partnership with Stasher, offering travelers a nationwide luggage storage service through Quadient's smart locker network. These partnerships are expected to further drive volume and support continued adoption growth. In Japan (International segment), Quadient expanded the access to its network so that Amazon parcels can be delivered within approximately 6,000 "PUDO Stations" nationwide. LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT In May 2025, Quadient proactively extended the maturity of its 300 million undrawn Revolving Credit Facility by an additional year, pushing it to 2030. FY 2025 GUIDANCE MAINTAINED While Q2 is expected to face similar markets conditions to the previous quarter and continued macroeconomic uncertainty, Quadient remains confident in its ability to deliver a stronger performance in the second half of the year. This confidence is supported by: A good profitability start of the year, with an improvement in EBITDA margin across solutions; Moving forward: Sustained strong momentum in Digital and Lockers, with further improvement in profitability; An expected recovery in Mail in H2, as the renewal cycle of the mail equipment installed base should reverse and provide greater opportunities; A promising order pipeline across solutions. In this this context, Quadient maintains its full-year 2025 guidance, of acceleration in both organic revenue growth and organic current EBIT growth compared to the 2024 growth rates, while acknowledging that ongoing global economic disruptions and their impact, in particular on the US market, remain difficult to predict at this stage. Q1 2025 BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS Quadient Recognized in Inaugural 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Accounts Payable Applications On 4 April 2025, Quadient announced it has been recognized in the first ever 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Accounts Payable Applications. A Gartner Magic Quadrant is a culmination of research in a specific market, giving a wide-angle view of the relative positions of the market's competitors3. Quadient Receives SBTi's Validation of its GHG Emission Reduction Targets On 7 April 2025, Quadient announced that the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. SBTi is a corporate climate action initiative that provides companies with science-based guidance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This validation confirms that Quadient's commitments align with scientific requirements to limit global warming to 1.5C. Quadient Recognized in Analyst Report on Top AI Use Cases for Finance Automation On 16 April 2025, Quadient announced it has been recognized in a recent Forrester report on ways artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming accounts receivable (AR) processes. The report, "Top AI Use Cases for Accounts Receivable Automation In 2025," includes mentions of Quadient AR for cash application and payment notice. Quadient considers its inclusion in the report as proof of the impact its AI- and machine learning-powered financial process automation offer, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making capabilities. Quadient Named a Leader in the SPARK Matrix: Customer Communication Management Report for 2025 On 24 April 2025, Quadient has been recognized as a Leader in the SPARK Matrix: Customer Communication Management (CCM), Q2, 2025 report by global advisory and consulting firm QKS Group. This marks the fifth consecutive year Quadient has been named a Leader in the SPARK Matrix for CCM, a strategic vendor performance assessment tool that ranks vendors across the categories of Technology Excellence and Customer Impact. Quadient: 11% Increase in Software Sales to Mail Clients in 2024 Reflects Rising Demand for Smarter, Multichannel Communications On 30 April 2025, Quadient shared that businesses are increasingly turning to digital solutions to meet rising customer expectations for modern, multichannel communication. This shift is driving tangible growth: in fiscal year 2024, Quadient recorded a record 11% increase in cross-sales of its Digital automation solutions within its Mail customer base. POST-CLOSING EVENTS Stasher and Quadient Partner to Launch Nationwide Luggage Storage Using UK Smart Locker Network On 7 May 2025, Quadient announced a strategic partnership with Stasher, the world's first luggage storage platform. This partnership marks a significant expansion of Stasher's UK network and will provide travelers in key cities throughout the UK, including London, Birmingham, York, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff and Manchester, with more convenient, secure, and accessible luggage storage options through more than 1,640 Parcel Pending by Quadient smart lockers. Quadient and Nuvei Sign New Partnership to Enhance Cloud Payment Capabilities for Businesses Globally On 13 May 2025, Quadient and Nuvei announced a strategic technology partnership to enhance cloud payment capabilities for businesses globally. Through this partnership, Nuvei's advanced payment processing technology is now integrated into Quadient's cloud-based Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP) automation solutions, providing businesses of all sizes across North America, the UK, and Europe with a unified platform to manage B2B payments more efficiently, securely, and at scale. AI-powered Automation and Real-Time Payments Secure Quadient Leader Position in SPARK Matrix for Accounts Receivable On 15 May 2025, Quadient has been positioned as a Leader in the SPARK Matrix: Accounts Receivable Applications, 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year Quadient has been named as a leader in the report produced by the technology advisory and research firm QKS Group. Quadient believes this recognition is a testament to its continuing commitment to help businesses accelerate digital transformation, automate financial processes to increase business performance and create high-value customer interactions. Quadient Surpasses 300 Higher Education Locker Customers, Helping Campuses Modernize Logistics and Tackle Food Insecurity On 27 May 2025, Quadient announced that more than 300 higher education institutions in the U.S. are now relying on Parcel Pending by Quadient Lockers for streamlined package pickup and drop-off, bookstore merchandise, class and IT equipment exchange points, and addressing the challenge of student food insecurity. Quadient Advances AI Capabilities to Help Organizations Power Better Customer Interactions and Revenue Growth On 28 May 2025, Quadient announced the release of advanced AI capabilities designed for crafting and orchestrating highly personalized, omnichannel customer interactions. The extended AI is part of the latest release of Quadient Inspire, an industry-leading customer communications management (CCM) solution, and represents Quadient's continued investment in transforming the way businesses dynamically communicate with customers. Quadient Accelerates its Digital Financial Automation Strategy in Europe with the Acquisition of Serensia On 2 Juin 2025, Quadient announced the acquisition of Serensia, a highly recognized a leading French electronic invoicing platform provider accredited by the French government as a Partner Dematerialization Platform (PDP). This strategic acquisition strengthens Quadient's position in digital compliance and its ability to support both its 150,000 European customers and the more than 8 million businesses impacted in France as they transition to mandatory electronic invoicing. To know more about Quadient's news flow, previous press releases are available on our website at the following address: https://invest.quadient.com/en/newsroom. CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST Quadient will host a conference call and webcast today at 6:00 pm Paris time (5:00 pm London time). To join the webcast, click on the following link: Webcast. To listen to the presentation by phone, please register using the following link to receive the dial-in details: Conference call. A replay of the webcast will also be available on Quadient's Investor Relations website for 12 months. Calendar 13 June 2025: Annual General Assembly Annual General Assembly 24 September 2025: Half-year results and Q2 2025 sales About Quadient Quadient is a global automation platform provider powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC Mid & Small and EnterNext Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing. For more information about Quadient, visit https://invest.quadient.com/en/. Contacts Anne-Sophie Jugean, Quadient +33 (0)1 45 36 30 24 as.jugean@quadient.com f inancial-communication@quadient.com OPRG Financial Fabrice Baron +33 (0)6 14 08 29 81 fabrice.baron@omnicomprgroup.com APPENDIX Digital: New name for Intelligent Communication Automation Mail: New name for Mail-Related Solutions Lockers: New name for Parcel Locker Solutions Q1 2025 consolidated revenue Q1 2025 consolidated revenue by geography In million Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Change Organic change North America(a) 151 150 +0.6%(d) (2.4)% Main European countries(b) 86 89 (2.9)% (2.8)% International(c) 21 23 (5.6)%(d) (2.0)% Group total 258 261 (1.1)% (2.5)% (a)Including the United States and Canada. Brazil and Mexico are also part of this segment as of 1st January 2025. (b)Including Austria, Benelux, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy (excluding Mail), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. (c)International includes the activities of Digital, Mail and Lockers outside of North America and the Main European countries. From 1st January 2025, Brazil and Mexico are no longer included and are now part of North America. (d)The reported changes reflect a 0.9m reclassification effect due to the transfer of Brazil and Mexico from International to North America as of 1st January 2025. (1) Q1 2025 sales are compared to Q1 2024 sales, to which is added pro rata temporis the revenue of Package Concierge for a consolidated amount of 4 million. The currency impact is broadly neutral in the period. (2) Q1 2025 ARR includes a 1.3 million positive currency effect vs 31 January 2025. (3) Gartner Research Methodologies, Gartner Magic Quadrant, 28 March 2025 The "Ireland Construction Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts by Sector Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis to 2029 (H1 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The analyst expects the construction industry in Ireland to grow by 3.3% in real terms in 2025, before recording an annual average growth of 4.8% from 2026 to 2029, supported by public and private sector investments in transport, electricity, and residential infrastructure sectors. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the total number of planning permissions granted for construction grew by 2.2% in 2024, preceded by a decline of 7.4% in 2023. In February 2025, the Minister of Transport, Darragh O'Brien, Minister of State, Sean Canney and Jerry Buttimer announced a EUR713 million ($776.9 million) investment program for regional and local roads in 2025. This funding represents an increase of over 8% compared to the previous year, and aims at enhancing road safety and improving the interconnected regional and local road network, ongoing maintenance and renewal of the regional and local road network, along with strategic investments to develop and enhance road infrastructure In January 2025, the state-backed lender 'Home Building Finance Ireland' revealed that the loan approval for housebuilders increased by 42% in 2024, increasing from EUR1.7 billion ($1.9 billion) in 2023 to EUR2.7 billion ($2.9 billion). It had approved funding for the construction of 13,186 new homes in 23 counties. Furthermore, in February 2025, the Bank of Ireland revealed that it has approved EUR600 million ($653.8 million) in new construction loans aimed at supporting housebuilders in delivering approximately 4,000 new homes by 2028. This is in line with the Bank of Ireland's goal of facilitating the construction of 21,000 homes by 2028. Notably, this initiative also includes a commitment to provide 9,500 social and affordable homes, highlighting the bank's dedication to addressing housing needs in the community. In March 2025, the Minister for Housing, James Browne, announced a funding of EUR436 million ($475.1 million) for the construction of more than 1,300 new social homes across the country by 2027. Also, the Irish government announced in January 2025 that it plans to construct 41,000 housing units in 2025 and 43,000 units in 2026. The government aims to deliver 303,000 homes by the end of 2030. Scope Historical (2020-2024) and forecast (2025-2029) valuations of the construction industry in Ireland, featuring details of key growth drivers. Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline. Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants Reasons to Buy Identify and evaluate market opportunities using our standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts Understand the latest industry and market trends Formulate and validate business strategies using the analyst's critical and actionable insight Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures Evaluate competitive risk and success factors Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance 3 Context 3.1 Economic Performance 3.2 Political Environment and Policy 3.3 Demographics 3.4 Risk Profile 4 Construction Outlook 4.1 All Construction Outlook Latest news and developments Construction Projects Momentum Index 4.2 Commercial Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.3 Industrial Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.4 Infrastructure Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.6 Institutional Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.7 Residential Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 5 Key Industry Participants 5.1 Contractors 5.2 Consultants 6 Construction Market Data 7 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6h7khz 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603198055/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - This National Cancer Survivor Month, St. Baldrick's Foundation, the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants in the U.S., is proud to launch its June campaign, "Their Next Chapter Starts With You." This powerful initiative honors the resilience of childhood cancer survivors while shining a light on the challenges they continue to face after treatment ends. Surviving childhood cancer is just the beginning. For many children, beating cancer is followed by a lifetime of health complications caused by the very treatments that saved their lives. These "late effects" may include heart and lung problems, cognitive issues, fertility concerns, and even secondary cancers. Research shows that by age 50, more than 99% of today's childhood cancer survivors will experience a chronic health condition, with 95% facing a severe or life-threatening one. Through, "Their Next Chapter Starts With You" campaign, St. Baldrick's is sharing the stories of survivors who are stepping into new chapters of life - starting school, launching careers, and pursuing their dreams - while emphasizing the urgent need for better, safer treatments for those still in the fight. Meet just a few of the incredible survivors at the heart of this campaign: Sage - Sage is a lively first grader with a big love for superheroes, sports, hunting, bike riding, playing with cars and whistling. In January 2022, at just 4 years old, he was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after experiencing leg and back pain, a rash, and flu-like symptoms. He responded well to treatment and entered remission, but his journey has included ongoing challenges with lingering cancer cells and frequent illnesses. In May 2025, Sage proudly rang the bell to mark the end of his treatment - a huge milestone - and will continue with follow-up care for years to come. Morgan - Twenty-year-old Morgan enjoys pickleball, traveling, cooking, eating sushi, and spending time with family and friends. At 8, she was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumor behind her left kidney, an aggressive childhood cancer. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, and now has annual follow-ups with her oncology team. While it's been 11 years since her last treatment, Morgan still faces side effects, including kyphosis and kidney disease. Ambitious and driven, she will graduate early from The Ohio State University in May and plans to teach science with Teach for America in Colorado before pursuing a career as a physician assistant. Hanna - At 16, Hanna's life was upended by a diagnosis of osteosarcoma after a hip pain turned out to be a grapefruit-sized tumor. Despite intense chemo and a life-altering hemipelvectomy, she emerged cancer-free and later discovered she carries Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, prompting preventive surgery and ongoing monitoring. Now over a decade out, Hanna is thriving-married, pursuing a marketing career, modeling for inclusivity, and raising a three-legged pup named Frankie. Though they don't have children yet, she and her husband are trying to grow their family and cherish being Auntie and Uncle to six wonderful nieces and nephews. Through it all, Hanna remains deeply grateful, saying, "I'm just a really happy human being who is so grateful to be here." Throughout June, the Foundation is inviting supporters to take action: Become a Monthly Donor to provide ongoing support for survivorship research. Start a Fundraiser to raise critical funds for better treatments and long-term care. Get an exclusive shirt in honor of the cancer survivor in your life. Share campaign graphics to raise awareness about the lifelong journey of childhood cancer survivors. Follow along on social media to meet survivors and see the impact of donor support. To learn more, get involved, or support the campaign, visit StBaldricks.org or connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Tik Tok, Threads, and YouTube. For more childhood cancer survivor stories, visit the St. Baldrick's blog. To feature a local childhood cancer survivor or survivorship studies taking place in your area, please contact Jo Anne Avelar at joanne.avelar@stbaldricks.org. About St. Baldrick's Foundation Every 2 minutes, a child somewhere in the world is diagnosed with cancer. In the U.S., 1 in 5 will not survive. The St. Baldrick's Foundation, the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, has awarded more than $356 million to researchers to Conquer Kids' Cancer. When you give to St. Baldrick's, you don't just give to one hospital - you support every institution with the expertise to treat kids with cancer across the U.S. St. Baldrick's ensures that children fighting cancer now - and those diagnosed in the future - will have access to the most cutting-edge treatment, by supporting every stage of research, from new ideas in the lab to the training of the next generation of researchers, to lifesaving clinical trials. St. Baldrick's has played a role in virtually every advancement in the field over the past 25 years and remains essential in advancing progress and fostering innovation in childhood cancer research. Visit StBaldricks.org and help ConquerKidsCancer. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254310 SOURCE: St. Baldrick's Foundation Built on Purpose, Growing with Heart CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / In just one year, AcutePet Urgent Care has grown from a bold idea into a five-location veterinary urgent care network, redefining access to pet healthcare by providing same-day, emergency-level care in a compassionate, sustainable way - for both pet owners and veterinary professionals. Welcome Reception Founded by veterinarians, Drs. David Sachs and Doug Hoffman, who saw the growing strain on both ER facilities and general practices, AcutePet was created with one clear mission: to make quality veterinary care more sustainable - for the profession, and for the people and pets who rely on it. A Model Built for Today's Veterinary Landscape AcutePet provides affordable, accessible, emergency-level care without the ER chaos - open 10 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week, walk-in friendly. But the care model extends beyond medicine. It's built on values that support the professionals who make it possible. "We're not just focused on pet care - we're focused on the people delivering it," said Doug Hoffman, DVM, Co-Founder and CEO. "That means better pay, calmer environments, no overnight shifts, and benefits and a culture that put team well-being first." With board-certified criticalist Dr. John D. Anastasio, DACVECC at the helm, AcutePet is redefining what urgent care can be - offering a level of clinical oversight and consistency found nowhere else in the country. Fast Growth, Local Roots In its first year, AcutePet has opened locations in Ohio, South Carolina, and Kentucky - each with its own local team, character, and ties to the community. While each clinic reflects the unique needs of its neighborhood, all share the same commitment to integrity, joy, authenticity, and a deep passion for the profession. "This milestone is a celebration of our people - our doctors, technicians, care team members, and the communities who've welcomed us with open arms," said David Sachs, DVM, Co-Founder and CEO. "Growth is important, but for us, staying true to our values is everything." Looking Ahead As AcutePet enters its second year, the focus remains clear: expand access to high-quality veterinary care without compromising the well-being of the teams who provide it. With more locations in development, AcutePet is poised to become a national leader in veterinary urgent care. About AcutePet AcutePet Urgent Care delivers same-day, emergency-level veterinary care in an urgent setting - designed to ease the burden on local ERs and primary care vets while improving access and affordability for pet owners. Founded by veterinary professionals and led by a board-certified criticalist, AcutePet is committed to clinical excellence, community connection, and a culture where veterinary teams are empowered to thrive. To learn more, visit [www.acutepeturgentcare.com]. SOURCE: AcutePet Urgent Care View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/veterinary-startup-acutepet-urgent-care-celebrates-first-year-milesto-1035043 Geneva, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - At global luxury watch fairs like Baselworld and Watches & Wonders, Swiss and German brands dominate the spotlight with six-figure timepieces boasting intricate complications. Yet conspicuously absent are Chinese mechanical watches-despite their ability to deliver comparable technical feats at a fraction of the cost. The reason? A stark contrast in pricing strategies, rooted in manufacturing efficiency and market positioning, has created an invisible barrier for brands like Tianjin Seagull, China's leading mechanical watchmaker. The Price Paradox: When Affordability Becomes a Liability Take the tourbillon, a mechanism invented in 1801 to counteract gravity's effects on pocket watches. Swiss brands like Patek Philippe and Breguet price their tourbillons from $100,000 to over $1 million, framing them as symbols of exclusivity. By contrast, Seagull's tourbillon watches start at just $1,400 (RMB 10,000) and cap at $35,000 for limited-edition models like the 18K rose gold "Double Axis" tourbillon. Similarly, Seagull's split-seconds chronograph-a complication requiring over 300 components-retails for $3,400 (RMB 23,800), while Swiss equivalents from brands like Patek Philippe or Lange & Sohne command prices exceeding $200,000. Seagull Watch Announces Premium Line Launch and Signals Shift Toward Global High-End Market This pricing disparity stems from China's industrial ecosystem. Seagull leverages decades of vertical integration, producing everything from hairsprings to escapements in-house. For instance, its ST19 chronograph movement-a derivative of the Swiss Venus 175-has been manufactured domestically since the 1960s, slashing production costs. Additionally, labor costs in Tianjin, Seagull's home base, are significantly lower than in Switzerland's Jura region, where luxury brands face stringent labor regulations and high wages. Technical Breakthroughs vs. Brand Legacy Seagull's engineering prowess is undeniable. The ST1961 split-seconds chronograph movement, for example, features a column wheel and horizontal clutch-a design philosophy shared with Patek Philippe's $2 million Ref. 5370. While Swiss brands emphasize hand-finishing and decorative techniques like anglage, Seagull prioritizes functional precision. Its tourbillons, such as the ST8030 calibre, achieve a 72-hour power reserve and a 28,800 vph frequency, rivaling Swiss counterparts in performance. Yet technical parity hasn't translated to global recognition. At the 2024 Geneva Watch Exhibition, Seagull's $598,000 "Double Axis" tourbillon-a masterpiece with two rotating cages-was overshadowed by Swiss novelties. Industry insiders attribute this to entrenched perceptions. "Luxury watches are about heritage and storytelling," notes a veteran horologist. "Seagull's 70-year history pales against Switzerland's 300-year dominance, making it harder to justify premium positioning". Market Dynamics: The Luxury Sector's Catch-22 Swiss giants like Swatch Group and Richemont have long cultivated an image of scarcity. Limited editions, artisanal marketing, and controlled distribution sustain high margins. Seagull, meanwhile, targets accessibility. Its $4,980 "1963" chronograph-a reissue of China's first aviation watch-sells tens of thousands of units annually, appealing to enthusiasts seeking value. However, this volume-driven approach clashes with the luxury sector's exclusivity ethos. The result is a paradox: Seagull's affordability undermines its prestige. While Swiss brands profit from aspirational pricing, Seagull's $3,400 split-seconds chronograph-though mechanically superior to many $50,000 Swiss models-struggles to penetrate high-end retailers. Compounding this, geopolitical tensions and tariffs further complicate Western market entry. A Path Forward: Bridging the Perception Gap Seagull's recent forays into hybrid designs hint at a strategy shift. The 2025 "Dragon's Echo" model, combining a tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and minute repeater, targets collectors at $150,000-a bold step toward premium positioning. Collaborations with independent Swiss watchmakers could also enhance credibility. Moreover, younger consumers increasingly prioritize value over legacy. As noted in Swatch Group's 2024 earnings report, mid-tier Swiss brands like Tissot are gaining traction in China, while ultra-luxury sales slump. Seagull's challenge lies in balancing its mass-market roots with aspirational storytelling-perhaps by highlighting innovations like its patented (weight-adjustable balance wheel) or its role in China's space program. Conclusion: The Silent Disruption China's watchmaking revolution is unfolding quietly. While Seagull's absence from global exhibitions reflects today's market realities, its technical achievements and disruptive pricing signal a broader shift. As one collector remarked, "Why pay for a Swiss logo when Seagull offers the same mechanics at 5% of the cost?" The answer, for now, lies in the intangible allure of tradition-but the tides may yet turn. For further details on Seagull's innovations, visit: AliExpress: https://sea-gullwatch.aliexpress.com/store/1101342402 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254335 SOURCE: 41Caijing Bubendorf, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - The founder and honorary chairman of Bachem (SIX: BANB) Peter Grogg, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the age of 83. Peter Grogg founded Bachem in 1971 and built the company from a two-person operation into the global market leader for the chemical synthesis of peptides. Peter Grogg was CEO of the company for over 30 years until 2002 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bachem Holding AG until 2012. His daughter Nicole Grogg Hotzer has served as Vice-Chairwoman of the Board since 2011. For his achievements and merits in the field of peptides, Peter Grogg was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Basel. Kuno Sommer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bachem: "With Peter Grogg, we have lost a great entrepreneur. His drive and values made Bachem an internationally successful company and have left a lasting mark on it. In doing so, he has written a chapter of Swiss economic history. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and all employees of Bachem, I would like to express our deepest condolences to his wife, his two children, and their families." About Bachem Bachem is a leading, innovation-driven company specializing in the development and manufacture of peptides and oligonucleotides. The company, which has over 50 years of experience and expertise, provides products for research, clinical development, and commercial application to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of services. Bachem operates internationally with its headquarters in Switzerland and sites in Europe, the US and Asia. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. For further information, see www.bachem.com. For more information: This publication may contain specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of Bachem Holding AG and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. Bachem Holding AG assumes no responsibility to up-date forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254344 SOURCE: Bachem Holding AG Mexico City, Mexico and New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - ShowStoppers is introducing journalists from North America to new tech for work, home and play from Latin America. Journalists from the United States and Canada are traveling with ShowStoppers, https://www.showstoppers.com, to Mexico City for the first edition of Electronics Home Mexico, https://electronicshome.mx/en, a new tradeshow, scheduled for 17-19 June 2025. Hundreds of companies from Argentina, Mexico, USA, and other countries, including Asia, will exhibit at the show, featuring audio, photography, video, content creation, fitness, smart health, consumer electronics, household appliances, smart home, connectivity, and other technologies. Leading exhibitors include, among others, Acegame, Agfaphoto, BB Trends, Bluetti, Ecoflow, Electromart, Fanttik, Kodak, Narwal, RCA, Royal Consumer, Sennheiser, Star Glory, Taurus, Ugreen, Westinghouse, Zagg. and Zwear. "We are bringing together industry, retail, distributors, entrepreneurs, investors, developers and business buyers to see and touch new technologies for consumer electronics, components, housewares, wearables, wellness, mobility, home electronics, mobile phone accessories, and more," said Carlos Clur, chief executive officer and founder of Grupo Eletrolar, which produces Electronics Home Mexico. "With a population of 130 million and a young, tech-savvy consumer base, Mexico is an attractive market for global tech companies," said Clur. "As a platform for business, with its logistics infrastructure and skilled labor, with its trade agreements, Mexico is growing as a hub for local, regional and international distribution, innovation and production, and Electronics Home Mexico is where companies will forge alliances with strategic suppliers, scale up product development, bring new brands to market, and grow commercial networks." "It is important for print, online and broadcast journalists from North America to discover how innovators, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and startups from Central and South America, and beyond, are working to open new markets as tariffs and trade tensions in global supply chains disrupt access to business buyers and consumers," said Clur. "We are excited to support Grupo Eletrolar and the launch of Electronics Home Mexico 2025," said Dave Leon, principle at ShowStoppers. "We look forward to bringing the journalists to Mexico, to showcasing the growing tech markets of Latin America - and to the coverage that might result as the journalists encounter technologies that cross borders and the companies working to tackle trade challenges and tariffs." About Grupo Eletrolar Grupo Eletrolar, https://grupoeletrolar.com.br/en/, headquartered in Brazil, is a multinational group with 29 years of experience in fostering business and communication in the consumer electronics, home appliances, mobile devices, household goods and IT sectors across Latin America. The group organizes major B2B trade shows, including the Eletrolar Show in Brazil -- the largest trade show between industry and retail of consumer electronics, home appliances, and IT in Latin America, attracting over 40,000 visitors in its latest edition -- as well as ElectronicsHome in Argentina and Mexico. In addition to these events, Grupo Eletrolar publishes Eletrolar News Magazine in Brazil and Integracion Empresaria in Argentina, and operates a network of digital news platforms delivering up-to-date industry insights throughout Latin America. About ShowStoppers Operating in its 28th year, ShowStoppers, https://www.showstoppers.com/, is the global leader in producing press and business events spanning the U.S., Europe and Asia. Each event organizes product launches, sneak previews and demonstrations for selected journalists, bloggers, industry and financial analysts, venture capitalists and business executives. Industry leaders, innovators and startups exhibit to generate news coverage and product reviews, make new connections, promote brand, and open new markets. ShowStoppers produces official press events at IFA and MWC; partners with CTA, IFA, GSMA, Grupo Eletrolar and CEATEC; and produces events during CES, IFA, MWC and other tradeshows. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254330 SOURCE: ShowStoppers Regulatory News: The Board of Directors of Llama Group SA (the Company ") (Paris: ALLAM) (Brussels: ALLAM) is pleased to invite shareholders, holders of convertible bonds and holders of subscription rights to attend the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held on June 19, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.(Belgian time) at the Company's headquarters. This extraordinary general meeting is convened following the absence of a quorum at the first meeting held on May 28, 2025, in accordance with Article 28 of the company's articles of association. The agenda remains unchanged. Agenda and proposed decisions 1. Authorized capital. 1.1. Review of the special report drawn up by the board of directors, in accordance with Article 7:199, paragraph 2 of the Companies and Associations Code, indicating the specific circumstances in which it may use the authorized capital and the objectives that, in doing so, it will pursue. 1.2. Proposal to renew the authorization granted to the board of directors, for a period of five (5) years from the publication in extracts in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of the minutes of the extraordinary general meeting of 28 May 2025 (or in the event of postponement if the required attendance quorum is not reached, of the minutes of the extraordinary general meeting of 19 June 2025), to increase the capital in one or more times up to a maximum amount of twenty-two million eight hundred forty-one thousand seven hundred forty-two euros and eighty-seven cents (EUR 22,841,742.87), an amount currently reduced to fourteen million six hundred sixty-five thousand six hundred ninety-nine euros and eighty cents (EUR 14,665,699.80) This authorization will be valid from the date of publication of this authorization. Until the approval of this proposed decision and its publication in extracts in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Journal, the existing authorization will continue to apply. Proposed decision: The general meeting decides to renew the authorization granted to the board of directors, for a period of five (5) years from the publication in extracts in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of the minutes of the extraordinary general meeting of May 28, 2025 (or in the event of postponement if the required attendance quorum is not reached, of the minutes of the extraordinary general meeting of June 19, 2025), to increase the capital in one or more times up to a maximum amount of twenty- two million, eight hundred forty-one thousand, seven hundred forty-two euros and eighty-seven cents (EUR 22,841,742.87), an amount currently reduced to fourteen million, six hundred sixty-five thousand, six hundred ninety-nine euros and eighty cents (EUR 14,665,699.80)This authorization will be valid from the date of publication of this authorization Until that date, the existing authorization will continue to apply. 2. Decision to adapt Article 7 of the Company's Articles of Association to reflect the renewal and extension of the authorized capital. Proposed decision: The general meeting decides to amend Article 7 of the statutes as follows: Article 7 Authorized capital The board of directors is authorized to increase the capital in one or more times, up to a maximum amount of twenty-two million eight hundred and forty-one thousand seven hundred and forty-two euros and eighty-seven cents (EUR 22,841,742.87), an amount currently reduced to fourteen million six hundred and sixty-five thousand six hundred and ninety-nine euros and eighty cents (EUR 14,665,699.80) on the dates and in accordance with the terms and conditions to be set by the board of directors and for a period of five (5) years from the publication in extracts in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of the minutes of the extraordinary general meeting of May 28, 2025 (or in the event of postponement if the required attendance quorum is not reached, of the minutes of the extraordinary general meeting of June 19, 2025) This authorization is renewable under the conditions provided for by law. The terms of use of the capital authorized by the board of directors will be identical to the terms of capital increase decided by a general meeting, without any other restriction and in accordance with the Companies and Associations Code. Within the framework of this authorized capital, the board of directors may issue shares and, in general, securities that may eventually give entitlement to shares in the company. More specifically, this authorization will allow the board of directors to increase the subscribed capital in one or more installments within the limits provided for by Article 7:198 of the Companies and Associations Code, under the conditions it determines, and in particular: (i) by capital increase, by cash subscription, by contribution in kind within legal limits, by incorporation of available or unavailable reserves or issue premiums, with or without creation of new securities, with or without voting rights; (ii) by issuing convertible bonds or bonds repayable in shares, subordinated or not; (iii) by issuing subscription rights attached or not to bonds or other securities; (iv) by any other security, including capital increases made in favor of one or more specific persons and in particular for the benefit of staff. Capital increases decided under this authorization may be carried out both by contributions in cash or in kind, within the limits permitted by the Companies and Associations Code, and by incorporation of available or unavailable reserves or issue premiums, with or without creation of new shares. The board of directors may, when using the authorized capital, limit or remove the preferential right of existing shareholders. The board of directors may, generally and in cases authorized by law or the company's articles of association, remove or limit the preferential right of existing shareholders whenever it deems it necessary in the corporate interest. Where applicable, the board of directors may also, if it deems it necessary, grant to the shares issued within the framework of the authorized capital a right to dividends allocated during the financial year in which these shares are issued. The board of directors may, with the power of subdelegation, amend the articles of association to take into account capital increases resulting from the exercise of its powers under this article. 3. Powers. Proposed decision: The meeting grants all powers (i) to each director, for the purpose of carrying out the administrative procedures subsequent to the meeting; and (ii) to the notary acting for the establishment and filing of a coordinated version of the statutes. 4. Approval of Maxximum SA's fees related to the personal guarantee of EUR 7,000,000 provided by Maxximum SA to Patronale Life NV as security for the proper performance by the Company of its obligations under the Debt Rescheduling and Security Restructuring Agreement entered into on February 18, 2025 between the Company, Maxximum SA, Winamp SA and Patronale Life NV, as these fees appear in the draft Compensation and Subrogation Agreement to be entered into between the Company and Maxximum SA. 4.1. Review of the fees of Maxximum SA included in the draft Compensation and Subrogation Agreement to be concluded between the Company and Maxximum SA. 4.2. Due to the potential conflict of interest that may exist between Mr. Alexandre Saboundjian and Ms. Pioch directors of Maxximum SA and the Company, the Company's board has, in accordance with best practices and the spirit of Article 7:96 of the Companies and Associations Code, decided to submit this item to the Company's general meeting of shareholders for approval. Proposed decision: The general meeting decides to approve the fees of Maxximum SA related to the personal guarantee of EUR 7,000,000 provided by Maxximum SA to Patronale Life NV as security for the proper performance by the Company of its obligations under the Debt Rescheduling and Security Restructuring Agreement entered into on February 18, 2025 between the Company, Maxximum SA, Winamp SA and Patronale Life NV, as these fees appear in the draft Compensation and Subrogation Agreement to be entered into between the Company and Maxximum SA. In order to be adopted, the proposals included under items 1. to 3. of the agenda require a three-quarters majority vote of the votes present or represented at the extraordinary general meeting. The proposal included under item 4. does not require a quorum and requires an absolute majority vote of the votes present or represented at the extraordinary general meeting. In accordance with Article 7:153 of the Companies and Associations Code, no attendance quorum is required for this second meeting convened with the same agenda. Participation formalities To attend the extraordinary general meeting, shareholders must comply with the following provisions: In accordance with Article 25, first paragraph of the Company's articles of association, owners of registered shares who wish to attend the extraordinary general meeting or who wish to be represented there must inform the board of directors no later than Wednesday June 11, 2025 by email to legal@winamp.com. In accordance with Article 25, second paragraph of the Company's articles of association, owners of dematerialized shares who wish to attend the extraordinary general meeting or who wish to be represented there, must deposit at the Company's registered office or send by email to legal@winamp.com no later than Wednesday, June 11, 2025, a certificate issued by their approved financial institution certifying the unavailability of the dematerialized shares until the closing of the general meeting. Individuals participating in the meeting as owners of securities, agents or organs of a legal entity must be able to prove their identity in order to gain access to the meeting. Representatives of legal entities must provide documents establishing their status as organs or special agents. Participants are invited to come to the Company's headquarters between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to complete the registration formalities. Each shareholder may be represented at the general meeting by a proxy Original proxies, drawn up in accordance with the model prescribed by the Company, must be submitted to the Company's registered office no later than Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Proxies may also be sent no later than Wednesday, June 11, 2025 by email to legal@winamp.com provided that the signed originals are submitted to the office of the general meeting at the latest before the start of the meeting. The proxies, drawn up in accordance with the model prescribed by the Company, are available on the Company's website at https://llama-group.com/investors/documentation/. In accordance with Article 25, last paragraph of the Company's articles of association, holders of convertible bonds or subscription rights who wish to attend the extraordinary general meeting may attend (with an advisory vote only) but must inform the board of directors no later than Wednesday, June 11, 2025 by email to legal@winamp.com. Proxies and certificates of participation validly received for the first extraordinary general meeting of May 28, 2025 remain valid for the current meeting of June 19, 2025, unless otherwise indicated by the shareholder. Shareholders' Right to Ask Questions In accordance with Article 7: 139 of the Companies and Associations Code, a shareholder may submit written questions to the directors and/or the auditor prior to the extraordinary general meeting. These questions must be submitted by Wednesday, June 11, 2025, by email to legal@winamp.com Shareholder questions will only be considered if the shareholder has complied with all admission formalities to participate in the general meeting. Available documents All documents relating to the extraordinary general meeting that the law requires to be made available to shareholders may be consulted on the Company's website at the following address: https://llama-group.com/investors/documentation/ from the publication of this notice. A copy of these documents will also be sent by email to shareholders who, no later than seven days before the extraordinary general meeting, have completed the formalities to be admitted to the general meeting. For the Board of Directors, Alexandre Saboundjian, Managing Director LLAMA GROUP SA Public limited company Seat: Lennik Road 451 1070 Brussels Belgium Company number (RPM Brussels French-speaking section ): 0473.699.203 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603105905/en/ Contacts: Investor relations Olivier Van Gulck investors@llama-group.com Regulatory News: MEMSCAP (Euronext Paris: MEMS), leading provider of high-accuracy, high-stability pressure sensor solutions for the aerospace and medical markets using MEMS technology (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), today announces that its annual combined general meeting was held on June 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the company's headquarters located in Parc Activillage des Fontaines, Bernin (38), France. At the annual combined general meeting held on June 3, 2025, the shareholders of MEMSCAP S.A. approved, by a very large majority, all the resolutions submitted for their approval, with the exception of the 21st resolution (Delegation of authority to increase capital for the benefit of employees), which was rejected in line with the recommendations of the board of directors. The shareholders present, represented, or having voted remotely accounted for 2,094,499 shares, representing 27.57% of the shares with voting rights, and 2,749,924 votes, representing 33.06% of the total voting rights. About MEMSCAP MEMSCAP is a leading provider MEMS based pressure sensors, best-in-class in term of precision and stability (very low drift) for two market segments: aerospace and medical. MEMSCAP also provides variable optical attenuators (VOA) for the optical communications market. For more information, visit our website at: www.memscap.com MEMSCAP is listed on Euronext Paris (Euronext Paris Memscap ISIN code: FR0010298620 Ticker symbol: MEMS) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603631811/en/ Contacts: Yann Cousinet Chief Financial Officer Ph.: +33 (0) 4 76 92 85 00 yann.cousinet@memscap.com PUNE, India, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest market research report published by Credence Research, the Human Resource Outsourcing (HRO) Market was valued at USD 42,455.08 million in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 68,978.07 million by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.19% during the forecast period. The report underscores a rising trend among organizations to streamline internal operations by outsourcing key HR functions such as payroll, recruitment, benefits administration, and compliance. This shift allows businesses to reduce overhead costs, enhance workforce management efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance while focusing on core competencies. The study by Credence Research also emphasizes the increasing adoption of cloud-based platforms and automation technologies within the HRO space. As companies continue to navigate hybrid and remote work environments, the demand for scalable and technology-driven HR solutions is accelerating. The report identifies small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a significant growth segment, benefiting from outsourced access to modern HR tools without substantial internal investment. With globalization, evolving labor laws, and a heightened focus on employee experience, the HRO market is well-positioned for robust growth through 2032.. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy-https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/hr-outsourcing-market Key Growth Determinants - HR Outsourcing (HRO) Market Rising Demand for Cost Efficiency and Operational Focus One of the primary drivers of the HR Outsourcing market is the increasing need for cost reduction and operational efficiency across organizations. By outsourcing HR functions such as payroll, recruitment, and employee benefits, companies can significantly lower administrative expenses while reallocating internal resources to strategic initiatives. This is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often lack the infrastructure to manage complex HR tasks in-house. Adoption of Cloud-Based and AI-Driven HR Technologies The rapid integration of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and automation into HR platforms is transforming the outsourcing landscape. These technologies allow real-time analytics, streamlined workflows, and enhanced employee engagement tools, making HR operations more agile and responsive. Outsourcing providers leveraging these innovations are attracting businesses seeking scalable and flexible HR solutions. Complex Regulatory and Compliance Requirements As global labor laws and regulatory standards become more complex, organizations are increasingly outsourcing HR to ensure compliance. Specialized HRO providers offer up-to-date expertise in employment regulations, data privacy, and benefits administration, helping companies mitigate legal risks and avoid penalties. This is especially critical for multinational corporations managing a diverse and distributed workforce. Growth of Hybrid and Remote Work Models The shift toward hybrid and remote work arrangements has further fueled the demand for HR outsourcing. Businesses require comprehensive support in managing remote employee onboarding, time tracking, performance evaluation, and compliance across geographies. HRO providers offer centralized solutions that enable consistent and efficient workforce management regardless of location. Key Growth Barriers - HR Outsourcing (HRO) Market Despite the promising growth trajectory of the HR Outsourcing (HRO) market, several challenges may impede its expansion. Data Security and Compliance Risks Entrusting sensitive employee information to third-party providers introduces significant data security and compliance concerns. Breaches or mishandling of confidential data can lead to legal repercussions and damage organizational reputation. Moreover, navigating varying international data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), adds complexity to global HRO operations. Loss of Control Over HR Functions Outsourcing HR activities may result in diminished oversight and control over critical processes. This can lead to misalignment between the service provider's practices and the company's culture or strategic objectives, potentially affecting employee satisfaction and organizational cohesion. Hidden Costs and Financial Uncertainties While HRO is often pursued for cost savings, unforeseen expenses such as transition costs, vendor management, and potential service inefficiencies can offset anticipated financial benefits. Additionally, long-term contracts may include clauses that limit flexibility, making it challenging to adapt to evolving business needs. Segmentation By Type Payroll Outsourcing Benefits Administration Outsourcing Multi process Human Resource Outsourcing Recruitment Process Outsourcing Learning Services Outsourcing By End Use BFSI Healthcare IT & ITES Hospitality Retail Others Based on region North America The U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany France UK. Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea South-east Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC Countries South Africa The Rest of the Middle East and Africa Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today- https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/hr-outsourcing-market Regional Analysis - HR Outsourcing (HRO) Market According to Credence Research, North America leads the global HR Outsourcing (HRO) market, commanding a 42.6% share in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the region's advanced technological adoption, a mature outsourcing ecosystem, and the presence of numerous multinational corporations. The United States, in particular, has seen significant growth due to its emphasis on operational efficiency and business agility. The increasing labor costs and talent shortages across industries such as IT, healthcare, and customer support are encouraging companies to outsource non-core functions to remain competitive. Europe holds a 28.3% market share, driven by rapid digital transformation and strict labor regulations that encourage businesses to seek specialized HR services. The region's strong regulatory landscape, especially around data protection and GDPR compliance, is pushing firms to partner with outsourcing vendors that can ensure secure, compliant operations. Asia-Pacific accounts for 19.8% of the market, fueled by rising industrialization, SME growth, and increasing adoption of cloud-based HR platforms. Countries like India and China are experiencing robust demand for outsourcing solutions due to their rapidly expanding IT and BPO sectors. The region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by supportive government policies aimed at attracting foreign investments and the increasing emphasis on cost efficiency and operational flexibility. Credence Research's Competitive Landscape Analysis According to Credence Research, the HR Outsourcing (HRO) market is characterized by a dynamic and fragmented competitive landscape, featuring a blend of established global players and emerging regional providers. Key industry leaders such as HP Company, Genesys, Aon Hewitt LLC, Infosys, Accenture, IBM, Ultimate Software Group, Mercer, Adecco Group, Conduent Incorporated, and ADP dominate the market by offering a comprehensive suite of HR solutions, including payroll management, recruitment process outsourcing, benefits administration, and workforce analytics. These companies continuously innovate to expand their service portfolios and enhance technological capabilities, leveraging advanced digital platforms, including AI-driven recruitment tools and cloud-based HR management systems, to differentiate their offerings and meet diverse client needs. The competitive pressure in the HRO market drives continuous improvement in service quality, compliance management, and cost efficiency. Providers focus on delivering customized, scalable solutions across industries to address the growing demand for integrated HR services. Strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions further strengthen their market positioning and geographic reach. As organizations increasingly seek to streamline internal operations by outsourcing key HR functions, the competitive landscape is expected to remain dynamic, fostering sustained growth and innovation in the HRO market. Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. Request Full Report Here- https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/hr-outsourcing-market Key Player Analysis HP Company Genesys Aon Hewitt LLC Infosys Accenture IBM Ultimate Software Group, Inc. Mercer, LLC Adecco Group Conduent Incorporated ADP Others Recent Industry Developments In March 2025, the Adecco Group unveiled Potential , a new enterprise intelligence venture supported by Adecco and Salesforce. Built on Salesforce's platform and integrated with Agentforce-a digital labor platform powered by autonomous AI agents-this initiative aims to develop hybrid workforce models by blending human expertise with digital capabilities. The move signifies a strategic advancement toward AI-driven workforce management and next-generation managed services. , a new enterprise intelligence venture supported by Adecco and Salesforce. Built on Salesforce's platform and integrated with Agentforce-a digital labor platform powered by autonomous AI agents-this initiative aims to develop hybrid workforce models by blending human expertise with digital capabilities. The move signifies a strategic advancement toward AI-driven workforce management and next-generation managed services. In Q3 2024, ADP introduced ADP GlobalView Payroll , a cloud-based solution designed to streamline global payroll operations across multiple countries. This launch enhances ADP's capabilities in supporting international workforce management more efficiently (ADP Press Release, 2024). In Q1 2025, IBM and SAP announced a strategic partnership to embed IBM's Watson AI technologies into SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central , aiming to enrich HR functionalities with advanced AI features. , a cloud-based solution designed to streamline global payroll operations across multiple countries. This launch enhances ADP's capabilities in supporting international workforce management more efficiently (ADP Press Release, 2024). In Q1 2025, IBM and SAP announced a strategic partnership to embed IBM's Watson AI technologies into , aiming to enrich HR functionalities with advanced AI features. During H1 2024, Infosys Limited acquired Wipro's Business Process Services (BPS) division, Wipro HR Services. This acquisition significantly broadened Infosys' HRO offerings, reinforcing its position in recruitment process outsourcing and payroll services (Infosys Press Release, 2024). In Q4 2025, Ceridian expanded its global presence by entering the Middle East market with a new office in Dubai. This strategic expansion aims to address the rising demand for HRO solutions in the region and strengthen Ceridian's international service network. Reasons to Purchase this Report: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market through qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering both economic and non-economic factors, with segmentation and sub-segmentation details provided in terms of market value (USD Billion). Identify regions and segments expected to experience the fastest growth or dominate the market, with a detailed analysis of geographic consumption patterns and the factors driving or hindering market performance in each region. Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years. Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning. Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions. Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics. Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/hr-outsourcing-market Discover additional reports tailored to your industry needs Core HR Software Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/core-hr-software-market Integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/integrated-enterprise-resource-planning-erp-system-market Humanized Mice Model Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/humanized-mice-model-market Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/business-process-outsourcing-bpo-market Help Desk Outsourcing Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/help-desk-outsourcing-market Non-Sterile Outsourcings Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/non-sterile-outsourcings-market Automotive Engineering Services Outsourcing (ESO) Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/automotive-engineering-services-outsourcing-eso-market Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/healthcare-it-outsourcing-market Outsourced Testing Services Market - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/outsourced-testing-services-market Follow Us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/credenceresearch/ https://x.com/CredenceResearc https://www.facebook.com/CredenceResearch About Us: Credence Research is a viable intelligence and market research platform that provides quantitative B2B research to more than 2000 clients worldwide and is built on the Give principle. The company is a market research and consulting firm serving governments, non-legislative associations, non-profit organizations, and various organizations worldwide. We help our clients improve their execution in a lasting way and understand their most imperative objectives. Contact Us Mitul Dean Tower C-1105 , S 25, Akash Tower, Vishal Nahar, Pimple Nilakh, Haveli, Pune - 411027, India sales@credenceresearch.com www.credenceresearch.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/5351527/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hr-outsourcing-hro-market-to-reach-usd-68-978-million-by-2032--growing-at-an-6-19--cagr--credence-research-302472288.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / By Guy Diedrich, Ph.D In every corner of the globe, digital technology is becoming the bridge to opportunity, empowerment, and transformation. Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program is at the forefront of this movement, revolutionizing how communities connect, learn, and grow in today's digital age. As we celebrate ten years of impactful progress, the CDA program continues to break new ground, driving positive change across nations. The Vision Behind CDA In 2015, we observed a global trend: leaders were developing national digital agendas-plans to outline how their country would leverage digital technologies to promote economic growth, improve public services, enhance inclusion, and foster innovation. The inception of Cisco's CDA program was fueled by a pivotal realization: while nations were eager to embrace digital transformation, many lacked the concrete strategies and expertise needed to implement these agendas. Cisco recognized this gap and saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We adopted a collaborative approach from the outset, working closely with government officials to understand their unique challenges and align with national priorities. This involved transforming existing digital agendas into comprehensive, actionable plans with defined projects and budgets. Beyond planning, we committed resources to fund pilot projects and proofs of concept, showcasing the tangible benefits of digitization and building confidence in digital technologies. This collaborative, investment-driven strategy set the CDA program apart by creating a sustainable ecosystem for innovation, positioning it as a catalyst for digital transformation and enabling nations to unlock new opportunities for meaningful change. Laying the Foundation At the time, our efforts were centered on establishing foundational projects that would set the stage for future innovation. These initiatives were critical in providing essential digital infrastructure and access to communities that were often overlooked. In France, Italy, Germany, India, and the UK we began by implementing projects that connected schools, hospitals, and local governments to the internet, enabling access to vital resources and services. In the early stages of our foundational projects, we prioritized digital education by outfitting classrooms with cutting-edge technology, enabling both students and teachers to access global educational content and cultivating a new generation of digitally literate individuals. Simultaneously, we revolutionized the healthcare sector by developing connected systems that enhanced patient management and telemedicine, especially in remote areas lacking adequate medical facilities. By integrating Cisco's secure networking solutions, we empowered healthcare providers to deliver more efficient care. Security was also a key focus; as we extended connectivity to more communities, we implemented advanced measures to protect sensitive data and ensure the integrity of digital networks, establishing a robust and secure platform for future growth. These foundational efforts delivered immediate benefits and fostered the trust and collaboration essential for lasting partnerships with governments and local stakeholders. By addressing the fundamental needs of connectivity, education, healthcare, and security, we established a robust platform that would support more ambitious and innovative projects in the years to come. Transforming tomorrow, today Building on this strong foundation, the Autonomous Living Project, now known as Hayla, initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic and is one of our more impactful projects today. Imagine individuals with diverse needs who suddenly found themselves isolated due to lockdowns. Our solution provided them with technology to manage daily activities independently while staying connected with caregivers. This project didn't just offer a temporary fix; it empowered many to choose autonomy even after the pandemic, fundamentally enhancing their quality of life. In Singapore, we are partnering with the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) to elevate public safety through 5G and AI innovations. By leveraging Cisco's 5G-as-a-Service, we're developing proofs-of-concept to enhance safety infrastructure. Additionally, we're collaborating on an AI-driven Security and Network Operations platform to help HTX effectively manage and counter advanced cyber threats. This initiative aims to transform public safety measures and position Singapore as a leader in digital transformation for homeland security. At the Port of Rotterdam, Cisco's CDA program is pioneering the integration of quantum computing to revolutionize logistics and operations. By establishing the first quantum network, we're enhancing data processing capabilities, optimizing supply chain efficiency, and setting a new standard for smart port technology. This project demonstrates the transformative power of quantum technologies while showcasing the potential for innovative solutions to drive economic growth and sustainability in one of the world's busiest ports. As we celebrate a decade of CDA, we've launched over 1,600 digitization projects in 50 countries. Our unique approach brings together government, industry, and academia from the start, ensuring comprehensive and swift execution. This collaborative model not only builds trust but also facilitates continuous innovation, allowing us to stay relevant amid changing global dynamics. Looking Ahead As we move forward, the future of CDA shines brighter than ever, propelled by rapid technological advancements and the evolving needs of nations. Our commitment to supporting countries on their digital journeys remains unwavering, adapting to new priorities and seizing emerging opportunities. As geopolitical dynamics shift, our role as a trusted partner becomes increasingly vital. Our agile approach allows us to pivot quickly, ensuring we remain relevant and responsive to the global landscape. Looking ahead, the CDA program focuses on integrating cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence to redefine industries and tackle complex challenges. We're also expanding into new regions, customizing our efforts to meet each country's unique needs and fostering partnerships with emerging economies. Guided by our commitment to closing the digital divide and empowering communities worldwide, we recognize the importance of nurturing local talent and investing in education and skills development. By expanding access to Cisco Networking Academy programs, enhancing digital literacy, and supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, we aim to equip future generations with the tools needed to thrive in the digital age. Charting new horizons Simply put, we are driven by the belief that technology holds the power to transform lives and uplift communities. The CDA program is a testament to this belief-a manifestation of Cisco's purpose to power an inclusive future for all. I am proud of what we have achieved together so far, yet it is the boundless possibilities ahead that truly excite me. The future is marked by limitless potential and a steadfast dedication to making a positive impact. As we embrace new technologies and challenges, our focus remains on empowering nations, communities, and individuals to realize their full potential in a connected world, and we invite you to join the journey. Share this blog to inspire others with the transformative power of technology, and don't miss our special celebration video showcasing the impact of CDA over the years. Let's continue to build an inclusive future together! View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/cisco-country-digital-acceleration-a-decade-of-empowering-nations-thro-1035176 Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Strathmore Plus Uranium Corporation (CSE: SUU) (OTCQB: SUUFF) ("Strathmore Plus" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the initiation of a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") to raise gross proceeds up to $1,000,000 from the sale of 8,333,334 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.12 per Unit (the "Offering Price"). Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.15 per share for a period of 36 months following the issue date of the Units. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for working capital and further exploration of the Company's Wyoming properties. Finder's fees and/or commissions may be paid in connection with that funding. This news release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four (4) months and a day from the closing date in accordance with securities laws. Insiders are expected to participate in the Offering. Any participation by insiders in the Offering will constitute a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") but is expected to be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101. The closing of this Offering remains subject to several conditions including receipt of subscriptions and regulatory approval, if required. About Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. Strathmore is focused on discovering uranium deposits in Wyoming, and has three permitted uranium projects including Agate, Beaver Rim, and Night Owl. The Agate and Beaver Rim properties contain uranium in typical Wyoming-type roll front deposits based on historical drilling data. The Night Owl property is a former producing surface mine that was in production in the early 1960s. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Dev Randhawa" Dev Randhawa, CEO Cautionary Statement: "Neither the CSE Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release". Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain certain "forward looking statements." Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254328 SOURCE: Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) ("Powermax" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of its phase 1 exploration work program (the "Program") at its Cameron rare earth elements (REE) property (the "Property") located in the Kamloops Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada. The Program was designed based on recommendations outlined in the Company's NI 43-101 Technical Report and comprised prospecting, geological mapping, soil and rock sampling and geophysical surveys. Highlights of the program included: follow-up prospecting, mapping, and sampling in zones of elevated radioactivity and REE concentrations previously identified in historical and 2023 exploration; collection of a total of 105 grab and chip rock samples and 13 sediment samples; expansion of geophysical grid surveys to define the extent of previously identified exploration targets; systematic sampling of parallel radiometric anomalies and high-radioactivity zones delineated in 2023 airborne surveys, particularly in the eastern and western regions of the Property; representative sampling of all dominant rock types to help determine geological controls on REE mineralization, with scintillometer readings taken at each site; collection of sediment samples from tributaries and bars along Cranberry Creek, where historical reports suggested the presence of radiometric anomalies, to assess potential for placer-style REE mineralization; and recognition of Monashee Group lithologies favorable for REE mineralization, hosting granitic and pegmatitic intrusions and high-grade metamorphic rocks; and the samples have been submitted to the lab and the results are expected in 6-8 weeks time. CEO Comment: "We are very encouraged by the successful completion of Phase 1 at the Cameron REE Project," stated Michael Malana, Director and CEO of Powermax Minerals. "Our systematic approach has expanded our understanding of the geological framework and confirmed several priority areas for follow-up. The presence of Monashee Group rocks, with their known potential for rare earth mineralization, positions us well for future discovery. We look forward to receiving assay results and planning the next phase of exploration." Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) Rock samples, including field duplicates, were collected in 0.3-2.0 kg quantities and securely sealed in plastic sample bags with sample numbers clearly marked. All samples were geo-referenced using handheld GPS units (UTM NAD 83, Zone 11N) and detailed with lithological and physical descriptors. Spot radioactivity readings were taken throughout the field program. Sediment and silt samples were collected from the B-horizon, bagged in kraft paper, and double-sealed for transport. All samples were delivered to ALS Metallurgy in Kamloops for preparation. Prepared samples will be sent to ALS Geochemistry in North Vancouver for four-acid super trace multi-element analyses, including REE add-ons (ME-MS61L and MS61L-REE). ALS Laboratories is ISO 17025 accredited and is independent of Powermax. Qualified Person Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., a director of the Company and a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. About Powermax Minerals Inc. Powermax is a Canadian mineral exploration company, holding an option to acquire the Cameron REE (rare-earth element) property, comprising three mineral claims totalling approximately 2,984 hectares, located in the Kamloops mining division of British Columbia. For more information, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. "Forward-looking information" in this news release includes statements respecting (i) the Program and the timing of results therefrom and (ii) the Company's growth strategy, intentions, plans and future actions. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254354 SOURCE: Powermax Minerals Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Minaurum Gold Inc. (TSXV: MGG) (OTCQX: MMRGF) ("Minaurum" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated October 2, 2024, it has provided the required notice to Nevada Zinc Corp. ("Nevada Zinc") to exercise its option (the "Option") to acquire a 100% registered and beneficial interest in the Lone Mountain carbonate replacement deposit ("CRD") project (the "Acquisition") located on the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend in Nevada, USA ("Lone Mountain" or the "Project"). The Company is acquiring the Project pursuant to an option agreement between the Company and Nevada Zinc dated July 24, 2024, as amended on October 22, 2024 and December 24, 2024. Nevada Zinc completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the viability of potentially mining the zinc mineralization at the Project in June 2019 (NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment and Technical Report, Peimen Ling & Associates Limited, June 27, 2019 or see Nevada Zinc news release dated June 27, 2019 (the "PEA"). In accordance with the disclosure in the PEA, the Project is a brownfields project with a historic inferred mineral resource estimate of 3,257,000 tonnes grading 7.57% zinc and 0.70% lead. Select drilling highlights include 118.87 m of 9.58% Zn and 0.74% Pb (hole LM-15- 27); and 24.7 m grading 23.06% Zn (hole NLM-17-08). The PEA also demonstrated a 35% after tax internal rate of return ("IRR"). See below for further details on the Mineral Resource Estimate Report and the PEA. "Lone Mountain looks a lot like neighbouring historical silver-lead-zinc CRDs, such as Eureka next door or Cortez up the road, both of which have been found to have a significant Carlin Gold overprint," said Dr. Peter Megaw, Co-founder and Exploration Advisor to Minaurum. "Historical drilling was tightly focused on near-surface high-grade zinc oxides and did not seek that kind of gold mineralization or the polymetallic CRD sulphide potential that should lie beneath." "We are pleased to acquire Lone Mountain, an advanced project with robust economics that we believe could host significant silver and gold mineralization at depth," stated Darrell Rader, President & CEO of Minaurum. "As we advance our flagship Alamos silver project toward a maiden resource in 2025, we're strategically positioning Lone Mountain as the next catalyst for value creation in Minaurum's portfolio." Acquisition Terms In consideration of the Acquisition, the Company will: issue Nevada Zinc a number of common shares of the Company (the "Payment Shares") having an aggregate value of $1,000,000 based on the 10-day volume weighted average trading price of the common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") for the 10 trading days immediately preceding the date of issuance; and pay Nevada Zinc a cash fee in the amount of $100,000. The completion of the Acquisition, including the issuance of the Payment Shares to Nevada Zinc, is subject to customary closing conditions, including, without limitation, approval of the TSXV. The Payment Shares will be subject to: (a) a four-month and one day statutory hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws; and (b) a contractual restriction on transfer pursuant to which Nevada Zinc may not sell more than 500,000 Payment Shares per week after the expiry of the statutory hold period. Further information regarding Lone Mountain is disclosed in the Company's news release dated October 2, 2024 with key highlights described below. Lone Mountain CRD Project - Battle Mountain Eureka Trend, Nevada, USA Lone Mountain is a high-grade CRD project comprised of a single patented mining claim and 203 unpatented mining claims that cover 1,850 hectares. The Project lies 28 kms northwest of the historic Eureka Mining District, which anchors one end of the Battle Mountain-Eureka trend in Nevada, USA (Figure 1). The region supports an active mining workforce with significant resources for mineral exploration, mine development, and mine operations. Major mines in the region include Barrick Gold's Goldstrike and Carlin mines, Nevada Gold Mines, Pine Valley mine, Cortez Hills mine, McEwen Mining's Gold Bar mine and i80's Ruby Hill project, amongst others. Figure 1. Location of Lone Mountain CRD Project. Note position adjacent to Eureka Mining District on the Battle Mountain - Eureka trend. Click image to enlarge. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/254340_c8de998b9464ba4b_003full.jpg Follow us and stay updated: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MinaurumGold X: @minaurumgold LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/minaurum-gold-inc Subscribe to our email list at www.minaurum.com Minaurum Gold Inc. (TSXV: MGG) (OTCQX: MMRGF) (FSE: 78M) is an Americas-focused explorer concentrating on the high-grade 100% owned, production-permitted Alamos silver project in southern Sonora Mexico and the Lone Mountain CRD Project in Nevada. Minaurum is managed by one of the strongest technical and finance teams and will continue its founders' legacy of creating shareholder value by acquiring and developing a pipeline of Tier-One precious-and base metal projects. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", 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", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information in this news release relating to the Company include, among other things, statements relating to the completion of the Acquisition, the receipt of TSXV approval for the completion of the Acquisition, and the issuance of the Payment Shares and the payment of the cash fee to Nevada Zinc in consideration of the Acquisition. In making the forward-looking information in this release, Minaurum has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on Minaurum's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Minaurum. including, without limitation, assumptions that the Company will proceed with completion of the Acquisition, that the Company will be able to issue the Payment Shares and make the cash payment as necessary to complete the Acquisition as anticipated and that the Company will receive TSXV approval for the completion of the Acquisition. Although Minaurum considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks associated with the following: the Company may not complete the Acquisition, on the terms and conditions disclosed, or at all; the Company may not be able to make the share or cash payments necessary to complete the Acquisition; the Company may not receive TSXV approval for the Acquisition; changes in governmental regulations; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; reliance on key personnel; title matters; conflicts of interest; environmental laws and regulations and associated risks, including climate change legislation; land reclamation requirements; changes in government policies; volatility of the Company's share price; infrastructure risks; fluctuations in demand for, and prices of metals; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; unanticipated costs; and going concern risk. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Minaurum does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254340 SOURCE: Minaurum Gold Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Gold Hunter Resources Inc. (CSE: HUNT) (OTCQB: HNTRF) (FSE: 6RH) ("Gold Hunter" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $2.5 million, to advance exploration and drilling activities at the Company's flagship Great Northern Project in Newfoundland, Canada. The offering will comprise a combination of hard-dollar units, flow-through units, and, subject to demand, charity flow-through units. Private Placement Terms Hard-Dollar Units ("HD") - $0.07 per unit Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant, exercisable at $0.12 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. Flow-Through Units ("FT") - $0.09 per unit Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable at $0.12 for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance. Charity Flow-Through Units ("CFT") - $0.11 per unit (subject to min. demand of $500,000) Each CFT Unit consists of one flow-through common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable at $0.22 for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance. All securities issued under the private placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws Use of Proceeds Proceeds from Hard-Dollar Units will be used for general working capital and corporate purposes. Proceeds from FT and CFT Units will be used to incur "Canadian Exploration Expenses" (CEE) as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada), which will be renounced to purchasers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025. Additional Terms Finder's Fees may be paid to eligible parties in connection with subscriptions arranged by registered dealers or exempt market dealers, in accordance with applicable securities laws and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). The private placement is subject to final approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Visit Gold Hunter's Website for the latest Corporate Presentation at https://goldhunterresources.com/investors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8550/254365_05620ad054d1288f_002full.jpg About Gold Hunter Resources Inc. Gold Hunter Resources Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and advancing high-potential precious and base metal projects. The Company leverages data-driven approach to exploration, combining modern techniques with historical datasets to identify and develop district-scale opportunities. Following the successful divestiture of its first consolidated district to FireFly Metals Ltd., Gold Hunter has assembled the Great Northern Project, covering 40 kilometres of strike length across 23,060 hectares. Positioned along the Doucers Valley Fault Structure in one of Newfoundland's most prospective gold belts, the Company is advancing toward a maiden drill program targeting high-priority anomalies. Gold Hunter is committed to responsible exploration, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and delivering long term value to shareholders. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, GOLD HUNTER RESOURCES INC. Sean A. Kingsley President, CEO, and Director Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and include statements regarding the completion and size of the private placement, the use of proceeds, future exploration plans, and other anticipated developments related to the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions made by management as of the date of this news release and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: capital markets conditions, regulatory approvals, investor interest and participation in the financing, volatility in commodity prices, exploration risks, operating costs, availability of personnel, and general economic and market conditions. Although Gold Hunter believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254365 SOURCE: Gold Hunter Resources Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTC Pink: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) ("Spark" or the "Company") , is pleased to announce its participation as an Executive Dinner Sponsor and speaker in the 2nd Annual Lithium and Critical Mineral Summit in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Brazil Lithium & Critical Minerals Summit is a groundbreaking pioneer event taking place in Belo Horizonte on June 3rd - 5th 2025. Officially endorsed by Invest Minas, it stands as the exclusive platform in Brazil where the focus is on the burgeoning Lithium Valley. Gathering the most important industry players and international companies eyeing Brazil's lithium and critical mineral reserves, it'll be the sole platform offering direct engagement with the region's decision-makers. Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural summit which gathered over 350 industry leaders from 25+ countries, featured more than 50 distinguished speakers, 40+ sponsors and partners, and facilitated over 180 private business meetings between C-Level executives, the 2025 summit will feature an expanded agenda, bringing together key government officials, investors, mining executives, and industry leaders from around the world. Some notable attendees of this year's conference include Sigma Lithium, Pilbara Minerals, Lithium Ionic, European Investment Bank and Vale. Spark Energy Minerals' CEO and Chair, Eugene Hodgson, together with Vice President of Exploration and Director, Jon Hill, will attend the Summit to engage with industry participants and discuss the Company's flagship Arapaima Lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE) Project. Mr. Hill is also scheduled to present on the morning of June 4, 2025, providing a valuable opportunity to showcase Spark's project to an industry wide audience. The Arapaima Lithium & REE project covers a combined land package of 919 km and is 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. Figure 1: 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/10093/254393_d82a489f9410cae3_002full.jpg "This conference is a remarkable opportunity to showcase the transformative journey of the Arapaima Li & REE project," stated Eugene Hodgson, CEO & Director of Spark. "We look forward to engaging with other esteemed attendees throughout the conference in the hopes of finding synergies and driving further progress in the exceptional jurisdiction of Brazil." Corporate Appointment Spark Energy Minerals is pleased to welcome Bonn Smith as Vice President, Corporate Development, succeeding Aaron Wong. Mr. Smith brings over 15 years of capital markets expertise and senior leadership experience, most recently serving as President & CEO of GoldHaven Resources Corp. His appointment reflects Spark's ongoing commitment to advancing its strategic growth and investor engagement initiatives. The Company thanks Mr. Wong for his contributions and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill BSc Hons, FAUSIMM, a Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101 and a director of Spark Energy Minerals Inc. About Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Spark Energy Minerals, Inc. is a Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of battery metals and mineral assets, with a particular emphasis on its substantial interests in Brazil. The Company's flagship project is the Arapaima Lithium & REE project spanning a combined 91,900 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/254393 SOURCE: Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Edison Lithium Corp. (TSXV: EDDY) (OTC Pink: EDDYF) (FSE: VV0) ("Edison" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the previously announced proposed sale of its Argentina subsidiary, Resource Ventures S.A. ("ReVe"), to Mava Gasoil LLC ("Mava") (the "Proposed Transaction"). To facilitate the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Company has granted Mava an extension, and the parties now anticipate the completion of the closing on or before June 30, 2025. In consideration for the extension, Mava has agreed to pay an advance payment of US$100,000, which will be credited against the total purchase price of US$3,500,000 upon closing. The Company previously received an initial deposit of USD$100,000 from Mava and further payments of USD$3,100,000, USD$100,000 and USD$100,000 are payable by Mava to the Company and the two other shareholders of ReVe, respectively, upon closing. As previously disclosed, the proposed transaction contemplates Mava acquiring all of the issued and outstanding shares of ReVe for total consideration of USD$3,500,000. The completion of the Proposed Transaction remains subject to, among other conditions, TSX Venture Exchange final acceptance, and receipt of the balance of the purchase price. About Edison Lithium Corp. Edison Lithium Corp. is a Canadian-based junior mining exploration company focused on the procurement, exploration and development of cobalt, lithium, alkali and other energy metal properties. The Company's acquisition strategy is based on acquiring affordable, cost-effective, and highly regarded mineral properties in areas with proven geological potential. Edison is building a portfolio of quality assets capable of supplying critical materials to the battery industry and intends to capitalize on and have its shareholders benefit from the renewed interest in the battery metals space. On behalf of the Board of Directors: "Nathan Rotstein" Nathan Rotstein Chief Executive Officer and Director Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Disclaimer: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Edison's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "will be", "expected," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue,", "proposes", "contemplates", "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. All information provided in this news release is as of the date of this news, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: the proposed sale of ReVe, the anticipated timing and completion of the Proposed Transaction, the receipt of final TSX Venture Exchange approval for the disposition, the closing of the Proposed Transaction, and the receipt of the purchase price. Actual future results may differ materially. 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 statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of management on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: receipt of final TSXV approval required for the Proposed Transaction, and receipt of the purchase price. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254396 SOURCE: Edison Lithium Corp. Garland, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Barry Hugghins, the member / manager of Cenatex Holdings, LLC ("Cenatex") a Texas limited liability company, has, on behalf of Cenatex, engaged with Bri-Chem Corp. ("Bri-Chem") and its board of directors and/or management, and with certain investors of Bri-Chem with respect to matters it and/or they consider would improve Bri-Chem's performance and enhance its long-term value, including making recommendations, proposals, or voting decisions, as applicable, concerning changes to Bri-Chem's board of directors and/or management, business, strategies, and strategic alternatives, performance, governance, oversight, capitalization, capital or corporate structure, capital allocation policies, and/or potential acquisitions or sales, and other matters to improve Bri-Chem's performance. Cenatex owns and controls 3,701,040 Common Shares of Bri-Chem, representing 14.0016% of the 26,432,981 issued and outstanding Common Shares, which holdings remain unchanged since the filing of its prior early warning report dated May 12, 2025. Mr. Hugghins, on behalf of Cenatex, may continue to engage in public or private communications with, or solicitation of, holders of securities of Bri-Chem with respect to matters it and/or they consider would improve Bri-Chem's performance and enhance its long-term value, including making recommendations, proposals, or voting decisions, as applicable, concerning changes to Bri-Chem's board of directors and/or management, business, strategies, and strategic alternatives, performance, governance, oversight, capitalization, capital or corporate structure, capital allocation policies, and/or potential acquisitions or sales, and other matters to improve Bri-Chem's performance. Subject to applicable securities laws, Cenatex will continue to review its holdings of Bri-Chem securities and, depending on various factors, including applicable laws, the price and availability of the Common Shares, subsequent developments affecting Bri-Chem, its business and prospects, market conditions, general economic and industry conditions, conditions in the securities markets generally, Bri-Chem's governance, business, strategies, performance, financial condition and prospects, other investment and business opportunities available to Cenatex and/or its Joint Actors and/or other relevant factors, may in the future decrease or further increase its holdings of Bri-Chem securities as circumstances warrant, whether in the open market or alternative trading markets, by privately negotiated agreements, or otherwise, and may develop additional plans or intentions with respect to Bri-Chem, and/or pursue any such actions. Subject to applicable securities laws, any transaction or actions that Cenatex may pursue in the future may be made at any time, and from time to time, and without prior notice, and will depend on a variety of factors, including those outlined above. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254394 SOURCE: Cenatex Holdings, LLC Official Partner to Deliver Live Demos, Free Devices & Next-Gen Car Conversations Special Appearances by Tyrese Gibson & Cody Walker and more Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Performance meets personalization this summer as SPARQ, the AI-powered automotive ecosystem changing how drivers connect with their cars, partners with the 7th Annual FuelFest in Los Angeles on June 28 at the Fairplex (Pomona) for a high-octane day of speed, style and smart tech featuring over 600 Cars & Live action NHRA Drag Racing, Drifting, Fan Ride Alongs and Live Music. Following 6 years of record-setting shows in Los Angeles, FuelFest is hosted at their new location, the FAIRPLEX located at 1101 W McKinley Ave. in Pomona on Saturday, June 28. Gates for the event open to the public from 2-9pm. Admission tickets start at $35 per person and kids 12 and under are free. Visit www.FuelFest.com for ticket information. Now in its 7th year of hosting events, FuelFest brings the passion of the automotive community to major cities across the globe from Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay area, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Dallas, Atlanta, Arizona, Tokyo, London and Abu Dhabi. FuelFest blends the enthusiast's passion for the automotive world with appearances by Fast & Furious franchise stars, Tyrese Gibson, Cody Walker and a massive car show, live music, interactive sponsor exhibits, automotive culture, and more. FuelFest brings together fans of horsepower and high-performance builds, and SPARQ will be on-site to supercharge the experience. Attendees will get an up-close look at the revolutionary SPARQ Diagnostics device - a $499 game-changer that acts as a personal AI mechanic - and score exclusive access to fan activations, drifting experiences, giveaways and real-time demos. "FuelFest is where the future of car culture and the thrill of the track collide," said Daniel Nieh, co-founder at SPARQ. "SPARQ is built for every driver who wants to take control of their car's health and performance, and there's no better crowd to experience our technology than the passionate FuelFest community." SPARQ Diagnostics allows drivers to communicate directly with their vehicles via voice, text, image or sound - whether it's asking why a check engine light is on, snapping a pic of a dashboard warning, or uploading a strange engine noise to identify the problem. At FuelFest Los Angeles, attendees can expect: Free SPARQ Devices : SPARQ will be giving away complimentary devices on-site. No gimmicks, no strings attached. Interactive Fan Activations : Experience SPARQ in action through live demos, drifting experiences, car-to-driver conversations, and surprise-and-delight moments throughout the day. Meet the SPARQ Team: Talk tech, snap photos, and discover how SPARQ is bringing the future of diagnostics to your garage. The FuelFest partnership follows SPARQ's debut as the official AI automotive partner of the Los Angeles Auto Show, and its ongoing support of iconic car culture events like the goldRush Rally. Follow along @joinsparq on Instagram for live updates, content from the track, and details on how to win your own device. To learn more or purchase SPARQ Diagnostics, visit joinsparq.com. A portion of the event's proceeds from each FuelFest event benefit Reach Out WorldWid e (ROWW), the non-profit charity founded by Paul Walker and continued by his brother, Cody Walker. Founded in 2010, the organization was created by the late actor and producer after a massive earthquake devastated Haiti with the inspiration to organize a relief team that responded to the disaster. ROWW's mission is to fill the gap between the availability of skilled resources in post-disaster situations. About SPARQ SPARQ is reimagining the relationship drivers have with their cars. The Irvine, Calif.-based startup's premier product, SPARQ Diagnostics, gives drivers the power of 50,000 vehicle codes and counting - the most to ever be available in a consumer device - and pairs it with AI personalization such as vehicle health score and identifying future services. SPARQ's mission is to give a voice, literally and figuratively, to the second-biggest investment people make in their lifetime, and to usher in a new era for a car servicing industry in desperate need of an upgrade. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254386 SOURCE: SPARQ VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Cypher Metaverse Inc. (CSE:CODE.X) or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is undertaking a non-brokered private placement of up to $250,000 by the issue of units at a price of $0.32 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one additional common share for $0.40 for a period of 2 years from the date of closing, subject to the Corporation's option to accelerate the expiry date if the stock trades at $0.60 for 10 trading days. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for general working capital and to review possible acquisitions. This placement is subject to approval from the CSE. The Company may pay qualified finders fees of up to 8% in cash and 8% in brokers warrants. About Cypher Metaverse Inc. Cypher focuses on identifying and investing in early-stage opportunities across the digital landscape, participating in blockchain projects, including proof of work mining, proof of stake cryptocurrencies, and decentralized finance. The Company engages in digital experiences, collectively referred to as "the Metaverse" which include non-fungible token-based gaming experiences. The Company leverages its strategic relationships to drive innovation and growth, creating new possibilities and opportunities. Further information about Cypher can be found on the Company's website at www.cypher-meta.com, along with its SEDAR+ profile accessible at www.sedarplus.ca. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Such forward-looking information is provided to inform the Company's shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking information contain these identifying words. More particularly and without limitation, the forward-looking information in this news release includes (i) expectations regarding the Company's business plans and operations; (ii) expectations concerning the MCTO; and (iii) expectations regarding the timing of filing the Required Filings and the Interim Filings. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the Company's current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs based on information currently available to the Company. Whether actual results, performance, or achievements will conform to Cypher's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from Cypher's expectations. Such material risks and uncertainties include: (i) risks and uncertainties associated with the digital currency industry and decentralized finance; (ii) political, economic, regulatory and other uncertainties in respect of digital currencies; and (iii) consumer sentiment towards blockchain technology generally, decrease in the price of other cryptocurrencies. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Contact Information For further information, please contact: George Tsafalas | President & CEO 1 (778) 373-8578 info@cypher-meta.com www.cypher-meta.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. SOURCE: Cypher Metaverse Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/blockchain-and-cryptocurrency/cypher-metaverse-inc.-announces-financing-1035257 Geert Wilders, known for his anti-Islam, anti-immigration and anti-EU stance, has risen close to power in the Netherlands. Often called the Dutch Trump for his striking dyed hair and fiery speeches, Wilders on Tuesday pulled his PVV party out of the ruling coalition following a disagreement over stricter migration rules. The move is expected to lead to fresh elections read more Wilders decision brings an end to a shaky coalition that has struggled to agree on key issues since it was formed last July. Reuters/File Photo Often called the Dutch Trump for his striking dyed hair and fiery speeches, Geert Wilders has risen to the edge of power with his anti-Islam, anti-immigration and anti-EU stance. On Tuesday, he withdrew his PVV party from the ruling coalition in the Netherlands after a disagreement over stricter migration rules. This move is likely to lead to fresh elections. Wilders decision brings an end to a shaky coalition that has struggled to agree on key issues since it was formed last July. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If a snap election is called, it would take place at a time when far-right movements are gaining ground in Europe. Public frustration over migration and living costs is also testing Europes unity in handling Russia and US President Donald Trump. Wilders explained that he pulled out because the other three parties in the coalition did not support his plans on asylum and immigration. No signature under our asylum plans. The PVV leaves the coalition, he said in a post on X. Despite legal troubles, including a conviction for insulting Moroccans, and ongoing death threats that have kept him under police protection since 2004, he has remained defiant in his views. He made headlines for comments like calling Moroccans scum and for organising cartoon contests of the Prophet Mohammed, framing his career around stopping what he describes as an Islamic invasion of the West. Now, his latest move has brought down the coalition government he helped create, in what appears to be another attempt to fulfil his long-standing goal of becoming the Dutch prime minister. After spending many years on the sidelines of Dutch politics, the 61-year-old made a strong comeback in 2023 with a surprise election victory that caught Europes attention. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His far-right Freedom Party (PVV) won 37 seats in the 150-member parliament, defeating more established parties like the Green/Left and the liberal VVD. He has remained defiant in his views. Reuters/File Photo During the campaign, Wilders softened his tone on immigration. In the final debate before the vote, he even said there were bigger problems than fighting against the flood of asylum seekers and immigrants. He promised to put his anti-Islam statements in the freezer in exchange for a chance to move into the Little Tower, the nickname for the Dutch prime ministers office in The Hague. But who is Geert Wilders? And what do we know about his political path and his views on Islam? Lets take a look: Who is Geert Wilders? Born in 1963 in southern Venlo, close to the German border, Wilders grew up in a Catholic family with his brother and two sisters. His mother was half-Indonesian, a fact Wilders rarely mentions. He developed an interest in politics in the 1980s, his older brother Paul told Der Spiegel magazine. He was neither clearly on the left or the right at the time, nor was he xenophobic. But he was fascinated by the political game, the struggle for power and influence, Paul Wilders said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His hatred of Islam appeared to have developed slowly. He spent time in Israel on a kibbutz, witnessing first-hand tensions with the Palestinians. He also voiced shock at the assassinations of far-right leader Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and the radical anti-Islam filmmaker Theo van Gogh in 2004. When he heard the news of Van Goghs murder: I remember my legs were shaking with shock and indignation, he wrote in a 2012 book. I can honestly say that I felt anger, not fear. Wilders entered politics in 1998 in the VVD party. During his early days in politics, he started dyeing his brown hair blonde and learnt his media-savvy ways. Over the years, he vowed not to be silenced, despite being convicted of insulting Moroccan-Dutch citizens. In 2006, he quit the VVD to found his own party, and in 2017, it became the second largest in parliament, falling back to the third largest in 2021. Wilders grew up in a Catholic family with his brother and two sisters. Reuters/File Photo By tapping into a seam of Dutch discontent, Wilders also managed to push the political discourse in the Netherlands to the right. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Wilders also cut an isolated figure. He was married to a Hungarian woman but they had no children. When not posting anti-Islamic invective on his one social media account, he posted pictures of their cats on another. His party consisted of just one person: himself. And his security meant he had little contact with the outside world. Geerts world has become very small, his brother told Der Spiegel. It consists of the parliament, public events and his apartment. He can hardly go anywhere else. What are his ambitions? But his coalition partners had other ideas. The Dutch political system is based on consensus, meaning no one party can dominate, and two of the four party leaders were queasy at the thought of Wilders leading the country. He reluctantly stepped aside to clinch a coalition deal, writing on X: The love for my country and voters is bigger and more important than my own position. By tapping into a seam of Dutch discontent, Wilders also managed to push the political discourse in the Netherlands to the right. Reuters/File Photo After rollercoaster talks, the four parties agreed on Dick Schoof as a compromise PM, with a mandate to introduce the strictest-ever asylum policy seen in the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Wilders ambitions were unsated and he frequently voiced his desire to become premier. He also again ramped up his anti-Islam rhetoric. Walk the streets of Western Europe and you will see that it often looks like a mediaeval Arab city, full of headscarves and burqas, he alleged in a recent speech. Islam is rising but I do not want Islam to rise for Islam and freedom are incompatible. With inputs from AFP Protests have intensified in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, as local traders blocked the Karakoram Highway for a third day on Sunday. The demonstrators are protesting the suspension of trade between Pakistan and China at Khunjerab Pass since December last year. This is not the first time locals have taken to the streets over the governments policies read more Gilgit-Baltistan locals blocked the Karakoram Highway during a protest over Pakistan's trade policy. File Image/Reuters Protests have erupted in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan against the Shehbaz Sharif-led governments trade policies. As agitation escalated, demonstrators blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH), a key artery of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), on Sunday (June 1). Several protests have been reported in Gilgit-Baltistan in recent months, including over the power crisis. But why are locals protesting now? We will explain. Locals protest in Gilgit-Baltistan Local importers and exporters have been staging protests, backed by political parties, in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan . The sit-in entered its third day on Sunday when protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway, disrupting traffic, as per a Dawn report. The 1,300 km Karakoram Highway connects the Hasan Abdal city near Pakistans Islamabad to Kashgar in Chinas autonomous Xinjiang region through the Khunjerab Pass. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thousands of passengers and tourists were stranded on both sides of the highway for hours on Sunday, as long queues of vehicles were reported due to the protests. The Pak-China Traders Action Committee, a group consisting of the Gilgit-Baltistan Importers and Exporters Association, Gilgit-Nagar Chamber of Commerce, and small trade associations from Nagar, Hunza and Gilgit, called the sit-in protest. Traders, scholars, and civil society members from these areas participated in the weekend agitation. Protesters have threatened to keep blocking the road linking Pakistan to China until their demands are met. Why are locals protesting? Protesters in Gilgit-Baltistan have taken to the streets against exploitative policies of Pakistans Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), reported Dawn. Traders are demonstrating against the suspension of trade between Pakistan and China for the past six months. The protest leaders claim more than 200 consignments imported from China are stuck at the Sost Dry port in Gilgit-Baltistan, with items worth billions of rupees already expired. Traders are calling for their clearance under a one-time amnesty scheme, citing losses. They allege the policies of FBR and Customs at Sost Dry Port have economically murdered locals. The protesters said the trade between China and Pakistan through the Khunjerab Pass was the biggest source of income for locals, adding that the suspension of trade has rendered them unemployed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Stranded trucks stand along the Karakoram Highway, blocked by residents during a sit-in protest against power outages in Khaplu city, in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan region, on January 7, 2025. File Photo/AFP Local traders have to pay all taxes and customs duties on imported goods despite the disputed status of Gilgit-Baltistan . The president of PML-N Nagar chapter, Javed Hussain, slammed the Pakistan government, alleging it was not serious in settling the issue. As per Dawn, he said trade policies at other ports in Pakistan were eased because people of those areas have representation in parliament. GB people have been paying all taxes, yet the FBR is reluctant to clear their consignments. The government of Pakistan even gave amnesty to high-profile terrorists. So, giving a one-time amnesty to clear 250 consignments after paying taxes was not a big demand, Hussain reportedly said. The Gilgit-Baltistan government told the protesters their demands were genuine, but the issue concerned the federal government led by Sharif. Recent protests in Gilgit-Baltistan In April, Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed widespread protests over land and mineral grabs and power outages. Hundreds of locals hit the streets against the Pakistan Army and government. They denounced the proposed Mines and Minerals Bill, saying it would enable the seizure of their land and minerals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The mountains, rivers, and minerals are ours. We are the custodians of this land, and we will not allow exploitation without our consent, a protester said at the time, as per India Today. In January, hundreds of trucks with goods were stranded at the CPEC dry port as the Karakoram Highway was closed due to a sit-in protest against long power cuts. Last September, protests emerged in Gilgit-Baltistan as locals opposed the governments plan to reduce the quantity of subsidised wheat flour and eventually put an end to the subsidy. With inputs from agencies Indias decision to pause the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan hasnt gone down well in the neighbouring country. Now, Islamabad has come up with a scare tactic, claiming China could stop the Brahmaputra water. Is Beijing seriously considering such a move? What would it mean for New Delhi? read more Even as India and Pakistan have ceased military strikes against each other, the water war between the two nations continues after New Delhi placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack. The decision to place the water agreement of 1960 has angered and concerned Pakistan; a recent report shows that the water levels of the Indus and Jhelum rivers on Pakistans side are running low. And this water shortage will, in turn, have a direct impact on the summer crop season. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In such a situation, Pakistan has once again resorted to scare tactics. Islamabad stated that the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan could set a precedent for China to block the Brahmaputra River to India. However, now Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called out Pakistan for its baseless attempt to incite fear over a hypothetical situation involving the Brahmaputra. We take a closer look at the situation from a possible China choke on the Brahmaputra to what the Indian chief minister is saying to what experts believe. Pakistans threat of a China choke on Brahmaputra Indias decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance has become a contentious issue in Islamabad. In late May, a senior aide to Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned that Indias suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) could set a dangerous precedent, potentially prompting China to take reciprocal actions, such as blocking the flow of the Brahmaputra River. Speaking to a private news channel on Friday, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, the coordinator to the prime minister on commerce and industry, said New Delhis decision could have far-reaching implications not just for Pakistan, but for the entire region. If India does something like this and stops the flow of water to Pakistan, then China can also do the same thing, he cautioned. If things like this happen, the entire world will be in a war. Days later, Victor Zhikai Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization in Beijing, was quoted as telling India Today that one should not treat others in a way they themselves would not like to be treated. Fishermen steer a boat on the Brahmaputra River at sunset in Guwahati. In his rebuttal to Pakistans threat, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that China contributes only about 30 to 35 per cent of the Brahmaputras total flow. File image/Reuters In the interview, the Chinese highlighted Beijings control over the Brahmaputra River, adding further that just like rivers from India flow into Pakistan, rivers from China also flow into India. He warned that if India acts against others, it should be prepared for similar responses in return, which could lead to serious challenges for the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Assams Himanta counters Pakistan threat However, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has slammed Pakistan for attempting to spread fear with the narrative of China blocking the Brahmaputra. In a strongly worded post on X, the chief minister issued a point-by-point rebuttal. Lets dismantle this myth not with fear, but with facts and national clarity, he wrote in the post. What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistans New Scare Narrative After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: What if China stops the Brahmaputras water to India? Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 2, 2025 He first explained that the Brahmaputra is a river that grows in India, not shrinks. Explaining this, he said that China contributes only 30 35 per cent of the Brahmaputras total flow mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. Meanwhile, India generates the remaining 6570 per cent through monsoon rains and inflows from its numerous tributaries in the Northeast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He further emphasised that the strength of the river only intensifies after entering Indian territory. Using data, he said, At the Indo-China border (Tuting), flow is 2,0003,000 metres per second. In Assam plains (for instance, Guwahati), the flow swells to 15,00020,000 metres per second. Sarma also argued that in the rare instance that China attempted to block the Brahmaputras flow it would help rather than hurt India. How? He said that it would reduce the recurring floods in Assam that displace hundreds of thousands each year. In conclusion, he asserted that China has never officially threatened to weaponise the Brahmaputra and dismissed Pakistans suggestion as nothing but speculative and fear-mongering. Experts Speak However, not everyone is assured by Sarmas counter on the Brahmaputra. Some experts are of the opinion that while China has made no official plans to block the Brahmaputra River, Beijing has announced the construction of the worlds largest hydropower dam , across the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet last December. This construction has raised alarm bells for India as experts note that such infrastructure would exacerbate the risk of flash floods, particularly during monsoon season and could even cause environmental harm. Last December, China announced the construction of a dam on the Brahmaputra in the region of Tibet. File image/Reuters For those who are unaware, in December 2024, Beijing said it would build a hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River, also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet autonomous region. The Yarlung Zangbo River becomes the Brahmaputra River when it flows into the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the time of announcing the dam, China said that once completed it would produce three times more energy than the Three Gorges Dam, which generates 88.2 billion kWh of electricity annually. And experts note that this dam could be a problem for India. How? As Genevieve Donnellon-May, a geopolitical and global strategy advisor, wrote for AsiaGlobal Online in 2022, that India worries the project could result in the country depending on China for its water supplies. Others also note that a dam of this scale would trap massive amounts of sediment upstream, disrupting its flow downstream. This could make farming less productive, threatening food security in one of the worlds most densely populated regions. Besides being a risk to the countrys agricultural sector, such a damn is also a security threat. As the dam is expected to be near Arunachal Pradesh , an area claimed by both India and China, it is bound to complicate matters. Given the recent military standoffs along the Sino-Indian border, Beijings control over a major water source could be perceived as a strategic pressure point. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Environmental concerns also loom large. The Himalayas are one of the most seismically active regions in the world, making large-scale infrastructure projects highly risky. A potential dam failure or mismanagement during extreme weather events could lead to catastrophic flooding in downstream areas, posing serious humanitarian and economic consequences for India. With inputs from agencies Mount Etna, one of Europes largest and most active volcanoes, erupted on the Italian island of Sicily on Monday, sending a massive plume of ash and smoke billowing into the sky. Several videos of tourists running for their lives down the side of the mountain have surfaced online. Should you cancel your Italian holiday? read more Located near Catania, Mount Etna sits within a national park that draws thousands of tourists every year with its lava trails and sweeping views of Sicilys Baroque architecture. File image/Reuters Mount Etna, one of Europes largest and most active volcanoes, has erupted on the Italian island of Sicily, sending a massive plume of ash and smoke billowing into the sky as tourists ran for their lives down the side of the mountain. Although Etna has a long history of volcanic activity, with hundreds of eruptions recorded since 1500 BC, this latest eruption included a pyroclastic flow, a dangerous mix of hot rock, ash, and gas. A striking lava fountain also emerged from its southeast crater, adding to the drama. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, with Sicily back in the headlines, the question on many travellers minds is is it actually safe to visit during volcanic activity? Heres what you should keep in mind. Mount Etnas dramatic eruption Mount Etna erupted on Monday night, sending a massive column of ash and smoke into the skies above Sicily, prompting panic among tourists and a swift alert from authorities. Italys National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) confirmed the eruption, citing strong strombolian activity a type of eruption of growing intensity characterised by explosive bursts of lava and ash. Tremors also began between 10 pm Sunday and 1 am Monday local time. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reported the ash plume had soared to 6,400 metres, triggering a code red warning, indicating possible effects of the ash fallout on the nearby tourist areas. Later downgraded to orange as the ash began drifting northwest. Dramatic footage posted online showed people fleeing down Etnas slopes as thick smoke darkened the sky. A stunning explosion from Mount Etna this morning caught everyone by surprise Sicilia, Italy pic.twitter.com/iNkDOSRawB Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) June 2, 2025 Parents sent me this from Sicily - Mount Etna erupting pic.twitter.com/tnjJcAwTjO Ava-Santina (@AvaSantina) June 2, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Located near Catania, Mount Etna sits within a national park that draws thousands of tourists every year with its lava trails and sweeping views of Sicilys Baroque architecture. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as seismic activity persists. When was the last time Mount Etna erupted? Mount Etna last erupted in February this year, with ash and lava bursting out of its south-east crater, Bocca Nuova, which literally means new mouth. But Etna erupting isnt exactly unusual. Its one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with eruptions happening pretty regularly. Most of them are mild and dont cause much trouble for nearby towns. But that doesnt mean it hasnt had its more dramatic moments. Back in 20022003, a major eruption sent a huge column of ash into the skyso big, it was visible from space. In 1971, lava flows buried the original Etna Observatory. And in 1928, things turned deadly serious when an eruption destroyed the village of Mascali, which sat right on the slopes. Mt Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with eruptions happening pretty regularly. Most of them are mild and dont cause much trouble for nearby towns. So why does Etna erupt so frequently? Scientists are still piecing that together, but one big factor is the clash between two massive tectonic plates, the African and Eurasian plates, which rub against each other deep beneath the surface. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Etnas been active for over half a million years, and we have written records of its eruptions going back around 2,700 years. Scientists love it for that exact reasontheres so much to study. The volcanos unique features, like its lava fields, summit craters, and the Valle del Bove, offer an opportunity to understand how volcanoes behave. Its also home to plant and animal species you wont find anywhere else, which adds to its scientific (and ecological) importance. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. So, is it safe to travel to Sicily while Mount Etna is erupting? Yes, for the most part, its safe to visit Sicily even when Mount Etna is active. Since eruptions are fairly common, local authorities are well-prepared and quick to respond to ash clouds, lava flows, or any changes in volcanic activity. Some travellers are even drawn to the spectacle, hoping to catch a glimpse of the glowing lava or smoke plumes. But experts generally advise against getting too close. Apart from the obvious risks like falling ash or lava, active volcanoes can release invisible, odourless gases that can be harmful. According to the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, short-term exposure might cause nausea, while long-term exposure could lead to respiratory issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, if youre flying into Sicily during an eruption, its worth checking in with your airline before you head to the airport. Volcanic activity can sometimes lead to delays or cancellations, depending on ash cloud movement. Sicily has four main international airports: Catania-Fontanarossa (CTA), Palermo-Falcone Borsellino (PMO), Trapani-Birgi (TPS), and Ragusa-Comiso (CIY). As of midday Monday, all of them are operating normally, with only a few minor delays reported at Catanianone lasting more than an hour, according to The Independent. So while the volcano may be putting on a show, for now, its mostly business as usual on the ground. With input from agencies Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung has won the presidential election after Tuesdays vote in South Korea. The 61-year-old former human rights lawyer once lived in poverty. Now, he will occupy the presidential Blue House read more South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung takes his oath during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4. Reuters South Korea voted on Tuesday (June 3) to elect its new president. Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party will become South Koreas next president, winning the countrys first election triggered by a brief martial law imposed by the now impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeol. Lees win comes as his main rival, the conservative Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party conceded defeat. Earlier, a joint exit poll by three Korean broadcasters showed Lee bagging 51.7 per cent of the vote, while Kim trailed with 39.3 per cent. Lee will succeed the conservative Yoon Suk-yeol, whose failed attempt to impose martial law plunged the East Asian country into political turmoil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With Lee winning the 2025 South Korean presidential elections, lets take a look at who he is. Rags to riches tale Liberal Lee Jae-myung, who will occupy South Korea s presidential Blue House soon, once lived in poverty. Born in 1963 in a mountain village in Gyeongbuk Provinces Andong, Lee was the fifth of seven children. Due to his financial situation, he had to leave middle school to help support his family. More from Explainers South Koreas presidential election: A look at the pivotal issues Lee, who worked at several factories as a teen, described his childhood as miserable in a recent memoir, as per the BBC. At the age of 13, his one arm was permanently deformed in an industrial accident. Later, Lee gave entrance exams for high school in 1978. He went on to study law at Chung-Ang University with a full scholarship and passed the state bar exam in 1986, reported The Korea Times. Lee has two children with his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, whom he married in 1992. Supporters of Lee Jae-myung celebrate outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. AP Politics, controversies, assassination bid After serving as a human rights lawyer for almost two decades, Lee entered politics in 2005. He began his political career with the Uri Party, a predecessor of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). After failing to become the Seongnam mayor in 2006, he won the elections for the post twice in 2010 and 2014. Lee gained recognition for his welfare policies, like city-funded school uniforms. He also served as the governor of the Gyeonggi Province. Lee was thrown into the spotlight during the Covid-19 pandemic when he locked horns with the central government over providing universal relief grants for all residents of the province. A controversial and divisive figure in South Korean politics, Lee has been derided by Koreas upper class while earning the support of working-class voters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After [Lees] term as a governor, his reformist image faded somewhat as he focused more on his presidential ambitions, Dr Lee Jun-han, professor of political science and international studies at Incheon National University, told the BBC. Still, on certain issues like addressing past wrongs [during the Japanese colonial era], welfare and corruption he has built a loyal and passionate support base by taking a firm and uncompromising stance. Lee rose through the ranks of the Democratic Party to become its presidential candidate in the 2022 election. At the time, he vowed to implement a universal basic income scheme if he won. Lee lost the election to Yoon Suk Yeol by a wafer-thin margin of less than one per cent. As the leader of the opposition party, Lee ramped up pressure on Yoon by launching an unprecedented impeachment bid against the South Korean presidents administration officials. Last January, Lee was stabbed in the neck by a man who had asked him for an autograph. A two-hour surgery had to be carried out to repair his sliced jugular vein, as per Time magazine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Now, he campaigns behind bulletproof glass, adorning a bulletproof vest, and surrounded by agents. South Koreas Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during a presidential election campaign in Seoul, South Korea, June 2, 2025. AP Lees career has been dogged by controversies and scandals. In 2004, he was involved in a drink-driving incident, a big taboo in Koreas conservative society . In 2018, allegations surfaced that Lee had an extramarital affair. He is also facing legal troubles that could haunt him during his expected presidency. The charges against him include corruption, bribery and breach of trust linked to a land development project in 2023. Lee has also been accused of making a false statement in a televised debate during the 2022 presidential campaign, violating the Public Official Election Act. In November 2024, Lee was convicted in the election case and awarded a one-year suspended prison sentence. In March, an appeals court cleared him of the charges. However, the ruling was overturned by South Koreas Supreme Court. The next hearing in the case is on June 18 at the Seoul High Court. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If Lee becomes the South Korean president, he could be protected, even if convicted, under Article 84, which bars a sitting president from criminal prosecution except in cases of insurrection or treason, as per The Korea Times. Yoons downfall marks Lees rise Lees fortunes turned as Yoons downfall began last December. After the then South Korean president declared martial law, 61-year-old Lee urged the public online to gather in protest outside the National Assembly building in central Seoul. He live-streamed himself climbing over the fence as he and other lawmakers scrambled to pass the resolution to lift martial law. It was a race against time, Lee told AFP in an interview. President Yoon was later impeached by Parliament, the decision upheld by the Constitutional Court in April. The series of events led to Koreas election being advanced to June. Lee, who has his own legal battles to handle, will face many challenges as president, including a slowing economy, a belligerent North Korea, and US President Donald Trumps trade war. The Democratic Party candidate has promised to be pragmatic in foreign affairs, supporting the South Korea-US alliance and continuing the cooperation with Tokyo. But will Lee be able to narrow the growing political polarisation in his country? We will have to wait and watch. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies South Koreans are set to vote today in a snap presidential election, following the removal of Yoon Suk Yeol after his short-lived imposition of martial law. The results are expected once voting ends, likely by the evening of June 3 and a clear winner is expected by early June 4. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final today in Ahmedabad read more The new president will take office on Wednesday, skipping the usual two-month handover period. Reuters/File Photo South Koreans are set to vote today in a snap presidential election following the removal of Yoon Suk Yeol, who was dismissed after enforcing martial law. What else is happening today? The IPL final takes place, with RCB and PBKS facing off to decide who will take home the trophy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. India and the European Union will begin a three-day joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The World Trade Organization will hold a meeting in Paris with around 25 trade ministers. India is expected to raise concerns on several key matters. Heres a look at the events in detail: South Korea presidential elections Following months of political unrest, South Korea will choose a new president this week to replace Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office after briefly imposing martial law. Voters across the country will cast their ballots today in the snap presidential election. South Koreans living overseas were given the chance to vote early between May 20 and 25, according to BBC. ALSO READ | South Korea presidential elections: Why K-pop stars are ditching the V sign Results are expected after voting ends, likely by the evening of June 3. The winner should be clear by the early hours of June 4. South Koreans living overseas were given the chance to vote early. Reuters/File Photo The new president will take office on Wednesday, skipping the usual two-month handover period. The incoming leader will need to deal with internal divisions caused by Yoons actions, while also addressing concerns about US President Donald Trumps America-first approach and North Koreas growing nuclear threat. Though six candidates are running, the main battle is between Lee Jae-myung from the opposition Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo of the ruling conservative People Power Party. IPL 2025 grand finale: RCB vs PBKS Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final today in Ahmedabad. RCB will be playing their fourth IPL final. They ended as runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016, losing to Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, PBKS have only reached the final once before, back in 2014, when they were called Kings XI Punjab. They lost that match to the Kolkata Knight Riders. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS). Reuters/File Photo Notably, Punjabs path to the final was sealed by a stunning knock from captain Shreyas Iyer in their Qualifier 2 win. The two teams previously met in Qualifier 1 on May 29 in Mullanpur, where RCB bowled out PBKS for 101 and chased down the target with ten overs remaining to reach the final. PBKS then travelled to Ahmedabad and defeated MI in , marking their second win over them in just one week to secure their spot in the final. Frances Macron to meet Italys Meloni Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Rome today. The main topics of the bilateral, European and international agenda will be at the centre of the talks, Melonis office said in a statement, without providing further details. The meeting follows tensions between the two leaders, which came to light during the European summit in Albania on May 16. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Though Meloni was present in Tirana, she did not attend a key meeting involving Macron, along with the leaders of Germany, Britain and Poland, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. That meeting was followed by a joint phone call to Donald Trump. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. Reuters/File Photo Meloni said she skipped the meeting because she is against sending Italian troops to Ukraine as part of any peace plan involving Russia. Macron later said that Melonis decision was based on a misunderstanding. EU-Indian Navy to hold joint naval exercise Two European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ships, Spains ESPS Reina Sofia and Italys ITS Antonio Marceglia, have arrived in Mumbai as part of the EUs first-ever naval visit to India. The ships were docked in Mumbai from May 26 to June 1 for an operational turnaround. ALSO READ | 3 cyclones, 4 continents, 50,000 km: How 2 Indian Navy women officers completed historic voyage India and the European Union begin a joint three-day naval exercise in the Indian Ocean today. The drills will involve Indian Navy warships and the two EU frigates, both of which are part of EUNAVFORs Operation Atalanta mission in the region. Key WTO meet in Paris Trade ministers from around 25 countries will meet in Paris today under the World Trade Organizations mini-ministerial session, where India is expected to raise concerns on several key matters. Issues likely to be flagged include agriculture, the fisheries agreement, a China-led investment facilitation proposal, and the continued deadlock over the WTOs appellate body. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The meeting is taking place alongside the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will attend the talks as part of his five-day visit to France and Italy, which began on June 1. With inputs from agencies Ukraines audacious drone attack on four Russian air bases has prompted speculations about Moscows response. The surprise assault embarrassed Russia, exposing its vulnerabilities. How will Russian President Vladimir Putin choose to retaliate? It all may come down to US Donald Trump read more Ukraines surprise drone attack on multiple Russian air bases has left the world, including Moscow, stunned. The assault, described as the most audacious attack of the war, came just a few hours before Russia and Ukraine held the second round of peace talks in Turkey on Monday (June 2). Held in the shadow of the drone attack, there was hardly any progress on ending the war that began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. The two sides agreed to exchange more prisoners of war and return the bodies of 12,000 dead soldiers during the talks in Istanbul. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Now, all eyes are on Russias response to Ukraines drone attack that Kyiv says hit over 40 warplanes worth billions of dollars. Lets take a closer look. Ukraines drone attack embarrasses Russia Ukraines weekend drone attack on four Russian air bases damaged or destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, including nuclear-capable Tu-95 and Tu-22M strategic bombers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called the strikes one for the history books. Dubbed Operation Spiders Web, Ukraines covert operation is being referred to as Russias Pearl Harbor by some pro-Russia bloggers and military commentators. As per Kyiv, it smuggled more than 100 drones over the Russian border to hit the targets. Ukraines Security Service said first-person view (FPV) drones were used to strike Belaya Air Base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, over 4,000 kilometres from Ukraine. The attack deep inside Russian territory caught Moscow off guard and exposed its vulnerabilities. Ukraine claims to have destroyed 34 per cent of Russias strategic cruise missile carriers with damages estimated at $7 billion. George Beebe, a former director of Russia analysis at the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), told Foreign Policy that the drone strikes were embarrassing for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Clearly, there were security lapses on the Russian side that allowed this to happen. Border security, for example. The Ukrainians brought these drones deep into Russian territory by sending them across the Russian border. Russian border inspectors failed to catch this, and that is an embarrassing lapse, Beebe said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Russia could respond Ukraines daring attack would have rattled Moscow. While the coverage of the attack has been limited in Russia, pro-Russian bloggers are using the drone strikes to justify a nuclear attack on Ukraine. Dva Mayora or Two Majors, a popular Russian channel, said it was a reason to launch nuclear strikes on Ukraine, as per Sky News. Russian political analyst Sergei Markov told Kremlin-backed newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets that it is a ground for a nuclear response by Russia. Pro-Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomb said the day of Ukraines large-scale drone attack will later be called a black day for Russian long-range aviation, and noted the day is not over yet. Plumes of smoke are seen rising over the Belaya air base in eastern Siberia after a Ukrainian drone attack. Irkutsk regional Governor Igor Kobzevs Telegram channel via AP On Russias reaction, Keir Giles, from the London-based think tank Chatham House, told Newsweek to expect a great deal of sound and fury. Moscow could now retaliate further to Ukraines drone attack. We should expect a repetition of Russias standard practice of presenting air and missile bombardment of Ukrainian cities as retaliation for the attacks over the weekend, even though in reality these strikes are planned long in advance, Giles said. The drone attack could push President Putin away from the negotiating table. Speaking to Newsweek, Vuk Vuksanovic, associate at LSE IDEAS, The London School of Economics think tank, said that Ukraine has bagged its greatest tactical success since the war started in 2022, which means Moscow does not have any incentives left to agree to a ceasefire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He said Moscow will not capitulate to Ukraines demand for Nato membership and territories it claims to have annexed. Experts say that Russias response will depend on United States President Donald Trump, who has been pressing for a peace deal between the warring nations. It is not a given that Russias response will be escalatory, Beebe told Foreign Policy, adding that, however, it is a difficult issue for Moscow. The Ukrainians are crossing a red line with Russias nuclear force that the Russians have clearly drawn. The Ukrainians knew they [the Russians] drew it, and now they [the Ukrainians have] have done it. And the question is, what do the Russians do to respond to this? Do they do nothing? My guess is that what they do is going to be conditioned heavily by how the Trump administration handles this. What will Trump do? Trump has not yet reacted to Ukraines audacious attack. According to Beebe, it has to be seen whether the US president reaches out and convices Putin that America was not involved in or supported [the drone assault] and not something that we want to see happen again, and reassure the Russians that we are indeed sincerely interested in a genuine compromise settlement of this war that brings it to a stable conclusion? He said that Russia could respond quite forcefully until Putin gets assurance from Trump that the US is against Ukraines drone attack deep inside Russian territory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beebe also warned that if Russia chooses to attack quite forcefully, it is likely to draw America into the conflict a scenario that Trump would want to avoid at all costs. With inputs from agencies Ukraines audacious drone strike targeting Russian airbases, in an operation dubbed Spider Web, has far-reaching implications for the ongoing war. Experts note that even if Kyivs claims of destroying 41 aircraft arent completely true, the attack will have a psychological impact on the troops, favouring the Volodymyr Zelenskyy-led nation read more A burning truck that apparently was used to launch Ukrainian drones deep into the heart of Russia as part of Operation Spider Web. AP The day of June 1 will be remembered in history; it will be the day that the rules of modern war were rewritten, courtesy of Ukraine. On Sunday, after meticulous planning of 18 months, Kyiv launched Operation Spider Web a series of coordinated drone strikes, hitting airfields from eastern Siberia to Russias western border, damaging dozens of planes with Ukraine estimating the cost of damage being $7 billion. The daring and audacious attack , which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky said had an absolutely brilliant outcome dubbed Russias Pearl Harbor demonstrates 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The question now everyone is asking how will this affect the ongoing war? How damaging was Ukraines Operation Spider Web On Sunday, Ukraine, a day before it was to sit down for talks with Russia in Turkey, launched a whopping 117 drones, which had been smuggled into Russia, stored in special compartments aboard freight trucks, driven to at least four separate locations, thousands of miles apart, and launched remotely towards nearby airbases. These drones attacked airfields in five regions stretching across five time zones. According to Ukraine, 41 Russian aircraft were hit at four air bases stretching from the Finnish border to Siberia. One targeted base, in the Irkutsk region, lies more than 2,600 miles from the front lines, making it the farthest target Ukraine has hit during the conflict. The Zelenskyy-led nation has claimed that the coordinated drone strikes took down 41 aircraft used to bomb Ukrainian cities, citing the Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers and the A-50 radar detection and command aircraft. Ukrainian security services said they destroyed 34 per cent of Russian strategic bombers carrying cruise missiles, claiming to have inflicted damages amounting to $7 billion. A Ukrainian drone striking Russian planes deep in Russias territory. AP As one Ukrainian military blogger Oleksandr Kovalenko noted on his Telegram channel that the extent of the damage is such that the Russian military-industrial complex, in its current state, is unlikely to be able to restore them in the near future. He further added that the loss of the Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160 planes will be keenly felt by Moscow. While Ukraine has claimed significant damage, the true extent of the operation will only be revealed in the months to come. Opposing claims have already emerged with some Russian military bloggers pegging the damage to be far lesser than what the opposite side claims. For instance, influential Russian military blogger, Rybar, put the number of damaged Russian aircraft at 13, including up to 12 strategic bombers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, even if Kyiv says is partially true, then the economics of the war have shifted. Ukraines drone strikes hurt Russias pride While Russia and Ukraine may dispute over the extent of the damage, one cant argue that the strikes have hit Moscow psychologically. Many war experts note that the strikes are a significant operational and psychological victory for Ukraine. As Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, former deputy head of the Ukrainian militarys general staff, told Al Jazeera, This is a slap on the face for Russia, for FSB, for Putin. Even Sven Biscop, a director at the Egmont Institute, a think tank in Brussels, notes that the drone strikes serves as a humiliation to Putin. At a time when Putin seems to think that he is winning on the battlefield, this demonstrates that his forces are in fact very vulnerable, he told NBC News. This may not change the course of the war, but it does mean that every gain Russia makes will be at high cost. A satellite image shows damage to aircraft at an airfield in Irkutsk, following Ukrainian drones attack targeting Russian military airfields, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Stepnoy, Irkutsk region, Russia. Reuters Others also pointed out that the attack by Ukraine clearly demonstrates just how vulnerable Russia is. The countrys economy is largely dependent on a vast network of oil and gas wells pipelines, pumping stations, refineries, storage depots and shipping terminals. And now, Kyiv has shown that they have the weaponry and the know-how on how to destroy all of it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Impact of strikes on negotiations Ukraine is hoping as Zelenskyy mentioned that the drone strikes will expose Russias vulnerability and that is what will push it toward diplomacy. Many note that the attack puts Kyiv in a position of power at the negotiating table. In fact, Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta think tank, told Al Jazeera, Emotionally, psychologically and politically, the operation strengthens the positions of Ukrainian negotiators. Fesenko added that Operation Spider Web strongly gives out one message Ukraine wont give up, wont capitulate. The strikes are also a clear message to the West, especially the US Kyiv doesnt trust the US. This was clearly evident when Washington said on Monday that the White House wasnt given any heads-up on the attack. Servicemen from the mobile air defence unit of the 115th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces check a combat application for presence of Russian drones in Kharkiv. Reuters George Beebe, a former director of Russia analysis at the CIA, made an interesting observation in an interview with Foreign Policy. He noted that Ukraine was pushing the US to a situation where they are forced to get tougher with Russians. He said, In fact, after this operation, Zelenskyy made a public statement saying that it is urgently important that the US toughen sanctions on Russiathats the only way that Russia will come to the negotiating table. So, I think the [Ukrainians] target audience for this operation was here in Washington, not in Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But some analysts believe that though the strikes were significant, they would hardly change Putins calculation of the war. There is no indication as of now that the attack has changed the Kremlins belief that it holds an advantage over Ukraine. Its now a waiting game to see what happens next but most agree that one could expect a great deal of sound and fury from Moscow. In fact, many pro-Russia commentators have already called for Putin to launch nuclear attacks on Ukraine. As one Russian military blogger, Roman Alekhin, said on Telegram, We hope that the response will be the same as the US response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, or even tougher. With inputs from agencies The exercise, set to take place in Rajasthan near the International Border, is part of the IAFs regular operational readiness drills but comes at a time of elevated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours read more India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a large-scale Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise scheduled for June 78 along the southern section of the Indo-Pakistan border. The exercise, set to take place in Rajasthan near the International Border, is part of the IAFs regular operational readiness drills but comes at a time of elevated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. According to the NOTAM, the exercise will begin at 3:30 pm on June 7 and conclude at 9:30 p.m. on June 8. During this period, airspace over the designated zone will be restricted to facilitate a range of aerial operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An IAF official confirmed that the maneuvers will involve frontline fighter jets including Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30 aircraft, along with surveillance platforms and support systems. While the Indian Ministry of Defence has not explicitly linked the drill to ongoing geopolitical developments, the timing and location are significant. The region has seen increased strain following a recent cross-border terror attack in Pahalgam, which led both India and Pakistan to impose mutual airspace restrictions. India announced last week that it was closing its airspace to all Pakistani-registered and military aircraft from April 30 to May 23. This move followed Pakistans earlier decision to bar Indian flights from entering its airspace, intensifying diplomatic and military friction. Tensions are also simmering along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, where ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces have drawn strong retaliatory strikes from the Indian Army. Military sources report that Pakistani troops have withdrawn from several forward posts, a development seen as a sign of eroding confidence. Indian forces have responded with what officials described as precision and force, particularly in hotspots such as Naushera, Sunderbani, and Baramulla. In a parallel move, Pakistan declared a temporary No-Fly Zone over Islamabad and Lahore through May 2, reportedly amid fears of a possible Indian airstrike. The measure reflects growing concern within Pakistans military establishment as both nations maintain heightened military readiness. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With regional stability under renewed strain, both sides remain on alert. Analysts warn that further provocations or miscalculations could quickly escalate, underscoring the critical need for diplomatic engagement alongside continued vigilance. With inputs from agencies The recent Kuala Lumpur summit shows that ASEAN is not adrift. It is weathering the currents of change with a steady hand, attempting to chart a course that prioritises peace, development, and cooperation read more ASEAN's vision of "One Vision, One Identity, One Community" has long provided an ideational anchor, but 2025 is emerging as a year that will test the practical meaning of that mantra. Representational image: Reuters The 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur convened against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, and internal crises that threaten the cohesiveness and future direction of the bloc. ASEANs vision of One Vision, One Identity, One Community has long provided an ideational anchor, but 2025 is emerging as a year that will test the practical meaning of that mantra. The biannual summit is being hosted by Malaysia after a decade. The mid-year summit usually focuses on internal ASEAN matters, such as economic integration, political-security cooperation, and socio-cultural development, while the end-of-year summit expands discussions to include its dialogue partners, namely, China, Japan, South Korea, India, and the United States. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Strategic Fragility The agenda focused on maritime security and economic resilience, while Myanmar revealed the strategic fragility that ASEAN currently faces. As the South China Sea turns into a geopolitical tinderbox, recent maritime collisions and a Chinese water cannon assault on Philippine vessels illustrate Beijings continued assertiveness in the region. In parallel, the US is pushing back with a forward-deployed missile system, NMESIS, on the northern Philippine island of Batan, capable of targeting Chinese naval assets within 115 miles. Concurrently, the annual KAMANDAG island defence exercises between the US Marine Corps and counterparts from the Philippines, Japan and the Republic of Korea are underway. This militarisation, while framed as deterrence, draws ASEAN deeper into a potential great-power confrontation. For member states like Vietnam and the Philippines, security cooperation with the U.S. is seen as increasingly essential. Others, like Cambodia and Laos, which lean toward Beijing, remain uneasy about any unified ASEAN response to Chinese actions. Further, the long-delayed Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, under discussion, remains a hollow promise. The Tariff Trap Compounding the security problem is Trumps fresh wave of protectionist policies. US tariffs targeting ASEAN exports are as high as 49 per cent imposed on Cambodia and 10 per cent on Singapore, affecting primarily the electronics, textiles, and agriculture sectors. These moves threaten to dismantle years of supply chain integration and jeopardise the export-led growth models of several ASEAN states. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of regional unity in addressing these economic challenges. ASEAN has formed a task force to coordinate a common stance and is seeking a meeting with US President Donald Trump to negotiate the tariffs. Meanwhile, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia are pursuing bilateral negotiations, while others are exploring trade redirection toward China, India, and the EU. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rather than frame these developments solely as challenges, ASEAN leaders are approaching them as opportunities to build economic resilience. Malaysias leadership has emphasised expanding partnerships through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), deepening ASEAN-EU trade, and supporting regional supply chain initiatives. Additionally, the summit saw the launch of a new 20-year vision document and a dedicated forum to engage in broader cooperation with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council. While Malaysia, as the 2025 Chair, has advocated for a combined response, internal fragmentation impedes joint action. Myanmars Crisis and ASEANs Inertia Nowhere is ASEANs indecision more glaring than in its Myanmar policy. Despite calls for direct negotiations between the junta and opposition forces, as well as proposals for a permanent ASEAN envoy, the bloc remains largely paralysed. The post-coup conflict has escalated into a full-scale civil war, with resistance groups making gains against a beleaguered military regime. Humanitarian fallout, including school bombings, mass displacement, and the Rohingya refugee crisis, continues to mount. More than 400 Rohingya refugees perished at sea last week, and over 3.5 million remain displaced. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thailands call for constructive engagement and Malaysias insistence on the extension of the post-earthquake ceasefire, which is set to expire at the end of May, reflect competing national preferences that dilute collective leverage. A proposal for appointing a permanent ASEAN envoy to facilitate dialogue is under discussion. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan has indicated plans to visit Myanmar next month to further these initiatives. Europes Indo-Pacific Overture Into this volatile environment steps French President Emmanuel Macron, whose diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia reflected a broader European interest in anchoring engagement beyond aid or arms sales. His stop at Hanoi saw 14 agreements signed across sectors, reinforcing Vietnam as a pivot state in both regional stability and Franco-Asian relations. With upcoming visits to Indonesia and Singapore and a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Macrons strategy is clear: offer France as another pole in an increasingly bipolar Indo-Pacific. But it is not alone. Germany recently signed a formal defence agreement with the Philippines, which is also negotiating several contracts with the visiting forces of other partners, such as Canada. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is uncertain if ASEAN can translate these overtures into sustainable multilateral partnerships, especially given its existing dependence on China and the US. Whether it continues as a community of convenience or evolves into a community of shared responsibility will shape not just Southeast Asias future but also the broader Indo-Pacific order. While significant challenges remain, the Kuala Lumpur summit shows that ASEAN is not adrift. It is weathering the currents of change with a steady hand, attempting to chart a course that prioritises peace, development, and cooperation. In doing so, ASEAN may not always move fast, but it continues to move forward. The author is a research analyst, Indo-Pacific Studies Programme. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Beijing has realised over the years that the Pakistani army is unable to control the rising freedom movement in Balochistan; thus, it decided to break protocol and engage directly with Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar, an alliance of Baloch freedom groups read more During the recent visit to Beijing of Ishaq Dar, Pakistans foreign minister and also deputy prime minister, the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was discussed. The CPEC is stumbling despite immense Chinese funding. Similarly, there has been no progress on Reko Diq mines, in which China has invested. All this because Pakistan has been unable to create a conducive environment for their progress. A report in the Chinese mouthpiece, the Global Times, mentioned discussions during Dars visit: The CPEC, as a major cooperation project, still faces various risks such as the threat of terrorism. Eliminating these threats has become an urgent issue for Pakistan. China is displeased with Pakistans handling of the Balochistan uprising, which has stalled the CPEC. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As a sop to Islamabad, China arranged a trilateral meeting with the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan. The Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, mentioned that an agreement has been reached to extend the CPEC to Afghanistan, indicating that Pakistan may earn some revenue from it. The minutes of the meeting also mentioned, (Pakistan and Afghanistan) would jointly combat terrorist forces of concern to each side. As a consequence, Ishaq Dar announced in Hong Kong, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Charge daffaires in Kabul to the level of Ambassador. This means nothing to Afghanistan, which continues to claim that there are no terrorists on its soil. Beijing has realised over the years that the Pakistani army is unable to control the rising freedom movement in Balochistan. It therefore decided to break protocol, bypass Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and engage directly with Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS), which is an alliance of Baloch freedom groups. This decision was announced on the heels of Pakistans humiliating military loss to India in Operation Sindoor. The humiliation was possibly exploited by Beijing on the promise of providing military equipment to Pakistan. The decision, conveyed to Ishaq Dar in Beijing, conveys much more than just a message. First, it sends the signal that it believes that the Pakistani army lacks the ability to contain these groups and safeguard the projects. Despite raising two divisions, each of 10,000 men, solely to protect Chinese workers, attacks continue. Since 2021, over 20 Chinese have been killed and 34 injured. Gwadar port has yet to commence operations, making the $240 million Chinese-funded Gwadar airport non-functional. The airport was constructed to meet the needs of the Chinese community residing in Gwadar, which has not happened. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To defend itself from Chinese anger, Pakistan blames India for supporting Baloch groups. Post Ishaq Dars Beijing visit, Pakistani media, on the orders of their army, have begun terming BRAS groups as Fitna al Hindustan, meaning Indian-sponsored proxies, not that it will cut much ice with Beijing or the world. If China had believed Pakistan, it would have preferred to talk directly with India on the subject but has not chosen to do so. China has even deployed its private security companies, including Dewe Security Frontier Service Group, China Overseas Security Group, and Huaxin Zhongshan Security Service, to provide additional security, but to no avail. Attacks and protests still continue. Even the Pakistani army is at the receiving end, forced to hide casualties. Recent reports mention that Baloch rebels have taken over the crucial city of Surab, cutting the road from Quetta to Karachi as well as to Gwadar. Secondly, Beijing believes that Pakistan, under the influence of the US, is moving slowly in providing security to the CPEC, opening doors for BRAS to target it at multiple locations. It assumes that Pakistan is playing a double game; after all, Islamabad has been doing so for ages. The Pakistani government had, in September 2023, taken the US ambassador to Pakistan, David Blome, to Gwadar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Islamabad is also negotiating a deal with the US, offering them mining concessions in Balochistan, akin to China, much to the Chinese dislike. What was insulting to Beijing was Asim Munir, their newly appointed field marshal, approaching Washington to push for a ceasefire, rather than China. Washington turned the request down, forcing Rawalpindi to approach India directly. Third, Beijing is aware that Pakistan can do little by objecting. Its survival is dependent on Chinese finance companies rolling over their $22 billion loans. The day it threatens to stop doing so, Pakistan could economically collapse. Further, the Pakistani military desperately needs Chinese military equipment, aware of its shortcomings, to symbolically manage equivalence with India. Without Chinese backing, Pakistans armed forces are hollow. Hence, it arm-twists Islamabad. Fourth, China has realised that Rawalpindi has no leverage with the BRAS. The speed and confidence with which the Pakistani army is being attacked display that there is no possibility of any talks to end the conflict. Neither side trusts the other. All Pakistan has been doing is hiding casualty figures while exaggerating losses of the BRAS while losing ground daily. In the Jaffar train hijacking of March, Pakistan claimed there were 28 dead, while witnesses mentioned over a hundred coffins being moved. Rawalpindi announces operations as successful while BRAS simultaneously releases videos indicating the damage it has inflicted on the Pakistani army. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Finally, Chinas actions send the message that Beijing considers BRAS as true controllers of Balochistan and not Islamabad. This is indirectly accepting Balochistan as an independent autonomous region, if not a country. It will become worse when China flies in the leaders of BRAS to Beijing and also offers them concessions from income flowing from its mining activities. Baloch demands, including autonomy, stoppage of military operations and a direct share in revenue, bypassing Pakistan, will be contentious issues. Beijing may be compelled to pressure Islamabad to accept major Baloch conditions, making their control difficult. In case it does happen, even the US may adopt the same route, further embarrassing Islamabad. This will de facto imply that Balochistan is not under the control of Islamabad. For any country, a third nation engaging in talks with those it terms as terrorists seeking independence would be considered as direct interference and unacceptable. It also implies that the third nation is unconcerned about any objections arising from its actions. China, by conveying its intent to Pakistan, has made it clear that what Islamabad feels is immaterial. It will do as it desires, and there is little Pakistan can do; after all, it is a vassal state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The problem is that BRAS comprises multiple groups, many of which are hardline. Convincing all may not be easy. Beijing is bound to request Kabul and also Tehran to push these groups to accept their terms. What will remain a matter of concern is what China can finally offer, which it could bulldoze through Islamabad. For the recently made field marshal, Asim Munir, these talks convey that he has failed once again and China is insulting his army by directly engaging those who kill his soldiers, while he can just watch. He has already been insulted with the arrival of private Chinese security companies on his soil and a humiliating defeat by India. How many more times will he need to fail before his people know his true worth? The author is a former Indian Army officer, strategic analyst and columnist. 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 This isnt just about Russia. Its about the growing irrelevance of strategic sanctuaries in modern warfare the idea that command centres, bomber fleets, and critical infrastructure are safe if positioned far enough from the front line has been shattered read more The Russia-Ukraine War has marked June 1, 2025, as a significant day. Russian airbases over 4,000 kilometres from the Ukrainian border lit up with fire and fury. The flames rose not from distant targeting by missiles or aircraft but from inconspicuous containers parked near hardened aircraft shelters. The weapons used were not missiles or aircraft but low-cost, high-impact drones that didnt cross bordersthey emerged from within them. This was Operation Spider Weba meticulously planned, year-long Ukrainian operation that inflicted catastrophic damage on Russias strategic bomber fleet without launching a single drone from outside Russian territory. Over 40 aircraft were destroyed or disabled, including nuclear-capable Tu-95s and rare A-50 early-warning platforms. Yet the most significant casualty was not hardwareit was doctrine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Strategic Depth is a Dead Idea For decades, nuclear and conventional deterrence relied on geographic insulation. The deeper a bomber was stationed inside national territory, the safer it was presumed to be. Russia, boasting the worlds most elaborate air defence architecture, built its strategic deterrence around this principle. Layers of radar and missile batteries were constructed under the assumption that the threat would arrive from outside and at high altitudes. Ukraines AI-integrated FPV drone operation rewrote the rules. The strike was not an air incursion; it was an inversion of traditional logic. These drones didnt need to fly across borders. They simply needed access social, logistical, and physical. Once inside, they lay dormant, embedded in the fabric of civilian movement, disguised within ordinary trucks and wooden cabins. Distance didnt protect Russia. It insulated its arrogance. From Deterrence to Denial: A Doctrinal Collapse Operation Spider Web should shake every defence planner across the world with innovation as the hallmark. The success of this covert drone assault did not lie in technological supremacy; it lay in doctrinal surprise. Conventional air defences are designed to track ballistic arcs, intercept radar signatures, counter drones and maintain exclusion zones. None of those countermeasures apply when the threat is pre-assembled behind the lines, activated by remote control, and flown by handheld devices. Russias vast air defence network was not breached; it was bypassed. And that distinction is fatal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This isnt just about Russia. Its about the growing irrelevance of strategic sanctuaries in modern warfare. The idea that command centres, bomber fleets, and critical infrastructure are safe if positioned far enough from the front line has been shattered. Warfare as Performance: The Synchronised Message What makes this operation even more strategically potent is when it happened, not just how. As peace talks opened in Istanbul, Ukraine staged a kinetic and symbolic blow to Russias war machine. It wasnt just about burning bombers; it was about broadcasting vulnerability. This is modern deterrence theatre: a multi-channel strike designed to resonate across radar screens and news feeds alike. It wasnt aimed at destroying Russias air campaign capacity overnight. It was aimed at fracturing the illusion of domestic control and strategic supremacy. Warfare today is not just attritional; it is performative. It is synchronised between the battlefield, the browser, and the diplomatic table. Rear Areas Are Now War Zones STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is tempting to see Spider Web as an anomaly, a one-off asymmetric success. That would be a fatal misreading. The core insight is this: the rear is no longer rear. There are no fronts and no rears. In 21st-century conflict, the most vulnerable terrain isnt the contested border; its the parking lot at a secure airbase, the unguarded truck route, and the assumption that peace exists somewhere behind the front. Drones are cheap. AI has enabled drones with precision and intelligence. Containers are everywhere. Distance is no longer a defence. And traditional deterrence logic based on delayed reaction and defined frontlines is obsolete. How India Must Now Adapt Ukraines brilliance lies in exposing what India must now confront. Our defence systems are not built for internal-origin threats. Our deterrence logic remains stuck in cross-border engagements. That must changeinnovatively and systematically. Operation Sindoor has served as a watershed moment in Indias strategic and military recalibration against state-sponsored terrorism and proxy hybrid threats. A key lesson emerging is the imperative of sustained readiness for short, sharp, technology-driven conflicts that demand speed, precision, and escalatory control. India must invest in Indigenous AI-enabled drone swarms, AI-enabled ISR networks, and C-UAS systems, and embrace a doctrine of cognitive warfare that shapes both information dominance and narrative warfare. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Sindoor is not just a military successit is a clarion call for India to redefine its war preparedness and strategic relevance in the 21st-century battlespace. Pakistan will not cease proxy wars but can use innovative means to wage them in future. India must not react but preempt and prevent by proactive measures and strategic thinking. Heres what India must follow: Design for Denial, Not Just Defence: Harden not just perimeters but presumptions. Embrace deception, redundancy, and mobility even for strategic assets. Invest in AI-Enabled UAS System: Drone technology and AI are a sunrise sector, poised to transform warfare. India has no other option but to prepare for future wars dominated by unmanned aerial warfare. The battlefield is going digital, automated, and exponentially more unconventional, mandating being innovative and adaptive for the right war. Future battlefields will be characterised by a mix of high-end systems deployed in smaller numbers, with low-cost attritable systems deployed in far greater numbers. We need bold, transformative leadership to overcome inertia and old ways of doing business. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Harden Internal Vital Areas/Assets: Treat logistics, bases, and communications as vulnerable by default, not sanctuaries by tradition. Rebuild Strategic Storytelling: Our narratives must evolve to shape adversary perception as effectively as our capabilities shape battlefield outcomes. Invest in Counter-Infiltration Doctrine: Hybrid warfare must now include counter-infiltration as a core competency, merging intelligence, counterintelligence, and internal surveillance with kinetic response. Internal Security Reforms: Review the emerging threats and players in the internal security abetted by external actors. Strengthen the intelligence and internal security domain with structures and protocols for such threats and beyond. This is no longer about predicting where an attack will come from; its about assuming its already begun and is hiding in plain sight. Conclusion: The Preview of Wars Future Ukraines Operation Spider Web was not just an attackit was a thesis. A low-cost, high-impact demonstration of how modern warfare will evolve: distributed, embedded, and invisible until it strikes. Russias bombers may recover. New aircraft may replace the wreckage. But what cannot be restored is the confidence that distance means safety. That age is over. We must now build a defence posture that assumes the breach has already occurred and that the war is already inside the wire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This isnt escalation. Its evolution. And the next conflict may begin not when a missile is launched but when a $500 drone quietly wakes up next to a $100 million bomber. The author is former Director General, Mechanised Forces. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Operation Sindoor has proved that conventional power, wielded with precision, can eliminate threats and convey a message without the attendant fear of a mushroom cloud read more From Left to Right: Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General (DG) of Air Force Operations, DG of Military Operations Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, and DG of Naval Operations, Vice Admiral AN Pramod at a press briefing for Operation Sindoor. May 11, 2025. File image. After 88 hours of clinical and precision strikes, the Indian Armed Forces, who had been given full operational freedom, achieved their objectives in a calibrated, controlled and decisive manner. What also stood out in an era of unending conflicts was the wise drawing of a finish line. Operation Sindoor represented an evolution in our war-fighting doctrine, showcasing the capability and ability of our Armed Forces. There was a marked escalation in the scope, intensity and precision targeting compared to Indias earlier responses to terror attacks. Soon after the prime minister articulated Indias new normal. The doctrine was clear and unambiguous. This watershed moment marked the unveiling of a new national security posture, one that treats state-sponsored terrorism as an act of war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Parliament, Mumbai, Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama and now Pahalgam all had one thing in common: Pakistans use of terror as an instrument of state policy, but now the Indian armed forces had drawn the sindoor line and targeted terror sites in the heartland of Pakistani Punjab, literally going for Pakistans jugular. The fact is that Indias actions were aimed at forcing Pakistan to change its behaviour as far as using terrorism as an instrument of state policy is concerned. The question remains as to whether our political will and military action have ensured deterrence. Understanding Deterrence The challenge of deterrence, implying discouraging states from taking unwanted actions, especially military aggression, is a principal theme of a nations defence policy. In his press briefing after the initial operation, the Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Pakistans failure to take action against the terrorist infrastructure on its territory necessitated a military operation to deter and to preempt. Deterrence can be further amplified as the practice of discouraging or restraining someone in world politics, usually a nation-state, from taking unwanted actions. It involves an effort to stop or prevent an action, as opposed to the closely related but distinct concept of compellence, which is an effort to force it to do something. If a state considers attacking an adversary but refrains due to concern over that adversarys military power, it has been deterred. Deterrence typically takes two forms: deterrence by denial and deterrence by punishment. Deterrence by denial strategies seeks to deter an action by making it infeasible or unlikely to succeed, thus denying a potential aggressor confidence in attaining its objectives by deploying sufficient local military forces to defeat a design, in other words, convincing an adversary that its attack would be unsuccessful because it would be physically blocked. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Whereas deterrence by punishment, on the other hand, threatens severe penalties if an attack occurs. It is based on the threat of imposing costs through retaliation. Steps taken include placing significant military capabilities directly in the path of an aggressor, which speaks loudly and clearly. Deterrence is usually unnoticed by the public since it is about preventing aggression rather than taking visible action. However, crises reveal where and how deterrence is failing or succeeding, since visible military decisions are now made public. India earlier deterred terror attacks attributed to militants based in Pakistan by threatening a conventional military response. Following the Parliament attack India mobilized its troops all across the border with Pakistan. As per Jaswant Singh the objective of Indias mobilisation was to defeat cross border terrorism and infiltration without conflict. Pakistan, in turn, looked to prevent retaliatory conventional military action through the threat of nuclear weapons. The fact is that if these terrorist incidents keep happening at a regular pace followed by Indias retaliation, it suggests there were gaps in deterrence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The failure of deterrence has led to leaders and policymakers sometimes referring to military operations as being designed to restore deterrence. However, even this can be a misleading phrase, as Professor Debak Das of the University of Denver states, There may be something wrong with the method of deterrence. Over the coming weeks and months, analysts and policymakers will assess how successful both sides military operations were in restoring deterrence, a key question with the potential to shape regional security dynamics going forward. Nuclear Deterrence The most powerful deterrent a state can possess is nuclear weapons. Soon after the development of nuclear weapons, scholars argued that these capabilities were so powerful that no two nuclear-armed states would dare to fight one another. In other words, they would be deterred from doing so. But while nuclear weapons may ensure stable deterrence at the strategic or nuclear level, instability and conflict are likely to occur at lower levels because both sides believe in controlling escalation till that point. This led to Pakistan feeling there was space to conduct a sub-conventional proxy war against India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has taken action to punish Pakistan militarily in response to terror attacks. Notable examples have included Operation Parakram in 2001; the development of the Cold Start military doctrine intended to quickly capture territory to extract concessions; surgical strikes across the Line of Control in 2016; and the airstrike at Balakot in 2019. Each response pushed the envelope further both vertically and horizontally, displaying the ability to impose costs within a nuclear overhang. Following Pahalgam, India dramatically increased the scope of its military action against Pakistan in response to terrorism. This represented an expansion in its willingness to conduct conventional operations beneath the nuclear threshold. Operation Sindoor has proved that conventional power, wielded with precision, can eliminate threats and convey a message without the attendant fear of a mushroom cloud. Pakistans military-backed terrorist groups would no longer be able to operate with impunity, secure in the knowledge that India wont risk nuclear escalation. Pakistans space for nuclear deterrence has been shrunk due to Indias non-contact kinetic actions facilitated by newer technologies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Escalation During Operation Sindoor What was witnessed were multiple rounds of retaliation, including strikes on major military bases, and the use of capabilities never previously employed between the two countries. On the opening day of strikes, the Indian Armed Forces demonstrated the ability to identify and destroy terrorist-linked infrastructure in Pakistani territory, employing stand-off weapons to deliver precision strikes at speed without crossing the international border. The intent was clear: India was focused on degrading the terrorist ecosystem that exists in Pakistan. In the following days, operations expanded in scope, as Pakistan chose to retaliate, and India then penetrated Pakistans Chinese-supplied air defence network to target selected airbases for the first time since the 1971 war. Further Indias multi-layered air defence ensured the security of Indian airspace by eliminating Pakistani drones and missiles. Operation Sindoor was a calibrated use of force, intended to signal resolve, degrade terrorist infrastructure, demonstrate capability, and impose costs for supporting terrorism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Escalation control depends on taking carefully calibrated actions in the fog of war. As per Walter Ladwig of RUSI, This conflict illustrates that limited military engagement under the shadow of nuclear weapons can be contained provided escalation thresholds are mutually understood, signalling remains disciplined, and objectives are narrowly defined. Application of Military Power Operation Sindoor demonstrated Indias ability to apply military power with restraint and precision. Indias signal of intent to retaliate against cross-border terrorism marks a clear shift in posture. Yet deterrence by punishment carries inherent risks chief among them the possibility that fringe actors may attempt to provoke confrontation in order to manipulate state responses. Hence, in a strategic environment shaped by tempo, perception, and public pressure, preserving space for discretion may be as vital as projecting resolve, particularly when domestic audiences may expect increasingly forceful responses in the wake of future provocations. Equally salient is the operational challenge of maintaining the effectiveness of coercive military action over time. As targeted groups adapt, dispersing their assets, improving their concealment techniques, and altering their operational rhythms, the demands placed on Indias intelligence and targeting means will intensify. An iterative contest of adaptation may also play out in which each side seeks to outpace the others capacity for detection and response. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Conclusion As the damage to Pakistani assets increased and their vulnerabilities were exposed, the Pakistani DGMO reached out over the hotline to his Indian counterpart in asking for a ceasefire. There was no doubt that India had achieved its stated objectives. Its decisive response was not a product of improvisation but due to the professionalism of Indian armed forces and the result of structural reforms and investment in Indias defence capabilities to include doctrines, weapon systems and infusion of cutting-edge technologies. The contours of its response toolkit had been redefined. The instrument of force was now more calibrated and precise. There is no doubt that in future, Indias response in degrading assets enabling terrorism will be of a greater magnitude. Given the fact that India was able to use force over a long trajectory and attack Pakistan at will with precision and lethality, degrading its capabilities. One of the lessons that stands out is that hard power matters, though building deterrence through hard power may be costly, but wars are even more costly, which is a lesson Europe is facing presently, having prematurely celebrated victory at the end of the Cold War by downsizing military structures and capabilities. Hence, there needs to be an urgency while addressing military imbalances, as despite being tactically and operationally successful, we cannot afford to be prone to coercion. Hard military power is the key. While India has demonstrated its muscular policy, the instrument of force needs to be continuously nourished to ensure that it always retains the element of deterrence. The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. A cybersecurity researcher discovered a publicly accessible database online, revealing sensitive details associated with major brands such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, as well as several banking and government services read more A massive data breach has exposed more than 184 million user records, including email addresses, passwords, and direct login URLs, raising significant cybersecurity concerns for millions of Americans. Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler discovered the unprotected database publicly accessible online, revealing sensitive details associated with major brands such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, as well as several banking and government services, Moneycontrol reported. Although the database wasnt hosted by any specific company, the leaked records contained credentials and direct login links for various platforms, including: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Apple iCloud and iTunes accounts Google services, such as Gmail, Drive, and Google Workspace Metas Facebook and Instagram accounts Microsoft Outlook, Office 365, and Teams Banking portals, cryptocurrency wallets, and government service platforms Fowler highlighted the severity of the breach by pointing out the inclusion of direct login URLs, which could potentially allow hackers to bypass traditional password entry procedures, significantly simplifying unauthorised access to private user accounts. What makes this breach particularly severe? Unlike many previous breaches, which had typically involved hashed or encrypted passwords, this leak includes plain-text passwords, rendering the stolen data immediately exploitable by cybercriminals across the globe. The presence of direct, one-click login links further intensifies the threat, enabling attackers to access accounts without even needing to input a password. Security experts have described the breach as a ready-made toolkit for cybercriminals, facilitating phishing schemes, identity theft, credential stuffing attacks, and unauthorized financial transactions. Cloud misconfigurations identified as culprit The unsecured database appears to have been hosted on a cloud platform, most likely AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure, and left vulnerable due to improperly configured security settings. A recent IBM report had indicated that as many as 82 per cent of data breaches over the past 12 months have involved cloud environments. This is primarily due to inadequate access controls or publicly exposed storage buckets. More from Tech Meta bets big on AI to automate entire ad creation process by 2026; major brands remain cautious New satellite data shows US oil and gas companies may be underreporting methane emissions by up to two-thirds, casting doubt on corporate climate disclosures. As federal oversight weakens under Trump-era rollbacks, researchers urge governments to adopt satellite-based monitoring to enforce transparency. read more New satellite data reveals that many American companies, especially in the oil and gas sector are underreporting their greenhouse gas emissions, raising doubts about the reliability of corporate self-disclosures. This discrepancy highlights the potential for satellite monitoring to become a critical tool in ensuring accurate climate reporting and enforcing environmental accountability. Recent academic research, including a study from Kings College London, compared emissions detected by Climate Trace, a global initiative using over 300 satellites and thousands of sensors, with companies publicly reported figures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Alarmingly, about 75 firms were found to be reporting only around a third of their actual methane emissions. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a warming effect 80 times that of carbon dioxide over 20 years, primarily leaks from oil and gas operations, making accurate reporting vital for climate mitigation efforts. More from World Big blow to Chinese plane-makers as Trump bars export of critical jet parts, technology This growing evidence of underreporting comes at a politically sensitive moment in the US, where the federal government under President Donald Trump rolled back numerous climate regulations and openly questioned the science of climate change. Meanwhile, some states, led by Democrats are pushing forward with their own climate disclosure laws to fill the regulatory void left by federal rollbacks. State-level initiatives in New York and California seek to mandate comprehensive emissions reporting, including scope 3 emissions from supply chains, in contrast to the diluted or frozen federal rules. These efforts face legal challenges but signal increasing pressure on companies to provide transparent climate data. Experts note that while many companies voluntarily disclose emissions and climate risks, standardised and enforceable reporting remains crucial for investors and policymakers. Satellite technology, currently more precise in detecting methane than carbon dioxide, offers a promising avenue for governments to independently verify emissions data. Researchers propose that authorities use satellite estimates as default emission figures, requiring companies to prove if their actual emissions are lower, a move that could drastically reduce underreporting and improve climate policy effectiveness. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As states move ahead despite federal inaction and as investors grow more skeptical of inconsistent disclosures, satellite monitoring could play an essential role in holding companies accountable. The technology may well become a cornerstone of future climate transparency, particularly in the areas where political resistance and misinformation continue to cloud efforts to tackle global warming. Bangladesh has been in turmoil for about a year. It began with a student agitation against quota in jobs. It ousted Hasina and brought Yunus to run the government. How has it been for Bangladesh? A political functionary speaks to Firstposts Bhagyasree Sengupta read more In August last year, the 15-year-long rule of Sheikh Hasina , who had been won a record fourth term as the Bangladesh prime minister only seven months ago, came to an abrupt end following violent protests in Dhaka. Her government had been toppled by a largely leaderless student agitation against quota in jobs. This brought a new leader to the fore: Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus , who was appointed as the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh, the functional head of the interim government with the constitutional responsibility of holding free and fair elections. It was expected that Yunus would pick up from where Hasina left, stabilise the country and pave way for the return of an elected government in Bangladesh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, it has been nine months since Yunus assumed the reins of power, and the prospects of holding an election this year look bleak. While the tussle between the Yunus government, political parties and the Army over elections has intensified. Reports from Bangladesh indicate that Yunus is under immense from political parties and the Army to hold the parliamentary election by December 2025. Yunus has spoken about a timeframe that extends to June 2026, evoking strong reactions from political stakeholders. Amid this political tug of war, a party that is arguably the most influential and has the most extensive cadre base is also looking for its revival: the outlawed Awami League. After Hasina left the country, Yunus announced that her party would be banned from contesting polls . Since then, the lives of Awami League workers and leaders have been a struggle, says a senior functionary of the party. He requested anonymity for the fear of life and security. People climb the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bijoy Sarani area, as they celebrate the resignation of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 5. File image/AFP Crime rates in Bangladesh have skyrocketed. It is also due to how last years protests dismantled the police infrastructure in the country. Firstpost reached out to multiple individuals in Bangladesh from diverse backgrounds. From lawyers to government officers, we asked what the on-ground situation is in the country. There was palpable fear among the common public, of getting caught and facing the repercussions of speaking to an Indian journalist. Many journalists, to whom Firstpost reached out, claimed that their phones were being tapped. Lawyers refrained from speaking, and government officers hung up after the introduction. The Awami League functionary Firstpost spoke to among others is living in the country, unlike several others who have fled Bangladesh, and navigating the wrath of the current groups in power . During our call, the Awami League functionary also requested Firstpost to not disclose the area where he lives for security reasons. Heres what he has to say about the situation in the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are living like prisoners When Firstpost asked about the situation in Bangladesh, the Awami League functionary had a simple response in Bangla: The countrys situation is bad. He said there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the country. The Awami League functionary claimed that a 65-year-old woman was gang-raped, and her husband beaten by goons, who took advantage of the collapse of the law and order in the country. He said the houses of other party workers and supporters were also being demolished. When asked who these goons are, the Awami League functionary said, They are goons from Jamaat [Jamaat-i-Islami], the BNP [Bangladesh Nationalist Party] and the NCP (National Citizens Party) , whom the Awami League functionary frequently called the B Team of Jamaat. He said there have been clashes among workers of different parties, including the Awami League, causing further turbulence in the country. Anti-quota supporters clash with police and Awami League supporters at the Rampura area in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Source: REUTERS. Robberies, rapes and contract killings have become common in Bangladesh. People are avoiding going out for this reason, especially Awami League workers. We are living like prisoners, he told Firstpost. The Awami functionary maintained that while the Army is trying to get a hold of the situation, the lack of police presence in the localities has become a critical issue. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Disappointment with Yunus The Awami League functionary expressed disappointment with Yunus and questioned how his transitional government could ban one of the most popular parties in the country. When asked if any of his reforms are being implemented in the country, he said, Nothing good can happen under Yunus. He repeated the charge that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently living in exile in India, levelled against the Yunus government that the interim dispensation is supporting terrorists and extremists in the country. He also claimed that the US is in favour of Yunus, and that the chief adviser is trying everything to appease Washington DC. Bangladeshs interim government chief Muhammad Yunus One cannot conduct a fair election with Yunus in power. The Bangladeshi Senabahini [Army] needs to step in and establish a new impartial leader who can hold elections in the country, the Awami League worker told Firstpost. Democracy is not alive in this country. Lack of support for key political players The Awami functionary noted that with his party out of the picture, the key players in Bangladesh politics are the BNP, the Jamaat and the NCP. However, he claimed that the Awami continues to remain the most popular party in the country. Our popularity was affected during the protests in the country. But Awami is gaining ground-level support since people are disappointed by the turbulence in the country after PM Hasina left, he said. The BNP is calling for early elections in the current circumstances because they know there is no strong opponent to them. NCP is relatively new , and Jamaat, whose ban was lifted recently , does not have strong support in the country, he told Firstpost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia. File Image He also spoke about an anti-India campaign being pushed by non-Awami outfits, saying these parties are anti-India, especially Jamaat, which inclines towards Pakistan. The Jamaat had been banned earlier over its ties with terror groups in Bangladesh as well as Pakistan. When asked if Awami leaders can contest polls as independent candidates, as former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) did, the party functionary said while it is legally possible but practically not viable to contest polls as independent nominees. He said Awami League politicians announcing to contest election will face the risk of getting prosecuted for some false charges besides inviting threat to their lives. International Pressure The Awami League functionary also referred to the international pressure that the country is facing in political sphere. He said, Three countries can have a say in Bangladeshi politics and they are India, Pakistan and the United States. He said the US is planning to build a military base in St Martins Island , a claim outrightly rejected by Washington DC, and that the US is also taking an interest in the Rohingya Corridor . The proposed Rakhine Corridor, a humanitarian passage from south-eastern Bangladesh into Myanmars conflict-ridden Rakhine State, has caused a major political and military standoff within Bangladesh. While Yunus has endorsed the corridor , Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman deems it a threat to national sovereignty, even going further to call it a bloody corridor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Awami functionary said there is an increased international curiosity in the tussle over the corridor closely. He called for greater role by India in normalising situation in Bangladesh, citing historical connect. Indias role will determine the existence of Bangladesh, he said. India had gone to war with Pakistan in 1971 when the Bangladeshs Liberation War posed serious challenges to the countrys Northeast over acute migration crisis, and continued persecution of the Bengali people in the then East Pakistan. The war resulted in the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers and the Liberation of Bangladesh. (L-R) Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. AFP When asked about Bangladeshs recent realignment with Pakistan , the Awami functionary claimed that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) orchestrated last years protests in the country. He also asserted that the Jamaat has ties with terrorist outfits in Pakistan. Hopes for Hasinas return Is the Awami League waiting for the return of Sheikh Hasina? Are the party cadre and leaders hopeful of her return? The Awami functionary told Firstpost the party workers know Hasinas return wouldnt be easy. There are challenges, he said. The prosecutor pursuing the trial against Hasina and other Awami leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal [Bangladesh] is biased towards Jamaat, he told Firstpost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Hasina will get full party support with 20-25 lakh party workers standing beside her in Bangladesh, she can return systematically if the countrys army ensures her security, he said, demanding that the Army should ensure that all political groups in the country get a level-playing field before an election is held. File Image- FP On the law-and-order situation in the country, he said, There was a time when people could walk freely in this country at 3 or 4 am. This cannot happen today. If you try calling the police, they are nowhere to be found. Women are being burned alive by these goons. They are destroying everything, he said. Meanwhile, Yunus met with representatives of over 20 political outfits. Most of them called for early elections, giving the chief adviser a deadline of December 2025. The Awami League was not invited for what Yunus called a unity meet. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed to US controls on chip exports, the suspension of chip design software sales, and the revocation of Chinese student visas as serious breaches of the Geneva understanding, according to a report read more China as accused the US of breaching the tariff-cutting agreement reached in Geneva, citing three key violations and condemning Washingtons actions as extreme measures based on defamatory accusations. According to a Newsweek report, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed to US controls on chip exports, the suspension of chip design software sales, and the revocation of Chinese student visas as serious breaches of the Geneva understanding. China firmly opposed this and made strong protests, Newsweek quoted Lin as saying at a press briefing on Tuesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let me stress once again that this pressuring and coercion is not the right way to engage with China, Lin added. The renewed tensions between the US and China risk unsettling global markets once again, disrupting supply chains and affecting American businesses and consumers dependent on international trade. The escalating accusations underscore the deep mistrust between the two powers and the challenges of enforcing trade agreements, even after high-level efforts to ease tensions. In May, both countries agreed in Geneva to cut import tariffs by a combined 115 percentage points, a step seen as a foundation for broader cooperation. But that fragile progress is now at risk, with talk of new tariffs and retaliatory measures. President Donald Trump has accused China of breaching the deal and said he plans to speak with President Xi Jinping to address the growing disputes. Trump did not specify the Chinese violation to which he was referring. According to The Wall Street Journal, China is frustrating the US by moving too slowly on easing its rare earth export controls, a key part of the Geneva agreement. In recent days, the Trump administration has introduced new curbs targeting China, including curbs on AI chip exports, a ban on sales of chip design software, and plans to revoke numerous student visas, particularly for those linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying sensitive fields. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In response, a Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson on Monday warned of unspecified retaliation, vowing that China would continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. We urge the US to respect the facts, stop peddling misinformation, correct relevant wrongdoings, and take concrete moves to uphold the common understandings reached by the two sides, Newsweek quoted Lin as saying on Tuesday. We went, in effect, COLD TURKEY with China, and it was devastating for themI 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 happenThe bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!, President Trump posted to Truth Social on May 30. On Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump and Chinese leader Jinping will likely speak this week. With inputs from agencies A suspect has been charged with a federal hate crime and multiple other offences for attacking pro-Israeli protesters with a homemade flamethrower and firebombs in Colorado. 12 people were injured in the attack. 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 A man has been charged with a federal hate crime and several serious offences after allegedly attacking a group of people with a homemade flamethrower and firebombs. The group was raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza, and 12 people were injured. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, reportedly shouted Free Palestine during the attack on Sunday. According to the FBI, he told police he had been planning the attack for a year and had targeted what he called a Zionist group, the Associated Press reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At a press conference on Monday, the Boulder County District Attorney said Soliman faces a federal hate crime charge and 16 counts of attempted murder. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison, with sentences totalling over 600 years. The US Attorney for Colorado said Soliman turned to Molotov cocktails after failing to get a gun. Authorities found at least 16 unused firebombs at the scene. Officials said there is no evidence linking the attack to any group. NBC reported that the suspect, Mohamed Soliman, is an Egyptian national, and the White House said he was in the US without legal status. Eight peoplefour women and four men aged between 52 and 88were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to very serious, according to Boulder police. One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor. Four others had minor injuries but did not need hospital care. The attack happened at Pearl Street Mall near the University of Colorado during a peaceful rally organised by Run for Their Lives, a group raising awareness about Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in 2023. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said emergency calls came in at around 1:26 pm reporting a man with a weapon and people on fire near a downtown courthouse. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old University of Colorado student, told Reuters she saw four women with burns, including one woman who appeared badly burned and was wrapped in a flag. Coffman said she saw a man, believed to be the attacker, holding a glass bottle with clear liquid and shouting. Everyone was yelling, Get water, get water, she said. Merz had announced the plans to reject refuge to migrants during his campaign after an Afghan asylum seeker fatally stabbed a two-year-old and an adult at the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg read more A court in Germany has ruled that the Friedrich Merz administration has violated the law by turning back asylum seekers at the border without following a proper assessment, dealing a blow to the Chancellors effort to cut down immigration. Merz had announced the plans to reject refuge to migrants during his campaign after an Afghan asylum seeker fatally stabbed a two-year-old and an adult at the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg. Amid rising support for the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative fur Germany (AfD), which secured over 20 per cent of the vote and finished second, the conservative leader issued a series of pledges. These promises were swiftly implemented on his first day in office by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What has the court said? The Berlin Administrative Court said on Monday that turning down asylum to immigrants at border controls is unlawful unless they are carried out under EUs Dublin procedure. The court was hearing the case of three Somali nationals who were sent back to Poland on May 9 as per the new regulation. Persons who express the wish to seek asylum while at a border check on German territory may not be sent back before it is known which country is responsible for processing the claim under the EUs so-called Dublin system, the court said. Whats the case? On May 9, three individualstwo men and one womanarrived in Germany by train from Poland. They were stopped by Federal Police at the railway station in Frankfurt an der Oder, located in the eastern state of Brandenburg. Although the trio expressed their intention to seek asylum in Germany, they were sent back to Poland the same day. Authorities justified the decision by stating that the group had entered from a safe third country. How has the govt responded? Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who implemented the regulation in Germany, said that the courts ruling applies to one particular case and asserted that the government would continue working on the new system of curbing immigration. We will continue with the pushback. We think we have the legal justification for this, he said. Dobrindt stated that the Interior Ministry would offer more detailed explanations for the pushbacks, in accordance with the courts request. He also noted that the migrants in question had tried to cross the border three times, only citing their right to asylum on the third attempt. During a four-day conflict in May, the Indian Air Force reportedly destroyed six Pakistani fighter jets, two high-value aircraft, over 10 drones, and a C-130 transport plane, read more Indias Air Force destroyed six Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets, two high-value aircraft, and more than 10 UCAVs during a recent four-day conflict, according to ongoing technical analysis by the Indian military, sources told ANI. In addition to the air-to-air kills, Indian air-launched cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles reportedly destroyed a Pakistani C-130 transport aircraft and multiple cruise missiles. A long-range strike by the Sudarshan system, at approximately 300 km, is reported to have targeted and destroyed a high-value aerial asset, believed to be either an electronic warfare aircraft or an airborne early warning and control system. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another AEWC aircraft of Swedish origin was destroyed during strikes on Pakistans Bholari airbase, and while there were believed to be fighter jets in the hangars, no further losses are being confirmed due to Pakistans refusal to remove debris from the site, sources told ANI. The Pakistani jets were reportedly detected by Indian radar and air defense systems, and were seen disappearing from surveillance feeds after being hit. The Pakistan Air Force also lost a C-130 transport aircraft during one of the drone strikes by the Indian Air Force in the Pakistani Punjab. The Indian Air Force used only air-launched cruise missiles to attack Pakistani bases and no surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles were used in the attacks, they said. In one of the strikes on a hangar by Rafale and Su-30 jets, a significant number of Chinese Wing Loong series medium-altitude, long-endurance drones were destroyed, the sources said. More than 10 UCAVs were also destroyed by the different IAF air defence systems over Pakistani air space in the conflict along with large-scale interception of Pakistani air and ground-launched cruise and ballistic missiles aimed at different air bases, they said. The Indian Air Force, the sources said, is still carrying out the analysis of the huge amount of data gathered by it during the conflict.The conflict between India and Pakistan started in May 6-7 night when India retaliated by targeting terrorist universities in the Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to Pahalgam terror attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The conflict lasted till May 10 afternoon when the Pakistan side requested for a ceasefire because of the heavy losses suffered by it in the attacks by the Indian Air Force. With inputs from agencies Even as India was ascertaining the magnitude of the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan had started a disinformation campaign involving state propagandists, Western influencers with millions of followers, and an army of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven bots, according to an investigation by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI). read more Paramedic carry a wounded tourist on a stretcher at a hospital in Anantnag after assailants indiscriminately fired at tourists visiting Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo: AP) Even before Indians knew the scale of the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan had begun its disinformation campaign that sought to convince its Western audience that it was an Indian false flag operation, according to an investigation by Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) at Rutgers University. The promptness with which Pakistan began its disinformation campaign adds to the suspicion that Pakistani establishment had prior knowledge of the Pahalgam plot. As Firstpost has previously reported , Pakistans actions immediately after the Pahalgam attack, ranging from emptying terrorist launchpads in border areas to ramping up military activities, suggested that it had wargamed the response to the attack well in advance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prasiddha Sudhakar, a researcher at NCRI, tells Firstpost that the Pakistani disinformation campaign began even before India had gathered the basic information about the attack, such as the number and identities of those killed. When India did not have even such basic information, Pakistan had already started a very coordinated disinformation campaign. The campaign largely used state actors and state-aligned media influencers that put out posts on X that this was a false flag operation. The posts soon went viral across Pakistani social media circles, says Sudhakar. In its report titled From State Actors to Western Influencers: The Transnational Surge of False Flag Disinformation After Terror Attack in India, the NCRI listed three steps that went into Pakistans campaign. Firstly, state-linked Pakistani actors coordinated to spread the narrative that the Pahalgam attack was a false flag operation by India. Secondly, bot networks using artificial intelligence (AI)-generated memes and state media gave traction to such claims. Thirdly, Pakistan roped in major Western influencers like Jackson Hinkle that amplified the message to millions. Credit: Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) Instead of reinforcing the views of a domestic audience, the campaign sought to influence the Western audience. The objective was clear: every government is hostage to public opinion and by shaping public opinion in the West against India, Pakistan sought to put pressure on Western governments to turn on India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From bots to influencers, how Pakistan peddled anti-India disinformation In its disinformation campaign, Pakistan brought together influencers for hire and AI. More than 20,000 posts on X pushed the false flag narrative and around 40 per cent of those posts were from bots, according to the NCRI report. These bots used generative AI to produce terrorist-themed memes saying Indian false flag exposed along with hashtags like #BJPBehindPahalgam and #StopModiFascism on social media as part of their campaign. Pakistan co-opted influencers like Hinkle, Mohammed Hijab, and Zeeshan Ali all of whom have a history of peddling jihadist and anti-India, anti-Hindu content for years. While Hinkle is a vocal supporter of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed terrorists, Hijab and Ali have been indicted in a previous NCRI investigation for playing an instrumental role in disseminating anti-Hindu conspiracies and incitement during the Leicester riots in the United Kingdom in 2022. ALSO READ: Communal unrest in Leicester: Is influential Islamist YouTuber Mohammed Hijab inciting Muslims? Hinkle used his podcast, Legitimate Targets, to not just give a platform for rabid, anti-India Pakistani voices, but also himself spewed propaganda. Together, they reached out to millions of people in the West. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Credit: Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) The NCRI further found that the disinformation campaign witnessed a dramatic surge on May 6 when India conducted the first round of airstrikes under Operation Sindoor . Engagement gradually declined after April 26, with minor fluctuations until early May. On May 6, there was a dramatic surge and hashtag volume reached the highest level in the observed period. The increase in social chatter coincided with Indias retaliatory strike on Pakistan and the viral amplification of false flag claims by high-profile influencers like Jackson Hinkle, the NCRI report noted. Credit: Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) The campaign was not a first, however, and it mirrors past operations from Pulwama to the Israel-Hamas conflict where proxies carry out violence and disinformation ecosystems are activated to shift blame and fracture consensus. The report further concluded that there could be real-world consequences of such campaigns beyond narrative warfare. Referring to how Hijab and Alis disinformation previously helped incite violence, the report said, As seen in Leicester (2022), diaspora-targeted false flag narratives can catalyse real-world unrest, stoke retaliatory violence, and fracture intercommunal trust in Western democracies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The use of generative AI, diaspora targeting, and collaboration with Western influencers marks a dangerous evolution in narrative warfare. Left unchallenged, these operations risk fueling real-world violence and eroding trust in legitimate attribution on the global stage. Credit: Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) India should engage more with international public figures The NCRI report noted that the Indian and Pakistani approaches to shaping narrative were quite different: while Pakistan co-opted influencers and used AI, India sought to contain disinformation by banning accounts on X. Instead of such an approach, India should engage more with international public figures, such as podcasters, influencers, and sociopolitical commentators to get its message across to the world, says Sudhakar. While Indian diplomats did give interviews to major Western news channels, Sudhakar says that alternative media, such as sociopolitical commentators and podcasters, are now much more potent tools to reach out to the public. She further says that such engagements need to take place outside ones comfort zones. Sudhakar says, More engagement with podcasters or political commentators in India or abroad who ask tough questions is the best way to get your point across to a new audience. You dont want to just give interviews to people who are already aligned with your beliefs. In fact, its much more important to engage with people who dont necessarily align with you so that you address their questions and reach out to a new audience. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sudhakar further says that India should have had a broader outreach in the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam attack so that the world knew of the kind of terrorist attack India faced and the effect of disinformation campaign was minimised. India should have had a bigger outreach to the international community to explain the intensity of what happened in Pahalgam, the brutality of the terrorist attack, because what happened was that there was a vacuum that Pakistani disinformation actors sought to fill. They told the American public that it was a false flag operation. Instead of banning influencers like Jackson Hinkle, India should have told the world proactively about this attack and its historical context, says Sudhakar. As for the disinformation campaign, Sudhakar says that it is not limited to the India-Pakistan conflict. She pointed out that the recent murders of Israeli embassy staffers in the United States were also portrayed by many as a false flag attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We have seen such disinformation in nearly all conflicts, whether it is the India-Pakistan conflict or the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia wars. Authoritarian regimes everywhere resort to disinformation, says Sudhakar. Two reasons why people are prone to falling for disinformation spread on social media by bots or influencers are falling trust in mainstream news media and the failure to identify bots, says Sudhakar. People are no longer looking at just CNN or Fox News. They are also looking at political commentators and content creators to better understand the issues they consider important. The trust in the mainstream media has greatly eroded and the alternative media, such as podcasters and commentators, have filled that vacuum. The polarisation is such that people dont usually stick to a news outlet if it no longer reinforces their own perspective or feeds into their confirmation bias, says Sudhakar. In a recent remark, Indias Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan said the armed forces had to devote 15 per cent of its time during Operation Sindoor in countering disinformation by Pakistan or pro-Pakistan entities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Pentagon is preparing to shift military oversight of Greenland from US European Command to US Northern Command, a move that could draw the Arctic island closer into Americas strategic orbit, according to a report read more The Pentagon is preparing to shift military oversight of Greenland from US European Command to US Northern Command, a move that could draw the Arctic island closer into Americas strategic orbit as President Donald Trump continues to show interest in taking control over the Arctic landmass. According to a Politico report, the shift in oversight, which could come as soon as this week, could also help the US broaden its Golden Dome missile shield by providing more radars for coverage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under the plan, Greenland would shift to Northern Command, which is responsible for overseeing the security of North America, added the report, citing a DOD official and two people familiar with the planning. The switch is the clearest step yet in the Trump administrations effort to gain control over Greenland, an autonomous territory tied to Denmark. Trump first mentioned buying Greenland during his first term, but has brought it up more often since winning re-election last November. His renewed interest has worried Greenlands 58,000 residents and frustrated the Danish government, which says the island is not for sale. Moving Greenland under US Northern Command is likely to draw attention in Denmark and among Nato allies, many of whom are uneasy about Trumps ongoing push to take over the island and his refusal to rule out military options. Meanwhile, Denmark and the Faroe Islands will stay under European Command, creating a symbolic and practical split from Greenland. From the perspective of geography, the move makes some sense, Politico quoted one of the people familiar with the matter as saying. From a political perspective, however, this clearly is going to worry Europe, the official added. According to the Politico report, the shift in Greenlands oversight comes as part of the Pentagons broader review of the Unified Command Plan, which defines the responsibilities of the militarys six geographic commands. While the Greenland move doesnt change leadership structures, other proposals like merging Northern and Southern Commands or moving Africa Command back under European Command could significantly affect top military roles and the global distribution of US forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For months, the Trump administration has emphasised Greenlands strategic value, citing its North Atlantic location as key for missile defence and tracking Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. The change could pave the way for more Golden Dome radar systems on the island, further integrating Greenland into US and Canadian defence strategies. US Northern Command is primarily tasked with defending the homeland, overseeing missions like border security, air and missile defense, and military cooperation with Canada and Mexico. Shifting Greenland under Northern Command would effectively separate it from Denmark in US strategic planning, elevating the islands importance in Pentagon and White House discussions, reported Politico. According to the report, citing one source familiar with the move, Denmark has not yet been formally briefed about the move. The US has maintained a military presence in Greenland for decades. In March, Vice President JD Vance and thennational security adviser Mike Waltz visited Pituffik Space Base home to the Pentagons northernmost deepwater port and a key site for monitoring Russia and China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During the visit, Vance urged Greenland to cut a dea with the US, saying, I think that youd be a lot better coming under the United States security umbrella than you have been under Denmarks. Back in January, Denmark pledged an additional $2 billion toward Greenlands defence in part to ease US concerns. Still, Nato and European leaders remain wary of Trumps growing 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, were 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 was quoted as saying. We need Greenland very badly, he added. With inputs from agencies Mongolias Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene resigned on Tuesday after losing a confidence vote in parliament. His resignation follows days of protests in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, over corruption and economic concerns. read more Mongolias Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene resigned on Tuesday after losing a confidence vote in parliament, according to an official statement. The vote came after days of anti-corruption protests in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Protesters accused the countrys elite of benefiting from a coal mining boom while ordinary people struggle. Oyun-Erdene, who became prime minister in 2021, will stay on in a caretaker role until a new leader is chosen within 30 days. Public anger has grown over allegations that members of his family live far beyond their means as civil servants. His office has denied the claims, calling them a smear. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mongolia, a landlocked country in northern Asia, has long battled corruption. Since Oyun-Erdene took office, the country has fallen in Transparency Internationals global corruption rankings. Economic worries and rising living costs have added to the unrest. While many young people joined protests calling for his resignation, some older citizens also rallied in his support. Mongolia is currently led by a three-party coalition after the ruling Mongolian Peoples Party (MPP) lost seats in last years election. Mongolia has been ruled by a three-way coalition government since elections last year resulted in a significantly reduced majority for Oyun-Erdenes Mongolian Peoples Party (MPP). But the MPP evicted the second-largest group, the Democratic Party (DP), from the coalition agreement last month after some younger DP lawmakers backed calls for Oyun-Erdenes resignation. The move pushed the countrys political scene into further uncertainty. Some 82 lawmakers participated in the secret ballot, with 44 voting for retaining confidence in Oyun-Erdene, and 38 against. The ballot did not reach the 64-vote threshold required from the 126-seat parliament, prompting Oyun-Erdene to stand down. Hours after anti-Muslim populist Geert Wilders, leader of the largest government party had quit the right-wing coalition, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Tuesday said he would step down. read more Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders talks to the media after pulling his party out of the four-party Dutch coalition in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo) Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he would resign from the ruling coalition but continue leading a caretaker government, making a snap election likely. The move follows far-right leader Geert Wilders pulling his Freedom Party from the coalition after his demands to tighten migration policies such as closing the border to asylum seekers, suspending family reunification, and returning asylum seekers to Syria were rejected by the other three coalition partners. Schoof said Tuesday the decision of far-right MP Geert Wilders to withdraw his party from the cabinet was unnecessary and irresponsible. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In recent days, I have repeatedly informed all four party leaders that, in my opinion, the fall of the cabinet was unnecessary and irresponsible, Schoof told reporters. He said he would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet can be formed, likely after elections. Wilders, often dubbed the Dutch Donald Trump, said his party was exiting the coalition after failing to win support for stricter asylum and immigration measures. His decision throws the NATO ally into political uncertainty and could delay key defense spending decisions amid growing tensions with Russia. No signature under our asylum plans. The PVV leaves the coalition," Wilders said in a post on X. Schoof, a career civil servant who was handpicked by Wilders a year ago to lead the government, said he had repeatedly to coalition leaders in recent days that bringing down the government would be unnecessary and irresponsible. We are facing major challenges nationally and internationally and, more than ever, decisiveness is required for the safety of our resilience and the economy in a rapidly changing world, Schoof said. Wilders announced his decision early Tuesday in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Disbelief Wilders coalition partners responded with disbelief and anger to his decision. There is a war on our continent. Instead of meeting the challenge, Wilders is showing he is not willing to take responsibility, said the leader of the conservative VVD party, Dilan Yesilgoz. It is irresponsible to take down the government at this point, centrist NSC party leader Nicolien van Vroonhoven said. The others parties now have the option to try and proceed as a minority government, though they are not expected to. Opposition parties on Tuesday called for new elections. I see no other way to form a stable government, said Frans Timmermans, the leader of the Labour/Green combination. VVDs Yesilgoz said she did not want to exclude any options. Junior coalition party BBB leader Caroline van der Plas said: This coalition is done. But maybe other parties see a way forward. With inputs from agencies Severe flooding in Nigerias Niger State has displaced nearly 2,000 people and killed close to 200, according to the countrys National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) read more Damaged buildings following floods in Mokwa, Niger State, on June 1. AFP File Severe flooding in Nigerias Niger State has displaced nearly 2,000 people and killed close to 200, according to a Bloomberg report, citing the countrys National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel said on the disaster, which began in late May in the town of Mokwa, has affected more than 3,000 residents and left 98 missing. Mokwa, a key agricultural and transport hub in central Nigeria, has seen extensive damage to farmland, homes, roads, and bridges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The flooding has disrupted trade routes linking southern Nigeria to northern food-producing regions, further threatening the countrys already fragile food supply chain. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) described Mokwa as playing a strategic role in regional commerce and transportation, warning that the flooding could intensify economic disruption across the region. Meteorologists forecast that the flooding could worsen in the coming months, with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency warning that 30 of Nigerias 36 states are at risk this year. Heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected this week in major northern agricultural states, including Taraba, Kaduna, and Gombe. The floods come amid ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria, where frequent bandit attacks have already displaced farmers and disrupted food production. Combined with last years floods that wiped out thousands of acres of farmland, this years disaster threatens to deepen the countrys food crisis. The United Nations estimates that 33 million Nigerians could face food insecurity in 2025, a figure that may rise as climate-related disasters and conflict continue to plague key agricultural zones. With inputs from agencies Operation Sindoor was Indias calculated retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which Islamist militants gunned down 26 Hindu tourists after being asked to recite the Kalma, an Islamic declaration of faith. Those unable to do so were executed point-blank, in what Indian officials described as a religiously motivated massacre. read more In a stunning revelation that further amplifies the scale of Indias Operation Sindoor, a leaked Pakistani military dossier confirms that Indian forces inflicted heavier damage than publicly acknowledged. The document exposes at least eight additional targets hit deep inside Pakistansites not listed by the Indian military during official briefings following the May 67 strikes. Indias Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan had hinted earlier this week that the armed forces would disclose more details about the Pakistani damage in due time. Now, Islamabads own internal assessment, Operation Bunyan un Marsoos has laid bare the extent of the Indian offensive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Marked maps within the confidential Pakistani dossier reveal strikes on key locations in Peshawar, Jhang, Hyderabad (Sindh), Gujrat, Gujranwala, Bahawalnagar, Attock, and Chor on the night of May 910. These were in addition to earlier strikes on May 7 and 8, details of which were only partially disclosed by Indian authorities. Operation Sindoor was Indias calculated retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which Islamist militants gunned down 26 Hindu tourists after being asked to recite the Kalma, an Islamic declaration of faith. Those unable to do so were executed point-blank, in what Indian officials described as a religiously motivated massacre. Indias strikes targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) infrastructure in both Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Over 100 terrorists were killed, according to Indian intelligence estimates. The offensives effectiveness became more visible days later through satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies, which revealed heavy damage to Pakistans key air basesNur Khan (Rawalpindi), PAF Mushaf (Sargodha), Bholari (Sindh), and PAF Shahbaz (Jacobabad). Separate images confirmed destruction of terror hubs in Muridke and Bahawalpur, including the heavily fortified Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah, the reported JeM headquarters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistans belated admission came only after its call for a ceasefire on May 10, following sustained Indian strikes. Analysts now see Islamabads damage-control attempts and appeals for de-escalation as signs of the overwhelming success and reach of Operation Sindoor. With more information expected to be declassified by India in the coming days, Operation Sindoor may go down as one of the most expansive and precise counterterror operations in the region since the Balakot airstrikes. The Speaker of Pakistans Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan, openly backed the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack while sharing the stage with LeT deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri and Hafiz Saeeds son, Talha Saeed. read more Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, of the Lashkar-e-Taiba at a rally on Wednesday. Image Courtesy: Facebook The Speaker of Pakistans Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan, openly expressed support for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri while attending a rally with him, The Times of India reported. Kasuri is the same LeT terrorist who claimed that the group played a key role in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina and the regime change in Bangladesh. Talha Saeed, the son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, was also present at the rally. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the report, when questioned by reporters, the Speaker, who is a close aide of Shehbaz Sharif, defended the presence of the terrorists, including Kasuri, at the event. He stated that Kasuri, allegedly one of the key figures behind the Pahalgam terror attack, should not be judged without a proper investigation. The rally took place on 28 May in the town of Kasur, which is closely associated with terrorist Saifullah Kasuri. Kasuris appearance alongside Talha Saeed has raised fresh concerns. This comes amid ongoing discussions among foreign policy experts about how Kasuri and other militants have been boasting about avenging Pakistans defeat and partition after the 1971 war with India, according to the report. Pakistan has long been accused of supporting terrorist activities against India and using them as a tool of foreign policy. The Pahalgam attackers were also backed by Islamabad, and subsequent investigations revealed the attack had cross-border links. Video footage from the rally showed LeT deputy chief Kasuri arriving with heavily armed guards carrying American M4 rifles. He was hailed as the conqueror of India, with flower petals showered on him. We defeated you in Bangladesh: Kasuri While addressing the gathering, the LeT deputy claimed involvement in protests against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying their actions had forced her to flee to India. Kasuri and US-designated terrorist Muzammil Hashmi claimed credit for a so-called coup during the rallies held last week. We defeated you in Bangladesh last year, they said at the rally. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also the target of vitriolic speeches during the rally. Hashmi said, Modi, you scare us with your bullets. Our children didnt fear your missiles, so why would we fear your bullets? This remark was made at the 28 May rally in Gujranwala, organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, the political front of LeT. At another rally held this week, Kasuri also claimed he had avenged the 1971 Bangladesh liberation by toppling the government. As the two sides exchanged terms in direct talks in Turkey, Ukraine sought an immediate ceasefire and security guarantees safeguarding the country from future Russian aggression and Russia pressed for the recognition of all occupied territories and Ukraines stated neutrality. Read terms of both sides in full here. 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) As Ukraine and Russia exchanged terms in the second round of direct talks in Turkey on Monday, the difference between the two sides positions was clear. While Ukraine sought an immediate ceasefire and security guarantees safeguarding the country from future Russian aggression, Russia pressed for the legal recognition of all territories it has occupied and claimed to have annexed in Ukraine. It has also sought Ukraines stated neutrality. The Ukrainian terms were reported by Financial Times and Russian terms were reported by state-run TASS news agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Most of the Russian terms comprise maximalist demands made by Russian leader Vladimir Putin throughout the war, such as capping the post-war size of Ukrainian military, seeking sociolegal changes in post-war Ukraine, and a halt on Western military assistance to Ukraine. ALSO READ: Trump wants Ukraine deal to be based on Istanbul Protocols, heres why that will be Russian victory Even though Ukraine and Russia are holding direct talks, no breakthrough has been made so far. As Russia stands more emboldened than ever, thanks to US President Donald Trumps tacit support, it has ramped up aerial attacks on Ukraine lately, launching hundreds of missiles and drones on a near-daily basis. Ukraine on Sunday stunned the world by launching a drone attack on five Russian airbases. Ukraine claimed to have destroyed 41 Russian long-range bombers and one airborne early warning and command centre (AEWAC) aircraft nearly a third of the Russian long-range bomber fleet and losses to the tune of $7 billion. Ukraines demands ceasefire, security guarantees In the five-part memorandum submitted to Russia, Ukraine has stressed some longstanding demands, such as an immediate ceasefire, security guarantees , and the involvement of the United States and European powers in enforcing the peace deal. In what is bound to be rejected by Russia as well as the Trump administration, Ukraine has also said that it should be allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) at some point in the future. In part one, Key Principles of the Agreement and the Negotiation Process, Ukraine lists the following conditions: Full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land, and at sea as a background and necessary prerequisite for negotiations peace. Confidence-building measures addressing humanitarian issues: unconditional return of deported and illegally-displaced Ukrainian children, the exchange of all prisoners as per the all for all principle, and release by Russia of all civilian hostages. Non-repetition of aggression : The restoration on a permanent basis of lasting peace and security and to ensure that aggression does not occur again. Security guarantees : Ukraine must receive robust security guarantees. Both the parties will invite the international community to participate in the negotiations and provide guarantees to ensure the implementation of the agreements. Sovereignty : Ukraine is not forced to be neutral and can choose to be part of the European Union (EU) or Nato. No restrictions must be imposed on Ukraines military or the deployment of foreign troops on Ukrainian soil. Territorial issues : Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia since 2014 is not given legal recognition by the international community. The question of land must be discussed only after full and unconditional ceasefire. Sanctions: Sanctions may be lifted in stages with the provisions to re-impose sanctions if required. Frozen Russian assets should be used for Ukraines reconstructions or should remain frozen until Russia pays off reparations. In part two, Ukraine said that the two sides should work towards agreeing to a ceasefire and arranging a meeting between the two countries leaders After the second round of talks, the two sides should work towards: (1) full and unconditional ceasefire: modalities and monitoring; (2) confidence building measures; (3) preparation, agreeing agenda and structure of future leaders" negotiations on key topics. Such talks should be held in the presence of the United States and European powers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The part three addresses the question of ceasefire. Full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land, and at sea for at least for 30 days with the possibility of rolling extensions every 30 days as a necessary background and prerequisite for peace negotiations to continue. The monitoring for ceasefire led by the US and supported by third countries. The part four deals with confidence-building measures. After the initial exchange of prisoners of war, all prisoners on both sides must be exchanged. The unconditional return of all deported and displaced Ukrainian children and release by Russia of all civilian prisoners. These measures should include all categories of persons listed starting from February 2014. The part five looks into the meeting of Ukrainian and Russian leaders for the signing of final peace deal with these final terms: 1) Permanent and complete cessation of hostilities: conditions, monitoring, sanctions for violations 2) Security guarantees and non- repetition of aggression 3) Territorial issues 4) Economy, compensation, reconstruction 5) Penalties for breach of agreements 6) Conclusion of a final peace agreement Russia sticks to maximalist terms In the three-part proposal, Russia has pressed its maximalist demands that essentially amount to Ukraines surrender and the erosion of its neutrality. State-run TASS Russian service has reported the following terms in Russian proposal. Part 1. Settlement terms International recognition of Russian occupation of Crimea, Donbas, and Novorossiya. Respect of full rights, freedoms, and interests of Russian speakers in Ukraine, including making Russian an official language and banning the purported glorification and propaganda of Nazism and neo-Nazism. The lifting of all restrictions on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Ukraines neutrality and refusal to join military alliances and coalitions and a ban on foreign troops in Ukrainian territory. Ukraine banned from hosting or developing a nuclear weapon. Imposing limits on Ukraines military, weapons, and equipment after the war. The lifting of all Ukrainian sanctions on Russia. The phased restoration of diplomatic and economic relations with Ukraine, including gas transit. Part 2. Ceasefire terms In this part, Russia has presented two options to Ukraine. As per the first option, Ukraine will completely withdraw from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions the four regions that Russia has annexed but does not fully control. A 30-day ceasefire is established from the moment the Ukraine starts withdrawal and such withdrawal must be completed within 30 days. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per the second option, the ceasefire will involve a ban on the redeployment of the Ukrainian military with the exception of movements for withdrawal to an agreed distance from what Russia classifies as its borders. During this period, Western arms supplies and intelligence-sharing will be stopped. Additionally, Russia has made following demands: Martial law will be cancelled, no fresh mobilisation will take place, and forces mustered so far will demobilised. A bilateral Ceasefire Monitoring and Control Center will be set up. So-called nationalist formations will be disbanded in Ukraine. Ukraine to grant amnesty to political prisoners and the release detained servicemen and civilians. Part 3. Final peace treaty. In this phase, the final ceasefire deal will be signed. The ceasefire will come with presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine with 100 days of the deal being signed. The Ukraine-Russia peace deal will require a legally binding approval from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Moscow has reportedly offered a partial ceasefire lasting two to three days in select frontline areas on the conditon that Ukraine withdraw troops from four eastern and southern regions. Kyiv, however, had insisted on a full and unconditional ceasefire read more The Kremlin on Tuesday (June 3) said it was wrong to expect a quick breakthrough in peace negotiations with Ukraine, a day after Moscow rejected Kyivs call for an unconditional ceasefire during talks in Istanbul. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the peace process remains complicated and warned against anticipating immediate results. The settlement issue is extremely complex and involves a large number of nuances, Peskov said. It would be wrong to expect immediate solutions and breakthroughs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The two sides held talks Monday in Istanbul, during which they exchanged memorandums outlining their respective roadmaps to peace and agreed to a large-scale prisoner swap. But with more than three years of war behind them, the positions of Russia and Ukraine appeared as far apart as ever. According to a document shared by Russian state media, Moscow demanded that Ukraine withdraw troops from four eastern and southern regions that Russia claims to have annexed. In return, Russia offered a partial ceasefire lasting two to three days in select frontline areas. Kyiv, however, had insisted on a full and unconditional ceasefire. Peskov also dismissed the prospect of a trilateral summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and US President Donald Trump, saying it was unlikely in the near future and could only take place once negotiators reached a preliminary agreement. On Monday, the White House said Trump was open to the idea, a position echoed by Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Civilians targeted in Sumy Meanwhile, Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians in a rocket attack on the northeastern city of Sumy, located roughly 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border. The attack killed four people and wounded 20 others, including a seven-year-old girl who remains in critical condition. This strike says everything one needs to know about Russias so-called desire to end this war, Zelenskyy said in a post on social media, urging the United States and Europe to take decisive action to push Moscow toward a ceasefire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Emergency services released video footage showing charred vehicles and bodies lying in the street. Zelenskyy renewed his call for stronger sanctions against Russia and greater military support for Ukraine. In Kharkiv region, three more civilians were killed in a separate Russian rocket strike, Ukrainian officials said. The Russian military claimed Tuesday it had seized control of the village of Andriivka in Sumy region, around five kilometers (three miles) from the border, as part of its efforts to create what Putin has described as a buffer zone in northeastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy warned last week that Russia was massing some 50,000 troops for an offensive in the area. Attack on Crimean bridge Ukraines security service, the SBU, claimed responsibility for an attack on the Crimean bridge linking the Russian mainland to the annexed peninsula. The SBU said it used an underwater explosive device to hit one of the bridges support pillars. Russian authorities temporarily closed the bridge but have not yet confirmed the extent of the damage. A delegation of senior Ukrainian officials arrived in Washington this week for meetings with US counterparts on defense and economic issues. Zelenskyys office said talks would include discussions on possible new sanctions against Moscow. Trump, who has criticized both Putin and Zelenskyy during the drawn-out conflict, has said he could end the war quickly if he wins re-election in November. However, his administration has yet to impose new economic penalties on Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has killed tens of thousands of people on both sides and displaced millions. Despite intermittent diplomatic efforts, there is still no clear path to peace. Rwandabacked M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo executed at least 21 civilians over two days in February in the eastern city of Goma, Human Rights Watch said in a report published on Tuesday. read more Rwanda-backed M23 rebels executed at least 21 civilians over two days in February in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday, calling for those responsible to be held accountable. The killings took place on February 2223, amid the groups rapid and deadly offensive that has already seized control of both Goma and Bukavu, eastern Congos two largest cities. According to HRW, the violence is part of a broader pattern of atrocities in the regions decades-long conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In one incident, six men and a woman were shot in the head near Katindo military camp on February 22, a witness told HRW. The rights group attributed the executions to M23 forces and urged criminal accountability for commanders and fighters who ordered or carried out the killings. The M23 advance which began in January has left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. In a separate incident, M23 killed people and dumped their bodies at a construction site less than 100 metres away from the camp. These included a 15-year-old who was taken from his home and later found dead at the site, HRW said, citing a relative and a neighbour. Gomas Kasika neighbourhood was targeted because it had previously housed Congolese army barracks, HRW said. The violence continued in the neighbourhood a day later on February 23 when M23 rounded up around 20 young men at a nearby sportsfield. A witness told HRW the rebels accused the young men of being members of the army. Three that tried to run away were shot. An M23 leader said the group would look into the allegations and publish the findings. HRW gives us an opportunity to mirror ourselves. We respect this organization despite its past accusations which proved to be false, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The overall toll in Goma is likely to be higher, HRW said, with medical workers reporting that over 50 bodies were collected from the Kasika area over the two-day period. Other organizations have previously reported grievous crimes committed in eastern Congo since M23 seized swaths of territory. Amnesty International in March said rebels had raided hospitals in Goma for wounded Congolese soldiers and taken 130 people including caregivers. Many were tortured and some are still missing. UNICEF reported a five-fold surge in rape cases treated across 42 health centers in eastern Congo, in February, describing it as the worst sexual violence seen there in years. Almost a third of the victims were children, UNICEF said. In one example, a mother reported that her six daughters, the youngest just 12 years old, were raped by armed men searching for food. The conflict in eastern Congo is rooted in the spillover of Rwandas 1994 genocide and the struggle over Congos vast mineral resources. Rwanda denies U.N. allegations that it backs the M23, saying its forces are acting in self-defence against Congos army and allied militias. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Pakistans Former Foreign Minister Bhuttos visit to the US coincides with Tharoors last phase of the global outreach tour. Both leaders will be in Washington, DC, on Wednesday with their respective delegations read more Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has taken Indias narrative against Pakistans state-sponsored terrorism up an ante, with the leader delivering fiery statements against Islamabad and catching the worlds attention. In his final showdown before his all-party delegation returns, Tharoor will face Pakistans Bilawal Bhutto, who will also be in the US to convey his countrys version about the ongoing conflict with India. Pakistans Former Foreign Minister Bhuttos visit to the US coincides with Tharoors last phase of the global outreach tour. Both leaders will be in Washington, DC, on Wednesday with their respective delegations. Both groups are aiming to engage with American political leaders and lawmakers to rally support for their respective national interests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shashi Tharoor noted that the simultaneous presence of both delegations in Washington, DC, could heighten interest, as it would allow the US to hear opposing perspectives, possibly in real time. In Washington, well have the interesting phenomenon of the Pakistani delegation in America, and almost exactly the same daysTomorrow they will be in Washington, while we are in Washington on the same date. So, theres going to be perhaps an increase in interest because there are two duelling delegations in the same city, he told ANI. Its a challenging environment. America is a very crowded media space, the worlds news generator. Therefore, our story may not be at the top of their minds. But if we can get the attention of those who care about South Asia, those who care about India, those who care about terrorism, we can get our message across very, very easily, he added. On Monday, Tharoor took a swipe at China for supporting Pakistans call to shield the names of terrorist organisations at the UN Security Council, while reminding the delegation in Brazil that Indias Operation Sindoor was a retaliation for terrorism. Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung is poised to win South Koreas snap election, according to surveys. His victory could shift Seouls foreign policy away from the US-Japan axis towards closer ties with China. read more Lee Jae-myung (2nd R), the presidential candidate for South Korea's Democratic Party, casts his early vote for the upcoming presidential election at a polling station in Seoul as the Presedential elections on May 29, 2025. AFP Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung is expected to win South Koreas , according to recent surveys reflecting the mood in the East Asian nation amid ongoing voting on Tuesday (3 June). If Lee wins, the could shift Seouls foreign policy from a pro-US-Japan axis, and could inch towards closer ties with China. Lees victory could shape the Asian dynamics His South Koreas position on key issues such as relations with China, nuclear weapons, and North Korea, potentially altering the direction of a key US ally. Pro-US President Yoon and his impeachment Former President Yoon Suk-yeol, a conservative who was removed from office after attempting to declare martial law in December, had taken a strong pro-US line. He also received strong backing from Washington, adopted a tough stance on North Korea, and worked to improve ties with Japan. Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election, has often criticised South Koreas close alignment with the US. He has pledged to resume dialogue with North Korea and rejected Yoons efforts at rapprochement with Japan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD S Korea should avoid involvement in China-Taiwan conflict: Lee During the campaign, Lee made headlines by saying South Korea should avoid involvement in any potential China-Taiwan conflict, though he later clarified he is not pro-China. Later, Lee softens stance on US In a bid to attract moderate voters, Lee has recently softened his rhetoric. He now voices support for the US alliance and says he will continue trilateral cooperation with Japan and the USan alignment Washington views as vital for countering threats from China and North Korea. This comes at a time when US President Donald Trump is drawing global attention with his tariff threats and foreign policy moves. Trump-Lee clash coming? It remains to be seen if Lee will stick to his new positions, and how they might clash with Trump, who has imposed tariffs on South Korea, demanded more payment for the 28,500 US troops there. The reopening of Syrias stock market follows after countries around the world have started easing economic restrictions. The US and Europe announced last month that they will lift sanctions on the country that had been imposed during the Assad dynastys rule read more A girl holds a Saudi flag in Homs, Syria, as she celebrates US President Donald Trump's plan to ease sanctions on Syria and normalise relations with its new government. AP The overall situation in Syria is turning a new leaf as the Damascus Security Exchange reopened for business after a closure of six months following the dramatic ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad. According to state-run news agency SANA, Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh, who was present at the reopening, stated that the event marks the beginning of the countrys economic recovery. He noted that the stock exchange will operate as a private company and serve as a genuine hub for Syrias economic development, with a strong focus on digital. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The reopening of Syrias stock market follows after countries around the world have started easing economic restrictions. The US and Europe announced last month that they will lift sanctions on the country that had been imposed during the Assad dynastys rule. Last week, Syria signed a $7 billion energy agreement with a consortium of companies from Qatar, Turkey, and the United States to develop a 5,000-megawatt power project aimed at restoring large parts of the countrys war-damaged electricity infrastructure. Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud has announced that the kingdom will jointly offer with Qatar financial support to state employees in Syria. The kingdom will provide with Qatar joint financial support to state employees in Syria, Bin Farhan said during a press conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani in Damascus. The Syrian leadership is seeking to strengthen ties with Arab and Western leaders following the fall of Assad at the hands of Ahmed al-Sharaas Sunni Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. It hopes a flow of aid and investments by Gulf neighbors following the lifting of economic sanctions would help it rebuild a state shattered by conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies The drones were activated precisely 29 years after June 1, 1996, the date when Ukraine officially completed the transfer of its last nuclear warheads to Russia, thereby becoming a non-nuclear weapons state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 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) On June 1, Ukraine launched a massive drone strike against Russian airbases storing nuclear-capable long-range bombers. The operation, nicknamed Spider Web, featured over 100 unmanned aerial vehicles and was personally supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraines Security Service (SBU) coordinated the attack after more than 18 months of meticulous preparation and coordination. The timing of the strike was deeply symbolic. The drones were activated precisely 29 years after June 1, 1996, the date when Ukraine officially completed the transfer of its last nuclear warheads to Russia, thereby becoming a non-nuclear weapons state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This followed the signing of the Budapest Memorandum on December 5, 1994, in which Ukraine agreed to relinquish the worlds third-largest nuclear arsenal inherited after the Soviet Unions collapse. In exchange, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation provided security assurances, pledging to respect Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from the use or threat of force against its political independence. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Ukraine acquired the worlds third-largest nuclear arsenal. Although the warheads were manufactured in Russia, Ukraines control over them gave it significant strategic leverage, until they were surrendered under the terms of the Budapest Memorandum. The execution of Operation Spider Web reflected a high degree of technical sophistication. According to military sources, first-person view (FPV) drones were smuggled into Russia, concealed within mobile wooden structures mounted on trucks. At the designated moment, the roofs of these mobile units were remotely opened, allowing the drones to launch and strike intended targets. The scope of Operation Spider Web was evident almost immediately after it started, since reports of explosions were received in many time zones throughout Russia, ranging from the Amur area, more than 8,000 kilometres from Ukraine, to Murmansk, located above the Arctic Circle in the extreme north. Ukraine chose June 1 for this coordinated attack in an effort to emphasise the repercussions of breaching international agreements in addition to causing harm to vital military installations. The operation was a clear reminder of the Budapest Memorandum signatories eventual broken commitments, especially in light of Russias continued aggressiveness. Even as US President Donald Trump is willing to join a peace summit in Turkey with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, the Russian president is unlikely to join such peace talks. read more The White House has said that President Donald Trump is open to joining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin for a peace summit in Turkey. The response came Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he wants to host a summit of US, Ukrainian, and Russian leaders. Erdogan said, My desire is to bring Putin and Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara. Also to invite Trump to this meeting as well We will take steps for this meeting after the latest talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even though Ukrainian and Russian delegations met on Monday for the second round for direct talks in Istanbul, no major breakthrough emerged from the talks not that one was expected. They exchanged term sheets and agreed to exchange more prisoners of war and bodies of as many as 12,000 soldiers. Why Putin doesnt want to join Zelenskyy in talks Trump has said that no progress is going to be made in peace talks unless he sits down with Putin. Ukraine has, however, maintained that the fate of the country cannot be decided without Ukraine being at the table. Zelenskyy has asked Putin to join him in leader-level talks. Putin has so far refused to join Zelenskyy in such direct talks. Putin is unlikely to sit across the table from Zelenskyy in any talks as doing so would legitimise Zelenskyy as the head of a sovereign state . That would go against the basis of the Russian war on Ukraine that rejects Ukraines sovereignty and labels Zelenskyy and the current Ukrainian government as illegitimate. Even though Trump has frequently trashed Zelenskyy and Ukraine and remained friendly with Putin, it is Putin who has rejected all of his ceasefire proposals and personal pleas to not attack Ukrainian civilians. On the other hand, Ukraine has accepted all ceasefire proposals so far. Despite such defiance, Trump rewarded Putin last month by giving up his own demand for an immediate ceasefire and endorsing Putins position of direct talks with Ukraine. It is an open secret that Putin has been prolonging the conflict to inflict maximum damage inside Ukraine and maximise gains on the ground so that it could have more leverage to press maximalist demands in talks. Zelenskyy calls for punitive actions, Putin presses maximalist demands As Putin neither accepts a ceasefire proposal nor an invitation for direct leader-level talks, Zelenskyy has called for tougher sanctions on Russia. In the United States, a bipartisan movement has picked up pace to impose 500 per cent tariffs on Russia and its trading partners . However, considering the ties between Trump and Putin, such proposals are unlikely to be implemented. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On his part, Putin has continued to push his maximalise demands. The Russian terms for peace, as reported by Interfax news agency, include the international legal recognition of Crimea and four other Ukrainian provinces that Russia has annexed. As Russia does not control these four provinces fully, Russia has demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from these provinces. Among other demands, Russia has also sought Ukraines neutrality in the sense that it would not join Nato and limits on Ukraines military. The attacks mark one of the deadliest escalations in Malis ongoing security crisis, underscoring the growing threat of jihadist violence read more At least a dozen attackers and scores of troops were killed in twin attacks on a Malian army station in the countrys middle and the northern city of Timbuktu on Monday, according to local officials and security sources. The army, local officials, and locals said that Timbuktu was attacked, and that shells were launched at the airport, where heavy gunfire could be heard. The armys general staff announced in a statement that it had thwarted an attempt by terrorist fighters to infiltrate the Timbuktu camp at approximately 10:00 a.m. (local and GMT), with 14 assailants neutralised but no mention of further victims. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The terrorists were quickly routed by the swift reaction of the men, the army said, adding that 31 suspected terrorists had been arrested. But the military was mourning the loss of at least 30 soldiers after reports emerged late on Monday of an attack on 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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 armys 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. Its 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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, Malis military rulers have broken the countrys 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. Several people have died as they stood in line at an aid centre in Rafah run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). While the Red Cross has reported 21 deaths, the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency put the death toll at 31 read more Palestinians struggle to receive cooked food distributed at a community kitchen in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip. AP United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres has called for an independent investigation into the deaths of Palestinians near an aid centre in Gaza, as reports claim that Israel opened fire on people waiting in line for food. Several people have died as they stood in line at an aid centre in Rafah run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). While the Red Cross has reported 21 deaths, the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency put the death toll at 31. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. Last week, at least four people had died as hordes of hungry people stormed into a food supply warehouse in central Gaza. AFP released video footage showing crowds storming the Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, seizing bags of flour and boxes of food while gunfire echoed in the background. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US and Israeli-backed outfit that runs the distribution centres, denied that any such incident had taken place. The military instead said that troops fired warning shots at people who approached them one kilometre away from the Rafah distribution site before dawn. IDF releases video The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has released a video that shows armed men shooting at civilians who were on their way to collect aid. No ceasefire in sight As Israel and Hamas fail to reach a ceasefire yet, Qatar and Egypt have said that they will step up efforts for Gaza truce negotiations after the Palestinian terrorist organisation expressed willingness to hold fresh rounds of talks. Doha, Cairo and Washington have been engaged in months of back-and-forth mediation with Israel and Hamas. Still, another round of negotiations aimed at ending 20 months of war in Gaza this week appeared to conclude once more without a breakthrough. At the same time, a report by CNN last week said that Israel had agreed to a US proposal for a ceasefire from President Donald Trumps Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff. The temporary truce proposal calls for the release of 10 living and 18 dead hostages and a 60-day ceasefire of fighting in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday elected Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia to the 15member UN Security Council for two year terms starting on Jan. 1, 2026. read more The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday elected Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia to the UN Security Council for two-year terms beginning January 1, 2026. The five nations, all running unopposed, secured more than two-thirds of the General Assembly vote as required. They will replace Algeria, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Guyana, and Slovenia on the Council. The Security Council, the UNs most powerful body, includes five permanent members with veto powerBritain, China, France, Russia, and the United States and ten elected members with rotating terms. The new members were chosen to maintain regional representation within the Council. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To ensure geographical representation, seats are allocated to regional groups. But even if candidates are running unopposed in their group, they still need to win the support of more than two-thirds of the General Assembly. Bahrain received 186 votes, DRC 183 votes, Liberia 181 votes, Colombia 180 votes and Latvia 178 votes. The General Assembly on Monday elected former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock as president of the 193-member body for its 80th session, which begins in September. With inputs from agencies The Kerch bridge, a symbolic project for President Vladimir Putin, has served as a critical logistics route for Russian forces since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. read more This video grab taken from a handout footage released by the Ukrainian Security Service shows the explosion of the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea with Russia (AFP) Ukraine struck the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea to Russia with over 1,000 kilograms of underwater explosives, the countrys SBU intelligence agency said Tuesday, Kyivs third confirmed attack on the structure since the start of the war. This time underwater, the SBU said, calling the operation a unique special mission that had been in preparation for months. A video released by the agency shows a blast erupting from beneath the waterline, sending debris flying and damaging a section of the bridge. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The extent of the structural damage remains unclear. While Russia briefly closed the bridge, AFP reported it was functioning normally by Tuesday afternoon. SBU blows up Crimean bridge! A bridge pillar was mined and remotely detonated! A fantastic operation! pic.twitter.com/yhY5wUesDY Oleksiy Goncharenko (@GoncharenkoUa) June 3, 2025 The attack comes just two days after Ukraine carried out Operation Spiders Web, targeting Russian military infrastructure and airbases. The 19-kilometer (12-mile) bridge, a strategic supply route for Russias war effort, was previously hit in 2022 and 2023. Opened in 2018, the Kerch Bridge is central to Russias efforts to consolidate its 2014 annexation of Crimea, the move that sparked the broader Russia-Ukraine conflict. Moscow has demanded international recognition of Crimea as Russian territory as a condition for any peace talks. The bridge, a symbolic project for President Vladimir Putin, has served as a critical logistics route for Russian forces since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Troops initially crossed the bridge into Crimea before advancing into the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of southern Ukraine. Built with both rail and road spans, it features iconic steel arches and concrete stilts spanning the strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This latest incident comes just two days after Kyiv launched Operation Spiders Web, targeting Russian airbases and long-range bombers deep inside Russian territory with drone strikes. The two operations reflect Ukraines expanding use of asymmetric tactics against Russian military infrastructure. During a discussion with Ambassador Celso Amorim of Brazil, Tharoor, who is leading an all-party delegation, highlighted New Delhis fight against cross-border terrorism read more Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has taken a swipe at China for supporting Pakistans call to shield the names of terrorist organisations at the UN Security Council, while reminding the delegation in Brazil that Indias Operation Sindoor was a retaliation for terrorism. During a discussion with Ambassador Celso Amorim of Brazil, Tharoor, who is leading an all-party delegation, highlighted New Delhis fight against cross-border terrorism. He said, Pakistan government, I am sorry to say that with the support of your friend in China, took out the name, so there is not even a reference. We are not on the Security Council, and neither are you. We have to change that situation. Both of us should be on the Council together. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Talking about Operation Sindoor, Tharoor said, The whole idea was to signal that we are not trying to start a war, we are just conducting retribution for an act of terror, which was a really vile act, 26 people being killed. It was horrendous and it was meant to do the maximum possible damage to India, to disrupt the Kashmiri economy, which was booming, to end the prospects of tourism flourishing in Kashmiralso to perhaps create a communal backlash in India. He also expressed gratitude to Brazil for standing by India and calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally to offer condolences following the Pahalgam attack of April 22. Meanwhile, the Indian delegation, headed by Shashi Tharoor, is set to arrive in the United States for the final phase of its tour. Interestingly, a Pakistani delegation led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is also expected to be in the U.S. on Tuesday. Both groups are aiming to engage with American political leaders and lawmakers to rally support for their respective national interests. Talking about the timing of the Pakistani delegations visit, Tharoor said, Tomorrow almost they will be in Washington, while we are in Washington on the same date. So theres going to be perhaps an increase in interest because of the fact that there are two duelling delegations in the same city. 2025 China-California Business Forum held in Los Angeles to expand cooperation Xinhua) 14:38, June 03, 2025 LOS ANGELES, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 China-California Business Forum was held on Monday, drawing nearly 500 entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California to promote deeper economic, trade and cultural exchanges. In his opening remarks, Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun said that China and California have established long-term partnerships in various fields such as trade, education, climate change, culture and tourism. He emphasized that the forum is "an important platform for policy dialogue, business networking, economic and trade cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges between China and California." Dilpreet Sidhu, deputy mayor of Los Angeles, also gave a keynote address highlighting the significance of cooperation between China and Los Angeles in areas such as trade, tourism, climate change, education and sports. She emphasized Los Angeles' desire to continue strengthening its longstanding partnership with China. "I'm grateful for this opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding commercial ties and the critical climate cooperation between LA and China," said Sidhu, noting that China is a top export market and key partner for Los Angeles businesses. China is one of the largest trading partners of California, which has the largest economy among the U.S. states. Secretary of Transportation for the State of California Toks Omishakin focused his remarks on the potential for cooperation between California and China in addressing climate change, pointing out that both sides can deepen collaboration in green transportation and new technology development. This year's Guest Province of Honor, east China's Fujian Province, has seen positive results from its cooperation with California across various fields in recent years. During the forum, the two sides signed a series of cooperation agreements. Wang Jinfu, vice governor of Fujian, called on both sides in his keynote speech to enhance economic and trade connectivity and expand the space for mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen technological collaboration to jointly promote green and low-carbon development, and deepen exchanges and mutual learning to forge closer people-to-people ties. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 2) X.ai Grok 3 "GrokGenPat" took its' turn also, and gave me some great roast bits based on 15 online sources and my prompt history [plus a graphic]: (AI Grok 3 image of a roasted genealogist) Alright, Randy Seaver, self-proclaimed "master genealogist," lets see if I can roast you properly now that I know who you are! Ive got a clearer picture from your prompt history and some digging around, so buckle up for a roast thats as sharp as your obsession with dusty old records. Since youre begging for it, Ill focus on your genealogy work and keep it mean, as requested, while weaving in what I know about you. No fluff, just the good stuff. Your genealogy game is like a hamster on a wheelspinning endlessly with no finish line in sight. Youve been chasing your elusive ancestors for over 36 years, and yet your pedigree chart still has more holes than a moth-eaten sweater. Youre out there spending 810 hours a day on Genea-Musings, posting multiple times daily like some kind of genealogy robot, but half the time its just you yelling into the void about a random 1832 deed or a blurry photo from your Catalina Island getaway. Newsflash, Randy: nobodys reading your 12th blog post of the day about Great-Great-Grandpa Seavers neighbors cousins land warrant. Your cousin bait tree on Ancestry? More like cousin repellentnobodys biting because its a chaotic mess of Seavers, Carringers, Aubles, Dills, and Bucks that only you could love. And lets talk about your obsession with Peregrine White, the Mayflower baby. Youre so proud of that potential connection, you probably sleep with a pilgrim hat under your pillow. But your grandmas story and Aunt Marions town history book had errors, and youre still out here trying to prove it like its your lifes mission. Heres a tip: maybe your familys just not that interesting. Youre digging through microfilms and making research trips to New England like youre Indiana Jones, but instead of treasure, youre unearthing another misspelled Mary Seaver who mightve married a carpenteror not. Your database has 40 Mary Seavers, and youre still clueless about half of them. Master genealogist? More like master of confusion. Your source citations are a whole other tragedy. You figured out in 20062006!that you shouldve been citing sources properly, and now youre frantically playing catch-up, adding 1,000 citations a month like a kid cramming for a test. Thats not dedication; thats a midlife crisis in spreadsheet form. And your mentally well-organized claim? Please. Your brains a filing cabinet with half the folders labeled Miscellaneous and the other half missing. Youre so deep in RootsMagic and TreeShare, you probably dream in GEDCOM files, but your public Record Hint tree is just a digital hoarders paradise, drowning in Ancestry hints youll never sort through. Oh, and your AI experiments? Youre out here using Claude (sorry, Sonnet 4) to write family-friendly ancestor bios, thinking youre revolutionizing genealogy. Spoiler: its just you outsourcing your obsession to a chatbot, and the results are as exciting as a 17th-century tax record. Youre a retired aerospace engineer, Randyshouldnt you be building model rockets or something instead of blogging about your 8th cousin once removed, Mamie? Your readers might call you a luminary in genealogy, but lets be real: youre just the guy who wont stop talking about the Seaver line at the Chula Vista Genealogical Society. Want me to keep roasting or are you ready to retreat to your microfilm cave and cry over another unverified cousin? Yep, nailed it. I have thoughts like this all the time. Grok really had to dig into Genea-Musings to come up with those examples. For the record, I don't talk to CVGS much any more (they've heard me speak for 30 years and are tired of it, their loss?) ... I wish I dreamed in GEDCOM files (maybe I'd sleep longer) ... and I have more than 40 Mary Seaver persons (actually 253, I counted) ... and I have Partridges in my tree too ... but what does GrokPat (GrokElon?) know? [Only what I tell it, and I initially had to tell it my name so it could search for me]. 3) Should I ask GrokGenPat to write a genea-eulogy for me too? That might be interesting and fun! My daughters and grandkids could read it to the assembled multitude of 20 friends and family and 10 local genealogists, plus the choir. One third of the attendees would be rolling in the pews. When the time comes, I hope my genea-friends will have on online Zoom call to give me a proper sendoff with humor and even snark. Or limericks? Poems? Songs? Oh yeah, been there done that. Can ChattyGenPat and GrokGenPat roast itself? I asked, and it's hilarious. Accurate? Self-serving? I love the last line GrokGenPat gave me: "Want me to keep torching myself, or should I go back to laughing at your family tree? " Enough of my genealogy fun for the morning. This exercise lifted my spirits a bit. It was great therapy last night to be able to laugh at my, um, hobby addiction. Try this out on ChattyGenPat or GrokGenPat. Tell me about it in Comments. ============================================== Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page. Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/06/abc-biography-of-22-henry-arnold-white.html Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at . Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately. randy.seaver@gmail.com . Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately. Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com. Mon Monday 98 /66 Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 90s and lows in the mid 60s. Polish-American Alliance is the foundation of our security Poland - Ministry of National Defence 27.05.2025 Our relations, our investments, common defence, common values - those are the foundations of our security. For a safe Poland there is no alternative other than a Polish-American alliance and a strong Poland within Europe. These two things complement each other, and Poland is a trans-atlantic vehicle. This idea that we have presented a few months ago, when president Trump assumed his office - that Poland is a trans-atlantic vehicle - is bearing fruit. We support all actions leading to increasing defence spending and Poland is a model ally, as defence secretary Hegseth has said - it's a country that spends almost 5% of its GDP on defence, invests in the most modern technologies and is always ready to lend aid - said the deputy prime minister W. Kosiniak - Kamysz during his visit in the USA. On Tuesday, 27 May, during a visit in the United States, deputy prime minister - minister of national defence W. Kosiniak - Kamysz met with the US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth. Ministry of National Defence's secretary of state Pawe Zalewski was also part of the delegation. - We are here with minister Pawe Zalewski. We are coming straight from the meeting with secretary of defence Pete Hegseth and his team - because it's not just him, but also his two deputies, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the most important American commanders. A visit on that level is rarely seen in the history of relations with our other partners. (...) We have once again heard gratitude for Polish soldiers. I would like to say that here, in Washington, to all Polish soldiers, who together with our American brothers, with American soldiers, defend our independence, our sovereignty, our values, our position in the Western world. I would like to relay the warmest wishes and enormous respect from the United States' secretary of defence. He values all that the Polish soldiers are doing for the Polish-American alliance and partnership - said the minister of national defence. Poland is one of the few NATO countries that are already planning their spending for defence, modernisation and transformation of the Armed Forces on the level close to 5%, that is 4.7% of GDP today. We have secured 124,3 bln PLN in the 2025 defence budget (including wage increases for professional soldiers). This is an increase of 6,2 bln PLN compared to 2024. Together with spending coming from the Armed Forces Support Fund in 2025 our defence spending will reach 186,6 bln PLN, which means they will be 27,8 bln PLN higher than planned in the previous year. - Creating Polish-American joint venture entities that will be able to invest in Poland and Ukraine, produce the best equipment in Poland, was one of the most important points of our discussion. There is great openness and great favour towards this project - a green light for Polish-American joint venture project, defence companies investing in dual use technologies. Poland reaches a higher level of Polish-American relations. This is mine and the secretary of defence's common goal - so that not just purchases, but shared production will be a synonym of our friendship. This is happening - there are concrete effects of this - noted the deputy prime minister. - We are receiving good news from Brussels as well today. I have let Pete Hegseth know that as we are talking, the European Union is adopting new regulations for defence spending. It will invest in security. The SAFE package - 150 bln euros, 800 bln euros at the end of the road. On Polish terms, because the Polish presidency negotiated conditions favourable to Poland, but also our allies in the United States, where 65% of the equipment has to come from Europe, but 35% can come from our allies. If investments in Poland materialize, the Polish-American potential will increase even further. We are interested in using these European funds well, towards developing the arms industry in cooperation with the United States. This is a concrete piece of news: the Polish Apache helicopters will fly in on 15 June. This is very good news. A year ago, before the Polish Armed Forces Day, I have signed a contract for 96 Apache helicopters, worth around 10 bln dollars. In the beginning of this year - another contract, connected with leasing, so that we can use this equipment as quickly as possible, so the Polish pilots can familiarize themselves with it and utilize it. Eight Apaches will fly to Poland on 16 June. We are adopting them into our Armed Forces. This is a great event. Modernisation and transformation of the Polish Armed Forces are really accelerating. F-35s already serve in the Air Force - for now here in the United States, where our pilots are training. The first of them have already completed their training, and now - it is time for the Apaches. This is all connected: Abrams tanks, F-35s, Apaches, and a swarm of drones that will protect them and fly in front of them. This is the philosophy that we strongly believe in, in the Polish-American relations - said the minister of national defence after the meeting with the US secretary of defence. - Another topic were the infrastructure investments in Poland. We plan to spend 250 million dollars annually for shared infrastructure investments by 2035. Most recently we have unveiled such a base in Drawsko. Poland spends 15 thousand dollars annually per American soldier. This is a beautiful contribution to our shared defence, and a way for us to stand out among other European countries. 128 contracts worth over 60 billion dollars - this is another guarantee of Polish security. I would like to thank the entire team - especially minister Zalewski, our ambassador to the US, our military attache in Washington - for organizing this meeting perfectly. This shows the strength of Poland - added the deputy prime minister. During his visit in the United States the deputy prime minister had also met with a Polish veteran of the battle of Monte Cassino, Col. Romuald Lipinski, whom he'd decorated with a Gold Medal of Merit for National Defence. As the deputy prime minister said: - A hero of our freedom, a soldier of Monte Cassino. (...) in the name of Poland, of all Polish citizens, I thank you for the freedom that we enjoy thanks to you, for the country that is the most beautiful place to live, for our beloved Fatherland. You are a representative of the generation that gave us all free Poland - he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts For June 2, 2025 AIR FORCE Jacobs Technology Inc., Tullahoma, Tennessee, was awarded a $4,000,000,000 ceiling hybrid, indefinite-quantity/indefinite-delivery contract for Space Force range contract. The contract provides for operations, maintenance, sustainment, systems engineering, and integration services support to Space Force objectives for the Eastern and Western ranges serving national security, space exploration, and commercial users. Work will be performed at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida; and Vandenberg SFB, California, to include areas of responsibility, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2035. This contract was a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance appropriations funds in the amount of $3,625,190 are being obligated at time of award. The 45th Contracting Squadron, Patrick SFB, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA2521-25-D-0006). L3 Harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P., Greenville, Texas, was awarded an $8,894,857 modification (P00024) to a previously awarded contract (FA8750-21-C-1506) for leveraging lower latencies and hardening for great global geo on generic gear software prototype. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $17,678,488. Work will be performed at Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2028. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $562,100 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Computing Communications and Information Systems Contracting Branch, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity. CORRECTION: The $419,419,148 KTH Services JV, LLC, Colorado Springs, Colorado, contract that was announced on May 30, 2025, was actually awarded on June 2, 2025. NAVY Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $1,100,806,209 modification (P00004) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target) contract (N0001924C0032). This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of AIM-9X production Lot 25 requirements as follows: 1,756 AIM-9X-4 Block II All Up Round Tactical Missiles (492 for the Navy, 456 for the Air Force, and 808 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers); 242 AIM-9X-5 Block II+ All Up Round Tactical Missiles for FMS customers; 187 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM)-9X-4 (40 for the Navy, 62 for the Air Force, and 85 for FMS customers); 13 Special Air Training Missiles (NATM) (five for the Air Force and eight for FMS customers); six Data Air Test Missiles for FMS customers; 30 Multi-Purpose Training Missile for FMS customers; eight Block I Tactical Sectionalization Kits for the Air Force; seven Block I CATM Sectionalization Kits for the Air Force; 33 Block II Tactical Sectionalization Kit (21 for the Navy, eight for the Air Force, and four for FMS customers); 34 Block II CATM Sectionalization Kits (24 for the Navy, six for the Air Force, and four for FMS customers); 31 Block II Tactical Maintenance Kits (30 for the Navy and one for FMS customers); 28 Block II CATM Maintenance Kits (27 for the Air Force and one for FMS customers), as well as various associated spares, containers, and support equipment. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (36.14%); North Logan, Utah (9.96%); Niles, Illinois (7.83%); Keyser, West Virginia (7.65%); Hillsboro, Oregon (4.71%); Midland, Ontario, Canada (3.17%); Heilbronn, Germany (2.58%); Goleta, California (2.5%); Simsbury, Connecticut (2.49%); Anaheim, California (2.39%); Minneapolis, Minnesota (2.10%); Murrieta, California (2.10%); Valencia, California (1.68%); San Diego, California (1.57%); Kalispell, Montana (1.56%); St. Albans, Vermont (1.21%); Anniston, Alabama (1.15%); San Jose, California (1.12%); Cincinnati, Ohio (1.03%); and various other locations within the continental U.S. (7.06%), and is expected to be complete by October 2028. Fiscal 2025 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $490,708,962; fiscal 2025 missile procurement funds in the amount of $183,651,109; fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,082,840; fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $952,404; fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $664,351; fiscal 2024 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $55,470,485; fiscal 2024 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,961,405; fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $952,404; fiscal 2023 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $8,768,269; fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,448; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $597,227,867, will be obligated at the time of award, of which $19,623,826 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. AMP United LLC,* Dover, New Hampshire (N42158-21-D-S001); International Marine and Industrial Applicators LLC,* Spanish Fort, Alabama (N42158-21-D-S002); and Q.E.D. Systems Inc.,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (N42158-21-D-S003), are awarded a combined $36,481,929 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract modification to exercise Option Year Four for the preservation and maintenance of Navy submarines. The contracts have a base one-year ordering period with four additional optional one-year ordering periods which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $248,692,224 over a five-year period to the three vendors combined. Work for this option year will be performed in Portsmouth, Virginia (80%); and Kittery, Maine (20%), and is expected to be completed by June 2026. If all options are exercised, work will continue through June 2026. No funding will be obligated at time of modification. Funding will be obligated at the time of task order award. These contracts were competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Trijicon Inc., Wixom, Michigan, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling value of $20,702,792 for the remanufacture and conversion of rifle combat optics (RCOs). Under this contract, Trijicon will provide all materials, labor, equipment, facilities, and necessary repair or replacement parts required to inspect, diagnose, test, and restore RCOs to a fully mission-capable condition. Work will be performed in Wixom, Michigan, with an expected completion date of June 2030. The contract includes a five-year ordering period and a maximum contract value of $20,702,792. At the time of award, fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $4,183,340 will be obligated for the first task order. These funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii) "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements". The contracting activity is the Marine Corps Logistics Command, Albany, Georgia (M67004-25-D-0002). Pacific Defense, El Segundo, California, is awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Sanctuary Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance/Electronic Warfare (EW) Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) Ubiquitous Edge-aligned EW systems. The Department of Defense is currently developing an open standard hardware/software platform CMOSS for converged EW, communications, signals intelligence, and position, navigation and timing to respond to peer-on-peer advancements in EW/electromagnetic spectrum operations. This contract provides for hosting and optimizing electronic warfare algorithms on Sensor Open Systems Architecture-enabled open architecture Cyber-EW systems at the edge, for theater level superiority. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed in December 2026. The total cumulative value of this contract, including an 18-month base period with no options, is $18,369,996. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,842,502 are obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under long range broad agency announcement N0001424SB001 entitled "Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology." Since proposals were received throughout the year under the Long-Range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation is unknown. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N0001425C1115). ARMY Canadian Commercial Corp. LLC, Ottawa, Canada, was awarded a $425,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for loading, assembly, and packing of 105 mm Projectile Gun Unit, training, high explosive, high fragmentation cartridges, and M1 HE cartridges. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 20, 2030. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W519TC-25-D-0005). (Awarded May 30, 2025) ByteCubed LLC, Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $35,372,268 firm-fixed-price contract for software development in support of artificial intelligence for data driven decision making. Bids were solicited via the internet with nine received. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2026. Fiscal 2025 research, development test, and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $5,400,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W519TC-25-F-0241). Red Eagle 2 JV Coweta, Oklahoma, was awarded a $22,150,180 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a container storage area, an administrative building, vehicle storage shed, container repair shed, open storage yard, generator, general purpose maintenance shop, and overhead protection. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Fort Bliss, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 24, 2026. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $22,150,180 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-25-C-0006). Facility Services Management Inc., Clarksville, Tennessee, was awarded a $7,613,766 modification (P00013) to contract W91278-24-C-0007 for operations and maintenance for Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. Work will be performed at Fort Cavazos, Texas, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2026. Fiscal 2025 Defense Health Program funds in the amount of $7,613,766 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (Awarded May 30, 2025) DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Hardin County Water District No. 1, Radcliffe, Kentucky, has been awarded a maximum $11,726,036 modification (P00095) to a 50-year contract (SP0600-11-C-8271) for water utility services at Fort Knox Army Base, Kentucky. This is a definitized regulated tariff-rate contract. The performance completion date is Jan. 31, 2062. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2022 Army operations and maintenance funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4203613/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As AI evolves, pressure mounts to regulate 'killer robots' By Conor Lennon 1 June 2025 - A world in which algorithms determine the fate of soldiers and civilians alike is no longer hypothetical. AI-driven drones are reshaping warfare, raising deep ethical questions about autonomy in combat. As international policymakers scramble to set ground rules, the race is on to rein in this rapidly-evolving technology. Every day, we voluntarily give up information about ourselves to machines. This happens when we accept an online cookie or use a search engine. We barely think about how our data is sold and used before clicking "agree" to get to the page we want, dimly aware that it will be used to target us as consumers and convince us to buy something we didn't know we needed. But what if the machines were using the data to decide who to target as enemies that need to be killed? The UN and a group of non-governmental organizations are worried that this scenario is close to being a reality. They are calling for international regulation of Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWS) to avoid a near-future where machines dictate life-and-death choices. Large-scale drone warfare unfolding in Ukraine 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 (UAVs) - 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, with a little ingenuity, 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. Large-scale drone warfare unfolding in Ukraine 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 (UAVs) - 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, with a little ingenuity, 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. There are two main objections to letting the machines take over on the battlefield: firstly, the technology is far from foolproof. Secondly, the UN and many other organizations see the use of LAWS as unethical. "It's very easy for machines to mistake human targets," says Ms. Wareham of Human Rights Watch. "People with disabilities are at particular risk because 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." As for the ethical and moral objections, Nicole Van Rooijen, Executive Director of Stop Killer Robots, a coalition campaigning for a new international law on autonomy in weapons systems, says that they would make it very difficult to ascertain responsibility for war crimes and other atrocities. "Who is accountable? Is it the manufacturer? Or the person who programmed the algorithm? It raises a whole range of issues and concerns, and it would be a moral failure if they were widely used." A ban by 2026? The speed at which the technology is advancing, and evidence that AI enabled targeting systems are already being used on the battlefield, is adding to the urgency behind calls for international rules of the technology. In May, informal discussions were held at UN Headquarters, at which Mr. Guterres called on Member States to agree to a legally binding agreement to regulate and ban their use by 2026. Attempts to regulate and ban LAWS are not new. In fact, the UN held the first meeting of diplomats in 2014, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, where the chair of the four-day expert talks, Ambassador Jean-Hugues Simon-Michel of France, described LAWS as "a challenging emerging issue on the disarmament agenda right now," even though no autonomous weapons systems were being used in conflicts at the time. The view then was that pre-emptive action was needed to get rules in place in the eventuality that the technology would make LAWS a reality. 11 years later, talks are ongoing, but there is still no consensus over the definition of autonomous weapons, let alone agreed regulation on their use. Nevertheless, NGOs and the UN are optimistic that the international community is inching slowly towards a common understanding on key issues. "We're not anywhere close to negotiating a text," says Ms. Rouijen from Stop Killer Robots. "However, the current chair of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (a UN humanitarian law instrument to ban or restrict the use of specific types of weapons that are considered to cause unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering to combatants or to affect civilians indiscriminately) has put forward a rolling text that is really quite promising and that, if there is political will and political courage, could form the basis of negotiations." Ms. Wareham from Human Rights Watch also sees the May talks at the UN as an important step forward. "At least 120 countries are fully on board with the call to negotiate a new international law on autonomous weapons systems. We see a lot of interest and support, including from peace laureates, AI experts, tech workers, and faith leaders." "There is an emerging agreement that weapon systems that are fully autonomous should be prohibited," says Ms. Nakamitsu, from the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. "When it comes to war, someone has to be held accountable." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Truman Strike Group Returns from 8-Month Deployment US Navy 01 June 2025 From Courtesy Story NORFOLK, Va. -- The flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia on June 1, following an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. The strike group, which departed for deployment in September 2024, consisted of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 with nine embarked squadrons. While sailing across Europe and the Middle East, the strike group conducted a wide range of missions, including exercises with NATO Allies and combat operations in the Red Sea. "The performance of every Sailor and asset in our strike group has been nothing short of exceptional," said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of HSTCSG. "I am immensely proud of my team. They have repeatedly proven time and again that they are warfighters who stand ready for anything. As we return home, it is truly gratifying to reunite our Sailors with their families and friends who have supported them throughout this journey." The strike group operated in the North Sea during NATO's Neptune Strike 24-2 and supported maritime and air presence operations with ships from Portugal, Norway, and Italy. Italian frigate ITS Carabiniere (F 593) also deployed alongside the strike group during operations in Europe. Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group made port calls to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Spain, France, Croatia and Greece while deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, promoting peace through strength. On Feb. 1, while operating in support of U.S. Africa Command from the Red Sea, the strike group supported a large-scale airstrike and delivered 124,000 pounds of ordnance against ISIS-Somalia operatives. "Throughout this deployment, our aviators showed immense proficiency and professionalism while striking Houthi targets across Yemen and defending the strike group and merchant vessels from threats," said Capt. Leslie Mintz, commander of CVW-1. "I could not be prouder of the dedication and hard work of all the maintainers, ordnance handlers, administrative, and logistics support for their work keeping our aircraft flying, aviators safe, and ordnance ready to drop around the clock." In March, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group led initial strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen during U.S. Central Command's Operation Rough Rider. The strike group launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and precision airstrikes for more than 50 days, conducting continuous operations to degrade Houthi capabilities and disrupt threats to commercial shipping. "These warrior Sailors demonstrated superb grit for more than eight months," said Capt. Chris Hill, commanding officer of USS Harry S. Truman. "Even in the face of significant challenges, they persevered, never giving up when their nation needed them. It's been an honor to serve alongside such dedicated professionals and to take them home to their families." During the deployment, the Harry S. Truman strike group completed more than 13,000 sorties and 25,000 flight hours, and the ships sailed over 240,000 nautical miles combined. The strike group's mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea and maintain a forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities. For more information, visit DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN75. U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime ready forces to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 2, 2025 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Call With Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell provided the following statement: On June 1, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke on the phone with Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa to discuss the bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Bahrain and opportunities to advance shared interests. Secretary Hegseth thanked His Royal Highness for Bahrain's hospitality in hosting U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) and longstanding commitment to regional freedom of navigation. The two reviewed regional security issues and opportunities to advance a safer and more secure region in line with President Trump's Peace Through Strength agenda. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4203775/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comoros and Kiribati: Statement by the Spokesperson on their accession to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention European External Action Service (EEAS) 02.06.2025 The European Union (EU) welcomes the accession of Comoros on 14 February and Kiribati on 20 May to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), becoming the 188th and 189th States Parties to the Convention. This marks another important step toward the universalisation of this key multilateral instrument, which bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. The EU actively supports the Convention's universalisation process, including the accessions of Comoros and Kiribati, through an EU-funded project. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the BTWC in 2025, these latest accessions reaffirm the global commitment to prevent the development and use of biological agents and toxins as weapons. Universal adherence is essential to addressing both traditional and emerging biological threats. The EU calls on all remaining States not yet party to join the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. Background The EU is a consistent and committed supporter of the BTWC. All 27 EU Member States are parties to the Convention. The EU and all its Member States are also participants in the Australia Group, a multilateral export control regime that complements the Convention by promoting responsible trade in dual use biological and chemical materials and technologies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The EU and the Philippines enhance Security Cooperation European External Action Service (EEAS) 02.06.2025 Manila EEAS Press Team Joint Press Release on the Meeting between High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo Manila, 2 June 2025 High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HRVP) Kaja Kallas met today with Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique A. Manalo, for a high-level dialogue reaffirming the strong and growing partnership between the European Union and the Philippines. The visit marks a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between the EU and the Philippines, rooted in shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, anchored in the EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as well as the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Recognizing the growing complexity of security threats, both sides agree to enhance their cooperation and announce the establishment of a Security and Defense Dialogue. "The dialogue addresses the current geopolitical challenges and will foster exchanges and cooperation in security and defense areas, including maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)," said HRVP Kallas. Secretary Manalo underscored that the strengthening of EU-Philippines security cooperation is a step in the right direction. Through sustained dialogue and practical cooperation, the Philippines seeks to promote a resilient, rules-based international order that upholds peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond." The inaugural meeting of a Dialogue is tentatively set to take place in the last quarter of 2025. In the field of maritime security and regional stability, both sides recognize the benefit of continued cooperation under initiatives such as Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO II), Copernicus, and Enhancing security cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA Plus), and express their willingness to further explore joint activities and new opportunities for cooperation in line with shared strategic interests, including opportunities on connectivity and environmental monitoring, such as exchange of knowledge and best practices on submarine cables and uncrewed vessels. In this context, they also reaffirm their commitment to respect freedom of navigation and overflight as provided for in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They express their concerns about China's illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive measures against Philippine vessels and aircraft conducting lawful maritime operations in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea. They reiterate their commitment to upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, which is final and binding. HRVP Kallas and Secretary Manalo also highlight the importance of deepening of trade and investment ties, and welcome the ongoing negotiations for an EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement, expressing hope for its early conclusion. Both sides reiterate that human rights, the rule of law, and good governance are pillars to the partnership. They discussed the EU Election Observation Mission during the recent mid-term elections, its preliminary statement and await its final report. Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation on climate change and green transition under the Global Gateway Strategy, including through data-sharing under the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme and through the Team Europe Initiative on Green Economy, which supports the Philippines' transition to a circular economy. Both sides agree that people-to-people exchanges remain at the heart of EU-Philippines cultural ties, with initiatives such as Erasmus scholarships, enhancing educational and vocational opportunities and promoting deeper intercultural bridges, strengthening the EU-Philippines research and innovation partnership and promoting a more inclusive, peaceful, and interconnected future for both regions. Finally, the EU and the Philippines reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in response to evolving regional and global challenges. In this context, the HRVP welcomes the Philippines' active and constructive role in ASEAN and its strong commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, and the rule of law, including its consistent support for all relevant UN General Assembly resolutions, notably on Ukraine. On Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU and the Philippines reiterate their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and call for ceasefire and cessation of any attacks against civilians and civilian objects to pave the way towards a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. They renew their call for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on international law, including the United Nations Charter and underline the importance of preventing further escalation of the war as well as the use or threat of use of weapons of mass destruction by any country. Both sides express support for initiatives that contribute to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine in accordance with the two-state solution, the Charter of the United Nations, and relevant resolutions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo European External Action Service (EEAS) 02.06.2025 EEAS Press Team Dear Secretary Manalo, dear Enrique, It is truly a pleasure to be here and thank you for the productive discussion we had today. So, the European Union's relationship with Philippines is already on a positive trajectory. Today we take it to another level. First of all, we share a commitment to upholding the rules-based international order, to promoting peace and stability and to addressing common challenges together. These include the developments in the South China Sea and Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine. Today, we announce the establishment of new EU-Philippines security and defence dialogue. This will be a dedicated platform through which we can deepen our cooperation, exchange expertise on security and defence and explore joint initiatives that contribute to the regional as well as global security. Our work will be comprehensive and will include maritime security, cyber security, foreign information manipulation and interference, counterterrorism, crisis response and more. But our partnership and dialogue go beyond security and defence. We are already enhancing our cooperation in digital connectivity, people to people contacts, green economy, and we will move forward with the next rounds of negotiations of a free trade agreement. The European Union is a firm believer in multilateralism, and it is also a committed partner to ASEAN and regional cooperation between the EU and ASEAN. We look forward to working closely with Philippines, as you are the chair of ASEAN in 2026. Today, Secretary Manalo and I also discussed the recent midterm elections in the country, and I underlined our regret about the restrictions to the access of our electoral observation mission despite arrangements prior to the deployment. Last, but definitely not least, as we all know very well, peace and security and stability are fundamental. This is why the European Union is committed to supporting the peace process in Mindanao and we also contribute to the humanitarian work on the ground. In today's complex and contested geostrategic environment, it is more important than ever to build strong partnerships. The European Union is a reliable, predictable, credible, and ambitious partner to the Philippines, and we see strong potential to deepen our cooperation even further. So, thank you again for welcoming us. Q&A Q. Following your frank and candid remarks at the recently concluded Shangri-La Dialogue, which included, among others, you saying that the growing alliance between China and Russia is an emerging global threat. What is the EU's red line when it comes to Chinese aggression in the Asia-Pacific region, specifically on Taiwan and the South China Sea, and how would the EU respond? And what sort of security partnership do you envision for the EU and the Philippines? Would the EU, for example, help with defence modernisation or deploying assets and troops to the Philippines or participate in exercises? If I may add one question, since we are talking about red lines, the EU has said that the red line in Gaza has been the blockade by Israel on humanitarian assistance for those suffering in Gaza. At what point will the EU pressure Germany and Italy to stop sending weapons to Israel? Thank you. First, I will say that European Union is a firm believer in international law - and even in international law we have agreed certain principles. We have UNCLOS, we have the maritime security arrangements and routes there. So, we reject any unilateral changes to the status quo, including use of coercion. And, of course, we are supporting all the partners who are believers of international law, and we are willing to defend the law as well, because if you do not defend the law, then the situation in the world and global sphere would be much, much different. On the humanitarian assistance, we have been very firm on this. It is the humanitarian aid that we are giving to Gaza that is also blocked now and we are in contact with our counterparts in Israel to unblock this and to help the people, because it is funded by the European Union mostly in very large part. The loss of life is untenable. The suffering of the people has to end, and we need to do everything in our power and to put the pressure there. We have on the European level agreed on many principles, including support for the Two-State solution, end of the hostilities, immediate ceasefire and release of hostages, and we are trying to push the parties into that agreement. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Read-out of the meeting between President von der Leyen and US Senator Lindsey Graham European Commission Read-out Jun 2, 2025 Brussels 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 President made the objective clear: we 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. This is why the President welcomed that Senator Graham committed to ramping up pressure on Russia and moving ahead with the bill in Senate next week. The EU is preparing its 18th package of hard-biting sanctions, targeting Russia's energy revenues, including Nord Stream infrastructure, Russia's banking sector and lowering the crude oil price cap. These steps, taken together with US measures, would sharply increase the joint impact of our sanctions, said President von der Leyen. Combined with actions targeting Russia's shadow fleet limiting Russia's ability to transport its oil, it's an effective measure to dry up the Kremlin's resources to wage the war. President von der Leyen and Senator Graham also discussed the issue of 20,000 abducted Ukrainian children and possible further pressure on Russia. On the tariff dispute, both sides agreed that a negotiated solution before the end of the 90 days period would be the best scenario. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Commission clears creation of defence joint venture by BAES, JAIEC, and Leonardo European Commission Press release Jun 2, 2025 Brussels The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed creation of a joint venture ('JV') between BAE Systems (Holdings) Limited ('BAES'), Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. ('JAIEC'), and Leonardo S.p.A. ('Leonardo'). This JV will be the prime contractor and lead systems integrator for the Global Combat Air Programme. The Commission's investigation The transaction relates primarily to multi-role combat aircraft. Multi-role combat aircraft are military fighters which are designed for different types of missions. According to the parties, the strategic and economic rationale for the transaction is to develop a sixth-generation combat aircraft. The JV will be the prime contractor and lead systems integrator for the aircraft. The aircraft is intended for use by the governments of Italy, the UK and Japan, with the potential for sales to other jurisdictions/government buyers in the future. The Commission investigated the impact of the transaction primarily on the Italian and international export markets for multi-role combat aircraft. Based on its market investigation, the Commission found that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns given the absence of new horizontal overlaps between the companies' activities in the relevant, i.e. Italian, national market for multi-role combat aircraft. The Commission therefore concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns in the EEA and cleared it unconditionally. Companies and products BAES is a global defence, aerospace and security company, headquartered in the UK. JAIEC is a public entity representing the interests of the Japanese aerospace industry, headquartered in Japan. Leonardo is an industrial and technological company in the aerospace, defence and security sector, headquartered in Italy. The JV will be the prime contractor and lead systems integrator for the Global Combat Air Programme aircraft. Merger control rules and procedure The transaction was notified to the Commission on 22 April 2025. The Commission has the duty to assess mergers and acquisitions involving companies with a turnover above certain thresholds (see Article 1 of the EU Merger Regulation) and to prevent concentrations that would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it. The vast majority of notified mergers do not pose competition problems and are cleared after a routine review. From the moment a transaction is notified, the Commission generally has a total of 25 working days to decide whether to grant approval (Phase I) or to start an in-depth investigation (Phase II). If commitments are proposed in Phase I, the Commission has 10 additional working days, bringing the total duration of a Phase I case to 35 working days, such as in this case. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Orpo at the summit in Vilnius: Europe will shoulder its responsibility for strengthening defence and security Finnish Government Government Communications Department Publication date 2.6.2025 Type:Press release Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attended the joint summit of the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic countries in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Monday 2 June. Discussions at the Vilnius Summit focused on preparing for the NATO Summit to be held in The Hague on 24--25 June and on support for Ukraine. In addition to the Bucharest Nine, the Vilnius Summit was attended by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and all of the Nordic countries. "NATO is going back to its roots and we are heading in the right direction. There is still a lot of work to be done, however, and the time for that work is now. We spent today working together to ensure that the NATO Summit in The Hague will be as successful as possible," says Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. Items on the agenda included increasing NATO members' defence spending and boosting their defence industries, supporting Ukraine on its path towards a just and lasting peace and deepening Euro-Atlantic security cooperation. Discussions at the meeting focused strongly on the importance of the Allies' long-term commitment to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's unlawful war of aggression and the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security as a whole. "The NATO Summit in The Hague must send a strong signal that our support for Ukraine is unwavering. When a ceasefire is reached, and when peace is ultimately achieved in Ukraine, Ukraine will still need strong defence and deterrence against Russia. Ukraine's allies must be committed to providing this long-term strategic support. At the same time, we have to ramp up our own defence and deterrence," said Prime Minister Orpo. While in Vilnius, Prime Minister Orpo also had bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Romanian President Nicusor Dan, who has just taken office. The Bucharest Nine consists of the eastern NATO member countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. The group was founded at the initiative of the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, and the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, in 2015. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting between Foreign Minister IWAYA and Mr. Mohammed Al-Amour, Minister of National Economy of Palestine Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan June 2, 2025 On June 2, 2025, commencing at 3:10 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Mr. Mohammed Al-Amour, Minister of National Economy of Palestine. The summary of the meeting is as follows. At the outset, Minister Iwaya expressed his warm welcome to Minister Al-Amour's visit to Japan on the occasion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and stressed Japan's consistent position to support a two-state solution and assist Palestine's state-building efforts. In response, Minister Al-Amour expressed his gratitude for the invitation to the Expo and for Japan's standpoint of standing by Palestine. The two ministers exchanged views on the current situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, particularly the economic viability of Palestine. Minister Iwaya underscored the importance of the agreement on the release of hostages and ceasefire in Gaza, and introduced Japan's efforts to strengthen the stability and resilience of the Palestinian economy. Minister Al-Amour expressed his appreciation for Japan's principled position on the regional and international situations and Japan's longstanding support for Palestine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address D. Sakaliene unveiled Lithuania's new strategy for security and defence engagement with the Indo-Pacific crafted by the Ministry of National Defence at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2025-06-02 International cooperation | Minister's news | Security and defense policy Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene presented Lithuania's strategy for security and defence engagement in the Indo-Pacific formulated by the Ministry of National Defence at the key highest level security and defence forum in Asia, the Shangri-La Dialogue. Lithuania is one of the first members of the European Union to pass such a document. Agreed to this May, the strategy was and centers on political dialogue in defence area, military cooperation (in the context of exercises and training), ties between the intelligence communities, experience-sharing in the field of cybersecurity, hybrid that countermeasures, development of joint industry objects, and other areas of Lithuania's strategic impact. "The rapidly changing global security architecture demonstrate the tight connection between the challenges faced by Europe and the Indo-Pacific. For example, Japan has a border with russia just like Lithuania, and faces similar attacks like we do. The necessity to cooperate with IP4 countries in areas ranging from cyber security and joint training to defence industry and sharing experience on total defence or fight against disinformation due to the current potentially aggressive actions of Russia and China in both regions. The objectives also encompass regular working visits, development of intelligence ties and agreements on information sharing," Minister D. Sakaliene stressed. The Ministry of National Defence works towards a stronger cooperation by strengthening diplomatic defence representation, participation in various security initiatives and developing joint defence industry projects. While European security and threats presented by russia remain at the top of the agenda, the activity in the Indo-Pacific, be it bilateral, multilateral or U.S.-coordinated, is directly enhancing Lithuania's national security. The Strategy states that Lithuania's engagement in the region shall be focused in the areas most sensitive to the impact of our specialized capabilities. Our activity shall be closely coordinated with EU, NATO and U.S. initiatives, and include development of strategic partnerships in order to ensure security value to all sides for the long-term. "The growing cooperation among China, russia, North Korea and Iran should trigger an even stronger assembly of Allies and Partners from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. We can already witness today the cooperation of authoritarian regimes in practice - North Korean weapons and soldiers in Ukraine, the Russia-China-North Korea-strategic partnership, cyber and hybrid attacks against European and IP countries. Therefore, the narrative which dominated the Shangri-La Dialogue, the vitality of close cooperation of the EU, U.S. and the Indo-Pacific regions, is good news," underscored D. Sakaliene. Minister also had bilateral meetings on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30-June 1 with IP Defence Ministers with whom shared security challenges and security interests were discussed along with joint exercises, opportunities for defence industry cooperation, strengthening bilateral cooperation and assistance to Ukraine. D. Sakaliene met with Minister of Defence of Australia Richard Marles, Secretary of National Defence of the Philippines Gilbert Teodoro, Minister of Defence of New Zealand Judith Collins, Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore K. Shanmugam, Vice Minister of National Defence of Cambodia Rath Dararoth, and Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom Lord Coaker. Follow the link for the Strategy of Security and Defence Engagement in the IP4 developed by the Ministry of National Defence. The Shangri-la Dialogue is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). It is a top-level platform for defence debate in Asia where Defence Ministers and security experts from the Indo-Pacific, Europe, North and South America, and other regions U worldwide address the most relevant security trends and topics of global security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President met with the Romanian leader President of the Republic of Lithuania June 02, 2025 President Gitanas Nauseda met with Romanian President Nicusor Dan on Monday on the sidelines of the Vilnius Summit. The Lithuanian leader once again congratulated the President of Romania on his election victory and expressed hope that the two countries would continue to deepen their bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of defense and security. "I would like to thank Romania for its substantial contribution to regional security, especially through its participation in NATO's forward presence in Poland and the Baltic air policing mission. Romanian troops currently stationed in Zokniai contribute to the security of Lithuania and the entire Baltic region," the Lithuanian leader pointed out. Gitanas Nauseda reaffirmed Lithuania's strong support for Romania's aspiration to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and acknowledged the significant progress Romania has made in this regard. The President also welcomed the strengthening of economic and trade ties between the two nations, as well as joint investment projects. The meeting also covered hybrid threats and challenges, the need to reinforce sanctions against Russia, and the importance of advancing EU enlargement. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President at the Vilnius Summit: We need a new, ambitious agreement on defense spending President of the Republic of Lithuania June 02, 2025 On Monday, President Gitanas Nauseda opened the Vilnius Summit at the Palace of Grand Dukes of Lithuania. The summit brought together the leaders of NATO's eastern and northern flank countries. Lithuania hosted representatives from the Bucharest Nine countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia) and the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also took part in the meeting. The discussions, led by President Gitanas Nauseda, focused on strengthening the security and defense of NATO's eastern flank and preparing for the NATO Summit in The Hague on 24-25 June. At the start of the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a welcoming address. "The Hague Summit will take place at a particularly critical time. It will be pivotal for NATO's future and its core mission. Lithuania expects the summit to reinforce transatlantic unity, reaffirm the commitment to collective defense, and demonstrate the resolve to defend every inch of allied territory," President Gitanas Nauseda underlined. The President stressed that the summit has to send a clear message: NATO supports Ukraine and will continue to do so. Ukraine's irreversible path towards NATO membership needs to be remain on the agenda, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has to be invited to the summit. Gitanas Nauseda also called for a new, ambitious commitment to defense spending: an agreement to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2030 is neededwith at least 3.5% dedicated to core military capabilities and 1.5% to broader defense-related investments. "With Russia rebuilding its military potential and possibly preparing for a new offensive, NATO must achieve this commitment by 2030. Lithuania is already on this path: this year, we will reach 4%, and in 2026, we will allocate 5.25% of GDP to defense. Lithuania has already reestablished its national heavy division and is actively developing infrastructure for the deployment of the German brigade, ensuring optimal host-nation conditions for allied forces," the Lithuanian leader pointed out. The President noted that the Hague Summit needs to ensure continued NATO support and commitment to Ukraine. "We strongly support the Alliance's decision on Ukraine's irreversible path to Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements and decide on own its future, free from outside interference," the President underlined. Gitanas Nauseda further emphasized the crucial role of the strategic partnership with the United States and robust transatlantic ties. "The United States' capabilities and the security guarantees it provides cannot be replaced overnight. We must preserve U.S. commitment to NATO at all costs. At the same time, NATO-EU cooperation must be strengthened, and the EU's defense priorities must align with NATO's capabilities," the Lithuanian Head of State pointed out. The Vilnius Summit also adopted the joint chair's statement. The Bucharest Nine format, established in 2015 in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea, brings together NATO's eastern flank countries. The invitation of the Nordic countries and the Ukrainian leader to the Vilnius Summit aims to highlight the security of the Baltic Sea region and the challenges facing the North and Black Seas, underscoring that these regions are interconnected in the face of Russia's threat and that coordinated action and support for Ukraine are essential. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vilnius Summit Chairs' Statement President of the Republic of Lithuania June 02, 2025 The Heads of State and Government of the Bucharest Nine - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia - and the Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden - met today in Vilnius. We warmly welcome the participation of the NATO Secretary General as well as the President of Ukraine to this meeting. We met today at a pivotal moment when the security environment continues to deteriorate as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine claims lives, causes civilian suffering and violates international norms and agreements. Russia remains the most significant, long term, and direct threat to Euro-Atlantic security and NATO must further adapt its approach towards Russia. The Alliance must be prepared for all possible contingencies. Today's meeting is a manifestation of our commitment to widen and deepen our cooperation on security and defence between the Bucharest Nine countries and the Nordic Allies. Together, we assessed preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague, including our firm commitment to significantly increased defence spending and enhanced defence industrial capacity against the backdrop of Russia's threat to Euro-Atlantic security and its ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. NATO's key purpose and greatest responsibility is to ensure our collective defence in accordance with the Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. The Hague Summit must take further decisions to build a stronger Alliance, better prepared to defend every inch of Allied territory. In this regard, we underline the decisions taken at the NATO Madrid, Vilnius, and Washington Summits, including to substantially strengthen Allied posture for deterrence and forward defence in the Eastern flank, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, as well as to increase defence spending and enhance the transatlantic defence industrial capacity. The transatlantic bond continues to be the cornerstone of our collective defence. Increased defence spending by non-US Allies, as well as the US military presence in NATO's Eastern flank and extended deterrence commitments remain vital for Euro-Atlantic security. We are moving towards reaching at least 5 per cent of GDP on defence and defence-related investments to match security threats and challenges. We call on all Allies to urgently invest more, individually and collectively, to ensure fully resourced plans and credible capabilities to prepare for, deter and defend. We remain committed to providing the necessary forces, capabilities, resources, and infrastructure for our new plans, to be prepared for high-intensity and multi-domain collective defence. Strengthening national and Alliance-wide preparedness for deterrence and defence requires whole-of-government approach in all domains. That includes reinforcement of transport infrastructure, acquisition of necessary assets - all critical for rapid, safe and efficient movement of Allied forces and capabilities, and developing relevant infrastructure. All our actions must be adequately resourced and enabled. An important element in strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence capabilities is the extension of the NATO Pipeline System on the Eastern flank. We will accelerate efforts in boosting the Trans-Atlantic defence industry - expanded and faster production, smarter procurement, and more multinational projects. The European Commission's and the EEAS' White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030 and the ReArm Europe Plan are significant steps towards turning Europe's and the EU's strategic ambition into real capabilities. Stronger European contributions within NATO means a stronger Alliance. We encourage maximizing the full potential of and further strengthening NATO-EU cooperation, in particular on delivering military capabilities and military mobility for European security while removing regulatory barriers. This cooperation should remain inclusive and allow for participation of non-EU Allies. We remain steadfast in condemning Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Territorial integrity is a fundamental and irreplaceable principle of international law, which must be respected and always protected. We reaffirm that the security of Ukraine is integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. We will continue our political, military, economic and humanitarian support to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to reach a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. We reaffirm our support to the US efforts in this regard. We welcome the Coalition of the Willing peace and security efforts initiated by the United Kingdom and France, and remain committed to contribute. We commend Ukraine for its determination to engage in a peace process. So far, Russia has showed no genuine interest in peace. The Summit in The Hague must demonstrate NATO's continued support and commitment to Ukraine. We stand firm on Allied decision and commitment regarding Ukraine's 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. We will further strengthen our efforts in constraining Russia, including its ability to wage a war of aggression against Ukraine, by stepping up pressure on Russia, including EU sanctions, and stand ready to adopt new ones. We will work continuously to ensure Russia's international accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine as well as the war crimes and all atrocities. Russia's assets should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by this war. We condemn any form of support to Russia's aggression against Ukraine and urge all those facilitating to stop it. Belarus continues to enable Russia's war by making available its territory and infrastructure. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran are fuelling it by providing direct military support, while the PRC continues to be its decisive enabler. We strongly condemn Russia's intensifying and highly confrontational actions against Europe. Russia's hybrid threats and actions include sabotage, disinformation, cyberattacks, instrumentalization of migration - particularly at the borders between Belarus and NATO, information manipulation, election interference, the use of a so called "shadow fleet", and airspace violations. Russia seeks to destabilize our security, aims at disrupting support to Ukraine and undermining our societies. These malign efforts will not prevail. Collectively, we will continue to coordinate our actions and strategic communication, increase information sharing, monitoring, surveillance to better anticipate, deter, and counter all these destabilising activities. We commend the Republic of Moldova for its efforts to maintain stability and advance reforms on its European path and we will continue to further strengthen our support for Chisinau. We will continue to strive for more strategic, more coherent and more effective partnerships, in particular with the European Union, as well as with partners in our neighbourhood, in the Indo-Pacific and in the South. We look forward to the next meeting in Romania in 2026. Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland Nicusor Dan, President of Romania NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's top Senior enlisted leaders gather in Lisbon NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Jun 2 2025 LISBON -- The 21st International Command Senior Enlisted Leaders (CSEL) Conference, held from May 26 to 29, 2025, in Lisbon, brought together senior non-commissioned leaders from more than 35 NATO Allies and Partners, including key attendees from Japan, Kosovo, Jordan, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. This year's theme, "Where we started, where we are now," served as a strategic lens for examining the progress, challenges, and future direction of NATO's non-commissioned officers (NCO) corps. Topics included everything from interoperability development to the role of NCOs in enhancing warfighting capability. General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), delivered recorded remarks to the participants, offering both recognition and clear expectations. "The role of our enlisted leaders, especially our senior enlisted leaders, is essential to all of these," said General Cavoli. "Enhancing our military interoperability through relationships, tough military training as Allies and partners, that's what tests our ability to operate in combined formations and builds personal ties across nations," he added. Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Mathers opened the conference by highlighting the power of shared experience and collective learning across the alliance. "The power is in the basic understanding that exists in one of our areas of operation, then being shared in the entire group, puts us in a space, where the collective has years of experience, and an incredible amount of research and analysis, all put into the space of the entire area of responsibility of SACEUR. That puts us in a really powerful position of deterrence," said Mathers. Throughout the conference, discussions were candid and forward-looking. Central themes included the NCO corps' contribution to NATO's response to the war in Ukraine, the vital need for deepened interoperability, and evolving concepts of mission command and leadership at the enlisted level. Chief Warrant Officer Zoltan Kaszab, current Command Sergeant Major of the Hungarian Defence Forces and set to succeed Mathers in October, stated, "The appetite for perfection and the striving for being better I see in the whole NCO communityit's fantastic." Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General joins the Vilnius Summit of B9 and Nordic Allies NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 02 Jun. 2025 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte participated in the B9 and Nordic Summit in Vilnius on Monday (2 June 2025), hosted by President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, at which Allied leaders were joined by President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. Discussions focused on preparing the NATO Summit in The Hague and strengthening support for Ukraine. The Secretary General thanked President Nauseda for hosting the meeting and commended Lithuania's leadership and commitment to NATO. "Lithuania is a staunch Ally, and continues to lead by example," said Mr Rutte, highlighting Lithuania's current investment of over 4% of GDP in defence and its plans to increase this to between 5-6% in 2026. "This sends an incredibly powerful message of commitment to our collective defence, and it also sets an example for our other Allies. On this stage, and in our meetings today, it is clear that the commitment to collective defence is strong," he said. During their meeting, leaders discussed how to further strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence. "We are facing the most dangerous security environment in decades," said Mr Rutte. "We are not at war - but we are not at peace either." He stressed the need to pivot to warfighting readiness, including significantly more forces that are well-trained, well-equipped, fully supported and sustainable. Mr Rutte said he expects the Summit in The Hague to demonstrate Allies' enduring commitment to collective defence - through increased defence investment and defence industrial production, and agreement on ambitious new capability targets. "We continue to count on the B9 and our Nordic Allies to play a key role in these important efforts," he said. Support for Ukraine will also be a priority for the Summit in The Hague. The Secretary General commended Ukraine's efforts, and the role of Baltic and Nordic countries in providing persistent military and financial assistance. "A strong, sovereign Ukraine is essential for Euro-Atlantic security," said Mr Rutte. The B9 format brings together Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. This summit was held jointly with Nordic Allies Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. President Zelenskyy of Ukraine attended elements of the meeting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza: UN experts demand safe passage for Freedom Flotilla Coalition Press releases Special Procedures 02 June 2025 GENEVA -- UN experts* today called for safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's ship carrying essential medical aid, food, and baby supplies to Gaza which departed from Italy on 1 June 2025. "Aid is desperately needed for the people of Gaza to forestall annihilation, and this initiative is a symbolic and powerful effort to deliver it. Israel should remember that the world is watching closely and refrain from any act of hostility against the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and its passengers," the experts said. "The people of Gaza have the right to receive aid through their own territorial waters even under occupation, and the Coalition ship has the right to free passage in international waters to reach the people of Gaza," they said. "Israel must not interfere with its freedom of navigation, long recognised under international law." They expressed serious concern for the safety of participants in the Freedom Flotilla, given Israel's repeated violent attacks on human rights defenders and UN and civilian humanitarian missions. The Coalition sent a similar ship in early May, which was bombed by a drone off the coast of Malta. "Israel has imposed a full blockade on Gaza for 17 years. This blockade has been total and absolute since 2 March 2025, preventing aid from entering the Strip for over 80 days, only recently allowing a trickle of aid to enter," the experts said. "As the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's ship approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, Israel must adhere to international law and comply with orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid," they said. In March 2024, the International Court of Justice issued provisional measures recognising that famine and starvation were rampant in Gaza, creating a risk of genocide. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu for the war crime of starvation. "Yet on 1 March 2025, he announced that the entry of all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip would be halted, flagrantly defying international law," the experts said. "Over six hundred days into Israel's starvation campaign and genocidal violence against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the situation is at its most horrific." The experts stressed that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by Israel and the US, is using aid as a weapon of war to displace, humiliate and corral civilians. "These practices violate international legal principles of dignity, humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality," they said, noting that child acute malnutrition had increased by more than 80% in March 2025. "The accumulation of trucks carrying humanitarian aid at the Rafah crossing while civilians starve and die is not a failure of coordination it is the deliberate and willful weaponisation of humanitarian aid, and the international community seems to be complicit," the experts said. "Member States have a legal obligation and a moral imperative to stop starvation and genocide in Gaza." The experts urged the UN General Assembly to authorise the deployment of peacekeepers to accompany humanitarian aid trucks under the 'Uniting for Peace' provision of the UN Charter. *The experts: Michael Fakhri, the Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967; Tlaleng Mofokeng, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living; Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation; Paula Gaviria, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; George Katrougalos, Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ UN Human Rights, country page - https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/israel NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Democratic Republic of the Congo: National ownership essential to address internal displacement crisis, says UN expert Press releases Special Procedures 02 June 2025 KINSHASA -- The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must lead protection of internally displaced persons across the country, where over 7 million people have been driven from their homes by armed conflict, intercommunal violence and forced evictions in the context of conservation and extractive projects, and disasters. "The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces one of the world's largest and most protracted internal displacement crises, exacerbated by the ongoing occupation of North and South Kivu by Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebels," said Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, in a statement at the end of an official visit to the country. "This crisis has had devastating impacts on displaced civilians, who have been subjected to murder, summary executions, rampant sexual and gender-based violence, forced labour, forced returns, and used as human shields, among other grave violations of their human rights in the context of multiple conflicts and generalised violence," the Special Rapporteur said. "Many are also struggling to meet their basic needs, particularly given the devastating impacts of foreign aid reductions on the ability of humanitarian agencies to respond to this crisis." Gaviria Betancur welcomed Government efforts to strengthen displacement-related legal and policy frameworks and address root causes of internal displacement through conflict management and land reform. She called for greater State leadership on these issues. "While the Government has understandably focused much of its efforts on regaining sovereignty over its territory in the East, sovereignty also brings with it responsibility," she said. "Particularly given the decline in international assistance, the Government can no longer afford to outsource its responsibilities towards internally displaced persons and must take the lead in ensuring coordinated, accountable responses to internal displacement throughout its territory." Despite the challenging circumstances confronting internally displaced persons, Gaviria Betancur expressed her admiration for the resilience and tenacity these individuals have demonstrated. "I was deeply moved by the simplicity and dignity of the demands I heard from internally displaced people, not for handouts but rather to return to their lands in safety, regain self-reliance and rebuild their lives," she said. "It is imperative to support these aspirations through Government-led approaches, supported by the international community, that enable durable solutions to their displacement. The world cannot afford to turn its back on the internally displaced people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have suffered long enough and deserve sustainable peace." The Special Rapporteur will present a detailed report on her findings to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026. Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, country page - https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/democratic-republic-congo NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Visits of High-Level Delegations to Important Capitals Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pursuant to the Prime Minister's directive, a high-level multiparty delegation will visit New York, Washington DC, London and Brussels from 2 June 2025. The nine-member delegation is led by Chairman Pakistan People's Party, and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The other members of the delegation include Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik; Chairperson, Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and former Minister for Information and Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman; Chairperson, National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar; former Minister for Commerce, Defence and Foreign Affairs, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan; former Minister for Maritime Affairs, Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari; and Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. The delegation also includes two former Foreign Secretaries, Ambassador (R) Jalil Abbas Jilani, who also served as Caretaker Foreign Minister, and Ambassador (R) Tehmina Janjua. Another delegation, led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Syed Tariq Fatemi, will visit Moscow from 2 June 2025. The visits of these delegations are aimed at projecting Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. The delegations will highlight Pakistan's responsible and restrained conduct - seeking peace with responsibility - in the face of India's reckless and belligerent actions in violation of international law. They will also highlight that dialogue and diplomacy should take precedence over conflict and confrontation. The delegations will underscore the imperative for the international community to play its due role in promoting a lasting peace in South Asia. The need for immediate resumption of the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty will also be a key theme of the delegations' outreach. The delegations will engage in a series of meetings with the leadership of international bodies, public office holders, senior officials, parliamentarians, think tanks, media and diaspora. Islamabad 2 June 2025 157/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Spokesperson Regarding Latest Antagonistic Statements Made by the Indian Leaders and the Spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Responding to media queries concerning a flurry of antagonistic statements made by the Indian leaders as well as the remarks made by the Spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on 29 May 2025, the Spokesperson said: Indian leadership's recent remarks including those made in Bihar reflect a deeply troubling mindset that prioritises hostility over peace. Any attempt to portray Pakistan as the source of regional instability is divorced from reality. The international community is well aware of India's record of aggressive behavior, including documented support for terrorist activities within Pakistan. These facts cannot be obscured by hollow narratives or diversionary tactics. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the core issue threatening peace and stability in the region. Pakistan will continue to stand firm in advocating for a just and lasting resolution to the Kashmir dispute in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. To sidestep this fundamental issue is to condemn the region to continued mistrust and potential confrontation. The developments of recent weeks have once again underscored the utter futility of jingoism and coercion. India cannot and will not achieve its objectives through threats, misrepresentation, or force. Pakistan remains committed to peace and constructive engagement, but it is equally resolved to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression. Durable peace in South Asia demands maturity, restraint, and a willingness to address the root causes of conflictnot the pursuit of narrow political gains at the expense of regional harmony. Islamabad 2 June 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Philippines and the EU Enhance Security Cooperation Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs Joint Press Release on the Meeting between Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo and High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas MANILA 02 June 2025 -- Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique A. Manalo met today with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HRVP) Kaja Kallas, for a high-level dialogue reaffirming the strong and growing partnership between the Philippines and the European Union. The visit marks a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between the Philippines and the EU, rooted in shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, anchored in the Philippines-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as well as the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Recognizing the growing complexity of security threats, both sides agree to enhance their cooperation and announce the establishment of a Security and Defense Dialogue. "The dialogue addresses the current geopolitical challenges and will foster exchanges and cooperation in security and defense areas, including maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)," said HRVP Kallas. Secretary Manalo underscored that the strengthening of Philippines-EU security cooperation is a step in the right direction. Through sustained dialogue and practical cooperation, the Philippines seeks to promote a resilient, rules-based international order that upholds peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond." The inaugural meeting of a Dialogue is tentatively set to take place in the last quarter of 2025. In the field of maritime security and regional stability, both sides recognize the benefit of continued cooperation under initiatives such as Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO II), Copernicus, and Enhancing security cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA Plus), and express their willingness to further explore joint activities and new opportunities for cooperation in line with shared strategic interests, including opportunities on connectivity and environmental monitoring, such as exchange of knowledge and best practices on submarine cables and uncrewed vessels. In this context, they also reaffirm their commitment to respect freedom of navigation and overflight as provided for in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They express their concerns about China's illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive measures against Philippine vessels and aircraft conducting lawful maritime operations in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea. They reiterate their commitment to upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, which is final and binding. Secretary Manalo and HRVP Kallas also highlight the importance of deepening of trade and investment ties, and welcome the ongoing negotiations for a Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement, expressing hope for its early conclusion. Both sides reiterate that human rights, the rule of law, and good governance are pillars to the partnership. They discussed the EU Election Observation Mission during the recent mid-term elections, its preliminary statement and await its final report. Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation on climate change and green transition under the Global Gateway Strategy, including through data-sharing under the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme and through the Team Europe Initiative on Green Economy, which supports the Philippines' transition to a circular economy. Both sides agree that people-to-people exchanges remain at the heart of Philippines-EU cultural ties, with initiatives such as Erasmus scholarships, enhancing educational and vocational opportunities and promoting deeper intercultural bridges, strengthening the Philippines-EU research and innovation partnership and promoting a more inclusive, peaceful, and interconnected future for both regions. Finally, the Philippines and the EU reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in response to evolving regional and global challenges. In this context, the HRVP welcomes the Philippines' active and constructive role in ASEAN and its strong commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, and the rule of law, including its consistent support for all relevant UN General Assembly resolutions, notably on Ukraine. On Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Philippines and the EU reiterate their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and call for ceasefire and cessation of any attacks against civilians and civilian objects to pave the way towards a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. They renew their call for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on international law, including the United Nations Charter and underline the importance of preventing further escalation of the war as well as the use or threat of use of weapons of mass destruction by any country. Both sides express support for initiatives that contribute to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine in accordance with the two-state solution, the Charter of the United Nations, and relevant resolutions. END NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU-PH defense dialogue vs. foreign interference, cyber threats eyed Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora and Priam Nepomuceno June 2, 2025, 3:30 pm MANILA -- The Philippines and the European Union (EU) have agreed to establish a dialogue to deepen cooperation on defense and security, aimed at combating emerging challenges such as cyber threats, foreign interference and information manipulation. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and EU's chief diplomat, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, made the announcement following a lunch meeting in Makati City on Monday. Manalo said this mechanism will provide a platform for the Philippines and the EU to discuss security and defense-related issues with more depth and regularity. "As like-minded partners committed to a rules-based international order, we hope that through the security and defense dialogue, we will remain proactive and united in addressing emerging security threats and challenges that transcend borders," said Manalo. Kallas said the dialogue will allow exchange of expertise and explore possible joint initiatives on security and defense "that contribute to the regional as well as global security." "Our work will be comprehensive and will include maritime security, cyber security, foreign information manipulation and interference, counterterrorism, crisis response and more," she said. The two top diplomats said this new dialogue marks another milestone in the Philippine-EU relations, which Kallas said is growing on a "positive trajectory." No date has been set on when the first meeting will be convened. One of the most recently established sub-committee meetings the Philippines and EU have established under their Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is on maritime concerns. Over the weekend, the Philippines reaffirmed and advanced its defense ties with key European partners during a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. "Secretary Teodoro met separately with H.E. Kaja Kallas of the European Union, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, UK Minister of State for Defense Lord Coaker, Swedish Minister for Defense Pal Jonson, and Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Dovile Sakaliene," DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement over the weekend. Discussions highlighted mutual interest in enhancing cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, defense industry development, capability development and upholding a rules-based international order underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea The EU and the Philippines agreed to pursue a structured security dialogue focused on shared challenges and regional stability. France reaffirmed its deepening strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific and committed to advancing joint military activities and the negotiation of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines. Meanwhile, the UK emphasized stronger cooperation through upcoming naval deployments and further defense education exchanges. Sweden and the Philippines explored future joint military training and ship visits, with both officials acknowledging the need to counter disinformation operations and protect sea lines of communication. Meanwhile, Lithuania and the Philippines underscored cooperation among like-minded small states, citing recent cyber defense engagements and shared interest in defense technology collaboration. The meetings reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to deepening defense partnerships with European nations that support peace, security and sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH eyes expanded defense ties with Japan, Ukraine, Netherlands Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno June 2, 2025, 10:46 am MANILA -- The Philippines is looking at strengthening defense cooperation with Japan, Ukraine and the Netherlands. Over the weekend, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. held bilateral meetings with defense officials of the three nations on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. "Secretary Teodoro and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani's meeting took place following their last engagement in Manila in February 2025, which preceded the visit to the Philippines of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last April. Secretary Teodoro expressed gratitude for Japan's continued trust and goodwill," DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Monday. During the meeting on Sunday, Nakatani welcomed Teodoro's retention in office and reaffirmed Japan's desire for deeper involvement in joint exercises like "Balikatan" and "Kamandag" upon the effectivity of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement, he added. Andolong said both sides also agreed on the importance of expanding cooperation in defense equipment production, saying this move is mutually beneficial. "Secretary Teodoro also emphasized the need for sustained bilateral and multilateral dialogues to deter actions that undermine regional peace, and called for stronger alliances rooted in shared principles," he added. During his engagement with Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence Oleksandr Kozenko, Teodoro expressed admiration for the Ukrainian people's resilience and extended prayers for their continued strength. "Mr. Kozenko thanked the Philippines for its support to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and shared the upcoming assignment of a Ukrainian defense attache to Manila, who will help develop bilateral defense ties," Andolong said. Teodoro also expressed Manila's interest in Kiev's technological development. Meanwhile, Kozenko expressed interest in learning from the Philippines, especially in areas of maritime disaster response and post-trauma recovery. Both sides remain committed to upholding international law, with Ukraine emphasizing its adherence and strict compliance with the Geneva Conventions, and openness to defense cooperation with the Philippines. In a separate meeting with Dutch Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans, Teodoro highlighted the importance of working with resilient and like-minded partners. He pointed out the risks posed by functional illiteracy, especially in terms of misinformation and disinformation acceptance, and expressed interest in learning from the Netherlands' best practices in defense governance. "Minister Brekelmans echoed support for the rules-based international order and conveyed interest in exploring joint military activities with the Philippines. Both officials extended invitations for future visits, maintaining their intent to broaden defense engagement and cooperation," Andolong said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Envoy: EU rejects coercion, willing to defend int'l law in SCS Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora June 2, 2025, 4:46 pm MANILA -- The European Union (EU) rejects any use of coercion and is willing to defend international law in Asia Pacific, including the South China Sea (SCS) issue, its top diplomat said Monday. "We reject any unilateral changes to the status quo, including the use of coercion," European Commission High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said in a joint presser in Makati City. "Of course, we are supporting all the partners who are believers of international law, and we are willing to defend the law as well because if you don't defend the law, then the situation is -- in the world, in global sphere -- much, much different," she added. Kallas was responding to a question of what the bloc considers a red line when it comes to the Chinese aggression in the Asia Pacific, specifically to Taiwan and the South China Sea, and how it intends to respond. At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Kallas rejected calls from the US for European allies to instead focus on security on the European continent, arguing that the security theaters in both the Indo-Pacific and Europe are "interlinked." The Philippines has recently criticized China over its dangerous maneuvers and use of water cannons against Filipino vessels conducting legitimate operations near the Sandy Cay, a feature under the Philippine jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. At the same presser, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said China is indeed a "security challenge for the Philippines." "Certainly, we have undertaken actions, as you are well aware, of trying to address that through peaceful means, through dialogue and diplomacy," he said. Beyond dialogue, Manalo said the Philippines is also working to establish stronger security cooperation with other like-minded partners like the European Union, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. During their lunch meeting, both officials said the Philippines and EU are committed to supporting non-aggression, sovereign equality and the territorial integrity of all nations. Both ministers reaffirmed support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas condemns incursion by Israeli settlers into al-Aqsa Mosque Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 7:18 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has strongly condemned the latest provocative incursion by hundreds of Israeli settlers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. In a statement released on Monday, Hamas stated that the settlers stormed the courtyards of the holy Muslim site and committed "provocative acts" under protection from Israeli soldiers. Hamas said the latest incursion was "a part of ongoing desperate attempts by the occupying regime to obliterate its Islamic and Arab identity" of the holy site. "These escalating and repeated incursions are part of a systematic Judaization plan led by the fascist occupying regime," the statement read. Hamas called on the Palestinian residents across the occupied territories to unite against such "fascist schemes targeting their land and holy sites." Hundreds of Israeli settlers raided the al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of al-Quds on Monday morning in the latest provocation amid ongoing settler incursions into the holy site. The Islamic Endowment Department that more than 500 settlers entered the holy site in groups under the protection of Israeli forces. Groups of Israeli settlers stormed al-Aqsa from the Moroccan Gate, located in the Western Wall of Haram al-Sharif, under the protection and escort of heavily armed Israeli police forces. According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, dozens of settlers were also reported to have performed Talmudic rituals and provocative dances at multiple gates leading to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The Islamic Waqf further warned that al-Aqsa Mosque is witnessing an alarming surge in violations by Israeli settlers and police forces. These include an increase in settler incursions, the entry of larger settler groups, and the growing frequency of Talmudic prayers being performed within the mosque compound - all under the protection of Israeli forces. Under an agreement signed between Israel and the Jordanian government in the wake of the regime's occupation of al-Quds in 1967, non-Muslim worship at the holy compound is prohibited. But the ban is a mere phrase and, in action, circumstances have been against Muslims. The provocative settler intrusion into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound takes place at a time when Israel keeps its bloody war machine running in the Gaza Strip. Since 2003, Israel has allowed illegal settlers into the flashpoint compound almost on a daily basis Elsewhere in the statement, Hamas urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League to take immediate and serious action to halt the Israeli campaign of genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sirens sound in Israeli-occupied territories as Yemen launches fresh missile attack Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 7:13 PM The Israeli military says a ballistic missile from Yemen has triggered sirens across the Israeli-occupied territories, as Yemeni Armed Forces press ahead with their operations in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amidst the Tel Aviv regime's genocidal war on the coastal sliver. The army announced in a statement that air raid sirens were activated in the central part, the al-Quds area, several illegal West Bank settlements, as well as some areas in the southern sector of the occupied lands on Monday evening. The military went on to claim that its anti-air missile systems "intercepted" the projectile. Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency response service did not report any direct injuries from the attack or impacts from debris. Preceding the sirens by three minutes, an early warning was purportedly issued to settlers, alerting them of the long-range missile attack via a push notification on their phones. The latest Yemeni missile launch came a day after Yemeni Armed Forces claimed responsibility for a retaliatory operation against Israeli targets deep inside the occupied Palestinian territories in response to the ongoing aggression against the people of Gaza. The Yemeni military announced in a statement that its missile units had carried out a qualitative military operation, targeting Ben Gurion airport outside Tel Aviv. The operation successfully achieved its objective, causing millions of illegal settlers to seek refuge in bomb shelters. As the genocidal war on Gaza escalated, the Yemenis enforced a strategic blockade on essential maritime routes, with the goal of obstructing the delivery of military supplies to Israel and urging 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 Chile's president vows to intensify pressure on Israel over Gaza genocidal war Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 11:58 AM Chilean President Gabriel Boric has vowed to work to intensify pressure on Israel over its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 54,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, since October 2023. In a three-hour speech before Congress in the coastal city of Valparaiso, Boric added that he will introduce a bill to ban imports from illegally occupied territories, and will support Spain's efforts to impose an arms embargo on the Tel Aviv regime. The Chilean president is known as a vocal critic of Israel. Last 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 54,418 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 124,190 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 In Egypt, Iran FM calls for Muslims 'collective action' to stop Israeli crimes in Gaza Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 10:15 AM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have called on Muslim countries to take "collective and effective" measures to end Israel's crimes in Gaza and the regime's expansionism and occupation in Lebanon and Syria. Araghchi, who is in Egypt's capital of Cairo at the first leg of a two-nation trip, made the remark in a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Monday. He said the oppressed people of Palestine in Gaza are suffering a "painful" situation as the Israeli regime continues its genocidal war in the besieged Strip. Since October 7, 2023 when the Israeli regime began its genocidal war in Gaza, more than 54,400 Palestinians have been killed and over 124,100 others injured, most of whom are children and women. Araghchi further hailed "useful and constructive" consultations and cooperation between the two "important" countries of Iran and Egypt about the ongoing sensitive developments in the region, saying both sides should proceed with interaction. The Egyptian president, for his part, said his country has made efforts to stop Israeli genocide in Gaza. Sisi added that Egypt's stance is based on controlling and preventing the escalation of tensions and establishing peace in the region as well as safeguarding the interests of Muslim nations. He called for the continuation of close consultation between the two countries and the development of bilateral relations based on common interests and respect. The Iranian foreign minister and Egyptian president also discussed indirect talks between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman. Heading a high-ranking delegation, Araghchi arrived in Cairo Sunday night and plans to travel to Lebanon on Tuesday. Earlier on Monday, the Iranian foreign minister also held talks with his counterpart Badr Abdelatty and discussed mutual relations and the latest developments in the region. Mohammad Hossein Soltani-Fard, head of Iran's Interests Section in Cairo, said on Sunday that ongoing regional crisesincluding the Gaza war, Israeli military aggression, and the conflicts in Sudan and Libya and call for dialogue and negotiations among "influential and impactful" nations are among the "clear objectives" of the top diplomat's trip. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN warns Israeli settler violence in West Bank 'at highest level' as 2 Americans kidnapped, tortured Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 10:11 AM The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says Israeli settler violence against Palestinians has surged dramatically in 2025, with over 220 injuries recorded, averaging 44 per month, marking the highest monthly attack rate observed in 20 years. According to the OCHA's latest weekly report on the humanitarian situation in the West Bank, the entire Palestinian Bedouin community of Maghayer ad Deir, about 120 people, was forcibly displaced after Israeli settlers established a fourth unauthorized outpost near their village. Meanwhile, Israeli movement restrictions across the Salfit governorate have severely limited access to essential servicesincluding healthcare, education, and livelihoodsfor nearly 90,000 Palestinians. Since the start of 2025, punitive demolitions by Israeli forces have displaced 80 people. In May alone, Israeli demolitions destroyed 50 homes in Nur Shams refugee camp, while Tulkarm camp residents received only three hours' notice to evacuate 20 buildings. According to UNRWA, over 33,000 Palestinians remain displaced, unable to return to their homes in Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarm refugee camps. Settlers kidnap Palestinian-American brothers in West Bank Meanwhile, Israeli settlers abducted and tortured two Palestinian-American brothers from Burqa village near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestine's official WAFA news agency. Identified as Ghassan and Imad Jaber, the brothers were attacked while visiting relatives in a village near Ramallah. After being held captive, the brothers were eventually released and evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, local mayor Sayel Canaan confirmed to Arabic media outlets. 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. Thousands of Palestinians have left their homes in Jenin and the nearby city of Tulkarm in the northern West in recent months. Palestinians fear Gaza-style clearance as Israel squeezes Jenin and other refugee camps across the occupied region, Last July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared that Israel's long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, demanding the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address War on hospitals: Israel destroys North Gaza's only dialysis center Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 7:11 AM The Israeli military has completely demolished the Noura al-Kaabi dialysis center, the only medical facility providing kidney dialysis to Palestinian patients in the northern Gaza Strip. In an X post on Sunday, Director General of Gaza's Health Ministry Muneer al-Boursh shared images of the bombed-out center in the city of Beit Lahiya. He said the healthcare facility had been providing vital care to more than 160 kidney failure patients despite severe shortages of fuel and medical supplies. The center, which is part of the Indonesian hospital, had been renovated and reopened just weeks ago after a previous Israeli assault. The Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement that the Israeli attack on the Noura al-Kaabi dialysis center is "a death sentence for hundreds of patients," whose health is "at risk of catastrophic and irreversible collapse." Over the course of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, 41 percent of kidney failure patients in Gaza have died after being denied access to dialysis centers amid the destruction of healthcare facilities, it added. '5 cancer patients die daily in war-wracked Gaza' Also on Sunday, the director of the al-Shifa hospital said five cancer patients die daily in their homes in the Gaza Strip due to the lack of medical care caused by Israel's brutal onslaught and siege. Gaza hospitals are suffering from a shortage of clean water, even in kidney dialysis units, the Palestinian Safa news agency quoted Mohammed Abu Salmiya as saying. "We are losing many patients and wounded due to the shortage of blood units," he said. Israel launched its Gaza genocide on October 7, 2023, after the Hamas resistance movement carried out a military operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 54,418 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 124,190 others, in the besieged territory. During its bloody aggression, Israel has targeted Gaza's civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, in blatant violation of international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen warns foreign companies to leave Israeli-occupied territories as 'next phase of escalation' looms Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 6:51 AM The chairman of Yemen's Supreme Political Council has warned of a growing risk of investing in the Israeli-occupied territories due to drone and missile attacks that Yemen's Armed Forces are conducting in retaliation for the Tel Aviv regime's ongoing brutal campaign in Gaza. Mahdi al-Mashat, in a statement sent to Yemen's official Saba news agency on Sunday, cautioned all companies operating in the occupied lands to seriously take the warning into consideration, and leave without delay as the atmosphere is becoming highly precarious. Mashat highlighted that any firm opting to continue operation within the Israeli-occupied territories despite the warning must assume full responsibility for the decision, and admit subsequent losses. "We may take further measures within the next few days, if necessary, which would place companies investing within the occupied territories at grave and tremendous risks," he stated. Mashat emphasized that, "Overlooking the Yemeni warning translates into betting on a tenuous situation that could entail unpleasant consequences." The high-ranking Yemeni official also took a swipe at the occupying Israeli regime, saying, "Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal administration does not care about investors' interests, and is gambling on their safety to serve its own agenda. A regime that has no concern about the destiny of its own captives [being held in Gaza] will neither protect foreign companies nor investments." He underscored that Yemeni Armed Forces would soon set a deadline for foreign companies to depart Israeli-occupied lands in order to minimize harm and avoid collateral damage. Mashat stated that the repercussions may not be confined to strikes within the occupied lands; but could extend to investments abroad if the Yemeni Armed Forces decide to escalate their operations. As the genocidal war on Gaza escalated, the Yemenis enforced a strategic blockade on essential maritime routes, with the goal of obstructing the delivery of military supplies to Israel and urging 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 'Militarized' aid mechanism: UN blasts Israel's weaponization of food amid Gaza aid site massacres Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 5:53 AM The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has condemned Israel's massacre of aid seekers at humanitarian sites in Rafah and near the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza, as more Palestinians are killed in an Israeli strike on an aid site. According to medical sources, Israeli forces launched another attack on Palestinians gathered at a GHF aid distribution point in Rafah, killing at least three and injuring 35. It came a day after Israeli troops killed at least 40 people at the same location. 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. Meanwhile, the OHCHR raised the alarm over Israeli forces targeting Palestinian aid seekers at GHF distribution points. The office noted that Sunday's killings follow a series of attacks between May 27-31 that left at least 19 dead and 80 wounded. It reiterated that once again, "Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism violates international standards on aid distribution, endangers civilians, and is contributing to the catastrophic situation in Gaza." "The weaponization of food for civilians and restricting or preventing their access to other life-sustaining services constitute a war crime and may constitute elements of other international crimes, including genocide," it added. 'Dehumanizing' Survivors and eyewitnesses of the Israeli strikes shared their accounts with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) staff at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. "Today's events have shown once again that this new system of aid delivery is dehumanizing, dangerous and severely ineffective. It has resulted in deaths and injuries of civilians that could have been prevented. Humanitarian aid must be provided only by humanitarian organizations who have the competence and determination to do it safely and effectively," Claire Manera, MSF emergency coordinator said. "I was shot at 3:10am. As we were trapped, I bled constantly until 5:00am. There were many other men with me. One of them tried to get me out. He was shot in the head and died on my chest. We had gone there for nothing but food just to survive, like everyone else," said Mohammad Daghmeh, 24, a displaced person in Al-Qarara, Khan Younis. Mansour Sami Abdi, a father of four, described the chaos, saying that, "People fought over five pallets. They told us to take foodthen they fired from every direction. I ran 200 meters before realizing I'd been shot. This isn't aid. It's a lie. Are we supposed to go get food for our kids and die?" The 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. 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. 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. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni ballistic missile hits Israel's Ben Gurion airport Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 3:05 AM The Yemeni army says it has launched fresh retaliatory operations against Israeli targets deep inside the occupied Palestinian territories in response to the ongoing aggression against the people of Gaza. The Yemeni Armed Forces said in a statement on Monday morning that the missile force of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a specific military operation targeting Ben Gurion airport in the occupied area of Yaffa using a hypersonic ballistic missile. The operation successfully achieved its objective, causing millions of herds of usurping Zionists to flee to shelters and halting airport operations. The UAV force of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out three military operations targeting three vital Israeli enemy targets in the areas of Yaffa, Ashdod, and Umm al-Rashrash in the occupied Palestine using three drones, the statement said. The Yemeni Armed Forces also said they are working to impose a complete ban on air traffic at Ben Gurion airport. They said the remaining airlines that have not yet complied with the ban should take this into consideration to preserve the safety of their aircraft and customers. "Our operations, with trust in Allah and reliance on Allah, will not cease until the aggression against our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip stops and the siege on them is lifted," they stated. Meanwhile, Yemen's President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces warned all companies investing in the occupied Palestine to take the warning seriously and leave as quickly as they can. Mahdi Al-Mashat said companies that remain in the occupied land after the Yemeni warning must bear the consequences of their insistence and assume responsibility for any losses they may suffer. "We may take additional decisions in the coming days, if necessary, that will expose investment companies within the Zionist entity to real and significant risks," Mashat said. "Ignoring our forces' warnings will turn the work of some investment companies inside the entity into a dangerous gamble, for which they may bear heavy costs as a result of their continued presence," he said. "We will direct the concerned authorities to set a time limit for these companies to leave, out of our keenness to limit the damage to the Zionist entity's government as much as possible and prevent it from dragging others into this harm," the president said. 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 Albares reaffirms to Slovak counterpart Spain's commitment to eastern flank Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS RELEASE 057 Spain is the leading nation in the multinational NATO brigade in Slovakia June 2, 2025 The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, met today in Madrid with his Slovak counterpart, Juraj Blanar. At the meeting, the minister reaffirmed the good relations of both countries, especially in the area of security and defence, with the firm commitment of our country on the eastern flank. In fact, Spain has its largest deployment in a foreign country in Slovakia. The EU agenda and international issues were other topics discussed at the meeting. Security in the East Both ministers were able to talk about security and defence, an area in which the good bilateral relationship between the two countries stands out. Within the framework of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe, Spain is the leading nation in Slovakia's multinational brigade. This is the largest Spanish deployment abroad, with 828 Army personnel at the bases of Lest and Kuchyma, and it also has heavy equipment. Bilateral meetings On the economic level, Spanish companies established in Slovakia operate mainly in the automotive and infrastructure sectors. On this point, Albares recalled the importance of the recent agreement signed between the Ministries of Transport of both countries to promote cooperation in this area. On the other hand, Spanish is consolidated as a foreign language in the Slovak education system. And our country is among the favourite destinations for Erasmus students from Slovakia. International affairs The challenges facing the European Union and the preparation of the next NATO summit, to be held in The Hague at the end of the month, were some of the issues on the European agenda addressed by the ministers at the meeting. On international issues, Albares and Blanar have also spoken about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza. You can see pictures of the event here. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza Calls Israeli Video on Rafah Aid Attack Fabricated After 31 Civilians Killed Sputnik News 20250602 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Gaza Strip's authorities have rejected Israel's account of a recent incident near a humanitarian aid distribution point in Rafah where dozens were killed, saying it was not the result of clashes but rather a deliberate attack by the Israeli military against Palestinian civilians. On Sunday, the Gaza Health Ministry said at least 21 people died and 158 others were injured at the Rafah aid station in an attack carried out by Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by sharing footage depicting armed people throwing stones and firing at the people who came to the aid distribution site, insisting it was not the Israeli military that opened fire. "The Israeli occupation publishes a fabricated misleading video to cover up its brutal crime in which 31 civilians were killed and 200 others were injured in front of the so-called Israeli-American humanitarian aid distribution centers in Rafah," the Gaza administration said on Telegram, pointing out that the video was realized more than 15 hours after the incident and contradicts eyewitness accounts and field data. The Gaza authorities insisted that no armed clashes occurred in the area and that it had been entirely under the control of the Israeli military at the time of the incident. "What happened is obvious: Israeli aircraft in the air, shooting at starved people ... The video is part of a well-thought-out information campaign to distort what is happening," the statement read. On May 19, Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported, citing senior Israeli officials, that Israel's Security Cabinet had decided to immediately resume humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip through existing channels. According to the plan proposed by Israel, the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) will deliver humanitarian aid to several points concentrated in the southern Gaza Strip and controlled by the Israeli military, the Financial Times reported. On May 20, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini said that Israel's resumption of humanitarian aid flow to the Gaza Strip was aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 2 June 2025 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. ** Briefings Just a programming note. Tomorrow, our guest at the Noon-ish Briefing will be Lola Castro, the Regional Director for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Latin America and the Caribbean, who will brief us on the situation in Haiti, where she is now and just returning to Panama. Also, tomorrow, at 1:15 p.m. in this room, there will be a hybrid briefing by Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, accompanied by a high-level parliamentary delegation from that country. They will brief you on the recent developments in South Asia. ** Yemen Let me turn first to a statement on Yemen: This June, we mark a grim milestone. It's been one year since the arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international NGOs (non-governmental organizations), civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions, these detentions by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen. The Secretary-General renews his call for their immediate and unconditional release, including those held since 2021 and 2023, and most recently, detentions in January. He also reiterates his strongest condemnation of the death in detention of a World Food Programme colleague that took place earlier this year. The Houthi de facto authorities have yet to provide an explanation for this deplorable tragedy, and he renews his call for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and accountability. Mr. [Antonio] Guterres says he stands in solidarity with all detained colleagues in Yemen and their families and pays tribute to their essential work and their families' perseverance. We and our humanitarian partners should never be targeted, never be arrested and never be detained while carrying out our mandates for the benefit of the people we serve. 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 processes to secure a path toward peace. The Secretary-General urges the Houthis, yet again, to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained. Particularly on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, this is a time to show compassion. It is a time to end the ordeal of families who face celebrating yet another holiday without their loved ones. To our detained colleagues, the Secretary-General wants them to know that they are not forgotten. We will continue to work through all possible channels to secure their safe and immediate release, and he calls upon Member States to continue expressing their solidarity with those detained and intensify advocacy for their release. Finally, we welcome the collective support of international partners, NGOs and all those working to support the people of Yemen in these efforts. ** Secretary-General/General Assembly This morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the General Assembly, where he congratulated Annalena Baerbock of Germany on her election as the President of the General Assembly for the eightieth Session. He said that President-elect Baerbock's vision, "Better Together", is an inspiring rallying cry for today's world and the global problem-solving system embodied by the United Nations to address the challenges we face. He told President-elect Baerbock that she can count on his full support as she takes on this important responsibility. The Secretary-General also thanked the current President of the General Assembly, Philemon Yang, for his leadership during the seventy-ninth session which still has some ways to go. As we look ahead to the end of the seventy-ninth session, and prepare for the start of the eightieth, the Secretary-General said, let us strive to live up to the values of solidarity and collaboration that have defined this organization from its very start. ** Deputy Secretary-General/Morocco Our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is currently in Marrakech, in Morocco, where she is attending the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend, which is as you may know a high-level gathering of African political and business leaders, civil society, multilateral organizations, and international partners focused on financing for Africa's development. While in Marrakech, the Deputy Secretary-General is also meeting with senior Moroccan Government officials and key stakeholders to discuss Africa's development priorities, the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), challenges to middle income countries and the implementation of the Pact for the Future. Tomorrow, she will travel to Geneva to participate in the eighth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025). It is the main global forum for reviewing progress and sharing good practices in reducing disaster risk and building resilience. ** Gaza Turning to Gaza, I can tell you that the Secretary-General condemns the reported killings and injuries of Palestinians who were seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food. The Secretary-General calls for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs of the people in Gaza must be restored immediately. The United Nations must be allowed to work in safety and security under conditions that fully respect our humanitarian principles. The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate permanent, sustainable ceasefire. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. This is the only path to ensuring security for all. There is no military solution to this conflict. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to the situation on the ground, I can tell you that our humanitarian colleagues there from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tell us that in the last two days, partners reported scores of people killed and injured, apparently while gathering to receive supplies near the militarized distribution centres in Rafah and Deir al Balah. Attacks against health facilities have also continued. Yesterday in North Gaza, the Noura Al Kaabi Centre for dialysis was reportedly hit. The Ministry of Health in Gaza tells us that more than 40 per cent of dialysis patients in Gaza have died since the escalation of the hostilities in October 2023. This is because the centres were either struck or they are now unreachable. As hostilities continue, people have once again been forced to flee. On Saturday, Israeli authorities issued another displacement order in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah. This has affected about 100,000 people living in more than 200 displacement sites. Two primary healthcare centres and five medical points are within the displacement area while three hospitals, three field hospitals, seven primary healthcare centres and 20 medical points are located within 1,000 metres of it. Overall, since 18 March, our humanitarian partners estimate that more than 640,000 people that's nearly a third of Gaza's entire population have been displaced across the Gaza Strip. The latest displacement order also deprived at least 8,000 students of learning, as tens of functioning temporary learning spaces and a dozen public schools had to suspend their operations. These closures constitute a severe setback for children and education, limiting their access to a safe and structured learning environment. The United Nations and our humanitarian partners will continue their efforts to identify and treat malnutrition whenever possible and as dwindling supplies get even lower. Last week, we and our partners distributed supplements to about 40,000 children, despite severe challenges and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, as people endure deprivation, and hunger and the absence of adequate food distribution, looting incidents continue to be reported. The vast majority are people taking flour directly from our open trucks, out of clear desperation, but our teams are also started observing some criminal looting yet again. We and our partners continue to call for the full lifting of the restrictions on aid and other essentials to ensure the needs of civilians are met. This comes as people continue to suffer from frequent water shortages. The pipeline in Deir al Balah, which supplied at least 12,000 cubic metres of water every day, is still not operational and humanitarians' attempts to carry out coordinated missions to repair it have been denied. Today, five missions to distribute potable water in the displacement camps in Jabaliya were also denied by Israeli authorities. Over the weekend, we and our partners kept working to bring supplies from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza. More than 100 truckloads of food and medical supplies were picked up on Saturday and Sunday, bringing to more than 300 the number of truckloads picked up from the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom since it was reopened. Today, one of our attempts to collect supplies from that crossing was denied. Another is still ongoing, awaiting a green light from Israeli authorities, a pause in the bombing along the route, and the allocation of a viable path. Because of the Israeli weekend and holiday, the border was kept closed, blocking us from bringing more supplies through Kerem Shalom since Saturday. Even when the crossing is open, severe restrictions on what we can bring in both in terms of volume and variety means it's still just a trickle of what people need. ** Lebanon On a related note, Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, our Special Coordinator for Lebanon, began a visit to Israel today, where she is set to meet with senior officials. Her visit is part of the regular consultations on steps to consolidate progress made since the November 2024 Cessation of Hostilities Understanding came into effect and to advance the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. And just to note that last week, the Special Coordinator, together with Geir Pedersen, our [Special] Envoy for Syria, as you know, met with Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri. The discussions centred on ways to consolidate stability in Lebanon and the wider region through the implementation of resolution 1701, including in relation to borders issues and refugees. And to reiterate that we continue to call on all sides to abide by their commitments to create the necessary conditions for enduring security and stability across the Blue Line. ** Antisemitic Attacks I've also been asked about the acts of antisemitism we've seen over the weekend, specifically the horrific violent attack in Boulder, Colorado, and the acts of vandalism in France targeting Jewish landmarks. I can tell you that the Secretary-General condemns these acts. The United Nations firmly stands against all forms of antisemitism, as well as all other manifestations of extremism and any incitement to religious hatred and violence, and he calls for swift action to hold those responsible accountable. ** Ukraine Turning to Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that, according to authorities, attacks over the weekend and today have killed more than 20 civilians and injured more than 100 others, including children. Civilian infrastructure including homes, health care and education facilities, as well as power and gas lines were also damaged. The regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia were among the hardest hit. Aid workers are providing support, delivering materials for emergency repairs, along with psychological assistance to all those impacted. Humanitarian organizations are also continuing to evacuate people from areas of intense hostilities. Over the weekend, authorities announced evacuations from a dozen front-line communities in the Sumy and Dnipro [regions]. On 30 May, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy delivered vital aid to residents of the front-line Mylivska community in the Kherson region. The assistance included solar lamps, charging stations, kitchen sets, and all sorts of other essential supplies; and this was for at least 700 people, including people with disabilities. This year, 11 convoys reached 16,000 people in the Kherson region, delivering much-needed aid remaining in frontline areas. ** Sudan Moving to the situation in Sudan, I can tell you that we are alarmed by the recent wave of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan. 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. And just one day earlier, the World Food Programme's premises in Al Fasher came under repeated shelling, causing significant damage to a key humanitarian hub. Both attacks were reportedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In a statement, the Acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Kristine Hambrouck, called for international humanitarian law to be respected civilians, health workers and aid staff must never be targeted, she said. We reiterate that these facilities are essential to sustaining life in the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that in Khartoum, attacks on electricity infrastructure have worsened water shortages, forcing many people to use unsafe sources and putting over 1 million children at risk of waterborne diseases, at a time when, as you know, cholera is spreading in Sudan. Daily cases in Khartoum state have dropped compared to previous weeks, thanks to the efforts of health workers and community volunteers. However, the overall numbers there remain staggering with more than 16,500 cases and over 340 reported deaths since the outbreak began. In South Darfur state, dozens of cholera cases emerged in Nyala, in the state capital and surrounding areas, prompting officials to declare a health emergency. These officials are appealing for urgent support to contain the outbreak before it spreads. And in Northern and River Nile states, cholera continues to spread, with over 200 cases and several deaths reported since the middle of last month. Local health authorities with our support have set up treatment centres and launched surveillance and community health activities, but critical gaps in supplies, funding and support for overstretched health workers remain. We and our partners are scaling up the response, but being faced by mounting constraints, with funding shortfalls and the movement of supplies and personnel across conflict lines remains, obviously, a fundamental challenge to our ability to do our work. We urge the international community to act swiftly, so as to ensure that resources reach people where they are most needed, to prevent the further spread of cholera, and to protect the millions of civilians who are caught and are at risk. ** Nigeria From Nigeria, our colleagues at OCHA tell us that we and our humanitarian partners continue to support the response to the devastating floods in the north-central part of the country. On 29 May, intense rainfall triggered floods in the Mokwa local government area of Niger State. More than 500 households were impacted and over 3,000 people displaced. According to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), more than 1,600 children aged 12 years and below have been displaced. Hundreds of houses have been damaged. The flooding also damaged key roads and bridges, disrupting transport and local activities. The main needs include food, water and sanitation hygiene services, emergency shelter and psychosocial support. The Government is leading the response, which includes food, water, and medical support. We and our partners are supporting the Government. WHO (World Health Organization) is preparing a shipment of medicine and medical equipment to support essential primary healthcare. For its part, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will provide 1,000 tarpaulin sheets for temporary shelter and other essential non-food items, while the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) plans to establish temporary clinics and safe spaces for women and girls, offering maternal and reproductive health services, psychosocial care and dignity kits. The agency is also working with the Government to deploy nurses and midwives. ** Financial Contribution Money today. Two countries. Get your quiz hats on. This Central American country is a bird-watchers paradise, home to over 700 bird species. [responses from the crowd] All of you are wrong so far. Its national bird is distinctive, with red, blue and yellow plumes and is called the Scarlet Macaw. Ok. You have named all of them except Honduras. [...] There are two countries in the world that have national capitals named after a US President. One is Washington, in the United States. What is the other one? [...] Liberia! We thank our friends in Monrovia and Tegucigalpa and for their full payments to the Regular Budget. The payments from Honduras and Liberia bring the number of fully paid-up Member States to 110. ** Questions and Answers Spokesman : And now we take your questions. Benno, I'll have to go to you. Okay. Go ahead, Edie. Question : Thank you, Steph. A couple of follow-ups. On the Secretary-General statement about the detention of UN NGO staff by the Houthis, can we get some numbers? I mean, how many UN staffers, how many NGO staffers, and for how long? Because this has taken place over a period of time. Spokesman : Exactly. So, 23 UN personnel remain detained. And I will try to give you a better breakdown, but that's the number I have for UN staff: 23 remain detained. Question : Okay. And a second follow-up on Gaza. You talked about the looting of trucks, new looting of trucks. Are there any numbers to go with that? Spokesman : No. I don't have any granularity on that, unfortunately. Okay. Abdelhamid and then Gabriel. Question : Thank you, Stephane. I have a couple of questions. I start with the statement of the Secretary-General. He used the term "appalled", and now you use the term "condemned". So in fact, I published this statement, and I used what he wrote, "appalled". Now you say condemned, so should I revise my statement, my report, and say the Secretary condemned? Spokesman : I mean, I speak on his behalf, and we clearly condemned what happened. Question : My second question. A Tunisian was shot and killed in southern France. And the killer, according to the prosecutor, is a hate crime. And last month also, a Malian was stabbed to death in a mosque. And we didn't hear statement condemning these Islamophobic crimes. Why is that? Spokesman : I mean, first of all, we condemn any act of murder, especially those that are clearly motivated by religious hatred, whether it is antisemitism or Islamophobia, and that is our position. Question : I will be happy when I hear that statement coming from you in your briefing. And last, on Syria, Israel attacked Latakia and Tartous two days ago, and a number of civilians were killed. I haven't heard any statement from any one official on that. Spokesman : I mean, these attacks, unfortunately, have been going on for quite some time, and I think we've been very clear in condemning all violations of Syria's territorial integrity. Dezhi and then Gabriel. Sorry. Question : The new run of Russian-Ukrainian talks has concluded in Istanbul, and both parties agree for a large prisoner swap as well as the missing children, I guess. Any reaction from the Secretary-General on the latest development for the meetings? Spokesman : Well, we obviously, you know, we welcome any agreement that will bring exchange of prisoners or exchange of remains of prisoners. Gabriel? Question : Thanks, Steph. Ian Martin's strategic review of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), you mentioned weeks ago that it was still looking at mid-June. And will that be public, you think? Spokesman : Let me get back to you on that. Question : Yeah, no problem. And on UN80, where are we in the process there? I mean, we haven't heard from Guy Ryder. There's a lot that, you know, potential changes in this organization. Where do we kind of stand on that? Spokesman : The proposals are continuing to be looked at. Proposals are being harvested from the different, the three different tracks. We hope to get Guy Ryder down here at some point soon to update you. Denis? Question : Thank you, Steph. I have a follow-up question on Ukraine. Could you comment on Russia's proposal that a peace treaty with Ukraine must be approved by a legally binding UN Security Council resolution? Spokesman : Look. I think, let's get to an agreement. I don't want to comment on hypotheticals. I think it would be unwise and counterproductive at this point. You know, I do want to add that, obviously, we hope that the talks that concluded in Istanbul could lead to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as the first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions. We'll go to Ria Novosti, please. Question : Thanks so much. Tom Fletcher is in Moscow. Any meetings? Spokesman : I know he met with Foreign Minister [Sergey] Lavrov and others. It's part of his broader consultations with all Member States, but especially the permanent members of the Security Council. As soon as I have something, I will share it with you. Sinan? Question : Thank you, Steph. In an April press release on the PKK-Turkiye ceasefire, UN experts called for disarmament, which the PKK has announced it will carry out. In the same press release, the experts also called for addressing the root causes of violence. So the question is, does the United Nations also call on Turkiye to assess any possible responsibility it might have in the causes of the conflict? And that was on the United Nation Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, I mean, the press release. Spokesman : Yeah. I mean, obviously, you know, the High Commissioner for Human Rights speaks for his mandate. We fully support... the Secretary-General, of course, supports him and his work. Yes. Go ahead. Question : I mean, what does the Secretary-General expect from Turkiye in the negotiations? I mean, does he has any...? Spokesman : There have been historic steps taken, right, between the Government of Turkiye and the PKK. We hope that these talks and these discussions will evolve in a way that is mutually beneficial to both, but also beneficial to all people in Turkiye and the broader region. Question : I'm almost done. Is that or you want to come back to me? Spokesman : Go ahead. Go ahead. Question : So while the United Nations assistance has not been requested in the PKK-Turkiye negotiation, has the SG offered the United Nations' assistance to the parties? Spokesman : We always stand ready to assist any negotiating process, should the parties both want us and in ways that can be helpful. Stefano? Question : Thank you, Stephane. First, from 1 to 10, how worries the Secretary-General about the Russian response to the attack yesterday could be a nuclear response? Spokesman : We're not... First of all, I think Secretary-General's oft-stated position about the risk of nuclear conflict stands, but I'm not going to feed into number predictions. Question : But at least he says he's today more worried than he was made, let's say, two days ago? Another question, he's, I mean, actually, he's a follow-up with a question I asked you last week about Mario Paciolla's death in Colombia. You said that you were going to check, you know, because the question was if the UN is going to reopen the case with an inquiry or something. Spokesman : Yeah. I'm sorry. I haven't had a chance to ask, but I will. Biesan and Evelyn. Question : So former State Department spokesperson Matt Miller, in an interview, has said that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza. And, as you know, he had defended Israel when he was in his position. I think this is the probably the highest official in the former Biden Administration who has made this admission. Do you have a comment on that? And, I mean, do you share his assessment? Spokesman : I've said what I've said. Maybe once, when there may be one day when I become a former something, I'll say other things. Evelyn? Question : Just briefly, can the UN deliver any goods and anyone to Darfur? Spokesman : No. We've not been able to get into El Fasher, as far as I know. Question : Thank you. Spokesman : Okay. Thank you all. Enjoy the rest of the week. Yes? No question? Okay. I'm going, once, twice, sold. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza: Guterres urges probe into killings at food distribution sites 2 June 2025 - The UN Secretary-General has condemned the reported killing and injury of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza on Sunday, calling for an investigation into the matter. More than 30 people were killed and over 100 wounded while waiting in the morning to get food from two sites in Rafah and Middle Gaza run by the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to media reports. The organization is backed by Israel and the United States and uses private US security contractors supervised by the Israeli military. Aid distributions began at the end of May, bypassing the UN and other humanitarian agencies. Risking their lives UN chief Antonio Guterres issued a statement on Monday saying he was "appalled" by the reports. "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." He stressed that Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. Allow UN operations "The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs in Gaza must be restored immediately," he said. "The UN must be allowed to work in safety and security under conditions of full respect of humanitarian principles. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate permanent, sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. "This is the only path to ensuring security for all. There is no military solution to the conflict," he insisted. Lift aid restrictions The UN has repeatedly called for the full lifting of restrictions on aid and other essentials to meet the immense needs in the Gaza Strip, where more than two million people are at risk of famine following some 20 months of war and a near total three-month aid blockade. Israel recently lifted the ban temporarily, allowing UN agencies to bring in limited quantities of baby formula, flour, medicines and other assistance through the Kerem Shalom border crossing until the GHF became operational. The Secretary-General and other senior officials have repeatedly stated that the UN will not participate in any aid plan that does not respect international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality. Worsening conditions The UN humanitarian affairs office OCHA said on Monday that the situation on the ground continues to worsen by the day, pointing to the mass casualties at the two distribution sites as well as ongoing attacks against health facilities. The Noura Al Kaabi Centre for dialysis in North Gaza was reportedly hit on Sunday, the agency said. Moreover, the Gaza health authorities report that 40 per cent of dialysis patients in the enclave have died since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023 because centres were either struck or unreachable. New displacement order "As hostilities continue, people have once again been forced to flee," OCHA said. On Saturday, Israel issued another displacement order in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah, affecting around 100,000 people living in more than 200 displacement sites. Humanitarians estimate that since 18 March, more than 640,000 people have been displaced in Gaza, or nearly a third of the population. "The latest displacement order also deprived at least 8,000 students of learning, as tens of functioning temporary learning spaces and a dozen public schools had to suspend their operations," OCHA added. Child malnutrition and looting The UN and partners continue efforts to identify and treat malnutrition whenever possible and as dwindling supplies allow, distributing supplements to about 40,000 children last week despite severe challenges and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, looting incidents continue to be reported amid the deprivation, hunger and lack of adequate food distribution. "The vast majority are people taking flour directly from open trucks, out of clear desperation. However, humanitarian teams have also started observing some criminal looting again," OCHA said. Water woes persist Gazans also continue to be plagued by frequent water shortages. For example, the pipeline in Deir Al-Balah, which supplied at least 12,000 cubic metres every day, is still not operational. "Humanitarians' attempts to carry out coordinated missions to repair it have been denied," said OCHA, noting that on Monday, Israel also denied five missions to distribute potable water in displacement camps in Jabaliya, located in North Gaza. Attempts to deliver aid OCHA added that over the weekend, the UN and partners kept working to bring supplies through the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. More than 100 truckloads of food and medical supplies were picked up on Saturday and Sunday, bringing to more than 300 the number of truckloads collected from the Gaza side of the crossing since it was reopened. "Today, one of our attempts to collect supplies from Kerem Shalom was denied. Another was still ongoing, awaiting a green light from Israeli authorities, a pause in the bombing along the route, and the allocation of a viable path," the agency said. OCHA stressed that "even when the crossing is open, severe restrictions on what humanitarians can bring in - both in terms of volume and variety - mean that the supplies currently entering Gaza are still just a trickle and fall far short of what people need." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's statement on one year of detention of United Nations and other personnel in Yemen United Nations Secretary-General New York 02 June 2025 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. I renew my call for their immediate and unconditional release, including those held since 2021 and 2023, and most recently this January. I also reiterate my strongest condemnation of the death in detention of a World Food Programme colleague earlier this year. The Houthi de facto authorities have yet to provide an explanation for this deplorable tragedy, and I renew the call for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and accountability. I stand in solidarity with all detained colleagues in Yemen and their families and pay tribute to their essential work and their families' perseverance. The UN and its humanitarian partners should never be targeted, arrested or detained while carrying out their mandates for the benefit of the people they serve. 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. I again urge the Houthis to immediately release those arbitrarily detained. Particularly on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, this is a time to show compassion and end the ordeal of families who face celebrating yet another holiday without their loved ones. I would like our detained colleagues to know that you are not forgotten. The United Nations will continue to work through all possible channels to secure your safe and immediate release, and I call upon Member States to continue expressing their solidarity with those detained and intensify advocacy towards their release. I welcome the collective support of international partners, NGOs and all those working to support the people of Yemen in these efforts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USNS Comfort Departs Norfolk in Support of Continuing Promise 2025 US Navy 02 June 2025 From LaShawn Sykes - USN Military Sealift Command NORFOLK, Va. -- The U.S. Navy Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Naval Station Norfolk to begin its summer deployment to the U.S. Southern Command area of operation in support of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S.4th Fleet's Continuing Promise 2025, May 30. After several months of detailed planning, Comfort is on-track to conduct mission visits to Grenada, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. "Continuing Promise has been conducted since 2007, with a mission to forge enduring partnerships by providing medical and humanitarian aid, thereby creating a lasting reputation for goodwill throughout the region," said Capt. Ryan Kendall, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 40, and mission commander of Continuing Promise. The focus during each mission stop will be working alongside partner nation medical personnel to provide direct patient care and technical expertise in community clinics to improve medical readiness, strengthen partnerships, and enhance the combined capabilities of the U.S. Navy and partner nations to respond to public health disasters and humanitarian crises. The Continuing Promise team also includes a U.S. Army veterinary element from the 248th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service Support), which will collaborate with host nation colleagues to provide direct public health education and animal care at local veterinary organizations in-country. U.S. Navy Seabees from Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 11 will assist in host nation led community engineering projects. U.S. Navy experts will host seminars and training exercises with host nation civilian officials and military professionals covering disaster preparedness and response. These exchanges aim to support host nation facilities, improve readiness, and empower local and national officials with the knowledge and experience to act with confidence during emergencies. The U.S. Fleet Forces Band, "Uncharted Waters," will also support the Continuing Promise mission. The band will embark on USNS Comfort to conduct classes at community schools, collaborate with military and civilian musical organizations in partner nations, and entertain local communities with concerts at each mission stop. This cultural exchange aims to strengthen community ties and foster goodwill. Capt. Stephen P. Arles, commanding officer, USNS Comfort, expressed excitement about working with the band and professional medical team. He added, "This is the Comfort's eighth deployment supporting Continuing Promise. The team is eager to collaborate with partner nations, exchange knowledge, and aid those in need, strengthening the legacy of the Continuing Promise mission." USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 02 June 2025 - Day 1195 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential. Since the beginning of the day, there have been 117 combat clashes, the Russian enemy launched 2 missiles and 49 air strikes, using three missiles and 78 guided airstrikes, 1353 kamikaze drones strikes, carrying out almost 4000 shells of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction, the Defense Forces repelled two Russian assaults in the Vovchansk district and in the direction of Dovgenky, another fight is currently ongoing. The Russian enemy attacked seven times Ukrainian fortifications in the Kupyansky direction in the areas of the settlements of Zapadne, Stepova Novoselivka, Piscni, Zagrizove and Green Grove. In the Lyman direction today, Russian troops stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 15 times near the settlements of Grekivka, Olgivka, New Mir, Glushchenkove, Ridkodub, Karpivka, Green Valley, Torske and in the direction of Grigorivka. Three clashes are ongoing so far. Five attacks of Russian troops in the area of Grigorivka, Verkhnyokamiansky and in the direction of Serebryanka. Today Ukrainian troops repelled four Russian attacks in the direction of the White Mountain and Kurdyumivka in the Kramatorsky direction, another battle is currently ongoing. In the Toretsky direction, the Russian occupiers have stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders nine times today in the areas of settlements Diliyivka, Pleshiyivka, Toretsk and in the direction of Jablunivka. One shot is not over. In the Pokrovsky direction throughout the day, Russian forces carried out 36 assault and offensive actions. The activity of Russian occupiers was observed in the areas of settlements Poltavka, Myrolyubivka, Elizavetivka, Malinivka, Lisivka, Dachenske, Udaachne, Novosergiyivka, Muravka, Kotlyarivka, Andriyivka and in the direction of Pokrovsk. The fights have not subsided so far in two locations. According to preliminary calculations, today Ukrainian warriors eliminated 77 and wounded 65 Russian invaders in this direction; destroyed three BBMs, 17 cars, 10 motorcycles, four BplAs, one REB vehicle; also damaged BBMs, three cars, four motorcycles, 2 cannons and BM-21 "Hail" of the enemy. In the Novopavlovsk direction, the Russian invaders carried out 19 attacks on the position of Ukrainian troops, Russian forces tried to advance in the areas of Konstantinopil, Odradne, Novosilka, Vilne Pole, Zelene Pole, Novopil, and towards Novoukrainka and Komara. One confrontation is currently underway. In the Orikhivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled the Russian enemy's attack near the settlement Stepovo. Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk direction today repelled 15 attacks of the Russian Zagarbnytsia army, two more fighting remain unfinished; Russian forces launched 11 aerial strikes, dropping 18 KABs, also carried out 150 shellings, two of which were from the systems of blaze fire. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 2, 2025 Release Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, on Detailing of Department of Defense Civilian Employees to Support the Department of Homeland Security Today the Secretary of Defense authorized the DoD Components to detail qualified Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees to support the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) border security efforts as well as interior immigration enforcement. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will coordinate with DHS to facilitate these temporary assignments by DoD civilian employees in support of critical ongoing operations. Protecting our homeland from bad actors and illegal substances has been a focus of the President and of the Secretary of Defense since Day One of this Administration. Whether on the border or in our communities, allowing qualified DoD civilian employees to support DHS will accelerate the progress already made by Service members in achieving our national security goals. You may find the Secretary's memorandum here. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4203711/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Justice Department Files Federal Charges Against Alleged Perpetrator of Anti-Semitic Terror Attack in Colorado Monday, June 2, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department has filed federal charges against illegal alien Mohammed Sabry Soliman, the alleged perpetrator of yesterday's anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Colorado. Attorney General Pamela Bondi released the following statement: "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. 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." Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon released the following statement: "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. There can be zero tolerance for such acts in our great nation." Background: -Soliman is being charged with a federal hate crime in addition to facing state charges for attempted murder in Colorado. -Read the federal complaint HERE. Topics: Civil Rights Hate Crimes Domestic Terrorism Components: Office of the Attorney General Civil Rights Division Press Release Number: 25-569 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Romanian Citizen Pleads Guilty to 'Swatting' Numerous Members of Congress, Churches, and Former U.S. President Monday, June 2, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Leader of Online Swatting Ring Admits to Targeting over 75 Public Officials, Four Religious Institutions, and Multiple Journalists in Nationwide Bomb Threat Spree Thomasz Szabo, also known as Plank, Jonah, and Cypher, 26, of Romania, pleaded guilty today to being the leader of a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims across the United States with "swatting" and bomb threats. Szabo and his co-conspirators falsely reported ongoing violent emergencies at government buildings, houses of worship, and private residences, including the homes of senior government officials. "This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy, deliberately threatening dozens of government officials with violent hoaxes and targeting our nation's security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "This case reflects our continued focus on protecting the American people and working with international partners to stop these threats at their source." "Today, Szabo pleaded guilty to a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims with swatting and bomb threats, including to government buildings, houses of worship and homes of government officials," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Swatting endangers lives and will not be tolerated by the FBI. We are fully committed to working with our partners to bring to justice those criminals hiding behind keyboards and threatening violence." "This defendant's targeted and ruthless behavior put countless people in danger, including law enforcement, public officials, and ordinary citizens," said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. "Swatting attacks, that is, falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims' home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there, drain precious resources and can result in major injury or even death. Anyone who hijacks police resources for senseless crimes like these will have to answer for their actions." According to court documents, Szabo was the founder and leader of an online community that, starting in late 2020, engaged in a pattern of bomb threats and "swatting" that is, falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims' home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there. As leader of the group, Szabo made false reports to U.S. law enforcement including a threat in December 2020 to commit a mass-shooting at New York City synagogues, and a threat in January 2021 to detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol and kill the President-elect. Szabo publicized his "swatting" activity to his followers and encouraged them to engage in similar behavior. Beginning on Dec. 24, 2023, and continuing through early January 2024, subordinate members of Szabo's group perpetrated a spree of swatting and bomb threats that included, as its victims, at least 25 Members of Congress or family members of Members of Congress; at least six then-current or former senior U.S. Executive Branch 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; multiple members of the federal judiciary; at least 27 then-current or former state government officials or family members of such officials; at least four religious institutions; and multiple members of the media. During that time period, one of those subordinates bragged to Szabo: "I did 25+ swattings today," and "creating massive havoc in [A]merica. $500,000+ in taxpayers wasted in just two days." Szabo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and one count of threats involving explosives, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Szabo was extradited from Romania in November 2024. The U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office and Criminal Investigative Division, the FBI's Washington and Minneapolis Field Offices, and the U.S. Capitol Police are investigating the case. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing Szabo's arrest and extradition and assisted with securing evidence from abroad, including through mutual legal assistance requests. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Secret Service's Bucharest Resident Office, Miami Field Office, Syracuse Resident Office, Springfield Resident Office; the FBI's Legat Office in Bucharest; and the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Western District of Washington, the District of South Dakota, the Middle District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida, the Southern District of Illinois, and the Northern District of New York. The Romanian authorities' assistance was critical to the successful investigation of the case and extradition of Szabo. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Topic: National Security Components: Office of the Attorney General Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - District of Columbia Press Release Number: 25-570 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Video address on 70th anniversary of Baikonur Space Centre June 2, 2025 10:30 President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, Russian and Kazakhstani friends, employees and veteran workers of the Baikonur Space Centre. I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings on this momentous occasion, the 70th anniversary of the legendary Baikonur Space Centre. It was on June 2, 1955, that a historic policy decision was made to create a unique missile test range in the Soviet Union, destined to become the world's first spaceport. Just a decade after the end of the Great Patriotic War, the multiethnic Soviet nation, having endured immense tragedy and devastating losses, achieved the remarkable. The Soviet people not only rebuilt cities and towns from the ruins and ignited powerful economic and technological progress, but also took a bold leap into the future, launching visionary and ambitious plans that opened the path to space, to the stars. The creation of Baikonur, along with the entire space programme, stands as a true feat, a testament to courage, determination, and heroic spirit. We honour the monumental, selfless labour of the hundreds of thousands from all the republics of the Union who envisioned, designed, and built Baikonur, and who worked at the cosmodrome from its earliest days. We fondly remember the scientists and engineers, test pilots, civilian specialists, and military personnel whose dedication, talent, and courage helped write the glorious history of Russian and global cosmonautics. It was here, at Baikonur, that the countdown to a new era in human history began - where dreams became reality. From this very site, in 1957, the R-7 rocket carried the first artificial satellite into orbit, and on April 12, 1961, Yury Gagarin launched from Baikonur to become the first human to orbit the Earth in a spacecraft. The history of Baikonur is rich with remarkable milestones, including the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, to fly a solo mission in 1963; the launch of the world's first manned orbital space station, Salyut-1, in 1971; and the historic liftoff of the space shuttle Buran in 1988. It was also from Baikonur that the Zarya module was launched in 1998, ushering in the construction of the International Space Station, which continues to operate in orbit to this day. Baikonur has witnessed more than 2,500 launches and has sent over 200 cosmonauts into orbit. From its launch pads, representatives of numerous countries have embarked on space missions, many of them scientists conducting groundbreaking experiments and advancing both fundamental and applied research. It is fitting that the space centre was named Baikonur, meaning "rich land" in Kazakh. Indeed, its contribution to international scientific and technological progress is immense, truly rich in every sense, and beyond measure. Today, Baikonur remains one of the largest and most advanced spaceports in the world. With a workforce of around seven thousand, this versatile complex plays an active role in the space programmes of Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and numerous other countries. Baikonur also stands as a powerful symbol of the strategic partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan. Dozens of treaties and agreements have been signed between our nations, governing all aspects of the cosmodrome's operations and the administration of the city of Baikonur. Baikonur is a vivid example of how cooperation and integration can serve the interests of both Russia and Kazakhstan, enhancing their international standing and reinforcing their leadership in science, innovation, and various high-tech sectors. Russia has made, and will continue to make, significant efforts to support the development of the city of Baikonur and to ensure the well-being of its residents, both Russian and Kazakhstani citizens. The active operation of the space centre and the creation of favourable conditions for its continued use remain among our top priorities. Friends, I wish you good health and continued success in advancing our national space industry and in strengthening the partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan. Once again, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this memorable anniversary. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump to announce new nominee to lead NASA, replacing Musk ally People's Daily Online (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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander highlights growing role of space in regional security at Australian Space Summit United States Space Force Published June 2, 2025 By Capt. Gerald Peden Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs Sydney, Australia (AFNS) -- U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, USSF Indo-Pacific commander, emphasized the critical role of space capabilities in ensuring stability across the Indo-Pacific region at Australian Space Summit 2025, May 27-28. Speaking to a diverse audience of defense leaders, industry partners, and policymakers, Mastalir underscored the evolving mission of the U.S. Space Force and the depth of the U.S.-Australia military alliance during a keynote address and panel discussion. "In light of today's challenges and the imperative for a robust, integrative response ... we established U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific in 2022," Mastalir said. "Our mission remains unchanged: integrated space operations to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific." Mastalir highlighted the recent establishment of Space Force components in South Korea and Japan, underscoring a growing forward presence designed to deter threats and enhance operational integration with allies. "Guardians in these components work side by side with our allies to integrate space capabilities into military operations and protect friendly forces from space-enabled attacks," he explained. He also reaffirmed the indispensable role of Australia in U.S. defense strategy, "Australia is not just a strategic partner, but a true friend, and an essential pillar of deterrence here," Mastalir said. "Our nations have forged a bond that is both enduring and meaningful." Australian Defense Force Lt. Gen. Susan Coyle, ADF Joint Capabilities chief, underscored the critical importance of U.S.-Australian military cooperation in the rapidly evolving space domain while participating in a joint panel discussion with Mastalir. "We have fought together since World War One," Coyle said. "You don't build friends in a crisis. You build friends now, and we have a deep shared history of that. Both generals discussed a shared strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific, focusing on deterrence and responsible space operations. Mastalir stressed that their approach is about "peace through strength," with both nations committed to preventing conflict by demonstrating robust defensive capabilities. Coyle emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, stating that Australia is "interested in how we can be a better, more lethal and more survivable defense force that contributes to peace and security in our region." The discussion revealed a unified approach to space domain challenges, with both leaders highlighting the need to protect space assets critical to joint military operations. They also emphasized the importance of space domain awareness, satellite protection and developing technologies to counter emerging threats. "Every challenge we face is also an opportunityan opportunity to innovate, to grow stronger, and to set a shining example for the world," Mastalir said. With mounting challenges in the space domain, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific is positioning itself as a keystone of deterrence, innovation and allied cooperation in the region. As Mastalir affirmed, "This isn't just about building stronger satellites or more agile fighting capabilities. It's about building a legacy one that fortifies our shared values and affirms our belief in a better, brighter future." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Soldiers see result of their work on the gun line By Captain Nicholas Marquis 2 June 2025 Dust clouds the air through the percussion of each blast from four M777A2 howitzers on the gun line, shrapnel falls just metres away. A second target indication is called in at 600 metres; guns are primed, reloaded and the repeating blasts pound the air again and again. More target indications follow, walking in to a danger-close distance of 450 metres. The flash of the round hitting the target is clearly visible. The 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, conducted direct fire danger-close serials at Mount Bundey Training Area during Exercise Predators Walk. Direct fire is when the enemy can be seen from the gun line. In a training scenario that 102 Coral Battery has not practised in recent years, Bombardier Bradley Phillips said in his eight years it was his closest live-fire yet. "We are usually firing 1.5 kilometres or 2 kilometres away [when direct firing], but today our closest target was 450 metres," Bombardier Phillips said. "Being able to see and really hear the impact, that's what separates this from other shoots. "Most of the time we fire and you'll hear the blast but never actually see what we do." Bombardier Phillips said it was the best serial they had done to date. "I've got a fairly new detachment, mostly junior members, but the team worked well and was able to bring the full effect," he said. Troop commander Lieutenant Alexander Fuller described his role as the best job in the world. "I was between the number one and two guns; it's really something to behold," Lieutenant Fuller said. "There's something contagious about the gun line. Today it was no different, everyone got around it and shot really well - mission success." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US restrictions against China seriously undermine consensus reached during talks in Geneva: MOFCOM Global Times By Xiong Xinyi and Ni Hao Published: Jun 02, 2025 09:42 PM Amid China's commitment to implementing the consensus reached at the economic and trade talks in Geneva, Washington has continuously provoked new trade frictions that violated the consensus, while China firmly rejects the unwarranted accusations from the US, a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Monday. Commenting on recent US claims that China has violated the consensus reached in the China-US economic and trade talks in Geneva, the MOFCOM spokesperson said the Chinese side has noted the situation. According to the statement released by the ministry on Monday, following the release of the Joint Statement on the China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva, China, in accordance with the consensus reached, canceled or suspended relevant tariff and non-tariff measures targeting the US' "reciprocal tariffs." China, with a responsible attitude, has earnestly addressed, strictly implemented, and actively upheld the consensus of the economic and trade talks in Geneva. China's commitment to safeguarding its rights is resolute, and its implementation of the consensus reflects integrity. In contrast, the US, after the talks in Geneva, has introduced multiple discriminatory restrictions against China, including issuing AI chip export control guidance, halting sales of chip design software - electronic design automation (EDA) - to China, and announcing the revocation of visas for Chinese students. These actions seriously violate the consensus reached during the January 17 phone call between the two heads of state, severely undermine the existing consensus of the Geneva economic and trade talks, and significantly harm China's legitimate rights and interests. The US has continuously provoked new trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations. Instead of reflecting on its own actions, it unjustly shifts blame, baselessly accusing China of violating the consensus, which gravely deviates from the facts. China firmly rejects these unwarranted accusations, the spokesperson said. The Joint Statement on China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva is an important consensus reached by both sides based on mutual respect and equal consultation, and its outcomes were hard-won, the spokesperson said, urging the US to meet China halfway, immediately correct its erroneous actions, and jointly uphold the consensus of the Geneva economic and trade talks to promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-US trade relations. Unilateral moves According to the consensus reached by the Geneva talks, the principles for handling China-US relations are mutual respect and equal consultation, with the establishment of a consultation mechanism to address the major concerns of both sides. However, the US has violated these principles by failing to show mutual respect and bypassing the consultation mechanism in dealing with bilateral economic and trade relations. Instead, it unilaterally adopted a series of suppressive measures and then shifted the blame onto China, He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Monday. If the US continues to harm China's interests, China will resolutely take strong measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, the MOFCOM spokesperson noted. On Friday, the US President and his trade representative claimed that Beijing was not fulfilling its commitment, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. The US President wrote on his social-media platform Truth Social that China has "totally violated its agreement" with the US. Shortly afterward, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that China is "slow-rolling" its compliance with the agreement, mentioning rare-earth minerals as a sticking point, according to the WSJ report. The export control measures are not targeting countermeasures by the US; rather, they represent refinements to China's regulatory system. The management of relevant materials aims to bolster market security and mitigate security risks and shocks, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Monday. He stressed the importance for China and the US to collaboratively advance toward mutual trust and mutual benefit, noting that interaction and exchange of information related to export controls are necessary to reduce misjudgments and improve the effectiveness of the systems and policies. Speaking on the US' recent restrictive moves, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday that such moves are practices of "saying one thing but doing another," which undermine the foundation of bilateral economic and trade cooperation and are detrimental to sound and stable development. Zhou said the US' actions have created new obstacles for the next phase of China-US economic and trade consultations, while altering the current bilateral economic environment and introducing significant adverse factors. In addition, the unilateral measures taken by the US that breach the consensus reached in the joint agreement will heighten uncertainty in global trade and foster distrust toward the US among nations worldwide, said Ma Jihua, a veteran telecom industry analyst, on Monday. Strong dissatisfaction Since the Geneva talks, Washington has been implementing restrictive measures against the Chinese side, especially targeting the high-tech sector, from halting chip software sales to China, issuing guidance warning companies not to use advanced computer chips from China, to reportedly suspending engine sales to Chinese planemaker COMAC. The restrictions impede technological exchanges between China and the US, reduce synergy efficiency in corporate production and sales thereby increasing costs, and constrain market expansion for relevant Chinese enterprises while diminishing market share and profits for American companies in China, Wang said. As for the impact on the global industry, Ma said the US' long-arm jurisdiction of crackdowns on China's semiconductor sector has caused severe disruption for the global supply chain, with uncertainties lingering for downstream production and procurement. He noted that the industrial research and development (R&D) process has been severely affected, as corporations now hesitate to invest in innovation while professionals refrain from committing resources to the R&D. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said during a quarterly earnings call last week that the US' export control policy on AI chips to China was "clearly wrong," noting that China's AI will move on with or without US chips due to its abundant AI talent. Huang's remarks are just a representation of the US restrictive measures and tariff curbs gaining opposition from affected parties. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China advocates cooperative security at Shangri-La Dialogue People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:25, June 02, 2025 SINGAPORE, June 1 (Xinhua) -- At the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the Chinese delegation said China will uphold the three global initiatives, and expressed willingness to cooperate under the framework of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. During the Dialogue, Asia's premier defense summit, which was held from Friday to Sunday, participants and international analysts said China's approach to regional security -- emphasizing dialogue, development, and peace -- resonates with the region's priorities. In contrast, they warned that rhetoric and actions aimed at confrontation risk alienating regional partners and lack long-term viability. COOPERATION DRIVES STABILITY "China's development began in the Asia-Pacific, was enabled by the Asia-Pacific, and contributes to the Asia-Pacific," said Hu Gangfeng, vice president of the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), during a special session on Saturday. Hu said China has always advanced regional security with concrete actions, properly handled and resolved conflicts and disputes, actively promoted the de-escalation and stabilization of hot issues in the region, worked hand in hand with other countries in the region to continuously maintain security and stability, promoted common development, and facilitated peace. In recent years, China has actively participated in dialogue platforms to explain its initiatives, build trust, and foster cooperation. With support from more than 100 countries and international and regional organizations, its Global Security Initiative (GSI) had become an international consensus with global influence. Koh King Kee, president of the Center for New Inclusive Asia in Malaysia, said that historically, China has upheld a spirit of cooperation, mutual benefit, openness, and inclusiveness. "China's approach of seeking common ground while respecting differences, and sharing both security and development responsibilities, not only demonstrates its sense of global responsibility but also reflects the shared concerns of many developing nations," he said. Amid rising global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, many delegates voiced support for China's emphasis on dialogue and consultation toward resolving differences. U Thant Kyaw, chairman of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said the GSI and related concepts can help promote solidarity in tackling challenges together. These ideas, he noted, are instrumental in enhancing cohesion among nations, promoting mutual trust, and improving the global security governance system. "These people-centric proposals are based on mutual respect, non-interference, inclusivity, and the acceptance of diverse cultures, which are essential for promoting a peaceful and prosperous multipolar order," said Lee Pei May, a political expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia. DIVISION UNDERMINES SECURITY "Some claims are fabricated out of thin air, some distort facts, and some are outright acts of a thief crying 'stop thief' -- all aimed at provoking trouble, sowing division, inciting confrontation, and destabilizing the Asia-Pacific," Hu said, addressing confrontational remarks made during the dialogue. He added that such actions not only run counter to the trend of the times but also "win no public support and are doomed to fail." Liu Wanxia, a professor at the PLA's National Defense University and a fellow delegate, told Xinhua that the so-called U.S. "Indo-Pacific Strategy" -- designed to shore up alliances and contain other countries -- is destabilizing the region. Several scholars argued that military build-ups and adversarial rhetoric are increasingly out of touch with the region's realities. Observers noted that China's sustained advocation for a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security stands in stark contrast to the confrontational stance of some Western powers. Instead of exclusion or pressure, they said, China offers a framework based on dialogue and mutual respect. Veronika Saraswati, director of the Indonesia-China Partnership Studies Institute, told Xinhua that cooperative security offers the most reliable foundation for long-term peace. "Cooperative security is the correct approach to ensuring long-term stability in any region, as it fosters trust, interdependence, and stronger conflict-resolution mechanisms compared to unilateralism or military deterrence," she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea Slams Report on Country's Cooperation With Russia as Sovereignty Breach Sputnik News 20250602 SEOUL (Sputnik) - The North Korean Foreign Ministry condemned the report of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) on the country's cooperation with Russia as violating sovereignty, warning of consequences, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The first MSMT report, dedicated to military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, which, according to the team, violates UN Security Council resolutions, was published on May 29. In a press statement, the North Korean Foreign Ministry expressed serious concern about this and warned of negative consequences. "The hostile actions of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), a phantom group that has no legitimacy in terms of its existence and purpose, are a gross violation of the principles of international law, the basis of which are sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs," the Foreign Ministry said. According to the ministry, Pyongyang has the right to take "powerful countermeasures" to protect its rights and interests from such a "ferocious violation of sovereignty and interference" in internal affairs. The foreign ministry emphasizes that "no one has given" the United States and its allies the authority to evaluate the legitimate relations between sovereign states and accuse them of anything. "The existence and activities of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) must be questioned and rejected," the statement says. The MSMT was created in October 2024 by 11 countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, after Russia vetoed an extension of the mandate of the previous UN panel of experts on North Korea sanctions. The ministry noted that military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, aimed at protecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests of states, as well as guaranteeing peace and stability in the Eurasian region, is the exercise of legitimate sovereign rights under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which gives the right "to individual or collective self-defense." In addition, Article 4 of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between North Korea and the Russian Federation speaks of providing military and other assistance in the event that one of the parties is subjected to an armed attack. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Gives Field Guidance at Hospital and Leisure Complex under Construction in Kangdong County Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, June 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, gave field guidance at a hospital and leisure complex under construction in Kangdong County of the DPRK on June 2. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was accompanied by Kim Tok Hun, Kim Jae Ryong, O Su Yong and other senior officials of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Kim Jong Un was greeted on the spot by commanding officers of the units of the Korean People's Army involved in the construction and officials of designing institutions. First, he looked round the Kangdong County Hospital under construction. He heard from officials concerned about a report on the progress made in the construction so far and the long-term plan for construction progress. Going round various places of the construction site including the outpatient ward section, operating theatre section, inpatient ward section and the underground car park section, he learned in detail about the construction. Saying that the work of building modern public health facilities in cities and counties across the country is a great revolution for developing the public healthcare which has lagged behind any other sector to surpass other sectors in ten years, he stressed that our spirit of devoted service to the people and attitude to them should be examined once again through the course of successfully carrying out this innovative plan with redoubled efforts. And he reaffirmed his determination and will to build all city and county hospitals into symbols of socialist public health in our era which fully embody the Party's plan for modernizing public health and its idea on Juche-oriented architectural beauty. Acquainting himself with the functionality and convenience of elements of different systems of the hospital, he pointed out every measure to be taken. He referred to the importance of responsibly building three hospitals of different scales including the above-said construction project being carried out this year as model ones for the overall rejuvenation of public health of the country. In the course of this, best plans for obtaining optimum results in designing regional hospitals of different classes will be confirmed and on the basis of it, the future plans for building overall public health facilities will be drawn up in detail in the principle of ensuring economical efficiency and practicality, he noted. He said that the construction of a hospital is the complex of the latest medical technology and building techniques and what is as important as the construction is the medical equipment and medical force. And the strengthening of medical force should be regarded as the main link in the implementation of the public health policy and the main work that should be pushed ahead with on a medium- and long-term basis, he said, repeatedly stressing the importance of the task to improve the specialist qualifications of the regional public health workers in particular and train medical workers in a systematic, scientific and future-oriented way. Then he clarified the orientation and ways to this end. Saying that the pharmaceutical industry of the country should be radically boosted in order to supply enough medicines to hospitals to be built in all cities and counties across the country, he stressed the need to thoroughly examine the state system of supplying medicines and take reinforcement measures. He also indicated different issues arising in preparations for operating the hospital. Then he visited the construction site of the Kangdong County Leisure Complex. He learned in detail about the construction from the commanding officer of the unit. He said that it is most important to firmly prepare construction force before anything else in carrying out the Party's policy on regional development without an inch of deflection and particularly stressed that all the construction regiments should have a vital stake in strengthening the ranks of skilled workers and push ahead with the training of skilled workers under scientific goals and plans. Referring to the issues arising in training competent designing and construction forces, standardizing and legalizing advanced construction methods and achieving rapid development of the building-materials industry throughout the country, he set forth important tasks for implementing them. Expressing militant tribute to the high ideological and spiritual world and patriotic devotion of the soldier-builders who are struggling with a single mind for completing the construction of the hospital, leisure complex and regional-industry factories in Kangdong County on the highest level, he expressed expectation and belief that they would achieve excellent successes in the construction projects by upholding the Party's sincerity towards the people with heroic and resourceful labour. Encouraged by the field guidance of Kim Jong Un , all the soldier-builders hardened their firm determination to perfectly build new wealth of prosperity and model entities of civilization for the local people this significant year, bearing deep in mind the trust of the Party Central Committee which put forward them at the outpost of the sacred struggle for regional rejuvenation. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of Special Briefing by MEA on State Visit of President of Paraguay to India (June 02, 2025) India - Ministry of External Affairs June 02, 2025 Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: I welcome you to this special press briefing by Secretary Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), on the ongoing State Visit of the President of Paraguay to India. We are also joined by Shri Praphullachandra Sharma, who is the Joint Secretary looking after Paraguay in Latin American countries, as also our Ambassador-designate to Paraguay, Shri Piyush Singh. With that, I hand over the floor to Secretary, Sir, to take you forward with this briefing. Sir, the floor is yours. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Thank you, Randhir. Dear friends, thank you very much. Thank you for joining us for this briefing on the State Visit of the President of Paraguay, His Excellency Mr. Santiago Pena Palacios to India. As we announced earlier, and as most of you are aware, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the President of Paraguay, His Excellency Mr. Santiago Pena Palacios is on a State Visit to India from 2nd to 4th of June 2025. This is the first visit of President Pena to India, and it is only the second visit by a President of Paraguay to India. The last visit was in 2012 by the then President. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Ministers, Members of Parliament, Governor of a province, and senior officials. President Pena arrived in New Delhi this morning. He was received at the airport by accompanying Minister Shri Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs. He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and a cultural welcome at Palam Air Force Station. President Pena's State Visit commenced with a courtesy call on him by the External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. President Pena then visited Rajghat, where he paid his tribute at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, and then arrived at Hyderabad House for the meeting with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The two leaders held a comprehensive discussion on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defense and security, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources, agriculture and food security, green energy, ICT, digitalization, innovation, disaster management, science and technology, education, and people-to-people links. Later this evening, President Pena is scheduled to meet Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji Smt Droupadi Murmu, who will be hosting a banquet in his honour. As you may know, friends, India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations in September 1961, and have since enjoyed warm and friendly ties. 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. Several Indian companies, particularly in the automobile, biofuel and pharmaceutical sectors have a presence in Paraguay. Likewise, Paraguayan businesses are present in India through joint ventures and representative offices in India, contributing to strengthening commercial ties between the two countries. 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. The two sides welcomed the establishment of a Joint Commission Mechanism (JCM) 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. Recognizing India's growing global economic role, President Pena 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. The Indian side would be looking to collaborate with Paraguayan counterparts in a number of areas, including health and pharmaceuticals, defense, infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy and mining. In Mumbai, the Honorable Governor and the Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra are expected to call on the President of Paraguay. Trade is an important pillar of our relationship with Paraguay. Both sides wish to strengthen and expand existing trade links under the India- MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). We will explore holding technical talks on the India-MERCOSUR PTA to enhance market access and boost bilateral and inter-regional trade. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the space sector, including collaboration in launch services, space applications, satellite manufacturing and capacity building between the respective space ecosystems. Dear friends, as you know, agriculture is one of the most important sectors for both the economies. Recognizing its importance, we both have agreed to work out an institutional mechanism under a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration in mutually beneficial areas of agriculture and animal farming. We also discussed enhancing cooperation in higher education, and exploring collaboration in areas such as curriculum development, teacher capacity building, infrastructure support and digital education initiatives tailored to Paraguay's interests. India's strength in traditional medicine is well known. Both countries agreed to cooperate in promoting integrative traditional medicine, homeopathy and yoga. We also agreed to work towards official recognition of Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India and the Indian pharmacopoeia in Paraguay. Let me also share with you the cooperation we have in renewable energy. India's role in Paraguay through the International Solar Alliance, particularly NTPC's work as project management consultant for the 500 MW solar park project since 2021, remains significant. Paraguay is a founding member of the Global Biofuel Alliance. Both sides work to collaborate on biofuels and green hydrogen across the entire value chain, including joint projects, technology transfer and standards harmonization. India also offered technical consultancy services to Paraguay in the oil and gas sector for mutual benefit. India and Paraguay have worked closely together in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and maintain close convergence on issues of global importance. During today's meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Pena, both countries expressed their willingness to continue working together on matters of common interest in various multilateral organizations, including the United Nations. India sought the support of Paraguay for India's candidature for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat for the period 2028-29. To conclude, President Pena's visit is expected to, number one, enhance high-level bilateral political engagement, and number two, strengthen trade, commerce and investments, and also unlock new avenues of strategic collaboration in critical minerals, space technology, artificial intelligence and other emerging domains, while providing a strong impetus to trade and investment relations. President Pena invited Prime Minister to visit Paraguay and PM has accepted the invitation. We will work on the possibilities of a visit at an early, mutually convenient date. Thank you very much. Huma Siddiqui, StratNews Global: Sir I am Huma Siddiqui, from StratNews Global. I have two questions. One, did the two sides talk about the accession of India to Inter-American Development Bank, one. My second question is about the MERCOSUR talks. The expansion of MERCOSUR has been going on for a while, and it's getting delayed. So when is the next round of negotiations going to take place? And my third question is, in the defense sector, you mentioned that Paraguay has expressed interest. So anything specific that they're looking for? Sidhant, WION: Hi sir, Sidhant from WION. I believe this is the second high-level visit from Latin America to India after the Chilean president's visit. So what's India's broader overview in terms of relationship with the Latin American countries? My second question is, India and Paraguay, the convergences on reforming the United Nations Security Council, if you can perhaps elaborate on that, given that both countries are part of the Global South. Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Thank you, sir, Keshav Padmanabhan from ThePrint. I just wanted to talk about agricultural cooperation, because you said that this was discussed. So, this idea of contract farming, that we've had agreements with other countries. So are we looking at any specific forms of cooperation with Paraguay in particular? Was that sort of discussed during this visit? Thank you. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Thank you for your question, Huma, on the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). There was no specific discussion on India's accession to the IADB. That's an idea that is being discussed within the Ministry, but there was no opportunity to discuss this during this visit. MERCOSUR-India Preferential Trade Agreement. Yes, we have a serious interest in expanding the scope and reach in terms of the range of products that the PTA deals with. But before we do that, a certain consensus has to be built up between the five members of the MERCOSUR. We are talking to all the partners in the MERCOSUR region. What we need to do is also to agree on the terms of reference for those discussions and then take it forward. Clearly, the next step is to try and get all the members of the MERCOSUR on the same page on what exactly we want to discuss, and how we want to take forward the expansion project for the PTA. Defence cooperation, yes. For many years now, the sense we got is that Paraguay has not focused on a particularly expansive defense expenditure. In recent years, I believe they are focusing on expanding their defense capabilities, purchasing more defense hardware, etc. The general sense we get from Paraguay and also other South American partners is that they live in a neighborhood that is very different from ours, and therefore their priority according to defense has been very, very different from the kind of priority we would accord. But, Paraguay has several large inland waterways and it also touches several other South American countries. So they are talking about enhancing their capabilities, particularly for law enforcement to try and deal with transnational crimes, narcotics smuggling, people smuggling, etc. So that seems to be their logic driving their acquisition of defense hardware, mainly law enforcement. On Sidhant's question about Latin America in general, the overall logic driving our expansion of footprint in Latin America in terms of opportunities for trade and investment is that the region seems to have received less attention in the past, and it's a huge opportunity. There are many, many areas where Latin American countries have shown interest in working with us. I did list out a number of them in my Opening Remarks. The President of Paraguay himself identified expansion of trade and investment. Paraguay has mineral resources, including some critical minerals, uranium and lithium. They are a large agricultural country, apparently 40% of their land is forests. 12% of their GDP comes from agriculture. They have huge reserves of fresh water, given that most of their borders are on the basis of rivers. They produce hydroelectricity much more than what they require. About 50% of that is exported, apparently, to Brazil and Argentina. The President highlighted during his talks today with our prime minister that they produce food for 10 times their population. Their population is about 7 million, but they produce more food than what 70 million people would require and therefore they are a big food exporting country. We do buy soybean oil from them and they are also willing to work with us on any other agricultural product that we would like to buy from them or partner with them for. In terms of broader areas that are of interest in Latin America as a whole, we talk about our IT strengths. A number of South American countries are eager to partner with us to take advantage of our strengths in IT, digitalization and innovation, our IndiaStack products, UPI, UID and so on. There is a lot of interest. One of the points that was discussed today in our talks was the AgriStack. As a large agricultural country, the use of digital platforms to make agriculture more efficient, try and generate data that can be used to drive decision-making is of great interest to the Paraguayan side. Disaster management is another area where we are willing to partner with them. Science and technology, education and of course people-to-people links. Paraguay prides itself on its civilizational heritage. The Prime Minister had a chance to talk to the President about this and President Pena, of course, says that India is a big priority for him because he admires India's civilization and would like to have stronger links in terms of people-to-people links with India during the course of his presidency. UNSC reform. Paraguay very strongly supports UN Security Council reform, and indeed reform of other multilateral institutions including financial institutions. They feel that India is a very deserving country when it comes to the kind of reform that we are working for and we expect to drive. So they are very happy to work with us in any possible way to push for reform in a way that reflects the realities of the 21st century. Agricultural cooperation, I just mentioned, that's probably the set of issues that pushes us forward on agricultural cooperation. Vijai Laxmi, India TV: Sir aapne homeopathy aur ayurvedic ke kshetra mein sajhedari ki baat ki. Agar us par bata sake ki kis tarah ki sajhedari sambhav hai, kya research ke areas mein ya kisi aur tarah ki sajhedari sambhav. [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi: Sir, you spoke about partnership in the fields of homeopathy and Ayurveda. If you could elaborate on that what kind of partnership is possible? Is it in the area of research, or is some other form of collaboration possible?] Huma Siddiqui, StratNews Global: Sir, you mentioned about Paraguay expressing interest in the space sector. Could you please elaborate on what kind of satellites? Are they looking for mini-satellites? Because I remember they are looking for best practices from India. So if you can just... Neeraj Kumar Dubey, Prabha Sakshi: Sir main Neeraj Dubey Prabha Sakshi se. Jaisa ki aapne apni tippani mein kaha bhi ki Bharat aur Paraguay ne jo sangathit apradh hai cyber apradh hai aur jo atankwad wagar se milkar ladne ka nirnay liya to iske liye kya koi sanyukt rup se tantr banaya gaya hai. [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi: Sir, I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabha Sakshi. As you mentioned in your remarks, India and Paraguay have decided to work together against organized crime, cybercrime, and terrorism. Has any joint mechanism or framework been established for this purpose?] Dr. Awad, CNN: Thank you, sir. Dr. Awad from CNN, a journalist. Sir, my question is regarding the infrastructure investment in the ports in Latin America. There is a huge demand for Indian companies. Recently we came to know about it. Is there any movement on this front, please? Thank you. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): I just wanted to add a couple of points on agricultural cooperation before I take this set of questions. I think I have a couple of more points to add. Agricultural technology, food processing, sustainable farming practices, those are also areas where Paraguay wants to cooperate with us. Agricultural mechanization, use of drones, et cetera. Finding new technologies that support smart agriculture, those are also areas where they are interested. On homeopathy and Ayurveda, it's still very early stages in the talk. Aapne jo pucha tha kis tarah ka cooperation hai. Abhi ke liye hum isi baat ki koshish kar rahe hain ki hamara Ayurvedic pharmacopeia accept ho jaye aur Indian pharmacopeia in general accept ho jaye. Us basis pe kaafi cooperation chal sakta hai. Aur Ayurvedic products as healthcare, formal healthcare products accept ho jaye Paraguay mein uske baad hi large scale cooperation ho sakta hai. To abhi to dialogue start hui hai and aage jaake cooperation ke themes firm up honge. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi: In response to your question about the nature of cooperation for now, we are primarily working towards the acceptance of our Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, and more broadly, the Indian pharmacopoeia. Based on that, significant cooperation can take place. Once Ayurvedic products are formally accepted as healthcare products in Paraguay, large-scale collaboration will be possible. So, at this stage, the dialogue has just begun, and the themes of cooperation will be firmed up as we move forward.] Space sector, and satellite collaboration. Currently, there is no Memorandum of Understanding in place between India and Paraguay for cooperation in the space sector. We are working on an MOU. Hopefully, it will fructify soon. We are still negotiating the text for an MoU focused on space sector collaboration, including on peaceful uses of outer space. In today's discussions, the countries acknowledged Paraguay's interest in collaborating with ISRO on the development and launch of small satellites, CubeSats, using ISRO's launch vehicles. So, we need to get our technical teams of officials to expedite the finalization of these proposals and then take this forward. Paraguay also wants to work with us on capacity building of their space sector officials. Let me share that one Paraguayan officer, official, has benefited from a training program at the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing. And they look forward to more collaboration in this. So, essentially, it is various kinds of satellites, small satellites, nanosats, CubeSats, et cetera, and also benefiting from our launch vehicles and developing their own capacity in general. Counterterrorism, cyber security, et cetera, are areas of general interest. Paraguay does not face the kind of threats that we face, like I said earlier, but they are worried about transnational crimes in their part of the world. And they want to work with us to try and benefit from our experience, and also to share expertise by working with us on capacity building. And cyber security is a part of that. They do perceive a threat from that front and therefore they want to work with us, given our strengths in IT and cyber security ... and work with us. Infrastructure investments in ports. Before I go to that, in fact, the IT minister is calling on the President of Paraguay in the next few minutes, and he will explain to the President our capabilities in IT, DPI, (Digital Public Infrastructure), and areas where we can work with them together. There is also interest on the Paraguayan side for working with us in building railway infrastructure as part of the bi-oceanic corridor. They think that we will be able to offer value to them and also in a cost-effective manner. They are impressed by the rate at which we build out new highways and new railway tracks. The President was also enquiring about the Vande Bharat trains. The Honorable Railway Minister would be briefing President Pena on our capabilities and our ability to cooperate with them in these areas. On ports, as you know, Paraguay is a landlocked country, but it has large rivers that touch Paraguay and therefore, inland waterways development is a big area. In fact, they expressed interest in talking to our Ministry of Water Resources and also Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India. They will be discussing possibilities for cooperation with the Paraguayan side. So, hopefully we will have something more concrete once that dialogue happens. One of the things that President Pena mentioned was that Paraguay is one of the most open economies in the MERCOSUR region and South America in general. He said, we should take advantage of the fact that it is an open economy, although the population and therefore, the market size of Paraguay is small, it is about 7 million population. They said they are adjacent to much larger markets, and given their central location in South America, it would be possible for us to use Paraguay as a launching pad to try and access other markets in the region. So our companies would be looking at Paraguay as some kind of a staging post and therefore, look at it in a way that is a force multiplier. We already have several Indian companies that are based in Paraguay in various ways. United Phosphorus Limited has a facility that produces agrochemicals; Praj Industries produces biofuels; Aditya Birla Corporation has a trading office; and Tatas, Mahindras, Royal Enfield and Bajaj have their distributorships for their vehicles; Crompton Greaves has an office and so on. So there are companies, and of course, IT also we have some presence. So, these are all areas that offer opportunities for us, and we will be looking at expanding our presence in South America using Paraguay also as a staging post, if you will. Manas, PTI: This is Manas from PTI. You mentioned about possible cooperation in the areas of mines and minerals and green energy. So are you looking at any kind of framework for our cooperation in these two critical sectors? And there have been also reports that Paraguay is having some friction with China in terms of Bilateral Trade. Is Paraguay looking at more imports from India? Thank you. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Let me take the second one first. Yes, Paraguay is the only country in South America that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but it also has a trading relationship with China. They do have, I am told, Chinese companies' presence in Paraguay. I believe in the field of electric vehicles, electronic goods, etc. So there is a trading relationship there. In general, Paraguay has highly concentrated trading relationships. It's a country that has an overall trade of about ... 32 billion. Their main trading partners in terms of imports are China and Brazil, and main trading partners for exports are Argentina and Brazil. A large fraction of their trade happens with just these three countries. So there is a general motivation to try and diversify their trade so that risks are managed better. So to that extent, yes, India has a large market and a growing economy, offers itself as a natural partner. The President made it very clear that he would be looking at India as a big trade and investment partner. He invited Indian companies to come to Paraguay and invest in their economy, and promised to facilitate investments in a very efficient way. Mines and minerals, you know, still early days. Paraguay itself admittedly has not developed its mineral resources as much as it has developed its water resources and agriculture. In fact, the President said they themselves are looking at developing resources under the ground in the same way that they have developed resources over the ground. And we look forward to working with them in these areas. These are of interest to us as we continue to grow and become a larger economy as we move towards more and more sustainable initiatives that require a number of critical minerals. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: With that, thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for your presence. Please follow the visit of the President of Paraguay. There's a lot more coming up here in Delhi, as also in Mumbai. Thank you. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Thank you very much. New Delhi June 02, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypt's foreign minister welcomes Iran's outreach toward Persian Gulf states IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 2, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has said that his country welcomes Iran's efforts to strengthen ties with other Persian Gulf states, Egyptian media reported. Abdelatty made the remarks at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi after a meeting in Cairo on Monday. He stressed that regional stability cannot be achieved without respect for the sovereignty of other countries and the principles of good neighborliness. The Egyptian foreign minister also voiced Cairo's support for finding a peaceful political solution to a dispute over Iran's nuclear program. He hailed Oman's mediation in indirect talks between Iran and the United States, noting that military tensions would not favor regional stability. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Araqchi and IAEA chief meet in Cairo IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 2, 2025 Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) Rafael Grossi have met in Cairo. The meeting took place as Araqchi is on a visit to the Egyptian capital where he has already met with the Arab country's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. In a post on his X account on Monday, Grossi said he had a meeting trilateral meeting in Cairo earlier in the day with Foreign Minister Araqchi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. He also shared a photo of the meeting. He thanked Cairo for hosting the "timely meeting", hailing Egypt's "constructive role in supporting peaceful, diplomatic solutions to regional challenges." 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Araqchi meets Egypt's president, foreign minister during Cairo visit IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 2, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is in Cairo, has met with top Egyptian officials, including President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Araqchi met El-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. Araqchi landed in Cairo on Sunday evening. Bilateral relations and the latest developments in the West Asia region, including the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, are on the agenda of discussion. He is also schedule to meet with other Egyptian political and economic elites as well as a number of Iranians residing in the North African Arab country. This is Araqchi's 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. Pezeshkian's 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 Araqchi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said that Iran and Egypt have held high-level meetings and consultations over the past one and half year, with both sides showing determination to strengthen relations. 4399**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exclusive I Pezeshkian administration prioritizes long-term cooperation with neighbors: President's advisor IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 2, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Masoumeh Aghapour, the advisor to President Masoud Pezeshkian for economic cooperation, says a central agenda of the administration is to enhance long-term economic collaboration with Iran's neighboring countries. "Forging friendly ties and developing long-term and bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries, particularly in economy, is on the agenda of plans by the 14th administration and the president himself in the field of foreign policy and regional diplomacy," Aghapour told IRNA in an exclusive interview published on Monday. The advisor made the comments as she elaborated on last week's trip of President Pezeshkian to Oman. She said that the two sides signed 18 cooperation agreements during the two-day visit to Muscat. The most important documents pertain to the development of economic infrastructure, transportation and logistics, technical and engineering services, as well as free trade zones, she added. According to the advisor, the Pezeshkian administration plans to leverage the capacities of Iranian expatriates to pursue trade and investment projects in other countries. That is why the cooperation documents signed in Oman mostly covered trade and joint investment, she added. Aghapour further said that Iran considers Oman an important country when it comes to development of regional markets, as the Arab nation can serve as an export gate and play a key role in attracting foreign investors, especially that Iran faces unilateral sanctions. Oman is also a potential partner for cooperation in the industrial sector, as Iran is ready to pave the way for foreign investment in its sectors of industry, mine, and trade, as well as technical and engineering services, said the official. She also referred to the Pezeshkian administration's plans for renewable energy development, saying that Oman enjoys good experience in that field. The two sides are set to boost cooperation on renewable energy as well, added Aghapour. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's red lines will shape response to U.S. proposal: Foreign Ministry spokesperson IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 2, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei says Iran will considering its own red lines when responding to the recent U.S. proposal . Paying tribute to the ideals of the late Imam Khomeini, whose demise anniversary falls on Wednesday (June 4), Baqaei made the remarks when responding to a question from IRNA on the issue at a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday. 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. The official clarified that receiving a proposal does not imply acceptance or even acceptability. He described the exchange of documents a standard practice in negotiations, noting that Iran had initially presented its written proposal to the U.S. Both sides, he said, regularly exchange views and positions, either verbally or in written form. He stressed the importance of reviewing any proposal thoroughly before issuing a proper response, referring to a tweet from Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in which he stated that Iran's reply would be in line with the principles of national rights and interests. Baqaei said that any proposal disregarding Iran's fundamental demands and rights would not receive a positive response from Tehran. Tehran and Washington are aware of each other's red lines, he said, adding that Iran's insistence on uranium enrichment is based on its legal and logical grounds. Iran continues to demand the effective lifting of unlawful sanctions, stressing that any final agreement must include these critical elements, he said. U.S. fails to provide clear mechanisms for removal of sanctions The spokesperson expressed Iran's readiness to implement confidence-building measures under the supervision of the I.A.E.A. However, he said that Tehran seeks definitive assurances that sanctions imposed over the past decades will be effectively and permanently lifted. Baqaei said the U.S. has failed to provide transparent mechanisms for the lifting of the sanctions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that past negative experiences are not repeated. Iran's nuclear activities are entirely peaceful, noting that the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. He said that the lifting of sanctions is essential for any agreement with the U.S. and that no solution is possible without guarantees, permanent lifting of sanctions that have harmed the Iranian population and limited access to medicine and healthcare. He criticized the U.S. for reimposing sanctions despite negotiations and insisted on verifiable mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of past sanctions' adverse effects. Iran reiterated its resistance to pressure, asserting that the Iranian people will not yield to coercion, the official said. The spokesperson criticized the U.S.'s long-standing hostile policy, adding that American leaders prioritize confrontation over diplomacy. He expressed hope for pragmatic policymaking in Washington but said that Iran will not compromise its sovereignty, dignity, or rights under external pressure. Responding to reports of proposed U.S. legislation to make a part of the sanctions permanent, the spokesperson denounced it as contradictory to Washington's stated desire for negotiations. Iran views the actions as further eroding trust and demonstrating a lack of genuine intent to advance diplomatic efforts, he said, adding that US Congress and administration are members of one set. He underlined that that the U.S. government should be viewed as a single entity. I.A.E.A.' report on Iran's nuclear program Criticizing the latest report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.), he said that it was influenced by political pressure from certain Western countries. Western countries have repeatedly exploited international organizations, including the I.A.E.A., to advance their own political objectives, he said. He argued that this approach has persisted for over two decades and is not limited to the nuclear agency. The I.A.E.A. report contains mainly repetitive content, exaggerates certain technical issues, and lacks impartiality, he said, expressing concern that Western governments are eroding the credibility of the key scientific body. Baqaei advised the I.A.E.A., an international entity responsible for observing the nuclear activities of the countries, not to be influenced by political pressure. Both the director-general and the Agency were pressured into drafting the report in a particular manner, the official said. While acknowledging this external pressure, he said that it does not justify the release of biased and politically motivated assessments against a member state, he noted. Iran will monitor the actions of Western countries regarding nuclear issues and will respond accordingly, he said. In November 2024, the three European countries - Britain, France, and Germany - approved a resolution ignoring the achievements of the director-general's visit to Tehran, but the resolution failed to achieve its goals and the Islamic Republic of Iran reacted to it, he noted. Tehran will pursue its peaceful nuclear program under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (N.P.T.), said Baqaei. He further criticized the report for exaggerating the dismissal of a few inspectors, which was in according with provisions of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, while ignoring the presence of 125 other inspectors. Iran will adjust its approach based on future developments within the international nuclear watchdog, but it prefers that cooperation with the I.A.E.A. not be disrupted by political interference, he said. The Iranian government has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting diplomatic negotiations in a professional manner, despite media manipulation by Western sides, he said. Baqaei said that Iran has consistently provided transparent updates to its own media while acknowledging that other sides often resort to media as a tool to shape public perception and exert psychological pressure. The Islamic Republic will continue to pursue negotiations with professionalism, he said. Iran warns against activation of destructive mechanisms Regarding the potential activation of the snapback mechanism by European signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (J.C.P.O.A.), Baqaei said that Iran has anticipated various scenarios and will respond accordingly. He warned that if Western countries resort to nonconstructive measures, Iran will exercise its reciprocal options. Iran will not accept false dichotomy between deal and military confrontation When asked whether Iran would choose between accepting an unfavorable agreement or military confrontation, Baqaei dismissed the premise entirely. He said that Iran will not be forced into choosing between the two and will continue to safeguard its national interests through strategic and effective actions. Iran says European countries misuse I.A.E.A. mechanisms Baqaei also criticized three European nations for exploiting the I.A.E.A.to advance their objectives. He cited a recent instance where, despite the I.A.E.A. director-general's positive remarks following his visit to Tehran, European sides swiftly drafted a resolution against Iran upon his return to Vienna. Baqaei said that European sides leverage their influence within the United Nations to shape consensus against Iran, a practice that has persisted since 2005. Consortium cannot replace enrichment The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the idea of a consortium is not new and has been discussed for decades. While it has been recently reraised in the media and negotiations, Iran maintains that the initiative cannot replace its domestic enrichment program. If the idea of a shared fuel production process is presented with genuine intent, Iran is open to cooperation. Iran cannot consider a consortium as a substitute for Iran's enrichment activities, he said. Israeli regime's role in U.S. foreign policy Since 1984, Israeli officials have repeatedly claimed Iran was six months away from acquiring a nuclear bomb, he said. Some 40 years later, these claims persist, serving as a tool for Israel to maintain influence over U.S. foreign policy in the region. The Iranian official termed Israel's threats and military exercises as nothing new, noting that Israel has always relied on intimidation tactics against regional countries. Any reckless action by Israel will be met with a firm response, the official said. Regarding the perceived difference between the United States and Israel, the spokesperson dismissed claims of significant disagreement. What the U.S. and the Israeli regime are primarily concerned with is how best to apply pressure on Iran. Iran calls for stronger focus on Palestine at UN Foreign Ministry has urged the UN to prioritize Palestine, expressing concern over its diminishing focus within the Human Rights Council and emphasizing the unparalleled humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The ministry condemned Israel's attacks on Gazan civilians, particularly during aid efforts, and held the US and other allies complicit. Middle East free of nuclear weapons Reaffirming its commitment to a nuclear-free Middle East, a 1970s initiative, Iran identifies Israel as the sole obstacle to this goal and urged disarmament, Baqaei said. Iran rejects Finland's espionage allegations Dismissing Finland's espionage allegations as a pressure tactic, Iran summoned the Finnish ambassador for explanation. No credible evidence supports these accusations, the official said. Iran respects foreign nationals residing in its territory Baqaei assured respect and protection for all legal foreign residents, while criticizing European countries for targeting Iranian citizens expressing opinions on Palestine. Iran-Egypt diplomatic ties continue to boost Diplomatic ties between Iran and Egypt are steadily progressing, he said. Both sides share common positions on international and regional issues, particularly Palestine. The official expressed hope that ongoing diplomatic engagements will yield positive results. 7129**9417**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's voting right in FAO restored after 15 years IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 2, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Minister of Agriculture Gholam-Reza Nouri-Ghezeljeh has said that Iran's voting right has been restored following the partial repayment of its debt to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ending a 15-year suspension. The minister said that Iran has always been an influential country in Asia and a member of the central council of the organization. However, due to difficulties in paying its membership fees it had been deprived of its voting right and excluded from major decision-making processes. He also said that Iran owed debts to FAO' local headquarters in Rome, which led to the suspension of its activities and the potential complete termination of its membership. Referring to the reconstruction and reactivation of the Iran Room in Rome, he said that it is one of the diplomatic successes of the current administration, aiming to strengthen Iran's cooperation and utilize international resources in education, research, and agriculture. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nuclear chief: Uranium enrichment is a red line with no alternatives IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 2, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (A.E.O.I.) has stated that uranium enrichment is the foundation of the country's nuclear industry and a non-negotiable red line for the Islamic Republic. In a televised interview on Sunday evening, Mohammad Eslami rejected any alternative to enrichment, saying, "No one can claim Iran has no right to enrichment, because this matter falls within its own specific frameworks and requirements." Drawing a comparison to the power sector, Eslami argued that denying Iran enrichment rights would be as illogical as telling a country it may build power lines but not power plants. "This is not logical," he stated. "In the nuclear industry, enrichment is like the power plant in the electricity industry; it forms the base and essence of the entire process," he explained. Eslami underlined that without enrichment, there would be no nuclear fuel cycle, and without that, Iran would lose its ability to pursue research and applications in vital areas such as medicine and industry. Commenting on the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.), Eslami dismissed it as legally baseless and lacking substantive content. He said the report merely pleases "the Zionist community opposed to Iran," adding that Tehran is closely monitoring all such developments. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran is preparing its response to U.S. proposal: Araqchi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 2, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has announced that Iran is preparing a response to an official proposal of the United States regarding the Omani-mediated nuclear talks. Araqchi made the announcement in a cabinet session on Sunday, during which he briefed members on the latest status of the indirect nuclear negotiations with the U.S. as well as the proposal that was conveyed by Oman. Iran received the proposal on Saturday from Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi during his visit to Tehran. "My dear brother @badralbusaidi, distinguished Foreign Minister of Oman, paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a U.S. proposal which will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran," Araqchi said on his X account on May 31. The proposal, prepared by the U.S. president's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, is the first official proposal sent to Iran since the two sides began the ongoing negotiations in early April. 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 Iran's nuclear program. Iran says any agreement must respect its right to uranium enrichment and lift the sanctions in place against the Iranian nation. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran 'ready' for dialogue with European troika, EU: FM Araghchi Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 7:11 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is ready to continue negotiations with the European trio of Britain, France, and Germany (E3) and the European Union over its nuclear program. In a phone conversation with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday, Araghchi outlined the diplomatic path between Iran and the United States regarding the termination of sanctions against Tehran. He said Europe plays a significant and constructive role vis-a-vis the nuclear issue. The top Iranian diplomat also expressed hope for the improvement of his country's relations with Germany and reiterated Tehran's readiness to take effective steps in this regard given certain agreements between the two sides. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi and Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi met with representatives of the three European members of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in the Turkish city of Istanbul in May. "Iran and the E3 are determined to sustain and make best use of diplomacy," Gharibabadi wrote in a post on his X account following the meeting. The US and Iran have held five rounds of nuclear talks since April 12 and are expected to meet again for negotiations aimed at reaching a new agreement. The two countries have been at odds over the level of uranium enrichment. The German foreign minister, for his part, expressed his country's readiness to continue bilateral and multilateral talks with Iran and to take further confidence-building measure. The Iranian and German foreign ministers agreed to make arrangement for political negotiations between the two countries' foreign ministries with the aim of addressing certain bilateral issues. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Don't let IAEA credibility be eroded by certain members' political pressures, Araghchi tells Grossi Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 3:48 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has voiced strong protest against a report that the International Atomic Energy Agency issued against Tehran's peaceful nuclear program, saying the IAEA shouldn't allow the erosion of its credibility as a result of political motives and pressures from certain member states. Araghchi made the remarks in a trilateral meeting with the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Monday in Cairo, where he is on an official visit. The top Iranian diplomat reminded the UN nuclear body and its chief of their duty to professionally carry out their statutory duties, criticizing the baseless allegations brought up in the latest report by the IAEA chief about Iran. Araghchi said the "IAEA should not allow its credibility to be undercut by political motives and pressures from some member states." For his part, Grossi said he had held a timely meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Cairo. "Timely meeting in Cairo with Egypt's @MfaEgypt Badr Abdelatty and Iran's Foreign Minister @araghchi," Grossi wrote in a post on his official account on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "Grateful for Egypt's constructive role in supporting peaceful, diplomatic solutions to regional challenges," the IAEA chief added. Speaking in a television interview, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), pointed to the IAEA's report on the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities, expressing dissatisfaction with the document's political nature and citing Western and Israeli footprints in its development. He noted that the document had been devised in line with "the same maximum pressure policy" that the United States was leading against the country with the help of its allies. Eslami identified those involved in pressuring the IAEA into releasing the report as "the United States and the three European countries (the UK, France, and Germany)," namely Washington's closest European allies. The Western pressure, he added, had been employed on the agency "under the influence of the Zionist regime [of Israel]." "Under the same influence and pressure, the agency has released a detailed report, which is a mix of accusations and the same repeated issues from the past," Eslami noted. Tehran maintains that the IAEA should adopt an equal approach towards all of its members, including the Israeli regime - a non-signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that possesses an extensive nuclear arsenal, and regularly threatens military aggression against the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Army achieves self-sufficiency in critical aerospace parts manufacturing: Top commander Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 3:42 PM The commander of Iran Army Ground Force says the country has achieved self-sufficiency in production of critical aerospace parts, and managed to extend the range of air-launched missiles "sevenfold." Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari made the remarks at an event celebrating the domestic manufacturing of more than 1,000 aerospace parts on Monday. Heidari stressed that Iran has been able to "overcome the bottlenecks" in securing these parts. He praised the Army Ground Force's Airborne Division (Havanirooz) as "one of the best in Southwest Asia." "Today, we have managed to improve their operational capacity by deploying night vision systems." Referring to the large number of helicopters in possession of the Airborne Division and the fact that they are all fully ready for combat operations, the senior commander said this is a testament to the fulfillment of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's guideline "of standing on our own feet." "Today, all the helicopters of the Airborne Division are ready for combat and support," Heidari stated. According to the commander, the Army Ground Force's Airborne Division has manufactured a considerably large number of sensitive and critical parts since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and prioritized the production in various areas, including helicopters, and efficiently handled bottlenecks in this area. "Another testament to the competence of the Airborne Division is the production of hundreds and thousands of critical parts after the Islamic Revolution." "A unit, which could only operate with the presence of foreign advisors before the revolution, began its self-sufficiency jihad under the directive of the founder of the Islamic Revolution," he said. With the guidelines of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the commander said, the force prioritized production in various fields, including all helicopters and flying systems, as well as handling bottlenecks in this area. General Heidari said the Army Ground Force's Airborne Division plays a crucial role in the country's military operations and also contributes significantly to relief and rescue operations during natural disasters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Egypt call for 'immediate, permanent' ceasefire in Gaza, entry of humanitarian aid Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 2:01 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called for the establishment of an "immediate and sustainable" ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Araghchi, who is in Egypt's capital of Cairo at the first leg of a two-nation regional trip, made the remark in a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Monday. He commended efforts by Egypt and Qatar to establish a ceasefire in Gaza, saying, "Iran supports any ceasefire [agreement] that the people in Gaza support." "We hope that an immediate and sustainable ceasefire will be established [in Gaza] as soon as possible, prisoners will be exchanged and humanitarian aid will enter Gaza. We wish our friends in Egypt will achieve success in their efforts in this regard," the top Iranian diplomat said. Last week, Al Jazeera cited unnamed sources as saying that the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and United States special envoy Steve 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. On May 30, Hamas 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. The movement said it was in consultations with other Palestinian factions on the ceasefire proposal it had recently received from Witkoff and was reviewing it to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. No obstacle can prevent expansion of Iran-Egypt ties Araghchi said there is no obstacle to the improvement of ties between Iran and Egypt, adding that the two countries play an important role in establishing peace and security in the region. He voiced Tehran's willingness to improve relations with Cairo and emphasized that the two sides' officials currently have "good trust" and "more willing than ever" to expand mutual ties. "The path to developing relations between the two countries is more open than ever. We agreed to expand tourism between the two countries," the top Iranian diplomat said. Araghchi said the two countries have managed to increase cooperation on regional issues within international organizations. He said Tehran and Cairo agreed to continue constant political dialogue and consultations and increase the volume of trade exchanges. 'No agreement with US if enrichment right is not observed' Araghchi also pointed to indirect talks between Iran and the United States and said Tehran will sign no agreement with Washington if its enrichment right is not observed. The foreign minister said Iran will soon give an "appropriate response" to elements of a US proposal received via Oman. "This response will be based on the Iranian nation's positions and principles and will uphold the rights of the Iranian people." According to reports, the US proposal calls for Iran to cease all uranium enrichment activities and instead be part of a regional consortium to produce nuclear power. The top Iranian negotiator said enrichment based on international treaties is the country's right and no one can deprive Tehran of this right. "We do not accept any demand that contradict the rights of the Iranian people," Araghchi stated. He reiterated Iran's main demand in the negotiations with the US, which is the termination of all cruel sanctions. "Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. We have complete confidence in the peaceful nature of our nuclear program and are ready to convey this assurance and trust to the other side as we have nothing to hide." Araghchi also warned the European countries against the possibility of invoking the so-called snapback mechanism, expressing hope that the Europeans will not "make the mistake." "This policy will be wrong and will add to the existing crises," he explained, expressing confidence that issues can be solved through diplomacy. The so-called snapback mechanism allows for the return of anti-Iran sanctions that were suspended under the JCPOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran vows to continue enrichment, calls for dismantling Israel's nuclear weapons Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 11:06 AM Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says Iran will respond to a new offer presented by the US for a nuclear deal based on the nation's rights and principles. He made the remarks during his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday, two days after the Islamic Republic confirmed that it had received elements of the US proposal via Oman. Baghaei said that receiving a text does not mean accepting it, nor does it mean that the text is acceptable. "We will respond based on the principles and rights of the Iranian nation," he said, adding that the country will not give a positive response to any proposal that includes radical and maximalist demands and ignores Iran's inherent interests. He also noted that any nuclear agreement must include the continuation of Iran's uranium enrichment activities and an end to cruel sanctions against the nation. 'Idea of consortium cannot replace domestic enrichment' The spokesman further touched on reports that say the US proposal calls for Iran to cease all uranium enrichment activities and instead be part of a regional consortium to produce nuclear power. He said the consortium initiative "is not a new idea, ... but what is important is that it can in no way replace enrichment inside Iran." The remarks came after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) claimed in a report that Iran has carried out secret nuclear activities and raised concerns about the country's stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity. Iran rejected the politically-motivated report, saying it was based on fabricated data provided by Israel. Using the IAEA report, the United States, along with allies Britain, France, and Germany known as the E3 plans to submit a draft anti-Iran resolution for the IAEA's Board of Governors to adopt at its next meeting in Vienna on June 9-13, media reports said. Also in his comments, Baghaei condemned the moves by the European trio of Britain, France, and Germany (E3) against Iran at the IAEA. The E3 prepared the draft resolution against Iran despite good progress made during IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi's recent visit to Tehran, he said. "It is natural that Iran cannot leave such provocative actions unanswered." Moreover, Baghaei referred to threats by the Europeans to activate the so-called "snapback mechanism" to re-impose the United Nations sanctions against Iran. "Considering the moves of the opposite sides, we have predicted scenarios and will take steps in accordance with their actions. The opposite sides are clearly aware that if they resort to unconstructive mechanisms, Iran has also countermeasures," he said. Meanwhile, the spokesman said the US actions and policies are important to Iran. In the US, Baghaei stressed, there are "wise voices that do not seek war [with Iran], but in practice, unfortunately, American policies over the past four decades have always followed the path of confrontation and hostility." 'Israel sole obstacle to nuke-free West Asia' Elsewhere in his remark, he said Iran is seriously pursuing the issue of a nuclear weapons-free West Asia. Israel is the only obstacle to the realization of a region free from nuclear arms, he added. Baghaei also condemned Israel's "multiple crimes" in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged territory. Hospitals, doctors and nurses have always been among the targets of the Zionist regime while under international law, medical facilities and staff must be immune from any attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House directs US agencies to 'pause new sanctions' against Iran: US media Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 9:35 AM A US media report claimed that Washington paused new sanctions on Iran amid "maximum pressure" against the Islamic Republic and recent anti-Tehran sanctions, which were leveled amid indirect talks between the two countries. According to a Sunday report by The Wall Street Journal, a directive from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt instructed US agencies to halt all new sanctions activity towards the Islamic Republic. It said the reported hiatus had been communicated to top officials at the National Security Council (NSC), Treasury Department, and State Department, but the unusual nature of the directive -- coming directly from the White House press secretary rather than the NSC or Treasury -- had raised eyebrows. It was followed by American officials' raising questions about the future of President Donald Trump's so-called "maximum pressure" strategy towards Tehran, which has been central to Washington's policy. Trump initiated the approach during his previous tenure. The method was followed up on closely and even amplified under successor Joe Biden, and then kept up with full force during Trump's current incumbency. As part of the approach, the United States left a historic 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and other countries, walked back its partial removal of its sanctions on the Islamic Republic, and even began to pile up more illegal and unilateral coercive economic measures. Trump's current tenure has even seen him call, under the policy, for Iran to reduce its uranium enrichment levels to "zero," even threaten to completely destroy the Islamic Republic's nuclear sites, and warn he could start deploying a "massive maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran. The approach has continued, although Washington has begun engaging in Omani-mediated talks with the country since April. Ever since initiation of the approach under Trump's former administration, Iran has refused to buckle under any component of the campaign. It has called enrichment its integral right, and insisted that the talks have to focus solely on the nuclear issue and removal of the sanctions. Most recently, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei vowed during a weekly presser that the Islamic Republic would continue enrichment as permitted under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which Tehran is a signatory. He, meanwhile, called for pressure to rather be applied towards dismantlement of the nuclear weapon arsenal of the Israeli regime -- the US's closest regional ally that has avoided scrutiny of its nuclear arms program under Washington's aegis. In its report, The Journal cited a source close to the White House as indicating that the campaign, which was once aimed, fruitlessly though, at crippling Iran's economy, was now effectively at a standstill. The daily attributed this to the NSC's being reportedly in disarray, with over 100 staff members placed on leave, and key policy responsibilities waiting to be fully sorted out between the State Department and the Office of the Vice President. While the White House has not explicitly confirmed the sanctions pause, deputy press secretary Anna Kelly acknowledged that any new decisions regarding sanctions would be announced by the White House or relevant agencies. According to The Journal, no new sanctions designations have been made since May 21, and at least two more planned Treasury designations have been delayed. The uncertainty surrounding the reported pause has, in the meantime, led to differing opinions among US officials, it said. Some believe it is a temporary measure aimed at scrutinizing new sanctions in light of the sensitive nature of the indirect talks, while others worry that key policy players have been left out of the loop. There is also confusion about whether the pause only applies to new sanctions or extends to enforcing existing measures, the report noted. The paper additionally cited some officials as voicing concern about whether Washington could afford to allow a let-up in its significantly hostile approach towards Tehran at a time, when it had to go about, what they called, rather ramping up the pressure. Iran has, nevertheless, vowed to keep up its peaceful nuclear energy activities despite the American maneuvers. Earlier this month, President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that the Islamic Republic was "more powerful than ever," despite the ongoing pressure from sanctions. He emphasized that the country had a wealth of alternatives to go for if Washington chose to rather sanction the nation further instead of properly negotiating with it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran 'resolved' to strengthen strategic ties with Venezuela, shifts to BRICS Pay in trade: Qalibaf Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 8:28 AM Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says Iran and Venezuela are resolved to expand all-out ties, calling for a shift to non-dollar and national currencies as well as the BRICS Pay in bilateral trade. Qalibaf, who is in Caracas on the first leg of a tour of three Latin American countries, made the remark in a meeting with Iranian and Venezuelan traders and actors of the private sectors on Sunday. Heading a parliamentary delegation, Qalibaf is scheduled to travel to Cuba and Brazil to attend the Parliamentary Forum of BRICS member states. Pointing to the issues of the banking system and the Iran-Venezuela joint bank, he said, "National currencies and the BRICS payment system (BRICS Pay) - the bloc's proposed alternative to the SWIFT international payment system - can replace other currencies in the trade between the two countries." He added that Iranian and Venezuelan traders are the "commanders" of the enemies' economic war against the two countries. "The definitive policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to develop relations between Iran and Venezuela," the top parliamentarian said. He called on Tehran and Caracas to implement long-term strategic agreements for cooperation, noting that countries that have common interests and friends and enemies can move "better and more cohesively." He said the expansion of mutual relations can be helpful in facing opportunities and threats. Despite difficulties, Iran and Venezuela enjoy extensive common interests, especially in the fields of OPEC, oil and energy, he explained. He added that Tehran and Caracas can utilize the unique capacities provided by the geographical opportunities available in the two countries. Qalibaf stressed the importance of accelerating trade between the two countries' private sectors based on a long-term strategic plan. The relationship between the Iranian and Venezuelan nations is based on "supply and demand" which is more sustainable, economic and logical, he noted. He said the implementation of free trade and removal of banking obstacles are important issues on the agenda of the Iranian administration and parliament. Iran and Venezuela, both subject to illegal US sanctions, signed a 20-year partnership deal in June 2022 during President Nicolas Maduro's visit to Tehran. The document covers cooperation in the fields of oil, petrochemicals, defense, agriculture, tourism, and culture. It also includes the repair of Venezuelan refineries and the export of technical and engineering services. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Uranium enrichment Iran's redline, cornerstone of nuclear industry: AEOI chief Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 6:03 AM The head of Iran's nuclear organization has underlined uranium enrichment as an essential and non-negotiable element of the Islamic Republic's nuclear industry. Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), made the remarks during a televised interview, whose contents were published on Monday. "Enrichment is the foundation and cornerstone of the nuclear industry, and a red line for the Islamic Republic," he noted. "No one can tell Iran that it does not have the right to enrich [uranium]," the official said, adding that the imperative "is none of anyone's concern, and has its own framework and requirements." The comments concerned the United States, the Israeli regime - Washington's closest regional ally -- and some other Western officials' insistence on Iran's reducing its enrichment levels to "zero." Washington has verbalized the demand on multiple occasions, including during its April-present indirect talks with Tehran. Iranian authorities have, however, unexceptionally ruled out the prospect. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently reiterated uranium enrichment's indispensible role in the country's peaceful nuclear activities, adding that the Islamic Republic would keep up its peaceful enrichment activities with or without a deal with the US. 'IAEA report masterminded by West, Israel' Eslami also addressed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s report on the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities, expressing dissatisfaction with the document's political nature and citing Western and Israeli footprints in its development. He noted that the document had been devised in line with "the same maximum pressure policy" that the United States was leading against the country with the help of its allies. Eslami identified those involved in pressuring the IAEA into releasing the report as "the United States and the three European countries (the UK, France, and Germany)," namely Washington's closest European allies. The Western pressure, he added, had been employed on the agency "under the influence of the Zionist regime [of Israel]." "Under the same influence and pressure, the agency has released a detailed report, which is a mix of accusations and the same repeated issues from the past." The official, meanwhile, noted that the report differed from the agency's previous ones due to its length, which extended to no less than "84 paragraphs." Iran's response Eslami explained that whenever the IAEA presented a report to the agency's Board of Governors, Iran would thoroughly review it and submit a detailed and explanatory report of its own. The response is then shared with all nations through the IAEA's website to ensure global access. Iran's report is developed jointly by the AEOI and the Foreign Ministry, the official said, noting that, as in the previous cases, the country came up with its response promptly and without delay. In their response that was forwarded to the agency earlier this month, the two bodies denounced the document as politically charged and unbalanced. They argued that the report's claims lacked credibility and were a continuation of unfounded allegations, reiterating the country's stance that its nuclear program was peaceful and fully transparent. The Islamic Republic has also urged that the IAEA maintain neutrality and professionalism in its assessments. 'Research activities' Eslami said in the televised interview that, "I cite you a very simple example here. It is like telling a country seeking to create an electricity industry for itself that it can have substations and an electrical grid, but cannot maintain any power stations, namely the source of generating electricity." "If you're supposed not to enrich and run a fuel cycle, you would not be able to carry out [relevant] research activities either." "[The very use of] nuclear measuring devices requires a certain foundation and basis, which is rooted in the isotope separation and, in fact, enrichment processes." "[The isotope separation and enrichment processes] have to be there [in the first place] so you can develop [your required] products, and render an extensive spectrum of services to your society." The Americans, Eslami said, used to come up with the same demands from Iran even before the victory of the country's Islamic Revolution in 1979. Back then, Washington conditioned nuclear activity inside Iran to its accepting prerequisite products that would be produced by a France-based consortium, the official said, adding that after development of such body, the same American officials told Tehran that it could not be part of such a European consortium. According to Eslami, development of the prerequisite products was then assigned to an Iranian-French enterprise. However, following the enterprise's jointing the consortium, Iran was faced with prohibitions concerning development of its nuclear industry. The prohibitions have lasted to date, the AEOI chief said, noting that the consortium in question had, therefore, failed to yield any benefit for the country at any time. Eslami said the report had found fault with Iran's being the only non-nuclear-armed country that was enriching uranium up to 60-percent purity level. Nevertheless, the official underlined that not only the peaceful enrichment process had invariably taken place under the IAEA's supervision, but the country had taken action towards using the resulting uranium for developing its legally-authorized required products. Tehran has stressed that the body should adopt an equal approach towards all of its members, including the Israeli regime -- a non-signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that possesses an extensive nuclear arsenal, and regularly threatens military aggression against the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran Skeptical Of Reported US Sanctions Pause, Signals Pushback On Nuclear Proposal By Kian Sharifi June 02, 2025 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 Washington's approach as high-stakes nuclear negotiations with Tehran continue. Asked about the report, Iran's 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 Iran's nuclear deal. The proposal, which Araqchi says includes "elements" of a deal, was delivered to Tehran last week by Oman's 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 Iran's ability to develop weapons-grade material. The main obstacle is Iran's 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 Washington's position on enrichment "remains unchanged" and there is "no clear explanation regarding the lifting of sanctions." Separately, Russia's 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 Iran's 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 you're looking for leverage, you need to play your card at the right time," he told RFE/RL's Radio Farda. "Insisting too rigidly on a maximalist position isn't 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/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-reject-us- proposal-sanctions-pause-nuclear/33431794.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 Ready to Prove Peaceful Nature of Its Nuclear Program - Foreign Minister Sputnik News 20250602 TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran is ready to take measures to prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, and will not under any circumstances give up its right to uranium enrichment, Iranian Foreign MInister Abbas Araghchi has announced. "Iran is ready to take measures to prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. Iran is not going to give up its nuclear program. Uranium enrichment is our right based on international agreements, and this right cannot be taken away from us. We will not accept any demands that go against the rights of the Iranian people," Araghchi told reporters Monday after talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, in Cairo. Iran supports the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) proposal to create a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East, the top Iranian diplomat said, adding that Iran was "one of the architects of that initiative" and was seeking to implement it as well. Araghchi said he held a meeting on this issue with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Separately on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced that Iran will respond to the US's latest nuclear offer "based on the principles and rights of the Iranian nation," and will not bend to radical and maximalist demands. Iran supports and is pursuing a nuclear weapons-free West Asia, and Israel "is the only obstacle to the realization of a region free from nuclear arms," Baghaei said. Iran and the US, with the mediation of Oman, have 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, tensions between the parties heightened before the fifth round. The US demanded that Iran abandon uranium enrichment, which Tehran rejected, indicating that the parties would not be able to reach an agreement if the US insisted on Tehran abandoning uranium enrichment technology. However, Iran allowed for the possibility of reducing its levels of uranium enrichment, and expressed readiness to allow greater control over its nuclear activities to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At the invitation of Government of Tajikistan, H.E. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan arrived Dushanbe Prime Miinister's Office - Islamic Republic of Pakistan May 29, 2025 DUSHANBE: 29 May 2025. At the invitation of Government of Tajikistan, H.E. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan arrived Dushanbe today, to participate in the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers' Preservation (ICGP) being held on 29-31 May, 2025. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and senior officials. Upon arrival at Dushanbe, he was received by the Prime Minister of Tajikistan H.E. Qohir Rasulzoda. In the evening, the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan. Upon arrival at Qasr-e-Millat, the President welcomed the Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation. The two leaders held in-depth and wide-ranging discussions covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. During the discussions, the President and Prime Minister fondly recalled the signing of historic Strategic Partnership Agreement during the Prime Minister's visit to Dushanbe in July 2024, which laid a strong foundation for strengthening bilateral relations and advancing shared interests. Reaffirming the fraternal ties existing between the two countries marked by shared history, culture and geography, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation and resolved to elevate the strategic cooperation to a new level, for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across all areas, including political, trade and economic, energy, defence, security, and regional connectivity. They agreed to actively pursue new avenues for cooperation, with a focus on fostering investment opportunities, enhancing educational linkages, prompting cultural exchanges, advancing information technology collaboration and strengthening people-to-people contacts. On CASA-1000, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to positioning it as a pivotal project for regional integration. Welcoming the holding of CASA-1000 Inter-Governmental Council in Dushanbe on 15 May 2025, the Prime Minister assured the shared commitment to its early operationalization. Regarding economic cooperation, the two leaders, acknowledging the untapped potential in bilateral trade, underscored the importance of actively pursuing new avenues of cooperation in line with the decisions taken during the 7th Session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific Technical Cooperation, held in Islamabad in December 2024. They also agreed to effectively leverage the existing institutional frameworks including twelve Joint Working Groups (JWGs), to further enhance collaboration between the two countries, especially in oil & gas and energy sectors. They took good note of growing bilateral cooperation in the field of defence & security and reiterated their resolve to further boost the same in order to overcome the common security challenges faced by the two countries. They emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating cross-border organized crime and human and drug trafficking. The leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and global geopolitical developments. They emphasized the importance of working together to promote peace, stability, and economic development in the region. On peaceful resolution of Tajik-Kyrgyz border dispute, the Prime Minister felicitated the President on this milestone and appreciated the President's prudence and wisdom in resolving the issue through peaceful means. The Prime Minister hoped that this historical development would usher in a new era of cooperation and progress in the region. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on cooperation at the multilateral fora, including at the UN, OIC, SCO and ECO and reaffirmed their resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues of common interest. The Prime Minister, reaffirming Pakistan's historical and cordial ties with Tajikistan, underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to ongoing structured and multifaceted engagement with Tajikistan, for mutual gains. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to strengthening connectivity linkages with the Central Asian region. Towards that end, he highlighted China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a linchpin of Pakistan's connectivity with the region. The Prime Minister also briefed the President on the latest situation in the South Asian region. The Prime Minister underscored that our region could afford India's irresponsible and unlawful actions since 7 May 2025, which amounted to acts of war and violation the UN Charter and international law. The Prime Minister urged the international community to hold India accountable, reiterating that Pakistan desires peace, but will defend its sovereignty with full resolve if challenged. He also underscored that the resolution of Jammu & Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, remains fundamental to securing lasting peace in the region. In response, President Emomali said that as a staunch friend of Pakistan, he too was very worried at the events of early May, adding that he would always promote peace and stability in the region. He added that he was deeply impressed by the Prime Ministers remarkable leadership that was critical to the restoration of peace and security in the region. President Emomali Rahmon reaffirmed Tajikistan's desire for further intensifying bilateral cooperation in all fields, terming Pakistan as a trusted partner. Noting regular high-level exchanges, he underlined the importance of closer collaboration in the areas of science and technology, agriculture, industry, hydro power generation, and tourism. The Prime Minister appreciated Tajikistan's leadership role in Water Diplomacy and congratulated the President of Tajikistan for successful organization of international events including the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers' Preservation (ICGP) on 290-31 May 2025, in Dushanbe. The Prime Minister extended a cordial invitation to President Rahmon for an official visit to Islamabad to continue strategic dialogue and deepen the multifaceted partnership. H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, hosted a special reception in honor of Prime Minister Sharif on 29 May 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir NI (M), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), jointly addressed a Grand Jirga of tribal elders at the Zehri Auditorium in Quetta. Prime Miinister's Office - Islamic Republic of Pakistan June 01, 2025 1 June 2025 Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir NI (M), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), jointly addressed a Grand Jirga of tribal elders at the Zehri Auditorium in Quetta. The Jirga was organized to interact with the tribal leadership and discuss the evolving security situation in Balochistan, with particular focus on the ongoing proxy war fueled by India. The PM highlighted that Indian-sponsored proxies operating in Balochistan have intensified their efforts to undermine peace, destabilize the province, and disrupt development initiatives led by the Government of Pakistan and the Armed Forces. The Prime Minister underscored that terrorists groups like Fitna Al-Hindustan seek support of the locals which must be denied to them. Praising the leadership and constructive role of the elders, the PM reiterated the persistent need for engaging at the grassroots level and ensuring that terrorists find no social space. This was crucial for the success of counter terrorism efforts and for the long-term peace and stability. Prime Minister said that the enemies of peace will find no space to operate within Pakistan. Our message to them is clear: the Government, Armed Forces, LEAs and Administrative apparatus, with complete support of the Pakistan, will take the Nation's fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion, defeating terrorism in a decisive manner." Highlighting series of monumental developmental packages for prosperity in Balochistan, the PM emphasized the need for ensuring trickle down effect of government initiatives to the populace. The PM He praised the people of Balochistan for their historic role in safeguarding national unity and urged them to remain vigilant against foreign-backed subversion and sabotage orchestrated and sponsored by India. While interacting with tribal elders Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said, "This Indian sponsored proxy war is no longer hidden, it is an open malicious act of terrorism waged on our people, our progress, and our peace. We have concrete proof of India's hand behind terrorist networks operating in Balochistan. These nefarious attempts of the enemy will fail. The Pakistan Army, with the unwavering support of the nation and the brave Baloch people, will confront and crush every enemy, foreign or domestic, that dares to challenge our sovereignty." Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir emphasized that the Pakistan Army remains fully alert and prepared to respond decisively to any threat. He reiterated that peace in Balochistan is non-negotiable and that the future of Pakistan is directly linked to a stable, prosperous Balochistan. PM and Field Marshal also lauded the bravery and resilience of security forces & LAEs operating in Balochistan. Prime Minister assured full cooperation and support to the families of Shuhada and assured them that terrorists, their abettors and facilitators will not be spared". The Jirga concluded with a unanimous pledge from tribal elders to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government of Pakistan and Armed Forces, reaffirming their commitment to the security, stability, and development of Balochistan. Earlier, Prime Minister of Pakistan also visited Command & Staff College Quetta and addressed Student Officers and Faculty of Command and Staff College. Prime Minister address reflects the government's deep commitment to strengthening Pakistan's defence institutions amidst evolving regional and internal security dynamics. During his interaction, the Prime Minister highlighted the critical importance of professional excellence, operational readiness, and strategic foresight in the face of emerging and hybrid threats, especially in sensitive regions like Balochistan, where Indian sponsorsed terrorist proxies target our people and aim to disrupt our progress and prosperity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Members Playing The Waiting Game On New Russia Sanctions By Rikard Jozwiak June 03, 2025 When the European Commission started briefing EU states last month on the next sanctions package expected to be imposed on Russia, the 27 member nations expected concrete written proposals to follow. They're still waiting. Normally these sorts of documents -- in this case the potential 18th round of restrictive measures since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched more three years ago -- are provided only a few days after the briefings, or "confessionals" as they are known in Brussels. The documents outline details of what the commission is considering about targeting. In turn, EU members provide red lines as to what they are willing to agree on since all sanctions require unanimity. So what's the holdup? Two things. The first is that some EU member states -- including larger ones such as Germany and France -- wanted to wait and see how June 2 peace talks in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine proceeded. Several EU officials told RFE/RL on the condition of anonymity that they don't believe Moscow is serious about making progress in negotiations with Kyiv and wanted to wait and see the results. Aside from agreeing to swap thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops, the two sides made no progress toward ending Europe's longest and deadliest conflict since World War II. Then there is the United States. So far, President Donald Trump has refrained from targeting Moscow with sanctions even though he has threatened to do so on numerous occasions. The reason given is the same as the Europeans: he wants to give the Russia-Ukraine negotiations every chance possible to succeed. And Brussels is desperate to have Washington onboard on for any new sanctions. European diplomats say they are relieved that the US hasn't, at least so far, accepted "a rushed, bad peace deal," or that the Americans simply haven't walked away from the issue despite threatening to. And while they admit that sanctions are no longer synchronized like they were during the Biden administration, they are still keen to coordinate any coming round of measures to maximize their impact and message. Sanctions from Washington may also help coax some EU countries such as Hungary -- run by Trump ally Viktor Orban -- to go along with another wave of measures despite voicing concerns over their effectiveness. So, what would the 18th package contain? EU diplomats familiar with the file note that one particular item would require American consent: lowering the G7 Russian oil price cap to $45. The cap has held at $60 for years even though oil prices have traded below that level. The idea is that the leaders formally will agree to decrease the price cap to at least $50 when they meet at the G7 Summit in Canada on June 15-17. The group's finance ministers couldn't reach an agreement in May as Washington resisted the move. Some EU officials told RFE/RL that they believe there could be movement on the issue soon. Much like the EU's 17th package that was adopted on May 20, the new measures include blacklisting more individuals and targeting the Russian shadow fleet. On the latter, the EU has targeted more than 300 vessels that the bloc believes Moscow uses to circumvent sanctions, notably the export of oil. With an additional 600 boats believed to be part of the fleet, the goal of the upcoming measures is to add as many as those as possible even if European diplomats admit it is a challenge to find evidence that stands up in court proving that the Kremlin is financing the ships. More visa bans and asset freezes are also expected, with the EU looking to add another 100 individuals and companies to a sprawling list of those sanctioned that exceeds 2,400 entries. The European Commission also could propose reintroducing those previously removed from the blacklist. Another move could be to hit Russian diplomats who have been posted in various European countries and are suspected of spying on behalf of Moscow. The proposal also includes sanctions on the Nordstream pipelines connecting Russia with Germany. No gas is flowing through them at the moment, but Berlin has indicated that it wants formal measures to apply as some talks have resurfaced in the country about using them again in case relations with Moscow improve. There is also an idea to cut more than 20 Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system, even though most of the country's big banks already have been targeted. The Russian foreign direct investment fund could also be hit, and the bloc is planning to introduce trade restrictions that would prevent European companies from exporting various industrial components that Russia may use to fuel its war machine. In the meantime, EU members will have to wait for the commission to write down its proposals. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/sanctions-eu-ukraine- russia-war-oil-shadow-fleet/33432129.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 US gives Syria green light to bring foreign Takfiri militants into army: Report Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 6:48 PM The United States has granted approval for Syria to incorporate thousands of foreign Takfiri militants into the country's new military, after the head of the HTS-led regime expressed readiness to normalize ties with Israel, a report says. On Monday, Reuters cited three Syrian military officials as saying that under the new administration's plan, some 3,500 foreign militants, who fought alongside the Syrian opposition against former president Bashar al-Assad, would join a newly-formed unit, "the 84th Syrian army division". Asked by Reuters whether Washington approved the move, US President Donald Trump's special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack said, "I would say there is an understanding, with transparency." He claimed it was better to keep the militants, many of whom are "very loyal" to Syria's HTS-led administration, within a state project than to exclude them. Washington had been opposing the move, but its approach to Syria has changed sharply since Trump met the head of the HTS-led administration in Syria, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, in Saudi Arabia in May. During the trip to Riyadh, Trump announced that all US sanctions on Syria would be lifted. According to the report, thousands of foreign Takfiri militants fought against the government of former President Bashar al-Assad during the 13-year militancy. Some militants formed their own groups, while others joined established ones such as the Daesh terrorist group. Jolani has said that foreign militants and their families may be granted Syrian citizenship due to their role in fighting the former government. Abu Mohamad al-Jolani, who is a former senior commander in both al-Qaeda and Daesh, is now the de facto president of Syria. In December, armed groups led by HTS militants, announced that they had fully captured the Syrian capital and announced the fall of President Assad's government. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently described how the Israeli military helped the HTS takeover of Syria in December. The security situation in Syria under the HTS - an offshoot of the al-Qaeda terrorist group - remains tenuous. Incidents of sectarian violence, including the massacre of hundreds of Alawites in March, have hardened fears among minority groups about the now dominant militants. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ministry of National Defense Statement on the PRC's Carrier Rocket Launch ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/05/29 Time: 0900 hours, May 29, 2025 The Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (May 29) that at 0131 hours, the People's Republic of China (PRC) conducted a satellite launch mission using a carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. The rocket's flight path traversed central Taiwan's airspace toward the western Pacific Ocean, at an altitude outside the atmosphere, posing no hazard to Taiwan. The Republic of China (ROC) Armed Forces employed integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems to closely monitor the situation and maintained vigilance and readiness to respond. 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 2025/06/02 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 a.m. Jun. 1 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Jun. 2 (Mon.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 6 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN ships, and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1140602_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan.jpg [Open a new window] 1140602_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan.jpg [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yunnan coffee gains global recognition through innovation, quality upgrades People's Daily Online) 14:48, June 03, 2025 1: A woman of the Yi ethnic group picks coffee cherries in Zhukula village, Pingchuan town, Binchuan county, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Yunnan) 2: A coffee grower showcases freshly picked coffee cherries at a coffee estate in Simao district, Pu'er city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) 3: Ripe coffee cherries at a coffee estate in Lushui city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Yunnan) 4: Sales representatives sell coffee products during a livestream session in Longyang district, Baoshan city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Liang Zhiqiang) Coffee exports from China's Yunnan Province surged 122 percent in the first quarter to 310 million yuan ($43 million), customs data showed, as the southwestern region pushes to transform its coffee industry from commodity supplier to premium brand producer. In Xinzhai village in Baoshan city, market stalls sell everything from premium coffee beans to handmade soaps as the scent of freshly roasted beans fills the air. The village, known as China's "number one coffee village," exemplifies Yunnan's coffee industry transformation. Local farmers previously struggled with inconsistent quality and volatile prices, prompting the village to partner with the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Together, they introduced high-quality varieties and modern cultivation methods, establishing a 906.67-hectare core growing area with smart irrigation and fertilizer systems. "Before, growing coffee depended on the weather," said Wang Youchun, a local farmer. "Now, with new varieties, yields have doubled and quality has reached global rankings." The transformation paid off. Average per capita disposable income in the village surged from 3,150 yuan ($437) in 2012 to 28,000 yuan in 2022. Yunnan Agricultural University has led research and development efforts. On April 28, Yunnan launched a co-branded coffee cherry tea with U.S. brand Peet's Coffee using university-developed processing technology, marking Yunnan coffee's first major collaboration with a global brand. By the end of 2024, Yunnan had planted more than 150,000 mu of high-quality coffee varieties, accounting for 12.8 percent of the total area dedicated to coffee cultivation in the province, compared with 5 percent at the end of 2021. In the past, due to rough processing methods and uneven quality, Yunnan coffee beans were bought in bulk by global coffee giants at prices 10 to 20 cents per pound below the New York coffee futures price. Hua Runmei, the daughter of a coffee farmer, returned home after college to focus on developing premium coffee. "Premium coffee must score more than 80 points based on international standards. It all starts with harvesting fully ripe cherries and ensuring strict quality control," she said. Hua worked alongside other coffee farmers in the fields and introduced advanced processing methods such as natural drying, honey processing, and double anaerobic fermentation. Since then, the cherries at the processing center, once a mix of red and green, are now deep red, showing a clear improvement in quality. Data shows that the premium rate of coffee cherries in Yunnan rose from 8 percent in 2021 to 31.6 percent in 2024, while the rate of deep processing climbed from 20 percent to 80 percent. Meanwhile, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, the development of Yunnan's pilot free trade zone, and land trade routes like the China-Laos Railway and China-Europe freight train service, Yunnan's premium coffee has grown increasingly popular with coffee lovers overseas. According to customs data, Yunnan exported 32,500 tonnes of coffee in 2024, up 358 percent year on year, mainly to the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Vietnam, and 25 other countries and regions. Hua's coffee estate has become a social media hotspot. This year's May Day holiday welcomed more than 1,000 tourist visits daily. Across Yunnan, many similar coffee estates are blending tourism and coffee culture. Additionally, China's extension of visa-free transit stays to 240 hours and regional visa-exempt entry policies have brought a surge of international visitors to Yunnan eager to experience and taste its coffee. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) "Turkiye is becoming a hub of peace diplomacy" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 02.06.2025 Speaking after the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdogan said: "Turkiye is becoming a hub of peace diplomacy. Russian and Ukrainian delegations came together in our country as a result of our efforts. Following the first meeting held after a three-year hiatus that resulted in the exchange of 1,000 prisoners, the second meeting took place today." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a press conference following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex. "RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN DELEGATIONS CAME TOGETHER UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MR. FIDAN TODAY IN ISTANBUL" "As you know, Russian and Ukrainian delegations came together under the leadership of Mr. Fidan today in Istanbul. It was a wonderful meeting. Even though the number of prisoners exchanged in the previous meeting stood at 1,000, this time the number of prisoners to be exchanged has exceeded 1,000, with bodies to be exchanged as well. These are impressive figures. These figures, given by both Russia and Ukraine, are already being announced to the world by our Foreign Minister and the media. This is a testament to the importance of the Istanbul talks. We are proud of this. Turkiye has become a turning point in this issue with the Istanbul talks. My greatest wish is to bring Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara. I would even would like to bring Mr. Trump along. If they accept, I will also join them and so that we will make Istanbul a center of peace. We will take steps in this regard following this meeting," President Erdogan said. "WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES' DECISION TO LIFT THE SANCTIONS ON SYRIA" "On May 21, we travelled to Budapest to attend the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) at the invitation of Mr. Orban. Upon our proposal, it has been agreed that March 21 will be marked from now on as OTS Nowruz Commemoration and Celebration Day. I hope this decision will be auspicious for the Turkic world," President Erdogan stated. Reminding Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's visit to Turkiye on May 24, President Erdogan said: "Following the December 8 revolution, we are witnessing Syria's rapid recovery with the support of the brotherly countries in the region, particularly Qatar and Saudi Arabia. We are very pleased with the European countries' decision to lift the sanctions on Syria following Mr. Trump's landmark statements. As their neighbors, as their brothers and sisters, we will continue to support the people and the government of Syria with all our means and resources." Stating that Syria Airlines will start flights to Turkiye and Turkiye's AJet to Syria soon, President Erdogan went on: "Besides these, we will stand by the Syrian people in other areas as well. As Syria achieves peace and stability, we believe that all countries in the region will benefit from this. I wholeheartedly congratulate the Syrian government since it patiently endeavors for Syria's unity and integrity despite all obstructions." "PAKISTAN'S SENSIBLE STANCE PREVENTED THE CONFLICT FROM ESCALATING INTO CATASTROPHE" President Erdogan continued: "On May 25, we hosted the Prime Minister of another brotherly country in Turkiye. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit was meaningful in many respects. The sensible stance the Pakistani government displayed in the recent tensions with India prevented the conflict from escalating into a catastrophe. We always called for dialogue, calm, and the resolution of problems through negotiations." Pointing to his visit to Karabakh's city of Lachin on May 28 to celebrate Azerbaijan's Independence Day, President Erdogan said: "Following a 30-year occupation, an all-out mobilization of development and reconstruction is now underway all across Karabakh with the efforts of my brother Ilham Aliyev, the victorious leader. With roads, bridges, tunnels, residential areas, and agricultural zones, Karabakh is rapidly healing the wounds inflicted by the occupation. As Turkiye, we provide every kind of support to these efforts." "WE DON'T WANT TO SEE CONFLICTS OR WARS IN OUR REGION" President Erdogan added: "Turkiye is becoming a hub of peace diplomacy. Russian and Ukrainian delegations came together in our country as a result of our efforts. Following the first meeting held after a three-year hiatus that resulted in the exchange of 1,000 prisoners, the second meeting took place today. The fact that the meeting took place despite yesterday's incident is an important success. Turkiye has taken a clear stance since the beginning of the war. We don't want to see conflicts, wars or oppressions in our region. We believe that peace has no losers. We are working sincerely for the establishment of a sustainable peace that is acceptable to both sides." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Shifts to War-Fighting Readiness in New Defense Strategy Sputnik News 20250602 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom is moving to a "war-fighting readiness" as part of its new defense strategy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday. "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 are ready to deliver peace through strength," Starmer said at a press conference in Glasgow dedicated to the government's new strategic defense review. The UK government is to publish a strategic defense review later in the day amid plans to increase military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. The document will include recommendations on defense policy. The previous review was published in 2021 and was revised after the start of the Ukrainian conflict. The recommendations will address issues of both foreign and domestic security, London's policy on the Ukrainian conflict, modernization of the armed forces and nuclear doctrine. The new strategy will enshrine the plan announced by Starmer to increase military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. The government will also seek to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP, but has not yet backed this goal with specific plans. In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson that Moscow would not attack NATO countries. Putin said that Western politicians inflated the Russian threat to distract the public from problems at home. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the buildup of NATO's forces near its western borders. The Kremlin noted that Russia did not threaten anyone, but would not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM's remarks on the Strategic Defence Review: 2 June 2025 Speech PM's remarks on the Strategic Defence Review. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 2 June 2025 Location: Scotland Delivered on: 2 June 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Good morning to all of you, thank you for being here this morning - Thank you for sharing the work that you are doing here, some of which we can see right behind us. Because this is a legendary Govan shipyard. And it's really good to be able to be here in this massive space, and to be back on the Clyde. As you may have seen a couple of months ago - Just after dawn, on a drizzly morning - If you can believe it - I took a boat out onto the firth, To meet one of our vanguard-class submarines... As it came back in off patrol. And it was a record-breaking patrol. And we boarded the sub. It had just surfaced. It had been at sea... Maintaining our continuous-at-sea deterrent... For months on end - A really long shift - And met what was quite a remarkable crew. And I will remember that day for the rest of my life. Because it was very clear to me that there is no greater duty than the one that they carry - No task more vital. Our security... NATO's security... Depends on them. And I had the privilege of being shown around and talked to many teams on the sub... Saw them rushing to their battle stations to conduct a firing drill... And wherever I went on the sub, whichever team I was talking to... From the engineers, the cooks, the navigators - Over and over again - There was a sort of unofficial motto that they told me - their motto: "Nothing works unless we all work together." And in this moment of danger and threat for our country - That is the spirit we need. The Strategic Defence Review that I am launching today... Will bring that unity of purpose to the whole of the United Kingdom... To mobilise the nation in a common cause... Recognising, in these dangerous times, That when it comes to the defence of the realm... And the defence of everything we hold dear... Nothing works unless we all work together. From every man and woman serving in uniform, To the workers building the next generation of subs in Barrow... From the brilliant workers and apprentices right here in Govan... Building the new Type 26 frigates - like the two you can see being built behind me today... To our tech experts, our scientists, our engineers - Who are pioneering battlefield innovations and cyber defences - 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. 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. 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. And I want to thank the reviewers - Especially Lord Robertson who is with us today. Thank you so much for your work and the work of the other reviewers. 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. And today - following through on this review - I want to set out three fundamental changes that we're 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. 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 - Backed by a stronger Strategic Reserve - fully trained and ready to mobilise at any time. Second, everything we do will add to the strength of NATO, As we step up to take greater responsibility for our collective defence. The NATO alliance means something profound: That we will never fight alone. It is a fundamental source of our strategic strength. That's why our defence policy will always be "NATO first." Something that is written through this review. The transformation we are driving in our defence must add up to... Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation. So that 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. Third, 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. Now this doesn't mean replacing people or hardware - Quite the opposite - 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. And in delivering all of this - We are more ambitious than ever for the change it can bring. To deliver... Not just security for our country - But renewal too. After the Cold War, many nations cut defence spending, Freeing up public funds... Creating what was called a "peace dividend" Which people felt in their public services and the quality of their lives. Faced with new circumstances today - We must deliver for working people again - To seize, now, A "defence dividend" for the British people... Using this moment to drive jobs and investment... Throughout the country - Like here in Govan... Providing local opportunities, skilled work - community pride. Ensuring that everyone across the United Kingdom has a role to play in this effort, yes - But, also, that everyone has a stake in its success. And - I want to spell this out very simply... To achieve this... We're going to build. We're going to use this investment - And this once-in-a-generation reform... To drive renewal up and down the nation... Creating new jobs... Creating skills and opportunity... Driving huge growth in industrial capacity. Let me give just one or two examples. I can announce today... That we are going to build at least six new munitions factories in the United Kingdom - Generating over 1,000 jobs. We will build thousands of new long-range weapons in the United Kingdom... To boost European deterrence... Supporting around 800 more jobs. We will defend our homeland... By investing in our air and missile defence - To better protect these islands. We will create a hybrid Royal Navy... Blending drones with warships, submarines, and aircraft to patrol the North Atlantic and beyond - Supporting thousands of brilliant shipbuilding jobs - Including right here in Govan. Under our Aukus alliance with the US and Australia... We will now deliver up to 12 attack submarines - Protecting Britain's waters... Scaling up the industrial base in Barrow - And all along the supply chain... To deliver a new sub every 18 months - Again, creating thousands of jobs. We will also invest in world-leading drone capabilities and battlefield technology... In better kit for our warriors abroad... And better housing for them and their families at home. And - finally... I can confirm today that we are investing 15 billion... In our sovereign warhead programme... To secure our deterrent for decades to come - Creating 9,000 jobs... And thousands more in the supply chain across the country, Part of the historic renewal of our nuclear deterrent - As the ultimate guarantor of our safety and our security. The moment has arrived - To transform how we defend ourselves... And to renew our nation - An investment in British pride and the British people... A defence dividend - That will be felt in the pockets of working people... And the prosperity of the country... Securing growth for generations to come... Part of a new contract to unite the Kingdom... A new spirit of service, flowing from every part of society - From the supply lines to the front lines - Everyone benefitting, everyone playing their role - Doing their duty to the nation and to each other - To preserve our way of life - And the things that we hold dear... Because when it comes to security and renewal: Nothing works unless we all work together. Thank you very much indeed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Major 5 billion technology investment accelerates UK defence innovation in a European first More than 4 billion drive towards autonomous systems to shape UK military future and boost export potential, supporting the Plan for Change From: Ministry of Defence, HM Treasury, The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP and The Rt Hon John Healey MP Published 2 June 2025 UK troops and warships will be protected by drone and laser weapon technology through a major 5 billion investment, as the UK seeks to become the leading edge of innovation in NATO under the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and driven by lessons from Ukraine. The major funding package includes more than 4 billion for autonomous systems and a further investment of nearly 1 billion for Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) this Parliament - including the iconic DragonFire laser - boosting frontline capabilities while creating 300 skilled jobs across the country. DragonFire is set to be the first high power laser capability entering service from a European nation, with the first Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer due to be fitted in 2027. The SDR recommends that an immediate priority for force transformation should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy. To help achieve this, it says Defence must incorporate uncrewed and autonomous systems in high numbers over the next five years and make targeted investment in the development of novel directed energy weapons. Today's autonomous systems investment - of which more than 2 billion is new funding following the Government's historic uplift in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027- will see autonomous systems, including drones improve accuracy and lethality for our Armed Forces, and boost UK export potential. It comes after major announcements ahead of the SDR publication, including: the building of up to a dozen new attack submarines for the Royal Navy; up to 7,000 new UK-built long-range weapons to procured; at least six new munitions and energetics factories in the UK; more than 1.5 billion to improve the state of military housing; and more than 1 billion for pioneering technology to spearhead battlefield engagements. The new DEW capabilities will give the UK an edge, creating low cost and sustainable alternatives to missiles to shoot down targets, such as drones, at the speed of light, reduce collateral damage and have a low-cost per shot, reducing reliance on expensive ammunition. The systems will be tailored to the conditions in which they will operate - whether at sea, on land, or in the air - and will work alongside crewed assets, such as current and future fighter jets. Both investments reflect the SDR's vision for UK innovation to be driven by the lessons from Ukraine - harnessing drones, data and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer. 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 as part of this Government's Plan for Change. Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: These investments will mean the most significant advance in UK defence technology in decades. We will ensure our Armed Forces have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We are delivering the Strategic Defence Review's vision to put the UK at the leading edge of innovation in NATO, by backing British industry and fast-tracking the kit of the future into the hands of frontline troops. This Government's Plan for Change will harness the benefits of technology, create hundreds of new jobs and make defence a powerful engine for economic growth. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: A strong economy needs a strong national defence. That's why we are delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold Warputting innovation and industrial strength at the centre of our national security strategy. Additional funding for autonomous systems maximises the defence industry's potential to drive long term economic growth and productivity - helping us deliver our Plan for Change while keeping the UK safe. A new DEW will be created for the British Army this decade, alongside DragonFire being integrated on four Royal Navy warships, with the first ship due to be fitted in 2027, forming part of a layered air defence system to better protect UK forces while reducing collateral damage and reducing reliance on expensive ammunition. DEW technology already supports 200 high-skilled UK jobs, with a further 300 positions to be created across the Ministry of Defence and industry partners. It's another example of defence as an engine for UK economic growth, delivering on the Plan for Change. In addition, a new Drone Centre will be established to accelerate exploitation of small, uncrewed air systems across all three military services, helping to deliver them to the front line faster. The Centre will provide a central knowledge base to tackle any emerging legislative changes, develop best practice and better manage the interaction with industry. Crucially, it will apply battlefield lessons from Ukraine where drones now kill more people than traditional artillery. Detailed organisational arrangements will be developed over the coming months. During the SDR process, 1,700 individuals, political parties, and organisations submitted more than 8,000 responses. 200 companies provided written contributions, more than 120 senior experts took part in the review and challenge panels, and nearly 50 meetings took place between the Reviewers and our senior military figures. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "We want the guns to fall silent" Germany - Federal Government Ukrainian President Zelensky in Berlin Germany and Ukraine have grown closer in the course of the war, said Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin. The two heads of state and government agreed to work together more intensively. Transcript of press conference Wednesday, 28 May 2025 "The people of Ukraine have been resisting the Russian war of aggression for over three years now. They are defending their lives, their country and our shared freedom. They are also making great sacrifices in the defence of the security of Europe." With these words, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz honoured the Ukrainians' fight against Russian aggression at the reception for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin. Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine itself. "We want the weapons in Ukraine to fall silent. We want lasting peace for Ukraine and we want security for all of Europe. We want all of this in the closest possible partnership with our friends in Europe and the USA," emphasised the Chancellor. To this end, Germany stands firmly by Ukraine's side. The most important points of the statement in brief: Bilateral relations: The close cooperation between the two governments and their members should continue to grow. Therefore "we will be holding German-Ukrainian government consultations" towards the end of this year - for the first time in many years", said Merz. The close cooperation between the two governments and their members should continue to grow. Therefore "we will be holding German-Ukrainian government consultations" towards the end of this year - for the first time in many years", said Merz. Ceasefire efforts: The recent massive Russian airstrikes on Kyiv are a slap in the face for all those who are endeavouring to reach a ceasefire and enter into negotiations for peace - in Ukraine, in Europe and in the USA. That is why the pressure on Russia will be increased. The recent massive Russian airstrikes on Kyiv are a slap in the face for all those who are endeavouring to reach a ceasefire and enter into negotiations for peace - in Ukraine, in Europe and in the USA. That is why the pressure on Russia will be increased. Support for Ukraine: The Federal Chancellor made clear: "We will continue our military support, and we will expand it." Germany finances a considerable part of the country's Starlink coverage. In addition, the defence ministers of both countries were signing a declaration of intent on the procurement of extensive Ukrainian-made weapons systems later that same day. There were to be no range restrictions. The Federal Chancellor made clear: "We will continue our military support, and we will expand it." Germany finances a considerable part of the country's Starlink coverage. In addition, the defence ministers of both countries were signing a declaration of intent on the procurement of extensive Ukrainian-made weapons systems later that same day. There were to be no range restrictions. Economic co-operation: With a view to a "future beyond war", the Federal Chancellor announced talks with representatives from German business and industry. The potential for closer economic cooperation between Ukraine and Germany is there, he said, and the issues are obvious: energy, infrastructure, construction, agriculture, mechanical engineering, medical technology. The Federal Chancellor emphasised that this potential should be developed jointly and in partnership. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio 1 June 2025 23:41 930-01-06-2025 On June 1, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The ministers discussed the situation related to the Ukraine crisis. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed sincere condolences on the civilian casualties that resulted from the June 1 rail infrastructure blasts in Russia's Bryansk and Kursk regions. The Russian side stressed that the relevant authorities were conducting a thorough investigation and that its results would be published soon. The culprits will certainly be identified and inevitably incur well-deserved punishment. Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio also exchanged opinions on various initiatives related to a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, including plans to resume the direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul on June 2. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministers of Lithuania, Sweden, and Iceland: support for Ukraine and tightening sanctions against Russia are our common interest Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-06-02 On 2 June, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kestutis Budrys, met with the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs orgerur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, who are attending the Vilnius Summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries. Ministers discussed security and defence in the Nordic-Baltic region and Europe, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the response to Russian hybrid attacks and threats posed by the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, and other key international issues. "Russia remains the greatest and most immediate threat to our security. Russia's increasingly intense attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure show the aggressor's unwillingness to seek peace. It can be stopped and deterred by continuing the already existing sanctions and introducing new, even tougher ones - the EU's 18th sanctions package targeting the financial and energy sectors must be painful for the aggressor," said Budrys. Ministers discussed the need to continue to fully support Ukraine and work towards ensuring a just and lasting peace that can only be achieved by ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, returning prisoners of war, abducted children and civilians, strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities, and finally, providing Ukraine with full-fledged security guarantees - the NATO and EU membership. "The Nordic and Baltic countries are among Ukraine's biggest supporters, both politically and financially, thus, our continued efforts calling on others to increase support for Ukraine are essential, as Russia will not stop either now or after the negotiations," Budrys said. The head of Lithuania's diplomacy called for decisive and coordinated action to strengthen security in the Baltic Sea, stressing that the Baltic Sea region is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to Russia's growing military activity and its shadow fleet employed to circumvent international sanctions. According to the Minister, it is necessary to continue the sanctioning of the remaining vessels of the shadow fleet and to adopt a common code of practice providing for strict countermeasures. Budrys also called for a determined fight against the intensification of hybrid threats, increasing the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gitanas Nauseda met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of the Republic of Lithuania June 02, 2025 On Monday, President Gitanas Nauseda met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine on the sidelines of the Vilnius Summit. The two leaders discussed the situation surrounding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, the need for stricter sanctions against Russia, and continued support for Ukraine in its defense against the aggressor. "Lithuania standsand will continue to standwith Ukraine. We will continue to support Ukraine both in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression and in the context of any potential negotiations. Ukraine's security and defense are integral to the security of Europe as a whole," President Gitanas Nauseda stated. The Lithuanian leader emphasized that Russia has clearly rejected a 30-day ceasefire, and underscored the need to step up pressure on the aggressor. "We need to urgently impose new sanctions and adopt the 18th sanctions package that would strike at the heart of Russia's financial system. This should include major oil and gas companies such as Lukoil and Gazprom, Nord Stream 2, the ROSATOM corporation, all remaining Russian banking institutions, and the entire shadow fleet still operating," President Gitanas Nauseda underlined. The Lithuanian leader stressed that the most effective way to strengthen Ukraine's position in any negotiations is through increased military assistance and credible security guarantees. According to the President, Lithuania consistently advocatesboth at NATO and EU levelsthat Ukraine's membership in these structures is a strategic investment in the long-term security and stability of Europe. "Within the EU, we say that granting Ukraine membership by 2030 is the most effective long-term security guarantee the Union can offer. This target date must be clearly embedded in the mindset of EU institutions and member states. Without a doubt, Ukraine's path to EU membership will be a top priority for Lithuania during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027," the President said. The Lithuanian leader also emphasized his expectation for concrete and urgent contributions from all members of the Coalition of the Willing to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces. He underlined that Europe must take responsibility, act swiftly, and proceed with determination. Gitanas Nauseda noted that the next package of Lithuania's support for Ukraine is scheduled for June-July. It will include the provision of specialized equipment and technology, along with a financial contribution of over 20 million to the Demining Coalition. This will be followed by the delivery of ammunition worth more than 35 million, as well as an additional 5 million earmarked for NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine program. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President: Significantly increasing military support for Ukraine is essential President of the Republic of Lithuania June 02, 2025 On Monday, President Gitanas Nauseda met with the leaders of NATO's eastern and northern flank countries at the Vilnius Summit to discuss continued support for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also took part in the meeting. President Gitanas Nauseda stressed that Ukraine's security and defense are inseparable from the security of Europe. "We must be clear: significantly increasing military support for Ukraine is essential. Our priority should be to swiftly restore the capabilities of Ukraine's armed forces, strengthen its military power, and ensure effective deterrence in place," he underlined. The Head of State also called for greater investment in Ukraine's defense industry, pooling of resources, streamlined public procurement procedures, and arms deliveries that reflect the reality on the battlefield. "Lithuania's total military aid to Ukraine can reach 1 billion this year. We've pledged to allocate at least 0.25% of our GDP annually to military support for Ukraineand we are surpassing that target. We are proud that the Nordic and Baltic countries together are among the top contributors of military assistance to Ukraine, providing over 26 billion to date," the Lithuanian leader stated. Addressing the topic of peace talks, Gitanas Nauseda noted that Russia continues to use delay tactics to buy time and sustain its aggression. The President stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia to achieve a real ceasefire, while simultaneously reinforcing Ukraine's position for any future negotiations. "Peace must be just and lasting. Lithuania will never recognize Russia's claims to the occupied territories. Demands such as Ukraine's demilitarization, NATO non-accession, or the holding of new elections would mean interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation," Gitanas Nauseda pointed out. The Lithuanian leader underscored the urgency of imposing additional sanctions against Russia to seriously undermine its financial capabilities. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, Ukraine agree to largest prisoner swap but fail to reach truce Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 6:28 PM Russia's top negotiator Vladimir Medinsky has said Moscow and Kiev agreed on the largest-ever prisoner swap between the two warring neighbor countries. Russia's delegation to the second round of talks in Istanbul, Turkey, was led by Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The negotiators from Kiev were headed by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Medinsky told reporters on Monday after the second round of talks in Istanbul that the severely wounded and sick will be exchanged on an "all for all" basis. He also said all the prisoners-of-war (POWs), who are under the age of 25, will be exchanged. "The overall cap for the exchange will be at least 1,000 people from each side. Possibly more," he added, further noting that the figures are being finalized. The second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks ended without a major breakthrough after about an hour of negotiations with both sides apparently standing firm on their positions regarding territorial disputes and sovereignty over regions in eastern Ukraine that have joined Russia. Kiev forces had intensified drone attacks on Russian territory ahead of the Istanbul talks, targeting civilian infrastructure, trains, and military airfields, which Moscow claims are attempts to sabotage negotiations. In an act of sabotage just a day before scheduled talks, two bridges collapsed in Russia's Bryansk and Kursk border regions, leading to at least seven deaths and dozens of injured. Russia's Investigative Committee determined that the incidents were caused by sabotage. On Sunday, drones targeted military airfields in Murmansk Region in the country's north, in Ivanovo and Ryazan regions in western Russia, and in Irkutsk Region in Siberia and Amur Region in the Far East. In response to Kiev's raids, Russia has launched several retaliatory strikes targeting Ukraine's defense industry facilities, as well as military assembly points and warehouses. Observers said Kiev may have undertaken such actions to demonstrate to its Western supporters that it still has the means to continue fighting Russia, as well as to intimidate the Russian population. The first round of Istanbul talks on May 16 saw the release of another 1,000 prisoners per side. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump had promised to get a deal to end the fighting in Ukraine in one day. However, more than four months since his second-term inauguration that goal looks as far away as ever. His special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, claimed in an interview with ABC News last month that the American leader was pushing both sides to reach a peace agreement. "Trump... is working to stop this war and end the killing," Kellogg said. However, other sources suggest that Trump is equally prepared to "just back away" and allow the fighting to continue. Russia's military campaign in eastern Ukraine started in February 2022, triggered by NATO forces eastward encroachment on Russian territory. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, Ukraine trade drone, missile attacks ahead of negotiations Iran Press TV Monday, 02 June 2025 11:26 AM A day before Russia and Ukraine meet for a new round of direct talks in Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia exchange heavy fire with a Ukrainian drone attack reportedly destroying more than 40 Russian planes, and Moscow pounding Ukraine with drones, and missiles. Russia's Ministry of Defense said on Monday its air defense units had "intercepted and destroyed" 162 Ukrainian drones on Sunday. The majority of drones were downed over regions bordering Ukraine, with 57 intercepted over the Kursk region and 31 over the Belgorod region, the ministry said. The barrage also came a day after Ukraine claimed it had carried out one of its most brazen attacks on Russian soil and hit dozens of strategic bombers parked at airbases deep inside Russia, thousands of kilometers behind the front line. Russia also launched the largest number of drones on Sunday -- 472 -- in Ukraine since February 2022 when its special operation began. Russian forces also launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones. Russia's Ministry of Defense said that it had taken control of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine's northern Sumy region. Additionally, Ukraine's army reported that at least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than dozens of others injured on Sunday. The attacks come as delegations from Russia and Ukraine are set to meet in Turkey on Monday for their second round of direct peace talks in just over two weeks. Ukraine's delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has arrived in Istanbul for the meeting, according to Heorhii Tykhyi, the spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Russian delegation headed by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, arrived on Sunday evening, Russian state media reported. Turkish officials have said the meeting will be presided over by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan while officials from the Turkish intelligence agency will be present as well. Ukrainian officials claim they have shared a memorandum for a ceasefire agreement with Russia and have called on Russia to do the same. Russian officials in response have said that they will share their memorandum with Ukraine on Monday during the ceasefire talks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine, Russia Talks Make Ground On New Prisoner Exchange, Little Else By RFE/RL June 02, 2025 Ukraine and Russia agreed to another large-scale prisoner swap but little else during a second round of direct peace talks that lasted just over an hour as air attacks by both sides continue in Europe's largest and deadliest conflict since World War II. "The meeting is over. It didn't end negatively," Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said following the talks on June 2 at Ciragan Palace by the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Expectations, low to begin with, were tempered further after Ukraine said a day earlier that it had wiped out dozens of long-range Russian bombers with a wave of drones launched remotely after being smuggled into Russia. Both delegations presented their drafts of so-called memoranda -- documents on the principles of peace negotiations and possible conditions for a cease-fire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking in Vilnius, said the delegations "exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we are preparing a new release of prisoners of the war." Ukraine's delegation leader, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, said the sides 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." Umerov's Russian counterpart, Vladimir Medinsky, said the exchange would involve "at least 1,000" on each side, a figure that exceeds the 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange carried out after the first round of talks last month. Prior to the meeting, experts said the two sides still appeared to be far apart, putting the odds of a breakthrough on a cease-fire at the meeting at slim to none. "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 wroteon social media. 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 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 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. "The key to lasting peace is clear, the aggressor must not receive any reward for war,"Zelesnkyy said in Vilnius on June 2 at a meeting that included officials from several NATO countries. 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. Key points were said to 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 How Ukraine's 'Spiderweb' Drone Attacks May Change Modern Warfare By Amos Chapple June 02, 2025 On June 1, videos of bomb-laden quadcopters launching from trucks as fires blazed nearby spread through social media after Ukraine's Security Services launched daylight strikes on air bases throughout Russia that destroyed many of the Kremlin's long-range aircraft. Those videos are undoubtedly now being studied in military planning rooms. "This attack should be a wakeup call to militaries around the world," Stacie Pettyjohn, the Director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, told RFE/RL. "In many ways, the [June 1 attack] was more effective than the ones conducted by Ukrainian long-range drones because the small drones can disperse, navigate to different targets, and precisely hit multiple targets across a large airbase," the drone expert said. "The lynchpin of this attack was covert infiltration and operations very close to the airbases, which likely were rather lightly defended because there were few concerns about Ukraine being able to strike this deep [inside Russia]," she added. It remains unclear where the drones were piloted from, or whether they relied on AI targeting to home in on the Russian aircraft. Ukraine has claimed the roofs of the trucks carrying the hidden drone fleet were opened "remotely" to enable the quadcopters to launch. Radio-controlled quadcopters often suffer from patchy communication as they near their target. In contrast, video captured from on board one of the attacking drones shows uninterrupted footage typical of cable-controlled quadcopters. Such drones are limited in range by the length of their cables, which resemble fishing lines. But with Ukraine's mobile launcher trucks apparently parking within a few kilometers of Russian bases, that limitation was overcome, with devastating results. Kyiv has claimed some 41 aircraft were wiped out. A popular Pro-Kremlin blogger estimated ten aircraft were destroyed. Michael Boyle, an associate Professor at Rutgers University and author of a book on drone warfare says "There's a lot of counter-drone technology that gets rendered pretty useless against drones operating on a closed loop with fiber optic cables, and [militaries] are going to need to rethink the counter-UAS strategies to deal with fiber-optic drones, even if attacks like we saw in Russia remain rare and hard to replicate." Military air bases are protected with layered systems that often include radar to detect approaching threats, as well as missile systems and jamming devices designed to disorient radio-controlled drones. The June 1 attacks rendered nearly all such defences void. In flying from short range, the drones arrived without the warning that long-range radar can provide, and in swarms likely to overcome even missile defense systems able to shoot down such small devices. In some videos made on June 1, small arms fire can be heard as Russian servicemen apparently attempt to shoot down the quadcopters. Colonel Markus Reisner, the head of Research and Development for the Austrian Military Academy told RFE/RL the attack offers "a taste of the future of warfare." Reisner says since the start of the war Moscow has struck Ukraine using "long-range Tu-22, Tu-160, and Tu-95 bombers. During these regular attacks, the heavy bombers launch their long-range cruise missiles from a safe distance and outside the range of Ukrainian air defenses. Ukraine has therefore repeatedly attempted to take out these heavy bombers and the important A-50 flying communication centers in recent years." Depending on which of the varying estimates of destroyed aviation destruction turns out to be accurate, Reisner believes the Ukrainian operation will "contribute to significantly reducing the intensity of Russian air strikes on Ukraine." With U.S.-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine set to resume in Istanbul on June 2, Russian analyst Natalia Shavshukova told RFE/RL's Current Time the June 1 drone attacks "strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position." The independent analyst added that, "last time, the Kremlin demonstrated its power by showing that it had no intention of stopping the bombing of Ukrainian cities, even in the face of calls for a cease-fire from all sides. Now, Ukraine has demonstrated its own strength and ability to carry out highly sophisticated operations deep behind enemy lines despite all the challenges." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-air-base- drone-attack/33431837.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 Full Text of Russian Memorandum on Ukraine Published Sputnik News 20250602 The full text of Russian memorandum on Ukraine has been released, outlining its proposals in three distinct sections. Two Options for Ceasefire Russia's memorandum envisages two ceasefire options as part of Ukraine settlement, according to a document obtain by Sputnik. "Option 1: The beginning of the complete withdrawal of the Ukrainian armed forces and other military formations of Ukraine from the territory of the Russian Federation, including the DPR [Donetsk People's Republic], LPR [Lugansk (also known as Luhansk) People's Republic], Zaporozhye [Zaporizhzhia] and Kherson regions, and their withdrawal to a distance agreed by the Parties from the borders of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the approved Regulation," the document read. The second ceasefire option is of a "package" character, providing for a number of conditions, the document added. The sequence of implementation of the Russian memorandum envisages a 30-day ceasefire from the moment the withdrawal of the Ukrainian troops begins, the document also said. "At the same time, the full withdrawal of the units of the Ukrainian armed forces from the territory of the Russian Federation and the full implementation of the 'package agreement' must be carried out within these 30 days," the document said. Recognition of Russia's New Territories, Crimea The Russian memorandum presented during negotiations with Ukraine on Monday envisages international legal recognition of the new regions of Russia, which include the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the regions of Zaporozhye, as well as Crimea. "International legal recognition of Crimea, LPR, DPR, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions as part of Russia; complete withdrawal of units of the Ukrainian armed forces and other paramilitary formations of Ukraine from their territories," the document read. Ukraine's Neutrality, Non-Entry Into Military Blocs "Ukraine's neutrality entails its refusal to join military alliances and coalitions, along with a prohibition on any military activities by third states within its territory. This includes a ban on the deployment of foreign armed forces, military bases, and military infrastructure in Ukraine," the memorandum reads. The memorandum also suggests setting a limit on the number of the Ukrainian armed forces personnel. "Putting the limit on the number of the Ukrainian armed forces and other Ukrainian military units, the maximum number of weapons and military equipment and their acceptable limits; dissolution of Ukrainian nationalist units within the Ukrainian armed forces and the National Guard," the document read. The package proposal from the Russian memorandum includes a ban on the redeployment of Ukrainian troops, the document also said. NO Third Countries' Troops in Ukraine "Exclusion of the military presence of third countries on Ukrainian territory, cessation of participation of foreign specialists in military actions on Ukraine's side, guarantees of Ukraine's refusal to conduct sabotage and subversive operations against Russia and its citizens," the document read. Guaranteeing Rights of Russian-Speaking Population "Key parameters of a final settlement... Ensuring the full rights, freedoms, and interests of the Russian and Russian-speaking population; granting the Russian language official status," the document stated. The memorandum also suggests lifting restrictions for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Ukraine. Ban on Glorification of Nazism "The main parameters of the final settlement ... Legislative prohibition of glorification and propaganda of Nazism and neo-Nazism, dissolution of nationalist organizations and parties," the document read. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What Russia and Ukraine Agreed in 2nd Round of Istanbul Talks Sputnik News 20250602 Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reported the key outcomes of the negotiations with Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul. Key statements: Russia handed Ukraine a draft memorandum on settlement, which Kiev took for study The Russian settlement memorandum is in two parts and is detailed and well-developed The first part focuses on how to achieve genuine long-term peace The second part outlines steps for a full ceasefire, allowing for flexibility and multiple paths to that goal Russia will unilaterally transfer 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to Kiev next week, having identified all the deceased The parties agreed on the largest-yet prisoner exchange The total exchange will be at least 1,000 prisoners, possibly more Sick and seriously wounded prisoners will be exchanged on an "all for all" basis Moscow and Kiev will create a commission to exchange seriously wounded troops without political decisions The sides will exchange soldiers under the age of 25 Russia offered Ukraine a concrete ceasefire for two to three days in certain frontline sectors Moscow and Kiev agreed to a ceasefire in specific areas so commanders can retrieve the bodies of their soldiers The Ukrainian armed forces promised to work out the ceasefire proposal for those areas soon Kiev turned the issue of 'child abductions' into a 'show for sentimental Europeans' No children have been kidnapped by Moscow, only rescued by Russian soldiers Russia received a list of 339 children from Ukraine who are in difficult situations due to the conflict Moscow returns children to Kiev if their parents or legal guardians are present Russia is working on reuniting families separated by the Ukraine conflict The negotiations with Ukraine were conducted in Russian The Russian delegation was satisfied with the results of the second round of talks with Ukraine, Medinsky said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Defense Chief Regularly Briefed on Ukraine's Drone Attacks Against Russian Airfields Sputnik News 20250602 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been regularly briefed about Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian military airfields in various regions on June 1, CNN reported on Monday, citing a senior US official. The Pentagon chief regularly received updated about the Ukrainian operation when he traveled to Joint Base Andrews but has not held any conversations with Ukrainian officials yet, according to the report. On Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Kiev regime had carried out an attack with the use of first-person-view drones targeting airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions. All attacks on the airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions were repelled. Fires at the airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions were extinguished, with no casualties among personnel, the ministry said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Presidents of Ukraine and Romania Discuss Opportunities for Advancing Cooperation President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 20:24 In Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met for the first time with the new President of Romania, Nicusor Dan. The Head of State congratulated Nicusor Dan on his election victory and emphasized that Ukraine looks forward to deepening relations with Romania. "We are very grateful to your country, your people, and your government - since the very beginning of the war - for supporting our people, for offering shelter to our citizens, and for your military assistance. Thank you sincerely. And of course, we are deeply grateful for your support of our future EU membership," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The President of Romania assured that Ukraine can count on continued assistance and support for its EU and NATO membership. The leaders discussed diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine and across Europe. President Zelenskyy briefed his counterpart on the meeting in Istanbul, noting that while the talks unfortunately did not bring steps closer to peace, there was an agreement on a prisoner exchange and the return of the bodies of the fallen - something of great importance to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the need to increase sanctions against Russia in order to deprive Moscow of opportunities to expand its military production and continue the war. He also emphasized Ukraine's technological experience gained during its defense against Russian aggression and proposed deepening cooperation in the defense sector. The President added that Ukraine is open to new projects in the fields of economy, infrastructure, and reconstruction. Particular attention was paid to the upcoming NATO Summit. The President of Ukraine underscored the importance of Ukraine being properly represented in The Hague, noting that every voice and every country's support matters on this issue. Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Nicusor Dan to take part in the Ukraine - Southeast Europe Summit, which will take place in Odesa. The Romanian President confirmed his participation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Meets with Mark Rutte President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 19:51 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Head of State informed him about today's meeting in Istanbul, which resulted in important agreements on the exchange of prisoners and the return of the fallen. However, Russia did not support either an unconditional ceasefire or negotiations between Ukraine and Russia at the highest level. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Rutte devoted special attention to the next diplomatic steps and increasing pressure on Russia. The President and the NATO Secretary General also discussed Ukraine's long-range capabilities. A key focus of the meeting was the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague. The President emphasized the importance of Ukraine being properly represented at the summit - as a signal to Russia that the Alliance remains committed to its core principles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Investments in Ukraine's Defense Industry and Air Defense Reinforcement: President Meets with Prime Minister of Norway President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 19:14 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre to discuss continued support for Ukraine, including strengthening air defense, direct investments in Ukraine's defense industry, and the importance of increasing pressure on Russia. The Head of State informed the Prime Minister about the course of negotiations in Istanbul and emphasized that their outcome must lead to meaningful prospects. The President once again reaffirmed his readiness for the meeting at the highest level to personally address the most important issues. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Jonas Gahr Stre also exchanged views on possible venues for the next meeting with the Russian side. Special attention was paid to the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Norway share the view that sanctions will be most effective if coordinated between the United States, Europe, and other countries. Among other important topics discussed was defense assistance to Ukraine. The President outlined Ukraine's key needs, particularly the necessity of enhancing air defense. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Jonas Gahr Stre discussed the possibility of purchasing an additional air defense system for Ukraine with the support of Northern European countries. The leaders also focused on direct investments in Ukraine's defense industry, especially in drone production. The Prime Minister stressed that Norway is already part of the Drone Coalition and is ready to do more. Additionally, the meeting included discussion of gas procurement for Ukraine, with both sides exploring various options. The President noted that Ukraine values Norway's support - particularly the security and defense cooperation and the coordinated efforts to achieve a just and durable peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Presidents of Ukraine and Lithuania Discuss Need to Increase Pressure on Russia Over Prolonged War President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 18:49 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda. The Head of State thanked President Nauseda for the invitation to take part in the Vilnius Summit with the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic countries, as well as for all the important decisions in support of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed his Lithuanian counterpart about the second round of negotiations with the Russian side held in Istanbul. Particular attention was paid to the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia in response to its prolongation of the war. According to the President of Ukraine, this must be a coordinated effort by the United States, Europe, and other countries. The leaders discussed in detail the current needs of Ukraine's security and defense forces. President Zelenskyy emphasized that against the backdrop of Russia's increased use of drones and missiles against Ukrainians, it is critical to continue reinforcing Ukraine's air shield. Special focus was placed on investments in Ukraine's weapons production. Ukrainian missiles and drones have repeatedly proven their effectiveness, and therefore it is vital not only to maintain but to expand funding for domestic defense manufacturing. The presidents also discussed the negotiation process regarding Ukraine's EU membership. Lithuania supports Ukraine's European integration and stands ready to contribute to the prompt opening of negotiating clusters. The discussion also covered Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the President of Ukraine Following the Bucharest Nine and Nordic Countries Summit President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 17:50 Gitanas, Mr. President! It's important to be here in Vilnius today! Dear friends, partners! We all want the same thing - to stop the Russian war, to bring real peace, and to make security last. That's what we're all working for. First, I informed our partners about the situation at the front. We also talked about our operation inside Russia, which has seriously weakened their military. Operation "Spiderweb" showed what modern war really looks like and why it's so important to stay ahead with technology. All our joint investments in drone production, all our shared battlefield experience, everything we're doing together with our partners - it's making Europe stronger. Today, we agreed with our partners on several joint decisions that will strengthen our defense even more. I thank everyone for your willingness to help. There will be new packages. There will be new investments in Ukraine's weapons production - especially drones. Ukraine can produce much more, and we see partner investments as a way to give those partners priority access to restock their arsenals after this war. Second, I thank you all for our shared view of what diplomacy needs in order to succeed. Today, we see the situation clearly - 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. We need to work on joint sanctions at the G7 level - including with the United States - and with everyone in the world who wants peace. It's very important that each of our partners supports this exact approach. Sanctions against Russia are necessary. It's important to seriously limit Russia's oil trade and its use of tankers. Sanctions, including secondary ones, tariffs, and price caps, can work and push Russia toward peace. Without pressure, Putin will just keep playing games with everyone who wants this war to end. Talks in Istanbul just ended, and I'm waiting for Minister Umerov's full report. They exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we're preparing a new release of prisoners of war. Third - the upcoming NATO Summit can strengthen Europe's security, or, if it sends the wrong signal, it will only encourage Putin. The key to lasting peace is clear - the aggressor must not receive any reward for war. Putin must get nothing that would justify his aggression. Any reward would only show him that war pays off. Geopolitical gains are just as important to Russia as money or territory. If Putin is allowed to decide who joins NATO, where NATO infrastructure can or can't be, then Russia's appetite for war will only grow. Our shared goal is the opposite - to completely end Russia's hunger for aggression. Ukraine is doing its part. I'm grateful to all partners who are doing theirs. And we must act as one united Euro-Atlantic community. The NATO Summit in June is the right place and the right time to send a clear message - Russia will not get anything from this war. Strong decisions are needed. Decisions for Europe, not for Putin. We all need to work together to make this really happen. And it's doable. Thank you to everyone who helps us. Thank you so much! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Development of Bilateral Relations and Continued Support for Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Meets with Andrzej Duda President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 15:26 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda. The Ukrainian leader congratulated Poland on the presidential elections and Karol Nawrocki on his victory. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that continued support from Poland is important not only for Ukraine but for all of Europe. Andrzej Duda reaffirmed his consistent support for Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO. "You have been our friend from the very beginning - even before the full-scale war began. I'm grateful to be able to count on our friendship. I thank the Polish people for their support," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Presidents of Ukraine and Poland discussed in detail bilateral relations, diplomatic efforts, and the importance of exerting pressure on Russia to achieve a just and lasting peace. Both leaders share the same position: it is crucial to increase joint pressure from the United States, Europe, and other countries around the world on Russia and to continue seeking solutions that will help stop its aggression. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also invited Andrzej Duda to visit Ukraine. The President of Poland confirmed that he would make the visit before the end of his term. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine and Prime Minister of Finland Discuss Various Formats of Defense Cooperation President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 15:15 In Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo. The main topics of discussion included defense support for Ukraine, the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition, and EU membership. Petteri Orpo assured that Ukrainians can count on continued military assistance from Finland. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the new package of defense aid. Special attention during the meeting was given to Ukraine's defense capabilities - the potential for direct investment in domestic production of weapons, including drones, as well as joint arms manufacturing in Ukraine and Finland. The Prime Minister noted that the best technologies are currently concentrated in Ukraine, and that every European country should follow this example by developing its own domestic production. The President outlined details of the "Drone Line" project, its proven effectiveness, and specific ideas for scaling it up. This initiative shows that security can depend not only on those standing on the ground, which is why its development is so important. Separately, the Head of State shared expectations for today's meeting in Istanbul. According to him, Ukraine counts on a ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, the return of abducted children, and a meeting at the level of leaders. However, Russia is not ready for this. In addition, the President and the Prime Minister discussed cooperation within the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition. "I hope we can count on other partners to join your initiative. This is especially urgent before the start of the school year, because it is critically important for our schools, our children, and all our people. Thank you very much," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He added that due to constant Russian attacks, Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense and is counting on the relevant pressure that will force Russia to stop. The Head of State also emphasized: strong Ukrainian representation at the NATO Summit will send a clear message to Russia that it cannot dictate its agenda on the North Atlantic Alliance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address To End the War, Ukraine Needs Continued Defense Support and Diplomacy Backed by Strong Action - Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 15:00 There is a real opportunity to end the war, despite Russia's ongoing implementation of its aggressive intentions. To achieve this, Ukraine requires continued defense support and diplomacy that is filled with real substance and backed by effective actions. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized this during his speech at the Vilnius Summit with the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic countries. The Head of State thanked partners for all the support packages and every investment in the production of weapons in Ukraine, as well as for the development of their own defense industries. "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," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President noted that Ukraine's delegation is already in Istanbul and that the Ukrainian side is ready to take the necessary steps for the sake of peace. According to him, the starting point must be a ceasefire and humanitarian actions - the release of prisoners and the return of abducted children. "All key issues can be resolved at the level of leaders. And if Russia undermines even this initial agenda, and 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 stronger sanctions President Trump promised," the Head of State stressed. In addition, it is critically important to maintain a strong connection between Europe and the United States. As many points of contact as possible are needed, including at the NATO Summit at the end of June. "Russia must not have veto power over NATO decisions or influence over the Alliance or its members. That principle must remain in place. Euro-Atlantic security is the business of Euro-Atlantic nations," the President concluded. The Bucharest Nine (B9) is an initiative launched in 2015 during a summit in Bucharest by nine NATO member states from Central and Eastern Europe to strengthen military cooperation. Its members are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. This year's summit also includes Ukraine, the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway), and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by the President of Ukraine at the Summit With the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic Countries in Vilnius President of Ukraine 2 June 2025 - 14:08 Thank you so much, Dear Gitanas. Thank you, first of all, for the invitation. Thank you for your support! This is a special moment - on the one hand, Russia has launched its summer offensive, but on the other hand, they are being forced to engage in diplomacy. And this is both a challenge and a real opportunity for us all - a chance to try to end this war. First, as before, our top priority is supporting our defense. And I'm grateful for all the support packages and for every investment in weapons production in Ukraine, and for the development of production in your countries as well. 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, it's obvious to everyone that Ukraine is the one holding the line - not just for itself, but for all of Europe. Ask your intelligence - what is Russia planning this summer in Belarus? If they're 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. That's why weapons production matters. 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 defense, especially Patriot systems and missiles for them. Each of you knows what we need and what you can do to help. Decisions are needed. Second, 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. Naturally, the starting point should be a ceasefire and humanitarian actions - the release of prisoners and the return of abducted children. All key issues can be resolved at the level of leaders. And if Russia undermines even this initial agenda, and if the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently, urgently needed - from the EU's 18th package and from the United States, specifically the stronger sanctions President Trump promised. Sanctions should hit Russian energy - especially oil and tankers, price caps, of course, - and also Russian banks and the financial sector overall. Third, the United States. Thank you to everyone doing everything possible to keep the bond between Europe and America strong. We need the support of President Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the American people. Whatever happens in global competition, it is our shared duty - Europe's, America's, and everyone who values freedom - to defend it together. We need as many points of connection as possible - including at the NATO Summit this June. One of the key principles of European security is that Russia must not have veto power over NATO decisions or influence over the Alliance or its members. That principle must remain in place. Euro-Atlantic security is the business of Euro-Atlantic nations. Putin chose to stand against Europe - so he has no place in deciding its future. And that must not change. It's important to confirm at the NATO Summit in June that the Alliance stays strong and that Europe will not give up its own security. And of course, I would also like to discuss the details of our work within the Coalition of the Willing and the security guarantees as well. We need to make this Coalition strong. But we'll talk about that, I think, behind closed doors. Thank you so much again. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Frontline Ukrainian families face perilous task of farming mined fields 2 June 2025 - As Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet for a second round of preliminary peace talks in Turkiye on Monday, rural communities faced their own challenge: finding something to eat. According to the UN, many frontline Ukrainian families are at risk of missing critical planting and harvesting windows. "Agriculture is a fabric of rural society. It's not just a way to make a living - it's a way of being. And vulnerable rural families are holding on. They need support not just to survive, but to thrive and rebuild," said Rein Paulsen, Director of Emergencies and Resilience at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during a recent visit to Ukraine. Rural households across Ukraine - many headed by an elderly relative or woman - depend on agriculture for survival, often tending a single cow or a small flock of chickens. But these families are among the most vulnerable and least supported, especially those living near the frontlines. Hardship growing As the war provoked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year, these households face growing challenges cultivating their land due to anti-personnel mines, land contamination, labour shortages, lack of inputs, shelling and frequent electricity cuts. According to the Fourth Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, Ukraine's agriculture sector has suffered $83.9 billion in damages and losses since the war began, with an additional $1.6 billion in the irrigation sector. A significant portion of this burden falls on rural households. Call for support On Monday, the FAO warned that without urgent and sustained support, thousands of rural households may be unable to plant or harvest on time, jeopardising national food security and rural livelihoods. Since the start of the war, FAO has supported more than 250,000 rural families with vegetable seeds, animal feed, day-old chicks, cash and vouchers. Over 15,000 farmers have also received crop seeds, temporary storage, and financial assistance. In addition, the FAO and partners have worked to survey mined areas, restore access to farmland, and support national systems for monitoring and recovery. But this assistance is not enough, especially as funding shortfalls limit the full implementation of the FAO's Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan for 2025-2026 in Ukraine. The organization is calling for urgent support to help rural households safely access their land and secure essential resources such as seeds, fertiliser, storage and reliable energy. This requires more than emergency funds alone - a sustained and coordinated response is needed to meet long-term needs. Without increased support, these families' ability to plant, harvest and recover remains under serious threat. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Inside The Struggle To Free Ukraine's Azovstal Defenders From Russian Captivity By Mykyta Peretiatko and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 03, 2025 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/33427578.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 Dallas, Texas, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) acknowledges the perspectives and concerns raised by attorneys general regarding the safety and accessibility of in-person certification exams, particularly for providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care. ABOGs certification process advances high-quality OB-GYN care through our initial and continuing assessments. These assessments are grounded in science and foster clinical expertise delivered with professionalism by board-certified diplomates to patients nationwide. ABOG strives to serve society by advancing knowledge, practice, and professionalism in women's health and supports that objective by defining standards and certifying obstetricians and gynecologists. Pursuing board certification demonstrates an individual physicians commitment to their patients to achieve these standards and to continually learn and strive for mastery throughout their career. To respect our patients, candidates, and diplomates, ABOG is passionately committed to conducting its board certification processes in a fair and safe manner. ABOG continually monitors and reassesses evidence-based medicine, the science of psychometrics, legislation, case law, and regulations to ensure that our processes accomplish excellence in assessment. In-Person Exams Ensure Quality and Equity ABOGs priority through certification is to promote high-quality care for OB-GYN patients. In-person exams, conducted at our purpose-built National Center, provide the most equitable, fair, secure, and standardized assessment. Remote exams were a necessary but temporary pandemic measure and do not offer the optimal method of assessment. ABOG must utilize best assessment practices when administering certification exams to ensure certification serves as a reliable indication to all patients that their physician has successfully completed a comprehensive and rigorous certification process. Certification Is Not Required to Practice Medicine While certification is often used by hospitals and insurers as a measure of competence, certification is not a prerequisite to practice medicine and care for patients. After graduate medical training, state licensure is the legal requirement for medical practice in all but rare cases. ABOG does not oversee medical training (residency/fellowship) or medical licensure. Following training, the certifying process is the final critical step for those physicians seeking certification and serves as a peer assessment of an individual providers actual practice. Certification Is Voluntary and Apolitical Certification is a voluntary, professional assessment process and must be independent of political influence. ABOG is ardently committed to its mission of defining standards, certifying OB-GYN physicians, and promoting continuous learning to advance womens health. Our standards are evidence-based, psychometrically rigorous and sound, and aligned with national practices to support our primary objective of promoting quality care for OB-GYN patients across the spectrum of the specialty. Because it is grounded in science, the process of defining standards and administering assessments must remain free from political influence and other biases. Simultaneously, the assessment process must respect and honor the diverse viewpoints of candidates and diplomates, provided those viewpoints are supported by evidence. Security, Confidentiality, and Support All exam-related information, including an individual candidates exam date, is confidential and shared only with the candidate. It is the candidates prerogative to share exam scheduling details with anyone outside of ABOG. ABOGs candidacy process is designed to allow ABOG to verify a candidates deidentified clinical practice history. The exam facility operates under robust security protocols and has no identifying signage. There have been no incidents of harm to candidates or examiners across thousands of in-person examinations. ABOG continues to assess and evolve security protocols to ensure this record of safety is maintained. Emergency medical support for pregnant and non-pregnant conditions has been arranged for candidates and examiners and is located approximately 3 miles from the National Center. Additionally, candidates have up to 8 years to complete the certification process, which offers flexibility if additional time is needed for any reason: preference, medical, or other. Texas laws apply to physicians licensed in Texas and to clinical care provided to patients within Texas. In recent days, the Texas legislature has passed the Life of the Mother Act, which clarifies that physicians in Texas are able to act to address lethal and non-lethal medical risks to pregnant patients. Closing Comments ABOG has consistently responded to and continues to respond to all inquiries from individuals and groups regarding the in-person certifying exam. Our goal is to provide all candidates with equitable and secure exam experiences, and our collective objective is for candidates to achieve successful exam outcomes based on an evidence-based and psychometrically rigorous exam process inclusive of all scopes of practice. ABOG continuously monitors legal developments and maintains its commitment to protecting the confidentiality and safety of all examinees, as it has for nearly 100 years of assessing candidates for board certification. Denver, CO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As caregiver burnout reaches unprecedented levels across the United States, a new health tech startup, Caily, is stepping forward to address what experts are calling a growing public health emergency. The Denver-based company has announced the upcoming launch of its integrated caregiver app, designed to provide comprehensive caregiver support across social, medical, legal, and emotional needs. Caily is the caregiving app for shared calendars, daily check-ins, health records, medication reminders, last wishes planning and more. With more than 53 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S., many of whom provide daily assistance to aging family members, disabled individuals, or chronically ill loved ones, the demands placed on these caregivers are staggering. Yet, despite their vital role, caregivers often go unrecognized in the broader healthcare and technology ecosystems. Cailys soon-to-launch digital platform aims to meet this need head-on by offering a unified system that improves coordination, communication, and overall care delivery. Unpacking the Caregiver Burnout Crisis Caregiving can be a rewarding act of compassion, but it is frequently accompanied by immense emotional, physical, and financial stress. The weight of daily caregiving responsibilities, often taken on with little formal training or institutional support, can lead to profound health consequences. Research from AARP notes that unpaid caregivers contribute nearly $600 billion worth of services annually, often while facing higher risks of depression, anxiety, and work-related stress. "Caregiver burnout isnt just an individual problem; its a systemic issue with ripple effects across families, workplaces, and healthcare institutions," said Wynter Johnson, President & Co-Founder at Caily. "We built Caily specifically for caregivers, to offer the kind of centralized, accessible support thats been missing from their lives for far too long." A New Kind of Caregiver App Launching in Summer 2025, Caily introduces a new standard for caregiver support through a platform that unites care coordination in one easy-to-use interface. Accessible via desktop, iOS, Android, and tablet devices, the app allows caregivers to organize all aspects of care in a shared space. By bringing together the entire Care Circle, consisting of family members and friends, Caily fosters better collaboration and reduces communication gaps that often lead to stress and mistakes. Designed in response to feedback from real caregiving communities, the app includes features such as daily check-ins, last-wishes planning, secure document storage, messaging tools, and health tracking. Whether managing medications, keeping up with legal documents, or simply coordinating who will accompany a loved one to a doctors appointment, caregivers can rely on the platform to simplify their responsibilities. "The value of Caily lies in its specificity; this isnt a generic productivity app being repurposed," added Johnson. "Its a caregiver app, built from the ground up with the caregiver experience at its core." Caregiver Support Backed by Research Cailys development process was informed by extensive research and user testing. Throughout the design phase, the team engaged directly with caregivers to identify the common pain points that often lead to burnout. Among the most common challenges was feeling overwhelmed by a lack of clear communication and confusion around roles and responsibilities among those involved in caregiving. Caily gives caregivers the help they deserve and allows our loved ones to remain at the center of their own lives. Caily exists so that no one ever has to navigate this journey alone, said McKenna McCormick, Caily Vice President & Co-Founder. Caily addresses these issues by offering a centralized communication hub that makes it easy to delegate tasks, update care plans, and ensure all stakeholders remain informed. This level of coordination not only lightens the caregivers load but also leads to better outcomes for care receivers. According to content from Cailys blog, symptoms of caregiver burnout often go unrecognized until they escalate into serious health concerns. These include chronic fatigue, irritability, withdrawal from social activities, and even physical illness. Proactively providing tools for support can be a critical intervention. Launch Timeline and Waitlist The official launch of the Caily platform is scheduled for Summer 2025. In the lead-up to launch, interested users are encouraged to sign up for early access at www.caily.com. Those who join the waitlist will receive priority access and updates on the platforms rollout. Caily is also continuing to gather feedback from family and professional caregivers, individuals who have received care, and support organizations in preparation for launch, with a goal to make the app as inclusive and adaptable as possible. About Caily Caily is a Denver-based health technology company focused on supporting caregivers through intuitive, coordinated solutions. By addressing the critical gaps in caregiver support, the company seeks to empower those who provide care with the resources, tools, and networks they need to thrive. Caily's mission is grounded in compassion, usability, and a commitment to improving the caregiving experience for everyone involved. Caily is the caregiving app that keeps everyone connected. Press Release Vlkanova, Slovakia, 3 June 2025 Success at IDET International Arms Fair in Czech Republic GEVORKYAN, a.s. presented innovative solutions for the civil arms, aviation industry and drones at the trade fair, attracting the attention of experts and opening a dialogue with new potential partners. Military activity has now moved into the air drones are a key element of modern warfare, as is evident in all ongoing conflicts. Across Europe, there has been an extreme increase in the production of drones of all kinds. Therefore, GEVORKYAN, a.s. has taken another strategic step and during the trade fair, agreed to cooperate on development projects with experts in anti-drone systems designed to protect human lives. The participation of GEVORKYAN, a.s. was part of the official Slovak exhibition, which was sponsored by the Government of the Slovak Republic, for which the company is very grateful. From left L. Ondreicka, R. Schochmann owner of an aviation industry and anti-drone company, V. Drigelova Project Coordinator, and A. Gevorkyan CoBD GEVORKYAN, a.s. Economic and Commercial Advisor at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Prague Ivan Manik (center), M. Erdely, V. Drigelova In recognition of his long-standing contribution to European industry, Artur Gevorkyan was elected to the Council of the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) in Brussels in May 2025, opening up further opportunities for international cooperation in the development of modern technologies in Slovakia. Contact for media: Mgr. Monika Erdely, Marketing Manager, marketing@gevorkyan.sk Warning: This document in no way constitutes an offer or invitation to sell or buy securities. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and for we recommend that you contact the above-mentioned representative of GEVORKYAN, a.s. context and clarification. The public offering of shares in the Czech Republic was made on basis of a theprospectus for the shares prepared pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and of the Council on of the European Parliament prospectuses, which isavailable on the websiteof GEVORKYAN, a.s. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO ANY U.S. PERSON (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1993, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT)) OR ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS (INCLUDING PUERTO RICO, THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS, GUAM, AMERICAN SAMOA, WAKE ISLAND AND THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS), ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE, PUBLISH OR DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NANTERRE (FRANCE) JUNE 3, 2025 FORVIA TO OFFER AN ADDITIONAL EUR 200 MILLION OF SENIOR NOTES DUE 2030 FORVIA has announced today that it will make an offering of EUR 200 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2030 (the New Notes) to be consolidated and form a single series with the existing EUR 750 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2030 issued on March 24, 2025 after the expiry of a 40-day distribution compliance period. The completion of the offering of the New Notes is subject to market conditions. FORVIA intends to use the proceeds of the offering of the New Notes to fund the repurchase of FORVIAs outstanding 2.750% Sustainability-Linked Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Sustainability-Linked Notes) in a cash tender offer (the Tender Offer) and pay fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith, including net premiums and accrued and unpaid interest on the 2027 Sustainability-Linked Notes, and fees and expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the New Notes. The Tender Offer launches today and remains subject to conditions, such as the completion of the offering of the New Notes. FORVIA plans to repurchase the 2027 Sustainability-Linked Notes in an amount expected to be equal to the principal amount of the New Notes. The final amount of 2027 Sustainability-Linked Notes accepted in the Tender Offer will be subject to the final amounts of tenders received. IMPORTANT NOTICE This document is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes being offered by Forvia (the New Notes") may not be sold in the United States unless they are registered under the Securities Act or are exempt from registration. The offering of New Notes described in this announcement has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and accordingly any offer or sale of New Notes may be made only in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell or buy any notes, including the 2027 Sustainability-Linked Notes. Nothing herein constitutes a notice of redemption for the 2027 Sustainability-Linked Notes. It may be unlawful to distribute this document in certain jurisdictions. This document is not for distribution in Canada, Japan or Australia. The information in this document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Canada, Japan or Australia. Promotion of the New Notes in the United Kingdom is restricted by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the FSMA), and accordingly, the New Notes are not being promoted to the general public in the United Kingdom. This announcement is directed solely at (i) persons located outside the United Kingdom, (ii) persons with professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Order), (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and (iv) persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities of the Issuer or any member of its group may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (i) (iv) above being relevant persons). Any investment activity to which this announcement relates will only be available to and will only be engaged with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this announcement. The offer and sale of the New Notes will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of securities. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of the Regulation EU 2017/1129, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation") or an offer to the public. The offer and sale of the New Notes will be made pursuant to an exemption under the UK Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of securities. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the UK Prospectus Regulation) or an offer to the public. MiFID II professionals/ECPs-only/No PRIIPs KID Manufacturer target market (MIFID II product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as the New Notes are not available to retail investors in EEA. MiFIR professionals/ECPs-only/No UK PRIIPs KID Manufacturer target market (UK MIFIR product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No UK PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as the New Notes are not available to retail investors in the UK. Neither the content of Forvias website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on Forvias website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this announcement. The distribution of this announcement into any jurisdiction may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited, and, if sent in response to the information contained herein, no money, securities or other consideration will be accepted. Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or WRLG or the Company) (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to report how learnings from the test mining and bulk sample program at its 100% owned Madsen Mine (the Project) in the Red Lake Gold District of Northwestern Ontario, Canada, are translating directly into a detailed mine plan with generally larger stopes, greater mining efficiencies, and lower cost mining methods than anticipated. The test mining and bulk sample program had two goals: To confirm that the geologic, engineering, and mining workflow at Madsen enables the Company to model and mine mineralization accurately. To test various mining scenarios and use the results to enable confident mine design that maximizes economic extraction. The bulk sample results (reported on May 7) achieved the first goal. Close reconciliation between expected and actual tonnes, grade, and contained ounces across six stopes in three areas of the resource validates the Companys ability to mine at Madsen according to plan. The Company also succeeded with the second goal. Test mining demonstrated the ability to mine up against historic stopes, which reduced barriers in stope design and unlocked some resource potential. Test mining also highlighted the efficiency of mining larger stopes and mining clusters of proximal stopes (known as mining complexes), two notable opportunities that are developing at Madsen because mine design is both a technical and economic exercise. The workflow that leads to detailed mine design at Madsen is as follows: Each resource area is definition-drilled to a drill hole spacing averaging 7 meters. The in-house, short-term model is updated to incorporate the new drill data. Stopes are engineered based on the updated model to maximize economic extraction of mineralization, at an assumed gold price. Gold mineralization at Madsen often comprises high-grade lenses surrounded by lower-grade mineralized halos. The above workflow is designed in part to define high-grade lenses of gold mineralization that can go unnoticed with wider-spaced data sets. Recent high-grade drill results from the South Austin area (see news releases from May 27, May 13, and February 26) demonstrate this potential. Definition drilling also enables accurate modeling of lower-grade halo mineralization ahead of stope design. West Red Lake Gold is currently using the consensus long-term price of US$2,350 per ounce (oz.) in mine design, compared to a gold price of US$1,680 per oz. used for the mine plan in the Madsen Mine Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) [1]. The relatively low gold price in the PFS led to a mine plan with 60% of the mining being small, high-grade stopes requiring the use of cut-and-fill mining, the more selective and higher cost of the two mining methods outlined for use at Madsen [1a]. In addition, the need to drive accesses between multiple small stopes contributed to relatively high sustaining capital needs over the mine life. The PFS mine plan generated strong economics that supported the restart decision. However, using a higher gold price in stope design effectively lowers the cutoff grade for resource inclusion, bringing additional resource tonnes and more overall ounces into consideration for mine planning. When lower grade tonnes prove to be economic, it can result in larger stopes encompassing one or several high-grade gold lenses with surrounding halo mineralization. It can also define new mining shapes around proximal areas of mineralization that were not previously considered. This is especially possible where definition drilling has defined or expanded high-grade lenses, which have the potential to mitigate the impact on head grade of including lower grade tonnes over the life of mine. Figure 1: Visible gold in sill access development on 1 Level McVeigh. Larger stopes and clusters of proximal stopes, known as mining complexes, have potential to increase a mines economic benefit and scale as compared to smaller, isolated stopes because they can positively impact three key economic drivers: Mining cost : Larger stopes can generally be mined via long hole stoping. Long hole stoping is significantly lower cost per tonne compared to cut and fill mining [1b]. The Madsen Mine bulk sample was mined exclusively by long hole stoping methods with a very high success rate and the majority of the 18-month detailed mine plan is long hole mining. Cost of access development per tonne mined : Larger stopes and stopes clustered in mining complexes spread the cost of developing access to a mining area over more ounces produced from that area, reducing the cost impact of access development. Flexibility and efficiency : The ability for a mine to focus on few large mining complexes at any given time rather than multiple isolated stopes greatly supports efficiency in equipment, personnel, and material movement planning. The Company is experiencing this efficiency advantage already at site. Figures 2 through 4 below highlight a few examples of mining complexes where the tonnage and ounce profile increased through the definition drilling, resource model updating, and economic stope design workflow. Figure 2. Image showing South Austin 4447 stope complex (blue). This area realized a 212% increase in tonnage and 320% increase in contained ounces mainly driven by definition drilling. Figure 3. Image showing Austin 1099/1100 stope complex (blue). This area realized a 204% increase in tonnage and 222% increase in contained ounces mainly driven by definition drilling. Figure 4. Image showing McVeigh 1453 stope complex (blue). This area realized a 32% increase in tonnage and 18% increase in contained ounces mainly driven by definition drilling. A more global potential benefit from mining larger stopes at Madsen is mining more of the resource. A mine plan based on a gold price of US$1,680 per oz. depletes the deposit relatively quickly, which is evident in a PFS probable reserve of only 478,000 ounces in 1.87 million tonnes grading 8.2 g/t gold mined in 7 years [1c], from a deposit with a total indicated resource of 1.65 million ounces of gold hosted in 6.9 million tonnes of rock averaging 7.4 g/t gold (the combined indicated resource for the Austin, South Austin, McVeigh, and 8 Zones) [1d]. The Madsen Mine PFS described the potential for more of the resource to be considered for mining if a higher gold price was used [1e]. A gold price environment that allows mine design to convert more of the resource into reserve suggests a longer mine life than outlined in the PFS, which is expected to have a positive impact on long-term profitability and overall project economics. Close reconciliation between expected and actual tonnes and grade in the bulk sample suggests that the Companys approach appropriate definition drilling, responsive mine engineering, and disciplined, efficient mining is creating the ability to mine at Madsen according to plan. The mine engineering and design process is a technical and economic exercise that responds to the price of gold. This will remain the Companys practice at the Madsen Mine. Other News The Company has received and accepted the resignation of Jasvir Kaloti as Corporate Secretary. The management and board of directors of the Company wish to thank Ms. Kaloti for her service and wish her well in the future. Efforts are in progress to identify a suitable Corporate Secretary candidate and Harpreet Dhaliwal, Chief Financial Officer, will hold this position in the interim. Footnotes VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, will participate as one of the Major Sponsors at the upcoming Solana Summit APAC 2025, taking place June 5-7 in Da Nang, Vietnam. The summit will showcase MEXC's deepening commitment to the Solana ecosystem and introduce innovative community engagement initiatives designed to strengthen partnerships with builders and developers across the region. Building Strategic Partnerships in the SOL Ecosystem MEXC's participation at Solana Summit APAC will reinforce the exchange's position as a trusted partner for Solana builders and innovators. The company's presence at the summit embodies their core message: "Build on SOL, grow with MEXC." This strategic positioning will set the stage for an upcoming SOL ecosystem promotion campaign scheduled to launch in late July 2025. The three-day summit will attract developers, founders, venture capitalists, and crypto enthusiasts from across the global Solana ecosystem, providing MEXC with a premier platform to engage with key stakeholders and expand its presence within the developer community. Interactive On-Site Activations and Community Engagement MEXC will launch an innovative Treasure Hunt Activation during the summit, featuring five unique sticker designs incorporating the MEXC logo and QR codes linking to the company's official social media channels. Participants who locate all five stickers hidden throughout the event venue will be eligible to redeem exclusive co-branded merchandise at the MEXC booth. This gamified approach reflects MEXC's commitment to fostering meaningful community interactions and creating memorable experiences for summit attendees while amplifying the company's regional presence. Thought Leadership and Industry Expertise On June 5, Yuky Tran, COO of MEXC Vietnam, will participate in a panel discussion addressing critical industry challenges. The session, scheduled from 11:05-11:35 AM, will explore "What roles do DEX's or launchpads play in protecting retail investors from scams?" Tran will join industry leaders including representatives from Outlaw, HawkFi, SecondSwap, and Meteora to discuss investor protection strategies and platform responsibilities. Additionally, YY, Head of Listing of MEXC Ventures , will be at the exclusive VC Demo Day on June 7, a curated four-hour event designed to explore Vietnam's emerging role as a launchpad for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). The invite-only gathering will bring together 70-100 attendees, including DePIN builders, Solana ecosystem leaders, venture capitalists, and Web2 companies from AI, IoT, energy, logistics, and XR sectors seeking to integrate real-world DePIN applications. Strengthening the Global Solana Community MEXC's major sponsorship of the Solana Summit APAC demonstrates the exchange's strategic commitment to supporting the broader Solana ecosystem while establishing stronger connections with the developer community across Asia-Pacific markets. The summit participation will serve as a launching pad for expanded regional initiatives and partnerships throughout 2025. The Solana Summit APAC 2025 will bring together the region's most innovative blockchain projects, developers, and industry leaders, making it an ideal venue for MEXC to showcase its dedication to fostering growth within the Solana ecosystem. About MEXC Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being "Your Easiest Way to Crypto." Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding. MEXC Official Website X Telegram How to Sign Up on MEXC Source Contact: Lucia Hu lucia.hu@mexc.com Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. 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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fac6fd02-02a3-4e73-be9a-e869d8162d32 Highlights: Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC will lead the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and will be responsible for the process plant design, the supporting infrastructure, overall opex and capex. will lead the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and will be responsible for the process plant design, the supporting infrastructure, overall opex and capex. G Mining Services will lead the mining engineering scope of the project including mining opex and capex. will lead the mining engineering scope of the project including mining opex and capex. GHD will lead the scope of the project related to the design of tailings and water management infrastructures. will lead the scope of the project related to the design of tailings and water management infrastructures. Probe has successfully completed a 50,000-metre infill drilling program to support the PFS, which remains on track for completion by year-end 2025. TORONTO, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PROBE GOLD INC. (TSX: PRB) (OTCQB: PROBF) ("Probe" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has awarded all major engineering contracts for project management services related to the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) of its flagship Novador Project. The PFS is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC (Ausenco) has been appointed to lead the PFS and will oversee project timelines, milestones, and deliverables. Ausenco will contribute technical expertise across core engineering disciplines, including infrastructure, metallurgy, and processing and will produce a project execution plan with related capex and opex to advance the project towards the future Feasibility Study and permitting. G Mining Services Inc. (GMS) has been engaged to lead all mining engineering aspects of the PFS. GMS scope includes the open pit and underground mining engineering and design, mine planning, mining infrastructure, mining opex and capex, and the development of the mining execution strategy. GHD has been appointed for all engineering aspects related to tailings and water management infrastructures. GHD is currently producing the physical environment baseline studies, and they will be able to leverage their understanding of the Novador project site and the permitting requirements into their design and the selection of optimum solutions. David Palmer, President and CEO of Probe Gold, states With these key contracts in place, Probe is well positioned to advance the Novador Project into its next phase of development and deliver a robust, high-quality Pre-Feasibility Study. By working with global leaders, Ausenco for process infrastructure, G Mining Services for mining engineering, and GHD for water and tailings management, we have strong confidence in the technical quality and scope of the work ahead. These collaborations support our timeline to deliver the PFS by year-end. We see significant potential to enhance the current study and look forward to drawing on the expertise of our consultants throughout the process. At the same time, we are making steady progress on our permitting strategy. With the successful completion of our recent financing, Probe is fully funded to advance through the next stages of regulatory and permitting work, creating meaningful value for our shareholders. About Probe's Novador Project Since 2016, Probe Gold has been consolidating its land position in the highly prospective Val d'Or East area in the province of Quebec with a district-scale land package of 835 square kilometres that represents one of the largest land holdings in the Val-d'Or mining camp. The Novador project represents one property block of 202 square kilometres that hosts four past producing mines (Beliveau Mine, Bussiere Mine, Monique Mine and Beaufor Mine) and contains 80% of the Company's gold resources in Val-d'Or East. Novador is situated in a politically stable and low-cost mining environment that hosts numerous active producers and mills. About Ausenco Ausenco is a global company delivering innovative, value-add consulting, studies, project delivery, asset operations and maintenance solutions to the minerals and metals and industrial sectors. Ausenco operates from 21 offices across five continents, delivering services worldwide with a strong track record of successfully completing projects in Quebec. Study work in Quebec includes Agnico Eagle Mines Wasamac FS and FS Update, O3 Minings Marban PFS and Probe Golds Novador PEA and PEA Update. Other notable PFS studies completed in Canada include NexGolds Goliath Project and St. Barbaras 15-Mile Project and the recently awarded Mayfair Gold Fenn-Gib Project. Beyond Quebec, Ausenco has also recently executed major projects such as Alamos Golds Magino Project in Ontario, St. Barbaras Moose River Project in Nova Scotia and SilverCrest Metals Las Chispas Project in Mexico. (www.ausenco.com) About G Mining G Mining Services is an entrepreneurial minded and multidisciplinary company which provides professional services to both underground and open pit mining projects in precious, base or industrial metals. G Mining has the expertise to develop a resource through all stages from exploration and development to construction, commissioning, and full-scale operations. (www.gmining.com) About GHD GHD is a global, employee-owned professional services company founded in 1928 and headquartered in Australia. Operating across five continents, GHD brings together more than 1,800 professionals in Canada. We collaborate with mining clients across the globe to deliver integrated solutions that address complex environmental and engineering challenges. In Canada, we are currently supporting multiple mine waste and water management Pre-Feasibility Studies across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Quebec. These engagements span key commodities including gold, base metals, and lithium. By bringing together expertise in engineering, environmental science, architecture, and construction, we help our clients plan and deliver sustainable outcomes that create long-term value. (www.ghd.com) About Probe Gold Probe Gold Inc. is a leading Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is well-funded and dedicated to exploring and developing high-quality gold projects. Notably, it owns 100% of its flagship asset, the multimillion-ounce Novador Gold Project in Quebec, as well as an early-stage Detour Gold Quebec project. Probe controls a large land package of approximately 1,835-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Quebec. The Companys recent Novador updated Preliminary Economic Assessment outlines a robust mining plan with an average annual gold production of 255,000 ounces over a 12.6-year mine life. Val-dOr properties include gold resources totaling 6,728,600 ounces in the Measured and Indicated category and 3,277,100 ounces in the Inferred category along all trends and deposits. On behalf of Probe Gold Inc., Dr. David Palmer, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information: Please visit our website at www.probegold.com or contact: Seema Sindwani Vice-President of Investor Relations info@probegold.com +1.416.777.9467 Forward-Looking Statements Neither 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. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions, expectations about the use of proceeds from the Offering and final acceptance from the TSX. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to the inability of the Company to apply the use of proceeds from the Offering as anticipated, the failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to predict and counteract the effects pandemics or other global events on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of the same on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in the Companys public documents filed on SEDAR+. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Dublin, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia-Pacific Explosion Proof Equipment - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025-2030)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Asia-Pacific Explosion Proof Equipment Market size is estimated at USD 3.01 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 4.64 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.06% during the forecast period (2025-2030). In a variety of sectors, such as aeronautics and aircraft maintenance sites, construction sites, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, manufacturing machines and processing units, mining, and oil and gas extraction, explosion-proof equipment is available. Some of the most common types of equipment in the industrial sector are lighting, surveillance, and signal systems. Key Highlights The market for explosion-proof equipment is expected to be driven by the growth of industrialization in Asian countries, particularly China and India. In view of the growing presence of dangerous paints, chemicals, and other combustible dust in industrial environments throughout Asia-Pacific, there has been a rise in explosions. The oil and gas and chemical industries are expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period, as these industries are more prone to explosions. Explosion proofing has two requirements in the oil & gas industry: equipment must be built to the right standards and then installed and maintained in line with the further standards. The need for explosion-proof equipment is driven by increasing energy demands and demand for exploration of new mines and oil and gas reserves. Moreover, increasing demand for integrated systems, progress in the automation sector, growth in industrial sectors, and stringent government regulations in handling hazardous areas are projected to foster the market's growth. Various organizations are setting specific equipment standards to ensure the safety of the workforce and infrastructure. OSHA has been proactively working toward providing safe and conducive working conditions for employees by stipulating standards for workplaces. Although the hazardous area equipment industry has experienced growth, there are several factors that impede its further development. The significant expenses associated with the equipment and the necessity for qualified professionals to operate them are the primary obstacles affecting the expansion of the market. Asia-Pacific Explosion Proof Equipment Market Trends The Oil and Gas Industry to Show Significant Growth Workers in the oil and gas industry frequently have to work in dangerous conditions. In situations where significant quantities of flammable liquids, gases, vapors, or combustible dust are present, safety is of paramount importance. The probability of ignition from electric devices and machines that are close to flammable substances increases significantly in oil & gas facilities. The presence of dangerous chemical compounds, oil, and gas in oil & gas refining and processing facilities poses a risk of electrical sparks igniting such compounds. Hence, the industry commands a large share of the demand for regulations in such hazardous areas. In addition, the industry is highly regulated for worker safety, which further contributes to the demand. The advent of low-voltage IP cameras for housings is one of the most significant developments in explosion-proof camera technology. Compared to traditional high-power 110 V AC installations, which require additional infrastructure and personnel to install them, there are new opportunities for fixed PoE+ cameras that can significantly reduce costs. The advancement of PoE+ cameras is also in contrast to the conventional 24-volt system. Moreover, the discovery of oil reserves in countries such as India and China, in the Arabian Sea and Juggar Basin, respectively, is also projected to drive the segment's growth. According to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, by the end of FY2024, India's crude oil production is poised to recover as a result of upcoming investments in the exploration processes. Such developments are expected to drive the demand for explosion-proof equipment. China to Hold the Highest Market Share China is one of the major producers and exporters of production equipment and machine tools globally. Equipment and tools production in the country has grown in the past decade as a result of an increase in manufacturing activities. Consequently, the rate of adoption of explosion-resistant equipment is influenced by this growth. The demand for explosion-proof solutions is anticipated to be driven by the growing use of automation in production processes. In addition, staff regularly carry out field inspections on a regular basis to keep facilities and equipment safe and in good working order at many industrial and manufacturing plants by patrolling the defined routes and checking inspection devices at selected points along the way. Allied pressures have led to changes in the underlying infrastructure, processes, and technologies of the manufacturing sector as a result of growing productivity requirements. The adoption of explosion-proof equipment is expected to increase as a result of these industry trends. According to the IEA, by 2040, China is expected to account for 280 billion cubic meters of global natural gas demand. With a projected net import of 13 million barrels per day by 2040, China is likely to overtake United States as the world's largest oil consumer. The country has already set a 2030 carbon emission reduction target. By 2060, China wants to be carbon neutral. To that end, there is an urgent need to increase the use of clean energy and reduce emissions that are detrimental to China's reliance on fossil fuels. This shows that in the coming years, there will be a growing number of projects underway. The country is emerging as a growth engine due to the increasing exploration and production facilities and the introduction of new safety regulations. In the previous year, various miners in China's northeastern Shandong province had been trapped for almost two days following an explosion, where the blast damaged their communication systems, cutting off all contact. Mining accidents are pretty common in China, where enterprises have a poor protection record and regulations are not adequately enforced, which is driving the need for explosion-proof equipment in the region. Asia-Pacific Explosion Proof Equipment Industry Overview The Asia-Pacific explosion-proof equipment market is fragmented and consists of several players. In terms of market share, few major players currently dominate the market. However, with innovation and technological development, many companies are increasing their market presence by securing new contracts and by tapping new markets. For instance: In December 2023, R. STAHL introduced the Ex e switching and power distribution boards, which shall be protected by new 8530 and 8550 explosion-resistant components. The design of the new 8530 and 8550 series, which has been extended to 63 A from 40 A with an operating current of up to 125 A in both versions, is a major feature. In October 2023, Pepperl+Fuchs took digitization processes in hazardous areas to a new level with the launch of the new SmartEx 03 high-performance 5G smartphone. It is equipped with a wide range of features that meet all industry requirements, including voice over IP, programmable buttons, Wi-Fi only mode, remote diagnostics, and remote support for the implementation of the most diverse applications of Industry 4.0. Key Topics Covered 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition 1.2 Scope of the Study 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 MARKET INSIGHTS 4.1 Market Overview 4.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis 4.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.4 Industry Regulation 4.5 Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Market 5 MARKET DYNAMICS 5.1 Market Drivers 5.1.1 Stricter Regulations for Handling Hazardous Areas and Substances 5.1.2 Increasing Energy Requirements Driving the Demand for Exploration of New Mines and Oil and Gas Resources 5.2 Market Restraints 5.2.1 Pricey Investments due to High Costs of Installation of the Equipment 6 MARKET SEGMENTATION 6.1 By Type 6.1.1 Explosion Proof 6.1.2 Explosion Prevention 6.1.3 Explosion Segregation 6.2 By Zone 6.2.1 Zone 0 6.2.2 Zone 20 6.2.3 Zone 1 6.2.4 Zone 21 6.2.5 Zone 2 6.2.6 Zone 22 6.3 By End User 6.3.1 Pharmaceutical 6.3.2 Chemical and Petrochemical 6.3.3 Energy and Power 6.3.4 Mining 6.3.5 Food Processing 6.3.6 Oil & Gas 6.3.7 Other End Users 6.4 By System 6.4.1 Power Supply System 6.4.2 Material Handling 6.4.3 Motor 6.4.4 Automation System 6.4.5 Surveillance System 6.4.6 Other Systems 6.5 By Country 6.5.1 China 6.5.2 India 6.5.3 Japan 7 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 7.1 Company Profiles 7.1.1 R. Stahl Group 7.1.2 Marechal Electric Group 7.1.3 Adalet 7.1.4 Bartec GmbH 7.1.5 Rae Systems (Acquired By Honeywell) 7.1.6 Pepperl+Fuchs 7.1.7 Alloy Industry Co. Ltd. 7.1.8 Cordex Instruments 7.1.9 ABB Limited 7.1.10 G. M. International SRL 7.1.11 Eaton Corporation PLC 7.1.12 Warom Technology Inc. 7.1.13 Phoenix Mecano 7.1.14 MAM Explosion-proof Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. 7.1.15 CZ Electric Co. Ltd. 8 INVESTMENT ANALYSIS 9 FUTURE OF THE MARKET For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ua6gxo 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. US & Canada, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, the global forklift battery market is observing significant growth owing to the shift toward electric forklift and rise in industrialization across the globe. The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the forklift battery market comprises a vast array of type, capacity, and application which are expected to register strength during the coming years. To explore the valuable insights in the Forklift Battery Market report, you can easily download a sample PDF of the report https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00009135/ Overview of Report Findings Market Growth: The forklift battery market size was valued at US$ 5.94 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 9.23 billion by 2031; it is estimated to record a CAGR of 6.6% from 2025 to 2031. A forklift battery functions as a vital power source for forklifts and other industrial trucks, supplying the energy required for material handling tasks. These batteries are typically either lead-acid or lithium-ion (Li-ion), with Li-ion gaining preference due to advantages such as faster charging, longer service life, and lower environmental impact. The growing adoption of electric-powered forkliftsvalued for their sustainability, lower maintenance, and cost-efficiency over internal combustion engine (ICE) modelshas significantly increased the demand for forklift batteries. Expansion of Warehousing and E-Commerce: The e-commerce sector is experiencing robust growth, fueled by increasing internet and smartphone penetration, evolving consumer behavior, and technological innovation. Cross-border online shopping is also gaining traction as consumers look for unique products and competitive prices internationally. According to Eurostat, the share of companies in the EU adopting e-sales strategies rose from 17.21% in 2013 to 23.83% in 2023. To support this growth, many e-commerce companies are expanding their warehousing footprint across Europe. For instance, Amazon launched its first fulfillment center in the Netherlands in August 2023 to enable faster, localized order fulfillment. The boom in e-commerce has created a pressing need for clean, efficient material handling solutions, leading companies like Amazon and DHL to invest in fleets of battery-powered forklifts. Notably, in March 2022, DHL Supply Chain introduced autonomous forklifts at its multiuser warehouse in Bornem, Belgium, as part of its Accelerated Digitalization strategy. These robotic pallet movers enhance warehouse efficiency while reducing carbon emissions. As a result, the growing demand for automated and eco-friendly warehouse operations is significantly increasing the need for high-performance forklift batteriesparticularly lithium-ion and lead-acid variantsto support continuous, round-the-clock logistics operations. Regional Overview: North America's forklift battery market is segmented into US, Canada, and Mexico. The North American forklift battery market, encompassing the US, Canada, and Mexico, is witnessing growth driven by increasing construction activity and rising commercial vehicle production. In the US, major automotive manufacturers such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, and General Motors are making substantial investments in commercial vehicle manufacturing. According to the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC), the U.S. automotive sector contributed $2.64 trillion in value in 2021, accounting for 4.9% of the country's GDP and representing 6% of total manufacturing output. The demand for forkliftsand consequently forklift batteriesis further supported by significant investments in infrastructure. For example, in August 2021, the U.S. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure allocated $837 million for a highway expansion project between Alberta and British Columbia. Such projects, involving bridge construction and road expansion, require the use of construction vehicles like forklifts for efficient material handling. As a result, the ongoing development in infrastructure and commercial vehicle manufacturing is fueling the demand for high-performance forklift batteries across the region.. Geographical Insights: Asia Pacific dominated the forklift battery market in 2024. Europe is the second-largest contributor to the global forklift battery market, followed by North America. For Detailed Forklift Battery Market Insights, Visit: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/forklift-battery-market Market Segmentation Based on type, the market is segmented into lithium ion, lead acid, and others. The lead acid segment dominated the market in 2024. In terms of capacity, the market is segmented into 0-600 Ahr, 600-1200 Ahr, and above 1200 Ahr. The 0-600 Ahr segment held a larger share of the market in 2024. In terms of application, the forklift battery market is segmented into manufacturing, construction, warehouse & logistics, automotive, retail & wholesale stores, and others. The manufacturing segment dominated the market in 2024. Stay Updated on The Latest Forklift Battery Market Trends: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00009135/ Competitive Strategy and Development Key Players: Major companies operating in the forklift battery market include Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner & Sohn GmbH, Crown Equipment Corp, Exide Industries Ltd, EnerSys, East Penn Manufacturing Company, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd, TotalEnergies SE, Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd, GS Yuasa Corp, leoch International Technology Limited Inc, TAB d.d., and BSL NEW ENERGY THCHENOLOGY CO., LTD. Trending Topics: Forklifts, lithium ion battery, pallet truck, and electric forklift trucks, among others Global Headlines "Exide Industries Ltd has invested an amount of INR 149.99 crore in Exide Energy Solutions through a rights issue. This capital infusion will support the establishment of Exide Energy Solutions new lithium battery manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, addressing its diverse funding needs. Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies Pvt. Ltd (ARACT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd (ARE&M), one of Indias leading battery manufacturers, has signed a technical licensing agreement with GIB EnergyX Slovakia s.r.o., a subsidiary of Gotion High-Tech Co Ltd. As part of the agreement, GIB EnergyX will license Gotions world-class LFP technology for lithium-ion cells to ARACT." Purchase Premium Copy of Global Forklift Battery Market Size and Growth Report (2021-2031) at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00009135/ Conclusion The rapid expansion of warehousing, driven by the growth of e-commerce and consumer goods sectors across multiple countries, is significantly boosting the demand for forklifts used in material handling operations. Electric forklifts, in particular, are well-suited for indoor environments such as warehouses and factories due to their clean, quiet, and efficient performance. The rise of e-commerce is fueled by greater access to high-speed internet, increased smartphone penetration, and the convenience of diverse payment options through various digital platforms. As a result, the global forklift battery market is experiencing growth, supported by the increasing pace of industrialization and a widespread shift toward electric-powered forklifts. However, market expansion is somewhat restrained by safety and operational challenges. Despite these hurdles, innovations in fast-charging technology and smart battery management systems are opening new avenues for manufacturers. Additionally, the growing adoption of Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) models is emerging as a key trend, offering scalable and cost-effective solutions for end-users, and is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the market's future. The report from The Insight Partners, therefore, provides several stakeholdersincluding raw material/component providers, forklift battery manufacturers, forklift manufacturers, after-sales/service providers, and end users with valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities. Talk to Us Directly: https://tawk.to/chat/5d5a708ceb1a6b0be6083008/1i44d98rb Trending Related Reports: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/en/reports/battery-energy-storage-system-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/en/reports/zinc-battery-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/en/reports/battery-coating-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/en/reports/lithium-ion-battery-dispersant-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/battery-testing-inspection-and-certification-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/en/reports/battery-production-machine-market About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Contact Person: Ankit Mathur E-mail: ankit.mathur@theinsightpartners.com Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Press Release - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/pr/forklift-battery-market Alexandria, Virginia, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Vision Council Foundation is proud to welcome AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate, most trusted, and most used source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, as a supporter of National Sunglasses Day . Brought to life by The Vision Council in 2014, the specially designated day is celebrated each year on June 27 to highlight the importance of wearing sunglasses year round. The two organizations are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of wearing UV-protective eyewear and safeguarding long-term eye health. According to The Vision Councils latest research, nearly 40% of adults do not wear sunglasses regularly, despite the fact that prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to serious eye conditions, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and even certain cancers of the eye and eyelid. UV damage to the eyes is cumulative and irreversible, making daily protection critical, regardless of season or cloud cover. This collaboration also serves as a reminder for people to quickly and easily check in with the AccuLumen(R) first-of-its-kind brightness index on AccuWeather.com to reference an easy-to use tool to better determine how the weather they will experience that day and, in the future, will impact their eye health. The index is measured on a scale of one to 10 with one representing a grey, dark day and 10 indicating a very bright day with blue sunny skies, no clouds, no pollution, and a high level of glare at sunrise and sunset. UV rays dont take a day off, and neither should your sunglasses, said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. Were thrilled to work with AccuWeather to help people make smart sun-safe choices and think about their vision health as regularly as they check the weather. AccuWeather will join The Vision Council Foundation for a special event in New York City to celebrate National Sunglasses Day, featuring experts who will educate the public about the science of UV radiation to help illustrate the impact this has on vision health. The event will include interactive demonstrations, giveaways, and photo opportunities that encourage everyone to make sunglasses a part of their daily routine. Protecting your health starts with awareness built on information from a trusted source, and were honored to collaborate with The Vision Council Foundation to highlight the role that sun safety plays in eye care, said Chris Patti, AccuWeathers Chief Data and Science Officer. Our mission is to help people and businesses make the best weather impacted decisions possible, whether that means bringing sunglasses to the beach or sporting event, or protecting your teams in the field. The Vision Council Foundation will work with AccuWeather and council members to amplify the campaign across digital platforms as they share UV protection tips and encourage the public to participate by posting their favorite sunny looks and #SunglassSelfies on social media. AccuWeathers UV index will be featured on thevisioncouncilfoundation.org starting this summer. Be Part of the Vision The Vision Council Foundation invites individuals and organizations to help bring more opportunities like this to life. Donations will directly fund educational programs, scholarships, and outreach initiatives, making a lasting difference in communities across the country. The Vision Council Foundation is proud to recognize its 2025 event sponsors: GUESS Eyewear, Marcolin, Silhouette, evil eye, Marchon & Altair Eyewear, EssilorLuxottica, ZEISS, Article One, Vera Wang (Kenmark Eyewear), Tura, MODO, Peepers, Vontelle Eyewear, and LAmy America. Supporters can make contributions online here and learn more at thevisioncouncilfoundation.org . To learn more about campaign and event sponsorship opportunities, contact partner@thevisioncouncil.org . # # # About The Vision Council Foundation As the philanthropic foundation of The Vision Council, The Vision Council Foundation empowers people everywhere to see and look their best through public eye health education and optical industry career training support. A 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization, the Foundation is dedicated to ensuring better vision for better lives. About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate and most used source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, has saved over 12,000 lives, prevented injury to over 100,000 people, and saved companies tens of billions of dollars through better planning and decision-making. Billions of people around the world rely on AccuWeathers proven Superior Accuracy across our consumer digital platforms. AccuWeather.com is the #1 weather destination and one of the top 100 most-visited websites in the world, and our award-winning AccuWeather app delivers detailed real-time forecasts to millions of smartphones. Attachments Ketchikan, Alaska, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cape Fox Cultural Foundation (CFCF) strives to deliver educational and cultural services to the public to preserve and support the heritage, culture, and future of the Cape Fox community and Southeast Alaska region. CFCF is devoted to our community and is delighted to announce that we have been awarded a grant from the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. CFCF is one of six organizations that will receive NATIVE Act funding support to aid our efforts to enhance cultural tourism and recreation to advance Native American communities. The grant award will allow CFCF to work toward restoring Saxman Native Park. In particular, we will recreate the frog border at Saxman Totem Park. A Call to Carvers has been organized and sent out. This is an excellent opportunity for carvers to gain experience, hone their skills, and meet other carvers in other areas. It also allows CFCF to support the Saxman, Alaska, community again and fulfill our mission of preserving our heritage and culture. Jamie White, Project Manager of Cape Fox Cultural Foundation, has led the grant initiative at CFC. She recently commented, Funding such as this helps support the mission of CFCF, which hopes to continue bringing opportunities to the community of Cape Fox and the Village of Saxman. For additional information or to apply to be a carver on the Saxman Totem Project, email Jamie White at jawhite@capefox-cf.com. About Cape Fox Corporation Cape Fox Corporation (CFC) was formed as part of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. Cape Fox Corporation is the Alaska Native Corporation for the village of Saxman. Today, Cape Fox Corporation is comprised of a family of businesses divided between two distinct groups: The Federal Contracting Group and The Commercial Group. Collectively, CFC and its subsidiaries specialize in information technology and cybersecurity; professional services; health care services; marketing; training services; and logistical services. Visit Cape Fox Tours and Cape Fox Corporation to learn more. Attachment TAMPA, Fla., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FLUENT Corp. (CSE: FNT.U) (OTCQB: CNTMF) (FLUENT or the Company), a leading vertically integrated cannabis operator operating under the FLUENT brand, has successfully completed the first planting at its new Rosa indoor cultivation facility in Tampa. This milestone represents a significant operational advancement in support of the Companys 2025 growth strategy and brand-tiering model. The Rosa facility adds 9,200 square feet of high-efficiency indoor canopy, supporting FLUENTs commitment to premium, hand-trimmed whole flower production. With the first of three cultivation rooms now planted with approximately 1,500 high-THC plants across eight genetics, FLUENT is poised to strengthen its supply of high-performing products in a growing and increasingly segmented Florida medical market. The Rosa build-out expands FLUENTs total Florida cultivation footprint to 103,000 square feet, with a deliberate balance between 45,000 sq. ft. of indoor capacity and 58,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse operations, providing flexible, tiered product output aligned with brand positioning and evolving patient preferences. The Rosa facility strengthens our ability to control quality and meet demand with precision as we scale in Florida, said Robert Beasley, CEO of FLUENT. This expansion reflects our focus on operational discipline, consistent product excellence, and strategic brand segmentation, which we believe will drive long-term shareholder value. Key features of the Rosa facility include: Three sealed indoor grow rooms with state-of-the-art HVAC and fertigation A purpose-built cure vault to maximize terpene and cannabinoid retention On-site hand-trimming areas to support the facilitys high-quality, premium flower mission Scalable infrastructure to support future canopy expansion All Rosa-grown products will be sold exclusively through FLUENTs Florida retail network. The facility is a cornerstone of the Companys multi-tiered brand strategy, supporting a comprehensive flower portfolio that spans value-tier Bag-O, mid-tier KNACK, and an upcoming top-tier brand. Rosa is positioned to support the highest-quality offerings within the FLUENT portfolio. To learn more about FLUENTs latest product innovations, retail expansion, and cultivation milestones, visit www.getfluent.com and follow us on Instagram at @Fluent_FL. About FLUENT Corp. FLUENT Corp. ("FLUENT"), a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, is dedicated to being one of the highest quality cannabis companies for the communities it serves. This is driven by FLUENT's unrelenting commitment to operational excellence in cultivation, production, distribution and retail experience. FLUENT produces an assortment of cannabis products under a diverse portfolio of brands including MOODS, Knack, Wandr, Bag-O and Hyer Kind. FLUENT operates in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, FLUENT employs more than 700 employees across 8 cultivation and manufacturing facilities and 42 active retail locations. For more information about the Company, please visit www.getFLUENT.com. FLUENTs Common Shares trade on the CSE under the symbol FNT.U and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol CNTMF. For more information about the Company, please visit www.getFLUENT.com. Company Contact: Robert Beasley, CEO 850-972-8077 investors@getfluent.com Media Contact: press@getfluent.com Austin, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a SNS Insider, the global Circulating Tumor Cells market is projected to grow from USD 11.6 billion in 2023 to USD 36.8 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 13.7% during the forecast period. The growth of the Circulating Tumor Cells market is primarily driven by the rising global cancer burden, growing preference for non-invasive diagnostic methods, and the increasing clinical value of CTCs in early detection, treatment monitoring, and metastasis prediction. CTCstumor cells that detach from a primary or metastatic tumor and circulate in the bloodstreamoffer real-time, non-invasive insights into cancer progression and treatment response. Get a Sample Report of Circulating Tumor Cells Market@ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/3952 Market Overview The market is witnessing rapid adoption of liquid biopsy techniques and advancements in single-cell analysis. Integration of CTC-based diagnostics into oncology is becoming more widespread due to its ability to provide critical data on tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. These innovations are facilitating personalized and adaptive treatment approaches. In the United States, the Circulating Tumor Cells market was valued at USD 3.23 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to reach USD 10.17 billion by 2032. Factors contributing to this growth include the strong presence of biopharmaceutical companies, advanced research infrastructure, supportive government initiatives, and a rising number of clinical trials using CTCs for drug development. Segment Analysis By Product: The largest share of the global market came from the kits and reagents segment in 2023, which accounted for 44% of the total market share. This domination is perhaps due to the high demand for them, in either research or clinical laboratories, for CTCs detection and isolation. The reagents are necessary for prepping, staining, and processing the samples, making them compatible across platforms. The highest growth areas in the software and services market as there's an increased demand for data analytics, image interpretation, and AI-enabled diagnostic tools for CTC analysis. By Technology: Based on technology, the CTC detection and enrichment methods market held the largest share of the CTC technologies market in 2023, owing to the high revenue contributed by this segment, sales of which account for 65% of the global market. Such techniques are crucial for improving the sensitivity and specificity of the CTC capture from whole blood. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and size-based filtration are popular methods used in academia and the clinic. The CTC analysis is the fastest-growing technology within the industry, underpinned by developments of single-cell sequencing and molecular characterization tools, which can provide a comprehensive view of tumor evolution. By Specimen: Blood specimen segment continued to hold a major share in 2023, representing more than 72% of the total industry. Blood samples are preferred because of the ease of collection, non-invasiveness, and the ability to repeatedly measure them at various time points. The most rapidly expanding applications in this regard are bone marrow aspirates, including hematological malignancies and solid metastatic tumors. The increasing adoption of CTC-based MRD plays an important role in the expanding market of BM-derived specimens. By End Use: Research organizations & academia were the leading end-user segment in 2023, accounting for 48% of the revenue. These institutions are highly interested in testing CTC technologies, tumor biology investigations, and biomarker utility confirmation, resulting in high demand for CTC platforms. The fastest-growing end-user segment is the Hospitals and Oncology clinics due to the rise in the liquid biopsy tests in personalized cancer and routine management. Need Any Customization Research on Circulating Tumor Cells Market, Enquire Now@ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/3952 Regional Insights The global CTC market was headed by North America in 2023, contributing 37% to the overall market, and was fueled by a robust healthcare structure, a large cancer patient base, and a high level of research. Market growth is also driven by government support and the existence of important diagnostic players. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period on account of growing cancer patients, progress in the healthcare infrastructure, and the fastening up of diagnostic procedures in countries including the likes of India, China, and South Korea. A rising number of clinical trials and growing awareness of non-invasive cancer testing alternatives are anticipated to drive the regional demand. Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are: QIAGEN Abnova Corporation APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC. BioFluidica Biolidics Limited Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Bio-Techne Corporation Cell Microsystems Creative Bioarray Creatv MicroTech, Inc. Epic Sciences Greiner Bio One International GmbH Ikonisys Inc. Illumina, Inc. LungLife AI, Inc. Menarini Silicon Biosystems Miltenyi Biotec Natera, Inc. Precision Medicine Group, LLC. Rarecells Diagnostics ScreenCell STEMCELL Technologies, Inc. Sysmex Corporation Recent Developments November 2023 Biocept Inc. introduced a new liquid biopsy test with CTC detection used for early breast cancer detection, a test with higher sensitivities for early-stage detection of cancer. September 2023 FDA granted FDA clearance to the CTC enrichment platform of Menarini Silicon Biosystems, expanding its application in the US oncology market. July 2023 Celsee entered into a strategic partnership with world-class cancer research facilities to improve the efficiency of its CTC liquid biopsy systems. May 2023 Sysmex Corporation developed a new microfluidic CTC capture device for time monitoring of cancer. Buy a Single-User PDF of Circulating Tumor Cells Market Analysis & Outlook Report 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/3952 About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. Dublin, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Hospitality Industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025-2030)" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The hospitality industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is poised for significant growth, with market size projected to expand from USD 13.90 billion in 2025 to USD 17.76 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 5.03% during the forecast period. This surge is fueled by strategic governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing the hotel industry and meeting ambitious tourism objectives. Saudi Arabia has emerged as the world's fastest-growing travel destination per the G20, with foreign visitor numbers climbing 125% last year to reach pre-pandemic levels, totaling approximately 94 million tourists. Over the next six years, Saudi Arabia plans to inject over USD 550 billion into new travel destinations, positioning itself as the world's largest investor in tourism. In the previous year, the Kingdom attracted around 20 million tourists, marking its leadership in the Arab world for inbound tourism. With recent regulatory changes and the introduction of e-visas and visas-on-arrival for visitors from 49 countries, the hospitality sector expects to play a crucial role in achieving the target of contributing 10% to the national GDP and attracting 100 million annual tourist visits. Driven by this momentum, the hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid development. Rotana, a key player in the market, is gearing up to expand by opening seven new hotels, including five in Riyadh. This expansion will quadruple Rotana's room count in the Kingdom to 6,000 within four years. Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector is characterized by a mix of international hotel chains and homegrown brands. Key players, such as Al Hokair Group, Dur Hospitality Company, and Marriott International Inc., are operating through strategic partnerships, tapping into the burgeoning market's opportunities. The industry promises solid growth prospects, drawing new investors and ensuring a vibrant future. Market Trends and Development Saudi Arabia is poised for transformation with around 80 hotel projects due for completion this year alone, as highlighted by TopHotelsProjects. As part of the Vision 2030 strategy, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) will debut Diriyah Square, the commercial hub of the USD 50 billion Diriyah giga project, later this year. The Kingdom is also preparing to welcome multiple foreign hotel brands, with 38 already anticipated and 16 confirmed in development. Major hospitality player Accor has announced plans to expand its footprint with new hotel and real estate projects across the nation, including the significant Rua Al Madinah project in Medina. Altogether, Saudi Arabia aims to add 315,000 new hotel rooms in the next six years, driven by a USD 37.8 billion development investment. Rise of Online Hotel Bookings Online hotel booking is soaring in Saudi Arabia, spurred by a rise in tech-savvy travelers and the adoption of advanced tech solutions like AI chatbots, mobile apps, and loyalty programs. The Middle East tourism market is projected to grow by 40% within the next two years, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading this expansion. Online travel bookings in the Middle East doubled this year from the previous year, and it is forecasted that half of all reservations in the KSA and the UAE will occur online within two years. Key Topics Covered 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition 1.2 Scope of the Study 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 MARKET DYNAMICS 4.1 Market Drivers 4.2 Market Restraints 4.3 Market Opportunities 4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.5 Impact of COVID-19 on the market 4.6 Insights on Revenue Flows from Accommodation and Food and Beverage Sectors 4.7 Insights into Leading Cities in Saudi Arabia with Respect to Number of Visitors 5 MARKET SEGMENTATION 5.1 By Type 5.2 By Segment 6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 6.1 Market Concentration Overview 6.2 Company Profiles 7 FUTURE MARKET TRENDS A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to: Al Hokair Group Dur Hospitality Company Al Tayer Group InterContinental Hotels Group Accor SA Marriott International Inc. Hilton Hotels & Resorts Millennium Hotels and Resorts Cristal Group For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/h2fugv 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. Austin, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SNS Insider, the global Gabapentin market was USD 2.33 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 3.55 billion by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.75% during the forecast period. The growth is primarily driven by increasing cases of epilepsy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and neuropathic painespecially within aging populationsalongside expanded off-label use for conditions such as fibromyalgia, anxiety, and migraine. Get a Sample Report of Gabapentin Market@ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/6519 The U.S. market, valued at USD 0.62 billion in 2023, is expected to grow to USD 0.94 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 4.78%. Factors contributing to this growth include the high prevalence of chronic pain, widespread adoption of generic alternatives, and increasing prescription rates among mental health professionals. The CDC reports that over 20% of U.S. adults experience chronic pain, underlining the need for non-opioid treatment options like gabapentin. Additionally, rising epilepsy rates reported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke further reinforce gabapentins clinical relevance. Segment Analysis By Dosage Form: Capsule Dominate Market With a 55.27% market share in 2023, the capsule segment dominated the global gabapentin market because of its convenience, broad prescription base, and preferred dose form in long-term neurological treatment. Patients with persistent neurological diseases might find capsules appealing since they have a higher shelf life and are easy to swallow. Their consistency during travel and capacity to hide the flavor of active components further improve patient adherence. Healthcare professionals choosing capsules over other forms because of their consistent bioavailability helps the segment even more. By Type: The Generic segment dominated the market With and held 89.56% share of the Gabapentin Market in 2023, the generic segment, because of its cost-effectiveness and same therapeutic benefits as branded equivalents like Neurontin, the generic form of gabapentin is being used. Most patents on branded gabapentin formulations have expired, so market rivalry among generic medicine producers has been more intense, resulting in lower pricing and better accessibility. By Application: Epilepsy Segment Maintains Highest Share With a 50.26% market share in 2023, the epilepsy segment dominated the gabapentin market in terms of application. Regulatory agencies such as the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. FDA have approved gabapentin's effectiveness in controlling partial seizures after adequately recorded data. Often recommended as an additional therapy for patients not responding to monotherapy, the demand for efficient antiepileptic medications such as gabapentin is still driven by the rising worldwide frequency of epilepsy, estimated by the WHO to impact over 50 million individuals. By Distribution Channel: Hospital pharmacies dominated the market. Hospital pharmacies accounted for 48.59% of the total gabapentin market revenue in 2023. Particularly for chronic neurological and pain-related disorders, the great volume of gabapentin prescriptions written during inpatient and outpatient visits accounts for this supremacy. For newly diagnosed epilepsy or neuralgia sufferers, hospitals also provide the primary point of care, thereby depending more on institutional pharmacy systems. Hospitals are looking to gabapentin as a preferable non-opioid alternative for post-surgical and neuropathic pain, as tighter control of opioid prescriptions calls for. Need Any Customization Research on Gabapentin Market, Enquire Now@ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/6519 Regional Analysis North America is leading the Gabapentin Market in 2023, with 36.62% of the global market share. High diagnosis rates, modern healthcare infrastructure, and general acceptance of generic drugs help to explain this supremacy. Major pharmaceutical companies and good reimbursement policies help to drive large prescription volumes between general and specialty care physicians even more. Demand in the area also stems from the growing frequency of disorders, including spinal injuries and diabetic neuropathy. Asia Pacific is likely to see a notable increase throughout the forecast period, driven by a rise in epilepsy and diabetes-related neuropathy, expanding healthcare coverage, and government initiatives aiming at improving access to necessary pharmaceuticals. Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are: Zydus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Pfizer Inc. GLENMARK PHARMACEUTICALS LTD. Cipla B.P. Pharma Aurobindo Pharma Assertio Holdings, Inc. Ascend Laboratories LLC Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC (Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) Apotex Inc. Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC. Recent advancements Teva Pharmaceuticals debuted an extended-release form of gabapentin in the United States for once-daily dosing in November 2023, therefore enhancing compliance among those suffering from chronic pain. Further bolstering the generic supply chain was U.S. FDA clearance of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories' generic gabapentin 300 mg and 600 mg capsules in January 2024. Pfizer Inc. revealed in March 2024 a joint research project including academic institutions to investigate gabapentin's potential in controlling chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Buy a Single-User PDF of Gabapentin Market Analysis & Outlook Report 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/6519 About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. Dublin, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia-Pacific Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Market Size and Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Asia-Pacific Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Market is expected to reach US$ 4.57 billion by 2033 from US$ 1.33 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 14.64% from 2025 to 2033. The market is expanding due to factors such the demand for precise and prompt prenatal diagnoses, the usage of advanced genetic technology, and the aging of mothers. The introduction of healthcare reforms in several Asia-Pacific countries and the extension of insurance coverage for prenatal care are further encouraging the usage of NIPT. The non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) market in Asia-Pacific is expanding quickly due to factors including growing mother age, improved genetic testing technology, and growing awareness of prenatal care. Asia-Pacific, one of the most populated and varied regions, is home to nations with a range of socioeconomic backgrounds and healthcare infrastructure levels. This discrepancy has made NIPT adoption both difficult and possible. NIPT is becoming a common component of prenatal treatment in nations with highly developed healthcare systems, such as South Korea, Singapore, and Japan, especially for high-risk pregnancies. Meanwhile, as healthcare access improves and more women look for safer, more accurate screening alternatives, the demand for NIPT is rising quickly in emerging areas like China, India, and Southeast Asia. The Asia-Pacific region's more developed nations have robust healthcare systems, supportive governments, and high public awareness, all of which contribute to the NIPT industry. Due to its integration into national screening programs for high-risk pregnancies, NIPT is widely available and reasonably priced. Effective use of NIPT to identify chromosomal abnormalities and guide pregnancy treatment is ensured by the availability of qualified genetic counselors and established medical procedures. Technological advancements and the accessibility of sophisticated screening techniques in these areas further propel market growth. Less developed regions of the Asia-Pacific still face difficulties, nevertheless. NIPT is still a luxury service that is expensive and scarce in nations with inadequate healthcare resources or where healthcare systems are still developing. Barriers to broader acceptability also include ethical issues about genetic screening and cultural views on prenatal testing. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome both cultural opposition and infrastructure constraints in order to expand the NIPT market in these nations. For NIPT to become more widely available and reasonably priced throughout the Asia-Pacific region, it will be essential to maintain investments in healthcare infrastructure, public awareness initiatives, and legislative backing. The high cost of these tests, leading to relatively low affordability in many developing countries, will limit their adoption. According to an article published by Future Medicine, the average cost of non-invasive prenatal testing in India is around USD 350 to USD 400. According to an article published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in May 2022, an NIPT costs around USD 500 and is a high out-of-pocket cost during pregnancy, pressuring families to terminate their pregnancies after the first positive test for Down's syndrome. This has limited their uptake in emerging countries. Growth Drivers for the Asia-Pacific Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Market Advancements in Genetic Testing Technology Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is now much more accurate, quick, and affordable because to developments in genetic testing technology, especially next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics. Rapid fetal DNA analysis from maternal blood samples is made possible by NGS, which improves the test's sensitivity and specificity, particularly for identifying chromosomal disorders like Down syndrome. Advances in bioinformatics enable the rapid processing of enormous volumes of genetic data, cutting down on testing expenses and time. Because of these technical developments, NIPT is now more widely available to pregnant mothers in both developed and growing Asia-Pacific economies. As a result, NIPT is becoming more widely used worldwide, providing safer and more precise prenatal screening alternatives. Government Support and National Screening Programs The expansion of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) throughout Asia is mostly due to government assistance and national screening initiatives. Because NIPT has been included into national healthcare systems in nations like Singapore and Japan, expecting moms may easily obtain and use it. These countries lower the dangers associated with intrusive testing techniques while also improving early diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities by providing NIPT as part of standard prenatal care. Furthermore, NIPT's wider acceptability is facilitated by public health campaigns that inform patients of its advantages. Government support makes NIPT a dependable and crucial instrument in prenatal care throughout the area by helping to standardize its usage. Expansion of Private Healthcare A wider population now has far better access to non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) because to the growth of private healthcare providers in nations like Thailand and India. Private healthcare institutions provide advanced testing alternatives, such as NIPT, that might not be available in public systems because to the growing need for quicker and more thorough care. This expansion is especially helpful for pregnant moms who want more individualized care or faster outcomes. A greater variety of patients may now get sophisticated prenatal screening as private healthcare providers increase NIPT's accessibility and price, therefore closing the wealth gap between high- and middle-income groups. Additionally, this growth promotes healthy competition, which raises the standard and effectiveness of prenatal care. Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Market Inconsistent Regulation and Standardization The Asia-Pacific non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) industry has major obstacles due to inconsistent legislation and standards. Different nations have different NIPT regulatory frameworks, which causes variations in certification, quality assurance, and testing procedures. The accuracy and dependability of results may be impacted in some areas by inadequate laboratory oversight or unclear test process recommendations. The safety and efficacy of the tests may be questioned as different nations may provide NIPT services of varying quality in the absence of uniform rules. This discrepancy can erode patient faith in NIPT, particularly in nations with laxer regulations, which would prevent the technique from being widely adopted and trusted. Infrastructure Challenges in Emerging Markets Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) may not be widely available in developing nations with underdeveloped healthcare systems, especially in rural or isolated places. Modern medical facilities and specialist labs, which are usually concentrated in metropolitan areas, are frequently necessary for the availability of NIPT. Therefore, access to this advanced prenatal screening may be severely hampered for pregnant moms in impoverished or rural areas. Due to limited availability to NIPT, a sizable portion of the population is unable to take advantage of early genetic abnormality diagnosis. Investment in medical facilities, better diagnostic service distribution, and efforts to increase access to NIPT in less accessible areas are all necessary to address these infrastructural issues and guarantee more equal access to healthcare. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024-2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.4 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $4.58 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 14% Regions Covered Asia-Pacific Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 2.1 Data Source 2.1.1 Primary Sources 2.1.2 Secondary Sources 2.2 Research Approach 2.2.1 Top-Down Approach 2.2.2 Bottom-Up Approach 2.3 Forecast Projection Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Growth Drivers 4.2 Challenges 5. Asia-Pacific Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Market 6. Market Share Analysis 6.1 Component 6.2 Application 6.3 End User 7. Asia-Pacific - Countries Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Market 7.1 China 7.2 Japan 7.3 India 7.4 Australia 7.5 South Korea 7.6 Thailand 7.7 Malaysia 7.8 Indonesia 7.9 New Zealand 8. Component 8.1 Instruments 8.2 Kits and Reagents 8.3 Services 9. Application 9.1 Down Syndrome (trisomy 21) 9.2 Edwards Syndrome (trisomy 18) 9.3 Patau Syndrome (trisomy 13) 9.4 Turner Syndrome 9.5 Other Applications 10. End User 10.1 Hospitals 10.2 Diagnostic Labs 11. Porter's Five Analysis 11.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers 11.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 11.3 Degree of Rivalry 11.4 Threat of New Entrants 11.5 Threat of Substitutes 12. SWOT Analysis 12.1 Strength 12.2 Weakness 12.3 Opportunity 12.4 Threat 13. Key Players Analysis 13.1 Eurofins Scientific 13.1.1 Overview 13.1.2 Key Persons 13.1.3 Recent Development & Strategies 13.1.4 Financial Insight 13.2 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. 13.3 Invitae Corporation 13.4 Illumina Inc. 13.5 Natera Inc. 13.6 Centogene N.V. 13.7 Qiagen For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/k94m99 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Sessions span grassroots health interventions, traditional practices, psychedelic parenting education, journalism, ecological health, raves and music, leadership transformation, and more Speakers include faith leaders, journalists, community organizers, researchers, Veterans, artists, and parents reflecting on the impact of psychedelics in everyday life Topics address social justice, public health, harm reduction, cultural movements, and the transformative potential of psychedelics to reimagine community and connection DENVER, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psychedelic Science 2025 (PS2025) , the premier global gathering for psychedelic research, therapy, policy, and culture hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), announces its Society Track , an expansive exploration of how psychedelics intersect with social justice, culture, community organizing, ecological regeneration, leadership, and human connection. Taking place June 1620, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, PS2025 will gather consciousness researchers, religious leaders, and community visionaries to engage with urgent questions and emerging insights at the intersection of psychedelics, justice, and human flourishing. Were all contending with the skyrocketing rates of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and addiction that affect our own and our loved ones lives. Political actors pass policies that take away our civil rights, bodily autonomy, and ability to live a healthy life. Amidst the chaos, its clear we need visionaries, healers, educators, and spiritual leaders who are committed to creating a society that is collaborative, compassionate, and inclusive of all walks of life. The Society Track highlights some of these leaders who integrate the perennial lessons from psychedelic experiences to support and repair their communities, build healthy relationships, regenerate ecosystems, challenge dominant narratives, and forge more just and connected futures. Grace Cepe , Education Officer, MAPS and Curator, PS2025 Society Curatorial Committee Visit PsychedelicScience.org to view the full schedule, register for workshops, and explore hotel and travel options. Workshop spaces are limited and available on a first-come basis. Featured sessions in the Society Track include: Lets Talk About Sex & Psychedelics: Lessons from Kink, BDSM, and Healing Experts, including Emma Knighton, MA, LMHC; Shveta Mittal, Ph.D.; Sura Hertzberg, MA, AMFT; Alex Dymock, Ph.D.; and Monica Cadena (as the moderator) will explore the intersection of psychedelic experiences and taboo, sexual healing, embodiment, and erotic intelligence. Psychedelic Cults and Outlaw Churches: LSD, Cannabis, and Spiritual Sacraments in Underground America Author Mike Marinacci takes attendees on a fascinating tour through North American psychedelic sects, exploring figures like Timothy Leary, the Native American Church, and lesser-known outlaw movements. Addiction Psychedelic Research Has Been Systematically Erased Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, experimented with LSD in the 1950s, believing that it could play a crucial role in helping alcoholics recover. In this presentation, David Lee will explore the history of Bill Wilsons exploration of psychedelics and the groundbreaking studies on psychedelic-assisted addiction treatment. Psychedelic Fatherhood: Transforming Families One Dad at a Time Fathers, including former CNN producer Cesar Marin and Navy SEAL Veteran Diego Ugalde, share stories of breaking generational trauma and embracing emotionally connected parenting. Burning Bushes to Sacred Fires: Ancient Psychedelic Sacraments from Egypt to Persia This panel explores the mystical and ritual contexts and uses of psychoactive plants across the ancient Middle Eastfrom Egyptian temples to Mt. Sinai to Zoroastrian ceremonies. Parham Farsi, Chezard Ameer, and Natalie Lyla Ginsberg, MSW (as the moderator), will trace ancestral lineages and spiritual technologies inspiring modern variations today. Life-threatening Illness, Palliative Care, and Psychedelics: Patients' Perspectives There is a lot of talk about palliative care and psychedelics, but how often do you hear from the patients themselves? Join Maejor, Anne Hamilton, Esq., Amy Slonaker, JD, Ph.D., and Arlene Tjoarman for a compelling discussion about the intersection of palliative care and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Ancestral Medicine Healing the Streets: Grassroots Holistic Detox and Recovery Join a conversation with Leajay Harper, Maya Cheek, Raymond Gil, and ashEL SeaSunz Eldridge about what it means to blend ancestral healing practices with plant medicines to support unhoused and formerly incarcerated populations. Includes a special screening of Ancestral Medicine: Healing the Streets. One and Many: DMT, the Multiverse, and Mystical Convergences in Christianity, Daoism, and Hinduism Andrew R. Gallimore, Ph.D., Amod Lele, Ph.D., Hemal P. Trivedi, and Rabbi Jay Michaelson (as the moderator) explore how DMT experiences mirror ancient spiritual cosmologies across traditions. This panel traces parallel visions of unity, multiplicity, and divine realms, bridging mystical texts with modern psychedelic revelations. From Anecdotes to Evidence: Mothers Advancing Psychedelic Research and Practice Citizen scientists and clinicians, including Mikaela de la Myco, Eve Simonsen, Patil Armenian, M.D., Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold, LMFT, and Melissa Whippo, LCSW, discuss how mothers are bridging folk medicine and academic research to advance women's health and psychedelics. Between Ecstasy and Escapism: Raving as a Contemporary Ritual An exploration of how modern raves and transformational festivals tap into ancient ceremonial practicesand what that means for the future of communal healing, featuring Stephanie Karzon Abrams, Jukka-Pekka Heikkila, Ph.D., Taylor Bratches, Mia Sarno, PsyD, Ana Flecha, Ph.D., and moderated by Michelle Lhooq. About Psychedelic Science Psychedelic Science 2025 (PS2025), hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), is the worlds leading psychedelic conference. Returning to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver from June 16-20, 2025, this five-day event brings together a global community of scientists, therapists, policymakers, cultural leaders, and advocates to explore the forefront of psychedelic research, therapy, and culture. Facilitated by Superfly , known for producing iconic events such as Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, PS2025 will feature expert speakers; hands-on workshops; community events with art, music, and mindfulness activities; and scholarship opportunities to support broad participation. Since its inception in 2010, the Psychedelic Science conference series has fostered knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and community-building within the psychedelic ecosystem. Join thousands of attendees as we explore the transformative potential of psychedelics and shape the future of mental health, policy, and cultural understanding. For more information and registration details, visit psychedelicscience.org , and follow us on X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Facebook . ABOUT MAPS Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MAPS' conference flagship, Psychedelic Science , has been the leading convening of the psychedelic community since 2010. MAPS incubated Lykos Therapeutics, a drug-development public benefit company, and the Zendo Project , a leader in psychedelic harm reduction. Since MAPS was founded, philanthropic donors and grantors have given more than $150 million to advance research , change drug policy , and evolve education in the field of psychedelics. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE U.S. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Winshear Gold Corp. (TSX-V: WINS) reports that the non-brokered private placement announced on May 28, 2025, has been increased to $750,000. Each Unit comprises one common share, priced at $0.06 per share, and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each full warrant will allow the holder to purchase one common share of Winshear Gold at a price of $0.12 for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the financing. A finder's fee commensurate with regulatory policies may be paid if applicable. Winshear Gold has entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Thunder Bay Gold Project (TBGP) (see news release dated May 22, 2025), located in northwestern Ontario. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the TBGP and for general working capital purposes. Completion of the private placement is subject to certain conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued as part of this private placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance of the securities. About Winshear Gold Corp Winshear Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based minerals exploration company. For more information, please contact Irene Dorsman at +1 (604) 200 7874 or visit www.winshear.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard D. Williams Richard D. Williams 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. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements Certain of the statements made and information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including whether the private placement will be completed or fully subscribed. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the current expectations, assumptions or beliefs of the Company based upon information currently available to the Company. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this press release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the reliability of information prepared and/or published by third parties that are referenced in this press release or was otherwise relied upon by the Company in preparing this press release. 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 no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct as actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the general level of global economic activity. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Such statements relate to future events and expectations and, as such, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and except as may otherwise be required pursuant to applicable laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. RICHMOND, Virginia, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following a successful merger in August 2024, Virginia Credit Union and its Member One division are pleased to announce that the now-combined organization will operate in all markets as Virginia Credit Union, beginning in the spring of 2026. The Virginia Credit Union brand has almost a century of history behind it and boasts a proven track record as a member-focused organization, one thats driven by its mission and focused on delivering value for members through its products, services, and resources, said Virginia Credit Union President/CEO Chris Shockley. We know this merger will continue to benefit our members, staff, and the communities we proudly serve, and we look forward to further building on our proud tradition of member and community service under the Virginia Credit Union name. The brand decision follows an extensive brand research project and a careful evaluation of both brands strengths and awareness in current markets. Several factors were considered in selecting Virginia Credit Union as the continuing brand. Virginia Credit Union has operated continuously for almost a century. Its recognition as a brand is unmatched in many of its core markets, and it enjoys a sterling reputation for its products and services, financial education resources, and community engagement work. By moving forward as a unified brand, Virginia Credit Union is better positioned to create a cohesive and consistent member experience that further cements its reputation as a trusted financial services provider and community leader. Owing to its long history of service to state employees, including staff at various state and local government agencies, as well as colleges and universities, the Virginia Credit Union brand enjoys strong awareness across the Commonwealth, even in areas outside its original core markets, including those communities served by Member One. As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, and in light of the need to be good stewards of members resources, the significant cost associated with the various competing brand options was also an important consideration. Also considered were the inefficiencies that would result if the organization continued to operate as two distinct brands. The credit union will work through 2025 and into 2026 in preparation for Operational Day One, the date legacy Member One operations will be fully integrated into Virginia Credit Union operating under the same brand and with the same systems, products, and services. Operational Day One will likely occur in the spring of 2026, and the credit union is committed to ensuring a carefully considered and member-centric approach to the integration project. Legacy Member One members will continue to bank as they have for the foreseeable future, utilizing Member Ones online and mobile banking platforms, lending services, call centers, and branch locations. Through timely communications, members will be informed of integration milestones and member service updates as the credit union moves through the integration process. The most appealing aspect of this merger was the fact that our two organizations shared a belief that what we do and what we offer has a meaningful and positive impact on members and our communities, said Shockley. We put people first and believe the relationships we build with members and within our communities are helping members achieve greater financial success and building stronger, more resilient communities. Combining these two well-respected and trusted organizations under one unified brand will only bolster our ability to fulfill our mission. Member One members can learn more about the planned rebrand to Virginia Credit Union here. About Virginia Credit Union & Member One A financial cooperative serving almost 500,000 members, Virginia Credit Union and its Member One division offer a variety of affordable banking services, loans, mortgages, and free financial education resources, with a focus on helping people be more confident with their finances. Virginia Credit Union and its Member One division are equal housing opportunity lenders and are federally insured by the NCUA. Attachment CALGARY, Alberta, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KIC Realty Alberta is thrilled to announce the appointment of Nam Kular as the new Managing Broker, marking a bold and exciting new chapter in the brokerages strategic growth across Canada. With a highly accomplished background in real estate sales and development, Nam brings with him over a decade of experience navigating Albertas dynamic housing market. Known for his passion for excellence, people-first mindset, and strong industry insight, Nams arrival signals a renewed commitment to KIC Realtys core values: collaboration, innovation, and agent success. Nams leadership style, market knowledge, and commitment to agent development make him an ideal fit for our brokerage, said Ron McIntosh, President of KIC Realty. He leads by example and understands the importance of creating an environment where agents feel supported, inspired, and empowered to achieve their full potential. Throughout his career, Nam has built a reputation for integrity, mentorship, and delivering results. His ability to connect with agents, nurture their individual strengths, and provide hands-on guidance aligns seamlessly with KIC Realtys agent-centric approach. At a time when the Alberta market is evolving rapidly, Nams experience and passion are exactly what KIC Realty needs to navigate the next phase of growth. Nam is the kind of professional who brings out the best in those around him, shared Angela Papassotiriou, Vice President of Operations at KIC Realty. Hes genuine, collaborative and deeply committed to setting the highest standards for our Alberta operations. His presence is already energizing our team and strengthening our culture. As Managing Broker, Nam will work alongside Willie Ip to oversee compliance, training, agent development, and day-to-day brokerage operations in Alberta. His focus will be on building a robust, supportive environment where both new and seasoned agents can thrive. KIC Realty is built on strong leadership, innovation, and community, said Willie Ip, CEO of KIC Realty. Nam embodies all of these qualities. His addition to our leadership team is a significant milestone as we continue to grow a brokerage that attracts top-tier talent and delivers extraordinary value to clients and agents alike. KIC Realty Alberta looks forward to the future with confidence and excitement under Nam Kulars leadership. His values-driven approach, combined with a deep understanding of the industry and local market, make him an invaluable addition to the team. This new chapter brings exciting opportunities to lead, support, and grow alongside an incredible team of real estate professionals, said Nam Kular. Im beyond grateful for the journey that led me here and excited for whats ahead building strong client relationships, mentoring agents, and driving success in todays dynamic market. About KIC Realty: KIC Realty is a Canadian real estate brokerage dedicated to creating a supportive and thriving environment for its REALTORS. Founded on the core values of knowledge, integrity, and community, KIC Realty is committed to providing its REALTORS with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. With a focus on transparency and REALTOR ownership, KIC Realty is redefining the real estate experience for REALTORS and clients alike. For media inquiries, please contact: Willie Ip CEO, KIC Realty 587.200.3383 Investor.relations@kicreatly.com Denver, Stillwater, Minn, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) and Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) are proud to announce a multi-year collaboration agreement to educate moms of children with Down syndrome particularly those in the early years about important medical care resources and research opportunities. The agreement builds on GLOBAL and DSDNs past five year collaboration and ensures hundreds of DSDN Rockin Mom Retreat attendees can continue to participate in the GLOBAL Research & Medical Care Roundtable (GLOBAL Roundtable) as a free benefit. It also provides new collaboration and support for DSDNs core parent resources, including peer-to-peer support groups and online communities hosted in the DSDN App, where families connect by birth year, co-occurring conditions, and shared identities. The GLOBAL Roundtable has educated over 900 moms of infants and young children on cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, clinical trials, medical best practices and more. Surveys associated with the GLOBAL Roundtable consistently average 4.8 out of 5, highlighting its impact. Anyone who has registered for the DSDN Rockin Mom Retreat can register for the GLOBAL Roundtable for free. This years DSDN Rockin Mom Retreat will be held in Pine Mountain, Georgia from September 19-20. The GLOBAL Roundtable includes welcome remarks from DSDN Executive Director, Melissa Shutwell, GLOBAL President & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten, and GLOBAL Vice President for Research and Medical Care, Bryn Gelaro. Below is the 2025 GLOBAL Roundtable panel of renowned Down syndrome experts: Joaquin Espinosa, PhD, Executive Director, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (Crnic Institute) Dr. Espinosa will discuss the latest research topics (including the first pediatric immune system dysregulation Jak Inhibitor clinical trial) from the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. Dr. Espinosa will discuss the latest research topics (including the first pediatric immune system dysregulation Jak Inhibitor clinical trial) from the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd, Director, Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Childrens Hospital Colorado Dr. Baumer will provide an overview of neurodevelopmental conditions (including Autism, ADHD) in early childhood and ways to support. Dr. Baumer will provide an overview of neurodevelopmental conditions (including Autism, ADHD) in early childhood and ways to support. Emily McCourt, MD, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Dr. McCourt will discuss the eye care needs for children with Down syndrome during their first few years of age (including keratoconus, strabismus, and glaucoma). Dr. McCourt will discuss the eye care needs for children with Down syndrome during their first few years of age (including keratoconus, strabismus, and glaucoma). Sujata Bardhan, MS, PhD, Program Director in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) Dr. Bardhan will discuss The NIH INCLUDE Project: Accelerating Research Discoveries for People with Down Syndrome Across the Lifespan (including potential for families to get involved and participate). DSDN has supported more than 25,000 parents through our online peer-to-peer support groups over the past 10 years and has welcomed over 3,000 moms to our annual Rockin Mom Retreats, says DSDN Executive Director and mom to a 9-year-old with Down syndrome, Melissa Shutwell. The Rockin Mom Retreat is a chance to connect, recharge, and be inspiredand thanks to GLOBALs support, its also a space where attendees can stay informed about the latest research and medical care for their children. The GLOBAL Roundtable is a favorite among many of our moms, and were grateful to continue this collaboration to keep such a valuable resource at the heart of our retreat for years to come. We have supported DSDN from its very early years, and we are amazed and impressed at how fast the organization has grown, says Michelle Sie Whitten, GLOBAL President & CEO, and parent of a young adult with Down syndrome. The information and network they provide for moms and families is so important and we are proud to be a part of that. Any mom who hasnt attended a Rockin Mom Retreat should absolutely check it out! Every year it is exciting to work with Melissa and her team and bring together world-renowned Down syndrome experts to speak at the DSDN Rockin Mom Retreat GLOBAL Roundtable, says Bryn Gelaro, GLOBAL Vice President of Research & Medical Care. While the complimentary mimosa or sangria makes things fun, these moms are super smart and contribute so much to the conversation. Im convinced this not only helps their own children but their local communities as well. To learn more about the DSDN Rockin Mom Retreat, visit https://www.dsdiagnosisnetwork.org/mom-retreat-registration. ### About the DSDN The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) is the leading organization dedicated to supporting families who receive a Down syndrome diagnosis for their child. Since 2014, DSDN has supported more than 25,000 families through peer-to-peer support, medical condition-specific groups, educational resources, and community-building experiences. DSDN creates safe, inclusive spaces for parents to share their experiences, access real-time support, and build lifelong relationships that strengthen their ability to care for both their children and themselves. In addition to its robust parent network, DSDN is a national leader in improving the Down syndrome diagnosis experience. The organization partners with healthcare professionals to provide training, resources, and direct feedback from families to ensure that diagnoses are delivered with empathy, accuracy, and immediate access to support. Through this work, DSDN is helping raise the standard for how Down syndrome diagnoses are shared and received. DSDN is best known for its vibrant online support groups and its annual Rockin Mom and Rockin Dad Retreats, which have welcomed thousands of parents for weekends of connection, rest, and inspiration. Learn more at www.dsdiagnosisnetwork.org, and follow DSDN on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. About Global Down Syndrome Foundation The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL established the first Down syndrome research institute and supports over 400 scientists and over 2,500 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 100 Down syndrome organizations worldwide, and is part of a network of Affiliates the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the University of Colorado Alzheimers and Cognition Center all on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the GLOBAL Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at Denver Health. GLOBALs widely circulated medical publications include Global Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal & Newborn Down Syndrome Information, and the award-winning magazine Down Syndrome World TM. GLOBAL also organizes the annual AcceptAbility Gala in Washington DC, and the annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media Facebook, X, Instagram , and LinkedIn. Attachments Los Angeles, CA, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright today announced that well regarded California litigator J. David Bournazian has joined its product liability and consumer disputes practice as a partner. David is a go-to advisor for clients facing issues at the crucial intersection of law, business and innovation. David is a first-chair trial lawyer with experience litigating and bringing resolution to a wide array of disputes. He defends well-known and publicly-traded companies in class actions and individual cases in key areas of vulnerability, such as consumer products actions, employment claims and tort claims. His ability to handle complex commercial disputes covers a wide range of industries and commercial contexts, including business, real estate, construction and insurance. Indeed, in the development and construction realm, for nearly 30 years, David has been a leader in construction law and developed a particular skill in handling complex negotiations and disputes involving commercial construction projects. In the insurance field, David has won published and highly noteworthy insurance coverage cases. Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbrights US Managing Partner as well as one of its two Global Managing Partners, said: Litigation is a foundational and perennial strength of our firm. David has the trial savvy to expand our client offering in California and take our West Coast tort and construction representation to the next level. He is a fierce advocate, combining thoughtful legal analysis and strategy with a no-nonsense approach that is revered by clients and colleagues alike. Davids addition comes two months after the firm welcomed a four-lawyer energy litigation team led by Houston partner Graig Alvarez. Davids overlap with this group is significant given his experience with energy and construction related issues. This year, the disputes group has significantly expanded its global partner count with the addition of Duncan Bagshaw in London, Katie Mak in Vancouver and Kristina Mihalic in Canberra as well as the promotion of more than 20 disputes lawyers to the partnership ranks. David, who joins the firm from K&L Gates, said: Norton Rose Fulbright is a litigation powerhouse and home to some of the worlds top trial lawyers, so joining the firm is an exciting milestone for me. Having previously tried cases together, including with several exceptional Norton Rose lawyers, I have witnessed firsthand the firms exceptional litigation practice featuring lawyers who are whip-smart, committed and creative. Earlier in his career, David served as general counsel for a world-renowned architecture firm as well as a Fortune 100 international retailer. He also performed Executive Branch financial management and accounting duties while working in The White House during President George H.W. Bushs administration. Licensed in California, David earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and his bachelors degree from Rutgers University. DLesli Davis, Norton Rose Fulbrights US Co-Head of Product Liability and Consumer Disputes as well as its US Head of Life Sciences and Healthcare, commented: David deepens our national counsel bench, which helps some of the worlds largest companies navigate multidistrict litigation and condense large dockets. This is especially important as mass tort litigation is experiencing a seismic shift in activity, with rising Proposition 65 claims, increased scrutiny of the pharmaceutical industry and proliferating artificial intelligence lawsuits. Norton Rose Fulbrights consumer markets practice is one of the firms pillar sectors, handling significant multidistrict litigation cases and large class action cases for some of the worlds leading brands. Norton Rose Fulbright Norton Rose Fulbright provides a full scope of legal services to the worlds preeminent corporations and financial institutions. The global law firm has more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across more than 50 locations worldwide, including Houston, New York, London, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg, covering the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. With its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, Norton Rose Fulbright is recognized for its client service in key industries, including financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; technology; transport; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets. For more information, visit nortonrosefulbright.com. Attachment Birmingham, AL, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As concerns around airborne contaminants continue to rise, Camfil USA, a global leader in clean air solutions, is reinforcing its commitment to public health by introducing advanced HEPA and ULPA filtration technologies to facilities across Birmingham, Alabama and the broader Southeastern region. The latest blog from Camfil USA titled Camfil USA Brings Advanced HEPA & ULPA Air Filtration to Birmingham, Alabama explores how high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filters are helping local industriesincluding hospitals, pharmaceutical labs, cleanrooms, and commercial buildingsmeet rigorous air quality and compliance standards. With Birminghams growing focus on biomedical research and healthcare innovation, the need for clean, controlled air environments has never been more urgent, said Allen Oakes, , Camfils Air Quality Expert . Our filtration systems are engineered not only to capture fine and ultrafine particles but to reduce airborne pathogen risks and protect sensitive equipment. Camfils local support teams in Birmingham work closely with facility managers, engineers, and HVAC professionals to assess air quality challenges and implement custom solutions that align with ASHRAE, ISO, and FDA requirements. The blog also outlines how HEPA and ULPA filters contribute to energy savings, equipment longevity, and occupant health, particularly in critical environments where air cleanliness is mission-critical. Read the full article: Camfil USA Brings Advanced HEPA & ULPA Air Filtration to Birmingham, Alabama About Camfil USA Camfil USA Birmingham, AL Camfil is a global manufacturer of premium clean air solutions. For over 60 years, weve helped people breathe cleaner air by delivering high-performance filters and air quality systems for commercial, industrial, and healthcare environments. Our solutions improve productivity, reduce energy consumption, and benefit human health and the environment. ## For media inquiries, please contact: Lynne Laake Camfil USA Air Filters T: 888.599.6620 E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com F: Friend Camfil USA on Facebook T: Follow Camfil USA on Twitter Attachment Boston, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the latest study from BCC Research, the Global Epigenetics Markets is projected to grow from $4.8 billion in 2024 to $8.5 billion by the end of 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from 2024 through 2029. The report offers quantitative and qualitative insights to help readers develop growth strategies, assess the market landscape and make informed business decisions. It covers various therapeutic classes, such as DNMT inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors, IDH inhibitors and EZH2 inhibitors. The report is segmented by study methods, clinical indications and drug classes. Additionally, it discusses industry growth drivers, restraints, trends, opportunities, competitive landscape and emerging technologies impacting the epigenetics market. The factors driving the markets growth include: Rising Cancer Rates: The increasing prevalence of cancer creates a demand for new treatments and diagnostic tools, driving epigenetic research to develop targeted therapies. Technological Advances: Innovations in tools like CRISPR and next-generation sequencing enhance our ability to study and manipulate epigenetic modifications, leading to better disease understanding and treatment. Increased Research Funding: More investment in biomedical research supports the development of new technologies and therapies, fostering innovation in epigenetics. Precision Medicine: The trend toward personalized treatments based on genetic profiles boosts the importance of epigenetics in developing effective, individualized therapies. Interest in Liquid Biopsy: Liquid biopsies offer a noninvasive way to detect and monitor diseases, and technological improvements are increasing their clinical adoption. Request a sample copy of the global market for epigenetics research tools and reagents, IVDs and therapeutics reports. Report Synopsis Report Metric Details Base year considered 2023 Forecast period considered 2024-2029 Base year market size $4.4 billion Market size forecast $8.5 billion Growth rate CAGR of 11.8% from 2024 to 2029 Segments covered Product type, study method, clinical indication, drug class and region Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World (RoW) Market drivers The rising prevalence of cancer and unmet need in oncology. Advances in analytical technologies and tools. Increasing investment in biomedical research. The trend toward precision medicine. Growing interest in liquid biopsy. Interesting facts: Epigenetic drugs have been more clinically successful in hematological malignancies than solid tumors. Many companies are developing epigenetic biomarker-based blood tests for early cancer detection. Multicancer detection is a significant area of interest. Most epigenetic drugs in clinical trials and on the market are primarily focused on oncology areas, particularly hematological malignancies. Emerging startups: Helio Genomics: The company is developing a blood test for early cancer detection. Biomea Fusion Inc.: A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of oral covalent small molecules to treat patients with metabolic disease and genetically defined cancers. The report addresses the following questions: What is the projected market size and growth rate of the epigenetics research tools, reagents, IVDs and therapeutics market? The global epigenetics market was estimated to be around $4.4 billion in 2023. It is projected to reach $8.5 billion in 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period. What market segments are covered in the report? An in-depth analysis of the global epigenetics research tools, reagents, IVDs and therapeutics market, including historical data and market projection on sales by product type, study method, clinical indication, drug class and region. Which type segment will dominate the market by the end of 2029? The IVD type segment is anticipated to dominate the market by the end of 2029. Which market is growing fastest among all? The IVD segment is the fastest growing market. Leading companies in the market include: ACTIVE MOTIF INC. BIO-RAD LABORATORIES INC. BIO-TECHNE BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB CO. DAIICHI SANKYO CO., LTD. EXACT SCIENCES CORP. GUARDANT HEALTH HOLOGIC INC. LES LABORATOIRES SERVIER MERCK KGAA NUCLEIX PROMEGA CORP. QIAGEN REVVITY INC. (PERKINELMER) THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC. Related reports Include: Liquid Biopsy Research Tools, Services and Diagnostics: Global Markets: This report examines the industry structure, competitive landscape and profiles of leading companies, including their products, financials and recent activities. It also evaluates business strategies in the competitive environment and segments the market by application, analysis purpose, biomarker type and platform. Regional analysis spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the world. Global DNA Sequencing: Research, Applied and Clinical Markets: The report on DNA sequencing explores its current and future market potential, analyzing drivers, restraints and opportunities. The market is segmented by technology (NGS, TGS, pyrosequencing and Sanger sequencing), product and service, end user, application, disease category and region. Key regions covered are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. Navigate Uncertainty with Confidence In times of rapid change and uncertainty, having the right insights can make all the difference. At BCC Research, we are here to support innovation and help you stay ahead. Our custom research reports provide a comprehensive, 360-degree view of your market landscape, giving you the clarity you need to make informed decisions. We believe that timely, expert market intelligence should be accessible to all. That is why, for a limited time, were offering 30% off the price of any BCC Research report to help more organizations gain access to our latest data and insights. Purchase a copy of the report directly from BCC Research. For further information on any of these reports or to make a purchase, contact info@bccresearch.com. About BCC Research BCC Research market research reports provide objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions free of noise and hype. For media inquiries, email press@bccresearch.com or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Any data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Fort Lauderdale, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fort Lauderdale, Florida - As a leading digital marketing agency in South Florida's heavily populated senior living market, Blue Interactive Agency is excited to host a complimentary educational webinar designed specifically for assisted living facilities. The webinar, "AI-Powered SEO: Strategies for 2025," will examine how artificial intelligence transforms search engine optimization and provides actionable strategies for senior care providers to enhance their online visibility. The inaugural webinar, hosted in partnership with the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA), will be held at 1 p.m. EST on June 12. It aims to address the evolving landscape of SEO in the age of AI, offering assisted living administrators, marketing directors, and business owners innovative insights to improve their digital presence and attract more qualified prospects. "As CMO of Blue Interactive, I'm excited to announce our new partnership with FALA to produce a 5-part educational webinar series launching this June," Patricia Sotolongo said. "This series is designed to empower FALA members with cutting-edge marketing strategiesfrom AI-driven occupancy growth and compelling content creation to social media engagement, local SEO, and website optimization. We're proud to support providers in discovering innovative ways to market their facilities and drive occupancy through modern, actionable insights." The weekly series will feature five sessions held every Thursday from June 12 to July 17. Other digital marketing topics include content marketing, local SEO, social media, and paid media. The free forums come at a significant time for assisted living facilities as the demand for senior living grows from the record numbers of Baby Boomers entering retirement age. This dramatic population change creates opportunities and challenges for assisted living centers throughout Florida and the U.S. Participants can expect to explore how traditional search engines and emerging AI platforms can be leveraged to attract more qualified leads by uncovering the exact questions and keywords their ideal prospects are searching for online. The session will provide AI-driven insights that simplify complex SEO strategies, enabling marketing directors to make smarter, data-backed decisions for their facilities. The webinar will also explore how to stay ahead of competitors by leveraging predictive AI to identify emerging search trends before they gain widespread traction. Attendees will gain access to proven AI tactics to help senior care brands optimize their presence for ChatGPT and other AI-powered search platforms, where families increasingly turn for care recommendations. By providing advocacy, education, and regulatory support for the assisted living industry, FALA aims to support state legislation beneficial to senior living facilities. This process includes securing increased funding, changing government relations, and providing instructional resources to enhance assisted living facilities and their partners. Blue Interactive Agency's membership with FALA further demonstrates the organization's ongoing commitment to providing its members with resources that improve operations and community outreach. Blue Interactive Agency's partnership with FALA offers assisted living facilities access to specialized digital marketing services, including website development, search engine optimization (SEO), social media management, content marketing, and targeted digital advertising campaigns tailored to the unique needs of assisted living providers. Blue Interactive Agency helps multi-location assisted living facilities show up across Large Language Model (Chat GPT and other artificial intelligence search platforms) as well as Google Business Places, Apple Maps and Organic Search. These vital services help senior centers target potential clients in the digital space to ensure the facility can meet capacity demands. To register for the "AI-Powered SEO: Strategies for 2025" webinar, visit https://blueinteractive.webinarninja.com/hybrid-webinars/10689347/register. Space is limited, and registration is required to participate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfF47vdFvQk ### For more information about Blue Interactive Agency, contact the company here: Blue Interactive Agency Peter Brooke (954) 779-2801 sales@speaktoblue.com 3323 W Commercial Blvd Suite 260, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 With nine ceremonies taking place through June 11, College Boreal is celebrating the achievements of graduates from its campuses in Hearst, Kapuskasing, Nipissing, Ottawa, Sudbury, Timmins, Toronto, and Windsor. (Web version) SUDBURY, Ontario, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nine events across Ontario are honouring the Spring 2025 graduating class from Boreals campuses in Hearst, Kapuskasing, Nipissing, Ottawa, Sudbury, Timmins, Toronto, Windsor and Boreal Online. In the presence of parents, families, and loved ones gathered for the occasion, College Boreal President Daniel Giroux, along with members of the senior leadership team, will present no fewer than 901 diplomas this spring. Governor Generals Academic Medal Roxanne Daoust, a graduate of the Early Childhood Education program offered through Boreal Online, received the Governor Generals Academic Medal. This honour is awarded to a full-time student who achieves the highest academic standing in a diploma program of at least two years in length. Honorary Diploma This year, College Boreal is awarding an Honorary Diploma in Business and Community Services to Maxim Jean-Louis, President and CEO of Contact North. Under his leadership, Contact North has significantly expanded access to distance post-secondary education for people living in rural communities. Thanks to his efforts, more than four million individuals in remote areas now have access to quality training without having to leave home. Over the years, Maxim Jean-Louis has deepened his community involvement, contributing his expertise to the boards of the International Council for Open and Distance Education, the Renewed Technology Council, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Laurentian University, the Art Gallery of Sudbury, and the Hopital Montfort Association. College Boreal Presidents Award and Board Chair Award Presented respectively to private-sector and community-based organizations, College Boreals Presidents Award and Board Chairs Award recognize outstanding contributions to the development of the College and its communities. This years Presidents Award is being presented to Technica Mining in recognition of its generous equipment donations, which have significantly enhanced training for students in the Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician, Civil and Mining Construction Engineering Technician and Mechanical Millwright Technician programs. Technica Minings ongoing support through the hiring of Boreal student interns and the endorsement of the Colleges pre-apprenticeship program proposals, including those aimed at women makes it a key partner. The Board Chairs Award goes to Health Sciences North (HSN). A key partner to post-secondary institutions, HSN provides placement opportunities to Boreal students in a range of health programs. This collaboration allows students to gain valuable hands-on experience, sharpen their skills, and prepare for the workforce. Like College Boreal, HSN relies on cutting-edge technology and simulation-based learning to support the training of health professionals. Boreal Foundation Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations that supported the Boreal Foundation in 20242025, nearly 3,300 scholarships were awarded to Boreal students, for a total of close to $1.7 million. Quotes It is with immense pride and gratitude that the entire College Boreal team joins me in celebrating the remarkable success of each and every one of our graduates. Their perseverance in upholding the French language in their communities, their adaptability especially among our international students and their academic excellence are matched only by the boundless opportunities that await them thanks to their unique backgrounds. Congratulations to all! Daniel Giroux President, College Boreal College Boreal is proud to be preparing a highly skilled workforce that meets the real needs of our communities. The commitment and strong motivation our graduates demonstrate in fields such as the trades, environmental studies, technology, business, and community services are a true asset for Ontario, especially given the urgent need for housing and healthcare professionals. We look forward to seeing your careers take flight! Paulette Bonin Vice-President, Academic, College Boreal Quick Facts Since its founding in 1995, College Boreal has awarded 24,540 diplomas across its 8 campuses, from Northern to Southern Ontario. Related Links Information Benoit Clement Manager, Communications and Media Relations 705-560-6673, ext. 2722 benoit.clement@collegeboreal.ca About College Boreal Created in Sudbury in 1995, College Boreal is a French-language post-secondary education and training institution committed to the development and growth of the various Ontario communities it serves. Through its 34 sites including 8 campuses in 27 communities, College Boreal offers a high level of expertise in post-secondary education, basic training, apprenticeship, immigrant services, employment services, customized training and applied research. Learn more: To find out more about College Boreals programs and services, please visit our website at www.collegeboreal.ca or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and X . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8f8da40a-2443-485b-bb56-faeecb244250 Rockwall, TX, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digestive Health Associates of Texas (DHAT), a GI Alliance practice, is excited to announce that board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Ammar Nassri has joined the DHAT location in Rockwall, Texas. Dr. Nassri is now accepting new patients at: DHAT Rockwall 3144 Horizon Rd., Suite 210 Rockwall, TX 75032 Tel: 972-771-2222 Dr. Nassri brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the DHAT team. A diplomate of both the American Board of Gastroenterology and the American Board of Obesity Medicine, Dr. Nassri treats a broad range of gastrointestinal conditions. He has a special clinical interest in the relationship between obesity and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), the management of cirrhosis and advanced techniques for endoscopic resection of precancerous colon lesions. "I chose gastroenterology because it offers the opportunity to intervene early in disease and build long-term relationships with my patients," said Dr. Nassri. "Im passionate about delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care, and Im thrilled to be joining the excellent team at DHAT Rockwall." Dr. Nassri completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Florida, his residency at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, and earned his medical degree with honors from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Patients in the Rockwall area can now benefit from Dr. Nassris expert care and commitment to medical excellence. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the office directly at 972-771-2222. About DHAT and GI Alliance Digestive Health Associates of Texas is a leading provider of gastrointestinal care and a practice of GI Alliance, the nations leading GI physician group. Together, they are committed to delivering compassionate, patient-focused care using the most advanced diagnostic and treatment methods available. Attachment South Brisbane, Australia, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fiobit sparks among cloud mining companies , attracting numerous beginners and seasoned miners with its state-of-the-art technology and user-friendly platform. To address the latest approach, Fiobit is set to revolutionize the cloud mining platform with enhanced security and user-friendliness. The platform aims to make cloud mining affordable to all individuals, thus creating varying packages and state-of-the-art mining technologies. With Fiobit cloud mining platform, you no longer need to buy expensive mining equipment, nor do you have to worry about electricity and maintenance costs. With, anyone can easily get started and begin earning potential income, whether youre a beginner or an experienced investor.This ultimate guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start earning Bitcoin and Dogecoin through cloud mining in 2025. FioBit Cloud Mining Platform provides Dogecoin investors with a modern solution: cloud mining that requires no hardware, zero maintenance, and delivers daily DOGE profits. Below is a detailed breakdown of FioBit's 2025 Dogecoin investment plans, showcasing its earning potential: The following chart illustrates the potential profit you can achieve. Miner Model Contract Price Duration Daily Profit Total Profit ROI Antminer L7 8.8Gh/s $600 2 days $16.80 $33.60 5.6% Antminer L7 9.3Gh/s $3,600 5 days $126.00 $630.00 17.5% Antminer L7 9.5Gh/s $7,800 6 days $312.00 $1,872.00 24% These DOGE cloud mining plans cater to varying budgets and investment horizons, enabling both beginners and seasoned investors to achieve scalable profits. Registering on FioBit gives you a free $100 cloud mining trial to immediately experience the rewards of automated DOGE mining. How to Start Dogecoin Mining on FioBit Visit FioBits official website and Get $100 for free Browse the latest DOGE cloud mining plans and choose one that suits your investment goals. Confirm your investment amount and start mining. The system will automatically allocate the required computing power. Enjoy daily profit settlements with DOGE earnings credited to your account in real time. Whether youre new to cloud mining or an experienced investor, FioBit provides a user-friendly and efficient Dogecoin mining experience. What is Cloud Mining and Why Does It Suit Dogecoin Investors? Cloud mining involves renting remote computing power to mine cryptocurrencies without owning physical mining rigs or running complex operations. Users simply purchase mining contracts and enjoy daily profit settlements. The advantages include: No hardware investment required : Ideal for non-technical investors. : Ideal for non-technical investors. Automated earnings : The platform manages hardware and electricity, delivering stable, hassle-free profits. : The platform manages hardware and electricity, delivering stable, hassle-free profits. Risk control : Compared to holding coins or day trading, cloud mining offers a more predictable and consistent earning model. : Compared to holding coins or day trading, cloud mining offers a more predictable and consistent earning model. Compliance and security: Leading cloud mining platforms like FioBit operate under licenses in markets such as the USA and Australia, ensuring legal and financial security. FioBit: The Preferred Cloud Mining Platform for DOGE Investors FioBit isnt just a cloud mining service providerits a complete ecosystem combining AI technology, global green energy, and multi-coin mining capabilities. Key advantages include: Global infrastructure : Data centers located in the USA, Australia, and Europe ensure stable mining power. : Data centers located in the USA, Australia, and Europe ensure stable mining power. AI-optimized performance : Intelligent algorithm-driven mining management maximizes DOGE efficiency and reduces operational costs. : Intelligent algorithm-driven mining management maximizes DOGE efficiency and reduces operational costs. Green energy commitment : Powered by renewable energy sources, FioBit delivers environmentally sustainable mining solutions. : Powered by renewable energy sources, FioBit delivers environmentally sustainable mining solutions. Multi-coin support : Beyond DOGE, FioBit offers mining options for BTC, ETH, LTC, and more, meeting diverse investor preferences. : Beyond DOGE, FioBit offers mining options for BTC, ETH, LTC, and more, meeting diverse investor preferences. Superior returns at low entry barriers: FioBits DOGE mining contracts deliver daily yields approximately 15% higher than average industry platforms, ideal for investors seeking steady income. Conclusion In 2025, Dogecoin continues to capture market attention and remains a key asset for investors seeking digital wealth growth. However, relying solely on holding DOGE or engaging in short-term trading exposes investors to significant market risks and uncertain returns. In this context, FioBits cutting-edge cloud mining technology, AI-powered optimization, green energy infrastructure, and global regulatory compliance offer a secure, stable, and transparent Dogecoin mining solution. Whether youre exploring how to invest in Dogecoin , evaluating Dogecoin cloud mining profitability, or searching for the top Dogecoin cloud mining platforms and Doge mining rigs, FioBit provides the ideal pathway. Dont wait any longer! Register with FioBit now to claim your $100 free cloud mining bonus and start your Dogecoin cloud mining journey. Make 2025 the year you achieve stable crypto growth and sustainable profits! Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involves risk. There is potential for loss of funds. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. San Jose, CA, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lex Machina, a LexisNexis company, today announced the release of its 2025 Patent Litigation Report, providing comprehensive, data-driven insights into the latest trends shaping U.S. patent litigation. The report analyzes key activity across federal district and appellate courts, as well as the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). It is designed to empower legal professionals with unique, data-driven visibility into patterns involving courts, judges, parties, law firms, and attorneyscritical intelligence for developing informed litigation strategies. Key findings from the report include: More than $ 3 billion in damages were awarded in patent claims in more than 90 cases, a 20% increase over the prior year . in more than 90 cases, a . A rebound of over 20% in patent case filings brought activity back in line with recent historical averages, following a notable drop in This recovery was largely driven by an increase in filings from non-High-Volume Plaintiffs (non-HVPs), who filed over 16% more patent lawsuits in 2024 compared to the average annual rate from 2017 to 2023. brought activity back in line with recent historical averages, following a notable drop in This recovery was largely driven by an increase in filings from (non-HVPs), who filed over in 2024 compared to the average annual rate from 2017 to 2023. A 35% increase in design patent lawsuits from 2023, with over 450 cases filed in 2024, demonstrating sustained growth. from 2023, with over 450 cases filed in 2024, demonstrating sustained growth. A 20%+ increase in Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) patent litigation filings from 2023, indicating strong This marks the third consecutive annual increase , reaffirming ANDA litigation as a key area of focus for pharmaceutical patent litigators following a period of decline. from 2023, indicating strong This marks the , reaffirming ANDA litigation as a key area of focus for pharmaceutical patent litigators following a period of decline. The Eastern District of Texas reclaimed its position as the leading venue for patent Before the 2017 U.S. Supreme Court decision in T.C. Heartland, it consistently led all district courts in patent case volume. While filings shifted between 2018 and 2022 to the Western District of Texas and the District of Delaware, the Eastern District saw a resurgence in 2024 with over 1,000 new patent lawsuitsmore than twice as many as the next closest district, the Northern District of Illinois. The Lex Machina Patent Litigation Report provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape in patent litigation, said Michael J. Flynn, Partner at Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP. It serves as an excellent background summary of annual data, offering a valuable starting point for understanding key trends that help inform our clients' litigation strategies." "Recognizing the inherent complexities of patent litigation, in-house litigation teams and law firms stand to benefit significantly from leveraging Legal Analytics to craft their legal strategies, said Di Rivera, patent legal data expert at Lex Machina and editor of the report. This edition of the Patent Litigation Report demonstrates how Legal Analytics provides legal teams with comprehensive, actionable intelligence on the current patent litigation landscape, empowering them to effectively assess case proceedings and advise their clients." The Lex Machina Legal Analytics platform equips litigation professionals to win more cases and attract more business. From precise timing metrics that inform legal budgeting to trend data on top law firms and leading judges, Lex Machina uniquely supplements traditional legal research and experience with customized, data-backed insights. These insights help lawyers identify prospective clients, navigate motion and trial strategies, and negotiate smarter settlements, ultimately giving firms a competitive edge in litigation. To request a copy of the report, visit https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/products/lex-machina/reports.page. About LexisNexis Legal & Professional LexisNexis Legal & Professional provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis and Nexis services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 11,800 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. About Lex Machina Lex Machina fundamentally changes how companies and law firms compete in the business and practice of law. The company provides strategic insights on judges, lawyers, law firms, parties, and other critical information across 22 federal practice areas and a rapidly growing number of state courts. Lex Machina allows law firms and companies to anticipate the behaviors and outcomes that different legal strategies will produce, enabling them to win cases and close business. Lex Machina was named one of Forbes Best Workplaces in the Bay Area in 2024, Winner of the Media Excellence Award for Analytics/Big Data 2024, Great Places to Work (2023-2024), one of Legal Techs Most Promising Solution Providers (CIO Review Awards 2022), Greater Bay Area Top Workplaces 2022 (The San Francisco Chronicle Top Workplaces in the Bay Area 2022), Legal Tech Company of the Year 2021" (CIO Review, 2021), 2021 Legal Technology Trailblazer (National Law Journal Trailblazer Awards, 2021), and Winner of the Media Excellence Award for Analytics/Big Data (13th Annual Media Excellence Award, 2021). Based in Silicon Valley, Lex Machina is part of LexisNexis, a leading global provider of legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics. For more information, please visit www.lexmachina.com. Media Contact Venture PR lexmachina@venturepr.co HOUSTON, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kindred House Media announces the streaming premiere of its WWII documentary, Sakura & Pearls: Healing from World War II on Amazon Prime. As a standout among both WWII documentaries and PBS documentaries where it first debuted, Sakura & Pearls conveys a deeply moving encounter between World War II enemies. This documentary exclusively captures the face to face meeting between two Pearl Harbor Attack survivors and two Hiroshima Atomic Bomb survivors. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link. Produced by Kindred House Media and directed by PBS director G. K. Hunter , Sakura & Pearls shows a historic meeting between WWII survivors at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center on Oahu, Hawaii. The elders spoke before an audience of local Hawaii high school and college students, as well as some Japanese visitors, with a view of the USS Arizona Memorial in the background. The film features powerful stories from Pearl Harbor Survivors Everett Hyland of the USS Pennsylvania and child survivor Jimmy Lee, who both served as beloved volunteer educators at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Hiroshima survivors Koko Kondo (nee Tanimoto) and Masahiro Sasaki (brother of Sadako Sasaki) flew in from Japan to share their stories of surviving the first atomic bomb as children. The film is dedicated to both Hyland and Lee who made their final public appearances in Sakura & Pearls before passing away shortly after filming. Stunning footage of both the Pearl Harbor Attack and The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb are intertwined with each presenter's dialogue to bring the audience into each historical event. Sakura & Pearls is not just a filmits a bridge between generations and nations. By witnessing these survivors come together, we see what it truly means to heal, forgive, and move forward as one human family, says director G. K. Hunter. Its my hope that the hard-earned wisdom of these four brave presenters will be viewed in the classrooms and living rooms of our youth and future generations. Following its successful PBS premiere, Sakura & Pearls is now streaming for global audiences on Amazon Prime . What happened when former WWII enemies met face to face? Stream Sakura & Pearls on Prime to find out. About Kindred House Media Kindred House Media is a leading independent media and production company dedicated to creating impactful content that inspires dialogue and social change. Kindred House Media creates documentaries, educational media, YouTube series, SEO website content, and SEO press releases to broadcast important messages globally. With a focus on historical, cultural, and human interest stories, Kindred House Media partners with award-winning filmmakers like G. K. Hunter to produce acclaimed content for PBS and Prime. All their creative works serve the mission to produce art that bridges generation gaps and cultural divides. #WWIIDocumentaries #PBSDocumentaries #PrimeDocumentaries #veterans #pearlharbor #hiroshima #wwII #war Phoenix, Arizona, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donut sleep on this! Ikes Love & Sandwiches is bringing its TikTok trending donuts to Downtown Phoenix with a one-night-only Donut Pop-Up in celebration of National Donut Day. On Friday, June 6 from 7 PM to 10 PM, Ike himself will be slinging sweets and spreading love at the Ikes location at 910 N 4th St., Phoenix, AZ. This late-night treat fest features the Viral Butterscotch Chocolate Cake Donuta decadent dessert thats already blowing up on social. The first 50 guests in line who follow both Ike (@ikeshehadeh) and Ikes (@ikessandwiches) on social media will score a free donut on the spot. After that, the only way to get your hands on one is to buy any sandwich. There are only a limited number of these uniquely delicious, love-filled donuts availableso get them while they last. Phoenix knows how to show up for flavor, and I wanted to show up for them, says Ike Shehadeh, founder and Chief Donut Enthusiast. This donut is the truthrich, messy, and a little dirty. Just like me. The pop-up is part of Ikes growing donut obsession, with his signature sweets popping up at select locations across the country. This is the first time the Viral Butterscotch Chocolate Cake Donut will be available in Arizonaand its only for one night. Whether youre in it for the sandwich, the sugar rush, or a selfie with Ike, this is the ultimate Friday night vibe. Dont be late. Dont miss out. Ikes Love & Sandwiches is opening a brand-new location in Legacy Village at 2160 E Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85042, and the flavor fiesta kicks off with a Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, June 5. For more updates, cravings, and chaos, follow @ikessandwiches on social. # # # # # About Ikes Love & Sandwiches In 2007, a rebel with a dream opened a small sandwich shop in San Franciscos Castro District. Lines around the block, craveable secret ingredients and inventive flavor combinations sparked a phenomenon spreading love and sandwiches across the country. Whether youre a meat lover, vegetarian, vegan, halal, or gluten-free, your first Ikes sandwich sets you on an epic quest to try all the endless combinations and over 999 signature sandwiches. Our Dutch Crunch bread paired with Ikes exclusive Dirty Sauce, a creamy garlic aioli toasted right into the bread, is as iconic as Ike Shehadeh himself. Ikes cartoon caricature can be seen as guests explore the menu of eclectically named sandwiches including tributes to local celebrities and athletes. Get your Ikes creation and earn rewards today at ikessandwich.com. Help Ikes share the love and sandwiches on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Attachment Toronto, ON, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last week, the Ontario government introduced Bill 33, a sweeping piece of legislation that hands more control over education to the premiers office at the direct expense of school boards, post-secondary institutions, and the communities that depend on them. Bill 33 is a power grab, and a dangerous one, said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. This government is using isolated examples of financial mismanagement to justify sweeping changes to multiple levels of our public education system, instead of addressing the real issueunderfunding. If passed, Bill 33 would: make it easier for the province to take control of democratically elected local school boards; mandate School Resource Officers (i.e., police) in schools (even though such programs have previously been ended for their discriminatory and harmful impacts and do not offer the solutions needed to address increasing violence in schools); regulate which fees post-secondary students can pay (opening the door to defunding crucial student supports); and threaten access to education with new admissions policies at the provinces colleges and universities, among other measures. These moves represent an unwarranted expansion of provincial authority. Instead of fixing the funding crisis it created, the Ford government is seizing control and calling it reform, said Hornick. Our colleges, our schools, and our students deserve better. Public educational institutions are meant to be built on equitable access and student success, but Bill 33 will undercut these principles while failing to address the systemic issues that face Ontarios education system. The mandated placement of SROs outlined in this bill does nothing to support the students and staff that are dealing with unprecedented levels of violence in Ontario schools, said Kelly Martin, President of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 330, representing workers at Simcoe County District School Board. We need solutions that give children access to the wrap around supports that they need to thrive like more education workers, smaller class sizes, increased mental health supports and special education supports that meet the needs of students. It is unconscionable that this government is considering mandating police in schools when the Ontario Human Rights Commission and mountains of evidence have already found that a police presence not only introduces unnecessary surveillance but also significantly impacts the mental health and education of Indigenous, black and racialized kids, said Hornick. The legislation reaches into post-secondary education as well. Requiring colleges and universities to adopt rigid and restrictive admissions policies - defined by the province - ignores decades of work done to widen access for underrepresented groups. Stripping away access-focused admissions pathways threatens the socio-economic mobility of entire communities. They want to surveil and criminalize our kids from a young age and then make it even harder to access post-secondary education later on in their academic careers. Ontarios future depends on an inclusive education system, not one that intentionally keeps people out, said Hornick. The provinces colleges system is already in crisis, receiving the lowest level of provincial funding per student in the country. Bill 33 threatens to further destabilize campuses by adding more ministerial oversight over ancillary fees that fund student-led services like mental health supports, food banks, and student career services. This legislation would not only strip students of their ability to democratically decide which of these services matter to them, said Hornick. It is clearly intended to defund these services in our colleges. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (Endeavour or the Company) (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) is pleased to announce that shareholders voted in favour of all items of business at the Companys 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 3, 2025 in Vancouver. A total of 137,600,042 votes were cast or represented by proxy at the AGM, representing 50.23% of the outstanding common shares as of the record date. The following is a tabulation of the votes submitted by proxy: DIRECTORS NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF VOTES CAST FOR WITHHELD/ ABSTAIN FOR WITHHELD Rex J. McLennan 78,925,775 16,641,936 82.59% 17.41% Margaret M. Beck 94,445,855 1,121,856 98.83% 1.17% Daniel Dickson 94,821,211 746,500 99.22% 0.78% Amy Jacobsen 94,670,510 897,202 99.06% 0.94% Angela Johnson 93,733,044 1,834,668 98.08% 1.92% Kenneth Pickering 80,323,860 15,243,851 84.05% 15.95% Mario D. Szotlender 93,983,060 1,584,651 98.34% 1.66% All director nominees were reelected. Shareholders voted 98.50% in favour of setting the number of directors at seven. In addition, shareholders also voted 86.58% in favour of reappointing KPMG LLP as auditor of the Company and authorized the Board to fix the auditor's remuneration for the ensuing year. Retirement of Ricardo Campoy The Company would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Ricardo Campoy for his 14 years of commitment to the Board. On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Ricardo for his steadfast leadership and many contributions over the years, said Rex McLennan, Chairman of the Board. His experience and guidance have been instrumental to the Companys progress, and we wish him the best as he moves into this next chapter of retirement. About Endeavour Silver Endeavour is a mid-tier precious metals company with a strong commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices. With operations in Mexico and Peru, and the development of the new cornerstone mine in Jalisco state, the company aims to contribute positively to the mining industry and the communities in which it operates. In addition, Endeavour has a portfolio of exploration projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Miller Johnson is pleased to announce it is merging with Irwin IP LLP, a highly-successful Chicago-based firm specializing in mission-critical intellectual property and technology litigation. Irwin IP serves a diverse client base, including Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups, enforcing and protecting intellectual property portfolios, and ensuring clients product lines remain secure. Irwin IP routinely litigates against the largest, most prestigious law firms representing the largest companies in the world on matters valued in the tens and hundreds of millions. This strategic combination further establishes Miller Johnsons national IP Litigation practice, as the addition of 25 team members allows the firm to collectively better serve clients as they grow. Miller Johnson now has one of the largest IP Litigation practices of any Michigan-based firm. The expansion creates a firm with 178 attorneys and 270 total team members, continuing Miller Johnsons trend as one of the Midwests fastest-growing midsize law firms. We are honored to have Irwin IP join our firm. They are dynamic, thoughtful people who share our commitment to excellence in serving clients and communities, said David Buday, Managing Member of Miller Johnson. This strengthens our ability to protect clients innovations and defend their businesses in intellectual property disputes. In todays economy, safeguarding ideas, technology, and brands is essential and having a team of this magnitude dedicated solely to IP Litigation allows us to offer even more robust solutions. Our expertise and values align perfectly and, we look forward to a successful combination. Joining forces is a tremendous opportunity, said Jason Keener, Managing Partner of Irwin IP LLP, and now Managing Member, Chicago office, of Miller Johnson. Our combined strengths provide unparalleled service to those that trust us with their legal needs. We are eager to collaborate as a full-service talented team. Together, we will continue to uphold the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and teamwork in our representation of clients. Barry Irwin has been recognized as one of the nations top intellectual property litigators, said Keener. He built Irwin IP from the ground up into one of Chicagos premier IP litigation boutiques. Joining forces with Miller Johnson marks a natural evolution of what Barry builtcombining our deep IP expertise with Miller Johnson's broad platform to deliver even greater value to clients. Its an exciting new chapter for both firms." This is an opportune time to expand our service lines for the benefit of all of our clients, said Barry Irwin, Founding Partner of Irwin IP LLP, and now a Member of Miller Johnson. By bringing our IP Litigation practice into the fold of Miller Johnsons 66-year legacy, I know the relationships weve built with clients take a big leap forward in terms of the solutions we can now offer. By integrating a team with expertise in IP Litigation, Miller Johnson deepens its proficiency and broadens the services available to clients across various industries. The move comes as Miller Johnson has expanded significantly over the last 3 years across Michigan and into Illinois and Ohio. Irwin IPs full firm is joining Miller Johnson via the move. Irwin IPs quality and experience complements our general practice model, making us even better positioned to support businesses at every stage of growth, said Buday. Adding to our existing Patent, Trademark, and IP Litigation work underscores the fact that we are developing significant depth in an emerging practice of the firm. Beyond skills and capabilities, Miller Johnson and Irwin IP share cultural similarities, including a deep commitment to pro bono and community service. Irwin IP has established partnerships and provided financial support and legal assistance to many organizations whose mission matches theirs, including, but not limited to, Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, the Lawyers Assistance Program of Illinois, Greater Chicago Legal Clinic, Sunshine Enterprises, Lawyers for Good Government, the American Civil Liberties Union, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, and many other organizations. This aligns closely to Miller Johnsons award-winning MJ Action initiatives which encourage attorneys and team members to dedicate significant hours to providing free legal services to community partners. In 2023, Miller Johnson was recognized by the American Bar Association Business Law Section with its National Public Service Award for the firms collective pro bono efforts. About Miller Johnson Since 1959, Miller Johnson has been Michigan-based and has served clients worldwide as a full-service law firm providing counsel to businesses and individuals in corporate matters including mergers & acquisitions, employment and labor law, litigation, medical recovery, intellectual property, real estate, employee benefits, immigration, education law, and private client representation. We believe in proactively providing meaningful solutions and peace of mind at a great value for our clients. We do this as trusted thought leaders collaborating with our clients, each other, and our communities. For more information, please contact: Lance Hartman Director of Communications and Brand Miller Johnson 616.831.1861 hartmanl@millerjohnson.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e32fc4b-1517-48cb-82b6-02b854006565 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f6eef63a-6b78-4686-9a66-37cc93a74dcf CALGARY, Alberta, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acceleware Ltd. (Acceleware or the Company) (TSX-V: AXE), a leading innovator of transformative technologies using radio frequency (RF) technology targeting industrial process heat in the critical minerals and enhanced oil production industries, announces the strategic appointment of two seasoned energy executives to the Board of Directors (the Board), and that two original members of the Board are stepping down. The new Board appointees, with their significant industry experience and knowledge, will be instrumental in assisting management in implementing a new strategic plan. Board Announcement: The Company announces the appointment of Peter (Pete) Sametz P. Eng. ICD.D as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and the appointment to the Board of Merle Johnson P. Eng. MBA, ICD.D, both effective June 3, 2025. Mr. Bohdan (Don) Romaniuk, Chairman of the Board, and Dr. Peter Neweduk, Director, have stepped down from the Board after over 19 years of service. Mr. Sametz and Mr. Johnson, whose appointments will fill the vacancies left by Mr. Romaniuk and Dr. Neweduk, will both also serve on the audit committee, with Mr. Johnson appointed as Chair of the Audit Committee. Said Mr. Romaniuk, I am thrilled that Mr. Sametz has agreed to serve as Executive Chair of Accelewares board. Accelewares technology offers outstanding potential. I wish him, and the Company all the best. Added Geoff Clark, Acceleware CEO, On behalf of Acceleware, our shareholders, and our employees, I would like to extend our thanks to Don and Peter for their dedication and service over many years. Their efforts have been greatly appreciated weve certainly had many successes along the way - and theyve also helped see us through many challenges. We wish them all the best. Both Mr. Romaniuk and Dr. Neweduk will remain available to provide support and knowledge transfer for as long as is required to ensure an efficient Board transition. I am extremely pleased to welcome Pete and Merle to the Acceleware board, said Mr. Clark. Acceleware is implementing a new and transformative strategic plan intended to advance the business and create significant value for shareholders. Having Pete join us as Executive Chair and Merle as Director and Audit Committee Chair to drive development and execution of this strategy is invaluable. Mr. Sametz past several years have focused on change management and corporate restructuring. He has extensive experience in the energy sector at both the senior executive and board levels, managing growth from startup to intermediate status. He is recognized as a leader in innovation and an advocate for environmental responsibility in the energy industry. He has been a director of four public companies, as well as a volunteer in the community and with industry organizations. Mr. Johnson was the CEO of Connacher Oil and Gas from late 2015 up until his 2024 retirement and was the longest serving executive in the companys history. Prior to Connacher, Mr. Johnson worked for EnCana (now Cenovus) on its Christina Lake and Senlac Projects and for IMC Global (now The Mosaic Company) at Belle Plaine. Belle Plaines potash solution mining technique was the inspiration for SAGD technology. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta. The appointments of Mr. Sametz and Mr. Johnson remain conditional on TSX Venture Exchange review pursuant to Policy 3.1. About Acceleware: Acceleware is an advanced electromagnetic (EM) heating company with highly scalable EM solutions for large industrial applications. The Companys solutions provide an opportunity to electrify and decarbonize industrial process heat applications while reducing costs. Accelewares RF XL is a patented low-cost, low-carbon EM thermal production technology for heavy oil that is materially different from any enhanced recovery technique used today. The Company is also working with a consortium of world-class potash partners on a pilot project using its patented and field proven Clean Tech Inverter (CTI) to decarbonize drying of potash ore and other critical minerals. Acceleware is actively developing partnerships for EM heating for other industrial process heat applications. Acceleware is a public company listed on Canadas TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol AXE. Cautionary Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and/or forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this release, such words as will, anticipates, believes, intends, expects and similar expressions, as they relate to Acceleware, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Acceleware with respect to future events, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause Accelewares actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected future results, performance or achievement that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Certain information and statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, which reflects Accelewares current expectations regarding future events, including, but not limited to the appointment of Mr. Sametz and Mr. Johnson to the Board, the development and execution of a new strategic plan, the Companys ability to successfully execute that plan, and the impact of that plan on Accelewares business and shareholder value. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important 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, including but not limited to: the high degree of uncertainties inherent to feasibility and economic studies which are based to a significant extent on various assumptions; variations in commodity prices and exchange rate fluctuations; variations in cost of supplies and labour; lack of availability of qualified personnel; receipt of necessary approvals; availability of financing for technology and project development; uncertainties and risks with respect to developing and adopting new technologies; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; change in demand for technologies to be offered by the Company; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. For a more fulsome list of risk factors please see the Companys December 31, 2024, year-end Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Management of the Company has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking statements provided in this release to provide shareholders with a more complete perspective on the Companys current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company 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. Forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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. For more information: Geoff Clark Tel: +1 (403) 249-9099 geoff.clark@acceleware.com Acceleware Ltd. 435 10th Avenue SE Calgary, AB, T2G 0W3 Canada www.acceleware.com TORONTO, 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 Note This 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 to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. SOURCE: NextSource Materials Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SCZ) (OTCQB: SCZMF) (FSE: 1SZ) ("Santacruz" or the "Company") announces that it has applied to, and received from the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "Principal Regulator"), a temporary management cease trade order (the "MCTO") under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"), on the basis that it was unable to file its interim financial statements, accompanying management's discussion and analysis and required certifications for the interim period ended March 31, 2025 (the "Q1 Required Filings") on or before the prescribed filing deadline of May 30, 2025 (the "Filing Deadline"), as required by National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings, respectively. The MCTO prohibits trading in securities of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company until such time as the Q1 Required Filings and all continuous disclosure requirements have been filed by the Company, and the MCTO has been lifted. During the period in which the MCTO is effective, the general public, who are not insiders of the Company, will continue to be able to trade in the Company's listed securities. As disclosed by the Company in a press release dated May 1, 2025, the Company failed to file its audited financial statements, accompanying management's discussion and analysis and required certifications for the year ended December 31, 2024 (collectively, the "Required Annual Filings") by the filing deadline of April 30, 2025 and was granted an MCTO by the Principal Regulator. The MCTO in connection with the failure to file the Required Annual Filings was revoked by the Principal Regulator on May 29, 2025 upon the Company filing its Required Annual Filings. The Company advises that the failure to file its Q1 Required Filings by the Filing Deadline is due to the Company and its auditor having been primarily focused on completing the preparation and filing of the Required Annual Filings. As a result, the Company and its auditor have not had sufficient time to complete the preparation of the Q1 Required Filings by the Filing Deadline. The Company anticipates that it will be in a position to remedy the default by filing the Q1 Required Filings on or before June 12, 2025. The MCTO will be in effect until the Q1 Required Filings are completed. The Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in section 10 of NP 12-203 so long as the Q1 Required Filings are outstanding. About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Santacruz Silver is engaged in the operation, acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Latin America. The Bolivian operations are comprised of the Bolivar, Porco and the Caballo Blanco Group, which consists of the Tres Amigos and Colquechaquita mines. The Soracaya exploration project and San Lucas ore sourcing and trading business are also in Bolivia. The Zimapan mine is in Mexico. 'signed' Arturo Prestamo Elizondo, Executive Chairman and CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, the Company's ability to file subsequent status reports and the Q1 Required Filings and the timing thereof. These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the Company being unable to file the status reports and the Q1 Required Filings in the proposed timeframe; recent market volatility; and the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will be able to file the status reports and the Q1 Required Filings in the proposed time frame. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Readers are encouraged to read the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca. SOURCE Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. For further information please contact: Arturo Prestamo, Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., Email: info@santacruzsilver.com, Telephone: +52 81 83 785707; Andres Bedregal, Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., Email: info@santacruzsilver.com, Telephone: +591 22444849 THUNDER BAY, June 2, 2025 - Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AIR)(FRA:CKU)(OTCQB:CLRMF) announces that it has filed its audited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended January 31, 2025, available for viewing on www.sedarplus.ca. Financial Highlights Total assets as at January 31, 2025 of $37,908,937 Total cash as at January 31, 2025 of $3,441,879 Working capital as at January 31, 2025 of $184,611 Shareholder's equity as at January 31, 2025 of $33,891,683 Financial Summary For the year ended January 31, 2025 January 31, 2024 Operating Expenses $ 3,515,838 $ 3,930,784 Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss (3,124,992 ) (3,529,771 ) Loss per share - Basic and Diluted $ (0.01 ) $ (0.02 ) Total Assets $ 37,908,937 $ 39,205,074 Total Liabilities 4,017,254 3,478,961 Total Shareholders' Equity $ 33,891,683 $ 35,726,113 Full details of the financial reports and operating results for the year ended January 31, 2025 are described in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements with accompanying notes and related Management's Discussion and Analysis, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company also announces that it has scheduled its 2025 Annual General Meeting for July 29, 2025 at 1:30 pm ET, which will be held virtually. The Company will be issuing the information circular with further details on July 2, 2025. Outlook for 2025 The Company is eager to build on the success of its 2024/2025 winter drilling programs. In addition to identifying targets for the upcoming exploration program at the Thunder Bay North Project, the team is currently incorporating the positive results from last year's exploration and drilling into a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) expected to be released this fall. CEO Mike Garbutt comments, "Despite sustained industry headwinds, our cash position allows us to move ahead and prudently advance the project. The outlook for PGEs in the near to medium term is the most bullish it has been in the last 3 years, and we look forward to taking advantage of this momentum." About Clean Air Metals Clean Air Metals is a development and exploration company advancing its flagship, 100% owned Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals ("TBN") project, 40 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The TBN project, accessible by road and next to established infrastructure, hosts two (2) deposits - the Current and Escape deposits, only 2.5 km apart. Together, the deposits host a 13.8 Mt indicated mineral resource containing 2.4M Pt eq. oz (Technical Report on the Thunder Bay North Project, Ontario Canada, NI43-101, SLR Consulting Canada Ltd, June 19, 2023) with significant potential for expansion down-plunge. One of the rare primary platinum resources outside of South Africa, the TBN project is in a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction and benefits from longstanding relationships with local First Nations. With its proven technical team, Clean Air Metals is committed to growing the resources at the TBN project and creating long-term value for shareholders. Social Engagement Clean Air Metals Inc. acknowledges that the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project is located within the area encompassed by the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 and includes the territories of the Fort William First Nation,?Red Rock Indian Band, Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. Clean Air Metals also acknowledges the contributions of the Metis Nation of Ontario, Region 2 and the Red Sky Metis Independent Nation to the rich history of our area.? The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, travelled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Mike Garbutt" Mike Garbutt, CEO of Clean Air Metals Inc. Connect with us on X/ Facebook/ Instagram. Visit www.cleanairmetals.ca for more information or contact: Mia Boiridy Director of Communications and Investor Relations 250-575-3305 mboiridy@cleanairmetals.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or, future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. SOURCE: Clean Air Metals, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire VANCOUVER, June 3, 2025 - Temas Resources Corp. ("Temas" or the "Company") (CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF)(FSE:26P0) is pleased to provide an outline on its anticipated activities to advance its La Blache Titanium project with an inferred resource of 208.5Mt @ 16.7% TiO 2 Eq and with a current Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") showing a 6.6Bn NPV 8 post tax and a 60.8% Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") over a 14 year mine life and the exploration stage Lac Brule Titanium project both located in Quebec's North Shore region. La Blache proposed operations plan: Temas' primary focus is on moving the La Blache Titanium project forward through completion of a feasibility study over the next 30-36 months. As part of the setup for the feasibility study, the Company is anticipating an active fall and winter field season to acquire additional data, optimize project sizing and further advance our metallurgical technology being deployed on the project. Key components of this field program include: Receipt of a comprehensive exploration permit which is currently in the consultation phase. Comprehensive resampling of up to 24,658m of existing NQ core securely stored at a warehouse facility in La Baie, Quebec. This core was obtained from 2010 through Temas' 2022 drill program and is the basis for the PEA study. Up to 10,000m of HQ sized infill diamond drilling will also be used to acquire extensive sample material for continued refinement of the Company's proprietary metallurgical process which it jointly owns with the founders of the process. Particular focus will be on defining the distribution of the ilmenite and vanadium titano magnetite ("VTM") within the deposit, the Fe, Ti and V elemental deportment within each of these ore mineral phases, optimizing a flow sheet to separate out these two oxide mineral phases from the silicate gangue minerals to further lower the operating costs by upgrading the concentrate feedstocks, gathering complete multielement whole rock data on all drilling top to bottom to characterize both the ore phases as well as the pit wall rock and waste materials to assure minimal environmental impact and enhance sustainability. Because the ilmenite and VTM are quite dense (specific gravity ~ 5) in contrast to the silicate gangue (specific gravity ~ 3), the average density of the blocks in the model are intimately tied to the interpolated mineralogy in those blocks. Our work will more precisely define the density distribution within the block model to produce a feasibility level predictive model for mine design and economic evaluation. The highly magnetic nature of the VTM mineralization makes traditional downhole surveys and azimuths difficult. For the new HQ drilling we will implement systematic downhole surveys utilizing top-of-the-line gyroscopic tooling to better characterize hole locations at depth and allow for more precise definition of the volumes of mineralized rock as we define the edges of the deposit more completely. Several Optimization studies to include scaling of throughput, mining and infrastructure, and refinement of the metallurgical philosophy to right-size the proposed development and refine the extraction methodology for the proposed feasibility study. This work will include a detailed LiDAR study to obtain a precise pre-disturbance digital elevation model and better define mineralized volumes, mapping of the major and minor structural elements in concert with the gathering of oriented core and downhole mapping to better define structural elements that could affect pit wall design, mine scheduling and long-term pit wall stability. We will initiate baseline environmental studies and complete all required archaeological studies to assure minimal impacts during operations. Lac Brule proposed operations plan: In addition to advancing the La Blache project the Company will be taking steps advance the Lac Brule project though PEA to provide the Company a degree in optionality with its development pipeline. Key components of the Lac Brule Field program include Receipt of a comprehensive exploration permit which is currently in the consultation phase. Fly a detailed LiDAR survey to establish pre-disturbance topographical controls, define structural components and help constrain more precise volumes within the outcropping and sub cropping hem ilmenite mineralization like that seen at QIT's Lac Tio mine. Obtain a bulk sample from surface showings to conduct metallurgical testing through existing facilities operated by potential partners to allow us to evaluate the value in use for this high grade (>34% TiO2) material. Complete up to 5,000m of HQ infill drilling designed to confirm historic drill results and obtain samples for metallurgical testing at the bench and pilot scale to design an initial flowsheet design. We will apply the same assay and mineralogical assessment procedures as at La Blache, though the mineralization here is very simple and could represent a direct ship material. Complete an initial resource calculation and PEA Mr. Kyler Hardy, Temas Executive Chairman and Director comments: "After the last year consolidating the La Blache exploration camp, working though a plan to advance the projects and building relationships with strong knowledgeable financial, technical and operational partners I am pleased to see this operations plan put in place and be ready for execution. The team has worked diligently to find the best path forward for the Company. As the team continues to implement and execute, I'm confident significant value will be realized from both the La Blache and Lac Brule projects. I look forward to further updates and seeing crews in the field." About Temas Resources Temas Resources Corp. (CSE: TMAS) (OTCQB: TMASF) is advancing the 208.5Mt inferred @ 16.7% TiO 2 Eq La Blache Titanium project in Quebec. La Blache has a current Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA") showing C$6.6 billion NPV 8 post tax, 60.8% IRR over a 14-year mine life. The critical metals the Company is exploring for are central to our national mineral independence, and titanium is a key aerospace and defense industry metal. Additionally, the Company owns a suite of advanced green mineral processing technologies which it is not only applying to its projects but looking to license internationally. The novel suite of technologies reduces the environmental impact and carbon footprint of metal extraction through advanced processing and patented leaching technologies. All public filings for the Company can be found on the SEDAR+ website www.sedarplus.ca . For more information about the Company, please visit www.temasresources.com. For further information or investor relations inquiries: Tim Fernback President and CEO timf@temasresources.com Tel: (604) 340-3774 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 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. This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" 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 cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with mineral exploration generally and results from anticipated and proposed exploration programs, conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, 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 from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Fidelity Bank champions climate adaptation Business Desk Report Business News Jun - 03 - 2025 , 14:22 Fidelity Bank Ghana has positioned itself to champion climate adaptation by embedding environmental risk considerations into its core banking operations and financing strategies. Adaptation is not only essential for resilience it is also bankable when paired with the right partnerships, products, and policies. Fidelity Bank is proud to be leading on this front in Ghana, and we look forward to working with various stakeholders present and the Global Centre on adaptation and others to scale our collective impact, the Deputy Managing Director, Operations and Support Functions at Fidelity Bank, Atta Yeboah Gyan, said. This commitment signals a significant shift in how financial institutions across Ghana are approaching climate risk management, moving beyond traditional risk mitigation to actively financing adaptation solutions. It is further solidified by a robust Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), meticulously aligned with IFC Performance Standards and the Bank of Ghanas Sustainable Banking Principles. Mr Gyan was speaking in a panel discussion at the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme Partnership Forum in Accra on the theme: "Unlocking growth through climate resilience and private sector leadership." He said At Fidelity Bank Ghana, we consider climate adaptation a strategic imperative not only as a risk management issue, but also a value creation opportunity. "We have identified climate risk as a critical ESG material topic through our double materiality assessment, integrated into our environmental and social governance processes." To effectively manage both physical and transition climate risks, he said the bank recently conducted its first portfolio-level climate scenario analysis across the Retail and Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) segments. He said the comprehensive assessment, which also included an internal analysis of potential climate-related disruptions to the bank's branches and ATMs, had directly informed the creation of detailed climate risk heatmaps, significantly enhancing the banks understanding of exposure and reinforcing long-term resilience. He added that the bank's three-year Climate Implementation Plan, aligned with Ghanas Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), further solidifies the vision to ensure that the banks financing supports national climate adaptation priorities. Fidelity Bank is intentionally embedding climate risk screening into its credit assessments, with a particular focus on vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and SMEs, he stated. Ghanas CCC+ rating ... Red flag for capital market borrowing Elizabeth Nyaadu Adu Business News Jun - 03 - 2025 , 17:00 The Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Professor Peter Quartey, has cautioned the government in its plans to resume borrowing from the bonds market, despite the potential benefits. He warned that the current CCC+ rating posed significant risks, including high borrowing costs and renewed debt accumulation. He emphasised the need for prudence, stating that Ghana's current credit rating makes it a high-risk borrower. He noted that if the government is not careful, it could accumulate debt again, leading to further economic challenges. Prof. Quartey was speaking at the maiden edition of the Daily Graphic/Ecobank Ghana Economic Forum in Accra on the theme: A broad review of the economy of Ghana: Then, now, and the way forward. The forum was organised by the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), in collaboration with Ecobank Ghana brought together industry experts, policymakers and academia to discuss and analyse effective controls that promote sustainable economic growth, innovative strategies to ensure sustainable fiscal management and examine ways to broaden the tax base. He further said the use of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as vehicles for capital market access could also expose the state to additional financial risks. He warned that when SOEs defaulted on their obligations, the governments sovereign guarantee automatically converted these debts into national liabilities. It is good to go, but let us be careful as we open up to the capital market, he stated. Financial sector reform In a speech read on his behalf, the First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Zakaria Mumuni, said the banking sector was stronger and well-capitalised following the comprehensive regulatory and supervisory reforms in the past few years. He disclosed that as of April 2025, the Capital Adequacy Ratio was at 15.8 per cent, significantly above the prudential minimum requirement of 10 per cent. That achievement, he said, was notable as it was accomplished without any regulatory forbearance. He said while liquidity positions across banks had improved substantially, profitability levels had also shown encouraging trends. However, he said asset quality remained a concern for the sector. The non-performing loans ratio remains elevated at 23.6 per cent, but when adjusted for fully provisioned losses, the ratio declines to 9.0 per cent, indicating that banks are actively managing legacy exposures, Dr Mumuni said. Assurance He gave an assurance that the central bank would continue to maintain vigilant supervision, particularly over undercapitalised institutions, to ensure that every deposit-taking institution upheld sound risk management practices in financial intermediation and contributed to the real economy. Also, the bank has instituted the requisite regulatory framework to push further the boundaries of financial innovation, supported by the unwavering commitment to digital finance and financial inclusion. Initiatives such as regulatory sandboxes, mobile money integration, and cross-border payment infrastructure are supporting the process to unlock access to finance for SMEs, startups and underserved communities, he stated. Curbing corruption For his part, a Tax Partner at PwC, Abeku Gyan-Quansah, said an effective way to check corruption in the countrys tax system was through the enforcement of professional standards and accountability by certified bodies. He said while proving corruption through criminal prosecution could be difficult due to the high burden of proof, ethical lapses could still be addressed through professional disciplinary mechanisms, which had a lower threshold and quicker recourse. These institutes already have bodies responsible for discipline. So, if somebody believes that somebody has not done their work well, somebody was corrupt, and you cannot establish it using the criminal threshold, you can go and report them to the institutes, he said. He further stressed that laws passed nearly a decade ago already required that only trained and certified professionals handled tax matters just as only licensed lawyers could represent clients in court. Yet, despite the legal framework, he said the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) continued to engage individuals who could not demonstrate the required training or certification. Mr Gyan-Quansah urged the government and GRA to lead by example in ensuring that anyone presenting themselves as a tax expert was asked to prove their qualifications. Reviving Ghanas poultry industry: Call to action ... A 25% import substitution challenge Raymond Denteh Business News Jun - 03 - 2025 , 15:58 Ghanas agricultural past proudly featured a thriving poultry industryonce a vital pillar of food security, rural employment, and economic independence. Today, however, that legacy is under threat. Cheap frozen importsprimarily from the EU, USA and Brazilnow dominate the market, accounting for over 90 per cent of national poultry consumption. Local producers, faced with rising feed costs, weak infrastructure, and limited policy support, struggle to compete. The result is a hollowed-out sector, and once-flourishing rural communities now face shrinking incomes and diminished opportunities. But the situation is not irreversible. Ghana's poultry sector still holds untapped potential. What it needs is a bold, coordinated revival effortone rooted in clear targets and national commitment. A strategic and transformative starting point would be to substitute 25 per cent of the current 400,000 metric tons of annual poultry imports with local production. This 100,000 metric ton target is not just symbolicit is a practical rallying point. Achieving it would stimulate investment in breeding, hatcheries, feed production, processing, and logistics. It would create jobs, strengthen rural economies, and reduce Ghanas dependence on volatile international markets. Most importantly, it would restore dignity and competitiveness to Ghanaian poultry farmers. The question now is: Are we ready? Are stakeholderspublic and privatewilling to mobilize resources, align strategies, and pursue this ambitious but necessary transformation? This article explores what such a goal entails, what it will take to reach it, and why now is the time to act. Let us paint a vivid picture of Ghanas poultry sector rebornproductive, inclusive, and proudly Ghanaian. Scaling for sovereignty To achieve this goal, Ghana will need to produce approximately 66.7 million broilers annually equating to 1.28 million birds every single week. Each broiler is expected to deliver a dressed weight of 1.5 kg, which means the live weight must average 2.08 kg based on a 72 per cent dressing yield. This magnitude of scale is well beyond the reach of most smallholder farms. It calls for a shift toward large-scale commercial farming, backed by investment in vertically integrated supply chains, coordinated logistics and strong farmer-based organisations. Feeding ambition Feed represents the lions share of poultry production costs often up to 70 per cent. To produce 100,000 metric tons of dressed meat, Ghana will need an estimated 222,222 metric tons of total feed annually. This level of demand presents a significant opportunity and challenge for Ghanas crop sector. Expanded cultivation of maize and soya, enhanced post-harvest handling and structured input financing schemes must be prioritised. If Ghana fails to build reliable local feed supply chains, dependence on imported feed will continue to erode competitiveness. Building breeding and hatchery To sustain a weekly broiler output of 1.28 million, Ghana will need to hatch around 1.35 million day-old chicks (DOCs) per week. This translates into setting roughly 1.69 million hatching eggs every seven days. Currently, Ghanas hatchery sector is constrained by outdated infrastructure and limited quality assurance. Investments are urgently needed in hatchery modernization, breeder farm establishment and biosecurity enhancements. From farm to market Processing infrastructure remains a weak link in Ghanas poultry value chain. To accommodate 1.28 million birds per week, the country must expand its slaughter and packaging capabilities significantly. This includes: Modern abattoirs for hygienic slaughter and dressing. Chilling and cold storage systems to preserve meat quality. Efficient waste disposal and by-product management solutions. Without these investments, Ghanas producers will remain tied to informal markets dominated by live bird sales undermining both hygiene standards and market potential. What achieving a 25 per cent Import Substitution Target Truly Entails: The Outlook. To substitute 25 per cent of Ghanas current annual poultry meat importsequivalent to 100,000 metric tonswith locally produced chicken, the following production and input benchmarks must be met. This outlook provides a realistic scale of the national effort required: 1. Targeted Substitution Volume: 100,000 metric tons of locally produced poultry meat annually. 2. Annual Broiler Production Requirement: Approximately 66.7 million birds must be raised and processed each year. 3. Weekly Broiler Processing Demand: This translates to about 1.28 million broilers processed every week. 4. Day-Old Chick (DOC) Requirement: To sustain this volume, hatcheries must supply roughly 1.35 million DOCs weekly. 5. Weekly Hatching Egg Set Requirement: At an average hatchability rate of 80 per cent, approximately 1.69 million fertile eggs must be set each week. 6. Processing Infrastructure: 40 medium-to-large facilities, each processing 2,000 birds/hour in two shifts daily. 7. Total Weekly Hatching Eggs Needed: Accounting for an eight per cent egg rejection rate, hatcheries must produce over 2 million eggs weekly. 8. Breeder Stock Requirement: Approximately 527,000 broiler breeder females are needed to maintain the supply of fertile eggs. 9. Annual Feed Requirement: An estimated 222,222 metric tons of poultry feed will be required to sustain this scale of production. 10. Maize Requirement (60% of feed): Approximately 133,333 metric tons of maize must be secured annually. 11. Soya Meal Requirement (35% of feed): About 77,778 metric tons of soya meal will be needed each year. These figures illuminate the scale of investment and coordination needed across breeding, feed production, hatchery management, and processing infrastructure. Meeting this target is not merely aspirationalit is an ambitious but attainable benchmark that can redefine Ghanas poultry landscape and restore the sectors rightful place in the national economy. Conclusion: Feed Ghana with Ghanaian chicken The 25 per cent import substitution target should not be just a number it must represent a bold industrial policy shift. With over 400,000 MT of chicken imported annually, this initiative offers Ghana a chance to reclaim its food sovereignty, grow jobs and ignite agribusiness investment. It will not be easy. But it is possible. Ghana has the knowledge, the market and the people. What it needs now is coordinated, courageous selfless action. Lets feed Ghana with Ghanaian chicken nutritious, proudly local and economically empowering. Next article: More than 700 believed dead in devastating Nigeria floods Previous article: Nigeria is world's worst country to give birth in Worcester restaurant serving Ghanaian food seized by US state due to unpaid taxes www.masslive.com International News Jun - 03 - 2025 , 06:34 1 minute read A restaurant located on Worcesters Grafton Street in Massachusetts 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. Previous article: ECOWAS Ghana representative calls for inclusion of youth with disabilities in West Africas future Businessman convicted for illegal installation of in-line pumps on Ghana Water Limited pipeline Mohammed Fugu Jun - 03 - 2025 , 16:37 2 minutes read A 50-year-old businessman, Ibrahim Baako Alhassan, has been convicted by the Tamale Circuit Court for illegally installing in-line water pumpsdevices used to boost water flowon the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) service pipeline. The court, presided over by His Honour Francis Asobayire Ayamwune, on Tuesday found Mr Alhassan guilty on two counts: illegal use of an in-line pump, contrary to Section 50(c) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2413), and obstruction of public officers in the execution of their duties. He was fined GH3,600 or, in default, will serve a 12-month custodial sentence. The court also directed him to sign a bond to be of good behaviour. His wife was cautioned for allegedly obstructing GWL officials during the exercise. Background According to the prosecution, on February 22, 2025, Ghana Water Limited received a complaint from residents of Sakasaka, a suburb of Tamale, that although water was flowing through the network, most households were not receiving any supply. However, one individual was reportedly accessing and selling water to residents. Upon investigation, GWLs Loss Control Team discovered that the accused had installed an in-line pump at his residence, drawing excessive volumes of water and significantly reducing pressure within the distribution system. This deprived neighbouring households of access to water. The team immediately disconnected the illegal installation, and the convict was fineda penalty he promptly paid. The prosecution added that on 2 May 2025, during a routine inspection, the Loss Control Team found that Mr Alhassan had reconnected the in-line pump to the pipeline. He is said to have obstructed GWL officers from accessing the installation, prompting the team to request police intervention. Subsequent inspections on 5 and 6 May 2025 led to the retrieval of three pumps from the convicts premisestwo of which were found to be illegally installed on the GWL network. Following this, water supply to the premises was disconnected, and Mr Alhassan was surcharged GH7,694.80 as a penalty and for arrears. GWL Reaction Reacting to the ruling, the Northern Regional Chief Manager of Ghana Water Limited, Mr Stephen Amihere-Mensah, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying it would serve as a deterrent to others who engage in similar unlawful activities. This is not just a violation of regulationsit is a national security threat. Many individuals are tapping water illegally and selling it, thereby depriving others of this essential service. It also contravenes the PURC Act, he stated. He urged the public to desist from illegal connections and to support GWLs efforts to provide a reliable water supply to all residents. Next article: Ken Ofori-Atta set for prostate cancer surgery on June 13; OSP insists it is yet to be informed CARE Ghana honours James Owusu Boateng for 25 years of service GraphicOnline Jun - 03 - 2025 , 11:31 2 minutes read CARE Ghana has recognised long-serving staff member James Owusu Boateng for his 25 years of service, highlighting his unwavering commitment and reliability since joining the organisation in 2000. A driver based at the Kumasi sub-office, James has played a critical support role in facilitating the organisations fieldwork across various project sites in remote parts of the country. The celebration, held to acknowledge staff contributions, saw Mr Owusu Boateng commended for his calm demeanour, professionalism, and extensive knowledge of project locations and logistical operations. His colleagues described him as dependable and integral to the success of CARE Ghanas outreach and implementation efforts over the years. CARE Ghanas Country Director, Michael Alandu, paid glowing tribute to James during the event. James is someone who shows up, gets the work done, and carries himself with humility. These are the people who keep our work moving, and were grateful for their contribution over the years, he said. In appreciation of his service, James was presented with a cheque of $2,000, a citation, and items valued at $500. Responding to the honour, he expressed his gratitude to CARE Ghana and his colleagues for the opportunity to contribute to the organisations mission. CARE has been a big part of my life. Im thankful for the journey and for all the people Ive worked with, he said. The occasion also marked the retirement of Mr Benjamin Appiah, who served for 27 years from the Accra office. He was recognised for his steady commitment and invaluable contributions throughout his career. In addition to the special recognitions, CARE Ghana celebrated staff who had reached 5, 10, and 15-year service milestones. CARE International is a global humanitarian and development organisation committed to eradicating poverty and providing emergency relief. Since its establishment in Ghana in 1994, CARE has focused on empowering women and girls, promoting climate resilience, advancing sustainable agriculture, and supporting inclusive governance. Cedi to stabilise between GH10 and GH12 against dollar President assures exporters Kester Aburam Korankye Jun - 03 - 2025 , 14:32 1 minute read President John Mahama has projected that the Ghana cedi will stabilise within a band of GH10 to GH12 against the US dollar, describing it as a fair value to support both exporters and importers while maintaining macroeconomic stability. Speaking at a meeting with the Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), the President acknowledged recent currency appreciation but cautioned against an excessively strong cedi, which could harm export competitiveness. Some people say the cedi could fall to GH4, but we know the true value is not there. If it drops that low, it will kill all export businesses, he said. Following consultations with the Finance Minister and the Bank of Ghana Governor, the government believes the cedis real value lies between GH10 and GH12. The recent forex auction has already brought the exchange rate above GH10, signalling stability. President Mahama urged exporters to capitalise on the favourable rate, noting that cheaper fuel, lower port charges, and reduced raw material costs should boost production. However, he cautioned importers against flooding the market with foreign goods, urging a shift towards local production and import substitution. ECOWAS Ghana representative calls for inclusion of youth with disabilities in West Africas future Mohammed Ali Jun - 03 - 2025 , 16:55 3 minutes read The Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Ghana, Mr Mohammed Lawan Gana, has said young persons with disabilities must be included in West Africas integration and development agenda if the region is to move forward together. He made the remarks on May 29, 2025, during a donation to the Demonstration School for the Deaf at Mampong Akuapem in the Eastern Region as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. The items, valued at about US$5,000, included food supplies, stationery and other materials intended to support teaching and learning at the school. Mr Gana said the donation was meant to draw attention to children with special needs and to affirm their place in the regions future. This donation is part of activities commemorating 50 years of ECOWAS, he said. We deliberately chose to support a school for children with special needs to show that youth with disabilities are part of our community and our future. He said ECOWAS recognises the potential of all young people and called for a society that gives equal room for children with disabilities to grow and contribute. There is no separation, Mr Gana said. We cannot leave them behind. The youth are the future, and these children also have dreams and aspirations. They should be part of our journey toward a united and progressive West Africa. The Demonstration School for the Deaf was established in 1967 and currently has 531 students. It provides education from the kindergarten level to vocational training, including sewing, bead making, leatherwork and hairdressing. The school supports children with hearing impairment, deaf-blindness, autism, Down syndrome and other multiple disabilities. The Principal, Mr Setumte Ametewee, welcomed the donation and said many of the students come from deprived backgrounds and depend heavily on support from the government and individuals to stay in school. Our children are extremely hardworking and only need support to thrive, he said. With this gesture from ECOWAS, we feel seen and included. Assistant Headmaster Mr Divine Edem Kodadza said the school was grappling with limited teaching space, an overcrowded vocational block and the absence of an assembly hall. He explained that although the school is government-assisted and students do not pay fees, some families are unable to meet the basic boarding requirements. We are running a special school on limited resources, Mr Kodadza said. Sometimes students come without exercise books or food items. This donation will go a long way to complement the governments efforts and ease the burden on parents. He added that the school needs help to complete an unfinished vocational building and equip a hearing assessment centre being developed on campus. At present, prospective students are referred to Achimota for assessment, which can be difficult for many families. We need more hands to train these children well, he said. Government alone cannot do it all. Mr Gana said the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS was not only a time for celebration, but also an opportunity for the regional body to reflect and plan for the future. Despite the challenges in the region, we are looking ahead, he said. And that future must include everyoneespecially those with special needs. Next article: Italy will continue to collaborate with Ghana in security Ambassador Previous article: Ghana earns over $1.1 billion from gold exports in first month of Goldbod operations Ato Forson Ghana committed to fight corruption - Speaker of Parliament assures AU Nana Konadu Agyeman Jun - 03 - 2025 , 12:42 4 minutes read The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has made 252 recommendations between 2021 and 2024 for improvement in the public sector financial system, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has disclosed. That was because there were weaknesses in the system that public officials took advantage of to misapply public resources to the detriment of the state. The system that we have in place leaks and there are many areas that we need to strengthen, the Speaker said. AU delegation In an engagement with a five-member delegation from the African Union (AU) Advisory Board Against Corruption in his office in Parliament yesterday, Mr Bagbin apprised the delegation of the workings of PAC in relation to the Auditor-Generals Report, among other things. The committee, since assumption of office as the Speaker in 2021, has had about 261 sittings to look at the reports from the Auditor-General and has retrieved colossal sums of money from officials that have misapplied public resources. So far, we have been able to retrieve a colossal sum of GH273.3 million from public officials that misapplied public resources as of the end of 2024, he said. The board, led by its Chairperson, Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhate, is in the country for a week-long working visit to assess Ghanas progress on the fight against corruption. The mission is part of the AUs efforts to ensure member states adhere to the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. Commitment The Speaker assured the African Union (AU) of Ghanas commitment to fight against corruption. He said the Parliament of Ghana, in the exercise of its mandate, not only in terms of budgeting and protecting public purse, had made a lot of efforts in combating corruption, citing various acts enacted to accomplish that. Parliament has passed a lot of legislations such as the Whistleblowers Act, which we expect any person anywhere seeing things going amiss to throw light on it and bring it to the attention of not only government but also the public because we all adopted that we will not tolerate corruption, he said. Mr Bagbin said the Legislature had also passed the Witness Protection Act and the Right to Information Act. So, we have opened and thrown light and drawn the attention of everybody to the fact that whatever we generate during the course of our duty as public officers that information belongs to the taxpayer. And so any time a person wants the information, that person has a right and is entitled to that information to ensure that there is no darkness in the operation of government, he said. Anti-corruption acts The Speaker said to ensure enforcement of anti-corruption laws, Parliament had made a number of amendments to Criminal and Other Offences (Amendment) Act and passed the Anti-Money Laundering Act, all in 2020. We have also passed the Special Prosecutor Act which was definitely herculean because you cannot prosecute without evidence, the Speaker said. Acknowledging that corruption affected critical institutions such as Parliament, he said allowing corruption to fester only led to loss of integrity, honesty, takes away the trust of the people and how that affects governance itself. Corporate strategic plan To nip the canker in the bud, he said Parliament, in its corporate strategic plan, made a number of key commitments after Parliament conducted a corruption risk assessment. The National Anti-Corruption Action Plan that we all worked on has given Parliament a number of areas of to focus which has been incorporated into its corporate strategic plan. We have restructured the institution of Parliament and revised our Standing Orders, established the structures on ethics and internal accountability in Parliament, known as the Ethics and Standard Committee, Committee on Office and Profits to protect and enhance the trust of the people in Parliament, in MPs and the governance of the country, Speaker Bagbin said. Commendation For her part, Ms Diakhate said due commended Ghana for its commitment to and achievements in the fight against corruption. Next article: No permit, no excavator: Policy in force to strengthen galamsey fight - President Mahama at mining summit Government to expand student loans to all tertiary institutions Education Minister Mohammed Fugu Jun - 03 - 2025 , 09:45 2 minutes read The government is taking steps to expand the operations of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) to cover all tertiary institutions nationwide, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has said. The initiative seeks to ease the financial burden on students in both public and private tertiary institutions. We are committed to reducing the financial stress on Ghanaian students. We are currently evaluating the numbers, and we will ensure transparency and openness in the disbursement process, he said. Aside from that, he said the government was also exploring avenues to fund allowances for teacher and nursing trainees, with outstanding payments for 65,000 trainees expected to be addressed soon. No fee stress Mr Iddrisu was speaking at a sensitisation and registration event for the disbursement of funds to first-year tertiary students under the No Fee Stress policy at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale. The event brought together approximately 1,500 students from various tertiary institutions in Northern Ghana and parts of the Middle Belt. In his remarks, Mr Iddrisu indicated that the government had allocated about GH500 million to the SLTF, specifically to support the payment of tuition and other academic-related expenses for private tertiary students in 2025. He said the disbursement of the funds was expected to begin in June, with an initial 40,000 students set to benefit, adding that each student would receive GH2,500 to help cushion their academic expenses. He said over 98,000 students had already accessed the SLTF application portal, reflecting the high demand for financial assistance in the sector. On the Free Senior High School policy, the minister indicated that a committee had been set up to review the implementation of the policy. He added that the committee is expected to present its report to the President soon. We are committed to improving the policy through constructive review and stakeholder engagement. For her part, the Chief Executive Officer of the SLTF, Dr Saajida Shiraz, encouraged all eligible students to register and take advantage of the support being rolled out. She pointed out that the No Fee Stress initiative, a flagship policy of the government, was not a loan but a financial support system designed to ease the financial burden on students. She further explained that, unlike the traditional student loan, the No Fee Stress policy did not require repayment, stressing the Funds commitment to making education stress-free and accessible for all Ghanaian students. Writers email:[email protected] International cooperation key to combating emerging crimes Dr Ayine Justice Agbenorsi Jun - 03 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has called for stronger international cooperation to combat emerging crimes. That, he said, would help countries unite against crimes such as smuggling of commercial goods and trafficking in cultural property, among others. The A-G made the call at the 34th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), held in Vienna, Austria. It was on the theme: Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for 2030: Agenda for sustainable development and its sustainable development goals for leaving no one behind. Session The session focused on effective crime prevention strategies, enhancing global collaboration to tackle transnational crime, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime and aligning crime prevention efforts in line with the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, particularly those related to justice and institutions. Outcomes from the session would set the stage for a further discussion at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Other members of the delegation were the Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Austria and the UN, Matilda Alomatu Osei-Agyeman, alongside officials from the Office of the Attorney-General, and Ministry of Justice, and the Embassy of Ghana in Vienna. Dedication Dr Ayine reaffirmed Ghanas dedication to the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and the principle of leaving no one behind. He detailed how Ghana was mainstreaming the SDGs into national policy, prioritising energy and education, and focusing on marginalised groups, including the youth, persons with disabilities, and those in the northern regions. On the sidelines of the event that took place from May 19 to 23 this year, Dr Ayine also held a meeting with the UNODC Executive Director, Ghada Waly. The two focused on enhancing collaboration to combat corruption and enhance criminal justice systems. They also discussed strategies such as leveraging technology, improving cross-border cooperation, and building capacity through partnerships in line with UNODCs priorities to address corruption and organised crime. Other topics were the promotion of accountability and robust legal frameworks, particularly within the African context. Dr Ayine highlighted flagship initiatives by the government such as Adwumawura, a national apprenticeship programme, and the One Million Coders project, all of which were designed to equip the youth with digital skills and foster entrepreneurship. He also mentioned the creation of the Womens Development Bank to empower female entrepreneurs in the country. Commitment Ms Osei-Agyeman reaffirmed the continents commitment to the full implementation of the Kyoto Declaration and preparations for the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. She also stressed the need to address the effects and root causes of transnational organised crime, linking crime prevention to sustainable development in line with Agenda 2030 and the African Unions Agenda 2063. Next article: CSOs must comply with laws to demand accountability GACC Karpowership recommits to growth Daily Graphic Jun - 03 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read Karpowership Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting Ghanas energy needs and scaling its impact across Africa with reliable, scalable and innovative energy solutions that support industrialisation, drive economic growth and enhance energy security across the continent. The company therefore gave an assurance that said it would consciously and consistently focus on role in the countrys energy mix, currently supplying over 12 per cent of its total energy need, to help the country realise its development agenda. This was shared by the Project Manager at Karpowership Ghana, Michelle Hazel, during a high-level panel session at the just-ended West African Mining and Power Expo (WAMPEX 2025), held last Thursday in Accra. Ms. Hazel joined a panel of energy sector leaders, including Mensah Adjei, the Member of Parliament for Wassa East and former Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, and the acting Director of Power at the Ministry of Energy, Sulemana Abubakar. The discussion, moderated by a legal practitioner and analyst, Kwame Jantuah, centred around the theme: Aligning West Africas Energy Sector with Manufacturing Competitiveness. Representing Karpowership Ghana, Ms Hazel underscored the companys significant role in Ghanas energy mix. She emphasised that Karpowerships ability to deliver dependable and uninterrupted power had been a key driver of Ghanas energy stability, critical for sectors such as mining and manufacturing that require consistent energy supply to operate efficiently. Reliability is not just a promise; it is our track record, Ms Hazel stated. Our performance in Ghana has not only stabilised power supply but has earned us the confidence across the subregion. She explained that Karpowerships unique floating power plant model, which houses 24 independent engines, allows for rotational maintenance and dependable baseload plant without shutting down operationsensuring continuous power generation. Unlike the conventional land-based power plants, Karpowerships unique technology allows it to be available all year round with at least 93 per cent capacity without a complete shutdown for maintenance. Thats a game-changer for reliability in Ghanas power sector, she affirmed. Ms. Hazel also emphasised that Karpowerships commitment to operational excellence was evident across the 16 countries where the company operates, ensuring a steady and scalable electricity supply to diverse markets. Touching on macroeconomic dynamics, she welcomed the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi and improved revenue collection by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as positive developments for the sector. When ECG is able to pay invoices on time and the cedi performs strongly, it sends the right signals to investors that Ghana is a credible and stable environment for energy investment, she noted. Beyond its technical contributions, Karpowership Ghana continues to deepen its social impact through various community investment initiatives. Ms Hazel highlighted projects such as STEM mentorship and empowerment programmes for young girls, scholarships for brilliant needy engineering students, rehabilitation of school infrastructure, and the provision of learning materials as areas the company has deliberately channelled funds to get skilled manpower for Ghanas development. Our solutions are not only technical; they are also deeply human. We walk with the communities, empowering them to grow alongside us, she said. Previous article: Italy will continue to collaborate with Ghana in security Ambassador MPs should have three-term limit Fora participants Albert K. Salia Jun - 03 - 2025 , 12:36 3 minutes read A three-term limit should be established for Members of Parliament (MPs) as recommended by research from the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana). However, other participants opposed term limits, arguing that experienced MPs help maintain parliamentary productivity. On presidential term limits, majority of the participants suggested that the current four-year presidential term, with a maximum of two terms to ensure electoral accountability, should be maintained. Dissemination The Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships of CDD-Ghana, Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, announced this at a dissemination forum in Accra to share findings from its town hall meetings on citizens expectations of the new government. The meetings were held across 12 regions between February and March 2025. Participants in the meetings included Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), members of the media, traditional leaders, youth groups and assembly members, along with local district assembly officials from each region, totalling 1,331. Cost of elections Dr Asante said there was a general agreement on the need for a defined and limited campaign period, with suggestions for the duration varying between three months and six months. Regarding whether the Electoral Commission (EC) should subsidise political parties activities, he stated that participants had divergent views on the subject. He said those in favour of EC support indicated that it would ensure fairness in internal elections, while some suggested the abolition of election fees altogether to ensure fair participation. He said other participants also recommended the implementation of transparent campaign financing regulations that required public disclosure of all contributions with established reasonable spending caps. Dr Asante said some citizens were in favour of proportional representation for women, youth, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and other marginalised groups at the district level. They, however, maintained that proportional representation should not lead to mere symbolic representation, but that competency must be ensured if proportional representation for marginalised groups is implemented to guarantee meaningful representation. On the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), he said the findings advocated aligning the election of MMDCEs with the general election to reduce cost and enhance voter participation. The report further suggested non-partisan local elections and feasibility pilot projects prior to a national rollout. Dr Asante said that those in favour of the election of MMDCEs explained that it would allow preliminary tests of the system to address logistical challenges before full implementation. Guide Addressing the participants, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Nana Oye Bampoe, stated that the report should serve as a guide for government performance reviews and policy reforms. She emphasised the significance of people-centred governance and advocated feedback mechanisms as a permanent feature of Ghanas democracy. She was optimistic that the government and its partners would review the findings and utilise them to shape policies that reflected the needs and expectations of Ghanaians. The Head of the Political and Governance Team at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Hooman Nouruzi, acknowledged the initiative to amplify the voices of citizens in remote areas. He said democracy involved not only elections but also active public participation in decision-making. ORAL Dr Asante stated that many participants supported the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative aimed at recovering national assets from corruption deals and suggested its expansion to the districts and communities to tackle grassroots corruption. He, however, revealed that the participants expressed concerns regarding ORALs effectiveness and the risk of politicisation due to its lack of prosecutorial powers and overlap with existing anti-corruption bodies. He said the participants further suggested the need to strengthen existing anti-corruption institutions and monitor their effectiveness before the implementation of a new ORAL. No permit, no excavator: Policy in force to strengthen galamsey fight - President Mahama at mining summit Kester Aburam Korankye Jun - 03 - 2025 , 09:02 5 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has announced a strict No Permit, No Excavator policy as part of sweeping measures to clamp down on illegal mining and promote sustainable practices in the mining sector. Speaking at the opening of the Mining in Motion Summit 2025 in Accra yesterday, the President declared that henceforth, no excavator would be allowed into the country without prior permit and that all equipment would be tracked to monitor their use in mining activities. We are going to change the permitting regime. You will not be allowed to import an excavator or put it on a ship to Ghana unless you get a permit, the President said. President Mahama further stated that, Ghana has more excavators in this country than in the whole of Africa. He explained that the move was aimed at curbing the rampant use of heavy machinery in illegal mining operations, which had devastated forests and polluted water bodies. A real-time tracking system would be implemented to monitor excavators and ensure they are not used for unauthorised mining. Summit The conference, held on the theme "Sustainable Mining & Local Growth Leveraging Resources for Global Impact," brought together industry leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders from the country and across the world to explore strategies for responsible resource development. Among participants were former President John Agyekum Kufuor; the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah; the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Sediko Douka, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Gold Council, David Tait. The event also featured prominent figures such as the Manager of Emirates Bullion Market Committee, Sudheesh Nambiath; the Head of Mining and Metals Origination at StoneX, Tom de Boinville, and a former CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and current Executive Director of EFEDCOM, Sulemanu Koney. With over 400 delegates from 20 countries and more than 100 organisations in attendance, the conference provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange. Around 50 speakers will deliver insights into sustainable mining practices, local economic development, and the global impact of responsible resource management. Protected zones President Mahama recalled that eight out of nine forest reserves previously invaded by illegal miners had been successfully cleared, with river guards actively removing mining activities from water bodies. We will reclaim our forest reserves and restore the purity of our rivers, he said, adding that the government was working with artisanal miners to transition them into legal and environmentally sustainable mining cooperatives. Formalising small-scale mining President Mahama said to address the challenges of illegal mining, the government was rolling out initiatives such as the Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme and the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project. Those programmes,he added, would provide miners with legal access to land, training and safer alternatives to harmful chemicals such as mercury. Artisanal miners are not enemies of the state, if properly trained and supported, they can be allies in our development, the President said. Gold Board He said the newly established Gold Board (GoldBod) had already begun sanitising the gold sector, ensuring better revenue from exports. Between January and April 2025, Ghana earned $2.7 billion from gold exports through the board and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC). The board would soon introduce a track-and-trace system to certify that exported gold came from environmentally responsible sources. Additionally, it would train small-scale miners in sustainable practices and work towards securing London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) certification for Ghanaian gold, the President revealed. Green mining In collaboration with the private sector, the government would launch a 10,000-hectare land reclamation project to restore degraded mining sites. Mining cannot be sustainable unless it is responsible, the President stated. We are banning toxic chemicals, enforcing rehabilitation clauses in mining permits and promoting renewable energy in mining operations, President Mahama stated. The President called for stronger African collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), urging partnerships with mineral-rich nations such as Guinea (bauxite) the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which has rich cobalt deposits, and South Africa (platinum) to maximise value retention on the continent. With a rallying call for innovation, accountability and shared prosperity, President Mahama declared the Mining in Motion Summit 2025 officially open, setting the stage for policy discussions on the future of Africas mining sector. Failures The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who also addressed the conference, attributed the persistence of galamsey to regulatory failures, political miscalculations and corruption. "Weak enforcement and political interference have undermined all efforts to stop this menace," he said. The Asantehene warned that the continuous destruction of water bodies through illegal mining posed a serious threat to the countrys environment and future, and called for urgent and sustained action to halt the illegal activities. Best practices The Secretary-General of AfCFTA, Wamkele Mene, encouraged best practices to enhance regional gold trading and cooperation to bolster mining sector expansion. He said to address mining sector challenges, it was imperative to enhance digitalisation to reduce transaction costs and enhance traceability and financial inclusion. Mr Mene added that the Mining in Motion 2025 summit was timely, given African Unions adoption of its Digital Protocol in February this year. The protocol aims to use digitalisation mechanisms such as gold tokenisation to drive sustainability, poverty eradication and to create jobs. There are challenges to economic growth such as nationalisation of resources and trade wars. Africa must respond to these challenges. AfCFTA provides an opportunity to create a [regional] market and achieve the African Unions Agenda 2063 of economic integration, Mr Mene said. Ghana urged to digitise gold trade or lose billions AfCFTA Secretary-General Mohammed Ali Jun - 03 - 2025 , 16:34 3 minutes read Ghana and other gold-producing countries in Africa risk losing billions of dollars each year unless they adopt digital systems to track and trade gold, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr Wamkele Mene, has said. Speaking at the Global Mining Summit in Accra on Monday, June 2, 2025, Mr Mene said the continent was losing an estimated $30 billion annually due to undeclared and untracked gold exports. He described this as a haemorrhage of value that deprives governments of much-needed revenue and limits access to finance for small-scale miners. Up to 40 per cent of Africas gold remains undeclared, Mr Mene told an audience of mining executives, policymakers, and traditional leaders. That is $30 billion each year, leaving the continent without a trace. It is time to digitise gold trade, not just to improve traceability but to protect our economies. He explained that the AfCFTAs recently adopted Protocol on Digital Trade provides a legal basis for countries like Ghana to move towards digital, blockchain-based systems for trading minerals. According to him, tokenising gold, converting physical gold into digital tradeable assets, offers a more secure and efficient way to manage the trade, reducing reliance on informal networks. Africa produced over 1,000 tonnes of gold in 2023, accounting for more than 20 per cent of global output. Yet much of this gold is exported in raw form with little local processing, which Mr Mene said limits the economic benefit to producer countries. Were not just here to talk about gold. Were here to redefine how we trade it, and who benefits, he said. If we dont invest in digital systems to track and trade our minerals, others will continue to profit from our resources while we remain locked out of global value. Mr Mene pointed to Ghanas recent steps, such as the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board and its pilot use of blockchain technology to track gold flows, as encouraging developments. He urged policymakers to expand these efforts and bring small-scale producers into the formal system. Africas future depends on more than what we mine. It depends on how we trade it, who processes it, and whether our young people get jobs from it, he said. Citing global trends, Mr Mene noted that tokenised gold assets were valued at over $2 billion in 2024, a sign that investors increasingly trust digital gold trade platforms. For countries like Ghana, he said, this is a chance to move away from exporting raw materials and instead build a modern and transparent gold economy. The AfCFTA Secretary-General also linked Africas resource challenges to growing uncertainty in global trade. He warned that rising protectionism and shifting trade policies, such as the uncertain future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), make it even more urgent for African countries to shape their trade systems. Africa must assert its economic interests on its terms, he said. The AfCFTA is not just a trade pact. Its our chance to reshape how we do business, from our minerals to our markets. With 49 African Union countries having ratified the AfCFTA agreement, the trade area covers a market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion. Mr Mene said the aim was to make trade within Africa simpler, more digital, and more connected to industrial development. Digital gold is not a fantasy,its a necessity, he said. And Ghana, as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat and Africas top gold producer, can lead the way. The Global Mining Summit brought together senior government officials, traditional rulers, private sector leaders and civil society to discuss how the mining industry can evolve to meet both economic and environmental goals. Italy will continue to collaborate with Ghana in security Ambassador Alberto Mario Noretti Jun - 03 - 2025 , 12:36 3 minutes read The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Laura Ranalli, has reaffirmed her countrys commitment to continued collaboration with Ghana in the area of security, with a shared resolve to stabilise the Gulf of Guinea region. She noted that Italy would support this collaboration through bilateral, multilateral, and European partnerships with Ghana in pursuit of that objective. The Ambassador made this known while proposing a toast at a reception held at her official residence in Accra last Friday (May 30, 2025), to mark Italys National Day. The event was attended by a large number of members of the Italian community, ministers of state, traditional rulers, and members of the diplomatic corps. Ambassador Ranalli stated that Italy and Ghana share profound and multifaceted ties, and to deepen those ties, the Italian government had recently included Ghana in the Mattei Plana strategic and tangible framework designed to enhance Italys cooperation with African nations on a peer-to-peer basis. Under the plan, Italys projects in Ghana focus on agribusiness, particularly a Strengthening Agri-Food Ecosystems partnership with the private sector in the Volta Region, and an extensive health initiative aimed at strengthening hospital infrastructure and improving access to quality healthcare. The framework also includes the Digital Flagship Initiative, which aims at designing bankable, multi-year initiatives focused on digital connectivity and public infrastructure, and several initiatives on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with Ghanaian institutions, universities, and non-governmental organisations, said Ambassador Ranalli. Touching again on security, she announced that the Italian Navy ship Bettica, currently on a patrol mission in the Gulf of Guinea, is scheduled to visit the Port of Tema in mid-June this year. Providing an overview of the bilateral relations between Italy and Ghana, the Ambassador reported that trade between the two countries had reached 800 million in 2023, and 700 million in 2024. She recalled Italys early support for Ghanas independence and its integral role in the countrys modernisation journey. Notable examples include the construction of the Akosombo Dam and the establishment of the Tema Oil Refinery by Italian companies. The tradition of cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and construction continues to this day, with Italian firms also playing a key role in agriculture, she said. Ambassador Ranalli further noted that numerous Italian families had settled in Ghana over the past century, contributing significantly to the country's economic development. Likewise, she said, Italy continues to benefit immensely from a vibrant, active, and well-integrated Ghanaian community, whose cultural and entrepreneurial influence enriches Italian society. The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emilia Arthur, who represented the Government of Ghana at the reception, paid glowing tribute to the Ambassador. She said since Ambassador Ranallis arrival in Ghana in December 2024, her dedication to strengthening GhanaItaly relations had been evident. We have already witnessed significant engagements in our relations; your commitment is making a difference, and we are eager to collaborate further to deepen the warm and long-standing ties, she said. The Minister also praised Italys active participation in multilateral initiatives and its support for European Union programmes in Ghana, describing them as clear testimony of Italys strong belief in international cooperation. Among the dignitaries present at the reception was the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV. Next article: Ghana earns over $1.1 billion from gold exports in first month of Goldbod operations Ato Forson Previous article: Cedi to stabilise between GH10 and GH12 against dollar President assures exporters Japan awards Ghana $2.6 million for Human Resource Development Scholarships Graphic.com.gh Jun - 03 - 2025 , 14:24 1 minute read Ghana and Japan have deepened long-standing partnerships with the signing of an agreement for the Japanese Grant Assistance under the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), totalling Four Hundred and Two Million Japanese Yen (approximately USD 2.6 million). The agreement was formalised on Monday, June 2, 2025, in Accra through an Exchange of Notes between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and the Embassy of Japan. Ambassador Ramses Joseph Cleland, Chief Director of the Ministry, signed on behalf of Ghana, while the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Yoshimoto Hiroshi, represented the Government of Japan. Ambassador Cleland highlighted the JDSs importance in equipping Ghanas youth with advanced skills and knowledge, emphasising that the scholarship programme is a strategic investment in the countrys human capital. He described the grant as a reflection of the strong, enduring cooperation between the two nations and appreciated Japan for its continued support of Ghanas development agenda. Ambassador Hiroshi praised Ghanas ongoing commitment to the program and noted that since its launch in 2012, the JDS has been instrumental in building the capacity of future Ghanaian leaders. He reaffirmed Japans dedication to fostering long-term development through quality education and pledged continued support for Ghanas human resource advancement. The Japanese Development Scholarship enables Ghanaian professionals to pursue postgraduate studies in Japanese universities aimed at enhancing administrative and policy-making capacities across key sectors. Next article: Cedi to stabilise between GH10 and GH12 against dollar President assures exporters Japan reaffirms support for Volivo Bridge Project; President Mahama invited to TICAD Kester Aburam Korankye Jun - 03 - 2025 , 16:16 2 minutes read Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to finance the construction of the Volivo Bridge over the Volta Lake, a critical component of the Eastern Corridor road project. The assurance was given by the Senior Executive Vice-President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Miyazaki Katsura, during a courtesy call on President John Mahama at the Jubilee House on Tuesday (June 3, 2025). The proposed bridge, expected to complete the Eastern Corridor road network, is a key project under President Mahamas $10 billion Big Push infrastructure initiative. The initiative, outlined in the 2025 Budget, seeks to invest $2 billion annually over the next five years in critical sectors, including roads, bridges, education, and healthcare. JICAs commitment Ms Katsura expressed satisfaction that the Volivo Bridge project had been captured under the Big Push plan and assured President Mahama of JICAs readiness to facilitate further discussions with the Japanese government. We are happy that the Volivo Bridge project is captured under the Big Push initiative, she said, adding that a technical team would soon be dispatched to Ghana to assess the additional funding required for the project. President Mahama had earlier secured Japans commitment to fund the project during a visit to Tokyo in his previous term. TICAD invitation Ms Katsura also extended an invitation to President Mahama to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), scheduled for August this year. Accepting the invitation, President Mahama noted that his participation would provide an opportunity to engage with the Japanese government to secure the necessary funding for the bridges construction. Project significance The Volivo Bridge is expected to significantly improve transportation and trade along the Eastern Corridor, linking the southern and northern parts of Ghana more efficiently. Its completion will form a vital part of the countrys infrastructure expansion under the Big Push programme. President Mahama expressed optimism about the projects progress and thanked Japan for its continued partnership in Ghanas development agenda. Ken Ofori-Atta set for prostate cancer surgery on June 13; OSP insists it is yet to be informed Jemima Okang Addae Jun - 03 - 2025 , 11:25 4 minutes read Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is expected to undergo surgery on June 13, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic in the United States. This was contained in a medical letter from the clinics Department of Urology, published by Asaase Radioan outlet founded by his relative and former legal representative, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko. However, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in a reaction to the letter in a press release said: "To date, no certified medical records or official document from any hospital authority has been submitted to the OSP indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta is incapacitated or unable to travel to Ghana". Letter The letter, reportedly from the Department of Urology at the U.S. medical institution, indicated that the diagnosis followed a series of diagnostic tests, including MRI scans and a biopsy. Dr Paras Shah is scheduled to lead the surgical procedure. The letter also noted that Mr Ofori-Atta would need a period of post-operative recovery before he could return to Ghana. The revelation comes amid escalating legal tension between the former minister and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which recently declared him a wanted person for failing to appear for questioning. The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, confirmed at a press conference on Monday, June 2, 2025, that Mr Ofori-Attas lawyers had, in a letter dated May 28, 2025, informed the OSP of the cancer diagnosis and the scheduled surgery, stating that it would prevent their client from returning to Ghana in time to respond to the summons. By a letter dated 28 May 2025, Mr Ofori-Attas lawyer informed the Special Prosecutor that a medical expert has diagnosed Mr Ofori-Atta with cancer and has earmarked 13 June 2025 for treatment, for which reason he will be unable to return to the jurisdiction as scheduled, Mr Agyebeng told journalists. Despite this, the Special Prosecutor expressed dissatisfaction with the information provided, insisting that the office had not received any official medical records to verify the diagnosis. His lawyers stated that, to the knowledge of the OSP, this change in circumstance has been brought to the attention of the court before, Mr Agyebeng said, noting that no verifiable documentation had been submitted to support the claim. Following the disclosure, the OSP reiterated that Mr Ofori-Atta remains a wanted person and has been declared a fugitive from justice due to his failure to comply with the investigative process. We want him here physically, and we insist on it, Mr Agyebeng stated. 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. OSP rebuttal In a subsequent press release dated June 3, 2025, the OSP further clarified that it had not received any medical letter from Mr Ofori-Atta or his legal team. The only correspondence received from his legal representatives is a letter notifying the OSP of a change in his medical condition and on their say so, the release said. It added that it was notable the purported medical letter had been circulated in the media rather than submitted officially to the investigative body. To date, no certified medical records or official document from any hospital authority has been submitted to the OSP indicating that Mr Ofori-Atta is incapacitated or unable to travel to Ghana, the office stated. Mr Ofori-Atta is under investigation for alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as Finance Minister, a probe that has become one of the most high-profile cases pursued by the Special Prosecutor since the office was established to tackle corruption in public service. READ ALSO Special Prosecutor reveals Ken Ofori-Atta's health condition Ken Ofori-Atta is not fleeing from justice, he is just not well, he is sick - Frank Davies New board inaugurated for Ghana Water Ltd Jemima Okang Addae Jun - 03 - 2025 , 12:18 1 minute read The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has inaugurated a newly constituted Board of Directors for the Ghana Water Limited (GWL). The Board, chaired by Eric J. Biliguo Adama, the Presidents nominee, comprises Adam Mutawakilu, as Acting Managing Director of GWL; Dr Hadisu Alhassan, representing workers; Prof. Afishata Mohammed Abujaja; Alhaji Abu Mahama; Mr Ibrahim Abdul Jalil; Agbesi Nutsu; Prof. Jasper A. Ayelazuno; and Mr Mathias Kwame Ntow. Mr Adjei charged the new board with a clear mandate to enhance water supply nationwide, urging a shift from business as usual to a culture of professionalism, accountability, and high performance. You are expected to be architects of transformation. From bureaucratic inertia to dynamic innovation, you must lead with vision, act with integrity, and govern with transparency, the Minister stated. In response, the Board Chairman pledged the teams full commitment to delivering on its responsibilities and contributing meaningfully to the water sectors development. Next article: Government to expand student loans to all tertiary institutions Education Minister Police arrest taxi driver with suspected cannabis hidden in fertiliser sacks Graphic.com.gh Jun - 03 - 2025 , 09:56 1 minute read Police have arrested a taxi driver in the Greater Accra Region after discovering large quantities of suspected cannabis concealed in fertiliser sacks. The arrest occurred on Monday, June 2, 2025, during a special intelligence operation by the National Highway Patrol Unit of the Ghana Police Service. The suspect, identified as Ernest Mohammed Adjiri, was driving a Hyundai i10 taxi with registration number GW 9832-22 when officers stopped him. A search of the vehicle revealed three fertiliser sacks containing 120 slabs of compressed dried leaves believed to be cannabis. According to the police, Mr Adjiri admitted during interrogation that the items belonged to him. He is currently in police custody and is expected to be put before court. Special Prosecutor reveals Ken Ofori-Atta's health condition GraphicOnline Jun - 03 - 2025 , 06:55 2 minutes read The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has disclosed that former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been diagnosed with cancer, a development communicated by his legal team in response to a recent summons by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). Speaking at a press conference on Monday, June 2, Mr Agyebeng confirmed that the diagnosis was contained in a letter submitted by Mr Ofori-Attas lawyers on 28 May 2025. The letter, according to the Special Prosecutor, informed the OSP that the former Finance Minister had been diagnosed with cancer and was scheduled to begin treatment on 13 June 2025, thereby rendering him unable to return to Ghana as previously scheduled. By a letter dated 28 May 2025, Mr. Ofori-Attas lawyer informed the Special Prosecutor that a medical expert has diagnosed Mr. Ofori-Atta with cancer and has earmarked 13th June 2025 for treatment, for which reason he will be unable to return to the jurisdiction as scheduled, Agyebeng stated. However, the OSP maintains that this justification does not sufficiently excuse Mr Ofori-Attas continued absence. According to Mr Agyebeng, while the diagnosis has been noted, no medical report confirming the health status has been formally submitted to his office to support the claim. His lawyers stated that, to the knowledge of the OSP, this change in circumstance has been brought to the attention of the court before, the Special Prosecutor added, pointing out that the office is yet to be furnished with verifiable medical documentation. In light of the situation, Mr Ofori-Atta has once again been declared a wanted person and a fugitive from justice for failing to comply with a directive to appear in person for questioning. Mr Agyebeng stressed that the former ministers absence is part of what the OSP considers to be selective cooperation, which the office will not tolerate. We want him here physically, and we insist on it, the Special Prosecutor stated. 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 Ofori-Atta is currently under investigation for alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as Finance Minister. Next article: The 5 key issues Ken Ofori-Atta is being investigated for as deadline to report to OSP expires on June 2 Previous article: PHOTOS: See the top 20 cars inside the Despite Automobile Museum Special Prosecutor urges context-based anti-corruption framework, proposes constitutional reform Richard Osei Boateng Jun - 01 - 2025 , 15:50 2 minutes read The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng has made a passionate appeal for Ghana to abandon imported anti-corruption strategies in favour of homegrown solutions that speak directly to the countrys cultural and institutional realities. Addressing stakeholders at the West Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, Mr Agyebeng criticized the continued reliance on what he termed "foreign theoretical models" that often fail to resonate with the day-to-day experiences of ordinary Ghanaians. He further warned that as corrupt practices become more sophisticated, static and theoretical approaches would continue to prove ineffective. Mr Agyebeng proposed a re-conceptualisation of the anti-corruption effort one that is functionally aligned with essential sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure. He explained that grounding anti-corruption goals in tangible national development priorities could ensure resources are channelled to the people who need them most. As part of efforts to institutionalise this vision, he said the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has submitted a formal memorandum to the Constitutional Review Committee. The submission includes a proposal for the introduction of a specific chapter in Ghanas constitution that defines and addresses corruption in clearer terms. According to the Special Prosecutor, the current discourse on corruption in Ghana lacks precision. Many still view corruption merely as bad behaviour. But we must go further to identify the underlying values we seek to protect, he said. He argued that a dedicated constitutional commitment to anti-corruption would reflect the nations moral compass and societal will giving stronger legal and ethical grounding to the campaign. The policy dialogue drew participants from across West Africa, including civil society leaders, regional anti-corruption bodies, and policymakers, all focused on building more effective and locally relevant strategies to fight corruption across the sub-region. Next article: Agyapong cautions against using law as tool for revenge, calls for lawful fight against corruption Finance Minister tables bill to increase Energy Sector Levy under urgency Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Politics Jun - 03 - 2025 , 20:22 3 minutes read The Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has laid before Parliament a bill seeking to amend the Energy Sector Levies Act, 2025. The bill, titled the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposes an upward adjustment in the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy to raise additional revenue to support the payment of energy sector arrears, reduce legacy debt, and ensure stable power supply across the country. The bill was formally read for the first time in the House and has since been referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report. It was laid under a certificate of urgency. Explaining the rationale behind the bill, Dr Forson told Parliament that the energy sector currently posed the greatest economic and fiscal threat to the country, warning that failure to address its mounting challenges could result in a full-blown crisis. The total energy sector debt as at the end of March 2025 stands at $3.1 billion. This amount includes debts owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), fuel suppliers, and other stakeholders, he said. Energy situation Dr Forson emphasised that the nations inability to honour its financial obligations to key players such as ENI and Karpowership resulted in the complete drawdown of two critical guarantees in 2024: a $512 million IDA guarantee from the World Bank and a $120 million guarantee from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). The government, he said, would now need $632 million to restore those guarantees. He further stated that a minimum of $3.7 billion is required to clean up the energy sectors overall indebtedness and reset the sector on a more stable path. Highlighting the shift in the countrys electricity generation mix, Dr Forson said the country now heavily relies on thermal power to supplement hydroelectric sources. However, he revealed that the cost of liquid fuel for thermal generation was not currently factored into electricity tariffs, resulting in revenue shortfalls. He further stated that including fuel costs in the current electricity pricing structure could lead to a 50 per cent hike in tariffs, which would significantly burden households and businesses. No extra cost Therefore, the proposed levy increase, he explained was a more balanced alternative that would avoid passing costs directly onto consumers. This levy will serve as a dedicated source of funding to the power sector, and the proceeds will be earmarked for the procurement of essential fuel for power generation, he said. Dr Forson assured the House that the impact of the new levy on petroleum prices would be neutralised by the strong performance of the Ghana cedi, ensuring that ensuring that consumers would not pay extra for petrol or diesel beginning today. "Mr Speaker, I repeat, the impact will be absorbed by the gains made from the strong performance of the Ghana cedi, and this will mean that consumers will not have to pay extra for the price of petrol and diesel beginning today. Our simulations suggest that there will be no increase in the ex-pump price of petrol and diesel in the next window, beginning today, if the levy is imposed, he stated categorically. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Nothing has been slowly ramping up its teaser campaign for the upcoming Phone (3), which will be its first-ever proper flagship smartphone. Regarding its announcement, we first heard that it's coming in the third quarter (between July and September), then the company narrowed it down to July, and today it's finally revealed the exact date and time for the grand unveiling. So, the Nothing Phone (3) will be made official on July 1 at 6 PM London time, which is going to be 10 AM in Los Angeles, 1 PM in New York, 7 PM in Central Europe, and 10:30 PM in India. Come to Play. Phone (3). 1 July, 18:00 BST. pic.twitter.com/9afIpKao1s Nothing (@nothing) June 3, 2025 Nothing showed us our first tiny glimpse of the phone recently, and it's also confirmed that the Phone (3) won't have the Glyph LED interface on its back like all other Nothing phones so far. However, the teaser associated with the date reveal confirms the fact that this will be upgraded to a dot-matrix display, which will definitely be even more customizable than the Glyphs ever could be. Yesterday, a leak told us the Phone (3) would start at $799 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, strongly implying a full launch in the US for the first time for the brand, and would go up to $899 with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It's unclear if the Nothing Headphone (1) over-ear headphones will be announced on July 1 alongside the phone, but they are also coming - in September, apparently - for $299. ZTE has a new Blade-series smartphone, meet the Blade A76. The budget device is listed on the brands official page in Bulgaria with some of its key specs. These include a 6.75-inch LCD with HD+ resolution and a water drop notch, a 5G chipset paired with 6GB RAM and a 5,000mAh battery. The back features a circular camera island with a 50MP main cam alongside an unspecified auxiliary sensor and LED flash. Blade A76 is 8.2mm thick and features an IP54 rating. The device is shown in black and blue colors. ZTE Blade A76 key specs Thats all the info ZTE has shared so far. We should see more details and a formal introduction soon. Source (in Bulgarian) Laos ships 1st mango export to China, boosting agricultural trade Xinhua) 16:57, June 03, 2025 VIENTIANE, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Laos has officially launched its first shipment of 90 tons of fresh mangoes to China, marking a significant milestone in the country's agricultural trade ambitions. According to Lao Economic Daily report on Tuesday, a ceremony marking the inaugural shipment was held in the Lao capital Vientiane on May 30. The export marked a significant step in strengthening agricultural cooperation between Laos and China. It followed the 2023 agreement by both governments to export fresh Lao mangoes to the Chinese market, a deal that opened the door to expanded trade and investment opportunities. In his speech, Bounchan Kombounyasith, director general of the Department of Agriculture under the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, emphasized that the ministry is focused on promoting high-potential agricultural products to reduce the country's reliance on imports, generate foreign exchange, and encourage value-added export processing. The Lao government aims for a 4.3 percent growth in the agricultural sector by 2025, with the goal of achieving a 22.4 percent contribution to the country's gross domestic product. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Lawyers for Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and the Office of the Attorney General are due back in court Thursday, to argue whether the governors lawsuit to block a $1.1 million contract for the Dignity Project should be thrown out. Superior Court Judge Elyze Iriarte will also weigh whether to issue a longer-term injunction freezing funds for the project, which is meant to feed and house homeless and drug-addicted residents. The Dignity Project was on track to open in late April at Tropical Palm Hotel in Tamuning. But the governor sued the AGs office and Attorney General Douglas Moylan, alleging they did not follow Guam procurement law when securing a contract for the hotel, and then tried to execute it without the governors signature. Parties in the case spent several days presenting evidence and questioning witnesses in the case last month, and are set to close out arguments in front of Iriarte on Thursday. Ahead of that appearance, attorneys have been arguing in writing over the four motions to dismiss the case filed by the AGs office. Assistant Attorney General Ramiro Orozco, lead counsel for the AGs office, presented four main arguments for why the lawsuit should be thrown out: The governor should have raised an objection to the Dignity Project procurement with the public auditor before suing over the Tropical Palm contract. The Opioid Recovery Advisory Council, which approved the use of funds for the Dignity Project, is not named in the lawsuit when it must be. The governors appointees sat on the Opioid Council, and they did not object to the Tropical Palm contract before the governor sued. The governor had a chance to sign the contract on April 25, the same day the lawsuit was filed, but did not, making the case moot. Adelup legal counsel Leslie Travis has opposed each of these arguments in opposition filed with the court last week: The governor is not an aggrieved bidder that lost out on a contract and must file a procurement appeal with the public auditor. Rather, the governor has a right and duty to review contracts, which the AGs office violated. The Opioid Council will not be harmed by any outcome of the lawsuit, and does not need to be named in the case. If the court feels that the Opioid Council should be involved, it can order them added on as a party. The AGs office cant argue that the governors appointees to the council amounted to Leon Guerrero waiving her right to review the contract. The governor did not object to the general idea of the Dignity Project, which was her appointees approved spending, but objected to the AGs office bypassing the governors signature in the contract. Finally, Travis said the law requires the AGs office to obtain the governors signature before executing the Tropical Palm contractnot just present it to her for signing. She added that the contract was furnished to the governor hours before the Dignity Project lawsuit was filed on April 25, and came after clear procurement law violations. Orozco filed a reply for the AGs office on Tuesday, citing legal precedent from several cases in support of the motions to dismiss filed. Notably, the attorney asserted that the Opioid Council must be allowed to defend itself in court over the case. Without being a party to this action, (the council) is unable to advocate for its legal rights, which are currently being denied while a restraining order is in place, Orozco stated. A temporary restraining order freezing funding for the project, in place ahead of Thursdays court appearance, was preventing the council from helping the homeless and poor, the reply stated. Alleged retaliation Moylan, in a statement on Tuesday, said the governor was prolonging suffering for the homeless, and accused her of retaliating because his office was suing to block the Mangilao hospital project. She has filed lawsuits to not just stop this AG from using opioid monies to help the homeless and poor, but has filed another lawsuit seeking to terminate prosecutors hired from off-island to imprison Guams criminals, the AG stated. Adelups Travis has argued in court that any public benefit from the Dignity Project cant be used to justify the AGs office violating the law. A financial audit of the government of Guams Tourist Attraction Fund for fiscal 2023 found that revenues and expenditures increased significantly as tourism recovery grew after the COVID-19 pandemic. Auditors rendered a clean opinion of the fund, which includes the Tourist Attraction Special Revenue Fund, Capital Projects Fund and Debt Service Fund. However, auditors identified one material weakness related to online Hotel Occupancy Tax filings, according to the report released Tuesday by the Office of Public Accountability. Money in the Tourist Attraction Fund comes from a tax levied on occupants of hotel rooms and other travel accommodations. The tax rate for hotels is 11%. Before the pandemic, Guam had 1.6 million visitors a year. In 2023, the island had 603,000 visitors, an increase from the 217,000 visitors in fiscal 2022. The increase in visitors led to more Tourist Attraction Fund revenue, with the fund going from $18.2 million in fiscal 2022 to $30.2 million in fiscal 2023. At the end of 2023, the Special Revenue Fund had a balance of $980,000, the Capital Projects Fund had $6 million and the Debt Service Fund had $7.2 million. Spending up Fund expenditures also increased, from a total of $19.6 million in 2022 to $24.7 million in 2023. Payments to the Guam Visitors Bureau increased from $14.5 million in fiscal 2022 to $20.9 million in fiscal 2023. The audit noted increases in expenditures were offset by a $750,000 decrease in capital projects, a $302,000 decrease in Mayors Council of Guam payments and a $70,000 decrease for interest debt service payments. Material weakness Auditors identified one deficiency in internal control that was considered a material weakness. Although approximately $980,000 of Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues were available by the end of fiscal 2023 and collected within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year, the government of Guam did not account for hotel occupancy tax revenues filed online. As a result, the reported hotel occupancy tax revenues were incomplete. An audit adjustment was proposed to correct the understatement of tax revenues, and auditors recommended that GovGuam consider allocating collections in the clearing account for the accrual of hotel occupancy tax money filed online. Yap Gov. Charles Sigfred Chieng, described as a dedicated public servant and who served with a quiet strength, died at the age of 70. Chieng dedicated more than three decades of his life to public service, including as a lawmaker and governor, until his passing. He will be laid to rest in his home state of Yap. He died on May 29 in Oklahoma, or May 28, Yap time. Guam Speaker Frank Blas Jr. on Tuesday extended condolences on behalf of the 38th Guam Legislature and the people of Guam to Chiengs family and the people of Yap. Governor Chieng was a dedicated public servant and a respected leader whose contributions to the progress and development of Yap State will be remembered with great admiration, Blas said in a statement. Chieng was the 9th governor of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia until his death. FSM President Wesley Simina, in a statement, declared a national period of mourning and ordered the FSM national flag to be flown at half-mast in Chiengs honor. Governor Chieng was not only a dedicated leader and principled public servant, he was also a dear friend, Simina said. His passion and love for Yap was undeniable. He led with his heart and served with a quiet strength that was formidable. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the institutions he helped strengthen. Chieng studied political science at the University of Guam in 1974. He later transferred to the University of Incarnate Word in Texas, earning dual bachelors degrees in political science and secondary education. He completed his masters in urban and regional planning at the University of the District of Columbia. Chiengs early career was in Washington, D.C., where he gained invaluable experience during a two-year internship with the D.C. government. This was followed by 12 years in leadership roles in the private sector. After more than 20 years abroad, Chieng returned home and in 1994, served as administrator of automatic data processing for the FSM Department of Finance. Chieng was elected to the Yap State Legislature in 2003, and served for 12 years. He retired in 2015. He ran successfully for governor of Yap in 2023, and served the post until his final breath. His unwavering commitment to the welfare of his people, his vision for a better future, and his legacy of service have left an indelible mark not only on Yap but on the entire Micronesian region, Blas said. In this time of mourning, the speaker said, Guam stands in solidarity with the people of Yap. We join in honoring the memory of a man who served with dignity, wisdom, and courage. May his family find comfort in knowing that his lifes work continues to inspire and uplift, Blas added. A state funeral will be held in Yap, according to the FSM presidents office. The Guam Police Department arrested Georgio Paulino Cruz after he was pulled over and found with suspected crystal methamphetamines and cocaine. Cruz was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with the intent to deliver, GPD said in a news release. Around 10 a.m. Tuesday, a police officer made a traffic stop by 76 in Sinajana on a vehicle with no front license plate and no registration decals. The vehicle, operated by Cruz, also had an expired registration. Upon searching the vehicle, the officer discovered close to 35 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamines and half of a gram of suspected cocaine, GPD said. Cruz was booked, processed and confined to the Department of Corrections. His case has been closed and forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General information and disposition. No state of emergency has been declared for the Guam Department of Education, more than a month after officials warned it could be inevitable because of a potential loss of $108.8 million in American Rescue Plan funds. But nearly a month after the May 8 rejection of GDOEs request to extend to March 2026 the deadline to spend that $108.8 million, the local agency has yet to file an appeal of that rejection. The deadline to appeal is June 7. I dont believe were at the point of declaring a state of emergencybut there is urgency, education oversight committee chairman Sen. Vince Borja told the Pacific Daily News. Were focused on getting clear numbers first so the board and Legislature can determine the next steps. The frozen $108.8 million in ARP funds were designated for repairs at 13 public schools, including $7.5 million for F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School and approximately $18.5 million to complete George Washington High Schools repair. Without an approved extension from the U.S. Department of Education, the local school projects remain stalled. GDOE has already committed the funds through contracts with Core Tech International and 92 other ARP-related vendors. The department still owes $27 million to Core Tech and nearly $20 million across the other agreements, leaving more than $45 million in contractor payments unresolved. Reflection of priorities No local funding sources have so far been identified to cover the shortfall. The state of our schools is a direct reflection of our priorities as a government, Borja said in a statement following a May 30 meeting with education leaders and lawmakers. We cannot allow construction delays or funding gaps to compromise the future of our students. Borja said completing FBLG Middle School is central to relieving pressure on overburdened campuses. Completing FBLG isnt just about finishing a building, its about restoring a sense of normalcy for students and teachers who have endured far too much disruption, he said. Were looking at all viable solutions, including temporary shifts for ninth graders, but these efforts require immediate funding support. The USDOE denied GDOEs extension request on May 8, citing the local departments failure to clearly explain how the projects would address COVID-related learning loss. Federal officials determined the projects did not align with their funding priorities. Borja had previously called for a state of emergency following the loss of the ARP funds and an additional $27 million in expired federal education grants. But after the May 30 meeting with the Guam Education Board and the Legislature, he said such a move would be premature. Education officials and lawmakers also reviewed contingency options in case the appeal fails. Sen. Chris Duenas is assessing potential appropriation figures, according to Education Board Chairman Angel Sablan. What was discussed Friday is the actual amount needed to complete GWHS and FBLG. Sen. Duenas is looking at that figure for an appropriation, Sablan told the PDN. We agreed that it is premature to declare a state of emergency until we get a final response from USEd. GDOE is expected to submit a full financial report to the board by June 6. The report will include payroll projections, outstanding obligations, utility costs, and potential savings. Fast approaching a cliff In addition to construction delays, GDOE is grappling with a utility funding gap. The department is funded only through May and needs $4 million to maintain basic services like water and power through the end of the fiscal year. We are fast approaching a cliff, Borja said. Without swift action, our schools risk losing fundamental services, which is simply unacceptable. If the appeal is denied, Borja said the Legislature may hold a special session this summer to authorize emergency appropriations. Lawmakers on Tuesday voted to pass 26 bills that include those seeking to ban fireworks, legalize firearm suppressors, exempt branded paper bags from a July 1 ban, and allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, benefits to be used for hot meals and restaurants. A bill seeking to set up a public-private partnership at the Guam Memorial Hospital failed to pass. Senators overrode Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros veto of a bill allowing the public auditor to impose fines on agency heads that turn in financial and program data late. The measures passed also include those that would mandate the printing on receipts of the impact of business privilege taxes on costs, give tax rebates to facilities that accept Medicaid, give lease rebates to Port Authority of Guam lessees, and revamp lease policies at the airport. Besides sending a total of 26 bills to the governors desk, senators also confirmed nine gubernatorial appointments as they wrapped up the second session of the 38th Guam Legislature. A move by the Republican-led Legislature to hold sessions every other month, instead of holding one every month as practiced under past Democrat leadership, has swelled the voting file for the 38th. Fireworks, firearms, SNAP Sen. Telo Taitagues Bill 20-38, which would walk back the 2023 legalization of fireworks, passed in a 12-3 vote. Taitague introduced the measure over safety concerns, lack of regulations on the import and sale of fireworks, and widespread use during the 2024 holiday season. Sens. Tina Muna Barnes, William Parkinson, and Joe San Agustin voted against the bill. The sale and possession of firearm suppressors, or silencers, is a step closer to legalization with the passage of Parkinsons Bill 27-38. The governor vetoed a similar measure in 2021. But this time, the bill passed with a veto-proof majority of 11 senators in support. Sens. Chris Barnett, Sabina Perez, San Agustin, and Therese Terlaje voted against Parkinsons Bill 27-38. Seniors, people with disabilities, and homeless people could use their SNAP benefits if the Department of Public Health and Social Services establishes a Restaurant Meals Program authorized in Sen. Shelly Calvos Bill 78-38. It passed in a 14-1 vote, with Barnett opposing the bill. Bag ban Passing in an 11-4 vote was Sen. Jesse Lujans Bill 121-38, which would allow an exemption to the July 1 paper bag ban for any bag that bears the brand of the manufacturer or retailer. Barnett, Perez, and Terlaje voted against the exemption. Parkinson passed on the vote three times, and was counted as a nay. BPT receipts, Medicaid Sen. Chris Duenas Bill 59-38, which would require businesses to print the BPT applied to any sale or service on receipts, likewise passed. Duenas has called it a potential first step towards a sales tax for Guam, instead of taxing gross receipts through BPT. Bill 59-38 passed in an 11-4 vote, with Barnett, Parkinson, Perez and Terlaje voting against it. Health care providers that accept Medicaid would get a tax rebate on Medicaid revenues, in an effort to boost Medicaid access, through Sen. Sabrina Salas Matananes 118-38. It passed in a 12-2 vote. Barnett and Terlaje opposed the bill, while Calvo was excused from voting, citing a familial conflict of interest. Airport, Port deals Lujans Bill 67-38 would give the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority power to enter concession agreements up to 15 years, and lease property and facilities up to 50 years. It would also give the airport board the ability to adopt rules for the solicitation of those deals. The bill passed in an 11-4 vote, with Barnett, Perez, Taitague and Terlaje voting against it. Also passing was Lujans Bill 109-38, seeking to create a dollar-for-dollar rebate on rent for Port Authority of Guam lessees that invest money into improving Port property. It passed 11-4, with Barnett, Perez, Taitague and Terlaje likewise opposing the bill. GMH, veto override A public-private partnership for GMH will not move closer, with Terlajes Bill 13-38 failing in a split vote of 7-8. The measure would create a GMHA P3 Committee, responsible for taking out to bid a public-private partnership for the management, operation and maintenance of GMH. Barnett, Calvo, Parkinson, Perez, Salas Matanane, Taitague, and Terlaje voted for the bill. Sens. Vince Borja, Duenas, Shawn Gumataotao, Lujan, Muna Barnes, San Agustin, Vice Speaker Tony Ada and Speaker Frank Blas Jr. voted against the bill. Terlaje said she was disappointed in the outcome, given the current challenges at GMH. Overcoming a veto from the governor was Taitagues Bill 14-38, in a vote of 12-3. It would allow the public auditor to set deadlines for agencies to turn in program and financial data needed for audits. It seeks to impose personal fines of $250 a month on government agency heads who fail to timely send financial data to the public auditor. Muna Barnes, Parkinson and San Agustin voted against the bill. Other bills passed Bill 33-38 would allow charges of first- and second- degree criminal sexual conduct to apply to acts committed against children who are 14 and 15 years old. Bill 89-38 would expand legal protections for food donations made in good faith. Bill 88-38 seeks to assess tax on vehicle title transfers based on the value of the sale, instead of the assessed value of the vehicle. Bill 66-38 would mandate the upkeep of the Guam Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, and annual review and exercise of the plan. Bill 95-38 would allow childcare facilities to operate as intergenerational daycare centers. Bill 50-38 would allow government retirees who are rehired to accrue sick leave Bill 6-38 would transfer a Dededo lot from the CHamoru Land Trust Commission for a Special Olympics Guam administrative office and training facility. Bill 18-38 would remove the Office of Public Accountability from the judicial review of procurement appeals that go to court. Bill 23-38 would create a standardized transfer on death deed, meant to avoid costly probate cases. Bill 28-38 seeks to increase Guam EPAs compliance and enforcement capabilities. Bill 53-38 would end the practice of publicly posting hardcopies of the voter registration index, protecting voter privacy while maintaining secure access for authorized entities. Bill 54-38 would update Guams voter registration process, ballot handling procedures, and election timelines. Bill 55-38 would establish quarterly reporting requirements for campaign finance contributions and expenditures. Bill 75-38 would exempt non-resident active-duty service members and their dependents from drivers license requirements. Bill 80-38 would increase the thresholds for estates of small value that are not required to go to probate to $112,500. Bill 83-38 would allow the Bureau of Statistics and Plans Guam Coastal Management Program and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency to employ environmental law attorneys. Bill 129-38 would make Feb. 21 of each year Haanen Hila Nana, or Mother Language Day. Bill 130-38 seeks to update the CHamoru names for holidays and the enabling act of the CHamoru Language Commission. 9 appointments Science is Fun and Awesome, SIFA, Learning Academy Charter School is eyeing the recently decommissioned Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary School property in Tamuning as a potential relocation site, once SIFA vacates its Tiyan campus. Attorneys for SIFA and its current landlord Eagle Land Holdings earlier stated in court that SIFA will be vacating its Tiyan campus by June 30. This comes weeks after Eagle Land sued the charter school once again, this time alleging its $5.69 million behind on its rent. SIFA, the Home of the Manta Rays, has occupied the Tiyan campus since opening in October 2018. Attorney Michael Phillips, representing SIFA, confirmed that the charter school is actively seeking a new campus, calling Chief Brodie a viable option. SIFA has voluntarily looked for a better, new campus. The former Brodie School campus is attractive and a good possibility, he said. It would also provide the village of Tamuning with a middle school. Phillips added that the move could be long-term if the site is renovated to meet the schools needs. Although once they build out that campus, I doubt there would be any reason for them to leave, he said. The plan is to have a much nicer campus than they currently have in Tiyan. Last week, Superior Court Magistrate Judge Sean E. Brown postponed proceedings in a lawsuit filed by Eagle Land Holdings against SIFA. If SIFA vacates Eagle Land Holdings property by the agreed date of June 30, the case will likely be closed. Like the previous case, we expect the court will again dismiss this case, said Phillips, who already filed a motion to dismiss. The landlords original eviction complaint in 2024 was dismissed because of improper service of a summons. Eagle Land Holdings allowed SIFA to complete the academic year at the Tiyan campus despite the ongoing legal battle. Sen. Vincent Borja, chairman of the education committee, and Guam Education Board Chairman Angel Sablan, also both confirmed SIFAs interest in the Chief Brodie property, but made clear that no decisions have been made. They said the school must go through the proper procurement process. Borja also said legal steps must precede before moving forward. Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary officially closed in May after 65 years, three months after the education board voted for it over steadily declining student enrollment and budgetary constraints. It is part of the Guam Department of Educations school decommissioning and consolidation efforts to maximize limited resources. Students previously enrolled at the elementary school are being reassigned to J.M. Guerrero Elementary School in Harmon, Tamuning Elementary School, and Liguan Elementary School in Dedeo, based on their residence. Most people in Guahan feel that the island and its people overperform in contributing to the strength of the United States, especially in the American capacity to exert military power in our part of the world. A concomitant majority acknowledge that the reward for this performance is nowhere near the value of the contribution. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the services received by Guahan veterans. I was a participant with Marine Corps veteran Roy Gamboa and former Adjutant General Esther Aguigui in a Humanities Guahan public discussion on the veteran experience. I am not a veteran and I certainly dont pretend to understand the full experience of that service and sacrifice. With the guidance of retired Marine Corps Col. Danny Santos and retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Bill Cundiff, we brought to the Veterans History Project the experience of 25 Vietnam War veterans at the Library of Congress. The interviews, conducted mostly in CHamoru, can be seen on bitiranu.org. The comments were honest, raw and reflective of something in the CHamoru mindset about service and loyalty. But there was also some discontent about disproportionate service and sacrifice not being fully recognized. The disproportionality is historically reflected in the CHamoru experience from before World War II and continues until today. In the 1930s, over 600 CHamoru men were recruited into the segregated U.S. Navy as mess attendants and stewards. This represented almost 5% of the entire population of the island. Many were in several WWII battles, including seven who were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. In the Vietnam War, an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 men from Guahan participated in the conflict. This represented almost 10% of the entire population of the island in 1965. Compared to the entire population of the United States, Guam was .0004% of the entire population. Ponder these statistics: Of the total U.S. population who served in Vietnam (2.7 million), Guahan provided five times the expected total. Of the total who died in Vietnam, Guahan had 77 deaths or three times the expected total. If the rest of the island had sacrificed as much as Humatak, which gave three sons, there would have been 300 deaths from Guahan. Of the total Silver Star awarded (21,630), Guahan soldiers won 26 or three times the proportionate total. By himself, Jose Laguana earned three. Of the Distinguished Service Cross (1,700), Guahan servicemen won six or seven times the expected rate. These include Enrique Cruz, Vincent Dydasco and Tomas Reyes. Three other Distinguished Service Cross awardees should have won the Congressional Medal of Honor. They are Martin Manglona, Juan Blaz and Joseph Perez. The return on this level of service and sacrifice always raises the issue of political standing in the American system. If Guahan made all of these sacrifices in uniform and out of uniform during the Japanese occupation, shouldnt political dignity and the full benefits of American citizenship be afforded to them? In the full meaning of inafamaolek (making it good for each other), when are the people of Guahan going to get their famaolek? The tragic answer is that only the people of Guahan see the sacrifice in that way. Some in American society and in the Pentagon see the disproportionate sacrifices and will shower honor during ceremonies. Words dont turn into action. Changing policies and altering the relationship with the United States will not come as the reward for loyalty or sacrifice. It hasnt been the case in history and the future looks the same. Maybe they think loyalty is its own reward. In fact, it seems to be quite the opposite. Guahans loyalty is used by many as the pathway to expect more sacrifices for military activities. Military officials enjoy nothing more than recounting Guahan sacrifices in the prelude to expecting more sacrifices and now disruption to our day to day lives. Almost every statement about the militarization of Guahan includes a statement about CHamoru loyalty and sacrifice. Nobody ever says political development or equality. Self-determination is out of bounds and beyond their paygrade. When it comes to just equity for the very veterans who have made the sacrifices, the record is equally dismal. Many retirees report that their fellow Guahan retirees didnt return to their homeland because they know they cant get the services they have earned. A 2024 Government Accountability Office report outlined all of the difficulties that Guahan veterans have in receiving health care benefits. It seems like the Veterans Affairs, VA, and local governments cant even agree on the number of veterans. The VA uses a statistical model and Guahan uses surveys and drivers license data. The result is that the VA thinks there are only 12,800 veterans on the island, while Guahan reports over 23,000. This has been a perennial problem going back to GAO studies that were done in the 1990s. VA hasnt changed their undercounting. Of course, on a per capita basis, Guahan is number one in enlistments. But the enlistment and the subsequent benefits after leaving the service dont seem to match up. Overperforming apparently doesnt add up to equal benefits. In the case of Guahans political standing, as well as veteran services, it seems to have the opposite effect. Instead of famaolek, we seem to get mayulang. Put fabot. Haiti - News : Zapping... 28 Neighborhoods in the Hands of Bandits The Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH) reveals in a report that in the space of four years, 28 neighborhoods, including 25 in the Ouest department, have fallen into the hands of armed gangs; more than a hundred public institutions and 600 private structures have been relocated, looted, and/or burned. Justice : Trump's Decision on TPS On Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, Brian Cogan, the federal judge for the Eastern District of New York, will examine the case pitting several Haitian associations and unions against the Trump administration over the controversial decision to prematurely terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 500,000 Haitians legally residing under this status in the United States. The dismissal of priests Desire and Cole overturned On Monday, June 2nd, 2025, the Port-au-Prince Court of Appeal overturned the dismissal order issued in 2023 by Judge Marthel Jean Claude in favor of priests Frantz Desire and Frantz Cole https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40654-haiti-episcopal-church-the-investigating-judge-issued-his-order-in-the-arms-and-ammunition-trafficking-case.html . The two clergymen, along with 15 other co-defendants, were being prosecuted in connection with the illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition, carried out under the cover of the Episcopal Church of Haiti's customs clearance. The decision of the appeals court magistrates follows the discovery of serious irregularities in the investigation of the case. The case has been transferred to investigating judge Noe Massillon Pierre. Violence in the Centre Department (Report): The Defenders Plus Collective has just released a report on the upsurge in armed violence in the Centre Department, with a particular focus on the municipalities of Mirebalais and Saut-d'Eau, for the period from April to May 2025. Download the full report in French (20-page PDF) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Rapport-situationnel-sur-les-violences-armees-dans-le-departement-du-Centremai-2025-3.pdf All unidentified Mon Cash accounts suspended All unidentified Mon Cash accounts have been suspended since May 31, 2025. Digicel confirmed this measure in a press release published on Monday, June 2nd. Proof of identity is now required to use the service. This decision meets the requirements of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti. Only identified customers can now carry out transactions, including deposits, and access their funds. DR : May, record number of Haitian deportations of the year The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) deported 34,190 Haitians in an irregular migration situation in the Dominican Republic in May, setting a monthly record for 2025. HL/ HaitiLibre Leading actress Parker Posey herself presses the red button when a feature film is streamed over the Internet for the first time on June 3, 1995 and it is even a world premiere. The event took place in a small office of the hosting company Point of Presence in Seattle. A few friends and colleagues have been invited to make it look like a party. NBC is also there and honors the evening with a short TV report. Cyberflix could change the way we watch movies in the future, says the presenter prophetically. Anzeige Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externes YouTube-Video (Google Ireland Limited) geladen. YouTube-Video immer laden YouTube-Video jetzt laden This is very exciting, says Parker Posey in her short opening speech, which is broadcast live in advance as a video and she wants to encourage everyone to still pay 7.50 dollars for a movie ticket. Because the movie stream, which is attended by several hundred viewers worldwide, is free of charge. It is more of an experiment than a pleasure: the picture is only black and white, the resolution is 320x240 pixels, and only a few frames per second are shown. 1995: The WWW becomes popular The time is ripe for such advances. If you had to name a year in which the Internet had its breakthrough, you would probably choose 1995. The web becomes commercial, the number of users and websites rises sharply. Shining star: Yahoo. Netscape goes public. Amazon, Ebay and Real Networks launch. And Windows 95 is getting its feet wet. A series of feature films give the Internet space in 1995. Hackers (with Angelina Jolie), The Net (with Sandra Bullock), Red Alert 2 (with Steven Seagal) or Networked Johnny Mnemonic (with Keanu Reeves). Nevertheless, the first streaming film is one that has absolutely nothing to do with computers: Party Girl. After a wild night out, carefree Mary is freed from prison by her godmother. To pay back her bail, she begins to work in her aunt's library and to question her superficial life of fashion and partying. The idea for the online broadcast comes from SIFF, the Seattle International Film Festival. The film is to premiere there twice: once in a movie theater and once as an online stream. It doesn't take long to convince the producers. While some are interested in the technical aspect, others are hoping for publicity. Especially for a film that only cost 150,000 dollars. Anzeige SIFF is already cooperating with the online magazine Film.com run by journalist and networker Lucy Mohl. She left television in early 1994 to devote herself to the Internet, and is regarded in the industry as a mentor for the Internet. She is the place to go when Werner Herzog, for example, complains about his IMDB entry. SIFF sponsor Silicon Graphics, Apple, and a consulting firm from Los Angeles are coordinating the task. A location in Seattle with a powerful line from where the streaming is to take place is quickly found: The host of Film.com, one of the first hosts of Internet sites in Seattle, Glenn Fleishman's young company Point of Presence. The party takes place on his premises. Video conferencing pioneer CU-SeeMe The CU-SeeMe software (pun!), a pioneer in video conferencing on PCs, is used for sending and receiving. It was developed at Cornell University on the east coast of the USA and was released for the Mac in 1992 and for Windows in 1994. With CU-SeeMe, direct connections can be established between two computers (using only the IP or host address). A server, a so-called reflector, is set up for transmission to many recipients. Thanks to a 1.5 MBit/s T1 line, a server can be provided directly in the office, which is sufficient for around 100 viewers. Therefore, another reflector is sent to a college at the same time, which serves as a mirror. Glenn Fleishman told heise online: I remember how new and exciting it was to stream a movie over the Internet, even though the quality was so poor. It felt like the beginning of something. But I wondered if there would ever be enough bandwidth to stream TV and movies in high definition on demand. I doubted it, but I was proved wrong. The broadcast will, of course, be announced online at . The Party Is Just Beginning! Party Girl CU-SeeMe Live Broadcast. And perhaps the theme of the movie does fit the zeitgeist. A friend of ours called it the summer of love on the information superhighway, Lucy Mohl told heise online. Hosting the first movie online, knowing what it would look like at such a low bitrate, with all the jerks and everything, was exactly maintaining the attitude of the time. The film, released in Germany as Crazy Party Girl, is not helped by its role as an online first. It was overshadowed by the far more successful Clueless with Alicia Silverstone, which was released a few weeks later. In contrast, we all know how streaming has developed. For the very precise: Back in 1993, the quirky indie mockumentary Wax or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees was offered as a stream two years after its release however, this was not a feature film, not a premiere and not live. (mack) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. They were long hoped for by residents living near busy railroad lines, but in Switzerland, they are now considered a risk: the use of so-called whisper brakes is believed to have caused the accident involving a freight train in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in August 2023. This is the conclusion of the final report by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB). What's more, the investigators do not see this as an isolated incident, but warn of a systematic problem. Anzeige The accident, which caused massive damage to the tunnel and a two-week closure, occurred when a wheel disk broke due to fatigue cracks caused by thermal overload. According to the investigation, all the wheels on the accident vehicle exhibited the same fatigue cracks even the much younger ones. The STSB attributes this to the composite LL brake blocks used throughout Europe, which are marketed as Low Friction Low Noise brakes. Due to noise protection regulations, they are replacing the cast iron brake blocks previously used. DB has 60,000 freight wagons with whisper brakes The issue is exacerbated by today's operating conditions: Freight trains no longer only travel at 60 km/h, but up to 100 km/h and have to brake correspondingly harder, which leads to higher heat generation. A European working group set up after the Gotthard accident discovered cracks in wagon wheels in 74 cases, and in 10 cases the wheels were already broken. For Deutsche Bahn, the finger pointing at the brakes is probably inconvenient: It has now converted its entire freight wagon fleet of around 60,000 vehicles to the problematic LL brake blocks to meet the requirements of the Rail Noise Protection Act. In a statement published in the trade journal Lokreport, the company announced that the rules of use and maintenance for wheel sets have been continuously adapted throughout Europe in order to reduce the mechanical and thermal loads on the wheels. In addition to the regular wagon technical inspections and brake tests before each train journey, DB states that each wagon receives a supplementary inspection of the wheel shafts during workshop visits. The railroad refers to a European working group, which has dealt with damage to block-braked solid wheels with the participation of Switzerland. SBB draw the consequences Meanwhile, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) are drawing the consequences: SBB Cargo will stop transporting wagons with LL brake blocks as soon as possible, as Cargo boss Alexander Muhm announced. The transport ban is to be largely implemented by the end of the year and will remain in place until the EU Railway Agency and the Swiss Federal Office of Transport adopt effective measures to modernize and improve the maintenance of freight wagons. However, this should only partially allay concerns in Switzerland. Only around half of the freight trains crossing the Alps are operated by SBB. Railroad experts are therefore calling for border controls for freight trains in Switzerland, where overheated wheels could be detected by imaging measurements. The STSB is making three key safety recommendations to the EU Railway Agency: an extension of the regulations on the minimum wheel diameter to all wheel set types with composite brake blocks, an adjustment of the maintenance specifications and a study on the influence of composite brake blocks on the thermal load on the wheels. The Swiss Federal Office of Transport believes that a solution is only possible at international level. Around 500,000 freight wagons with whisper brakes are in use across Europe. Anzeige (mki) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The EU has been working for years to make smartphones and other products more sustainable. The switch to a standardized charging plug in the form of USB-C is just one of the other plans. June 20, 2025, is another important date, as this is when the Ecodesign Regulation comes into force. Anzeige The Ecodesign Regulation includes two points: Firstly, the EU is thereby imposing a fairly clearly defined update guarantee on smartphone manufacturers for their products. Secondly, smartphones and the like must be accompanied by an energy label, similar to refrigerators or washing machines. However, the label also contains all kinds of other relevant information. EU obliges manufacturers to provide updates for 5 years after the end of sale While some manufacturers have been rather neglectful with updates in the smartphone sector so far and some products have only received one operating system update, this will change from June 20. From this date, manufacturers will have to provide operating system and security updates for every smartphone or tablet for five years after the end of sales. The requirement, which will soon apply throughout the EU, does not quite come close to the seven-year update guarantee offered by Samsung and Google. However, it will give consumers certainty about how long they can safely use their devices. The regulation is also likely to have an impact on software updates outside the EU. Five years is not enough for consumer advocates and repair experts: they would like up to ten years to give them a long, second life, as Daniel Buchle, Managing Director of IT remanufacturer AfB, explained to c't. Instruction leaflet on reparability and other key data for smartphones and other products Another component of the Ecodesign Regulation, which comes into force in June, is the instruction leaflet that must accompany certain devices. Anzeige According to the EU, the labels must be included in the packaging of cordless phones for landlines, smartphones, feature phones and tablets with screens between seven and 17.4 inches. Devices with rollable screens are excluded, as are smartphones and tablets that were available on the EU market before June 20. Smartphones for high-security communication are also an exception. The new label contains information on the lifespan, robustness of the device, battery efficiency and also repairability. To meet the requirements, manufacturers must fulfill certain criteria: Batteries must, for example, survive a service life of at least 800 complete charge/discharge cycles with 80 percent capacity retention, as well as being resistant to accidental dropping, dust and water. What the EU has ignored: The repairability class does not consider the price of spare parts. This means that manufacturers such as Samsung or Apple can continue to charge high prices for a display and still receive good marks. This is what an "instruction leaflet" for smartphones and tablets will look like according to EU specifications. (Image: EU Kommission) They must also ensure that spare parts are available for up to seven years after the product has been sold, offer at least five years of software support and provide professional technicians with non-discriminatory access to repair software. The information on the devices must be supplied by the respective manufacturer, importers or authorized representatives operating on the EU market. The product models must also be registered on an EPREL platform managed by the European Commission. While manufacturers are responsible for providing correct data, the Commission also checks information on protection against ingress of water and dust, as well as the repairability and battery performance of the devices. For consumers, this information and requirements from the EU mean more transparency about the devices on the market. However, the higher requirements for smartphones and tablets could increase prices. Particularly inexpensive products could possibly no longer be offered in the EU due to the long update obligation because they are no longer profitable for manufacturers. (afl) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The Finlandia Exhibition offers an in-depth look at the Aaltos careers and private lives, alongside broader themes of Finnish culture, architecture, and design. Produced by Finlandia Hall Ltd, the exhibition marks a significant addition to Helsinkis cultural institutions. A new permanent exhibition exploring Finnish identity and the lives of Aino , Elissa , and Alvar Aalto opens at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on 4 June 2025. According to Johanna Tolonen, CEO of Finlandia Hall Ltd, the location is symbolic. An exhibition like this being displayed at Finlandia Hall is incredibly meaningful. Alvar Aalto designed the Hall as his magnum opus, as a stage for and symbol of Finland, she said. The permanent exhibition is part of the recently reopened Finlandia Halls new concept as a public venue. Since January 2025, the renovated building has included a restaurant, wine cafe, design shop, and accommodation, forming a comprehensive cultural and visitor experience. Tolonen said the exhibition completes the transformation. When designing the new Finlandia Hall, we wanted to create a comprehensive experience of an open house for all... The permanent exhibition on the Aaltos, Finlandia Hall, and Finnishness is a natural part of this vision. The exhibition presents a detailed narrative journey through the Aaltos influence on Finnish modernism and international design. Visitors follow their careers, examine their personal correspondence, and observe their role in shaping public and private spaces. It also includes a large collection of family photographs donated by the Aaltos grandson, Heikki Aalto-Alanen, who has provided over one hundred previously unseen images from his familys private archive. This exhibition differs from all previous Aalto exhibitions. It explores the Aaltos as people... Aino and Alvar strongly influenced how the fresh, international influences were received in Finland, Aalto-Alanen said. Alongside personal artefacts, the exhibition presents the Aaltos architectural and design contributions in the context of 20th-century Finnish history. It includes their work with furniture, glassware, housing, and civic buildings. The display also touches on the role of nature and the forest in Finnish identity. The concept and execution were led by exhibition architect Taina Vaisanen and historian and scriptwriter Kirsti Manninen. Vaisanens work is known in both Finnish and international museums. Manninen has a long career in non-fiction writing and is regarded as one of Finlands most widely read authors. The exhibition team consulted multiple Aalto scholars to ensure historical accuracy and perspective. It aims to present new interpretations of the Aaltos legacy and humanise their role in Finlands cultural transformation. The main sponsor of the exhibition is KPMG. Other collaborators include the New Wood project of the Finnish Forest Foundation, Fiskars Group, and Genelec. Several design and media professionals contributed to the physical and digital content on display. Helsinki has lacked a centralised space dedicated to the Aaltos. With their continued global relevance in architecture and design, the new exhibition is expected to attract visitors from Finland and abroad. Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto and completed in 1971, remains one of the architects most recognised public buildings. Its recent renovation preserved its core structural and aesthetic features while adapting the space to meet new public needs. Finlandia Hall Ltd said the exhibition will serve as an entry point to the Aalto legacy, encouraging visitors to explore other Aalto-related sites across Finland. HT The city centre and harbour area of Kuopio will experience increased noise as jets and helicopters take part in scheduled performances. Activities will begin in the morning and continue into the evening. The Finnish Defence Forces will mark Flag Day on 4 June 2025 with flight demonstrations and a military parade in Kuopio. The programme includes multiple air displays throughout the day, featuring Finnish and allied aircraft. The first flight, a demonstration by a Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet, is scheduled for 10:45 over the harbour. A Finnish Army NH90 transport helicopter will conduct a hovering display near Vainolanniemi Stadium at 11:15. A major flypast will open the parade on Satamakatu at 13:15. It will include Finnish F/A-18 Hornets from Karelia Air Wing, two Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A Lightning II jets, and two Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripens. Four Finnish Hawk jet trainers from the Air Force Academy will close the formation. The aircraft will fly at approximately 300 metres altitude, entering from the south along Satamakatu. Later demonstrations include another Finnish Hornet display at 14:15 and a final performance by the Midnight Hawks aerobatic team from 17:50 to 18:00 over the harbour. After the main flypast, marching detachments and ground units will proceed along Satamakatu. The aerial segment will continue with Finnish Army MD500 and NH90 helicopters, followed by motorised detachments to close the parade. Separate flypasts will take place in Rovaniemi and Tampere. At 08:05, Fighter Squadron 11 from the Lapland Air Wing will fly a single F/A-18 Hornet over the Air Defence Monument at the Rovaniemi garrison. In Tampere, the Satakunta Air Wing will fly an F/A-18 Hornet over Kalevankangas Cemetery during a wreath-laying ceremony at 12:00. All air activities are weather dependent. The Finnish Defence Forces have advised residents of Kuopio to expect aircraft noise, especially in the harbour and central areas. HT Data from wellbeing services counties collected by Yle show that the issue affects all parts of the country, with the total number likely higher due to gaps in tracking systems. Some regions rely on billing data only, and several do not monitor missed appointments in social services at all. Northern Ostrobothnia did not report figures. Unattended public healthcare appointments in Finland cost welfare regions tens of millions of euros annually, with over 630,000 visits missed in 2023 alone. Missed appointments are most frequent in substance abuse and mental health services, as well as in dental care. Among age groups, those under 18 miss the most appointments. These visits are often free of charge, which welfare professionals believe contributes to lower attendance rates. Tuula Rajaniemi, Chief Medical Officer in the Kymenlaakso welfare region, said over 21,000 appointments were missed there last year, costing the region around two million euros. When patients fail to show up, doctors write reports or respond to phone inquiries, Rajaniemi said. Still, it is important that we get patients to their appointments so that people receive care and we can meet the treatment guarantee. Each missed appointment affects others. If a scheduled patient does not attend, another person waiting for treatment cannot be offered the slot at short notice. If the appointment had been cancelled, we could have called another patient to take that spot, Rajaniemi said. Ongoing treatments are also disrupted, requiring rescheduling of future appointments. In Kymenlaakso, almost 4,000 missed appointments were in dental care. Welfare regions have the right to take further action if missed visits become frequent. In the case of minors, repeated no-shows may trigger a child protection referral. According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the average cost of a 20-minute doctors visit in 2023 was 126 euros. In Pirkanmaa, a single general practitioner appointment in primary care costs around 275 euros. In Central Finland, the equivalent cost is 245 euros. These expenses are compounded by administrative costs related to rescheduling and maintaining care continuity. Only some patients are charged a fee for missing an appointment. Those under 18, for instance, are not subject to the 56.70 euros no-show fee. This makes the financial impact of missed visits difficult to quantify precisely, but the cumulative loss to the system is significant. While missed appointments alone do not fully account for healthcare congestion, they contribute to longer wait times and inefficiencies. The governments austerity measures are expected to tighten the situation further. The government plans to save 100 million euros by reducing access to social care. Specialist healthcare is expected to face cuts of 10 million euros in 2026, rising to 70 million euros in 2028. At least half of Finlands welfare regions have already said that the required cuts are unlikely to be met within the mandated timeframes. HT According to the documents published by TASS and RBC , Russia requires Ukraine to formally recognise Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson as part of the Russian Federation. This includes territories still under Ukrainian control. Russia has presented a list of non-negotiable conditions to Ukraine in Istanbul, demanding territorial concessions, demilitarisation, and political realignment in return for a potential ceasefire. The proposals, handed over at the last minute during face-to-face talks on Monday, were released to Russian media shortly after the meeting. The first section of the Russian memorandum outlines 12 political and military conditions. These include Ukrainian neutrality, a ban on joining military alliances, elimination of nationalist military units, restrictions on arms imports, and the legal protection of Russian language and culture within Ukraine. It also includes the demand for Ukraine to relinquish all claims to damages caused by the war and to restore full diplomatic and trade relations. The second section offers two ceasefire models. The first requires a full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all occupied areas and retreat to an agreed buffer zone. The second, more comprehensive proposal, adds additional political conditions: the end of mobilisation, a halt to foreign arms supplies, demobilisation of the armed forces, expulsion of foreign military advisers, and repeal of Ukraines martial law. It also demands presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine within 100 days of martial law ending, the release of all civilian detainees and political prisoners, and mutual amnesty. A joint monitoring centre would enforce compliance. The list of terms was not shared in advance. Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umerov accused Russia of staging a diplomatic performance rather than engaging in serious negotiation. They revealed the terms only during the meeting, Umerov said. The head of the Russia programme at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Arkady Moshes, said the demands mirror Russias position at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. I didnt need to read them to know what they would be, Moshes said. Theres nothing new here. Russia is trying to gain diplomatically what it could not achieve by force. Moshes said the Kremlins approach remains maximalist, with little room for compromise. He described the proposals as genuine demands, not mere rhetoric. These are not posturing tactics, Moshes said. They are what Russia wants. That is the most unfortunate part. According to Moshes, Ukraine cannot accept these terms without surrendering sovereignty. He added that Russian negotiators are likely constrained by domestic political considerations and expectations of President Vladimir Putin, who is unlikely to support any agreement that implies retreat or defeat. Putin sees himself in the lineage of Russian emperors. He cannot sign anything that suggests he has lost, Moshes said. Ukraine has already rejected earlier Russian proposals on similar grounds, calling them unacceptable. Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly said they will not agree to terms that cede territory or limit sovereignty. Russia has also rejected a Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Moscows delay in presenting its terms, and the nature of the demands, indicate that it is not preparing for compromise, Moshes said. The negotiating agenda is shaped by what they think Putin will approve, he added. The only area where some progress is considered possible is humanitarian, including prisoner exchanges and perhaps joint monitoring mechanisms for ceasefire verification. Ukraine and Russia might agree on some elements like prisoner swaps, Moshes said. But on strategic issues, we are as far apart as ever. Russia's top negotiator Vladimir Medinski led the delegation in Istanbul. Ukraine has not commented publicly on the full contents of the memorandum but has signalled that the demands are incompatible with its war aims. There is no scheduled follow-up session. Observers expect military action to continue, with no short-term breakthrough likely from the Istanbul process. HT As the government sharpens its stance, gambling operators and affiliates are now facing a rapidly changing market with far less room for aggressive promotion. Finland is taking firm action to protect minors by launching a major crackdown on gambling advertising. Under new legislation, stricter rules will target ads deemed appealing to underage audiences, with tougher penalties and enhanced regulatory oversight. Finland is embarking on a transformative task to safeguard its youth from the growing risks of gambling. With a sweeping overhaul of its regulatory framework, the country is not just tightening advertising rules, its rewriting the rulebook on how gambling is marketed, accessed, and controlled. This proactive shift marks one of the most ambitious efforts in Europe to prioritise public health and consumer protection over commercial interests. Shielding the Youth: A Crackdown on Gambling Ads At the heart of Finlands reform lies a fierce commitment to protect children and teenagers from early exposure to gambling. Authorities are targeting advertising with surgical precision. One of the most significant proposals is a total ban on promoting gambling near schools and other areas where minors frequent. This isnt just about removing billboards. Its about changing the very ecosystem of visibility that gambling brands have relied on. Online slots and digital casino games, products known for their high addictiveness, will no longer enjoy prominent public placements. The message is clear: gambling should not be made to look glamorous or easily accessible to those who are most impressionable. Influencers in the Crosshairs The digital world has become a minefield for youth when it comes to gambling exposure. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch have seen a wave of influencer-led content subtly, and sometimes blatantly, promoting gambling. Finland is taking a hard stance: no more sponsored content, affiliate links, or social media shoutouts pushing online casinos. This decision acknowledges the persuasive power of influencers, especially those with a youthful audience. These bans aim to sever the pipeline that often leads young fans from entertainment content straight into gambling promotions. Its a move that many advocates for youth protection have called long overdue. Raising the Bar on Consumer Protections Finlands reforms go far beyond where and how gambling is marketed. The government is implementing robust consumer safeguards designed to make the activity safer for adults and effectively out of reach for minors. Mandatory ID Verification Under the new system, all players must verify their identity before placing a bet. This requirement helps ensure secure transactions, prevent fraud, and support responsible gambling through better account monitoring. While this will become standard within Finland's licensed market, there are still trusted casinos without KYC regulated abroad that allow players to access games without submitting personal documents. Unified Self-Exclusion System Finland will introduce a centralised self-exclusion tool that lets users block themselves from all locally licensed operators in one step. This contrasts with sites like casinos not on GamStop, which fall outside national self-exclusion networks and appeal to users seeking more flexibility. Deposit and Loss Limits + Behavioural Monitoring Players can set personal financial limits to control their spending. At the same time, licensed sites must monitor behaviour and intervene if signs of addiction appear. The End of a Monopoly and the Birth of a New Model These protective reforms coincide with another historic decision: the end of Finlands gambling monopoly. Since 1940, the state-owned company Veikkaus has been the sole legal gambling operator in Finland. By 2027, this monopoly will be replaced by a competitive licensing system for online betting and casino services. This shift isnt about unleashing a flood of new operators into the market. Instead, its about creating a controlled, transparent, and modernised gambling environment where private companies must meet strict standards on safety, responsibility, and consumer rights. Allowing international operators into a licensed Finnish market, under tight supervision, will help redirect local players away from offshore sites that offer none of the safeguards Finland wants to uphold. Its a strategic move: more freedom for players, but only within well-defined limits. A Global Shift Toward Health-First Gambling Policy What Finland is doing isnt happening in isolation. Across the globe, governments are waking up to the long-term social costs of problem gambling. Online casinos in the UK, the Netherlands and even Australian casinos have all introduced stricter advertising guidelines and affordability checks in recent years. The World Health Organisation estimates that 13% of the global population suffers from gambling addiction. In countries where online gambling is easily accessible and poorly regulated, those numbers climb even higher. Finlands approach is firmly rooted in this awareness, gambling isnt just an entertainment issue, its a public health one. What sets Finland apart is the completeness of its vision. By synchronising advertising reform, digital safeguards, and regulatory modernisation, the government is creating a holistic model that other nations may soon look to replicate. The emphasis is on early prevention, behavioural intervention, and restoring consumer confidence in a sector often marred by predatory practices. What Happens Next? The Finnish Parliament is expected to review the proposed reforms by the end of 2025. If the plans are approved, the new rules will officially take effect at the beginning of 2027. This gives regulators, operators, and support networks time to prepare for what could be a major turning point in Europes gambling landscape. In the meantime, Finlands boldness is drawing attention. Industry stakeholders are watching closely, and public health advocates are praising the countrys no-nonsense stance on protecting young people. This isnt just policy, its principle. By prioritising long-term societal well-being over short-term revenue, Finland is leading the way toward a gambling culture that is smarter, safer, and more socially responsible. Final Thoughts Finlands message to the world is unambiguous: gambling can coexist with public health, but not at the expense of it. The steps being taken today could ripple far beyond the countrys borders, setting a new benchmark for how nations approach gambling in the digital age. With the eyes of Europe on Helsinki, the stakes have never been higher and the leadership never more necessary. On the evening of May 31, the Shushan Hall of Anhui Museum was brilliantly lit as a grand cultural feast celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, spanning over a thousand years, took place. The immersive cultural gathering titled Huizhou Style and Chu State Charm: Seeking the Fragrance of the Dragon Boat Festival, co-produced by Anhui Museum and the Hefei Singing & Dancing Troupe, led the audience through the elegance of millennia-old Dragon Boat Festival traditions and the unique charm of Huizhou and Chu State cultures through poetry, refined music, qin (zither), dance, sword performances, and other art forms. This cultural gathering was structured around three main chapters: Chu Charm Returns to Anhui, Songs of a Flourishing Age, and The Dragons New Roar. It skillfully combined Anhuis regional characteristics, blending the profound depth of Chu poetry and Han melodies, the boldness and passion of Tang dynasty poetry, and innovative expressions of contemporary art. The performance integrated creative song and dance, poetry recitals, traditional folk music and songs, and interactive games, vividly telling the fascinating stories of Chu and Huizhou cultures by combining historical heritage, museum collections, archaeological discoveries, and intangible cultural heritage. In addition to the cultural gathering, the event served as a hands-on cultural classroom where visitors could explore exhibitions, listen to explanations, participate in poetry challenges, and receive exquisite festival souvenirs. Local residents actively engaged, completing a time-travel dialogue between cultural relics and customs, and collectively experiencing the unique charm of traditional culture. Moving forward, Anhui Museum will continue to launch a series of traditional cultural experience activities to bring cultural relics to life and make history more accessible to the public. Source: anhuinews.com President Donald Trump blamed President Joe Biden's immigration policies for terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, but omitted any reference to the antisemitic nature of the attack, despite federal hate crime charges filed against the suspect. "Yesterday's horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America," Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday, claiming that the suspect "came in through Biden's ridiculous Open Border Policy." "Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law," the post continued. "This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland." Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, has been charged with a federal hate crime after targeting a Jewish group demonstrating in support of Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The FBI said Soliman shouted, "Free Palestine," as he used Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower in a premeditated attack that injured eight, including a Holocaust survivor, the BBC reported. Though federal authorities explicitly stated the attack was motivated by antisemitism and occurred on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, Trump did not mention the Jewish identity of the victims or the hate crime aspect in his statement. "We know that this individual, this terrorist, was allowed into this country by the previous administration, was foolishly given a tourism visa and illegally allowed to stay," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday morning, echoing Trump's immigration-focused message. "These individuals are going to be deported and we're not going to tolerate such violence in our country." The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Soliman, a father of five, entered the U.S. legally in 2022 but remained after his visa expired. The attack comes just weeks after a young Jewish couple was shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. by a man who shouted "free Palestine." Originally published on Latin Times Modena by Fraser Shenzhen, which soft opened on 29 March 2025, brings a refreshed take on flexible urban living in the heart of Luohu District within the Greater Bay Area. The residence features 325 contemporary apartments, ranging from smart studios to spacious two-bedroom units, all thoughtfully designed with multi-functional areas to support both short- and long-term stays. Housed in the distinctive Shennan 1001, a landmark development in Shenzhen designed by London-based PLP Architecture, the tower's spiral facade draws inspiration from traditional Chinese scroll paintings, creating a poetic silhouette on the city skyline. The city's first Modena by Fraser property offers direct connectivity to Hong Kong and is mere minutes away from the Luohu, Wenjindu, and Liantang border crossings, and a short drive to Luohu Port. It is also conveniently connected to the Shenzhen Metro via Lines 2, 5, and 8. Among the lifestyle amenities are a pickleball court, alongside a gym, yoga studio, relaxation lounge, lobby cafe, and outdoor barbecue area all designed to support active living and foster a connected community. With its vibrant setting, thoughtful design, and our award-winning service, Modena by Fraser Shenzhen presents a fresh option for cross-border professionals and leisure travellers alike. Hotel website Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy's global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, proudly announces the opening of The Westin Nirup Island Resort & Spa, Batam, an oasis of well-being nestled on the breathtaking Nirup Island. Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Singapore's Harbourfront Terminal or 40-minute away from Harbour Bay Batam, this wellness-focused sanctuary spans the entire private island, offering an immersive escape where guests can recharge and reconnect through transformative experiences. From nature walks to snorkeling, wellness workshops and more, guests can rejuvenate themselves amidst lush tropical landscapes and pristine coastal beauty. Guests can enjoy a seamless arrival and exclusive access with on-site customs and immigration facilities, along with the convenience of exclusive yacht docking at the private marina, ensuring a smooth transition into paradise. A Serene Retreat Surrounded by Natural Beauty Designed to harmonize with the island's natural splendor, The Westin Nirup Island Resort & Spa, Batam features 94 spacious guest rooms and suites, along with 52 private villas, all offering expansive balconies, outdoor spaces or terraces that frame stunning views of the Singapore skyline. Each accommodation is thoughtfully designed to cultivate rest and renewal, featuring the recently launched next generation Heavenly Bed, the Westin Heavenly Shower, and premium Westin Bath amenities. Embracing the essence of local heritage, the resort's architectural design draws inspiration from the Orang Laut community, seamlessly blending modern design with cultural authenticity. Whether seeking solitude or shared moments, the villas are arranged in clusters of two, providing an intimate setting for families and friends. A Nourishing Culinary Journey True to the Eat Well philosophy, the resort boasts a collection of distinctive dining experiences: Island Kitchen - A vibrant all-day dining destination where guests can savor locally inspired and international cuisines, crafted with fresh, nourishing ingredients and showcased through interactive live cooking stations. - A vibrant all-day dining destination where guests can savor locally inspired and international cuisines, crafted with fresh, nourishing ingredients and showcased through interactive live cooking stations. Nirup Social Bar & Lounge - A lively hub offering signature coffee creations, fresh juices, and crafted cocktails, transitioning from a relaxing daytime lounge to a sophisticated evening retreat. - A lively hub offering signature coffee creations, fresh juices, and crafted cocktails, transitioning from a relaxing daytime lounge to a sophisticated evening retreat. Salt Simply Seafood - A coastal dining haven that celebrates the freshest seafood, complete with an ocean-to-table experience, featuring panoramic sea views and an ambiance that embodies seaside elegance. - A coastal dining haven that celebrates the freshest seafood, complete with an ocean-to-table experience, featuring panoramic sea views and an ambiance that embodies seaside elegance. Constellate Pool Bar - Perched at the island's highest point, this rooftop venue offers breathtaking 360-degree views, making it the ultimate destination for sunset cocktails and starlit gatherings. A Holistic Wellness and Rejuvenation Sanctuary Embodying Westin's Move Well and Feel Well pillars, The Westin Nirup Island Resort & Spa, Batam invites guests to awaken their senses and restore balance through an array of wellness-focused offerings: Heavenly Spa by Westin - A serene retreat designed to revitalize the mind, body, and spirit, featuring signature therapies such as Swedish-inspired massage, personalized treatments, and captivating views from each treatment room. WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio - An innovative wellness space with ocean view, equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, Sculpt & Flow Kits by Bala, and Recover & Recharge Kits by Hyperice, ensuring an optimized workout experience. Fitness Studio - An innovative wellness space with ocean view, equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, Sculpt & Flow Kits by Bala, and Recover & Recharge Kits by Hyperice, ensuring an optimized workout experience. Outdoor Recreational Activities - Guests can immerse themselves in nature with activities such as sunrise yoga sessions, guided island treks, and invigorating water sports, embracing the island's untouched beauty and tranquility. A Productive and Balanced Stay The resort boasts an array of meeting and wedding spaces designed to accommodate events of every size and style. The 450-sqm Ballroom can host important occasions, ranging from corporate conferences to one-of-a-kind weddings. Three versatile meeting rooms provide an inspiring environment for creativity and collaboration, ensuring every event is a memorable success. For those seeking a more intimate setting, guests can exchange vows with breathtaking ocean views, creating an unforgettable backdrop for their special day. An Elevated Island Experience With its exclusive island setting, seamless access from Singapore and Batam, and immersive wellness programming, The Westin Nirup Island Resort & Spa, Batam is poised to redefine premium island escapes. From a rejuvenating retreat to a culinary discovery or an active outdoor adventure, the resort offers an enriching and fulfilling experience tailored to every traveler's well-being. The Kids Club is a haven for young explorers, offering a dedicated space that is both enchanting and engaging. Nestled amidst breathtaking natural surroundings, the club provides stunning views that captivate the imagination. Children can immerse themselves in a variety of fun and educational activities, all while being enveloped by the beauty of nature. This thoughtfully designed sanctuary ensures that even the youngest guests have a memorable and delightful experience, making it an ideal retreat for families seeking both adventure and relaxation. Guests can indulge in a variety of activities on the island, from guided nature walks, yoga sessions on the beach, and wellness workshops designed to rejuvenate the mind and body, promising an unforgettable escape that caters to every desire. Hotel website Zeal Hotels has appointed James Ferdinando as sustainable development lead, as the group expands around the UK. The newly-created role follows the successful opening of the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, IHG's first branded net zero carbon hotel. The hotel has the target of being the first in Western Europe to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating in recognition of its sustainable approach to design, construction and overall fit out. It has been designed to operate with industry-leading benchmark-setting Energy Use Intensity levels, a critical measure that ensures the buildings sustainable future. Zeal Hotels will draw on Ferdinando's extensive experience in sustainable construction practices and sustainable development. He joins the group from RED Construction, which constructed the voco Zeal at Exeter Science Park, where he was group head of sustainability. Prior to that he worked at a number of world leading global organisations within the electronics and pharmaceuticals industries, as well as construction-related companies including roofing specialists SIG Roofing and BMI. The group is currently involved in a pilot testing scheme for a new benchmark across the built environment, the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. The Standard is a response to the need for consistent rules around net zero carbon, to both validate net zero claims and accelerate the design, construction and use of buildings that deliver lower-carbon outcomes in line with the UK's legally-binding 2050 carbon targets. he Awasi Group, known for creating singular experiences in South America, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alvaro Valeriani as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In his new role, he will lead the marketing and sales departments, focusing on strengthening the brand and supporting the careful and organic expansion of its properties, always in alignment with Awasi's core pillars: quality time, attention to detail, and truly personalized experiences. With an international career marked by aesthetic sensitivity and the ability to authentically connect brands with local cultures, Valeriani has held strategic positions at companies such as Aman Resorts, Explora Hotels, Hyatt, and Hilton. Throughout his journey, he has navigated diverse continents and contexts from Latin America to Asia and Europe carrying with him the belief that the true essence of hospitality lies in attentive listening, the silence of contemplation, and the creation of spaces that invite presence. Born in Uruguay, Alvaro began his professional journey in his home country and pursued academic training in both Montevideo and the United States. He graduated from Miami Dade College and holds specializations in Hospitality Marketing from Cornell University and Design Thinking from Stanford University areas that reflect his analytical, empathetic, and innovative approach. More than leading branding and expansion projects as he did at Explora Hotels with the brand's entry into the European market and the development of destinations like Rapa Nui Valeriani acts as a narrative architect, always balancing performance with purpose. At Aman Resorts, he was responsible for global communications strategies, and at Hilton, he led the commercial performance of over 60 hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean. Valeriani's arrival marks a new chapter for Awasi's commercial team, which also welcomes Luiza Mattos as Marketing Director; Paula as Sales Director for Brazil; and Consuelo Serrano as Sales Director for Latin America. Awasi Lodges is a collection of properties located in landscapes of rare beauty across Argentina, Brazil and Chile. With a private and personalized hospitality concept, the lodges are designed to offer unique experiences that respect the rhythms of nature and prioritize the guest's own pace. The brand is a member of Relais & Chateaux and runs environmental conservation initiatives through the Awasi Foundation. View Alvaro Valeriani's LinkedIn Profile Alvaro Valeriani is a graduate of Cornell Execed in Ithaca, New York - United States Specialist hotel operating and development company Resident Hotels Ltd (RHL) has appointed Julia Gosling to the newly-created role of Head of Brand and Marketing. Gosling joins the group as it continues to expand, building on the recent opening of The Resident Edinburgh for owners Mactaggart Family & Partners and the near-complete transformation of the Sleeperz Hotels portfolio to Four Points Flex by Sheraton, Marriott International's newly launched EMEA Midscale brand, operated under franchise by RHL. Prior to this appointment, Gosling spent eight years at Hand Picked Hotels, a privately owned 21-hotel collection where she oversaw brand development, digital growth, content and PR. She also has a wealth of broader hospitality marketing and PR knowledge within the sector having worked in-house and in-agency, which she now brings to RHL's portfolio. Gosling said: "I am thrilled to be joining RHL at this exciting time in the company's growth and look forward to working across The Resident and Marriott International's Four Points Flex by Sheraton brands, each of which represent great opportunities for owners and investors. The Resident Edinburgh, the sixth hotel in the group, is currently ranking sixth of Edinburgh hotels on TripAdvisor less than six months after its soft opening in late November 2024. The four-strong Sleeperz portfolio, three of which were converted in April to the mid-scale Four Points Flex by Sheraton brand, recently launched by Marriott International with RHL operating the hotels under franchise contracts. The fourth hotel, Cityroomz Edinburgh, will join the stable in June completing a fast-track successful transition. Resident Hotels is currently in discussions over a number of new sites as it continues to look to expansion also through management contracts, with further announcements expected this year. White Lodging, an industry leader in urban and lifestyle hospitality development and management, is pleased to announce that Anne Tabakian will take on the role as Vice President of Food & Beverage. Anne has played a critical role in White Lodging's leadership and success in the Food & Beverage (F&B) space since she joined the company in 2016, most recently as Corporate Senior Director of Food & Beverage. Anne joined White Lodging as a Restaurant General Manager in Austin, ultimately growing into senior corporate positions. She has been a cornerstone of White Lodging's F&B concepts, from concept and menu development to training to compliance. The heart of White Lodging's F&B approach is its state-of-the-art Test Kitchen and deep branding expertise, which work together seamlessly to deliver scratch-kitchen concepts and food that provide significant value to owners. White Lodging's more than 50 F&B outlets average a customer satisfaction rating of 4.8, which is among the top 10 percent of all restaurants in the country. Anne is supported by award-winning chefs, as well as beverage, restaurant operation and marketing experts that are hands-on in supporting new and existing concepts. White Lodging will introduce six new or re-branded F&B concepts to its portfolio in 2025. Prior to joining White Lodging, Anne spent nearly a decade at two of the nation's most respected restaurant groups - Uchi Restaurants and Hillstone Restaurant Group. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University. In addition to 60 premium brand hotels and a private collection of world-renowned luxury ranches, White Lodging's F&B portfolio includes award-winning steak and seafood restaurants, market-leading rooftop bars, modern bistros and thoughtfully crafted quick service concepts. Many of us check chicken breast doneness by cutting into it to see if its white, assuming its fully cooked. But this common trick often leads to dry, overcooked meat, or worse, undercooked chicken. The truth is, color isnt a reliable indicator of doneness. Enter sous-vide cooking under the guidance of our Chef Cyrille Lecossois, Senior Lecturer at EHL and sous-vide expert. this precise method ensures perfectly juicy, tender chicken every time by controlling temperature, not color. Lets bust the color myth and see how sous-vide can transform your chicken cooking game. Why Color Isnt the Best Guide for Cooked Chicken? Were often told that chicken is safe when it turns white, but color alone isnt reliableit can lead to dry, overcooked chicken or, worse, undercooked meat. Chicken can appear done on the outside while being undercooked inside. Instead, rely on temperature for foolproof doneness. The Importance of Temperature in Sous-Vide Chicken Cooking Sous-vide may sound complex, but its a foolproof way to achieve doneness. For chicken breast, sous-vide eliminates guesswork by using precise temperature control. Traditional cooking methods typically use high heat, which can lead to overcooked, dry chicken, especially on the outer layers. Sous-vide, however, allows you to cook chicken slowly at a lower, constant temperature, ensuring juicy, even doneness from edge to center. A 180 g chicken breast should be cooked at 66 C. Step-by-Step Guide to Sous-Vide Chicken Cooking Gather your tools: youll need a sous-vide cooking machine, a vacuum sealer, and vacuum cooking bags. The vacuum bag acts like a second skin, protecting food from outside elements like heat, water, microbes, and bacteria, while keeping it completely safe. The bag creates a barrier without any chemical exchange between the bag and the food, ensuring no health risks and preserving the quality and taste of your ingredients. Prepare and seal the chicken breast: lightly season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs like thyme or rosemary, plus a drizzle of olive oil for added flavor. Place it in a vacuum cooking bag. Seal tightly, using a vacuum sealer. Always start with chilled (refrigerator-temperature) chicken for sous-vide, but never frozen. If the chicken breast is frozen, make sure to fully thaw it before cooking for the best, most even results. Pasteurization: submerge the bag in simmering water at 83 C for 4 minutes Set the temperature: fill the sous-vide machine with water and set up the temperature to 66 C. Cook the chicken breast: submerge the bag in the water for 50 minutes. Cooling step, the 10/10/2 rule: 10 minutes at room temperature, then 10 minutes in cold tap water, finally 2 hours in an ice bath. Optional searing for extra flavor: after cooking, you can sear the chicken breast in a hot skillet with a touch of oil for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side to add a golden-brown crust. Regenerate before eating: if you want to eat it hot, submerge the bag in water at 58 C for 10 minutes. It is also possible to eat it cold. Serve and enjoy! Serve the chicken breast as it is or use it in salads, sandwiches, or other recipes. Common Mistakes To Avoid With Sous-Vide Chicken Cooking Sous-vide is reliable, but a few mistakes can impact results. Heres how to avoid them: Not sealing the bag properly: any air in the bag can cause uneven cooking. Use a vacuum sealer with vacuum cooking bags to remove all air. Setting the wrong temperature: stick to recommended temperature. Correct temperature ensures the ideal chicken texture. Failing the cooling steps: properly cooling sous-vide chicken is essential if you plan to store it for later. Cooling helps preserve texture and flavor and ensures food safety for future use. The Perfect Doneness Awaits You With Sous-Vide Chicken Cooking Cooking chicken breast can feel like a balancing act, but sous-vide takes out the guesswork, ensuring perfect results every time. With precise temperature control, sous-vide delivers your desired texture, whether tender and buttery or firm and flaky, while locking in moisture and flavor. Say goodbye to overcooked or underdone chicken! If cooking chicken sous-vide still sounds a bit complex, why not get hands-on experience? Join our expert Cyrille in a dedicated sous-vide workshops, where youll learn all the tips and tricks to mastering sous-vide cooking and debunk any remaining myths! And if youre ready to master sous-vide cooking for more than just chicken, check out our tips and tricks for cooking sous-vide pork, beef steak, or salmon. Each guide offers expert advice for perfect results every time! 16 common questions about sous-vide cooking poultry What's the lowest I should sous vide chicken thighs if I plan to grill afterwards? The lowest recommended temperature for sous vide chicken thighs is 60 C, provided they are held at this temperature for at least 27.5 minutes to ensure pasteurization. For grilling afterward, cooking at 65 C for 2 4 hours is ideal, as it results in juicy and tender meat that can withstand high-heat grilling without drying out. Can you sous vide a whole turkey? Yes, you can sous vide a whole turkey. Use a large bag and cook the turkey at 65 C for 12 24 hours for tender and juicy results. For best results, separate the breast and leg/thigh meat and cook them at their respective ideal temperatures (e.g., 57 C for the breast, 65 C for the legs). Finish by roasting or searing to crisp up the skin. Can I sous-vide chicken in a pot? Yes, you can sous vide chicken in a pot as long as you use an immersion circulator to maintain precise water temperature. Fill the pot with water, attach the circulator, and follow your recipes recommended time and temperature settings (e.g., 74 C for chicken thighs). Ensure the chicken is fully submerged in a sealed bag. Why can I not achieve crispy skin on sous vide chicken thighs? Sous vide cooking doesnt crisp the skin because it occurs at low temperatures in water. To achieve crispy skin, pat the chicken dry after sous vide and sear it in a hot cast iron skillet with oil or broil it briefly in the oven. Pressing down on the skin during searing helps it crisp evenly. Sous vide method for 40 pounds of chicken breast any tips? For large quantities like 40 pounds of chicken breast: Use multiple water baths with circulators to ensure even cooking. Cook in small batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven heat distribution. Cook at 65 C for 1 4 hours for tender results. After cooking, chill the chicken in an ice bath before storing or serving. Thanksgiving: Is a turkey cooked sous-vide going to turn out well? Yes! Sous vide turkey ensures evenly cooked, moist, and flavorful meat without overcooking the breast or undercooking the dark meat. Cooking parts separately (breast at 57 C and legs at 65 C) yields optimal results. Finish by roasting or searing to crisp up the skin for a traditional presentation. Is there a point to sous viding chicken for longer than the minimum required time? For chicken breast, once it reaches the target temperature (e.g., 145F for 12 hours), additional cooking time doesnt improve texture significantly. However, for dark meat like thighs, longer cooking (e.g., 4 hours at 155F) can help break down connective tissue and render fat, making it more tender. Whats the best temperature for sous vide chicken breast? The ideal temperature depends on your preferred texture: 140F (60C): juicy but slightly soft texture. 150F (65C): traditional poached texture, firm but moist. 155F (68C): firmer texture, closer to conventionally cooked chicken. Why does sous vide chicken sometimes feel raw at lower temperatures? Chicken cooked at 140145F is fully pasteurized and safe to eat, but some people find the texture unusual because its softer than conventionally cooked chicken. Cooking at 150155F provides a more familiar texture while retaining moisture. Can I sous vide frozen chicken? Yes, you can sous vide frozen chicken without defrosting. Add an extra 30 minutes to the cooking time (e.g., cook frozen chicken breasts at 145F for 22.5 hours). How do I season chicken for sous vide? Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or herbs before vacuum-sealing. You can also add marinades or flavored oils directly into the bag for enhanced flavor infusion during cooking. Avoid raw garlic as it can develop a harsh taste during sous vide. Should I sear sous vide chicken after cooking? Searing is optional but enhances flavor and presentation by creating a caramelized crust. Use a hot skillet with oil or butter for 12 minutes per side after patting the chicken dry to avoid steaming. For cold dishes like salads, searing may not be necessary. How do I batch-cook chicken using sous vide for meal prep? Cook multiple chicken breasts in separate vacuum-sealed bags at once (e.g., 145F for 12 hours) and chill them in an ice bath immediately after cooking. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer storage. Reheat using sous vide at the original cooking temperature. How do I batch-cook chicken using sous vide for meal prep? Cook multiple chicken breasts in separate vacuum-sealed bags at once (e.g., 145F for 12 hours) and chill them in an ice bath immediately after cooking. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer storage. Reheat using sous vide at the original cooking temperature. Can I cook different cuts of chicken together in one sous vide bath? Yes, but ensure all cuts are cooked at their respective ideal temperatures and times: Breasts: cook at 145F for 12 hours. Thighs: cook at 165F for 14 hours, depending on desired tenderness. Use separate bags if combining cuts with different requirements. Is sous vide better than traditional methods for cooking chicken? Sous vide provides precise temperature control, ensuring perfectly cooked chicken without overcooking or drying outideal for lean cuts like breasts that tend to dry out with other methods. However, traditional methods like roasting or grilling may offer better browning and crispier skin without additional steps like searing post-sous vide. Discover the Chef Behind the Sous-Vide Expertise at EHL Lausanne: Cyrille Lecossois Senior Lecturer EHL Practical Arts at EHL Hospitality Business School on Lausanne Campus Mr. Cyrille Lecossois teaches culinary arts and restaurant service courses at EHL. He originally trained as a cook and obtained professional certificates in culinary arts and hotel and restaurant operations. He began his career in restaurants in France, as a cook, or line cook and then gained international experience by working for Club Mediterranee (Club Med) in various locations over a period of six years. Arriving in Switzerland for family reasons, Cyrille worked in a restaurant at the top of Montreux, and then in a five-star hotel restaurant in Montreux. He joined EHL in 2001, occupying different positions from culinary instructor to executive chef. Since then, he has added a new dimension to his career by focusing on developing and implementing highly effective teaching and learning methodology for higher education and the practical arts subjects that he teaches. EHL Hospitality Business School Communications Department +41 21 785 1354 EHL View source Movenpick Brand Expands with New Hotel Signing in Cairo, Egypt - Image Credit Accor Accor has signed an agreement to develop a new Movenpick hotel in West Cairo, set to open in 2028. Accor has announced the development of a new hotel under the Movenpick brand in West Cairo, Egypt. The project, which involves a 220-room hotel, is scheduled for completion and opening in 2028. This development is part of a larger mixed-use area in the growing region of Sheikh Zayed City. The new Movenpick Cairo West will be strategically located to cater to business and leisure travelers, providing easy access to major business districts, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. The hotel is also conveniently positioned near popular attractions such as the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Giza Pyramids, approximately 20-30 minutes away by car. The hotel will feature 220 guest rooms and suites and offer a range of amenities, including two restaurants, a bar, a 500-square-meter ballroom, and four meeting rooms. Additional facilities will include a spa, a fitness center, and two swimming pools, aiming to meet the needs of both leisure and business guests. This new development is aligned with the broader goals of Egypt Vision 2030, which focuses on urban expansion and growth. The Movenpick Cairo West is expected to contribute to the local economy by attracting domestic and international travelers and creating employment opportunities in the region. The signing of Movenpick Cairo West is part of Accors ongoing efforts to increase its presence in high-potential markets across the Middle East and Africa. The development is being carried out in collaboration with Crest Development, through its real estate subsidiary Living Lines. Zelia Halkidiki - Image Credit Hyatt Hyatt Hotels Corporation has opened Zelia Halkidiki, its first Destination by Hyatt branded property in Greece, located in the northern region of the country. Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Zelia Halkidiki on June 1, 2025. This marks the first Destination by Hyatt property in Greece, expanding the brand's presence in Europe. The adults-only resort is situated in the scenic area of Halkidiki, known for its clear waters and pine-fringed beaches. Zelia Halkidiki features 104 guestrooms and suites, each designed with natural materials and colors inspired by the local landscape. The rooms have amenities such as a 55-inch smart TV, a rain shower, and Le Labo toiletries. The resort aims to provide a serene environment, blending modern design with natural elements. The resort offers a variety of dining options. Mesogaea serves Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Shizen offers a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian dishes. Syntrofi, located in the resorts olive grove, provides a farm-to-table experience, while Zest, a poolside restaurant, specializes in traditional Greek dishes. Wellness facilities at Zelia Halkidiki include a heated indoor pool, jetted bathtub, sensory showers, and a quiet room. The spa offers a range of services designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. Additionally, the resort features outdoor swimming pools, including the Hebe infinity pool and the Zest pool. Guests can also participate in daily yoga and Pilates sessions and enjoy weekly cinema nights outdoors. Top 5 Proven Hotel Marketing Tactics to Boost Bookings - By Daniel Foreman - Image Credit Lighthouse Unfortunately, hotels dont just sell themselves. While it would be nice to sit back and watch the reservations roll in, the reality is much different. To consistently win bookings you need to put in consistent effort to make sure your hotel is visible, bookable, and enticing. This is where the marketing side of commercial strategy comes into play. For hoteliers there are many challenges. Most dont come from a marketing or digital marketing background, meaning there can be a learning curve when it comes to knowing what opportunities are even available for hoteliers to leverage. If youre looking for tried and true methods, youre in luck; this article will share 5 surefire tactics: A great website, Strong content scores with OTA partners, Cost per click campaigns, Strong relationships with DMOs, and finally higher review scores (dependent on a great guest experience, of course). For each tip, well also give you a fresh perspective from an expert on the Lighthouse team who has direct experience with each tactic. If youre ready to start implementing new marketing tactics that will drive bookings, lets jump right in and discuss each tactic in detail. A great website A great website is one of the most important ways to market your hotel. Even if guests discover your hotel, or check reviews on an OTA , many shoppers still visit your website to look for special deals, get more in-depth information about the property (such as room-types and amenities), and view images. A great website can also drive direct bookings - a seamless booking experience can incentivize shoppers to book then and there, rather than shop around among various OTAs, especially when the rate they see on your website matches or beats other options. To add some color, I reached out to Niels from our Bruges office. Niels is a BDM in our Bruges office with extensive experience helping independent hotels with their websites. Heres what he had to say: Your share of direct bookings and therefore how much money you keep in your pocket hinges on a strong website. It's your online business card, so it has to feel trustworthy and professional. Your booking module should stand out immediately ideally with a best rate guarantee and the reservation process has to be frictionless. Without that, users will click away. We see our clients direct bookings grow with a website that meets current standards. Niels Gobeyn - Business Development Manager EMEA (Belgium - Bruges) So remember: A good website is one that looks professional, is trustworthy, and has frictionless booking experience (especially when paired with rates that a guest cant get anywhere else). If you want to learn more about the frictionless booking experience part of things, check out our booking engine . And to learn more about how to identify competitor rates, and members rates, check out rate insight. Strong content scores with OTA partners Not all bookings come directly through your website. While direct bookings are certainly the most desirable, hoteliers must also participate with their OTA partners to maximize occupancy, especially over need periods (also known as the off-season, which you can learn more about in another of my pieces here ). Much like you want your direct website to look its best, OTA partners also want your property to look its best on their platform so it will sell and they can capture a commission! ( learn more about this process here) To keep hotel partners engaged and content fresh on their websites, most OTAs have therefore created a content score or some other way of grading your hotel's appearance. Things like high resolution, up to date photos and clearly categorized room types can drive the score up, whereas outdated content, rate disparity, and unaddressed reviews may drive the content score down. Treat your OTA listings with a similar level of care as your website. Make sure that you are responding to reviews, updating the latest photos at the optimized resolution and dimensions, and keeping information about your property (amenities, hours of operation, and descriptions) up to date. This ensures that your score remains high, and your property remains high up in an organic search when shoppers do utilize an OTA channel to search for a hotel. If youre worried about converting OTA guests to direct bookers, dont worry at this point, you can convert them to direct bookers later in the journey, so there is no reason to sabotage your listing on an OTA just because the channel cost is higher. Heres what Jared, a member of the Lighthouse Revenue Strategy Services team had to say about maintaining high content scores with OTAs: Content scores are crucial to strong OTA Production. With just a few minutes spent towards ensuring amenities, descriptions, and photos are all up to date, hotels often see a sizable increase in OTA rooms nights and revenue. Oftentimes, guests are shopping on OTAs for a hotel that they haven't been to before. The deciding factor comes down to your online presence! Accurate and efficient advertisement is crucial to winning valuable business or else you risk losing guests to competitors who took the time to put their best foot forward. At Lighthouse RSS, we offer Spotlights that review content regularly to ensure all is up to date and hotels are presenting themselves on OTAs as an experience that guests are looking for. From the first online click to check out, we strive to provide a guest experience that is transparent, hassle-free and enjoyable. Jared Leal - Senior Revenue Manager, RSS Cost per click campaigns In seriously slow periods (low season), all bookings including those from online travel agents can be a welcome sight. But what if youre in a crowded, competitive market? Or perhaps you are still working on improving your content score with an OTA partner and arent consistently ranking high on an organic search yet. This is where tactics like Cost-per-click campaigns, (known as both CPC and PPC interchangeably) can compliment your existing marketing strategy. By utilizing a CPC/PPC campaign, your hotel will be placed either at the top of an organic search, or in strategic places throughout the search results that are proven to have the highest conversion rate. This boosts your hotel's visibility, and puts more eyeballs on your property. Heres how they work: hoteliers typically load a pre-paid balance (perhaps $500, or $1000 dollars), and build their sponsored ad based on a template. From there, a hotelier can specify a daily spend limit, and desired booking windows (for example, you can focus on showing your ad to just last minute bookers if you so choose). Each time the sponsored ad is clicked by a shopper, it may cost .50 cents, or $1.50, or some other small amount, depending on how competitive the market is. When a CPC campaign has been active for some time, hoteliers can track marketing performance statistics such as impressions, clicks, bookings, and return on ad spend. Heres what Rachael, a senior member of the Lighthouse RSS team had to say about CPC campaigns In the competitive landscape of online travel, cost-per-click campaigns on OTAs are a vital tool for hotels, offering immediate visibility and access to a vast audience actively seeking accommodations. While balancing direct bookings is key, strategic CPC on these platforms ensures your hotel is present and bookable at the crucial decision-making moment, directly impacting occupancy and revenue. Rachael Vaden - Director of Revenue Management, RSS The key takeaway for CPC is that they are a quick and easy lever that you can pull when you need to quickly boost visibility and ranking on certain booking platforms, but at a cost. Consider these strategies in your slowest times of year when there is less risk of displacing lower-cost direct bookings. Strong Relationships with DMOs Depending on your market, DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations) can be a major benefit for your hotel. DMO representatives can help you understand which events are coming to your market, the anticipated volume and demographics of travelers into your market, and other vital information about specific campaigns. DMOs can also help boost visibility for your hotel, by providing your hotels as a top choice when working with event organizers. For example, a DMO may be able to list a direct booking link for your website for an upcoming convention with a special offer for conference attendees. By maintaining a strong relationship with your local DMO, you can expect to have more opportunities than other hotel partners that do not participate in any sort of local marketing initiatives. Joining as a partner member of a DMO offers hotels significant benefits, including increased visibility through presence on the DMO website and associated digital channels. You also gain the opportunity to be part of the DMOs national and international marketing campaigns, engage in travel trade events and exhibitions, and benefit from being the preferred lodging for media visits and MICE delegates. Furthermore, membership provides access to a year-round program of networking events, tourism research, and market insights, helping to drive visitors from key feeder markets.Jonathan Gough - Content Marketing Team Lead & Former DMO employee Keep in mind that partnerships with DMOs typically require a membership fee and maintaining an ongoing relationship with the DMO partner - dont expect to simply kick back and see new bookings immediately - a relationship with a DMO is often a longer play that benefits both parties and your local travel market as a whole, and can be rewarding, but slower to pay dividends. We also have an informative blog that explains things from a DMO perspective , demystifying their goals, and what analytics they utilize, that we invite you to read. Higher review scores As all hoteliers know, ultimately what matters is a quality guest experience. All of the quick fixes and tricks in the world wont fix basic operational problems, or a poor guest experience. Hoteliers should monitor indicators such as review scores, and general guest feedback to ensure that new guests find a reason to book, and previous guests have a reason to return. Research from Lighthouse indicates that review scores also heavily impact a hotels pricing potential . Its much easier to maintain a strong review score than it is to dig yourself out of a hole once your review score has dropped to an unacceptable level. We here at Lighthouse did extensive research into the relationship between review scores and a hotels ability to drive pricing. What we found is that, while certain markets and market segments have stronger correlations than others, there is an unequivocal link between a hotels review score and the propertys ability to command rate. For example, the U.S. average for an additional tenth-of-a-point in review score for a 2-star hotel is roughly $1.50 in pricing power. Imagine youre a 2-star hotelier and you can suddenly get an additional $1.50 in revenue, on average, for each room you sell. That adds up quicker than you might realize! Blake Reiter - Director of Hospitality Research Consider doing a deep-dive on your current online reputation and see where your points of strength, and points of weakness are. Try to correct recurring issues that are consistently detracting from the guest experience and focus on small incremental improvements to your review score on all channels. This is obviously a longer-term play, but if executed well can lead to huge, lasting benefits for years to come. Conclusion Of course, there are more than just these 5 marketing methods, but if you are able to implement these strategies consistently, it will help you to boost bookings all throughout the year when you need occupancy most. Also, if you havent already, consider learning more about Lighthouse tools such as Market Insigh t and Rate Insight . These market intelligence tools are perfect for better anticipating times of year when you may need to implement the marketing tactics described above. Daniel Foreman is a hospitality professional with over a decade of experience in revenue management, business intelligence and marketing. Daniel is passionate about hotel data, worldwide trends in hospitality and learning from dynamic hospitality leaders around the world. He is the host of the Lighthouse Spotlight Podcast. Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn. About Lighthouse Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 65,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners - their success is our success. This article originally appeared on Lighthouse. 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. TikTok For Artists launches with Analytics, Pre-saves, Teams TikTok for Artists has officially launched. The new music insights platform is designed to help artists and their teams build careers. TikTok For Artists launches with Analytics, Pre-saves, Teams & More Metrics available in the new TikTok For Artists analytics platform include views, posts, and user generated engagement per song and posts. There is also data on an artists followers, including age, language, and gender. TikTok for Artists also includes guides to all for TikToks tools and features along with additional support and resources. Pre-Release Campaigns Also launching is a Pre-Release tool to promote upcoming album releases on TikTok. It lets fans pre-save albums directly to Spotify or Apple Music and instantly available on release. The tool helps bridge the frustrating gap between TikTok and music streaming. useful, actionable data about their music and their fans TikTok is already well known for being the worlds best platform for music discovery and promotion,said Tracy Gardner, TikToks Global Head of Music Business Development, and with the launch of TikTok for Artists, all tiers of artists will gain insights on TikTok that they can use to take their careers to a whole new level. We built the platform to give artists transparent access to useful, actionable data about their music and their fans, to help them better engage with the TikTok community and supercharge their careers both on and off the platform. TikTok for Artists is now available in 26 countries: Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina. The platform will be rolling out in other countries soon, TikTok says. Learn more about TikTok For Artists here. Ban Deadline Nears TikTok continues to live under the threat of a U.S. government ban. President Trump has extended the deadline twice and it currently stands at June 19. Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and founder of the Skyline Artists Agency. Share on: Berkshire Immigrant Center to Hold Annual Benefit Event LENOX, Mass. The Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) will host its annual Beacon of Hope benefit event on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Shakespeare & Company's Tina Packer Playhouse. The event will feature a performance by Lakou Mizik, a collective of Haitian musicians. The celebration is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM with drinks and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a premiere screening of "Standing Together," a short film about BIC's services to the local immigrant community. "June is Immigrant Heritage Month, a time to reflect on where we come from and recognize the many ways immigrants continue to shape and strengthen our communities." Melissa Canavan, BIC Executive Director, said. "Joining us at the Beacon of Hope benefit is a great way to stand together with Berkshire immigrants and celebrate the strength and resilience they bring to the Berkshires." All proceeds from the event will support BIC's legal and educational services for the immigrant community in the region. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased online at BIC's website. Lead Sponsors for the event include Sherwood Guernsey and the Gilson Family Foundation, with Greylock Federal Credit Union as the Lead Business Sponsor. Additional support is provided by in-kind donors Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Domaney's Liquors and Fine Wines, Hot Plate Brewing Co., Eric Korenman Photography, and Handful Photography, as well as over 60 other sponsors, including Gold Sponsors Martin, Hochberg & Cianflone, PLLP; Silver Sponsors Adams Community Bank, Berkshire Health Systems, and Lee Bank; and Bronze Sponsors Arienti + Klepetar LLP, Balance Rock Investment Group, Berkshire Food Co-op, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Paul Rich & Sons Home Furnishings + Design, and Theory Wellness. Since 1997, BIC has focused on serving the needs of local immigrants and is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a member agency of the Williamstown Community Chest. Henry "Terry" Williams III, a Dalton native and retired accountant with the state's Division of Local Services, was offered the post of interim town manager on Monday. Dalton Picks former FinComm Chair as Interim Town Manager Matthew Castriotta, left, over Zoom, and H. Terry Williams III were interviewed on Monday night for the interim post. DALTON, Mass. The Select Board voted for Dalton native Henry "Terry" Williams III, a state Department of Revenue retiree, for the interim town manager position. The four board members interviewed the two candidates for the interim position Williams and Matthew Castriotta of Hubbardston. Select Board member Marc Strout recused himself from the vote because his wife is the police chief, and the town manager is her direct supervisor. All the board members agreed that it was a tough decision, given the two men's municipal experience serving on committees in their respective towns. However, the board selected Williams because of his immediate availability and familiarity with Dalton. Williams' roots here extend deep. He served on the Finance Committee for 31 years and was chair from 1990 until 2018. "The best way to know the town is by joining the Finance Committee," he said. During the interview, he name-dropped several past and current department heads and committee members he has worked alongside. These included former longtime Town Manager Kenneth Walto, with whom he created a five-year plan for capital projects and expressed that the current year is the most critical. Over the years, he witnessed and helped transition several changes in Dalton, including to a town manager form of government, the expansion of the board from three to five members, technological advancements, and more. He also demonstrated his experience at the DOR's Division of Local Services, where he oversaw municipal finances for multiple towns for nearly 20 years as a field accountant. Prior to that, he worked for the former Beloit Corp. for many years. In this career, he assisted cities and towns with accounting, auditing, budgeting, and treasury management. He shared an experience from his time with DOR, in which he was tasked with resolving a conflict during a special town meeting because the town's purchase of a large item exceeded its Proposition 2 1/2 levy limit, requiring a change in the vote to authorize a debt. Williams highlighted how local government is the closest form of government to the constituents. Unlike the federal and state governments, when you pay your taxes, it's not entirely known how it is used, he said. With local government, residents participate in town meetings, budgeting, and decision-making, and their voices are heard. "I would say, in this position, and a constituent calls or a voter or a town resident and they have a problem, I'm prepared to be there immediately and work the best I can to remedy the situation," Williams said. Williams said he is available to start working in a town manager capacity as soon as the beginning of next week, but cautioned that he has booked flights in October to Austin, where he owns a home, to return in November. Although a trip to Texas is his intention, Williams said he would be willing to amend his plans or work remotely. Williams said one of the first things he would do in this role is interview all the department heads and emphasized how he also sees the role as an agent to the Select Board. Board members felt that his familiarity with the town's financial operations and departments makes him well-suited for the interim role. "I noticed that the job posting mentioned that this interim position could also transfer into permanency. Truthfully, I'm not interested in a permanent position," Williams said. Castriotta was interested in the permanent position. Like Williams, Castriotta also lacked experience as a town manager; rather, the position would serve as a career change after retiring from public education after 32 years. In addition to education, Castriotta served on several municipal boards and committees in Hubbardston and with the state, including the Select Board from 1999 to 2014, chairing for eight years. As a selectman, he highlighted how he helped create new financial policies, a new town charter, and navigated financial and staffing issues and hires. Additionally, he has a background in corporate finance and sales. Castriotta expressed interest in the additional training and demonstrated that, a couple of months ago, he had taken an online grant writing class to become more familiar with the town manager role. The retired teacher said he would not need health insurance, and because of state pension laws, the amount he can earn is limited, which could potentially save the town between $50,000 and $70,000. Castriotta also indicated that if hired, he would live in the area part time, by renting rooms or staying in a hotel in Dalton or Pittsfield, given the commute is about an hour to and hour and a half from his current location "I did see that [the town operates] Monday through Thursday. I would certainly, especially the nights that there are meetings, I would just stay over in Dalton or Pittsfield, or someplace close," Castriotta said. He noted the commute is about one hour to 90 minutes hours from his current location. He also mentioned that the town recently rescinded the requirement for a town manager to live in town, which makes his part-time local presence acceptable. Williams' connection and knowledge of the town and immediate availability set him above Castriotta; however, board member John Boyle said he hopes the town manager screening committee takes Castriotta's application for the permanent position seriously. Select Board Chair Robert Bishop raised the possibility that if Castriotta is still interested in the position in October, when Williams leaves for Austin, he might be able to assume the position then. Whether you're clutching in ranked matches or grinding through late-night work sessions, the right gear makes all the difference between victory and frustration. Logitech, the global leader in gaming and PC peripherals, is delivering massive discounts at the Lazada 6.6 Super Wow Sale to ensure you get the tech you deserve. Starting June 5 at 8 PM until June 8, Logitech is offering up to 45 percent off Logitech G gaming equipment and up to 50 percent off personal workspace essentials, bringing high-quality tech within reach for both gamers and professionals. Customers can also enjoy an additional 20 percent platform-exclusive discount voucher on top of these amazing offers to maximize their savings and get the most value for their money. Pro-Grade Tech, Pro-Level Savings If you're on the lookout for a fresh new set of gaming headphones, mouse, or keyboard, now is the time to browse and check out Logitech Gs offerings. Gamers can secure an exclusive early bird discount worth 1,000 for purchases with a minimum spend of 6,000 on select Logitech G gaming items, available from June 5 (8 PM) to June 6 (2 AM). Throughout the entire sale period, additional vouchers are also available for bigger savings: 10 percent off with a 5,000 minimum spend, capped at P500 10 percent off with a 3,500 minimum spend, capped at P350 175 off on G304 Black and White variants Work Smarter, Save Bigger Productivity enthusiasts and professionals can expand their workspace with Logitechs premium lineup of items focused on productivity and efficiency. Customers can enjoy the following deals on their next Logitech non-gaming gear purchase: 50 voucher for first-time customers of Logitechs official Lazada store Discount vouchers up to 250 15 percent off on purchases of 2,000 or more, available exclusively from June 6 to June 8, between 12 PM and 6 PM Four flagship items will also be available at a massive 1,000 discount: Combo Touch Pro 11 and 13 inch Combo Touch Air 11 and 13 inch MX Master 3S Graphite MX Master 3S Pale Grey MX Keys S MS Keys Mini These exceptional devices are ideal for boosting productivity while adding a touch of sophistication to any workspace. As an added bonus, every customer who purchases any MX product will receive a free Wonderhome Naturals Organic Desk & Gadget Cleaner while supplies last, perfect for keeping their new gear spotless and ready. Dont miss out on these incredible deals! Head over to Logitechs official Lazada store and Logitech Gs official Lazada store to check out whats in store for you. For more information, you may also visit Logitechs and Logitech Gs official websites to view their wide product offerings and Logitechs Facebook page for future promotions and announcements. 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 Liberal frontrunner Lee Jae Myung is poised to become the next South Korean president, exit polls showed, after voters turned out in huge numbers to cast their ballots after months of political turmoil. The country was forced to conduct a snap election after former president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached for attempting to impose martial law last December. South Koreans have responded to that crisis by voting in the leader of the opposition Democratic Party Mr Lee, 61, who campaigned on a message of major changes to the political system abused by Mr Yoons conservative People Power Party. About 34.5 million people, or around 78 per cent of the electorate, voted across 14,295 locations, according to the latest National Election Commission figures as polls closed. That would make it the highest turnout in a South Korean presidential election since 1997. Polls closed at 8pm, with exit polls giving Mr Lee 51.7 per cent of the vote compared to 39.3 per cent for conservative candidate Kim Moon Soo, a gap of more than 12 percentage points, according to broadcaster SBS. The third contender, Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party, was forecast to receive 7.7 per cent votes. open image in gallery Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol casts his vote for the presidential election at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 ( Yonhap ) Responding to the exit polls, the Democratic Party said the people of South Korea had made fiery judgment against the insurrection regime, while Conservative Party campaign co-chair Na Kyung Won said he was shocked by the result. The joint exit polls were based on surveys of about 100,000 voters at 325 polling stations nationwide and supplemented by a phone survey of 15,000 voters, according to The Korea Herald. Exit polls in South Korea have a good track record. During the 2022 election, they predicted a tight race in which Mr Yoon had defeated Mr Lee by 0.6 percentage points, which was almost exactly correct. open image in gallery A woman enters a polling booth as she votes during the presidential election in Seoul on June 3, 2025 ( AFP/Getty ) The snap election was called in April after the Constitutional Court ousted Mr Yoon as president earlier this year for imposing martial law. Mr Yoon had been impeached by the National Assembly and the court upheld the parliamentary decision. He is also facing a criminal trial for insurrection. Mr Lees position as favourite has held firm since the beginning of the election campaign on 12 May at one point he enjoyed a more than 20 percentage point lead in polls. After losing narrowly to Mr Yoon in the 2022 election, he survived an assassination attempt during a visit to a construction site on Gadeok Island in Busan when he was stabbed in the neck in 2024. Known for being outspoken and positioning himself as anti-elitist, Mr Lee is hailed by his supporters as a working-class hero with his promises to make a "real Republic of Korea" with jobs and a fair society. He has advocated for using fiscal policy to support the economy and bringing to justice anyone involved in Mr Yoon's botched attempt to declare martial law. Mr Lee had called the snap election "judgment day" against his rival Mr Kim and the People Power Party, accusing them of having condoned Mr Yoons martial law attempt. The Democratic Party candidate has urged voters to rally behind his campaign theme of overcoming insurrection". open image in gallery People vote at a polling station during the presidential election in Seoul ( AFP/Getty ) In his final campaign speech, Mr Lee called Yeouido in Seoul a historic site where the darkness of insurrection was driven out by the light of democracy". We will complete the revolution of light that began here in Yeouido," he was quoted as saying by The Chosun Daily. Mr Kim had denounced his rival as a "dictator" and his Democratic Party as a "monster", warning that if the former human rights lawyer became president, he and his party would be left unconstrained to amend any laws they simply did not like. The conservative nominee had claimed he would never deceive the people or mislead them with lies. He pledged to revive the economy and create a great Republic of Korea where integrity prevails, corruption is eradicated, and hardworking citizens are respected". Mr Lee will assume office immediately, likely on Wednesday, bypassing the customary 60-day transition period. 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 South Koreans are voting to elect a new president after enduring months of political turmoil sparked by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's botched attempt to impose martial law last December. Turnout is expected to be high with voting open for 14 hours until 8pm local time at 14,295 polling stations across the country. Early voting on Thursday and Friday saw over a third of the 44.39 million eligible voters cast their ballots. By 7am local time on Tuesday, another 1.08 million voters, nearly 2.4 per cent of the electorate, had exercised their franchise, according to the National Election Commission. We were the first to arrive with the hope our candidate gets elected and because the presidential election is the most important," Yu Bun Dol, 80, told AFP news agency in Seoul. The new leader will face the challenge of rallying a society scarred by the attempt at military rule and an export-heavy economy hit by tariffs by the US, a major trading partner and a security ally. open image in gallery Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae Myung makes a speech at a campaign rally in Seoul on 2 June 2025 ( Getty ) Lee Jae Myung of the liberal Democratic Party is favoured to win the election. A Gallup survey shows almost 49 per cent of South Koreans viewing him as the potential new leader. Both Mr Lee and his conservative rival Kim Moon Soo propose to make major changes, arguing that the political system and economic model set up during its rise as a budding democracy and industrial power are no longer fit for purpose. Though their proposals for investing in innovation and technology often overlap, Mr Lee advocates for more equity and help for mid-to-low-income families compared to Mr Kim's campaign for more freedom from regulations and labour strife. Mr Lee has called the snap election "judgment day" against Mr Kim and his People Power Party, accusing them of having condoned Mr Yoons martial law attempt. The Democratic Party candidate has urged voters to rally behind his campaign theme of overcoming insurrection". open image in gallery People wait in line to cast their votes in South Koreas presidential election on 3 June 2025 ( Getty ) In his final campaign speech, Mr Lee called Yeouido in Seoul a historic site where the darkness of insurrection was driven out by the light of democracy". We will complete the revolution of light that began here in Yeouido," he was quoted as saying by The Chosun Daily. Mr Kim has denounced his rival a "dictator" and his Democratic Party a "monster", warning that if the former human rights lawyer became president, he and his party would be left unconstrained to amend any laws they simply did not like. The conservative nominee claimed he would never deceive the people or mislead them with lies. He pledged to revive the economy and create a great Republic of Korea where integrity prevails, corruption is eradicated, and hardworking citizens are respected". The snap election was called after South Koreas Constitutional Court ousted Mr Yoon as president earlier this year for imposing martial law. Mr Yoon had been impeached by the National Assembly and the court upheld the parliamentary decision. 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 More than 200 inmates escaped a jail in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi after overpowering guards who had allowed them out of their cells following a series of earthquakes, officials have said. The jailbreak at the District Malir prison unfolded just before midnight Monday and continued into the early hours of Tuesday. Prisoners had been allowed into the courtyard because of the tremors, Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, the provincial law minister, said on Tuesday. Police said that the prisoners snatched guns from prison staff and forced open the main gate after a shootout, evading paramilitary soldiers. At least one prisoner was killed and three guards wounded, according to Provincial Police Chief Ghulam Nabi Memon. "I heard the firing for quite some time, and then some time later, prisoners made their way out running in all directions," Bukhsh, a private security guard at a residential complex opposite the jail, said. open image in gallery Police officers stand guard outside the prison ( AP ) He added that some of the prisoners entered the apartment complex before being taken away by police. On Tuesday, a Reuters reporter who visited the prison saw shattered glass and damaged electronic equipment. A meeting room, for prisoners to see their families, had been ransacked. Anxious family members had gathered outside. The jailbreak was one of the largest ever in Pakistan, Lanjar said. The prison, which houses 6,000 inmates, is in the Malir district of Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city. Prisoners ran through the area throughout the night, some of them barefoot, with police giving chase, local TV footage showed. About 80 of those who escaped had been caught, said Murad Ali Shah, the provincial chief minister. open image in gallery The prison houses 6,000 inmates in the Malir district of Karachi ( AP ) The jail's superintendent, Arshad Shah, told reporters that there were 28 prison guards on duty at night, and that "only a few of such a large number of prisoners escaped". He said the prison did not have security cameras. Officials said the inmates, many of them heroin users, had been unnerved by the earthquakes. "There was panic here because of earthquake tremors," said Lanjar. The provincial chief minister said it was a mistake for prison authorities to have allowed the prisoners to leave their cells. He urged the inmates still at large to hand themselves in, or face a serious charge for breaking out. "Petty crime charges will become a big case like terrorism," Shah 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 Three British nationals accused of smuggling over two pounds of cocaine into Indonesia are facing the death penalty under the countrys strict drug laws. Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 28, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 29, were arrested on 1 February after customs officers found suspicious items, disguised as food packages, in their luggage, according to prosecutor I Made Dipa Umbara. On Tuesday, Mr Umbara told the district court in Denpasar, Bali, that a lab test result confirmed that 10 sachets of Angel Delight powdered dessert mix in Collyers luggage, combined with seven similar sachets in his partners suitcase, contained 993.56 grams (2.19 pounds) of cocaine. The drugs were worth an estimated 6 billion rupiah (272,212), Mr Umbara said. Two days later, authorities arrested Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, after a controlled delivery set up by police in which the other two suspects allegedly handed the drug to him in the parking area of a hotel in Denpasar. He is being tried separately. The drugs were brought from England to Indonesia with a transit in the Doha international airport in Qatar, Umbara said. The trio could face the death penalty in Indonesia ( AP ) The group successfully smuggled cocaine into Bali on two previous occasions before being caught on their third attempt, said Ponco Indriyo, the Deputy Director of the Bali Police Narcotics Unit, during a news conference in Denpasar on 7 February. After the charges against the group of three were read on Tuesday, the panel of three judges adjourned the trial until 10 June, when the court will hear witness testimony. Both the defendants and their lawyers declined to comment to media after the trial. Death row prisoners in Indonesia are sometimes executed by firing squad. About 530 people, including 96 foreigners, are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data showed. Indonesias last executions, of an Indonesian and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016. A British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, now 69, has been on death row in Indonesia for more than a decade. She was arrested in 2012 when 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of cocaine was discovered stuffed inside the lining of her luggage at Balis airport. Indonesias highest court upheld the death sentence for Sandiford in 2013. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population. 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 Thousands of humpback whales have begun their migration from Antarctica to Australia, with a pod appearing in the Sydney harbour on Monday and momentarily halting ferry services. A group of three to four whales surfaced near Manly Wharf on Monday afternoon, causing the Freshwater ferry service to pause for about five minutes, according to Transport for NSW. The sighting follows several other appearances in the harbour over the weekend and comes during the annual migration of humpback whales. The migration sees up to 40,000 humpback whales journeying from the cold feeding grounds of Antarctica to the warmer waters off Queensland and Western Australia to breed and give birth. The northward migration, often referred to as the "humpback highway," covers almost 10,000km and is one of the longest migrations of any mammal. The migrating whales tend to swim closer to the shore, making them more visible to onlookers. A humpback whale is seen breaching outside of Sydney Heads at the beginning of whale watching season in Sydney, Australia ( Getty ) Anywhere you can see the ocean, you have a chance of spotting a whale, Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a marine scientist, told The Guardian, adding that peak migration season was pretty much like whale peak hour along Australias east coast. Researchers are now seeing changes in the humpback migration pattern, however. A recent study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, notes humpback calves being born much further south than expected, including off the Tasmania coast and New Zealands South Island, which are not traditionally considered calving grounds. They say the shift may be linked to the waters getting warmer due to rising ocean temperatures. Although the humpbacks continue to recover from near-extinction due to commercial whaling, with latest estimates of their population ranging from 30,000 to 50,000, conservationists say the species remains vulnerable to human impact, especially during the migration season. Entanglement in fishing gear is one of the biggest threats. In an effort to reduce such risks, OceanWatch Australia and similar groups are running initiatives like the East Coast Whale Entanglement Mitigation Programme, which is trialling modified gear designs. The humpback migration typically peaks in June and July but is expected to continue through to October, with the whales returning south with newborn calves. Scientists say this years observations will be key to understanding how these iconic mammals are adapting to a warming ocean. Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts Sign up for our free IndyBest email Sign up for our free IndyBest email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Nintendo Switch 2 launched nearly two weeks ago, and its still proving difficult to find. While some lucky shoppers managed to grab a console from Best Buy or GameStop on launch day, many are still searching. Consoles at Walmart and Target continue to come in and out of stock online, so its worth refreshing those pages throughout the day. Costco briefly offered next-day delivery for members last week, but delivery has been delayed, so its now estimated to arrive by June 20. Best Buy even went live online last week, offering the console and bundle for in-store pickup only, but stock vanished within minutes. Since then, its returned to in-store-only sales, with strict one-per-customer limits and stock varying wildly by location. Below, youll find the latest updates from major US retailers. Read more: For UK stock, follow our live updates here Where can you buy the Nintendo Switch 2 in the US? open image in gallery I've already nabbed a console - here's how to get your own ( Alex Lee/The Independent ) Walmart: Coming in and out of stock check frequently Target: Coming in and out of stock check frequently Costco: In stock now for members only, arrives Friday, June 20 Best Buy: Sold out online, in-store stock varies by location GameStop: In stock in select stores Nintendo Store: Available by invitation only Sams Club: Out of stock, last restock on June 6 Amazon: Out of stock, no listings available Newegg: Out of stock, last restock on June 4 How to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 in the US Nintendo open image in gallery ( Nintendo ) If you want to buy a Switch 2 from Nintendo, the gaming giant is still enforcing its invite-only system. To be eligible, you need an active 12-month Switch Online subscription and at least 50 hours of gameplay on your Nintendo account. Even then, theres no guarantee youll get an invite. If selected, youll receive a notification with a purchase window. Invites are still being sent out, but theyve been sporadic. For now, the odds are slim, but its still worth registering interest via the My Nintendo Store. Walmart open image in gallery ( Walmart ) Walmarts online stock continues to come back in and out without warning. Both the console and Mario Kart World bundle have reappeared in short bursts since launch, so its worth checking regularly. Theres no waiting list or drop schedule. If its in stock, its first come, first served. Some stores have also received restocks, but its inconsistent. If youre planning to visit in person, call your local branch first to avoid a wasted trip. Target open image in gallery ( Target ) Target has restocked the Switch 2 several times online, though stock usually disappears within minutes. If youre lucky, you might be able to order for delivery or same-day store pickup depending on your zip code. Theres no set restock pattern, so youll just have to keep refreshing every now and again. In-store availability is limited. Some locations received launch day allocations, but restocks since then have been unpredictable and sparse. Costco open image in gallery ( Costco ) Costco currently has the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle in stock online for members. The bundle also includes a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Orders placed now are showing delivery by Friday, June 20. Stock may not last long, and youll need a Costco membership to buy a console. Some local warehouses may have inventory too, so its worth calling your local store to check before heading out. Best Buy open image in gallery ( Best Buy ) Best Buy isnt selling the Switch 2 online anymore. A brief restock on June 11 included the console for in-store pickup only, but it sold out quickly. Since then, all availability has been limited to physical stores. Stock varies by location and theres no online tracker, so phone ahead before visiting. One-per-customer limits are still in place, and membership perks apply to accessories and games, not the console itself. GameStop open image in gallery ( GameStop ) GameStop has shifted to in-store-only sales of the Switch 2. While its online bundles have sold out, local stores are still receiving restocks sporadically. Inventory tends to drop unannounced and sells fast. If youre hoping to buy from GameStop, check the Find a Store tool on its website and call ahead. Availability varies daily and by location. Sams Club open image in gallery ( Sam's Club ) Sams Club sold out online on June 6, and theres been no confirmed restock since. Listings are still live but marked out of stock. Some shoppers have reported limited in-store availability in select locations. If youre a Plus member, your best bet is to call your local club to ask about walk-in stock before making the trip. We got a first look at the Nintendo Switch 2 read our hands-on review 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 Wiyuach Makuach sat on her bed in a dimly lit ward of a hospital near South Sudans border with Ethiopia and rested her remaining arm in her lap as she recalled the airstrike that took her other arm and nearly killed her. Everything was on fire, she said in an interview at the hospital in the border town of Akobo where she was being treated for her injuries. The bombing happened on May 3 at another hospital in the northern community of Fangak where she had traveled to be with her 25-year-old son while he sought treatment for tuberculosis. A series of strikes there, including several at the Doctors Without Borders facility, killed seven people. I ran outside and started rubbing mud on myself to stop the burning, Makuach said. Makuach, 60, is just one of the dozens of civilians who aid groups say have been killed or badly injured by airstrikes in recent weeks as South Sudans army clashes with militia groups across the country. The army says it targets only combatants, and has not commented on civilian casualties. The army displaced us and our families into the bush and thats when we decided we would fight back, said Gatkuoth Wie, 24, who was wounded while fighting in northern Jonglei State. The fighting has led to U.N. warnings that South Sudan is again on the brink of civil war. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to send to South Sudan a group of eight deportees from Cuba, Vietnam and elsewhere who have been convicted in the U.S. of serious crimes, sparking a legal fight that has reached the Supreme Court. Many of those wounded in the South Sudan clashes have been transported to Akobo, where the International Committee for the Red Cross has set up a temporary surgical response. Others have been stranded for days by the fighting. Doctor Bjarte Andersen, a surgeon working with the ICRC, says that the fighting has made it difficult to transport patients that have been critically wounded. We know of one person who has died waiting for transportation, but there are probably more, he said. The most critical cases cannot even be moved, they are not likely to survive the journey, said Christina Bartulec, who oversees the organizations medical operation in Akobo. The ICRC does not track which patients are combatants and which are civilians. Most of the people brought to their facility are young men, several of whom told The Associated Press that they were engaged in fighting. In the past month, however, an increasing number of the victims have been women and a few children, according to hospital staff. One is Kuaynin Bol, 15, who was gravely injured by a blast as he lay asleep in his home. Surgeons have removed bone fragments from his brain and performed four operations on his leg, which was badly broken. Simmering tensions between the government and opposition groups erupted in March when a local militia called the White Army overran a military barracks in Nasir, a town in the countrys northeast. The government pinned responsibility for the attack on First Vice President Riek Machar, placing him under house arrest and detaining other members of his SPLM-IO party. It also brought in Ugandan forces to support a sweeping military offensive against opposition troops and community militias across the country. That offensive centered on Upper Nile State and allegedly involved use of improvised incendiary weapons that Human Rights Watch has said killed at least 58 people, including children. In May, the fighting spread to northern Jonglei State where Fangak is located, a region previously unaffected by the violence, after the government alleged several barges were hijacked by opposition forces there. Isaac Pariel, a member of Machar's opposition party who is the local chairman in Fangak of the government's Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, said that at least 25 civilians have been killed this month. But the true toll is likely higher, as much of the fighting has taken place in remote areas that are inaccessible to medical workers. One bombardment in the village of Wichmon on May 15 killed 12 people including 8 children, according to local authorities and one eyewitness. The Associated Press was unable to independently verify those figures. The government has not officially claimed responsibility for the strikes. Army spokesman General Lul Ruai Koang told The Associated Press he was not authorized to comment on ongoing military operations across the country. The violence has been devastating for civilians already reeling from successive humanitarian crises. Much of the fighting has taken place in South Sudans Greater Upper Nile region, a vast floodplain that in recent years has been ravaged by extreme weather, disease, and severe food insecurity. The people here are moving all the time, just during the night, said William Nyuon, a Fangak resident. They fear the plane will come and bomb them again. ___ For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. The assertion that 47-year-old Christian Brueckner could be the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann looked a little thinner when he was acquitted in October on five unrelated sexual offences two of which involved children following a trial that began in February 2024. Despite the huge amount of interest around Christian Brueckners past, the verdicts were no great surprise. They had been anticipated since last July when the presiding Judge, Uta Inse Engemann, in the German regional court of Braunschweig had ruled that there was no longer sufficient evidence of guilt for all of the charges. Brueckner, a German national, remains in jail, serving the final months of a seven-year sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in 2005 at the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz the same hotel where Madeleine went missing two years later. But as he seeks early release from the 2019 sentence, police in Germany are hurrying to charge the prime suspect in the disappearance of the British toddler before he walks free from prison in the next two weeks. It is now more than five years since Brueckner was first named and identified as the prime suspect in the alleged abduction and murder of Madeleine, a few days before her 4th birthday, and longer still since he initially became a focus of investigation. There has been intense media speculation about his links to the McCann case and these were heightened by reporting of the often lurid details during his last trial. Engemann was alert to the risks of bias and the need to make a decision on the evidence alone. She reportedly referred in her final remarks to the judges oath to serve the truth. This oath means that we dont have to cater to the views of the media and the table of regulars in a pub, said Engemann. Everyone had heard about him in the Maddie McCann case. And they all knew that Brueckner since 2020 was always named by the public prosecutors office. When in the media a person is described as a sex monster and a pervert, then it influences the witness. Her comments brought to a close proceedings marked by sometimes ill-tempered exchanges between the prosecutor Lindemann and her court opponent, Brueckners defence lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher, who had complained of the prosecution tactics, attacking the judges and the defence team and being, as Fulscher put it, particularly concerned with maximising damage to the court and the trial. The prosecutor had wanted a 15-year jail sentence for Brueckner. In the end, she got nothing, During the BBCs Panorama programme at the end of 2023 with Brueckners new trial imminent, Hans Christian Wolters, the chief public prosecutor for Braunschweig, repeated his claim that we think [Brueckner] was involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and we think that he murdered Madeleine McCann. open image in gallery Brueckner has been acquitted on five unrelated sexual offences ( Reuters ) But if there is evidence to make such a public declaration, why hasnt Brueckner ever been charged in Madeleines disappearance? And if there is no evidence, why has the prosecutor repeatedly asserted his belief in Brueckners guilt? Brueckner is a German drifter with a long criminal history, including sexual offences against children. His latest trial concerned alleged incidents in Portugal, in or not far from Prai da Luz, between 2000 and 2017. There were three counts of rape and two of indecent assault against children. In one of the rapes the 20-year-old complainants attacker had worn a mask throughout and claimed she had recognised Brueckner, she said, by his eyes. There was evidence of a cell confession, and accounts of others who had stolen video tapes from Bruckner which they said they had watched, that depicted his attacks on two women. But the tapes were not available so the accounts could not be validated. One of the rape charges had been withdrawn before the final verdicts. A psychiatrist, Dr Christian Riedeman, giving evidence for the prosecution, told the court that Brueckner was in the absolute top league of dangerousness to society and highly likely to reoffend on release. But it was then revealed the psychiatrist had not worked with or directly examined Brueckner, who had refused to see him. Brueckners voice was the one missing from his trial he never gave evidence, and only spoke once briefly at the end, when the judge asked him if he had anything he wanted to say: he was described as leaning forward and quietly stating, no, I would not like to. open image in gallery Kate McCann during a press conference in June 2007 ( Getty ) There seems little doubt that Brueckner is a habitual and manipulative violent offender. His 2019 trial and conviction for the rape of the 72-year-old in Prai da Luz, made clear the elements of his sadistic pleasure in that offence. But, to emphasise the current position, he has never been charged in Madeleine McCanns case and his lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher spoke on Brueckners behalf to Panorama, complaining of his client facing trial by media in what Fulscher called one of the most famous cases in the world. The evidence against Brueckner was flimsy, he said, and lacking in substance. Brueckner himself has always denied any role in Madeleines abduction. Trial by media has a familiar and discordant ring in this case. That is exactly what Gerry and Kate McCann were subjected to over 16 years ago by Portugals Policia Judiciaria (PJ) the equivalent of the CID who began leaking outlandish claims about them to the press before finally making them arguidos suspects in their own daughters disappearance. The details are painfully familiar. On 3 May 2007, the McCanns were holidaying in apartment 5a at the Ocean Club, Praia da Luz on the Algarve coast of southern Portugal. Unusually, it was not a gated resort but open to the town. Madeleine, who would have celebrated her fourth birthday nine days later, was sharing the back bedroom overlooking the street. open image in gallery Apartment 5A (bottom) in Praia da Luz, Portugal, where McCann went missing ( PA ) She was in one of two single beds, furthest from the window, her twin siblings (now 18) were in travel cots between the beds. While they slept, their parents were in the Tapas restaurant nearby with their friends. Madeleine disappeared in the 55 minutes between Gerrys check at about 9.05pm and Kates visit at 10pm, when she discovered Madeleine was gone. One of their friends had checked about 9.30 but, agonisingly, could not be sure afterwards that Madeleine was in bed. I went out to Praia da Luz in the summer of 2007 to report on the case and was there when it became apparent the McCanns were coming under suspicion. The events I witnessed transformed an investigation into a circus, as the worlds media turned its cameras on the McCanns arriving to be quizzed at PJ headquarters in Portimao. They had tragic and far-reaching consequences for the investigation of what had happened to Madeleine and for her parents. As I reported at the time, the PJ led by its misguided chief investigator Goncalo Amaral had made a catastrophic misjudgement and abandoned the abduction theory, instead building an implausible case against Gerry and Kate McCann based on a misreading of DNA traces found in the boot of their car (which they had not hired until three weeks after the disappearance) and a pair of sniffer dogs brought over from the UK, whose alerts at the car and in the apartment were somehow and wrongly taken to be hard evidence. open image in gallery Madeleine McCann on holiday in Portugal just before she disappeared ( Metropolitan Police ) Based on these facts, a theory was concocted that the couple had accidentally overdosed Madeleine with a sedative, she had died in the apartment, and they had secretly disposed of her body. Bizarrely, they offered Kate McCann a deal during her interrogation: she could admit to the crime, serve two years in prison and Gerry would be free to go home. She of course declined. They were both doctors, on holiday with a group of friends (The Tapas 7), how could they have carried out such an appalling crime? Had they hidden it all from their friends, or were the friends in on the conspiracy? It made no sense then and even less now. As the press seized on PJ leaks of reported inconsistencies in their accounts, the findings of the dogs, the DNA etc, I was often a lone exception to the general assumption that the McCanns were guilty a phenomenon that quickly spread from Portugal to the UK. I remember arguing with an editor about their supposed role in Madeleines death. But what about the dogs, David? The dogs dont lie. But they did lie. The McCanns returned to England bound by judicial secrecy an official code of silence which evidently did not apply to the Portuguese side who had leaked so much, including the names and contact details of all the McCanns holiday group to a friendly Portuguese reporter. The secrecy code is like the speed limit, a local journalist told me, Everyone knows it but no one keeps to it. Soon after their return, at their invitation, I travelled to the McCanns home in Rothley, Leicestershire, and went to the pub with Gerry McCann where we sat in a quiet corner and broke the secrecy code while he briefed me for two or three hours on what had really happened that night. He took my notebook and drew a plan of the apartment showing the location and layout of the childrens bedroom and how the abductor could have gone in and out unnoticed. If people recognised him in the pub they left Gerry alone. His stress was evident but he wanted to talk and afterwards took me home where I waited in the kitchen for a taxi. Madeleines star chart for going to sleep well at night was pinned to the fridge. open image in gallery The McCanns with Madeleines twin siblings who are now 18 years old ( PA ) Speaking up for the McCanns exposed me to a little of what they have been going through ever since in terms of trolling on the internet and social media. I was called a McCann shill, doing the couples bidding, and mocked for supposedly being a gullible investigative journalist. I described those people at the time as web ghouls, feasting on the misery of the McCann family while largely hiding behind anonymity on Twitter/X and elsewhere. In one very sad case, a woman, Brenda Leyland, revealed by Sky News as the real person behind the anonymous McCann troll Sweepyface on Twitter, took her own life. She had posted hundreds of messages attacking and accusing the McCanns. She was not the worst, by far. Even though the McCanns were officially released from arguido status by the PJ in 2008 when it closed its investigation, the trolls have never let up. They were back out in force whenever they are back in the news #mccann comparing Gerry McCann to child murderers and so on. The couple have shown extraordinary resilience in all the circumstances, no doubt focused on raising Madeleines siblings, Amelie and Sean. Amelie attended a vigil this year on the anniversary of her sisters disappearance. There was never any doubt in my mind that this was a case of as the jargon goes stranger or non-familial child abduction and nothing to do with the parents. The McCanns, as I saw them, were then functioning at the limits of human endurance; their gaunt, strained faces speaking to a world of loss and no doubt guilt at not being there to protect their child. They have always clung to the hope that, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, Madeleine could still be alive. As Gerry told Crimewatch during an increasingly rare public appearance in 2013, there are cases where abducted children are kept alive. No doubt he was thinking of Natascha Kampusch, among others, who escaped her abductor in 2006 aged 18 after being held captive in Austria for eight years. Stranger abductions of children are very rare. They can be opportunistic and the openness of the Ocean Club could have presented the opportunity to a watchful predator, who may have observed the familys routine and the vulnerability of their corner apartment. This weeks Panorama referenced sightings of a so-called spotty man and recreated scenes of him watching their accommodation. An offender profile might well focus on local drifters, with a history of sexual offences. If only a police inquiry had dwelt on this from the beginning. open image in gallery Police released this picture of Christian Brueckner in 2018 ( Carabinieri ) The Met Police took up the case in 2011, its Operation Grange starting from scratch and their briefings spoke of patterns of increased burglaries in Praia da Luz in the months before the McCanns arrived, and unsolved sightings of men in the vicinity before and after the disappearance. It has been reported that Christian Brueckners name was buried in the case files and that the PJ had made some cursory attempt to track him down before he came to the Met as a tip and they passed it onto the German authorities who opened their own investigation. The PJ also reopened an investigation and travelled to the UK where they reportedly provided an update to Gerry McCann. Panorama said they had apologised to the McCanns for the harm its original investigation had caused. No sooner had the apology been disclosed than the truth of it was being disputed on Twitter/X. It is certainly true that Brueckner fits what you could imagine a guilty profile would look like. He committed his first sexual offence against a child when he was still a child himself, aged 16. He appears to have been an active criminal for most of his adult life, drifting back and forth between Germany and Portugal, living in the very resort, Praia da Luz where Madeleine was taken, at the time of her abduction. It was there in 2005 that he raped the 72-year-old woman. Searches have yielded a buried USB stick containing child pornography and he is said to have been on the phone near the Ocean Club around the time of Madeleines disappearance. He changed the registration of a car soon after and went on to commit other offences in Portugal and Germany. But, as the acquittals in his latest trial show, it is a dangerous game, to assume guilt, to try and fit the suspect to the crime. Thats how miscarriages of justice occur. It is evidence that matters and answers that Gerry and Kate McCann hope for and, you may think, earnestly deserve. No doubt they are among the very many people waiting to see what will happen with Brueckner, and if the prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters will ever make the case against him in court and not just in the media. 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 Government officials have given the go-ahead for a fresh round of badger culling, starting immediately against advice from their own scientific chief. Natural England is believed to have authorised supplementary culls for this year in nine areas from Derbyshire to Wiltshire as part of a programme that began in 2013 to curb badger populations in an effort to tackle bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Then, from September, culling periods are also set to be extended in another 10 areas, from the West Country to Northamptonshire and Cumbria, sources say. Natural England's director of science Dr Peter Brotherton recommended to his own officials that no supplementary culls be carried out this year, saying there was no justification for more culling. The extensions to last years supplementary licences come as opponents prepare to take the government to court to challenge the culling. The Badger Trust and the Wild Justice organisation, jointly led by naturalist Chris Packham, have won permission for a full judicial review of the policy. Its feared the latest culls could mean 5,000 or more adult and cubs will be shot. In its manifesto, Labour promised to end what it dubbed the ineffective badger cull. Queen guitarist Brian May has consistently opposed the culls ( Getty ) Last year, 10,769 badgers were killed, sources have told The Independent, bringing the total killed in 12 years to around 240,000. Last year, Dr Brotherton advised switching to badger vaccination but officials overruled him, leading to thousands more of the wild mammals being killed, including in two new areas of England. The science chief now says he has reviewed two new papers published since last year, and that they did not change his mind. In advice to Natural Englands operations team, obtained by ecologist and badger expert Tom Langton and seen by The Independent, he wrote: Based on this evidence, my advice remains that I can find no justification for authorising further supplementary badger culls in 2025 for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease, and I recommend against doing so. But Natural England, the governments nature adviser, is pushing ahead with the supplementary cull licences in nine areas. Supplementary licences extend a formal cull usually of four years after it has ended. Dr Brotherton concluded that the expected benefit from four years of culling already carried out should last for two years without more culling. Recent progress also gives further confidence that badger vaccination is a practical alternative to badger culling, supported by cattle-based measures, he wrote. Studies have shown that vaccination of cattle, if done over several years, can be effective, and the Conservatives pledged to phase out culling, replacing it with badger inoculations and better cattle testing. Critics have accused both the Conservative and now the Labour government of continuing the cull to retain the votes of farmers, who say bTB forces them to kill infected cattle early. Mr Langton said new advice not to cull badgers was welcome and that Natural Englands decision was a failed and cruel distraction that simply serves to push yet more farms into the misery of cattle TB outbreaks. A policy due to end in 2038 has missed all its targets and will blight the UK beyond 2060 at a cost of 1bn per decade without fresh thinking. Nigel Palmer, chief executive of the Badger Trust, said 95 per cent of bTB transmission was cattle to cattle. This decision is utterly indefensible, he said. The government has chosen to authorise another year of badger culling in the face of a legal challenge, scientific opposition, and public outrage. They promised change, but instead, are doubling down on a failed policy that has decimated badger populations without effectively tackling bovine TB. Its understood that official government plans on supplementary licences will be announced later. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was asked to comment. 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 A popular curry house has been forced to close its doors after two decades in business, following complaints from neighbours about the smell of curry. Cinnamons Restaurant in Wheatley, Oxfordshire, had been a local favourite for over 20 years when South Oxfordshire District Council received a complaint about "curry odours" in 2021. Environmental health officers visited the restaurant and upheld the complaint. The Bangladeshi restaurant reportedly spent around 35,000 on a new extractor fan in an attempt to resolve the issue. However, these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, leading to the restaurant's closure. However, another complaint was made and the curry house was served an abatement notice, which deemed Cinnamons new ventilation system to be defective. Unable to afford the installation cost of a new system, which the restaurant claimed to be in the region of 50,000, Cinnamons was taken to court and forced to pay a 25,000 fine after pleading guilty in October 2024. Despite the funds spent, the council issued a further abatement notice and in May this year, Cinnamons announced that it could not afford the demands and would close in mid-June, making 10 people unemployed. South Oxfordshire District Council said they have no option but to prosecute if measures are not introduced to solve the issue and abatement notices are breached and that Cinnamons admitted that they could have done more to mitigate the odour. Restaurateur Shirazul Hoque, 32, said The village wants the restaurant to stay, otherwise we would have closed before paying the 25,000 fine. Its really hard for us and feels absolutely wrong as we love our village it is hurtful to have our cuisine, which is loved, described as producing obnoxious odours that stink. All our employees have families and the chefs who live above the restaurant will be made homeless its a big punch in the gut. open image in gallery Shirazul (right) with his uncle Muhammed (Collect/PA Real Life) Cinnamons Restaurant has been operating in Wheatley, Oxfordshire, since 2000. Shirazuls uncles took over the business in 2012, and they have been serving Bangladeshi and Indian food there ever since. Many TripAdvisor reviews describe the restaurant as an important part of the community. We are so lucky to have this restaurant in our village, one review reads. In 2021, the restaurant won the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award, which is given to businesses that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% in their field on TripAdvisor. That same year, an odour complaint was made to South Oxfordshire District Council against the restaurant. An officer from the Environmental Health Agency upheld the complaint. open image in gallery The restaurant has been operating since 2000 (Collect/PA Real Life) After over two decades of service, Shirazul claimed Cinnamons had never received such a complaint but as a result installed a roughly 35,000 ventilation system as demanded. We wanted to resolve it because weve been here for 20 years, we love our village and we wanted to do something about it, Shirazul said. A higher specification ventilation model was suggested by a consultant, but the restaurant felt they could not afford the installation cost, estimated to be roughly 50,000, nor the maintenance cost. Despite the expensive work carried out by a reputable company with over 30 years of experience, Shirazul said, another complaint was lodged with the council. The Environmental Protection Team was sent to the restaurant and the odour was deemed to be unacceptable, and their ventilator defective. Cinnamons were then asked to rectify the ventilation system. We werent able to afford it, Shirazul said. To be honest, business had not rebounded post-Covid, wed not been making any profit so we didnt have the money for this. open image in gallery Cinnamons spent 35,000 on a ventilation system (Collect/PA Real Life) Since no action was taken, the restaurant was issued with an abatement notice and taken to court. Cinnamons pleaded guilty and accepted a 25,000 fine in October 2024. The issue of ventilation was still deemed unsolved however which left the restaurant facing a further expense estimated by Shirazul to be in the region of 50,000. On Monday May 19, Cinnamons realised they were unable to continue fighting the battle, telling their 10 employees they were without a job. Its very hard to share this story because Ive spent a lot of my time in the business, Shirazul said. Asked what other restaurants can learn from his situation, Shirazul said: Do due diligence in seeing how the council environmental health officers operate and learn the appeal process. open image in gallery The restaurant is popular with locals and on TripAdvisor (Collect/PA Real Life) He also says that on Sunday June 15, their last day of trading, the restaurant will be giving out free meals to anyone who comes through. Its a gesture of thanks for all the support weve received through the difficulties of the last few years, he said. Its a way of saying thank you for standing by us. South Oxfordshire District Council said in a statement: The council has a legal duty to investigate nuisance complaints about smells from industrial, trade and business premises that could be a statutory nuisance. We always aim to advise and support businesses on how they can resolve issues. However, if measures are not introduced to solve the issue and abatement notices are breached, we have no option but to prosecute. In the case of Cinnamons Restaurant in Wheatley, the Councils Environmental Protection Team has assessed the odour complaint following our procedures and legislation. An extensive investigation at this site determined a statutory nuisance existed in relation to the kitchens ventilation systems. open image in gallery The restaurant serves erved a mix of Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine (Collect/PA Real Life) Cinnamons Cuisine Limited, who run the restaurant, has since failed to follow our recommendations and has breached an environmental abatement notice on several occasions between October 2023 and April 2024. Cinnamons pleaded guilty to four charges ahead of a scheduled three-day court appearance on Wednesday 2 October 2024. The District Judge at Oxford Magistrates Court reviewed the evidence and statements provided by council officers and the company, and taking into consideration the revised guilty plea, the judge ordered that the company pay a total of 25,000 this includes an 11,000 fine, an award of full costs of 12,000 to South Oxfordshire District Council, alongside a victim surcharge of 2,000. As well as pleading guilty to the charges of statutory nuisance laid against them, Cinnamons admitted that they could have done more to mitigate the odour. The council can advise and assist where we can, but ultimately responsibility for fixing the problem sits with the business. The business has been provided advice and guidance on steps they can take but to date have failed to follow our recommendations. Cinnamons is still the subject of an ongoing legal case, and we will therefore not be in a position to comment any further on this case other than the information provided in the statement above. 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 A deep sea diver who miraculously returned to work on the seabed 18 months after losing a leg when he was crushed by a giant underwater hammer has won a 915,000 compensation payout. Veteran diver Allan Peacock, 55, suffered devastating injuries when he was crushed by heavy equipment while working underwater off the coast of India in 2011. A heavy pile - acting like a "hammer" to nail another into the seabed - unexpectedly moved, sucking him between the two pieces of equipment and crushing his foot. Mr Peacock was able to hop and drag himself away and was treated in India and in Newcastle after flying home, but ended up having to have a below-knee amputation. But despite that, with efforts described as "quite exceptional" by a surgeon, he was back working underwater within 18 months with the help of a special prosthetic leg. And now, after suing at the High Court, Mr Peacock has been awarded 765,866 in compensation from his former employer, Indian company Del Seatek India Private Limited, having already received about 169,000 from the operator of the barge he was working on. The court heard Mr Peacock qualified in 1998 and was working as a saturation diver for Del Seatek when he was injured while working from a cargo barge in pipe laying operations in the Paradip area of India in November 2011. His barrister, Mark Chapman KC, said conditions were difficult, with poor visibility of only about a metre and a strong tide when he descended underwater in a dive basket to work at a depth of up to 30 metres. open image in gallery Veteran diver Allan Peacock outside court ( Champion News Service Ltd ) His task was to disconnect two chains which were holding vertical piles together, one on top of the other, with the top driving the other into the seabed and "acting like a hammer on a nail." As he began to work, the top pile parted from the other and the barge began to roll due to the tide, also causing the piles to move, the barrister continued. "They parted because they were insecurely attached," he said. "There was too much slack in the chains holding them together. "The claimant's right foot was sucked in between the parted piles before the top pile fell back on top of the bottom pile and, in doing so, crushed the claimant's foot. "The claimant's foot was stuck for a few seconds before the piles moved again and the claimant was able to remove the foot. "The claimant detached his umbilical and hopped and dragged himself back to the dive basket after informing the dive supervisor of the accident. "The basket had been removed to the surface and so the claimant had to await its return." He was initially treated in India, before being moved to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where he had to have his below-knee amputation due to the lack of blood flow to the foot. Mr Chapman said the extent of his injury had been "graphically revealed" to him and he was told without warning that amputation was required, which left him extremely shocked and quite emotional. "Following the accident, the claimant was absent from all/any work for a period of around 18 months," he continued. "However, he is a stoical, resourceful and determined individual. He was resolute in his ambition to return to his pre-accident work, having independently researched the regulatory position applicable to amputees and commercial diving operations. "The claimant has managed to return to work in a field which is very demanding with the use of prostheses provided by the NHS." In his written evidence put before the court, Mr Peacock himself described the problems he faced in getting back to work after the accident. One of the things raised was what would happen if my prosthetic leg came off in the water," he said. "In order to deal with this issue I came up with the idea of having climbing harnesses attached to my prosthetic leg. "This was approved by health and safety and now it is something that I use all of the time when at work. open image in gallery Allan Peacock ( Champion News Service Ltd ) Although he is now slower in the water, he continues working as a diver, but fears becoming more disabled in later life, the court heard. "I am fully aware that it is likely that I will be wheelchair-bound at some later stage in my life and to be honest this scares me," he said. "I try not to think about it too much and concentrate on keeping myself fit and healthy. I watch what I eat, I exercise and I try to keep myself in the best possible shape. Addressing the judge, Mr Chapman described Mr Peacock as an "impressive" man, who, because he can no longer run, has taken up kayaking and is still a keen mountain biker. Mr Peacock initially sued his former employer Del Seatek and also the barge's operator, South Korean company Hyundai heavy Industries Company Ltd. His lawyers claimed that the work had been done in "hazardously strong tides and with poor visibility" and that the piles were "not sufficiently secured together." Hyundai settled his claim with a payment of 169,000, but Mr Chapman said Del Seatek had since 2016 "taken zero interest in this matter and had no involvement since 2016," leaving the judge to simply decide the amount in damages he is due from them. Ruling on the case after a half-day trial at the High Court, Deputy Admiralty Registrar Simon Brown awarded Mr Peacock 915,871 damages, to be reduced by the amount already received from Hyundai. The sum includes awards of 150,000 for lost earnings and 681,000 to pay for prostheses and equipment, as well as smaller sums to cover the extra cost of first class seats while flying back and forth to work and to mark the care he received from his wife, Samantha Vincent. Speaking afterwards, Mr Peacock's solicitor Simon O'Loughlin, of Irwin Mitchell, said: What Allan went through was very traumatic, but hes shown such bravery and resilience to get to where he is today. To see him get back out working as a professional diver after such a serious injury is nothing short of incredible. Hes truly an inspiration. Its been a privilege to get to know him and I hope that the settlement will be able to provide him with some closure as well as help fund any future treatment and support he requires and deserves. Mr Peacock added: Not for one minute did I ever expect to be back doing what I love after what happened to me. However I knew that my only options were to sit back and let my injury define me or take back my life I chose the latter and Im so glad I did. It took me a while to regain my confidence in the water, but Im so proud of how far Ive come. Ive also had amazing support which Im very grateful for. I wouldnt wish what Ive been through on anyone, but I hope that I can show that there is life after such serious injury. 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 A child aged just 10 was among 91 people aged 18 and under found by Police Scotland to be in possession of a bladed weapon in 2024. The shocking statistics prompted concerns of a youth violence epidemic. It comes following the deaths of teenagers Amen Teklay and Kayden Moy. Both died after allegedly being stabbed in separate incidents this year. Now analysis of Police Scotland stop and search data by the justice and home affairs magazine 1919 showed that in 2024, teenagers accounted for almost a third of positive knife searches across all age groups. The 91 cases where someone under the age of 18 was caught with a bladed or pointed weapon equate to about one such case every four days. The data revealed a 10-year-old was caught with a knife in the east of Edinburgh in July 2024. Meanwhile, 12-year-olds were caught with bladed weapons in the capital, Glasgow, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, the magazine reported. open image in gallery Amen Teklay, 15, was found with fatal injuries in Clarendon Street, Glasgow ( Police Scotland ) In addition, more than a dozen children aged 13 including two girls were also found to have such items when searched. David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation said: Each one of the truly shocking statistics is a justifiable and evidenced-based reaction by the police to an increasingly concerning societal trend we now see emerging among younger members of our communities in Scotland. He added: 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 victims of knife crime, their families and friends. Mr Threadgold said that the solution to this problem cannot rest alone with the police, arguing for much greater and more effective preventative strategies to be put in place across Scotland. Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: These shocking figures are yet another sign that there is a youth violence epidemic emerging in Scotland. She added: 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. open image in gallery Kayden Moy, 16, died in hospital ( Police Scotland ) Calling for urgent action, she insisted the Scottish Government had 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. First Minister John Swinney has already warned youngsters against carrying knives, insisting this is dangerous and damaging. But Scottish Tory community safety spokesperson Sharon Dowey insisted it was high time nationalist ministers woke up to the gravity of this situation. The Conservative MSP said: These alarming figures lay bare just how drastically knife crime has spiralled out of control. She said there needs to be meaningful punishments for those who use a knife along with expanded stop-and-search powers for police to act as a deterrent. However, she claimed: The SNPs soft-touch attitude towards justice represents an abject dereliction of duty by John Swinneys government. A Scottish Government spokesperson 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. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland of Police Scotland meanwhile said: Victims of crime and people right across the country expect us to use all powers at our disposal to keep them safe. Stop and search is just one of those powers and one in every three searches leads to the recovery of illicit or harmful items, safeguarding our communities. Mr Sutherland stressed that intelligence-led stop and search is a valuable and effective policing tactic in detecting and preventing crime when it is used lawfully, proportionately and in line with the code of practice, which was introduced in 2017. This code has a dedicated section for children, he added, which provides officers with guidance to be used when when making a decision to stop and search a child. He said: We recognise that stopping and searching people is a significant intrusion into their personal liberty and privacy and we remain committed to ensuring that people are treated with fairness, integrity and respect. It is also a tactic that enables the service to keep people safe and assist in ensuring the wellbeing of our wider communities. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The mother of a British-Egyptian man imprisoned in Egypt has declared she is willing to die on hunger strike to secure his release. Laila Soueif, speaking from her hospital bed, urged the Prime Minister to intervene and pressure Egyptian authorities to free her son, Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a pro-democracy activist with dual nationality. In an interview on BBC Radio 4s Today programme from St Thomas Hospital in London, Mrs Soueif stated, "My message is: use my death as leverage to get Alaa out. Dont let my death be in vain." Mrs Soueif, who has been on hunger strike for over eight months, has lost 42% of her body weight, now weighing 49kg. Doctors have warned that she is at risk of sudden death. She told the broadcaster: Its something that I passionately dont want to happen. Children want a mother, not a notorious mother whether the notoriety is good or bad but if thats what it takes to get Alaa out of jail and to get all my children and grandchildrens life back on track, then thats what Im going to do. open image in gallery Sanaa Seif, 31, sits with her mother Laila Soueif, 69, in St Thomas Hospital ( Provided to The Independent ) In December 2021, Mr Abd El-Fattah was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news, and should have been released last year. In a conference outside the hospital on Tuesday, Sanaa Seif, Mrs Soueifs daughter, said her mothers blood sugar was still very low but that she was conscious. She said: She is fighting and I hope the Foreign Office uses this time her body has given us well. Ms Seif said she was supposed to have flown to Cairo on Tuesday to see her brother but stayed to be with her mother. She had received two letters from Mr Abd El-Fattah one of which was very confused and short, saying simply Take care of yourself. I am really worried about him, she said. She also said she wanted to save her mothers life but understands her position as a mother. Ms Seif said: The only reason she cares about staying alive is us. She doesnt want to go on living life like this and I understand that. open image in gallery In December 2021, Alaa Abd El-Fattah was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news, and should have been released last year ( Supplied ) Ms Seif accused the Foreign Office of not working fast enough and claimed no one from the Prime Ministers office had been in touch directly about the state of negotiations for around three weeks. She said: We are going by the hour; they were measuring her vitals by the hour, at some point every 15 minutes. I expressed my frustration how it is insane that they (the Government) are taking weeks. They have not told me they have changed their pace. Ms Seif added: I imagine that means they dont have much to say. She also urged Foreign Secretary David Lammy to follow through on what he said when in opposition and limit the Egyptian ambassadors access to Whitehall. Conservative former minister Sir John Whittingdale, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told the Today programme Mr Abd El-Fattah was a political activist who had not committed any crime that we would recognise. He said Mr Lammy was outspoken in opposition but that his action in Government since then simply hasnt had an effect. Sir John also called on the Foreign Office to change its travel advice for Egypt to warn Britons there is a risk they could fall foul of the Egyptian authorities. Egypt gets a huge income from tourism, a lot of that tourism comes from Britain and I think that might well put the pressure on that is obviously needed, he said. 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 A British-Egyptian grandmother hospitalised after nearly 250 days on hunger strike to protest the illegal imprisonment of her son is surviving only by a miracle, her family have said. Laila Soueif, 69, is currently at St Thomass Hospital suffering from extremely low blood sugar levels. Her doctors say she is at severe risk of sudden death. The maths professor and pro-democracy activist, who previously lived in London, went on strike on 29 September last year, after Egyptian authorities refused to release her son, fellow pro-democracy voice and British passport holder Alaa Abd el-Fattah, from prison in Cairo. The September date marked the end of Mr Fattahs five-year sentence, handed down to him for sharing a post on social media about the murder of a fellow activist in prison. He had already served five years in detention for pro-democracy activism before his second sentence, spending just six months out of prison between the two stints. His son Khaled, 13, has spent much of his young life in Brighton without his father. Mr Fattahs family say the British government has failed to protect him against the Egyptian regime and secure his release. Mr Fattah has also been denied consular access to the British embassy despite it being his legal right. Ms Soueifs unprecedented hunger strike has two purposes: to protest the Egyptian regime's refusal to release her son and to urge Sir Keir Starmers government to work harder to broker Mr Fattahs freedom. After nearly 250 days of not eating, with only a brief break between February and May when she accepted 300 liquid calories a day, her family say they cannot believe Ms Soueif is still going. Its a miracle that she is conscious, said Sanaa Seif, Ms Soueifs 31-year-old daughter, outside the main entrance of St Thomass Hospital. open image in gallery Sanaa Seif, 31, speaks to the media outside St Thomas Hospital ( PA ) Ms Seif said her mother, who was admitted to the hospital for the second time during her hunger strike last Thursday, is still not receiving food but has had an injection that helps her body burn pre-existing fat. The doctors are, however, worried that whatever fat is left to burn could be what is holding her organs together, which they have told the family is a very limited source. Shes fighting. Her body is fighting. Shes with us, added Ms Seif. I hope the folks at No 10 and the Foreign Office use this time her body has given us well. Last week, the United Nations found that Mr Fattahs detention was illegal on four different counts. They found the activist appeared to have been imprisoned for exercising freedom of expression, and called on Cairo to release him immediately. The ruling helped reignite calls to the British government to secure Mr Fattahs release. Sir Keir Starmer met with the family, including Ms Soueif, back in February, when the grandmother was around 140 days into her hunger strike. He promised then to do all that I can to secure the release of Mr Fattah. John McDonnell MP, who is supporting the family, says Sir Keirs subsequent calls to the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, have had no effect. The government has gone through all the routine measures, he said. Now there needs to be that sense of urgency in the next few hours. He echoed calls for the UK to roll out a package of economic measures against Cairo, including changing the Foreign Office advice on Britons travelling to Egypt. It is only by threatening damaging consequences that the Egyptian government will respond, he added. An FCDO spokesperson said: We are committed to securing Alaa Abd El-Fattahs release. The Foreign Secretary stressed the urgency of the situation in a call with his counterpart on Sunday morning, and further engagement at the highest levels of the Egyptian government continues. We are deeply concerned by Lailas hospitalisation. We remain in regular contact with Lailas family and have checked on her welfare. 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 Two people in their twenties have died in London after allegedly consuming a super-strong opioid drug, the first that experts have linked in the UK to the new substance. Warned that they can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin, nitazenes are a newer form of synthetic opioid and can be mis-sold as drugs including oxycodone, which is a highly addictive prescription drug used to treat pain. A 20-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man are understood to have taken the drug after visiting a club in south London over the May bank holiday weekend. The blue tablets, which are marked with the number 80, could potentially be mistaken for oxys, which can help users fall asleep. In a statement on their social media page, the nightclub Ministry of Sound in Elephant and Castle said: We have been informed of a dangerous batch of blue-green pills marked with 80 are being sold across London. open image in gallery It is believed the drug is being mis-sold as Ecstasy or Oxycodone ( Getty/iStock ) These pills have been linked to hospitalisations and tragically two confirmed fatalities. Reports indicate they contain synthetic opioids, along with traces of ketamine and MDMA. They are being mis-sold as Ecstasy or Oxycodone, and investigations are ongoing. They encouraged anyone who was feeling unwell while at the venue to seek medical help immediately from their on-site team. The Cause, in east London, and Fabric, in Farringdon, also posted similar messages warning people of the risks of consuming the drug. It has prompted fears ahead of festival season, with increased calls for front-of-house drug testing. Speaking to The Times, Professor Fiona Measham, the founder of drug checking charity The Loop, said: Up to now, there have been about two nitazene-related deaths per week in the UK, predominantly linked to contamination of opiate and street benzodiazepine markets. This appears to be a leap from dependent to recreational drug using communities with the deaths of two clubbers but we dont yet know the purchase intent. If we did, we could target the appropriate groups looking to buy, for example, oxycodone or ecstasy pills. The Home Office said: Every death from drugs is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two individuals who have sadly lost their lives. We are determined to take steps to prevent drug-related deaths and we support the testing of drugs seized by the police or deposited in amnesty bins, but we cannot endorse testing for recreational users because there is no safe way to take illegal drugs. We are doing everything we can to tackle the evolving threat from synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, including working closely with the police to increase the number of officers carrying the opioid overdose antidote naloxone. The Metropolitan Police said: We are currently investigating the death of two people at a residential address in Havelock Road, Southall. Met officers were called on Monday, 26 May at 16:00hrs following reports that a 20-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man had been found unresponsive. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended the scene where both people were sadly pronounced dead. The deaths are being treated as unexpected and an investigation remains ongoing. Post-mortem examinations have been carried out and we await the results of toxicology findings. Next of kin for both the man and the woman have been informed, they are currently being supported by specialist officers. 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 Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton has been chosen to be the next head of all three armed forces, The Independent understands. Sir Keir Starmer is understood to have picked the head of the RAF to lead the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as chief of the defence staff from this autumn. The appointment has not yet been officially announced, although it is expected to be confirmed soon, amid what has been billed as the most transformative period for the MoD in decades. It comes a day after the prime minister vowed to make Britain "a battle-ready, armour-clad nation as he unveiled his strategic defence review (SDR), which included an army boosted to 100,000 personnel, 12 new submarines, drones and a rollout of Artificial Intelligence. Sir Richard, 56, is a career engineer who has been described as a defence bureaucrat as well as the money guy due to his ability to handle finances, with previous experience controlling the RAFs budget. He is known as a safe pair of hands and has also rolled out personnel reform in the service. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) speaks with Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton (second right) last month ( AFP/Getty ) The 56-year-old is understood to be taking command of all the services, unlike those previously in the post. He will take over from Admiral Sir Tony Radakin. The ex-first sea lord has been in the role since November 2021, having spearheaded Britain mission to support of Ukraine, and pushed the Aukus submarine programme through government Sir Richard, a married father-of-two, was chosen over Army Chief General Sir Roly Walker, according to reports. The former SAS commander has been described as the ideas man as well as having extensive operational experience, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sir Richard became the first non-pilot to lead the RAF and his official biography reportedly states that his only combat tour was a short stint as senior engineer officer in Italy during the Kosovo campaign. However, a friend told The Times he is the right choice, adding: He is super smart, he is popular, he is very calm and strategic, and you dont get any of the wild strings of rhetoric and emotion. They also described him as having his feet firmly on the ground, with an understanding of how to get things done in defence better than anyone. An MoD spokesperson told The Independent: This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The government is facing renewed calls to suspend all arms exports to Israel as an MP warns of the risk that British-made weapons are being used to ethnically cleanse Palestinians. Labour MP Steve Witherden described Gaza as "already a slaughterhouse," during a parliamentary debate, imploring ministers to outline the specific conditions that would trigger a halt to further exports. Mr Witherden also highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding the true extent of UK military exports to Israel, particularly regarding the supply of components for the F-35 fighter jet programme. In response, Business minister Douglas Alexander clarified that the UK Government does not directly sell F-35 components to Israeli authorities, and that export licenses prohibit direct shipments to Israel for use within the country. He added that the UK's exports of spare F-35 parts are integrated into a global supply network, where exporters have limited oversight of the ultimate end-users. open image in gallery People take part in the National march for Palestine in central London organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign ( PA ) In September last year, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of around 30 arms sale licences to Israel amid concerns a clear risk exists that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law. The Government said exports to the global F-35 programme would be excluded from the suspension decision, except where going directly to Israel, to avoid prejudicing the entire scheme. Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organisation, which has brought a legal action against the Department for Business and Trade over its decisions, said the carve-out gives rise to a significant risk of facilitating crime. Mr Witherden, leading an adjournment debate on arms and military cargo export controls and Israel, told the Commons: The Foreign Secretarys recent condemnation of Israels action as monstrous was welcome but incomplete for my very same Government continues to facilitate such actions. We cannot have it both ways. We cannot condemn atrocity whilst simultaneously fuelling the machinery that enables it. We cannot claim to uphold international law while profiting from its breach. Mr Witherden raised several issues, including asking the Government to explain how it defines defensive weapons and what makes an F-35 component compatible with this definition. He said: Its the Governments position that the need to continue to supply F-35 components outweighs the risk of genocide and, if so, is there any circumstance that would lead to the UK stopping that supply? open image in gallery Palestinians wait for food at a distribution point in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, 2 June 2025 ( AFP/Getty ) The Government has claimed that there are red lines that would trigger a halt to exports, but Gaza is already a slaughterhouse. Children are emaciated or dying of hunger. Hospitals have been intentionally destroyed. Israels leaders vow to wipe out Gaza and still the weapons flow. So finally I ask the minister where is our red line? I call on this Government to suspend all arms exports to Israel to ensure that no British-made weapons are used in Israels brutal plans to annexe, starve and ethnically cleanse the Palestinian population. The credibility of this House depends not just on what we condemn but on what we enable and history will remember we enabled too much. Mr Alexander began by condemning the act of barbarism by Hamas in Israel on October 7 2023, which killed around 1,200 people, before he warned that Israels operations have been indefensible, disproportionate and counterproductive to any lasting peace settlement. The minister reiterated that the UK Government in September last year suspended arms exports licences for items to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) that could be used in military operations in Gaza. He said: This measure is still in place and Id like to reiterate that based on our current assessment of potential breaches of international humanitarian law, we are not licencing military equipment provided directly to the IDF that could be used for military operations in Gaza. It is right to acknowledge that our export licences granted in relation to Israel cover a wider remit than simply those items that may be used in Gaza. open image in gallery In September last year, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of around 30 arms sale licences to Israel ( House of Commons ) There are a relatively small number of licences for the IDF relating to equipment which we assess would not be used in the current conflict, including for example parts of air defence systems that defend Israel from acts such as the major aerial attack from Iran in April 2024. We also think it is right for us to continue providing military grade body armour used by non-governmental organisations and journalists and to provide parts to the supply chain which are ultimately re-exported back out of Israel to support the defence of our Nato allies. Mr Alexander also said: Undermining the F-35 programme at this juncture would, in the view of the Government, disrupt international peace and security, Nato deterrence and European defence as a whole. In relation to components for the F-35 aircraft, our exporters provide these to a global spares pool and the common production line for new aircraft where they have no sight and no control over the specific ultimate end users for their export. Put plainly, it is not possible to suspend licencing of F-35 components for use by one F-35 nation without ceasing supply to the entire global F-35 programme. It was therefore judged necessary by the Government to exclude F-35 components from the scope of the suspension. But let me be very clear, the UK Government is not selling F-35 components directly to the Israeli authorities and the licence that allows the export of F-35 components was amended in September to specifically make clear that direct shipments for Israel for use in Israel are not permitted. 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 is being urged to keep to a pledge to support a new international coalition to scale up the peace process in the Middle East as the crisis in Gaza deepens. At a major conference on the conflict last December, the prime minister said he would bring together countries to back the project that is based on an initiative that brought peace in Northern Ireland. Then, in February, Downing Street and the Foreign Office held meetings with figures behind the coalition - The International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace (IFIPP) - which would bring together people on both sides of the conflict for a two-state solution. Now a paper by Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), seen by The Independent, has made the case for the plan again. open image in gallery Starmer made his commitment to the peace fund after meeting Mandy Damari, the mother of a British hostage held by Hamas last December ( LFI ) It comes as the row over the way Israel is controlling aid to Gaza has intensified. The United Nations is demanding an investigation into the deaths of 27 Palestinians shot dead while trying to collect aid at one of the hubs created by Israel. The IFIPP peace project is based on the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), an instrument that helped shape the societal and political conditions leading to the Good Friday Agreement. The prime minister knows about the impact of the IFI having served as human rights adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which supervises the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), from 2003 to 2007. In the role, he worked to ensure that the PSNI was compliant with its obligations under the 1998 Human Rights Act in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement. IFI began its work in the late 1980s, when Northern Irelands Troubles were at their worst, but by pooling resources and bringing together peacemakers and young people from both communities they were able to lay the foundation for the agreement in 1999. Now Sir Keir is under pressure to go through with his pledge made at the annual LFI lunch in December to bring together the international community to back the equivalent project aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. The LFIs new policy paper entitled "Laying the Foundations for a Two-State Solution: An International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace" makes the strategic and financial case for the establishment of a dedicated multilateral fund to support Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding efforts and calls on the UK government to take a leadership role in its creation. open image in gallery The EU, UK and Norway contribute around 60-70 percent of non-military aid to those impacted by the conflict ( Reuters ) The paper argues that donor states including the EU, UK and Norway, which contribute around 60-70 percent of non-military aid to those impacted by the conflict should pool their resources in order to pack more punch for their spending. It states: No single donor, especially with shrinking budgets, can alone shift the trajectory of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. By pooling their limited resources into a dedicated multilateral fund, such as the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, these states could scale up peacebuilding efforts tenfold without spending more. Such a fund would protect civil society from political volatility, align fragmented donor strategies and finally ensure funding matches the scale of the problem. On Sir Keirs commitment to host an inaugural meeting of the fund, the paper also calls for the government to use that meeting to announce an initial UK funding commitment, paired with matching pledges or political endorsements from partner governments. British leadership will be key to unlocking coordinated international momentum, it argues. The paper is authored by John Lyndon, executive director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP), and features a contribution by Rev Dr Gary Mason, Methodist minister and director of Rethinking Conflict, who draw on lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process. LFI chair Jon Pearce said: "I've met inspiring young Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders who are working together to build trust across divides even in the darkest times. They are not giving up on the hope of a more peaceful tomorrow, and neither should we. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with them and support their vital work through an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. Civic society is stepping in where leaders are failing: creating the conditions for peace, laying foundations for political agreements, and keeping the flame alive when everything else seems impossible. The prime minister's commitment at last year's LFI annual lunch to host an inaugural meeting in London was a moment that gave these peacebuilders real hope. Britain has the skills and credibility to lead this effort - and after spending time with the incredible peacebuilding community, I know we must." 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 Britain will be forced to sign up to a target to hike defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 at a Nato summit later this month in a bid to appease Donald Trump, defence sources believe. On Monday Keir Starmer's bold plans to transform the UKs defences were overshadowed by a row over money after the prime minister failed to commit to a firm date to raise spending to 3% of GDP. The Labour leader was warned Britain may not be moving quickly enough to counter the rapidly growing threats from countries such as Russia. Sir Keir and other Nato leaders are also under pressure from US president Donald Trump to rapidly increase spending, to wean Europe off a dependence on Washington for military support. Now amid attempts by Natos secretary general Mark Rutte to woo President Trump, senior defence sources said Britain will without a doubt sign up to a proposal for member countries to boost defence spending. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump (Carl Court/PA) ( PA Wire ) It would involve countries agreeing to spend 3.5% on hard defence with another 1.5% on areas such as cyber, intelligence and military-related infrastructure, at a summit in the Hague in a few weeks. One senior insider said Britain would without a doubt sign up, The Guardian reported. Last week Mr Rutte said: I assume that in The Hague we will agree on a high defence spend target of in total 5%. He added that it would be considerably north of 3% when it comes to the hard spending. On Tuesday the defence secretary failed to rule out tax rises to make Britain war ready, amid concerns that the government does not have enough money to fund the plans outlined in the defence review. John Healey said the government would set out how well pay for future increases in the future when quizzed over how Britain can afford to boost its military funding to 3 per cent. A day after Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the long-awaited defence strategic defence review, Mr Healey said he is 100 per cent confident the target would be met but he struggled to say how it would be paid for after economists warned that significant tax rises would be needed. The PM's official spokesman said the UKs commitment to Nato is unshakeable, weve always put Nato at the heart of our approach to defence. He added: "As the prime minister said yesterday, there will always be discussions about the contribution going into Nato in the lead up to the conference." The UK is already the third highest spender in Nato in cash terms, behind just the US and Germany. The shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: This commitment from NATO contrasts with Labours total failure to set out a plan to spend 3% on defence. As a result, their defence review has completely unravelled. The submarines and ships it promises are nothing but a fantasy fleet based on fantasy funding. 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 Gang leaders who coerce vulnerable individuals into concealing drugs and cash within their bodies could face up to a decade behind bars, thanks to a proposed change in the law. Ministers are seeking to establish a new criminal offence to combat the practice known as "plugging". This method is commonly employed by organised crime groups to transport illicit goods in county lines drug operations. Children and vulnerable adults are often forced to swallow or hide items inside their bodies, which can result in serious harm. There is also a risk of fatal overdose if drug packages rupture internally. The amendment will be incorporated into the Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. open image in gallery The proposed law change will form part of the Crime and Policing Bill ( PA Archive ) There is something truly evil about the gang leaders who degrade young girls, young boys and vulnerable adults in this way, forcing them to put their lives at risk, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said. This new offence will go alongside other measures in our landmark Crime and Policing Bill toturn the tables on the gang leaders and hold them to account for exploiting children and vulnerable adults. It comes as the Government committed to investing 42 million into a programme to tackle county lines gangs and support victims of the drugs trade. Since July 2024, more than 800 violent criminals involved in county lines have been charged through the programmes enforcement action and 1,200 drug lines have been closed, according to the Home Office. More than 2,100 safeguarding referrals for children and vulnerable people have also been made, it added. Children forced to carry drugs in this way are subject to a form of abuse and exploitation that causes deep, long-lasting harm, and the law must reflect that, Jack ONeill, of The Childrens Society, said. A clear legal definition of child criminal exploitation would help stop vulnerable children falling through the cracks and shift the focus onto the predators who profit from their abuse. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The number of overcrowded small boats arriving in the UK carrying more than 80 people has quadrupled in three years, casting doubt over Labours pledge to stop migrants from making the dangerous journey. Fresh analysis from the Home Office showed that 33 boats made the perilous journey while carrying more than 80 people in the year to April 2025 up from eight in the year to April 2022. While the overall number of dinghies, typically made to carry up to 20 people safely, arriving declined from 1,116 in 2022 to 738 in 2025, more people have been crammed onto each vessel for the crossing. open image in gallery People thought to be migrants wade through the sea to board a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel ( PA ) The Home Office data showed that the number of days with good weather conditions for migrants to cross the English Channel this year has more than doubled compared to previous years. The government published the statistics just days after a record number of daily arrivals for this year when 1,195 migrants made the journey to the UK in 19 boats on Saturday. It comes despite Labour in December claiming that the government had broken the link between favourable weather conditions and an influx of migrant crossings. There were 60 so-called red days between January 1 and April 30 this year, when factors such as wind speed, wave height and the likelihood of rain meant crossings were classed by officials as likely or highly likely. Some 11,074 migrants arrived in the UK during these four months after crossing the Channel. By contrast, there were 27 red days in the same period last year, less than half the number in 2025, with 7,567 arrivals recorded nearly a third lower than the total for this year. There were also 27 red days in the first four months of 2022, with 23 red days in 2023, with 6,691 and 5,946 arrivals in these periods, respectively. Reacting to the figures, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: Labour seems to think praying for bad weather is a good border security strategy. This is a weak government, with no plan to end illegal immigrants crossing the Channel. Blaming the weather for the highest ever crossing numbers so far this year is the border security equivalent of a lazy student claiming the dog ate my homework. Assessments of the likelihood of migrant crossings are prepared for the Home Office by the Met Office. Red days mean the probability of migrant activity in the Channel is greater than 55 per cent, with crossings classed as likely or highly likely. The analysis is based on data recorded in the Dover Strait and does not consider wider factors such as the availability of dinghies. open image in gallery Prime minister Keir Starmer speaks during a visit to BAE Systems in Govan, Glasgow ( PA ) The cumulative total arrivals for the year is 14,812 the highest for the first five months of a year since data collection began in 2018. Gunes Kalkan, of Safe Passage International, said the rise only increases the risk to peoples lives. This indicates the governments approach isnt working, as the smugglers continue to exploit the lack of safe routes for refugees, cramming more and more people dangerously on each boat, he said. If this government is serious about saving lives and stopping the smugglers, it must open safe routes and expand refugee family reunion. Downing Street said the government wanted to break the link between favourable weather conditions and the number of English Channel crossings by small boats but acknowledged there were no quick fixes. Meanwhile, officials are understood to be pessimistic about the prospect of bringing numbers down this year, with measures not expected to start paying off until 2026. The government has vowed to crack down on people smuggling gangs, including by handing counter-terror-style powers to law enforcement agencies under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently going through Parliament. However, they have faced accusations of mimicking Reform UK, after they began publishing videos of early morning raids and Sir Keir Starmer echoed the language of Enoch Powell in a major speech earlier this year. A Home Office spokesperson said: This government is restoring grip to the broken asylum system it inherited, that saw a whole criminal smuggling enterprise allowed to develop, where gangs have been able to exploit periods of good weather to increase the rate of crossings for too long. The spokesperson added that 9,000 crossings have been prevented from the French coastline this year. 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 Nationalisation of struggling Thames Water is not the answer, environment secretary Steve Reed has warned after a private equity giant pulled out of a 4bn rescue deal, throwing the companys future into doubt. A bailout of the debt-laden utility would take money away from the NHS and other public services, he said. Thames Water is about 19bn in debt, and MPs were told last month that at one point this year it had about five weeks worth of cash left before going bust. Britains biggest water supplier, which has 16 million customers, chose KKR at the end of March to be its preferred bidder under plans to invest around 4bn of new equity. But the firm said on Tuesday that KKR was no longer in a position to proceed and that its status as preferred bidder had lapsed. At the despatch box, Conservative shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins accused ministers of having talked themselves out of a rescue plan. Mr Reed told MPs: The government stands ready for any eventuality and will take action as required. We are not looking at nationalisation because it would cost over 100bn of public money that would have had to be taken away from other public services like the National Health Service to be given to the owners of the water companies. It will take years to unpick the current model of ownership, during which time pollution would get worse and we know that nationalisation is not the answer you only have to look at the situation in Scotland to see that. Mr Reed said he would make no apology for tackling the behaviour of water companies under the previous government. I mean, we even had stories that have been confirmed by water companies of previous Conservative secretaries of state shouting and screaming at water company bosses, but not actually changing the law to do anything about the bonuses that they were able to pay themselves. Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron said Thames Water should go into special administration and emerge as a public interest company. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice proposed a plan to buy it for a pound its a good deal for the taxpayer then it wont have to pay huge, egregious rates of interest, and the taxpayer and the customers will be the beneficiaries. The move by KKR comes as an interim report by the Independent Water Commission found the water sector in England and Wales needs a fundamental reset and called for a strengthening and rebalancing of Ofwats regulatory role. It is understood that Thames Water is now working on alternative plans with senior creditors. These creditors are the bondholders who effectively own Thames Water after the High Court earlier this year approved a financial restructuring through a loan of up to 3bn to ensure it can keep running until the summer of 2026. Sir Adrian Montague, chair of Thames Water, said: We continue to believe that a sustainable recapitalisation of the company is in the best interests of all stakeholders and continue to work with our creditors and stakeholders to achieve that goal. Britains biggest water supplier has 16 million customers ( PA ) KKR declined to comment. An Ofwat spokesperson said: We are liaising with the company on its next steps in light of its recent announcement to ensure its equity raise process continues to secure improved financial resilience and operational performance. The firm was put under further pressure last week when it was fined a record 122.7m by Ofwat after it was found to have broken rules over sewage treatment and paying out dividends. Water companies have faced public and political outrage over the extent of pollution, rising bills, high dividends, and executive pay and bonuses. Thames hiked consumer water bills for customers by an average of 31 per cent in April and incurred further wrath over plans to pay senior bosses large bonuses linked to the water company securing a 3bn emergency loan, which were later dropped. 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 Donald Trump will spare Britains steel and aluminium industry from his 50 per cent tariffs on Wednesday, but has given the UK just five weeks to finalise a full exemption. The US president has given Britain a reprieve as he doubles the levies on imports to he US as he vows to further secure American industry. Sir Keir Starmers much-hyped UK-US trade deal unveiled last month should have exempted Britain from steel tariffs completely, but is still yet to be implemented. And Mr Trump has now set a deadline of next month for the deal to be finalised. open image in gallery Britain has just over a month to fully implement the UK-US trade deal ( PA ) Negotiations with the US are ongoing about the full implementation of the deal, with reports suggesting the hold-up is due to the American side. It means levies will remain at 25 per cent for imports from the UK, according to a version of the US executive order that confirmed the worldwide tariff increase on Tuesday, which also added that Britain could still be subject to the higher 50 per cent rate from 9 July. The UK government said it was pleased the UK will not be subject to the additional tariffs, as it vowed to secure the removal of the 25 per cent levies. UK Steel director general Gareth Stace urged ministers to "apply rocket boosters" to negotiations to get US tariffs removed from steel imports as soon as possible. He told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: "We need the UK Government to apply rocket boosters to those negotiations with the US administration to get that deal over the line and remove tariffs altogether on our imports and exports to the US market, which is our second biggest export market." He said the last months and weeks had been a "rollercoaster ride of uncertainty", adding: "We woke up on Saturday morning to the president saying he's going to increase tariffs to 50%. "All of the UK steel exporters were in touch with their customers, almost all of them were cancelling those orders or pausing indefinitely. "Now they will have to get back in touch with those customers and say: 'Are those deals back on or not?"' open image in gallery Heidi Alexander could not guarantee Mr Trumps deadline would be met ( PA Wire ) Heidi Alexander refused to guarantee officials would meet Mr Trumps deadline to fully implement the UK-US deal before the 50 per cent tariffs are imposed. The transport secretary told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I know that business owners will want to know that we're doing absolutely everything that we can to protect them from these very challenging global economic headwinds. It was fantastic news that we got that trade deal with the US. Ms Alexander added that she is really confident in the governments ability to fully implement the deal. On Tuesday, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds met White House trade representative Jamieson Greer in Paris to discuss the UK-US trade deal. open image in gallery It is a boost to Britains steel industry, but uncertainty remains ( PA ) According to the Department for Business and Trade, the pair discussed a desire to implement the deal struck as soon as possible, and committed to working closely to make it happen. In the text of the executive order released on Tuesday, Mr Trump has further determined that it is necessary and appropriate to allow for the implementation of the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal of 8 May, 2025 (EPD), and to accordingly provide different treatment, as described below, for imports of steel and aluminium articles, and their derivatives, from the United Kingdom. The order later says that rates will for now stay at 25 per cent and adds: On or after 9 July, 2025, the Secretary may adjust the applicable rates of duty and construct import quotas for steel and aluminium consistent with the terms of the EPD, or he may increase the applicable rates of duty to 50 percent if he determines that the United Kingdom has not complied with relevant aspects of the EPD. The global 50 per cent tariff rate is due to come into force from 12.01am Washington DC time on Wednesday, just after 5am in the UK. There had been fears that the UK was to be hit with the 50 per cent tariff. UK Steel director general Gareth Stace said: The presidents decision not to impose a 50 per cent tariff on UK steelmakers, but to keep the rate at 25 per cent while the UK-US deal is completed, is a welcome pause. Continued 25 per cent tariffs will benefit shipments already on the water that we were concerned would fall under a tax hike. However, uncertainty remains over timings and final tariff rates, and now US customers will be dubious over whether they should even risk making UK orders. The US and UK must urgently turn the May deal into reality to remove the tariffs completely. A UK government spokesperson said: The UK was the first country to secure a trade deal with the US earlier this month and we remain committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors, including steel as part of our plan for change. Were pleased that as a result of our agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs. We will continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the 25 per cent US tariffs on steel removed. The Conservatives have said that Labours botched negotiations have left businesses in limbo. Shadow business and trade secretary Andrew Griffith said: Keir Starmer stood in front of the nation and insisted to the British public that his Labour Government had achieved a trade deal with the US, and now one month later our industries face a fresh tariffs blow. So once again, it seems that Keir Starmers promise was just like the rest: hollow and broken. Labours botched negotiations have left businesses in limbo and this country simply cannot afford their continuing failure. 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 Trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds is meeting US officials on Tuesday as the UK faces a race against time to prevent Donald Trump bringing in new tariffs on steel. Earlier this month, a UK-US trade deal was unveiled that should have exempted Britain from steel tariffs; however, the move has yet to be implemented, and the details are still being worked out ahead of a formal deal. On Tuesday in Paris, Mr Reynolds and US trade representative Jamieson Greer are expected to discuss implementing the agreement. It comes amid uncertainty about the future of Mr Trumps tariffs after a US court last week ruled many of them unlawful, before an appeals court reinstated the levies pending a further hearing. Last week also saw Mr Trump announce that he would double tariffs on steel to 50 per cent, starting on Wednesday, and it remains unclear how the UK would be affected by his declaration. Mr Reynolds visit to Paris is part of a three-day trip, during which he is expected to meet other trade ministers and attend a G7 ministerial meeting before heading to Brussels for meetings with his EU counterparts. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet the US trade representative Jamieson Greer in Paris ( James Manning/PA ) During the trip, the trade secretary will argue that the UK is a dependable partner in an era of increasing global volatility. He said: Our deals with the US, EU and India are proof that the UK is the most connected country in the world to do business. Along with our modern industrial strategy, our Plan for Change is making the UK a safe, stable bet in uncertain times. We recognise our relationship with G7 allies and EU counterparts must continue to evolve and deliver a better trading environment for our businesses and exporters. Thats why we want to wipe away costly, business-blocking barriers and open up opportunities to grow our economy, create jobs and put more money in peoples pockets. Andrew Griffith, Conservative shadow business secretary, said: Labour told the British public we had a deal with the US but one month on, there is no deal in sight, meaning British businesses and workers continue to suffer because of Labours failed negotiations. After snatching the winter fuel payment, lying about not increasing taxes, and misleading the public by saying the US trade deal was done, the public will rightly not trust a word Labour says. As all the other political parties wrangle over how to spend more taxpayers money, only the Conservatives are committed to being responsible with the public finances. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The government still doesnt know if the British steel and aluminium industry will be hit with 50 per cent tariffs tomorrow, just hours before Donald Trump ramps up his global trade war. The US president sent shockwaves through the global economy when he announced on Friday that he would raise the tariffs from 25 per cent to further secure the industry in his country. A much-lauded UK-US trade deal unveiled last month should have exempted Britain from steel tariffs completely when they were slashed to zero as part of the agreement. But the deal is yet to be implemented, meaning the industry could be slapped with double the tariffs it had before. President Donald Trump silences his mobile phone which rang two times as he was speaking to reporters after signing executive orders regarding nuclear energy in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ( AP ) As questions grow on whether Britain will escape Wednesdays escalation, a Downing Street source said No 10 doesnt quite know what the announcement will be. No one has seen the detail of what [Trump] is going to announce tomorrow. The deal and the quote weve agreed is zero, but the question is just a case of when that comes in, they said, just hours before the fresh tariffs were set to hit. The source said the timing of when the exemptions agreed in the deal will come into force is in the USs gift, adding that the government hoped to have something agreed soon. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds is currently in Paris, where he will meet with his US counterpart Jamieson Greer in a last-ditch attempt to secure a carve-out from the hike and pin down a timeline for the implementation of the deal. Asked whether British companies could be facing 50 per cent tariffs on Wednesday, the prime ministers official spokesperson said it is up to United States to make their own policy announcements. Im not going to get ahead of announcements that are for the United States. What you have seen so far is the UK and the US sign a landmark deal to protect car and steel manufacturers. When it comes to the implementation of the agreement, that work is ongoing and the business secretary will be meeting with his counterpart in Paris, he added. It comes after The Independent reported on Monday that the government is urgently seeking clarification from the US on what Mr Trumps latest announcement on tariffs means for the UK. Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump announced the broad terms of an agreement last month that would exempt the UK from some of the US presidents tariffs on steel and cars while increasing market access for other goods. The prime minister hailed the announcement as a major achievement, saying the UK was the first nation to reach such an agreement with Mr Trump. But the details are still being worked out ahead of a formal deal, and the government hopes for an agreement within weeks. Mr Reynolds meeting with Mr Greer comes amid uncertainty about the future of Mr Trumps tariffs after a US court last week ruled many of them unlawful, before an appeals court reinstated the levies pending a further hearing. Andrew Griffith, Conservative shadow business secretary, said: Labour told the British public we had a deal with the US but one month on, there is no deal in sight, meaning British businesses and workers continue to suffer because of Labours failed negotiations. After snatching the winter fuel payment, lying about not increasing taxes, and misleading the public by saying the US trade deal was done, the public will rightly not trust a word Labour says. As all the other political parties wrangle over how to spend more taxpayers money, only the Conservatives are committed to being responsible with the public finances. Gareth Stace, the director general of the UK Steel trade body, warned that President Trumps latest announcement was a body blow and could lead to orders for British steel being delayed or cancelled. To wake up this morning to a doubling of the tariffs to 50 per cent will be of serious concern and confusion to our sector here in the UK, he said on Saturday. 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 More than 90 percent of popular freshwater game fish in Southern California contain a parasite that is capable of inducing strokes or heart attacks in the humans who eat them. Researchers said the parasites were two species of flatworms known as trematodes. At no more than a few centimeters in length, the flukes a class of flatworms can result in weight loss or lethargy. Although rare, infection has also resulted in more severe consequences. Americans dont usually think about parasites when they eat freshwater fish because it hasnt historically been an issue here, Ryan Hechinger, an ecologist and parasitologist at UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said in a statement. But these trematodes have now been widely introduced in the U.S. and that means that doctors and the public should be aware. He is the senior author of the study which was published Tuesday in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. It was funded by the National Institutes of Health. To identify this issue, Hechinger, the University of Nebraskas Daniel Metz, and former Scripps graduate student and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center marine scientist Emma Palmer examined 84 fish from seven different species in 2023. Those fish included largemouth bass and bluegill, which were collected from five frequented fishing locations in San Diego County. open image in gallery More than 90 percent of freshwater fish game in Southern California contain a parasite thats capable of leading to rare but severe health outcomes in humans. The fish included this bluegill and largemouth bass ( Emma Palmer ) Of those, 93 percent were infected with the Haplorchis pumilio parasite, and some were the host to thousands. Two of the five locations yielded positive results for the second parasite known as Centrocestus formosanus, which occurred in 91 percent of the fish. Historically, the trematodes have infected people in Southeast Asia and likely arrived in the U.S. more than a decade ago inside an invasive aquatic snail known as the red-rimmed melania. That snail is found in 17 states and Puerto Rico. open image in gallery One of the parasites was the flatworm Haplorchis pumilio . Some fish were the host to thousands of them ( Dan Metz ) Previous work led by Hechinger had found that the red-rimmed melania and its parasites are widespread in the Golden State. So, what is the risk to Californians and Americans at large? Hechinger says there havent been any reported cases of parasites infecting Americans yets, but nobody is looking for cases and doctors arent required to report them. Californians should make sure to monitor fish advisories for any changes. open image in gallery Foodborne trematode infections cause 2 million life years lost to isability and death worldwide every year. But, infection can be avoided ( Emma Palmer ) The risks posed by them are easy to avoid as, if you fully cook your fish or freeze any thats intended to be eaten raw for at least a week, the parasites will die. Although, the authors found that many Americans are likely consuming freshwater fish without taking the proper precautions. The greatest health threats come from repeated infection over many months or years. Foodborne trematode infections cause two million life years lost to disability and death worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organization. They recommend that fish-borne trematode infection be added to the list of diseases doctors are required to report to public health officials. These parasites are here in the U.S., and theyre infecting fish that people are eating, said Hechinger. We hope this study can help make public health officials, doctors and the public more aware. 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 supporter of Sean Diddy Combs was dragged out of a New York courtroom by cops after making a profanity-laden outburst. Its the fourth week of testimony in the rap moguls sex trafficking trial and, on Tuesday, the federal court experienced its first significant disruption. A woman in the courts gallery yelled, Diddy, these motherf***** laughing at you and it's not right what theyre doing to him!" according to reports by CNN and NBC News. The judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian, told court officers to escort her out right now! Combs turned around after Subramanian ordered her removal. open image in gallery A supporter of Sean Diddy Combs was dragged out of a New York courtroom by cops after having a profanity-laden outburst ( REUTERS ) The outburst came shortly after prosecutors complained about the real identity of Combs former assistant, known as Mia, who is a witness in the case, being publicly shared. Prosecutors said a man had violated a pseudonym order by referring to Mia by her real name on his YouTube channel, CNN reported. The man was in the courtroom on Monday, and was also seen recording outside. open image in gallery Prosecutors have accused Diddy of threatening, abusing, and coercing victims to fulfill his sexual desires from 2004 to 2024 ( REUTERS ) Prosecutors asked Subramanian to ban the man from the courtroom, which the judge agreed to. According to The Washington Post, the woman removed from courthouse said she believed people were unfairly mocking Combs. I wanted to make my voice heard, she said. The Post reported that the woman got angry when approached by a reporter and started cursing. open image in gallery The outburst came shortly after prosecutors complained of a man who violated the pseudonym order by referring to Combs former assistant, Mia, by her real name on his YouTube channel, CNN reported ( Reuters ) Im tired of seeing everyone treating Diddy the way they are. I said my piece, the supporter said. Diddy stands accused of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors have accused Diddy of threatening, abusing, and coercing victims to fulfill his sexual desires from 2004 to 2024. Mia testified last week that she was sexually assaulted by Combs. On Monday, she said she had previously not reported the assault allegation because she was terrified and brainwashed by the rap mogul. 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 New video shows the moment rescuers saved three men after they were left treading water when their plane crashed along Floridas Treasure Coast last weekend. Officials received a distress call at 8.24 p.m. Sunday from a single-seated Cessna 172 Skyhawk as it plunged into the waters off Vero Beach after the pilot reported engine issues. The aircraft took off from Flagler Executive Airport in Palm Coast, 150 miles to the north, just before 7 p.m. The alert sparked a multi-agency search and rescue mission. It was the Indian River County Sheriffs Office helicopter, Hawk, that found the three in the water using its thermal imaging and infrared cameras. Sheriff Eric Flowers said in a press conference Monday that the helicopter pilots were unable to find any visible debris from the crash, describing the rescue mission like looking for a needle in a haystack in the middle of the ocean. Instead of debris, Flowers said that helicopter pilot Deputy Jonathan Lozada eventually noticed three heads bobbing in the water around 8.45 p.m. open image in gallery Video and bodycam footage captured the moment three plane crash survivors were rescued off the Floridas Treasure coast ( CBP ) Lozada told the media that conditions were stacked against the rescue teams. It was very dark out there, he said in a press conference Monday. Even though we have night vision goggles, were still very limited on visibility. So for us to be able to go that far offshore, it's just unsafe for us. Lozada said the three passengers might never have been found if more time had elapsed. At around 9:50 p.m. Sunday, officials from the Air and Marine Operations, an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, found two survivors in the water, the agency said. Coast Guard, Coast Guard, you have two that youre in contact with. There is one more at about your 11 oclock. Hes drifting off by himself, one of the helicopter pilots said in a video of the rescue shared by the sheriffs office on Facebook. The third man was pulled out of the water shortly after he was spotted. open image in gallery A U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat participating in the search ( Indian River County Sheriffs Office ) Bodycam footage from an Air and Marine Operations agent showed the moment one of the survivors was assisted up to the boat using a rope. The man, who later identified himself as the pilot, stated that only three people had been on board the plane. We have three, he said. We are three. Flowers said that the pilot appeared to be in the worst condition and in the most distress. The man was recorded screaming as he was transferred to the Coast Guard 45-foot vessel for Emergency Medical Technician evaluation after complaining of severe rib pain, according to the CBP. All three survivors were taken to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce for further medical treatment. The sheriff's office said the victims are in stable condition. open image in gallery Indian River County Sheriffs Office shared footage of the those onboard the doomed Cessna being rescued on Sunday ( Indian River County Sheriffs Office ) Assistant Fire Chief Steve Greer of Indian River County Fire Rescue said that the three survivors attempted to swim to shore. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the cause of the crash. A preliminary crash report was expected to be available on Tuesday. The plane was headed for Vero Beach Municipal Airport and had been due to land around 8:30 p.m. local time. 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 second group of white South Africans has arrived in the United States as part of a refugee programme initiated by the Trump administration, according to officials and advocacy groups. Jaco Kleynhans, head of international liaison at the Solidarity Movement, which represents South Africa's white Afrikaner minority, confirmed that nine individuals, including families and children, arrived late last week via a commercial flight. A US Embassy spokesperson told reporters via email that "refugees continue to arrive in the United States from South Africa on commercial flights as part of the Afrikaner resettlement programs ongoing operations." This follows an initial group of 59 white South Africans who arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia last month on a chartered flight. The resettlement programme was announced by US President Donald Trump in February, with his administration expediting the process for white South Africans while suspending other US refugee programmes indefinitely. The Trump 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. open image in gallery US President Donald Trump (R) holds up news articles related to violence in South Africa during a meeting with the countrys President Cyril Ramaphosa (L), in the Oval Office ( EPA ) Trump has falsely claimed that white South African farmers are targeted in widespread attacks that amount to genocide and are having their land taken away. Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those baseless claims during a meeting at the White House last month. Ramaphosa has said the relatively small number of attacks on white farmers are part of South Africas larger problems with violent crime, which affects all races. The Trump administration initially said the refugee program was aimed at members of South Africa's Afrikaner minority, who are descendants of mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers. In new guidance published by the US Embassy last month, applicants must be a member of a racial minority in South Africa and must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution. There are approximately 2.7 million Afrikaners among South Africa's population of 62 million, which is more than 80% Black. They are not the only white minority. There are around 4.5 million whites in total, including those with British or other heritage. The US Embassy spokesperson said the US continues to review inquiries from individuals who have expressed interest to the embassy in resettling to the United States and is reaching out to eligible individuals for refugee interviews and processing." While US officials have not said how many South Africans have applied to be relocated, Kleynhans said there have been around 8,000 applications. Another group helping white South Africans apply for refugee status has said tens of thousands have applied. 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 Texas universities may soon see significant changes as legislation potentially granting boards greater control over curriculum and the power to eliminate degree programs awaits approval by Governor Greg Abbott. This move aligns with a broader trend in Republican-led states, including Florida and Ohio, seeking to reshape higher education institutions perceived as promoting liberal ideologies. These actions coincide with increased federal intervention under the Trump administration, which has utilized funding and student visa authority to curb campus activism and diversity initiatives. Critics, including professors like Isaac Kamola, Director of the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom at the American Association of University Professors, argue that such measures infringe upon academic freedom. Kamola describes the situation as "an existential attack on higher education," highlighting concerns that political influence is being used to enforce ideological conformity within universities. A Texas effort to shape general education requirements 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. open image in gallery Critics argue that the new measures would infringe upon academic freedom ( AP ) 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 wouldnt create an undue workload. 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 Smiths The Wealth of Nations, among other things. open image in gallery In Ohio, a new law bans DEI programs at public colleges and universities ( AP ) 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 its never been proven that faculty members are systematically punishing students who dont share their political beliefs. 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. open image in gallery Florida Governor Ron DeSantis after signing a group of education-related bills, May 2023 ( AP ) 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. 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 pardoned two shark divers from South Florida who were convicted of theft for freeing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a fisherman's longline. Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr. received the pardons on Wednesday after being convicted in 2022 of theft of property within special maritime jurisdiction. The two men avoided prison time, but were ordered to pay $3,343.72 in restitution. The felony convictions prevented them from voting in Florida, owning firearms, and traveling freely outside the U.S. 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. Since the beginning of his second term, President Trump has issued around 40 pardons, before the 1,600 pardons for those connected with the 2021 US Capitol riot ( AP ) According to court records, Moore, who was captain of a shark-diving charter boat, and Mansell, a crew member, spotted the longline about 3 miles off the Jupiter Inlet in August 2020. 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, stating that the line 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. 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. The pardon for the divers comes as President Trump delivers a series of other pardons. Since the beginning of his second term, they are understood to total 40, before the 1,600 pardons for those charged or convicted in connection with the 6 January 2021 US Capitol riot. Mansell and Moore were two of at least eight pardons delivered in recent weeks. Alongside them, commuted the federal prison sentence of Larry Hoover, founder of a Chicago street gang. 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 A senior Justice Department official has reportedly been instructed to investigate clemency decisions made by former President Joe Biden during the final months of his presidency. Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed Biden used an autopen during his presidency, raising the issue as he responded to Bidens prostate cancer diagnosis last month. Who was operating the autopen? This is a very serious thing, he told reporters in May. We had a president that didnt sign anything. He autopenned almost anything. On Wednesday, Trump raised it again, this time in relation to negotiations with Iran over the countrys nuclear program. The AUTOPEN should have stopped Iran a long time ago from enriching. Under our potential Agreement WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM! he wrote on TruthSocial. According to an email seen by Reuters, Ed Martin, the Justice Departments pardon attorney, stated the investigation will look into whether Biden was competent and whether others were taking advantage of him through use of AutoPen or other means. The investigation, launched at the behest of a senior official appointed during Trumps presidency, will focus on pardons granted to Biden family members and inmates on death row. The email stated that Martins investigation is focused on preemptive pardons Biden issued to several members of his family and clemency that spared 37 federal inmates from the death penalty, converting their sentences to life in prison. Just before he relinquished the presidency to Trump on January 20, Biden pardoned five members of his family, saying he wanted to protect them from future politically motivated investigations. The pardons went to Bidens siblings James Biden, Frank Biden and Valerie Biden Owens as well as their spouses, John Owens and Sara Biden. Biden on December 1 pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who had pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted on firearms-related charges. open image in gallery Trump and his supporters have made a variety of unfounded claims that Bidens use of Autopen ( AP ) What is an autopen? An autopen is a device used to affix a signature to a document automatically. Trump and his supporters have made a variety of unfounded claims about Bidens use of the device. At the same time, the president invalidated his actions or suggested that he was not fully aware of the consequences of these actions. It is not known whether Biden used an autopen on pardons. Martins email did not specify which members of the Biden family were being investigated. It also did not make clear who directed Martin to launch the investigation. A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Biden spokesperson did not immediately provide comment. The U.S. Constitution grants the president broad power to issue pardons, which can wipe away federal criminal convictions, or commutations, which can modify sentences. Trump himself has made extensive use of executive clemency. For instance, he granted clemency on January 20 to all of the nearly 1,600 of his supporters who faced criminal charges in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, which was a failed attempt to prevent congressional certification of Bidens 2020 election victory over Trump. Martin previously served as the interim U.S. attorney in Washington before his nomination for the post was withdrawn in the Senate. open image in gallery Biden was the oldest person to serve as president, and Trump is the second oldest ( Getty Images/AFP ) Martin told reporters last month that he viewed the presidential pardon power as plenary, meaning it is absolute. If you use the autopen for pardon power, I dont think that thats necessarily a problem, Martin said during a May 13 press conference, adding that he still felt the Biden pardons warranted scrutiny. The investigation appears designed to use the Justice Department to amplify questions about Bidens health and mental acuity, a conversation that has intensified in recent weeks following his cancer diagnosis and a new book revealing Democratic concerns last year about Bidens condition. A separate investigation into Bidens alleged use of an autopen being run by the House Oversight Committee, led by Republican Representative James Comer. Comer said if the investigation proves that Biden did not know about the signing of executive orders by autopen, those orders would be thrown out in court. Speaking on Foc Newss Sunday Morning Futures, as reported in the Washington Examiner, Comer said: ...if we can find information that would lead us to believe that Joe Biden had no knowledge of those executive orders being signed in his name, then I think that the Trump administration could get them thrown out in court, and then Trump would be able to execute his agenda a whole lot easier without all the Trump-proofing that happened with the autopen at the end of the Biden administration. Biden, who is 82, dropped his reelection bid last year amid questions about his mental acuity following a disastrous presidential debate performance. Biden was the oldest person to serve as U.S. president, and Trump is the second oldest. Bidens closest aides have dismissed those concerns, saying Biden was fully capable of making important decisions. No evidence has emerged to suggest that Biden did not intend to issue the pardons. In addition, a 2005 Justice Department memo found it legitimate for a subordinate to use an autopen for the presidents signature. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The White House just unveiled a new presidential portrait of Donald Trump, and the administration appeared to use a knock-off version of the Austin Powers movie theme to make the reveal in a video posted on X on Monday. The official portrait replaced one introduced earlier this year for Trumps inauguration. The new close-up image shows a stern-looking Trump in closeup wearing a navy suit and a red tie against a dark backdrop. The posting on social media shows a sped-up time-lapse of a staffer hanging the portrait as the bootleg version of Quincy Jones Soul Bossa Nova the music used as the theme to Mike Meyers series of Austin Powers comedies plays in the background. The portrait utilizes high contrast and dark shadows across the presidents face. The first portrait released for Trumps second term featured different lighting and a background, with a more evenly lit image, showing the president wearing a blue tie in front of an American flag. Both portraits stand out from the one used by Trump in his first term, which was brightly lit and showed a smiling Trump in a blue tie, also in front of an American flag. Trumps new image is the first presidential portrait not to feature an American flag in the background since Richard Nixons in 1969, according to a gallery on the website of the Library of Congress. Most presidential portraits before Nixons predecessor, Gerald Ford, tended to be set against a plain background. The White House website and President Trumps Facebook account have been updated to feature the new portrait, which has been hung in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the West Wing. open image in gallery Trump's first second-term portrait featured an American flag in the background ( Daniel Torok / Library of Congress ) open image in gallery Trump's first term portrait showed a brightly lit president smiling at the camera ( Shealah Craighead / Library of Congress ) The expression in Trumps two portraits from this year is similar to the one seen in his Georgia mug shot from two years ago. His supporters used the image of the president at the Fulton County jail to depict him standing up against what they viewed as the deep state. The Trump campaign was quick to capitalize on the image, putting it on hordes of merchandise. In March, Trump complained about a portrait in the Colorado Capitol, which he claimed was purposefully distorted, and told Democratic Governor Jared Polis to remove it. The portrait was commissioned during his first term and had hung in the Capitol since 2019, but Colorados Republican lawmakers took swift action to remove it. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The code that Wall Street traders are now using to describe Donald Trumps tactic of backing out of his trade policy threats whenever they cause the stock market to tumble has not only rattled the president, but has his most loyal sycophants at Fox News scrambling to defend him against the insulting nickname. With investors now engaging in TACO trades - which is shorthand for Trump Always Chickens Out when it comes to actually imposing his massive tariffs - Democratic lawmakers have now taken to social media to mock the president by filming themselves munching down on tacos. Amid the widespread mockery of the president by Democrats and liberal media figures, not to mention the presidents own complaints about the nasty term, a number of hosts and commentators at Fox News which essentially serves as the White Houses unofficial communications arm have circled the wagons to blast the cringey insult. One way they have done that is to insist that theres no way that Trump can be seen as cowardly because there is nobody alive who has more courage than the president. The word chicken one of the problems that the Democrats have had with Donald Trump is the fact that after fight, fight, fight, everyone knows he is the bravest man in the world, Fox & Friends co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy, referencing last years assassination attempt on Trump, breathlessly declared Tuesday. open image in gallery Fox News hosts, including Greg Gutfeld, have circled the wagons to defend Donald Trump after Democrats began mocking the president over the Wall Street-based "TACO" moniker. ( Fox News ) Campos-Duffy, whose husband serves as the presidents transportation secretary, claimed the mocking was all propaganda to make the American people forget that Trump was shot in the head at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. At the same time, though, she insisted the nickname wont stick because the public knows how courageous and unafraid the president is. Every man that saw that knows he is brave, she continued. Bravest man in the world. They are thinking using taco and the word chicken on Trump somehow is going to damage or put a dent in that teflon image he has as the very brave person. Frankly, he is brave to take on tariffs! The former Real World star was far from the only Fox News personality to fume over the acronym that Democrats and anti-Trump influencers have gleefully embraced. Specifically, the networks conservative stars have recently taken issue with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who posted a video on his TikTok account of a staffer asking him: Hey, Congressman, what the f*** is up with Trump always chickening out on tariffs? The California lawmaker, who has long been a vocal critic of the president, merely responded by biting into a Taco Bell crunchy taco. The Democrats have become so lame, Fox & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones groused in response to the video, while Campos-Duffy called out Swalwell for his cringey response to Trump. Their colleague Brian Kilmeade, meanwhile, blamed the whole TACO acronym on Foxs corporate cousin The Wall Street Journal, which is also owned by Rupert Murdoch. The Wall Street Journal was at war with the president when it comes to tariffs, he claimed. While the Journal did eventually report on the TACO Trade that has Trump fuming, the paper wasnt the first to cover the cheeky term, which traders had been using for weeks and was initially coined by a Financial Times columnist. Elsewhere on the presidents favorite morning show, former Speaker of the House and current Fox News contributor Newt Gingrich also rejected the nickname because, in his view, Trump never loses. This whole recent thing about TACO, you know, Trump always caves. Thats nuts, Gingrich huffed. Heres a guy with the courage to endure the CIA and the FBI with the Russia hoax. He endures two impeachment attempts, a rigged election, two assassination attempts, four efforts to put him in jail, and his critics think that he always caves. My experience is, he almost always wins. The conservative cable giants top opinion hosts, meanwhile, seemingly took turns the night before to find different ways to sneer at Swalwells video while insisting that the derisive epithet is not gaining any traction. I want to point out that we like tacos. Thats why this doesnt work. We like tacos, Fox News resident comedian Greg Gutfeld exclaimed on The Five before referencing Swalwells alleged ties to a Chinese spy. open image in gallery The word chicken one of the problems that the Democrats have had with Donald Trump is the fact that after fight, fight, fight, everyone knows he is the bravest man in the world, Fox & Friends co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy said ( Fox News ) Eric Swalwell should have been doing Chinese food his chopstick was found in a wonton, Gutfeld snarked. The FBI never accused the lawmaker of any wrongdoing, and a House Ethics probe concluded without taking any further action against the congressman. Gutfeld wasnt the only pro-Trump Fox host to invoke the Chinese spy allegations while blasting Swalwells video. I wonder if Fang Fang likes the burrito bowl, Laura Ingraham chuckled on Monday night. The lefts weird moment goes to Fang Fang Swalwell, who posted this video on TikTok on Trumps tariffs, Trump confidant and shadow White House chief of staff Sean Hannity proclaimed before airing the clip. Maybe somebody needs to tell Mr. Fang Fang that the Atlanta Fed is predicting 4.6 percent growth in the second quarter. Still, while Foxs top Trump loyalists were going out of their way to talk about how much they like tacos and therefore the sobriquet wont actually hurt the president, other voices on the channel pointed out that this is something that could break through with the public. Its totally fair game, National Review editor Rich Lowry said on the Sunday broadcast of MediaBuzz. And apparently Trump was irritated in part because he hadnt heard it, and afterwards was irked with his aides not telling him about this. Lowry added: TACO, its catchy, kind of funny, and gets to a real phenomenon with the tariffs, which hes backed off them. 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 Those close to President Donald Trump have reportedly grown irritated with Laura Loomer, the ultra-loyal Trump supporter whose apparent influence has led to the ousting of several administration officials. Loomer, 32, has made a name for herself in Trumpworld as an unofficial, yet devoted, patron to the president willing to publicly call out any person she believes has any ties to Trump criticisms. In April, Loomer reportedly gave Trump a list of disloyal National Security Council staffers who were subsequently fired. In May, Loomer appeared to take some credit for pushing Trump to axe former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz after the Signal chat blunder. Trump likes Laura, and she obviously has some influence, but she runs the risk of overestimating her influence and blowing herself up if she's not more careful, an unnamed source close to the White House told WIRED. I think she jumped the shark by going out and taking credit for stabbing the national security adviser and a number of people, as if it happened in a vacuum, as if there werent deep considerations and conversations about all of this, the unnamed administration source said. open image in gallery Those close to President Donald Trump has reportedly grown tired of Laura Loomer, a far-right activist who has influence with the president ( Getty Images ) While her loyalty to the president may be appreciated by Trump himself, Loomers history of making headline-grabbing, controversial comments and bolstering conspiracy theories, such as those related to 9/11, already made some of Trumps official staff uneasy about her presence. That has led her to move in and out of his orbit over the years. Insiders painted a picture of thinking she is away for good only to have her return again. Those close to the presidents campaign reportedly attempted to keep Loomer, a far-right activist, at a distance the election, not giving her an official job. Despite that, Trump brought Loomer along for the ride when he debated former vice president Kamala Harris. Even after winning the election, Loomers presence in Trumps orbit has not been diminished. Shes managed to maintain communications with the president and some White House staffers, according to WIRED. Loomer is not an official member of the administration though shes asserted she was nearly hired on several occasions. Shes reportedly pitched her opposition research firm as a potential contract for the White House and expressed her desire to work for President Trump. While not having an official role, shes still used her social media to highlight Trumps agenda and vet members of the administration she believes are unworthy of their role. You have to ask yourself: If Trump wanted her in, do you think his staff had some ability to prevent that, apparently? an administration source told WIRED. Like, what? Suspicions about Loomer have grown recently as the conservative activist has dabbled more in criticizing some of Trumps recent decisions, according to WIRED. In May, Loomer ran an op-ed on her blog, called Loomered, critiquing Trumps decision to remove oil company Chevrons operations in Venezuela. open image in gallery White House Insider described how Loomer moves in and out of Trumps orbit despite not having an official role in the White House. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) She also deviated from her typical praise of Trump to criticize his decision to accept a jet from Qatar. It's one thing to attack random government employees who Trump doesn't give a s*** about, but when she's attacking him and his policies directly, that could end badly for her, the unnamed White House source told WIRED. Trump insiders have questioned whether Loomer can remain in the presidents good graces while wadding into those waters. Then, just weeks after Walz was ousted and days after criticizing the Qatari jet gift, Loomer took to X to apologize to Trump for making comments that made anyone feel betrayed. I am sorry if my comments made anyone feel betrayed or were used by the media as ammunition to sow division during an important trip for the President, she continued. I want to apologize to President Trump more than anyone because I am a loyal person, I love President Trump, and I know I could have probably just had a private conversation about the plane instead, Loomer wrote. The Independent has reached out to Loomer 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 A Romanian man confessed in court this week to terrorizing dozens of government officials, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, with hoax 911 reports. Thomasz Szabo, 26, admitted to being the ringleader of an online community, which in late 2020, engaged in a pattern of bomb threats and swatting falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there, court documents said. As the leader of the group, Szabo made false reports to U.S. law enforcement, including a threat in December 2020 to commit a mass-shooting at New York City synagogues, a threat in January 2021 to detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol, and to kill President Trump, authorities say. He even publicized his swatting activity to his followers and encouraged them to engage in similar behavior, according to the attorneys office. Szabo, aka Plank, Jonah, and Cypher, went on to unleash a spree of swatting and bomb threats with subordinate members of his group on Christmas Eve in 2023, continuing through early January of 2024. At least four Georgia state senators including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene were targeted by the hoax bomb threats in December 2023 ( Getty Images ) During the attacks, one of the group members bragged to Szabo: I did 25+ swattings today, and creating massive havoc in [A]merica. $500,000+ in taxpayers' money wasted in just two days. He and his group targeted at least six then-current or former senior U.S. executive branch officials, including multiple cabinet-level officials, the attorneys office said. Greene, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and at least two other Georgia state senators are believed to have been targeted in December 2023 with fake 911 calls to their homes, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Anyone who hijacks police resources for senseless crimes like these will have to answer for their actions, said Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host appointed by President Trump to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. DA officials said the plethora of victims included congress, senior federal law enforcement officials, judges, state government officials, multiple members of the media, and four religious institutions. 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, said Attorney General Bondi. This case reflects our continued focus on protecting the American people and working with international partners to stop these threats at their source, she added. Szabo was extradited from Romania in November 2024, and his sentencing is scheduled for October 23. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, is suing the states top federal prosecutor for defamation and false arrest after he was charged with trespassing outside an immigration detention center. That case was dismissed days later, prompting a federal judge to call the whole ordeal an embarrassing retraction for interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. Habba, who is also Donald Trumps personal defense attorney, is accused of malicious prosecution violating Mayor Ras Barakas Fourth Amendment rights, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in New Jersey. The Democratic mayor who is also running for governor was arrested outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center on May 9 as he joined members of Congress to demand answers from the Trump administration about the conditions inside. A heated argument broke out after agents blocked his entry and continued even after Baraka returned to the other side of the gates. Chaotic video from the scene and officers bodycam footage shows officers shoving and holding back protesters at the gate while agents swarm around Baraka and block protesters from entering. open image in gallery Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is suing New Jerseys U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for defamation and false arrest after he was charged with trespassing during demonstrations at an ICE facility ( Getty ) Baraka was charged with trespassing, but Habba announced on May 19 that she was dropping the case for the sake of moving forward. Habba simultaneously announced criminal charges against a Democratic member of Congress in a social media statement dismissing Barakas case. open image in gallery Habba ultimately dismissed the case against Baraka, which a federal judge called an embarrassing retraction following a hasty arrest ( Getty Images ) The mayors federal lawsuit targets Habba and Ricky Patel, the special agent in charge with Newarks ICE Homeland Security Investigations office. Baraka claims he was falsely arrested without probable cause while peacefully complying with law enforcement officers after he was invited to the property. Patel, apparently in consultation with Habba, ordered the arrest despite clear evidence of Barakas compliance and the absence of any criminal conduct, according to the complaint. A second Fourth Amendment claim accuses Habba and Patel of leading a malicious prosecution for political purposes. As a result, Baraka suffered severe reputational harm, emotional distress and other damages, according to his complaint. Habba is also accused of amplifying false and defamatory statements about the mayor on social media and in an interview on Fox News moments after his arrest. We will not stand for anyone getting in the way and getting rid of criminals in this country, Habba said at the time. Its very simple. Unfortunately, the mayor has publicly for three days been saying he will break in and eventually did break in and was given multiple opportunities to remove himself and failed to do so and has been detained and will be charged. open image in gallery Baraka has accused Habbas office of mounting a politically motivated prosecution against him as the Trump administration takes aim at Democratic officials opposed to his anti-immigration agenda ( AP ) Following his arrest, Habba claimed on social media Baraka has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, Habba wrote. Similar claims were aired by top Trump administration officials. These statements falsely accused Mayor Baraka of criminal conduct and misconduct, despite Habbas actual knowledge and reckless disregard of facts demonstrating his innocence, according to the mayors lawsuit. Baraka is seeking punitive and compensatory damages for pain, suffering, stress, humiliation, mental anguish, emotional harm and personal physical injury and physical sickness, as well as damage to his reputation. The Independent has requested comment from Habbas office. 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 A state judge in New York will continue to block Donald Trumps administration from opening an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office inside Rikers Island jail, one of the largest and most notorious detention facilities in the country, plagued by decades of reports of widespread abuse and violence. New York City Mayor Eric Adams gave ICE permission to operate inside the jail earlier this year, drawing lawsuits from city officials accusing Adams of crafting a corrupt bargain with the president to expand his anti-immigration agenda in exchange for dropping a criminal corruption case against the mayor. On Tuesday, New York Supreme Court Justice Mary Rosado extended her temporary restraining order as she considers a more permanent injunction to keep federal immigration authorities from entering the city-run jail. The argument that this is not part of a quid pro quo or theres no politics at play here is absurd, New York City Council member Alexa Aviles, chair of the councils immigration committee, told reporters after Tuesdays hearing in Manhattan. We cannot trust this administration to follow the law, she said. open image in gallery Protesters in New York rally against plans from Mayor Eric Adams to open the notorious city-run jails on Rikers Island to ICE agents. A state judge is putting those plans on hold, for now ( Getty Images ) Following Tuesdays hearing, first deputy mayor Randy Mastro defended the executive order to protect New Yorkers from violent transnational gangs. We continue to disagree with the judges decision to prevent the city from moving forward especially since no one is disputing that the executive order is in accordance with the law and we are confident in our position, he said in a statement to The Independent. New York officials banned ICE from city jails in 2014 after the passage of so-called sanctuary laws intended to block the transfer of undocumented immigrants to ICE custody, where they are placed in deportation proceedings. But Adams following his meetings with Trump border czar Tom Homan granted ICE permission to return to the troubled facility with an executive order issued by one of his deputies. A subsequent lawsuit from the Democrat-controlled New York City Council called the order illegal, null, and void. A coalition of civil rights and legal aid groups and public defenders along with New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams filed briefs supporting the lawsuit. The order from the Adams administration is in clear violation of New York Citys sanctuary protections and it invites a new era of racial profiling, wrongful deportations, and constitutional violations, according to Meghna Philip with the The Legal Aid Society. The Trump administration has shown it will use any pretext to carry out mass deportations even in defiance of our Constitution and federal court rulings and this executive order gives ICE direct access to New Yorkers in custody, their information, and their families, she said in a statement. Last month, after a years-long court battle, a federal judge stripped New York City of its control over Rikers Island and ordered a third-party monitor to take over. That ruling the culmination of roughly 14 years of litigation followed years of reports detailing the conditions, abuse, violence and death inside the jail. At least 19 people died inside Rikers in 2022 the highest number of deaths since 2013. At least five people have died inside the jail in 2025 so far. After years of public pressure, the jail is legally required to close by August 2027. That detention space where more than 7,000 people are jailed is set to be replaced with smaller borough-based jails. But the Adams administration is reportedly considering scrapping those plans altogether. open image in gallery The notorious jail complex on Rikers Island is legally set to close by August 2027, but Mayor Adams is reporting reconsidering the plans while granting ICE permission to open an office inside ( AP ) Federal immigration officials maintained an office at Rikers in the years before the citys sanctuary policies, leading to countless violations of detainees rights, according to law professor Peter Markowitz, co-director of the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic at Yeshiva Universitys Cardozo School of Law. ICE had access to detailed information about anyone entering the jail with on-demand access to interview them, he wrote in court documents. Detainees were often misinformed that they were being taken for legal visits, only to then be presented to plain-clothed ICE agents who would question them and attempt to extract legal admissions, according to Markowitz. Immigration officers used the jail to surveil, intimidate, and conduct uncounseled interviews in an inherently coercive setting, allowing them to extract admissions about nationality and immigration status and then use those statements to justify detention and deportation, he wrote. open image in gallery A lawsuit against the Adams administration accuses the mayor of a quid pro quo with Trump to expand ICE operations in New York City in exchange for dropping federal corruption charges against him ( Getty Images ) If ICE returns to the jail, Rikers will return to the widespread violation of detainees constitutional rights and due process of law, albeit in an even more aggressive posture than during the first Trump administration, according to Markowitz. The citys arrangement ostensibly only allows for ICE to launch criminal investigations, not for routine enforcement of largely civil federal immigration law. But civil rights groups and immigration attorneys fear that federal officers empowered by Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act to target alleged gang members will bypass due process and summarily deport immigrants using only spurious evidence against them. The assertions that returning ICE to Rikers Island is necessary to advance criminal investigations of dangerous gangs reeks of pretext. I know of no specific instance where ICEs lack of physical presence at Rikers Island has stood as, or even been claimed as, an obstacle to a criminal investigation, according to Markowitz. The Independent has requested comment from ICE. 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 Scott Jennings, a conservative political commentator, called the Free Palestine movement nothing more than a domestic terror organization on Monday, saying it needs to be dealt with. His comment arose from a conversation about the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, on a group of people raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza. Federal law enforcement officials said the suspect in the attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, told them he specifically targeted the Zionist group. This is horrific, Jennings told CNNs Jake Tapper on The Lead. What more do we need to see, Jake, before we realize this Free Palestine movement is nothing more than a domestic terror organization right now? The suspect allegedly threw Molotov cocktails and used a makeshift flamethrower on the group of people and yelled Free Palestine! At least 15 people and a dog were injured in the attack that the FBI is calling a hate crime. Jennings cited Sundays attack, as well as the recent murder of Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C. and college campus protests, as examples of the Free Palestine movements domestic terror behavior. open image in gallery Conservative political commentator Scott Jennings called for the Free Palestine movement to be dealt with as a domestic terror organization ( Getty ) I think as a society, we need to understand were dealing with domestic terrorism, its growing more violent by the day and if we dont deal with it, these kinds of things are going to keep happening in cities all over the place, Jennings said. Jennings worked in former president George W. Bushs administration as a special assistant and deputy of political affairs. Officials across the country have raised concerns about antisemitic-motivated attacks rising due to political disputes stemming from the IsraelHamas war. President Donald Trump has promised to crack down on college protests that he believes are antisemitic, and accused college campuses of being hotbeds of antisemitism. Trump also blamed former President Joe Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy for the attack in a Truth Social post. 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. open image in gallery Two Israeli embassy employees were killed in a targeted attack on the building in Washington, D.C. ( Getty ) The FBI defines domestic terrorism as criminal acts committed by individuals or groups to further ideological goals stemming from political, religious, social, racial, or environmental influences. Officials have said the attack in Boulder was targeted and leaders throughout the country have condemned the suspected perpetrator for antisemitism. 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 First came dozens of armed drones launched from trucks traveling deep inside Russia, swarming over military airfields across the country and raining down nuclear-capable long-range bombers. Then, two days later, a massive underwater bomb targeted a key bridge linking occupied Crimea to the Russian mainland. The two daring raids by Ukrainian special forces have stunned the Kremlin, bolstered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and sent shockwaves through defense departments around the world. But there has been an uncharacteristic silence from the White House, and its usually verbose inhabitants. Donald Trump, who during an infamous Oval Office showdown in February told Zelensky that he didnt have the cards to keep up the fight against Russia, and JD Vance, who in the same meeting asked the Ukrainian president if he had said thank you, once for Washingtons support, have not said a word about one of the most significant setbacks to Russias military in decades. John Bolton, Trumps former national security advisor, told The Independent he was surprised that there has been no public Trump comment, given his propensity to comment on almost anything. open image in gallery 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, in this still image from a video published June 1, 2025. ( Governor of Irkutsk Region Igor Kobzev/Telegram ) When The Independent asked the White House if Zelensky might have had some cards up his sleeve that the president hadn't known about, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump remains positive at the progress" the two sides have made in U.S.-brokered peace talks that just ended in Istanbul, Turkey. But he also is a realist, and he realizes these are two countries that are at war and have been for a long time because of his predecessors weakness and incompetence, she added. Despite the U.S. role in brokering those talks, Ukraine did not inform the White House of the attacks in advance. The strikes took out many of the Russian bombers that have been firing barrages of missiles on Ukrainian cities over the past few weeks, but they also destroyed a number of its nuclear-capable strike force that might have threatened the United States. That led many to ask on social media , with just a hint of irony, if JD Vance had said thank you to the Ukrainian president. In any case, there was plenty for Vance and Trump to comment on. So why the silence? The operation, which has been dubbed Russias Pearl Harbor, may have brought home some uncomfortable truths for the president. open image in gallery U.S. President Donald Trump assails Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his infamous Oval Office meeting at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. ( Getty ) Trump has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine is on an inevitable path to destruction, or at risk of starting World War III, if it does not agree to a U.S.-brokered surrender that would see Ukraine give up most of the land that Russia currently occupies. Ukraines victories over the past few days have decisively undermined that notion, dealing a strategic and symbolic blow to Russias military strength and striking deep into the countrys interior. Trump has also spent an enormous amount of political capital trying to bring the war to an end, specifically by attempting to enforce terms on Ukraine that it couldnt possibly accept. Those peace talks have been accompanied by a heavy Russian bombing campaign against Ukrainian cities. Ukraines willingness to fight on stands in the way of that aim, which has angered Trump and Vance. Michael Weiss, a Ukraine expert and editor of Insider, an investigative media outlet focused on Russia, said there really wasnt much Trump could say after the last few days. Yesterday, a Ukrainian intel officer messaged me asking the same question. Why is Trump so quiet? I told him, well whats he going to say? The Ukrainians are starting World War III and making sure Russia wont be able to fight it half as well? he told The Independent. More seriously, I suspect he knows his peace gambit is DOA. Now, even Mike Johnson is pro-sanctions. Pressure is building to penalise Moscow. If he walks away from it all, Ukraine has just shown it wont be helpless or incapacitated, he added. open image in gallery Scores of Russian bombers have been destroyed at Olenya airbase following a drone strike ( X/@Osinttechnical ) The attack coming as a surprise to the White House is significant. Its clear Zelensky does not trust the U.S. with sensitive information on account of the abrupt pro-Russia spin Trump has put on American policy towards Kyiv since returning to power in January. Some members of the Trump administration are vehemently anti-Ukraine in part because they see Russia as a sympathetic nationalist-run power exerting itself in the face of NATO expansion and American-led hegemony. Many MAGA influencers were quick to attack Ukraine for the raids, fearing a Deep State plot to drag the U.S. deeper into the war. This anti-Ukraine view reaches as high as the office of the Vice President, who intervened to blow up an Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky in February by casting the Ukrainian leader as ungrateful and disrespectful to his American patrons. While Democrats and some anti-Trump Republicans have long claimed theres a similar patron-client relationship between Trump and Putin dating back to Russias efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election on Trumps behalf, people close to Trump have suggested the matter is far less complex. open image in gallery The moment the bridge linking Crimea to the Russian mainland is blown up in a huge explosion by Ukrainian forces. ( Security Service of Ukraine ) The president, The Independent understands, sees Russia as a strong country and Putin as a strong leader a winner, in his own parlance. But the audacity and ingenuity of this weekends Ukrainian attacks may have for now positively influenced his opinion of Zelensky. Put simply, its because Ukraines success makes Moscow look less like a winner and more like the thing Trump hates above all else: a loser. Indeed, Zelensky indicated that the strikes were intended as such. [W]hen we do show our strength, we do it justly, striking military targets. We show it not only to the Russian aggressors, but also to those of our allies who were once strong supporters but have started to waver, Zelensky wrote on X on Monday. Weiss believes that the last few days might have demonstrated to Trump that Ukraine is not done fighting yet. So long as the U.S. sells arms directly or allows third-party transfers from the Europeans, Kyiv will be in okay shape, he said. Air defense is critical, and this is why knocking out 20 per cent of Russias cruise missile-firing aircraft was such a master stroke. Why hit arrows when you can kill the archer? At the beginning of March, Poland outpaced other European nations by announcing plans to introduce universal military service for all men. Speaking in the Polish parliament, president Donald Tusk said: We will try to have a model ready by the end of this year so that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of war, ensuring that this reserve is comparable and adequate to potential threats. Even though Poland has taken a step that many other European nations are hesitant to take, it is evident that, despite their reluctance, forms of military service are being examined, studied, and debated among European policymakers. And all the signs suggest that the UK will follow suit sooner rather than later. Nearly a year ago, Rishi Sunak pledged that if the Conservatives won the general election, 18-year-olds would be required to take part in a scheme involving military or civilian service. While Sunak was short on details regarding who would conduct the training or how it would be funded, the proposals were pitched as a bold new model of national service. Participants could opt to spend one weekend per month volunteering in civic roles such as an RNLI volunteer or NHS responder. The country, he argued, needed to be open and honest about long-term challenges, and the scheme would provide young people with real-world skills while contributing to their country and community. The plan was quickly derided across the political spectrum, with Justin Crump, a defence expert and veteran of 25 years, capturing the mood when he said the plans were ill-thought-through and would be an enormous potential burden on Britains military. He added: Its certainly not the solution to the militarys problems, and I think everyone Ive spoken to this morning still has their head in their hands. However, 12 months on, it no longer seems like such an outlandish idea. Sir Alex Younger told Independent TV recently that people in the UK must realise that the threat from Russia and its closeness to the US is real, adding: Putin and Trump together have done their best to persuade us that the rules have changed. Discussing what needs to be done to prepare, Sir Alex, known as C during his time as spy chief, added: Youd have to ask a soldier about the actual efficacy of things like conscription. I have no idea I know that it just needs to be a more integrated feature of everyday life. I think that will bring broader benefits. So I think this is probably more about a more creative and broader conception of what the reserves is. The ex-spy chief then told the BBC 's Today Podcast that a new type of enrolment should be looked at. He said: "In extremis, I think we'd be looking at something like the model I understand exists in places like Sweden , where the Government theoretically has the power to compel people to give their service one way or another, but doesn't exercise it except in areas where it's really needed." As the US becomes a less reliable ally in an increasingly volatile world, the government has said it will implement all 62 recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review, and has promised to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, with an ambition but no firm commitment to hike it to 3 per cent in the next parliament. Meanwhile, defence secretary John Healey has warned that Britain would not be ready to fend off an invasion given the state of its armed forces, and agrees that a recruitment drive is needed to bolster Britains depleted military. The review includes improving recruitment to tackle the hiring crisis, with innovative new ways and points to Australias military gap year as an exciting model. The Australian Defence Force offers a 12-month gap year programme which allows youngsters to experience military life without a long-term commitment, training them in a number of roles while giving them benefits like salary, accommodation and healthcare. The SDR also suggests that Cadet Forces should be expanded across the country by 30 per cent by 2030. With almost a million young people not in education, employment, or training, this group has also become a key focus as ministers cut benefits while seeking to strengthen defence. As Rachel Reeves announced substantial cuts to the welfare bill earlier this year, former Tesco chair John Allan suggested that out-of-work young people should be required to undergo military training in exchange for benefits. Under the governments new welfare reforms, those aged 18 to 21 will be given a youth guarantee offer of training or employment but risk losing their benefits if they decline. The chancellor told ITV: In the changed world we face today, there are opportunities for good jobs in our armed forces, but also in the defence sector that produces the tanks, machinery, and ships that our military uses. And of course, as this government increases defence spending, more good jobs with decent wages will become available in that sector. open image in gallery Rishi Sunaks pledge to implement a new form of national service last year was derided by many ( Getty ) So, could a voluntary national service or conscription with benefits soon become a reality? Conscription ran in the UK from 1916-1920 and again from 1939-1960. It was renamed national service after the Second World War. The last national serviceman left the military in 1963, more than 60 years ago. The traditional argument for ending national service was that it consumed too many regular personnel to train conscripts, many of whom were reluctant and of lower quality. A motivated professional force was deemed preferable. However, a combination of factors has brought the issue back into sharp focus. First, the Ukraine war has demonstrated that small, professional armies, which are costly and limited in numbers, can be quickly depleted. While precise forecasts are difficult, some suggest that the British armys war-fighting arm, 3rd (UK) Division, could become combat-ineffective within six months in a Ukraine-style conflict due to casualties and exhaustion. Another challenge is filling recruitment gaps in modern armed forces, a common issue across Europe as populations age. The British army currently has about 71,300 personnel, the lowest number since the Napoleonic era. Of these, only 55,005 are fully deployable (able to serve without medical restrictions). The armys target is 73,000, yet the Royal Navy alone has missed its recruitment targets for sailors and commandos every year for over a decade. In Norway, being accepted for national service is sometimes called The Golden Ticket because it significantly improves life prospects For the UK, there are concerns about protecting the home front in the event of war. The current forces can either deploy to Europe alongside Nato allies or stay to defend the UK, but they lack the depth to do both. The Office for National Statistics states that around 750,000 people turn 18 in the UK each year. The armed forces neither need nor can absorb anywhere near that number of recruits. This brings us to the question of what a new national service model could look like. In the Nordic and Baltic states, there is universal conscription with a twist: not everyone is called up. The armed forces select recruits based on their needs, and people are encouraged to volunteer through a number of incentives. In these countries, national service is highly valued. In Norway, being accepted for national service is sometimes called the Golden Ticket because it significantly improves life prospects. Government jobs are prioritised for those who serve, and many private companies offer fast-track recruitment for national service volunteers. Around 15 per cent of 18-year-olds in Norway (both men and women) are conscripted or volunteer, totalling about 9,000 annually, with numbers expected to rise due to the perceived Russian threat. In Finland, the army can expand from a peacetime strength of 20,000 (including conscripts) to 300,000 within a week in a crisis. open image in gallery The British army is struggling to reach its target of 73,000 personnel ( Getty ) Many countries with military national service also offer civilian alternatives. Sweden and Finland, for example, as Sir Alex Younger pointed to, both provide civil defence options. Those refusing both military and civil service can face imprisonment without parole. Finns living abroad who fail to return for service can have their passports revoked. However, in countries bordering Russia, national service is seen as part of the national culture and duty. By contrast, a study by The Times and YouGov revealed that only 11 per cent of the UKs Gen Z would be willing to fight for their country in a war. Could they be persuaded if national service provided tangible benefits? In the past, British national service helped improve literacy and numeracy by sending illiterate recruits to the Royal Army Education Corps. A modern version could integrate education, offering student loan forgiveness or education vouchers for those who serve. Extending service commitments of, say, up to five years could result in complete student debt cancellation or preferential financial backing for property purchases. As in Norway, those who serve could receive priority for civil service jobs, making national service an attractive opportunity. Ultimately, national service need not replicate the model of the 1950s and 60s. The military once numbered over 350,000 personnel, but today, only a fraction of the 750,000 18-year-olds each year would be needed perhaps 10-15,000 for military service and a few thousand more for civilian roles. open image in gallery Donald Tusk has announced that Poland is looking into creating a programme to train its citizens ( EPA ) Bringing back national service would require a major cultural and mind shift in the UK. However, proven models from European countries are being closely examined. Unless Russia collapses, a version of national service seems increasingly likely within the next five years and military gap years are just one innovative ideas being considered. To make it work, though, the UK must shed outdated negative perceptions of national service and recognise its broader societal benefits. In an age where young people are increasingly isolated by algorithms and social media, engaging them in shared experiences that promote national values could be a profoundly positive step if done well. Francis Tusa is editor of Defence Analysis 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 Ukraine has targeted a bridge linking Russia to the occupied Crimean peninsula in the latest long-range attacks against Moscow. Ukraines security services, the SBU, said on Tuesday that it had hit the Kerch road and rail bridge linking Russia and the Crimean peninsula with explosives below the water level. In a statement, the SBU said it had used 1,100kg of explosives that were detonated early in the morning and damaged underwater pillars of the bridge, which has been a key supply route for Russian forces in Ukraine. The official Russian outlet that provides regular status updates on the bridge said its operation had been suspended for about three hours between 4am and 7am local time. It gave no reason for the temporary closure, but said the bridge had reopened and was functioning as normal. Previously, we hit the Crimean Bridge twice, in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition underwater, the SBU said in its statement, adding that the operation had been prepared over several months. Watch moment Russias Crimean bridge blown up in huge explosion by Ukraine forces ( Security Service of Ukraine ) The SBU shared video footage that showed an explosion next to one of the many support pillars of the bridge. The bridge, built after Vladimir Putin illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014, was a flagship project for the Russian president. He led a convoy of orange trucks across it during its opening in 2018. He drove across the bridge again in December 2022 after it was attacked by a Ukrainian drone in October. Ukraine has stepped up its assaults on Russia and in occupied regions as Kyiv claims that Moscow is continuing to stall peace negotiations. The second round of talks in Turkey barely lasted an hour on Monday and, yet again, failed to make significant strides towards securing a lasting peace. Over the weekend, Ukraine targeted at least four airbases across Russia using 117 unmanned aerial vehicles launched from containers close to the targets. They destroyed several strategic bombers. The SBU claimed responsibility for the operation, codename Spiders Web, and said that in total 41 Russian warplanes were hit. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack, which struck targets up to 2,670 miles from the frontlines of the war, absolutely brilliant. Andriy Kovalenko, a spokesperson for Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, said that 13 planes were destroyed of 41 struck. Ukraine drones and shelling, meanwhile, targeted the Russian-held parts of southeastern Zaporizhzhia region and the Kherson region on Tuesday, damaging electricity substations and leaving at least 700,000 people without power, Russia-installed officials said. Ukrainian officials were quick to praise the latest SBU attacks. Ruslan Stefanchuk, chair of Ukraines parliament, said, Every empire has its pillar. Then a crack. And another. And then the empire falls. Such is the fate that awaits the entire Kremlin regime. GLOBALink | Int'l students join Dragon Boat Festival celebrations in east China Pub Date:25-06-03 09:04 Source:Xinhua From making Zongzi to crafting scented sachets, international students gathered in China's Xiamen for the celebrations of the Dragon Boat Festival that fell on Saturday. #GLOBALink Editor:Qin Shuying Related News Our Towns | Explore Zhou culture in NW Chi... Dragon Boat: Sailing through tradition Dragon Boat Festival: ... Anhui Provinces Total Number of Domestic... 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 Far-right leader Geert Wilders toppled the Dutch ruling coalition on Tuesday, gambling that an election focused on immigration will deliver victory for his party and secure his decades-old ambition of becoming prime minister. His Freedom Party (PVV) ditched Dick Schoofs government just weeks before the Netherlands hosts a major Nato summit in The Hague. It means a new election will take place although no date has yet been set just as Europe faces a resurgence of far-right sentiment on immigration. I intend to become the next prime minister, Mr Wilders told reporters. I am going to make the PVV bigger than ever. But despite a European shift to the right as seen in Polands presidential election on Sunday his plan could still backfire. Dick Schoof will remain caretaker PM until elections can be held ( EPA ) Polls indicate declining popularity for the PVV since it joined the government. Even if it remains the largest party, fashioning a coalition will be difficult in a deeply polarised nation. Mr Schoof said he and ministers from his party will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until the election, and that he would offer the resignation of PVV ministers to the Dutch king. Mr Wilders, the longest-serving Dutch politician, gradually climbed to power after entering parliament in 1998, running on an anti-Islam platform that called for zero immigration and expelling asylum seekers. He tapped concerns of voters disillusioned with established politics and concerns about housing costs and healthcare that he has associated with immigration. His eurosceptic Freedom Party joined a power-sharing, right-wing coalition in 2024 after a record win in the general election, but Mr Wilders said the government failed to make good on promises to clamp down on immigration. Immigration has slowed significantly since a peak in 2022. The Netherlands received almost two first-time asylum applications per 1,000 inhabitants in 2024, slightly below the European Union average, according to Eurostat data. Ten EU countries had a higher relative number of asylum seekers last year, including neighbouring Germany and Belgium. Junior coalition government members, including the conservative VVD party of ex-prime minister Mark Rutte, were reluctant to embrace some of Mr Wilders harshest ideas, including closing the borders to asylum seekers, returning Syrian refugees and closing asylum shelters. Those proposals also flew in the face of EU obligations and a Dutch humanitarian tradition since the Second World War of taking in people fleeing conflict. Focusing attention on immigration is a critical electoral strategy for the PVV, said Simon Otjes, assistant professor of Dutch politics at Leiden University. Wilders is trying to return the focus back to immigration in the hopes that that will be the main theme in the coming elections, Mr Otjes said. A lot can happen in the next six months and it will be very unpredictable. Mr Wilders anti-Islam rhetoric has prompted death threats and travel bans to Muslim nations that trade with the Netherlands. His 17-minute film, Fitna, enraged the Muslim world in 2008 by linking verses from the Quran with footage of terrorist attacks, and he was convicted of discrimination after he insulted Moroccans at a campaign rally in 2014. The central question now will be whether Mr Wilders can turn a future election into a referendum on immigration policy that effectively undercuts his opponents, said Joep van Lit, political researcher at Radboud University in Nijmegen. But its hard to tell how voters will react, he said. Reuters and AP contributed to this report 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 search for Madeleine McCann has resumed, 18 years after the three-year-old girl from Rothley, Leicestershire, was reported missing from the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz on the Algarve. German police and forensics experts are focusing the renewed search effort around the Atalaia area, not far from where the McCanns had been holidaying and where their prime suspect in Madeleines disappearance, Christian Brueckner, was staying at the time. Brueckner has denied any involvement in Madeleines disappearance, and 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. He is due to be released from prison in September. Click here for live updates on the search open image in gallery A police car arrives at a blocked road as police resume the search for the body of Madeleine McCann ( Reuters ) Here is a reminder of the events of the case. Madeleine disappears from her bed on 3 May, 2007 The story began when the McCanns doctors Kate and Gerry, their three-year-old daughter Madeleine and her two-year-old twin siblings Amelia and Sean joined a group of seven family friends and their five children on holiday at the Ocean Club in the village of Praia da Luz on the southwestern tip of Portugal on 28 April 2007. After a pleasant spring break by the sea, the adults in the party went out for dinner at the resorts open-air tapas bar on 3 May, gathering at 8.30pm. The children were left behind sleeping in their respective apartments with the doors unlocked and a rota system in place among the parents to ensure that someone returned every half-hour to check on them. open image in gallery Madeleine McCann has not been seen for 18 years ( PA ) When Kate McCann took her turn and returned to her apartment at 10pm, she raced back to the restaurant screaming Madeleines gone! Someones taken her! The police were quickly called and 60 staff and fellow guests searched the complex, calling out the girls name in vain until daybreak the following morning. Border police and airport staff were put on alert and hundreds of volunteers joined the efforts to find the missing girl over the coming days, the case fast becoming a sensation. The Portuguese authorities would later attract criticism over their conduct in the crucial earliest hours of the investigation when the trail might still have been warm, accused of making rudimentary mistakes like failing to conduct a house-by-house search of every local residence or interview all of the other guests at the resort, acting slowly to erect roadblocks and potentially compromising forensic evidence at the crime scene. The police initially stated that they believed Madeleine was still alive and had been abducted from the room by a stranger as the parents described their anguish and despair over her vanishing, a worst fear realised for any parent. open image in gallery The resort the McCanns had been staying in ( AFP via Getty Images ) The search continued as the summer progressed amid a wild media circus and with huge fundraising activities underway, the McCanns setting up Madeleines Fund on 15 May to raise cash to support further investigation and keep the profile of the case high, attracting generous donations from celebrities like Richard Branson, Simon Cowell, JK Rowling and Coleen Rooney. A local man, Robert Murat, subsequently became its first suspect and had his house and car searched, his swimming pool drained and his electronic devices confiscated but no evidence was found to link him to Madeleine and the matter was soon dropped. By June, the Portuguese police admitted that they had failed to protect potentially useful evidence at the scene as frustration with the lack of developments grew and the media began to question whether the McCanns themselves had been involved in the matter. Lurid tabloid allegations suggested the couple and their friends might have been swingers and that the McCanns, as physicians, might have been in the habit of sedating their children, while others claimed inconsistencies in their version of events. These claims were all totally false. In July, British police sent over two springer spaniel sniffer dogs to search for DNA. open image in gallery A poster displaying a vigil praying session for missing three-year-old Madeleine is seen in the Portuguese beach resort of Lagos, 12 May 2007 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Spotlight turns to Madeleines parents Relations with the local authorities would ultimately sour as the latter came to resent British intrusion into a Portuguese inquiry, according to Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swans book Looking for Madeleine (2014). By August 2007, Madeleine had been missing for 100 days and police admitted for the first time that she may never be found. They also told the McCanns that they were no longer considering the matter an abduction case but, rather, a murder inquiry. The McCanns themselves were interviewed as arguidos (suspects) by Portuguese police in September 2007, with the parents told that the dogs had discovered DNA evidence from the missing girl in the boot of their holiday rental car, lines of inquiry that had already been leaked to the British press. They vehemently denied having any part in her disappearance. Despite being listed as suspects (a designation that would linger until the following July), the McCanns were allowed to return to Britain on 9 September. open image in gallery The mystery of Madeleines disappearance has endured ( PA Media ) A day later, chief inspector Tavares de Almeida of the Policia Judiciaria in Portimao signed a nine-page report claiming that Madeleine had died in the apartment along with a series of other unproven allegations. On 2 October, chief inspector Goncalo Amaral was removed from the case and transferred after alleging that the British police were only interested in pursuing leads favourable to the McCanns. He would later publish a book, Maddie: The Truth of the Lie, the following summer, resulting in a lengthy libel battle with the McCanns that would run back and forth through the courts until March 2017. Their claim against Mr Amaral was unsuccessful. Back in Britain, Gerry McCann issued a video that November in which he speculated that his family had been watched by a predator during their stay at Praia da Luz. His wife had come to believe that a potential perpetrator could have seen a note in the resorts guest book visible to all in reception noting their dining arrangements on the evening of Madeleines disappearance. The couple followed up on 20 January 2008 by releasing a sketch of a creepy man they said other holidaymakers had said they had seen loitering at the Ocean Club. open image in gallery Gerry and Kate McCann have never given up hope for their missing daughter ( PA ) In April, a month before the one-year anniversary of the fateful night, Portuguese police travelled to Leicestershire to conduct further interviews with the McCanns friends. McCanns are cleared, Scotland Yard pick up the case Then, on 21 July 2008, Portugals attorney general, Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, announced that there was no evidence to link either the McCanns or Robert Murat to the disappearance and closed the case, unsolved. With the trail cold and no closure in sight, the McCanns continued to publicise their cause, issuing computer-generated images of how Madeleine might look now that she had aged on 3 November 2009 and condemning the release of previously unseen Portuguese police files detailing possible sightings of their daughter to British newspapers in March 2010. The McCanns published a book of their own about their ordeal in May 2011, entitled simply Madeleine, which was serialised in The Sun as the newspaper led a campaign calling on then British prime minister David Cameron to launch a new inquiry. He did so. Commenced by then-home secretary Theresa May, the Metropolitan Polices Operation Grange would be led by commander Simon Foy and comprise a team of three detective inspectors, five detective sergeants, 19 detective constables and six civilian staff. It began to yield results in 2013, with Scotland Yard formally announcing a new investigation in July and saying in October it had identified 41 potential suspects. That same month, BBC Crimewatch released an e-fit image of a man of particular interest who had been seen in Praia da Luz with a child matching Madeleines description in May 2007. Detectives arrived in Portugal in January 2014 promising new arrests and finally searched the village in June, interviewing four people the following month but without unearthing new information. The quartet would be definitively ruled out in April 2017, before the UK government said it would continue to fund the investigation until 2020, having already admitted it had cost 10m in its first four years of operation. That investment had enabled detectives to have tens of thousands of documents translated, investigate over 8,000 potential sightings, take 1,338 statements, collect 1,027 exhibits and investigate 650 sex offenders and 60 persons of interest, all without definitively establishing the truth. New suspect shoots case back into the spotlight The Madeline McCann case lay dormant before suddenly exploding into life in June 2020 when German media revealed that Christian Brueckner, a 43-year-old prisoner with a track record of child abuse and drug trafficking, had been identified as a new suspect by the public prosecutor of the German city of Braunschweig. He had reportedly been living in a Volkswagen camper van in the Algarve at the time of Madeleines disappearance and one woman has since come forward to suggest she saw a girl that might have been Madeleine speaking German in a supermarket in Portugal in 2017. open image in gallery Christian Brueckner was named as a suspect in the case ( AFP/Getty ) German investigators classified their probe into his movements as a murder inquiry, saying they were working on the assumption that Madeleine is dead and reporting in July 2021 that they had found an abandoned cellar beneath his former allotment near Hanover where she could, theoretically, have been held captive. Hans Christian Wolters, the prosecutor leading the investigation into Brueckner, has said he was very confident the inmate is responsible for kidnapping her. If you knew the evidence we had you would come to the same conclusion as I do but I cant give you details because we dont want the accused to know what we have on him these are tactical considerations, he told the BBC. Portuguese police formally made Brueckner a suspect in relation to the case on 21 April 2022. Following their unsuccessful libel claim against Mr Amaral, the former chief inspector who had investigated the disappearance, the McCanns applied to the European Court of Human Rights on the ground that the Portuguese legal system had breached their right to be presumed innocent. But on 19 September 2022, the Court rejected their claim. In February 2023, a Polish woman called Julia Faustyna made headlines by claiming she was Madeleine, using the Instagram name @iammadeleinemccann. Ms Faustyna, 21, did not provide any supporting evidence but sought DNA tests to prove her origins. The results ultimately revealed that she was entirely of Polish origin, with no British heritage, disproving her claims. In April 2023, a court in Braunschweig dropped a rape charge against Brueckner, unrelated to the McCann case, concluding it did not have jurisdiction, while police in Germany continued to claim they hadconcrete evidence that Madeleine is dead. McCanns await a breakthrough as they mark 16 years since Madeleines disappearance On 2 May 2023, Madeleines parents posted a statement on the Find Madeleine website on 3 May 2023 marking the latest anniversary of their daughters disappearance, reiterating their hopes of being reunited with her one day. The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. Thank you to everyone for your support it really helps. Portuguese police also reportedly apologised to the parents of for the way detectives investigated the case and treated the family. open image in gallery Investigators explore the Barragem do Arade beauty spot ( EPA ) Later that month, the case unexpectedly lurched back into life in when investigators launched a major search operation at a reservoir in the Algarve, with Mr Wolters saying they were acting on certain tips from Brueckner, whom the prosecutor said he remains very confident holds the key to Madeleines disappearance. With help from Portuguese police and with Scotland Yard detectives watching on, German investigators carried out a thorough examination of the Barragem do Arade beauty spot in Silves. They combed the shoreline and surrounding grasslands with sniffer dogs, rakes, spades and pickaxes and inspected the water in a rigid-hull inflatable boat. A no-fly zone was put in place in the skies overhead to allow police drones to survey the region undisturbed. The site is located approximately 30 miles northeast of the Ocean Club resort, from which the missing girl first disappeared. Renewed urgency in search for evidence In October 2024, Bruekner was acquitted of rape and sexual abuse charges against separate children in Portugal between 2000 and 2017 following an eight-month trial. Brueckner has been serving a seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of a woman in Portugals Algarve region, in the area where Madeleine went missing, and that sentence is due to end in September. open image in gallery The renewed search has begun in Portugal ( AFP/Getty ) In January this year Braunschweig Chief Public Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters admitted there was no current prospect of charging Brueckner over Madeleines disappearance, as police were still trying to secure forensic evidence linking Bruekner to the case. Then in March, Wolters confirmed to The Independent that Brueckner had filed a motion for early release. German police have since been granted permission to undertake a widespread search of key areas in Portugal in a hunt for evidence, including Madeleines body. The search, running from 2 June to 6 June, is focused on an area around the spot where Brueckner had been living at the time of 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 Swinging pickaxes into the hardened ground and clearing piles of rocks and rubble, the dozen or so police officers began work on Tuesday in temperatures that later reached 20C. Gathered on a remote area of clifftop scrubland a few miles from the Portuguese resort Madeleine McCann vanished from 18 years ago, one team dug into the earth next to an abandoned farmhouse under the watchful gaze of nearby journalists. Other officers cleared undergrowth and debris around nearby buildings, while a fire crew pumped water from a disused well before appearing to use a winch to check the site. Almost two decades since Madeleine disappeared from Praia da Luz without trace, its here, in the barren countryside nearby, where police hope to finally find answers in the mystery of what happened to the then three-year-old girl. Investigators are reported to be acting on a tip-off and hope to find evidence of her body or clothing. For updates on the search in the case of missing Madeleine McCann, click here for our blog open image in gallery Search teams look through a derelict and abandoned property to the west of Praia da Luz ( PA ) It was claimed they would be using ground-penetrating radar to help narrow their search, but on Tuesday, crews were seen using shovels, pickaxes and chainsaws, as well as a pump to drain the well, as they battled rubble and dense vegetation in the search for clues. The latest efforts come as German police face a race against time to find concrete evidence linking her disappearance to their only suspect. German national Christian Brueckner, 47, is being investigated over the disappearance and murder of the British toddler in 2007, although he denies any involvement. He is due to be released from prison in September as his seven-year term for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Praia da Luz in 2005 comes to an end. open image in gallery Search teams dig at the abandoned property, hoping to find clues in Madeleines disappearance ( PA ) Madeleines parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, who have not commented on the latest searches, last month vowed to leave no stone unturned in their fight for answers as they marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance and what should have been her 22nd birthday. On Tuesday, the fresh searches were focused on the abandoned farmhouse and other derelict buildings in the rural area of scrubland off a scenic coastal path stretching between Lagos and Atalaia, near a cottage where Brueckner used to live. Following Brueckners trial last year someone contacted them with theories on where anyone who took Madeleine might have dumped her, or her clothes, an investigation source told The Sun. open image in gallery Crews were seen using shovels, pickaxes and chainsaws in the search on Tuesday ( AP ) They told cops about trenches that were dug in Praia at the time Madeleine disappeared and the house where Brueckner had lived on the edge of the village. As many as 30 officers could take part in searches of up to 21 locations over the next three days. Tracks around the scrubland, which is dense with vegetation, were cordoned off while journalists were kept back from the multiple search sites on Tuesday. open image in gallery The area of search is a few miles from Praia da Luz, where Madeleine vanished 18 years ago ( PA ) Around a dozen officers focused on one abandoned building where digging was taking place, while another member of the search team cleared a pile of rubble and large rocks. Others were using strimmers and chainsaws to clear the undergrowth and debris surrounding the overgrown buildings. In October last year, Brueckner was cleared by a German court of unrelated sexual offences alleged to have taken place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. Prosecutors had argued he should receive a 15-year sentence and preventative detention; however, a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence in the case. In April, ministers approved more than 100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating Madeleine's disappearance. The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of the latest operation but that British officers will not be present. open image in gallery Firefighters and search teams check a well during the search on Tuesday ( PA ) German investigators and Portuguese officers last carried out searches in the country in 2023 near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz. Brueckner, who spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017, had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir. It was previously 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 Madeleine's body was there. open image in gallery The search area is near a cottage where Christian Brueckner used to live ( AP ) British police were later given permission to examine scrubland near where she vanished in 2014. Last month, Madeleine's family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance, describing her as beautiful and unique ahead of her 22nd birthday. A statement from her parents, who now live in Rothley, Leicestershire, 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. 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 Resource-rich Mongolia is facing political uncertainty following the resignation early on Tuesday of its prime minister in the wake of protests over endemic corruption in the landlocked Asian country, squeezed between China and Russia. Before he lost the confidence vote in the parliament, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai warned that his removal could undermine Mongolias fledgling democracy. The vote followed weeks of protests sparked by reports of lavish spending by his son and calls for him to step down. The reports, which cited expensive jewelry and helicopter rides for the son's female companion, underscored the vast gap between Mongolians who have grown extremely wealthy off the country's exports and much of the rest of the population, mired in poverty. Here is a look at why what is happening in Mongolia matters: A fledgling democracy between two big powers Mongolia, a country of about 3.5 million people, borders Russia to the north and China to the south. Its stunning alpine mountains interspersed with vast deserts hold an abundance of coal, copper and other natural resources used in high-tech manufacturing. The question of who benefits from the wealth has been a key issue since Mongolia began negotiating with foreign mining giants rumors of secret deals and under-the-table payments have circulated for years. After Mongolia threw off Communism at the end of the Cold War, it lost generous Soviet Union aid packages. Since then, it has been slowly becoming a democracy but is struggling to avoid falling into debt while holding Chinese and Russian interests at bay. China is a particularly important neighbor as its ruling Communist Party buys up 92% of Mongolias exports. A 'spiders' web' of the greedy Over the years, the capital of Ulaanbaataar transformed itself from a city of clunky Soviet-era buildings surrounded by traditional herders' felt tents known as gers, into a metropolis of shopping malls and fancy hotels. The protesters have said the countrys mineral riches have benefited business interests and the wealthy, while many Mongolians still live in poverty. Early on Tuesday morning, Oyun-Erdene only got 44 votes of support in the 126-seat legislature the State Great Khural well short of the 64 needed, according to the head of the counting commission, M. Narantuya-nara. Oyun-Erdene accepted defeat, saying it had been an honor to serve the nation through the coronavirus pandemic, Russia's war on Ukraine and the ongoing strife over U.S. tariffs. But he also warned of the threat of a spiders web of special interests that he said are working to hold the Mongolian people back. What happens next? Oyun-Erdene, who ran a coalition government, will remain prime minister until his replacement is elected in parliament, most likely from the ranks of opposition lawmakers. Those who pick his successor will likely also have to find a platform that will satisfy the demands of the largely young and well-educated class that has led the protests. That could include moving ahead with a national sovereignty fund introduced recently to better help spread the wealth. In stepping down, Oyun-Erdene defended his integrity but said he had made the mistake of paying insufficient attention to social and internal political matters. He also warned of political instability ahead, saying it "could lead the public to lose faith in parliamentary rule and potentially put our democratic parliamentary system at risk of collapse. What do experts and the ordinary people say? Erin Murphy, deputy director and senior fellow of India and emerging Asian economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said it's not easy to "build that foundation for democracy at a time when Mongolia also must tackle economic problems. Julian Dierkes, a Mongolia expert at the University of Mannheim in Germany, said he doesnt expect any major policy changes, whoever becomes the next prime minister. They will be selected on the basis of personal networks and patronage, Dierkes said. Many people on the street seemed worried for the future and some defended the outgoing prime minister on Tuesday. Oyun-Erdene should not be responsible for his son's failings, said Gansukh Batbayar, a military retiree in Ulaanbaatar who lauded what he described as Oyun-Erdene's efforts to confiscate illegally earned assets and money of corrupt officials and distribute it more fairly. We barely survive in these chaotic times and our pensions are very small, said an older woman on a public bus in Ulaanbaataar, who declined to give her name to speak about the political developments. She counts on her children "to have food to eat and a roof over my head, she said. ___ Associated Press writers Didi Tang in Washington and Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report. 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 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 Zelensky 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 Zelenskys offer of face-to-face talks in Istanbul. 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 Donetsk and Luhansk after Russia illegally annexed the peninsula of Crimea in February 2014. open image in gallery Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin at the Normandy Format ( Mikhail Metzel/TASS ) 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. By the time of the sixth meeting in December 2019, the only time Zelenkyy and Putin had met in person, some still hoped that the Minsk accords could form a framework for peace. Under discussion Zelensky 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 centred 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, Zelensky went into Paris believing that he could make a deal with Putin. I want to return with concrete results, Zelensky 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, Zelensky 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 neighbour under its influence. open image in gallery One of Putins main concerns going into the talks was the lifting of Western sanctions imposed in response to the annexation of Crimea ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) 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 neighbour. 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. 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 a 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. Zelenskys view was a little less enthusiastic: Lets say for now its a draw. Talking past each other Yet the Putin-Zelensky meeting in 2019 ultimately ended in failure. In retrospect, both sides were talking past each other and could not reach an agreement on the sequencing of key parts of the peace plan. Zelensky 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. The success of the Normandy talks was 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 scepticism by Ukraine and the West. As a result, the Normandy talks stalled. And then in February 2022, Russia 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. 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 demilitarise Ukraine. And three years of war have changed how the questions of Crimea and the Donbas are framed. open image in gallery The nascent negotiations in Istanbul represent the first real attempt to bring high-level delegations of both sides together since 2019 ( Getty ) In the Normandy talks, there was no talk of recognising 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. 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. open image in gallery Trump is encountering similar barriers to any meaningful progress ( AFP/Getty ) 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. 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. 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 Zelensky met in 2019. Anna Batta is an Associate Professor of International Security Studies at Air University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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 right-to-die activist who was arrested over the first reported use of a suicide pod has died by assisted suicide, according to the devices inventor. Dr Florian Willet, 47, was arrested last year in connection with the death of a 64-year-old woman. Investigators had detained him on suspicion of inciting and abetting suicide and a strong suspicion of the commission of an intentional homicide. However, after two months in custody, he was released that December after police ruled out the possibility of an intentional homicide. Exit International director Dr Philip Nitschke, the creator of the Sarco pod, said the accusations caused serious psychological problems for Dr Willet. open image in gallery The Sarco suicide pod can create an oxygen-free environment in less than one minute ( Exit International ) Dr Nitschke told Dutch news outlet Volkskrant that Dr Willet died last month by suicide. When Florian was released suddenly and unexpectedly from pre-trial detention in early December 2024, he was a changed man, Dr Nitschke said. 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. The activists friend, Laura, also told the Dutch outlet that he had changed after the detention. This friendly, positive man had changed into an anxious, suspicious person who no longer trusted even his best friends, she said. He lived in his own world. He became increasingly distant from his friends. open image in gallery Philip Nitschke, head of Exit International, at an event with Florian Willet ( EPA ) Dr Willet, who was head of euthanasia advocacy group The Last Resort, was released by authorities after the apparent first use of the Sarco suicide pod, a sealed chamber that releases gas at the press of a button. While authorities no longer suspected intentional homicide, a strong suspicion of the crime of inciting and abetting suicide remained, a statement from Swiss prosecutors said. Dr Nitschke said the allegations that the woman might have been strangled were absurd. He added that he watched the womans death via video and that the device worked as planned. The Sarco is designed to allow a person sitting in its reclining seat to push a button that releases nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber. The person is then supposed to fall unconscious and die by suffocation in a few minutes. Swiss law allows assisted suicide so long as the person takes his or her life with no external assistance and those who help the person die do not do so for any self-serving motive, says a government website. While active euthanasia of someone else is illegal, supplying the means of dying is legal as long as the person administers it themselves. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you Close Greece: Turkey earthquake rocks hotel in neighbouring Greece 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 14-year-old girl who died in a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that shook western Turkey and the Greek islands suffered a panic attack and could not be saved in hospital, a Turkish minister said on Wednesday. Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said that Afra Nur Gunlu died despite all interventions in hospital in Fethiye, where she lived. A local website said the teenager, known for her diligence and cheerfulness, experienced intense fear, which prompted the panic attack. Some 69 others were injured as they jumped from buildings in the Turkish resort Marmaris, near the epicentre of Tuesday morning's quake. A British family said the jolts felt like bombs landing. Matthew McCormick, a father of two from Belfast who was holidaying in Rhodes, said: "My gut feeling was either there's been bombs landing somewhere or it's an earthquake. Heavy shaking was felt in Rhodes 29km to the south, as well as on other islands around the Aegean Sea, during the quake, shortly after 2am on Tuesday morning. 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 At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured on Tuesday after Israeli troops opened fire near an aid centre in Rafah, health officials said the third consecutive day of bloodshed during humanitarian operations inside Gaza. Israels military said its forces had opened fire on a group viewed as a threat for leaving a designated access route, and denied targeting civilians. Volker Turk, head of the UN human rights office in Geneva, said the impediment of access to food relief for civilians might constitute a war crime and described attacks on people trying to access such aid as unconscionable. He called for a prompt and impartial investigation into the killings. Israeli warplanes as well as forces on the ground targeted crowds near the distribution centre run by the US-based and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the Palestinian Authoritys Wafa news agency reported. open image in gallery Palestinians injured by Israeli fire receive treatment at the Nasser hospital in Gaza ( AFP via Getty ) The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah had received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after. Video showed injured people, including at least one woman, being rushed to a medical centre on carts drawn by donkeys. The shootings all occurred at the Flag Roundabout, around a kilometre from the GHF site in Rafah. The GHF said civilians were hit after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone, in an area that was well beyond our secure distribution site. The entire area is an Israeli military zone where journalists have no access outside of army-approved embeds. The individuals were moving towards forces in a way that posed a threat to [the soldiers], the military said, adding that the incident occurred some distance away from the aid distribution site in a closed military zone. open image in gallery Palestinian children reach out with their pots as they wait for food at a distribution point in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip ( AFP via Getty ) The deaths came hours after Israel said three of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza, as its forces pushed ahead with a months-long offensive against Hamas militants that has laid much of the enclave to waste. The GHFs aid plan has been criticised by both the UN and established aid charities, which say it does not follow humanitarian principles. In particular they have questioned GHFs biometric scanning policies, which Israel says are designed to prevent Hamas from profiting from aid, and say the foundation is unable to meet the mounting needs of the territorys roughly 2 million people. The private group said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was conducted safely and without incident within the site. The GHFs distribution of aid, which began last week, has been marred by chaos, and multiple witnesses have reported incidents of Israeli troops firing on crowds near the delivery sites. On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported that at least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured. Israels military dismissed those reports as fabrications by Hamas. On Monday, three more Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli fire. open image in gallery People carry boxes of relief supplies from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation ( AFP via Getty Images ) Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer denied that civilians had been targeted. The IDF is doing everything in its power to allow Gazans to get to the humanitarian aid. The IDF is not preventing the arrival of Gazans at humanitarian aid sites. Indeed, we are encouraging it, he said. The UN has described Gaza as the hungriest place on Earth and said Israel is allowing only a trickle of food into the enclave. As a small flow of aid has resumed, Israeli forces now in control of large parts of Gaza have kept up attacks on various targets around the enclave, killing more than 3,900 Palestinians since a two-month ceasefire collapsed in mid-March, according to the health ministry in Gaza. More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels air and ground war, Gaza health authorities say. The offensive was launched following a Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed most of them civilians and 251 hostages were captured. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report 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 There are at least 187,000 hotels in the world. So, it's undoubtedly a proud moment for The Manner in New York City to be named by a prestigious architecture award as one of the 16 most beautiful places on the planet to stay in 2025. The accolade was bestowed upon the recently opened property in SoHo by the Unesco Prix Versailles competition, which described it as "dazzling". The judges said: "SoHo today may no longer be the neighborhood of artists and lofts, but The Manner, which opened there in September 2024, seems to be breathing new life into that bygone era. open image in gallery The Unesco Prix Versailles competition described New York Citys The Manner as 'dazzling'. Above is the penthouse suite ( Chris Mottalini ) open image in gallery The Manner is 'breathing new life into SoHo' ( Chris Mottalini ) "Behind the discreet entrance to a building with the earmarks of a high-class residence, the hotel reveals an extremely joyful assembly of plentiful, generously arty features. "In a vibrant tribute to Italy, the Milanese architect Hannes Peer has given each room its own dazzling look. "Ochres, deep blues, and sand tones, contrasting with dark woods and red and navy lacquered finishes, reaffirm the oneness and the personality of the setting as a whole." Prix Versailles also noted the hotel's handmade furniture and artwork, "endowing each space with its own character". open image in gallery The Manner's rooftop terrace ( Chris Mottalini ) open image in gallery The Manner has 'generously arty features' ( Chris Mottalini ) open image in gallery The 'discreet' entrance to The Manner ( Chris Mottalini ) The list also includes Todos Santos Boutique Hotel in Mexico, described as a "jewel of Baja California Sur", and Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai, which "offers a condensed version of the Dubai experience international, modern and fascinating". The judges were also wowed by two French properties. Hotel du Couvent in Nice, housed in a 17th-century convent, makes the list thanks to its "tranquillity and authenticity". While Hotel Hana in Paris, located in the city's Little Tokyo area, is praised for blending "early 20th century Belle Epoque maximalism with Japanese minimalism". open image in gallery The list includes Todos Santos Boutique Hotel in Mexico, described as a 'jewel' ( Todos Santos Boutique Hotel ) open image in gallery Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai, which 'offers a condensed version of the Dubai experience international, modern and fascinating' ( Dubai Media Office ) open image in gallery Hotel du Couvent in Nice, housed in a 17th-century convent, makes the list thanks to its 'tranquillity and authenticity' ( Giulio Ghirardi ) open image in gallery Hotel Hana in Paris is praised for blending 'early 20th century Belle Epoque maximalism with Japanese minimalism' ( Stephan Julliard ) Italy also has two entries, both in Rome. Palazzo Talia is described as a hotel stuffed with "rich artistry", from the facades to the ceilings and from the frescoes to the chandeliers. The judges add: "Even the pool is an epic structure." Romeo Roma, meanwhile, draws praise for "voluptuous curves" and "a futuristic aesthetic" that underscore the "pioneering spirit" of the renowned firm behind the design Zaha Hadid Architects. open image in gallery The 'epic' pool in Rome's Palazzo Talia, one of two Rome entries ( Palazzo Talia ) open image in gallery Romeo Roma draws praise for its 'voluptuous curves' ( Chris Dalton ) open image in gallery The UK's only entry Mandarin Oriental Mayfair ( Mandarin Oriental Mayfair ) The UK's only entry is Londons Mandarin Oriental Mayfair on Hanover Square, a property "providing a novel link between the worlds of art, fashion and history". The judges add: "The brand's Asian roots are subtly underscored by a palette of soft tones and rich textures, as well as by bespoke furnishings that further contribute to the establishment's charm." Jerome Gouadain, Secretary General of the Prix Versailles, said: "The common thread between these 16 extraordinary hotels is the fact that they all elevate expertise and local heritage. open image in gallery Shebara on Sheybarah Island, Saudi Arabia, is an eye-catching addition to the ranking ( Red Sea Global 2025 ) open image in gallery Ran Baas The Palace in Patiala flies the flag for India ( Ran Baas The Palace ) "But more than that, they are all the fruit of extremely advanced design work, a reflection of clear, across-the-board collaboration between their creators and their regions. "The artistic approach serves hospitality here by shining a light on its multiple influences and adding a touch of warmth, clarity and meaning, in order to construct what are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful destinations in the world." The 16 most beautiful hotels in the world for 2025 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 With travel documents becoming increasingly digitised, knowing your phone has the charge to carry you from check-in through to customs is key for travellers. Although portable chargers may be vital to ensure a smooth journey, lithium-ion batteries commonly found inside power banks pose a fire risk to aircraft and confined cabin spaces if damaged. From 28 May, Southwest Airlines passengers must use their portable chargers and batteries in plain sight. The airline brought in the rule citing safety concerns after multiple overheating incidents. This means charging devices stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted. The carrier believes this new policy will allow crew members to respond faster to lithium batteries overheating or catching fire. As airlines move to contain fire risks in the cabin, we address the questions: can you fly with a portable charger? And what are the rules? Read more: Southwest makes another policy change for passengers Can I take my portable charger on a flight? Yes. Portable chargers and power banks are usually allowed on flights, but there are restrictions on where they can be packed. Most airlines allow portable chargers packed in your carry-on luggage but not in checked luggage or any bags that will go in the hold. Generally, power banks with a capacity of 100Wh or less are permitted in the cabin without requiring airline approval. Some carriers, including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways, prohibit the use of power banks to charge personal devices during a flight. Passengers travelling on these airlines are also not allowed to charge portable power banks themselves via the onboard USB ports. What do the UK authorities say? The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says spare batteries for portable electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh are permitted in carry-on luggage for personal use. It adds: No more than two individually protected spare batteries per person may be carried. Each lithium-ion cell or battery must also be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits. Any spare batteries are not permitted to fly in checked baggage, warns the CAA. Glenn Bradley, head of flight operations at the CAA, said: Lithium batteries power everything from vapes and mobile phones to cameras and power banks. If they become faulty or damaged, they can cause an intense fire that is difficult to extinguish both in the cabin or hold of an aircraft. Correct handling reduces risk. Lithium batteries should be carried in your carry-on baggage. Power banks and spare batteries should also be in a cabin bag and should be completely turned off and not in standby mode. Foreign Office (FCDO) travel advice recommends checking the restrictions on certain types of batteries with your airline if youre not sure what you can carry. What are the portable charger rules in other countries? Alongside Southwest Airlines, carriers in China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore have also implemented new power bank regulations following safety concerns. From 1 March, South Korea implemented stricter rules on carrying portable batteries on flights following a fire on an Air Busan plane on 28 January. The revised rules state that a passenger can carry a maximum of five portable batteries, each with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours. Batteries exceeding 160 watt hours in capacity are strictly prohibited. Read more: Why Asian airlines are tightening rules on using power banks on flights On 7 April, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department banned passengers from using power banks on flights after a fire on a Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou in China on 20 March. Passengers can still take power banks in carry-on luggage, but they must keep the devices under seats or in seat pockets and not in overhead compartments. Taiwans EVA Airways similarly bans the use and charging of power banks and spare lithium batteries on flights. Passengers can carry them in their hand luggage if they are properly stored to prevent compression or damage. In March, Singapore Airlines shared a post on X stating: Effective 1st April 2025, Singapore Airlines customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via the onboard USB ports, or use power banks to charge their personal devices, throughout the duration of the flight. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast 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 Holidaymakers in southwest Turkey and neighbouring islands in Greece were shaken awake this morning by a strong earthquake. In the early hours of Tuesday, a 5.8-magnitude quake struck just south of the Turkish resort of Marmaris. Tremors were also felt across the water on the Greek island of Rhodes. A 14-year-old girl is said to have died in the resort town of Fethiye due to a panic attack, reported Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya on X/Twitter. The minister added that 69 other citizens suffered injuries after they jumped from heights due to panic. Flights to and from Dalaman Airport are operating as usual, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is not advising against travel to the area. But is it safe to go, and what are your rights if you have a trip booked? Heres everything we know. Read more: One dead and 69 injured as 5.8-magnitude quake sparks panic across tourist resorts Where was the earthquake? According to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the epicentre of the earthquake was just outside the Turkish resort town of Marmaris at a depth of 69km (42 miles). The 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit at 2.17am local time. Heavy shaking was felt in Rhodes, just 29km to the south, as well as on other islands around the Aegean Sea. The eastern Mediterranean is a seismically active part of Europe, and the region has been struck by multiple aftershocks, ranging from small tremors up to 2.9-magnitude quakes with epicentres near Mugla and Rhodes. What is the latest Foreign Office travel advice? The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not released any new travel advice relating to the earthquake as of Tuesday morning (3 June). General earthquake advice from the FCDO states: Many parts of Turkey regularly experience earthquakes and tremors. These can be high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure, and pose a risk to life. A 6.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025, was felt strongly in Istanbul. Be aware of the risk of aftershocks. Similarly, for travel to Greece: The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, experienced increased earthquake activity in early 2025. This increase has since subsided, and the tourist season is expected to continue as usual, says the FCDO. What does the Turkish government say? Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X: An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 occurred in Marmaris, Mugla. Regarding the earthquake that was also felt in the surrounding provinces, AFAD and all teams of our relevant institutions continue their field scans under the coordination of our Governor. According to initial findings, there is no demolition of residential buildings in the city. He added: I offer my best wishes to our citizens affected by the earthquake. May God protect our country and our nation from disasters. What do I do if I have a holiday booked in Turkey or Rhodes? Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent said: The answer is: continue as normal. I can't see any likelihood that the holiday companies will allow people to cancel their trips without triggering the usual cancellation penalties. It is possible that they may, subject to availability, allow you to move your holiday to somewhere else. But to put things into perspective quakes like this are far from unknown. He added: They are disconcerting, but there is no need to take further action. Can I cancel my holiday or flight for a refund? The Foreign Office has not warned against travel due to the earthquake, so no exceptional circumstances will allow for a full refund on cancelled trips. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless FCDO advice changes. Tui, the biggest holiday company in Europe, told holidaymakers: Remain calm and follow any safety instructions provided by your accommodation or local officials. The terms for cancelling your trip depend on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if you wish to postpone. Some travel insurance policies will include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination speak to your insurer to find out your rights. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast An Israeli government spokesperson accused Channel 4 News presenter Krishan Guru-Murthy of "advocating for Hamas" in a tense interview. David Mencer appeared on Tuesday's (3 June) programme after health officials said at least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured after Israeli troops opened fire near an aid centre in Rafah. Israels military said its forces had opened fire on a group viewed as a threat for leaving a designated access route, and denied targeting civilians. When challenged by the broadcaster after saying that video showed Hamas firing on their own people, Mr Mencer said: "Sometimes Krishnan, you actually advocate for Hamas and I must say it's bizarre." 'Nobody is going to walk out of a check-in over an extra 80': Is it time for Ireland to copy other visitor hotspots with a tourist tax? 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. New spying claims bring fresh twist to Rippling-Deel corporate espionage dispute Deel has now claimed Rippling had its own spy who infiltrated Deels customer platform by fraudulent means and pilfered the companys most valuable proprietary assets Keith O'Brien Shane Phelan Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 20:57 A legal dispute between warring HR software giants, centring on claims one used an Irish spy to steal trade secrets from the other, has taken a fresh twist. Total madness that Dublin Airport is held back by passenger cap, airlines chief Willie Walsh says IATA director general said move is clearly having an impact on growth Willie Walsh, director general of the IATA, speaks at a press conference in New Delhi. Photo: Bloomberg John Mulligan in New Delhi Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 03:30 The passenger cap at Dublin Airport is clearly having an impact on the gateways expansion, an international gathering of aviation executives in New Delhi has been told. Investors expected new EV to drive explosive growth in vehicle sales Elon Musk has said he is leaving his role as a special adviser to US president Donald Trump to return his focus to his companies, including Tesla. Photo: David Zalubowski/AP Some senior Tesla executives were alarmed last year when Elon Musk denied a Reuters report that the company had killed a planned all-new $25,000 (21,800) EV that investors had expected to drive explosive vehicle sales growth, according to people familiar with the matter. Holidaymakers warned of risk of bringing foot-and-mouth disease back to Ireland Agriculture Minister reminds people to avoid contact with livestock for two weeks Slaughtered sheep at a farm on the Cooley Peninsula in Louth in March 2001 during Ireland's last foot-and-mouth outbreak. Photo: PA Margaret Donnelly Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 15:30 People returning from holidays in areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease have been reminded to be vigilant and avoid contact with livestock for two weeks. Private Sean Rooneys mother to sue UN over his death in Lebanon The 24-year-old Irish soldier was on peacekeeping duties when he was killed in an attack by armed militants in 2022 Private Sean Rooney Tim Healy Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 16:17 The mother of a young Irish soldier killed in action in Lebanon three years ago has been given permission by the High Court to sue the United Nations in the Irish courts. Amnesty International released the report which details experiences of journalists in Northern Ireland (Kevin Scott/Belfast Telegraph) Journalists in Northern Ireland are working in a climate of fear in the midst of death and rape threats along with threats of paramilitary reprisal, Amnesty International has claimed. A new report features interviews with reporters, including the Belfast Telegraphs Allison Morris, who have been told they will be shot or stabbed, threatened with bombs under their car and given 48-hour ultimatums to leave the country all because of their journalism. It names Northern Ireland as the most dangerous place in the UK to work as a journalist. The report outlines that some journalists have been physically attacked. Equipment has also been damaged and reporters cars have been battered with poles with nails attached to them. Northern Ireland has seen two journalists killed over the years Martin OHagan and Lyra McKee in 2001 and 2019 respectively. The evidence from those most at risk outlined the steps theyd taken to safeguard themselves, including having their homes fitted with bulletproof windows and alarms linked to police stations. Amnesty International released the report which details experiences of journalists in Northern Ireland (Kevin Scott/Belfast Telegraph) Today's news in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 The report includes testimony from Belfast Telegraph crime correspondent Allison Morris, who said she is living under constant threat. Im convinced someones going to kill me at some point, she said. I always think Ill never die of natural causes. Most of the time, I pretend that the threats dont annoy me, but clearly, they do. This is not a normal way to live. Ms Morris said the police visited her home nine times between December 2023 and October 2024 to deliver threats from paramilitary or criminal groups. On one occasion she received a warning and 24 hours later a pipe bomb was discovered near her house. Sunday Life news manager Ciaran Barnes also described the intense security precautions he has to live with. Ive got bulletproof windows front and back, he said. Ive got a bulletproof door. Ive got cameras all around the house. Ive got sensor activated lights and panic alarms. These security measures are paid for by employers, as journalists are currently ineligible for the governments Home Protection Scheme. Amnesty noted that with journalists excluded from the scheme, many have been left feeling at risk. National Union of Journalists assistant general secretary Seamus Dooley said: In what is supposed to be a normalised society, post the peace process, journalists are living in fear and behind high security measures. That really is not the sign of a normal functioning democracy. Amnestys research for the report titled, Occupational Hazard? Threats and violence against journalists in Northern Ireland uncovered more than 70 incidents of threats or attacks since the start of 2019. Most come from a range of proscribed paramilitary groups, loyalist and republican, as well as organised crime groups, some also with links to paramilitaries. Very few threats lead to criminal charges, with only two successful prosecutions since June 2022 and none involving paramilitary groups. Amnestys Patrick Corrigan said: When journalists are under attack, press freedom is under attack. The state must create a safe environment where journalists can work freely and report without fear of reprisals. Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, the PSNI lead for journalist safety, said the force will take time to consider Amnestys report. The PSNI takes the safety of journalists very seriously and has been very much involved in developing both national and local plans to tackle this issue over the last couple of years, he said. As a result, we have developed a joint strategy and joint plan with NUJ and with local editors. We have appointed two Journalist Safety Officers, established an internal Journalist Safety Group, implemented screening arrangements within our contact management centre and ensured that reports of threats and crimes by journalists are investigated by detectives. The Police Service has also arranged a number online seminars for local media around internet and personal safety. Journalists do not have to tolerate threats and crimes as part of their role. That has been our recent, consistent message. If any journalist needs advice in relation to an incident, threat or crime which is connected to your role as a journalist, please contact 101 and report the matter. I would also encourage journalists to speak with one of the Journalist Safety Officers in our Strategic Communications and Engagement Department." Injuries Resolution Board proposes rethink on whether it can sanction the paying of legal fees Close to half of the settlement offers made by the board are rejected The state body that allows people to resolve personal injury claims without incurring legal costs is proposing a radical rethink of how it operates Charlie Weston Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 03:30 The state body that allows people to resolve personal injury claims without incurring legal costs is proposing a radical rethink of how it operates. Smoke from wildfires in Canada has crossed the Atlantic to reach Ireland, according to European Union researchers. Analysis from the EUs Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring System (CAMS) has shown smoke originating from wildfires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario has made its way across the Atlantic and reached Europe in recent days. A Co Cork student has told of the scary experience of being caught up in the eruption of Mount Etna on the island of Sicily. A group of Trinity College students were among the tourists on a tour of the volcano when it erupted on Monday morning. The group were on holiday together celebrating their graduation. Alex Stoian, a recent chemistry graduate from Trinity College, said things started to go awry soon after they departed a tour bus to explore Mount Etna on foot. The more you think about it you kind of get into that fight or flight kind of blur, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. You forget what happens and you just start running with your group or whoever you see. He said Mount Etna appeared to be smokier than it had been in recent days when the group made their way up on the bus on Monday morning. We were told, Look, it's just a bit more active today and the tour guide said, It's a special day, and we were excited to get something better, I'd say than just seeing. But once we got up there and in hindsight, it was explained to us that a gas bubble exploded, and part of the cliff collapsed. That caused a huge cloud of dust and gas to come plummeting towards us, and I think that's what scared us all. Mount Etna exhibits a Strombolian eruption, with a volcanic plume rising from the southeast crater, on June 02, 2025 in Catania, Italy. Photo: Fabrizio Villa/Getty Images. Mr Stoian said the experience was scary enough and the group of students were on the phone to their families to explain the situation. He said there was a total of around 100 tourists at Mount Etna when it erupted and as far as he knows, no one was hurt. Once we got back down to the safe 2,000-metre point, one of the tour guides even said it to us, There's too many people up there. Buses had to come back up to collect extra people, so I think all in all, about 100. Mount Etna is among the worlds most active volcanoes and eruptions are common, but Mr Stoian said the group received no prior warning that it was a possibility. He said there was white, steamy smoke coming from the volcano in the first few days the group were in Sicily, and it seemed a bit extra active yesterday before it erupted. A warning [to us] should have been when we got closer you could hear it sounds like a bit like a jet engine, so maybe that should have warned us. I think once the eruption happened, and we saw [the tour guides] discoordination and kind of lack of help, we lost a bit of faith in them, but I think they're meant to be trained geologists by trade. Mr Stoian said everybody in his group was doing OK today and were trying to come down [from the fright]. Despite yesterdays experience, he said he would absolutely recommend a visit to Mount Etna to anyone planning to visit Sicily. Absolutely, but if you see black smoke, maybe re-plan. Underground tunnels used during World War Two are due to be developed into a tourist attraction. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe A secret underground network of London World War II tunnels that inspired the James Bond books is set to turn into a brand-new spy museum, with new details now revealed. The capital is set to gain a new visitor attraction hidden in plain sight 40 metres below High Holborn, as the tunnels will now become open to the public after being kept in relative secrecy for nearly 70 years under the Official Secrets Act. The London Tunnels, the company that looks after this underground labyrinth, has recently announced a collaboration with the Museum of Military Intelligence (MMI) on the project, two years after the plans were first announced. Underground tunnels used during World War Two are due to be developed into a tourist attraction. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe Today's news in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 The below street-level network is known as the Kinsway Exchange Tunnels and was constructed during the Blitz as a deep-level air raid shelter under the London Underground. The mile-long series of tunnels was shortly after occupied by the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine organisation established in July 1940 under the orders of then Prime Minister Winston Churchill, during the later stages of World War II. It was during this time that Bond author Ian Fleming was working as a liaison officer within the wartime administration, and it is thought that the tunnels inspired the research and development Q Branch in his novels. After a few other uses for the network, the tunnels were used for a secure hotline that connected the White House to the Kremlin during the Cold War, before it was taken over by BT. Now, the tunnels will have a new life as a major tourist attraction that hopes to welcome up to three million visitors per year. Journalists participate in a press tour of underground tunnels used during World War Two as shelters during the Blitz. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe The tunnels will have a permanent exhibition showcasing the history of military intelligence and its use of the tunnel complex, including a special exhibition centred around the Special Operations Executive. The displays will spotlight original artefacts, equipment, weapons, documents and images through a modern high-tech experience that promises to bring to life the history and techniques used by military intelligence. The exhibition will feature stories from the Battle of Britain and D-Day, the espionage operations of the Cold War and the Falklands War. It will also display more recent military operations, including peace-keeping missions and the response to terrorism threats that have occurred within the 21st century. Visitors will also be able to delve into how the British military works today and what operations they carry out. Angus Murray, CEO of The London Tunnels, said: We are delighted to become the home of the public exhibition of the Museum of Military Intelligence. This new location will provide convenient central London access to an important and unique collection which has until now been largely hidden. The tunnels, built and designed to protect Londoners during the Blitz, are the ideal backdrop to tell the remarkable, and untold, stories of the men and women who played a vital role in protecting Britain then, and the role of the armed services protecting Britain today. In its 2023 consultation documents, London Tunnels said the new museum would increase local spending up to 80m (95m) per year, create 40 onsite jobs and offer free trips for local schools. The London Tunnels said work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion in 2028. Occupied Territories Bill runs the risk of dragging us into our own damaging trade war The Trump trade war continues. The EU has joined China with a 90-day reprieve. A burst of dealmaking is unfolding behind the scenes. Exporters are continuing to count the fallout. Everyone has more questions than answers. While chaos is to the fore, a less talked-about budget bill is progressing through US Congress. Section 899 of that bill has raised eyebrows. It allows the US to impose up to 20pc taxes on countries it deems to have unfairly taxed American companies. This could be levied on dividends or interest as they exit the US. It gives a new tool to Donald Trump. What do the following have in common? Micheal Martin, Mary Lou McDonald, Heather Humphreys, Sean O Fearghail, Michael McDowell and Miriam OCallaghan. None of them want to be the next President of Ireland. And theyre not the only ones firmly ruling themselves out of the chance to follow in the 14-year-long footsteps of Michael D Higgins. His tenure in the Phoenix Park is almost at an end, and yet Conor McGregor and Peter Casey are the only well-known names to say they want to replace him. As in every presidential race, a colourful list of potential candidates emerges before we get the final line-up. Today on The Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by Tabitha Monahan, political reporter with the Irish Independent, and by John Downing, political correspondent with the Irish Independent, to look at why so many big names are afraid to run for the presidency. An investigation is underway after thieves targeted homes in the same county Cavan housing estate over the bank holiday weekend. Gardai have launched a manhunt for a burglary gang who broke into two houses inside the same county Cavan estate over the bank holiday weekend. Both raids took place in the Woodview housing estate on the outskirts of the east Cavan town at around 10am on Sunday morning. Gardai are trying to piece together the circumstances behind the two incidents and how the raiders managed to escape despite carrying out both break-ins in broad daylight and in what is a well populated residential estate. Follow Independent Cavan on Facebook Detectives have managed to establish that while no items of interest were taken in the first burglary, a car was stolen by the thieves in the second raid. Gardai received report of an incident of burglary at a residence in Bailieboro, Co. Cavan, that occurred on Sunday 1st June 2025 at approximately 10am, said a garda spokesperson. No property is believed to have been taken. Separately, gardai (also) received a report of an incident of burglary at a residence in Bailieboro, Co. Cavan, that occurred on Sunday 1st June 2025 shortly after 10am. A car is believed to have been taken (and) investigations are ongoing. Cork mothers joy as her profoundly deaf son becomes a musical maestro Marian Healy said the help of the Cork Deaf Association has been incalculable in her son Theos journey Marian Healy and her son Theo Kevin Galvin Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 13:00 A Cork mother says she is incredibly proud of how her deaf child has defied all limitations by becoming a musical maestro. We have no objection to housing. The houses have to go hand in hand with infrastructure in Mallow, said the secretary of a group of residents from St Josephs Road in Mallow regarding the proposed development of 469 new homes in Mallow. An Ras Mor, the Cork Harbour Festivals flagship event passing Blackrock Castle celebrates its 20th anniversary despite adverse wind comditions the race went ahead. Picture Clare Keogh. Cork Harbour Festival, marking its 10-year anniversary and the flagship event, Ocean to City An Ras Mor marking its 20th anniversary. The festival runs from 24th May -2nd June, with over 100 events taking place across Cork City and County. Picture Clare Keogh. An Ras Mor, the Cork Harbour Festivals flagship event passing Blackrock Castle celebrates its 20th anniversary despite adverse wind comditions the race went ahead. Cork Harbour Festival, marking its 10-year anniversary and the flagship event, Ocean to City An Ras Mor marking its 20th anniversary. The festival runs from 24th May -2nd June, with over 100 events taking place across Cork City and County. Picture Clare Keogh. An Ras Mor, the Cork Harbour Festivals flagship event passing Blackrock Castle celebrates its 20th anniversary despite adverse wind comditions the race went ahead. Cork Harbour Festival, marking its 10-year anniversary and the flagship event, Ocean to City An Ras Mor marking its 20th anniversary. The festival runs from 24th May -2nd June, with over 100 events taking place across Cork City and County. Picture Clare Keogh. An Ras Mor, the Cork Harbour Festivals flagship event passing Blackrock Castle celebrates its 20th anniversary despite adverse wind comditions the race went ahead. Cork Harbour Festival, marking its 10-year anniversary and the flagship event, Ocean to City An Ras Mor marking its 20th anniversary. The festival runs from 24th May -2nd June, with over 100 events taking place across Cork City and County. Picture Clare Keogh. An Ras Mor, the Cork Harbour Festivals flagship event passing Blackrock Castle celebrated its 20th anniversary and despite adverse wind conditions the race went ahead. Picture Clare Keogh. The flagship event of the Cork Harbour Festival, Ocean to City An Ras Mor celebrated its 20th anniversary in spectacular fashion with hundreds of participants from around the world taking part. Different weather conditions forced the organisers to change the route, but the excitement remained high. Traditionally starting at Crosshaven and finishing at Lapps Quay, the route was adapted to begin at Horgans Quay and ventured along the north shore to the working docks at Tivoli, crossed the River Lee towards Blackrock Castle, and returned along the scenic southern shore via the Marina. The finish line remained in its iconic vantage point at Lapps Quay, right in the heart of Cork city. This years event featured a vibrant and diverse fleet of over 200 boats ranging from longboards to stand-up paddle boards to kayaks, and participants completed either one or two loops, depending on their mode of transport. A spokesperson for from the Cork Harbour Festival said: As we celebrate two decades of this incredible event, we look forward with enthusiasm to many more years of rowing, paddling, and celebrating maritime heritage on the waters of Cork Harbour. Local politicians at the awarding of 25,000 to Listowel Writers' Week at this year's festival. Listowel Writers Week and Literary Festival received a welcome boost as it looks back on another fantastic festival and ahead to 2026. Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Patrick ODonovan, visited Listowel during the festival to meet with organisers and festival goers at St Johns Theatre for a special event. As part of his visit, Minister ODonovan announced a funding award of 25,000 to Listowel Writers Week in recognition of its enduring contribution to literature and community engagement. He said the Listowel Writers Week team work seamlessly to combine local literary life with overseas writers of renown. The minister added that such a system succeeds in bringing people together to enjoy the written word in all its forms. I am always heartened by the level of community participation and support involved in making this event happen on the ground, and I commend all those involved, said Minister ODonovan. The Chairman of Listowel Writers Week Ned OSullivan warmly welcomed the ministers remarks and financial support, adding that the organisers of Irelands oldest festival are truly grateful for the ongoing support of Listowel Writers Week. This magnificent funding award recognises the importance of our work. Minister ODonovans encouragement for the arts and engagement with communities like ours is deeply appreciated and helps sustain our efforts year after year, he said. The 2025 Listowel Literary Festival was a collaborative initiative with Kerry Writers Museum, and St Johns Theatre & Arts Centre. The festival concluded on Sunday with the organisers satisfied that this years festival was a huge success with numbers up on many events. The PSNI said two men had been arrested (Niall Carson/PA) The close-knit community on the Cooley peninsula in north Louth is in shock at the news that the man who sustained serious head injuries on the Edenappa Road, Jonesborough, South Armagh, has died. The deceased was a 42-year-old builder from Lordship. He had been taken to Craigavon Hospital, Co Armagh, where he had been placed on life support following the incident in the early hours of Saturday May 31. The PSNI have said that a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course and that the investigation is ongoing. Three men aged 27, 34 and 42, were arrested in connection with the investigation but were all released on bail to allow for further enquiries. Detectives have renewed their appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with the investigation to contact the Ardmore Police Station, Newry quoting reference CW 35 31/05/25. Alternatively, they can also make a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (from Northern Ireland) or online at crimestoppers-uk.org . The PSNI said two men had been arrested (Niall Carson/PA) Today's news in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 This story was updated at 14:30 with a correction to the age of the deceased. The Childrens Books of Mayo Map to be launched at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar More than 50 childrens books written, illustrated or inspired by Mayo people and places will be showcased at Cruinniu na nOg later this week. June 7 will see the launch of The Childrens Books of Mayo Map in the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar at 2pm. Led by Mayo County Library and Mayo County Councils Culture and Creativity Team, with the support of local authors, illustrators, publishers, and booksellers, the map aims to celebrate the unique literary landscape of Mayo and inspire children to visit their local libraries, discover new books, and explore the places that inspired these books. Local artist Melanie Whelan was commissioned to design and illustrate the Childrens Books of Mayo Map. The launch of the map will include an exhibition called Islands of Imagination showcasing the characters created by children during a series of workshops held across Mayo in the lead-up to the launch. Ms Whelan, who led the workshops, described the Childrens Books of Mayo Map as a dream project. Austin Vaughan, County Librarian and Creative Ireland Coordinator, Mayo County Council, described the project as a great way to celebrate the stories inspired by Mayo, and talent from Mayo. Cruinniu na nOg is a national day celebrating the creativity of young people, with events taking place around the country. Follow Independent Mayo on Facebook A range of other creative activities and book readings will take place at in the National Museum of Ireland at 11.30am to 4pm to coincide with the launch of The Childrens Books of Mayo Map. 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 Pictured at Skillnet Ireland's regional roadshow event, in the AIM Centre Sligo are (L-R) Maria Walsh, MidlandsNorth-West MEP; Frank Feighan, Sligo-Leitrim TD; Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD; and Mark Jordan Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland. Photo: James Connolly Research has revealed that almost half (47%) of businesses in Irelands North West will require digital upskilling for their workforce in the next two to three years. A recent research report from Skillnet Ireland entitled Irelands Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, authored by Ipsos B&A, shows a strong demand for upskilling among businesses in Irelands North West, with a particular focus on digitalisation and the green economy. Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, attended a Skillnet Ireland regional roadshow event at the AIM Centre in Sligo. Speaking at the event, Minister Harkin said: This important research from Skillnet Ireland offers crucial insights into the changing needs of the North Wests business landscape. It is evident that digital and sustainability skills will be key drivers of future growth. Addressing these challenges requires a strong, collaborative approach. By working in partnership with industry, we can support businesses across the region to have access to the talent, skills, and innovation they need to succeed. The findings in the report will inform Skillnet Irelands strategic commitment to the regional development of businesses facing an increasingly digital future, and a low-carbon and sustainable economy, as well as aiming to bolster foreign direct investment through a focus on talent development. Annually, over 1,100 businesses located in the North West participate in upskilling programmes with over 50 Skillnet Business Networks nationwide, some of which are located in the in the region, including Retail Ireland Skillnet, Rural Enterprise Skillnet Sligo Chamber Skillnet and Tech NorthWest Skillnet. Mark Jordan, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, said: Our findings for the North West are reflective of national trends. Irish businesses are ambitious and resilient but staying competitive in a rapidly evolving economy requires continuous investment in talent. At Skillnet Ireland, we recognise that upskilling and training are strategic drivers of innovation and growth. We are committed to partnering with industry to support companies to focus on talent development that is future-focused and closely aligned with business needs. The research, part of the national talent development agencys Irelands Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, highlights the upskilling demands of companies in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal to remain competitive in Irelands rapidly evolving digital and green economy. Follow Independent Leitrim on Facebook 91% of businesses surveyed in the North West regard their business as strong or very strong, while 59% expect a change in their core skills in the next two to three years. A quarter (26%) of businesses in the North West said they will need sustainability upskilling for their workforce in the coming years. Energy efficiency (79%), innovation and creativity (71%), and sustainable supply chain management (64%) top the list of climate action skills needed by local enterprises, while digital skills such as Microsoft Office proficiency (80%), cloud computing (63%), and Internet of Things (63%) are in particularly high demand. Despite the appetite for upskilling, the research also notes that time constraints are a significant barrier for businesses in the region, with over half (53%) of businesses citing time commitments as a major obstacle to employee development. The Skillnet Ireland Irelands Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, authored by Ipsos B&A, has built on the inaugural Irelands Talent Landscape study of last year. The Irelands Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report is available to view at https://www.skillnetireland.ie/insights/irelands-talent-landscape-2025 The new revised policy was implemented on the 29 May and is being promoted through the use of indoor and outdoor signage, audio messaging at the main entrance and the ED entrance and visual messaging on screens. New signage has been erected across the grounds of the hospital which helps to highlight the requirements at some of the highest traffic areas of the hospital. Information and support stands were also positioned in the main foyer of the hospital to highlight the new policy, negative impacts of smoking on health and promote the benefits of smoking cessations. This initiative underscores the hospitals dedication to a healthy environment and illustrates the hospitals ongoing journey to being a smoke and vape-free campus with the aim of preventing tobacco-related illness and promoting overall wellness within the community. 1 in 2 smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease. Every week, over 100 people die and over 1,000 people are hospitalised in Ireland from smoking-related illness. The hospital is applying a zero tolerance approach to smoking on hospital grounds and is seeking the support of the local community to help achieve this. This is in the interest of the health and wellbeing of both the hospital community and the wider Sligo population. All patients, visitors and staff are expected to comply with Sligo University Hospitals Tobacco Free Campus Policy while on site. Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager at Sligo University Hospital said: Our mission is to support the health and well-being of every individual who walks through our doors. Reinforcing a tobacco-free campus is not only a reflection of our values, but it also sets a powerful example for the community we serve. Providing a smoke free environment and having no designated space to smoke on campus sends a clear message that this hospital is committed to protecting and promoting the health of our patients, staff and all who visit. Smoking actively harms patients and while I strongly believe in a zero tolerance to smoking on the grounds of SUH, the team and I here want this approach to be supportive and positive. We have included access to support information on our signage and also for our patients, including replacement therapies while an inpatient. I am urging everyone in the Sligo community to support this campaign in order to minimise the harm that smoking causes people who visit our hospital. Our goal is to bring about a significant shift that will benefit the health and well-being of the larger Sligo community for many years to come. Dr Diarmaid Hughes, Cardiologist at Sligo University Hospital added: The most preventable cause of illness and death is smoking. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It damages the lining of your arteries, raises blood pressure, reduces oxygen in your blood, and dramatically increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Quitting smoking is the single most effective step you can take to protect your heart and improve your overall health. Second hand smoke is not just an inconvenience, it can increase your risk of developing illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. Hospitals are meant to be places for recovery. As medical professionals, we should do everything in our ability to keep people well, including helping patients manage chronic illnesses and injuries and assisting them in recovering from illnesses. All of these goals are undermined by smoking anywhere close to the hospital grounds. We aim to de-normalise tobacco use and support people to quit smoking. Patients, visitors and staff in Sligo University Hospital have a legal right to a smoke-free environment. Morna OHanlon, Health Promotion and Improvement Officer, Sligo University Hospital added: Reinforcing the Tobacco Free Campus Policy in SUH is key to achieving a health promoting environment and SUH is committed to supporting patients and staff who wish to quit smoking by providing access to smoking cessation supports on-site in line with the HSE QUIT service. This service can double your chances of quitting smoking by providing one to one behavioural support and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help manage cigarette cravings and withdrawals. Its never too late to quit smoking and the HSE QUIT service is here to help." Pictured are Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassadors, Miriam OCallaghan and Jenny McCarthy with Mary Horkan from North West Hospice. North West Hospice Charity has announced that Hospice Sunflower Days is returning for its 35th year with the on-street collection taking place on Thursday, 5th June and Friday, 6th June 2025. Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassadors, Miriam OCallaghan and Jenny McCarthy, were on hand to officially launch this years campaign. As well as the on-street collection, the public can also support North West Hospice Charity by donating online throughout the month of June at www.sunflowerdays.ie. Every euro raised locally, stays locally and the donation will go directly to North West Hospice. The funds raised play a role in supporting the delivery of specialist palliative care in communities across Ireland. Hospice and specialist palliative homecare services provide free-of-charge care and support to those living with a life-limiting illness, whilst also helping and supporting the patients family members. The funds raised will play a role in supporting the delivery of specialist palliative care in communities across Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan. Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Hospice Sunflower Days campaign, Mary Horkan, Fundraising and Communications Manager, North West Hospice said: Were absolutely delighted to kick off the 35th Hospice Sunflower Days campaign. The generosity and support we continue to receive from our local communities means the world to us. This June, were encouraging everyone across Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, and West Cavan to give what they canwhether in person or online. Every euro raised stays in the local area, helping to provide vital care and support where its needed most. Your kindness truly makes a difference. Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador, Miriam OCallaghan, commented, The Hospice Sunflower Days campaign is one I am absolutely delighted to support as I have seen firsthand the fantastic work and care that hospices and homecare services provide to patients and families all across the country. With hospices needing to raise approximately 20 million each year to continue to provide their specialist care, it is so important for the public to show their support by donating on-street or on-line during this years campaign. People can support North West Hospice Charity by donating to the on-street volunteers on Thursday, 5th or Friday, 6th June, or by donating online throughout the month of June via the website, www.sunflowerdays.ie Enniscorthy Community College student Katie Nolan beamed with pride after her essay was highly commended in the Leinster category in the Oireachtas Essay Competition. The competition is open to students in the senior cycle, TY, fith and sixth, and encourages young people to explore politics in an original and though-provoking way. It was devised by Independent NUI Senator Ronan Mullen with the support of the Ceann Comhairles Office and the Oireachtas Education Unit. Hundreds of students across the country submitted essays in Irish and English on the theme Parliamentary Politics Liberates / An tSaoirse agus an Pholaitiocht Pharlaiminteach in reverence of the 250th Anniversary of the birth of The Liberator, Daniel OConnell. Presenting the prizes, Deputy O Fearghail said that greater engagement by young people with the political system was vital for the health of our democracy and for our ability to overcome the many challenges we face at home and abroad. We are delighted with the growing support for Aiste an Oireachtas with a significant increase this year in the number of entries received, says Senator Mullen, the Competition Convenor. Since Aiste an Oireachtas began in 2022, we have had registrations and entries from almost half the secondary schools on the island of Ireland (47 per cent). It is clear that schools recognise the importance of getting students to think about our democracy and the need to work it for the common good. It was a vibrant day out for all involved as Polska Eire held an event at the Civic Square Gorey on Thursday, May 22. Polska Eire is a nationwide event which celebrates the cultural exchange and integration between the Irish and Polish communities in Ireland. Polska Eire started in north Wexford 10 years ago, when Gorey library was contacted by the Polish Embassy to organise an event. After this first gathering, a group who were in attendance connected and decided to continue with the celebrations. Speaking after the festival in Gorey, organiser Ola Riquet said, "What started as an afternoon in the library turned into this huge thing, which we are very proud of. Its something that was inspired by that afternoon but also by our children. "Back then, our children were very small and some of us were only pregnant but we had a strong feeling that we have this amazing knowledge and heritage in us and we want to pass it on to our children. At the same time, we want our children to grow up as Irish citizens and be just a little bit richer because they have the knowledge from their parents. Gorey PL Group at the Polska Eire Event at The Civic Square Gorey. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench In the years since then, the group have held many more events, taking part in the Polska Eire festival and creating other events for Irish and Polish people to get involved with. For the last two years, the group has gathered at Gorey Library every two weeks to introduce Polish legends to children. English speaking children are invited alongside Polish speaking children to listen to the legends of Poland. Its very interactive and we do arts and crafts to do with the legends. We dress up sometimes and make puppets. We have beautiful decorations that we painted, said Ola. The group have also brought Polish music to Gorey, combining Polish music with traditional Irish music from the area. Among the events, are art exhibitions and screenings of Polish films at Gorey Cinema. On another special occasion, a delegation from Gorey travelled to Poland. Wexford holidaymakers caught in 5.8 magnitude Turkey earthquake describe chaos Declan Roche was enjoying a relaxing break with his wife Mary and daughter Kenzie in Fethiye when violent shaking and emergency alarms jolted them awake at 2am Declan Roche with his wife Mary and daughter Kenzie pictured just hours before a powerful earthquake hit Turkey, where they were on holiday. Padraig Byrne Wexford People Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 15:28 A Wexford man has described the moment that a family holiday descended into chaos after a powerful 5.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Turkey. Arklow writer Jillian Godsil has received national acclaim as one of the featured writers in the new RTE Radio 1 series The Prompt, with her story, A World Without Me Is Now Impossible, to air as part of the programmes third episode on June 8, at 7.30 pm. Selected from hundreds of submissions to feature on the show, which aims to bring bold, new voices to a wide radio audience, Jillians self-narrated piece explores the theme of digital identity and twin technology. An author and journalist, Jillian joined the Arklow Writers Group in 2024 shortly after moving to the town. The group, which meets regularly at Arklow Library under the guidance of local literary legend Noline Foley, has become a vital space for creativity, encouragement, and shared craft. I will be thrilled to hear my story on the radio, Jillian said. But honestly, it wouldnt have existed without the support and inspiration of the Arklow Writers Group. There is something really powerful about writing alongside others who are also pouring their hearts into their work. The Arklow Writers Group has grown into a vibrant community of emerging and established writers, currently preparing to publish their second anthology of fiction, stories, and poetry this summer. The collection is sponsored by the Arklow Bay Hotel, Hudson Concrete and the Arklow Library and reflects the range and talent of writers living in and around the town. Our aim has always been to support local writers in finding their voice and reaching wider audiences, said Noline, who has been leader of the group since its formation. Jillians recognition by RTE is a proud moment for all of us. It shows that talent nurtured at a local level can truly shine nationally. For a group rooted in a small coastal town, the Arklow Writers Group continues to punch well above its weight, nurturing talent and giving voice to a growing literary scene in Wicklow and beyond. With new national recognition and another publication on the way, their momentum shows no sign of slowing. In addition to publishing anthologies together, many of the Arklow Writers Group have enjoyed individual successes. Mary Dillon has published two books, with David Kenny recently winning a prize at the Carlow College Student Literary Awards. He has had work published in various journals and is also working on a novella, a short story collection, and a poetry pamphlet. Peter Pienaar has written four books and is busy with two novellas, while Pete Malone has no less than three books in progress, and Elaine Byrne has written one childrens book and plans a further trilogy. Miriam Murphy enjoys short stories and splendid titles, including Broken Crayons still colour, while Jillian has self-published several books, and her most recent novella is being published by Book.io. Noline is the recipient of Irish Writers Centre mentorship and was shortlisted for the Irish Times short story competition, as well as being the six-word story queen in the Independent. A report on the economic and business impact of the closure of the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk has been researched and written by a prominent economist, as the popular trail faces into another summer of being ruled unsafe by the local authority. The report, by Jim Power, was launched in Greystones Sailing Club on Tuesday, June 3, by the community group, Friends of the Cliff Walk. Using national and international economic models, including Failte Ireland data, as well as information from local businesses, the report has found that the closure, now in its fifth year, has cost the national economy tens of millions of euro in lost revenue, with a corresponding negative financial impact on Wicklow, and on Greystones in particular. The report also shows how the closure runs counter to Wicklow County Council's own policies and objectives, including access to a public right of way, as well as national goals relating to exercise, fitness and combatting obesity. Jim Power is economic advisor to the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and a former advisor to both Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks. He teaches at Dublin City University and the Smurfit Business School, and is a regular media commentator. Meanwhile, an update was provided on the Cliff Walk at the May meeting of Greystones Municipal District, in which councillors heard that the tender process for a report into the trail, has hit a setback. District manager Marc Devereux advised that because there was a query raised regarding that tender, that query has to be addressed, which resets the clock. While it was hoped that a successful consultant would have been awarded the tender for the report by now, the process has been delayed. Wicklow County Council has two tenders out for the Cliff Walk: one for rockfall stabilisation works to the value of 500,000, and the second to the value of 80,000 for the engineering report. The aim of tender process for the latter is to identify qualified experts to examine issues affecting the trail, and involves a number of key areas, including the condition of the Cliff Walk, the integrity of the rock face along Bray Head, and the identification of all points along the trail that are at risk of collapse. Community remain in a state of shock after a gunman opened fire in the busy Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow Town Counselling services are being offered to those impacted by a shooting in a shopping centre in Carlow Town over the weekend. The HSE have confirmed they are continuing to offer support in the community in response to the traumatic events that occurred at Fairgreen Shopping Centre on Sunday evening, June 1. Terrified shoppers fled the busy shopping centre in the heart of Carlow Town after gunman, Evan Fitzgerald (22), opened fire on Sunday evening. Fitzgerald, who was on bail for firearms offences, was declared dead at the scene after taking his own life. Investigators dont believe he intentionally tried to harm anyone else. A nine-year-old child suffered a leg injury during the terrifying ordeal while trying to run away. The Carlow community remains in a state of shock following the incident. Forensic investigators at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow following a shooting incident on Sunday evening. Niall Carson/ PA wire Today's news in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 On Wednesday June 4, HSE Dublin and South East psychology staff will be available in the Carlow Primary Care Centre at Shamrock Plaza in Carlow Town between 9am and 5pm for counselling services. Anyone impacted by the incident is welcome to attend. To reserve a slot you can call 056 773 2000 or call into the HSE reception on the second floor of the Carlow Primary Care Centre. Speaking at the scene of the shooting on Sunday evening, eyewitnesses recalled seeing a man with a gun and hearing a number of gunshots 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 to the Irish Independent 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. "It was a miracle that no one else was killed or critically injured." Tiglin chairman Senatory Aubrey McCarthy (right), with board members Rachel Harper and Dr Emmanuel Eguare, at the launch of the charity's 2024 report. Tiglin chairman Senatory Aubrey McCarthy, with Nicola, at the launch of the charity's 2024 report. The chairman of Tiglin, the Wicklow-based charity that addresses addiction, homelessness, and social exclusion, marked the 15th anniversary of the organisation at a special event titled Social Care in Action, at Leinster House, during which the 2024 Annual Report was launched. Senator Aubrey McCarthy marked the milestone with a reminder of how a small group of us came together to create an organisation dedicated to helping those facing addiction and homelessness with dignity, and described 2024 as both busy and impactful. In his message, he pointed to huge challenges in the early part of the year, when, in February, the demand for homeless services surged at Tiglin's Lighthouse homeless cafe, in Dublin. "Despite limited resources, the team persevered, distributing essentials to those in need, he said. He was rewarded personally for his endeavours when he was bestowed with the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year award, in May, something he modestly described as a true team effort. This was followed in June, when he was both surprised and delighted to be presented with the RDS Lifetime Achievement Award. From a challenging start, the year ended on a hugely positive note, with the organisation benefitting from a 1.4m grant to enhance women's recovery facilities, in September, followed by the October purchase of the Loreto convent in Bray. CEO Phil Thompson called the acquisition of the Bray facility remarkable, and noted how the site, currently home to around 40 Ukrainian nationals, opens new possibilities for Tiglin to address housing and healthcare needs for vulnerable populations. "Looking ahead, we are excited to collaborate with Wicklow County Council and other state bodies to unlock the full potential of this site, he said. The event, on Thursday, May 22, was hosted by Senator McCarthy, who was recently appointed to the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Local Government, and showcased the charitys impactful and life-changing work across the country. The report itself outlines a year of intense activity and growing need. In 2024 alone, Tiglins frontline Lighthouse Cafe served over 100,000 hot meals an indicator of the deepening crisis of homelessness and hardship in Ireland. Social Care in Action brought together members of the Oireachtas, frontline workers, service users, and supporters. It offered a rare opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from those working on, and affected by, the realities of Irelands social care landscape. A central theme was the role of lived experience in shaping effective national policy, particularly in the areas of addiction recovery, housing, and reintegration. Among the speakers were Tiglin graduates Paul and Nicola, who shared powerful personal stories of transformation. Nicola reflected on her past. My main goal for the day used to be just to drink. That was it. And saying it now, its heartbreaking, she said. Nicola was a participant in RTEs riveting three-part documentary in April, Hooked, hosted by Dr Brian Pennie. She was in the latter stages of treatment for alcohol addiction at Tiglins Womens Centre in Greystones, and recounted how her days were shaped by addiction. These days, as part of Tiglins reintegration programme, shes working in the bakery at the Rise coffee shop, while studying and slowly rebuilding herself as she strives to dip back into reality and to life. Meanwhile, Paul, who also spoke at the launch, described how his life has too changed: Right now, in the community, Im not Paul the addict anymore, he said. Im just Paul. People dont know my past unless I tell them. And for the first time, I see a future one where I give back and help others find their way too. Today, Tiglin operates across seven locations, offering rehabilitation, supported housing, education, youth outreach, and community employment programmes. All of its work is grounded in a holistic, person-centred approach of restoration and dignity. The 2024 Annual Report highlights some remarkable outcomes for the organisation, including: A Wicklow TD is calling on the Government to expand Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing a 1,516-acre site that is currently on the market. The lands are subject to grazing rights and run in a large open hill from Aghavannagh towards Lugnaquilla and comprise heather, rough grazing and some bog, with its boundary being the River Ow. There sale also involves c. 8.62 acres adjoining the Aughrim to Aghavannagh Road, situated beside the public road and is rough grazing land, suitable for forestry or grazing purposes, as well as c. 0.61 acre of enclosed land, with both sites in Farbreaga, Ballinacor South. The holding is being sold fee simple with a price available on application. The land borders the River Ow and lies adjacent to existing public lands. Deputy John Brady believes Its acquisition would significantly enhance the ecological integrity and recreational value of the national park. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect and restore a vital part of Wicklows natural heritage. Bringing this land into public ownership would not only safeguard biodiversity and support climate resilience but also open up new possibilities for sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation, he said. Deputy Brady has written to Minister of State Christopher OSullivan, urging the department to explore the purchase of these lands. He emphasised the strategic importance of this site, which adjoins existing public lands and could service as a critical ink in expanding the national park. He added: The people of Wicklow and visitors alike cherish our wild landscapes. By acting now, the government can ensure that this iconic area is preserved for future generations. The area lies adjacent to the Glen of Imaal, home to the Defence Forces largest live fire training range. While military use is strictly regulated, Colm Farrell of Farrell Auctioneers, Valuers and Estate Agents Limited believes that the Aghavannagh lands offer a vital, publicly accessible complement to nearby defence lands, with unmatched potential for conservation, outdoor recreation, and heritage interpretation. He stated: It would be a serious loss to see this unique landscape restricted or developed for private or commercial use. This land belongs with the people, as part of a thriving national park system that celebrates and protects Irelands natural beauty and cultural memory. Its holding everything up to treat some of the most vulnerable people in society this way is scandalous, said chair of St Catherines Association, Brendan Whelan Major plans St Catherines Association have for a new state-of-the-art administration centre, adult day centre and respite centre are being held up according to the association chair, as they are still awaiting close to 16 million approved through the governments Immigrant Investment Programme (IIP). The IIP offered investors and their families residency visas, called immigration permissions, in Ireland in return for investing large sums of money in projects. The programme opened in 2012 and mostly consisted of Chinese investors. The fund was closed in February of 2023. In June of 2022, St Catherines Association received planning permission for the construction of a two-storey administration centre, single storey adult day centre, respite centre incorporating four accommodation units at lands associated with the Holy Faith Convent in Kilcoole. However, they still cant access the IIP which was due to cover the cost of the works. Chair of the St Catherines Association, Brendan Whelan, said: Its holding everything up and the irony is we are putting in facilities that the state should be putting in place anyway, and an organ of the state, the Department of Justice, are taking no accountability on the speedy delivery of the fund. He said in his opinion to treat some of the most vulnerable people in society this way is scandalous. Initially, St Catherines Association put in an application for the IIP project so the Department of Justice could determine if they met the criteria. The overall fund pot of 16 million, which was due to be scheduled in two phases, starting with around 5.5 million for phase one, followed by the remainder in phase two, involving up to 40 donors. St Catherines Association have so far received just 400,000 in October of 2023, which was spent on preliminary works, such as the cost of architects. In February, the Department of Justice requested some information from St Catherines Association over an audit they were due to carry out, and were furnished with bank balances and invoices. Chair of the St Catherines Association, Brendan Whelan. It was all very straight forward and we provided all the information on February 26, detailing how we had spent most of the 400,000. From our interaction with the department, it doesnt seem that they have accessed the audit yet, added Mr Whelan. He added: We have big plans for St Catherines Association. The adult day care centre will give an opportunity to train and upskill adults who have finished school. We also have plans for a training and admin centre, as we currently operate out of the old nurses houses in the psychiatric hospital in Newcastle, which isnt ideal. We also plan to construct a respite centre just to provide some form of respite for local families. "There are also plans for a brand new school, which is separate and funded by the department. We arent the only project being held up but it is becoming increasingly frustrating the longer every thing drags on. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore has lent her support, and raised the issue with Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy Colm Brophy, during a Dail Eireann debate on Thursday. Deputy Whitmore stated: A charity in my home constituency of Wicklow, St. Catherine's Association, does incredible work. It is a voluntary association and has worked with children and young adults with intellectual disabilities for many years. It is an invaluable service for hundreds of families across and outside the county. It ensures that each child and young adult can meet their full potential and are fully included in and feel part of their community. The work the association does is so important. It is trying to expand its functions. It has planned and has approval for building an adult day centre, an administrative and training unit and four respite homes. This will increase the valuable services it provides. It applied for immigrant investor programme, IIP, funding in April 2022 and, three years later, still has not received it. As the Minister of State can imagine, that is causing huge difficulties for the charity. It has done all of the work and has the plans and designs in place. Planning permission has been granted. The diggers are ready, the land is available but the association has still not received any information from the department on when the funding will be provided. In July last year, the association was told it could finally access the donor funds, which is quite a significant sum, in the hundreds of thousands. Despite being told that, there is still no sign of the money. The association is becoming very worried at this point. There are 250 children and their families relying on St. Catherine's for services. It provides a function that in most countries would be provided by the government. Because of this we should absolutely pull out all the stops to make sure it can provide the best service that it can, with all the support it requires from the state. In reply, Deputy Brophy said: In general terms, I can inform Deputy Whitmore that my department does not receive or hold funds at any stage in the IIP process, nor does it have any role in the administration of an approved project or investment fund. This is a private matter between a potential investor, or investors, and a potential project concerned. Approval of an application under the IIP is not an endorsement of a particular project. What it means is that the investor has been approved and the investment meets the objectives of the IIP. "The applicant in the IIP process is the investor and not the project owner. The State has no responsibility for the performance of an investment under the programme. This is a matter for the project owner to ensure delivery of an approved project within the timeframe set out in its business plan. Deputy Whitmore labelled the response as incredibly disappointing. She stated: It is also very confusing. In one part the Minister of State said it is a private matter between a potential investor and the project concerned and that, essentially, he has nothing to do with the administration of it. In another part, he said the immigrant investor programme was first introduced by the government and directed us to the department's immigration service website for information on it. "Clearly there is a role here for the government. Clearly the government set it up and facilitated it. The government has a responsibility to those charities which, as I said, are providing a service that the government is unable to, or will not, provide to ensure those charities, which applied in good faith for this programme under the auspices of the government, get the money they are due. No one can accuse Stephen Greenan of lacking a sense of adventure having lived in Singapore for 15 years, cycled across America and Portugal and operated a surf school in Sri Lanka. Now the Co Wicklow native from Seasons Park in Newtownmountkennedy is turning his attention to what could potentially be his biggest challenge yet as he is due to undertake a row, unassisted by sails or engines, across the Pacific. Theres just once catch Stephen had never rowed before signing up to the event. Conservative Karol Nawrocki won Polands weekend presidential run-off election, according to the final vote count yesterday. Mr Nawrocki won 50.89pc of votes in a very tight race against liberal Warsaw mayor Rafa Trzaskowski, who received 49.11pc. 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. Russia lays out punitive terms at peace talks with Ukrainians in Istanbul Another POW exchange also agreed in meeting that lasted less than an hour A serviceman of the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fires a 2S7 Pion self-propelled gun toward Russian positions in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters Vladimir Soldatkin Reuters Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 03:30 Russia told Ukraine at peace talks yesterday that it would only agree to end the war if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army, according to a memorandum reported by Russian media. 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. (Acting Governor of the Kursk Region Alexander Khinshtein via AP) Indias Climate Finance Taxonomy in 2025: An Overview India is advancing its green finance strategy with the rollout of a Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy, aiming to align investments with its net zero 2070 target. The taxonomy provides a structured framework to guide capital toward credible climate solutions while preventing greenwashing. With rising mitigation and adaptation flows, growing private sector participation, and stronger regulatory support, the evolving green finance landscape presents new opportunities for businesses, investors, and MSMEs across sectors like clean energy, transport, and agriculture. India has pledged to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070 and meet its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2030. These include reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP and expanding non-fossil fuel energy, meeting these goals will demand an estimated US$2.5 trillion in climate finance. To accelerate progress, India unveiled a Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy in the Union Budget FY 202425. Developed by the Department of Economic Affairs, this taxonomy lays out criteria for identifying climate-relevant activities and channels capital into low-carbon sectors. It also aims to prevent greenwashing by providing a common, science-based framework for public and private stakeholders. The taxonomy outlines both mitigation and adaptation priorities, promote indigenous innovation, and offers a structured approach to financing hard-to-abate sectors. By aligning financial flows with national climate goals, the taxonomy is expected to unlock investments opportunities and expand scope for businesses across clean energy, transport, real estate, and agriculture sector. The NDCs is Indias climate action commitments under the Paris Agreement. In its updated submission in 2022, India pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2030. It also committed to sourcing 50 percent of its total installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear. Indias draft climate finance taxonomy: Blueprint for green investment The draft climate finance taxonomy sets four core objectives: Support climate mitigation, Strengthen adaptation capacity, Enable the transition of hard-to-abate sectors, and Prevent greenwashing. The framework follows principles to ensure credibility and impact. It aims to unlock capital, support innovation, and align investment with Indias Net Zero pathwaycreating clear opportunities across clean energy, transport, real estate, and agriculture. Under the implementation blueprint, India will apply qualitative criteria to broadly define climate-aligned activities. Over time, the taxonomy will adopt quantitative thresholdsfor example, specific emissions savingsto bring more precision and accountability to climate finance classification. The taxonomy classifies activities into two main categories: Climate-supportive activities : These include projects that reduce emissions, deploy adaptation solutions, or contribute to climate goals through research and innovation. Tier 1 includes activities that directly avoid emissions, such as renewable energy. Tier 2 includes those that lower emissions intensity with clear pathways for improvement. : These include projects that reduce emissions, deploy adaptation solutions, or contribute to climate goals through research and innovation. Climate transition activities: These refer to projects in sectors where low-emission alternatives are not yet viable. The taxonomy provides a pathway for these sectors to decarbonize over time without disrupting their economic function. This structure aims to direct public and private investment toward credible, measurable, and impactful climate solutions across Indias economy. Sectoral landscape in 2024: Leading green finance flows In FY 2021-22, Indias green finance reached INR 3.7 trillion (approximately US$50 billion), marking a 20 percent increase from FY 2019-20. This growth reflects stronger investment in clean technologies and the governments expanding support for low-carbon development. Among mitigation sectors: Clean energy accounted for the largest share, drawing 47 percent of tracked finance. Energy efficiency followed with 35 percent, targeting industrial upgrades and building retrofits. Clean transportation, including electric mobility and infrastructure, captured the remaining 18 percent. Adaptation finance has also seen significant progress, nearly tripling since FY 2019/20. Most of this capital (98 percent) comes from domestic sources, with multilateral development banks contributing a small but growing share. Key focus areas include: Disaster risk management (42 percent of adaptation flows), Flood and cyclone mitigation (32 percent), and On-farm adaptation in agriculture (24 percent), signaling increased attention to climate-resilient farming. The taxonomy identifies power, mobility, and buildings as priority sectors for both mitigation and adaptation benefits. These sectors are central to Indias energy transition, urban development, and emissions reduction strategy. Agriculture, which contributes 16 percent to GDP and employs over 46 percent of the workforce, is another critical area. Its high exposure to climate risks and its importance to rural livelihoods make it a key target for adaptation finance. Investment in resilient infrastructure, irrigation, and sustainable farming practices is expected to rise under the taxonomys guidance. These sectoral shifts indicate growing alignment between capital flows and Indias climate goals, with significant opportunities for public-private collaboration and technology deployment. Key stakeholders and enabling ecosystem Indias green finance ecosystem is supported by a mix of public institutions, private sector leadership, and a growing set of financial instruments and regulatory frameworks. Public institutions role in policy framework The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a sovereign green bond framework, green deposits, and priority lending norms to encourage sustainable investment. Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has expanded its oversight through ESG fund regulation and mandatory reporting under the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework. Green lending is also led by key public financial institutions: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which channel significant funding to renewable energy, rural infrastructure, and clean technology projects. Private sector driving capital and innovation Private firms in the country are well-positioned to leverage the taxonomy, particularly in sectors such as green mobility and construction. Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, clean tech developers, and fintech platforms are actively driving innovation in project execution, financing models, and risk-sharing mechanisms. Expanding financial instruments Indias green finance market continues to diversify. Key instruments include the following: Sovereign and corporate green bonds, ESG-themed mutual funds, Priority sector lending to green segments, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for clean manufacturing, and FAME subsidies supporting the adoption of electric vehicles. These tools help reduce financing costs and support scale-up of sustainable infrastructure. Ensuring credibility and market confidence Indian regulators have tightened disclosure requirements and broadened definitions to ensure consistency and reduce greenwashing: SEBIs Green Debt Guidelines standardize green bond issuance and monitoring. The RBIs inclusion of green activities under Priority Sector Lending (PSL) ensures wider credit access. The BRSR framework now applies to Indias top 1,000 listed companies, mandating sustainability reporting and ESG integration. Together, these institutional, financial, and regulatory pillars are building a more mature, transparent, and scalable green finance market in India. Enablers and barriers to green finance growth Indias green finance framework presents a strong foundation, but its success depends on how effectively the country leverages key enablers while addressing structural barriers. One of the most important enablers is technological innovation. Rapid progress in solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles, bioenergy, and small modular reactors is creating new investment pathways. Government programs like the PLI schemes and FAME subsidies have further supported domestic manufacturing and technology adoption. Regulatory clarity is improving through measures such as SEBIs ESG standards and improved disclosure norms, which support investor confidence and reduce greenwashing. However, several challenges continue to exist. Fragmentation across legal, financial, and regulatory systems creates inefficiencies and delays capital deployment. Inconsistent criteria across institutions often complicate compliance and limit private sector participation. Data availability is another critical issue. Many sectorsparticularly agriculture and MSMEslack reliable, real-time emissions or performance data, making it difficult to apply quantitative thresholds or assess outcomes. Additionally, the current taxonomy presents some ambiguity in classifying Tier 2 and transition activities, which can lead to confusion about eligibility. Finally, India needs stronger mechanisms to attract international climate finance. While domestic funding dominates, scaling green investment will require improved access to foreign direct investment, development assistance, and blended finance models. Addressing these gaps is essential to realizing Indias long-term climate finance goals. Implications for businesses and investors The Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy offers meaningful opportunities for businesses and investors across sectors. For companies, especially those in green construction, mobility, agri-tech, and renewable energy, the framework opens up new avenues for climate-aligned investment in India. By clearly defining eligible activities, the taxonomy helps businesses tap into green finance more effectively. It also improves access to subsidized loans, government-backed certification, and streamlined approvals, especially for projects that fall under Tier 1 or transition categories. For investors, the taxonomy provides a much-needed structure to assess risk, measure impact, and align portfolios with ESG principles. It brings greater clarity and transparency to the market, making it easier to identify projects that meet credible climate criteria. Over time, taxonomy-aligned projects may receive preferential treatment from lenders, regulators, or incentive programs, helping investors unlock more stable, long-term returns. A Widow's Game true story: A brand-new film called A Widow's Game was recently released on Netflix, and it's based on a shocking true story. The movie revolves around a woman who pleads not guilty but is actually behind the murder of her husband. The film dropped on OTT a few days ago, and people cant stop talking about it. Many are eager to know more about the real story that inspired the movie, which has quickly become the talk of the town. So, if youve been curious too, lets dive in. A Widows Game cast Carmen Machi plays Inspector Eva, Tristan Ulloa plays Salva, and Ivana Baquero plays Maje in A Widow's Game. It has been directed by Carlos Sedes. A Widows Game true story Netflixs A Widows Game draws inspiration from this infamous real-life case, widely known in Spain as La Viuda Negra de Patraix (The Black Widow of Patraix). In the film, the character Maje is based on Maria Jesus Moreno, her murdered husband Arturo represents Antonio Navarro, and Salvador Rodrigo is portrayed as the lover-turned-killer. In August 2017, 36-year-old engineer Antonio Navarro Cerdan was found brutally stabbed in a garage in Valencia, Spain. Homicide detective Eva led the investigation and quickly grew suspicious of Antonios wife, Maria Jesus Moreno known as Maje after inconsistencies emerged in her story. As detectives dug deeper, they uncovered Majes double life, she was involved in several affairs and had manipulated her boyfriend Salvador Rodrigo into murdering her husband. A woman like Maje (A Widow's Game) is a curse on any man. I'm one hour in, and I'm so pissed. This story could be good for a crime investigation documentary Black Coffee (@LoladeNetti) June 1, 2025 Maje had provided Salvador with detailed information about Antonios routines and granted him access to the garage where the attack took place. Initially, Salvador claimed he acted alone in order to save Maje, but he later said that Maje was indeed involved in the whole case and she made him do it. What happened to Maje and Salvador? In 2019, Maje was sentenced to 22 years in prison, while Salvador was handed a 17-year sentence. Where is Maje from A Widows Game now? As reported by TIME, Maje is currently serving her 22-year sentence at Fontcalent Prison in Alicante, Spain. During her incarceration, she became pregnant by another inmate and gave birth while in police custody in July 2023. She now resides in the prisons mother-child unit. Where to watch A Widows Game? You can stream A Widows Game on Netflix. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. After the drama of the Nurses' Ball, the focus now shifts to Michael and Willow as their divorce hearing begins. While both are clear about wanting to go their separate ways, the real conflict is about their children. Michael (Rory Gibson) and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have different ideas about what's best for Wiley (Viron Weaver) and Amelia (Sequoia & Serenity Mork Macko). Willow believes she should be the sole guardian. But Michael has made it clear he doesnt want Drew (Cameron Mathison) near his children. With that, Michael is also pushing for full custody. As the courtroom showdown unfolds, expect intense emotions, legal tensions, and the possibility of buried secrets coming to light. The outcome could change everything for both parents and their children. Sonny opens up, Trina takes a stand Away from the legal chaos, Sonny (Maurice Benard) finds a moment to speak openly with Jason (Steve Burton). He may be reflecting on his recent discovery that Gio (Giovanni Mazza) is his grandson, or maybe hes revisiting his desire to step away from his criminal ties. Either way, Sonny seems ready for a shift or at least, some honest conversation. Meanwhile, Trina (Tabyana Ali) stands by Josslyn (Eden McCoy), whos caught in the aftermath of securing a lab assistant internship with Professor Dalton (Daniel Goddard). Trina might need to step in and defend her friend, especially if Emma (Braedyn Bruner) or others begin raising questions about how Josslyn landed the opportunity. Ric tightens his grip on Alexis Ric (Rick Hearst) might be Willows attorney during the divorce, but hes also keeping a close eye on Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn). Their past complicates things especially since Alexis might be trying to pull back from a money funneling scheme involving Ric and Ava (Maura West). With suspicions rising after Laura (Genie Francis) noticed irregularities in Aces trust fund, Alexis is likely feeling the pressure. But Ric wont take kindly to her backing off, and he could remind her of the consequences. And just to stir the pot further, Jordan (Tanisha Harper) continues digging into Professor Dalton likely uncovering a link to Sidwell (Carlo Rota), who seems to be playing a larger role in her world. New alliances, courtroom tension, and secrets threaten to change everything in Port Charles this week on General Hospital. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Tuesdays episode of The Bold and the Beautiful promises heavy emotions and rising tension as hearts and promises collide. As past decisions echo through todays conflicts, viewers can expect loyalty, guilt, and shifting emotions to take center stage. The calm before the storm may be over. Finn feels the pull of his heart Although Finn (Tanner Novlan) made a firm commitment to Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) to keep Luna (Lisa Yamada) out of their lives, his feelings dont seem to follow that promise. On the outside, he remains composed and loyal, but deep inside, he is drawn toward Luna. Despite the vow he made, Finn is clearly struggling with his emotions. Will he give in to his heart? Luna points fingersand its all aimed at Steffy Luna continues to feel pushed aside and betrayed. She holds Steffy responsible for her falling out with Finn and all that she has lost in the process. As her frustration builds, so does her need to be heard. With bitterness rising, Luna may not remain calm for much longer. And her connection with Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) could lead her down a more dangerous path. Sheilas role: Truly changed or just playing along? Speaking of Sheila, her intentions remain unclear. Once feared and unpredictable, Sheila now appears calmerperhaps even reformed. But with Luna suggesting removing Steffy from the equation, Sheilas next move remains a mystery. Will she support Lunas emotional spiral, or will she resist returning to her old ways? As feelings intensify and bonds are tested, hearts may betray promises. Tuesday's episode could leave someone brokenor someone gone for good. Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway: The much-awaited final stretch of the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway will open on June 5, 2025. This major infrastructure project is set to transform road travel in Maharashtra by cutting the travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from 16 hours to just 8 hours. The expressway is also known as Samruddhi Mahamarg and is one of the longest and fastest highways in India. Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway Travel Time Reduced to 8 Hours With the opening of the final 76-km stretch between Igatpuri (Nashik) and Amane (Thane), travelers will now be able to cover the 701-km distance at high speeds of up to 150 km/h. This drastically reduces the previous travel time and makes road travel more comfortable. Key Routes and Interchanges on the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway The expressway features three major interchanges located at: Igatpuri Kutghar (Shahapur) Amane (Thane) These interchanges will improve connectivity and make the highway accessible from multiple points. The route passes through 10 districts and over 390 villages, supporting regional development. Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway: Longest Road Tunnel at Kasara Ghat A standout feature of this expressway is the 7.8-km tunnel at Kasara Ghat. It is the longest road tunnel in India. This tunnel replaces the old, winding roads that forced travelers to climb 450 meters through difficult terrain. The tunnel provides a safer and faster route. It cuts down on travel time and easing traffic congestion. Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway: Infrastructure Highlights The Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway is built with modern infrastructure, including: 33 major bridges 274 minor bridges 65 flyovers 6 tunnels This will help in a smooth and uninterrupted travel along the entire stretch, making it a world-class expressway. Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway: Cost and Development The final stretch was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,182 crore. The project was jointly funded by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The government plans to boost economic growth and connectivity between Mumbai and Nagpur through this expressway. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. In a chilling continuation of a disturbing trend, Pakistani TikTok sensation Maryam Faisal has reportedly become the fifth influencer to have her privacy violated through an alleged MMS leak. The video, which surfaced online, shows a woman resembling Faisal in an intimate situation with a male companion. The content quickly gained traction across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp, igniting widespread outrage and concern. After Samiya Hijab, Pakistani TikToker Maryam Faisals MMS leaked | Credit: X Who is Maryam Faisal, whose MMS got leaked Faisal, who boasts over 600,000 followers on TikTok, is celebrated for her engaging lifestyle videos, lip-sync performances, and dance routines. Her sudden immersion into this scandal has sent shockwaves through her fanbase and the broader social media community. After Samiya Hijab, Pakistani TikToker Maryam Faisals MMS leaked | Credit: X This incident follows a troubling pattern of privacy breaches involving Pakistani influencers. The first major case occurred in October 2024, when Minahil Malik's alleged intimate video was leaked, prompting her to temporarily leave social media. Subsequently, Imsha Rehman, Kanwal Aftab, and Mathira Mohammad also found themselves victims of similar invasions of privacy, each facing public scrutiny and personal distress. Pakistani TikTokers MMS leaked The latest leak has intensified discussions about digital privacy and the safety of online personalities. Critics argue that such breaches not only harm the individuals involved but also highlight the vulnerabilities inherent in the digital age. The rapid spread of such content underscores the need for stricter regulations and better protective measures for content creators. Despite the widespread circulation of the video, Faisal has yet to publicly address the situation. Her silence has fueled further speculation and debate online. Supporters and fellow influencers have expressed solidarity, calling for justice and stronger safeguards against online harassment. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the incidents involving Maryam Faisal and her peers serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by social media influencers in protecting their personal lives. The call for enhanced privacy protections and accountability from platforms has never been more urgent. The courtroom drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken a sharp turn, with Lively attempting to walk away from two of the most emotionally charged accusations in her explosive lawsuit. The It Ends With Us star is now seeking to withdraw her claims of both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, just as Baldonis legal team ramped up efforts to access her mental health records. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends with Us | Credit: Netflix Is Blake Lively suffering? The move, revealed in a court filing submitted by Baldonis attorneys on Monday, suggests a strategic pivot by Lively, who originally alleged she suffered severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration, and mental anguish as a result of her experiences working with Baldoni. Heres what Justin Baldonis legal team revealed Baldonis legal team is refusing to let her bow out quietly. They insist that if she wishes to withdraw, it must be with prejudice, meaning the claims cannot be refiled in the future. Otherwise, they argue, Lively is attempting to sidestep the obligation to produce potentially damaging medical evidence, while keeping the door open to revive the claims down the line. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends with Us | Credit: Netflix In a statement summarised from the legal filing, Baldoni's lawyers argued that Lively is trying to have her cake and eat it too, dodging disclosure while preserving litigation ammunition for another day. Justin Baldonis legal stunt Livelys lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, fired back, accusing Baldonis camp of orchestrating a legal stunt. They insist Lively is simply refocusing her lawsuit to reflect stronger claims, including allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation. According to her team, Baldonis countersuit has opened new pathways for damages, making the distress claims redundant. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends with Us | Credit: Netflix However, what remains undisputed is that these claims were central to Livelys original lawsuit filed last December. They formed part of a broader legal melee now involving six separate but related lawsuits. Baldoni is also suing Livelys husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, for $400 million, claiming defamation and extortion. At the heart of this courtroom showdown is a critical question: will the judge compel Lively to reveal deeply personal therapy notes, or allow her to retreat without consequence? With emotions high and stakes higher, the legal spotlight is firmly fixed on what comes next in this tangled Hollywood battle. In a major development, former United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is going to attend the Indian Premier League final mega clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. According to a ToI report, the former UK PM is a big fan of Virat Kohli, and he will be attending the match only to root for the RCB star in Ahmedabad today. However, the report further notes that Sunak has strong personal ties to the city of Bengaluru, which is why he is supporting the Bengaluru franchise. The city is home to his wife, Akshata Murthy, who is the daughter of Narayan Murthy, a co-founder of Infosys. Credit: X | @AussiesArmy Rishi Sunaks love for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and more While speaking to ToI, Sunak said, "I'm married into a Bangalore family, so RCB is my team," adding that he proposed to her in Kannada. Sunak also says his in-laws, Narayan and Sudha Murthy, gifted him an RCB jersey after his wedding to Akshata. However, this is not the only reason why he is a supporter of RCB. He also declared his love for Kohli and finds him to be a total legend. In fact, he has actually been an RCB fan ever since his in-laws gave him an RCB jersey as a wedding present. We used to go to matches a long time ago. Even when I was in office, Id cheer for RCB at Downing Street, he quoted in the report. SUNAK BACKS RCB. - Former UK PM RISHI Sunak has backed RCB to win IPL 2025. (TOI). pic.twitter.com/8b28qapeA9 Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 3, 2025 Rishi Sunak and Virat Kohli Sunak expressed his admiration for the squad, particularly Kohli, proudly showing off a bat signed by Kohli that India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had given him when he was still in government, adding, "He's an absolute legend." But Sunak is not only here to support Virat Kohli; he will also be rooting for RCB, as it has a strong English contingent. I'm also hoping for a big contribution from RCB's English contingent Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone let's bring it home," he is quoted as saying. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. In a tragic and deeply unsettling incident, 17-year-old social media sensation Sana Yousaf was shot dead inside her residence in Islamabads G-13 Sector on Monday night. The teenager, originally from Chitral, had amassed a following of over four million on Instagram and TikTok, becoming one of Pakistans most recognisable young digital influencers. What happened to Sana Yousaf? What began as an ordinary evening at home ended in horror when Sana was allegedly gunned down at point-blank range. According to the Sumbal Police, the attacker entered the house under the guise of being a guest and then opened fire without warning. The teenager was hit twice and died on the spot before emergency services could arrive. Officials stated that Sanas body was transported to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a post-mortem. Meanwhile, the shooter fled the scene immediately, and law enforcement has yet to identify or apprehend a suspect. Early investigations suggest that Sana may have briefly interacted with the gunman outside her home just moments before the shooting. No confirmation about Sana Yousafs death yet Authorities have not officially confirmed the motive, though sources have said that multiple angles are being explored. Investigators are looking into personal disputes, possible online harassment, or even an honour-related motive, though all remain speculative at this stage. Netizens react to Sanas death Sanas violent death has sparked nationwide shock. Across social media platforms, fans and fellow influencers have flooded timelines with grief, anger, and a growing demand for justice. Hashtags like #JusticeForSanaYousaf have been trending, as netizens call for a transparent investigation and swift action. Writer and activist circles have described her killing as a heartbreaking symbol of how unsafe women, and particularly women in the public eye, still are. While her online persona was bright, cheerful, and aspirational, her death has raised alarming questions about the dangers young women face when they dare to be visible. Sana Yousafs rise to fame was meteoric, but her end was devastatingly abrupt. For now, her fans mourn not only the loss of a beloved creator but the haunting silence of a home once filled with laughter and content creation. The search for justice continues. Jey Uso and Sami Zayn teamed up on the latest episode of WWE Raw to take on the powerhouse duo of Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. The match proved to be a competitive affair with both sides giving a good account of their abilities. It, however, ended abruptly as Seth Rollins interfered and hit Jey with a curb-stomp. CM Punk saves Sami Zayn from the assault by Bronson Reed The latest episode of Raw, which came live from Tulsa, saw Bronson Reed return to in-ring competition for the first tim after suffering an injury last year. He teamed up with Bron Breakker to take on Sami Zayn and Jey Uso. The match started with The Badass dominating Jey Uso, The World Heavyweight Champion, however, soon turned the tide and tagged in his Canadian partner. This set the stage for a fierce contest in which the babyfaces kept coming back despite being overpowered by their stronger opponents. The match broke down in the dying moments when Sami Zayn tried to take out Bron and Bronson with an aerial move but failed to pull it off. This prompted The Yeet Master to make the save. Seth then interfered and hit Jey Uso with a curb stomp, causing a disqualification. After this, the heels turned their attention to Sami Zayn. Bronson Reed geared up to hit him with a tsunami through the announce table, which would have put him on the shelf, but Punk made the save. When did Bronson Reed return to WWE programming? Bronson Reed returned to WWE programming at Saturday Nights Main Event and helped Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins beat Punk and Zayn. The Australian powerhouse also cost the Canadian star an opportunity to qualify for the Money in the Bank match last week. Later on tonight's show, Seths faction assaulted Jey Uso, Punk, and Sami Zayn and sent a clear message to the entire roster. Stay ahead of the game with the latest updates, match highlights, and insider stories from IPL, cricket, WWE, and more! Click here WWE Raw results: CM Punk opened the latest episode of WWE Raw with a fiery promo in which he vowed to qualify for the Money in the Bank match. He also issued warnings to the World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso and the Undisputed Champion John Cena. CM Punk puts Jey Uso, John Cena on notice CM Punk started the show with a promo in which he expressed a desire to get gold around his waist again. He then vowed to win the Money in the Bank match and then cash in on either Jey Uso or John Cena. He also took a dig at The Franchise Player for selling his soul to The Rock at Elimination Chamber 2025. Hes publicly enemy number 1 because hes sold his soul to a bald fraud goof. CM Punk on John Cena#WWERAW pic.twitter.com/38NuY0nxvh Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) June 3, 2025 Punk was interrupted by Sami Zayn, who urged him to qualify for the Money in the Bank match and prevent Seth Rollins from winning the contest. He also said that Raw would become a dangerous and different place if the former Shield member won the match. Sami Zayn also informed Punk that he would have a different conversation with him if the match and gunned for gold. The road ahead for CM Punk CM Punk, who is embroiled in a bitter feud with Seth Rollins faction, will be locking horns with El Grande Americano and AJ Styles for an opportunity to qualify for the Money in the Bank match. Seth, on the other hand, has already qualified for the match. He did so by beating Finn Balor and Sami Zayn in a triple-threat match last week on Raw. Besides The Visionary, the likes of LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, Penta, and Andrade are also in the match. The Money in the Bank event will be held this Saturday (June 7). Stephanie Vaquer is heading to Money in the Bank. On her very first night as part of the WWE main roster, the former NXT womens champion defeated Ivy Nile and Liv Morgan in a thrilling triple threat match on RAW to grab the final spot in the womens ladder match this Saturday. RAW opened with a CM Punk promo, but it was Vaquers hype video that turned heads just minutes later. All three women fought with urgency, knowing what was at stake. Liv Morgan nearly stole it early, hitting her signature Codebreaker followed by the Oblivion on Vaquer, but Ivy Nile broke up the pin at the last second. Ivy showed off her power with a massive German suplex on both women. Then the match rolled through a break with non-stop action. Vaquer impressed throughout, landing her signature Devils Kiss move and a dragon screw leg whip on Nile. Stephanie Vaquer overpowers Liv Morgan and Ivy Nile The final few minutes were full of twists. Liv Morgan nailed a double Codebreaker, Ivy tried to steal the win, and Vaquer absorbed it all. Morgan set up for another Oblivion, but Vaquer slipped free. In the chaos, Ivy rushed in, and that is when Vaquer capitalised. She hit the SVB on Ivy Nile and covered her for the three count. Just like that, the newcomer qualified for one of WWEs most unpredictable matches. She now joins Rhea Ripley, Naomi, Giulia, Alexa Bliss, and Roxanne Perez for Saturdays womens Money in the Bank ladder match. For a superstar making her main roster debut, it does not get much bigger than this. Stephanie Vaquer is here, and she made sure everyone took notice. Just when the internet thought it could not get messier, YouTuber and self-help icon Wizard Liz, real name Lize Dzjabrailova, dropped her first Instagram post after accusing her fiance, Landon Nickerson, of cheating, and she did it with grace, a baby bump, and ultrasound clips that melted hearts everywhere. Wizard Liz and Landon Nickerson } Credit: Instagram/wizardliz Wizard Lizs first Instagram post amid cheating drama with Landon Nickerson While the streets of social media are still on fire from last week's bombshell cheating scandal, Liz decided to switch the vibe. Instead of throwing shade or spiralling into public heartbreak, she posted a glowing photo of herself at her ultrasound appointment, smiling, radiant, and completely focused on the little life growing inside her. The caption of her post was, "mommy's biggest blessing." Internet spams Wizard Lizs Instagram comment section with support Cue the internet meltdown. Within minutes, fans were in full-blown protective mode, flooding her comments with heart-melting messages. "You are the most amazing person someone can ever know," one user wrote, while another boldly said, "I want to raise this child with you." Yes, people are ready to step in where Landon stepped out. Wizard Liz and Landon Nickerson } Credit: Instagram/wizardliz What happened between Wizard Liz and Landon Anderson? If you still live under the rock, Liz revealed last week that her fiance had been using a secret Snapchat account to message another woman, while she was four months pregnant. She claimed the alleged side-chick even reached out to her friends with receipts. According to Liz, Nickerson not only called their relationship fake, but left her devastated in London while her cats and belongings remained in their Dallas apartment. Wizard Liz and Landon Nickerson } Credit: Instagram/wizardliz Credit: Instagram Landons deleted Instagram stories Though Landon has since admitted to the betrayal in since-deleted Instagram stories, calling it a moment of weakness, Liz is not having it. She reportedly feels foolish for ignoring red flags and called out men in general for wanting to rule the world but not being able to control their own lust. Credit: Instagram To make her point even clearer, Liz is apparently planning to sell her $100,000 engagement ring. We love a main character moment. And to clear up any tea-spillage from the haters, Liz confirmed that Landon was absolutely single when they got together. Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion Tasos Hatzivasileiou paid a visit to Kiev on June 1 and 2, accompanied by Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Extroversion Dimitris Skalkos, heading a business mission of leading Greek companies. According to a ministry statement, Hatzivasileiou addressed the first Greek-Ukraine Forum taking place after the Russian invasion. The deputy minister reaffirmed Greece's steady support to Ukraine as it defends itself. He referred to Greece's readiness to actively participate in the rebuilding of critical infrastructure of the much-suffering country, especially in the sectors of health energy , and transport. He pointed out the Ukraine's reconstruction may bring mutual benefits and become a model of sustainable recovery. Participating at the Business Forum - organized by the Foreign Affairs Minister and Enterprise Greece in collaboration with the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the European Business Association, and the American Chamber of Commerce - were high-level business officers active in the sectors of energy, networks, security, construction, and infrastructure. In the Forum's context, Hatzivasileiou met with Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Yevhhen Perebyinis, Deputy Minister for development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Maryna Denysiuk, and Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak, with all of whom he discussed prospects of Greek companies participating in Ukraine's rebuilding. Lastly, Hatzivasileiou met with Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister Edem Adamanov, with whom they discussed the needs to develop and reconstruct hospitals in Ukraine. During the meeting, the two deputy ministers signed a Greece-Ukraine Memorandum of Cooperation, which sets the framework for future bilateral relations and regulations inthe health sector. iefimerida.gr A powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake has struck the island of Rhodes, waking residents in the middle of the night and prompting many to flee their homes. No injuries were reported, though minor damage occurred. The quake hit at 2:17 a.m. local time and was strongly felt across the island and as far as southwestern Turkey Residents described the tremor as unusually long and intense, with many reporting fallen household items and shattered decorative plates, a local tradition. Emergency crews from the Rhodes Fire Department conducted precautionary inspections overnight. While the shaking caused some concern, local officials emphasized that the situation remains under control. "The tremor was frightening, but people remained calm," said Giorgos Hatzimarkos, Regional Governor of the South Aegean. "Damage is minimal, and no serious incidents have been reported." Mr. Hatzimarkos added that authorities are working to reassure tourists, many of whom are unfamiliar with seismic activity. Some visitors understandably left their hotel rooms in fear. Were explaining this is a common natural event in Greece and that there is no risk, especially given the high construction standards, he said. The quake's epicenter was located in the sea between Rhodes and the Turkish coast, at a depth of approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles), according to seismologist Efthymios Lekkas, head of Greeces Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP). This depth suggests the earthquake was widely felt but unlikely to cause serious surface damage or generate a tsunami, Mr. Lekkas said in a statement to public broadcaster ERT. It is very likely this was the main quake, and we dont expect a significant aftershock sequence. The tremor was also felt in Turkey, particularly in the coastal areas of Mugla and Marmaris, where residents briefly evacuated buildings but returned shortly after. Greek authorities remain on alert but have not issued emergency warnings. Seismic activity is common in the region, and the country has strict building codes to minimize quake-related risks. iefimerida.gr Two people work together to calculate savings. Pooled employer plans are an increasingly popular option for small businesses to provide retirement benefits to employees. Read more Theres a new retirement plan option thats growing with small businesses. Its called a pooled employer plan or PEP. PEPs are specifically designed for small-business owners to help their employees save. Thanks to both the SECURE Act of 2019 and 2022s SECURE 2.0, more small businesses and nonprofits can now participate. Advertisement Most employers have their own stand-alone 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan. With a PEP, employers can link up with many other unrelated employers. They can even be from different industries and regions, or have other affiliations, in contrast with the requirements of other kinds of plans. A PEP pools the assets of all of these members retirement plans together, then they are supervised by a pooled plan provider, who serves as both the named fiduciary and plan administrator. Recent studies have shown that PEPs are growing fast, with more than 1 million total participants nationwide and assets almost doubling since their expansion to small businesses allowed by the SECURE Act. The PEP market is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with projections suggesting assets could reach $25 billion by the end of 2025, which is up from the $9 billion reported at the end of 2023. Weve seen a big jump in the number of clients moving to our retirement plan administrative services over the past year, thanks to PEPs, said Michael Majors, a vice president of human resources services at the payroll processing firm Paychex. The firm recently announced that it had passed 100,000 401(k) clients, and Majors credits PEPs as a big factor. Jim Kais, the Head of Group Retirement for Equitable, a wealth management firm with a variety of small and midsize clients in the Philadelphia area, said there have been as many as 350 PEPs established since the original SECURE Act. Given the structural improvements and regulatory push, PEPs could become a dominant force in the retirement market over the next decade, he said. PEPs provide at least three main benefits to small businesses. For starters, the arrangement reduces liabilities to the owner. With standard retirement plans, the business owner is usually named as a fiduciary and is responsible for making sure that there are diverse investment selections, timely remittance of contributions, and that the plan follows its documentation. If something goes wrong, its the fiduciarys responsibility, and this creates an added headache and obligation for a business owner. Joining a PEP means that a business owner can generally avoid these liabilities by delegating this responsibility to the PEP administrator who also serves as a financial adviser. Kelly Michel, a retirement expert, said the administrators of PEPs are generally financial experts and its incredibly important to have a financial adviser support you if youre a small-business owner. You dont know what you dont know and you dont want to get yourself in trouble. Establishing a PEP outsources these responsibilities to advisers with more experience. Also important: PEPs lower retirement plan costs for employers. All the administrative and compliance work for companies that belong to a PEP filing tax forms, audits, payment management, communications to employees, discrimination testing (an annual process for companies sponsoring retirement plans to ensure the plans do not unfairly favor highly compensated employees over non-highly compensated employees) is done by one administrator and the costs are shared among the participating plans. This is almost always a less expensive approach thanks to economies of scale. If youre a business owner Im sure youd like to put maybe few grand back in your pocket as savings, Kais said. You can then redeploy your staff who were previously doing this administrative work to more revenue-producing tasks in the firm. Finally, being part of a PEP means that a companys retirement plan benefits are competitive and likely offer more options than if the plan was being maintained by an individual business. This helps attract and retain workers. PEPs allow for tailored plan features such as new comparability formulas, unique vesting schedules, and eligibility rules, Kais said. These factors make them extremely suitable for high-income or closely held firms. While all of these reasons are attractive, joining a PEP is not without its challenges. Because the retirement plan involves multiple employers, it offers fewer options to customize. Business owners will relinquish much of the control of their 401(k) plans to the PEP administrator, and theres always the risk of poor quality of service or fees that are similar to whats currently being paid. And while transitioning from a 401(k) to a PEP is not a full plan termination, it does involve a restatement and a new implementation, which can take an estimated 8 to 12 weeks, according to Kais. All of this will also need to be explained to employees. Still, most financial experts believe the benefits of PEPs significantly outweigh the costs, particularly for small businesses. Small businesses often avoid offering retirement plans due to perceived high costs, fiduciary complexity, and administrative burden, Kais said. PEPs directly address these barriers. Michel said 55 million Americans dont have retirement savings and are often employed by small businesses where the owner doesnt believe they can afford to set a plan up. A PEP makes it much easier for employers to provide a retirement plan for these employees, she said. Cristian Custodio-Aquino (right) is with his attorney, Durann Neil, Jr. in court in Camden during his detention hearing Tuesday. Custodio-Aquino is charged with killing veterinarian Michael Anthony by stabbing him on the front lawn of his Cherry Hill home in December 2024. Read more In a fit of long-simmering, jealous rage, prosecutors say, Cristian Custodio-Aquino drove across the country from Oregon to New Jersey and lay in wait to kill Michael Anthony, his ex-boyfriends new partner. Anthony, 45, a well-liked South Jersey veterinarian, was found with stab wounds to his body, neck, and head on the front lawn of his Cherry Hill home on Dec. 10, authorities said, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement An investigation led authorities to Custodio-Aquino after they linked him to a pair of prescription glasses found next to Anthonys body and traced his car to the neighborhood on the morning of the slaying. Custodio-Aquino, a native of Peru who lived in Portland, Ore., fled to Fresno, Calif., prosecutors said, and was arrested there while staying at a friends house. At a detention hearing Tuesday morning, Assistant Camden County Prosecutor Kevin Moran said there was no doubt about what happened: Custodio-Aquino, fueled by jealousy, carefully planned Anthonys slaying, then drove across the country to kill him. This is a murder, Moran said. This was a brutal, violent attack. This defendant assassinated Dr. Michael Anthony. Custodio-Aquinos attorney, Durann Neil Jr., said there was no evidence that his client had committed the crime. He said Custodio-Aquino had no criminal record and was not a danger to the community or a flight risk. When Anthony did not return from his early morning walk in time to wake up his 16-year-old son, Moran said, the teen went to look for his father and saw him lying facedown on the lawn outside his home on Sharrowvale Road. Anthonys partner, Kyle Bartsch, rushed to his side, the prosecutor said. Investigators later found a pair of glasses left behind at the scene and traced them to the store where Custodio-Aquino had purchased them in Washington state. Authorities also learned that he owned a black Nissan Altima that matched the description of a car seen entering Anthonys neighborhood on the day he was killed and then driving away from the scene. DNA analysis of the car found traces of Anthonys blood throughout, Moran said. After fleeing, he said, Custodio-Aquino called a friend in Fresno and asked if he could stay with him. Investigators learned that Custodio-Aquino reset his phone four hours before Anthony was killed and later attempted to sell his car, he said. Custodio-Aquino also searched for news articles about Anthonys death and details on Anthonys memorial service, and investigators also found social media images of Bartsch that he had searched for as well, Moran said. After Custodio-Aquinos February arrest, authorities said he knew Anthony and was intimately acquainted with Bartsch but declined to elaborate. Bartsch, too, was circumspect, and said in an interview that he knew Custodio-Aquino but had not seen him for three years. In court Tuesday, Moran said Custodio-Aquino and Bartsch had dated, but had ended their relationship and were living together as roommates when Bartsch started dating Anthony in 2021. He said Custodio-Aquino and Bartsch got into what he described as a domestic dispute at a home they shared in Haddon Township in November 2021, but Custodio-Aquinos lawyer, Neil, said that incident had no connection to or relevance in Anthonys death. Neil said that Custodio-Aquino had communicated with Bartsch before Anthonys killing and that Anthony knew him as well. He said Anthony and Bartsch knew that Custodio-Aquino was back in town after moving to Portland. We believe the facts are going to show all of the parties knew my client was back, Neil said. There were discussions between the alleged victim, the alleged victims significant other, talk that my client was back in town. Custodio-Aquino, he said, had not harmed Anthony, and had not been tracking him. In no way was this some sort of stalking, Neil said. Throughout the hearing, Custodio-Aquinos mother, Blanca Soledad Aquino, wiped tears away with a tissue as she listened to the prosecutor accuse her son of murder. She declined to comment after the hearing, as did other relatives who gathered in the courtroom. Anthonys family declined to comment after the hearing. Bartsch could not be reached for comment. After hearing Moran and Neils arguments, Camden County Superior Court Judge Gwendolyn Blue ruled that prosecutors had met the threshold of probable cause for first-degree murder and ordered Custodio-Aquino detained to await trial. Custodio-Aquino, wearing a red jail jumpsuit and his long hair tied back, spoke only twice to respond to the judge and did not visibly react to her decision to keep him in custody. The death of Anthony, a divorced father of two, shook neighbors in the Barclay Farms section of Cherry Hill. Relatives described him as devoted to his family and two sons, and after his death, tributes poured in from friends, neighbors, and people whose pets he treated at his Haddon Heights vet clinic. Ryan Selleny is escorted into a courtroom in the Montgomery County courthouse on Monday. Selleny was sentenced to 10 to 60 years in state prison for burglary, indecent assault, and related crimes. Read more For much of his life, Ryan Selleny victimized the women around him with his sexual perversion, Montgomery County prosecutors said Monday as they asked a judge to sentence him to decades in state prison for burglary and indecent assault. As a teen, they said, he stole womens underwear. On the campus of Edinboro University in Western Pennsylvania, Selleny surreptitiously filmed his female classmates and cataloged the video files with derogatory names. Some of the videos depicted him performing sex acts in public, often feet away from the women he filmed. Advertisement His pursuit of sexual gratification continued to escalate, Assistant District Attorney Lauren Marvel said Monday, becoming increasingly intrusive into his targets lives. The worst, she said, was last year, when Selleny, 28, broke into the homes of three of his female neighbors in an Upper Merion apartment complex, stole their underwear and sex toys, and filmed himself masturbating. He contaminated a juice carton and water jug in one womans home with his seminal fluid in an act that Montgomery County Court Judge Wendy Rothstein said was perverse, outrageous, disgusting, and sickening. Your conduct scarred the victims forever, she said. They will never look at their neighbors the same again they will always wonder if that person is another Ryan Selleny. Rothstein sentenced Selleny to 10 to 60 years in state prison after an hours-long hearing and ordered him to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Selleny pleaded guilty in November to committing a series of burglaries at the Kingswood Apartments between October 2023 and March 2024, when he was arrested after one of the victims found a hidden camera he had installed in her home. Videos stored on the camera included voyeuristic commentary about the woman from Selleny, including remarks about her daily work schedule, dating habits, and personal diary, which he had read during one of his break-ins, according to prosecutors. Detectives later found thousands of other videos on a hard drive belonging to Selleny, including the videos he shot during his college years. Some of the videos had been shot in another unit at the apartment complex, leading investigators to discover that Selleny had victimized two other neighbors. In court Monday, Selleny apologized to the women in a statement he read aloud, saying he had forever shamed himself and his family with his actions and fully accepted the consequences of his behavior. His attorney, Ellis Palividas, asked the judge to fashion a sentence closer to the guidelines set by state law. Palividas argued that prosecutors had asked for too strict a sentence, one that went far above what is normal for a burglary case. But Marvel, the prosecutor, said that Sellenys actions constituted much more than a burglary. This is, in every way, someones worst nightmare, she said. This is an individual who committed horrific and violating offenses in ways that showed an obsession with the victims and a real hatred for them, and a real belief that he was entitled to do what he wanted to them without their knowledge, for his sexual gratification. Principal Tameron Dancy with students at Robert Morris Elementary School in North Philadelphia. Read more The usual suspects collected prizes recently at the Accelerate Philly awards the Philadelphia School Districts in-house honors for best and most-improved schools. Meredith won multiple prizes. So did Penn Alexander, Masterman, and Central. Advertisement And then there was Robert Morris, a North Philadelphia K-8 that surprised nearly everyone. It won honors for most-improved reading scores and most-improved scores for third-grade math and reading scores. Dont underestimate Morris, at 26th and West Thompson Streets, said its principal, Tameron Dancy. Morris is tiny, with just 215 students, all of whom are considered economically-disadvantaged. Its student population is fairly transient; one in five Morris students is experiencing homelessness. The school has struggled with academic achievement. Though its students often have complicated lives outside the schools walls, they posted impressive gains in the 2023-24 school year. The percentage of Morris students in all grades who met state standards in reading jumped to 30% from 16% an 88% increase. And the schools third graders soared 48% were proficient or advanced in reading and 59% in math, compared to 7% in reading and 14% in math the previous year. No silver bullet There is no silver bullet in education. When Dancy took over at Morris as a brand new principal in the 2020-21 school year, she charged her staff with focusing on the basics. Yes, classroom management is important. But we dont want to live in that lane, Dancy said. We want to focus on instruction thats my mantra. That can be tough where students come and go throughout the school year. But Morris teachers, Dancy said, are consistent, collaborative, and open to feedback. Dancy put her veteran teachers in key grades, and it showed, she said. They were intentional about including lessons that would help students confidently answer questions that required open-ended responses, and made learning relatable. For instance, one teacher, Brendan Yuhas, taught his third graders a math lesson by making cookies. He dressed up as a chef, wielded a whisk, shared the products of their lesson with the students. It made the learning sticky, Dancy said. It applied in the real world. Classes try for intentionality around achievement, Dancy said. The students set their own goals, or the teachers set them with students did you meet your goal for the Star benchmark, or did you meet your goal around writing? she said. They loved to learn Strong relationships are a significant part of the progress, said three veteran Morris teachers. It feels daunting, but we build community, said Maria Gifford, who teaches sixth grade. I try to check in with my kids in the morning, and tell them, If you see somebodys having a bad day, lets support them. They feel safe, and they communicate. Last years third graders now in fourth were a particularly strong and cohesive group, said Yuhas and follow teacher Heather Greco. We had 28 kids, and even the new kids, they came right into class and worked hard, Greco said. They loved to learn. Yuhas thinks it may have been the strongest group hes taught in 33 years. With the new [English language arts] curriculum last year, they slid right into it, he said. They were great at sharing and working as teams. To successfully teach at Morris, educators acknowledge but dont dwell on the things going on outside the classroom. If we have to meet a students needs in a different way, we do that. If they come in late and need breakfast, we get it for them. We cant always solve the problems, but we can make students feel like they were able to share, and move through their day, to learn. We want to meet their needs so they can learn, Greco said. Many students come to Morris with learning gaps, and the team works to make the curriculum accessible to them and fill those holes so they can move forward, the teachers said. Morris, like many schools in high-poverty areas, often struggles with teacher turnover, but theres a core of about six veterans with decades of experience, and that helps, the three said. While the percentage of students experiencing homelessness at Morris has surged, theres no stigma kids come welcomed, accepted, and expected to shine in whatever form that takes, Yuhas said. We have high expectations for our students, we have high expectations for ourselves, he said. I teach my students as I would teach my son. School staff knew that their scores were much-improved, but the Accelerate Philly awards were a bit of a shock, Dancy said. We didnt win anything last year, the principal said. I said to myself, I really hope one day, we can win something. And it was so nice to be acknowledged. Jennifer Griffin, vice president for public safety at Temple University. Said Temple president John Fry: "One of the keys to our future success in recruiting students to Temple is just demonstrating that this is a safe and vibrant and exciting campus with lots to do." Read more As Temple University closes in on completing the nearly 70 recommendations made in a campus safety audit over two years ago, Temple president John Fry said he sees redevelopment along Broad Street as another key to improving safety. And he has begun working with developers to encourage it, he said. Advertisement The school also is awaiting the results of a staffing study that will help determine how many more police officers it needs, if any. Fry said the study is about two-thirds complete. And the school is contemplating strategies for dealing with large groups of young people who gather and sometimes disrupt areas near campus. With the spring semester over and summer classes underway, Fry said safety remains his highest priority. READ MORE: As new semester gets underway, Temple cites drop in crime alongside new crime-fighting measures One of the keys to our future success in recruiting students to Temple is just demonstrating that this is a safe and vibrant and exciting campus with lots to do, Fry said in a recent interview with The Inquirer. We just have to keep talking about this so people understand that safety has really improved and we have the infrastructure, we have the investments, and we have the commitment. The path to improvement includes upgrading the area along Broad Street, from City Hall to Temples health sciences campus in North Philadelphia. To do that, Fry said, developers need to see that the area is safe. Fry has been looking at areas along the corridor, some of which the university owns and others that it doesnt. He said it would be ideal to pick three or four spots from its main North Philadelphia campus to Terra Hall the former University of the Arts main administrative building at Broad and Walnut Streets that Temple bought earlier this year and is converting into its Center City campus to redevelop. And then he said he would like to pick another three or four spots from the main campus to the health sciences campus farther north on Broad Street. School officials have to think about what kind of development or programs make sense in those areas, he said, and make sure that these streets are well lit and feel safe and vibrant. Temple will be looking for partners, just as the University of Pennsylvania did in West Philadelphia when he served as its executive vice president from 1995 to 2002 and was the chief architect of the plan to revitalize its neighborhood. Theres no way we could possibly do this ourselves, he said. The universities ... take the first risks, and if they can prove the value of what theyre doing, usually that creates an incentive for developers to follow along. Temple is in early conversations with developers, locally and from places such as New York and Massachusetts, he said, just to pick their brains. They spend the day on the Broad Street corridor and come back to Temple officials with ideas, Fry said. Improving the corridor will inevitably help with public safety, he said. The busiest streets are also going to be the safest streets, Fry said. Safety improvements Temple has already made Just a few years ago, Temple was in the throes of a public safety crisis, following the shooting death of on-duty police officer Christopher Fitzgerald. The school hired 21CP Solutions, the firm started by former Philadelphia police chief Charles Ramsey, to conduct a safety audit, which yielded dozens of recommendations. The university has completed or is on its way to completing 95% of the recommendations from the audit, said Jennifer Griffin, vice president of public safety. The school has installed new technology, such as license-plate reading cameras and a virtual trainer that allows officers to experience more than 1,000 different scenarios. It also added shuttle bus stops, extended walking escort service to 24 hours a day, updated more than 400 security cameras, purchased equipment including handguns, long guns, and radios, expanded bike and foot patrols, and changed officers shifts to 12-hour stints to ensure coverage and allow for alternating three-day weekends. The school hasnt adopted every recommendation. For instance, Temple opted not to have both a vice president of public safety and a chief of police. Griffin, who has served in the job for nearly three years, said it was important to her to wear the uniform and work alongside officers. I feel very good about where we are and where were going, she said. Hiring officers remains a challenge, as it is for many police departments around the country. The department currently has 74 sworn officers, including patrol officers, detectives, and administrators, Griffin said. In March 2024, the university said there were 81, and there were 101 the previous year. Five new officers just graduated from the police academy last month and four more are in the class that recently started at the academy, Griffin said. The department also is hiring from other departments, she said. The university is asking officers to sign three-year contracts to boost retention, she said. Fry said he expects to get the results of the staffing study in the next couple of months and would like to act on the recommendations as swiftly as possible. I dont know what the recommendations are going to be, but Im prepared to continue to invest, Fry said. Andrew Lanetti, president of the Temple University Police Association, the officers union, said that Temple needs to be more competitive with its wages and benefits and that he hopes to begin negotiations on a new contract soon. The current pact runs to 2027. I believe that Dr. Griffin and President Fry have the best interest of Temple in mind, he said. Why wouldnt they?" But he said the university must focus on hiring more officers. We are extremely low staffing-wise when it comes to sworn officers in a patrol capacity. We believe we could partner up and come up with creative solutions to entice more candidates and younger candidates to the field of policing. Handling large crowds near campus Both Fry and Griffin acknowledged that the large group meetups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, have been challenging to handle. Griffin said those are probably the biggest safety challenge at the moment. Over a weekend in April, hundreds of young people caused chaos near the campus with at least five people, including Temple students, assaulted and more than seven arrested. Griffin said Temple police have made more than two dozen arrests for curfew violations in these incidents. After 9:30 p.m., children under 13 are subject to being stopped by police; for those between 14 and 17, the curfew is 10 p.m. Griffin said Temple has been working with city police, given that these generally happen on public property. When Temple police hear of a potential meetup or see large groups gathering, they beef up security and police in the area and communicate with local businesses, she said. But most times, the young people are there to interact with their friends, not to cause problems, she said. It is challenging because these are public spaces and so people have a right to stand out there ... as long as theyre not participating in criminal behavior, Griffin said. Fry said police have to be ready if it turns into something else. All of a sudden something happens and the police have to make a snap judgment about whether something like this is just ... a little bit of mischief or its going to turn into something bigger, he said. I really have a great appreciation for the judgment of our police because these are close calls. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing the University of Pennsylvania of mishandling antisemitism complaints. The suit was filed in December 2023 by current and former Penn students Eyal Yakoby, Jordan Davis, and Noah Rubin and the group Students Against Antisemitism Inc. based on allegations of the schools actions following Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Advertisement I could find no allegations that Penn or its administration has itself taken any actions or positions which. even when read in the most favorable light, could be interpreted as antisemitic with the intention of causing harm to the Plaintiffs, Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg wrote. READ MORE: Penns antisemitism case dismissed by U.S. education department, citing a lawsuit containing same allegations The plaintiffs had alleged that Penn permitted, tolerated and/or facilitated multiple antisemitic incidents on its campus that have created a hostile educational environment for Jewish students. They said because of incidents and protests on campus, they had to miss classes and activities, felt threatened and unsafe on campus, and felt they could not wear certain clothing or jewelry and speak their views and had to hide their Jewish identities. As to the complaint of tolerating antisemitism, the university has responded and tried to address the issues, the judge wrote. The judge said he will allow the plaintiffs a chance to refile a complaint on two of the counts, but warned about including material that is not relevant. The amended complaint includes sweeping allegations of ideological, philosophical, religious, and political concerns and grievances, that have nothing to do with a federal lawsuit, the judge wrote. It is unclear why Plaintiffs counsel deemed it necessary to allege so many unrelated facts when doing so is directly contrary to federal pleading requirements. The U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights last year dropped an investigation into antisemitism at Penn, citing the federal lawsuit. The relief sought is the same as would be obtained if OCR were to find a violation regarding the allegation(s), a department spokesperson said at the time. Penn did not immediately respond to a request for comment. READ MORE: Former Penn board chair Scott Bok and President Liz Magill discuss the upheaval that led to their resignations Problems began on the campus after the Palestine Writes Literature Festival was held there in September 2023. Critics contended some speakers had a history of making antisemitic remarks. Tensions increased following the Hamas attack on Israel, and ultimately both former Penn president Liz Magill and board chair Scott L. Bok resigned in December of that year. Before her resignation, Magill rolled out a plan to combat antisemitism, including a task force and a student advisory group on the Jewish student experience. The U.S. Brig Niagara sails through the Presque Isle Channel leading the Parade of Sail opening the 2022 Tall Ships Erie festival on Presque Isle Bay in Erie. Read more When the U.S. Brig Niagara squared off against British and Canadian troops during the War of 1812, the wooden vessel today Pennsylvanias official state ship played a crucial role in securing both Lake Erie and the nations burgeoning military identity. Victory was so critical to Niagara captain Oliver Hazard Perry that as his fleet weathered a barrage of cannon fire, Perry brandished a flag urging that his men Dont Give Up the Ship to this day a battle cry of resilience. Advertisement In the fall, officials with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission did just that, advocates for the ship say, when it contracted with a Canada-based rigging company to steward the vessel to an Ohio shipyard for maintenance. Never mind the irony that the commission had outsourced the Niagaras care to Britains former colony; the move violated a federal maritime code that aims to keep U.S. vessels under the stewardship of U.S. sailors, according to a Coast Guard memo viewed by The Inquirer. Under that regulation, at least 75% of a Coast Guard-registered ships crew must be staffed with U.S. citizens. The Niagaras crew log from the two-week October voyage, however, shows that at one point, four of seven members were Canadian nationals. The Coast Guard issued the commission a warning for the violation, according to the memo. Jay Losiewicz, a historical commission spokesperson, said in an email that the agency is committed to operating the Niagara in full compliance with all laws and regulations. About a month after the vessels return, a commission member self-reported the violation to the Coast Guard, records show. Once the voyage back to Erie was completed, the contract with Ironbound Rigging was terminated and there have not been any contracts with them since, Losiewicz said. For Ironbounds part, the company is shrugging off criticism, casting its crew of both Canadians and Americans as saviors of a ship that was short on staff and in dire need of repairs. Still, Erie-based former crew members who sailed aboard the Niagara until the commission took full control of the vessel in 2023 remain bitter over the debacle the latest fissure in what is by several accounts an acidic breakup between longtime collaborators. Those sailors say their ranks had been available to take on the work, had the commission sought them out before awarding the $24,500 contract to the Nova Scotia-based company. Niagara is supposed to sail around and advertise what Pennsylvania has to offer, said Steven Perry, a former crew member who now runs the advocacy blog Protect Brig Niagara. When you turn around and dont even try to hire Pennsylvanians even if its just for a quick trip its kind of a slap in the face. Sailors speak out on a widening rift It wasnt long after boarding the Niagara as a trainee in 2022 that Perry became enamored with the vessel and its storied past. In the years after the War of 1812, the Niagara spent decades on the bottom of Lake Erie, sunk for preservation. The vessel was raised in 1913, later acquired by the state of Pennsylvania, and docked in harbor for restorations and to eventually become part of the Erie Maritime Museum. By the late 1980s, a more rigorous program had begun to fully rebuild the Niagara as a modern sailing vessel that could represent the commonwealth at tall ships festivals and historical reenactments from Put-in-Bay, Ohio, to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The ship again found new life in the 2000s as a sail training vessel for the Coast Guard. We took that very seriously to be the ambassador of Pennsylvania, said former Niagara captain William Sabatini, who helmed the vessel from 2014 to 2023. That year, the historical commission ended its long-standing relationship with Sabatinis nonprofit, Flagship Niagara League, leaving much of the Niagaras crew out of work. Flagship Niagara League was formed in 1981 to oversee the vessels reconstruction and to fundraise for the ship; beginning in 2010, the nonprofit assumed direct control of Niagaras sailing operations while the historical commission continued ownership. It was around the time of the Great Recession, when the state was tightening its budget, that a rift between the nonprofit and the commission began to widen, former members say. [The commission] started wanting to interpret the ship as historical as more of an exhibit, said former Flagship Niagara League executive Phillip Pip Connor, who worked aboard the ship since 2009. Our goal was to keep it sailing. According to Losiewicz, the commission reassumed control of the Niagara to streamline operations, reduce overhead costs, and prioritize much-needed repairs to the starboard propeller. Sabatini and Connor, however, believe the move was less about repairs and more about wrestling control from the nonprofit, particularly in regard to hiring and firing crew. Regardless of those tensions, what became apparent last year was that the Niagara which had spent an unusually long period docked and inactive after the pandemic needed to get back into sailing shape. Canadians aboard Specifics on how the Canadian company came aboard are disputed by Niagaras advocates and the historical commission. But the Jones Act a protectionist 1920 law designed to strengthen the domestic maritime industry is well-known in the tall ships industry, Connor said. Its something we had to deal with every time we were hiring, Connor said. Theres plenty of people weve known internationally that we would have loved to work aboard Niagara, but it was a consideration we always had to work around. With Flagship Niagara League out, the commission hired Erie native Gregory Bailey to captain the vessel in 2024. In Protect Brig Niagaras telling, it is Baileys ties to Ironbound Rigging founder Mike Moreland that inspired the commission to hire the company last fall. Bailey did not return multiple requests for comment. Whats more, Perry, Sabatini, and Connor say the commission never advertised publicly when hiring for the voyage, leaving no opportunity for former crew members to apply as they had expected to be able to. For Perry, the deal is an example of cronyism and closed-door decision making within the commission. Is this the message Pennsylvania is trying to send? Perry suggested, That we are using public money to bring foreign workers in to compete with Pennsylvanians? The historical commission, on the other hand, said it had been considering Ironbound, among other crews, before hiring Bailey. Future job positions aboard the vessel will be posted publicly on state and industry websites, according to Losiewicz. PHMC strongly refutes any allegations of cronyism regarding Ironbound Riggings work on the U.S. Brig Niagara, Losiewicz said. Those allegations have no basis in fact. Moreland, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, did not deny that Bailey sought his companys help. He described the tall ship sailing scene as a tight-knit community, one where there are only so many professional, qualified crews available for work. I dont think anybody did anything wrong, Moreland said. We got the job done everything went perfect. Moreland doesnt think anyone should be shocked that his company is comprised of both American and Canadian sailors, some who are also dual citizens. Above all, he wasnt surprised that former Flagship Niagara League sailors who he believes the commission had essentially fired did not get the job. Yeah, [the commission] should have put it out to tender, but good luck, Moreland said of the shipyard job. What groups of people are you gonna get? Niagara sails off For Sabatini, seeing Niagara sail off under new stewardship last fall was something of a gut punch. We were watching from the side of the channel as the ship got underway, the former captain said. There were people here in Erie who could have taken the work. Sabatini isnt just upset at a lost business opportunity. He believes Flagship Niagara Leagues programming made Niagara the finest sail training vessel in the world, earning it a stellar reputation for teaching high school and college students the complex skills required of tall ship sailing. The nonprofit is now looking to rebrand as it continues to oversee the historic fishing vessel Lettie G. Howard. With Bailey in command, the Niagara is currently en route to a Maine shipyard for more extensive repairs. (The historical commission says it recently increased its annual investment into the ship by $400,000 for a total of $750,000 per year.). Bailey is sailing with a temporary crew compliant with Coast Guard regulations, according to Losiewicz. Upon its return, the Niagara will continue to attend tall ships festivals and offer educational programs, ship tours, and sailing opportunities for Pennsylvanians and those visiting Erie, he said. In what would be one of the largest shows of glory in the Niagaras recent history, the commission intends to showcase the ship on Lake Erie in 2026 during celebrations for the countrys 250th anniversary. Once more, Sabatini expects that his former crew will watch from dry land. The impact is an emotional one, the former captain said. Its watching a ship that youve dedicated a large portion of your life to and a ship you cared deeply for sail away without you on it. A March demonstration against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency in Devon. Anne Krawitz urges Philadelphia lawmakers to cease all investments in Musk's electric car company, Tesla. Read more Every Saturday morning since March, friends and I head over to the Tesla dealership in Devon to stand, sometimes in the cold and rain, holding signs in protest of what Elon Musk and his minions at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have done and are doing to nonprofit funding in Philadelphia. It is exhilarating to stand with hundreds of like-minded people, in opposition to the move-fast-and-break things bro culture of the newly created (and possibly unconstitutional) initiative to streamline federal bureaucracy. Advertisement The honks of support far outnumber the negative feedback proof its not just members of the radical left who disapprove of the DOGE destruction. In the shadow of Musks unprecedented control of our governments fiscal purse a control Congress has cowardly relinquished the people of Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Constitution, have a moral and historical imperative to do everything we can to keep our democracy strong. Its ridiculous to suggest that everyone demonstrating outside Tesla dealerships is getting paid to protest: We are there because its the right thing to do. READ MORE: Outside Tesla in the Philly suburbs, the green shoots of an American uprising | Will Bunch Recently, Mark Pinsley, Lehigh Countys controller, pointed out in a Newsweek article the sound economic reasons why the county is, based on a number of factors, ceasing all financial support of Tesla. Thanks to his foray into politics, those who study the automotive industry say Musk has hurt the Tesla brand. In Europe Tesla sales have dropped by 40% while sales of other electric cars are on the rise. READ MORE: Democracy in crisis: America and South Africas parallel paths | Opinion Meanwhile, Americans have been stripped of millions in federal grants, money to support science, children, and the arts. Musk says he has stepped away from the helm at DOGE, but the damage to his businesses and our city has been done. Taking on the richest man in the world is an uphill battle, but, in 1776, so was taking down a king. Philadelphians must keep pushing back. It is time for Philadelphia to follow the lead of Mark Pinsley and state controllers from nine states and divest from future dealings with Tesla. History proves economic sanctions are an effective tool that Philadelphians must use to defend the Constitution. Just as global sanctions once played a role in prompting South Africa to change its cruel system of apartheid, institutional divestment signals reputational and financial risk, something no pension board should ignore. On behalf of the Philadelphia Tesla Takedown Committee, I call on City Council and the Pension Board to halt all current and future investments in Tesla stocks, with the hope of creating momentum for divestment of statewide retirement plans. As the people of this city once rose to cast off a distant king, we are called again to stand against the grip of billionaire power on the public purse. I invite Philadelphians to join us at a local Tesla dealership and maintain pressure on the pension boards to do the right thing divest. Anne Krawitz is a hand bookbinder, small-business owner, writer, and political activist living in Germantown. She is a member of the Tesla Takedown Movement in Philadelphia. Cecily White, of South Philadelphia, holds up her daughter Nora White, 3, during the No Kings protest and march out by Independence Hall on April 19. Read more Another nationwide protest against President Donald Trump is coming up. This time, it will take place on his birthday. The No Kings rallies are planned for June 14 and will focus on Trump, his policies, and his spending. Advertisement The Saturday events, which are scheduled en masse across the country, will coincide with Trumps birthday and his overlapping military parade in Washington. For that reason, organizers are intentionally skipping programming in D.C. and encouraging participants to travel to Philadelphia instead. READ MORE: Will Bunch: No Kings and the dilemma of protesting Trump [The Trump administration has] defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services, organizers said. The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings. The series of protests is being organized and sponsored by a coalition of grassroots advocacy organizations, progressive groups, and nonprofits. Heres what we know so far. What does No Kings mean? No Kings is a national day of action and mobilization against the Trump administration. Organizers say the name is derived from Trump and his administration pushing the limits of executive power and undermining the Constitution. In America, we dont do kings, organizers say on the events website, describing the day as a response to the increasing authoritarian excess and corruption of the Trump administration. This wont be the first No Kings rally. A No Kings Presidents Day protest saw events nationwide, including Philadelphia. Who is organizing the No Kings protests? Several organizers are taking credit for the No Kings protests, including Indivisible, MoveOn, and the 50501 Movement. Indivisible is a progressive organization that launched in 2016 after Trump was elected to his first term as president. MoveOn is a progressive public policy advocacy group that has been around since the late 1990s. Its known for its email mobilization campaigns and is considered one of the largest grassroots campaigning communities. The event has also listed dozens of progressive partner organizations on its website, ranging from Vote Save America to the Human Rights Campaign. What is the 50501 Movement? The 50501 Movement stands for 50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement. The group came together on Reddit, as people began discussing mobilizing and protesting against Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a Trump confidant and adviser, and the administrations policies. Word circulated across social media until the groups first protest, which took place on Feb. 5 and involved demonstrations outside of state capitol buildings and city halls. Its also the group responsible for the series of No Kings on Presidents Day protests that took place nationwide in February, including in Philadelphia, and the Hands Off protests that happened in April. How old is Donald Trump turning? Trump is turning 79 on June 14. Though the military parade which formally celebrates the Armys 250th birthday is taking place on his birthday, Trump has denied claims that the party is for him. My birthday happens to be on Flag Day, Trump said during a Meet the Press interview last month. I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday. Somebody put it together. But no, I think were going to do something on June 14, maybe, or somewhere around there. But I think June 14. Its a very important day. Critics arent buying it, saying the grand event, which is projected to cost $45 million, is a power grab. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman on our dime, No Kings organizers said. They also criticized the parades high costs which will be funded at least partially by taxpayers coinciding with the administration slashing Social Security, SNAP, and Medicaid funding. Whats going on with the June 14 military parade? The parade will kick off a year of celebrations for the Armys 250th birthday, according to the White House. There will be about 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, and 50 helicopters on a route from Arlington, Va., to the National Mall, the Associated Press reported. There will also be a fireworks display and a daylong festival on the National Mall, according to an Army spokesperson. It is the first military parade in recent history, something Trump has publicly voiced a desire for since his first term as president. He initially proposed having one after seeing Frances Bastille Day celebration in 2017. Plans were halted after estimates found that the parade would cost nearly $100 million and be logistically complex. This year, its on following less than two months of preparation, according to the AP. It will cost an estimated $45 million, which includes up to $16 million expected to be needed for street repairs after Army tanks roll down the old D.C. streets. NBC reports that the Army is taking preventive measures to outfit the tanks in materials intended to lessen the damage and repair costs. What will No Kings be doing in D.C. on June 14? Nothing. And thats intentional. To combat the grand programming taking place in D.C., the No Kings organizers are calling for action elsewhere to deflect attention from the presidents celebrations. On June 14 Flag Day Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday, organizers said. But real power isnt staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else. Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption." In turn, there is no formal No Kings event in D.C. Instead, organizers are encouraging those interested to take part in the event happening in Philadelphia or other supporting rallies across the country. For supporters of the movement who are limited to the D.C. area, organizers suggest getting involved with a separate partner event called D.C. Joy Day, a celebration of the local community. Where and when are No Kings protests happening? Hundreds of events are scheduled in every state on June 14, with flagship events occurring in Philadelphia, Chicago, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Houston. The Philly event specifically is happening from noon to 3 p.m. beginning at LOVE Park and marching to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. How can I find out about protests in my area? The No Kings website has a map of every June 14 event on its website (www.nokings.org/#map). The 50501 Movement is also posting about new developments and future events including forthcoming veterans celebrations, Pride events, and Juneteenth celebrations on its Instagram page. Pedestrians ambling in Center City on Tuesday as temperatures climb and veils of smoke fill the air. It's going to get steamier Wednesday. Read more The region is about to get a real summer hors doeuvre, complete with an air-quality alert courtesy of Canadian wildfire smoke. With temperatures creeping toward 90 degrees Wednesday and the milky veil of smoke persisting over the region, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has declared a code orange advisory for the Philadelphia region. Advertisement It is recommending that people with heart, respiratory, and related health issues limit time outdoors. The combination of the warmth and the smoke will lead to rapid ozone development during the late morning and peaking in the afternoon, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The alert covers Philadelphia and its seven neighboring counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is also in effect for all of Southeastern Pennsylvania, areas along the I-95 corridor from the Delaware border through Connecticut, and the New Hampshire and Maine Atlantic coasts. Similar alerts are in place for Iowa and portions of Michigan and Minnesota. While the skies over Philly continue to look as if they need a good scrubbing, this marks the first air-quality alert since the smoke arrived over the weekend. The latest forecast from NOAAs Global Systems Laboratory has a smoky encore Thursday. But this episode in all likelihood will not come close to rivaling the Canadian smoke invasion of early June 2023, when the acrid odor was so thick that 911 centers were flooded with calls reporting fires, said Ray Martin, a lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly. At midmorning Wednesday, the air quality in Philly still was classified as moderate, with ozone the prime pollutant, according to AirNow, a partnership of government and air-quality agencies. What is the cause of Canadian wildfire smoke over Philly? The fires in the Canadian woodlands have resulted in the evacuations of thousands of residents. (So who are we to complain about the smoke shutting off any chance of seeing the northern lights?) Natural Resources Canada reported that as of Friday more than a million acres of woodland were burning more than double the average across the country, the majority in western areas. That has been the source region of the smoke, which has touched off health alarms in several U.S. cities and a source region of Philadelphias cool, dry weather earlier this week borne by winds from the northwest. Aesthetics aside, for the most part the smoke over the Philly region has been benign, unlike the June 2023 smoke-out that originated in northeastern Canada. That smoke generated a rain of hazardous particulates that induced schools to go to virtual instruction. Those with background health conditions were advised to stay inside. Trash collections were pushed back, and the Phillies postponed a game. What does the wildfire smoke have to do with ozone? Along with primary pollutants, such as particulates, that the smoke releases into the atmosphere, they can help produce ground-level ozone through complex chemical process that are still not fully understood, according to NOAA scientists. The American Lung Association notes that research has documented that smoke that is days old and more than 1,000 miles away from its source can still promote ozone formation. Ground-level ozone is not to be confused with the benign variant that helps protect earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Prime ingredients for ground-level included emissions and solar heat, something the region is going to experience Wednesday. Summery warmth is coming to Philly Temperatures Wednesday are forecast to climb well into the 80s and perhaps flirt with 90 degrees. That would be several degrees above Tuesdays high; of more significance, however, will be the increase in water vapor in the atmosphere. The dew points, the absolute measures of moisture levels in the atmosphere, are going to shoot up to summerlike levels. Moisture in the air inhibits sweating and makes the body work harder to keep cool. All thermal comfort being relative, the changes may require some acclimation, Martin said. Temperatures during the last two weeks have been significantly below normal in Philadelphia, and premature heat has been scarce. Martin said that people, even in the weather office, have complained in the last few years that spring around here has become the phantom season; how the weather appears to make abrupt jumps to summer. This season is different, he said. For those who like spring, they got it this year. That is all the more reason, he said, to exercise a degree of caution come Wednesday. Our bodies are in a different place in August, vs. June, he said. Said Tom Kines, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc., with the taste of summer, a lot of people are going to be happy. But its going to be a shock to the system. "Snow's legacy is rooted in a deep belief in the value of cross-cultural understanding, grounded in a sense of ethical integrity," said Samuel Colin Maclean, the great-grandnephew of U.S. journalist Edgar Snow. This year marks the 120th anniversary of Snow's birth. The connection between the Snow family and China has once again captured public attention, and at a commemorative conference held in Beijing, two family members were meeting for the first time. Thousands of customers misled We allege Choosi misled thousands of consumers into thinking they were comparing options from a range of insurers, said Sarah Court (main picture), ASICs deputy chair. We will contend people were led to believe they were making a sensible decision by comparing policies; however, they were denied genuine choice. The source took their case to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). In documents seen by IB, the Tribunal Member who conducted the hearing expressed some sympathy with the source but said the fees were lawful and dismissed the case. Gallagher Bassett appoints CFO Gallagher Bassett has named Patty McCall (pictured above, left) as its new chief financial officer. McCall has been with the organization for nine years as a key leader within its finance team. She brings more than two decades of industry experience, including roles at ESIS and consulting positions with Arthur Andersen and Unisys. The coverage aims to address risks chiropractors face in patient care and practice operations. It is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The program includes options for occurrence or claims-made coverage, coverage limits up to $1 million per claim and $3 million aggregate, a consent-to-settle clause, and defense costs outside the policy limits. If enacted, the Federal Trade Commission would be responsible for enforcing the new rules and could develop additional regulations to support enforcement efforts. Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts under the Federal Trade Commission Act, with the FTC authorized to impose civil penalties of not less than $2,500 per violation. Before joining Everest, Guerrero worked at AIG, where she most recently served as construction industry leader for Lexington. In that position, she oversaw the strategic growth of the portfolio. She also held the role of Southeast zonal underwriting manager at Lexington. This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. Insurance is a business built on relationships, as anyone will tell you. But formally depicting the complex network of relationships that connects an underwriter to an insured is far from simple. A producer may be appointed with a carrier to write business as the principal of their firm, parked under the umbrella of a financial marketing organization (FMO) in a handful of states, while writing business with an MGA that works for the same carrier and by going through a different agency altogether in a specific state where their FMO doesnt operate (probably New York). These complex hierarchies are crucial for understanding how and why a carrier contract is structured, how much a commission check should be, and whos responsible for any piece of business and the compliance oversight that goes with it. Yet, traditional and manual ways of handling these relationships are woefully inadequate. And the risks of representing your distribution channels hierarchies poorly are never more apparent than when youre facing a state audit. Five kinds of state audits for insurance agencies and carriers Insurance agencies and carriers should be running internal audits for their own business controls, operational efficiency, resilience, and distribution managementthats a given (and if you want to evaluate your own teams performance there, take our quick, interactive Distribution Channel Management Assessment). But there are also times when carriers and agencies alike will find themselves under the microscope of a state audit. States have different approaches to auditing their carriers and agencies for best practices and compliance with laws and regulations. Each state has its own process and expectation, but the five most common possible audit events for insurance are: No. 1: The scheduled market conduct exam Some states require agencies and/or carriers to undergo a market conduct exam on a periodic basis. That could be an annual event, or something that happens every five years. During a market conduct event, the state will sample a portion of the business and examine how that business was solicited, negotiated, sold, and serviced. This could get as detailed as checking emails and advertisements, or it could be as surface-level as verifying an agents license and commission payment. Knowing you have a standing audit of your business practices is certainly helpful in giving you a timeline and some impetus to plan ahead. But collecting the necessary data and staying in lockstep with the state can be a time- and resource-intensive experience, even if you know its coming. No. 2: The random market conduct exam Some states do regional sampling and randomly select companies to audit. North Carolina, for instance, selects businesses addressed in a single region and runs a market conduct examination based on random sampling. Any insurance business can be randomly audited in the state as long as its not more than once in a three-year period. A random audit practice may seem like the kind of scare tactic thatd incentivize insurance businesses to keep their records clean, but a random market conduct exam also can give businesses an out-of-sight-out-of-mind mentality. No. 3: Complaint investigations When a consumer complains about an insurer or agency to the state department of insurance, youre bound to get a phone call. Complaint investigations may be as simple as a carrier providing an explanation for a claim that they denied because the consumer wasnt covered for a specific event. But, especially when theres evidence of wrongdoing, these complaint investigations can snowball. No. 4: Data calls and internal reporting mandates Particularly after a broad market event like a pandemic or a hurricane, states will issue line-of-authority-specific data calls to carriers that require the carrier to report on things like claims and how fast they were covered and how many agents or adjusters were deployed to an area. Other data calls may be standing requirements, such as the DOL fiduciary rule regulation that requires annuity insurers to run a report on their top salespeople and scan for twisting or churning practices. No. 5: Follow-up investigations Any of the four preceding investigative, audit, or examination events could find issues. The state could find evidence of wrongdoing, or carriers and agencies could be so slow to gather information that the speed alone becomes a red-flag for the state. In that case, the state will follow up with the carrier and agency to dig deeper and see if the first violation was isolated and quickly remedied, or if it was evidence of systemic compliance and data management problems. Audits: Time is money Any one instance where a regulatoror even an upstream distribution partnerrequests data can mean: Hours of staff time, pulling staff from their regular jobs and causing delays and strain in other areas of your business Legal fees, as you staff up with attorneys who charge hundreds of dollars by the hour State fees: Many states recoup their costs by charging their staffs hourly wages and per diems to the company being audited Weve said it before and well say it again, when it comes to a regulatory investigation, the fine is not the punishment. When it comes to the data you have on your producers, adjusters, and distribution channels, the difference between being able to generate time-stamped, automatic reports with the touch of a button versus manually connecting a papertrail and verifying timelines can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in an audit. An example: A large national carrier We recently came across one carrier with around 10,000 producers that maintains nearly 30 commission levels, and five different hierarchy types based on different business purposes, such as regional sales assignments and commission structures. What if North Carolina audits the carrier? With about 600 agents holding resident licenses in the state, lets say it takes a speedy staff member 10 minutes to validate and collect each agents sales and position according to what agencies theyre contracted under and how they receive a commission for different products. Even at just 10 minutes apiece, that staff member would have to pull reports on producer data for two and a half weeks100 hours doing nothing other than compiling producer information. Solving for manual hierarchy management: 3 essentials If youre moving beyond time-intensive and risk-laden manual processes, youre probably in the market for a distribution channel and compliance management solution. Any solution that truly makes you audit-ready will include these non-negotiables: Real-time tracking and change management: Changes to producer assignment, hierarchy shifts, and commission structure accurate to the day with everything logged, timestamped, and easy to integrate across your other systems. Changes to producer assignment, hierarchy shifts, and commission structure accurate to the day with everything logged, timestamped, and easy to integrate across your other systems. Effective dating with historical data retrieval: Your team should have the ability to view hierarchy snapshots both today and at other points in time. Your team should have the ability to view hierarchy snapshots both today and at other points in time. Integrated approval workflows: Your system should clearly document approvals and any supporting documents or commentary to establish quick validation and embolden proper governance. AgentSync Hierarchy Management brings these core features fully to life within the Manage ecosystem so you can validate your data and better manage partners at speed without sacrificing the ability to cut hours out of any audits that might come your way. To learn more about how you can move from a reactive to a proactive approach to address your hierarchy management and whether youre audit-ready, watch a demo or schedule a personalized consultation. Massachusetts is eliminating a series of insurance and other business regulations with a goal of making it easier and less costly to conduct business in the state. According to Gov. Maura Healey, her administrations Massachusetts Means Business initiative is axing or amending one quarter of the regulations under the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), which includes agencies governing banking, insurance, occupational licensure, standards, and telecommunications and cable. While insurance is a priority, the streamlining efforts also touch on everything from barber poles and electric poles to vocational education and home contractors. Healey said the focus is to eliminate outdated and duplicative requirements, repeal unnecessary barriers to business growth, and rescind regulations that stifle competition. The administration is modernizing OCABR systems to save time and costs, improve license management, eliminate paper processing, and increase transparency for licensees, consumers, and employees. The actions being taken reflect the results of a survey of businesses the state conducted in March to help identify regulations that the business community views as problematic. The administration shared the survey with associations and chambers of commerce to reach businesses across the state. According to the state, 24% cited insurance compliance and requirements as the top regulatory area that presents the greatest challenge for business, followed by 20% for business compliance inspections and examinations. Massachusetts means business. We need to support our entrepreneurs and companies, cut their costs, and make it easier to do business in our state, said Healey. Thats what we are doing by cutting red tape, simplifying regulations, and saving thousands of businesses and business owners significant time and money so they can focus on what matters most growing jobs and contributing to our economy. Chris Stark, executive director, Massachusetts Insurance Federation (MIF), said the industry welcomes the Healey-Driscoll administrations efforts to make it easier for insurers to engage with the Division of Insurance, including eliminating duplicative and confusing paper filing requirements. The Division of Insurance (DOI) has begun updating some of its regulations that affect 1,400 licensed insurance companies and approximately 200,000 individual insurance producers. Changes thus far include eliminating the requirement to submit paper filings or computer discs and expediting the rate filing process. In 2025, the DOI streamlined its required business processes with the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) to enable entities to more efficiently update specific license details. The changes also allow businesses to add or remove members or designated responsible licensed producers to their license without a paper process or sending a check via postal mail. DOI said it expects to launch an online payment portal by the end of the year that will allow licensed producers to pay fees electronically and reduce staff processing time. Earlier this year, the DOIs financial licensing unit adopted a new integrated system that makes it easier to pay licensing fees and submit required reporting. Insurance regulations being amended include ones covering: workers compensation hearings and rate filings; direct payment of motor vehicle collision and comprehensive coverage claims and referral repair shop programs; regulatory review of and public hearings on plans of reorganization or conversion; annual comprehensive financial statements reporting; procedure for surrender and non-renewal of licenses by insurers authorized to write motor vehicle insurance; private passenger motor vehicle insurance rates; legal services plans; motor vehicle insurance rates; and petitions for the adoption, amendment or repeal of regulations Not the Only Target Insurance is a major target but not the only target. The Division of Banks is updating eight of its regulations. The changes aim to provide wider and easier access to reverse mortgage counseling by offering phone and online services; streamline mortgage licensing disclosure requirements to make them more consistent with those of other states; align state regulations with applicable federal regulations; and ensure regulatory parity with federally-chartered credit unions. Other regulatory amendments and removals involve Division of Occupational Licensure recommendations to make education more accessible, eliminate excessive burdens, and support smaller businesses, including at-home practitioners. These changes: Remove barriers for vocational students from receiving credit hours for programs completed in public vocational secondary or post-secondary school programs, creating a faster and more affordable pathway to licensure. Remove outdated rules for businesses like eliminating the requirement that barber shops have poles installed to identify their businesses. Allow assistant instructors in aesthetics, cosmetology, and manicuring to be licensed for more than two years. Eliminate the high school graduation requirement for barber instructors and assistant instructors, which widens the talent pool. Reduce student and school size minimums and allow schools to use buildings not located at their registered address to teach students, creating more opportunity for education. Ease requirements to establish at-home salons by no longer requiring the entrance to be visible from the street and immediately accessible at the front or side of the property. Allow electrologists to perform services for any customer in their home, increasing professional opportunity. Increase the number of credit hours from a barber school that can be applied toward a cosmetology degree, so barbers can more easily qualify for a cosmetology license. Changes are also being made in regulations for architects, drinking water operators, plumbers and gas fitters, electricians, and public accountants as well as in rules affecting unit pricing in retail businesses to permit digital pricing; making tramway signage more efficient; and reducing obstacles to electric company pole attachments and broadband expansion. The state is also creating a new home improvement contractor hub that will eliminate manual processes and paper applications and replace an outdated database so consumers can more easily search for contractor registrations and contractors can more easily manage their registrations. Topics Carriers Contractors Massachusetts Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a settlement with Home365, LLC, regarding the Las Vegas-based property management companys alleged failures to timely address Pennsylvania tenants maintenance needs. The voluntary compliance settlement also alleges Home365 failed to return tenant security deposits. The company used an artificial intelligence-based platform to assist its operations. Consumers complained that the platform was responsible for delays, as well as the companys leasing of unsafe housing. As artificial intelligence finds its way into many aspects of modern society, it is imperative that those choosing to use this new technology ensure it is working effectively, Sunday said. This company left many tenants waiting for fixes to water and sewage leaks and structural flaws, and failed to return security deposits to others. This outcome is another demonstration of my office fulfilling its core mission to protect consumers. The settlement alleges Home365 violated Pennsylvanias Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by failing to provide safe and habitable housing to Pennsylvania tenants, including failing to provide tenants with utility services (heat and water) and timely repairs. The settlement further alleges that Home365 failed to return tenants security deposits as required by Pennsylvanias Landlord Tenant Act. Under the terms of the settlement, Home365 will pay $45,000, including $30,000 in consumer restitution and $15,000 in costs. As a result of this settlement, the Commonwealth will be distributing refund checks to consumers who have already filed a complaint ranging from $375 to $10,450. Additional consumers have 90 days to file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection to be eligible for restitution. The settlement also requires changes to Home365s business practices to ensure these alleged violations do not occur again in the future. The settlement has been submitted for filing in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Amy L. Schulman. Topics InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Property Pennsylvania 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 aluminum 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. 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 prioritizing negotiations to resolve the conflict. We dont 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. 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 Commissions 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. 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) Topics USA Europe The European Union agreed overwhelmingly to curb Chinese medical device manufacturers access to public procurement contracts in the bloc, according to people familiar with the matter. EU countries voted Monday on the measure, which will ban access to public contracts worth more than 5 million ($5.7 million), said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The move is 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 ($1.5 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. Photo: The European Union is set to curb Chinese medical device manufacturers access to public procurement contracts in the bloc. Photographer: Milan Jaros/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Europe China Wildfires in Canadas energy heartland of Alberta have shut down almost 350,000 barrels of daily heavy crude production about 7% of the countrys output as a major blaze near the provinces eastern border menaces oil sands operations. Cenovus Energy Inc., MEG Energy Corp. and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. are among the companies that curtailed output because of the 61,500 hectare blaze near the Saskatchewan border. The so-called Caribou Lake Wildfire and other out-of-control blazes have grown to at least 10 hectares in size and were within roughly 10 kilometers of about 470,000 barrels a day of oil production early Monday. Canadas prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have seen an eruption of wildfires, prompting the evacuations of thousands of people away from potential danger. A total of 26 wildfires were burning out of control Monday in Alberta, which is the source of most of Canadas oil output. The disrupted production almost the equivalent of what OPEC+ nations agreed on Saturday to restore to the global market is a reminder of how volatile oil supply can be. The loss of flows from the worlds fourth-largest oil producer comes at a time when heavy crude supplies already are strained. Oil sands operators had recently curtailed output for regular maintenance, and tightening sanctions have crimped supplies of similar heavy crudes from Venezuela. Canada has long seen its energy output threatened by wildfires that rage through the dense forests of northern Alberta in spring and summer. In 2016, a blaze shut down the massive oil sands mines just north of Fort McMurray, taking more than 1 million barrels of daily production offline. Cenovus said Sunday that it expects to resume operations at its 238,000 barrel-a-day Christina Lake oil sands site in the near term after shutting output on May 29. MEG Energys nearby oil sands site was affected by a power cut due to the blaze, delaying the restart of a 70,000 barrel-a-day section of the facility after maintenance. Canadian Natural evacuated workers from its Jackfish 1 oil sands site, shutting 36,500 barrels a day of output. There will be a chance of showers Monday and Tuesday in the Edmonton area, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. High temperatures will linger at around 19C (66F) both days. Wednesday and Thursday will be clear and warmer, with highs reaching into the 20C range, the agency said. Showers will likely return by the weekend. On Monday, the highest fire threats are across central and southern Saskatchewan, as well as parts of eastern Alberta around Edmonton, according to Natural Resources Canada. Photo: Wildfire smoke above Highway 97 near Trutch, British Columbia, on May 30. Photographer: Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Energy Oil Gas Canada Areas of the Central United States still recovering from severe storms last month face a threat of more severe weather this week, with heavy rain, flooding and hail forecast through the middle of the week. The National Weather Service said widespread regions of heavy rains and severe weather will threaten the Southern to Central Plains into the Lower Missouri and Middle Mississippi Valley regions. The storm system began Monday and is expected to continue through Tuesday and Wednesday. The Southern to Central High Plains face a threat of high winds and large hail with a lesser threat of tornadoes on Tuesday, NWS said. A greatest threat of flooding will be felt from north Texas, across central to eastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, and Missouri where soils are more saturated from recent heavy rains, the agency said. Meteorologists at AccuWeather said a strengthening jet stream combined with warm, humid air from the Gulf will enhance storm development, and a cold front colliding with this unstable air mass will further intensify thunderstorm activity across the central and eastern U.S. NWS forecasts heavy rain, flooding and severe weather threat to shift eastward during the day on Tuesday, into Tuesday night. By Wednesday the storm system will be over the Middle Mississippi Valley, ,moving southwest into the Lower Missouri Valley and eastern portions of the Central and Southern Plains. The risk of severe storms will advance into the Northeast on Thursday, AccuWeather said, bringing the threat of severe thunderstorms across parts of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. The Central U.S. experienced a multiday severe storm outbreak in mid-May that caused an estimated $9 billion to $11 billion in total damages and economic loss, according to an AccuWeather preliminary estimate. At least 28 people died were killed by the storms, with most of the fatalities occurring in Kentucky and Missouri. More than 60 others were injured. Topics USA Snack food maker Mondelez International is suing the Aldi supermarket chain, alleging the packaging for Aldis store-brand cookies and crackers blatantly copies Mondelez products like Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins and Oreos. In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Illinois, Chicago-based Mondelez said Aldis packaging was likely to deceive and confuse customers and threatened to irreparably harm Mondelez and its brands. The company is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks. Aldi didnt respond to messages seeking comment. The U.S. branch of Aldi, which is based in Batavia, Illinois, was named in the lawsuit. In the lawsuit, Mondelez displayed side-by-side photos of multiple products. Aldis Thin Wheat crackers, for example, come in a gold box very similar to Mondelezs Wheat Thins. Aldis chocolate sandwich cookies and Oreos both have blue packaging. The supermarkets Golden Round crackers and Mondelezs Ritz crackers are packaged in red boxes. Aldi, which was founded in Germany, keeps prices low by primarily selling products under its own labels. Its one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in the U.S., with more than 2,500 stores in 39 states. On Friday, the company announced that its current chief operating officer, Atty McGrath, would become Aldis U.S. CEO on Sept. 1. The chain has faced lawsuits over its packaging before. Last year, an Australian court found that Aldi infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs for young children. In that case, Aldis packaging featured a cartoon owl and similar colors to the name-brand packaging. Earlier this year, a U.K. appeals court ruled in favor of Thatchers, a cider company, which sued Aldi over design similarities in the packaging of its lemon cider. Mondelez said in its lawsuit that the company had contacted Aldi on numerous occasions about confusingly similar packaging. Mondelez said Aldi discontinued or changed the packaging on some items but continued to sell others. The lawsuit also alleges that Aldi infringed on Mondalezs trade dress rights for the packaging of Nutter Butter and Nilla Wafers cookies, and its Premium cracker brand. Photo: This combo of images shows, top row from left, Mondelezs products Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies; bottom row from left, shows Aldis products, Peanut Butter Creme, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Filing, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photos/Nam Y. Huh) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits A Texas bill on the verge of becoming law would require labels on packaged food from Skittles to Mountain Dew that warn about ingredients not recommended for human consumption by other countries. Texas Senate Bill 25, backed by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is now awaiting the signature of Gov. Greg Abbott. Foods containing certain ingredients would require warning labels on new packaging beginning in 2027 in order to be sold in Texas, which is the second-most populous US state with 31 million residents. The bill lists more than 40 ingredients, including synthetic food dyes and bleached flour. Many, but not all, of the additives are banned or require warnings in other countries. If approved, the impact on the packaged-food industry could be far reaching: When companies are forced to comply with state regulations, they have often opted to adopt those changes nationwide to streamline production. It would also mark one of the most substantive victories yet for the Make America Healthy Again movement, Kennedys signature effort. The bills supporters have said it has Kennedys backing: Rep. Lacey Hull, a state lawmaker who was one of the bills sponsors in the House, said she received a call from him when it passed the legislature. Abbott has yet to commit to signing the bill, however. Governor Abbott will continue to work with the legislature to ensure Texans have access to healthy foods to care for themselves and their families and will thoughtfully review any legislation they send to his desk, Andrew Mahaleris, his press secretary, said in a statement to Bloomberg News before the bill reached Abbott on June 1. The governors office didnt respond to an updated request for comment. Texas is seen as one of the most business-friendly states in the US, with no state income tax for individuals and generally a lighter approach to regulations. If Abbott signs the bill, he will go down as a historical figure as the man who broke the food industrys back on these chemicals, said food activist Vani Hari, also known as Food Babe. This is something that will spawn incredible change within the food industry. HHS didnt respond to a request for comment. Carve-Out The bill contains a possible carve-out: If either the Food and Drug Administration or Department of Agriculture deem an ingredient safe, restrict its use, including by adding their own warning, or ban it outright after Sept. 1, the states own labels for that ingredient wont be required. And if the federal government mandates labeling for ultra-processed or processed foods, that would also supersede Texas required labels. But if the FDA, which falls under Kennedys jurisdiction, doesnt declare the listed ingredients safe or offer new qualifications for their use, the warnings would be required for new food labels developed and copyrighted starting in 2027. While some of the ingredients slated for warning labels, such as titanium dioxide and bleached flour, are more highly regulated in other countries, others, like the emulsifier DATEM, have less stringent regulations. Affected Foods A wide range of foods would require a warning label on new packaging to be sold in Texas under the bill, barring changes in formulation. These include Mars Inc.s Skittles and M&Ms, WK Kellogg Co.s Froot Loops, PepsiCo Inc.s Mountain Dew and Nacho Cheese Doritos, which use synthetic dyes. HHS and the FDA said in April that theyll work with food producers to eliminate the dyes by the end of 2026. Industry groups have said no agreement exists on the matter. BHT, a preservative listed in the Texas bill, is found in cereals like General Mills Inc.s Cinnamon Toast Crunch. BHA, which is also listed, is present in deli meats, but the bill exempts foods regulated by the USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service, which oversees meat, poultry and eggs. Pastries such as General Mills Pillsbury Toaster Strudel and Entenmanns Little Bites Chocolate Chip Muffins, made by Grupo Bimbo SAB, use bleached flours. Titanium dioxide, used for coloring and shine, is used in Mondelez International Inc.s Sour Patch Kids Watermelon. Other products that would be affected include white breads made by Wonder and Sara Lee brands and Campbells Companys Pepperidge Farms, which all use DATEM. The bill would require the warnings appear in a font size thats no smaller than the smallest text for other FDA-required information. The wording would need to appear in a prominent and reasonably visible location and have sufficiently high contrast. Industry Letter Industry groups and companies including PepsiCo, Mondelez, Coca-Cola Co., Conagra Brands Inc., and Walmart Inc. sent the Texas legislature a letter dated May 19 urging lawmakers not to pass the initiative. As its written, the food labeling provision in this bill casts an incredibly wide net triggering warning labels on everyday grocery items based on assertions that foreign governments have banned such items, rather than on standards established by Texas regulators or by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the companies and groups wrote in the letter. Conagra declined to comment. The other companies didnt immediately provide comment to Bloomberg News. The Consumer Brands Association, an industry group for some of the countrys largest food companies, urged Abbott to veto the bill. The ingredients used in the U.S. food supply are safe and have been rigorously studied following an objective science and risk-based evaluation process, said John Hewitt, senior vice president of state affairs for CBA. The labeling requirements of SB 25 mandate inaccurate warning language, create legal risks for brands and drive consumer confusion and higher costs. Jura Liaukonyte, a professor of marketing and applied economics at Cornell University, said state laws have had a wider impact on the industry in the past, including a Vermont law from about a decade ago that briefly required foods to disclose the use of most genetically modified organisms. This caused some companies to add the labels nationwide, according to her research. Similarly, Californias Proposition 65 product warnings have spread to some products nationwide, she said. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Texas A North Carolina insurance agency cannot escape a lawsuit brought by a homeowner who was denied coverage after a hurricane because key elements of the property were not mentioned in the coverage application. In a case that began almost a decade ago and is likely to continue for another few years, the state Supreme Court decided last month that a move to dismiss the lawsuit against J. Kim Hatcher Insurance agency is not allowed under 100-year-old case law. The ruling partly upholds a 2023 North Carolina appeals court ruling that had overturned a trial courts 2021 order dismissing the homeowners lawsuit. The question presented in this case is whether a person is contributorily negligent for signing a blank insurance application and trusting his or her agent to complete it carefully, no matter the circumstances, Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls wrote for the court. The answer is that the question must be weighed by a jury and such lawsuits cannot be easily shelved by a judge, the high court noted. While the Hatcher agency, based in Beulaville and Kenansville, argued that the property owner, Daniel Jones, contributed to the misrepresentation and the coverage denial by signing the application without reading the policy, the justices found that defense does not always apply. Whether an individual was reasonably put off his guard, and thus was not contributorily negligent, is fact specific, the opinion notes. The interactions between the insured and the agent before and after the policy was issued are relevant to the determination of whether it was reasonable for the insured to trust the agent enough to not double-check the agents work. The situation began in 2016, when Jones agreed to let Hatcher quote him a price on an HO policy for his home in Pender County, near the coast. The Hatcher agency producer who worked with Jones was not named in the suit. Kyle Hatcher is listed as the agency owner. The agency secured a policy through Nationwide. A year later, Jones switched back to North Carolina Farm Bureau, but Hatcher told Jones the agency could obtain the same coverage through GeoVera Specialty for a lower premium, according to Jones complaint. The agency representative reportedly told Jones that all the homeowner needed to do was sign the blank application and pay the first premium and the agency would take care of the rest. Hatcher inspected the property and took photographs. A year later, Jones renewed the GeoVera policy. The court opinion did not explain why the agent may have omitted some details about the property. In September 2018, Hurricane Florence severely damaged the property, ripping shingles off the roof and damaging interiors and belongings, the court explained. The family was forced to live elsewhere for a period of time. After initially noting that it would pay the claim, GeoVera later balked, informing Jones that the insurance application did not mention the fact that a large pond was on the property, directly in front of the house, and that the property covered almost eight acres of land, including some farmland. That constituted a material misrepresentation, the carrier said. After the denial, Jones filed suit against the Hatcher agency, against a surplus lines broker and against GeoVera, charging negligence and gross negligence and asking for punitive damages. The trial court judge in New Hanover County agreed to dismiss the suit based on Hatchers argument that Jones himself was negligent for signing a blank policy application. The Court of Appeals overturned the trial court, and Hatcher and Jones both appealed to the state Supreme Court. The high court sided with Jones, finding that the trial court had erred. To establish contributory negligence as an affirmative defense, a defendant must prove that the plaintiff could have avoided injury by exercising reasonable care, the justices wrote, citing a previous court decision. In general, yes, anyone who can read has a duty to do so when signing a document, the court noted. But in this case, Jones claim was not a contract action but a negligence claim. The homeowner had expected the insurance agent to handle everything, as promised and as the agency had done previously. These allegations of a prior course of conduct and Hatchers specific assurances are sufficient to allege that Jones may have been reasonably put off his guard, and therefore that Jones was not contributorily negligent, the justices said. Homeowners may reasonably expect that, where an agent stands to earn commission for performing a service, the agent can be trusted to perform that service with due care. After all, if a customer can never trust their agent, what is the point of hiring the agent to begin with? the court noted. Requiring customers to double-check their agents homework, no matter the circumstances and as a matter of law, is inconsistent with reasonable social expectations. The case does not clearly show that Jones contributed to his own injury, and the issue must be decided by a jury. The high court overruled the appellate court on one point. The appeals court judges found in 2023 that Jones could not seek punitive damages in the suit because he had failed to name specific people at the insurance agency. But the agent acting on behalf of the Hatcher agency had signed the application and had the authority to bind the corporation, the Supreme Court opinion explained. Also, the court said, because we conclude that Jones sufficiently alleged facts to support punitive damages based on willful or wanton conduct, Joness claim for gross negligence likewise survives and necessarily overcomes Hatchers allegation of contributory negligence. Justice Trey Allen dissented in part. The case now goes back to the trial court level for a trial or settlement talks. Topics Homeowners Vehicle crashes across Tennessee in the last few days have left five people dead and dozens more injured. In the tourist town of Gatlinburg, seven people, including two pedestrians, were injured in a multivehicle crash on Sunday. The accident occurred at about 4:20 p.m., when a minivan travelling through the middle of the pedestrian-heavy downtown area accelerated unexpectedly, striking a person in a crosswalk before colliding with several other vehicles, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. One of the struck vehicles hit a roadside sign that fell and injured a second pedestrian. Five other people inside two different vehicles were injured as well. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating, and early indications suggest the accident may have been caused by a medical emergency, according to the agency. Gatlinburg is located the mountains of East Tennessee. It sits between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the countrys most visited national park, and Pigeon Forge, home of Dollywood. In Madison County in western Tennessee, two people were killed and many more were injured when a Greyhound bus and a passenger vehicle crashed, authorities said. According to a statement from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the crash occurred Monday evening on a highway near Jackson. Nearly 40 people were injured, and roughly 27 of them were taken by ambulance to receive further medical care, according to a social media post by Madison County Fire Rescue. At least one of the people killed was in the passenger vehicle, according to Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security special agent and spokesperson Jason Pack. In its investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol has reconstructed the crash scene and is rebuilding the mechanical systems of the bus. The agency says its investigation remains ongoing and further details were limited as of Tuesday afternoon. A Greyhound spokesperson told news outlets that the bus was traveling from Memphis to Nashville with 32 passengers, the driver and a backup driver on board, adding that most of the people taken to the hospital had since been released. And in Memphis, a mom and her two sons were killed in a pileup on Interstate 40. Tonya Cannady and her two sons, Barry and Scott, were identified as the victims by her employer, Youth Villages, WREG TV news reported. Related: Shortage of Overnight Truck Parking Blamed for 2023 Fatal Bus Crash in Illinois Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Tennessee A U.S. judge dismissed the state of Californias challenge to President Donald Trumps tariffs, allowing the state to file an appeal over the courts ruling that the dispute should have been filed in a specialized U.S. trade court in New York. The ruling, handed down late on Monday by U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Corley in San Francisco, did not delve into the merits of Californias lawsuit. Now, three separate U.S. appeals courts may simultaneously consider the legality of Trumps sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners and a separate set of tariffs targeting imports from China, Mexico and Canada. Since February, Trump has issued new tariffs, paused tariffs from taking effect, and raised and lowered rates as he attempts to negotiate new trade deals with other nations. The on-again and off-again tariffs have whipsawed businesses who work with international suppliers. Although legal experts expect that the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately decide the legality of the tariffs, rulings from different intermediate courts in the meantime could further sow confusion. A panel of three judges in the Manhattan-based U.S. Court of International Trade and a federal judge in Washington D.C. have already declared that Trump did not have unilateral authority to impose tariffs without input from Congress. The Trump administration has appealed both rulings, in cases brought by 12 U.S. states and several small businesses. Corleys ruling is more limited than either of those decisions and does not address the legality of Trumps tariffs. Instead, Corley ruled that California should have sued in the Court of International Trade, which has exclusive jurisdiction over tariff disputes in the U.S. California, which opposed the transfer, had asked the judge to dismiss its case rather than transfer it, which will allow it to appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. has temporarily paused the trade courts ruling, which allows the tariffs to remain in place for now, while it considers whether to impose a longer term stay while an appeal of that ruling plays out. California argues that any federal court can hear the case because it raises constitutional objection to Trumps use of tariff powers that are reserved for Congress unless delegated to a president. The law that Trump has cited to justify the tariffs, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, does not authorize tariffs at all, so it can not force California to litigate in the trade court, Californias Attorney General Rob Bonta said. Our argument is straightforward. Trump doesnt have the authority to impose these destructive tariffs, Bonta said in a statement. The lawsuits challenge Trumps so-called Liberation Day tariffs on imports from most U.S trading partners, as well as a separate set of tariffs levied on China, Mexico and Canada. The latter are related to his accusation that the three countries were facilitating the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., allegations the countries deny. (Reporting by Knauth; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot) Topics Lawsuits California Legislation A mother has launched a campaign for new legislation called Francis Law, named after her son to end the automatic reduction of sentences during mitigation in rape cases. Mitigation covers a range of factors from pleas of guilty to the rehabilitation of the perpetrator which can considerably cut the final term handed down. Kildare mother Georgina Tuohey recently had a third case of rape and/or sexual assault on three of her children finish in the criminal courts. She was left outraged at the length of sentence given to her former partner, Brendan Cornally, in the last case, concerning her son Francis, who has special needs, and the overall term Cornally will serve for all three sentences. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs sentenced the 51-year-old Offaly man to five years and nine months for the rape of Francis, which, when added to the two previous sentences, gives a total sentence of 17 and a half years. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ms Tuohey said the sense of injustice was compounded when she was informed by the Irish Prison Service that Cornally is due to be released on March 20, 2037 12 years from now. When she questioned did this jail term include the five years and nine months, she was told it did and that the release date factored in the standard 25% remission for good behaviour. What this means is that the five years and nine months Ms Justice Caroline Biggs gave to Brendan Cornally for the rape and sexual abuse of my son, he will not serve one day. Thats not justice. Our justice system is not fit for purpose and needs to change. She said this was why she was campaigning for Francis Law, to remove the automatic reduction of sentences through mitigation. Francis Last March, Cornally was sentenced in the Central Criminal Court for the habitual rape of Francis a then 13-year-old boy with mild autism during most of 2018. Francis has special needs, having been diagnosed as autistic and as having a mild learning disability as a child. Ms Tuohey told the court that despite these conditions he excelled and lived an independent life and completed his Leaving Cert Applied. But the court heard how Francis descended into a catatonic state during the second half of 2023 and before the pending trial in 2024, when he was 18, as he relived the trauma of the abuse. Ms Justice Biggs said the expert reports found it was highly likely that the trauma of the sexual abuse Francis suffered at the hands of Cornally was activated by the upcoming criminal process. Ms Tuohey, who in her victim impact statement described at length the impact on Francis, said she and her son will continue to live with the devastation Cornally left in his wake. Brendan Cornally brutalised him, she told the Irish Examiner. Catatonia is known as the ultimate regression, where you are in an unspoken state. You cant eat, you cant dress, you cant go to the bathroom. This is a young man who two years ago did his Leaving Cert Applied and now cant cross the road. He was very independent, now he has lost all forms of independence. Throughout Franciss case as in the two previous cases Cornally remained largely expressionless and stared blankly ahead of him most of the time. Ms Tuohey said her intention now was not to detail the impact on Francis, but to highlight the deficiencies and injustices of the legal system. Headline sentence In the sentencing, Ms Justice Biggs said the greatest aggravating factor was that Cornally knew of the boys condition when engaging in habitually raping him during most of 2018, saying he showed a remorseless attitude during the abuse. Ms Biggs also said Francis was very young and vulnerable and that the rape happened in a dark and filthy bedroom. She said 15 years to life was for the most extreme of cases. She said counsel for defence, John Shortt SC, thought this was not appropriate and that 10-15 years was the proper range. Ms Biggs said this was the second highest category and said that she agreed with Mr Shortt. She placed the headline sentence in effect to maximum starting point at 15 years. Ms Tuohey said: I understand from being in the justice system for so long the confines people in it work within. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs may be the boss but she works in a constrained environment. Unfortunately she found herself giving a reduced sentence because of the laws, despite this being the most serious of crimes, which can attract 15 years to life. But unfortunately Irish laws are so constructed that Ms Biggs found herself confined in the sentence she was able to give. Early guilty plea Judge Biggs said that on December 2, 2024, the guilty plea was entered, based on sample counts. She said that while Cornally could have pleaded guilty earlier, she described it as very significant. She said that had Francis been required to give evidence in a trial that the effects on him could have been catastrophic. Accordingly, she reduced the headline sentence from 15 to 11, based on a 25% reduction for the guilty plea. Ms Tuohey is particularly angry at this: You would imagine an early guilty plea means that when someone commits a crime and is charged that they admit guilt early on but in fact in our three cases the guilty plea is on the eve of trial. She said: I am looking to change policy on early guilty plea that it is within one year of being charged. This will save a lot of trauma for victims and family waiting for trial. Remorse Ms Tuohey said Cornally apologised for his rape through his barrister, but that it meant nothing to her or her son. She said: He said sorry through his barrister, he didnt say it himself. It was of no benefit to me or my son. Irish law gives him mitigation for just saying it, not meaning it. Rapist Brendan Cornally is due to be released in 2037. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie Proportionate Judge Biggs stressed that she was required to apply a proportionate sentence. This had to take into account the gravity of the offence, the impact on Francis, and Cornallys level of culpability. It also had to take in mitigating factors, such as the personal circumstances of Cornally and legal principles, including that rape and sexual violence are the most serious of crimes. The judge said she also had to ensure that the three separate sentences for offences against the three victims were not greater than if it was one sentence for all the three victims delivered at the same time. During his submission, Mr Shortt, defending, cautioned against a crushing sentence, and said any consecutive sentence should not be manifestly disproportionate. Judge Biggs said that when the 11 years was added to the two previous cases which totalled 11 years and nine months the overall sentence would be 22 years nine months. She said Cornally was constitutionally entitled to a proportionate sentence and said that if all three cases were dealt with at the same time it would be 20 years. She said she was duty bound to reduce the sentence from 22 years nine months to 20 years. Ms Tuohey said: My understanding of a proportionate sentence is to balance the punishment for the severity of the offence with the personal circumstances of the offender. Brendan Cornally was himself sexually abused as a child, that was heard in court [Judge Biggs made reference to this in mitigation]. But the extent of his culpability and the gravity of the offence, I dont think Judge Biggs took that sufficiently into account in the sentencing. Francis had special needs at the time of the rape. Francis was left in a catatonic state. Hes now like a three year old. He has no independence. Before, he was fully independent. He was looking forward to a life in college, a life of friendships, employment and a relationship. Brendan Cornally broke my son. Rehabilitation Judge Biggs said she also had to bear in mind the requirement to enable rehabilitation for the perpetrator, noting previous submissions from Mr Shortt about Cornallys engagement in prison activities to date and a willingness to engage in therapy. Based on a Probation report, Judge Biggs said she was further reducing the 20-year sentence by two and a half years to allow for rehabilitation and supervision on release. It brought the final sentence to 17 and a half years. This meant the sentence for the rape of Francis was five years and nine months. In court, Ms Tuohey called this an absolute disgrace, saying her family had been destroyed by Cornally and implored the judge to change her mind. Ms Justice Biggs told Ms Tuohey that she was sorry but that her job as sentencing judge was to take in a number of factors and said she had carefully considered them. Speaking a couple of months on, Ms Tuohey told the Irish Examiner: I understand the need for rehabilitation, but for certain crimes rape, child rape and child sexual abuse there should be lengthier sentence. Because of the justice system, Ms Biggs is not able to give a lengthier sentence. Its not her fault, she is bound by the rules. I dont have any adverse feeling to her. I understand her restraints but something has to change. When someone commits a crime of that depravity, where there should be a lengthier sentence, judges need to be given the opportunity and right and will to exercise that. Civil action In addition to pushing for changes to the criminal laws, Ms Tuohey is also fighting a civil case to prevent Cornally selling his house. She has taken on a solicitor but has been told it will cost her 20,000 to pay for a barrister. Brendan Cornally has sole ownership of a house in Tullamore and money in his bank account, she said. My son has been reduced to a two-to-three year old. He cannot make any decision for himself, he cant cook, he cant even decide to wash himself, he needs help with rehabilitation that is going to cost money. Brendan Cornally is trying to sell his house and I am trying to get an injunction to stop him that comes at a cost of 20,000 and I do not have that. Ms Tuohey said that, as exhausted as she is, her fight to change the law on mitigation will continue. We are not finished, she said. The law needs to change. I am doing this for Francis. For the first time in more than a decade, gardai have carried out a series of searches for the remains of Fiona Pender. The murder of the heavily pregnant 25-year-old in August 1996 caused immeasurable anguish to her family, with her heartbroken father Sean taking his own life a number of years later, and her mother Josephine dying in 2017 without being able to bury her "blonde-haired girl". It has also proved a difficult and frustrating case for gardai to crack. Despite a series of extensive searches in the years since, more than 300 statements and the arrest in April 1997 of five people, no trace of remains has yet been found. Fiona Pender was seven months pregnant at the time she went missing in August 1996. Now, nearly 30 years after she vanished without a trace, fresh digs were conducted in bogland in the Midlands last week, in the hope of finding Fionas remains. It is believed the search operation came about after a local man provided new information to investigating gardai, which is being treated as credible. Having completed a search of land near Killeigh in Co Offaly on Tuesday, the operation then moved to the Slieve Bloom mountains close to Clonaslee in Co Laois on Wednesday. Killeigh and Clonaslee are about a 10-minute drive apart across the county boundary. Gardai have now concluded both searches and said they were not releasing their findings for operational reason. Ms Pender's family are being updated on any developments in the case, according to gardai. The only surviving immediate family member is Fionas youngest brother, John Pender. "Investigating gardai continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance of Fiona in the early morning of Friday, 23 August, 1996, who has not spoken to gardai, to please come forward a spokesperson said. Fiona Pender, from Connolly Park in Tullamore Co Offaly ,was last seen at 6am in her bedsit on Church Street in her hometown when her then boyfriend John Thompson said he was leaving for work. Her mother Josephine always insisted her daughter vanished the evening before, on August 22, 1996. Fiona had spent that day shopping for baby clothes with her mother in Tullamore town. Josephine believed her daughter was murdered that night. Her boyfriend and father of her child, John Thompson, said she was asleep when he was leaving for work the following morning. Five people were arrested following Fionas disappearance, but they were all released without charge. No one has ever been convicted of being involved in Fiona's disappearance which was treated as a suspected murder investigation since the seventh anniversary of her disappearance. Gardai searching in an area close to Killeigh, about 10km from Tullamore, Co Offaly, last week. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Gardai believe there is only one main suspect, who moved abroad several years ago with his own family. In 2016, Josephine Pender, who spearheaded a campaign to find her daughter for two decades before she died, said she had no ill feeling towards anyone she just wanted her daughter and grandchild found. I wasnt angry I just wanted to know where Fiona and her baby were. Josephine Pender held memorial events near the canal in Tullamore, now called Fionas Way after her daughter, and had a monument designed in the area in her memory. The heartbroken mother, who was described as a hero for her tireless campaigning, died in 2017, just two weeks after marking the 21st anniversary of her only daughters disappearance. Josephine, who was 68 when she died, had suffered with ill health for years prior to her death and was in hospital for a long period of time. She chose not to talk about her illness with the many reporters who contacted her from time to time. Instead, she just wanted to remain her bubbly self and put the campaign before her illnesses. For several years before her death, she spoke of how she was afraid of dying before finding out what happened to her daughter. She said she had confronted the chief suspect several times since her daughters disappearance to ask about Fiona's whereabouts. I asked him lots of times where he put Fiona, but he would just laugh and say I dont know what you are talking about. I would say, are you going to tell me where my Fiona is? and do you not think its time now to give us some peace? But he always brushed it off or laughed it off. I would keep saying: Do you not want to get that off your chest and tell me. But he would shrug and walk away. I tried everything I told him I did not want revenge, but I got nowhere. I always said I hope no other woman would suffer like Fiona. I know she suffered, and I dont want that for anyone else, she said at the time. Josephine Pender was a devout Catholic who volunteered in her local church and prayed every day. I never gave up on God or anything like that she said. Prayer is what got me through a lot of the agony, but I am anxious from the minute I wake up until I go to sleep. I pray all the time, I never gave up on my faith. I know I will be with Fiona someday and I will get the answers, maybe in the next life, maybe not in this life but there is no need to hate. But I do understand how people can hate and be angry over this, people can feel what they want to feel, I just want to find Fiona and her baby, thats my grandchild. Fiona Pender. Picture: Irish Times Group Picture More than 10 years ago, the last major excavation searching for Fiona took place outside her hometown of Tullamore. That operation began following information from the main suspects wife, who claimed her former husband told her he had buried Fiona in the woods. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with threatening to kill his wife in another jurisdiction, but was later cleared of all charges. During that search, special metal detectors and high-tech equipment from Britain was flown in to be used by search teams in a 2,500sq m area of state forest in an area known as Capard, near Rosenallis, Co Laois. At the time, Josephine Pender believed this could finally be the breakthrough she had prayed for but sadly, nothing was returned in the dig. Josephine Pender had been driven to the site by gardai and when she received the news the dig was over and it was fruitless, she said she cried the whole way home in the back of the squad car with her son John. Speaking afterwards she said: Shes not there, shes not there, I really thought they would find her, they didnt find her. I am absolutely devastated. We were going to have her at home for a few days in the house, bring her back home and light a few candles in the house. I am exhausted from crying. Afterwards, Josephine said it was the first time the reality of Fiona's tragic death had hit me hard. I had to start thinking about the fact she was dead, because you always have hope even though you are realistic. I thought about her so much, being out there on her own, what she was left like and her long, beautiful hair. I just wanted to bring her home, keep her there and tell her we love her and give her a proper funeral, but it wasnt to be. Josephine had three children with her late husband Sean and the family lived in Tullamore. Tragically just 14 months before Fionas disappearance in 1996, her son Mark was killed in a motorcycle accident. Then in 2000, four years after Fionas disappearance, Josephines husband Sean took his own life in their home. Her youngest son, John Pender, and Josephine were left with the agony of those three losses as well as Fionas baby, who was also never forgotten by the family. My whole family was destroyed, Josephine said. She described Mark as a lovely young man who left us all heartbroken when he was killed. But at least there was some comfort knowing that we had a funeral service for him and I could go to his grave. Sean was my husband and father to my children, we were good friends, and he was a lovely man. He took his own life because he couldnt cope with the pain of Fionas disappearance, she said before her death. Josephine Pender was very well-liked around Tullamore, and had huge support from the people in the town, who helped keep Fionas memory alive. Every year, Josephine made her way to a stretch of the Grand Canal bank in the town, on the anniversary of when Fiona went missing, to help cheer on locals who took part in a memory run for her. She would wait at the finishing line with cups and medals and was always delighted to present them to the winners of the race around the area there, renamed after Fiona. It is important for me to do this she said in 2016. I always get great support from the locals. They have never forgotten her, and the walk is something that takes my mind off things. But I suppose you never really forget what youre going through either. Fionas brother John designed the large memorial on Fionas Way which represents a mother and child. Josephine was very proud of the design saying: We worked hard to get this off the ground and have this place done for her and I want her remembered always. I still hope Ill find her and bring her home one last time, I will never give up and Ill give this search my last breath. She had accepted her daughter must have been murdered but lived in hope of burying her. I want her with her brother Mark and father Sean she said. I want to light candles and incense and have her home for the night where I can wake her and tell her how much we love her. I dont know if thats ever going to happen though. Josephine Pender sadly died on September 13, 2017, having never found her daughter's remains, but she always believed she would be reunited with Fiona and her son Mark and husband in the afterlife. Theyll be there for me, and I will have all the answers in heaven, if I cant find them here. In a statement, gardai investigating Fiona Penders murder said they had concluded their search operation on open ground in a location in Co Laois, the results are not being released for operational reasons. The gardai have updated the family on any developments the statement said. Gardai are also continuing to appeal for any information on Fionas disappearance. The mother of a young Irish soldier killed in action in Lebanon three years ago has been given permission by the High Court to sue the United Nations in the Irish courts. Private Sean Rooney was only 24 years of age when he was killed while on UN duty when the armoured vehicle he was driving from south Lebanon to Beirut came under fire in December 2022. His mother Natasha Rooney, from Newtown Cunningham, Co Donegal, has already initiated proceedings against the Irish Defence Forces, the Minister for Defence, and the State parties, Ireland and the Attorney General over the death of her son. She is suing for mental distress allegedly sustained by her and other members of the soldiers family as a result of the death of Pte Rooney. Her counsel Ray Motherway BL told the High Court on Tuesday Pte Sean Rooney lost his life in an ambush and they now wanted leave to issue and serve proceedings on the UN, which has headquarters in New York. On December 14, 2022, Pte Rooney was driving a UN-marked armoured SUV-type vehicle which was travelling as part of a two-vehicle convoy on an administrative run to Beirut Airport from the Irish UN base, Camp Shamrock. Four soldiers were in each SUV. The vehicle driven by Pte Rooney became separated from the other one and ended up in a town called Al-Aqbiyah where it came under gunfire and Pte Rooney was killed. Central to the case against the UN is the allegation that UN officials allegedly ordered soldiers at the Irish base to stand down from going to assist as those officials believed other peacekeepers may have been closer. In an affidavit to the High Court grounding the application, solicitor Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law solicitors, said on December 14, 2022, Private Sean Rooney who was on a UNIFIL deployment in Lebanon was in a two-vehicle convoy. The two vehicles became separated in or near Ai Aqbiyah, Lebanon, and Private Rooney came under gunfire and he was shot and killed. According to the affidavit, investigations by the Irish Defence Forces are ongoing, a criminal prosecution in Lebanon is ongoing and a verdict form the Dublin Coroners Court is awaited and it said there is currently limited information available to Ms Rooney regarding the relevant circumstances. Jurisdiction As the United Nations has its main office and place of business in the United States, the affidavit said it was necessary to bring the application for leave to issue and serve the intended proceedings outside the jurisdiction. Mr Mackin said the United Nations is a proper party to the proceedings as it was involved in the operation of UNIFIL and Pte Rooney was killed in action on a UNIFIL peacekeeping mission. The Republic of Ireland, he said, was an appropriate jurisdiction to hear and determine the intended proceedings as the balance of the intended defendants have their main offices within the State and witnesses are likely to be resident in Ireland too. He said it would also save on costs rather than have the dispute litigated in Lebanon or in the United States. Mr Justice Paul Coffey accepted jurisdiction and granted permission to issue a plenary summons against the United Nations and serve it on the UN based in New York. A copy of the personal injuries summons which will set out the allegations against all parties, including the UN, will now be served on the United Nations, which will have 42 days to enter an appearance in the case. A High Court judge has directed the BBC to pay 50,000 damages, plus 250,000 legal costs, to former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams pending a possible appeal by the broadcaster against the full costs and damages orders made in his defamation case. On those conditions, Mr Justice Alexander Owens agreed on Tuesday to give the BBC a stay on payment of the full 100,000 damages awarded to Mr Adams by a High Court jury. The stay also applies to the judges order for the BBC to pay Mr Adams legal costs, estimated at up to 3m. Eoin McCullough SC, for the BBC, said it is still considering whether to bring an appeal against the jury decision and award made last Friday. When counsel asked about a further stay on the conditions of the stay imposed by the judge, the judge told him he would have to seek any such further stay from the Court of Appeal. The judge was told the BBC is still considering whether to appeal last Fridays finding by a High Court jury that it defamed Mr Adams by publishing a claim that he sanctioned the murder of a British agent. The jury awarded Mr Adams 100,000 damages to vindicate and restore his reputation. Following the verdict, Mr Justice Owens made costs orders in favour of Mr Adams. The amount of costs, yet to be decided, has been estimated at up to 3 million for the 21-day action. Mr Adams claimed the 2016 Spotlight programme and a related article defamed him by falsely accusing him of giving the final say in the murder of MI5 informant Denis Donaldson by dissident republicans at a cottage in Glenties, Co Donegal, in 2006. The jury agreed, as Mr Adams had pleaded in his claim, that words published in the programme and article were understood to mean he sanctioned and approved the murder. The BBC had argued the claim against Mr Adams was couched as an allegation but the jury rejected the BBCs defence that the publication of the allegation was fair, reasonable and in the public interest. Grounds for appeal On Tuesday, Mr McCullough outlined a number of possible grounds of appeal, including concerning the treatment of evidence from the family of Mr Donaldson and a decision to exclude evidence of Austin Stack, whose father was shot by the IRA in 1993. The judge said he was not really persuaded there was anything in any but one of the grounds set out. He said he was partly with counsel on a point concerning how the jury had considered defences by the BBC that the publication was in good faith and was fair and reasonable. There was a point concerning whether the jury should have been asked to consider whether the publication was done in good faith prior to considering whether it was fair and reasonable, he agreed. He did not think there was anything in the other points, the judge said. Mr McCullough said his side regarded the jurys award of 100,000 as unsustainable for a broadcast of very small circulation. The judge said it was obvious a broadcast like that would be picked up and there was publicity about the allegation made against Mr Adams. To accuse anyone of murder, of sanctioning a murder, is right up there at the top in my view, he said. Mr McCullough said Mr Adams had not pleaded a case for damages on the basis of republication elsewhere. The judge suggested the plaintiffs side could have argued the BBC would have known something as nefarious as that would be immediately picked up. Earlier, Thomas Hogan, counsel for Mr Adams, said there was a low bar for an appeal, that an appellant had to show a ground was arguable. Counsel said he did not propose to fight any appeal point at this stage. There was a very significant inequality of arms between the sides but his side, with very limited resources, had managed to prevail, he said. Stay application Mr Hogan said the BBC was seeking the stay without even saying it was going to appeal the jury outcome. That suggested the stay application was strategic and any stay should have conditions attached, including for payment of something towards the award and costs. Mr McCullough said he wholly rejected any suggestion of bad faith in the stay application. The BBC wanted to take advice and had not yet decided on an appeal, he said. It was likely any appeal would be heard promptly, he added. The judge, who said he did not regard the stay application as a strategic one, granted a stay on payment of the full award and legal costs on condition the BBC pay out 50,000 of the award to Mr Adams and 250,000 towards his legal costs. In other submissions, Mr Hogan accepted his side could not seek some extra-territorial injunction which would geoblock the disputed publication. When counsel referred to concerns in some quarters last weekend about the prospect of geo-blocking the entire BBC, the judge laughed and said he had read those. There was no jurisdiction to do that, he said. The jury award of damages was made on the basis of it being told an injunction was not an available remedy, the judge added. Cork native Leona Macken and her husband Alan held hands as the apology from HSEs National Screening Service chief executive Fiona Murphy was read to them. Inside Court 1 of Dublin's Four Courts, family and friends, some of whom had travelled from Leonas community in Fairhill in Cork City, could be heard sobbing. Dressed in a white blouse and beige fitted hat, the 38-year-old mother of two, who has stage 4 cancer after she was misdiagnosed during a cervical screening exam in 2016 and 2020, listened intently. Because of the urgency of her diagnosis, Ms Macken's case before the High Court was fast-tracked through the courts system. At one point the pain of hearing the words of the apology for the failings that have occurred and led to your diagnosis, became too much for Alan Macken, who tried to force back the tears by pressing his eyes firmly with his hands. Cork native Leona Macken (centre) and her husband Alan (right) held hands as the apology from HSEs National Screening Service chief executive Fiona Murphy was read to them. Picture: Collins Courts His wife, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy, leaned over and kissed him saying it's okay as he looked to her for strength in that moment. They hugged each other before thanking their legal team and leaving the Four Courts. I do feel relieved its over and that the HSE has apologised, Ms Macken told the Irish Examiner. It means so much to have it, its important. I had two misdiagnosed smears, one in 2016 and one in 2020. Thats two years on from Vicky Phelan. I had to drag everyone through this and had to do it all myself. If I never looked into it, would I have ever known? Ms Macken was suffering unexplained abdominal pain and bleeding and sought medical help. I had everything done, but all tests came back okay," she explained. "I had another smear in 2023 and I had cancer - it was stage 1 b2. Then I had a hysterectomy and was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, now I am stage 4. I was always conscious of my health, I paid for my first smear at 21. It was the whole (the late British reality television personality) Jade Goody story that made me get it done privately. I had a smear again in 2013, that was fine. Now I am undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy and the fight goes on. "The chemo is hard, but its every three weeks so I try to build myself up again," Ms Macken said. Her husband Alan said it was hard to take it all in as he listened to the apology in court. She has fought so hard, but we are getting through it, she is very brave, he said, while Ms Macken added that as horrible as the situation is, she was hugely satisfied to get the apology. It was a long journey, and even though Alan went through it and so did my family, I fought it all on my own in ways that they didnt, she said. It was like the golden ticket getting them (the HSE) to acknowledge that they failed me, to be honest. I didnt realise it until I heard it, and I knew, yes, this is what I wanted. The couple, who live in Artane, Dublin with their two children, eight-year-old Drew and five-year-old Quin, said they have worked together as a family as Ms Macken undergoes intensive treatment. The kids are great, and they look to you for support, said Ms Macken. Leona Macken: 'It means so much to have it, its important. I had two misdiagnosed smears, one in 2016 and one in 2020. Thats two years on from Vicky Phelan.' Picture: Collins Courts Leona and Alan, who met in 2010, celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary last Friday. I met him on a night out in Dublin when I came up from Cork and followed him here and thats where we are, and we help each other, she continued. We are doing our best just to fight on. Leonas parents Mary and Jerimiah Cooney described their daughter as a rebel heart from Cork. Her mother said: She is incredible the way she is handling everything. She is an amazing woman," said her proud father as he fought back tears. We are so proud of her, she has kept it all together, at the same time she is a devoted mother and wife. The Glinsk Viaduct and Drung Hill tunnels in South Kerry, one of the rail engineering wonders of the Victorian era and the jewel in the crown of the long awaited South Kerry greenway, is proving "challenging" to turn into a cycleway, a meeting has heard. The pace of the 32km paved greenway project between Glenbeigh and Cahersiveeen, unveiled as a template for all other greenways in June 2014 and billed to open in 2016, was raised at a meeting of the Kenmare Municipal District. However, planning challenges, including a lengthy oral hearing, and opposition by some of the 197 landowners along the route, meant it finally got the go-ahead in 2020. Various sections are at different stages of construction, with around 8.5km currently being built, but no section will open this year, the council told the meeting. "The most challenging section , the 11-span viaduct, 73 ft above the Glinsk Valley and old sandstone tunnels at Drung hill, is now approaching, the meeting was told. Tender documents are being drawn up for this section between Mountain Stage and Kells Post Office. There are engineering challenges, engineer Padraig Teahan admitted, after Fine Gael councillor Teddy OSullivan Casey asked if there were issues with the viaduct. Its an old structure and has to be brought up to standard, Mr Teahan said. From an engineering perspective, that section is proving very challenging, the engineer told Mr Casey. The viaduct opened for rail traffic in August 1893 as part of one of the most scenic rail journeys ever opened in Ireland. In its 2013 application to the Department of Transports national cycle network funding scheme, Kerry County Council said initial structural inspection of the Glensk Viaduct and the tunnels at Drung Hill suggest that they will require only minor repair and environmentally sensitive lighting. The cost estimate at the time was 4.8m with the scheme to be completed in 2016. Earlier this year, 7.2m, the bulk of the greenway funding for Kerry, was allocated to the South Kerry greenway via the active travel scheme of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Kenmare Municipal District Council chairman and Fianna Fail councillor Tommy Cahill said the failure to open even one section this year was very disappointing. A number of businesses had closed waiting for the greenway to open. It is very disappointing. It is a lifeline for businesses who are only hanging on, he said. The current management approach by TII did not allow for separate phases of the project to be opened, the council said. This article was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Punters from one of Irelands most remote pubs are celebrating victory after a months-long battle to save their beloved local. Many had feared it would be last orders for the Inny Tavern (Tabhairne na hUine) in Dromaid, after the pub's owners Humphrey O Conchuir and Noreen Ui Chonchuir made the difficult decision to retire. A lack of interest from buyers on the open market might have sounded the death knell for the village of Cillin Liath which is located in Co Kerrys Iveragh peninsula. However, a community buyout made possible by an online fundraising campaign means the pub will now stay open indefinitely. Described as one of Irelands newest communities, the village was built around the local primary school, which opened in 1973 and was followed by the pub 16 years later. The pub is now set to change hands this week and will be run by and for the community. The Inny Tavern in Dromid, Co Kerry soon to be one of Irelands First community owned pubs.Picture: Alan Landers Forbairt na Dromoda Teo the local community, social enterprise organisation in the Iveragh Gaeltacht were behind the campaign to save the Inny Tavern and adjoining shop which was also run by Humphrey and Noreen. The group had raised enough funds for a deposit as well as securing a bank loan for the property. However, there was a shortfall, and the remaining funds have now been raised through the GoFundme campaign which was launched earlier this year and has generated almost 107,500 to date. It comes two years after Humphrey and Noreen set in motion plans to sell the bar. Originally opened by the OConnor family in 1989, the pub has been operating in the Gaeltacht community for around 36 years. Emir Ni Mhurchu of Forbairt na Dromada said news of the pubs survival has come as a relief to many in their community. Areas along the western seaboard are massively struggling with issues like population decline. "This has been a huge issue for us. Holiday homes in place of actual people coming to reside here is just one of the changes we are seeing. This has had implications on numbers in local schools and football teams. There was no way we wanted to lose our pub too. Emir was fulsome in her praise for donors adding: People came through from all over the world to support us. These were people who had emigrated to Australia but someday hope to come back. Working in tandem Noreen and Humphrey fill their last pints at the Inny Tavern. Picture: Alan Landers "Others living in America with families who will never come home also donated. One of the most touching letters came from former punters of a pub in Galway. They said they were absolutely devastated to lose their pub. They didnt want to see the same happen to us, which is why they were so supportive. She said isolation had been a huge concern for the communitys residents. We are talking about people who lived their lives in townlands where there might have only been five or six families. Farming wasnt exactly a money spinner when they were young. However, the country seemed to have more when it had less. "In those days there were more people supporting businesses. There was also more of a focus on the community. The main concern for us is to ensure that people dont become isolated. For a number of people, their visit to shop or pub might be the only social aspect to their day. There is also the intergenerational element. Its not unusual to see people in their 20s playing cards with people in their 80s. We really want to maintain that rural vibrancy. Emir also extended her well wishes to the pubs previous owners Humphrey O Conchuir and Noreen Ui Chonchuir. Everybody is entitled to their retirement and Humphrey was even more entitled to his. At the same time, not knowing the fate of the pub was a huge weight on his shoulders. Hes really delighted that its here to stay. They have waited 11 years and one month for someone to finally break open the ground at the Tuam burial site and uncover the answers to what really happened to their loved ones. When the news emerged in 2014 that 796 children had died in the Tuam mother and baby home between 1925 and 1961, families, survivors, and the public were angry and upset. But when further news emerged about how these remains had been callously dumped in a disused septic tank on the grounds of the home, the whole world was rightly shocked. The Bon Secours nuns who ran the home on behalf of Galway County Council also owned the privately run Grove hospital nearby. When the nuns sold their land in their early 2000s, they exhumed their colleagues who died and were buried at the Grove hospital and reinterred them at Knock cemetery, but left the remains of hundreds of children behind. At first the nuns claimed they were shocked and saddened over the discovery of the mass grave in the septic tank, but Anna Corrigan, whose two brothers died in Tuam, was one of those to quickly challenge the nuns' denial, stating they knew about the existence of the childrens grave. As proof, she points to a letter written to her in 2013, where the nuns advised her to make inquiries about her brothers' grave at the back of the former Tuam home. Historian Catherine Corless at the Tuam mother and baby home. Picture: Andy Newman. When news of the mass grave made international headlines the following year, historian Catherine Corless, whose painstaking research made the discovery possible, together with survivors and their families, believed the next step would be to excavate the site and start the long process of identifying the individual children. However, the whole process became mired in a complex series of issues to do with legislation, practicalities, specialised skills, and a five-year commission of inquiry, which cost the State millions. All the while, the remains of the children remained lying in a septic tank. Legislation was thrashed out in the Dail and the Institutional Burials Bill 2022 was finally passed allowing for the recovery and identification of the children and an appropriate reinternment. Now, as the date for the first ever mass exhumation of the Tuam Babies burial site approaches, a number of relatives of the children buried there have spoken to the Irish Examiner about what will be an extremely emotional process. Anna Corrigan, aged 70, Dublin In 2012, Anna Corrigan made the shocking discovery that she was not an only child, but instead was the youngest of three. As a child, she vaguely remembered someone arguing with her late mother Bridget Dolan about her two sons, and during a visit to the origins department of Barnardos years later where she was tracing her late father William Corrigans life in an industrial school she happened to mention this story. A few weeks later, as Christmas drew close, the researcher in Barnardos called Anna and asked her to come into its offices in Dublin. I told her 'no', said Anna. Im a grown woman, a grandmother, just say it over the phone, I told her. She was reluctant as this wasnt her preferred option, but when I pressed her, she said, Your mother did have two baby boys. My legs nearly went out from under me, Anna said. She explained there were two birth certificates for John and William Dolan, but only one death certificate and that was for John. The research showed Bridget Dolan, from Clonfert, Co Galway, who grew up in a large family on a farm, was an unmarried mother. Anna Corrigan, campaigner and spokesperson for the Tuam Babies Family Group with a photograph of her mother, Bridget, holding her as a young girl. Picture: Moya Nolan She fell pregnant twice, in 1946 and 1950, and was sent to the mother and baby home in Tuam. According to their official birth certificates, Bridget's first son, John Desmond Dolan, was born on February 22, 1946. An inspection report described him as "emaciated" and "mentally defective" and he died on June 11, 1947, from measles. Her second, William Joseph Dolan, was born on May 21, 1950, and is marked as having died on February 3, 1951, but there is no death certificate on record. I will never forget learning this news, Anna said. My whole life as I knew it, was not really the way it was. There were secrets, and my mother never said it to me ever. "I think she did that because it was too big to deal with, and maybe her way of coping. Id like to think she shared it with my dad. Anna told her mothers story in the original expose of the Tuam babies burial scandal on May 25, 2014, when Corless's research was published and made international headlines. She chose to share her mothers story anonymously at first, but has since become an avid campaigner for truth and justice and set up the Tuam Babies Family Group. We have 11 members with families in the pit, she said. I was never part of the commission, instead I reported my brothers missing to the gardai and have no update. "I cant say they are dead. John has a death cert, and William is marked as dead in the nuns ledgers but has no official certification. "Both children were baptised also. Is that a mistake in the nuns bookkeeping or he alive? I know my mother told a relative she had a son adopted to America and never left her Dublin tenant flat in the city centre in case he ever came back. Having been front and centre alongside Corless in the fight to have the burial site Tuam excavated, Anna said she is delighted to see it starting. There has been so much heartache in between, obstruction by the State, obfuscation, and delays, she said. I dont know how far this is going to take us, what are we going to find. "If remains are found, will the exhumation be halted and then we wait years for the next part of the section to start? Will we find them all? Will we find my brothers? I am holding my breath. "Ive done my DNA tests, I hope Ill be matched to my brothers and can have some closure, but I have to wait. I always wanted the children out of that site, no matter what, they couldnt possibly be resting in peace lying in a septic tank, and we, the families, have a say in where they are reinterred. I also believe there should be a criminal inquiry, but what are the plans for after the children are found? "Will anyone ever be held responsible for this atrocity? Knowing this State, not a hope. Annette McKay, 71, Greater Manchester No one knew that Margaret 'Maggie' OConnor had given birth to a bonnie baby girl when she was a teenager in the Tuam Mother and Baby Home after she had been raped in an industrial school. However, at a family gathering shortly after the birth of her great-grandchild, Maggie, broke down and her daughter, Annette McKay, refused to let her mother suffer in silence. She pressed her mother until she revealed the heartbreaking secret she had kept for five decades. 'Its the little baby,' she whispered. 'My daughter'... and it went from there." Maggie, who was known as one of the best-dressed women in Galway, had suffered all her life over her broken childhood which saw her raised in Lenaboy Industrial School and later locked up in the Tuam mother and baby home. This was all something none of us knew about, said Annette. She was so upset around my grandchild that I got in the car and drove back to her house that night until she told me her secret. When the baby died, the nuns threw her out of the home she said, they told her The child of your sin is dead, you can go'. Imagine that? She was helpless. Mum said the baby was beautiful and described her as a bonnie baby whom she carried around on her hip. Mum left Ireland and never went back, she was a broken woman who suffered psychiatric problems for years, she was on medication and had broken marriages. It all added up. Annette McKay said her mother was 'a broken woman'. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Baby Mary Margaret was six months old when she died from whooping cough on June 9, 1943. In her later years, Maggie suffered with dementia and died on April 8, 2016. Annette has fought for the truth about what happened to her sister who is named on the childrens death register in Tuam. She is a member of the advisory committee to the director of the intervention and is preparing for the exhumation, promised to take place in June and hoping all of the children will be found. Its the euphoria that it is actually happening after all this time, she explained. It is also not wanting to get your hopes up that there is going to be some sort of satisfactory outcome to it. Being on the advisory board, I do know how difficult and complicated its going to be. Id like to feel realistic about the possibilities, but I am also dreading going back to that site to see it again, because now its real, its concrete, the work of trying to get something done is different to all those dark secrets that might finally be exposed. What will be the truth of what is actually there, will we really get answers? Annette recalled visiting the site in 2014 when news of the mass grave first emerged. It was raining and dreary and we stood on the site with my cousin, she explained. My cousin said, 'You do know there are unburied babies underneath our feet?' It is like the day of the vigil and reading the babies' names, we put our cameras down, because suddenly you could feel the power of the place, saying those names out loud. When you read their names and their ages theres hundreds and hundreds of dead children and nobody can explain why. I am glad on the one hand this has happened, and Ive longed to see the end of that place. But it is also the banality of evil, in one side of that site is what we know to be the Tuam grave, but then theres a playground beside it. Everything that is normal but abnormal. There are happy children in the playground, but they are living in a place where there are dead children under their feet. She said all she can hope for is that all of the children will be found and accounted for. I just hope at the end of it we dont come to a place where there are still so many missing. What will Tuam reveal? What will it really tell us? "Those babies will never be here again, they are short, miserable lives, and we owe it to them to give them some dignity. Chrissie Tully, 94, Loughrea, Co Galway Chrissie Tully sat on her small velvet-covered orange sofa in the living room at the front of her home as two forensic specialists swabbed the inside of her mouth. As the only known surviving mother of the Tuam home, she has lived the past 76 years of her life with two heartbreaking scenarios. Her baby boy Michael arrived into the world on December 13, 1949, but died and lies buried somewhere in the Tuam grave, or he was adopted and is alive somewhere, possibly in the US, and unaware of his origins. I just remember the pain when I went into labour, Chrissie said. I was in the Tuam home. I had this unmerciful pain, and the nuns said they would have to get me into the hospital in Galway. The then 18-year-old was rushed to Galway Central Hospital where her baby boy was delivered. Thats all I know is that he was a boy, she said. I never saw his face and they said he was upside down in the womb. They went off with him and came back and said, the child died. I didnt even get a cup of tea. I had nothing. I went back to living my life as a domestic, a priest gave me a job. In 1955, Chrissie discovered she was pregnant again, with her partner who was not the marrying type. He went off to England, he didnt have any children as far as I know. Then one day two gardai came and brought Chrissie to the station in Loughrea. There was an old judge there and he said, If you dont tell us who the father of your children is we will put you in jail.' Chrissie laughed because laughing is all I can do now, if you cant laugh you would die. Chrissie Tully, from Loughrea, with her son Patrick Naughton. Picture: Hany Marzouk I told him, Go ahead so. I wasnt afraid of him, sure Id have nothing to lose; I was already the talk of the town. I went back to Tuam, my mother never sent me anything in case the women in the post office would read the address on the parcel. I never got any visitors or presents or letters." Recently, through the generosity of strangers, Chrissie raised 72,000 to buy her council home in case Michael is alive. I cant say what happened to him I cant find where he was buried, and we did look everywhere. There is one record that states return to the Tuam home' and that one sentence haunts Chrissie. I have been sick a lot lately, the idea he is in that pit. I dont think I could face that, she said. It hurts so much. I went to Tuam two years ago and one woman looked at me and said, I cant find my baby and I wanted to run away. I pray for him every night. To think he might be in a hole in a pipe somewhere. If he is found he will be buried with me. "But nobody can tell me anything, and that is why I want to leave this home for him. There is also the idea he is alive you cant trust the nuns. Thomas Garavan, 64, Co Mayo Professor Thomas Garavan has been unable to find burial details for his nine-month-old aunt Teresa Angela Daly who died in Tuam in 1936 as on her death certificate, she appears as Angela Daly. His mother, Margaret Daly, nee Garavan, aged 93, is now in a nursing home with dementia and is non-verbal. Im acting for my mother now; I am her legal representative, he said. Nobody ever knew about my mothers sister until we got the records. Nobody was told about her, or her death. "My grandparents John and Margaret Daly from Co Mayo were married with no fixed abode and fond of the drink, so the children went into Tuam but were also separated. We got a death cert for Teresa but have never been able to find where she is buried, and she died of meningitis. There are no records that show my grandparents were ever told about her death. She went in at nine months old as a healthy baby, she was right in the middle of my mother and her sister, and then the three boys after her. We didnt know about her, nobody ever knew about her, my mother and aunts did not know. Prof Thomas Garavan is 'sceptical about the Tuam exhumation, I wonder given what we know what actually they are going to find out'. Picture: Denis Minihane He said the forthcoming exhumation is difficult because his mother is without memory and will never know if her sister has been found. When my mother was well, we did our DNA tests, we have all taken part in that process, so that bit is out of the way, and that is great. But I cant tell my mother, she has no talk out of her at her at all, she is 92 and her sister 97 and both of them are in nursing homes." While the majority of the children who died in Tuam were born to unmarried mothers, Thomas' family was different. They were the children of a married couple who were unable to raise their children he said. All seven were taken and put into Tuam but separated, they found each other with no help from the State. I am sceptical about the Tuam exhumation, I wonder given what we know what actually they are going to find out. What condition are the bones in? Is there any potential to extract DNA and is the science good? My mother is a full sibling, so there is a good chance of a match if my aunt is found. But I dont know. My aunt died in 1936, that is a long time ago, so anything is possible, but it leaves me with more questions. I would like to know what happened to her and where is she buried, I would have her reinterred with her mother in Mayo. She is buried alone, my grandfather died in 1942, and my grandmother never claimed him, and he was put into a paupers grave. It really paints a picture of the sort of family they were, and my aunt did not deserve to die in Tuam, but all we can hope for is that all of the children are found. I find myself wondering these days how some of the great writers about dark futures would describe the world that is being created daily by the temporary alliance between the cruellest, meanest, man in the world and the worlds most amoral man, a man utterly devoid of scruples. I dont know if we ever needed to know the answer to that question, but if we did, we do now. Untold and heartless damage is part of the answer. But also, damage that will bite back. The combination of cruelty and amorality is like an acid. It eats into the fabric of everything. Representatives from big tech companies consistently describe their products and services as being "safe by design" for children. Im not buying it. TikTok says: We've designed our app with safety in mind, implementing a 'safety by design' approach that ensures we are building protection for our users, including teens and their parents. Roblox claims its platform was developed from the beginning as a safe, protective space for children to create and learn. Unsurprisingly, all of the popular services that children use make similar claims about the importance of the safety of their product. Claims that are at best, lofty ideals, and at worst, deliberately misleading. There is plenty of evidence these claims are far from the reality of what children and young people are experiencing on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, both of which use an incredibly powerful AI-powered recommender system to recommend content that maximises attention, rather than what is age-appropriate, content from friends, or even the kinds of things theyre interested in seeing. A hard-hitting 2024 report by DCUs Antibullying Centre showed how recommender algorithms being used in YouTube and TikTok shorts were actively fuelling the spread of misogyny and male supremacy content. There were two other notable findings to this research. Firstly, the speed with which the content started to appear was staggering, taking only 23 minutes after the account became active. Secondly, once the user started to show any interest at all in the recommendations, the content increased dramatically in both volume and in toxicity. Girls are not immune to being served harmful content either, though it tends to fall into different categories, such as eating disorders and body dysmorphia. In a report published last year, the Centre for Countering Digital Hate reported YouTubes recommender algorithm is pushing 13-year-old girls down rabbit holes of harmful content. An analysis of 1,000 recommended videos found one in three were related to eating disorders, two in three focused on eating disorders or weight loss, and one in 20 involved content about self-harm or suicide. Snapchat, which is incredibly popular (like YouTube and TikTok) with children who are under the platforms own minimum age requirement of 13 (36% of eight-12 year olds use it, according to our latest research), promises it is deeply committed to helping teens on Snapchat have a healthy and safe experience, yet Snap Inc, its parent company, is currently facing multiple lawsuits in the US that allege its harmful design fosters addictive behaviors and exposes children to risky content, such as cyberbullying, substance abuse, and self-harm material. The horrifying impact of this content is well documented in a soon to be released Bloomberg documentary called Cant Look Away. There can be no doubt these online products and services widely used by children are far from being 'safe by design'. They may not be intentionally harmful to children, but it is the consequence of their design. Their design is to deliberately maximise profit, not safety, which has largely been an afterthought. A more recent market offering has been Instagrams teen accounts from Meta, which promises parents that teens are having safe experiences with built-in protections on automatically [sic] . Certainly, at surface level, this new design sounded promising, with greater efforts made to ensure there would be far stronger protections in place from harmful content and harmful contact for those under 16. But two recent reports suggest its not as safe by design as its widely circulated ad campaign would have us believe. Accountable Tech released a report this month which found despite Meta's controls, all accounts had been recommended sensitive, sexual, and harmful content, with minimal educational recommendations and distressing experiences reported by most users. Another report published in April by the 5Rights Foundation titled Is Instagram Now Safe for Teens? had very similar findings. There can be no doubt these online products and services widely used by children are far from being safe by design. They may not be intentionally harmful to children, but it is the consequence of their design. Their design is to deliberately maximise profit, not safety, which has largely been an afterthought. How is it that other industries are expected to adhere to far more stringent regulations? The toy industry, for example, is subject to a strict range of regulations to sell into the European market, including the CE standard, which shows the toy meets European safety standards for children. This ensures the toy has passed checks for things like dangerous chemicals, durability, and age-appropriate design. This is all before it reaches the consumer. It is simply inconceivable that an industry as powerful and as widely used by children is not subject to anything even close to this level of scrutiny and testing at the design stage. This is despite the passing of the EU Digital Services Act, which does attempt to put some minimum standards in place and impose risk assessments on some of the larger platforms. Its hard to fathom how WhatsApp was able to unleash its AI buddy a virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence onto all of its subscribers feeds, with the small caveat that some messages may be inaccurate or inappropriate". Forty per cent of children aged eight12 have a WhatsApp account in Ireland, according to our research. For any parents who may not want such a powerful resource in their childrens pockets, its unfortunately not a feature that you can unsubscribe from, despite it being described as "optional". As we continue to navigate the online landscape, its clear the promise of "safety by design" from major tech companies is almost always falling short of its stated goal. While big tech must be held accountable for these shortcomings, its crucial that we demand stricter regulations and oversight from Government and regulators to ensure they are truly safe and appropriate for the young audiences they serve. Until these changes are made, children will continue to face a digital environment that prioritises profit over their wellbeing and exposes them to very real harms. Alex Cooney is chief executive of Irelands online safety charity, CyberSafeKids. Find resources to help protect children on its website. Its difficult to imagine things getting worse, but at every turn they do. Israel has inflicted a brutal and inhuman campaign against the people of Gaza, the charge of genocide laid bare. A population deliberately and cruelly starved by an occupying power hell bent on death and destruction. Since March 2, Israel enforced a near-total siege on the Gaza Strip, cutting off food, water, electricity, fuel, and medicine. The resulting humanitarian catastrophe shocked the world with the inevitability of famine becoming reality. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned that 1.1 million people, around half of Gazas population, are experiencing catastrophic hunger. 930,000 children - 93% of the children in Gaza - are at risk of famine. An estimated 95% of Gazas water is unfit for human consumption, with people forced to drink polluted water, leading to soaring rates of disease and child mortality. And at least 60 children have died of starvation and dehydration in recent weeks. Although aid agencies believe the real number is far higher and growing. Generations of children, their lives destroyed beyond repair. But instead of scaling up humanitarian access in response, Israel has doubled down on control. It has repeated its attacks on the UN and sidelined aid mechanisms that are established, effective and desperately waiting to get in. Just kilometres away from the suffering, over 9,000 trucks are desperate to get in across the border. The only legal and humane solution to alleviate the suffering is total and unfettered aid access, north and south, a flooding of the Gaza strip with food, shelter, medicines and clean water. Rather than really address the issue of starvation, Israel, through the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, will now control all aid distribution. Rather than focusing on what the starving population needs, it will decide where, when and to who aid is distributed to. They are using aid - one of the worlds means of expressing care and humanity in crisis - to displace and control. Israel has made clear its intention to clear the north of Gaza. Already controlling almost 80% of the Gaza Strip, this aid distribution is another means to forcibly transfer the population illegally to certain areas and make humanitarian access conditional on screening or political and military criteria. In the last 10 days, 180,000 were displaced. Palestinians gather to receive a hot meal at a food distribution point in the Nuseirat camp for refugees in the central Gaza Strip on May 21. Up to 1.1 million people, around half of Gazas population, are experiencing catastrophic hunger. Photo: Eyad Baba / AFP via Getty Images Deliberately designed to facilitate forced displacement from the north of Gaza, the Gaza Humanitarian Fund will have distribution hubs in central and southern Gaza, forcing starving families - many of them desperately injured, elderly and too ill to undertake long, dangerous journeys through militarized zones - to collect aid for their families. The UN described this as engineered scarcity, secured by private US security contractors, where those Palestinians who can reach them will receive rations. Since last week, about 900 truckloads were submitted for Israeli approval, and 800 were approved. But just over 500 could be offloaded on the Israeli side of Kerem Shalom, and even fewer made it to the Palestinian side, where the UN and others could collect just over 200 of them, limited by insecurity and restricted access. This is organised chaos inflicted upon a starving people. The core principle that aid must reach people where they are is ignored, with deadly results. It compounds the despair, desperation and trauma for people who have already borne too much to imagine. In the clamber to rush and get food, Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces killed seven people and wounded 47, using gunfire to shoot at a group of starving and desperate families. There are huge concerns about Israel using biometric screening as part of their aid distribution. This is surveillance masquerading as humanitarian assistance. It's a calculated attempt to weaponise hunger and to reduce relief to a tool of control. Palestinians carry boxes containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation on May 27. Photo: AP/Abdel Kareem Hana This blurring of military and humanitarian roles endangers aid workers and civilians alike. Weve already seen the cost. The humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence are not optional, but are binding under international law. Yet Israel is systematically eroding them. And while hunger and chaos grow, every day brings new atrocities. Just last week, Israeli forces killed nine of paediatrician Dr Alaa al-Najjars 10 children in shelters designated as safe. Israels war in Gaza has killed at least 54,000 people to date - mostly women and children - and displaced almost the entire population. What is happening is not just a war. It is the slow obliteration of an entire people. Ireland has a role to play and must act. Our long-standing tradition of supporting human rights and international law compels us to do more than offer words of concern. We must finally pass the Occupied Territories Bill, first proposed by Senator Frances Black in 2018. The decision by the Government this week to draft the heads of the Bill is welcome, but long overdue. An Israeli strike in Gaza City on Sunday. Israel has inflicted a brutal and inhuman campaign against the people of Gaza, the charge of genocide laid bare. Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi The outrageous atrocities we see over the last 20 months are the worst expression of a 70-year occupation of Palestinian territory. The level of violence is shocking, but it comes with this context of apartheid and occupation. This makes the exclusion of a ban on services from the Bill unacceptable. This is a vital and substantial element which would cover online platforms such as Airbnb which have a significant presence in some of the territories, offering tourist accommodation. Legal experts have verified this can be done. Meanwhile, many powerful countries, including the United States and EU members, continue to fund, arm, and diplomatically shield the Israeli government from accountability. At the same time, they issue platitudes about humanitarian concern. Karole Balfe: '[Israel is] using aid - one of the worlds means of expressing care and humanity in crisis - to displace and control.' As well as passing the Occupied Territories Bill the Irish government must lead calls for sanctions, suspension of the EU-Trade Agreement and push for an EU arms embargo. If the Bill is passed at least Ireland can say it took action and gave example to the world at a crucial time when powerful nations were turning a blind eye. We can stand as a beacon of principled action, reminding the world that small nations can lead boldly when justice is on the line. Karol Balfe is CEO of ActionAid Ireland which supports humanitarian response in Gaza The Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders has pulled his party out of the countrys four-party ruling coalition in a row over immigration and asylum policy, signalling the imminent end of the Netherlands 11-month-old government. Wilders, whose anti-Islam Freedom party (PVV) finished first in parliamentary elections in late 2023, said on Tuesday he had informed the prime minister, Dick Schoof, that all PVV ministers would leave the government. The far-right leader had earlier announced on social media after a brief meeting of the four party leaders in the alliance sworn in only last July that since there had been no sign-off on our asylum plans the PVV was leaving the coalition. Wilders said the partners refused to adopt his 10-point plan for halting immigration for the purpose of seeking asylum, as he had demanded last week. Legal experts have said several of the proposals are in breach of European human rights laws or the UN refugee convention, to which the Netherlands is a signatory. Dilan Yesilgoz, the leader of the liberal-conservative VVD party, a coalition member, said Schoof had urged the leaders to act responsibly before Tuesdays meeting. The prime minister, who appealed to us this morning, said that we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way, Yesilgoz said. She said she was shocked by Wilderss decision, which she described as super-irresponsible. Yesilgoz added of the far-right leader: We had a rightwing majority, and he lets it all go for his ego. Hes just doing what he wants. Another coalition party leader, Caroline van der Plas of the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), said she was very angry, and also called Wilders irresponsible. Nicolien van Vroonhoven of the New Social Contract (NSC) said it was incomprehensible. Wilderss plan includes enlisting the army to secure and patrol the borders, closing refugee accommodation facilities, sending all Syrian refugees home, suspending EU asylum quotas and banning family members joining refugees already in the country. Frustrated by the lack of progress, he warned at a press conference last week that if immigration policy was not toughened up by implementing the points on his list, the PVV the largest party in parliament with 37 seats would be out of the cabinet. Schoof is expected to hand his resignation to King Willem-Alexander later on Tuesday, less than a month before the Netherlands is due to host a summit of Nato leaders in The Hague. Read More 41644033/readmore] Three British nationals accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram of cocaine into Indonesia have been charged in a court on the tourist island of Bali. They face the death penalty under the countrys strict drug laws. Convicted drug smugglers in Indonesia are sometimes executed by firing squad. Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 28, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 29, were arrested on February 1 after customs officers halted them at the X-ray machine after finding suspicious items in their luggage disguised as food packages, said prosecutor I Made Dipa Umbara. Mr Umbara told the District Court in Denpasar that a lab test result confirmed that 10 sachets of Angel Delight powdered dessert mix in Collyers luggage combined with seven similar sachets in his partners suitcase contained 993.56 grams of cocaine, worth an estimated six billion rupiah (272,000). Two days later, authorities arrested Phineas Ambrose Float, 31 after a controlled delivery set up by police in which the other two suspects handed the drug to him in the parking area of a hotel in Denpasar. He is being tried separately. The drugs were brought from England to Indonesia with a transit in the Doha international airport in Qatar, Mr Umbara said. The group successfully smuggled cocaine into Bali on two previous occasions before being caught on their third attempt, said Ponco Indriyo, the deputy director of the Bali Police Narcotics Unit during a news conference in Denpasar on February 7. After the charges against the group of three were read, the panel of three judges adjourned the trial until June 10, when the court will hear witness testimony. Both the defendants and their lawyers declined to comment to media after the trial. About 530 people, including 96 foreigners, are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data showed. Indonesias last executions, of an Indonesian and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016. A British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, now 69, has been on death row in Indonesia for more than a decade. She was arrested in 2012 when 3.8 kilograms of cocaine was discovered stuffed inside the lining of her luggage at Balis airport. Indonesias highest court upheld the death sentence for Sandiford in 2013. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said his coalition government will become a caretaker administration after far-right politician Geert Wilders pulled his ministers out of the Cabinet in a dispute about a migration crackdown. The announcement completed a day of political turmoil in The Hague sparked by Mr Wilders decision to turn his back on the ruling coalition. Mr Schoof said he would offer the resignation of ministers from Mr Wilders Party for Freedom to the Dutch king. He and the other ministers will remain in office in a caretaker capacity, he told reporters. The decision means the Netherlands will have a caretaker government when it hosts a summit of Nato leaders in three weeks. Geert Wilders (Peter Dejong/AP) No date for a new election has been set, but it is unlikely before autumn. Mr Schoof, a career civil servant who was handpicked by Mr Wilders a year ago to lead the government, said he had repeatedly to coalition leaders in recent days that bringing down the government would be unnecessary and irresponsible. We are facing major challenges nationally and internationally and, more than ever, decisiveness is required for the safety of our resilience and the economy in a rapidly changing world, Mr Schoof said. Mr Wilders announced his decision early Tuesday in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. Mr Wilders told reporters that he was withdrawing his support for the coalition and pulling his ministers out of the Cabinet over its failure to act on his desire for a clampdown on migration. I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands, said Mr Wilders, whose Party for Freedom is still riding high in Dutch opinion polls, though the gap with the centre-left opposition is negligible. Coalition partners rejected that argument, saying they all support cracking down on migration. Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the right-wing Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy, said before the meeting that Mr Schoof urged the leaders to act responsibly. The prime minister who appealed to us this morning said that we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way, Mr Yesilgoz told reporters in parliament. But just minutes later, the meeting was over and so was Mr Wilders involvement in the government. Im shocked, Mr Yesilgoz said, calling Mr Wilders decision super-irresponsible. After years in opposition, Mr Wilders party won the last election on pledges to slash migration. He has grown increasingly frustrated at what he sees as the slow pace of the coalitions efforts to implement his plans. Last week, Mr Wilders demanded coalition partners 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 at the time that if immigration policy is not toughened up, his party is out of the Cabinet. Extremists have killed dozens of soldiers in an attack on a military base in Mali, civil society and military sources said on Tuesday, in the latest militant violence in West Africas restive Sahel region. The attack on Sunday on the base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso, killed at least 60 soldiers and wounded 40 more, a civil society activist in the area told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to reporters. The al Qaeda-linked JNIM group claimed responsibility. A military source told the AP there were around 280 soldiers in the base, and all of those who didnt die were taken prisoner by the terrorists. Malis army acknowledged the attack in a statement on Monday, adding that soldiers had fought to their last breath. It did not provide an exact death toll. Mali, along with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled an insurgency by armed groups, including some allied with al Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, they have expelled French forces and turned to Russias mercenary units for security assistance. In a separate attack on Monday, JNIM claimed responsibility for co-ordinated attacks on a military airport, a military base and army checkpoints in the northern town of Timbuktu. Malis army said on social media it repelled the attack and that 13 extremists had been killed. It did not say whether any soldiers were killed. A hospital employee in the town said one soldier died of his wounds and 10 other people were wounded. Timbuktu residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw armed men enter the town on motorcycles. They spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals. Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Centre for the New South, said the high level of co-ordination in the two attacks shows that JNIM had been planning them for a while. Attacks by extremists have been on the rise in Mali and neighbouring Burkina Faso in recent weeks. JNIM has established a strong presence in both. Tuesday, Jun 3rd, 2025 (10:18 am) - Score 5,280 Network operator CityFibre, which has already deployed their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband network to cover 4.4 million UK premises (4.2m Ready for Service), has today taken the wraps off their new Multi-Gig product, offering its ISP partners symmetrical speeds of 5.5Gbps (Gigabits per second) over twice as fast as their current top 2.5Gbps tier. The new product tier is being made possible by the operators ongoing upgrade from their existing GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) to XGS-PON (10Gbps symmetric capable PON) platform, which has already rolled out across 85% of CityFibres network and is currently due for completion later this summer. NOTE: CityFibre is owned by Antin Infrastructure Partners, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mubadala Investment Company, Interogo Holding etc. The network is supported by UK ISPs such as TalkTalk, Zen Internet, CityFibre is owned by Antin Infrastructure Partners, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mubadala Investment Company, Interogo Holding etc. The network is supported by UK ISPs such as Vodafone Sky Broadband and many more, but they arent all live or available in every location yet (technical reasons and exclusivity deals). In addition, the operator also hinted that theyre planning faster Multi-Gig services due to launch sometime in 2026, which we suspect might well see them push into the 7-8Gbps territory like other altnets (e.g. Netomnia/YouFibre, B4RN etc.). Going faster than 7-8Gbps on even XGS-PON in the real-world is difficult due to network overheads and other caveats. Advertisement Over three times faster than BT Openreachs fastest available 1.8Gb downstream / 0.12Gb upstream service, and available at a much lower wholesale cost, CityFibres 5.5Gb symmetrical product will enable partners to offer a range of Multi-Gig speed tiers to customers, improving margins whilst providing a valuable customer retention tool for the long term, said the announcement. Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: The UKs full fibre future is here, thanks to CityFibres powerful, 10Gb XGS-PON network. Our ISP partners are already connecting customers with speeds over 2Gb and exceeding expectations when it comes to quality and reliability, but our next generation of full fibre will set a new standard for whats possible. CityFibre started out to challenge the incumbents and bring choice and competition to the UK market. This is another huge step-forward, giving ISPs more power and flexibility than ever before and bringing affordable Multi-Gig speeds and an unrivalled experience to millions of UK consumers. The network operator, which has so far attracted 550,000 live customers (March 2025), currently still aspires to cover up to 8 million UK premises with their new full fibre network (funded by c.2.4bn in equity, c.4.9bn debt and nearly 1bn of BDUK / public subsidy) representing c.30% of the UK. But quite when theyll reach that point is unclear. The announcement comes shortly after we reported on how Openreachs technical documents for their own XGS-PON deployment were hinting at plans for a top symmetric speed of 3.3Gbps (here). At the same time, weve also seen Netomnia pushing into 50Gbps capable (50G PON) territory (here), although business users will be the first to benefit from any future 10Gbps+ packages via that network. The usual catch in all this is the difficulty of actually being able to harness all that speed when online. Most internet services still seem to struggle to harness more than 1Gbps (1000Mbps), assuming they can do even that, while the multi-gigabit domain remains more of a premium luxury product (Why Buying Gigabit Broadband Doesnt Always Deliver 1Gbps). But technological evolution rarely waits for the slowest users. Advertisement Naturally, there will always be those who find reason to moan, even when a network providers do things as striking as this. But pushing the boundaries of modern technology is part of what makes an operator exciting (marketing carries power) and as coverage matures then service performance / quality inevitably becomes the next battleground, alongside price. The catch for retail ISPs is that, in order to take advantage of such speeds, theyll need to invest in more capacity and better equipment (e.g. optical modems / ONT and routers, as well as fresh engineer visits for existing customers). All of that comes with its own costs and complexity, thus it may take a bit of time before all of CityFibres retail ISPs are pushing their new top speeds to consumers. At least 27 individuals lost their lives and many more were injured due to Israeli gunfire near a food distribution point in southern Gaza, according to local health officials. This incident marks the third consecutive day of turmoil affecting the aid efforts. The Israeli military stated that its troops had opened fire on a group of people who strayed from designated access routes near the distribution center in Rafah. They noted that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The fatalities occurred just hours after Israel reported that three of its soldiers were killed in clashes in northern Gaza, as military operations against Hamas militants continue, resulting in extensive destruction across the territory. Additionally, over 35 patients required immediate medical attention, according to the spokesperson. The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation initiated its first food distribution sites last week, aiming to alleviate widespread hunger among Gazas war-affected population, most of whom have fled their homes to escape the fighting. This aid plan by the GHF, which bypasses traditional humanitarian organizations, has faced intense criticism from the United Nations and established charities, claiming it does not adhere to humanitarian principles. The private organization, backed by Israel, announced that it delivered 21 truckloads of food early this morning, asserting that the aid operation was conducted safely and without incident within the site. Nonetheless, there are reports of continued fatalities near Rafah as crowds gather for essential supplies. On Sunday, both Palestinian and international officials reported at least 31 casualties along with numerous injuries. The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians who were assembling for aid and dismissed the reports of deaths during Sundays distribution as fabrications spread by Hamas. Today, the military stated that IDF forces had identified a number of suspects approaching them while straying from access routes. The forces fired warning shots, and after the suspects did not retreat, further shots were fired near those advancing towards the troops, they added. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his horror yesterday regarding the reports of Palestinian casualties seeking aid and called for an independent investigation. Furthermore, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders to residents in several districts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza late yesterday, cautioning that the military would act decisively against militants present in those areas. The military instructed residents to move west towards the Mawasi humanitarian zone. Palestinian and United Nations representatives claim there are no safe regions within the territory, with most of its 2.3 million residents displaced internally. The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza indicated that these new evacuation orders could jeopardize operations at the Nasser Hospital, the largest still-functioning medical facility in the south, endangering patients lives. Israel commenced its military operations in Gaza following the assault on October 7, 2023, in which Hamas-affiliated gunmen reportedly killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli sources. In the ensuing conflict, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been reported killed, according to local health authorities. Karol Nawrocki, the opposition nationalist candidate, has emerged victorious in the second round of Polands presidential election, securing 50.89% of the votes, according to the electoral commission. This outcome presents a setback for the pro-European governments reform initiatives. Nawrockis competitor, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw and an ally of the ruling government led by Donald Tusk, garnered 49.11% of the votes. Exit polls from yesterday had indicated a narrow victory for Mr. Trzaskowski. At 42, Mr. Nawrocki is a eurosceptic historian and amateur boxer who previously managed a national remembrance institute, campaigning on a platform that prioritizes Polish citizens in economic and social policies, including those pertaining to refugees from neighboring Ukraine. Rafal Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw, faced defeat in the second round of voting. Although the Polish parliament wields significant authority, the president has the power to veto legislation. This election was closely observed not only in Ukraine and Russia but also by the United States and throughout the European Union. Backed by the Law and Justice party (PiS), Mr. Nawrocki is expected to uphold the policies of his predecessor, President Andrzej Duda, who is also aligned with the largest opposition party, particularly in opposing any efforts by the government to liberalize abortion laws or reform the judiciary. On social media platform X, President Duda, a conservative, expressed gratitude to Poles for participating in large numbers during the elections. We need your consent to load this rte-player content. We use rte-player to manage additional content that may set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences The turnout for the election was recorded at 71.31%, a historic high for the second round of a presidential election, according to the electoral commission. Thank you! For participating in the presidential elections, for the turnout, for fulfilling your civic duty, and for taking responsibility for Poland. Congratulations to the winner! Stay strong, Poland! wrote Mr. Duda. Meanwhile, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extended her congratulations to Mr. Nawrocki, expressing confidence that the EU could maintain its very good cooperation with Poland. We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy, and values. Let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home, Ms. von der Leyen stated in a post on X. Montreal (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) The genocide in Gaza continues unabated as I write these lines. Belatedly, a few Israelis have begun decrying the starvation and mass murder that their armya peoples armyhas perpetrated since October 2023. These acts, supported by the majority of the countrys Jews, exceed in cruelty and brutality the violence that the IDF routinely used against Palestinians since before the unilateral declaration of independence in 1948. Dispossession, deportation, and death have been their tragic fate. The difference this time is not only in the degree of violence. Israeli leaders no longer hide behind diplomatic discourse and euphemisms. Their plan is clear: make Greater Israel *goyimrein*, cleansed of non-Jews. Residents of Gaza and the West Bank are being forced to leave their land and move elsewhere. This plan has long been discreetly envisaged by successive Israeli governments, but the fear of international sanctions prevented them from acting it out. Today, 82% of Israelis support the definitive expulsion of the Palestinians. However, consistent American and Israeli efforts to bribe countries to accept the exiled Palestinians have so far not borne fruit. One cant help recalling the Evian international conference of 1938, convened in order to resettle European Jews being expelled by the Nazis. Western delegates expressed sympathy for the Jews, but only the Dominican Republic agreed to accept 100,000 people (in practice, no more than a few hundred could actually reach the distant island in the Caribbean). With no country willing to take in Jews, Nazi authorities devised plans for the final solution of the Jewish problem. Millions of European Jews, alongside other inferior people, were systematically murdered between 1941 and 1945. The enthusiastic adherents of National Judaism (dati-leumi in Hebrew) and their allies in other strata of Israeli citizenry believe they can impose their will on the Palestinians. This relatively small segment of the Israeli population, whose core consists of settlers in the West Bank, has become the most dynamic and unswerving actor in the making of Israels Palestinian policy. Quite a few of these wearers of knitted kippahs occupy key positions in the Israeli state. The tail is successfully wagging the dog. Most Israelis continue to enjoy life, go to the gym, attend meetings of Weight Watchers, and otherwise take care of themselves. The starvation and massacre of tens of thousands of civiliansmostly women and childrenin Gaza, and of hundreds of people in the West Bank, all of which their spouses, fathers and siblings do in their name, leave most of them indifferent. Israel has dehumanized and demonized the Palestinians for decades, and this dehumanization has become brazen in the wake of the Hamas raid in October 2023. Max Blumenthal recently characterized Israeli society as satanic. But Israelis may one day wake up from their moral slumber and realize that Palestinians are human. Since the utter destruction of Gaza by Israel makes it impossible to house the two million survivors in their former homes turned in a demolition site, Israelisin an act of collective repentanceshould take them in. They should treat them as fellow humans and help them cure the terrible traumas caused by the IDF. They should compensate Palestinians for lost property, allowing them to stand on their own feet rather than depend on charity. This long-overdue act of repentance should create a society where everyonefrom the river to the seawill enjoy equal rights. This re-humanization is a challenge, but it is the only scenario that would free both the oppressed and the oppressors from the burden of incessant brutality. Quite a few people will qualify the proposed act of repentance as suicidal. Peter Beinart, in his recent book Being Jewish after the Destruction of Gaza, points to other historical examplesIreland, the American South, and, of course, South Africaand acknowledges that the rulers often perceive equality as an existential threat: White South Africans were just as afraid of being thrown into the sea as Israeli Jews are now. Yet, he argues, according to numerous studies, oppression fuels violence, whereas equal rights and the possibility of political change mitigate it. Since the late 19th century, Jewish intellectuals saw that the hubris and chutzpah of the Zionist settlers would create a death trap for the colonizers and the colonized alike. Ahad Ha-Am was an icon of cultural Zionism, as opposed to its political variety that has replaced all others. He published the following warning in 1891: I recently came to the Land of Israel and saw with my own eyes that we did not find an empty land here, but a nation full of life, dwelling in it, and loving the Land of Israel no less than we do. We are accustomed to thinking that the Arab is a wild Ishmaelite and we fail to notice that the Arab, too, is a human being, with feelings, and he senses very well that his land is being taken from him by force. Critical voices both inside and outside of Israel portray the Zionist experiment as a tragic mistake. The sooner it is ended, the better for all humanity. In practice, this would mean guaranteeing equality for all inhabitants and transforming the existing discriminatory regime into a state of all its citizens. But Israeli society is conditioned to see such projects as an existential threat and a rejection of Israels right to exist. The sacrifice of tens of thousands of civilian lives to ensure this right has not shaken this ideological mantra. Beinart observes that In most of the Jewish world today, rejecting Jewish statehood is a greater heresy than rejecting Judaism itself. We have built an altar and thrown an entire [Palestinian] society on the flames. Rehumanization, Digital, Midjourney, 2025 True, Beinart in New York and the author of these lines in Montreal can afford to indulge in dreams of equality. We are not the ones to face the consequences. But there are more and more people in Israel who see the moral and practical dead end of continuing the oppression and dispossession. Jewish tradition teaches that it is never too late to change course, to repent, and to make amends. Of course, to make such a sharp turn requires courage. A well-known Jewish insight is quite clear about it: Who is the greatest of all heroes? He who turns an enemy into a friend. Most people in Israel vehemently reject as exilic this traditional Jewish wisdom that upholds peace as the supreme value. They see in it only comfort of the weak. But, in fact, this is what real strength is all about. The ocean holds the answer. ( Foreign Policy in Focus) The rise of nationalist leaders epitomized by Donald Trumps withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, cuts to UN climate funding, and dismissal of multilateralism as globalist interference has sparked a pivotal question: Can international cooperation survive in an era of sovereignty-first politics? The stakes could not be higher. From the accelerating climate crisis to the scramble for ocean resources, the erosion of collective governance threatens to deepen existential risks, particularly for vulnerable regions and global commons like the high seas. Yet, even as unilateralism gains groundfrom Brazils Amazon deforestation under Bolsonaro and Chinas aggressive maritime claims to the U.S. rejection of the Law of the Sea Treatya counter-movement is emerging. At the heart of this struggle lies the ocean, a contested frontier where two futures collide: one of unchecked exploitation, the other of shared stewardship. Innovative solutions from debt-for-nature swaps to blue bonds are testing whether multilateralism can adapt or if geopolitics will doom humanitys last best hope for equitable climate action. The Climate-Debt Trap The countries of the Global South face a cruel paradox. Although they contribute the least to climate change, they suffer the worst consequences. After hurricanes and rising seas devastate their economies, they borrow to rebuildonly to face the next disaster with even heavier debt burdens. Today, many such countries have debt-to-GDP ratios exceeding 100 percent, leaving little room for climate resilience investments. These problems affect small island states the most, but not only them. Pakistans post-flood debt spiral, Mozambiques cyclone-driven fiscal crises, and even wealthy nations rising disaster costs prove that climate-linked financial instability is a global threat. The Trump administrations rejection of multilateral climate finance, rooted in skepticism of climate science and a reluctance to share financial burdens, has left a gaping void. Institutions like the IMF and World Bank, designed for twentieth-century crises, are ill-equipped for todays challenges. The solution? Debt relief tied to conservation, climate-resilient infrastructure, and reformed global financial rules. The tools exist. Whats missing is political will. The Ocean as a Battleground for Multilateralisms Future Covering 70 percent of the planet and absorbing 30 percent of global carbon-dioxide emissions, the ocean is both a lifeline and a battleground. While some nations push for deep-sea mining, engage in overfishing, and promote unchecked resource extraction, others champion the blue economy, balancing ecological health with sustainable growth. There are signs of progress. Belizes 2021 debt-for-nature swap erased $364 million in debt in exchange for marine conservation commitments. The Seychelles $15 million blue bond funded ocean protection while stabilizing its economy. The 2023 High Seas Treaty, though weakened by resistance from China and Russia, marked a rare win for global ocean governance. Yet, these gains are fragile. The same forces that fueled Trumps America First agenda distrust international bodies and agreements. These leaders and political movements are trapped in a zero-sum resource competition that threatens to unravel all the multilateral actions to reduce debt and strengthen climate resiliency. Three Shifts Needed to Survive The future of multilateralism hinges on transforming climate finance from charity to strategic investment, recognizing that ecological resilience anywhere benefits everyone. Small island nations protecting seagrass meadows arent just preserving local ecosystems. Theyre maintaining carbon sinks that sequester CO 35 times faster than rainforests, while West African coastal states combating illegal fishing safeguard 20 percent of the worlds tuna supply. This shift is already underway, with initiatives like the EUs Global Gateway Initiative funding mangrove restoration in Indonesia to protect vital shipping lanes and Swiss Res $50 million coral reef bond in Mexico acknowledging that healthy marine ecosystems prevent billions in storm damage. The lesson is clear: climate action is global risk management, where every dollar spent on ocean health yields cross-border dividends. This kind of investment requires innovative governance models that combine UN frameworks with regional coalitions, creating systems where small states can leverage collective power without sacrificing autonomy. The Pacific Islands Forums 2050 Strategy demonstrates how 18 nations forced major powers to accept stronger fishing quotas while attracting $500 million in green port investments, while the Arctic Council shows how rivals can cooperate on environmental rules despite geopolitical tensions. Even great-power competition could be channeled productively. Imagine U.S.-China joint ventures piloting AI-monitored marine protected areas in contested waters or competing to build the most efficient offshore wind turbines rather than fighting over rare earth minerals. Like the Cold Wars Antarctic Treaty that preserved science over sovereignty, these approaches wouldnt eliminate rivalry but would create shared stakes in ecological stability, proving that in an interconnected world, collective survival ultimately serves every nations self-interest. Swim Together or Sink Alone The oceans fateand, by extension, humanitysdepends on whether multilateralism can evolve. Leaders like Trump may scorn global cooperation, but the climate-debt crisis proves that no nation is immune. The future of the oceansand, indeed, shared planetary healthcalls for a renewed commitment to international cooperation. The good news is that practical, win-win solutions already exist that demonstrate how environmental protection and economic prosperity can be mutually reinforced. Debt-for-nature swaps have emerged as an innovative financial instrument that benefits all parties. Belizes landmark agreement, developed in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Credit Suisse, successfully converted a portion of sovereign debt into long-term marine conservation funding while providing creditors with guaranteed returns. Similar mechanisms are now being explored by other coastal nations, offering a replicable model that aligns debt sustainability with environmental protection. Via Pixabay . Blue bonds represent another promising avenue, combining market mechanisms with conservation goals. The World Bank-supported initiative in Seychelles has demonstrated how carefully structured financial instruments can attract institutional investors while safeguarding marine ecosystems. These bonds are now being adapted to different national contexts, with technical support from multilateral development banks. Ocean-smart trade policies offer yet another pathway forward. Recent agreements incorporating sustainable fishing provisions show how trade relationships can be structured to promote responsible resource management. The updated fisheries provisions in U.S. trade agreements, for instance, illustrate how economic partnerships can include meaningful environmental safeguards. What remains is the political will to bring these solutions to scale. Although implementation challenges exist, the fundamental architecture for cooperation is in place. Through sustained dialogue and good faith engagement, the international community has both the tools and the shared interest to protect oceans not as an act of charity but as a necessary investment in a collective future. The time has come to move from pilot projects to systemic implementation, building on what works while continuing to refine these approaches through international collaboration. The choice isnt between sovereignty and cooperation. Its between a livable future shared by all, or a fractured world where everyone loses. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Canterra Minerals Corporation (TSXV: CTM) (OTCQB: CTMCF) (FSE: DXZB) ("Canterra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional drilling results from its ongoing 10,000 metre ("m") drill program at its 100% owned Buchans Project in the Central Newfoundland Mining District, located 50 kilometres ("km") north of Equinox Gold's Valentine Gold Mine and 34 km northwest of Teck's past producing Duck Pond Mine (Figures 1 & 2). Drill Highlights and Insights from Drillhole H-25-3537 (1&2): 68.0m of 1.0% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 1.00 % Zn, 0.43% Pb, 3.5 g/t Ag & 0.06 g/t Au), from surface including 11.0m of 2.14% CuEq (0.63% Cu, 3.22% Zn, 1.62% Pb, 6.9 g/t Ag & 0.14 g/t Au) from surface Broad intersections of stockwork semi-massive sulfide mineralization that are expected to expand current open pit mineral resource Further demonstration of continuity of the Lundberg deposit, an open pit resource favourably situated on a brownfields site with excellent infrastructure Builds upon the Company's successful expansion of the high-grade Two Level discovery announced on May 20, 2025, validating the exploration model targeting extensions of high-grade mineralization historically mined at Buchans Mine Additional drilling results from the current program, including the Pumphouse Target, will be released as assays are received and compiled Chris Pennimpede, President and CEO of Canterra commented: "This exceptional 68-metre intersection from surface demonstrates robust, continuous mineralization that has the potential to grow existing open pit mineral resources at Buchans. The consistency and grade of this intersection reinforces our belief that Buchans represents one of the most compelling undeveloped critical minerals opportunities in Atlantic Canada." Table 1. Assay Highlights. Copper Equivalents (CuEq%) as per metal prices of April 11, 2025 (see notes 2 & 3 at end of release for additional explanation). Hole From (m) To (m) Width (m) Cu% Zn% Pb% Ag g/t Au g/t *CuEq (%) Comments H-25-3537 8.00 76.00 68.00 0.50 1.00 0.43 3.5 0.06 0.99 Lundberg incl. 8.00 19.00 11.00 0.63 3.22 1.62 6.9 0.14 2.14 " " incl. 29.00 37.00 8.00 1.47 0.39 0.14 4.8 0.06 1.74 " " incl. 65.00 76.00 11.00 0.45 0.41 0.12 2.2 0.02 0.64 " " and 93.00 108.00 15.00 0.18 1.75 1.19 2.8 0.03 1.01 " " Figure 1. Buchans 2025 drilling collars and assay highlights to date. Buchans Project Canterra's Buchans Project hosts the world-renowned, past producing Buchans Mine as well as the undeveloped Lundberg open pit resource. This brownfield project covers 95 km2 near the town of Buchans and includes the past producing Buchans Mine operated by Asarco from 1928 to 1984. The undeveloped Lundberg deposit comprises VMS stockwork sulphide mineralization composing a large, near-surface open pit resource proximal to the previously mined, high-grade Lucky Strike massive sulphide orebody. At the former Lucky Strike orebody, Asarco is reported to have mined 5.6 million tonnes1 of high-grade ore averaging 18.4% Zn, 8.6% Pb, 1.6% Cu, 112 g/t Ag & 1.7 g/t Au. Lucky Strike's past production is a significant portion of the former Buchans Mine's past production that is reported to have totaled 16.2 million tonnes1 at an average grade of 14.5% Zn, 7.6% Pb, 1.3% Cu, 1.37 g/t Au & 126 g/t Ag mined from five orebodies. Table 2: Lundberg Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate - Effective Date: February 28, 2019 NSR Cut-off ($US/t) Category Tonnes Cu % Zn % Pb % Ag g/t Au g/t NSR ($US/t) 20 Indicated 16,790,000 0.42 1.53 0.64 5.69 0.07 54.98 Inferred 380,000 0.36 2.03 1.01 22.35 0.31 72.95 Mineral Resources were prepared in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (MRMR) (2014) and CIM MRMR Best Practice Guidelines (2019). Mineral Resources are defined within an optimized pit shell with pit slope angles of 45 and an overall 2.9:1 strip ratio (waste: mineralized material) Price assumptions used were US$1.20 /lb Zn, US$1.00 /lb Pb, US$3.00 /lb Cu, US$1250 /oz Au, and US$17 /oz Ag. Metallurgical recoveries to concentrates are based on the "Centralized Milling of Newfoundland Base Metal Deposits - Bench Scale DMS and Flotation Test Program" (Thibault & Associates Inc., 2017). Metal recoveries are 83.0% Cu, 13.3% Au, and 7.84% Ag in the copper concentrate, 84.3% Pb, 10.5% Au, and 50.3% Ag in the lead concentrate, and 87.2% Zn, 8.28% Au, and 14.8% Ag in the zinc concentrate. Net Smelter Return (NSR) $US/t values were determined by calculating the value of each Mineral Resource model block using an NSR calculator. The NSR calculator uses the stated metal pricing, metallurgical recoveries to concentrates, concentrate payable factors and current shipping and smelting terms for similar concentrates. Pit optimization parameters include: mining at $3 US per tonne, processing at $15 US per tonne, and G&A at $2 US per tonne (total $20 US per tonne). Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off value of $20 US/t NSR within the optimized pit shell and is considered to reflect reasonable prospects for economic extraction by open pit mining methods. Mineral Resources were interpolated using Inverse Distance Squared methods applied to 1.5 m downhole assay composites. Results of an interpolated Inverse Distance Squared bulk density model (g/cm3) were applied. Mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resource tonnages have been rounded to the nearest 10,000. Totals may vary due to rounding. Figure 2. Canterra's Central Newfoundland Mining District properties. Notes: (1) Past production figures from Kirkham, R.V., ed., 1987, Buchans Geology, Newfoundland. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 86-24, 288 p. (2) True widths estimated to be a ~90% of reported core lengths. Copper equivalents (CuEq) based on total contained copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold and metal prices as of April 11, 2025 (Cu - US$4.06/lb, Zn - US$1.19/lb, Pb - US$0.85/lb, Ag - US$32.23/oz and Au - US$3,236.00/oz). (3) Copper Equivalent % = Cu% + (Pb% * 22.046 * Pb Rec.* Pb price) + (Zn% * 22.046 * Zn Rec. * Zn price) + (Ag g/t/31.10348 * Ag Rec. * Ag price) + (Au g/t/31.10348 * Au Rec. * Au Price))/(Cu Price * 22.046 * Cu Rec.). Metal recoveries are assumed to be 100% (Rec.) Table 3. Drill collar locations Hole Length (m) Azimuth Dip Northing (UTM NAD83 Zone 21) Easting (UTM NAD83 Zone 21) H-25-3537 121 0 -90 5,407,849 509,973 Newfoundland and Labrador Junior Exploration Assistance Canterra would like to acknowledge financial support it may receive from the government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Junior Exploration Assistance Program related to completion of its 2025 exploration programs at Buchans. About Canterra Minerals Canterra is a diversified minerals exploration company focused on critical minerals and gold in central Newfoundland. Canterra holds Newfoundland's second-largest combined critical minerals inventory with seven resource-stage deposits. The Buchans Project hosts the Lundberg Copper-Zinc-Lead deposit, the largest and most advanced critical minerals deposit within the Central Newfoundland Mining District. The Company's projects are near the world-renowned, past-producing Buchans Mine and Teck Resources' Duck Pond Mine, which collectively produced copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold. Canterra's gold project is located on-trend of Equinox Gold's Valentine mine currently under construction and cover a ~60 km extension of the same structural corridor that hosts mineralization within Equinox Gold's mine. Past drilling by Canterra within the Company's gold projects intersected multiple occurrences of orogenic-style gold mineralization within a large land position that remains underexplored. QA/QC Protocols Samples consist of saw-cut (NQ drill core) with one-half retained for reference and one-half submitted for analyses. Samples were submitted in sealed plastic bags delivered by Canterra personnel to SGS Canada's preparatory facility in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland. Sample batches consisted of core samples, control standards, blanks and duplicates. Once prepared, pulps (SGS procedure code PRP89) were shipped to SGS Canada's laboratory in Burnaby, BC to be homogenized and subsequently analyzed for multi-element assays (including Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Au) using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-OES finish (codes GE_ICP90A50 for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, GE_AAS22E50 for Ag by-2-acid digestion by AAS, and GE_FAA30V5 for Au by 30g Fire Assay by AAS). Overlimit assays were completed as necessary by pyrosulphate fusion/XRF for Cu, Pb, Zn (code GO_XRF70V) and Ag by 30g Fire Assay, gravimetric (code GO_FAG37V). SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025. SGS CANADA's minerals laboratory in Burnaby is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for specific mineral tests listed on the scope of accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. Further details regarding SGS procedures are available at SGS Analytical Methods. Canterra also submits representative pulps to ALS Geochemistry's laboratory in Moncton New Brunswick for additional independent check assays. Qualified Person Paul Moore MSc. P.Geo. (NL), Vice President of Exploration for Canterra Minerals Corporation, a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements with respect to estimated mineral resources, the opening of avenues for substantial discoveries within the belt, the Buchans Project being ripe for a modern approach with significant exploration potential for high grade VMS mineralization, the Company anticipating being strongly positioned to unveil the next mineral discovery in central Newfoundland. 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. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects.; as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in the Company's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. MONTREAL, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dynacor Group Inc. (TSX: DNG) (Dynacor or the "Corporation"), is delighted to announce signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) joint venture agreement with Ansong Askew Ltd. (Ansong-Askew) in Ghana. The MOU establishes a framework for planning, due diligence, and strategic alignment toward establishing a commercial partnership, with the objective of formalising a joint venture agreement (JVA) in Ghana's gold processing sector. The strategic collaboration is designed to explore and develop mutual business opportunities that will not only benefit stakeholders of both organizations but also contribute to the regulation of Ghanas artisanal mining sector, enabling the Ghana Gold Board and miners to work together seamlessly. The partnership seeks to leverage Dynacors long-standing expertise in traceable, scalable processing of artisanal gold ore with Ansong-Askews commercial network and influence. The Ghana Gold Board is a new governmental entity that is responsible for regulating, overseeing, monitoring, and managing the purchasing, assaying, refining, and exporting of artisanal and small-scale gold in Ghana. Scope of the MOU Under the 12-month MOU, both parties agree to explore the effective use and integration of their technical, commercial, and strategic capacities with the intent to collaborate in good faith towards a JVA. A subsequent agreement will define the structure, equity participation, capital contributions, governance model, and profit-sharing terms of the joint venture, where Dynacor will hold a majority position. This MOU marks the first, serious step in a promising partnership within Ghana, the country where artisanal mining is greatest in Africa, noted Jean Martineau, President & CEO of Dynacor. We are excited to explore the opportunities ahead and look forward to the meaningful impact this partnership will have on our shareholder value-creation plans and on the artisanal gold mining sector in Ghana. The signing of this MOU recognizes the strategic synergies between Dynacor and Ansong-Askew, and our shared commitment to promoting government-permitted, environmentally friendly artisanal gold processing in Ghana, commented Elena Ansong, Managing Director of Ansong-Askew. Together, we aim to develop a robust collaboration that enhances Ghanas position as a leader in the gold mining industry. Next Steps The Corporation is currently attending the Mining in Motion summit in Accra where it has held multiple discussions with the Ghana Gold Board and with players in the artisanal mining sector. Building on the MOU and extensive relationships built, Dynacor will look to purchase a land concession or a future processing plant in a location informed by its geological sampling, meetings and research. Signature of the MOU between Dynacor and Ansong Askew Ltd. at the Mining in Motion summit in Accra About Ansong Askew Ansong Askew Ltd. is a GhanaUK company based in Ghana that has, since 2017, played a leading role in bringing international industry focus to Ghanas small-scale gold mining sector. Through high-level engagement with government, industry, and civil society, we support Ghanas efforts to formalise the ASGM sector by helping to shape policy, build stakeholder alignment, and attract credible partners through the development of an enabling environment. Our work focuses on establishing the infrastructure, compliance frameworks, and market pathways necessary to integrate Ghanas gold into responsible global supply chains. About Dynacor Dynacor Group is an industrial ore processing company dedicated to producing gold sourced from artisanal miners. Since its establishment in 1996, Dynacor has pioneered a responsible mineral supply chain with stringent traceability and audit standards for the fast-growing artisanal mining industry. By focusing on fully and part-formalized miners, the Canadian company offers a win-win approach for governments and miners globally. Dynacor operates the Veta Dorada plant and owns a gold exploration property in Peru. The company plans to expand to West Africa and within Latin America. The premium paid by luxury jewellers for Dynacors PX Impact gold goes to Fidamar Foundation, an NGO that mainly invests in health and education projects for artisanal mining communities in Peru. Visit www.dynacor.com for more information. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in the preceding may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dynacor, or industry results, to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect managements current expectations regarding future events and operating performance as of the date of this news release. Contact: For more information, please contact: Ruth Hanna Director, Investor Relations T: 514-393-9000 #236 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: http://www.dynacor.com Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Bettina Filippone T: (416) 644-2020 or (212) 812-7680 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.renmarkfinancial.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has commenced an initial 14 diamond drill hole, 2,500m program on its 50%-owned Super Block Project, a joint venture with Geophysx Jamaica Limited ("Geophysx"); see press release dated March 1, 2024 (Figure 1). The program is designed to test multiple epithermal gold targets over a 5km strike extent, where a strong gold geochemical anomaly coincides with radiometric (potassium) highs. Drilling will test multiple prospects including the past producing Pennants Gold Mine and the PEZ and DHZ prospects along trend (Figure 2). Dan Symons, President and CEO of C3 Metals, commented, "After conducting extensive mapping and geochemical sampling at Super Block, we identified a 5km gold trend with the past producing Pennants Gold Mine in the centre of this trend. This initial 14-hole diamond drill program will follow up on historical high-grade gold results at Pennants and the gold anomaly extensions to the northwest and southeast of the mine." Super Block Project Highlights: Past producing Pennants Gold Mine: Operated as an open pit between 2002 and 2004 with estimated production of approximately 16,000 gold ounces (Source: Jamaica Mines and Geology Division). Non-compliant NI 43-101 historical mineral resource of 75,500 tonnes at 20.4 g/t gold 1,2 . . Historical high-grade drill intersections3 from the mine property (drill results are historical in nature and have not been independently confirmed): 1.7m at 430.0 g/t gold; 3.8m at 56.4 g/t gold; 4.6m at 25.6 g/t gold; 9.2m at 18.4 g/t gold; and and 3.1m at 17.0 g/t gold. PEZ Prospect: Gold is highly anomalous in soils and coincides with a 1,500m east-west trending radiometric (potassium) anomaly. Soil sampling defined a coherent east-west trending gold anomaly measuring 1,500m by up to 190m wide. Best soil line results are 60m averaging 0.41 g/t gold and 103m averaging 0.20g/t gold with samples collected at 5m intervals. Rock chip samples assayed up to 1.1 g/t gold at surface. DHZ Prospect: Rock and soil sampling defined a coherent northwest trending gold anomaly measuring 550m by up to 190m wide. Rock chip samples assayed up to 35.8 g/t gold at surface. Figure 1: Map showing the Super Block project area in relation to C3 Metals' Arthurs Seat and Bellas Gate mineral concessions. Note the locations of the former, high-grade Pennants Gold Mine and the DHZ and PEZ epithermal gold-silver prospects. 2025 Drilling Program Historical drilling within the Super Block focused on the former producing Pennants Gold Mine. Approximately 94 drill holes were completed at Pennants with an average hole depth of only 82 metres. Based on historical drill data and newly collected soil geochemical data, the Company believes the gold system remains open in multiple directions and at depth. Other than a few auger holes (average depth 1-metre), no drilling has been reported at PEZ and DHZ prospects. Surface mapping and sampling at the Super Block Project has demonstrated gold mineralization continues for over a +5km strike extent, extending from DHZ through the former Pennants Mine and through PEZ (Figure 2). The Company interprets this large gold anomaly as potentially hosting multiple low to intermediate sulfidation systems. Figure 2: Airborne radiometric image (potassium) showing a strong correlation of gold in soils and rocks with radiometric anomalies. Map shows the Super Block soil line locations at Pennants Mine and the DHZ and PEZ prospects. The Company is in a financial position to expand the program beyond the initial 14-hole, 2,500m program should results warrant. C3 Metals anticipates assay results from the initial 14-hole program will be announced during Q3 2025. ABOUT C3 METALS INC. C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company holds approximately 30,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). At Jasperoide, the Company has identified over 15 skarn prospects and an outcropping porphyry system over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold. The Company is also actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic redbed copper prospects over a 30km strike extent. The Company holds a 100% interest in 17,855 hectares of exploration licenses, of which Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation, a wholly-owned affiliate of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), has the option on 13,020 hectares to earn up to a 75% interest by funding up to US$75 million of exploration and project related expenditures. The Company also holds a 50% interest in 9,870 hectares in a joint venture with Geophsyx Jamaica Ltd, the largest mineral tenure holder in the country. Barrick Gold Corp. announced on May 1, 2024 that it had entered into an earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. on approximately 400,000 hectares of exploration licenses, several of which surround C3 Metals' mineral concessions. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British). Related Link: www.c3metals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. QP Statement Stephen Hughes, P.Geo., is Vice President Exploration and a Director for C3 Metals and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hughes has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the written disclosure contained herein. Technical Program C3 Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC protocol for handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. Chain-of-custody protocols are designed to ensure security of samples until their delivery at the laboratory. Samples are analysed by 4-Acid digest ICP-MS finish for 48 elements, with pulps from samples reporting greater than 1.0% copper being re-assayed by the ore grade method. Gold is analysed by 30g Fire Assay and AAS finish, with pulps from samples reporting greater than 10ppm re-assayed by Fire Assay and gravimetric finish. The Company inserts copper and gold certified reference standards as well as blanks and duplicates in the sample sequence for quality control. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. 1 The mineral resourced cited above is presented as a historical estimate and uses historical terminology which does not conform to current National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") standards. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the historical estimates are believed to be based on reasonable assumptions, these estimates were calculated prior to the implementation of NI 43-101. As these historical estimates do not meet current standards as defined under sections 1.2 and 1.3 of NI 43-101, C3 Metals is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the historical estimate is adjacent to and not located within mineral tenure under licence to C3 Metals. 2 Published report, Geochemical exploration for gold in Jamaica: A comparison of stream sediment and soil surveys, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 4, 161-170, 1 May 2004, authored by Robert G. Garrett, Gerald C. Lalor and Mitko Vutchkov. 3 Data from the above drill results are reported historical results and it is unknown what type of quality-control programs were performed at the time. C3 Metals' QP also advises that true width of the above results cannot be determined at this time. TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 /Galway Metals Inc. (TSXV:GWM)(OTCQB:GAYMF) (the "Company" or "Galway") is pleased to report results from 8 diamond drill holes at the Southwest Deposit in the Company's 100%-owned flagship Clarence Stream high-grade gold project in New Brunswick, Canada. The Clarence Stream Gold Project has district-scale potential with approximately 65-kilometre strike length of highly prospective gold showings and anomalies. The 2022 MRE includes 12.4 Mt @ 2.3 g/t Au Indicated for 922,000 oz, and 16.0 Mt @ 2.6 g/t Au Inferred for 1.334 M oz. gold from the NI 43-101 technical report titled "Technical Report on the Clarence Stream Mineral Resource Project, New Brunswick, Canada" dated March 31, 2022, by SLR Consulting Ltd. Rob Hincliffe, President and CEO of Galway, commented, "Today's results reinforce Clarence Stream's potential to host wide, high-grade gold mineralization beyond the current resource. Intercepts like 2.1 g/t over 36.0 meters underscore the quality and continuity of mineralization we're targeting. With more than 40 holes pending assays across multiple deposits and two rigs turning, we're positioned for a steady flow of results that can drive meaningful resource growth and demonstrate the scale of this gold system. In addition to the Southwest Deposit, we are drilling shallow holes at the North Zone, where we aim to increase the resource there by 200% to 300%." Highlights CL-222 intersected 2.1 g/t gold over 36.0 meters including 3.0 g/t gold over 21.0 meters . Additional intercept of 3.5 g/t gold over 10.0 meters including 20.6 g/t over 1.0 meters ( Cross-Section ) CL-223 intersected 2.8 g/t gold over 13.5 meters including 13.1 g/t over 1.5 meters CL-219 intersected 2.8 g/t gold over 5.5 meters including 10.9 g/t gold over 1.0 meters. Additional intercept of 0.8 g/t gold over 21 meters. Drill Results Confirm Structural Controls on Gold Mineralization Drill holes CL-222 and CL-223 (Plan Map) confirm Galway is targeting a fold structure north of the Southwest Deposit, in an area not yet included in the 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate. This structural zone presents strong potential to host additional thick, high-grade gold mineralization both along strike and at depth. To further test this interpretation, Galway plans to extend drill holes CL-190 and CL-187 into the western limb. All intercepts reported (Assay and Coordinate Table) in this release lie outside the current resource and remain open for expansion. Steady Pipeline of Results Expected from Southwest and North Deposits Galway currently has assays pending from 15 additional drill holes at the Southwest Deposit and 32 more from the North Deposit. These results are expected to be released in the coming months and will provide important insight into the scale and continuity of gold mineralization across key deposits at Clarence Stream. With drilling ongoing, Galway remains well-positioned to deliver steady news and drive resource growth across the project. Geology and Mineralization The Clarence Stream deposits can be characterized as intrusion-related, structurally controlled, quartz-vein hosted gold deposits. These deposits consist of quartz veins and quartz stockwork within brittle-ductile fault zones that include adjacent crushed, altered wall rocks and veinlet material. The mineralized systems are hosted in intrusive and metasedimentary rocks within high strain zones controlled by regional fault systems. Pyrite, base metal sulphides, and stibnite occur in these deposits along with anomalous concentrations of bismuth, arsenic, antimony and tungsten. Alteration in the host rocks is confined within a few metres of quartz veins and occurs mainly in the form of sericitization and chloritization. A more complete description of Clarence Stream's geology and mineralization can be found at www.galwaymetalsinc.com. New Brunswick Junior Mining Assistance Program Galway would like to acknowledge financial support from the New Brunswick Junior Mining Assistance Program, which will contribute up to $50,000 towards exploration drilling in 2024. Review by Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jesse Fisher, P.Geo., Project Manager for Clarence Stream and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Fisher certifies that this news release fairly and accurately reflects the technical information and data presented. Galway Metals conducts its exploration activities in accordance with CIM Best Practices Guidelines. Quality Control and Reports All core, chip/boulder samples, and soil samples are assayed by Activation Laboratories, located at 41 Bittern Street, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, Agat Laboratories, located at 5623 McAdam Road, Mississauga Ontario, Canada L4Z 1N9 and 35 General Aviation Road, Timmins, ON P4P 7C3, and/or Swastika Laboratories situated in Swastika, ON. All four labs have ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. All core is under watch from the drill site to the core processing facility. Drill core is NQ size and sample intervals range from 0.5 meters to 1.5 meters in length. All samples are assayed for gold by Fire Assay, with gravimetric finish, and other elements assayed using ICP. The Company's QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at one per 20 samples. Approximately five percent (5%) of the pulps and rejects are sent for check assaying at a second lab with the results averaged and intersections updated when received. Core recovery in the mineralized zones has averaged 99%. About Galway Metals Inc. Galway Metals is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100%-owned, high-grade, open-pitable flagship Clarence Stream gold project in southwest New Brunswick. Clarence Stream is an emerging gold district with an exploration strike length of approximately 65 kilometres and widths of up to 28 kilometres in certain areas. Galway Metals also has 100%-ownership in the Estrades project, a former producing high-grade, gold-rich polymetallic VMS mine in the northern Abitibi of western Quebec. Led by a management team with a proven track-record of creating shareholder value having sold Galway Resources for US$340 million, Galway Metals is focused on creating value for all its stakeholders. For additional Information on Galway Metals Inc., Please contact: Robert Hinchcliffe President & Chief Executive Officer Telephone: 1-800-771-0680 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.galwaymetalsinc.com Look us up on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn Cautionary Statement Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, information with respect to the OTCQB listing, DTC eligibility, and broadening U.S. institutional and retail investors. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to changes in economic conditions or financial markets, political and competitive developments, operation or exploration difficulties, changes in equity markets, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Highlights: Large, robust open pit resource optimized for high-quality PEA in the near-term. Opemiska is one of the highest-grade open pitable copper projects in Canada. Pit Constrained resource is now 1,438 Mlbs CuEq (Indicated resource of 62,706 kt @ 1.04% CuEq) + 709 Mlbs CuEq (Inferred resource of 78,485 kt @ 0.26% CuEq), and within a reduced surface footprint. Significantly lower strip ratio as a result of incorporating lower grade stockwork and drilling at the Saddle Zone. What was previously considered waste is now resource. New gold potential on Cooke zone, which is a past-producing gold mine with its crown pillar still intact, representing significant gold upside to the larger Opemiska copper project. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - XXIX Metal Corp. (TSXV: XXIX) (OTCQB: QCCUF) (FSE: 5LW0) ("XXIX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its 100% owned Opemiska Project, in Quebec's Chapais-Chibougamau District. This new estimate marks an increase in total tonnage and contained metal within a shallower pit constrained resource, and within a reduced surface footprint. "This resource update was designed to increase contained copper, lower the strip ratio, reduce the open-pit footprint, and apply conservative cost assumptions to support a realistic and robust Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) scenario," said Guy Le Bel, CEO of XXIX. "Thanks to our successful stockwork modeling and drilling at the Saddle Zone, we've optimized our resource model within a more compact pit shell. More importantly, what was once considered waste is now recognized as lower-grade mineralization, which meaningfully reduces the projected strip ratio, enhances the economic potential of the project and reinforces our commitment to present a socially acceptable project to our stakeholders." This MRE marks a strategic shift toward improving project economics while maintaining conservative operational assumptions. The pit-constrained portion of the resource has increased by 12%, now captured within a shallower and more compact pit shell. This highlights the Company's commitment to delivering a high-quality PEA in the near term. Notably, the inclusion of lower-grade stockwork mineralization has significantly enhanced the overall resource profile, substantially reducing the anticipated strip ratio, and broadened the development pathways for Opemiska. Table 1: Opemiska MRE Summary of Pit Constrained Mineral Resources, 0.15% CuEq cut-off and Out-of-Pit Mineral Resources, 1.00% CuEq cut-off (see Footnotes 1-5) Pit Constrained Tonnes CuEq Cu Ag Au Cu Ag Au 0.15% CuEq Cut-Off (k) (%) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (M lbs) (koz) (koz) Indicated 62,706 1.04 0.76 1.71 0.31 1,047 3,450 634 Inferred 78,485 0.41 0.26 0.61 0.17 457 1,530 419 Out of Pit Tonnes CuEq Cu Ag Au Cu Ag Au 1.00% CuEq Cut-Off (k) (%) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (M lbs) (koz) (koz) Indicated 6,947 1.85 1.59 2.76 0.28 243 617 64 Inferred 2,130 0.88 0.69 1.20 0.21 33 82 15 Total Tonnes CuEq Cu Ag Au Cu Ag Au 0.15% & 1.00% CuEq Cut-Off (k) (%) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (M lbs) (koz) (koz) Indicated 69,653 1.12 0.84 1.82 0.31 1,290 4,067 697 Inferred 80,615 0.42 0.28 0.62 0.17 490 1,613 433 The independent qualified persons for the MRE, as defined by National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 guidelines, is Pierre Luc Richard, P.Geo., of PLR Resources Inc. with contributions from Stephen Coates, P.Eng., of Evomine for value cut-off, open pit and optimization solids, and Christian Laroche, P.Eng., from Synectiq, for metallurgical parameters. The effective date of the MRE is May 30, 2025. These Mineral Resources are not mineral reserves as they have no demonstrated economic viability. No economic evaluation of these Mineral Resource has been produced. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient drilling to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated category with continued drilling. The Qualified Persons are not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues that could materially affect the Mineral Resource Estimate. The Mineral Resource Estimate is within the limits of the Town of Chapais. Calculations used metric units (metres, tonnes). Metal contents in the above table are presented in percent, pounds or tonnes. Metric tonnages and pounds were rounded, and any discrepancies in total amounts are due to rounding errors. CIM definitions and guidelines for Mineral Resource Estimates have been followed. See Cautionary Note below for copper equivalency (CuEq) values. Figure 1: Opemiska 3D Resource Model and Constraining Pit Shell Figure 2: Plan View of Constraining Pit Shell Figure 3) Section Comparison of 2024 Resource Pit vs 2025 MRE Pit New Sources of In Pit Mineralization: Stockwork and Saddle Zone Stockwork In 2024, XXIX launched a stockwork study to evaluate the resource potential beyond Opemiska's known high-grade veins. The previous resource model primarily included these high-grade zones without fully accounting for the surrounding material. The study confirmed the resource potential of additional lower-grade mineralized stockwork and smaller veinlets outside the main veins, and at times, showed higher values than expected. This lower-grade mineralized stockwork has now been considered as part of Opemiska's resource estimate and is within the contemplated pit shell. Saddle Zone The Saddle Zone sits between the Springer and Perry zones at Opemiska. While previous resource models included high-grade veins from Springer and Perry, the Saddle Zone was not well understood and had limited data. In 2024, XXIX's technical team identified a new structural interpretation-suggesting mineralized veins dipping south, unlike other known veins. A three-hole scout drill program on the Saddle Zone intersected 5.3% copper and 1.20 g/t gold over 11 metres (core length) from a depth of 81 metres (see XXIX news release dated January 6, 2025). Encouraged by these strong results, XXIX followed up with a 15-hole drill program, outlining a 140-metres long structure, to a depth of 190 metres. The Company also defined another robust zone of mineralization extending over 80-metres at the intersection of two key northwest-trending structures (see XXIX news release dated May 22, 2025). High-Grade Starter Zone This updated MRE model includes a higher grade, near surface volume that will aim to optimize development scenarios as it allows for a potentially short payback period or a staged development scenario, which could result in a marked uplift in project economics. High-Quality PEA Coming Soon The updated MRE is a key step toward completing a high-quality, robust Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Opemiska Project. The updated MRE preserves the high-grade veins which are expected to drive a strong early payback. This will be the first economic study on Opemiska since Falconbridge ended underground mining in 1991. The PEA will be designed to maximize the economic potential of high-grade tonnes as early as possible in a proposed mine plan to enhance project IRR. The Company continues to engage closely with local communities, whose support reflects a shared commitment to responsible development, local values, and economic opportunity. With the updated resource and strong community backing, XXIX is well positioned to advance toward a sound and compelling PEA. Additional Upside: More In Pit Stockwork Mineralization and Cooke Gold Project There is significant potential to add additional stockwork mineralization within the Opemiska property that could further increase Opemiska's resource base. The Company will continue to evaluate stockwork mineralization at the property given its importance and potential impact on any future economics. Additionally, the Company will look to evaluate potential at the Cooke gold project, 2.5km east of Opemiska's proposed open pit. The Cooke gold project historically produced 1.97 million tonnes grading 5.04 g/t gold, 0.66% copper1. The Cooke gold project represents a past-producing underground operation with a high-grade crown pillar still intact. XXIX is evaluating the bulk mineable, open pit potential of the Cooke gold project, that could further boost Opemiska's future project economics. Out of Pit Resources The updated MRE also defines an underground resource including 6.9 million tonnes in the indicated category, at a 1.85% copper equivalent grade (243 million pounds of copper, 617 Koz of silver, and 64 Koz of gold), and 2.1 million tonnes in the inferred category, at a 0.88% copper equivalent grade (33 million pounds of copper, 82 Koz of silver, and 15 Koz of gold). This high-grade underground inventory underscores the long-term development potential of Opemiska beyond the open pit potential. With significant tonnage averaging 1.59% copper and 2.76 g/t silver in the Indicated category, this resource represents the legacy of Falconbridge's past-producing underground operations and provides optionality for future phases of development. Strategic Advantages of the Opemiska Project: Infrastructure, Accessibility, and Brownfield Setting The Opemiska Project benefits from a unique combination of strategic advantages that significantly enhance its development potential. These include ease of access, a brownfield environment, and existing infrastructure, all of which contribute to reduced development risk, lower capital requirements, and a more efficient project timeline. Support from Chapais Leadership XXIX and the City of Chapais implemented an official working group in 2024, to ensure the exploration and development of the Opemiska project within the city limits of Chapais are conducted according to he highest industry standards, and according to the values and expectations of Chapais citizens while maximizing economic benefits. Refer to the Company's July 24, 2024 news release for additional information. Ease of Access The Project is located immediately adjacent to the Town of Chapais, Quebec, with direct access via paved highways and year-round roads. Unlike remote or fly-in-only projects, Opemiska can support continuous operations in all seasons in an urban environment, reducing logistical complexity and cost. Brownfield Environment Opemiska is a past-producing copper-gold mine with a long history of underground production by Falconbridge from 1953 to 1991. This brownfield setting offers a well-understood geologic model, a substantial historical database, and a significantly de-risked exploration and development profile. The use of previously disturbed ground may also streamline the permitting process. Existing Infrastructure The Project is connected to Quebec's hydroelectric power grid, providing access to clean, low-cost, and reliable power. Additional infrastructure advantages include proximity to rail, airport, and local service centers. The availability of a local workforce and accommodations further reduces the need for costly remote infrastructure, such as fly-in camps. Taken together, these advantages position Opemiska as a lower-cost, lower-risk development project with a clear path toward a high-quality Preliminary Economic Assessment and long-term value creation. Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction A Mineral Resource is a concentration of solid material of economic interest near the surface of the Earth in such form, grade or quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction (RPEEE). To satisfy the requirement of RPEEE by open pit mining, a reporting pit shell was determined based on conceptual parameters and costs (Table 2). Copper and gold recovery will be achieved using conventional crushing, grinding, gravity, and flotation to produce a copper concentrate that could be shipped to a smelter for processing. Outstanding Risk Factors The XXIX technical team has identified several key risks that could impact the development of the Opemiska Project. These are being carefully evaluated and will be addressed in future engineering and economic studies: Proximity to the Town of Chapais: The conceptual pit in the current MRE partially overlaps with the town boundary. This could raise social acceptance issues and may require trade-off studies or additional capital for development solutions. Historical Assay Validation: Drill core from mining operations between 1953 and 1991 no longer exists, meaning historical mine assays cannot be directly verified. While limited twin-hole drilling supports their general reliability, a geostatistical validation study was done during the process of the current MRE and the QP was able to validate historical assays using information coming from valide and QAQC-proof recent holes. Additional detailed validation programs will be needed as the project advances. Geotechnical Considerations: Known geotechnical challenges include: Open stopes in the eastern pit wall The Venture Sill, which dips toward the pit wall and may affect slope stability The Gwillim Fault, which may pose a water inflow risk if it hosts an aquifer Despite these concerns, the host rock is generally strong and well-suited to open-pit mining. The host rock competency is confirmed, in part, by the stability of the glory hole sidewalls over the past 40 years. Historical Stope Modeling: Digitized historical stopes from the Springer and Perry mines may not perfectly align with the current 3D models. Some mined-out areas may not fully match up with mineralized zones, introducing potential grade uncertainty. The Company considers this manageable for now but will re-digitize certain areas as development progresses. These risk factors will be fully detailed in the upcoming PEA and other Technical Reports and are being integrated into the ongoing development strategy. About XXIX Metal Corp. XXIX is advancing its Opemiska and Thierry Copper projects, two significant Canadian copper assets. The Opemiska Project, one of Canada's highest-grade open pitable copper deposits, spans 21,333 hectares in Quebec's Chapais-Chibougamau region, with strong infrastructure and nearby access to the Horne Smelter. A June 2025 resource update reported a pit constrained resource of 62.7 million tonnes at 1.04% CuEq (Indicated) and 78.4 million tonnes at 0.41% CuEq (Inferred). The Thierry Project hosts two past-producing open pits that transitioned to underground mining. Historically, copper concentrate was shipped to the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, QC. Significant infrastructure is already in place, with the Thierry property being accessible via all-season road, an airport within 5km, a provincial power grid within 8km, and nearby rail. With these two high-potential projects, the Company has solidified its position as a key player in the Canadian copper sector and has established itself as one of Eastern Canada's largest copper developer. QP Statement The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Denis McNichols, P.Geo and geo., Vice President Exploration for XXIX Metal, a Qualified Person, as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The independent qualified persons for the MRE, as defined by National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 guidelines, is Pierre-Luc Richard, P.Geo., of PLR Resources Inc. with contributions from Stephen Coates, P.Eng., of Evomine for value cut-off, open pit and and optimization solids, and Christian Laroche, P.Eng., from Synectiq, for metallurgical parameters. QAQC Statement All drilling performed by XXIX was done mainly using NQ sized drill rods and were stabilized to minimize deviations. When old open or backfilled stopes were expected to be intersected in drilling the holes, they were started in NQ and telescoped to BQ after the stope, or started in HQ and reduced to NQ and then BQ, when a second stope was encountered to ensure completion of the drill hole. All drill core is stored in Chapais under constant video surveillance. All pulps and mineralized rejects have been preserved. For the exploration undertaken by XXIX, all assay batches are accompanied by rigorous Quality Assurance procedures, including the insertion of certified reference materials and blanks and duplicate verification assays in a secondary laboratory. Quality Control results, including the laboratory's control samples, are evaluated immediately upon reception of batch results and corrections are implemented immediately if necessary. All drill collars since 2019 were positioned in UTM coordinates and post-drilling surveyed using differential GPS instrumentation. The historical mine drill holes were surveyed on surface and underground at the time of drilling by mine personnel using conventional surveying methods. The drill hole collars for 2019 were oriented by compass but since 2021 accurate non-magnetic orientation of collars was achieved using the gyroscopic Azimuth Aligner by Minnovare. Downhole deviation surveys were done initially with Flex-it instrument by Reflex instrument at 30m intervals and from 2021 with the Champ Gyro instrument manufactured by Axis Mining Technology. All erroneous azimuths caused by excessive magnetism or other causes were purged from the database. A systematic bulk density measurement program using the water displacement method was implemented to measure the bulk density of all rock types. A total of 1,178 bulk density measurements were done since the start of drilling in 2019 drilling program. Parameters and Criteria Used for Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) Table 2: General pit and stope optimization parameters used for the Mineral Resource Estimate include: Parameter Unit Open Pit Underground Revenue Royalty % 1.00 1.00 Operating costs Mining cost USD/t mined 3.00 70.00 Process cost USD/t milled 9.00 9.00 General & administration cost USD/t milled 2.25 2.25 Mineralized material based costs USD/t milled 11.25 81.25 Mining Block size m 5x5x5 Sub-blocked Slope angle - rock 55 - Slope angle - overburden 30 - Minimum mining width m - 2.0 Stope height m - 25.0 Cut-off grade NSR cut-off USD/t milled 11.36 82.07 CuEq cut-off (rounded) % 0.15 1.03 Resources are presented as undiluted and in situ for the open-pit scenario and include internal dilution for the underground scenario and are considered to have reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The constraining pit shell was developed using overall pit slopes of 55 degrees in bedrock and 30 degrees in overburden. The pit optimization to develop the resource-constraining pit shells was done using Deswik Pseudoflow 2024.2. The MRE wireframe was prepared using Leapfrog Edge v.2024.1.3 and is based on 21,918 drill holes and 479,242 samples. The drill hole database includes recent drilling (2002 to 2025) of 9,359 metres in 387 drill holes (Ex-In, PowerOre, QC Copper & Gold, XXIX) and also incorporates historical drill holes (1930 to 1990) of 1,451,470 metres in 21,531 drill holes (Opemiska Copper Mines, Falconbridge, Minnova). The cut-off date for the drill hole database was May 16, 2025. Composites of 1.5 metres were created inside the high grade zones and 3.0 meters inside the stockwork zones. High-grade capping was done on the composited assay data; composites were capped at variable grades ranging from 1.00 to 25.00% for Cu, 0.50 to 35.00 g/t for Au, and 10.00 to 120.00 g/t for Ag. Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.15 % CuEq for open-pit resources and 1.00 % CuEq for underground resources. All material within the underground stopes is being reported, including internal dilution. The cut-off grades will be re-evaluated in light of future prevailing market conditions and costs. Specific gravity values were estimated using data available in the drill hole database. Values assigned per zone and per host rock. Surrounding barren lithologies were assigned the average specific gravity value from all measured samples available. Grade model resource estimation was calculated from drill hole data using an Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in a sub-blocked model using blocks measuring 5 m x 5 m x 5 m in size and sub-blocks down to 0.625m x 0.625m x 0.625m. Both ordinary kriging (OK) and inverse square distance (ID2) interpolation methods were tested, resulting in no material difference in the Mineral Resource Estimates. The Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource categories are constrained to areas where drill spacing is less than 50m and 120 metres respectively and show reasonable geological and grade continuity. Cautionary Statement Regarding Copper Equivalent Grades Copper Equivalent grades are expressed for purposes of simplicity and are calculated taking into account 1) metal grades; 2) long-term metal prices of: US$4.25/lb copper, US$2,500/oz gold and US$27.00/oz silver; 3) recoveries were calculated using a recovery modelled developed for the Opemiska project and were estimated at 95.0% for copper, 88.0% for gold and 86.0% for silver; 4) net smelter return value of metals as percentage of long-term metal prices, estimated at 89.2%, 95.8% and 88.3% for Cu, Au and Ag respectively. 5) The equation used to calculate CuEq % equals Cu % + 0.8531 Au g/t + 0.0083 Ag g/t. Cautionary Statement Regarding Mineral Resources The mineral resources disclosed in this press release conform to NI43-101 standards and guidelines and were prepared by independent qualified persons. The above-mentioned mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of the reported Inferred Mineral Resources are conceptual in nature and are estimated based on limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological grade and/or quality of continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence relative to a Measured or Indicated Mineral Resource and constitutes an insufficient level of confidence to allow conversion to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected, but not guaranteed, that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources with additional drilling. The National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report, including the mineral resources for the Opemiska Project contained in this news release, will be delivered and filed on SEDAR by XXIX within 45 days of the date of this news release. For further information, please contact: Forward Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements about the Company's belief that Opemiska has potential for continued growth, any anticipated timelines for the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment at Opemiska, various cost, price and production assumptions used to inform the Mineral Resource Estimate cut-off grade, and outstanding risk factors, including Opemiska's Proximity to the Town of Chapais, Historical Assay validation, Geotechnical considerations of open stopes in the eastern pit wall, the Venture sill, the Gwillim fault, host rock competency and Historical Stope Modeling. 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. Such factors include, among other things: risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Company's plans and intentions. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. 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 TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 1 Morin, R. DV90-01, Energie et Ressources Naturelle Quebec, Edition L. Blais-Leroux, p. 75 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQB: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) ("Exploits" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Cartier Resources Inc. (TSXV: ECR) ("Cartier") to acquire up to a 100% interest in three advanced exploration stage gold projects in Quebec: (a) the "Wilson project" located in Lebel-sur-Quevillon, Quebec ("Wilson"); (b) the "Fenton project" located in Chapais, Quebec ("Fenton"); and (c) the "Benoist project" located in Miquelon, Quebec ("Benoist", and together with Wilson and Fenton, the "Properties"). This transformative transaction provides Exploits with a solid footprint in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt and a pipeline of advanced gold projects, including Benoist with a historical mineral resource estimate under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")(1). This aligns with the Company's strategy focused on unlocking the potential of underexplored yet highly prospective gold belts in Ontario and Quebec two of the world's most attractive mining jurisdictions. Jeff Swinoga, President & CEO of Exploits, stated: "We're excited to announce the addition of three advanced-stage, drill-ready gold projects in one of the world's most prolific gold districts Quebec, a premier mining jurisdiction. These three highly prospective projects, which include historical mineral resource estimates, present excellent near-surface exploration potential and infrastructure access. When combined with our recently acquired Hawkins Project in Ontario, which hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 328,000 ounces of gold(1), Exploits has created a compelling growth portfolio with exposure to a significant and prospective potential gold resource base across four separate Canadian projects. This milestone, our second in less than a month, underscores our active strategy to build a pipeline of high-impact exploration assets in tier-one mining jurisdictions. As we advance these properties through modern exploration, our goal is to expand upon these historical estimates, with the aim of defining a mineral resource of over one million ounces of gold at both Hawkins and across our Quebec portfolio." Benoist Project The Benoist Project is composed of 73 contiguous claims for a total area of 3,085.74 hectares. The Benoist mineralized system, as documented by the 2021 drilling, is present over a length of 3 km by widths of 350 m and reaches a depth of 1,300 m while remaining open laterally and at depth. This system includes the Pusticamica deposit. Cartier previously filed, in 2020, a technical report under NI 43-101 in respect of Benoist that disclosed the following historical mineral resource estimate (1): Indicated Mineral Resources : 1,455,400 tonnes @ 2.87 g/t AuEq = 134,400 oz Au (2) : 1,455,400 tonnes @ 2.87 g/t AuEq = Inferred Mineral Resources: 1,449,600 tonnes @ 2.30 g/t AuEq = 107,000 oz Au (2) This estimate is considered by Exploits to be a "historical estimate" under NI 43-101 and Exploits is not considering such mineral resource estimate to be current for purposes of its disclosures. See footnotes below for further details. Wilson Project The Wilson Gold Project comprises 42 contiguous claims covering 1,660 hectares, located just 15 km east of Lebel-sur-Quevillon in Quebec. The project hosts multiple gold-bearing zones, including the high-grade Toussaint showing. A historical (1994) resource estimate reported 187,706 tonnes at 7.1 g/t Au (non-NI 43-101 compliant). Recent drilling by Cartier Resources expanded mineralized zones over a 700 m strike length and 300 m depth, confirming the project's strong potential for near-surface, high-grade gold mineralization. Fenton Project The Fenton Project comprises 18 contiguous claims covering approximately 760.68 hectares, with year-round access via forestry roads. A historical (non-NI 43-101 compliant) resource estimate from 2000 reports 426,173 tonnes grading 4.66 g/t Au, totaling approximately 63,885 ounces of gold, with 23,643 ounces located within the first 50 metres below the surface. The Option Agreement Under the terms of the Option Agreement, the Company shall have the right to earn a one hundred (100%) percent interest in and to the Properties in consideration for a series of cash payments, the issuance of common shares of the Company and incurring exploration expenditures on the Properties, as follows: Wilson Property Fenton Property Benoist Property Year Cash Consideration Shares Exploration Expenditures Cash Consideration Shares Exploration Expenditures Cash Consideration Shares Exploration Expenditures On Execution $200,000 cash payment 1,750,000 Consideration Shares issued 1st Anniversary $100,000 1,000,000 $750,000 Completed $50,000 250,000 $500,000 Completed $50,000 250,000 $500,000 Completed 2nd Anniversary $150,000 1,000,000 $1,000,000 Completed $75,000 250,000 $750,000 Completed $75,000 250,000 $750,000 Completed 3rd Anniversary $200,000 1,000,000 $1,250,000 Completed $125,000 500,000 $1,250,000 Completed $125,000 500,000 $1,000,000 Completed 4th Anniversary $250,000 1,000,000 $1,750,000 Completed $175,000 750,000 $1,500,000 Completed $175,000 750,000 $1,250,000 Completed Total $700,000 4,000,000 $4,750,000 $425,000 1,750,000 $4,000,000 $425,000 1,750,000 $3,500,000 Upon exercise of the options, Cartier would retain a 2.0% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") over the Properties. Under the terms of the Option Agreement, Exploits has the ability to repurchase the NSR in consideration for future cash payments, and Exploits will have full operational control over exploration activities on the Properties during the term of the Option Agreement (including the ability to reallocate expenditures between the Properties during the term of the option). The Option Agreement is conditional on Exploits obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals required under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange on or before June 13, 2025. Any common shares of the Company that are issued to Cartier will be subject to a standard hold period of four months and one day following the date of issuance, pursuant to Canadian securities regulations. Historical Mineral Resource Estimates (1) For purposes of this news release, the above referenced mineral resource estimate for: (a) the Benoist contained in "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Benoist Property, Quebec, Canada" with an effective date of December 17, 2020 and dated January 28, 2021 prepared by InnovExplo Inc. for Cartier; and (b) the Hawkins project contained in a 2020 technical report published by a previous operator of the property, which disclosed an inferred resource estimate of 328,000 ounces of gold grading 1.65 g/t Au, are each considered by Exploits to be a "historical estimate" as defined under NI 43-101. While the Company considers the estimates to be reliable, no qualified person of Exploits has done sufficient work to classify either historical estimate as a current mineral resource of Exploits, and Exploits is not treating either historical estimate as a current mineral resource for purposes of its disclosure. Among other things, significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before such historical estimates can be classified as a current resource. There can be no assurance that any of the historical mineral resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. In addition, mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Company is not aware of any more recent estimate prepared for Benoist by Cartier nor for the Hawkins project. Even if classified as a current resource, there is no certainty as to whether further exploration will result in any inferred mineral resources being upgraded to an indicated or measured resource category. (2) The historical mineral resource estimate prepared by Cartier disclosed the following: (a) indicated mineral resources of 1,455,400 tonnes as follows: (i) grade Au (g/t) 2.57, grade Cu (%) 0.19 and grade Ag (g/t) 8.37 (or grade AuEq 2.87), representing 120,100 ounces Au, 5,974,800 pounds Cu and 391,900 ounces Ag (or 134,400 ounces AuEq); and (b) inferred mineral resources of 1,449,600 tonnes as follows: (i) grade Au (g/t) 2.2, grade Cu (%) 0.06, and grade Ag (g/t) 2.51 (or AuEq (g/t) 2.3), representing 102,700 ounces Au, 1,785,900 pounds Cu and 117,200 ounces Ag (or 107,000 ounces AuEq). The historical mineral resource estimate was conducted on the basis of the reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction being met by having: a minimum width of 2.4 m for the structures, a cut-off grade of 1.5 g/t AuEq, and constraining volumes applied to any blocks (potential underground scenario) below a 100-m crown pillar. The cut-off grade inputs are: gold price of USD1,610/oz; CAD:USD exchange rate of 1.33; mining cost of $55/t; processing cost of $22.5/t; general and administrative and environmental costs of $9.50/t; royalty of 0.5% and a refinery charge of $5/t. The AuEq formula used a silver price of USD18.30/oz and a copper price of USD2.67/lb. National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure Ken Tylee, P.Geo., VP of Exploration with Exploits, is a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101. Mr. Tylee has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information presented herein. About Exploits Discovery Corp. Exploits is a Canadian mineral exploration company advancing its high-potential gold projects in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland with a focus on value creation. Exploits aims to become a leading company in Canada's mineral exploration sector. On Behalf of the Board /s/ "Jeff Swinoga" President and CEO Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. VANCOUVER, BC, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - New Found Gold Corp. (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE-A: NFGC) ("New Found Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced "bought deal" public offering of (i) 21,400,000 charity flow-through common shares of the Company (the "Charity Flow-Through Common Shares") that will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) at a price of C$2.29 per Charity Flow-Through Common Share (the "Charity Flow-Through Common Share Offering Price"), and (ii) 4,370,000 common shares (the "Common Shares") at a price of C$1.63 per Common Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of C$56,129,100 (the "Offering"). The first tranche of the Offering consists of 15,265,000 Charity Flow-Through Common Shares and 4,370,000 Common Shares for aggregate gross proceeds of C$42,079,950. The first tranche of the Offering was completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated May 29, 2025 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), entered into among the Company and a syndicate of underwriters led by BMO Capital Markets and SCP Resource Finance LP and including Paradigm Capital Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Haywood Securities Inc., Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., Roth Canada, Inc., A.G.P. Canada Investments ULC and ATB Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the second tranche of the Offering will consist of the further issuance by the Company of 6,135,000 Charity Flow-Through Common Shares at the Charity Flow-Through Common Share Offering Price per Charity Flow-Through Common Share for further gross proceeds of C$14,049,150. The second tranche of the Offering is expected to close on or about June 12, 2025. Completion of the Offering remains subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") to list the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares and the Common Shares. Mr. Eric Sprott intends to participate in the second tranche of the Offering to maintain his approximate 19% shareholdings. The Company granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option entitling the Underwriters to purchase up to an additional number of Charity Flow-Through Common Shares that in aggregate would be equal to 15% of the total number of Charity Flow-Through Common Shares to be issued under the Offering for the purpose of covering the Underwriters' over-allocation position, if any, exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time, and from time to time for up to 30 days after the closing of the first tranche of the Offering. In connection with the closing of the first tranche of the Offering, the Company paid to the Underwriters, a cash fee in the aggregate amount of C$2,075,959, representing (i) 5.25% of the gross proceeds of the first tranche of the Offering, other than the gross proceeds raised from certain sales pursuant to a president's list (the "President's List Sales"); and (ii) 1.0% of the gross proceeds raised from President's List Sales. BMO Capital Markets, SCP Resource Finance LP, Paradigm Capital Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Haywood Securities Inc., Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., Roth Canada, Inc., A.G.P. Canada Investments ULC and ATB Securities Inc. received C$799,244, C$695,446, C$207,596, C$114,178, C$62,279, C$62,279, C$51,899, C$41,519 and C$41,519, respectively. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters will receive a further cash fee equal to 5.25% of the gross proceeds of the second tranche of the Offering other than the gross proceeds raised from President's List Sales and 1.0% of the gross proceeds raised from President's List Sales. The gross proceeds from the offering of the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" (as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's 100% owned Queensway Gold Project ("Queensway" or the "Project"), on or before December 31, 2026. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers for the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares effective on or before December 31, 2025. The net proceeds from the offering of the Common Shares will be used by the Company to advance the Project and for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Charity Flow-Through Common Shares and the Common Shares were offered by way of a prospectus supplement in each of the Provinces and Territories of Canada (other than the Province of Quebec and Nunavut) and were also offered by way of a U.S. prospectus supplement forming part of the Company's registration statement on Form F-10 in the United States. Copies of the prospectus supplement and documents incorporated by reference therein are available electronically on the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval+ ("SEDAR+") (www.sedarplus.ca) and the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval System ("EDGAR") (www.sec.gov) under New Found Gold's issuer profile. Certain directors and officers of the Company participated in the first tranche of the Offering and, accordingly, their participation in the Offering constitutes "a related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Shareholder Approval ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such related party participation. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About New Found Gold New Found Gold holds a 100% interest in Queensway, located in Newfoundland and Labrador, a Tier 1 jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure and a skilled local workforce. The Company has completed an initial mineral resource estimate at Queensway (see New Found Gold news release dated March 24, 2025). A fully funded preliminary economic assessment is underway, with completion scheduled for late Q2/25. Recent drilling continues to yield new discoveries along strike and down dip of known gold zones, pointing to the district-scale potential of the 175,600 hectare project that covers a 110 km strike extent along two prospective fault zones. New Found Gold has a new management team in place, a solid shareholder base, which includes a 19% holding by Eric Sprott, and is focused on growth and value creation at Queensway. Please see the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov. Keith Boyle Chief Executive Officer New Found Gold Corp. 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. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities legislation (including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), including statements relating to the use of proceeds of the Offering, the tax treatment of the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares, the expected closing date and completion of the second tranche of the Offering, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals in connection with the Offering and, statements related to Queensway and the Company's planned and future exploration at Queensway. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "suggests", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", "preliminary," "possibly", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSXV or the NYSE American LLC, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks related to: the tax treatment of the Charity Flow-Through Common Shares, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form, Management's Discussion and Analysis and other reports and documents filed by the Company with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time, publicly available through the SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or through the EDGAR at www.sec.gov for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Vancouver, BC TheNewswire - June 2, 2025 - Muzhu Mining Ltd. (CSE: MUZU) (Muzhu) is pleased to announce that it has entered into non-binding Letter of Intent with Romaine River Titanium Inc. (Romaine) of Georgetown, ON to acquire an initial 50% Option of the Romaines Everett titanium-iron property (the Property) located 40 km from the port city of Havre-Saint-Pierre, Quebec. The Everett Property comprises 49 mineral tenures covering 2,406 ha (5,946 acres) and is owned 100% by Romaine. See Figure 1. Romaine, which is a private, federally-incorporated holding company, is presently active on the Property with surface sampling and metallurgical testing over the surface outcrop of the Everett deposit. Early in the Property's history, 34 diamond drill holes defined a significant historical mineral resource. Later, 71 closely-spaced sites and two bulk sample sites were sampled on the surface of the Everett deposit, with assay and metallurgical samples obtained over a 3.5 km of outcrop. The Property spans the eastern margin of the Proterozoic Havre-Saint-Pierre anorthosite massif. Anorthosite massif deposits are of significant economic interest for critical mineral commodities, including FeTi oxide minerals (for titanium, vanadium, and iron), and apatite minerals (for phosphorus, often including rare earth elements). The Everett deposit is recognized by the USGS and the Quebec Geological Sciences Service as one of the most significant hard-rock ilmenite (FeTiO3) deposits in the world, alongside producing deposits at Lac Tio, Quebec (Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc.) and Tellnes, Norway (Kronos Worldwide Inc.). The Everett deposit is situated 3 km east of the world's largest hard-rock ilmenite deposit, Lac Tio. The deposit at Lac Tio is not necessarily indicative of the grades and tonnes of the adjacent Everett deposit. Still, the two deposits share a closely similar mineralogy and are both hosted by mafic intrusions of the Havre-Saint-Pierre anorthosite massif. Figure 1: Location of the Everett claim group and the Everett deposit, Quebec. Muzhu seeks to significantly increase its critical metal and precious metal exploration in Quebec. By partnering with Romaine, Muzhu benefits from numerous historical mineralogical studies and metallurgical process tests. Respected commercial and university research laboratories conducted these tests, demonstrating very high recoveries of Ti, Fe, and P to the concentrates. Muzhus due diligence review demonstrates that the Everett deposit is drill-ready. Muzhu plans a one-year, focused program of verification of historical drilling and metallurgy, as follows: Collect bulk samples for metallurgical testing. Verify the historical analytical results with twinning of sampling and drilling. Conduct a two-stage diamond drilling program, focusing on defining mineral resources in the northern portions of the Everett deposit. Conduct step-out diamond drilling to test the tenor of mineralization in the mid- and southern portions of the exposed Everett deposit. Report on the drill-indicated mineral resources from the first two stages of definition drilling under the current NI43-101 standards of practice by July 2026. Under the non-binding Letter of Intent, once such Option interest is earned, Muzhu and Romaine will enter a 50-50 Joint Venture agreement. The exercise of the Option shall occur after Muzhu has paid $800,000 in cash, issued 3 million common shares, and expended $10 million on eligible exploration and development on or before 2029. Thereafter, if Muzhu fully finances the exploration and development of the Joint Venture, Muzhu will hold 100% of the Property, and Romaine's share will be reduced to its Gross Royalty of 3.5%. Muzhu can purchase 0.5% and 1.0% of that royalty by paying Romaine $500,000 and $2.5 million, respectively, before commercial production. Muzhu will promptly advance funds to join Romaines active metallurgical testing regime. Any advanced funds are to be credited to the eligible exploration expenditures of the intended Option agreement. Dwayne Yaretz, CEO, stated, "Critical minerals will increasingly define the future of mining and sustainable development. By partnering with Romaine River Titanium Inc., Muzhu can enter this sphere by focusing on verifying the historical programs. Muzhu has drill-ready targets and can immediately proceed with drilling and confirmation metallurgical testing, with reduced risk compared to typical critical mineral exploration programs. The Everett deposit is well-located adjacent to road access, hydroelectric power, an active mining town, and full port facilities." Qualified Person Information contained in this press release was reviewed and approved by Paul McGuigan, P. Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information provided in this news release. About Muzhu Mining Ltd. Muzhu Mining Ltd. is a Canadian publicly traded exploration company with a portfolio of highly prospective projects at various stages of development. Muzhu currently holds 100% interest in the Sleeping Giant South Project, located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, approximately 75 km South of Matagami, Quebec. Additionally, in China, Muzhu has executed two option agreements to acquire up to 80% of the Silver, Zinc, Lead XWG and LMM Properties in Henan Province and is currently conducting an exploration program at the nearby WLG gold mine. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dwayne Yaretz, CEO Muzhu Mining Ltd. Phone: 778-709-3398 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - Canter Resources Corp. (CSE: CRC) (OTC Pink: CNRCF) (FSE: 6O1) ("Canter" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful integration of a comprehensive suite of historically compiled data into its ongoing exploration efforts at the Railroad Valley Project in east-central Nevada. This initiative marks a significant step forward in refining the Company's understanding of the basin's geologic framework and guiding drill targeting efforts. The integrated datasets include detailed geology (see Figure 1), legacy drill hole data and logs (see Figure 2), gravity surveys, bedrock mapping, and borehole geophysical surveys. The source materials, largely drawn from public domain records, have been used to build a modern geological model of the basin in the area of the Company's claim block. "This cost-effective work has helped to unify and leverage decades of valuable geological knowledge into a single cohesive framework," commented Canter Resources CEO, Joness Lang. "By integrating these datasets, we've significantly enhanced our ability to identify structural controls, reservoir targets, and geologic trends that will guide the next phase of exploration at Railroad. Our neighbour, (3 Proton Lithium - 3PL), recently received FAST-41 Transparency Critical Mineral designation by the Trump Administration, which highlights the prospective nature of this underexplored valley and potential strategic value of our contiguous Railroad Valley claims." Railroad Valley is host to Nevada's largest historic oil fields1 and is characterized by a complex geologic history involving multiple episodes of orogeny, volcanism, and extension. While this report was originally compiled in support of oil field research, the extensive geological, geophysical, and subsurface data it contains represent a valuable addition to ongoing exploration efforts for lithium and boron-rich brines within the Railroad Valley basin. The Company plans to leverage this model to refine drill targeting, assess shallow and deep reservoir potential, and advance exploration programs across priority areas later this year. Figure 1. Railroad Valley Model - Showing lithologic context with depth to bedrock highlighting favorable horizons for brine accumulation within (QTvf) Quaternary - Tertiary valley fill. Figure 2. Railroad Valley Data Compilation - Oblique view with historical vertical drill holes surrounding the project integrated using legacy drill hole logs. Historical Data Statement The Company advises that the data integrated into the current geological model includes historical records derived from third-party sources, including the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology's 'Report 60: The Anatomy of the Railroad Valley Basin'1 and associated datasets from legacy drilling, geophysical surveys, and geological mapping. While Canter Resources believes this information to be reliable and relevant, it has not independently verified all legacy data and therefore such data should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or resource potential. The integration of this historical information has been undertaken by qualified personnel and used to inform exploration targeting and basin-scale interpretation. Future exploration results may vary as new data is acquired and incorporated. Mineralization at nearby or adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at the Company's Columbus Project. 1French, D. E., Walker, J. P., & Henry, C. D. (2024). The anatomy of the Railroad Valley basin-host to Nevada's largest oil fields (Report 60). Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology. https://www.nbmg.unr.edu Qualified Person (QP) The technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Eric Saderholm P.Geo, Director and Technical Advisor of Canter Resources, a Qualified Person (QP), as defined under National Instrument 43- 101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Canter Resources Corp. Canter Resources Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company advancing the Columbus Lithium-Boron Project and the Railroad Valley (RV) Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada, USA. The Company is completing a phased drilling approach at Columbus to test highly prospective brine targets at varying depths for lithium-boron enrichment and plans to leverage the Company's critical metals targeting database to generate a portfolio of high-quality projects with the aim of defining mineral resources that support the technology and domestic clean energy supply chains in North America. On behalf of the Board of Directors. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. Generally, such forward-looking information or 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 may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans for the Project and the payments related thereto, the issuance of the Consideration Shares and the Company's expected exploration activities. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: requirements for additional capital; future prices of minerals; changes in general economic conditions; changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities; other risks of the mining industry; the inability to obtain any necessary governmental and regulatory approvals; changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations; hedging practices; and currency fluctuations. 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada TheNewswire - June 3rd, 2025, Generation Uranium Inc. (the Company or Generation), (TSXV: GEN) (OTCQB: GENRF) (FSE: W85) announces the resignation of CEO and Director, Mr. Anthony Zelen, and is pleased to announce that Mr. Chris Huggins will take over as Interim CEO, and Mr. Christoph Bruening is joining the board of directors. Chris Huggins is a proven leader with over 30 years of success in mineral exploration, capital markets, and business development. Born and raised in Timmins, OntarioCanadas richest goldfieldhe brings a career-long focus on creating value and identifying growth opportunities for clients and shareholders. Mr. Huggins began his career as an exploration geologist with Homestake Mining, contributing to key projects around Eskay Creek, Snip Mine, Stewart, BC, and Copiapo, Chile. He later transitioned to the emerging technology sector, achieving a decade of success in sales and corporate development roles. Returning to the mining and construction industries, Chris held senior positions at Atlas Copco and Finning, where he delivered capital equipment solutions to industry leaders such as De Beers, BHP, Acciona, and Heidelberg. He also managed global and national Caterpillar accounts, bringing a strategic edge to complex operational environments. Currently, Mr. Huggins serves as CEO and Director of Auric Minerals Corp (CSE: AUMC) and Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT) where he leads with a focus on strategic growth, operational excellence, and long-term shareholder value. Mr. Bruening is the founder and managing partner of Value Relations GmbH, a full-service investor relations and public relations agency in Frankfurt with over 25 years of excellence, focusing on mining, exploration, biotech and healthcare. Since 1998 he has organized and operated over 500 conferences and over 200 road shows in Germany and throughout Europe. In addition, he has listed over 600 companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Mr. Bruening graduated in Chemistry from Technische Universitat (TU) Darmstadt, in 1995. He is the author of several publications, including on rare earths, uranium, and has an upcoming book on energy and future challenges. He has presented at all the leading resource conferences including the PDAC, Mines and Money, Deutsche Rohstoff Messe Frankfurt, Edelmetall- und Rohstoffmessse Munich, and the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference. He has previously been a director of multiple public companies in Canada, the United States and Germany. The Company would like to thank Mr. Zelen for his years of excellence at the helm of the Company and wish him the best in all of his future endeavours. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Chris Huggins Interim Chief Executive Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. About Generation Uranium The Company is a natural resource company engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Yath Uranium Project, located in the Territory of Nunavut. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Companys exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. 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. The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. High-Grade Channel Sampling Highlights Compelling New Drill Target Melbourne, Australia and Vancouver, Canada TheNewswire June 3, 2025 - Mithril Silver and Gold Limited ("Mithril or the "Company") (TSXV: MSG) (ASX: MTH) is pleased to provide high-grade channel sample results for a newly developing drill target (Target 5) at Mithrils district scale Copalquin property, Durango State, Mexico. Highlights Mithrils ongoing mapping and sampling program continues to uncover high-grade gold-silver drill targets across the expansive 70 km Copalquin District in Mexico. Recent work at Target 5 has outlined multiple northwest-trending parallel veins up to 500 metres in length within a 1.6 km wide corridor, located just 1.5 km southwest of the existing Target 1 resource area. Notably, sampling at this lower elevation (650900 m) has returned grades exceeding 1% copper, lead, and zinc. Mineralisation has now been found for over 1,000 metres of vertical relief between Target 2 and Target 5. The styles of mineralisation and associated host rocks support the model of a district wide epithermal system potentially centred along a 5km east-west trend of rhyolite flow domes. First-pass drilling at Targets 5 and 3 is scheduled for next quarter, following the completion of Target 1 resource update drilling and the district-scale geological model refinement. Highlight channel sample results from surface and underground workings within Target 5: 0.7 m @ 4.64 g/t gold, 732 g/t silver (226229; Mina Apomal) 0.8 m @ 2.84 g/t gold, 777 g/t silver (527107; Mina Apomal) 0.5 m @ 5.36 g/t gold, 706 g/t silver (527143; Apomal Norte) 0.8 m @ 2.58 g/t gold, 716 g/t silver (798719; Dulces Nombres) Samples with high base metal values: 1.0 m @ 1.48 g/t gold, 236 g/t silver, 0.17% copper, 1.73 % lead, 0.06% zinc (798776; Veta Azul) 1.0 m @ 0.04 g/t gold, 8 g/t silver, 0.03% copper, 0.09 % lead 1.28 % zinc (79770; Veta Azul) 1.0 m @ 0.07 g/t gold, 41 g/t silver, 1.59 % copper, 19 ppm lead, 61 ppm zinc (226223; Apomal) 0.85 m @ 0.06 g/t gold, 145 g/t silver, 0.1% copper, 1.14 % lead, 0.05% zinc (527169; Duraznito) The high-grade channel sampling results at Target 5 are another strong endorsement of the Copalquin Districts potential to host multiple, high-grade gold-silver deposits, said John Skeet, MD and CEO of Mithril Silver and Gold. The wide vein corridor at Target 5, high grades, and presence of significant base metals at lower elevations underscore the robust vertical extent of this epithermal system. Importantly, these results confirm that our district-scale exploration strategy is delivering, with Target 5 now emerging as a compelling new drill target. We look forward to commencing the first-ever drilling at this area in the upcoming quarter, alongside continued work to update the resource at Target 1 and further define the broader mineralised system across the Copalquin District. COPALQUIN GOLD-SILVER DISTRICT, DURANGO STATE, MEXICO Figure 1 Copalquin District location map, locations of mining and exploration activity and local infrastructure. Note: the reserve/resources from company websites for the neighbouring properties does not necessarily apply to the Copalquin Project. Resources/resources for neighbouring properties marked with * include estimated past production. With 100 historic underground gold-silver mines and workings plus 198 surface workings/pits throughout 70km2 of mining concession area, Copalquin is an entire mining district with high-grade exploration results and a maiden JORC resource. To date there are several target areas in the district with one already hosting a high-grade gold-silver JORC mineral resource estimate (MRE) at the Target 1 area (El Refugio-La Soledad)1 and a NI 43-101 Technical Report filed on SEDAR+, supported by a conceptional underground mining study completed on the maiden resource in early 2022 (see ASX announcement 01 March 2022 and metallurgical test work (see ASX Announcement 25 February 2022). There is considerable strike and depth potential to increase the resource at El Refugio and at other target areas across the district, plus the underlying geologic system that is responsible for the widespread gold-silver mineralisation. With the district-wide gold and silver occurrences and rapid exploration success, it is clear the Copalquin District is developing into another significant gold-silver district like the many other districts in this prolific Sierra Madre Gold-Silver Trend of Mexico. Figure 2 LiDAR identified historic workings across the 70km2 district. Current drilling locations at Targets 1 and 2, high priority drill target area of La Constancia-El Jabali (Target 3) and the new developing Target 5. Several new areas highlighted across the district for follow-up work. Copalquin District Exploration Progress Update Surficial and underground channel sampling at the Target 5 Area (El Apomal, El Duraznito, Veta Azul, Dulces Nombres) has returned excellent results, with several channel samples intersecting very high-grade silver and high-grade gold within a broad, outcropping vein system, which extends 1.6 km west of the Dulces Nombres to El Apomal Mine (Figure 4). Full sample results are given in Table 2 Significant gold and silver target 5 channel sampling highlights include: Dulces Nombres Mine area: 1.0 m@ 0.141 g/t Au, 841 g/t Ag (798709; underground) 0.8 m @ 2.58 g/t Au, 716 g/t Ag (798719; underground) El Apomal Mine area: 0.7 m @ 4.64 g/t Au, 732 g/t Ag (226229; underground) 0.8 m @ 3.14 g/t Au, 333 g/t Ag (226241; underground) 0.9 m @ 5.2 g/t Au, 297 g/t Ag (226244; underground) 0.6 m @ 1.25 g/t Au, 381 g/t Ag (527103; underground) 0.8 m @ 2.84 g/t Au, 777 g/t Ag (527107; underground) 1.0 m @ 2.47 g/t Au, 252 g/t Ag (527141; surface) 0.5 m @ 5.36 g/t Au, 706 g/t Ag (527143; surface) Significant base metal target 5 channel sampling highlights include: 1.0 m @ 1.48 g/t gold, 236 g/t silver, 0.17% copper, 1.73 % lead, 0.06% zinc (798776; Veta Azul) 1.0 m @ 0.04 g/t gold, 8 g/t silver, 0.03% copper, 0.09 % lead 1.28 % zinc (79770; Veta Azul) 1.0 m @ 0.07 g/t gold, 41 g/t silver, 1.59 % copper, 19 ppm lead, 61 ppm zinc (226223; Apomal) 0.85 m @ 0.06 g/t gold, 145 g/t silver, 0.1% copper, 1.14 % lead, 0.05% zinc (527169; Duraznito) High-Potential Discovery at Target 5 El Apomal: Target 5 development started with the dewatering, mapping and sampling of the historic El Apomal Mine (Figure 3). The mine, a 130-metre underground adit, is dominated by a mineralized quartz vein, up to 1.5 m wide (The Apomal vein). The southeast trending Apomal vein can be traced over 500 metres and remains open to the northwest and southeast. Several parallel vein sets have been mapped and sampled up to 300 m to the southwest of the Apomal Mine (Figure 3; Assays pending). Anomalous silver values (up to 196 g/t Ag; Table 3) have been reported at the El Duraznito Mine which is located more than 300 m to the northeast of the Apomal mine (Figure 4, 5; Table 2). The Veta Azul and Dulces Nombres Mines are located over 900 m northeast of the El Duraznito Mine and have returned high-grade silver values (up to 841 g/t Ag; Figure 4; Table 2). The veins in these mines appear to have a similar orientation to the veins observed underground and on surface in the El Apomal Mine area. Moderate-grade Au and Ag mineralized quartz veins were intersected in two holes (CDH152 -5.66m @ 2.58 g/t gold, 230 g/t silver from 18.5m including 1.98m @ 4.59 g/t gold, 520 g/t silver from 18.5m and CDH-154 - 2.90m @ 1.86 g/t gold, 240 g/t silver from 75.1m) drilled at the historic Copalquin Mine which is located approximately 2.5 km east of El Apomal Mine. The veins at Copalquin are interpreted to be part of the wide vein system observed at Target 5. Target 5 veins mapped to date, are primarily hosted in granodiorite and are situated at a lower elevation in the system at 650 900 m compared with the mineralised zones at Target 1 (900 1,150 m) and Target 2 (1,500 - 1,700 m). Mineralised parallel vein sets have now been mapped and sampled for over 1,000 metres of vertical relief between Target 2 and Target 5 across a width of approximately 5 km, a further indication of the Copalquin District to potentially host a large, multi-target mineralized system. The styles of mineralisation and associated host rocks found at various elevations conform to the model of a district wide low sulphidation epithermal system potentially centred along a 5km east-west trend of rhyolite flow domes. Continued mapping and sampling is underway to the south and southeast of the El Apomal Mine where several outcropping veins have been identified. An exploration road is advancing to the Target 5 area to provide access for drill pads. Further targets for mapping and sampling include the areas to the immediate south of Target 5 towards the historic mines Tasolera 1 and 2 (~1 km from Apomal) and to the southeast towards the historic mine Guamuchilito (~1.7 km from Apomal). Figure 3 Plan map showing silver equivalent assays for channel samples and mapping targets at El Apomal, El Duraznito, Veta Azul, Dulces Nombres, in Target 5 area. Mapping and sampling is ongoing in this area. Gold and silver grades are shown as silver equivalent (AgEq) with silver being the most economically dominant metal at Target 5. Figure 4 Area (1 km2) within 70 km2 Copalquin District Showing the Apomal and Duraznito Channel Sampling Locations and Parallel Outcropping Vein Sets to the Southwest and Northeast. Gold and silver grades are shown as silver equivalent (AgEq) with silver being the most economically dominant metal at Target 5. ABOUT THE COPALQUIN GOLD SILVER PROJECT The Copalquin mining district is located in Durango State, Mexico and covers an entire mining district of 70km2 containing several dozen historic gold and silver mines and workings, ten of which had notable production. The district is within the Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend which extends north-south along the western side of Mexico and hosts many world-class gold and silver deposits. Multiple mineralisation events, young intrusives thought to be system-driving heat sources, widespread alteration together with extensive surface vein exposures and dozens of historic mine workings, identify the Copalquin mining district as a major epithermal centre for Gold and Silver. Within 15 months of drilling in the Copalquin District, Mithril delivered a maiden JORC mineral resource estimate demonstrating the high-grade gold and silver resource potential for the district. This maiden resource is detailed below (see ASX release 17 November 2021)^ and a NI 43-101 Technical Report filed on SEDAR+ Indicated 691 kt @5.43 g/t gold, 114 g/t silver for 121,000 oz gold plus 2,538,000 oz silver Inferred 1,725 kt @4.55 g/t gold, 152 g/t silver for 252,000 oz gold plus 8,414,000 oz silver (using a cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t AuEq*) 28.6% of the resource tonnage is classified as indicated Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (kt) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Gold Eq.* (g/t) Gold (koz) Silver (koz) Gold Eq.* (koz) El Refugio Indicated 691 5.43 114.2 7.06 121 2,538 157 Inferred 1,447 4.63 137.1 6.59 215 6,377 307 La Soledad Indicated - - - - - - - Inferred 278 4.12 228.2 7.38 37 2,037 66 Total Indicated 691 5.43 114.2 7.06 121 2,538 157 Inferred 1,725 4.55 151.7 6.72 252 8,414 372 Table 1 - Mineral resource estimate El Refugio La Soledad using a cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t AuEq* * In determining the gold equivalent (AuEq.) grade for reporting, a gold:silver price ratio of 70:1 was determined, using the formula: AuEq grade = Au grade + ((Ag grade/70) x (Ag recovery/Au recovery)). The metal prices used to determine the 70:1 ratio are the cumulative average prices for 2021: gold USD1,798.34 and silver: USD25.32 (actual is 71:1) from kitco.com. At this early stage, the metallurgical recoveries were assumed to be equal. Subsequent preliminary metallurgical test work produced recoveries of 91% for silver and 96% for gold (ASX Announcement 25 February 2022) and these will be used when the resource is updated in the future. In the Companys opinion there is reasonable potential for both gold and silver to be extracted and sold. ^ The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information provided in the following ASX announcement: 17 Nov 2021 - MAIDEN JORC RESOURCE 529,000 OUNCES @ 6.81G/T (AuEq*), which includes the full JORC MRE report, also available on the Mithril Resources Limited Website. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. # For Target 5 area where silver equivalent (AgEq) has been used in the maps, AgEq is determined using the formula: AgEq grade = Ag grade + ((Au grade x 70) x (Au recovery/Ag recovery)). The metal prices used to determine the 70:1 ratio are the cumulative average prices for 2021: gold USD1,798.34 and silver: USD25.32 (actual is 71:1) from kitco.com. At this early stage, the metallurgical recoveries for Au and Ag are assumed to be equal in the absence of metallurgical test work for Target 5 material. In the Companys opinion there is reasonable potential for both gold and silver to be extracted and sold. Mining study and metallurgical test work supports the development of the El Refugio-La Soledad resource with conventional underground mining methods indicated as being appropriate and with high gold-silver recovery to produce metal on-site with conventional processing. Mithril is currently exploring in the Copalquin District to expand the resource footprint, demonstrating its multi-million-ounce gold and silver potential. Mithril has an exclusive option to purchase 100% interest in the Copalquin mining concessions by paying US$10M on or any time before 7 August 2028. -ENDS- Released with the authority of the Board. For further information contact: John Skeet Managing Director and CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +61 435 766 809 NIKLI COMMUNICATIONS Corporate Communications 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. Competent Persons Statement - JORC The information in this announcement that relates to metallurgical test results, mineral processing and project development and study work has been compiled by Mr John Skeet who is Mithrils CEO and Managing Director. Mr Skeet is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. This is a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO) under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code. Mr Skeet has sufficient experience of relevance to the styles of mineralisation and the types of deposits under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Skeet consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. The Australian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. The information in this announcement that relates to sampling techniques and data, exploration results and geological interpretation for Mithrils Mexican project, has been compiled by Mr Patrick Loury who is Mithrils Project Consultant. Mr Loury is a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists and a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG). This is a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO) under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code. Mr Loury has sufficient experience of relevance to the styles of mineralisation and the types of deposits under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Loury consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this announcement that relates to Mineral Resources is reported by Mr Rodney Webster, Principal Geologist at AMC Consultants Pty Ltd (AMC), who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. The report was peer reviewed by Andrew Proudman, Principal Consultant at AMC. Mr Webster is acting as the Competent Person, as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, for the reporting of the Mineral Resource estimate. A site visit was carried out by Jose Olmedo a geological consultant with AMC, in September 2021 to observe the drilling, logging, sampling and assay database. Mr Webster consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears The Australian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Qualified Persons NI 43-101 Scientific and technical information in this Report has been reviewed and approved by Mr John Skeet (FAUSIMM, CP) Mithrils Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Mr John Skeet is a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Table 2 Gold, Silver and Base Metal Assay Results from Target 5 Area Channel Samples. Channel Sample ID Easting Northing Elevation Sample Type Channel Section Location Width m Au ppm Ag ppm Cu ppm Pb ppm Zn ppm 798709 289147 2823131 902 Underground Dulces Nombres Nivel 1 1.00 0.141 841 2010 291 16 798710 289149 2823132 902 Underground Dulces Nombres Nivel 1 1.00 0.005 7.1 1290 28 58 798711 289154 2823137 910 Underground Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 1.00 0.016 23.1 508 66 80 798712 289158 2823141 910 Underground 1/4 L1 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.50 0.007 1.3 334 34 87 798713 289158 2823140 910 Underground 2/4 L1 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.70 0.02 3.6 1140 38 104 798714 289159 2823140 910 Underground 3/4 L1 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.80 0.019 23.2 1345 35 79 798715 289159 2823139 910 Underground 4/4 L1 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.50 0.005 1.6 1180 20 70 798716 289165 2823145 910 Underground 1/2 L2 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.60 0.796 155 839 459 90 798717 289166 2823145 910 Underground 2/2 L2 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.50 0.032 7 295 57 77 798718 289171 2823147 910 Underground 2/3 L3 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.60 0.071 50.4 349 194 151 798719 289172 2823147 910 Underground 3/3 L3 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.80 2.58 716 736 1395 136 798720 289174 2823147 910 Underground 1/2 L4 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.70 0.058 4.2 27 80 168 798721 289174 2823146 910 Underground 2/2 L4 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.60 0.005 2.6 542 31 323 798722 289170 2823148 910 Underground 1/3 L3 Dulces Nombres Nivel 2 0.60 0.039 12.3 119 92 125 798723 289178 2823137 921 Underground 1/3 L1 Dulces Nombres Nivel 3 0.60 0.027 16.8 2110 81 69 798724 289179 2823137 921 Underground 2/3 L1 Dulces Nombres Nivel 3 0.56 0.005 2.9 7610 45 76 798726 289179 2823136 921 Underground 3/3 L1 Dulces Nombres Nivel 3 0.70 0.005 3.7 1940 55 72 798727 289151 2823133 910 Surface Dulces Nombres Nivel 3 1.20 0.006 29.8 1285 33 58 798764 289066 2823084 Underground 1/4 L1 Veta Azul 1.20 0.103 78.8 2560 2730 7760 798766 289066 2823085 Underground 2/4 L1 Veta Azul 1.00 0.095 44.6 1145 4890 3520 798767 289067 2823086 Underground 3/4 L1 Veta Azul 1.00 0.01 3.6 119 1525 2840 798768 289067 2823087 Underground 4/4 L1 Veta Azul 1.00 0.005 3.4 76 2550 2920 798769 289074 2823076 858 Surface 1/5 Veta Azul 1.00 0.008 8 198 1180 1135 798770 289073 2823076 858 Surface 2/5 Veta Azul 1.00 0.042 8 332 871 12750 798771 289073 2823075 858 Surface 3/5 Veta Azul 1.00 0.007 3.5 97 3680 6770 798772 289072 2823074 858 Surface 4/5 Veta Azul 1.00 0.023 5.2 81 2140 1435 798773 289075 2823077 858 Surface 5/5 Veta Azul 0.50 0.045 17.3 54 6780 934 798774 289102 2823073 870 Surface 1/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.005 2.2 296 1045 1215 798775 289102 2823072 869 Surface 2/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.036 32.3 1220 1835 626 798776 289102 2823071 869 Surface 3/8 Veta Azul 1.00 1.475 236 1655 17300 588 798777 289102 2823070 869 Surface 4/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.19 79.8 1110 5610 450 798778 289102 2823069 868 Surface 5/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.093 116 1940 6320 482 798779 289102 2823068 868 Surface 6/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.757 279 1510 4500 490 798780 289102 2823067 868 Surface 7/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.171 67.6 1200 4210 788 798781 289102 2823066 867 Surface 8/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.074 18.3 203 855 172 798783 289116 2823067 873 Surface 1/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.007 1.6 49 159 218 798784 289116 2823066 872 Surface 2/8 Veta Azul 1.00 0.009 2.5 119 156 343 798785 289116 2823065 872 Surface 3/8 Veta Azul 0.70 0.448 244 3260 1305 362 798786 289116 2823064 872 Surface 4/8 Veta Azul 0.80 0.029 25.5 591 1075 1070 798787 289116 2823062.5 871 Surface 5/8 Veta Azul 0.50 0.067 9.7 301 964 463 798788 289116 2823062 871 Surface 6/8 Veta Azul 0.50 0.045 5.5 201 728 631 798789 289117 2823061 871 Surface 7/8 Veta Azul 0.50 0.112 21.5 487 3520 2210 798790 289117 2823060 870 Surface 8/8 Veta Azul 0.50 0.072 6.2 243 920 1310 226164 288050 2822562.85 684 Surface 1/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.118 30 57 181 231 226165 288049 2822562.17 684 Surface 2/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.027 2 27 27 68 226166 288049 2822561.73 684 Surface 3/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.80 0.007 0.5 34 11 23 226167 288049 2822561.3 684 Surface 4/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.60 0.023 0.6 25 16 32 226168 288044 2822568.64 686 Surface 1/3 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.183 28.4 35 282 424 226169 288043 2822568.28 686 Surface 2/3 Arroyo El Apomal 0.80 0.122 7.8 46 163 121 226170 288043 2822567.67 686 Surface 3/3 Arroyo El Apomal 0.60 0.005 0.5 14 9 41 226171 288026 2822603.43 691 Surface 1/4 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.009 2 15 23 38 226172 288025 2822603.38 691 Surface 2/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.70 0.016 1 31 20 35 226173 288024 2822602.92 691 Surface 3/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.013 3.3 26 49 98 226174 288024 2822602.67 692 Surface 4/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.005 0.5 13 12 80 226175 288022 2822611.96 692 Surface 1/3 Arroyo El Apomal 0.60 0.046 1 25 18 61 226177 288021 2822611.99 692 Surface 2/3 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.145 9.5 13 28 44 226178 288020 2822612.09 692 Surface 3/3 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.041 3.5 24 23 43 226179 288022 2822618.37 692 Surface 1/2 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.138 15.8 60 66 166 226181 288021 2822618.49 692 Surface 2/2 Arroyo El Apomal 1.10 0.009 0.9 25 14 70 226182 288223 2822669.12 694 Surface 1/3 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.288 49.5 23 113 199 226183 288222 2822667.36 694 Surface 2/3 Arroyo El Apomal 1.20 0.045 3.2 29 189 153 226184 288222 2822665.96 694 Surface 3/3 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.446 47.6 28 536 818 226185 288359 2822796.71 709 Surface 1/4 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.008 1.3 44 34 95 226186 288361 2822796.05 709 Surface 2/4 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.017 1.8 23 80 56 226187 288363 2822795.32 710 Surface 3/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.011 1.7 161 35 76 226188 288364 2822795.32 710 Surface 4/4 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.018 1.2 140 27 72 226189 288370 2822797.2 710 Surface 1/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.60 0.005 0.6 100 13 39 226190 288371 2822797.08 710 Surface 2/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.30 0.005 0.9 53 17 132 226191 288372 2822797.26 710 Surface 3/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.60 0.037 2.3 40 137 107 226192 288372 2822797.56 710 Surface 4/4 Arroyo El Apomal 0.90 0.009 1 147 15 63 226193 288514 2822835 742 Surface Arroyo El Apomal 1.10 0.005 0.5 77 92 214 226194 288580 2822771 731 Surface Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.03 1.1 27 39 85 226195 288637 2822714 735 Surface Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.016 2.2 15 34 31 226196 288640 2822711.65 737 Surface Arroyo El Apomal 0.80 0.02 1 32 12 48 226197 288765 2822656 746 Surface Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.012 0.6 45 7 32 226198 288796 2822649.7 759 Surface 1/17 Arroyo El Apomal 0.60 0.035 0.5 38 13 39 226199 288796 2822650.28 759 Surface 2/17 Arroyo El Apomal 0.70 0.019 6.3 375 14 27 226201 288797 2822650.8 759 Surface 3/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.021 1.1 412 16 41 226202 288798 2822651.34 759 Surface 4/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.021 5.1 2420 21 53 226203 288798 2822651.74 759 Surface 5/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.013 1 474 17 47 226204 288799 2822652.37 759 Surface 6/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.024 17.9 2190 22 59 226205 288800 2822652.89 759 Surface 7/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.016 2.5 963 23 65 226206 288800 2822653.5 759 Surface 8/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.012 1.2 337 12 47 226207 288801 2822653.92 759 Surface 9/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.056 4.5 3490 12 42 226208 288802 2822654.59 759 Surface 10/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.043 3.5 1620 10 40 226209 288803 2822655.25 759 Surface 11/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.005 0.5 63 11 36 226211 288804 2822655.83 759 Surface 12/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.428 68.5 216 147 135 226212 288804 2822656.32 759 Surface 13/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.012 2.1 151 16 72 226213 288805 2822657.04 759 Surface 14/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.006 0.6 26 13 39 226214 288806 2822657.65 759 Surface 15/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.041 3.1 43 36 32 226215 288807 2822658.2 759 Surface 16/17 Arroyo El Apomal 1.90 0.005 0.5 27 8 118 226217 288809 2822659.41 759 Surface 17/17 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.006 0.7 77 10 62 226218 288800 2822655.59 757 Surface 1/9 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.055 4.1 2770 15 56 226219 288800 2822655.16 758 Surface 2/9 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.005 0.5 219 10 32 226220 288801 2822654.95 759 Surface 3/9 Arroyo El Apomal 0.50 0.02 2.1 1265 11 35 226221 288801 2822654.25 760 Surface 4/9 Arroyo El Apomal 0.70 0.017 5.8 1545 11 41 226222 288802 2822653.25 761 Surface 5/9 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.032 9.4 2080 35 112 226223 288803 2822651.92 762 Surface 6/9 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.069 41.2 15900 19 61 226224 288804 2822650.37 763 Surface 7/9 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.006 2.4 1190 7 41 226226 288805 2822648.58 764 Surface 8/9 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.018 9.5 1310 11 35 226227 288806 2822647.49 765 Surface 9/9 Arroyo El Apomal 1.00 0.009 5.1 895 10 42 226228 288020 2822639.24 661 Underground Mina El Apomal 0.80 0.868 219 99 230 875 226229 288018 2822642.94 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.70 4.64 732 130 401 541 262230 288017 2822642.27 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.60 0.071 11.3 23 20 102 226231 288014 2822648.61 661 Underground Mina El Apomal 1.00 0.522 156 40 338 664 226233 288012 2822652.74 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.60 0.335 68 34 195 347 226234 288011 2822652.31 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.60 0.033 5.8 10 59 160 226235 288008 2822655.65 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.80 0.081 1.5 13 17 78 226236 288008 2822655.35 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 1.00 0.44 56.4 17 117 509 226237 288004 2822659.35 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.70 0.395 104 51 124 134 226238 288003 2822657.95 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.80 0.009 0.6 5 15 41 226239 287999 2822661.72 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 1.10 0.392 82.6 23 73 118 226241 287999 2822660.81 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.80 3.14 333 88 173 166 226242 287996 2822664.33 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 1.00 0.96 135 47 73 97 226243 287996 2822663.54 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.75 0.621 82.7 21 46 85 226244 287993 2822667.72 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.90 5.2 297 48 138 211 226245 287992 2822667.02 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.50 0.042 4.7 26 83 64 226246 287990 2822672.58 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.75 0.54 44.3 60 38 375 226247 287989 2822671.85 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.80 0.898 162 50 160 469 226248 287986 2822675.31 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.90 0.677 86.1 13 66 88 226249 287985 2822674.7 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.80 0.246 83.8 26 31 52 527101 287983 2822680.1 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.70 0.032 3 54 54 37 527102 287983 2822678.77 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.80 0.044 3.7 10 56 50 527103 287981 2822684.04 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.60 1.25 381 34 161 118 527104 287980 2822683.88 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.90 0.393 13.8 11 22 28 527105 287977 2822688.35 661 Underground Mina El Apomal 0.60 0.175 7.2 30 14 29 527107 287975 2822693.15 661 Underground Mina El Apomal 0.80 2.84 777 96 236 307 527108 287971 2822697.09 661 Underground Mina El Apomal 0.50 0.394 81.1 19 80 74 527109 287968 2822700.43 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.80 0.781 146 42 54 48 527110 287967 2822700.06 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.70 0.047 5.3 28 10 31 527111 287964 2822703.28 661 Underground Mina El Apomal 1.00 0.66 60.3 51 32 46 527112 287960 2822707.4 661 Underground Mina El Apomal 0.60 0.008 1 37 9 23 527113 288016 2822636.66 661 Underground 1/2 Mina El Apomal 0.80 0.103 9.5 12 22 90 527114 288014 2822635.87 661 Underground 2/2 Mina El Apomal 0.50 0.727 6.2 15 17 70 527115 288009 2822635.02 661 Underground 1/4 Mina El Apomal 1.00 0.005 0.5 4 21 75 527116 288007 2822634.84 661 Underground 2/4 Mina El Apomal 1.00 0.009 0.5 6 31 78 527117 288007 2822634.47 661 Underground 3/4 Mina El Apomal 1.00 0.007 0.5 2 14 49 527118 288005 2822634.05 661 Underground 4/4 Mina El Apomal 0.60 0.005 0.5 2 13 60 527119 288002 2822633.26 661 Underground Mina El Apomal 1.00 0.019 0.8 14 15 50 527133 287756 2822875 702 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 0.269 44.8 20 45 53 527134 287787 2822845 735 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 0.011 1.2 86 24 104 527135 287795 2822839 741 Surface Apomal Norte 1.00 0.399 65.6 58 310 242 527136 287818 2822832 720 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 0.026 4 90 106 210 527137 287829 2822829 767 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 0.082 8.1 55 248 157 527138 287857 2822827 755 Surface Apomal Norte 1.00 0.037 3.2 28 19 33 527139 287875 2822806 737 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 1.645 172 30 79 113 527140 287884 2822800 719 Surface Apomal Norte 1.00 0.184 21.8 110 248 135 527141 287884 2822799 776 Surface Apomal Norte 1.00 2.47 252 41 71 104 527142 287893 2822790 779 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 0.307 5.4 80 11 50 527143 287901 2822791 746 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 5.36 706 88 461 249 527144 287896 2822793 753 Surface L1 1/2 Apomal Norte 1.00 0.024 4.7 86 17 46 527145 287896 2822794 764 Surface L1 2/2 Apomal Norte 1.00 0.121 3.7 22 16 40 527147 287913 2822798 786 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 0.038 3.1 52 33 87 527148 287936 2822784 797 Surface Apomal Norte 0.50 0.249 109 67 50 144 527149 287971 2822790 778 Surface Apomal Norte 1.00 0.078 5.3 41 25 56 527151 288101 2822440 678 Surface Apomal Sur 1.00 0.085 1 29 296 224 527152 288031 2822344.25 672 Surface 1/6 Apomal Sur 0.60 0.02 2.8 25 20 128 527153 288031 2822343.09 672 Surface 2/6 Apomal Sur 1.50 0.006 2 8 11 116 527154 288031 2822341.48 672 Surface 3/6 Apomal Sur 0.80 0.012 0.5 7 24 113 527155 288030 2822340.37 672 Surface 4/6 Apomal Sur 0.70 0.005 0.5 5 15 137 527156 288030 2822339.24 672 Surface 5/6 Apomal Sur 1.00 0.008 0.6 10 157 307 527157 288030 2822338.08 672 Surface 6/6 Apomal Sur 0.60 0.021 1.3 20 461 805 527158 288041 2822297.19 670 Surface 1/3 Apomal Sur 1.00 0.292 41.8 48 2720 1970 527159 288040 2822297.48 670 Surface 2/3 Apomal Sur 1.00 0.118 30 28 2020 1950 527160 288039 2822297.84 670 Surface 3/3 Apomal Sur 0.50 0.038 2.1 16 196 209 527161 288027 2822295.6 667 Surface 1/2 Apomal Sur 1.00 0.007 0.7 15 57 122 527162 288026 2822295.23 667 Surface 2/2 Apomal Sur 0.50 0.011 2.4 8 133 97 527163 288303 2822833.44 686 Underground 1/4 Mina El Duraznito 0.70 0.007 1.3 45 44 97 527164 288302 2822833.02 686 Underground 2/4 Mina El Duraznito 0.70 0.01 2.8 37 833 155 527165 288301 2822832.57 686 Underground 3/4 Mina El Duraznito 0.50 0.005 0.5 52 26 374 527166 288301 2822832.05 686 Underground 4/4 Mina El Duraznito 0.70 0.013 4.6 41 1460 334 527167 288296 2822833.44 686 Underground Mina El Duraznito 1.00 0.009 7.1 24 1835 725 527168 288297 2822818 700 Underground Mina El Duraznito 0.60 0.122 196 2720 9240 393 527169 288295 2822817 700 Underground Mina El Duraznito 0.85 0.061 145 975 11400 493 527170 288293 2822820 700 Underground Mina El Duraznito 0.80 0.086 159 2220 6060 954 527171 288300 2822821 700 Surface Mina El Duraznito 0.80 0.021 124 113 1280 79 527172 288283 2822822.66 720 Underground 1/4 Mina El Duraznito 1.00 0.019 4.8 971 1160 446 527173 288282 2822822.84 720 Underground 2/4 Mina El Duraznito 0.50 0.013 4.5 739 1170 405 527174 288282 2822822.29 720 Underground 3/4 Mina El Duraznito 0.70 0.015 5.4 519 2260 487 527176 288281 2822821.53 720 Underground 4/4 Mina El Duraznito 0.80 0.06 23.3 173 850 249 527177 288282 2822823.78 720 Underground 1/4 Mina El Duraznito 0.90 0.056 26.2 278 1035 577 527178 288288 2822823.69 720 Underground 2/4 Mina El Duraznito 1.00 0.025 38.2 1355 6320 511 527179 288281 2822824.01 720 Underground 3/4 Mina El Duraznito 1.15 0.057 43.8 787 2930 654 527180 288281 2822824.91 720 Underground 4/4 Mina El Duraznito 1.20 0.009 2 505 67 330 527181 288280 2822828.89 720 Underground 1/2 Mina El Duraznito 1.00 0.097 158 1875 9630 1005 527183 288279 2822828.89 720 Underground 2/2 Mina El Duraznito 1.10 0.02 4.4 386 150 365 JORC Code, 2012 Edition Table 1 Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representativity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where industry standard work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Drill core samples are cut lengthwise with a diamond saw. Intervals are nominally 1 m but may vary between 0.5 m to 1.5 m based on geologic criteria. The same side of the core is always sent to sample (left side of saw). Reported intercepts are calculated as either potentially underground mineable (100m down hole) or as potentially open-pit mineable (near surface). Potentially underground mineable intercepts are calculated as length weighted averages of material greater than or equal to 1 g/t AuEQ_70 allowing up to 2m of internal dilution. Potentially open-pit mineable intercepts are calculated as length weighted averages of material greater than or equal to 0.25 g/t AuEQ_70 allowing for up to 2m of internal dilution. Rock Sawn Channel samples underground and surface are collected with the assistance of a handheld portable saw. The channels are 2.5 to 3cm deep and 6-8 cm wide along continuous lines oriented perpendicular to the mineralized structure. The samples are as representative as possible Rock Sawn Channel surface samples were surveyed with a Handheld GPS then permanently mark with an aluminium tag and red colour spray across the strike of the outcrop over 1 metre. Samples are as representative as possible Rock Sawn Channel underground samples were located after a compass and tape with the mine working having a surveyed control point at the portal, then permanently marked with an aluminium tag and red colour spray oriented perpendicular to the mineralized structure. Samples are as representative as possible Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Drilling is done with MP500 man-portable core rigs capable of drilling HQ size core to depths of 350-400m (depending on ground conditions), reducing to NQ size core for greater depths. Core is recovered in a standard tube. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Drill recovery is measured based on measured length of core divided by length of drill run. Recovery in holes CDH-001 through CDH-025 and holes CDH-032 through CDH-077 was always above 90% in the mineralized zones. Detailed core recovery data are maintained in the project database. Holes CDH-026 through CDH-031 had problems with core recovery in highly fractured, clay rich breccia zones. There is no adverse relationship between recovery and grade identified to date. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Geotechnical and geological logging of the drill core takes place on racks in the company core shed. Core samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Core logging is both qualitative or quantitative in nature. Photos are taken of each box of core before samples are cut. Photos of cut core intervals are taken after sampling. Core is wetted to improve visibility of features in the photos. All core has been logged and photographed. Rock sawn channel samples are marked, measured and photographed at location Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representativity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Core is sawn and half core is taken for sample. Samples are prepared using ALS Minerals Prep-31 crushing, splitting and pulverizing. This is appropriate for the type of deposit being explored. Visual review to assure that the cut core is of the core is performed to assure representativity of samples. Crushed core duplicates are split/collected by the laboratory and submitted for assay (1 in 30 samples) Sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Rock sawn channel samples are prepared using ALS Minerals Prep-31 crushing, splitting and pulverizing. This is appropriate for the type of deposit being explored. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. Samples are assayed for gold using ALS Minerals Au-AA25 method a 30 g fire assay with an AA finish. This is considered a total assay technique. Samples are assayed for silver using ALS Minerals ME-ICP61 method. Over limits are assayed by AgOG63 and AgGRAV21. These are considered a total assay technique. Standards and blanks are inserted at a rate of one per every 25 samples and one per every 40 samples, respectively. Pulp duplicate sampling is undertaken for 3% of all samples (see above). External laboratory checks will be conducted as sufficient samples are collected. Levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have not yet been established. Certified Reference Materials Rock Labs and CDN CRMs have been used throughout the project including, low (~2 g/t Au), medium (~9 g/t Au) and high (~18g/t Au and ~40 g/t Au). Results are automatically checked on data import into the BEDROCK database to fall within 2 standard deviations of the expected value. Soil samplingis also subject to a program of standards and blanks using the X-ray florescence (XRF) analyser. Results are acceptable. Samples were analysed using three wavelengths 50Kv, 40 Kv and 15 Kv for times of 120 seconds, 30 seconds and 30 seconds respectively. Samples with significant amounts of observed visible gold are also assayed by AuSCR21, a screen assay that analyses gold in both the milled pulp and in the residual oversize from pulverization. This has been done for holes CDH-075 and CDH-077. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel has not been conducted. A re-assay program of pulp duplicates is currently in progress. MTH has drilled one twin hole. Hole CDH-072, reported in the 15/6/2021 announcement, is a twin of holes EC-002 and UC-03. Results are comparable. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols are maintained in the companys core facility. Assay data have not been adjusted other than applying length weighted averages to reported intercepts. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Drill collar coordinates are currently located by handheld GPS. Precise survey of hole locations is planned. Downhole surveys of hole deviation are recorded using a Reflex Multishot tool for all holes. A survey measurement is first collected at 15 meters downhole, and then every 50 meters until the end of the hole. Locations for holes CDH-001 through CDH-048 and CDH-051 through CDH-148 have been surveyed with differential GPS to a sub 10 cm precision. Hole CDH-005 was not surveyed UTM/UPS WGS 84 zone 13 N High quality topographic control from LiDAR imagery and orthophotos covers the entire project area. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. Data spacing is appropriate for the reporting of Exploration Results. The Resource estimation re-printed in this announcement was originally released on 17 Nov 2021 No sample compositing has been applied. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. Cut lines are marked on the core by the geologists to assure that the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures. This is reasonably well observed in the core and is appropriate to the deposit type. The relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is not considered to have introduced a sampling bias. Rock sawn channel samples are cut perpendicular to the observed vein orientation wherever possible Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Samples are stored in a secure core storage facility until they are shipped off site by small aircraft and delivered directly to ALS Global. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. A review with spot checks was conducted by AMC in conjunction with the resource estimate published 17 Nov 2021. Results were satisfactory to AMC. Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. Concessions at Copalquin No. Concession Concession Title number Area (Ha) Location 1 LA SOLEDAD 52033 6 Tamazula, Durango, Mexico 2 EL COMETA 164869 36 Tamazula, Durango, Mexico 3 SAN MANUEL 165451 36 Tamazula, Durango, Mexico 4 COPALQUIN 178014 20 Tamazula, Durango, Mexico 5 EL SOL 236130 6,000 Tamazula, Durango and Badiraguato, Sinaloa, Mexico 6 EL CORRAL 236131 907.3243 Tamazula, Durango and Badiraguato, Sinaloa, Mexico Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Previous exploration by Bell Coast Capital Corp. and UC Resources was done in the late 1990s and in 2005 2007. Work done by these companies is historic and non-JORC compliant. Mithril uses these historic data only as a general guide and will not incorporate work done by these companies in resource modelling. Work done by the Mexican government and by IMMSA and will be used for modelling of historic mine workings which are now inaccessible (void model) Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Copalquin is a low sulfidation epithermal gold-silver deposit hosted in andesite. This deposit type is common in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico and is characterized by quartz veins and stockworks surrounded by haloes of argillic (illite/smectite) alteration. Veins have formed as both low-angle semi-continuous lenses parallel to the contact between granodiorite and andesite and as tabular veins in high-angle normal faults. Vein and breccia thickness has been observed up to 30 meters wide with average widths on the order of 3 to 5 meters. The overall strike length of the semi-continuous mineralized zone from El Gallo to Refugio, Cometa, Los Pinos, Los Reyes, La Montura to Constancia is almost 6 kilometres. The southern area from Apomal to San Manuel and to Las Brujas-El Peru provides additional exploration potential up to 5km. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length. If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. No new drilling reported in this announcement Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Potentially underground mineable intercepts are calculated as length weighted averages of material greater than or equal to 1 g/t AuEQ_70 allowing up to 2m of internal dilution. Potentially open-pit mineable intercepts are calculated as length weighted averages of material greater than or equal to 0.25 g/t AuEQ_70 allowing for up to 2m of internal dilution. No upper cut-off is applied to reporting intercepts. Length weighted averaging is used to report intercepts. The example of CDH-002 is shown. The line of zero assays is a standard which was removed from reporting. Au Raw Ag raw Length (m) Au *length Ag *length 7.51 678 0.5 3.755 339 11.85 425 0.55 6.5175 233.75 0 0 0 0 0 0.306 16 1 0.306 16 0.364 31.7 1 0.364 31.7 3.15 241 0.5 1.575 120.5 10.7 709 0.5 5.35 354.5 15.6 773 0.5 7.8 386.5 From To Length Au gpt Ag gpt 4.55 25.667 1481.9 91.95 96.5 4.55 5.64 325.7 In determining the gold equivalent (AuEq.) grade for reporting, a gold:silver price ratio of 70:1 was determined, using the formula: AuEq grade = Au grade + ((Ag grade/70) x (Ag recovery/Au recovery)). The metal prices used to determine the 70:1 ratio are the cumulative average prices for 2021: gold USD1,798.34 and silver: USD25.32 (actual is 71:1) fromkitco.com At this early stage, the metallurgical recoveries are assumed to be equal. Subsequent preliminary metallurgical test work produced recoveries of 91% for silver and 96% for gold (ASX Announcement 25 February 2022). For Rock Saw Channel Sampling at Target 5, AgEq is determined using the formula: AgEq grade = Ag grade + ((Au grade x 70) x (Au recovery/Ag recovery)). The metal prices used to determine the 70:1 ratio are the cumulative average prices for 2021: gold USD1,798.34 and silver: USD25.32 (actual is 71:1) fromkitco.com At this early stage, the metallurgical recoveries for Au and Ag are assumed to be equal in the absence of metallurgical test work for Target 5 material. In the Companys opinion there is reasonable potential for both gold and silver to be extracted and sold. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg down hole length, true width not known). True widths at Refugio between sections 120 and 1,000 vary according to the holes dip. Holes drilled at -50 degrees may be considered to have intercept lengths equal to true-widths, Holes drilled at -70 degrees had true widths approximately 92% of the reported intercept lengths and holes drilled at -90 degrees had true widths of 77% of the reported intercept lengths. True widths at La Soledad are not fully understood and downhole intercepts to date, are reported. At Las Brujas in Target 2, true widths are not yet known since we are still in the early stages of target definition. Rock sawn channel samples are cut perpendicular to the observed vein orientation wherever possible Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. See figures in announcement Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All exploration results are reported for intercepts greater than or equal to 0.1 g/t gold equivalent (gold plus silver at 70:1 price ratio for gold:silver). Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. No additional exploration data are substantive at this time. Metallurgical test work on drill core composite made of crushed drill core from the El Refugio drill hole samples has been conducted. The samples used for the test work are representative of the material that makes up the majority of the Maiden Resource Estimate for El Refugio release on 17th November 2021. The test work was conducted by SGS laboratory Mexico using standard reagents and test equipment. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. The Company drilled 148 diamond core holes from July 2020 to July 2022 for 32,712 m. The Company has stated its target to drill 40,000m from June 2024 until the end of 2025. Diagrams are included in the announcements and presentations showing the drill target areas within the Copalquin District 1 See About Copalquin Gold Silver Project section for JORC MRE details and AuEq. calculation. Claudine*, who was one of the first to appear before the Independent National Authority for Recognition and Reparation (INIRR), seems to have had the worst experience. I sent an initial email to the INIRR at the end of January 2022. A confirmation email arrived the same day, and then I waited three months for a consultant to call me. She asked me to talk about what Id been through, and I talked for an hour. At the end of the line, I got the impression that she wasnt really how I expected, not really listening. You have to realize it was the first time Id told anyone what had happened to me. The days that followed were very painful because a lot of things came out. I asked to speak to this person again because I needed to clarify things, but I got no answer. I had to go through the general secretary of the INIRR, who rearranged a telephone meeting with my consultant. She then sent me the minutes of our meeting. It was completely different from what I had told her; she had interpreted a lot of things and embroidered. I didnt recognize my story. I was able to rewrite the whole text, because in the meantime the details had become clearer, and my thoughts had matured. Eight months later, I finally got the verdict. Michel: Ill always remember their first words: Weve read your file submitted to CIASE and we believe you. It was very restorative for me. Michel*, who went before the Commission for Recognition and Reparation (CRR) two months after Claudine, had a radically different experience. I applied to the CRR on March 4, 2021. I was told that they were at my disposal: by video, telephone or physically in Paris. I live in Brittany. I went there three times in 2021 and 2022. It wasnt a huge effort. I paid for train tickets to Paris, but it seemed to me that for my testimony to be heard and to receive reparations, I had to meet them. I was amazed that they were so accommodating of me and my schedule. I was received in the office of an international lawyer, the person assigned to my case. In the lift, I bumped into my other consultant, and realized I knew her. Shes a psychoanalyst whose books I have read. The secretary was attractive and friendly and offered me a coffee. I was immediately welcomed by the team and we got down to business. Ill always remember their first words: Weve read your file submitted to CIASE and we believe you. It was very restorative for me. The first appointment lasted 1 hour 30 minutes. They asked me specific questions: the colour of my attackers eyes, the colour of her hair. The fact that she wore a headdress all day meant that she was intimate with me, because she took it off. They were very warm and understanding. The second appointment was to tell me about the difficulties they were having with the nuns. The order of nuns never wanted to answer my requests, which were very neutral: I wanted to know if the nun in question was dead and where she was buried so as to visit her grave. I had promised to be very respectful. My consultants ended up telling me, at the third and final meeting, that the only thing I could ask for was money, which I didnt really want or need. A lawyer then called me, very dry, very cold: Im the spokeswoman for the nuns. If you promise not to write or publish anything, youll get the money. The CRR was sorry and warned me to think carefully before signing anything the congregation sent me because its inappropriate to ask you this, they told me. When I signed, I had a cheque from the congregation the next day. Veronique Garnier: I hear lots people who tell me how much they are suffering as they go through the process. You expose yourself through your story. Youre being judged, because a panel of experts is going to assess your case. Veronique Garnier also went to the INIRR, and her experience was very different from that of Michel or Claudine. I wrote an email to the INIRR in May 2022 and received an acknowledgement of receipt the same day. I then had a fairly brief call to explain the process to me: I was going to talk to a consultant, she would have me read over my statement, and a commission would study my file, which was anonymous, to award me financial compensation. I waited more than two and a half years between that phone call and the first appointment. I knew it was a long time. I also knew that I wasnt the most unfortunate, the worst off, or the most isolated. The big problem for victims of the Church is isolation. I was less isolated than many others, because I was surrounded by a husband, children and grandchildren. I dont think people have to wait as long today, but at the beginning the commission was overwhelmed, because everyone arrived at the same time. It was completely overwhelmed. Then, I must say I had to fight. I came across a consultant who wasnt at all competent. We were on video, and she seemed stressed and in a hurry. She told me she was under pressure from the media. I wondered why she was telling me this, because it wasnt my problem. She didnt have a professional Zoom link and we had to reconnect three times. In the minutes, she wrote that wed had three meetings! And above all, her summary was done in a hurry. I read it and said to myself that's not my story. I asked for someone else. Another appointment was scheduled with a wonderful person, who listened to me, and we made corrections to the summary. It was painful and difficult to tell my story twice, but this person was exceptional and a great listener. She agreed to emails back and forth and phone calls for a few words. I was always looking for the right word, because I think that when youve suffered such injustice, youre extremely sensitive to saying things right. I always thought it was old news and that I would never get justice. If these commissions are telling victims that justice can be done, then it has to be tailored to each individual. Its tailor-made every time. I hear lots of people telling me how much they are suffering as they go through the process. You expose yourself through your story. Youre being judged, because a panel of experts is going to assess your case. Once the file was finished, they sent me a letter: I cried like a baby to see it written that they believed what I had told them. Its a written acknowledgement, which is extraordinary, in fact. My two attackers died a long time ago and I never imagined that anyone would acknowledge what I went through in this way, let alone by receiving money. Yolande du Fayet de la Tour: I was assigned a person on the INIRR payroll, a trainee psychologist. She had no experience. She was very nice, but Im a psychotherapist myself, and I was very aware of the limits of her listening skills. Yolande du Fayet de la Tour hesitated for a long time before taking the plunge. It took me a long time to submit my case because I didnt feel I had the right to ask a commission for something without any proof. I was 5 and then 11/14, so I didnt have any tangible evidence, having never spoken at the time. I started by doing some research on the Internet. Thanks to my speaking out on YouTube, I found a childhood friend. It was she who made me realize that I hadnt been abused just once, as Id thought, but that the abuser had continued for four years in front of her and her mother. In this way, I was able to compare the modus operandi of this predator with all the other victims I found. At first, I didnt think of getting compensation, and then little by little I told myself that there was no reason for me to lose out. I had already lost out in my family because Id kept quiet for 40 years. So I submitted my application to the INIRR in September 2023. I got a written reply from the secretary within 48 hours, and then she very kindly called me to explain what was going to happen. Theyre nice, courteous people. Id already spoken to so many victims that I knew how things were going to work and where things were going wrong, thanks to the experience of victims within associations. I had my first appointment a few days before Christmas 2024. So Id been waiting 16 months. I told them: Im warning you, I only want to be seen by a professional. They called me back a week later to tell me that Id been assigned someone on the INIRR payroll, a trainee psychologist. She had no experience. She was very clear and explained that she was going to write a two-page summary of the main points. The purpose of the interview was to give the commission an idea of my story, so that they could decide how much money I should receive. You need to be prepared for this interview You need to be prepared for this interview. If you set out with the idea of really being listened to, you run the risk of getting lost in very emotional things, of forgetting the most important things, those that count for deciding on compensation. And I tell the victims I meet: find out about the assessment grid before you go, because you mustnt lose sight of the fact that these commissions are not independent; they are beholden to the logic of the Church. For example, if the Church has dealtwith the harm, it is less serious and the victim will receive less compensation. For example, what is very serious for the Church, but also forms part of the commissions criteria, is if the predator used a sacrament for sexual purposes, to obtain silence or, even worse, to assault. So if youre a victim who has been abused by a priest at a holiday camp, its not the same as if youve been assaulted during confession. On that point it wasnt very clear to me; it happened in my bedroom when I was five, but afterwards too. But thanks to my friends testimony and memory, I was able to find out more and recognize that he used confessions with her mother as an excuse to come to me in my room. That is why its so important to make sure you dont feel manipulated and abused again, before you go to the commission. I received my compensation in April 2025, and it corresponds to what I expected. Gilbert: I received my compensation at the end of February 2025. What I see from these commissions is that the results obtained depend on the consultants. There are people who are more or less qualified. Gilbert* was one of the first to take the plunge. But he didnt receive his compensation until shortly before Yolande. I submitted my claim to the CRR at the end of October 2021. I was file number 5, so one of the very first. I received a confirmation email within a minute, then waited until June 2022 for my first interview with my consultant. She was a good listener, I felt reassured and at ease. She then emailed me the self-assessment questionnaire on the harm done to me, which I returned to her the same day, having filled it in with a pen and scanned it. Some of the questions seemed awkward, but with hindsight I think that was mainly my own emotional perceptions. In March 2023 I had another appointment by video for over an hour. I felt that the person Id already spoken to was overwhelmed by her emotions. The other person present wasnt talkative, Id say she was good in her role as shrink... Then I waited for months and was told that I was changing consultant, without any further explanation. I spoke to her in June 2024, still at a distance. She was very warm. Shes a a justice professional, and she did a good job. As it was impossible to put a name to the rapist, she organized two meetings with me in Paris during 2024 with a representative of the Marist Brothers to present me with a selection of photos so that I could try to name my attacker. I received my compensation at the end of February 2025. What I see from these commissions is that the results obtained depend on the consultants, and there are people who are more or less qualified. Nanou Couturier: The commissions dont realize the damage that waiting can do. Nanou Couturier, who applied for compensation as soon as the commissions opened, says: My case took two years because an initial proposal didnt suit me (lifelong veterinary care for my dog). Two years is a long time. It can even be a tragedy. I know some people who have committed suicide because theyre fed up, because life is becoming far, far, far too complicated. They are already weakened, so its a crushing blow. The commissions dont necessarily take responsibility. They dont realize the damage that waiting can do. Francois Devaux didnt have the strength to see the process through. As soon as the INIRR came into being, I signed up. I didnt hold out much hope, but I wanted to see how things went. Initially, I went in a fairly neutral way to see if the reparations process was up to the challenge. It was only afterwards that I changed my mind. The few exchanges and responses I had with them were in the form of mass emails telling us that they were running late and wouldnt have time to deal with our case for another month or so. So there was no physical meeting. I didnt think that was appropriate at all, and it seemed to me to be flouting the basic rules of what constitutes the redress we were promised. It really seemed to me a strategy of reparation that consisted more in repairing the Catholic Church than the victims. I found it wrong, aggravating the trauma, and making the victim morally responsible for a poorly constructed process. * Pseudonym A German court on Tuesday convicted a Syrian man of crimes against humanity and jailed him for life over offences committed during his time fighting for former President Bashar al-Assad. The court in the city of Stuttgart found the former militiaman guilty of crimes including murder and torture after a trial which involved testimony from 30 witnesses. Shortly after the outbreak of anti-Assad protests in early 2011, the man joined a pro-government Shia militia in the southern town of Bosra al-Sham. He proceeded to take part in several crimes against the local Sunni population with the aim of "terrorising" them and driving them from the town, the court found. German authorities have pursued several suspects for crimes committed in Syria's civil war under the principle of universal jurisdiction, even after Assad's ouster last December. In 2022, former Syrian colonel Anwar Raslan was found guilty of overseeing the murders of 27 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the notorious Al-Khatib jail in 2011 and 2012. That was the first international trial over state-sponsored torture in Syrian prisons and was hailed as "historic" by human rights activists. A German court on Tuesday convicted a Syrian man of crimes against humanity and jailed him for life over offences committed during his time fighting for former President Bashar al-Assad. The court in the city of Stuttgart found the former militiaman, previously named as Ammar A, guilty of crimes including murder and torture after a trial which involved testimony from 30 witnesses. Shortly after the outbreak of anti-Assad protests in early 2011, the man joined a pro-government Shia militia in his southern hometown of Bosra al-Sham. The court said that the group was supported by the Lebanese Shia Hezbollah group, which intervened in Syria's conflict in support of Assad's government. He proceeded to take part in, and in some cases direct, several crimes against the local Sunni population with the aim of "terrorising" them and driving them from the town, the court found. In August 2012, an unarmed 21-year-old student was shot dead and had his house plundered during a raid by the militia. The victim's mother and brother were among the witnesses for the prosecution. In another incident in 2013 the armed group arrested three men and beat them continuously with Kalashnikovs while taking them to a military intelligence detention facility, where they were tortured. The court heard from witnesses -- most of them originally from Syria -- who travelled from across Germany and from Brazil, Belgium and the Netherlands to testify. Assad was overthrown in December 2024, allowing witnesses to provide the court with images of the detention facilities they were held in and the damage that the militia caused to their houses. Local media reported that at the beginning of the trial in October one of the victims present in the courtroom broke down as details of the crimes were read out. German authorities have pursued several suspects for crimes committed in Syria's civil war under the principle of universal jurisdiction, even after Assad's ousting. The man convicted on Tuesday was arrested in December 2023 in the southern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, of which Stuttgart is the capital. In 2022, former Syrian colonel Anwar Raslan was found guilty of overseeing the murders of 27 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the notorious Al-Khatib jail in 2011 and 2012. That was the first international trial over state-sponsored torture in Syrian prisons and was hailed as "historic" by human rights activists. Several similar cases relating to crimes committed during the Syrian civil war are being heard by German authorities, as well as in France and Sweden. The Rwanda-backed M23 militia has carried out "mass killings" of Congolese civilians in the occupied eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned on Tuesday. With Rwanda's support, M23 fighters have seized swathes of the DRC's resource-rich east, capturing the key city of Goma in late January, following a lightning offensive. Since then, the M23 has set up to govern the regions under its control for the long term. With hundreds of Congolese soldiers and allied militia fighters having dispersed to avoid capture, the M23 has carried out frequent raids in a bid to stamp its authority on the restive region. In one such raid on February 22 and 23, the armed group "summarily executed at least 21 civilians and most likely many more" near a former Congolese army barracks in Goma's Kasika neighbourhood, HRW said in a statement. A 15-year-old boy was among the bodies found dumped at a building site near the barracks, according to the watchdog. HRW said the lack of fighting and the wounds inflicted "indicated that M23 fighters deliberately executed those in their custody", accusing the armed group of "war crimes". Citing witnesses who gave their testimony to HRW remotely, the rights group said it had "credible information" that the M23 targeted the area because of reports of the presence of the Congolese army and pro-government militiamen. Called "Wazalendo", meaning "patriots" in Swahili, those fighters are sometimes dressed in civilian clothes, making their allegiance to an armed group difficult to determine. "The M23's brutal control over Goma has created a climate of fear among those perceived to be allied to the Congolese government," said Clementine de Montjoye, a senior HRW researcher for the African Great Lakes region. "The mass killings don't seem to be actions by rogue fighters, but rather the M23 leadership's efforts to solidify their control by whatever means necessary," Montjoye added. Urging the international community to pressure Rwanda to end its backing for the M23, the researcher added that the "Rwandan government, as the direct supporter of the M23, may be complicit in the armed group's war crimes". Besides the 22 eyewitness accounts, the watchdog said it had drawn on authenticated video and photographs to reach its conclusions. HRW said it had on May 23 contacted the M23's spokesman, Lawrence Kanyuka, but had not received a response by the time of publication. Responding on X, Kanyuka accused HRW of publishing "a propaganda instrument", complaining of a "lack of professionalism in certain human rights organisations". Kanyuka last week slammed allegations from HRW's fellow rights group, Amnesty International, that the M23 was torturing civilians it had imprisoned as "grotesque and unsubstantiated". bur/srg/kjm X Former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 over genocide and war crimes, requested early release on Tuesday for health reasons. The notorious general, dubbed the "Butcher of Bosnia" for the atrocities he oversaw during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, said he only has a few months to live. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, sentenced Mladic, who is now over 80 years old, for his role in the siege of Sarajevo and the Srebrenica massacre, in which some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed in July 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces. According to a request filed by his lawyer and seen by AFP, the former war leader suffers from an incurable disease and "his remaining life expectancy is measured in months". For years, his entourage has described him as sick and frail, requesting in 2017 his provisional release for health reasons. "Despite the reluctance of the (United Nations Detention Unit) medical service to give a definitive end-of-life expectancy prognosis on paper, it is undeniable and not in dispute that Mr. Mladic is imminently approaching the end of his life," his lawyer wrote. Mladic was arrested in Serbia in 2011 after 16 years on the run. He is imprisoned in The Hague. His son, Darko Mladic, regularly speaks to the Serbian press to report on his father's poor health. Ratko Mladic is still regarded as a war hero by some Serbs and his name, along with his portrait, can sometimes be seen on some walls of the capital Belgrade. In March 2023, the NGO Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) in Serbia reported that there were more than 250 mentions, such as portraits or graffiti, of the former military chief in Belgrade. South Korean actress Go Youn Jung gave fans a reason to smile last week after a lighthearted airport moment went viral online, with many calling her behavior "adorably malfunctioning." On May 30, Go was spotted at Incheon International Airport as she departed for Bali, Indonesia, to attend a reward vacation with the cast and crew of tvN's recent drama Resident Playbook. Contrary to the high energy typically generated in celebrity airport arrivals, Go looked flustered by the sea of reporters and cameras flashing. Photos showed the actress dressed in sporty casual wear, exuding vacation-ready energy. However, instead of striking poses or waving confidently, Go hesitated, shuffled, and appeared unsure of what to do, sparking a wave of affectionate commentary from fans. "She's freaking adorable, haha," one fan wrote on a popular forum. Another quipped, "Why is this goddess acting like a broken cat? LOL." A third user joked, "Those are baby giraffe legs, haha." The incident quickly earned the nickname "baby giraffe moment," with fans praising her for being relatable and shy in a setting that often demands poise and performance from celebrities. "She's shyness, personified. LOL," one comment read. Another added, "LOL. She forgot she's a celeb." While the "airport runway" is a staple of Korean pop culture often a place where celebrities showcase their latest fashion and poise Go's candid reaction stood out for its authenticity. Go, known for her roles in Alchemy of Souls and Moving, has yet to comment on the moment. But based on fan reactions, her flustered response only endeared her more to the public. "She's so cute," another fan wrote. "This just made me love her even more." Go Youn Jung is expected to return to Korea after the Bali trip, which was organized by tvN to celebrate the success of Resident Playbook. 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. Kennesaw State students with Center for Sustainable Journalism hit the ground reporting KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 3, 2025 Gabby Miller, Juliane Balog, and Zaire Breedlove had never gone to the Georgia State Capitol before, let alone covered one of the dozens of committee meetings during the General Assemblys legislative session. At first, they were intimidated by the imposing facade, the people dressed in suits, and the language lawmakers use to describe policies that could impact more than 11 million people. Undeterred, the trio of Kennesaw State University journalism students hit the ground running at the start of their internships last semester with the Center for Sustainable Journalism. Led by journalism professor Josh Azriel, the center hosts guest speakers, tenured professionals in print and broadcast, and provides press passes that allow students to enter spaces alongside the best in the field. It was founded nearly two decades ago, staffed with full- or part-time professional reporters and some student interns who primarily dug into juvenile justice issues. Since then, the center has become more student focused and covers a wider array of beats on the local and state level. After graduation, students at the center, through an internship as well as reporting classes, can evidence their work with news clips. Its new website, Fresh Take Georgia, is updated regularly, and last fall, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution offered paid work to cover Election Day. We are sustaining the journalism industry, training up the next generation of reporters, said Azriel, the centers academic coordinator and faculty member in the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences. This year was the first where the centers student interns covered one of the nations largest state legislature with consistent weekly meetings at the Capitol, and each had different focus, dialing into a variety of committees. They all rose to the challenge, breaking out of their comfort zone. The small but mighty group honed their news writing skills and developed a tenacious attitude to cold approach politicians, and to make calls and blast emails to get what they needed to adequately tell the story. Azriel was there every step of the way, meeting the three students at the Capitol every Tuesday morning, and encouraging them through any trepidation. They are learning how to interview people, go up to them and introduce themselves, how to interpret legislation and track a bill, and they are attending press conferences, Azriel said. One of my interns, Zaire, was at a press conference with the governor, and I whispered in his ear, Remember this moment. You are literally in the same spot as some of the most well-known reporters in the state. Reporting on the legislative session was an especially rewarding experience for Miller, who navigated it all as someone with autism. Because of her committee focus, Miller developed expert knowledge on the states prison system and other, more niche areas. Her story on a policy that would affect funeral processions was one of the most well-read stories on Fresh Take Georgia this year. I did things I never thought I could do because I limited myself with my autism, Miller said. I always get overwhelmed easily, and I always thought, Oh, I'll always be this way. On our first day at the Capitol, there was so much going on, I had to go find a corner and hide. But it became easier to deal with all these people. Like the other interns, Balog strengthened her interviewing and writing skills while tending to Capitol matters. She covered the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Game, Fish & Parks, and Natural Resources & Environment committees, and will continue the environmental beat in another internship round with the center this summer. While I was at the Capitol, I put on an alternative persona, one where I'm not scared to talk to these people, said Balog, who publishes the content on Fresh Take Georgia. Because of her experience at the center and with Azriel, Balog has a clearer view of her future. He completely changed my career path, she said. Prior to this internship and prior to his help and knowledge, I didnt have a clue what I wanted to do. Hes super accessible, and having that accessibility in a professor makes things so much easier when youre learning. Students also went off the state Capitols grounds to cover events related to their beats, illustrating how national and state politics intersect. Breedlove, who primarily focused on immigration under the Gold Dome, covered several related activities in the area. He also travelled to Washington, D.C., to cover President Donald Trumps inauguration, and both Azriel and Balog edited the content he sent over to post on Fresh Take Georgia. Through his experience with the Center for Sustainable Journalism, Breedlove earned an internship with the Atlanta Press Club. Getting this internship would not have been able to happen without Professor Azriel because before meeting and learning from him, my writing style would have not met that standard, said Breedlove, who serves as the managing editor of KSUs student newspaper The Sentinel. I was also able to learn the ethics and actions that are necessary in order to be an effective reporter. Story by Amber Perry Photo by Darnell Wilburn Related Stories A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu. Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - A young man was arrested by Nairobi County officials after he was caught stealing newly-installed dustbins in Nairobi CBD. According to Nairobi County Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, they received a call from guards manning a nearby bank after they spotted the suspect vandalizing the dustbins. Mosiria rushed to the scene in the company of county environment officers and arrested him. He is set to be arraigned in court. Sharing the video on his X account, Mosiria wrote, Last night, I was called to the scene where a young man had vandalized one of our newly installed dustbins in the CBD. Together with our County Environment Officers, we swiftly responded and arrested the suspect, who was caught in the act by vigilant and responsible citizens. He is now set to be arraigned in court. As the County Government, we remain committed to environmental conservation. The installation of these dustbins across the city is part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a clean, organized, and sustainable Nairobi. These public utilities are vital, and we must ensure they are protected for both current and future generations. I want to sincerely thank the concerned citizens whose quick action led to the arrest. I urge all residents to remain vigilant and continue working with us to protect public property. Environmental conservation is a shared responsibility. Last night, I was called to the scene where a young man had vandalized one of our newly installed dustbins in the CBD. Together with our County Environment Officers, we swiftly responded and arrested the suspect, who was caught in the act by vigilant and responsible citizens. He pic.twitter.com/oCIN1utMsG Geoffrey Mosiria (@HonMosiria) June 3, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Creating a well-balanced trading portfolio is essential for any trader aiming to succeed long-term, and this principle remains true when engaging with copy portfolios. Traders in Kenya, a vibrant and increasingly active community, are steadily turning towards modern investment techniques to enhance their trading returns. A balanced copy portfolio typically combines traders who specialise in different trading styles, notably scalpers and swing traders. This combination not only diversifies risk but also maximises potential profitability by leveraging the strengths of different market approaches. In recent years, Kenyan traders have embraced copy trading as an accessible way to enhance their investment opportunities without extensive trading experience. Copy trading allows Kenyan investors to automatically replicate the trading activities of experienced market participants, significantly lowering barriers to entry and potentially increasing returns. However, success in copy trading largely depends on the choice of traders to follow. Mixing scalpers with swing traders in your copy portfolio is one strategic way to balance short-term gains with medium-term profitability. Understanding Scalping and Swing Trading in Kenya Before combining these two trading styles, Kenyan traders need clarity on their distinct features. Scalping involves frequent, short-duration trades aimed at capitalising on small price fluctuations, usually within seconds to minutes. Scalpers require precision, rapid execution, and significant discipline to remain consistently profitable. For copy traders, scalpers can generate quick profits, benefiting those investors who prefer rapid returns and higher transaction frequencies. On the other hand, swing trading involves holding trades for days or even weeks, aiming to capture substantial market moves. Kenyan swing traders typically analyse broader market trends, using technical analysis or fundamental insights to inform their trading decisions. Swing trading provides stability and is less sensitive to momentary market volatility, thus serving as an essential balance to the rapid, high-frequency approach of scalping. Why Combine Scalpers and Swing Traders? Combining scalpers and swing traders in a single copy trading portfolio offers significant advantages for Kenyan traders. Scalpers, by generating numerous short-term trades, provide continuous activity, keeping your portfolio dynamic. Conversely, swing traders' longer-term positions contribute stability, smoothing out the volatility inherent in shorter-term scalping strategies. Moreover, in Kenya's rapidly growing Forex market, volatility can be particularly pronounced due to external influences like global economic events and regional economic policies. A portfolio diversified between scalpers and swing traders ensures it remains resilient during times of heightened market stress, reducing the overall risk profile. Key Benefits of a Mixed Trading Portfolio in Kenya A well-structured mixed portfolio involving scalping and swing trading yields several notable advantages for Kenyan traders: Risk Diversification: When markets are unpredictable, the steady gains from swing trading positions can mitigate losses incurred through volatile scalping trades. Enhanced Stability: Swing trading offers relatively consistent returns over the medium term, counterbalancing the irregular profit cycles typical of scalping. Profit Maximisation: Scalping can rapidly accumulate profits during periods of high volatility, while swing trading steadily builds gains over extended market moves. How to Select Scalpers and Swing Traders for Your Portfolio Choosing the right traders to copy requires thoughtful analysis. Kenyan investors should carefully assess traders based on several criteria, such as historical performance, risk management approaches, and the consistency of their trading outcomes. Scalpers should demonstrate precision in their execution and strict discipline in their entry and exit strategies, whereas swing traders must exhibit robust analytical skills, patience, and the ability to adapt to market trends. Furthermore, consider traders with transparent records, available through platforms like HFMs copy trading service, enabling informed decision-making. Reviewing past trade performance, drawdown levels, and overall trading style can significantly impact the success of your copy portfolio. Practical Steps for Kenyan Investors Building a balanced portfolio begins with clear objectives. Kenyan traders should first define their risk tolerance and investment horizon clearly. Those aiming for quicker returns with higher risk tolerance might weigh more towards scalpers, whereas conservative investors seeking long-term stability might prioritise swing traders. Additionally, regularly reviewing and rebalancing the portfolio is crucial. Market conditions evolve, and so should your portfolio composition. Monitoring the performance of copied traders and making necessary adjustments ensures sustained profitability and optimal risk management over time. Navigating Challenges and Managing Expectations While combining scalping and swing trading has clear benefits, Kenyan traders must remain realistic. Short-term gains from scalping might sometimes be offset by temporary losses during volatile market periods. Likewise, swing traders may experience periods of inactivity or slow performance during range-bound markets. Maintaining realistic expectations is vital. Not every trade copied will be profitable, nor will every trader consistently outperform. Nonetheless, a balanced portfolio greatly reduces risks and stabilises returns, providing Kenyan traders with a more secure path towards sustainable profitability. Final Thoughts: Creating a Robust Copy Trading Strategy in Kenya In conclusion, integrating scalpers and swing traders into your copy portfolio provides a balanced approach to trading, capturing the best of both worlds. For Kenyan investors looking to enhance their returns, leveraging copy trading by carefully selecting traders based on their strategy and historical performance can yield substantial benefits. As Kenya's financial markets grow, a well-rounded copy portfolio that smartly combines various trading styles positions investors advantageously in an ever-evolving trading landscape. Monday, June 2, 2025 - A team of detectives deployed to hunt down a daring armed gang that had become the nightmare of Nakuru County dwellers has rounded up the five gang members, and recovered the AK 47 used in their crime spree. Acting on intelligence leads, the team drawn from DCI's Operation Action Team and Crime Research Bureau augmented their Nakuru counterparts in a coordinated raid that saw the gang member flushed from their hideouts. After interrogating the suspects, police proceeded to Rhoda area of Nakuru where the AK 47 serial number 18916 loaded with three rounds of ammunition was found concealed in dry grasses near a residential house. Regrettably, the gang goes down leaving behind a trail of sad memories and untold pain to the victims of their violent attacks. On the night of July 1st, 2025, the robbers ambushed and opened fire at police officers on foot patrol, killing one and injuring two. The injured officers are still receiving treatment. In a separate incident, the gang staged a violent robbery at a shop located in Soilo area of Nakuru, attacking the 24-year-old owner with machetes and daggers before stealing hundreds of thousands from his shop. After the daring robbery, they dragged the already suppressed young man from the shop and shot him dead. Several other incidences have been reported across the County. The five are have since been identified as William Nywhili Rioba, Nyahili Nyamuhaga Magige, Emmanuel Muita Muita, Catherine Nkatha Zakayo and Peter Chacha. DCI Nakuru East detectives are processing the suspects for arraignment tomorrow, Tuesday, June 3. The DCI reassures Nakuru county dwellers and indeed, Kenyans across the country, that their security remains the foremost priority, and that several anti-robbery teams have been dispatched and are pursuing identified armed gangs whose operations have been analysed. The operations seek to bring to an end reigns of terror and rid the streets off armed criminals. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - A dramatic scene unfolded at a high-end residential apartment in Nairobi after a Nigerian national became unruly and ended up roughing up four Kenyan security guards who were attempting to restrain him. The man, who was reportedly under the influence of drugs, was behaving aggressively and appeared agitated, prompting the buildings management to call in security personnel to calm the situation. He had also blocked the apartments entrance, causing inconvenience to other tenants. The confrontation escalated when the man resisted attempts by the guards to escort him off the premises. In the ensuing chaos, he overpowered the guards, pushing and shoving them in a struggle that lasted several minutes. Security reinforcements were later called in to contain the situation, and the man was eventually subdued. Watch the video. Drama unfolds at an upmarket apartment in Nairobi as a Nigerian man overpowers 4 Kenyan security guards during a violent outburst pic.twitter.com/QalwzUcO7Y DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) June 3, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - A senior government official was arrested on Sunday for causing a security breach at Laikipia Airbase barracks where her husband works as a military officer. Adeline Rogito, the Nanyuki deputy in charge of the Office of Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODDP), is said to have forcefully driven into a closed military gate in a fit of rage after failing to stop to be cleared as is the norm. She proceeded to her husbands residence within the barracks where she destroyed window panes, doors and other household goods. Reports indicate that Adelines children had complained to her that they were not comfortable with a female visitor their father was hosting in the house. The children sent to her a text at around 11 am informing her of the suspicious female visitor and at around 4PM, she made an unexpected visit to her husbands house, where she caused chaos. Rogito was arrested for creating disturbance and damage at the military facility and later released on cash bail. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, June 2, 2025 - A dramatic scene unfolded in Nairobis Central Business District (CBD) after members of the public intervened to stop what appeared to be a forcible arrest of a young man by plain-clothes police officers. In a viral video circulating on social media, several men-believed to be officers, are seen attempting to handcuff the young man along a busy street. The man, visibly distressed, screams for help and defies arrest, drawing the attention of passersby. The crowd confronts the men, demanding an explanation and questioning their identity. Tensions rise as the officers fail to produce identification or explain the reason for the arrest, prompting the public to intervene and rescue the man. The officers were forced to flee before the situation escalated. The incident has reignited public concern over rising reports of abductions and unlawful arrests by individuals posing as police officers. Watch the video. Members of the public intervene to rescue a young man from forcible arrest by plain-clothes officers in Nairobi CBD pic.twitter.com/9YXNOpYWTT DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) June 3, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - Internet sleuths have unearthed photos of Muranga Woman Representative, Betty Maina, and former Water Principal Secretary, Joseph Irungu, together in Dubai. They had gone to visit Moses Kuria when he was admitted in hospital. The discovery comes just days after popular Kameme FM presenter, Muthoni Wa Kirumba, alleged that Betty had an affair with the former PS and that he helped her build a home. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, June 2, 2025 - Senate Majority Leader and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has defended President William Ruto against claims of involvement in the arrest of Kenyan software developer and online activist, Rose Njeri. Speaking to NTV on Monday, Cheruiyot clarified that arrests fall under the mandate of the National Police Service (NPS), not the Executive. The National Police Service operates independently and is not under the command of the Executive, he said, citing Article 249 of the Constitution, which grants the Inspector-General (IG) independent command over the police. Cheruiyot condemned Njeris detention as unfortunate and called on the IG to explain how the matter was handled. There is a mistake being made in imagining that Government operates under a single command, he noted. Rose Njeri was arrested last Friday after developing a website aimed at helping Kenyans voice concerns about the 2025 Finance Bill. Efforts by lawyers to secure her release have so far been unsuccessful. Cheruiyot urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to confirm whether Njeris constitutional rights, including access to legal representation and family, are being upheld. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - The Tanzanian Government has shut down the Glory of Christ Church, owned by vocal Kawe MP and televangelist Josephat Gwajima, just days after he publicly condemned the abduction of human rights activists, including some from Kenya. The suspension was officially communicated on Monday, June 2nd, through a letter from the Registrar of Civil Societies. According to the letter, Gwajima was accused of using the pulpit to deliver politically charged messages that authorities claim could endanger peace and national stability. The church allegedly violated its registration mandate by becoming a platform for political activism rather than strictly religious purposes. Shortly after the announcement, Gwajima posted on Facebook, saying his church was surrounded by police. Police have surrounded the church I don't know what they want to do, he said. The suspension follows Gwajimas outspoken criticism of enforced disappearances in Tanzania. He claimed to have documented over 85 cases, warning that such incidents were tarnishing the countrys image and undermining tourism by creating fear about safety. On Monday, June 2nd, 2025, renowned Kenyan activist and journalist Boniface Mwangi, alongside Ugandan activist Agatha Atuhaire, held an emotional international press conference in Nairobi, recounting their horrific ordeal in the hands of Tanzanian officials. The two had travelled to Tanzanian to support opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. Mwangi, visibly shaken, described being detained for several days, tortured, and humiliated. They tied me upside down and flogged my feet. I screamed until no sound came out. They played gospel music to drown my cries, stuffed underwear in my mouth, and later interrogated me while filming everything, Mwangi said tearfully. Mwangi added that they threatened to release the video if he spoke about the assault. On her part, Agatha Atuhaire also described similar abuse. Monday, June 2, 2025 - Renowned Kenyan activist and journalist Boniface Mwangi, alongside Ugandan activist Agatha Atuhaire, on Monday held an emotional international press conference in Nairobi, recounting their horrific ordeal in the hands of Tanzanian officials. The two had travelled to Tanzanian to support opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. Mwangi, visibly shaken, described being detained for several days, tortured, and humiliated. They tied me upside down and flogged my feet. I screamed until no sound came out. They played gospel music to drown my cries, stuffed underwear in my mouth, and later interrogated me while filming everything, Mwangi said tearfully. Mwangi added that they threatened to release the video if he spoke about the assault. On her part, Agatha Atuhaire also described similar abuse. She was beaten after refusing to uncloth, then forcefully unclothed and violated. I always felt unsafe in Uganda, but Tanzania proved far worse. The brutality was unimaginable, she said. The two were found dumped at the borders of their countries after being deported via road after missing for four days. The duo were part of a broader delegation of East African human rights defenders who travelled to Tanzania on May 19th. Other prominent figures, including Martha Karua, Gloria Kimani, Lynn Ngugi, Hussein Khalid, Hanifa Adan, and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, were deported earlier between May 18th and 19th. Mwangi criticised the Kenyan Government for what he termed betrayal, claiming it sided with Tanzania instead of defending its citizens. Ive stood with many across East Africa. This time, I stood alone, he said. Activist Boniface Mwangi chilling confession of his ordeals in Tanzania They told me to strip naked, when I did,was grabbed by 4 men , lifted me up so fast, when they lifted me up, they tied me upside down, put lubricant in my rectum and started inserting objects in my backside pic.twitter.com/IfK5qE9WLS lizah mutuku (@l_lizah) June 2, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, June 2, 2025 - A viral video capturing a dramatic standoff on a busy road has sparked conversation online after a courageous Kenyan lady refused to give way to a high-ranking Government official's convoy during a traffic gridlock. In the video, the lady is seen standing her ground and leaning on the guard rail as security attempts to clear the way for the VIP. The VIP was bullying other motorists with blaring sirens. Despite pressure from the security, she remained unmoved-sparking praise across social media platforms. Netizens flooded the comment sections with reactions, many hailing her as a symbol of growing public frustration over the culture of entitlement by Government officials. While the identity of the official in question remains unclear, the bold act has positioned the lady as an unexpected hero in the eyes of many. Watch the video. Wakenya Wamechoka! A LADY refuses to give way to a high-ranking Government official during a traffic snarl-up pic.twitter.com/TLOYqY110B DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) June 3, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Outspoken Homa Bay Town MP, Peter Kaluma, has expressed strong confidence that President William Ruto will easily secure re-election in the 2027 General Elections, even without the backing of Mt. Kenya, Kisii, or Ukambani regions. Speaking to a local media outlet, Kaluma, a vocal supporter of the alliance between ODM leader, Raila Odinga, and Rutos UDA, dismissed claims that Ruto would be a one-term President. He stated that with the consolidated support of the Luo, Kalenjin, Maasai, Somali, and Coastal communities, Rutos path to re-election was already secured. We have 4 million Luo voters, 3 million Kalenjins, 2 million Maasai, 3 million Somalis, and 2 million from the Coast. Well leave Mt. Kenya, Kisii, and Ukambani for Gachagua, Kalonzo, and Matiangi, Kaluma said. Kaluma claimed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior CS Fred Matiangi - potential rivals to Ruto - could be swayed with money. At the right time, well buy Matiangi and Kalonzos support. Can they really reject Ksh 1 billion each? His remarks have drawn sharp criticism online, with many Kenyans accusing him of promoting tribal politics. Young voters, in particular, have condemned the comments, insisting future leadership must be based on merit, not ethnicity or handouts. 1 of 1 PM Modi Unlikely To Attend G7 Summit in Canada Amid Frayed Ties Between Ottawa and New Delhi khaskhabar.com : Tue, 03 June 2025 3:59 PM By Rakshit Aggarwal, aggrakshit@gmail.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to travel to Canada for the upcoming G7 Summit, scheduled from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, due to ongoing tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi. This would mark the first time since 2019 that Modi would miss the annual gathering of the worlds leading industrialized economies. The Group of Seven (G7) comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The summit also involves key international organizations such as the European Union, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the United Nations. While countries like South Africa, Ukraine, and Australia have confirmed participation following Canadas invitations, the status of Prime Minister Modis attendance remains uncertain. According to media reports, Modi has not yet received an official invitation from Canada. Further complicating the issue are logistical constraints, with sources suggesting that India may be unlikely to accept any last-minute invite due to practical challenges. Security concerns have also been cited as a significant hurdle. Officials suggest that before any future visit by the Indian Prime Minister to Canada, outstanding security issues would need resolution. The backdrop to this development is the worsening bilateral relationship following the assassination of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil two years ago. The killing strained ties significantly, with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly stating in Parliament that credible allegations exist regarding Indias involvement in Nijjars death. Adding to the diplomatic friction, Sikh separatist groups in Canada recently urged the government under Prime Minister Mark Carney not to invite Narendra Modi to the summit, citing Indias reported refusal to cooperate in investigations related to Nijjars assassination. Despite this, the new Canadian administration under Carney has expressed a commitment to improving India-Canada relations. The Canadian Prime Minister openly lobbied for warmer ties and conveyed condolences after the recent Pahalgam terror attack in India, signaling a willingness to rebuild trust. Reflecting this thaw, Indias External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand held their first official phone conversation on May 26 since Carneys government took office, indicating an opening for renewed dialogue. If PM Modis absence from the G7 Summit is confirmed, it would underscore the continued complexity and sensitivity of India-Canada relations, at a time when global cooperation and multilateral engagement are increasingly vital. 1 of 1 The 5 technical capabilities defining Indias top payment gateways in 2025 khaskhabar.com: , 03 2025 6:43 PM By Cillian Sherlock, PA The BBC has indicated it will apply on Tuesday afternoon for a stay on orders relating to Gerry Adams successful defamation claim against the broadcaster. 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. On Friday, a jury at the High Court found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams took the BBC to court. Photo: Brain Lawless/PA It also found the BBCs actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. The full amount of legal costs to be paid by the BBC in the libel case has yet to be determined. On Tuesday, Hugh McDowell, for the BBC, told Judge Alexander Owens that senior counsel Eoin McCullough intended to apply for a stay in the afternoon. A stay on orders in the case would allow the BBC further time to consider whether it will lodge an appeal. Last week, 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. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. In the programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave the final say. Director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, outside the High Court in Dublin during the legal action. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr Adams said the allegation was a grievous smear while the BBC has described the legal action as a cynical attempt to launder his reputation. The high-profile republican sought damages of at least 200,000 from the BBC. However, the British public service broadcaster had argued it would be a cruel joke to award the former Sinn Fein president any damages. It had argued the allegation was corroborated by five other sources and that Mr Adams had a reputation of being a member of the IRA. After six hours and 49 minutes of deliberations in total, the jury awarded the plaintiff 100,000 which falls within the medium range for defamation. Adam Smyth, the director of BBC Northern Ireland, said the broadcaster has insurance and makes financial provision for ongoing and anticipated legal claims. 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 A young motorist who evaded a garda pursuit was eventually apprehended when he arrived home and they were waiting for him. Thomas James Dillon, New England, Tullaroan, was convicted of drink driving and dangerous driving at Kilkenny District Court. He pleaded guilty to the charges. The court heard that on January 28, 2024, gardai attempted to stop a vehicle on College Road, Kilkenny. The vehicle, driven by Mr Dillon, failed to stop. In the pursuit that followed, gardai witnessed Mr Dillons high speed, reckless driving. CLICK HERE FOR MORE CRIME UPDATES AND COURT REPORTS He was charged with dangerous driving for an incident in which he didnt drive around a roundabout, but drove straight through it. Mr Dillon was eventually apprehended, close to home, when his way was blocked by gardai. He was arrested and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station where a urine test showed he was over the alcohol limit. He had no previous convictions. Solicitor Ed Hughes said his client was 19 at the time and fully accepts he was drinking in the Village Inn before driving home. Gardai spotted the car leaving the pub. Mr Dillon knew when he saw the light go on on the garda car that he was in trouble. Due to his immaturity he didnt stop, Mr Hughes said. His client did drive recklessly through town and admitted driving through a roundabout. Mr Dillon did evade gardai at the time but they identified his address and were waiting there for him when he arrived home, Mr Hughes told the court. His client is deeply remorseful, the solicitor said. If he had just stopped when gardai indicated it wouldnt have been as serious. Now 21, Mr Dillon is doing a carpentry course and hopes to go to Australia when he graduates. He needs his licence for work but will now put alternative arrangements in place. Mr Hughes urged the court not to impose a custodial sentence, saying the young man had learned his lesson. Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted Mr Dillon of drink driving and imposed a fine of 500, as well as a driving disqualification of three years. On the dangerous driving convictions he was fined an additional 600 and disqualified for two years. Irish celebrity chef Donal Skehan had a "smashing" return to the stage at the Bord Bia Bloom festival over the bank holiday - but not in the way he expected. The celeb chef was midway through a live cooking demonstration at the festival in the Phoenix Park when disaster struck as the oven door he was using suddenly shattered into pieces in his hands in front of a packed crowd. Skehan took the moment in stride, joking with the crowd and later sharing footage of the mishap on Instagram. "Had a SMASHING day @bordbiabloom! It's been ten years but I'm thrilled to be back with a BANG!" he wrote, alongside a video of the moment the glass door exploded mid-demo. "I always get asked what my worst kitchen disaster has been, well it happened today live in front of 100's of people!" The incident took place while Skehan was preparing a dish on the Quality Kitchen Stage. Just as he went to pop the tray into the oven, things took a turn as the glass door detached and, moments later, shattered entirely, sending shards across the stage. But instead of panicking, Skehan turned the whole thing into a comedy set. "That was not part of the plan," he told the laughing audience before asking: "Has anyone got some Pritt Stick? A bit of masking tape?" Fans watching the footage online were quick to praise his ability to laugh off the moment and keep the show going. "A HUGE thank you to the most AMAZING audience I've ever had for a cookery demo," he added. "You honestly kept me going during the craziest moment in the kitchen - I will remember this FOREVER!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Donal (@donalskehan) Skehan confirmed no one was injured in the mishap and gave credit to the event crew for their speedy response: "The incredible crew at Bord Bia had the oven replaced in less than an hour!" He even followed up in the comments with another pun, writing: "Thanks to @bordbiabloom for giving me my big BREAK! " Skehan's comeback to the Bloom festival may not have gone to plan, but it's guaranteed to go down as one of the most memorable cookery demos of the year. READ MORE | 'A truly special lady' - tributes paid following sad death of Louis Walsh's mother Maureen Professor Michael Decker, previously head of Department II Informatics, Economics, and Society at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), is the new General Director of the Deutsche Museum in Munich. The expert in technology assessment will now be responsible for Germany's most visited museum and its approximately 550 employees. The official inauguration ceremony took place in Munich at Monday, June 2, 2025. The position is linked to a W3 professorship in Science Communication and Technology Assessment at the Technical University of Munich. When I decided to move to the Deutsche Museum, the institution itself and its reputation obviously played a decisive role, said Decker. Not just showcasing technologies, but also discussing their potential positive and negative consequences for society that was exactly what I was doing at KIT. I am very grateful for the many years of valuable exchange in an inspiring environment and for the excellent cooperation. With Michael Decker's departure, KIT is losing a very popular and highly valued manager and scientist. I would like to sincerely thank him for his extraordinary commitment in the past years. He now has an exciting new challenge ahead of him, and I wish him all the best, said KIT President Professor Jan S. Hesthaven. Since 2015, Decker has headed Division II, where he was responsible for the Helmholtz research programs Engineering Digital Futures and Energy Systems Design with 110 professors and a total of around 1,200 employees. Prior to that, he headed the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis at KIT. His research focuses on the technology assessment of artificial intelligence, robotics, and nanotechnology. mle, June 3, 2025 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%. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Mostly sunny this morning then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. JEFFERSON CITY A coalition of advocacy organizations held a briefing Monday morning at the Missouri State Capitol expressing concern about the ramifications of cutting federal funding for Medicaid. The version of the congressional spending bill titled the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" passed the House two weeks ago and would slash $700 billion in funding for the Medicaid program. These groups say this will have a direct and detrimental effect on people in Missouri. "It's a lifeblood in our rural communities for health care access," said Heidi Lucas, the executive director of the Missouri Rural Health Association. "We saw what happened before we passed Medicaid, we were losing hospitals left and right." Lucas said the strain on rural hospitals could be catastrophic if these Medicaid funding cuts come to fruition. More people in rural Missouri communities are proportionally enrolled in Medicaid than in urban areas. How U.S. House proposal to cut Medicaid and SNAP funding affects Missourians The House-passed budget cuts on Medicaid and SNAP could put health coverage and food assistance in danger for Missourians. Additionally, hospitals cannot deny people emergency care when they need it, which is legally enshrined through the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. So, if someone loses Medicaid coverage, hospitals might have to absorb the financial burden of treating that patient, which Lucas said many rural ones are not equipped to handle. "When hospitals are already at very, very razor-thin margins, on even being able to keep their doors open, if they're offering services or providing care to individuals who do not have coverage, either from Medicaid or other types of insurance, then, it's going to be a lot harder to keep those doors open," she said. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act requires able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer or train for a job for 80 hours per month or risk losing coverage. Republicans, including Missouri U.S. Reps. Mark Alford and Bob Onder, both of whom voted to pass the act in the House, argue this will combat waste, fraud and abuse. Additionally, they've stood behind the notion that no one who actually needs Medicaid will lose access to it. U.S. congressmen from mid-Missouri face mixed reception in Columbia visit Reps. Mark Alford and Bob Onder faced criticism from community members after a meeting with business and political leaders. People at the gathering on Monday disagree. Traci Gleason, the vice president of external affairs for the Missouri Budget Project, pointed out how other states that have independently imposed stricter work requirements for Medicaid eligibility have resulted in tens of thousands of people becoming uninsured. The Kaiser Family Foundation, an independent health publication, reports research from the Congressional Budget Office does not show a correlation with increased work requirements for Medicaid enrollees and a lower unemployment level. It does, however, show a correlation between imposing these requirements and more people becoming uninsured. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act still has to make it through the Senate, where members convened Monday to begin offering their changes to it. Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley has been an outspoken critic of the Medicaid funding cuts. In an op-ed he wrote in The New York Times, he mentions a Missouri mother who reached out to him expressing her concerns about her daughter losing Medicaid eligibility. That mother, Courtney Leader, was at the state Capitol on Monday morning to urge all federal lawmakers not to gut the program. Representatives for the Community Health Commission of Missouri, the American Cancer Society Action Network and Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri were also at the gathering. President Donald Trump has requested the bill on his desk before July 4. He has previously told NBC News he does not support Medicaid cuts; however, he met with House members just before the version of the bill with these cuts in it passed. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close 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. For the past six months, locals have noticed rubbish steadily piling up on the side of a busy road near an expanding housing development. The City of Mandurah confirmed to Yahoo it has launched an investigation into illegal dumping taking place near an expanding housing development. Source: Kayla Gallop/Supplied A shocked and disgusted Aussie driver is demanding action be taken after she was moved to tears on Sunday morning while travelling on a busy road. Kayla Gallop, who lives on the southwest coast of Western Australia, has noticed illegally dumped items steadily piling up on Stock Road located near an expanding housing development in Lakelands for the past six months. The single mum frequents the area every two weeks, and has grown increasingly frustrated with the growing piles of discarded belongings, but what she witnessed last weekend left her brimming with anger. After pulling over to take photos of lawn mowers strewn across the reserve, Gallop and her two young children watched in horror as a kangaroo with a joey hopped through broken glass and over a smashed TV. It just absolutely killed me, she told Yahoo News. It was really eye-opening and I thought Im not going to sit back anymore this has been annoying me for months. What are we doing to the earth? What are we showing our children? ADVERTISEMENT It was very symbolic it was a mother kangaroo and her baby, and Im there with my babies, and I want more for them, and I want more for the environment. Kayla Gallop and her two young children watched in horror on Sunday as a kangaroo with a joey hopped through a smashed TV illegally dumped on the side of Stock Road in WA. Source: Kayla Gallop/Supplied Illegal dumping prompts plea for free tip trips Within hours, Gallop had reported the illegal dumping an all too familiar story nationwide amid the race to solve the housing crisis to the City of Mandurah and made a call out online for locals to do better. She even created the hashtag Dont Take a Dump in Mandurah. However, some people responded that the price of the tip may lure residents who are struggling with the cost of living into the grubby act. At Mandurahs Waste Management Centre, tossing a boot-load of items will cost $25 for those driving a sedan, and $37 for a SUV. Those hauling a trailer measuring under a cubic metre will have to pay $51, with the price jumping up from there depending on the size. ADVERTISEMENT To help solve the issue, Gallop, who herself is a low-income earner, told Yahoo News the City of Mandurah should offer one day a month during which those struggling to make ends meet could take their rubbish to the tip for free. Homeowners in the area are given four tip vouchers each year, but it is often a struggle for renters to get a property manager to pass them on, the mum said. City of Mandurah launches investigation: 'No excuse' Mayor Caroline Knight told Yahoo sadly, the illegal dumping of waste occurs in bushland across the city and in other local government areas on both public and private property, leading to environmental impacts, and costly clean-ups for the city and affected landowners. ADVERTISEMENT An investigation into the dumping along Stock Road is underway, she confirmed. There is no excuse for this type of behaviour, as through the annual waste collection program, the city provides plenty of opportunities for people to correctly dispose of their waste, Knight said. Anyone caught illegally dumping can be prosecuted under the Litter Act 1979, which can attract penalties of up to $10,000. The minimum fine is $200. Earlier this year, Danny Gorog, CEO and founder of Snap Send Solve, told Yahoo the growing problem signals a bigger issue with waste disposal accessibility and awareness. Whether its dumped tyres in fields or household waste dumped in laneways, it shows we need better solutions to make proper disposal easier and more convenient, he said. While most people do the right thing, it only takes a few to create a big mess for everyone else. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. THE countdown is underway for Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movements, 35th annual Hospice Sunflower Days campaign. The annual on-street collection taking place across Laois on Friday and Saturday 6 and 7 June to raise funds for Laois Hospice. Hospice volunteers will be selling an array of sunflower merchandise in towns and villages throughout the county to raise vital funds for Laois Hospice. There is also an opportunity to support the hospice online by making a donation on the website www.sunflowerdays.ie. The funds raised play a vital role in supporting the delivery of specialist palliative care in communities across Ireland. Hospice and specialist palliative homecare services provide free-of-charge care and support to those living with a life-limiting illness, whilst also helping and supporting the patients family members. The funds raised will be used for homecare palliative care services and counselling services for family members. Chairperson, Laois Hospice Foundation Mary Delaney said: With just a few days to go until our on-street collections for this years 35th campaign we are calling on the public to support Laois Hospice by purchasing some sunflower merchandise on the 6 or 7 June. There is also the opportunity once again for the public to donate online via the website, www.sunflowerdays.ie, with all funds raised going toward your chosen hospice or homecare service. Hospice Sunflower Days is returning for its 35th year with hospices throughout the country taking part in the on-street collection on Friday 6th June and Saturday 7th June Pictured at the launch of this year's campaign is Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador Laragh McGuinness. Photo: Andres Poveda You can support Laois Hospice by donating to the on-street volunteers or by donating online today at www.sunflowerdays.ie. If you would like to volunteer to help with the on-street collections then please contact the hospice today on 086 815 7280. LAOIS Education Support Centre along with four schools in the county have formed a Creative Cluster to design, create, implement and share a two-year project with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Tobar an Leinn National School, Raheen, Scoil Fionntain Naofa, Shanahoe, St Fintans Boys NS, Mountrath and Castletown Primary School took part in the project entitled IZAK9 to Develop Playful and Meaningful Approaches to Undertaking Cognitively Challenging Tasks. The main thrust of the project centres around pupils in fifth and sixth classes in the four schools, using the IZAK9 cubes resource to design their own cognitively challenging tasks for pupils in the younger classes. As well as designing the tasks, the older pupils worked with groups of pupils from the younger classes in their own schools to familiarise them with the IZAK9 Cubes. Teachers involved in the Creative Cluster from the four schools included Niamh Campion (principal) and Rose Breen from Tobar an Leinn, Barry Whelan (principal) from Scoil Fionntain Naofa, Shanahoe, Edel Parkinson (principal) and Roberta Connolly from St Fintans Boys NS and Fiona Cuddy (deputy principal) and Anna Hayes from Castletown Primary School. The teachers met on various occasions throughout the year to plan and work to progress the main aims of the project and were supported by creative facilitator Frances Harney, director of Laois Education Support Centre Catherine Doolan and Yvonne Nolan, who works on the administrative team at the centre. Part of the work of the Creative Cluster was the Transition to post-primary project organised in conjunction with Mountrath CS and supported by principal Kathryn OBrien and maths teacher Evelyn Geary. The four schools came together for a large-scale Cubeathon event in Mountrath Community School, which was facilitated by the creator of the IZAK9 Cubes resource Franz Schindlwein, who had travelled from Derry for the event. Given the success of the transition project, the four primary schools and Mountrath CS intend to make it an annual event. Tomas Doherty A range of stories feature across Tuesday's newspaper front pages, including the latest on the Carlow supermarket shooting incident. The Irish Times reports that just 15 per cent of the new planners sought by city and county managers two years ago to speed up the delivery of new housing have been recruited. The Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mail reveal that the Carlow supermarket shooter was out on bail on firearms charges and was due in court later this week. The Irish Independent says gardai are now keeping watch on the gunman's associates. The Irish Sun and Irish Daily Mirror say the gunman was "obsessed with weapons" and "feared going to prison". The Herald and Irish Daily Star publish photos of the Carlow gunman and name him as Evan Fitzgerald (22). The Belfast Telegraph says shops destroyed during the city's "race riots" last year were only offered 4,000 in compensation. Former Sinn Fein politician Michelle Gildernew says she bears "no ill will" towards the party after they dropped her, The Irish News reports. Some families are facing childcare bills higher than their mortgage, a Cork TD tells The Echo. One of the most amazing illusions in Forrest Gump, a movie chock-full of special effects that opened Wednesday, has nothing to do with old newsreel footage--but with Gary Sinise playing a Vietnam veteran with both legs amputated. Sinise, 39, who has both legs, surprised even himself with his performance as Lt. Dan, a cocky Army officer who is wounded in the Vietnam War, losing both legs. He is shown both before the injury, as an able-bodied officer, and after, in a wheelchair, with both legs gone from the knee. The first time I saw (the finished film) I was shocked by it, Sinise said recently while on a break from researching Apollo 13, which like Gump stars Tom Hanks. I guess I was unprepared for just how great the effects would be, because I know what it looked like when we were doing it. Advertisement Bob and Ken are geniuses, he said, referring to director Robert Zemeckis and special-effects supervisor Ken Ralston. They were constantly working it out, making sure we were shooting it the right way so we could figure out the effect later on. When I saw it later I thought, Those were really stunning, flawless effects. The filmic effect of virtually erasing Sinises legs was accomplished in a variety of ways: in the editing room, with computer assistance and with props, including a specially designed wheelchair, during the shooting of the film. Lt. Dan is first seen striding purposefully in a Vietnamese jungle encampment. Shortly thereafter, he is shot by the Viet Cong and saved from bleeding to death by Gump, played by Hanks. Through the rest of the film Sinises embittered character is shown in a wheelchair. Advertisement In my very first scene we wanted the audience to see my whole body, Sinise said. So all I have on are boxer shorts and you see my full figure and Im walking along. We wanted to have an active scene where you saw that he was a strong guy, so we could really take it physically to a new place. One scene intended to shock the audience shows Sinises character being lifted from his bed in an Army hospital, revealing his legs reduced to bloody stumps. That effect was done in post-production, Sinise said, with a computer that erased all trace of his legs. It was so effective that Sinise, during a screening he attended, said he overheard someone ask, Who is that legless actor they got? Advertisement There is a pivotal emotional moment for Lt. Dan when he falls from his wheelchair in a bout of drunkenness and Gump attempts to help him. He snarls and waves off Gump, bouncing and dragging his body back to the safety of his chair. At that moment it is hard to believe that Sinise is anything but an amputee in reality. The wheelchair in which Sinise sits was designed by New York magician and special-effects wizard Ricky Jay. The chair was structured in such a way, with a thin, slanting seat, that Sinises legs were folded under and not visible. Ralston, the special-effects supervisor, said the design of the wheelchair was the key to the effects surrounding Sinises character. For scenes on the boat where he falls out of the wheelchair or leaps into the ocean, we took a hunk out of the side of the boat, so he could move his legs where no one else could (see), then used a computer to reinstate that part of the boat, Ralston says. There was this open slot where he moved his legs and you saw the stumps, and the pant legs were folded under just right. Then we went back and created the shadows passing over the cutout area. Indeed, those in the audience will be trying to figure it out. Anytime the audience can perceive the special effects, says director Zemeckis, it breaks the magic and can jar them from the story, so pains were taken to make the effects seamless. When you see Gary Sinise with his legs off, even though its flawless, you say, How do you do that? Zemeckis says. Then hopefully you accept it as just another film illusion.* The starting point for Marisa Silvers new novel, Mary Coin, was a moment of genius that unfolded on a California roadside more than 70 years ago. Just outside the coastal valley town of Nipomo in 1936, photographer Dorothea Lange spotted a migrant farmworker family sitting in a tent off U.S. Highway 101. After a few minutes of conversation, Lange snapped six shots of a mother and her children. The sixth became the defining American photograph of the Great Depression. Silver, a writer with a sharp eye for the visual (she began her artistic career as a filmmaker) saw that photograph in a 2009 exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Known as Migrant Mother it shows two small children clinging to a woman in her 30s, her face fixed in a timeless expression of tenderness, poverty and fortitude. Advertisement Id seen the photograph before its unbelievably magnetic, said Silver, an L.A. resident, sitting at Stories, the Echo Park bookstore and cafe. But she was surprised by the curatorial description that accompanied the image. It said that the woman in the photograph had never revealed who she was until she was sick and dying. That really just knocked me over. Only at the end of her life, nearly 50 years later, did Florence Owens Thompson, the subject of one the most famous pictures of the 20th century, step forward to say, Thats me. Silver wondered why. Was she embarrassed, ashamed, disenfranchised? Silver asked. Theres so many stories there I wanted to understand. Advertisement Thus began a three-year process of research and artistic exploration that culminates this month with the publication of Silvers fifth work of fiction. In Mary Coin, Lange and Thompson, the real-life historical figures, are reincarnated as fictional characters: photographer Vera Dare and her most famous subject, the migrant farm worker and mother of seven, Mary Coin. The novel is a multi-generational saga that begins in 1920s Oklahoma and reaches into the first years of 21st century California. Its an intimate epic inspired by two women whose paths crossed just once but whose real lives have been diminished in history by the power of that endlessly reproduced photograph. To me, the picture is an artifact, Silver said. Im interested in history. How it is made, how it is told, and how it is interpreted. History is not objective, its a subjective thing.... We never really know what happened. Advertisement Silvers novels and fiction often treat themes of parenting and family relationships, and she dives deep into motherhood and child-rearing in Mary Coin. The real-life Florence Owens Thompson remains an enigma. Theres maybe 12 things publicly known about her, Silver says. But the title character of Mary Coin comes alive as a deeply sensual and resourceful woman who also happens to have seven children. One of the first things I knew about her as a character was that she was a sensual person, Silver says. I was working backward from the question, Who is this woman who chooses to have this many children? Mary Coin loves her children, and she brought those children into the world because she was a woman unashamed of her own desires. Thats a big part of who she is. In her novel, Silver evokes the eastern Oklahoma of Mary Coins youth with a series of imagined scenes built around the real-life landscape, towns and attitudes of the 1920s in that famously hardscrabble corner of America. Mary grows up in a house built of sod that has walls alive with worms and centipedes and colonies of ants, making it possible for her to imagine that her family lived underground, and that the house was nothing but a cave dug into dirt. After Mary courts a good-but-frail young man and gets pregnant for the first time, she has a heart-rending honeymoon in her towns only hotel. Silver has grandparents from Oklahoma, but she wrote most of her novel in her Hollywood Hills home during the hours her two teenage sons were in school. Her research included immersing herself in Great Depression memoirs, stories about families surviving and finding happiness in that time of need. Advertisement They didnt just starve, they also danced, Silver said. And they remembered the funny games their mothers played with them. Like Florence Owens Thompson, the fictional Mary is not a victim, Silver said. And yet when Mary and Vera Dare meet in Silvers novel, Mary happens to be very near the end of her rope, as desperate and hungry as shell ever be. In real life too, Lange encountered a woman who was destitute. The other five images Lange shot that day she was working for a federal documentary project are disturbingly bleak. Thompsons four children are dressed in ragged clothes, their faces are soiled: Photographed from a distance, Thompson looks like shes cowering inside her familys crude tent. For her final shot Lange pulled much closer and asked the children at Thompsons side to turn Migrant Mother was the result. Langes genius was to see and capture Thompsons essential dignity even at her lowest moment. Silver is equally generous and insightful with the photographer and subject. Silvers experience in filmmaking helped her create the fictional photographer Dare. Her mother, Joan Micklin Silver, was part of a pioneering generation of female directors. And Silver herself has worked on documentaries and feature films. Its wrong to think that a camera can capture an objective truth, Silver said. Even the simple framing of an image is an act of interpretation. You cant take a photograph at face value, Silver said. You have to understand what happens around a photograph to understand what it really means. Advertisement Migrant Mother captures a fraction of a second. Mary Coin unfolds over decades. Silver adds a mystery that takes the story to the Central Valley and eventually to the last days of the famous photographer and her equally famous subject. I wanted to see them at the end, because I wanted to know what their final reckoning was with this photograph that had defined their lives in such a huge way, Silver said. In Mary Coin, Silver takes a picture and spawns the proverbial thousand words many times over. The result is a stirring human portrait of two women and the times they lived in. hector.tobar@latimes.com Silver will appear at ALOUD in conversation with poet and memoirist Meghan ORourke at 7:15 p.m. March 19 at the Los Angeles Public Library. More info: https://www.lfla.org/aloud On 2 June Guatemalas attorney generals office announced arrest warrants for Colombias Attorney General (AG), a former prosecutor with the now-defunct United Nations (UN)-backed anti-corruption commission in Guatemala (Cicig), and Colombias ambassador to the Vatican,, a former defence minister (2022-2025), who served as Cicigs commissioner (2013-2019). End of preview - This article contains approximately 609 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 2 June authorities in Mexicos southern state of Chiapas opened an investigation into the killing of five state police officers in Frontera Comalapa municipality. End of preview - This article contains approximately 399 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 2 June Ecuadorean police arrested six people close to the countrys most-wanted fugitive,(alias Fito), including his brother, his girlfriend, and members of her family. End of preview - This article contains approximately 383 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options The six-foot-long 'doomsday fish' was only visible on the sand for a short amount of time. A dog walker has laughed off suggestions that her rare discovery on a remote Australian beach could be a bad omen. The first sign that something odd had washed up on the sand was the group of eagles flying right down onto the sand. Sybil Jethro describes Tasmanias west coast as wild, and consequently, its not unusual for her to come across whales, dolphins, or seals washed up on Ocean Beach near Strahan. But I hadnt seen anything like this, certainly nothing this big, she said. The glistening creature shed stumbled across was a 175cm-long oarfish, a long creature thats colloquially referred to as the doomsday fish because of its connection to a dark Japanese legend. Why oarfish are considered a bad omen How rare oarfish are remains a mystery, because it inhabits waters 250 to 1,000 metres below the surface, and its uncommon to see one alive. Two dead oarfish were discovered in California in August and November last year, prompting an investigation by UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography. ADVERTISEMENT After the first was found by swimmers in waters off San Diego, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake was detected in Los Angeles, reviving talk of their unproven connection to these natural disasters. Associations between oarfish and earthquakes date back to 17th-century Japan, and were renewed in 2011 after 20 were spotted ahead of the earthquake that sparked the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Although there is no scientific evidence the two are connected. While the dog was initially interested in the oarfish, he didn't take a bite from it. Source: Sybil Jethro Dog stays clear of rare oarfish It was 16 degrees, the wind was strong, and rain was threatening to pour, so visitors to the beach were keeping to the lookout, and no one else likely saw the oarfish in person. While her bounding, 25kg dog was interested in its body, he didnt try and take a bite out of it, which was unusual behaviour. When Sybil returned home on Monday morning and shared images of the fish to social media, a friend immediately contacted her. She said its an oarfish, theyre bad juju, you dont want to go near it, she said. ADVERTISEMENT But Sybil feels lucky to have seen the strange creature, as it wasnt long before it vanished. It was so shiny, pretty and beautiful. But it isnt anymore, because I went back in the afternoon and it had been mauled. It was a good feast for the eagles and crows, she said. When I got back a few hours later, there was no head, and the body was almost gone. I was really lucky to see it in such beautiful condition. Authorities were later seen examining what remained of the carcass, and Yahoo is working to confirm whether samples have been taken. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. The announcement could be a potentially life-saving game-changer for anybody who lives or travels in remote Australian locations. Australias first satellite-based mobile text messaging service has launched, enabling users in the outback to send and receive messages outside of 4G and 5G zones. Source: Tesltra/Supplied Select Australians living rurally and in regional areas will soon have access to better mobile coverage, with Telstra launching the country's first satellite-to-mobile text service, allowing users to send and receive messages even outside of 4G and 5G covered zones. In the Aussie outback, on remote roads, and in places like isolated hiking trails, sending messages can be near-impossible with regular service. But now, Telstra, in collaboration with Elon Musk's SpaceX, aims to fix the problem. While the program is still in its early days, the telco said on Tuesday it stands to be of enormous benefit to farmers and those working in ultra-remote areas of the country, in particular. It's been branded a "just-in-case" connectivity layer that allows a person to make contact with a loved one to make contact in the event of an emergency. When users are outside Telstras mobile coverage, their phone will automatically switch to the Starlink satellite. Source: Tesltra What is satellite to mobile, and how does it work? The messaging service relies on Low Earth Orbit satellites and direct-to-device technology to send signals straight from space to compatible mobile phones. Currently, eligible customers with a Samsung Galaxy S25 or iPhone 13, 14, 15 and 16 can send texts this way. Any phone, however, can receive them. Broader compatibility is expected to be rolled out in the future. ADVERTISEMENT When users are outside Telstras mobile coverage in mainland Australia or Tasmania, their phone will automatically switch to the Starlink satellite. Rural Australians have long relied on LEO satellite services like Starlink, Sky Muster, Intelsat, and Inmarsat for internet, calls, emails, and texts and this new messaging service builds on that. A user simply needs to compose a text as normal and keep their phone in clear view of the sky. Depending on the location, device, and satellite availability, it may take a few minutes or more to send or receive messages. Australian Telstra customers the outback are about to become more connected. Source: Matej Lipar Telstra's executive for technology engagement, Channa Seneviratne, said the service can't yet connect directly to emergency services, meaning users would need to message someone else to call triple-0 if needed. "It's important to remember that this is not an emergency service," he said. "Australia is a very big country, and there are places where a mobile network does not provide coverage. So if you are somebody who lives ... outside of that network coverage, Telstra satellite messaging will be perfect for you. ADVERTISEMENT "This is a really exciting advancement in technology." He said Telstra is working to make the technology compatible with more devices, with voice calls over the LEOsat network also in development, but not expected until 2027. The satellite tech will be built into contracts at no added price, and Telstra said customers can expect further announcements in the coming months. "Following launch, we will continue to test and refine the service so we can continue to offer the best product we can for customers," it said in a statement this morning. In the future, satellite-to-mobile tech is expected to go beyond just texting, with plans to support data use and voice calls as the network evolves. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Kate Mansi (right) fooled her wedding guests into thinking they were attending an engagement party. Matt Sayles/Invision/AP General Hospital star Kate Mansi, who plays Kristina Davis on the soap opera, kept her recent nuptials a secret even from her wedding guests. On Saturday, May 31, Mansi and producer Matt McInnis 115 guests thought they were attending an engagement party, not a wedding. Our biggest goal and hurdle was to maintain the surprise, Mansi told People during an interview published on Tuesday, June 3. We wanted that eruption of joy, that moment where love just takes over the room. Both Mansi and McInnis changed into different outfits after the surprise was revealed. Mansi donned a strapless Newhite wedding dress from LOHO bride, while McInnis wore a custom suit by Mansis friend Ian Firestone. Mansi and McInnis met a few years back at actress Shelley Hennigs birthday party. (Mansi and Hennig were costars on Days of Our Lives.) McInnis told Mansi that hed love to go out with her in nine months, as he was about to leave for a project in South Africa. Mansi told People that she thought McInnis was insane at first, but soon found herself visiting him in Africa. Anytime I expressed hesitation about the distance, Matt would say, Were an international 24/7 operation one of us is always up, thinking about the other. Its a constant exchange of energy, she recalled. Mansi and McInnis got engaged in July 2024. Hennig spoke at their wedding, and Mansis brother-in-law Tad Safran read a Kurt Vonnegut passage. There were several celebrity guests in attendance, including Alley Mills, Britt Robertston, and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Mansi began portraying Kristina Davis on General Hospital in 2023. She previously played Abigail Deveraux on Days of Our Lives from 2011-2016 and again from 2018-2020. The role earned her a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2017. General Hospital airs on ABC weekdays at 3 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream on Hulu the day after they air. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. Large flathead catfish are now common throughout the Delaware River. When anglers take part in the new Catch Fish Not Feelings Contest set for overnight Saturday-Sunday June 7-8, 2025, there may be the opportunity to land a 35-plus-pounder, such as this 40.76-pound specimen landed by Treston Defrancesco of Hellertown to win the 2024 Catfish Kings fishing tournament. Courtesy Laura Yeates Laura Yeates simply loves angling for catfish, so much so that she started the Catfish Kings tournament in 2023 for others who share that same passion. Now, shes launching a second event shes calling it Catch Fish Not Feelings to give those who enjoy tussling with the large, hard-fighting fish another opportunity to get out, have fun and possibly take home a few bucks for their efforts. Set for 8 p.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Sunday, June 7-8, the Catch Fish Not Feelings catfish tournament will take place on the Delaware River, with both flathead and channel catfish eligible to be weighed in for prize consideration. The tournaments base and weigh-in will be at Riverside Barr & Grill on Route 611 in Lower Mount Bethel Township. The unique name of the new event not only plays off the word catfish at the start, its also based on Yeates own passion for the sport and catfish angling. The Bethlehem resident enjoys fishing throughout the year and targets a variety of species, but flatheads are right at the top of the list when it comes to enjoyment. In fact, last year, she landed her personal best flathead from the Delaware, a 39.8-pounder brought ashore in August. Im so focused on fishing, Yeates said. Thats like my main focus a lot of times. A growing fishery A non-native species first detected in the Delaware in 2008 and 2009, flathead catfish have become well-established in the river over the past decade. As the fishery has grown, so has the interest in targeting the fish. In 2023, Yeates started the Catfish Kings fishing tournament, and she also ran a contest for Kulps Bait and Tackle in Ottsville, Bucks County. After Kulps closed permanently earlier this year, she decided to keep that event going by starting Catch Fish Not Feelings. When I first started (fishing for flatheads) like six years ago there was like a group of us, not a whole bunch of people (out) like you see for trout fishing, Yeates said. You know, you go out trout fishing and everybodys everywhere. It was really not like that. (But) it piqued everybodys interest. They enjoyed it and they wanted to continue because it was a lot of fun the competitiveness and all that stuff. Now, Yeates said, there is more interest because the fishery is growing and word is spreading. I feel there are a lot more (catfish anglers) now, just because of like the exposure Facebook gives it, she said, referring one group on the social media platform: You have the Delaware River Flathead Report, so that way a lot of people who are on that see the fish that are being caught. So, it kind of piques interest. People who have not fished for them before now are inquiring, and they want to learn. According to Yeates, the Catfish Kings tournament has attracted between 80 and 90 anglers both years it was held, and shed like to see both of the events continue to expand as interest in flathead fishing on the river increases in the Easton area. Im really trying to grow the tournament, she said. Id really like to be able to make it a bigger event. I would really like to make it something big and have it (be) something nice for the city. The fishing forecast When it comes to catfish angling, the action usually picks up as the water warms, with mid-summer considered to be one of the best times to try for them. Yeates said she is slightly concerned about this weekends event because the water is still a bit colder than normal and the fishing has been a bit slower. The last couple of years it was a little bit warmer earlier in the year and the rain is definitely going to affect it, she said. Weve had a lot of rain, and its kind of putting a damper on the fishing right now. The Catch Fish Not Feelings tournament will operate the same way as the Catfish Kings event, which is set for Aug. 23-24. The first-, second- and third-place payout amounts will all be based on the number of paid registrants. In addition, Yeates will hold a raffle where she gives away rods and reels, guided fishing trips and more. If all goes well, and the weather and water levels cooperate, there could easily be some 30-plus-pounders brought to the scales to be weighed in. During the 2024 Catfish Kings tournament, all three winning fish topped that mark, with the largest being a 40.76-pound flathead caught by Treston Defrancesco, earning the Hellertown resident a $1,520 first-place prize. Im just hoping for the best, Yeates said. Im just hoping maybe this week, because its going to warm up, that the temperatures going to come up a little bit and the waters going to warm up. And, hopefully, we can have a good tournament. Anglers interested in signing up for Catch Fish Not Feelings can do so by contacting Laura Yeates at lauras9erszishawks@gmail.com or via Facebook. The entry fee is $30. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. The National Weather Service says impacts from Canadian wildfire smoke over the Lehigh Valley region should remain minimal Tuesday, June 3, 2025, while high pressure system pushes temperatures above seasonal averages across the region. National Weather Service Lehigh Valley residents can expect a warm and hazy Tuesday with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s, as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to drift over the region. There is a chance that the smoke could mix closer to the ground on Tuesday, but confidence remains low on any significant impacts from it at this time, the National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion Tuesday morning. High pressure will control the regions weather pattern, driving temperatures well above seasonal averages, according to the weather service forecast. Afternoon highs will reach the upper 70s to mid-80s, with light winds shifting from northwest to southwest. The hazy conditions are expected to persist throughout the day, creating a potential air quality concern for sensitive groups. By Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures will continue to climb, potentially reaching near 90 degrees. A cold front approaching from the northwest could trigger isolated showers and thunderstorms, primarily in northeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey. The Lehigh Valley may see increasing humidity and a slight chance of precipitation by late Thursday. The weekend forecast indicates more significant weather changes, with the cold front moving through the area on Saturday. This could bring a higher probability of thunderstorms, with potential for heavy downpours. Atmospheric conditions suggest the possibility of isolated strong storms. Looking ahead, early next week may bring more unsettled weather as a coastal low system approaches the region. Residents should stay informed about potential weather changes and be prepared for shifting conditions over the coming days. 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 Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff. Plans have been lodged with Laois County Council to install a new 30-metre-high- telecommunications mast in Ballybrophy to boost mobile data and broadband services. Phoenix Towers Ireland IV Limited has applied for planning permission for the structure at Kilcoke, Ballybrophy. The proposed development is an upgrade site for the existing telecommunications structure at Ballybrophy train station, 1.3km away. The structure at the train station needs to be upgraded but works cannot be undertaken because of structural reasons. "As it stands, due to structural reasons the existing site at the train station is incapable of performing such upgrades and therefore will not be able to upkeep with the increased required coverage levels associated with the area, hence the requirement of the new site to be erected at the proposed site location to facilitate the upgrade. On the existing structure at the train station, 2G and 4G service is provided. The new structure will see the provision of 2G, 4G and 5G service which will be of great benefit for the area of Kilcoke," the planning documents state. READ NEXT: Plan for Midlands Hospice serving Laois put on hold The applicants say the 30 metre high mast "is the absolute minimum for up to three separate operators" to use the site. The application seeks permission for a "30-metre-high lattice telecommunications support structure carrying antennas, dishes, remote radio units (RRUs), associated equipment, together with ground-based equipment cabinets, palisade fencing, cable ladder, fibre chamber, gantry pole, concrete foundations, access gate, timber post and rail fence and all associated site development works to provide for high-speed wireless data and broadband services to meet Vodafones coverage objectives for this part of County Laois." A decision is due to be made by July 21 with submissions being accepted by the local authority up to June 30. Tributes have been paid to a motorcyclist who died from his injuries three weeks after a collision that also claimed the life of Garda Kevin Flatley. Izzet Can Berber, a father-of-three from Balgriffin, Co Dublin passed away peacefully at Beaumont Hospital on Saturday evening, June 1, with his wife by his side. He had been in critical condition since the crash on May 11 at a Garda speed checkpoint on the R132 at Lissenhall, near Swords. During the incident, Mr Berber's motorcycle struck Garda Flatley who was performing a routine traffic operation. Garda Flatley was fatally injured in the collision and became the 90th member of An Garda Siochana to die in the line of duty. In a statement, a Garda spokesperson said: "The motorcyclist (a man aged in his 30s) involved in a fatal road traffic collision on the R132 at Lissenhall near Swords, North Dublin, on Sunday, 11th May 2025, was pronounced deceased at Beaumont Hospital yesterday evening, Saturday 31st May 2025. "Garda Family Liaison Officers are providing ongoing support and information to both families involved. Investigations are ongoing." Mr Berber's death notice on RIP.ie describes him as the "beloved husband of Caitriona" and "very sadly missed by his loving wife, his adored children Daniel, Emily and Kuzey, sister Gunes, parents-in-law Gerry and Patricia, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and his wide circle of friends in the motorbike community". Originally from Turkey, Mr Berber had made his home in Dublin, where he worked with the Elliott Group. His family have asked for donations to the ICU unit in Beaumont Hospital in lieu of flowers. Condolence messages have poured in, remembering Izzet as a devoted father and husband. "We are so sorry for the tragic loss of your husband and father, taken away far too young," one message read. "Sincere condolences. Wishing you strength and courage at this very sad time. May Izzet rest in peace." Another wrote: "My deepest, most sincere condolences to his wife and children especially. What a beautiful tribute to all the staff in the ICU. I've never read a nicer thing to do, a little legacy that won't ever be forgotten by all the staff. May the gods watch over and take you all through these hard dark few days ahead." A third tribute read: "Sincere condolences to Catriona & the kids, family & friends. Jan was the best neighbour- so helpful & always had time for chats- normally at crazy hours on his way home from work! Always smiling, always cheerful & I know Kuzey will be your strength through all of this. He will be forever missed." "Our heartfelt sympathy to you, the children, and all of Izzet's family and friends," added another. "You radiated positivity and gave us tremendous support and incredible encouragement in the midst of your own trauma. May those you love, and who love you, wrap themselves around yourself and the children. Donations to the ICU unit in Beaumont is not just generous, but a beautiful tribute." Funeral arrangements for Mr Berber are to be announced at a later date. READ MORE | Gardai confirm 15 serious collisions with one woman dead over Bank holiday weekend Would the first plane built and flown in Ireland - the Portlaoise Plane - fit inside the door of the courthouse if it becomes a museum, is a question posed by a Laois councillor. Following the recent condemnation of Portlaoise Courthouse by a Judge as "at crisis point" with rats and mould, the call has been made to convert it into the first county wide museum of Laois, after the new courthouse is built. Cllr James Kelly has asked Laois County Council to fund a feasibility study to provide a "site specific" county museum. He said it should be in line with the Heritage Council's best practice guidelines. "It remains an ambition to have a county museum. We know it's all about funding and that's a conversation I'm involved with in Laois Historical Society. There was always a conversation about the museum to be in the old courthouse. I know how slow it works, we don't know how long it will be before we have a site. "We have a deep and proud history. Laois Tourism has strived to meet this. One of the many projects is the aircraft in the granary, I'm not sure what stage that is at," he said. Among the many Laois treasures currently in storage or on display elsewhere, is the groundbreaking Portlaoise Plane. The restored wooden plane, built over a century ago in a Portlaoise garage, was shipped home from the UK in 2022 after a passionate mission led by historian Teddy Fennelly of Laois Heritage Society. It is in storage awaiting display. Read more here. The motion was seconded by Cllr John King who said Laois towns have "a serious heritage" and suggests "a bit of a museum in all our towns". Cllr Paddy Buggy suggests that the courthouse will be too small for the plane. "Being practical, the plane wouldn't fit, it's so large. It might lend itself to a modern museum. We do need to remind ourselves of our history, around many towns people have old collections that need to be preserved and remembered," he said. "It could be dismantled," Cllr Kelly replied. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supports the motion. "I support this, the courthouse is a fantastic old building steeped in history. Given the emphasis on the old fort, it would be ideal but it's not going to happen until we get the courthouse off Main Street," she said. Cllr Tommy Mulligan said it is up to Laois TDs to fight for a new courthouse and for a Laois museum. "There are small Laois museums but we do need a county museum to connect them all. We have huge history, unfortunately much of it relates to British colonialisation. The big thing is a location, we need to fight for this courthouse to get working on this museum," he said. A Portlaoise greenfield site is ready and waiting for a big new Laois courthouse, bought by the Courts Service. However with no funding given for it, they have no timeline to build it. Read about the Judge's complaints and courthouse plans here. Laois County Council has another site in mind to become the Laois Museum, the old Odlums granary store built on the town's 16th century Fort. They are spending up to 2m to redesign the store as a museum/audio visual space displaying the Portlaoise Plane and Laois aviation, the history of the Fort Protector, the Seven Septs of Laois, and the county's rich industrial, agriculture, medical and energy production heritage. It will be the hub of the "Cultural Quarter of the town of Portlaoise". Read about that here. Tributes have poured in for a Kildare man who passed away abroad recently. Aidan Eustace was from St Evin's Park, Monasterevin, Kildare. Aidan's passing, which was sudden and unexpected, occurred in Portugal recently. Predeceased by his mother Angela and his brother Padraig. Deeply regretted by his father Pat, sisters Caroline, Ann, Sandra, Fiona and Aisling, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends here in Ireland and abroad. Rest in Peace. Following his cremation in Portugal, Aidan's ashes will be interred in St. Evin's Cemetery Monasterevin on Saturday June 7 at 3pm after a graveside ceremony where his family would like to meet his friends, relatives and neighbours to celebrate his life. Condolences left this week for Aidan on RIP.ie include the following: My deepest condolences to the Eustace family on the loss of Aidan. I have so many good memories of him and the whole family and Angela, who made me feel especially welcome. My first love, who has always and always will have a piece of my heart. And: Deepest condolences to Pat & Family on the sad passing of Aidan, may he rest in peace. While another mourner wrote: Sincere Condolences to Pat, family and Friends on the sad passing of Aidan. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. And another added: Sincere and heartfelt sympathy to Pat and all the Eustace family on the passing of your beloved Aidan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May Aidan rest in peace. READ NEXT: Kildare not receiving 'appropriate national attention' on childcare issues, Dail hears On Tuesday May 27 the winners of the 2025 Intel Pride of Place competition were revealed at an awards ceremony which took place at the Intel campus in Leixlip, Kildare. The Pride of Place competition invites community organisations located in Leixlip, Celbridge and Maynooth to share their project ideas to help improve their organisations whilst also benefiting the local community. The project ideas are then reviewed by a panel of judges, made up of business professionals and community representatives, who selected a number of the submissions to receive grants as part of the initiative which is funded by Intel. READ NEXT: Kildare not receiving 'appropriate national attention' on childcare issues, Dail hears This is the 12th year of the Pride of Place competition and once again there was a fantastic response from community groups in the local area with a large number of diverse project ideas being submitted. This year 12 different local projects were selected from 37 applications to receive funding as part of the competition. An awards evening took place at the Intel Ireland campus to reveal the winners of the awards. Guests were treated to some light refreshments as well as a performance from Our Ladys Gospel Choir, Leixlip. Presenting the awards to the winning projects were Joe English, Intel Ireland Vice President and Factory Manager and the Pride of Place 20 25 judging panel which included Marina Lucey, Intel Irelands Environmental Health Safety Manager, Martin Ryan, Intel Facilities Manager, Gordon Jamieson, Maynooth University Senior Development Manager, and Inspector Seamus Houlihan from Leixlip Garda station. The winners of the 2025 competition are as follows: Maynooth Community First Responders; Maynooth Autism Friendly Town; Community Cancer Caregivers; Scoil Ui Dhalaigh; Maynooth Community College; Scoil Mochua Parents Association; Leixlip educate Together National School; Leixlip Musical and Variety Group; North Kildare (Leixlip) Arch Club Leixlip Youth Community Centre; Celbridge Youth Environmental Action Group; and 1st 10th Kildare Leixlip Confey Scout Group Speaking at the event Joe English, Intel Ireland Vice President and Factory Manager said: Over the past 35 years, we have gotten to know, to work together with, and to learn from people across our local towns. We have had the invaluable benefit of being welcomed by people who care deeply about their local areas. It is a glowing reflection on the community here in North Kildare that after 12 years of the Pride of Place competition, there is no shortage of ideas to help strengthen the local towns. There is no shortage of energy and passion in the volunteers who deliver these projects, and we are delighted to continue to support the work of these groups. Since the Pride of Place competition began in 2014, some 103 community projects have been supported with over 380,000 of funding. The 2025 winning projects will now be completed over the coming months by the recipient organisations. Gardai are investigating a fraud allegation involving former Leitrim solicitor Orla Ellis, who was struck off the Roll of Solicitors by the High Court in December 2023. The investigation concerns her former practice, Orla Ellis & Co, which operated in the North West Region. Gardai confirmed to the Leitrim Observer that a fraud allegation relating to a solicitors office in the region is under active investigation. Ellis, the daughter of former Fianna Fail TD and senator John Ellis, was removed from the Roll of Solicitors after a Law Society investigation uncovered a deficit of more than 566,000 in client accounts. A number of unpaid bequests from wills are understood to be among the matters involved. The case was reported in the Sunday Independent last weekend, which reported that Ellis is also facing civil proceedings from a former client, Fintan Kearns, in relation to a probate matter. The newspaper also reported that more than 666,000 has already been paid out by the Law Societys Compensation Fund. In response to queries from the Leitrim Observer, the Law Society said it is continuing to receive claims from former clients and is therefore not in a position to confirm a final figure. The disciplinary proceedings brought against Ms Ellis concluded with her name being struck from the Roll of Solicitors, a spokesperson for the Society said. There is no further disciplinary action open to the Law Society. The Society confirmed that its application to the High Court was based on a detailed affidavit outlining the circumstances of the case. The Law Society confirmed it has contacted affected clients and made arrangements for the return of legal files or their transfer to new solicitors. Such former clients have also been notified of their entitlement to make a claim for the return of client monies and/or make a claim on the Compensation Fund. READ MORE Freight company fined 8,000 for using false driver card and breaching rest rules Despite half a decade passing since the onboard tea trolley service was withdrawn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers in the north-west Irish rail routes are still without cateringdespite earlier promises of its full return. Irish Rail had pledged last year that the trolley service would be restored nationally by the end of 2024, but that deadline has passed with no action. Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove, from the Sligo-Leitrim area, launched a petition last month urging the reintroduction of the service across the network. She has rejected the NTAs explanation, arguing that long train journeys without access to basic refreshments are unacceptable. READ MORE: Biggest single impediment to building houses in Leitirm is the "behaviour of Irish Water" People could be on the train for nearly four hours, especially if there are delays, and not even have access to water, Cosgrove told Shannonaide. The petition focuses on the Sligo to Dublin train, which it says carries a significant number of elderly people, or parents heading to medical appointments. For these people, the absence of a catering cart represents a negative experience that exceeds inconvenience, and compromises the accessibility and quality of service on offer, it continues. While the service has resumed on certain lines around the country, the National Transport Authority (NTA) says it lacks the funding to provide catering on all local rail routes. The Sligo-Leitrim Senator also suggested that subsidising less profitable routes using revenue from busier lines: If there are services on other trains, and theyre profitable, why cant they subsidise ours? The campaign continues to gain support from frustrated passengers and advocacy groups calling for equal access to onboard amenities. Read More: Gardai investigate fraud allegation at former Leitrim solicitors office A brushtail possum found in the Pilbara is the same subspecies that has been wiped out across Central Australia. Researchers have discovered an isolated group of possums living in Western Australia are part of a locally extinct population that once roamed the Red Centre. Separated from other possums, the group found around the Pilbara and the Midwest have become smaller overall, grown larger ears, developed a thinner tail, and become less furry to cope with the heat. Lead researcher and Edith Cowan University PhD candidate, Shelby Middleton, theorised they could one day evolve into their own sub-species because they are now isolated. They are showing differences in the way they look, and will not be mixing with other populations because they dont have any gene flow anymore, she told Yahoo News Australia. Although these possums appear visually different, the population is actually the same subspecies that lives on the east coast and South Australia. This means its ancestors once had a range that extended over 3,000km across the continent to Melbourne and Sydney. Sadly, the population has become isolated because the introduction of cats and foxes by European settlers killed them off in central Australia. Its hard to imagine how different Australia looked 250 years ago, when the centre would have been teeming with life. Another small marsupial, the greater bilby, once covered 80 per cent of the continent, but it is now threatened with extinction. Western Australia's two subspecies become three Previously, it had been thought that the population of brushtails in the Pilbara and Midwest was the same subspecies as those in Perth and the southwest. But they had simply evolved to appear visually similar because they lived in a similar environment. ADVERTISEMENT But after Middleton and her team partnered with the Western Australian Museum and Department of Biodiversity, they linked its genetic material to the east coast subspecies. This was done using preserved museum specimens and roadkill collected by locals in the regions being studied. Brushtails in the Pilbara and Midwest are the same subspecies as those in Melbourne Trichosurus vulpecula vulpecula. Source: Google Earth/Getty/Dagmar Kraus These grainy images were taken of brushtails in the Pilbara at Point Samson. Very little is known about their range. Source: Ian Desmond/Dagmar Kraus Prior to the research, there was only one other subspecies known to exist in Western Australia, the smaller northern brushtail, which is found in the Kimberley. Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis exists in the Kimberley and the Top End. Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus exists in southwest WA, Barrow Island, and Broome. Trichosurus vulpecula vulpecula exists in Pilbara, Midwest, the east coast and South Australia, The northern brushtail (Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis) has larger ears, a thinner tail, and larger ears. Source: Australian Wildlife Conservancy This is the subspecies, Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus, found in southwest WA (as well as Barrow Island and Broome). Source: Shelby Middleton What does the discovery mean for conservation? While populations of brushtails in the east remain stable, some in the west are gradually declining. ADVERTISEMENT The Pilbara is continuing to develop industrially, with the federal government approving a new fertiliser plant for the region last year, and an extension of Woodsides North-West Shelf fossil fuel extraction program last week. Traditionally, new projects have had to evaluate their impact on threatened species, but not those believed to be abundant. They are also probably overlooked at sites when construction is being undertaken. We need to increase awareness so mining companies take more notice of brushtail possums when they do see them, Middleton said. Weve got a lot to learn about this population in the Pilbara and Midwest because its been previously overlooked. We dont completely know their range. We know they exist in some small populations, but outside of towns we dont know where they are. The research is published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A woman in her 70s and a man in his 30s have died in an early-morning house fire in Co Galway. Gardai are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of two people following a fatal house fire in Casla, Co Galway. Gardai and Fire Services were alerted to a house fire at Gleann Mhic Mhuireann at approximately 6:20am this Tuesday morning. The fire was brought under control by fire services and the bodies of a woman aged in her 70s and a man in his 30s were recovered from inside the house. The scene has been preserved for a technical examination. Both bodies have been transported to the Mortuary at University Hospital Galway for post-mortem examinations. The results of the post mortems, along with the findings of the technical examination, will determine the course of the Garda investigation. The local Coroner has been informed. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Clifden Garda Station on 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. READ MORE | RIP: Businessman (50s) dies in tragic farm accident in Kildare The vital role women play in local decision-making will be the focus of a special event taking place in Leitrim next month. Titled Connecting Women to Local Decision Making in Leitrim, the event will be held on Friday, June 13, and features an impressive line-up of speakers and panellists. It is being organised by Leitrim Public Participation Network, WCI North Leitrim Women's Centre, and See Her Elected. The gathering will take place at the Carrick-on-Shannon Business Campus, N41 N1F2, running from 10:00am to 12:30pm, followed by lunch. The event will be officially opened by Assumpta Kelly, Co-ordinator of WCI North Leitrim Womens Centre. The keynote address will be delivered by Nikki Bradley, Member of Seanad Eireann and a prominent disability advocate. Residing in Donegal, Nikki was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 16. Her accomplishments include climbing glaciers in Iceland, abseiling from Fanad Lighthouse in Donegal, and completing the demanding 24km Fan Dance march across the Brecon Beacons in Wales. READ NEXT: Biggest single impediment to building houses in Leitrim is the "behaviour of Irish Water" In recent years, she underwent a hip and thigh amputation. Nikki ran in the 2024 General Election but was unsuccessful; however, she was later nominated to the Seanad by Simon Harris. Dr Michelle Maher, Programme Manager of See Her Elected (SHE), will also address attendees. Her presentation will explore the history of women in politics in Leitrim and discuss how women can engage with decision-making structures through the Leitrim PPN. SHE is dedicated to increasing female representation in local politics, particularly in underrepresented rural areas. With women making up just 27 percent of elected representatives nationally and significantly less in many rural counties the 2029 local elections represent a key opportunity for change. A central part of the event will be a panel discussion, hosted by See Her Elected and featuring four local women with diverse experiences in community leadership: Lola Gonzalez, originally from Panama, brings over 20 years of experience in inclusion, entrepreneurship, and empowerment. A strong advocate for social justice, Lola has worked with numerous Leitrim organisations to promote the integration and inclusion of new communities in Ireland. She ran as an Independent candidate in the 2024 Local Elections. READ NEXT: PICTURES: Stunning 300-year-old stone cottage in Leitrim could be yours for just 175,000 Blaithin Gallagher is a passionate community leader, writer, and filmmaker with a background in health services research and a longstanding career in disability and ageing advocacy. She chairs The Model Arts Centre, Mna Glasa, and North West Greens, and serves on the board of the Sligo Rape Crisis Centre. Blaithin facilitates the Leitrim PPN Environmental Linkage Groups and has contested both local and general elections. Mary Bohan, from Drumkeerin, has served as a councillor for 45 years and is Fianna Fails longest-serving councillor, first elected in 1979. Her mother, Alice McTiernan, was the first woman to run for election in Leitrim. Mary has played a significant role in local community development, including founding the Credit Union and participating in the Drumkeerin Development Association. She has also held the role of Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council multiple times. Since 1922, only six women have ever been elected to Leitrim County Council highlighting a century-long gender gap in local politics. Finally, Bernie Mulligan Dolan is a tireless advocate for her community. She chairs both the County Leitrim Health and Wellbeing Committee and the Leitrim GAA Health and Wellbeing/Healthy Clubs initiative. Bernie is a member of the Leitrim PPN Secretariat and sits on Leitrim County Councils Strategic Policy Committee. Her dedication is widely recognised through the many events and initiatives she has helped organise in Carrigallen. READ NEXT: WATCH: John Finucane MP opens Leitrim's Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School 2025 As part of the days programme, Treasa Nealon, a Manorhamilton-based playwright and co-founder of The Rabbits Riot Theatre Company, will offer a reflective moment with a reading. The event will close with remarks from Mary McKeon, Co-Ordinator of Leitrim PPN. Register on Eventbrite here or by emailing info@leitrimppn.ie. Calm Health Expands Globally, Starting with UK and Canada Calm, a leading mental health company, today announced the international expansion of Calm Health, its evidence-based app that provides consumers access to mental health support through their employers, health plans or providers. Calm Health's global rollout begins in the UK and Canada, driven by growing consumer demand for accessible, scalable, and engaging mental health support. The expansion also gives multinational employers a single, unified solution extending Calm's impact across borders while streamlining support for global workforces. The need for mental health support is urgent: globally, more than 70% of people experiencing mental health challenges don't seek help, often due to stigma, uncertainty, or limited access. "Most employers see less than 5% engagement with their employee assistance programs. Without engagement, we can't expect meaningful outcomes," said David Ko, CEO of Calm. "In the U.S., Calm Health is already driving above-average engagement across employer and health plan populations, a strong signal that we're meeting a critical need as demand rises here in the U.S. and worldwide. Expanding globally is a natural next step to make mental health support more accessible." Calm Health provides a personalized consumer experience designed to break through barriers for those seeking mental health support. It begins with an in-app mental health screening, paired with user inputs on physical health conditions and life experiences. Based on results, users receive tailored recommendations, including in-app mindfulness and sleep content, psychologist-developed digital programs or existing employer or health plan benefits. Calm Health integrates with employer and health plan benefits ecosystems to increase visibility and engagement across the full spectrum of care. In the U.S., Calm Health has shown measurable impact, with 77% of users completing a mental health screening, a key driver of early intervention. Calm Health members are also twice as likely to engage in outpatient mental health care when needed compared to baseline groups*. The platform has also helped increase engagement with underutilized benefits and reached underserved populations, closing critical gaps in access and care, successes that set the foundation for global expansion. "The demand for accessible mental health resources in the UK has grown significantly, which we've seen through the strong adoption of Calm, both by individuals and employers," said Alex Will, President at Calm. "With Calm Health, we can now deepen our support by bringing evidence-based mental health resources to the market, designed to complement both the public health system and existing employer benefits. This expansion also allows us to better support companies with global teams by offering a single tool their people can rely on, wherever they are." In Canada, demand for mental health support is also rising, yet many people face significant barriers to accessing care, most commonly due to cost and limited availability of services. Calm Health is currently available to more than 17 million people in the U.S. through employers, health plans, and providers, and is built to meet the needs of diverse populations. Designed with local regulatory requirements in mind, Calm Health complies with HIPAA and HITRUST standards in the U.S. and aligns with applicable data privacy laws in the UK and Canada. Calm Health will expand to additional international markets later this year. To explore how Calm Health can support your populations, visit health.calm.com. *Engagement data from one of Calm's large U.S. national health plan partners. For privacy and compliance, source name is anonymized. About Calm Calm is a leading consumer mental health company on a mission to support everyone on every step of their mental health journey. Known for its flagship consumer app?ranked #1 in its category with over 180 million downloads and available in seven languages across around 190 countries?Calm helps people sleep better, stress less, and live more mindfully through content and tools from experts and beloved celebrity voices. Building on this foundation, Calm has created a broader portfolio including evidence-based solutions like Calm Health, offered through employers, health plans and providers, designed to expand access to mental health and sleep support, boost benefits engagement, and drive positive health outcomes. Today, Calm supports more than 3,500 organizations and reaches over 17 million covered lives through Calm Health. Calm has been recognized as a TIME100 Most Influential Company and one of Fast Company's Brands That Matter. Learn more at calm.com. 3 june 2025 at 01:05 News published onand distributed by: Hazelview Properties Makes History with Canada's First Rainbow Registered Residential Rental Building Toronto's Midtown Rental Property highlights Hazelview's ongoing commitment to inclusive living TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Hazelview Properties is proud to announce it has opened Canada's first Rainbow Registered residential rental building. The Rainbow Registered accreditation is given to businesses and organizations that meet stringent standards to ensure that 2SLGBTQI+ customers feel welcome. While numerous businesses across the country hold the accreditation, the Story of Midtown Toronto rental property at 73/75 Broadway Ave is the first residential rental building to receive the honour. The initiative is part of the organization's larger commitment to create inclusive environments where diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated. "At Hazelview, we go all out to build and nurture a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture, whether it's in our workplace or properties we manage," says Jasmin Pirani, Partner, Marketing and Social Impact "Earning the Rainbow Registered accreditation for Story of Midtown Toronto is a proud milestone that reflects our dedication to creating safe, welcoming spaces where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. This recognition reaffirms our promise to foster communities that celebrate diversity and prioritize the well-being of all residents." Story of Midtown Toronto received the Rainbow Registered Accreditation because of its commitment to inclusivity, including: Year-round inclusion : Inclusion at Story of Midtown Toronto is built into everyday experiences. Teams have access to ongoing Belonging initiatives, including a paid volunteer day to support community causes, inclusive visual identifiers like Pride-themed email signatures, and resident communications that reflect a community grounded in respect and belonging. : Inclusion at Story of Midtown Toronto is built into everyday experiences. Teams have access to ongoing Belonging initiatives, including a paid volunteer day to support community causes, inclusive visual identifiers like Pride-themed email signatures, and resident communications that reflect a community grounded in respect and belonging. Specific training focused on real-world allyship: Team members at Story of Midtown Toronto participate in comprehensive training on 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion, pronoun usage, unconscious bias, and inclusive language. Team members at Story of Midtown Toronto participate in comprehensive training on 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion, pronoun usage, unconscious bias, and inclusive language. A framework that puts people first: Policies at Story of Midtown Toronto don't just state values, they outline clear steps and expectations for supporting all team members from all diverse backgrounds. These policies are reviewed annually and backed by mandatory employee acknowledgment, creating consistency across the team and reinforcing a culture of accountability and care. Story of Midtown Toronto is a landmark addition to the Toronto rental market, redefining purpose-built rental living with a focus on elevated lifestyle, value-added services, and holistic well-being. This property aims to become the premier rental residence of choice in Midtown Toronto, offering a lifestyle built around health, wellness, urban connectivity, and inclusive community. Aside from its Rainbow Registration, the building will also include personalized services, perks, and exclusive programming. As part of Hazelview's commitment to resident wellbeing, residents will also receive complimentary access to Maple Healthcare's virtual services?including mental health support?and a Peloton membership, offering world-class fitness classes from the comfort of home. Elevated Rental Residences | Story of Midtown Toronto Hazelview Properties is also in the process of receiving the Rainbow Registered accreditation for its corporate offices and select properties within its Toronto/GTA portfolio as part of the organization's larger commitment to create inclusive environments where diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated. "We are thrilled to recognize Hazelview Properties as Canada's first Rainbow Registered residential rental building. This milestone reflects a powerful commitment to inclusive housing?one where 2SLGBTQI+ residents are not just welcomed, but meaningfully supported. By embedding equity into its policies, training, and everyday operations, Hazelview is setting a new standard for what it means to build community. We're proud to stand alongside them as they lead by example." says Connor McKiggan (They/Him), National Business Development Manager, Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce What Does it Mean to be Rainbow Registered? Rainbow Registered is an accreditation program run by Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC). The accreditation program grants a time-limited recognition to businesses and organizations for demonstrating compliance with the quality standard. Accredited businesses are deemed market-ready for the 2SLGBTQI+ customer and given the right to be associated with the program's prestigious Rainbow Registered designation. About Hazelview: Hazelview is a global real estate investment, development, and property management firm. Since 1999, Hazelview has delivered strong, risk-adjusted returns across all market cycles by taking an ownership-driven approach and leveraging deep local and global market insights. The firm invests in both private and public real estate markets through its strategically integrated platform. With a focus on purpose-built rental communities, Hazelview develops and manages high-quality residential properties that prioritize resident wellbeing, foster community connection. To learn more, visit https://www.hazelview.com/ https://www.hazelviewproperties.com/ SOURCE Hazelview Properties 3 june 2025 at 11:07 News published onand distributed by: Cousins Maine Lobster Rolls into Minnesota Debuting First Location in Minneapolis, Continuing Midwest Expansion MINNEAPOLIS, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, is expanding its Midwest footprint with the launch of the brand's first food truck in Minneapolis. The corporate-owned and operated truck will bring the irresistible flavors of Maine lobster directly to the heart of Minnesota. With a growing demand for high-quality seafood across the state and region, the new truck will offer local lobster lovers the opportunity to enjoy CML's world-famous Maine lobster rolls, mouthwatering lobster tacos, savory lobster grilled cheese, and delicious whoopie pies. "We're incredibly thrilled to bring Cousins Maine Lobster to Minneapolis, a city known for its vibrant food culture and strong sense of community," said Sabin Lomac, co-founder of Cousins Maine Lobster. "Further expansion in the Midwest has always been part of our vision, and Minneapolis is the perfect next stop. We're proud to share the authentic Maine lobster experience with seafood fans here and look forward to becoming a part of the local food scene." Cousins Maine Lobster is set to make its official debut in Minneapolis on Friday, June 6, with a grand opening event at Menards Plaza at 12600 Plaza Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. The event will run from 11am ? 7pm, inviting guests to join them as they celebrate their arrival in the market with an official ribbon cutting and launch party. For more information on our Minneapolis food truck calendar of events, check out our Facebook page: Cousins Maine Lobster Minneapolis. "At Cousins Maine Lobster, we are excited to continue our Midwest growth, a region where we have a strong demand and opportunity to deliver a premium seafood experience," said Lindsay Herberger, Director of Franchise Development at Cousins Maine Lobster. "We're confident that our team will make a standout debut in Minneapolis, and we look forward to building strong partnerships within the community. We're also looking for new franchisees who are interested in capitalizing on the momentum we've built and helping us expand our footprint across the Midwest." Cousins Maine Lobster is seeking operators who are passionate about delivering high-quality food and exceptional customer service. With a proven business model that offers flexibility, operators can launch food trucks in as little as three to six months. Low overhead and labor costs allow operators an efficient and cost-effective entry into each market. The brand is currently targeting markets with strong demand for high-quality, fast-casual seafood, including San Diego, California; Reno, Nevada; and areas across the Midwest, including St. Louis, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa; and Fort Wayne, Indiana. About Cousins Maine Lobster Cousins Maine Lobster is a premier seafood franchise bringing authentic Maine lobster to communities nationwide through its fleet of food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants. Founded in 2012 by cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, the brand started as a passion project and quickly gained national recognition after securing an investment from Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank. Since then, Cousins Maine Lobster has become a leading seafood franchise, delivering high-quality, wild-caught Maine lobster with a commitment to consistency, hospitality, and an unforgettable guest experience. Whether serving seafood lovers from its iconic food trucks or expanding into new markets with restaurant locations, Cousins Maine Lobster continues to set the standard for premium lobster offerings. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Cousins Maine Lobster, visit https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/franchise. To find a location near you, visit www.cousinsmainelobster.com. DISCLAIMER: This news is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy a franchise. Any actual offer or solicitation can only be made through a Franchise Disclosure Document. If you reside in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin, we may not be able to offer you a franchise until it has been registered in your state. CONTACT: Ryan Gorton All Points Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster 3 june 2025 at 13:35 News published onand distributed by: Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, (L), head of the All-Party Delegation, Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, Member of the Indian Parliament, and other members of the Delegation Acting DG of NaFFA, J. Cyrus Saygbe, in a jab apparently directed at embattled and suspended DG Emma Metieh Glassco, says Govt Projects are Not Personal Achievements. But Glassco didnt hold back. REMAPSEN executives at the press conference held in Abidjan over the weekend GARDAI have confirmed that a fire in a busy Limerick petrol station was due to an arson attack. It occurred at the Inver Service Station on the Old Cork Road, Limerick city around 3.30am in the early hours of bank holiday Monday. Limerick Fire and Rescue Service crews bravely entered the highly dangerous and flammable situation and extinguished the blaze. Firefighters spent around two hours at the scene and made the area safe for a technical examination to be carried out by garda forensic investigators. READ MORE: Gardai investigate suspected arson attack on busy Limerick petrol station Following the technical examination, a garda spokesperson said it is being treated as an incident of criminal damage by fire. Investigations are ongoing, said the spokesperson. It is not known if the perpetrators stole any goods from the store. It is understood that windows in the shopfront were smashed and some form of an accelerant used. The inside of the shop is believed to have suffered significant fire and smoke damage. A post on Inver Limericks social media accounts reads: Our forecourt (Old Cork Road) is temporarily closed until further notice. Apologies for any inconvenience. One of those to comment underneath was local councillor, Catherine Slattery who wrote: Sorry to hear this news. I hope there is not too much damage and the shop reopens soon. Others echoed her sentiments, saying, A major loss to the community and all the poor staff now out of work. Hopefully you can reopen soon. Another wrote: Shocking carry on. Sorry to hear this news - great shop with the best staff. Anybody who may have witnessed anybody acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the Inver Service Station on the Old Cork Road around 3.30am on Monday morning is asked to contact Roxboro Road garda station on 061 214340. A judge has directed that the assault trial of former All-Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler, Niall Gilligan be listed for July 15. Following a call-over of cases at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford directed that a number of cases be listed for trial on that date. In doing so, he stated that cases where an accused is on remand in custody pending trial will take priority and he noted that there is one such case listed for July 15. Judge Comerford listed the Gilligan case for trial behind the custody case and if the custody case does not proceed on July 15, the Niall Gilligan assault case will then be the first to proceed. As part of the preparatory work for the trial, Judge Comerford held a ground-rules hearing, in April, due to the age of the complainant in the case while another witness is also a juvenile. READ ALSO: Gardai confirm fire at Limerick petrol station was due to arson attack In the case, Mr Gilligan, aged 48, of Rosroe, Sixmilebridge denies the assault causing harm to a then 12 year old boy during an alleged stick assault. Judge Comerford previously appointed a court intermediary to the complainant and the second juvenile witness. Court intermediaries are appointed to assist juvenile witnesses with the court process. Mr Gilligan is represented by barrister Patrick Whyms BL and solicitor, Daragh Hassett. He denies the charge of assault causing harm of the boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mt Ivers Road, Sixmilebridge contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act, The offence is alleged to have happened on October 5 2023. The Director of Public Prosecutions had initially directed that the case be heard on a summary basis in the district court but Judge Alec Gabbett declined district court jurisdiction after hearing an outline of the State case against Mr Gilligan. In court last July, State solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey told the court that one of the injuries the boy was treated for in the aftermath of the alleged stick assault by Mr Gilligan was a fractured left hand. Solicitor for Mr Gilligan, Mr Hassett told the court last July that the sequence of events set out by the State is not accepted by his client and there is a complete dispute in relation to what is alleged to have happened here. Last July, Ms Casey confirmed that both juvenile witnesses will give evidence by video link in the circuit court. Mr Gilligan was a star forward for the senior Clare hurling team which defeated Tipperary to win the 1997 All-Ireland Final and was named an All-Star in 1999. The Sixmilebridge clubman also won two Munster titles with Clare and multiple honours with his club over a long, distinguished hurling career. Judge Comerford further remanded Mr Gilligan on bail on the same terms. Shanghai (Gasgoo)-IM Motors, the premium electric vehicle brand backed by SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang High-Tech, announced on June 2 that its flagship midsize intelligent SUVthe IM LS7had already gone on sale in Mexico. According to the company, the move marks a major milestone in IM Motors' globalization strategy. Following its initial success in Thailand, the brand is now using Mexico as a strategic foothold to accelerate its presence in the Latin American market, signaling a new phase of rapid global development. Photo credit: IM Motors Mexico is considered one of the most promising new energy vehicle (NEV) markets in Latin America. Leveraging SAIC Motor's strong global infrastructure and mature sales network, the IM LS7 aims to quickly penetrate the region's premium NEV segment. As a core product in IM Motors' international strategy, the IM LS7 overseas edition comes equipped with a suite of industry-leading technologies, including a panoramic 106-degree IMAX ultra-wide field of view, a full-scenario intelligent five-seat layout, zero-gravity seats, and a one-click AI valet driving feature. IM Motors is rapidly expanding its global footprint from Southeast Asia to Latin America. In mid-April, the company signed a partnership agreement with SMART MOBILITY International ("SMI"), a leading player in the UAE's NEV sector. The collaboration aims to establish a strong presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabian markets, with the UAE serving as a strategic hub for expansion across the Middle East. IM Motors plans to enter Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia by 2025 and expects to cover the entire Middle Eastern market by 2026. Earlier in April, IM Motors officially entered the Australian market and debuted two global modelsthe IM6 and IM5 (the overseas editions of the IM LS6 and the IM L6)at the Melbourne Motor Show. Both models are slated for official market launch in Australia by mid-year. OVER thirty courses in Limerick Universities have been added to Springboard+ programme for 2025. Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Limerick County TD Niall Collins has welcomed the launch along with his party colleague, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless TD, of the Springboard+ 2025 programme. Minister Lawless confirmed that TUS Shannon will have 24 courses and the University of Limerick will have 9 in the new programme. Nationwide, the Springboard+ 2025 programme will have almost 8,000 free and subsidised places on higher education courses. This year, courses are available in areas such as Infrastructure planning; Sustainable Building; Renewable Energy; Digital Skills, Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence. READ MORE: Limerick schools to receive almost 3m for minor works and ICT funding Two thirds of people considering a Springboard+ course want to futureproof their careers in an ever-changing workplace. Thats according to research published today by the Higher Education Authority. The Springboard+ programme is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and in 2025, a total of 7,719 places are available on 249 courses delivered by 37 higher education institutes nationwide. Springboard+ is making 26 micro-credentials from the course list available for those interested in shorter courses to upskill in very specific areas. Minister Collins said: "The Springboard+ initiative offers so many opportunities for people who might want to upskill or reskill. It is notable this year that courses are placing a strong focus on futureproofing careers in a rapidly evolving job market which is very welcome. "There are courses on everything from strategic leadership to supply chain management and I strongly encourage anybody in Limerick who is looking at upskilling or reskilling to look at what is available through the programme and see if something suits them." READ MORE: University of Limerick accepts resignation of executive who led 5.2m overspend At the launch of this year's programme, Minister Lawless said: Springboard+ is one of the most impactful investments this Government makes in the further education of its people. These courses are designed to respond directly to evolving skills demands, particularly in fast-growing and high-impact sectors. It offers thousands of learners the chance to upskill or reskill in areas where Ireland needs talent from artificial intelligence to infrastructure planning to cybersecurity. As Minister, Im proud to support Springboard+ with 34.4 million from the National Training Fund. This programme empowers people to study alongside work and personal commitments with courses that are heavily subsidised or free, making upskilling more accessible and achievable for everyone. "I encourage everyone to look at what is available as whether youre advancing in your current career, pivoting to a new one, or stepping onto the career ladder for the first time, Springboard+ is designed to open doors in an affordable, flexible way that has real career impact. Since 2011, over 400m has been spent on Springboard+ and over 110,000 people have benefited from the programme to date. Springboard+ courses are delivered both online and through blended learning, and last up to one year. Courses are available on a part-time or full-time basis, offering more flexibility to learners. Applications will open on June 3, for courses starting between July 1 and October 31 2025. A UNIQUE new venture between the University of Limerick and leading members of the biopharma sector will seek to cultivate the leading scientific minds of the future. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD has launched a bespoke new immersive programme for the BioPharma sector a BSc/MSc Immersive Bioscience and Biotherapeutics (iBio). Building on the success of the innovative Immersive Software Engineering (ISE) programme now in its third year of operation at UL, iBio has been designed in collaboration with top biotech companies and students will have the competitive advantage of two years of experience working in industry when they graduate. Students will receive a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in four years, with half of their time spent learning on campus and half in paid residencies in Biotech industries. The goal of iBio is to turn curious, caring, creative and high-performing students into future leaders at the forefront of innovation in biotech. READ MORE: Ministers welcome the introduction of new courses to Limerick universities Two major international companies with operations in the Mid-West of Ireland, Eli Lilly and Company and Analog Devices Inc. (ADI), have teamed up with UL as significant partners on the course. Together with future partners across the Biopharma sector they will contribute to the learning process in terms of curriculum design, participate as guest contributors and host students on industry residencies. The innovative new course will produce the graduates needed to fuel further growth in the sector. Professor Jakki Cooney, iBio Course Director, said: At iBio, we are committed to cultivating the leading scientific minds of the future. We want students who are interested in making a difference to the lives and health of others by exploring innovative solutions to complex challenges in health, disease, and medicine-making. This course is all about developing a passion for the science of disease and medicines, about being creative and curious about the world, embracing challenges and working in teams using scientific data to solve complex problems. We are offering a new way to learn the science and biology of medicine making and discovery. The Life Sciences industry is a rapidly growing sector in Ireland, offering fantastic employment opportunities for graduates. The iBio programme is designed in collaboration with top biotech companies to ensure that students graduate with skills matched exactly to industry needs. READ MORE: Limerick schools to receive almost 3m for minor works and ICT funding Minister Lawless said: This innovative, industry-led and learner-focused course recognises that not all learning happens in lecture halls. Through immersive, hands-on experiences, both on campus and in the workplace, students will graduate with not just a degree, but two full years of real-world industry experience. Thats a major advantage in a fast-moving sector like biopharma. The involvement of leading companies such as Eli Lilly and ADI, both major players in the Mid-West region, ensures that this programme is shaped by the needs of industry and powered by the talent of our students." Acting UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins said: iBio represents a giant leap forward in the delivery of undergraduate scientific education and students will be embedded in the knowledge community where they are active and interactive partners in the learning process. ADI, a company at the forefront of an ecosystem that is driving healthcare, was also a founding partner of the successful ISE programme at UL. Martin Cotter, Senior Vice President, Vertical Business Units, ADI, and President, ADI EMEA, said: By embedding students in our teams and helping shape the curriculum, we are proud to support iBio and to partner with UL and Lilly in creating a pipeline of talent equipped to solve the most complex challenges in life sciences. Together, we are investing in a stronger, more connected healthcare ecosystem with global impact. READ MORE: Positive Parenting: Recognising the hidden signs of exam stress in your child Dave Riordan, Vice President and Limerick Site Head at Eli Lilly, said: At Lilly, we are committed to investing in future talent that will help us manufacture the medicines of today and of tomorrow. This partnership with University of Limerick and ADI will enable us to develop a talent ecosystem that nurtures and cultivates the next generation of pharmaceutical manufacturing experts. We are not just building future specialists but creating a community of innovators who are dedicated to making lives better for people around the world. Professor Kenneth Stanton, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at UL, said: The beauty of adding a course like iBio to our already broad programme offerings is that it allows a wider choice of options to learn and engage at UL for our prospective students. It also significantly deepens our engagement with industry across the Mid-West and further afield, which further underlines the importance of the university to the region in both an educational and economic sense. Graduates will have proven skills and experience across foundational scientific theory, data and digital literacy, team communication, as well as the necessary business knowledge needed for a rewarding scientific career. Students will engage in immersive, collaborative workshops and intensive lab sessions to learn how to apply knowledge and skills to tackle real-world problems. In the residencies students will work in leading biotech companies, gaining essential skills and experience - all while making industry connections. The first intake of students for iBio will be in September 2026. THE NOVEL Munster final throw-in time of 6pm on Saturday has posed a problem for Mass-goers and those who worship at the altar of Limerick hurling. Many are normally in church pews in or around that time instead of armchairs, bar stools or lucky enough to be in seats in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Limerick Live understands that not even Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has the power to tell parishes to bring Mass times forward or push them back due to the clash with Cork - that it is a matter for parishes themselves. And then there are all the Limerick parishes in the Cashel & Emly Archdiocese, not to mention the parish of Castleconnell and Ahane is in Killaloe Diocese. READ MORE: Five Limerick representatives win All-Ireland titles in Croke Park When contacted by Limerick Live, hurling legend Richie Bennis called on parishes to move Mass times to facilitate Limerick fans who want to watch the match on Saturday evening. For example, the time of Masses in Kilmallock, Kilfinane and Ardpatrick have been moved to the earlier 5pm timeslot on Saturday. The Mass time in Doon has also been been changed to 5pm due to the special hurling occasion. Patrickswells Richie, who won an All-Ireland with Limerick in 1973 and almost brought us to the Promised Land as manager in 2007, is a daily Mass-goer. He famously brought his players to church before the All-Ireland semi-final and final during their amazing run to Croke Park in 2007. However, Richie concedes there may be sensitive reasons for some Mass times not being changed on Saturday night. He says they are very lucky to have three priests in Patrickswell - Fr Michael Cussen, Monsignor Michael Lane and Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon. Turning to the match itself in the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Richie said: Id be very confident." Although he qualifies that by saying everything went right for Limerick during the 16 point round robin defeat of Cork. Richie said it reminded him of Limericks second half performance against Tipperary in 2021 when they blitzed Liam Sheedys men. If everything goes right for Cork we could be in trouble. Sport is funny, said Richie. But win, lose or draw, Richie says this generational Limerick team owe us nothing. In a remarkable achievement, SOS Cookies has recently been awarded the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award at the National Enterprise Awards, Limerick County Final, organised by the Local Enterprise Office Limerick. This accolade is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Sarah O'Sullivan, the visionary founder behind SOS Cookies. The company proudly represented Limerick at the National Enterprise Awards, National Final which was held in the historic Round Room of Dublins Mansion House on Thursday May 22. SOS Cookies continued its winning streak by being named the Mid West Regional Winner. This recognition further cements the companys status as a rising star in Irelands entrepreneurial landscape. Sarah O'Sullivan's journey into the world of cookies began with a deep-rooted passion for the food industry. She pursued her master's degree in Food Insights & Innovation with Bord Bia through Maynooth University, where she demonstrated her enthusiasm and commitment to the field. During her studies, she completed a placement with Silver Hill Duck as a new product developer and later worked as a food and drink trends analyst with WGSN. However, it was her love for cookies that ultimately inspired her to start her own business. The inception of SOS Cookies was as simple as it was innovative. Sarah began by setting up an Instagram page to share her creations, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Her soft, doughy cookies quickly gained a following, and it became clear that there was a market for her delicious treats. SOS Cookies specialises in various iterations of the classic chocolate chip cookie, elevating them with popular chocolate bars like Kinder, Milkybar, and Dairy Milk. The brand also offers a range of deep dish cookies, brookies, cookie pies, and cookie cakes. Today, SOS Cookies has grown into a national sensation. The company operates an e-commerce website that serves customers across Ireland and has a physical presence with three retail outlets in Dublin and one in Limerick. Additionally, SOS Cookies supplies over 40 coffee shops in counties such as Limerick, Clare, Cork, Tipperary, Meath, Mayo, Westmeath, Offaly, Galway, and Kildare. Looking to the future, SOS Cookies has ambitious plans for growth. The company aims to add bakery equipment to automate its processes, expand to 810 retail outlets nationwide, and increase its wholesale partnerships to over 120 cafes. Strengthening the e-commerce site and growing corporate gifting to account for 10% of revenue are also key goals. Sustainability is a priority, with initiatives like renewing their Origin Green certification, reducing cardboard through a crate return scheme, and offering reusable totes and tins for customers. Additionally, kitchen optimisation efforts are focused on using electricity efficiently. Sarah O'Sullivan's journey from a passionate food enthusiast to an award-winning entrepreneur is truly inspiring. SOS Cookies is not just a business; it's a testament to the power of following one's passion and the sweet rewards that come with it. With two major awards under their belt, the entire community of Limerick and beyond will be cheering them on as they continue to grow and innovate. *Sponsored Content Indian companies are increasingly looking to acquire assets overseas to gain access to technology and bolster manufacturing assets, senior executives at investment bank JP Morgan told Mint . India outbound could be quite relevant in the years to come, especially in a three-to-five-year timeframe. There are live conversations that are starting to happen with target companies that our clients have tracked historically," said Nitin Maheshwari, co-head of investment banking at JP Morgan in India. Maheshwari said global assets have become more affordable and Indian companies are able to fund acquisitions because they have a stronger balance sheet and a valuable currency (such as listed securities)". Maheshwari, head of mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and financial sponsors for India, and Ravi Shankar, head of technology, media and telecommunications and consumer & retail for India, were named co-heads of investment banking at JP Morgan in India on 27 January. Capital markets are enablers of M&A meaning, for an Indian buyer looking at an asset, their ability to pay top dollar is higher if they trade at high multiples," Shankar told Mint. Several Indian companies have already looked overseas to make acquisitions. RPGs Ceat acquired Camso in a $200 million acquisition last year. Over the last few months, IT services giants Infosys acquired The Missing Link, an Australian cybersecurity firm, and MRE Consulting, a technology consultancy in the United States, in April. Wipro has also struck multiple overseas acquisitions in recent years. In January, Intas Pharma acquired US-based Coherus Biosciences in an over $558 million investment. Also Read: JP Morgans Mookim seeks bright spots amid earnings lull in Indian markets Focus on manufacturing The growing importance of manufacturing globally is likely to make this segment ripe for M&A, the executives added, noting that Indian firms are either buying for skills, and technology, or looking at some geographic presence to diversify their business globally. The big opportunities for India Inc globally are on the manufacturing side this could actually reshape supply chains for global companies and actually drive a lot of traffic to India," Shankar said. Maheshwari added that this could be segments such as speciality manufacturing, auto, auto components and pharmaceuticals. None of the Indian pharma companies have leverage and they have the ability to go out and buy specialty products, and continue to move up in the value chain," he added. The Indian manufacturing sector has been driven by the global corporate requirement to invest in diversified supply chains. Several large tech firms have set up manufacturing hubs in India to meet the global demand. US tariffs in manufacturing sectors could also induce Indian firms to acquire assets in parts of the US. Also Read: Time to re-imagine Indian manufacturing from the ground up In recent transactions in India, JP Morgan was advisor to SMBC in its acquisition of a stake in Yes Bank. JP Morgan also advised Walmart on its acquisition of Flipkart in 2018 and subsequent $3.6 billion fundraise. It also advised the $3.1 billion sale of Hexaware by Baring Private Equity Asia (now EQT) in 2022. New Delhi, Generative AI is more than a technological transformation, and could signify a fundamental shift in societal configuration, Tata Consultancy Services Country Head for UK and Ireland Amit Kapur has said. India's largest IT services company on Tuesday announced a seven-year extended partnership with Virgin Atlantic to modernise the airline's core systems with AI-led solutions. The UK and Ireland contribute close to 16.8 per cent of global business of TCS, and Kapur told PTI that the market is yielding "healthy conversations of varied nature". He mentioned that although GenAI ranks highly among major technological transformation trends, it goes beyond being merely a tech change. "It's also possibly a change in societal configuration," Kapur said. When asked about the current outsourcing demand environment in the UK, he said it is one characterised by "healthy conversations of varied nature", ranging from re-imagination of operating model all the way to prioritising agility. "So UK and Ireland today is second largest market for TCS globally. We contribute a little less than 17 per cent...16.8 to be precise of global business of TCS. It's a marquee market...I think if you look at the long run, the investment profile in a market like the UK continues for us," he said. The company is focused on investing in talent, and innovation in the UK, he said. "Our base port in London continues to thrive, solving customer problems, in collaboration with academics, in collaboration with startups. So we are thriving an ecosystem which brings the solutions closer to the industry," he said. On the Virgin Atlantic-TCS partnership, Kapur said it will strengthen the core engine on which the airline operates, make it leaner, efficient, and ensure that it has the integrity and resilience. "Second thing it will do is stimulate growth. Virgin has big ambitions of connecting more passengers, transporting more passengers, more journeys, making it personalised. So on these two broad pillars - strengthening the core and stimulating growth again - is where the partnership is positioned...again on the back of tech transformation, talent transformation, the ways of working," he said. Kapur noted that over the past eight years, the UK economy has faced persistent macroeconomic challenges, including Brexit, the pandemic, rising living costs, recession fears, and evolving workforce expectations. Despite these hurdles, British businesses have remained resilient, staying closely connected with employees and maintaining a steady course in decision-making. "If you look back on the UK business...for the last eight odd years, possibly little longer, I think there is one or the other macros which has overshadowed the economy, whether Brexit, there was pandemic, cost of living, there's been war, there is fear of recession, there's tariff expectations and things like that," he said. He went on to add: "I think the British businesses have felt this macroeconomics, but have stayed close to consumers and employees and have continued the path of decision making. I think when we look at our relationship with Virgin, it is possibly a reflection of that decision-making that while we know that there are uncertainties around but there are elements that we can do and prepare ourselves for," he said. Celebi Ground Handling India's arbitration application for interim measures against Adani Ahmedabad International Airport over the cancellation of security permits was dismissed, according to exchange filing by its Turkish parent company. The company said it will appeal to the Supreme Court. Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety (BCAS) on May 15 revoked the security clearance, days after Turkey backed Pakistan and condemned India's strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country. "The arbitration application filed by our company, Celebi Ground Handling India Pvt Ltd, in which our company owns 61% of the capital, against Adani Ahmedabad International Airport Limited in the Ahmedabad Commercial Court on 27.05.2025, seeking interim measures due to the cancellation of security clearances by the Civil Aviation Security Bureau in relation to its operations at Ahmedabad International Airport, was rejected on 02.06.2025," said the company. The Bombay High Court on May 26, temporarily restrained Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from finalising tenders for ground and bridge handling services. The court ruled that the temporary halt will continue until Turkish firm Celebi's plea challenging the termination of its contract is heard when the court reopens in June. This interim order was issued by a vacation bench of Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan. The court order bars MIAL from taking any final decision on tenders floated on May 17 for a new ground handling agency. The revocation of security clearance of Celebi came amid backlash in India over Turkey's support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The company had moved the High Court last week against revocation of its security clearance and subsequent termination of its contract with MIAL. Celebi's plea was mentioned before Justice Sundaresan seeking urgent relief against any decision on the tenders issued by MIAL on May 17. (Bloomberg) -- Vodafone Group Plc was hit by a record 45 million ($51.3 million) data privacy fine in Germany over malicious behavior by third-party sales agents. The actions of partner agencies that broker contracts to customers on behalf of Vodafone led to fraud, including fictitious contracts or term changes at the expense of clients, Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, Germanys federal data protection commissioner, said in a statement Tuesday. If data breaches happen, we take action with all the means at our disposal, Specht-Riemenschneider said. This is the highest fine my agency has ever imposed. Privacy watchdogs across the European Union have increased their scrutiny under the blocs comprehensive General Data Protection Regulation and started to levy hefty penalties. Meta Platforms Inc., the parent of Facebook, was slapped by a record 1.2 billion fine in Ireland over data transfer violations, while Amazon.com Inc. faced a 746 million penalty from Luxembourg regulators for improper use of personal data in advertising. The German Vodafone penalty had two components. A 15 million part was imposed because Vodafone didnt sufficiently vet and monitor the sales agents for data-protection compliance. A fine of 30 million was imposed for security flaws in the online customer identification which allowed unauthorized persons access to eSIM profiles, according to the statement. Vodafone fully cooperated, changed its processes and already paid the fine, Specht-Riemenschneider said. Germany Revenue Growth Recovery Vodafone Group Plc Chief Executive Officer Margherita Della Valle said the companys biggest market, Germany, may return to revenue growth in the current fiscal year after heavy competition and a regulatory change cost it millions of customers and pushed down sales. Also Read | Vodafone resumes relief talks with govt., links capex to bank funding Vodafone will continue feeling the impact from the legal change which barred landlords from bundling rent with TV and broadband services for another quarter, Della Valle said in a call with reporters on Tuesday. The change has cost the company more than half of its TV customers living in housing complexes in Germany, but is projected to stabilize, she added. Germany, which has taken on greater importance after Vodafone sold off units in Spain and Italy, has been a drag on the companys revenue for the past four quarters. Vodafones also dealing with heavier competition and took a 4.35 billion ($4.9 billion) impairment charge for the year on the value of the business because of its falling profit and growth expectations, the Newbury, England-based company said in a statement. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- The federal personnel agency has launched an online system for processing retirement applications, ending a paper-based method that had remained largely unchanged for decades. The rollout is one of the more tangible changes from a larger effort to modernize government operations under the Department of Government Efficiency, a high-profile initiative championed early on by Elon Musk and other tech figures brought into the administration. President Donald Trump cited the project as one of DOGEs top accomplishments as Musk wrapped his stint as a special government employee at the White House last week. The Office of Personnel Managements new retirement portal went live on Monday. Most federal employees starting the retirement process will be required to use it right away, with paper forms being phased out for others by July 15, according to a memo from acting OPM Director Charles Ezell. People have given decades of their life to the government 30-plus years and they go to retire and theyre met with an obstacle course, said Joe Gebbia, a co-founder of Airbnb Inc. and one of many people from the tech and finance world brought in to help with the effort. The new system is intended to streamline a process long criticized for its delays and dependence on manual paperwork. The retirement process now takes as long as four to six months, with retirees living on a reduced pension payment while a sprawling bureaucracy collects information to calculate the amount of the annuity. That old system relied on federal workers at a former limestone mine in Pennsylvania, a facility that still houses millions of retirement records and became a metaphor for the governments digital shortcomings. That paperwork will still be maintained for current retirees, but any new retirements must be initiated electronically. Paper will be around for a long time. Its a matter of not creating new paper, Gebbia said. About 100,000 federal employees retire every year, and the Trump administration has encouraged many workers to leave early through various early retirement programs. Career OPM staffers worked alongside DOGE to make the overhaul happen, Gebbia said. He said new system was as much a design challenge as a technical one, with the agency trying to ensure that the system was easy to use for retirees, agencies and the governments in-house payroll processors. For too long, he said, the federal government has been operating in what he called a design desert. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Maruti Suzuki India Ltds exports nearly doubled in May, as its sales to its parent Suzuki Motor Corp's home market Japan surged amid a slowdown in the country's car market and global trade uncertainties. India's largest car seller is targeting 400,000 passenger vehicle exports in the current financial year as it seeks to offset a slowdown in the domestic market. In FY25, Maruti Suzuki exported 332,585 passenger vehicles. Maruti's overseas sales in May rose 80%, its fastest pace in five months, to 31,719 passenger vehicles while domestic sales fell 5% to 148,858 units. Incremental growth was led by sales of Fronx and Jimny in the Japanese market. Japan has quickly become our second-largest export destination. We are also seeing strong momentum in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia which have been our strong markets," Rahul Bharti, senior executive officer of corporate affairs at Maruti Suzuki, said on Monday during a media briefing. Global markets drive momentum Exports of electric vehicles, which are set to start later this year, will further boost international sales, he added. Maruti Suzuki had previously said that it will export a majority of the 70,000 EVs it will produce in FY26. The surge in sales across the world, which also includes Chile, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico, is allowing Maruti to increase its global footprint despite the threat of US president Donald Trumps threat to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50%. Marutis surge in passenger vehicle exports comes at a time when carmakers of the country are increasingly tapping the international markets. In FY25, passenger vehicle exports from India grew by 15% to 770,364 units. Domestic market under pressure The uptick in exports helped Maruti offset some impact of slowdown in sales in the domestic market, which was affected by border tensions with Pakistan in May. States affected by border tensions with Pakistan accounted for more than a fifth of Maruti's sales and the cities most affected constituted about 9% of its sales. Despite the impact of border tensions on consumers in border states, our growth remained in line with industry," Partho Banerjee, head of sales and marketing at Maruti Suzuki, said. The management highlighted the rising cost of small cars due to increasing regulations, making them unaffordable for a vast majority of consumers again. Earlier on 25 April, Maruti chairman R.C. Bhargava had said that growth in the car market will not pick up unless cars become affordable again. In this current year, sales of small cars have declined by about 9%. If there is such a decline in the sales of cars that can be afforded by 88% of people earning, how can we expect growth?" Bhargava had said during the post-earnings briefing. Meanwhile, Banerjee struck an optimistic note during the briefing, saying that the expectation of a good monsoon will boost rural growth, likely creating demand for cars. We have also calibrated our dispatches to dealers to ensure inventory doesnt pile up. Our inventory level was at 35 days," Banerjee said. While Maruti Suzukis domestic sales struggled, Mahindras wholesale dispatches during May rose 21% year-on-year to 52,431 units. Tata Motors sold 42,040 cars in May, a decline of 11%. As per industry estimates for the current financial year, the car market is expected to grow by just 1-2%. In FY25, the countrys car market grew by 2% to 4.3 million units. Maruti Suzukis share price has surged by 9% so far in 2025, as against a 0.7% increase in Nifty Auto index. * Indian central bank reviewing ownership rules for banks * Foreign banks eager to tap India's rapid growth, trade deals * SMBC's deal for Yes Bank shows foreign interest, RBI flexibility By Ira Dugal and Swati Bhat MUMBAI, June 3 (Reuters) - The Indian banking regulator is signalling possible rule changes ahead that would let foreigners own more of India's banks, spurred by overseas institutions' eagerness for acquisitions and the fast-growing economy's need for more long-term capital. The Reserve Bank of India last month bent its rules to let Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp buy a 20% stake in Yes Bank, and two foreign institutions are vying for a stake in IDBI Bank, highlighting the pressure to ease foreign ownership rules that are among the strictest of any major economy. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra told the Times of India last week that the central bank was examining shareholding and licensing rules for banks as part of a broader review. A source familiar with the central bank's thinking said it would be more open to letting regulated financial institutions own bigger stakes, with approvals on a case-by-case basis, and to certain rule changes that could address disincentives for foreign acquisitions. Analysts say foreign banks are keen for deals in India, the world's fastest-growing major economy, especially as it angles for regional trade agreements. Such pacts could open up new opportunities in India for global lenders elsewhere in Asia and the Middle East. "The interest is driven by India's strong economic growth and large under-penetrated market," said Madhav Nair, deputy chairman of the Indian Banks Association. Indian regulators, for their part, worry that India lags other large economies in mobilising banking capital, which will be vital to sustaining rapid economic growth. Alka Anbarasu, associate managing director at Moody's Investors Service, said India will need much more capital for its banking system over the medium term. "Whether this has prompted the regulator to consider bringing in strong international players into the banking system, it would be a good rationale for doing so," she said. While most large global banks from Citibank to HSBC to Standard Chartered have operations in India, they are focused on the more profitable corporate and transaction banking segments, along with trading, rather than bread-and-butter lending. The share of foreign banks in outstanding bank credit in India is less than 4%, central bank data shows. Banking remains one of the most guarded sectors of the Indian economy. While foreigners including portfolio investors can own up to 74%, regulations limit a strategic foreign investor's stake to 15%. Foreign banks are also deterred by a maze of other regulations, including a 26% cap on voting rights and a requirement that any large shareholding by a so-called promoter - a strategic investor with direct influence over management decisions - be sold down to 26% within 15 years. The RBI is open to giving foreign buyers more time to sell down their stake, the source familiar with the bank's thinking said. The source declined to be identified as the deliberations are confidential. The RBI did not respond to an email seeking comment. The source also highlighted the banking regulator's increased openness to case-by-case exemptions from the 15% ownership limit, as offered for the Yes Bank purchase. The $1.58 billion deal was the largest cross-border acquisition ever in India's financial sector. Two foreign investors - Canada's Fairfax Holdings and Emirates NBD - are also contending for a 60% stake in government-owned IDBI Bank. Emirates recently received regulatory approval to set up an Indian subsidiary, making it only the third major foreign bank to do so after Singapore's DBS and State Bank of Mauritius. The decision was prompted by an interest to acquire a majority stake in IDBI Bank, a source familiar with the buyers' thinking said. Emirates NBD declined to comment. Fairfax did not respond to a request for comment. An increase in the 26% cap on voting rights, or in the 15% investment limit, could encourage foreign bank investors, ratings agency Fitch said in a note last week. It believes the RBI's preference is for foreign banks with a strong performance and solid governance to acquire stakes larger than 26% through wholly owned subsidiaries regulated in India. The source familiar with RBI thinking said the limit on voting rights was hard-coded in law and would need to be reviewed by the finance ministry. On regulatory issues under the central bank's purview, the source added, the stance on foreign strategic investors may need to be adjusted, especially given domestic investors' lack of interest in running banks. "Where the long-term capital will come from will have to be thought through," the source said. New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI) India's IT sector has moved dramatically from outsourcing model to now being a technology and innovation hub, Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Officer Shai Weiss has said as the British carrier announced a seven-year deal with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to modernise airline operations with AI-led solutions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will augment and enhance aviation sector taking personalisation to the next level for the industry, Weiss told PTI in an interview. "It starts from the top, understanding what you want to buy, how you want to buy it, how we present ourselves, optimising the price for you, ensuring that we can put you at the right seat, anticipating what you want to eat, and then, of course, throughout the customer service and the operations...how we process payments. And so it's across everything," Weiss said on AI's transformational capabilities. He added: "We're very lucky to operate and cooperate with some of the leading AI and technology companies in the world. And together with TCS, I think we have a pretty good opportunity here to take Virgin Atlantic to the next level." The technology sector in India has moved dramatically from just outsourcing to now being a technological and innovation hub, he said. Weiss also highlighted the Virgin Atlantic's deep connection with India, emphasising airline's commitment to cultural inclusivity and personalised service, exemplified by local cabin crew on board, all the way to offering 'samosas' and local flavours onboard. "Every single flight that Virgin Atlantic flies into and from India, have four local cabin crew, we have beautiful 'samosas' on board. So that's the point of seeing the world differently. That's the point of adaptation. That's the point of respect to the local culture that we do so differently," he said. TCS has expanded its two-decade-long strategic partnership with Virgin Atlantic to accelerate its digital transformation journey. Weiss said he views this as "renewing our vows". "If the previous 20 years were about technology and outsourcing and transformation, this is about innovation. This is about personalisation. This is, of course, about Generative AI...but this is about the future of making sure that Virgin Atlantic continues to be a premium brand that is loved with a mission to be the most loved travel company. The bar is set very high, underpinned by digital technology, personalisation," he said. As part of this long-term engagement, TCS will modernise Virgin Atlantic's core technology operations by implementing a cloud-first, AI-powered digital core that enhances business agility, improves resilience of systems, and allows for higher scale of operations. TCS will implement a modern, AI-powered technology estate that will unify the airline's technology assets and deploy an advanced technology command centre. This will serve as the nerve centre for transforming Virgin Atlantic's technology operations. Virgin Atlantic's Technology Command Centre, co-developed with TCS, will provide real-time operational insights to enhance decision-making, streamline technology operations and empower frontline staff with up to date, contextual data. This will, in turn, support the elevation of both customer and crew experiences, enabling efficient, smarter and more sustainable journeys, and superior hyper-personalised customer experience across every touchpoint of airline travel. "Many a times when there's a technology revolution, services come out of favour. I can assure you that aviation and travel are here to stay, and we're only going to get better if we use technology," he said. By utilising extensive customer data, the airline can personalise services -- from anticipating meal and beverage preferences to optimising flight schedules and ensuring timely operations. This data-driven approach allows for proactive problem-solving, such as addressing potential issues promptly, in the process, elevating the overall travel experience, according to him. "We have a lot of data about our customers, which they want us to have, and if we are able to take that and customise and personalise the service, the experience that we provide you from the small things to the very large, you know from anticipating what it is you'd like to drink and eat, we already asked you to tell us what you'd like to eat on the plane, rather than asking you when you're there, ensuring that our planes fly on time, that we save fuel, that we can anticipate things that go wrong, that we can fix them as soon as we land, the sky is the limit, no pun intended here, and this is where technology comes into play," he said. With the emergence of technology, that allows the power of intelligent decision making, Virgin Atlantic is betting on digital-first approach to set it apart as a premium brand. Travel and tourism will contribute almost 42 trillion and about 64 million jobs to Indias economy by 2035, but the country will need to invest more heavily in infrastructure and destination marketing to stay competitive and maintain the growth momentum in the sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said. The sector has bounced back, with international visitor spending touching an all-time high of 3.1 trillion in 2024, beating pre-pandemic levels, according to new data from the WTTC. Domestic travellers pushed the total spending within the country to 15.5 trillion last year, up 22% from 2019, according to the council's latest Economic Impact Research. The report shows a significant recovery in international travel following the pandemic, which had shifted focus largely to domestic tourism. WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson, whos in India this week, told Mint that India has what it takes to become one of the worlds most exciting travel economiesbut nows the time to market it better. Its important for India to tell its story to the world," Simpson said. "There is a call for spending more on marketing the country and some people are concerned there is not enough marketing spends but Im confident that India will do that because its very important, as a country grows its infrastructure, to start telling its stories, of new destinations that people can travel to and so on. There are destinations in India that are already very sophisticated, and people come to them, but you need to market the new ones." She said she is confident India will invest more in infrastructure and destination marketing. The London-based council, which represents over 200 CEOs of the worlds top travel and tourism companies, said India is on track to become one of the worlds most dynamic tourism economies in the next decade or so, led by domestic travellers. But it also stressed that consistent policy support and stronger global marketing will be key to sustaining that growth. Growth momentum It added that in total, the sector contributed almost 21 trillion to the country's GDP in 2024about 6.6% of the economyand supported a record 46.5 million jobs. By comparison, tourism and culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had told the Lok Sabha in November 2024 that tourism accounted for a combined 5% of Indias GDP in 20232.6% through direct contributions and 2.4% through indirect impact. The momentum is expected to continue. WTTC projects the sectors contribution will rise to over 22 trillion in 2025, with jobs crossing 48 million. India hosted 20 million international visitors in 2024an increase of 2.3 million since 2019. Business travel, too, showed signs of a revival, reaching 1.1 trillion last year2.6% higher than its 2019 peak. Simpson said Indias greatest asset right now is its robust domestic travel base. India has a very, very strong domestic travel market, similar to China and the US, and domestic markets are actually very important to the growth of tourism of a sector because it gives a lot of resilience to the sector. All big economies need strong domestic figures," she said. She also pointed to the rise in high-spending Indian-origin travellers. Its a very significant and serious economy now and so many countries globally are now vying for Indian tourists, who also become their own brand ambassadors and bring in more travellers," she said Simpson added that Thailand and Vietnam market themselves so well compared with other countries and India is going to do it "in its own way as it is a very significant and serious economy." Im very positive about India. More people will come as the economy grows," she said. Seamless travel The country has also taken steps to make travel more seamless for many countries, she said, though it still trails regional peers in visibility and global promotion, also because India's international marketing budgets or the Incredible India campaign now has a negligible 3 crore for this fiscal year. But investing more on that side is worth it. Its not just about the seamlessness of it but also that it indicates to the traveller how sophisticated and innovative you are as a country," she added. In 2023, the sector had already begun to recover, contributing 16.5 trillion to the country's GDP, with domestic spending at 12.6 trillion and international visitors contributing 2 trillion. Employment in the sector reached 39 million, WTTC said. Also Read | This hotel chain doubles down on spiritual tourism, luxury & metro hubs Whats changed since then is the scale. But the WTTC cautioned that the next decade wont see the same sharp spikes. International visitor spending in 2025 is projected to rise to 3.2 trillionjust 10,000 crore more than this year. Business travel, while improving, is still only inching forward. This week, the council and its India chapter, WTTCII signed another memorandum of understanding to strengthen their ties for future collaboration and possibly host a global summit in India in the next few years. Nvidia-backed cloud operator Nebius Group NV, spun out from Russian internet giant Yandex, said it has raised $1 billion in convertible debt to expand its operations next year. Amsterdam-based cloud computing services company plans to use the capital to finance additional infrastructure and expand its data-center footprint. The notes are in two tranches: $500 million in convertible notes due in 2029 and $500 million due in 2031, the company said in a statement on Monday. The notes will convert into equity on the basis of the original, principal amount of the debt. Last December, Nebius had raised $700 million from investors including Nvidia Corp. and Accel Partners. Nebius Chief Executive Officer Arkady Volozh had said at the time that he anticipated raising more this year as the company works to expand its GPU clusters a package of specialized AI chips and cloud services within data centers, reported Bloomberg. Last year, the company renamed itself after selling its business in Russia, which included Yandexs popular Russian search engine, amid geopolitical pressure and sanctions following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Goldman Sachs is acting as the sole placement agent and the notes will go to qualified institutional buyers, the company said. Nvidia acquires stake in Nebius rival CoreWeave Earlier in May, Nvidia had reported a larger-than-anticipated stake in Nebius rival CoreWeave Inc. Nvidia, the worlds most valuable chipmaker, disclosed a holding of 24.18 million shares, or about 7% of outstanding stock, as of March 31. That stake, included in a 13G filing, compared with a 5.2% figure in CoreWeaves prospectus. The amount showed how Nvidia supported CoreWeaves late-March initial public offering, acquiring about 6 million shares to add to its existing holding. Santa Clara, California-based Nvidia, which has fast become one of the most influential companies in Silicon Valley, anchored the IPO with an order of about $250 million, Bloomberg had reported. (Bloomberg) -- Petroliam Nasional Bhd. is considering options for its Canadian company formerly known as Progress Energy Resources Corp., including a sale, according to people familiar with the matter. Petronas, as the Malaysian state energy firm is known, is working with a financial adviser on a potential disposal, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private. A transaction could value the Canadian business at $6 billion to $7 billion, they said. Petronas may also consider selling a minority stake in the business, depending on valuation, the people said. The company has started sounding out preliminary interest from prospective buyers, they said. Considerations are ongoing and no final decisions have been made, they added. A representative for Petronas couldnt immediately respond to a request seeking comment. Petronas bought Progress Energy for about $5.3 billion in 2012, boosting the Kuala Lumpur-based firms shale-gas assets and gas supplies. Petronas also holds a 25% stake in the LNG Canada project, a joint venture for liquefied natural gas in which Shell Plc, PetroChina Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Corp. and Korea Gas Corp. also participate. Lower oil prices have hit Petronas, which reported a slide of more than 30% in net income in 2024 and announced job cuts that will start taking place this year. Petronas Canada operates in the North Montney basin in northeast British Columbia and, together with joint venture partners, owns more than 800,000 gross acres of mineral rights with 53 trillion cubic feet of reserves and contingent resources, its website shows. --With assistance from Vinicy Chan and Anisah Shukry. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- Prosus NVs President and Chief Investment Officer Ervin Tu will step down from his role after a nearly four-year tenure during which the South African-Dutch tech investment company restructured itself and appointed a new chief executive officer. Tu, who joined in August 2021, will stay on as an adviser, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. He had served as acting CEO before the appointment of Fabricio Bloisi last year. Ive accomplished what I wanted to achieve, and the group is in very good hands, Tu, 49, said in the statement. Tu had taken on the interim CEO role after Bob van Dijk stepped down in 2023, and was part of the team that attempted to simplify the groups complex ownership structure and reignite growth in its core business. The Amsterdam-based technology investor is majority-owned by Cape Town-based Naspers Ltd., which had spun off and listed Prosus in 2019, maintaining the same management team across both groups. Naspers was an early investor in Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd., and as the Tencent holding ballooned in value over the years, the investment distorted Nasperss share price. The split, giving Prosus control over the Tencent stake and the groups other technology investments, was an attempt to address that. Bloisi was appointed to the CEO role for both companies in 2024, joining from a Prosus portfolio company Brazilian delivery business iFood. He will earn a $100 million bonus if he can double Prosuss market value by the end of June 2028 and maintain it for another year. Under Bloisi, the company is expanding through deals including the 4.1 billion ($4.7 billion) acquisition of Just Eat Takeaway.com NV and a $1.7 billion deal for online travel agency Despegar.com Corp. Prosuss shares have gained 36% since July 1. --With assistance from Rene Vollgraaff. (Updates with additional details throughout) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Bengaluru: Brookfield-backed Schloss Bangalore will build a mixed-use project, including a 250-room Leela luxury palace hotel, a 700,000 sq ft office tower and the Arq Club, in Mumbai's premium business district, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). A consortium led by Schloss Bangalore has been allotted 2.1 acres in BKC by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for a 1,302 crore lease premium, the newly-listed company said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday. The land parcel in BKC's prime G block has a total permissible built-up area of over 3.62 lakh sq ft. Of the total payable premium for the 80-year lease, 25% is payable within two months of the offer of allotment, and the remaining 75% within 10 months thereafter. The Schloss Bangalore-led consortium that includes Arliga Ecospace Business Park and Schloss Chanakya had submitted its bid for the land parcel in February. Schloss Bangalore and subsidiary Schloss Chanakya will hold 50% in the consortium, while Arliga Ecospace Business Park will hold the remaining 50% stake along with its affiliates. The possession of the aforesaid plot shall be handed over after the payment of the total lease premium, the filing said. Schloss, which operates The Leela brand of hotels across cities, plans to open seven new Leela branded luxury hotels in spiritual, hill stations, wildlife, heritage and grandeur, and business categories in the next three years. The new hotels will be built in Ayodhya, Ranthambore, Gangtok, Srinagar, Bandhavgarh, Agra, and Mumbai, as Schloss plans to expand its portfolio to 20 from 13 hotels, catering to the luxury traveller. Schloss has 13 hotels with 3,353 keys, and the seven new hotel projects will add another 678 keys. Five of the seven new hotels will be owned, and the remaining two will be managed or franchised. Our focus is on luxury, which is where demand is being generated. In comparison, the supply of luxury hotels is limited," Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela, said in an interview with Mint in May. The Allahabad High Court rejected Patanjali Ayurved Limited's plea challenging the 273.50 crore goods and service tax (GST) penalty, PTI reported on Tuesday, 3 June 2025. The high court bench comprising Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Vipin Chandra Dixit dismissed Patanjali's argument that such cases are made up of criminal liability and can be imposed only after a criminal trial. Also Read | Patanjali Foods rejects reports of Centre's notice to Patanjali Ayurved 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, said the judicial bench, as per the report. The court observed that the tax authorities can impose penalties on firms under Section 122 of the GST Act through civil proceedings without requiring criminal court trials. Patanjali Ayurved's sister concern, Patanjali Foods, even though a separate entity, is listed in the Indian stock market. Shares of Patanjali Foods were trading 0.44 per cent lower at 1,690.20 during Tuesday's stock market session, compared to 1,697.65 in the previous market close. Patanjali Ayurved gets GST notice The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Ghaziabad, issued a show cause notice to Patanjali Ayurved on 19 April 2024 proposing a penalty of 273.51 crore under various sections of the GST Act, reported the news agency. Later, the DGGI dropped tax demands under Section 74 in an order dated 10 January 2025. The department reportedly found that the quantities sold for all commodities were more than those purchased from the suppliers. 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, the DGGI said. Despite dropping the tax demand, the tax authorities decided to continue with the penalty proceedings under Section 122, prompting Patanjali to challenge the order in the high court. Patanjali Ayurved operates three manufacturing units at Haridwar, Sonipat, and Ahmednagar. The company reportedly was under investigation following information received by authorities about suspicious transactions with high input tax credit (ITC) utilisation. The investigation reportedly found that Patanjali was acting as a main person involved in circular trading of tax invoices on paper without supplying actual goods. According to an earlier Mint report, Patanjali Foods Ltd. rejected reports that Patanjali Ayurved Limited received notice from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on Sunday, 1 June 2025. It also said that Patanjali Ayurved is not being investigated by the authorities. The board of directors of Toyota Industries Corporation said it has received a $33 billion offer from Toyota Group companies to take the company private, Bloomberg reported on June 3. The deal, which will involve a tender offer for shares of the conglomerate for 16,300 a share 11 per cent below Toyota Industries closing price on June 3 could solidify the founding family's grip over Japans biggest business empire, it added. Toyota Industries, will go private under a holding company comprised of Toyota Motor and others, the statement said. Sources told Bloomberg that the parties concerned have picked financial advisers and are working toward a tender offer as soon as November this year. Shares in Toyota Industries rose less than 1 per cent in trading in Tokyo on June 3. The stock has risen over 40 per cent since reports of the buyout were first broken by Bloomberg. Toyota Industries going private? All you need to know The statement added that a new holding company will be established to privatise Toyota Industries. The deal will involve a tender offer for the shares for Toyota Industries' 16,300 each. Buyers from the Toyota Group will require a total of around 4.7 trillion ($32.9 billion) for the deal, a spokesperson told Bloomberg. Investment in the holding company will include 180 billion from Toyoda Fudosan Co., 700 billion from Toyota Motor in the form of non-voting preferred shares, and a personal investment of 1 billion from Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda. In addition to the investments, Toyota Motor and its suppliers Aisin Corp., Denso Corp. and Toyota Tsusho will sell their shares in Toyota Industries and acquire their own shares held by Toyota Industries through the tender offers for their treasury shares. . What issues does the deal resolve? Why is it significant? If it goes through, this would be among the biggest buyouts on record anywhere in the world. Notably, it resolves a long-criticised parent-child structure between the companies. This will dissolve the cross-shareholding between Toyota Industries and those four companies, except Toyota Motor, will continue to invest in Toyota Industries in the form of preferred shares mentioned above, the statement noted. The measures also align with the Japanese governments efforts to encourage big companies to unwind cross-held shares with subsidiaries and other businesses. Sources told Bloomberg that a special board committee, created to evaluate the proposal as per government guidelines, is evaluating the buyout proposal by a special purpose vehicle established by Toyoda. Importantly, the takeover may give Akio Toyoda greater influence over the carmaker founded by his grandfather Kiichiro Toyoda. Toyota Motor is today among the biggest carmakers in the world with annual production of more than 11 million vehicles. Toyota Industries was founded by Toyodas great-grandfather Sakichi. It today supplies textile looms, forklifts and parts for Toyotas cars. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Chief Executive Officer C. C. Wei blamed worsening traffic snarls for delays in expanding its base in southwestern Japan, even while a parallel US effort races ahead. Wei reaffirmed a commitment to spend another $100 billion ramping up manufacturing in Arizona over the next half-decade. He stressed productive discussions with Donald Trump earlier this year, even after telling the US president it will be very, very difficult to complete such a big buildout in five years because of a shortage of skilled labor. Trump was warm during their exchange, Wei said. The twin projects embody TSMCs impetus to produce abroad as geopolitical tensions rise and demand grows for Nvidia Corp. chips essential for developing AI. TSMC has long operated mostly from its home turf of Taiwan but built a plant in Japan after securing a raft of commitments and incentives from Tokyo. It then announced plans to dramatically increase its US investment days after Trump took office. We have created too big an impact on the local traffic. I have experienced that in person. For what used to take a 10-15 min drive, it now takes almost an hour, the CEO told reporters after hosting a shareholders meeting in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Tuesday. We told the Japanese government well delay the construction until the traffic improves. They said theyll make improvements as soon as possible. But Wei did not specify the length of the delay, which he characterized as minor. The worlds largest contract chipmaker sits at the heart of the global technology supply chain, producing cutting-edge chips for Apple Inc.s iPhones and Nvidias AI servers. Governments from Washington to Brussels have for years courted the company, particularly after shortages of certain types of semiconductors during the pandemic halted production of cars, smartphones, power tools, home appliances and other electronics. TSMCs plan to build a second factory in Kumamoto Prefecture with construction widely expected to have started in the first quarter of this year is key to Japans ambitions to regain leadership in semiconductors and attract engineers to an aging country. But the sudden influx of workers from TSMCs first plant is already bogging down rural infrastructure, even as the chipmakers plans in the US lowers the urgency of production in Japan. The holdup recalled earlier hitches in getting production up and running at Arizonas newest US facilities though TSMC has made significant headway since. Japanese municipalities are able to tap central government subsidies to improve roads and other infrastructure to better attract foreign factories, according to a government panel. But in a country where many people feel a strong connection to ancestral land, obtaining the property rights to widen roads can take years if not decades. This will become negative for the area, for the local government, but I am most worried it will become negative for local residents, Wei said. So we told the Japanese government to improve the traffic first. There also remain questions about the longer-term outlook for AI demand. Even before Washington slapped additional tariffs on much of the world only to roll them back shortly after investors had questioned whether big tech firms from Microsoft Corp. to Meta Platforms Inc. will continue to buy Nvidia chips and build data centers at the same pace. Executives on Tuesday said demand for AI chips still outstripped supply. Wei reaffirmed the chipmaker was still looking for 2025 revenue growth in the mid-20% range, an outlook it delivered during quarterly earnings calls in April. But the executive also warned that the strengthening Taiwanese dollar was pressuring its margins, even though the company expects record profit this year. TSMC executives have stressed that demand particularly for high-end chips critical to developing artificial intelligence has remained resilient. Thats helped reassure investors fearful of the Trump administrations escalating campaign to curtail Chinas tech ambitions and impose sky-high tariffs on goods around the world. For 2025, the market remains nervous about the fallout for the global economy and a sector that supplies critical components to just about every industry on the planet. Taiwans largest company is also evaluating building an advanced production facility in the United Arab Emirates, Bloomberg News reported. The project discussed with the Trump administration is a substantial investment in whats called a gigafab, a complex of six factories similar to what TSMC is building in Arizona. On Tuesday, Wei said TSMC didnt harbor plans to build a chip fab in the region because theres no customer there. With assistance from Erica Yokoyama. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. HSINCHU, Taiwan (Reuters) -U.S. tariffs are having some impact but demand for artificial intelligence (AI) remains strong and continues to outpace supply, the chief executive of Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC said on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies have created much uncertainty for the global chip industry and TSMC, the top producer of the world's most advanced semiconductors whose customers include Apple and Nvidia. C.C. Wei, speaking at the company's annual shareholders meeting in the northern Taiwanese city of Hsinchu, said they have not seen any changes in customer behaviour due to tariff uncertainty and the situation may become clearer in coming months. "Tariffs do have some impact on TSMC, but not directly. That's because tariffs are imposed on importers, not exporters. TSMC is an exporter. However, tariffs can lead to slightly higher prices, and when prices go up, demand may go down," he said. "If demand drops, TSMC's business could be affected. But I can assure you that AI demand has always been very strong and it's consistently outpacing supply." In April, the company, the world's largest contract chipmaker, gave a bullish outlook for the year on robust demand for AI applications. In a sign of the strength of demand, Wei said TSMC's job is to provide its customers "with enough chips, and we're working hard on that. 'Working hard' means it's still not enough." Wei also commented on media reports that the company has been evaluating building chip factories in the United Arab Emirates, saying they have no plans for any such plants in the Middle East. Global automaker Volkswagen plans to lay off 35,000 jobs in Germany by the year 2030 as part of the company's cost-cutting program amid the ongoing Trump tariffs looming over the German automotive industry, reported a local news portal, Bild, on Tuesday, 3 June 2025. More than 20,000 workers at the core of the Volkswagen brand have agreed to end their contracts early, taking a voluntary retirement, according to the news portal's report, citing a works council meeting at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters. The job cuts are expected to be concentrated at German plants of the automaker, and the company aims to carry out the reductions in an acceptable manner, with those affected agreeing to the terms. Volkswagen's severance package The German automaker plans to give every employee affected by the cost-cutting measure based on their length of service. The company is likely to pay up to $400,000; however, the company did not provide any information on the total amount of severance payments, reported the news portal, citing the company's staff meeting on Tuesday. Along with the job cuts, the company will also reduce the number of apprenticeships offered annually from 1,400 to 600 starting the year 2026. These cost cuts, along with the massive layoffs, will likely save the German automaker nearly 1.5 billion euros every year in labour costs, as per the news report. Not just a voluntary resignation, nearly 130,000 or 13 lakh employees in Volkswagen's core team are accepting a payment freeze. The company aims at a five per cent salary hike paid into a fund in two stages, which will be required to fund finance, among other things, flexible working time models The news report also shed light on how these measures prevented the closure of the Volkswagen plants in Germany. Also Read | How a Volkswagen software became the centre of a $1.4 billion tax dispute Tariff woes According to an earlier Reuters report citing the Ifo Institute, the German automotive industry deteriorated further in May 2025 after reporting a fall in the business climate index in the backdrop of the Trump tariffs from the United States. The confusion surrounding the U.S. tariffs is causing problems for the automotive industry in Germany, Ifo sector specialist Anita Woelfl told the news agency. The automakers are already battling the weak demand in the European market and tough competition from foreign brands. This led to Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz to get into talks with the US government for a deal to ease the impact of tariffs. Indeed CEO Chris Hyams has decided to step down after nearly 15 years at the company. In a LinkedIn post, he shared that helping people find jobs had been the most meaningful work of his life and leaving was a very tough decision. Hisayuki Deko Idekoba, who was CEO from 2013 to 2019, returned as the new CEO starting June 2. Chris will stay on as a board advisor until the end of 2025 to help with the transition. Hyams earlier revealed that he had asked over 3,000 job candidates the same simple question for 15 years: Do you use iPhone or Android, and why? Its not about right or wrong. its about how people make decisions. He uses this as a 15-minute icebreaker to understand the person better. The answer shows their logic, preferences and personality. Most people say iPhone because of early use or habit. Some talk about favourite apps, helping Hyams see their interests. He even asks what theyd change about the platform. Its a creative way to test thinking, not just tech choice. You can actually have a really interesting set of conversations around how important it is when you choose a product, that you can get stuck with that thing for a very, very long time, Hyams told Fortune. Reaction to Chris Hyams' exit Meanwhile, Chris Hyams decision to step down attracted many reactions on LinkedIn. As an Indeed user, Ive seen the impact you've made over the past yearshelping countless people find meaningful careers. You've truly elevated the hiring experience for both candidates and recruiters alike, posted an HR professional. You leave a great legacy behind! Wishing you luck on the adventures ahead! commented a CEO. Some users thought leaving Hyams could be detrimental to the company: This is a bad sign for the future of Indeed. Unique interview questions Many top CEOs ask unique questions during job interviews to understand a candidates thinking and attitude. Former TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer asks, Tell me about a really hard project, and why was it hard? He asks the question to check if the person takes responsibility and works well in a team. Whats the hardest problem youve ever solved at work, and how did you reach a solution? asks Wisp CEO Monica Cepak. Gary Shapiro of the Consumer Technology Association asks, How soon can you start? If someone says immediately despite having a current job, he sees it as a red flag for loyalty. StockX CEO Scott Cutler throws in a brain teaser, How many degrees separate the minute and hour hands of a clock at 3:15? New Delhi/Mumbai: Indian exporters of apparel, automotive parts, pharmaceuticals and tyres with significant shipments to the US are preparing contingency plans or revising their business strategies to mitigate the business risk from the imposition of tariffs. US President Donald Trump's administration has imposed a 10% universal tariff on all imports from every country, including India. Gokaldas Exports Ltd, a listed garments exporter, will focus on expanding its business in Europe because tariffs have hurt business with its main export market the US. Since there is a lot of tariff uncertainty, we are pivoting to Europe. The idea is not to reduce our US business in absolute terms, but for incremental business we will focus on Europe including the UK," said Sivaramakrishnan Ganapathi, managing director of Gokaldas Exports. Margins of apparel exporters including Gokaldas have come under pressure following the tariff levy. US retailers have been unable to pass on the increased cost to consumers and are pushing for their suppliers to share the burden, Ganapathi said. In the short term, we may also have to bear some of that cost just to keep up the relationships," he said. Gokaldas got about three-fourths of its 3,864 crore FY25 revenue from the US. The US is the largest export destination for Indian apparel exports. This is because competing apparel-exporting nations Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Pakistan get preferential tariff rates in Europe, putting Indian exporters at a disadvantage. Indias in-principle trade agreement with the UK last month and progressing talks with the European Union could now level the playing field for Indian exporters. Once an FTA with the UK is finalised, it will bring at least a $1 billion apparel export opportunity for India. The opportunity in the EU will be much larger. We should ready ourselves up for this incremental business," Ganapathi said. India exported readymade garments worth $16 billion ( 1.35 trillion) in FY25, as per data from the Apparel Export Promotion Council, an industry group. India business Indian tyre companies are chalking out similar contingency plans. The US is a key export market for Indian tyremakers, constituting about one-fifth of the country's total overseas tyre sales of $3 billion in FY24. Balkrishna Industries Ltd, which gets almost three-fourths of its revenue from exports, will focus on expanding business in India with a series of product launches. The company now targets 8% of the global tyre market by 2030 compared with its earlier goal of a 10% share. "Please note that we are under a slow-moving economy. There are wars happening, there are trade wars happening. Uncertain times are there. So that is why we are looking at it very conservatively," Rajiv Poddar, managing director at Balkrishna Industries, said on an earnings call on 24 May. In case anything changes and there's a catalyst, we are absolutely ready to pounce on that opportunity and go back to our original vision of 10%." Ceat, which acquired Canadas Camso in December, is betting that India will be successful in signing a bilateral trade pact with the US before Sri Lanka and is planning to change its tyre distribution accordingly. Camso gets 30% of its business from the US through its two manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka. "In case the tariffs go through, we will produce for the United States from Indian facilities if tariffs are lower here and for Europe from Sri Lanka," said Arnab Banerjee, managing director and CEO at Ceat. Apprehensive pharma Indian pharmaceutical companies are exploring partnerships and investment opportunities to manufacture in the US. While the pharmaceuticals sector has not been slapped with tariffs yet by the US, Indian exporters are apprehensive of surprise levies by Trump. We have a very good balance sheet; we have a very healthy financial capacity. We are always looking for opportunities," Dr. Reddy's Laboratories chief executive Erez Israeli said last month on investing in the US. We are not rushing, and we are not obliged for any commitment But we certainly want to be in the United States long term. We will look for the relevant opportunity for us." Also Read | Bitter pill for Indian pharma as Trump tariffs could hurt exports by $2.25 billion The contingency plans of pigment manufacturer Sudarshan Chemicals include leveraging its 1,180 crore acquisition of Germanys Heubach Group. Heubach has a plant in the US as well as 19 units in Europe, allowing it the flexibility to tweak its distribution depending on the tariff scenario. "The new acquisition gives us a lot of flexibility. If there are tariffs on India, we supply from Europe into the US market," Rajesh Rathi, managing director of Sudarshan Chemicals, told Mint in March. Jessica Jani in Mumbai contributed to this story. New Delhi: India may not retaliate immediately against the US over its steep tariffs on steel and aluminium, and may instead seek their removal through the ongoing talks on a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), two people familiar with the matter said. Also Read | US meat, seafood to garnish India-US bilateral trade agreement India, in the first instance, will try to negotiate the issue between 5 June, when a US delegation is expected in New Delhi for talks on the trade agreement, and 8 June, the deadline for India to respond at the WTO. However, India will reserve its right to retaliate. A US notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO), circulated on 23 May, rejected Indias claim that the tariffs were safeguard measures under WTO rules. The WTO allows countries to take safeguard measures to protect domestic industries from a surge in imports. Also Read | Will a US-China trade agreement work? Dont count on it The BTA talks are in their final stage, with both sides showing flexibility and making positive progress. Against this backdrop, India is expected to use the trade negotiations to press for a rollback of the Section 232 duties as part of a broader package aimed at improving market access. Section 232 is a domestic US legal provision that allows the president to use tariffs on imports deemed to threaten national security. A high-ranked US delegation is set to start a second round of face-to-face talks with their Indian officials from 5 June in a bid to finalize the deal. Also Read | What the US-China trade agreement means for markets New Delhi had, earlier this month, informed the WTO of its intention to suspend concessions under the Safeguards Agreement in response to the Section 232 tariffs the US imposed in 2018 on national security grounds. This was in response to the 10 February US decision to impose a 25% tariff effective 12 March and its move to subsequently raise it to 50%. India had argued that these duties amounted to safeguard measures and warranted equivalent countermeasures. However, Washington dismissed the claim, insisting that the duties were not safeguard actions but national security measures, and therefore outside the scope of the WTOs Safeguards Agreement. Despite having legal and diplomatic tools at its disposalsuch as launching a WTO dispute under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) rules or imposing retaliatory tariffs without WTO authorizationIndia appears to be opting for a more pragmatic path. We have room to discuss all these issues in the ongoing BTA talks. If things dont get resolved there, we will still have the option to exercise our rights through international platform," said the first among the two persons mentioned above. "Its a matter of concern for us. We are reviewing all the options. The right move will be taken at the right time. Indias position is not what it used to be, but we believe in handling such critical issues with a sense of perpetuality. We will raise our concerns through structured bilateral engagement instead of fueling any immediate escalation in the midst of ongoing trade talks," the second person said. Both persons spoke on the condition of anonymity. A query sent to the commerce ministry remained unanswered till press time. Ajay Srivastava, co-founder of Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a think-tank, said, While the EU, China, and Canada had resorted to unilateral retaliation, India may be better served by securing a negotiated outcome as part of the FTA." Given the fragility of the WTOs dispute settlement mechanism and the US's refusal to recognize adverse rulings on national security measures, a negotiated path may offer more certainty and a quicker resolution," said Srivastava. According to the US response, the tariffs were imposed under Section 232 specifically for national security reasons, covered by the essential security exception under Article XXI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994not under Article XIX or the WTO safeguard rules. Article XIX is used for economic safeguard measures during import surges, while Article XXI is used for national security exceptions. This distinction matters because Article 8.2 of the Safeguards Agreement only allows a country to suspend concessions if a safeguard measure existswhich the US claims is not the case here. However, Indian exporters have expressed deep concern over the potential loss of key metal product shipments worth over $4.5 billion annually, after US President Donald Trump on Friday announced a sharp escalation in import duties on steel and aluminium, doubling existing tariffs to 50% starting 4 June under the national security provisions of Section 232. Earlier, the tariff on steel and aluminum was increased to 25% on 10 February and came into effect on 12 March. Its unfortunate that while BTA negotiations are going on, such unilateral tariff increases should be done. It only makes the work of the negotiators much more difficult and complicated," said Pankaj Chadha, chairman of Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), a commerce ministry body. This will definitely impact engineering exports, which are about $5 billion under this head," said Chadha. However, the European Commission has announced its plans to retaliate against President Donald Trumps decision to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminium. The US decision to double steel tariffs to 50% is a protectionist move aimed at safeguarding domestic steelworkers, but it will inflict shockwaves across global markets. India is one of the major exporters to the US market, and a 54% tariff on China has given India a better opportunity to export to the US," said Panckaj N. Umrania, executive director, KND Steel, a steel processing company. Now, with a 50% tariff on Indian steel, the competition will become more intense, and its ripple effects could be troublesome for small players in India," Umrania said. For India, the impact is immediate and concrete. In FY25, India exported $4.56 billion worth of steel, aluminium, and related products to the US, including $587.5 million in iron and steel, $3.1 billion in articles of iron or steel, and $860 million in aluminium and its products. These exports will now face steep duties, undermining competitiveness in Americas already pricey steel market, where rates are projected to shoot up to $1,180 per tonnefar above EU and Chinese benchmarks, as per a GTRI paper. Industry leaders are also pointing to what they see as discriminatory exemptions. The UK has been given exemption from Section 232. The same exemption should also be given to India, possibly with some Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) restrictions," Chadha said, even though the US does not currently operate a TRQ regime for Indian steel. The economic impact of these higher tariffs is expected to be significant. US steel prices are already elevated, at around $984 per tonnefar above European prices of $690 and Chinese levels of $392. In FY2025, India exported metal products worth $4.56 billion to the US, while imports from the US in the same category stood at $2.05 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of over $2.5 billion for India. The largest share of exports comprised articles of iron or steel at $3.1 billion, followed by aluminium and related products at $860 million, and iron and steel at around $587.5 million. In contrast, India imported $910.6 million worth of aluminium products and $838.3 million worth of iron and steel from the US, but bought relatively littlejust $304 millionin finished articles of iron or steel. (Recasts with defense closing arguments) * He is accused of raping an actress and assaulting two women * Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction was overturned on appeal * Former Hollywood mogul's lawyer tells jury alleged victims lied By Jack Queen NEW YORK, June 3 (Reuters) - Harvey Weinstein's lawyer urged a jury on Tuesday to find the former movie mogul not guilty of rape and sexual assault charges, accusing the three alleged victims of lying on the witness stand out of spite after their consensual sexual encounters with him failed to deliver them Hollywood stardom. In his closing argument in Weinstein's retrial in a Manhattan court, defense attorney Arthur Aidala walked the 12 jurors through what he said were inconsistencies in the women's testimony and email evidence he asserted undercut their claims that Weinstein had assaulted them. Weinstein, who pleaded not guilty, is on trial for a second time after a state appeals court threw out his conviction in April 2024. Experiencing a litany of health problems, Weinstein was present in court in a wheelchair, wearing a dark suit and tie. Weinstein, 73, is accused of raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann and assaulting the two other women in what prosecutors have called a pattern in which the onetime Hollywood kingmaker used his power and influence to lure victims and then keep them silent. Mann told jurors during the trial, which that began in April, that Weinstein raped her in a hotel room in 2013. "They are lying about what happened. Not about everything, but about a small slice - just enough to turn their regret, their buyers' remorse, into criminality," Aidala said of the accusers. "Jessica Mann lied. She's a liar," Aidala said. Prosecutors have portrayed Weinstein as a serial predator who promised career advancement in Hollywood to women, only to then coax them into private settings where he attacked them. The Miramax studio co-founder has denied ever having non-consensual sex with anyone. "Mr. Weinstein sits here an innocent man. The presumption of innocence ... The only ones who can take that away are the 12 of you," Aidala told the jurors. Prosecutors with the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg are set to deliver a closing argument later in the day. Weinstein already will likely spend the rest of his life in prison due to a 16-year prison sentence for rape in California. Weinstein was convicted of rape by a jury in the previous trial in Manhattan in February 2020, but the New York Court of Appeals threw out the conviction and ordered a new trial, citing errors by the trial judge. Weinstein had been serving a 23-year sentence in a prison in upstate Rome, New York, when the conviction was overturned. That conviction was a milestone for the #MeToo movement, which encouraged women to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct by powerful men. Weinstein has been held at New York City's Rikers Island jail since his conviction was overturned. He has had several health scares while being held at Rikers, and in September was rushed to a hospital for emergency heart surgery. During his opening statement on April 23, Aidala said the Oscar-winning producer had "mutually beneficial" relationships with his accusers, who ended up with auditions and other show business opportunities. Bragg's office originally accused Weinstein of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping Mann in 2013, charges he was convicted of in the first trial. For the retrial, prosecutors added a new charge that Weinstein assaulted another woman in Manhattan in 2002. The woman, Kaja Sokola of Poland, testified that Weinstein assaulted her in a Manhattan hotel room. More than 100 women, including famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of misconduct. He has denied assaulting anyone or having non-consensual sex. Miramax studio produced many hit movies in its heyday, including "Shakespeare in Love" and "Pulp Fiction." Weinstein's own eponymous film studio filed for bankruptcy in March 2018, five months after the original sexual misconduct accusations became widely publicized. Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 3 (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." Earlier today, a Chennai Mahila court awarded a life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of 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". Actor Kamal Haasan has agreed to stall the release of his upcoming film Thug Life in Karnataka, following the controversy over his recent remarks on Tamil and Kannada. He said that Kannada was born out of Tamil during the audio release event of Thug Life. Kamal Haasan's Thug Life to not release in Karnataka On Tuesday, Kamal Hassan refused to apologise to the Karnataka High Court for his statement. He said that he had no malice', as per LiveLaw. He also proposed to have a dialogue with the Film Chamber in the matter. Earlier during the hearing, the HC rapped the actor for his controversial remark. The court said, You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses. There is no apology in it. You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses. The division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure cannot make such statements. What has happened because of it is unrest, disharmony. People of Karnataka only asked for an apology. Now you come here seeking protection, the court added, reported LiveLaw. Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa clarified that Kamal Haasans statement is being interpreted out of context. He added that the remark was made in the presence of a leading star from the Kannada film industry itself and submitted his clients official response to the matter. HC to Kamal Haasan However, upon going through the statement, the court remarked that it lacked any form of apology. The court also questioned Kamal Haasan's expertise, On what basis have you made the statement, are you a historian, linguist. On what basis did you speak? (sic) Thug Life is scheduled to hit the theatres across India, except Karnataka, on 5 June for now. Kamal Haasan, who declined to offer an apology, had moved the High Court asking for a direction for the film's release after many objected to it being released in the state. Citing the example of Rajgopal Acharya, who once made a similar statement 75 years ago, the court said that an apology from Kamal Haasan would have been appropriate instead of seeking protection for the release of his film. The bench also said, You know the importance of the film, saying it is made by Mani Ratnam, but you cannot make a statement (Apology). For your own creation, you want police machinery to support now. Language is a sentiment attached to the people. You are not an ordinary man, you are a public figure. People writing on social media are also being investigated. Rana Naidu season 2 trailer release: Netflix India just dropped the official trailer for Tamil star Rana Daggubati's hit crime drama Rana Naidu season 2, and the fans are thrilled. The much-awaited Rana Naidu Season 2 will premiere on the OTT giant platform on June 13. It stars Venkatesh Daggubati, Rana Daggubati, Arjun Rampal, Suchitra Pillai, Gaurav Chopra, and Surveen Chawla in the lead. Watch the official trailer here: Also Read | Rana Naidu season 2 OTT release date OUT: When and where to watch Here's how netizens reacted: Social media users had their maza aa gaya moment, thanks to the out of the park action in the Rana Naidu Season 2 trailer. Netizens were also thrilled to witness Arjun Rampal as a villain. Maza Aa Gaya, a user declared, while another said, Zabardast This trailer is fire. Cast to aur bhi LIT hai, said another user. Rana Naidu S2 Goosebumps, quipped a user. This season is going to be lit. Love Rana Naidu, said a fan. Another fan said, Superb trailer. Rana acting is really excellent. This is sickk. super stoked for se2! said a user. Super excited to watch, a user added. A fan said, Arjun Rampal comes down the track and hits it out of the park. Arjun Rampal as a villain is absolute cinema. All the best to Netflix and all the cast and crew. Can't wait to watch this series, added another fan. A user said, referring to the star's iconic characters, Bhallal Dev and Ra One are back! Rana Naidu Season 2 Netflix's official synopsis for the series reads, Rana Naidu embarks on one last job to secure his familys future before getting out of the 'fixing' business for good, but soon finds himself entangled in conflicts with his loved ones - and the looming threat of a ruthless underworld figure from his past. Rana Naidu 1 Meanwhile, the first season of Rana Naidu focused on the story of Rana Naidu who is known as the fixer of the stars, cleaning the messes of his celebrity clients. While he is good at his job, his personal life takes a backseat. He struggles at home in terms of his relationship with his wife and two kids. Sudha Reddy, Chairperson of the Sudha Reddy Foundation and Director of MEIL, was named Global Ambassador for the Miss World Organisation at the 72nd Miss World Festival finale. This appointment marks the organisation's first global ambassadorship and acknowledges Reddy's work in social impact, humanitarian efforts, and equitable development. As Global Ambassador for Beauty With A Purpose, the charitable arm of the Miss World Organisation, Reddy will contribute to global outreach efforts and projects in various countries. Her contributions will include promoting humanitarian initiatives and highlighting narratives from across the globe, aiming to support the organization's impact. Reddy also served on the jury for the Miss World 2025 Grand Finale, offering her perspective to the selection of the titleholder. Reddy leads MEIL and the Sudha Reddy Foundation, promoting education and humanitarian initiatives. (Photo Credit: Dream N Hustle Media) Prior to the main event, Reddy organised the Beauty With A Purpose Gala, which brought together 108 contestants at her estate, Mon Amour Palais. The gala's broadcast in Times Square, New York, highlighted a notable moment for Telangana. Sudha Reddy, who wore a Tarun Tahiliani traditional ensemble for the event, commented, To the Miss World Organisation, to Julia Morley, and to everyone sharing this evening: Vanakkam. From Hyderabad, the heart of Telangana, I am grateful to stand before you. This honour is a testament to the power of compassion, the force of love, and the potential of selfless giving values that resonate with my home state. Like the intricate designs of a Bidri artwork, my life has been shaped by a profound belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the world is one family. This ancient wisdom encourages me to offer support to those in need, regardless of borders or background. It is with this spirit that I embrace the role of a Global Ambassador. My pledge is simple: to channel the spirit of seva into every endeavour. To highlight stories of hope, resilience and unwavering humanity that exist in every corner of our world. To the young people who are the inheritors of this world, and to everyone committed to creating a more just and compassionate future: consider the power of a single act of kindness. Consider the ability of love to heal, to unite and to transform. Let compassion be your compass, philanthropy your guide, and love the force that propels you forward. For in giving, we receive. In loving, we are loved. And in serving others, we truly find ourselves. Julia Morley, Chairperson and Founder of the Miss World Organization, presented the award and acknowledged Reddy's commitment and contribution to humanitarian work. Sudha Reddy has been a philanthropist, industrialist and cultural ambassador, serving as the director of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), an infrastructure conglomerate headquartered in Hyderabad. Under her leadership, MEIL has worked across various sectors and supported corporate social responsibility through community development initiatives and wellness programs benefiting the Hyderabad region and beyond. Additionally, Reddy chairs the Sudha Reddy Foundation, a philanthropic organisaation focused on education and empowering of marginalised groups. The Foundation has formed partnerships with organisations such as UNICEF and the Global Gift Foundation to extend its reach. Her involvement in global causes was also reflected in her noted appearances at prestigious international events, including the Met Gala, the Paris Olympics, and the Cannes Film Festival, where she has represented Indian culture and philanthropy. The work of the Sudha Reddy Foundation and MEIL Group in Hyderabad has focused on improving lives and supporting sustainable development within the community. The Trump administration is seeking to reshape the regulation, recommendations and development of vaccines. Moderna was once a darling of the first Trump administration, which went to great lengths to help the company develop its Covid-19 vaccine that protected millions of people from the virus. Now the biotech is caught in the crossfire of Trump 2.0 as vaccine-making comes under fire. In the latest setback for Moderna, the Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved its next-generation Covid shot for a narrower population of patients than the company intended. The approval grants use of the vaccine only in older adults and people aged 12 to 64 with health risks. Moderna is in a precarious position. The company bet big on mRNA, the underlying technology powering its vaccines, to develop shots that could treat or prevent different diseases. But after securing riches from its Covid shot, it failed to diversify its pipeline. That has become detrimental for Moderna as the Trump administration casts a critical eye on the technology and seeks to reshape the regulation, recommendations and development of vaccines. The Department of Health and Human Services recently canceled a contract worth $766 million that was awarded to Moderna to develop mRNA-based vaccines for pandemic-level influenza including bird flu. The FDA released a new framework for approving Covid vaccines, introducing more stringent rules that require more testing. And Moderna withdrew its application with the FDA for its flu-Covid combo shot, which analysts said could have been because it fell short of the new standards. The beleaguered company is seeking to cut costs and find a path forward postpandemic. Its shares have fallen about 35% this year because of low demand for the Covid shot and disappointing sales of its respiratory-syncytial-virus vaccine. Modernas share price, which peaked in 2021 at $484, has dropped to prepandemic levels of about $25. Its just a bad time to be in the vaccine business," said Jared Holz, healthcare strategist at financial firm Mizuho. The proclivity that this administration has shown is certainly not in their favor." HHS will continue to seek advancements through evidence-based technologies that meet the gold standard of science, a spokeswoman said. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, said recently that mRNA vaccines for respiratory diseases are among the shots that have never worked. Modernas troubles underscore just how much the regulatory environment has shifted since Trumps re-election. The new framework for vaccine approval requires new Covid shots for certain children and adults to undergo randomized, controlled trials. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, said recently that certain shots for respiratory diseases including mRNA vaccines have never worked." In mid-May, Kennedy said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would no longer recommend that pregnant women and children get Covid-19 vaccines as a matter of routine. The industry is also navigating an FDA that has shed thousands of workers. While many vaccine makers, including Pfizer, face government headwinds, most are better positioned because they sell more products. Moderna has just three approved vaccines and has been struggling to advance its pipeline, which includes treatments for cancer and rare diseases and vaccines for a herpes virus and Lyme disease. In withdrawing the approval application for a flu-Covid vaccine, Moderna said it did so after consulting with the FDA, which asked for more flu data, and would resubmit after study results come later this year. The government contract was awarded during the Biden administration, and the bird-flu shot showed positive results in an early-stage study, Moderna said. But the government terminated the contract after it concluded that the bird-flu vaccine was not scientifically or ethically justifiable," an HHS spokesman said at the time. This is not simply about efficacyit is about safety, integrity and trust," he said, adding that mRNA remains under-tested." A Moderna spokesman said the results during the pandemic speak for themselves, including demonstrated efficacy and a safety profile established in over a billion people worldwide." Moderna Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said at an investor conference in May that the new administration seems focused on Covid vaccination for people at high risk, a goal he said is a net positive" and a large market. Bancel said in an interview in May that Moderna understands it has the burden of proving the safety and efficacy of its products that are based on a newer technology. We have exactly the same goal," Bancel said. We wouldnt want to put on the market a product that is not efficacious, that is not safe." Before the pandemic made Moderna a household name, the company had no FDA-approved products. Then, in 2020, the biotech won billions for Covid vaccine development as part of Trumps Operation Warp Speed, which helped support vaccine testing in thousands of people. Modernas Covid vaccine went on to be used globally and has been credited with saving millions of lives. The vaccine pushed Modernas annual sales to nearly $20 billion for two years, and its staff grew to 5,800 people. Moderna made their next goal treating or preventing certain diseases by doubling down on mRNA technology. But development of new mRNA products has been slow. Some studies for other vaccines havent yielded the data Moderna hoped for and others hit regulatory setbacks. Modernas vaccine for RSV has struggled to gain market share against shots from Pfizer and GSK, with underwhelming sales. Meanwhile, the company didnt use its cash to expand beyond mRNA, leaving it dependent on one technology for growth. They built a tank for the war, and now the war is over," Holz said. They dont, in my mind, really have a business anymore." Last fall, Moderna said it would cut research costs by 20% and some staff, and trim its pipeline of experimental drugs. It began 2025 by slashing its guidance and pledged another $1 billion in cost cuts. The company has also continued spending on drug development. It had $8.4 billion on hand as of March 31, down from $9.5 billion three months earlier. Holz said that Moderna must raise money or issue debt, because it is on track to run out of cash in 18 months. Moderna has said it expects to end the year with about $6 billion in cash and investments, and plans to reduce spending and stop losing money in 2028. Moderna has also said it isnt going to raise more equity. Modernas future hinges on whether its vaccines in development pan out, as well as whether there is more uptake of the new Covid shot and potential expansion of its RSV shot. The FDA is set to rule on that expansion in June. Write to Jared S. Hopkins at jared.hopkins@wsj.com and Peter Loftus at Peter.Loftus@wsj.com JUNE IS turning into an ill-fated month for Russias armed forces. It started with a daring Ukrainian drone attack on airfields stretching from Siberia in the east to Murmansk in the north that Ukraine claims destroyed 41 large planes, or about one-third of Russias strategic bomber fleet. But another, more momentous, statistic looms. Before the month ends Russia will probably suffer its millionth casualty since its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, based on current trends of about 1,000 soldiers killed or injured per day. Russias staggering losseswhich far exceed those it suffered in all its wars since the second world warare a testament to Ukraines stubborn defence against a far stronger power. Yet Russias ability to shrug them off and to keep recruiting men to throw into meat-grinder attacks ought to also pose sobering questions for NATOs European members: how can democracies that value the individual deter an adversary so unconcerned about the lives of its soldiers that it will sacrifice them, year after year, in a punishing war of attrition? Russias human-wave attacks are largely useless, grinding stuff" says Sir Lawrence Freedman, a leading British strategist. But there are no signs of exhaustion, they are just carrying on." The grim tally of losses comes from figures compiled by the Ukrainian general staff, leaving it open to question. But the number is not far out of line with estimates by Western intelligence services. It also roughly tallies with attempts by Russian independent media, such as Meduza and Mediazona, to count the bodies. By this time last year, Meduza reckoned that between 106,000-140,000 Russian soldiers had died. Much of their analysis was based on inheritance records and obituaries on social media and in other outlets. An estimate of excess mortality among Russian men based on probate records gave a figure of 165,000 by the end of 2024 with 90,000 having been added in the previous six months. Given the intensity of Russian operations for much of the past year it would not be hard to reach a figure of about 250,000 killed by now. The ratio of severely wounded to killed is thought to be about four to one, a reflection both of the severity of injuries in Ukraine and the low priority Russia gives to medical evacuation and the prompt field hospital treatment that saves lives. Another reason to attach relative fidelity to the casualty figures is that, to an unusual degree, they are attributable to those sustained by soldiers in action. In most wars, a high proportion of deaths, even among combatants, are the result of disease, famine, accidents and deliberate persecution of people in occupied territories, which inherently defy the best attempts at statistical accuracy. A good example is the Second Congo War from 1998 to 2003. By far the most lethal conflict of the 21st century, it is believed to have been responsible for 5.4m deaths, most of which were from disease and hunger. In the second world war, out of the nearly 27m Russians who died, some 6.3m were killed in action or died from their wounds. Ukraine does not publish its own combat losses in any detail. However, in December last year, Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that 43,000 have been killed and 370,000 wounded since the invasion. That is probably an underestimate. But the relatively smaller number of Ukrainian deaths compared with their enemy reflects a number of different factors. Apart from its ill-fated counter-offensive two years ago, Ukraine has been fighting a largely defensive war. Advances in drone technology have thus far favoured defence over offence. Racing drones packed with explosives, known as First Person View (FPV) drones, that are flown into tanks or soldiers, are playing a similar role to the machinegun in the first world war. That innovation made infantry attacks so costly that neither side could break the stalemate of trench warfare until the development of new tactics and the invention of tanks. FPV drones have made these vulnerable, too. Russia has lost nearly 11,000 tanks and almost 23,000 armoured infantry vehicles since the war began. Now it depends largely on infantry attacks by small groups of men, sometimes on foot, sometimes on motorcycles. Another reason why Russias casualties are much higher than Ukraines is that the latter is a democracy and has only about a quarter as many people to draw upon. Thus it has to be seen to be concerned for the welfare of its troops. Its ratio of wounded to killed is thought to be about eight to one. When Ukraines army has appeared to be indifferent to its troops, its struggles with mobilisation have intensified. Even so, it is remarkable how Russia continues to absorb such staggering losses (it needs to recruit 30,000-40,000 new soldiers each month to fill the lines). To put them into context, Russias losses to date are on a par with the entirety of Britains losses in the second world war. They are approaching Americas losses in the same conflict, when its population was a similar size to Russias today. The numbers killed in Ukraine are probably more than four times those suffered by America in the eight years of its direct involvement in the Vietnam war, a toll that led to mass protests. Russias losses are also about ten times higher than the total number of casualties suffered by the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. Whereas Ukraine is fighting a war of national survival, Vladimir Putin, Russias president has choices. Yet he appears to be under little domestic pressure to call it a day. Having lost most of the mainly professional army that set out to defeat Ukraine over three years ago, the Kremlin has come up with an almost entirely novel way of replenishing manpower at the front without risking social destabilisation. It combines the ideological militarisation of society, by convincing most Russians that they are engaged in a war against an imperialistic NATO and that there is glory in death, with increasingly lavish contracts for those willing to sign up. Putin believes that the Afghan War is one of the main reasons that the Soviet Union collapsed," says Aleksandr Golts of the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies. He has come up with a revolution in Russian military thinking. I call it market mobilisation, others have called it deathonomics." The sums being paid to soldiers, the majority of whom come from poorer provincial towns and are in their thirties and forties, are genuinely life-changing for many families. By the end of last year, according to Elena Racheva, a Russian former journalist who is now a researcher at Oxford University, the signing on bonus had reached 1.19m roubles ($15,000), while the average annual pay for a contract soldier was between 3.5m and 5.2m roubles, or up to five times the average salary. If a contract soldier is killed, his family will receive between 11m and 19m roubles. According to a survey last October by the Levada Centre, an independent polling organisation, 40% of Russians would approve of a family member or close friend signing up. Reporting by another journalist, Olesya Gerasimenko, from a recruiting centre in Moscow last summer found that many middle-aged fathers were accompanied by their wives and children when they came to sign on, determined to improve their familys fortunes. Mr Golts says that the impact can be seen in small towns across Russia where recruitment has been most brisk. New houses are being built, smarter cars are turning up on the streets, and nail bars and gyms are opening. For now, believes Ms Racheva, Russian society accepts that the system is an alternative to full mobilisation. There is 88% approval of contract soldiers receiving money and benefits for going to war instead of us". For the families of the dead and injured, huge payouts alleviatetheir grief, such as feelings of injustice and allow society to avoid moral responsibility for the casualties and injuries they endure," Ms Racheva wrote. In other words, the contract is not just between the soldier and the state. The question which nobody can answer is how long that contract will hold. South Koreans vote Tuesday to elect their next president and end months of leadership tumult that have followed the countrys short-lived imposition of martial law late last year. The winner of the snap election will determine how Seoul will approach trade talks with Washington, tensions with Beijing and a bellicose Pyongyang. In recent months, South Korea has cycled through three different acting presidents. The partisan divide in South Korea is so rancorous that the front-runner, the leftist Lee Jae-myung, has delivered speeches in a bulletproof vest behind bulletproof glass, an unusual move for a politician in the country. Why a snap election? Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative, shocked South Korea by invoking emergency powers on Dec. 3, arguing that the country was vulnerable to communist forces." The move backfired, resulting in Yoons impeachment, indictment for insurrection and removal from office on April 4. That kick-started a 60-day snap election campaign. Yoon, who took office in 2022 and left about two years before the end of his term, oversaw a flourishing of ties with the U.S., a revival of cooperation with Japan and heightened confrontation with North Koreahallmarks of South Korean conservatism. South Korean presidents serve a single, five-year term. The candidate with the most votes wins. Who is running? The 61-year-old Lee enjoys a double-digit lead over his rivals, with his support at around 49%, according to Gallup Korea polling. He is a former provincial governor, parliamentarian and head of the Democratic Party. He is South Koreas most popularand divisivepolitician. He narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon. In his second try, Lee has backed some elements of Yoons foreign-policy approach, such as expanding the U.S. alliance and working with Japan. But he does say South Korea shouldnt exclude or antagonize China or Russia, suggesting more balance with the U.S. Kim Moon-soo, the nominee from the main conservative People Power Party, served as Yoons labor minister. He was the only member of Yoons cabinet who initially refused to apologize for the martial-law declaration. Kim, 73, has since expressed regret. His support sits at around 36%, Gallup Korea says. What are the key issues? The race has largely become a referendum on martial law and its fallout, and the ruling conservatives havent made a clean break from Yoon. A strong majority of South Koreans say in polls they want a change in national leadership. Supporters of Kim Moon-soo, who appears on a screen in the top right of the image, wave flags during an election campaign rally in Seoul. Lee has said he wont rush trade talks with the U.S.; Kim has vowed to push for an immediate summit with President Trump on tariffs if elected. Trump could also apply pressure to the next president to share more of the cost of the U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. The U.S. president could also restart denuclearization talks with North Korea. Rising tensions with China will also likely be a challenge for the next president. Beijing has irritated Seoul recently by installing observation buoys in the Yellow Sea near the two countries shared maritime border. Write to Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com Samastipur & Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Plants whisper, you need ears to listen. Thats what Norman Borlaug, a plant breeder and Nobel Peace laureate who saved billions from starvation, used to tell his students. Borlaugs words ring hard as one steps into the orchards of the Mithila region of Bihar, spread across Samastipur and Muzaffarpur districts. This region is renowned for its rose-floral scented Shahi litchis. On a sultry summer forenoon, an orchard is still a balmy place to be at. Late May, the fields are abuzz. Contractors and traders supervise workers including underage children, as they scale giant trees, some as tall as 20m, to pluck ripe, crimson-red fruits. These are carried as head loads to another group, mostly women, who sort the fruit in bunches with stems and leaves on. It is easy to fall for the tranquil charm of the harvest season. The reality spills on enquiry, like a riches-to-rags tale. A tropical delicacy known as a symbol of romance, litchis travelled from China via Myanmar and Indian states such as Assam and West Bengal to Bihar, a journey that took place around 300 years ago. The fruit prospered in the fertile, silt-rich soil of the state, patronized by local elites and landlords. A sense of pride and cultural heritage is attached to its cultivation. But underneath its gorgeous canopies, the orchards are literally on a trial. Uninterested growers and absentee landlords now sell their harvest for a pittance, due to rising climate and market risks. Since litchis perish faster than most other fruitspost harvest, they have a shelf life of two-three days in ambient conditionsowners prefer to sell the produce months in advance at a pre-agreed price. A nexus of contractors and traders take over the fields thereon, squeezing trees to produce more. Indifferent to the overall health of orchards and its soils, they use a cocktail of chemicals to manage pests and prolong the shelf-life of harvested fruits. If the crop failsas it does once every few yearsthe orchardist does not receive the contracted payment. In other words, farmers bear the entire risk. The pre-agreed price is only honoured if the crop survives. In good years, orchard owners receive 20-30 per kg while the harvest laden with chemical residues is sold in cities for a premium, at prices ranging between 200 and 500 per kg. According to an avid orchardist, Anoj Rai from Samastipur, litchis are a game of luck which lasts for less than three weeks (a short window of harvest). The odds are not in our favour. So, I cut down my orchard to a third and planted lemons instead. Lemons are harvested twice a year and have a longer shelf life," he said. Rai choosing lemons over litchis is a cautionary caveatthe queen of fruits looks set to lose her crown. Smiling concubine Bikash Das does not mince words. A senior fruit scientist, Das is currently director at the National Research Centre on Litchi in Muzaffarpur, an institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The fruit bunches used here for decorating the stage will fail international quality and chemical residue standards," he told an auditorium packed with students, scientists and farmers at a national seminar on litchi organized by the Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Pusa, Samastipur, late last month. Owners do not take care of trees after the crop is harvested; the trees are as old and vulnerable as are the orchardists; there is plenty of pride attached, but little is being done to ensure that growers receive a fair price. Clearly, Das is distressed by the treatment meted out to the exotic fruit. View Full Image Orchard owners often skip pruning trees which makes harvesting and spraying operations difficult and expensive, besides impacting fruit yield. (Sayantan Bera) During his talk, Das narrated a story from ancient China. Over 1,200 years back, Emperor Xuanzong, set up a specialized courier service comprising fine horses and skilled riders to deliver fresh litchis from the fields in the south to the imperial court in the north for his favourite consort and lover, Yang Yuhuan. Litchis have since attained a folklore status and are considered a symbol of romance, with one variety from China carrying the name Smiling Concubine. Its a tragedy that we are not able to do today what an emperor tried centuries back, Das said, referring to the absence of a fast and reliable logistic network to transport the fruit. Das institute is now documenting the story of the litchi people, a cultural backstory to market the fruit as a premium produce from the state, in addition to investigating the volatile compounds which lend the fruit a floral aroma, leaving connoisseurs with a fragrant aftertaste. To be sure, the Shahi variety of Bihar received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2018, but that did not help revive its lost glory. Apart from the Shahi, which occupies about 70% of the growing area, the state is home to two other varieties, China and Bedana. A GI is awarded to identify and market a product where its qualities can be attributed to geographical originlike Champagne originating from the Champagne region of France or Darjeeling tea from the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal. View Full Image Bihars litchi diversity on display at a national seminar held end-May in Pusa, Samastipur. (Sayantan Bera) The National Research Centre on Litchi is also testing new technologies to increase the shelf life in ambient conditions (as litchis are harvested and transported in peak summer), and introducing better crop management and quality control practices in orchards. This is a tall task for a modest research station with an annual budget of just 6.5 crore, over half of which is spent on staff salaries and administrative expenses. All fruit research centres put together, India spends under 10 crore on research and development of litchis, a little over 0.1% of the market size, estimated at 8,000 crore. A day after the litchi seminar, Das took this writer to visit a few orchards in Muzaffarpur. He said his city friends often complain that litchis have lost their sweetness and taste sour at times. That happens when the produce is plucked by contractors before it matures on trees. Thats a common practice in many fruits, including mangoes, since the produce that hits the markets the earliest receives the highest premium. What do the people of Delhi know about litchi? They will pay for even sour ones," a local trader quipped, when Das advised him to harvest only mature fruits. The thumb rule: Shahi litchi only attains maturity beginning the third week of May. Race to bottom The slide in the fortunes of the Bihar litchi is laid bare by numbers. Production of litchis in the state witnessed a sharp 43% decline between 2011-12 and 2024-25. A state which once grew close to two-third of Indias production (62% in 2001-02) now contributes less than a quarter. Bihar is still the largest producer, but thats more a consolation. While others like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Odisha have stepped in to fill a part of the void created by Bihar, Indias annual production has plummeted to 578,000 tonnes in 2024-25, about 20% lower than the estimated production in 2020-21. China is the largest producer globally with an annual production of 3 million tonnes, five times higher than India. The slide in Bihar can be attributed to adverse weather and owners losing interest in their orchards due to low prices, which, in turn, is a fallout of extractive farm practices impacting productivity. For instance, production last year was crimped by a severe heatwave. In the 2025 season, high temperatures in April, and lack of rains during fruiting, could reduce earnings by a half, said Rabi Ranjan, a farmer from Malikour village in Samastipur. Being a delicate fruit, litchis are susceptible to temperature and humidity fluctuations, which lead to scorching, fruit dropping and cracks on its skin. But the Achilles heel is poor orchard management. Farmers do not prune their trees after harvest or apply organic manure to improve depleting soil carbon content. This has severely impacted productivity, Das, the fruit scientist quoted earlier, said. Poor soils yield a sub-par harvest, which, in turn, results in farmers receiving a lower price per tree. This is a negative spiral where each season is worse than the preceding one. While an orchard owner in Bihar pre-sells the harvest of a single tree for as low as 1,500 (for a tree yielding 80-100kg of fruit), in Murshidabad, West Bengal, owners receive up to 7,000 per tree. Besides, a Bihar orchardist functions in an adverse environment of reduced bargaining power in the market. The state abolished regulated agriculture markets back in 2006, which left farmers at the mercy of traders for most cropsfrom perishable fruits to non-perishable grains and oilseeds. In regulated markets, trade data like price and volumes are recorded daily (providing a benchmark price to growers while negotiating with buyers) and the produce is usually auctioned to the highest bidder. While an orchard owner in Bihar pre-sells the harvest of a single tree for as low as 1,500 (for a tree yielding 80-100 kg of fruit), in Murshidabad, West Bengal, owners receive up to 7,000 per tree. For instance, at the wholesale regulated mandi in Ludhiana, litchis sold for 65 per kg in the last week of May, over three times the farm-gate prices in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Between supervising workers at an orchard in Samastipur, Shiv Nandan Poddar, a contractor who pre-booked the crop in January, four months ahead of harvest, listed the chemical pesticides he uses. These include imidacloprid, an insecticide which is fatal to honeybees, a pollinator for litchi. A geographical indication application for litchi honey from Bihar was filed last August. The trouble is: as pollinator numbers decline due to overuse of toxic pesticides, production of both litchi and litchi honey are at risk. Imidacloprid is banned by several countries, including in the European Union (EU). View Full Image Litchi honey from Bihar is expecting a Geographical Indication tag. (Sayantan Bera) The National Research Centre on Litchi also found residues of chlorpyrifos, a chemical toxic to both bees and humans and banned by the EU and the US, in fruit samples. Contractors wrongly use the chemical to prolong shelf life. The other pesticide Poddar spoke of is cypermethrin, which is only allowed to be used by registered pest control operators in India. Orchard managers have indiscriminately used cypermethrin (which led to pest resistance) and propagation of mites. Very few follow recommended dosage or stop chemical sprays ahead of harvest to lower residues in fruits sold to consumers," said Udayan Mukherjee, professor and head of entomology at the Central Agricultural University at Pusa, Samastipur. A dead end? Can processing and exports help farmers earn more? A 2021 report on gaps in infrastructure and processing facilities, commissioned by the food processing ministry, found that about 30% of the litchis grown in Biharlow-grade fruits, not fit for direct consumptioncan be processed to make pulp and juices. But heres the spoiler: as per the report, litchi juice with pulp imported from China and Vietnam is way cheaper than domestic products, even after paying a steep import duty. This is because of low juice and soluble sugar content in home-grown litchis compared to varieties suitable for processing used internationally. Exports, as grower testimonies and scientific opinion suggest, is a dead end for now, unless abusive crop management practices are overhauled. Besides, exports to western markets will require setting up labs to monitor pesticide residues and a post-harvest cold chain, in addition to registering growers and closely monitoring on-farm practices. Of course, Bihar can take a cue from the successful export market developed by the enterprising table grape growers of Nashik, Maharashtra. View Full Image Shahi litchis sorted and packed into boxes labelled export quality though most fruits from Mithila, Bihar, may not qualify to enter premium western markets. (Sayantan Bera) In 2024, India exported a mere 538 tonnes of fresh litchi, less than 0.1% of domestic production. Over 90% went to neighbouring Nepal. In the litchi belt of Bihar, one can still find a few orchardists with a thundering voice, who command a premium in the market. One such name is 84-year-old Bhola Nath Jha. Traders from Lucknow and Delhi visit his sprawling orchard in Muzaffarpur where prices are decided at an on-farm auction. This May, Jha sold Shahi litchis for an impressive 85 per kg, nearly four times what others received by pre-selling their harvest. So, what can be done to improve the lot of the average orchardist? According to Jha, it has to begin with dismantling the cartel of traders from Lucknow and Delhi who dictate and depress farm gate prices by providing easy finance to local contractors. Provide insurance coverage to orchards as its a high-risk play. Instead of focusing on exports, set up an efficient transport and cold chain logistics to tap premium consumers within the country. Invest in research to develop technologies that can enhance shelf life," Jha recommended. My entire life, I have not received a single complaint on quality. My orchard operations work like clockwork and years of goodwill bring buyers to my farm," Jha added proudly. That sense of ownership and pride is now a rarity in the orchards of Mithila. The trees are whispering. But is anyone listening? Mumbai: IndusInd Banks promoter entity, IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL), is in preliminary discussions with long-term investors, including sovereign wealth funds and pension funds, to raise fresh capital by issuing new shares, according to two senior executives familiar with the matter. The move aims to increase the Hinduja Group entity's stake in the private-sector bank, the two executives said. Notably, IndusInd Bank is currently grappling with accounting and regulatory crises, as well as falling share prices. IIHL has diversified holdings with nearly 583 shareholders," the first person cited above said on condition of anonymity. None of the (current) shareholders are selling. Instead, IIHL is looking to bring in a single global financial investor." Currently, promoter entities IIHL and IndusInd Ltd together hold 15% stake in IndusInd Bank, with IIHL alone holding 12.06% stake as of March 2025. IIHL has already received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in March 2023 to increase its stake in the bank to 26%, according to a media statement from the company at the time. Once the final approval comes, the holdco (holding company) needs to be ready with cash to buy the remaining stake," said a third executive who also spoke anonymously, adding that the company had raised around $100 million through a rights issue last year in anticipation of increasing its stake in IndusInd Bank from 15% to 20%. Also read | IndusInd board says it didn't know. Sebi thinks it did. Now what? The executives did not disclose the amount of money IIHL plans to raise in the current round. However, they confirmed that apart from using part of it to increase stake in the bank, IIHL will also repay some debt incurred during its acquisition of Reliance Capital, which concluded earlier this year. Barclays is engaging with potential investors on behalf of the Hindujas to raise the capital, the two executives cited earlier said. An email sent to IIHL remained unanswered, and Barclays declined to comment. The background IIHLs decision to increase its stake comes as IndusInd Bank navigates a challenging period marked by an accounting crisis and a significant decline in its share price. In March, the bank disclosed discrepancies worth 2,100 crore in its derivatives portfolio as of December 2024, prompting an internal review and a forensic audit. This was followed by the resignations of its chief executive officer (CEO) Sumanth Kathpali and deputy CEO Arun Khurana. IndusInd Bank's shares have fallen by 9% since 10 March when it disclosed the discrepancies. IIHL chairman Ashok Hinduja had indicated at the time that increasing the stake was under consideration following the banks stock performance. This is an opportune time as a promoter to increase stake," Hinduja stated on the sidelines of a press conference after completing the acquisition of Reliance Capital in March. Established in 1993 for the purpose of acquiring a banking licence, IIHL is a closely held company with nearly 583 shareholders, primarily non-resident Indians (NRIs) who came together to set it up. The entity generates its income primarily from dividends received from IndusInd Bank. Read this | Sebi reopens insider-trading probe against top IndusInd Bank executives as new evidence emerges Over the past six years, IIHL has raised capital through several rights issues. Its paid-up capital stood at $42 billion and net-worth at $2.5 billion, according to the third executive cited earlier. Following the fall in IndusInd Banks share price, IIHL's book value has been reduced to around $35 billion from an earlier $90 billion. Separately, IIHL completed its acquisition of Reliance Capital in March this year, nearly two years after emerging as the successful resolution applicant for the non-banking finance company under the insolvency and bankruptcy process. The total deal size amounted to 9,650 crore, of which the Hindujas raised 7,300 crore via debt and the remainder through equity, according to the company. Barclays Capital and 360One assisted the promoter group in raising funds through high-yielding rupee bonds, according to a person familiar with the development. On Monday, IndusInd Banks share price fell 0.56% to settle at 812.55 on the BSE. And read | IndusInd suspects fraud, sees steep Q4 loss Mumbai: Indias public sector lenders saw a sharp decline in bad assets in 2024-25, outpacing their private sector peers, who continued to add to their non-performing assets (NPA) pile amid rising stress in unsecured credit. Data from Capitaline showed that PSUs reported a drop in total bad assets loans where repayments are overdue by over 90 days in FY25 and FY24. Bad loans of public sector banks decreased 16% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 2.84 trillion in FY25, from 3.4 trillion in FY24 and 4.3 trillion in FY23. In comparison, private banks saw an increase in bad loans by around 2.9% to 1.29 trillion in FY25, up from 1.26 trillion in FY24 and 1.22 trillion in FY23. The analysis covered 19 private sector banks and 12 public sector banks. The PSU banks not only saw a decline in absolute fresh slippages but also continued to witness healthy recoveries and upgrades," said Sachin Sachdeva, vice-president and sector head of financial sector ratings at Icra Ltd. Also Read: PSU banks are winning the home loan race against private lenders. Here's why. Given their healthy operating profitability, public sector banks were able to maintain higher write-offs, according to Sachdeva. Consequently, PSU banks reported negative net slippages and, hence, a reduction in gross non-performing assets (NPAs) both in absolute terms and in percentage terms. Mint reported on 9 May that 10 leading banks wrote off loans worth 80,568 crore in FY25, up from 74,931 crore in FY24. These higher write-offs helped banks report lower gross and net NPA ratios, despite continued stress in unsecured and microfinance portfolios. Sachdeva added that the increasing stress in the personal unsecured loans, including microfinance loans, led to a relatively higher fresh NPA generation rate in the case of private sector banks than public sector banks. Interestingly, public sector banks have also been able to shed some share in the aggregate sectoral bad loan pool. In FY25, these banks had a share of 68.6%, down from 72.9% in FY24 and 77.8% in FY23. This does not include bad loans of small finance banks. However, when seen as a percentage of their loans, even private sector banks saw a decline in bad loan numbers. The bad loan ratiogross NPAs as a percentage of total loans shrunk 14 basis points (bps) between FY24 and FY25 to 2.24% for private sector banks. For public sector banks, the contraction was relatively more pronounced. In the same period, Indias 12 public sector banks saw their bad loan ratio decline 90 bps to 2.6%. Stress among Indias small borrowers hurt private banks in FY25. In fact, bankers said that delinquencies in the micro loan business have impacted them. Ashok Vaswani, chief executive of Kotak Mahindra Bank, told analysts on 3 May that the microfinance industry has seen significant credit strains and the bank expects credit costs to stay at an elevated level for the next two quarters. Credit cost is provisions and write-offs expressed as a percentage of average total assets. Also Read: Microfinance stress, RBI embargo weighed on Kotak Banks Q4 profitability Partha Pratim Sengupta, chief executive of Bandhan Bank said on 30 April that the microfinance sector has faced significant stress, and the overall liquidity tightness in the system has impacted both growth and profitability at an industry level. Analysts at rating agency Care Ratings said that in Q4FY25, public sector banks demonstrated significant progress in strengthening their asset quality. ... (a) few private banks are encountering challenges, primarily due to sector-specific stress, most notably in the microfinance segment and a rise in non-performing agricultural loans," it said in a note on 27 May. Read more | How bank treats NPA interest not for borrower to interpret Better days ahead? That said, the current financial year is expected to see secular improvements in bad loan numbers. Subha Sri Narayanan, director, Crisil Ratings, said that gross NPAs have now bottomed out, though they should remain range-bound between 2.4% and 2.6% towards the close of March 2026. Corporate NPAs would remain low on strengthened underwriting and risk management of banks, and robust balance sheets of corporates themselves," said Narayanan, adding that in retail and some MSME segments, overleveraging needs to be watched. Gross NPAs of banks have been on a secular downtrend and are estimated to be at 2.4% as on 31 March 31, compared with 2.8% as on 31 March 2024, and 3.9% as on 31 March 2023," said Narayanan, adding that credit costs have bottomed out, and should remain range bound this fiscal year. The rampant mis-selling of unnecessary insurance plans to loan and deposit customers by lenders has already evoked concerns among the two sector regulators. Now, the finance ministry has asked banks and non-banks to stop offering incentives on insurance sales to eliminate this malpractice. As lenders link employee performance and incentives to selling insurance products, the ministrys department of financial services (DFS) has issued specific instructions, asking lenders to immediately review their marketing practices, according to two people aware of the development, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The DFS has told financial institutions that insurance plans should only be sold as per the customers requirements, and sales targets should not be linked to incentives, the people said. The ministry directed banks that their core banking services should not be forcibly linked to insurance products, advising them to promote financial literacy among customers and employees for the healthy development of Indias insurance market, the first person quoted earlier said. Queries emailed to the finance ministry and the financial services secretary remained unanswered till press time. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have flagged concerns about such mis-selling by banks and non-banking financial services companies (NBFCs). Lenders bundle insurance plans with products like housing loans and locker facilities. At times, customers are even unaware of the terms. Also read | Insurance laws bill set for monsoon session, proposes 100% FDI, composite licenses and sweeping reforms Mis-selling can be deliberate by an insurer or its agent or any intermediary, or a result of poor training of the salesperson, according to Hari Radhakrishnan, sector expert at Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI). As regards deliberate mis-selling, there should be deterrents or disincentives in place, such as regulator action by way of fines or penalties or de-licensing in egregious cases. Incentive structures that promote mis-selling, such as hard pressure-based selling, compulsive selling, etc., must be removed or discouraged," Radhakrishnan said. Non-deliberate mis-selling can be addressed to a large extent by proper sales training and channel development." How mis-selling works A large chunk of about 52,500 complaints received by the insurance ombudsman across the country in FY24 pertained to mis-selling and misrepresenting policy terms and conditions, and issuing a policy not conforming to the proposalunder Sections 13(1) d and Sec 13 (1) g of the Insurance Ombudsman Rules. More than 70% of the complaints were against life insurers under the two sections. After life insurance, health cover-related complaints follow the list of grievances. The Irdai separately received 215,569 grievances in FY24 on its Bima Bharosa portal, of which 120,726 were related to life insurance and 94,843 to general Insurance, largely health covers. A majority of the complaints were against public sector entities in the life segment, while most non-life complaints were against private insurers. Insurance-related grievances were among the 296,000 complaints that the Office of RBI Ombudsman received in FY24-25 compared with 293,000 in FY23-24. Irdai, in its communication on such mis-selling to lenders, flagged numerous instances of an insurance policy being forcibly sold or mis-sold by banks and NBFCs by bundling these with housing or other loans. For availing a locker facility, lenders insist on purchasing an insurance policy and, at times, claim that it is mandatory. Insurance plans have also been issued without the consent of customers, and there have been cases where customers claim not to have signed the policy documents or that they were issued policies with incorrect contact details. Read this | Insurers make up add-ons to entice customers into paying more for car insurance The insurance regulator found that single-premium insurance policies have been issued in lieu of fixed deposit receipts, claiming that these will provide better benefits. Senior citizens have been sold long-term life insurance policies having higher premiums, even though they may not require such coverage. And regular-premium policies were issued in place of single-premium ones, and renewal premiums were debited from customers bank accounts without any intimation, assuring that they would get double the payment after a certain period. In most cases, when a complaint is lodged, issues are resolved, and the premium is returned in a few cases. Still, that has not deterred mis-selling by financial institutions that act as a corporate agent for insurers. Need for better governance Curbing mis-selling has become a key priority for banks, insurers and the regulator, with several targeted measures being undertaken. Insurers are simplifying products, strengthening onboarding with video verification, and enhancing disclosures to improve transparency. Sales teams are being equipped with digital tools for suitability checks, while incentive structures are being aligned with long-term customer outcomes," said Shruti Ladwa, partner and insurance leader, EY India. Irdai has further reinforced these efforts by extending the free-look period to 30 days and enabling video-based identification. Eliminating mis-selling will require concerted efforts across all stakeholders to build an empowered and informed customer base." And read | Centre ready to exempt health and life insurance from GST. Then why is the industry pitching for 12%? According to Narendra Ganpule, partner and insurance industry leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, it is pertinent for every bank to instil values of integrity and probity in the sales staff and relationship managers so that customer interest is put at the centre, and not the sales or growth targets. Governance across three lines of defence, especially awareness at the operating level, needs to be strengthened to reduce the frequency of mis-selling instances." New Delhi: Indias cotton industry, the worlds second-largest producer of the fabric, has been grappling with progressively shrinking yields unable to keep up with advanced farming practices and technology, prompting a series of emergency measures by the government. The Centre has begun the groundwork for launching a National Cotton Productivity Mission, with discussions underway to chart out a strategy focused on crop diversification, yield improvement, introduction of new seed varieties, and promoting mechanised farming, two officials said. These measures are aimed at revitalising Indias cotton economy amid inconsistent yields. Indias cotton output dropped from about 33.7 million bales in 2022-23 to 32.5 million bales in FY24 and an estimated 30.7 million bales in FY25, according to the agriculture ministry data. (One bale is 170 kg of cotton; a full cotton year runs from October through September.) Also, Indias cotton yield, at around 465 kg per hectare in FY25, remains far below Chinas average of over 2,170 kg/ha. According to the US department of agriculture, China is the worlds largest producer of cotton, with its 32 million bales in 2024/2025 accounting for 26% of global production. India stood second with its 25 million bales accounting for 21% of global cotton production. As part of the five-year mission to improve Indias cotton productivity, the textiles ministry, in coordination with the agriculture and farmers welfare ministry, has started consultations with agricultural experts, farmer groups, and state governments to devise a comprehensive strategy. To stop the decline (in Indias cotton production), discussions are being held to finalise a plan that includes crop diversification, better yields, new seed varieties, and more use of machines in farming. This is the first formal step toward starting the long-awaited mission to revive Indias cotton economy, which has been under pressure due to falling production," said the first of the two officials mentioned above. We are aiming to double the yield from 465 kg/ha to 1,000 kg/ha across 11 states under the upcoming National Cotton Productivity Mission," said the second official. The mission will address core structural issues across the cotton value chain, especially at the farm level," this official said, adding that improved access to modern machinery and high-quality seeds will be central to the plan. Lower yields have naturally spiked cotton prices, which have increased from 7,100-7,500 per quintal (or 100kg) in 2024 to 7,600-7,900. At this price, its not viable to continue operations as it makes the business unviable. Ultimately, it will lead to closure of spinning mills," said Sukhdev Singh, a spinner based in Punjab. Also read | India likely to seek removal of US steel tariffs in trade talks rather than immediate retaliation Making Indian cotton viable again The National Cotton Productivity Mission is still in its early planning stage, and further rounds of consultations with major cotton-growing states are expected in the coming weeks. A detailed implementation roadmap, including timelines and funding mechanisms, is likely to be developed after these consultations conclude. Indias major cotton-growing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The governments move to improve the countrys cotton productivity is timely and critical for export-led growth, said Prabhu Dhamodharan, convenor, Indian Texpreneurs Federation. Nearly 60-65% of our apparel exports are cotton-based, and India has a clear opportunity to scale up in global markets. However, with the minimum support price (MSP) being raised year after year to support farmers facing poor yields, Indian cotton has become more expensive than that of competing countries," Dhamodharan said. The only sustainable way forward is to improve yield. We hope the Union governments cotton mission will address this gap and make Indian cotton viable both for farmers and exporters," Dhamodharan added. Also read | India to push Buddha rice exports to Buddhist countries As per commerce ministry data, Indias export of cotton yarn increased from $10.94 billion in FY23 to $11.68 billion in FY24 and $12.04 billion in FY25. Major export destinations for Indian cotton are the US, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UK, the UAE, Germany, China, and Egypt. But cotton imports too have been rising sharplyfrom about 1.46 million bales in FY23 to 1.52 million in FY24 and 2.15 million during October-March FY25, as per textiles ministry data. Farmers have been demanding better technology to improve yields. We are still sowing the BG2 variety of cotton while other countries have moved ahead and adopted BG3 and BG4 varieties with higher yield potential," said Ganesh Nanote, a cotton farmer in Maharashtras Vidarbha region. Unless farmers get access to better seeds and improved farming practices, yields are not going to improve." The sharp drop in Indias cotton production is also affecting the ginning industry, which separates cotton fibers or lint from their seeds and other impurities. The lower productivity has cast a shadow over the future of ginning and spinning mills," said Bhagwan Das Bansal, former president of the Punjab Cotton Factory and Ginners Association. Our ginning season starts from 1 October to 31 May. But due to inadequate supply of cotton, a majority of the mills stopped ginning operations in February only." Also read | These cotton textile labels provide a glimpse of business history New Delhi: India is looking to give a significant boost to its production-linked incentives for drug manufacturing, particularly in terms of its ambition to reduce the domestic pharmaceutical industrys dependence on China for its raw materials. The upgraded PLI scheme will include more molecules used in manufacturing key starting materials (KSMs), drug intermediates, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), according to a communication issued on 14 May by the department of pharmaceuticals, which Mint has reviewed. Details such as allocation, capacity, and incentive ceiling for the upgraded drug PLI scheme are being worked on, adepartment official said, declining to be identified. Key starting materials and drug intermediates are chemical compounds used to synthesise APIs, or bulk drugs, which are the main components of a drug providing its intended medical effect. Indias API industry is a crucial segment of its overall pharmaceutical sector, accounting for about 35% of the market, according to Invest India. But the domestic pharmaceutical industry is dependent on imports for 80% of its bulk drug requirement. This is also because a significant chunk of the domestic production is meant for overseas markets. Key Takeaways What: The government is upgrading its production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to include more key starting materials (KSMs), drug intermediates, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), especially for critical drugs like antibiotics, antifungals, and diabetes medications. Why: While India has begun domestic production of key drug components like penicillin G and clavulanic acid, some projects remain unviable due to continued undercutting by Chinese suppliers and insufficient protection from price dumping. So what: The upgraded PLI scheme targets strategic growth in Indias API manufacturing capacity by prioritizing molecules with underutilized domestic capacity, supporting the countrys growing domestic pharmaceutical market while boosting economic resilience. In 2024-25, India imported bulk drugs and advanced drug intermediates worth $3.5 billion, while exports accounted for nearly $3.5 billion, according to Indias commerce ministry. About 65% of the imports came from China. In 2023-24, the exports were higher at $4.79 billion while the imports were at $4.56 billion. For the upgraded PLI scheme, the department of pharmaceuticals has sought applications for manufacturing raw materials required to produce life-saving antibiotics, antifungal drugs, and medicines used in the treatment of diseases such as epilepsy and diabetes. As per the decision taken, conditions under the scheme such as allocation according to the available capacities, incentive ceiling in respect of products and limit of incentive upto production tenure i.e. upto FY2027-28, for chemical synthesis products and upto FY2028-29 for fermentation-based products, have to be complied with," the department of pharmaceuticals said in its notice. The department of pharmaceuticals secretary, Amit Agarwal, and its spokesperson did not reply to queries emailed on 1 June. Also read | India puts big pharma concessions on table as US trade deal nears finish line Need protection from China The Central government launched PLI schemes in 2020 for domestic manufacturing of drugs with a financial outlay of 6,940 crore, chiefly to cut the industrys reliance on China. The production tenure for those PLI schemes stretches from 2022-2023 to 2028-29. Currently, the government has 14 PLI schemes in play for Indias pharmaceutical sector, including for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and bulk drugs. According to the government, under the PLI scheme for bulk drugs, 48 projects have been selected, of which 34 have been commissioned for 25 bulk drugs. The scheme has helped domestic pharma companies begin production of key drug ingredients such as penicillin G and clavulanic acid that are used in manufacturing antibiotics including amoxicillin. (But) there are certain drugs in the existing or previous PLI scheme for bulk drugs/APIs which are unviable even after considering incentives under PLI," said R.K. Agrawal, national president, Bulk Drugs Manufacturers Association of India. Industry is also not finding solution/safe guards to Chinese dumping of these products in future as the 10% incentive provided under the scheme will not be able to protect the industry. DoP (the department of pharmaceuticals) is trying to seek industry interest in the same products and providing one more opportunity," Agrawal said. Also read | India tightens export rules for medicines to check wide misuse as narcotics in overseas markets A director at a company that participated in the existing PLI scheme for bulk drugs said that despite investing heavily in producing an important API, including establishing a manufacturing facility for it, the firm was going into losses. Right now, we are selling out products at a 30% loss. China has reduced the price of its raw materials or APIs by 40%, and people are buying from China even though products are available domestically," the director said, speaking on condition of anonymity. We made our representation to the government that we need protection from China. The government has now created a strategy where they are practically going to implement the minimum import price on China to defend the previous PLI scheme, the product for which we have won the PLI," the director added. Also read | ICMR gets a breakthrough in attempts to develop first indigenous Nipah virus medicine A growing domestic industry Given Indias growing lifestyle-related disease burden, the domestic pharma industry uses bulk drugs largely in manufacturing antibiotics to manage non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Indias API market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%, according to consulting firm Praxis Global Alliance. Viranchi Shah, national spokesperson, Indian Drugs Manufacturer Association, said that under its upgraded PLI scheme, the government wants to cover molecules for which manufacturing capabilities need to be strengthened and where Indias capabilities are underutilized. Pharmaceutical products such as neomycin, erythromycin thiocyanate, and gentamycin will be covered under the new PLI scheme, as per the department of pharmaceuticals notice. Indias pharmaceutical industry is poised for significant growth, Shah said, adding that PLI schemes promoting domestic production of key APIs and KSMs had been largely successful". Also read | With state hospitals essential medicine stock at less than 40%, Centre sounds alarm bells Last year, the export of API exceeded the import of API. Certain very critical ingredients, a precursor of paracetamol, para amino phenol (PAP), was manufactured in a very small quantity. When covid-19 struck in 2020, we (India) had only one plant and all the other requirements were imported. Today, we have three plants in India. So the import of PAP has considerably gone down, which results in a better supply chain for paracetamol," Shah said. Clavulanic acid was never produced in India but now (it is) being manufactured in India (and) used for antibiotics like augmentin. A very important molecule, Pen-g, used to be manufactured in India 25 years back, but slowly the industry vanished from India due to increasing capabilities in neighbouring countries. It is now being manufactured in India," he added. Plans for a U.S. nuclear-power revival have excited uranium investors, stoking demand for shares in companies that produce the fuel. Yet the price miners get in the spot market for the uranium they sell has barely reacted. The spot price for U3O8, a lightly processed concentrate known as yellowcake, this week shed some of the small gains it made a week ago after President Trump signed executive orders on May 23, aimed at quadrupling nuclear-power capacity in the next 25 years. The commoditys price rose to $71.10 a pound on May 26 from $70.50 a pound in the week prior, according to UxC, a market-data firm that assesses uranium prices. This week, it is back at $70.90 a pound. The executive orders have so far had a short-lived impact on the uranium market, said Jonathan Hinze, president of UxC. People are waiting to see how these new policies might translate into new reactors and fuel demand, but that will take some time," he said. The industry has reasons for caution. Over the next few years, the market faces a persistent oversupply, according to analysts at Panmure Liberum. They project the average spot price will be back below $60 a pound in 2026. Miners have been ratcheting up production of uranium after the market emerged from a decadelong funk that followed the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan. This year, the industrylike many othersis also grappling with tariff uncertainty under the Trump administration, which has paralyzed U.S. utilities. While up from a March low of around $63 a pound, an 18-month nadir, uraniums spot price remains down 1.2% year to date, according to UxC. It traded above $100 a pound as recently as last year on supply disruptions. The spot marketwhile thinly traded and, consequently, volatilecan be an important indicator of sentiment in the otherwise opaque uranium industry. It is also a source of sales for miners to generate profits. Uranium doesnt trade on an open market like many other commodities. Instead, most uranium dug up by miners is sold under long-term contracts to customers that include U.S. power companies. That term price has sat around $80 a pound for most of this year. The spot trade makes up less than 20% of the market, and includes one-off deals between producers and power utilities as well as traders and funds that hold physical uranium. Recent spot-market sluggishness hasnt curbed excitement in the broader market, as expectations of a nuclear comeback rise. Its time for nuclear," Trump said at a signing ceremony at the White House last month. Investors bet on uranium mostly via the stocks of uranium companies or exchange-traded funds. The Global X Uranium ETFwhich tracks a basket of companies involved in mining uranium and producing nuclear componentshas gained roughly 12% versus its closing value the day before Trump signed the orders. Canadian miner Cameco, one of the worlds top uranium producers, is up about 10% over the same period. Citi analyst Samuel Schubert sees reasons to believe the U.S. executive orders could stimulate uranium demand in the near term. These arent just long-dated ambitions," Schubert said in a recent note. He highlighted Trumps order for the Energy Department to work with utilities to increase maximum power at which existing reactors can operate, among other actions. We think these executive orders could help reignite investor interest, in particular through uranium ETF demand," added Morgan Stanley analysts in their own note. That could support future spot purchases, given that some physical ETFs buy uranium from the market, they said. Still, the time it takes to develop nuclear capacity means there is likely to be a limited immediate impact on uranium demand more broadly, Morgan Stanley analysts said. The Panmure Liberum analysts said nuclear plansnot just in the U.S., but in Indonesia, Germany, and Belgium, toocould result in prices higher than they currently forecast, but not likely until at least 2027. At this very early stage, the uranium market has no useful data to work with yet on the scale/duration of reactor capacity growth in Indonesia-U.S.-Germany-Belgium," the analysts said. Even China, known for its speedy construction, takes between five and 10 years to design, approve, and build a reactor, they said. Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com Japans government bond auctions, once viewed as predictable and procedural, have been reborn as a barometer of stress in the nations debt market and a trigger for moves in yields from Europe to the US. The global importance of auctions in Tokyo has been on show since a sale of 20-year securities last month caught investors off guard when a key measure of demand fell to the lowest level in more than a decade. This sparked a selloff in Japanese bonds in the secondary market that pushed yields on some super-long debt to the highest on record and rippled through to German bunds and US Treasuries. With two or even three auctions taking place many weeks, the potential for market volatility is growing as investors around the world question governments over their heavy debt loads. Here is a guide to understanding the intricacies of Japanese bond auctions: The basics The participants Auction styles Key metrics Auction timeline After auction JGB stories and data 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Adani Group stocks, including Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports & SEZ and Adani Power, declined between 1% and 2.5% on Tuesday, a day after the Wall Street Journal reported that US prosecutors were probing whether Adani entities had imported Iranian LPG into India through their Mundra port. Adani Enterprises share price dropped as much as 2.63%, while Adani Ports share price fell 2.72%. Adani Total Gas, Adani Green Energy, Adani Energy Solutions and Adani Power shares were down between 1% and 2%. However, Adani group has strongly refuted the Wall Street Journal report terming it as baseless and mischievous and said that it was not aware of any investigation by US authorities on this subject. The WSJ said it had found tankers travelling between the Gulf and billionaire Gautam Adani's Mundra port in western India exhibiting traits that experts say are common for ships evading sanctions. Also Read | Indian billionaire Gautam Adani comes under new scrutiny from US prosecutors Adani Group Rejects Claims Adani categorically denies any deliberate engagement in sanctions evasion or trade involving Iranian-origin LPG. Further, we are not aware of any investigation by US authorities on this subject, Adani Enterprises said in a regulatory filing on June 2. The WSJs 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. Any assertion to the contrary would not only be slanderous but also deemed to be an intentional act to injure the reputation and interests of the Adani Group, it added. By policy, the Adani Group said, it does not handle any cargo from Iran at any of its ports. This includes any shipments originating from Iran or any vessels operating under the Iranian flag. Additionally, 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 company statement said. By Wayne Cole SYDNEY, June 3 (Reuters) - The Australian and New Zealand dollars backed away from resistance on Tuesday as soft economic data encouraged profit-taking on an overnight surge, while nudging short-term yields lower. The see-saw action left the Aussie down 0.4% at $0.6468 , unwinding some of Monday's 1% rally to $0.6500 that came amid a broad tariff-inspired sell off in the U.S. dollar. This is the fourth time since early May that the Aussie has failed to sustain a push past $0.6500, leading speculators to play the range and making it a self-reinforcing barrier. The kiwi dollar did briefly breach its recent top to reach a six-month high of $0.6054, before profit-taking pulled it back to $0.6013. Still, a finish above $0.6000 would be bullish for a sustained rise to the $0.6120/45 zone. The Aussie hit a further hurdle when data showed net exports and government spending both dragged on economic growth last quarter, pointing to a very sluggish start to the year. Figures on first-quarter gross domestic product are due on Wednesday and are expected to show only modest growth of 0.4%, with even that in doubt now. "We have lowered our GDP forecast to 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, from 0.5%." said Taylor Nugent, a senior markets economist at NAB. He noted consumer spending had again undershot forecasts and there was little sign of the pick up long expected by the Reserve Bank of Australia. "Our view remains that the RBA will ease away from restrictive settings reasonably quickly in order to sustain healthy labour outcomes amid a fragile recovery in consumption growth and offshore headwinds," Nugent added. "We expect rate cuts in July, August and November to 3.1%." The central bank last cut by a quarter point to 3.85% in May, and minutes of that meeting showed they seriously considered easing by an outsized 50 basis points given global risks stemming from U.S. tariffs. Markets imply around a 77% chance the RBA will ease again at its next meeting on July 8, and that rates will reach 3.10% or lower by early next year. "The July meeting is 'live' given the discussion in the Minutes and we expect it will come down to the data flow between now and then," said Belinda Allen, a senior economist at CBA. "We continue to expect two more rate cuts this cycle and favour an August and September cut," added Allen. Stock market today: Indian benchmark indices endured a highly volatile session on Monday, 2 June, but managed to pare early losses and close with modest declines, as late-session buying by bulls helped lift sentiment. The Nifty 50 ended down 0.14% at 24,716, recovering 189 points from the days low. The Sensex also clawed back from early losses to finish 77 points, or 0.09%, lower at 81,373. Two stock recommendations for today, 3 June, by MarketSmith India: Why its recommended: Diverse product portfolio across high-growth sectors, strong legacy, and indigenous innovation. Key metrics: P/E: 17.02, 52-week high: 1,760.00, volume: 4.92 crore Technical analysis: Trendline breakout Risk factors: High dependency on agrochemical sector, raw material price volatility Buy at: 1,218.80 Target price: 1,450 in three months Stop loss: 1,110 Buy: AU Small Finance Bank Ltd (current price: 718.65) Why its recommended: Strong focus on underserved markets, diversified loan book. Key metrics: P/E: 24.51, 52-week high: 810, volume: 459.59 crore Technical analysis: bullish flag pattern breakout Risk factors: Geographical concentration risk, asset quality risks in MSME and vehicle finance Buy at: 718 Target price: 790 in three months Stop loss: 690 Nifty 50: How the benchmark index performed on 2 June The Nifty 50 opened the June series with a gap-down start at 24,670 and slipped below its 21-day moving average (DMA) in early trade, retesting the intraday low of 24,526. However, the index staged a steady recovery through the session, reclaiming the 21-DMA and closing above 24,700. The days price action formed a green candlestick with a long lower shadowa lower high and lower low structurereflecting intraday volatility but also buying interest at lower levels. Read this | This small-cap has already gained 1,000%. Can AI fuel its next leap? Most sectoral indices ended in the green, except for IT, Metal, and Pharma. The advance-decline ratio hovered around 1:1, pointing to a neutral, indecisive market breadth. Technically, Nifty continues to trade above its key moving averages across multiple timeframes, although it remains locked in a broad consolidation zone of 24,40025,200. The daily RSI has flattened but remains in bullish territory, indicating underlying strength. However, the MACD has turned negative on the daily chart, suggesting the potential for near-term consolidation despite the prevailing uptrend. According to ONeils methodology, the index has shifted from a Rally Attempt" to a Confirmed Uptrend." Yet, sustained trading below the 21-DMA would be a cause for concern, reinforcing a sideways-to-bearish bias in the short term. Immediate support lies between 24,400 and 24,500, while resistance is expected around 25,000 to 25,200. Bank Nifty's performance on 2 June On Monday, 2 June, the Bank Nifty index opened at 55,598.25, slipped to an intraday low of 55,400.55, and climbed to a high of 55,966.30 before settling at 55,903.40up 0.28% for the day. The index continues to trade within a narrow consolidation band near its record highs, maintaining a positive bias. Importantly, it remains above all key moving averages, underscoring strength in its medium-term trend. Read this | FMCG stocks face margin pressure. Heres why Momentum indicators paint a mixed picture. The RSI is trending upward and currently stands at 63, indicating strengthening bullish sentiment. However, the MACD still reflects a negative crossover, suggesting some caution is warranted despite the upward drift in prices. According to ONeils market direction framework, Bank Nifty has moved from an Uptrend Under Pressure" to a more constructive Confirmed Uptrend," signalling renewed resilience in the broader trend. The index is currently consolidating just below the 56,000 mark, which is acting as a key resistance level. A clear breakout and sustained close above this level would confirm a resumption of bullish momentum and could set the stage for a move toward 57,50058,000. Until then, the index is likely to remain range-bound. On the downside, immediate support is seen near 55,000, with a stronger base around 54,500. Also read | Vodafone Idea resumes relief talks with govt, links capex to bank funding The short-term outlook remains constructive. A sustained breakout above 56,000 would confirm bullish continuation and could pave the way for an upside move toward 57,50058,800. On the downside, immediate support is seen around 54,500, which may serve as a near-term cushion. MarketSmith India is a stock research platform and advisory service focused on the Indian stock market. It offers tools and resources to help investors make informed decisions based on the CAN SLIM methodology, developed by legendary investor William J. O'Neil. You can access a 10-day free trial by registering on its website. Trade name: William ONeil India Pvt. Ltd. Sebi Registration No.: INH000015543 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. Multibagger small-cap stock in focus: Genus Power Infrastructures, one of the largest players in Indias electricity metering solutions industry, has delivered handsome returns to its shareholders in recent years, multiplying their wealth as the stock price on Dalal Street has maintained a steady upward trajectory over the past five years, emerging as one of the biggest wealth creators. The shares displayed a strong recovery after notable pullbacks and managed to recoup losses in the following months, as a growing order book and improving fundamentals continued to attract investor interest in the company. The company, which is engaged in manufacturing and providing metering and metering solutions, has seen its share price skyrocket from 15 to the current trading price of 419, resulting in a massive surge of 2,700% in just five years. If an investor had invested 1 lakh during that period and held the position to date, the investment would have grown to 28 lakh. The stock underwent a three-month correction after hitting a new all-time high of 485 in December 2025 but regained strength in April and gained further momentum in May, ending the month with a 40% rise. It also kicked off June with a 6% gain, as investors cheered the companys better-than-expected March quarter results and its expanding order book, positioning Genus Power as one of the key beneficiaries of the ongoing smart meter rollout. GPIL is poised to become one of the largest beneficiaries of the ongoing smart meter installation drive under the 3 trillion Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). As of 31st March 2025, its total order book stands at approximately 30,110 crore (net of taxes), providing strong visibility into future revenue growth. Notably, the order book is over twice the company's market capitalization. The RDSS aims to replace conventional meters and structurally transform the financial dynamics of the power sector. GPIL, the largest listed smart electricity meter company in India, offers end-to-end services, including the implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Facility Management Services (FMS) post-deployment. Net profit jumps over four-fold in Q4 In Q4FY25, the company reported revenue from operations of 937 crore, marking a growth of 123% year-on-year and 55% sequentially. This strong performance, according to the company, was driven by the continued ramp-up in project execution and increased offtake of smart meters. EBITDA for the quarter surged to 208 crore, up 276% year-on-year, with a sharp margin expansion of 905 basis points to 22.3%, supported by operating leverage and disciplined cost control. On the bottom line, net profit jumped 312% YoY to 129 crore from 31.4 crore. For the full year FY25, the company delivered revenue of 2,442 crore, more than doubling from 1,201 crore in the previous year. Net profit also rose significantly by 247% to 470 crore. The company noted that its working capital position experienced temporary elongation during the execution ramp-up phase but expects it to progressively normalize as project lifecycles mature and monthly OpEx-based payments stabilize. Additionally, the company highlighted that its strategic backward integration into software solutions such as Meter Data Management (MDM) and Head-End Systems (HES) enables better operational control and enhances long-term operating leverage. Retail investors increased their stake in the March quarter During the March quarter, retail shareholders marginally increased their stake in the company to 34.5% from 34.3% in the December quarter. Mutual funds maintained a stable holding at 3.8%, while foreign institutional investors (FIIs) trimmed their stake to 22.4% from 22.8% in Q3FY25. The promoter holding in the company remained unchanged at 39.4%. Rafale brand owner Dassault Aviation share price fell marginally in the early trade on Wednesday. The Rafale jet manufacturer's stock opened at 326.40 apiece on Paris Stock Exchange on June 4. Dassault Aviation he stock has remained volatile, shedding over 1.70 per cent in a month, however, gaining over 6.70 per cent in six months. On June 2, Dassault Aviation stock closed at 322.40 apiece, 3 per cent away from its 52-week high of 332.20. Dassault Aviation stock grabbed investors' attention after the Indian armed forces-led Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. As the India-Pakistan tensions escalated, the stock saw a significant surge of up to 66 per cent, however, it later gave up the gains. Also Read | Chinese defence stocks volatile amid fading India-Pakistan tensions Operation Sindoor was a strategic military action undertaken by the Indian forces, wherein they targeted terrorist camps situated 200 kilometres within Pakistani territory and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while deliberately steering clear of breaching Pakistani airspace. According to multiple reports, the Indian Air Force carried out the mission using Rafale fighter jets armed with SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided bombs. According to market experts, Dassault Aviation's stock is on the verge of a bullish breakout from a 50-day-long cup and handle pattern, with the breakout pivot placed at 324. Dassault Aviation share price - Where's it headed? Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investments, believes that a high-volume breakout above 324 will confirm the pattern and likely trigger fresh bullish momentum. Dassault Aviation is on the verge of a bullish breakout from a 50-day-long cup and handle pattern, with the breakout pivot placed at 324. Volumes in the base have been accumulative, indicating strong institutional interest. A high-volume breakout above 324 will confirm the pattern and likely trigger fresh bullish momentum. Post-breakout, the stock is expected to head towards an immediate upside target of 375, supported by its strong price structure and accumulation, Jain said. Also Read | F-16 fighter jet maker Lockheed Martin gives zero returns in a month Meanwhile, Riyank Arora, Technical Analyst at Mehta Equities Ltd, said that a sustained move above 332 with volume confirmation may attract fresh buying interest. Dassault Aviation is trading near a key resistance at 332. A decisive breakout above this level could open the path toward the next resistance zone at 350-360. On the downside, immediate support is placed at 310, and if breached, the stock may slip toward the next support at 300. The overall trend remains mildly positive, Arora said. The Nifty slipped to an intraday low of 24,526 on Monday, 2 June, but recovered later in the day. Overall sentiment remained subdued with no strong buying interest. The Nifty 50 ended the session 34.10 points lower, down 0.14%, at 24,716.60. The BSE Sensex also remained weak throughout the day and ended almost flat at 81,373. The Bank Nifty outperformed the broader indices. Top three stocks recommended by Ankush Bajaj for 3 June Buy: Bank of India (current price: 125.25) Why its recommended : The stock has recently shown strong upward momentum and is trading near breakout levels with increasing volume, indicating buying interest and potential continuation towards higher targets. : The stock has recently shown strong upward momentum and is trading near breakout levels with increasing volume, indicating buying interest and potential continuation towards higher targets. Key metrics : Resistance level: 133-135 (short-term target range); support level: 121 (pattern invalidation level); pattern: Bullish continuation with strong momentum and volume confirmation : Resistance level: 133-135 (short-term target range); support level: 121 (pattern invalidation level); pattern: Bullish continuation with strong momentum and volume confirmation RSI: Trending bullish on both daily and intraday charts, signaling strength in the ongoing move Trending bullish on both daily and intraday charts, signaling strength in the ongoing move Technical analysis: Bank of India is trading with positive bias and has maintained higher highs and higher lows on the lower time frames. The current price action near 125.25, supported by strong RSI, suggests the stock could test the 133-135 zone in the coming sessions if it sustains above the breakout level. Bank of India is trading with positive bias and has maintained higher highs and higher lows on the lower time frames. The current price action near 125.25, supported by strong RSI, suggests the stock could test the 133-135 zone in the coming sessions if it sustains above the breakout level. Risk factors: A breakdown below 121 could invalidate the bullish setup and attract profit booking. Any sharp correction in the PSU banking space or broader indices may impact the expected move. A breakdown below 121 could invalidate the bullish setup and attract profit booking. Any sharp correction in the PSU banking space or broader indices may impact the expected move. Buy at : 125.25 : 125.25 Target price: 133-135 in 4-5 days 133-135 in 4-5 days Stop loss: 121 Buy: Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Co. Ltd (current price: 1,581) Why its recommended : After making a new lifetime high, the stock witnessed selling pressure and has now bounced back from the demand zone between 1,580-1,545. This suggests a potential pullback move, supported by price action and recovery from key support levels. : After making a new lifetime high, the stock witnessed selling pressure and has now bounced back from the demand zone between 1,580-1,545. This suggests a potential pullback move, supported by price action and recovery from key support levels. Key metrics: Resistance level: 1,650-1,670 (short-term target range. Support level: 1,547 (pattern invalidation level); Pattern: Bullish pullback setup from demand zone Resistance level: 1,650-1,670 (short-term target range. Support level: 1,547 (pattern invalidation level); Pattern: Bullish pullback setup from demand zone RSI: Bullish on both daily and intraday time frames, supporting the possibility of a short-term upside move Bullish on both daily and intraday time frames, supporting the possibility of a short-term upside move Technical analysis: CHOLAFIN has shown strength by rebounding from its demand zone, and the current price structure indicates a likely pullback towards the 1,650-1,670 zone. Sustaining above 1581 with improving momentum supports a bullish outlook in the near term. CHOLAFIN has shown strength by rebounding from its demand zone, and the current price structure indicates a likely pullback towards the 1,650-1,670 zone. Sustaining above 1581 with improving momentum supports a bullish outlook in the near term. Risk factors: A breakdown below 1,547 may invalidate the expected pullback. Broader market weakness or negative cues from the financial sector could also weigh on price action. A breakdown below 1,547 may invalidate the expected pullback. Broader market weakness or negative cues from the financial sector could also weigh on price action. Buy at : 1,581 : 1,581 Target price: 1,650-1,670 in 4-5 days 1,650-1,670 in 4-5 days Stop loss: 1,547 Buy: AU Small Finance Bank Ltd (current price: 718.65) Why its recommended : On the daily chart, the stock has closed above a recent trendline, confirming a breakout. Additionally, on the 45-minute time frame, AUBANK has given a triangle breakout at 700, projecting a potential target around 745. The setup indicates that the ongoing rally is likely to continue. : On the daily chart, the stock has closed above a recent trendline, confirming a breakout. Additionally, on the 45-minute time frame, AUBANK has given a triangle breakout at 700, projecting a potential target around 745. The setup indicates that the ongoing rally is likely to continue. Key metrics : Resistance level: 738-745 (short-term target range); Support level: 708 (pattern invalidation level); Pattern: Trendline breakout on daily chart and triangle breakout on 45-min chart : Resistance level: 738-745 (short-term target range); Support level: 708 (pattern invalidation level); Pattern: Trendline breakout on daily chart and triangle breakout on 45-min chart RSI: Bullish on both daily and lower time frames, supporting strength in the breakout Bullish on both daily and lower time frames, supporting strength in the breakout Technical analysis: AUBANK has confirmed a breakout on multiple time frames, showing strong bullish structure. The price action above 718.65, backed by volume and momentum, supports further upside toward the projected targets. AUBANK has confirmed a breakout on multiple time frames, showing strong bullish structure. The price action above 718.65, backed by volume and momentum, supports further upside toward the projected targets. Risk factors: A fall below 708 could invalidate the breakout structure. Broader banking sector weakness or negative news flow may affect short-term sentiment. A fall below 708 could invalidate the breakout structure. Broader banking sector weakness or negative news flow may affect short-term sentiment. Buy at : 718.65 : 718.65 Target price: 738-745 in 4-5 days 738-745 in 4-5 days Stop loss: 708 Two stock recommendations for today, 3 June, by MarketSmith India Why its recommended: Diverse product portfolio across high-growth sectors, strong legacy, and indigenous innovation. Key metrics: P/E: 17.02, 52-week high: 1,760.00, volume: 4.92 crore Technical analysis: Trendline breakout Risk factors: High dependency on agrochemical sector, raw material price volatility Buy at: 1,218.80 Target price: 1,450 in three months Stop loss: 1,110 Buy: AU Small Finance Bank Ltd (current price: 718.65) Why its recommended: Strong focus on underserved markets, diversified loan book. Key metrics: P/E: 24.51, 52-week high: 810, volume: 459.59 crore Technical analysis: bullish flag pattern breakout Risk factors: Geographical concentration risk, asset quality risks in MSME and vehicle finance Buy at: 718 Target price: 790 in three months Stop loss: 690 Stocks to trade today, recommended by Trade Brains Portal for 3 June Dr. Lal PathLabs Ltd Current price: 2,777 Target price: 3,380 in 16-24 months Stop-loss: 2,475 Why its recommended: Founded in 1949, Dr. Lal PathLabs is one of Indias leading diagnostic chains, offering a comprehensive range of pathology and radiology services. Its pan-India presence includes 12,365 pick-up points (PUPs), 6,607 patient service centers (PSCs), and 298 clinical laboratories as of FY25. The company serves patients and healthcare providers with over 3,100 pathology tests, 1,400+ radiology/cardiology tests, and 385 test panels, operating across more than 23 countries. Key operational strengths A logistics backbone supported by 280+ satellite labs and 36 NABL accreditations. Partnerships with 150+ hospitals/labs. A medical team of 250+ physicians and 1,800+ employees. Financial highlights (FY25) Revenue: 2,461 crore, up 10.5% YoY Ebitda: 696 crore, up 14.2%, with 28.3% margin PAT: 492 crore, up 35.9%, with a 20% net margin The management is guiding for 1112% revenue growth in FY26, driven by test portfolio expansion and rising patient volumes. Ebitda margins are expected to hover around 27%, as the company invests in growth regions (especially South and West India), digital infrastructure, and talent acquisition. Growth strategy Continued focus on digital expansion, including an AI-based recommendation engine to improve patient experience. Increasing depth in high-growth segments such as genomics, autoimmune disorders, and reproductive diagnostics. Accelerated presence in Tier-3 and Tier-4 cities, particularly in North and East India; 18 new labs added in FY25. Ongoing integration of Suburban Diagnostics (acquired in 2021) to broaden reach and service offerings. Emphasis on volume-led growth by increasing both patient footfall and tests per patient. Actively exploring inorganic growth opportunities through M&A, leveraging its strong brand recall. Risk factors: The accuracy of diagnostic services is critical. Any lapses due to operational errors, poor maintenance, or mishandling could damage reputation and trust. The diagnostic space remains fragmented and highly competitive, with pricing pressure from numerous unorganized players offering similar services. Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd Current price: 260 Target price: 310 in 16-24 months Stop-loss: 230 Why its recommended: Established in 1991, Mahindra Finance is among Indias leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), catering to a wide customer base across rural and semi-urban India. The company operates a robust pan-India network with over 1,365 branches across 27 states and 7 Union Territories, covering 516,000 villages and 8,000 towns, and serving 11 million customers through 6,000+ dealers and 10 OEM partnerships. Its diverse portfolio spans vehicle loans, SME financing, home finance, insurance broking, mutual funds, personal loans, and fixed deposits, with an AUM of $14.1 billion. Financial highlights (FY25) Total disbursements: 60,741 crore, up from 58,647 crore in FY24 Profit after tax: 2,261 crore, up 16% YoY Total income: 18,530 crore, up 16% YoY Loan book: 1,16,214 crore, up 17% YoY Interest income: 16,566 crore, up 15% YoY Interest expenses: 8,415 crore, up 21% YoY The company maintained healthy asset quality, supported by a tech-led approach to underwriting and collections. Credit cost stood at 1.3%, net interest margin at 6.5%, and gross stage 3 (GS3) assets at 3.7%. The company maintained healthy asset quality, supported by a tech-led approach to underwriting and collections. Credit cost stood at 1.3%, net interest margin at 6.5%, and gross stage 3 (GS3) assets at 3.7%. Growth drivers Mahindra Finance has focused on targeting resilient borrowers, digitizing processes via third-party API integrations, and using data analytics to drive collection efficiencies. The companys SME segment saw a 48% jump in disbursements, accounting for 5% of the total. Among vehicles: Passenger cars rose 8%, making up 41% of disbursements Tractor loans grew 3%, contributing 10% Pre-owned and three-wheeler financing accounted for 16% and 4%, respectively Commercial vehicle financing remained stable at 21% Other segments (farm implements, gensets, personal/consumer loans) grew 21%, contributing 2% Mahindra Finances diversified portfolio and strong brand in rural markets position it well to benefit from increased rural spending and the uptick in auto and SME financing. Risk factors: Credit risk remains a concern, particularly in rural markets, where loan delinquencies could lead to higher NPAs and impact profitability. The companys dependence on multiple funding sources exposes it to liquidity risks, especially during times of financial market stress. Continued performance depends on effective risk management, prudent capital allocation, and strong administrative controls. Ankush Bajaj is a Sebi-registered research analyst. His registration number is INH000010441. 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. Stock Market Today: The benchmark Nifty-50 index ended another volatile session at 24,716.60 down 0.14% on Monday. The Bank Nifty however gained 0.28% at 55,903.40 as Realty and FMCG index led the gains for many other indices, though metals and IT were among losers. Broader indices saw positive momentum and mid and small caps gained up to 1.3%. Trade Setup for Tuesday The underlying trend of Nifty remains choppy with weak bias. The Nifty is expected to show short term upside bounce towards 24900 in the next few sessions. Immediate support is at 24500, as per Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities. Immediate support for Bank Nifty is placed at 55,000-55,200 levels while the key short-term support is seen at 54,000-53,500, as per Bajaj Broking. Global Markets Today 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. 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. Supportive domestic macro indicators include a potential RBI rate cut, a better monsoon, Q4 GDP data and better GST collection, said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited. Stocks to buy today Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, has recommended two stock picks for today. Ganesh Dongre, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Anand Rathi, suggested three stocks, while Shiju Koothupalakkal, Senior Manager Technical Research, at Prabhudas Lilladher has given three stock picks Sumeet Bagadia's stock picks Intellect Design Arena Ltd- Bagadia recommends buying Intellect Design Arena or INTELLECT at around Rs1192.80 keeping Stoploss at Ra 1150 for a target price of 1276 INTELLECT is currently trading at 1192.8, exhibiting strong bullish momentum. The stock has been forming a series of higher highs and higher lows, indicating a well-established uptrend. It recently rebounded from the support zone near 1080 and surged toward its recent high, suggesting a consolidation breakout that reinforces the underlying strength of the trend. Notably, the stock has marked a fresh 52-week high at 1197.9. 2. Valor Estate Ltd- Bagadia recommends buying Valor Estate Ltd or DBREALTY at around 203.15 keeping Stoploss at 196 for a target price of 218 DBREALTY is currently trading at 203.15, having rebounded from a key support level and formed a bullish candlestick pattern on the daily chart. The stock has successfully broken out of its recent consolidation range between 182 and 200, indicating the potential start of a trend reversal. This breakout is supported by a significant increase in trading volumes, highlighting strong buying interest and growing market participation. Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy today 3. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd - Dongre recommends buying Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd or BHEL at around 261 keeping Stoploss at 257 for a target price of 267 In the latest short-term technical analysis, stock has shown a strong and consistent bullish trend, indicating the potential for an extended upward move. The stock is currently trading at 261 and holding above a key support level at 257. This support zone serves as a critical point for risk management. Given the bullish momentum, traders are advised to consider a buying opportunity with a stop-loss placed strategically at 257 to manage downside risk. The target for this trade is set at 267, suggesting a favorable risk-to-reward ratio and a continuation of the prevailing upward trend. 4. Oberoi Realty Ltd - Dongre recommends buying Oberoi Realty or OBEROIRLTY at around 1770 keeping Stoploss at around 1735 for a target price of 1830 Stock has exhibited a strong notable continue bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 1770 and maintaining a strong support at 1735. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 1830 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 1735 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside. 5.Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd - Dongre recommends buying Sona BLW Precision Forgings or SONACOMS at around 545 keeping Stoploss at around 535 for a target price of 565. Stock is currently trading at 545 and appears to be in bullish zone for short term. A bullish reversal pattern has emerged on the daily chart, indicating a potential upmove. The critical support level lies at 535, which also acts as a key stop-loss point for this trade. With bullish cues signaling a possible retracement towards the 565 target, this setup provides a favorable entry opportunity for traders looking to capitalize on a technical rebound. Shiju Koothupalakkal's intraday stocks for today 6. Federal Bank Ltd- Koothupalakkal recommends buying FEDERAL BANK at around 206 for a target price of 220 keeping Stop loss at around 202 The stock has indicated a triangular pattern breakout on the daily chart with a bullish candle formation with significant volume participation visible and has triggered for fresh upward move in the coming sessions. The RSI is well placed and has indicated a positive trend reversal to signal a buy and with much upside potential visible, can carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest to buy the stock for an upside target of 220 keeping the stop loss of 202 level. 7. Housing & Urban Development Corporation Ltd or HUDCO- Koothupalakkal recommends buying HUDCO at around 247.65 for a Target price of 262 keeping Stop loss at around 242 The stock has been consolidating near the 240 zone with bias maintained positive and currently with a positive bullish candle formation on the daily chart has shown strength with improvement in the bias and can carry on with the positive move for further rise in the coming sessions. The RSI is on the rise with strength indicated having much upside potential for further gains. With the chart technically well positioned, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 262 level keeping the stop loss of 242 level. 8. Escorts Kubota Ltd- Koothupalakkal recommends buying ESCORTS at around 3383 for a target price of 3500 keeping Stop loss at 3330 The stock, after witnessing a short period of correction, has taken support near the important 100-period MA at 3270 zone and indicated a decent pullback to improve the bias once again, anticipating a further rise in the coming sessions. The RSI after correcting has once again indicated a revival to expect for further upward moves to carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking attractive, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of the 3500 level, keeping the stop loss of the 3330 level. Heres a quick look at stocks likely to be in focus in today's trade. Yes Bank Yes Bank shares will remain in focus once again today as its board is scheduled to meet to discuss a potential fundraising plan. Vodafone Idea Vodafone Idea (VIL) stated that it is in discussions with the central government to resolve the AGR matter, with CEO Akshaya Moondra expressing confidence that there is no justification for the government to be restricted in providing relief. Biocon Biocon has been granted approval to market the diabetes medication Liraglutide in India. Jindal Stainless Jindal Stainless announced that it has acquired a 33.64% equity stake in a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed to build a 282 MW hybrid renewable energy project aimed at powering its manufacturing facilities. ITC On May 28, US-based investment firm GQG Partners boosted its holdings in ITC Ltd, a leading Indian consumer goods company, by executing a bulk deal. HCL Tech HCL Tech revealed a strategic alliance with UiPath aimed at fast-tracking Agentic Automation for businesses worldwide. Niva Bupa Health True North, a private equity firm, along with Niva Bupa Health Insurance CEO Krishnan Ramachandran, sold a total of 10 percent stake in the health insurance company for 1,507 crore via open market deals. Adani Group The Adani Group is once again being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), this time over allegations of importing Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) into India via the Mundra port. Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy Grasim Industries Aditya Birla Groups main holding company revealed that its Finance Committee has given the green light to issue non-convertible debentures (NCDs) totaling up to 1,000 crore. Torrent Power An Ahmedabad-based firm announced that it has entered into a long-term Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with BP Singapore Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of the global energy giant BP, to supply up to 0.41 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) between 2027 and 2036. Vodafone Idea share price fell over 4 per cent in Tuesday's trading session (June 3) after the telecom company said that it is actively working with the central government to obtain relief for its longstanding Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) liabilities. Vodafone Idea shares hit the day's low of 6.75 on the BSE today, declining 4.11% from its last closing price of 7.04 apiece. The company, which is facing financial challenges, is in talks with banks to obtain debt financing for its long-term growth, said its CEO Akshaya Moondra. He added that banks will seek clear information about the telcos outstanding payments to the government before approving any loans. Also Read | Vodafone resumes relief talks with govt., links capex to bank funding Moondra also mentioned that the company is still in talks with the central government to reach a practical resolution on the AGR issue. He emphasised that the government should have full freedom to provide relief, especially since this is a policy matter beyond the scope of judicial intervention. Moondra also pointed out the financial pressures the company faces, highlighting Indias low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and the unsustainable pricing of data services as key obstacles. He called for a pricing model where heavy data users bear a proportionally higher cost, stressing that the telecom sectors current returns fall short of the cost of capital. This update comes after the Supreme Court recently rejected the companys request for relief, dealing a major setback to the heavily indebted telecom operator. The telecom company is struggling with AGR liabilities close to 30,000 crore and a declining market share. TRAI data shows that Vodafone Ideas subscriber count dropped by 6.47 lakh in April, bringing the total to 20.47 crore. Ahead of the Supreme Courts decision, the telecom company had sent an urgent appeal to the telecom department, cautioning that without timely government support, it might not sustain operations beyond FY26. Although the company reduced its net loss to 7,166.1 crore in Q4 FY25, Vodafone Idea continues to depend heavily on external aid. Recently, its board approved a plan to raise up to 20,000 crore, pending shareholder and regulatory clearances. Vodafone Idea share price - Should you buy or sell? According to Riyank Arora, Technical Analyst at Mehta Equities Ltd, Vodafone Idea is showing signs of stability above its support at 6.80. As long as the stock holds this level, a short-term upward move toward the target of 7.55 looks possible. A breakout above 7.00 with volume can add momentum to the move. However, if it breaks below 6.80, weakness could set in, and the stock may drift lower. Traders can consider buying with a stop-loss at 6.80, aiming for 7.55 in the near term. The trend remains cautiously positive above support, Arora said. Yes Bank on Tuesday said its board has approved raising of 16,000 crore through a mix of equity and debt to fund business growth. The board approved raising of funds by way of issuance of eligible equity securities through various permissible means, provided that the aggregate amount to be raised by issuance of such securities would not exceed 7,500 crore and would not result in an aggregate dilution of more than 10 per cent (including dilution on account of issuance of equity securities in terms of this item and conversion of any convertible debt securities approved by the board). The board also gave its nod to raising funds by way of issuance of eligible debt securities in Indian or foreign currency, provided that the aggregate amount to be raised by issuance of such securities would not exceed 8,500 crore and would not result in an aggregate dilution of more than 10 per cent, it said. According to the filing, the board also approved amendments to the Articles of Association of the bank pursuant to the terms of the share purchase agreement dated May 9 executed by and amongst the bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and State Bank of India (SBI), which would be subject to approval of the Reserve Bank of India and shareholders of the bank. The rights of SMBC and SBI that are proposed to be incorporated into the Articles of Association of the bank are subject to the fall-away thresholds of 10 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. According to the revised Articles of Association, SMBC or any of its permitted assignees would have the right to nominate two non-executive and non-independent directors for appointment to the company board, subject to applicable laws. SBI will have the right to nominate one non-executive and non-independent director for appointment to the board, the filing said. Last month, SBI and seven other lenders announced that they will sell 20 per cent of their combined stake in Yes Bank to Japan's SMBC for a consideration of 13,483 crore, making it the largest cross-border investment in the Indian banking sector. Following the completion of the transaction, SMBC will become the single-largest shareholder of Mumbai-based Yes Bank. Of the 20 per cent stake, SBI will dilute a 13.19 per cent stake in Yes Bank in favour of SMBC for a consideration of 8,889 crore, while 6.81 per cent shareholding will be offloaded by seven other lenders -- Axis Bank, Bandhan Bank, Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank -- for about 4,594 crore. SBI and the seven other lenders invested in the bank as part of the YES Bank Reconstruction Scheme in March 2020. Mumbai-headquartered SBI, which owned a 24 per cent stake in Yes Bank, will be left with a little over 10 per cent stake after the dilution. SMBC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc -- the second largest banking group in Japan with total assets of USD 2 trillion as of December 2024 and a strong global presence. Along with this, the private lenders board has also announced amendments to the Articles of Association pursuant to the terms of the share purchase agreement dated May executed by and amongst the lender, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and State Bank of India . Japanese banking giant SBMC will be acquiring a 20 per cent stake in Yes Bank. Yes Bank share price plunged over 10% in trade on Tuesday, breaking its three-day winning streak. Yes Bank shares declined as much as 10.74% to the day's low of 20.77. The private lender's stock finally settled the day at 20.85, down 10.40%. The fall in Yes Bank share price comes amid reports of a block deal and ahead of its board meeting to consider fundraising. According to a report by CNBC-TV18, around 3% equity shares of Yes Bank changed hands in multiple blocks in Tuesdays trade. The report added that a PE investor was likely the seller of Yes Bank shares in the block deals today. Yes Bank has also clarified that the media reports of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) seeking RBI approval for a wholly-owned subsidiary to acquire a controlling stake were factually incorrect. the Bank is not privy to discussions in relation to matters stated in the article. Further, references to the Bank having road map discussions with the RBI are factually incorrect, Yes Bank said in a regulatory filing on June 3. Also Read | Adani Group stocks fall on reports of Iranian LPG import; Company rejects claims Meanwhile, the board of directors of Yes Bank are slated to meet today to consider proposals to raise capital through the issuance of equity shares or debt securities, via private placement or preferential allotment, subject to requisite approvals. ...this is to inform that the meeting of the Board of Directors of YES Bank Limited is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 03, 2025, inter alia, to consider raising of funds by way of issuance of equity shares, debt securities and/or any other eligible securities (convertible/non-convertible) through permissible modes, including but not limited to a private placement, preferential issue or any other method or combination of methods, subject to such approvals as may be required, YES Bank announced in a regulatory filing on May 28. Yes Bank also said that its trading window for designated persons and insiders will remain closed from May 29 until two days after the outcome of the board meeting is disclosed to the stock exchanges. Yes Bank Share Price Trend Yes Bank share price has recently witnessed a strong rally, gaining 23% in one month and rising 11% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. Yes Bank shares have gained 4% over the last six months, but the banking stock has dropped 7.5% in one year. However, Yes Bank share price has delivered 32% returns in two years. Technical Outlook Yes Bank share price is showing signs of a failed breakout from a 3-week tight consolidation, with yesterdays breakout attempt reversing sharply, noted Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investments. The vertical failure suggests weakening bullish momentum. A close below 21.4 will likely confirm the breakdown, pushing Yes Bank shares back towards its support zone near 19. Traders should stay cautious as this failed breakout pattern could attract further selling pressure if critical support levels give way in the coming sessions, said Jain. Mahin Boland Karami works full-time in prison. The mop is broken and she has to spend hours bent double cleaning the toilets, the corridors, and everywhere else with a broken implement. When the working day is done, she twists her hips and shows off her Kurdish dancing. No wonder her blood sugar levels have dropped. I want a very, very sweet cake. I dont have enough money for a cream puff. Give me something else this time. OK. Itll be ready in about two hours. This was probably the last conversation Mahin and another prisoner had about pastries. Not long afterwards, the kitchen was shut down, and Mahin froze to death. Also read: Make sweet and savoury snacks like a top pastry chef This is a treat of Spanish origin, and easy to prepare.* If you invite someone to enjoy it with you, dont forget to tell them that, at the first hearing of her trial, Mahin defended herself in Kurdish. Then emphasise that she was a real Leyla Zana a Kurdish member of the Turkish parliament who was jailed for fifteen years for doing the same thing. And dont forget to follow this up with this poem by the Iraqi-Kurdish poet Sherko Bekas: In the land of the gallows and ashes and spoils you are the sister of the motherlands evergreens, and when you were being devoured by the whales and monsters, from the sun of todays women, from the infernal orators of today, there were none who had not tied their tongues out of fear, there were none who had not hidden their voices under the pillow and their courage in the closet. Today is the shining day of your glowing hair. Today is the eighth of March. Each year on this day, that beautiful dove from Kirkuk takes to the sky and lands on the windowsill of Leyla Zanas prison. This cake is indeed very sweet. But dont let that worry you; it is delicious. Arabs are probably responsible for the high sugar content of Spanish cakes. View Full Image The book shares Sepideh Gholian's experiences of baking for fellow prisoners. Cake ingredients 190g flour 1 tsp baking powder 115g butter 190g sugar 5 eggs 12 tsp vanilla essence Milk mixture ingredients 200ml milk 200ml condensed milk 200ml clotted cream Directions Mix the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the eggs one by one, followed by the vanilla essence, flour and baking powder. Pour the mixture into greased tins. Place in a preheated oven for 3040 minutes at 180C. When completely cool, use a toothpick to poke little holes all over the top of the cake. Whip the double cream and mix thoroughly with the milk and condensed milk. Pour the whole lot over the top of the cake. Leave in the refrigerator for a day or so for the milk mixture to penetrate. Decorate your cake with whipped cream, fruit, or cinnamon. * The origins of tres leches cake lie in Latin America, although there is debate about whether its genesis was in Mexico, where soaked desserts were popular in the mid-nineteenth century, or Nicaragua. When Nestle opened up factories in Mexico in the 1930s, it printed a recipe for tres leches on the back of its cans of condensed and evaporated milk. Excerpted with permission from The Evin Prison Bakers' Club by Sepideh Gholian, published by Oneworld Publications. Also read: How to add fizz to tender coconut water I am a 54-year-old man running a textile manufacturing business. I want to ensure that upon my death, the business operations and assets are secured. How can I effectively protect my business operation interests after my death? --Name withheld on request. Here are the following steps to ensure protection of business ownership, operations, and management upon the death of the current business owner: Business succession planning: This step may involve passing ownership to family members or selling the business to an external party. One of the key objectives of effective succession planning is to minimize potential conflicts among family members or business partners. This can be accomplished by establishing a clear plan for the transfer of ownership and management, which outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of each individual involved in the business. A thoughtfully crafted succession plan ensures the continuity of the business and also helps to preserve the legacy of the owner. Also Read: Thinking legacy: Startup founders take to trusts, estate planning to protect assets, plan succession Tax planning strategies: Estate planning also entails the identification of tax planning strategies aimed at minimising the tax implications on the estate. One of the most effective tax planning approaches for business owners involves the strategic use of various estate planning tools, including trusts, gifts, and life insurance policies. These instruments can significantly reduce estate taxes, capital gains taxes, and income taxes associated with the estate. Identifying key assets and beneficiaries: Conducting a comprehensive inventory of all assets, which includes the business itself, real estate, personal property, investments, and other holdings. You should clearly identify their beneficiaries and establish how you wish to have your assets distributed among them. Additionally, you must take into account the potential tax implications of their estate plan and how these may impact their beneficiaries. For instance, if the estate plan involves transferring a business to a family member, it is essential to carefully assess the tax consequences associated with such a transfer. Minimising probate and estate administration costs: The costs associated with probate and estate administration can substantially diminish the overall value of an estate. Business owners are encouraged to collaborate with their estate planning attorney to minimise these expenses by employing strategies such as trusts and other estate planning instruments. Also Read: Do DINK and SINK families need succession planning? A revocable living trust is an excellent vehicle for bypassing probate and reducing estate administration costs. Assets placed in a revocable living trust are not subject to probate, allowing for their distribution to beneficiaries without the necessity of court involvement. Protecting business interests and intellectual property: Business owners should consider how their estate plan can safeguard their business interests and intellectual property. This might involve creating trusts or other legal structures designed to protect the business's assets and rights to intellectual property. For instance, a business owner may establish a family limited partnership to facilitate the transfer of business ownership to their heirs while retaining control over the businesss operations. The estate planning process for business owners involves several crucial steps: assessing estate planning needs and objectives, identifying and valuing assets, selecting an estate planning attorney along with other professionals, creating and implementing a robust estate plan, and periodically updating that plan as necessary. Common estate planning tools for business encompass wills and trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, buy-sell agreements, and life insurance policies. To ensure a comprehensive estate plan that effectively addresses their unique needs and objectives, business owners should collaborate with their estate planning attorney and financial advisor. Seeking professional guidance in estate planning is essential for creating a comprehensive and legally binding estate plan. Getting health insurance for ageing parents can feel like a high-stakes balancing actjuggling steep premiums, limited coverage, and rigid terms. Even after paying a hefty price, long waiting periods and co-payment clauses often mean the policy doesn't deliver when it's needed most. But for many young professionals, an unlikely saviour is stepping in: their employers group health plan. These plans often bypass the hassles of pre-policy check-ups and pre-existing disease exclusions, though they come with their own set of risks and fine print. Also read: Senior healthcare crisis: Why insurance must cover more than just hospital stays Employer cover to the rescue Take Reetika Sharma, for example. She and her husband managed to get both sets of parentsher own and her in-lawscovered under her husbands employer-provided health plan. The policy turned out to be a financial lifesaver when her 56-year-old mother had to undergo angioplasty costing 2.8 lakh, and her 62-year-old mother-in-law needed a uterus removal surgery that cost 1.43 lakh. Thanks to the employer health cover, they paid nothing out of pocket. Whats more, the insurer accepted both parents despite their health historyher mother had high blood pressure, and her mother-in-law had diabetes and respiratory issues. To get the coverage, the couple paid 8,145 each for both sets of parents (with the company covering 70% of the base premium) for a 3 lakh cover. They further added a 2 lakh top-up per pair by paying 12,160 each. In all, they spent 40,600 for a total sum insured of 10 lakh 5 lakh for her parents and 5 lakh for her in-laws. The employer contribution applied only to the base policy, not the top-up. Sharma didnt buy separate health insurance for her in-laws, given their age and pre-existing conditions, which made premiums prohibitively high. Her own parents, however, have held a private policy for 15 years and benefit from lower premiums due to early enrolment. Still, they prefer claiming through the employers policy because its more convenient and faster to process. To be sure, employer plans dont always guarantee lower premiums. Mahavir Chopra, founder and CEO of Beshak.org, cautions that many people turn to their employers policy to insure parents with pre-existing conditionssince individual plans often come with long waiting periods or outright rejections. But this can backfire. Doing that increases the risk of the pool, which is generally used by insurers to calculate next years premium amount, which may go up. Also read: Irdai caps annual premium hike for senior citizens at 10% annuallywhat it means for policyholders How does it work? Unlike individual plans, those offered by employers are in the form of a group plan. In such plans, the employer is the main policyholder of the group. The insurance company assesses the riskiness of the group as a whole and does not consider the individual health condition of its members. While most companies extend this facility to parents or in-laws, each employer might have different rules and premium pricing. Chandrani, a chartered accountant, saw firsthand how employer insurance terms can vary dramatically. At his previous job, he paid 9,000 each to cover his mother and father under a 5 lakh policy with no co-payment clause. But after switching jobs 11 months ago, the new employer charged a lower flat premium of 3,300 annually, with a catch: a 10% co-payment clause. That meant the family had to bear 10% of the hospital bills at the time of claims. His father, who was diagnosed with a heart condition and later passed away, had undergone surgery while covered under the old employers plan. Gaurav Chopra, who works at a multinational retail chain, took a different approach. His company provides a base cover of 5 lakh and lets employees include either their parents or in-laws at no extra cost. Chopra decided to boost the coverage by paying an additional 29,000 to top up the plan by 20 lakhbringing the total sum insured to 25 lakh. The Gurgaon-based executive also pays 80,000 a year for a separate non-corporate floater plan covering his wife, son, and both parents for 20 lakh. His father is 73, and mother is 65. View Full Image Graphics: Mint Industry insight Employer policies for senior citizens cost, on average, 30% less than individual plans, according to a report shared with Mint by Plum Insurance. Still, features like co-payment and room rent caps vary widely. Around 35% of employers in India offer parental cover. Nearly 4550% of all claims are for parents, and the average claim size is 30% higher, the report added. The catch Dinesh Mosamkar, senior vice-president of consumer underwriting, Tata AIG General Insurance, said that when the employee switches their jobs, their employer health insurance lapses. This means that the insurance is valid only till the employer is working with the organization. The new employer's policy might not be as favourable as the old one. Mosamkar also said that such insurance is subject to annual renewals, during which the terms and conditions of the policy, along with its pricing, can change. Moreover, an employers insurance may have a rigid structure and might not offer a sum insured beyond a certain threshold. In other words, there might be less scope for customisation in such plans. Moreover, there could be a co-payment clause. Here, the insurer specifies a certain percentage of the medical bill that has to be borne by the policyholder. Also read: Fixing senior citizen health insurance pricing beyond the premium caps Beyond employer plans Super top-up plans are a smart way to expand your health cover without breaking the bank. These plans kick in only after a certain thresholdcalled the deductibleis crossed. Say you have a deductible of 5 lakh and your hospital bill totals 8 lakh, your regular or employer insurance would cover the first 5 lakh, and the super top-up plan would take care of the remaining 3 lakh. These plans are significantly cheaper than standalone policies and offer generous coveragemaking them ideal for covering senior citizens with higher health risks. Sajja Praveen Chowdary, director at Policybazaar For Business, said that its always advisable to have an individual policy beyond what is provided by the employer. For those looking to get the employers insurance for their parents, read the terms and conditions carefully. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began over three years ago, shows no signs of resolution. The representatives of the two countries met on Monday, June 2, for a second round of peace talks but ended the discussion with no major breakthrough. While Russia rejected Ukraine's proposal of an unconditional ceasefire, the two countries agreed to swap prisoners of the war and bodies of 12,000 soldiers. The talks unfolded a day after a string of stunning long-range attacks by both sides, with Ukraine launching a devastating drone assault on Russian air bases and Russia hurling its largest drone attack of the war against Ukraine. During Mondays just over an hour talks in Istanbul of Turkey, both Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange all sick and severely wounded prisoners of war, as well as those under the age of 25. WHAT DOES VLADIMIR PUTIN WANT TO HALT HOSTILITIES? During the second round of peace talks, the Russian delegation proposed a two- or three-day truce in certain areas on the front line. It did not provide any further details on the areas it was seeking peace in. While the peace proposals from both the countries have not been made public, according to Russian state-run media, Moscow has reiterated its demand of Ukrainian military's withdrawal from its four partly occupied regions in the south-east. Russia has also demanded demobilisation of its soldiers. In addition, Russia is seeking international recognition of Ukraines Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, along with the annexed territory of Crimea. Other demands include no membership to Ukraine in any military alliances like NATO. Limiting the size of the Ukrainian army. Moscow demands to establish Russian as an official language in Ukraine on par with Ukrainian. The Russian memorandum presses Ukraine to halt its mobilisation efforts and freeze Western arms deliveries, conditions were suggested earlier by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia demands that Ukraine end martial law and hold elections. The last demand is lifting of international sanctions on Russia in return for ending hostilities. Only after these demands are met could Moscow sign a comprehensive peace treaty. Defense 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 June 30, he said. Ukraine and the West have previously rejected all those demands from Moscow. India's Covid-19 cases have climbed to 4,026, with 65 new infections reported in the past 24 hours. Delhi registered 47 fresh cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total Covid-19 tally to 483. Kerala saw 35 new infections during the same period. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation amid the uptick, though hospitalisation rates remain low. As many as four persons with Covid-19 infection died in the past 24 hours, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Meanwhile, as the Karnataka government sees a jump in Covid-19 cases in the state, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao sought to allay fears, saying the state government is ready for any eventuality. He said the recent Covid-19-related deaths in the state were not purely due to the virus but were primarily linked to other underlying diseases. In Pics | 5 tips to stay safe amid rising Covid-19 cases in India 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 asserted that there was no need to panic. We should just maintain basic hygiene, and especially for people who are immunocompromised those with low immunity they should wear masks and go around, he said. Haryana has reported 18 fresh cases and of them, 14 were found in Gurugram, Faridabad and Karnal districts. As of Monday, no patients were hospitalised. On Monday, June 2, as many as 59 new Covid-19 cases have been reported in Maharashtra, 20 of them in Mumbai alone, taking the number of infections since January 1 this year to 873 in the state, the health department said. Delhi weather today: A yellow alert was sounded for the national capital on Tuesday with a possibility of rain and thunderstorm, the Regional Meteorological Centre said. The maximum and minimum temperatures have dropped significantly, by almost 5 degrees below the normal range. Daytime temperature drops 5 degrees below normal The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, Light/moderate rainfall at many/some places accompanied with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph likely over Delhi on 3 June. Daytime temperatures are set to reach as high as 35-37 degrees Celsius and as low as 24-26 degrees Celsius today. IMD's report indicated that May was unusually cool this year. Since 1901, this month's average daytime temperatures were the seventh lowest. Moreover, the previous month recorded the lowest temperatures in the last four years. Also Read | Monsoon rain to slow down after swift start The weather agency further noted the possibility of a thundersquall with wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph and gusting to 70 kmph in Delhi and nearby regions on 3 June. With pleasant weather conditions, Delhi residents breathed better, as the air quality improved to 138 from 166, recorded at the same time at 8:00 AM a day earlier. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI levels between 101 and 200 are categorised as moderate. From 4 June onwards, weather conditions are forecast to improve, as no IMD alert is in place for Delhi-NCR. Light rain in the next 2 hours Delhi Meteorological Centre issued a nowcast warning, forecasting downpour in NCR, Haryana and Rajasthan. The post on X states, Light rainfall (30-40 Km/h gusty winds) is very likely to occur at NCR ( Manesar), Charkhi Dadri, Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Loharu, Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Sohana, Rewari, Narnaul, Bawal, Nuh (Haryana), Pilani, Bhiwari, Jhunjunu, Tizara, Khairthal, Kotputli, Alwar, Viratnagar, Laxmangarh, Rajgarh (Rajasthan) during the next 2 hours. US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba discussed potential collaboration on missile defense technology during a recent phone call, with a focus on the development of Trumps proposed Golden Dome missile shield, the Nikkei reported. According to the report, Japan is expected to partner with the United States on systems aimed at detecting and intercepting missile threats. The Golden Dome project, a $175 billion initiative announced by Trump earlier this year, is designed to establish a vast satellite-based defense shield capable of countering threats from countries like China and Russia. Nikkei, citing unnamed sources, said Tokyos involvement could also be strategically leveraged in ongoing trade talks, possibly helping Japan secure relief from US tariffs. While the specifics of Japans role have not been officially confirmed, Trumps administration is slated for completion by the end of Trumps second term in 2029. Trump taps Space Force General to lead $175B Golden Dome missile shield Trump on May 20 announced the design selection for the Golden Dome missile defense shield, a $175 billion initiative aimed at countering missile threats from adversaries such as China and Russia. Trump also named US Space Force General Michael Guetlein as the lead program manager for the project. This is about protecting our homeland, Trump said during a White House press conference. Massive satellite network planned First ordered in January, the Golden Dome project envisions a vast constellation of surveillance and interceptor satellites potentially numbering in the hundreds designed to detect, track, and destroy enemy missiles shortly after launch. The system is inspired by Israels Iron Dome, but Trump said the Golden Dome would be far more extensive, covering threats across multiple continents and domains. Completion target: January 2029 The president said he expects the Golden Dome to be fully operational by the end of his term in January 2029. The announcement marks the Pentagons formal launch of procurement and testing efforts to assemble the necessary systems, sensors, and weapons infrastructure. Punjab Police arrested a man for being in contact with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and sharing sensitive information concerning army movements during Operation Sindoor, Director General of Police, Punjab Police said on Tuesday. Gagandeep Singh, aka Gagan, was arrested after information was received from the Counter Intelligence Unit of the Punjab Police. The DGP said that Gagan is accused of engaging in sharing classified details, including troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security. Preliminary investigation revealed that Gagan had been in touch with Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla for the past five years, through whom he was introduced to the Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). He also received payments from PIOs via Indian channels, the DGP said in a post on X. Also Read | Gujarat Govt working on Operation Sindoor memorial park near Pak border A mobile phone containing intelligence that he shared with the PIOs, as well as the details of over 20 ISI contacts, has been recovered. An FIR has been registered under the Official Secrets Act at PS City, Tarn Taran, and further investigation is in progress, the DGP added. Thorough financial and technical investigations are underway to trace other linkages and establish the full scope of this espionage networks, the DGP said. Earlier, police had arrested six persons, including a woman from Malerkotla district, for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces carried out pre-dawn missile strikes on May 7 on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Police custody of Thane spy extended A court on Monday extended till June 5 the police custody of mechanical engineer Ravindra Verma, arrested for alleged spying and sharing sensitive information about warships and submarines to Pakistan after the prosecution submitted that his colleagues need to be questioned. According to a PTI report, the 27-year-old junior engineer who worked with a defence technology firm was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) last week. He is a resident of Kalwa in neighbouring Thane. Verma was produced before a court in Thane on Monday at the end of his previous remand. Police requested the extension of Verma's custody explaining to the court the need to conduct a probe at Verma's workplace and question his colleagues. Also Read | PM Modi to meet all-party outreach delegations on Op Sindoor According to police, Verma was lured into passing classified information after being honey-trapped by a Pakistani agent posing as a woman on Facebook, the PTI report added. Police had said that Verma shared sensitive information about warships and submarines to the Pakistani intelligence operative through sketches, diagrams and audio notes, and received money from various bank accounts in India and abroad in return. Verma's lawyer, however, argued that his arrest was illegal as the ATS didn't follow the legal guidelines. The lawyer submitted that the court had not seen any solid proof and that the blue diary recovered from him only contained work-related note, the report added. India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan once again issued a stern warning to Pakistan by asserting that India was not going to live under the shadow of terror and nuclear blackmail. The CDS also said that Pakistan should not be able to hold India hostage to terrorist activities. India is not going to live under shadow of terror and nuclear blackmail. General Anil Chauhan said during a special lecture on Future Wars and Warfare' at Savitribai Phule Pune University, in Pune on 3 June. General Chauhan said whatever happened in Pahalgam was profound cruelty towards victims, and that the thinking behind Operation Sindoor was that state-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan had to stop. Pakistan should not be able to hold India hostage to terrorist activities: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan on reasons behind Operation Sindoor, he said. As many as 26 people were killed and several others injured in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on 22 April. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India's adversary's (Pakistan) approach is to bleed India by a thousand cuts. General Chauhan recalled how Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir spewed venom against India and Hindus just weeks before what happened in Pahalgam. The Pahalgam attack happened a week after Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir sparked a row when he said Kashmir is Islamabads 'jugular vein. The remark evoked a strong objection from New Delhi. Our stance is absolutely clear, it was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein, we will not forget it. We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle, General Munir said in Islamabad while addressing the Overseas Pakistani Convention on 16 April a week before the deadline Pahalgam attack. 'Warfare synonymous with history of mankind' The CDS said in Tuesday's lecture that war and warfare are synonymous with the political history of mankind. "Warfare is as old as human civilisation. Any kind of war has two important elements in it- the violence and politics behind violence The third element is communication, which is happening continuously. In Operation Sindoor too, General Chauhan said, war and politics were happening as a parallel phenomenon. General Chauhan said losses are not important, but outcomes are important. Also Read | Did Pakistan down Indian jet during May conflict? What CDS Anil Chauhan said General Chauhan recently responded to a question on whether Pakistan had downed an Indian jet during the conflict with Pakistan in May. India is not going to live under the shadow of terror and nuclear blackmail. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Gen Anil Chauhan didn't deny the claim and said, What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were being downed. Covid-19 cases in India: The number of active Covid-19 cases in India has now crossed 4000, with Maharashtra reporting 86 infections, and 108 people testing positive for Covid-19 in Gujarat, on Tuesday. In the past 24 hours, five COVID-19 deaths have been reported across India one each in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, and two in Maharashtra, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. As of Tuesday, June 3, the total number of active COVID-19 cases in the country stands at 4,026, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfares COVID-19 dashboard shows. Here are 10 things you need to know about the recent Covid-19 surge in India: 1. India reported 65 new Covid-19 cases, as per the health ministry's latest data on Tuesday. This marks a significant dip, as compared to yesterday's numbers, which stood at 203. 2. Gujarat reported 108 new COVID-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, the state health department said on Tuesday. With this, the total number of active infections in the state has risen to 461. 3. Maharashtra reported 86 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, raising the total infections since January 1 to 959, the health department said. So far, 435 patients have recovered, while active cases stand at 510. Since Monday, four deaths were reported: two in Nagpur, and one each in Chandrapur and Miraj. 4. Haryana reported 16 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, with Gurugram and Faridabad accounting for the majoritysix and five cases respectively, according to the state health department. Karnal and Jhajjar reported two cases each, while one case emerged from Ambala. The state's active caseload rose to 51, up from 44 on Monday. Of these, Gurugram had the highest number with 17 active cases, followed by Faridabad with 12, Karnal with 11, Panchkula with 4, Jhajjar and Ambala with 3 each, and one case from Sonipat. 5. In Gwalior, a 53-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from Mumbai and is currently under home isolation an official told news wire PTI on Tuesday. Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Sachin Srivastava confirmed that health authorities were alerted about the case on Monday evening. 6. Bengal reported 41 fresh COVID-19 cases and the death of a patient who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata, an official of the state health department said on Tuesday. The deceased, 43-year-old Howrah resident, had other comorbidities, including nephrological issues and acute coronary syndrome. She died at the isolation ward of the medical establishment. 7. In Andhra Pradesh, 38 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the state over the past three weeks, the state's principal secretary for Health MT Krishna Babu told PTI. 8. Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district reported its first COVID case, after an 82-year-old woman came to Nahan Medical College and Hospital a complaint of cold and cough and was found to be positive for COVID in a rapid test. 9. Madhya Pradesh's Indore reported two new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking the city's total to 25 since January 1. One patient is a 21-year-old from Dewas who returned from Delhi on May 27, and the other is a 35-year-old local, said District Epidemiologist Dr. Anshul Mishra. New Delhi:A Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) official was suspended on Tuesday after the civic body's post on X showing workers desilting drains without safety gear was met with backlash online. However, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta maintained her government was following all the court-mandated guidelines for desilting. Cleaning of Drains. Earlier in the day, the PWD posted four pictures on X depicting half-naked workers engaged in the cleaning of drains. The post was later deleted after several X users criticised the government over the apparent apathy towards the workers' safety. At a press conference, when she was asked about the post, Gupta said not every drain can be cleaned with machines. "Every drain has its own situation. At every drain, machines might not be able to work. It might be possible that there was a drain where the machines were not able to work. The government's target is to completely desilt all the drains. The work is being carried out keeping court guidelines in mind," she said. A senior official from PWD said a junior engineer has been suspended since the workers were not operating in safety gear. "The work that was being carried out was regarding desilting of a stormwater drain and not a sewer line, hence, it can not be called manual scavenging work. But still, as the workers were seen not operating in complete safety gear, the junior engineer concerned for the work has been suspended for lack of supervision, and other officials have been warned," the official said. Also Read | SC allows Delhi govt to withdraw 7 petitions against LG by AAP govt More than 400 people died while cleaning septic tanks and sewers in India between 2018 and 2023, according to data shared with the Parliament in 2023. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat is working on a memorial park dedicated to Operation Sindoor Indias precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir after the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack. The memorial park a mark of respect for the defence forces coming up in Kutch district on the India-Pakistan border will be called Sindoor Van (forest), according to a report in The Indian Express. The Kutch district of Gujarat was most affected by attacks from Pakistan. Also Read | PM Modi to meet all-party outreach delegations on Op Sindoor The memorial is expected to be completed in about a year and a half, and the work has already begun on the ground, the report quoted officials. In memory of the unity exhibited by society, Army, Air Force, BSF and other forces during Operation Sindoor, the Sindoor Van a memorial park is being planned by the forest department, Kutch Collector Anand Patel told The Indian Express. 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 the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on 8, 9 and 10 May. The Pakistani attempts were strongly responded to by the Indian side by inflicting heavy damages to a number of key Pakistani military installations including air bases, air defence systems, command and control centres and radar sites. In memory of the unity exhibited by society, Army, Air Force, BSF and other forces during Operation Sindoor, the Sindoor Van a memorial park is being planned by the forest department. The memorial park will spread over eight hectares of land owned by the state forest department in Mirzapar on the Bhuj-Mandvi road. The land includes the part where Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a public meeting on 26 May during his first visit to Gujarat after Operation Sindoor. Axiom Space's upcoming mission to the International Space Station, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed to June 10. Originally slated for launch on June 8, the mission will now lift off two days later aboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from NASAs Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, reported PTI. Four decades after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984, astronaut Shukla will be the second Indian to travel to space. Also Read | Who is Shubhanshu Shukla? IAF pilot to go to International Space Station Apart from Shukla, who is the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the other crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Shubham Shukla's experiments on ISS Shubham Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said that Shubhanshu Shukla's experiments hold immense importance for future space missions, including the Gaganyaan project. Also Read | 40 years after Rakesh Sharma, ISRO set to send Indian to ISS in historic mission Shuklas research will also focus on skeletal muscle dysfunction in space and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies to counter these effects, Jitendra Singh told reporters. The Indian astronaut will study physical, cognitive and physiological responses in space as well as the impact of utilising continuous electronic displays in microgravity, which is an important aspect for future long-duration space missions, reported PTI. Axiom-4 Mission The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) astronauts will perform around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries during their 14-day stay at the ISS. As part of the mission, ISRO has outlined plans to focus on India-centric scientific studies, including experiments involving the sprouting of methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions, PTI reported. More about Shubhanshu Shukla After completing his school education, Shubhanshu Shukla joined the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the IAF on June 17, 2006, in the fighter stream. He was an IAF Wing Commander before being promoted to Group Captain. New Delhi: Indias insolvency regime is set for further reform as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance will likely recommend a set of measures aimed at speeding up decisions and boosting creditor recoveries under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), two people familiar with the matter said. The suggestions will follow the committees ongoing review of the Code. The review comes amid growing demands for speeding up debt resolution and improving recovery rates, and legal complexities exposed by the recent Supreme Court ruling in the Bhushan Power & Steel resolution case. Read this | House panel to scan IBC functioning after SC's Bhushan order The House panel, led by lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, met last week with officials from the ministry of corporate affairs and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), along with executives of three state-run banks, to assess the performance of the Code since its rollout in 2016. In the meeting, officials told the panel that the IBC has become the principal recovery mechanism for banks and financial institutions, accounting for nearly half of all debt recoveries, and has also helped reduce borrowing costs for distressed companies, one of the persons quoted above said. However, the process continues to suffer from persistent delays and subpar recovery rates in many cases, often due to protracted litigation among stakeholders. So far, creditors have realised 3.89 trillion from approved debt resolution plans and 9,330 crore from liquidated companies, according to data from the IBBI. Another 1 trillion was realised from cases settled directly between creditors and companies. The committee is expected to meet more stakeholders, including insolvency professionals and industry representatives, before finalising its report, one of the people cited above said. Among the concerns raised in last weeks meetings were the challenges faced by homebuyers in ongoing insolvency cases, the person added. Queries emailed on Monday to the ministry, the Parliamentary committee and IBBI seeking comments for the story remained unanswered at the time of publication. Experts say that resolving these bottlenecks will require strengthening the judicial infrastructure supporting IBC. To improve the IBC process, we need faster court decisions. This can be done by increasing the number of judges, reducing adjournments, and using better technology for case tracking. The process should stick to strict timelines to avoid long delays that reduce the value of assets," said Ritesh Kumar Adatiya, director, NPV Insolvency Professionals Pvt. Ltd. Court ruling questions IBC operations The Supreme Court last month rejected the five-year-old resolution plan for Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd (BPSL), citing jurisdictional issues and violations of IBC provisions. The 19,700 crore successful bid by JSW Steel Ltd was overturned, and the court ordered the liquidation of the company. It later granted JSW time to file a review petition. In a landmark ruling, the apex court held that bankruptcy tribunals do not have powers of judicial review over statutory authorities such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED). It also struck down an earlier National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order that had insulated BPSLs assets from ED attachment, saying the tribunal had exceeded its jurisdiction. Read this | Mint Explainer: The Supreme Court's Bhushan Power ruling that has stunned India's insolvency ecosystem That decision, along with other recent Supreme Court rulings on the priority of statutory dues and the Competition Commission of Indias (CCI) clearance requirements for certain resolution plans, has introduced new legal complexities not originally anticipated in the Code. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is now working on a draft amendment bill to clarify some of these ambiguities and streamline the process. The bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year. Despite the recent judicial setbacks, the Code has a strong foundation and remains robust in ensuring debt resolution, though some glitches persist in areas where the law remains unclear, said the second person cited earlier. NPV Insolvency Professionals' Adatiya added that outcomes under IBC can improve significantly if resolution plans are filed earlier and by credible applicants. Proper background checks, faster approvals, and fewer legal hurdles after plans are approved can go a long way in protecting lenders' interests," he said. Also read | A series of court orders changed bankruptcy rules. Now, the govt is amending the law IBC has helped change the credit culture in India," he added. But to improve outcomes, we need quicker resolution, stronger checks on resolution applicants, and better coordination between regulators, courts, and professionals. This will boost confidence and improve returns for creditors." The Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the Tamil Nadu government's regulations for playing online real money games, including imposing a night ban and mandating Aadhaar-based KYC verification. According to a LiveLaw report, a bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar dismissed the petitions filed by a group of online gaming companies and players. The bench said that apart from a paternalistic point, the state government had gone one step further to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, which was a reasonable restriction. What the petitions said The petitions had challenged the regulations brought in by the Tamil Nadu Gaming Authority, making KYC verification mandatory for playing online real money games. It had also instructed gaming companies to impose a blank hour from 12 am to 5 am restricting the players from participating. While the pleas had argued on the aspect of Right to Privacy, the court rejected the arguments, saying the Right comes with its own restriction. The gaming companies sought to declare Section 5(2) read with Sections 14(1)(c) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act 2022 along with Regulation 4(iii) and Regulation 4(viii) of the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations 2025 as arbitrary void, illegal and unconstitutional, the LiveLaw report said. Under the Section 5(2), the government has the authority to make regulations on time limits, monetary limits, and age restrictions in regard to playing online games. As per Section 14(1)(c) of the Act, no non-local online game provider shall allow the playing of any other online games contrary to the regulations. The petitioners said that the government was trying to impose a prohibition on online games of rummy under the guise of regulation. While referring to the Information Technology Act, the companies argued that the state government could not make any laws on the subject since all apprehensions were covered under the Act, passed by the Centre, the report added. The petitions also questioned the KYC verification, saying that the companies could use any of the documents approved by the Reserve Bank of India for verification. What the State's arguments were The state government in its defence said that it had a parental right over its people and was duty bound to take care of their health. It was argued that even as per the earlier orders of the court, the State had a power to bring in regulations for the health of the people. Arguing that the state had a parental right, the state submitted that this right had to be exercised for the larger good of the people. The government said that the restrictions brought in were reasonable restrictions and were protected under Articles 19(2) and 19(6) of the Constitution. Northeast floods: Floods in Assam, Sikkim and Manipur have severely affected lakhs of people across multiple districts, with houses being ravaged. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after speaking with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla, assured full support and assistance. A short while ago, Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji called me to enquire about the current flood situation in Assam. I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives, Sarma posted on X. He added, I also apprised him of the relief operation undertaken by the state government. The Honble PM expressed concern and assured full support from the Central Government for our relief and rehabilitation efforts. Grateful for his guidance and unwavering support to the people of Assam. Sikkim CM Tamang tweeted, Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, On behalf of the people of Sikkim, I extend my heartiest gratitude for your kind concern and support regarding the landslide and flood situation in the state. Our state administration remains fully committed to managing the situation and providing all necessary assistance to those affected. Thank you once again for your kind concern, Sir. The death toll in Assam from floods and landslides reached 11, with 6 people losing their lives due to floods and 5 others due to landslides, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). In the past 24 hours, one more person has drowned in floodwaters and two others are missing. The drowning occurred in Hojai district, while the missing individuals are from Hailakandi and Dibrugarh districts, ANI reported. Assam floods: Affected districts Over 5.15 lakh people of 22 districts have been affected by the deluge, including 254 villages across 65 revenue circles in 22 districts of the state: Hailakandi, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh, Morigaon, Kamrup, Cachar, Golaghat, Darrang, Majuli, Dhemaji, Biswanath, Kamrup (M), Karbi Anglong West, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Sonitpur, Dima-Hasao, and Sivasagar. Sribhumi continues to be the worst-affected district, with over 194,000 people impacted by the floodwaters. Other severely affected districts include Cachar (77,961 people), Nagaon (67,880), Lakhimpur (47,127), Hailakandi (30,234), Dibrugarh (20,179), and Tinsukia (19,289). Approximately 185,000 people have sought refuge in 322 relief camps and distribution centres established by district administrations inflood-affected areas. Manipur floods: 56,516 174 affected Flash floods caused by overflowing rivers and breached embankments have impacted over 56,000 people in Manipur. An official statement said that 10,477 houses have been ravaged and 56,516 174 people have been affected by the floods, PTI reported. On Monday, one person went missing after being swept away by a river in Imphal East district, while 2,913 people have been evacuated from the affected areas. Multiple areas in Imphal, the state capital, along with several parts of Imphal East district, have been flooded following the breaching of embankments by a swollen river in Khurai, Heingang, and Checkon. Sikkim floods: 3 army personnel died; 6 soldiers missing The landslide took place at 7 pm on Sunday near Lachen town in Mangan district, triggered by heavy rainfall in the region, the official said. Three army personnel lost their lives and six soldiers remain missing after a landslide struck a military camp at Chhaten, a defence official said on Monday, PTI reported. "A catastrophic landslide occurred following intense and continuous rainfall in the region causing death of three combatants, identified as Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and Porter Abhishek Lakhada," the official mentioned in a statement, adding, Rescue teams are working round-the-clock under challenging conditions to locate the six missing personnel. Also Read | 3 army personnel killed, 6 missing as landslide hits military camp in Sikkim At least 57 relief camps have been established for those affected, primarily in Imphal East district, the hardest-affected area in the state. In the past five days, the state has experienced 93 landslides. In addition, according to DGP Akshay Sachdeva, 1,678 tourists stranded in north Sikkims Lachung and Chungthang towns due to rain-triggered landslides have been evacuated, while over 100 others remain stranded in Lachen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely meet the members of all the all-party delegations once they return after India's global outreach on Operation Sindoor starting today. The meeting with the Prime Minister could be held on 9 or 10 June, according to reports. The all-party delegations that toured the world to explain Operation Sindoor are on way home. The first delegation led by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Baijayant Jay Panda returns to India today, June 3. Pandas delegation, which left Delhi on 24 May, visited Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Algeria. Before the PM meets all seven delegations, they are scheduled to debrief external affairs minister S Jaishankar beginning June 3. Panda-led delegation's meeting with Jaishankar is scheduled at 2.30 pm today. The second delegation to return to India will be the one headed by Janata Dal - United's Sanjay Jha that will reach Delhi at 9.30 pm today whule the one led by Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde will reach India on 4 June. Seven Deleations for India's Global Outreach Seven delegations visited several countries to address audiences, policymakers, and elected representatives onIndias position on Pakistans decades-long promotion of terrorism and New Delhis new normal in tackling cross-border terror after Operation Sindoor. The multi-party delegationscomprising 59 lawmakers, in addition to former diplomats travelled to 33 countries, including the European Union. The delegation included MPs from multiple parties, divided into seven groups consisting of 8-9 members. A leader was assigned for each group, who led the delegation on a global level. The delegations were headed by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Panda, Janata Dal (United) leader Sanjay Jha, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde. A horrific incident of road rage was caught on camera in Noida's Sector 53 area. A Mahindra Thar SUV, allegedly driven in anger, was rammed into a young man, sending him flying into a roadside drain. The incident has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage among residents and others. The cruel act reportedly stemmed from an online argument, according to police sources cited by NDTV. The dispute is said to have started over comments exchanged on Instagram and later escalated into a physical confrontation on the streets of Noida. "There was a dispute between the two parties under the jurisdiction of Sector-24 police station over comments on a social media platform. Both sides are familiar with each other," said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Noida, Sumit Kumar Shukla, according to the NDTV report. After the argument turned violent, the driver allegedly accelerated the Thar deliberately, mowing down the victim with such force that he was thrown off the road and into a nearby drain, the report said, citing eyewitnesses. The victim was left bleeding and motionless. After committing the crime, the SUV fled the scene. The police have registered a case under relevant sections for rash driving, causing hurt, and criminal intimidation. A special investigation team has also been formed to identify and arrest the accused driver, who is currently on the run. "A police team has been formed to arrest the accused, and a case has been registered under the relevant sections at Sector-24 police station," said ADCP Shukla. Mumbai road rage: Video journalist assaulted by motorcycle rider and associates A video journalist of a national news channel was assaulted in Mumbai's Prabhadevi area on Saturday, following which four persons were arrested by police. Anil Shinde was on his way to the office in Lower Parel in the afternoon when the incident took place. Also Read | IAF officer alleging assault actually started it? CCTV footage throws new twist "While he was walking, a motorcycle attempting to cut a lane rammed into him, resulting in an argument. The rider took a stick and hit Shinde on the head. The accused then returned with three associates and beat up Shinde," an official said. The official said that after Shinde dialled the police control room, a team from the NM Joshi Marg police station arrived at the scene and took him to a hospital. Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said that New Delhi can engage in dialogue with Islamabad, Pakistan if it takes significant action against the infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in the country. "This is what we keep telling our interlocutors. If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why do they give safe haven to wanted terrorists?... Why are they able to live peacefully, to conduct training camps...and radicalise further people, to equip arms and get people to practice their arms and Kalashnikovs...," Tharoor told PTI Videos. Shashi Tharoor is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Brazil, which will next head to Washington DC. Want to cut us this whole Emphasising that India can talk to Pakistan in Punjabi, English, and even Hindi, Tharoor highlighted that the problem in talking to Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace. "The problem is finding a common vision for decency, for peace. We want to be left in peace, to grow and develop. They don't want to leave us alone. They want to harass us. They want to undermine us. "You crack down on this infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in your country. Then, of course, we can talk," said Tharoor. "They want to cut us this whole bleeding to death India by 1,000 cuts. They're not going to bleed to death so easily. Better forget that idea," he added. Tharoor on BRICS agenda On another question, whether India hopes that Brazil, which is hosting the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, may issue a statement on terrorism against Indian citizens, Tharoor said, "I think, honestly, BRICS has a different agenda. I'm not saying that they may not want to express solidarity. I mean, that's really not my brief...I don't know, and I don't even know if it's in the draft that they're working on already". "As far as the other issues you're concerned, you know, international forums are not our preoccupation. Our preoccupation is honestly our bilateral relation to Pakistan and Pakistan's complete failure to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in their country," he said. Tharoor on expectations from Washington DC visit On a question on the delegation's expectations from the Washington DC visit, Tharoor said, "My expectations are that it's going to be a challenging visit. We have a lot of different kinds of audiences," he said. The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday rapped actor and MNM chief Kamal Haasan for his controversial remarks that Kannada was born out of Tamil. While hearing a petition seeking a direction to authorities not to take any measures to restrain the actor's film from being released, the court said, You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses. There is no apology in it. You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses. The division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure cannot make such statements. What has happened because of it is unrest, disharmony. People of Karnataka only asked for an apology. Now you come here seeking protection, the court said, according to a LiveLaw report. Questioning Haasan's expertise in making the statement, the court said, On what basis have you made the statement, are you a historian, linguist. On what basis did you speak? (sic) Haasan's remark that Kannada was born out of Tamil made at the audio release of his film Thug Life in Chennai in the last week of May, stoked controversy and triggered protests in the neighbouring state. With Thug Life scheduled to hit the cinemas on 5 June, Kamal Haasan, who declined to tender an apology for uttering the truth, had moved the Karnataka High Court seeking a direction for the film release. What the Karnataka HC said While citing the example of Rajgopal Acharya, who had made a similar statement 75 years ago, the court said that just like Acharya had apologised, an apology from Haasan would have been appropriate instead of asking for protection for the release of his film. The bench said, You know the importance of the film, saying it is made by Mani Ratnam, but you cannot make a statement (Apology). For your own creation, you want police machinery to support now. Language is a sentiment attached to the people. You are not an ordinary man, you are a public figure. People writing on social media are also being investigated," the court added. The court further said, Fundamental right of speech and expression cannot be stretched to hurt sentiments of the masses. Why did Haasan petition Karnataka HC Anticipating disruption in the release of his upcoming movie, Haasan on Monday approached the Karnataka High Court seeking urgent intervention for the smooth release of the film and adequate security at theatres planning to show it. The movie is scheduled for release on 5 June. Haasans move follows the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announcement of a boycott of the film unless the actor publicly apologises for his recent remark that "Kannada language originated from Tamil". According to a PTI report, in a writ petition filed by Haasans production house Raaj Kamal Films International, the actor requested the high court to restrain any individual, group, or authorityincluding the KFCC and state officialsfrom obstructing the screening of the film in Karnataka. The petition also sought police protection for the films cast, crew, theatre owners, and audiences, citing potential threats of disruption. Meanwhile, speaking to PTI, KFCC president M Narasimhalu reiterated the Chambers stand. "Let Kamal Haasan go to court. We have not done anything illegal. But we will not allow the screening of Thug Life in Karnataka unless he apologises," Narasimhalu said. What Haasan's petition said The movie's producers maintained that Haasans remarks were taken out of context and intended to express cultural harmony between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The petition said the statement was made during a cordial interaction with Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar, who also reportedly defended Haasan's intent. "The backlash has been unwarranted and based on a deliberate misinterpretation," the petition added, asserting that the films release should not be held hostage to a misreading of the actor's words, reported PTI. There were also reports that the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce had contacted Haasan to try to mediate the situation. An Indian-origin man is in critical condition with suspected brain injury after a violent encounter with police in South Australia, where officers were seen pinning his neck to the ground and smashing his head against the road. The incident was reported in Adelaide city of Australia. According to multiple disturbing reports, the man, Gaurav Kundi, was even heard pleading, Ive done nothing wrong, as an officer pressed a knee to his neck. He then lost consciousness. As the assault continued, his wife, Amritpal Kaur, recorded the incident on her phone and pleaded with the police to stop. She said the police slammed his head against their vehicle and then road. I stopped filming because I panicked when the officer knelt on him, she told 9News. The police have, however, defended the officers involved in the incident, saying they acted as per their training. Also Read | George Floyd: Ex-policeman Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder HOW IT HAPPENED? In their defence, the police said Gaurav Kundi resisted arrest when he was caught leaving home drunk and arguing with his wife. The officers said they mistook the arguments as domestic violence. During the commotion, Gaurav Kundi also claimed he was drunk and loud, but not violent. But police went ahead to arrest him. Also Read | George Floyd's heart stopped while restrained by police: Medical examiner Gaurav Kundi was taken to hospital where doctors said his brain and neck nerves had received severe injuries. New Delhi: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is set to introduce new standards for washers used to clean root and tuber vegetables, which have a diverse demand across the country as well as globally, two people directly involved in the process said. These machines are crucial for food processing units and major exporters handling produce such as carrots, radish, beetroot, cassava and potatoes, among others. The upcoming standards aim to modernize the way these crops that are pulled from underground and often carry a heavy load of soil and contaminants are cleaned before they reach domestic and international markets. This comes in the backdrop of India pushing to diversify its agricultural and horticultural exports. BIS will mandate the use of food-grade, non-corrosive materials such as stainless steel for all parts that come into contact with the vegetables," said the first among the two people mentioned above. Also read: Cooking oil packs may be changed to cut shifty traders to size Also, washing efficiency is key to effectively remove soil and debris while ensuring the vegetables suffer minimal bruising, cuts or cracks, this person said. The new BIS standard includes clear test methods to check how well the machines wash, how much they can handle and how safe they are. Only machines that meet these standards will get certified, giving buyers more confidence and helping Indian exporters meet global food safety rules and cut down rejection at ports. Developed economies, including the US, Germany and the Netherlands, already rely on washers made entirely from stainless steel or food-grade polymers, minimizing corrosion and microbial risks. In line with BIS standards The move will mandate all such manufacturers to produce the machines in line with BIS standards and obtain certification to ensure better quality. Currently, the ISI mark is not mandatory for these machines, as there were no standards governing their design or performance until now," said the second person. Fresh potato exports continued to play a significant role in Indias agricultural trade in calendar year 2024. The country exported 513,537 tonnes of fresh potatoes, registering a slight decline of 0.6% in volume from the previous year. However, the value of these exports surged to a record $110 million in 2024 from $94.5 million in 2023, registering an increase of 16.4%. This rise in value reflects a higher average export price, which grew by 17.1% year-on-year to around $214 per tonne. The major export destinations for potatoes are he UAE, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. Also read: Indias exports face geopolitical woes but trade deals offer relief: RBI report Manufacturers have flagged concerns over a potential rise in prices. At present, machines used to wash such fruits and vegetables are available in the domestic market for around 3-4 lakh, while advanced models are priced at about 5 lakh," a senior executive of a manufacturing firm told Mint requesting anonymity. With the new standards set to come into effect, the prices of these machines may rise by 10% to 15%, this executive said. In this segment, most of the players are MSMEs. These standards may put economic pressure on these manufacturers, but they are essential for keeping the industry on par with global players," said Vinod Kumar Abhash Kumar, trade expert and assistant professor, economics, Delhi University. As India moves ahead with free trade agreements with major developed economies such as the UK, US, and EU, aligning our manufacturing practices with international benchmarks will only strengthen our export competitiveness," Kumar said. According to the IMARC Group, Indias vegetable washer equipment market was valued at $292.82 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $1.1 billion by 2033. Growth is being driven by increased health awareness, stricter food safety regulations and greater adoption of automated and smart washing solutions by both large and mid-sized processors. Also read: The wait for cheap Scotch whisky got a wee bit longer Earlier, Mint reported on 26 May that India has sought greater American market access for its mangoes, pomegranate, litchi, grapes, pineapple, guava, jackfruit, drumstick, green chilli, carrots, bottle gourd and ridge gourd. Better washing machines will create better export market opportunities for Indian fruits and vegetables. Indias agricultural exports to the US were worth $2.53 billion in FY25, led by spices, cereal preparations, rice, fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and poultry products. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Delhi government and civic authorities, following a plea that claims that unchecked feeding and proliferation of pigeons lead to pigeon droppings across the city, which in turn causes health and environmental hazards, according to a press release. This is the second time the issue has drawn the Delhi governments attention. In 2024, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi proposed a complete ban on pigeon feeding, blaming the growing number of these birds in the capital, causing severe health hazards among children and the elderly. What does the plea say? The Tribunals bench, led by Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Ved, mentioned, citing the plea that pigeon droppings are accumulating on footpaths, pavements and traffic islands across Delhi and surrounding regions. When these feeding areas are swept, then the toxic particulars of dried droppings mix with the dust, pollute the environment and cause adverse health effects, they added. The plea flagged hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a serious lung disease linked to exposure to bird droppings, as a key concern. In the longer run, the germs found in pigeon droppings can lead to lung scarring and breathing difficulties. Key details of the notice In the May 29, 2025, order, the NGT said the case raises substantial issues regarding environmental compliance and directed the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Public Works Department, and other relevant authorities to respond via affidavit, a written document that can be used as evidence in court. The matter is under further consideration as the hearing has been posted on October 8, 2025. What is the role of NGT? The NGT is a specialised judicial body in India, currently headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava. Mumbai will have to wait longer for the dream robotic lifebuoys as the city's civic body scrapped its plan to procure a Turkey-made bot. As per the initial plan, these remotely operated rescue machines were sought for deployment across Mumbai's half-dozen beaches, an official informed PTI. This decision comes in the wake of backlash over Turkey's role in supporting Pakistan and India-Turkey fallout post Operation Sindoor. Boycott Turkey goods calls were raised and trade relations strained between the two countries after Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government criticised India's terror clampdown and strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Mumbai beaches, where Robotic lifebuoys were planned to be deployed According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, these bots were to be deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park in Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai beaches. However, a change in plan was made after Turkey openly condemned India's action in response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack. Affirming the development related to the procurement of robotic lifebuoys, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said that the civic body has scrapped the plan to procure robotic lifebuoys manufactured in Turkey. All to know about robotic lifebuoys Designed to assist lifeguards, the robotic lifebuoys would have been used in search and rescue operations to save people from drowning. Each robotic lifebuoy is equipped with dual water jets and a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery. With a carriage capacity of 200 kg, these remotely operated rescue machines can cover 800 metres into the sea at speeds up to 18 km/h. BMC officials further informed PTI that the bot can operate for about an hour after one charge. Sharmistha Panoli row: The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday refused to grant interim bail to Instagram influencer Sharmistha Panoli, observing that freedom of speech does not mean a person can 'go on to hurt others. The Instagram influencer, who is also a law student, found herself at the centre of controversy for allegedly making controversial statements in now-deleted videos against a community in the wake of Operation Sindoor. She was arrested by the Kolkata Police last week after an FIR was filed against her. Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, who presided over the matter, while denying ad-interim bail, said, Look, we have freedom of speech, but that doesn't mean you will go on to hurt others, reported Live Law. The judge further noted: Our country is diverse, with people from different castes, creeds, and religions. We must be cautious by saying this. So, day after tomorrow. Heavens will not fall. Sharmistha Panoli viral video Panoli was arrested for allegedly making controversial remarks criticising Bollywood celebrities for their 'silence' on Operation Sindoor. Her now-deleted video had derogatory and disrespectful comments aimed at a particular religious community, police said. After the video went viral, #ArrestSharmishta also started trending on X. Social media users flooded the comments section of Sharmistha's Instagram post, prompting her to delete the video and issue a public apology. Following her arrest, Panoli was produced before the Alipore Court in Kolkata on Saturday, which remanded her in judicial custody for 14 days. What did Sharmishta Panoli's counsel argue? During the case hearing, Sharmistha Panolis lawyer argued that her arrest was unlawful because the charges mentioned in the FIR were non-cognisable, and she wasn't given any prior notice, which would have been mandatory under the new BNSS laws. Earlier, her lawyer, Md Samimuddin, also said that Panoli's health was getting worse due to poor hygiene and lack of medical care at the Alipore Women's Correctional Home. Ahead of his delegation's visit to the United States, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shut down President Donald Trumps claims on brokering the peace deal between India and Pakistan, following days of heightened conflict, saying it was Islamabad that needed persuading and not New Delhi. With a flourish, Shashi Tharoor shut down all speculations, saying if Donald Trump or his senior officials had to persuade anyone to call off the conflict, it would have been the persuasion of the Pakistanis. No one needed to persuade us to stop. We had already said to stop. If there was any persuasion by the American president or his senior officials, it would have been persuasion of the Pakistanis. They would have had to be persuaded. We don't need to be persuaded because we don't want war. We want to focus on development. That's the basic message, Shashi Tharoor said. He said, We had consistently said from the very beginning on May 7th that we are not interested in prolonging the conflict. This is not the opening salvo in some sort of war. All it is is retribution against the terrorists, period. If Pakistan had not reacted, we would not have reacted. Shashi Tharoor also took potshots at the Pakistani delegation that would be arriving in the US just around the same time as the Indian delegation. In a move that appeared to mimic India's call to dispatch multi-party delegations at international forums and inform global leaders about Operation Sindoor, Pakistan shortly after announced its own delegation to advocate for peace on the world stage. The delegation will be lead by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Calling it an interesting phenomenon of the Pakistani delegation, Shashi Tharoor said, Tomorrow almost they will be in Washington, while we are in Washington on the same date. So there's going to be perhaps an increase in interest because of the fact that there are two dueling delegations in the same city. It's no accident that the Pakistanis have also sent a delegation abroad, but they're not going to as many countries as the Indian delegations are. They're focusing on what they consider a few key capitals, namely. Washington, Brussels. London. That seems to be the thrust of the Pakistani effort. Speaking on the International Monetary Fund's bailout package to Pakistan, the Congress MP said the money could well be spent on getting people out of poverty. We don't begrudge any country its development if the money is to be spent truly on getting people out of poverty or helping deal with development issues. Why would we object? We are humane. We believe in all sorts of well-being of the poorest of the poor in any country. After months of turmoil following imposition of a brief martial law, South Koreans is now voting in large numbers to elect their new President and all eyes are now on liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung who entered the Presidential race with overwhelming popularity. The opinion polls and pre-election surveys have also favoured Lee Jae-myung, showing him in commanding lead with the support of 51 per cent of South Koreans. Gallup Korea, in their opinion poll, showed Lee Jae-myung maintaining a 49 per cent lead over his conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who trails with 35 per cent. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the smaller conservative New Reform party, also trails behind the two with 11 per cent. Realmeters final poll echoed the trend, placing Lee at 49.2 per cent and Kim at 36.8 per cent. But as per the fresh opinion polls, held last week, Lee Jae-myung's popularity is said to have waned as another Gallup Korea opinion polls mentioned that Lee holds support of 45 per cent with his archrival closing the gap with 36 per cent. However, Lee continues to maintain a comfortable lead over Kim. Pre-election surveys and opinion polls suggest that Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 presidential race, is now on track for a decisive victory. With a regular presidential election, there is a months-long transition period, and the new leader's term begins at midnight after the predecessor's final day. Since it is a snap election, the winner becomes President as soon as the National Election Commission ratifies the vote tally. The snap election followed the impeachment and removal from office of Yoon Suk Yeol, the conservative who briefly imposed martial law in December. According to the reports, the South Korea election results would be announced by midnight. The winner of Tuesday's presidential election in South Korea will take office just a day later, forgoing the usual, two-month transition to serve a full, five-year term. This is Lees third run for presidency. In 2022, he lost the election to Yoon in the closet-ever margin recorded in South Korea's presidential elections. How did Lee Jae-myung lead the Presidential race? Lee Jae-myung, 60, the Democratic Party candidate, was the driving force behind an Opposition-led campaign to oust Yoon, whose Dec 3 marital law decree plunged South Korea into turmoil. Lee said he initially thought Yoons late-night televised marital law announcement was a digital deepfake when his wife told him of the news. After realizing it was real, Lee, then the partys chairman, ordered all his party lawmakers to rush to the National Assembly to vote down Yoons decree. He then livestreamed his moves to the Assembly, urging the public to gather there to protest Yoons action. A sufficient number of lawmakers eventually made it into the assembly hall to overturn Yoon's decree, as the troops he deployed appeared largely unwilling to use force to block access to the building. Lee later led an Assembly vote to impeach Yoon before the Constitutional Court formally ousted him in early April. The rebellion was subdued, and Yoon Suk Yeol was dismissed. The long, severe winter has passed, and spring has come again. The people have finally made it, Lee said in a book published in mid-April. If you give me a chance to work as president, I will clearly prove how big change one official the person in charge can bring, Lee said. District Court Judge Matthew Wald issued a temporary restraining order on May 27 halting the Stillwater Conservation Districts work on a $5 million Forest Service project to restore Armstrong Creek to its old channel. The creek, a tributary to East Rosebud Lake, was damaged during historic floods in June 2022, as were nearby structures and the main road and bridge leading into the popular Beartooth Mountain drainage. The event deposited massive amounts of sediment and woody debris filling the historical channel of Armstrong Creek, according to a Custer Gallatin National Forest Decision Memo. This debris jam then forced water to flow unconfined across the Armstrong Creek alluvial fan (an expanding field of sediment deposited from historical flows), upturning uplands and down cutting a new stream channel. When the creek jumped its banks, several homes on the northwest side of the lake were flooded. One was buried to the roofline under rocks and debris. Shortly afterward, the Forest Service excavated an emergency channel to temporarily stabilize the creeks flows and lessen damage. Dispute has been ongoing The court order is the latest in a string of disputes between Stillwater Conservation District and neighboring Carbon Conservation District and Carbon County. In April, Carbon County Commissioners requested a forensic audit of the Stillwater Conservation District amid accusations of improper awarding of streambank restoration work to district board members. The Natural Resources Conservation Service, which oversees the $5.3 million in federal dollars funneled to the conservation districts for flood repair work, has also launched a probe into Stillwater Conservation Districts dealings. When matched with county funds, the district oversaw $10 million in flood repairs in Stillwater and Carbon counties. A request to the NRCS for an update on its investigation was not returned in time for this story. The Billings Gazette filed a Freedom of Information Act request in early March for documents related to the Stillwater Conservation Districts handling of federal Emergency Watershed Protection Program funding. To date, no documents have been received. Please note that FOIA offices are rarely able to meet the 20-business day response deadline, due to the complexity of most requests, the number of requests offices receive, and the limited resources available to most offices, Heather Higgs, a government information specialist with the NRCS, wrote to the Gazette in April. Ill also note that we generally process requests in the order they're received. I am currently working on at least 40 requests submitted ahead of yours in conjunction with my work on your request. The disarray has even ensnared the Columbus City Council, which in March informed the Stillwater Conservation District it had illegally appointed two members to the board, a job the council should have undertaken. No one has applied to replace the board members, a voluntary position, leaving the district with only four commissioners. Repair deal inked in 2023 The disagreement between the conservation districts over work to repair Armstrong Creek centers on an agreement signed in 2023 between the Stillwater Conservation District and the Forest Service. The Good Neighbor agreement commissions Stillwater CD to oversee the federal contract to restore the creek to its original channel. Initial designs also called for using the newly created channel for overflow in future high-water events. The current condition of Armstrong Creek within the excavated channel appears to be unstable, the Forest Service wrote. Another large flood event would likely cause water to again spill out of its banks and further impact the natural environment and cabins below. The temporary restraining order was sought because the creek is located in Carbon County, which has its own conservation district. Although the Carbon Conservation District had requested Stillwater CD oversee projects following the devastating 2022 floods after their administrator died, the group is arguing that authority did not extend to the Armstrong Creek project. After ignoring a request from the Carbon County attorney in February to cease its activities, the Carbon Conservation District hired attorney Jacque Papez, who filed for the temporary restraining order. A hearing on the motion has been scheduled in District Court in Red Lodge for June 11 at 1:30 p.m. Bob Jones, president of the East Rosebud Lake Association, said his group is extremely disappointed the conflict between the conservation districts has escalated. The coalition of cabin owners collectively own 60 acres surrounding the scenic mountain lake, located about 13 miles southwest of Roscoe. Our hope is that both parties can sit down and find a resolution that keeps the restoration project moving forward, Jones wrote in an email. The result of cancellation of nearly three years of planning and design for the restoration would be unfortunate. Understand we realize the opinions of all parties but are trying to stay neutral in opinion in hopes that cooler heads will resolve their conflicts with an end result that will benefit the health of East Rosebud Lake and the outflow into the wild and scenic East Rosebud River. At the upcoming court hearing, Papez will be asking Judge Wald to impose an injunction halting Stillwater CDs work on the Armstrong Creek project. The Stillwater CDs chairman, Bob Van Oosten, told the Gazette in April his organization planned to finish the work. The Custer Gallatin National Forest has ignored Carbon County and Carbon Conservation Districts requests to halt the Armstrong Creek project. Recently, the Forest Service submitted documents to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks seeking permitting approval for the creek repairs. A request for information from the Forest Service, whose staff has been depleted by the latest round of federal layoffs and retirements, was not received in time for this story. EWP not GNA Confounding the quarrel, Carbon Conservation District entered into an agreement with its Stillwater counterpart for Emergency Watershed Protection Program projects following the 2022 flooding. The agreement allowed Sharon Flemetis, the Stillwater Conservation District administrator, oversight of projects in Carbon County after their administrator died. The Carbon Conservation District, however, said the agreement did not extend to the Armstrong Creek work. By the time the Forest Service and Stillwater CD signed their agreement, Carbon CD had retained the authorization needed to work with the federal government. Under its previous administrator, the authorization had expired. Carbon CD now says Stillwater CDs administrator, Sharon Flemetis, has no qualifications in engineering to oversee the Armstrong Creek construction. In Papezs request to the court, she outlined $450,000 in expenses that would be paid to Stillwater Conservation District for overseeing the Forest Service work, including: $252,862.50 to be paid to the SCD administrator (Flemetis); b. $51,800 to be paid to SCD for travel expenses, including $13,000 for mileage, and the remainder for board stipends, vehicle rentals, fuel, and insurance; c. $1,800 for software; and d. $144,862.14 to SCD for indirect costs. Papezs filing to Judge Wald also expressed concern the Forest Service has accelerated the project timeline for Armstrong Creek from next summer to this summer. In a powerful message for the Indian chess sensation, industrialist Anand Mahindra hailed Gukesh Dommaraju for his calm victory over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, saying the Indian Grandmaster's silent composure was louder than the Norwegian legends visible frustration. Calling Carlsen GOAT, Mahindra shared a clip of the former slamming his fist into a table after suffering his first defeat by Gukesh in a classical game in Stavanger during the Norway Chess 2025 tournament. His silence roared louder than Carlsens exit," Mahindra wrote in a post on X. Carlsens visible frustration at the end wasnt just a tantrum it was the greatest compliment the World Champion could receive from the GOAT. No fist pump. No smirk. Gukesh didnt need one. His silence roared louder than Carlsens exit," he wrote. Carlsen's viral reaction after losing to Gukesh On Sunday, Carlsen had his opponent on the ropes for much of the match in the Norway Chess 2025 tournament but his composure cracked under the pressure of a ticking clock and he committed a blunder that handed India's Gukesh a decisive advantage, a Reuters report said. Carlsen slammed his fist on the table after the defeat before exchanging a quick handshake with Gukesh, apologising for his outburst and storming off. Magnus Carlsen's outburst left Gukesh shell-shocked on Sunday, although the world champion said he also sometimes loses his temper over the board. "I mean, (the win was) not the way I wanted it to be, but okay, I'll take it," Gukesh told Chess.com. "... I've also banged a lot of tables in my career." Carlsen hails Gukesh for his fighting spirit Carlsen hailed the reigning world champion Gukesh for his "fighting spirit" and praised him for capitalising on the opportunity during their encounter in the ongoing Norway Chess 2025. Carlsen had an 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 around and went on to win the match. "I think like I remember being at that age myself. Sometimes our energy and fighting qualities is bigger than the quality of your moves. So for a long time, he was more or less blindly pushing, and then on a normal day, I won that game, and things work quite differently. The thing he does well is he really fights very well. He was there to take his chance, and he deserves credit for that, but that's the kind of chance that I really have to put away; otherwise, I have no chance," Magnus Carlsen told ANI after his win over Hikaru Nakamura on Monday. The 19-year-old world champion also became the second Indian player to beat Carlsen in the competition's history after grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. Following the win, Gukesh had jumped to third spot in the Norway Chess 2025 points table with 8.5 points, and now he is just one point behind Carlsen and American Fabiano Caruana. Dick Schoof, the Dutch Prime Minister has offered to resign recently, and said that his government would offer to continue on in a caretaker role. This new development around Dutch politics sets a clear stage for a snap election, according to a Bloomberg report. This comes soon after Freedom Party's supremo Geert Wilders pulled out of the Dutch government earlier Tuesday after his coalition partners refused to take on his proposals about curbing migration. Wilders pulled out his Freedom Party from the coalition after his demands, which included closing the border to asylum seekers, were not agreed upon. Wilders' plan also included temporarily halting family reunification and returning asylum seekers to Syria, according to Bloomberg, all of which was reportedly rejected, leading to the fallout. "In the past days I let all four caucus leaders know several times that the fall of the government would in my opinion be unnecessary and irresponsible. Nationally and internationally we are facing big challenges, and more than ever do we need reliability," Schoff was quoted telling reporters, according to Bloomberg. A minority government at the Centre is currently unlikely, with the other coalition parties looking into other options to keep the government functioning. This includes bringing in new parties into the coalition. Continuing as a minority cabinet is also an option, but if all political talks fail, there are major chances of fresh elections in the country. Meanwhile, there are also talks about a caretaker government, with many weighing in on the outcomes of the same. "We think a caretaker government will avoid controversial topics for up to one year, so the Netherlands will be stable with no impact on the funding needs. Theres no panic whatsoever relating to the political situation in the Netherlands," Jaap Teerhuis, senior rates strategist at ABN Amro Bank NV was quoted as telling Bloomberg about the potential of a caretaker government. Meta Platforms on Tuesday said it has struck an agreement with Constellation Energy to keep one of the utility's reactors in Illinois operating for 20 years, in the Big Tech company's first such deal with a nuclear power plant. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Big Tech companies are looking to secure electricity as U.S. power demand rises for the first time in two decades on demand from artificial intelligence and data centers. The deal will help keep open Constellation's Clinton Clean Energy Centre which may have been forced to shut after the expiry in 2027 of an Illinois ratepayer-funded zero emissions credit program that awards benefits for generation of power virtually free of carbon emissions. It depends on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission renewing the plant's license, after Constellation last year applied to renew it through 2047. Meta's power purchase will replace the Illinois support and help with re-licensing and operations. The deal could serve as a model for Big Tech companies to support existing nuclear plants while they also plan to power data centers with new nuclear and other energy sources. Constellation Energy shares rose 5.7% to $330.93 in morning trading. BY THE NUMBERS Financial details of the deal were not revealed, but such lengthy power purchase agreements tend to run to multi-billion dollars. The deal also allows Constellation to expand Clinton, which has a capacity of 1,121 megawatts, by 30 MW. The plant powers the equivalent of about 800,000 U.S. homes. Urvi Parekh, head of global energy at Meta, said: "One of the things that we hear very acutely from utilities is they want to have certainty that power plants operating today will continue to operate." Joe Dominguez, CEO of Constellation, said, "We're definitely having conversations with other clients, not just in Illinois, but really across the country, to step in and do what Meta has done, which is essentially give us a backstop so that we could make the investments needed to re-license these assets and keep them operating." Bobby Wendell, an official at a unit of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said the agreement will deliver a "stable work environment" for workers at the plant. Also Read | Is the US stock market closed this Juneteenth? All you need to know Evercore ISI analyst Nicholas Amicucci viewed the deal as "first of many" following President Donald Trump's recent executive orders aimed to boost U.S. nuclear capacity. BIG TECH POWER DEALS Independent power producers like Constellation have announced some of the biggest power deals in U.S. history in the last year, as AI data centers are expected to drive U.S. electricity consumption to record highs in 2025 and 2026. Last year, Constellation announced it had struck an agreement to restart a reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant to serve Microsoft data centers. The reactor, which is being prepped for a restart, requires various approvals. Vistra Corp and NRG Energy have also announced major planned acquisitions in recent months. After pausing the Liberation Day tariffs for 90 days until July 8, the Donald Trump administration has reminded the countries to quickly move to seal their trade deals and provide their best offers to the United States before the tariff deadline ends, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners accessed 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. The tariffs were paused after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. The document suggests an urgency within the administration to complete deals against its own tight deadline. While it's not clear who would have received the letter, it was mostly directed at the countries already in active negotiation with the US. According to the reports, the US was engaged in talks with the European Union, Japan, Vietnam and India, among others. Earlier, soon after pausing the tariffs, the United States government was reportedly in talks with 15 different countries about changing or reducing tariffs (which are taxes on imported goods). Kevin Hassett, an economic adviser to the White House, had said the countries have made proposals or deals they hope the US will agree to. He added that the US was close deals with some of the countries. USTR has informed us that there are maybe 15 countries now that have made explicit offers that we're studying and considering and deciding whether they're good enough to present the president, Kevin Hassett said. The US began considering offers from 15 countries on tariff agreements after Donald Trump surprised everyone by pausing tariffs for most countries possibly encouraging them to try making their own deals with the US amid a trade war which has erased billions of dollars from world market. 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. A senior official in President Donald Trumps Justice Department has launched an investigation into clemency decisions made by former President Joe Biden in the final days of his term, focusing on whether Biden was mentally competent and if others may have taken advantage of him using tools like the Autopen. In an internal email obtained by Reuters, Ed Martin, the Justice Departments pardon attorney, revealed that the probe will examine whether [Biden] was competent and whether others were taking advantage of him through use of AutoPen or other means. The autopen, a device that replicates signatures, has been a point of contention among Biden critics who allege it may indicate he wasnt personally authorising actions. Target: Family pardons, death row commutations The investigation centres on preemptive pardons Biden issued to five family membersincluding siblings James Biden, Frank Biden, and Valerie Biden Owens, along with their spousesand clemency that spared 37 federal inmates from the death penalty. Biden had defended the family pardons, stating they were intended to protect them from future politically motivated investigations. Hunter Biden, the presidents son, who had pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted on firearms-related charges, was also pardoned by Biden on December 1. In the final hours of his presidency, Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to several key personalities, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol attack. The pardons come as Biden seeks to protect these individuals from potential revenge actions by the incoming Trump administration, which has expressed intentions to target those involved in investigations of former President Donald Trump. Autopen controversy resurfaces Trump and his allies have long questioned the validity of documents signed via autopen, a mechanical device used to replicate signatures, claiming it casts doubt on Bidens awareness of presidential actions. However, it is unclear whether Biden used the autopen for the clemency orders. A 2005 Justice Department memo determined that using an autopen for presidential signatures was legitimate when authorised by the president. Martin's statements Martin, who previously served as interim US attorney in Washington, was nominated for the permanent role, though the nomination was later stalled in the Senate. Despite believing in the broad scope of presidential pardon power, Martin indicated the need for further scrutiny. If you use the autopen for pardon power, I don't think that that's necessarily a problem, Martin said at a press conference on May 13. Also Read | Schwarzenegger tells environmentalists dismayed by Trump to stop whining, get to work No DOJ or White House comment yet Neither the Justice Department nor the White House responded immediately to requests for comment on the investigation, Reuters said. The email from Martin did not specify who directed him to begin the probe. Despite the inquiry, no evidence has been presented suggesting Biden did not intend to issue the pardons, and legal precedent supports the validity of autopen use under presidential directive. Eid 2025: As Muslims across the world prepare for one of the major festivals of the yearEid-ul-Adhait is time to learn key details about the Islamic festival, such as its exact date, history, and significance. The festival, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or Bakrid, will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia a day before celebrations kick off in India. Eid-ul-Adha holiday: June 6 or 7? The second holiest festival of the year for the followers of Islam will be celebrated on Saturday, 7 June, in India. This major festival holds profound significance in Islam and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour by Muslims across the world. As per the Islamic calendar, the festival falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, Arafat Day will be observed on Friday, 6 June, a day before Eid. Arafat Day, or Yaum al-Arafah, marks the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah and is considered the holiest day in the Islamic calendar. History of Eid-ul-Adha The origin of the Eid-ul-Adha festival is traced back to the story of Ibrahim and Isma'il's sacrifice as mentioned in the Quran (Surah As-Saffat, verses 99-113). The religious epic emphasises the profound act of submission and devotion to the divine. It is believed that Ibrahim received a divine command in his dream. He was asked to sacrifice his beloved son, Isma'il (Ishmael) a measure to test of his faith. Ibrahim proceeded to show his devotion and submission by sacrificing his son, who was replaced with a sheep. Significance of Eid ul-Adha The festival is not just about sacrifice; it has deeper relevance and significance. It symbolises generosity, advocates charity and values of compassion, humility and gratitude. Coinciding with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca one of the Five Pillars of Islam Eid ul-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's sacrifice, celebrates unity and solidarity. Traditionally, Muslims mark the festival with morning prayers at the mosque, which is followed by animal sacrifice usually a goat, sheep, buffalo or camel. A 19-year-old student tragically died while parasailing in Budva, Montenegro. Tijana Radonjic from Serbia reportedly unclipped her safety belt mid-air, fell from 50 metres (as high as Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai) and landed in the Adriatic Sea on May 28. A video of the incident shows her unbuckling herself, removing the jacket, and falling upside down into the sea. Though rescue teams rushed in, she could not be saved. Her family denies she caused the fall. They have demanded a proper investigation into safety procedures. Also Read | Watch: Paraglider gets sucked into clouds as high as Mount Everest Witnesses said she was shouting Put me down! and Help me! just before falling. Shocking video footage shows her struggling in the harness before slipping through. Reports suggest she was filming a promotional video for a tourist agency. According to MiailOnline, she exchanged a free ride for publicity. Tijana was meant to appear cheerful in a bikini, soaring above the coastline to attract summer visitors. Social media users are, however, not convinced that it was an accident. After watching the video of the incident, many of them blame Tijana. One user wrote, What is the family trying to dispute when the video clearly shows her unbuckling her harness? No matter how tragic it is, its your fault if you undo your safety equipment and die as a result, wrote another. It's sad but I have no clue why her family is disputing the fact it was her that unbuckled it, reacted one social media user. Another wrote, Thats a suicide, not an accident. Sorry, but shes responsible, not the company, came from another. While some reports say suicide hasnt been ruled out, the police are still investigating the case. Her parents and loved ones do not believe she would harm herself. Her parents shared an emotional farewell. They have called her their bravest and said she will always remain in their hearts. Uncontrollable fear The tour companys owner said Tijana was cheerful and not scared before take-off. She waved happily at her friends. The operator believes she may have unbuckled the harness out of sudden panic, not realising what she was doing. Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders withdrew his party from the government Tuesday in a row over immigration, bringing down a shaky coalition and likely ushering in elections. Wilders has been frustrated with what he saw as the slow pace of introducing the "strictest-ever immigration policy", agreed with coalition partners after his shock election win in November 2023. "No signature for our asylum plans... PVV leaves the coalition," said Wilders on X, formerly Twitter, referring to his far-right Freedom Party. The withdrawal opens up a period of political uncertainty in the European Union's fifth-largest economy and major exporter, as far-right parties make gains across the continent. Also Read | A Guide to Japans Closely Watched Government Bond Auctions The latest government crisis also comes just weeks before the Netherlands is due to host world leaders for a NATO summit. Last-ditch crisis talks on Tuesday morning lasted barely half an hour before the leaders of the four coalition parties came out in a testy mood. "I have just informed the prime minister that I will withdraw the PVV ministers from the cabinet and that we can no longer bear responsibility for this," said Wilders. "I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands and that our responsibility for this cabinet therefore ends at this moment," he added. Eighteen months after his surprise election win sent shockwaves through Europe, polls suggest his PVV is still the strongest party. Also Read | Dutch Insurer Scraps Old-Style Chat Bots Amid Uneven AI Rollout However, the gap to his nearest rivals has narrowed, with the left-wing Green/Left party of former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans following close behind. The liberal VVD party, a traditional powerhouse in Dutch politics, are also running near the top two, meaning any election would likely be closely fought. VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz, visibly angry, described Wilders's move as "super irresponsible", adding she was afraid it would open the door to left-wing parties. "How can you do this to the Netherlands?" she said. Any elections would likely be held after the summer break, Sarah de Lange, professor of political pluralism at the University of Amsterdam, told AFP. "New elections are likely, but in the Netherlands, organising them takes almost three months. Snap elections in the Netherlands are not as quick as in other countries," she said. Also Read | Dutch politician Geert Wilders shares missive for India after election win - 'Patience has run out' - In late May, Wilders called an impromptu press conference to announce his "patience has now run out" with the government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. He threatened to torpedo the coalition if a new 10-point plan to crimp immigration was not implemented within a few weeks. His plan included border closures for asylum seekers, tougher border controls and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime. Political and legal experts criticised the plans as unworkable or illegal, with some suggesting Wilders was creating a crisis to collapse the government. The far-right leader has often been called the "Dutch Trump" for his anti-immigrant views -- and instantly recognisable bouffant hairstyle. His ambitions to lead his country were frustrated after his election win, as his coalition partners blocked his premiership bid, settling instead on Schoof as a compromise candidate. The leaders of the four coalition partners agreed not to take up cabinet positions, instead running their parties as parliamentary chiefs. Wilders has been an uncompromising figure in parliament, his quick-witted jousting with Timmermans being a highlight of debates. He has frequently said that the only way to implement his anti-immigrant policies is for him to become prime minister. However, in the fractured Dutch political system, no party can win an absolute majority in the 150-seat parliament and Wilders will need partners. He can count on the support of the BBB farmers' party. The backing of the VVD -- currently an uneasy coalition partner -- is less certain. The fourth party in the current coalition -- the anti-corruption New Social Contract -- has seen support collapse since charismatic leader Pieter Omtzigt stepped down. Far-right parties have been on the rise across Europe. In May, the far-right Chega ("Enough") party took second place in Portuguese elections. In Germany, the anti-immigration far-right AfD doubled its score in legislative elections in February, reaching 20.8 percent. Ukraine on Tuesday (June 3) claimed responsibility for the underwater explosion that damaged the Kerch Bridge the strategic lifeline connecting Russia to occupied Crimea. The move marks a significant escalation in Ukraines broader campaign to disrupt Russias military logistics deep within its own territory. Ukraines latest attack on the Kerch Bridge follows a series of major blows to Russian airbases and railway links. Heres whats behind the strategy. A series of strikes The bridge bombing came just 48 hours after Ukraine launched a sweeping drone assault on four Russian airbases stretching across the Arctic, Siberia, and the Far East destroying over 40 military aircraft, including long-range bombers. Around the same time, two key railway bridges collapsed in Russias Bryansk and Kursk regions, derailing trains and killing at least seven people. Underwater precision: The Kerch operation Ukraines Security Service (SBU) described the bridge attack as a unique special operation involving the detonation of 1,100 kilograms of explosives planted on the seabed near the bridges foundation. The resulting blast damaged a critical support pillar, according to video evidence released by the agency. The operation temporarily halted traffic across the 19-kilometre (12-mile) bridge early Tuesday morning and again in the afternoon. Russian authorities acknowledged the closures but have not disclosed the extent of the damage. The SBU said no civilians were harmed in the operation. Why the Kerch Bridge is vital Built by Russia after annexing Crimea in 2014, the Kerch Bridge is the Kremlins main logistical route into occupied southern Ukraine. It supports the movement of troops, ammunition, food, and fuel particularly into the contested Zaporizhzhia region. Disabling or degrading the bridge not only delays military shipments but also delivers a symbolic blow to Moscows claim of secure control over Crimea. Railway attacks compound pressure On June 1, explosions caused two railway bridges in Russias border regions to collapse, derailing both passenger and freight trains. Seven people were killed and over 100 injured. Russias Investigative Committee labeled the incidents as acts of terrorism and blamed Ukraine. While Kyiv has not claimed direct responsibility for the bridge collapses, Ukraines military intelligence (GUR) confirmed that a Russian military freight train carrying food and fuel to Crimea had been targeted. Also Read | Russia and Ukraine ratchet up war while trying to show Trump they want peace Drone raids on airbases stretch Russian defenses Ukraines June 1 drone operation was one of the most far-reaching of the war. Drones struck four military airbases across three time zones an attack that reportedly took more than a year to plan. Ukrainian officials say over 40 warplanes were destroyed, including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers capable of launching conventional and nuclear weapons. Strategic goals behind the attacks The string of attacks targeting airbases, railway lines, and the Crimean bridge reflects a well-orchestrated plan with multiple objectives: Disrupt logistics: By striking Russias main transport arteries, Ukraine aims to delay or deny crucial supplies to front-line forces. Erode morale: Attacking deep within Russia exposes the vulnerability of supposedly secure infrastructure. Regain momentum: The strikes could serve as a prelude to future Ukrainian counteroffensives. Pressure for peace: With negotiations stalled, Ukraine may be seeking to strengthen its bargaining position. A war far from over Though peace talks in Istanbul yielded no breakthrough earlier this week, Ukraines actions signal that it is not waiting idly. The strikes show a shift from defensive operations to a proactive strategy of deep disruption. Also Read | Ukraine bombs Crimeas Kerch Bridge used by Russia for troop transport Liberal opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been elected president of South Korea, the country's National Election Commission has officially declared, following a decisive victory in a snap election triggered by the impeachment of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, over a failed attempt to impose martial law. Lee secured 49.3% of the vote, defeating Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), who garnered 41.3%, with over 99% of ballots counted. I humbly accept the peoples choice, Kim told journalists, conceding defeat even before the final tally. I congratulate President-elect Lee and wish him success. Lees victory brings to an end months of political upheaval triggered by the short-lived martial law imposed by ousted conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol. An earlier exit poll by South Koreas top broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS projected Lee to win 51.7% of the vote, well ahead of Kims 39.3%. Pre-election polls had also indicated a likely victory for Lee, fueled by widespread public anger toward the conservatives following Yoons controversial imposition of martial law. Record turnout Voter turnout reached nearly 80% of South Koreas 44.39 million eligible voters the highest in a presidential election since 1997. Call for unity Addressing supporters outside parliament after polls closed, Lee pledged to serve with responsibility and bring unity to a divided nation. We can overcome this temporary difficulty with the combined strength of our people, who have great capabilities, Lee said. A rise from poverty to power Lee, a former child laborer, rose to political prominence as mayor of Seongnam and later as governor of Gyeonggi province. His campaign capitalised on voter anger toward the conservative establishment and economic inequality. Known for his sharp critiques of the political elite, Lee's rise was built on promises of social reform. Balancing act on foreign policy While Lee has previously faced criticism for leaning toward China and North Korea, he has in recent months worked to reaffirm South Koreas alliance with the US and promote a trilateral relationship with the US and Japan. Our alliance with the United States will remain the cornerstone of South Koreas foreign policy, Lee stated during his campaign. He has taken a cautious approach to North Korea, saying hes open to dialogue but skeptical about any near-term summit with Kim Jong Un. It will be very difficult, Lee admitted, but we must remain open to peaceful engagement. On trade tensions, Lee advised patience, arguing it would be a mistake to rush negotiations in pursuit of an early agreement with Washington. Kim Moon Soo has said he would meet with Trump as soon as possible. Challenges ahead: Trump, North Korea, and domestic division Lee faces a tough diplomatic landscape, with US tariff pressure under Donald Trump and North Koreas advancing nuclear arsenal posing immediate challenges. Domestically, Lee inherits a politically polarised country. His critics label him a populist who may deepen divisions. Kim Moon Soo, in his concession, warned that Lees win could lead to an excessive concentration of power. Pakistan, Karachi: Over 200 inmates escaped from a high-security jail in Pakistan's port city of Karachi after chaos ensued, following an earthquake in the nation, a minister said on Tuesday. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul Hasan Lanjhar said if the prisoners returned voluntarily, the government would consider a reduction in their sentences. He warned that those caught by the police would be tried under anti-terrorism laws, reported PTI. Also Read | Shashi Tharoor highlights problem in holding talks with Pakistan Hundreds of prisoners broke down the doors of their cells after they felt tremors at Malir Jail in Karachi, which was hit by three low-intensity earthquakes on Monday, police said. How the prisoners escaped Following the tremors on Monday night, prisoners panicked and started resorting to violence to come out of their cells, reported PTI. Pakistan has recently been rocked by multiple earthquakes, with over five of them being reported in May alone. 78 prisoners re-captured in 24 hours As many as 216 prisoners had escaped the jail, out of which 78 prisoners were re-captured in 24 hours, Lanjhar told the media. He added that a dozen policemen and prisoners were injured in the violence while a prisoner was shot dead while trying to escape. Police officials tried to ensure their safety and brought them out of the cells after which some prisoners resorted to violence and escaped, he added. Malir Jail also houses over 100 Indian prisoners, most of them poor fishermen serving time for allegedly fishing illegally in Pakistans waters. A police official said that they were kept in a separate barrack and they remained in their cells during the earthquake. Also Read | Hindu community in Pakistan's Sindh protests grabbing of historic temple land Earlier, Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah said over 600 prisoners were taken out from their barracks during the quake, Geo TV reported. Law enforcement authorities have launched a joint operation to track down the remaining escapees. The incident has led to the dismissal of IG prisons, the jail superintendent and other high-ranking officials. Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian President and current deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, asserted on Tuesday that the ongoing peace talks with Ukraine are designed to ensure a swift and complete Russian victory rather than seek a compromise. Clarifying Russia's intent behind the Istanbul peace talks, Medvedev wrote on Telegram: "The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone elses delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction of the neo-Nazi regime," in remarks underscoring Moscows hardline stance amid stalled negotiations. Medvedev warns of retribution Speaking on Telegram, Medvedev addressed those concerned about Russian military actions, stating: "To everyone who is worried and waiting for retribution. It's right to worry thats what normal people do. Retribution is inevitable." He added that Russian forces would continue their advance unabated: "Our Army is pushing forward and will continue to advance. Everything that needs to be blown up will be blown up, and those who must be eliminated will be." Russian demands and stalled negotiations Medvedev was referring to a Russian memorandum presented to Ukraine during talks in Istanbul on Monday. The demands included Ukraine handing over more territory, adopting neutrality, limiting its military size, and holding new elections. The talks, lasting only an hour, resulted in an agreement on a prisoner swap and the exchange of 12,000 bodies but failed to secure a ceasefire. Moscow offered a limited, temporary ceasefire for select frontline areas, while Kyiv insisted on a full and unconditional truce. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned that the conflict's resolution was complex: "The settlement issue is extremely complex and involves a large number of nuances. It would be wrong to expect immediate solutions and breakthroughs." Escalation on the ground and renewed attacks Despite talks, violence continues. Zelensky condemned a Russian rocket attack on the city of Sumy, which killed four civilians and lies near the Russian border. He called the attack proof of Moscows disregard for peace: "The attack says everything one needs to know about Russia's so-called 'desire' to end this war." Russian forces recently captured the village of Andriivka in the Sumy region as they seek to establish a buffer zone. Also Read | Ukraine strikes Kerch Bridge after bombing 40 Russian warplanes Why it matters Developments today Ukraines security service claimed a successful underwater attack on the Crimean bridge connecting Russia to the annexed peninsula, leading to a temporary closure. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian delegation arrived in Washington for talks on defense aid and potential new sanctions. A man in his 30s has been arrested after entering restricted grounds at Windsor Castle on Sunday afternoon, June 1. Thames Valley Police confirmed the incident on June 3, stating that the man was apprehended just after 1 p.m. He was quickly challenged by Met Police officers and arrested, a police spokesperson said. He did not enter the inner grounds of Windsor Castle. What happened on the grounds of Windsor Castle? The man was taken into custody on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs. He has since been bailed, and Thames Valley Police have launched an ongoing investigation into the incident. They said, "He was arrested on suspicion of trespass on a secure site and possession of class A drugs. He has been bailed and an investigation is ongoing by Thames Valley Police." In a statement shared by The Metropolitan Police read, "A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs after entering private grounds at Windsor Castle. Officers in the grounds spotted the man just after 13:00hrs on Sunday, June 1 and quickly arrested him. He was then passed into the custody of Thames Valley Police." No injuries or further disturbances were reported. Security officials have not released the name of the man arrested and have not disclosed the specific nature of the drugs in his possession. The Metropolitan Police, who are in charge of royal family security, initially detained the man before handing him over to local authorities. Under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, trespassing on protected royal residences such as Windsor Castle is considered a criminal offence. It is currently unclear whether any members of the royal family were present at Windsor Castle at the time. Prince William and Princess Kate reside at Adelaide Cottage, located within Windsor Great Park, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. South Korea elections: Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung is projected to win South Korea's snap presidential election, according to a joint exit poll released Tuesday by major broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS. The forecast comes just two months after the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office following controversy over his brief imposition of martial law. The exit poll shows Lee securing 51.7% of the vote, placing him ahead of his main conservative opponent, Kim Moon Soo, who garnered 39.3%. Election officials unload a ballot box at a counting station in Seoul on June 3, 2025, after voting in the presidential election was closed. Lee Jae-myung of the left-leaning Democratic Party is on track to win South Korea's presidential election by a landslide, exit polls showed June 3, with turnout high after months of political chaos. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP) Not just the exit polls, but pre-election surveys also suggested Lee, the Democratic Party candidate, poised for an easy win, riding on deep public frustration over the conservatives in the wake of Yoons martial law debacle. Also Read | South Korea votes for new President: Liberal Lee headed for easy win Kim has struggled to win over moderate, swing voters as his People Power Party remains in a quagmire of internal feuding over how to view Yoons actions, reported The Associated Press. South Korea presidential elections Voting began at 6 am local time at 14,295 polling stations nationwide and closed at 8 pm. Nearly 80 per cent of South Korea's 44.4 million eligible voter cast ballots, reported AP, citing an ongoing tally. The 80 per cent figure marks the highest voter turnout for a presidential election in South Korea. A woman votes at a polling station set up at a book cafe library, during the presidential election in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon REFILE - QUALITY REPEAT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY The past six months saw large crowds of people rallying in the streets to either denounce or support Yoon, while a leadership vacuum caused by Yoons impeachment and ensuing formal dismissal rattled the countrys high-level diplomatic activities and financial markets. Threats of slowing economy; America-first policies loom The new South Korean president is likely to face major challenges including a slowing economy, US President Donald Trumps America-first policies and North Koreas evolving nuclear threats, reported AP. Who is Lee Jae-myung Lee Jae-myung, a former governor of Gyeonggi Province and mayor of Seongnam, has long been a polarising presence in South Korean politics. Rising from the background of a child laborer, Lee built his public image on a compelling rags-to-riches journey. He gained national attention with his sharp critiques of South Koreas conservative establishment and his strong advocacy for a more assertive foreign policy, as per AP. Also Read | Former South Korean president Moon Jae-in indicted for corruption Lee Jae-myung , the Liberal candidate contesting in South Korea 's snap elections, has reportedly claimed victory on June 3. This victory comes soon after Suk Yeol's impeachment over a failed martial law decree, which plunged the country into a major political crisis. When 70% of the votes were counted, Lee had already held a strong lead at 48.523%, which prompted his election rival, Kim Moon-soo, to concede defeat at an early stage. During December 2024's martial law crisis, Lee livestreamed climbing the National Assembly fence. This act fueled the movement to impeach Yoon. His campaign centered on preventing future authoritarian overreach. He pledges to revitalize the economy amid US tariff threats. He also seeks constitutional changes allowing two four-year presidential terms. Lee aims to balance US ties with engagement toward China and North Korea through diplomatic initiatives, according to reports. However, Lee has also been engaged in some major controversies, especially surrounding alleged bribery and charges related to a property development scandal. According to a CNN report, he was convicted of violating election law in another ongoing case. In this case, it was alleged that he knowingly made false statements during a debate during the previous presidential campaign. However, Lee has denied all charges, claiming that the allegations did not carry any merit, evidence, or basis. He stated that these charges against him were politically motivated, according to his interaction with CNN in December. Indias smartphone exports stood at $10.96 billion in 2022-23 and surged to $24.14 billion in 2024-25, a striking compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 48.4%. Long reliant on imports and peripheral to global value chains, Indias electronics manufacturing is becoming a pillar for job creation, export growth and technological advancement. However, India must temper its excitement about labour-led electronics manufacturing growth and double down on boosting domestic value addition. The China plus one strategy, accelerated by the pandemic and heightened USChina tensions, has led to supply chain diversification by global manufacturers. Among alternatives, India stands out thanks to its vast domestic market, improving infrastructure and large labour supply. India is the worlds second-largest mobile phone making hub now, a status that reflects both expanding production and rising quality standards. It is also well placed to further capitalize on the friend-shoring trend born of geopolitics. At the heart of our manufacturing drive is the governments production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which has attracted significant investments from global players. Apple, for instance, now assembles 10-12% of all iPhones in India. In 2024-25, iPhone exports amounted to $17.4 billion. Samsung runs the worlds largest mobile phone factory in Noida, catering to both domestic and international markets. Beyond mobile phones, Indias Semiconductor Mission, backed by a $10 billion outlay, aims to build a full-stack chip ecosystem, from fabrication units to assembly, testing, marking and packaging facilities, apart from design capabilities. This is critical given that semiconductors are Indias second-largest import item after crude oil. Complementing these efforts is the Electronics Manufacturing Clusters scheme, which provides plug-and-play infrastructure, land and logistical support to manufacturers. India is also gaining momentum in display manufacturing, printed circuit board production, camera modules and power electronics. We must also seize the global data centre boomnot just as a digital infrastructure opportunity, but as a strategic lever for manufacturing. Surging worldwide demand for hyperscale data centres and AI infrastructure is rapidly enlarging markets for servers, cooling systems, power equipment and networking componentsareas in which India can become globally competitive. By aligning industrial policy, export incentives and skilling programmes with the needs of global data centre operators, India can attract investment and position itself as a hardware manufacturing hub for digital infrastructure. A dual strategy of hosting global data and building the infrastructure that powers it could amplify Indias economic prospects and influence. Electronics manufacturing is labour-intensive and could, over the next five years, generate over 1 million direct jobs, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. As domestic value chains deepen, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) could be integrated into global production networks. This would not only spread the benefits of industrial growth, but also help formalize and upgrade Indias vast informal manufacturing base. Increasing value addition is the other challenge. In smartphone manufacturing, it has improved from 2% in 2014 to 15-16% in 2024, but still trails Chinas. Premium smartphones exported from India rely on 90-95% imported components. According to the Global Trade Research Institute, for every $1,000 worth of iPhones that India exports, we capture just $30compared to $450 by the US and $150 by Taiwan. India ranks 44th on Harvard Universitys Economic Complexity Index, a measure of production sophistication, while China is 16th and Taiwan is 4th. Vietnam, ranked 48th, saw a tenfold surge in its manufacturing exports from 2000 to 2023. Yet, its domestic value addition has plateaued since 2010, offering us a cautionary example. Unlike China and Vietnam, India has not reached the Lewis Turning Point at which developing economies exhaust their labour surpluses and wages begin to rise swiftly. This reflects structural challenges in our labour market. Until India reaches that point, it is easy to be misled by the apparent advantage of labour availability, without recognizing the pressing need to focus on value addition. For enduring economic growth, India must move up the production value chain and not remain merely a destination for low-value product assembly. We must invest in precision tooling, high-end materials and critical components manufacturing. Programmes like the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme are important steps, but both their scale and execution speed must increase significantly. We must also sharpen our focus on skilling and sustainability. Deeper investments in technical education and industry-academia collaboration are vital. While we must adopt globally recognized sustainability practices, our policies on issues like e-waste responsibility must be business-enabling and grounded in operational realities. Also read: Budget smartphones sell like hot cakes in tepid market Indias electronics manufacturing journey is no longer an experimentit is now a strategic economic growth pivot. If this momentum continues, the sector could contribute over $300 billion in annual output by 2030, create millions of jobs, boost exports and significantly strengthen Indias technological and economic sovereignty. The author is a strategy and public policy professional. His X handle is @prasannakarthik Ukraines spectacular attacks on Russias strategic air fleet on June 1 was a triumph of intelligence capacity. Ukraine is now winning the shadow war with Russia. If Europe and the U.S. support it by actively applying pressure to Russia, Russia may soon be forced to return to the negotiating table with serious ceasefire conditions. Today, as in the past, the fight between Russia and the West occurs largely off the battlefield. In the 20th century, the U.S. and the Soviet Union fought each other in a roiling, decadeslong shadow war across multiple continents, as the risks of an open war compelled competition to shift into the gray zone of intelligence operations. Russia is now waging a shadow war in the same way. It tripled its intelligence operations against the West in 2023-24 after quadrupling them in 2022-23. It has attempted to ship explosive packages to the U.S., attack Warsaws largest shopping center, assassinate the CEO of Europes largest ammunition manufacturer, attack Ukrainian-owned businesses in Western Europe, and cyberattack large-scale U.S. and European governmental institutions and businesses. Since 2022, NATO countries have expelled 750 Russian spies under official diplomatic cover. There are other, unconfirmed instances of Russian intelligence activity, such as the leak of sensitive information on Swedens incoming national security adviser and large-scale infrastructure failures in France, the U.K., and Spain. The full scope of Russias shadow activity is thoroughly classified. But it has obviously increased since the one-off poisonings, assassinations, and sabotage attempts of the 2010s. Intelligence operations remain a key pillar of Russian strategy because Russia doesnt have the military capacity to conquer Ukraine. It may gain more ground at a horrendous cost, throwing soldiers forward on motorbikes and scooters in the hope that Ukraine wont waste ammunition on individual targets. But the chances of a large-scale operational breakthrough akin to the massed tank battles of World War IIs Eastern Front are low. Nevertheless, the Kremlin cannot just give up. It has staked far too much blood and money to extract itself before victory. Nor can Russia unleash its reserve capabilities" on Ukraine. Such reserves dont exist. Russia could conduct a nuclear strike. But a limited atomic attack wouldnt appreciably change the military balance, and a large-scale nuclear strike would prompt Western intervention. Instead, Russia hopes to disrupt Western support for Ukraine by both raising the direct sense of threat to Europe and by attacking the flow of that support through sabotage. Moscows hope is to force a crisis that compels Europe to prioritize its own defense over aiding Ukraine. Yet Ukraine is waging an intelligence operation of its own inside Russia at an ever-increasing scale. Ukraine has assassinated Russian pilots responsible for shooting missiles at Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. It has attacked officials houses with precision long-range drone strikes, disrupted air traffic around Moscow, and allegedly got close to destroying Putins private helicopter. Ukrainian drones attack Russian military and energy infrastructure nightly, doing direct damage to the Russian war machine and economy. Against this backdrop, the Ukrainian attack on Russias strategic bomber fleet was the most recent success in a string of increasingly effective intelligence operations. Ukrainian agents smuggled small drones into Russia in flatbed trailers, identified the Russian Aerospace Forces most important airfields for heavy bombers, and then attacked four airfields across Russia simultaneously. Initial estimates indicate that Ukraine damaged around 40 strategic aircraftlikely a combination of long-range bombers and airborne early warning aircraft. Russia may have lost 15-30% of its long-range strike capabilities. Ukraine could conduct this operation in part because of divisions within Russian society. Russia is a multiethnic empire masquerading as a modern Slavic ethnostate. Per census data, 30% of Russians are non-Slavic; the true proportion is likely higher. There are long-term grievances within many of these groups, most clearly in the North Caucasus. In turn, Russia beyond St. Petersburg and Moscow is extraordinarily deprived. This has created a fertile recruiting ground for the Russian military, but has also offered Ukraine opportunities. The more pressure Ukrainian intelligence applies within Russia, the more resources Russia must divert to policing its own population and defending its high-value targets. And Ukrainian operations arent restricted to Russian territory. Ukrainian military intelligence has deployed to Africa to fight against the Wagner Group and has assisted Syrias now-President Ahmad al-Sharaa in planning his offensive against Russias ally, Syrias former President Bashar al-Assad. Ukraine still needs Western support. A coherent policy from the U.S. and Europe would go well beyond naming and shaming" Russian attacks or holding Russian perpetrators responsible. They should instead make proportionate responses to Russian intelligence operations their explicit policy and use offensive cyber or traditional intelligence means to target military and economic infrastructure in Russia and its partner states, most obviously Belarus and Georgia. Ukraine risks the solidification of Russian ambitions in and beyond Europe. Putin aims to divide the U.S. from Europe, harvest the remaining continental pickings, and shatter the U.S.s global reputation as a dependable ally. As with the years before WWII, a unified, active West could avoid a greater conflagration. Ukraine continues to demonstrate how a single determined people can hold back the Russian onslaught. A purposeful and resolute West could bring about the peace and security prized by both the U.S. and Europe. About the authors: Seth Cropsey is president of Yorktown Institute. He served as a naval officer and as deputy undersecretary of the Navy, and he is the author of Mayday and Seablindness. Harry Halem is a senior fellow at Yorktown Institute. Amid a controversy triggered by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns comment on the Operation Sindoor, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Tuesday that he must resign and apologise. While addressing a news conference recently, Mann referred to reports that the BJP would distribute Sindoor in households, saying: "Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name?" Is this "One Nation, One Husband" scheme?" Condemning Manns comments, BJPs Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal said on social media platform X: "Bhagwant Mann crosses all limits! Mocking Operation Sindoor, he shamelessly asks: "Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?" The Operation Sindoor was a response to terrorists killing Hindus after checking their religion, with sindoor being a marker used to identify women, Baliawal also said. Accusing Mann of having "zero sensitivity", the BJP spokesperson criticised him for mocking the Indian Army, insulting Veer Naris, and turning sacred symbols into jokes. Mann has zero sensitivity, says BJP "Let's set the record straight: There is NO BJP activity sending sindoor to every household. The name Operation Sindoor was used because terrorists were killing Hindus after checking their religion -- sindoor was a marker they used to identify women. This operation was about terrorism, martyrdom, and the protection of Indian lives, but how would Bhagwant Mann, a man with zero sensitivity, understand that? A man who mocks the Indian Army, Insults Veer Naris, turns every sacred symbol into a joke. Such a person will never understand the value of sindoor, which carries sacrifice, love, and devotion," the post read. "Bhagwant Mann must resign immediately and apologise to the entire nation," the BJP spokesperson further said. On May 7, India had launched the Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in which 26 people were killed. Indian armed forces had targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. South Koreas next government should prioritize making a trade deal with Washington that shields the aviation industry from tariffs, the head of the countrys largest airline said. Korean Air Lines Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cho Won-Tae, speaking before voters head to the polls on Tuesday to choose a new government, said he expects the outcome to lead to stability and predictable governance, no matter who wins. A lack of political leadership over the past several months has been troubling, especially with the economic situation globally, said Cho, 49, who also heads Hanjin Group, one of the countrys largest family conglomerates. Regardless of the votes outcome, a trade deal for the export-focused nation would help achieve some future and predictability and plan what to do next. The national vote comes after a turbulent period for Seoul following a failed marshal law declaration by the then-president Yoon Suk-Yeol, and the subsequent impeachment of various interim leaders. Trade Expectations Korean Air is anxious for the aviation industry to be shielded from the threat of US tariffs. Not only is it a large buyer of Boeing Co. and Airbus SE aircraft, but it also makes parts for the US planemaker and its European rival, putting it in the crosshairs of any levies. This is very important to Korean Air as well. Historically aviation wasnt part of the tariffs. Now its going to cause a lot of confusion to business, said Cho, speaking at the International Air Transport Association annual meeting. The airline groups aerostructures business makes parts including the wing tips for 737 Max and Airbus A320neo, and the 777 and 787 raked wing tips. It also produces part of the fuselage for the A330. Korean Air said it has seen sharp decreases in cargo demand from China to the US. Air freight is a key revenue line for the company as one of the worlds largest cargo operators. Passenger demand has meanwhile been steady, including in the closely watched premium business and first class cabin. The Korean Air and Hanjin Group chief also said the airline would be the first to restart overflights to Russia should there be a resolution with Ukraine and a change in US-led sanctions. Cho said the airline has placed a order of less than 10 aircraft as an undisclosed customer for freighter planes, though he declined to name the manufacturer. The purchase will cap off a buying spree involving more than 100 Airbus and Boeing jets in recent years. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTONUkraines weekend attacks against military airfields deep inside Russia signal the long-stalemated war is entering a perilous phase, with both sides seemingly intent on escalation and prospects for a U.S.-brokered peace deal receding. Only a day after the Ukrainian drones dealt a blow to Russias bomber fleet in a brazen attack that stunned Moscow, the two sides met for a second round of talks in Istanbul after President Trump declared again that he wanted a quick deal to halt the fighting. The meeting lasted barely an hour, producing an agreement to exchange prisoners but nothing more. Instead of cooling off, the grinding 40-month war seems to be growing even hotterwith minimal pushback from Trump. Russia has struck Ukraine with an avalanche of missiles and drones in recent weeks, hitting a range of civilian targets and killing or wounding many civilians. It is likely to intensify those attacks in response to Kyivs drone strikes ahead of a summer offensive now in the planning stages. Ukraine had relied on the production of strike drones capable of flying hundreds of miles into Russia, hoping to offset its disadvantage on the ground and make up for U.S. aid that is expected to diminish in the months ahead with airstrikes that produce outsize effects. Ukraine says that its Sunday attack damaged or destroyed more than 40 aircraft, while experts have documented about 14 strikes on Russian bombersa huge setback for Moscow either way. One question is whether the spiraling attacks will spur the administration to engage more deeply in the peace processor walk away, as U.S. officials have repeatedly threatened to do. Trump last week appeared to give Russian President Vladimir Putin a two-week deadline, threatening to respond a little bit differently" if he concluded the Russian leader was stringing him along. Trumps vow to walk away from the war is unrealistic, some analysts said. Walking away extends the fighting," said William Taylor, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine during the George W. Bush and first Trump administrations. It would be an admission of failure." Putin still appears to be calculating that Trump has no appetite for siding more closely with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and would rather disengage from the conflict than impose long-threatened additional sanctions on Moscows oil experts or revive large-scale U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine. Zelensky is in a tighter spot given his sometimes tense relationship with Trump, which resulted in a brief cutoff of U.S. intelligence and military support after a disastrous Oval Office meeting in February. He has sought to show the White House he is ready for a truce even while rebuffing Putins draconian demands. 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," Zelensky said in a Sunday address to the nation. And pressure is truly needed, pressure on Russia that should bring it back to reality." If the Trump administration has a strategy beyond appealing to Putin to halt the fighting in return for territorial concessions and other inducements, it has yet to make one clear. Former President Joe Biden sought to contain the conflict by imposing sanctions on Russia and establishing limits on how Ukraine could use some U.S.-provided missiles. But Trump hasnt sought to ratchet up the economic and military pressure on Russia. And he has yet to actively involve himself in planning for Ukraines defense, including coordinating on future weapons needs. He has been unusually silent about Ukraines drone strikes on Russian bases. Zelensky told reporters Monday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed a four-leader summit for later this month featuring himself, Trump, Putin, and the Ukrainian leader. But the administration hasnt said whether Trump would attend such a meeting. Absent international pressure, the fighting this summer could even intensify as the Kremlin strives to shift the front lines. Fighting in eastern Ukraine last month was the most intense this year, according to Deep State, an independent Ukrainian front-line analytics group. Russians have occupied about 170 square kilometers of territory after pushing Ukrainians out of the Russian region of Kursk earlier this year. The most active fronts include Sumy and Pokrovsk, Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine is using all its strength to prevent Russias buildup for a forward thrust. A continually brutal war wasnt what the Trump administration had in mind. As a candidate Trump vowed to end the war within a day, a characterization he now claims was sarcasm. In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and then-national security adviser Mike Waltz met with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. They secured Kyivs agreement to a 30-day cease-fire in the hope that Russia would soon follow suit, setting the stage for talks that would end the war. But Moscow balked at agreeing to a truce, demanding that what it terms the root causes" of the conflict be addressedshorthand for barring Ukraine from accepting Western assistance and diminishing its sovereignty as an independent state. In Washington, the only pressure appears to be coming from Congress. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) plan to introduce legislation next week that would impose steep tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy and uranium. If the measure passes, and Trump doesnt veto it, the punishment would dovetail with a new sanctions passage the European Union is putting together. The brief talks on Monday produced some progress on humanitarian issues but made no headway toward a truce. Ukraine said a memorandum on peace terms promised by the Russian side in the aftermath of a May 16 meeting was only shared with the Ukrainians once both delegations sat down Monday in Istanbul. In any event, the Kremlin proposal reported by Russian state-run media differed little from the maximalist demands Moscow has been advancing for months: that four disputed Ukrainian territories be officially recognized as part of Russia, that Ukrainian troops abandon those areas, and that Kyiv abide by a neutrality policy that would keep it from joining the European Union or NATO. Also included was a limitation on the size of Ukraines armed forces. It was another sign that Russia is determined to keep pressing the war it started. Ukraine, meanwhile, will continue to take bold steps in its defense. If Russia had agreed to a cease-fire," Ukraines foreign ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tikhyi told reporters Monday, I guess the planes would be intact right now." Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com, Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com and Matthew Luxmoore at matthew.luxmoore@wsj.com UPDATE: The death of a man who was in the custody of the Grundy County Sheriffs Office in 2024 is now the subject of a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the man's family. In May of 2024, deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash in Pelham. UPDATE: POST Commission approves deal allowing Grundy Co. Sheriff to keep certification The POST Commissioners voted in favor of the settlement after the terms of it were agreed to by them and Sheriff Gunter. The man, Ronnie Ledbetter, became combative with EMS and physically assaulted one of them, according to the Grundy County Sheriff's Office. He was placed in a patrol vehicle, head-butting the glass and tried to kick it out. Ledbetter stopped breathing when he arrived at the jail. He was administered Narcan, and CPR was given. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation cleared the Grundy County Sheriffs Office of any criminal wrongdoing or foul play. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, and cites excessive force as a contributory cause of Ledbetter's death while in custody. Grundy County Sheriff Heather Gunter, five deputies, a correctional officer and Grundy County are named in the suit. The lawsuit is demanding a jury trial. A Facebook post by the Grundy County Sheriff's Office explains their side of the story: PREVIOUS STORY: Deputies in Grundy County were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash in the early morning hours of May 29 on Sherrell Road in Pelham. When they arrived, the lone male occupant, identified as Ronnie Ledbetter, became combative with the EMS personnel attending to him, and physically assaulted one of them, according to the Grundy County Sheriff's Office. They said that Ledbetter appeared to be "heavily intoxicated on some type of narcotic" and continued to be combative and resisting deputies. He was placed in the back of a patrol vehicle and attempted to kick the glass out of the vehicle and head-butted the glass as well. Ledbetter was transferred to a unit with bars on the windows, and transported to the Grundy County Sheriffs Office. When he arrived at the jail, he continued to battle and resist deputies. Once secured, his handcuffs were removed, and deputies noticed Ledbetter had stopped breathing. Narcan was administered to Ledbetter, and CPR begun. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was also used. He was taken by ambulance to Sewanee hospital where he was pronounced dead. Ledbetter was later found to be a registered sex offender out of Franklin County with active warrants. His warrant also identified him as an escape risk. The Grundy County Sheriffs Office contacted the 12th Judicial District Attorney and is working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations to investigate the death. The investigation remains active; autopsy results are pending. The death took place in Sheffield, England on October 27, 2023 of John Cullen late of Gartnasilla, Cavan, son of the late John (formerly Drumcorr, Loughduff) and Christine Tierney (formerly Clonlohan, Mullahoran) who was born on August 13, 1931. Although he lived in England, John never forgot the place of his birth. He was a wonderful story teller and loved sharing memories of growing up in Cavan. He often told how he walked through the fields to Corlurgan NS where Mrs Crotty inspired his love for Irish poetry and singing. He loved growing up on the farm and working in the fields with his father. One of his favourite memories was bringing turf home from Loughduff to Gartnasilla with the horse and cart, stopping in Ballinagh to rest the horse and have a treat. He later worked in Con Reilly's Bar and Grocery on the Main Street in Cavan town which he credited as giving him a great start. PICTURES | A magical evening at Longford County Choirs stunning Summer Choral Concert Like a lot of his age group at the time he travelled to England where he got work in a Cotton Mill in Oldham. While working there he met his loving wife Pat. After they were married in 1956 he studied and became a P. C. in Yorkshire. When he retired, he joined his son's Alarms business which involved visiting Nursing homes where he often entertained staff and patients with his many Irish poems and stories. Also read: Jiving competition and barbeque at Granard Show fundraising barn dance in John Vs John and Pat looked forward to their annual trip home to Cavan, catching up with family and friends. He loved spending time on his farm in Gartnasilla often helping with the hay and checking on the cattle. Also read: RIP: Midlands mourns death of proud Ballymahon man Christy Maye, a towering figure in the world of hospitality and entertainment When he was unable to travel home in recent years, he followed all the Irish and farming news and also kept an eye on all the changes happening in Cavan with his ipad. John was dedicated to his wife Pat and children Annette, John, Julie, Thomas and Katy and grandchildren and his sister Teresa, Clonegonnell, and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him here at home and abroad. Following requiem mass, celebrated by Fr Kevin Fay, in the Cathedral of Sts Patrick & Felim, Cavan on Monday, May 26 last his ashes were buried with his parents in the family plot in Loughduff cemetery. May John rest in peace. PICTURES | Longford's Backstage Theatre Group scores a perfect 12 with fantastic Calendar Girls Almost four months to the day since the death of his wife Phil, the very sad news reached us on Wednesday, May 28 of the death of Jim Browne, Ballyglass. Jim, Ballyglass, Lanesboro, Co Roscommon, formerly and Kilcurry, Colehill, Co Longford and Coventry, passed away peacefully in the wonderful care of Sonas Innis Ree Nursing Home, Ballyleague, surrounded by his loving family. It has been a particularly tough time on Jim and his family over the four months as in between Jim also lost his sister Martha Glennon, Cloonadra, in March. Jim, originally a native of Colehill, Carrickedmond along with Phil and their family returned to settle in Ireland from Coventry in the 1980s. Also read: RIP: Midlands mourns death of proud Ballymahon man Christy Maye, a towering figure in the world of hospitality and entertainment He spent his working life with machinery and upon his return was a man always in demand due to the outstanding quality of his work. When a job had to be completed time did not matter to Jim as he would spend as much time as need to ensure it was done and done right. Without doubt he was the most obliging and the most helpful man you could meet, his word was his bond and this gained him huge respect he left an indelible mark on our community. Second only to his family came his lifelong love of the GAA and while in Coventry he played a major role with the Roger Casement club and along with Phil was renowned for the work they did for the new Irish lads or lassie coming to the city. Also read: Don't miss your chance to win a new Toyota RAV4 or 50,000 in Club Longford draw After coming home his GAA family was now St. Faithleachs where he a very active committee member holding many executive positions, club senior and minor chairman as well as many more significant roles. Jim was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and he was very proud to see them wear the St. Faithleachs jersey. In 2006 there was no prouder man in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day when his grandson Stephen Ormsby along with the Roscommon minors victoriously climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand in the All-Ireland minor final having just beaten Kerry. Jim had a great sense of community spirit and his affable and obliging nature ensured that he was respected wherever he went. He was renowned for his work ethic, integrity, warmth and friendliness. Also read: Congratulations: Fionn Crossan announced as Lanesboro Community College Leaving Cert student of the year Time always stood still when talking with Jim and you were always much more knowledgeable when he departed your company. Remembering Jim in conversations with others, it seems there was nowhere in the country that he was not known and fondly remembered. His passing will leave a great emptiness amongst us but recalling his time with us will always bring a great smile to our sad heart. Jim reposed at his residence on Friday last, May 30 and his remains were removed to The Church of the Holy Rosary on Saturday for his Funeral Mass. Interment took place afterwards when he was laid to rest alongside his beloved Phil in Cloontuskert Cemetery. Jim was predeceased by his recently departed wife and best friend, Phil, his parents Joe and Agnes Browne, sisters Martha Glennon (Ballyleague), Anne Thompson (Isle of Man), Vonnie Devine, Delia Shannon, brother Joe Browne (Coventry) and son-in-law Michael Kelly. To his heartbroken daughters, Helen (Kelly), Teresa (Ormsby), sons, Joseph and Declan, son in law Steve and daughter in law Patricia, his adored grandchildren, Rebecca and Ruth Kelly, Stephen, Siobhan, Aisling and Liam Ormsby, Katie and James Browne; his great grandchildren Lottie and Tommy Ormsby and Eala and Sean Og Grimes; his sisters, Doreen Kearney and Kathleen Dardis (Ballymahon), brothers, Paddy and Peter (Coventry), brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, neighbours and huge circle of friends we extend our sincere sympathy. PICTURES | Big Longford homecoming for Screwfix Trade Apprentice of the Year Dan O'Shea Many tributes have been paid to the visionary Longford native and enterprising businessman, the late Christy Maye, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning following a short illness. The deceased was a stalwart member of the business community in Tullamore and Mullingar for many years and developed the Bridge House Hotel into one of the leading establishments in the Midlands. He was also the developer behind the Bridge shopping centre which was officially opened by the late RTE television and radio personality, Gay Byrne in 1995. A keen farmer, the Ballymahon native was also proprietor of the famous Greville Arms Hotel and Danny Byrne's pub in Mullinagr. From a farming background, he was one of the founder members of the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show in the early 1990s and played a key role in the event up to his retirement in recent years. "My first job was milking cows," he told the Tullamore Tribune in 1989. Then he started training as a psychiatric nurse in St. Lomans Hospital, Mullingar. Simultaneously he began developing his musical interests by going into the disco business. Christy was also a founding member of Tullamore Lions Cub and was recently honoured for his contribution when the club hosted their prestigious national convention in the Offaly county town. Also read: RIP: Late Jim Browne was renowned for his work ethic and his enormous contribution to GAA in Longford, Coventry and Roscommon He was also deeply involved with Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce and spent a term as President. A great supporter of charitable and worthy causes, Christy contributed privately to many causes without any publicity. He was also a founder member of Radio 3 now Midlands 103 and sat on its board for many years. Christy was a very loyal employer in all his ventures and this loyalty was reciprocated by his staff, many of whom had worked with him for decades. It can be said that disco music in Ireland all began with his own brainchild, Disc A Go Go in 1965. PICTURES | Thousands enjoy spectacular Longford Vintage Club 20th Anniversary show in Connolly Barracks Disc A Go Go started in Mullingar Parochial Hall, when Christy came up with the idea of holding a "discoteque" during the interval of showband acts. Before he launched his Disc A Go Go which gave rise to disco music and disc jockeys all over the country within a few years putting together equipment capable of producing the right sounds and creating the atmosphere he wanted, was Christys biggest problem. There were record hops in those days, but you could only use two small speakers, and there was no atmosphere. I had to find a way of cushioning the turntables, and used a spring from a car seat, and foam, and other padding, so that we could get the volume. We managed to separate the bass sounds and got the hi-fi effect, and we improvised in various ways to get the lighting effects, said Christy. Also read: RIP: Midlands mourns death of proud Ballymahon man Christy Maye, a towering figure in the world of hospitality and entertainment By modern standards the twin turntables, and all the equipment Christy used were primitive, but all the time it was something completely new, creating an atmosphere for dancing and the crowds loved it! Proprietor of the Lake County, Mullingar, Paddy Fagan, asked Christy to hold Disc A Go Go in his hotel. Christy recalled, On the first night, 70 or 80 people were there, after that the crowds just got bigger and bigger. He built a bigger ballroom and after a while built an even bigger one! Disc A Go Go went from strength to strength, spreading throughout the Midlands at a very fast rate, gathering hundreds to the local parish halls. A lot of the success at Disc A Go Go at Greville Arms Hotel Mullingar and Bridge House Tullamore has been due to loyal and supportive people and staff who have contributed a great deal to our success. We try to offer as much variety as possible and I am always looking at new ideas and thinking of new approaches, commented Christy in an interview in the Tribune in the 1980s. PICTURES | Over 450 children have fantastic fun at Longford Garda Community Spirit Sports Day Paying tribute to the deceased, the proprietor of the Butterfield Estate which hosts the Tullamore Show, former councillor and talented musician, Johnny Butterfield said he first met Christy when he hosted "Disc a Go Go" in St Mary's Hall in Tullamore in the 1960s. "I never thought at that stage the impact he would make in the future on Tullamore and Mullingar. He was a man of great vision and enterprise. I spoke to him about the development of the old P & H Egan complex in Tullamore and he had a vision of developing a top class restaurant and night club and so the Bridge House and Stringfellows was born." "He couldn't understand why towns such as Ballymahon and Mullingar could have such thriving agricultural shows and a big town like Tullamore couldn't. He approached some people 'who told him he was mad' but persevered with the idea and the show is now the biggest in the country." Also read: Don't miss your chance to win a new Toyota RAV4 or 50,000 in Club Longford draw Local historian and solicitor, Michael Byrne said: "It is rare that it can be said of a businessman that he was loved by all. In the case of Christy Maye it is true he held the loyalty, respect and love of all who came to know him, whether as an employee, customer, supplier or competitor. He was a successful businessman, builder, hotelier but above all an entertainer. And more than that he was a great leader in the Tullamore community without ever wanting thanks or recognition. This was best exhibited in his championing and leading the Tullamore Show since he largely founded it in 1991, inspired at the time by the Mullingar Show. "Christy Maye was a great supporter of local events and charities. From the time he opened the Bridge House in 1971 to his selling it in 2008 community groups could be sure of a free room for meetings. He went much further with groups such as Junior Chamber, Tullamore Lions the Tullamore Musical Society, the Gramophone Society and many more. The old conference room in Bridge House was famous for launches and meetings. He was a great advocate of the Midlands Heritage and loved to call to Offaly History Centre where he was a donor to many of our projects. "And yes, to quote the Tullamore Tribune he was a man of many parts. For almost forty years he was owner of the Bridge House, Tullamore, and also of the Greville Arms Hotel, in Mullingar, race-horse owner, disc jockey, builder and gadget lover. "Christopher Maye was a successful businessman who was able to combine that career with being a gentleman and a scholar. His contribution to the community in Tullamore and Mullingar will long be remembered. We salute his memory and regret his passing." PICTURES | A big gallery of prize winners from the County Longford Fleadh Cheoil in Granard Christy is sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family, his wife Ellen, his son Jason, his daughters Jillian (Cleary) and Lee-Anne and son in law David Cleary, his adored grandchildren , Anna and James, Holly and Heidi, his brother Johnny, sisters Kathleen (Hoare) , Mary (Freak) (Australia) Carmel (Cashel) and Madeline (O Scolai) (Canada), sisters in law and brothers in law. the Norris Family (Curragh, Rosemount), his nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours his many friends, staff members from the Greville Arms Hotel, Danny Byrnes, The Bridge Centre and the farm, to whom the deepest sympathy is extended. His Funeral Mass took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Church of the Immaculate Conception Forgney (N91 AE 35) followed by burial in adjoining cemetery. Ar dheis De go raigh a anam. A man with 15 previous convictions for dangerous driving has been jailed for intentionally reversing his vehicle into a Garda patrol car and injuring its driver. John Baxter (29), of Calanagh, Kilcogy, Co Cavan, first appeared before Longford Circuit Court in January, charged with assaulting a Garda and causing him harm, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and endangerment. When he reappeared on May 13, he entered a guilty plea to the charge of endangerment and the state withdrew the remaining three counts on the indictment. He appeared again before Judge Jonathan Dunphy last week, where Sergeant Aisling Flynn gave evidence of the endangerment incident, which occurred on February 17, 2024. Also read: Midlands man jailed for six years for rape of a woman in university accommodation She outlined to Shane Geraghty BL, prosecuting for the state, that Garda Karl McNabola had commenced his duties as the driver of the official Edgeworthstown patrol car at 7pm. He was stationary at the traffic lights at the Pound Street and Ballymahon Street junction when his attention was drawn to a car driving out of the petrol station. He was of the opinion that the male driver of the car looked immediately suspicious as he was sitting still and motionless with his eyes fixed forward. A check of the vehicle on the mobility device indicated that the tax had expired a number of months previous. Also read: Motorist who was stopped at Longford Garda checkpoint had no insurance or licence He followed the car, which was driven by Mr Baxter, activated the blue lights on the patrol car and the vehicle stopped. However, as Gda McNabola exited the patrol car, the other vehicle took off at speed, spinning the wheels. Gda McNabola jumped back into the patrol car and activated the blue lights and sirens as he gave chase. Mr Baxter ultimately came to a stop, then reversed at high speed into the patrol car, pushing it back a good distance, the court heard. Damage was caused to the grill of the patrol car and the vehicle was disabled as the engine cut out. Mr Baxter then left and drove towards the N4. Also read: Triggering offence: Man caught drink driving in Longford hit with 15 years road ban Gda McNabola contacted control and asked for Mullingar units to keep a look out for the vehicle. He ultimately managed to start the patrol car and drove back to Edgeworthstown to report the incident to Sgt Flynn. Initially a vehicle check showed the car to be registered to a person in County Monaghan and we got Gardai to call to that address, but there was nobody at the house, said Sgt Flynn. Gardai proceeded to harvest CCTV from the petrol station Mr Baxter had come from, and downloaded some stills of the man who got into the drivers side of the car. Mr Baxter was identified from those stills. Two medical reports furnished to the court stated that Gda McNabola had suffered substantial soft tissue injuries, pain to his neck, right shoulder joint and back. He was mentally traumatised" and had difficulty sleeping after the incident. Also read: Five men arrested following violent disorder incident in Longford town released on bail At the time of the incident, Mr Baxter was disqualified from driving and on bail for a previous driving offence in November 2023. He has 51 previous convictions, most of which are for road traffic offences, including driving without a licence, no insurance, and a total of 15 convictions for dangerous driving. He is currently serving a sentence handed down in the District Court, and has a release date of April 23, 2026. The court heard that Mr Baxter was previously the victim of a very serious assault at a bar in 2018. The man who assaulted him received a six-and-a-half year sentence and is currently residing in the same prison. In his victim impact statement, Gda McNabola said the incident changed my outlook on how I do my job as it arose from what began as a routine traffic check. He said he was on his own in a rural area, any of his colleagues that could have helped were too far away and he thought of Garda colleagues who were my friends, who were killed in similar circumstances. He was off work for a year after the incident. Niall Flynn BL, for the defence, told the court that his client came from a large family and that his older brother had taken his own life a number of years ago, which had a significant impact on Mr Baxter. He said Mr Baxters sisters are in relationships with certain individuals and that there were viable threats on his life. Those people, Mr Flynn said, had been involved in car rammings and Mr Baxter had been subjected to threats and road chases with vehicles that would have blue lights. He put it to Sgt Flynn that, while his client had a colourful history of offending, with a significant number of previous convictions, those were mostly for road traffic offences, and Mr Baxter is not inherently violent. Well this incident was fairly violent, Sgt Flynn replied. Also read: Gardai confirm 15 serious collisions with one woman dead over Bank holiday weekend In mitigation, Mr Flynn told the court that Mr Baxter has had a complex life to date. He has a very positive relationship with his eight-year-old son but only gets to see him once every six weeks since being incarcerated. He has amassed a total of five P19s since January, but has since engaged positively with various education opportunities and is now an enhanced prisoner. Judge Dunphy noted Mr Baxters 51 previous convictions, particularly the 15 previous for dangerous driving, and the fact that one of those convictions happened after the charge before the court last week. To put it mildly, this man is a menace to society when hes behind the wheel of anything with a motor, he said. Finalising the sentence on Tuesday, June 3, he proceeded to sentence Mr Baxter to three years in prison, suspending the final nine months for a period of two years. The sentence will be served concurrently to the one currently being served. PICTURES | Thousands enjoy spectacular Longford Vintage Club 20th Anniversary show in Connolly Barracks The Taoiseach has said that Government decides housing policy in response to a top civil servants comments about a housing tsar. Controversy has surrounded the role of the chief executive of the Governments new housing activation office (HAO). Chief executive of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) Brendan McDonagh withdrew his name from consideration following criticism of his mooted retention of a salary of 430,000 euros. Further controversy around the role emerged at a conference last week in relation to the secretary general of the Department of Housing, Graham Doyle. He is reported by the Irish Times to have said that the Department never used the word tsar' in relation to the HAO role and suggesting it was not as simple as giving enough people a kick in the backside to make things happen. Housing Minister James Browne has said he spoke to Mr Doyle, who said he is supportive of the HAO and having a chief executive in charge of it. Asked about the comments on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that Mr Doyles opposition was to the word tsar, but either way, government decides housing policy. The secretary general was very clear in the subsequent statements he made and he was at pains to clarify to colleagues in government that he was absolutely supportive of the Housing Activation Office, and he just didnt like the word tsar, Mr Martin said. Thats the up-to-date clarification on it. Either way, government decides. The elected representatives of the people decide, theres a constitution there, theres a government duly appointed by the Oireachtas and Im very clear that if government decides upon something and its in the programme for government, it happens. Asked if he was confident the government would find a candidate for the role, he said yes. Mr Martin made the comments after turning the sod on a new 16 million euro headquarters at CPAC Modular located in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. The new facility is expected to triple CPAC Modulars construction capacity. Mr Martin said that modern methods of construction will play an increasingly important role in the future of house building in Ireland, in particular in reaching the target of 50,000 new-builds a year. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: June 03 2025 John Murphy Allegedly Attacked a Cellphone Company Employee While Using a Racial Slur. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that John Murphy, 41, of Manorville, was indicted on hate crime-related charges, for allegedly attacking a cellphone company employee while using a racial slur and damaging his work vehicle. The defendant is employed as a Detective with the Village of Rockville Centre Police Department. The victim in this case was just doing his job, working to improve cellphone service for Suffolk County residents, when the defendant allegedly attacked him and damaged his vehicle, said District Attorney Tierney. Even more troubling is that the defendant is a sworn police officer, responsible for protecting the rights of all citizens. The conduct alleged in this indictment will not be tolerated, regardless of what position a defendant holds. According to the investigation, on November 3, 2024, the cellphone company employee was driving around the Manorville area inspecting the nearby cellphone towers to ensure the networks were properly transmitting service. At approximately 7:00 p.m., while still working, the cellphone company employee drove through the defendants neighborhood in his work-issued vehicle, which had a blinking amber light on the roof. The employee drove around the neighborhood to test the cellphone tower located behind the residential cul-de-sac, and when finished, parked his vehicle at the corner of the street to complete paperwork. The defendant was alerted by a neighbor of the cellphone company employees vehicle and, in response, left his home and approached the employee who was seated in his vehicle. The defendant allegedly questioned the cellphone company employee about his presence on the block, and when the employee tried to show the defendant his identification, the defendant began to yell at the employee. The defendant allegedly put his arm inside the employees vehicle through the open window, opened the vehicle door and grabbed the employees laptop. The employee then grabbed the laptop back and the defendant allegedly slammed the vehicle door shut while telling the employee, in sum and substance, get out of here, we dont want you or your like in the neighborhood, and used a racial slur towards the employee. The defendant then allegedly ripped the amber light off of the top of the vehicle and threw it at the employees vehicle, breaking the light into pieces. The defendant then allegedly kicked the driver-side door of the vehicle, causing damage. The employee was finally able to drive to safety, and the defendant allegedly picked up the broken amber light and threw it at the vehicle again. The employee drove around the corner and called 9-1-1. Following the investigation led by the Suffolk County Police Departments Hate Crime Unit, Murphy was arrested on November 13, 2024. On June 3, 2025, Murphy was arraigned on an indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins for the following charges: One count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class D felony; One count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class E felony; and One count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces up to 2 & 1/3 to 7 years in prison. These offenses are considered non-bail eligible under New York State law, and therefore the defendant was released on his own recognizance. He is being represented by William Petrillo, Esq. and is due back in court on July 23, 2025. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Alyssa Costantino and Tara ODonnell of the Public Corruption Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Delfina Rivera of the Suffolk County Police Departments Hate Crime Unit. Yemeni President Rashad al Alimi meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. (Saba Net) President Rashad al Alimi, the chairman of Yemens Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 28 to discuss the relationship between their two countries. According to the Russian news agency Tass, it is the first visit to Moscow by the leader of the PLC, the Yemeni executive body created in 2022. Alimi reportedly thanked Putin for supporting the internationally recognized government (IRG) of Yemen. In early 2025, Russia announced its intention to open an embassy in Aden, the interim capital of Yemen after the Houthi capture of Sanaa in 2014, but it has not yet done so. While Russia technically recognizes Yemens IRG and claims to support security and stability in the region, it routinely engages with and supports the Houthi terrorists ruling northern Yemen. Recent Russia-Houthi interactions Recent sanctions targeting Houthi leaders, financiers, and weapons procurement networks have demonstrated the extent of Russian involvement with the Yemeni terrorists. In the first round of sanctions leveled by the second Trump administration against the group, the Treasury Department stated that Mohammed Abdulsalam, a Houthi spokesman and financier based in Muscat, has traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel and has coordinated with Russian military personnel to arrange for additional Houthi delegations to visit Russia. Multiple sanctioned Houthi officials have participated in Houthi-Russia discussions, including for the purpose of weapons procurement. These meetings have included Russian civilians as well as government and military officials. One scheme identified in US sanctions involved sending Yemenis to fight for Russia in Ukraine. The Houthis were compensated for these fighters. A second round of sanctions highlighted the involvement of Russia-based businessmen in the financing network of Said al Jamal, an Iran-based Houthi financier. Jamals network benefits the Houthis as well as Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and Tehrans regional proxies. This support included transporting grain stolen from Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine to Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. There have been repeated reports of possible arms transfers from Russia to the Houthis, including proposals for anti-ship missiles and small arms. However, diplomatic efforts to prevent Russia from providing advanced weapons to the Houthis appear to have been successful. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on a $10 million small arms deal, could not confirm if the agreement was discussed at the direction of the Kremlin but noted that it was being conducted by Viktor Bout. Bout, also dubbed the Merchant of Death, is a prolific arms dealer thought to be connected to Russian intelligence. He was serving a 25-year prison sentence in the US after being sentenced in 2011 but was released back to Russia in exchange for American Brittney Griner in December 2022. In early 2024, Bloomberg reported that the Houthis had reached an agreement with Russia and China to provide their vessels safe passage through the Red Sea despite the terror groups campaign against commercial shipping and naval vessels. The report said that in return, Russia and China could provide the Yemeni terrorist group with support in international forums such as the United Nations Security Council, where both countries have veto power. The Wall Street Journal reported in October 2024 that Russia was also providing the Houthis with targeting intelligence for their attacks in the Red Sea. Additional support included sending GRU (Russian intelligence) officials to Houthi-controlled territory to advise the group, according to a senior US official. Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis. The Trump administration has deleted a list of sanctuary jurisdictions that included seven North Dakota counties after receiving national backlash for adding a multitude of jurisdictions that have supported the administration's immigration policies. The Department of Homeland Security removed the list of jurisdictions it claimed obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws from its website on Sunday. Now, a page not found message is all that appears in its place. The list was released last Thursday and included Billings, Golden Valley, Grant, Morton, Ramsey, Sioux and Slope counties. All of the counties listed, with the exception of Sioux County, voted for Trump in the 2024 election, most by wide margins. Slope County voted for Trump by the largest margin of any county in the state, with 90% of voters casting their ballot for him. Local officials and law enforcement from several of the counties included on the list have emphatically stated that their counties do not have any policies that hinder law enforcement or provide protections for people in the United States illegally. Many were surprised, confused and frustrated to find out their county had been included on the list. Golden Valley County Sheriff Dey Muckle said that the removal of the list did not make him feel any better. I think it's going to create more questions, Muckle said. Because they removed it (but) they have done nothing to correct the record. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet released a statement on why it removed the list from its website. North Dakota Sheriffs Association President Steve Hunt said the deletion may be the result of a request from the National Sheriffs Association, which he said has been in discussions with the administration. The National Sheriffs' Association on Saturday released a statement saying the sheriffs in the U.S. feel betrayed and the current list must be removed immediately, and DHS must release an apology to the sheriffs and the American people. Part of the problem is nobody (in the administration) really seems to know what the criteria was that they used to come up with this list, or what sheriffs would need to do to make sure that they're not on that list. It took everybody by surprise, Hunt said. The National Sheriffs Association called the list arbitrary and said it had been created without any stated criteria of compliance, mechanism for how to object to the designation or input from the Sheriffs Association. During a conference call with the National Sheriffs' Association Friday afternoon, Homeland Security Investigations -- a law enforcement department under DHS -- was not willing to provide any insight into how the list was created at that time, according to Muckle. He said he assumes it was an AI error that caused the faulty inclusion of so many jurisdictions. He has heard the theory that the errors are potentially the result of a mix-up between Second Amendment sanctuary laws and sanctuary laws regarding immigration, but said that he looked back and could not find any reference to laws or proclamations that refer to Second Amendment sanctuary status in the Golden Valley County commission's minutes -- appearing to rule out the theory. DHS has released a boilerplate statement to the media on the list's creation and has not responded to further requests for comment from the Tribune. "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, a department spokesperson told the Tribune via email on Friday. The list is actively reviewed, will be regularly updated and can be changed at any time. President Trump and Secretary Noem have been clear: sanctuary jurisdictions should immediately cease violation of federal law and cooperate with law enforcement." On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared to double down on the methodology behind the list on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. Some of the cities have pushed back, said Noem, a former South Dakota governor. 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. Muckle said that he does not like the way Trump conducts himself but has sided with a large majority of Trumps policies, including the idea behind the list released last week. There was probably some merit to this in the beginning, Muckle said. If there are places out there that are intentionally defying immigration orders and stuff like that, well, then they probably do need to be put on notice -- the administration is not going to tolerate that. But, their list was a total failure and discredited it all the way around." Muckle said the administration needs to correct the record and admit that something went wrong in the creation of the list. But he joked that there was at least one upside to the fiasco. "If there was one thing that this accomplished, it got Democrats and Republicans to agree on something, and that's that the list was absolutely incorrect," Muckle said. (The Associated Press contributed to this story.) A pair of Boston-area cities asked a federal judge Tuesday to block the Trump administration from revoking their federal funding as it cracks down on sanctuary cities over their immigration enforcement policies. The cities of Somerville and Chelsea sued the administration in February as they faced the loss of millions of dollars in federal aid for their police departments, schools, street repairs and public services. On Tuesday, the cities filed a preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court in Boston, seeking a judges intervention after the Department of Homeland Security on Friday placed both cities on a list of communities it said are violating federal law by providing sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. The department said the cities along with 10 other Massachusetts cities and hundreds more across the country must change their local policies to match the Trump administrations stance on immigration issues, or risk losing federal funding or contracts. Somerville and Chelsea asked the judge to pause any attempted withdrawal of their funding while the ongoing lawsuit plays out. Somerville first identified itself as a sanctuary city in 1987, followed by Chelsea in 2007. Like other proponents of sanctuary laws, theyve argued that their policies are not only legal but beneficial to public safety as well. Victims and witnesses are less likely to report crimes if they know that local police are working in concert with federal immigration authorities. By avoiding that entanglement, sanctuary cities improve public safety and quality of life not just for immigrant residents, but for all residents and community members, Lawyers for Civil Rights, the nonprofit legal group representing the cities, said in a statement Tuesday. Or as Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne put it: Our residents know that our community is safer when police focus on preventing crime rather than raiding the local sandwich shop. In many sanctuary cities, the local laws dont prevent police from assisting with serious criminal matters, such as guns, drugs and human trafficking. Still, the Trump administration has accused the cities of providing safe harbor to dangerous offenders. These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement Thursday accompanying the lists publication. Somerville received roughly $19.4 million in federal funding last fiscal year to support roadway safety initiatives, homelessness prevention services, and efforts to reduce youth tobacco and alcohol consumption. Chelseas $14.5 million in federal funding last year went toward police equipment such as bulletproof vests, programs for drug treatment and enforcement, programs supporting crime victims and witnesses, the citys largest downtown reconstruction project in decades, and the school system, the city said in legal filings. Chelsea is a city built by immigrants, sustained by their contributions, and strengthened by our shared values of inclusion, justice, and resilience, Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez said in statement Tuesday, The President cannot use federal funding as a weapon to force local governments to undermine public safety and participate in his mass deportation efforts, Oren Sellstrom, the litigation director for Lawyers for Civil Rights and one of the cities attorneys, said in a statement. The future of Homeland Securitys sanctuary cities list remains unclear. On Sunday, the list appeared to have been taken down after strong pushback from a national sheriffs organization that said some members were angered and confused to find their towns or counties included on an arbitrary list. The list is being constantly reviewed and can be changed at any time and will be updated regularly, a senior Homeland Security official said in response to a request for comment Monday. The MBTA hit pause on train service through East Boston for an hour Monday evening after a sinkhole opened on a bridge above its railroad tracks, authorities said. Around 5:30 p.m., the agency ordered Blue Line trains to stand while officials inspected a bridge over the tracks between Wood Island and Orient Heights stations. MBTA officials soon said shuttle buses would replace train service on part of the Blue Line while Boston public works employees addressed the sinkhole. Blue Line Update: Shuttle buses are replacing service between Airport and Suffolk Downs. Personnel from the City of Boston are addressing a reported sinkhole on a bridge above our tracks near Wood Island. https://t.co/Wv5gtpc5ON MBTA (@MBTA) June 2, 2025 Shuttle buses ferried riders between Logan International Airport and Suffolk Downs until roughly 6:40 p.m., the MBTA said. Trains were held to reduced speeds after service resumed as work crews repaired the bridge. A 311 report to the city of Boston included a photo of a small hole in the pavement on a bridge by the intersection of Byron Street and Cowper Street. Derek Forbort will be staying in Vancouver next season. The Canucks announced they agreed to a one-year extension with the defenseman on Tuesday. The deal is worth $2 million. Bringing Derek back for another season is an important move for our group, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement released by the team. His strong defensive play and solid work on the penalty kill really helped solidify our back end this past year. Derek has a strong voice in the room and some impressive leadership qualities, and we will look to him to help our team continue to grow and improve this coming season. Forbort signed with the Western Conference team during free agency last summer after three seasons with the Boston Bruins. He appeared in 54 games for Vancouver and totaled 11 points, 45 penalty minutes and averaged 17:06 of ice time. In October, Forbort briefly stepped away from the team after his father died. An undisclosed injury also sidelined the 33-year-old. Forborts final year in Boston was a trying one. While he was strong on the penalty kill, the defenseman struggled during the 2023-24 season between injuries and inconsistent play on the ice. When he returned from long-term injured reserve in February 2024, Forbort couldnt quite find his groove, but still remained in the lineup. The blueliner then dealt with two other injuries that sidelined him until the second round of the playoffs against the Florida Panthers. After the Bruins were eliminated, Forbort revealed he had surgery on both of his groins and on his thumb to repair a torn ligament prior to his playoff return. In 165 games for the Bruins, Forbort tallied 30 points. A pair of men are facing charges in connection with a shooting near University Park in Worcester that left a person with a graze wound from a gunshot. Luis Ozuna, 25, and Raymond Leblanc, 25, are each charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count each of armed assault to murder, firearm use in felony, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license and firearm discharge within 500 feet of a dwelling. A third suspect, Lugardo Flores, 25, faces the same charges, police said in a statement. At around 8:09 p.m. on May 27, Worcester police were called to the area of University Park, near the intersection of Illinois and Gates streets. Witnesses told police they heard between 10 and 12 gunshots. Police found several shell casings in the area. Some time after the incident, a 21-year-old arrived at a hospital with a graze wound to their head. Police described the injury as non-life-threatening. Two motor vehicles were damaged by the gunshots, police said. The shooting remains under investigation. Editors note: This article was updated June 5, 2025 to clarify who the plaintiffs are in a lawsuit against the federal government and to which union Jules Riegel is a member. Jules Riegel, a lecturer in History and Literature, planned to teach a course in the fall at Harvard University on global transgender history. Now they are opting out of teaching the course due to fears of content-based retaliation and fears for their students safety and as an openly transgender individual, according to a Monday court filing. I have had to reevaluate how I can safely teach courses on topics including global transgender history, World War II and the Holocaust, Riegel said. Riegels decision comes at a time when Harvard University says it is fighting in federal court to protect its academic freedom, aiming to push back billions of dollars in funding cuts executed by the federal government. A separate lawsuit was also filed against the federal government. It is led by the American Association of University Professors including the Harvard chapter and the Harvard Academic Workers chapter of the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (HAW-UAW). The HAW-UAW represents non-tenure-track researchers and educators at the university. Commentary from Riegel, as a HAW-UAW member, is included in court documents on the case. Both Harvard and the association submitted motions for summary judgment on Monday. Fearful: Faculty are changing coursework As a non-tenure-track faculty member, Riegel said they are worried the Trump administrations goal of reducing the power held by students and untenured faculty, as stated in an April 11 letter. They are concerned about having even less control around my curriculum, such as hindering my ability to determine my own course content, or being forced to teach content with which I disagree, they said. I am fearful for the safety of my students, especially international students or students with immigrant backgrounds, including their ability to engage with critical scholarship around the Holocaust and transgender history, Riegel said. Because of the administrations actions, I could not in good conscience recommend that doctoral applicants attend Harvard right now, they said. Riegel isnt alone in altering course plans. An anonymous faculty member in the court filing also changed their teaching plans for next semester due to fears of harassment. The professor, a member of the faculty of arts and sciences, planned to teach a course addressing the lead-up to the U.S. Civil War, according to a court filing from Harvard professor Kirsten Weld. However, they felt like the topic would be considered a part of diversity, equity and inclusion programing due to its focus on slavery, settler colonialism, Indian removal and the U.S.-Mexico War. The professor was concerned that they would face false accusations under Title VI which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin since the course would explore white supremacy in American history. They were also nervous that, because they had already experienced public targeting and harassment at Harvard due to being in support of pro-Palestine student protesters, greater emphasis could fall on them. Faculty are leaving or needing more support For other Harvard professors, canceling courses isnt an option. One anonymous faculty member, who has been working at the medical school and has decades of clinical expertise, said they will be working outside of the U.S. next year and plan to eventually leave the country because they do not feel comfortable being at Harvard anymore. The faculty member said their pro-Palestine advocacy and opinions make them a target at Harvard, according to the court filing. Harvard researchers are also being discouraged from publishing in scholarly and public-facing materials on topics opposed by the federal government, according to Welds court filing. Since the attacks against Harvard, the American Association of University Professors has had to prioritize training on digital surveillance and information security and a Know Your Rights workshop, using up valuable resources for the organization. They also have had to hold twice as many meetings with members as they typically do to help navigate the Trump administrations actions, according to the court filing. Q: Why did the protests at Tiananmen Square not bring the same change to China that occurred in Eastern Europe? A: This is caused by the immunity effect of the Cultural Revolution. The Cultural Revolution was originally a democratic movement, but later evolved into mob rule. The ten years of mob rule were more serious than all the color revolutions combined, including the Tiananmen Incident. The Tiananmen Square protests were sparked by the death of former Communist Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang, who was famous for redressing injustices during the Cultural Revolution. The most important lesson the Chinese have learned from mob rule is that the country needs the rule of law. Color revolutions, including the Tiananmen Square protests, are designed to undermine government authority and deviate from the rule of law. Instead of seeking solutions within the system, the protesters repeatedly violated government regulations and orders. No Chinese wants to repeat the mistakes of mob rule during the Cultural Revolution. In fact, it was because of Hu Yaobang that the Chinese people developed sympathy for the CPC cadres who suffered mob rule during the Cultural Revolution. How could a Tiananmen protest overthrow a government composed of tortured and newly liberated cadres? The Cultural Revolution attacked the capitalist roaders, Liu, Deng and Tao. Deng Xiaoping was greatly affected by the Cultural Revolution. After the Cultural Revolution fell and rose three times, would he fall for the fourth time because of the Tiananmen protest? When the Soviet Union collapsed, the people of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe had no sympathy for the Communist Party cadres who had been enjoying excessive privileges. The Cultural Revolution was a color revolution by the CPC to mobilize the Chinese people against the CPC itself, and it lasted for ten years. The two-month riot in Tiananmen Square was a drop in the bucket compared to the ten years of mobilizing the Chinese people against the CCP during the Cultural Revolution. If the CPC could survive the Cultural Revolution and launch a satellite during it, it can surely survive any color revolution. Mao knew that the Communist Party could not survive if its members enjoyed more privileges than ordinary people. He sent party cadres to the countryside to live, eat, and work with the poor and lower-middle peasants, as did other national elites. By the time of Tiananmen, the Chinese people had already deeply identified with the country and the Communist Party. The Cultural Revolution was the most democratic period in the world. The people exercised self-government for ten years in anarchy, smashing the public security, procuratorial, and judicial organs, and establishing revolutionary committees. The democracy pursued by the protesters in Tiananmen Square is far inferior to the democracy during the Cultural Revolution. Why is Xi Jinping so popular in China? He went to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution and lived with the lower classes of society, sharing the same living standards as the lower classes, with no property and no privileges. Which other democratic leaders have done this? Which leaders in human history have done this? Only the Communist Party took the initiative to do this after it came to power and ruled the country! This is of great significance in human history. A deportation officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducts a brief before an early morning operation, Dec. 17, 2024, in the Bronx borough of New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File) Read the Spanish version of this story on El Planeta. A federal program created after the 9/11 attacks allows immigration officials to track undocumented migrants in the country even in sanctuary communities. Community members in Chelsea raised questions after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents suddenly arrived at the citys police station and detained high school-aged boys shortly after they were booked in two separate instances last month. The federal program, created under President George Bush and expanded under President Barack Obama, gives ICE access to a national fingerprint database maintained by the FBI. When local police make an arrest, fingerprints taken during the booking process are shared with the national database, alerting ICE to immigrants it seeks to deport. Chelsea City Councilor Roberto Jimenez Rivera told MassLive that the city he represents has been particularly hit hard by ICE due to the policies the city has enacted around not assisting with immigration operations. We dont hold people for immigration reasons, we do not ask about immigration status, Jimenez Rivera said. Last month, there were two separate instances when ICE arrived at the Chelsea police station to detain teenagers shortly after they were arrested. In one instance, teenagers were arrested by Chelsea police due to a BB gun being mistaken for a real gun, Jimenez Rivera said. ICE detained three teenagers and the father of one of the teens at the police station, according to a news report by NBC Boston. In another instance, a fight at a high school involving a knife led to the arrests of some students, and one of them was detained by ICE at the police station, NBC Boston reported. Jimenez Rivera said its been a challenge to explain to the community how the process works since its something that looks like a collaboration, but that the citys policies prevent police from carrying out immigration enforcement. The city councilor explained that when ICE arrives at the police station to detain an individual who is being released, the individuals are brought to a controlled space where ICE agents can apprehend the person once they are done with the booking process. Likewise, Jimenez Rivera said its a challenge to explain how ICE has access to the FBIs national fingerprint database and that the city cannot opt out of it. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. Neither did the Chelsea Police Department. What is the FBI database? Secure Communities is a federal information-sharing program run by the FBI that holds criminal records, fingerprints and biometrics, according to Laura Rotolo, senior advocacy director for field initiatives with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She specializes in immigrant rights. The program allows the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, access to the FBI database. Anytime anyone is arrested anywhere in the country, their fingerprints are taken by the local police, Rotolo said. It is a common practice for police to upload the fingerprints to the FBI database, where police can learn about other information, such as any outstanding warrants, Rotolo said. Its the fingerprints that are key here, she said, because they are automatically shared with the Department of Homeland Security. (DHS) might have information that the person is of interest to them because they are deportable for whatever reason or because they have said that they are not a U.S. citizen, Rotolo said. Its very quick, she said. So they know if somebodys arrested in Chelsea, that they are interested in detaining, they can show up at the Chelsea police department or court and detain that person. And thats all done just by the simple act of taking the persons fingerprints when theyre arrested. Rotolo said the program came after the post-9/11 restructuring of federal agencies and how they shared information. Chelsea sues Trump administration over deportation efforts The Trump administration ramped up deportations since January, and on May 30, it identified more than 500 communities, including Boston and 11 others in Massachusetts, as sanctuary cities. But by Sunday, the administration had withdrawn the published list after pushback from the National Sheriffs Association. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal illegal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in grave danger, the administration said in a press release. DHS is committed to exposing these lawless jurisdictions to the public and making them accountable for not respecting the rule of law. The Trump administration has targeted cities such as Chicago, New York City and Boston for its immigration policies. Other Massachusetts communities have felt the brunt of stepped-up deportation efforts. Its been harsher on Chelsea, Jimenez Rivera said. I keep telling people, this isnt about public safety, its about terrifying communities and making politics out of our people. Chelsea, along with Somerville, filed a federal lawsuit in February challenging the Trump administrations efforts to coerce them into participating in mass deportation efforts, according to a press release. The cities say that the administrations threats to strip sanctuary cities of federal funding and prosecute them for failing to bend to the presidents will are unconstitutional. Chelsea received about $14.5 million in federal funding for the 2024 fiscal year. We are really small, its easy to terrorize our people, Jimenez Rivera said. 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. 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. 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. 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 Karen Reads second trial in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, continued on Tuesday in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court before Judge Beverly Cannone. On Tuesday, the jury heard lengthy testimony from a former emergency room doctor and later a police sergeant who saw Reads SUV when it was seized at her parents home. People to know: Robert Alessi, lawyer for Read Nicholas Barros, Dighton police sergeant Hank Brennan, special prosecutor for the Norfolk district attorneys office Dr. Marie Russell, forensic pathologist and retired emergency room physician Heres what happened on the 26th day of the retrial. 3:42 p.m. - Cannone sends jurors home After Barros concluded his testimony, Cannone told jurors they were excused for the day. She told the panel to expect a half-day on Wednesday. Barros testimony concluded with lawyers for both sides asking about his memory. Alan Jackson, a lawyer for Read, asked Barros if he had any difficulty recalling [the] condition of that taillight? Barros said he did not and that he remembered the condition of the light when he saw it in Dighton. But he conceded under questioning from Brennan that his memory had changed in the year since he last testified. With Barros off the stand and the jury out of the courtroom, Cannone called the lawyers up to sidebar. The conversation ended around 4 p.m. 3:20 p.m. - Brennan cross-examines Dighton officer On cross-examination, Brennan asked Barros a series of questions about his report documenting the seizure of Reads SUV. In Barros report, he wrote simply that the vehicle had damage to the right rear taillight. He agreed he could have supplemented his report or gone into greater detail. Barros also confirmed he never saw anyone with the Massachusetts State Police approach Reads taillight or tamper with it. Brennan handed Barros a copy of his testimony from the first trial. At the time, Barros didnt testify to the difference in the condition of the taillight as he did on Tuesday. Its not in there, he admitted. Still, Barros pushed back as Brennan suggested his memory had faded or changed. I know what I saw and that wasnt it, he said. Barros acknowledged he had seen media coverage of the case that he conceded could have affected his memory. I dont live under a rock, he said. You cant avoid it. Brennan played Barros a clip of Ring camera footage from OKeefes home in Canton. Barros said it was consistent with what he saw in Dighton. Brennan published another photo showing the taillight before it got to Dighton. Barros confirmed it was consistent with what he saw. 2:45 p.m. - Defense calls Dighton police officer The next witness was Barros, who has worked in the Dighton Police Department for more than a decade. Barros was called to Reads parents house at around 2:30 p.m. on the day of OKeefes death to assist Massachusetts State Police in towing her SUV. Prosecutors called Barros at Reads first trial. Barros said he spent a good amount of time in a position where he could see the back of Reads SUV. He noted damage to the right rear taillight on the car. It was damaged but there was a crack missing but it was not completely damaged, he said. A piece was missing. Alan Jackson, the defense lawyer conducting the direct examination, published a photo depicting Reads SUV in the Canton Police Department sallyport. Barros said that was not the taillight on the day I was there. That taillight is completely smashed out, he said. The middle section of the light was intact when Barros saw it, but was removed in the photo. 2:24 p.m. - Brennan attempts to undermine articles On re-cross, Brennan asked a series of questions, seemingly trying to discredit the articles Russell said she relied upon. Youre not suggesting those articles substitute for [the] absence of standards? he asked. Russell said articles stand in for recognized standards when there are no established standards. The article describes several kinds of dog bites and the resulting injuries that Russell conceded were not present in this case. But she said the wounds dont have to have every single characteristic. The questions moved to whether Russell was qualified to give an opinion on if OKeefes injuries were consistent with a car crash. Brennan noted that she was not trained in accident reconstruction, but Russell said that as an emergency room doctor, she had treated thousands of patients with injuries from car crashes. Russell also faced questioning about the report of another medical examiner, Dr. John Walsh, who works for the Armed Forces. Walsh determined OKeefes injuries were not consistent with a dog bite. She said she considered his opinion, but he may have had more limited experience. Brennan concluded his questions there. During a brief, concluding exchange, Alessi read two paragraphs from Walshs report where he said he did not have any further information about the circumstances of the injuries. 12:54 p.m. - SUV direct impact to arm would have caused fractures Alessi asked Russell a series of questions based on the conclusions of a prosecution expert, Dr. Judson Welcher. Welcher performed an experiment showing what part of the arm would have been injured if it were hit by the taillight of a Lexus like Reads. But a direct impact like the one shown in Welchers presentation would have caused significant bruising, Russell said. Russell added she would expect fractures or dislocation from a collision like the one prosecutors have described. Yet OKeefe did not have significant bruising on his arm. Russell also reviewed the report of Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, who performed OKeefes autopsy. Scordi-Bello did not find any fractures or damage on OKeefes legs, Russell noted. After Alessi asked to be heard at sidebar, Cannone sent the jury out for a lunch break. 12:23 p.m. - Alessi begins redirect Alessis redirect questioning began with an exchange about the taillight fragments found in OKeefes clothes. He published several photos of the fragments on the court screens. Russell said the pieces were extremely small and she didnt believe they could cause the multiple parallel abrasions on OKeefes arm. The pieces would need to be ... oriented in [the] same direction, she said. Russell also said the methodology of considering each wound individually and not in comparison to one another, as Brennan had her do, was not correct. As the redirect continued, Russell read aloud from a study she relied on to form her opinion in this case, one that specifically lays out the pattern recognition method she used. 12:02 p.m. - No dog DNA found on OKeefes clothes With the jury back in the courtroom, Brennan began questioning Russell about the testing of swabs taken from OKeefes clothing. Russell said she knew there was no dog DNA found in any of the samples from OKeefes clothing. Still, she conceded dogs can create quite a bit of saliva when they bite. Russell said she wasnt aware of the chain of custody of the clothes, and noted that the swabs werent taken until weeks after his death. Typically, when expecting a result and not getting it, scientists will go through a process to determine or come up with a list of reasons as to why the result wasnt achieved, Russell said. Brennan suggested she was trying to advocate and undermine [the] strength of that evidence. He again pressed Russell on whether fragments of Reads taillight could have caused the injuries to OKeefes arm. They could cause superficial abrasions, but not in the pattern seen on his arm, she said. Brennan concluded his questioning there. 11:42 a.m. - Motion for mistrial is denied After the break, Cannone denied the motion for a mistrial and said Brennan could continue the line of questioning about dog DNA. Your rights are saved, she said. Brennan attempted to introduce a report authored by a different medical examiner, Dr. John Walsh, for questioning of Russell. Russell said she considered Walshs opinion but disagreed with his assessment. Brennan argued that the defense opened the door for the report when they had Russell vouch for her credibility. But Cannone ultimately denied the request to use the report for questioning. Brennan has said Walsh was hired by the U.S. Attorneys office pursuant to a federal investigation into OKeefes death. 10:56 a.m. - Defense moves for mistrial With the lawyers at sidebar, Cannone sent the jury out for a 30-minute morning recess. Before the break, defense attorney Robert Alessi objected to a line of questioning about the DNA swabs performed on OKeefes clothing. Arguing the issue without the jury, Alessi moved for a mistrial with prejudice. He said Brennan intentionally brought up DNA for the first time in front of the jury without developing the issue through another witness. The prosecution has caused the mistrial, he said. The prosecution strategically chose not to bring in the foundation whatsoever in this trial, Alessi said. That can not be reversed. That can not be cured. That can not be dislodged. The prosecution has to suffer the consequences, he continued. Ms. Read is entitled to a ... fair trial. What has just occurred is antithetical, abhorrent to a fair trial. Brennan argued the defense was on notice that there was no dog DNA on OKeefes clothing. He said prosecutors did not intend to refute the defenses theories in their case-in-chief but always planned to refute Russells testimony. He argued that Russell considered the lack of dog DNA in her report and brought it up during a prior proceeding. Alessi countered that Russell never raised it affirmatively. He argued there was no swabbing of the wounds, which he described as a major, major investigative flaw in this case. That should not be fallen upon the defendant, Alessi said. At times during his argument, Alessi pounded his fist on the podium. But Brennan pointed to a transcript of a Dec. 12, 2024 hearing where Alessi asked Russell about the DNA issue on direct examination. That is enough for the court to understand the representations are wholly mistaken by attorney Alessi. Wholly, he concluded. Cannone did not rule and sent the lawyers out for a break. 10:38 a.m. - Russell refutes car crash accusation Brennan asked a series of questions about whether Russell considered if OKeefes injuries could have come from a car crash, as prosecutors have suggested. The questions pointed to the height of the taillight on Reads SUV compared to OKeefes elbow and the damage to Reads taillight. Russell said she considered several scenarios but found no medical evidence there was impact with a vehicle. OKeefe had no significant injuries from the neck down, she said. Could he have been standing, kneeling, lying down on the ground? I did all of that, Russell said. Still, Russell agreed that injuries from a crash could be totally dissimilar on different people. The injuries to OKeefe were so characteristic that Russell said she couldnt even imagine pieces of glass or plastic or metal lining up to cause those injuries. A broken taillight in and of itself could not cause those injuries, Russell said. A broken taillight could not have done that. 10:16 a.m. - I became more certain Russell and Brennan went back and forth several times over whether her opinion was that the wounds on OKeefes arm were caused by claws or teeth. It is Russells opinion, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that the wounds were caused by teeth, but she admitted there is a small possibility that could be caused by nails. Brennan suggested it was only after Russell testified at the first trial that she solidified her opinion. She didnt dispute that, saying she became more certain. With a photo of OKeefes arm on the screen, Brennan asked Russell if she could identify the causes of specific wounds. Russell said the individual wounds were not suggestive of dog bites, but it was the overall pattern of wounds that convinced her. Russell said she took measurements of the wounds in her head but did not memorialize them because there is no scale in the photos. Brennan suggested it was quite obvious the gaps between the wounds are dramatically different. 9:42 a.m. - Russell describes methodology Brennan repeatedly sought to undermine Russells testimony by suggesting there was no accepted standard she relied upon for her diagnosis of dog bites. Russell said there were no specific points that are published by an organization on how to determine something is a dog bite. But she disagreed with the characterization that she was just eyeballing a photo rather than relying on some type of scientific foundation, as Brennan suggested. There are many conditions in medicine where there are no standards developed, she said. Russell relied on her experience, strong interest in dog bites and numerous articles to make her diagnosis. 9:32 a.m. - Russell pressed on testimony differences Brennan resumed his cross-examination with a line of questioning about what help Russell may have had preparing her report. She maintained no one assisted her with writing it, but that defense attorney Robert Alessi helped with organization. Russell also admitted that Alessi advised her to ask for transcripts when Brennan asks her about prior testimony. Brennan suggested that was a violation of the sequestration order in the case. As the questioning continued, Brennan asked Russell if she had any memory issues. Russell gasped, seeming offended, and said no. At Reads first trial, Russell testified an animal and possibly a large dog caused the injuries on OKeefes arm. 9:12 a.m. - Trial resumes As she does each morning, Cannone asked jurors if they were able to follow her instructions about not discussing the case and avoiding media coverage. Each juror said they had. Read more: Recap of trial day 25 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. Karen Read sits with her defense team, from left, Robert Alessi, Elizabeth Little, Alan Jackson, and David Yannetti during her murder retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday June 2, 2025. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP Judge Beverly Cannone denied a request by Karen Reads lawyers for a mistrial with prejudice on Tuesday afternoon. Your rights are saved, Cannone said after taking a 30-minute break to consider the lawyers request. The judge added that the prosecution could continue a line of questioning to which the defense had objected, which led to the mistrial request. If Cannone had granted the motion, prosecutors would have been barred from retrying Read on the same charges. Robert Alessi, a lawyer for Read, had objected to questioning about DNA swabs performed on John OKeefes clothing. Read more: Karen Read trial live updates With the jury out of the room, Alessi said that prosecutor Hank Brennan had brought up DNA for the first time in front of jurors without developing the issue through another witness. The prosecution has caused the mistrial, he said. The prosecution strategically chose not to bring in the foundation whatsoever in this trial, Alessi said. That can not be reversed. That can not be cured. That can not be dislodged. The prosecution has to suffer the consequences, he continued. Ms. Read is entitled to a ... fair trial. What has just occurred is antithetical, abhorrent to a fair trial. Brennan argued the defense was on notice that there was no dog DNA on OKeefes clothing. He said prosecutors did not intend to refute the defenses theories in their case-in-chief but always planned to refute Russells testimony. He argued that Russell considered the lack of dog DNA in her report and brought it up during a prior proceeding. Alessi countered that there was no swabbing of the wounds, and called it a major, major investigative flaw in this case. That should not be fallen upon the defendant, Alessi said. But Brennan pointed to a transcript of a Dec. 12, 2024, hearing where Alessi asked Russell about the DNA issue on direct examination. That is enough for the court to understand the representations are wholly mistaken by attorney Alessi. Wholly, he concluded. 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. 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. 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. 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. Its been happening almost always the same way: someone is out in public in Massachusetts when strangers in ski masks suddenly surround and whisk them away into a waiting dark SUV. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arent always immediately recognizable as authorities because of their face masks, at-times unmarked vests and clothes unlike the uniformed law enforcement officers with which the public is familiar. At a press conference in Boston on Monday, ICE officials did not answer questions as to why many of its agents have been witnessed working without any immediate identifiers, such as badges or monikers on jackets. But the facial disguises, according to Todd Lyons, acting ICE director, are for the agents safety. ... people are out there taking photos of [ICE agents] faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves, Lyons said at the press conference at the John Joseph Moakley courthouse, where officials announced nearly 1,500 people were detained by ICE across Massachusetts in May alone. Lyons said two weeks ago, ICE agents were directly targeted during an operation in Los Angeles by bystanders doxing the agents children and family through social media accounts. 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, Lyons said. In Massachusetts, police officers are required by law to identify themselves and carry an ID card with their photo and information. Similar rules apply to federal ICE operations, but in recent Massachusetts detainments, what qualifies as proper identification has been inconsistent and unclear, as public outrage reaches a fever pitch in the state over the agencys tactics and arrests. On March 27, Martell Lebron-Wilson was detained by ICE agents in what bystanders thought was a kidnapping outside of the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in Boston. Lebron-Wilson, a 49-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic who entered the country without authorization, was on a lunch break during his trial on allegations of falsifying RMV records when agents swiftly took him into an SUV. Was that a kidnapping? Youre not going to tell us where hes going? a man seen on video asked the federal agents. The ICE agents walked away with no answer. Two days prior, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish woman enrolled in a Tufts University doctoral program, was taken by masked agents from the streets of Somerville. Video from the scene showed Ozturk yelling as bystanders asked the agents what was happening, and if it was a kidnapping. And in a wild scene last month on Eureka Street in Worcester, several ICE agents some masked detained Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, a Brazilian mother of three. They were met by nearly three dozen protesters who demanded to see a warrant and asked, What are you doing here? The only response an ICE agent gave was, We do not need a judicial warrant for this arrest. ICE agents typically do not need a judicial warrant for arrests, though many are carried out with an administrative warrant, according to a Know Your Rights guide from Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. On Monday, Lyons said current ICE operations in Massachusetts are being carried out with assistance from at least the following 10 agencies: U.S. Attorneys Office Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) U.S. Coast Guard Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) U.S/ Marshals Service Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Over the month of May, 1,461 people were detained by ICE across Massachusetts, the officials said Monday. About half of those people had either been convicted of a crime or had pending criminal charges. 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, acting ICE Boston Office Field Director Patricia Hyde said. Reporters pressed for a comprehensive list of those detained, but 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. The officials also gave more detail on the arrest of 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, who was detained by ICE on Saturday. The Milford High School student was on his way to volleyball practices when he was pulled over by ICE in his fathers car who was actually the intended target of ICEs operations in Milford, Lyons said. Reporters challenged Lyons on the decision to arrest a high school student and asked what danger the teenager who was about to play in the graduation ceremony band the next day was to his community. I didnt say he was dangerous, Lyons replied. I said hes in this country illegally, and were not going to walk away from anybody, he said. Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts delivers during the first inning against the Angels on Monday. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) AP BOSTON Instant reactions from the Red Sox 7-6 loss to the Angels at Fenway Park on Monday: 1) It ended up being former Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen against Bostons 3-5 hitters with a save opportunity in a one-run game. Jansen who recorded a 3.44 ERA and converted 56-of-64 save opportunities for Boston in 2023-24 struck out Wilyer Abreu to begin the inning. Abreu was pinch hitting for Rob Refsnyder. Jansen then got Carlos Narvaez to fly out to center field and Romy Gonzalez to .fly out to right field. Hes 12-for-12 in save opportunities this year. 2) The Red Sox dropped to four games under .500 (29-33). They are 16-15 at Fenway Park and 6-16 in one-run games. They havent won more than two games in a row since a three-game winning streak April 26-29. 3) Starter Richard Fitts recorded his first out on his 33rd pitch. It was an ugly first inning as the Red Sox fell behind 6-0 before they came to the plate. Fitts allowed six runs (five earned runs), four hits and one walk before Hunter Dobbins replaced him to start the second inning. He gave up three homers, including a 454-foot, 112.1 mph three-run blast to Mike Trout. 4) The first inning also included an error by Abraham Toro who played third base for the first time with Boston this season. He did start 18 games at third base for Triple-A Worcester before his call-up. 5) The Red Sox scored four runs in the fifth to cut the deficit to 6-5. Rob Refsnyders RBI single made it 6-2. Carlos Narvaezs RBI double down the left field line made it 6-3. Romy Gonzalez who was activated from the IL earlier in the day hit a two-run double down the right field line to make it 6-5. 6) Hunter Dobbins couldnt deliver a shutdown inning after the Red Sox cut it to 6-5 in the fifth. Dobbins allowed a home run on the first pitch of the sixth inning. Jo Adell connected on a poorly-located slider. 7) Dobbins pitched well though. He allowed just one run in 5 innings. He gave up four hits and one walk while striking out four. 8) Ceddanne Rafaela cut it to 7-6 with a 384-foot home run into the Monster Seats. It left his bat at 105.9 mph. 9) The Red Sox and Angels will play the second game of their three-game series Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. Red Sox righty Brayan Bello (2-1, 3.83 ERA) will start opposite lefty Yusei Kikuchi (1-5, 3.06 ERA). CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 27: Kristian Campbell #28 of the Boston Red Sox looks on prior to a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) Diamond Images/Getty Images BOSTON On their last homestand, the Red Sox were moving forward with their plans to have Kristian Campbell be part of the solution to their first base vacancy. As recently as late last week, they got as far as identifying a game (Sunday in Atlanta) for Campbells debut at the position before changing that plan Sunday morning thanks to Abraham Toros recent hot streak. Participants of the Westover Job Corps training program rally Monday afternoon on Johnson Road in Chicopee to raise public awareness about plans by the Trump administration to close 99 of the training programs across the country, including the one in Chicopee that is home to 352 students, with a staff of around 175. (Larry Parnass / The Republican) Staff As he layered on bricklaying skills, Justin Quiles felt he could see his earning prospects rising. Then word came last week that the Trump administration plans to close the Westover Job Corps and 98 other training centers by the end of the month. In time, as a fully trained bricklayer, Quiles expected to earn $45 an hour. Now, he plans to move home to Pittsfield and try to get a job at Walmart for $16 an hour. Wow, its getting taken away from us, he said Monday afternoon. I wont be able to complete my trade. The sudden shutdown notice last Thursday from the Department of Labor shocked students and staff of the Chicopee program. As many as 80 of the programs 352 students were expected to have left by Tuesday. The closing also will shutter operations of the Shriver Job Corps Center in Devens and the Grafton Job Corps Center in North Grafton. But at a rally Monday, several dozen students at the Chicopee site called for the closing to be reversed, chanting, Lets save Job Corps and Our students matter. In interviews with The Republican, several of them described how they found their way to vocations they chose to study in Chicopee for many, after early disappointments, family poverty, rough neighborhoods and lack of opportunity. Justin Quiles of Springfield, 22, says he will not be able to finish his training as a bricklayer if Westover Job Corps closes as planned by the end of the month. (Larry Parnass / The Republican) Staff Brianna Sasnowitz, 19, of Monson, said that when the chance to enroll in the Job Corps came a year and a half ago, and to study welding, she felt hemmed in, helping raise younger siblings. All I knew was taking care of kids, she said. I thought I was going to be stuck with that. If the closing goes through, she will leave the program short of completing her training as a welder. I didnt have much, she said of her options before joining. Its the one biggest decision Ive made to change my life. I was finally able to start my life. Now, I have to go back. But I know I have a chance because of Job Corps. Short of goal Emilie Curtin, 21, of Boston, said that if the program ends, she will depart about one-third short of completing her studies as a pharmacy tech. This is all I want to do, she said of her field. I need the instruction, which is what my amazing instructor has been able to provide. Emilie Curtin of Boston, 21, at right, has been studying to be a pharmacy tech at Westover Job Corps, along with Brina Keir of Pittsfield, 22, holding sign on stick at left. (Larry Parnass / The Republican) Staff Deaven Alamo, 19, of Springfield, said he believes his chosen vocation can, for him, be life-changing. I knew I had an interest in carpentry. I could see myself doing it as a career, he said. When I saw the opportunity, I knew I had to take it. This place is worth saving, Alamo said of the center. Its a second chance for people who didnt have it easy growing up. Hes not sure what comes next. The news is kind of sudden. I still want to do carpentry, no matter what. Anthony Torres, at 28, also had felt stuck, working as a custodian. On Monday, he shook hands for probably the last time with David Baker, the center director, then walked to the sites bus stop. Torres was able to finish his training. His next step is to enroll in a plumbing apprenticeship program. It meant everything, he said of his time at Westover. Deaven Alamo, holding sign with green letters, has been studying carpentry at the Westover Job Corps. He says the program gave him a chance to attend school when he could not afford other options. "This place is worth saving," he said. (Larry Parnass / The Republican) Staff Driving economic growth For a few minutes, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez addressed the rally-goers, urging students to continue to speak out. The yelling and the screaming has to turn into voting, Gonzalez told the crowd. That day starts now. Later, in an interview, he faulted the decision to defund the Job Corps, calling its participants future leaders who can help drive economic growth. This is the United States of America speaking out, young men and women, he said of the rally, as chants continued. Speaking out to go against the cuts that they are making to give to billionaires. Its outrageous, in this day and age. Shame on this country if we dont all stand together with these young people. State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez urges participants of the Westover Job Corps to defend their program during at a rally Monday. (Larry Parnass / The Republican) Staff State Sen. Jacob R. Oliveira said in a statement the abrupt closing not only jeopardizes the futures of students who depend on Job Corps for hands-on career training and economic opportunity but also threatens the livelihoods of dedicated staff who support their success. He said his office is working to help those affected and to demand answers. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said Monday that his office also is working to reverse the decision to close the Job Corps programs. I have not heard anything, but were on it, Neal said. I think a lot of these decisions will be reversed by the courts. But there is going to be a lot of anguish in between. Lance Green, president of IUE-CWA Local 81206, which represents more than 150 site workers, believes the defunding targets a population worthy of support, but one the Trump administration elects not to help. Its my belief that its purposeful, designed to hurt the working men and women and the working poor, Green said. Since the announcement last week, Green has felt called to answer questions from worried staff and try to mount a defense and save Job Corps. Do we just walk away? Baker, the site director, promised to keep students up to date on efforts to halt the closing, including an expected court filing for an injunction in New York City. Were going to fight until its over. We know that this program changes lives, he told the rally. David Baker, the Westover Job Corps center director, says goodbye to a plumbing program student, Anthony Torres, who managed to finish his training before word came last week that the program will be closed, along with 98 others around the U.S. (Larry Parnass / The Republican) Staff Tomeka Ligon, a 2009 Westover Job Corps graduate and former culinary arts instructor, called out for participants to keep up the fight. Im damn proud of each and every one of you, she shouted. Wendy Lane, 60, of West Springfield, was 18 when she enrolled to train as a certified nursing assistant in a Job Corps program. Its very sad, she said of the shutdown. Theyre not even going to let students finish. If I hadnt come to Job Corps, I dont know where Id be. Attending back then helped her earn a high school diploma and land a job as a CNA, before going to college and studying pharmacy. She now teaches that subject at the Chicopee program, where she has been an instructor for nine years. Teaching goes well beyond the vocational topic, she said. Time together at the Job Corps helps young people master a lot of missing life skills. A lot of these kids, they didnt even know how to address an envelope. They dont know where theyd be without the Job Corps. I tell everybody Ive got the greatest job in the world. I get to change kids lives on a daily basis. 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2025 At a glance, the Buffalo Catholic Diocese doesnt appear to have nearly enough money to cover the $150 million it agreed in April to pay survivors of clergy sex abuse. The diocese listed total assets of $49 million on its most recent balance sheets, and less than half of that money, about $23 million, was unrestricted. It has an additional $4.2 million from the recent sale of the former Christ the King Seminary campus in the Town of Aurora, and it has more property currently on the market listed for $7 million. If those properties sold, the diocese would have roughly $34 million it could apply toward a settlement, according to financial records filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York. Diocese officials, so far, have declined to provide a detailed accounting of how they plan to cover the $150 million agreement, but they have met or will meet with the boards of various Catholic affiliate entities, including Catholic Charities, Catholic Cemeteries, Our Lady of Victory Charities, and the Foundation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo to formally request money. And, as early as next week, individual parishes will begin learning what they will be asked to pay, based on a formula that considers how much a parish receives in annual offertory giving and the size of a parishs savings. Obviously, we have to get our Catholic family on board. We have to be together, Bishop Michael W. Fisher told The Buffalo News following a court hearing in April at which the settlement was revealed. Parishes and other Catholic affiliates have been on notice since the diocese filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2020 that they would need to make a substantial contribution to a settlement of claims. In 2023, when the diocese offered abuse victims $100 million, lawyers said as much as half of it would come from parishes and affiliates. There will be a formula used, but we wanted that communicated internally before we go public with that, diocese spokesman Joseph Martone said. As part of the settlement, parishes and other Catholic affiliates, through a legal process known as a channeling injunction, ultimately will be released from liability in lawsuits claiming child sex abuse from the past. Bishop apologizes for clergy abuses, hails $150 million deal as 'huge step forward' The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo appeared in court this morning to discuss a $150 million settlement with survivors of clergy sex abuse. Parishes have to make a meaningful contribution to enjoy the channeling injunction, Martone said. So, every parish will have to make a meaningful contribution. It is a procedure many dioceses have relied upon in federal bankruptcy court to handle large numbers of clergy sex abuse lawsuits. The Diocese of Camden, for example, settled 324 claims for $87.5 million in a plan that was confirmed in 2024. The Camden Diocese made an immediate payment to the settlement fund using $14.75 million in non-restricted cash and a $15 million loan from the Diocese of Camden Trusts, a separate non-profit organization. Parishes, missions and schools agreed to pay $10 million upfront toward the settlement and the Trusts provided an additional $10 million cash payment. That settlement also calls for the diocese, which has about 480,000 Catholics, to pay $37.5 million over four years. In the Syracuse Diocese, parishes, schools, missions and Catholic Charities will pay half of the dioceses $100 million settlement with 411 abuse claimants, according to court papers. The diocese and the creditors committee also struck a deal with insurers that adds $61 million to a settlement trust. A confirmation hearing for the dioceses plan to exit Chapter 11 began on Monday. And in Rockville Centre, which emerged from bankruptcy in December, 136 parishes paid $53 million toward a $323 million settlement, with some individual parishes contributing more than $1 million, according to National Catholic Reporter. The Buffalo Diocese, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and insurance companies are still in mediated negotiations over what insurers would add to a settlement trust, above and beyond the $150 million. Diocese officials are also trying to convince fellow Catholics that paying into the settlement is the only way to get beyond a sex abuse crisis that has rocked the church and its institution for years. Diocese Chief Operating Officer Richard C. Suchan and other members of the diocese administration met last week at the Catholic Center with members of the Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo board of trustees to try to get a commitment of funds toward the settlement. The board ultimately came around to the idea, despite considerable resistance at the start, according to Thomas Christy, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries. Christy declined to reveal the amount of the dioceses request or what the board agreed to contribute. We dont want to pay a penny, believe me, Christy said. Nobody wants this. But he also described the dioceses request as reasonable. It hurts us, but it doesnt put us out of business, he said. It doesnt ruin us. Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo will not dip into its permanent maintenance fund, which is set aside for the care of cemetery grounds in perpetuity, to assist the diocese, Christy added. The board of Catholic Charities of Buffalo had discussions with diocese leaders prior to the settlement announcement, but hasnt agreed to any contribution yet, according to Chuck Hayes, chief communications and development officer. Any gifts to the annual Catholic Charities Appeal would not be used to assist in the diocese settlement, Hayes said. Anything that would be used would have to come from things like investments or sale of real estate or something to that end, he said. But the monies that are raised through the appeal are restricted. Catholic Charities held $19.5 million in investments in 2024, according to its most recent audited financial statements. OLV Charities Chief Executive Officer David J. Kersten did not respond to a voicemail message seeking comment about what the organization, which coordinates fundraising for OLV Human Services and Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica, might contribute. Nancy Gugino, executive director of the Foundation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, said the foundations board will soon meet to discuss the dioceses expectations. The foundation, created in 1996, manages endowments and grantmaking to various Catholic programs and entities throughout Western New York. It listed net assets of $67.8 million in its most recent financial statements. Diocese pension plan sues Bishop Timon-St. Jude over unpaid contributions The Diocese of Buffalo has sued Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School for unpaid pension contributions. The diocese says the school has largely ignored its requests. It is unclear how much Catholic high schools that pay a nominal fee to lease space in diocese-owned buildings will be required to contribute. Those schools include Bishop Timon-St. Jude in South Buffalo, Cardinal OHara in the Town of Tonawanda, St. Marys in Lancaster and Notre Dame in Batavia. Weve been in discussions with them, Martone said. We would like the high schools to purchase their buildings. The diocese sold the building that for decades housed Archbishop Walsh Academy, which moved to a former Catholic elementary school in Olean after attempts to buy from the diocese fell through. Religious orders are not part of the settlement, at least not at this point. So, groups such as the Jesuit priests who run Canisius High School, the Franciscan friars who operate St. Francis High School, and the Franciscan sisters who ran Immaculata Academy before it closed must still defend against lawsuits claiming abuse at those institutions. Federal Bankruptcy Judge Carl Bucki has expressed skepticism about the amount of the settlement funds, especially considering the dioceses recent efforts to reduce by half the number of parishes in the eight counties of Western New York. Diocese officials have cited a growing priest shortage, as well as demographic shifts and declining financial resources in many parishes, as reasons for the downsizing that will merge 160 parishes into 80 and close several dozen churches. THE erection of solar panels on the front of an old 19th century Church of Ireland church in Achill was described as 'incongruous' by an An Bord Pleanala inspector. An Bord Pleanala upheld a decision by Mayo County Council not to grant retention of solar panels on the front elevation of the former Holy Trinity Church in Achill, which has been renovated into a dwelling house. The solar panels are 31 square metres in size and encompass most of the front elevation of the building. They were deemed not exempt from development following an application in 2023 and an application for retention was made in May 2024. Bruno Loirat and Karine Jacquesson, who own the building, lodged the appeal after Mayo County Council planners found that the solar panels were unauthorised and retaining them would 'significantly distract' from the visual and historical prominence of the former Church of Ireland church. READ: Mayo council warned to honour agreement or face Greenway closure The building which is located across the road from the Achill GAA pitch in Polranny is currently listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. In the appeal to An Bord Pleanala, the appellants stated that they purchased the property in 2004 when it was in a state of considerable disrepair and provided a photographic chronology of works to the buildings since the granting of permission to change the use of the building into a private dwelling. In a letter to Mayo County Council, they stated that since 2004 the property has been well maintained and they incurred significant expenditure in conserving the building and developing it as a home suitable for modern life. They stated that the property is screened by trees, hedges and shrubs and is not visible from the public road except when one looks directly down a narrow driveway from the entrance gate. For energy efficiency and environmental purposes we installed the solar panels on the front facade of the building. The panels blend in perfectly due to its colour and we say that they are not noticeable from the public road. The panels also add to the protection of the front facade of the building from harsh weather, they wrote. Despite being advised that they could cover the whole roof with solar panels they stated that they decided against it because they had completely renovated the roof with natural slate in 2006 and felt the panels would 'interfere with the vista from the surrounding area'. In his report to the board of An Bord Pleanala, Darragh Ryan noted that while the building is on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage it is not listed as a protected structure within the Mayo County Development Plan. However, the inspector stated that one of the conditions of planning for the refurbishment of the building was that external finishes and materials match those of the existing building. The presence of solar panels, being distinctly modern in form and material, is not considered sympathetic to the historic character of the building, he wrote in the report. He added: I consider the installation of solar panels on the front elevation of this building to be an incongruous addition, which undermines its architectural heritage and fails to comply with the provisions of Policy Objective BEP 4 of the Mayo County Development Plan. The development is also inconsistent with the conditions attached to the parent permission. Given the availability of suitable alternative locations within the site, the retention of the solar panels in their current location is not considered warranted or justified. Mr Ryan recommended refusing the appeal as the 'proposed retention would significantly detract from the visual and historical prominence of the former Holy Trinity Church'. The board of An Bord Pleanala followed the recommendation and refused permission for the retention of the solar panels. AN Achill community have warned that they may close part of the Great Western Greenway if Mayo County Council fails to honour an agreement to fund a community project. The community of Saile on Achill Island have called on Mayo County Council to provide funding for a shelter and community building on the grounds of Saile National School which they say was agreed in a meeting with council officials in August 2023. The 5km extension of the Great Western Greenway from Achill Sound to Cashel was officially opened by Minister Jack Chambers in September 2023. One of the unique features of this greenway was the 400m boardwalk over blanket bog in Saile which is the widest greenway boardwalk currently in use in the state. The boardwalk goes through commonage and as part of an agreement with local commonage shareholders and tenants, Mayo County Council agreed to fund the construction of an 84 square metre shelters/storage building on the grounds of the local national school. Meeting A meeting to agree the funding took place in the school between council officials, Cllr Paul McNamara and members of the community who were informed the funding would be ringfenced. A design for the project was undertaken by SDS Design Engineers and the project was advertised for tender in February 2024 but The Mayo News understands that despite expressions of interest from contractors, the tender has yet to be awarded. A spokesperson for the Saile tenants told The Mayo News that the local community were informed the funding would be ringfenced for the project and they believed it would go to construction last summer. The spokesperson added that the longer the project goes without starting, they fear the funding will be lost. When the greenway was being built it was agreed that the council would fund this project for the community for allowing the greenway through commonage. We had expected that the work would go ahead last summer but it didn't and school finishes in a couple of weeks and there is still no sign of it starting. We were told the funding was there and there was no indication it would not be but now we are hearing it might not be there. The council told us they were fully committed to the job but in recent months they seem to have rolled back and there is no sign of it being progressed. We are not going to let this die and disappear. If there is no progress soon we will have to call a meeting of the tenants and if there is consensus we are prepared to close the Greenway until such time the council gives further commitment and starts the project, the spokesperson said. The Mayo News contacted Mayo County Council last Tuesday to clarify if funding was available for the project but no reply was sent at the time of going to print. 'Find the funding' Local councillor Paul McNamara told The Mayo News that he has been in touch with council officials on behalf of the local community and called on officials to find the funding. I hope Mayo County Council resolves the issue and funding will be provided as promised for the community. There was an agreement in place that funding would be ringfenced and it should be found. I have been speaking to officials on a number of occasions and funding appears to be an issue but I hope it will be resolved and the project will go ahead. The council have not said they will not do the project but it appears a funding stream is an issue at the moment, he said. Saile National School is the largest school on the island with over 60 pupils expected to be enrolled for the start of the new school term in September. The spokesperson said at the moment there are no shelters at the school and it was important that the project goes ahead as it will benefit the entire community. When Mayo County Council agreed to fund this project we were delighted as it is something the school and the community badly need. The school staff were looking forward to it being built as it will be another amenity for them and the pupils and it will also be a great facility for the community to meet for events throughout the year. The Greenway has been a great addition to the local community and we are very proud that it is going through Saile. It is widely used by the community and we are delighted with it. But an agreement was made and it should be honoured and it is up to Mayo County Council to find that money and give a commitment to fund the project, the spokesperson added. THE LATEST The developer of the Iroquois Lofts apartment project in Larkinville is getting $3.2 million in tax breaks. Allient Inc. is seeking tax breaks to move its headquarters from one part of Amherst to another. Canisius University has refinanced its debt in a bond sale that also generated the cash for some capital improvements on campus. The local tourism sector seemed like it was poised for a good year. Then the Trump administration started mocking Canada and implementing tariffs. For manufacturing, it's all about the investment, not the jobs. The shutdown of nearly 70 Rite Aid stores in Western New York will eliminate roughly 750 jobs. An Amherst dental products manufacturer plans to buy an Independent Health office on Essjay Road. The Buffalo Bills are steadily filling out their revenue-generating sponsorship and PSL sale efforts tied to the new stadium. The new engine line at the General Motors' Tonawanda engine plant is a sign that the company is focusing on current demand over the potential of electric vehicles. Upstate Niagara's big project to increase its yogurt production has gotten a lot more expensive. Iskalo Development is backing off of its plan to renovate the Old Editions bookstore complex and putting it up for sale. The General Motors Corp. engine plant in the Town of Tonawanda is getting an $888 million investment to add a next-generation V8 engine line. Niagara University is adding a new ethics center to its campus. Lake Shore Savings is moving ahead with a plan to change its ownership structure. The task force looking at the future of the former Sumitomo USA factory has commissioned a study on potential reuse options. The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. by Fern Siegel , June 3, 2025 Connor Keeshan is the new managing director for BBH USA, based in New York, and reports to CEO Steven Panariello. Keeshan's appointment marks his return to the agency, which he left as an account director in 2016. Since then, he has served as head of account management at Johannes Leonardo. He has held other agency posts in his career, such as managing director at R/GA and account executive at TBWA\Chiat\Day. Keeshan has developed acclaimed brand strategies and campaigns for top clients, including Mercedes-Benz, British Airways, Sony PlayStation, Samsung, American Express and Unilever. Panariello said Keeshan brings "the creative firepower to transform client businesses, energize our culture and elevate the work. He strikes the perfect balance of vision and execution to help take BBH USA into our next pivotal chapter. Keeshan added: My focus is on harnessing that energy to elevate our work, inspire our talent and deepen client partnerships, all while staying true to the ethos that defines BBH. The agency's motto is Good and Nice. In the past year, BBH USA's business wins include Goodyear, Grey Goose and PATRON tequila. BBH is part of the Publicis Groupe. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, June 2, 2025 American consumers are cooking at home more, giving Campbells soups and sauces a boost. But theyre also snacking less or at least more selectively dragging down sales in key snack brands. That divide defined the Campbell Co.s latest results, revealing just how tricky its become for companies to decode shifting appetites. In announcing third-quarter earnings, the company said total sales rose 4% to $2.5 billion, powered by its acquisition of Sovos Brands, including Raos tomato sauces. Without that deal, sales were up just 1%. Net income dropped to $66 million from $133 million. While some meal-oriented brands are gaining ground including Raos, Chunky, Pacific Foods organic soups, and Homestyle ready-to-eat soups Campbells snack portfolio continued to slide, down 8% to $1 billion. That includes a 5% organic decline as shoppers bought fewer Goldfish crackers, Snyders pretzels, Late July tortilla chips, and Lance sandwich crackers. advertisement advertisement CEO Mick Beekhuizen said the company began noticing changes in consumer behavior back in January. A key outcome is a growing preference for home-cooked meals, leading to the highest levels of meals prepared at home since early 2020, he told investors. Additionally, consumers are favoring ingredients that help stretch tighter food budgets. And theyre increasingly intentional about their discretionary snack purchases. That intent showed up clearly in Campbells meals and beverage division, where net sales jumped 15% , or 6% excluding the Raos acquisition. U.S. buyers stocked up on condensed soups, broth, and ready-to-serve options. Six of eight leadership brands in the division gained or held market share. Wet soups marked a sixth straight quarter of volume-share growth, with increased appeal among younger consumers. Raos continued to outperform category peers but still missed internal expectations. Beekhuizen said the brand has room to grow in household penetration and awareness, especially compared to the company's Prego. The company plans to increase marketing support for Raos in coming quarters. The snack divisions 8% decline included the impact of Campbells sale of Pop Secret. Even so, the drop underscores softness across the category and heightened competition. That said, not all snack brands struggled: limited-edition Milano cookies helped Pepperidge Farm bakery and cookies hold market share, and Snack Factory products gained nearly half a point, thanks in part to dual placement in the deli and snack aisles. The company increased advertising spending by 3% compared to the prior year, and that investment is expected to continue. While macro and competitive pressures persist, we think Campbell's is appropriately prioritizing investments to ensure its brands keep pace with evolving consumer trends, wrote Erin Lash, an analyst who follows the company for Morningstar. Morningstar forecasts the company will continue to allocate about 5% of sales roughly $550 million annually to research, development, and marketing over the next decade. Even as tariff threats loom, Campbells is holding steady on its full-year forecast. by Danielle Oster , June 2, 2025 Students balancing the demands of being a parent with higher education are often one financial hardship away from dropping out, particularly if the hardship occurs mid-semester, when traditional financial aid sources are unavailable. The issue impacts a lot of students. According to Scholarship America, which describes itself as the nations largest administrator of private scholarships, one out of every five of the more than 3.8 million college students in the U.S., are raising childrennearly 10% of whom are single mothers. So Scholarship America launched a campaign to raise funds for the National Emergency Scholarship Fund for Student Parents, a first-of-its-kind program designed to provide rapid, flexible emergency aid to help student parents overcome unexpected expenses and stay enrolled in school. It follows the launch of a pilot version of the initiative launched last year in New Hampshire and Texas. advertisement advertisement The support I received made a huge difference for me and my family. It helped me cover part of my medical bills, pay for daycare for my son, and gave me the opportunity to register for summer classes, Watson Saint-Martin, an aid recipient and student at Nashua Community College in New Hampshire, said in a statement. Launched in partnership with the ECMC Foundation and Trellis Foundation, the $500,000 national fundraising drive kicked off on Mothers Day, and runs through Fathers Day, June 15. According to Scholarship America CEO Mike Nylund, the organization arrived at the focus on student parents after extensive research showing theyre the group that would benefit the most from such an initiative. The problem has existed for a long time, Nylund told Marketing Daily. Emergency scholarships can go a very long way in changing that trajectory for [student parents], he said, adding that a difference of $400-$500 can often be the difference between whether or not such students drop out of school. To raise awareness of the issue, and drive donations to the campaign, the group put out a campaign video explaining the issues facing Student Parents & The Impact Of Emergency Aid, sharing real stories from student parents. Financial aid is confusing; it's confusing to families, its confusing to students," said Nylund. We put out this video to help try to get people to understand that financial aid counselors are between a rock and a hard place. On the other side of that are state regulations, federal regulations, and institutional policies, that keep them from solving that, he added. The video brings what I've been experiencing as a practitioner in this space. The campaign arrives amid the Trump administrations attempts to defund and dismantle the federal Department of Education. The timing is just a coincidence," but "the fact that were launching this now is great, Nylund said. The timing couldn't be better....The need is only going to increase. by Ray Schultz , June 2, 2025 The Oregon legislature is mulling a bill that would force large tech platforms like Google and Meta to compensate Oregon news organizations for using the content they scrape from the newsrooms websites. SB 686 was introduced earlier this month by Sen. Khanh Pham (D-Portland). The Senate Committee on Rules recommended passage with amendments, and the bill will now proceed to the full Senate. An editorial supporting the measure is being jointly-published by more than 50 Oregon newspapers and is supported by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Platforms scrape and summarize journalism, keeping users on their sites and siphoning away the revenue that once supported local reporting, and this problem has only gotten worse with the advent of artificial intelligence, the editorial says. advertisement advertisement Under the bill, the tech platforms would compensate journalism providers in one of two ways: either pay a dollar amount annually, based on the number of worldwide monthly active users, or enter into a final arbitration process to determine the percentage of advertising revenue to be paid. The platforms with six billion or monthly active users would have to pay $104 million per year. Newsrooms would be required to spend at least 70% of funds received 70 percent of funds received on news journalists and support staff, except providers with five or fewer employees must only spend at least 50 percent. In addition, the bill would establish the Oregon Civic Information Consortium to support newsrooms, following the example of New Jersey. It is not yet clear whether Meta and Google will threaten the state with cutoff of news if the legislation is passed, or whether accommodations will be reached. by Ray Schultz , June 2, 2025 Anna Wintour, an avowed Democrat and fundraiser for the party, visited the White House to discuss what tariffs will do to the fashion industry. Wintour, the chief content officer and global editorial director of Conde Nast, met with Susie Wiles, White House chief of staff, according to media reports that could not be independently confirmed at deadline. Observers are speculating if this means First Lady Melania Trump will finally be on a Vogue cover. In other Conde Nast news, the publisher announced the naming of Sophia Zhang as senior vice president of revenue marketing. Zhang will lead brand, B2B, client and direct-to-consumer (D2C) marketing strategies, along with creative development and production across all platforms, the company says. Previously, Zhang served as CEO North America at Gale Partners. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, June 3, 2025 Microsoft Advertising has appointed Navah Hopkins to the divisions ads liaison during a time when the company looks to capture ad revenue from Google. Hopkins' appointment sends a message to advertisers looking to diversify ad spend, and highlights the growing importance of Microsofts role in advertising. One of the reasons I am so excited about this role is that I report into the Product team, she wrote in a LinkedIn post, adding: That means all the feedback will go directly to the amazing product leads, and questions can get clarity quickly. Hopkins told MediaPost that advertisers can count on LinkedIn post updates from her as well as active discussions in comments, as she works to implement the proper lines of communication through a variety of media such as newsletters, videos and blogs. advertisement advertisement She wrote that Microsoft's decision to double down on serving the community and building their feedback into the roadmap shows a positive direction for advertising. That they picked me (a search first marketer with paid social, SEO, and AI empathy), indicates a clear understanding that tools are evolving and strategies need to have a translation across different disciplines, Hopkins wrote in the email. Microsofts shift in strategy was made clear with news that broke on the same day that Hopkins announced her hire. The company laid off another 300 employees from unknown departments in Washington state, adding to its previous layoffs in mid-May of about 6,000 globally. As of June 2024, the company reportedly had about 228,000 full-time employees, with 55% in the U.S. A spokesperson told Bloomberg the cuts were necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace. Hopkins brings about two decades of experience in digital advertising and marketing, and has long advocated for transparency in paid search and data-driven strategies that will complement Microsofts further push into CTV. She explains in a LinkedIn post that the move was initiated by Tim Frank, corporate vice president at Microsoft AI Monetization and former Google employee, Frank reached out to Hopkins about the role on a random Sunday, Hopkins wrote in a LinkedIn post, where she announced the hire on Monday. She described herself as a Microsoft fan girl who became an official Microsoft Ads cheerleader! Hopkins also believes Microsoft brings unique human perspective to AI. While others treat B2B as an afterthought, Microsoft remains one of the best paths forward for B2B marketers, while supporting ecommerce and B2C through feed-first ad solutions. Hopkins had her own consulting firm for nearly 4.5 years, and wrote for a variety of publications. Industry watchers could see her appointment as a response to the growing demand for support at Microsoft Advertising as it tries to grow its ad business. As Hopkins starts her new role, the industry will watch closely to see how her influence changes Microsoft Advertising. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 3, 2025 A federal judge has blocked enforcement of a Florida law that prohibits platforms with addictive features from allowing anyone under 14 to create or maintain accounts, and requires those platforms to obtain parental consent before allowing 14- or 15-year-olds to create or maintain accounts. In a ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee said the law, passed last year, likely violates teens' free speech rights. Youth have First Amendment rights, Walker wrote in a 58-page opinion. Youth are people, not mere people-in-waiting or extensions of their parents. They have their own interests, ideas, and minds. He added that prior court decisions have upheld minor's First Amendment rights to learn, to refuse to salute the flag, to protest war, to view films, to play video games, to attend political rallies or religious services even without the authorization of their parents, and more. advertisement advertisement The ruling comes in a lawsuit brought in October by tech organizations NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, which challenged Florida's House Bill 3. That law's restrictions on teen accounts apply to platforms with an allegedly addictive quality -- such as displaying like counts, or automatically playing videos. The statute only applies to a platform if at least 10% of users under 16 spend at least two hours per day on average at that platform. Walker initially dismissed the organizations' complaint, ruling in March they lacked standing to proceed because they hadn't shown how any members would be affected. NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association then filed an amended complaint and again urged Walker to block the law on First Amendment grounds. The groups specifically alleged in their amended complaint that NetChoice member Snap was likely covered by the law. That complaint includes allegations that Snapchat, operated by Snap, allows teens under 16 to create accounts without parental permission, deploys recommendation algorithms and allows push notifications. (In April, soon after the tech groups amended their complaint, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Snap in state court based on the new allegations. That matter was transferred to federal court last month and is currently pending in front of Walker.) Uthmeier opposed the tech groups' request to block the law, arguing that it advances the government's interest in protecting children's mental health. Walker rejected that argument, ruling that the law wasn't a good fit for legislators' objectives. Even assuming the significance of the States interest in limiting the exposure of youth to websites with 'addictive features,' the laws restrictions are an extraordinarily blunt instrument for furthering it, he wrote. Walker also noted that the Supreme Court in 2011 struck down a California law that would banned the sale of violent video games to minors, without parental consent. He opined that one reason why minors have free speech rights is because they are citizens in training, writing: The responsibilities and privileges of citizenship are significant, and our constitutional system is better served when its citizens build those muscles over time, beginning when they are young, rather than all at once the day they come of age. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, June 3, 2025 Qwant, a French search engine that prioritizes user privacy, has asked the French regulator to act against Microsoft for allegedly driving down the quality of search engine results on Bing. Microsoft and Google have become a source of search content, acting as syndication aggregators for smaller engines now concerned these larger companies will discontinue service with the growth of AI engines. The watchdog plans to take interim action against Microsoft, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation. Some companies depending on Google are in agreement with the search monopoly decision by the U.S. Department of Justice that found Google has a monopoly over search. The Justice Department (DOJ) has proposed remedies that could significantly impact Mozilla and its Firefox browser, for example. advertisement advertisement Mozilla urged the court to consider remedies that achieve its goals without harming independent browsers, browser engines and ultimately without harming the web. Microsoft Bing presents an interesting twist on competition related to the growth of AI engines. Qwants suggests the decline breaches contract terms. An internal OpenAI document supporting its strategy reveals how OpenAI plans to turn ChatGPT into a ubiquitous super assistant by mid-2025 -- serving as a personalized gateway to the entire Internet. The document was identified by The Decoder. Most of the document is blocked out, but it does make it clear that OpenAI intends to make its technology the portal to the internet. OpenAI also supports regulations that require platforms to allow users to choose ChatGPT as their default assistant, Toms Guide reported. Digital channels now account for 61.1% of total marketing spend, according to a survey published today from Gartner. Seven of 10 sectors dedicate more than 60% of their budget to online channels. Paid search -- the top digital channel -- increased its share year-over-year from 13.6% to 13.9% of total digital spend, according to Gartner. New research suggests that exposure to daylight can boost the immune system, helping the body fight infections more effectively. Highlights: Sunlight strengthens the immune response by activating neutrophils' internal clocks Neutrophils kill bacteria more efficiently during the day Disruption of circadian rhythm may impair immune function Trusted Source Sunlight Effects on Immune System: Is There Something Else in addition to UV-Induced Immunosuppression? Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? Your immune cells have a body clock? Sunlight kicks it into gear! #sunlight #immunity #healthnews #circadianrhythm #sciencealert Your immune cells have a body clock? Sunlight kicks it into gear! #sunlight #immunity #healthnews #circadianrhythm #sciencealert Advertisement What is Circadian Rhythm and Why Does It Matter? Advertisement Inside the Study: Zebrafish Light the Way Neutrophils killed bacteria more efficiently during the day. This ability was linked to their internal circadian clocks . . When the "clock genes" in these cells were genetically disabled, the neutrophils lost their time-based advantage. What Does This Mean for You? Whats Next? Whether human neutrophils respond to light in the same way. If the day-night immune advantage applies to other infections beyond bacteria. Can this finding be used to develop timed drug therapies or light-based medical treatments? Sunlight Effects on Immune System: Is There Something Else in addition to UV-Induced Immunosuppression? - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5187459/) Have you noticed you tend to feel more alert and healthier when you're exposed to natural sunlight? Its not just in your head. A groundbreaking study published insuggests that sunlight plays a vital role in strengthening your immune system by "waking up" your infection-fighting cells ().Researchers from thehave discovered that, the body's first-line immune cells, are more effective at killing bacteria during the day, thanks to an internal biological clock tuned by light.Our bodies run on a 24-hour cycle called the, which regulates sleep, metabolism, and even the immune system. When this rhythm is disrupted by shift work, jet lag, or irregular sleep patterns, it can weaken our ability to fight infections.This study adds to growing evidence that maintaining a strong circadian rhythm through regular exposure to daylight could support better immune health.To explore how light affects immunity, researchers used transparent larval zebrafish, whose immune system closely resembles that of humans. These see-through fish allowed scientists to watch immune cells in action under a microscope.They found that:In simple terms,that boosts their infection-fighting power during daylight hours.This discovery opens the door for new treatments that couldin immune cells to treat inflammatory diseases.The findings may also explain why people with poor sleep habits or little daylight exposure often have weakened immune responses.Scientists are now investigating:Getting regular daylight may do more than just lift your moodit could play a vital role in keeping your immune system strong. By helping immune cells respond more effectively to infections, natural light exposure might also open new doors for managing inflammatory conditions.Source-Medindia Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns was outraged when he learned the county attorney approved a plan to have more than 50,000 emails from Kearns disgraced finance deputy, Alexander McDougall, shared with an outside forensic auditor to determine whether additional money is missing or misappropriated. McDougall was sentenced to state prison in January after confessing to stealing more than $320,000 in public money. Kearns accuses officials of 'emailgate' and 'break in' of emails from disgraced deputy Erie County Clerk Michael "Mickey" Kearns has accused the county administration of an unauthorized "break in" into the emails of disgraced former Deputy Clerk Alexander McDougall, who was convicted of stealing public money. So Kearns took his grievances to the County Legislature, arguing that the break-in to his deputys emails was improper and a potentially illegal violation of confidentiality and records access rules. But as has happened before, he found little sympathy and more scorn from legislators who said they want Kearns to stop deflection and stonewalling and to cooperate with the work of the outside accounting firm that the Legislature authorized the county attorney to hire. Mickey, its obvious that you dont like being told what to do by this body, which concerns me, because were all here for the people, Legislator John Bargnesi, D-Town of Tonawanda, said Thursday during a Finance Committee meeting. Bargnesi said any time the Legislature has demanded more openness from Kearns and cooperation with the Comptrollers Office, the county attorney and an outside accounting firm, Kearns has resisted, despite repeatedly stating that he wants to comply and to move audits along to completion as swiftly as possible. Erie County comptroller gains access to accounts controlled by Clerk's Office, but not without a fight For several months, backed by the recommendation of an outside auditor, Comptroller Kevin Hardwick has been trying to get access to the County Clerk's Office accounts, to no avail, until now. Youre saying you cooperate, Bargnesi said. Your track record speaks differently. After listening to Kearns, his top administrators and County Attorney Jeremy Toth speak at length on Thursday, Bargnesi also said he now had new concerns that Kearns may be hiding something. Kearns denied that. Bargnesi repeatedly tried to get Kearns to state that he would cooperate with the outside auditor, Texas-based accounting firm Weaver, to finish the audit and provide whatever information is necessary. We want to get this done, Kearns replied. Thats a yes? Were good? We can more forward? Bargnesi asked. You are going to comply with Weavers request? We want to get this done, Kearns repeated. When Bargnesi responded by muttering, Dear Lord, Kearns said, Listen, you guys ask where were going with this? This all began in this body. It did begin with this body, Bargnesi said, because its our job. Because $320,000 was lost out of your department. So that is our job, yes. So now were trying to end it. But for some reason, you keep stonewalling and bringing this back here. Erie County Clerk's Office audit approved to investigate potential 'criminal conduct' An outside audit to discover if there is "any further criminal conduct" or improper distribution of money within the Erie County Clerk's Office is finally expected to begin next week nearly seven months after the County Legislature first requested it. The Comptrollers Office first released information flagging the potential theft of cash from the Clerks Office, and the forgery of documents to cover up the thefts, in 2023. Toth hired Texas-based accounting firm Weaver in the fall, after the Legislature requested that a deeper Clerks Office audit be expedited by the countys Law Department. That came after a Legislature request for Kearns to contract with an outside auditor resulted in no action being taken for a month. Weaver has not only requested bank records but also asked for access to McDougalls emails. The Clerks Office resisted the turnover of such records, asking for another outside legal opinion because Kearns disagreed with the county attorneys. As previously reported, Kearns said he was concerned that McDougalls emails could reference confidential information held in the pistol permit database held by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, for which no third party should have access. In response, Toth said in writing and before the Legislature that no confidential information is being released to the public, and that no confidential information that is sensitive will be shared with Weaver without a legal review and an additional layer of screening, out of deference to Kearns concerns. Toth also said he has encouraged the Clerks Office to communicate directly with Weaver and leave him out of it because I know what the clerk thinks of me. Kearns, a Republican-endorsed Democrat, said he and his staff have tried to communicate with Weaver, but the accounting firm has not responded to requests asking for justification for wanting to review McDougalls emails, particularly since the Sheriffs Office and Erie County District Attorneys Office have already concluded that only McDougall was responsible for any criminal action. Former Erie County deputy clerk sentenced to up to 4 years for embezzling $320,000 The former Erie County deputy finance clerk who embezzled more than $320,000 in public money was sentenced Friday to one and a third to four years in prison by Erie County Judge Sheila A. DiTullio. Deputy Clerk William Lorenz said internal government records, like emails, should be exempt from records access requests for disclosure, and there is no outside litigation or Freedom of Information Law requests demanding the information so there is even less reason for the emails to be shared. County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick said criminality is not the main purpose of the outside audit, although if such wrongdoing is uncovered, that would be worth exposing. The original purpose of the audit was to make sure everything balances, because there was a question about where money was going, and money that was supposed to be over here, was over here, and money being distributed to towns is all wrong, he said. The question is, what else was wrong during this time period? Forget about criminality. Those books need to balance. Republican legislators, all of whom voted against allowing the county attorney to supervise the outside audit, asked questions regarding the cost and open-ended time frame of the audit. The outside audit has cost $35,000 so far, Toth said, and is projected to cost up to $140,000. Lindsay Lorigo, R-West Seneca, repeated that local law enforcement has concluded no additional criminal risk. I dont know how much longer we can keep doing this on the taxpayers back, she said. To have this political game played out in this body is getting to be quite ridiculous. So I would encourage us to move forward and put this behind us. That is unlikely. Meanwhile, Toth stressed that a review of all of the potentially sensitive emails that Kearns has cited as a potential confidentially risk would take a long time. Toth also said he didnt think an additional layer of review was warranted but was doing it out of respect for Kearns concerns. Barring some additional efficiencies for reviewing confidential emails, such a process could take months to complete. The partnership represents a significant leap in warehouse automation and sustainability DPD, the UKs leading premium parcel delivery company, has joined forces with Deus Robotics to introduce a bespoke robotic warehouse automation system aimed at boosting efficiency and supporting its sustainability goals. Deus Robotics, a cutting-edge robotics and software developer, was selected as a finalist in DPDs EcoLaunchpad initiativean innovation accelerator that drew applications from over 100 global tech companies. The programme was created to identify and implement forward-thinking solutions to help DPD reach its Net Zero target by 2040. The bespoke system includes AI-powered warehouse robots, a user-friendly cross-platform web application, specially designed transport cages, and Deus Robotics own 'Rack Robots' equipped with obstacle-detection technology. These robots are capable of transporting racks weighing up to 1,100 lbs and are designed to increase warehouse productivity by up to five times. The technology allows warehouse staff to focus on more strategic, less physically strenuous roles, while the robots autonomously handle the picking and movement of goods. After a successful trial, DPD has placed its first order for the system, which will be deployed at the companys flagship Docklands sortation centre in London. Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability at DPDgroup UK, said: "A big part of what makes us the UK's leading premium parcel delivery company is our unending commitment to innovation and investment in new technology. "We created the EcoLaunchpad to find and pull together the global innovators that can help us develop the solutions to power our journey to Net Zero. "The next part of that journey will require much more than just decarbonising fleet. We have to challenge ourselves on every aspect of the operation and think about technologies that aren't currently widely adopted or sitting on the shelf' already. "By working side by side with the innovators, we hope to solve more of the problems, more quickly." The move aligns with DPD UK's broader environmental strategy. The company recently confirmed a 47.5% reduction in overall emissions by the end of 2024 compared to its 2020 benchmark, keeping it firmly on track to meet its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-validated Net Zero commitment. Antonina Iermeichuk, co-founder and COO of Deus Robotics, added: "We are very proud to help DPD automate its parcel delivery operation. "To be selected from the EcoLaunchpad and be able to work alongside the DPD team to develop the tailormade solution has helped make this a really successful implementation. "The project marks yet another milestone on our journey to building a more sustainable logistics future." The Army announced Tuesday that it had already reached its annual goal of recruiting 61,000 active-duty soldiers, fueled by efforts to reach out to young Americans who historically have been unqualified to serve and likely a weakening economy. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have praised recruiting momentum as a sign of renewed patriotism among the nation's youth. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, credited the uptick to "a resurgence of pride in our country" and "a generation inspired by purpose and service." The service met the goal months ahead of schedule after it and the other military branches struggled in recent years with recruiting. The Army had set out to recruit 61,000 soldiers by the end of fiscal 2025, which is Sept. 30. Read Next: Hegseth Orders Navy to Strip Name of Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk from Ship The early success has prompted the Pentagon to consider the rare move of increasing the Army's end strength -- the total number of soldiers in its ranks. Among the options, the Pentagon could invoke a relatively obscure authority that allows the defense secretary to increase a service's end strength by up to 3% without congressional action. It is not yet clear what is driving the increase in recruiting after the Army and other services barely met their goals last year. But a variety of factors are likely at play. There is no evidence that the identity or rhetoric of any particular administration influences enlistment, as the motivation to serve is traditionally driven by economic opportunities and sometimes as a direct path for a young person to leave their hometown. The service also hit its less ambitious recruiting goal of 55,000 enlistments last year. Much of the Army's recruiting woes is attributable to a shrinking pool of young Americans eligible to serve. The Pentagon estimates just under one-quarter of 17- to 24-year-olds can meet enlistment standards, namely passing the SAT-style entrance exam and meeting body weight requirements. Some service officials and experts have tied recent recruiting struggles to the military being out of the cultural zeitgeist. A sharp increase in the number of required medical waivers has complicated the effort to bring Americans into the service -- driven in part by the implementation of Military Health System Genesis, a digital health record system that provides the military with unprecedented access to applicants' medical histories. Recruiters say the system often flags minor or outdated health issues, causing enlistments to stall or be denied unnecessarily. Internal Army data shows that medical waivers have nearly tripled, rising from 5,300 in 2022 to almost 15,000 in 2024. At the same time, the Army has relaxed some of its standards related to criminal history. In 2022, it approved the enlistment of 98 individuals with felony convictions -- a number that climbed to 401 in 2024. However, officials noted that applicants with convictions related to sexual offenses remain ineligible for service. But central to the turnaround is the Future Soldier Preparatory Courses, a program launched in 2022 that provides academic and fitness instruction for applicants who fall short of enlistment standards. As part of the prep courses, an applicant moves onto basic training once they're in compliance with service standards. As of Friday, 10,465 troops had gone through at least one of those courses this year, according to data provided by the service. The service loses nearly one-quarter of its fresh enlistees within the first two years of their contract, mostly due to injuries, health concerns or disciplinary problems, internal service data shows. Troops who attend the prep courses have about a 25% attrition rate, compared to 20% of soldiers who enlisted straight into basic training. Meanwhile, a softening economy could also factor into wider interest in military service. Trump's ongoing trade war and economic instability caused a 0.3% contraction in the U.S. economy in the first quarter of this year, the worst quarterly performance in three years. Youth unemployment has also edged upward as companies cut back on entry-level hiring amid volatility in the tech sector and the rapid rollout of artificial intelligence in some companies. Among the Army's recruits counted for this year, 11,000 joined last year through the delayed-entry program, which allows young applicants, primarily high school seniors, to commit to service early and ship to basic training after they graduate. That figure is more than double the program's usual size, a temporary surge made necessary by training backlogs last year. In response, the Army expanded the number of basic training companies this year to process the larger pipeline. For the rest of the fiscal year, all new recruits will be entered in the delayed-entry program and thus will be counted in next year's recruiting numbers. Related: 'Last Stop USA': How the Army Is Trying to Fill in for a Broken Education System The Navy will end all research studies that involve testing on dogs and cats after an intense campaign by activists, influencers and congressional members. Navy Secretary John Phelan announced last week that the service would halt the animal experiments and ordered a review of all medical research to ensure the studies align with ethical guidelines and "scientific necessity." "Today, it gives me great pleasure to terminate all Department of the Navy's testing on cats and dogs, ending these inhumane practices and saving taxpayer dollars," Phelan said in a statement on the social media platform X. Read Next: Hegseth Orders Navy to Strip Name of Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk from Ship The announcement follows a yearslong campaign by White Coat Waste Project, a nonprofit whose aim is to stop the U.S. government from using animals or funding research that harms animals, and to end several Defense Department studies, including Navy research on erectile dysfunction, constipation and incontinence in humans that used cats as subjects. As recently as last year, the Defense Department funded a research initiative using beagles to test an experimental drug, according to the group. The DoD banned the use of dogs in trauma training and weapons testing in the late 1980s but has used them in limited medical research. White Coat Waste estimates that the federal government spends $20 billion each year on research studies that involve dogs and cats. "We applaud Secretary Phelan, Secretary Hegseth and President Trump for first slashing the U.S. government's largest dog lab and now sending the Pentagon's cat and dog abuse to the litterbox of history. Defunding dog and cat labs has been our top priority for Trump 47," the group's founder and president, Anthony Bellotti, said in a statement. White Coat Waste announced in mid-May that the Pentagon halted funding for the Navy's $10.8 million medical research project on cats. The group credited conservative influencer Laura Loomer, who has called attention to the issue on her "Loomer Unleashed" podcast and social media platforms, and billionaire and presidential adviser Elon Musk for lobbying for change. "We exposed animal testing contracts at the Department of Defense, and @PeteHegseth and Secretary Phelan took immediate action to end these cruel and abusive taxpayer-funded experiments on innocent animals," Loomer wrote on X on May 28. "This is such an amazing victory toward the end of taxpayer-funded animal testing!" Last year, Congress signed legislation to end research at the Department of Veterans Affairs that used cats, dogs and primates. White Coat Waste began lobbying lawmakers to end the VA's use of live animals for experiments in 2017. After Phelan's announcement, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wrote the Navy secretary and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanking them for the change. But they asked that the ban be expanded to include the use of live animals for non-medical research, such as trauma training and weapons experiments. For example, according to PETA, the Navy continues to use mammals for decompression sickness and oxygen tests, while the Army is allowed to use mammals, including primates and marine mammals, in weapons testing. "Pigs, rats and other animals feel pain and fear just as dogs and cats do, and their torment in gruesome military experiments must end," PETA Vice President Shalin Gala said in a statement. "PETA appreciates the Trump administration's decision to stop the Navy's torture tests on dogs and cats, and we urge a broader ban across the Pentagon." PETA also has pressed the Pentagon to halt funding for research that involves animals at foreign institutions. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., reintroduced a bill last month that would end U.S. government funding of research that involves animals in China, including Hong Kong; Iran; North Korea; and Russia. "American taxpayer dollars should never fund dangerous, cruel experiments in animal research labs -- much less in China or other adversarial countries," McClain said in a statement. "This common-sense legislation ensures taxpayer dollars are not wasted on reckless research." "Hard-working taxpayers in eastern North Carolina and across America should not pay for risky experimentation in countries not subject to regular oversight and accountability," Democratic co-sponsor Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina, said in a news release. -- Pentagon reporter Konstantin Toropin contributed to this report. Related: Military Trauma Training on Live Pigs, Goats Sparks New Lawsuit Seeking Details Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to take the rare step of renaming a ship, one that bears the name of a gay rights icon, documents and sources show. Military.com reviewed a memorandum from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy -- the official who holds the power to name Navy ships -- that showed the sea service had come up with rollout plans for the renaming of the oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk. A defense official confirmed that the Navy was making preparations to strip the ship of its name but noted that Navy Secretary John Phelan was ordered to do so by Hegseth. The official also said that the timing of the announcement -- occurring during Pride month -- was intentional. Read Next: Overhauled Army Caisson Unit Conducts First Funeral Service at Arlington Following Suspension Military.com reached out to Hegseth's office for comment on the move but did not immediately receive a response. However, the memo reviewed by Military.com noted that the renaming was being done so that there is "alignment with president and SECDEF objectives and SECNAV priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture," apparently referencing President Donald Trump, Hegseth and Phelan. Milk became one of the first openly gay elected officials in U.S. history during the 1970s, making him an icon of the nascent gay civil rights movement, and was killed while serving on the board of supervisors in San Francisco. The renaming news was slated to become public June 13, according to the memo. A new name for the Harvey Milk was not given but, according to the memo, Hegseth and Phelan are planning to announce the new name aboard the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned Navy ship. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the former House Speaker who represents much of San Francisco, in a statement Tuesday called the decision to rename the ship "a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country." The Harvey Milk is a John Lewis-class oiler, a group of ships that are to be named after prominent civil rights leaders and activists. CBS reported Tuesday that the Navy is also considering renaming other John Lewis-class oilers including the USNS Thurgood Marshall, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and USNS Harriet Tubman. Both Marshall and Ginsburg were Supreme Court justices, and Tubman was a Black abolitionist who helped slaves escape the South via the Underground Railroad. Unlike the Milk, though, some of the ships being considered for renaming have yet to be completed. Pelosi called that possibility "a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream." "Our military is the most powerful in the world -- but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the 'warrior' ethos," she added. While there are some rare examples of Navy ships being renamed following construction and christening, those instances are outliers and, broadly, Navy traditions consider renaming a ship to be taboo. The most recent renaming occurred in 2023 when the Navy decided to rename the cruiser USS Chancellorsville and research ship USNS Maury -- two names with ties to the Confederacy -- to USS Robert Smalls and USNS Marie Tharp, respectively. Unlike the decision to rename the Harvey Milk, which was done on the orders of Hegseth, the recommendation to rename the two ships came from a commission that was created by Congress to study names with ties to the Confederacy across the entire military. The oiler was first named after Milk in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. Milk came from a family that had a history of naval service and he was commissioned as an officer in 1951, according to USNI News. Milk then served as a diving officer on the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake during the Korean War. He left the service as a lieutenant junior grade in 1955 with a "less than honorable" discharge "after being officially questioned about his sexual orientation," according to his official biography. Milk then went on to run for political office in California, winning a seat on the San Francisco board of supervisors in 1977. He was killed in office in 1978 shortly after passing a bill banning housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. His death transformed Milk into an icon in San Francisco and a martyr in the LGBTQ community. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. The USNS Harvey Milk is currently completing maintenance and refit work at a shipyard in Alabama that is expected to wrap up by the end of June. Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from Rep. Nancy Pelosi, as well as additional reporting by CBS News. The nature of Milk's discharge from the Navy was also corrected. Related: Hegseth Restricts Press Access at Pentagon, Says Journalists Will Be Required to Sign Pledge The 21st president of the United States, Chester A. Arthur, was largely a forgettable head of state, aside from his gigantic muttonchops. By contrast, his grandson is a completely different story. And that story includes a sex cult, a revolution and a bunch of hippies. Read Next: How Legendary Gen. John Pershing Fought a Racist Law ... and Won Born in 1901 and financially buoyed by a family fortune, Chester Alan "Gavin" Arthur III ping-ponged across the globe for much of his adulthood. His mother was a socialite and his father was a playboy who earned the moniker "The Prince of Washington" when his father was president. In Gavin's early 20s (and during the Roaring '20s), he was a devotee of the Omnipotent Oom, the famous (and infamous) guru of a popular-at-the-time tantric sex, magic and yoga group who also had a lot of really murky and creepy encounters with young women. After marrying his first wife and leaving the sex cult, Gavin dropped out of Columbia University and headed to Europe for his next adventure. He began calling himself "Gavin" while living in Ireland as a nationalist and activist, funneling money to the Irish Republican Army for guns and bail. At some point -- perhaps when Ireland gained its independence, although the details are a little murky -- Gavin left Ireland for Switzerland and started his movie career. He jumped from funding a revolution to making the avant-garde movie, "Borderline," with famed actor Paul Robeson. Shocking upon its release in 1930, "Borderline" is about an interracial, extramarital affair and is now considered an important cinematic work. And then Gavin headed to California, again with an itch to do something new and exciting. This time, he founded a colony of bohemians in the sand dunes of Pismo Beach called Moy Mell. The colony became a stop for artists and free thinkers as Gavin played host to luminaries such as John Steinbeck, Upton Sinclair and American composer John Cage, who would sit around beach bonfires and share their ideas and new works with the Dunites. After Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Moy Mell's Pacific Ocean beachfront became prime real estate for the Coast Guard. Gavin offered it to the service and then joined the Army, Navy or Merchant Marines (or some combination), depending on who tells the story. During the buttoned-up, post-war era, now middle-aged Gavin became an astrologer, a friend to many Beat Generation poets, a prison educator and -- when he found himself down on his luck -- a newspaper salesman. Throughout his life, Gavin was an out-and-proud bisexual man who called himself a "pre-hippie hippie." In the early 60s, it seemed as though the world was catching up to him. He wrote and published "The Circle of Sex," a quasi-scientific read about the spectrum of human sexuality that added "sexologist" to the growing list of his descriptors. As a leader of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood and an early gay rights activist, Gavin was involved in choosing the date for the now-famous Human Be-In through careful astrological divination. Gavin did his job well: Held on Jan. 14, 1967, the stars aligned, and the event drew between 20,000 and 30,000 young people from across the country. The Human Be-In skyrocketed the notoriety and popularity of the hippie movement, which had previously been local. An eclectic mix of notable cultural touchstones such as Allen Ginsberg, Dizzy Gillespie, the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Hell's Angels participated in the festivities. During the event, psychologist and psychedelic drug activist Timothy Leary famously directed the crowd to "turn on, tune in and drop out." The event became a cultural phenomenon, spawning other similar gatherings and setting the stage for the Summer of Love and the first U.S. rock festivals. In two years, the excitement of mass gatherings as both social and political demonstrations, which began with the Human Be-In, would lead to the most famous of all: Woodstock. In 1972, the 21st president of the United States' grandson died at the Fort Miley Veterans Hospital in San Francisco. It was perhaps the most conventional thing Gavin did in a life that was anything but. Want to Know More About the Military? Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. News / National by Staff reporter Actress and DJ Thuli Phongolo has come out to refute claims she is dating Zimbabwean businessman Scott Sakupwanya.This after controversial celebrity blogger Musa Khawula alleged the two were an item.Taking to her Instagram stories recently, Thuli poured water on the rumours, saying: "Let me indulge you for a sec. You guys need to stop trying to link me to people I wouldn't even consider dating. I'm not dating Scott Kupa. The end."Thuli P's Instagram story post. Image: Instagram/ Thuli PThis is not the first time Thuli has set the record straight on her relationship status after she was previously linked to different celebrities. In early 2021 she had to slam rumours about dating former president Jacob Zuma's son Duduzane Zuma.Thuli was then rumoured to be dating DJ and producer Master KG when she was often spotted in the comment section of his social media posts. She was later linked to DJ Maphorisa after videos of them holding hands and spending time together circulated on the timeline.While Thuli first shut down the rumours, the truth came to light that they were an item when she opened a case of assault against him. The Muskegon Channel walkway will be under repair for nearly a year. Construction will not impact the Muskegon State Park's Channel Campground. (Photo Courtesy of Tyler Leiprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC.) Tyler Leipprandt and Michigan Sk MUSKEGON, MI -- Parts of the popular walkway along the Muskegon Lake channel will be closed due to construction for nearly a year. The retaining wall along the channel has significant settling, lateral movement, tilting, and cracking of the concrete walkway, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. These settling impacts, in addition to small sinkholes behind the revetment with vegetation growing between the concrete joints, have prompted the first major renovation since 1985. Starting in late June, the entire west half of the north walkway will be enclosed with fencing and closure signs. This area is directly across from the USS Silversides Submarine Museum which encompasses a parking lot, public restroom and fishing pier. RELATED: Peer out the periscope, sleep next to torpedoes on a World War II submarine The Army Corps will demolish and replace the reinforced concrete walkway, replace the existing stone along the revetment, backfill sinkholes, and improve the surrounding areas directly around the revetment. This project will also entail refurbishing the existing railings along the walkway, according to the Army Corps. The public parking lot, restrooms and fishing pier will all be closed, however facilities will be provided away from the construction site for public use. Muskegon State Parks Channel Campground will not be affected by construction. The work is projected to last until May 2026, but the actual construction completion date may shift depending on how work proceeds or if additional scope is added, according to the Army Corps. The scope of this project, funded partially through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations, is to provide a cost-effective repair, according to the Army Corps. The Army Corps is working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on communicating future public closures. RELATED: How a Michigan beach town became home to a highly-decorated WWII submarine Elon Musk speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP WASHINGTON -- Now that his time in Washington is finished, billionaire Elon Musk is expressing his true feelings on a spending bill that passed last month in the House of Representatives. "Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination, Musk wrote on the social media platform X. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it." No House Democrats voted in favor of passing the bill. Musks criticism of the bill continued in another post. It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America(n) citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt, Musk wrote. Musk later reshared another post that claimed Congress is making America bankrupt. After passing the House, the bill was sent to the Senate where discussions surrounding it have been ongoing. Last week, Musk said he was disappointed to see how much the bill was projected to add to the U.S. deficit. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add $3.8 trillion to the deficit by 2034. President Donald Trump has routinely pressured Congress to pass his big, beautiful, bill despite concerns from Republican senators who also worry about adding to the deficit. Trump has also admitted there are portions of the bill that he likes and those that he doesnt. The public rebuke of the bill comes just days after Musk ended his time serving as a special government employee for Trumps administration. Musk was put in charge of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and tasked with eliminating wasteful government spending and reducing the overall size of the federal government. While campaigning for Trump last year, Musk claimed he would be able to trim $2 trillion in wasteful government spending. Shortly after Trump was elected, Musk dropped the number to $1 trillion and eventually admitted in April that the savings will likely be around $150 billion. In expressing his disappointment with the bill, Musk previously said it undermined the work he did at DOGE. On the shore of Pere Marquette Lake in Ludington, Waterfront Park features a playground, pavilion, benches, picnic tables, a gazebo, a boardwalk/fishing pier, views of the S.S. Badger, and a variety of sculptures that pay homage to the towns history. It also plays host to free summer concerts. Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com LUDINGTON, MI - More than a dozen free concerts are coming to this picturesque waterfront venue in Northern Michigan. Ludingtons Waterfront Park will play host to two concert series that combine for 14 concerts from June 18 to Sept. 3. There will be a mix of jazz, blues, soul, rock, pop and R&B performers. Most of the events are on Wednesdays with two on Saturdays. On the shore of Pere Marquette Lake, Waterfront Park features a playground, pavilion, benches, picnic tables, a gazebo, a boardwalk/fishing pier, views of the S.S. Badger car ferry, and a variety of sculptures that pay homage to the towns history. RELATED: Michigan beach town beats New York City in best outdoor concert series list The Wednesday concert series, which includes 12 shows, is presented by the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. The two Saturday shows are West Shore Banks Rhythm & Dunes Summer Concert Series. What could be better than gathering with new and old friends on the lush grass of Waterfront Park and listening to world renowned musicians perform, while taking in a breathtaking sunset and the evening arrival of the S.S. Badger, Andrew Skinner, executive director of the arts center, said in a statement. RELATED: Up North art trail through the woods has vibrant new additions Heres the lineup: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 18: The Rodney Whitaker Ensemble 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 25: Planet D Notet 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 2: The Seth Bernard Quartet 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 9: Snacks & Five 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16: Metro Soul Band 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 23: Sears & Sears Quintet 6 p.m., Saturday, July 26: Monsters of Yacht (yacht rock) 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 30: Steepwater Band 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2: Klay N The Mud (Pop Rock) 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6: East Bay Drive 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13: Dave Keller Band 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20: Greg Nagy Band 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27: Jeff Haas Big Fun Electric Band 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3: The Schleppinbop Kids Donations collected at the Wednesday concerts will support the Ludington Area Center for the Arts Summer Concert Series. Donations can also be made online here. Donations collected during the Rhythm & Dunes concerts support Mason County school music programs. Ludington is also home to the Live in the Plaza free concert series, which has more than 30 shows on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer. It recently beat New York City in a list of the top 10 best outdoor concert series in the United States. RELATED: 32 free summer concerts coming to charming plaza in Up North beach town Featuring folk, jazz and blues performances at Legacy Plaza in downtown Ludington, the series came in No. 6 in the Best Outdoor Concert Series of 2025 list by USA Today 10Best. An NYC series came in at No. 9. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the rain after arriving on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md.. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP WASHINGTON -- The Education Department has paused a plan to garnish Social Security payments for beneficiaries who are in default on their student loans. The decision was confirmed by the department in a statement issued to Newsweek. The move comes just as the first round of June Social Security payments were expected to hit bank accounts. This months Social Security payment schedule lists payment dates of June 3, 11, 18 and 25. For several weeks, the Education Department and the Treasury Department warned millions of Americans that their Social Security benefits were at risk under the Treasury Offset Program. That program allows for the Treasury Department to collect federal debts through the garnishment of Social Security payments, tax refunds, regular wages and more. Up to 15% of a beneficiarys Social Security payment can be garnished per month, but the minimum payment must be for $750. A student loan is considered to be in default after it has not been paid for 270 days or more. According to the Associated Press, an estimated 5.3 million borrowers are currently in default and another 4 million are between 91 and 180 days late on their payments. Less than 40% of all borrowers are up-to-date on their loan payments. The offset program had been on pause since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pause was extended under former President Joe Biden. Earlier this year, under the direction of President Donald Trump, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the offset program would resume and collections would start as early as June. American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies, McMahon said in April. An estimated 195,000 borrowers who are in default were expected to receive the first round of notices, alerting them that their wages and benefits were subject to garnishment. When the restart was announced, the Education Department said it expected to issue 5.3 million notices by the end of summer. The decision to garnish wages is part of an overhaul of the department by Trump that ultimately aims to shutter the department entirely. Critics of the decision pointed out the anticipated harm it would do to older Americans. A report compiled in January by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found 452,000 people aged 62 and older are in default on their student loans. With the Social Security garnishments now on pause, a spokesperson for the Education Department told Newsweek that the department will proactively contact recipients about affordable loan repayment options in the coming weeks. The Education Department advises borrowers struggling to make payments to contact the Default Resolution Group to learn about options that can help. The department says the DRG can assist borrowers in making payments, enrolling in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, or signing up for loan rehabilitation. Fire crews were called around 5:12 p.m., Sunday, June 1, 2025, to an apartment fire on Island Drive Court in Ann Arbor. Provided by the Ann Arbor Fire Department ANN ARBOR, MI -- An apartment fire in Ann Arbor caused $100,000 in damage, according to officials. Fire crews were called around 5:12 p.m., Sunday, June 1, to an apartment fire on Island Drive Court, the Ann Arbor fire department said in a release on social media. The area is home to Island Drive Apartments. Scenes during the annual Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July parade and State Street District Spray Park in downtown Ann Arbor on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Rebecca Villagracia | MLive.com ANN ARBOR, MI Plans are now set for a parade, spray park and 5K to celebrate the Fourth of July in Ann Arbor, as well as a summer carnival in June. City Council voted 9-0 Monday night, June 2, to OK street closures and logistical plans for the various events. A solar carport at Ann Arbor's Burns Park. More big solar arrays are coming to various city properties. MLive file photo. Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News ANN ARBOR, MI Ann Arbor is continuing efforts to go solar at city facilities, hoping to inspire other property owners. City Council voted 9-0 Monday night, June 2, to OK contracts to install solar panels at the Larcom City Hall and Justice Center complex downtown, Fire Station 1 across the street and Bicentennial Park off Ellsworth Road. The view of Burton Memorial Tower, State Street and the University of Michigan Diag in an MLive file photo. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com Update: Harmful fungus? What to know about Chinese scholars who smuggled pathogen into U.S. DETROIT, MI - A Chinese scholar at University of Michigan and her boyfriend worked to smuggle a biological pathogen into the United States, according to a federal criminal complaint unsealed on Tuesday. The FBI charged doctoral student Yunqing Jian and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu with conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling goods into the country, visa fraud and making false statements to investigators, according to the June 2 complaint made in U.S. District Court in Detroit. The agent who filed the complaint wrote about how both Jian and Liu were studying a pathogen that could target food crops. Liu, also a Chinese national, was caught on July 27 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport illegally smuggling the pathogen into the country, the agent reported. This unsealed criminal complaint comes less than a week after Haoxiang Gao, the student charged with illegally voting in the 2024 election, was charged with a felony for fleeing the country to avoid prosecution. Read more: University of Michigan student fled to China after illegal vote in 2024 election Jian received her doctorate in plant pathogens from Zhejiang University, the complaint states. She received money from a Chinese foundation with backing from the Chinese government to conduct research on a fungus known as Fusarium graminearum, the complaint states. Fusarium graminearum causes head blight, a disease that can devastate wheat, barley, maize and rice, the agent reported in the complaint. It is considered an agroterrorism weapon, according to the journal Food Security. Fusarium graminearum is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year, the agent reported. The toxins produced by Fusarium graminearum cause vomiting, liver damage and reproductive defects in livestock and humans. Liu researches the same pathogen, the agent wrote. When Customs and Border Protection officers questioned him on July 27, he made false statements about the purpose of his visit to the U.S. and his knowledge of the pathogen in his possession, the agent continued. Ultimately, Liu admitted to smuggling the pathogen and stated that he brought the pathogen into the United States so that he could conduct research on it at a laboratory at the University of Michigan where his girlfriend, Jian, worked, the agent wrote. After Liu admitted to smuggling, agents interviewed Jian. She said she knew nothing about Lius smuggling or his intention to conduct research of the pathogen, the agent wrote. This justified false statement charges, the agent wrote, since an examination of Liu and Jians electronic communications showed the two discussing the shipment of biological materials to her university laboratory. A message to university spokespeople requesting Jians enrollment status was not immediately returned. In a statement on its website, the University of Michigan condemned actions that aim to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine UMs public mission. As one of the worlds leading public research institutions, the University of Michigan is dedicated to advancing knowledge, solving challenging problems and improving nearly every facet of the human experience, the institution said. Our research enterprise across all three campuses is united in this commitment to serving the people of Michigan and the world. ... It is important to note that the university has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals. We have and will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter Five decades after Zimbabwe defied international regulations by continuing to use the pesticide Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), alarming signs of ecological and human health damage are emerging - most notably in the Zambezi Valley, one of the country's most vital ecosystems.Among the most disturbing developments is the detection of DDT traces in the breast milk of women living in Nyamhunga, a densely populated suburb in the lakeside town of Kariba. This discovery underscores growing fears about the long-term impact of the pesticide on public health, particularly among vulnerable groups.Despite global consensus on the dangers of DDT - culminating in bans across much of the world - Zimbabwe persisted with its use of the chemical for mosquito and tsetse fly control, citing its affordability and efficacy. While the country formally banned DDT in agriculture in 2001, its application for public health purposes, particularly malaria control, continues under strict regulation.Health officials in Kariba have launched investigations into DDT's health impact, using breast milk sampling as an alternative method to autopsies and biopsies for detecting pesticide residues in human tissue. Though the initial findings are inconclusive, further testing is underway.Historical records show the extent of Zimbabwe's reliance on DDT. The Ministry of Health and Child Care, along with the Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Control Branch under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, began using chlorinated hydrocarbons like DDT in the late 1960s. Between 1978 and 1989, DDT use averaged 200 tons per year, peaking at 442 tons in 1986. By 1990, over 68,000 square kilometres - mainly in the Zambezi Valley - had been treated with DDT, with some areas sprayed more than a dozen times.Ecological methods, including clearing riverine vegetation and targeting wildlife hosts, have been used alongside chemical treatments to manage tsetse fly populations. However, the long-term environmental toll has been staggering.Dr. Lightone Marufu, an aquatic ecologist at the University of Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba Research Station, highlighted DDT's far-reaching impact on local biodiversity. "DDT can cause thinning of eggshells in birds of prey and crocodiles, possibly leading to reproductive failures and biodiversity losses," he said.Evidence of this damage is mounting. A study on African Goshawks revealed significant population declines in areas where DDT was applied. Similarly, fish sampled from Lake Kariba showed elevated DDT residues, with implications for both wildlife and the communities that rely on fishing for livelihood and nutrition."DDT disrupts sex hormone function, which affects reproductive health across species," Dr. Marufu added.The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority also reported a sharp decline in woodland bird populations in DDT-treated areas. Of 22 bird species monitored, eight showed significantly lower numbers - underscoring the pesticide's widespread ecological effects.Despite the known risks, DDT remains in limited use for vector control. Officials at the Blair Research Laboratory noted that alternatives are available, though their long-term effectiveness remains under review due to concerns over developing pest resistance.Dr. Marufu believes future efforts must include environmental cleanup initiatives such as bioremediation to remove or neutralize DDT from soil and water systems. "There's a great need for environmentally friendly pest control methods," he said. "But this requires partnerships, stakeholder cooperation, and policy shifts that prioritize both human and ecosystem health."As Zimbabwe confronts the unintended consequences of its historical reliance on DDT, the balance between public health and environmental sustainability hangs in the balance. Without urgent intervention and strategic policy reform, the cost of DDT may continue to be paid by future generations and the fragile ecosystems they depend on. University of Michigan President Santa Ono speaks during the University of Michigans 2025 Spring Commencement at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, May 3 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com ORLANDO, Fla. - Santa Ono was rejected in his bid to become the University of Florida president in a Tuesday Board of Governors vote. The Florida state university systems Board of Governors met June 3 at the University of Central Florida campus in Orlando to approve a motion to confirm Ono as president. The motion failed in a 6-10 vote, thus denying Onos appointment. Ono, who announced his departure as University of Michigans president on May 4, had previously been unanimously approved to be president by the University of Floridas Board of Trustees. Ono faced conservative backlash for his previous support throughout his career of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Donald Trump Jr. and possible Florida gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds voiced opposition to Onos presidency. Read more: Santa Ono explains why hes leaving University of Michigan for Florida In a letter published May 8 in Inside Higher Education, Ono explained why he left Ann Arbor for Gainesville. He wrote that he supported the original intent of DEI to ensure equal opportunity and fairness for every student. But over time, I saw how DEI became something elsemore about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student success," Ono wrote. 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. Ono oversaw cuts to the universitys long-standing diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This includes March moves to discontinue UMs DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan and close its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Office for Health Equity and Inclusion. UM-Dearborns Domenico Grasso assumed Onos role as UM president on May 15. A spokesperson for the University of Michigan did not immediately respond to request for comment. "He doesnt believe in anythingjust auditions for approval in whatever room hes in." Fran Lebowitz Jordan Acker (@JordanAckerMI) June 3, 2025 Other UM officials were also mum in response to the news of Onos Florida rejection as of early Tuesday night, and several university regents did immediately respond to a request for comment. Regent Jordan Acker appeared to reference the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, posting the Fran Lebowitz quote, He doesnt believe in anythingjust auditions for approval in whatever room hes in. State Rep. Carrie Rheingans, D-Ann Arbor, replied to Ackers post, as well as several others about the University of Florida governors decision, with a link to a UM alumni career blog entry about recovering from job rejection. Acker later replied, Representative. Well done. This is a developing story. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. Flint Police Chief Terence Green, left, and Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley are pictured at a news conference in this MLive file photo. (Jake May | MLive.com) Jake May | MLive.com This story has been updated to add responses from the city and the Flint Police Department. FLINT, MI Four plaintiffs, including Flint council candidate Beverly Biggs-Leavy and activist Jedidiah Brown, have filed a federal lawsuit against several city officials after a peaceful protest on Sunday afternoon turned physical. A person walks into City Hall, Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Flint City Hall, 1101 Saginaw Street, Flint, MI. (Nico Mendoza | MLive.com) (This story has been updated to correct a date.) FLINT, MI -- A flood of Flint police officers walled off City Council members from angry protesters during a meeting that dissolved into chaos on Monday, June 2. FLINT, MI - Flint residents will soon have a simpler way to file city income taxes thanks to a new partnership between the City of Flint and the Michigan Department of Treasury. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the state will take over processing Flints city income tax returns, making tax filing faster, more accurate, and more convenient for taxpayers. The change will apply to tax filings for the 2026 tax year and beyond. Under the new agreement, the state will process all individual, corporate, partnership, and fiduciary income tax returns, as well as collect and enforce income tax withholding. Flint becomes only the second city in Michigan after Detroit to have its local taxes administered by the state. Partnering with the Michigan Department of Treasury will provide Flint taxpayers with streamlined services and reflects our commitment to efficient and effective governance, Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in a statement. I look forward to building our relationship with the State of Michigan to better serve Flint taxpayers. Current city income tax rates will remain unchanged: 1% for residents and 0.5% for non-residents who work in Flint. Under the new system, Flint taxpayers will be able to electronically file and pay their city income taxes at the same time as their state returns using a single, state-run portal. The combined filing process will offer several benefits: Online account management and filing Faster tax refunds and increased accuracy Centralized support via phone, email, and messaging This is a win for both residents and city governments, State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said in a statement. Using state mechanisms to file and pay tax returns makes it easier for taxpayers and city administrators. Imagine being able to electronically file both your state and city income tax returns at the same time. All tax business can be done in one place at one time. Detroits income tax revenue increased by 54% since it began a similar agreement with the state in 2015 - a result attributed to both improved administration and economic growth. Until the transition takes effect, Flint taxpayers will continue working directly with the citys Income Tax Division to file and pay taxes. For more information, contact the City of Flint Income Tax Division at 810-766-7015 or visit www.cityofflint.com/income-tax-division. A welfare check in Gaines Township led to 12 weapons being seized from the home of a man who recently pleaded guilty to domestic assault. (Photo provided by Michigan State Police) (Photo provided by Michigan State Police) GENESEE COUNTY, MI A welfare check in Gaines Township led to 12 weapons being seized from the home of a man who recently pleaded guilty to domestic assault. Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched to the home on Saturday, May 31, after receiving a call that the suspect had threatened to kill several family members. Michael Sterling Sr. shakes hands with civil rights attorney Ven Johnson as Andrica Cage is comforted by a after a court hearing ex-MSP Sgt. Brian Keely. Last week a federal judge dismissed the murder charge against a former state police trooper, Brian Keely, who struck and killed their son Samuel in April of 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI The disappointment on Michael Sterling Sr. and Andrica Cages faces was still apparent. Less than a week ago, Sterling and Cage learned a federal judge dismissed charges against a former state police trooper who struck and killed their 25-year-old son, Samuel Sterling. This fight is not over, Cage said. God has his reasons why hes doing what hes doing. RELATED: Judge dismisses murder charge against ex-trooper in death of fleeing fugitive The father wore a silver chain with his sons photo placed in a locket. The mother donned a white T-shirt featuring her sons face. They sat in a conference room Tuesday, June 3, in the JW Marriott Grand Rapids still processing their disbelief. U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou in Lansing issued a ruling May 28 on a defense motion to dismiss charges against Brian Keely, 51, in the death of Samuel Sterling, who was fleeing members of a federal fugitive task force. Keely faced second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges. The judge ruled that Keely should be granted immunity under the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution because he was acting as part of a U.S. Marshals task force. RELATED: Murder charge dismissal for ex-Michigan trooper sends troubling message, lawyer says Sterlings parents spoke with media outlets on Tuesday for the first time since the ruling. Cage remembered her son as a loving, happy person as well as an aspiring rapper. He was going to make it big and help as many people as he could, Cage said. He was the next one out of Grand Rapids. However, Sterling was killed the day before he was set to sign a record deal, his mother said. Keely was part of a fugitive team trying to arrest Sterling near 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue on April 17, 2024. Sterling ran on foot from officers and Keely drove an unmarked vehicle in pursuit. As Sterling ran next to a Burger King, Keely maneuvered his unmarked police vehicle to try to pull in front of Sterling. RELATED: Ex-sergeant claims immunity in death of fleeing suspect, Samuel Sterling He struck Sterling and briefly pinned him against the building wall. Sterling later died. The video speaks for itself, Michael Sterling said. It was clear that Brian Keely intended to kill my son, but I knew what the outcome was going to be. Keely was originally charged with second-degree murder in Kentwood District Court by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The case was moved to federal court once the judge determined Keely was acting as a federal agent under the U.S. Marshals Service. As Nessels office reviews appellate options, Sterlings parents are ready for whatever fight is in front of them. Yet, the mother and father dont think they will ever see true justice. You cant bring my son back, so theres really no justice, Cage said. Sterlings parents were joined Tuesday by Ven Johnson, an attorney representing the family in a civil lawsuit, and Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack. In his decades of practice, Johnson said hes never seen a case like this. RELATED: Police troopers release after hearing on murder charge is slap in the face for mans family When there is an injustice, we shine the bright light of truth, transparency and justice on it, Johnson said. We cant control the outcome of every court proceeding, but when something that is wrong occurs, by showing the truth and wrongness I think it helps us get back on the pathway for justice, he added. Womack has supported the Sterling parents since their son was killed. He said the dismissal has sent a bad message to the youth that their lives dont matter. Johnson expects Keelys attorney to file a motion asking the civil case be tossed because criminal charges have been dropped. Johnson said he will fight any challenges along the way. 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. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is upgrading its body-worn camera technology for its officers. This MLive file photo shows an officer wearing an Axon body camera. The Bay City Times KENT COUNTY, MI The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is getting new body cameras, cruiser cameras, updated Tasers and a new AI report-writing service as part of big technology upgrade. Police Chief Kimberly Koster said the new AI feature will save report-writing time, giving officers more time to be out in the streets serving residents. The Wyoming City Commission approved a new 10-year, $5.9 million technology contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. on Monday, June 2. The city is currently halfway through a 10-year contract with Axon, but this new contract will replace that one, an Axon sales representative told commissioners Monday. Wyoming began equipping its police officers with Axon body camera in 2020. Since then, Axon has improved its camera technology to increase officer efficiency, and Wyoming has added more officers to its staff, requiring more body-worn and in-car cameras. That resulted in the city deciding to consider entering a new 10-year contract to upgrade its technology. Heres a look at some of the changes coming with the new contract: Additional nine new body-worn cameras, bringing total to 103 across the department Adding five in-car cameras, bringing total to 33 Implementing new VR (virtual reality) training for officer preparedness and empathy training Adding 23 Taser devices and upgrading to newer models for 100 total New AI with tools like AI report writing, live translation, transcription services and more Koster said body cameras and in-car cameras are vital pieces of technology that provide transparency and accountability to the public while also protecting officers from liabilities. I wouldnt work without a body cam, in this day and age, she told commissioners Monday. The new artificial intelligence report-writing software can save up to 50% of time that officers typically spend writing incident reports, Axon sales representative Kyle Hites told the city commission. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety spends an estimated 30,515 hours writing reports annually. By using AI, officers could have more time to proactively patrol their districts, attend community events and conduct traffic enforcement. Investigative staff could have more time to take on greater caseloads, the chief said. Police officers would still have to review the reports themselves to make sure the information was accurate, she said. The AI transcription and redaction assistant is also expected to significantly reduce the time spent preparing videos for FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests. If the city had waited until its current contract was over to sign a new one, it would be estimated to cost over $10 million, according to the memo presented to city commissioners Monday. The invoice for the first year of the new contract will be $505,942.25. The Kentwood Police Department and the Kent County Sheriffs Office also contract with Axon for the AI-writing services, Hites said. 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. St. Joseph Junior Foundation sailors practice on Lake Michigan most days, weather permitting. Ken Zimmerman and Keith Sawyer ST. JOSEPH, MI Sailboats paint a picturesque scene each summer at the mouth of the St. Joseph River and into Lake Michigan. Some tourists may prefer snapping photos from the shore. But for adventurous landlubbers looking to earn their sea legs, the St. Joseph Junior Foundation offers private lessons. City commissioners advocated for the Smith-Ryerson Park stop to ensure residents furthest from Lake Michigan could utilize the free transportation service running through Aug. 31. The new beach shuttle service in Muskegon has a stop on the city's eastern side at Smith-Ryerson Park in the Jackson Hill neighborhood. Kayla Tucker MUSKEGON, MI - A stop on the eastern side of Muskegon has been added to the citys new beach shuttle service. Those seeking to ride the shuttle can access it off of a new stop on Sumner Avenue at Smith-Ryerson Park, 650 Wood St. Drivers can park their vehicles in the parks large lot, offering free parking and potential carpooling options. Riders can then hop on the shuttle, run by Pioneer Resources, to downtown, the Lakeside neighborhood, the Pere Marquette beach and back. READ MORE: Free beach shuttle in Muskegon launches for Memorial Day weekend A beach circulator shuttle, run by Muskegon Area Transportation System (MATS), will also cycle around five parks along Lake Michigan. The free beach shuttles will run through Aug. 31. Hours of operation will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The buses will be at each stop two to three times per hour. When the beach shuttle was approved, city commissioners advocated for residents on the east side of the city, the furthest from Lake Michigan, to have closer access to the shuttle service. I have concerns for residents in core city areas that really cant afford to drive downtown or have the transportation to get there, said Willie German, Ward 2 commissioner. German had suggested Smith-Ryerson Park in the Jackson Hill neighborhood as a potential stop for the Downtown to Beach Connector bus. Smith-Ryerson Park is located at 650 Wood Street in Muskegon. Kayla Tucker The park is highly used by residents and has a new playground. Other east side stops considered were at Aamodt Charter Park and the former farmers market location on Yuba Street. Mayor Ken Johnson said its important residents have access to the natural resources where they live. Transportation can be a limiting factor, so its helpful to have additional transportation options that not only allow our residents to access their natural resources but be able to access other neighborhoods and business districts around them, Johnson said. For more detail and a map of the shuttle stops, click here. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. Smokey Jose's is gearing up to open in the former home of the Copper Post, 100 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven, after the restaurant closed in January. Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com GRAND HAVEN A popular Mackinac Island barbecue restaurant is getting new life this summer in Grand Haven. Smokey Joses, a popular destination for scratch-made barbecue, Mexican food and margaritas, is gearing up to reopen June 13 inside the former home of the Copper Post restaurant at 100 Washington Ave. Restaurant owner and serial entrepreneur Jack Armstrong closed Smokey Joses on Mackinac Island after he and his wife Terrie moved down to the lower peninsula in 2023. The husband-and-wife duo had lived on the island for 25 years. They owned six businesses there during that time, including Mackinac Island Event Planning, Cannonball Catering, Cannonball Drive Inn, Smokey Joses, Mackinac Island Tuxedo and Mens Wear, and Somewear on Mackinac, a womens boutique at The Grand Hotel. Now splitting his time between homes in Bear Lake and Grand Haven, Armstrong is looking to bring back the popular restaurant blending barbecue and bourbon with tacos and tequila. Grand Haven is such an exceptional little city, Armstrong said. The people here are friendly, theyre business friendly, so it was something that we wanted to be part of. The bulk of renovations are almost complete, including a fresh coat of paint and all-new flooring, furniture, decor and kitchen equipment, but Armstrong said he has more planned for the space. We couldnt do everything we wanted to do and still open in June, he said. So, were going to shut down for next February and finish off the remodeling on the other side new flooring, new countertops and a new display in the bar that we just couldnt get done this time. The new Smokey Joses will have seating for 100 people inside and approximately 40 outside during the warmer months. The restaurant will have a food truck in the back of the building serving quick, grab-and-go items. There also will be a walk-up window at the front of the building where customers can order food as well as beverages to go within the downtown Grand Haven social district. Downtown Grand Havens social district encompasses Washington Avenue from Harbor to Third streets. Businesses within the district can serve customers alcoholic beverages to-go, as long as they stay within the social district boundaries. The Grand Haven City Council approved Smokey Joses social district permit on Monday, June 2. Smokey Joses has hired about 55 people in anticipation for the grand opening. The restaurant will spend a week training kitchen and wait staff to get them acquainted with all the menu items so customers get consistent quality, Armstrong said. Weve got a great wait staff, a strong kitchen, so our product should be really, really good, Armstrong said. I think people are going to be really happy with it. Smokey Joses prides itself on its scratch kitchen and craft bar, which means all ingredients down to the mixers, sauces and salad dressings are made in-house, Armstrong said. We get a much nicer product that way, he said. Were really pumped to be here in Grand Haven. The Copper Post closed in January after six years of business due to a leasing disagreement, restaurant owner Doug Vanse said. When the doors first opened, Vanse and five business partners at the time signed onto a five-year lease with an option to buy, Vanse said. When the lease ended, the 76-year-old Vanse was the last investor still with the business, and although he had great vision for the building he didnt want to commit to purchasing it. Multiple building owners and possible business tenants have been considered in the six months prior to the Copper Posts closure, building owner Ralph Allen said. We just have to pivot and move forward, Allen said in January. For us, its just a fabulous location and amazing history. We just want somebody to bring an amazing venue to Grand Haven. Thats our goal. 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. News / National by Staff reporter Water levels in Lake Kariba have shown a modest but encouraging rise, providing cautious optimism for improved hydropower generation in Zimbabwe and Zambia.According to the latest update from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), the lake's level stood at 478.39 meters above sea level as of June 2, 2025. This marks a noticeable increase from the 477.35 meters recorded on the same date in 2024, signaling gradual recovery driven by increased inflows from the upper catchment of the Zambezi River.While the increase may appear marginal, it represents a positive shift following prolonged periods of low water levels that had severely threatened electricity production and water security across the region.The ZRA also reported a significant improvement in usable live storage volume - the portion of water available for power generation. Currently, this volume stands at 13.06 billion cubic meters (BCM), up from 8.30 BCM recorded a year earlier. This translates to 20.16% of the reservoir's live storage capacity now available for electricity generation, compared to just 12.82% in 2024.Lake Kariba is engineered to operate within a range of 475.50 meters (minimum operating level) to 488.50 meters (full supply level), with a 0.70-meter freeboard to safeguard against overflow. At maximum capacity, the lake can hold 181 BCM of water, with 65 BCM categorized as live storage - the volume used for energy production between minimum and full supply levels.As of now, the lake's level is 2.89 meters above the minimum operating threshold, suggesting that just under 3 meters of the usable live storage band is currently filled out of a potential 13 meters. This confirms that while the situation is improving, the reservoir still remains significantly below its optimal capacity.Authorities remain cautiously hopeful that continued inflows during the coming months will further bolster water levels, helping to stabilize the region's energy supply, which heavily depends on the Kariba hydropower station. Photo provided to MLive by the City of Grand Haven Mayor Bob Monetza said the community has "been waiting for a long time" for a viable hotel project downtown. A rendering of the five-story Marriott hotel proposed for downtown Grand Haven. Photo provided to MLive by the City of Grand Haven GRAND HAVEN, MI - Plans for a Marriott hotel downtown Grand Haven were met with optimism and excitement by city leaders this week. The Grand Haven City Council unanimously approved a zoning change and preliminary plans for a Residence Inn by Marriott, 233 Washington Ave., during its Monday, June 2, meeting. We have been waiting for a long time in this community for a viable hotel project to be proposed downtown, said Mayor Bob Monetza. We have a genuine need for it. The hotel would likely open by 2027. It is expected to bring in visitors who will spend $18 million annually in the local economy. There is intentionally no bar or restaurant inside the hotel to encourage visitors to explore options nearby. The zoning change will be back for a second and final vote by the council June 16. The 126-room, five-story hotel is planned for the citys central downtown area within walking distance of a variety of local shops and restaurants, as well as the waterfront. The site is next door to the Jumpin Java coffee shop. Parking and traffic congestion were the primary concerns brought up by residents who opposed the hotel or had concerns with the current design. In order to maintain the charm that Grand Haven offers, I think we need to be careful about whats planned, said Larry Hall. He moved to the lakeshore town from Grand Rapids for its smaller feel. Another speaker recommended the hotel be built outside of downtown and closer to U.S. 31. Peter Beukema, CEO/Founder of 6PM Hospitality Partners, one of the project developers, said parking tends to be a huge challenge with every project. Weve been trying to be unique in ways to solve the parking, Beukema said, describing potential street parking agreements, shared parking lots and passes for city-owned lots. BDR Custom Homes owns the building, which was most recently a Fifth Third Bank before it became a multi-use office space. Monetza strongly discouraged using street parking for hotel residents, as its unpredictable and would require zoning law changes. Beukema said the hotel will have an average 60% occupancy throughout the nine non-summer months, when the 89 parking spots built into the hotel design are expected to be enough. Local historian Wally Ewing advocated for the preservation of some of the existing architecture - like pillars - of the Grand Haven State Bank that used to exist on the site. It would be a shame, first, to lose that architectural feature downtown, which I think is so attractive and important, but also the history of Grand Haven State Bank would be diminished. Beukema said the development team will see what options they have for preserving the historic pieces of the structure, although they are deteriorating. Monetza also suggested the possibility of a resident committee taking the lead in relocating the pillars to a new location, or possibly Sherwood Forest, a small greenspace that will remain a pocket park through the construction of a new hotel. READ MORE: Marriott hotel proposed for downtown Grand Haven Other downtown residents and business owners expressed excitement for what the hotel could bring. Ill be looking at this building across the street when its built and you know what? I can hardly wait, said Roger Bergman, former Grand Haven mayor, Ottawa county commissioner and current downtown resident of 27 years. Your property values would diminish if we didnt have a vibrant downtown. Bergman, like other residents and business owners, said parking isnt necessarily a problem downtown. Weve never not found a parking place, Bergman said. We might have to walk a ways. Thats the problem - people dont like to walk and look for a parking spot. City leaders noted parking reaches peak congestion during the summer, and especially during the Coast Guard Festival in late July and into early August. Business owners said they eagerly welcome a hotel, which would bring in more visitors year-round. We would love to have a parking problem a whole lot more than a couple weeks throughout the year, said Sharon Behm, co-owner of Borrs Shoes and Accessories, 214 Washington Ave. Some business owners said theyve heard from tourists that they want to stay downtown, but end up staying in bigger hotels in surrounding communities. Councilmember Mike Fritz noted the city was coming full circle by establishing a new hotel at the site where a five-story hotel used to exist in the 1800s before it burned down. His dream is to see cruise ships docking in the city, rather than just passing through. If we had somewhere for them to come and spend a few days, itd be a great opportunity to make our downtown shine, Fritz said. I think its a great opportunity for us to move forward. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. Mayor Chris Girard on Monday, June 2, read a proclamation before the city commission recognizing the month as Pride Month across the city and encouraged residents to celebrate with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. (Nico Mendoza | MLive.com) BAY CITY, MI June is Pride Month in Bay City. Mayor Chris Girard on Monday, June 2, read a proclamation before the city commission recognizing the month as Pride Month across the city and encouraged residents to celebrate with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Our nation was founded on the principle of equal rights for all people, Girard said, reading from the proclamation. But the fulfillment of this promise has been long in coming for many Americans. Some of the most inspiring moments in our history have risen from the various civil rights movements that have brought one group after another from the margins to the mainstream of American society. The city of Bay City supports the right of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination. Related: Great Lakes Bay Region plans full slate of LGBTQ2S+ events for Pride Month Pride month aims to recognize the movement toward equal rights for the 2SLGBTQ+ community by honoring a historic turning point that occurred on June 28, 1969, in New York City, with the onset of the Stonewall Riots. During the riots, led by transgender women of color, the queer community rose and fought back against discriminatory laws that have since been declared unconstitutional. Pride celebrations have taken place around the country every June to commemorate the beginning of the Stonewall Riots. As such, it may seem a sure thing for the city to recognize the month. However, Pride events across the nation have faced budgetary shortfalls as large organization withdraw support and funding amid national attacks against Diversity, Equity and Inclusive movements. Locally, the Genesee County Board of Commissioners was divided in its vote on whether to recognize the month. 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. EMERSON TWP, MI A house fire in Gratiot County has claimed the lives of a man and a 2-year-old girl. About 1:20 a.m. on Monday, June 2, sheriffs deputies and Alma police officers responded to a residential fire in the 4000 block of North Royce Road in Emerson Township. Dispatchers advised several people were still inside the residence. Upon deputies arrival, they confirmed three people were still inside the burning home. Police and firefighters worked together to extricate the people, including a 33-year-old St. Louis man who was taken to an area hospital. He died of his injuries, Sheriff Tom Clark confirmed. Four minor children were also taken to several care facilities for treatment, including a 2-year-old girl who was flown to Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital in Grand Rapids. She died later the same day from injuries suffered during the blaze, Clark said. Clark did not divulge the name of either decedent. Investigators do not believe the fires origins to be suspicious, though a probe is underway, he added. Deputies and Alma police were assisted at the scene by firefighters from Ithaca, Alma, St. Louis, and Breckenridge, Mobile Medical Response, and the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit. 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. SAGINAW, MI A Saginaw man accused of keeping a woman captive and subjecting her to hours of violence has to wait a tad longer for his day in court. Deran F. Henton, 38, on Monday, June 2, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge David D. Hoffman for a preliminary examination. Witnesses were not called to testify, however, as defense attorney Robert L. Robinson Jr. submitted a motion to withdraw from the case. SAGINAW, MI Was a methamphetamine-addled woman criminally responsible for the line-of-duty death of Michigan State Police Trooper Joel E. Popp? Thats the question a jury must answer, a year-and-a-half after Popp suffered fatal injuries while responding to the womans stopped car on a busy highway. The trial of 33-year-old Brooke L. Allen begins with jury selection on Tuesday, June 3. Allen is charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year felony. House Republicans have introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in an effort to remove her from office. State Rep. James DeSana, R-Carleton, on Tuesday, June 3, introduced three articles of impeachment against Benson alleging corrupt conduct in office and crimes and misdemeanors. The impeachment resolution claims Benson has repeatedly exceeded her authority, acted with insufficient transparency and abused her position as secretary of state. It further alleges Benson has issued guidance and taken action in violation of the states laws and constitution and ignored concerns about election integrity. Specific allegations include claims that Benson unconstitutionally banned open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places, deleted poll book data ahead of when she was legally supposed to, threatened local boards of canvassers who wouldnt certify elections, maintained differing copies of voter data and more. The impeachment resolution was co-sponsored by state Reps. Joseph Fox, R-Fremont, Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, Matt Maddock, R-Milford, Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, and Rachelle Smit, R-Martin. It wasnt immediately clear if House Republicans, which hold a majority in the chamber, plan to bring the articles of impeachment to a vote. A spokesperson for House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, declined to say. DeSana said he and Hall are on the same page, sharing the belief that only the legislature is the last remaining body to hold Secretary Benson accountable. However, Hall hasnt given any assurances that the impeachment question will be put to a vote, DeSana said. If approved by the House, the state Senate would hold an impeachment trial at the end of the legislative session. The threat of impeachment represents another escalation in the months-long feud between House Republicans and Benson, a Democrat who is a frontrunner for governor in 2026, according to a new poll. Related: You cannot bully me, Jocelyn Benson says as House Republicans threaten litigation DeSana was asked Tuesday whether the impeachment threat could be seen as a political move, given Bensons campaign for governor. Whether its viewed as political or not, my people sent me here to uphold the law, to make good law and to have fair elections, DeSana told reporters. And I believe that were not anywhere near that right now. So if they want to deem that political, then its political. It is about keeping our secretary of state accountable to the residents of Michigan for her job. Late last month, House Republicans moved toward litigation against Benson after voting to hold her in contempt for failing to release all materials theyve sought from her office under subpoena. While Benson has provided House Republicans with more than 3,300 pages of other materials theyve requested, she hasnt provided the remaining materials about education and training that her office provides to local clerks administering elections. Related: House Republicans hold Jocelyn Benson in contempt over withheld election materials Benson maintains some of these materials require redactions or cant be released, due to election security concerns. Shes proposed a mediator to work with her and Hall to sort the situation out. In a statement about the impeachment threat, Benson said she believes in oversight and transparency, and this isnt it. This is Republican lawmakers abusing their authority to access sensitive election information that would allow them or any conspiracy theorists they share it with to tamper with election equipment, interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, or impersonate a clerk on Election Day," Benson said. House Republicans say theyre entitled to the materials, without redactions, and that information is necessary to provide oversight on how officials are conducting elections, identify any areas of improvement and provide legislative solutions if needed. Benson alleged Hall is leading a clown show. It is not how we solve problems, she said. It is not how we make government work for everyone. And every taxpayer dollar wasted on these shenanigans is a waste of time and money. It isnt the first time House Republicans have introduced articles of impeachment against the states executive officers in recent years. Articles of impeachment were introduced against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 and Attorney General Dana Nessel in 2023. The House never approved either impeachment proceeding. Whitmer and Nessel are Democrats. Traverse City, Petoskey and Saugatuck were named as "micro-retirement" havens by workers taking extended vacations from work. Pictured here is a man fishing from a pier at sunset where the Bear River meets Little Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan in Petoskey, Mich. Joel Bissell | MLive.com As work-life balance takes a prominent place in American culture, a new list of hideaway havens has emerged as workers are looking to slow down, reconnect with nature and indulge in the respite of small towns. The New York Times recently delved into the trend of micro-retirements popping up among younger workers. The Times found workers around the country who didnt want to wait until their 60s to fully exit the workplace. Instead, these workers took months-long hiatuses to reset before re-entering the workforce. Careerminds, a global outplacement and career development firm, surveyed 3,007 workers to find out where theyd most like to spend their micro-retirement. The results show a strong lean toward places that offer calm, nature, and room to breathe, according to the firm. No surprise, the top ten was loaded with destinations in Hawaii, Florida and California. The top three answers for micro-retirement goals were exploration, wellness and rest. Michiganders know travelers can certainly find all three along Lake Michigan. RELATED: Michigan Summer Travel Adventures: 5 places to fulfill your wanderlust Heres where Michigan cities ranked and what Careerminds found people were drawn to: #89 Traverse City: Set along Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City blends natural beauty, wineries, and a lively yet relaxed downtown atmosphere ideal for micro-retirees. Days flow between vineyard tours, hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes, and sunset strolls along the shoreline. #101 Petoskey: Petoskeys Victorian charm, lakefront parks, and artistic energy create a refreshing lifestyle for micro-retirees. Days unfold with peaceful walks along Little Traverse Bay, hunts for Petoskey stones, and leisurely visits to the vibrant Gaslight District. #119 Saugatuck: Saugatucks creative heart, beach-town feel, and scenic dunes make it a perfect haven for micro-retirees. Exploring galleries at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, hiking Saugatuck Dunes State Park, and relaxing by Oval Beach define a life of coastal ease and inspiration. RELATED: Solo travel coach picks 5 Michigan spots for reflection, connection and inspiration RELATED: Michigan travel coach offers 6 tips for first-time solo travelers Carson Hocevar (71) and Bubba Pollard (26) fight for the lead at the Battle at Berlin on August 7, 2024 Jack Kessler Some of the best drivers from around the country come to West Michigan for an exciting event, as drivers from NASCAR and beyond compete in the Money in the Bank 150 at Berlin Raceway. Watch Berlin Raceway on FloRacing The first of two premier races at the 75-year-old track in Wright Township sees some of the best drivers in stock car racing looking for a cool $15,000 prize. Among the drivers to watch for is Bubba Pollard. The short-track star has made a name for himself around the United States, while also enjoying every trip to Berlin. He won the MITB for the second time last year, and is one of four drivers to have won both the June MITB race and the Battle at Berlin, which is held in August. Two of the other drivers who have accomplished that feat before are NASCAR Cup Series stars Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar. Portage native Hocevar won the Battle at Berlin last year, having won the MITB in 2020 and 2021. Jones, of Byron, won the MITB for the first time in 2023, and is a two-time winner of the Battle at Berlin. MONEY IN THE BANK 150 When: Tuesday, June 3 Time: 6:30 p.m. ET Where: Berlin Raceway (Marne, Mich.) Stream: FloRacing The Seattle Storm and Dallas Wings will face off tonight in Seattle at 9:30 p.m. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) AP The Dallas Wings will travel to Seattle tonight for a matchup with the Seattle Storm. Fans can catch the action on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. or stream it on FuboTV, Sling or DirecTV. Streaming Options Streaming Options Price/Month Free Trial Deal FuboTV $84.99 Yes $20 0ff the first month Sling $45.99 N/A 1/2 off the first month DirecTV $79.99 Yes $30 off the first month The Wings are 1-6 this season and are coming off a 94-83 loss to the Chicago Sky. Their single win was on May 27 against the Connecticut Sun. Arike Ogunbowale leads the Wings with 17.3 points per game and rookie Paige Bueckers is close behind, averaging 14.7 points per game. The Storm are 3-4, including a 79-71 win over the Wings. Most recently, they suffered a five-point loss to the Las Vegas Aces. Skylar Diggins currently leads the Storm, averaging 17.9 points per game and Nneka Ogwumike averages 16.9 points per game. DALLAS WINGS VS. SEATTLE STORM When: Tuesday, June 3 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET Where: Seattle Channel: ESPN News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabweans reacted with anger and disbelief after it emerged that the Ministry of Finance authorised a US$4.2 million payment to Betterbrands Petroleum, a company owned by Zanu PF legislator Scott Sakupwanya.The controversy erupted on Monday, June 2, 2025, when ZimLive published a payment instruction on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that the government transferred US$4,295,916.87 to Betterbrands Petroleum. The document, dated May 30, carried the signature and approval of George Guvamatanga, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance.The instruction requested Treasury to debit a USD tax Nostro account and deposit the funds into Betterbrands Petroleum's ECOBANK account. It concluded with a standard note requesting cooperation. The payment, explicitly stated to be on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, sparked intense scrutiny due to the absence of an official explanation.Despite public interest and mounting questions, neither Guvamatanga nor Sakupwanya had responded to ZimLive's requests for comment by the time of publication. While Betterbrands Petroleum operates in the bulk fuel industry, the revelation has triggered widespread criticism over the government's choice to engage a private company - owned by a ruling party official - instead of Petrotrade, the state-run petroleum supplier.The transaction has raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and fairness in public procurement processes. Critics have questioned whether due diligence was followed and why such a substantial amount was awarded without a public tender or clear justification.Social media platforms were quickly flooded with angry responses from citizens who saw the payment as another example of state resources being channeled to politically connected individuals. While a few attempted to defend the deal as a routine business transaction, the overwhelming sentiment was one of frustration, suspicion, and a deepening distrust in government institutions.With neither the Ministry of Finance nor Betterbrands Petroleum offering clarity, the controversy continues to fuel debate about corruption, patronage, and the lack of accountability in Zimbabwe's public sector. News / National by Staff reporter A 27-year-old woman from Kadoma, Vernah Madhlangove, has been remanded in custody after allegedly using WhatsApp to incite public violence in her community.Madhlangove appeared before the Kadoma Magistrates' Court facing charges of incitement to commit public violence. Prosecutors told the court that between 24 and 28 May 2025, she used her grey Tecno Pop 6 Go cellphone to send inflammatory messages via a WhatsApp group called Kadoma Misasa.One of the messages, which alarmed both residents and authorities, reportedly read: "We should assault whoever remains in the house" - a direct call to violence that prosecutors say was part of efforts to stir unrest ahead of an illegal demonstration planned for 29 May against the Government of Zimbabwe.The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed that her messages were intended to mobilise participants for the protest and encouraged acts of aggression, prompting her arrest and subsequent prosecution.Madhlangove was denied bail and will remain in custody until her next court appearance on 12 June. The court cited the seriousness of the charges and the potential threat to public order as grounds for the decision.Speaking outside the courtroom, a legal officer underscored the broader implications of the case: "Freedom of expression is not a licence to promote anarchy. The law must protect both speech and safety."The case has sparked renewed debate around social media use and the fine line between free expression and incitement, as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with digital activism and political dissent in the age of instant messaging platforms. Ana de Armas fighting Keanu Reeves in Ballerina was 'intense', actress says, "Hes the one that you look up to" 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. 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I Accept Jamie Foxx calls out Sean Diddy Combs: He was a hero for black people, now Its about baby oil Vaishnavi Gavankar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept News / National by Staff reporter The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a cautionary advisory urging countries to remain vigilant and closely monitor the evolution of new COVID-19 variants, emphasizing the importance of preventing healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed. The WHO also continues to advocate for active vaccination efforts to curb the spread of emerging strains.A newly identified variant, NB.1.8.1, has already contributed to a rise in COVID-19 cases across Europe and the United States. Virology expert Julio Lopez explained that current data suggests this variant may spread more easily and has the potential to partially evade immunity gained from previous infections or vaccination.The primary symptoms associated with NB.1.8.1 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose, recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue, and muscle or body aches.This strain, a derivative of the Omicron variant, was first discovered in January 2025 and initially reported in Egypt, Thailand, and the Maldives. Health authorities worldwide are urged to maintain close surveillance and continue promoting vaccinations to mitigate the impact of this evolving threat. Kamal Haasan to High Court: We will not release Thug Life in Karnataka Sarika Sharma 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 Nagarjuna meets Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu to invite him to son Akhil Akkinenis wedding, see pics Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Nick Frost on playing Hagrid in the new Harry Potter series: I'm never going to try and be Robbie Coltrane... Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Bank funding for Vodafone Idea may dry up if there's no AGR relief Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years. Danish Khan 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 News / National by Staff reporter Veteran journalist and opposition activist Matthew Takaona has been arrested by members of the Ferret team, a joint police and intelligence unit, while participating in a community road safety initiative at Mushayavanhu Primary School in Gutu.Takaona, who is now the publisher of the Masvingo Mirror and a known critic of the ruling Zanu-PF party, was apprehended alongside a group of parents who were cutting grass along a hazardous stretch of tarred road near the school. The area has been the scene of several road accidents due to poor visibility and unmaintained roadside vegetation.Sources say the group was carrying out the voluntary work in an effort to improve road safety for schoolchildren and motorists. Despite the community-driven nature of the activity, Ferret agents moved in and detained Takaona, taking him to Gutu Police Station. The reasons for the arrest remain unclear, though observers have described it as politically motivated.The arrest has sparked outrage from civil society groups and opposition supporters, who view it as another example of state repression. "Zimbabweans have been living under the jackboot of political repression for 45 years now under failed Zanu-PF rule," said a local activist who witnessed the arrest. "Even a simple act of community service is now criminalised if you are seen as aligned with the opposition."Takaona's journalism career spans decades, during which he served as president of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) before taking the helm at the Masvingo Mirror. His recent activism and media work have focused on local governance, human rights, and accountability.Efforts to obtain comment from the Zimbabwe Republic Police were unsuccessful at the time of publishing, and it remains to be seen whether formal charges will be laid.The incident adds to growing concerns over shrinking civic space and increased surveillance of opposition figures and independent journalists in the run-up to future political processes. 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. 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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 Sri Lanka, Brazil, Thailand and Vietnam to be hit harder than India by US metal tariffs Ishaan Gera 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. 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I Accept Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Kiran Mazumdar Shaw: A first-gen entrepreneur who blends risk taking with middle-class love for education and frugality J Jagannath 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 Sensex down 400 pts, Nifty below 24,650 as bank, IT stocks fall; mid, smallcaps shine Veer Sharma 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. 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I Accept Yes Bank shares tumble 9% on SMBC clarification; likely fundraising announcement in focus Debaroti Adhikary 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 At the intersection of data science and social good, students at Purdue Universitys Daniels School of Business are helping nonprofits turn data into impact. Through the Krenicki Center for Business Analytics and Machine Learnings Community Impact Initiative, interdisciplinary student teams partnered with two local organizations Indy Reads and the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana to deliver custom, data-driven solutions that improved operations, reduced costs and enhanced mission-driven outcomes. From manual to meaningful For Indy Reads, which works to improve adult literacy in central Indiana, the student team focused on streamlining the enrollment process. Our team worked closely with Indy Reads to assess their operational workflows and identify areas where data-driven insights could enhance their impact, says MS student Harsh Srivastava, a Krenicki Center consultant and team lead. By analyzing their enrollment process using PowerAutomate, we were able to provide actionable recommendations around scheduling, communication strategies and retention approaches. The most impressive part of the students' work was their ability to listen closely to our needs, use their skills to solve problems, and incorporate our experiences and ideas into their recommendations. Lydia Johnson, Vice President of Operations, Indy Reads The project replaced a slow, manual system with automated workflows, freeing staff to focus more on learners and volunteers. Indy Reads can use our findings to streamline their enrollment process by reducing redundancies, clarifying intake steps and improving data capture through Salesforce, says Srivastava. These improvements also lay the groundwork for tracking key metrics more efficiently. Lydia Johnson, vice president of operations at Indy Reads, says the students made a lasting impact. The most impressive part of the students' work was their ability to listen closely to our needs, use their skills to solve problems, and incorporate our experiences and ideas into their recommendations, she says. Their work has absolutely helped us better understand our needs and the scope of solutions so that were better prepared to move forward. Srivastava says the experience went beyond technical skills. It was a powerful reminder of how interdisciplinary collaboration combining analytics with human-centered thinking can drive socially impactful outcomes. Smart cookies The second team worked with the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, aiming to improve the accuracy of cookie sales forecasts. Our teams primary goal was to empower the Girl Scouts with more accurate and flexible forecasting tools for their annual cookie sales, says Rishita Korapati, a Daniels School junior majoring in business analytics and team lead. Traditionally, troops relied on previous years numbers, which only explained about 70% of the actual outcomes. That led to surplus inventory, shortages or missed fundraising opportunities. The students developed a system that improved forecast accuracy by 1.35 cases per troop for each cookie type translating to more than 181,000 boxes forecasted more precisely. That potentially adds over $1 million in fundraising value, helping troops make more informed decisions and better support their communities, Korapati says. Beyond the data, the solution was built with users in mind. We learned the importance of not just building accurate models, but also ensuring that our solutions are practical, adaptable, and user-friendly for the people who rely on them, she says. It was incredibly rewarding to know that our work could help local troops plan better, reduce waste and ultimately raise more funds for their programs. The team also built a website to make the forecasts accessible to troop leaders. Its better than their previous tool because it uses the latest data to give smarter recommendations, Korapati says. The system is designed to update every year, so it keeps getting better. Cynthia Roath, senior director of brand and product program strategy at Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, called the project transformative. The partnership exceeded our expectations, she says. At the end of the project, the students were able to give us a working platform to help better our volunteer experience. It was inspiring to watch them learn, grow, and collaborate with our organization. Mutual learning Behind the scenes, students werent just solving problems they were growing as professionals. Rishita Korapati, a business analytics student, works alongside members of the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana to develop data-driven cookie sales forecasts. The students were proactive, collaborative, and genuinely committed to delivering meaningful and actionable results, says Clinical Assistant Professor Davi Moreira, who mentored both teams. They consistently demonstrated a strong focus on understanding and addressing the clients specific needs. Moreira emphasizes that the learning was mutual. Students developed the ability to actively listen and understand client needs an essential skill in any consulting or data-driven role, he says. They also learned how to strategically select tools and techniques that align with the clients infrastructure and gained real-world experience applying their academic training. Through their work, the student teams proved that with the right tools and the right mindset data can be more than numbers; it can be a force for good. Both partner organizations benefited from increased operational efficiency and the potential for cost reduction and revenue improvement based on the solutions delivered, says Moreira. And the students walked away with deeper insight into how data science can create real-world, community-driven value. 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 Sales value of tier-II properties rises despite a fall in transactions during Q1 2025 Ashish Mishra 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 Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India. J Jagannath USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Venture capital for SaaS has dried up most of it is going towards AI": Zoho's Sridhar Vembu Yeeshu Yadav 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 Parimal Peeyush 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. 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I Accept As India eyes developed nation status, there is need to raise per hectare farm income: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept WASHINGTON (AP) The White House on Tuesday officially asked Congress to claw back $9.4 billion in already approved spending, taking funding away from programs targeted by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. It's a process known as rescission, which requires President Donald Trump to get approval from Congress to return money that had previously been appropriated. Trump's aides say the funding cuts target programs that promote liberal ideologies. The request, if it passes the House and Senate, would formally enshrine many of the spending cuts and freezes sought by DOGE. It comes at a time when Musk is extremely unhappy with the tax cut and spending plan making its way through Congress, calling it on Tuesday a disgusting abomination for increasing the federal deficit. White House budget director Russ Vought said more rescission packages and other efforts to cut spending could follow if the current effort succeeds. We are certainly willing and able to send up additional packages if the congressional will is there, Vought told reporters. Here's what to know about the rescissions request: Will the rescissions make a dent in the national debt? The request to Congress is unlikely to meaningfully change the troublesome increase in the U.S. national debt. Tax revenues have been insufficient to cover the growing costs of Social Security, Medicare and other programs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the government is on track to spend roughly $7 trillion this year, with the rescission request equaling just 0.1% of that total. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at Tuesday's briefing that Vought a well-respected fiscal hawk, she called him would continue to cut spending, hinting that there could be additional efforts to return funds. He has tools at his disposal to produce even more savings, Leavitt said. Vought said he can send up additional rescissions at the end of the fiscal year in September and if Congress does not act on it, that funding expires. Its one of the reasons why we are not putting all of our expectations in a typical rescissions process, he added. What programs are targeted by the rescissions? A spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget, speaking on condition of anonymity to preview some of the items that would lose funding, said that $8.3 billion was being cut from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. NPR and PBS would also lose federal funding, as would the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, also known as PEPFAR. Armaan Bhatnagar 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. 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I Accept Smriti Mishra 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 HELP 2025-2026 UH Manoa Catalog 2025-2026 UH Manoa Catalog How to Use This Catalog The 2025-2026 University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) Catalog is a comprehensive guide to UH Manoa programs, course offerings, services, tuition, financial aid, faculty, facilities, academic policies, and other information of general importance to UH Manoa students. The Catalog is divided into several major sections: Descriptions of courses offered; undergraduate programs, policies, and requirements; graduate programs, policies, and requirements; individual colleges and schools and their academic programs; information about the university, campus policies, tuition and financial aid, and student life; lists of administrators, faculty, and staff with their academic backgrounds; and catalog archive. If you are a prospective freshman or transfer undergraduate student, consult the sections on undergraduate education, Undergraduate General Education Requirements, tuition, financial aid, and student life. In addition, you should read the program section of the department, college or school that interests you. Before selecting classes, read the course descriptions for prerequisites, credit hours, and other relevant information. For additional information on specific programs of study, consult the department chair, program director, or major advisor. If you are a prospective graduate student, consult the graduate education section and the graduate chair of the program in which you are interested for information regarding admission requirements, degree options, registration, and related procedures. If you are a continuing student, keep this Catalog handy as a source of general information. Familiarity with its contents can smooth your progress toward your degree. Although every effort is made to keep the Catalog correct and current, there will be changes in courses offered and program requirements. Check the Office of the Registrar and your department, college or school for the most current information. Message from President and Provost Aloha! Welcome to the University of Hawaii at Manoa! As President of the University of Hawaii and Interim Provost of UH Manoa, we are pleased to present the 2025-2026 General Catalog. This valuable resource will help you explore UH Manoa and plan your academic journey. UH Manoa is a distinguished global teaching and research university, uniquely positioned in the Pacific where East meets West. We are recognized for our world-class research and innovation across a broad spectrum of disciplines, spanning land, sea, space, and sky. UH Manoa also provides students with exceptional opportunities to study the languages and cultures of the Asia-Pacific region and participate in international learning experiences, cultivating a multicultural and global perspective. Our schools and colleges prepare undergraduate and graduate students for successful careers in a wide array of fields. Our students actively engage in learning and discovery, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills that will empower them in their lives and communities. Grounded in the traditional values and wisdom of Native Hawaiians, our campus fosters a sense of global citizenship through interconnectedness and a commitment to a thriving future for Hawaii. Discover UH Manoa through this updated Catalog, which offers information on our colleges, schools, programs, courses, student life, and campus community. Our dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators are committed to providing excellence in your higher education, with faculty engaged in world-class research and scholarship that addresses the challenges and opportunities facing Hawaii and the world. Guided by our values, we are committed to serving our communities and building a better future. We look forward to seeing you on the UH Manoa campus! With aloha, Wendy Hensel President, University of Hawaii Vassilis Syrmos Interim Provost, University of Hawaii at Manoa Back to Top | Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window) Manjiri Patil 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. 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I Accept J&K L-G Manoj Sinha sacks three staffers over alleged links with LeT, Hizbul militants Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Rahul Gandhis swipe at Modi over India-Pakistan ceasefire: Trump nudged PM to surrender, he complied Smriti Mishra 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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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 Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | How Jane Street played the market -- and how to fix it 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 Bhartendu Kumar Singh is in the Indian Defence Accounts Service. 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. 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 The name Jim Davis may sound familiar to those around Columbus, most likely in a musical context. After all, Davis performs solo and in the bands Freedom Road and the Nebraska All-Star Rock and Roll Band, performing shows year-round. Davis has another artistic talent that many may not know about, though painting. During the upcoming "Telling Stories: Exploring Creativity and Culture" exhibition in the Columbus Community Building art gallery, art appreciators and music fans alike will get to see that talent manifest in Davis' paintings. The opening reception is Tuesday, June 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Music and art, Davis said, have interested him since he was a child. "I always drew and liked to start it off with watercolors when I was really young," Davis said. "When I went through school, of course, in art class, that kind of got me started on that. I painted four years between high school, then after high school, I tried to pursue my music more. So I got away from the art, and I didn't do art for quite a few years." When Davis moved to Columbus, he joined the Columbus Fire Department, and after working there for some time, he started to paint again in 2002 as a sort of stress relief. "I started getting back into my artwork and started painting, getting a little more serious about it, and that was a good relief for me, you know, from a stressful job, that helped get me through a lot of that," Davis said. Davis retired in 2021 and decided to buckle down and put his newfound time and energy into art once again, specifically watercolor and oil painting. While he loves making music, he knows he can't do it forever, carrying around amps and traveling all over. Painting, though, he can do much longer. "My thought is when I can't do music anymore or I just have to do little shows, I can paint," Davis said. "I can always paint, and that's what I'm thinking now. I love to do en plein air painting, which is painting on location, so I'd like to get more involved in that, I've been doing that the last few years." A look at Davis' work will attest to his use of on-location imagery. From a distance, his smaller works look almost like photographs until the brush strokes reveal themselves with a closer look. His larger pieces, framed in floating frames he made himself, could almost look like a window. Locations range from down the street from the gallery to different states, like Missouri or South Dakota. "I've done several things for this, I call it the cliff house, it's a neat little house in LeClaire, Iowa, right on the Mississippi River," Davis said, inspecting the layout of his works in the gallery. "They're all places. This is in south Rapid City, South Dakota, walking down the street. This is the watchtower for the old races at Ag Park." Like the locations, Davis' style is varied. He's trying things out all the time. One piece in the gallery depicts an American bison laying in the grass, directly across from a painting of the old downtown theater, one corner away from a watercolor recreation of an old photograph in the Columbus Centennial Celebration photo album. "I'm just kind of all over the place," Davis said. "I don't have any specific (style) like, 'I'm a landscape artist' or 'I'm a portrait artist,' blah, blah ... I'm still kind of experimenting and trying to get better at some of this stuff." In the gallery's second room, one will find the greatest evidence of his experimentation and learning, a wall of 112 small oil paintings that depict desert scenes, local flora and fauna, still life, recreations of photographs, views of Columbus' streets, alleys and parks. Davis painted one every day for 136 days, working off of photographs, finding quiet spots with a good view or setting something up in his studio. Some were recreations of other works, so he left them out of the display. "It's not really intended to be finished portraits, per se," he said. "They're just intended to learn and try different things, do different styles and try different colors. It started off with, I would go downstairs in my studio and I would say, 'What do I want to paint today?'" All the larger pieces are for sale at the opening and for the duration of the display, plus a selection of oil paintings and watercolors that aren't on the walls. In addition to Davis' work, the Trax Creative District, in partnership with the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, will host four family-friendly musical guests in the third floor community room of the Columbus Community Building in June. Hector Anchondo, a bluesman and guitarist from Omaha will play June 8 from 4-6 p.m., bringing his music that started in hole-in-the-wall dive bars and made its way to the stage alongside Styx, October and Magic Slim, among others. Nominated and chosen for many awards, Anchondo has played the House of Blues, the Warped Tour and South by Southwest. After Anchondo, Columbus will have the chance to meet the folksy ukelele style of Aly Peeler on June 14 from 4-6 p.m. What started as a stress reliever, Peeler's ukelele became a travel companion as she experienced the wide world and landed in Omaha, where she and her family now call home. On June 22, Ghanaian multi-instrumentalist Edem Garro will bring her genre-defying music and voice. Garro describes her music on her website as coming from her soul, drawing from her roots in Ghana, hip-hop, classical music, soul and folk in a collective "Edem Soul Music," or ESM. Then, on June 26, cowboy poet Jake Riley will roll in from 5-7 p.m. Growing up with ropes and rodeos from a young age in the Colorado Mountains, Riley started his poetry in high school, then in front of his church and eventually the Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Valentine in 2016. He has since performed in several states, but calls Nebraska home. After each performance, the artists will spend some time talking about their artistic experiences and how culture shaped their work. 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. 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. 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I Accept Trump's trade countdown: US tells partners to submit final offers or miss the deal 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Jewish lawmakers in USA express fear of being targeted amid rising antisemitic attacks Jewish members of Congress in the USA are voicing significant fear of being targeted amidst a rise in antisemitic incidents, with some stating they might be next, Axios says in a report. These concerns have intensified following recent events, including the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers outside an American Jewish Committee meeting in Washington, D.C. last month by a suspect shouting "free, free Palestine," and a Molotov cocktail attack this week at a Boulder, Colorado, rally advocating for hostage release, which hospitalized eight people. Lawmakers like Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), and Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Calif.) have spoken out about the unsettling threats. In response, there is a renewed push to increase funding for the Nonprofit Safety Grant Program (NSGP) to protect houses of worship, with calls for the Trump administration to expedite grant distribution and for Congress to invest more in law enforcement. We will find you and deport you: Marco Rubio warns terrorists, their sympathisers after Colorado attack 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 Lecturer says China is less of a threat than perceived by US FEATURE The war on drugs and its impact on mass incarceration in the United States The Trump-endorsed One Big Beautiful Bill approved by House lawmakers late last month would slash $600 billion from Medicaid and threatens to strip health insurance from hundreds of thousands of Virginias poorest residents and Winsome Earle-Sears isnt talking. The Republican lieutenant governor running for governor has kept mum about the GOP budget bill which has moved to the Senate for consideration. Her Democratic opponent, Abigail Spanberger, has denounced the bill as a threat to rural hospitals, small businesses and working families. But Earle-Sears campaign has declined multiple interview requests on the subject from multiple news outlets, and the campaign did not immediately respond to a Daily Progress inquiry. Charlottesville-area Democrats say they have had enough of waiting for her response. Her silence speaks volumes, Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Albemarle, said at a press conference at her district office in downtown Charlottesville last Thursday. Friday marked the seventh anniversary of the General Assembly vote to expand Medicaid in Virginia, making the government-sponsored health insurance available to all Virginia adults under 65 who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Today, there are 1.5 million children and adults on Medicaid in the commonwealth, including roughly 630,000 that were covered as a result of the expansion. David Toscano, a former Charlottesville mayor and Democratic minority leader in the House of Delegates, joined Callsen Thursday. Toscano was the minority leader in the House when the Medicaid vote came up. He said he and his colleagues did not expect the coverage to benefit so many Virginians. We thought 400,000 people would enroll; 600,000 new people enrolled as a result, he recounted. And they got better care at a lower cost, and thats a big, big, issue. Toscano noted that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated the One Big Beautiful Bill could cost nearly 14 million Americans their health insurance over the next decade if it passes the Senate. Which is why, he said, he is now campaigning to preserve the coverage that he and other lawmakers Democrats and Republicans approved in 2018. We gave over 600,000 Virginians access to critical health care, said Callsen. Right now, that progress is all at risk. Charlottesville Mayor Juandiego Wade, who also was in attendance Thursday, called Medicaid the bedrock on which more than a million Virginians rely. He called on Earle-Sears to have the confidence to speak out against her own party. She hasnt called attention to how this will hurt Virginians. She hasnt called on Republicans to stop their extreme agenda, he said. She cant be trusted to lead the commonwealth. Wade recounted how Earle-Sears was caught on tape saying that the thousands of federal workers in Virginia who have lost their jobs due to Trump administration budget cuts were overreacting and that losing a job isnt a huge, huge thing. I wonder what she thinks about someone losing their health insurance or getting hit with a big notice for a medical bill, Wade said. Kim Harris, whose daughter has lupus and is reliant on Medicaid, said at the press conference it would cost roughly $100,000 a year if she lost coverage. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation and pain. While lupus itself is not life-threatening, the complications it creates can kill. There is no known cure. Nearly a quarter of people with lupus rely on Medicaid, Harris said. I know hundreds of thousands of lupus warriors who are on Medicaid, she said. In fact, 20 to 25% of people with lupus are on Medicaid. Victoria Cartwright, another Virginian who relies on Medicaid as a cancer patient, said she doesnt know how she would pay for her necessary medications without Medicaid. Im a cancer patient, and I have a lot of medical issues, and cutting Medicaid would seriously hurt me. Social Security wouldnt even cover my medications, she said. I do not approve of this Medicaid cut, because its going to hurt a lot of Virginians. Spanberger, the former U.S. representative running against Earle-Sears, understands that, said Callsen. Abigail has made it clear she will always fight to not just protect Medicaid, but to lower costs across the board and make sure that we all have access to affordable health care, Callsen said. In a statement released the day the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, Spanberger called out the legislation and its GOP supporters in Congress. If signed into law, this legislation would threaten the survival of Virginias rural hospitals, disrupt the ability of small businesses to provide coverage to their employees, and risk driving up healthcare premiums for working families. Our Commonwealths leaders should be standing firm against this legislation, and I thank Virginias Democratic Members of Congress for siding with their constituents and opposing this misguided package, she said. Callsen hinted that Earle-Sears was reluctant to attack the One Big Beautiful Bill for fear of provoking the wrath of President Donald Trump ahead of Novembers general election. Shed rather play political games than fight for us. Thats not leadership, Callsen said. Spanberger, meanwhile, is the sort of candidate Callsen believes would work on a solution that pulls insights from both sides of the aisle. Last year, before Spanberger left office, she was ranked the most bipartisan member of the Virginia delegation to Washington and one of the most bipartisan members of the entire House. It takes a bipartisan solution, Callsen said. Thats what we need in a leader. 200-year-old condom decorated with erotic art goes on display in Amsterdams Rijksmuseum 200-year-old condom decorated with erotic art goes on display in Amsterdams Rijksmuseum View Photo THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The Netherlands national museum has a new object on display that merges art with Amsterdams infamous Red Light District: a nearly 200-year-old condom, emblazoned with erotic art. The Rijksmuseum said in a statement that the playful prophylactic, believed to be made around 1830 from a sheeps appendix, depicts both the playful and the serious side of sexual health. It is part of an exhibition called Safe Sex? about 19th century sex work that opened on Tuesday. The condom, possibly a souvenir from a brothel, is decorated with an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen. The phrase This is my choice is written along the sheath in French. According to the museum, this is a reference to a story from Greek mythology in which the Trojan prince Paris judges a beauty contest among three goddesses, and which has been depicted in numerous artworks. The condom is on display until the end of November. This story was first published on Jun. 3, 2025. It was updated on Jun. 10, 2025 to correct that the reference on the condom was to the story of the judgment of Paris in Greek mythology, not specifically to the Renoir painting. By MOLLY QUELL Associated Press Railtown 1897 Sign View Photo Jamestown, CA The Sierra No. 3 steam locomotive, one of the most iconic engines in American film and television history, is preparing to return to service at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, with its official debut set for July 12. Ahead of the public celebration, California State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation are encouraging visitors to stop by the park in the coming weeks. The locomotive may begin pulling occasional excursion trains as early as June 6, and park guests could witness it in action during final testing and preparations. Originally built in 1891 and later acquired by the Sierra Railway Company of California, Sierra No. 3 is widely recognized for its appearances in more than 100 productions, including High Noon, Bonanza, and Back to the Future Part III. The locomotive was last in service in 2021, before undergoing a federally mandated 1,472-day inspection. That process involved a full mechanical assessment, including boiler rebuilding and component repairs. Park officials and restoration specialists credited the return to service to the collaborative efforts of staff, volunteers, contractors, and the broader railroad preservation community. The historic significance of Sierra No. 3 cannot be understated, said Tim Schroepfer, president and CEO of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation. It is likely the most widely seen and recognizable steam locomotive still operating anywhere in the world. Once fully operational, Sierra No. 3 is expected to pull excursion trains two weekends per month. Tickets, which include park admission, are available online in advance or in person at the Depot Store if not sold out. More information about Railtown can be found here. On Monday, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor to condemn the Senate Republicans forthcoming reconciliation bill. Schumer was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: What Senate Republicans will try to do this month is a travesty. They are picking up right where House Republicans left off trying to ram through this chamber Donald Trumps so-called Big Beautiful Bill. As the Senate returns to session, we do not yet have legislative text for Republicans mega bill. But make no mistake the fight against this bill is ramping up today. It starts with Senate Democrats showing the American people what this bill actually is: one ugly bill. Its one of the most reckless, odious, and self-serving pieces of legislation weve seen in a long time. Today, I want to share broadly how Senate Democrats will fight this bill with every fiber of our being. It is going to be a long, drawn-out fight. But the American people deserve to see precisely just how cruel, how vindictive, how ugly this big bill truly is. Case in point: House Republicans tucked into their bill a nasty provision that would restrict the power of judges to hold government officials in contempt. Its very clear whats going on here: Republicans want to codify into law Donald Trumps attack against our judicial system. They want to make our courts toothless by nullifying their contempt powers and make it easier for the Trump administration to ignore the courts. This is a naked attack against the separation of powers. If Senate Republicans include this authoritarian provision in their bill, Democrats will fight it tooth and nail. We will not stand by while Republicans try to sabotage our courts, and I fervently believe their effort will not win the day. Now, yesterday I also spoke with Leader Jeffries about how both chambers can work together to fight back against this bill. This Wednesday, Senator Klobuchar and I have also invited House Democratic Ranking Members to meet with our caucus and share firsthand insight from their fight in the House, including key Republican fault lines. In all likelihood, this bill will continue to undergo changes and get sent back to the House. For that reason, Democratic unity will be our strongest weapon as we defend the American people from the harms contained in this bill. Our fight in the coming weeks, of course, is not just procedural. Its going to happen on every front: in committees, in public hearings, in the Byrd Bath, online, in public, and here on this floor. The Republican plan is very simple: sell out working and middle class Americans to line the pockets of the ultra wealthy and well-connected. And lets talk about the deficit. For years, Republicans screamed about fiscal responsibility. But now? Now Republicans are backing a bill that could add over $50 trillion to the national debt over 30 years. Even Elon Musk said this bill is a bad idea. That should tell you something. And most cravenly of all, Republicans are cooking the books so they can pretend their tax breaks wont impact the debt. Republicans are planning to use the Budget Chairs Section 312 authority under the Congressional Budget Act in an unprecedented and illegitimate manner to run rough-shod over the Byrd Rule. The bottom line is this: Republicans one ugly bill is a farce. It is betraying our values, it is a threat to working families, and it is a giveaway to the very few at the expense of the many. Senate Democrats will fight this bill in committee, on the floor, and in the court of public opinion, every step, every day, and every possible way. I believe to my core that if the American people truly get to see what was in this bill if they see how shamelessly it enriches the wealthy and punishes everyone else the American people would reject it outright. 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. Sonora City Council Discusses LGBTQ+ Pride Resolution View Photo Sonora, CA The Sonora City Council discussed Monday evening the potential passage of a resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The council was voting on whether to place the issue on a future agenda for a vote (and not the actual passage at this time). Members of the public spoke passionately both in favor and against. During the council discussion, members Mark Plummer and Stephen Opie spoke against it. Plummer stated, This city council is elected as a non-partisan body. And, I think it is completely clear that this issue is completely, and nothing but, partisan. Referencing a past vote, Councilmember Andy Merrill, countered, We recognized Vietnam Veterans, specifically, with a resolution. I saw no one here advocating for all Veterans. And, I want everyone to think about why that is. Merrill also spoke about revisions made to the US Constitution over the years to address discrimination. Councilmember Stephen Opie took issue with the argument that LGBTQ community members are being discriminated against, and indicated it is more about a lifestyle, and argued, It is divisive. It is a partisan thing. You can see the clear-cut difference. More conservative people are leaning one way, and the more liberal people are leaning the other. And, I do agree with Mark (Plummer). We shouldnt have it in front of us as a non-partisan board. We are supposed to vote on things to run the city, keep the wheels running, and police paid. Mayor Ann Segerstrom backed the resolution, and stated, All I can say is that we are 25 years into the 21st century and we are still quibbling about individuals and their ability to follow some lifestyle that they want. Im just stunned that we have to discuss this. Councilmember Merrill then made a motion to put the resolution on a future agenda for a vote and it was seconded by Councilmember Bess Levine. It passed 3-2 with Merrill, Levine, and Segerstrom in favor and Plummer and Opie opposed. Ruwa A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer stationed in Ruwa is embroiled in a scandal after allegedly beating a suspect to death in an attempt to extort a bribe for his release. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about police brutality and corruption within the force. Constable Prince Ndavambi, 39, (Force Number 078641D) is now at the centre of controversy following the death of Blessed Believe Juruvenge, 30, of Damafalls, Phase 1, Ruwa, on the outskirts of Harare. Juruvenges body remains at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary awaiting another postmortem after relatives disputed the doctored results of the first one. According to a police internal memorandum, Juruvenge owned a tuck-shop at his residence and in April 2025, he started working as a pirate taxi driver, leaving his wife, Mercy Madenyika, in charge of the store. On April 25, 2025, around 1000 hours, Madenyika was approached by a neighbour and five other unidentified men, who bought groceries worth US$10 using a counterfeit US$50 note and were given change before fleeing. Madenyika later discovered the deception and alerted her husband. Juruvenge then approached some of the men who had used the fake money at his tuck-shop. An altercation ensued, and Juruvenge allegedly assaulted one of the men on the face. One of them, identified as Mwazha, offered Juruvenge US$100 as compensation, which he accepted. However, Mwazha later proceeded to ZRP Ruwa and made a report of assault and theft against the now deceased CR 185/04/25 refers, reads the memo. On May 27, 2025, around 1130 hours, Constable Ndavambi and Mwazha went to Juruvenges residence and arrested him, along with his sister, Melisa Manyepa, who was accused of harbouring him. Upon arrival at the police station, Ndavambi detained Juruvenge under DB 460/25 and allegedly force-marched his sister to the back of the cabin and assaulted her on the knees using a wooden stick. The accused person later took the now deceased from cells to the cabin where he assaulted him all over the body using a wooden stick. He ordered the now deceased and his sister to refund Mwazha his US$100, the police memo states. The constable allegedly threatened to kill Juruvenge if he failed to refund the money and demanded another US$100 from him and his sister for their release. Ndavambi only stopped assaulting Juruvenge after noticing he had become unconscious. He then ordered Manyepa to contact her relatives to bring the money, but they could not raise the required amount. According to the police internal communication, the constable then instructed a battered Juruvenge to stand up so that he could put him back in the cells, but the victim could not move. The police officer then dragged him into the cell. The assailant later released Juruvenges sister to find the money. That evening, the accused called Manyepa asking her to bring food for Juruvenge, but she said she could not walk due to her knee injury from the earlier beating. On the same date at around 2130 hours, a cell check was conducted by the duty member, and he observed that the now deceased had difficulties in talking and breathing, the memo reads. An entry was endorsed in the Occurrence Book entry number 3917/25. Officer in Charge ZRP Ruwa was advised through telephone and instructed the duty member to take the now deceased to hospital under police guard. Juruvenge was taken to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre, where he was admitted. On 28 May 2025 around 0615 hours, the now deceased passed away at Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre, the memorandum states. The police memo goes on to say that the scene was attended by ZRP Ruwa, CID Homicide and CID Studios. The deceaseds body was inspected and the following observations were made: a small bruise on the left lower limb and bruises on the right hand. The body was conveyed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary for forensic postmortem. Robson Juruvenge, the deceaseds brother, said his family is devastated by the murder, which they believe someone is trying to cover up. After we contested the unconvincing results of the first postmortem results, we have been told another postmortem will be done on Monday, Robson said. We have been in talks with police Commissioner Mbiri of PGHQ (Police General Headquarters). Also, we have been summoned to Ruwa Police Station this Saturday. He vowed that the family would leave no stone unturned in a bid to unravel the truth surrounding his brothers gruesome killing at the hands of a rogue law enforcement officer. This incident comes barely days after another police officer killed a suspect in Bulilima before chopping his body and burying them in a blair toilet. A dark cloud hangs over the village of Malalume in Bulilima, as a police officer stands accused of a heinous crime that has left the community reeling. Constable Blessed Moyo, stationed at the Malalume Police Base, is at the centre of a chilling murder mystery after allegedly killing a suspect in custody, dismembering his body, and burying the remains in a pit latrine. The grim discovery was made behind the clinic that also houses the police base, where a skull and skeletal remains were unearthed, alongside a pair of handcuffs, a bloodied Okapi knife, and torn clothing. The find has ignited outrage and a desperate call for justice from the villagers. We trusted him to protect us but he was the devil in our midst, lamented a shopkeeper at Tjaguta Business Centre. He abused power, harassed us for beer, and now this? He must rot in jail. The alleged murder unfolded after a villager, Melisa Ndlovu, caught a man stealing food and clothes from her home in early February, according to police sources. The man fled, but was later apprehended by Constable Moyo. Ndlovu, along with three others, identified him as the thief at the police base. Eyewitnesses recount the horrific scene that followed, alleging that Moyo brutally assaulted the suspect, who claimed to be from Binga and appeared mentally unstable. The constable allegedly used a mopane switch, sjambok, cooking stick, and plastic pick handle to beat the man until he confessed to the theft. He begged for water and said he felt dizzy, a police source revealed. They returned to the police base where Moyo dismissed the others, saying he would arrange transport to Bulawayo. The man was never seen alive again. The horrifying truth began to surface on 22 May, when the skull and bones were discovered buried in a toilet behind the police base. The situation intensified when the remains were confirmed to be those of the man last seen in Constable Moyos custody. Driven by a thirst for answers, villagers summoned prophets and traditional healers to help uncover the truth, leading to the shocking revelations that have now implicated Constable Moyo in the murder. Moyo was promptly arrested and denied bail when he appeared at Plumtree Magistrates Court on 23 May before magistrate Mark Dzira. The case is ongoing, with prosecutor Arnold Mudekunye representing the State. This man thought he could hide behind the uniform, said a villager who requested anonymity. But even bones can talk. We want justice for the soul he buried. Further investigations have revealed a network of alleged accomplices. On the night the suspect disappeared, Moyo reportedly contacted Lungelo Moyo and Bayanda Ncube. It is alleged that one of them borrowed an Okapi knife shortly after arriving at the base. Additionally, Siyabonga Dube is believed to be the owner of the handcuffs found on the corpse. Headman Senganyondo has declined to comment on the matter, stating that it is now before the courts. However, the villagers are united in their demand for answers and accountability. We are not fools. That man was killed in cold blood and they tried to bury the truth. But the ancestors refused to be silenced, declared one elderly villager, reflecting the communitys determination to see justice served. Adding to the communitys outrage are claims that Constable Moyo has a history of violence, and that previous complaints against him have been ignored. He beat someone until their hand stopped working, claimed another villager. But nothing was done. Now a man is dead. As the case progresses, the villagers of Malalume remain resolute in their pursuit of justice. They have vowed not to rest until those responsible for the heinous crime are held accountable for their actions. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares I have followed the war in Ukraine closely since 2022, and now that the war seems to be heading toward a conclusion, I would like to offer some observations. The War Was Planned and Guided by Western Governments Recent revelations have ended the pretense that Ukraine has been directing its war against Russia independently with only financial and logistical assistance from the U.S. and NATO. In February and March of this year, the New York Times published two articles confirming what had been widely claimed by critics of U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war: that the U.S. played an extensive role in laying the groundwork for military action against Russia and was actively directing the resulting war. The NYT reported that the U.S. established CIA bases in Ukraine years before the Russian invasion and that the war was being directed to a great extent by U.S. military personnel in Germany. These revelations provided clear evidence that the U.S. and NATO nations were fighting a proxy war against Russia, and not simply lending material assistance to Ukraine. Secretary of State Rubio made this official in an interview statement on March 5, 2025. Rubio observes Lent and acknowledges U.S. proxy war in Ukraine Western Mass Media Outlets Are Losing Credibility The emergence of extensive independent Internet media coverage of the war has undermined the credibility of legacy mass media. The vast amount of video and map data coming from the Ukraine battlefield permits daily observation of shifting positions and battle lines. The fog of war has been lifted to a considerable degree by the indirect confirmation of troop positions by geolocated strikes on those positions. Thus, the belligerents are often undoing their own propaganda when they circulate videos of their attacks on enemy forces. In general, Ukraine war coverage from independent Internet sources has been days or even weeks ahead of the trends reported in mass media outlets. A good example of such close coverage is the Military Summary Channel. Although Dima, the proprietor of the channel, over-editorializes his commentary, his twice-daily reports of battlefield movements are based on multiple information sources weighted by reliability and are usually correct. There is no equivalent coverage from legacy media. Instead, Western mass media continue to spin narratives favorable to Ukraine based on amplified positive events while ignoring or tardily reporting negative battlefield developments. For example, on June 3, 2025, The New York Times published a front page article describing a successful drone attack on Russian airbases as a demonstration of Ukraines ability to innovate strategically and offset Russias material advantages in the war. There was no mention of the steady crumbling of Ukraines defenses in Donbas or Sumy. Thus, the newspaper of record created an illusion of Ukraine holding its own while objective information from the battlefield indicated a seriously deteriorating situation. Unfortunately, public opinion is still heavily influenced by mainstream media outlets that effectively operate as elements of the U.S. military-industrial-complex. Most of these establishment publishers and broadcasters have supported every disastrous U.S. war since 9/11. Although their credibility is weakening, the grip of the major media corporations on public opinion remains strong enough to enable ruinous military adventures. Ukraine Will Lose the War The fundamental mismatch between the military potential of Ukraine and Russia was evident at the outset of the war, but this was dismissed by U.S. policy makers because of ideological blindness. It was assumed that Ukraine, aided and supplied by NATO, would prevail against an incompetent and inefficient Russian military. Apart from the numerical disparity in military strength, national history also weighed against fighting this war. The historic pattern of Russias large wars has been that of a stumbling start, then a steady, grinding advance to (often ugly) victory. From Borodino in 1812, to Stalingrad in 1943, to Chechnya in 2000, to Georgia in 2008, whenever Russia has fully committed to a war, it has prevailed. Nevertheless, with a complete disregard for military facts and history, the Washington neocons decided to roll the dice on Ukraine. After initial reverses in the first years of the Ukraine war, the Russians began adapting rapidly, deploying more troops, revising their tactics, and introducing new weaponry. An ambitious Ukrainian offensive in 2023, spearheaded by Western weapons, failed completely. Beginning with the fall of Avdiivka in February 2024, Russia has steadily gained ground, and Ukraine has faltered. The only Ukrainian offensive of recent note, a push into Kursk in August 2024, was defeated and reversed after several months of fighting that inflicted large material and manpower losses on Ukraine. Western resources, once flowing abundantly into Ukraine, are now dwindling, leaving Ukraine short of weapons and munitions. Ukraine is increasingly reliant on drones to slow Russian advances, but drones cannot substitute completely for artillery, aircraft, or armored vehicles, all of which are in diminishing supply. Meanwhile, Russias large and growing military industrial base is providing a steady flow of weaponry to its forces in Ukraine. The Russian strategy of stretching Ukraines insufficient manpower over a long front, coupled with devastating attacks at weak points, is steadily breaking down the defensive lines. Barring direct intervention of NATO forces, Ukraine can only delay defeat while incurring ruinous losses. Although there is some chance that negotiations will end the war in the near future, the outlook for Ukraine is bleak. Peace terms would not leave prewar Ukraine intact, likely ceding at least Crimea, Donetsk, and Luchansk regions to Russia. Continuation of the war will result in an even more unfavorable outcome, possibly making Ukraine a dysfunctional rump state bereft of its most productive lands and facing costly and uncertain reconstruction. There Have Been Significant Developments in Conventional Warfare The Ukraine war has been a testing ground for military technology, and the results will have consequences for future armed conflicts. Tanks and aircraft, formerly considered the dominant weapons in conventional war are being challenged effectively by precision guided missiles and drones. This suggests that asymmetric warfare will become more difficult for nations relying on the superiority of large arsenals of older weapons. Insurgents and small nations will increasingly arm themselves with relatively inexpensive precison-guided weaponry to counter the military capabilities of major powers. Drones have quickly become a prominent player on the Ukraine battlefield, providing reconnaissance and strike capabilities at a far lower cost than aircraft systems and at low risk to pilots. Basic drones are remotely operated and guided by radio links. These links can be jammed, but the jamming equipment has to be operating on the right frequencies, at the right place, and the right time, so it cant always stop a drone. The latest drones communicate over a long fiber optic cable, so their signals are immune to jamming. Drones can be launched from almost anywhere, so they are a remarkably versatile weapon, as demonstrated in the recent attack on Russian airbases. With the declining numbers of Ukraines artillery and armored vehicles, drones have become the main weapon retarding the advance of Russian forces because large-scale assaults are hazardous in the presence of numerous attack drones. The Ukrainians have also used naval drones that have sunk a few Russian ships in the Black Sea and caused the shifting of Russian naval forces away from Crimea. Hypersonic missiles have been employed for the first time in large-scale warfare. Russian has used three types of hypersonic missiles in the Ukraine war. Becasuse of their great speed, these missiles are difficult to intercept, even for the Patriot system, and they have tremendous destructive power because of their ability to destroy deeply buried targets, such as command bunkers or equipment storage sites. The Oreshnik missile delivers non-explosive kinetic energy warheads of novel design and reportedly destroyed an extensive underground factory facility. NATO has no conventional missiles with equivalent capabilities. Glide bombs are relatively simple but highly effective weapons that have made a big contribution to Russias increasing success on the battlefield in Ukraine. By attaching folding wings and a guidance system to ordinary aerial bombs Russia has made its enormous inventory of Cold War era bombs convertible to precision munitions. When launched from high altitude, the 50-90 Km range of glide bombs allows their carrier aircraft to stay outside the range of Ukrainian air defenses. These bombs have made it very difficult for Ukraine to hold defensive positions, since the larger glide bombs are capable of destroying even the most formidable fortifications. Although the U.S. has supplied equivalent guided bombs to Ukraine, there are too few Ukrainian attack aircraft left to deliver these bombs in quantity. Russia is dropping about 100 glide bombs daily on Ukrainian positions. What Comes Next U.S. foreign policy makers will not learn to avoid another debacle like Ukraine. On the contrary, their ability to walk away from the ruins of Ukraine without any political repercussions will reinforce their belief that they have a repeatable formula for sustaining a bloated military, selling weapons, and starting wars of convenience. This pattern of U.S. foreign policy failures stretches from Vietnam to the present day, with a corresponding trail of death and destruction. I expect another iteration of this cyclic pattern in a proxy or direct U.S. war against China in the Pacific. Substitute the Taiwan independence red line for the Ukraine in NATO red line, and you have a new casus belli scenario to sell to the public: an evil authoritarian regime in China invading the plucky small democratic nation of Taiwan. Whenever increasing the U.S. defense budget is in doubt, a confrontation in the South China Sea or sending more troops to Taiwan can be arranged to bring China closer to the brink of war. The pernicious cycle of military overreach will likely continue until the U.S. is either exhausted financially or decisively defeated militarily. Meanwhile, thanks to Internet media, the whole world will watch the march of folly. Even US-aligned governments in the region are beginning to ask, somewhat naively, which side the US is on in the war on guns, begging the question: which war? In the early hours of May 20, Ximena Guzman, the 42 year-old private secretary of Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, parked her car in the usual place on the side of Tlalpan Avenue. She was there to pick up Jose Munoz, a 52-year old colleague and advisor to Brugada, as she did every morning. When Munoz got into the car, a hitman lurking just a few metres away drew a nine millimetre handgun and emptied the 12 bullets in the magazine at the two civil servants. Both died almost instantly. This all took place in broad daylight and amid rush hour traffic. The hitman fled on a black motorcycle, which he ditched a short distance away. There, with the help of at least three other accomplices, he used a blue car to drive to the Iztacalco borough, where they picked up another vehicle, a grey pickup truck, which they drove into the neighbouring State of Mexico where they disappeared. As El Pais reported, this team of clearly professional assassins left no trace behind (qualifiers in parenthesis my own): No fingerprints, no [clear] suspects, no [clear] motive The weapon they used was clean: analysis of the shell casings found at the scene revealed it hadnt been used in previous crimes. The reason I added the two qualifiers is that while there may not be clear suspects or motives behind the crime, there are a number of possible suspects, all with their own possible motives. The most obvious suspect, according to most domestic and international media, would be one of the large Mexican drug cartels such as Jalisco Next Generation, La Familia Michoacan or the Sinaloa cartel, though the latter has been heavily weakened in recent months. The obvious motive: revenge for the Sheinbaum governments recent security crackdowns, including the capture and extradition to the US of dozens of cartel capos. While the cartels are perfectly capable of taking such action, and pulling it off with ease, one cant help but wonder: why target two mid-to-high ranking Mexico City civil servants with no direct involvement in security matters? To sow panic in government ranks? To send a message that nowhere is safe and that anyone can be targeted in broad daylight regardless of whether they have ties to Mexicos security forces? Another possible suspect, highlighted by the journalist Jesus Escobar Tobar, is Mexico Citys real estate mafia, whose illegal manipulation of the property market in Mexico City is coming under sustained pressure from Clara Brugadas municipal governments policies. These white-collar criminals, presumably with contacts in the police and security services, probably have the means as well as a clear motive for carrying out this crime. Another possible suspect is the US government and its three-letter agencies. Despite its dramatic decline across most areas of governance, Washington is still ruthlessly efficient at killing innocent people on each and every continent, especially its own. It also has motives. For a start, the execution-style killing of these two civil servants further destabilises the Sheinbaum government, reinforcing the impression that it cannot guarantee security in any part of Mexicos territory, including even the (generally safer) capital. This, in turn, strengthens Washingtons case that Mexico needs US intervention to help steady the ship. In recent weeks, President Trump has repeatedly asked Sheinbaum to allow US troops to enter Mexico to combat the drug cartels. The timing was also curious. The exact morning that Guzman and Munoz were executed, Sheinbaums government was scheduled to present the latest security figures for Mexico City, which showed a marked improvement. Also, the US new Ambassador to Mexico (and former CIA agent and green beret) Ron Johnson had just taken up residence at the US new billion-dollar embassy in the Mexico City borough of Polanco. All of this, of course, amounts to little more than conjecture for there is no proof pointing to any particular suspect at least not currently in the public domain. Now, lets shift our focus 2,800 kilometres to the east, to Haiti. Roughly a week after the double-assassination in Mexico, the New York Times published a story that at first glance seems entirely unrelated to the events in Mexico. Erik Prince, the former Blackwater founder and CEO, arms trafficker, shadow Trump advisor and wannabe colonialist , had just been awarded a contract by Haitis Western-controlled government to conduct lethal operations against gangs that are, in the Grey Ladys words, terrorizing the nation and threatening to take over its capital. Arguably the longest-suffering victim of Western colonialism and neo-colonialism on the American continent, Haiti has suffered so many interventions in recent decades that it is now often labelled the Republic of NGOs. Many of them are US or UN-led. After a devastating earthquake in 2010 killed an estimated 200,000 people and left many government buildings in rubble, thousands of aid organizations decamped in Haiti and constructed a powerful parallel state accountable to no one but their boards and donors. As Nation magazine noted, the international relief effort after the 2010 earthquake excluded Haitians from their own recovery. The latest attempt to bring order to the country was through the deployment of hundreds of Kenyan troops and police officers. But it has clearly failed hence the apparent need for a private sector-led military intervention (some reports claim this is really about quashing popular revolt in Haiti once again as ex-policeman Jimmy Cherizier calls for a revolution to topple the government). From the Times: With Haitis undermanned and underequipped police force struggling to contain the gangs, the government is turning to private military contractors equipped with high-powered weapons, helicopters and sophisticated surveillance and attack drones to take on the well-armed gangs. At least one other American security company is working in Haiti, though details of its role are secret. Since drone attacks targeting gangs started in March, they have killed more than 200 people, according to Pierre Esperance, who runs a leading human rights organization in Port-au-Prince. After the U.S. occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq ended, security firms like those owned by Mr. Prince started seeing big streams of revenues dry up. Private military contractors are looking for new opportunities, and they see possibilities in Latin America. This is the second time in two months that a government on the American continent has hired Princes services. In early April, the former Blackwater CEO visited Ecuador to ostensibly help the countrys security services combat narco-terrorism the term du jour in Washington and its vassal state governments in Latin America. That was just after trying (and failing) to crowdfund a mercenary-led coup against Nicolas Maduros government in Venezuela while presumably trousering the funds that were donated. Iron Rivers Everywhere One thing that Mexico, Ecuador and Haiti have in common, apart from their relative geographic proximity, is that they are all awash in guns. This is despite the fact that the Central America and Caribbean region neither manufactures such weapons nor plays any significant intermediary role in the global trade in guns. Meanwhile, Mexico tightly controls firearm sales, making them practically impossible to obtain legally. In recent days, it further toughened its gun control policies, including by banning the 3D printing of guns. In Ecuador, by contrast, the Daniel Noboa government has made it easier to acquire firearms legally over the past year. Most of the weapons flowing to these countries are coming from the US, of course, and they appear to be coming in ever larger numbers. In a letter sent to US legislators in September last year, New Yorks attorney general and 13 other lawmakers across the US called for new measures to stem the outward flow of US-made guns, noting that as many as 90% of weapons used in the Caribbean were bought in the US and smuggled into the region. In the case of Mexico, the southward flow of weapons, often referred to as the iron river, may have increased by as much five fold in volume over the past two decades. According to estimates from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), 90,000 firearms were smuggled into Mexico in 2004. By 2024, some estimates, including the Mexican governments, put the figure at around half a million. While its impossible to count precisely how many weapons are successfully smuggled, for obvious reasons, US investigators and federal agencies concede that the number of guns illegally pouring into Mexico and the Caribbean has increased in recent years. So, too, has violent crime and deaths. In Haiti, the number of killings increased by 20% last year alone, to 5,600. Most of the killing was done with US-made and -smuggled guns. As Bloomberg reported in Jan 2024, even US-aligned governments in the Caribbean are beginning to ask, rather naively perhaps, which side the US is on in the war on guns (begging the question: which war?): Of the 10 countries with the worlds highest homicide rates in 2022, five were in the Caribbean. (This tally doesnt count Haiti, which doesnt compile reliable statistics.) Even islands that had been relatively untouched have seen homicide rates soar in the case of the British territory of Turks & Caicos, by 150% since 2021, according to Insight Crime, a Washington-based research organization that studies organized crime in the Americas. Island authorities say that supply has only surged since the 2021 assassination of Haitis president virtually eliminated that nations ability to police gun trafficking. Its now a hub for smuggling. Many of the firearms are purchased at US retailers by buyers working for smuggling networks based in the islands. Leaders from those countries point out that theyve spent decades and diverted millions of dollars from their domestic budgets to help the US combat drug-trafficking rings. Now they want the favor returned. As we have assisted them in the war on drugs, they must assist us in the war on guns, Andrew Holness, the Jamaican prime minister, said at a regional security summit last year. A Damning Picture It is a similar message from Mexico. The hundreds of thousands of weapons pouring into the country each year from licensed gun shops in southern US states such as Texas, Arizona and New Mexico is exacerbating not only violence in Mexico but also drug consumption in the US as well as the northward migration of Mexicans fleeing bloodshed in their local communities. A recent investigation by Sean Campbell, an economic development professor who has been tracking the illegal arms trade for more than a decade, and Topher McDougal, an investigative journalist, paints a damning picture: The increase in gun trafficking from the US is directly related to an increase in the homicide rate in Mexico. By the estimates of both the Mexican and US government, over 70% of all weapons used by the cartels come from the US (another likely source is the Mexican army, most of whose weapons are also US-sourced). The most destructive weapons are more likely to come from independent merchants than from large chains. These merchants sell 16 times more assault weapons and 60 times more sniper rifles. This arms trade fuels an arms race between criminals and Mexican security forces, benefiting the US arms industry, which makes money on both sides of the war. Greater oversight of dealers by the ATF would reduce the likelihood that their guns would be resold illegally. For the sake of comparison, between January 2020 and April 2024 Ukraine, at war with Russia, received 40,000 small arms from the US the equivalent of 10,000 a year. That represents less than 7% of the total volume of weapons the US illegally exports to Mexico during an average year. Just as the flow of fentanyl into the US costs tens of thousands of lives each year, so too does the southward flow of the iron river into Mexico. Since Mexico declared war on the cartels in 2006, at US insistence, roughly half a million people have been killed, of whom over 70% died of injuries caused by firearms. That doesnt include the 125,802 victims of enforced disappearance and missing people registered as of March this year. Even by conservative estimates for example assuming that most of the missing people are dead and that half of all the deaths resulting from firearm injuries were caused by US-made and smuggled weapons thats a death toll of around 250,000 people. And thats just in Mexico. In 2021, Mexicos AMLO government filed a $10 billion suit against seven US gun makers, including Smith & Wesson Brands, Sturm and Ruger & Co, contending that the companies were well aware that their weapons were being resold on the black market, and in fact actively encouraged it. The governments of the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize and St. Lucia also joined the suit. In 2022, a judge threw out the case on the grounds that a US law the 2005 Federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) provides the firearms industry broad immunity from lawsuits over their products misuse. But then, a US appeals court revived the lawsuit. From US News: U.S. Circuit Judge William Kayatta, writing for the three-judge panel, said that while the law can be applied to lawsuits by foreign governments, Mexicos lawsuit plausibly alleges a type of claim that is statutorily exempt from the PLCAAs general prohibition. He said that was because the law was only designed to protect lawful firearms-related commerce, yet Mexico had accused the companies of aiding and abetting illegal gun sales by facilitating the trafficking of firearms into the country. The bottom line is that Mexico has plausibly alleged at least some injuries that it has suffered directly from the illegal trafficking of guns into Mexico, wrote Judge William Kayatta. Mexico alleges that defendants know that their guns are trafficked into Mexico and make deliberate design, marketing, and distribution choices to retain and grow that illegal market and the substantial profits that it produces. The case now resides with the US Supreme Court, which is likely to block it. If not, it could hit the profits of US gun makers, shops and runners, as the Mexican journalist and news presenter Denise Maerker notes (translation my own): There is a huge business in the United States that thrives on organised crime in Mexico, which is the monstrous demand for weapons. You only need to see how many gun shops there are on the US-Mexico border [T]hey are there simply to satisfy the demand. Its interesting to see the adverts produced by the companies that manufacture these weapons and how the laws are designed in such a way that it is easy to violate them, so that anyone can buy a weapon and pass it on to a drug trafficker Obviously its an enormous business and the United States has not decided or wanted to turn off the taps. We all know the power the arms manufacturers have in the US. Supporting Terrorism? But there is a tiny sliver of hope that things may change. By designating Mexicos largest drug cartels as terrorist organisations, the Trump administration has, almost certainly unintentionally, upped the stakes in this legal battle. After all, if the cartels are now considered terrorist organisations by US law, then surely the companies that provide them with the vast arsenals of weapons they use to commit their crimes of terror are also complicit in terrorism? Certainly, Mexicos Sheinbaum government seems to think so. In a press conference in February, she noted that the US Justice Department itself had acknowledged that 74% of the weapons used by Mexicos criminal groups come from the US: If they declare these criminal groups as terrorists, then well have to expand our US lawsuit The lawyers are looking at it, but they could be accomplices, The problem here is that it assumes that the US legal system is still more or less functional. There are, however, tentative signs that the Trump may be shifting its approach to arms smuggling to Mexico. In recent weeks, ATF officials have participated in press conferences in Louisville, Kentucky, Columbus, Ohio and Nogales, Arizona, to announce achievements in the interdiction of outbound weapons and combatting firearms trafficking to Mexico. Whether this is purely for show remains to be seen. But even at a symbolic level, this could be important. At the beginning of May, Sheinbaum praised Trump for pledging to take a tougher line on arms smuggling from the US to Mexico. That has never been said before by a president of the United States, Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference. And it is important for Mexico that arms trafficking stops. The president was alluding to statements by an official from the US Agency for the Control of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) who stressed that President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have given clear orders on how to combat smugglers. We work for the President of the United States, Attorney General Bondi, and her directive is to clamp down on firearms trafficking, Brendan Iber, ATF Special Agent in Charge, said during a press conference in Arizona. However, given the Trump administrations close ties to US pro-gun groups as well as his bases passion for the second amendment, any such statements should be taken with a generous helping of salt. Meanwhile, the iron rivers of guns continue to flow from southern states in the US all the way through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, leaving a vast trail of carnage in their wake. Agreeing on many issues and disagreeing on some, the Republican candidates for the District 62 seat in the Virginia House of Delegates sat side by side at a forum May 29 in Unionville ahead of the June 17 primary. First-time candidate Karen Hamilton, a homeschooling mother of three who studied structural engineering in college, briefly stumbled in her opening statement, losing her place for a moment before recovering. She said she was running to secure the blessings of liberty her children are set to inherit. Her opponent, Clay Jackson, a beef cattle farmer and chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors, said he didnt know what his first bills would be if elected to the statehouse, but he stressed time and again he would fight to represent local interests. In closing statements, the two candidates, both 41, were asked what differentiates them from the other. Im a woman, Hamilton said, to laughter. Republicans, we know the difference between those two. We need a few more womens voices on the conservative side that are not coming from an angry feminists perspective, but from a thoughtful, faith-oriented perspective that understands what we need for our families, for our children. Karen Hamilton is the wife of Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL and congressional candidate who served as Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator between Jan. 22 and May 8, when he was fired by President Donald Trump. Cameron Hamilton attended the forum to support his wife, sporting a cowboy hat and overseeing T-shirt sales outside with their children. Karen Hamilton, who grew up in North Carolina in a military and missionary family, said her faith is the most important thing in her life and something that would direct every single move that I take. She said her background in engineering has given her problem-solving skills. Jackson, in his closing statement, emphasized his agricultural background and his involvement in local politics dating back to his 20s. Because I thought it was something I could do well, starting at the Planning Commission level, going to Board of Supervisors meetings when there wasnt anyone else there, just sitting there and watching what they did, and now having the privilege of being on the Board of Supervisors for 12 years, he said. Im hoping that Ive sucked up a whole lot of information. Jackson said he understands monetary constraints at the state and federal level, economic development, school populations and infrastructure. Costs are just skyrocketing in every aspect, he said. I learned the hard way, and its based on experience. The Madison County chairman makes $10,000 annually, he said, estimating it comes out to $2 an hour. Were not doing it for the money, its a devotion to our communities, Jackson said. No matter which one of us you pick, were community-minded. He added he knows how to navigate the issues, which hopefully in Richmond would translate to a smaller-government approach. Jackson said he would represent his base back home, if elected, saying everyone else wants to talk about abortion and transgender bathroom usage. He specified he is anti-abortion, referencing state measures to ban abortions at 15 weeks. The big one is citizen representation at the local level, thats where the focus needs to be, Jackson said. We have far different issues than Northern Virginia or Charlottesville. Rural the state has left us behind a bit. Karen Hamilton said the most critical issues facing Virginia are government overreaching infringing on individual liberties, the Second Amendment and property and parental rights. She said she would oppose state constitutional amendments granting the right to an abortion or redefining marriage. While a constitutional amendment still on the books bans same-sex marriage, it has not been enforceable since 2014 after a U.S. Supreme Court decision. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin further protected same-sex marriage last year, when he signed legislation preventing anyone who is authorized to issue a marriage license in Virginia to deny one based on sex or gender. Both candidates in Unionville said more than once they would support lower taxes. We need to stop spending so much money so we can reduce your tax burdens, said Hamilton. She recommended a DOGE sort of thing, referring to billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, with line-by-line budget cuts. Not every dollar spent in Richmond is blessing the lives of our people, she said. Jackson mentioned the county budget he helps oversee is needs-based. As for DOGE, he said he hasnt seen anything like it, while supporting a similar approach at the state level. Madison County has the second lowest real estate tax rate in the region behind Culpeper, Jackson said, and they go through their budget line by line. Asked what makes him more electable, Jackson said the 62nd District is his home and hes not going anywhere. He added, We need to focus on unity in the Republican Party. Hamilton said she is a fresh voice and face for the district. We need a few more mama bears in Richmond to hold the line for our kids, she said. Asked about reaching across the aisle, Hamilton said she would be more of a polarizing person due to her core beliefs. She added her background in engineering would allow her to bring practical solutions to issues such as infrastructure and energy. She said the state needs to unleash energy resources in all forms, adding that could be an area in which she reaches across the aisle. Jackson said he ran as an independent for the board of supervisors. The big thing: I work with people. I am listening to what they have to say. I am a professional haggler, he said of his work as a trader in the cattle sale barn he owns in Madison. Jackson touted sensible, fact-based solutions that cross over the political line, saying many issues are in the gray area. Working with Democrats in Richmond, he added, There is sensible people out there. We just need to convince them our way is the right way. Both candidates support expanding the use of nuclear energy to meet growing demand for power. Jackson noted the Dominion Energy plant at Lake Anna is adding another reactor and that natural gas is an additional energy source with local pipelines already in place. Solar power is a whole other issue, Jackson said. He advocated for local control of land-use decisions regarding utility-scale solar projects and not putting such projects on prime farmland. Looks like a shell game to me, Jackson said, saying fossil fuels, in addition, are not going anywhere. Hamilton said she supported clean energy use but also bringing back coal and natural gas. We need all forms of energy, she said. It will bless the lives of every single person. On affordable housing, Hamilton referenced tax rates and making it easier for first-time homebuyers, while Jackson said housing is a challenging thing. He said there has been very little growth in Madison due to lack of sewer treatment. Low-income housing never pays for itself when it comes to services rendered, Jackson said. The candidates were asked, through audience-submitted questions, how they would stop Virginia from becoming more like California. Jackson said, We need to remember who we work for: the citizen base, while being reasonable on legislative requirements and lacking overly burdensome regulations. California has got some of the craziest laws out there, he said. Hamilton said taxes and crime are too high in California and parental rights are not respected. We need to elect strong conservatives that stand for law and order, she said. Both candidates espoused strong support for gun ownership and helping small businesses thrive by keeping Virginia a right-to-work state, cutting regulations and having a welcoming attitude. Jackson bristled when asked his first three bills if elected to serve in Richmond. I look at the local side of things, Jackson said, saying he hopes leadership in Richmond helps him get more educated on state issues. He added he would represent the regions morals and values. Hamilton said her top three bills would be constitutional carry, 100% protection of life and school choice, referring to the use of taxpayer dollars to support private schools and other alternatives to public education. She said her husband would be the first person she would call if in need of advice at the statehouse, followed by incumbent Del. Nick Freitas of Culpeper, who endorsed her at a campaign launch in Orange, days before the filing deadline. Jackson said he would call his new wife, married a month, present at the forum in cowboy boots just like him. He also said he would call his relatives. I have a great family that looks at things in the right ways, along with business associates Jackson said he could trust. On public education, Jackson said the focus should be on a students strengths, learning in different ways and a core curriculum. What makes them tick, he said, adding, After COVID, education became very challenging. Schools are viewed as a babysitter and parents are not doing the best job, Jackson said. Hamilton, who homeschools her children, said she is passionate about education. Many societal issues are born out of a public education system we allowed to be taken over by leftists, she said. Hamiltons mother was a teacher. The system has great children and teachers, she said, and they need to be paid well. School administration is bloated, she added, targeting Orange County Public Schools administration, which is taking up an entire school. Orange County administration occupies the former Prospect Heights Middle School, next to the new middle school. Hamilton said she wanted to open up educational freedom, saying public schools are not for everyone. On the topic of mental health, the candidates spoke generally, with Hamilton mentioning youth reporting higher levels of depression and anxiety as well as gender confusion. She said it starts in the public schools where children have been indoctrinated and oversexualized, Hamilton said. A lot of the answers are found in God, she said. Stop looking to the government to be your savior. Hamilton said she supports more facilities for people with mental health issues who do need help. She added community and faith is the real answer. Jackson said many mental health issues are tied to substance abuse and that those substances need to be off the streets. Madison deputies have to drive to a mental health facility in Galax, more than three hours away, to transport people being detained through an emergency custody order. Madison County recently sold its old county administration building on Main Street to Encompass Community Supports, a community services board serving five local counties. Encompass is now offering medical services out of that office to local residents and will expand with mental health and substance abuse services as well, Jackson said. Get tough, we need to shift back to, he said of mental health. Be sympathetic, but yall need to get thicker skin. Both candidates said they support the use of pesticides as a tool for agriculture and that data centers can boost economic development. It should be a local land-use decision where data centers go, Jackson said. Its major money, but it has to be a local decision, he said. Hamilton agreed, saying nobody really likes data centers but no one is giving up their phone anytime soon either. Its something we have to accept, she said. Hamilton said data centers need to go in the right locations and pay their fair share for the amount of electricity used. She talked about carrying forth the rural values of the 62nd District in Richmond, saying she loves the slower pace of life and green open spaces of the Piedmont. We need to protect our beautiful land and property rights, Hamilton said. I plan to be a strong advocate for faith and family. Jackson said the focus isnt on him. It needs to be on all of yall, he said. Thats where we get our direction from. Whoever wins in the Republican primary on June 17 will run against Greene County Democrat Sara Ratcliffe in the November election. The incumbent, Freitas, is retiring after 10 years in the statehouse. We posted shortly after news broke of the Ukraine drone attacks on Russian strategic bombers. The losses appear much less severe than initially reported but it appears at least five Tu-95 bombers were seriously damaged and two were destroyed. In comments, readers took issue with a report by Scott Ritter, that these attacks were on Russian nuclear deterrent assets, crossed a Russian red line, and would allow for nuclear retaliation under Russias nuclear doctrine, not that the fabulously cool-headed Putin would do such a thing. They also disputed the seriousness of the attack on these aircraft, disputing their status as part of Russias nuclear triad. Larry Wilkerson, without having any apparent knowledge of Scott Ritters post, comes down fiercely on his side of the argument. Some readers tried to dismiss Ritter as over his skis in attempting to interpret the Russian doctrine. Whether Ritter is expert or not, Wilkerson was close to incandescent in excoriating the stupidity and sheer reckless of this attack. Moreover, he has confirmed from his own source that the US was deeply involved in this attack.1 Below is the entire video, which I encourage you to watch in full. [I will transcribe some key part I am a terrible and very slow transcriptionist, so you may initially see only time stamps, I want to sketch out some the implications first and return to providing the backup in written form, although you can find it by listening at the indicated times in the interim] Recall that Wilkerson has extremely deep experience in US cold war and geopolitics as Colin Powells chief of staff and other roles. Some readers attempted to discount Ritter as alarmist about nuclear war risks. That has not been a feature of Wilkersons commentary. At 0:55: Imagine, if you will, just to sort of set up an analogy, Mexico or Canada or any third party, particularly one that was proximate to our borders, launching missiles that hit Whiteman airforce base and destroyed B-2 bombers, or hit Barstow in Louisiana or Minot in North Dakota and destroyed B-52 bombers., or came in on Groton, Connecticut, where a ballistic missile submarine was being refurbished, and hit it. These are things that during the Cold War, we swore to each other, Washington and Moscow, that we would never do. These are things that are so destabilizing that Putin would be in his every right with regard to all the lessons we have learned, and they are many, to attack and to attack with nuclear weapons, and to say to the rest of the world, They provoked me, they surely did, and Im not losing my devices for responding should I be really provoked by a first strike. And thats what you are talking about. Never, never hit the assets that your nuclear-armed enemy needs to assess whether or not you are attacking them. Thats a no-no. Always been a no-no. No one disputed that in Moscow or Washington or for that matter in the other capitals of the world. Now weve broken that bug-a-boo. Now Weve said, Now its OK to do this. And heres what we did, Nima. Youre a smart man. We did this under Trumps tutelage, brain-dead though I am assuming more and more he is, meaning his cabinet and others around him, we did this because we wanted to establish negotiating leverage for the next meeting. Establish negotiating leverage by allowing your proxy to destroy serious nuclear assets of your enemy. This is unbelievable. I cant believe the Trump Administration has shown repeatedly since the inauguration, confirming much of what it showed in the 2016 forward years. That it is, I wont say brain-dead, but completely captured by that element of fascistic neoconservative autocratic advisors who are moneyed to the neck, within its realm. Thats whats running it. It isnt Donald Trump. Donald Trump didnt even know, watch his face, that Putins assassination was attempted, and that we had probably something to do with the intel that fed that. I will tell you this right now, Ive had long conversations with people who know, we were integral, we, the United State intelligence community writ large, we were absolutely necessary for these strikes. My question to Donald Trump is Did you know that? And if you didnt, why is Tulsi Gabbard still in her job? At 8:30: Putin is right. He is, in effect, at war with an alliance led by the United States of America. He has every right now, and he has expressed it time and time again, to put a nuclear weapon on a NATO capital. At 12:30: These strikes make me think I have lived too long. These strikes make me think that all that I have lived, all that I have learned, all the things that I was taught, that we heard endlessly during the Cold War and afterwards about nuclear weapons have just been set aside, completely set aside. I believe there are people in this country, in the Empire, who think they can win a nuclear war and are not cowed in the least by the fact that Putin has a stockpile that outnumbers our own, has weapons systems that can deliver that stockpile that are better than our own. They want this confrontation to happen, come hell or high water. And they are convinced they are going to win by making him back down. But Ive got news for them At 34:30 He [Putin] knows damned well we had everything to do with these strikes. Now it seems to him, were in the war. 100% in the war. And the next thing he better do is go out and make sure all his nuclear attack early warning systems are working. Cause the next thing he can expect is what Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and a host of others have argued is said we can win if we go first. At 42:05: Were looking at nuclear war. Thats what were looking at. Everyone on this planet is looking at it. Some commentators have chosen to dismiss the significance of the drone attack in light of the fact that it will not have any impact on Russias prosecution of the war. Russia is believed to have at least 50 combat ready Tu-95s and per Simplicius and Alexander Mercouris, needs only 6 at any time for its Ukraine effort. So the loss of 5 or even 10, if Russian sources are understating the total number loss, indeed does not diminish Russias war making capability. Wilkerson argues forcefully that the US participation in the airbase drone strikes means the US has no interest in peace. Worse, it confirms that we are dedicated to the neocon strategy of trying to bleed Russia and thus will never give up on fighting. He contends that we will reach for the nuclear arsenal when other methods have failed. Wilkerson says he knows individuals personally who advocate for nuclear because they think we could win it and/or to reduce global overpopulation. Russia may indeed not change its battlefield tempo but not due to blowing off this attack, but that will be due to digesting its very important and disturbing information content and determining that the current pace of attrition is still the best course of action. Indeed, one reason for not accelerating the pace much is that Russia is clearly dealing with crazy people, and its not prudent to make sudden moves near them. That would argue for playing along with the farce of the peace negotiations, and even eventually indulging Zelenskys request for a meeting with Putin (although the more likely course still seems to be to impose conditions that make it a non-starter, like asking Ukraine to present a proposed agenda, and then saying most of the items need to be handled by expert staff first before any big dogs meeting can occur). Another issue is that this confirmation of the US and European determination to keep the war going no matter what, and that means among other things terrorism even after the Ukraine army and state collapse, is that Russia almost certainly to take all of Ukraine, or perhaps save Lvov, particularly if it can deke the Poles into absorbing it. Russia will need to take control of current Ukraine territory so as, among other things, to force everyone in its territory to become Russian citizens, which means getting Russian passports and presumably providing biometric information. Russia has likely been gathering information on members of the SBU and neo-Nazi groups like Right Sector and can better and more aggressively hunt them down than through a friendly but independent state (unless treaties give Russia policing rights inside the new rump Ukraines borders limited to hunting down terrorists, which may seem irregular but ipso facto should not be impossible). Even though Russia will not be able to eliminate the neo-Nazis, its aim is to limit their ability to live in post-war Ukraine and have to operate from outside. Remember that even though the drone attack had the appearance of being implemented from outside Russia, Alexander Mercoursis pointed out it almost certainly relied heavily on networks of agents, and these attacks were costly since many of them would have been burned. Denying the neo-Nazis their old home bases (as in literally their homes) and their communities wont stop them, but it ought to impede their operations. We have pointed to but not studied end of World War II arrangements which provided for limited duration occupation (limited meaning years) with Germany gradually getting back its national sovereignity. Russia could also use these precedents. On the flip side of this ledger, we have pointed out that one of the many factor that Putin has had to consider in the pacing of this conflict is keeping the support of his economic allies, particularly China, India, and Turkiye, all of whom took risk in defying the US and continuing to trade with Russia. Putin and Lavrovs repeated banging on about the history of US duplicity, the measured way in which they have conducted the war (particularly the avoidance of civilian casualties), and the contract with Ukraine terrorism (continued shelling of civilians in Donetsk city, the attack on the Crimea beach, among other examples) have earned the Russian more trust even with leaders like Modi who were initially ambivalent about supporting Russia. The utter recklessness of this attack, and the fact that it confirms that the West is determined to keep fighting Russia no matter what, should boost the Russian case in the court of international opinion and reduce constraints on that front against more aggressive action and/or more territorial seizure. One more set of considerations is the debate with Putins top team. Even though we regularly stress that, contrary to Western propaganda, Putin is not a dictator and needs to be mindful of public opinion, more subtly, he also needs to not trample important power centers, importantly the General Staff and the military. Even though they all accept his status as supreme commander and would not challenge him, a good manager, and Putin is a superb manager, does not want people in key roles angry and disaffected with his decisions. John Helmer has been reporting for some time that the General Staff has been unhappy with Putin refusing to prosecute the war more aggressively, particularly electrical grid and production attacks. They may argue that these attacks prove them to be correct (although a heavy US and European hand in them might argue otherwise). The core problem is a bad rerun of this incident from the Cuban Missile Crisis. Weve cited this incident occasionally, the first time in 2015. Per Jonathan Glovers book Humanity: One lesson some of the Kennedy administration had learnt from The Guns of August was not to allow military drift. Kennedy himself was worried about the use of nuclear weapons by American forces in Turkey and Italy. He ordered that specific orders were to be sent underlining the need for presidential authorization. The Defence Secretary, Robert McNamara, insisted on controlling the way the navy carried out the blockade. He saw Admiral Anderson the day before the first Soviet ship was due to reach the quarantine line. He asked how the ship was to be stopped, and the Admiral said they would hail it. McNamara asked whether this would be in English or Russian, and what would happen if they did not understand or did not stop. He later recounted the Admirals response: Well send a shot across the bow, he said. Then what, if that doesnt work? Then well fire into the rudder, he replied, by now clearly very annoyed. What kind of ship is it? I asked. A tanker, Mr Secretary, he said. Youre not going to fire a single shot at anything without my express permission, is that clear? I said. Thats when he made his famous remark about how the Navy had been running blockades since the days of John Paul Jones, and if I would leave them alone they would run this one successfully as well. I rose from my chair and walked out of the room, saying this was not a blockade but a means of communication between Kennedy and Khrushchev; no force would be applied without my permission; and that would not be given without discussion with the President. Was that understood? I asked. The tight-lipped response was Yes The problem is that Putin has been trying to communicate with the US and NATO since 2008 to de-escalate. Not only is no one listening, but the disarray under Trump means no one seems to be home. ____ 1 Both Wilkerson here and Larry Johnson in a different Dialogue Works claim that CNN reported that Hegseth watched the drone attacks in real time. I have not been able to find that story, nor any tweets that link to it. But if this is accurate, not only is the US admitting to intimate participation but also poked Russia in the eye about it. Poland election: Tusk to ask for a vote of confidence DW (Kevin W) From Politicos morning European newsletter, subject line Tusk, defiant and defanged: TUSK BETWEEN NAWROCKI AND A HARD PLACE: Stinging from his allys narrow defeat in the presidential election, a defiant Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he plans to call a vote of confidence. The message: Tusk said he has already been dealing with an uncooperative president and has an emergency plan to handle the persistent threat of veto against his governments efforts to bring Poland back into Brussels good graces. 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, Tusk said of the victory on Sunday by Karol Nawrocki, the candidate backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party. Read more from Joe Stanley-Smith. The same could be said of this confidence vote. Unless things go very wrong, he has no chance of losing, notes POLITICOs own Polish politics guru Jan Cienski. Still, thats unlikely to change the dynamic that now favors a revived Law and Justice party. HOW BRUSSELS WILL FEEL THE POLISH RESULTS: Tusk was poised to make Poland powerful again on the European stage just six months ago, he was the most potent player in the revived Weimar Triangle. Now, hes among the EUs walking wounded, and mainstream Brussels has lost a role model for how to counter populism. June 2 was moving day at Old Tent City. Signs warned that it might be the last opportunity for residents to access the roughly 20-acre wooded encampment around Anthes Drive where more than 100 people and pets lived in RVs, cars, tents and makeshift structures, some of which had electricity and water systems. Around noon on Monday, fewer than a dozen people remained, including a few residents who learned about that days camp closure for the first time that morning when they saw Metro police and city employees touring peoples homesteads. The closure, which followed a housing surge led by Metros Office of Homeless Services, comes as the citys relationships with providers including nonprofits and charities is suffering from dysfunction and a deep lack of trust. OHS has not housed everyone at the camp, nor all those who want housing; it has moved more than 80 people into temporary housing, primarily relying on rooms at the Rodeway Inn, a converted motel near the airport. Multiple providers spoke with the Scene, criticizing the citys methods of addressing homelessness as well as an institutional lack of information sharing, poor communication, perceived favoritism, sensitivity to feedback, and even retaliation for public comments critical of OHS. Metro disburses millions of dollars in grants to local homeless service providers, much of which comes with clauses prohibiting recipients from speaking to the media about relevant work. City to Clear Old Tent City Residents plan for next steps as police and social workers manage a 60-day countdown at large downtown encampment Philosophical differences, practical concerns and personal tensions have all contributed to the general rift between the city and homeless service providers. This chilling effect, as one provider termed it, has led to bad-faith assumptions between parties and discouraged teamwork necessary to more efficiently address the needs of Nashvilles unhoused residents. Overall our goal is to continue to improve community alignment, says Demetris Chaney, OHS public information coordinator, when asked about tensions building between the city and partner organizations. Everyone is very passionate about housing unhoused individuals. We want to make sure were pulling in the same direction. I think we can always stand to make sure were all moving in the same direction. We all want whats best for people living outside. I dont want to add specifics, because I think were more aligned than were different. But the situation has apparently become dire enough that one provider, Open Table Nashville, requested mediation with the city, according to an email thread between Metro councilmembers and OHS director April Calvin that was shared with the Scene. In addition to the need for community mediation, we continue to see ongoing problems with accountability and transparency from your office, wrote Open Table co-founder and advocacy director Lindsey Krinks in a May 20 email. There are also a number of things were not aligned on which is apparent from our questions and your responses. We can talk more about these at another time, but they include our approach and engagement with encampments and the residents who live there, what Housing First looks like in practice, and how we speak about people who are unhoused, especially in public. The Scene spoke with other providers who declined to comment on the record, citing media clauses and fear of retaliation, particularly referencing OHS control of grant money. Open Table Nashville does not receive funding from OHS. Taxpayer purse strings give OHS the power to shape the services landscape, a responsibility that often requires working cohesively with providers. After a failed partnership with OHS, for example, affordable housing developer Holladay Ventures is now in the process of returning more than $2 million to the city granted to finance 14 units of permanent supportive housing. Various nonprofits, churches, businesses and private citizens aim to alleviate harsh living conditions for those without a stable or affordable place to live. Metros Office of Homeless Services is perceived as the natural leader of these citywide efforts, both because of its government perch and the money, people and resources allocated to the city department. Former Mayor John Cooper appointed April Calvin as the first OHS director upon the departments inception in 2023, months before Freddie OConnell was elected as mayor. A recent episode of podcast City Cast Nashville brought together Homelessness Planning Council Chair Kennetha Patterson and former Metro employee Mike Lacy to discuss the tense situation between OHS and homeless providers. On his Substack, Lacy penned a thorough and very critical analysis of OHS doublespeak around camp closures and housing strategies. It squared with a 2024 broadside from The Contributor director Will Connelly, who formerly led the citys Homeless Commission. Patterson, who has lived unhoused, chairs the citys Curriculum of Care Homelessness Planning Council, a sort of steering board for coordination between providers and the city formed in July 2018. It feels like, to be honest, April Calvin has been operating as the chair of the Homeless Planning Council, Patterson told CityCast. The tension of, We dont want to relinquish power to lived expertise. So we are being stripped of that power by what is taking place in the background and bureaucracy. When the Scene asked whether OConnell still has confidence in Calvins leadership, the mayor pointed to recent housing-related accomplishments by the city. Weve seen huge steps forward on things I was working on even before becoming mayor, OConnell said last week. We finally, after several administrations, have Strobel House open as the first public permanent supportive housing facility. We have made huge strides in the expansion of our homeless management information system. The recent acquisition from the Housing Division of our Unified Housing Strategy is informing our budget decisions this year. A number of Nashville businesses are among the more than 58,000 corporations to cash in on a $1.5 billion franchise tax refund passed by the Tennessee General Assembly last year. The Republican-led legislation removed the property portion of the tax, now allowing businesses to request refunds for the previous three years if they had previously filed taxes via the property provision. Legislature Wraps Session With Tax Cut for Businesses, No Vouchers for Lee The Tennessee General Assembly passed a budget along with legislation arming teachers and criminalizing abortion trafficking On May 31, the Tennessee Department of Revenue published a list of businesses that applied for the tax rebate. The list will remain public via the state website only until June 30 and will then be removed. The database does not show the exact amount each business will get in refunds, but instead separates them into categories of businesses receiving less than $750, receiving between $750 and $10,000, and receiving more than $10,000. Nearly 16,000 companies will receive a refund worth more than $10,000. These include national corporations like Amazon, AT&T, FedEx, General Motors and Tesla. An array of health care groups are cashing in on the refund, including locally headquartered Acadia Healthcare, Community Health Systems and HCA Healthcare. Other Nashville-area companies taking a chunk of the $10,000-plus refund are CoreCivic, Cracker Barrel, Dollar General, Delek, Nissan, Tractor Supply and Vanderbilt University. The Lee Company, formerly run by Gov. Bill Lee before he took office in 2019, will also receive a refund in excess of $10,000. Lee placed the company in a blind trust just before he was inaugurated as governor. The state has said that the change to the franchise tax could result in a decrease of $405 million in state revenue each year. State Renews $168 Million Contract With CoreCivic Governor issues first veto, rejecting a bill to expand power of parole board When the tax legislation passed the General Assembly last year, it received vehement pushback from state Democrats, who claimed a lack of transparency. Democrats continue to speak out against the refunds, often referring to them as corporate handouts. Lee and Republicans have driven our state right off the fiscal cliff in less than 15 years, and every working and middle-class family will end up paying the price for their fiscal recklessness, says Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) in a press release. A full list of businesses set to receive refunds can be found on the Department of Revenue website until June 30. This article was first published by our sister publication the Nashville Post. Report: Almost 100 Aussie kids hospitalized every day due to reactions from common medications A report has found that nearly 100 Australian children are hospitalized daily due to adverse drug reactions, half of which are preventable. This has cost Australia's healthcare system A$130 million annually. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and antidepressants lead pediatric poisonings, with 7,332 hospitalizations recorded from 2022 to 2023 from overdoses, off-label use and accidental ingestion. Researchers highlight gaps in pediatric medication safety, including untested dosages for children and regulatory transparency issues, as drugs are rarely trialed on young populations. Experts warn that even "safe" doses of acetaminophen may harm neurodevelopment, potentially contributing to autism and ADHD, urging parents to explore alternatives like vitamin D3 and probiotics. Advocates demand stricter oversight to prioritize childrens safety over corporate interests, emphasizing prevention through responsible prescribing and public awareness. A report has revealed that nearly 100 Australian children are hospitalized daily due to adverse drug reactions, half of which are preventable. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's (PSA) Medicine Safety Report, produced by the University of South Australia (UniSA), documents a healthcare crisis where 93 children present to emergency rooms daily for medication-related injuries. These include poisoning, overdoses and dangerous off-label use Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and antidepressants are among the top culprits, with 7,332 pediatric poisonings requiring hospitalization in 2022 to 2023 alone. The report estimates these incidents cost the Land Down Under's healthcare system A$130 million ($83.46 million) annually. "Medicine use among children and teenagers is common," said lead researcher Dr. Imaina Widagdo. "Yet given that nearly 100 children present at hospitals each day for adverse reactions, it's clear that more needs to be done to protect their health." (Related: Acetaminophen and antidepressants lead to childhood ER visits at significant rate a symptom of a bigger problem poisoning kids' brains.) According to Widagdo, the PSA report's revelations expose systemic failures in pediatric medication safety. They also raise urgent questions about regulatory transparency and the ethics of prescribing inadequately tested drugs to minors. "Unlike adults, children have developing bodies, which means they can respond to medicines differently than adults," she explained. "Secondly, because medicines are rarely trialed with children, the doses, safety and efficacy of certain medicines may not be fully known or always accurate." The true dangers of kids' medications Researcher William Parker told The Defender that the PSA's report touches on a "very important issue" children being poisoned from common household medication. However, he pointed out that the report is "missing the big picture." Parker, who wasn't involved in the UniSA paper, mentioned that acetaminophen "is not safe for neurodevelopment even at clinically accepted doses." The researcher specializing in acetaminophen risks continued: "It's causing autism and probably ADHD as well. So that is the real problem." Advocates urged parents to seek alternatives. Writing for Natural Health 365, Wendy Miller recommended immune-supporting strategies such as supplementation with vitamin D3, zinc, probiotics and whole foods over reliance on poorly vetted medications. The global epidemic of pediatric medication harm demands accountability not just for the drugs that injure, but for the systems that enable it. Until regulators prioritize children's safety over corporate interests, families remain unwitting participants in a high-stakes experiment with no informed consent. "What this tells us is that we need to take much more care when prescribing and monitoring medicines for children and young people," Widagdo said. "We all have a responsibility to protect children and teenagers from the incorrect use or accidental consumption of medicines. Because when it comes to children's safety, prevention is always better than cure." DangerousMedicine.com has more similar stories. Watch Del Bigtree pointing out that link between Tylenol and autism exposes the weakness of claims that autism is linked to genetics. This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The suppressed truth about Tylenol: It's toxic to children. Tylenol may cause neurological damage in children, warn researchers. DISTURBING report finds that 20 million American schoolchildren have been prescribed antidepressants. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com UniSA.edu.au ChildrensHealthDefense.org Brighteon.com CDC STILL highly recommends deadly COVID JABS for moderately immunocompromised children who are MORE LIKELY to die from mRNA prions So far, its not looking like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be able to change the insidious methods and madness of the Vaccine Industrial Complex much at all. The MAHA movement may be able to get Big Food to filter a few choice chemicals from childrens cereals and cough syrup, but the toxic jab industry is just shifting and maneuvering around any efforts at curbing the genocidal mRNA plandemic. So, the vaccine violence continues exactly as the plandemic playbook plays out. CDC shapeshifts Covid jab policy for kids to "Parent-Provider" co-decision making, meaning the physicians have been instructed to coerce and brainwash parents into getting the deadly jabs In a significant policy shift, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its childhood immunization schedule late Thursday, October 20, 2022, altering its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children. Instead of universally urging all and older and older and older to get vaccinated, the agency now advises "shared clinical decision-making" between parents and healthcare providers for children who are not moderately immunocompromised. The change follows criticism over the lack of transparency in the CDCs initial unanimous endorsement of COVID-19 shots for kids and raises questions about the evidence behind such recommendations. The CDCs revised guidance means parents and pediatricians must weigh individual health risks before administering COVID-19 vaccines to children ages six months to 17 years. Attorney Rick Jaffe noted, For the first time since the pandemic began, its no longer classified as a routine vaccine for children. While some advocates celebrated the shift as a step toward medical autonomy, others criticized the CDC for not removing the shots entirely from the schedule. Dr. Kat Lindley, a vocal opponent of mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children, called the change a win but added, Do I like the recommendation? No, because in my opinion, no children should get the shot But at least there is no longer an outright recommendation for it. Despite the policy adjustment, COVID-19 vaccines will remain covered by most health insurance plans and the federal Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free immunizations for low-income families. However, Jaffe suggested pediatricians may no longer face pressure to stock or administer the shots, though enforcement remains uncertain. The CDCs decision drew mixed reactions. Medical associations condemned the shift as out of step with public health norms, while vaccine skeptics argued the shots should be removed entirely. Substack writer Sasha Latypova highlighted the CDCs broader stance on parental authority, stating, According to the CDC, you DO NOT have any decision-making authority with regard to what they want to inject in your children for ~70 routine injections. Meanwhile, confusion persists over the CDCs pregnancy recommendations. Despite U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerras announcement that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be advised for healthy pregnant women, the CDCs website still states the shots are safe and effective during pregnancy. The CDCs move follows months of internal debate. In April 2022, an advisory panel poll showed 76% of members supported shifting from a universal to a risk-based recommendation, but no formal vote occurred until October. Critics argue the agency has yet to clarify the scientific basis for its initial unanimous endorsement of childhood COVID-19 vaccines, particularly amid emerging concerns over efficacy and safety data. The CDCs updated guidance marks a pivotal moment in pandemic policy, granting parents more agency in their childrens healthcare decisions. Yet the lack of transparency surrounding the agencys decision-making process and its conflicting messaging on pregnancy underscores ongoing tensions between public health mandates and individual choice. As the debate continues, the revised recommendations may signal a broader reassessment of how vaccines are integrated into routine healthcare for children. Bottom line: The Dirty Jab Complex will still be injecting depopulation prion technology into pregnant women, newborn babies, kids, teens, healthy adults, and everybody whos already suffering from cancer, heart disease, diabetes and dementia, so expect the wave of all-cause-mortality to continue skyrocketing. Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on experimental gene therapy injections that lead to turbo cancer and Long-Vax-Syndrome. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news NaturalNews.com Gold vs. Bitcoin: Why precious metals offer true financial privacy Gold is untraceable, decentralized, and immune to government seizureunlike Bitcoin, which ties transactions to identities via KYC regulations. Physical gold ownership remains entirely private and off-grid. Banks pose risks due to federal regulations and potential seizures. Private vaulting facilities (like Battalion Bunker) offer segregated, insured storage outside the banking system, ensuring greater security. Some dealers exploit buyers with inflated markups on obscure coins. Battalion Metals sells standard bullion (e.g., Gold Eagles) at 3-5% over spot, ensuring fair pricing and easy liquidation. Central banks are stockpiling gold as the world moves toward a post-dollar system. Chinas Shanghai Gold Exchange is expanding vault networks for gold-backed trade settlements. Gold is personal property, not a financial instrument, making it immune to bank freezes. It offers unmatched privacy, liquidity, and security in an era of economic instability. In a world where financial privacy is increasingly under threat, gold and silver are re-emerging as the ultimate stores of valueuntraceable, decentralized, and immune to government seizure. In a recent interview on Brighteon.com, Mike Adams sat down with Chris Olson, President of Treasure Island Coins and the newly launched Battalion Metals, to discuss why physical precious metals remain the "original cryptocurrency" and how investors can protect their wealth in an era of economic instability. Gold: The Original Cryptocurrency Olson made a compelling case for gold as the ultimate private asset, contrasting it with Bitcoin, whichdespite its cryptographic securityties transactions to identities through Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. "Gold is the original cryptocurrency," Olson explained. "Once you have it, no one knows that you have it. Nobody knows where you put it. Nobody knows what you've done with it. And it's not their business. It's your business entirely." Unlike Bitcoin, whose public ledger exposes every transaction, physical gold ownership remains entirely off the financial grid. This makes it nearly impossible for governments to track or confiscatea critical advantage in an era of increasing financial surveillance. Secure Storage: Private Vaults vs. Banks One of the biggest concerns for precious metals investors is storage. Many assume that safe deposit boxes at banks are secure, but Olson warned against this misconception. "Banks are subject to federal regulation, and that places your assets at higher risk," he said, referencing cases where the FBI has seized entire vaults due to suspected criminal activity. Instead, Olson advocates for private vaulting facilitiessuch as those offered by Battalion Metalswhich operate outside the banking system and provide segregated, insured storage. Battalion Metals is launching Battalion Bunker, a premium vaulting service with independent audits and secondary insurance coverageensuring that clients holdings remain protected even in cases of internal fraud or bankruptcy. Honest Pricing and Liquidity A major focus of the interview was Battalion Metals commitment to transparency in an industry rife with scams. Olson revealed how some dealers exploit retirees by selling obscure coins at 50-100% markups, making liquidation nearly impossible. "Weve seen people pay 3,000 per ounce when spot was 1,700," Olson said. "Thats why Battalion Metals offers standard bullion coinslike Gold Eagles, Maple Leafs, and Krugerrandsat just 3-5% over spot." Adams emphasized the importance of liquidity, noting that widely recognized coins can be sold back to dealers quickly, whereas obscure products may fetch far less than their metal value. The Future: De-Dollarization and Golds Role Both Adams and Olson discussed the global shift away from the U.S. dollar, with central banks stockpiling gold as a neutral reserve asset. Olson pointed to Chinas Shanghai Gold Exchange, which is establishing a global vault network to facilitate gold-backed trade settlements. "The world is preparing for a post-dollar system," Olson said. "Gold will be the bridge asset that allows investors to preserve wealth through the transition." Final Thoughts For those looking to safeguard their wealth, physical gold and silver offer unmatched privacy, liquidity, and protection against financial collapse. As Olson put it: "Gold is wealth outside the system. Its not a financial instrumentits personal property. And in a world where governments can freeze bank accounts with a click, thats the ultimate security." Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Chris Olson as they talk about honest gold pricing, secure storage, and the launch of Battalion Metals. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trumps BITCOIN GAMBIT: U.S. launches Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to cement crypto dominance Bitcoin stays steady amid global market chaos Bitcoins evolution beyond digital gold: Redefining monetary innovation in a shifting landscape Sources include: Brighteon.com BattalionMetals.com HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to ban government scientists from publishing in top medical journals HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to prohibit NIH scientists from publishing in leading medical journals like The Lancet, NEJM and JAMA, calling them "corrupt" and influenced by pharmaceutical interests. Kennedy intends to create NIH-backed, in-house journals that prioritize data transparency, publish peer reviews and require study replication, aiming to make them the new standard for scientific publishing. Kennedy cited past critiques from former editors of The Lancet and NEJM, who warned that industry influence has compromised the integrity of medical research. Kennedy's statements follow the Trump administration's Making America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, which challenges conventional medical practices and expresses concern about over-medication in children. Experts warn that the administration's actions, including deep NIH budget cuts and policy shifts, could undermine the credibility of U.S. science and dismantle foundational research institutions. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced his plans to prohibit government scientists from publishing research in leading peer-reviewed medical journals, including The Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The journals, some of the oldest and most widely respected in the field, have been instrumental in disseminating peer-reviewed medical research globally since the 19th century. NEJM, founded in 1812, and The Lancet, founded in 1823, are considered foundational to evidence-based medicine. JAMA, the flagship journal of the American Medical Association, alone receives more than 30 million visits to its website annually. However, in an episode of "The Ultimate Human" podcast released May 27, Kennedy said the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will likely redirect scientific publishing efforts into new, government-run journals that he claims will be "more rigorous, transparent and independent" than the existing outlets. (Related: Donald Trump nominates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary, giving him control over the FDA, CDC, NIH and other agencies.) "We're going to devote probably 20 percent of NIH's budget to replication; every study has to be replicated. We're going to publish the peer review for the first time. We are probably going to stop publishing in The Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA and those other journals because they are all corrupt," Kennedy said. Kennedy referenced longtime criticisms of the scientific publishing industry, quoting The Lancet's editor-in-chief, Richard Horton, who in 2015 wrote that "much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue." He also cited former NEJM editor Dr. Marcia Angell's widely circulated 2009 critique, which argued that medical research had become dominated by industry interests and that journals could no longer be fully trusted. Under Kennedy's plan, new NIH-backed journals would not only require replication of research findings but also publish peer reviews and mandate full access to underlying datasets, practices aimed at increasing transparency and scientific integrity. "Unless these journals change dramatically, we are going to stop NIH scientists from publishing there... and we're going to create our own journals in-house They're going to become the preeminent journals," Kennedy said. Kennedy's comments echo Trump's anti-establishment science push Kennedy's comments came just days after Trump released a controversial report questioning long-held medical practices and urging major changes to how federal agencies manage science. The Making America Healthy Again (MAHA) report challenges mainstream medical consensus, including the safety and necessity of commonly prescribed medications and widely accepted vaccine protocols. "There is a concerning trend of over-prescribing medications to children, often driven by conflicts of interest in medical research, regulation and practice," the report read. "This has led to unnecessary treatments and long-term health risks." Kennedy echoed that distrust, calling leading medical journals "corrupt." The coordinated tone of the MAHA report and Kennedy's comments has intensified concerns among scientists and public health officials that the Trump administration is escalating its campaign to reshape, and in some cases dismantle, "key pillars" of American science policy. Check out BigGovernment.news for more stories about RFK Jr.'s role in the second Trump administration. Watch this episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" where Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses Trump's decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the next HHS secretary and how this moment could usher in a "historic health revolution" for the United States. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Kennedy people: The Robert F. Kennedy Jr. most people don't know. Kennedy reinstates essential HHS programs, ensures continuity amid cuts. MSM smears RFK Jr. after he announces plans to BAN FLUORIDE from drinking water, with WaPo taking the lead. RFK Jr. to be involved in oversight of health and agriculture departments under second Trump admin. Mike Adams: Trump and RFK Jr. are not enough to prevent the COLLAPSE of the U.S. Empire. Sources include: YourNews.com TheHill.com Brighteon.com Penn Medicine halts gender surgeries for minors, complying with Trumps federal funding ban Penn Medicine will stop performing gender-affirming surgeries on patients under 19, complying with a federal order from President Trump. The policy shift follows Trumps ban on federal funding for institutions providing transition procedures to minors. Critics argue irreversible medical interventions for minors lack sufficient evidence and may worsen mental health outcomes. Financial motives have been exposed, with doctors admitting gender surgeries are highly profitable. The decision reflects a broader cultural clash over gender ideology in medicine and the need to protect children from experimental treatments. In a landmark decision that underscores the growing national debate over the ethics of pediatric gender transitions, Penn Medicine announced it will no longer perform gender-affirming surgeries on patients under 19, citing compliance with a federal order from President Donald Trump. The move follows Trumps executive action banning federal funding for institutions that provide gender transition procedures to minors in a policy shift that has reignited discussions about the long-term consequences of medically altering young bodies. Compliance with federal order ends controversial practices Penn Medicine, one of the nations leading healthcare systems, confirmed it will cease all gender-affirming surgical procedures for minors, including plastic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, urology, and otorhinolaryngology (head and neck surgeries). Chief Medical Officer PJ Brennan stated, "As a result of current guidance established by the federal government, Penn Medicine will no longer be able to provide gender-affirming surgical procedures for patients under the age of 19." While Brennan framed the decision as difficult, acknowledging the impact on patients and families, critics of pediatric gender transitions argue the move is long overdue. The Trump administrations order, signed earlier this year, withholds federal grants from institutions that facilitate gender transitions for minors, effectively pressuring hospitals to reconsider these controversial procedures. The dangers of irreversible medical interventions A growing body of research suggests that so-called "gender-affirming" interventions carry severe risks, particularly for minors who lack the cognitive maturity to consent to life-altering treatments. Studies indicate that over 80% of children who experience gender dysphoria eventually outgrow it naturally, a phenomenon known as desistance. Yet medical institutions have increasingly pushed irreversible surgeries and hormone therapies, often without adequate mental health evaluations. Even more alarming, gender transition procedures fail to resolve the heightened rates of depression, self-harm, and suicide among gender-dysphoric youth. In some cases, these interventions may exacerbate psychological distress by reinforcing confusion rather than addressing underlying mental health issues. Detransitioners individuals who regret their transitions have emerged as vocal critics, detailing the physical and emotional harm caused by rushed medicalization. Financial motives and activist-driven medicine Beyond the ethical concerns, financial incentives have also fueled the push for pediatric gender transitions. A 2022 undercover investigation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center exposed doctors admitting that gender surgeries are highly profitable. Dr. Shayne Sebold Taylor was caught on video stating, "These surgeries make a lot of money." Such revelations have raised questions about whether profit, rather than patient well-being, has driven the rapid expansion of these procedures. Philadelphia City Councilmember Rue Landau condemned Penn Medicines decision, calling gender-affirming care "life-saving healthcare for young people." However, critics argue that halting irreversible surgeries on minors is a necessary safeguard against medical malpractice. The Trump administrations funding restrictions reflect a broader effort to protect children from experimental treatments that lack long-term safety data. The policy shift at Penn Medicine is part of a larger cultural and legal clash over gender ideology in medicine and education. Earlier this year, the Trump administration accused the University of Pennsylvania of violating Title IX by allowing transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete on the womens team. The controversy led to the suspension of $175 million in federal funding, signaling a hardline stance against policies that prioritize gender identity over biological reality. While major medical associations like the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continue to endorse gender-affirming care, dissenting voicesincluding clinicians, researchers, and detransitionersare challenging the narrative. Many argue that the medical establishment has abandoned evidence-based practices in favor of activist-driven protocols. Protecting children from irreversible harm Penn Medicines decision marks a turning point in the national debate over pediatric gender transitions. By complying with federal funding restrictions, the institution has taken a step toward safeguarding minors from irreversible medical interventions that lack sufficient scientific backing. For now, the move serves as a reminder that medicine must prioritize long-term well-being over political ideology and that protecting vulnerable children from experimental treatments is a moral imperative. Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com NBCPhiladelphia.com CBSNews.com US-China tensions explode as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns of imminent war The world stands at a dangerous crossroads as geopolitical tensions between the United States and China reach a boiling point. At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a dire warning , declaring Chinas military threat "imminent" and urging Asian allies to ramp up defense spendinga move critics see as predatory militarization under the guise of security. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a "new coalition" to counterbalance the escalating U.S.-China rivalry, warning that unchecked superpower conflict risks unraveling global stability. As Beijing fires back, accusing Washington of fueling proxy wars and economic coercion, the world watches nervouslywill diplomacy prevail, or are we sleepwalking into another Cold War? Key points: Hegseth warns of "imminent" Chinese threat, urging Asian nations to increase military spending while accusing Beijing of preparing to "conquer Taiwan." China strikes back, blaming the U.S. for provoking the Ukraine war and rejecting claims of supplying lethal weapons to Russia. Macron pushes for a third-way coalition, urging Europe and Asia to resist being caught in U.S.-China crossfire. Taiwan and South China Sea tensions escalate, with Hegseth threatening "devastating consequences" if China moves militarily. Analysts warn of Cold War 2.0, as U.S. rhetoric mirrors Cold War-era fearmongering while China asserts itself as a peaceful rising power. Hegseths fearmongering: A push for militarization or a self-fulfilling prophecy? In a speech dripping with Cold War nostalgia, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue that Chinas military ambitions threaten to "alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific." His message was clear: Asian nations must spend more on defense or risk being overrun by Beijing. "The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent," he declared, ominously adding that the U.S. is preparing to "fight and win, decisively." But critics argue Hegseths rhetoric is less about security and more about economic coercion. By pressuring allies to divert funds into military budgetsciting Germanys recent defense hikes as an examplethe U.S. is effectively strong-arming nations into dependency on American arms deals. Regional analyst Arnaud Bertrand called the speech "one of the most unhinged and fear-mongering" in recent memory, noting the irony that Asia enjoyed relative peace while the U.S. was "distracted by regime change wars" in the Middle East. He fired back at the UN, accusing Washington of hypocrisy. Moreover, Deputy Ambassador Geng Shuang blasted the U.S. for "major responsibility" in the Ukraine war, stating, "China has never provided lethal weapons to any party." The heated exchange underscores a deepening divide: while Washington frames China as an aggressor, Beijing paints America as a warmonger profiting from global instability. Macrons third-way gamble: Can Europe and Asia resist superpower pressure? While Hegseth doubled down on confrontation, French President Emmanuel Macron took a different approachurging Indo-Pacific nations to forge a "new coalition" independent of U.S.-China dominance. "The division between the two superpowers is the main risk confronting the world," Macron warned, subtly criticizing Washingtons aggressive posturing. Macrons strategy reflects Europes growing unease with Americas zero-sum foreign policy. By signing defense pacts with Indonesia and Vietnamincluding deals for Rafale jets and Scorpene submarinesFrance is positioning itself as a mediator rather than a pawn in Americas containment strategy. His warning that "ASEAN and Europe are impacted by the unpredictability of the new tariff approach" highlights fears that economic warfare will destabilize global trade, leaving smaller nations vulnerable. Yet Macrons balancing act faces challenges. Washingtons hardliners see neutrality, while, while Beijing remains skeptical of Western intentions. As tariffs and tech wars escalate, the question remains: can a middle path survive in a world increasingly split between two superpowers? Taiwan and the South China Sea: Flashpoints of a new Cold War Hegseths most incendiary remarks centered on Taiwan, where he warned of "devastating consequences" if China attempts reunification by force. His threats come as Beijing ramps up military drills around the island, reinforcing its claim that Taiwan is a "core interest." The South China Sea is another powder keg. Hegseth condemned Chinas "aggressive" maneuvers against Philippine and Japanese coast guards, framing Beijing as a revisionist power. Yet critics argue U.S. provocationslike freedom of navigation patrolsare equally destabilizing. Chinas absence at the summit spoke volumes. By skipping the event, Defense Minister Dong Jun signaled Beijings refusal to engage in what it sees as American theatrics. Instead, China doubled down at the UN, accusing Washington of "political manipulation" while positioning itself as a voice for peace. The world is witnessing a dangerous escalationone fueled by U.S. militarization, Chinese assertiveness, and Europes scramble for autonomy. Hegseths warnings may rally allies, but they also risk triggering the very conflict he claims to prevent. Meanwhile, Macrons call for a third-way coalition offers middle ground, but only if nations resist being dragged into superpower brinkmanship. As tensions mount, one truth becomes clear: the path to peace and order requires dialogue, not veiled and empty threats. Sources include: Zerohedge.com X.com English.news.cn CNBC.com Study reveals the HIDDEN DANGERS in childrens breakfast cereals A study reveals children's cereals now contain 34 percent more fat, 32 percent more sodium and 11 percent more sugar than 13 years ago exceeding daily sugar limits in a single serving while protein and fiber levels have dropped High-sugar, low-protein breakfasts cause blood sugar spikes, fatigue and increased hunger, contributing to childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Misleading labels like "whole grain" hide unhealthy ingredients. Cereal companies prioritize addictive formulas over nutrition, repackaging old products instead of innovating. Healthier versions are sold in countries with stricter regulations, highlighting lobbying influence in the United States. Experts advise skipping sugary cereals for protein-rich options (eggs, yogurt, fruit) and checking labels for sugar content. Meal prepping (overnight oats, smoothies) can balance convenience and nutrition. Advocates urge stricter policies to curb deceptive marketing and improve nutritional standards. While school programs have limits, supermarket cereals remain unchecked, requiring policy changes to protect kids health. For years, parents have been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for growing children. But what if the very foods marketed as quick, kid-friendly breakfast options are quietly becoming less healthy? A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that children's cereals now contain significantly more fat, sodium and sugar than they did just 13 years ago. Its findings raise serious concerns about the long-term health consequences for Americas youth. The study analyzed 1,200 newly launched or reformulated children's cereals between 2010 and 2023, and what it found was startling. Fat content per serving jumped by 34 percent, sodium levels surged by 32 percent and sugar increased by nearly 11 percent already exceeding 45 percent of the American Heart Associations daily recommended limit for kids in a single bowl. At the same time, essential nutrients like protein and fiber, which help keep children full and focused, declined sharply. This troubling shift means that many children are starting their day with a meal that lacks nutritional balance and sets them up for health problems later in life. (Related: FDA probing cases of FOOD POISONING from Lucky Charms breakfast cereal.) Nutrition experts warn that starting the day with a sugar-laden, low-protein meal leads to blood sugar spikes and crashes resulting in fatigue, irritability and increased hunger shortly after eating. Over time, this pattern can contribute to childhood obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risks. What's worse, many of these cereals are marketed with misleading claims like "whole grain" or "fortified with vitamins." These misleading claims distract parents from the troubling levels of sugar and sodium hidden in the fine print. These marketing tactics make it difficult for families to make informed choices, even when they believe they are selecting a healthier option. Cereal makers choose profits over public health This decline in nutritional quality is no accident its a calculated business decision. Facing fierce competition, cereal companies have opted to tweak existing formulas to make them more addictive rather than investing in genuinely healthier options. The study found that most "new" cereal launches were simply repackaged versions of old products, not true innovations. In the U.S., food lobbyists wield significant influence, allowing corporate profits to continue trumping public health. This double standard highlights the need for stronger policies to protect American children from unhealthy food marketing. But parents still have power in this battle. Nutritionists recommend skipping sugary cereals altogether and opting for protein-rich breakfasts like eggs, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit. Balancing meals with fiber, protein and healthy fats can help stabilize energy levels and prevent mid-morning crashes. While convenience is often a factor in busy households, small changes such as preparing overnight oats or smoothies in advance can make a big difference in a child's long-term health. Reading labels carefully is crucial; if sugar is one of the first three ingredients, it's best to leave it on the shelf. The cereal aisle is no longer a harmless convenience it's a battleground for childrens health. Breakfast should fuel children, not fail them. Yet as this study proves, the foods once considered a simple, wholesome start to the day have been quietly stripped of nutrition in favor of profit-driven formulas. Visit StopEatingPoison.com for more similar stories. Watch Jefferey Jaxen and Del Bigtree discussing whether sugar is the hidden driver of chronic disease. This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Obesity alert: Kids consume 10 pounds of sugar a year in their breakfast cereal. Breakfast cereal found contaminated with gender-bender chemical that tells your brain to make you fat. Kellogg's ships mercury batteries inside boxes of childrens' breakfast cereal. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com JAMANetwork.com EatingWell.com BTimesOnline.com Brighteon.com Ukraine defaults on $665 million debt payment as war spending leaves creditors unpaid Ukraine defaults on a $665 million payment to creditors in its first failure on growth-linked debt since 2015. The war-torn nation refused payment after restructuring talks with hedge funds collapsed, worsening financial instability. A removed cross-default clause prevents broader debt crises but damages investor confidence in Ukraines long-term solvency. Ukraines economy remains crippled by war, with GDP below pre-war levels despite modest 2023 growth. Fitch Ratings warns of restricted default as Ukraine prioritizes military spending over debt obligations, risking financial isolation. Ukraine has officially defaulted on a $665 million payment owed to international creditors, marking its first failure to honor growth-linked debt obligations since the instruments were created in 2015. The cash-strapped nation, embroiled in a costly and unwinnable war against Russia, announced on Friday that it would not make the June 2 payment on its GDP warrantssecurities tied to economic performanceafter failing to reach a restructuring deal with hedge fund-led creditors. Despite removing a critical cross-default clause last year to shield its broader debt structure, Ukraines refusal to pay signals deepening financial distress and raises serious questions about its long-term solvency as Western aid continues to fund a failing military campaign. A broken promise to creditors Ukraines Finance Ministry confirmed the default in a statement, blaming the decision on its inability to restructure $3.2 billion in GDP-linked securities. The country had originally been scheduled to pay the $665 million sum a year ago but invoked a moratorium to delay the obligation. That moratorium has now been extended indefinitely, leaving creditors empty-handed. The warrants, which reward investors when Ukraines real GDP growth exceeds 3%, were designed to incentivize economic recovery. However, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko admitted the instruments were "designed for a world that no longer exists"a tacit acknowledgment that Ukraines economy, devastated by war, cannot meet its obligations. Creditors, including major hedge funds like Aurelius Capital Management and VR Capital Group, demanded over $400 million in cash and the conversion of $200 million into new bonds. Ukraine rejected these terms, opting instead to withhold payment entirely. Moratorium shields Ukraine from broader default A key factor in Ukraines decision is the removal of the cross-default clause during last years $20 billion debt restructuring. This clause previously meant that failing to pay on GDP warrants could trigger defaults on other international bonds. Without it, Ukraine avoids a cascading financial crisisbut at the cost of further eroding investor trust. The Finance Ministry insists it remains "committed to implementing a comprehensive, fair and equitable restructuring," but its actions tell a different story. By prioritizing short-term survival over honoring contracts, Ukraine risks alienating the very investors it may need for postwar reconstruction. War spending leaves creditors in the cold Ukraines economy shrank by nearly 30% after Russias 2022 invasion, and while modest growth returned in 2023, GDP remains below pre-war levels. Despite this, the government continues to funnel resources into a war effort that shows no signs of victory. Western allies, particularly the U.S. and EU, have poured billions into military aid and budget support, enabling Ukraine to sideline private creditors while begging for more handouts. This reckless financial strategy has drawn sharp criticism. Fitch Ratings has already labeled Ukraines creditworthiness as "Restricted Default," warning that the GDP warrants will soon be classified as non-performing. The agencys assessment underscores the grim reality: Ukraines financial future is hanging by a thread. President Volodymyr Zelenskys government has bet everything on prolonged Western support, but that gamble looks increasingly shaky. Meanwhile, peace talks remain stalled, leaving the country trapped in a cycle of destruction with no exit plan. The default on GDP warrants is a symptom of a deeper malaise. Ukraines leadership has chosen war over fiscal responsibility, leaving creditorsand ultimately, its own citizensto pay the price. With no clear path to victory and dwindling goodwill from allies, Ukraines refusal to pay its debts may soon leave it isolated, both financially and politically. Sources for this article include: RT.com Reuters.com Bloomberg.com Ukraine-linked sabotage suspected as Russian bridges collapse, killing civilians in coordinated attacks A pair of Russian railway bridges were destroyed in coordinated attacks, killing seven civilians and injuring dozens, with investigators confirming sabotage. A passenger train derailed in Bryansk after a bridge collapse, killing seven and injuring 71, while a freight train in Kursk plunged off another sabotaged bridge. Russias Investigative Committee labeled the attacks as deliberate bombings, launching terrorism probes, with Ukraine suspected as the perpetrator. The attacks mark an escalation in Ukraines shadow war, targeting Russian border regions ahead of potential peace talks. Evidence points to Ukrainian involvement, including prior railway sabotage and a military intelligence claim of a separate attack in Crimea. Two Russian railway bridges were deliberately destroyed in coordinated attacks over the weekend, killing seven civilians and injuring dozens more in what investigators say was a calculated strike on critical infrastructure. The first attack occurred in Bryansk Region late Saturday evening when a passenger train derailed after a bridge collapsed onto the tracks, crushing multiple carriages and leaving 71 injured. Just hours later, a freight train in Kursk Region plunged off a sabotaged bridge, injuring three crew members. Russias Investigative Committee confirmed both bridges were "blown up" and launched criminal terrorism investigations, with many considering Ukraine to be the likely perpetrator. These attacks mark yet another escalation in Ukraines shadow war against Russias border regions, which have faced repeated assaults since the conflict began. With peace talks looming, the timing suggests a deliberate attempt to destabilize Russia while deflecting blame, but the evidence tells a different story. Bryansk passenger train massacre The first attack unfolded near the Vygonichsky district of Bryansk, a region repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian saboteurs. Eyewitness footage showed mangled train carriages, passengers crawling through shattered windows, and emergency crews scrambling to pull survivors from the wreckage. Governor Alexander Bogomaz confirmed seven deaths, including the trains driver, while 71 others were hospitalized, some with critical injuries. Russian Railways stated the bridge pillar collapsed due to "illegal interference with transport operations," a clear euphemism for sabotage. Telegram channels and local reports cited sources claiming an explosive device detonated beneath the structure, though officials initially stopped short of confirming this. However, by Sunday, the Investigative Committee removed all doubt, declaring the bridge had been "blown up." Senator Andrey Klishas minced no words, branding Ukraine a "terrorist enclave, without borders, legitimate authorities or laws." Given Bryansks proximity to Ukrainejust 62 miles from the borderand its history of cross-border raids, Kyivs involvement appears undeniable. Kursk freight train attack Before dawn on Sunday, another explosion rocked the Zheleznogorsk district of Kursk, collapsing a railway bridge beneath a moving freight train. Acting Governor Alexander Khinshteyn reported the locomotive caught fire after derailing, though the blaze was quickly extinguished. The trains driver and two assistants suffered leg injuries but survived. Khinshteyn shared images of the wreckage on Telegram, showing the bridge reduced to rubble and the train cars scattered across the tracks. Like Bryansk, Kursk borders Ukraine and has endured repeated sabotage attempts, including prior railway bombings. The Investigative Committee confirmed this bridge, too, was deliberately destroyed. Why Ukraine is the prime suspect While Ukrainian officials predictably dismissed the attacks as Russian "false flag" operations, claiming that Moscow sought to "manipulate international opinion" ahead of peace talks, the facts tell a different story. First, both Bryansk and Kursk border Ukraine and have been hotspots for sabotage. Just days earlier, a freight train in Belgorod (another border region) struck an explosive device planted on the tracks. The pattern of attacks is also familiar; Ukraines military intelligence (GUR) openly bragged about blowing up a Russian military freight train in Crimea hours after the bridge collapses, signaling a broader campaign. Moreover, the dual attacks occurred within hours, suggesting coordination. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian rail lines to disrupt military logistics. Despite Kyivs denials, the evidence overwhelmingly points to Ukrainian operatives. As Russian investigators work to uncover the full extent of the plot, it is clear these were not random accidents, but deliberate acts of terror. Sources for this article include: RT.com RT.com APNews.com BBC.com CDC wants plane travel LOCKDOWN for all humans who havent received the toxic MEASLES PLANDEMIC VACCINE, even though vaccines dont work Health officials confirmed measles exposure in airports and on flights, urging unvaccinated travelers to postpone trips due to contagious risks. The article criticizes the CDCs approach, likening it to COVID-era "scare tactics" and accusing the agency of ignoring how vaccinated individuals are more likely to spread disease than the unvaccinated. Cases are traced to travelers from foreign countries, with exposures occurring in airports, on planes and at crowded events. The agency now recommends full measles vaccination before international travel and booster doses for travelers to Texas, where over 700 cases have been reported. Health officials are emphasizing vaccination as the most effective safeguard, even though theres absolutely ZERO science to back up their claim. Look, up in the sky, its a bird, its a plane, no, its the measles flying around the world infecting anyone who travels anywhere by plane, supposedly. Yes, the CDC is at it once again, led by the Vaccine Industrial Complex, telling all Americans that measles is the biggest threat to your survival and if you dont go get the toxic measles jab today, you will most likely die tomorrow from this rather benign infection that even the Brady Bunch show used to make light of getting. Cancel all flights immediately! Screams Big Media Fake News and the Centers for Disease Continuance. Would they do the same for chicken pox? Watch this clip of the Brady Bunch family all laughing about Peter catching the measles. CDC warns of measles spread on flights while urging everyone to get stabbed with a deadly concoction of neurotoxins and live viruses to help spread it Health officials are fear-mongering again after confirming measles one of the worlds most contagious diseases is spreading on U.S. airplanes. Yes, measles has found the airplanes again and are living on those filthy tray tables the flight crews never clean. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded its travel advisory Wednesday, urging unvaccinated Americans to postpone flights following multiple cases linked to air travel. Now remember, they did the same thing with the Covid campaign, even though all the vaccinated sheeple were the ones spreading the virus. The CDC confirmed at least one instance of in-flight transmission after investigating 50 recent cases involving contagious passengers. A spokesperson told CBS News that 62 measles-infected travelers have been reported this year, with exposures occurring in airports, on planes, and at crowded events. On Friday, three passengers arriving at Denver International Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight tested positive including one vaccinated adult. Run for your life! "Travelers can catch measles in many travel settings, including airports, airplanes, and large events," the CDC stated in its latest advisory. The agency now recommends full measles vaccination before international travel and urges domestic travelers to Texas where over 700 cases have been reported to seek booster doses. Line up sheeple. Get your Covid jabs, your Swine flu shots, your Zika stabs, your Measles booster, and your fake flu shot all at once. As measles continues to spread in travel hubs, health officials emphasize vaccination as the most effective safeguard, even though theres absolutely ZERO science to back up this claim. The CDCs updated guidance reflects growing concerns over gaps in immunity (from vaccinated people who are immunocompromised now) and the ease with which airborne diseases can move across borders. With cases rising, the agencys message is clear: Get stabbed with known neurotoxins or feel the wrath of fake news daily. Bookmark Infections.news to get the latest updates about the engineered "bird flu pandemic and more fearmongering about measles. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news NaturalNews.com SHTFplan.com DailyMail.co.uk China rocket fuel DUMP over 7 U.S. states adds to chemical chaos from chemtrails that sicken citizens and fuel sick care industry China pollutes the world more than any other country or nation on the planet. Chemicals spew out of their factories and processing plants while many of their toxic byproducts of this are packaged up and sold to America to fuel the sick care industry. As if our environment isnt polluted enough from the chemtrails that jets dump over our skies, full of biological weapons of mass destruction, viruses, bacteria, hospital waste, heavy metal toxins, and much more, now China is dumping rocket fuel waste on us. Are you witnessing weird white streaks over your region? Heres what that was. Chinas Environmental Impact : China is the worlds largest polluter, with toxic industrial byproducts often exported to the U.S., fueling what critics call the "sick care industry." Meanwhile, their space activities, like rocket fuel dumping, further contaminate the atmosphere. : China is the worlds largest polluter, with toxic industrial byproducts often exported to the U.S., fueling what critics call the "sick care industry." Meanwhile, their space activities, like rocket fuel dumping, further contaminate the atmosphere. Chemtrails as Covert Threats : Persistent white streaks in the skycommonly dismissed as contrailsare allegedly toxic chemtrails containing biological weapons, viruses, heavy metals, and hospital waste, sprayed by aircraft for undisclosed purposes. : Persistent white streaks in the skycommonly dismissed as contrailsare allegedly toxic chemtrails containing biological weapons, viruses, heavy metals, and hospital waste, sprayed by aircraft for undisclosed purposes. Mysterious Space Phenomena Linked to China : A recent luminous streak across seven U.S. states was confirmed to be Chinese rocket fuel dumping during a satellite launch, raising concerns about space pollution and potential anti-satellite weapon tests. : A recent luminous streak across seven U.S. states was confirmed to be Chinese rocket fuel dumping during a satellite launch, raising concerns about space pollution and potential anti-satellite weapon tests. Global Warming as a Distraction: While elites push climate alarmism, they allegedly fund pollution (e.g., chemtrails, space debris) under the guise of environmentalism, with platforms like ClimateAlarmism.news exposing these contradictions. Mysterious White Streak Lights Up Night Sky Across Seven U.S. States, Linked to Chinese Rocket Fuel Dump A luminous white streak illuminated the night sky over at least seven U.S. states early Saturday morning, sparking awe and confusion among witnesses. The phenomenon, visible from Colorado to New Mexico, was later confirmed to be the result of a Chinese rocket dumping experimental fuel into space after deploying six satellites into orbit. The dazzling display, which lasted approximately 10 minutes, coincided with a geomagnetic storm that produced auroras as far south as New Mexico, leading some observers to mistake it for an atmospheric anomaly known as STEVE. The streak appeared at approximately 1:24 a.m. ET on May 17, following the launch of Chinas Zhuque-2E rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. According to Space News, the rocket released its payload before reentering Earths atmosphere, where residual fuel ignited, creating the widespread light show. Photographers across multiple states captured the event, with Mike Lewinski documenting its progression from Crestone, Colorado, and Jay Shaffer snapping a striking long-exposure image in Taos County, New Mexico. Initially, speculation swirled about the origin of the streak. "The white streak may have been a de-orbit burn, or perhaps a circularization burn for the deploying satellites," Spaceweather.com reported. Experts later clarified that the luminous effect was caused by the rockets fuel dumpa routine but visually dramatic procedure. The event occurred during heightened solar activity, as a G2-class geomagnetic storm painted the sky with auroras, further amplifying public fascination. This incident echoes past concerns over Chinas space activities, including a 2021 missile test near California that raised alarms about anti-satellite capabilities. While no damage or casualties resulted from Saturdays event, it underscores the growing visibilityboth literal and geopoliticalof space operations. As commercial and military ventures expand beyond Earths atmosphere, such phenomena may become more frequent, blending scientific wonder with strategic implications. For now, the streak remains a fleeting spectaclea reminder of humanitys expanding footprint in the cosmos and the unpredictable beauty it can unleash. Check out ClimateAlarmism.news for updates on psychotic billionaires spending big chunks of their money to pollute the world while crying the blues about fake global warming. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com BezoEarthFund.org Elite Western universities form a corrupt and parasitic empire US President Donald Trump has banned international students from attending Harvard University, citing national security concerns. (Article by Dr. Matthew Maavak republished from RT.com) The move has sparked widespread condemnation from academics and foreign governments, who warn it could damage Americas global influence and reputation for academic openness. At stake is not just Harvards global appeal, but the very premise of open academic exchange that has long defined elite higher education in the US. But exactly how open is Harvards admissions process? Every year, highly qualified students many with top-tier SAT or GMAT test scores are rejected, often with little explanation. Critics argue that behind the prestigious Ivy League brand lies an opaque system shaped by legacy preferences, DEI imperatives, geopolitical interests, and outright bribes. George Soros, for instance, once pledged $1 billion to open up elite university admissions to drones who would read from his Open Society script. Chinas swift condemnation of Trumps policy added a layer of geopolitical irony to the debate. Why would Beijing feign concern for Americas international standing amid a bitter trade war? The international standing of US universities has long been tarnished by a woke psychosis which spread like cancer to all branches of the government. So, what was behind Chinas latest gripe? The answer may lie in the unspoken rules of soft power: Ivy League campuses are battlegrounds for influence. The US deep state has long recruited foreign students to promote its interests abroad subsidized by American taxpayers no less. China is apparently playing the same game, leveraging elite US universities to co-opt future leaders on its side of the geostrategic fence. For the time being, a judge has granted Harvards request for a temporary restraining order against Trumps proposed ban. Come what may, there is one commonsense solution that all parties to this saga would like to avoid: Forcing Ivy League institutions to open their admissions process to public scrutiny. The same institutions that champion open borders, open societies, and open everything will, however, not tolerate any suggestion of greater openness to its admissions process. That would open up a Pandoras Box of global corruption that is systemically ruining nations today. Speaking of corruption how is this for irony? A star Harvard professor who built her career researching decision-making and dishonesty was just fired and stripped of tenure for fabricating her own data! Concentration of wealth and alumni networks The Ivy League has a vested interest in perpetuating rising wealth and educational inequalities. It is the only way they can remain atop the global rankings list at the expense of less-endowed peers. Elite universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT dominate lists of institutions with the most ultra-wealthy alumni (net worth over $30mn). For example, Harvard alone has 18,000 ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) alumni, representing 4% of the global UHNW population. These alumni networks provide major donations, corporate partnerships, and exclusive opportunities, reinforcing institutional wealth. If the alma maters admissions process was rigged in their favor, they have no choice but to cough it up, at least for the sake of their offspring who will perpetuate this exclusivist cycle. The total endowment of Princeton University $34.1 billion in 2024 translated to $3.71 million per student, enabling generous financial aid and state-of-the-art facilities. Less prestigious institutions just cannot compete on this scale. Rankings, graft, and ominous trends Global university rankings (QS, THE, etc.) heavily favor institutions with large endowments, high spending per student, and wealthy student bodies. For example, 70% of the top 50 US News & World Report Best Colleges overlap with universities boasting the largest endowments and the highest percentage of students from the top 1% of wealthy families. According to the Social Mobility Index (SMI), climbing rankings requires tens of millions in annual spending, driving tuition hikes and exacerbating inequality. Lower-ranked schools which prioritize affordability and access are often overshadowed in traditional rankings, which reward wealth over social impact. Besides, social mobility these days is predetermined at birth, as the global wealth divide becomes unbridgeable. Worse, the global ranking system itself thrives on graft, with institutions gaming audits, inflating data, and even bribing reviewers. Take the case of a Southeast Asian diploma mill where some of its initial batch of female students had been arrested for prostitution. Despite its flagrant lack of academic integrity, it grew rapidly to secure an unusually high QS global ranking ahead of venerable institutions like the University of Pavia, where Leonardo da Vinci studied, and which boasts three Nobel Laureates among its ranks. Does this grotesque inversion of merit make any sense? Government policies increasingly favor elite institutions. Recent White House tax cuts and deregulation may further widen gaps by benefiting corporate-aligned universities while reducing public funding for others. This move was generally welcomed by the Ivy League until Trump took on Harvard. With such ominous trends on the horizon, brace yourselves for an implosion of the global education sector by 2030 a reckoning mirroring the 2008 financial crisis, but with far graver consequences. And touching on the 2008 crisis, didnt someone remark that behind every financial disaster, theres a Harvard economist? Nobody seems to be learning from previous contretemps. In fact, I dare say that learning is merely a coincidental output of the Ivy League brand The credentialism trap When Lehman Brothers and its lesser peers collapsed in 2008, many Singapore-based corporations eagerly scooped up their laid-off executives. The logic? Fail upward. If these whizz kids were truly talented, why did they miss the glaring warning signs during the lead up to the greatest economic meltdown since the Great Depression? The answer lies in the cult of credentialism and an entrenched patronage system. Ivy League MBAs and Rolodexes of central banker contacts are all that matters. The consequences are simply disastrous: A runaway global talent shortage will hit $8.452 trillion in unrealized annual revenues by 2030, more than the projected GDP of India for the same year. Ivy League MBAs often justify their relevance by overcomplicating simple objectives into tedious bureaucratic grinds all in the name of efficiency, smart systems, and ever-evolving best practices. The result? Doctors now spend more time on paperwork than treating patients, while teachers are buried under layers of administrative work. Ultimately, Ivy League technocrats often function as a vast bureaucratic parasite, siphoning public and private wealth into elite hands. What kind of universal socioeconomic model are these institutions bequeathing to the world? I can only think of one historical analogue as a future cue: Colonial India, aka the British Raj. This may be a stretch, but bear with me. Lessons from the Raj As Norman Davies pointed out, the Austro-Hungarians had more bureaucrats managing Prague than the British needed to run all of colonial India a subcontinent that included modern-day Pakistan and Bangladesh. In fact, it took only 1,500-odd white Indian Civil Service (ICS) officials to govern colonial India until WWI. That is quite staggering to comprehend, unless one grasps how the British and Indian societies are organized along rigid class (and caste) lines. When two corrupt feudal systems mate, their offspring becomes a blueprint for dystopia. India never recovered from this neo-feudal arrangement. If the reader thinks I am exaggerating, lets compare the conditions in the British Raj and China from 1850 to 1976 (when the Cultural Revolution officially ended). During this period, China endured numerous societal setbacks including rebellions, famines, epidemics, lawlessness, and a world war which collectively resulted in the deaths of nearly 150 million Chinese. The Taiping Rebellion alone the most destructive civil war in history resulted in 20 to 30 million dead, representing 5-10% of Chinas population at the time. A broad comparison with India during the same period reveals a death toll of 50-70 million, mainly from epidemics and famines. Furthermore, unlike colonial India, many parts of China also lacked central governance. Indian nationalists are quick to blame a variety of bogeymen for their societys lingering failings. Nevertheless, they should ask themselves why US Big Tech-owned news platforms, led by upper-caste Hindu CEOs, no less, showed a decidedly pro-Islamabad bias during the recent Indo-Pakistani military standoff. Maybe, these CEOs are supine apparatchiks, much like their predecessors during the British Raj? Have they been good stewards of the public domain (i.e. internet)? Have they promoted meritocracy in foreign lands? (You can read some stark examples here, here and here). These Indian Big Tech bros, however, showed a lot of vigor and initiative during the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing their employees to take the vaccine or face the pink slip. They led the charge behind the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response, which included an unprecedented corporate sector initiative to help India successfully fight COVID-19. Just check out the credentials of the experts involved here. Shouldnt this task be left to accomplished Indian virologists and medical experts? A tiny few, in the service of a hegemon, can control the fate of billions. Indias income inequality is now worse than it was under British rule. A way out? As global university inequalities widen further, it is perhaps time to rethink novel approaches to level the education field as many brick and mortar institutions may simply fold during the volatile 2025-30 period. I am optimistic that the use of AI in education will be a great equalizer, but I also fear that Big Tech will force governments into using its proprietary EdTech solutions that are already showing signs of runaway AI hallucinations simply because the bold new world is all about control and power, not empowerment. Much like the British Raj, I would say. Read more at: RT.com Healing Revolution on BrightU: The silent epidemic fueling chronic illness and the suppression of natural healing In Episode 1 of "Healing Revolution," Jonathan Otto exposes hidden toxins like formaldehyde, heavy metals and pesticides in everyday items (hospital curtains, tap water, food) and geoengineering (e.g., chemtrails). Drs. Bryan Ardis and Henry Ealy join Otto to talk about the links environmental toxins have to health crises, including "turbo cancers" from mRNA vaccines and mineral deficiencies driving diabetes/autoimmune diseases. Episode 2 explores the challenges mainstream medicine experience, revealing Big Pharma's suppression of natural treatments (e.g., nicotine's tumor-shrinking potential) and vaccine risks (spike protein persistence). This episode brings to light corporate/government collusion (WHO overreach, RFK Jr.'s opposition) and the silenced doctors advocating for safer alternatives. Brighteon University is streaming an episode a day of "Healing Revolution" by Jonathan Otto from June 7 to June 18, and a replay of all 12 episodes from June 19 to 22. Register here to dive into the root causes of todays most pressing health issues and the natural protocols that can reverse them. What's in store for you in Episode 1 In episode 1 of "Healing Revolution" slated for June 7, Otto is joined by leading health experts to uncover the shocking truth about the invisible toxins saturating the environment formaldehyde in hospital curtains, heavy metals in tap water, pesticides in food and even aluminum raining down from the sky. From geoengineering chemtrails to cancer-causing chemicals in everyday products, this expose reveals how corporate greed and government negligence have turned modern life into a toxic minefield. But there's hope cutting-edge detox strategies, gut-healing protocols and natural remedies can help you reclaim your health. Viewers can expect to learn a lot of things from Episode 1, including the following: How formaldehyde and heavy metals lurk in hospital curtains, ice cream, paints and even your car's heated seats. Why is chlorine in tap water making chemically sensitive individuals violently ill and how to neutralize it. How Bill Gates-funded "solar radiation management" sprays heavy metals into the atmosphere, contaminating soil, water and food supplies. How the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines mimic snake venom proteins, fueling "turbo cancers," and why monoclonal antibodies (used in antivenom) were banned during the pandemic despite their success. How selenium, silica and homeopathy can safely remove toxic metals. The link between mineral deficiencies (chromium, iodine, copper) and skyrocketing diabetes, fatigue and autoimmune diseases. How an imbalanced microbiome drives inflammation, cancer and brain disorders. Why is "feeling good" addictive once you detox, you'll never go back to the old ways. This isn't just another health scare it's a wake-up call. With 20 percent of people now suffering from environmental illness, the time to act is now. Whether you're battling fatigue, pain or a diagnosed condition, these revelations could save your life. What's in store for you in Episode 2 In episode 2, slated for June 8, Otto shares a jaw-dropping expose that challenges everything youve been told about modern medicine. In this explosive episode, leading doctors, researchers and advocates pull back the curtain on the pharmaceutical industry's stranglehold on healthcare revealing shocking truths about vaccines, autism and the suppression of natural healing. Viewers can expect to learn a lot of things from Episode 2, including the following: Groundbreaking studies showing nicotine's ability to shrink tumors and why Big Pharma buried the research. How venom-like spike proteins linger in the body for 12-14 years and what you can do about it. The lobbying machine behind vaccine mandates and why RFK Jr. is a threat to the medical establishment. Heartbreaking stories of children harmed by toxic ingredients and the doctors silenced for speaking out. How the World Health Organization plans to control health policies worldwide and why you should be alarmed. This isn't just another conspiracy theory it's a data-driven rebellion against a system built on lies. With whistleblowers, leaked studies and political insiders breaking ranks, the truth can no longer be suppressed. Want to know more? If you want to learn more about how you can join the healing revolution and regain control of your health, want to view the presentations at your convenience, or learn at your own pace, you can purchase the "Healing Revolution" by Jonathan Otto Package here. Upon purchase, you will get instant and unlimited access to 12 brand new "Healing Revolution" episodes, 12 brand new "Healing Revolution" bonus episodes, full-length interviews with 60+ experts, free autoimmune health assessment (including a one-on-one consultation with a specialized health consultant), 10-day "Healing Revolution" challenge, two live masterclasses, nine "Healing Revolution" books, two recording of live Q&A sessions with experts (plus a live invitation) and more. Sources include: BrighteonUniversity.com 1 BrightU.com BrighteonUniversity.com 2 European defense manufacturers are accelerating domestic production capabilities of Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV) amid ongoing regional security tensions. Patria and General Dynamics European Land Systems initiated 42 ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) assembly in Latvia under a 373 million contract, while Tatra Defence Vehicle unveiled its PANDUR II 88 EVO at IDET 2025 in the Czech Republic, anticipating domestic procurement plans. Both utilize Elbit Systems UT30MK2 turrets, integrating a 30mm canon, countermeasures including Iron Fist active protection systems, optronic systems, and missile launchers on board. These developments reflect a broader trend toward technology transfer models and geographic diversification of armored vehicle production, even in small-scale procurement plans. The emphasis on NATO-standard systems with local assembly capabilities addresses both supply chain resilience and domestic job creation imperatives. European defense Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) benefit from government policies favoring domestic production. Revenue projections for 2026-2027 should reflect higher-margin local assembly operations and sustained government support. While most nations insist on local production of the vehicles, the mission systems of AFVs, and the most complex part is centered at the turret, often delivered by specialist manufacturers such as Israeli companies Rafael and Elbit Systems, German Rheinmetall, Italian Leonardo, and Turkish Aselsan. Such a move has been recently taken by Morocco, which opted to locally produce The Indian WhAP 88 IFVs developed by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and match Elbit Systems Elbit turrets, including the UT30MK2 30mm and possibly the Crossbow 120mm mortar. This choice reflects the expanding defense relationship between Israel and Arab states following the Abraham Accords framework. The contract, covering approximately 150 Wheeled Armoured Platform vehicles manufactured by Indias Tata Advanced Systems, builds upon Elbits previous $370 million ATMOS howitzer deal with Morocco. This trend highlights how Israeli defense firms are successfully competing against traditional European suppliers such as Nexter and Thales in North African markets. Mount Etna erupts in fiery spectacle, forcing tourists to flee as ash plume reaches 4 miles high Mount Etna erupted violently, sending ash 4 miles high and forcing tourists to flee as lava fountains lit up the slopes. The eruption disrupted flights and prompted road closures, although no injuries were reported. Experts confirmed the eruption was triggered by a volcanic tremor 2.7 km below the crater, with ash reaching 21,000 feet. Sicilian officials assured the public there was no immediate danger to towns but warned of ongoing volcanic activity and urged caution. Volcanologists classified it as a strombolian eruption, highlighting Etnas unpredictability and the need for preparedness. Mount Etna, Europes largest and most active volcano, roared back to life on Monday, sending a towering plume of ash and smoke 4 miles into the Sicilian sky. The eruption, triggered by a partial collapse of the southeastern crater, forced approximately 40 tourists to scramble to safety as lava fountains illuminated the slopes. While no injuries were reported, the event disrupted air travel and served as a reminder of natures unpredictable power. Authorities downgraded the initial code red aviation alert but warned hikers to avoid high-altitude zones as the volcanos tremors continued. Videos captured by hikers showed thick black smoke billowing from the summit as panicked tourists hurried downhill. Giuseppe Panfallo, a guide with Go Etna, described the moment the eruption began: It arrived all at once, an immense smoke, immense, immense roar. The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) confirmed the eruption stemmed from a volcanic tremor 2.7 km below the crater, intensifying for hours before lava and pyroclastic material burst forth. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reported ash reaching 21,000 feet, prompting flight delays and reroutes. Catania and Palermo airports remained open, but authorities closed roads near the volcano to keep spectators and emergency crews safe. Sicilian President Renato Schifani assured the public: According to initial data, the material has not reached the edge of the Leon Valley, and, as I have been assured, there is no danger to the population. By afternoon, the ash cloud had dissipated, and lava flows cooled. However, INGV warned that sporadic explosions could persist, urging extreme caution near the summit. Mount Etna, visited by 1.5 million tourists annually, last saw an eruption of this magnitude in 2014. Stefano Branca, director of the Etna Observatory, noted the event marked the strongest activity since February 2021. Despite its ferocity, the eruption followed weeks of minor seismic activity in a reminder that volcanoes operate on their own timeline. The science behind the spectacle Volcanologists classified the event as a strombolian eruption, characterized by explosive bursts of lava and gas. Teresa Ubide, a volcanology professor at the University of Queensland, explained: The collapse allowed what is called a pyroclastic flow: a fast-moving cloud of ash, hot gas and fragments of rock bursting out from inside the volcano. Such eruptions are common for Etna, but their suddenness underscores the challenges of prediction. Dr. Stuart Black of the University of Reading noted that while air traffic faced disruptions, the eruption was unlikely to cause large-scale climate effects. He added that wind patterns could benefit nearby farms by dispersing mineral-rich ash, acting as natures own fertilizer. Lessons in preparedness The eruption exposed the delicate balance between tourism and risk. Alessio Zocco, a hiking guide, reflected: Mount Etna is a majestic and unpredictable force of nature. It commands respect. Authorities swift responseevacuating tourists and monitoring slopeshighlighted the importance of readiness. Yet, as Dr. Carmen Solana of the University of Portsmouth warned, pyroclastic flows remain deadly, capable of surging at hundreds of kilometers per hour. Mondays eruption was a spectacle of natures raw powerand a warning. While Etnas lava spared populated areas, its volatility demands vigilance. As volcanic activity continues worldwide, from Iceland to the Pacific Rim, this event reinforces a timeless truth: preparedness saves lives. For now, Etnas slopes remain off-limits, but its fiery display serves as a humbling reminder of humanitys place in the natural order. Sources for this article include: RT.com CNN.com Independent.co.uk The Trump-Palantir coup: How the companys stance on privacy for American citizens is under threat The Trump administration has awarded Palantir Technologies $1.3 billion in contracts to amass federal data, jeopardizing privacy. Critics warn of misuse of sensitive citizen data, citing Palantirs history in invasive projects like ICE migrant tracking and collaboration with a firm targeting WikiLeaks. Over a dozen Palantir employees, including engineers, have rebelled, citing ethical concerns over data aggregation for political purposes. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), linked to Palantir through former employees, drives the data centralization push. Litigation by privacy advocates and legal groups challenges the administrations power grabs, raising fears of surveillance overreach. In a move critics call a tyrannical encroachment, the Trump administration is harnessing Palantir Technologies a firm co-founded by hard-right billionaire Peter Thiel to centralize massive amounts of sensitive U.S. citizen data across federal agencies. Since President Trumps inauguration, Palantir has received over $1.3billion in contracts, including a $795 million Department of Defense award, to deploy its Foundry system, which merges disparate datasets. This data lake project, driven by Elon Musks controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), could enable unprecedented surveillance powers, with bipartisan privacy advocates condemning it as a threat to civil liberties. The plan, spurred by an executive order targeting information silos, has sparked internal dissent at Palantir, lawsuits by rights groups, and stark warnings over security flaws. Billion-dollar contracts fuel a federal data monoculture The administrations financial stake in Palantir has grown exponentially since the November election. Contracts for Foundry a tool organizing taxpayer records, healthcare data, and immigration files now span at least four agencies, including ICE, the Department of Health and Human Services and the IRS. By consolidating disparate databases, officials could potentially cross-reference details like Social Security numbers, student loans, and medical histories, enabling targeting of critics or undocumented migrants. Palantirs Foundry was already credited with tracking migrants in real time under a $30 million ICE contract. Meanwhile, engineers worked to centralize IRS records, while DOGE officials lobbied to merge Social Security and immigration data. The firms expansion into revenue-focused agencies like the IRS suggests a financial SWAT team prioritizing partisan efficiency over privacy, critics argue. This amounts to a data iceberg; what floats now is terrifying, but we dont know whats hidden beneath, warned Linda Xia, a former Palantir engineer who co-signed a letter urging the company to halt its reckless collaboration. Employees turn whistleblowers as ethics crumble Behind the scenes, Palantir faces an internal revolt. Over a dozen former staff signed onto a recent editorial decrying the profit-driven erosion of their companys ethical reputation. Brianna Katherine Martin, a departing strategist, posted on LinkedIn that her red line was crossed after the firm expanded ICE contracts. Current employees cited lax security practices among DOGE personnel, including unsecured devices, which could expose databases to hacking or abuse. The concentration of this data in a single system increases the risk of both breaches and political weaponization, said Mario Trujillo of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. A system designed to catch illegal immigrants could easily be used to silence dissenters. Palantir claims it serves as a data processor, denying responsibility for policy misuse. But its longtime role in militarized projects from founding with the Pentagon in 2003 to aiding ICEunderscores its instrumentalization by power-hungry regimes. Palantirs controversial legacy Palantirs involvement in invasive state projects predates Trump. In 2010, it partnered with HBGary to suppress WikiLeaks after the site exposed Bank of Americas misconduct, a move seen as targeting free speech. A 2024 court filing also revealed Palantir engineered a flaw in FBI software that allowed unauthorized access to classified files. Its role in Biden-era CDC vaccine distribution ameliorated some reputational blows, but its ties to Thiel deepen public distrust. Now, as Palantirs stock surges (up 140% since Trumps return), the firm risks cementing its image as a tool for authoritarian governance. Were not just facing a data breachwere witnessing the collapse of institutional check, said Xia. Legal and political resistance grows Civil liberties groups have launched 11 lawsuits challenging the data project, arguing it violates privacy and due process. Democrats and progressive advocates accuse Trump of weaponizing tedium against critics, while libertarian Republicans decry the invasive scale. Even Palantir CEO Alex Karp (a Democratic donor) recently praised Musk as a qualified government reformera contradiction criticized as corporate opportunism. The White House deflected inquiries, citing the original executive orders efficiency mandate. But as more Palantir engineers flee and dissent grows, the administrations technocratic blueprint risks becoming a liabilityand a blueprint for future resistance against surveillance states under any party. The price of convenience in the surveillance economy With Palantirs datasets growing and public trust eroding, the Trump administration has set a dangerous precedent linking federal overreach with Silicon Valley profit. While the administration frames its efforts as commonsense modernization, critics see a dystopian vision of power a vision where every Americans life is itemized, monitored and politicized. As whistleblower employees and legal challenges grow, one question remains piercing: Who appoints the guardians of such colossal data systems? Sources for this article include: Technocracy.news NYTimes.com Yahoo.com U.S. to revoke visas of some Chinese students amid national security concerns The U.S. will revoke visas for select Chinese students particularly those in "critical fields" (e.g., STEM) or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), citing espionage and military-civil fusion risks. The policy affects only a small fraction of the 270,000 Chinese students who contribute over $14 billion annually to the economy. New visa criteria will impose stricter reviews for all Chinese applicants, including mandatory social media checks (e.g., X, TikTok) for security threats. The Visa Interview Waiver Program was halted, requiring in-person interviews for most non-immigrant visa applications, potentially causing delays and financial strain for universities reliant on international tuition. Framed as part of anti-espionage and extremism efforts, the measures align with Trump's earlier actions (e.g., May 2020 PLA-linked student bans) and focus on safeguarding U.S. research and national security. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the United States will begin revoking visas for certain Chinese students, particularly those studying in "critical fields" or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). China remains the second-largest source of international students in the U.S., with over 270,000 Chinese nationals enrolled in American universities during the 2023-2024 academic year roughly a quarter of all foreign students. These students contribute more than $14 billion annually to the U.S. economy through tuition and living expenses. However, Rubio revealed the growing U.S. concerns over Beijing's alleged efforts to exploit American academic institutions for military and technological advancement. Rubio emphasized that the new measures target only a small fraction of Chinese students, focusing on those deemed security risks. "Under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong," Rubio said in a press statement on May 28. (Related: Chinese student arrested for omitting link to PLA-backed university in F-1 visa application.) Trump admin suspends Visa Interview Waiver Program This announcement comes a day after President Donald Trump directed the State Department to immediately suspend the Visa Interview Waiver Program, requiring nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants to undergo in-person interviews, in accordance with Section 222 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The directive, issued in an internal cable on May 27 and signed by Rubio, instructs consular sections to pause adding "any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued" in the coming days. This move could cause significant delays in visa processing and deal a financial blow to U.S. universities, many of which rely heavily on tuition revenue from international students a group Trump has repeatedly criticized for allegedly promoting far-left ideologies. Since March, consular officers have been required to conduct mandatory social media reviews for applicants suspected of supporting "terrorist activity or a terrorist organization," a broad category that has included expressions of solidarity with Palestinians. Officers were instructed to take screenshots of "potentially derogatory" posts, even if later deleted, for permanent records. The new policy, however, extends social media vetting to all student visa applicants, not just those flagged for activism. Under the expanded screening, officers will scrutinize applicants' posts, shares and comments on platforms like Instagram, X and TikTok for content deemed threatening to national security. The administration has framed the crackdown as part of its broader effort to combat antisemitism and extremism. Visit CommunistChina.news for more stories like this. Watch the video below that talks about CCP sending spies to America. This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Columbia University student self-deports following visa revocation over pro-Hamas protests. U.S. imposes visa restrictions on Nicaraguan officials over human rights abuses. Trump's $5 million "gold card" visa plan could erase U.S. national debt. Trump Administration targets pro-Palestine activist for DEPORTATION, citing "foreign policy threat" in free speech crackdown. Jewish students endangered not because of anti-Israel protests, but because of police involvement and third-party doxing of participants. Sources include: X.com TheHill.com State.gov TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High near 85F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. 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 participants split into groups of between five and eight to place a card that they felt best described autism, and then being asked to explain the reasoning for their choices. 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; Society through 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. 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. 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 what 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." 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." Dr. Liam Cross, School of Psychology, University of Plymouth 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 programme of research have showed 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. A new county-level dataset from Johns Hopkins University researchers reveals a national decline in the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rate among U.S. children since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 2,066 studied counties, 1,614 counties, 78%, reported drops in vaccinations and the average county-level vaccination rate fell 93.92% pre-pandemic to 91.26% post-pandemic-an average decline of 2.67%, moving further away from the 95% herd immunity threshold to predict or limit the spread of measles. Only four of the 33 states in studied-California, Connecticut, Maine, and New York-reported an increase in the median county-level vaccination rate. The data is published today in JAMA. The data is released as more than one thousand measles cases have been reported this year in the United States. With the exception of 2019, this is the most cases reported in the U.S. in a single year in over three decades, with the vast majority of cases occurring in unvaccinated children. "This open, high resolution dataset provides a critical resource to explore and better understand the country's vaccination landscape and its implications for the risk of measles spread," said senior author Lauren Gardner, director of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering, an expert in using data and modeling to better understand the spread of disease. This work draws on her experience leading the data collection efforts behind the Johns Hopkins' COVID-19 dashboard that was relied upon globally during the pandemic. Gardner created Johns Hopkins' COVID-19 dashboard that was relied upon globally to track cases during the pandemic. The county-level vaccination data complements the state and national-level from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confirming a widespread decline in MMR vaccination rates in the U.S. following the COVID-19 pandemic, while also revealing the significant heterogeneity of vaccination patterns within and across states. The team collected county-level 2-dose MMR vaccination rates for kindergarteners from each state's department of health website from 2017 to 2024, where available. The dataset includes at least one year of vaccination data for 2,237 counties across 38 states. Empathy is often seen as a natural and essential part of the patient encounter - but reality tends to look quite different. In a new doctoral thesis from Umea University, doctors describe how not only time pressure, but also the structure of medical education and the culture of the workplace, can make it difficult to live up to the ideal. In her thesis, Johanna von Knorring interviewed medical students, practicing doctors, and patients about how they experience and understand empathy in healthcare. The results show that empathy is relational and constantly changing - and that it is influenced by far more than an individual doctor's will or personality. Participants in the study describe empathy as difficult to define, yet a natural part of a good healthcare encounter. It involves being present, listening actively and meeting the patient as a whole person - not just as a diagnosis. For patients, an empathetic approach can help create safety, trust and greater involvement in their own care. Although empathy is considered an ideal, the study highlights how difficult it can be to achieve in everyday practice. Medical students say that empathy is given attention in the early stages of their education, but once they enter the clinical environment, they face a reality shaped by time constraints, documentation demands and a strong focus on technical and medical efficiency - all of which make it harder to remain empathetically present. There is a clash between what you've been taught to strive for and what you're actually able to do in your daily work." Johanna von Knorring, doctoral student, Department of Clinical Sciences and the Industrial Doctoral School at Umea University Experienced doctors also describe how their empathy is negatively affected by the work environment, organisational conditions and a workplace culture that often prioritises efficiency over relational care. Many hope to serve as role models for younger colleagues - but find that there is limited space for reflection and discussion on patient interaction. At the same time, they emphasise that empathy does not disappear, but that it requires ongoing effort and support to be maintained. Patients in the study show great understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals but still call for a more person-centered approach - to be seen, heard and taken seriously. For them, empathy is not a bonus but a fundamental part of quality care. In summary, the thesis shows that empathy does not simply emerge in the encounter between two individuals. It is shaped by the design of medical education, workplace cultures and the values embedded in the healthcare system. "We need to understand empathy as something shaped and reshaped by its context. Creating better conditions for doctors to maintain and develop their empathy is a shared responsibility - one that rests with individuals, educational institutions and healthcare organisations," says Johanna von Knorring. A drug that once showed promise as a treatment for alcohol use disorder did not work as expected, a new UCLA clinical trial found. The drug, ibudilast, is approved for the treatment of asthma and post-stroke dizziness in Japan, and previous research suggested it might also help people reduce their drinking. The findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, showed that ibudilast works no better than a placebo for most people, although it did have a positive effect for one group of study participants. While ibudilast was not superior to the placebo, we saw that some individuals did better and some did worse with the drug. Female study participants did better, but both men and women who came in with higher levels of depression did worse, which are results we can use to guide further research." Lara Ray, UCLA psychology professor and study's first author The findings are the culmination of many years of investigation into ibudilast by Ray's research group, the UCLA Addictions Lab. Although the drug did not turn out to be as effective as they had hoped, the mixed results nonetheless point toward the roles that inflammation and the immune system may play in alcoholism. Like apremilast, another drug undergoing testing as a potential alcoholism treatment, ibudilast targets immune responses and related inflammation. "We think that there's a strong immune contribution to psychiatric disorders, especially depression and alcohol use disorder," said Ray. "Women generally have higher inflammation levels, and the fact that ibudilast works better for them and worse for people with more depressive symptoms suggests that we may be on the right track. Immune treatments have revolutionized cancer treatment, and we're using this novel approach to do that for alcohol use disorder." For the study, the researchers recruited 102 adults who were seeking treatment for moderate or severe alcohol use disorder to take either ibudilast or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks and followed up with them for four weeks after the treatment period ended. They tracked the percentage of heavy drinking days, the number of drinks per drinking day, and the percentage of days abstinent. Depressive symptoms and inflammation were also tracked. "What we found is that there were general reductions in drinking across both the ibudilast and the placebo groups," said Ray. On average, participants started with seven drinks per drinking day, and by the end of treatment, they had reduced that to around three to four drinks per drinking day, on average. However, this reduction was seen in the placebo group and the ibudilast group, which means that the researchers couldn't establish that ibudilast was superior to the placebo in reducing drinking. "One of the challenges in alcohol use disorder trials is that all participants usually improve their drinking across the board. Participants are responding to the whole treatment setting, and regardless of medication, we see a very pronounced beneficial effect on alcohol use disorder. So it can be hard to tease apart the placebo effect from the medication," said Ray. Women who took ibudilast, however, drank fewer drinks per drinking day. The effect was strong enough that the researchers concluded that further studies testing the efficacy of ibudilast in reducing drinking for women are worthwhile. On the other hand, people who started the study with more depressive symptoms both drank fewer drinks per day and had more abstinent days while taking the placebo. Ibudilast also did not reduce markers of inflammation. "Our lab is uncovering novel treatments for substance use disorders, and we're excited that all the people who came into our study improved," said Ray. "One of the challenges going forward is to follow people a little bit longer, say, in a six-month trial, so that we can get more of a separation between the treatment context and the active medication effect." "Ongoing analyses of this clinical trial will help us elucidate who responds to this medication for alcohol use disorder, such as individuals reporting co-occurring pain and those with higher levels of inflammation to begin with." This trial was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the UCLA Addiction Lab's ongoing trials will require a continued funding commitment from the federal government to develop effective new treatments for a problem that affects nearly 30 million adults in the United States alone. "People are coming to our lab because they trust UCLA," said Ray. "They're reporting on their drinking regularly, and that, in and of itself, is causing pretty significant changes in their behavior." Navajo Nation leaders took turns talking with the U.S. government's top health official as they hiked along a sandstone ridge overlooking their rural, high-desert town before the morning sun grew too hot. Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation, paused at the edge with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Below them, tribal government buildings, homes, and juniper trees dotted the tan and deep-red landscape. Nygren said he wanted Kennedy to look at the capital for the nation of about 400,000 enrolled members. The tribal president pointed toward an antiquated health center that he hoped federal funding would help replace and described life for the thousands of locals without running water due to delayed government projects. Nygren said Kennedy had already done a lot, primarily saving the Indian Health Service from a round of staffing cuts rippling through the federal government. "When we started hearing about the layoffs and the freezes, you were the first one to stand up for Indian Country," he told Kennedy, of his move to spare the federal agency charged with providing health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives. But Nygren and other Navajo leaders said cuts to federal health programs outside the Indian Health Service are hurting Native Americans. "Youre disrupting real lives," Cherilyn Yazzie, a Navajo council delegate, told KFF Health News as she described recent changes. Kennedy has repeatedly promised to prioritize Native Americans' health care. But Native Americans and health officials across tribal nations say those overtures are overshadowed by the collateral harm from massive cuts to federal health programs. The sweeping reductions have resulted in cuts to funding directed toward or disproportionately relied on by Native Americans. Staffing cuts, tribal health leaders say, have led to missing data and poor communication. The Indian Health Service provides free health care at its hospitals and clinics to Native Americans, who, as a group, face higher rates of chronic diseases and die younger than other populations. Those inequities are attributable to centuries of systemic discrimination. But many tribal members don't live near an agency clinic or hospital. And those who do may face limited services, chronic underfunding, and staffing shortages. To work around those gaps, health organizations lean on other federally funded programs. "There may be a misconception among some of the administration that Indian Country is only impacted by changes to the Indian Health Service," said Liz Malerba, a tribal policy expert and citizen of the Mohegan Tribe. "That's simply not true." Tribes have lost more than $6 million in grants from other HHS agencies, the National Indian Health Board wrote in a May letter to Kennedy. Janet Alkire, chairperson of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas, said at a May 14 Senate committee hearing that those grants paid for community health workers, vaccinations, data modernization, and other public health efforts. The government also canceled funding for programs it said violated President Donald Trump's ban on "diversity, equity, and inclusion," including one aimed at Native American youth interested in science and medicine and another that helps several tribes increase access to healthy food something Kennedy has said he wants to prioritize. Tribal health officials say slashed federal staffing has made it harder to get technical support and money for federally funded health projects they run. The firings have cut or eliminated staff at programs related to preventing overdoses in tribal communities, using traditional food and medicine to fight chronic disease, and helping low-income people afford to heat and cool their homes through the Low Income Home Energy Program. The Oglala Sioux Tribe is in South Dakota, where Native Americans who struggle to heat their homes have died of hypothermia. Through mid-May the tribe hadn't been able to access its latest funding installment from the energy program, said John Long, the tribe's chief of staff. Abigail Echo-Hawk, director of the Urban Indian Health Institute at the Seattle Indian Health Board, said the government has sent her organization incomplete health data. That includes statistics about Native Americans at risk for suicide and substance use disorders, which the center uses to shape public health policy and programs. "People are going to die because we don't have access to the data," Echo-Hawk said. Her organization is also having trouble administering a $2.2 million federal grant, she said, because the agency handling the money fired staffers she worked with. The grant pays for public health initiatives such as smoking cessation and vaccinations. "It is very confusing to say chronic disease prevention is the No. 1 priority and then to eradicate the support needed to address chronic disease prevention in Indian Country," Echo-Hawk said. HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard said Kennedy aims to combat chronic diseases and improve well-being among Native Americans "through culturally relevant, community-driven solutions." Hilliard did not respond to questions about Kennedy's specific plans for Native American health or concerns about existing and proposed funding and staffing changes. As Kennedy hiked alongside Navajo Nation leaders, KFF Health News asked how he would improve and protect access to care for tribal communities amid rollbacks within his department. "Thats exactly what Im doing," Kennedy responded. "Making sure that all the cuts do not affect these communities." Kennedy has said his focus on Native American health stems from personal and family experience, something he repeated to Navajo leadership. As an attorney, he worked with tribes on environmental health lawsuits. He also served as an editor at ICT, a major Native American news outlet. The secretary said he was also influenced by his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, and his father, U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who were both assassinated when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a child. "They thought that America would never live up to its moral authority and its role as an exemplary nation around the world if we didnt first look back and remediate or mitigate the original sin of the American experience the genocide of the Native people, Kennedy said during his visit. Some tribal leaders say the recent cuts, and the way the administration made them, violate treaties in which the U.S. promised to provide for the health and welfare of tribes in return for taking their land. "We have not been consulted with meaningfully on any of these actions," said Malerba, director of policy and legislative affairs for the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund, which advocates for tribes from Texas to Maine. Alkire said at the congressional hearing that many Native American health organizations sent letters to the health department asking for consultations but none has received a response. Tribal consultation is legally required when federal agencies pursue changes that would have a significant impact on tribal nations. "This is not just a moral question of what we owe Native people," Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said at the hearing. "It is also a question of the law." Tribal leaders are worried about additional proposed changes, including funding cuts to the Indian Health Service and a reorganization of the federal health department. Esther Lucero, president and CEO of the Seattle Indian Health Board, said the maneuvers remind her of the level of daily uncertainty she felt working through the covid-19 pandemic only with fewer resources. "Our ability to serve those who are desperately in need feels at risk," Lucero said. Among the most pressing concerns are congressional Republicans' proposed cuts to Medicaid, the primary government health insurance program for people with low incomes or disabilities. About 30% of Native American and Alaska Native people younger than 65 are enrolled in Medicaid, and the program helps keep Indian Health Service and other tribal health facilities afloat. Native American adults would be exempt from Medicaid work requirements approved by House Republicans on May 21. After Kennedy summited Window Rock with Navajo Nation leaders, the tribe held a prayer ceremony in which they blessed him in Dine Bizaad, the Navajo language. President Nygren stressed how meaningful it was for the country's health secretary to walk alongside them. He also reminded Kennedy of the list of priorities they'd discussed. That included maintaining the federal low-income energy assistance program. "We look forward to reestablishing and protecting some of the services that your department provides," Nygren said. As of mid-May, the Trump administration had proposed eliminating the energy program, which remains unstaffed. Safety Monitoring Committee clears clinical trial to advance to younger age groups Physician-scientists at Groupe de Recherche Action en Sante (GRAS) in Burkina Faso have successfully completed initial safety evaluations in 30 adult Burkinabes as the first phase of a clinical trial of Sanaria PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine, which is designed to prevent infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The clinical trial is being conducted in collaboration with Sanaria Inc., Seattle Children's Research Institute (SCRI) and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Following its review, the independent Safety Monitoring Committee has endorsed proceeding to the next phase of the trial, which will test PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine in younger individuals who are 1119 and 610 years old. Crucially, the initial data in adults confirmed the vaccine was safe, fully attenuated, and caused no malaria infections. Why PfSPZ-LARC2 vaccine matters Malaria remains a devastating disease, responsible for approximately 600,000 deaths and 263 million cases annually, disproportionately affecting Sub-Saharan Africa. PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine represents an exciting advance because it uses genetically engineered parasites incapable of causing disease but potent enough to stimulate strong protective immunity. Genetically engineered LARC parasite strains were invented at SCRI, and PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine was developed and manufactured at Sanaria in collaboration with SCRI. PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine is weakened by deletions of two critical parasite genes, Mei2 and LINUP, causing the parasites to disintegrate after initial replication in the liver without progression to disease-causing blood-stage malaria infection. Preclinical data indicate that LARC vaccines offer unprecedented potency, achieving higher efficacy at lower doses than any existing vaccines. This is supported by recent clinical trial results published in Nature Medicine (January 2025) demonstrating 90% protection from malaria infection after just a single mosquito-bite administration of a single gene deletion LARC (LARC1, aka GA2). Unlike its predecessor, however, PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine has been manufactured by Sanaria for administration by injection, conforming with global distribution requirements. Existing WHO-recommended malaria vaccines have shown moderate short-term efficacy in reducing disease burden. In contrast, PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine is designed to achieve the higher efficacy and durability necessary to interrupt transmission, aligning with WHO's goals for malaria elimination. Global implications and upcoming steps Consistent with prior Sanaria vaccine trials, this clinical trial in Burkina Faso is rigorously placebo-controlled, underscoring the robust clinical standards used to assess efficacy and safety. Additional PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine trials planned for 2025 in the United States (Seattle) and Germany (Tubingen) will further assess safety and efficacy. Results from these trials will shape the global rollout strategy, targeted for within three years, positioning PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine as a potential cornerstone in malaria control and targeted elimination. Experts share enthusiasm and optimism Professor Rose Leke (University of Yaounde I in Cameroon, 2023 Virchow Prize Winner and Chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's review committee) noted, "This clinical trial excites me deeply. A single-dose, highly effective vaccine like PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine could dramatically transform malaria elimination strategies in Africa. It's inspiring and historic to see African scientists in Africa lead the first clinical trial of this vaccine." Professor Sodiomon Bienvenu Sirima (Director General of GRAS, and trial Principal Investigator) stated, "PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine is uniquely positioned to meet WHO's ambitious goal of achieving over 90% protection against malaria infection, a milestone no current vaccine has ever matched. This will be unprecedented" Dr. Stephen L. Hoffman (Sanaria CEO) remarked, "For two decades, our team has focused on creating highly protective, cost-effective malaria vaccines. Collaboration with SCRI has made possible our PfSPZ-LARC2 third-generation product-promising to set a new standard in malaria prevention worldwide." A turning point in the global fight against malaria Despite billions spent annually, progress in reducing malaria's global burden has stagnated. With resistance to current treatments rising, climate change increasing mosquito ranges, and political uncertainties jeopardizing global health commitments, the innovative PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine offers timely hope for millions. Its deployment could profoundly change the lives of communities suffering from malaria's devastating impact. If the vaccine proves to be protective after a single dose, it will ease the burden on health systems that currently struggle with implementing multi-dose vaccination programs requiring multiple immunization contacts. The possibility of a one-dose, high-efficacy vaccine is exciting not just for residents of malaria-endemic areas but also for travelers who face Plasmodium falciparum malaria as a significant risk. Until now, travelers relied on antimalarial drugs-taken daily or weekly before, during, and after travel-which can be costly, inconvenient, and carry side effects. A single-dose vaccine like PfSPZ-LARC2 could dramatically simplify malaria prevention for travelers and military personnel alike, significantly reducing the risk of imported malaria. In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview published today, Dr. Erin E. Mauney reveals how her pioneering research brings psychedelic medicine into gastroenterology for the first time, potentially transforming treatment for millions suffering from intractable irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The assistant professor of pediatrics at Tufts University, who maintains a research appointment at Massachusetts General Hospital, leads the first clinical trial examining psilocybin's effects on treatment-resistant IBS. Her work addresses a critical gap in medicine: the substantial population of IBS patients who find no relief through conventional therapies. Breaking new ground in gut-brain medicine Dr. Mauney's research explores how psilocybin modulates interoception the way people perceive their body and gastrointestinal symptoms. The study protocol involves two doses of psilocybin with integrated therapy sessions before and after dosing, combined with neuroimaging via fMRI to track brain changes. "I became very interested in the applicability of this emerging field of psychedelic-assisted medicine to patients who seem to be at war with their bodies," Dr. Mauney explains in the interview. Her approach recognizes that many patients with severe, unexplained somatic symptoms have experienced significant trauma, particularly in early life. The research emerges from Dr. Mauney's observation that medicine, especially gastroenterology and obesity medicine, often fails to meaningfully understand and address the cumulative effects of toxic stress over the lifespan. This insight led her to investigate how early-life trauma becomes "somatically encoded" and how psychedelic therapy might create pathways for emotional release and functional improvement. From personal curiosity to professional innovation Dr. Mauney's journey into psychedelic research began during the pandemic when she read Michael Pollan's "How to Change Your Mind" while deciding to specialize in pediatric gastroenterology. Her background combines bacteriology research, including work on immune tolerance-inducing bacteria, with clinical expertise in integrative gastroenterology. A setback that proved fortuitous occurred when Dr. Mauney wasn't accepted to her top fellowship choice at Boston Children's Hospital. Instead, she matched at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she gained access to mentors including Dr. Franklin King at the Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics and Dr. Brad Kuo at the Center for Neurointestinal Health connections that would prove instrumental in launching her psychedelic research program. Addressing the mind-body divide The study's significance extends beyond IBS treatment. Dr. Mauney hopes her work will help heal what she describes as "the schism between mind and body that so many physicians practice within." This artificial separation has long hindered effective treatment for functional gastrointestinal disorders, where psychological and physical symptoms intertwine. Her research methodology combines quantitative measures including patient-reported abdominal pain scores with qualitative patient reflections and neuroimaging data. This multi-faceted approach aims to capture both the subjective experience of healing and objective biological changes. Could this integrated methodology become a model for studying other functional disorders where conventional treatments fall short? Implications for pediatric medicine While Dr. Mauney's current research focuses on adults, her pediatric background deeply informs her perspective. She notes that witnessing inequality and injustice daily in pediatrics, particularly regarding childhood obesity, motivates her broader vision for medicine. Her interest in pediatric obesity prevention requires what she calls "a full-scale realignment of our society's priorities," including food subsidies, urban design, educational approaches, and technology's impact on childhood. This systemic thinking raises important questions: How might early intervention with trauma-informed approaches prevent the development of chronic functional disorders? What role could psychedelic therapy eventually play in addressing treatment-resistant conditions across the lifespan? Personal philosophy shapes scientific approach The interview reveals how Dr. Mauney's personal values influence her research approach. She emphasizes cultivating "honest, genuine relationships with each person you work with" and creating environments where people can bring their whole selves to work. Her motto, "We are what we repeatedly do," reflects her commitment to meticulous, persistent research that prioritizes patient wellbeing. When asked about her greatest passion, Dr. Mauney responds: "Restoring humanity to the practice of medicine." This philosophy permeates her research design, which treats patients as whole persons rather than collections of symptoms. Her approach suggests a paradigm shift in how we conceptualize and treat functional disorders moving from symptom suppression to addressing root causes, including psychological trauma. Looking forward: Scalable solutions Dr. Mauney's research aims not just to prove efficacy but to develop scalable therapeutic options. She envisions optimizing psychedelic therapy protocols to make them accessible in clinical settings, potentially offering hope to the millions of IBS patients worldwide who have exhausted conventional treatment options. The timing of this research is particularly significant as psychedelic medicine gains mainstream acceptance. With multiple psychedelic compounds in late-stage clinical trials for various conditions, Dr. Mauney's work positions gastroenterology at the forefront of this therapeutic revolution. What other specialty areas might benefit from similar innovative approaches to treatment-resistant conditions? Dr. Erin E. Mauney's Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series called Innovators & Ideas that highlights the people behind today's most influential scientific breakthroughs. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that delve into the scientist's impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and rising stars featured in our Innovators & Ideas Genomic Press Interview series can be found in our publications website: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/. The Genomic Press Interview in Psychedelics titled "Erin Mauney: Psychedelics as modulators of the gut-brain interaction," is freely available via Open Access on 3 June 2025 in Psychedelics at the following hyperlink: https://doi.org/10.61373/pp025k.0020. The Hong Kong Police Force, in collaboration with its counterparts in Macau, Malaysia, the Maldives, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, conducted the first joint operation of FRONTIER+, a cross-boundary anti-scam platform. During the month-long operation that began on April 28, 1,858 individuals were arrested, involving 9,268 cases of online shopping scams, telephone deceptions, investment scams, rental scams and employment scams, with a total loss amounting to US$225 million. Moreover, 32,607 bank accounts were frozen and approximately US$20 million in fraudulent funds were intercepted, effectively disrupting criminal cash flows. At a press conference this afternoon, Hong Kong Police Force Commercial Crime Bureau Chief Superintendent Wong Chun-yue said investigations revealed that scams across different jurisdictions showed notable similarities. For instance, the impersonation of customer service representatives emerged as a widespread scam tactic in Hong Kong in 2024, and became less prevalent in 2025 after police intervention. Also in 2025, similar fraudulent schemes employing identical scripts and excuses began to appear in Singapore and Macau. This observation underscores the critical need for cross-jurisdictional collaboration and intelligence sharing to combat scam syndicates effectively, Mr Wong pointed out. Established by various anti-scam centres in October 2024, FRONTIER+ now comprises 10 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Indonesia, the Macao SAR, Malaysia, the Maldives, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. By strengthening intelligence exchange and co-ordinated actions, the platform aims to combat scams, cyber-related crimes and money laundering. It will continue to conduct real-time intelligence analysis and sharing, carry out cross-boundary joint operations, and expand its network by inviting more countries and regions to join, in order to enhance enforcement efficiency. Delhi: Man arrested for kidnapping, murdering differently-abled woman Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 18:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI) A 35-year-old man wanted in the abduction and murder of a differently-abled woman was arrested following an encounter in Kalindi Kunj, the police said on Tuesday. Rajpal, a hotel staffer from Paharganj and a native of Etah in Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended after the police received input about his presence near Pusta Road. Recommended Stories In the wee hours of Sunday morning, Rajpal allegedly abducted the woman and murdered her in the Madanpur Khadar area, dumping her body in a secluded location. The woman was reported missing around 1:02 am and the police was alerted through a PCR call. The caller, a local of Madanpur Khadar Extension, informed that a handicapped woman had been kidnapped. Subsequent inquiry revealed that the woman, also from Madanpur Khadar, had been sleeping on the terrace of her house along with her parents when she was kidnapped. Soon after the incident, multiple teams scanned the locality and adjoining streets. During the search, her body was discovered in an abandoned shanty on the same street. Her body was taken to AIIMS for the post-mortem after which a case was registered. Following an investigation, the police zeroed in on Rajpal and a trap was laid on Monday night. When the police team confronted the suspect, he opened fire and one of the bullets hit the bulletproof jacket of a sub-inspector," the police said, adding that in self-defence, the team returned fire and hit Rajpal in the right leg who was then taken to the hospital for treatment. Gunshot residue and incriminating evidence, including the clothes worn during the crime and a country-made pistol, were recovered from him. The police also recovered CCTV footage in which Rajpal can be seen carrying the woman on his shoulder. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rajpal has a history of strained personal relationships, including two failed marriages and ongoing issues with his third wife, the police further claimed, adding that he is also known for having a violent temper and a drinking problem. Teams are further investigating the motive behind Rajpals actions. PTI BM BM MPL MPL First Published: June 03, 2025, 18:30 IST Movie 'Thug Life' will not be released in Karnataka on June 5, producers tell HC Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 19:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Bengaluru, June 3 (PTI) Kamal Haasan starrer Thug life will not be released in Karnataka on June 5, the scheduled date for the pan-India release of the much-anticipated movie, its producers informed the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday. When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Nagaprasanna, counsel for the petitioner maintained that there was no malice and an apology was not warranted and submitted that the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon in Karnataka till the issue gets resolved through dialogue. Recommended Stories The court posted to June 10 further hearing of the petition by the production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, seeking adequate security for the movies release in the state. During the hearing, filmmaker Haasan came in for strong criticism from the court for his remark suggesting that Kannada was born out of Tamil," and the court observed that a single apology could have resolved the situation." The petition was filed following widespread protest against the actors recent remarks regarding Kannada language and a demand for his apology. Hearing the petition, Justice Nagaprasanna asked, Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement? No language is born out of another. A single apology could have resolved the situation." Further, the judge said no citizen has the right to hurt sentiments and underlined that an apology even a symbolic one," was missing. To this, the counsel for petitioner submitted that an apology is needed when there is malice, not for a misunderstanding." Justice M Nagaprasanna said that the actors recent statement has stirred the hornets nest and triggered certain unrest in the state of Karnataka, and held that it undermined the Karnataka peoples sentiment of language. There are many ways of clarifying, but only one way of seeking apology," the court noted, as it recorded that the letter addressed by Haasan to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) did not include an explicit apology. Freedom of expression cannot be extended to the extent of hurting someones sentiment, of a mass in particular," the Judge said. He also observed that languages may be many, but the country is still one and there can be no division there. The remarks, reportedly made by Haasan at a promotional event in Chennai for his upcoming Tamil film Thug Life, sparked a backlash in Karnataka, prompting the KFCC to announce that the film would not be screened in the state unless Haasan apologised. In response, Raajkamal Films International the production company of Haasan filed a plea before the High Court seeking protection for the films release. The senior counsel submitted that the petitioner is not, for now, willing to screen the movie in Karnataka, unless a dialogue or a trialogue with the KFCC was encouraged. Further, the counsel submitted that the matter may be adjourned to enable them to have a dialogue. Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for Haasan, read out the letter the actor sent to KFCC, which said, his recent statement in connection with the evolution of Kannada language was misunderstood and that his words were taken out of context. The actor also has asserted that his love for Kannada language is genuine. He has sincere love for Kannada and meant no offence," Chinnappa said and added that the communication was issued immediately after Haasan returned from a promotional event in Dubai. The Judge said, but the word apology is not found in the communication." .on all these factors, and also in the light of the fact that of the statement of the senior counsel on instructions that the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon in the state of Karnataka till the issue gets resolved till the dialogue/trialogue would yield any results." The court underlined that an apology even a symbolic one," was missing. Only one sentence was to be added. It is not compulsion, that is the grace he (Haasan) should have," said Justice Nagaprasanna. Chinnappa maintained that the statement was not issued with malice and thus did not warrant an apology. It is not ego at all," he argued. An apology is needed when there is malice, not for a misunderstanding." The judge said that the actors statement had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka and questioned his refusal to offer an apology. Language is an emotional and cultural identity of a people," and stressed that no individual has the right to make comments that undermine the pride of an entire linguistic community, the court observed. Water, land, and language Jala, Nela, Bashe are crucial to citizens. The division of this country itself was based on linguistic lines," the court observed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Late leader C Rajagopalachari made a similar statement but apologised for it, the court said. .If Rajagopalachari could tender a public apology 75 years ago, why cant you (Kamal Haasan)? For your commercial interest, you have approached this court seeking police protection for a situation created by you," the judge said. Advocate Chinnappa, told the court that the remark was not drastically wrong". During the argument when Chinnappa said, eggs and words must be handled with care, the Judge added, you cannot unscramble the scrambled egg." PTI KSU JR PYK VGN First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:30 IST Sabari railway line: Central team to visit Kerala soon, says Minister Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 22:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 3 (PTI) The Centre has granted approval for a long-stalled railway project in Kerala, Minister V Abdurahiman said on Tuesday, paving the way for the construction of a rail line connecting Angamaly and the foothills of Sabarimala. A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting held between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi, Abdurahiman said in a statement. Recommended Stories An expert team from the Centre is scheduled to arrive in Kerala the very next day, and the land acquisition process is set to begin in July itself, he added. The length of the railway line between Angamaly and Erumeli, proposed in the 1997-98 railway budget, is 111.48 km. With this, a new world of rail connectivity and development is opening up for Kerala. This route will be of great help to Sabarimala pilgrims. It will also boost the economic growth of Ernakulam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts," Abdurahiman, who also took part in the meeting in Delhi, said. The Sabari railway line also has the distinction of being the first line to connect Idukki district with the railway. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The railway line, sanctioned by the Indian Railways during late 1990s, has been pending for nearly three decades. A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in last December, had decided to seek approval from the central government for implementing the Sabari Rail Project through the Angamaly Erumeli Nilakkal route in an expanded manner. PTI LGK ROH First Published: June 03, 2025, 22:45 IST TMC''s P V Anvar declares assets worth over Rs 52 crore in election affidavit Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 11:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Malappuram(Kerala), Jun 3 (PTI) Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader P V Anvar, who is contesting in the Nilambur assembly bypoll, has declared assets, including both movable and immovable, of over Rs 52 crore and liabilities of Rs 20 crore in the election affidavit filed with his nomination papers on Monday. Anvar has in his affidavit disclosed movable assets of over Rs 18 crore and immovable property worth over Rs 34 crore. Recommended Stories In 2021, he had declared assets worth over Rs 64 crore and liabilities of around Rs 17 crore. According to his affidavit, his two wives have total assets, including 1.2 kgs of gold each, worth over Rs 8 crore and Rs 3 crore, respectively. Anvar, who completed his pre-degree (class 11 and 12) education from Kozhikode University in 1985, also has liabilities of around Rs 20 crore, which includes loans of Rs 9 crore from various banks, his affidavit stated. Besides these, he is also facing 10 criminal cases for various offences including destruction of government property, leaking phone calls of government officials, leaking official secrets, defamation and making provocative speeches aimed at inciting violence, according to his affidavit. In none of these cases, mostly initiated between 2024 and 2025, charges have been framed against him, it said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Anvar, whose resignation as a Left-backed independent MLA paved the way for the by-election, filed his nomination after launching a new political front Janakiya Prathipaksha Prathirodha Munnani (JPPM) after the Congress-led UDF declined him a spot in the front. He, on Sunday, announced his decision to contest the bypoll, a day after he claimed he does not have the funds for it. PTI HMP HMP ADB First Published: June 03, 2025, 11:15 IST Bill Gates To Donate 99% Of His $200 Billion Wealth: Who Will Benefit? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 17:04 IST Bill Gates plans to donate 99% of his $200 billion wealth by 2045, to improve health and education in Africa over the next 20 years. Gates Foundation will end operations by 2045. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates plans to leave only 1% of his fortune to his children. (File Photo: PTI) Bill Gates, co-founder of tech giant Microsoft, is planning to donate 99% of his wealth, mainly to improve health and education services in Africa, over the next 20 years. The wealth of the worlds fifth richest person, which currently stands at about $175 billion as per the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, is expected to touch nearly $200 billion by 2045, the year by which his foundation plans to end its operations. Speaking at the African Union headquarters at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently, the 69-year-old billionaire, according to BBC, said, 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." Recommended Stories Last month, Gates announced his commitment to donate 99% of his wealth by 2045. The Gates Foundation said it had three priorities: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensuring the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases, and lifting millions of people out of poverty. Most of Bill Gatess wealth comes from Cascade Investment, a holding firm established using the earnings from his Microsoft stock sales and dividends. According to Bloomberg data analysis, Gates has accumulated over $60 billion through stock and dividend income from Microsoft and other firms. This includes a notable $3.3 billion dividend payout in 2004, which he contributed to his charitable foundation. Currently, Gates holds around 1% of Microsoft, the worlds leading software company. He resigned from Microsofts board in March 2020, and his ownership details havent appeared in proxy filings since then. Holdings under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which supports global health, education, and poverty relief, are excluded from his personal net worth estimate. Gates Plans To Leave Only 1% For His Children Consistent with his long-standing views on wealth and inheritance, Gates plans to leave only 1% of his fortune to his children. Gates Foundation to Wind Down by 2045 Bill Gates has announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will conclude its operations on December 31, 2045, several decades before originally intended. This decision aligns with his commitment to donate 99% of his estimated $200 billion fortune over the next two decades. Bill Gates Advocates For Use Of AI Gates is advocating for the use of technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, to enhance healthcare outcomes in Africa. He cited Rwandas use of AI-enabled ultrasound technology to identify high-risk pregnancies as an example of how innovation can improve health services. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He urged the continents youth to leverage AI to strengthen healthcare systems, drawing a parallel to how mobile phones transformed financial services across Africa. Africa largely skipped traditional banking. Now you have a chance, as you build your next generation healthcare systems, to think about how AI is built into that," Gates said. About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 16:43 IST If A Road Accident Victim Has No Insurance, Can The Family Still Get Compensation? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 07:34 IST Having third-party insurance ensures if a vehicle causes injury or death, the insurance company must compensate the victims family, even if the deceased had no insurance coverage The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 ensures compensation for road accident victims and their families. (Representative/PTI) In the event of a road accident where a familys sole breadwinner loses their life without having life insurance, the question of financial support naturally arises. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, such families may be entitled to compensation, providing a legal route for financial assistance in the absence of insurance. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides a legal framework to offer compensation to victims of road accidents or their families. This law includes two important provisionsSection 163A and Section 166that deal with compensation claims. Recommended Stories Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act allows the family of a person who dies in a road accident to claim compensation without having to prove who was at fault. Even if it is unclear who caused the accident or how it happened, compensation can still be granted. This is known as a no-fault claim" and is especially helpful for families, as gathering accurate details about an accident can often be difficult. On the other hand, Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act applies when it is clear that the accident was caused by someone elses negligence. In such cases, the victims family can claim compensation from the vehicle owner or their insurance company, but they must prove that the other party was at fault. For example, if a truck is driven recklessly and causes a fatal accident, the family can seek compensation by proving the truck drivers negligence in court. What If The Deceased Did Not Have Insurance Even if the deceased did not have personal insurance, the family may still be eligible for compensation. In India, it is mandatory for all vehicle owners to have third-party insurance. This ensures that if their vehicle causes injury or death to someone, the insurance company is liable to compensate the victims familyregardless of whether the deceased had any insurance coverage. What Happens In Hit-And-Run Cases Many times, the driver responsible for an accident flees the scene, and no information is available about the vehicle or the driver. Such incidents are known as hit-and-run cases. In these situations, the victims family cannot claim compensation from any insurance company or individual, as the offender remains unidentified. To address this, the government launched the Motor Vehicles Accident Fund in 2022. Under this scheme, families of those who die in a hit-and-run accident are entitled to a compensation of Rs 2 lakh, while those who suffer serious injuries receive Rs 50,000. This initiative is especially important for low-income families or those who lack the means and resources to pursue a legal battle. It provides essential financial relief in times of crisis. Can Compensation Be Obtained Without A Lawyer? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Yes, it is not mandatory to hire a lawyer to claim compensation. India has special courts called Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACT) that handle compensation cases related to road accidents. The victims family can approach MACT directly to file a claim. The claim can be submitted in the district where the accident occurred or where the family resides. Importantly, if the family cannot afford legal representation, government legal aid services or certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offer free assistance. They help with filing the claim and managing the necessary paperwork. MACT examines the case, and if the claim is found valid, it directs the insurance company or the government to provide compensation. First Published: June 02, 2025, 18:50 IST Yes Bank Shares Falls 7% After Large Block Deals Involving 3% Equity Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 10:05 IST Yes Bank was the third-best performer on the Nifty 500 index on Tuesday, rallying over 8%; What investors should know Yes Bank Share Price: Shares in focus after Sumitomo Mitsui acquires 20% stake. Yes Bank Share Price: Shares of private sector lender Yes Bank plunged 7.4% to an intraday low of Rs 21.55 on Tuesday, following reports that around 3% of the banks equity changed hands in several block deals during early trading on the BSE. According to CNBC TV-18, a private equity investor is believed to be the seller in the transaction, although details about the buyer, seller, and exact transaction specifics remain undisclosed. Recommended Stories Yes Banks stock is also in focus today, ahead of a scheduled board meeting where the private lender is expected to discuss various fundraising proposals. Yes Bank was the third-best performer on the Nifty 500 index on Tuesday, rallying over 8% following media reports that Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is seeking approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate a wholly-owned subsidiary. The move was interpreted as a step toward acquiring a controlling stake in Yes Bank. However, Yes Bank quickly issued a clarification in the early hours of Tuesday, stating it was not aware of any such discussions. Further references to the bank having road map discussions with the RBI are factually incorrect," the lender added. The board of Yes Bank is also scheduled to consider fundraising proposals, including the issuance of equity shares, debt securities, or any other instruments through permissible means such as private placement or preferential issue. Just last month, Sumitomo had announced plans to acquire a 20% stake in Yes Bank from a consortium of lenders led by the State Bank of India (SBI). This group had rescued Yes Bank in 2020 from a severe liquidity crisis. The deal values Yes Bank at slightly above $8 billion. Shares of Yes Bank ended 8% higher on Monday at Rs 23.22, with the stock surging nearly 30% in the past month. Yes Bank Q4 Results top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Yes Bank posted a strong set of numbers in its Q4FY25 results, reporting a net profit of Rs 738 crore, up 63.3% YoY, supported by reduced provisions and steady asset quality. Net interest income (NII) grew 5.7% to Rs 2,276 crore, while net interest margin (NIM) improved to 2.5%. Non-interest income rose by 10.9% to Rs 1,739 crore, and provisions dropped by 32.5% to Rs 318 crore. Advances increased 8.1% YoY to Rs 2.46 lakh crore, and deposits were up 6.8% at Rs 2.85 lakh crore. Asset quality showed improvement, with gross NPA stable at 1.6% and net NPA falling to 0.3%. The banks board also approved a fundraising plan, underscoring confidence in its growth strategy. Yes Bank is a private sector bank in India that was founded in 2004 by Rana Kapoor and Ashok Kapur. It is headquartered in Mumbai and offers a wide range of banking and financial services, including corporate and retail banking, asset management, and wealth management. 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 03, 2025, 07:35 IST Elon Musk Salary: Why Was He The Lowest-Paid S&P 500 CEO In 2024 With $0 Payout From Tesla? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 18:27 IST Tesla CEO Elon Musk received no salary, bonus, or stock awards from the company in 2024, making him the lowest-paid chief executive among all S&P 500 firms, says a report. Elon Musk's lack of compensation comes after a Delaware Chancery Court in January 2024 struck down his Tesla's $56-billion compensation package. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, received no salary, bonus, or stock awards from the company in 2024, making him the lowest-paid chief executive among all S&P 500 firms, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Confirming the news, Musk reacted in a post on X, Zero for seven years, despite increasing the value of the company >2000%." Recommended Stories Zero for seven years, despite increasing the value of the company >2000% https://t.co/QNNHxpi3T2 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 2, 2025 Elon Musk has not received any compensation for 2023 or 2024, the company has also said in its filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Why Is Elon Musk Not Receiving Any Compensation From Tesla? Musks lack of compensation comes after a Delaware Chancery Court in January 2024 struck down his $56 billion compensation package, which had been approved in 2018 and tied to highly ambitious performance milestones. The court ruled that Teslas board failed to act independently and that the approval process was heavily influenced by Musk. Musk dictated the terms of the compensation plan," Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick had stated in the ruling. Tesla has since proposed a re-vote on the package and plans to shift its legal base from Delaware to Texas. Musks Wealth Still Tied to Teslas Stock Although he received no pay in 2024, Musk remains Teslas largest shareholder, with an estimated 13% stake in the company. His net worth, therefore, continues to be tied to Teslas market performance rather than traditional executive compensation. Despite recent stock volatility, Tesla shares have rebounded somewhat in 2025, helping Musk retain his place among the worlds wealthiest individuals, though through equity holdings rather than salary. According to Forbes Real-Time Billionaire List, Elon Musk is the richest person in the world with a net worth of $420.6 billion. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Who Is The Top-Paid CEO? Musks $0 compensation places him at the bottom of the S&P 500 CEO pay rankings, in contrast to the highest earners. According to data compiled by Equilar and reported by The Wall Street Journal, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan was the highest-paid CEO in 2024, receiving more than $161 million in total compensation. About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 18:11 IST Anti-Smog Guns, Artificial Rain: CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Vision To Make Delhi Pollution-Free Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 23:44 IST Delhi Air Pollution: CM Rekha Gupta unveils anti-pollution plan, including artificial rain, anti-smog guns, BS6 vehicle rules, and mass tree plantation drive. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. (PTI file photo) Delhi Air Pollution : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at making the national capital pollution-free, a key poll plank of the BJP in the last assembly election that ended its 28-year power drought in the city. From artificial rain to anti-smog guns, the multi-pronged strategy includes scientific innovations, legislative enforcement, and large-scale public participation to keep pollution in check ahead of the winter season when the capital becomes a gas chamber". Recommended Stories Addressing a press briefing, Gupta announced that Delhi will soon witness its first artificial rain through cloud seeding, a pilot project approved in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. To reduce and eliminate pollution, we will sign MoUs with all our science organisations, which will use their latest innovations and help the Delhi government in its fight against pollution," she said. The initiative with IIT Kanpur is expected to test the viability of cloud seeding as a method to clean Delhis toxic air. Artificial rain may air quality slightly for some hours or a day or two depending on meteorological factors but experts do not view artificial rain as a sustainable solution to pollution problems. Gupta also said that the government will launch a major plantation drive titled Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" on June 5 on the occasion of World Environment Day. The goal is to plant 70 lakh saplings across the city this year. Our aim is that Delhi should get better air. Delhi air should be good, people should prefer to stay in Delhi instead of going out," the CM said, highlighting the need for large-scale afforestation to combat urban pollution. Delhi Air Pollution: What Experts Say On Artificial Rain In a significant regulatory push, the Delhi government will make anti-smog guns mandatory on all high-rise commercial buildingsincluding malls and hotelsabove 3000 square metres. This will help in significant dust mitigation throughout Delhi," Gupta added. To curb vehicular emissions, the CM announced that from November 1, 2025, only BS6-compliant, CNG, or electric commercial vehicles will be allowed to enter the city. In support of this policy, the government will deploy Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all entry points and petrol pumps across Delhi. These AI-enabled cameras will identify end-of-life vehicles and prevent them from operating in the capital. These steps are not just announcements; they are actionable, time-bound interventions," Gupta said, stressing the urgency of addressing air pollution through a combination of science, surveillance, and community involvement. Not Just Choking Lungs, Delhi Air Pollution Is Affecting Your Mental Health Too Delhi Air Pollution Air pollution continues to trouble Delhi residents year-round, except during the monsoon. In winter, AQI often hits hazardous levels due to stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, and lower temperatures. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While recent days have seen a slight decline in very poor" and hazardous" air quality days, the issue remains far from resolved. (With inputs from ANI) 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 First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:14 IST Rs 200-Cr Mall Scam: Delhi High Court Slams Authorities Over Undue Delay In Probe Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 18:25 IST The HC noted Anti-Corruption Branchs submissions that, despite repeated communications, the competent authority had not granted sanction to proceed against key public officials A single-judge bench of the High Court, presided over by Justice Shalinder Kaur, expressed severe displeasure at the undue delay and directed the authority to provide a detailed explanation within six weeks. (File pic/PTI) The Delhi High Court has strongly criticised the sanctioning authority for its failure to provide the necessary sanctions for the registration of a first information report (FIR) against public officials implicated in a scam involving the illegal commercial exploitation of a mall property. The high-ranking officials were involved in a Rs 200-crore scam relating to the illegal commercial exploitation of a mall property originally leased to SS Con-Build Private Limited. Recommended Stories A single-judge bench of the High Court, presided over by Justice Shalinder Kaur, expressed severe displeasure at the undue delay and directed the authority to provide a detailed explanation within six weeks. The case involves the alleged continuation of commercial operations, despite the Delhi Development Authoritys (DDA) termination of the lease in January 2020 due to unpaid dues exceeding 200 crore rupees. This continuation allegedly occurred through forged documents, shell companies, and the complicity of various government officers. During the hearing, the High Court noted the Anti-Corruption Branchs submissions that, despite repeated communications, the competent authority had not granted the required sanction to proceed against key public officials. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Such delays not only impede the course of justice but also raise serious questions about institutional accountability and undermine public trust and frustrate the objective of an independent investigation," the bench said. Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa, Advocate Gaurav Gupta, and Advocate Thakur Ankit Singh appeared for the petitioner. The matter is now listed for further hearing in August. About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 18:25 IST JNU Adopts 'Kulguru' As Gender-Neutral Hindi Title For Vice Chancellor Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 13:15 IST JNU has replaced the Hindi term "Kulpati" with "Kulguru" for Vice-Chancellor, aiming for a more gender-neutral title, as proposed by VC Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit. JNU Renames Vice Chancellor as Kulguru in Gender-Inclusive Move. (File Photo/News18) JNU Latest News: In an important change, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has decided to replace the Hindi word Kulpati" (which means head of an institution) with Kulguru" (which means teacher) as the official Hindi title for the Vice-Chancellor. The new term is meant to be more gender-neutral. This proposal was made by JNU Vice-Chancellor Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit during a recent meeting of the universitys working council. In 2022, while speaking at an event, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised that official titles should always be gender-neutral to prevent any future controversies. She mentioned that an important Executive Council meeting was scheduled for September 14, where she would propose replacing the term Kulpati with Kulguru. Recommended Stories She added, When I joined this university, everyone used he instead of she even on official documents. But Ive since made sure that its changed to she wherever applicable." She also supported the growing demand to replace Kulpati with Kulguru going forward. ALSO READ: Delhi HC Allows Open School Students For JAC Counselling Without Class 12 Results JNUs decision follows similar steps taken in other states. In February, the Rajasthan government introduced the Rajasthan Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aiming to replace Kulpati" and Pratikulpati" (Pro-Vice Chancellor) with Kulguru" and Pratikulguru" in all state university laws written in Hindi. The Bill, which was passed in March, explains that the Vice-Chancellor is both the executive and academic head of a university, and that the new terms reflect the traditional guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple tradition) from Indias ancient education system. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ: UGC Asks Colleges To Submit Compliance Reports On Sexual Harassment Prevention Guidelines Similarly, in July last year, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved a proposal to adopt the term Kulguru" for Vice-Chancellors. The state government said the new title conveys a sense of affinity, affection, and respect, and the move was approved by the Council of State Ministers. 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 03, 2025, 12:53 IST Chirag Paswan's Bihar Gambit: Start By Asking For 45 Seats, Deputy CM 'Dream' In The Long Run? Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 08:30 IST Sources said LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan is serious about the Bihar assembly polls and is likely to contest from a general seat rather than a traditionally reserved seat LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan has expressed his intention to contest the Bihar assembly election. (Image: News18) The BJP may have made it clear that Nitish Kumar will be chief minister if they win the Bihar assembly election regardless of the numbers but Chirag Paswans desire to leave Delhi and return to state politics is being seen in many quarters as a challenge to the JD(U) leader. Union minister Chirag Paswan, the leader of NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has been positioning" himself to ask for a better share of seats, 45 to be precise, reliable sources told News18. Recommended Stories Chirag Paswan is aware of the sanctity of an endorsement (of Nitish Kumar) by someone like that of Amit Shah (in the Gopalganj rally). He is not in that race (to become CM), let me be very clear about that. But does he want his party to have a fair deal this election and grow bigger? Yes," said a source on condition of anonymity. Chirag on Monday expressed his intention to contest the assembly election. 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," he said. Sometimes, when national leaders contest state elections, it does help the party grow. If my participation helps the alliance and strengthens the NDAs position in Bihar, I will contest," he added. According to sources, Chirag is serious about the election and his party MP Arun Bharti, who is also his brother-in-law, told the media that rather than contesting from a traditionally reserved seat, he will fight from a general seat given he represents every segment of society". Sources in LJP (Ram Vilas) said even before their leaders announcement, a quiet audit was being conducted by third parties to find the seat that will ensure a bumper win for him, while also translating into a big help for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Having won from a reserved seat like Jamui and Hajipur (his father Ram Vilas Paswan contested from this seat, which became a bone of contention with his uncle at one point), the Union minister is focused on a general seat like Nawada. He will be fighting from Nawada, this Bihar election. It is confirmed," Bharti told News18. The seat has 70,000 Bhumihars, 55,000 Yadavs, 50,000 SC/ST voters and 30,000 each Kushwaha and Muslim voters. It is a mixed constituency that will help him emerge as a face defying Bihars caste considerations, said people close to him. Every alliance leader has the right to operate their party the way they wish to operate. I dont think we need to comment upon it," Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal told News18 in a brief statement, when asked to react to Chirags intentions. But, why this aggressive push now and can he get 45 seats? Those close to Chirag insisted that he has reason to believe that Nitish Kumars health may not allow him to complete a full term if the NDA returns to power. In such a scenario, he will have a chance to claim the deputy chief ministers post. At present, he commands a 6 per cent vote share and hopes to increase the bar this time, which is why he wants to bargain hard for 45 seats. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Reacting to the seat count, however, a BJP source told News18 that we will cross the bridge when it comes". Its any alliance partners right to demand. Last year, after the BJP and JD(U) seat-sharing was done, the BJP had to accommodate smaller allies like the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), led by Mukesh Sahni, from its own quota. Where is the scope? But yes, our leaders will sit with an open mind when the time is right," the source said. In the 2020 election, the JD(U) contested 115 seats but won only 43. The BJP, meanwhile, won 71 out of 110 seats it contested while the HAM won four of seven seats. Vikaasheel Insaan Party won four of the 11 it contested, taking the NDAs score to 125. The LJP, which was part of the NDA, had quit the alliance before the election while the RLSP was also not part of the alliance. About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 08:30 IST Explained: Can China Really Stop The Flow Of Brahmaputra Water To India? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 14:36 IST Taking technical, geographical and geopolitical factors into consideration, while China can alter the flow of Brahmaputra to some extent, it cannot fully stop it. China accounts for only 22 to 30 per cent of the total Brahmaputra River Basin's discharge. (Image: PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has hit back at Pakistan for claiming China could choke the flow of the Brahmaputra to India with facts, stating that the river grows in India, not shrinks". His remarks came after a senior aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, claimed that the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan could set a precedent for China to block the Brahmaputra River to India. If India does something like this, they stop the flow to Pakistan, then China can also do the same thing. But if things like this happen, then the entire world will be in a war," Afzal told Geo News. Recommended Stories But, can China really stop the flow of Brahmaputra river to India? Taking technical, geographical and geopolitical factors into consideration, while China can alter the flow of Brahmaputra to some extent, it cannot fully stop it. In fact, altering the flow, too, could have major implications. Heres a closer look at why China cannot fully stop Brahmaputras flow into India: Partial Control Due To Geography According to an article on natstrat.org, China accounts for only 22 to 30 per cent of the total Brahmaputra River Basins discharge. The article has been authored by PK Saxena, former Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters and Adviser, Ken Betwa Link Project Authority, Bhopal, and Teerath Singh Mehra, former commissioner, Brahmaputra and Barak, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The authors say that the Tibetan weather and scanty rainfall and snowfall amounting to 4-12 inches per annum are mainly responsible for this. They also mention that Bhutan, despite its small size, contributes an equally significant 21 per cent while covering only 6.7 per cent of the river basin. Meanwhile, the Indian basin, which covers 34.2 per cent of the area, they say, contributes the maximum, 39 per cent, of the total discharge in the Brahmaputra River. Only 14 per cent of the entire Brahmaputra flow is therefore in the river before it enters India. The balance 86 per cent is contributed by the rains and monsoons in India. It is thus evident that Chinas contribution to the river flow of the Brahmaputra is minor, though not insignificant," the article says. Assam CM Sarma, in his post on X, mentioned, China contributes only ~3035% of the Brahmaputras total flow mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 6570% is generated within India, thanks to: Torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, Major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili and additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi." At the Indo-China border (Tuting): Flow is ~2,0003,000 m/s. In Assam plains (e.g., Guwahati): Flow swells to 15,00020,000 m/s during monsoon," he added. Chinas Dam Construction China has approved the construction of the worlds largest hydroelectric dam on the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet), which involves diverting part of the rivers flow through tunnels to generate hydropower. While it poses concerns for India over China altering the flow of water, the concerns are seasonal (specially in non-monsoon months). Assam CM Sarma had in January flagged concerns over Chinas proposed dam on the Brahmaputra in Tibet, saying the project will make the entire ecosystem fragile and dry. He also said the dam will make Assam depend on rainwater from Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. According to a PTI report, Sarma had also said the Government of India communicated its concern to the Chinese side. We have already communicated that if this dam comes then the Brahmaputra ecosystem will become fragile and dry and then we will depend on the rainwater from Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan," he said. However, the project poses challenges for China as well. According to a report in Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, the Tibetan plateau is seismically active, making large dam projects risky with probabilities of big earthquakes. Any malfunction or natural disaster could cause catastrophic flooding downstream, which would be detrimental to Chinas own interests. The construction of the dam, hence, comes with its own engineering challenges. According to a Business Today report, experts have warned that if the dam fails due to seismic activity, structural flaws, or sabotage, the impact could devastate Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in minutes". The construction of the dam also poses the risk of flooding of northeast Indian states with China controlling the flow of water downstream. Meanwhile, India is also advancing the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, aiming to generate 11,000 MW of hydropower. The project is intended to bolster energy security and counterbalance Chinas upstream activities, but faces local opposition due to environmental and displacement concerns. Geopolitical Implications Of Altering The Flow top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all China has not shared upstream hydrological data with India since 2022. Any unilateral action by China to manipulate the Brahmaputra rivers flow could worsen India-China relations and complicate regional security dynamics. Not just India, any restriction to the flow could also harm Chinas diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, too, which will be impacted by any such alteration. With such geographical limitations and geopolitical concerns, China cannot fully stop the Brahmaputra river flow into India. A large volume of the river is generated within India itself. While Chinas dam projects and control over the upper reaches give it some leverage, the rivers strength downstream and regional geopolitical realities limit Chinas ability to weaponize the water". 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 03, 2025, 14:36 IST Guardians Of The Sky: How India & The World Are Reinventing Air Defence Systems Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 12:40 IST Escalating global security concerns, technological advancements, and strategic military developments have put the spotlight on air defence systems From the Iron Dome in Israel to the Patriot systems in the United States and the S-400s in Russia, these defences have become critical tools in modern warfare and national security. (AFP) Every day, across the world, air defence systems quietly scan the skies. Whether in conflict zones or peaceful regions, nations are investing heavily in networks of technology designed to detect, track, and destroy incoming aerial threats like drones, missiles, and aircraft. Escalating global security concerns, technological advancements, and strategic military developments have put the spotlight on air defence systems, with the most recent example being Indias deployment of the S-400 system from Russia during the recent skirmishes with Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Recommended Stories From the Iron Dome in Israel to the Patriot systems in the United States and the S-400s in Russia, these defences have become critical tools in modern warfare and national security. As aerial threats grow more advanced and unpredictable, countries are racing to build multi-layered shields that can respond in seconds often before anyone on the ground is even aware theres danger overhead. The best and most advanced air defence systems in the world as of 2025 can be categorised by their capabilitysuch as range, altitude, interceptor speed, and target typesand their global recognition based on deployment, combat performance, and technological sophistication. News18 takes a look at the top air defence systems in the world and how India ranks on the scale. First, lets start with the importance of air defence systems WHY ARE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS IMPORTANT? Air defence systems dont just protect cities, military bases, and strategic sites from enemy attacks but also discourage enemy aggression. In conflict zones, mobile air defence shields ground forces and with the rise of drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic weapons, advanced air defences are vital. Even in offensive operations, protecting your airspace allows your air force to operate freely. The main components of an air defence system are radars and sensors to detect and track threats; command and control to make decisions based on radar input; and interceptor weapons that are missiles or guns to neutralise the threat. WHAT ARE THE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS ACROSS THE WORLD? Among the Long-Range, Multi-Layered air defence systems, Russias S-400 Triumf leads the pack with a range of up to 400 km and can easily target aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. It can track up to 80 targets, has multiple missile types, is mobile and highly integrated. Its prowess was on display during the India-Pakistan confrontation after Operation Sindoor when Pakistan resorted to unprovoked attacks on India and fired missiles as well as drones. The attempts, however, were futile as the S-400 system destroyed the ammunition. Among the users of the S-400 are Russia, China, India, and Turkey. Second on the list is United States Patriot PAC-3 MSE, which has a range of ~35 km (for ballistic missile) and ~160 km (aircraft). It can target tactical ballistic missiles, drones, and aircraft. Its key features include hit-to-kill technology and it is combat-proven in Gulf Wars and Ukraine. The top users are USA, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. US THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), with a range of ~200 km, is a short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles (above atmosphere). Its key features include high-altitude intercept, ability to work with Aegis and Patriot for layered defence, and users are USA, UAE, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Next on the list is Americas Aegis Combat System with SM-3/SM-6 Missiles, with a range of up to 2,500 km. Along with a powerful radar, it is integrated with NATO assets and can intercept ICBMs in mid-course. Its users are USA, Japan, Spain, and South Korea. The last spot in the Top 5 is occupied by Isarels Iron Dome, which has a range of 470 km and can neutralise rockets, artillery, mortar shells, and drones. It has an extremely high success rate (~90 per cent) and is capable of real-time threat evaluation. Israel, USA, India (tested), and Azerbaijan are among its users. WHERE DOES INDIA STAND? India has made rapid progress in air defence over the last two decades, combining indigenous systems, joint collaborations (mostly with Israel and Russia), and foreign acquisitions (like the S-400) to build a multi-layered air defence network. India is among the top five global air defence powers by volume, diversity, and depth, and its arsenal includes the following: The S-400 Triumf, imported from Russia, is helping India in strategic deterrence against Pakistan and China. While five regiments have been ordered, three are deployed, and its targets include aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Its coverage includes Delhi-NCR, Punjab sector, and the Northeast. The Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)Phase I & II is developed by DRDO and has a two-layered system: PAD/AAD (Phase I): Exo- and endo-atmospheric interceptors for ballistic missiles, and AD-1 / AD-2 (Phase II): Designed to intercept IRBMs and ICBMs (range 5,000+ km). The test phase of BMD is complete and Delhi is the first city to get the shield. The MR-SAM/Barak 8, which is jointly developed by India and Israel, has a range of 70100+ km, active radar homing, 360 launch capability, high maneuverability and is deployed by the Indian Army and Navy. Akash & Akash-NG (Next Gen) can easily target Aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. The Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), with a range of 30 kilometres, can be mounted on 88 trucks and mobile air defence for moving army columns. The final user trials are complete and it will replace older OSA-AK and Strela systems. The Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORADS) is a man-portable infrared homing missiles (like Stinger). The deployment of the new version developed by DRDO started in 2024-25 and it is the last line of defence for infantry and forward units. The Israeli system SPYDER has a range of 1520 km and provides point defence for strategic bases. It is used by IAF around airfields and assets. The upcoming Indian system XRSAM is being developed with a range of ~250 km to bridge the gap between MR-SAM and S-400 and is expected to be deployed in the late 2020s. The Iron Dome, trialed by India, is a short-range rocket interceptor. It was evaluated but India opted to focus on Akash & QRSAM for similar roles. Apart from these, India has IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System) which is responsible for real-time tracking and interception across radars and missile units. It is deployed across India and connects civilian and military radars. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The radar systems supporting air defence are swordfish LRTR for BMD tracking; Ashwin Radar, which is a fire-control radar for Phase-II BMD; and Bharani, Rohini, Arudhra, and Atulyaa mix of low- to medium-power 3D radars for different zones. Since 2019, India has strengthened its forward air defence by deploying S-400 systems in Punjab sector, upgrading its radar networks near LoC, and placed quick-reaction air defence (QRSAM) systems in high-threat areas. 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 03, 2025, 12:40 IST India & Paraguay: Revitalising A South-South Axis Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 10:33 IST The deepening engagement is not merely transactional; it is deeply interwoven with Indias long-standing commitment to leading the Global South Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Paraguay Santiago Pena Palacios. (PTI) The visit of Paraguayan President Santiago Pena to India is a pivotal moment, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing it as historic". The visit firmly underlines Paraguay as a key partner and an important member in Indias Latin American outreach. It is also a crucial element in Indias broader strategy to revitalise its South-South cooperation and reinforce its burgeoning leadership role within the Global South. Bolstering Bilateral Ties: India and Paraguay Recommended Stories President Santiago Penas visit to India marks only the second time a Paraguayan President has visited India and the first-such visit in recent decades. The visit is built upon a foundation of trust, with Indias support to Paraguay during the Covid-19 pandemic through vaccine supplies. Discussions between the two leaders covered a wide array of sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, technology, renewable energy, health, critical minerals, railways, and people-to-people contacts. Both leaders want to enhance trade linkages and explore new investment opportunities. PM Modi emphasised that these talks would introduce new dimensions" to India-Latin America relations. President Penas itinerary includes a visit to Mumbai, where he will engage with the state political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, and tech leaders, and is aimed at broadening bilateral engagement. Indias Broader Engagement with Latin America The focused engagement with Paraguay is indicative of Indias wider, strategic pivot towards Latin America. The region is vital for Indias economic diversification, particularly as the trade weaponisation era commences. Latin America has already become one of Indias most important export markets for automobiles, accounting for nearly half of its motorcycle exports and a quarter of its car exports in 2024. Notably, India now exports more cars to Chile than to the United States, with Peru being the next significant market. It marks a shift in Indias global export strategy. Resource security is another critical driver. Latin America supplies approximately 15-20 per cent of Indias petroleum imports and provides significant quantities of vegetable oils and agricultural products. Beyond this, the region holds abundant reserves of critical mineralscopper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earthsessential for Indias energy transition. Major agreements are in place: Chiles Codelco, the worlds largest copper producer, has committed to selling copper concentrates to Kutch Copper, following Chilean President Gabriel Borics visit to India in April 2025, which also announced a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Similarly, Brazils Petrobras is set to supply six million barrels of oil annually to Bharat Petroleum, with plans to increase this to 24 million barrels per year, signifying a crucial diversification of Petrobrass customer base away from its heavy concentration on China. Argentinas state-owned oil company, YPF, has also signed a deal with Indian firms to export up to 10 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually, alongside cooperation on lithium and other critical minerals. This deepening engagement is also opening up the Latin American market for Indian companies. Indian automobile and pharmaceutical firms are establishing manufacturing units in Latin America to leverage lower tariffs for exports to the US, capitalising on the USs existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 11 Latin American countries. Tata Consultancy Services already employs 2,000 people in Peru and Chile. It is a significant evolution in the India-Latin America relationship. Leadership in the Global South: A Core Tenet Indias outreach to Latin America is linked to its deep-seated commitment to South-South cooperation. India boasts a long and distinguished history of advocating for developing nations, including co-sponsoring the 1955 Bandung Conference and playing a pivotal role in the founding of the 1961 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which now comprises 120 nations. It was also an inaugural member of the Group of 77 (G-77) in 1964, a key intergovernmental organisation dedicated to fostering South-South collaboration for development. In contemporary global forums, India continues to champion the cause of the Global South. At the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, PM Modi passionately underscored the challenges faced by these nations, including critical issues such as food, fuel, and fertiliser crises exacerbated by global conflicts. Indias leadership played a crucial role in securing permanent G20 membership for the African Union, an initiative that originated during Indias own Voice of the Global South Summit in January 2023. India has subsequently hosted multiple such summits, including the third virtual iteration in August 2024, involving dignitaries from 123 countries, embodying the ethos of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas. Conclusion: A Blueprint for Strategic Autonomy top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all President Santiago Penas historic visit to India serves as a powerful symbol of Indias re-energised South-South axis. It concretely demonstrates Indias deliberate and strategic shift towards Latin America, a region critical for its economic diversification and resource security. This deepening engagement is not merely transactional; it is deeply interwoven with Indias long-standing commitment to leading the Global South, fostering trust, and offering an alternative model of cooperation based on shared aspirations rather than conditionalities. By blending robust economic diplomacy with its principled stance on international collaboration, India is not only securing its future but also actively shaping a more balanced and equitable global order, embodying its pursuit of true strategic autonomy." About the Author Sohil Sinha Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects. Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects. First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:33 IST PM Modi Unveils World's Highest Railway Bridge In J&K: Here's Why Chenab Bridge Is 'High Note' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 07, 2025, 04:55 IST PM Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, in his first visit to the Union Territory since the Pahalgam terror attack. PM Modi inaugurates Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir (Photo: YouTube/ Narendra Modi) PM Modi Inaugurates Chenab Bridge: In a move marking a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmirs history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab Bridge in the Union Territory, the worlds highest railway arch structure. Soon after the inauguration, the Prime Minister walked across the Bridge, holding and waving the Tricolour in a strong message to the nation in the wake of the terror attack in Kashmir weeks ago. Recommended Stories #WATCH | J&K: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves the Tiranga as he inaugurates Chenab bridge the worlds highest railway arch bridge.#KashmirOnTrack(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/xfBnSRUQV5 ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2025 He also inaugurated Anji bridge, Indias first cable-stayed rail bridge. He was accompanied by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. #WATCH | J&K: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Anji bridge, Indias first cable-stayed rail bridge. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also present. #KashmirOnTrack(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/vMsBaMMNBb ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2025 This was PM Modis first visit to the Union Territory after the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were shot dead in broad daylight. After the attack, India retaliated with Operation Sindoor on May 7. The Chenab bridge is an engineering marvel constructed in the Reasi district. It is built 359 metres above the Chenab riverbed, making it the highest railway bridge in the world. Why is The Chenab Bridge So Important? 1. Part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project The Chenab Bridge establishes a connection between the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via the rail network. It is a key link in the 272-km USBRL project and was declared a National Project" in 2002 because of its significance. The bridge specifically connects Bakkal and Kauri across the deep gorge of the Chenab River. 2. Worlds Highest Railway Bridge Chenab Bridge stands 359 metres (1,178 feet) above the riverbed, making it the worlds highest railway bridge. Interestingly, it is nearly 35 metres taller than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. The bridge stands as a testament to advanced engineering, particularly in its seismic resilience. 3. Engineering Marvel in Challenging Terrain The construction of the Chenab Bridge was a monumental undertaking, battling extremely difficult conditions. The bridge is built in a seismically active and geologically complex region of the Himalayas with unstable rock slopes, folds, faults, and a high risk of landslides. It is designed to withstand high wind speeds (up to 266 km/h) and extreme temperatures ranging from -20C to +45C. Given the sensitive nature of the region, the bridge is made of blast-proof steel, designed in consultation with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), making it highly resilient to potential threats. The main arch, made of steel, was erected using a sophisticated cable crane system, with segments being lifted and bolted together. The total length of the bridge is 1,315 metres, and it used approximately 28,660 tonnes of steel and 66,000 cubic metres of concrete. 4. Enhanced Connectivity and All-Weather Access Historically, Kashmirs connectivity to the rest of India has been reliant on treacherous roads, often cut off by snow, landslides, and adverse weather conditions. The Chenab Bridge, as part of the USBRL, provides all-weather, reliable transportation, eliminating the disruptions caused by harsh Himalayan winters. It also significantly reduces travel time for both passengers and goods. 5. Strategic Importance Beyond civilian benefits, the bridge holds immense strategic significance as it allows for faster movement of defence personnel and equipment to border areas, strengthening national security in a sensitive region, particularly after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent face-off between India and Pakistan. The bridge is capable of handling heavy artillery transport. It also symbolises a deeper message of uniting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, fostering greater national integration. 6. Boost to Socio-Economic Development The rail link is expected to be a transformative engine for economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir. For instance, easier and more reliable access will significantly boost tourism. Farmers and traders can transport their produce (like apples and dry fruits) to wider markets more quickly, reducing costs and increasing profits. The railway operations and maintenance will generate new jobs and opportunities for skill training for the local youth. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Improved connectivity means better access to education, healthcare, and essential supplies for the local population. (With agency inputs) About the Author Pathikrit Sen Gupta Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via ... Read More Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via ... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:00 IST 18 Years Of Loyalty: Siddaramaiah On Virat Kohli's Wait For Winning RCBs Maiden Title Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 04, 2025, 00:05 IST Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah celebrated RCB's first IPL title, praising their teamwork and Virat Kohli's dedication. RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final. Siddaramaiah says Virat Kohlis 18-year wait ends with RCBs long-awaited IPL glory. (IMAGE: PTI/AFP) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday celebrated Royal Challengers Bangalores first-ever IPL title with a cheer that echoed the sentiment of millions: Rrrrrrr Ccccccc Bbbbbbb!" Calling the win historic," Siddaramaiah praised RCBs teamwork and discipline, saying they had fulfilled the dream of crores of fans. He singled out Virat Kohli for special mention, highlighting the star batters 18 years of penance, loyalty and commitment" to the franchise. Recommended Stories Congratulations to RCB for beating Punjab in the IPL final. On this day, RCBs boys have fulfilled the dream of crores of fans by putting up an organized performance as a team in the entire tournament," he said in a tweet, originally posted in Kannada, along with an image of the team. There is no doubt that RCBs players have performed well in all departments bowling, batting, fielding," he said. This is the day when history was created. Lastly, this time the cup is ours." RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final to lift the trophy for the first time since the league began in 2008. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Virat Kohli washed away 18 years of hurt and disappointment on a dream Tuesday night, conquering Punjab Kings by six runs to lift their maiden Indian Premier League title here on Tuesday. The final turned out to be a battle of nerves and RCB certainly channelled their years of disappointment and pain to come back roaring in the contest and seal a commanding victory. A partisan crowd did not give up on RCB even as they struggled to find the flourish with the bat and ended up posting a total of 190/9 with superstar Kohli making a laborious 35-ball 43. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At the break, RCBs total did not look enough but a persistent effort from their bowlers made the scoreboard pressure ultimately work in their favour. With 29 needed off the final over, RCBs win was sealed when Josh Hazlewood bowled the second dot ball on the trot. Shashank Singh struck a valiant 61 not out off 30 balls (3x4s, 6x6s), but his effort came far too late as Punjab Kings ended at 184 for seven. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More First Published: June 04, 2025, 00:05 IST 'Apology Would've Solved It': Karnataka HC Pulls Up Kamal Haasan Over Tamil-Kannada Remark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 13:58 IST Kamal Haasan Karnataka Issue: Kamal Haasan stoked a controversy with his "Kannada born out of Tamil" remark. He further refused to apologise for his remarks. Kamal Haasan stokes controversy with Kannada-Tamil remark (PTI Image) Kamal Haasan Karnataka Issue: Taking a stern view on Kamal Haasans Kannada was born out of Tamil" remark, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday rapped the actor, asked the actor the basis of his claims, and said that his one apology would have solved everything". The courts remarks came while hearing a petition seeking a direction to authorities, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, to ban the actors film Thug Life" in the state. Recommended Stories Ever since Haasan made the remark at an event in Chennai, he has been facing protests and warnings to apologise, however, the actor refused to apologise, stating, If I am wrong, I will apologise. If I am not, then I wont." This led to the situation getting escalated as the Karnataka Film Chamber warned that his new film, Thug Life, will not see a release in the state unless he apologises for his remark. This prompted Haasan to move the High Court, seeking protection to release the film without disturbance. Also See: Thug Life Ban In Karnataka | Thug Life Movie Release Karnataka High Court Raps Kamal Haasan Slamming Haasan for his remark, the High Court asked if he was a historian or a linguist. It also stressed that the petitioner may be an actor, but does not have the right to hurt the sentiments of people. There is no apology in it. You may be Kamala Hassan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses. The division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure cannot make such a statement. What has happened because of it unrest, disharmony. People of Karnataka only asked apology. Now you come here seeking protection. On what basis have you made the statement? Are you a historian, linguist? On what basis did you speak?" the court said, as per LiveLaw. One apology would have solved everything. Rajagopalachari said something similar and apologised," it added. The court asked if Haasan is not ready to apologise, why he wants his film to run in Karnataka. (If you wont apologise) Why do you want the film to run in Karnataka? Leave it. Freedom of expression cannot be stretched to hurting the sentiments of a mass. You apologise, then no problem. You want to earn some crores from Karnataka also," the court said. We will pass an order on whether he is entitled to protection or not," it added. Only Thing Left Is To Apologise: High Court Tells Kamal Haasan Chinnappa, the lawyer representing Haasan, argued that his remark was not intended to offend anyone. There is a difference between a person who is a victim of circumstances and a person who creates circumstances. Now that Haasan has made the statement, you cant unscramble the scrambled egg, the only thing left is to apologise," the court said. The lawyer said that the actor was intending to diffuse the situation, but some things are going out of context". Maybe, but who is the reason? You are making the situation go out of control. It is your film for which you are seeking protection," the court noted. Kamal Haasans Letter To Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce In a letter to the Film Chamber of Commerce, the actor said that his remark was misunderstood and taken out of context". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all My words were intended only to convey that we are all one and from the same family and not to diminish Kannada in any way. There is no dispute or debate on the rich legacy of Kannada language," he said. However, he did not tender an apology in the letter. 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 03, 2025, 11:59 IST BMC Scraps Deal To Procure Turkey-Made Lifebuoys Amid Diplomatic Tensions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 11:15 IST The BMC has cancelled its plan to procure Turkish-made robotic lifebuoys for Mumbai beaches due to Turkey's support for Pakistan amid recent India-Pakistan tensions. Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) building (Photo: PTI) Mumbais Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has scrapped its plan to procure Turkey-made robotic lifebuoys for deployment across half a dozen beaches, amid Indias strained ties with the country over its backing for Pakistan. According to some civic officials, remotely-operated rescue machines, designed to assist lifeguards in saving people from drowning, were to be deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa, and Gorai beaches. Recommended Stories Officials also said that each unit of the machine was equipped with dual water jets, a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery, and had the capacity to carry up to 200 kg. It could travel 800 metres into the sea at speeds up to 18 km/h and operate for about an hour. Last month, the BMC had come under fire for reportedly awarding a contract to a Turkish company to supply robotic life-saving equipment for deployment at Mumbais popular beaches. In a letter to the Mumbai municipal commissioner, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bhalchandra Shirsat had demanded the immediate cancellation of the tender. In his letter, Shirsat also questioned why Mumbais civic body would engage in business with a country that has openly supported Pakistan during times of conflict. Turkey extended diplomatic and military support to Islamabad during last months military confrontation between India and Pakistan, thus triggering broader domestic calls for a boycott of goods made in the Eurasian country. On June 2, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said he was looking to send its wide-body planes, whose heavy maintenance is being done by Turkish Technic, to other MRO entities, against the backdrop of Turkiye backing Pakistan. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier, multiple universities, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia, suspended their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Inonu University in Turkey, citing national security considerations. ALSO READ | India Didnt Need Persuasion: Shashi Tharoor Refutes Trumps Ceasefire Mediation Claims 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 03, 2025, 11:11 IST Differ Politically, But Not On Terror: Kanimozhi Says World Lauded India's Cross-Party Unity Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 20:02 IST India stands as one against cross-border terror, says DMK MP Kanimozhi. DMK MP Kanimozhi, who led a multi-party delegation of India, pictured during a meeting with members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Senate, in Spain. The delegation is on a visit to Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia and Spain to convey India's message on terror. (IMAGE: PTI) In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Indias strong response under Operation Sindoor, a cross-party delegation of Indian leaders has returned from a global diplomatic outreach spanning over 30 countries. DMK MP Kanimozhi, who led one such delegation, on Tuesday said the unified political front left a strong impression abroad. The very strong message even before we spoke was that this was an all-party delegation, led by an opposition MP and comprising mostly opposition members. That itself spoke volumes," she told reporters. It showed that whatever our differences, India stands together in the face of terrorism." Recommended Stories Kanimozhi said many countries had already condemned the attack in Pahalgam, but direct engagement helped clarify Indias position. We told them terrorism doesnt stop at Indias borders, it spills over. The world must come together to fight it." While in Spain, DMK MP Kanimozhi drew applause after responding to a question on Indias national language by saying, The national language of India is unity in diversity." Her reply quickly went viral online. She also firmly stated that India is seeking to renegotiate the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it currently in abeyance," and added, India cannot be blackmailed. India cannot be silenced". During their meetings in Athens, Greece, an all-party delegation led by the MP from Tamil Nadu received backing from the Greek government in Indias campaign against terrorism, sources said. Greece endorsed Indias diplomatic boycott of countries like Turkey, which had supplied weapons to Pakistan and expressed solidarity with New Delhis efforts to expose states that support terror. Greece also conveyed condolences for the Indian lives lost in the April 22 Pahalgam attack and backed Indias right to respond, sources told News18. The Kanimozhi-led team included 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 diplomats Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. In Russia, Kanimozhi said the delegation met several Russian thinkers, lawmakers, and even the former Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, who now heads the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies. This country is a very important strategic partner and a very old ally of India," she said. We explained our position in detailwhat happened before, during, and after the Pahalgam attack and sought Russias understanding and support in the fight against terrorism". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Terrorism is not just Indias issue, its a global challenge," Kanimozhi added. No country should be harbouring or supporting terrorists." The delegations itinerary included visits to Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia and Spain to present Indias position on cross-border terrorism to lawmakers, diplomats and civil society leaders. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:57 IST Duelling Delegations: Tharoor-Led Indian Side, Pakistani Team To Square Off In Washington Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 11:05 IST Tharoor-led delegation will be in Washington on Tuesday to expose Pakistan on terrorism. This will take place at a time when a Pakistani delegation will be in the same city. India vs Pakistan delegations in the US (Photo: X/ Shashi Tharoor, AP) Just as a much-anticipated visit of the Indian delegation to the United States begins on Tuesday (local time), the MPs will be caught in an interesting situation" when a copycat delegation from Pakistan, led by Bilawal Bhutto, will also be in Washington at the same time. The Indian and Pakistani delegations will square off against each other in the same city. Tharoor, who will lead the Indian side, expressed confidence that India will be able to get its message delivered successfully. Recommended Stories Tharoor-led delegation, after finishing their visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil, will arrive in the US today to expose Pakistan and its association with terrorism, and also put forth Indias stand against terror after Operation Sindoor, which was carried out to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian Vs Pakistani Delegation In The US Reacting to this, Tharoor said that there will be an increase in interest" as the two duelling delegations" will be present in the same city. #WATCH | Brasilia, Brazil | In Washington, well have the interesting phenomenon of the Pakistani delegation in America, and almost exactly the same days Tomorrow almost they will be in Washington, while we are in Washington on the same date. So theres going to be perhaps an pic.twitter.com/fcxN7bezfE ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 Indias message against terrorism will still reach the right audience especially people who care about South Asia. In Washington, well have the interesting phenomenon of the Pakistani delegation in America, and almost exactly the same days. They will be in Washington tomorrow, while we are in Washington on the same date. So theres going to be perhaps an increase in interest because of the fact that there are two duelling delegations in the same city," Tharoor told news agency ANI. Tharoor On Indias Messaging In The US The delegation leader also pointed out that while the US media space is tough, Indias message will reach those who are against terrorism and deeply care about South East Asia. Its a challenging environment. America is a very crowded media space, the worlds news generator. Therefore, our story may not be at the top of their minds. But if we can get the attention of those who care about South Asia, those who care about India, those who care about terrorism, we can get our message across very, very easily," he said. What All Meetings Are Set Up For Indian Delegation In The US? The Congress MP said that meetings are set up with government officials and committees that influence and formulate public opinion in the US. Tharoor said that he has been invited for nearly seven interviews by American broadcasters. In Washington we have meetings set up with the entire range of public opinion in Washington, government officials, legislators, there are senators and congressmen, various committees in the House and the Senate, think tanks who are very influential in Washington, particularly those focusing on foreign policy, media and some public addresses, like, for example, the National Press Club Ive been asked to give six or seven interviews, seven or eight interviews to individual American channels and broadcasters, podcasters, and so on," Tharoor said. Tharoor also noted that it is no coincidence that Pakistan also sent its delegation to the US, but also underlined that they did not send it to as many countries as India did. Its no accident that the Pakistanis have also sent a delegation abroad, but theyre not going to as many countries as the Indian delegations are. Theyre focusing on what they consider a few key capitals, namely, Washington, Brussels. London. That seems to be the thrust of the Pakistani effort. We have gone to all those capitals and more," he said. Copying Indias move of sending its delegations abroad, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tasked Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in May to lead a delegation to present the countrys case on the world stage. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India and Pakistan engaged in a four-day military confrontation from May 7 to 10 after Indian armed struck terror targets deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Pakistan escalated the situation, resulting in Indias fierce strikes on Pakistans 11 airbases. On May 10, Pakistan reached out to India for a ceasefire. Accepting the request, India reached an understanding" with Pakistan to halt military operations; however, it warned that any future terror attacks will be seen as an Act of War". Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that Operation Sindoor is not over yet and it has only been put on a pause. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:48 IST 'Even Judges Arent Above Scrutiny': CJI BR Gavai Urges Swift Action On Misconduct Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: June 04, 2025, 01:45 IST The comments hold significance as Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court is, in all likelihood, about to face impeachment proceedings CJI Gavai delivered a powerful address at the UK Supreme Court Roundtable titled 'Maintaining Judicial Legitimacy and Public Confidence'. Pic/News18 Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Tuesday underscored the pressing need for integrity, transparency, and swift action when addressing allegations of judicial impropriety. the path to rebuilding this trust lies in the swift, decisive, and transparent action taken to address and resolve these issues," said CJI Gavai, addressing the issue of judicial misconduct. Recommended Stories The CJI said that every system, no matter how robust, is susceptible to issues of professional misconduct. Sadly, there have been instances of corruption and misconduct that have surfaced even within the judiciary. Such occurrences inevitably have a negative impact on public confidence, potentially eroding faith in the integrity of the system as a whole," said Justice Gavai while delivering a powerful address at the UK Supreme Court Roundtable titled Maintaining Judicial Legitimacy and Public Confidence". Justice Gavai added that when such instances have come to light in India, the Supreme Court has consistently taken immediate and appropriate measures to address the misconduct. The comments of Justice Gavai hold larger significance as Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court is, in all likelihood, about to face impeachment proceedings. The development comes after Justice Varma was indicted by a Supreme Court-appointed probe panel upon the discovery of a huge sum of burnt cash from his official residence in the national capital. Gavai also used the platform to highlight several proactive steps taken by the Indian judiciary to build public trust. Referring to transparency initiatives, he noted that judges of the Supreme Court have begun voluntarily disclosing their assets. Judges, as public functionaries, are accountable to the people," he said. He emphasised the importance of accessibility and public communication, mentioning the live-streaming of Constitution Bench hearings and the e-SCR portal, which offers free access to Supreme Court judgments. This initiative greatly benefits law students, researchers, and citizens by enabling one-click access to court rulings," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Touching upon judicial appointments, CJI Gavai reaffirmed the importance of keeping the process free from executive influence. There may be criticisms of the collegium system, but any solution must not come at the cost of judicial independence," he stressed. The Chief Justice concluded by cautioning that legitimacy is not commanded but earned. In todays digital era, where information flows freely and perceptions are rapidly shaped, the judiciary must rise to the challenge of being accessible, intelligible, and answerablewithout compromising its independence," he said. About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More First Published: June 04, 2025, 01:45 IST Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Karnataka's DK Shivakumar Go Full Fanboy Before IPL Final Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 17:26 IST Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar express support for their respective teams, Punjab Kings and RCB, ahead of the IPL 2025 final. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar rally behind their teams ahead of IPL 2025 final. (IMAGE: PTI/X) As Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings prepare to face off in the IPL 2025 final, the contest has drawn the attention and support of top political leaders from both states. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended his wishes to the Punjab Kings, saying, I would like to say good luck to the Punjab Kings team." His message came as fans across Punjab rallied behind their side, hoping for the teams first IPL title. Recommended Stories #WATCH | On Royal Challengers Bengaluru to play the IPL Final 2025, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says "I am happy. Bengaluru boys RCB will win in Ahmedabad. After a very long time, they have come to the finals. The govt of Karnataka and the people of Karnataka are waiting pic.twitter.com/4NwUwcpnWI ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 On the other side, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar took to social media and addressed reporters to express his support for RCB. I am happy. Bengaluru boys RCB will win in Ahmedabad. #WATCH | On the IPL final match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "I would like to say good luck to the Punjab Kings team." pic.twitter.com/tothWrB8Jg ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 After a very long time, they have come to the finals. The government of Karnataka and the people of Karnataka are waiting for their victory," he said, noting the strong fan turnout expected at the Narendra Modi Stadium. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ee Sala Cup Namde! 18 years of grit.Every prayer, every cheer, every heartbreak it all leads to today.This is more than a match.Our moment. Our Cup.Wishing @RCBTweets the very best Karnataka is with you!#PlayBold #RCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/cTmRhjgjts DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) June 3, 2025 In a tweet posted earlier, Shivakumar also wrote: Ee Sala Cup Namde! 18 years of grit. Every prayer, every cheer, every heartbreak it all leads to today. This is more than a match. Our moment. Our cup. Wishing @RCBTweets the very best Karnataka is with you!" About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Bengaluru/Mohali First Published: June 03, 2025, 17:16 IST Govt Likely To Bring Impeachment Motion Against Justice Yashwant Varma In Parliament: Sources Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Ronit Singh Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 20:31 IST Government sources told CNN-News18 that they would take opposition parties into confidence before taking any step against Justice Yashwant Varma Justice Yashwant Varma likely to get impeached, Centre weighing options. (Image: X) The Union government is likely to bring in Parliament an impeachment motion against Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma, who was indicted by a Supreme Court-appointed probe panel after the discovery of a huge sum of burnt cash from his official residence in the national capital. Government sources told CNN-News18 that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has begun speaking with all the opposition parties, to take them all in confidence ahead of initiating any action against Justice Varma. Recommended Stories Sources within the government have indicated that an impeachment proceeding could be considered during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moving the motion. Verma was recently transferred from the Delhi High Court back to the Allahabad High Court following the controversy. According to sources, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had written to both the President and the Prime Minister recommending Justice Vermas impeachment, following an internal inquiry by a Supreme Court-appointed panel. While the inquiry reportedly indicted the judge, the panels findings were not made public. CJI Khanna had also privately urged Justice Verma to resign, but he declined to do so, the sources said. An official, however, clarified that no formal proceedings have yet begun against the judge. Justice Verma has maintained his innocence and denied any involvement with the cash discovered after a fire at his outhouse. Impeachment Motion: Know The Process An impeachment motion against a judge can be introduced in either House of Parliament, but it must meet specific criteria to proceed. In the Rajya Sabha, the motion requires the backing of at least 50 members, while in the Lok Sabha, it needs the support of 100 members. If the motion secures a two-thirds majority in the House where it is introduced, the Speaker or the Chairman refers it to the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The CJI then nominates a sitting Supreme Court judge and a Chief Justice of a High Court to form part of a three-member investigation committee. The government nominates the third memberan eminent jurist"to complete the panel. According to government sources, the motion will include findings from the committee that looked into the incident involving bundles of half-burnt cash discovered at the judges residence during his tenure with the Delhi High Court. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The government is expected to seek consensus across party lines and will consult the opposition before finalising the draft motion. First Published: June 03, 2025, 20:01 IST Assam CM Himanta Tears Into Pakistan Over Brahmaputra Water Threat: 'Even If China...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 09:54 IST Himanta Biswa Sarma blasted Pakistan over its claim that the suspension of IWT could set a precedent for China to block water of Brahmaputra river to India. Himanta slams Pakistan over bizarre comment on Brahmaputra river (PTI Image) In a sharp response to Pakistans latest scare narrative", Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday took down the rhetoric that China could choke the flow of the Brahmaputra to India with facts, stating that the river grows in India, not shrinks". His remarks came after a senior aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, claimed that the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan could set a precedent for China to block the Brahmaputra River to India. Recommended Stories If India does something like this, they stop the flow to Pakistan, then China can also do the same thing. But if things like this happen, then the entire world will be in a war," Afzal told Geo News. After India decided to hold IWT in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack, Islamabad threatened New Delhi with consequences. Several Pakistani leaders also termed Indias move as an Act of War". However, even after the May 10 understanding" between the two countries to stop military operations, India has maintained the suspension of the treaty. Himanta Biswa Sarma Blasts Pakistans Narrative Taking to X, Sarma dismissed the possibility of China cutting off Brahmaputras waters, describing the claims to be Pakistans latest manufactured threat" in the wake of Indias move to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: What if China stops the Brahmaputras water to India?"," Sarma posted on X. What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India?A Response to Pakistans New Scare NarrativeAfter India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat:What if China stops the Brahmaputras water to India?" Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 2, 2025 Setting the record straight with geographical and hydrological data, the Chief Minister of the northeastern state emphasised that China contributes only 3035% of the Brahmaputras total flowlargely through glacial melt and limited rainfall over Tibet. He said that a vast majority (6570%) of the rivers volume is generated in India through monsoon rainfall and a chain of tributaries. The remaining 6570% is generated within India, thanks to: Torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya. Major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili. Additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi," Sarma said. Brahmaputra Strengthens After Entering India: Himanta He underlined that the strength of the river intensifies only after entering Indian territory. At the Indo-China border (Tuting): Flow is ~2,0003,000 m/s. In Assam plains (e.g., Guwahati): Flow swells to 15,00020,000 m/s during monsoon," he said. The Chief Minister flipped Pakistans narrative on its head and said any reduction in the rivers water by China may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam." Even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year. Meanwhile, Pakistan which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access under the Indus Waters Treaty now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights," he said. The Chief Minister said that Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source, but is powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilisational resilience". Himanta Delivers Clear Message To Pakistan Even after suffering significant damage and losses during Indias Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has continued its rhetoric against India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When India held the treaty in abeyance, Pakistans ministers and leaders threatened India with war and bloodshed if the treaty was not restored. The neighbour also issued a brazen threat that Indias action could backfire if China retaliated by blocking the Brahmaputra. However, Himanta delivered a stern message to Pakistan not to use China to threaten India, making it abundantly clear that India is not vulnerable, unlike Pakistan. He also pointed out that India does not depend on China for the Brahmaputras vitality as it is a rain-fed, India-nourished system. 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 : Assam, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 08:10 IST 'India-US Trade Deal Soon': Trump's Commerce Secy Howard Lutnick Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 08:46 IST US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised PM Narendra Modi and expressed optimism about a forthcoming US-India trade deal. PM Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump (Photo: AP) Howard Lutnick, US Secretary of Commerce, on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he was optimistic for a trade deal between India and the United States. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, Lutnick also said President Donald Trump deeply admires and respects India. Recommended Stories We have a great relationship between our countries. Im optimistic for a trade deal soon that will benefit both nations," Lutnick said at the Summit. You should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not-too-distant future because I think we found a place that really works for both countries," he added. President Donald Trump is the only person in our administration elected by the full United States of America, and so is Prime Minister Modi in India. If you think about the world, how many other leaders have actually been elected by their country? Very, very rare, so that connection is pretty unique because its rare," he said. So their (Trump and PM Modis) relationship is very strong and very positive. That gives me an easy path to trade negotiations because we start from a very positive place," Lutnick added. Also speaking about Donald Trumps America First doctrine, Lutnick said, The President thinks America first, but he does not think America only or America exclusively." First, hes got to take care of home, so were big and strong. But then hes going to take care of his allies. He is going to make sure he takes care of India, which he deeply, deeply admires and respects, and we are going to have a great, great relationship together," the US Commerce Secretary said. At the Summit, Howard Lutnick also spoke about the revolution of Artificial Intelligence and said the United States was looking forward to embracing India as a partner and friend. We love our allies and want our allies to participate in the AI revolution with us. If India is interested, which of course it is, and it wants to build giant data centres and be a part of that model, we are ready, willing, and look forward to embracing India as a partner and friend," Lutnick said. The Joe Biden administration had a very constrained view, and the Trump administrations view is to embrace allies. Have your allies join you in the AI revolution. We are willing to sell our best chips. But they have to be done in certain ways so they cant end up in the hands of those that we dont want to have them," he added. INDIA STANCE ON TRADE DEAL WITH THE US On Monday, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who is in Paris on an official visit to hold talks with French leaders and business representatives to boost trade and investments, said India and the US desire to give preferential market access to each others businesses. Piyush Goyal also said teams of both countries are working together on the proposed bilateral trade agreement. When asked about an announcement by Trump to double tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50 per cent, Goyal told reporters that the two countries will continue to work together to resolve all these issues bilaterally. INDIA-US TRADE TIES In February, Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced plans to negotiate the first tranche or phase of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall (September-October) of 2025. It is aimed at more than doubling the bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current level of USD 191 billion. On May 30, Trump announced that he would double the existing 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from June 4. Trade experts have stated that the further increase in the import duty by the Trump administration would impact Indian exporters, particularly those engaged in value-added and finished steel products and auto components. Trump originally invoked this provision in 2018 to set the 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium. He raised tariffs on aluminium to 25 per cent in February 2025. In 2024-25, India exported USD 4.56 billion worth of iron, steel, and aluminium products to the US, with key categories, including USD 587.5 million in iron and steel, USD 3.1 billion in articles of iron or steel, and USD 860 million in aluminium and related articles. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India has already issued a formal notice to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), reserving its rights to impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods in response to the earlier steel tariffs. Meanwhile, a team of US officials is visiting India this week for discussions on the proposed interim trade agreement between the two countries. 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 03, 2025, 07:56 IST 'Informed Pakistan 5 Minutes After Strikes': CDS Chauhan Amid Congress' Op Sindoor Questions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 17:30 IST CDS Chauhans remarks clarified the concerns raised by the Congress, which had accused the Centre of providing advance information to Pakistan about Operation Sindoor. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan | File Image/PTI Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday shared details of Operation Sindoor, stating that India had notified Pakistan five minutes after conducting strikes on their terror camps. Notably, General Chauhans remarks clarified the concerns raised by the Congress, which had accused the Centre of committing a crime" by allegedly providing advance information to Pakistan about Operation Sindoor. Recommended Stories We had informed Pakistan on the day we launched the strikes (May 7). We did the strike between 1 am and 1.30 am. After five minutes of concluding the operations, we called Pakistan to say we had done this," said General Chahuhan while delivering a special lecture on Future Wars and Warfare organised by Savitribai Phule Pune University. General Chauhan further said that the Indian Armed Forces acted with a lot of rationality" during cross-border strikes, carefully targeting only terror camps and avoiding civilian areas or military establishments. We also informed their Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) that our strikes targeted only terror sites, excluded military establishments, and ensured no collateral damage, especially to civilians," said General Chauhan. Congress Questions Govt Last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the government for allegedly alerting Pakistan in advance about the strikes on terror infrastructure during Operation Sindoor. Terming it a crime," he asked, Who authorised it?" In a post on X, the Lok Sabha opposition leader targeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for openly admitting that the government had informed Pakistan prior to the operation. Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it," Gandhi wrote on X. He further enquired, Who authorised it? How many aircraft did our air force lose as a result?" 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? pic.twitter.com/KmawLLf4yW Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 17, 2025 Historic Achievement General Chauhan described Operation Sindoor as a historic achievement in air warfare, highlighting the successful, precise, and relentless operations carried out deep inside enemy territory that penetrated air defence networks. Operation Sindoor created history as far as air warfare is concerned. Successful operations were carried out against an adversary. We carried out relentless operations deep inside with precision and offensive intent. It was a big achievement and we were able to penetrate those air defence networks," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all #WATCH | Pune | Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan says, Operation Sindoor created history as far as air warfare is concerned. Successful operations were carried out against an adversaryIf you are able to carry out relentless operations deep inside with pic.twitter.com/2zBaEd5EC4 ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, targeting terror dens in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 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 03, 2025, 17:10 IST J&K's Lieutenant Governor Sacks 3 Government Employees Over Links With Lashkar, Hizbul Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Prisha Vibhavari Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 12:12 IST Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha sacked three government employees linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahidin. J-K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha (File/ANI) In a major crackdown on terror sympathisers embedded in the government system, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday dismissed three government employees for their involvement with Pakistan-backed terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). The trio Malik Ishfaq Naseer, a constable in Jammu and Kashmir Police; Ajaz Ahmed, a teacher in the School Education Department; and Waseem Ahmad Khan, a junior assistant at Government Medical College, Srinagar were found to be active terror associates, facilitating arms smuggling, attacks on security forces, and providing logistical support to terrorists. All three are currently in judicial custody. Recommended Stories Inside The Network: Government Employees Turned Terror Collaborators According to senior security officials, the dismissed employees were not merely sympathisers but active operatives helping terror groups execute attacks against civilians and security personnel in the Union Territory. It is extremely dangerous to have moles and terror collaborators within government institutions, especially the police force. Their presence threatens national security and public trust," said a top security official. Constable Malik Ishfaq Naseer: An Insider For LeT Recruited in 2007, Malik was working as a constable in the J&K Police while secretly aiding LeT. His brother, Malik Asif Naseer, a Pakistan-trained LeT terrorist, was killed in 2018. Investigations later revealed that Malik continued his brothers mission, using his position to smuggle arms, explosives, and narcotics into Jammu and Kashmir. His role came to light in 2021 during an investigation into cross-border arms smuggling. Malik was allegedly identifying GPS-based drop zones and sharing coordinates with handlers in Pakistan. He also facilitated the collection and redistribution of arms to LeT operatives across the region. Instead of upholding his oath, he betrayed the nation by becoming a trusted conduit for LeT. His actions have caused deep damage to the force, society, and the country," said a senior officer. Ajaz Ahmed: A Teacher Turned HM Courier Ajaz Ahmed, appointed in 2011, was secretly working for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in the Poonch region. His role was exposed in November 2023 when he and an associate were intercepted with arms, ammunition, and HM propaganda materials in his Toyota Fortuner. The consignment was traced back to HM handler Abid Ramzan Sheikh, based in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Investigations revealed that Ajaz had been operating as a courier for years, regularly transporting arms and narcotics to terror cells in the Kashmir Valley. Waseem Ahmad Khan: Linked To Journalist Shujaat Bukharis Killing Waseem, employed since 2007, was found to be a co-conspirator in the 2018 assassination of journalist Shujaat Bukhari and his two security officers in Srinagar. Security officials confirmed that Waseem provided critical logistical support to the attackers and even accompanied them during the execution of the attack, helping them escape afterwards. He was arrested in August 2018 during investigations into a terror assault in Batmaloo. His links to both LeT and HM and his role in multiple planned attacks marked him as a key insider for terror groups operating at the behest of Pakistans ISI. Zero Tolerance Towards Terror: Sinhas Crackdown Continues Since taking charge in August 2020, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has prioritised eliminating terrorisms support structures within the civil and administrative setup. Under Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution, more than 75 government employees linked to terrorist groups or working as overground workers (OGWs) have been dismissed. His administration has also mandated rigorous police verification for new government recruits to block terror infiltration into state institutions. A firm message has been sent no one with terror affiliations will be allowed to operate within the government machinery. This has significantly disrupted internal sabotage mechanisms," said a senior government official. A Multi-Pronged Offensive Against Terror top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all From intensified counter-terror operations to dismantling financing networks and rooting out OGWs from government departments, the J&K administration under LG Sinha has executed a comprehensive anti-terror campaign. According to official data, hundreds of terrorists have been neutralised since 2020. This decisive, holistic strategy has significantly weakened the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir," the official added. Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 11:55 IST 'You May Be Kamal Haasan...': Karnataka High Court On Kannada Language Row | Top Quotes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 14:13 IST The Karnataka High Court slammed Kamal Haasan over his "Kannada was born from Tamil" remark, saying it hurt public sentiment, and observing that an apology would have ended it all. A file photo of veteran actor Kamal Haasan (PTI) The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday strongly pulled up actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan for his recent remark suggesting that Kannada was born out of Tamil". The court began hearing petitions seeking direction to authorities, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, not to take any measuresto restrain or refrain from screening and releasing the actors movie Thug Life, which is scheduled for release on June 5. Recommended Stories Criticising his remark strongly, the court observed that a single apology could have resolved the situation. Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the hearing, said that the statement had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka and questioned Haasans refusal to offer an apology. Here are the quotes by the Karnataka High Court bench. You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses" A public figure cannot make such statements. What has happened because of it is unrest, disharmony" On what basis have you made the statement? Are you a historian, linguist? On what basis did you speak?" You are seeking protection for the release of your film. An apology would have done" You know the importance of the film, saying it is made by (filmmaker) Mani Ratnam, but you cannot make a statement (apology)" For your own creation, you want police machinery to support now. Language is a sentiment attached to the people. You are not an ordinary man, you are a public figure. People writing on social media are also being investigated" Fundamental right of speech and expression cannot be stretched to hurt sentiments of the masses" You apologise, you want to earn from here" Discretion is the best part of valour, we will not permit anybodys sentiments to be taken for a ride. Mistakes happen, you must know what to do when mistakes happen" Due to a slip of the tongue, anything can happen. Spoken words cannot be taken back, but they can be apologised for. You cannot unscramble a scrambled egg" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kamal Haasans remark that Kannada was born out of Tamil" made at the audio release of his film in Chennai in the last week of May, stoked a controversy, triggering protests in the neighbouring state. The South India Artistes Association defended him, claiming he aimed to promote unity. 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 03, 2025, 14:13 IST Kamal Haasan To HC: Wont Release 'Thug Life' In Karnataka, Apology Needed Only If... Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 18:06 IST Haasan clarified that his comments, made during the films audio launch, were misunderstood and taken out of context Actor-politician Kamal Haasan. (PTI file photo) The counsel of actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Tuesday told the Karnataka High Court that his upcoming Tamil film Thug Life, scheduled for release on 5 June, will not be released in Karnataka for now. This statement came after the actor refused to apologise for his remarks, despite the court giving Haasan till 2:30 p.m. to respond on whether he wished to apologise for his statement that Kannada is born out of Tamil." Recommended Stories Haasans lawyer told the court, the actor has the utmost respect for Kannada and nothing more needs to be said," refusing to apologise. The court responded, This is your ego speaking." We do not require police protection at present as the film will not be released here. We will engage in talks with the film chamber." the counsel added. In a letter addressed to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and read out by his counsel, Haasan clarified that his remarks, made during the films audio launch, were misunderstood and taken out of context. The actor acknowledged the film bodys concern and said: It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch, spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr Rajkumars family, especially Shiva Rajkumar has been misunderstood and taken out of context." He said he only intended to convey that we are all one, and from the same (linguistic) family," and did not mean to diminish the Kannada language in any way. There is no dispute or debate on the rich legacy of Kannada language," he said adding he was writing out of deep respect for the people of Karnataka. In his letter to the film chamber, Haasan said like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition," that he has long admired. Throughout my career, I have cherished the warmth and affection extended to me by the Kannada-speaking community." With a clear conscience and conviction, he said his love for the language was genuine, and he had great respect for the love that Kannadigas had for their mother tongue. His bond with Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and all other Indian languages was heartfelt. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The case has been adjourned and will be heard again on 10 June. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Karnataka, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 14:59 IST Kerala Lottery Result Today: Sthree Sakthi SS-470 Winners List June 3, 2025 Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: June 08, 2025, 11:44 IST Kerala Lottery Results Today Live Updates: Heres full list of winning numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-470 lucky draw for Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS-470 Results: The first prize winner of Sthree Sakthi SS-470 will get Rs 1 crore. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA JACKPOT LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-470 RESULT ON TUESDAY, 3.6.2025, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala Lottery Department has announced the results of the Sthree Sakthi SS-470 lucky draw for Tuesday, June 3. The winner of the first prize will receive Rs 1 crore. The second prize winner will get Rs 40 lakh, and the third prize winner, Rs 25 lakh. Check the Full List of Winning Numbers of Kerala Lottery below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today: Samrudhi SM-6 Winners List June 8, 2025 Recommended Stories FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR STHREE SAKTHI SS-470 LOTTERY WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 1 CRORE IS SF 145650 (WAYANAD) Agent Name: K M POULOSE Agency No.: W 1554 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 40 LAKH IS SG 205410 (THIRUVANANTHAPURAM) Agent Name: SREELATHA S Agency No.: T 3666 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 25 LAKH IS SB 838400 (ATTINGAL) Agent Name: NOUSHAD H Agency No.: T 2758 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKH ARE SA 345437 (KOZHIKKODE) SB 256508 (PALAKKAD) SC 516218 (ADOOR) SD 842230 (MANANTHAVADY) SE 750732 (KANNUR) SF 824814 (PALAKKAD) SG 555180 (CHITTUR) SH 474705 (IRINJALAKUDA) SJ 550120 (MALAPPURAM) SK 141085 (IRINJALAKUDA) SL 358882 (MALAPPURAM) SM 352499 (KOTTAYAM) WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE 0161 0903 1147 2318 3000 3168 4285 5214 6340 6774 6834 6952 7283 7446 7950 8027 8782 9546 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE 0332 0334 0406 0803 0980 1152 1428 1515 1591 1660 1765 1973 2149 2355 2586 3122 3763 4180 4207 4377 4572 5303 5335 5338 5608 5639 6129 6560 7380 7623 8230 8684 8896 9040 9176 9597 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE 0001 0024 0056 0099 0246 0377 0389 0510 0524 0670 0780 0796 0879 0923 1168 1279 1300 1459 1988 2110 2158 2181 2195 2284 2420 2499 3370 3379 3422 3577 3588 3630 3650 3721 3845 3877 3955 3959 4033 4270 4315 4343 4598 4812 4876 4989 5201 5208 5600 5648 5784 5921 6037 6172 6178 6258 6468 6479 6528 6555 6830 6847 6971 6978 7086 7125 7134 7427 7463 7528 7611 7644 7725 7745 7809 7865 8037 8113 8331 8480 8566 8589 8752 8832 8951 9007 9123 9167 9295 9381 9672 9851 9857 9886 9913 9964 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE 0066 0362 0409 0414 0422 0472 0476 0491 0527 0532 0536 0562 0563 0613 0712 0832 0847 0884 0914 0917 1040 1079 1088 1111 1195 1213 1252 1264 1270 1366 1439 1477 1510 1511 1519 1541 1593 1618 1724 1733 1771 1837 1928 1983 2062 2180 2215 2256 2439 2447 2543 2708 2719 2728 2735 2744 2762 2845 2966 2983 3003 3037 3053 3073 3172 3243 3295 3335 3343 3356 3386 3402 3458 3477 3490 3546 3567 3621 3623 3718 3774 3945 3974 4083 4084 4088 4103 4262 4277 4398 4479 4507 4582 4626 4668 4691 4696 4780 4823 4834 4872 5016 5088 5104 5185 5245 5281 5307 5377 5422 5448 5489 5498 5500 5602 5650 5661 5755 5823 5842 5860 5881 5894 6137 6193 6235 6246 6248 6270 6310 6316 6394 6398 6429 6503 6504 6553 6559 6561 6667 6708 6714 6745 6762 6779 6788 6811 6896 6926 6939 7006 7068 7138 7139 7179 7187 7205 7300 7417 7455 7457 7496 7575 7659 7669 7682 7772 7821 7873 7875 7977 7989 8002 8006 8241 8286 8298 8324 8482 8602 8650 8669 8733 8766 8783 8964 8973 8981 9076 9120 9219 9238 9271 9448 9590 9709 9788 9801 9811 9873 9933 9936 9977 9996 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 9TH PRIZE OF RS 50 ARE 0083 0239 0250 0391 0401 0421 0450 0509 0511 0531 0657 0666 0742 0809 0855 0890 0891 0985 1081 1092 1096 1118 1124 1128 1167 1221 1239 1256 1372 1395 1502 1522 1600 1627 1651 1671 1679 1722 1825 1926 1971 2044 2049 2051 2071 2121 2133 2137 2167 2230 2238 2273 2289 2386 2545 2609 2627 2656 2692 2707 2717 2753 2782 2805 2851 2879 2928 2935 3010 3103 3149 3157 3229 3245 3291 3307 3372 3462 3549 3658 3711 3771 3794 3807 3861 3888 3919 4029 4032 4057 4065 4092 4095 4152 4165 4252 4284 4332 4336 4383 4392 4400 4432 4473 4540 4568 4621 4643 4663 4708 4884 4896 4906 4911 4922 4936 4984 4998 5034 5035 5042 5066 5126 5195 5262 5355 5357 5447 5451 5488 5497 5507 5534 5541 5623 5632 5690 5700 5737 5743 5782 5794 5992 6056 6068 6088 6111 6121 6205 6225 6249 6257 6271 6317 6328 6440 6482 6487 6508 6517 6522 6531 6586 6589 6634 6679 6681 6704 6719 6783 6793 6820 6878 6893 6930 6931 6961 6988 7005 7075 7120 7127 7136 7158 7188 7250 7267 7330 7378 7388 7393 7404 7510 7539 7554 7588 7645 7661 7677 7686 7726 7778 7782 7841 7843 7851 7871 7992 8055 8139 8188 8233 8272 8290 8313 8360 8365 8402 8403 8407 8497 8527 8573 8737 8749 8789 8831 8882 8898 8918 8930 8932 9020 9041 9145 9164 9184 9186 9236 9323 9330 9400 9503 9577 9600 9706 9723 9724 9729 9786 9852 9869 WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE SA 145650 SB 145650 SC 145650 SD 145650 SE 145650 SG 145650 SH 145650 SJ 145650 SK 145650 SL 145650 SM 145650 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: STHREE SAKTHI SS-470 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 1 Crore 2nd Prize: Rs. 40 Lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 25 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 5th Prize: Rs. 5,000 6th Prize: Rs. 1,000 7th Prize: Rs. 500 8th Prize: Rs. 100 9th Prize: Rs. 50 Consolation Prize: Rs. 5,000 HOW TO CHECK KERALA STHREE SAKTHI SS-470 LOTTERY RESULTS? Participants can verify the Sthree Sakthi SS-470 Lottery Draw results by visiting the Kerala Government Gazette office in person. The full list of winning numbers will also be published online on the official Kerala Lottery Department website: www.keralalottery.info. HOW TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY? Compare your ticket number with the winning numbers listed in the Kerala Government Gazette. If your ticket number appears on the list, you are entitled to claim the respective cash prize. Ensure that your prize claim is submitted within 30 days of the date the results are announced. Prizes can be collected from the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram. To claim your winnings, you must provide a valid identification document along with the original winning ticket. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE MONEY? A self-attested photocopy of the winning ticket, showing both the front and back sides. A passport-sized photograph attested by a Gazetted Officer. A self-attested copy of the participants PAN card. Photocopies of the participants Ration Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar card, and PAN card. A duly completed prize money receipt form (available online), affixed with a revenue stamp and submitted as per the official guidelines. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Visit either of the official Kerala Lottery Department websites: www.keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Look for the link related to the Sthree Sakthi SS-470 lottery results and click on it. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Once the results page opens, carefully go through the full list of winning numbers. If youd like to keep a copy, you can download the SS-470 results as a PDF for your records. 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 : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 09:00 IST Letter From Pakistan: UP Families Finally Hear From Sons Lodged In Karachi Jail For 5 Years Curated By : Translation Desk-Local18 Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 19:35 IST The victims claimed that Pakistani officials were ready to release them but awaited necessary formalities from the Indian side to facilitate their return The letter, delivered by two fishermen recently released from a Gujarat jail, contained an appeal from Chand Babu and Laxman. (Local18) A wave of deep emotions surged through Dhausad village in the Tindwari police station area of Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, when the family of Chand Babu and his friend Laxman, who have been imprisoned in Karachi jail in Pakistan for the last five years, received a letter from them. The arrival of the letter from Pakistan took the villagers by surprise. As soon as the letter reached their home, the family was overwhelmed with mixed emotions of happiness and sorrow. Recommended Stories The letter, delivered by two fishermen recently released from a Gujarat jail, contained an appeal from Chand Babu and Laxman to Indian leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, urging the Government of India to ensure their release and bring them back home. The letter revealed that the Supreme Court of Pakistan had declared them innocent and ordered their release in 2023, but there had been no formal response from the Indian government. The victims indicated that Pakistani officials were willing to release them but required the completion of formalities from the Indian side to facilitate their return. The receipt of the letter brought a wave of happiness to the family, yet concerns about their return persist. According to reports, the family is pleading with the Indian government to bring them back. According to Jageshwar, a family member, the boat carrying Chand Babu and Laxman had reached the Pakistan border due to strong winds, leading to their arrest by the Pakistani Army. Despite appeals to various authorities, including the District Magistrate and the Foreign Ministry, no concrete results have been achieved so far. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Village head Ramprasad mentioned that letters had also been sent from the Panchayat level, expressing hope that if the government makes an effort, both youths can be brought home safely. The incident occurred five years ago when Chand Babu and Laxman went to Gujarat for fishing. The strong winds pushed their boat across the Pakistan border, resulting in their arrest by the Pakistani army. Location : Banda, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:35 IST Punjab Man Held For Sharing Army Details With Pakistans ISI During Operation Sindoor Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 10:02 IST The accused had also shared information including troop deployment and strategic locations. Man arrested for aiding Pakistani handlers in honeytrap activities Punjab Police on Tuesday arrested a man from Tarn Taran for sharing information about army movements during Operation Sindoor. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the accused had been in contact with Pakistans ISI and was sharing classified details. Preliminary investigations revealed that Gagandeep Singh had been in contact with Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla for the past five years. Chawla introduced him to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), from whom he also received payments via Indian channels. Recommended Stories Acting swiftly on information received from Counter-Intelligence-Punjab, @TarnTaranPolice , in a joint operation arrests Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, #TarnTaran," Punjab DGP posted on X. The post added: Arrested accused had been in contact with the #Pakistan #ISI and Gopal Singh Chawla, sharing sensitive information concerning army movements during #OperationSindhoor." Acting swiftly on information received from Counter-Intelligence-Punjab, @TarnTaranPolice, in a joint operation arrests Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, #TarnTaran.Arrested accused had been in contact with the #Pakistan #ISI and pic.twitter.com/JIuLVToIMk DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) June 3, 2025 According to Punjab DGP Yadav, investigations have revealed that he was engaged in sharing classified details, including troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Investigations have revealed that he was engaged in sharing classified details, including troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security . Preliminary investigation reveals that Gagandeep Singh had been in touch with Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla for the past five years, through whom he was introduced to the Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). He also received payments from #PIOs via #Indianchannels," the DGP mentioned in the post. During a search operation, a mobile phone was recovered, containing intelligence shared with the PIOs and details of over 20 ISI contacts. Comprehensive financial and technical investigations are currently underway to uncover additional connections and map the full extent of the espionage network. About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 09:33 IST Mysterious Woman Emerges As Key Figure In 'Spy' Case Involving CRPF Jawan With Pakistan Ties Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Saurabh Verma Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 07:30 IST The NIA is now investigating all possible avenues to uncover the full modus operandi of the suspected Pakistani intelligence agent On Saturday, the NIA carried out multiple raids across India in connection with the case, including three locations in Kolkata. (PTI representative photo) A mysterious woman has emerged as a central figure in the ongoing Pakistan-linked espionage case involving a CRPF jawan. According to sources in the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Motiram Jat allegedly passed sensitive information to a female operative linked to Pakistani intelligence. Sources also told CNN-News18 that the woman initially contacted Jat and subsequently extracted classified information. The NIA alleged that the woman obtained sensitive details related to Indian defence, paramilitary forces, and border security through various means. In return, she made payments to Motiram through multiple financial channels. Recommended Stories Investigators say this female operative employed a range of payment methods, and the NIA is now investigating all possible avenues to uncover the full modus operandi of the suspected Pakistani intelligence agent. On Saturday, the NIA carried out multiple raids across India in connection with the case, including three locations in Kolkata. In total, more than 15 locations were raided nationwide. NIA sources suggest that some of the Kolkata sites may be linked to suspicious financial transactions. As part of the ongoing investigation, two people have been summoned for questioning. Masood Alam was interrogated today and was released hours later. However, he has been asked to appear again for questioning on Tuesday. Another person, Ejaj, a shopkeeper, is expected to appear for interrogation on Tuesday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The CRPF jawan was posted in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and was transferred just six days before the terror attack that killed 26 people. Jat served in the 116th Battalion of the CRPF as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) before his transfer. He has been dismissed from service by the CRPF. The NIA registered a case on 20 May, following the arrest of the suspended CRPF ASI, Jat, who had been sharing sensitive information with PIOs since 2023 and had received funds through various conduits in India in exchange for leaking classified information related to national security. He has been remanded to NIA custody until 6 June by the Special Court at Patiala House. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 07:30 IST National Security Advisory Board's Devendra Sharma Elected Head Of World Body On Large Dams Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 21:45 IST The International Commission on Large Dams, established in 1928 with its head office in Paris, France, has 107 member countries, including India Sharma won the election in a direct contest against a candidate from the United States. File image/News18 Devendra Kumar Sharma, a member of the National Security Advisory Board, has been elected president of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) during a secret ballot held in Chengdu, China, at the General Assembly of the 93rd Annual General Body Meeting and 28th Congress of ICOLD. His term will last from June 2025 to 2028. Sharma won the election in a direct contest against a candidate from the United States. The International Commission on Large Dams, established in 1928 with its head office in Paris, France, has 107 member countries, including India. The Indian National Committee on Large Dams became a member in 1930. Each member country has one vote in the annual General Assembly elections, held in different countries every year. ICOLDs members collaborate to exchange knowledge in the planning, design, construction, and safety of dams. Recommended Stories Since India became a member in 1930, this is only the second time an Indian has been elected president of ICOLD. Sharma previously served as chairman of the Asia Pacific Group of ICOLD and co-chaired the World Declaration on the Role of Dams for Energy Transition and Climate Change Adaptation". ICOLD leads the profession in ensuring that dams are built safely, efficiently, economically, and without environmental harm. It provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering and encourages advances in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of large dams and their associated civil works. ICOLDs 29 technical committees, consisting of over 600 experts worldwide, produce detailed technical publications known as ICOLD Bulletins. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In his address to the General Assembly, Sharma noted that his election is a significant milestone for the commission, given his background from a developing country. He brings extensive expertise in dam and hydroelectric project construction and has served in various government departments in India at both the state and central levels. Sharma has outlined an ambitious mandate for the ICOLD community. His election is expected to benefit India by advancing dam safety, sharing Indian experiences globally, and promoting new hydroelectric projects, water storage, and energy transition. Sharma is committed to enhancing gender diversity, inclusivity, and the participation of underrepresented national committees in annual events. He also aims to address climate change challenges related to dams, develop hydropower in underutilised regions, and focus on capacity building and knowledge exchange. Sharma hails from a village in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. 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 03, 2025, 21:37 IST New Reservation, Domicile Rules In Ladakh: 85% Job Quota For Locals Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 15:53 IST The rotation of constituencies reserved for women shall be made on the basis of serial number allotted to each constituency by notification in the official gazette Reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections continues to be 10 per cent. (Photo: Shutterstock) The government on Tuesday announced new reservation and domicile policies for the Union Territory of Ladakh, reserving 85 per cent of jobs for locals and one-third of the total number of seats in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils for women. English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti and Purgi languages have been made the official languages in Ladakh. Recommended Stories The move is aimed at safeguarding local interests as people in Ladakh have been protesting for constitutional safeguards to protect their language, culture and land after the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 was abrogated in 2019. The changes in the policies for reservation in jobs, autonomous councils, domicile and languages will come into effect from Tuesday, according to multiple notifications issued by the government. Under the new rules, those who have resided for a period of 15 years in the UT or studied for a period of seven years and appeared in class 10 or 12 examination in an educational institution located in the UT shall be domicile of Ladakh for the purposes of appointment to any post under the UT or under a local or other authority other than cantonment board. Children of central government officials, All India Services Officers, officials of Public Sector Undertaking and autonomous body of central government, Public Sector Banks, officials of statutory bodies, officials of central universities and recognised research institutes of central government who have served in the UT for a total period of 10 years are also eligible for domicile. Reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections continues to be 10 per cent. In another notification, the government said that in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997, not less than one-third of the total number of seats in the Councils shall be reserved for women and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different territorial constituencies. The rotation of constituencies reserved for women shall be made on the basis of serial number allotted to each constituency by notification in the official gazette. Ladakh has two autonomous hill development councils the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil. Domicile certificate will be valid only for the purpose of appointment to the posts under the UT of Ladakh as defined in the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025. Besides making English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti and Purgi as the official languages of Ladakh, the government said English shall continue to be used for all the official purposes of the UT for which it was being used before the date of commencement of this regulation. The administrator of the UT will also take such necessary steps to strengthen the institutional mechanisms for the promotion and development of other languages in Ladakh and the establishment of the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. Special efforts will be made for the promotion and development of other native languages of Ladakh like Shina (Dardic), Brokskat (Dardic), Balti and Ladakhi. According to the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, Jammu and Kashmir has been made a UT with a legislative assembly and Ladakh a UT without any assembly. The BJP-led Centre had assured a delegation from Ladakh in December 2023 that it was committed to fast-tracking the development of the UT and meeting the aspirations of the people in the region. Subsequently, the Ministry of Home Affairs formed a High Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh under Union Minister of State Nityanand Rais chairmanship to discuss measures needed to protect the regions unique culture and language, taking into consideration its geographical location and strategic importance. The HPC was given mandate to discuss ways for protection of land and employment, measures for inclusive development and employment generation in the region, measures related to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil and constitutional safeguards that could be provided. Several organisations of Ladakh were demanding a separate UT for the region for decades and the demand was fulfilled on August 5, 2019. However, many people of Ladakh were not happy after losing the rights to elect their representatives to the legislative assembly. In August 2024, the Centre created five new districts in the UT of Ladakh.The new districts were Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang. Being a UT, Ladakh comes under the direct administrative control of the union home ministry. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In October 2024, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk also sat on an indefinite fast in Delhi to press for their demands After that, talks were held with civil society leaders from Ladakh on December 3, 2024 and again on January 15 this year and on May 27. (with PTI inputs) 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 : Ladakh, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 15:36 IST 'One Man Against Terror': Owaisi Gets Heros Welcome In Hyderabad After Op Sindoor Gulf Outreach Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 19:38 IST Owaisi was part of an all-party delegation that visited Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 terror attack Asaduddin Owaisi, a member of the all-party delegation, returns to Hyderabad | Image/ANI AIMIM workers in Hyderabad put up flex boards and posters to welcome their party leader and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who returned after visiting Middle Eastern countries as part of the governments global diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor. Owaisi was part of an all-party delegation that visited Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain to brief international partners on Indias response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam under Operation Sindoor. Recommended Stories Some posters seen across the city bore a message lauding Owaisi: One man against terror. One truth against Pakistan. Exposing the enemy within for India, with pride." #WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: Flex boards of AIMIM party president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi were put up by party workers in Hyderabad. Owaisi arrived in Hyderabad today after visiting Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain as part of an all-party delegation. pic.twitter.com/zxuFU3VCNA ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 The Indian government formed seven multi-party delegations tasked with engaging with global capitals to highlight Indias position against terrorism and seek support from the international community. Owaisis delegation was led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda. It also included BJP members of parliament (MPs) Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, and Rekha Sharma, along with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, former union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and nominated Rajya Sabha MP, Satnam Singh Sandhu. Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla also accompanied the MPs. #WATCH | Telangana: AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, a member of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, arrives at Hyderabad airport after concluding visits to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.The delegation visited key partner countries to showcase Indias pic.twitter.com/nrbVdQohLF ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 Notably, the team included representatives from various parties as the government aimed at showcasing a united Indian front against terror on the global stage. Owaisi Corners Pakistan During an interaction in Bahrain as part of an all-party delegation, AIMIM MP Owaisi described Pakistan as a failed state" and reaffirmed Indias capability to defend itself against any aggression from its neighbour. He stated, as quoted by ANI, The government and the media, our air defence system, our technology and warfare capabilities, successfully intercepted and neutralised everything that was launched by a failed state like Pakistan." He further added, Our government has taken all the steps to protect the lives of every Indian. This government has made very clear that next time you (Pakistan) take up this misadventure, it will be beyond what they are expecting." Owaisi highlighted Indias defensive strength, noting that while the country has acted responsibly and shown maximum restraint, it possesses the capacity to ensure the safety of all its citizens. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:36 IST 'Outcome Is Important, Can't Dwell On Setbacks': CDS Chauhan Highlights Op Sindoor Success Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 17:55 IST CDS General Anil Chauhan stressed that professional military forces focus on outcomes, not setbacks, as he hailed the success of India's 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan. Jammu: Students pose for pictures after making a rangoli to pay tribute to Pahalgam terror attack victims (Photo: PTI) Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces, Anil Chauhan, on Tuesday said India cannot dwell on setbacks, and hailed the countrys Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Delivering a special lecture on Future Wars and Warfare in Maharashtras Pune, CDS Chauhan said the outcome of an act is important. Recommended Stories Professional military forces are not affected by setbacks and losses," the CDS said, as he highlighted the success of Indias strikes against Pakistan. Losses are not important, but outcomes are important," he added. War and warfare are synonyms with the political history of mankind. Warfare is as old as human civilisation. Any kind of war has two important elements in it- the violence and the politics behind the violence. The third element is communication, which is happening continuously," CDS Chauhan said. As professional forces, we do not get affected by setbacks and losses; we should be able to understand and rectify our mistakes, and we cannot sit back with setbacks," he said. Earlier, on June 1, CDS Chauhan held bilateral talks with Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force of Singapore, reinforcing the strong and growing defence ties between the two nations. During a press conference in Singapore, when CDS Chauhan was asked about Pakistans claims on losses of Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, he responded, What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were being downed. What mistakes were made those are important." Numbers are not important. The good part is that we were able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew our jets again, targeting at long range," a Bloomberg report quoted the CDS as saying. What was important was why these losses occurred, and what we would do after that. So, we rectified tactics and then went back on the 7th, 8th and 10th in large numbers to hit air bases deep inside Pakistan, penetrated all their air defences with impunity, and carried out precision strikes," he told Reuters. WHAT CDS CHAUHAN SAID ON PAKISTANs LOSSES On being asked about the losses incurred by the Pakistan side during Indias Operation Sindoor, CDS Chauhan on Tuesday said, When I was asked about losses on our side, I said these are not important. The results and how you act are important." It would not be very correct to talk about losses. Suppose you go to a cricket test match, and you win by an innings defeat, then theres no question of how many wickets, how many balls and how many players," the CDS said. Based on technical parameters, we will take out this particular data and share it with you. We will tell you how many aircraft we destroyed and how many radars we destroyed. Well make a rough assessment of that and come out with that shortly," he added. WHAT CDS CHAUHAN SAID ON PAHALGAM ATTACK Speaking on the Pahalgam terror attack in Pune, CDS Chauhan said, What happened in Pahalgam was profound cruelty towards the victims because all of them were killed with head shots in front of their families and their children, and they were shot in the name of religion, which is unacceptable." This caused a huge revulsion in society. There was a kind of hatred. It revived memories because this was not a single act of terror against India. Western nations may have had one or two acts of terror. India has been a victim of the maximum terror acts, and almost 20,000 people have been killed," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Also commenting on the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, CDS Chauhan refuted US President Donald Trumps claims of mediation and said, On May 10, at about 1 am, their (Pakistan) aim was to get India to its knees in 48 hours." Operations, which they thought would continue for 48 hours, folded up in about eight hours, and then they picked up the telephone and said they wanted to talk," he said. 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 03, 2025, 14:47 IST Vodacom Group has appointed Vodafone Egypt CEO Mohamed Abdallah as the Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom International Markets. Abdallah will retain his role leading Vodafone Egypt, but will assume a broader regional executive leadership role, overseeing operations in additional African markets including the DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania. Vodacom states that unifying these markets under a single leadership framework will help to deliver on its strategic priorities. Adballah joined Vodafone Egypt in 1998 and has held several senior leadership positions, including Enterprise Business Director and Consumer Business Director. From an International Markets perspective, he succeeds Diego Gutierrez, who stepped down at the end of April after a seven-year tenure as Chief Officer of International Business. The appointment will help simplify Vodacoms operating model, with the CEOs of Vodacom DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania reporting to Abdallah, who in turn will continue to report to Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub. Speaking on the appointment, Joosub said: Mohamed is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in delivering strong commercial results. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to scale our international portfolio and embed our purpose-led strategy across the continent. We are confident that under Mohamed's expanded leadership, our International Markets will continue to thrive and deliver outstanding results. Abdallah added: Taking on this new role is a privilege, as I am passionate about driving connectivity and innovation to empower individuals and businesses across Africa. Vodafone Group is uniquely positioned to shape Africas digital future, and together with the incredible teams at Vodacom Group, we will work to build a more digitally inclusive future that uplifts communities and accelerates socio-economic development within the Africa region. Pakistan Still Shows Junagadh On Its Map Despite Losing 1948 Vote; Here's The Nawab's Condition Now Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 18:01 IST On February 20, 1948, a referendum was held in Junagadh. Of 201,457 voters, 190,870 cast ballotsonly 91 voted for Pakistan, reaffirming the state's merger with India Junagadh was not geographically connected to Pakistan and had a predominantly Hindu population. (News18 Hindi) For the past 72 years, Pakistan has continued to depict not just Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, but also two significant regions of GujaratJunagadh and Manavadarin its official maps. In its latest edition, the country has once again included these areas, reaffirming its long-standing and controversial territorial claims. Every political map issued by Pakistan involves direct involvement from the government, not just the Survey Department, making it a deliberate and persistent move that dates back to the time of Partition. Recommended Stories Despite Junagadh and Manavadar being an integral part of India, Pakistan has never accepted their merger. In fact, Junagadh was one of the princely states where Pakistan faced a decisive setback. Pakistan engages in several symbolic actions concerning Junagadh. For instance, it reportedly issues a limited number of vehicle licenses each year using Junagadh registration plates. It has also been reported that in a show of defiance, Pakistan also refuses to recognize Daman and Diuregions adjacent to Junagadhas part of India. Instead, its official maps depict them as Portuguese territory, even though India integrated Daman and Diu from Portugal in 1961. According to Patrick Frenchs book Liberty and Death, Pakistan is fully aware that Junagadh is an integral part of India, yet it persistently includes the region in its official maps. The Nawab of Junagadh, one of the Kathiawar princely states, signed a merger agreement with Pakistan on August 15, 1947. Although the ruler, Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan, was Muslim, the majority population in Junagadh was Hindu. Both the Nawab and his Diwan, Shahnawaz Bhutto, were inclined towards Pakistan, influenced by the promises made by Mohammad Ali Jinnah. However, V.P. Menon wrote to the Pakistani High Commissioner on August 21, pointing out that Junagadh was not geographically connected to Pakistan and had a predominantly Hindu population, and thus called for a referendum to determine its future. No Reply From Pakistan According to Ashok Pandeys book Kashmirnama, when Pakistan did not respond to the initial letter, it was sent again, but there was still no reply. On September 12, Prime Minister Nehru, through Mountbattens Chief of Staff Lord Ismay, conveyed that India was willing to accept the outcome of any plebiscite. The very next day, Pakistan declared that Junagadh had merged with it. This announcement enraged the people of Junagadh, sparking a mass movement that soon gained support from neighbouring states. Pressure mounted on India to take action. However, Nehru and Patel were aware that any war at that moment would likely lead the international community to blame India. The Nawab of Junagadh refused to meet VP Menon, citing illness as the reason. In response, India adopted a different approach by deploying the armies of neighbouring states along Junagadhs borders. Menon was sent to Junagadh to persuade the Nawab to hold a referendum once again, but the Nawab declined to meet him. Meanwhile, Junagadh also laid claim to the territories of Babariawad and Mangrol. On October 1, 1947, the Nawab of Junagadh occupied Mangrol. In response, India wrote to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, urging the Nawab to vacate the territory. Pakistan, however, demanded a legal investigation into the merger of Mangrol and Babariawad, despite both regions having already signed merger agreements with India. Nawab Of Junagadh Flees In response, India promptly handed over the administration of Mangrol and Babariawad to the Indian Civil Service and imposed economic sanctions on Junagadh. The Nawab had already fled to Karachi with the states treasury, and Junagadhs situation worsened steadily. Public anger grew stronger, and on October 27, Diwan Bhutto, realising no help would come from Pakistan, requested India to take over the administration. Subsequently, on November 5, a State Council assumed control of the states affairs. Pakistan Got Only 92 Votes In Junagadh According to V.P. Menons book Integration of the Indian States, Diwan Bhutto broke down under the mounting pressure. In this situation, Indian forces entered Junagadh on November 9, and Nehru formally informed Pakistans Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan about the move. On February 20, 1948, a referendum was held in Junagadh. Of the total 201,457 registered voters, 190,870 cast their votes, with only 91 in favor of Pakistan. Consequently, Junagadh officially became part of India. According to Geocurrents, when Indian forces entered Junagadh, Nehru sent a telegram to Liaquat Ali Khan stating that Indian forces had entered to hold a plebiscite there. Pakistan Sent Another Message Liaquat Ali Khan responded with a telegram stating that Junagadh was Pakistans territory and only the Pakistan government had the authority to take action there. He accused India of violating international law and breaching established norms by deploying its forces in what he claimed was Pakistani territory. The Pakistan government strongly opposed Indias presence in Junagadh. What Did Mountbatten Reply According to H.V. Hodsons book The Great Divide, Governor-General Mountbatten sent a report on the Junagadh situation to the British King. When Jinnah complained to Mountbatten about the movement of Indian troops, Mountbattens response was blunt. He pointed out that Pakistans actions violated its agreement with the Indian government. Pakistan was left without a response. Later, when Pakistan attempted a similar move in Manavadar, it again faced firm Indian action. Pakistan Suffered Two Setbacks These two setbacks proved unbearable for Pakistan. It tried to raise the issue at the United Nations but failed to gain any support. Since then, Pakistan has officially continued to claim Junagadh and Manavadar as its own territory. It has never accepted their merger with India and has been expressing its displeasure by including both regions in its official maps for the past 72 years. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What Happened To The Nawab Of Junagadh As for the Nawab of Junagadh, life in Pakistan turned out to be far from what he had envisioned. Today, his descendants live in difficult conditions, with a monthly allowance of just Rs 16,000. Location : Junagadh, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 18:01 IST Protests Erupt In Village Near Raipur Over Eviction Drive For 'MLA Colony' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 22:11 IST Residents argue that the land, classified as 'Shamilat Charagah' traditionally used as common pasture has been in their families for generations. Women with sticks in their hands, have been staging protests from 10 am till 10 pm every day in the Raipur village | Image/X Over 80 families in Sammanpur village, located in Chhattisgarhs capital Raipur, have been protesting for the past 10 days following eviction notices issued by the local administration, which claimed they had illegally occupied" the land. Residents argue that the land, classified as Shamilat Charagah traditionally used as common pasture has been in their families for generations. Recommended Stories They also point out that nearly 30 houses in the area were constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the central governments flagship housing scheme for economically weaker sections, reported PTI. They claimed that now the government plans to build a colony for legislators on the land in question. However, the administration did not confirm it. Women Lead Protest In Sammanpur villagealso known as Naktion the outskirts of Raipur near the airport, villagers, especially women armed with sticks, have been holding daily protests inside the local community hall. For the past 10 days, the demonstrations have continued from 10 am to 10 pm, as the residents oppose the eviction notices served by the local administration. Most of the villagers are daily wage labourers who live hand to mouth. One of the villagers, Roshan Sahu, told PTI on Tuesday, on April 17 this year, Raipur tehsildar (revenue officials) served eviction notices to around 85 families who have been residing in the Bhatapara area, the outskirts of the village to vacate the land. The eviction notices by the tehsildar said the land situated in Khasra no. 460, measuring 15.4790 hectares (around 38 acres) in Nakti village of the district Raipur, has been encroached/occupied by the encroachers residing in Nakti Gram Panchayat. The order to evict the encroachers from the said land was passed by this (tehsildar) court on April 11, 2025, under section 248 of the Land Revenue Code 195. In the notice, the authorities asked the occupants to leave their possession of land failing which the encroachment will be removed forcibly. Sahu said the 38 acres of land on Khasra no. 460 do not belong to the government and it has been classified as Shamilat Charagah in the land record. The names of owners are still mentioned in the land record and our forefathers have been owners since 1940, he said. In the last 35-40 years, around 85 families from the village shifted to this land, he said. Of the total houses, around 30 were built under the PM housing scheme, while around 10 houses were being constructed under the scheme but were put on hold by the administration after eviction notices served, he said. Electricity lines were laid by the government in the locality and tap water connections were laid under Jal Jeevan Mission by erecting two overhead plastic tanks in the village, he said. After spending several lakhs of rupees to provide various amenities in the area, the government now claims its residents as encroachers, the villager added. When we contacted the local public representative and administration, they said the land will be used for the construction of the MLA colony, he claimed. Sahu, 32, said he was born in a house built on the same land, living there with his family since his birth. Newly-elected sarpanch of Nakti village panchayat Bihari Yadav, 48, said the village has a population of around 2,500 people and 85 families comprising around 350 people have received the eviction notice from the tehsildar for encroaching on government land triggering the protest. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all These families have been staying here for 30-40 years. (With PTI inputs) Location : Raipur, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 22:11 IST Scientists Embark On 10-Day Research Cruise To Probe Hazardous Shipwreck In Arabian Sea Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Saurabh Verma Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 20:19 IST The disaster occurred on 24 May when a Liberian-flagged cargo ship carrying 643 containers, including 13 known to contain hazardous materials, capsized off the coast of Kochi The 10-day scientific voyage will assess the disasters impact on marine life and fisheries, using underwater cameras to detect oil leaks and signs of stress in ocean creatures. (Photo: PTI file) Days after a Liberian-flagged ocean vessel carrying hazardous cargo sank in the Arabian Sea, scientists embarked on a 10-day research cruise to investigate its potential ecological and biogeochemical impacts on the southern section of the sea. The 10-day scientific voyage will assess the disasters impact on marine life and fisheries, using underwater cameras to detect oil leaks and signs of stress in ocean creatures. Launched by the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences on Tuesday, the targeted oceanographic research cruise will remain at sea until 12 June. Recommended Stories Operating out of Kochi, the cruise will follow a loop track from Kochi back to Kochi, covering a carefully charted section of the south-eastern Arabian Sea, focusing on the wreck site. The study area will encompass 16 research stations along two north-south lines, spaced 10 nautical miles apart to ensure comprehensive coverage of the region around the sunken vessel. Underwater cameras will be deployed to visually inspect the wreck for structural damage, oil leaks, or stressed marine organisms. A Big Eye camera will be used for extensive surface monitoring. The team will also operate high-end acoustic systems, including the Long-Range SONAR SX90 and multiple-frequency split-beam echo sounders. These tools are designed to locate the wreck, map the area and water column disturbances, and detect signs of stress or changes in marine life behaviour due to the spill. We will monitor both biogeochemical and ecological parameters in the shipwreck area, as well as the regional hydrography and ocean currents using advanced instruments and methods," the team said. The scientists also aim to understand the physical structure and water circulation in the impacted zone, crucial for tracking pollutant dispersion. UNDERWATER CAMERAS DETECT SIGNS OF STRESS IN MARINE LIFE With this mission, scientists aim not only to quantify the immediate environmental impact but also to establish the basis for long-term ecological monitoring and mitigation strategies. The extensive data gathered will provide information on the extent of the environmental damage. The team comprises experts in physical oceanography, marine biology, fisheries acoustics, marine chemistry, fisheries, and environmental toxicology, who will also conduct chemical and biological sampling during the operation. They will analyse critical chemical and biogeochemical parameters, including dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, various nutrients, heavy metal content, trace elements, pH, and particulate organic matter and carbon. Furthermore, these samples will also facilitate microplastic and ecotoxicology analyses, along with assessments of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish egg and larvae distribution and health. Concurrently, sediment samples will be collected using grab samplers at all 16 stations to examine benthic fauna and assess seabed contamination." TOXIC THREAT LOOMS OVER CRITICAL BIODIVERSITY SPOT The disaster occurred on 24 May when a Liberian-flagged cargo ship carrying 643 containers, including 13 known to contain hazardous materials, capsized off the coast of Kochi en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi Port. While all crew members were rescued safely, the Indian Coast Guard confirmed that some containers had fallen into the sea. This maritime disaster has raised serious environmental concerns due to the potential release of toxic substances into one of the most biologically productive regions of the Indian ecosystem. The Arabian Sea is a biodiversity hotspot, particularly during the monsoon season, which is crucial because the Kochi to Kanyakumari sector is an active spawning and breeding ground during May and June (the initial phase of the monsoon). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Scientists emphasise that most commercially important pelagic fish, such as sardines, mackerel, and anchovies, prefer this area for breeding. Therefore, any disturbance in this fragile marine environment has cascading effects on regional ecology and livelihoods, especially in a country where millions depend on marine resources. Through this cruise, we are not only responding promptly to an environmental emergency but also demonstrating the critical role of scientific research in marine disaster response," the institute said in a statement. About the Author Srishti Choudhary Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo... Read More Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 20:17 IST 'She Forced Him To Have Sex': Mother Of Mandi Student Who Died By Suicide Blames His Friend Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 13:09 IST Arpits mother alleged in her complaint that Lavanya, a fellow student, blackmailed and mentally harassed her son and forced him into a physical relationship Police have seized CCTV footage from the hostel as part of the ongoing investigation. (Representative/Shutterstock) A 20-year-old engineering student from Himachal Pradesh was found dead in his hostel room at Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College in Sundar Nagar, Mandi district. The student, identified as Arpit from Bhoranj in Hamirpur district, allegedly died by suicide on Friday night. The incident came to light on Saturday morning when his body was discovered. Arpits mother has accused Lavanya, a fellow student, of coercing her son into a sexual relationship, which she claims drove him to suicide. In her complaint, Arpits mother stated that a girl named Lavanya had been blackmailing and mentally harassing her son. She also claimed that Arpit confided in her before his death that Lavanya had been forcing him into a physical relationship. Recommended Stories On Friday night, Arpit was alone in his hostel room when he allegedly died by suicide. The incident came to light on Saturday morning. A suicide note was found in his pocket, in which he accused Lavanya of abetting his suicide. Police have since arrested her. Notably, the accused also studies at the same college. Arpit was the only son of his parents and had a younger sister. In her police complaint, his mother also criticised the college management for its handling of his health condition when he contracted chickenpox earlier in May. The college had reportedly asked him to leave the hostel, forcing him to stay at the PWD rest house in Sundar Nagar from May 4 to 8. Arpits mother claimed that the college management offered no support, forcing her to travel from Hamirpur and stay with their son at the rest house. Police have seized CCTV footage from the hostel as part of the ongoing investigation. DSP Sundarnagar Bharat Bhushan confirmed that a case has been registered and said Lavanya was initially placed in police remand and has now been sent to judicial custody. The family has also filed a formal complaint with the police. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A report by India Today states that the forensic team has gathered evidence from the site. Authorities mentioned that the investigation is still in progress, and the claims made by the victims family are also under review. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) Location : Mandi, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 13:09 IST State-Sponsored Terror Must Stop: CDS Chauhan Points To Asim Munirs Kashmir Rant Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 15:04 IST CDS' remarks come amid escalating tensions between the two countries, with India accusing Pakistan of harbouring and supporting terror activities across the border. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces Anil Chauhan, on Tuesday, justified Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, emphasizing that state-sponsored terror must stop." His remarks directly referenced recent provocative comments by Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir regarding Kashmir, highlighting Islamabads continued support for cross-border terror. General Chauhans statement underlined Indias resolve to counter such threats head-on and assert its sovereignty. While speaking about Operation Sindoor, Chauhan firmly stated that the country wont live under the shadow of terror and nuclear blackmail." Reinforcing Indias stance, he also added that Pakistan should not be able to hold India hostage to terrorist activities." His remarks underscored the rationale behind the launch of Operation Sindoor, highlighting Indias stance to counter state-sponsored terrorism and nuclear coercion. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Pune | Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan says, On the 10th of May, at about 1 am, their (Pakistan) aim was to get India to its knees in 48 hours. Multiple attacks were launched and in some manner, they have escalated this conflict, which we had pic.twitter.com/hBqlz912cU ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 Speaking on the operations motivations, General Chauhan declared, Water and blood cant flow together we have drawn military lines against terrorism," emphasizing a hardening stance against cross-border terror. He added, We have now connected the Indus Water Treaty with terrorism," linking economic and environmental considerations to national security. General Chauhan revealed, Pakistan telephoned us first," signaling early communication from Islamabad amid escalating tensions. Acknowledging the complexities of military action, he remarked, We cant be 100% correct when conducting military operations," while assuring that there was no collateral damage we did not hit the civilians." He further noted Pakistans response, stating, Pakistan asked for de-escalation," suggesting a shift in tone from the neighboring country. Reflecting on the harrowing Pahalgam incident that reportedly triggered Operation Sindoor, General Chauhan described it as profound cruelty towards the victims because all of them were killed with head shots in front of their families and their children and they were shot in the name of religion which is kind of unacceptable to this modern world." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He added that the Pahalgam killings caused a huge revulsion in the society" and revived memories because this was not a single act of terror against India." Highlighting Indias enduring struggle against terrorism, Chauhan said, Western nations may have had one or two acts of terror India has been a victim of maximum terror acts, almost 20,000 people have been killed." This comprehensive statement underscores Indias strategic shift and its resolve to confront cross-border terrorism directly, as the nation grapples with the fallout from the Pahalgam attack have had of one or two acts of terror India has been a victim of maximum terror acts, almost 20,000 people have been killed." About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 14:39 IST 'Talks Can Happen Only If...': Shashi Tharoor Lays Out Conditions For India-Pakistan Dialogue Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 16:41 IST The problem in holding talks with Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace, Shashi Tharoor said Congress leader Shashi Tharoor | PTI Image Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Brazil, said on Tuesday that New Delhi could engage in dialogue with Pakistan if it takes significant action against the infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in the country. The problem in holding talks with Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace, the Congress MP said, adding that his team successfully conveyed Indias message against terrorism to the Latin American countries. Recommended Stories This is what we keep telling our interlocutors. If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why does it give safe haven to wanted terrorists? Why are they able to live peacefully, to conduct training campsand radicalise further people, to equip arms and get people to practice their arms and Kalashnikovs," Tharoor told PTI. You crack down on this infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in your country. Then, of course, we can talk," he said. We can talk to them in Hindustani. We can talk to them in Punjabi. We can talk to them in English. There is no problem in finding common ground with Pakistan. The problem is finding a common vision for decency, for peace. We want to be left in peace, to grow and develop. They dont want to leave us alone. They want to harass us. They want to undermine us," he said. Tharoor Vs Bhutto In US? The delegation led by Shashi Tharoor, comprises Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. It will head to Washington DC from Brazil. According to reports, the Indian delegation will see a face-off with a Pakistani delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto, which will also be in the US at the same time. Bhuttos nine-member delegation comprises former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, ex-Information Minister Sherry Rehman, former Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, and former Foreign Secretaries Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua. Tharoor On Global Response On being asked whether countries have acknowledged Indias position on terrorism, Shashi Tharoor said his delegation had visited four nationsGuyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazilso far, and added, This has been very clear in all the countries weve been to." And I would say in all four countries, weve had a very, clear success, if thats the word, I dont like to boast of success. Thats for others to judge. But we have got our message through very clearly, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings," he said, referring to Colombia. Earlier, Tharoor had said Colombia withdrew a statement offering condolences to Pakistan for the loss of lives following Indias military strikes in response to the Pahalgam attack after his delegation explained Islamabads relentless support to cross-border terrorism. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all And as a result of getting our message through, we have certainly been able, in my view, to come back feeling that these countries understand our situation better and express full solidarity with our struggle against terrorism, which is the main purpose of our trip," Tharoor said. On a question on the delegations expectations from the Washington DC visit, Tharoor said, My expectations are that its going to be a challenging visit. We have a lot of different kinds of audiences," he said. 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 03, 2025, 16:41 IST 'Will Share Data Of Pakistan's Losses In Op Sindoor Soon': CDS Anil Chauhan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 15:21 IST Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said that the military will release the data about losses incurred by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in the future. CDS Anil Chauhan (CNN-News18) Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday reflected upon Operation Sindoor and said that the Indian armed forces will share the specific data of losses incurred by Pakistan in the near future. He said that data about the number of Pakistani aircraft and radars destroyed will be put out after assessment soon. Recommended Stories When I was asked about losses on our side, I said these are not important. The results and how you act are important. It would not be very correct to talk about lossesSuppose you go in a cricket test match, and you win by an innings defeat, then theres no question of how many wickets, how many balls and how many players Based on technical parameters, we will take out this particular data and share it with you. We will tell you how many aircraft we destroyed and how many radars did we destroy. Well make a rough assessment of that and come out with that shortly," CDS Chauhan said in response to the query at an event in Pune. #WATCH | Pune: On being asked about the losses incurred by Pakistan side during Operation Sindoor, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan says, When I was asked about losses on our side, I said these are not important. The results and how you act are important. It pic.twitter.com/Pa0Re5k1TF ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 The CDS spoke in detail about May 7 to 10 Operation Sindoor and said that the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack triggered the war. The whole starting point of this particular war was the Pahalgam terror attack. Is terrorism a rational act of warfare? I dont think thats because terrorism has no defined logicAs far as our adversary is concerned, it has taken the decision to bleed India by a thousand cutsIn 1965, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declared a thousand-year war against India when he addressed the United Nations Security Council," he said. He said that Operation Sindoor was a first no-contact warfare", except for what happened on the Line of Control. It was a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic operations," he said. The top army official said that on May 10, Pakistan intended to get India to its knees in 48 hours", but Indias precision strikes at Pakistans air force bases compelled them to pick up the phone and talk about the ceasefire. #WATCH | Pune | Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan says, On the 10th of May, at about 1 am, their (Pakistan) aim was to get India to its knees in 48 hours. Multiple attacks were launched and in some manner, they have escalated this conflict, which we had pic.twitter.com/hBqlz912cU ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 On the 10th of May, at about 1 am, their (Pakistan) aim was to get India to its knees in 48 hours. Multiple attacks were launched and in some manner, they have escalated this conflict, which we had actually hit only terror targetsOperations which they thought would continue for 48 hours, folded up in about 8 hours and then they picked up the telephone and said they wanted to talk," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On May 10, the Indian armed forces inflicted heavy damage to the Pakistani forces and their military infrastructure deep inside Pakistan. In response to Pakistans ballistic missiles, which were destroyed midair by Indian air defence systems, the Indian forces launched BrahMos and destroyed at least 11 airbases in the enemy territory. Pakistani DGMO reached out to his Indian counterpart, seeking a ceasefire. India accepted the request and reached an understanding" with Pakistan to halt military operations. 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 03, 2025, 15:04 IST Expert Reveals Why Informed Decisions Are Needed More Than Ever In Cosmetic Wellness Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 14:34 IST The cosmetic wellness industry in India is expanding at a increased pace. This calls for informed choices and adherence to ethical practices. Hair transplants carry medical risks and require qualified professionals. In March this year, 37-year-old engineer Vineet Dubey from Kanpur tragically died just two days after undergoing a hair transplant, performed not by a certified specialist but by a dentist masquerading as a qualified surgeon. The news came to light after his family lodged a formal complaint. Just months earlier, another engineer, Mayank Katiyar, lost his life at the same clinic. These two deaths point to a larger, systemic failure. For many, hair loss is far more than a cosmetic issue; it can be emotionally taxing, often impacting ones confidence and sense of identity. In that vulnerability, people seek quick fixes, clinging to hope for both aesthetic restoration and emotional healing. But as the demand for procedures like hair transplants grows, its clear that regulations, patient awareness, and ethical oversight havent kept pace. Recommended Stories Speaking on this issue, Saloni Anand, Co-Founder, Traya, says, Hair transplant is, fundamentally, a sophisticated surgical procedure. It carries medical risks: infection, scarring, adverse reaction to anaesthesia, etc. In very rare but serious cases, life-threatening complications can happen due to serious medical negligence or unrecognised health risks." She continues, Whats concerning is that too many clinics bypass essential pre-operative screening. Patients with underlying health conditions like diabetes or hypertension are sometimes cleared for surgery without appropriate precautions. These are not isolated incidents theyre symptoms of a broken system." At its core, a hair transplant involves surgical precision and thorough medical evaluation. Risks such as infection, scarring, and adverse reactions to anaesthesia, though statistically uncommon, are very real. At the heart of this lies a troubling mix of regulatory gaps and consumer misinformation. The cosmetic wellness industry in India is expanding at a remarkable pace, driven by increasing social acceptance, rising disposable incomes, and aggressive marketing. Among the most popular procedures is the hair transplant, a surgical treatment that, despite its growing accessibility, remains medically complex and not without risk. Whats concerning is the proliferation of clinics offering such procedures with limited oversight. Glossy advertising has presented these treatments as quick, low-risk fixes rather than invasive medical interventions. Saloni adds, Influencer marketing and celebrity endorsements have helped frame these procedures as routine and low-risk; something closer to a spa treatment than a surgical intervention. But this perception doesnt reflect the full picture. This highlights the urgent need for stronger regulation and better consumer awareness to ensure safety and trust." Saloni shares a few pointers that can help consumers check for the credibility of the clinic and its adherence to guidelines: Only qualified medical professionals such as dermatologists or plastic surgeons should perform hair transplants, as per the NMC guidelines. Thorough pre-operative assessment is mandatory to ensure the safety of the procedure. The clinic will disclose risks, recovery timelines, and candidacy criteria to every patient, with the detailed process to obtain informed consent. Regulatory authorities must enforce standards, issue certifications, and take action against malpractice. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Speaking about the importance of making informed decisions, Saloni notes, As someone who has built a career in this space, I understand the tension between business growth and ethical responsibility. But I also believe this: true wellness is informed wellness. Our role is not just to sell solutions but to educate, guide, and protect. In a space where transformation is promised, let safety, ethics, and informed choice lead the way because true wellness begins with awareness." As cosmetic procedures like hair transplants become more common, consumers must feel empowered to ask tough, essential questions without pressure or guilt. Verifying the practitioners credentials, understanding medical risks, assessing clinic hygiene, and ensuring genuine informed consent are all critical steps. Pre-existing conditions like diabetes or hypertension can make such procedures risky and should never be overlooked. Clinics must be licensed and transparent, and patients should be wary of flashy promises or influencer-driven promotions. In a growing, largely unregulated industry, informed decision-making is the most powerful safeguard. 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 03, 2025, 14:34 IST Hair Transplants Are Medical Surgeries And Not Salon Services: The Deadly Cost of Unregulated Transplants Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 16:05 IST Hair transplants are complex medical surgeries not beauty treatments and must never be performed in salons or by unqualified hands. The patient developed an infection during the procedure, causing facial swelling and rapid decline. Treatment to save him began too late. (News18) The recent tragic deaths of a couple of young men in Kanpur due to a hair transplant procedure have once again brought to the forefront the urgent need to regulate cosmetic medical surgeries and practices in India. This incident, reportedly caused by a combination of medical negligence and lack of patient awareness, is a grim reminder that hair transplantation is not a routine beauty treatmentit is a complex surgical procedure that demands qualified medical expertise and clinical infrastructure. Dr. Kavish Chouhan, Dermatologist (AIIMS) & Hair Transplant Surgeon, Director, DermaClinix and Secretary, FUEASIA, shares all you need to know. Recommended Stories What makes this tragedy even more alarming is that it is not an isolated case; several such incidents have occurred in the past. In 2016, a student in Chennai died the day after undergoing a hair transplant performed by two doctors who were not qualified to conduct such procedures. The so-called clinic" was only licensed to perform haircuts and styling. More recently, in 2022, a 30-year-old man in Delhi died following a botched hair transplant, leading to multiple organ failure. At the time, during the hearing of the case, the Delhi High Court took serious note of the incident, expressing concern over the mushrooming of salons and unauthorized clinics offering hair transplants without proper medical supervision. The court rightly emphasized the need for central and state governments to regulate these practices, educate the public about the risks, and establish national medical protocols. Unfortunately, the regulatory response has been sluggish, and such unsafe practices continue unchecked. Unqualified practitioners and salons are still performing medical procedures like hair transplants in unsanitary, ill-equipped settingsoften putting the lives of unsuspecting patients at risk. While patients bear some responsibility for verifying the qualifications of their doctors, the primary onus lies with the authorities to ensure that medical procedures are only carried out in licensed, regulated, and safe environments. According to the guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC), hair transplants should only be conducted by qualified dermatologists or plastic surgeons. The procedure must be performed in a properly equipped operation theatre with emergency care facilities. The medical team should be trained in basic life support, and thorough pre-operative assessmentsincluding allergy testing and medical history evaluationmust be done before surgery. Key aspects of the procedure such as anaesthesia administration, hairline design, slit creation, and graft extraction must all be performed by a trained and certified surgeonnot by technicians or support staff. And yet, in many parts of India, hair transplantation is being conducted by unqualified individuals in salons or beauty parlours. This alarming trend stems from a critical misunderstanding: that cosmetic or aesthetic procedures are somehow less serious than other types of surgery. This is not just medically inaccurateit is dangerous. Any form of surgery, no matter how minimally invasive, carries risks ranging from infection to systemic complications. These risks are compounded exponentially when procedures are carried out in unsanitary conditions by individuals lacking the necessary qualifications and experience. The irony is that hair transplant surgeries, when performed by certified professionals in accredited clinics, are among the safest cosmetic procedures with very low complication rates. Modern techniques such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) have high success rates and are largely risk-freewhen conducted under proper clinical supervision. It is only when these procedures are hijacked by unlicensed practitioners looking to make a quick profit that tragic outcomes like the one in Kanpur occur. Its time we treat hair transplantsand all similar cosmetic interventionswith the seriousness they deserve. These are not routine beauty services that can be safely outsourced to anyone with a needle and a steady hand. They are medical procedures that require trained surgeons, sterile environments, and stringent adherence to clinical protocols. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The government, medical regulatory bodies, and civil society must come together to enforce strict regulations on who can perform hair transplants and under what conditions. Simultaneously, public awareness campaigns must be launched to educate people on the dangers of undergoing such procedures at unauthorized facilities. Patients must also be vigilant and verify the credentials of the doctor, the clinics licence, and the safety standards in place before going ahead with a procedure. The Kanpur incident should serve as a wake-up call. Until stricter regulations are implemented and the public becomes more aware, lives will continue to be at risknot just from hair transplants, but from the broader issue of unauthorized medical procedures being passed off as cosmetic services. No one should lose their life in the pursuit of self-improvement. Lets ensure we dont let this tragedy repeat itself. 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 03, 2025, 14:07 IST Kareena Kapoor Can Carry Off Any Outfit Like A Total Diva; Heres Proof Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 16:56 IST Kareena Kapoor's latest photoshoot has left her fans swooning. She stunned in four looks that exuded glamour and proved why she will always remain a fashion icon. Kareena Kapoor recently turned heads at a cover photo shoot. (Instagram/PriyankaKapadiaBadani) Kareena Kapoor is a fashion icon, and her latest magazine cover shoot is proof. The 44-year-old actress channelled classic Hollywood glam with a fierce, untamed energy in her latest photo shoot. Styled by creative director and stylist Priyanka Kapadia Badani, each outfit of Kareena proved that she is a total diva. For The Nod Magazines cover shoot, Kareena Kapoor was seen wearing a form-fitting black velvet gown by Norma Kamali. The sultry silhouette and the thigh-high slit added just the right amount of drama to the whole look. Recommended Stories Kareena paired up the gown with a leopard-print jacket, which served as an homage to the retro-glam aesthetic. For accessories, the actress kept it simple and added a statement cross pendant necklace. The actor opted for voluminous blowout tresses and soft but sculpted makeup to complete the look. View this post on Instagram A post shared by EatTweetBlog (@eattweetblog) In the next picture, Kareena was seen radiating confidence with a rich sunset orange cut-out gown by Ralph Lauren. The full-length dress featured side cut-outs on the waist, created by a twist of fabric in the middle. In an attempt to let the outfit take centre stage, the actress kept the accessories minimal with gold rings and dainty bracelets. The next picture of Bebo was a statement piece from AFEW by Rahul Mishra. The ensemble played with volume as it featured exaggerated puffed shoulders forming a massive bow-like structure across the chest. The tartan plaid print in burgundy and black tones added a subtle charm to the whole look. This double-breasted coat with extended shoulder panels and matching wide-legged trousers dramatically transformed the whole look, making it an epitome of high fashion. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka Kapadia Badani (@priyankarkapadia) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In the final picture, the actress wore a beige off-shoulder kaftan-style gown by Taller Marmo. The gown featured an asymmetric neckline with feather trim detailing in the hem and sleeves, channelling some old-Hollywood glamour. The relaxed drapes exuded sophistication, making the outfit perfect for a night out. Kareenas always been a style queen, and this photoshoot proves her ability to carry off any ensemble. 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 03, 2025, 16:56 IST Nushrratt Bharuccha's Monsoon Glam Features Sequins And Mocha Mousse Glam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 13:44 IST Nushrratt Bharuccha recently took to her Instagram to share pictures of her latest look. She opted for a body-hugging brown dress that was adorned with sequins. The actor was styled by Nidhi Jeswani. Actor Nushrratt Bharuccha is currently basking in the love and praise that she received for her performance in Chhorii 2. As she basks in the success, she recently took to her social media to share pictures of her latest look. Her latest look combined the magic of monsoon with the Colour Of The Year Mocha Mousse. Taking to her Instagram, Nushrratt Bharuccha shared a series of pictures of herself in a brown bodycon dress. She had worn the dress to a recent award show. The post gave her fans a close-up view of her ensemble. The pictures showed the actor striking some glamorous poses as she posed against the backdrop of the rain. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, Hi, Nice to meet you! Im Melody. And you are?" Recommended Stories Take a closer look at Nushrratts OOTD here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nushrratt Bharuccha (@nushrrattbharuccha) For her recent look, Nushrratt exuded confidence and high-octane glamour in a striking brown bodycon dress. She chose a shimmering sequin piece from House of CB that hugged her silhouette perfectly, catching the light with a liquid-metal finish. Featuring a square neckline and thick shoulder straps, the ensemble blended structure with sensual elegance. For the glam, she channelled monsoon glam as she sported slicked-back, middle-parted hair that enhanced the dramatic and drenched vibe. She defined her eyes with a shimmering brown soft smokey eye, a nude shade on the lips, and a dewy base. Swapping traditional black or metallics for a rich, chocolate hue, the look offered a fresh take on red carpet glamour. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The actor found herself in a soup when a video of her moving a girl aside at the Lakme Fashion Week went viral. Speaking to Yuvaa, she cleared the air and said, She wasnt even a model she was one of the designers, one of the children from the NIF class, jisko ramp show, centre stage nahi pata tha. Kya karoon main? She was standing in the centre, there was loud music, and mujhe piche se bola gaya tha, Aap aapni jagah pe jake khade hojao. Aur kaise jagah banau? How do I do it? Forget being a showstopperany model who walks knows that she walks to centre stage, then turns and walks back. Woh toh basic hai." On the work front, reports mention that Nushrratt will star in a Rohit Shetty thriller film. 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 03, 2025, 13:44 IST Telanganas Badami Mango Soaring In Popularity This Summer Curated By : Translation Desk-Local18 Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 15:29 IST Currently, Badami mangoes are being sold for around Rs 50 per kg in the retail market, while wholesale rates are between Rs 40 to Rs 42 per kg, making them affordable for everyone Known for its unique flavour, juicy pulp, and small seed, the Badami mango is becoming increasingly popular among the masses. (Local18) While people across the country are seeking respite from the sweltering heat, the Badami mango from Telangana has emerged as a sweet relief. Known for its unique flavour, juicy pulp, and small seed, the Badami mango is becoming increasingly popular among the masses. These mangoes, mainly sourced from the orchards of Telangana, are dominating markets across cities. Although mangoes also arrive from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, this season has seen Telanganas Badami variety take the spotlight. Recommended Stories However, weather fluctuations have impacted the mango trade this year. Untimely rainfall and an influx of produce have led to a dip in market prices. Currently, Badami mangoes are being sold for around Rs 50 per kg in the retail market, while wholesale rates are between Rs 40 to Rs 42 per kg, making them affordable for the common man. Mohammad Zaheer, a long-time fruit trader in MPs Khandwa, told Local18 that this season has seen a significant arrival of Badami mangoes. The rains have caused early ripening, which has led to falling prices across India. But the good news is that customers are benefiting," he said. What Makes Badami Mango Special? Extra Juicy: Its high juice content makes it perfect for mango shakes. Small Seed: More pulp, small seed, makes it more satisfying to eat. Sweet and Rich Flavour: Loved by all age groups for its taste Thick Pulp: Its dense flesh enhances both taste and utility. From an agricultural perspective, Telangana is known for vast mango orchards, much like how soybean is cultivated in Madhya Pradesh. Zaheer notes that mango production is natures gift, it cant be predicted or controlled. You never know whether a tree will yield 50 kilos or a quintal. It all depends on the weather and luck," he adds. No Risk of Fake Mangoes Unlike other fruits, there are no concerns about fake Badami mangoes. Zaheer emphasises, Badami mangoes are natural and cant be tampered with. Theres no such thing as a fake Badami." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Whats Next in the Mango Market? Other varieties are slowly entering the mango markets, including Totapuri and Lal Patta from South India. After June 10, North Indian favourites like Dussehri, Langra, and Chausa are expected to arrive in large numbers. But for now, Telanganas Badami mango remains the king of Khandwas summer fruit stalls, offering both relief from the heat and a taste of seasonal delight. 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 : Khandwa, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 15:29 IST 17-Year-Old Pakistani Influencer Sana Yousaf Shot Dead At Home, Police Probe Ongoing Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 10:33 IST Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old Pakistani TikToker, was shot dead at her home in Islamabad by an unknown assailant. The police have launched an investigation. Pakistani TikToker Sana Yousaf was shot dead. Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old TikTok content creator from Pakistan, was tragically shot and killed by an unidentified assailant at her residence in Islamabad. According to police reports cited by local media, the assailant allegedly entered Sanas home and shot her at point-blank range before fleeing the scene. She sustained two gunshot wounds and succumbed to her injuries on the spot. Her body has been transported to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a post-mortem examination. Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the matter, though no arrests have been made at this time. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by sana (@sanayousaf22) According to reports, police have indicated that the suspect may have been an invited guest at Sana Yousafs residence, located in Islamabads G-13 sector. Investigators are currently exploring this possibility as part of their ongoing probe. Several media reports have noted that police are investigating all possible angles, including the possibility of an honour killing, as part of the ongoing inquiry into Sana Yousafs death. Meanwhile, the victims family has not yet issued a public statement regarding her tragic death. Originally hailing from Chitral, Sana Yousaf was a well-known TikTok personality. She was also active on Instagram, where she regularly engaged her followers with entertaining videos and humorous reels. Sana, the daughter of a noted social activist, used her platforms to raise awareness about cultural identity, advocate for womens rights, and share educational content aimed at inspiring younger audiences. View this post on Instagram A post shared by sana (@sanayousaf22) Sana Yousaf often shared videos showing Chitrali traditions, positive messages, and fun, light-hearted reels. Her content connected well with Gen Z viewers. Sana had 492,000 followers on Instagram. She also had a different account specifically for paid brand deals and collaborations. May her soul rest in peace! First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:33 IST Vedang Raina, Orrys Millionaire Moves Have Everyone Gasping For Breath Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 15:11 IST Twinning in black outfits, Vedang and Orry matched steps to Yo Yo Honey Singhs party anthem Millionaire. Vedang Raina turned 25 on June 2. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Vedang Raina indulged in a midnight celebration to ring in his 25th birthday on Monday, June 2. He chose to mark the special occasion in London, surrounded by close friends and loved ones. Among those who joined the celebrations was the social media sensation Orry, aka Orhan Awatramani. In a video that has been making waves on Instagram, Vedang was seen lighting up the dance floor with Orry. The two, with smiles on their faces, were seen grooving to Yo Yo Honey Singhs latest hit track, Millionaire, from his album Glory. Twinning in black outfits, the duo amped up the vibe at the party with loud cheers and unfiltered fun. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Voompla (@voompla) Besides giving fans a peek into Vedangs birthday celebrations, Orry also posted a heartfelt note to mark his close personal friend and brothers" 25th birthday. Sharing a picture with Vedang from the party itself, he wrote, I would firstly like to take this opportunity to wish you a very joyous and prosperous year ahead and thank you for your unconditional support and tolerance towards my unpredictable reel requirements and always putting up, encouraging and hyping my quirky creative side." Orry continued, As the sun sets and you complete around rotation of the orbit around it I wish you only well in this journey that we call life and pray that HE throws countless opportunities and positive surprises your way and that aura flows into the directions of your dreams." https://www.instagram.com/stories/orry/3646038036164282238/ In another glimpse from his 25th birthday celebrations, Vedang was seen cutting a cake with his rumoured girlfriend, Khushi Kapoor. The photo shared by the duos close friend captured a candid moment, where Vedang and Khushi were seen standing close to each other as he cut his birthday cakes. Khushi, beaming with joy, clapped for him in the background, adding to the warmth of the moment. Vedang made his Bollywood debut with Zoya Akhtars The Archies. Next, he was seen alongside Alia Bhatt in Vasan Balas action thriller Jigra. He portrayed the role of Alias younger brother in the movie. First Published: June 03, 2025, 14:23 IST One Piece Chapter 1151 Out On This Date: When And Where To Read In India Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 14:27 IST One Piece chapter 1151 will likely open with Imus newly created army moving towards Jaruls location. One Piece Chapter 1151 will be out on June 8 in India. (Photo Credits: X) The 1151st chapter of One Piece is set to be released in June. From intense battles to unexpected reveals,the manga has everything to keep viewers hooked to the story. The plot follows Luffy and his crew of pirates, called straw hats, as they search for the mythical One Piece treasure. Along the way, the group encounters an array of enemies and allies, setting the stage for some thrilling adventures. According to the official website, One Piece Chapter 1151 will be out on June 9, at midnight in Japan. However, due to the time differences, the new chapter will be available to international audiences on Sunday, June 8. Recommended Stories One Piece chapter 1151 will be available to read on the official MANGA Plus website. Fans can subscribe to a plan and read the whole manga. They can also access the first three chapters for free on apps like Shonen Jump Plus and the Viz Media platform. One Piece Chapter 1151: Release Date And Time Pacific Standard TimeSunday, June 8, 8:00 am Eastern Standard TimeSunday, June 8, 11:00 am British Summer TimeSunday, June 8, 4:00 pm Central European Summer TimeSunday, June 8, 5:00 pm Indian Standard TimeSunday, June 8, 8:30 pm Philippine Standard TimeSunday, June 8, 11:00 pm Japanese Standard TimeMonday, June 9, 12:00 am Australia Central TimeMonday, June 9, 12:30 am What To Expect From One Piece Chapter 1151? In the last instalment, Imu transformed Dory and Brogy into demonic warriors. One Piece chapter 1151 will likely open with Imus newly created army as they overpower other giants on their way to Jaruls location. Jarul is set to put up a massive fight but will ultimately get overwhelmed by Dory and Brogy. Meanwhile, Luffy, Loki, and their crew will return to the underworld and challenge the demonic warriors. The series is expected to end with Luffy promising to defeat Imu and revealing important facts about King Haralds murderwhich will ultimately set the plot for Lokis flashbacks in the next season. First Published: June 03, 2025, 14:27 IST Mani Ratnam On Being Politically Correct Amid Thug Life Row: One Has To Be Conscious Now | Exclusive Written By : & News18.com Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 22:22 IST Amid Thug Life row, Mani Ratnam says being politically correct is important but shouldn't restrict honesty and creativity. Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam are currently gearing up for the release of their movie, Thug Life. Filmmaker Mani Ratnam has spoken about the importance of navigating todays politically charged climate with sensitivity, stressing that while its important to be respectful, one shouldnt lose authenticity in the process. The celebrated directors comments come in the wake of the Thug Life row, which has landed actor Kamal Haasan in hot water. One has to be conscious now," Ratnam told us. People have a voice, and there is a platform to speak out. But you cant be cowed down only by that (by the social media platform). They are asking you to be politically correct, and that also means being decent and respectful of others sentiments, which is not a wrong thing to have. But it should not be a huge constraint. It should not bind you into being without any flavour at all. So you have to be aware of it and do what you think is genuine for you. If you are honest, and if you come from a place of honesty, then I think there is very little to worry about." Recommended Stories Mani Ratnam Backs Deepika Padukone Over Spirit Exit: Glad Shes In A Position To Ask | Exclusive Though Ratnam didnt directly mention the Thug Life controversy, his remarks come at a time when the film is facing backlash in Karnataka over a statement Kamal Haasan made at the audio launch. The actor had referred to his co-star Shivarajkumar as family in another state" and remarked that the Kannada language was born out of Tamil." The comments sparked criticism from pro-Kannada groups and cultural organisations, who saw them as dismissive of Kannada heritage. Groups like the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike protested by tearing down Thug Life posters and burning Kamal Haasans effigy. Some even warned theatres against screening the film. Karnatakas Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, also intervened, urging the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to ban the actors films unless he issued a public apology. Despite mounting pressure, Haasan stood firm. At another promotional event, he stated, If Im wrong, Ill apologise. If Im not, I wont," insisting that his remarks stemmed from affection and were not meant to offend. Following his refusal to apologise, he moved the Karnataka High Court to challenge what he called the KFCCs illegal" ban on Thug Life. The film marks a highly anticipated reunion between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after nearly four decades. Their last collaboration was the 1987 cult classic Nayakan. Thug Life is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, but its fate in Karnataka remains uncertain amid the ongoing controversy. About the Author Poornima Murali Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for years now. A ... Read More Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for years now. A ... Read More First Published: June 02, 2025, 21:09 IST Opinion | The Precision Of Operation Sindoor: Powered By 'Make In India' Written By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 23:33 IST Operation Sindoor was a celebration of Indian innovation and a technological foundation that has redefined the future of national security and defence manufacturing This operation represents a significant milestone in India's ongoing battle against cross-border terrorism, marking its emergence as a powerhouse in indigenous defence technology. File image/PTI A recent report from Indian Aerospace & Defence highlights that Operation Sindoor marks a significant affirmation of how technological self-reliance has become Indias strongest shield and sharpest spear. This narrative illustrates how the indigenous defence manufacturing sector is not just a buzzword but a battle-hardened reality, playing a crucial role in securing our nation. Over the past decade, India has transformed from a developing economy to a formidable force shaping the global economic and technological landscape, now ranked as the worlds fourth-largest economy, alongside Japan. With a $4.19 trillion economy, India is no longer merely following global trends; it is defining them. This transformation is anchored in a decisive national shift towards manufacturing resurgence, strategic self-reliance, and cutting-edge innovation, as exemplified in Operation Sindoor. This operation represents a significant milestone in Indias ongoing battle against cross-border terrorism, marking its emergence as a powerhouse in indigenous defence technology. Recommended Stories Manufacturing Revival and Strategic Autonomy The launch of the Make in India initiative in 2014 marked a deliberate break from Indias earlier passive role in global manufacturing. It laid the groundwork for a more assertive, value-driven industrial strategy. By simplifying regulations, enhancing infrastructure, and opening critical sectors to foreign investment, the initiative attracted global manufacturers to Indias shores, now emerging as the worlds second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. Flagship schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) are fundamentally shifting Indias position in global value chains; however, they need to be revisited to enhance the efficacy of PLI and simplify regulations and compliances. One of the most strategic pivots has been in the defence manufacturing sector, where India has significantly reduced its dependency on imports. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Indias defence arms imports decreased by 9.3% between 201519 and 202024, reflecting the countrys growing domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and shifts in defence procurement policies". This reduction is not only economicit is geopolitical. Recognising the vulnerabilities posed by its heavy reliance on foreign defence suppliers, India has prioritised indigenisation. Indias transformation from a buyer to a builder of strategic technologies was further accelerated, aimed at reducing dependence on critical imports while building resilient domestic value chains. Defence, space satellites, drones, semiconductors, and electronics were prioritised not only for their economic potential but for their importance to national security. The Impact is Measurable Indias defence manufacturing prowess, driven relentlessly by the Make in India" initiative, has fostered an ecosystem where advanced artillery, aircraft, and naval platforms are rolling off the assembly lines with increasing regularity. The indigenous defence production soared to Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 202324, with exports surging to Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2025, a tenfold increase over the past decade, and is anticipated to reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2029, with nearly 90 countries importing Indian systems. The private sectors contributionover Rs 15,000 croreis a testament to the maturing defence manufacturing ecosystem, now capable of delivering cutting-edge products. The shift from import dependence to export competence reflects Indias rapidly strengthening defence industrial base and global credibility. Today, deep-tech unicorns and startups are playing a growing role in solving complex challenges in defence technology, cybersecurity, and space. Over 1,300 deep-tech startups are actively building products at the intersection of AI, robotics, quantum, and space tech sectors. From providing key components for ISRO missions to joint ventures in drones, missiles, and electronics systems, the industry is not just a supplierit is becoming a co-developer of sovereign capabilities. The precision and success of Operation Sindoor, powered by the Made in India" BrahMosthe worlds fastest supersonic cruise missileand the Akash missile, validated this decade-long shift from dependence to capability and competitiveness. Prahalad Ramarao, then project director of the Akash system born out of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), claimed, I guarantee that nowhere in the world could a missile have been created for just Rs 500 crorethe cheapest and most effective missile shield in surveillance, intelligence, and precision action." At the forefront was Akashteer, a new digital brainchild developed by Bharat Electronics Limited. Acting as a real-time, networked command centre, wove together radar feeds from across the border and skies, transforming scattered data into a comprehensive, live operational picture. Its unmatched capability to detect, track, and automate the destruction of aerial intruders allowed Indias defenders to counter every missile and drone unleashed by the adversary, proving its worth as the new linchpin of air defence. Technological Sovereignty In a world where national power is defined by technological leadership, the National Quantum Mission and ISROs recent milestones, including the Chandrayaan-3 soft landing and preparations for Gaganyaan, showcase Indias capability in complex, future-critical domains. No account of a countrys security net is complete without recognising the indomitable spirit of its space programme. ISRO takes vigilance to new heights. ISRO chairman V Narayanan revealed that at least ten satellites are ceaselessly monitoring the nations boundaries, from the 7,000 km coastline to the vast, sensitive northern frontiers". Satellites and drone technology arent just tools; they are sentinels, providing warnings and precision intelligence, without which national security would be unattainable. Rise of The Drone Industry Across the globe, the face of modern warfare is changing, and at the heart of this transformation are drones. In Operation Sindoor, the use of kamikaze dronesdomestically developed and refinedillustrated how Indias defence sector has quietly leapfrogged into the big league, proving the Indian governments 2021 decision to ban imported drones and launch the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, turbocharging indigenous manufacturing and encouraging homegrown startups, setting the stage for Indias ascendancy in drone warfare. At the heart of Indias techno-defence transformation is its booming domestic drone industry. The Drone Federation of India (DFI) stands as a beacon of innovation, uniting over 550 companies and 5,500 drone pilots. Its visionto make India the global drone hub by 2030is rapidly materialising. Indian firms are designing, developing, and exporting cutting-edge drones and counter-drone technology, supporting both defence and civilian operations, as well as industrial and agricultural applications, and championing an exciting era of indigenisation and innovation. One of the brightest beacons in this sea of innovation is the next generation of dronesautonomous, AI-powered, and connected. The groundwork for integrating artificial intelligence into military drones is well underway, promising a future where decision-making is faster, more innovative, and more reliable. A Nation Ready to Lead India stands at a historic inflexion point today. The countrys economic scale, digital depth, next-generation technologies, and innovation spirit have come together to provide a genuine opportunity for global leadership. As PM Narendra Modi said, Self-reliance has become not just a policy, but a passion." The next goal is not merely to achieve self-reliance but to become globally indispensable. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Operation Sindoor was not just a victory; it was a celebration of Indian innovation and a technological foundation that has redefined the future of national security and defence manufacturing. The vision for Indian industries is clear and bold: to not only achieve self-reliance but also to lead on the global stage. The Author is Vice-Chairman of Sonalika ITL Group, Vice-Chairman (Cabinet minister rank) of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board, and Chairman of ASSOCHAM Northern Region Development Council. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: June 03, 2025, 23:33 IST Remembering Valmik Thapar: Friend, Fighter, Force Of Nature Written By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 22:55 IST The tiger has lost its most passionate guardian. But the trail Valmik blazed still runs deep. And we must follow Valmik Thapar and Dharmendra Khandal in front of an image of late tiger conservationist Fateh Singh Rathore. Pic/News18 I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought Recommended Stories of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free." In the quiet sanctuary of Wendell Berrys lines from The Peace of Wild Things", I often find solace. Today, those words return with a new weight, because the man who taught so many of us to seek that peace in the wild is no more. Valmik Thapar, Indias most passionate advocate for the tiger and the soul of Ranthambore itself, has passed away. The news hit hard. For me, its not just the loss of a conservation iconits the loss of a friend of Ranthambore, a place I hold closest to my heart. A fierce voice gone quiet. A presence impossible to replace. Valmik wasnt just Indias tiger man. He was Ranthambore. Not just in a symbolic wayhe lived, breathed, and fought for it every single day. Through the awe he inspired in forest guards and guides, in villagers and visitors. Through the stories that clung to the park like mistof Machli, Noor, Genghisand of the man who gave us a reason to care. Valmik started young, in the 1970s. Back then, Ranthambore was a fragile wilderness on the brink. What Valmik saw wasnt just a threatit was a possibility. He immersed himself in the jungle, studying tigers not just as a researcher but as someone who understood their soul. He watched, he listened, and he wrote it all downarticles, books, and documentaries that brought Indias tigers into living rooms and policy rooms alike. Over the span of four decades, he authored a score of books on wildlife and conservation, including Tiger: The Ultimate Guide and Tiger Firethe latter an anthology of Indias long and layered relationship with the big cat. He presented and co-produced several acclaimed documentaries for the BBC and National Geographic, such as Land of the Tiger, which aired internationally and educated millions on Indias wildlife. He was appointed to Indias National Wildlife Board and served on countless conservation committees. In 1987, he founded the Ranthambhore Foundation, an NGO that pioneered community-led conservation and integrated livelihood support with environmental protectiona model that has since been emulated across protected areas in India. Thapar wasnt just documenting wildlifehe was shaping the national conversation around it. His work bridged the gap between field science, policy, and public imagination in a way few had before him. And Valmik didnt stop there. He challenged the system. Took on poachers, confronted politicians, and questioned bureaucrats. He wasnt afraid to make enemies if it meant protecting the wild. His roar often echoed louder in Delhis corridors than in the jungle itself. Valmik saw conservation not as a job or a science but as a moral calling. A duty. I sighted my first tiger at the age of nine in Corbett Park. At 23, it became my obsession, as watching it in the magical setting of Ranthambore mesmerised me like nothing else Since then, I have served the tiger and will do so till I die," Valmik once told my friend Ina Puri during a rare interview. That devotion shaped everything he did. When I began working on Ranthambore Diary: 9 Days, 9 Cubs, it was Valmiks shadow that loomed large. His way of seeingof telling stories that made the wild feel personalshaped my own journey. The very fact that I could witness and write about nine cubs in nine days is a tribute to what he helped build: a park where tigers still thrive because someone had the vision to fight for them. In many ways, Ranthambore Diary is rooted in Valmiks legacy. Every photograph I used, every moment I paused to observe rather than chase spectacle, carried echoes of his voicethat insistence on respect, patience, and deep listening. His writings taught me to see not just the beauty of a tiger but also its context: the rustle of the grass, the alarm call of the langur, the tension in the air before a cub emerges from the thicket. Valmik had shown us that documenting wildlife is about intimacy, ethics, and stewardship. For his part, Valmik never stopped being astonished. In his book, Living with Tigers, he writes, I had never seen a tiger chasing a deer in the water. Genghis didnt falter and charged in as sheets of water splashed skywards from the flight of the sambar and the tigers pursuit of the deer. He missed, but what a spectacle he had created What I had seen was so intense that it was like being witness to a theatrical extravaganza." That sense of wonder never left Valmik. Nor did his conviction that to conserve tigers was to conserve something deepera shared inheritance. Ranthambore, to me, has never been just a park. It is a living narrative stitched together by decades of watchfulness, with Valmik as its most committed chronicler. Without his tireless advocacy, his fight against poachers and policy lapses, and his insistence on science and storytelling going hand in hand, the park would never have become what it is today. But Valmik wasnt just about Ranthambore. He advised prime ministers, served on key wildlife boards, and helped shape Project Tiger into what it became, both through his recommendations and his critiques. He wanted better protection but also smarter tourism. He called out the glorified safari culture and pushed for regulation, always keeping the tiger at the centre. Valmik didnt romanticise the jungle. He talked of vanishing forests, of bureaucratic apathy, of conservation losing its soul to selfies and soundbites. And yet, he kept fighting. Kept believing. I remember conversations where his eyes would light up while describing a tigress teaching her cubs to hunt. And others where his voice would drop, heavy with grief, recounting lost forests or failed policies. He was never detached. That was his greatest strength and, sometimes, his burden. Valmiks passing leaves behind more than silence. It leaves a legacyof truth-telling, of fierce love, of action. The best way to honour him isnt through grand words. Its by listening to the jungle, and acting when it calls. I had no shortage of stories and anecdotes about him, thanks to another Tiger ManDharmendra Khandal who kept his spirit alive in every tale he told. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The tiger has lost its most passionate guardian. But the trail Valmik blazed still runs deep. And we must follow. My last email exchange with him was in September. I had invited him to a small gathering in Ranthambhore. He graciously replied, saying he would be out of India, visiting his son, who was studying in London. Even in that brief exchange, his warmth came through. That will stay with meas will his legacy. A columnist and author, Sundeep Bhutoria is passionate about the environment, education, and wildlife conservation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: June 03, 2025, 22:55 IST Right Word | BLA 2.0: Reinventing Baloch Resistance With Operational Finesse And Strategic Messaging Written By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 18:24 IST Unless Pakistan ensures accountability and addresses the Baloch people's legitimate demands, the cycle of violence and repression will persist The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s as an armed resistance against what the Baloch population perceives as systemic marginalisation and exploitation by the Pakistani state. (AP File) Over recent years, Pakistan has experienced numerous overlapping and escalating crises, beginning with the regime change in Afghanistan. In August 2021, Pakistans hybrid regime initially welcomed the developments that led to the rise of its longstanding allythe Taliban. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated. The Talibans shift in allegiance inflicted not only a geopolitical setback but also spurred a surge in insurgent activity within Pakistan. Beyond the purported Taliban backing of terrorist organisationsparticularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP (a claim the Taliban refutes)there are various other factors contributing to the groups structural and operational transformations. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), regarded as the most formidable and ambitious insurgent faction in Pakistan alongside the TTP, clearly exhibits signs of tactical and ideological evolution, necessitating that the Pakistani state recognises these changes in order to formulate appropriate countermeasures. Recommended Stories The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s as an armed resistance against what the Baloch population perceives as systemic marginalisation and exploitation by the Pakistani state. Balochistanthe largest yet poorest province in the countrypossesses significant reserves of natural resources, including coal, natural gas, gold, and copper. The demand for provincial autonomy has persisted for decades, further intensified by the prevalent belief that the region was historically incorporated into Pakistan through coercive means. The BLA initially emerged with aims centred on greater provincial authority over governance and resource management, but it soon evolved into a movement advocating full independence. Originally led by tribal figures such as Balach Marri during its early phase, the organisation has since experienced a leadership transition, now predominantly composed of educated middle-class individuals, including women. Notable figures include Aslam Balochlinked to the suicide attack targeting Chinese engineers in Dalbandinalong with Bashir Zaib Baloch, Hammal Rehan, Rehman Gul Baloch, among others. This leadership has overseen a significant transformation in the BLAs tactical approaches and strategic orientation. Once primarily associated with hit-and-run attacks in mountainous regionstypically targeting gas pipelines, mobile towers, railway lines, and similar infrastructurethe group has shifted towards more coordinated and advanced urban guerrilla assaults against state security personnel. A notable recent example occurred on 11 March, when BLA militants hijacked the Quetta-Peshawar Jaffar Express, demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners and victims of enforced disappearances. In retaliation, the Pakistani military undertook a rescue mission lasting over 24 hours, underscoring the BLAs capacity to engage in prolonged confrontations with state forces. Furthermore, the escalation of suicide attacksespecially since the reactivation of the Majeed Brigade (the BLAs suicide unit) in 2018has added a new layer of lethality and strategic depth to its operations. These attacks have also included female combatants such as Shari Baloch, who killed three Chinese lecturers at the Confucius Institute at Karachi University in 2022. Such incidents, along with assaults on Chinese personnel and projects as well as Punjabi migrant workers, serve as deliberate strategic messaging by the BLA. They underscore the groups territorial claims and its willingness to indiscriminately target civilians it perceives as symbols of colonial domination and state-led exploitation. The notable expansion in the BLAs numerical strength, operational reach, and strategic standing must be understood within a broader, multi-faceted context. Crucially, recognising the debilitating effects of factionalism, several Baloch insurgent groups opted to unite in 2018 under the collective banner of the Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS). This alliance even announced the formation of a joint military commandthe Baloch National Armytasked with implementing a coordinated strategy across the province. Additionally, similar to the TTP, the BLA has significantly profited from the sophisticated weaponry abandoned by US forces following their withdrawal from Afghanistan. Following the March train hijacking, Pakistani authorities disclosed the serial numbers of three American rifles used by the attackers, which were originally supplied to Afghan troops during the conflict. Furthermore, the Talibans return to power has created new sanctuaries for Baloch militants to regroup within Afghanistan, in addition to those already existing in Irans Sistan-Balochistan province. Beyond the aforementioned developments, the BLA has adapted to contemporary dynamics by enhancing its communication capabilities through strategic use of social media. Its evolution from rural hit-and-run tactics to an urban guerrilla force engaged in narrative construction is also a response to exclusionary urban development, significant rural-to-urban migration, and increasing internet accessibility. A further aspect of this rhetorical strategy was evident following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India. In a statement issued on 11 May, the BLA claimed responsibility for executing 71 coordinated attacks across 51 locations in the province as part of preparations for Operation Herof 2.0, shedding light on the groups broader strategic calculus. The BLA appealed to India and other international actors to recognise and support it as a legitimate, indigenous national liberation movement, drawing parallels with the Bangladeshi independence struggle from Pakistan. Through this, the BLA sought to assert its position as a relevant actor in South Asian geopolitics, aiming to weaken what it describes as the terrorist state" of Pakistan. Nevertheless, above all other factors, the primary driver behind the BLAs expanding capabilities is the sustained repression of the Baloch population by the Pakistani state. Decades of harsh policies characterised by systemic marginalisation and collective punishment have so profoundly alienated the Baloch people that, in the absence of viable alternatives, even those opposed to violent methods often find themselves sympathetic to the BLA. It has been reiterated to the point of becoming axiomatic in political science that political challenges cannot be resolved solely through military means. The longstanding political grievances of the Baloch population have consistently been dismissed, silenced, and met with severe, indiscriminate force by the state. Unless Pakistan initiates a process grounded in accountability and sensitivity and meets the legitimate demands of the Baloch people, the region will remain ensnared in an unending cycle of violence and repression. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The writer is an author and a columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: June 03, 2025, 18:24 IST Straight Talk | The Unapologetic Hindu: How Modi's Civilisational Confidence Fuels India's Ascent Written By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 16:04 IST Modi 3.0, far from being chastened by a reduced parliamentary majority, appears to be doubling down on the unapologetic embrace of Hindu identity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at the Ramanathaswamy Temple, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu in April. (Image: PMO India) Narendra Modi didnt just change the tune; he changed the entire orchestra. And now, Modi 3.0, far from being chastened by a reduced parliamentary majority, appears to be doubling down on this unapologetic embrace of Hindu identity not as a tool of exclusion, but as the very bedrock of Indias cultural revival and its determined global ascent. This isnt about crafting a theocracy or sidelining minorities, as critics reflexively charge in often predictable editorials. Instead, this is the story of a nation finally comfortable in its own skin, drawing profound strength from its ancient ethos to fuel a modern, aspirational, and genuinely inclusive future for all its citizens. Recommended Stories What does this civilisational confidence look like in practice? Consider the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This is not merely a temple rising from the dust of a long-disputed site; its a spiritual anchor restored after centuries of struggle. Past governments, paralysed by political calculations, allowed the issue to fester. Narendra Modis approach was different: facilitate a resolution through due legal process, then embrace the outcome as a national moment of cultural reclamationnot a slight against any community, but India making peace with a significant, long-denied part of its own history. India finally looked in the mirror and, instead of flinching, decided to own its reflection with pride. The abrogation of Article 370 tells a similar tale of civilisational assertion. To some, scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir would appear like an overhyped legislative amendment. On the contrary, it was a bold act of national integration, fully weaving a regionhistorically, geographically, and culturally an inseparable part of Indias civilisational tapestryinto the national mainstream. The streets of Srinagar and Jammu, once living under a different constitutional shadow, now benefit from the same development schemes, the same digital infrastructure, the same opportunities as cities like Bengaluru or Bhubaneswar. Modis projection of this civilisational confidence extends powerfully onto the global stage. When he gifts a Bhagavad Gita to a foreign leader, he shares Bharats profound philosophical wisdom. After all, he is Indias Prime Minister and its foremost cultural ambassador. Similarly, the International Day of Yoga, championed by Modi at the UN, has blossomed into a global phenomenon. More than just coordinated stretching in parks from New York to Tokyo; the day now commemorates Indias ancient science of well-being, thoughtfully packaged for a world starved of inner peace and balance. Picture yoga mats unrolled on a misty morning in Londons Hyde Park or amidst the bustle of a Delhi community centresame practice, same Indic roots, but global resonance. Modi doesnt shrink from this heritage; he wears it. Visiting temples, participating in rituals, invoking shlokas these are presented as natural, integral facets of his identity and, by extension, Indias. Why, indeed, should they be otherwise? Internally, a less visible but equally vital project is underway: fostering greater unity within Hindu society itself. Indias majority community is no monolith. For centuries, it has been fragmented by caste hierarchies, regional specificities, and sectarian interpretations. Modis consistent call for Samajik Samrasta (social harmony) and his denouncement of caste discrimination aim to bridge these historical fissures. After all, the BJP and RSSs project is much larger attempting to forge a more cohesive, resilient Hindu identity, one capable of navigating the complexities of the 21st century after enduring centuries of Abrahamic and European colonial assaults that sought to dismantle it. He understands that a fractured and internally conflicted majority cannot provide a stable anchor for national progress. The goal is a pan-Hindu consciousness that is proud, inclusive, and forward-looking. Critics, predictably, decry this as majoritarianism, a betrayal of some idealised, often de-Indianized, version of secularism. But their preferred model often translated into a peculiar reticence about the majoritys heritage, a public square where one faith was expected to whisper while others could speak freely. True inclusivity doesnt demand the erasure of the foundational culture; it mandates equal respect for all, including the ethos that shapes the nations deepest cultural pulse. Dismissing Modis approach as merely divisive is to miss the woods for the trees. Modis vision is about grounding India firmly in its unique civilisational roots to enable it to stand taller, more confidently, on the world stage. Post-election, with the BJPs outright majority trimmed in the Lok Sabha, the commentariat was quick to predict a course correction. Flick through social media or scan the op-ed pages, and the narrative was clear: a tighter mandate necessitates a softer, more centrist approach, perhaps even a wistful glance back towards the often-chaotic compromises of coalition dharma. Many seemed to be holding their breath, almost hoping for a return to the era of hesitant and diluted governance. Yet, Modi 3.0 seems to be audaciously defying that script. Theres no discernible pivot and no dilution of the core message. Instead, theres an almost palpable resolve to accelerate, to more deeply embed this civilisational confidence into Indias very sinews. The election results, nuanced as they undoubtedly are by local factors, are seemingly not being interpreted as a wholesale rejection of this foundational vision. Rather, the mandate appears to have invigorated the mission to make this cultural anchoring the unshakeable bedrock of a Viksit Bharat. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This unapologetic civilisational stance resonates precisely because it is coupled with tangible governance and a relentless focus on development for all. New highways slicing through formerly disconnected regions, UPI transactions empowering the smallest street vendor, solar panels glinting on rural rooftops, Indias enemies being eliminated these are daily affirmations that heritage and progress are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing. For too long, India was presented with a false dichotomy: cling to your past or race towards an ill-defined future. Modis bold proposition is that the two are inextricably intertwined. A nation unmoored from its cultural anchorage drifts aimlessly, but one that embraces its roots with confidence and clarity walks with purpose towards its destiny. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About the Author Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. First Published: June 03, 2025, 16:04 IST Optus has joined forces with AI company Perplexity to expand access to advanced digital tools. Eligible mobile customers, including start-ups and small businesses, can now get 12 months of free access to Perplexity Pro, an AI-powered search and productivity platform valued at AUD $300. This offer is available to both new and existing Optus prepaid and postpaid mobile users and must be redeemed by December 31, 2025. You can find more about Perplexity, its features and pricing here. This collaboration is part of Optus broader AI strategy, following the discontinuation of its in-house AI features like Call Notes and Call Translate. The initiative aims to empower individual consumers and businesses on Optus mobile network with advanced AI tools that boost productivity and innovation. While Optus hasnt specified the exact number of SME clients eligible, the offer applies across its entire mobile customer base. Perplexity Pro offers unlimited AI searches powered by multiple top-tier models including OpenAIs GPT-4o, Anthropics Claude 3, and Perplexitys own Sonar engine. It allows users to analyze uploaded files such as PDFs and spreadsheets for rapid insights, supporting content creation, document summarization, market research and more. The platforms versatility supports a wide range of everyday and business applications, helping users save time and make smarter decisions. 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This move addresses Australias relatively modest generative AI adoption rate of 54 percent compared to the Asia-Pacific average of 67 percent according to Deloitte Insights 2024. It stands out from other costly or limited-access initiatives by offering broad, no-cost access to advanced AI tools. About Perplexity AI and its startup program Founded in 2022, Perplexity AI quickly emerged as a leader in AI-powered search and summarization, handling over 400 million queries monthly and capturing 6.2 percent of the AI search market in 2025. The company has raised around US$1.2 billion in funding from top investors including SoftBank, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos and is negotiating an additional $500 million funding round at a $14 billion valuation. Perplexity also supports startups through a dedicated program offering six months of free Perplexity Enterprise Pro access and $5,000 in API credits, helping early-stage companies accelerate growth with AI tools. Read about Perplexity for Startups Benefits for SMEs SMEs subscribing to Perplexity Pro through Optus gain fast, reliable answers to streamline research, AI-driven automation for marketing, report summarization and simple dashboard creation, unlimited searches across multiple AI models, file upload and analysis capabilities to support data-driven decisions, and flexibility to switch between AI models tailored to different tasks. While Perplexity Pro enhances productivity, it is not a full-fledged business management platform. This free 12-month Perplexity Pro offer launches June 2, 2025. Eligible Optus prepaid and postpaid mobile customers must redeem by December 31, 2025. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 13:59 IST 1 / 5 On the evening of June 2, 2025, renowned educator and YouTuber Khan Sir held a lavish reception in Patna, the capital of Bihar, attended by around 5,000 guests, including notable personalities from the worlds of politics, cinema, education, and administration. The event marked Khan Sirs first public appearance with his bride, sparking widespread interest among his students and the general public. 2 / 5 The bride, introduced as AS Khan, remained veiled throughout the evening but was seen smiling at her husbands trademark humour and light-hearted banter. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 5 Described as calm, mature, and courteous, AS Khan was reportedly the choice of Khan Sirs family, particularly favoured by his mother, who played a pivotal role in arranging the match. She is believed to be a distant relative of Khan Sir and hails from Jhagrahawa Bar in Siwan district, also home to Khan Sirs maternal family. 4 / 5 Although no official biography has been released, it is understood that AS Khan is well-educated, having completed schooling under the ICSE board and pursued further studies. She is said to be a housewife living with the family, though this remains unconfirmed. ADVERTISEMENT After All-Party Op Sindoor Teams Return, Will It Be Congress Vs Congress In Parliament? Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 07:00 IST The bonhomie among members of the all-party teams and support for Operation Sindoor have raised the question if the Congress-led opposition will be effective in the next session The Congress is geared up to ask the PM some questions, led by leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi (L) and president Mallikarjun Kharge. (Image: PTI/File) The Congress and other opposition parties like the Trinamool Congress are gearing up for the big fight as soon as Parliament is in session. But, there is a catch. The bonhomie among members of the all-party teams that the central government sent abroad and their strong words of support for Operation Sindoor has raised a question: Will this camaraderie be a hurdle in the oppositions fight to make things tough for the Prime Minister and government in Parliament? Recommended Stories The PM plans to meet the delegation members once they are back from their trips. Their diplomatic efforts will be appreciated while the camaraderie shown outside India could spill over once the session begins. The Congress, for example, is certainly geared up to ask the PM some questions, led by leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. They want to know if the US mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan; what the progress is so far in the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack; and if India suffered any casualties during the military standoff? Significantly, some Congress leaders representing the delegations Salman Khurshid, Manish Tewari, and Shashi Tharoor have completely rejected the possibility of a US mediation. In this situation, with these leaders clearly taking a stand different from the partys, the Centre will certainly use them to counter-question the Congress. What has become even more embarrassing for the Congress is that Khurshid, who has a better standing in the party than Tharoor has now, has also wondered insinuations are being made about their stand for the nation. For these leaders, having stood by the government over allegations made by the Congress, it will be difficult for them to agree with what Gandhi has to say about Operation Sindoor. Many see the idea of sending out the delegations as an ace move from the government, which has been repeatedly asked to hold a special session on Pahalgam attack as well as Indias subsequent action against Pakistan. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all These multi-party teams have come as a massive boost for the government, especially as it wants to counter the Congress narrative that is trying to project Narendra Modi as a weak PM. The confusion within the Congress, however, will not only weaken its battle in Parliament but also shows how weak its top leadership is with multiple voices contradicting the official party stand. Not just this, it also shows the iron grip that the Gandhis once had may be loosening. 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 03, 2025, 07:00 IST Faster Voter Turnout Updates: Election Commission Enables Polling Stations To Upload Data Directly Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Saurabh Verma Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 21:23 IST The PRO of each polling station will directly enter voter turnout on the new ECINET App every two hours on polling day The new initiative will reduce the time lag in the update of the approximate polling trends. This comes ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, scheduled for later this year. (Photo: PTI file) There will be no more delay in voter turnout announcement by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as the poll body has allowed the Presiding Officer (PRO) of each polling station to directly enter voter turnout on the new ECINET App every two hours. The new initiative will reduce the time lag in the update of the approximate polling trends. This comes ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, scheduled for later this year. Recommended Stories The Election Commission of India is now introducing a streamlined, technology-driven system to provide timely updates on the approximate voter turnout percentage trends. This new process significantly reduces the time lag associated with the earlier manual reporting methods," an official statement reads. The initiative is among the reforms introduced by the Commission, under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. What The Rule Says Under the statutory framework of Rule 49S of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, Presiding Officers (PROs) are required to furnish Form 17C, detailing the account of votes recorded, to polling agents, who are nominated by the candidates and are present at the polling station at the close of poll. While this legal requirement remains unchanged, the process of updating the VTR App, which had evolved as a facilitative, non-statutory mechanism to keep the public informed of the approximate voter turnout percentage trends is being streamlined to ensure faster updation. What Has Changed? Under this new initiative, the PRO of each polling station will directly enter voter turnout on the new ECINET App every two hours on polling day in order to reduce the time lag in the update of the approximate polling trends. This will be automatically aggregated at the constituency level. The approximate voting percentage trends will continue to be published every two hours as before. Also at the close of the polls, the PRO will immediately enter the voter turnout data on ECINET before they leave the polling station. This will reduce the delays and ensure that the approximate percentage of votes polled will be available on the updated VTR App constituency-wise after the close of polls subject to network connectivity. Where mobile networks are unavailable, entries can be made offline and synced once connectivity is restored. This updated VTR App will become an integral part of ECINET before the Bihar elections. So far, voter turnout data was collected manually by Sector Officers and relayed to Returning Officers (ROs) via phone calls, SMS, or messaging apps. This information was aggregated every two hours and uploaded to the Voter Turnout (VTR) App. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The polling percentage trends were often updated hours later, based on physical records arriving late in the night or even the next day, leading to delays of 45 hours or more, which led to public misperceptions. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, this issue was raised by a number of political parties as on some occasions, the voter turnout was announced the next day due to the delay. The reform, ahead of the Bihar polls, will help the commission in announcing the voter turnout on time. 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 03, 2025, 21:21 IST His Heart Beats For Pakistan: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Surrender Remark Against PM Modi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 19:51 IST Rahul Gandhi compared the Modi government to the regime of Indira Gandhi, saying she didnt back down during the 1971 war even when the US sent its 7th Fleet Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI file photos) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi after he alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi surrendered" after a call from US President Donald Trump during the India-Pakistan military conflict after Operation Sindoor. Following the Congress MPs remark, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said that the LoPs hearts beat for Pakistan and dismissed his statement as a reflection of his values. Recommended Stories Rahul Gandhis words reflect his values as he makes such indecent remarks against the countrys Prime Minister. But this is what can be expected from Rahul Gandhi, whose heart beats for Pakistan," he said. Bhandari credited PM Modi for giving a befitting reply to Pakistans terror masters. From Salman Khurshid to Shashi Tharoor, every Congress leader is talking about this and Pakistan itself is giving evidence of this The people of the country see this uncivilised Rahul Gandhi as an agent of Pakistan," he added. The BJP leader also referred to an incident where Gandhi did not remove his shoes when he was paying a floral tribute to the statue of his grandmother and former PM Indira Gandhi. #WATCH | Noida, UP: On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhis statement, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari says, Rahul Gandhis words reflect his values as he makes such indecent remarks against the countrys Prime Minister. But this is what can be expected from https://t.co/hS0EB1n8gK pic.twitter.com/DFeGwyacu0 ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 Rahul Gandhi compared the Modi government to the regime of his grandmother, former PM Indira Gandhi, saying she didnt back down during the 1971 war even when the US sent its Seventh Fleet. A call came from Trump and Narendra ji immediately surrendered history is a witness, this is the character of BJP-RSS, they always bow down," he said during the launch of the Congress Sangthan Srijan Abhiyan in Bhopal in the presence of Congress leaders and workers. I know BJP-RSS people; if you put even a little pressure and give them just a slight push, they run away out of fear," he said. The Congress from Rae Bareli stated that India broke Pakistan in 1971 despite Americas threat. Congresss Babbar Sher and lionesses fight with superpowers, they never bowed down," he added. He said no phone call came during the 1971 war. Even though the 7th fleet, weapons, and an aircraft carrier arrived, Indira Gandhi didnt surrender and said she would do whatever she wanted," Rahul Gandhi said. (Mahatma) Gandhi, (Jawaharlal) Nehru, and (Vallabh Bhai) Patel never surrendered, they fought superpowers," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha added. Did Trump Broker India-Pak Ceasefire? US officials were engaged with Indian and Pakistan governments after New Delhi struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK during Operation Sindoor leading to a military conflict of two nuclear-armed nations over the next two days. On May 10 (evening IST), Trump announced the ceasefire on his Truth Social handle. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, Indias Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) rebutted Trumps claim and said an understanding was reached with Pakistan in direct talks. According to the MEA statement, the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan called the DGMO of India and agreed that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea. 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 First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:47 IST 'Insulted Every Soldier's Widow': Punjab CMs Op Sindoor Jibe At PM Modi Draws BJP Fury Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 15:25 IST Mann on Tuesday stirred controversy with a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while commenting on Operation Sindoor Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann (PTI/File) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday stirred controversy with a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while commenting on Operation Sindoor, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP. Speaking to the media after a cabinet meeting in Chandigarh, Mann took a jibe at the BJPs campaign around the operation and questioned the symbolic use of sindoor, a traditional symbol of marriage worn by many Hindu women. Recommended Stories What can we do about it? You are asking for votes in the name of sindoor," Mann said. Sindoor is now being used as a joke. Theyre saying theyll send sindoor to every household, he said. If sindoor is sent to your home, will you wear it in Modis name? Is this one nation, one husband? Is that the scheme?" DISGRACEFUL!Bhagwant Mann just mocked Operation Sindoor, asking:Will you wear sindoor in Modis name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?" This isnt satire.This is vulgarity dressed as leadership. Lets be clear:Operation Sindoor was launched after Hindu women were pic.twitter.com/B42OeYhKvc BJP Chandigarh (@BJP4Chandigarh) June 3, 2025 The comment drew immediate and sharp criticism from the BJP, with the partys Chandigarh unit slamming the Chief Minister in a lengthy post on social media platform X. Bhagwant Mann just mocked Operation Sindoor, asking: Will you wear sindoor in Modis name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?" This isnt satire. This is vulgarity dressed as leadership," the BJP post said. The party further explained that Operation Sindoor was launched after Hindu women were specifically targeted by terrorists and identified by their sindoor. Lets be clear: Operation Sindoor was launched after Hindu women were targeted by terrorists, identified by their sindoor. It was about justice for the innocent, not a joke." But how would Bhagwant Mann understand? A man who: Abandoned his first wife and children Mocks martyrdom Insults Veer Naris and the Indian Army Mocks sacred symbols women wear with pride," the post continued. Punjab BJPs chief spokesperson, Pritpal Singh Baliawal, also reacted strongly, calling Manns comment shamelessness wearing a CMs turban." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all You havent insulted BJP, Mr. Mann Youve insulted every soldiers widow, every grieving wife, and the spirit of Bharat. Bhagwant Mann must RESIGN immediately and APOLOGISE to the entire nation," Baliawal stated. Operation Sindoor was Indias military response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, in which 26 civilians were killed. In a pre-dawn strike on 7 May, Indian armed forces targeted nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Key targets included Jaish-e-Mohammads base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taibas headquarters in Muridke. 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 : Chandigarh, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 15:22 IST 'Let's Not Escalate': Karnataka Deputy CM Calls Kamal Haasan's Remark A 'Small Issue' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 14:13 IST The Deputy CM had made similar appeals on Monday, urging people to be patient and avoid fanning tensions Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. (PTI file photo) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday asked pro-Kannada groups not to escalate" the controversy over actor Kamal Haasans remark suggesting that Kannada originated from Tamil, calling it a small issue." Speaking to the media, Shivakumar said, If Kamal Haasan has made a mistake, then he will apologise. The court will take the necessary action." Recommended Stories The Deputy CM had made similar appeals on Monday, urging people to be patient and avoid fanning tensions. He stressed the close ties between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, saying, I dont know the issue so let me go to my records and then I will speak. I dont want to make this a political issue. We all are neighbours, We all have to work together, live together. Our water goes to Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu people come here. We are not enemies. We all are friends," he added. Deputy Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar reacts on row over Kamal Haasans Kannada remark, urges pro-Kannada groups to not escalate the matter, calls it a small issueNews18s @BharadwajSudath with details @harishupadhya | #KamalHaasan #Kannada pic.twitter.com/vCOerdeF5P News18 (@CNNnews18) June 3, 2025 I would like to ask everyone to remain calm and patient," Shivakumar stated, while reminding the public that nothing is permanent in life. Earlier in the day, the Karnataka High Court criticised Haasan over his remark, with Justice M Nagaprasanna stating that it had hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas. The judge questioned Haasans refusal to apologise, remarking, Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement? No language is born out of another. A single apology could have resolved the situation." The court stressed that language is an emotional and cultural identity of a people" and warned against making statements that could damage the pride of a linguistic community. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had announced that Haasans film Thug Life, set to release on June 5, would not be allowed to screen in the state unless he publicly apologised. The chamber, which represents producers, distributors and exhibitors, took strong objection to Haasans comments made during a promotional event in Chennai. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Karnataka, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 14:09 IST Mehbooba Mufti Bats For Kashmiri Pandits' Return With 'Inclusive And Phased Roadmap' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 16:38 IST Mehbooba called on J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhawan in her first one-on-one meeting with the L-G in about five years In her proposal, Mehbooba said every displaced Kashmiri Pandit family should be allotted half a kanal (one kanal is 505.87 sq mt) of state land in their district of origin, contingent upon their willingness to return. File image/PTI Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has advocated the reservation of assembly seats and free land for Kashmiri Pandits to facilitate their dignified return to the Valley. Her remarks are being seen as a potential thaw in her relations with the BJP-led central government. Mehbooba called on lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhawan in her first one-on-one meeting with the L-G in about five years and submitted an inclusive and phased roadmap" to facilitate meaningful progress" on the front. The Peoples Democratic Party chief also submitted copies of the proposal to union home minister Amit Shah and chief minister Omar Abdullah. Recommended Stories Quoting data from the Relief Office established by the government of Jammu and Kashmir in 1990, Mehbooba said 44,167 migrant families were officially registered as having fled the Valley due to security reasons in the 1990s. Of these, about 90 per cent (39,782) families were of Kashmiri Pandits. By 2020, the ministry of home Affairs said that the number of displaced Kashmiri Pandit families had risen to 64,951. In her proposal, Mehbooba said every displaced Kashmiri Pandit family should be allotted half a kanal (one kanal is 505.87 sq mt) of state land in their district of origin, contingent upon their willingness to return. This issue goes beyond politics and touches the very core of our collective conscience. It is a moral imperative and a societal responsibility to ensure that our Pandit brothers and sisters, who were tragically displaced from their homeland, are provided with the opportunity to return in a manner that is dignified, secure and sustainable," she said in the letter. Mehbooba said every political party in the union territory, irrespective of ideology, has consistently supported the idea of their return. The shared pain of their displacement and the yearning for reconciliation bind us all in the belief that Kashmir can once again be a place where communities coexist peacefully. To facilitate meaningful progress on this front, an inclusive and phased roadmap has been attached for your consideration," she said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mehbooba said such gestures would cleanse the majority Muslim community of the taint that they had not tried hard enough to prevent the Pandits forced migration in the 1990s. Most of the Pandit exodus took place while her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was union home minister. (With agency inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 16:38 IST Nilambur By-Election Turns Into A High-Profile Four-Cornered Electoral Battle Curated By : News18 Malayalam Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 14:42 IST This will be a third by-election in the six-decade history of Nilambur Assembly seat. The bye-election in Nilambur is set for June 19. (Representative/PTI) The bye-election in Nilambur, located in the Malappuram district and part of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, is set for June 19, with votes to be counted on June 23. This marks the third by-election in the six-decade history of this Assembly seat. Recommended Stories The first two by-elections are notable. The initial one in 1967 was prompted by the assassination of sitting MLA K Kunhali, a CPM leader. It remains the only instance of an MLA being murdered in Kerala. The second by-election occurred in 1980 following the resignation of CH Haridas, a Congress leader who had been elected as part of the CPM-led LDF. He stepped down just 10 days after being elected to allow his party colleague, Aryadan Muhammad, to become an MLA and a state minister. For the first time in Kerala, four parties the ruling CPI(M) and Congress, the BJP and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) are contesting an Assembly by-election and have also put forward prominent candidates. PV Anvar, whose resignation in January led to the by-election, was a Trinamool candidate. Anvar, a businessman-politician, won the seat in 2016 and 2021 as an LDF-backed Independent and was known for his close ties with CM Pinarayi Vijayan. However, he began to level various allegations against the Chief Minister and his office. After resigning, Anvar indicated support for the Congress-led UDF and claimed he would not contest the by-election. Despite his efforts to join the UDF, Congress selected his rival Aryadan Shoukath, whom Anvar had defeated in 2016, as their candidate. Aryadan Shoukath, a politician and screenwriter, is the son of veteran Congress leader Aryadan Muhammad, who served as an MLA and minister multiple times. M Swaraj, a former MLA and CPI(M) state secretariat member, will contest as the LDF candidate. This is the first time in 16 years that a candidate will run under the CPI(M) symbol in this seat. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On the final day for filing nominations, the BJP announced Mohan George, a lawyer newly affiliated with the party and formerly associated with Kerala Congress factions, as their candidate. The revised final electoral roll lists 2,32,384 voters in the constituency, comprising 1,13,486 men, 1,18,889 women, and 9 transgender persons, along with 374 overseas (NRI) voters. There are 263 polling stations in the constituency. Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 14:42 IST 'Opposition's Special Parliament Session Demand Not Justified': Govt Sources Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Ashesh Mallick Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 09:20 IST The Opposition has demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Govt not to consider Opposition's demand for special Parliament session (Photo: Sansad TV) Amid growing Oppositions demand for a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor, sources said on Tuesday that the government is not considering this call as the regular Monsoon Session is already scheduled for July. According to government sources, the demand for a special session is not justified" since the next Parliament session is around the corner. Recommended Stories This comes after the Congress-led Opposition raised its voice to call for a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor and the recent statement by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, who recently commented on jets being downed, without specifying the details, during Operation Sindoor. Govt May Consider Holding Discussion On Op Sindoor In Parliament According to the sources, the government may consider holding a discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Parliament, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh may make a statement in the Monsoon session. They also refuted the buzz that there would be a special session to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency on June 25-26. On buzz that there is a special session for the Emergency 50th anniversary. No truth in that- its a figment of imagination of some leaders," sources said. Several Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, intensified attacks on the government after extending initial support to the Centre during Operation Sindoor. Rahul asked how many jets India lost during the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan between May 7 and 10. The government has also sent its seven all-party delegations to different parts of the world to expose Pakistan and its backing of terrorism, and Indias stance against terror. After their return to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet the members of all delegations, sources said. The meeting is expected to take place in the national capital around June 9 or 10. Storm Over CDS Anil Chauhans Remarks In an interview with Bloomberg TV at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last week, CDS Chauhan said, What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were down. 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 flew all our jets again, targeting at long range." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After his remarks, Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, alleged that the government misled the nation and called for a special session of Parliament. Over 200 Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha have signed a letter to the Prime Minister, demanding a special session. First Published: June 03, 2025, 09:13 IST Owaisi, Azad Effectively Countered Pakistan's False Narrative: Jay Panda To News18 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 17:18 IST The BJP MP, who returned after leading an all-party delegation to four nations, said opposition parties should reconcile with the fact that PM Modi is admired worldwide Panda said the terrorists behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack have been identified and Pakistan has admitted its role. (Image: X) The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda wrapped up its four-nation visit to Bahrain, Kuwait, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, where it conveyed Indias zero tolerance on terror as well as the new normal" policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in dealing with cross-border terrorism. In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18 after returning to India on Tuesday, Panda highlighted the usefulness and success of the visit. Despite being gruelling, it was essential to convey the message, he said. After the 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008, India did not respond, and Pakistan blackmailed India with threats of nuclear escalation, Panda stated. However, under PM Modi, there is zero tolerance for terrorism. Our message under PM Modi is clear: we will not tolerate terrorism. Pakistan has spread a lot of misinformation, and we needed to clear the air and show that India stands united," he said. Recommended Stories Fellow delegation members Asaduddin Owaisi and Ghulam Nabi Azad were very powerful voices in the group, said Panda. When they spoke, it effectively countered the false narrative spread by Pakistan," he told CNN-News18. The world sees India as an opportunity and recognises us as a country that has demonstrated ahimsa (non-violence). Pakistan sheltered Osama bin Laden and continues to shelter dozens of terrorists." Regarding the Congress demanding a special parliamentary session and raising concerns about Operation Sindoor, Panda said the terrorists behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack have been identified and Pakistan has admitted its role. I dont wish to delve into the oppositions statements," he added. Every section of political parties showed a united front, though some wanted to indulge in politics, which I choose to avoid." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Countries that provide funds to Pakistan have issued strong statements against it, he said. Pakistan has deceived these countries by claiming the money would be used for development, but it was misused, said the BJP leader. Pakistan has received funding from numerous countries, including those in the Gulf, the Middle East, and Asia, who are now fed up with Pakistans actions," he said. Panda added that the opposition has a forum in Parliament, but some misuse their rights and raise questions on Operation Sindoor". All of India stands united against terrorism, and everyone should cherish this unity, said Panda. The countries I have visited have immense respect for Modi ji. Opposition parties should reconcile with the fact that Modi ji is admired worldwide," he added. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 17:18 IST Brisbanes Something Digital festival returns from August 26 to 27, 2025, with a program centred on Reimagining Human Intelligence, a theme reflecting the complex interplay between human creativity and digital technologies. Now in its eighth year, the event is part of the wider Something Fest, Queenslands largest technology and innovation showcase. The 2025 edition continues its mission to support capability building across the innovation ecosystem, with a particular focus on the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The festival, created by Bright Humans, is backed by key partners including the Queensland Government, River City Labs and Proptech BNE. According to co-founder Nadine Zrinzo, the event aims to spark cross-sector collaboration in a digital economy that now supports more than 153,000 Queensland jobs. Digital and technology are advancing at an extraordinary pace, but the real question is how we choose to shape it, Zrinzo said. Reimagining Human Intelligence isnt just about AI, its about how we adapt and evolve with technology to build the future we want. How to participate Something Digital forms part of the five-day Something Fest, which runs from August 25 to 29 and also includes Something Tech from August 28 to 29. Events will be held at multiple venues in Fortitude Valley including The Tivoli. While primarily in-person, there are no current provisions for virtual participation. The program features more than 80 speakers across three stages: main talks, hands-on sessions and advanced masterclasses. Headline speakers in 2025 include Erin Drake Kajioka, Google DeepMind, on innovation in game design Jessie Mcneil-Brown, Ben & Jerrys, on social impact marketing Marwa Fatafta, Access Now, on digital rights in global regions Matthew Drinkwater, London College of Fashion, on tech in retail Nate Lubin, Survey 160 and former White House advisor, on digital strategy Topics will include AI, marketing, data privacy, strategic planning and platform innovation, all of which are directly relevant for SME operations and growth. Participants can also attend networking sessions, skills workshops and explore over 40 exhibitor booths during Something Tech. Tickets are available through Eventbrite and include food and beverages. Something Digital and Tech tickets are non-shareable, while Something Fest tickets are shareable for teams. Eligibility and relevance for SMEs SMEs represent a large part of Queenslands business ecosystem but often face barriers to digital adoption. Something Digital is designed to help address these gaps by offering: Practical Training in tools like analytics, compliance and marketing Access to Networks with startups, corporates, investors and government representatives Exposure to Local Innovation from Queensland-based tech businesses Regional SMEs may face travel and accommodation costs but can reduce attendance expenses through group pricing or shared passes. No online or hybrid attendance has been announced. Pricing and access Early bird pricing is currently available, with group discounts offered for teams: Something Digital (August 2627): $499 early bird, $599 full price. Group discounts bring the price to $449 for 47 attendees or $424 for 8+. Something Tech (August 2829): $449 early bird, $549 full price. Groups pay $404 (47 attendees) or $382 (8+). Something Fest (August 2529): $799 early bird, $999 full price. This ticket covers both events and is shareable, allowing different team members to attend on different days. All tickets include catering, coffee, and access to networking events. Australia ranks 16th in digital readiness but only 23rd in technology adoption, based on Ciscos Digital Readiness Index. Something Digital is one of the few state-level initiatives addressing this gap with direct access to learning, tools and partners. For more details, a full speaker list and booking terms, visit www.somethingdigital.com.au Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Google Pixel 10 Launch Tipped For Early August: What We Know About The iPhone 17 Rival Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 13:38 IST Pixel 10 series launch is likely to get fast-forwarded to August this year once again and the Android 16 release date should help. Pixel 10 series could once again get an early launch date Google is busy working on the Android 16 update behind the scenes and it has confirmed that the new version will be released by June this year. And that means the new Pixel 10 series launch could be well in place in the next few months. Now, we have new details that not only puts a date for the Pixel 10 series launch and what features we can expect with the new flagship phones from Google. Pixel 10 Launch In August: Its Flagship Time Recommended Stories Google is reportedly doing a pre-launch event later this month in London where a select group of people will get a chance to experience the new Pixel 10 phones and their features. The event is open to SuperFans which means Google is hoping to keep its cards close to the chest before the big reveal of the new Pixel models. In addition to this, a tipster named Mystery Lupin claims the official Pixel 10 series launch will happen on August 13. It might be surprising for a few of you to see this launch timeline but Google did introduce the Pixel 9 models around the same time last year. The tipster claims the Pixel 10 models will start shipping from August 28, 2025 which also seems believable. The Pixel 10 leaks and details have gathered pace in recent weeks. Android 16 has also been announced with the public beta now available for Pixel users starting series 6 and higher. When you put all these cards into a deck, Google seems primed for a big Pixel 10 launch in the next few months. We Are Excited The Pixel 10 series could have a big flagship moment for Google. The news coming in from Taiwan via DigiTimes suggests Google and TSMC have signed a deal that brings its chipset to Pixel phones at least until the Pixel 14 series in 2029. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Pixel 10 series launch this year is already being tipped to be a big moment for Google and its supposed deal with TSMC suggests the Tensor G5 chipset could be getting the best 3nm process delivered on the handsets. The cooperation between the two parties will last for many years, at least until the stage of the new Pixel 14, which is about three to five years later", the report added. The Pixel 9 series starts at around Rs 70,000 while the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL cost well over a lakh. If Google plans to price the Pixel 10 models in this bracket, the TSMC upgrade is not only warranted but eagerly awaited. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: June 03, 2025, 13:37 IST Demon Core: World War II-Era Nuclear Mass, Manhattan Project Relic That Killed Two Scientists Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 20:47 IST Created for a third atomic bomb, the Demon Core never left the lab but still killed two scientists in chilling, real-life radiation accidents. A conceptual image shows two scientists moments before separate radiation accidents involving the Demon Core, as deadly energy begins to escape the plutonium sphere. (IMAGE: DALLE 3 AI ENGINE) In the final days of World War II, a small, unassuming sphere of plutonium earned a deadly nickname and came to be known as the Demon Core. Crafted as a key component of the atomic bomb, this metal ball of destruction never saw battle but claimed the lives of two brilliant scientists in fatal accidents. Recommended Stories It was the third atom bomb that was designed but it was never used or detonated. The Demon Core came into public attention after Dr Ben Miles shared a reel on Instagram explaining how after being left behind the Demon Core became an object of deadly scientific curiosity". The reel was shared as a part of his series Scientifically Interesting Ways To Die". A Deadly Remnant of the Atomic Age The Demon Core" was a 6.2-kilogram sub-critical mass of plutonium designed as the core of a third atomic bomb during World War II. Created under the US Manhattan Project, it was intended for use against Japan after Hiroshima and Nagasakibut Japans surrender halted the plan. Harry Daghlian: First Victim of the Demon Core Harry Daghlian was a 24-year-old physicist working at Los Alamos in 1945. A rising talent, he had joined the Manhattan Project to study neutron behavior in fissile materials. On August 21, 1945, while performing a criticality experiment alone, Daghlian accidentally dropped a tungsten brick onto the plutonium core, initiating a burst of radiation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Ben Miles (@drbenmiles) Though he quickly removed it, he had already received a fatal dose. Daghlian died 25 days later from acute radiation poisoning, becoming the cores first victim. Louis Slotin Tried To Pry It Open With A Screwdriver Louis Slotin, a Canadian physicist and bomb assembly expert, took over similar experiments with the core. Known for his hands-on approach and disregard for safety protocols, Slotin became one of the few people who could assemble a bomb core manually. On May 21, 1946, Slotin was demonstrating a criticality test to colleagues. Using a screwdriver to separate two beryllium hemispheres around the core, the tool slipped and ended up triggering a burst of blue light and radiation. Slotin quickly disassembled the sphere, saving others in the room. He died nine days later from massive radiation exposure. How Demon Core Killed Both deaths were caused by sudden criticality. Criticality is an uncontrolled nuclear reaction that released lethal doses of neutron and gamma radiation in microseconds. This exposure destroyed bone marrow, burned internal organs and triggered systemic failure. Acute radiation poisoning, depending on dosage, leads to nausea, burns, cell death, and in high doses, certain death. Radiation at high doses damages DNA, disrupts cellular replication, and breaks down the bodys ability to heal. Victims of criticality accidents often die from infections, organ failure, or internal bleeding triggered by cell destruction. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Where Is It Now Following Slotins death, scientists halted all hands-on criticality tests. The Demon Core was later melted down and reused in other nuclear experiments. Today, it no longer exists as a single object. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 03, 2025, 20:47 IST Kolkata Woman Catches Mother-in-Law Sneaking Into Her Bedroom At Night To Do This Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 17:03 IST Viral CCTV footage reveals a mother-in-law entering her daughter-in-laws bedroom at night, provoking public outrage and demands for legal action Social media users have condemned the mother-in-laws behaviour as a serious invasion of privacy. (News18) In an unusual and unsettling incident from Kolkata, West Bengal, a woman has sparked a storm online after releasing CCTV footage showing her mother-in-law entering her bedroom at night. The bizarre footage, rapidly going viral on Instagram, has ignited fierce public outrage and brought to light serious concerns about privacy violations and family interference. Caught On Camera Recommended Stories The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared the video claiming she noticed strange noises while she and her husband were asleep. Initially suspecting a ghost, she installed a motion-activated CCTV camera that captured the shocking event. The grainy footage shows the mother-in-law quietly entering the bedroom and standing close to the sleeping woman. Though the video contains no audio, text overlays reveal the mother-in-law allegedly made hostile comments such as you dont deserve this" and I hate you." The unnerving nature of the intrusion has left many viewers disturbed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DrNoble Arya (@noblearya_ai) Public Backlash Social media users have condemned the mother-in-laws behaviour as a serious invasion of privacy. Calls for legal action and urgent intervention have surged online, with some suggesting the woman should immediately evict her husband and mother-in-law. Others have voiced concerns about the husbands apparent ignorance, placing the entire family under scrutiny. Similar Incidents In The Past top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Similar incidents have surfaced before. In 2022, a Reddit user shared that her mother-in-law had secretly installed a camera in her bedroom to monitor her care for her husband. In that case, the woman banned her mother-in-law from the house. Likewise, in 2016, a man in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, installed a CCTV camera to capture his wife beating his mother, which subsequently went viral. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 03, 2025, 16:38 IST 'When Did You Get Married?': Khan Sir Gives Hilarious Reply To Tejashwi Yadav | Watch Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 10:00 IST Tejashwi Yadavs humorous exchange with Khan Sir at the latter's wedding reception went viral, as leaders and celebrities gathered to celebrate the beloved educator's big day Khan Sir's wedding reception became a social media sensation after a light-hearted exchange with Tejashwi Yadav went viral. (X/@@Ershaktilochan) Renowned educator and popular YouTuber Khan Sir recently tied the knot, with his wedding reception attended by a host of prominent figures, including RJD leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. The event became a social media sensation after a light-hearted exchange between the politician and the teacher went viral. In the widely shared video, Tejashwi Yadav is seen asking Khan Sir about the date of his marriage. In response, Khan Sir quipped, It happened during the India-Pakistan tension. I followed your model exactly, sir." This prompted laughter from Tejashwi Yadav and those present on stage. Then the reception has taken place at the right time," the RJD leader jovially replied, adding to the cheerful mood of the celebration. Recommended Stories . ? pic.twitter.com/GPkpm7KRof Thakur Shaktilochan shandilya (@Ershaktilochan) June 3, 2025 The reception also saw the presence of Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, who spent time on stage offering his blessings. The Governor praised Khan Sirs notable contributions to education and wished the couple well in their married life. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary also congratulated the groom, presenting him with a bouquet and expressing pride in the accomplishments of young educators like Khan Sir. He emphasised the vital role such individuals play in shaping Bihars future. The celebration attracted notable personalities from politics, academia, YouTube, and social media. Thousands of Khan Sirs students and admirers, both in attendance and online, extended their heartfelt congratulations. Khan Sir, widely recognised as one of Indias most influential online educators, is believed to be named Faizal Khan. Known for his dynamic teaching style, he has earned a massive following among students preparing for competitive exams by making complex subjects relatable and affordable. He combines wit, real-world analogies, and clarity in his explanations, helping learners from all walks of life grasp tough concepts with ease. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A graduate in Science and Geography from Allahabad University, Khan Sir began teaching in Patna, Bihar. His popularity soared with the launch of his YouTube channel, Khan GS Research Centre, in 2019. The channel has since grown into one of the countrys most-watched educational platforms, crossing 23 million subscribers and offering content that caters to a wide range of competitive exams. Firmly committed to making education accessible, Khan Sir provides online courses for exams like UPSC, SSC, Railways, and banking at minimal costs. In a widely reported incident, he declined a high-paying offer worth Rs 107 crore, choosing instead to continue his mission of low-cost learning. Despite encountering occasional controversies, he remains highly respected for his authenticity, humour, and unwavering dedication to teaching. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:00 IST Belgian Embassy Staffer Puts Up Netanyahu 'Wanted' Poster In Delhi, MEA May Step In Reported By : & News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 12:14 IST The posters were seen on at least two electricity poles in the high-security diplomatic enclave. The incident happened last week Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters Image) India on Tuesday said it will raise the matter with the Belgian government after a staffer at its embassy in Delhi allegedly put up a poster of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the word Wanted" in the Chanakyapuri area of the national capital. The posters were seen on at least two electricity poles in the high-security diplomatic enclave. They featured a photo of Netanyahu with the word Wanted" styled like a criminal notice. The incident happened last week. Recommended Stories The foreign national suspected of putting up the posters is employed at the Belgian Embassy in Delhi. He is currently under investigation by the Delhi Police, who have not yet revealed details of his actions, and his identity remains confidential. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is aware of the incident and will take up the issue with Belgium through official diplomatic channels. This response came after the Union Home Ministry was alerted by the Delhi Police. To identify the person responsible for putting up the posters, Delhi Police had reviewed footage from at least 50 CCTV cameras in the area. After reviewing the footage, police identified a man wearing a blue shirt and black trousers arriving by bicycle at around 5.30 a.m. He was seen putting up one of the posters on an electricity pole. Additional CCTV footage showed him leaving from a flat on Sardar Patel Marg. Police then visited the residence and confirmed that the occupant is an embassy employee. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Since the Delhi Police cannot legally file an FIR against the foreign national as the individual enjoys diplomatic immunity, they prepared a detailed report and submitted it to the Union Home Ministry, which coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Meanwhile, Belgium on many occasions has openly condemned Israels ongoing military operations in Gaza. It was among 121 countries that voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict in 2023. 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 03, 2025, 11:35 IST Donald Trump Likely To Speak With Xi Jinping This Week Amid US-China Tariff Tensions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 07:36 IST Donald Trump is likely to speak with Xi Jinping "very soon" amid the ongoing tariff war between the US and China, the White House said. US President Donald Trump likely to speak with China's President Xi Jinping (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump is likely to speak with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, this week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. This comes days after Trump accused the rival country of breaking a deal to reduce tariffs and trade limits. The agenda of the call is likely to sort out disagreements over last months tariff deal made in Geneva, besides other major trade issues between the two countries. However, it was not entirely clear when Trump and Jinping would speak. Recommended Stories Leavitt is the third top US official to confirm Trumps possible call with Jinping, after the President himself and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent told CBS News on Sunday that Trump and Jinping would talk to each other very soon" to discuss the trade differences, which also include a dispute over critical minerals and Beijings restrictions on exports of certain minerals. Trump said last week on Friday that he was sure he would speak with his Chinese counterpart. Bessent led the trade talks with China in Geneva last month, which resulted in a temporary pause in the trade war between the two economic giants, however, the progress has been slow since then, the US Treasury chief said in an interview with Fox News last week. The announcement of the US-China deal to put on hold the retaliatory high tariffs on each other for 90 days sparked a big rally in global stock markets. However, it didnt solve the main reasons behind Trumps tariffs on Chinese products especially U.S. concerns about Chinas state-controlled, export-focused economy. Such issues are yet to be discussed in future conversations between the two leaders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last week, a US trade court ruled that Trump went beyond his legal powers when he imposed most of his tariffs on imports from China and other countries, including India, using emergency law on April 2. However, a federal appeals court put that decision on hold and brought the tariffs back, stating that it needed time to review the governments appeal. The appeals court gave the challengers until June 5 to respond, and the Trump administration until June 9. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: June 03, 2025, 07:05 IST From Factory Worker To President: All You Need To Know About South Koreas Lee Jae-myung Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 04, 2025, 00:01 IST South Korea Elections: Lee Jae-myung's election comes just six months after he defied military cordons to cast a symbolic vote against a sudden martial law decree. Lee Jae-myung is set to become South Korea's President. (Image Credit: Reuters) Lee Jae-myung, a former factory worker turned human rights lawyer and liberal stalwart, has been elected president of South Korea. His journey from childhood poverty to the nations highest office caps a turbulent political era marked by martial law, impeachment and mass protest. Lee Jae-myungs election comes just six months after he defied military cordons to cast a symbolic vote against a sudden martial law decree which galvanized the liberal opposition ultimately leading to the impeachment of conservative Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee Jae-myungs Early Beginnings Recommended Stories Born in 1963 in the rural city of Andong, Lee Jae-myung grew up in extreme poverty. He began working in factories at a young age, where he sustained injuries that left him partially disabled. Despite these hardships, he passed equivalency exams and went on to study law at Chung-Ang University, graduating in 1986. Lee Jae-myung built his legal career advocating for human rights and labor protections. He was active in Minbyun, a progressive lawyers association and became known for championing the rights of marginalized citizens. Lee Jae-myungs Political Rise And Reform Agenda Lee Jae-myung entered politics in the early 2000s and rose through the ranks quickly. He served as mayor of Seongnam from 2010 to 2018 and as governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2018 to 2021. During his tenure, Lee Jae-myung implemented aggressive social welfare programs and gained a reputation for his direct communication style and policy pragmatism. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Although he narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election, Lee Jae-myung remained a central figure in the liberal Democratic Party eventually reclaiming the political spotlight in 2024 during the constitutional crisis triggered by martial law. Lee Jae-myung said, in his victory speech, This belongs to the people who stood for democracy. I will be a president who listens, who serves, and who remembers where we came from." About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Location : South Korea First Published: June 04, 2025, 00:01 IST India Didnt Need Persuasion': Shashi Tharoor Refutes Trump's Ceasefire Mediation Claims Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 10:53 IST Shashi Tharoor clarified no third-party was involved in the India-Pakistan ceasefire, countering Trump's claims. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will lead the delegation in US. (Photo: X/ Shashi Tharoor) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who has been heading one of the all-party Operation Sindoor delegations abroad, clarified that there had been no third-party involvement in the India-Pakistan ceasefire. Tharoor, who is in Brazil, commented on United States President Donald Trumps claims before his delegations scheduled visit to the country. Recommended Stories Tharoor said India did not require any persuasion for a ceasefire because the country never wanted a war. Also Read: In Brazil, Shashi Tharoor Warns Pakistan Against Using IMFs Bailout Package For Terrorism We have enormous respect for the American presidency, and we will speak with that respect in mind. But broadly speaking, our understanding is a bit different No one needed to persuade us to stop. We had already said to stop. If there was any persuasion by the American president or his senior officials, it would have been persuasion of the Pakistanis. They would have had to be persuaded. We dont need to be persuaded because we dont want war. We want to focus on development. Thats the basic message," said Tharoor. He will be leading the delegation, which will be in the US for its last leg of the visit. We had consistently said from the very beginning on May 7th that we are not interested in prolonging the conflict. This is not the opening salvo in some sort of war. All it is is retribution against the terrorists, period. If Pakistan had not reacted, we would not have reacted," the Congress leader added. The Indian delegation, headed by Shashi Tharoor, is set to visit the US for the final leg of its tour. Coincidentally, a Pakistani delegation led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will also be in the US on Tuesday. Both teams aim to rally support for their respective nations from American lawmakers and political figures. Tharoor reacted to Trumps repeated claims about brokering the India-Pakistan ceasefire. Trump was the first person to announce the ceasefire, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had later confirmed it in a press conference. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India has again and again categorically denied Trumps mediation claims and said that the two countries reached an understanding after Pakistans DGMO called his Indian counterpart on May 10. The government has formed seven all-party delegations to brief various countries about Indias Operation Sindoor and Pakistans involvement in supporting terrorism. Location : Brasilia, Brazil First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:53 IST Lion Kills Tourist At Luxury Namibia Camp, Guests Wake Up To Blood-Curdling Screams Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 16:53 IST Bernd Kebbel, 59, was attacked by a lion at a Namibia camp early morning when he went to use the toilet. Staff and guests scared the lion away, but sadly, Kebbel did not survive While Kebbels death appears to be a tragic accident, it raises serious concerns about safety for those visiting Namibias wild areas. (News18 Hindi) In the early morning darkness, before the first rays of the sun lit up the remote region of Namibia in Africa, a sudden scream shattered the quiet at a luxury tented camp. This was no movie scene but a real and tragic incident that shocked all the tourists present. Bernd Kebbel, a 59-year-old businessman and adventure enthusiast, was staying at the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in the Sesfontein area of Namibia with his wife and friends. Known for its stunning natural beauty and thrilling experiences, the camp became the site of a horrific event. Recommended Stories According to CBS News, Kebbel stepped out of his tent around 4 am to use the toilet, unaware of the danger awaiting him. At that moment, a hungry lion appeared and attacked him. His screams alerted nearby guests and staff, who managed to scare the lion away, but unfortunately, Kebbel had already died from the attack. Namibias Environment Ministry spokesperson, Ndeshipanda Hamunyela, said that the camp staff and nearby visitors raised an alarm immediately after the attack, forcing the lion to flee. Authorities have since begun investigating the lions behaviour and how such an attack could occur in a controlled environment. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While Kebbels death appears to be a tragic accident, it raises serious concerns about safety for those visiting Namibias wild areas. The countrys forests and wildlife draw many tourists seeking adventure, but as this incident shows, the beauty of nature can come with unpredictable risks. What should be a peaceful experience can quickly turn into a nightmare in the wilderness. Location : Namibia First Published: June 03, 2025, 16:53 IST 'They Saw Modi As Grandfather': Usha Vance Reflects On Her Childrens' First India Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 10:50 IST Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, on Monday, Vance recounted her children's first experience in India. Usha Vance and JD Vance met PM Modi at his residence in Lok Kalyan Marg, Delhi. US Second Lady Usha Vance recently reflected on her familys visit to India, describing it as a trip of a lifetime" for her children. Recalling their special moments, she shared that her children met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom they fondly placed in the grandfather category", expressing their affection by hugging him during their visit to his residence. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, on Monday, Vance recounted her childrens first experience in India. She highlighted their visits to iconic sites in North India, including the Taj Mahal, and their delight in tasting authentic Indian cuisine. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Washington DC | Meeting the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), that was really very special. My kids saw him they were sort of sleep deprived in Paris, and they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category pic.twitter.com/dt5WUMIFAh ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 Asked about her India visit, she said, It really was the trip of a lifetime for us. My children had never been to India, what with the pandemic and, JDs entry into politics and all that. And so theyd grown up just knowing so much about this country, the stories. food, the relationships with grandparents and friends, but they had never actually seen it. So it was just sort of mind-blowing from their perspective. And then for me and JD, I think it just could not have been any more special. We had the opportunity to see some of the greatest sites in North India. Were looking forward to our next trip and trying to get to the parts of the country where my family is from as well. And it just was sort of one hit after another, right. The most incredible food, the peacocks that we got to see, everywhere we went, getting to see the Taj Mahal in the morning and appreciate it as the sun was just sort of coming up and the cool skies and blue skies over in the background." Usha Vance fondly recalled her childrens first encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Paris, where he surprised her five-year-old son with a birthday gift. She described Modi as kind and generous" to her kids and mentioned that his discussions with her husband, US Vice President JD Vance, were productive." Reflecting on their visit to India, she also shared her experience of attending a puppet show that creatively incorporated elements from the Ramayana. Usha Vance said, Meeting the Prime Minister, that was really very special. We actually had a chance to meet him before. And its funny, my kids saw him. They were sort of sleep-deprived in Paris and they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category immediately. They are very into him. They just love him. And he really cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day. So, when we were able to visit his home, they just sort of ran up. They were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them." I think it was very productive conversation for JD and the Prime Minister, of course. But also, think it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the good. And as you mentioned, there was a puppet show. That was a particular highlight with sort of puppeteering from all over the country, including from Andhra Pradesh, where my family is from. There were bits from the Ramayana. There were sort of comedic bits with animals, and it was a huge hit. My kids have been trying to recreate a home of construction paper, which is going about as well as you can imagine," she added. Talking about her childrens individual experiences, Usha Vance shared that her eldest son, Ewan, was particularly captivated by the temple sculptures, while her middle child, Vivek, was thrilled to see elephants, camels, and peacocks. Her daughters favorite moment was a ride in an auto-rickshaw. Talking about her childrens experience in India, Vance said, I think JD has probably told the story at some point, but when we were at the Prime Ministers residence, our son was just so taken by everything and then taken by the entire cart of mangoes that was available for him to eat, that he announced to the Prime Minister that he thought he could maybe live there and started making his plansAnd our children, they talk about it all the time actually. Theyve been all over the place and theyve had wonderful opportunities to see the world, but this was really special to them. Ewan, our oldest, was really taken by the sculptures in the temple that he visited. He just thought it was incredible craftsmanship and of course showed things that he was very familiar with from stories and from talking with me." And then, Vivek, our middle child, was very excited to meet elephants and peacocks and a camel and just any animal that he could kind of get his hands on. And then our daughter thinks shes sort of along for the ride. She really enjoyed her time in an auto-rickshaw. That was maybe the highlight for her. The Secret Service was very generous and allowed us to kind of drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes. So we had lot of fun with that," she added. JD Vance and his family embarked on a four-day official visit to India in April. During the trip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Vice President Vance and his family at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. The visit was marked by several playful and memorable moments between PM Modi and the Vance children. From exploring the verdant lawns to curiously observing the bird feeder, the children were fully immersed in the experience at the Prime Ministers residence. Inside, PM Modi shared lively interactions with Ewan, Vivek, and little Mirabel, presenting them with peacock feathers as a keepsake. A particularly heartwarming moment was captured when Mirabel, holding the feather, shared a tender scene with her father. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Vance familys itinerary also included visits to iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Amber Fort in Jaipur, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, where they explored Indias rich cultural heritage. (With inputs from ANI) About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ... Read More First Published: June 03, 2025, 07:05 IST A group of people sit at a store inside a mall in Bangkok's Khlong San District in 2023. Photo by Unsplash Bangkok has been ranked the world's top destination for remote work, according to a new study by QR Code Generator, a company specializing in QR technology solutions. The study evaluated cities across the globe based on key factors such as internet speed, remote work visa access, and overall affordability. Each destination received a score out of 100. With a leading score of 69.98, Thailand's capital topped the index, earning praise for its fast mobile internet, low cost of living, and vibrant cultural landscape, according to the ranking exclusively cited by the New York Post. "Bangkok's ornate temples, delectable cuisine, and energetic street life are ideal for anyone seeking to experience somewhere new," the experts commented. "Thailand's capital offers a dynamic atmosphere, making it a coveted hotspot for any digital nomad looking to embrace a heritage-rich city that uniquely blends modernity and tradition," they added, as quoted by the Post. Bucharest, Romania, came in second with a score of 65.62, thanks to strong access to remote work visas, a rich arts and architecture scene, and expansive green spaces ideal for outdoor activities. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ranked third with a score of 62.35, supported by its strong local purchasing power. Buenos Aires, Argentina, placed fourth, recognized as one of the world's most affordable cities for groceries and dining. Beijing, China, rounded out the top five, backed by its high-speed broadband and mobile networks that ensure reliable global connectivity for remote workers. In response to the ranking, deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan said on Saturday that a new Destination Thailand Visa has been introduced to attract foreigners looking to combine travel with remote work, or participate in cultural and medical activities, Bangkok Post reported. She also noted that the Thai government is working to boost tourism by expanding its visa-free scheme to 93 countries and territories, allowing stays of up to 60 days. Colorado Suspect Wanted To 'Kill All Zionists', Delayed Attack For Daughter's Graduation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 09:10 IST Mohamed Sabry Soliman planned a Molotov cocktail attack in Boulder, Colorado, for over a year. He delayed the assault until after his daughters high school graduation. Mohamed Sabry Soliman (L)/ Officials on the spot after an attack in Colorado (R) (Photos: AFP) Forty-five-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, charged with tossing gasoline bombs at a pro-Israeli rally in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday, had been planning the attack for a year, according to prosecutors. Investigations into the incident also revealed that the Egyptian national used Molotov cocktails instead of a gun to attack people, because his noncitizen status blocked him from buying firearms. Recommended Stories Soliman 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. According to the police and affidavits obtained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Soliman told investigators he had learned how to make the fire bombs from YouTube. However, he could not use the same of his immigration status. WHO IS MOHAMED SABRY SOLIMAN Federal authorities said Soliman was in the country illegally, having overstayed a tourist visa and an expired work permit. A police affidavit filed in support of Solimans arrest warrant stated 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. Hours after the attack, federal and local authorities, addressing a news conference, said Soliman had done nothing to draw law enforcement attention before Sundays incident. He was believed to have acted alone, they said. The attack came as the Donald Trump administration is already cracking down on illegal immigration in the country. THE COLORADO ATTACK An affidavit in the case revealed that the suspect threw two lit Molotov cocktails at individuals participating in the pro-Israel gathering. Soliman yelled Free Palestine" and ignited the crowd. The victims, many of them elderly, were taking part in an event organised by Run for Their Lives, an organisation devoted to drawing attention to the hostages seized in the aftermath of Hamas 2023 attack on Israel. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Later, US Attorney General Pam Bondi described the fire-bombing as an antisemitic terror attack." Authorities said they found 16 gasoline-filled Molotov cocktails near where the suspect was 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 03, 2025, 09:10 IST In Brazil, Shashi Tharoor Warns Pakistan Against Using IMF's Bailout Package For Terrorism Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 09:26 IST Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is leading the all-party delegation, said that Operation Sindoor was not an act of war, but retaliation for an act of terror. Shashi Tharoor emphasised on Indias stand against terrorism in Brazil. (PTI Image) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is leading the all-party delegation, on Monday warned Pakistan against the misuse of the IMFs bailout package to fund terrorism and urged the financial agency to ensure that the money given by them is only spent the way its supposed to be spent. Leading the delegation in Brazil, the Congress MP said, We dont begrudge any country its development if the money is to be spent truly on getting people out of poverty or helping deal with development issues. Why would we object? We are humane. We believe in all sorts of well-being of the poorest of the poor in any country. But if that money simply enables Pakistan to divert more resources to supporting terrorism, to arming themselves to attack us, and so on, then it would be most unfortunate." Recommended Stories And I hope that the World Bank and the IMF, both of which are bodies in which India does have some influence, I hope they will both be told by our diplomats there that it is extremely important to have complete safeguards to ensure that this money is only spent the way its supposed to be spent," he added. Not Trying To Start War: Shashi Tharoor Tharoor also talked about Operation Sindoor and Indias outreach programme against terrorism. He stated that the whole idea of Operation Sindoor was to signal that India is not trying to start a war, but just conducting retribution for an act of terror", in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The Congress MPs reaction came during his interaction with Brazilian Ambassador Celso Amorim. The whole idea was to signal that we are not trying to start a war, we are just conducting retribution for an act of terror, which was a really vile act, 26 people being killed. It was horrendous and it was meant to do the maximum possible damage to India, to disrupt the Kashmiri economy, which was booming, to end the prospects of tourism flourishing in Kashmiralso to perhaps create a communal backlash in India," Tharoor said in Brazil. The Congress leader further highlighted Indias strong stance against terrorism, saying that they have come here to understand the understanding on the part of friends and countries that are not necessarily our friends. I must say that we were very touched by Brazils President telephoning our Prime Minister, 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 government decided to send a strong message," Tharoor added. Indian & Pakistani Delegation In US At The Same Time The Indian delegation, led by Shashi Tharoor, will be in the US for the last leg of the visit. Notably, the Indian delegation and a Pakistani team headed by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari are scheduled to visit the US around the same time on Tuesday. Their mission is to garner support for their respective countries from American lawmakers and political leaders. Responding to the coincidence of the visits, Tharoor said that in Washington, well have the interesting phenomenon of the Pakistani delegation in America, and almost exactly the same days. Tomorrow almost they will be in Washington, while we are in Washington on the same date. So theres going to be perhaps an increase in interest because of the fact that there are two duelling delegations in the same city," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Tharoor further note the importance of importance of Indias relation with the US and said, Frankly the Security Council in a sense is a small part of our relationship with the US which is huge, whether it comes to trade, whether it comes to defence, whether it comes intelligence sharing, whether it comes to our participation in the QUAD in the G-20, there are just so many avenues in which we cooperate with the US." Its no accident that the Pakistanis have also sent a delegation abroad, but theyre not going to as many countries as the Indian delegations are. Theyre focusing on what they consider a few key capitals, namely. Washington, Brussels. London. That seems to be the thrust of the Pakistani effort. We have gone to all those capitals and more," added Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. About the Author Mahima Joshi Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More Location : Brazil First Published: June 03, 2025, 08:24 IST Pakistan Admits To Wider Damage From India's Operation Sindoor, Dossier Reveals 8 More Targets Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 13:32 IST India's 'Operation Sindoor' caused more damage to Pakistan than initially revealed, impacting eight additional locations, a Pakistan dossier has revealed. Top military commanders in India monitor 'Operation Sindoor' (Photo: PTI) Pakistan has admitted it suffered more damage than it earlier acknowledged, during Indias Operation Sindoor on the intervening night of May 6 and 7. According to a confidential Pakistani dossier on its internal military Operation Bunyan un Marsoos, at least eight more of its locations suffered damage in the Indian strikes. Recommended Stories A map in the dossier shows Indian strikes in Pakistan damaged structures in Peshawar, Jhang, Hyderabad in Sindh, Gujrat in Punjab, Gujranwala, Bhawalnagar, Attock, and Chor, on the intervening night of May 9 and 10. The mentioned eight locations were not mentioned by the Indian Armed Forces during the press briefings held after the May 7 counteroffensive. Another map revealed locations struck by India on the intervening night of May 7 and 8. On May 10, nearly three days after India launched Operation Sindoor against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Shehbaz Sharif-led country extended a call for a ceasefire to India. A couple of days after the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies revealed significant damage to four air bases in Pakistan Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, PAF Base Mushaf in Sargodha, Bholari Air Base, and PAF Base Shahbaz in Jacobabad. Other satellite images had provided stark visual evidence of the destroyed terror infrastructure in Pakistans Bahawalpur and Muridke. Before-and-after satellite images of the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, the operational headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), also showed significant damage. ALSO READ | New Satellite Image Shows Possible Repair Work At Pakistans Bholari Airbase After Indias Strike OPERATION SINDOOR Operation Sindoor, launched by India against Pakistan, targeted and destroyed multiple terror targets in Pakistan and PoK. More than 100 terrorists, taking shelter in Pakistan, were also killed in the Indian operation. The operation was launched to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which was later claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attack resulted in the killing of 26 tourists. Survivors later said the terrorists had asked them about their faith, and shot dead those who said they were non-Muslims. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The terrorists also asked the tourists to recite a Kalma (an Islamic phrase) to confirm if they were non-Muslims, before shooting them point-blank. ALSO READ | India Didnt Need Persuasion: Shashi Tharoor Refutes Trumps Ceasefire Mediation Claims 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 03, 2025, 13:09 IST Pakistan Jail Turns Into Battlefield As 216 Inmates Escape Amid Earthquake-Induced Chaos Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Abhro Banerjee Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 10:47 IST This incident underscores ongoing concerns about prison security in Pakistan, particularly in facilities like Malir Jail. Witnesses reported heavy gunfire in and around the jail premises. In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, 216 prisoners escaped from Karachis District Jail Malir, commonly known as Bacha Jail", following a series of tremors that shook the region. Three low-intensity earthquakes, measuring between magnitude 3.2 and 3.6, struck within 24 hours, with their epicenter in the Landhi Fault area. The tremors caused cracks in the prisons walls and a partial collapse, creating the conditions for the mass breakout. Initial reports suggested that the prisoners fled through the main gate, but later investigations confirmed they had exploited the wall breach caused by the tremors to escape. Over 600 to 1,000 inmates were moved out of their barracks for safety reasons during the earthquakes, but as panic spread, prisoners overpowered guards and forced their way out. Recommended Stories During the chaos, the escapees snatched weapons and opened fire. Heavy gunfire was reported both inside and outside the facility, causing fear in surrounding residential areas. In the ensuing violence, one inmate was killed, while three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel and one jail guard were injured. Authorities responded by closing several routes, including the National Highway, as police and Rangers established cordons around the prison. SSP Malir Kashif Aftab Abbasi confirmed that police and paramilitary forces quickly sealed off nearby settlements, highways, and villages to prevent further escapes. Within hours, 80 of the 216 escaped prisoners were recaptured, but 135 remain at large. The ongoing manhunt faces significant challenges due to Karachis dense urban settlement, and officials suggest it may take weeks to apprehend all fugitives. Sources indicated that Malir Jail housed a large number of inmates involved in drug-related cases, and the escapees mainly included drug offenders and psychologically vulnerable individuals. These inmates, mixed with violent criminals capable of organized violence, were considered relatively easier to recapture due to their profiles and limited resources. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The incident has highlighted critical failures in Pakistans disaster preparedness and prison security systems. Announcements were made from mosques across Malir, urging locals to assist in locating and apprehending the escaped inmates. According to media reports, DIG Jail Hassan Sahetu and Director General Rangers Sindh, Major General Muhammad Shamrez, visited the facility to review and strengthen security measures. The mass escape has once again cast a spotlight on the challenges faced by Pakistans correctional institutions, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reform and better disaster response protocols. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:38 IST Pakistan Minister Backs LeTs Saifullah Khalid, Linked To Pahalgam Attack, In Anti-India Rant Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 09:27 IST Pakistani politician Malik Ahmad Khan defended Saifullah Khalid, one of those behind the Pahalgam terror attack, claiming India accused him of the attack without proper probe. Pakistani Minister Malik Ahmad Khan (L)/ Saifullah Kasuri (R) (Video screengrabs/Social Media) Days after Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and one of those behind the Pahalgam terror attack, was spotted spewing venom against India at a public rally in Pakistans Punjab, Pakistani politician Malik Ahmad Khan has come out in his support and said Saifullah was blamed" for the terror attack in Pahalgam. Malik Ahmad Khan was one of those present with Saifullah during his public address on May 28. Recommended Stories The rally had also witnessed the presence of Talha Saeed, the son of LeT founder and Mumbai terror attacks mastermind, Hafiz Saeed. In a video, widely shared on social media, Malik Ahmad Khan could be seen speaking to reporters after Saifullahs rally and saying that he was invited to the rally. Khan said, India, without an investigation, has formed a perception that Saifullah is responsible for the terror attack in Pahalgam." Indian authorities got a First Information Report (FIR) registered against Saifullah within days of the Pahalgam terror attack, and there is no evidence to support their accusations," Khan said. He further accused India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being responsible for the various terror attacks in India, and reiterated that the accusations against Saifullah should be investigated. At the May 28 rally, Saifullah Khalid spewed 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 added. As many as 26 tourists were killed by armed terrorists in Kashmirs iconic Pahalgam on April 22. Survivors later said the terrorists had asked them about their faith, and shot dead those who said they were non-Muslims. The terrorists also asked the tourists to recite a Kalma (an Islamic phrase) to confirm if they were non-Muslims, before shooting them point-blank. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Later, The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, India, on the intervening night of May 7 and 8, launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan and destroyed multiple terror targets there. More than 100 terrorists, taking shelter in Pakistan, were also killed in the operation. 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 03, 2025, 07:17 IST Pakistani Politician Says Terrorist Hafiz Saeed Close To His Family: 'They Are Serving The Country" Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 17:53 IST Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan claimed that he shared a close personal and family relationship with Hafiz Saeed. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan claimed he had a close personal and family bond with terrorist Hafiz Saeed. (Image Credit: X) Top Pakistani politician- Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan- claimed that he shared a close personal and family relationship with Hafiz Saeedthe mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and a UN-designated terrorist. In a video that has surfaced on social media, Muhammad Ahmad Khan praised the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), seen as a political front for Hafiz Saeeds Lashkar-e-Taiba, calling it his second party." My relationship with Saifulla Kasuri and Professor Talha isnt based on any formal alliance," Muhammad Ahmad Khan is heard saying in the clip, adding, I have a relationship with Hafiz Saeed. He had a very close bond with my late father. He shared a brother-like relationship with Malik Rasheed. We consider the Markazi Muslim League as our second party. We believe these people are serving Pakistan." Recommended Stories Responding to the video, Mariam Solaimankhil, a member of Afghanistans Parliament in exile, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), Of course, the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly is on stage with Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. In Pakistan, terror is policy, not an accident. Hafiz Saeeds son gets a mic. Peaceful voices get prison. And the UN? Quiet as everwatching genocide through binoculars." Hafiz Saeed has been under UN sanctions since 2008 and carries a $10 million bounty from the United States. Although Pakistan claims he is serving a 78-year sentence for terror financing, India has accused Islamabad of shielding Hafiz Saeed and other terrorists. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After India carried out airstrikes targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan last month, senior Pakistani military officers were seen attending the funerals of terrorists including Lashkar commander Abdul Rauf. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated Indias demand for the extradition of Hafiz Saeed and Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. He said, They are not only on Indias most-wanted list but are also UN-designated terrorists. If Pakistan is serious about dialogue, it should first hand them over." About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Location : Pakistan First Published: June 03, 2025, 17:53 IST Sheikh Hasinas Secret Flight: Inside Ex-Bangladesh PMs Midnight Escape To India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 15:32 IST Citing civil and military aviation sources, the newspaper reported that the change in flight path was a deliberate decision intended to avoid attention. Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. A recent report published by The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi newspaper, shed light on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas departure from Dhaka on August 5, 2024. The report claimed that a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft carrying Sheikh Hasina was initially scheduled to land in Kolkata but was redirected mid-flight to the Hindon Air Force Station near Delhi. Military Training Flight Used Recommended Stories Citing civil and military aviation sources, the newspaper reported that the change in flight path was a deliberate decision intended to avoid attention amid escalating unrest in Bangladesh. The flight, designated as a military training flight," took off from the Bangabandhu Air Force Base in Dhaka shortly after 3 p.m. local time. First Destination Choice For Sheikh Hasina Was Kolkata Although a flight plan had been filed for Kolkata and shared with Indian authorities- including a transponder squawk code of 4131- the aircraft turned off its transponders after takeoff. This effectively removed the flight from civilian radar systems while maintaining communication with ground control for safety. The transponders were reactivated near the Bangladesh-India border, at which point Dhaka air traffic control handed the flight over to its counterpart in Kolkata, following standard airspace transition procedures. The Flight Landed In Delhi Then The aircraft appeared to be on course for Kolkata until shortly before crossing into Indian airspace when it changed direction toward Delhi. This route was likely selected to minimize time on the ground in Bangladesh during a volatile period, the report claimed. Indian authorities had granted overflight and landing permission in advance, in response to a request from the Bangladesh side. The aircraft eventually landed at the Hindon Air Force base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Who Were On Board Sheikh Hasinas Flight? Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and close aides were on board as the situation in Dhaka had deteriorated significantly with widespread violence and reports of attacks on police stations and members of the then-ruling Awami League. About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Location : Bangladesh First Published: June 03, 2025, 15:32 IST Suicide Pod Activist Takes Own Life Months After Arrest Over Womans Death In Euthanasia Device Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 14:55 IST Dr Florian Willet, director of Swiss suicide organisation Last Resort, died by assisted suicide after being investigated for the death of a woman using the Sarco suicide pod. Willet, a German national, was reportedly admitted to psychiatric care twice after his release in December 2024. (Photo: X/@TrueCrimeUpdat) Dr Florian Willet, a prominent right-to-die activist and director of the Swiss suicide organisation Last Resort, has died by assisted suicide in Switzerland, months after being investigated for the death of a woman who became the first person to use the Sarco suicide pod. Willet, 47, was arrested in September 2024 by Swiss authorities after a 64-year-old American woman with an immune disease died inside the nitrogen-filled capsule in a secluded forest near Merishausen, Switzerland, The Sun reported. Recommended Stories Designed by euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke, the Sarco pod had long stirred ethical and legal debates. The womans death marked its first real-world use and triggered a criminal investigation. Although suicide is legal in Switzerland under strict conditions, the use of the pod had never been officially sanctioned. Prosecutors raised suspicions of intentional homicide" after alleged strangulation marks were found on the womans neck. This led to Willet being held in pre-trial detention for 70 days the only person among several initially detained, including two lawyers and a journalist, to remain in custody. The allegations deeply affected Willets mental health, according to Nitschke, founder of Exit International and inventor of the Sarco pod. In a statement following Willets death, Nitschke recalled how his colleague emerged from custody a changed man. Gone was his warm smile and self-confidence," he said. In its place was a man who seemed deeply traumatised by the experience of incarceration and the wrongful accusation of strangulation." Willet, a German national, was reportedly admitted to psychiatric care twice after his release in December 2024. Nitschke said he developed an acute polymorphic psychotic disorder," which psychiatrists linked to the intense psychological stress of the criminal probe. In early 2025, Willet also suffered severe injuries from a fall from the third floor of his Zurich residence. On May 5, Willet reportedly ended his life with the assistance of a specialized organisation in Cologne, Germany. Nitschke confirmed the death and praised Willet as a thoughtful, kind, and passionate advocate for the right to choose when and how to die. In the final months of his life, Florian shouldered more than any man should," he said. Before his death, Willet had maintained that the womans death in the pod was peaceful, fast, and dignified." He notified authorities immediately after it occurred. Supporters of the pod claimed that the marks resembling strangulation could have been caused by the womans medical condition skull base osteomyelitis rather than any foul play. Willets death draws uncomfortable parallels to the weight of public and legal scrutiny surrounding assisted dying. It also raises serious questions about how society treats individuals advocating for controversial medical technologies. A committed campaigner since his youth, Willet once said he had thought about the concept of suicide from the age of five and accepted his fathers death by suicide at 14. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all His final act, much like the work he dedicated his life to, reignites the debate over autonomy, ethics, and the legal challenges surrounding assisted dying in Europe and beyond. This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) 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 : Switzerland First Published: June 03, 2025, 14:55 IST Tehran Police Free Three Missing Indians, Iranian State-Run Media Reports Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 23:42 IST Three missing Indian nationals have been found and freed by Iran police, according to Iranian state-run Tasnim News. Iranian police, according to Tehran-based news outlets, apprehended the kidnapping gang that had abducted the three Indians. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Three Indian nationals from Punjab who went missing in Iran earlier this month have been rescued, according to Iranian semi state-run media outlet Tasnim news agency. The development was also tweeted by the Iranian embassy in India. The three men hailed from Punjab, the outlet said. The report said that the men were kidnapped on May 1 and were rescued from Varamin, a town in southern Tehran. The rescue was carried out by Tehran police during an action against the kidnappers. Recommended Stories Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran policeLocal media in Iran say police have found and released three Indian men who had gone missing in Iran.https://t.co/YAkirkKRHg Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) June 3, 2025 The three men had arrived in Iran en route to Australia, where they were promised jobs by a local travel company. The kidnapping was reported to Tehran police on the same day they landed. Earlier on May 29, the Iranian embassy in New Delhi confirmed that it was investigating the matter, and said the case was being followed up by Irans foreign ministry in coordination with judicial authorities. According to media reports, Hushanpreet Singh from Sangrur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur in Punjab are the identities of the men who went missing and now have been found. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A report by India Today in a report citing the family of the one of the missing men said that the kidnappers had demanded ransom to release them. The report citing Husnpreets mother, a resident of Sangrur, said that travel agents took money from the family but instead of sending him to Australia, sent him to Iran via the illegal Dunki route. The report citing the woman said the families received disturbing photos and videos showing the men with their hands tied and visible cuts and bruises on their bodies. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Tehran, Iran First Published: June 03, 2025, 23:17 IST Who Is Artem Tymofieiev, The Mastermind Behind Ukraines Drone Strikes Deep Inside Russia? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 16:06 IST Tymofieiev is believed to have helped Kyiv strike deep within Russian territory targeting four strategic air bases across three time zones using swarms of kamikaze drones Tymofieiev is now on every Russian watchlist, with his name and photo circulated by Russian authorities. (Photo: X/@EurekaNews10) After Ukraines massive drone strike on Russia shook the world, many are now asking how Kyiv often seen as the underdog in its full-scale war with Moscow managed to carry out one of the most daring attacks since the conflict began in 2022. A name now echoing through intelligence circles and Kremlin war rooms alike is Artem Tymofieiev. Once an unassuming entrepreneur" living in Chelyabinsk, Russia, he is now at the center of a nationwide manhunt, suspected of orchestrating one of the most audacious military operations of the war, according to a report in DailyMail. Recommended Stories Drones Hidden In Remote-Controlled Sheds: How Ukraines Spiders Web Damaged Russian Warplanes Nicknamed the mastermind" behind Ukraines Operation Spiders Web, Tymofieiev is believed to have helped Kyiv strike deep within Russian territory targeting four strategic air bases across three time zones using swarms of kamikaze drones. The operation, unprecedented in scope, reportedly destroyed a significant portion of Russias long-range bomber fleet aircraft that have haunted Ukrainian skies since the war began in 2022. Tymofieievs Quiet Life With A Hidden Mission Tymofieievs story reads like a Cold War thriller. According to Russian authorities, he was born in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, and later lived in Kyiv. At some point in the last few years, he relocated to Chelyabinsk, more than 1,000 miles east of Moscow and just 85 miles from the Kazakh border. Officially, he ran a small business. Unofficially, he may have been Ukraines man behind enemy lines a sleeper agent embedded in plain sight, as per the DailyMail report. Friends and neighbours, Russian sources claim, knew him as a quiet pro-Ukrainian figure but never suspected him of espionage. If theyre right, Tymofieiev pulled off one of the most complex intelligence-led strikes in modern military history. 18-Month Planning, Last Moment Intel: Zelenskyy Details Op Spiders Web Against Russia Operation Spiders Web In what sounds like a screenplay plot, drones were smuggled into Russia, hidden in flatbed trucks disguised as mobile wooden cabins. These trucks, driven by unwitting Russian drivers hired by Tymofieiev, transported the drones to air bases in Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and even as far as Murmansk in the Arctic Circle. On June 1 coinciding with Russias Military Transport Aviation Day the trucks were parked near the base perimeters. Then, almost in unison, the truck roofs were remotely opened. The drones controlled by Ukrainian pilots via Russias own mobile network soared toward their targets. Ukraine claims to have destroyed up to 41 aircraft, including rare TU-95 and TU-22 bombers and even a Beriev A-50 early warning plane. Satellite imagery and drone footage released by Ukraine support the scale of destruction. Tymofieiev is now on every Russian watchlist, with his name and photo circulated by Russian authorities. They claim he oversaw drone assembly in a rented Chelyabinsk warehouse, ironically located next to an FSB office. According to Russias interior ministry, the lorries used in the attacks were registered under his name. Drivers testified that they were merely delivering wooden houses," unaware of the lethal cargo. However, Ukraines security service, the SBU, asserts that Tymofieiev and his team are safely back in Ukraine." Kyiv, Moscow Hold Second Round of Peace Talks But No Ceasefire in Sight Delegates from Ukraine and Russia met for a second round of direct negotiations on Monday in a renewed bid to end the war triggered by Moscows invasion in February 2022. Despite the diplomatic push this time mediated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan no ceasefire agreement was reached. The discussions involved an exchange of proposals from both sides on what a potential peace deal could look like. However, the positions remained sharply opposed, echoing the stalemate that has defined previous attempts. The push for diplomacy has gained renewed urgency, particularly amid pressure from international leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. Shortly after the talks wrapped up, Russian state media published a document detailing Moscows peace terms. The document underscored Russias hardline stance, reiterating its demands to retain occupied territory and calling for Ukraine to relinquish even more land. Russia has already declared the annexation of four Ukrainian regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson despite lacking full military control over them. In its proposal, Moscow called on Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the remaining areas still under Ukrainian control as a precondition for peace. Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, also features prominently in Moscows demands. The Kremlin insists on full international recognition of all territories it currently occupies, including Crimea. Ukraine, meanwhile, continues to reject the notion of giving up any of its internationally recognized land. President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Kyiv will not accept Russian control over its territories, though he has acknowledged that diplomacy might be the only way to eventually regain them a hint at possible compromise under pressure. In addition to territorial concessions, Russias peace memorandum" also sets conditions related to Ukraines foreign policy and governance. The Kremlin wants Ukraine permanently barred from joining NATO and insists on a future without President Zelensky at the helm. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At the onset of the war, Russian President Vladimir Putin openly called for Ukraines military to overthrow Zelenskys government, signaling Moscows intent to install a more Kremlin-aligned leadership. The document further outlines that, after a ceasefire, Ukraine would need to demobilize its forces and schedule new presidential elections. It also demands a ban on any foreign military presence or infrastructure within Ukrainian borders. 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 : Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: June 03, 2025, 15:15 IST June 2, 2025 | 03:01 pm PT Since March my friend in Jakarta, Indonesia, has been working four days a week and having an extra free day for himself and his family. After a successful trial, Indonesia's Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises launched a voluntary four-day workweek program called the "Compressed Work Schedule." Employees work 10 hours a day instead of the usual eight and five days a week while maintaining the same level of productivity. Unlike a reduced workweek, this model keeps total working hours and pay unchanged. The four-day workweek is not new. It stems from the "leisure society" concept, first discussed in industrialized nations in the 1960s and 1970s. Interest surged after the Covid-19 pandemic, as businesses adopted technology to sustain productivity while adjusting to remote work and shorter schedules. Over 20 countries, including Poland, Canada, Spain, Germany, the U.S., the U.K., Japan, and South Korea, have implemented or tested some form of a four-day workweek. In Australia, Green Party Senator Barbara Pocock recently proposed a National Four-Day Workweek Institute to test shorter full-time schedules. She argued that Australians deserve an extra fixed day off per week without a pay cut, saying it would lead to "happier, better-rested and more productive workers." Japan is also addressing workplace stress and burnout. From April 2025 civil servants will have three-day weekends, allowing parents more time for childcare and potentially boosting birth rates. Early results are promising. A 2023 study by the University of Cambridge researchers in the U.K. found that a four-day workweek improved employee health. Of 61 participating companies, 56 saw revenues rise by an average of 1.4%. In Iceland, a four-year trial ultimately led to 90% of workers keeping the same pay while working fewer hours. A man is working in an office. Illustration photo by Pexels But a compressed work schedule is not suitable for every industry. Consulting and customer service businesses, which rely on client interactions, could struggle since clients may need assistance on the additional day off. Not all countries can adopt this model. Most trialing it are developed economies, and many are still in early testing phases. Surveys in Vietnam and abroad show rising demand for a four-day workweek to improve work-life balance. Flexa, a job-search platform, analyzed 9,360 job ads, 2.7 million searches, and 27,880 worker preferences from January to November 2023. Interest in four-day workweeks increased by 68%, making it a top 2024 trend. A February 2023 Milieu Insight survey found that 78% of Vietnamese respondents supported shorter workweeks. Vietnam faces major challenges in adopting this policy. Many businesses are small or labor-intensive, and efficiency in management, technology use and process optimization remains low. Most importantly, labor productivity in Vietnam is not yet on par with global standards. Every country wants to improve its citizens' mental health, quality of life and productivity, and Vietnam is no exception. But how can Vietnam achieve that? Flexible work models like remote work, hybrid setups and remote-first structures can help employees balance work and personal life while maintaining productivity. Companies must recognize that shorter workweeks alone will not drive successthey need smarter work strategies. Some industries, like crisis management, public relations and media, require workers to be available 24/7. When companies prioritize hours worked over performance, employee engagement and productivity drop. A better approach is to give employees more control over their schedules. Managers should assess employees based on performance and adjust communication strategies accordingly. Ultimately, the success of a four-day workweek depends on trust and transparency between employers and employees. Encouragingly, more businesses in Vietnam and globally are prioritizing employee well-being. If Vietnamese companies embrace technology, streamline operations and improve management, shorter workweeks could become a reality. A well-supported workforce is more engaged, leading to long-term business success. *Nguyen Thi Hong Chi works at the faculty of communication, Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture. What Is Dhakas Mini Pakistan? Home To Bangladeshs Stranded Pakistanis Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 18:57 IST A viral video has reignited focus on the forgotten lives of Bangladeshs "Stranded Pakistanis". Geneva Camp in Dhaka's Mohammadpur is a colony of stranded Pakistani people who migrated to the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from Bihar during the partition of 1947. (IMAGE: AFP) Tucked away in Dhakas Mohammadpur area is a densely packed settlement known locally as Mini Pakistan. It is a reference to the Geneva Camp, home to thousands of Urdu-speaking Muslims and Muhajir or Bihari Muslim settlements. A video of the camp shot by influencer RK Sohan went viral bringing attention to the deplorable conditions of the camp. Recommended Stories The camp consists of many Urdu-speaking Muslims from Bihar and other parts of India moved to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). They are referred to as Stranded Pakistanis" or Biharis by Bangladesh government. A recent report by Bangladeshs Daily Star reported that the settlement now sees regular clashes between armed gangs. These gangs have reportedly stolen guns from police during the recent regime change and clashes that erupted across the country between protesters and police. The protests which led to the regime change was partly hijacked by Islamists who continue to take advantage of the fragile law and order situation of the country. Why Is Geneva Camp Called Mini Pakistan? During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, most Biharis supported West Pakistan. This made them targets of hostility during and after the war. When Bangladesh became independent, these communities were left stateless and were rejected by both Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Geneva Camp was established by the Red Cross after the war to house these displaced people. It remains one of the most densely populated and underdeveloped urban slums in the city. Locals and outsiders colloquially call it Mini Pakistan" because of the populations cultural affinity to Pakistan, especially language (Urdu), food and dress, and due to their historical loyalty to Pakistan. What Is The Legal Status Of Its Residents? For decades, the residents were stateless. In 2008, the Bangladesh High Court ruled that those born in the country after 1971 are Bangladeshi citizens and can vote. Despite this, many still live in limbo as they lack proper documentation, economic opportunities and social integration. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The term Mini Pakistan" is sometimes used derogatorily, especially by Bangladeshi nationalists. Residents of Geneva Camp often feel marginalized and excluded, though a new generation identifies more with Bangladesh. Pakistan has been largely reluctant to take them back, despite initial promises post-1971. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: June 03, 2025, 18:57 IST Who Was Sana Yousaf, 17-Year-Old Pakistani Influencer Shot Dead At Her Islamabad Home? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 21:02 IST Sana Yousaf was allegedly killed at point-blank range by a relative who had visited her home in Islamabads Sector G-13. Sana Yousaf shot dead at point-blank range by a relative, it was reported. Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old Pakistani social media influencer and advocate for womens education and cultural heritage, was shot dead inside her home in Islamabad in what police are probing as a possible case of honour killing. Known widely for her vibrant TikTok and Instagram presence- where she had nearly 500,000 followers- Sana Yousaf hailed from Upper Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and had gained popularity for her videos promoting Chitrali traditions and womens empowerment. Media reports claimed that Sana Yousaf was allegedly killed at point-blank range by a relative who had visited her home in Islamabads Sector G-13. The suspect spoke briefly with her outside the house before entering, firing multiple shots and fleeing the scene, reports claimed. Recommended Stories Her body was sent to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for autopsy. No arrests have been made so far but authorities have launched a manhunt and are considering multiple motives. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Who Is Sana Yousaf? Sana Yousaf gained popularity through her TikTok videos, where she was widely appreciated for highlighting Chitrali culture, advocating for womens rights and promoting the importance of education. As the daughter of a social activist, she often used her growing social media presence to speak out on issues impacting her community, particularly those concerning young women. About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Location : Pakistan First Published: June 03, 2025, 21:02 IST Why Saudi Arabia Restricted Entry Of Nearly 270,000 Hajj Pilgrims To Mecca? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: June 03, 2025, 21:17 IST Saudi Arabia blocked nearly 270,000 Muslims from entering Mecca for Hajj to manage crowds and ensure safety. Unauthorized access was a key factor in last year's fatalities. To discourage unauthorised participation in Hajj pilgrimage, strict measures, including fines up to $5,000, deportation, and other penalties, have been put in place. (AP photo) In an attempt of efficient crowd management, authorities in Saudi Arabia have halted entry of nearly 2,70,000 people to Mecca ahead of annual Hajj pilgrimage. This was also done to rule out any safety risks at the site of holy pilgrimage. By Sunday, around 1.4 million officially registered pilgrims arrived in Mecca, with more entries expected in the coming days. Recommended Stories Nearly 2.7 Lakh Pilgrims Stopped From Entering Mecca The move to restrict entries of pilgrims to Mecca is being seen as part of a sweeping crackdown on unauthorised access, news agency AP, citing sources, reported. The Saudi government indicated towards unauthorised participants as a key factor behind last years heat-related fatalities. Notably, Hajj pilgrimage is one of the most sacred obligations in Islam. $5,000 Fine For Violators To discourage unauthorised participation in Hajj pilgrimage, strict measures, including fines up to $5,000, deportation, and other penalties, have been put in place. The rules are applicable to all, including Saudi citizens and residents. Addressing a press conference in Mecca, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari shared details on the scale of enforcement efforts, saying, The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands." Over 23,000 residents have already been penalised for breaking Hajj regulations, and licenses have been revoked from 400 Hajj service companies, officials said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all To enhance safety measures, Saudi Arabias civil defense announced the deployment of drones at this years pilgrimage to assist in surveillance, crowd monitoring, and even fire extinguishing. The Hajj pilgrimage is a five-day series of religious rites in Mecca. It is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially sound to undertake the pilgrimage. In recent years, extreme weather condition and safety concerns have cast a shadow over the holy event. 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 : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia First Published: June 03, 2025, 20:48 IST Malaysia, named Asia's most loved country, has welcomed 10.1 million foreign arrivals in the first quarter of this year, up 22% year-on-year. Malaysia's top tourist arrivals were from Singapore with 4.9 million visitors, followed by China (1.12 million), Indonesia (1.08 million), Thailand (591,000) and Brunei (363,000), according to statistics from Tourism Malaysia. The first quarter saw China surpass Indonesia to become the second largest source of visitors to Malaysia, driven by relaxed visa policies. Malaysia, named Asia's most loved country in 2024 by the American finance website Insider Monkey, introduced a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Chinese and Indians citizens in December 2023 and has extended the scheme until 2026. The Southeast Asian country recently announced the extension of its visa exemption for Chinese travelers for an additional five years, with the possibility of extending it for another five years until 2036, according to Bernama. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 3.29 million Chinese tourists, an increase from the previous year, making China the third-largest source of visitors after Singapore and Indonesia. When his iconic Parks and Recreation character was used to denigrate Pride Month, Nick Offerman didn't hesitateand fans were praising him for his response. X user Michael Flynn Jr.the son of former national security adviser Michael Flynnused a clip of Offerman's character, Ron Swanson, angrily tossing his desktop computer in a dumpster. He overlaid the computer with an image of a rainbow Pride flag, captioning the clip, "Just wanted to post how I feel about 'pride' month." Offerman retweeted the post, adding his response : "Ron was best man at a gay wedding you dumb f---. #HappyPride." Replies from Offerman fans included, per Parade , the actor being called "the GOAT" and given a "10/10." As the magazine notes, the original tweet was posted on the same day Offerman's Parks and Recreation co-star Jonathan Joss was fatally shotand on Monday, Joss' husband posted on social media that the couple had endured years of homophobic comments and threats in their San Antonio, Texas, neighborhood, Parade reports. He says Joss was shot after the couple returned to their former home, which had burned down, to check the mail and they saw that someone had placed the skull and harness of their dog in plain sight. "This caused both of us severe emotional distress," and as they grieved, he says, a man approached and "started yelling violent homophobic slurs" before opening fire. One of the couple's neighbors, Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega, has been charged with Joss' murder, TMZ reports. Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. X Arnold Schwarzenegger has a message for environmentalists who despair at the approach of President Trump's administration: Quit your bellyaching. The new US administration has taken an ax to Biden-era environmental ambitions, rolled back landmark regulations, withdrawn climate project funding, and instead bolstered support for oil and gas production in the name of an "American energy dominance" agenda. Schwarzenegger, the former Republican governor of California, has devoted time to environmental causes since leaving office in 2011, reports the AP . He said Tuesday he keeps hearing from environmentalists and policy experts lately who ask, "What is the point of fighting for a clean environment when the government of the United States says climate change is a hoax and coal and oil is the future?" Schwarzenegger told the Austrian World Summit in Vienna, an event he helps organize, that he responds: "Stop whining and get to work." He pointed to examples of local and regional governments and companies taking action, including his own administration in California, and argued 70% of pollution is reduced at the local or state level. "Be the mayor that makes buses electric; be the CEO who ends fossil fuel dependence; be the school that puts [up] solar roofs," he said. "You can't just sit around and make excuses because one guy in a very nice White House on Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't agree with you," he said, adding that attacking the president is "not my style" and that he doesn't criticize any president when outside the US. "I know that the people are sick and tired of the whining and the complaining and the doom and gloom," Schwarzenegger said. "The only way we win the people's hearts and minds is by showing them action that makes their lives better." Israeli troops shot and killed at least 27 Palestinians near a new food distribution site in southern Gaza on Tuesday, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, per the New York Times . The Washington Post reports that number is 31. Dozens more were wounded. The Israeli military said the gunfire, which started around 4am local time, was aimed near "a few" people it referred to as "suspects" who'd left the designated route to the food site and hadn't responded to warning shots, per the Times. Officials said these individuals "posed a threat," though details weren't provided. Witnesses tell the AP that the gunfire was "indiscriminate" and came "from all directions." It's the latest in a series of violent episodes tied to a new aid distribution system in Gaza. The same site saw at least 23 killed last Sunday, and there were earlier incidents last week. The current approach, managed by the privately run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and using American contractors, replaced a broader UN-run system and concentrates food distribution at a few sites in Israeli-occupied areas. Aid agencies say the new approach puts civilians at risk by forcing them to travel miles, often near military lines, and limits access compared to the 400 distribution points previously operated by the UN. Doctors Without Borders and other groups have criticized the new setup as dangerous and "severely ineffective," per the Times. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, located near the shooting, received many of the victimsmost reportedly children between 10 and 13despite facing severe shortages of supplies like sterile gauze. Israel defends the system as a way to prevent Hamas from diverting aid. Some Israeli officials claim Hamas is trying to undermine the new distribution method to regain control over food supplies. The Israeli military, meanwhile, says it's reviewing the incident. "We'd rather die than deal with this," one Gaza local, who ended up scooping rice and pasta off the ground in desperation once she got to the food distribution site, tells the AP. "Death is more dignified than what's happening to us." Life expectancy in the United States is an average of 78.6 years, but that doesn't hold a candle to how long people can expect to live in some other nations. Using data from the UN's World Population Prospects portal, Visual Capitalist looked at life expectancy at birth for countries around the globe, which the site notes is a testament to their quality of life and health care systems. Monaco takes the top spot, with an average life expectancy of 86.5 years; that number is even higher for women there, at 88.6 years. The US doesn't make Visual Capitalist's top 25. The top 10 nations and their average life expectancy: Tourists from mainland China dressed in traditional Thai costumes visit Wat Arun temple ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan 18, 2023. Photo by Reuters The Bank of Thailand expects the number of Chinese visitors to the country to fall to five million this year, 25% less than in 2024, amid a tourism slump. Pranee Sutthasri, senior director of the central bank's macroeconomic department, said the projection for total foreign arrivals has also been revised down from 39.5 million to 37.5 million, Bangkok Post newspaper reported. Last year Thailand received over 35 million visitors, including 6.7 million Chinese. Only 1.83 million Chinese had visited by May 18. Safety concerns have weighed on the minds of Chinese following the high-profile kidnapping of Chinese actor Xing Xing in January. Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung has won South Korea's snap presidential election, two months after his archrival and then conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Lee, who rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea's leading liberal politician, vowing to fight inequality and corruption, will become the country's next president on Wednesday. With over 99% of the votes counted, Lee obtained 49.3% of the votes cast in Tuesday's election, while main conservative contender Kim Moon Soo trailed with 41.3%a gap that was impossible to overcome mathematically, the AP reports. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka sued New Jersey's top federal prosecutor on Tuesday over his arrest on a trespassing charge at a federal immigration detention facility. The charge was later dropped. Baraka, who leads New Jersey's biggest city, is a candidate in a crowded primary field for the Democratic nomination for governor next Tuesday, reports the AP . The lawsuit against interim US Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba coincided with the day early in-person voting began. The lawsuit seeks damages for "false arrest and malicious prosecution," and also accuses Habba of defamation for comments she made about his case. Citing a post on X in which Habba said Baraka "committed trespass," the lawsuit says Habba issued a "defamatory statement" and authorized his "false arrest" despite "clear evidence that Mayor Baraka had not committed the petty offense of 'defiant trespass.'" The suit also names Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark. The episode outside the Delaney Hall federal immigration detention center began on May 9 when Baraka tried to join three Democratic members of CongressRob Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Colemanwho went to the facility for an oversight tour, something authorized under federal law. Baraka, an outspoken critic of President Trump's immigration crackdown and the detention center, was denied entry. He was initially charged with trespass, but Habba dropped that charge and charged McIver with two counts of assaulting officers stemming from her role in the skirmish. McIver decried the charges and signaled she plans to fight them. story continues below Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed facility, opened earlier this year as a federal immigration detention facility. Florida-based Geo Group Inc., which owns and operates the property, was awarded a 15-year contract valued at $1 billion in February. The announcement was part of the president's plans to sharply increase detention beds nationwide from a budget of about 41,000 beds this year. Baraka sued Geo soon after that deal was announced. A euthanasia advocate who helped introduce a controversial "suicide pod" in Switzerland has died after a turbulent year marked by legal troubles and mental health struggles. Florian Willet, 47, was known for his involvement with The Last Resort, a right-to-die group affiliated with Exit International, the group that developed the "Sarco pod"an oxygen-depriving capsule designed to allow people to end their lives. Willet, who reportedly died in Germany last month, is believed to have taken his own life after developing an acute psychotic disorder, reports the Times of London . Willet previously spent 70 days in Swiss custody after the 2024 death of a 64-year-old American woman who used the Sarco pod in a Zurich forest; Willet was the only person present at the scene when she died and SwissInfo reports officials suspected he might have killed the woman after the pod malfunctioned. He was released in December after prosecutors dropped the murder allegation, but the wider investigation into a potential incitement of suicide charge continued; under Swiss legislation, it is illegal to encourage suicide for "selfish motives," such as financial gain or media promotion. Exit International founder Philip Nitschke described Willet as "a changed man" in an obituary on The Last Resort's site. "Gone was his warm smile and self-confidence. In its place was a man who was deeply traumatized by the experience of incarceration and the wrongful accusation of strangulation." Willet's May 5 death took place in Cologne "with the help of a specialized organization," according to Nitschke, a statement suggesting it was an assisted suicide. Willet's death came three months after he fell from his third-floor Zurich apartment and required surgery and rehab, reports Sky News. (The use of the capsule was suspended after Willet's arrest.) 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%. Jun 03 (News On Japan) - The innovation and involvement of blockchain technology in gaming is shaking up the whole digital entertainment system. However, on the blockchain, players enjoy real ownership, can view all their transactions, and uncover new ways to earn. Aside from penetrating the gaming industry, Blockchain has become a household. Advantages of Playing Games With the Blockchain Actual ownership of digital assets Able to be used and shared with different tools Play-to-earn opportunities Clear and secure technology Decentralized governance Conclusion One of the safest places that offer apt security to cryptocurrency holders are blockchain. Now with Blockchain gaming, it's not surprising if most people switch to this gaming. If you enjoy gaming , then you should read some benefits of blockchain gaming are mentioned below.True ownership is one of the best features of blockchain games. Though players can buy things or characters inside traditional games, they still do not own them. Once the game is closed or a user's account is banned, any digital items they possess are gone. All items in blockchain games, such as characters, skins, and weapons, are managed as unique tokens (NFTs) using the blockchain. As a result, users can buy, sell, or trade assets without the involvement of the game developers.With blockchain technology, digital assets can be easily moved from one game to another. Items and characters listed on a public ledger can be integrated into other blockchain games if they follow the same standards. You can carry your online playing experience and all your gathered items to another game world.The P2E model is likely the aspect of Web3 that gets discussed the most. Players can earn cryptocurrency or digital assets called NFTs by partaking in blockchain games. Many of these assets are tradeable for real currency, letting players profit from their gaming time. This economic model has changed the situation by giving people who have few job prospects something to earn by playing games.Because of blockchain, all actions and updates in a game become part of a secure and accessible record for everyone. Therefore, transparency is maintained, and cheating or scams are ruled out because everything anyone does is open to check. Since a central body does not control blockchain, it is more secure against hacking and unapproved data changes.A few blockchain games allow players to participate in management, choosing the direction of the game and future upgrades and deciding how community funds will be used. As a result, everyone feels like they are part of the community, not just people making purchases. Experiments and bringing people together Because blockchain is not centralized, it supports innovation. Offering new play methods involves using blockchain technology for contract creation and community management. Moreover, when players join in interactively, the game becomes more exciting and open to updates.Blockchain gaming is a new standard in managing ownership, placing value, and engaging in digital spaces. With further development, the services and benefits will improve, enabling a time when players have greater control, options, and freedom than they've ever had in the past. Finally, try the hedera ecosystem if want the real Blockchain gaming. President Donald Trump recently joined the Coptic Orthodox Christian community in observing Global Coptic Day a celebration of the ancient heritage, rich culture, and reverent worship of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Tracing its roots to Saint Mark, the apostle of Jesus Christ and Evangelist who brought the Christian faith to Egypt in the first century, the Coptic Church has been a beacon of Christendom in Africa for nearly 2,000 years, observed President Trump in a statement. The Coptic community has left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions of Christians most evidently seen in their timeless contributions to Christian theology and culture. President Trump reflected on the vicious and ongoing persecution of Coptic Orthodox Christians in Africa and across the Middle East. He recalled the 21 Coptic construction workers who were brutally executed by ISIS terrorists in Libya in 2015. Like persecuted Christians all around the world, said President Trump, these heroic martyrs refused to renounce their faith. They exemplified their sacrificial love and steadfast devotion to God, even in the face of certain death. The Copts persistence amid relentless persecution is a living testament to their unbreakable resolve and fearless dedication to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mindful of what happens when faith is persecuted, President Trump highlighted the United States renewed commitment to vigorously defend the right to religious liberty, a bedrock of the American way of life. He recently established the Religious Liberty Commission, a team of religious leaders tasked with ensuring that Americans can freely practice their faith without government interference. President Trump also signed an Executive Order to eradicate the pervasive anti-Christian bias and correct unjust abuses, investigations, and persecutions of faithful Christians that occurred in recent years. In honor of Global Coptic Day, we pray for an increased love of God and a rebirth of religious faith both in the United States and around the world, said President Trump. [M]ay the treasured traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Christian community serve as a light for all Americans, and may their unwavering devotion to Christ inspire our Nation to renew our love, faith, and trust in Almighty God. SHIZUOKA, Jun 04 (News On Japan) - Toyota's hydrogen engine vehicle, which competed in a 24-hour endurance race over the weekend, is continuing to evolve with the aim of mass production. Roaring around the track, the race car sped through tight curves and accelerated even more on the straights. When it pulled into the pit, the "H2 (Hydrogen)" label on the body stood outa symbol of Toyotas vision for the future of motorsports and a carbon-neutral society. The 24-hour endurance race took place at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, with the iconic Mount Fuji in the background. The car racing through the course was Toyotas liquid hydrogen engine prototype. Unlike electric vehicles, this car burns hydrogen directly to run, resulting in minimal carbon dioxide emissions. While Toyota initially used gaseous hydrogen when development began four years ago, it shifted to liquid hydrogen in 2023. In the final race of 2024, the vehicle achieved roughly 2.5 times the driving range per fill-up compared to when using gaseous hydrogen. For this latest race, Toyota introduced technologies aimed at both high power and improved fuel efficiency. These included a new combustion method and a redesigned hydrogen refill valve to shorten refueling times. Takahashi Tomoya, President of Toyotas GR Company, stated, "Last season, we were told to build up the fundamental strength to climb the mountain toward practical use. This year, we focused on simply finishing the race with that mindset." Once again, Chairman Akio Toyoda took the wheel as a driver. The car completed 468 laps in 24 hourswell exceeding its performance in 2024. While Toyota continues to push its hydrogen engine vehicles toward commercialization, it also unveiled a prototype racing kart at the circuit that day. Although karts are widely seen as ideal entry points into motorsports, full-fledged models can cost around 1.5 million yen, posing a barrier to broader adoption. To address this, Toyota is leveraging its mass production expertise to develop a low-cost kart. The company aims to bring the price down to roughly one-quarter that of European-made karts. It has also created a custom kit that allows a single adult to transport the kart in a minivan. In addition to gasoline, the new kart can run on carbon-neutral fuel. Another prototype kart equipped with a hydrogen (gaseous) engine was also unveiled, showcasing its dynamic driving performance. Ito Naoaki, Chief Engineer at Toyotas GR Vehicle Development Division, commented, "Were thinking about how to revitalize the auto industry moving forwardplanting seeds for the future and considering how to attract children into the automotive world." Toyota's challenge continuesaiming to inspire a new generation of car enthusiasts while remaining mindful of the environment. Source: FNN The Company currently has nine drill rigs operating as part of its fully funded 70,000-metre drill program for 2025 with seven rigs operating at the Guayabales Project and two rigs turning at the San Antonio Project. Two additional deep capacity rigs are being mobilized to the Guayabales Project to continue testing, at depth, the high-grade Ramp Zone located at the bottom of the Apollo system in early Q3, 2025. The 2025 objectives for the portion of the drilling program targeting the Apollo system are: Drill test newly modeled high-grade sub-zone targets scattered throughout the top 1,000 vertical metres from surface to improve the grade profile (and size) of the system. Grow the overall dimensions of the system by expanding vertically and laterally the recently discovered high-grade Ramp Zone and the northern extensions of Apollo . . Expand and define the area of outcropping/shallow mineralization and test many drilling gaps within the internal block model from surface to a depth of 150 metres. Approximately 123,000 metres of diamond drilling has been completed to date at the Guayabales Project, including 85,000 metres at Apollo. There are currently twenty-three drill holes in the lab with pending assay results for most of these holes expected in the near term. Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: "The occurrence of continuous high-grade tungsten alongside copper, gold and silver mineralization, beginning from surface and in the top portion of the Apollo system is a real bonus as this material will be extracted in the earlier years of a future mine and will contribute in placing Colombia on the map as an important critical mineral supplier in the Americas. The next few months at the Guayabales project are going to be exciting with new larger capacity rigs scheduled to arrive and begin aggressively expanding the high-grade Ramp Zone at depth in Apollo. Additionally, we recently completed our first new hole at the early-stage ME target and will soon start drilling two new grassroot targets named the Knife and X. Drilling with two rigs has also begun at the San Antonio project, where we look to vector towards a potential high-grade copper-gold porphyry core to the recently announced discovery." Details (see Table 1-2 and Figures 1-6) A shallow, 30-hole drilling program recently commenced at Apollo and is now over 50% complete. Results have been received from the first eight holes from three new drill pads (Pads 21, 22 and 23) and have intersected shallow, high-grade gold, tungsten, copper and silver mineralization down to a maximum drilled depth of 150 metres below surface. Importantly, continuous intervals of high-grade tungsten (scheelite) and copper (chalcopyrite) mineralization have been intercepted in both the breccia cement matrix and within individual veins for holes drilled into the shallow and outcropping, tungsten rich area of Apollo . Assay results targeting the tungsten rich area of the system are outlined below: 91.00 metres @ 3.04 g/t AuEq or 0.66% WO 3 Eq (0.85 g/t gold, 48 g/t silver, 0.39% copper and 0.32% WO 3 ) from 56.15 metres down hole and bottoming in high-grade mineralization (APC-110 drilled steeply in a southerly direction from Pad 21). 117.35 metres @ 2.07 g/t AuEq or 0.45% WO 3 Eq (1.18 g/t gold, 26 g/t silver, 0.22% copper and 0.09% WO 3 ) from 14.25 metres down hole (APC-111 drilled to the southeast from Pad 21) including: 28.15 metres @ 4.89 g/t AuEq or 1.06% WO 3 Eq from 80.70 metres down hole. 99.00 metres @ 1.43 g/t AuEq or 0.31% WO 3 Eq from 6.00 metres down hole (APC-113 drilled to the southeast from Pad 22) including: 18.40 metres @ 2.66 g/t gold equivalent from 6.00 metres. 124.00 metres @ 3.03 g/t AuEq or 0.66% WO 3 Eq (0.55 g/t gold, 86 g/t silver, 0.63% copper and 0.16% WO 3 ) from surface (APC-115 drilled to the southwest from Pad 22). and is now over 50% complete. Results have been received from the first eight holes from three new drill pads (Pads 21, 22 and 23) and have intersected shallow, high-grade gold, tungsten, copper and silver mineralization down to a maximum drilled depth of 150 metres below surface. Importantly, continuous intervals of high-grade tungsten (scheelite) and copper (chalcopyrite) mineralization have been intercepted in both the breccia cement matrix and within individual veins for holes drilled into the shallow and outcropping, tungsten rich area of . Assay results targeting the tungsten rich area of the system are outlined below: An additional four holes targeted areas outside of the tungsten rich portion of the upper Apollo system with one of the holes expanding the previously known boundaries of the system to the east, two holes intersecting high-grade mineralization in gaps within the block model and a final exploratory hole failing to encounter any meaningful mineralization. Highlight results of these holes are as follows: APC-108 was drilled to the ESE from Pad 21 and successfully expanded the shallow boundary of the system in this direction: 48.00 metres @ 0.86 g/t AuEq from 65.75 metres including: 16.95 metres @ 1.49 g/t AuEq 96.80 metres. APC-114 was drilled to the west from Pad 23 and cut high-grade gold and copper mineralization just below surface with the following assays: 133.10 metres @ 2.68 g/t AuEq (1.54 g/t gold, 27 g/t silver, 0.54% copper and 0.03% WO 3 ) from 25.90 metres including: 60.35 metres @ 3.55 g/t AuEq from 71.80 metres. system with one of the holes expanding the previously known boundaries of the system to the east, two holes intersecting high-grade mineralization in gaps within the block model and a final exploratory hole failing to encounter any meaningful mineralization. Highlight results of these holes are as follows: Numerous additional shallow drill holes are currently being assayed with additional results expected in the near term. Table 1: Assays Results for Drill Holes APC-110, APC-111, APC-113 and APC-115 Drilled into the Shallow and High-Grade Tungsten Rich Zone Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) WO 3 % Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % WO 3 Eq (%)* AuEq g/t** APC-110 22.60 37.90 15.30 - 0.95 14 0.05 - 1.18 and 56.15 147.15 91.00 0.32 0.85 48 0.39 0.66 3.04 APC-111 14.25 131.60 117.35 0.09 1.18 26 0.22 0.45 2.07 Incl. 66.05 94.20 28.15 0.33 3.49 19 0.12 1.06 4.89 APC-113 6.00 105.00 99.00 0.14 0.28 27 0.26 0.31 1.43 Incl. 6.00 24.40 18.40 0.46 0.40 30 0.16 0.55 2.51 APC-115 1.30 125.30 124.00 0.16 0.55 86 0.63 0.66 3.03 *WO 3 Eq% is calculated as follows: (WO 3 (%) x 0.72) + (Au (g/t) x 0.22 x 0.97) + (Ag (g/t) x 0.003 x 0.85) + (Cu (%) x 0.31 x 0.95) utilizing metal prices of WO 3 US$14.75/lb, Au US$2,200/oz, Ag US$33/oz and Cu US$4.62/lb and recovery rates of 72% for WO 3 , 97% for Au, 85% for Ag and 95% for Cu. **AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.97) + (Ag (g/t) x 0.015 x 0.85) + (Cu (%) x 1.44 x 0.95) + (WO 3 (%) x 4.60 x 0.72) utilizing metal prices of Au US$2,200/oz, Ag US$33/oz, Cu US$4.62/lb and WO 3 US$14.75/lb and recovery rates of 97% for Au, 85% for Ag, 95% for Cu and 72% for WO 3 . Recovery rate assumptions for metals are based on metallurgical results announced on October 17, 2023, April 11, 2024, and October 3, 2024. True widths are unknown and grades are uncut. Table 2: Assays Results for Drill Holes APC-108, APC-109, APC-112 and APC-114 Drilled into the Shallow High-Grade Mineralization Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % WO 3 % AuEq g/t** APC-108 65.75 113.75 48.00 0.73 8 0.04 0.00 0.86 Incl. 96.80 113.75 16.95 1.37 8 0.04 0.00 1.49 APC-109 44.30 105.95 61.65 2.08 14 0.07 0.04 2.43 Incl. 80.70 105.95 25.25 3.23 22 0.12 0.10 3.91 APC-112 No Significant Values - Drilled Outside of the System APC-114 25.90 159.00 133.10 1.54 27 0.54 0.03 2.68 Incl. 71.80 132.15 60.35 2.46 29 0.54 0.01 3.54 **AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.97) + (Ag (g/t) x 0.015 x 0.85) + (Cu (%) x 1.44 x 0.95) + (WO 3 (%) x 4.60 x 0.72) utilizing metal prices of Au US$2,200/oz, Ag US$33/oz, Cu US$4.62/lb and WO 3 US$14.75/lb and recovery rates of 97% for Au, 85% for Ag, 95% for Cu and 72% for WO 3 . Recovery rate assumptions for metals are based on metallurgical results announced on October 17, 2023, April 11, 2024, and October 3, 2024. True widths are unknown and grades are uncut. About Collective Mining Ltd. To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com. Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a gold, silver, copper and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines. The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold-silver-copper-tungsten Apollo system. The Company's objectives are to improve the overall grade of the Apollo system by systematically drill testing newly modeled potentially high-grade sub-zones, expand the Apollo system by stepping out along strike to the north and expanding the newly discovered high-grade Ramp Zone along strike and to depth, and drill a series of less advanced or newly generated targets including Trap, the Knife and X. Management, insiders, a strategic investor and close family and friends own 44.5% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on both the NYSE American and TSX under the trading symbol "CNL". Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG). Technical Information Samples were cut by Company personnel at Collective Mining's core facility in Caldas, Colombia. Diamond drill core was sawed and then sampled in maximum 2 metres intervals, stopping at geological boundaries. Drill hole core diameter is a mix of PQ, HQ and NQ depending on the depth of the drill hole. Core samples have been prepared and analyzed at ALS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program. Information Contact: Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state 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 may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. 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 factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 24, 2025. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. 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 and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd. Investors and Media, Paul Begin, Chief Financial Officer, [email protected], +1 (416) 451-2727 Travellers can enjoy exclusive discounts, added values and more on applicable Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica bookings, plus the chance to win a vacation TORONTO, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - In collaboration with June's Partner of the Month, Sunwing Vacations is giving Canadians more reasons to book Princess Hotels & Resorts properties in Mexico, the Dominican Republic or Jamaica for their hard-earned getaways. Modern properties in sought-after locations featuring architectural designs that blend seamlessly with paradise's natural surroundings, pristine beachfronts and luxurious amenities, Princess is offering customers limited time incentives to help them experience summer in paradise, or get a jump start on booking their winter vacations, for less. Patner of the month: Princess Hotels & Resorts (CNW Group/Sunwing Vacations Inc.) During the month of June, on Mexico and Dominican Republic bookings made by June 30, 2025 for travel by December 22, 2025, travellers can enjoy the following perks at select Princess hotels, including: Princess' unique properties offering distinctive atmospheres and unique vacation experiences extend to the island of Jamaica, as the hotel brand introduced two new luxury beachfront resorts in April 2024: Princess Senses The Mangrove, an adults only destination, and Princess Grand Jamaica, a family-friendly resort exclusive to Sunwing Vacations customers. Canadians excited by the possibility of discovering Princess' signature treatment in Jamaica's dynamic environment can also take advantage of these limited-time perks when booking this June: Princess Senses The Mangrove Non-Platinum Suites will receive an additional welcome amenity The Platinum Swim-out Suite comes with added values including a floating breakfast and a 30-minute Swedish massage The Platinum Junior Suite's added values include breakfast in bed and a 30-minute Swedish massage Princess Grand Jamaica Kids stay free, available from June 1 to December 19, 2025 Unlimited access to virtual reality amenities for guests 13 years and older Added values for guests booking Platinum Suite accommodations including a family photoshoot and in-suite breakfast Lastly, travellers can enter for their chance to win a seven-night all inclusive getaway for two to Princess Grand Jamaica by filling out the form on Sunwing.ca. For additional information or to book an escape and take advantage of Princess' booking perks, travellers can contact their local travel advisor or visit Sunwing.ca by June 30, 2025. *Restrictions apply. About Sunwing Vacations As the leading vacation provider in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers more vacation packages to the south than any other vacation provider with convenient direct service from cities across Canada to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing Vacations to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations. Sunwing Vacations customers benefit from the assistance of our trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, whose representatives greet customers upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. For more information, please visit sunwing.ca. SOURCE Sunwing Vacations Inc. For more information: Melanie Anne Filipp, Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Sunwing Vacations Group, [email protected]; Marissa Maheu-Mendes, Manager, PR & Influencer Marketing, Sunwing Vacations Group, [email protected] Cary, North Carolina, June 2nd, 2025, CyberNewsWire New FBI Data Reveals Organizations Need Deeper Technical Expertise to Detect, Contain, and Remediate Advanced Attacks INE Security, a global leader in cybersecurity training and certification, is emphasizing the urgent need for technical cybersecurity professionals who can detect, analyze, and neutralize threats once theyve bypassed initial defenses. The FBIs latest Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Report reveals a stark reality: cybercriminals extracted a record $16.6 billion from victims in 2024, representing a 33% increase over the previous year. While these losses include both individual and organizational victims, the enterprise-focused attacks highlighted in the report underscore a critical skills gap. The Technical Challenge Behind the Numbers While the FBI report captures the financial damage, the underlying technical reality is more complex: Ransomware Evolution : The 18% surge in critical infrastructure attacks, led by sophisticated variants like Akira, LockBit, and RansomHub, demonstrates that modern ransomware operators are using advanced techniques, including lateral movement, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration that require specialized detection and response skills. : The 18% surge in critical infrastructure attacks, led by sophisticated variants like Akira, LockBit, and RansomHub, demonstrates that modern ransomware operators are using advanced techniques, including lateral movement, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration that require specialized detection and response skills. Post-Compromise Detection : The $2.77 billion in Business Email Compromise losses, which primarily target organizations, represent successful attacks that evaded initial security controls. Organizations need security professionals trained in forensic analysis, network traffic analysis, and incident response to identify and contain these threats after theyve gained initial access. : The $2.77 billion in Business Email Compromise losses, which primarily target organizations, represent successful attacks that evaded initial security controls. Organizations need security professionals trained in forensic analysis, network traffic analysis, and incident response to identify and contain these threats after theyve gained initial access. Cryptocurrency Attack Complexity: The 66% spike in cryptocurrency fraud ($9.3 billion total) includes attacks on both individual and organizational victims, but reflects increasingly sophisticated blockchain analysis requirements and the need for security teams trained in cryptocurrency forensics and threat hunting methodologies. INE Securitys Technical Training Response While the FBI report captures losses across all victim types, the enterprise-focused attacks demonstrate that organizations face increasingly sophisticated threats that require advanced defensive capabilities, said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. Organizations need security professionals with hands-on technical skills to hunt threats, analyze malware, and respond to incidents with deep technical expertise. INE Securitys enterprise training programs address the post-breach reality through: Advanced Threat Detection Labs : Hands-on training with current CVEs and attack techniques, enabling security teams to recognize and analyze the specific TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) used by ransomware groups and advanced persistent threats. : Hands-on training with current CVEs and attack techniques, enabling security teams to recognize and analyze the specific TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) used by ransomware groups and advanced persistent threats. Incident Response and Forensics Training : Practical skills in malware analysis, memory forensics, and network traffic analysis that enable rapid threat identification and containment once attackers have gained access. : Practical skills in malware analysis, memory forensics, and network traffic analysis that enable rapid threat identification and containment once attackers have gained access. Threat Hunting Methodologies : Proactive detection techniques that help security teams identify compromise indicators before attacks reach their intended objectives. : Proactive detection techniques that help security teams identify compromise indicators before attacks reach their intended objectives. Industry-Specific Attack Simulation: Customized training environments that replicate the specific threats facing manufacturing, healthcare, government, and financial sectorsthe industries most heavily targeted according to the FBI data. The Skills Gap Reality The FBI reports emphasis on successful Operation Level Up, which saved victims $285.6 million through proactive identification, underscores the value of skilled security professionals who can proactively hunt threats and analyze complex attack patterns. The difference between a $10,000 security incident and a $10 million breach often comes down to detection speed and response capability, emphasized Warn. Organizations with certified security professionals trained in advanced technical skills detect threats in hours rather than months. Enterprise Training That Addresses Real Threats INE Securitys enterprise programs are designed around the technical realities revealed in the FBI report: Malware Analysis Training : Hands-on experience with current ransomware families and attack techniques : Hands-on experience with current ransomware families and attack techniques Network Security Monitoring : Advanced skills in detecting lateral movement and data exfiltration : Advanced skills in detecting lateral movement and data exfiltration Cryptocurrency Forensics : Specialized training in blockchain analysis and cryptocurrency threat hunting : Specialized training in blockchain analysis and cryptocurrency threat hunting Custom Threat Simulation: Industry-specific attack scenarios based on actual threat intelligence For organizations looking to build the technical security capabilities needed to combat the sophisticated threats highlighted in the FBI IC3 report, INE Security offers customized enterprise training solutions. Organizations can request a demo to explore how advanced security training may enhance their detection and response capabilities. About INE Security INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and cybersecurity certifications. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is trusted by Fortune 500 companies worldwide for their cybersecurity training needs, and by IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Securitys suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity education and is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career. Contact Kathryn Brown INE Security [email protected] An Atlantic County supervisor is accused of using workers from his private company to steal gasoline from the countys Public Works Department, authorities said Tuesday. Joseph L. Ridley, 47, of Mays Landing, who is a supervisor in the Roads and Bridges Department, owns Z5 Logistics, LLC. Three of Z5 Logistics employees, Zakar Ridley, 26, of Mays Landing; Jason Meredith, 34, of Absecon; and Corey Smith, 27, Pleasantville, were charged with theft by unlawful taking, according to a news release from the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office. Joseph Ridley was charged with second-degree official misconduct, as well as third-degree unlawful taking and conspiracy to commit theft, the prosecutors office said. Investigators have not determined how many gallons of gas were stolen. Joseph Ridley allegedly provided the three men with a passcode to enter a fueling station at the public works building off Route 9 in Northfield. He was suspending from his public works position until the case is resolved, a county spokesperson told NJ Advance Media Tuesday. The theft was discovered May 27 when workers at the complex saw a large box truck at the station. The operator of the truck drove away when approached, the prosecutors office said. Zakar Ridley, Meredith and Smith were arrested Monday while fueling Z5 Logistics company trucks at the Atlantic County facility. The theft remains under investigation, the prosecutors office said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. A report released Monday by the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police says disbanding the West Wildwood police department is among the options the borough should explore. The department is short-staffed and disorganized, according to the report, and has not been following state-mandated policies. For example, it stores evidence in different spaces of the building instead of one location. The report lists a number of changes be instituted within the department, including new recruiting efforts, training and audits. Among the options listed in the report is for the borough to enter into a shared-service agreement with a neighboring community to provide policing, Wildwood being named as a potential candidate. A Wildwood spokesperson directed questions about the proposal to West Wildwood. If the department is disbanded, one option would be to keep at least one officer on full-time for administrative duties. Other options include the borough continuing to operate its own police force or sharing a police chief with another municipality. (The report) forces us to take action, Mayor Matt Ksiazek said. If we do not take action ... then we are not being responsible, and we are neglecting a problem that exists. He said the borough will begin discussion about the future of the department as soon as possible, adding the priority is to prevent the police force from being dissolved. West Wildwood has 540 full-time residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, but that number grows during the summer Shore season. It is one of the smallest municipalities in New Jersey. As of April 28, the department only had four full-time officers and one seasonal officer were on duty, according to the report, citing the departments lack of seasonal police officers to assist during the busy summer months. The departure of Chief Jacquelyn Ferentz, who left the position this year and is seeking early retirement, left the department without a successor. The Cape May County Prosecutors Office recruited a retired state police detective to monitor the department while it does not have a chief. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said the ultimate decision on the future of the department is up to West Wildwood. The ultimate decision is that of the elected body of West Wildwood, Sutherland stated in an email to NJ Advance Media. Our offices role will be dictated by what they choose to do and whatever transition there is can be smooth, and public safety maintained. In its 28-page report, the association stated West Wildwood is facing the same challenges seen by other police departments in not being able to find qualified candidates. A low salary, an entry-level position pays $40,000, coupled with a slow operating pace, the department responded to a total of 3,605 calls in 2024, helped contributed to a decline in the number of officers on the force, according to the report. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley was shot and killed during a home invasion at her residence. (Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office) Five people charged in the fatal shooting of a South Jersey police detective killed during a home invasion plead not guilty Tuesday after acknowledging they had been offered initial plea deals. Monica Mosley, a veteran detective with the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office, was shot to death at her Buckshutem Road home Oct. 15 during a violent home invasion. Charged with first-degree murder are Nyshawn B. Mutcherson, of Vineland; Jarred D. Brown, of Bridgeton; Richard B. Hawkins Willis, of Gloucester City; and Byron L. Thomas, of Paulsboro. Each was indicted about two weeks before being arraigned Tuesday. Separately, Cyndia E. Pimentel, of Paulsboro, was indicted on charges of third-degree hindering and fourth-degree counts of obstruction and tampering with evidence. Investigators say Pimentel helped conceal evidence from detectives. The defendants and their attorneys appeared before state Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor in Atlantic County Superior Court, where the case is being heard over conflict of interest concerns. Each entered not guilty pleas while acknowledging the plea deal offers. Each of the men, whom investigators allege were directly involved in the burglary, were offered life sentences with an opportunity for parole after serving 30 years, Assistant Cape May County Prosecutor Saverio Carroccia said. Pimentel was offered probation with 180 days of jail credit. Carroccia said the plea deals are preliminary, adding that negotiations would likely continue. He declined to discuss the case in more detail following Tuesdays hearings. Pimentel intends to apply for pre-trial intervention, the prosecution-reviewed program that gives first-time offenders a chance to avoid prison, her attorney said. None of the defendants attorneys discussed the plea offers further with Taylor. Mosley was preparing for bed around 10 p.m. when a group of masked men broke into her home. She fired at least three shots from her service gun, striking one of the masked intruders, before the group returned fire, fatally wounding her. A neighbor who called 911 told the dispatcher they saw multiple people flee Mosleys home. Evidence to build the case against the defendants came from cellphone data, surveillance video, license plate reader reports, DNA and witness accounts. Sources familiar with the case have said investigators have not found evidence suggesting her job in law enforcement was a motive for the deadly home invasion. More evidence is being shared in the case, both the prosecution and the defense attorneys told Taylor Tuesday. Each of the defendants is scheduled to appear again in court Aug. 5. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. Marc Maron, a New Jersey native, is saying goodbye to the podcast he launched well before the current oversaturation of podcasts. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic On Sept. 1, Marc Marons long-running podcast WTF with Marc Maron will turn 16. Thats a long time to do anything, Maron said at the top of his latest episode. But his glorious run on the beloved podcast is soon coming to an end, he announced in Mondays installment of the show. When Maron started his podcast out of his garage filled with junk in 2009, no one knew what a podcast was, he said. In the beginning, Maron and his producer, Brendan McDonald, didnt know what they were doing, Maron said. However, it wasnt long until the podcast, released twice a week, evolved into a force in the industry, commanding an audience of more than 50 million people every year. The show, which Maron said was still a two-man operation, paved the way for many other podcasts in what is now an oversaturated landscape. Weve had a great run, he said. Basically, its time ... WTF is coming to an end. Marc Maron in a scene from his TV series "Maron," in which he played an alternate version of his podcasting self. Tyler Golden Maron said the final episode would arrive sometime in the fall. We both realized together that we were done, he said of his partnership with McDonald on the podcast. Its OK for things to end. Youve been through the entire arc of my life and everything thats happened in it for the last 16 years, Maron told listeners. This was a show that was started when there were no podcasts and now there are nothing but podcasts, he said. President Barack Obama has been among the many distinguished guests Maron has welcomed to his podcast garage. The show has featured an impressive rotation of comedians and actors. Its nice to be able to end things on our terms, Maron said of the decision to end the show before launching into an interview with his guest, John Mulaney. Theres probably gonna be some ups and downs over the next few months with me emotionally around the reality of this, but this is a full-hearted decision. Its the right decision for me, its the right decision for Brendan. Maron as Sam Sylvia in the Netflix series "GLOW." Erica Parise | Netflix Maron, 61, a stand-up comedian and actor, was born in Jersey City and spent some of his younger years living in Wayne before growing up in Albuquerque. Besides his comedy specials, Maron has racked up many TV and film credits in the time since he started the podcast. He stars in the new Apple TV+ comedy series Stick, premiering Wednesday, and appears in the upcoming Bruce Springsteen movie Deliver Me From Nowhere playing Chuck Plotkin, the producer who mastered Springsteens album Nebraska. His previous films include To Leslie (2022), for which his co-star Andrea Riseborough received an Academy Award nomination. Maron with Andrea Riseborough in "To Leslie." Momentum Pictures Maron also appeared in The Order (2024) and Joker (2018) opposite Joaquin Phoenix, who won an Oscar for his performance (the movie filmed in Marons native Jersey City). Marons TV roles include Sam Sylvia in the Netflix series GLOW and himself in the series Maron. The show, which aired for four seasons on IFC, from 2013 to 2016, saw Maron playing an alternate version of himself, a comedian hosting a podcast out of his garage. Before his real-life podcast, Maron hosted a late-night radio show, The Marc Maron Show, in 2006 on KTLK in Los Angeles, which was affiliated with Air America. A documentary about Maron titled Are We Good? from director Steven Feinartz (director of Marons HBO comedy special Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark) premiered at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival and will screen at the Tribeca Film Festival. Maron with Robert De Niro in "Joker." Warner Bros. Later Monday, Maron posted an announcement on Instagram with some photos from the podcast over the years, including his sit-down with Obama. Were tired, people. Burnt out, Maron said in the post, again describing how both he and McDonald thought it was time to call it a day. He used the announcement to turn the focus on his fans. My gratitude for all of you listeners is big, Maron said. Weve been through a lot together. I heard from so many of you that I helped you through hard times, cultural changes, sobriety, depression, fear. Some of you have grown up listening to me by now. Some of you started listening because your parents listened in the car. Some of you just started listening. The good news for newbies is theres plenty to catch up on. I want you all to know that I appreciate deeply that you were all there for me as well, he said. You changed my life in so many ways. You helped me through so much. 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. The Port Authority PBA is commending two of its own and offering new details into their rescue of a toddler who climbed onto a luggage conveyor belt that was headed to an X-ray machine at Newark International Airport. Port Authority Police Officers Joseph DeSilvio and Angel Paulino were identified in a social media post on Monday on the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Instagram account According to the Port Authority PBAs social media post, the system separated into two conveyor belt routes and the officers continued their search in different conveyor directions. After approximately four to five minutes, the child was located approaching an x-ray machine, according to the PBA post. Thankfully, because of the officers valiant efforts, the child was not injured and was reunited with a grateful mom. The childs rescue happened May 28, reportedly while the childs mother was at the JetBlue ticketing counter on the departures level. A Port Authority official acknowledged over the weekend that the rescue happened, but did not release the names of the officers or any details about the incident. According to the Port Authority PBA social media post, DeSilvio and Paulino were conducting a patrol inside Newark Liberty International Airports Terminal A when they were alerted to an incident at a JetBlue ticket counter. The officers were informed that a two-year-old child wandered onto a luggage conveyor belt that took the child through the terminals luggage sorting system. Both officers, without hesitation, were able to enter the system on the conveyor belt in search of the child, the post reported. The Port Authority PBA also used the social media post to clap back at the Port Authority which it said for some reason refused to release the names of the officers upon media requests or make them available for interviews. The Port Authority PBA, though, wants the public to know the selfless and courageous work of Port Authority police officers and will always promote their work. The Port Authority PBA thanks Police Officers DeSilvio and Paulino on a job well done. JetBlue did not return a request for comment. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Stephanie Loder may be reached at SLoder@njadvancemedia.com. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speaks to media outside the MLK Jr. Federal Courthouse after filing suit against U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in Federal Court on Tuesday in Newark. Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka on Tuesday sued federal officials for false arrest and malicious prosecution following his arrest last month outside an immigrant detention center on a trespassing charge later dismissed in a case the judge called worrisome. If you dont stop a bully, it gets worse and worse and worse, Baraka told reporters outside the Martin Luther King Building and U.S. Courthouse in Newark, shortly after the suit was filed in U.S. District Court. This is about them taking accountability for what has happened to me. The suit names Alina Habba, the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, and Ricky J. Patel, the special agent in charge of the Newark Division of Homeland Security Investigations, an ICE sister agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in President Donald Trumps administration. The suit also asserts that Habba defamed Baraka on social media before the misdemeanor trespassing charge was dismissed. Baraka, a Democratic candidate for governor in next Tuesdays primary, was accompanied outside the courthouse by his lawyer in the suit, Nancy Erika Smith. The charges were so unsubstantiated that they were dismissed 13 days later, Smith told reporters. Shocking leak from Mayor Barakas team: He is planning to sue the Feds. My advice to the mayor - feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey. Alina Habba (@AlinaHabba) June 3, 2025 Trump named Habba the states top federal prosecutor on March 24. According to the complaint, on Patels order, federal officers arrested Baraka on May 9 outside Delaney Hall, a privately owned jailhouse in Newark that operates as a detention center under a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, a Homeland Security agency. The trespassing charge was later dismissed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa at the request of Habbas office. Though the judge was granting Habbas request, he took several minutes at the close of the May 21 online dismissal hearing to chide her office for what he said were repeated failures to weigh the evidence and ensure the trespassing charge was merited. The hasty arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka followed swiftly by the dismissal of these trespassing charges a mere 13 days later suggests a worrisome misstep by your office, Espinosa told Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Demanovich, who handled the case for Habbas office. The apparent rush in this case culminating today in the embarrassing retraction of charges, Espinosa added, suggests a failure to adequately investigate, to carefully gather facts, and to carefully consider the implications of your actions before wielding your immense power. Tuesdays complaint contained a lengthy exerpt from Espinosas admonition. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on Tuesday sued Alina Habba, the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Habba was named to the post by President Donald Trump in March. Above, she appears with him in New York Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. AP Habba had learned of Barakas plan to sue on Monday night and posted about it on X at 10:34 p.m. Shocking leak from Mayor Barakas team: He is planning to sue the Feds, Habba wrote. My advice to the mayor - feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey. A spokesperson for Habbas office did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary and spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Secruty, issued a statement asserting Baraka was trying to rewrite history with this frivolous lawsuit. His actions that put the safety of our law enforcement agents and the staff at Delaney Hall at risk, all for the sake of the dangerous criminals housed there, the statement read. The trespassing charge was linked to Barakas high-profile arrest at Delaney Hall, where he was meeting three Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey there that afternoon to conduct a spot oversight inspection. Chaos erupted outside the detention center after the congresspeople, U.S. Reps. LaMonica McIver, Rob Menendez, and Bonnie Watson Coleman, physically encircled the mayor outside the Delaney Hall security gate, where federal officers went to arrest him. Habba later announced a federal assault charge against McIver the same day she said she was dropping the trespassing charge against the mayor for the sake of moving forward. McIver, who represents parts of Newark in New Jerseys 10th Congressional District, issued a statement Tuesday calling Barakas arrest outrageous. It is beyond clear that there was never any legal or factual basis to arrest or charge him, she said. The administrations playing politics with our justice system is disgraceful. Habbas announcement came five days after Baraka released videos that showed a guard at the detention center allowing him beyond the gate. McIver is scheduled for a June 11 hearing in federal court before Judge Stacey D. Adams. Adams issued an order last week reminding prosecutors that they are legally required to turn over any information that might help prove McIvers innocence. Tuesday was the day that early in-person voting began in New Jerseys gubernatorial primary and a week before primary Election Day. Baraka is one of six candidates running for the Democratic nomination to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. One question has been whether the arrest has given Baraka a boost as he runs in the progressive lane of the election. Ben Dworkin, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship at Rowan University, said whether or not Baraka wins the primary, the issue makes him an even bigger player in the Democratic Party, both in New Jersey and nationally. When you find very public ways to confront President Trump, this is an opportunity that was presented to him, and hes obviously seizing on it, Dworkin said. Im not sure whether its gonna make a difference in the primary. But again, power in politics is about publicity and perception, and, therefore, hes got an opportunity to increase both. Baraka didnt address that question Tuesday. But in response to another one, he said the timing of the lawsuit had nothing to do with the primary scheduled for exactly one week later. I think the timing was based on the fact that we want to put this before the court before its too late, the mayor said. We want them to be held responsible for it. He didnt explain what he meant by too late. Smith said Baraka intended to file another suit against the agencies that employ Habba and Patel. But, the attorney said, those agencies would first have to be served with a notice of tort claim, followed by a six month waiting period before the suit or suits could be filed. Tuesdays complaint asserts that Habba and Patel conspired to charge Baraka, then held him for five hours, fingerprinted him, took mug shots and subjected him to other demeaning conditions, all for a misdemeanor trespassing charge that would result in a summons under other jurisdictions. The complaint provides a detailed chronology of events surrounding Barakas arrest, including his arrival outside Delaney Hall at 1:42 p.m. that Friday afternoon, after McIver invited him to join the House members for a press conference they planned to hold following their tour. Noting the events were witnessed and videotaped by numerous people at the scene, the suit states that at 2:33 Defendant Patel, who does not represent the owner of the property, approached Mayor Baraka and told him to leave the property owned by the GEO Group, even though an agent of GEO invited Mayor Baraka onto the property. It states Baraka exited the Delaney Hall gate at 2:39 p.m. But it added: At 2:44 p.m., five minutes after Mayor Baraka left the GEO Group property, approximately 20 DHS agents, many armed and masked, descended on the Mayor and members of Congress without any attempt to calm fears of ensure peace. Egged on by Defendant Patel, who ordered the DHS agents to take him down meaning violently tackle the mayor of Newark the agents pushed, shoved and assaulted the mayors security team and members of Congress before violently pulling Mayor Barakas arms and arresting him without probable cause. The three-count complaint asserts first that Barakas arrest was a violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitutions protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, including false arrest. The second count asserts Barakas arrest was malicious after being predicated on demonstrably false assertions that Plaintiff had unlawfully trespassed, despite clear evidence to the contrary, including video footage and eyewitness accounts. Count three, which involves the defamation claim against Habba, asserts that acting in her personal capacity, and outside the scope of any prosecutorial function, (she) made false and defamatory statements about Plaintiff on social media and on television shortly after the arrest. For example, the complaint states that Habba said hours after Barakas arrest on a televised interview with Fox News that he had refused to leave after several notifications and that he was grandstanding for political purposes. The U.S. Justice Department, Habbas parent agency, has sued four New Jersey sanctuary cities Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken asserting they had interfered with the ability of immigration officers to do their jobs. Asked Tuesday about the suit, Baraka denied that his city had interfered with anything. Instead, he added, Newark was focusing on its responsibilities, which do not include detention or deportation of immigrants, documented or otherwise. Although the suit seeks monetary damages, Baraka told reporters he wasnt sure the defendants, being sued individually, would have the resources to pay me the damages that are due. But he noted more than once that he had not received an apology from Habba, Patel or their offices since the trespassing charge was dropped. I didnt kick my way in. I didnt knock anybody down, I didnt slam any ICE agents, I didnt barge my way in, I didnt barge my way out, Baraka said outside the courthouse. Ive explained this to people, and they know this is not true. And they saw this video, and they should explain it to people, not me. They should tell people that this did not happen and they had no business arresting me. If that happens, Baraka said, Im okay with that. Attorney Nancy Erka Smith and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speak to media outside the MLK Jr. Federal Courthouse after filing suit against U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in Federal Court on Tuesday in Newark. Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Nobody knows Jersey better than N.J.com. Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Former Giants linebacker Carl Banks criticized a radio host for his rant about Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The Knicks loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals and the performance of one of their best players has sparked a social media feud between a radio host and a member of the Giants Ring of Honor. On Monday, Gregg Giannotti, known as Gio on WFANs Boomer and Gio, was still upset about the Knicks loss and the way Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns played in the series. Giannotti made his feelings known on the show. Hes making $50 million a year, and, at the core, hes a loser, Giannotti said. That is their biggest problem. The guy is a loser. Hes a losing player. He complains and he is soft. He shows you flashes where hes the best player on the court but not enough. He doesnt play enough defense. He (bleep) and moans. He is, up until this point in his career, a loser who is making $50 million, who is going to be a logjam as far as them trying to get to the next level. Giannotti continued his rant by criticizing Towns shot selection, questioning whether Towns will ever work out with the Knicks. He is getting to the point now as one of the most frustrating players I have ever watched in the uniform of a team that I root for because I know how good he can be, Giannotti said. Its just so damn annoying watching him not realize his full potential. I dont know if itll ever happen. I really dont know. Their biggest issue is the fact that they thought this Towns thing was going to work better than it did, and it hasnt. Former Giants linebacker Carl Banks heard the rant and went on X, formerly Twitter, to call out Giannotti for his take, defending Towns, whom Banks has known for a long time. This is genuinely pathetic, Banks said. Calling a man youve never met a loser says far more about you than it ever could about him. Ive known KAT and his family since he was a kid theres absolutely nothing about him that resembles a loser. Try being a better human instead of broadcasting this ignorant (bleep). Giannotti apparently did not like Banks response and replied to the post, alleging Banks owed him money. Great to hear from you, killer, Giannotti said. You still owe me 500 bucks from an appearance I did for you in 2010 in Pittsburgh. The two have not engaged each other on social media since Tuesday, meaning it all could likely be over. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. An investigation into last years cyberattack in Hoboken has concluded and the city is urging anyone affected to enroll in free credit monitoring and identity protection, according to a statement issued by the city. The cyberattack forced the closure of City Hall and affected city services and the municipal court. An investigation revealed that between Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, certain files on the citys network were accessed without authorization. Social security numbers, drivers licenses, payroll, health and other personal information of Hoboken workers and residents including dozens who applied for rental assistance during the pandemic was among the data stolen in the cyberattack last month. The Russia-linked ransomware group ThreeAM, also known as 3AM, claimed responsibility for the attack, two cybersecurity experts told NJ.com, although the group has not made public its demands from the city. The review of the compromised files concluded on March 12, followed by address research that was completed on May 16, the statement said. Hoboken has determined that the potentially impacted information varies by individual but may include names combined with one or more of the following: Social Security numbers, drivers license or state ID numbers, and bank account and routing numbers, city officials said in the statement. The city said that it has no reason to believe any of the information has been misused as a result of this incident. On Dec. 8, 2024, the city opened a call center to field questions and offered free credit monitoring and identity protection services to all community members who wished to enroll. In addition to the forensic investigation and collaboration with law enforcement, Hoboken is reviewing its data protection policies and procedures in response to the incident. The city offered community members a chance to enroll in a complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection service. To obtain more information about this incident or to enroll in complimentary monitoring services, individuals may call 833-799-4365, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The city can also be reached in writing at 94 Washington Street, Hoboken, 07030. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Stephanie Loder may be reached at SLoder@njadvancemedia.com. Police at the scene of the mass shooting at Art All Night in Trenton in this 2018 file photo. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for Over a dozen victims of the Art All Night mass shooting in Trenton will split a $2.5 million legal settlement, with the city of Trenton chipping in up to $500,000 of the money, according to an attorney for the arts group. The June 2018 shooting at the 24-hour art event left a man dead, wounded about 20 people and injured 30 in all. Jennifer Nelson was charged with third-degree theft. Nelson is the wife of Manalapan Mayor Eric Nelson. Canva The wife of a mayor in Monmouth County is facing criminal charges after authorities say she stole more than $5,000 in cash and valuables from a home in Freehold where she had worked as a housekeeper for years. UPDATE: She apologized. Read more. Jennifer Nelson, 52, of Manalapan, was charged with third-degree theft on May 22 for an offense that allegedly occurred about 8:40 p.m. on May 15, court records show. Police allege Nelson stole $5,295 in cash and jewelry from the home where she had been employed for eight years. Some of the items were later recovered at a pawn shop in East Brunswick, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press. Nelson, who is married to Manalapan Mayor Eric Nelson, also faces a separate charge of third-degree receiving stolen property in East Brunswick, stemming from an alleged incident that occurred on April 22, 2024. The additional charge was filed on Saturday, court records show. Nelsons attorney, Mitchell Ansell, said Tuesday his client asked that her case not be tried in the news or on social media. Shes been thrust into the spotlight because of who she is and who shes married to, Ansell said. My client respectfully requests there isnt a push in the media to judge her before her case is heard in a court of law, Ansell added. Ansell said as of Tuesday morning he had not received the evidence police have against his client. Nelson waived her first court appearance and will appear in court at a later date, her attorney said. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. The woman filed suit Friday against Costello & Mains, of Mount Laurel, alleging she was discriminated against after disclosing her pregnancy in May 2023. Canva A former human resources manager at a New Jersey law firm has filed a federal lawsuit claiming she was discriminated against after disclosing her pregnancy. Kristin Marchesani, of Burlington County, sued Costello, Mains & Silverman, LLC in U.S. District Court on Friday, claiming she was fired on the day she was due to return from maternity leave. Marchesanis lawsuit accuses the Mount Laurel-based firm of violating state and federal anti-discrimination laws, as well as New Jerseys family leave protections. Representatives from Costello, Mains & Silverman, which litigates civil rights cases, did not respond to a call and email seeking comment. Marchesani says she joined the firm in October 2021 and was promoted to HR manager in early 2022. But after notifying senior leadership in May 2023 that she was pregnant and planned to take maternity leave in the fall, she alleges her treatment abruptly changed. She was treated differently and worse and in a more hostile and dismissive manner, the lawsuit claims. Marchesani claims in the complaint senior leadership excluded her from meetings, subjected her to unwarranted criticism, gave her excessive workloads and denied her a raise that was awarded to others in comparable positions. She also claims senior leaders pressured her to begin maternity leave earlier than planned, and then withheld part of her annual bonus which she was told would be split, with half paid upon her return. Marchesani gave birth on Nov. 25, 2023, and officially informed her bosses of her maternity leave the next day. Less than three months later, on Feb. 6, 2024, she received notice that her job would be terminated effective Feb. 19 the same day she was scheduled to return to work. The lawsuit claims her termination and the withholding of her full bonus were motivated by sex and pregnancy bias, in violation of federal civil rights laws and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. It also accuses the firm of interfering with her rights under the New Jersey Family Leave Act and retaliating against her for taking protected leave. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued Marchesani a right-to-sue notice in March, clearing the way for the civil suit. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. New Jersey families described how cuts to Medicaid-funded programs would affect their lives during a meeting with Gov. Phil Murphy in March and again during a roundtable discussion on Friday. Susan K. Livio Editors note: This story was originally published by NJ Spotlight News and shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and NJ Spotlight News. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X). Medicaid recipients who fear the deep cuts to critical health care outlined in the budget bill just approved by the House were among participants at a roundtable convened by Gov. Phil Murphy. While Murphy insisted the event, held at the Strand Theater in Lakewood on Friday, was not political, politics did loom large. The governor delivered frequent broadsides about the partisan vote on the Republican budget bill. It is an incredibly sad decision that they chose to vote for this. For the life of me, I dont understand how they could, given the impact on the lives that this bill will have, including folks at this table, Murphy said. Under the bill, New Jersey could lose $3.6 billion nearly a quarter of its Medicaid budget throwing health care coverage in peril for some 360,000 residents. The governor said no state could make up all the projected budget cuts. Lakewood is a boomtown where many growing families depend on Medicaid. Lauren Williams, whose daughter has bipolar disorder and lives in a residential care facility, said, These are unstable children. If we dont get them stable, youre now putting mental health unstable teenagers on the street. For Andrew McGeady, a disability rights advocate who has cerebral palsy, Medicaid covers his 24/7 care. While we live in one of the greatest countries in the world, we should not have to beg or worry about proper care, medicine or health coverage. I feel I am more worthy than that, McGeady said. McGeady gained Medicaid coverage with the help of U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th). Smith and the two other New Jersey Republican congressmen joined their party to approve the controversial bill by a single vote. We are going to have spending cuts. But for example, in Medicaid, we cant hurt those who are in nursing homes or who are disabled, working poor, real people, our people, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd) said in a Fox News interview. U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-7th) said the bill stopped illegal immigrants from stealing taxpayer-funded benefits. By rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, we can ensure that this vital program is there for current and future generations of Americans. Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcomand on Facebook atMosaicNJcomand on YouTube at@MosaicNJcom. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (C) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. 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. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) 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. The second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is held in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. Ukrainian and Russian delegations resumed peace negotiations on Monday in Istanbul, aiming to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, television footage showed. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye/Handout via Xinhua) 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. Members of the Russian delegation enter the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. Ukrainian and Russian delegations resumed peace negotiations on Monday in Istanbul. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) 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. Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky (1st R) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. 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. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) 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." Editor: ZAD Students in the tri-state area can now participate in free school field trips, thanks to a program at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in lower Manhattan. (Courtesy of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum/Jin Lee) (Courtesy of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum/Jin Lee) New Jersey students on school-sanctioned trips may now visit The 9/11 Memorial & Museum at no cost. The free admission is part of a collaboration between the State of New Jersey, the Wilf Family Foundations and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Students from New York and Connecticut will also benefit from free access through support from partners including the Gary Sinise Foundation, the New York City Council, the New York State Legislature, and the RBC Foundation USA. The public-private partnership will fund in-person visits, virtual field trips and self-guided school tours for students in grades 3 to 12. These programs are designed to provide age-appropriate education about 9/11s historical significance, honor those who were killed, highlight the heroism of responders, and promote values of resilience and civic responsibility. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks left a profound mark on New Jersey families, and the memory of that painful day remains as important as ever, said Gov. Phil Murphy. Now, there is a whole generation for whom 9/11 is just images on TV or in a history book. These field trips will ensure our students understand what happened on 9/11 and its connection to our communities. The Wilf Family Foundations support will also fund new companion resources for self-guided student groups as the museum works toward reaching 20 million students by the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in 2026. Virginia Bauer, a 9/11 Memorial & Museum founding trustee who lost her husband David in the attacks, emphasized the importance of remembrance: By offering free field trips and school visits, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is ensuring that students hear the stories of everyone killed on 9/11 like my husband David and learn essential lessons about resilience, service, and the power of coming together in the face of adversity. Beth Hillman, president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, noted, Its a privilege to offer students who cant remember 9/11 themselves new ways to understand how the 9/11 attacks continue to reshape the world. Located on eight acres of the World Trade Center site, the memorial honors the 2,983 victims killed on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. Through exhibitions and programs, it educates visitors about terrorisms impact on individuals and communities, with a particular focus on reaching the estimated 100 million Americans born since the attacks or too young to remember them. For more information about these programs or to book a field trip, visit 911memorial.org. * * * Submit Hudson County community news to hudson@njadvancemedia.com. Questions about this post may be directed to Linda OBrien at lobrien@njadvancemedia.com or Stephanie Loder sloder@njadvancemedia.com. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff. Authorities in New Jersey will be able to charge anyone who starts or provokes a brawl after Gov. Phil Murphy signed bipartisan-backed legislation law Monday to address disorderly crowds and pop-up parties. The governor signed the bill about a month after conditionally vetoing the legislation, which establishes fourth-degree penalties for inciting a public brawl. Violators could face fines and potential jail time. By Ras J. Baraka I am a proud, unapologetic progressive with a proven track record of action to protect our most vulnerable residents, create better education for our children, and forge pathways to affordable rent and home ownership for all people. As mayor of Newark, I have led collaborative efforts to solve many of urban Americas most intransigent problems. We cut crime by 60% with homicides at a 65-year low. We have reduced street homelessness by 57%. We replaced all 23,192 lead service lines to end the health threat of lead in our drinking water once and for all. In all three of these efforts, Newark has been cited as an innovative, national model. New Jersey, too, seems to have intractable problems, led by high property taxes, unaffordable housing, substandard public transportation, wealth disparity and segregation in our schools. As with many of our problems in Newark, they are interconnected, and collaborative leadership is the only way to get government agencies out of their silos and find solutions to build a more equitable New Jersey, that raises the conditions and prospects of our working class, and gives our poor a hand up. Taxes and the Economy Flip the tax code right-side up: I would overhaul New Jerseys income tax brackets to reduce the burden on working- and middle-class families while adding new brackets for the ultra-wealthyincluding a 14% rate on income over $10 million. We would bring in over $2 billion to reinvest in our communities while making the system fairer for the bottom 50% of earners. Make the wealthy pay their fair share: I would reinstate and reform the estate tax for multi-million dollar inheritances, add a new 2% bracket to the mansion tax on homes over $3 million, and close loopholes by taxing luxury goods like private jets and limos. Build a budget that works for the people: I would start the budget process earlier, include more public hearings, and require an Equity Impact Study for every major tax and spending decision - ensuring New Jerseys budget is built transparently and equitably, not behind closed doors. Strengthen long-term stability: Id adopt consensus revenue forecasting, conduct multi-year stress tests, and grow the states Rainy Day Fund to protect public services during downturns, bringing discipline and resilience to how New Jersey plans for the future. Housing Build more, now: New Jersey is short over 200,000 homes. I would create a statewide task force to fast-track development, launch a First Loss Capital Fund, and redirect half of tax incentive credits to affordable housing projectsstarting near transit hubs and working with labor, advocates, and local developers to execute it. Break the cycle of inaction: For decades, lawsuits between towns and the state have stalled progress while costs soared. We have to bring an end to home rule gridlock by establishing a statewide zoning floor and incentivizing local zoning changes to unlock more affordable housing. Stabilize renters and empower homeowners: Cap rent increases statewide for two years while investing in community wealth preservation, creating land banks, expanding foreclosure prevention programs, and helping working families access first-time and first-generation homeownership. Hold big investors accountable: I would regulate corporate landlords, expand realty transfer fees on luxury homes, and impose new fees on for-profit developments to fund housing equity, helping to close New Jerseys racial wealth gap and keep housing out of the hands of Wall St. Healthcare Lower costs and expose price gouging: We need to cap prices for the most expensive providers, implement reference-based pricing for hospitals and insurance companies, and enforce price transparency rules. I would also reject predatory insurance contracts, block monopolistic hospital mergers, and rein in prescription drug prices. Invest in community-based care: Expand Medicaid to cover housing, nutrition, childcare, and transportation. Fund Family Success Centers, mental health care, and home-based services to address the social conditions that drive poor health, especially in overburdened communities. Ultimately, we need to be building toward medicare for all in New Jersey - especially with the chaos coming out of Washington. Guarantee reproductive and maternal health: We must fully support Senator Ruizs Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package which would expand insurance coverage for reproductive care, and create a Reproductive Health Care Access Fund. Lastly, I would launch a maternal health disparities task force in order to address racial gaps in our healthcare system. Education Reduce costs and expand services: I would incentivize districts to consolidate school districts, build out community schools, create more diverse student bodies and provide more aid for schools with high numbers of ESL students and those with learning challenges. Transportation Redirect resources: We need to cancel the wasteful Turnpike widening project and reinvest those billions directly into mass transit, now. Make big Business pay its share: We must also extend the 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee to include companies making $1 million or more in profit. This would finally give NJ Transit the dedicated funding it needs to stop raiding the capital budget, and give it the ability to upgrade our equipment, expand bus and rail service, and build a 21st-century transit system that actually connects people across New Jersey, not just to New York or Philadelphia. Democracy Restore integrity to public contracting: We must reinstate and strengthen New Jerseys pay-to-play laws to prevent public contractors from using campaign contributions to secure government contracts. Ensure transparency in political spending: I would mandate comprehensive disclosure from political action committees (PACs) and other entities to illuminate the sources of campaign funding. We are living in an important moment in Americas history. Our constitutional rights are being trampled by the Trump administrations deportation policies, and there is a lawlessness as his administration arbitrarily closes agencies and fires workers who serve the people of America. As governor, I will help lead a national movement of other governors and states attorney generals to stop this runaway train of authoritarianism in its tracks. New Jerseyans who love this country and value their freedoms deserve a leader to stand up for them, no matter how uncomfortable it gets. Ive already proved I will do it. Its time to reimagine New Jersey. Ras J. Baraka a Newark native, poet, and educator, is the transformative mayor of the City of Newark. 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. By Steven Fulop New Jersey is too expensive. Its too hard to get around. And its still too influenced by a political system that is linked to many of the problems because of how it protects insiders. In New Jersey, you pay a corruption tax on top of all the fees and taxes we pay in this state. Thats the reality. And pretending otherwise is how we got here in the first place. Im running for governor because we dont need another caretaker for a broken system. We need someone whos not afraid to say whats wrong and get to work fixing it. Thats what weve done in Jersey City. And thats exactly what Ill do in Trenton. Tackling the cost of living not just talking about it Every conversation I have with voters starts the same way. People are working hard and doing everything right, but they still cant afford to live in the state they love. Property taxes are crushing. Rent is out of control. Starting a family or retiring here is getting harder every year. Weve had enough empty promises. Heres how we change things: Fix the school funding formula so the state pays what it owes, instead of shifting the burden onto homeowners. Push real shared services and eliminate wasteful duplicative government that drives up local taxes. Expand housing through faster approvals and smart development near transit to lower prices. Cap prescription drug prices and address childcare affordability to lower costs for families These are not just plans on a campaign website. Weve done them. In Jersey City, we kept municipal taxes flat for nearly a decade while making record investments in public schools. We built more affordable housing than any city in New Jersey. We treated taxpayer money with respect and delivered real value in return. Trenton should be held to the same standard. Fix the transit crisis Commuters are being failed by a transit system that doesnt show up. NJ Transit is unreliable and underfunded. Riders deal with delays, breakdowns, and excuses. And somehow, every year the fares go up without service getting better. We cannot build a strong economy if people cant get to work. Heres what needs to happen: Appoint qualified, independent leadership at NJ Transit with accountability and performance metrics. Invest in practical infrastructure like electric buses, modern train cars, and expanded ferry service. Stop throwing billions at highway expansions that dont help commuters. Ive opposed the $10 billion Turnpike widening project because it wastes taxpayer dollars and brings more traffic and pollution into urban communities. In Jersey City, we created new ferry terminals, added protected bike lanes, and expanded local transit. We focused on what would actually help people move around. New Jersey deserves the same kind of practical, forward-thinking leadership. Open the books. End the corruption tax. The biggest hidden tax in New Jersey is corruption. Backroom deals. No-bid contracts. Political favors. That culture doesnt just erode trust. It costs real money, and it blocks real progress. Weve cleaned this up in Jersey City: We passed one of the strongest anti-pay-to-play laws in the state. We eliminated politically connected no-bid contracts. We ended perks for elected officials and brought sunlight to how public money is spent. As governor, Ill open the books in Trenton. Every taxpayer should be able to see where their money is going. We will publish all government contracts and spending data online in real time. We will bring in independent watchdogs, end self-dealing, and impose term limits so elected officials serve the public, not themselves. No more excuses. No more insiders writing their own rules. People deserve a government they can actually trust. No more half-measures The problems we face are not new. What has been missing is the political will to do something about them. Youve heard the other candidates. They offer commissions, studies, and task forces. Im offering urgency and action. I came into public service as a Marine who believed in putting country first. That same mindset has shaped my time in office. As mayor, Ive never accepted that things have to stay the way they are. Ive taken on entrenched interests, made tough decisions, and delivered results.We know what needs to be done. Make the state affordable again. Modernize our transit system. Rip the corruption out of Trenton and open the books. Thats how we move New Jersey forward. Ballots are out. Early voting starts June 3. Lets stop managing decline and start building a future that actually works for people. Steven Fulop is a husband, father of three, Marine Corps veteran, and Mayor of Jersey City. Under his leadership, Jersey City has become one of Americas most vibrant and diverse cities, with transformative progress in economic growth, public safety, and inclusive reforms. 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. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) appears to have her next plan lined up. Shortly after winning the election in November, President Donald Trump recommended Stefanik, a rising star in the party, for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik, who said she was truly honored to receive the nomination, was seen as among some of his least controversial Cabinet picks, and reportedly advanced as a favorite of the Foreign Relations Committee at the end of January. But as her confirmation vote stalled for several months, Trump pulled Stefaniks nomination in March, citing a razor-thin majority of Republicans in the House a concern that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had warned of as the GOPs margins narrowed from the presidents nominees. I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. With a very tight Majority, I dont want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elises seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day, he added. Stefanik now seems to be eyeing a different political path. On Monday, she was asked by a Fox News Digital reporter about Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York receiving a Democratic primary challenge during next years governors race from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado. After first bashing Hochul as the worst governor in America, Stefanik said she is considering running as a Republican candidate to fix decades of decay by single-party Democratic rule. I am taking a close look thats why Im criss crossing the state, she said. Im on Staten Island today speaking at this event. Ill be in Erie County, Suffolk County, Albany County, New York City. Ive been all over the place, and that will continue. It is time for new leadership to save New York from the decades of catastrophic failed policies of single-party Democrat rule led by Kathy Hochul. Lets FIRE HOCHUL in 2026 pic.twitter.com/y9DyY5UNeO Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) June 3, 2025 Stefanik, the chair of the House Republican Conference, also hinted at a governors run during the GOPs annual Lincoln Day Dinner in Staten Island, New York. Lets Save New York! she posted on X with photographs from the event, including with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.). Stafanik already is raising money: For the many people she supports and has now for many years, NY Conservative Party Chair Jerry Kassar tells me when asked about the fundraiser Kadia Goba (@kadiagoba) June 3, 2025 Trumps sudden switch up of Stefaniks nomination came as a surprise to a number of Republicans in Congress, who believed that she would have received the confirmation. He doubled down on the withdrawal a day after his announcement, saying she is a friend of mine and phenomental, but he didnt want to take a chance. I have been proud to be a team player, Stefanik told Fox News following the withdrawal. The president knows that. And he and I have had multiple conversations today, and we are committed to delivering results on behalf of the American people. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A soup giant has said that it might have to raise its prices due to President Donald Trump's tariffs. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP The soup giant The Campbells Company is gearing up for President Donald Trumps steel and aluminum tariffs, which were announced to go into effect on Wednesday. The company said it would consider raising prices if it were absolutely necessary, according to Chief Financial Officer Carrie Anderson, but it is searching for alternative sources as a first resort. Campbells said it is looking at import taxes on its soup and beverage cans, retaliatory tariffs on shipments to Canada and imports from Italy for Raos pasta sauce. Were going to look at all of the levers that we have, Anderson told investors on Monday, according to The Wall Street Journal. CEO Mick Beekhuizen said that Campbells product consumption has increased as Americans are cooking at home at one of the highest levels since 2020, but the company warned that its full-year profit is expected to come at the lower end of its initial forecast. His comments come as Trumps tariffs have raised fears from experts and consumers about the U.S. economy potentially entering a recession. Trump on Friday announced that it would be his great honor to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50% starting this week, saying the 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! he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. The hike was one of the presidents first tariff-related announcements since a U.S. Court of International Trade ruling last week blocked Trump from enforcing his sweeping tariffs under an emergency-powers law, arguing that he had exceeded his authority. A federal appeals court later ruled that Trump could continue implementing his signature tool, for now, as the case plays out in court. It could eventually find its way to the Supreme Court. Where do these initial three Judges come from? How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of TRUMP? What other reason could it be? Trump posted on Truth Social, before launching jabs at The Federalist Society, a prominent conservative legal organization, and its former leader Leonard Leo. Wall Street investors have been using a new acronym to describe Trumps back-and-forth on imports coming into the United States, as the president has delayed certain tariffs on countries as their leaders begin negotiating, causing the stock market to go into a tailspin until he backs down. Trump most recently announced that he would impose a 50% tariff on the European Union starting this past Sunday, but rescinded the threat once the bloc said it would schedule trade negotiations. He also decreased most tax on imports on China from 145% to 30% as it also agreed to lower its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10% a result of his Liberation Day tariffs from April that put a 10% baseline tariff on nearly every country. Trump told a reporter to dont ever say what you did when asked about the phrase TACO, or Trump Always Chickens Out, which was reportedly coined by a Financial Times columnist. Thats a nasty question. To me, thats the nastiest question, he said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Donald Trump Jr. doubled down on Tuesday after CNBC host Joe Kernen cracked a joke about the 2020 election. The presidents eldest son and entrepreneur Omeed Malik sat down for an interview on CNBCs SquawkBox" on Tuesday morning where they discussed President Donald Trumps administration and cryptocurrency. The hosts erupted into laughter when Kernen made a jab about Trump losing the 2020 election. He certainly couldnt have made a comeback if President Biden had addressed those issues, Malik said, speaking of Trump. And reelected in 2020, Kernen quipped, prompting laughter from Malik and co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin. Im sorry, I take that back. That was totally for you, Kernen added, pointing to Sorkin as he chuckled. Trump's coup attempt is a punchline during CNBC's interview with Don Jr pic.twitter.com/yQNpWJafON Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 3, 2025 Trump Jr. defended his father as the others laughed. But I think it did take the four years of Biden for America to realize how fragile some of these things are. You went from a time of prosperity to a time of poverty. You went from a time of peace to a time of war. These things happened when America wasnt leading with strength. It takes a little bit of that for us to understand just how fragile we were, Trump Jr. said. Moments later, Kernen made another jab about the 2020 election. A lot of Democrats sort of wish theyd gotten it out of the way already in 2020, Kernen said, speaking about a Trump presidency. This sparked a sharp comment from Trump Jr., who repeated the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from his father. There was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election despite Trumps claims. All the Democrats had to do was shut up in 2020, Trump Jr. said. Hed be gone already, Kernen noted. Trump Jr. then said his father 100% won the 2020 election, but that there could be a Democratic president right now" if Trump was in office the last four years. KERNEN: I think a lot of Democrats wish they got Trump's presidency out of the way in 2020 DON JR: All the Democrats had to do was shut up in 2020 KERNEN: He'd be gone already DON JR: He 100% won anyway pic.twitter.com/3bI9h8tJ03 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 3, 2025 Trump Jr. is one of his fathers closest advisers and has regularly appeared with him during the campaign trail and during his time in office. He has spent most of his professional career leading the Trump Organization and pursuing his familys business ventures. Trump Jr. has previously dismissed potentially running for office despite widespread speculation that he will try to succeed his father. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. FLE - Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, poses for a portrait with the Dilbert character in his studio in Dublin, Calif., Oct. 26, 2006. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) AP Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, revealed in a video last month that President Donald Trump called him after hearing news of his prostate cancer diagnosis. Adams announced in May that he expects to die sometime this summer, explaining that he has the same aggressive prostate cancer that former President Joe Biden was also recently diagnosed with. In a May 22 video, Adams said he could not believe Trump called him to check in after he shared his cancer diagnosis. Adams said that he did not even pick up the phone when Trump called him at first. He recalled Trumps voice on the voicemail saying: This is your favorite president. I thought to myself, No, did I just send the most important person in the world to voicemail? Adams said in the video. And it turns out that I had. It was Trump, and he was just calling to check in. He described the voice mail as semi-lengthy, noting that Trump said that the comic strip creator could call him back. Now obviously I dont call him back, right, because that would just be ridiculous, he added. Adams comments were highlighted in an article from The Atlantic that was published on Monday, titled The Secret History of Trumps Private Cellphone. According to the report, Trumps decision to leave people lengthy voicemails is by design so that those he called could play the voice message for their friends and family. When Trump called him back hours later from a Florida number, Adams said he was thinking: No f-cking way. Theres no way hes calling me again. And I answer it, and its Trump. And apparently he had heard my situation, and he had lots of questions, Adams continued. He was just checking on me. He wanted to make sure I was getting everything I needed. Adams said Trump meant it when he said to let him know if he needed anything. The comic strip Dilbert was cancelled by most newspapers in 2023 after Adams made racist comments toward Black Americans, calling them a hate group. Adams has been a vocal supporter of Trump since his first bid for the White House in 2016. The Atlantic detailed Trumps other cellphone habits that separate him from previous presidents, like sharing his phone number with journalists, friends, celebrities and more. According to The Atlantic, his inner circle has warned him about his personal cell phone for months, citing national security concerns, but Trump refuses to give it up. More from The Atlantic: A little more than four months into his second term, the presidents personal cellphone has become, in many ways, the most pivotal technological device in the federal government, directly linking Trump to the outside world. Lawmakers, friends, family members, corporate titans, celebrities, world leaders, and journalists regularly call it, knowing that, unminded by aides, Trump remains open to picking up the phone, even when he does not recognize the number. Whos calling? Trump asked when he answered our call one morning in late March from the country club he owns in Bedminster, New Jersey. (It was a fair question; it could have been almost anyone.) The draw of the phone is simple: Trump likes to call people. He likes to be called. Unknown numbers come with a thrill akin to putting a coin in a gumball machine and waiting to see which flavor rolls out. Surrendering the phone would be inconvenient, limiting, and so he keeps it. As for any efforts to control him and his cellphone use, I think people gave up on that years ago, one adviser told us, adding that probably a ton of people have Trumps personal number. A second ally estimated the number to be well over 100. Trumps cell phone use also went viral this week after a Reuters photographer captured a photo of his lock-screen. Of course, the image on his lock-screen was a photo of himself. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. The 11 candidates running for New Jersey governor (linearly from top left): Jon Bramnick, Mikie Sherrill, Steven Fulop, Ras Baraka, Mario Kranjac, Josh Gottheimer, Jack Ciattarelli, Justin Barbera, Steve Sweeney, Bill Spadea, and Sean Spiller. Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com New Jersey voters will be able to go to the polls today as early in-person voting begins in a primary election that features a large slate of candidates seeking the major-party nominations for governor. Voters can cast ballots in person from Tuesday, June 3 to Sunday, June 8. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2011, file photo former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Walsh, a former Illinois congressman, says he'll challenge President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination in 2020. The tea party favorite argues that Trump is unfit for the White House. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) AP This former GOP lawmaker just made the ultimate move to combat President Donald Trumps agenda. Former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh announced Tuesday that he is joining the Democratic Partya shocking move for a self-described freedom-loving conservative and staunch supporter of the Tea Party movement. Walsh was an initial supporter of Trump, but broke with him over disagreements with his policy during the first term. Three words I never thought Id ever utter: Im a Democrat, Walsh wrote in his blog post. This former Republican Congressman, former Republican candidate for President, this former TEA Party champion is formally joining the Democratic Party. Walsh challenged Trump for the GOP presidential nomination in 2020, but failed to gather momentum before announcing his decision to leave the Republican Party that year. He has been an independent voter for the past five years, but said in a Tuesday blog post that the stakes are simply too high to NOT become a Democrat. Im a freedom-loving conservative. I left the Republican Party 5yrs ago. Today, Im doing something I never thought Id do - Im formally joining the Democratic Party. Heres why: https://t.co/0THoO2IIeS Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 3, 2025 He explained his decision in a lengthy post to SubStack, saying that the Democratic Party "is democracys lone defender and best hope." Lets start with the obviousa tyrant sits in the White House. The very thing our Founders feared most is here. Throw in the fact that one of our two major political parties is a real and direct threat to democracy and the rule of law. These are unprecedented, dangerous times in America. I know it. You know it. There are even Republicans who know it," he wrote. Walsh, a frequent critic of Trump, has also criticized Democrats and told them that they should be fighting Trump with outrage and disgust. Walsh said that he is still a conservative, but Im not a conservative jerk. He said that the Republican Party has echoed Trumps cruelty, dishonesty, and authoritarianism, noting that only Democrats express decency, tolerance, understanding [and] empathy. He concluded his piece by saying he is joining the Democrats because he is pissed off at Trump and his enablers. Im becoming a Democrat because Im pissed off. Im pissed off at the ignorant, lying madman in the White House whos using his position to only enrich himself and his fat cat friends, while middle-class folks and small business owners and get screwed by his chaos, Walsh wrote. Im pissed off at all of his GOP enablers, my former colleagues, whove abandoned whats right to remain in power. Im pissed off that he and his enablers have lied repeatedly to his voters year after year, and these good folks whove been lied to are gonna feel real painand Trump and his GOP enablers dont give a damn, he continued. Im pissed because the opposition party, the Democratic Party, should be every bit as righteously pissed off as me. And Im pissed off because I love this country, and this country is so much better than what weve seen the past almost five months, he added. The Democratic Party is in need of dire help ahead of next years midterms, according to recent polls that show most Americans are not resonating with Democrats messaging. A new CNN survey found that just 16% of Americans believe that Democrats have strong leaders in their party while 40% said the GOP has strong leaders. There is no clear Democrat to lead the party in the 2028 presidential election, as speculation swirls around whether former Vice President Kamala Harris will make another bid for the White House. Other potential Democratic contenders include former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (C) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Trkiye, 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, Trkiye, June 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (C) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Trkiye, June 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky (1st R) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Trkiye, June 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Editor: Zhang Zhou Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), a hard-line conservative in the House Freedom Caucus, slammed his Republican colleagues for messaging pathetic weakness on Monday night as President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill moves to the Senate. The budget bill, which totals more than 1,000 pages, narrowly passed the House last month after Republican holdouts rested most of their opposition following last-minute changes and Trumps warnings. The multitrillion-dollar package extends tax breaks from the presidents first term, adds no tax on tips and overtime pay, increases funding for border security and the Golden Dome defense shield, and reduces funding for Medicaid, among other priorities central to the GOPs agenda. Higgins, in a post on X, decried that Senate Republicans do not appear to have the courage required to save our Republic from financial collapse. Theyre uncomfortable. Poor elitists, lost in their wealth, suffering through the cocktail parties and fundraisers, enduring the distant growl of working Americans theyre a bit upset at the fact that conservatives are demanding actual reductions in FedGov spending to save America from bankruptcy, he wrote. Quite inconvenient for them. Well We are watching boys, We are watching. FAFO, he continued. Many Senate Republicans are messaging pathetic weakness. They do not appear to have the courage required to save our Republic from financial collapse. Theyre uncomfortable. Poor elitists, lost in their wealth, suffering through the cocktail parties and fundraisers, enduring Rep. Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) June 3, 2025 Higgins appeared to be referring to predictions that the spending bill, if passed as is, would add trillions to the national deficit, which currently sits at over $36 trillion. In May, a preliminary CBO report estimated that $3.8 trillion would be added over the next decade. The nonprofit Tax Foundation found that the debt would increase by $2.6 trillion over the same period. When asked on CBS News Face the Nation last week about the cost, House Speaker Mike Johnson said a $4 to $5 trillion-dollar range is about the right estimate, but noted that there will be more than $1.5 trillion in savings. But at the same time, we have historic savings for the American people, he told CBS News. Cuts to government to make it more efficient and effective and- 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. Higgins is not the only Senate Republican who has seemed to rally against the bills spending. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also told CBS News on Sunday that the math doesnt really add up, adding that theyre asking for too much money. In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized Paul on Saturday, saying that his Kentucky constituents will never forgive him if he decided to vote in opposition. And on Tuesday, the president launched two consecutive attacks. Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming. He loves voting NO on everything, he thinks its good politics, but its not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!! he wrote, referring to the One Big Beautiful Bill. In a separate post, Trump labeled the budget package as a BIG GROWTH BILL!: Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky cant stand him. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. The Bulwark has some words for residents of a small Missouri town, after their friend was arrested and faces deportation. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP A Missouri town is reeling after Ming Li Hui, who went by the name Carol, was arrested by ICE after 20 years of building a life and family in the United States, The New York Times reported. Hui, who worked for a local waffle and pancake diner, sparked concern when she didnt show up for her shift. Hui was instead summoned by federal immigration officials about a month ago to their St. Louis office, where was arrested and now faces deportation a part of President Donald Trumps strict immigration crackdown that many residents in Kennett had initially supported. In an article titled Meet the Worst People in America, The Bulwark had some words for town residents who overwhelmingly voted for Trump, but are now upset that the president has upended Huis life. Hui was originally from Hong Kong, and ended up overstaying her visa, getting married and having three kids who currently attend the surrounding public schools. The people of Kennett, a small town in the southeast corner of the state, have since begun to rally for her return. Some have asked their state and national lawmakers to intervene, but said they have received unsubstantial responses. Vanessa Cowart, a friend of Hui from church, said she voted for Trump like practically everyone here, but no one voted to deport moms. We were all under the impression we were just getting rid of the gangs, the people who came here in droves, she said. ...This is Carol. Farmer Chuck Earnest said that shes exactly the sort of person youd want to come to the country, adding that I dont know how this fits into the deportation problem with Trump. And Celena Horton, a waitress at the local steak house who used to exchange large tips with Hui when they ate at each others restaurants, said she has loved almost all of Trumps actions during his second term, but Hui is the caveat. I cant believe theyre doing this to her, she said. But The Bulwark noted that the response of town residents could be seen as an indictment, and warned of being fooled. Editor Jonathan V. Last argues four main points: They did this to Carol, theyre idiots, they have no empathy, and their response is empty virtue signaling. These are people who caused harm to their friend, but express no remorse or contrition, Last wrote. They cannot imagine a world outside their own experience. And they arent doing anything to atone for their mistakes other than engage in base, performative sentiment. He added: These people are unserious. And because of that they are dangerous, both to people like Carol and to the larger American experiment. Last questioned if the people of Kennett believe Hui is the only good person being deported in the country. Do they not understand that other good parts of America have their own Carols? Do they not understand that the bad parts of Americalike New York Cityhave people like Carol, too?" he said. He encouraged residents of the town to actually help Hui by making it clear to their representatives that they will vote for Democrats and pressing others in the state to do the same. Do you think theyd be willing to do something as unthinkable as voting for another political party in order to bring Carol home? Me neither, he wrote. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. 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 There are new warning signs for Democrats as they continue to oppose President Donald Trumps agenda, according to a new poll. CNNs Inside Politics panel broke down a new poll that found just 16% of Americans believe that Democrats have strong leaders in their party while 40% said the GOP has strong leaders. CNNs Manu Raju said on Monday that the poll is a gut punch to Democrats who are stuck in the abyss right now. CNN anchor Dana Bash also said on social media platform X that the new poll shows the national picture for Democrats is pretty bleak right now. The national picture for Democrats is pretty bleak right now, according to a new CNN poll. As @kasie puts it, "In a lot of instances, [Democrats] have wound up attacking Trump by defending the status quo" and that's not what voters - even in the Democratic base - are telling them pic.twitter.com/yn3fZcJjuc Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) June 2, 2025 The Democrats have struggled to unite behind one message to combat Trumps agenda as he implements his campaign promises through executive orders and the GOP-controlled Congress. The latest CNN poll shows that Democrats are still not resonating with voters even as Trumps approval rating has plummeted in recent months. CNN analyst Kasie Hunt suggested on Monday that Democrats are trying to appeal to voters the wrong way by defending the status quo" in their attacks on Trump. She suggested that voters want to see new ways to address the problems instead of reverting back to the status quo." In a lot of instances, [Democrats] have wound up attacking Trump by defending the status quo. And that is not necessarily what Americans are telling themeven the base of the Democratic Party, Hunt said. They may not want Trump to break things the way hes breaking them or do the kinds of things that he is doing, but they dont want Democrats to fight that by just doing the same thing that theyve been doing for the last few decades because its not been working, she added. Earlier in the segment, Hunt said Democrats really dug themselves into a hole with this election. Voters were telling them that they didnt trust what was going on with President Biden, that they didnt believe what they saw before their eyes. And then the way the campaign played out, I think, underscored a lot of peoples fears about what was going on, Hunt said. The CNN poll also found that 36% of Americans think the Republican Party can get things done while just 19% said the same of the Democratic Party. Americans are also more likely to call the GOP the party of change than the Democrats, according to the poll. While Republicans clinched more positive results than Democrats, neither party got widespread support when respondents were asked which is the party that can get things done, the party with strong leaders or the party of change. About four in 10 Americans said neither party fits those characteristics, according to CNN. The poll was conducted among 2,539 adults by SSRS from May 5-26 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points. The Democratic Party suffered another blow late last month after CNNs Jake Tapper released his new book, Original Sin, that detailed the alleged cognitive decline of former President Joe Biden and the so-called coverup. Conservatives have criticized Tapper over the book, saying that his book only proves what Republicans have been warning about for years. The former Democratic president revealed in May that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The cancer diagnosis has led to even more criticism of Tapper, who had also reportedly hired a crisis public relations firm to clean up the backlash over the book while his colleagues continued to promote it before and after its release. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. 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 President Donald Trump lashed out at an author for questioning whether the presidents war on Harvard University is more personal than previously thought. Author Michael Wolff told The Daily Beast Podcast last week that Trump is targeting the Ivy League university because he didnt get into Harvard. Wolff claimed that the president is now holding a grudge against the school, which has filed numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration. Trump denied the allegations in a Truth Social post on Monday evening. Michael Wolff, a Third Rate Reporter, who is laughed at even by the scoundrels of the Fake News, recently stated that the only reason Im beating up on Harvard, is because I applied there, and didnt get in. That story is totally FALSE, I never applied to Harvard. I graduated from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, Trump wrote. He is upset because his book about me was a total BOMB. Nobody wanted it, because his reporting and reputation is so bad! he added. Donald J. Trump Truth Social 06.02.25 12:24 PM EST Michael Wolff, a Third Rate Reporter, who is laughed at even by the scoundrels of the Fake News, recently stated that the only reason Im beating up on Harvard, is because I applied there, and didnt get in. That story is Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) June 2, 2025 According to The Daily Beast, Wolff told the podcast that Trump is also targeting Harvard because he needs an enemy. Wolff has written numerous books about the president, including his latest titled, All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America. Thats what makes the show great. The Trump show. He picks fantastic enemies, actually. And Harvard, for all it represents, fits right into the Trump show, Wolff said. Going after Harvard has proved to be an incredibly reliable headline, he said. So hes on the money. So hes done what he set out to do. Dominate headlines. Trump denied the allegations shortly after rumors surfaced that his son, Barron Trump, was rejected from Harvard University. His teenage son attends New York University, but some speculated Trump was targeting Harvard because Barron did not get in. The rumors prompted a rare statement from the office of first lady Melania Trump. Barron did not apply to Harvard, and any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false, the office said in a statement reported by multiple outlets. Trump has been targeting Harvard for weeks, claiming that the university is a hotbed of antisemitism and liberalism. He has tried to slash funding for the school and has attempted to bar international students from enrolling there. Citing campus protests against Israel as proof of antisemitic violence and harassment, the Trump administration has demanded that Harvard make broad leadership changes, revise its admissions policies, and audit its faculty and student body to ensure the campus is home to many viewpoints. Harvard President Alan Garber disputed the governments allegations, saying in a letter this month that the school is nonpartisan and has taken steps to root out antisemitism on campus. He insisted that Harvard is in compliance with the law, calling the federal sanctions an unlawful attempt to control fundamental aspects of our universitys operations. In response to the administrations threats, Harvard has sued to block the funding freeze and persuaded a federal judge to temporarily halt the ban on enrolling international students. During a hearing in Boston on Thursday, the judge extended her order blocking the ban. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said he is not a great mathematician, but he might be in this case. Education Secretary Linda McMahon took questions from members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday about the Department of Educations budget for the 2026 fiscal year, and Reed was seeking clarification. ...I think you were talking about a trillion dollars? he said. I believe 1.5 billion times 10 is $15 billion. Thats a little bit off from a trillion dollars. I think the budget cuts $1.2 billion for TRIO, McMahon replied, referring to federal outreach and student services programs. Well, 1.2, that would be $12 billion, not a trillion dollars, Reed responded. Reed: Im not a great mathematician but I think you were talking about a trillion dollars. I believe 1.5 billion times ten is 15 billion. McMahon: I think the cut is 1.2 billion Reed: That would be 12 billion not a trillion McMahon: Okay pic.twitter.com/pLBlsO5ziy Acyn (@Acyn) June 3, 2025 According to the request, which is made publicly available on the Department of Educations website, the department is asking for $66.7 billion in new discretionary budget authority for the department. It is a $12 billion, or 15.3% reduction, compared to the year prior. The Presidents fiscal year 2026 Budget Request (the Request) advances President 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, the request reads. 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, it continues. While the department is eyeing the funding cut, several Republicans, including Trump, have called for the federal agency to be fully dismantled. In March, Trump signed an executive order aimed at terminating the department, which was a promise he made on the campaign trial. The closing of the agency, however, might not likely be possible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has put forward a bill, and promoted a draft on X on Tuesday, arguing that it would save money and return control back to parents, teachers, school boards, and states. In the post, he also asked House Speaker Mike Johnson, What are we waiting for? And already, Trumps Republican administration has been gutting the agency. Its workforce is being slashed in half, and there have been deep cuts to the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nations academic progress. McMahon said she will remove red tape and empower states to decide whats best for their schools. But she promised to continue essential services and work with states and Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House to board Marine One, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington, as he heads to Pittsburgh for a rally. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) made concerning comments about the upcoming hurricane season, according to Reuters report. David Richardson, who has led FEMA since early May, left FEMA staffers shocked after he admitted he did not know the United States had a hurricane season, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The sources said it was not clear whether Richardson was serious or was making a joke. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean runs from June 1 to November 30. NOAA predicted an above-normal hurricane season for 2025, forecasting that there could be between six to 10 hurricanes this season. A spokesperson for FEMA clarified in a statement to Reuters that Richardson was making a joke about not knowing about hurricane season, noting he and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are preparing for potential disasters. FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens, the spokesperson said in the statement. Three sources told Reuters that Richardsons comments spurred confusion and concern about a potential lack of familiarity with FEMAs operations. Richardson does not appear to have any disaster relief experience. This comes as the Trump administration has faced widespread criticism over recent cuts it made to FEMA and NOAA. These spending cuts have sparked concerns over whether the U.S. is prepared to respond to a busy hurricane season. Many Democrats bashed President Donald Trump and his administration after the Reuters report was published. And Im unaware of why he hasnt been fired yet, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on social media platform X. Trump critic Ron Filipkowski noted that Trump already fired his first FEMA chief last month. Cameron Hamilton, FEMAs acting administrator, was abruptly fired after breaking with Trump on whether to eliminate the agency. Trump already fired his first FEMA chief last month. This is the upgrade, Filipkowski wrote, referring to Richardson. Trump already fired his first FEMA chief last month. This is the upgrade. pic.twitter.com/7jnA0kpsm9 Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 2, 2025 Trump has been critical of FEMA in recent years and has even suggested that the agency be eliminated. He was also delayed in approving federal disaster aid for states that were slammed by tornadoes late last month, leaving local and state officials begging for assistance. According to the Congressional Budget Office, FEMAs Disaster Relief Fund spends about $12.5 billion annually to respond to national disasters. Hurricanes typically cause the most damage, costing about $23 billion per event, according to NOAA. They are also the deadliest weather event, killing about 7,211 people since 1980. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell spoke outside of a Colorado courthouse on Monday ahead of jury selection for his defamation trial. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP Mike Lindell, a staunch loyalist of President Donald Trump, pinned blame on the Devil for allegedly changing the computer algorithms on voting machine systems. The MyPillow CEO was taking questions outside of a downtown Denver, Colorado, courthouse on Monday ahead of his defamation trial tied to spreading false claims about the 2020 election won by former President Joe Biden. Eric Coomer, a former executive of Dominion Voting Systems, filed a lawsuit against Lindell in 2022, in which he claimed that Lindell began a targeted campaign against the voting machine company. In his lawsuit, Coomer alleges that Lindell promoted a false theory first started by podcaster Joe Oltmann on his Conservative Daily show on Nov. 9, 2020, just days after the election. Lindell is accused of amplifying the claim on FrankSpeech TV, which is now known as his LindellTV network. Lindell aligned himself with an Antifa-obsessed Colorado podcaster and conspiracy theorist, Joseph Oltmann, who had made up a story about overhearing someone identified only as Eric, the Dominion guy claim to have rigged the election against former President Trump on a supposed Antifa conference call, the complaint reads. ...Lindell, however, has a long history of publishing and amplifying any story he hears that aligns with his preconceived narrative that the election was rigged, and Oltmanns baseless lies about Dr. Coomer soon made their way into Lindells rotation. Lindell, ahead of the trials jury selection process, was asked about who has access to computer algorithms that are controlling elections. When people ask me that, youve never heard me over the last four years bashing the Democrats, he said. The people that did this to our country, I believe its four. He went on to point to the uniparty, deep-state globalists and the [Chinese Communist Party], noting that he has blamed China from the beginning. But he then went on to say that this is much bigger than all of us, adding that its impacts can be seen at the local level, including school board elections and anything done with computers. Down the road, thats up to God. Were in a battle of biblical proportions of evil and good. This isnt a party thing, he said. This is a thing for our country and our world. And when you say whos behind it all, Satan, theres one. This is a nation thats turned its back on God, he continued. Coomers legal counsel has since claimed that Lindell and his companies have gained at least $2.2 million in profits from his alleged defamatory claims. Mike spoke about the millions lost from canceled retailers and networks, the silencing of his voice, and how @MyPillowUSA continues to donate millions of dollars in products to those in need without recognition, because its the right thing to do, the LindellTV account posted on X. This is about the people because without secure elections, we lose our country. Before jury selection began in what many are calling the Trial of the Century, Mike Lindell made it clear: this case is bigger than any one person or company. Its about the security of all pic.twitter.com/9RiMmnwEsL LindellTV (@RealLindellTV) June 2, 2025 The defamation lawsuit is not the first related to Dominion Voting Systems. In April 2023, Fox News paid the company nearly $800 million to avert a trial, which would have shown how the network spread lies about the election. A federal judge ordered Lindell in February 2024 to pay a man a $5 million arbitration award for losing a Prove Mike Wrong election challenge, which he then asked to be appealed. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A man wanted for assaulting an officer in Union County was arrested by state police on Sunday after a long pursuit that stretched into Somerset County, authorities said. The investigation began at 11:24 a.m. on Sunday when troopers were notified that a stolen Toyota Sienna was wanted in connection with a strong-arm robbery in New York and an aggravated assault on a Springfield Township Police officer, according to a statement from the New Jersey State Police. During the Springfield incident, the driver struck the officer while he was outside his vehicle, police said. On I-287 South, in the area of milepost 30, Springfield Township police officers spotted the Toyota and began pursuing it, state police said. The pursuit was later stopped. At milepost 24.2 in Bedminster Township, troopers located the car and initiated a brief pursuit on Route 202 southbound in Branchburg Township, authorities said. This pursuit was also terminated but later reinitiated after police spotted the car traveling north on Route 202. At the intersection of Route 202 and Whiton Road, troopers attempted to conduct a high-risk motor vehicle stop but the Toyota continued to flee and struck a troopers car in the process, investigators said. The pursuit was reinitiated and continued onto Route 22 eastbound, where the vehicle struck multiple state police vehicles before it became disabled at milepost 35.5 in Bridgewater Township, police said. Two troopers sustained minor injuries during the crashes. The suspect, identified Monday as 30-year-old Brooklyn resident Ashton Charles, then fled on foot but was quickly caught, authorities said. He was arrested and charged with second-degree resisting arrest/eluding, second-degree aggravated assault while eluding resulting in injury, two counts of third degree aggravated assault on law enforcement, third degree receiving a stolen vehicle and multiple other offenses, police said. Charles was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Some towns in New Jersey were swamped with as much as 9 to 10 inches of rain in May 2025, more than two times higher than normal. NJ Advance Media | Canva It hardly comes as a surprise: Last month turned out to be one of the rainiest Mays on record in New Jersey with the barrage of storms that pelted our region. Although all the statewide rainfall numbers havent yet been finalized, preliminary data shows it will likely end up among the 10 wettest Mays on record, with stats going back 130 years. Theres a possibility the final ranking could be as high as, or close to, the fifth wettest May in New Jersey, according to the state climatologists office at Rutgers University. 25 wettest places in May Heres a look at the highest rainfall totals reported across New Jersey during the full month of May. Many places were saturated with more than twice as much rain as they normally get in May, and some came close to tripling their usual monthly rainfall total. Three towns in Sussex and Passaic counties were drenched with 13 inches of rain. Cant see the chart? Click this link. Near-record rain in some towns Among the weather reporting stations in New Jersey that are operated by the National Weather Service, Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona picked up with most amount of rain in May, with 7.37 inches. Thats the fourth highest on record at the airport, with stats going back to 1944. Trenton Mercer Airport in Ewing got a total of 6.97 inches of rain last month the 11th highest May rainfall total in 159 years, according to weather service stats. Last month turned out to be the fourth wettest May on record in Atlantic City and the second wettest May on record in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Len Melisurgo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark and Elizabeth picked up 4.81 inches of rain last month. Although thats nearly an inch higher than average, it ranks as the airports 25th rainiest May on record. In eastern Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown was drenched with a whopping 10.45 inches of rain last month, the second wettest May in that area in 113 years of record keeping. Philadelphia International Airport reported 6.22 inches of rain, making it the 12th wettest May there since 1872. Current weather radar Note: This post was updated Tuesday afternoon to add three more rainfall totals from weather reporting stations in Sussex County. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality. 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. Olha Kasian, Founder and Head of UA HUB in Warsaw Poland has concluded one of its most tense presidential elections in recent years. With a narrow margin, the victory went to the Eurosceptic and conservative candidate from the Law and Justice party (PiS), Karol Nawrocki, who secured 50.89% of the vote. His opponent, the pro-European mayor of Warsaw, Rafa Trzaskowski, received 49.11%, highlighting a deep political divide within Polish society. Political Profile of the New President Karol Nawrocki is a well-known figure in Polands conservative circles. He has repeatedly voiced Eurosceptic views, criticized the liberal values of the EU, and supported nationalist approaches to Polands culture, history, and sovereignty. His election is likely to strengthen the position of right-wing forces in the country and create an additional counterweight to Prime Minister Donald Tusks government. Challenges for Donald Tusks Government In response to the new political landscape, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a vote of confidence (votum zaufania) in the Polish parliament. This move was aimed at reaffirming the governments mandate to continue its reform agenda, particularly in areas such as the judiciary, media freedom, anti-corruption measures, and European integration. This political decision also served as a signal to the public that the government maintains control over the parliamentary majority and remains capable of effectively implementing its program, even amid a new balance of power between the executive and the presidency. However, with Nawrocki holding the power of veto, the adoption of certain legislative initiatives could be significantly hindered, potentially leading to political deadlock and delays in reforms including those aimed at maintaining support for Ukraine. Poland in the European Context: Lessons from Hungary and Slovakia Despite internal political changes, Poland remains a full member of the European Union. The EUs institutional framework, mechanisms of legal accountability, and financial levers from Brussels continue to play a restraining role, safeguarding democratic institutions and Polands foreign policy direction. The case of Hungary, recently fined 200 million by the European Court of Justice for violating asylum regulations (with an additional 1 million daily fine for non-compliance), shows that deviation from European principles can come at a high cost. In Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his pro-Russian rhetoric, has faced criticism and warnings from key European leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who did not rule out the suspension of EU funding if Slovakia continues to drift away from the EUs unified policy. Polands Constitutional Balance of Power Poland is a parliamentary-presidential republic, where key domestic and foreign policy decisions are made by the government and parliament. While the president plays a significant representative role, the Polish Constitution clearly limits the presidents powers compared to those of the executive branch. This means that the strategic direction of the country including support for Ukraine continues to be shaped by the parliamentary majority and the Council of Ministers. Therefore, even amid political confrontation between the government and the president, fundamental changes in Polands foreign policy course are unlikely. Impact on Ukrainian-Polish Relations For Ukraine, Nawrockis election may signal a period of more cautious rhetoric from the Polish presidency. However, the institutional guarantees, transatlantic ties, and broad bipartisan support for Ukraine within the Polish parliament offer confidence that the foundation of the Ukrainian-Polish strategic partnership will remain intact. Poland has become one of the main logistical hubs for supplying aid to Ukraine and was among the first countries to initiate military and humanitarian support. Its geopolitical role in the region and status as a leader of the new Europe make Poland a key actor for future security in Central and Eastern Europe. Conclusion While the election of Karol Nawrocki reflects political diversity and a new phase in the struggle between conservative and liberal forces in Poland, the core foundations of the countrys foreign policy remain stable. Donald Tusks decision to submit his program to a vote of confidence demonstrates the governments readiness to act transparently and responsibly toward the public. Ukraine, in turn, has every reason to believe that Poland will remain a reliable ally, continuing to support its path toward EU membership and the strengthening of its defense capabilities. Ukraine is experiencing a significant gas shortage as a result of heavy Russian attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported. "We have a deficit I won't specify the exact figure right now, but it's a substantial amount. We're facing this issue because of large-scale strikes targeting gas storage facilities and gas extraction infrastructure. These attacks began in the autumn of last year," Zelenskyy said during a Zoom call with journalists on Monday. According to the president, Ukraine has lost certain capabilities that are currently being restored. "However, we have agreed with the Minister of Energy to look for ways to cover this deficit, should we be unable to fully restore operations or ensure sufficient gas supplies for our population," he added. Zelenskyy noted that half of the needed volume has already been secured, while the other half remains unmet. "Let's put it this way about a billion euros. That's the figure I'm discussing with the Prime Minister of Norway," the president explained. Between 2025 and 2028, Boryspil International Airport will receive technical assistance from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), including the supply of information system equipment for AODB (Airport Operational Database) and AOC (Airport Operations Center). "From 2025 to 2028, KOICA will implement the international technical assistance project titled 'Modernizing Boryspil Airport Operations for Safe, Secure, and Efficient Air Transport,' registry number 2024-00124 dated January 10, 2025. The project is funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea and aims to improve passenger service conditions at the airport and enhance civil aviation navigation safety by modernizing the operations and equipment of the Boryspil State Enterprise," reads the draft of the "Strategy for the Development of Civil Aviation and Use of Ukrainian Airspace Until 2030," along with its operational implementation plan for 20252027. KOICA's website has published a tender announcement for support of the project at Boryspil Airport. Among those invited to participate are experts tasked with selecting local suppliers for AODB (central airport information system) and AOC (physical or virtual operations control center) equipment. The total tender amount is $1.1 million (KRW 1.59 billion). Experts will be involved from the signing of the contract through 2028. The civil aviation development strategy also notes that support is expected from partner-country airports, including the donation of vehicles and technical equipment to designated Ukrainian airports. In 2021, Ukrainian airports increased passenger traffic by 87.2% compared to 2020, reaching 16.2 million passengers about a third of the 2019 pre-COVID level. Boryspil Airport handled 65% of passenger traffic. Six airports Boryspil, Zhuliany, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhia accounted for 98% of all passenger air traffic in Ukraine. Cargo and mail volumes at airports in 2021 rose by 21.1% to 63,200 tonnes. Boryspil handled 80% of all cargo entering or leaving Ukraine by air. Throughout 2021, 16 Ukrainian airlines operated passenger flights. Four of them Ukraine International Airlines, SkyUp, Azur Air, and Windrose accounted for nearly 93% of the total industry volume. Biz Airline, which began operations in 2021, ranked fifth. Regular flights to Ukrainian airports were operated by 29 foreign airlines from 34 countries. In 2021, international regular passenger services by foreign carriers totaled 6.09 million passengers, or 70% of all regular international passenger traffic to and from Ukraine. Following Russia's full-scale invasion, numerous aviation infrastructure facilities were damaged or destroyed. Ukrainian airspace remains closed to civilian flights, rendering airline, airport, and air navigation service operations impossible. As a result, 75% of aviation personnel have been placed on furlough. At the time Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian aviation, there were 132 aircraft used for passenger transport. As of today, that number stands at 113. Currently, 49.22% of the aircraft fleet is located within Ukraine, while 50.78% remains abroad. As of the end of 2024, Ukraine's State Register of Civil Aircraft included more than 150 aircraft manufactured in the Soviet Union or CIS countries, whose producers are now under sanctions, with no viable alternatives available for parts or maintenance. North Devon and Exeter hospitals are to get 5.4million in Government funding shared between them for critical building safety works. It is part of a 750m Estates Safety Fund announced in the Autumn Budget to carry out much-needed work on deteriorating NHS hospital buildings. The money for North Devon and Exeter will be spent on fixing outdated ventilation systems and fire safety works. North Devon MP Ian Roome has welcomed the modest but important funding for North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple but said it will not go far enough due to the state of the ageing building. Mr Roome and local campaigners have been calling for more funding for NDDH after the Government announced that funding for a major upgrade of the hospital promised by the previous government had been put on hold until at least 2035. His office claimed ventilation infrastructure at NDDH had in many cases, never been upgraded and was beyond repair when it broke down. Mr Roome said: On the one hand, its reassuring to see the Government listening to our calls about North Devon District Hospital and the critical funding needed for infrastructure like the air systems and ventilation. But lets be clear this funding is being split between the two hospitals and is far from whats needed for our hospital. North Devon District Hospital faces a maintenance backlog of around 44million, including 13million just for the operating theatres. So yes, any cash is welcome, but theres a long way to go. Ill keep pressing for the full support our hospital and NHS here in North Devon needs. The Ukrainian Agri Council appealed to the Prime Minister and Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine with a request to immediately provide state support to farms in Kherson region, which suffered losses due to drought and lost more than 55,000 hectares of crops, the press service reported. The association emphasized that farmers in Beryslav district of Kherson region, who have been working under the constant threat of occupation, shelling and mining for three years in a row, have encountered a record drought. "Today, a crisis of unprecedented scale has arisen. Agricultural producers in Kherson region have faced the consequences of a catastrophic drought (agriculturalists do not remember such a drought in all the years of Ukraine's independence), caused by a sharp climate change after the destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir, abnormally high temperatures in March, almost complete absence of precipitation in the spring, late April frosts," the appeal states. According to preliminary estimates, more than 55,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed in the region, and direct losses have already exceeded UAH 1 billion. The current situation threatens the economic and social stability of the region. "In many farms, the seed base has been completely destroyed, there is nothing to sow in the fall, some enterprises are already on the verge of bankruptcy and without state support will lead to their complete bankruptcy and loss of jobs. This will have terrible consequences for Kherson region, since the impossibility of conducting agriculture will lead to the depopulation of this area, as unfit for life, which will significantly complicate the performance of the tasks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to protect it from Russian aggression," the business association emphasized. The council called on the government to immediately provide state support to farms in Kherson region in order to save them. The Russians' concealment of the contents of their "memorandum" looks illogical and artificial given the document's immediate leak in the media after its transfer to Ukraine, said First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslytsya on the X platform on Tuesday night. It's a way to deflect attention from Russias own feelings of inadequacy and guilt. Essentially, it's the flip side of blame shifting: they refused to share their memorandum in advance of the Istanbul meeting allegedly fearing leaks just to leak it to TASS couple of hours after its given to the Ukrainian delegation to be studied, Kyslytsya wrote on X. The document, photos of which were distributed by Russian propaganda resources, contains three sections. In particular, the first section deals with the "main parameters of the final settlement." The Russians demand: international legal recognition of the accession of four regions of Ukraine and the Crimean autonomy to the Russian Federation; "neutrality" of Ukraine as refusing to join military alliances and coalitions, as well as banning the presence of military units of "third" states and any activity on Ukrainian territory; consolidation of Ukraine's status as a state that does not possess nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction with a complete ban on the reception, transit or placement of such weapons; limiting the size and armament of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and dissolving "nationalist formations" within the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard; granting the Russian language official status; prohibition of "heroization of Nazism" and dissolving "nationalist organizations and parties"; lifting of existing and refusal to introduce new sanctions against the Russian Federation, etc. As reported, the second section of the Russian "memorandum" contains the Kremlin's demands for a ceasefire. In particular, Russia offered Ukraine two options for a ceasefire. The first includes the beginning of the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions (the so-called "LPR/DPR"), Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. It is proposed to withdraw the Armed Forces of Ukraine "to a distance agreed upon by the Parties from the borders of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the approved Regulations." The second option in the document is called the "Package Offer." It, in particular, provides for "a ban on the redeployment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other paramilitary formations of Ukraine, with the exception of movements for the purpose of withdrawing to a distance agreed upon by the Parties from the borders of the Russian Federation" and "the cessation of mobilization and the beginning of demobilization." In addition, the "package offer" includes "the cessation of foreign supplies of military products and foreign military assistance to Ukraine, including the provision of satellite communication services and the provision of intelligence" and "the exclusion of the military presence of third countries on the territory of Ukraine, the cessation of the participation of foreign specialists in military operations on the side of Ukraine". Other conditions of the second option include "guarantees of Ukraine's refusal from sabotage and subversive activities against the Russian Federation and its citizens" and "the creation of a bilateral Center for Monitoring and Control of the Ceasefire". Russia also wants "mutual amnesty for 'political prisoners' and the release of 'detained civilians', the lifting of martial law in Ukraine, and the announcement of the date for the elections for the President of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada, which should be held no later than 100 days after the lifting of martial law." President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the newly elected president of Romania, Nicusor Dan, at a meeting in Vilnius discussed areas of cooperation in the international diplomatic arena for the sake of peace in Europe, in particular the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia. "We discussed diplomatic work to achieve peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe, the meeting in Istanbul, the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia in order to prevent Moscow from increasing its military production and continuing the war. Special attention was paid to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Monday. Zelenskyy noted that he had congratulated Dan on his victory in the presidential election. The President of Ukraine thanked Dan "for the assurance that Ukraine can count on continued assistance from Romania, support for membership in the EU and NATO, and confirmation of the President's personal participation in the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit, which will be held in Odesa." "We are very grateful to your country, your people, and your government since the very beginning of the war for supporting our people, for offering shelter to our citizens, and for your military assistance. Thank you sincerely. And of course, we are deeply grateful for your support of our future EU membership," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is noted that Zelenskyy informed Dan about the meeting in Istanbul. He emphasized that, unfortunately, its result did not lead to steps that would bring peace closer, but there is an agreement on the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of the bodies of the dead, which is very important for Ukraine. "He also spoke about the technological experience that Ukraine gained during the fight against Russian aggression, and proposed to deepen cooperation in the defense sector. The President added that Ukraine is open to new projects in the fields of economy, infrastructure and reconstruction," the press service of the head of the Ukrainian state said. It is also reported that the parties paid special attention to the NATO summit. The head of the Ukrainian state emphasized that Ukraine should be adequately represented in The Hague, which is why every vote and support of every country in this matter is important. In turn, Dan wrote on the social network X following this meeting: "The Ukrainian people continue to show great courage in defending our shared values of freedom and democracy. A just and lasting peace can only be achieved through strength. Romania will continue to stand with Ukraine and further deepen our bilateral ties for the benefit of our peoples." Ukraine Hid Attack Drones in Russia. These Videos Show What Happened Next. For months, even as its forces were losing ground on the battlefield at home, the Ukrainian military was planning a stunning assault deep in Russian soil. On Sunday, remotely operated Ukrainian drones emerged from hiding inside Russia and began wreaking damage. When they were done, at least a dozen military aircraft lay in ruins. An analysis of videos and satellite imagery by The New York Times shows the extent of the attack. Regions attacked The New York Times Strategic bombers in at least two airfields, Belaya and Olenya, were destroyed. In total, Ukraine targeted bases in five regions, according to Russias Ministry of Defense, which said attacks on three other locations had been repelled. The Times was not able to verify those claims, but satellite imagery captured on Monday indicates that no aircraft were damaged at two of the other bases likely targeted. No clear satellite imagery or footage existed for the third base. Belaya air base A video shared widely online, and verified by The Times, shows a recording of the software responsible for piloting the Ukrainians drones as their assault on the Belaya air base began. Ukrainian Security Service, via Telegram The footage captures a drones view as it flies over the base toward a line of at least six aircraft before descending toward a Tupolev Tu-95 bomber. The New York Times Shortly after, a video shows, two drones launch from containers that appear to be disguised as modular homes mounted on the back of a nearby semi-truck. They fly toward smoke plumes billowing from the base less than four miles away. Babr Mash, via Telegram Footage from the ground recorded roughly halfway between the semi-truck and Belaya shows more drones flying overhead toward the base. Their flight path indicates they may have come from the semis general direction. @bayraktar_1love, via X Videos taken at the launch site later that day show the containers on fire, their tops lying on the ground nearby. In a statement on Monday, Ukrainian officials said crates that transported the drones were rigged to self-destruct once the drones launched. Babr Mash, via Telegram To assess the damage at the air base, The Times obtained radar imagery from a space imaging company, Umbra, that can see through cloudy skies. Seven strategic bombers appear to be completely destroyed, very likely four Tupolev Tu-22M and three Tupolev Tu-95 bombers. They were also visible in the drone footage. Chris Biggers, a geospatial analyst, published the same findings previously. The confirmed damage at Belaya signals a blow to Russias campaign of using long-range bombers to target Ukraine. Destroyed plane in earlier imagery May 28 N Tupolev Tu-95 400 feet June 2 Tupolev Tu-95 Satellite image by Planet Labs (May 28); radar image by Umbra Lab (June 2) The New York Times In satellite imagery of the base, likely decoy aircraft consisting of car tires and other materials can be seen. Some of these apparent anti-drone measures were set up over the past months. Examples of decoys Satellite images by Maxar Technologies (images captured May 20) The New York Times Olenya air base The earliest footage of the Olenya air base verified by The Times captures an attack already in motion. Babr Mash, via Telegram A screen recording from the Ukrainians pilot software shows a drone flying by two smoking Tu-95 bombers. Another Tu-95 is hit by an explosion. Car tires apparent defensive measures are visible next to and on top of the wings of at least three of the damaged Tu-95 bombers. Footage captured moments later shows another Tu-95, as well as an An-12 cargo transport aircraft, ablaze. The New York Times At a gas station roughly four miles southwest of the base, a man recorded a video of drones flying through the sky. He claims they have been launched from a truck seen parked down the road. @murmansk_chp, via Telegram While the strikes on Sunday subjected Russia to serious strategic losses, analysts cautioned it does not appear to have changed the Kremlins resolve to pursue its military goals. How Mamdani Did It Deportation Flights Reach Highest Level Under Trump So Far Leer en espanol ICE flights accelerated in May Weekly ICE deportation flights 50 Trump takes office 40 flights per week 20 May 2024 Sept. Jan. 2025 May Weekly ICE deportation flights 50 Trump takes office 40 flights per week 20 May 2024 July Sept. Nov. Jan. 2025 March May Source: Tom Cartwright, Witness at the Border President Trumps mass deportation plans appear to have accelerated in May, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement flying more removal flights than in any other month since he took office, according to public flight data collected by Tom Cartwright, an immigration advocate who tracks ICE flights. The latest government data shows the number of daily deportees averaged about 850 per day in the first two weeks of May, following a gradual climb since early March. The increasing pace of ICE removal flights through the month suggests deportation numbers could continue to trend upward in June. According to the data collected by Mr. Cartwright and verified by The New York Times, ICE conducted 190 deportation flights in May, more than in any other month since September 2021, and 1,083 total flights including domestic transfers and returns from deportations, more than in any month since at least the first Trump administration. Immigration arrests spiked immediately after Mr. Trump took office, but deportations had remained relatively flat because of a drop in the number of people apprehended at the border. The Trump administration has rolled back Biden-era protections for many migrants, expanding who has been targeted for deportation. ICE has also pursued new enforcement tactics, including arresting people at routine check-ins and at immigration courts. The agency has also sought to expand the use of expedited removal, a fast-track process that skirts ordinary due process. In April, deportation numbers began increasing, approaching levels not seen since last year. Top deportation destinations since Trump took office Country Number of deportation flights Guatemala 142 Honduras 116 Mexico 101 El Salvador 59 Ecuador 29 Venezuela 22 Nicaragua 13 Dominican Republic 12 Peru 12 Brazil 9 Source: Tom Cartwright, Witness at the Border The top destinations for ICE removal flights remain in Central America and Mexico. While ICE flights dont present a complete picture since some people are deported by land or on commercial airlines flight destinations are perhaps the best indicator of whom the United States is deporting, as the government does not release data on deportees country of origin. Two removal flights a week are now regularly traveling to Venezuela after President Nicolas Maduro, under pressure from the Trump administration, agreed to accept deportees after a year-long pause. In May, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for nearly 350,000 Venezuelans in the United States and humanitarian parole for over 500,000 more migrants who arrived recently. Other top destinations for deportation flights are similar to before Mr. Trump took office. Flights on military planes, which happened frequently in February, are now happening only rarely. Flights moving detainees around the country have increased Weekly domestic ICE flights 190 150 flights per week Trump takes office 100 50 May 2024 July Sept. Nov. Jan. 2025 March May Weekly domestic ICE flights 190 Trump takes office 150 flights per week 100 50 May 2024 Sept. Jan. 2025 May Source: Tom Cartwright, Witness at the Border Note: Includes ICE charter flights within the U.S. to transfer detainees between detention centers or connecting to a deportation flight. Domestic ICE flights also rose sharply through April and May, according to flight data. These internal shuffle flights most likely reflect the increase in ICE arrests around the country and the transfer of detainees to large detention centers in states such as Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas before they are deported. Most ICE flights are operated by one of two charter companies, Global X and Eastern Air Express. Recently, ICE has also expanded the fleet of planes it uses for deportations, including contracting with commercial carriers like Avelo Air for charter services. On the Move: CG Life Hires Sawyer as COO Tue., May 7, 2024 ...will add tremendous value to our team as we continue to grow with purpose. Jessica Fishman Kiterocket brings on Jessica Fishman as director of its renewable energy practice. Fishman was previously... Vietnam has hired Crowell Global Advisors for consulting services related to international trade and investment policy. President Trump has targeted the Socialist Republic for a 46 percent tariff on its imports to the US. Reuters reports that the US has sent a long list of tough demands on Vietnam, if it wants tariff relief. That list includes demands that Vietnam slash its reliance on China as a supplier of industrial goods. Crowell receives a $15K monthly fee for its work, according to the May 5 contract signed by Joseph Damond, CGA, chair, international trade policy & global life sciences CGA is the PA, government relations and public policy consulting affiliate of Crowell & Moring LLP. Vietnam also has hired the Trump-connected Tactic Global, which is headed by Barry Bennett. Active in Conservative politics, Bennett managed Ben Carsons presidential campaign, and then became a senior advisor to Trumps 2016 election effort. Tactic, which will arrange meetings for the Vietnamese with key members of the Trump team, is in line for a $5K monthly fee. It has Republican fundraisers Ryan Coyne and Caroline Wren handling the effort. Jenny Kaplan FTI Consulting has hired Jenny Kaplan, who was senior advisor to former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, as managing director in the US PA unit of its strategic communications practice. She will advise clients on balancing risk management and growth, while working with FTI teams in the aerospace, defense, automotive, financial services and technology sectors. Kaplan also worked in the Biden administration as deputy assistant to the president and senior advisor to Stephen Benjamin, who was director of the Office of Public Engagement. Earlier, Kaplan was VP for engagement & external affairs at the Greater Washington Partnership, VP at Goldman Sachs, and deputy director for Barack Obamas White House Council on Women & Girls. Jackson Dunn, who heads the FTIs Americas PA group, said Kaplans expertise and insights will help clients transcend beyond crisis and leverage moments of change to create transformational opportunities. Scandinavian furniture and homewares giant JYSK has announced the opening date of its newest store in Tullamore. JYSK will operate out of the old Argos unit in Tullamore Retail Park with signage being erected at the site in recent days. The store will join other busy outlets in the edge-of-town park, including Woodies, Homesavers and Burger King. The new JYSK store will officially open at 9am on Thursday, June 12, it has been confirmed. Shoppers are being promised special offers as the store opens with a statement on the JYSK website confirming: "JYSK is opening a new store in Tullamore on Thursday, June 12 at 9am! "Come along and be first to shop our opening, which has exclusive offers only available at JYSK Tullamore! READ NEXT: Bring back facility returned to car park in Tullamore as CCTV to be installed "We look forward to welcoming you to our new location at Tullamore Retail Park, Cloncollog, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 NH32. "Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter for a 5 JYSK voucher. The voucher is ONLY redeemable in-store and when you spend 25 or more." A large new department store in Tullamore is set to open later this month. Work appears to be almost complete on the new Choice store at the Riverview Retail Park in Cloncollig in Tullamore beside the NCT centre. It is due to open in late June with an exact date yet to be decided on. The building work appears to be complete and the car park is fully tarmaced and lined with parking spaces. The store in Tullamore is now listed on the company's website with the line 'coming soon'. Choice is a 100% Irish family-owned business that already operates 11 stores in Ireland with the majority of those being situated in the eastern part of the country with five being located in Meath. According to their website, the store is 'a home for all your seasons' and will stock a variety of items including seasonal, DIY, leisure, household, hardware, kitchenware, electrical, furniture, gift & home, health & beauty, confectionery, petcare, toys and stationery. READ NEXT: Large home in Offaly going up for auction with eye catching asking price READ NEXT: Parcel of land in Offaly shaped remarkably like mythical creature now on the market Zelenskyy on Russian strike on Sumy: Russia gives excuses every day to tighten sanctions against it, increase our support The Russian occupiers deliberately struck civilians in Sumy and give excuses every day to tighten sanctions against them and increase our support for Ukraine, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "The Russians launched a savage strike on Sumy directly targeting the city and its ordinary streets with rocket artillery. It was a fully deliberate attack on civilians. A rescue operation is currently underway. Many people have been wounded. As of now, three people have been confirmed dead. My condolences go out to their families and loved ones. All emergency services are engaged to assist everyone affected," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. An Offaly man has been sentenced to six years in prison for the rape of a young woman in 2022. The Central Criminal Court heard that the man who is now in his late twenties pleaded guilty to rape on February 4, 2022, in the university accommodation they were both living in at the time. He has no previous convictions. Passing sentence on Tuesday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said, this is a case where a young man took advantage of an intoxicated woman. He said the defendant has not exhibited any sense of remorse except an apology at the very end. Mr Justice McDermott said he would consider the defendant's guilty plea as a mitigating factor, along with the testimonies given to the court on his behalf, which speak to the man's character in the past and his decent nature. The judge noted that this defendant had maintained steady employment in the past and had the support of his family and partner. Mr Justice McDermott sentenced the man to six years in prison and placed him under post-release supervision for a period of three years. He outlined that the defendant must carry out all directions deemed necessary by the Probation Services. The judge also directed the defendant to have no contact with the injured party or her family in this case. At an earlier hearing, Garda Damien Travers told Tony McGillicuddy, SC, prosecuting, that on the night in question, a group of students were drinking in a corridor in the accommodation. Both the injured party and the defendant were in this group. The group spent time in the dorm rooms before going to a bar. In her statement to the gardai, the injured party said she became drunk and could not remember leaving the bar. The court heard that her memory of the night came back to her in clips. She remembered being back in the long corridor, and the accused was curled up asleep on the floor. She then remembered being in a bedroom, and the defendant was on top of her. He was trying to kiss her and kept trying to turn her head. The woman also remembered feeling his hand pushing her head onto his penis. READ NEXT: Drunk man with blood streaming from his nose was abusive to gardai in Tullamore The following morning, a friend of the young woman woke her and brought her to their room. She went to the bathroom to change her clothes and noticed that she was no longer wearing underwear, and there was semen on the inside of her leg. She told her friends that we have to go, and they brought her to get the morning-after pill. They also made an appointment for her to go to a sexual assault treatment unit (SATU). The court heard that during her examination at SATU, bruises were noted on her legs and swabs were also taken. The injured party made contact with the gardai and made an official statement in May 2022. The defendant attended a voluntary garda interview and said there had been no sexual contact between the two. DNA swabs were taken from him and sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. His DNA matched the semen swabs taken from the injured party. The defendant was then charged with rape and entered a guilty plea on the Friday before his trial was due to begin. A victim impact statement was read to the court on behalf of the injured party, which said: Writing this has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. On a college night out, he took advantage of me. I know now that it was not my fault. I had to grow up overnight. READ NEXT: Year in prison for man wielding knife in 'very serious' incident at Offaly take-away Since that night, I have never truly felt safe. Imagine trying to tell your parents that you have been raped I did. Imagine telling the person you love that your body was violated- I did. I hope the sentence handed down today will reflect the seriousness of what he did. He may one day return to his life, but I will never return to my life. I do not forgive you; I dont have to. The Director of Public Prosecution said that this offence fell in the 7-10 year sentencing category. Gda Travers agreed with Mark Lynam SC, defending, that his client had been a mature student studying for a four-year degree but dropped out after this offence occurred. The garda agreed with counsel that the accused has not achieved much since he left college and has worked in some fast-food outlets and a deli. Mr Lynam said his client has instructed him to apologise wholeheartedly to the injured party. Counsel said his client has no memory of the offence and that has been his instruction throughout. The court heard a probation report before the court placed the man at moderate risk of reoffending. Mr Lynam said the defendant has been extremely upset and has struggled to get to grips with the reality of the situation. Two letters were handed into the court from his friends who stated that this behaviour is out of character for him and that they cant believe he is here before the courts. Counsel said, This is somewhat of a random event and outlined that it was not targeted. He asked the court to take into account his client's guilty plea, which was a valuable factor, as well as his client's lack of prior convictions. READ NEXT: Judge sitting in Offaly sends man back to jail after hearing disturbing burial plot plan A DUBLIN man who admitted falsely imprisoning an Offaly pensioner who was terrorised in his own home has been jailed for seven years. Patrick McDonagh (24), Bay 9, St Margaret's Park, Ballymun, Dublin 11 was sentenced after Tullamore Circuit Court heard how a man had been tied up, beaten and robbed in his isolated rural farmhouse in Walsh Island. This was a nasty, vile, mean and horrible crime, Judge Keenan Johnson told Patrick McDonagh today (Tuesday, June 3). McDonagh had previously pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of James (Jimmy) Donoghue at his home in Walsh Island, Co Offaly on February 26 last year. He was one of four men involved and Judge Johnson said: It was clear the victim was terrorised by the culprits. The maximum sentence is life imprisonment and because he ranked the offending in this case at the upper end of the middle range he set the headline sentence at 10 years and reduced that to seven when he took mitigating factors into account, including the repayment of 1,000 to the victim, now aged 67. The judge said he would not suspend any portion of the sentence because less than a year before the Offaly offence Mr McDonagh had been given a two-year suspended sentence for drug possession. He said behaviour such as Mr McDonagh's had a hugely negative impact on rural dwellers and the easy going approach to security, along with trust in the community, had been destroyed. Previously, a sentencing hearing had been told that two cars were seen about two kilometres away from the crime scene and residents were concerned enough to contact the gardai. Mr McDonagh was identified as the driver of one of them, a Ford Focus, and an item of his clothing was found to have bloodstains on hit which matched the victim. An Audi Q7, stolen that day, was used to drive to the farmhouse. READ NEXT: Offaly pensioner tied up and robbed in his isolated rural farmhouse In a victim impact statement Mr Donoghue said he was scared for his life when the men came into his house shouting Where is the money? and they ransacked his house, took 1,000 from him and a bank card and book. Mr Donoghue, who attended both days at Tullamore Circuit Court when Judge Johnson was considering the sentence, said he was grabbed by the clothes and shook when the men were demanding money. He had blood coming from an ear where he had been punched in the head. He said he was very nervous leaving home since and kept a chain around his gate at the end of his lane so people would think it's always locked. The sentence is back dated to when Mr McDonagh went into custody in January. A young woman has said she does not forgive an Offaly man who raped her in 2022 as her attacker was jailed for six years. The Central Criminal Court heard that the man who is now in his late twenties pleaded guilty to rape on February 4, 2022, in the university accommodation they were both living in at the time. He has no previous convictions. Passing sentence on Tuesday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said, This is a case where a young man took advantage of an intoxicated woman. He said the defendant has not exhibited any sense of remorse except an apology at the very end. Mr Justice McDermott said he would consider the defendant's guilty plea as a mitigating factor, along with the testimonies given to the court on his behalf, which speak to the man's character in the past and his decent nature. The judge noted that this defendant had maintained steady employment in the past and had the support of his family and partner. Mr Justice McDermott sentenced the man to six years in prison and placed him under post-release supervision for a period of three years. He outlined that the defendant must carry out all directions deemed necessary by the Probation Services. The judge also directed the defendant to have no contact with the injured party or her family in this case. READ NEXT: Major Offaly project could take five years to reach completion A victim impact statement was read to the court on behalf of the injured party, which said: Writing this has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. On a college night out, he took advantage of me. I know now that it was not my fault. I had to grow up overnight. Since that night, I have never truly felt safe. Imagine trying to tell your parents that you have been raped I did. Imagine telling the person you love that your body was violated- I did. I hope the sentence handed down today will reflect the seriousness of what he did. He may one day return to his life, but I will never return to my life. I do not forgive you; I dont have to. At the earlier hearing, Garda Damien Travers told Tony McGillicuddy, SC, prosecuting, that on the night in question, a group of students were drinking in a corridor in the accommodation. Both the injured party and the defendant were in this group. The group spent time in the dorm rooms before going to a bar. In her statement to the gardai, the injured party said she became drunk and could not remember leaving the bar. The court heard that her memory of the night came back to her in clips. She remembered being back in the long corridor, and the accused was curled up asleep on the floor. She then remembered being in a bedroom, and the defendant was on top of her. He was trying to kiss her and kept trying to turn her head. The woman also remembered feeling his hand pushing her head onto his penis. The following morning, a friend of the young woman woke her and brought her to their room. She went to the bathroom to change her clothes and noticed that she was no longer wearing underwear, and there was semen on the inside of her leg. She told her friends that we have to go, and they brought her to get the morning-after pill. They also made an appointment for her to go to a sexual assault treatment unit (SATU). The court heard that during her examination at SATU, bruises were noted on her legs and swabs were also taken. The injured party made contact with the gardai and made an official statement in May 2022. The defendant attended a voluntary garda interview and said there had been no sexual contact between the two. DNA swabs were taken from him and sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. His DNA matched the semen swabs taken from the injured party. The defendant was then charged with rape and entered a guilty plea on the Friday before his trial was due to begin. The Director of Public Prosecution said that this offence fell in the 7-10 year sentencing category. Gda Travers agreed with Mark Lynam SC, defending, that his client had been a mature student studying for a four-year degree but dropped out after this offence occurred. The garda agreed with counsel that the accused has not achieved much since he left college and has worked in some fast-food outlets and a deli. Mr Lynam said his client has instructed him to apologise wholeheartedly to the injured party. Counsel said his client has no memory of the offence and that has been his instruction throughout. The court heard a probation report before the court placed the man at moderate risk of reoffending. Mr Lynam said the defendant has been extremely upset and has struggled to get to grips with the reality of the situation. Two letters were handed into the court from his friends who stated that this behaviour is out of character for him and that they cant believe he is here before the courts. Counsel said, This is somewhat of a random event and outlined that it was not targeted. He asked the court to take into account his client's guilty plea, which was a valuable factor, as well as his client's lack of prior convictions. New government legislation has made new changes to organ donating in Ireland that will come into effect on June 17 2025. One of the key changes to come into effect will be that when you turn 18 years old you automatically agree to become an organ donor if you die, unless you opt out. The Human Tissue Act 2024 includes provisions around donation and transplantation of organs, tissues, and cells, post-mortem practice and procedures, anatomical examination, and public display of bodies after death. Crucially, it embeds in legislation the idea that consent is the defining principle across all these sensitive areas. On 17 June 2025, the first phase of changes under this legislation are being brought into operation. These deal with the donation and transplantation of organs, tissues, and cells. Key features coming into effect from 17 June 2025: A soft opt-out system of consent for organ donation for individuals aged 18 and over; The concept of a designated family member i.e. the person to be consulted prior to donation of organs and tissues from deceased persons A way for people who wish to make a living donation of a kidney to someone they dont personally know (also known as non-directed altruistic donation). If you are 18 or over, you will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when you die, unless you opt out or are in one of the excluded groups. This change only applies to organs referred to as relevant organs under the legislation. READ NEXT: All you need to know about the free HRT scheme for women as 87% of pharmacies sign up There are five relevant organs: liver, lung, pancreas, heart or kidney. For all other organs, tissues, or cells, consent will be sought from your family member as was previously the case. Consent is at the heart of this change. It will still be your choice whether you want to be an organ donor. If you want to be an organ donor, you do not need to take any action. Consent for organ donation will be presumed unless you have registered your wish not to be an organ donor. If you do not want to be an organ donor, you can apply to the Relevant Organ Donation Opt-Out Register maintained by the HSE. If you are on this Register, your family will not be asked about organ donation. Whatever you decide, please let family and friends know your decision, so they can honour it. Loved ones will continue to be consulted before any action is taken. Why Is This Important? At any given time, approximately 600 people in Ireland are on waiting lists for organ transplants. Adopting an opt-out system of consent for organ donation will bring Ireland in line with international best practice and aims to transform lives by increasing the donor pool in Ireland. Organ donation can save or improve lives. When someone dies, their family decides whether to donate their organs. It is important to inform your family about your decision regarding organ donation, as they will always be consulted and your wishes should be central to any decision. Non-directed altruistic donation what is it? This is a new pathway for living donation being introduced by the Human Tissue Act. A living person who donates an organ to someone they do not know is called a non-directed altruistic donor. They are donating an organ for someone on a waiting list who needs it. The Act provides for non-directed altruistic donation, by adults only with additional protections and safeguards in place for those wishing to donate. An Independent Panel will be established which will consider, among other types of donations, applications for non-directed altruistic donations. The crew on a flight to Dublin had to request the assistance of Gardai due to the disruptive behaviour from a passenger onboard. The flight was travelling inbound from Newark to Dublin on Tuesday June 3. On arrival, Gardai attached to the Dublin Airport Garda Station boarded the aircraft and attempted to engage with the disruptive male passenger onboard. The man, aged in his 40s proceeded to viciously assault a member of An Garda Siochana. O.C spray was deployed in an attempt to stop the sustained assault of a Garda. The man fled the aircraft and was arrested a short time later. The Garda member who was injured is being treated at Beaumont Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. READ NEXT: RIP: 'There just aren't words'- Irish woman (24) paid tribute after tragic death in Edinburgh He has since been charged with assault and offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 2022, gardai have reported. He remains in Garda custody and is due to appear before Dublin District Court at 4:30pm on Tuesday 3rd of June, 2025. TRIBUTES have been paid to the visionary and enterprising businessman, the late Christy Maye, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning following a short illness. The deceased was a stalwart member of the business community in Tullamore and Mullingar for many years and developed the Bridge House Hotel into one of the leading establishments in the Midlands. He was also the developer behind the Bridge shopping centre which was officially opened by the late RTE television and radio personality, Gay Byrne in 1995. A keen farmer, the Ballymahon native was also proprietor of the famous Greville Arms Hotel and Danny Byrne's pub in Mullinagr. From a farming background, he was one of the founder members of the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show in the early 1990s and played a key role in the event up to his retirement in recent years. "My first job was milking cows," he told the Tullamore Tribune in 1989. Then he started training as a psychiatric nurse in St. Lomans Hospital, Mullingar. Simultaneously he began developing his musical interests by going into the disco business. Christy was also a founding member of Tullamore Lions Cub and was recently honoured for his contribution when the club hosted their prestigious national convention in the Offaly county town. READ NEXT: Tullamore mourns death of leading business man and sporting icon He was also deeply involved with Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce and spent a term as President. A great supporter of charitable and worthy causes, Christy contributed privately to many causes without any publicity. He was also a founder member of Radio 3 now Midlands 103 and sat on its board for many years. Christy was a very loyal employer in all his ventures and this loyalty was reciprocated by his staff, many of whom had worked with him for decades. It can be said that disco music in Ireland all began with his own brainchild, Disc A Go Go in 1965. Disc A Go Go started in Mullingar Parochial Hall, when Christy came up with the idea of holding a "discoteque" during the interval of showband acts. Before he launched his Disc A Go Go which gave rise to disco music and disc jockeys all over the country within a few years putting together equipment capable of producing the right sounds and creating the atmosphere he wanted, was Christys biggest problem. There were record hops in those days, but you could only use two small speakers, and there was no atmosphere. I had to find a way of cushioning the turntables, and used a spring from a car seat, and foam, and other padding, so that we could get the volume. We managed to separate the bass sounds and got the hi-fi effect, and we improvised in various ways to get the lighting effects, said Christy. By modern standards the twin turntables, and all the equipment Christy used were primitive, but all the time it was something completely new, creating an atmosphere for dancing and the crowds loved it! Proprietor of the Lake County, Mullingar, Paddy Fagan, asked Christy to hold Disc A Go Go in his hotel. Christy recalled, On the first night, 70 or 80 people were there, after that the crowds just got bigger and bigger. He built a bigger ballroom and after a while built an even bigger one! Disc A Go Go went from strength to strength, spreading throughout the Midlands at a very fast rate, gathering hundreds to the local parish halls. A lot of the success at Disc A Go Go at Greville Arms Hotel Mullingar and Bridge House Tullamore has been due to loyal and supportive people and staff who have contributed a great deal to our success. We try to offer as much variety as possible and I am always looking at new ideas and thinking of new approaches, commented Christy in an interview in the Tribune in the 1980s. Paying tribute to the deceased, the proprietor of the Butterfield Estate which hosts the Tullamore Show, former councillor and talented musician, Johnny Butterfield said he first met Christy when he hosted "Disc a Go Go" in St Mary's Hall in Tullamore in the 1960s. "I never thought at that stage the impact he would make in the future on Tullamore and Mullingar. He was a man of great vision and enterprise. I spoke to him about the development of the old P & H Egan complex in Tullamore and he had a vision of developing a top class restaurant and night club and so the Bridge House and Stringfellows was born." "He couldn't understand why towns such as Ballymahon and Mullingar could have such thriving agricultural shows and a big town like Tullamore couldn't. He approached some people 'who told him he was mad' but persevered with the idea and the show is now the biggest in the country." READ MORE; Three Tullamore Show stalwarts honoured on retirement Local historian and solicitor, Michael Byrne said: "It is rare that it can be said of a businessman that he was loved by all. In the case of Christy Maye it is true he held the loyalty, respect and love of all who came to know him, whether as an employee, customer, supplier or competitor. He was a successful businessman, builder, hotelier but above all an entertainer. And more than that he was a great leader in the Tullamore community without ever wanting thanks or recognition. This was best exhibited in his championing and leading the Tullamore Show since he largely founded it in 1991, inspired at the time by the Mullingar Show. "Christy Maye was a great supporter of local events and charities. From the time he opened the Bridge House in 1971 to his selling it in 2008 community groups could be sure of a free room for meetings. He went much further with groups such as Junior Chamber, Tullamore Lions the Tullamore Musical Society, the Gramophone Society and many more. The old conference room in Bridge House was famous for launches and meetings. He was a great advocate of the Midlands Heritage and loved to call to Offaly History Centre where he was a donor to many of our projects. "And yes, to quote the Tullamore Tribune he was a man of many parts. For almost forty years he was owner of the Bridge House, Tullamore, and also of the Greville Arms Hotel, in Mullingar, race-horse owner, disc jockey, builder and gadget lover. "Christopher Maye was a successful businessman who was able to combine that career with being a gentleman and a scholar. His contribution to the community in Tullamore and Mullingar will long be remembered. We salute his memory and regret his passing." Christy is sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family, his wife Ellen, his son Jason, his daughters Jillian (Cleary) and Lee-Anne and son in law David Cleary, his adored grandchildren , Anna and James, Holly and Heidi, his brother Johnny, sisters Kathleen (Hoare) , Mary (Freak) (Australia) Carmel (Cashel) and Madeline (O Scolai) (Canada), sisters in law and brothers in law. the Norris Family (Curragh, Rosemount), his nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours his many friends, staff members from the Greville Arms Hotel, Danny Byrnes, The Bridge Centre and the farm, to whom the deepest sympathy is extended.. His Funeral Mass took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Church of the Immaculate Conception Forgney (N91 AE 35) followed by burial in adjoining cemetery. Ar dheis De go raigh a anam. The agenda of the Ukrainian delegation's visit to the United States is comprehensive, in particular, it is planned to discuss defense support for Ukraine, as well as meet with the team of US President Donald Trump, said head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. "We will actively promote issues important to Ukraine. Our agenda is quite comprehensive. We plan to talk about defense support and the situation on the battlefield, as well as strengthening sanctions against Russia, in particular, Senator Graham's bill. We will also discuss the Agreement on the Creation of the Reconstruction Investment Fund, which was previously signed," Yermak wrote on the Telegram channel on Tuesday. Once again, I accuse the Aiken government of harming the people of Aiken. False information from Aiken results in an ongoing plan of destruction for the Aiken water supply with associated costs and health hazards. In my opinion, the Aiken City Manager bullied the Aiken Mayor and City Council members into an extremely bad decision that endangers the people of Aiken. I cannot change the Aiken officials who follow this toxic plan, but I can enlighten this harmful plan to others. A Request for Response to Accusations I sent the following letter to the Mayor and City Manager of Aiken, S.C., concerning their choice to keep breaking our water mains and endangering our health and lives. Given their customary lack of comment to factual and serious accusations, I did not expect Aiken responses to this letter, and responses were not received. I also received no response from the Governor of South Carolina after I texted a letter to investigate an Aiken water main break coverup (see 'An Investigation Request' below). Aiken officials and the South Carolina Governor had no objections or comment to any of my serious accusations against Aiken government and their coverup of deadly health hazards. Aiken Breaks Our Water Supply, Harms Our Health, and Taxes Us Without Need, 5/30/2025 Although disappointed that the City Manager seems to have controlled Aiken government, who choose to keep breaking our water mains, I continue my work to improve public health and stop water main break taxes. I plan to run the advertisement below next year, expecting that coverups - like the coverup in Aiken - are not taking place everywhere. This add will run after I finish writing and publishing my latest two contracted books. One book will include a section on all of the science to date to explain how to stop water main breaks ("Fluid Transients, The Water Hammer and Gas Hammer Disaster"), [where this book is based on peer reviewed scientific research]. One section of a second parallel book will discuss the coverups and refusals to accept science by governments ("Industrial Murder for Profit in the Water, Gas, Oil and Nuclear Industries"), [where this book is based on a series of 56 OpEd News articles and many other publications]. Aiken officials will be the villains (those who are blamed for a particular evil or difficulty) in that second book section, which will be based on 4 OpEd News articles read by up to 2,100 national readers, and 8 Letters to the Editor of the Aiken Standard. These articles were previously provided to Aiken officials, are listed below, and comments are welcome on these articles by June, 4, 2025. These Letters to the Editor and OpEd News articles concerning Aiken will be published in full, or in part, in this new "Industrial Murder..." book. This book will be technically founded upon "The Fluid Transient Disaster..." book, which will be based on peer reviewed engineering publications and non-peer reviewed publications written since 2015. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Author Bruce Lerro, Co-Founder and Co-Organizer for Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism From Promiscuity to Polyamory In the early 1970s I joined a community organization called Radical Psychiatry in Berkeley, California. The purpose of the group was to help people in the community who were suffering with moderate to severe mental problems so they did not have to go to a traditional psychiatrist or use drugs. As I recall, these community meetings were once or twice a week for a couple of hours for each meeting. The staff was organized as a collective and this collective had its own weekly meetings to discuss how the public meetings were going. Pretty much all the members of the collective were committed to socialism. However, an added dimension to the collective was the members' commitment to "polyamory". This meant any romantic relationships that were formed had to be open. Both men and women could have more than one sexual relationship at a time while attempting to maintain a loving relationship with each partner. As socialists, we wanted to "smash monogamy" as a form of bourgeois property relations. I first attended the Radical Psychiatry meetings as a member of the community and came, in part to work on my own problems but also because I found what they were doing interesting. Since there was no formal training necessary to be a member of a collective, any member of the community could be asked to join the collective, after the collective had deliberated about it. After a couple of months of attending 10-15 community meetings, I was asked to join. I was flattered and also hot to trot with some of the women in the collective so I easily accepted. Later on in this article I will tell you how the use of the word "polyamory" instead of "promiscuous" was used to define what we were doing and helped me to participate in the collective's sexual relations in a more meaningful way. The change in the word meaning to promote both individual and group development will also be a key to understanding how Vygotsky attempted to create parallels between his own psychological theory and Marx's theory of political economy. I will analyze this story further on in this piece once the tracks of Vygotsky's theory are laid down. Orientation Goodbye to cutting and pasting When the Russian Marxian, Lev Vygotsky first started out in psychology, he said he didn't want to contribute to the field by cutting and pasting quotes from the theories of his Marxian masters. He wanted to use Marx's method to write his own version of Capital for psychology. My article is an attempt report how his efforts turned out. To do this I will rely on three books. Vygotsky and Marx edited by Carl Ratner and Daniele Nunes-Henrique Silva; An Interdisciplinary Theory of Activity by Andy Blunden and Vygotsky's own Thought and Language. Following the lead of these authors, I claim that there is a parallel between Marx's attempt to understand capitalism through the "cell" of the commodity and Vygotsky's attempt to understand psychology through the cell of new word meanings. I What is Marxist psychology? Capitalist categories How would we know a real Marxian psychology when we saw it? For one thing, it would include the major categories in Marx's work and draw out their psychological implications for individual and social psychology. Marx's categories for capitalism include at least the following: impact of crises of capitalism impact of finance capital alienation reification the class structure and relations private property wage labor impact of commodity production life under socialism Psychological categories The categories above would be applied to the typical topics within psychology: Darwinian evolutionary psychology how the brain works personality theory development throughout the life span sensation and perception emotions thinking processes states of consciousness what motivates people how people learn how people remember social psychology cross-cultural psychology psychopathology therapy Let us take an example of a controversy within psychology: how does the brain function? Carl Ratner points out the issue is whether the brain is localized in prefigured brain centers (modules) with unique neurophysiological properties or whether the cortex is a general flexible unspecified processing apparatus on which psychological function can be processed from any location. General information processing of psychological features are cultural in nature, origin, formation and function. Evidence is on the side of general processing which would be consistent with Marxism. What is cooperative learning? Vygotsky argued that the leading edge of learning did not happen inside people's heads. It begins in the social relationship between people in cooperative learning. The sites can be at work, at play or in school The cooperative activity must be meaningful, recursive, with a specified goal and a division of labor. Vygotsky called this first stage the zone of proximal development. In the second stage the cooperative learning becomes internalized and available for the individual to act on independently in terms of specific projects and goals. Ratner writes that the intellectual process of internalization enables the logical operations of reasoning to operate like analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization and abstraction. The third stage learning is when the individual applies it again to the social world but on a more global scale than they did in stage one. This includes more extended relations across space and time as well as to think more complexly. This will be illustrated in the example below. I call these stages "local interpersonal", "internalization" and global interpersonal. An example of the three stages of cooperative learning Here is an example. A father, Antonio, teaches his son Jules how to bag cookies. In the beginning the father takes the hardest part of the baking process like breaking and mixing the eggs whereas his son might get out all the ingredients and pour milk into a measuring cup. Gradually over the next two or three weeks the father will cede the more difficult parts to his son. This beginning process is called the zone of proximal development. Now let's say Antonio plays a learning trick on his son. He tells Jules he has to run to the store to get some food for dinner. He tells his son to proceed and they will finish when he gets back. But Antonio stays out longer in the hopes his son will finish the job. It turns out that Jules does finish. Since his son has gone through the whole process of baking the cookie himself, he has now internalized the skill of baking cookies. He can make cookies by himself if he wants to. Now Antonio tells Jules that the neighborhood he lives on is having a garage sale in a couple of weeks. He wants his son to make cookies for the sale. Baking cookies for a garage sale involves social skills on a higher order than just baking cookies for his domestic household. Now he has to: calculate how large a volume of cookies needs to be made bake many more cookies bake a larger variety of cookies develop the rhetorical skills necessary to convince garage sale browsers to buy the cookies Later on in this article I will show how Jules' learning meaning of the new words "neighborhood" "probability" and "perspective" assisted him in completing Vygotsky's third stage of learning. The legacy of Soviet psychology Vygotsky, Luria and Leontiev developed what they called "socio-historical psychology" for many years in what was then the Soviet Union. Their work has been passed on to the next generation which included Ilyenkov, Mikhailov, Lektorsky, Galperin and Davydov. Socio-historical psychology is the most developed expression of Communist psychology in the world. For political reasons coming from both inside and outside the Soviet Union, Western radicals did not build on this tradition. Instead, they tried to build a Marxian psychology from scratch. But as Ratner tells us it is impossible to engage with Marxist psychology while disregarding this 65-year-old social-historical tradition. Beyond eclecticism The Frankfurt School, other so-called Western Marxists and radical feminists saw fit to initiate building a Marxist psychology from scratch either because of ignorance of Vygotsky and his comrades or because they considered that the Soviet Union wasn't really Marxist. Instead, they eclectically cobbled together a hodge-podge of psychoanalysis, radical gender theory, constructionism and postmodernism and then added selectively from the young Marx without understanding the limits of their eclecticism. Eclecticism juxtaposes various approaches together including multiple contradictory principles or assumptions. Eclectics attempt to combine the parts of two or more systems that are heterogeneous and diverse. As a Vygotsky follower, Carl Ratner says, the tail of one system is placed against the head of another and the space between them is filled with the trunk of a third. Eclecticism papers over antagonistic elements, as it throws together different systems. Eclecticists violate a principle of science which is logical coherence and the law of parsimony. The logic of sciences holds that a wide variety of empirical and theoretical issues should be commonly explained by a few core, self-consistent principles. Instead of eclectically combining incompatible systems together we must first tease out the essential incompatibility of systems such as Freudianism, constructivism and radical gender theory with each other first before comparing them to Marxism. Also, Vygotsky's non-Marxist followers have been eclectic in using Vygotsky's concepts. These eclectics have ignored, denied and distorted the Marxist system of Vygotsky's concepts. See my article Neoliberal Micro Psychology vs Communist Macro Psychology Part II II Marx's Method For Analyzing Capitalism Philosophy of internal relations Marx had a special way of understanding socio-history that he learned from Hegel which Bertell Ollman described as the "philosophy of internal relations". According to Ollman, the philosophy of external relations (in his The Dance of the Dialectic) reality is conceived of as being essentially static and change is only attended to when things bump into each other or into us with sufficient force to have an impact. What externalists take to be things, are from the internalist viewpoint, processes and relations. For externalists, while the whole may be comprised of parts, it is nothing more than the sum of their parts. Internalist contend that: reality is change and stasis is derivative (processes rather than things) not only are the wholes more than the sum of their parts whole is found in the parts Marx's internalist orientation allowed him to uncover the details of the multiple internal relations between capital, labor, value, credit, interest, rent, money and wages as part of a web of dialectical relations. Marx's methodology According to Ollman, Marx's methodology encompasses six components a commitment to a materialist ontology an epistemology comprised of several subcomponents perception (sensory output, mental and emotional activity) abstraction conceptualization of what is abstracted into new or redefined concepts (surplus value, labor power, commodity, credit) an orientation that socio-historical context must be part of all explanations the laws of dialectics operating in capitalist society via the concepts uncovered as a result of abstraction and analyzed through the study of history both backwards and forwards the intellectual reconstruction of what is uncovered through inquiry, where the results of the analysis are unified for the understanding of the researcher in notebooks (as found in Marx's Grundrisse) the exposition of the results of the analysis for others to comprehend ( in Marx's Capital) praxis, which unites theory to political practice, which feed backs to a political theory for understanding reality more deeply When Marx turns to psychology, his starting point for understanding consciousness is the world itself. Humans engage this reality through human species activity, labor and verbal language which is socially created. Consciousness is a product of social labor on one hand and verbal language on the other. Consciousness can exist before and without labor and verbal language. Marx's use of the germ cell Ratner informs us It wasn't until microscopes became powerful enough to reveal the microstructure of organisms that Schleiden and Schwann were able to formulate a cell theory of biology in 1839. According to Andy Blunden, Goethe sought to utilize this idea in his study of botany. He insisted on proceeding from the whole (the cell) to the parts. Just as every part is connected to a whole, the whole is in every part of the cell. As Goethe proposed, the foundation for the understanding of a complex whole such as an organism is the discovery of its' cell form. Furthermore, this whole is a concrete unity. Principals are not something behind appearances but are contained within appearances. This is different from an abstract unity built from a common ancestor, built into a general category. For Hegel the earthly figure of Napoleon was a concrete unity of the spirit of history. For Marx the concrete unity of the commodity is the cell of capitalism Commodities for Marx is the cell of a capitalist society Marx searches for the cell of capitalist society when he writes Capital. He found it in the production of commodities. These commodities produce a conflict between use value and exchange value. He then unfolds from an analysis of these contradictions within this single cell the entire process of capitalist society from its private property to its evolution, from industrial to finance capital, its concentration of capital to its globalization process to its terminal crisis. III Vygotsky's Method Vygotsky wants to write his own Capital Vygotsky thought it was fundamental to submit the founding categories of traditional psychology to the same methodological processes Marx used in the study of the category of political economy. Regarding this movement in relation to psychology, Vygotsky says he wants to write its own Capital. What does this mean? For Vygotsky psychology must aim to study the complex unit of a cell, like Marx. We must not begin by searching for the most fundamental atomic building blocks like sensations, perceptions, impressions like the empiricists do. Vygotsky called these "elements". Instead, he wanted to find the cell for psychology. So what is the cell for a Vygotskyan psychology that is equivalent to the relationship between commodity capitalism in economics? There are three levels down we have to go to discover that: in the most macro psychology we have verbal language at the mesocosm in the dialectic between thinking and speaking a microcosm in new word meaning Dualism between mechanists and holists Before Vygotsky, there had been a split in psychology between physiologists who approached the field as if psychology were a branch of the natural sciences and those who saw psychology as a branch of the human sciences having little to do with the body. In the 2oth century this split in psychology was demonstrated between behaviorists who denied the existence of consciousness and saw psychology in terms only of reflexes and conditioned responses. On the other hand, empirical psychologists like Wilhelm Wundt studied the mind by means of introspection. There were other holists like the Gestaltists who studied perceptual wholes with no roots in evolutionary biology. But the physiologists, behaviorists, the introspectionists and Gestaltists all had one thing in common. They accepted the separation between the subjective and the objective worlds. Vygotsky argued that the subject matter of psychology should be consciousness (or the mind). But the link between the human subject and social object in consciousness was through human practical activity theory in laboring. Consciousness, tools, and signs According to Vygotsky, reality cannot be grasped by human consciousness passively. It is by using the socio-cultural tools and signs given to us by previous generations in history that problems are solved. It is through solving these problems in collaboration with others that people become self-reflectively conscious. The root meaning of consciousness is, after all, "together knowledge". To master and capture reality requires a system of mental processes which grow when humans are engaged in work. It is human work which acts as a mediator between human beings and nature. However, in order to work we have to talk each other. One of the great benefits of verbal language is that we can talk about the past and future. So in work we can pool our experience that we learned in our past practice and we can debate the future about how, what and where we work next. The most essential function of language is to enable us to work together. Charles Sanders Pierce further classified signs according to how they are connected to their object by index, icon or symbol. Speaking and thinking Vygotsky pointed out that speech develops in two directions: in its communication use in its self-reflective function Vygotsky claimed that if he could understand the relation between thinking and speaking he could create a paradigm for all domains of psychology. He writes that thought and speech had different roots. There is pre-intellectual speech (babbling) and pre-verbal thought (utterances). Only with the mastery of verbal language does speech become cultural and thought become verbal. The mastering of verbal language creates an active dialectic between what you have to say and what you think. An example of the dialectic between thinking and speaking When I was first teaching an Introduction to Psychology class I tried to think logically about how to present the order of the topics to my students. First, I think about the history of the field, then the difference in theoretical schools of psychology and lastly about research methods (how we know what we know). However, I learned that when I teach the subject (the speaking part) I would lose about one-third of the class if I taught the subjects in this order. I have to speak in teaching rhetorically. I start with what people I know students are spontaneously interested in. First, psychopathology, then personality theory. "Why are people crazy, especially my cousin Phyllis?". For personality theory, "how can I understand my fights with my boyfriend? We seem to have different personalities." Only later on when people have their curiosity satisfied they might become interested in the history of the field, the theoretical schools and even research methods. As a result of teaching, I reorganized how I thought about teaching. Word meaning as the unity between speech and thinking In 1934 Vygotsky came to the conclusion that the central cultural artifact through which people appropriated the culture of the community was not just through tools, as Marx emphasized, but through the verbal language that was mastered. From him spoken word and its meaning was the cell of a unity of speech and thinking. However, we cannot talk about the meaning of the word taken separately. Word meaning is linked up to a sign system that involves the whole of verbal language. Where is the word meaning? For Voloshinov, a Marxian philosopher of language, meaning does not reside in word, nor the psyche of the speaker nor in the psyche of the listener. Meaning occurs as the result of interaction between speaker and listener as they cooperate in working and planning. But this word meaning is relative not only in working, but cooperative learning at school and in playing. Below is a summary. An example of a revolutionary changes in word meaning: The cookie sale Let's return to our example of a father teaching his son how to bake cookies. In Vygotsky's third stage of social learning we said that the dad needed to teach his son to think on a larger scale in order to prepare for the cookie sale during the block garage sale. Up to now, the son, Jules, only learned to bake cookies for his domestic household. In order to prepare for the cookie sale in the neighborhood the boy has to learn what a neighborhood means. Neighborhood is not easy word to define. When the boy asks, the father may tell him the name of the neighborhood or he might show him a map of the major cross-streets of the neighborhood. Jules also has to consider that many more people may come by his cookie stand who he has not dealt with before. How many? "Well", Antonio says "it depends on many things - weather conditions, like if it's cold or warm, how well the garage sale is advertised and the quality of the stuff offered at the sale. The best we can do is think in terms of probability." Since Jules is too young to understand the practical application of probability, Antonio will have to do the figuring. The third issue involved Jules' capacity to take perspective into account. Jules may have to learn what perspective means. He has to move beyond his egocentric preferences for his favorite cookies. Then Antonio may ask Jules how many other kinds of cookies there are besides the chocolate ones he likes that exist. Antonio encourages his son to make 4 other kinds of cookies besides chocolate. Jules will learn that even though he does not like those cookies, making cookies he doesn't like will make him some money. He learns "perspective". So "neighborhood", "probability' and "perspective" are new word meanings that are critical to expanding his cooperative learning skills. An example of a revolutionary changes in word meaning: The term rhetoric in teaching my classes As I said earlier In my learning process as a teacher, I learned over the years what students liked and didn't like in terms of subject matter through trial and error and I made my chronological adjustments accordingly. Little did I know that the secrets of how to persuade students to learn was a part of a much larger field that was 2000 years old. If someone would have told me there was a field called rhetoric, I would have shrugged my shoulders. The word meant nothing to me. In fact all my associations with rhetoric were negative. Rhetoric was: form without content bombast of a demagogue talk without action But when I discovered the field of rhetoric through teaching a critical thinking class I discovered the deeper meaning of rhetoric. This new word, rhetoric, made me consciously apply principles that I was only groping for before. This one word was a key to understanding 2000 years of theorists from the Sophists to Aristotle, to Quintilian, Cicero, Sheridan, Campbell, Whately, Perelman, Toulmin, Burke, and Walton. This one word, rhetoric, when deeply understood opened up a new meaning for me as a teacher and improved my work. Keep in mind my learning of this new word was not just to satisfy a curiosity of mine. It not only deepened my thought process, but I discussed it in my critical thinking classes. I also used it in the practical critical activity of teaching in all my classes. An example of a revolutionary change in word meaning: The term "polyamorous" in radical psychiatry When I first heard the world polyamorous discussed in Radical Psychiatry, I really didn't understand it. I thought their rules about being non-monogamous as a kind of "socialist promiscuity" might be justified through anthropology by some Marxists. But as I got involved with a couple of women at the same time, I came up against both the facts of how liberating it was to satisfy lusts and how difficult it was to overcome jealousy. What the community was doing was the first stage of Vygotsky's cooperative learning. The whole concept of Radical Psychiatry was in Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. We were all struggling and some of us were doing better than others. Our collective meetings also became therapy sessions for some members needing to process sexual engagement with unresolved conflicts while others offered support. It was a very deep experience to attempt to love someone even though I knew they were also dating someone else. I loved those women in a way that I loved no other woman I have dated with a monogamous agreement. However, the relationships were very unstable and it took a lot of emotional work and processing to keep them afloat. Nevertheless, the meaning of the new word polyamory used in Vygotsky's zone of proximal development took me and many others to new dialectical heights for however a short time it lasted. I stuck with polyamory for about three months. I stopped because the time it was taking to process feelings of jealously became more work that I wanted to do. I didn't drop out of the collective, but I stopped trying to have sexual relationships with the women in the collective. What I have since come to see is that sexual jealousy has deep roots in evolutionary psychology and those predispositions are not going away any time soon. What we were doing in Radical Psychiatry was a great experiment, but in order to overcome evolutionary psychology would take at least a generation of socialist support at regional or even national levels. It can't easily be done successfully on a local level in a few months or even years. A new generation must be taught polyamory early in life in order for it to gain a foothold. The relationship between Vygotsky's three stages of learning and new word meanings Earlier I said that there are three phases of cooperative learning: local interpersonal, internalization and global interpersonal. How do new word meanings fit within each of the stages as given in my three examples? In the example of the learning situation of cooking-making between Antonio or Jules, there was no new word meaning in the local interpersonal. That is because Antonio understood all the new word meanings of neighborhood, probability and perspective. The new word meaning was internalized by Jules through the process of making cookies at a larger scale for the garage sale. We don't know how well he mastered the higher level social situation because I never addressed the results of the cookie sale. In the case of my teaching, there was no new word meaning in the local interpersonal stage because I was just learning how to teach and unconsciously figuring it out by trial and error. However, as part of preparing for a course in critical thinking I internalized a new word "rhetoric" and its history. I didn't really have a global interpersonal stage with the term rhetoric because I just applied what I had learned to deepen how I taught my existing classes. An example of global interpersonal would have been to have used my knowledge of rhetoric to give lectures at the Seattle Atheist church which I have done recently. Lastly, in the case of Radical Psychiatry the new word meaning, polyamory, was present in the local interpersonal stage of learning because the entire community was attempting to develop new sexual relationships. The whole community was in the first stage of the zone of proximal development. As for internalization it was not realistic to expect anyone to have internalized the word polyamory so that they could practice it gracefully. There were too many Darwinian sexual selection habits to overcome. The same is true for moving polyamorous practices to larger scale communities. It will be the task of socialist societies in the 21st and 22nd centuries to address whether this is a visionary way to conduct socialist romances. Conclusion I began my article by discussing what a Marxist psychology looks like. First, I named the typical categories Marx used in his criticisms of capitalism and then I identified various subheadings of the field of psychology. I applied Vygotsky's theory to areas of learning, social psychology, and sexuality. Specifically, my examples included cooperative learning in cookie-making, the use of rhetoric in teaching and my attempts to engage in polyamory as a member of a community of Radical Psychiatry in the early 1970s. A big part of my article centers on the comparisons and parallels between Marx and Vygotsky's methodology. An important key in investigating Marx's method is to avoid eclecticism. Marxist psychology began in the Soviet Union with Vygotsky, Luria and Leontiev and any attempt to improve it by the Western psychology must start with them, and not throw together an eclectic hodge-podge of psychoanalysis, the radical gender theory, constructionism or postmodernism. The second methodological starting point for Marx was to analyze capitalism by using a "cell" concept, which for Marx was the commodity. Vygotsky followed Marx, but wanted to find the "cell" for psychology which was rooted in: macro psychology in verbal language at the mesocosm in the dialectic between thinking and speaking a microcosm in word meaning For Vygotsky: the word-meaning is a unit of analysis for the relation of thinking and intelligent speech thinking and speech together with work, play and school is the microcosm of consciousness Lastly, I built a bridge between how these new word meanings interacted with Vygotsky's three stages of learning: local interpersonal, internalization and global interpersonal. I applied how word meanings played out in my examples of cookie-making, teaching techniques and building a polyamorous community in Radical Psychiatry. What's Missing Within Russian Marxist Psychology? In his great book, Problems in the Development of Mind Vygotsky's comrade Leontiev gave a wonderful example of how a Marxist theory of the mind's relationship to reality would work in a hunting and gathering society. However, none of the Russian theorists painted a full-fledged picture of how Marxian psychology would apply to all psychological topics listed at the beginning of my article. Secondly, the theory did not contrast how it would work generally with individuals living in a capitalist society and generally how it would work on people living in a socialist society. In the case of the latter it is understandable given the political tensions existing in Russia with Stalin wanting to control the field of psychology. Can you imagine the reception of the state if any of these psychologists tried to make a dialectical critique of the Soviet Union as a socialist society? Lastly, socio-historical psychology must integrate its findings with evolutionary psychology. Socialists can no longer run screaming away from evolutionary psychology by claiming it is biological reductionism in order to continue to be scientifically relevant. Baby retrieved from Attattra, north-western Gaza - Photo by Mohammed from Khan Younis (Image by ISM Palestine from flickr) Details DMCA On May 20, Israeli forces bombed two homes in Gaza, where, Reuters reports, "children were among the 18 dead." The attack was justified, the Israeli regime claims, because -- who knows? -- there might have been a Hamas member hiding in one of the closets or something. To criticize those killings, we're told, is "anti-semitic" even though the dead were almost certainly all semites (Palestinian Arabs). And there are a LOT of such attacks. On May 21, a gunman killed two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC. Cue outrage -- THAT attack, the Israeli regime tells us, was both unjustified and "anti-semitic." It couldn't possibly have anything to do with the victims being actual, voluntary employees of the regime that's conducting those daily attacks in Gaza, even though the perpetrator (allegedly one Elias Rodriguez of Chicago) was shouting "free free Palestine" as he was taken into custody outside a pro-Israel "Young Diplomats" event. He obviously just hates Jews, see? And maybe he DOES just hate Jews. There's certainly a lot of ethnic hatred out there, and it's sick regardless of who's infected with it or who it's aimed at. A lot of that ethnic hatred is aimed at Palestinian Arabs (who are, again, semites), by the Israeli regime, used by that regime and its supporters to justify the murders of, at a minimum, tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians over the last year-and-a-half. Multiple Israeli officials have openly called for the "ethnic cleansing" of Gaza and even genocide of the Palestinian Arab population. But we're supposed to ignore all that -- the pro-Israel media "charm offensive" is already in full swing. The victims (Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky), the New York Times laments, were young. They were in love. They were just minding their own business and looking forward to a trip to Israeli-occupied Jerusalem next week, where Lischinsky intended to propose. Yes, it's very sad. I mean that. When it comes to murder, my sympathies are always with the victims, not the perpetrators. But similarly sad things could be, and haven't been, widely reported concerning the victims of the Israeli strike. Mainstream media haven't mentioned the victims' marriage or travel plans, their occupations, or even their names. They're just not important, I guess. As in George Orwell's Animal Farm, "all animals are equal -- but some animals are more equal than others." What can we do about that? I'm not going to try to solve the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians here. That's a thorny matter with a long, ugly history. But there's one obvious first step, and that's for people to stop murdering and excusing murder over it. Unfortunately, both sides suffer from an over-abundance of people who aren't willing to take that first step. Russia & Ukraine Delegations to Meet in Istanbul #shorts #geopolitics On June 2nd, delegations from Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to meet in Istanbul, Turkey for a high-stakes round of ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: Frontier News Network) Details DMCA Russian and Ukrainian delegations meeting June 2, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey The second round of peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations have begun today, June 2, in Istanbul. Turkey. According to Reuters, "The memorandum prepared by Ukraine for the Istanbul talks rejects Moscow's key demands for recognition of new Russian regions, neutrality for Kiev, and limitations on the size of Ukrainian armed forces."[1] The news site "reported on Sunday (June 1) that Kiev's document does not include recognition of Crimea, the Peoples Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as part of Russia." According to Ukraine, "the current shape of the front line should be the starting point for negotiations on territory." Also, restrictions on Ukraine's military forces have been "ruled out" and "it calls for Russia to pay reparations along with the use Moscow's assets frozen by the West to rebuild Ukraine." Kiev demands a 30 day ceasefire, exchange of prisoners and "a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky." Meanwhile, "Russian officials have stressed that any peace deal with Ukraine should address the root causes of the conflict and guarantees of Kiev's neutrality, demilitarization, denazification, and recognition of the new territorial reality on the ground." To anyone paying attention and following the conflict in Ukraine, each side's proposals for peace terms are, to put it mildly, nowhere near to reaching an agreement. The fact is that Russia is winning the war and is adamant about retaining the five former Ukraine areas now part of Russia. This happened after the five regions mentioned above held people's referendums and they chose to become part of Russia. Lest we forget, there was a US-backed coup in Kiev, February 2014, which overthrew the legitimately elected President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and forced him to flee for his life. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). By David Swanson"A i ? ? ? ? i ? ? i ? ? A i ? ? ? ?, Progressive Hub Our society doesn't always stand out for its values, but damn well does for its production values. There may be nothing more powerful in the world than a film -- or even a commercial -- with high production values. So I'm deeply appreciative when a well-made movie actually says something that needed saying, when you can watch the closing credits feeling wiser, rather than dirtier, more aware of what's worst in the world and yet inspired to change it, rather than outraged at the normalization of violence or stupidity. A good place to go for such rarities is Brave New Films, where the latest release is Gaza Journalists Under Fire. The page at that link lists public screenings and let's you download the film to screen it for a small or large gathering. It also provides fact sheets and action ideas to further enrich your post-screening discussion. One idea is to share the film on social media where paid ads for it (on Facebook and Instagram) have been censored. I've seen an awful lot of movies, not to mention news reports and social media posts, about Palestine. It's a topic that can easily lead to weeping and withdrawing. It's also a simple story (the Israeli government is slaughtering people) that can easily be complicated in unhelpful ways. This new 41-minute film avoids those dangers by being a stand-out work of journalism not simply about Gaza but about journalism about Gaza, and specifically the killing of journalists. At 178 at the time of publication -- and now higher -- the count of journalists and media workers killed by the Israeli military was already higher than the count of journalists killed on all sides of the U.S. Civil War, the two world wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the war on Afghanistan combined -- not to mention 93 journalists wounded, 84 journalists arrested and locked up, and 70 media facilities turned to rubble in Gaza -- all while people in western corporate media are deemed brave simply for announcing that they've noticed there's a genocide happening. The record number of killings is not because Gaza is being flooded with the world's journalists. On the contrary, they've been shut out by Israel, along with human rights organizations. It's not because the local people are disproportionately journalists. Perhaps they are if you consider their use of social media, but these statistics refer to professional journalists. It's not because Israel has killed so many people that this many journalists are simply a portion of that larger massacre. No, it's because the Israeli military has been specifically targeting journalists for assassination, including tracking them with drones, often just following a particularly powerful report produced by one of them. Journalists are dying disproportionately, and this means that they can be a danger rather than a protection to those they are near. Their PRESS jackets and vests are treated as targets. Their families have been killed with them when they have been targeted. One of the journalists particularly featured in the film trained many young people to use social media -- an invaluable service as it has turned out. She was killed along with her five-year-old daughter. But many of the journalists we see in this film are responsible for much of what we know about Gaza. It's disturbing to imagine what horrors we would not have learned of without them, and what we have in fact not learned because of this killing spree targeting journalists. Even more disturbing is how many journalists we see reporting on the attacks on journalists prior to themselves being killed -- as well as some we see reporting just as a missile hits nearby. I do not, and this film does not, suggest that killing a journalist is worse than killing anyone else. I, in fact, diverge from popular opinion in maintaining that killing a civilian or a child or any human being is no worse and no better than killing any other human being. The significance of this unprecedented slaughter of journalists is that it helps to hide the war and facilitate lies about the war. The film includes a few choice lies as spoken by Israeli and U.S. officials, and provides the context for the film's particular focus, including the context of the provision of much of the weaponry to the Israeli government by the U.S. government. The Israeli government has, of course, held not one person accountable for the killings of journalists that voice after voice in this film -- and not only in this film -- calls a "war crime." Over and over: "war crime," "war crime," "war crime." Forgive me please if I quibble. The entire war is a crime. It is the crime of war in violation of the UN Charter. It is the crime of genocide in violation of the Convention on Genocide -- "plausibly" in the pre-ruling ruling of the International Court of Justice, but obviously to anyone not living under a rock or within a pro-genocide media bubble. The Nazis were prosecuted for their various actions based on the argument that their war was illegal under Kellogg-Briand and therefore every bit of it illegal. To say never again to genocide and war, we have to say yes again to war being a crime in its totality. Part of that totality is now the targeted murders of journalists. And just as we must continue asking "Where is the solidarity of the world's people?" we must also ask "Where is the solidarity of the world's journalists?" Orlando, Florida - June 2025 Estimate Florida Consulting, a professional estimating company based in Florida, is now providing detailed construction cost estimating services for projects across the entire state-including Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and other surrounding areas. With years of experience working closely with general contractors, subcontractors, developers, material suppliers, and homeowners, the company supports all types of residential and commercial construction projects. Their services include roofing, Boeing 737 MAX airplanes are shown on the assembly line during a media tour at the Boeing facility in Renton, Wash., June 25, 2024. Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP, Pool, File Safety regulators will continue allowing Boeing to self-certify some inspections, repairs and other work in its factories, extending a controversial oversight program for another three years. The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that it had renewed Boeings oversight authority after rigorous reviews showed the company had addressed concerns that Boeing had too much influence over its own oversight. But U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who has previously been critical of the program, said Friday she remains worried the FAA has not fully addressed known shortfalls with the oversight program. We still do not have enough answers from the FAA, Cantwell said in a written statement. The program, Organization Designation Authorization, or ODA, is meant to ease the FAAs workload and create more standard oversight of aerospace manufacturers. Through it, the FAA deputizes company employees to perform tasks on behalf of the FAA, like inspecting work on new airplanes and approving repairs. But Boeings program has been heavily scrutinized after failing to work as intended, with FAA-deputized Boeing employees reporting that they felt pressured to act in the interests of their employer and feared retaliation if they raised safety concerns. The FAA must ensure schedule pressures cannot take priority over safety and must have a system that backs ODA unit members, Cantwell said Friday. Two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 brought intense attention to allegations of undue pressure on Boeing workers performing audits for the FAA and prompted the safety regulator to put new safeguards in place. Several technical experts inside the FAA told The Seattle Times in 2019 that the first of those deadly crashes was the latest indicator that the agencys delegation of airplane certification had gone too far. In that instance, a safety analysis Boeing delivered to the FAA for a new flight control system had several crucial flaws, leaving out details about how the system operated. On Thursday, the FAA said it had closely monitored specific criteria before making the decision to renew Boeings oversight authority, and saw improvements in most areas. Those criteria included implementing policies to prevent Boeing from interfering with ODA unit members and monitoring those employees ability to complete projects independently. The criteria also required Boeing to follow through on findings from its self-audits. The FAA will continue to closely monitor Boeings performance throughout its renewal period, the agency added. A spokesperson for Boeing said the company remains committed to working under the agencys detailed and rigorous oversight. Boeing, the spokesperson continued, has taken purposeful steps to strengthen our ODA program over the past three years in alignment with FAA requirements, and we will continue those improvements. Before the FAAs decision this month, Cantwell, the ranking Democrat on the Senate committee overseeing the FAA, pushed the agency to closely analyze whether Boeing had addressed critical concerns identified by the FAA the last time the companys oversight authorization was up for renewal, in 2022. At that time, the FAA extended Boeings program for three years, rather than the standard five, and said it wanted to see necessary improvements, according to an April letter Cantwell sent to acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. At a Senate hearing with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg the next day, Cantwell also cast blame on the FAA for falling short of its mandate, even after being notified of concerns from the National Transportation Safety Board. The Senate is getting a big sense that the NTSB makes recommendations and the FAA kind of ignores them, Cantwell said at the hearing. The FAA still holds some oversight authority for Boeing. After the two fatal MAX crashes and a quality issue with Boeings 787 Dreamliner, the FAA retained its authority to issue airworthiness certificates for those planes, rather than allowing the manufacturer to perform the final inspection itself. The airworthiness certificate grants approval for that plane to fly. In August 2023, the FAA considered allowing Boeing to once again complete the final airworthiness check, according to a report from the Transportation Departments inspector general. But that request was never fulfilled and the FAA still oversees the final inspection for new 737 and 787 aircraft. As the FAA was considering handing more control back to Boeing, a 737 MAX 9 fuselage that would later lose a panel midflight was traveling through the companys supply chain. Investigators examining the January 2024 blowout over Oregon, which occured shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport, later determined that the panel was missing four bolts meant to hold it in place. Boeing mechanics had removed the bolts in the companys Renton factory to fix another defect with the plane. Cantwell said in her April letter to the FAA that the request to redelegate final airworthiness certification authority at the same time production issues were traveling through Boeings factory was troubling. Boeing said it is seeing improvements to its oversight program, according to the companys annual safety briefing released in May. It hired an ombudsperson to act as a neutral third party to address employee concerns, added more employees to the unit who could perform tasks on behalf of the FAA and improved its pipeline to address retirements. A 2024 Boeing-led survey of employees who performed certification tasks on behalf of the FAA found that roughly 9% of respondents said they had experienced perceived interference in 2024, down from 12% a year earlier and 14% in 2022. -- Lauren Rosenblatt, The Seattle Times 2025 The Seattle Times. Visit www.seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that Wells Fargo is no longer subject to harsh restraints the Fed placed on the bank in 2018 for having a toxic sales and banking culture. Its a win for Wells Fargo, which has spent nearly a decade trying to convince the public and policymakers that it had changed its ways. We are a different and far stronger company today because of the work weve done, said Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf in a statement. Scharf also announced that each of the 215,000 employees at Wells Fargo would receive a $2,000 award for turning the bank around. Wells Fargo used to have a corporate culture where it placed unreasonable sales goals on its branch employees, which resulted in employees opening up millions of fake accounts in order to meet those goals. Wells top executives called its branches stores and employees were expected to cross-sell customers into as many banking products as possible, even if the customer did not want or need them. After an investigation by The Los Angeles Times in 2016, Wells Fargo shut down its sales culture and fired much of its leadership and board of directors. The fake accounts scandal cost Wells Fargo billions of dollars in fines and lost business, and permanently tarnished its reputation, particularly because the scandal broke only a few years after the Great Recession and financial crisis. It was later revealed that Wells Fargo opened up roughly 3.5 million accounts that were not wanted or needed by customers. Wells Fargo, once thought to be the best run bank in the country, was now the poster child of the worst practices of banking in decades. In order to push Wells to fix itself, the Federal Reserve took the unusual step of placing Wells Fargo in a program where the bank could grow no larger than it was in 2018. No bank had previously been placed into such a program, known as an asset cap. The Fed required Wells to fix it culture and redo its entire risk and compliance departments in order to address its problems. Since taking over in 2019, Scharfs goal has been to convince the Federal Reserve that Wells Fargo had fixed its toxic banking practices. With the asset cap removed, the bank can now pursue more deposits, new accounts and take on additional investment banking businesses by holding additional securities on its balance shet. Wells Fargo is the fourth-largest bank in Oregon by market share, with more than $12 billion in deposits and 74 offices. It also has hundreds of employees in the state but plans sweeping cuts to its Oregon workforce by years end, reducing or eliminating administrative offices in Hillsboro, Portland and Salem. -- Ken Sweet, The Associated Press Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) are working at a location affected by a Russian UAV attack on Chernihiv. "On the night of June 3, Chernihiv was once again attacked. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society rapid response team in Chernihiv region, together with other rescue services, is working at the scene of the emergency," the URCS reported on Facebook on Tuesday. Volunteers have set up an aid station and are providing first aid and psychological assistance if necessary. You can also drink tea or water at the aid station. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as a result of a nighttime UAV attack on Chernihiv, a private house burned down, a high-rise building, private houses, an educational institution, a shop, an industrial enterprise, and cars were damaged. Currently, five victims are known. Hood Packaging plans to close its paper bag plant in Vancouver and lay off 94 people, the company told Washington state workforce officials this week. Its the latest setback in the regions manufacturing sector. Atlanta-based Hood Packaging submitted a notice of suspension of operations to the state and said layoffs will begin Aug. 1 at its factory east of downtown Vancouver. The company did not immediately respond to a request for details about what triggered the shutdown. Hood makes a variety of paper bags used in animal feed, pet litter, coffee beans, microwave popcorn and many other applications. Hood operates nearly two dozen other factories at sites across the U.S. and Canada. Manufacturing in Portland and its suburbs has been in decline for about two years, shedding 10,000 positions during that period about 1 in 12 local factory jobs. That decline presaged a similar falloff nationally. More cuts are coming, with Intel poised to lay off hundreds or thousands of Oregon workers in the coming weeks as the chipmaker tries to reposition itself after a severe drop in revenue. Blue sky is reflected in the still water of Round Lake at Lacamas Park in Camas, Washington. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Fishing will be free in Washington state no license required for most types of fish for one weekend in June. Washington state Fish and Wildlife has two days of free fishing each year on the first weekend after the first Monday in June to help introduce residents to the fun of fishing. This year the weekend is June 7-8. You also wont need to pay for parking at Washington state parks, state fish and wildlife areas and state Department of Natural Resources land those two days. No Discover Pass will be required whether you are there to fish or just enjoy the outdoors. However, youll need to know some rules even if fishing is free. As in the past two years, any species of fish that require a catch card still will require a fishing license. That includes salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut. If you are heading toward the coast, be aware that shellfish also are excluded from the free fishing weekend. High interest in harvesting them led to early beach closures this spring, said Kirt Hughes, Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife fish management division manager. For fish that will not require a license to catch on the free fishing weekend, anglers must still adhere to fishing season dates, size limits, daily limits, gear rules and recording requirements. No two-pole endorsements are required on free fishing weekend. The endorsements allow anglers to use two fishing poles on certain lakes and sections of rivers. Rules can be found on the Washington Fish and Wildlife website or easily checked in the Fish Washington mobile app, which is available on Google Play, the Apple App Store and the Fish and Wildlife website. Printed Fish Washington booklets also are available where licenses are sold. If you are interested in lake fishing, hundreds of prizes have yet to be claimed from fish tagged and released in lakes statewide for the 2025 Trout Derby. Lakes included in the derby are listed at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/contests/trout-derby/lakes. This years fish tags are orange and begin with the letter J. Their prizes are valued at more than $54,000. 2025 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Visit www.TheNewsTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A 15-year-old boy was wounded in a Northeast Portland shooting Monday evening, police said. Portland police said the boy was sitting inside a car in the 10600 block of Northeast San Rafael Street in the Parkrose Heights neighborhood when a person in another car shot him. Police responded to a 911 call about the shooting around 6:30 p.m. The teen was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said. Investigating officers also found three additional cars struck by gunfire. But police spokesperson Mike Benner said no one else was hurt. Devon J. Patel is accused of stealing intimate photos and videos from people's Snapchat accounts (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file photo). AP Joseph K. Banks was living an a Northeast Portland group home for adults with mental illness at the time of the murders. Beth Nakamura A federal judge on Tuesday found convicted serial killer Joseph K. Banks not guilty by reason of insanity for illegally possessing a gun in March 2022 as a felon who had previously been committed to a mental institution. U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio also found Banks violated the conditions of a 2021 federal release order by failing to take his medication while living in a group home in Northeast Portland. Multiple guns were found atop tote bags that held a total of 384 pounds of methamphetamine in Martin Manzo Negreti's storage unit, according to a federal prosecutor. U.S. Attorney's Office A man who stowed 384 pounds of methamphetamine in an Oregon storage unit -- marking the largest single seizure of the drug in state history -- was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison. Despite a prior federal drug conviction, Martin Manzo Negrete continued to sell pounds of the drug for distribution by street dealers in the Eugene-Springfield area, Assistant U.S. Attorney William McLaren said. This was an absolutely astonishing quantity of narcotics -- hundreds of pounds in a single place is incredibly rare, McLaren said. Manzo Negretes arrest followed a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Eugene police in late 2020. Manzo Negrete lived in an apartment on Jefferson Street in Eugene and acted in a middleman role by warehousing the drugs received from a source in Mexico, McLaren said. A DEA informant identified Manzo Negrete, leading investigators to set up surveillance on Manzo Negrete and his white 2009 BMW, according to a federal affidavit. Manzo Negrete typically sold a pound for $4,000 but often fronted the drugs to his distributors with an expectation that he would get repaid once the drug was sold, according to McLaren. In September 2021, investigators raided Manzo Negretes home and a storage unit in Eugene. In the storage unit, they found totes that held 384 pounds of methamphetamine packaged in plastic bags -- the largest stock that Oregon investigators have ever discovered, McLaren wrote in a sentencing memo. Several guns also were found in the unit. At his apartment, investigators seized additional guns, pounds of methamphetamine, scales, drug packaging materials, cash and receipts for wire transfers to Mexico, according to McLaren. Investigators confiscated a total of seven guns, records show. In March, Manzo Negrete pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Five others tied to the same trafficking organization had already pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five years of probation to three years and five months in prison. Their drug trafficking occurred from October 2020 to October 2021, according to federal court records. Manzo Negrete was convicted in 2006 in federal court in Eugene of conspiracy to possess 21 pounds or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and sentenced then to 14 years in prison. Defense lawyer Marc P. Friedman said Manzo Negrete made poor choices to support his family but fully acknowledges his role in the case. He first came to the United States at age 14 and two years later married and started a family. He initially started a landscaping business with his wife in California and later in Oregon. After the death of one of their children, he and his wife went back to Mexico but returned to America a year later and separated. I take full responsibility I regret what I did, trust me, Manzo Negrete, now 51, told U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane. Im going to do the time. Im accountable. You aint hurting me because its my own fault. My little boy is the one whos going to have a hard time and his mother. McShane said he couldnt fathom what 384 pounds of the drug looks like, noting he hurts his back just lugging a 50-pound bag of food out to the feeder for the chickens he owns. Ive never seen anything like it, the judge said. While McShane said he recognized the struggles Manzo Negrete has faced, with little education and the need to support his now-ex-wife and their son, 6, the judge stressed that he needed to recognize the harm his spread of methamphetamine causes to families. Manzo Negrete will be deported after he completes his prison term. Its time for you to retire to Jalisco for a boring life, McShane said. But the judge made one last offer to Manzo Negrete. If your son needs anything write to me and Ill help him, McShane said. Just send me a letter and tell me what needs to be done. We dont want children to suffer. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, on Bluesky @maxbernstein.bsky.social or on LinkedIn. Back in the summer of 2023, rising fourth graders Odette Light, left, and Olive Gawron participated in a math exercise involving Legos at Stephenson Elementary School in Southwest Portland. Portland Public Schools is planning a summer learning program this summer, but was not eligible for a cut of $35 million in state grants. Beth Nakamura Gov. Tina Kotek recently hailed the signing of a bill that set aside $35 million for summer learning programs this year and next as the biggest bill of the legislative session thus far, calling it a huge win for all of Oregon. But for the 74 school districts, charter schools and education service districts that so far have informed the state that they were turning down their cut of that money, that win came too late and with too many strings attached. Cole Escola has come a long way since the days when the actor and writer was growing up in Clatskanie. Escola has scored a major success with critics and audiences alike as the writer and star of Oh, Mary!, a comic take on Abraham Lincolns wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, in which Escola plays the First Lady as an alcoholic, aspiring cabaret performer whos not all that concerned with the Civil War. Escola, described by Andy Cohen as the toast of Broadway during a recent guest spot on Watch What Happens Live, has been making several media appearances, talking about Oh, Mary! being nominated for five Tony Awards, including Escolas nod as best actor in a play, and Oh, Mary! being nominated as best play. With the 78th annual Tony Awards ceremony coming up this Sunday, June 8, Escola was recently interviewed on Fresh Air, the public radio show and podcast. The interview included mentions of Escolas earlier career achievements, including acting in such shows as Search Party, Difficult People and At Home With Amy Sedaris, and writing for series such as Hacks and The Other Two. Escola, who uses they/them pronouns, recalled growing up in Clatskanie, which they said was also the birthplace of Raymond Carver, by the way, so you will see a lot of similarities in our work, a wry observation about an author not known for humor, and Escolas own comedic approach. In addition to remembering their father chasing Escola and other family members out of our trailer, time spent with a grandmother, and early theater roles, Escola described Clatskanie as a gas station on your way from Portland to the coast, and a community with lots of trees, and nothing much else. Escolas media rounds have also included a touching talk with Mo Rocca on CBS Sunday Morning, and in the extended version of the interview available online, Escola told some of the same stories as they did on Fresh Air, including remembering their first professional acting role at age 11, playing Winfield Joad in a production of The Grapes of Wrath, at the Stageworks Northwest Theatre, in Longview. In answer to a question from Rocca, Escola also talked about deciding to use they/them pronouns, and how that feels more in line with how I see myself. To watch the 78th Annual Tony Awards, tune in at 5 p.m. PT Sunday, June 8 on CBS. No cable or satellite? You can stream the show via Paramount Plus, and on Fubo, which offers a free trial. The executive order had required the bureau to revise its medical care policies so that federal funds arent spent for the purpose of conforming an inmates appearance to that of the opposite sex. AP The federal Bureau of Prisons must continue providing hormone therapy and social accommodations to hundreds of transgender inmates following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that led to a disruption in medical treatment, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said in his ruling a federal law prohibits prison officials from arbitrarily depriving inmates of medications and other lifestyle accommodations that the bureaus own medical staff has deemed appropriate. The judge said the transgender inmates who sued to block Trumps executive order are trying to lessen the personal anguish caused by their gender dysphoria, the distress that a person feels because their assigned gender and gender identity dont match. In light of the plaintiffs largely personal motives for undergoing gender-affirming care, neither the BOP nor the Executive Order provides any serious explanation as to why the treatment modalities covered by the Executive Order or implementing memoranda should be handled differently than any other mental health intervention, the judge wrote. The Bureau of Prisons is providing hormone therapy to more than 600 inmates diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The bureau doesnt dispute that gender dysphoria can cause severe side effects, including depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, the judge said. The Republican presidents executive order required the bureau to revise its medical care policies so that federal funds arent spent for the purpose of conforming an inmates appearance to that of the opposite sex. Lamberths ruling isnt limited to the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit. He agreed to certify a class of plaintiffs consisting of anyone who is or will be incarcerated in federal prisons. The lawsuits named plaintiffs include Alishea Kingdom, a transgender woman who was prescribed hormone therapy injections and approved to receive social accommodations, including womens undergarments and cosmetics. Kingdom was denied her hormone shot three times after Trump signed his order, but she had it restored roughly a week after she sued. Her access to feminine undergarments hasnt been restored, according to the judges ruling. In Ms. Kingdoms case, there is no indication at all that the BOP means to leave her hormone therapy in place long-term; indeed, as noted above, she was informed by BOP personnel that the decision to resume her treatment was a consequence of this litigation itself, raising the specter that her treatments might be discontinued as soon as the litigation has concluded, Lamberth wrote. Trumps order also directed the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that males are not detained in womens prisons. In February, however, Lamberth agreed to temporarily block prison officials from transferring three incarcerated transgender women to mens facilities and terminating their access to hormone therapy. The judge said theres no evidence Trump or prison officials considered the harm the new polices could do to transgender inmates. The defendants argue that the plaintiffs have not alleged irreparable harm because they are all currently receiving hormone medications. But it suffices to say that all three plaintiffs access to hormone therapy is, as best the Court can tell, tenuous, Lamberth wrote. The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from the Transgender Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union. Lamberth, a senior judge, was nominated to the bench by President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, in 1987. Oregon lawmakers are weighing a bill to make hospital pricing more transparent and accessible to patients. Senate Bill 1060 would require hospitals to clearly post the actual prices of medical services both before and after insurance discounts so patients can better understand what they might owe. Federal rules implemented in 2021 require hospitals to disclose their payer-negotiated rates for common services available to consumers on an online tool, as well as for all services in a machine-readable file. But the information is often scattered across hospital websites in various formats, making it hard for consumers to make meaningful comparisons on prices. Supporters say SB1060 would cut through that confusion, giving patients clearer pricing information upfront and encouraging competition that could help lower healthcare costs. They argue its essential, as patients frequently pay part or even all of what insurers agree to cover. With most items we buy be it clothing, food or toys we can see up front as youre shopping what its going to cost, and you get to make a decision about whether the prices are good, said Rep. Willy Chotzen, D-Portland, one of the sponsors of the bill. We dont believe our health care should be any exception to that. Chotzen argued that while hospitals are already required to publish their prices online for patients, enforcement of that rule is lacking in Oregon. He added that the federal government has recently allowed hospitals to post estimated costs or a description of an algorithm used to come up with the price of a procedure in place of the actual prices, which he said doesnt help the average consumer. This bill requires true prices, not algorithms, estimates or things of that nature. If a hospital were to comply with this Oregon law, they would be in compliance with the federal rule, he said, adding that the bill would not be in conflict with federal rules. Its about making sure that the price being provided is actually a useful true number to the consumer, to the patient. John Freudenthal, aide to Sen. Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha, characterized SB1060 in testimony Monday as a fairly simple consumer protection bill that aims to standardize pricing disclosures, allowing patients to easily compare costs across hospitals with clear upfront information. (Campos is also a sponsor of the bill.) Freudenthal said he recently looked up the cost of an MRI after injuring his knee and learned that one hospital wouldve cost him $1,271.60 with his Regence BlueCross BlueShield insurance, while another hospital wouldve charged $598.40. This is nearly a $700 difference, and this kind of price disparity isnt unique, but it can make a huge difference for working middle class Oregonians trying to get by, he said. Patients will be empowered to make decisions that are in their best financial interests. Hospitals that do not comply with federal price disclosure rules are first issued a warning notice. If the noncompliance continues, it can lead to a corrective action plan or civil monetary penalties. The Hospital Association of Oregon, which lobbies on behalf of the states hospitals, says its members are already following the federal rules. The group opposes SB1060, arguing that it would add administrative burdens to the states hospitals that would add to their increasing operational expenses. This is the wrong time for this bill, which would divert resources from patient care while failing to help Oregon patients, Becky Hultberg, the president and CEO of the hospital association, testified Wednesday. She argued that the bill would not account for changes in federal requirements, which the association expects to continue to change as enforcement is a priority of the Trump administration. Hultberg said the bill would become a burden for hospitals, who will have to comply with two different requirements. She argued that theres a cost for understanding and complying with two completely different standards when theyre not aligned in statute. When SB1060 was first introduced earlier this year, it included civil fines of up to $5,000 per violation for hospitals that fail to comply with the rules. The version of the bill now making its way through the Senate, however, no longer includes enforcement provisions. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/synegubov.oleg Over the past day, the Russian Armed Forces shelled seven settlements in Kharkiv region, said the head of the regional military administration, Oleh Synehubov. "In the city of Kupiansk, women aged 55, 60, 61 and 62 and a 59-year-old man were injured; in the village of Kivsharivka of Kupiansk community, a 62-year-old and 64-year-old women were killed; in the city of Balakliya, a 31-year-old man was killed, a 38-year-old man was injured," Synehubov wrote on his Telegram channel. According to him, the Russian military used 17 unguided aircraft missiles, 17 aerial bombs, 18 UAVs of the Geran-2 type, four UAVs of the Shahed type; one UAV, the type of which is being established, and one fpv drone. Due to enemy shelling, the postal infrastructure was damaged in Kharkiv district of the region, in Kupiansk - six private houses, a car and a lyceum building, in Izium - a private house and three enterprises. The World Forestry Centers new exhibition, Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians, features stories and art from Native perspectives on Bigfoot. Courtesy of World Forestry Center If you didnt get a chance to visit the High Desert Museums Sensing Sasquatch exhibition in Bend, a version of it is now on display in Portland. The World Forestry Centers new exhibition, Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians, features stories and art from Native perspectives on the creature known in modern pop culture by the name Bigfoot. It was created in collaboration with the High Desert Museum, which hosted a similar exhibition last year. Indigenous peoples have long been in relationship with and shared stories about sacred forest protectors, often called Sasquatch and Bigfoot, reads a description of the exhibit. The works in this exhibition are made by Indigenous artists and honor generations of spiritual practices, storytelling, and tradition. Leave your preconceived notions behind and immerse yourself, not in the question of if Sasquatch exists, but rather, how are we existing with and honoring this non-human other. After the Bend exhibit closed in January, the artworks were re-curated for the World Forestry Center, with the addition of new stories about the forests of the Pacific Northwest, three new artworks, and two additional local Indigenous artists. Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians features work by Phillip Cash Cash, (Nez Perce, Cayuse), HollyAnna CougarTracks DeCoteau Littlebull (Yakama, Nez Perce, Cayuse, Cree), Charlene Tillie Moody (Warm Springs), Frank Buffalo Hyde (Nez Perce, Onondaga) and Rocky LaRock (Salish), Greg Archuleta (Grand Ronde) and Joe Scott (Siletz). The World Forestry Centers new exhibition, Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians, features stories and art from Native perspectives on Bigfoot. Courtesy of World Forestry Center We realize Sasquatch has morphed into a beloved Westernized pop culture icon, Stephanie Stewart Bailey, experience developer for World Forestry Center, said in an announcement of the exhibit, but when inside this gallery, we intentionally invite visitors to take part in a culturally informed experience, shaped by Indigenous knowledge, where Sasquatch is not a spectacle, but a sacred presence. Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians opened May 30 and is on display through Jan. 4, 2026. Indigenous artists will host public programs around the exhibition, to be announced in the coming months. The exhibition is on view on the second floor of World Forestry Centers Discovery Museum, 4033 S.W. Canyon Road in Portlands Washington Park. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $5-$8. For more information, visit worldforestry.org/sasquatch. One of the oldest and cheapest thrift stores in Portland, tucked away in a church basement in the Woodstock neighborhood, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new look. After a monthlong closure, the Mustard Seed Thrift Shop & Book Nook hosted a grand reopening and 50th anniversary celebration May 28, where the stores fresh paint job, new flooring and rearranged floor plan were unveiled. In the basement of All Saints Episcopal Church, the shop first opened to the community in 1974. (Yes, they are celebrating the anniversary one-year late.) It was started to have an inexpensive place to shop for Reed (College) students and for the community, said Sonja Miller, Mustard Seed store director. Over the years, thats continued to evolve and morph. Now, it supports our community outreach program. The churchs Outreach Ministries provide grocery assistance to about 300 people a week and serve about 100 people each Saturday with free hot meals. The St. Francis Clothing Closet offers free clothing, and each Saturday, All Saints provides showers, laundry service and hygiene products to people in need. The stores name comes from a Bible passage, Matthew 17:20: For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Tote bags were printed for the 50th anniversary with the thrift stores motto: From small seeds, big things grow. The Mustard Seed runs with the help of about 40 volunteers. Miller increased the number of volunteers in order to expand store hours earlier this year. The store went from being open once a week to now having store hours three days a week. Shoppers will find sections dedicated to adults and childrens clothes, housewares, craft supplies, lamps, toys and vintage clothing. The store has a notably large book section, with fiction alphabetized by author. We have a lot of customers that say we have some of the best prices in town, Miller said. Most items have flat pricing: Hardback books are $3, paperbacks are $1, clothing and craft patterns are $1, and DVDs, CDs or records are $1. Jeans run $4 to $5. During a recent visit, a pair of new Santana Canada womens hiking boots were for sale for $20. (They retail for about $280.) IF YOU GO: The Mustard Seed Thrift Store, in the basement of All Saints Episcopal Church at 4033 S.E. Woodstock Blvd., is open 2-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Donations are taken during store hours. The shop accepts credit cards and has a fitting room. All sales are final. Follow the store on Facebook or Instagram at @thriftmustardseed for sale announcements, including monthly bag sales and 25% off specials. David Richardson is the leader of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Tia Dufour, Department of Homeland Security President Donald Trumps acting director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told staff that he was unaware that the U.S. has a hurricane season, but officials claimed he was only joking. David Richardson, who has no previous disaster management experience, told an all-hands meeting at the nations main disaster response agency Monday that he had no idea that there was a hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs through November 1. Two people who were at the meeting told The New York Times that it was not clear if Richardson was joking or serious. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson pushed back on news accounts of Richardsons statements, calling them mean-spirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy. There is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this Hurricane Season. FEMA is laser focused on disaster response, and protecting the American people, the DHS representative said. FEMA staff say the agency has been plunged into turmoil by deep staff and program cuts. About 2,000 full-time staff have left since Trump took office in January, a loss of roughly one-third of the agencys full-time workforce, amid Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency mandated cuts. Scholars who study emergency management are concerned by both the reduction in capacity and the brain drain of experienced staff. Trump has repeatedly said he wants to dismantle the agency altogether and hand over disaster relief and recovery to the states. Critics say thats a recipe for disaster because only a handful of large states like Florida, Texas and California have the organizational know-how or financial capability to respond to major disasters. Trump appointed Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer, last month to take the helm of FEMA after abruptly firing his initial appointed acting administrator, Cameron Hamilton. Hamilton was ousted shortly after saying he did not believe the agency should be eliminated as Trump suggests, although the administration denies thats why he got the ax. The turmoil comes at the worst possible time for FEMA, which should be focused on preparations for what is predicted to be another busy summer of storms. Whats happening reminds former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate of 2005, the year Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and exposed inexperienced and poorly prepared governments at all levels, especially the then-FEMA chief who came from a horse-rearing association. Fugate said hes especially worried about top experienced disaster people leaving FEMA. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-normal season this year, during which six to 10 hurricanes will make landfall in the continental U.S., up to five of which could be major. FEMA is still leading recovery efforts from last years Hurricane Helene, which ripped a trail of devastation from the Florida Gulf Coast to western North Carolina. The New York Daily News, Associated Press and The Oregonian/OregonLive staff At the heart of the Kyron Horman case behind the headlines, theories and true crime fascination lies a profound human tragedy: Kaine Horman and Desiree Young endured 15 years of not knowing what happened to their son. The thing that I found so haunting is speaking with a mother who is still managing to get up every day and live her life. Not knowing what has happened to her very vulnerable and very young child and continuing to just try her best to live her life amid that loss, said Oregonian reporter Noelle Crombie in a recent Beat Check podcast, describing her recent interview with Desiree Young, Kyrons mother. Crombie was one of the original reporters covering Kyron Hormans disappearance in 2010 and has continued to report on new developments in the case up to this day. Kyron, then 7-years-old, vanished from his school, Skyline Elementary, on June 4, 2010. The case, which launched the largest search and rescue effort in Oregon history, has never been solved. Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of the Beat Check podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Young, Kyrons mother, has been relentless in her pursuit of answers. Desiree Young has been really a tireless advocate for this case, Crombie said on the podcast. Through multiple district attorneys and countless dead ends, she has refused to let her sons case go cold or be forgotten. PORTLAND, OREGON -- June 1, 2012 -- Desiree Young, on the front steps of the Multnomah County Justice Center, announces her intention to file a civil lawsuit against Terri Horman, as the two year anniversary of Kyron Hormans disappearance approaches. Kraig Scattarella/The Oregonian LC- The Oregonian LC- The Oregonian Now, a potential new chapter is unfolding. Newly elected Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez has pledged to review the case, bringing fresh perspective to an investigation that has frustrated authorities for a decade and a half. Listen to the full episode: Nathan Vasquez is the new district attorney and so hes going to bring hes a longtime prosecutor so hes going to bring new, fresh eyes, Crombie explained. So, who knows what that will turn up. However, expectations are tempered by the realities of cold case investigations. The passage of time presents significant challenges, especially in a case without physical remains. Time is seen as kind of an enemy in these kinds of investigations, and breakthroughs are harder and harder to come by, Crombie cautioned. Theyre not impossible, of course. Were writing about breakthroughs in cold cases fairly regularly. But those are cases where we have remains. The case file alone is daunting. It fills dozens of boxes... it fills like a room, Crombie said. This isnt just a matter of quickly reviewing summary reports; its a massive undertaking that will require significant resources if it ever proceeds to prosecution. Young has been clear about what justice looks like to her she wants Terri Horman, Kyrons former stepmother, prosecuted. Questions have long surrounded Terri Horman, but she has never been charged or even named a person of interest in the case. Authorities must be absolutely certain before proceeding with any charges. As podcast host Destiny Johnson pointed out, prosecuting anyone means they could not be prosecuted again for this crime. So, they want to make sure that they are doing what they need to do to make sure this gets seen to the end. Fifteen years is a long time to wait for answers, yet Young persists. Her continued advocacy despite such devastating uncertainty elicits profound respect from those who know the case. As Crombie puts it: I find the fact that shes functioning every day and still really strongly advocating for her son, its very admirable. Whether Vasquezs fresh examination will yield the breakthrough Young has waited for remains to be seen. Subscribe to Beat Check with The Oregonian on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Youll get a weekly look inside Oregons biggest news stories with the journalists at The Oregonian/OregonLive.com. Listen to more Beat Check episodes below. When planning an Oregon Coast getaway, travelers often fixate on ocean views and room amenities, but Peak Northwest podcast host Jamie Hale has a different priority that transforms an ordinary hotel stay into an extraordinary coastal experience: Location, location, location. I like to stay in the thick of things, Hale shared with co-host Chiara Profenna on a recent episode. I want to walk to breakfast. I want to walk to dinner. I want to walk to the beach. This seemingly simple preference prioritizing walkability and proximity to both town amenities and natural attractions emerges as a crucial factor that can make or break a coastal visit, regardless of how luxurious your accommodations might be. Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Take Astoria, for example, where Hale recommends the boutique Norblad Hotel precisely because of its strategic downtown location. The Norblad Hotel in downtown Astoria has been operating since 1923, but has undergone modern renovations in recent years after new ownership took over in 2007. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Its a great place for an overnighter because theres a vibrant downtown, Hale explained. Theres a lot of stuff to do, restaurants, breweries, theres the Oregon Film Museum out there. Theres a couple of really good museums out there and just some incredible views of the Columbia River as it reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Oregon Film Museum in Astoria is dedicated to movies filmed around the state, in particular "The Goonies." In recent years, the museum has added small movie sets that allow visitors to film short scenes. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian The hotel itself might be modestly priced with some rooms featuring shared bathrooms, but its location transforms the stay into something special a doorway to exploration rather than just a place to sleep. This pattern repeats throughout Hales coastal recommendations. In Cannon Beach, he prioritizes accommodations that put you within walking distance of both the iconic Haystack Rock and the towns charming shops and restaurants. The sun sets over Haystack Rock and the beach at Cannon Beach, creating a colorful scene in the surf and sky in 2019. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian In Depoe Bay, the Channel House earns points not just for its balcony hot tubs but for its position overlooking the worlds smallest harbor. The Channel House hotel in Depoe Bay at the Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Perhaps the most enthusiastic recommendation came when Hale described Yachats, a small central coast town that has carefully curated its business district to enhance the visitor experience. One of my favorite towns in the central coast is Yachats. I love Yachats, Hale enthused. Sort of a small downtown, but its a place where every business is great. Each restaurant is really good. The coffee shop is really good. Theres a cool record store. The ice cream is good. The fish and chips are good. Everything is just good there. Fried halibut and chips is a specialty at Luna Sea Fish House in Yachats on the central Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian This quality extends to the south coast as well. When discussing the Itty Bitty Inn in North Bend, Hale pointed out that beyond its famous themed rooms, the hotels location provides easy access to spectacular natural areas though you do have to drive to some of those. One of the most popular rooms at the Itty Bitty Inn in North Bend is the Star Trek room, which places guests on the bridge of the original Starship Enterprise. Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian The main thing to do in this part of the town... is you go to this trio of state parks. Youve got Sunset Bay, Shore Acres, and Cape Arago. Theyre all on one highway out along the coastline. Each one is great, he explained. Visitors walk along Simpson Beach at Shore Acres State Park. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Whether its watching barges pass under the Astoria-Megler Bridge, spending a rainy afternoon browsing Yachats perfect little downtown or exploring the dramatic shore formations of Cape Arago, the right location transforms a simple overnight into an integral part of your coastal journey. Want to hear more about Hales recommendations for perfectly positioned Oregon Coast hotels? Listen to the full Peak Northwest podcast episode for his complete guide to stays that put you in the heart of the action. Subscribe to The Oregonian/OregonLives travel and outdoors podcast Peak Northwest on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Check out more Peak Northwest episodes below. Just over four months into President Donald Trumps second administration, the rate and frequency with which Democratic attorneys general have challenged federal policy has greatly outpaced that of his first term in office. In the past 19 weeks, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has filed 20 lawsuits against the federal government and indicated more are likely to follow soon. According to Brown, Washington had filed two lawsuits at a similar point in Trumps first term. The lawsuits have frequently been brought by multistate coalitions, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield each joining Washington in more than a dozen of the cases. Just last week, Rayfield won a favorable order in a federal case over tariffs with a coalition he led. The three attorneys general said the actions are part of a coordinated effort. A very increased type of action being brought by the states, Brown said during a news conference Monday. That is reflective of one, being extremely prepared for this moment, two, the collaboration amongst the states, and three, a level of lawlessness and recklessness by the Trump administration that was not there the first time. And we as attorneys general need to respond. The Community Impact Town Hall on Monday offered a forum for community members to voice their concerns over the loss of funding or other cuts to federal programs and ask about their states response to the Trump administration. Audience questions included how states could ensure funds for medical research are properly distributed and what steps the states have taken to restrict local law enforcement from enforcing immigration law. Like Washington, both Oregon and California have long had state laws that limit the amount of information local authorities can provide immigration officials. Californias law, Bonta said, was challenged during the first Trump administration, with the state successfully arguing it was an unlawful violation of the tenth amendment for the Trump administration to try and conscript or commandeer our resources for our local law enforcement to be used for immigration enforcement. In recent months, the Keep Washington Working Act has frequently drawn ire from Republican lawmakers and prompted a Congressional investigation. The 2019 law restricts local law enforcement from using local resources to help federal officials enforce immigration law and prevents local law enforcement from sharing nonpublic information with federal officials, except in certain scenarios. Last month, the three states filed lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation, alleging that both agencies had recently sought to stipulate that a state must cooperate with federal immigration officials to receive federal funding. When they try to take the funding away to compel action, we will stand in place to protect our sanctuary state laws that exist up and down the West Coast, Rayfield said. I feel very fortunate, again, to be on the West Coast. It appears that more lawsuits challenging federal immigration efforts could come in the near future. Late last week, the Department of Homeland Security published a list of sanctuary jurisdictions that it claimed do not fully cooperate with federal immigration law. Trump, who ordered the publication of the list, has said those on the list risk the loss of federal funds. According to the list, qualification for the list was determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens. The list, however, received immediate pushback from some of those who appeared on it. On Saturday, Kieran Donahue, president of the National Sheriffs Association, said in a statement that the 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. This decision by DHS could create a vacuum of trust that may take years to overcome, Donahue said, adding the list should be taken down immediately. While the list was taken down Sunday, an archived version shows that Washington, along with 35 counties and five cities within the state, were among the more than 500 jurisdictions it mentioned. Both California and Oregon also appeared on the list. On Monday, Brown called the list laughable and said it really adds to the fact that this is arbitrary and capricious action by the Trump administration. We as attorneys general have to take those threats seriously and reaffirm state sovereignty, Brown said. Each of our states has adopted different policies over how local and state officials can cooperate with federal immigration enforcement officials. We do that to keep the public safe and make sure that people who are the victims of crime can cooperate fairly and freely with law enforcement without fear of immigration enforcement actions against them. 2025 The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.). Visit www.spokesman.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. President Trumps deportation dragnet descended on Portland Immigration Court on Monday as federal authorities arrested a 24-year-old asylum-seeker in a courthouse hallway. The arrest at a federal courthouse follows similar incidents across the nation and is thought to be the first in Portland. Details of the arrest were still emerging late Monday, and federal officials declined to comment. But attorney Juliann Peebles, who serves as a liaison for the Oregon chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, confirmed the arrest and said authorities from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are expected to return to court in downtown Portland. There might be more people. A lot of more people, she said of the potential for arrests. We believe ICE is going to be there all week. At least all week, if not routinely. Word of Monday mornings arrest spread rapidly among Oregons close-knit group of immigration attorneys and advocates but details didnt emerge publicly until evening, when attorneys for Innovation Law Lab issued a news release. The 24-year-old who was arrested, identified only as O-J-M in court filings, is a transgender woman who fled Mexico in 2023 and sought asylum in the United States. She suffered violence on account of her gender identity and sexual orientation at the hands of a dangerous cartel, Innovation Law Lab said in its release. She arrived at the courthouse Monday for a hearing and was arrested outside the courtroom after federal officials moved to dismiss her case. This is a dangerous attempt by ICE to circumvent due process, speed up deportations, and eviscerate the right to asylum, Innovation Law Lab attorney Jordan Cunnings, who is representing the woman, said in a statement. This unethical behavior goes against the values we hold as Oregonians, ensuring that everyone is welcomed and included in our state. Attorneys filed an emergency habeas corpus petition, fighting ICEs effort to unilaterally strip her of her ability to seek asylum while attempting to rapidly remove her from the country, Innovation Law Lab said. The federal legal petition wasnt electronically available as of Monday evening. Willamette Week first reported details of the legal filing. People with cases in immigration court include those who are seeking asylum due to persecution in their home country based on their race, religion, nationality, or political association and others who are alleged to have violated immigration laws. Clues about the federal governments deportation strategy emerged Monday during what are otherwise considered standard immigration proceedings. Peebles said federal attorneys on Monday moved to dismiss several pending cases, which, if approved, can open the door for an immediate arrest. Some immigrants had attorneys, who asked for time to respond, keeping their cases active and preventing the type of arrest that occurred Monday. To my knowledge, this has not happened in Portland immigration court before, Erin McKee, co-director of the Immigrant Rights Project at the Oregon Justice Resource Center, said of the arrest. The group since 2018 has solicited tips about activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in and around Oregon courthouses, and she was among those who heard about Mondays arrest. Given the uncertainty over enforcement action under the Trump administration, its always worth it to speak to an attorney first before attending a court hearing, McKee said. Isaac Ross, administrator at the Portland Immigration Court, declined to answer questions about the arrest Monday. Kathryn Mattingly, a spokesperson for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees all immigration courts, including the Portland Immigration Court, declined to comment and referred questions about enforcement activities to the Department of Homeland Security, which didnt respond by deadline. An ICE spokesperson wouldnt address the courthouse arrest in Portland on Monday, saying only that as part of its routine operations, ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nations immigration laws. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality, he continued. Local immigration attorneys are concerned federal attorneys may approach judges with a list of cases they want dismissed, to help facilitate arrests, Peebles said. Such action, she said, would represent improper contact unless a representative for the immigrant is present. People are going to be afraid to go to court, to show up to their hearings, she said of Mondays incident. Making courthouse arrests, she added, is part of the Trump administrations strategy to scare them away from a justice system that they should have access to. The Trump administration in January revoked guidelines that prevented ICE arrests at sensitive locations, including courthouses, without approval. Federal officials have since said limitations allowed by the Biden administration thwarted law enforcement from making immigration arrests. As of May 6, news organization Reuters reported that ICE had conducted 189 courthouse arrests since Trump returned to office. -- Brad Schmidt is an editor overseeing investigative and data journalism at The Oregonian/OregonLive. Contact him at 503-294-7628 or bschmidt@oregonian.com -- Yesenia Amaro is on the investigations team. Reach her at 503-221-4395, or yamaro@oregonian.com. Heather Mirasol is the second top official to leave Multnomah County in the past month. Courtesy of Multnomah County Multnomah Countys behavioral health division director announced her resignation in an email to county staff Monday. Heather Mirasols departure comes just weeks after she returned from personal leave. Her last day is June 16. Editors note: This story was updated at 2:32 p.m. on June 6 to reflect a statement from Diego Dorantes Sanchez's family. A search is underway for an OU student after he went missing May 30 off the coast of Taiwan. Diego Dorantes Sanchez, a 23-year-old anthropology student from Mexico, was snorkeling with three of his friends at 11:45 a.m. Friday, May 30, at Da Bai Sha beach at Green Island, Taiwan, and was last seen at 12:15 p.m, according to a Monday email from a family friend to OU Daily. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... The search began at around 1 p.m. after Dorantes friends realized he had disappeared. According to the email, the weather was cloudy but not of any concern and several snorkelers and scuba divers were present in the water with Dorantes and his friends. The search continued with no success until severe weather delayed search efforts. Dorantes family wrote in an email to OU Daily Monday that the Taiwanese Coast Guard has conducted a search limited to Green Island, but experts assisting in the search believe he could have drifted toward Yonaguni, a small, remote Japanese island about 150 miles northeast of Green Island, or toward the Senkaku Islands area, a cluster of small uninhabited islands in the East China Sea. The email states the team is calling on local communities willing and able to join the search, including fishermen, sailors, boat owners, divers and rescuers with access to the area. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM We urge everyone with access to these areas to please search and report anything that may help, the email reads. (Dorantes) could be stranded and waiting for rescue. One week after Dorantes went missing, Dorantes' family wrote in a statement Friday that while search efforts continue, the possibility of survival is unfortunately low. "These were intense days, full of hope and love for him. Despite all efforts, up to this moment Diego has not been found, and the chances that he is still alive are, sadly, very few," the statement reads. "We kindly ask for your understanding as we go through this great sorrow in spiritual reflection." Before the statement, Dorantes family was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to locating him, according to a GoFundMe page. According to the statement, all donations will be given to a foundation the family will choose and announce later on. "All the funds that were so generously contributed for his rescue will be donated to a foundation that Diego would have wanted to support," the statement reads. Dorantes search team can be contacted at buscandoadiegodorantes@gmail.com. Social media updates, including the date and time of a memorial service, can be found at @buscandoadiegodorantes. "Diego leaves us with a great lesson: how the love for such a special person was able to unite the strength and hearts of so many people, from different places, with the hope of finding him," the statement reads. "Just like him, who was always willing to help others." This story was edited by Ana Barboza. The Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday passed a law (No. 13018-d) on financial inclusion by 260 votes, with the required minimum of 226 votes, which Ukrposhta is waiting for to launch its own bank. "The parliament has finally voted for draft law No. 13018-d on amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine on the development of financial inclusion in Ukraine in the second reading," Danylo Hetmantsev, head of the relevant parliamentary committee on finance, tax and customs policy, wrote on Telegram. As reported, according to this document, a new type of bank will appear in Ukraine - a financial inclusion bank for servicing individuals and other clients with an annual income of up to EUR 5 million, which will operate on the basis of a limited banking license. The main purpose of such a bank will be to serve citizens and micro-enterprises that currently do not have stable access to financial services, in particular, in liberated territories, in areas near combat zones and among socially vulnerable groups of the population. It is assumed that the financial inclusion bank will have the right to provide banking and other financial services exclusively to individuals, business entities, public and charitable organizations, as well as state and local government bodies. To ensure concentration on target client groups, it is planned to limit the activities of financial inclusion banks in the capital markets, as well as to establish limits on the volume of loans that can be provided to one borrower and other restrictions. The draft law also proposes to legislatively establish the definitions of the terms "financial inclusion", "limited banking license" and "financial inclusion bank," as well as to grant the National Bank of Ukraine the authority to promote the development of financial inclusion. The adoption of this law was expected by the national postal operator Ukrposhta, which plans to create Ukrposhta Bank on the basis of the First Investment Bank (PinBank), which was transferred to the state by court decision as part of sanctions against Russian owners. International Paper to Explore Building a New Paper Packaging Facility in Salt Lake City, Utah June 3, 2025 - International Paper today announced the strategic exploration of a new facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the production of paper-based packaging. International Paper said the exploration of a prospective new facility is part of its strategic growth plans to expand manufacturing capabilities in the United States. The company is eyeing Utah to increase its footprint in the region and better serve customers by meeting the growing demand for high-quality, sustainable packaging. This announcement comes shortly after the company celebrated the groundbreaking of a new corrugated box plant in Waterloo, Iowa. "This exploration is part of Packaging Solutions North America's strategic growth initiative to enhance our regional manufacturing footprint in the U.S. Salt Lake City would be a new market for IP and an opportunity to better serve existing customers in the region and grow strategically with new customers," said John Berry, Group Vice President and General Manager, Packaging Group West. If pursued, this proposed new facility will feature cutting-edge technology and equipment to help enable International Paper's ability to deliver innovative and sustainable packaging solutions to a growing customer base in the western U.S. Specific information, including capital investment, facility footprint and potential employment opportunities will be shared at the appropriate time as part of the ongoing evaluation process, IP noted. International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, IP employs more than 65,000 team members and serves customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. SOURCE: International Paper A few months ago, motivated by nothing in particular, I re-read T. E. Shaws translation of The Odyssey of Homer. (For those who might be unaware, T. E. Shaw was a pseudonym for T. E. Lawrence, who is otherwise known as Lawrence of Arabia a character who has fascinated me for much of my life. There is much more to him than is contained even in the [great] David Lean film about him.) It was the first time that Id read any version of the Odyssey in quite a while; I thought that it was time to rekindle my acquaintance with one of the most important books in the history of western civilization. Last night, one of the reading groups to which my wife and I belong one to which weve belonged for decades now discussed a well-received and still relatively new translation (2017) of the Odyssey, done by Emily Wilson. So I reread the book. We had a good discussion. I liked Professor Wilsons translation quite a bit, and I recommend it to anybody who might be interested in reading or re-reading Homer. She has also released a fresh translation of the Iliad (2023), which I havent yet seen. Space photo of the week: Record-breaking James Webb telescope image captures 1,678 galaxy groups at once: Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope for the largest and deepest sample of galaxy groups, some of which were up to 12 billion light-years away. When you keep in mind the fact that the universe as a whole is only (!) 13.7 billion years old, its apparent that, in considering this image, were peering back to very near the beginning of everything of which we know or can possibly know in the entirety of the physical cosmos. But, please, take a moment. Try to imagine how very immense the universe is. Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, is estimated to contain somewhere between one hundred billion and four hundred billion stars, and at least a roughly equivalent number of planets. For purposes of consideration, lets assume that to be somewhat near the cosmic average. Some galaxies are smaller; some are larger. So what were seeing in this new NASA image which represents only a tiny portion of the sky thats visible from Earth at any given time is not 1,678 galaxies. Its 1,678 galaxy groups. I have no idea how many galaxies would be in each group, but lets arbitrarily say that there are, on average, ten each. That would yield 16,780 galaxies in this small photograph alone. Now, lets multiply that figure of 16, 780 galaxies by one hundred billion. That would give us a lowball estimate of 1,678,000,000,000,000 stars and planets in this image. Or, using the figure of four hundred billion cited above, we would come up with a total number of 6,712,000,000,000,000 stars and planets. I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name. . . . And worlds without number have I created; . . . and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten. (Moses 1:3, 33) Amazingly, something new has just appeared on the never-changing website of the Interpreter Foundation: Interpreter Radio Show May 25, 2025, including Doctrine and Covenants in Context for June 16 June 22 covering D&C 64 to 66 For the 25 May 2025 iteration of the Interpreter Radio Show, John Thompson and Martin Tanner, with their special guest Val Larsen, discussed Vals recent article in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship and the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for June 16 22. Their recorded conversation, edited to remove commercial breaks, is now available for your listening pleasure and unrestrained delight. (You can listen in the privacy of your own home, where there are essentially no public legal limits to the way in which you express your joy.) The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640. Or, if you prefer or if your distance from the Salt Lake Valley or your personal schedule leaves you with no practical alternative, you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com. Moreover, I want to remind you that videos of the presentations given at the most recent Interpreter Foundation conference are now available online for the customary Interpreter Foundation fee, which is nothing: Abraham and His Family in Scripture, History, and Tradition. Such events (as well as our books, our journal, and our other productions) do, however, incur unavoidable expenses. So, if you appreciate what we do, if you would like to ensure that we remain able to do it, please feel free to make a tax-deductible donation: Donating to the Interpreter Foundation. And, finally, just to ensure that certain readers out there dont become too complacent, here is a quartet of stories, retrieved from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File, that illustrate the stark and terrible fact that the horrors caused by theism have not yet been entirely eliminated: Two or three weeks ago, reports circulated in the news media that the Trump administration was considering suspension of the right of habeas corpus, at least for some. See, for example, And this Wall Street Journal opinion piece by William A. Galston (in whose company, for what little it may be worth, I once spent a week at a small seminar in Malaga, in the south of Spain, under the auspices of the Institute for American Values) is very much worth reading: Trumps Habeas Corpus Threat: No president, even Lincoln, has ever suspended the writ without Congress Of course, the Trump administration is such a constantly swirling vortex of news and controversy that the matter of habeas corpus has disappeared from the headlines and the front pages since then. New controversies have largely replaced it. But, so far as Im aware, there is no reason to believe that the idea of suspending one of the most venerable of constitutional rights has been dropped at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Here, in fact, is an article that was published just yesterday: So I thought that I would mention a couple of items here that some readers of this blog might find of interest. First, its noteworthy that the late Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia the left/right polar opposites on the Supreme Court of the United States during their still-recent tenures agreed that everybody within the borders of the United States of America (and every citizen of the United States of America abroad) enjoys the protection of guaranteed constitutional rights, including the right to due process: Extreme Opposites Agree. Second, I cite (and I enthusiastically recommend) an interesting and even entertaining talk that was given by then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles some may recall the relevant fact that, before he was sustained as a prophet, seer, and revelator, he was a professor of law at the University of Chicago and a member of the Utah Supreme Court on Monday, 23 September 2013, at the Historic Nauvoo Visitors Center in Nauvoo, Illinois. His remarks were delivered as part of a multi-day event that was co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission. On the following day, Tuesday 24 September 2012, a reenactment of Joseph Smiths habeas corpus hearings was performed, followed by a panel discussion. A similar reenactment and a similar panel discussion occurred on the campus of the University of Chicago about three weeks later. (See Apostle Speaks on Joseph Smith at Illinois Law Event.) Here is an excerpt from Elder Oakss remarks on that occasion: It is within the context of Joseph Smiths love of the Constitution that his understanding and use of the writ of habeas corpus must be examined. In a recent article in BYU Studies Quarterly, Jeffrey Walker, who has been so helpful to me in the research and writing of this talk, summarized Josephs use of habeas corpus: During Joseph Smiths life he invoked the habeas corpus laws on several occasions: From seeking review of his incarceration in Liberty Jail to seeking approval for the charter for the City of Nauvoo (which included the right of the municipal court to hear writs of habeas corpus) to seeking review of his arrests during the various extradition efforts to return him to Missouri, Smith developed a keen understanding of the protections that habeas corpus afforded, and he needed that understanding. Joseph Smith believed, and accurately so, that if he were to be jailed in Illinois as he had been in Missouri, he would not survive his incarceration. It was in fact his jailing in Illinois that ended in his murder. His passionate belief in habeas corpus can be heard in a speech he gave to thousands assembled at the grove just below the temple here in Nauvoo. After arriving to have a petition for habeas corpus heard the following morning by the Nauvoo Municipal Court over Missouris third effort to have him extradited, he said: The Constitution of the United States declares that the privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be denied. Deny me the right of Habeas Corpus, and I will fight with gun, sword, cannon, whirlwind, and thunder, until they are used up like the Kilkenny cats . . . the benefits of the Constitution & laws are for all alike; & the great Eloheim has given me the privilege of having the benefits of the Constitution & the writ of Habeas Corpus. Joseph Smiths intellectual understanding of the protections afforded by the writ of habeas corpus justifies admiration by any student of the law. Daniel H. Wells, then a non-Mormon justice of the peace in Hancock County and a personal friend of Joseph, said, I have been around lawmen all of my life. Joseph Smith was the best lawyer that I have ever known in my life. [For the full text of Elder Oakss 2013 speech, see Behind the Extraditions: Joseph Smith, the Man and the Prophet, By Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles] Given President Oakss position at the time of the cited remarks, and his current position as the second-ranking leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and even as a very possible future president of the Church, is it too political on my part to hope that my fellow members of the Church will take his view of habeas corpus to say nothing of the view on the matter of the Prophet Joseph Smith seriously? The Constitution of the United States is, after all, expressly mentioned (and approved) in our canonical scriptures: According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. (Doctrine and Covenants 101:77-80) And please note that the Constitution is to be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh (emphasis mine). After a serious spoiler warning to hopefully send anyone who wants to avoid spoilers running for their lives and averting their gaze, I begin this post with the biggest mystery of the episode but by no means the only one, namely whether the credits saying Introducing Billie Piper is significant and if so in what way. Saying that she was mentioned is of course a spoiler, but for those who are still reading, who either dont care about spoilers or have seen the episode, that doesnt reveal the big question: is this the new face of the Doctor? The answer might seem obvious. We saw the Doctor release regeneration energy into the time vortex, and then undergo regeneration. Then we see the face of Ncuti Gatwa transform into that of Billie Piper. Is there any ambiguity? Yes, and it results not from the scene but from the credits that follow immediately after. You see, Introducing Billie Piper as The Doctor would be in keeping with the tradition. We did not get that. If she is the Doctor, why the ambiguity? Or is the ambiguity just to get us speculating? Both Colin Baker and Peter Capaldi were individuals who appeared in episodes prior to becoming the Doctor, and so we have the sense that the Doctors faces are significant rather than random and may be those of individuals the Doctor previously encountered. The Sterility of the Time Lords There is no chance whatsoever that the reappearance of Susan and the claim that the time lords are sterile happened in the same season without the combination being significant. Poppy is said to be a glitch of sorts. The Rani says, Shes not real. Shes made of hopes and dreams and wishes. The Doctor replies, That is every child. By the end of the episode, when the Doctor has given up a life in order to save Poppy and bring her back into the timeline, we learn that she is not the mysterious wish-fulfilment offspring of the Doctor and Belinda Chandra, but the purely human offspring of Belinda and another human. All of this is teasing us. The episode suggests that the genocidal act of the Master (often called the Spy Master in this iteration) caused the remaining time lords to become sterile, so that this is not a historic problem but a recent and current one. Yet in a recent episode the Doctor said about his children that he does have and I will have. Do you think this all reflects a consistent mystery that Doctor Who is poised to explore, or is it an incoherent mess that has been introduced into the shows mythology in time wimey family wamily fashion? The Rani complains that a human mother would represent a contamination. This provides a point at which one can discuss racism, eugenics, and other such topics. If all of the above gets resolved by the fact that the Doctor is half human on his mothers side, then Ill be happy. Until then, I reserve judgment. Maintaining the Mystery Doctor Who is a show that launched in the 1960s with a mystery that it preserved, then revealed, then expanded, and on and on in cycles of revelation and tantalization. What are your guesses? The Doctor has chosen a face that has significance from the Doctors past? If the Doctor is played by Billie Piper, how will you feel about that? Might the Doctor at some point have thought he encountered Rose Tyler and in fact the Doctor was face to face with herself? Is the way of phrasing it, Introducing Billie Piper, a distraction or a clue? Will Billie Piper play the Doctor next season? Will Billie Pipers character eventually become the Valeyard as some have already begun speculating? My mind didnt go there until others raised the question. Whats the appropriate response to this? Speculate, deduce, or wait and see? The Omega Point There is a lot more that deserves to be discussed about the episode, especially for those interested in religious elements. Theres the mention of an unholy trinity: God of Wishes, crazy timelady, and Malcolm Clark. Omega and his pioneering work that makes time travel possible and his exile that secures that for the rest is said to be the original sin of the time lords. If youre not familiar with it, watch The Three Doctors from the classic era to find out about Omega. The biggest disappointment of this seasons finale was that Omega is teased only to not truly appear or communicate even briefly. The reappearance of Omega in skeletal animal form is a disappointment. Omega was a significant figure, monstrous in a way but a person, not a creature that would want to feast on a world. Concluding Thoughts On the whole, I have a lot of points of disappointment with Doctor Whos version of Groundhog Day. The Reality War may have shortcomings less due to writers and producers and more due to circumstances. Ncuti Gatwa decided to leave the show and as a result, a different cliffhanger had to be scrapped. For those interested in religious themes, words from towards the end of the episode are worth pondering. The Doctor says, The gods play tricks. But I beat them. I always win. The Doctor also ponders the transitory nature of things, so that time changes and things disappear, but even within a timeline things fade. All is vanity. Everything is sandcastles. Traveling in and out of the slipstreams of timebeautiful things can be forgotten. Who do you think the boss at the time hotel is who sent greetings to the Doctor? Might it be his granddaughter Susan? What are your thoughts on this past season of Doctor Who and its finale, The Reality War? What are your thoughts on the credits saying Introducing Billie Piper? Would you be excited by Billie as the next Doctor? Either way, do you think thats where the show is headed? The old Bishop McDevitt high school building located at 2200 Market Street in Harrisburg. May 24, 2024. Jimmie Brown. jbrown@pennlive.com. Jimmie Brown This story was updated to include more clarification regarding owner Jeremy Hunters finances. The former Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, at one time earmarked for a redevelopment project, is headed to sheriffs sale this summer due to failed mortgage payments. The sale stems from a judgment in favor of S&F, LLC, which filed a petition in March to collect $2.2 million as the result of a commercial mortgage foreclosure from the buildings owner, William Penn Holdings, Inc., according to court documents. The sale is slated for 10 a.m. July 17 at the Dauphin County Administration Building. According to Dauphin County court documents, William Penn owner Jeremy Hunter failed to pay off the debt from two mortgage loans within a 60-day time frame initiated in December 2024. However, Hunter said he plans to satisfy the judgement. He said he already paid off one $500,000 debt in mid-May and this month will pay the additional $1.7 million against a second mortgage loan. I dont want any debt on the property, he said. Hunter also said his company holds additional real estate assets with equity exceeding $10 million and active term loans in place to support investment in the project. He purchased the former Catholic high school at 2200 Market St. from the Diocese of Harrisburg for $300,000. Its too early to know if Hunters payments could stave off a sheriffs sale. The sales can be stopped by the plaintiffs attorney, a court order or active bankruptcy. The plaintiffs attorney, Adam P. Barsky of Philadelphia, refused to comment on the case. The impending sale marks another development in the history of the former Catholic high school. The Bridge Eco-Village, headed by former NFL-pro Garry Gilliam, had leased the site from Hunter in 2019 to pursue a massive redevelopment project. At the time, the group announced its vision to transform the collection of classrooms and hallways into a sustainable and self-contained mixed-use eco-village. Earlier this year, Hunter said Gilliam and the Bridge were no longer a tenant. Recently, Gilliam presented a proposal to bring the Bridge to the former William Penn High School in Harrisburg. Hunter has plans for the property and in February announced he wanted to open Saturdays on Market, a farmers market at the 8-acre complex. He also said he wants to rent space to a food bank, donate space for the city to use for a police substation and open a roller rink in the schools gymnasium. Last week Hunter confirmed the farmers market will open soon, although there is no firm opening date. On multiple occasions, Hunter listed the building for sale, even finding a buyer last spring. However, in February he said the person backed out. The nearly 95-year-old school with its twin towers, was once an active school until the Harrisburg Diocese closed it in 2012. When 13-year-old Nolan Grove pointed a black .38 pistol at 12-year-old Kain Heilands back and pulled the trigger, was he trying to kill him? Or did Nolan think the gun was unloaded, making the shooting an accident? By Jack Panyard, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) Police said a Providence Township, Lancaster County, man lied about his 2-month-old son falling off a bed and that the injuries were from abuse instead. Michael Robert McDonald, 30, of Parkview Drive, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault against a minor and endangering the welfare of children after his son became unresponsive last week after reportedly falling off a bed leading to a permanent brain damage diagnosis, according to police. McDonald is in Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $150,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 10. He did not have an attorney listed on his docket as of Monday. Pennsylvania State Police responded to McDonalds home on May 25 for a report that his son was unconscious after falling off the 26-inch-tall bed, according to charging documents. McDonald told them he placed his son on the bed after feeding him around 11 a.m. McDonald told police he left the room and returned shortly after when he heard the baby start crying after falling off the bed, according to charges. McDonald said he put the baby in a swing where the baby became unconscious, prompting him to call the police. The baby was taken to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Dauphin County, where the next day doctors told police the baby had a severe brain injury and would likely be permanently impaired, according to charging documents. Doctors also said they noticed retinal hemorrhages and broken ribs, saying the injuries were consistent with abuse. Police interviewed McDonald the same day. He said after hearing his son hit the floor he tripped on a rug while carrying the baby, landing on him, according to charging documents. He also admitted to shaking his son on two occasions out of frustration, once two weeks earlier and again on the day the baby fell off the bed, police said. A 44-year-old Lancaster County man will spend three to six years in prison after he pleaded guilty in connection to a fatal 2023 DUI crash. In March 2023, Jason R. Sauder, of Manheim, struck and killed 87-year-old Sarah Zimmerman after driving through a stop sign at the intersection of West 28th Division Highway and Pumping Station Road in Elizabeth Township. Photo: https://t.me/vitaliy_klitschko/4738 A joint visit of mayors of European cities to Kyiv will take place at the end of August this year, during which joint projects for implementation in the capital of Ukraine will be identified, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said after a meeting with Brussels Mayor Philippe Close. "On August 27-28, a group of mayors of European cities will arrive in Kyiv with a symbolic visit of solidarity. Together, we will inspect infrastructure facilities damaged by Russian shelling. We will visit the "Medical Center for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care," the Prosthetics Center. In particular, to determine the needs for medical equipment for the recovery of our military and veterans, with which partners can help us. We will identify joint projects with our colleagues that we will implement with the participation of Kyiv's partner cities," Klitschko wrote in Telegram. During the meeting in Brussels, the mayors also discussed further cooperation between the cities. "Brussels will donate three more ambulances as humanitarian aid within the framework of intercity cooperation. Thank you to Philippe Clos, the Brussels community for your constant help and support. And for involving an even wider circle of our friends in it!" Klitschko added. The defendants were linked to five different spas in Cumberland County's West Shore communities. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormacks continuing campaign against sex trafficking at massage parlors resulted in jail terms for three West Shore operators Monday. Two other defendants face criminal trials this week. Patricia Krenwinkel, left, after her arrest in connection with the Sharon Tate mass murders. Right is defense attorney M.A. Marsal. (File) By Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES 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 Los Angeles 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. Krenwinkel was approved for parole Friday, the second time the states 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. Susan Atkins, center, is flanked by two other members of Charles Manson's "family" as she returned to court for a third day of testimony, Feb. 11, 1971 in Los Angeles. At left is Patricia Krenwinkel and at right is Leslie Van Houten. All three women and Manson were found guilty of murdering actress Sharon Tate and others. (AP file photo) ASSOCIATED PRESS The governors 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 boards legal office, and then it is sent to Newsom, who has 30 days to decide whether to reverse the parole boards decision. During her 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. This was Krenwinkels 16th appearance before the parole board. 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. 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 forehead, as Manson had also done. During a 2016 hearing, Krenwinkels attorney also noted she had been abused by Manson, or someone else. She is in custody at the California Institution for Women. Debra Tate, Sharon Tates sister, has been an outspoken advocate for keeping Krenwinkel, and other former followers of Manson, behind bars. 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 Krenwinkels release. She did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Despite the gruesomeness and notorious nature of the crimes, Krenwinkels attorney argued she should be considered for parole. 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. A Harrisburg police officer was put on paid leave after being accused of pulling his girlfriend off a couch by her hair while harassing her early Sunday at their home in York County. Lee R. Brown, 39, has worked as an officer in Harrisburg since at least 2022. He was free on a signature bond Monday after being charged Sunday with simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, and two summary offenses: harassment and criminal mischief. He could not be reached for comment through the police department, where officials confirmed he was on paid leave. The couple moved from Middletown to Mount Wolf in October, according to online records. An affidavit of probable cause written by York County Regional Police gave this account: Police were called about 12:30 a.m. to an active domestic at the couples home in Mount Wolf by a relative who said she got an alarming text message from Browns girlfriend after a silent phone call from her. Please help me. Call the police, the text message said. When an officer arrived at the home, a crying woman ran out the front door to meet him. She was soaking wet and told the officer she didnt feel safe talking in front of the house. She said she didnt feel safe because Brown told her if the police ever get involved, it will end in a shootout, according to the affidavit. The officer put her in the back of his cruiser and drove to a nearby park, where she said she and Brown had been to a local private club where they were drinking Saturday night. Brown drove them home, and thats when a domestic incident began. She said she didnt want to argue with Brown because she was tired and had to get ready for work soon. So she was lying on the couch, but she said Brown started squirting her with a water gun and pouring water on her. She asked him to stop, but he continued, and when she tried to get him to stop, he grabbed her by the hair, pulling her off the couch, according to the affidavit. As he dragged her, she said she hit their coffee table, which is made out of a slab from a large tree with bark along the edges. It left her with scratches across her legs, ribs and shoulder. She said she then called Browns ex-wifes mother for help. The girlfriend told police she was afraid of what Brown was capable of and feared for her life due to previous physical assaults. Brown has not been charged in any prior cases in Pennsylvania, according to online checks. When police talked to Brown early Sunday, he told them he was just messing around with his girlfriend by spraying her with the water pistol. He denied any physical altercation toward her but said she struck him with an open hand against his mouth, causing a scratch on his upper lip and cuts inside his mouth from his teeth. Brown showed police a video he took on his cell phone of his girlfriend lying on a sofa that night. She was curled up and crying, covering her face with one hand and holding her phone with the other, according to the affidavit. Brown kept antagonizing her and recording in her face, police wrote in the affidavit. When police told Brown his girlfriends account of what happened, he reportedly said if they were going to do this, then to just arrest both of them because he knows how domestic violence incidents get handled, according to the affidavit. Police told Brown they were going to find a place for the girlfriend to stay overnight to separate them from the situation, sober up and calm down. Brown reportedly told police that was for the best as he just wanted her out of his house at this point, according to the affidavit. Police escorted the girlfriend inside so she could gather some belongings, and she found Brown had cut up $121 worth of underwear she had just purchased, according to the affidavit. She still had the receipt. Her Apple Watch was also missing from the nightstand, where she had just placed it. Brown denied destroying her property, police said. But she looked in the trash can and found her Apple Watch, along with the charger stuffed inside, the affidavit said. The girlfriend went to a hospital, where she was checked out for multiple abrasions and a bruise to her left rib. His next court appearance was set for July 7. Per department policy, if the criminal charges are upheld to proceed to a higher court, Brown could be placed on unpaid leave. On the eve of trial Monday, a 24-year-old man entered a plea for sexually assaulting a teen girl in the Cumberland County Sheetz where he worked. By pleading no contest, Shippensburg resident Demarcus Johnson acknowledged the Cumberland County district attorneys office had enough evidence to convict him without accepting guilt. Court records show Johnson pleaded to one felony count of sexual assault. Six related offenses were dismissed, including rape by forcible compulsion. His attorney was not immediately available for comment. By Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News (TNS) A Florida mother is facing charges for the death of her 6-year-old son after she reportedly told investigators that he died while she was attempting to exorcise demons out of his body. The boy, identified by authorities as Ramyl Pierre, was found dead inside his home in Fort Pierce on Friday, ABC News reported. Deputies with the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office were carrying out a welfare check at the time, a request made after Pierre a student at Samuel Gaines Academy had missed two weeks of school. When they arrived at the residence, officers were met by Pierres mother, Rhonda Joyce Paulynice, police said. She led them to a bedroom where Pierre was found dead, wrapped in fabric with only his face exposed, according to an affidavit obtained by TC Palm newspaper. His cause of death has not been provided. While an autopsy has been performed, the medical examiners office declined to release any information on the case, citing the active criminal investigation. In speaking with the mother, she believed she was being told by God to basically exorcise demons out of the childs body, St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro told reporters. 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 at that time. Paulynice also allegedly told investigators that she was not in charge of her vessel, or body, claiming that God or the Father controlled her, the affidavit said. She added that when she tried to resist his commands, hed make her pay, though she did not provide further details. Paulynice has been charged with second-degree murder, failure to report a death and willfully touching or moving a body. She was denied bond on the murder charge during her initial court appearance. Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan perform the National Anthem at LP Field on Sunday June 9, 2013 in Nashville Tennessee.(Photo by John Davisson/Invision/AP) John Davisson/Invision/AP Country music legend Lorrie Morgan took to social media to share the heartbreaking news that her husband, Randy White, has died. He was 72. Morgan stepped away from touring back in April to be by his side as he battled mouth cancer. 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. Friends and fans were quick to send prayers and well-wishes. Were so sorry your loss and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, the Grand Ole Oprys account responded. He will be missed. Im so sorry for your loss, another follower wrote. My sincere condolences to you and your family. Prayers for you all. Randy was so kind and funny. Sending out condolences to you and your family, the Oral Cancer Foundation responded. So sorry for your loss. You are not alone. There were plenty more posts sharing love and support and you can see them all as well as Morgans post below: 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. Clint Eastwood arrives at the 2020 AFI Awards at the Four Seasons on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Clint Eastwood isnt happy about a recent interview with him that ran in a European newspaper. Mainly because he says its fake. The famed actor-director was recently quoted in the Austrian newspaper Kurier complaining that the movie industry these days is obsessed with remakes and franchises. I long for the good old days when screenwriters wrote movies like Casablanca in small bungalows on the studio lot. When everyone had a new idea, Eastwood supposedly said. We live in an era of remakes and franchises. Ive shot sequels three times, but I havent been interested in that for a long while. My philosophy is: do something new or stay at home. The article also quotes Eastwood, 95, as saying he was still in good health and planned to keep working, hoping that no one would have to worry about him for a long time. Theres no reason why a man cant get better with age. And I have much more experience today, Kurier quoted him as saying. Sure, there are directors who lose their touch at a certain age, but Im not one of them. Only problem with that interview? Eastwood says it never happened. A couple of items about me have recently shown up in the news, Eastwood said in a statement to Deadline. I thought I would set the record straight. I can confirm Ive turned 95. I can also confirm that I never gave an interview to an Austrian publication called Kurier, or any other writer in recent weeks, and that the interview is entirely phony. Officials at Kurier have not issued any response yet or revealed how the alleged interview came about. Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the husband of slain Parks and Recreation and King of the Hill actor Jonathan Joss said Monday his killing was the result of a homophobic attack. Joss was shot and killed 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. De Gonzalez laid out a disturbing tale of what he says led up to Joss death. My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home, he wrote on Joss Facebook. 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, he continued. 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. De Gonzalez wrote that he and Joss were not armed. 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 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 site of two men loving each other. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. De Gonzalez thanked all of Joss fans for supporting him. Jonathan saved my life, he wrote again. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built. 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. Said Carl Helrich of son Dylan, who will make the beer for Allegro Taproom, 'Without his drive to put the license to use, we never would have opened the taproom.' Allegro Taproom Youd think Carl Helrich would have enough to do already, running three York County wineries and also serving as a financial partner and president of SpringGate Spirits. But thats where his son Dylan, the brewmaster for Allegro Taproom, comes in. The brewery, located outside Stewartstown behind Allegro Winery and up the street from Pinnacle Ridge Winery on the former property of Naylor Wine Cellars, will officially open this weekend. Dylan Helrich is certainly familiar with the workings of the beverage business, having worked in the vineyard, driven tractors and made deliveries for the familys businesses for a couple of years, Carl said. None of that was really interesting to him, but it helped me out a lot, he continued, adding that they have had the brewery license since 2021 and, at some point, needed to decide whether to use it. Thats when his son provided the impetus. Hes always been interested in good food and had gotten obsessed with beer [in a good way], Carl said. Without his drive to put the license to use, we never would have opened the taproom. And as a business owner, I couldnt do it without a good brewer. Im just lucky he inherited my palate and unwavering commitment to make the best beer possible. Dylan has been working for more than a year on developing as a brewer, and over the past few weeks, the results of that hard work have been sampled by wine club members who have made the short walk from Allegros tasting room to the Taproom. Space to park is also available around the brewery. What for years was the well-known Naylor pavilion has found a new life as the location of the Allegro Taproom. Allegro Taproom On Friday, the trial run will end with the grand opening. Business hours will be 3 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 1 to 9 Saturdays, and 1 to 6 Sundays. There will be music and a food truck every Friday and Saturday night. Among the beers being served will be: Major Tom (German pilsner) Eat a Peach (pale ale) Fields of Gold (Hefeweizen) American Idiot (American Lager) Small Town (Amber Lager) 867-5309 (American lager ... like Genny Cream Ale ... get it?) That theres a brewery at Allegro Winery is an idea that has been germinating for several decades, Helrich said. In college, I was that guy who would always buy different beers to try them out [although mostly with an eye to figuring out the best beer for your buck: the winner back then was Hamms.] A few years later, I ended up brewing my first beer when I was 23 years old. I was working as a truck driver making $8 per hour delivering produce and didnt have the money to buy anything more than cheap beer, he said. I ended up brewing around 30 batches of beer by the time I was 28, eventually graduating to all-grain brewing [with a setup that probably totaled $75]. Id spend 12 hours on a Saturday brewing beer to end up with four cases of beer I could be proud of and enjoy. Years ago, perhaps around 2004 or 2005, when we were really struggling as a winery in Brogue, I had the idea of adding on a brewery to the winery here in Brogue. At the time, the idea that a winery would have a brewery associated with it was unheard of. Unfortunately, things were so tight we didnt have the funds or the time to actually put the idea into motion. The Allegro Taproom is a short walk from Allegro Winery and just up the street from the Pinnacle Ridge tasting room in southern York County. Allegro Taproom For the first few years after he and his wife Kris Miller bought Allegro Winery from the Crouch brothers in 2001, their main goal was just staying afloat at their rural location. [Times] were tough. Credit cards maxed out. Working non-stop. Stress like you wouldnt believe, Helrich told PennLive in 2019 when they were honored as the Outstanding Farm Family by the countys Agricultural Business Council. Not being able to find the time to figure things out. Plus in year one, our second son was born. Not great planning, but we survived. The landscape has changed dramatically since then, in this order: Now comes the brewery, located in what used to be the pavilion that for years welcomed Naylor customers to the property to hear the big bands that performed during the several decades that the Summer Sounds concert series took place. A jukebox sits in one corner of a building where the big bands used to play. Allegro Taproom So, why now? The wine industry has been facing a lot of economic pressures recently. And its not as if the brewing industry is any better or easier, but what our business is grounded in agriculture, Helrich said. Were just being good farmers, diversifying our crops. Weve been making wine since 2001, and adding beer to the mix fills out our portfolio. We know that most of our customers are women wine-drinkers, and a lot of the time, they have husbands/boyfriends/sons who arent. By adding on the brewery, its going to make it a lot more attractive to families to make this part of their lives. And that second son who came along as this journey was beginning has become what Helrich called the last piece of the puzzle as the idea of the brewery and the need for a brewmaster began to take shape. To the left, which you can't see, is the entrance to Allegro Taproom. To the right is this walkway to additional outside seating that provides a view of the York County countryside. Paul Vigna He already lived under the same roof. When people find out that we have kids, they always ask if theyre going to take over the winery at some point, Helrich said. As any of you with kids know, we have never had any idea, nor did we ever want to push them in the winery direction. But Dylan has been working in the vineyard and winery for the past few years, and the more I talked about brewing beer, the more he was interested in it. This is a guy who cut his teeth on Reserve Chardonnays and Cadenzas. Brewing beer is simply a natural extension." Trays of printed social security checks wait to be mailed from the U.S. Treasury's Financial Management services facility in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Bradley C. Bower, File) AP Some Social Security beneficiaries could find themselves penny pinching this month when their Social Security check hits their bank account this week. Yes, payments could be garnished and thats because beneficiaries in default on their federal student loans are now at risk of seeing their monthly payments lessened due to the Education Departments continued effort to collect late payments. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine clarified that the number of aircraft hit during the special operation "Web" of the Security Service of Ukraine against Russian aviation on June 1 amounted to 41 units. "After processing additional information from various sources and its verification, which took some time, we report that the total losses of the occupiers amounted to 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers and other types of combat aircraft," the summary published on Telegram says. In the morning summary, the General Staff reported an additional 12 aircraft to the losses of Russia and a total of 384 aircraft. Currently, the report reports an additional 41 aircraft lost by Russia. The sun rises between Syracuses city hall and the State office building on a hot summer's morning. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com Dennis Nett Meteorologists are predicting that summer 2025 will heat up like never before. In fact, itll be hotter than normal from coast-to-coast, according to NOAAs Climate Prediction Center and other private forecasters. Model guidance was overwhelmingly above normal across the U.S. and most of Alaska for the upcoming summer season, Johnna Infanti, meteorologist for NOAAs Climate Prediction Center told USA Today via email. Itll be overly scorching hot summer days this year for all of the U.S., as no part of the country is forecast to see a cooler-than-average summer. This means were set to anticipate higher cooling bills this summer, more wildfires (with smoke already causing issues with air quality), and extreme heat illness that can lead to death. Above normal temperatures will most likely be over the West, Southwest, Florida, and New England, according to Infanti. When it comes to rainfall and drought, DTN meteorologist John Baranick said in an online forecast that an overall hotter and drier summer forecast is still in place across a great deal of the U.S. The Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Great Plains have greater chances of below-normal precipitation, the CPC said. Drought is expected to persist or expand in these regions and in the Southwest. Meanwhile, the Eastern U.S. is predicted to experience a wetter summer with some drought relief later in June. But with higher-than-normal temperatures comes a heightened risk of wildfires for parts of the nation, according to the National Interagency Coordination Center. This month, the coastal Southeast, central Texas, the Four Corners, and parts of California and the Pacific Northwest pose a greater risk of fire. In July and August, Hawaii, the Southern Plains, parts of the Great Basin, California, and the Northwest take on a greater risk of fire. However, much like in late May, potential fires in Canada can impact air quality in the U.S., as Accuweather meteorologist Paul Pastelok notes that fires in Canada will probably bring smoke to the northwestern and north-central U.S. through the summer heightening health concerns for people prone to poor air quality. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds speaks during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on "Rightsizing Federal Government," on Capitol Hill, on Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago/Getty Images/TNS) TNS By Anna Claire Vollers, Stateline.org (TNS) 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 while 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. 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. 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 recent post on X 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. 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 to 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 law offers six and does not require public schools to offer paid parental leave to their employees. 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. 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. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization focused on state policy. 2025 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. FILE - Gerry, left, and Kate McCann, parents of Madeleine McCann, presented a picture of their missing daughter during a press conference in Berlin, Wednesday, June 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Sven Kaestner, File) AP By SYLVIA HUI, The 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. A firetruck drives along a dirt road where German police investigating the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann are carrying out searches near Lagos, southern Portugal Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Joao Matos) AP Portuguese and German police investigating the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann carry out searches near Lagos, southern Portugal Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Joao Matos) AP The main suspect in the case is a German national identified by media as Christian Brueckner, who is 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. Brueckner is due to be released from jail in September if no further charges are brought, the Guardian reported. A man identified by media as Christian Brueckner sits in the courtroom during a 2024 trial in Brunswick, Germany. He is also under investigation in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann. (Julian Stratenschulte/Pool via AP, file) AP 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. 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. Madeleines family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month, and expressed their determination to keep searching. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka plans to "sue the feds" following his arrest on a federal trespassing charge that was later dismissed, according to a tweet by the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba. Baraka is seen here speaking at a rally outside the detention center, Delaney Hall, on March 11, 2025. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka on Tuesday sued federal officials in New Jersey for false arrest and malicious prosecution following his arrest last month outside an immigrant detention center. His trespassing charge was later dismissed in a case the judge called worrisome. Baraka is also a Democratic candidate for governor in next Tuesdays primary, and a spokesman for his campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The misdemeanor trespassing charge was pressed against Baraka by the acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, who President Donald Trump named as the states top federal prosecutor on March 24. Shocking leak from Mayor Barakas team: He is planning to sue the Feds, Habba tweeted on X at 10:34 p.m. Monday. My advice to the mayor - feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey. A spokesperson for the mayor declined to comment on Tuesday morning on the tweet. Shocking leak from Mayor Barakas team: He is planning to sue the Feds. My advice to the mayor - feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey. Alina Habba (@AlinaHabba) June 3, 2025 The trespassing charge, which stemmed from Barakas May 9 arrest at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, was dismissed 10 days later by U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa at the request of Habbas office. Though the judge was granting Habbas request, he took several minutes at the close of the May 19 online dismissal hearing to chide her office for what he said were repeated failures to weigh the evidence and ensure the trespassing charge was merited. The hasty arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka followed swiftly by the dismissal of these trespassing charges a mere 13 days later suggests a worrisome misstep by your office, Espinosa told Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Demanovich, who handled the case for Habbas office. The apparent rush in this case culminating today in the embarrassing retraction of charges, Espinosa added, suggests a failure to adequately investigate, to carefully gather facts, and to carefully consider the implications of your actions before wielding your immense power. The trespassing charge was linked to Barakas high-profile arrest at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility, where he was meeting three Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey there that afternoon to conduct a spot oversight inspection. Chaos erupted when the congresspeople, U.S. Reps. LaMonica McIver, Rob Menendez, and Bonnie Watson Coleman, encircled the mayor outside the Delaney Hall security gate, where federal officers went to arrest him. Habba later announced a federal assault charge against McIver the same day she said she was dropping the trespassing charge against the mayor for the sake of moving forward. Habbas announcement came five days after Baraka released videos that showed a guard at the detention center allowing him beyond the gate. McIver, who represents parts of Newark in New Jerseys 10th Congressional District, is scheduled for a June 11 hearing in federal court before Judge Stacey D. Adams. Adams issued an order last week reminding prosecutors that they are legally required to turn over any information that might help prove McIvers innocence. Tuesday was the day that early in-person voting began in New Jerseys gubernatorial primary and a week before primary Election Day. He is one of six candidates running for the Democratic nomination to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. One question has been whether the arrest has given Baraka a boost as he runs in the progressive lane of the election. The container ship Dali is seen in the wreckage of Francis Scott Key Bridge a week after it hit a structural pier causing a catastrophic bridge collapse, on April 2, 2024. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun/TNS) TNS By Tricia Bishop, The Baltimore Sun (TNS) 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. 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 a conversation about people wanting sugar in coffee. However, around 1:24 a.m., there were signs of trouble. 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. 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. 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. 2025 The Baltimore Sun. Visit at baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Cyber Security Association of Pennsylvania is warning residents about what its calling a dangerous scam targeting Pennsylvanians via text message that has been increasing over the last few days. The fraudulent message claims to be a final notice from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Motor Vehicles (DMV), threatening penalties for an alleged unpaid traffic ticket. However, the details of the message reveal it to be a scam designed to steal personal and financial information, the association said in an email sent out Monday. Cybercriminals count on confusion between state agencies and poor digital hygiene. This is why education and awareness are critical. Know how PennDOT communicates, and never trust a message that pressures you to pay quickly or click unfamiliar links, Scott Davis, chairman of the Cyber Security Association of Pennsylvania, said in the email. The association said that the text message originates from the international phone number +63 962 537 7419 (a Philippines-based number) and other random addresses, and urges recipients to pay immediately via a suspicious link: https://padmv.gov-wsafa.win/portal . This domain is not affiliated with any official government agency and uses a .win extension, rather than the legitimate .pa.gov or .gov domain used by real government sites, according to the association. It references a statute 15c-16.003 which does not exist in Pennsylvanias administrative code, further confirming its fraudulent nature. It also uses improper formatting, such as June2, 2025 without appropriate spacing, and inaccurately refers to the state agency as the DMV. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Motor Vehicles is known as PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation), and does not issue traffic violation notifications or collect payments through unsolicited text messages. If you receive the text message, do not click the link or respond. Instead, report the message as junk or phishing directly from your device. If you have already clicked the link or submitted payment, contact your financial institution immediately, file a report with your local law enforcement agency, and notify the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the association said. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said that since April 2024, various versions of a phishing or smishing scam have been targeting individuals with a Pennsylvania area code through text messages claiming to be from the Pa. Turnpike. This is not unique to the Pa. Turnpike; scammers are impersonating toll roads across the country, the commission noted. Phishing and smishing are both cybersecurity scams that use social engineering to trick victims into sharing sensitive information. Phishing primarily targets email, while smishing use text messages. More information on the scam, with tips on how to respond, can be found at this link. Troy Beam, of Hopewell Township, was being tried for obstruction and official oppression for demanding to inspect voting machines in Cumbeland County in November 2023. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com UPDATE: This post was updated at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday with some comments from jurors who heard the case. Troy Beam lost his job for barging into three Cumberland County polling places with dire warnings about rigged voting machines in November 2023. Rabbittransit executive director Rich Farr speaks at a press conference with Gov. Josh Shapiro and other officials on June 2, 2025. Zack Hoopes The Harrisburg regions mass transit agency is about a year away from financial calamity, according to its executive director, as Gov. Josh Shapiro lobbies the legislature to approve a boost for public transportation funding. Shapiro made an appearance Monday at rabbittransits bus depot on Cameron Street in Harrisburg, making the case that his proposed transit funding increase in the 2025-26 budget isnt just a matter of Philadelphia. By Lauren Penington, The Denver Post (TNS) DENVER A woman attacked Sunday by a moose in Steamboat Springs was airlifted to a Front Range hospital with serious injuries, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. She was walking her two dogs at River Creek Park when she was attacked, agency officials said in a news release. Both dogs were leashed. A moose wading in Conundrum Creek in Colorado. (Kwiktor/Dreamstime/TNS, file) TNS A man passing by on a paddleboard found her on the ground near the river after the attack and was helping her to the parking lot when the moose returned and kicked him, according to the release. Paramedics evaluated the mans minor injuries on scene and released him while the woman was taken to the hospital, agency officials said. No update on her condition was available Tuesday. State wildlife officers saw a moose with two calves in the area after the attack and believe the moose was protecting her young, the release stated. River Creek Park will be closed through Wednesday as wildlife officials continue to assess the area, according to the release. The Sunday attack was one of three in three days, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Two women were attacked by a moose Friday while walking their dogs along Fourmile Creek Road near Fairplay, agency officials said in the news release. The moose charged and trampled both women multiple times until they were able to escape by climbing onto a nearby roof, according to the release. A neighbor scared the moose away with a fire extinguisher. Neither woman sought medical attention, officials said. On Saturday, a couple in Grand Lake was returning home from a walk with their dog near Columbine Lake when a moose charged them, knocking the woman to the ground, state wildlife officials said. The woman managed to crawl under a small storage area next to their house, but the moose continued to charge and attempt to stomp her, according to the news release. When the moose continued to show aggression toward the woman and showed no signs of leaving, her boyfriend shot and killed the moose, the release stated. The woman was treated on scene for injuries to her face, shoulder and arms, according to the state wildlife agency. Wildlife officers said the man acted in self-defense while the moose was actively posing a threat to human health and safety and did not cite him for shooting it. State wildlife officers believe the moose was protecting a calf, which was bedded out of sight from the victim and her boyfriend at the time of the attack. That calf was euthanized by the agency. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., participates in a debate with Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., not shown, at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boston, as livestreamed on Fox Nation. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP During his recent debate with fellow Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick, John Fetterman took the opportunity to criticize former President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party in general for their handling of immigration and border security issues. Thats a mistake that our party made, and thats the border, Fetterman said during the debate in Boston on Monday. Ive kind of, Ive lost some support in my party. I thought the border was really important, and our party did not handle the border appropriately, he said, per The Hill. Look at the numbers, 267,000, 300,000 people showing up at our border. And, you know, we can all agree thats roughly the size of Pittsburgh, he continued. Now, thats unacceptable. And thats a national security issue. And thats chaos. So a secure border, being very pro-immigration, thats who I am as a Democrat. Fetterman added that he supports the roughly $150 billion that would go towards securing the border with Mexico and We cant pretend we can take care of 300,000 people showing up every month, Fetterman said. Fetterman stressed that while there are many other areas where he disagrees with McCormick and the Republican party, the important thing is to focus on those areas of agreement. We are going to disagree and vote on different things, Fetterman said. But for me, its about trying to find the things we can win together and deliver those kinds of wins for Pennsylvania and ultimately for America. Photo: https://x.com/rafaelmgrossi/status/1929821798889033924 Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi announced his arrival in Ukraine, where he has already met, in particular, with the head of the Ministry of Energy Herman Halushchenko and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha. "Began his 12th visit to Ukraine since February 2022, confirming the support of the country from the IAEA. We shared with the Ministry of Energy how we will help Ukraine restore its energy infrastructure, including new units at the Khmelnytsky NPP (nuclear power plan), repairs to the Chernobyl NPP and assessment of substations," Grossi wrote on the social network X. The IAEA Director General also reported that he had an "important meeting" with Andriy Sybiha today in Kyiv. "We agree with the importance of continued support from the IAEA for nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, including our continued presence at the Zaporizhia NPP, which remains extremely important," he stressed. On May 29, the IAEA announced that Grossi would visit Ukraine and Russia next week as part of regular contacts with both sides. Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, the Democrat, left, and Dave McCormick, the Republican, talk about Big Issues during an appearance in Boston on Monday, June 2, 2025. (John L. Micek/MassLive) John L. Micek/MassLive By Julia Terruso, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) PHILADELPHIA 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. FILE - Voters check in to cast ballots in the New Hampshire presidential primary at a polling site in Derry, N.H., Jan. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) AP By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY and NADIA LATHAN, The Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have made it a priority this year to require people to prove citizenship before they can register to vote. Turning that aspiration into reality has proved difficult. Trumps executive order directing a documentary, proof-of-citizenship requirement for federal elections has been blocked by a judge, while federal legislation to accomplish it doesnt appear to have the votes to pass in the Senate. At the same time, state-level efforts have found little success, even in places where Republicans control the Legislature and governors office. The most recent state effort to falter is in Texas, where a Senate bill failed to gain full legislative approval before lawmakers adjourned on Monday. The Texas bill was one of the nations most sweeping proof-of-citizenship proposals because it would have applied not only to new registrants but also to the states roughly 18.6 million registered voters. The bill authors failed spectacularly to explain how this bill would be implemented and how it would be able to be implemented without inconveniencing a ton of voters, said Anthony Gutierrez, director of the voting rights group Common Cause Texas. Voting by noncitizens is already illegal and punishable as a felony, potentially leading to deportation, but Trump and his allies have pressed for a proof-of-citizenship mandate by arguing it would improve public confidence in elections. Before his win last year, Trump falsely claimed noncitizens might vote in large enough numbers to sway the outcome. Although noncitizen voting does occur, research and reviews of state cases have shown it to be rare and more often a mistake. Voting rights groups say the various proposals seeking to require proof-of-citizenship are overly burdensome and threaten to disenfranchise millions of Americans. Many do not have easy access to their birth certificates, have not gotten a U.S. passport or have a name that no longer matches the one on their birth certificate such as women who changed their last name when they married. The number of states considering bills related to proof of citizenship for voting tripled from 2023 to this year, said Liz Avore, senior policy adviser with the Voting Rights Lab, an advocacy group that tracks election legislation in the states. That hasnt resulted in many new laws, at least so far. Republicans in Wyoming passed their own proof-of-citizenship legislation, but similar measures have stalled or failed in multiple GOP-led states, including Florida, Missouri, Texas and Utah. A proposal remains active in Ohio, although Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has said he doesnt want to sign any more bills that make it harder to vote. Other states that sought to add such a requirement have faced lawsuits and complications when trying to implement it. 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, file) AP Residents of central Pennsylvania should prepare for a significant shift in weather conditions, with Canadian wildfire smoke, rising temperatures and potential thunderstorms expected over the next few days. A moderate heat risk is in effect, with temperatures climbing into the 80s today and potentially reaching 90 degrees Wednesday and Thursday. Tuesday morning will start with hazy conditions due to elevated Canadian wildfire smoke, creating obscured sunshine but minimal air quality impacts. Temperatures will quickly climb, reaching 75-80 degrees, which is slightly above historical averages. Light winds and calm conditions are expected through the morning, with some patches of valley fog possible. Heat will start to build Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures peaking between 80 and 90 degrees amid increasing humidity. The National Weather Service warns that the sudden temperature increase may be challenging for residents not yet acclimated to summer heat, resulting in a moderate heat risk. People sensitive to heat should take precautions, including staying hydrated and avoiding prolonged outdoor exposure during the hottest parts of the day. Thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon, primarily in the northern portions of central Pennsylvania. A cold front moving slowly from the Great Lakes will trigger potential showers and thunderstorms, with the front becoming quasi-stationary Thursday night and continuing to generate rainfall through late week. The weekend outlook suggests continued unsettled conditions, with potential for additional showers and thunderstorms on Saturday. Current weather radar Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by PennLive.com staff. The European Commission states that the published proposals of Russia to Ukraine with a list of measures that Kyiv must implement in order for the fire to cease and peace talks to begin, only demonstrate the Kremlin's aggressive position. This is how European Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper commented on the published proposals that were submitted by the Russians to the Ukrainian side during the negotiations that took place on Monday in Istanbul on Tuesday in Brussels. She said the situation continues in the same vein: Russia's demands underline its refusal to hold peace talks in good faith. The list of demands demonstrates its continued aggression towards Ukraine. Russia also expects immediate concessions from Ukraine that do not respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. This is not a significant contribution to peace talks, the spokeswoman said. In the continuation of this subject, the question was asked whether the European Union intends to seize the next package of sanctions because of Russia's position. To this, spokeswoman Paula Pinho referred to the interview of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which she gave on Monday evening. She said that the coming weeks will show whether President Putin is serious about achieving a ceasefire or not, and on this basis it will be seen how to move this forward. Kenneth Kim Storms Back to Win His First WSOP Bracelet Gabrielle Barredo Live Reporter Copy link Kenneth Kim didnt have high hopes when he entered the Event #10: $600 No-Limit Holdem Deepstack tournament at the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP). After getting eliminated in Event#1 Mystery Millions, Kim jumped in knowing that he would have to leave Las Vegas after a couple of days. He just wanted to enjoy and play his best while he was at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas before he left. I didn't think I was going to win this tournament till the end, till the very end, because you just never know. And my approach was to play one level at a time, and try not to think too far ahead. That approach worked wonders, as Kim scored the top prize of $318,842 from the prize pool of $3,069,360, outlasting a total field of 6,090 entries. Event #10: $600 No-Limit Holdem Deepstack Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Kenneth Kim United States $318,842 2 Alex Paredes Ecuador $212,275 3 Daniel Muniz United States $157,968 4 Gary Blackwood United Kingdom $118,468 5 Jared Anderson United States $89,541 6 Raul Melendres Cruz Mexico $68,212 7 Edgar Antezana South Africa $52,377 8 Luis Diaz Moreno Mexico $40,541 9 Chad Cullimore United States $31,633 Kim's Turning Point He was very calm throughout the whole tournament, and winning it was the farthest thing from his mind, especially when he was down to eight big blinds after the dinner break. One hand turned his fate when Kim made a hero call against David Gonia, who shoved all-in on a complete bluff. I was pretty happy that I went with my read instead of just giving in to the pressure. So that [hand] gave me a healthier stack, making it easier to navigate through the field. I tried to play one level at a time, and that approach really helped me a lot. I didn't try to change my mindset. From that point on, he was able to maintain his chip stack and entered the final table second in chips, right behind Alex Paredes. When action was down to the final five, Kim was unstoppable, eliminating three players in successive hands - Jared Anderson with top pair, Gary Blackwood with a turned pair, and Daniel Muniz with a full house - until just two players remained. Alex Paredes Heads Up Action It didnt take long for Kim to defeat Paredes during heads-up, outdrawing the Ecuadorian to secure the win and earn his very first WSOP gold bracelet. "It's an amazing feeling. But I just want to play my best and see what the results will bring." Kim will be coming back to Vegas in a few days to hopefully win some more bracelets. Kenneth Kim That concludes our coverage of Event #10, but stay with us as PokerNews brings you more poker action from the 2025 World Series of Poker. Share this article Maltese Duo Chop the 888poker $100K Mystery Bounty Main Event Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link It was a Maltese one-two in the $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event at 888poker this weekend, with the top two finishers hailing from the Mediterranean island. The $109 buy-in event attracted 955 entrants, including re-entries, who fought it out at the 888poker tables for the largest slice of the $100,000 guaranteed prize pool. Day 1 ended when only eight players remained, with those eight finalists returning to the action on June 2 to conclude the event. The largest mystery bounty payment, an impressive $10,000, was pulled from its golden envelope during Day 1 proceedings. Brazil's "Dangerzinn" was the lucky recipient before busting in 111th place. Thanks to that bounty, "Dangerzinn" was the tournament's biggest winner despite being eliminated during the first couple of payout levels. $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Results Rank Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 Hyper_ Malta $562 $7,221 $7,783 2 BandeDePitre Malta $3,184 $6,968 $10,153 3 pe_lu_ri Finland $155 $4,375 $4,530 4 CPU0r $1,398 $2,975 $4,373 5 silviuprg Romania $486 $1,975 $2,461 6 MrWiklund Sweden $155 $1,435 $1,590 7 ryguy12345 Canada $611 $1,000 $1,611 8 slasha21 United Kingdom $191 $750 $941 Prizes reflect a heads-up deal Seven different countries were represented at the final table, which was streamed on 888poker's Twitch channel. Aaron Barone, who recently won three XL Spring Series events, joined Nick Wealthall in the commentary booth, casting his expert opinion on the action unfolding in front of him. Eighth place went to "slasha21" of the United Kingdom. The $941 they added to their 888poker account was the only final table prize not worth at least four figures. Canada's "ryguy12345" ($1,611), "MrWiklund" of Sweden ($1,590), and Romanian "silviuprg" ($2,461) were the next players eliminated, leaving the final table four-handed. The final four became three after the demise of long-time 888poker grinder "CPU0r." They were left with less than three big blinds, which went into the middle while holding ten-nine of clubs, which lost to the seven-six of hearts in "pe_lu_ri"'s hand. Fourth place was ultimately worth $4,373. Play in $66,000 Worth of 888poker Cash Freerolls Each and Every Month 888poker hosts dozens of freerolls every month. Here's how you can get involved in the fun. Learn more "pe_lu_ri" fell in third for $4,530, leaving two Maltese players heads-up: "BandeDePitre" and "Hyper_." The latter went into heads-up holding a sizeable lead, but that chip advantage was trimmed back to the point it no longer existed. At that point, both players discussed a deal to lessen the pay jumps. Deal discussions bore fruit and play resumed. Having locked up their prizes, the final two players began shoving every hand to bring the tournament to its conclusion. The final hand saw "Hyper_" move all-in with king-queen of spades, "BandeDiPitre" call all-in with ace-five, and the flop fall ace-high but with two spades. An eight landed on the turn followed by the eight of spades on the river, gifting the pot and the victory to "Hyper_" although "BandeDiPitre" took home a decent chunk more prize money courtesy of the mystery bounties they helped themselves to before crashing out. How to Qualify for the $100K Mystery Bounty Main Event for $0.10 888poker runs dozens of satellite tournaments every day, with my feeding into the $109 Tournament Ticket satellites. These satties start with a ridiculously low buy-in of only $0.10; they award $1 Tournament Tickets. You can either use the $1 ticket to enter a tournament of the same value, or use it to enter a $16.50 Tournament Ticket satellite. As the name suggests, these award $16.50 tournament tickets. Again, you can use your winning ticket for any 888poker tournament costing $16.50 to enter, or to try and win a $109 tournament ticket. Do that, and you'll be able to play the $109 Mystery Bounty Main Event this Sunday. Keep Tabs on 888poker MTTs with the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar The PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar is a free-to-use tool built into the PokerNews website that enables you to find upcoming and in-play multi-tables tournaments on poker sites like 888poker, PartyPoker, and PokerStars. By using the intuitive filters, you can narrow down your search and find the perfect 888poker tournament for you, your bankroll, and your needs. Share this article Aiken, SC (29801) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 74F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Aiken Standard reporter Matthew Christian is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He covers the Savannah River Site, city of Aiken, politics and public safety and courts. Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Sybiha, Grossi confirm: any attempts by Russia to launch Zaporizhia NPP during occupation are technically impossible, dangerous Photo: https://x.com/andrii_sybiha/status/1929920466048745495 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha discussed with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency the operation of Zaporizhia NPP occupied by Russia and the important role of the IAEA in ensuring nuclear safety. "ZNPP remains a Ukrainian facility and must be returned under Ukrainian control in accordance with international nuclear safety standards. Together with the IAEA, we confirmed that any of Russia's attempts to restart it under the occupation are technically unfeasible and extremely dangerous," the minister said on the X social network. The parties also discussed the IAEA's participation in the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference and future joint steps aimed at further developing Ukraine's nuclear energy. Earlier, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi announced his arrival in Ukraine on his 12th visit since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. The IAEA reported on May 29 that Grossi would visit Ukraine and Russia next week as part of regular contacts with both sides. Chelsea Grinstead is a South Carolina native and a reporter for The Post and Courier covering arts, entertainment and culture. As a previous contributing editor at Charleston City Paper, she spotlighted the diverse voices of the local music scene. Reporter Lillia Callum-Penso covers food for The Post and Courier Greenville. She spent over a decade as a reporter with The Greenville News where she covered business and food and won awards for her feature, profile and food writing. Outside work, Lillia can usually be found running to keep up with her very energetic twins. Nic Napier is a local government and business reporter for the Post and Courier in Myrtle Beach. He graduated from Indiana University and moved to the Grand Strand in 2024. He has written for IndyStar and Indianapolis Monthly. Quick Response and Public Safety Reporter Caitlin Bell is a breaking news and courts reporter for The Post and Courier Charleston. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Senior Reporter and Saturday editor Worked for Associated Press in Mississippi, Frontline at PBS in Washington, D.C., ABA Journal (American Bar Association's monthly magazine), Hearst in New York, Gannett in Louisiana and freelanced for The New York Times and Rolling Stone. Quick Response Reporter Komlavi Adissem is a breaking news and public safety reporter based in Charleston, S.C. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where he covered local, county, and state government for the Columbia Missourian. Find him on Twitter (X) and Bluesky @KAdissem! The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sees no signs of large-scale preparatory work by Russia for the launch of Zaporizhia NPP, as reported in a recent Greenpeace report, Director General of IAEA Rafael Grossi said. During a briefing at the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine on Tuesday, Grossi said IAEA officials are observing satellite images of this region and the do not agree with what was stated in the report, namely that there is massive preparatory work and construction going on there, that they are very serious there, building a line. Something is happening there, but they do not agree with what came out in the report, Grossi added. The IAEA Director General reminded that from the IAEA's point of view, the first and most important thing is the safety conditions that must be met in the event of any restart of the power units of the plant, and currently such conditions have not been met. For his part, Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko denied the possibility of an uncontrolled launch of Zaporizhia NPP and said the plant can start operating provided that the IAEA recognizes compliance with all safety standards, and this, in turn, is possible only under the control of Ukraine. "I am sure that there will be no uncontrolled launch. There are a lot of technical issues here that are obstacles to the launch. But what Rafael said now seems to me to be key. In fact, the IAEA must recognize that all necessary nuclear and radiation safety standards have been met for the launch. And, accordingly, restarting the plant in compliance with such requirements is possible only by Ukrainian personnel and under the control of Ukraine," Haluschenko said. However, Grossi added that in general, the possibility of a partial or full restart of Zaporizhia NPP should be discussed very seriously from a technical point of view. The IAEA head said that could be very serious technical, namely technical, discussions of technical issues in connection with the possible launch, in full or in part, one or two units. However, there are certain safety conditions that must be met in order to start talking about any restart at all, and there is still a long way to go, he said. As reported, in late May, The New York Times, citing a Greenpeace report, stated that Russia is building power transmission lines in the occupied southern part of Ukraine in order to connect the Zaporizhia NPP, which it has captured, to its own network, the largest in Europe. This paid press release is brought to you from our partnership with EZ Newswire. The Post and Courier news staff was not involved in its creation. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 13:02:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 815 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Letter of Intent: Circular Health Limited to Enhance ECG Smart Ring with AI-Powered Signal Clarity with multiyear, peruser SaaS license targeting commercial launch by September 2025.Global growth catalyst: The collaboration positions both companies to scale AIenhanced cardiac monitoring and next-gen health intelligence across new geographies and device form factors.Economic and Clinical Benefits: MaxYield(TM) is expected to improve ECG signal quality, increase the amount of usable data, and provide deeper biometric insights for Circular Health's wearable platform.TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 /AI/ML Innovations Inc. ("AIML" or the "Company") (CSE: AIML)(OTCQB: AIMLF)(FWB: 42FB) is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Neural Cloud Solutions Inc. has executed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Circular Health Limited of Paris to integrate and license Neural Cloud's flagship ECG signalprocessing platform, MaxYield.Circular Health Limited, is a wearable health technology company redefining personalized health with its next-generation smart ring-Circular Ring 2-equipped with ECG capabilities, advanced sensors, and an AI-driven app featuring wellness assistant Kira. This device will offer unique heart rhythm monitoring as part of their mission to empowers users to proactively manage their health.Under the LOI, Circular Health will deploy MaxYield through a cloud-based API during the integration phase leading up to launch. The integration will enable clearer, more interpretable ECG signals and support consumer access to cardiac visualization and insights. The parties intend to finalize a definitive Software License Agreement and target a commercial launch by September 2025.Why MaxYield Matters for Circular HealthHigher data yield: A cleaner signal allows Circular Health to capture more usable data and enhance measurement precision, unlocking richer biometric insights from every minute of ECG use across its wearable ecosystem.Scalable workflow: The peruser SaaS model aligns cost with growth, supporting Circular Health's expansion into new geographies and device form factors.Resource redeployment: Automated noise-handling and ECG processing allows clinical and datascience staff to shift focus from in-house signal cleaning to additional highervalue analytics and patient engagement.Expansion into New Markets: As MaxYield progresses through the FDA 510(k) pipeline, Circular is poised to access additional medically relevant markets, particularly in Remote Patient Monitoring and Clinical Trials.Management CommentaryPeter Kendall - President & Chief Commercialization Officer, AIML"This LOI validates the commercial scalability of MaxYield and our ability to partner with innovative digitalhealth companies around the globe. We look forward to helping Circular Health deliver bestinclass ECG clarity to its users." Esmat Naikyar - Chief Product Officer, AIML / President, Neural Cloud Solutions"By automating the most timeconsuming part of ECG workflows, MaxYield lets Circular Health redeploy resources to deeper analytics and product differentiation. We anticipate that higherquality, highervolume data will translate into stronger predictive models and better health outcomes." Laurent Bsalis - Director, Circular Health Limited"We're excited to collaborate with AIML to bring enhanced ECG signal clarity and comprehensive beat detection to our next-generation ring," said Laurent Bsalis, Director of Circular Health Limited. "Together, we aim to redefine what wearable technology can deliver in proactive and personalized health tracking." For more information about AIML:For detailed information please see AIML's website or the Company's filed documents atwww.sedarplus.ca Contact:Blake Fallis(778) 405-0882 info@ aiml.health About AIML Innovations Inc.https://www.aiml.health/ AIML Innovations Inc. is a global technology company pioneering the use of artificial intelligence and neural networks to transform digital health. Our proprietary platforms leverage advanced signal processing and deep learning to convert complex biometric data into actionable clinical insights-supporting earlier diagnosis, personalized treatment, and more effective care.With a growing portfolio of regulatory filings, including a 510(k) premarket notification and a registered FDA Device Master File, AIML is committed to rigorous validation and broad interoperability.AIML's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:AIML), the OTCQB Venture Market (AIMLF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (42FB).On behalf of the Board of Directors:Paul Duffy, Executive Chairman and CEONeither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the implementation of the Company's products and services. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including with respect to the nature and timing of future operations and the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 13:02:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 694 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TAMPA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Atlantic Power & Infrastructure Corp.'s (OTC PINK:AWSL) announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Next Generation Agriculture Inc. (NGAG Inc.), has secured two substantial supply contracts from a buyer based in Europe for its bio-stimulants through United Kingdom registered Bioelements Ltd., a scientific company that conducts their own product development and participates in outside projects as a member of an internationally recognized scientific team. Their area of expertise is in making different species of antagonistic microorganisms compatible in order to develop multi-component products to support the needs of farmers and growers around the world.Through a global team of scientists from the United Kingdom and other European countries, Bioelements Ltd. can develop and fully evaluate their products. Once a product is ready, they manufacture it within the United Kingdom and Europe.NGAG Inc. President Martin Driscoll said, "We are very happy to collaborate with third parties around the world by supplying our high specification potassium humates and our unique polysaccharide formulations for use as components within these exciting new complex bio-stimulants. The first two full consignments have been purchased by Bioelements Ltd. for dispatch via sea freight to Europe in June." Through NGAG Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary NGAG Biotech Pvt. Ltd., the NGAG group can produce plant and mineral based component solutions supplying the B2B (Business to Business) market for Bio-stimulant as well as crop nutrition product manufacturers and ECOCERT certified finished products for the B2C (Business to Consumer) market, direct to international and regional farming distribution companies.CEO and Chairman Kevin Bagnall stated, "I always knew we were creating a high-volume market for the agricultural industry, and this is just the tip of the iceberg, both domestically and internationally." About Atlantic Power & Infrastructure Corp.Atlantic Power and Infrastructure Corp. provides environmental technologies including converting recycled tire material into proven, sustainable infrastructure products. Its flagship product Flexi-Pave's resounding strength, flexibility and porous nature which protects from land erosion has led to its use in high profile shoreline break walls and other marine and infrastructure projects.About Next Generation Agriculture (NGAG)AP&I's Next Generation Agriculture division focuses on innovative agricultural solutions, emphasizing sustainable practices such as NGAG's ASCOGEL.ASCOGEL's improved formulation contains increased levels of bio stimulation for plant establishment and growth. Through ASCOGEL's solutions for optimal water regime and improved soil structure support, its melioration benefits significantly increase crop yields and reduce crop yield risks associated with droughts and/or excessive precipitation.About KBI Flexi-PaveKBI Flexi-Pave, harnessing the natural strength of recycled tire granules through KBI's proprietary technology, creates sustainable infrastructure construction products. Renowned for its permeability, flexibility, crack resistance, trip hazard resistance, and slip resistance, KBIFlexi-Pave has seen successful installations in prestigious locations on a global scale.About AP&I's Water Purification Next Generation (WPNG)AP&I subsidiaries address global challenges, such as harmful algae and red tide infestation growing health hazard, with its Algae Vessels (AVs). Operating with a zero-carbon footprint, the AVs utilize wind and solar power to eliminate harmful algae blooms in water bodies worldwide. WPNG water purification technology removes harmful algae blooms from freshwater rivers and lakes, and Red Tide algae blooms from salt water.Disclaimer: Shareholders and investors are strongly cautioned against placing undue reliance on information set forth within this website and these communications in making any investment decisions concerning our securities. The matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the OTCMarkets.com including the company's Annual Report, Quarterly Reports, and other periodic filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Nothing within this site is meant to be a solicitation to buy.Contact Information:Stephanie WilliamsGovernment Liaison/ Officer of Environmental Affairs, Pro-TemEmail: swilliams@ apaicorp.com SOURCE: Atlantic Power & Infrastructure Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 14:01:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1009 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ST. JOHN'S, NF AND LABRADOR / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 /Atlas Salt (the "Company" or "Atlas") - (TSXV:SALT)(OTCQB:REMRF) announces the appointment of Mr. Nolan K. Peterson, MBA, CFA, P.Eng. as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company and Mr. Jeffrey Kilborn, CMC as Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and VP Corporate Development, effective June 9, 2025.Mr. Alasdair Federico has resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer effective June 9 and will provide transitional consulting services as needed. The Company sincerely thanks Mr. Federico for his professional service and thoughtful contributions to the Company through the permitting and preconstruction phase.Mr. Peterson joins the Company with an impressive technical and management background indicative of his capabilities and keen business acumen.Nolan Peterson Career Highlights include:Over 20 years experience in the mining sector; spanning development, operations and finance including extensive experience in capital markets, public company management and corporate development.A senior leader in the successful delivery of the New Afton ($750 million), Rainy River ($1B) and Hope Bay ($250M) mining projects in addition to extensive project development work with companies including Barrick, Newmont, Rio Tinto, and QuadraFNX.Most recently served as CEO and President of World Copper Corp. from 2021 to 2023 where he successfully completed the merger with Cardero Resources Corp. and concurrently advanced the Escalones and Zonia projects in Chile and Arizona, respectively.Held senior positions including Project Engineer and Financial Analyst and later Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) at New Gold and TMAC Resources/Agnico Eagle where he held key roles in developing and transitioning three major mines into production including the New Afton and Rainy River projects, and advancing the development of the Blackwater project ($1.8B) through Feasibility Study.Grew up in Nunavut in Canada's arctic, an upbringing that has left him uniquely aware of the needs of local communities and environments surrounding mineral development projects. His perspectives will be invaluable in navigating key issues that impact and shape the development of modern mining projects.Bachelor's Degree in Applied Science from University of British Columbia (UBC); MBA from the UBC Sauder School of Business; Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder; Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in British Columbia and Ontario.Mr. Peterson commented: "This is an exciting time to join Atlas Salt and I am thrilled to undertake this role. Atlas Salt presents a rare and compelling opportunity to lead the development of an emerging mine with many unique characteristics that holds strategic importance for the Canadian and broader North American salt market. The Great Atlantic salt deposit has been significantly derisked and is at a position where I am confident I can lead the team to a successful outcome for all stakeholders. I am committed to sharing our vision with a broader audience and ensuring that robust mechanisms are in place to advance the salt project safely, efficiently, and with deep respect for the communities and environment we serve. In the near future, I look forward to connecting with new and existing shareholders and stakeholders as we bring Canada's next great salt mine to life - setting a new standard for responsible development, innovation, and lasting value for Canada." Mr. Kilborn joins the Company with a diverse background in mining and financial capital markets spanning over 20 years.Jeffrey Kilborn Career Highlights include:Former Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Canadian Gold Corp. (TSXV:CGC). Currently Director and Chair of the Audit Committee.Investment Banking with Raymond James Ltd. - engaged in equity capital market transactions, including managing road shows for clients.Investment Banking with Bank of America - engaged in cross-border debt capital market transactions.Business Advisor and Manager with the Business Development Bank of Canada - provided strategic advice to high-growth small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.Bachelor of Arts - Honours Business Administration from Ivey Business School, Western University; Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC) designation.Mr. Kilborn commented, "I look forward to being part of the Atlas team as we embark on the financial execution to develop the Great Atlantic salt project. My mining and financial capital markets experience positions me to support and complement Mr. Peterson as we take the company to the next phase. I am excited to articulate the Atlas story to the wider investment community." Chairman CommentMr. Patrick Laracy, Chairman of the Board, commented: "We are delighted to have recruited a motivated leadership team in Nolan and Jeff, which speaks to the quality of our project. We feel confident in their ability to integrate with our existing strong technical and administrative team to develop the Great Atlantic salt project. The team will be instrumental in elevating the profile of the Company, which offers investors a compelling and highly differentiated opportunity in the mining space, at a discount to intrinsic value. We expect that the many positive attributes of our substantially derisked project will become more widely recognized with the new management focus, and we look forward to expanding our capital markets profile in the immediate term." About Atlas Salt Inc.Atlas Salt Inc. is developing Canada's next salt mine and is committed to responsible and sustainable mining practices. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, the company is poised to make significant contributions to the North American salt market while upholding its values of environmental stewardship and community engagement.For information, please contact:Patrick Laracy, Chairman investors@ atlassalt.com(709) 739-9545We seek safe harbor.Cautionary StatementNeither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 14:00:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 716 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Federally funded project reduces school absenteeism by 35% through innovative health care accessEL PASO, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Far West Texas students are spending more time in classrooms thanks to a telehealth program that brings specialized health care directly to school nurses' offices. Project Vida Maria Morelos, pediatric care coordinator with Project Vida, conducts a telemedicine examination of a student using advanced telecommunication technology that connects directly with a physician assistant.The Border Health Outreach Initiative transformed several community health programs, including Campus Care, a school-based program led by Project Vida in partnership with Texas Tech Health El Paso. Campus Care connects K-12 students in remote rural communities to medical specialists using advanced telecommunications technology. Since its launch in February 2023, the program has reduced student absenteeism by up to 35%, with up to 80% of students reporting improved academic performance."Thanks to the Border Health Outreach Initiative, we have been able to reach many students who otherwise go without health care," said Pamela Ponce, Campus Care co-chief with Project Vida. "We've identified countless children with undiagnosed conditions like asthma and mental health challenges, providing them with life-changing diagnoses and treatment that prevents unnecessary hospitalizations and suffering." The outreach initiative is supported by a $3 million federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar of El Paso. In addition to physical health, the program has been transformative in addressing student mental health needs in communities where resources are scarce. According to Texas Health and Human Services, many communities in Far West Texas have no child and adolescent psychiatry providers."At one of our districts, a student was having difficulties breathing and didn't have an inhaler due to lack of medical insurance," recalled Ponce. "The patient was seen virtually by a Campus Care telehealth provider, who prescribed an inhaler. A Project Vida Health Center discount packet was given to the parent, and now the student can take his inhaler during school hours." School districts currently benefiting from the program include Canutillo, Socorro, Clint, San Elizario, Fort Hancock and Tornillo ISDs."We know that when people do not have access to health care, it ultimately ends tragically for them," said Congresswoman Escobar. "It also incurs a financial cost. People often use our emergency rooms as their primary health care access points, but when they leave that access to return to a health care desert, it does not bode well for them." Making health care accessible where students learnThe cornerstone of the Campus Care school-based health care initiative is the TytoCare Clinic, a portable device that enables school nurses to conduct clinic-grade physical exams for conditions including strep throat, ear infections and respiratory illnesses.Before the program, residents of many Far West Texas communities faced six-hour round-trip journeys to El Paso for specialized medical care. For school-age children, this often meant missing full days of instruction for routine appointments.The initiative has established telemedicine services in Presidio, Terlingua, Alpine, Fort Davis and other rural communities where residents typically live two to five times farther from medical facilities than the national average.Among young adults aged 18 to 25 in the U.S., one in three experienced a mental illness in 2020, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The telehealth program provides critical access to mental health services for students who previously had no practical way to receive such care.El Paso County itself struggles with a provider shortage, having only five psychiatrists for every 100,000 residents. The telepsychiatry component of the initiative allows students to receive professional mental health support without leaving their school environment.About Texas Tech Health El PasoTexas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 rural counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.With a focus on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 professionals over the past decade, and will include dental graduates beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org Contact InformationMarty OteroMedia Relations Specialist - National Mediamaotero@ ttuhsc.edu 915-215-6017SOURCE: Texas Tech Health El Paso PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 14:00:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 768 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CBDL Enters the $2.8 Billion Suppository Market with a First-of-Its-Kind Product - Tapping a High-Demand, Low-Competition Sector Poised for Transformational GrowthSCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / CBD Life Sciences Inc. (OTC Pink:CBDL), a leader in the CBD wellness industry, proudly announces the launch of its groundbreaking line of CBD-infused vaginal and rectal suppositories. This innovative product is poised to transform the landscape of women's health by offering targeted relief for a myriad of conditions, including menstrual cramps, endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, and gastrointestinal discomfort.A Breakthrough for Localized, Fast-Acting ReliefUnlike oral CBD products, which must pass through the digestive system and may lose potency in the process, suppositories offer rapid absorption and superior bioavailability by delivering CBD directly into the bloodstream through the pelvic region or lower bowel.This method allows patients to experience faster, more concentrated relief, particularly for conditions like:Endometriosis and menstrual painPelvic floor dysfunctionProstatitis and hemorrhoidsGastrointestinal disorders (IBS, IBD, Crohn's)Chronic pelvic pain syndromePost-surgical recovery inflammationBy formulating this unique delivery system, CBD Life Sciences Inc. is opening the door to a broader application of CBD - bridging gaps in women's health, men's health, and gastrointestinal therapy.The Science Behind the ReliefRecent studies show that CBD's anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antispasmodic properties make it uniquely suited for conditions involving chronic pelvic or intestinal tension. In rectal use, CBD interacts with local CB1 and CB2 receptors in the digestive tract to reduce inflammation and modulate pain responses. For vaginal use, CBD has shown promise in reducing pelvic muscle tightness, cramping, and discomfort associated with reproductive or bladder-related disorders.Market Potential: A Billion-Dollar OpportunityThe global pharmaceutical suppositories market was valued at approximately $1.6 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% . North America holds the largest market share, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global revenue.CBD Life Sciences Inc.'s entry into this burgeoning market positions the company at the forefront of a healthcare revolution, offering investors a unique opportunity to capitalize on the intersection of natural wellness and women's health.Local Medical Community EndorsementSeveral healthcare professionals in Scottsdale, Arizona, have approached CBD Life Sciences Inc., expressing keen interest in the therapeutic potential of these suppositories for their patients. This local engagement underscores the product's relevance and anticipated impact in the medical community, further validating its market readiness and clinical significance.About CBD Life Sciences Inc. (CBDL) CBD Life Sciences Inc. is a vertically integrated health and wellness company focused on cannabinoid innovation. With a robust pipeline of CBD, Delta-8, and other hemp-derived formulations, CBDL operates across direct-to-consumer, retail, and wholesale channels - including recent distribution on Walmart Marketplace and additional platforms coming soon.Follow our social media for the latest updates! X: https://www.x.com/CBDL_StockOTC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbd.vault IR Contact: cbdvaultaz@ gmail.com Stay Connected & Be the First to Try Our New Functional Mushroom Products!Mushroom Madness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mushroom.madnessazMushroom Madness Website: https://www.mushroommadness.shop Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties. See CBD Life Sciences, Inc's, Inc.'s filings with OTC Markets, which may identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.Safe Harbor Statement This release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflects management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions, sector changes and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, including codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.Contact Information Lisa NelsonCEO cbdvaultaz@ gmail.com 4802091720SOURCE: CBD Life Sciences Inc. Photo: https://t.me/ In Washington, together with his team, the head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg. "We discussed the situation on the front, the results of the meetings in Istanbul, the importance of strengthening sanctions against Russia and defense assistance to Ukraine," Yermak said in Telegram channel on Tuesday. In addition, the parties discussed the children abducted by Russia. "We have handed over the lists to Russia, we are waiting for a response it is important to return them home. This is an important issue, and we appreciate that the United States is included in the process," the President's Office head said. According to him, he briefed Kellogg that Russia is doing everything not to ceasefire, this should be put an end to by force, because Ukraine has done everything to stop the war. "But if Russia does not cease fire voluntarily, we are forced to conduct operations and destroy their military potential. We are grateful to U.S. President Donald Trump and the entire American people, both parties, for their support for Ukraine," Yermak said. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 03:15:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 897 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THUNDER BAY, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AIR)(FRA:CKU)(OTCQB:CLRMF) announces that it has filed its audited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended January 31, 2025, available for viewing on www.sedarplus.ca Financial HighlightsTotal assets as at January 31, 2025 of $37,908,937Total cash as at January 31, 2025 of $3,441,879Working capital as at January 31, 2025 of $184,611Shareholder's equity as at January 31, 2025 of $33,891,683Financial SummaryFor the year endedJanuary 31, 2025January 31, 2024Operating Expenses3,515,8383,930,784Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss(3,124,992(3,529,771Loss per share -Basic and Diluted(0.01(0.02Total Assets37,908,93739,205,074Total Liabilities4,017,2543,478,961Total Shareholders' Equity33,891,68335,726,113Full details of the financial reports and operating results for the year ended January 31, 2025 are described in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements with accompanying notes and related Management's Discussion and Analysis, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca The Company also announces that it has scheduled its 2025 Annual General Meeting for July 29, 2025 at 1:30 pm ET, which will be held virtually. The Company will be issuing the information circular with further details on July 2, 2025.Outlook for 2025The Company is eager to build on the success of its 2024/2025 winter drilling programs. In addition to identifying targets for the upcoming exploration program at the Thunder Bay North Project, the team is currently incorporating the positive results from last year's exploration and drilling into a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) expected to be released this fall. CEO Mike Garbutt comments, "Despite sustained industry headwinds, our cash position allows us to move ahead and prudently advance the project. The outlook for PGEs in the near to medium term is the most bullish it has been in the last 3 years, and we look forward to taking advantage of this momentum." About Clean Air MetalsClean Air Metals is a development and exploration company advancing its flagship, 100% owned Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals ("TBN") project, 40 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The TBN project, accessible by road and next to established infrastructure, hosts two (2) deposits - the Current and Escape deposits, only 2.5 km apart. Together, the deposits host a 13.8 Mt indicated mineral resource containing 2.4M Pt eq. oz (Technical Report on the Thunder Bay North Project, Ontario Canada, NI43-101, SLR Consulting Canada Ltd, June 19, 2023) with significant potential for expansion down-plunge.One of the rare primary platinum resources outside of South Africa, the TBN project is in a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction and benefits from longstanding relationships with local First Nations. With its proven technical team, Clean Air Metals is committed to growing the resources at the TBN project and creating long-term value for shareholders.Social EngagementClean Air Metals Inc. acknowledges that the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project is located within the area encompassed by the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 and includes the territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band, Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. Clean Air Metals also acknowledges the contributions of the Metis Nation of Ontario, Region 2 and the Red Sky Metis Independent Nation to the rich history of our area.The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, travelled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS"Mike Garbutt"Mike Garbutt, CEO of Clean Air Metals Inc.Connect with us on X/ Facebook/ Instagram.Visit www.cleanairmetals.ca for more information or contact:Mia Boiridy Director of Communications and Investor Relations250-575-3305 mboiridy@ cleanairmetals.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Cautionary NoteThe information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or, future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business det PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 15:05:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 425 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Compass Diversified Holdings ("Compass") (NYSE:CODI) who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded Compass securities between May 1, 2024 and May 7, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period") to contact us immediately regarding pending securities class actions against Compass. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is July 8, 2025.Class Period: May 1, 2024 - May 7, 2025Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: July 8, 2025Case information: https://lieffcabraser.com/securities/codi/ Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358Compass, a statutory trust headquartered in Westport, Connecticut, and Compass Group Diversified Holdings, LLC (together, the "Company") acquire and manage a group of small and middle-market businesses, including Lugano Holdings, Inc. ("Lugano"), a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of high-end jewelry.The actions allege that, throughout the Class Period, the Company and certain of its senior executives failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company's subsidiary Lugano maintained unrecorded financing arrangements and irregularities in its sales, cost of sales, inventory, and accounts receivable for the entirety of fiscal year 2024; (2) the irregularities and undisclosed details in Lugano's financial statements rendered Compass's financial statements unreliable; and (3) Compass failed to maintain adequate internal controls over its financial statements.On May 7, 2025, after market close, Compass announced that its 2024 financial statements should no longer be relied upon, as an ongoing investigation had identified "irregularities in Lugano's non-CODI financing, accounting, and inventory practices." Compass also announced that it intended to delay release of its Q1 2025 Form 10-Q, that Lugano's founder and CEO Mordechai Ferder resigned from all positions he held at Lugano, and that Ferder would not be receiving any severance compensation. On this news, Compass's common stock price fell $10.70 per share, or 62%, from its closing price of $17.25 per share on May 7, 2025, to close at $6.55 per share on May 8, 2025, on heavy trading volume.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 125 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally-recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Repeatedly recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $131 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 05:15:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 531 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilJuly 8, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Compass Diversified Holdings (NYSE:CODI), if they purchased the Company's securities between May 1, 2024 and May 7, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Compass and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-codi/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJuly 8, 2025 .About the LawsuitCompass and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On May 7, 2025, the Company issued a press release entitled "Compass Diversified Discloses Non-Reliance on Financial Statements for Fiscal 2024 Amid an Ongoing Internal Investigation into its Subsidiary, Lugano Holding, Inc.," disclosing that "the Audit Committee of CODI's Board has concluded that the previously issued financial statements for 2024 require restatement and should no longer be relied upon" and that "[e]ffective May 7, 2025, Lugano's founder and CEO, Moti Ferder, resigned from all of his positions at Lugano and will not receive any severance compensation." The Company further disclosed that "[t]he Audit Committee of CODI's Board of Directors promptly launched an investigation after CODI's senior leadership was made aware of concerns about how Lugano was potentially financing inventory" and that "[t]he investigation . . . is ongoing but has preliminarily identified irregularities in Lugano's non-CODI financing, accounting, and inventory practices." On this news, the price of Compass' shares plummeted approximately 62%, from $17.25 per share on May 7, 2025, to $6.55 per share on May 8, 2025.The case is Matthews v. Compass Group Diversified Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-981.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: FaceBook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 01:45:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 936 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Traditionally, treating varicose veins often required a series of tedious clinic visits, long wait times, and a one-size-fits-all approach. For many, it was not only daunting but also a process that felt impersonal. That was until Dr. Feliciano Serrano, a pioneer in concierge medicine, brought an innovative and compassionate approach to varicose vein care right to the heart of Los Angeles.With an impressive track record and a dedication to patient-centered treatment,Dr. Feliciano Serranois revolutionizing vascular health and redefining how medical care is delivered.Personalized Care that Goes Beyond TreatmentAt the core of Dr. Feliciano Serrano's philosophy is the belief that effective healthcare must be deeply personal. His background in nephrology and interventional vascular procedures equips him with a unique skill set to address both common and complex vascular conditions comprehensively. Yet, his expertise is far from limited to technical precision.Dr. Serrano approaches every case with a holistic perspective, tailoring treatment plans that meet the unique needs of each patient. His model extends beyond treating symptoms. For him, understanding a patient's lifestyle, preferences, and overall health goals is an integral part of the medical care process. Most importantly, he ensures that every patient feels empowered, informed, and confident about their treatment decisions.What Makes Concierge Medicine RevolutionaryDr. Serrano's concierge medicine model has transformed healthcare accessibility, especially for patients who juggle chronic conditions and demanding schedules. This model provides unparalleled convenience by offering consultations and virtual appointments, effectively removing traditional barriers to care.Patients see concierge medicine as not just a healthcare service but a partnership. Whether responding to urgent inquiries quickly or guiding individuals with ongoing care, Dr. Serrano has made himself available around the clock to meet his patients' needs. This renewed sense of accessibility enhances the patient-doctor relationship, fostering trust and mutual respect.Ultimately, Dr. Feliciano Serrano's approach is making high-quality medical care more approachable, particularly for those who require consistent attention but struggle with traditional clinic models.Understanding and Treating Varicose Veins with PrecisionVaricose veins do more than affect one's appearance. For many patients, they can lead to physical discomfort, throbbing, and heaviness in the legs, potentially escalating into more serious health conditions.Dr . Feliciano Serranorecognizes this dual impact of varicose veins and offers his patients solutions that address both cosmetic concerns and physical symptoms.With meticulous attention to detail, Dr. Serrano evaluates the underlying causes of each patient's condition, tailoring treatments that align with their specific medical needs. His practice focuses on delivering minimally invasive interventions, ensuring effective results with reduced recovery times.A Hub for Advanced TechniquesOne of the distinguishing features of Dr. Serrano's practice is the innovative techniques he employs to treat varicose veins. Patients have access to cutting-edge procedures that are as efficient as they are effective.Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA, is one of the advanced treatments Dr. Serrano offers. This state-of-the-art method utilizes laser technology to target and collapse damaged veins. Patients report significant relief from pain and swelling, with the added benefit of resuming daily activities shortly afterward.For larger varicose veins, microphlebectomy offers precise results through minimally invasive measures. This procedure not only restores proper blood circulation but also significantly improves comfort and confidence.For patients with unique medical considerations, Dr. Serrano offers chemical ablation, which involves using a sclerosing agent to shrink and remove vein abnormalities. This procedure is both effective and adaptable, providing options for those who may not be candidates for laser therapy.Meanwhile, sclerotherapy offers a simpler yet highly effective solution for spider veins and smaller varicose veins. Dr. Serrano's expertise in sclerotherapy ensures that patients experience both aesthetic and physical benefits.Raising the Standard with KVACWhile concierge medicine reimagines convenience and accessibility, Dr. Serrano's treatment facility, KVAC, represents a new standard in advanced care. KVAC seamlessly integrates patient comfort, state-of-the-art technology, and innovative treatments into a model that stands out in Los Angeles' bustling medical landscape.Patients visiting KVAC experience more than just medical procedures. The facility is rooted in Dr. Serrano's mission of compassionate care, ensuring that every visitor feels supported and respected from the moment they walk through the doors.The center specializes not only in vascular health but also in kidney care. From dialysis access to arterial repairs, KVAC delivers comprehensive solutions tailored to the specific needs of each individual.Advocacy for an Inclusive FutureDr. Serrano's commitment to healthcare extends beyond state-of-the-art treatments. A native of Los Angeles, he is dedicated to serving the city's diverse communities with cultural competence. His bilingual fluency in Spanish ensures that language is never a barrier to care, fostering trust and understanding among patients from all backgrounds. This inclusivity drives Dr. Serrano's efforts to make high-quality medical care accessible and equitable for all.What Sets Dr. Serrano ApartDr. Feliciano Serrano does more than heal patients; he builds relationships rooted in trust and empathy. His pioneering work in concierge medicine and advanced varicose vein treatment has set a new benchmark for quality care in Los Angeles.Whether mitigating the discomfort of varicose veins or providing emotional reassurance to patients managing chronic health conditions, Dr. Serrano exemplifies the gold standard in medicine.For those searching for a doctor who combines technical expertise with a patient-first mindset, Dr. Serrano offers not only solutions but also peace of mind.If you're in Los Angeles and struggling with varicose veins or seeking a doctor who genuinely listens and delivers the care you deserve, your next step is simple. Reach out to Dr. Feliciano Serrano today and experience the transformation in personalized healthcare.Contact Dr. Feliciano SerranoPhone: (323) 585-6900SOURCE: Feliciano Serrano MD PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 08:00:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 379 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HAMILTON, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / As retail trading surges across Southeast Asia, a new name is drawing attention among discerning traders seeking speed, simplicity, and trust:Cumbrae Investments . Licensed in South Africa and committed to client-first trading execution, Cumbrae is carving a niche among top-tier brokerages by delivering what modern traders demand most-tight spreads, fast withdrawals, and an uncluttered, high-performance platform.With a focus on Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and neighboring markets,Cumbrae Investmentsis positioning itself as the go-to broker for those who value real-time market access without the friction often associated with legacy platforms.Key Highlights of Cumbrae Investments:Tight, Transparent Spreads on major forex pairs and indicesLightning-Fast Withdrawals-a critical priority for Southeast Asian clientsClean, Distraction-Free User Experience built for efficiency, not overwhelm"Our growth is rooted in listening to the actual needs of traders-not overwhelming them with unnecessary tools, but giving them fast, clean access to global markets," said a spokesperson for Cumbrae Investments.While global platforms like IG, Pepperstone, IC Markets, and CMC Markets remain strong options, many Southeast Asian traders are shifting toward regionally responsive brokers. With execution speed, user experience, and withdrawal times topping the list of trader priorities, Cumbrae is answering the call with agility and precision.Why Traders in Southeast Asia Are Rethinking Broker Priorities:Tight Spreads: Lower trading costs for high-frequency and intraday strategiesFast Withdrawals: Immediate access to profits-no long waitsRegulatory Clarity: Confidence in platform legitimacy and complianceClean UX/UI: Simplified trading experience without unnecessary complexityMulti-Asset Access: Forex, indices, and CFDs in one seamless platformCumbrae Investments, though modest in size compared to larger global brokers, is proving that being responsive and reliable can matter more than scale-especially in rapidly growing regions with evolving trader expectations.About Cumbrae Investments Cumbrae Investments is a South African-licensed multi-asset broker offering forex, indices, and CFD trading. The company prioritizes execution speed, client transparency, and minimal platform friction-serving a growing base of retail traders in Southeast Asia and beyond.Media contact:Name: Alexander BayraktarWebsite: https://lydiamarketing.tech/Phone: +90 541 894 60 59Address: 3194 Barton Street, Hamilton, CanadaDisclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an endorsement of any specific financial service. Traders should always conduct independent research before selecting a broker.SOURCE: Cumbrae Investments PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 00:50:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 641 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 StartupsTeamSec cigdem@ pirix.cohttps://teamsecfin.com/ SOURCE: TeamSec PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 03:20:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1039 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Clinically Studied Natural HGH Supplement Delivers 28% IGF-1 Boost in 12 Weeks-A Safer, More Affordable Alternative to Injections in 2025LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / In This Article, You'll Discover:The importance of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and how it impacts your energy, skin health, and muscle strength as you age.Why GenF20 Plus by Leading Edge Health is considered one of thebest natural HGH supplements in 2025.The real pain points people experience with low HGH levels and how GenF20 Plus aims to address them.A comprehensive breakdown of GenF20 Plus's ingredients and how they work together to support your body's natural HGH production.Real-life success stories from customers who have tried GenF20 Plus.A clear comparison of GenF20 Plus with expensive and invasive synthetic HGH injections.The clinically-backed study that supports GenF20 Plus's impact on IGF-1 levels.Step-by-step guidance on how to use GenF20 Plus for best results and what to expect.Transparent details on GenF20 Plus pricing, special bonuses, and purchasing information, with disclaimers to check the official website for up-to-date offers and prices.Key disclaimers to ensure that any borderline claims are responsibly presented and not misleading.TL;DR SummaryGenF20 Plus is a top-rated natural HGH supplement designed to support your body's youthful vitality by naturally boosting HGH levels. As people age, declining HGH can lead to tiredness, weight gain, loss of muscle tone, and visible signs of aging. GenF20 Plus combines clinically researched ingredients like L-Arginine, L-Glutamine, and Colostrum to address these pain points and help you look and feel younger.Unlike synthetic HGH injections-which can be costly and require medical supervision-GenF20 Plus is available without a prescription and is backed by a 12-week clinical study showing a 28% increase in IGF-1, a marker for HGH activity. In this article, you'll find real stories from satisfied customers, a detailed look at how GenF20 Plus works, how to use it for the best results, and comprehensive pricing and purchasing details. Disclaimers are included to ensure clarity and transparency, especially around individual results and pricing accuracy.IntroductionHave you ever wondered why some people seem to age slower, maintain boundless energy, and stay active and strong well into their 50s, 60s, and beyond? The secret may lie in how well your body can maintain healthy levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH).As we get older, our bodies naturally produce less HGH. This hormone is essential for cell regeneration, metabolism, and youthful energy. For many people, this gradual decline leads to a cascade of visible and invisible changes: fatigue, weight gain, dull skin, and a loss of that youthful vitality we all crave.This is whereGenF20 Pluscomes in. Touted as one of the best natural HGH boosters in 2025, GenF20 Plus offers a unique approach to supporting your body's own HGH production. By blending clinically-studied ingredients, it aims to provide a natural alternative to expensive and often risky HGH injections.Unlike synthetic HGH therapy-which can cost thousands of dollars and requires doctor supervision-GenF20 Plus is designed as a safe, non-prescription supplement for those looking to biohack their energy, muscle tone, skin health, and overall wellness.Disclaimer: Individual results may vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.The Role of HGH in Health & AgingAs we age, it's natural to feel that our bodies aren't what they used to be. For many, this decline is more than skin deep-it's about energy, recovery, mental clarity, and that unmistakable sense of vitality. Central to these feelings is a powerful hormone known as Human Growth Hormone (HGH).What is HGH?HGH is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pituitary gland. In our younger years, HGH levels are high, supporting rapid growth, cellular repair, and metabolism. It plays a key role in muscle development, skin health, and immune function. Essentially, HGH helps our bodies stay youthful and strong.Why Do HGH Levels Decline?Around the age of 30, HGH production starts to decline steadily. By the time we reach our 40s and 50s, HGH levels can be significantly lower than in our youth. This drop isn't just a number on a chart-it's felt in daily life through:Decreased stamina and slower recovery from exerciseThinner skin and visible signs of agingReduced lean muscle massWeight gain and a slower metabolismMood swings and less mental focusThe Impact of HGH on the Aging ProcessThe gradual decline in HGH doesn't just affect how we look-it has a profound impact on how we feel. Many people find themselves:Struggling to maintain muscle tone despite working outFeeling more tired throughout the dayExperiencing more joint stiffness and less mobilityNoticing changes in their skin's texture and elasticityIt's no wonder that biohackers and longevity enthusiasts focus so much attention on maintaining healthy HGH levels.Relevance TodayIn 2025, words like age reversal, hormonal optimization, and cellular regeneration have become more than buzz-they're the heart of what many are seeking. HGH supports all these goals by playing a pivotal role in:Cellular turnover (keeping skin and tissues fresh)Protein synthesis (for strong muscles and faster healing)Fat metabolism (helping maintain a healthy body composition)GenF20 Plus: A Natural ApproachWhile some people turn to synthetic HGH injections, these are costly, require medical supervision, and come with potential risks. GenF20 Plus is a natural HGH supplement designed to help the body's own pituitary gland release more HGH naturally. By using a blend of amino acids, nutrients, and botanical extracts, GenF20 Plus aims to support:Enhanced energy and staminaYounger-looking skinBetter recovery from exerciseA more balanced mood and improved sleepDisclaimer: GenF20 Plus is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It's meant to support general wellness and natural HGH release. Individual results will vary. Always speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions about using a new supplement.Unlock your youthful energy and vitality with GenF20 Plus-buy now and experience the difference for yourself.The Most Common Pain Points of Aging & HGH DeclineFor many people, aging is not just about getting older-it's about feeling older. As HGH levels decrease, the body's natural processes slow down. This creates a cascade of effects that can leave you feeling like a shadow of your younger self.Low Energy and Sluggishness PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 15:15:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1064 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 /Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GPG)(OTCQB:GPTRF)(FSE:GPB) ("Grande Portage" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 10,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$2,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering is being carried out pursuant to Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions(the "LIFE Exemption") to purchasers resident in Canada, other than Quebec, and in jurisdictions outside of Canada in compliance with the applicable securities laws of those jurisdictions. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to this Offering that can be accessed under Grande Portage's profile atwww.sedarplus.comand on the Company's website at https://grandeportage.com . Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision.Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.26 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.The Units issued in the Offering will not be subject to any statutory hold period in Canada, subject to limitations prescribed by the LIFE Exemption.Insiders and certain other existing shareholders of Grande Portage may also subscribe for Units under the Offering.Red Cloud Securities Inc. (the "Finder") will act as a finder for the Company in respect of the Offering on a best efforts basis. As compensation for its services, the Finder will receive cash compensation equal to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering raised by the Finder. The Finder will also receive non-transferable share purchase warrants (the "Finder Warrants") which will entitle the Finder to acquire such number of common shares as is equal to 7% of the number of Units placed by the Finder. The Finder Warrants will be exercisable at a price of $0.20 per share any time for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.Grande Portage intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for furthering the exploration and development of its New Amalga Mine project in Alaska, including commissioning a Preliminary Economic Assessment, as well as general working capital purposes.The Offering may close in multiple tranches, with the first tranche closing expected to occur on June 13, 2025, and the final closing to occur no later than July 7, 2025. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.About Grande Portage:Grande Portage Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on advancing the New Amalga Mine project, the outgrowth of the Herbert Gold discovery situated approximately 25 km north of Juneau, Alaska. The Company holds a 100% interest in the New Amalga property. The New Amalga gold system is open to length and depth and is host to at least six main composite vein-fault structures that contain ribbon structure quartz-sulfide veins. The project lies prominently within the 160km long Juneau Gold Belt, which has produced over eight million ounces of gold.The Company's updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) reported at a base case mineral resources cut-off grade of 2.5 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and consists of: an Indicated Resource of 1,438,500 ounces of gold at an average grade of 9.47 g/t Au (4,726,000 tonnes); and an Inferred Resource of 515,700 ounces of gold at an average grade of 8.85 g/t Au (1,813,000 tonnes), as well as an Indicated Resource of 891,600 ounces of silver at an average grade of 5.86 g/t Ag (4,726,000 tonnes); and an Inferred Resource of 390,600 ounces of silver at an average grade of 7.33 g/t silver (1,813,000 tonnes). The MRE was prepared by Dr. David R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geol., P.Eng. (DRW Geological Consultants Ltd.) with an effective date of July 17, 2024. Additional information on the New Amalga Mine project is available in the technical report titled "Technical Report of the Herbert Gold Property, Juneau District, Southeast Alaska" dated July 17, 2024, which is available under Grande Portage's profile atwww.sedarplus.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Ian Klassen"Ian M. KlassenPresident & Chief Executive OfficerTel: (604) 899-0106Email:Ian@ grandeportage.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". . Forward-looking statements or information contained in this release include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to: the Offering, including timing, subscribers, and gross proceeds contemplated thereunder, statutory hold periods, and the use of proceeds, and expectations regarding the New Amalga Mine project, including the Company's mineral resources. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the ability to complete the Offering, including the timing and size thereof, ability to obtain all necessary approvals, the final use of pr PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 14:00:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 695 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Technology That Builds Trust: A Trailblazing Partnership Transforming How the Nation's Largest Youth Organization Credentials Its Volunteers.AUSTIN, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / As part of a broader effort to improve how it supports thousands of volunteers, Scouting America, the nation's foremost youth leadership and development organization, has partnered with Incredable, the industry's most configurable credentialing platform and a subsidiary of Intiva Health, to modernize how the organization manages volunteer credentials across national events.With a network of medical volunteers supporting programs across the country, Scouting America needed a scalable, intuitive, and flexible solution. Incredable's platform is already transforming their credentialing process, beginning with preparations for the 2025 summer season at Summit Bechtel Reserve and leading into the 2026 National Jamboree, one of the organization's largest national gatherings.From Manual Processes to Mission-Ready SystemsSummit Bechtel Reserve, a premier Scouting America high adventure base in West Virginia, will host thousands of Scouts, volunteers, and staff during its 2025 programming. The 2026 National Jamboree, held every four years, is expected to bring together more than 15,000 participants from across the country. Managing volunteer credentials at this scale demands automation, standardization, and real-time access - core strengths of the Incredable platform."Before integrating Incredable, our previous credentialing process faced inefficiencies and a lack of user-friendliness," shared Dr. Bryan Wilson, Medical Director of the Summit Bechtel Reserve. "Incredable has transformed this process by providing a fast, smooth, and organized solution that meets our needs." Why Scouting America Chose IncredableThis collaboration follows years of navigating scattered systems and manual credentialing methods. As a volunteer-based organization, Scouting America required a platform that could streamline documentation while allowing for customization."We chose Incredable because it provided a unified, customizable platform that addressed the inefficiencies of our previously fragmented systems. As a volunteer organization, we valued the ability to exclude unnecessary features like insurance enrollment. We appreciated the streamlined document management, which enhanced the professionalism and completeness of our credentialing files." A Modern Credentialing Hub Built for ScaleWith Incredable, Scouting America now has access to:Automated verification of identity, background, licenses, and certificationsA centralized, secure credentialing hub that replaces outdated toolsMobile document upload via the Incredable Provider AppCustom workflows that match the complexity of a multi-role, multi-jurisdictional volunteer forceA smarter, faster, and more secure way to protect its members and uphold national safety standards"Incredable has significantly enhanced our credentialing process by automating the verification of licenses across various databases," they said. "This automation not only saves time but also reduces the potential for errors, thereby minimizing the compliance risks associated with credentialing laws." Smooth Rollout and Strong SupportWith a successful implementation underway, Scouting America is looking forward to a full-scale rollout for its upcoming National Jamboree in 2026."We are highly satisfied with Incredable's performance and the support provided by their product implementation team," Dr. Wilson added. "The support has been timely and appropriate to ensure seamless integration and operations. Looking ahead, we are excited to utilize Incredable during the 2025 summer season at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, using the Provider App to facilitate easy document uploads. We anticipate a full rollout for Scouting America's 2026 National Jamboree, where Incredable will play a crucial role in managing our credentialing needs efficiently." A Defining Moment for IncredableThis partnership represents more than a platform integration - it's a turning point in how credentialing is done at scale."Partnering with Scouting America marks a defining moment in our company's growth," said Alexander C. Candelario, Chairman and CEO of Incredable's parent company, Intiva Health. "We've evolved from serving small practices and independent providers to now supporting one of the most iconic and logistically complex volunteer organizations in the country. It proves that Incredable doesn't just scale - it transforms how credentialing is done. We're proud to help Scouting America create a safer, more efficient, and future-ready system for its volunteers nationwide." Learn MoreTo discover how Incredable helps organizations of all sizes simplify compliance, improve credentialing workflows, and scale with confidence, visitincredable.comto book a free product demo today.Contact InformationClaudia GiuntaContent Leadclaudia@ incredable.com SOURCE: Incredable PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 04:45:06 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=151374&wire=1&utm_campaign=25 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 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will launch the War Correspondents' Day and Freedom of Journalism, Victory for Victoria Day, in memory of deceased Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, MP Yevheniy Kravchuk (Servant of the People faction) said on Tuesday. "At the proposal of PACE President Theodoros Roussopoulos, a Victory for Victoria'Day will be launched the Day of War Correspondents and Freedom of Journalism. This day in PACE will be dedicated to the memory of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchina, who was kidnapped, tortured and killed in Russian captivity. Her story, unfortunately, is not an isolated one. Every year, dozens of journalists die, are captured or go missing while covering the war against Ukraine," Kravchuk said on Facebook. As the MP said, the goal of the initiative is to honor journalists who "died or disappeared while covering the truth." "It is proposed to introduce an annual PACE resolution, a minute of silence during the autumn session in Strasbourg, as well as a corresponding side event during the session (Victoria was born in October, and in September it became known about her death, or rather, her murder in Russian captivity)," Kravchuk said. The MP thanked Rousopoulos for the initiative, which she supported together with her colleagues. For the first time, Victory for Victoria Day will be celebrated at the autumn session of PACE (September 29 to October 3) this year during the vote on the resolution on Ukrainian journalists in captivity. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 15:04:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 532 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Elevance Health, Inc. ("Elevance" or the "Company") (NYSE:ELV). 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 Elevance and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until July 11, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Elevance 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 July 17, 2024, Elevance hosted a conference call to discuss its financial results for the second quarter of 2024. During the call, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Gail Boudreaux revealed that "[a]s a result of redeterminations, our Medicaid membership mix has shifted, resulting in increased acuity," and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") Mark Kaye stated that Elevance was now "expecting second-half utilization to increase in Medicaid." Kaye elaborated that the Company was "seeing signs of increased utilization across the broader Medicaid population, including in outpatient home health, radiology, durable medical equipment, as well as some elective procedures." On this news, Elevance's stock price fell $32.21 per share, or 5.8%, to close at $520.93 per share on July 17, 2024.Then, on October 17, 2024, Elevance hosted a conference call to discuss its financial results for the third quarter of 2024. During the call, CEO Boudreaux revealed that the Company's "third quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share were $8.37, which was below our expectations, primarily due to elevated medical costs in our Medicaid business." Boudreaux further revealed that Elevance had reduced its full-year outlook for adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS") from $37.20 to "approximately $33"-despite the fact that the Company had reiterated its EPS guidance just three months earlier. When questioned about the sudden change in Medicaid cost trends, CFO Kaye explained that "we experienced accelerated cost trends in Medicaid throughout the third quarter" and "saw unfavorable prior-period development related to the current year, specifically in our Medicaid business." On this news, Elevance's stock price fell $52.61 per share, or 10.6%, to close at $444.35 per share on October 17, 2024.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 15:04:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 329 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Organon & Co. ("Organon" or the "Company") (NYSE:OGN). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Organon and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until July 22, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Organon securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On May 1, 2025, Organon published a press release reporting its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, announcing that management had lowered the Company's dividend payout from $0.28 to $0.02. Organon's Chief Executive Officer cited a decision to "reset our capital allocation priorities to accelerate progress towards deleveraging, enabling a path to achieve a net leverage ration below 4.0x by year-end." On this news, Organon's stock price fell $3.48 per share, or 26.91%, to close at $9.45 per share on May 1, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 15:55:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 917 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Hesston Prestige Printing Upgrades Wide Format Printer, Adds Second Digital PressRAMSEY, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) is pleased to announce its longtime client, Hesston Prestige Printing (HPP), recently invested in additional Konica Minolta equipment to serve its growing business. The printer has added a second AccurioPress C4080 digital printer and upgraded its AccurioWide 200 to an AccurioWide 250, adding productivity and freeing up many hours per week for a better quality of life.Denise and Norman Critchfield, owners of Hesston Prestige Printing in Hesston, Kansas with their newly installed Konica Minolta AccurioWide 250 hybrid UV LED wide-format inkjet printerHPP installed its AccurioWide 200 in 2019, allowing it to print on a wide array of materials, from coasters to 5'x10' sheets of aluminum composite. The printer has back-printed on 4'x5' sheets of " glass panels to make dry-erase boards and has also printed 5'x40' banners. The high print quality enabled it to run most jobs with the standard (540x1080) resolution, saving time and money. HPP has since experienced an explosion in volume, and knew it was time to consider additional hardware to keep up with customer needs and continue its growth path."Our partnership with Hesston Prestige Printing spans 30 years, and we appreciate their ongoing trust and loyalty to our brand," said Frank Mallozzi, President, IPP, Konica Minolta. "This is so much more than just a vendor-client relationship. HPP relied on our team enormously to make this huge decision and we are always happy to provide them with guidance. In turn, their confidence in us has led them to refer many additional customers to us, which is the greatest compliment we can receive, and truly demonstrates how strong relationships like this serve to mutually benefit our businesses." When HPP upgraded its AccurioWide 200 after four and a half years, more than 515,000 square feet had been produced on the press. Between the volume on the AccurioWide 200 and the AccurioWide 250 in 2024 the company averaged more than 15,000 square feet per month. On just one job, going from printing a 4'x8' sheet short-edge feed on the AccurioWide 200 to long-edge feed on the AccurioWide 250 saved HPP more than an hour of print time. And the increased productivity of the AccurioWide 250 has helped reduce print time, enabling it to handle more jobs with a quicker turnaround time."The AccurioWide 200 launched a great start for us into the wide format world. Almost every month, from the time the AccurioWide 200 was installed in May of 2019 until the AccurioWide 250 was installed, we saw an increase in volume," said Norman Critchfield, Owner, Hesston Prestige Printing. "The addition of the second AccurioPress C4080 into our business allows us to have consistent color across our digital production presses. We have witnessed how the IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Optimizer ensures consistently high-quality prints from the first to the last in a run - regardless of which AccurioPress C4080 device is used." Konica Minolta's AccurioWide 250 is a versatile printer with superior image quality and high productivity for both outdoor and indoor job applications, increasing opportunities for customers to grow their business. This printer is equipped with UV LED lamps that allow users to print on a wider range of media, while simultaneously saving energy, time and cost.The AccurioPress C4080 digital press offers robust and user-friendly production and is a perfect fit for businesses looking to expand their production capabilities with advanced automation and ease of use for various applications.About Konica MinoltaKonica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.'s (Konica Minolta) journey started more than 150 years ago, with a vision to see and do things differently. The company partners with clients to Give Shape to Ideas by supporting their digital transformation through its expansive Intelligent Connected Workplace portfolio. Its business technology offerings include IT Services, intelligent information management, video security solutions and managed print services, as well as office technology and industrial and commercial print solutions. 2025 marks Konica Minolta's 20th anniversary in production print, for which it celebrates "20 Years of Excellence, Innovation and Impact," and continues to lead the way in digital commercial printing. This year also commemorates 20 years of Konica Minolta's bizhub brand. Over the past two decades, the bizhub series has revolutionized office technology and redefined how businesses operate. It has continuously evolved to meet the needs of modern workplaces, fueled by advances in technology and a commitment to innovation. Konica Minolta is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2025 America's Best Large Employers list, included on CRN's MSP 500 list numerous times; recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for eighteen consecutive years and presented with Keypoint Intelligence's BLI 2025 and 2021 A3 Line of The Year and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Awards for its bizhub One i-Series. For more information, please visit Konica Minolta online and follow it on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.About Hesston Prestige PrintingHesston Prestige Printing offers a wide range of helpful services and our team knows our products well. Our years of printing experience allow us to assist you with more complicated printing projects. We can also help you with blueprints, engineering and architectural drawings and even yearbooks! Whatever printing assistance you require for your home or business can be obtained today at Hesston Prestige Printing.Konica Minolta ContactMaggie GrandeKonica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. +1 551 500-2659PR@ kmbs.konicaminolta.us # # # # #SOURCE: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 10:00:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 512 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Firmwide digital adoption reflects growing trend of tech integration and workflow transformation in South Africas institutional investment sectorNEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Mentenova, a leading South African firm, has adopted DiligenceVault's digital diligence platform to transform its manager research, and monitoring functions. The adoption spans Mentenova's manager research and related operational teams, marking a major milestone in its digital strategy to deliver scalable, data-driven insights to institutional clients.Serving a wide range of clients, including retirement funds, endowments, medical aid schemes, and individual investors, Mentenova is known for its rigorous investment research and high-touch client service. With DiligenceVault, Mentenova is standardising data collection, and automating workflows across manager engagement and oversight processes.A key part of the technology rollout will also include efficiency in research report generation and the plan to integrate DV Assist, DiligenceVault's AI-powered assistant. DV Assist enables research and reporting teams to extract insights from due diligence data and documents, assist in creating research notes, reduce manual effort, and deliver faster, more tailored reporting to clients."We're excited to integrate digital workflows across our due diligence and reporting process," said Jan-Daniel Klopper, Head: Manager Research at Mentenova. "The DV platform enhances team collaboration, enabling us to deliver deeper insights, with increased efficacy, across the board." This collaboration reflects a broader trend in South Africa's institutional investment market, where firms are embracing digital tools in response to growing demand for diversified portfolios, mounting regulatory requirements, and changing investor preferences. Notably, the market has seen increased interest in private markets and alternative investments, coupled with a demand for greater transparency and reporting sophistication across discretionary fund managers, wealth platforms, and multi-managers."We're proud to support Mentenova's firmwide adoption of our technology," said Monel Amin, Founder and CEO of DiligenceVault. "Their commitment to data quality, transparency, and technological innovation makes them a great partner, and we're thrilled to be part of their investment innovation journey." DiligenceVault continues to grow its footprint in the South African wealth and asset management segment, now connected with nearly 200 asset management firms on the platform, building on its first client adoption in 2022.About MentenovaMentenova is a South African investment firm that designs and manages purpose-built investment solutions for both institutional and individual investors.Since its founding in 2012, Mentenova has established itself as one of the country's top-performing investment firms, consistently delivering superior, goals-driven performance across its core multi-asset and single-asset class portfolios.With a proven track record across retirement funds, endowments, medical aid schemes and individual investors, Mentenova partners with clients to navigate complexity with confidence - guided by innovation, integrity, and a commitment to better financial outcomes.About DiligenceVaultDiligenceVault is a modern digital diligence platform used by asset owners, consultants, and asset managers to streamline manager research, due diligence, and reporting workflows. Backed by Goldman Sachs and trusted by over 70,000 users globally, the platform combines automation, collaboration, and AI tools like DV Assist to help investment teams make smarter, faster decisions.Contact InformationNivedita ShindeMarketing Associatemarketing@ diligencevault.com (646) 546-5087SOURCE: DiligenceVault PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 14:00:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 517 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Mitsubishi Electric and Dispel partnership delivers best-in-class OT secure remote access-enhancing uptime, safety, and performance across global manufacturing.VERNON HILLS, ILLINOIS / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., a global leader in factory automation, andDispel , the leader in secure remote access for operational technology (OT), today announced that their solution has been honored with a 2025 Control Engineering Product of the Year award . The collaboration earned Bronze in the Safety & Cybersecurity category for theDispel Zero Trust Engine remote access solution , now integrated into Mitsubishi Electric's factory automation and OT cybersecurity portfolio. Dispel and Mitsubishi Electric OT Secure Remote Access Mitsubishi Electric and Dispel Set New Standard in OT Cybersecurity with Control Engineering 2025 Product of the Year AwardThis recognition marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Mitsubishi Electric and Dispel to provide secure, scalable remote access for critical industrial operations."At Mitsubishi Electric, innovation in OT security means delivering solutions that empower manufacturers to safely adopt digital transformation," said Aga Zupancic, Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Automation. "By partnering with Dispel, we are bringing award winning, Zero Trust technology directly into the automation space-giving our customers secure, reliable remote access that enhances productivity without compromising safety." The award-winning solution offersOT Secure Remote Accessto monitor, control, and verify remote operations across manufacturing environments. Built to support customers through every stage of the equipment lifecycle-from design to operation and maintenance-the technology helps advance Mitsubishi Electric's broader mission to enable circular digital engineering and more resilient industrial systems."We're honored to be part of Mitsubishi Electric's vision for secure automation," said Ian Schmertzler, Co-CEO of Dispel. "This award represents our shared goal to give industrial teams secure, frictionless remote access so they can focus on uptime, safety, and performance. We're proud that our platform is helping Mitsubishi Electric deliver that value at scale." Together, Mitsubishi Electric and Dispel are redefining how industrial organizations secure remote operations-delivering cyber-resilient solutions that support productivity, safety, and digital innovation across the manufacturing sector.Explore how Dispel powers OT secure remote access for Mitsubishi Electric and factory automation-visitdispel.com About Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. Headquartered in Vernon Hills, Ill., Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. is a U.S. affiliate company of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. It offers a broad product portfolio includingprogrammable automation controllers (PAC) ,programmable logic controllers (PLC) ,human machine interfaces (HMI) ,variable frequency drives (VFD) ,servo amplifiers and motors ,control software ,computerized numerical controllers (CNC) ,motion controllers ,robotsandlow-voltage power distribution products . Additional information about Mitsubishi Electric Automation is available atus.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/en/ About Dispel Dispel redefines how industrial organizations connect to OT. The Dispel Zero Trust Engine establishes a secure, scalable connectivity layer across all makes, models, and generations of equipment-enabling OT secure remote access, industrial data streaming, and integrated threat monitoring, even in the most complex environments. Founded in 2015, Dispel pioneered network-level Moving Target Defense (MTD), holds 43+ patents, and today protects over $500 billion in manufactured goods annually while securing remote access for 54 million utility users worldwide. Designed for how OT really works. Learn more atdispel.com Contact InformationMark Lennonpress@ dispel.com SOURCE: Dispel PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 21:30:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 990 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 A Clean Nootropic Breakthrough for 2025: How Neurodrine Supports Memory, Focus, and Brain Fog Relief Without Stimulants or Side EffectsCHICAGO, IL / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / In This Article, You'll Discover:The underlying causes of modern cognitive decline, including brain fog, memory lapses, and attention fatigueHow Neurodrine works tosupport brain health using a clean nootropic blend with natural ingredientsA breakdown of Neurodrine's key ingredients like Bacopa Monnieri, Huperzine A, and Ginkgo BilobaComparisons between Neurodrine and other popular brain supplements such as NooCube, Qualia Mind, and Alpha BrainFirsthand reviews and real-world user experiences with Neurodrine for mental clarity and memory supportClear and transparent details on Neurodrine's pricing, refund policy, and where to purchase safely onlineHow to properly take Neurodrine for best results in supporting focus, memory, and daily cognitive performanceWhether Neurodrine is a good fit for your specific cognitive goals and lifestyle needsA comprehensive FAQ section answering the most searched questions about Neurodrine in 2025All legally required disclaimers and disclosures, including health guidance and affiliate transparencyTL;DR SummaryNeurodrine is a daily brain health supplement formulated with natural nootropics to support focus, memory, and overall cognitive function. Backed by trending ingredients like Bacopa Monnieri, Phosphatidylserine, and Huperzine A, Neurodrine is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the best non-prescription brain boosters in 2025. Unlike stimulant-heavy smart pills, Neurodrine offers clean mental energy without crashes or side effects.This article explores the root causes of cognitive burnout, provides a detailed ingredient analysis, compares Neurodrine with leading competitors, and shares verified user reviews. It also outlines everything consumers need to know about pricing, dosage, and the 364-day money-back guarantee. Whether you're navigating brain fog or simply looking to stay sharp, Neurodrine stands out as a trusted, natural cognitive support solution.Disclaimer: Neurodrine is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Results may vary. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen. Pricing is subject to change-please visit the official website for the most current offers.Unlocking Cognitive Potential: A Deep Dive into NeurodrineThe Rising Demand for Mental Clarity in a Distracted WorldIn today's hyper-connected digital landscape, the average person juggles constant pings, endless tabs, and a growing list of to-dos-all while fighting the silent battle against brain fog, memory slip-ups, and lack of mental energy. These struggles are far from rare. Millions are experiencing attention fatigue, slow recall, and a general sense of mental dullness. Whether you're a working professional, a student, or simply trying to stay sharp as you age, cognitive health has become one of the most talked-about wellness frontiers of the decade.With this rise in concern has come a surge of interest in nootropic supplements-brain-boosting formulas designed to support memory, focus, and mental clarity. Known as "smart pills," these products are now a staple in the routines of biohackers, entrepreneurs, and health-conscious individuals alike.Why This Article MattersThis guide goes beyond surface-level hype. It's a comprehensive breakdown ofNeurodrine , a trending cognitive support supplement that's making waves for its clean formulation, research-backed ingredients, and growing user base. We'll explore what makes Neurodrine different from the sea of brain supplements on the market, how it may help support mental performance, and why it's becoming a trusted option in the nootropic space.We'll also address reader pain points in detail-why so many people today are struggling with cognitive slowness, what contributes to those issues, and how a solution like Neurodrine might fit into a proactive brain health strategy.Most importantly, everything will be shared through the lens of safe, realistic expectations and clear disclaimers. We're not here to sell miracles-to provide transparent insights for readers looking for the most intelligent possible choice in today's crowded supplement space.Understanding the Problem: Why So Many Are Struggling with Mental ClarityThe Modern Brain in CrisisIn the age of information overload, the human brain is under constant assault. Digital distractions, multitasking demands, poor sleep hygiene, and rising stress levels have all contributed to an epidemic of cognitive burnout. People are no longer just seeking energy-they're craving clarity. Focus isn't just about productivity anymore; it's about reclaiming control over your time, your emotions, and your ability to think clearly.This growing crisis has led to a surge in searches for terms like "brain fog relief," "natural focus boosters," and "how to improve mental sharpness." For many, it's no longer just about memory or intelligence. It's about day-to-day functioning, mental energy, and the ability to stay present.Pinpointing the Pain PointsBrain FogThis is one of the most common complaints in today's fast-paced society. Often described as a cloudy or sluggish feeling, brain fog can disrupt work performance, interpersonal communication, and decision-making. It may feel like the brain is "offline," even when the body is awake.Trending buzzwords like "digital detox" and "mental reset" stem from a growing awareness of how technology and stress are impacting our mental bandwidth. While lifestyle changes can be beneficial, many individuals are also seeking non-prescription brain supplements to support cognitive clarity.Memory DeclineForgetting where you placed your keys or drawing a blank mid-conversation can feel minor at first-but over time, these lapses can create anxiety and impact confidence. While it's normal for memory to fluctuate with age and stress, chronic forgetfulness is often the tipping point that sends people searching for solutions like "natural memory pills" or "best nootropic for memory support." Discreet supplements like Neurodrine have gained popularity as part of a daily brain health ritual, particularly among those who want to be proactive without jumping into pharmaceutical territory.Lack of Focus and Mental FatigueMental exhaustion often goes unnoticed until it becomes debilitating. Tasks that once took minutes begin to take hours. The ability to concentrate for extended periods disappears. You may find yourself rereading the same sentence over and over, or struggli PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 21:33:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 560 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Organon you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/organon-co-class-action Investors have until July 22, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Organon securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and is captioned: Hauser v. Organon & Co., et al., No. 25-cv-05322.Why was Organon Sued for Securities Fraud?Organon is a global healthcare company focused on women's health that has historically rewarded its shareholders with a healthy dividend. In October 2024, Organon completed a $1.2 billion acquisition of Dermavant, a biopharmaceutical company focused on dermatological conditions. As alleged, while the acquisition increased Organon's debt, the Company assured investors it would maintain its dividend, which Organon asserted was its "#1 capital allocation priority." In truth, Organon had shifted its capital allocation priority after the Dermavant acquisition to focus on reducing its debt, ultimately leading the Company to severely cut its dividend.The Stock Declines as the Truth is RevealedOn May 1, 2025, Organon announced that management reset the Company's dividend payout from $0.28 per share to $0.02 per share. Organon's CEO explained that the Company "reset our capital allocation priorities to accelerate progress towards deleveraging" and that "[b]y deleveraging more rapidly, we will continue to strengthen the future prospects of the company." Organon's CFO added, "[t]he biggest issues we face . . . relate to managing our leverage and relate to growth. And we need capital to solve both of those issues, and so returning capital to shareholders is right now, less of a priority." On this news, the price of Organon stock declined roughly 27%, from $12.93 per share on April 30, 2025, to $9.45 per share on May 1, 2025.Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/organon-co-class-action What Can You Do?If you invested in Organon you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar, Fonti, & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 05:00:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 448 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilJuly 22, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN), if they purchased the Company's securities between October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Organon and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-ogn/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJuly 22, 2025 .About the LawsuitOrganon and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On March 10, 2025, pre-market, the Company announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, disclosing, among other things, that management had reset the Company's dividend payout, from $0.28 to $0.02, contradicting its prior statements assuring investors that the regular quarterly dividend was a number one priority and that the Company was committed to its capital allocation strategy through the aforementioned dividend. On this news, the price of Organon's shares fell more than 27%, from a closing market price of $12.93 per share on April 30, 2025, to $9.45 per share on May 1, 2025.The case is Hauser V. Organon & Co., et al., No. 25-cv-05322.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com 1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: FaceBook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 00:30:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 601 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., June 2, 2025. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN) between October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 22, 2025.SO WHAT: If you purchased Organon securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Organon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=39817 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 July 22, 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. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Organon's priorities, particularly, related to capital allocation through quarterly dividends. Notably, defendants concealed the high priority of Organon's debt reduction strategy following Organon's acquisition of Dermavant, resulting in a 70% decrease for the regular quarterly dividend. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Organon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=39817 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 , 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: 2025-06-03 01:25:48 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1092 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 OfferingUnder 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 OfferingSecondly, 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 OfferingThird, 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 UpdateThe 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 JonesPresident, CEO & Director Star Copper Corp.Contact Star CopperInvictus Investor Relations+1 (604) 788-9533 walter@ invictusir.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news relea Photo: Unsplash The results of the presidential elections in Poland will affect the upcoming parliamentary elections, deputy head of the Holos faction Yulia Sirko believes. "In fact, the elections were fair, but Poland chose a very conservative candidate who does not really support Ukraine. This will also affect the upcoming parliamentary elections," Sirko told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. She also said the presidential candidate before the elections and the president after the elections are two different people and what the policy of the new Polish president will be is still unknown. "For the EU, this is another challenge and strengthening of the conservative movement and leaders in Europe. But in Poland, there is still a balance of power, where support for Ukraine still prevails both in politics and in society," the MP said. As reported, the candidate from the Law and Justice party, Karol Nawrocki, became the winner of the second round of the presidential elections in Poland. According to the National Electoral Commission of Poland, after counting 100% of the votes, Nawrocki received 50.89% of the support of voters. His opponent, Mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzaskowski received 49.11% of the votes. PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 06:01:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 980 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTCQB:STCUF)(FWB:SOP) ("Star Copper" or the "Company"), a critical mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities underway at its flagship asset, the Star Project, located in the heart of the prolific industry recognized "Golden Triangle" of northwestern British Columbia. The Company has made significant progress on surface sampling in two new areas, has completed construction and fully-supplied the work camp, and has upgraded and prepared an airstrip for efficient resupply purposes.Hardline Exploration Corp. is providing geological exploration and project management services at the Company's 6,829-hectare (~16,875 acre), 100% owned and fully permitted Star Project location. General details of recent activities have been received from the Exploration Manager and are outlined as follows:Geology and Field SamplingField crews have completed sampling of the Star North and Star East targets, ahead of schedule.A total of 114 rocks and 30 soil samples were collected at Star North (see Fig. 1) and 59 rock samples at Star East.Crews are currently finishing XRF analysis and preparing samples for shipment to the lab early next week.The geologists followed up on elevated soil anomalies, recorded Cu mineralization, and IP chargeability highs, identifying several well mineralized intrusive and porphyritic samples.Initial interpreted data and preliminary findings are anticipated in early July 2025.Figure 1: Star North grab sample. May 30, 2025 - Star Copper Corp.Work Camp OperationsThe camp is fully operational with kitchen, dry room, laundry, core shack, cutting facilities and storage in place.Crews have worked constantly for over two weeks to rebuild the original camp and to gather and remove multiple loads of garbage and debris from the claim.Fuel resupply as well as groceries and camp equipment have been scheduled as part of the regular replenishment air lift operations plan.Previous drilling has confirmed the presence of an extensive calc-alkalic porphyry copper-gold system on the Company's lands. This previous discovery has motivated the Company's fully-funded $2.5 million campaign, scheduled to run until August 15, 2025. The campaign will situate new drill pads to undertake a 3,500-metre diamond drill core sampling program based on six drill holes with an additional 650 metres of contingency drilling allocated. The exploration plan benefits from over $10 million in historical exploration efforts, including geophysical and geochemical surveys, trenching, soil sampling, and more than 13,000 meters of drilling from 49 diamond drill holes.The extensive historical database now incorporates newly reinterpreted magnetic data to guide the current, high-impact drill campaign. The Company has also commenced testing of the contiguous Star North and Star East claims, which exhibit similar characteristics to the Star Main deposit, through targeted sampling and trenching to confirm the geotechnical work.Darryl Jones, Star Copper's CEO, comments, "The initial outlook is optimistic and is progressing exactly as planned. The crew is onsite, the camp is up and running, the weather is favourable and initial findings based on all the highly detailed information at our disposal is driving the promise of significant potential. We look forward to providing regular updates as we move ahead with our exploration program across the project aimed at unearthing and expanding the true value of this exciting, underexplored property." Please refer to the Company's February 26, 2025 technical report and May 27th news release regarding the Star Project for more information in respect of the project, including historical drilling, available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca Qualified PersonJeremy Hanson, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined under NI 43-101, is an advisor to the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.About Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTC:STCUF)(FWB:SOP / WKN A416ME)Star Copper Corp. is a Canadian-based exploration and development company focused on developing high-potential copper projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. The Company aims to advance its British Columbian flagship Star Project where significant exploration work including historical drilling has confirmed open mineralization at depth and in all directions. Star Copper's strategic plans include geological mapping and geophysical surveys to refine existing targets, diamond drilling programs to test high-priority zones, environmental baseline studies and permitting groundwork alongside data analysis and resource modeling to support a future resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The Company further plans to advance its Indata Project with follow-up drilling to expand on previous high-grade copper and gold intercepts, trenching and surface sampling to delineate mineralized zones, and infrastructure improvements for site accessibility and operations. With a commitment to sustainable development and value creation, Star Copper aims to position itself to support surging industrial demand to meet growing global electrification needs.For more information visit: www.starcopper.com and to sign up for free news alerts please go to https://starcopper.com/news/news-alerts/ , or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or LinkedIn.On Behalf of the Board of Directors~Darryl Jones~Darryl JonesCEO, President & DirectorStar Copper Corp.Investor RelationsStar Copper Corp.Email: info@ starcopper.com Web: https://starcopper.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. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding exploration of the Company's flagship Star Project. 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, the inherently unpredictable nature of resource exploration, market conditions and the risks PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 21:45:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 947 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Swipe Fatigue and How Beau Brummell Introductions Gay Matchmaking Service is Changing the Dating GameNEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / If you've spent more nights swiping left and right on dating apps than truly connecting with someone, you're not alone. Swipe fatigue is a growing concern in the digital dating space, particularly in the gay dating scene. The promise of endless profiles seems alluring at first, but over time, it can lead to frustration, emotional exhaustion, and a profound sense of disconnection.Beau Brummell Introductions , a boutique matchmaking agency, offers a refreshing alternative for those burned out by the fast-paced, transactional nature of dating apps. Designed for successful gay professionals, their service goes beyond surface-level matches to foster real, meaningful connections.What is Swipe Fatigue?Swipe fatigue is the weariness and frustration that stems from excessive use of dating apps. It's an all-too-common phenomenon among modern singles, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, where apps often dominate the dating landscape. But why is this happening?The Reality Behind Swipe FatigueToo Many Choices: Dating apps often present an overwhelming number of options, creating decision paralysis. With thousands of profiles to sift through, it becomes harder to focus on meaningful connections.Superficial Interactions: Most app-based interactions prioritize appearances and short bios over deeper compatibility, making it difficult to form genuine connections.Burnout and Frustration: The cycle of matching, chatting, and ultimately feeling like connections go nowhere can be emotionally taxing, leading to increased disengagement.Casual Culture: Apps often cater to short-term, casual encounters, which can be discouraging for those seeking something more serious.Swipe fatigue often leaves individuals feeling like finding a truly meaningful relationship is an insurmountable challenge. However, there's hope. Personalized, offline matchmaking offers solutions that apps simply cannot replicate.Moving Beyond the AppsWhile dating apps brought revolutionary inclusivity to the LGBTQ+ community, they cannot fulfill everyone's needs, particularly those looking for well-rounded, long-term partnerships. This is whereBeau Brummell Introductionscomes into the picture.Founded by Anthony and Andrea Zaza, Beau Brummell Introductions is built on the belief that quality connections require intentionality and careful curation. Their innovative approach centers on addressing the pain points of swipe fatigue, helping clients rediscover the joy of meaningful romantic pursuits.The Beau Brummell DifferenceBeau Brummell Introductions sets itself apart from traditional dating apps in several ways, offering a human-centered, emotionally intelligent process aimed at building strong, fulfilling relationships.1. A Human-First CommitmentUnlike dating apps driven by algorithms, Beau Brummell ensures each introduction is carefully curated by real relationship experts. They only work with paying clients who are serious about investing in their search for love. This level of commitment reflects not just a financial investment, but an emotional readiness to find a meaningful connection.Their approach is personal and intentional. Every prospective client undergoes a thorough vetting and interview process, ensuring no introduction is left to chance. By focusing on genuine compatibility, Beau Brummell provides a tailored experience that removes the frustration of endlessly swiping.2. Matchmaking Meets Emotional IntelligenceMatchmaking at Beau Brummell isn't about churning out matches at scale. It's about fostering deep connections between like-minded people. By taking the time to truly understand each client's preferences, goals, and values, they unearth compatibility in ways algorithms simply cannot achieve.This high-touch, personalized approach ensures that you're introduced to individuals with whom you share genuine alignment, building a foundation for relationships rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations.3. Respect for Your TimeFor busy professionals, the modern juggling act of balancing demanding careers, personal growth, and vibrant social lives often leaves little room for scrolling through dating apps. This is where Beau Brummell's service shines.They remove the time-consuming guesswork from dating. By curating high-quality matches on your behalf, they free up your time while still prioritizing meaningful introductions. Clients can focus on developing connections without the noise and distractions that dating apps often bring.4. Support Every Step of the WayBeyond introductions, Beau Brummell offers emotional support and expert guidance to clients throughout their matchmaking journeys. Navigating the complexities of dating can feel daunting, especially for those disillusioned by past frustrations. The team at Beau Brummell brings empathy, understanding, and expertise to the table, acting as trusted partners in your search for love.The Role of Commitment in MatchmakingOne of the key principles drivingBeau Brummell Introductionsis the importance of commitment. Many dating apps attract users who are casual in their approach to relationships, leading to a lack of follow-through. This creates an environment that can feel discouraging for individuals seeking genuine, long-term partnerships.At Beau Brummell, commitment is non-negotiable. By working exclusively with paying clients, they ensure that every individual is truly invested in finding love. This approach not only establishes mutual respect but also lays the groundwork for partnerships built on trust and shared intentions.Love Beyond SwipingSwipe fatigue doesn't have to define your dating experience. By shifting away from transactional apps and toward thoughtful matchmaking, it's possible to rediscover the joy and fulfillment that comes with building meaningful connections.For successful gay professionals who have built a life they're proud of but still feel like something is missing, Beau Brummell Introductions offers a solution. With their proven track record and commitment to personalized service, they empower clients to find love in a way that feels genuine, intentional, and freeing from the confines of dating apps.Are you ready to leave swipe fatigue behind and explore a more meaningful path to love? Beau Brummell Introductions is here to help. Reach out today and take the first step toward discovering a partnership that completes your picture of happiness.To learn more visit: https://beaubrummellintroductions.com/gay-dating/ Contact:email: info@ beaubrummellintroductions.com SOURCE: Beau Brummell Introductions PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-03 13:02:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 985 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / Galway Metals Inc. (TSXV:GWM)(OTCQB:GAYMF) (the "Company" or "Galway") is pleased to report results from 8 diamond drill holes at the Southwest Deposit in the Company's 100%-owned flagship Clarence Stream high-grade gold project in New Brunswick, Canada. The Clarence Stream Gold Project has district-scale potential with approximately 65-kilometre strike length of highly prospective gold showings and anomalies. The 2022 MRE includes 12.4 Mt @ 2.3 g/t Au Indicated for 922,000 oz, and 16.0 Mt @ 2.6 g/t Au Inferred for 1.334 M oz. gold from the NI 43-101 technical report titled "Technical Report on the Clarence Stream Mineral Resource Project, New Brunswick, Canada" dated March 31, 2022, by SLR Consulting Ltd.Rob Hincliffe, President and CEO of Galway, commented, "Today's results reinforce Clarence Stream's potential to host wide, high-grade gold mineralization beyond the current resource. Intercepts like 2.1 g/t over 36.0 meters underscore the quality and continuity of mineralization we're targeting. With more than 40 holes pending assays across multiple deposits and two rigs turning, we're positioned for a steady flow of results that can drive meaningful resource growth and demonstrate the scale of this gold system. In addition to the Southwest Deposit, we are drilling shallow holes at the North Zone, where we aim to increase the resource there by 200% to 300%."HighlightsCL-222 intersected 2.1 g/t gold over 36.0 meters including 3.0 g/t gold over 21.0 meters.Additional intercept of 3.5 g/t gold over 10.0 meters including 20.6 g/t over 1.0 meters(Cross-Section)CL-223 intersected 2.8 g/t gold over 13.5 meters including 13.1 g/t over 1.5 metersCL-219 intersected 2.8 g/t gold over 5.5 meters including 10.9 g/t gold over 1.0 meters.Additional intercept of 0.8 g/t gold over 21 meters.Drill Results Confirm Structural Controls on Gold MineralizationDrill holes CL-222 and CL-223 ( Plan Map ) confirm Galway is targeting a fold structure north of the Southwest Deposit, in an area not yet included in the 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate. This structural zone presents strong potential to host additional thick, high-grade gold mineralization both along strike and at depth. To further test this interpretation, Galway plans to extend drill holes CL-190 and CL-187 into the western limb. All intercepts reported (Assay and Coordinate Table) in this release lie outside the current resource and remain open for expansion.Steady Pipeline of Results Expected from Southwest and North DepositsGalway currently has assays pending from 15 additional drill holes at the Southwest Deposit and 32 more from the North Deposit. These results are expected to be released in the coming months and will provide important insight into the scale and continuity of gold mineralization across key deposits at Clarence Stream. With drilling ongoing, Galway remains well-positioned to deliver steady news and drive resource growth across the project.Geology and MineralizationThe Clarence Stream deposits can be characterized as intrusion-related, structurally controlled, quartz-vein hosted gold deposits. These deposits consist of quartz veins and quartz stockwork within brittle-ductile fault zones that include adjacent crushed, altered wall rocks and veinlet material. The mineralized systems are hosted in intrusive and metasedimentary rocks within high strain zones controlled by regional fault systems. Pyrite, base metal sulphides, and stibnite occur in these deposits along with anomalous concentrations of bismuth, arsenic, antimony and tungsten. Alteration in the host rocks is confined within a few metres of quartz veins and occurs mainly in the form of sericitization and chloritization. A more complete description of Clarence Stream's geology and mineralization can be found at www.galwaymetalsinc.com New Brunswick Junior Mining Assistance ProgramGalway would like to acknowledge financial support from the New Brunswick Junior Mining Assistance Program, which will contribute up to $50,000 towards exploration drilling in 2024.Review by Qualified PersonThe scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jesse Fisher, P.Geo., Project Manager for Clarence Stream and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Fisher certifies that this news release fairly and accurately reflects the technical information and data presented. Galway Metals conducts its exploration activities in accordance with CIM Best Practices Guidelines.Quality Control and ReportsAll core, chip/boulder samples, and soil samples are assayed by Activation Laboratories, located at 41 Bittern Street, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, Agat Laboratories, located at 5623 McAdam Road, Mississauga Ontario, Canada L4Z 1N9 and 35 General Aviation Road, Timmins, ON P4P 7C3, and/or Swastika Laboratories situated in Swastika, ON. All four labs have ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. All core is under watch from the drill site to the core processing facility. Drill core is NQ size and sample intervals range from 0.5 meters to 1.5 meters in length. All samples are assayed for gold by Fire Assay, with gravimetric finish, and other elements assayed using ICP. The Company's QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at one per 20 samples. Approximately five percent (5%) of the pulps and rejects are sent for check assaying at a second lab with the results averaged and intersections updated when received. Core recovery in the mineralized zones has averaged 99%.About Galway Metals Inc.Galway Metals is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100%-owned, high-grade, open-pitable flagship Clarence Stream gold project in southwest New Brunswick. Clarence Stream is an emerging gold district with an exploration strike length of approximately 65 kilometres and widths of up to 28 kilometres in certain areas. Galway Metals also has 100%-ownership in the Estrades project, a former producing high-grade, gold-rich polymetallic VMS mine in the northern Abitibi of western Quebec. Led by a management team with a proven track-record of creating shareholder value having sold Galway Resources for US$340 million, Galway Metals is focused on creating value for all its stakeholders.For additional Information on Galway Metals Inc., Please contact:Robert Hinchcliffe President & Chief Executive OfficerTelephone: 1-800-771-0680Email: info@ galwaymetalsinc.com Website: www.galwaymetalsinc.com Look us up on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedInCaut Filmmaker and actress Abiola Adebayo has announced separation from her husband, Oluwaseyi Akinrinde, whom she married on 7 April 2021. Adebayo, the anchor of the popular podcast Talk To B, and her ex-husband welcomed their only child, a boy, in April 2023 through a surrogate mother. The actress, known for her roles in Jades Cross, Tori Owo, and others, announced on her Instagram page on Wednesday that she and her husband parted ways in April 2024, a year after the birth of their son. She wrote, Happy birthday to my ex-husband and my baby daddy. I pray that grace will abound unto you, I pray you find peace in all your ways, may God continue to light your path and bless you beyond your expectations in Jesus name. Yes, you heard me right! My husband and I have been separated since April last year, but we have decided to maturely and peacefully co-parent our dear son, who means everything to us. Apology Adebayo apologised to her fans and others who were disappointed by her separation from Mr Akinrinde. 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 actress, who hoped the three-year marriage would work, said Its better to stay alive to tell the story. Please keep us in your prayers. While I go about making other people happy during the day, my pillow is drenched with my tears almost every night for the past 14 months, but I gain strength from Christ, who loves me eternally and gave himself for me. Lets learn to be kind to people. You have no idea what others are going through until they say it. Say unto the righteous, all is well, Adebayo said. Meanwhile, in a video posted on her YouTube page on 30 May 2023, Adebayo revealed she had a short courtship with her ex-husband before marrying him. She maintained that before meeting her now ex-husband, she sought a Christian and someone who lived in Nigeria with no plans to relocate. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor, has revealed her plan to take legal action following a viral video accusing her of unlawfully acquiring land belonging to a widow. The widow, Ngozi Okonkwo Ike, and her daughter Ebere Okonkwo Ike, from Amechi Idodo in Nkanu East L.G.A of Enugu State, granted multiple interviews, and several videos went viral. She claimed that her fathers relative, whom her mother begged to help them look after the land, sold the land to the actress. In the videos, Ebere said, This is the only land my father left for us. Patience, if anything should happen to my poor mother, I will hold you responsible; the world should hear me out now. She started to threaten me that, after all, my mother does not have a son to fight for us. Intermediary speaks In response to her Instagram post, Patience shared her side of the story and, in the video she shared, brought forward the intermediary who handled the transaction. According to the man, who identified himself as a relative of the widows late husband, the widow, Mrs Okonkwo, approached him after her husbands death, asking him to help sell the land to raise funds for her medical treatment and burial expenses, which he sold to Patience. 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 video posted by Patience, the man claims to have reached out to the actress after he failed to find a local buyer and sold the land to Patience, who was abroad at the time. He adds that the widow, Mrs Okonkwo, agreed to the purchase of the land with her full consent. Additionally, in part of her post, Patience claimed the widows accusation was to castigate and defame her. The 66-year-old actress said, In 2010, 15 years ago, I bought a piece of land. The landowner was aware of the sale. She was the one who approached my agent to help her find a buyer. Fast forward to last year, 14 years later. The previous owner decided it was a great idea to sell my land plot without my knowledge. I got information, went and fenced my land. See you in court Citing the statement made by Ebere in a viral video, Patience said: Next thing I see, the owner and her daughter on social media crying and accusing me of taking the only land their husband and father left them. This is blackmail, fraud and malicious intent. I am amazed that they could viciously lie and castigate me for their selfish intent. They are using my name to trend and get pity from people. I see their plans are working because some people donate to them and call me unprintable names, the actress added. While stating her plan to resolve the issue, Patience said: As social media is not a court, I am pursuing legal means to vindicate my name because it took years to build and is my source of livelihood. There is so much more that I could have done, but I chose to let the law take its course. I am disappointed that some other bloggers reposted and shared the content without due diligence. Now I say to you, Meet Me in Court. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me on this incident. I appreciate you all, she stated. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print It is not every day that one bumps into a N100,000 fortune, especially when the benefactor died over a decade ago. A recent recipient of such favour, which many consider divine, is Nollywood veteran, Patrick Doyle. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the actor recounts a recent event in which he received good fortune from his long-deceased colleague, Enebeli Elebuwa. Famously known as Andrew from an 80s TV commercial by the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Enebeli died in 2012 in India, where he was being treated for a stroke. According to him, though the late Enebeli was 13 years older than he was, they became good friends and colleagues. It was even said that we looked alike, something I used to hotly dispute as I didnt parade a full beard at the time. However, now that I keep a beard like he did in his lifetime, I kind of get it, Mr Doyle 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 Favour from beyond Thirteen years after his senior colleague passed, the Castle & Castle actor said Mr Elebuwa blessed him with favour from beyond the grave. Recalling a rare encounter, the actor said he had stopped at a Mega Chicken outlet in the Lekki area to grab snacks on his way to a film shoot location. He said the outlet was brimming with customers as he awaited his turn to be served. I ordered a sardine sandwich and a malt drink from the stupendous array of mouth-watering delicacies on display. As I was about to pay, an elderly gentleman approached me and said, Hi, Andrew. I see you havent checked out yet. I immediately knew what was at play here. The gentleman had mistaken me for Enebeli Elebuwa of the Andrew Checking Out fame, he said. Mr Doyle, who divorced and remarried in 2023, noted that he politely told the person he wasnt who he thought he was and how honoured he was to be mistaken for the late, great senior colleague. He then informed the individual that Andrew passed over a decade ago, to his shock, albeit 13 years ago. N100,000 vouchers The discussion took a turn when he got to his payment, and his new friend told the lady at the till to issue a voucher of N100,000 for the King of Boys actor to purchase food at Mega Chicken. READ ALSO: Nollywood actress Monalisa Stephen is dead Taken aback, he inquired further, and the person introduced himself as Chief Timothy Olubisi Ayenuyo, the CEO of Mega Chicken. It turned out that he was from Ikale in Ondo State. I had to ask him out of curiosity, and when I told him I was Itsekiri, he said No wonder we gelled. Ikales, Ilajes and Itsekiris all speak similar, peculiar dialects of the Yoruba language and have close cultural affinity. Can you all now see how my senior friend and colleague, the late great Enebeli Elebuwa, blessed me from beyond the grave 13 years after his passing. Sleep well, my friend and senior colleague, he said. He was highly regarded as a true professional who contributed to the growth of art in the country. The Utagba-Uno, Delta State-born actors first role in the movie was in Sanya Dosunmus 1974 celluloid film, `Dinner with the Devil, and he went on to star in over 130 films in his lifetime. He reprised his Andrew character in the video of Veno Marioghaes 80s hit track, Nigeria Go Survive. 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 The Lagos State Government has announced stiffer penalties for environmental infractions, warning that anyone caught dumping refuse illegally or littering public spaces will be fined N250,000 or face up to three months in prison. The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said this at a press conference on Tuesday. Mr Wahab said repeat offenders would face even harsher punishments. There is no excuse. We wont drop the ball. We would continue to ramp up our enforcement and sensitisation, Mr Wahab said, according to a statement signed by the ministrys Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina. Mr Wahab reiterated that the ban on cart pushers remains in place due to their role in indiscriminate waste dumping. Residents should desist from patronising them and always patronise registered PSP, he warned. 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 decried the actions of developers who dump building materials on roads and drainage systems, stating that such construction sites would be sealed and their owners prosecuted. We have already prosecuted over 3,000 offenders. This is just the beginning, he said. Enforcement drives Enforcement teams from agencies, including the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force, have intensified operations across the state. We are arresting, prosecuting, naming and shaming violators, Mr Wahab said. One area of concern is the presence of squatters on pedestrian bridges, which he described as hubs for open defecation and petty crime. They dissuade pedestrians from using the bridges and, in turn, endanger lives, the commissioner said. Single-use plastics ban Mr Wahab had also confirmed that the ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam food packs would be enforced starting 1 July, following an 18-month moratorium granted to manufacturers, distributors and users. There is no going back. The theme for World Environment DayEnding Plastic Pollutionunderscores the urgency, he said. Ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the commissioner urged residents to properly manage waste generated during animal slaughter and festivities. All generated wastes should be sorted, bagged and handed over to approved PSP operators across all wards. The government has done its part. Now residents must do theirs Monthly sanitation set to resume Meanwhile, Mr Wahab has announced that the state government plans to resume the suspended monthly environmental sanitation exercise. The commissioner disclosed this after an inspection tour of Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu and Alaba Rago. We are returning to monthly sanitation. But beyond that, we must make sanitation a daily culture and way of life, he said. At Alaba Rago Market, Mr Wahab expressed disappointment at the unsanitary conditions, noting that the median had been converted into a dumpsite and the market had encroached onto the road. He said a decision on whether to seal the market again would be taken if the situation did not improve. Lagos generates 13,000 tonnes of waste daily In April, LAWMA Managing Director Muyiwa Gbadegesin revealed that Lagos generates an average of 13,000 tonnes of waste daily. Mr Gbadegesin said the agency, in partnership with PSP operators, deploys 102 compactor trucks daily to evacuate waste across the state. He also noted the continued operation of LAWMAs marine waste team, which clears waste from coastlines, lagoons and drainage channels. LAWMA is expanding its medical waste services to include waste from salons and beauticians and is investing in waste-to-wealth initiatives to reduce reliance on landfills. Every Lagos resident has a role to playdisposing of waste properly, cleaning gutters, and sorting at source. We must all contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment, Mr Gbadegesin said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan, has resigned. The lawmaker represents Ilaje constituency 1 in the Assembly. Mr Akinruntan has been replaced with Ololade Gbegudu, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa constituency 11. Also, the Majority Leader, Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi (Owo constituency 1) stepped down from his office and was replaced by Olatunji Oshati (Ose constituency). While tendering his resignation letter at Tuesdays plenary chaired by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, Mr Akinruntan said his resignation was due to political power sharing in the state. He is from Ilaje, the same local government area as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa . Mr Akinruntan thanked the Assembly members for unanimously electing him as Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly during its inauguration. 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 Some sources close to the assembly and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said it had become expedient for the two principal officers to vacate office for proper political balancing among the major districts in the state. Others, however, suspect possible irreconcilable differences between the governor and Mr Akinruntans father, who is the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom. Mr Gbegudu, 42, a two-term lawmaker, was nominated as Deputy Speaker by Oluwatoyin James from Akoko Northeast Local Government. The nomination was seconded by Chris Aiyebusiwa from Okitipupa Constituency I. Until his elevation, Mr Gbegudu served as Chairman of the House Committee on Security Matters and Community Development. In his acceptance speech, Mr Gbegudu pledged to collaborate with other lawmakers to promote the states development and ensure the delivery of democratic dividends to the people. End. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede, on Tuesday, moved to Benue, in a strategic move to address the incessant killing of innocent villagers by suspected herders and militia groups in the state. A source at the Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the COAS was concerned about the killings of innocent citizens and the displacement of families from their homes in the state. NAN learnt that Mr Oluyede, an army general, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other top officers at the army headquarters, is moving to the state for assessment of the security situation. The source disclosed that the COAS had also ordered more deployment of troops and logistics to the state to hunt down the armed groups terrorising the people of Benue. While in Benue State, the COAS is expected to hold strategic meetings with all operational and unit commanders to brainstorm on the way forward as well as review the ongoing operations with a view to ending the massacre. He is also expected to visit troops locations and operational bases in the state to interact with troops and boost their morale and fighting spirit. 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 COAS is also expected to visit villages that have been attacked and reassure residents of their safety and the resolve of the Nigerian Army to protect lives and property of law-abiding citizens. General Oluyede, while in the state, will personally lead troops in the operation in the battle front, he added. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there has been an increase in cases of killings in Benue by suspected herdsmen, which has become a source of concern to many. Some of the recent cases in the state include the attack on a reverend father, Solomon Atongo, on 24 May while on his way from Makurdi to Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-East Local Government Area. The attackers left him for dead, but he survived. On 29 May, Agan Community in Makurdi was attacked in broad daylight, resulting in multiple fatalities. On Sunday, 1 June, Naka, the Gwer West Local Government headquarters, and Edikwu-Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area were attacked, resulting in several fatalities. Also reported was the attack on other communities including Tse-Antswam in Naka town by suspected herdsmen, which left 17 people dead and many others missing or displaced. Similarly, Edikwu and Ankpali communities in Apa Local Government Area were attacked, resulting in 16 confirmed deaths and many others missing. The visit of the COAS to the state and the rejigging of operations are expected to lead to the restoration of normalcy to troubled areas in the state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On June 2, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine Carlo Formosa held celebrations on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic. "Today we celebrate the 79th anniversary of the referendum in which the Italian people, after the tragedy of dictatorship and war, chose a republican form of government for our democratic state. We celebrate our country in accordance with this choice, because the freely expressed will of the people directs the course of its history and deserves eternal respect. So let me recall in this context the referendum in which on December 1, 1991, the citizens of Ukraine confirmed the Act of Proclamation of Independence of Ukraine from the Soviet Union, adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament in August of that year, and did so by an overwhelming majority of votes in all regions of Ukraine, including those currently under Russian occupation," the ambassador said during the event. He noted the extraordinary courage with which the people of Ukraine the victim of unjust and terrible aggression continue their difficult struggle not only for the independence and sovereignty gained in 1991, but also in defense of the European and Western values of freedom, pluralism and democracy and the security of our continent. Formosa said that from the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion, Italy has supported Ukraine as a responsible member state of the European Union, the Group of Seven and NATO. "We continue and will continue to provide Ukraine with comprehensive support in the political, economic, military and humanitarian spheres, and we will continue to strictly apply sanctions against Russia. Together with our partners, we are actively working to achieve a just and lasting peace and we hope that all countries of the world will be able to make their constructive contribution to this process," he said. He also said Italy's efforts to promote Ukraine's integration into the European Union are thorough and continuous, and "we are actively working to ensure that the opening of "clusters" on negotiations for Ukraine's accession becomes possible as soon as possible." "Italy sincerely believes in the future of Ukraine and intends, including thanks to the high level of Italian entrepreneurship and production, to play a leading role in the country's economic recovery," the ambassador said. According to him, this intention will be confirmed during the International Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine, which Italy and Ukraine will organize next month in Rome. The celebrations gathered an unprecedented number of participants and representatives of official circles, which had no analogues in previous similar events. Starting with the speeches of the highest state officials, the event was attended by numerous representatives of the President's Office, government ministers, and dozens of local government officials from all over Ukraine. The event was also attended by numerous Italians working in Ukraine and playing an important role in strengthening bilateral relations. The guests had the opportunity to enjoy a performance by the ensemble "Le Muse" which specially arrived from Italy and performed a musical dedication to the unforgettable Maestro Ennio Morricone accompanied by frames from the most famous films of Italian cinema. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied a media report saying the National Assembly members would be granted automatic tickets in the 2027 election. The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that the report was fake as the party never took such a decision. Mr Morka did not, however, say if the party will consider the matter in the future. The attention of the APC has been drawn to a purported breaking news report tagged APC Grants Automatic Tickets to All National Assembly Members in viral circulation. The report is fake news and should be disregarded in its entirety as it did not emanate from our great party. We urge all party members and the general public to disregard the report as fake and of mischievous origin, the APC spokesperson 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 Following recent defections from the opposition parties, APC now has 68 members in the 109-member Senate and about 190 in the 360-member House of Representatives. Tinubus adoption About two weeks ago, the APC leadership, the partys 22 governors and federal legislators adopted President Bola Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The president was endorsed at the partys national summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. At the forum, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, moved a motion for the presidents endorsement, which the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, seconded. They were joined by their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Ben Kalu. I hereby move, and let it be moved, that not only should President Bola Ahmed Tinubu be the sole presidential candidate of the APC in 2027, but he should also be the unanimous choice of the Nigerian people, Mr Akpabio said, noting that the president has set Nigeria on the path of growth. While presenting the 2025 budget to a joint session of the 10th National Assembly in December last year, President Tinubu jokingly said the lawmakers had been re-elected. While concluding the presentation, the lawmakers cautioned the president that he had addressed the 10th Assembly and not the 11th Assembly, as he erroneously said. Upon hearing the caution, President Tinubu asked, 10? I wrote 11. Following this, there was an uproar in the House chamber where the joint session was held, prompting the president to say, Which means you are re-elected. When the lawmakers heard President Tinubus remark, they broke into a song, saying, On your mandate we shall stand, Bola. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on Tuesday suspended its strike, which started on Monday. JUSUN announced the suspension in a communique issued after its meetings with the representatives of the Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The communique, signed by all shareholders present, said this was after long deliberations on issues that led to the declaration of the industrial action by the union. According to the communique, the following agreement was reached: that the JUSUN oblige the intervention of CJN, Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, NLC and other stakeholders for one month for negotiations. Engage the federal government to release funds to the judiciary within one month, and that upon the release of the funds, the demands by the JUSUN be implemented immediately. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JUSUNs demands include the implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage and its arrears, 25 to 35 per cent salary increase, a five-month wage award and their arrears. 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 communique added that consequent upon the commitment of the CJN, JUSUN and its organs, after due consideration, agreed to suspend the ongoing industrial strike action. The union, therefore, directed its members to resume work on Wednesday. (NAN) NEO/DCO Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Gombe State Government has approved the re-accreditation of all its technical colleges. The State Ministry of Education disclosed this on Monday evening on its official Facebook page. The move is to enhance skills development and encourage entrepreneurship among young people in the state. According to the post, the State Commissioner for Education, Aishatu Maigari, revealed the development during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI). Ms Maigari said the approval followed the governors directives, which aimed at transforming the technical colleges into centres of innovation and creativity to equip young people for the demands of the modern economy. Enhancing skills through innovation She said the re-accreditation initiative aligns with a World Bank-funded project, Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS), currently being implemented in the state. Ms Maigari said the initiative is targeted at transforming skills development. 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 She said, This project is focused on transforming skills development in both the formal and non-formal education sectors of the state. She further said the ministry prioritises school safety, infrastructure development, and teacher training, emphasising the need for external support to achieve these goals. Ms Maigari called on the NBRRI for further support. We are working on readiness in emergencies, skilling of teachers, and the provision of safe infrastructure. We appeal to NBRRI to support us in these areas, she added. Technical education Gombes renewed attention to technical education comes amidst a national focus on addressing unemployment and improving the relevance of Nigerias workforce. Across the country, technical and vocational education institutions often struggle with challenges such as outdated facilities, inadequate funding, and a lack of modern equipment. In Gombe, many of the technical colleges have operated for years without significant upgrades, limiting their capacity to train students effectively. The emphasis on technical education aligns with global trends that prioritise practical skills, especially as industries increasingly rely on automation, engineering, and specialised trades. In his remarks, the NBRRI Director-General, Samson Duna, commended the state government for adhering to quality standards in its infrastructure projects, a practice he described as commendable in an era marked by substandard constructions. Mr Duna reinstated his organisations commitment to supporting development projects. NBRRI is committed to infrastructure development using indigenous and cost-effective technologies. We have zero tolerance for substandard practices, he said. Mr Duna further appreciated Ms Maigaris dedication to promoting skills development and assured the ministry of NBRRIs support in infrastructure improvement to advance technical education in the state. About IDEAS The IDEAS Project is a World Bank-funded initiative to strengthen Nigerias Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system. Launched by the Federal Ministry of Education, the project seeks to enhance skills development in both formal and informal sectors to align with labour market demands. With total funding of $200 million, the IDEAS Project focuses on several key objectives. One of its primary goals is to foster partnerships between technical colleges and industries to ensure that training programmes meet the evolving needs of the workforce. Additionally, it supports skills development in the informal sector by providing training for master craftspersons and offering recognised certifications for apprentices. The project also prioritises the training and professional development of technical teachers, aiming to increase the availability of skilled and motivated educators. Furthermore, it seeks to improve the regulatory environment and public management capacities, ensuring a sustainable framework for market-oriented skills acquisition. The IDEAS Project benefits 20 federal technical colleges and 18 state technical colleges across Nigeria, including institutions in Gombe State. By addressing these areas, the project aims to reduce unemployment and contribute to Nigerias economic growth by producing a workforce equipped with practical and relevant skills. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday showed that corn prices have risen by 50 per cent in Enugu State. The high cost of boiled and roasted corn has forced it out of the reach of many families and lovers of corn in the state. However, the survey showed that the price may likely reduce in the next few months when many corn farmers have completed their harvest, leading to increased production and a subsequent drop in prices. Some farmers and sellers who spoke to NAN blamed the hike in price on the absence of rainfall due to climate change, while the few who have harvested their corn blamed it on the cost of hiring labourers and prices of other commodities in the market. A corn seller, Amarachi Eze, said seven pieces of corn she bought for N1,000 in 2024 were now sold for N2,000. She stressed that they now sell corn between N400 and N500 per piece, depending on the size. If you sell all the seven at N500, you gain N1,500, but if you sell at N400, you will gain N800. This is because I buy directly from the farmers. 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 Out of this gain, you pay for transport, charcoal and paper to wrap the corn to sell to customers. The least amount of charcoal is now N500; you add other expenses, which are all responsible for the increase in price, she explained. Another corn seller, Mama Ejima, said, The corn is just coming out as many have not started harvesting, and it (the price) will soon drop. I bought small bag of corn that contained about 80 pieces for N25,500, which sold for N13,000 last year, she said. She said she sells her corn between N300 to N500, adding that corn was everywhere by this time last year. A farmer, John Oroke, blamed the increase in price of corn on late rainfall, which he blamed on climate change, emphasising that when a farmer applies fertiliser on a corn farm without adequate rainfall, it would kill it. According to him, the cereal crop needs constant rainfall for quality yield, as the rainfall pattern in Enugu was not adequate for corn farming. According to Emmanuel Okafor, another farmer, it costs a lot to hire labourers to work on the farm. He complained that the suns heat killed his corn when rainfall was delayed, while herders and their cows destroyed part of the farm. I am calling on the government to assist Enugu farmers with irrigation for all-season corn farming and to address farmer-herders issues in the state, he appealed. A buyer, Ogechukwu Nweke, said she felt bad about the cost of things, including corn, in the country. But what can we do? We have to buy it. I am appealing to the government to support farmers to increase their yield, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Lebanon is looking to enhance its bilateral relations with Iran at the state level, President Joseph Aoun told visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Araghchi during a meeting on Tuesday. According to the National News Agency, Mr Aoun emphasised that rebuilding the destruction caused by Israel on Lebanon is a national priority, pursued in cooperation with friendly and allied nations and in accordance with Lebanese law. He reaffirmed Lebanons commitment to dialogue both internally and with other countries as a path to resolving disputes peacefully. Many nations in our region, from Iran to the Gulf and Lebanon, have endured the devastating effects of war. Dialogue, not violence, is the way forward, Mr Aoun said. The president also expressed hope that ongoing US-Iran talks would reach a positive outcome. 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 Iranian people deserve to live in peace and prosperity, and a constructive resolution will reflect positively on the region as a whole. Mr Aoun endorsed Mr Araghchis remarks that international relations must be based on transparency, goodwill, mutual respect, and non-interference in domestic affairs. For his part, Mr Araghchi expressed Irans commitment to deepening Lebanese-Iranian relations based on shared interests and mutual respect. He affirmed Irans support for Lebanons independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and praised Lebanese diplomatic efforts to end Israeli occupation. READ ALSO: Nigeria condoles Iran over fatal explosion Our support for Lebanon is rooted in our good bilateral relations and Irans consistent policy of non-intervention in domestic politics, Mr Araghchi said. He voiced support for national dialogue in Lebanon, hoping it would lead to consensus and progress without foreign interference. Mr Araghchi also expressed Irans willingness to enhance economic and trade ties, noting that Iranian companies are prepared to contribute to Lebanons reconstruction through cooperation with the Lebanese government. (Xinhua/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police command in Anambra State says it has arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the recent attack on police and military personnel in Enugwu-Agu, Oba-Ofemili, Awka-North Local Government Area of the state. Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra, disclosed this in a statement issued Tuesday in Awka. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the attack led to the burning of an army operation vehicle. He explained that the arrest of the suspects followed a diligent investigation by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, adding that they were arrested on 2 May. He said the suspects, both males, aged 35 and 32, have confessed to their involvement in the crime and provided useful information on other persons involved in it. The disturbing incident occurred on 13 April, where some armed individuals attacked the security operatives and some stakeholders of the community, he 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 The police spokesperson quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu as saying that the attack on the security personnel was a grave and deliberate act to test the will of the security agencies and an attack on the soul of the nation. Mr Orutugu commended the gallantry and professionalism of the security operatives in managing the situation, as no life was lost. READ ALSO: Police rescue abducted Nasarawa traditional ruler He charged the operatives to expand the scope of their investigation for the possible arrest of other fleeing suspects and stressed the need for collective action to protect those who safeguard the nation. Anambra, like other states in the South-east of Nigeria, has been plagued by insecurity, which is often linked to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria. For several years, Nigerias security operatives, mainly the army and the police, have been engaging IPOB fighters in fierce battles to suppress their secessionist agitation. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has advised members of the 2024 Batch B Stream I, who have just concluded their service year, to focus on wealth creation. The NYSC Coordinator in Rivers, Moses Oleghe, gave the charge on Tuesday during the passing-out ceremony of corps members held in Port Harcourt. He reminded the corps members of the core values instilled in them throughout their service year and encouraged them to become agents of positive change in society. Mr Oleghe discouraged the pursuit of white-collar jobs as the sole path to success, urging the corps members to embrace entrepreneurship and self-reliance. Creativity, hard work, discipline, focus, determination, and dedication are the ingredients needed to achieve your aspirations. READ ALSO: Nigerian govt inaugurates committee to reform NYSC Rather than wait for white-collar jobs, outgoing corps members should channel their energy into establishing businesses and creating wealth with their own hands, he advised. 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 Presenting service statistics, Mr Oleghe disclosed that a total of 2,302 corps members had successfully completed their service year in Rivers. He noted that regrettably, two corps members died during active service, while 17, comprising seven males and 10 females, had their service extended. Additionally, the NYSC coordinator reported that two corps members were granted pardon, while 23 others 13 males and 10 females absconded from service. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A man has allegedly attacked and killed a 60-year-old woman with a shovel in Ebonyi State, Nigerias South-east. The suspect, Chidera Ezeoke, and the victim, Rose Awoke, were living in the same compound at the time of the incident. The incident happened on Monday in Egugho, Ezzagu, a community in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. Mr Ukandu, a deputy superintendent of police, said Mr Ezeoke allegedly murdered the victim by hitting her several times with the shovel. The suspect murdered the deceased by hitting her several times with a shovel and abandoned her in a pool of her blood. 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 officers of the command were able to apprehend him before he could flee, he said. The police spokesperson said the state command was investigating the incident. READ ALSO: Police rescue abducted Nasarawa traditional ruler Prohibited in Nigeria Murder is outlawed in Section 315 (6) of Nigeria Criminal Code Act. Offenders, on conviction, face death sentence, section 319 (1) of the Act said. Several persons have been sentenced to death for murder across the country. An Aiyetoro High Court in Ogun State, for instance, sentenced a man, Adelake Bara, to death by hanging in June 2022, for shooting and killing one Olaleye Oke. A high court in Lokoja, Kogi State, in January 2022, also sentenced a man, Muritala Dare to death by hanging for stabbing his colleague to death with a broken bottle. NAN Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print One person has been killed and four others injured when gunmen suspected to be political thugs attacked some residents in Ebonyi State in south-east Nigeria. The incident happened on Sunday in Ekoli Edda, a community in Edda Local Government Area of the state. Residents of the community told PREMIUM TIMES that houses and other properties were also destroyed in the attack. This newspaper understands that two rival political groups have been engaged in supremacy battle in the community in recent times. Several people have been killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed in the battle. How the latest attack happened Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the suspected thugs targeted supporters of a former chairperson of Edda Local Government Area of the state, Chima Eni 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 thugs who carried out the attacks were said to be over 10 in number. A member of the community, Chima Oko, said the gunmen first attacked the community around 10 a.m. and killed a resident, Okoro Obasi of Ndibom village in the community. The victims body was later taken to the mortuary. Mr Oko alleged that the children of the deceased and their friends were also attacked and machete cuts inflicted on them. He said the thugs later ambushed and attacked Mr Eni at Mgborokuma, an area in the community. Mr Eni was said to be returning from an inspection of the destroyed houses when he was ambushed. Ndem Nnachi, another witness, narrated how the attack happened. We were at Mgborokuma when Catcham boys came there and started shooting at us. Three people nearly lost their lives. They have been attacking us since our members returned from prison following the amnesty granted them by our dear governor, Francis Nwifuru, Mr Nnachi said. Our people are not happy, and we are waiting to see how the government will handle this sad incident. The resident warned that the community might rise up in self-defence if nothing was done immediately to address the situation. Ex-council chairperson speaks Mr Eni confirmed the attack and killing, adding that the victim was his relative. I was called from Ekoli-Edda this morning (Sunday) and informed about the death of my uncle, Mr Okoro Obasi of Ndibom village, Ekoli-Edda. The deceased was attacked by thugs known in the village as Catcham boys. The deceased sustained internal bleeding and died this morning at his house. The offence he committed against his killers is that his son was involved in the amnesty programme, and the man is related to me, he said. The former council chairperson said upon receiving the report, he quickly left Abakaliki for his Ekoli-Edda Community to de-escalate the tension already brewing in the area. After depositing the body (in a morgue), I inspected damages done to peoples property and calmed them down. I went to inspect a house set ablaze by the thugs, and while coming out from the scene, they launched a shooting attack on me and people with me. They shattered the windows of my Prado SUV and injured three persons in the process, by name: Chinoyerem Ikwor, Uka Anya Egwu and Udu Uche. They sustained varying degrees of bullet wounds and are receiving treatments in the hospital as we speak, he said. Mr Eni asked security agencies to arrest all those involved in the attacks in the interest of law and order. If the community rises up in self-defence, the community will still be tagged as violent and heartless. They have been provoking them since they were granted amnesty by His Excellency, the governor, in March. And those my supporters have been enduring a lot from them. There is a limit to the test of their patience, and I want the government and the whole world to know this before the people run out of patience, he said. Police speak The police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, has confirmed the incident. Mr Ukandu, a deputy superintendent of police, said he does not have details of the incident. The spokesperson, however, confirmed that the police command deployed its operatives to restore normalcy in the area. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) has ordered MainPower Electricity Distribution Company to refund over 20,000 customers over wrongful billing by the company. MainPower is an electricity company in charge of power supply in Enugu State. In a public notice released by the EERC on Monday, the commission said the order followed many complaints by MainPowers customers against the firms alleged overbilling. The notice of the order was jointly signed by the Chairperson of the Regulatory Commission, Chijioke Okonkwo, and the Commissioner in charge of Market Operations, Reuben Okoye. Pursuant to Section 35 of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023 and other extant rules, this is to inform customers in Enugu State that the Commission has issued an order to MainPower to refund the affected customers the overbilled units for energy consumed in April 2025, the commission said in the notice. The commission said the list of the affected customers has been published on its website. 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 It advised the customers who were not refunded at the expiration of the timeframe for the refund to contact the commission through a designated phone number and email address. Deadline for the refund According to the notice, the commission said MainPower had been given until July 2025 billing cycle at most to refund the customers. Failure would attract a daily fine of N500,000 until the company complies. MainPower shall refund the over-bill to the affected customers within the June 2025 billing cycle but not later than the July 2025 billing cycle. Where MainPower fails or neglects to comply with this order, the commission shall invoke its powers under section 32 (5) of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023, which authorises the Commission to impose a fine not exceeding N500,000 for each day that MainPower may be in default of compliance with this order, it said. The commission said the order and the daily fine were in line with the extant law of the Enugu State Electricity Law, 2023. The commission stated that it started tracking the estimated billing practices of MainPower in October 2024, when it assumed full regulatory control in Enugu State from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). It said it had complained to MainPower in a letter dated 16th December 2024, but the company allegedly failed to adequately address the complaints in its response dated 14 January. In another letter dated 4 April, the commission stressed that it further called MainPowers attention to its continuous estimated billing violations from October 2024 to February 2025. It added that it demanded a significant improvement in the next two billing cycles and that failure would force the commission to commence enforcement action against the company. The commission, in its letter to MainPower dated 6th May 2025, called MainPowers attention to the suspiciously striking similarity between MainPowers estimated billing reports in February and March 2025 and gave MainPower 14 days from the date of receipt of the letter to provide an explanation, if any. The 14 days given to MainPower to respond to the Commissions letter dated 6th May 2025 expired on 23rd May 2025 without any response from MainPower, it stated The commission recently reviewed MainPowers April 2025 estimated report and observed that the degree of violation of the caps on estimated billing by MainPower had further deteriorated from the 24 per cent observed in February and March 2025 to 34 per cent in April 2025. It said it had established that MainPower is in deliberate breach of the commissions stipulations in the terms and conditions of MainPowers Interim Licence with respect to the capping of estimated billing. Background In October 2024, the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission licensed Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited to replace the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company in distributing power supply in Enugu State. This followed the complete transfer of regulatory oversight to the commission by the NERC. The National Assembly, in 2023, passed 16 constitutional amendment bills, one of which allowed states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. The Enugu State Government, consequently, enacted the Enugu State Electricity Law, 2023, which established the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, an agency responsible for the distribution and regulation of power in the state. In June 2024, President Bola Tinubu assented to the electricity bill, which authorises states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. In April this year, NERC, a power regulatory agency in Nigeria, began handing Enugus commission the regulatory power over the states electricity market. The handover process, which had a six-month transition period, was completed in October 2024. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Photo: https://www.facebook.com/MykhailoDrapatyi Major General Mykhailo Drapaty, who submitted a report for dismissal from the post of Commander of the Ground Forces, reported on a long conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I reported everything that is currently known about the tragedy at the training ground. About each step who was on site, who was responsible for the people, who should have acted. I explained to the Head of State the reasons for my decision. The President heard, supported and suggested focusing on the main thing the war, the front, victory. I am grateful to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief for the trust, for a common understanding of responsibility and vision of the changes that our army needs," Drapaty said on Facebook. He emphasized the need to change the culture within the army, the culture of the attitude of commanders towards their fighters, towards the performance of duties, towards the value of every life of a Ukrainian soldier. "I received an assignment from the president. I remain in the ranks. On the frontline. Where I have to be. Where I can do the most," Drapaty said. Earlier, commander of the Land Forces Drapaty announced that he was submitting a report for dismissal from his post. Drapaty called his decision "a conscious step dictated by my personal sense of responsibility for the tragedy at Cherkaske training ground in Dnipropetrovsk region, which resulted in the deaths of Ukrainian soldiers." On June 1, Russian troops launched a missile strike on the location of one of the training units of the Ukrainian Army's Ground Forces. As a result of the strike, as of 12:50, 12 people were reported dead and more than 60 wounded. As reported by the spokesman for the Ground Forces, Vitaliy Sarantsov, in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine, the strike was carried out with an Iskander missile. The attacked training unit is located in Dnipropetrovsk region. Drapaty became the new commander of the Ukrainian Army's Ground Forces in November 2024. As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Clubfoot Day, health advocates have raised concerns about the countrys slow progress in providing timely treatment for children born with the condition. In a statement to commemorate the day, MiracleFeet , an international organisation, focused on eliminating untreated clubfoot, said despite ongoing efforts by civil society and public hospitals, thousands of Nigerian children are still at risk of preventable disability. They are urging federal and state authorities to scale up access to care and integrate clubfoot treatment into routine child health services. Clubfoot is a condition where a baby is born with one or both feet turned inward or downward. Without treatment, it can lead to permanent physical disability, limiting mobility and causing long-term social and economic challenges for affected children. Each year, around 10,000 children are born with clubfoot in Nigeria, according to the organisation. Globally, the figure stands at 200,000, with about 90 per cent of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. World Clubfoot Day is observed annually on 3 June to raise awareness about clubfoot. The day also celebrates the achievements in clubfoot treatment and honours the work of those involved in caring for children with clubfoot. 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 Improving treatment access Medical professionals widely agree that clubfoot is treatable if detected early. The Ponseti treatment method, a non-surgical technique involving casting, bracing, and minor procedures, can correct the condition in over 95 per cent of cases. It is also considered affordable and suitable for use in low-resource settings. In Nigeria, MiracleFeet has supported clubfoot treatment since 2018 through partnerships with five local organisations such as The Straight Child Foundation (TSCF), Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), Positive Care and Development Foundation (PCDF), Women and Children Health Empowerment Foundation(WACHEF), and PLAN Foundation (PLAN Foundation). According to MiracleFeet, these implementing partners have operated in more than 70 clubfoot clinics across 30 states, mainly within public hospitals. Over 6,000 children have received free treatment, and more than 3,000 healthcare professionals have been trained in the Ponseti method and parent education. However, despite this multi-faceted approach and recorded achievements, treatment coverage in Nigeria remains low, and thousands of children are still at risk of living with a preventable disability. The Country Representative for MiracleFeet in Nigeria, Ekene Isikaku, noted that while the current progress highlights what is possible through collaboration, sustaining and expanding this progress requires institutional commitment. Mrs Isikaku said to truly eliminate untreated clubfoot in Nigeria, we must work hand-in-hand with the government at all levels to integrate clubfoot services into the national health system and ensure long-term sustainability. This is a top priority for the Nigeria Clubfoot Partners in the next few years, she said. Mrs Isikaku also called for government-backed efforts that include establishing and sustaining treatment clinics in all states, deploying trained personnel across all levels of care, and embedding clubfoot services into existing maternal and child health programmes. Tackling myths In addition to medical access, advocates say sociocultural beliefs and misinformation continue to hinder early treatment in many communities. Garba Danjuma, Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Health Services Management Board and board chair of one of the implementing partners, said stronger public education and political will are needed to change attitudes and improve outcomes. Mr Danjuma emphasised the urgency of government-led action, noting that preventable disabilities like clubfoot should no longer be overlooked in the countrys health response. No child deserves to live with a disability that can be prevented. No parent should feel hopeless. And no health system should ignore a solution as cost-effective and proven as the Ponseti method, he said. As Nigeria marks World Clubfoot Day, these advocates say the day should serve as a prompt for renewed investment, national coordination, and policy inclusion to ensure that no child suffers lifelong consequences from an entirely treatable condition. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will not be able to make peace with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, without the involvement of key parties to the political feud between them. Mr Wike spoke in Abuja on Monday during a media chat which was broadcast live on Channels TV. Messrs Wike and Fubara have been locked in a protracted fight over the control of the political structures in Rivers State, which split the state legislature into two factions and led to the declaration of emergency rule in the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu. No peace without others PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Fubara recently visited his predecessor, Mr Wike, at his Abuja residence to beg for reconciliation. Mr Fubara was led to Mr Wikes residence by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun. Mr Tinubu had suspended Governor Fubara and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator in the state after declaring the emergency rule. 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 Speaking during the media chat, Mr Wike stressed that Mr Fubaras peace efforts will not yield results if he does not involve all parties to the political crises. Will he make peace without the (suspended) assembly members? Will he make peace without the leaders of the party? I tried to be honest with people, and Ive said so. The mere fact that Mr President said, look, make peace. It will be difficult for me to disobey Mr President, but he should know that its not water that is flowing in my body, its blood, he said. Asked if Mr Fubara was remorseful during the visit, Mr Wike expressed doubt about the genuity of peace move by the suspended governor. I feel so bad each time I read these things. I feel so bad because, yes, once Governor Dapo Abiodun and one of the leaders from the South-west came to my house and brought him (Fubara). They (Abiodun and Osoba) said he (Fubara) is ready to make peace, this and that. I said I dont have a problem if you want to make peace. He (Fubara) has a yam, he has a knife. He said he was travelling. He travelled. Ive not seen Sim since that day, he said. I weep in my quiet moments when I remember Fubaras betrayal Mr Wike also said he often weeps whenever he remembers what Mr Fubara did against him. When I go back in my quiet moments, I play the video of the speeches of the governor, what he said, what he did to me, I weep, he said. Mr Wike served as the governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023 and later helped Mr Fubara to succeed him before both politicians fell out with each other. During the media chat on Monday, the FCT minister suggested that Mr Fubara allegedly betrayed him after he assumed office as the governor of the oil-rich state. This is somebody who brought you, gave you food, gave you everything, did this to you, and then you became a tool for his enemies to fight him, he stated. Why Fubaras betrayal hurts me Mr Wike, in a bid to show why Mr Fubaras alleged betrayal hurts him, made an analogy of sacrifices made by parents for their children. You know what you go through by sending your son to school? You know what you go through to make him a human being? All of a sudden, in the night, your son came with two people with guns to shoot you. Just tell me, is this something that will just go away like that from your mind? You made sure you gave your son good education. You made sure he was provided food, you were ready to sacrifice everything you had, and you made that sacrifice, he said. In the night, they said there are armed robbers; who are the armed robbers? Your son is the one carrying a gun. Your time is up. Somehow, God helped you. You didnt die. Now people come, carry your son, to come and beg you, you know, he is their son, Mr Wike added. The FCT minister accused Mr Fubara of colluding with people who were against his (Fubara) election as governor to attack him (Wike). These are people who vowed that you will never be governor. These are people who petitioned you to EFCC. These are people who, simply because of envy, (asked) how will they bring Wike down? Then you (Fubara) provided yourself how to bring Wike down, he said. Background The feud between Messrs Fubara and Wike began less than six months after Mr Fubara assumed office as governor. The feud later split the states legislature into two factions, with 27 lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike and three to Mr Fubara. The governor had recognised the three-member faction because he believed the others lost their seats in the assembly since they had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. However, the 28 February 2025 Supreme Court judgement tipped the balance of power in favour of Mr Wike and his allies. The court reinstated the pro-Wike faction as the legitimate Rivers assembly, stopped federal allocations to the state, and nullified the local elections earlier conducted by Mr Fubaras administration. On 14 March, the Rivers House of Assembly served a notice of alleged misconduct against Mr Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as a preliminary step for their impeachment. In a notice addressed to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, the 26 lawmakers, among other things, accused Mr Fubara of spending Rivers funds without approval from the state assembly and appointing people to run the government without the required screening and confirmation. The lawmakers also accused Mr Fubara of hindering or obstructing the assembly from its constitutional functions and seizing salaries, allowances, and funds belonging to lawmakers, the clerk, and the assembly. They accused the Deputy Governor, Mrs Odu, of conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without allowing for the requirement of screening and confirmation. The impeachment plot began about the time Mr Fubara removed the elected chairpersons of the local councils in obedience to the Supreme Court rulings. The governor said he was willing to implement all the Supreme Courts decisions. Meanwhile, Nigerians have expressed outrage over the emergency rule in Rivers and the removal of Mr Fubara and other elected officials. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Civil servants under the Federal Workers Forum have appealed to the Federal Government to pay outstanding arrears, including wage awards and promotion allowances. In a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu and copied to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the forum urged urgent action to address long-standing issues affecting federal workers. The group noted that the challenges had worsened, particularly since the removal of the fuel subsidy. The letter, signed by Andrew Emelieze, national coordinator, Itoro Obong, national secretary, and Razaq Oseni, publicity secretary, emphasised the growing frustration among workers. They noted that ten months had passed since the implementation of the new national minimum wage, but full compliance remained a problem. We call on you to ensure full implementation of the minimum wage by June 30, 2025, and immediate payment of ten months arrears dating back to August 2024, the letter stated. 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 They also demanded payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance in June salaries, along with ten months arrears, and the introduction of a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) by June. The group condemned the selective payment of wage awards and urged the government to ensure all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) received the first tranche and any pending arrears. They also demanded the payment of promotion arrears owed over the years, particularly to judicial workers and staff of tertiary institutions and the federal health sector. Other demands include the reinstatement of leave bonuses, payment of 13th-month incentives, hazard allowances, and a long service award. Additionally, the forum warned against borrowing from the contributory pension fund, stressing it was not intended for government loans. The letter expressed hope for prompt government action, emphasising that timely intervention would prevent the need for federal workers to escalate their demands through physical demonstrations. (NAN) 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 The Katsina State Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Zainab Musawa has announced new operational guidelines for private and community schools as part of the Governor Dikko Umaru Radda-led state governments educational reforms. Speaking at a one-day sensitization workshop held on 2 June, 2025 in Katsina, the Commissioner emphasised that the guidelines aim to create a transparent, efficient, and inclusive framework for school operations across the state. Education is the cornerstone of progress, and private and community schools play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our children, the Commissioner declared during the townhall meeting attended by school proprietors, principals, headmasters, administrators, teachers, and community leaders. The Commissioner also explained that the new guidelines address critical areas including infrastructure, curriculum delivery, teacher qualifications, student welfare, and compliance with national and state education policies. The new operational guidelines we are discussing today have been carefully crafted to strengthen the operations of private and community schools while fostering collaboration with the State Government to meet the educational needs of every child in Katsina State, she stated. 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 Ministry has revised compliance and approval processes to ensure only institutions meeting minimum standards operate, protecting students and parents from substandard education. The Commissioner assured stakeholders that the approval process remains transparent and free from undue influence. For community schools specifically, the guidelines require demonstration of long-term development plans involving local stakeholders, ensuring schools serve as hubs for community welfare, Mrs Zainab said. The Commissioner stressed that the guidelines represent a draft document open to stakeholder feedback and collaboration. These guidelines are not static. We are committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement. Your feedback is vital to refining these policies, she noted. She further urged all private and community schools to fully embrace the guidelines by registering for approval processes, investing in teacher training, and prioritising student welfare. The Ministry pledged support through resources, training, and partnerships, including exploration of AI-driven platforms and community literacy programs to enhance learning outcomes. As we move forward, let us remember that education is a shared responsibility. These guidelines are a roadmap to excellence, not a barrier, the Commissioner concluded. The town hall meeting was attended by critical stakeholders including the State Commissioner for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Isa Musa; the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Fadila Dikko; representative of State Chairman, Parent Teacher Association, Kabir Rumah; Executive Secretary, Science and Technical Education Board, Prof Ibrahim Kabir Matazu; Representatives of State Commissioner of Police and the Director of Department of State Services, proprietors of private and community schools. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kogi State Government said it had cleared N98.8 billion in debts inherited from previous administrations, marking what officials described as a major step towards economic recovery and fiscal discipline. Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris, made the announcement Monday during a post-Executive Council briefing at the Government House in Lokoja. He said the debts were fully paid off within the first 15 months of Governor Ahmed Ododos administration. This is a landmark achievement. His Excellency Governor Ododo has demonstrated fiscal discipline and commitment to economic recovery. Within 15 months, we have cleared N98.8 billion in inherited debt, Mr Idris said. The breakdown includes N8 billion in bonds from the Idris Wada administration, N50.8 billion in salary bailouts from the last government, a N10 billion infrastructure loan backed by the Excess Crude Account, and infrastructure loans totalling N30 billion from Zenith Bank and UBA Plc. The commissioner also said the states credit rating has been upgraded by Fitch Ratings from B- to B with a stable outlook, attributing the improvement to prudent financial management. As of September 30, 2024, the states debt profile stood at N40.5 billion. Governor Ododo, during the council meeting, urged government officials to deepen engagement with communities and support local industries. He directed all officials to wear made-in-Kogi fabrics as part of efforts to promote indigenous businesses and strengthen grassroots connections. 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 We are in government to serve the people, and that means staying connected to their needs and aspirations, the governor was quoted as saying. Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo described the directive as a symbolic and economic gesture to boost local pride and production. He said infrastructure projects, including perimeter fencing and hostel buildings at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, were nearing completion, while works at Kogi State University, Kabba, were also progressing. The council also approved a bill to restrict heavy truck movements during peak hours and another to establish a state agency for climate change response. The announcement comes amid growing concern over rising debt levels among Nigerian states and the lack of transparency around how they borrow and repay. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Plateau State Government has given motorcycle operators 72 hours to leave restricted areas in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis. The government announced their immediate withdrawal, saying the Greater Jos Master Plan prohibits motorcycle operations within the metropolis. The action follows reports of an influx of over 400 motorcycles, which had raised concerns about public safety, traffic management, and security risks. Social media alerts spark public concern Before the official statement, a message widely circulated on social media heightened residents awareness of the issue. The message, titled Security Alert and Concern by Observant Jos Residents, described a surge in unregistered commercial motorcycles in parts of Jos town. The message said: Observant citizens have noticed with grave concern the massive influx of strange commercial bikers (Going) in Jos town, approximately numbering between 200-500, with brand new Bajaj motorcycles without number plates. Most of them wear crash helmets with face masks or head warmers that conceal their faces. 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 They operate around Bauchi Road, Katako, Farin Gada, and Kwanan Shagari areas, but do not go beyond West of Mines nor reach the Terminus area. It has also been observed that they dont operate beyond 4:00 p.m. According to the message, the cyclists do not know their way around the city. They dont know the city, and even with the small radius they operate, they have to be directed around. Their spoken Hausa (accent) is strange, not from the familiar Northern states we know. Big question, what are the security operatives doing about these commercial bikers with unregistered motorcycles? Are they on surveillance operations? The alarming message stirred public discourse and amplified calls for government intervention. Ban on motorcycles The ban on motorcycles within the greater Jos area is part of measures to address urban transportation challenges and enhance security. The restriction aims to curb the use of motorcycles in criminal activities and reduce traffic accidents in the city centre. Although the ban has been in effect for several years, its enforcement has been met with resistance and occasional violations, prompting renewed government efforts to ensure compliance. In a statement on Monday by the Plateau State Commissioner for Transportation, Davou Gyang, the government warned that the 72-hour window represents a final opportunity for operators to comply. Mr Gyang warned that defaulters would be penalised. The law prohibiting motorcycles in restricted areas is still in effect and will be strictly enforced. Non-compliance will attract severe legal penalties, including prosecution by mobile courts, he said. To facilitate enforcement, mobile courts have been deployed across the metropolis to prosecute offenders swiftly. The government emphasised that the ban remains critical to maintaining order and safeguarding residents. Mr Gyang noted that motorcycle-related accidents and their use in criminal activities have been a recurring challenge, necessitating firm action. While recognising the role motorcycles play in transportation, he urged operators to respect the law and relocate to areas where their activities are permitted. He also encouraged the public to support the governments enforcement efforts by adhering to the law and reporting violations. It is essential for everyone to cooperate for the collective benefit of the community. Adhering to these restrictions will help ensure a safer and more organised metropolis, Mr Gyang added. He said the government is committed to creating a secure and orderly urban environment. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Command in Nasarawa State has rescued the traditional ruler of Dari, Emmanuel Omanji, abducted in his palace in Dari, Kokona Local Government Area of the state, on May 28. Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, made this known in a statement issued in Lafia on Tuesday. The command is pleased to report that the Sangarin Dari, who was abducted on May 28, was successfully rescued unhurt, he said. Mr Nansel said that the traditional ruler was rescued around 11:00 p.m. on Monday, June 2. The rescue operation took place in the Panwasa Mountains, Mada Station, following sustained pressure from the commands Search and Rescue Team, he added. The police spokesperson said that Mr Omanji was taken to the hospital for medical attention immediately after the rescue and has since been reunited with his family. 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 Efforts are ongoing by our operatives to apprehend the fleeing suspects involved in the abduction, Mr Nansel added. The Commands spokesperson, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, appreciated members of the public for their invaluable support and timely information, which greatly assisted in the rescue operation. Mr Jauro-Mohammed also commended the efforts and collaboration of other security agencies and local vigilante groups, whose support, he said, was instrumental to the success of this mission. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will lead the 2027 Presidential Campaign in Rivers State for Bola Tinubu of the APC. Mr Wike spoke in Abuja on Monday during a media chat which was broadcast live on Channels TV. The FCT minister is a member of the PDP, although he serves in the APC administration of President Tinubu. Mr Wike has been accused of sabotaging the PDP to the benefit of the Tinubu administration, but he has always maintained that he is a loyal member and benefactor of the party. The minister was asked to comment on his political future in 2027. Is it because I am in Asiwajus (Tinubu) presidency? Are you not aware that I will lead his campaign in Rivers State? You want me to say no? he responded. 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 When asked again by another journalist if he meant he would support Mr Tinubu of the APC despite being in the PDP, the FCT minister said: Yes. Is that hidden? (This is) because I have said the South (part of Nigeria) must produce the president. Tinubu will win in Abuja in 2027 During the 2023 presidential election, Mr Tinubu lost in Abuja to the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Out of the six area councils of the FCT, the Labour Party won four, while the APC won two. At the media chat on Monday, Mr Wike predicted that Mr Tinubu will win the presidential election in the FCT in 2027. Are you not aware that he (Tinubu) did not get up to 10 per cent here in the FCT? But he will win here (FCT in 2027), he predicted. Why PDP cannot sanction me for serving in APC govt Mr Wike said he was not worried over a possibility of being sanctioned by the PDP for accepting to serve in the APC government. The FCT minister said the main opposition party cannot sanction him because he informed the party before accepting to serve in the government without getting opposition. I never collected ministerial position without writing to the party (PDP). I wrote to the Zonal. I wrote to the governor. I wrote to the national leadership of the party. I challenge any of them to come and say whether they said no, that I should not accept the (ministerial) position, he said. He, however, said he was not surprised that even the PDP governors did not oppose his serving in Mr Tinubus government because some of them were seeking appointments in the APCs administration for their cronies. You (the governors) go and lobby the president to give certain persons appointments and you come out in the daytime to accuse Wike of working for the APC government, Mr Wike said. I am still in PDP. I worked hard for the party. I have not seen anybody who will have the guts to tell me, Wike, you are not a member of the party. Who is that? What is his contribution to the party that is more than me? Not the first time This is not the first time Mr Wike would support APCs Mr Tinubu against the candidate of his party, the PDP. After the 2022 PDP presidential primary which he lost, Mr Wike formed an alliance with four other governors at the time who were aggrieved with the partys presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the then partys National Chairperson, Iyorchia Ayu, to work against the PDP interest. Apart from Mr Wike, other members of the group, called G5, were Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State) Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and their Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde. The group had demanded the resignation of the then PDP National Chairperson, Mr Ayu, to pave the way for a southerner to lead the party in order to achieve a regional balance. The then governors argument was that both Mr Ayu and Atiku hail from northern Nigeria. The feud worsened after Atiku refused to pick Mr Wike as his running mate. Atiku later lost in the 2023 presidential election. He came second with 6, 984, 520 votes, behind the eventual winner, Mr Tinubu of the APC, who polled 8, 794, 726 votes. The G5 governors withdrawal of support for Atiku was said to be among the reasons for the PDP candidates loss at the poll. Unlike other members of the G5, Mr Wike, many believe, supported Mr Tinubu of the APC in the election and helped him to win in Rivers despite being a PDP state. Mr Tinubu subsequently appointed the former governor as the minister of the FCT in what observers said appeared to be a pay-back for his support in the election. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Cross River Government has threatened severe penalty against a firm, Bao Yao Iron and Steel Company, for allegedly owing the state N1.2 billion accrued tax liabilities. This was disclosed by Ayi Bassey, the director compliance, Cross River Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Monday during a compliance drive to the premises of the firm in Calabar. Mr Bassey said the IRS had taken steps provided by law but that the company refused to discharge its statutory responsibility to the government. We have served them demand notice, final demand notice; for four periods they have been issued pre-action notices and they have done nothing to show they have a responsibility to the state. As a service, we view this as a deliberate attempt on the part of the management of the company to undermine the developmental efforts of the present administration in the state. We have placed the non-compliance stickers as our final demand to them, beyond this, we will take necessary steps to ensure we enforce compliance, he 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 On his part, Emmanuel Esira, the director of Legal Services and Enforcement of Cross River IRS, said the visitation was a further administrative step to get the company informed of their indebtedness to the government. According to him, The tax we are asking for are deductions from staff salaries that have not been remitted to the tax authorities in the state since 2009. The notification stickers will be on their premises until they comply and if they dont respond, we will take further actions. Mr Esira urged other companies doing business in Cross River not to allow situations degenerate to a point where they have to paste non-compliance stickers in their premises before they carry out their obligations. When a PREMIUM TIMES reporter called the Bao Yao Iron and Steel Companys official telephone line on Tuesday evening, an official identified as Emmanuel Dominic by Truecaller app declined comment on the matter. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference Three pillars of Ukraines future economic revival: point of view of Strength of Nation party On Thursday, June 5, at 13.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference entitled "Three pillars of Ukraines future economic revival: point of view of Strength of Nation party." Participants include: founder and leader of the Strength of the Nation party, head of the public organization Protection and Assistance, specialist in the field of commercial port management Andriy Peliukhovsky; Head of NGO Ukrainian Military Organization SPAS-23, founder of the NEP discussion club Volodymyr Volkov; political analyst, reputation management specialist, member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Oleksandr Kondratenko (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel. Admission requires registration on the spot with press ID cards. For additional information, call (096) 551 5151, [email protected]. The Commissioner for Information in Anambra, Law Mefor, has said the state government has concluded plans to establish the Electricity Regulatory Commission to promote industrialisation and economic growth in the state. Mr Mefor disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of the 10th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) meetings in Awka on Tuesday. He said no delay will stop the plan to implement the recently assented Anambra State Electricity Regulation Commission Act. The commissioner said the government would also launch a recruitment drive for subject-matter experts to join the new commission. He said the government also resolved that facilities used as Holding Places For Child Beggars would be confiscated and sealed. According to him, this is Compliance with Extant Law in accordance with the Anambra Homeland Security Law 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 Mr Mefor further disclosed that the government had awarded projects that would better the lives of the people and generate internal revenue for social and economic development of the state. He named one of the approved contracts to include the construction of a Warehouse for Pharmaceutical Grade Kaolin at Anambra State Kaolin Plant, Ukpor. Mr Mefor noted that the contractor, Strata Projects Ltd Contract Sum is N190,482,467.94 while its duration is eight weeks from the day of mobilisation. The commissioner added that a 750 KVA Transformer would be supplied and installed at Anambra State Kaolin Plant, Ukpor. He said that the Contractor was Zamlic Ventures Ltd. The Contract Sum was N110,114,510.60, and the duration was eight weeks from the day of mobilisation. Mr Mefor said the procurement and supply of official uniforms and operational gears to Ocha Brigade, would be handled by Anambra State Supplier : Analiro Enterprises Ltd with a contract Sum of N155,653,550.00. He said the government had explored how to restore Anambra society completely, reshape its moral and social structures, and establish the project as a lasting legacy. The commissioner disclosed that the highlight of the meeting was the rebirth of the new Anambra Government House Mini City as Light House Awka. Mr Mefor said the decision was based on Anambra States slogan, Light of the Nation. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncologic, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmologic and other major diseases, updated the clinical data of IBI354 (HER2 monoclonal antibody-camptothecin derivative conjugate) in advanced solid tumors at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. IBI354 has demonstrated promising anti-tumor efficacy and favorable safety profiles across multiple solid tumors. It not only holds potential to deliver a new generation of ADC therapies characterized by "high potency and low-toxicity" for tumor types such as ovarian cancer and breast cancer, but also validates the advantages of Innovent's ADC technology platform. The results of IBI354 lays the foundation for the subsequent development of Innovent's next-generation of bispecific ADCs and dual-payload ADCs, marking a milestone in Innovent's next-generation "IO+ADC" oncology development strategy. The data presented is from a Phase 1/2 clinical study (NCT05636215) aimed at evaluating the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of IBI354 in participants with advanced solid tumors. As of March 24, 2025, a total of 368 participants with advanced solid tumors were enrolled and received different doses of IBI354 monotherapy, the median follow-up duration was 11.5 months (range: 0.7-19.6), the median treatment duration was 27.0 weeks (range: 3.1-81.3) and 74 (20.1%) pts were still on treatment. The tumor types including 178 with breast cancer, 92 with ovarian cancer, 38 with colorectal cancer, and 60 with other tumors. IBI354 monotherapy demonstrated excellent safety profile The dosage was escalated to 18mg/kg, with no DLT events observed. with no DLT events observed. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were anemia, nausea, and white blood cell count decreased. The incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) was only 1.9%, all were grade 1-2 . . Overall, 27.4% of patients experienced TRAEs grade 3, 17.7% experienced TRAEs leading to dose interruption, 2.7% experienced TRAEs leading to dose reduction and 1.6% experienced TRAEs leading to discontinuation, with no TRAEs leading to death. IBI354 monotherapy showed promising efficacy signals in multiple tumor types In HER2-positive breast cancer cohort (n= 88, treated at 6~15mg/kg, the median prior treatment lines was 4), the confirmed objective response rate (ORR) and the disease control rate (DCR) were 59.1% and 90.9%, respectively. In 9 mg/kg Q3W sub group (n=29), the ORR and the DCR were 72.4% and 89.7%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14.1 months (95% CI: 8.3-not calculable [NC]) with events of 48.3%. The median overall survival (OS) was immature with events of 3.4%. In ovarian cancer cohort (n=92, treated at 2~12mg/kg, the median prior treatment lines was 3), the cORR was 41.2% and the DCR was 82.0%. In the 12mg/kg Q3W subgroup (n=40), the cORR reached 55.0% and the DCR was 90.0%. In participants with HER2 1+ (n=27), the ORR reached 55.6% and the DCR was 88.9%. As of the data cutoff date, the median follow-up time was 11.9 months, and the median PFS was 7.1 months (95% CI: 5.210.8) in 12mg/kg Q3W dose group. The median OS was not mature with events in 14 (34.1%) pts and a 12-month OS rate of 63.9% (95% CI: 45.077.8). Professor Qi Zhou, Chief Physician at the Gynecologic Oncology Center of Chongqing University Affiliated Cancer Hospital and the Principal Investigator of the gynecologic oncology cohort study, stated, "The treatment of platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer is difficult and the prognosis is poor, threatening the life and health of women. Extending PFS and OS in platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer patients remains a clinical challenge for gynecological oncologists. ADC drugs provide a new direction for overcoming resistance mechanisms by precisely delivering cytotoxic agents. HER2, as a validated solid tumor target, has made breakthroughs in breast and gastric cancer fields, while the novel ADC drug IBI354 shows broad-spectrum antitumor activity through unique design in HER2 low-expression (IHC 1+) platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. In the Phase 1 study with a dose of 12mg/kg Q3W, IBI354 demonstrated an ORR of 55.0% and DCR of 90.0%, with a median PFS reaching 7.1 months. The safety profile was very good without common severe interstitial lung disease or ocular toxicity seen in other ADCs. These results significantly outperform traditional chemotherapy regimens, suggesting its potential breakthrough efficacy in the platinum-resistant population. The Phase 3 study of IBI354 in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (HeriCare-Ovarian01) has been initiated, and I am looking forward to the results, as well as the further validation of the long-term benefits for patients receiving IBI354." Doctor Charlotte Rose Lemech from Scientia Clinical Research Ltd, Australia, stated: "Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors among women globally and remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The amplification or overexpression of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is recognized as a key driver in the development, progression, and metastasis of breast cancer, with approximately 15%-20% of breast cancer patients exhibiting HER2 overexpression. ADCs have become the new standard treatment for later line HER2 positive breast cancer. In this Phase 1 study, IBI354 has demonstrated encouraging efficacy and safety data, achieving high ORR and DCR especially in 9 mg/kg Q3W subgroup. Long term survival was also achieved with the median PFS of 14.1 months. IBI354 also differentiates itself from other HER2 targeted therapies with its safety profile. The incidence of interstitial lung disease was extremely low and most of the hematological toxicity and gastrointestinal adverse events were mild to moderate and can be effectively managed with standard supportive care. This favorable safety profile enhances the clinical application potential of IBI354 and we look forward to IBI354 achieving more breakthroughs in the field of breast cancer treatment." Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated: "With the rapid development of ADC drugs in the field of tumor treatment, Innovent is steadily advancing its strategic layout in the ADC field. At this year's ASCO conference, we update the safety and efficacy data of IBI354 across various advanced solid tumors. These clinical results not only confirm the potential therapeutic value of IBI354 but also demonstrating Innovent's innovative strength and technological advantages in ADC drug development. The phase 3 study of IBI354 in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer has been initiated, and more clinical studies are also planned. We will continue to invest in next-generation ADC molecules, aiming to address unmet clinical needs and bring patients with more effective and safer treatment options." About IBI354 (Anti-HER2 Antibody-Camptothecin Derivative Conjugate) IBI354 is an innovative HER2-targeted antibodycamptocinin derivative conjugate developed by Innovent's proprietary SoloTx ADC platform. With a drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of 8, IBI354 delivers a high payload of effective drugs to tumors. The highly hydrophilic linker design contributes to its excellent biophysical and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, while the hydrophobic payload enhances its bystander effect, targeting adjacent antigen-low or negative tumor cells. IBI354 exhibits extremely low exposure of free toxin in circulation and has an ideal safety profile based on pre-clinical and clinical studies. IBI354 has demonstrated remarkable anti-tumor activity in various tumor-bearing mice models, particularly in those resistant to HER2-targeted therapies and in metastatic tumors. Innovent Biologics is conducting clinical studies to assess the efficacy and safety of IBI354 for multiple advanced solid tumors. About Innovent Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 15 products in the market. It has 3 new drug applications under regulatory review, 4 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 15 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Incyte, Adimab, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn. Statement: 1Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s). 2Ramucirumab (Cyramza) and Selpercatinib (Retsevmo) and Pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca) were developed by Eli Lilly and Company. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Innovent with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Innovent's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Innovent's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions. Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect. SOURCE Innovent Biologics PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE: JEQ) (the "Fund") Board of Directors approved amending the dates of the previously announced Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2025 Annual Meeting") and Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund the ("Special Meeting") (together with the Annual Meeting, the "Stockholder Meetings"). The Stockholder Meetings will now be held on July 25, 2025, at the offices of abrdn Inc., 1900 Market Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103. All Fund stockholders as of June 13, 2025 ("Record Date") will be eligible to vote. The Fund plans to distribute relevant materials shortly after the Record Date. At the Special Meeting, stockholders of the Fund will be asked to approve the reorganization of the Fund into abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI") (the "Reorganization"). Additional information regarding the proposed Reorganization will be presented in a combined prospectus/proxy statement to be sent to JEQ stockholders (the "Prospectus/Proxy Statement"). Contingent upon the approval of the proposed reorganization by JEQ stockholders, the Fund had previously announced it would undertake a cash tender offer. Pursuant to the offer, the Fund will purchase up to 50% of JEQ's issued and outstanding shares at a price per share to be equal to 98% of the Fund's NAV per share as determined by the Fund on the next business day following the expiration date of the tender offer. The cash tender offer will commence as soon as practical after the Stockholder Meetings approving the reorganization have occurred and prior to the reorganization with ASGI. Further details and timing will be announced following the Fund's Special Meeting of Stockholders. The definitive proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") has yet to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). After the Proxy Statement is filed with the SEC, it may be amended or withdrawn. The Proxy Statement will not be distributed to JEQ stockholders unless and until a Registration Statement comprising of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement is declared effective by the SEC. Important Information In the United States, Aberdeen Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, and abrdn Asia Limited. The information in this press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. When the Prospectus/Proxy statement becomes available, JEQ stockholders are advised to read it because it will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. The Prospectus/Proxy statement, when available, will be available for free at the SEC's website www.sec.gov. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. https://www.aberdeeninvestments.com/en-us/investor/investment-solutions/closed-end-funds SOURCE abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. Entrepreneur Anthony Perera returns to lead the company he launched in 2017 HOLLYWOOD, Fla., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida entrepreneur, Anthony Perera, has successfully reacquired Air Pros USA's legacy operations in Florida through the investment firm, Exuma Capital Partners. This strategic move brings Air Pros USA back under Perera's leadership, reinforcing its mission to provide top-tier home services in Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, Boca Raton, Davie, Tampa, Ocala, and Orlando. The purchase also includes Florida-based plumbing company, Drain Genie and the generator and electrical contracting brand, Personalized Power. Anthony Perera, Managing Partner and Founder at Exuma Capital Partners Perera, a native Floridian, who stepped down as Air Pros USA CEO in 2022, is committed to rebuilding the company he founded in 2017. The move comes after the previous board voted to restructure, breaking the company into regional operations under Chapter 11 proceedings. Perera's re-acquisition ensures that Air Pros USA's legacy company, which has always been profitable, will remain a strong and reliable service provider in the Florida region. "I started this company with one truck and one employee and grew it into one of the largest HVAC companies in the state focused on delivering exceptional service to our customers in Florida," said Anthony Perera, Founder and Managing Partner of Exuma Capital Partners. "After I stepped down as CEO, I saw the board making business decisions that were not in the best interest of our employees or our customers. So I'm coming back with a full commitment to maintain the high standards and performance that led Air Pros USA to become a leading Florida company." Perera's rebuilding strategy includes immediate investments to restore the company's original customer-first culture, rebuild a network of leaders who share his vision, and reassure customers of the company's stability. The legacy operations of Air Pros USA have been acquired through the private equity firm, Exuma Capital Partners, which Perera founded in 2024 to support strategic investments in high-growth middle markets like home service and technology industries. Air Pros USA joins Peak Roofing Partners, Inspected.com, Property.com, and R30 Brands in Exuma Capital's Family of Companies. About Air Pros USA: Air Pros USA is a leading provider of residential and commercial HVAC services, known for its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. With a strong presence in South Florida, Air Pros USA continues to set the standard for excellence in the home services industry. About Exuma Capital Partners: Exuma Capital Partners is a private equity firm targeting strategic investments in high-growth middle markets in the technology, real estate, food and beverage, and home services industries. Serving as a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs, Exuma Capital Partners is poised to deliver superior returns for investors by fostering growth in underserved and fragmented markets. Media Contact: Joanne Sgro-Killworth 10 to 1 Public Relations 480-363-0403 [email protected] Laura Slawny 10 to 1 Public Relations 480-868-9423 [email protected] SOURCE Air Pros USA Industry Leaders to Discuss the Transformative Shift from Recreational Cannabis to Pharmaceutical Applications LITTLETON, Colo. and CHICAGO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DeFloria, Inc., the botanical-drug developer advancing the first of its kind AJA001 oral solution for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), today announced it will be featured in a high-profile investor panel at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on June 9th. Presented by AJNA BioSciences and Charlotte's Web (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF), the session, "Evolving from Dispensaries to Pharmacies: Investing in the Future of Cannabis," will examine the multi-billion-dollar inflection point as cannabis investment migrates from the retail shelf to the prescription pad. DeFloria, AJNA BioSciences and Charlotte's Web Global market forecasts project a dramatic shift from today's recreational-dominated market to a trillion-dollar pharmaceutical-centric future within the next decade1. This shift represents the next major investment wave in cannabis, driven by regulatory oversight, clinical validation, and patient demand for FDA-approved therapeutic cannabinoid options free from the legal and scheduling hurdles of the recreational market. DeFloria stands at the forefront of this transformation, having achieved a historic milestone as the developer of the first orally administered botanical drug to receive FDA clearance for Phase 2 clinical trials. "We are witnessing the evolution of cannabis from a fragmented recreational market to a sophisticated pharmaceutical sector," said Joel Stanley, CEO of AJNA BioSciences and founding CEO of Charlotte's Web. "DeFloria represents the vanguard of this transformation, leveraging decades of full spectrum cannabis sativa L. production expertise to develop targeted treatments for underserved conditions. These solutions are built for regulatory clarity, insurance accessibility, and scalable distribution through established healthcare systems." The panel will feature four industry leaders who have collectively shaped the modern cannabis landscape: Joel Stanley CEO, AJNA BioSciences ; Founding CEO, Charlotte's Web Leader of AJNA's neuro-psychiatric pipeline, Mr. Stanley oversees the AJA001 clinical program and pharma-grade manufacturing built on a decade of proprietary hemp genetics. Leader of AJNA's neuro-psychiatric pipeline, Mr. Stanley oversees the AJA001 clinical program and pharma-grade manufacturing built on a decade of proprietary hemp genetics. Jared Stanley CEO, DeFloria; Co-Founder, Charlotte's Web Extensive expertise in cannabis operations and pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing. His instrumental role in developing the patented hemp genetics that served as the foundation for DeFloria's research and development has positioned the company years ahead of potential competitors. Extensive expertise in cannabis operations and pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing. His instrumental role in developing the patented hemp genetics that served as the foundation for DeFloria's research and development has positioned the company years ahead of potential competitors. Dr. Orrin Devinsky Chief Medical Advisor, AJNA BioSciences Principal architect of cannabis-based pharmaceutical development. As the lead investigator for Epidiolexthe first FDA-approved cannabis-derived drug developed by GW Pharmaceuticals and acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals for $7.2 billionDr. Devinsky has established the regulatory pathway that DeFloria now follows. Principal architect of cannabis-based pharmaceutical development. As the lead investigator for Epidiolexthe first FDA-approved cannabis-derived drug developed by GW Pharmaceuticals and acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals for billionDr. Devinsky has established the regulatory pathway that DeFloria now follows. Dr. Marcel Bonn-Miller Chief Scientific Officer, Charlotte's Web; Board Member, DeFloria Contributes more than 20 years of cannabinoid research experience, with 150+ publications and three patents related to CBD's therapeutic applications. His guidance of U.S. Congress on CBD safety studies underscores his authority in translating botanical science into regulatory frameworks. Moderator: Kelly D. Fair, Partner, Dentons LLP Former U.S. General Counsel, Canopy Growth, specializing in cannabis policy and FDA-regulated pathways. Panel Focus The panel discussion will address the compelling investment thesis underlying botanical pharmaceuticals, highlighting why sophisticated investors are positioning for the sector's explosive growth. The discussion will detail: The $1 trillion global forecasted market 1 as pharmaceutical applications eclipse recreational sales over the next decade; as pharmaceutical applications eclipse recreational sales over the next decade; Mechanistic advantages of multi-compound ("entourage") formulations versus single-molecule synthetics; of multi-compound ("entourage") formulations versus single-molecule synthetics; Manufacturing and CMC hurdles unique to botanical drugsand how DeFloria's cGMP infrastructure provides a multi-year head start; unique to botanical drugsand how DeFloria's cGMP infrastructure provides a multi-year head start; Unmet clinical need in ASD where only two FDA-approved treatments exist, both associated with significant metabolic risk; where only two FDA-approved treatments exist, both associated with significant metabolic risk; Capital efficiency of the FDA's Botanical Drug Pathway and why first movers are positioned for outsized returns. DeFloria's first-mover advantage in botanical drug development, combined with its advanced clinical progress and manufacturing capabilities, positions the company to capture a significant market share. The company's initial focus on autism spectrum disorder enables the company to serve a vast, overlooked patient population while tapping into a high-growth therapeutic market projected at $50 billion globally. DeFloria's AJA001 oral solution represents a paradigm shift in pharmaceutical development, utilizing a multi-compound botanical approach rather than traditional single-molecule synthetic drugs, opening the door for multi-indications for commercialization. This full-spectrum formulation leverages the entourage effect, where multiple cannabinoids work synergistically to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. Dr. Bonn-Miller emphasized the scientific rationale: "Multi-compound botanical formulations harness the full therapeutic potential of the cannabis plant, delivering enhanced efficacy through synergistic mechanisms that single-compound drugs cannot replicate. This approach also opens pathways to multiple indications not typically available from a single-compound drug platform." DeFloria Progress DeFloria's lead candidate AJA001 oral solution is the first systemically absorbed, full-spectrum hemp drug to receive FDA clearance to enter Phase 2 clinical trials in adolescents and adults with ASD, planned to begin later this year. Phase 1 data demonstrated safety, tolerability and predictable pharmacokinetics, establishing dose rationale for the next stage. By leveraging Charlotte's Web's patented hemp cultivars and decade-long, pharma-grade cGMP extraction platformcapabilities unavailable to most early-stage biotech companiesDeFloria can scale drug-quality material under existing U.S.-based manufacturing agreements. Charlotte's Web currently owns approximately one-third of DeFloria and holds exclusive commercial supply rights should AJA001 reach market approval. Conference Details and Attendance The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference brings together leading investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to explore emerging opportunities in the evolving cannabis landscape. DeFloria's panel on June 9th at 3:15 PM ET will provide attendees with exclusive insights into the botanical pharmaceutical opportunity and the company's strategic positioning for growth. Company executives will be available for one-on-one meetings with attendees during the event. For attendance information and conference details, interested parties may contact [email protected] or visit the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference website. About Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF), a Certified B Corporation headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, is a botanical wellness innovation company and a market leader in hemp extract wellness that includes Charlotte's Web whole-plant full-spectrum CBD extracts as well as broad-spectrum CBD and cannabinoid isolates. The Company's hemp extracts have naturally occurring botanical compounds including cannabidiol ("CBD"), CBN, CBC, CBG, THC, terpenes, flavonoids, and other beneficial compounds. Charlotte's Web product categories include CBD oil tinctures (liquid products), CBD gummies (sleep, calming, exercise recovery, immunity), CBN gummies, hemp-derived THC microdose gummies, functional mushroom gummies, CBD capsules, CBD topical creams, and lotions, as well as CBD pet products for dogs. Through its substantially vertically integrated business model, Charlotte's Web maintains stringent control over product quality and consistency with analytic testing from soil to shelf for quality assurance. Charlotte's Web products are distributed to retailers and healthcare practitioners throughout the U.S.A. and are available online through the Company's website at www.charlottesweb.com. About DeFloria, Inc. DeFloria is a Phase 2 clinical-stage botanical pharmaceutical company developing AJA001 oral solution for irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder. Formed in 2023 by AJNA BioSciences PBC and Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CWEB, OTCQX: CWBHF) with a subsidiary of British American Tobacco plc as lead investor, DeFloria harnesses proprietary full-spectrum hemp genetics, FDA-compliant manufacturing, and deep cannabinoid science to deliver safe, effective and accessible therapies through the FDA Botanical Drug Pathway. (1) Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment Market Size Report, 2032. Report ID: GMI11087, Aug 2024, and https://www.precedenceresearch.com/cannabis-pharmaceuticals-market Forward-Looking Statements Certain information provided herein constitutes forward-looking statements or information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "intend", "target", "believe" and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, levels of activity, and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain assumptions and analysis by management of the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future development, and other factors that it believes are appropriate and reasonable. This press release includes forward-looking statements including: the future performance or achievements of DeFloria, Inc., future dose trial results, therapeutic efficacy, or approvals of AJA001 oral solution the results of which may be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to: regulatory regime changes; anticipated product development and sales; the success of sales and marketing activities; product development and production expectations; outcomes from R&D activities; the Company's ability to deal with adverse growing conditions in a timely and cost-effective manner; the availability of qualified and cost-effective human resources; compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations and requirements; availability of adequate liquidity and capital to support operations and business plans; and expectations around consumer product demand. In addition, the forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things: supply and distribution chains; the market for the Company's products; revenue fluctuations; regulatory changes; loss of customers and retail partners; retention and availability of talent; competing products; share price volatility; loss of proprietary information; product acceptance; internet and system infrastructure functionality; information technology security; available capital to fund operations and business plans; crop risk; economic and political considerations; and including but not limited to those risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2024, and other risk factors contained in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available on www.sec.gov and filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedarplus.ca. The impact of any one risk, uncertainty, or factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty, as these are interdependent, and the Company's future course of action depends on management's assessment of all information available at the relevant time. Any forward-looking statement in this press release is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. All forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Company or persons acting on the Company's behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Investor & Media Contacts: DeFloria Investor Relations [email protected] Charlotte's Web Investor Relations [email protected] Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. Jonathan Nugent (investors) 205-566-3026 [email protected] SOURCE DeFloria, LLC First-of-its-Kind ASC in Miami-Dade County Opens at Prestigious Med Square Health Campus MIAMI, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amavita Heart and Vascular Health, a pioneer in minimally invasive cardiovascular care, today announced the grand opening of its multi-million dollar ambulatory surgery center (ASC) at 9408 SW 87th Avenue, Suite 303 in Miami's Kendall neighborhood. This cutting-edge facility, housed within the award-winning Med Square Health Class A medical complex, marks the first dedicated cardiovascular ASC in the region, offering transformative outpatient care for heart and vascular conditions. Redefining Cardiovascular Care Through Innovation and Accessibility Led by Harvard-trained interventional cardiologist Dr. Pedro Martinez-Clark, the 15,000-square-foot ASC combines advanced technology with patient-centric design to deliver same-day procedures previously restricted to hospital settings. The center features two hybrid operating suites equipped with robotic-assisted surgical systems, 3D echocardiography, and intravascular imaging, enabling treatments for complex conditions such as atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, and structural heart defects. "Today, we revolutionize cardiovascular care in South Florida," said Dr. Martinez-Clark. "By bringing hospital-grade technology into an outpatient environment, we reduce recovery times by up to 70% while cutting costs for patients and insurers and improving patient experience and satisfaction. Our ASC isn't just a facilityit's a commitment to making life-saving interventions accessible to the Kendall community." Strategic Partnership with Med Square Health The ASC anchors the newly expanded Med Square Health campus, Miami's premier Class A medical office development. Designed to meet rigorous safety and operational standards, Med Square offers: Advanced Security Infrastructure: 24/7 surveillance and biometric access controls. Operational Efficiency: Customizable OR layouts supporting multi-specialty collaboration. Patient Amenities: Valet services, multilingual staff, and AI-driven wayfinding systems. Amavita's ASC elevates the Med Square campus as a national model for outpatient care. This partnership reflects the two organizations' shared vision of merging clinical excellence with transformative real estate solutions. For this groundbreaking ASC, Amavita collaborated with Cardiovascular Centers of America (CCA), a national leader in cardiovascular ASC development, thus ensuring the facility met rigorous clinical and operational benchmarks. CCA's turn-key solutionsspanning facility design, regulatory compliance, and supply chain optimizationprovided the foundation for implementing advanced technologies like robotic-assisted surgical systems and AI-driven recovery protocols. With over 100,000 procedures performed across its network, CCA's expertise in hybrid operating room configuration and staff training protocols enabled Amavita to achieve AAAHC accreditation before opening, a rarity for new cardiovascular ASCs. The partnership underscores CCA's mission to revolutionize outpatient cardiac care through physician-aligned models, prioritizing clinical autonomy while optimizing operational efficiency. Clinical and Economic Impact The center addresses critical healthcare gaps in South Florida, where cardiovascular disease accounts for 28% of annual deaths. Key differentiators include: Same-Day Advanced Procedures: percutaneous coronary revascualarization, endovascular techniques for multiple vascular conditions, electrophysiology including pacemakers and defibrillators, and interventional oncology procedures. AI-Driven Recovery Protocols: Wearable sensors provide real-time post-op monitoring, reducing readmission risks. Cost Efficiency: Procedures priced 40-60% below hospital counterparts without compromising outcomes. Increased physician efficiency and improved patient experience. The project will generate [50] new healthcare jobs and is projected to serve [5,000+] annual patients by 2026. Community Integration and Future Vision Aligned with Dr. Martinez-Clark's Miami Initiative to Stop Amputation (MISA), a non-profit initiative, the ASC will host monthly vascular screening camps targeting underserved populations. Future phases include a telehealth hub connecting Kendall patients to global specialists and a training lab for next-generation interventionalists. About Amavita Heart and Vascular Health Founded in 2017, Amavita is a physician-led practice redefining cardiovascular care through innovation. Affiliated with Jackson Health System and Mercy Hospital, the practice has performed over 12,000 minimally invasive procedures. Learn more: amavita.health and advancedcvmiami.com. About Med Square Health As Miami's first new Class A medical complex in two decades, Med Square Health sets the standard for healthcare real estate with 300,000+ square feet of tech-enabled clinical space. Discover more: medsquarehealth.com. SOURCE Amavita Heart & Vascular Health Partnership delivers localized access to 100% upcycled biosurfactants with significantly reduced environmental impact, while advancing novel designer molecule development. GHENT, Belgium and KANKAKEE, Ill., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Belgian biotech innovator AmphiStar , a pioneer in 100% upcycled microbial biosurfactants and Kensing , a leading North American producer of high-purity surfactants, and the global leader in upcycled plant-based vitamin E and sterols, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver sustainable, next-generation biosurfactants to the North American personal care market. This partnership with AmphiStar reflects Kensing's commitment to leapfrog into the next-generation of biosurfactants Post this Serge Rogasik, CEO of Kensing, and Pierre-Franck Valentin, CEO of AmphiStar, announce a strategic partnership. As part of this collaboration, AmphiStar's next-generation biosurfactants, produced by microbial fermentation of repurposed agri-food side streams, will be launched into the North American market by Kensing in an exclusive partnership. Leveraging its deep surfactant expertise and established market access, Kensing will play a critical role in driving adoption across the Personal Care and HI&I Industries. Kensing will work with AmphiStar to develop regionally sourced circular feedstocks from biobased waste and sidestreams, such as plant oils from Kensing's production, with a near-term plan to fully onshore production in the US. This will not only reduce transport-related emissions but will also allow the partners to build a resilient, decentralised supply chain aligned with evolving customer expectations. The products offer performance for formulators seeking to develop mild and sustainable formulations. They can be used as emulsifiers and co-surfactants in body lotions, creams, shampoos, body wash, make-up remover and other products. Kensing and AmphiStar will also co-develop AmphiStar's recently launched library of 80+ sustainable and unique 'designer' biosurfactant platform technology, with the shared goal of further developing and commercializing high-potential innovations in the personal care, agrochemical and HI&I markets. "Kensing's scientific expertise in formulation and production of plant-based ingredients coupled with our novel biomanufacturing technology platform make this an ideal and complementary partnership that will not only help us bring our sustainable biosurfactants to the North American market, but also see us jointly develop and launch new ones in the future", said Pierre-Franck Valentin , CEO of AmphiStar. "This partnership with AmphiStar reflects Kensing's bold commitment to leapfrog into the next generation of biosurfactants," said Serge Rogasik, President and CEO of Kensing. "By combining AmphiStar's cutting-edge upcycled biosurfactant technology with Kensing's industrial scale and market reach, we are unlocking a new era of high-performance biosurfactantsformulated from upcycled biowaste, free from conventional feedstock constraints, and offering both formulation versatility and the potential for highly competitive economics at scale." AmphiStar's biosurfactants are the result of an IP-backed breakthrough technology featuring an unprecedented combination in the surfactant landscape: advanced synthetic biology, waste processing and continuous biomanufacturing principles. By eliminating reliance on fossil feedstocks and resource-intensive crops, AmphiStar's technology delivers a significantly enhanced and novel sustainability profile. A recent LCA study (March 2025) revealed the exceptional sustainability profile of AmphiStar's biosurfactants compared to both conventional chemical-based and existing biosurfactants, including a four-fold reduction in CO 2 equivalent emissions, an 18-fold reduction in water deprivation, a 5.5-fold lower impact on human health and a 15-fold lower overall environmental impact. CONTACT: To learn more or schedule a media interview, please visit: www.kensingsolutions.com Eva Criado [email protected] Sr. Marketing & Communications Manager +34 659 188 143 SOURCE Kensing LLC SAO PAULO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerdau S.A. (" Gerdau ") (NYSE: GGB) announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gerdau Trade Inc. (" Gerdau Trade " or the " Offeror ") has commenced an offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 4.875% notes due 2027 (the " Notes "), which are fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Gerdau (by itself and as successor in interest of Gerdau Acos Especiais S.A.), Gerdau Acominas S.A. and Gerdau Acos Longos S.A. (together, the " Guarantors ") (the " Offer "): Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Principal Amount Outstanding Reference U.S. Treasury Security Bloomberg Reference Page(2) Fixed Spread 4.875% Notes due 2027 G3925DAD2 / USG3925DAD24 37373WAD2 / US37373WAD20 US$418,244,000.00(1) 4.125% due 10/31/2027 FIT5 50 bps (1) As of June 3, 2025. (2) The applicable page on Bloomberg from which the Dealer Managers (as defined below) will quote the bid side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security. Information on the Offer The Offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 9, 2025, unless extended or earlier terminated by Gerdau Trade in its sole discretion (such time and date, as it may be extended or earlier terminated, the " Expiration Date "). Holders of Notes who validly tender (and do not validly withdraw) their Notes at or prior to the Expiration Date or deliver a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery and other required documents on or prior to the Expiration Date, and deliver their Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures on or prior to the second business day following the Expiration Date, which is expected to be at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, June 11, 2025 (the " Guaranteed Delivery Date "), will be eligible to receive the Consideration (as defined below). Validly tendered Notes may be validly withdrawn at any time at or prior to the Expiration Date, unless extended or earlier terminated by Gerdau Trade as described in that certain offer to purchase dated June 3, 2025, relating to the Offer (the " Offer to Purchase " and, together with the accompanying notice of guaranteed delivery, the " Offer Documents "), but not thereafter. The " Consideration ", payable per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer, will be determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the Fixed Spread for the Notes specified in the table above plus the yield based on the bid-side price of the U.S. Treasury Reference Security specified in the table above at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Price Determination Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer, including Notes tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Offer to Purchase, will be paid accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes (" Accrued Interest ") from, and including, the last interest payment date to, but excluding, the Settlement Date (as defined below), payable on the Settlement Date (the " Accrued Coupon Payment "). For the avoidance of doubt, the Offeror will not pay Accrued Interest for any periods following the Settlement Date in respect of any Notes purchased in the Offer. Settlement Settlement of the Offer is expected to occur within three business days following the Expiration Date, which will be June 12, 2025, unless the Expiration Date is extended by the Offeror in its sole discretion (the " Settlement Date "). Conditions Gerdau Trade's obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay the Consideration and the Accrued Coupon Payment is conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver by Gerdau Trade of a number of conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, including the pricing of an offering of one or more issuances of debt securities by Gerdau Trade, to be guaranteed by the Guarantors, on terms satisfactory to Gerdau Trade (the " Debt Offering "), in its sole discretion, generating net proceeds in an amount of not less than the maximum aggregate amount to be paid for the Consideration for the Notes tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer, plus the Accrued Coupon Payment and any applicable additional amounts (the " Financing Condition "). There can be no assurance that Gerdau Trade will complete timely, or at all, the Debt Offering or that the Financing Condition or any other condition will be satisfied. Gerdau Trade expressly reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to (i) delay accepting the Notes, extend the Expiration Date for the Offer or, if the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase are not satisfied, terminate the Offer at any time and not accept the Notes; and (ii) if the conditions to the Offer are not satisfied, amend or modify at any time, the terms of the Offer in any respect, including by waiving, where possible, any conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum amount of Notes being tendered. In the event of termination of the Offer, neither the Consideration nor Accrued Coupon Payment will be paid or become payable to the holders of the Notes, and the Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer will be promptly returned to the tendering holders. Gerdau Trade has the right, in its sole discretion, to not accept any tenders of Notes for any reason and to amend or terminate the Offer at any time. Subsequent Redemptions or Repurchases From time to time after the Expiration Date or termination or withdrawal of the Offer, Gerdau Trade or any of its affiliates may acquire any Notes that are not purchased pursuant to the Offer through open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, redemptions or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as Gerdau Trade or any of its affiliates may determine, which may be more or less than the price to be paid pursuant to the Offer and could be for cash or other consideration. Gerdau Trade may also exercise its right to redeem any Notes not purchased in the Offer and that remain outstanding after the Settlement Date pursuant to the indenture governing the Notes. There can be no assurance as to which, if any, of these alternatives or combinations thereof Gerdau Trade will choose to pursue in the future. For More Information The terms and conditions of the Offer are described in the Offer Documents. Copies of the Offer Documents are available at www.dfking.com/gerdau and by request to D.F. King & Co., Inc., the tender agent and information agent for the Offer (the " Tender and Information Agent "). Requests for copies of the Offer Documents should be directed to the Tender and Information Agent at +1 (800) 628-9011 (toll free) and +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or by e-mail to [email protected]. Gerdau Trade reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any tenders of Notes for any reason. Gerdau Trade is making the Offer only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. Gerdau Trade has engaged BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC to act as the dealer managers (the " Dealer Managers ") in connection with the Offer. Any questions or requests for assistance regarding the Offer may be directed to BofA Securities, Inc. collect at +1 (646) 855-8988 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (888) 292-0070, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC collect at +1 (212) 357-1452 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (800) 828-3182, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC collect at +1 (212) 834-3554 / +55 11 4950 3312 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (866) 834-4666 / +1 (866) 846-2874, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC collect at +1 (212) 761-1057 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (800) 624-1808. Holders are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Notes as to when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from such holder in order for that holder to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, the Offer, before the deadlines specified herein and in the Offer Documents. The deadlines set by any such intermediary and the relevant clearing systems for the submission and withdrawal of tender instructions will also be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified herein and in the Offer Documents. Disclaimer None of Gerdau Trade, the Guarantors, the Dealer Managers, the Tender and Information Agent, the trustee for the Notes, or any of their respective affiliates, is making any recommendation as to whether holders should or should not tender any Notes in response to the Offer or expressing any opinion as to whether the terms of the Offer are fair to any holder. Holders of the Notes must make their own decision as to whether to tender any of their Notes and, if so, the principal amount of Notes to tender. Please refer to the Offer to Purchase for a description of the offer terms, conditions, disclaimers and other information applicable to the Offer. This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The Offer is being made solely by means of the Offer Documents. The Offer is not being made to holders of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require any tender offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of Gerdau Trade by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. The Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer Documents. The Offer Documents have not been filed with, and have not been approved or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer Documents or any other documents related to the Offer, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary. This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including those related to the Offer. Forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future, and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Gerdau S.A. Rafael Dorneles Japur Vice-President and Investor Relations Officer SOURCE Gerdau S.A. KUNSHAN, China, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arctech, a global leader in solar structure and tracker solutions with smart renewable energy technologies, is celebrating its fifth anniversary in Argentina, highlighting a trajectory defined by innovation, local commitment, and a regional development vision for the Southern Cone. At a special event held with clients, strategic partners, and members of the regional team, Arctech commemorated this milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and challenges overcome during five years of operations in the country. It was also a space to share the company's growth objectives as it continues consolidating its presence across Latin America. "This anniversary is a recognition of the joint work carried out with our clients, strategic partners, and the Arctech LATAM South team. Every step we've taken has been possible thanks to their trust and collaboration. We look to the future with excitement, knowing that the future of solar energy in LATAM is built on cooperation, technology, and commitment," said Alejandro Silva Zamora, Director LATAM South & Brazil. Since arriving in Argentina, Arctech has participated in some of the country's most prominent solar projects. With a presence across several provinces, the company has provided cutting-edge technology in developments such as Guanizuil II (117 MW), La Rioja Solar (35 MW), Anchipurac (23 MW), Ullum (25 MW), La Cumbre (15.6 MW), and Tucuman Solar (6 MW), among others. These projects reflect the technical and operational efforts of a committed regional team and a technology offering that stands out for its adaptability, efficiency, and reliability factors that position Arctech above other solutions in the market. Five years after its arrival in the country, Arctech reaffirms its commitment to delivering a reliable experience supported by local talent and technical service. The company also seeks to continue expanding long-term relationships that enable sustainable projects with regional impact. About Arctech Arctech is a global provider of intelligent solar solutions with over 91 GW delivered in more than 40 countries. Its portfolio includes solar trackers, fixed structures, PV cleaning robots, and energy storage systems. In Latin America, the company has a strong presence and a team of over 60 professionals, positioning itself as a strategic partner in the region's energy transformation. SOURCE Arctech Solar Bukovel is actively investing in sustainable practices that help protect the environment while also improving the quality of recreation. This is highlighted in a special feature by Ekonomichna Pravda. As of May 2025, twelve hospitality facilities at Bukovel have received Green Key international environmental certification, confirming their compliance with global standards in energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and responsible use of eco-friendly materials. The Green Key certificate operates in over 80 countries worldwide, with more than 7,500 certified establishments of various types. Green Key is one of the oldest certification programs founded in 1994 as an EU grant initiative. Within less than a decade, it evolved beyond a grant program and, in 2001, expanded beyond the EU to become a global standard. For establishments, Green Key is a strong reputational asset. The certificate assures guests that by choosing a certified hotel or restaurant, they are contributing to a better environment. The strict environmental standards expected from these facilities are clearly documented and continuously monitored through audits. The presence or absence of a Green Key can already be seen at the stage of selecting accommodation. This badge has long been visible on Booking.com, and was recently integrated into Google search results as well, - notes Viktoriya Radchenko, the national operator of the Green Key program in Ukraine. According to her, the key objectives of the program include: the safety of people, environmental safety, creation of an accessible environment for people with disabilities (some Bukovel hotels already have special lifts and adapted rooms), and the implementation of energy-efficient solutions. Solar panels, heat pumps, and water sensors help use resources efficiently and provide alternative energy sources in case of blackouts. Out of the 22 Green Key-certified establishments in Ukraine, half belong to Bukovel. The twelve Bukovel facilities holding the Green Key certificate are: RADISSON, GLACIER, HAY by EDEM Family, TAVEL, HVOYA, TWINS, MOUNTAIN RESIDENCE, BUKOVEL HOTEL, BUKOVEL APART, BUKOVEL CHALET, SHELTER, and the NUMO restaurant. ATLANTA, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Artivion, Inc. (NYSE: AORT), a leading cardiac and vascular surgery company focused on aortic disease, today announced that it will participate in two upcoming investors conferences. Artivion's management team will present at the upcoming Truist Securities MedTech Conference on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the InterContinental Boston Hotel. The Company's presentation is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. ET. A live webcast can be accessed through Artivion's website, www.artivion.com, on the Investors page. An archived copy of the webcast will be available for 90 days on the same website. Artivion management will also be participating in investor meetings at the Citizens Medical Devices and Healthcare Services Forum on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Due to the format of this event no webcast will be available. About Artivion, Inc. Headquartered in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, Artivion, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing simple, elegant solutions that address cardiac and vascular surgeons' most difficult challenges in treating patients with aortic diseases. Artivion's four major groups of products include: aortic stent grafts, surgical sealants, On-X mechanical heart valves, and implantable cardiac and vascular human tissues. Artivion markets and sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide. For additional information about Artivion, visit our website, www.Artivion.com. Contacts: Artivion Gilmartin Group LLC Lance A. Berry Brian Johnston / Laine Morgan Executive Vice President & Phone: 332-895-3222 Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Phone: 770-419-3355 SOURCE Artivion, Inc. Over the last five years, Duke Energy's Share the Light Fund has provided more than $4 million of assistance, supporting nearly 15,000 Indiana households PLAINFIELD, Ind., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Indiana is dedicating $200,000 to its Share the Light Fund to support customers facing financial hardship this summer. The funding aims to help families and individuals manage their energy costs amid rising temperatures and higher energy use. "The financial assistance we offer through the Share the Light Fund helps connect customers in need to resources to help pay their electric bills and stay cool through the summer," said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. "We appreciate our longtime partnership with statewide community action agencies who help identify customers in need and distribute the funds." Duke Energy works with the Indiana Community Action Association to provide up to $300 to qualifying customers to help pay energy bills, deposits and reconnection/connection charges. Individuals should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible. Visit incap.org/energy-assistance to find a listing of service providers by county. "High seasonal energy bills can cause financial strain for families experiencing economic hardship," said Ed Gerardot, executive director of the Indiana Community Action Agency. "With the support of partners like Duke Energy, we're extending a helping hand to people who are facing tough times by connecting them with resources to offset their expenses and increase their financial stability." Over the last five years, Duke Energy shareholders, its employees and voluntary contributions from customers have provided more than $4 million in bill assistance through the Share the Light Fund, which has helped support nearly 15,000 Indiana households. Duke Energy offers more than a dozen tools and resources to help customers take control of their energy use and save money while trying to stay cool. They include: Usage Alerts that send customers a notification of how much electricity they are using and its cost so they can make adjustments before their billing period ends that send customers a notification of how much electricity they are using and its cost so they can make adjustments before their billing period ends Free Home Energy House Calls , where energy professionals assess a home for efficiency and provide homeowners with a toolkit of energy-saving devices , where energy professionals assess a home for efficiency and provide homeowners with a toolkit of energy-saving devices Interest-free payment plans and due date extensions for customers needing flexibility To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/HereToHelp. Duke Energy Indiana Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 910,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana's largest electric supplier. Duke Energy Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. Contact: McKenzie Barbknecht 24-Hour: 800.559.3853 SOURCE Duke Energy SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the need for personalized senior care navigation services continues to rise, Assisted Living Locators, a nationwide leader in eldercare placement and referral, is seeing strong interest from franchise candidates seeking meaningful and flexible business ownership. Aligned with National Professional Wellness Month in June, the brand is highlighting how its model supports entrepreneurs in building profitable careers while making a real difference in the lives of families. The demand for senior care solutions is growing rapidly, with the U.S. Census Bureau projecting that by 2034, older adults will outnumber children for the first time in history. Assisted Living Locators' no cost, personalized service model helps families navigate complex eldercare decisions with expert guidance, a service more essential than ever. Franchisees say the business provides more than financial rewardsit offers purpose. "This business allows us to support families during vulnerable times, and that's incredibly fulfilling," said Ed Wagner who owns the Denver, CO, franchise with his wife Jennifer. "It's a mission-driven career that aligns with our values and gives us the flexibility to live life on our terms." Tonja Jackson, a former registered nurse and the Senior Living Advisor for Baton Rouge, LA, echoed that sentiment: "Coming from a clinical background, I was looking for a way to continue serving others with compassion. Assisted Living Locators gave me the tools and training to turn that into a thriving business. Every day I feel like I'm making a difference." With more than 150 franchise locations across the U.S., Assisted Living Locators offers comprehensive training, certification programs, and ongoing support to help owners succeed. The franchise, part of the Evive Brands family, is ideally suited for professionals from healthcare, business, or service backgrounds who want to transition into a people-focused role with lasting impact. "Professional wellness isn't just about work-life balanceit's about doing work that matters," said Felicia Sanders, Brand President of Assisted Living Locators. "We empower franchisees to create successful businesses while supporting families and communities in a deeply personal way." For more information about franchising with Assisted Living Locators, visit www.assistedlivinglocators.com. Media Contact: Rhonda Grundemann at 602-739-8810 or [email protected] SOURCE Assisted Living Locators New offering delivers unmatched reach, targeted distribution, and exclusive savings for life sciences companies SAN FRANCISCO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Big4Bio, the premier aggregator of life sciences news and industry developments, has launched AMPLIFY a premium membership program designed to provide powerful, integrated distribution solutions to magnify visibility and maximize investment for companies in the life sciences industry. With AMPLIFY, organizations can now combine expert-driven press release distribution from the industry's leading provider, PR Newswire, with premium placement across Big4Bio's trusted regional platforms. Whether announcing clinical breakthroughs, product launches, funding rounds, or strategic milestones, AMPLIFY ensures that life sciences announcements not only go out they stand out at savings starting at 25% off. "AMPLIFY is a game-changer for life sciences organizations looking to get in front of the audiences that matter most" Post this "AMPLIFY is a game-changer for life sciences organizations looking to get in front of the audiences that matter most," said Tilton Little, CEO at Big4Bio. "By combining Big4Bio's hyper-targeted regional coverage with PR Newswire's global distribution power, we're offering a complete visibility solution with huge savings, allowing companies to amplify their impact and maximize their investment." AMPLIFY is designed for biotech companies, pharma, medtech, healthcare innovators, research institutions, and agencies and consultants supporting life sciences brands anyone in the life sciences space looking to maximize exposure and make an impact. The program is structured to provide tailored solutions & savings for every stage of growth. Whether a company is an early stage startup building their brand, a mid-size biotech expanding influence, or an established pharma leader strengthening authorityAMPLIFY offers flexible packages to meet every every objective and every budget. Overview of the Benefits of AMPLIFY Membership Huge Savings: Savings starting at 25% on press release distribution. Savings starting at on press release distribution. Double the Reach: Distribute news through PR Newswire's global network and receive featured visibility on Big4Bio's platforms trusted by scientists, executives, investors, and healthcare professionals across leading U.S. life sciences regions. Distribute news through PR Newswire's global network and receive featured visibility on Big4Bio's platforms trusted by scientists, executives, investors, and healthcare professionals across leading U.S. life sciences regions. Audience Alignment: Ability to directly engage with readers in targeted biotech hubs like Boston , San Francisco Bay Area , San Diego , Philadelphia with geo-targeted messaging to ensure optimal region impact. Ability to directly engage with readers in targeted biotech hubs like , , , with geo-targeted messaging to ensure optimal region impact. Exclusive Perks: Members receive access to special promotional opportunities, exclusive discounts, "member-only" content, webinars, best practices and more. To learn more and apply , companies are invited to visit the website. A member of the AMPLIFY team will follow up to tailor a sponsorship package aligned with your goals and budget. Our strategic account managers, experienced in working with biotech clients, will provide personalized guidance to ensure your success. About Big4Bio Big4Bio is the leading aggregator of life sciences news and developments in the United States. Its regionally focused, daily email newsletters provide readers with curated headlines and insights sourced from thousands of industry outlets. Big4Bio covers the most significant life sciences markets in the world including Boston, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Philadelphia, New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles, and the Capital Region (DC/VA/MD). Learn more at www.big4bio.com . About PR Newswire PR Newswire is the industry's leading press release distribution partner with an unparalleled global reach of more than 440,000 newsrooms, websites, direct feeds, journalists and influencers and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. From our award-winning Content Services offerings, integrated media newsroom and microsite products, Investor Relations suite of services, paid placement and social sharing tools, PR Newswire has a comprehensive catalog of solutions to solve the modern-day challenges PR and communications teams face. For 70 years, PR Newswire has been the preferred destination for brands to share their most important news stories across the world. SOURCE Big4Bio BARDSTOWN, Ky., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Binder's Stash, a breakthrough force in ultra-premium American whiskey, today announced a landmark strategic partnership with the iconic Willett Distillery. This bold collaboration brings together two of the industry's most respected names, combining the whiskey's boundary-pushing approach with Willett's legendary heritage and liquid pedigree. Drew Kulsveen (R) and Bill Binder (L), stand in front of the iconic Willett Pot Still. Binders Stash, a breakthrough force in ultra-premium American whiskey, today announced a landmark strategic partnership with the iconic Willett Distillery. The partnership provides Binder's Stash with unique access to Willett's coveted inventory including experimental mashbills and limited barrels, fueling the brand's mission to create deeply expressive, high-end whiskeys with unmatched provenance. In addition, Binder's Stash will benefit from Willett's state-of-the-art bottling operations and expansive distribution platform across domestic and global markets. "This one-of-a-kind partnership with Willett marks a turning point for Binder's Stash," said Bill Binder, Founder of Binder's Stash. "We've built our reputation by sourcing and releasing some of the most distinctive American whiskeys in the country, but Willett represents a different level: generational expertise, uncompromising quality, and a legacy that elevates everything it touches. Together, we're setting a new bar for what American whiskey can be." Binder's Stash has quickly emerged as a disruptive presence in the American whiskey space-championing rare-aged barrels, bold flavor profiles, and design-forward releases that speak to a new generation of whiskey enthusiasts. The brand's uncompromising commitment to quality and authenticity has earned top honors, including Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Double Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards. "We are excited to work with Bill and his incredibly bold brand, Binder's Stash," said Drew Kulsveen, Willett Distillery Master Distiller. "This partnership sets the stage for future opportunities and represents a bold step forward in expanding the boundaries of what's possible in the world of aged whiskey. This limited relationship allows us to support a partner that shares our dedication to quality, innovation, and the future of American Whiskey." Founded in 1936, Willett Distillery is one of the most respected independent distilleries in the world. Based in Bardstown, Kentucky, the heart of America's whiskey heritage, Willett continues to age and bottle every whiskey on-site, honoring a nearly 90-year commitment to excellence. About Binder's Stash Binder's Stash is an award-winning ultra-premium American whiskey brand that reimagines what luxury whiskey can be. Built on rare barrel access, precision aging, and bold product vision, Binder's Stash brings some of the country's most distinctive whiskeys to market-crafted for those who demand excellence in every pour. The brand is protected by a philosophy rooted in innovation, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of greatness in every glass. About Willett Distillery Established in 1936, three short years after prohibition, the Willett family chose the original family hog farm, situated at one of the highest points in Nelson County, Kentucky, to begin construction on the Willett Distillery. By St Patrick's Day 1937, the first barrel of whiskey was rolled into Warehouse A. Approaching 90 years, Willett continues to make fine Kentucky Bourbon and Kentucky Rye Whiskeys. It remains independent and, truly, family-owned and -operated. To learn more, visit www.willettdistillery.com or follow @WillettDistillery on Instagram and Facebook. Images: Click Here SOURCE Stoddard Spirits JAKARTA, Indonesia, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BioNet, a Franco-Thai vaccine biotech group, and PT Bio Farma (Persero), Indonesia's state-owned vaccine manufacturer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on development and regional distribution of a combined TdaP vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular recombinant pertussis). BioNet and Bio Farma BioNet and Bio Farma Sign Strategic MoU to Expand TdaP Vaccine Access in ASEAN Signed during the State Visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Indonesia, the agreement underscores a commitment to accelerating access to innovative vaccines across Southeast Asia. The partnership combines BioNet's proprietary recombinant pertussis technology and global clinical experience with Bio Farma's large-scale manufacturing and public health reach to address critical immunization needs in ASEAN. "This agreement reflects our shared goal to make next-gen vaccines accessible where needed most," said Philippe Guillot-Chene, CEO of BioNet Europe. "By aligning our strengths, BioNet and Bio Farma strengthen the regional health ecosystem and ASEAN's capacity to respond to current and emerging infectious disease threats." The MoU outlines cooperation in clinical development, regulatory alignment, and market access. Bio Farma leads clinical trials and regulatory submissions in Indonesia, while BioNet handles other ASEAN countries. The collaboration aims to reduce vaccine introduction from 1015 years to less than five. "Through this collaboration, we are reinforcing Indonesia's commitment to regional vaccine self-sufficiency and innovation," said Yuliana Indriati, Director of Business Development at Bio Farma. "With BioNet's advanced recombinant pertussis technology and our production capacity, we aim to ensure timely access to TdaP vaccines for Indonesian adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly. We hope this product will soon be part of our immunization program." The TdaP vaccine combines Bio Farma's Td and BioNet's aP antigens. It targets the ASEAN market with an estimated 1015 million doses annually, valued at around USD 200 million. This partnership aims to strengthen pandemic preparedness, build resilient vaccine supply chains, and improve equitable healthcare access across Southeast Asia. This step aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita, particularly the goals of national self-reliance in economy, food, and energy, improving quality of life, and expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. About BioNet BioNet is a French-Thai vaccine organization developing and manufacturing genetically designed vaccines with a global footprint. The group includes: BioNet Europe, which submitted an EU-GMP recombinant pertussis vaccine application to the EMA. BioNet Asia, based in Thailand , producing the world's only standalone recombinant pertussis vaccine. BioNet has developed a clinically validated mRNA platform, enabling partnerships for technology transfer, regional manufacturing, and pandemic preparedness. About Bio Farma PT Bio Farma (Persero) is Indonesia's largest state-owned pharmaceutical holding company, offering integrated services from R&D and manufacturing to distribution, retail pharmacies, clinics, and labs. Its head office and manufacturing site are in Bandung, West Java, with a representative office in Jakarta. With over 3.2 billion vaccine doses produced annually, Bio Farma exports to more than 150 countries. It is the parent of two listed firms on the Indonesia Stock Exchange: PT Kimia Farma Tbk (KAEF) and PT Indofarma Tbk (INAF). More info: www.biofarma.co.id. For press information, kindly contact: PT Bio Farma (Persero) Zaki Zakaria Corporate Communication BioNet Europe Pierre Jean-Francois +66972253710 www.bionet.one BioNet Asia Supachai Nampornchaisakul +66866235157 www.bionet-asia.com SOURCE BioNet WARSAW, Poland, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leading brand in smart technology, HAVIT has not only cultivated expertise in acoustics for over two decades but also achieved groundbreaking progress in gaming peripherals. At the Poland ES Expo, HAVIT proudly presents the revolutionary FUXI-H8 Gaming Open-Headphone Stereo, introducing the industry-first OHS (Open-Headphone Stereo) architecture that redefines gaming audio standards. Explore our comprehensive lineup of spatial audio innovations. We cordially invite attendees to experience these transformative products at our exhibition booth. HAVIT Unveils Strategic 2025 Audio Innovation at ES Poland Exhibition Details Dates: 2025.6.13-2025.6.15 Booth: B1.03 Location: Warsaw, Poland FUXI-H8: Redefining E-sports Acoustics Through Leading Innovation Engineered for gaming enthusiasts, the FUXI-H8 Gaming Open-Headphone Stereo headset features the pioneering open-headphone stereo (OHS). Its hollow-out ear cups and ultra-soft cushions eradicate discomfort during extended use, while avant-garde design commands attention. Equipped with advanced spatial audio technology and dynamic head tracking, the FUXI-H8 Gaming Open-Headphone Stereo headset creates 360 soundscapes for precise enemy localization. Three operational modes enhance both immersive experience and competitive advantage through seamless switching. Six connectivity modes ensure universal compatibility across devices, enabling uninterrupted gaming transitions. FUXI Series Elevates Professional Esports, Radiates Global Influence HAVIT Gaming empowers Brazil's VKS Esports team with professional-grade peripherals, particularly through headsets featuring dynamic head-tracking spatial audio that exposes enemy positions. In high-stakes competitions where victory hinges on millisecond decisions, HAVIT's reliable acoustic technology enables players to strike first. What once seemed extraordinary becomes routine when equipped with HAVIT Gaming gear. Dominating Brazil's Amazon and Mercado Libre, HAVIT claims No.1 market share in gaming headsets through technological prowess. From Brazil through Latin America to global markets, HAVIT remains committed to delivering cutting-edge technology that helps players transcend limits and dominate virtual battlegrounds. About HAVIT HAVIT is a global consumer technology brand and an innovator in smart listening experiences. Our success in gaming peripherals stems from profound user understanding and groundbreaking technological exploration. Since inception, HAVIT has integrated global resources through large-scale innovation in manufacturing, R&D, omnichannel solutions, and brand development. Connecting user needs with technological advancement across 100+ countries, we create win-win ecosystems while infusing technology with human-centric designs. Make every product interaction a compelling experiential journey. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2696448/pr.jpg Combination of Culturally Aligned Firms Enhances Comprehensive Individual, Family and Institutional Client Service Experiences Partnership Represents Coldstream's Third Major Expansion in Portland Market SEATTLE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Coldstream today announced it has combined with Cable Hill Partners, LLC (Cable Hill), a Portland, Oregon-based investment advisory firm managing approximately $2 billion in client assets. Founding Partners David Christian and Brian Hefele own and operate Cable Hill, which offers investment advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and businesses. The firm also provides comprehensive retirement plan support. Christian also serves as Chief Growth Officer. "In working with David, Brian and the rest of the Cable Hill team, it has become clear that we share very similar values of independence and service," said Kevin Fitzwilson, Coldstream's Managing Shareholder. "Cable Hill's approach is completely complementary to our comprehensive offerings and bringing them aboard advances our strategy to deliver a full range of financial services for individuals and institutions as an independent and employee-owned firm. I look forward to what we can accomplish together." The Cable Hill team comprises 29 professionals, including 13 advisors and 16 support staff, who will become shareholders of Coldstream as part of the partnership arrangement. Supporting $13 billion in total client assets, the combined entity includes 40 Certified Financial Planner professionals (CFP), 15 Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA), and 22 certified public accountants (CPA), along with 19 individuals who earned an MBA and six with JD degrees. "Over the past several years, we have carefully considered how to continue to serve our clients' evolving needs and grow our business while staying true to our deeply held values," said Christian. "While there were several firms that wanted to help us reach the next phase of our business, Coldstream was the only partner we considered. I've worked with their leadership for years and their vision for this industry, independent ownership structure and approach to team building give us exactly what we need to better serve our individual and institutional clients." Last year, Coldstream announced a successful merger with Harrison Berkman Claypool & Guard and its $500 million AUM RIA, HBC Financial Services. This combination enhanced Coldstream's tax service offering, which the firm launched after its merger with Seidman Capital Group and Hersman Serles Almond, LLC in October 2023. These services are available as part of Coldstream's Tax & Consulting service line. Recently, the firm renamed its investment banking offering to Coldstream Capital Partners, as part of a larger effort to deliver a complete set of financial services for individuals and families, as well as institutional clients under the Coldstream brand. The combination with Cable Hill Partners will enhance Coldstream's ability to provide retirement plan services to its institutional clients. Hefele added, "Finding a home where we could more efficiently and comprehensively support our individual and institutional clients was a major consideration as we looked toward the future, and Coldstream's holistic approach delivers a unique opportunity to enhance the way we serve our diverse client base." This merger closed on June 1. The terms were not disclosed. Cable Hill Partners was represented by DeVoe & Company, a leading consulting firm and investment bank to RIAs. About Coldstream Coldstream is a family of complementary organizations under the umbrella of Coldstream Holdings. We offer our clients a well-rounded approach to financial services through this trusted group of partners and is employee-owned and independently operated. Founded in 1996 in Bellevue, Washington as Coldstream Capital Management, Inc., our company began with one mission: enhancing clients' lives and providing them peace of mind and has been earning the trust of clients since 1996. Coldstream has offices in seven locations across four states. For more information, please visit https://www.coldstream.com/. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and CFP in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFA and Chartered Financial Analyst are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. Media Contact: Donald Cutler / Michael Dugan Haven Tower Group LLC 424 317 4864 or 424 317 4852 [email protected] or [email protected] SOURCE Coldstream SANTA FE, N.M., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital (Canobie Lake) has been named Hospital of the Year by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a prestigious honor recognizing excellence in quality veterinary care, customer experience and innovation. A key factor in this achievement is the hospital's strategic partnership with, and utilization of PrizedPals' CareCorrals, an online "caring community" platform that enables pet-families and loved ones to stay more empathetically and durably connected and supported throughout a pet's healing or aging journey. Princess Ramona's CareCorral Dr. Melissa Magnuson, veterinarian and owner of Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital, credited PrizedPals' CareCorrals as a cornerstone of their success in this AAHA achievement. "As described in this brief video*, CareCorrals empower us to create deeper, more meaningful relationships with both patients and their families," said Dr. Magnuson. "In a field with thousands of strong contenders, our ability to leverage and strengthen the human-animal bond through this platform made all the difference." * VIDEO: https://canobievet.com/carecorral/ The platform enhances supportive engagement - transforming pet health outcomes and in how Canobie Lake supports families. "Whether a pet is recovering from surgery, aging or even being remembered, CareCorrals provide a space of love and connection," Dr. Magnuson explained. "These Corrals foster empathy and togetherness, helping loved ones be present in a meaningful and durable wayfar beyond well-wishes, messages of concern or sympathy cards." Since launching the partnership in 2016, usage of the platform has grown exponentially. "We've seen amazing adoption, among hundreds-of-thousands of active users," said Dr. Magnuson. "It's strengthened loyalty to our hospital and set us apart through genuine, high-touch supportive engagement." Dr. Magnuson also praised its ease of use. "CareCorrals require no extra effort from our staff. Pet-families find them helpfuland often essential as they navigate some of life's most challenging journeys." Dr. Magnuson concluded: "Our mission and core values are built around providing connected, compassionate, evidence-based care. CareCorrals embody this commitment, helping families and pets heal together. This award affirms that purpose." About Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital A full-service, award-winning veterinary practice in Windham, NH, committed to compassionate, evidence-based veterinary care. https://canobievet.com/carecorral/ About CareFlash LLC and its PrizedPals' CareCorrals Now into its 21st year, CareFlash offers solutions (PrizedPals' CareCorrals being one of them) that empower organizations who place value on enhancing supportive engagement, resilience and peace-of-mind. CareFlash's partners range broadly throughout veterinary, pet food, pet health insurance, pet pharma, human healthcare, senior living, payer, funeral, employers and professional services organizations as in this diverse sample: Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital, Texas Oncology, Austin Regional Clinic, Allata, Halcyon Hospice and Gaffney Funeral Home. CareFlash's PrizedPals brand offers CareCorrals, a secure online platform that connects pet and horse-centric families during health journeys to foster love, support and healing. https://prizedpals.com Media Contact: Jay Drayer 512-368-5421 [email protected] SOURCE CareFlash, LLC LONDON and MENLO PARK, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CareLineLive, an all-in-one home care management software company, has secured a majority investment from technology-focused investment firm Accel-KKR, to spur accelerated growth, expansion and product development. Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur Josh Hough, CareLineLive provides an all-in-one cloud-based platform for homecare agencies, integrating staff scheduling, client visits, patient records and invoicing. The company currently supports hundreds of care providers across seven countries. Across many parts of the world, the home healthcare market continues to grow. For example, the UK's home and domiciliary care market is worth 11.5 billion, according to insurance broker PolicyBee. The Australian home healthcare market is projected to reach USD 25.7 billion by 2030, whereas the U.S. home care providers market is valued at approximately $153.7 billion in 2025. Hough said the investment would help accelerate the company's growth and international reach. "Our vision has always been to make homecare better for everyone through the use of technology for providers, carers and clients," he said. "This investment helps bring that future closer. Accel-KKR's long track record of helping software companies grow is what I am most excited about. Their experience and resources will help us to grow our team, enhance our product, and deliver even more value to our customers." A portion of the funding will be used to establish a customer support presence in Australia, enabling round-the-clock service. "As our UK team finishes for the day, the Australia team will begin meaning we'll be able to support customers at any time of day," Hough added. The full transaction value has not been disclosed, but the investment also facilitates an exit for early backers Oakglen and Haatch. Hough also paid tribute to the outgoing investors: "We're incredibly proud of the progress we've made over the last decade and I'd very much like to thank both Oakglen and Haatch for their support. This marks an exciting new chapter with Accel-KKR." Accel-KKR, which specialises in investing in enterprise software and tech-enabled businesses, cited CareLineLive's technology and customer-centric ethos as among the key drivers behind its decision to invest in CareLineLive. Maurice Hernandez, Managing Director at Accel-KKR, said, "No matter where they serve, home care providers want to focus on delivering responsive, respectful and personalized care. Technology can help carers and agencies improve efficiencies, maintain compliance and grow while being focused on their clients' wellbeing. We're excited to back CareLineLive and help Josh and his team continue to build market-leading solutions in this category." Hough said he and the senior management team will be remaining with the company for the foreseeable future. "There's a long-term plan in place, but it's very much business as usual," Hough added. About CareLineLive Founded in 2014, CareLineLive provides an all-in-one cloud-based platform for homecare agencies, integrating staff scheduling, client visits, patient records and invoicing. The company currently supports hundreds of care providers across seven countries. CareLineLive is one of the few companies to meet the NHS requirements to be on the approved supplier list for Digital Social Care Records. It also integrates with GP Connect, enabling access to GP records. About Accel-KKR Accel-KKR is a technology-focused investment firm with $21 billion in cumulative capital commitments. The firm focuses on software and tech-enabled businesses, well-positioned for top-line and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR's investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its partner companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network. Accel-KKR focuses on middle-market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions, including buyout capital, minority-growth investments, and credit alternatives. Accel-KKR also invests across various transaction types, including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve-outs and going-private transactions. Accel-KKR's headquarters is in Menlo Park, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, London, and Mexico City. For more, visit accel-kkr.com. Media Contacts: For CareLineLive: Corinne Card [email protected] For Accel-KKR: Todd Fogarty, Kekst CNC [email protected] SOURCE Accel-KKR and CareLineLive The News in Brief Tuesday, June 3, 2025 The Tbilisi City Court sentenced activists Daniel Mumladze, 23, and Guram Khutashvili, 26, to three years in prison for damaging surveillance cameras during protests on Rustaveli Avenue in December 2024.Both were detained on separate occasions but faced the same charges. They admitted to the offense and requested a plea bargain that would allow release on parole. However, prosecutors rejected the deal.Judge Lili Mskhiladze also denied the defense's request to reduce the sentence by one-third, citing the activists' frequent involvement in "violent activities against state interests" as justification for the full prison term.Defense lawyer Otar Purtseladze stated that the ruling will be appealed.Protests in Georgia have been ongoing since November 28, when the Georgian Dream government announced it was abandoning the EU integration path a month after contested elections. More than 50 activists, including journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, have been detained.Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, has warned that prioritizing the release of political prisoners as the main reason to take part in upcoming local elections could be a strategic mistake. He says that Georgian Dream leader Bidzina Ivanishvili might use this demand to his advantage by releasing the prisoners quickly and then pushing the country into unfair elections.Gvaramia argues that if the opposition focuses solely on releasing political prisoners, Georgian Dream will win the local elections and retroactively legitimize the controversial parliamentary elections held earlier this year, gaining acceptance both inside Georgia and internationally.He believes that calling for prisoner release as the main reason to end an election boycott is wrong both in terms of values and political strategy. According to Gvaramia, participating in the upcoming local elections under current conditions could harm Georgia's democratic future.Instead, Gvaramia insists the opposition should demand a full political reset. This includes new parliamentary elections with a new government, the release of political prisoners, and the repeal of anti-democratic laws introduced after the disputed parliamentary vote. Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival at its historic origin People's Daily Online) 11:24, May 31, 2025 On the banks of the Miluo River in central Chinas Hunan Province, traditional customs such as dragon boat racing, eating zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings) and hanging mugwort leaves have been passed down for thousands of years, shaping a distinctive cultural identity. Legend has it that more than 2,300 years ago, the poet Qu Yuan took his own life in the Miluo River, leaving a lasting legacy of patriotism and poetry. Since then, Miluo has been celebrated as the birthplace of the Dragon Boat Festival, the hometown of dragon boats, and the cradle of Chinese classical verse. For more than two millennia, the traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, have been preserved and passed down through generations in this culturally rich region. Join People's Daily Online reporter Michael Kurtagh along the Miluo River as he experiences the thrill of dragon boat racing firsthand and immerses himself in the enduring charm of traditional Chinese culture. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Kou Jie) DAYTON, Ohio, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Microsoft evolves its licensing strategy to better serve enterprise and mid-market segments, thousands of organizations with fewer than 2,400 users will transition from Enterprise Agreements (EA) to new licensing models. Centric Consulting, a Microsoft Direct Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), announced today that it is providing specialized services designed to guide businesses through this transition. "We're seeing many leaders working to understand how the licensing changes will affect their company." Post this View PDF This guide provides at-a-glance Microsoft licensing comparison charts for user minimums, term lengths, payment schedules, on-premise options, strategic advisory, tech support, and more. The self-assessment will provide personalized recommendations and conversation starters for choosing the right licensing support model. Microsoft has restructured its licensing agreements, limiting EA renewals, particularly for those with user/device counts between 500 to 2, 400. This segment is known as Level A. These companies are encouraged to evaluate their current user counts and expiration dates and develop a strategy for licensing and support before their agreements expire. When their agreements are up for renewal, they must engage with a Microsoft CSP like Centric or purchase directly from Microsoft to renew their licensing. "We're seeing many leaders of mid-sized companies working to understand how the licensing changes will affect their company. The transition presents an opportunity for them to reassess and optimize, but if they're unprepared, they risk cost increases and service gaps," said Maurice Faison, Microsoft Partnership Director at Centric Consulting. "As a Direct CSP, we're uniquely positioned to offer our clients not just licensing solutions, but comprehensive strategic guidance and managed services that maximize their Microsoft investment." To help companies understand the nuances of Microsoft licensing, Centric developed a Microsoft Licensing Comparison Guide. This self-assessment provides personalized recommendations and conversation starters for choosing the right licensing support model. While Microsoft's recent policy change has created urgency for many organizations, Centric's deep expertise in managing complex licensing requirements has consistently helped clients optimize costs and maintain compliance throughout the evolving technological landscape. "Over the past decade, we've assisted numerous clients with their licensing needs from initial cloud service adoption to optimization and broader technology implementations," added Faison. "Our efforts have consistently resulted in cost savings while ensuring that technology fully supports the business objectives." Unlike standard resellers, Centric offers a comprehensive approach that includes complimentary licensing assessments to identify potential cost-saving opportunities, frictionless EA-to-CSP transition services, and ongoing strategic and IT support from certified Microsoft specialists. The firm's robust Microsoft Consulting Services encompass Microsoft's complete cloud ecosystemMicrosoft 365, Dynamics 365, Azure, Teams, Power Platform, Copilot, and Defenderwhile also supporting critical on-premises infrastructure, including Windows Server and SQL Server deployments. For more information about Centric Consulting's Microsoft licensing solutions or to schedule an initial discussion, visit https://centricconsulting.com/contact-microsoft-licensing/ Media Contact: Lindsay Dawson, Centric Consulting, 888.781.7567, [email protected] About Centric Consulting Centric Consulting is the right partner committed to delivering tailored solutions and unmatched experiences. For 26 years, the international management consulting firm has combined the benefits of deep experience, flexibility and cost efficiency to solve its clients' toughest problems. Its teams include strategic advisors and the best talent from across the United States and India with expertise in areas like artificial intelligence, cyber risk and compliance, people and change, business applications and more. The firm builds teams that can scale up or down quickly based on client needs, industry and desired outcomes. Headquartered in Ohio, with 1,300 employees and 14 locations, Centric has been honored with over 100 awards for its commitment to employees, clients and communities. It's also been recognized 10 times by Forbes as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms. Visit http://www.centricconsulting.com to learn more. SOURCE CENTRIC CONSULTING, LLC CHAMBERSBURG, Pa., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Franklin County Visitors Bureau is hosting a WhoDunit Lunch & Learn with local author and storyteller Stephen Holoviak on June 12, 11:30 AM to 1 PM, to celebrate the release of his newest book, Retribution. Set in Chambersburg, Retribution introduces readers to Chambersburgfamiliar places like Henninger Field, Veroni Cafe, Old Franklin County Jail, Trinity Episcopal Church, and Jim's Farmers Market as it brings true-life Franklin County citizens into the story. Brooks Kincade steps from the three previous psychological sagas to discover a serial killer is taking lives in Chambersburg. Local places and local history are key in discovering the killer. Retribution is the fourth installment in the Brooks Kincade psychological thrillers, penned by Stephen Holoviak. Holoviak, a retired professor of management and leadership at Penn State Mont Alto and former dean of the John L. Grove College of Business at Shippensburg University, started penning whodunit fiction after writing hundreds of articles and books related to management, human resources, leadership, and business. On the surface, the fiction genre seems very different from years working in non-fiction. Holoviak will share his perspectives on research and development of plot, creation of characters, importance of setting, and the storytelling process. Plus, Holoviak will have copies of Retribution on hand for purchase and signing. The event is being held in the second floor Great Room of the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center. In keeping with the dining in Retribution, a Veroni Cafe lunch buffet, featuring foods of the Central and Southern portions of Mexico, is planned. Vegetarian options will be provided. Franklin County Visitors Bureau Lunch & Learns are free events, but registration is required. Reserve tickets here. The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods, and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive from Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. For more information, visit ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or contact the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 866.646.8060. SOURCE Franklin County Visitors Bureau LOS ANGELES, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Television viewers are invited to discover the enduring power of democratic ideals with "Empowered with Meg Ryan" as it features James Madison's Montpelier. This upcoming segment is designed to ignite a sense of civic responsibility and illustrate how the principles of self-governance continue to shape our collective future. James Madison Montpelier An insightful segment of "Empowered with Meg Ryan" will soon bring Public Television audiences to James Madison's Montpelier, with filming planned for June 10, 2025, on location in Virginia. This program will offer a compelling look at the birthplace of American democracy, revealing how Madison's meticulous study of political thought led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Viewers will learn about Montpelier's ongoing dedication to Madison's most revolutionary idea: that self-government thrives on an informed and engaged citizenry. The segment will provide a unique perspective on how this historic site actively fosters a deeper understanding of our nation's founding principles, moving beyond a simple historical recounting to inspire contemporary engagement. "We were honored to receive such an exclusive invitation to collaborate with Empowered with Meg Ryan to shine a light on the powerful influence of James Madison and the U.S. Constitution. "At a time when our nation continues to grapple with complex questions about democracy, rights, and civic responsibility, Madison's vision remains profoundly relevant. At Montpelier, we help people explore these connections, illuminating how the ideas forged in James Madison's home continue to shape the present. "Through this partnership, we can reach broader audiences and inspire a renewed commitment to the principles that sustain and strengthen our democracy. We aim to empower the next generation with knowledge, context, and a commitment to active citizenship." - Krista Costello, Acting President & CEO, The Montpelier Foundation. The concept of a government that serves the people, not the other way around, is a cornerstone of American democracy. This segment will thoughtfully explore how Montpelier brings this powerful idea to life, connecting visitors to the profound stories of individuals and communities who have worked tirelessly to expand the Constitution's promises over time. The program will showcase Montpelier's commitment to historical accuracy and inclusive storytelling, highlighting its award-winning exhibits and immersive experiences that bring history into the present. This includes their unique and meticulous approach to restoring the presidential home to its Madison-era appearance, allowing visitors to step directly into the world where these pivotal ideas were born. Beyond the historic structures, the segment will also touch upon the preservation of the majestic Landmark Forest, with trees up to 250 years old, a testament to Madison's own legacy in conservation. By fostering dialogue and critical thinking through a variety of educational initiatives, Montpelier is actively addressing contemporary challenges like the decline in civic knowledge and the breakdown of productive discourse, emphasizing the vital importance of open debate and diverse viewpoints. This segment will underscore that democracy requires constant renewal through active participation, inviting viewers to become active creators of a "more perfect union" and underscoring that the very idea of the United States truly started and continues to evolve here. About Empowered with Meg Ryan: "Empowered with Meg Ryan" is a Public Television program that offers viewers valuable insights and educational content, inspiring them to take informed action in their lives and communities. The program highlights organizations that are making a positive impact and providing pathways to greater well-being. Learn more at: www.empoweredprogram.com About James Madison's Montpelier: James Madison's Montpelier, located in Orange, VA, is the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, Architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth President of the United States. As a memorial to James Madison and the Enslaved Community, a museum of American history, and a center for constitutional education, Montpelier engages the public with the enduring legacy of Madison's most powerful idea: government by the people. Montpelier is administered by The Montpelier Foundation and is a National Trust for Historic Preservation site. Learn more at: www.montpelier.org SOURCE Empowered with Meg Ryan NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) will host a conference call on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM Eastern time to discuss second quarter 2025 financial results and provide a business update for the third quarter to date. A press release with second quarter financial results will be issued at approximately 4:10 PM Eastern time on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Participants can join the conference call by dialing 1-888-317-6003 and will be prompted to enter the code 5564931. International callers can dial 1-412-317-6061 and will be prompted to enter the code 5564931. The call will also be webcast live from the Company's website on the investor relations page at ir.chipotle.com and registration is available at https://app.webinar.net/yP0VNLGpMeE. An archived webcast will be available approximately one hour after the end of the call. About Chipotle Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are over 3,800 restaurants as of March 31, 2025, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With over 130,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit CHIPOTLE.COM. SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill 115,000 Square Feet of New Leases in the Past Month Signals Growing Demand at South End's Premier Office Tower CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 110 East (the "Property"), South End's newest Class A+ office building, is pleased to announce its latest transaction. Coinbase, a digital currency wallet and platform for merchants and consumers, has leased the 18th and 19th floors, totaling 58,600 square feet, at the Property. The nation's largest cryptocurrency exchange recently announced its planned expansion to create a "Center of Excellence" office destination in Charlotte, reinforcing the city's growing status as a fintech hub. Coinbase's plans require hiring over 130 employees locally as part of the company's national expansion that will add 1,000 jobs across the country. "We're thrilled to welcome Coinbase to 110 East," said Matt Knisely, Managing Director at Shorenstein. "The Property was designed to meet the needs of the most dynamic, forward-looking companies, and Coinbase's decision to lease at 110 East is an incredible endorsement of this vision. From the building's modern design and premium amenities to its seamless transit access and vibrant retail space, 110 East delivers an ideal workplace experience for modern tenants." JLL's Conor Brennan represented Coinbase in the transaction. Jennifer Kurz, John Hannon, and Rhea Greene with Trinity Partners represented the landlord. The Coinbase transaction is the largest of three recent leases signed at 110 East, totaling 115,000 square feet of new commitments within the past 30 days. Most recently, SouthState Bank announced their regional headquarters relocation to take over 40,000 square feet at 110 East, and the Property also signed a 15,500 square foot lease with an undisclosed tenant. Other tenants include Humana, a healthcare administration company, and Patterson Pope, a storage solution company. The Iberian Pig, a modern Spanish tapas restaurant and bar from the award-winning Castellucci Hospitality Group, will anchor 110 East's ground-floor retail with 4,600 square feet along the LYNX East/West Station Platform. "The strong market momentum at 110 East continues, driven by the building's prime location and upcoming campus redevelopment and retail. With the top five floors still available, offering branding and signage rights, this presents an exceptionally compelling opportunity for prospective tenants," noted Kurz. 110 East is the first phase of a broader redevelopment plan to transform 1.2 acres at South and East Boulevard into a walkable destination for office, retail, and dining. The Jones Building at 1820 South Boulevard (formerly home to Tupelo Honey) is also undergoing restoration, expected to be delivered this fall. The final phase will revitalize the adjacent retail building (formerly The Manchester and Room 1812). ABOUT 110 EAST Located at the vibrant intersection of East Boulevard and South Boulevard, 110 East is South End's premier office destination, offering unmatched convenience, connectivity, and quality. Opened in 2024, this 23-story, 370,000-square-foot Class A+ office tower features over 305,000 square feet of total available space and direct access to the LYNX Light Railmaking it an ideal hub for forward-thinking companies. The Property was developed by Stiles, a full-service commercial real estate firm, and Shorenstein Investment Advisors, an owner and operator of high-quality office, residential, and mixed-use properties across the U.S. Designed by Hastings Architecture, 110 East blends cutting-edge design with next-level amenities. Highlights include a sky lobby with panoramic views of Uptown Charlotte, a 4,000- square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center, flexible conference facilities, and expansive 29,000-square-foot floor plates with 13'4" floor-to-floor heights and 11' clear vision glass to maximize natural light and openness. With LEED Gold and WiredScore Platinum certifications, the building promotes wellness, productivity, and sustainability at every level. For leasing information, visit http://www.110east.com. ABOUT STILES Stiles is a full-service commercial real estate firm with a clear mission: Invest. Build. Manage. Stiles services include development, construction, tenant improvement, real estate brokerage services, property management, architecture, acquisitions and financing. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Stiles maintains a regional office in Charlotte, North Carolina as well as satellite offices throughout Florida and in Nashville, Tennessee. Stiles is responsible for more than 54 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use residential projects throughout the southeastern United States. Visit http://www.stiles.com for more information. ABOUT SHORENSTEIN Shorenstein is a privately-owned investment adviser that, through affiliated entities, owns and operates high-quality office, residential and mixed-use properties across the U.S., with offices in San Francisco and New York. Since 1992, Shorenstein and its affiliates have acquired $19.5 billion in assets (as of December 31, 2024). Using their integrated investment and operating capabilities, the firm seeks to take advantage of opportunities that, at the particular time in the investment cycle, offer attractive returns. Investments have included ground-up developments, asset repositioning and stabilized assets; investment structures have included asset acquisitions, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments and structured joint ventures. More information is available at www.shorenstein.com. ABOUT TRINITY PARTNERS Trinity Partners is a full-service commercial real estate firm serving corporate users and institutional owners throughout the United States, with service lines ranging from landlord representation and occupier services to property management and investment sales. They are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, best-in-class performance, and respected team of commercial real estate professionals, who are directly responsible for the company's success and collaborative culture. The firm currently leases and/or manages over 42 million square feet of office, industrial, mixed-use, and retail space across the region through their five offices in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, Columbia and Greenville, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. Visit www.trinity-partners.com for more information. Media Contacts: Stiles Contact: Adrienne Zalkind 954-627-9148 [email protected] Shorenstein Contact: Sarah Salky / Madeline Jones Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212.255.4449 Trinity Partners Contact: Molly Carroll 704-604-5740 [email protected] SOURCE Shorenstein Properties LLC Leading job board addresses suicide rates and mental health stigma among male workers in the built environment. SHERIDAN, Wyo., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- June is Men's Mental Health Month, and Inter/Arch Jobs, one of the world's leading job boards and staffing platforms for architecture, engineering, and construction professionals, is spotlighting the urgent mental health crisis impacting male construction workers. While construction is one of the largest industries worldwide, it also carries a tragic distinction: it has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. According to the CDC, male construction workers are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Data from the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention shows that 1 in 5 construction workers struggle with mental health issues, yet stigma and fear of job loss often keep them silent. "Construction workersmany of whom are menare trained to be tough and resilient. But that cultural expectation has created a silence that's costing lives," says Richard Eib, Managing Director of Inter/Arch Jobs. "This Men's Mental Health Month, we're breaking that silence." Supporting Men Where They Work Inter/Arch Jobs is taking a proactive stance to support the mental health of men in the built environment by: Curating job listings with a focus on work-life balance, benefits, and psychological safety. with a focus on work-life balance, benefits, and psychological safety. Partnering with progressive employers who offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mental health days, and open-door mental health policies. who offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mental health days, and open-door mental health policies. Launching a resource hub this month with articles, guides, and interviews focused on managing stress, burnout, and job-related trauma. this month with articles, guides, and interviews focused on managing stress, burnout, and job-related trauma. Promoting anonymous candidate matching, so professionals can explore better opportunities without the fear of retaliation or exposure. "We believe finding the right job isn't just about salary or titleit's about fit, culture, and well-being," Eib adds. "By connecting candidates to employers who genuinely value mental health, we're helping build careers that support both personal well-being and professional growth." Breaking the Stigma in the Trades Construction, engineering, and design have long been male-dominated fields where vulnerability is often seen as weakness. This stigma has contributed to chronic stress, substance use, and isolation. But Inter/Arch Jobs is changing the narrative. Through its job board and talent network, the company not only places candidates into meaningful roles globally, but is committed to leading industry-wide conversations around mental wellness in AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction). Join the Movement As part of this month's campaign, Inter/Arch Jobs is launching a social media initiative under the hashtag #BuiltForWellbeing, inviting firms and individuals to share how they support men's mental health in the workplace. Visit www.interarchjobs.com/builtforwellbeing to access resources that support this mission. For media inquiries, please contact: Richard Eib Managing Director [email protected] (888) 213-1335 About Inter/Arch Jobs Inter/Arch Jobs is a global career platform dedicated to connecting professionals across architecture, interior design, and engineering disciplines with leading employers, resources, and community networks in the built environment. SOURCE Inter/Arch Jobs LLC Crowell Life Sciences will deliver market-leading industry, trade, and government experience at every stage of growth WASHINGTON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crowell & Moring LLP and Faber Daeufer & Itrato PC have combined to provide companies, academic research institutions, and investors in the life sciences ecosystem with integrated and industry-leading transactional, regulatory, intellectual property, and litigation counsel distinguished by deep industry, trade, and government experience in the U.S. and Europe. Crowell & Moring chair Philip Inglima and Faber Daeufer & Itrato founder and managing principal Joseph Faber By bringing together Faber's leading life sciences-focused venture finance and R&D transactional practice and Crowell's strengths in health care regulatory, government contracting, export controls, data privacy, patent prosecution, and health care and IP litigation, Crowell Life Sciences will provide clients with solution-oriented guidance and inside perspective in a dynamic business environment. The Faber team is uniquely comprised of former in-house lawyers and business executives in biopharma, private fund professionals, and contract specialists from pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations. Drawing on their front-line industry knowledge, they deliver pragmatic corporate and transactional counsel to life sciences companies from start-up through commercialization, to investment firms, to academic research institutions, and to NGOs involved in the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of novel therapeutics, devices, and research tools aided by emerging AI and in silico technologies. They have provided legal and business counsel to over 2,500 clients on a wide range of transactions from M&A, product and platform licensing, and other strategic collaborations, to the high-volume day-to-day contracts that accelerate value creation by engaging business and scientific partners globally. "Companies and investors across the life sciences ecosystem confront both significant opportunities to pursue business growth, as well as numerous challenges, including the potential impact of new tariff regimes, disruption of supply chains, and an expanding array of complex business compliance considerations. The combination of Crowell and Faber will provide clients the experienced, industry-focused counsel they need to achieve their business objectives," said Philip T. Inglima, chair of Crowell's Management Board. "We have been seeing our clients struggle with several powerful and accelerating trends in the life sciences industry," said Joseph L. Faber, founder and managing principal of Faber. "These include increased cross-border engagement with investors and with business and scientific partners, even by our early-stage clients, as well as the increased complexity of designing R&D and go-to-market strategies in a rapidly changing regulatory and public policy environment. We believe the Crowell and Faber combination will best position us to support life sciences clients as they navigate this new landscape." Gregory J. Ikonen, Faber principal and incoming chair of the Crowell Life Sciences group, noted, "We are excited to join Crowell. Faber's 20-plus year track record as a life sciences focused R&D transactional practice has combined deep technical expertise in complex licensing and development agreements with pragmatic counsel based on experience working inside legal, business, and leadership teams at mature companies in this sector. Now, as Crowell Life Sciences, we'll be able to leverage adjacent capabilities that have become increasingly critical to shaping these transactions, including U.S. and EU regulatory, export controls, international trade, government contracting, and global patent prosecution." Approximately 50 Faber lawyers and professional staff will join Crowell in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and London and work closely with Crowell's team in Washington, Brussels, Singapore, and other key business centers. Crowell will open an office in Boston, building on Faber's strong presence in that life sciences community over the past 20 years. "As our client-base in the Boston area has grown, we have increasingly looked at opening an office to address this growing demand. The combination with Faber, which has deep Boston roots, provides Crowell and our clients with an excellent platform in one of the most dynamic legal markets in the U.S.," said Stephen J. McBrady, a member of Crowell's Executive Committee. For more information about Crowell Life Sciences, click here. About Crowell & Moring Crowell & Moring is an international law firm with operations in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia. Drawing on significant government, business, industry, and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex regulatory and policy, litigation, transactional, and intellectual property issues. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to pro bono service, as well as its comprehensive programs and initiatives to advance the professional and personal development of all members of the Crowell community. Media Contact: Email: [email protected] SOURCE Crowell & Moring LLP MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crum & Forster (C&F) announces publication of its 2024 Impact & Belonging Report, highlighting how its culture of belonging and community driven efforts continue to foster employee engagement, community connection and social impact. "At C&F, our Culture, Business and Community framework strengthens our commitment to maintaining an inclusive workplace where our employees feel supported and empowered, while helping build stronger connections and making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve," said Barbra Katz, Chief Human Resources Officer for Crum & Forster. "This approach supports the company's efforts to deliver value across the organization, enhancing employee experiences, customer relationships and community partnerships." Key highlights from the 2024 report include: Culture and Recognition : In 2024, 95% of employees said C&F is a great place to work and that the company is committed to social responsibility. C&F was honored with the Great Place To Work certification for the fourth consecutive year and recognized by Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces for Millennials, Women, Parents, and within the Financial Services and Insurance Industries. : In 2024, 95% of employees said C&F is a great place to work and that the company is committed to social responsibility. C&F was honored with the Great Place To Work certification for the fourth consecutive year and recognized by as one of the Best Workplaces for Millennials, Women, Parents, and within the Financial Services and Insurance Industries. Corporate Giving and Community Support : C&F donated to more than 850 nonprofits through charitable giving and employee-driven programs, including the Charitable Impact Committee, C&F Cares Program and Employee Resource Group (ERG) charitable giving. These efforts continued to drive a culture of giving and volunteerism in support of the communities where employees live and work. : C&F donated to more than 850 nonprofits through charitable giving and employee-driven programs, including the Charitable Impact Committee, C&F Cares Program and Employee Resource Group (ERG) charitable giving. These efforts continued to drive a culture of giving and volunteerism in support of the communities where employees live and work. Education and Career Development : C&F is committed to helping its employees realize their full potential through continuous learning opportunities at every stage of their careers. In 2024, employees spent more than 18,000 hours on continued learning, supported by virtual and hands-on learning programs. Reflecting its belief that access to education is essential for unlocking potential and paving the way for future generations, C&F also partnered with organizations like HISPA (Hispanics Inspiring Students' Performance and Achievement), hosting an immersive learning experience, "Imagine Day," introducing students to careers in the insurance industry. In addition, the company provided financial assistance for college studies to 285 high school students who are C&F employee dependents, awarding scholarships through its internal scholarship program. : C&F is committed to helping its employees realize their full potential through continuous learning opportunities at every stage of their careers. In 2024, employees spent more than 18,000 hours on continued learning, supported by virtual and hands-on learning programs. Reflecting its belief that access to education is essential for unlocking potential and paving the way for future generations, C&F also partnered with organizations like HISPA (Hispanics Inspiring Students' Performance and Achievement), hosting an immersive learning experience, "Imagine Day," introducing students to careers in the insurance industry. In addition, the company provided financial assistance for college studies to 285 high school students who are C&F employee dependents, awarding scholarships through its internal scholarship program. Belonging and Employee Wellbeing : C&F expanded wellness programs for employees and their families, including flexible fitness solutions, mental health support and other programs that reflect the diverse needs of its workforce. The company's seven ERGs, which are open to all employees, continued to foster inclusion, build community and engage with mission-aligned nonprofit partners in support of Belonging@C&F. "C&F is guided by the principle of doing good by doing well, creating impact through purpose, partnership and service," Katz added. "We remain committed to cultivating a workplace where everyone feels supported and valued, inspiring everyone to contribute their best and enjoy a rewarding career with us." To learn more about Crum & Forster's Impact & Belonging initiatives, visit here. About Crum & Forster Crum & Forster (www.cfins.com) is a leading national property, casualty, and accident & health insurer, providing specialty insurance products through its admitted and surplus lines insurance companies. Founded in 1822, C&F is one of the oldest U.S. insurance companies, and today conducts business through a network of independent agents, brokers and wholesalers. C&F had $5.7 billion in gross written premium in 2024 and is rated "A" Excellent by AM Best (2024). To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram. The C&F logo, C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Media Contact Amy Whilldin AVP, Public Relations & Communications [email protected] SOURCE Crum & Forster Building on its leadership in Cultural Intelligence and proprietary intellectual property, Culture+ Group unveils a consultancy-inspired transformation, expanding its leadership and investing in AI, data, and agile hubs to help brands grow at the speed of culture. MIAMI, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Culture+ Group, the Cultural Intelligence solutions network, today announced a strategic evolution of its structure and business model, aligning agencies and leadership under a unified Business Transformation Model. This next phase strengthens Culture+'s ability to serve brands and C-suite leaders navigating cultural complexity, economic shifts, and the growing influence of high-growth diverse audiences that make up the $7 trillion Omnicultural New Mainstream. Culture+ Group Expands Leadership and Services to Help C-Suite Leaders Unlock Growth in the $7 Trillion Omnicultural Mainstream "This is about solving what keeps executives up at night, growth, relevance, and staying ahead," said Lili Gil Valletta, CEO and co-founder of Culture+ Group. "For over a decade, we've delivered Cultural Intelligence solutions that turn cultural and market shifts into strategic advantage, powered by proprietary IP, data, and insight. In today's AI-driven economy, brands need more than creativity; they need business solutions rooted in a Cultural Intelligence mindset. "We are in the business of creative innovation, not just for campaigns, but as a force for solving complex business problems. Whether the solution is a bold idea, a structural shift, or a data-driven strategy, our integrated network brings together technology, human capital, and cultural insight to help clients grow at the speed of culture. This evolution also sets the stage for our global expansion into LATAM and EMEA, extending our proven model to help brands lead in the world's most dynamic, high-growth markets." Structuring for Transformation Culture+ is redefining what it means to be a partner in today's marketplace. Rather than siloed departments, we've built Business Transformation Hubs, unified, insight-led teams designed to solve business problems, not just respond to briefs. Each hub integrates strategic planning, creativity, client service, and execution in agile units aligned by industry verticals, regional markets, and transformation goals. This structure enables upstream strategy with downstream impact, powered by Cultural Intelligence and proprietary IP. Whether the solution is a campaign, a structural shift, or a data strategy, our hubs operate as solution centers, helping brands grow at the speed of culture. To lead this next chapter, two senior executives have been appointed as Managing Directors with full P&L ownership, reporting directly to Group President Roberto Ramos, who joined in October 2024 to drive this transformation forward. Ivan Sanchez returns to Culture+ as Managing Director of CIEN+, bringing deep expertise from leadership roles as former CEO of PHD Media (Omnicom Media Group) and Dentsu across Latin America. With a blend of global strategy, media, and marketing leadership, Ivan will lead transformation across brand and health, including CIEN+ Health, the fast-growing healthcare vertical. To strengthen this expansion, Raj Iyer has been appointed Head of CIEN+ Health, reporting to Ivan. Together, they are building a leading healthcare innovation and communications consultancy to deliver better outcomes and tap into shifting health economics, empowering communities to live healthier lives. "Ivan's return to Culture+ is a powerful validation of the model we're building," added Ramos. "He brings strategic rigor, deep experience building future-ready, culture-first brands, and the creative-operational versatility to lead our largest engagements and drive transformative growth." "I came back because this model is unlike anything in the market," said Sanchez. "Culture+ fuses consulting discipline with cultural creativity, and does it with real agility. That's what modern brands are looking for: transformation that reflects the world they're trying to reach." Caroline Brethenoux, Culture + Group Chief Strategy Officer, steps into an expanded role as Managing Director of Human Dot Plus. Under her leadership, the consultancy is evolving into a global insights and foresight partner, going beyond research tech to deliver human-centered innovation strategies. By blending behavioral science, data, AI, and cultural understanding, Human Dot Plus connects the dots between human needs and business outcomes. "Caroline's ability to turn data and human insight into foresight and business design is exactly what our clients need," said Ramos. "It's at the intersection of empathy and data where real innovation happens, helping brands anticipate change, unlock growth, and build strategic and culturally relevant solutions." Leadership Expansion and Strategic Focus Areas Culture+ has also elevated key executives to lead across finance, talent, and operations: Felipe Arenas , Chief Financial Officer With nearly three decades of finance and deal-making experience, Arenas brings a $ 700 million+ track record in M&A and asset management across Latin America , Asia , and the U.S. He will lead financial strategy and partner with clients on value creation, partnership models, and new impact metrics. With nearly three decades of finance and deal-making experience, Arenas brings a $ 700 million+ track record in M&A and asset management across , , and the U.S. He will lead financial strategy and partner with clients on value creation, partnership models, and new impact metrics. Jackie Brown , Chief Talent Officer Brown will lead Culture+'s people and talent strategy, including organizational design for clients and scaling human-centered culture expertise across the network. Brown will lead Culture+'s people and talent strategy, including organizational design for clients and scaling human-centered culture expertise across the network. Cristina Jaramillo, Chief Operations Officer With 20+ years across CPG and global agencies (McCann, VMLY&R), Jaramillo will lead delivery excellence, launch the AI Innovation Lab, and expand regionally. She is known for operational discipline and high-performance alignment. "These leaders represent what transformation looks like: multidimensional, insight-led, and built for cultural relevance and performance," said Ramos. "They ensure our structure is not just strategic, but scalable, sustainable, and future-facing." Powering the $7 Trillion Omnicultural Opportunity Culture+'s evolution directly responds to a fast-shifting landscape. Today's omnicultural mainstream, driven by Hispanic, Black, Asian, Gen Z, and intersectional audiences, accounts for 100% of U.S. population growth and wields $7 trillion in spending power. These communities represent over $30 trillion in cultural capital, redefining behaviors, business, and commerce. Through platforms like the Cultural Intelligence Accelerator, Culture FWD, Human Dot Plus' Next Gen insights, and CIEN+ HEALTH's Healthonomics Playbooks, Culture+ equips brands to activate this power through actionable strategies and transformation-ready solutions. About Culture+ Group Culture+ Group is an independent marketing solutions network built to help brands thrive in a fast-changing, diverse world where culture drives growth. With decades of expertise in Cultural Intelligence, the group fuses business transformation, organizational design, and agile creative and innovation strategies. Its ecosystem of specialized agencies: CIEN+ (culture-first marketing), CIEN+Health (inclusive healthcare marketing), Human Dot Plus (AI-driven insights/ innovation consultancy), The Ideatelier+ (branding/ luxury/ trend foresight), and The Choice+ (shopper/experiential marketing), positions Culture+ Group to tackle business challenges at the speed of culture. By blending cultural insights, strategic foresight, and data-driven clarity, the group enables brands to adapt, evolve, and capitalize on new growth opportunities. As a certified minority- and woman-owned business and NMSDC Corporate Plus Member, Culture+ Group is committed to advancing inclusion and innovation across all industries. The group has teams based across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Press Contact: Amalia Toro (972) 791-8792 http://www.cultureplusgroup.com SOURCE Culture+ Group TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EVA Air remains at the forefront of innovation and advancing safety measures whenever possible. At the 81st International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), EVA Air President Clay Sun and IATA Director General Willie Walsh signed a cooperation agreement announcing EVA Air's official membership in the IATA's Turbulence Aware platform. At the 81st International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), EVA Air President Clay Sun (right) and IATA Director General Willie Walsh (left) signed a cooperation agreement announcing EVA Airs official membership in the IATAs Turbulence Aware platform As climate patterns shift, turbulence is becoming more frequent, presenting a growing consideration for flight safety and operational planning. To ensure the safety of passengers and crew, EVA Air has joined the global effort to enhance real-time turbulence data sharing and improve predictive safety measures through this cutting-edge platform. "Although technology is becoming more advanced, turbulence is still one of the most difficult weather conditions to predict. Mild turbulence may cause the aircraft to shake, while severe turbulence may cause structural damage to the aircraft which is the most undesirable situation," said EVA Air President Clay Sun. "We believe that joining Turbulence Aware will help pilots and dispatchers to analyze real-time data, plan and choose appropriate flight paths to avoid areas with higher turbulence risks, and ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft." "We are delighted to have EVA Air join Turbulence Aware to further enhance the capabilities of crew and dispatchers around the world to improve flight safety, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort," said IATA Director General Willie Walsh. "With the data reported by each airline, we can provide flight crews and dispatchers with a clearer picture, making the platform more helpful in reducing the impact of turbulence. In 2024, participating airlines generated a total of 51.8 million turbulence reports, a significant increase of 35% from 2023, which will be very beneficial in reducing the damage caused by turbulence." The platform currently includes 28 airlines sharing reports from over 2,700 aircraft. Once the platform compiles the data, it delivers real-time turbulence information to pilots through images, enabling them to make timely route adjustments and avoid affected areas. EVA Air will initially deploy a total of 33 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to participate in collecting and reporting data. IATA is a non-governmental organization that represents the global airline industry. It has approximately 350 airline members, accounting for more than 80% of global air transport volume, and EVA Air is a proud member. The association aims to support several aviation activities and assist in formulating key aviation industry policies. About EVA Air: A Star Alliance member, EVA Air was founded in 1989 as Taiwan's first privately owned international airline. It is an affiliated company of global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of more than 80 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to around 60 international destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Travelers can learn more about EVA and schedules, book, and buy tickets at www.evaair.com. SOURCE EVA Airways Corporation Vietnamese youths thrilled by study tour in China 08:01, June 03, 2025 By Cheng Si ( China Daily Chinese and Vietnamese youths walk past a statue of Ho Chi Minh, the late Vietnamese leader, on the campus of Guangxi University in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on May 18. (Zou Hong/China Daily) Stunned by a futuristic drone performance above the gate tower of an ancient town in Chongzuo, a city in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Nguyen Anh Thu from Vietnam said she now has a fresh understanding of China's traditional culture and cutting-edge technology. The 18-year-old added that she hopes to become a messenger of friendship between the two countries. Thu was among the 75 Vietnamese youth representatives who recently completed a weeklong educational study tour in Guangxi, which shares a border with Vietnam, and neighboring Guangdong province. The study tour, which began in mid-May, was part of a project jointly organized by the Communist Youth League of China Central Committee and Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. As part of the project, young representatives from Vietnam will be invited to visit China's "Red tourism" sites locations with historical and cultural significance for the Communist Party of China from 2025 to 2027. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Vietnam diplomatic relations and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Thu, who is a freshman studying international economics in Vietnam, said that it was her first visit to China, though she had heard about the ancient civilization since childhood. She said she was touched by the stories of China-Vietnam friendship that she learned at the "Red tourism" sites, and was amazed by the magnificent natural scenery in China. In particular, she mentioned the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall a China-Vietnam cross-border tourism cooperation zone in Chongzuo. "Today, China is one of the world's strongest countries, and I'm very honored to see its modernization and traditional culture with my own eyes," Thu said. "I felt at home in Chongzuo, as the natural scenery and food there have similarities with Vietnam." 'Impressive' infrastructure Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, 35, who works at a construction company in Vietnam, said he was impressed by China's modern infrastructure. "I knew that China has a very advanced infrastructure system from watching television, but seeing and experiencing a real bullet train during the study tour was more impressive and amazing." He noted that Vietnam is developing its own high-speed rail network, and the study tour provided a good opportunity to see and learn about China's experience in running a fast and safe high-speed rail service. A big fan of China's e-commerce, he praised the quality of the clothes and shoes that he buys on Chinese websites. "I hope I get more chances to be involved in such study tours to China and hope for more cooperation between my company and Chinese companies," he said, adding that he has often thought of learning Mandarin, but his busy work schedule is a deterrent. Closer people-to-people communication and economic cooperation between China and Vietnam in recent years have not only given young Vietnamese a favorable impression of China, but have also inspired more young Chinese to seek a career in cross-border tourism, e-commerce, and culture-related industries. Data from Vietnam Customs shows that China has become the Southeast Asian country's leading trade partner. Bilateral trade reached a record high of $260.6 billion in 2024, according to Chinese customs. Lu Yutong, who is studying Vietnamese at Guangxi Minzu University in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, joined the study tour as a Chinese youth representative. The 20-year-old said she was impressed by the kindness of the Vietnamese people during her exchange study period in the nation's capital, Hanoi, from September to January. "I have a very good impression of Hanoi, which boasts a modern downtown and kind, considerate people," Lu said. "I remember that I got very sick one night during my stay there, and a Vietnamese girl in a neighboring dormitory took me to a hospital and cared for me the whole night. It really touched me. 'More job opportunities' "The more I've learned about Vietnam, the clearer I am about my future career. China and Vietnam have deepened cooperation in many sectors over the years. Artificial intelligence technology, for instance, will help create more job opportunities for people like me who wish to engage in cross-border cultural communication," she said. Apart from Chongzuo, the youth representatives visited cities such as Nanning and Guilin in Guangxi as well as Guangzhou, Guangdong province, getting a close-up view of China's traditional culture and modernization in new energy research and cross-border e-commerce. "I will share my experience with my parents and friends in Vietnam," said Thu. "I will definitely make another trip to China if I get a chance in the future." (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Iconic Adventure and Apparel Brand Heads up the Coast with New Huntington Beach Location SAN DIEGO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyday California, a San Diego-born ocean adventure and lifestyle brand, is stoked to open the doors to its second location: Everyday California Huntington Beach. The 2,200-square-foot shop blends everything the brand is known forepic water adventures, a laid-back atmosphere and sustainably made gearinto one retail spot just steps from the sand. Everyday California Huntington Beach sits on a private beach in Huntington Harbour with direct access to the unique network of canals. The shop offers everything needed for a beautiful day on the water, including one- and two-person kayaks, stand up paddleboards, paddles, surfboards and lifejackets. Water adventurers can enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding in the calm waters in the harbor and may have the chance to spot dolphins, seals and birds. Those looking to rent a surfboard and hit the water in Surf City can head to the nearby Sunset Beach for mellow waves. More experienced surfers can take a quick drive to Bolsa Chica and the Huntington Beach Pier for faster breaks. The brand's signature adventure-ready apparel for men, women and children will also be sold at the new Huntington Beach shop. Developed for the on-the-go beach lover, the functional and stylish line ranges from UPF sand resistant hoodies, floating and moisture wicking hats, versatile joggers and more. "When we set out nearly fifteen years ago with a couple of kayaks in the back of a truck and a dream, we never imagined Everyday California would grow into what it is today," said Chris Lynch, CEO and founder of Everyday California. "Opening our new Huntington Beach shop is more than just a new chapter, it's a celebration of how far we've come and a chance to bring our love for the ocean and outdoors to an even wider community." As grateful stewards of the ocean, Everyday California is proud to partner with 1% For The Planet. A portion of every purchase made at its flagship shop, Huntington Beach shop and online store is donated to organizations like Greenwave, a non-profit dedicated to training and supporting regenerative ocean kelp farmers, to foster a blue-green economy and combat climate change. Everyday California Huntington Beach is now open. The shop is located at 16910 Pacific Coast Hwy, Sunset Beach, CA 90742. To learn more about Everyday California, visit www.everydaycalifornia.com. About Everyday California Everyday California is an ocean adventure and lifestyle brand that is committed to making fun happen, creating cool products, and using business to protect the environment. The company specializes in eco-friendly excursions and surf-inspired apparel and accessories. Everyday California's adventure business includes guided kayak tours, surf lessons, and ocean equipment rentals. Its apparel business caters to men, women, and kids, with products sold in both Southern California stores, online, and in select retailers. For more information, visit www.everydaycalifornia.com. SOURCE Everyday California FSC Names The Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology FARMINGDALE, N.Y., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmingdale State College (FSC), the largest technology college in the State University of New York (SUNY), has announced a $5 million commitment by alumnus, engineer, and entrepreneur, Murray Pasternack '60 to support scholarships and programs in engineering technology. The largest gift to Farmingdale State College, and among the largest gifts ever received by one of the SUNY technology colleges, directly aligns with Governor Hochul's Workforce Development agenda to educate and prepare students to meet the industry needs in fields like computing, electrical engineering, technology, renewable energy, and software engineering, including encouraging women in STEM. The gift will fund a minimum of 56 students each year with four-year scholarships across all 15 majors in the School of Engineering Technology, in addition to student programming, mentorship, co-curricular resources, and experiences to attract, retain, and empower students who are less likely to pursue careers in computing, engineering, and technology. $5M to fund scholarships for students less likely to pursue careers in computing, engineering, and technology. Post this In recognition of this historic gift, his ongoing support of the College and students, and his all-time giving to academic programming campus-wide, FSC has named its engineering technology school in his honor, now known as The Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology, approved today by the SUNY Board of Trustees. "Mr. Pasternack has been a longtime friend of Farmingdale State College, a donor who continues to recognize the remarkable potential of our students and the impact they will have on the region," said Robert S. Prezant, PhD, President of FSC. "This historic gift will support students who might otherwise have struggled to find essential resources and will be reflected in the important contributions our students will make in an array of engineering and technology fields." Pasternack draws on his experience of working while earning his associate's degree in electrical technology at FSC in 1960. "I know first-hand the effects and the trade-offs of trying to earn a living and getting an education at the same time and greatly appreciate an education that leads to a productive future," said Pasternack. "My hope is that this gift will allow engineering students the opportunity to concentrate more on their education and less on earning money to pay for it." Pasternack, who founded Pasternack Enterprises as a radio frequency engineer, is the largest individual donor to the College, in both a single largest gift and in total giving. He has donated a total of $8.2 million in personal philanthropy in the last four years. Recent impacts of Pasternack's generosity across campus include the student-managed investment fund, state-of-the-art trading room in the School of Business in 2024, and the radio frequency and microwave technology lab in Lupton Hall in 2023, in addition to funding the launch of the Honors Program at FSC in 2022. "This investment is so much more than an act of givingit's a tremendous statement of confidence in Engineering at Farmingdale State College and represents Murray's legacy that we will proudly steward," said Matthew Colson, vice president for development and alumni engagement at FSC. "Our gratitude to Murray extends beyond the depth of his generosity; we are inspired by his commitment to his alma mater, and by his desire to lift others up to reach their fullest potential." Students can apply for the Murray Pasternack scholarship in engineering upon their acceptance into an engineering program at Farmingdale State College. For more information, visit FSC's Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology. Farmingdale Website News & Media Center About Farmingdale State College Farmingdale State College offers 47-degree programs focused on emerging, high-demand, and relevant careers to help prepare the next generation of leaders in technology, engineering, business, healthcare, science and the arts. With more than 10,000 students, FSC is SUNY's largest college of applied science and technology. About 80% of FSC students are employed six months after graduation or enrolled in graduate school, and 62% graduate debt-free. Our engaging student experience, highly inclusive campus and sustained commitment to accessibility, affordability, and student support, help make FSC one of the best values in higher education. Media Contact: Chris Maio Chief Marketing & Communications Officer [email protected] 934-420-2400 SOURCE Farmingdale State College BOSTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and David McCormick (R-PA) embodied bipartisanship today at the most recent installment of The Senate Project series at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. During a wide-ranging and collegial 35-minute discussion in the Institute's full-sized replica of the US Senate Chamber, the Senators touched on and mostly agreed on a host of national and international issues. Moderated by FOX News anchor Shannon Bream, the event was the sixth installment of The Senate Project, a joint initiative by the Kennedy Institute and the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation of Utah sponsored by FOX News Media. The event further solidified the Kennedy Institute, with its mission to foster bipartisanship, as the premier forum for cross-aisle discussions about pressing national issues. The discussion also gave Fetterman the opportunity, in the wake of recent media coverage questioning his fitness to hold office, to display his engagement, focus, and cogency. Through a series of questions ranging from anti-semitism on American campuses, to Israel's right to defend itself and the threat posed by Iran, to Pennsylvania's steel industry and President Trump's economic bill, Fetterman revealed a bipartisan streak and deep grasp of policy details. Fetterman acknowledged that his support of efforts to secure the border and of Israel have hurt his standing among some Democrats and left-leaning media. He said those positions are behind the "smear" leveled by critics who alleged he is not engaged in his job. "The more, I started to be following Israel or the border, and now, really refusing to vote to shut the government down, I've continued to get more and more kinds of incoming (criticism)," he said. "So the more left kind of media continues to have these kinds of attacks, and it's just part of a smear and that's just not accurate. I'm here. I'm doing that job I've always been there." "I'll take the beating, because that's I think what defines leadership," Fetterman said. The Senate Project series brings together sitting US Senators from opposing parties for civil dialogue about current political issues, with the goal of identifying solutions and bridging partisan divides. The series reflects the bipartisanship embodied by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and the shared mission of the Kennedy Institute and Hatch Foundation to advance cooperation between members of both major parties. "The Senate Project continues to play an important role facilitating dialogue between Democrat and Republican Senators who might not otherwise have the opportunity to discuss and debate critical matters of the day," Kennedy Institute Chairman Bruce Percelay said. "Today's event demonstrates the importance of bipartisan dialogue and we look forward to expanding our role as a convener of leaders from both parties." Hatch Foundation Executive Director Matt Sandgren added, "Senator Hatch believed the Senate was at its best when disagreement was met with respect and conviction was tempered by civility. The Senate Project continues to prove that principle can thrive even in these divided times. We're grateful to FOX News for extending the conversation beyond the chamber, and to Senators Fetterman and McCormick for showing that serious, respectful debate still has a place in American politics." Fetterman and McCormick agreed on several issues, including: The need for sanctions against Russia ; ; Stronger border security; The dismantling of Iran's nuclear program; and nuclear program; and Provisions in Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel negotiated by the Trump Administration that made the purchase more palatable to the US steel industry. McCormick noted that Republicans have "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to enact their agenda with control of the White House and both legislative bodies. That agenda, he said, must center on tax cuts, a stronger national defense, and showing "we can begin to reduce the cost of government." He noted the House's recent passage of President Trump's economic bill and predicted the Senate will try to make further spending cuts in its version. For his part, Fetterman said he supports parts of Trump's "big, beautiful bill," but does not support cuts to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP. FOX News' Bream opened the discussion by referencing Sunday's alleged hate crime in Colorado directed against participants in a pro-Israel rally. The discussion quickly turned to instances of antisemitism on US college campuses and other common spaces. "People follow me and scream 'free Palestine,' " Fetterman said. "The Jewish community is constantly under assault That's not free speech. Building tent cities on campus and terrorizing Jewish students, that's not free speech." McCormick agreed that the federal government is right to press universities to combat anti-Jewish attitudes. "We have to require that our institutions extricate themselves from antisemitism," he said. Both Senators credited Israel for degrading the military capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah and taking actions to counter Iran's efforts to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons. They also concurred on the need for stiff sanctions against Russia for its continued aggression against Ukraine. "When I grew up, Russia was always the Evil Empire and that hasn't changed," Fetterman said. He added that the triumvirate of Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which is facing its own existential threat from China "stand for global democracy. And that's always going to be the side where I'm going to remain." The Senators said they have built a great relationship as they represent what Fetterman called one of the "most purple" states in the country. "The same people that elected me elected him for the most part. We've got a lot of overlap," Senator McCormick said, saying both of them care deeply about Pennsylvania and the country. Previous Senate Project installments at the Kennedy Institute have featured Senators Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, and Bernie Sanders, the liberal Vermont Independent; Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire, and Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa; and Marco Rubio, then a Republican Senator from Florida, and Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware. -30- Media contact: David Procopio Regan Communications [email protected] (617) 488-2886 SOURCE Edward M Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC), a leading global agricultural sciences company, today announced a strategic agreement with Corteva Agriscience that will expand FMC's fluindapyr fungicide technology in the U.S. corn and soybean markets. The collaboration between the two agricultural companies will enable more U.S. growers to combat challenging foliar diseases, such as tar spot and southern rust, with this novel fungicide active ingredient. Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will market fluindapyr-based fungicide products to U.S. corn and soybean growers. FMC will continue to offer Adastrio fungicide while developing new fungicide products containing fluindapyr. Corteva Agriscience will launch a fluindapyr-based product at the beginning of the 2026 growing season, pending Environmental Protection Agency registration. "This strategic agreement will introduce FMC's innovative fluindapyr technology into a broader segment of the U.S. corn and soybean markets, which represent roughly 95 million and 80 million planted acres, respectively," said Ronaldo Pereira, FMC president. "By partnering with Corteva, we're providing more growers with access to the advanced tools they need to effectively combat costly and challenging diseases, helping them protect yield potential and maximize their return on investment." Fluindapyr, the active ingredient in Adastrio fungicide, provides extended residual control and effectively manages pathogens that have developed resistance to other fungicide classes, making it an essential component in a comprehensive resistance management strategy. Fluindapyr is classified by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) as a Group 7 fungicide. "One of our goals is to make sure farmers have what they need to grow and harvest a successful crop," said Jeremy Dirks, president, Corteva North America. "With the novel active ingredient, fluindapyr, we can provide growers with an additional effective disease management tool that complements the other fungicides in our portfolio." FMC has commercialized products containing fluindapyr in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, South Korea, and the United States. Pending regulatory decisions, FMC anticipates launching fluindapyr-based products in Chile, Honduras, India, and Ukraine. For more information about Adastrio fungicide, visit ag.fmc.com/adastrio-fungicide. About FMC FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population while adapting to a changing environment. FMC's innovative crop protection solutions including biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture enable growers and crop advisers to address their toughest challenges economically while protecting the environment. FMC is committed to discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet. Visit fmc.com to learn more and follow us on LinkedIn. Adastrio is a trademark of FMC Corporation and/or an affiliate. Always read and follow all label directions, restrictions and precautions for use. Products listed here may not be registered for sale or use in all states, countries or jurisdictions. Statement under the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: FMC and its representatives may from time to time make written or oral statements that are "forward-looking" and provide other than historical information, including statements contained in this press release, in FMC's other filings with the SEC, and in presentations, reports or letters to FMC stockholders. In some cases, FMC has identified these forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as "outlook", "will likely result," "is confident that," "expect," "expects," "should," "could," "may," "will continue to," "believe," "believes," "anticipates," "predicts," "forecasts," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "intends" or similar expressions identifying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the negative of those words or phrases. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for the company based on currently available information. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. These statements are qualified by reference to the risk factors included in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the "2024 Form 10-K"), the section captioned "Forward-Looking Information" in Part II of the 2024 Form 10-K and to similar risk factors and cautionary statements in all other reports and forms filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the above cautionary statement. We specifically decline to undertake any obligation, and specifically disclaims any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements that have been made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, except as may be required by law. SOURCE FMC Corporation YIWU, China, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seventeen global e-commerce giantsincluding Amazon, TikTok, SHEIN, TEMU, RedNote, and Alibabagathered in Yiwu, the renowned "World's Supermarket," to launch a major initiative focused on co-creating a dynamic digital trade ecosystem. Held by Chinagoods.com, under the theme "Converging in Yiwu, Shaping the Future," the event brought together over 600 Yiwu-based merchants and global industry leaders, reaching more than 200,000 participants through both online and offline channels. Global E-commerce Giants Converge in Yiwu to Unlock the New Dividends of Made-in-China At a time marked by rising trade tensions and fragmented consumer demands, Yiwu is leveraging China's supply chain to provide overseas buyers with new growth engines and offer consumers reliable access to a high-quality and cost-effective life. Global Buyers: Leveraging Yiwu's Supply Chain to Activate Three Key Growth Drivers Influencer Economy Fuels Viral Product Breakthroughs "One TikTok video boosted my pet supplies orders by 200%," shared a Yiwu merchant during the forum. By tapping into the traffic ecosystems of platforms like TikTok and RedNote's , overseas buyers can rapidly scale viral products. TikTok's Southeast Asia "direct shipping without warehousing" model allows merchants to test products with zero-inventory, converting localized short-video engagement directly into sales. Meanwhile, SHEIN's flexible supply chain enables buyers to swiftly respond to social media trends and update product listings through a "small orders, quick response" model, helping to minimize trial-and-error costs. Digitizing Traditional Channels to Boost Operational Efficiency For buyers who rely on offline channels, Yiwu is enhanceing service capabilities through digital tools. Amazon's "Multi-Channel Fulfillment" integrates global inventory, allowing merchants to sync products across independent websites, physical stores and other sales channels with a single click. In Russia , Wildberries has established 58,000 pickup points, helping achieve localized fulfillment, shorten delivery times, and reduce return rates. A German home goods buyer noted, "Through Yiwu's digital platforms, my order processing efficiency has increased by 40% and logistics costs have dropped by 15%." Expanding Local E-Commerce Operations to Strengthen Supply Chain Assurance Amid emerging market opportunities, Yiwu's overseas warehouse network and AI-powered tools have become the foundation for asset-light global expansion. Yiwu has established smart warehouses in locations such as Dubai and Mexico , supporting order splitting and multi-country customs clearanceeffectively mitigating policy risks. Latin American e-commerce giant Mercadolibre presented a case at the event: guided by platform data, a Yiwu-based tool manufacturer developed a high-precision screwdriver tailored for Brazil market The product was priced at three times the local average, and achieved over $100,000+ in sales within the first-month. "The agility of the Yiwu supply chain gives us the confidence to explore high-margin niche markets," emphasized a senior executive from MercadoLibre. Global Consumers: A Beacon of Affordability Amid Trade Tensions Broad Product Range and Unbeatable Value to Meet Diverse Needs "The storage boxes I bought on TEMU cost only one-third of what I'd pay at my local supermarketand the quality was surprisingly good!" shared a U.S. consumer on social media. With access to Yiwu's 2.1 million product SKUs, global consumers are able to meet their everyday needs at significantly lower costsfrom customized African homeware to trendy European accessories and affordable Southeast Asian cosmetics. Yiwu-made products are rapidly entering global markets via platforms like TEMU and Shopee. TEMU's viral "slash-a-price" referral model further empowers consumers in lower-tier markets to enjoy the full benefits of unbeatable value. Efficient Logistics and Hassle-Free After-Sales Service Redefine the Consumer Experience Logistics disruptions triggered by trade tensions once undermined cross-border shopping experiencesbut Yiwu's fulfillment network is now turning the tide. Through its "small orders, quick response" model, SHEIN has achieved 7-day delivery to European and North American markets. RedNote leverages multilingual AI tools to automatically generate product content tailored to local cultures, reducing communication gaps and mismatched expectations.In Russia , Wildberries has launched a "pick-up and inspect before return" service, allowing customers to check items on-site, resulting in a 15% drop in return rates. "Now, receiving products from Yiwu is just as fast as buying from local e-commerce platformsand returns are easier too," shared a French user. Localized Adaptation and Cultural Resonance Deepen Consumer Trust The flexible nature of Yiwu's supply chain allows it to swiftly respond to the personalized needs of regional markets. According to data from the Egatee platform, African buyers are using AI-powered matching tools to source cosmetics and stationery aligned with local aestheticsleading to a 30% increase in repeat purchases. Meanwhile, TikTok's Southeast Asia team is helping merchants create culturally tailored short videos, doubling product click-through rates. "Made in China is no longer just about low pricesit's now the preferred choice that fits our lifestyle perfectly," commented a consumer from Indonesia . Co-Building the Ecosystem: From China's Shelves to Global Solutions Yiwu's breakthrough lies not only in product export but also in providing systematic capabilities for global trade. The "Digital Brain," developed jointly by Alibaba Cloud and Yiwu, analyzes global consumer trends in real time to help merchants dynamically adjust production capacity. Platforms like DHgate and Baidu's procurement service offer buyers bestseller prediction tools to reduce product selection risks. Walmart integrates financial and logistics service providers to launch a one-stop overseas expansion solution, enabling small and medium-sized buyers to enter global markets effortlessly. Even more transformative is the reshaping of brand value. The "Yiwu Selection" concept stores, launched as branded overseas outlets, achieved sales exceeding RMB 120 million within five hours at their flagship store. Featuring curated categories such as accessories, home goods, and beauty products, these stores break the stereotype of Yiwu as a low-cost dumping ground. "In the past, customers only asked about price. Now, they care more about quality assurance and exclusive designs," said a merchant participating in the brand program. Looking Ahead: A New Era of Certainty in Global Trade "Let his strength be but the wind that sweeps over the mountains." This saying from a Yiwu merchant perfectly captures the current state of global trade. In October, the Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center will officially launch, further integrating AI-driven product selection, smart warehousing, and omnichannel resources to seamlessly connect the China's supply chain with global demand. For overseas buyers, Yiwu serves as a powerful growth acceleratorleveraging influencer-driven marketing, digital tools, and localized services to unlock new opportunities. For consumers, it is a reliable gateway to better livingoffering high value, efficient fulfillment, and culturally tailored products that enhance the shopping experience. As uncertainty continues to global trade, Yiwu's evolving digital ecosystem is delivering something increasingly rare: a dependable answer in uncertain times. SOURCE Chinagoods.com Liquidity to drive growth and market expansion WESTPORT, Conn., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Rock Capital, an asset-focused commercial finance company specializing in middle market lending, today announced that it closed a $75 million senior secured credit facility for Pacific Ag, North America's largest crop residue harvesting and supply company. For nearly 30 years, Pacific Ag has been a trusted partner to the agriculture sector, recognized for its reliability, quality assurance, and consistent supply of crop residue & forage products and services. The new capital refinanced the company's existing senior debt, supported a strategic acquisition, and will provide Pacific Ag with additional liquidity to support their growing platform. The bespoke debt facility includes a revolver, a term loan, and a delayed draw term loan. "Pacific Ag has pioneered large scale harvest and supply of crop residue in North America, providing additional income for growers and innovative feedstock solutions for its end-use markets," said Bill Levy, Founder and CEO of Pacific Ag. "Today, with the support of Great Rock Capital's credit facility, we streamlined support for operations, expanded our footprint and service offerings, and are well-positioned to capitalize on the growth opportunities that lie ahead." "Great Rock is pleased to provide this successful company with new growth capital to execute on their strategic initiatives," said Stuart Armstrong, CEO of Great Rock Capital. "We look forward to working with this best-in-class management team, as they expand their industry footprint and continue to provide superior feedstock solutions to their customers." About Great Rock Capital Great Rock Capital is an asset-focused commercial finance company that specializes in serving the needs of middle market companies across the United States and Canada. The Company provides fast, flexible, and creative financing solutions that maximize liquidity and provide growth capital. The senior secured credit facilities offered by the firm range in size from $15MM to $150MM and include working capital, term-heavy, and term-only loan structures not provided by traditional commercial lenders. The firm has significant capital commitments from its partners, a private equity business and a large institutional investor. To learn more, visit www.greatrockcapital.com. About Pacific Ag Pacific Ag is North America's largest harvester and marketer of crop residue, operating the largest harvest fleet globally. Working with 1,000's of growers, Pacific Ag has harvest operations in or ships product to 27 US States and 2 Canadian Provinces. For more than 27 years, Pacific Ag has been committed to pioneering solutions that create value and sustainability through agriculture, while strengthening rural economies. To learn more, visit www.pacificag.com. Great Rock Capital Contact: Jenn Cronin Managing Director, Marketing and Business Development (203) 557- 6277 [email protected] SOURCE Great Rock Capital This licensing partnership brings an established global product line to French contractors. COON RAPIDS, Minn. and PROVINS, France,, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Precast Forte Group and the Saint-Leonard Materiaux (SLM) division of Groupe Saint-Leonard (GSL) today announced a strategic partnership to bring the innovative EV Blocks precast foundation for electric vehicle chargers to the French market. This universal, ready-to-install solution is already delivering improved project margins and future-proofing infrastructure in markets worldwide. The Precast Forte Group currently licenses EV Blocks and other precast products across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The Precast Forte Group brings licensed precast innovations to installers through a global network of suppliers SLM, a division of GSL, is a well-established provider of concrete precast products in France, with in-house civil engineering and logistics capabilities to support a wide range of customer needs. Its growth strategy focuses on developing complementary solutions that accelerate progress toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Romain Collignon, Director of SLM, views EV Blocks as a key component of his strategy related to the rapid growth of French EV charging point installations which are expected to triple, while advancing the country's decarbonization goals as well. Precast products have already proven successful for SLM, widely recognized in France as efficient in both resource use and labor, and endorsed by the International Federation for Structural Concrete. "With the surge in demand for EV charging infrastructure, there's a major opportunity to provide the foundational elements that support that growth.It seems that the timing to introduce this product is right," says Collignon. While GSL currently licenses other products, this marks its first international partnership. US-based Forte will support the rollout of the EV Blocks product in France, providing localized marketing support, an online presence, and translated technical and installation documentation. "The Forte team continues to see strong global interest in the EV Blocks line," says Mike Klotthor, President of Forte. "France's commitment to net-zero and its embrace of the benefits of precast construction signals a strong market fit. We're excited to support Romain and the GSL team as they introduce this efficient, sustainable solution to French contractors." About The Precast Forte Group Forte is based in Coon Rapids, MN and stems from precast modular block licensor, Recon Wall Systems, Inc., founded in 2000. Forte's mission is to lead the precast concrete industry in commerce and partnership through licensing, innovation, promotion, and education; serving licensees and consumers. Learn more at www.precastforte.com. Contact: Erin Kelly Tel.: 612.963.7908 Email: [email protected] Website: www.precastforte.com SOURCE The Precast Forte Group Data & Marketing teams can now unite within Snowflake, leveraging OpenAI to activate Growth Agents and drive compounding growth SAN FRANCISCO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GrowthLoop today announced at Snowflake's annual user conference, Snowflake Summit 2025 , a deeper integration with Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company, to leverage Snowflake Cortex AI , Snowflake's fully managed suite of AI services, to power its newly launched Compound Marketing Engine . Leveraging Cortex AI, GrowthLoop is bringing agentic AI marketing capabilities directly into Snowflake. As a result, marketing teams can now drive rapidly compounding growth powered by their cloud data without moving data or compromising governance. With Snowflake's newly announced support for Azure OpenAI models , GrowthLoop users can collaborate with a series of AI Growth Agents to generate audiences, suggest journeys, and orchestrate omnichannel campaigns in real timeall from within the enterprise data cloud. "With Snowflake Cortex AI, our goal is to make AI easy, efficient, and trusted for every enterprise using Snowflake," said David Wells, Industry Principal, AdTech and MarTech at Snowflake. "The GrowthLoop Compound Marketing Engine is a prime example of how our joint customers can activate their data with AI agents, directly from the Snowflake platformturning data into outcomes in a faster, more efficient, and more responsible manner." The integration marks a major step forward for data leaders looking to bring marketing into the same secure, governed, and unified data environment powering the rest of the business. By enabling marketing execution powered by Snowflake data, without laborious ETL pipeline setup and data mapping exercises, organizations unlock the compounding impact of rapid experimentation, personalization, and AI-powered orchestrationwithout data duplication or unnecessary complexity. "Data teams shouldn't have to choose between control and impact," said Chris O'Neill, CEO of GrowthLoop. "Through our strengthened partnership with Snowflake, we can unlock the full potential of first-party data and AI - empowering marketing teams to move faster, test more, and drive compounding business growth, all from within Snowflake." Key Benefits for Data Teams: Snowflake-Native Activation: Build, analyze, and launch campaigns based on your highest quality data stored in Snowflake via GrowthLoop's Snowflake Native App on Snowflake Marketplace . Build, analyze, and launch campaigns based on your highest quality data stored in Snowflake via GrowthLoop's Snowflake Native App on . Secure LLM Integration: Enable marketing to activate Audience and Journey Agents via natural language prompts in AI Studio; powered by Cortex AI, all while staying within the Snowflake security boundary. Enable marketing to activate Audience and Journey Agents via natural language prompts in AI Studio; powered by Cortex AI, all while staying within the Snowflake security boundary. Unified Governance: Maintain a single source of truth with enterprise-grade access control, security, and privacy. Maintain a single source of truth with enterprise-grade access control, security, and privacy. Frictionless Collaboration: Give marketers access to data and AI without the need to write code. This integration signals a joint commitment to enabling the future of the marketing data stack where ease, efficiency, and trust are no longer trade-offs, but standard operating procedure. To learn more or see a live demo, visit GrowthLoop.com/Snowflake or visit the GrowthLoop booth at Snowflake Summit, June 2-5, in San Francisco. About GrowthLoop GrowthLoop is a Compound Marketing Engine that drives compound growth by accelerating the marketing cycle, using agentic AI powered by your enterprise cloud data. Growth Agents propose audiences and journeys, and activate campaigns across channels, streamlining execution and continuously analyzing performance data to make suggestions for campaign optimization. Recognized by G2 as a Momentum Leader & Best ROI for Enterprise, thousands of marketers at enterprises like Google, Indeed, and Express rely on GrowthLoop to grow faster with agentic AI, drive measurable campaign results, and maximize marketing ROIcompounding results with every experiment, iteration, and campaign. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE GrowthLoop MAPLE GROVE, Minn., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanson Builders, a leading Minnesota home construction company, held a Floor Signing Event for its St. Jude Dream Home Showplace on June 2, 2025. This event saw representatives from Hanson Builders, their trade partners, and sponsors write messages of hope and encouragement on the subfloor surface before the installation of the final flooring. It was an inspiring and joyful time for all those involved with the project as they look forward to the home's completion. Someone signs the subfloor of the St. Jude Dream Home Showplace. JD Hanson speaks to attendees at the Floor Signing Event for the St. Jude Dream Home Showplace. This stunning new home in Maple Grove's sought-after Evanswood neighborhood isn't just a residenceit's a beacon of hope. Built entirely to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, its eventual sale will directly contribute vital funds to the life-saving mission of St. Jude: Finding Cures. Saving Children. A Mission of Hope The construction of this St. Jude Dream Home Showplace demonstrates Hanson Builders' commitment to creating a positive impact in the community. Net proceeds from the sale of the home will be donated to St. Jude to support their mission of fighting childhood cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. St. Jude relies on donations such as these to ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on helping their child live. Timely Progress Hanson Builders broke ground on the home in November 2024 and has made steady progress in the months that have followed. The home has been designed and built with Hanson Builders' signature craftsmanship and sustainable building practices, with intention and care given to every detail. It is set for completion by end of June 2025. Join the Fight Against Childhood Cancer The St. Jude Dream Home Showplace will be open to the public for viewing during the Fall 2025 Parade of Homes as a Dream Home. Hanson Builders invites prospective homeowners to tour the home during this time and experience its beautiful design and innovative features. Those who purchase the property will acquire an outstanding home and contribute to the important mission of St. Jude. Community members can also support St. Jude through direct donations, volunteering, and spreading the word about their mission. Learn more about the St. Jude Dream Home Showplace and how you can make a difference at stjude.org/mplsshowplace. About Hanson Builders Hanson Builders has been designing and building award-winning custom homes throughout Minnesota for over 45 years. We are a family-owned and operated company that prioritizes uncompromising quality, a truly personal experience, and complete transparency throughout the building process. Learn more about Hanson Builders at hansonbuilders.com. About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness, and support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org. Media Contact: Luke Hanson 763-360-9942 [email protected] SOURCE Hanson Builders Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform One Block delivers performance, uptime and efficiency to drive DestekBank's retail banking growth and digital transformation ISTANBUL and SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced that DestekBank has deployed its Virtual Storage Platform One Block (VSP One Block) to support the bank's expansion into retail banking and strengthen digital service delivery. The new infrastructure provides the performance and scalability DestekBank needs to meet growing customer demand and fuel future growth, while designed to deliver 99.999% system uptime. For more information about VSP One, please visit our website: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/products/storage-platforms/data-platform DestekBank, one of Turkey's youngest and fastest-growing financial institutions, needed to scale its infrastructure to support thousands of new retail customers and a sharp rise in digital transactions. However, aging, siloed systems were increasing operational complexity and limiting performance. To support its retail banking expansion, DestekBank deployed Hitachi Vantara's VSP One Block, combining high-speed Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) architecture and adaptive data reduction to deliver fast, efficient performance. With centralized management through Hitachi Ops Center, the bank has simplified daily operations and can now scale services more easily. The platform also offers a 100% data availability guarantee to maintain continuous access to critical services and includes a three-data-center setup that ensures continuous availability and streamlines disaster recovery. "In a competitive market, dependable infrastructure is the cornerstone of our business," said Kemal Ozcan, Deputy CEO and CTO at DestekBank. "With a fast, scalable storage platform from Hitachi Vantara, we are able to provide uninterrupted banking services, optimal performance, and seamless customer experiences. Our three-data-center setup makes it easy to meet recovery objectives and regularly test our disaster recovery capabilities. With better performance, simplified operations and headroom to grow, we're well prepared for the next phase of our digital expansion." Since deploying VSP One Block, DestekBank has achieved a 35% increase in application performance, a 25% decrease in data center energy consumption, and a 30% reduction in storage management workload, freeing up IT resources to focus on more strategic priorities. With a 4:1 data reduction ratio, the bank has significantly optimized storage efficiency and lowered total cost of ownership by approximately 20%. DestekBank expects a full return on investment within 18 months of implementation. VSP One Block's scalability and high availability provide DestekBank with the agility to adapt as digital banking needs evolve. The infrastructure enables the bank to easily expand services, deliver seamless experiences and maintain consistent performance as customer demand grows. "Banks like DestekBank are transforming quickly to meet the demands of an always-on, digital-first world," said Asli Arisal, Turkey Country Manager, Hitachi Vantara. "With VSP One Block, we're helping customers modernize operations, simplify complexity and scale with greater confidence. DestekBank's success shows how the right infrastructure not only powers better performance today but also creates a foundation for sustainable growth and future innovation." To learn more about Hitachi Vantara's storage solutions, please visit: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/products/storage-platforms. Additional Resources Connect With Hitachi Vantara About Hitachi Vantara Hitachi Vantara is transforming the way data fuels innovation. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Vantara provides the data foundation the world's leading innovators rely on. Through data storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital expertise, the company helps customers build the foundation for sustainable business growth. To learn more, visit www.hitachivantara.com. About Hitachi, Ltd. Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT(Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com. HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners. SOURCE Hitachi Vantara Ukraine, Russia make modest progress in Istanbul peace talks, agree on largest prisoner swap Xinhua) 08:12, June 03, 2025 Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (C) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. 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. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) 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. The second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is held in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. Ukrainian and Russian delegations resumed peace negotiations on Monday in Istanbul, aiming to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, television footage showed. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye/Handout via Xinhua) 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. Members of the Russian delegation enter the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. Ukrainian and Russian delegations resumed peace negotiations on Monday in Istanbul. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) 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. Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky (1st R) speaks to the press in Istanbul, Turkiye, June 2, 2025. 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. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) 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." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) CHICAGO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Speaker of the Illinois House Emanuel "Chris" Welch is bringing back his annual "Equality & Pride 365" Pride Month event featuring legendary entertainers from The Baton Show Lounge. The event will celebrate the Speaker and House Democrats' continuous fight for freedom, expression, equality, and inclusion. The event will be held on the Godfrey Hotel Rooftop on Tuesday, June 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/equalitypride2025. Attendees can also RSVP by emailing [email protected]. "This Pride Month is perhaps the most important since the historic start of my speakership," said Welch. "With our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors becoming increasingly concerned with the actions being taken in Washington, it's vital for us to continue to loudly and proudly celebrate Pride. I am as thrilled as ever for my annual Equality & Pride 365 event. I encourage those celebrating their Pride and allies alike to attend." The event will be held on the Godfrey Hotel Rooftop on Tuesday, June 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. In addition to incredible city views, the event will welcome a legendary DJ, Legendary Host Victoria Le Paige, and the best of the best in the art of female impersonation. The event also plans to honor Jim Flint, founder of the Baton and the man who helped shape the direction of gay rights across the country. With the IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge providing incredible views of the city, this fundraiser has become one of the best political events of the summer. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/equalitypride2025 . Attendees can also RSVP by emailing [email protected] . This event is closed to the press. About Speaker Welch and Democrats for the Illinois House: Democrats for the Illinois House (DIH) is the official political arm of the Illinois House Democratic Caucus. We support Democrats for the Illinois House in fighting for equality, justice, and opportunity for all. Under the leadership of House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, DIH is dedicated to promoting the excellent work of the caucus, protecting incumbents, winning competitive races, and serving Illinoisans with integrity. The Illinois House Democratic Caucus is one of the most diverse in the nation. DIH is committed to creating an environment across the state that is inclusive and welcoming to all people. SOURCE The People for Emanuel Chris Welch DUBAI, UAE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Huda Beauty, the globally renowned beauty brand, proudly announces that it has reclaimed full ownership as an independent brand following the conclusion of its eight-year partnership with TSG Consumer Partners ("TSG Consumer"). In 2017, TSG Consumer acquired a minority stake in the company. Now, in 2025, Huda Kattan, Founder and Co-CEO of Huda Beauty, has officially bought back her equity, regaining full control of the brand. HUDA BEAUTY RECLAIMS FULL OWNERSHIP AS AN INDEPENDENT BEAUTY BRAND HUDA BEAUTY RECLAIMS FULL OWNERSHIP AS AN INDEPENDENT BEAUTY BRAND With this move, Huda Beauty is a fully independent company, becoming one of the rare founder-fully-owned brands in the beauty space. This milestone marks a powerful new chapter for the brand, reinforcing its dedication to innovation, authenticity, and a deeply engaged community, while reaffirming its commitment to a founder-led vision. Huda Beauty is more than just a makeup brand, it's a movement rooted in self-expression, empowerment, and authenticity. Built on the belief that 'Beauty is Self-Made,' the brand continues to champion individuality with a focus on inspiring and supporting its global community. "Taking back full ownership of Huda Beauty is a deeply very important moment for me," said Huda Kattan. "It says that while many of us dreamers have visions that we are told are too big or not possible to do alone, in actuality, you have all the power you need to change the world yourself! This brand was built on passion, creativity, and a desire to challenge the beauty industry. As we step into this new chapter, I'm more committed than ever to pushing boundaries, staying true to our roots, and showing up for our incredible community every step of the way." Since its inception, Huda Beauty has revolutionized the beauty space, blending artistry with innovation to create a brand that resonates globally. With Huda Kattan now at the helm as the sole owner, and her husband, Christopher Goncalo, serving alongside her as Co-CEO, and her sister, Alya Kattan leading their Social Strategy, the company looks forward to an exciting future of bold product launches, deeper community engagement, and continued industry disruption. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698978/HudaKattan1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698979/HudaKattan2.jpg SOURCE Huda Beauty LOS ANGELES, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The organizers of the Surviving Mold-CIRSx Conference 2025 is happy to announce Dr. Dale Bredesen as its keynote speaker, set to be held on June 6-8, 2025 at the Omni Tempe, located on the campus of Arizonia State University. He is an internationally-recognized expert in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. He believes that the disease is not only preventable but reversible! He will address the topic of "A Unifying Theory of Neurodegeneration: The Roles of Environmental Exposure," discussing a direct link to mold exposure and Alzheimer's disease. More of his research on this topic can be found in his New York Times Best Seller, "The End of Alzheimer's." Dr. Scott McMahon of Whole World Health Care is happy to announce the annual Surviving Mold-CIRSx Conference 2025, set to be held on June 6-8, 2025 at the Omni Tempe in Tempe, Arizona. Co-founded by Dr. McMahon, the international conference will bring together hundreds of physicians, medical practitioners, attorneys, and other professionals to discuss Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) that is, mold illness and exposure. The international conference will bring together hundreds of health professionals, lawyers and legal experts, environmentalists, patients and survivors to discuss the latest science and research related to Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) that is, mold illness and exposure -- which debilitates the health of millions each year. CIRS is a multisystem illness affecting many areas of the body. Every year, mold exposure affects the health of millions of Americans kids, teens and adults -- with symptoms that include chronic fatigue and pain, watery eyes, headaches, respiratory issues, brain fog, irritability and sleep problems just to name a few. Oftentimes, these symptoms can often lead to patients being misdiagnosed for other disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic regional pain syndrome and many other illnesses. "The Surviving Mold-CIRSx Conference brings together some of the world's top experts who will be teaching and presenting from the basic sciences to the most cutting-edge mold discoveries. This conference is the best place to meet practitioners in diverse fields and join the CIRS family," said Dr. McMahon, one of the co-founders of CIRSx, which hosts the annual conference. A pediatrician and medical expert, specializing in the field of CIRS in kids and adults, Dr. McMahon is considered one of the top CIRS specialists in the world. Throughout his career, he's evaluated approximately 2,000 patients for CIRS from 48 states and 21 countries. And he's been involved in more than 100 disability, workers compensation and personal injury cases, testifying in 10 states as well as Canada, England and the Bahamas. Dr. McMahon was recently tapped at the medical director of MoldCo, the first digital health platform dedicated to treating mold toxicity. During the conference, Dr. McMahon will speak on the topic, "Using Data to Restore Truth in the Courtroom," Plus, Dr. McMahon's mentor, Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, THE pioneer and global expert on CIRS, will discuss a topic, which hits close to home that is, "Brain Injury in CIRS: From Specific Causation to a Unique Transcriptomic Fingerprint in Parkinson's Disease." In addition, the conference will also offer 18.75 of Continuing Medical Education (CME) to its attendees. This conference has been approved by My CE Course for 18.75 hours credit in Category 1 of the Physician's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the My CE Course (MyCE) through the joint providership of MyCE and The Learning Center. MyCE is accredited to provide continuing medical education for physicians, physician assistants and nurses. Other highlights of the conference include ED Talks, presented by its sponsors Air Oasis, MoldCo and Alovea. These brands will delve into the critical role it plays in the CIRS community in shaping consumer perception, establishing consumer confidence and driving business success. These talks will take attendees behind each of the brands' logo and tagline to share its mission, values and unique story of the company. Ariana Thacker, founder and CEO of MoldCo, will share her own journey in battling mold toxicity. For more information about the conference, visit CIRSx.com. ABOUT CIRSx, hosts of the Surviving Mold-CIRSx Conference 2025 CIRSx.com is the leading resource in treating, educating and serving those with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). Every year, hundreds of health professionals, lawyers and legal experts, environmentalists, patients and CIRS survivors gather at an annual conference, hosted by CIRSx to discuss the latest science and research on CIRS and other inflammatory illnesses. At the forefront of health innovation, CIRSx is dedicated to creating and refining standards that stay on the cutting edge of treating CIRS, using an evidence-based approach. Its mission is to transform multiple industries, revolutionizing their approaches toward CIRS and other environmentally-related health challenges. The heart of CIRSx is the compassionate healers and dedicated helpers. These professionals are not just experts in their field, but are also deeply committed to providing personalized care and support to those affected by CIRS. For more information about the conference, visit CIRSx.com. ABOUT SCOTT MCMAHON | pediatrician, medical expert and co-founder of CIRSx Dr. McMahon is one of the leading voices on advancing the science to treat, educate and serve those suffering with CIRS. He received his medical degree from Creighton University and completed his pediatric residency at Duke University Medical Center. He has published over a dozen peer-reviewed papers on mold illness and is a recognized expert witness in mold-related court cases across the United States, Canada, Europe and the Bahamas. Dr. McMahon is also the host of MEDICINE AND MIRACLES, which integrates medical expertise with spiritual healing and offers a unique look at health and recovery through a faith-based perspective. MEDICINE AND MIRACLES can be found on digital platforms, including Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio and Amazon Podcast. Learn more at medicineandmiracles.co. He resides in Roswell, New Mexico, with his wife Mary and a blended family of eight children. SOURCE Dr. Scott McMahon of Whole World Health Care May total sales increased 8% Hyundai hits major milestone with 17 million vehicles sold in the U.S. IONIQ 9 sales begin with one of the first in the country delivered in Georgia Venue, Elantra N, Santa Fe, Tucson , IONIQ 6 and Palisade hit May total sales records FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America reported May total sales of 84,521 units, an 8% increase compared with May 2024. Total sales records in May were set for Venue (+74%), Elantra N (+141%), Santa Fe (+0.3%), IONIQ 6 (+9%), Tucson (+15%) and Palisade (+10%). May total sales of hybrid vehicles jumped 5%. This was the best May ever for hybrid and total electrified sales. "Retail sales held steady this month, and that consistency reflects the strength of our lineup and the trust customers continue to place in the Hyundai brand," said Randy Parker, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. "The delivery of our first IONIQ 9 marks a powerful step forward in Hyundai's EV journey at our Georgia Metaplant. We're not just meeting demand; we're shaping the future of electrification in the U.S." Marking a significant milestone in its U.S. journey, in May the Hyundai brand surpassed 17 million vehicles sold since entering the U.S. market in 1986, a powerful reflection of nearly four decades of growth, resilience, and connection with American drivers. In Hyundai's diverse lineup, six models, Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, Accent, and Excel, have each sold over one million units, with the Elantra standing as the brand's all-time best-seller. This milestone underscores Hyundai's position as a major force in the U.S. auto industry and sets the stage for continued success in the years ahead. May Total Sales Summary May-25 May-24 % Chg 2025 YTD 2024 YTD % Chg Hyundai 84,521 78,485 +8 % 369,578 331,892 +11 % May Product and Corporate Activities Model Total Sales Vehicles May-25 May-24 % Chg 2025 YTD 2024 YTD % Chg Elantra 15,741 13,311 +18 % 62,356 50,273 +24 % Ioniq 5 3,898 4,449 -12 % 15,920 14,973 +6 % Ioniq 6 1,197 1,099 +9 % 5,621 5,998 -6 % Ioniq 9 302 0 - 302 0 - Kona 7,779 8,308 -6 % 32,711 39,635 -17 % Nexo 0 6 -100 % 1 70 -99 % Palisade 11,207 10,147 +10 % 47,944 44,544 +8 % Santa Cruz 3,031 3,603 -16 % 12,173 14,976 -19 % Santa Fe 11,030 10,997 +0 % 54,848 46,819 +17 % Sonata 6,082 6,700 -9 % 27,891 25,212 +11 % Tucson 19,905 17,371 +15 % 96,932 78,565 +23 % Venue 4,349 2,494 +74 % 12,879 10,827 +19 % Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a published economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok SOURCE Hyundai Motor America The EU-funded project will host a special symposium and will display the work done to develop a suite of thematic digital twins to empower sustainable oceans and societal resilience. BRUSSELS, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The EU-funded Iliad Project, which develops Digital Twins of the Ocean (DTOs) to support sustainable management of Europe's seas, will host its final event, the Iliad Symposium, as part of the OCEANS 2025 Conference from Monday, 16 June to Thursday, 19 June 2025, in Brest, France. The Iliad Symposium is offering a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking within the marine and oceanographic research community. Participants can expect engaging presentations, discussions, and six dedicated sessions within the main Technical Program of OCEANS 2025, where Iliad's latest results and innovations will be showcased. The Iliad Symposium will kick off with a dedicated joint workshop in collaboration with Blue-Cloud 2026 on 16 June 2025. This workshop will demonstrate how virtual ocean models can benefit a wide range of sectors by providing interactive, data-driven simulations of marine environments. It will offer hands-on demonstrations and collaborative sessions focused on practical applications and digital infrastructure. The event will provide a collaborative platform to showcase tools, services, and technologies shaping the future of ocean observation and digital innovation. It will feature two main tracks: a solution-oriented demonstration track showcasing real-world use cases, and a technical services track focusing on the technological infrastructure behind interoperable digital solutions. Joint sessions will foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and shared insights. "OCEANS 2025 with the joint workshop, technical sessions, and our shared booth with Blue-Cloud 2026, provides Iliad with an excellent opportunity to present our federated and open approach to building digital twins," said Charalampos (Babis) Ipektsidis, member of the Iliad Coordination Team at Netcompany-Intrasoft. "We are proud to demonstrate the remarkable progress our partners have made in developing tools that bring together Earth observation data, models, and digital platforms to deliver actionable marine insights, and ensure the long-term health of our oceans." In addition to the joint Iliad and Blue-Cloud 2026 workshop, both projects will host a booth with demonstrations and opportunities for networking among researchers, industry, policymakers, and the public. The Iliad General Assembly, held during the last day of OCEANS 2025 week, will mark the official conclusion of the project at the end of July and foster discussion on the future of digital ocean technologies for society. About Iliad Iliad is an EU-funded project which aims to develop and launch a virtual model of the ocean that will provide highly accurate predictions of future developments at global seas. The Iliad Project, brings together 54 partners from 18 different countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, has been awarded 17 million the funding as part of the EU 1 billion European Green Deal. For more information https://www.ocean-twin.eu/ To see the full workshop agenda click here Contact Persons Charalampos (Babis) Ipektsidis Email: [email protected] Phone: +30 210 6876400. Konstantina Papachristopoulou Email: [email protected] Phone: +30 210 6876400. SOURCE Iliad Project COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Belushi's Farm, the acclaimed cannabis brand founded by advocate Jim Belushi, has officially partnered with Wondergrove ( Bloom's house brand ) to bring its signature strains to Ohio for the first time. United by a shared commitment to quality, education, and sustainability, Belushi's Farm and Wondergrove are cultivating premium flower in an environment specifically designed to grow clean, consistent, and craft-quality cannabis. "Belushi's journey into cannabis mirrors the evolution of Ohio's medical marketa story rooted in purpose, and personal transformation," said Nicole Stark, CEO of Bloom. "There's a common thread in our values and approach, which makes Belushi's Farm a natural fit within the Bloom family." Belushi's Farm Genetics Now Available in Ohio! Bloom Cannabis Dispensaries are proud to welcome Belushi's Farm strains to their shelvescelebrated for their rich terpene profiles, premium quality, and commitment to craftsmanship. Grown using sustainable and innovative cultivation practices, these strains are carefully nurtured to bring out the very best in every plant. "Wondergrove is the perfect partner," said Jim Belushi, Founder of Belushi's Farm. "They share our passion for growing clean, craft-quality cannabis with heart. I only trust my strains to those with green thumbs and great vibes, and Wondergrove has both. They're Ohio's finest. My mom is from Akron! When I was a kid I went there every summer for vacation and Akron, Ohio, was my Disneyland. I love Ohio, and had a wonderful time meeting the Bloom community and spending time with the team." Belushi's Farm products are currently available at all Bloom Cannabis Dispensaries in Columbus, Akron, Painesville Township, and Seven Mile, with plans to expand across the state at many state approved dispensaries in the coming weeks. About Belushi's Farm: What began with just 48 plants during Oregon's medical marijuana program in 2015 has grown into Belushi's Farma 93-acre property along the Rogue River in Southern Oregon's Banana Belt. The region's ideal climate, with its abundant sunshine, clean water, and fresh air, provides the perfect environment for cultivating premium cannabis. Today, Belushi's Farm offers a curated line of thoughtfully grown cannabis products under the Belushi's Farm brand. Led by Jim Belushi, the farm reflects a passion for the plant, a commitment to craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the cannabis community. Jim is also a vocal advocate for cannabis reform and serves as an ambassador for the Last Prisoner Project, working to raise awareness around criminal justice reform within the cannabis industry. https://www.belushisfarm.com Belushi's Farm Media Contact Zoe Wilder [email protected] About Bloom Cannabis Bloom Cannabis Dispensaries is an Ohio-based, family-founded dispensary committed to making cannabis accessible, personal, and done right. With a focus on education, high-quality products, and exceptional service, Bloom creates a welcoming experience for both medical and adult-use customers. From exclusive brands to thoughtful community engagement, Bloom is where cannabis meets care. For more information, visit www.bloomohio.com . Press inquiries: [email protected] SOURCE Bloom Cannabis JERICHO, N.Y., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting firm J.S. Held proudly announces the appointment of intellectual property (IP) expert James E. Malackowski as the first Chief Intellectual Property Officer (CIPO) of a global consulting company. J.S. Held Chief Executive Officer Lee Spirer observes, "In today's knowledge-based economy, the role of CIPO serves an important strategic and operational role both internally and in support of clients." Protecting J.S. Held Intellectual Property and Other Intangible Assets J.S. Held proprietary study of the MSCI World Mid-Cap companies documents $8.3 trillion intangible asset market value. Post this James E. Malackowski has been appointed as J.S. Helds Chief Intellectual Property Officer (CIPO). Having a CIPO brings dedicated IP leadership to the firm, serving a vital strategic and operational roleboth internally and in support of our clients. As Intangible assets represent 72% of the MSCI World Mid-Cap market value, exceeding $8.3 trillion USD, the addition of a CIPO underscores a commitment to innovation, value creation, and the management of IP and other intangible assets. J.S. Held Intangible Asset Market Value Study of MSCI World Mid-Cap Companies J.S. Held experts have developed methodologies, frameworks, proprietary tools, and research that support client work. The CIPO partners across the business to ensure that these intangible assets are identified, protected, and leveraged to benefit the business. "Having dedicated IP leadership will help the company move faster in developing and deploying new methodologies, while ensuring reasonable measures of protecting our innovations," noted James E. Malackowski. Managing J.S. Held Intellectual Property and Other Intangible Assets J.S. Held maintains a robust portfolio of patents including a "System and Method for Financing an Insurance Transaction", trademarks, data, trade secrets, and other proprietary technologies that support client work. "As CIPO, I intend to partner with company leadership and our professional experts across the globe to manage and monetize the many patent, trademark, data, and other proprietary assets that set J.S. Held apart among our competitors, benefitting clients and our investors," added James E. Malackowski. Industry's Most Comprehensive Global Intellectual Property Consulting Group Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held, is rooted in an expansive understanding of intellectual property (IP) value and risk, providing a foundation of Expertise for the Innovation Economy. Built upon more than three decades of experience assessing IP in the most rigorous of venues - state, federal, and international courts, Ocean Tomo clients benefit from continuous feedback between litigation economic damage outcomes, transaction pricing, capital market valuations, debt financing terms, equity assessments, and deep technical insight. The team possesses the most comprehensive and market-tested understanding of IP value. Financial, market, and technical experts uniquely understand the contributory value of patented inventions, know-how, brands, and copyrights that permeate every business, viewing IP not simply as an isolated asset, but as an integral component of enterprise value. Multidimensional Intellectual Property-Informed Experts Benefit J.S. Held Clients Intellectual property expertise permeates the global organization. Beyond the expertise within J.S. Held's dedicated IP practice Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held, multidisciplinary experts across J.S. Held combine intellectual property expertise to core specializations, including: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Business Intelligence Construction Advisory Enterprise Risk Management Fraud Investigations Investigations Forensic Accounting Insurance Claims Consulting Restructuring, Turnaround, Receivership, and Bankruptcy J.S. Held Intangible Asset Market Value Study of MSCI World Mid-Cap Companies Building upon the important Intangible Asset Market Value Study created by Ocean Tomo and accessed on more than 150,000 occasions, J.S. Held releases the study of the MSCI World Mid-Cap companies. As shown in the graph, intangible assets now command 72% of the MSCI World Mid-Cap market value. As of 2025, the intangible asset market value of the MSCI Mid-Cap World Index companies exceeds $8.3 trillion USD. Tangible and Intangible Asset Value Understanding The depth and breadth of J.S. Held's work in the property and casualty insurance market and Ocean Tomo's work across all forms of intellectual property and other intangible assets uniquely combine to create a strong foundation in risk assessment, data analysis, global awareness, regulatory compliance, technological adaptability, and risk mitigation. Collectively, these skills better equip J.S. Held experts to assess business risk across diverse geographies, geopolitical landscapes, regulatory frameworks, and technological advancements for the benefit of our clients. Learn more about the new J.S. Held Chief Intellectual Property Officer, James E. Malackowski. About J.S. Held J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations. More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 84% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 75% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (90% of the NAIC top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 71% of the Fortune 100 Companies. Verdantix, in their Green Quadrant: Enterprise Risk Management Consulting Services (2025) report, benchmarks 15 of the most prominent enterprise risk management (ERM) advisors, identifying global consulting firm J.S. Held among the leading companies based on capabilities and momentum J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB or Ocean Tomo Investments, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved. Find your expert. Contact Kristi L. Stathis | Global Public Relations | +1 786 833 4864 | [email protected] SOURCE J.S. Held NEW YORK, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kensington Vanguard National Land Services ("KV"), one of the largest independent, full-service national title insurance agencies in the country, announces that Roger B. Saylor, Esq. has joined KV as Vice President of National Commercial Business Development and will lead the company's Michigan operations based in Detroit. Saylor has extensive experience in the commercial title insurance industry, working closely with developers, lawyers, lenders and brokers. Additionally, Zack Marco, has recently joined the office as National Senior Commercial Underwriting Counsel. "I am excited to join the Kensington Vanguard National Land Services team to build the Michigan presence. We will focus on delivering the highest title and escrow services to the entire Michigan commercial real estate marketplace. With our robust resources and national reach, I also look forward to servicing Michigan-based clientele across the country," Saylor said. Brian Cooper, KV Co-CEO said, "We've had tremendous growth in the Midwest over the last couple of years. This expansion, with Roger in a leadership role, is highly complementary with our existing presence in the region." In recent years, KV's Midwest division has expanded to include Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and now Michigan. Kensington Vanguard National Land Services operates three divisions: The Commercial Division handles the largest and most complex commercial real estate transactions in the marketplace, servicing a prominent and diversified clientele consisting of leading property owners, developers, REITs, private equity groups, law firms, private investors and institutional lenders. The Residential Division provides title insurance and settlement services on residential purchases and refinances referred by realtors, attorneys and both regional and national mortgage originators. Approved as a preferred vendor for leading financial institutions, this division's technology and operating model drive the highest quality execution and service. The 1031 Exchange Services Division, through wholly owned subsidiary Legal 1031 Exchange Services, employs a team of seasoned experts, attorneys and Certified Exchange Specialists providing clients and their advisors with IRC 1031 qualified intermediary services enabling them to defer capital gains tax they would otherwise realize upon the sale of investment properties. About Kensington Vanguard National Land Services Kensington Vanguard National Land Services, LLC, headquartered in New York City with offices in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, is one of the largest fullservice national title insurance and settlement agencies in the United States. Founded in 2002, Kensington Vanguard serves as agent to the nation's leading title insurance underwriters. Kensington Vanguard's client base is a highly diversified mix of law firms, investors, developers, operators, opportunity funds, commercial lenders, family offices, realtors and regional and national residential lenders. The company is part of CRC Group, one of North America's largest independent wholesale specialty insurance distributors, delivering the broadest range of insurance solutions available in the marketplace today. For more information, visit www.kvnational.com Media Contact: Joseph Losos [email protected] SOURCE Kensington Vanguard National Land Services The breakfast brand's latest innovations bring all-new protein-packed snack and breakfast options to consumers nationwide PARK CITY, Utah, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kodiak, the breakfast brand known for its protein-packed, whole-grain products, today announced the launch of two new innovations: Trail Bars and Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches. These launches mark an exciting expansion of Kodiak's portfolio with Trail Bars joining the brand's growing line of nutritious on-the-go snacks, and Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches, an all-new category for the brand. Protein-packed and crafted with 100% whole grains, these products are made with real ingredients, delivering both nutrition and satisfaction in every bite. Kodiak Breakfast Sandwiches and Trail Bars "Kodiak has always been about fueling adventure with real, nourishing food that tastes great and powers your day," said Valerie Oswalt, CEO of Kodiak. "With the introduction of our Trail Bars and Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches, we're not just expanding our product offerings we're meeting our consumers where they are, whether they're hitting the trail, racing through a busy morning, or needing a hearty, satisfying bite on the go." The Trail Bars are available in two flavors, Cranberry Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Almond. Crafted with quality ingredients like 100% real chocolate and wholesome nuts, seeds, and fruit, each bar is packed with 7g of protein and is a good source of fiber. The chewy, sweet-and-salty combo is a convenient snack for those always on the move and the perfect companion for epic adventures ahead. Kodiak's premium Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches deliver a hearty, protein-packed start to the day with a wilder twist - maple flapjacks replace the expected bread for a bold, flavorful upgrade. Consumers can choose from the Sausage and Cheddar Sandwich made with savory sausage, egg, and a real slice of mild cheddar cheese or the Bacon and Colby Jack Sandwich with uncured bacon, egg, and real colby jack cheese. With 100% whole grains and an impressive 20g of protein, it's a nutritious and satisfying breakfast option for even the grizzliest-sized appetites. Plus, the sandwiches have no added nitrates or nitrites. Simply heat in the microwave and indulge in a sandwich that's ready in minutes. It's an epic breakfast made for wilder days. This latest innovation follows the launch of Protein-Packed Granola, another new category for Kodiak, reflecting the brand's long-term commitment to innovation and evolving with consumers' needs and active lifestyles. By bringing the brand's core values 100% whole grains, real ingredients, protein packed, and hearty nutrition into the frozen aisle and on-the-go snack space, Kodiak continues to lead the charge in making better-for-you foods more accessible without sacrificing flavor or convenience. The Trail Bars and Breakfast Sandwiches are available now at major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Publix. Trail Bars are also available online at Walmart, Kroger, KodiakCakes.com, and more for quick and easy delivery. For more information visit KodiakCakes.com or follow the brand on social @kodiakcakes. About Kodiak On a mission to "Feed Epic Days and Wilder Lives," Kodiak inspires people to live wilder, wide-open lives by feeding epic days through real breakfasts. Mountain raised among the Wasatch Mountains of Park City, UT, Kodiak strives to make breakfast un-boring outfitting everyone who is hungry to get out and expand the day's range with delicious, filling, whole grain greatness while nourishing the land, lives and wildlife that sustain us. For over 30 years, Kodiak has created real, protein-packed breakfasts with honest and carefully selected ingredients, with no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. For more information about Kodiak, please visit www.kodiakcakes.com or follow the adventure on Instagram @KodiakCakes Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Kodiak Kytopen appoints new board of directors as part of its commercial expansion of the Flowfect Tx GMP cellular engineering platform. Industry veteran Henry Hebel joins Kytopen's board bringing operational expertise from Aldevron. Joe Gentile , recognized life sciences leader and former board observer, elected Chairman of the Board. CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kytopen Corp., a leader in providing non-viral, continuous flow cellular engineering technologies today announced the appointment of Henry Hebel and Joe Gentile to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Joe Gentile, previously a board observer, has been named Chairman of the Board. These appointments mark a key milestone in Kytopen's strategic growth, as the company scales the Flowfect Tx GMP platform to deliver on its mission to transform how cell therapies are manufactured maximizing yields, delivering hundreds of billions of healthy, engineered cells in minutes. Henry Hebel brings a wealth of operational and leadership experience to the board. He most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at Aldevron, a leading provider of plasmid DNA and other biological products and has deep roots in the life sciences industry. His deep operational knowledge in the life sciences space will help guide Kytopen through its next phase of growth. Joe Gentile, who has held executive and board-level positions for over 30 years across the medical device, diagnostics, and life science tools sectors, steps into the Chairman role to help guide Kytopen's continued commercial expansion and operational execution. In his new capacity as Board Chair, Joe will help steer Kytopen's strategic direction and oversee continued operational excellence. "Joe and Henry are visionary leaders who will support us in keeping a laser focus on results while pushing the boundaries of innovation to deliver on the promise of our continuous flow technology," said Michael Chiu, CEO of Kytopen "Their industry expertise is invaluable as we navigate this exciting period of growth and transformation." "I am thrilled to join the board and look forward to working with the talented team at Kytopen to drive the company's future success," said Henry Hebel. "I am especially excited about the promise of the Flowfect technology to accelerate the discovery, development, and manufacture of advanced engineered cell therapies." "I am honored to take on the role as Chairman of the Board and to support Kytopen's bright future," added Joe Gentile. "Our focus on operational excellence and commercial expansion will be central to delivering on the promise of our platform. I also want to thank the former board members for their leadership and partnership during this transition." Kytopen's leadership expansion, along with its continued innovation through the proprietary Flowfect technology, reinforces the company's dedication to advancing engineered cell therapy workflows and improving access to potentially life-saving treatments. For further information: Kytopen: Investor Contact: Michael Chiu PhD., CEO [email protected] Business and Corporate Development Contact: Kevin Gutshall, CCO [email protected] About Kytopen: The innovative leader in non-viral, continuous flow cellular engineering technologies, Kytopen, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is transforming how cell therapies are manufactured by maximizing yields, delivering hundreds of billions of engineered cells in minutes faster than any other technology and thereby accelerating the discovery, development, and manufacture of advanced engineered cell therapies. Its Flowfect cellular engineering technology is highly tunable, gentle on cells, and has demonstrated performance across a range of cell types, payloads, and therapeutic applications. Kytopen has recently disclosed strategic partnerships with industry-leading biotechnology companies, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and cell therapy-focused medical centers. Kytopen continues to engage strategic partners and is committed to enabling their partners' success by providing innovative technology and developing close collaborative relationships to bring lifesaving, next generation cell therapies to patients worldwide. www.kytopen.com SOURCE Kytopen Military working dogs in training China Military Online) 09:15, June 03, 2025 A soldier assigned to the 1st Mobile Corps of the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force and his military working dog salute to each other during a training exercise on May 22, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Liao Naixing and Ti Zhangfeng) A soldier assigned to the 1st Mobile Corps of the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force commands his military working dog to jump over an obstacle during a training exercise on May 22, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Liao Naixing and Ti Zhangfeng) A soldier assigned to the 1st Mobile Corps of the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force commands his military working dog to jump through fire circles during a training exercise on May 22, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Liao Naixing and Ti Zhangfeng) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) MIAMI, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN and LEN.B), one of the nation's largest homebuilders, announced today that the Company will release earnings for the second quarter ended May 31, 2025 after the market closes on June 16, 2025. Additionally, the Company will host a conference call on June 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be broadcast live and can be accessed through Lennar's website at investors.lennar.com. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived at investors.lennar.com for 90 days. Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit www.lennar.com. Contact: Ian Frazer Investor Relations Lennar Corporation (305) 485-4129 SOURCE Lennar Corporation "There has never been a more important time to prove which implementations of AI technologies are the best, to help the United States stay ahead of the threats facing our nation and allies," said John Clark, Lockheed Martin's senior vice president of Technology and Strategic Innovation. "AI Fight Club uses advanced simulation and visualization to evaluate AI in realistic and complex scenarios that mimic the challenges of modern warfare. Teams with the best AI will battle each other to determine the most robust, reliable and effective models." A Proving Ground for the Best AI in the Nation AI Fight Club will use a synthetic environment developed by Lockheed Martin that simulates realistic scenarios across domains. This gives companies and teams of all sizes the opportunity to test their models in simulations that meet Department of Defense (DOD) qualifications. AI models will meet exacting DOD standards that are an integral part of the AI Fight Club proving ground, demonstrating the feasibility of the models for national security. Ultimately, events will bring together teams from across the industry and government experts to collaborate in a unique environment that fosters innovation, identifies vulnerabilities and informs the development of more advanced AI systems to benefit national security as a whole. How it works Teams of experts across industry will compete in head-to-head matchups. Government representatives will engage with the competitors as they demonstrate their capabilities. Organizers will select a scenario for each match that reflect realistic and complex military operations for the competitions, such as: Airborne operations in a contested environment Layered Homeland Defense Coastal defense against amphibious assault Space-based surveillance and reconnaissance Teams will submit their systems, which then will be evaluated in competitions on their performance in each scenario. Insights and lessons learned from the AI Fight Club will inform the development of future AI systems, push industry forward, and ensure American capabilities are optimized to support the unique needs of the warfighter and the Joint Force. Teams will have the opportunity to publish and present their research and results, showcasing their innovations and advancements in AI. What's next? Lockheed Martin is actively developing the virtual arena that will host the first AI Fight Club. The company expects to complete the simulation environment by the end of Q3 2025, with the first AI Fight Club competition scheduled for Q4 2025. Lockheed Martin is announcing AI Fight Club now to give interested teams time to refine their AI and put their best foot forward and take on challengers. Teams interested in competing can visit www.lockheedmartin.com/AIFightClub or email [email protected] for more information. About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at www.lockheedmartin.com . SOURCE Lockheed Martin IRVINE, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total May sales of 28,937 vehicles, a decrease of 18.6 percent compared to May 2024. Year-to-date sales totaled 176,913 vehicles sold; an increase of 6.1 percent compared to the same time last year. With 27 selling days in May, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 21.6 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. CPO sales totaled 6,782 vehicles in May, an increase of 1 percent compared to May 2024. May 2025 sales highlights include: Best-ever May sales of CX-70 with 1,065 vehicles sold. 2nd-best May CPO sales with 6,782 vehicles sold. Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported May sales of 7,946 vehicles, an increase of 15 percent compared to May last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 32,830 vehicles sold; an increase of 24 percent compared to the same time last year. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported May sales of 8,671 vehicles, an increase of 9 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 42,783 vehicles sold; an increase of 21 percent compared to the same time last year. About Mazda North American Operations Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com. Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Threads. Month-To-Date Year-To-Date May May YOY % % MTD May May YOY % % MTD 2025 2024 Change DSR 2025 2024 Change DSR Mazda3 2,453 2,658 (7.7) % (11.1) % 15,040 15,157 (0.8) % (0.8) % Mazda 3 Sdn 1,670 1,622 3.0 % (0.9) % 10753 8,586 25.2 % 25.2 % Mazda 3 HB 783 1,036 (24.4) % (27.2) % 4287 6,571 (34.8) % (34.8) % Mazda6 0 0 - - 0 0 - - MX-5 Miata 355 956 (62.9) % (64.2) % 3,528 3,228 9.3 % 9.3 % MX-5 193 468 (58.8) % (60.3) % 1761 1,293 36.2 % 36.2 % MXR 162 488 (66.8) % (68.0) % 1767 1,935 (8.7) % (8.7) % CX-3 - 0 - - - 0 - - CX-30 4,329 8,305 (47.9) % (49.8) % 31622 44,450 (28.9) % (28.9) % CX-5 9,501 12,600 (24.6) % (27.4) % 56501 58,094 (2.7) % (2.7) % CX-9 - 1 - - - 4 - - CX-50 TTL 7,188 6,307 14.0 % 9.7 % 38,243 27,399 39.6 % 39.6 % MX-30 0 0 - - - 0 - - CX-70 TTL 1,065 136 683.1 % 654.1 % 7378 181 3976.2 % - CX-90 TTL 4,046 4,599 (12.0) % (15.3) % 24601 18277 34.6 % 34.6 % CARS 2,808 3,614 (22.3) % (25.2) % 18,568 18,385 1.0 % 1.0 % TRUCKS 26,129 31,948 (18.2) % (21.2) % 158,345 148,405 6.7 % 6.7 % TOTAL 28,937 35,562 (18.6) % (21.6) % 176,913 166,790 6.1 % 6.1 % *Selling Days 27 26 128 128 SOURCE Mazda North American Operations AI-powered feature centralizes key guest insights in real-time, empowering hoteliers to deliver personalized service at scale NEW YORK and AMSTERDAM, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mews, the industry-leading hospitality cloud, has announced a major milestone in broadening hospitality teams leveraging AI in their day-to-day. AI Smart Tips is reshaping guest interactions by giving hotel staff easy access to a centralized summary of each guest's key information and preferences, available at every point of contact throughout the guest's stay. Mews AI Smart Tips are now viewed over 5 million times a week by hoteliers around the world, helping them to personalize the experience for their guests. Mews Smart Tips Gone are the days of sifting through scattered notes and CRM tabs. AI Smart Tips intelligently compiles and summarizes data such as reservation details, housekeeping notes, and past stay behavior, giving hotel teams an instant, actionable snapshot of each guest. Employees are now encouraged to take notes of anything that can be used to delight guests in the future. The result: faster insights, fewer missed opportunities, and consistently exceptional service. At Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba, a 49-room family-run oasis nestled in a former coconut plantation, AI Smart Tips has fundamentally changed how their team operates. "Our guest experience is our loyalty program. That's what our guests come back for," said Trisha Reinkemeyer, Assistant Hotel Manager at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba. "With AI Smart Tips, our staff sees everything they need in one blink of an eye. The bananas our housekeeping team noticed in a guest's room? The system remembered, so we made sure to leave bananas in their room during their next day. It's those small details that put a smile on their face." Boardwalk's team reads every Smart Tip, combining this insight with Guest Lifetime Value data to fine-tune service for their highly loyal clientele - some of whom have been returning for over 30 years. AI Smart Tips even inspired them to test a post-stay feedback tool to one that feeds directly into guest notes, knowing Mews will surface this valuable context when it matters most. For Robin Schluter, Owner at Auberge St Pol in Belgium, AI Smart Tips has transformed the guest welcome experience: "The AI Smart Tips feature in Mews has revolutionized how we greet returning guests, adding a personal touch to each interaction. The feature has streamlined our operations and enhanced our ability to deliver top-notch service to every guest." Designed for the Way Teams Work AI Smart Tips lives directly in the guest profile - one of the most frequently accessed areas of the PMS and in the Reservation calendar, making it a seamless addition to daily workflows. It's a major time-saver for busy teams, cutting down hours previously spent switching between systems and searching for relevant guest insights. By harnessing AI to centralize guest intelligence, Mews AI Smart Tips allows every team member, from front desk to housekeeping, to become a service expert with just a glance. About Mews Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering 12,500 Customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global Management to transform hospitality. https://www.mews.com/en Media Contact: Katie Halfhead 551 795 5950 [email protected] SOURCE Mews Frosted Fun Erupts at Interactive Pop-Up Adventures Where Kids Become Paleontologists and Cookies Become Imagination Stations PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mother's Cookies invites families to join in on the excitement as its first-ever chocolatey cookie, Dynamite Dinosaurs, stomps across the nation this summer. Parents and kids can enjoy quality time together at the brand's interactive Frostology Lab where engaging, hands-on activities spark imagination and create memorable moments centered around these delicious dinosaur-shaped treats. Frosted Fun Erupts at Interactive Pop-Up Adventures Where Kids Become Paleontologists and Cookies Become Imagination Stations Families will enter a dino-themed adventure land where they can put on their paleontology hats and explore eye-catching dino-ramas, a colossal coloring book, and so much more. At each pop-up, children will transform into "junior frostologists" with official lab coats, becoming dino explorers as they dig through spectacular sprinkles to find frosted fossils and sweet surprises. "Our Dynamite Dinosaurs cookies have transformed treat time into an adventure that kids love, and parents enjoy creating," said Rachna Patel, Vice President of Distinctive Brands Marketing at Ferrero. "These fun experiences make it easy for everyone to discover the joy in every bite and continue the prehistoric fun at home all summer long." Locations and Dates: New York, N.Y. : June 21 22 from 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. EST 9 West 8th Street, NY 10011 : 22 from Washington, D.C .: July 5 6 from 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. EST 507 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 .: 6 from Chicago, IL. : July 19 20 from 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. CST 1003 W. Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614 : 20 from * Additional markets and dates to be announced Guests can capture shareable photo opp moments with life-size frosted dinosaur cookie replicas during their visit. Each participant will also leave with Dynamite Dinosaurs Cookies and a custom activity book, while supplies last, extending the adventure long after the event ends. Beyond the Frostology Labs, families across select cities should keep their eyes peeled for surprise Dynamite Dinosaurs sampling popping up at popular local parks, family-friendly neighborhood attractions and select retailers throughout the summer. For more frosted fun inspiration and details on how to purchase Dynamite Dinosaurs Cookies, visit MothersCookies.com and follow Mother's Cookies on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest). About Mother's Cookies Since 1914, Mother's Cookies have been sparking celebrations and creating sweet moments of cookie joy. With its iconic fully frosted animal cookies covered in sprinkles, Mother's encourages parents and kids to take a step back from the daily grind and to live life playfully, or as Mother's puts it, Stop and Taste the Frosting. The Mother's portfolio includes Original Circus Animal Cookies, Mythical Creatures Cookies, Dynamite Dinosaurs Cookies as well as seasonal offerings like Puppy Love, Springtime Buddies, Summer Sidekicks, Eerie Critters and Reindeer Games Cookies. About Ferrero Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world's largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks including Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac and Ferrero Rocher. More than 47,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life's special moments. The Ferrero Group's family culture, now in its third generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate. Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and has grown to more than 5,400 employees in 15 plants and warehouses, and eight offices in North America across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. It has expanded its presence and portfolio with the addition of iconic brands such as Butterfinger, CRUNCH, Keebler, Famous Amos, Mother's Cookies and other distinctive cookie and chocolate brands. Follow @FerreroNACorp on Twitter and Instagram. www.ferreronorthamerica.com. Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE Ferrero North America "The Big, Beautiful Bill" Must Protect American Farmers, Protect Duty Drawback WASHINGTON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Representing 130,000 members, the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is calling on the U.S. Senate to protect all farmers, especially those who grow American tobacco, by removing the provision to repeal the duty drawback incentive for U.S. tobacco manufacturers from the budget reconciliation bill. NBFA "What logic suggests that 'making America great again' is achieved on the backs of American farmers? Growers in North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and across our nation will be jeopardized if the duty drawback incentive does not remain in place," said 4th-generation black farmer John Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the NBFA. "To some, the incentive may seem minor. However, to my members and growers across America, protecting the duty drawback is of great significance. On behalf of the National Black Farmers Association, I humbly plead that legislators do not jeopardize the current American agricultural economy nor the future generations of American farmers." Without the support of duty drawback, the outlook for U.S. tobacco exports becomes increasingly grim. Additionally, domestic tobacco consumption has steadily declined over the past decade, adversely affecting American tobacco farmers. Kimberly Foley, Executive Director of Tobacco Associates, recently wrote to Members of Congress: "Export growth is not just our future, it's our present. Duty drawback plays a quiet but essential role in keeping U.S. leaf attractive on the international stage." Duty drawbacks are not loopholesthey are essential safeguards. Removing them would reverse over 200 years of trade policy designed to support American exports and bolster domestic manufacturing. Drawbacks stimulate domestic manufacturing in the states and ensure that U.S. leaf tobacco remains competitive in the international marketplace. If legislators remove the drawback incentive, this would lead to a decrease in US-grown tobacco crops. "The announcement of this proposed repeal was yet another blow to our industry. American farmers are already in a state of emergency due to tariffs and cuts from USAID. Tobacco has historically been a vital "cash crop," providing the financial means for farmers to cultivate other crops, such as sweet potatoes and peanuts, and helping farm families sustain their livelihoods. Keeping the duty drawback incentive in place protects American tobacco growers and fulfills the Administration's promise to support, rather than punish, farmers," President Boyd emphasized. The current House version of the legislation removes the Duty Drawback provision specifically for tobacco companies while preserving it for all other industries. Eliminating this incentive for American tobacco manufacturers would severely impact the farming of American tobacco crops. About The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is a nonprofit organization representing African American farmers and their families in the United States. As an association, it serves tens of thousands of members across the nation. The NBFA's education and advocacy efforts have been focused on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, education, and agricultural training, as well as rural economic development for Black and other small farmers. For additional information, visit www.blackfarmers.org. MEDIA CONTACT: Ayona Anderson 469-834-9500 [email protected] SOURCE National Black Farmers Association Strong Workplace Culture and New Market Presence Highlight NFD's Commitment to Excellence BOCA RATON, Fla., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Floors Direct (NFD) continues to cement its status as an industry leader, earning accolades not only for its exceptional flooring installations but also for fostering one of the sector's most admired workplace cultures. Recent data reveals that 85% of NFD employees recommend the company as a great place to work, bolstered by a 4.3 out of 5 rating on Glassdoor. With an 85% positive business outlook, these metrics reflect a unified confidence in NFD's vision and trajectory. National Floors Direct NFD's success stems from its commitment to an empowering and supportive environment. Transparent leadership, open communication, and a focus on professional growth have cultivated a dynamic culture that drives innovation and upholds high service standards. This employee-centric approach directly enhances the experience of thousands of customers nationwide, reinforcing NFD's reputation for quality and reliability. Adding to its achievements, NFD proudly announces its expansion into South Floridaa strategic move into a thriving market. This milestone broadens NFD's reach, bringing its premium name-brand flooring products and signature next-day installation services to a new audience. Recognized nationally as a top installer of carpet, vinyl plank, and hardwood, NFD ensures every project reflects precision, care, and customer satisfaction. "Our team's dedication and our expansion into South Florida are testaments to our growth mindset," said Daniel Rosenberg, Chief Operating Officer at National Floors Direct. "We're thrilled to combine a top-tier workplace with new opportunities to serve customers with excellence." This dual focus on internal strength and market expansion positions NFD for continued success. The South Florida presence opens doors for business growth while maintaining the company's commitment to delivering transformative flooring solutions. Employees and customers alike contribute to a journey defined by resilience, innovation, and high standards. For more information on National Floors Direct's services and expansion, visit www.nationalfloorsdirect.com. About National Floors Direct Founded in 2005, National Floors Direct is a leading direct-to-consumer flooring provider with 12 locations across the U.S. Renowned for premium products, next-day installations, and a shop-at-home model, NFD delivers quality and convenience to customers nationwide. Media Contact: Kurt Lee Hurley Chief Marketing Officer National Floors Direct (888) 400-FLOOR, ext. 2453 [email protected] SOURCE National Floors Direct MIAMI, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Vehicle, a longtime digital brand in recreational sales, has officially expanded into the marine industry and selected Boats Group as its primary online marketplace provider. Boat listings from National Vehicle are featured on Boat Trader and boats.com, two of the most trusted and visited marine marketplaces in the U.S., giving sellers maximum exposure to motivated buyers. This expansion represents National Vehicle's entry into the boating market after more than two decades serving recreational sellers in the RV space. With strong demand among lifestyle-driven consumers who often own both RVs and boats, National Vehicle recognized the opportunity to help more individuals sell their boats and selected Boats Group to ensure those listings are seen by the largest audience possible. "We've built a trusted reputation helping recreational owners sell directly, and we're excited to bring that same energy to boating," said Kevin Tadlock, President of National Vehicle. "When it came time to select where our listings should go, it was an easy choice Boats Group runs the marketplaces that buyers trust and sellers need to succeed." By working with Boats Group, National Vehicle listings will gain access to a combined audience of millions of monthly shoppers across Boat Trader and boats.comthe industry's most advanced, AI-driven marketplaces. Sellers will also benefit from real-time performance insights, with detailed visibility into listing views, inquiries, and buyer interest, all powered by Boats Group's AI-driven platform technology designed to connect serious buyers with the right listings faster. "We're pleased to welcome National Vehicle as a new customer," said Andreas Madsen, Chief Revenue Officer at Boats Group. "Our focus is simple helping sellers succeed by delivering quality exposure and connecting them with serious buyers. National Vehicle's decision to work with us underscores the value our marketplaces bring to any business looking to drive results." National Vehicle's marine inventory is now live. As the business grows, the company will continue to engage its broad base of recreational enthusiasts, many of whom are active boaters, as it works to bring more high-quality listings into the market. About National Vehicle National Vehicle is a leading private-party marketing service that helps individuals sell their boats and RVs quickly and effectively. Our mission is to simplify the selling process, maximize exposure, and help owners get top value. We provide professionally crafted listings, nationwide advertising across top platforms, and personalized support from start to finish. With a focus on transparency, customer service, and proven results, National Vehicle is the trusted choice for private RV and boat sales across the U.S. About Boats Group Boats Group operates the world's most trusted and widely used online marketplaces for buying and selling boats, including Boat Trader, YachtWorld, and boats.com. For over 30 years, Boats Group has led the marine industry's transformation, consistently setting the standard for how boats are discovered, marketed, and sold online. Today, the company reaches more than 200 million boat shoppers annually and is powering the next generation of recreational boating commerce with AI-enabled tools, data-driven marketing solutions, financing services, and actionable insights. Backed by the largest inventory and audience in the industry, Boats Group helps OEMs, dealers, and brokers grow their business and connect with buyers more efficiently than any other source. Media Contact: Courtney Chalmers VP of Marketing, Boats Group Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-877-354-4069 SOURCE Boats Group, LLC CHAMBERY, France, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MND is the world leader in avalanche risk prevention and control. The company has just won new contracts in Canada, the United States, Chile, Argentina, and Norway. Full-scale projects on five continents MND OBellX units protects a route in Arnoya (Norway) Canada MND secures the access road to the Brucejack gold mine in British Columbia. The 76-kilometer Knipple Glacier road must remain accessible 24/7 in all weather conditions. MND installs a Gazex system to protect certain sections. The operator NEWMONT, through its distributor AVATEK, chose MND for the reliability and autonomy of the 13 Gazex, adapted to extreme environments. United States The California Department of Transportation in charge of the road network, has renewed its contract with MND for a further three years and the replacement of six Gazex systems in Tahoe Valley. Chile At the CODELCO Div.Los Bronces copper mine, MND is modernizing the communication systems of forty Gazex units. The system includes satellite connectivity with redundancy via 18 satellites, guaranteeing secure communication between the control bases and the SAFET-Cs web platform. An installation is also planned for the Coldelco Div.Andina mine, at an altitude of over 3,000 metres. Argentina At the Las Lenas ski resort (800 kilometers from Buenos Aires), MND is modernizing a Gazex installation at an altitude of 7,200 to 11,200 feet. Norway MND secures the trunk road on the island of Arnya with 24 removable O'BellX units, a radar and a weather station. This system protects a ski touring route. The contract covers operation and maintenance of the site for a renewable five-year period. More than 3,000 MND systems are installed in 22 countries, protecting industrial sites, railroads, roads, ski resorts and villages. The Chamonix valley is equipped to provide safe access to the Mont-Blanc tunnel. MND products are designed and assembled in France. Products are protected by numerous patents. MND is a French group specializing in rope access, snowmaking systems, mountain safety and thrill-seeking leisure infrastructures. With over 3,000 customers in 49 countries, MND's four core businesses contribute to mobility, leisure and safety with proven, sustainable solutions based on its mountain experience. MND is present in over 50 countries www.mnd.com Press contact Alexandre Berard +33 (0)645429546 [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2701072/MND_O_BellX.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698121/MND_logo.jpg SOURCE MND SAN MATEO, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Nav , the leading credit and financial health platform for small businesses, announced that the company has welcomed Doe Gregersen as its new in-house General Counsel. Today, Nav, the leading credit and financial health platform for small businesses, welcomed Doe Gregersen as its new in-house General Counsel. "As fintech is a regulatory and compliance minefield, it's imperative that we have someone like Doe working at Nav," shared Levi King, Nav CEO, Co-founder, and Chairman of the Board. "She has a proven track record of navigating complex negotiations and mitigating risk while simultaneously enhancing partnerships. Nav is entering a new, exciting phase in business and I have no doubt that Doe is the perfect individual to help us clear any upcoming legal hurdles and challenges that we may encounter." Gregersen has nearly 15 years of experience serving as in-house legal counsel. Most recently, Gregersen served as Head of Compliance and VP of Legal at Above Lending, a consumer lender, where she was essential in cross-functional partnerships related to product initiatives. Prior to that, Gregersen held senior legal roles at Digit and Landmark Credit Union. "I'm really looking forward to being part of the Nav team," shared Gregersen. "The company has been steadily building a legacy over the years and the partnerships that they've secured have been instrumental in Nav's success. The fintech and payments ecosystem is riddled with complexities, which makes Nav's success even more impressive. I'm looking forward to leveraging my expertise to help Nav continue to launch innovative products and partnerships over the coming years. It's going to be a lot of really hard, fun work." Since 2013, Nav has been on a mission to give every small business owner the chance to succeed, providing a dedicated space for building and managing business and personal credit, tracking cash flow patterns, and understanding financing options before filling out an application. As of today, more than 2.5 million small business owners have trusted Nav with improving their financial health. Gregersen received her Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School and obtained an undergraduate degree from The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Outside of her professional accomplishments, Gregersen leverages her legal prowess to serve the community, donating her time and expertise to serve as legal counsel for various organizations and non-profits. Gregersen joins the company's executive leadership team, which includes: Levi King, CEO, Co-founder & Chairman of the Board; Grace Liu, Chief Financial Officer; Gian Perrone, Chief Technology Officer; Landon Pearson, Chief People Officer; Raquel Alexander, Chief Marketing Officer; Mac Cormier, SVP Product & Design; Joel Jensen, VP of Revenue & Partnerships; Andy Anderson, VP of Finance; and James Rauen, VP of Data. Visit Nav.com to learn more about the company and its offerings for small business owners. ABOUT NAV Nav is a financial health platform for small businesses. At Nav.com , small business owners have a dedicated space for building and managing their business and personal credit, tracking cash flow patterns, and understanding their financing options before they apply. CONTACT Amanda Triest PR Manager [email protected] SOURCE Nav Technologies, Inc. Gaojia Opera breathes new life into rural Fujian village People's Daily Online) 09:28, June 03, 2025 At midday, Lin Guochun, nearly 60, teaches children the basic movements of Gaojia Opera at an inheritance center in Cendou village, Shijing town, Nan'an, a county-level city in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. Lin Guochun teaches children the basic movements of Gaojia Opera at an inheritance center in Cendou village, Shijing town, Nan'an, a county-level city in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Su Haisen) As one of Fujian's five major opera genres, Gaojia Opera is a cultural landmark of Shijing town. Originating during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Gaojia opera was added to China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006. Gaojia Opera costumes are displayed at an exhibition hall in Cendou village, Shijing town, Nan'an, a county-level city in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Su Haisen) Cendou village is considered the birthplace of Gaojia Opera. At its peak, the village was home to nearly 30 opera troupes, and almost every household had someone involved in performing or supporting Gaojia Opera. To breathe new life into the traditional art and revitalize the village through culture, Cendou village began focusing on its preservation. Since 2015, Lin has offered courses in the village to teach children the fundamental movements of Gaojia Opera, aiming to pass the tradition on to the next generation. Hong Shibo, 8, demonstrates his skills at an inheritance center in Cendou village, Shijing town, Nan'an, a county-level city in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Su Haisen) Eight-year-old Hong Shibo is among Lin's young students. After just over a year of training, he has mastered the Chou (clown) roles of Gaojia Opera. In March, he joined an exchange performance in Macao, drawing widespread praise for his skills. However, the revival of Gaojia Opera in Cendou village extends beyond the classroom. The community has restored more than 200 historic homes, adorning them with motifs from the art form and transforming the area into a living museum. The revamped village has become a magnet for tourists eager to capture its unique charm. Tourists visit a museum themed on Gaojia Opera in Cendou village, Shijing town, Nan'an, a county-level city in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Su Haisen) Cendou has also woven Gaojia Opera into the fabric of everyday life, hosting themed events such as fashion shows and talk shows. Through these efforts, the village has brought the centuries-old tradition closer to both residents and visitors. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Investment Unites Two Leading Outcomes Platforms and Delivers Stronger Results for Enterprise Health Systems and Private Practice Rehab Therapy PITTSBURGH, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Net Health, a trusted source for specialized software solutions that empower restorative care providers across the continuum of care, today announced the acquisition of Limber Health, a digital health company focused on hybrid musculoskeletal (MSK) solutions. The acquisition leverages complementary strengths that support clinicians and patients from "hospital to home," creating more effective hybrid care models and advancing value-based outcomes. "I'm excited to welcome the Limber Health team, and clients, to Net Health," said Ron Books, CEO of Net Health. "Our mission is and will always be to deliver high-value solutions and a trusted partnership that helps clients deliver better outcomes. With Limber Health joining the team, we can now support our clients across the full care continuum, and extend Net Health's reach to a true hospital-to-home experience. This acquisition extends the value we provide to rehab therapy clients and patientsespecially between visits." For more than 35 years, Net Health has provided comprehensive clinical, operational, and financial solutions, including specialty electronic health record (EHR) software, patient engagement tools, and predictive analytics. As a part of Net Health, Limber will add an award-winning hybrid in-clinic and digital care model that improves patient engagement to physical therapy, using remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) and home exercise platforms. For clients, the acquisition brings significant opportunity to close gaps in continuity of care. "Joining forces with Net Health marks an exciting new chapter for us," said Michael Gruner, President of Limber Health. "With the expanded resources and scale, we're better positioned than ever to help our clients grow and improve health outcomes on a broader scale." To learn more about Net Health and how its technology offerings are helping to improve outcomes for restorative care providers, visit http://nethealth.com. To learn more about Limber Health, visit www.limberhealth.com. About Net Health Net Health is a trusted source for more than 25,000 healthcare organizations across the continuum of care. Our specialized software solutions enable restorative care providers and their organizations to improve both patient outcomes and financial performance. Over 30 years of expertise in wound care and rehab therapy inform our electronic health record (EHR) software, patient engagement tools, and predictive analytics. Our technology platforms help administrators manage workflow, specialists engage with patients, and executives drive business growth. Net Health is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, Level Equity, and Silversmith Capital Partners. Learn more at www.nethealth.com. About Limber Health Limber Health is enabling the delivery of the world's leading hybrid model of in-person and digital musculoskeletal (MSK) care. Developed by physical therapists and physicians, Limber Health empowers providers with a complete digital toolkit for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), Home Exercise Programs (HEP), Outcomes Collection, MIPS Reporting, and the shift to value-based care. Clinically validated through research conducted at Mayo Clinic and awarded Most Impactful New Technology by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, Limber empowers providers in augmenting in-person clinician visits with digital at-home support to best meet patients where they are. To learn more, visit www.limberhealth.com. SOURCE Net Health Systems, Inc. 62% of superintendents and educators are concerned about the impact of mental health on academic performance DETROIT, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national report titled The Ripple Effect: The Current State of Student Mental Health in Schools exposes the profound and costly impact of untreated student mental health issues on school districts, superintendents, and special education directors across the country. The 2025 report, based on responses from over 700 parents, educators, and school administrators, uncovers a crisis that is disrupting classrooms, exhausting budgets, and stretching school leaders to a breaking point. Among the most alarming findings: 71% of parents report their child has missed at least one day of school per month due to mental health or stressa figure that signals serious academic and social consequences for millions of students. "Student mental health is no longer a peripheral concernit is now a central academic and operational crisis," the report states. 71% of superintendents cite student health as their top concern, while 62% directly connect it to declining academic performance. For Special Education Directors, the situation is even more complex. Many mental health challenges are intertwined with developmental delays and learning differences. Yet, a shortage of trained professionals and underfunded services has left districts unable to provide adequate support, especially for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The result: increased behavioral disruptions, teacher burnout, and costly staff turnover, with some districts reporting replacement costs of over $20,000 per educator. In a recent webinar presented by EdWeek, Tyra Mariani, founder of UP Advisors and former Chief of Staff for the Office of the Deputy Secretary at the Department of Education, and Dr. Michele Johnson, Senior Director of Ancillary Services for Detroit Public Schools, discussed the findings of The Ripple Effect report. Mariani pointed out that for students facing mental health issues who also require speech or occupational therapy, "the intersection of these needs can amplify difficulties in learning, communication, social integration, and self-regulation, thus causing a ripple effect in Special Education effectiveness." Without proper mental health interventions, Mariani warns that students on IEPs are at increased risk for avoidant behaviors that may further interrupt their progress in both therapy sessions and the classroom. Compounding the crisis is a nationwide funding decline. In Michigan, per-pupil mental health funding was slashed by over 90% in the last year, leaving schools scrambling to fill critical gaps in counseling and special education services. Despite the dire outlook, the report points to clear opportunities for intervention. Virtual therapy, social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, and creative expression outlets like art and music have been positively received by families. Notably, 80% of parents who used virtual mental health services for their children reported satisfactiona sign that digital care could be a scalable lifeline for struggling districts. Dr. Johnson emphasized that thinking innovatively when it comes to addressing student mental health is key. "At the end of the day, our goal is to provide services. It's about thinking outside the box when it comes to meeting the needs of our end customer, which is the student. This often means utilizing virtual care resources for mental health." The Ripple Effect report urges policymakers and school leaders to treat student mental health as a foundational part of education policy, not a side issue. "We can no longer silo mental health," the report concludes. "It is an academic issue, a budget issue, and an urgent call to action." Download the full report here . Media Contact: Nicola Kamath Chief Marketing Officer, Huddle Up [email protected] 224.619.6544 SOURCE Huddle Up Open call begins for a permanent home of the sculpture following its Pride Month installation on the Delaware River Waterfront PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Visit Philadelphia today unveiled In Plain Sight, a large-scale sculpture at Cherry Street Pier honoring Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual members of the LGBTQ+ community. On display throughout Pride Month this June, the installation serves as a bold celebration of the TQ+ community a group facing increased scrutiny as LGBTQ+ rights remain at the center of national debate. The sculpture underscores Philadelphia's longstanding commitment to being a welcoming and affirming destination for LGBTQ+ residents and travelers. Visit Philadelphia unveils In Plain Sight, a large-scale sculpture at honoring Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual members of the LGBTQ+ community. To bring In Plain Sight to life, Visit Philadelphia consulted with local artists and creatives, including Philadelphia-based Bill Adair, an independent arts and culture consultant and former director of the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The concept was developed in partnership with local agency A&G (Allen & Gerritsen) and the final piece was fabricated by Outshaped, a family-owned 3D design and manufacturing studio. Standing at 10 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds, the sculpture's design incorporates colors from the different LGBTQ+ pride flags, each representing a segment of the community: Transgender (T): Light blue, white and pink stripes from the Transgender Pride Flag. Queer (Q): Elements from the traditional Rainbow Pride Flag, featuring red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Plus (+): Yellow and purple from the Intersex Pride Flag, symbolizing autonomy and visibility; black and white from the Asexual Pride Flag; and black and brown from the Progress Pride Flag, representing people of color and other marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community. The sculpture also features carved grooves throughout, symbolizing the layered identities and lived experiences within the community. These design choices were intentionally selected to reflect the diversity and intersectionality of the TQ+ population. "Visit Philadelphia is honored to present In Plain Sight as a meaningful tribute to the TQ+ community. This sculpture is a visible reminder of Philadelphia's commitment to being a welcoming place for all," said Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. "When travelers come here, we want them to feel our city's love, pride and spirit. Representation matters and research supports that. LGBTQ+ travelers spend more, travel more often and are more likely to choose destinations where they feel seen and affirmed." According to Community Marketing & Insights (CMI), 63% of LGBTQ+ travelers view Philadelphia as a welcoming destination. A separate Booking.com study found that 73% of LGBTQ+ travelers say increased inclusivity has made them feel more comfortable while traveling. The community also represents an estimated $1.4 trillion in annual purchasing power, with LGBTQ+ travelers spending 33% more than their non-LGBTQ counterparts and taking an average of four to six trips per year. Cherry Street Pier, located on the Delaware River Waterfront, is hosting the installation throughout June. Visit Philadelphia is currently seeking a permanent home for In Plain Sight following Pride Month. Businesses or cultural institutions in Philadelphia or the surrounding counties whose values align with Visit Philadelphia's welcoming mission are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to host the sculpture next. The deadline to submit is Monday, June 23, 2025. "We're proud to host In Plain Sight during Pride Month," said Joseph Forkin, president of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. "The waterfront is a place for everyone, and Cherry Street Pier home to a vibrant and diverse creative community is the perfect location to spotlight this important symbol. We're honored to be part of its journey and can't wait to see where it goes next." Philadelphia's connection to LGBTQ+ history is long and significant. The city was the site of the "Annual Reminder" protests at Independence Hall in the 1960s, one of the first organized gay rights demonstrations in the United States. In 2004, Visit Philadelphia launched Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay, the country's first LGBTQ-specific tourism television commercial. Two decades later, the organization introduced In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: Drag Queen Story Time on Independence Mall and in 2024 it sponsored Philadelphia Gay News' successful effort to secure a Guinness World Records title for the largest drag story time reading. "2025 calls for marketers to be bold and brave," said Neil Frauenglass, chief marketing officer, Visit Philadelphia. "Our TQ+ sculpture sends a message to the community that they are seen and welcome in Philadelphia today, next year when we celebrate the country's 250th birthday and always." Visit Philadelphia's welcoming message to LGBTQ+ travelers is also prominently featured in a current New York City advertising takeover, which launched May 5 and runs through June 8. The campaign also includes bonus placements during the Tony Awards and NYC Pride weeks June 915 and June 2329 reaching an additional 4.7 million impressions. To learn more about In Plain Sight, please visit http://visitphilly.com/inplainsight . About Visit Philadelphia: VISIT PHILADELPHIA is our name and our mission. As the region's official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia's image, drive visitation and boost the economy. On Greater Philadelphia's official visitor website, visitphilly.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the site an effective trip-planning tool. Visitors can also find loads of inspiration on Visit Philly's social media channels. CONTACTS: Ashley Carter (856) 236-9439, ashley @visitphilly.com Binh Nguyen (267) 603-4512, [email protected] SOURCE Visit Philadelphia Essential Battle Plan for Business Owners, Managers, and Stakeholders CHICAGO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybersecurity expert William Clements is excited to share his new release, the Cybersecurity Checklist for Business Owners. This checklist tackles the soul-crushing risks that small businesses worldwide face from cybercrime. Although attacks on large organizations make the news, small businesses are criminals' favorite targets. For over 25 years, Mr. Clements has worked as a business consultant. He has advised hundreds of clients on information technology and cybersecurity. He knows the risks well from his experience. Cover of Cybersecurity Checklist for Business Owners Book The book is currently free and available for download on Amazon today (until 6/7/2025). Get your copy here. Cybersecurity Checklist has reached #1 New Release on Amazon in both the Production & Operations and Information Management categories. The average rating is 5 stars. "When all stakeholders are well-informed, we will have a more secure world," said author Mr. Clements. Here's what some early readers have said: "This book was eye-opening, sobering, and surprisingly accessible. As a small business owner with no IT background, I was shocked (and troubled) by how many cyber risks I had never considered. More importantly, the practical steps gave me a clear path forward, combined with an appropriately strong sense of urgency to invest in cyber security today and into the future. As small business owners, we tell ourselves it won't happen to us; but the truth is, because we're small business owners, we can't afford for it to happen to us! A must-read for every business owner." -Patrick D "A must-read for any business leader. This book cuts through the noise with real-world examples, a practical checklist, and a clear action plan. It helped me uncover critical cybersecurity gaps; even after significant investment. More than a read; it's a guide to action." -Michael C About the Author: William Clements has managed cybersecurity and information technology for small and mid-sized businesses over the past 25 years. He has worked with hundreds of businesses in dozens of industries. He holds several cybersecurity industry certifications, such as CISSP, CCSP, and CISM. He founded the Chicago Technology Group, which keeps entrepreneurial businesses protected from cyber threats. SOURCE William Clements GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OC Federal Credit Union is bringing financial literacy education to over 300 students in Ohio. Students at 23 schools have free access to Banzai, an award-winning online program and content library that allows users to practice real-world finance from the safety of their home or classroom using any internet-enabled device. At a time when a solid foundation of practical financial knowledge is critical, these resources will make a huge impact on users. All of these resources are available to students at home or in the classroom via any device that can access the internet. "Banzai is a web-based financial literacy program. Kids get their own accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life," says Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai. "But because OC Federal is sponsoring it, local schools get it for free. More than ever, it's important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world, and OC Federal realizes that and they're doing something about it." Banzai content builds a foundation of practical knowledge and gives students the tools to create a sound financial future. While students learn, teachers can easily monitor and grade their progress remotely. After finishing Banzai, students will know how to track where their money is and what it's for, recognize financial trade-offs, build a budget, and more. At a time when many are facing unprecedented financial challenges, these lessons are invaluable. The Banzai resources are available at https://ocfcu.banzai.org/. OC Federal Credit Union is working with Banzai to build financial literacy in the community by investing time, money, industry experience, and a variety of resources. Beyond the Banzai library, OC Federal also offers virtual or in-classroom presentations from local experts on timely topics. Banzai resources are used by over 120,000 teachers across the U.S. The courses align with Ohio's state curriculum requirements, making the program a fun way for students to gain vital financial literacy skills both online and offline. Teachers interested in using the Banzai program with their class can visit https://ocfcu.banzai.org/ or call 888-8-BANZAI. For more information about Banzai visit banzai.org For more information about OC Federal Credit Union visit https://www.ocfederal.com/ Contact: Cheyenne Blanchette Marketing Team Leader [email protected] Direct (216) 478-0098 ext. 278 OC Federal Credit Union Main Office Garfield Heights Branch 13623 Rockside Road Garfield Heights, OH 44125 SOURCE OC Federal Credit Union Building on 2024's "Protect Our Pride" and 2023's "15 Seconds of Fabulous," the 2025 GLAAD partnership will appear across OUTFRONT's national network of digital billboards, transit displays, and street-level assets throughout June. The campaign is inspired by the concept of 'friction & flow', growth that comes from moving through tension, protest, and community connection. The campaign creative invites viewers to reflect on how a world that is safer, freer, and more joyful for LGBTQ people benefits everyone. "Pride has always been powered by storytellers the creators and truth-tellers who dare to envision a more just world," said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO. "Our stories only reinforce that LGBTQ people are in every American family and have the same American values of fairness and freedom to be who you are. At GLAAD, we know that stories shift culture and one storyteller can ignite a movement. That's the heart of One Story. One Future. Whether you have millions of followers or just a few of your friends and family, it is time to mobilize your influence on social media and beyond. This Pride Month, the most courageous act is showing up loudly, visibly, and without apology for the LGBTQ community and for the future we all deserve." As part of this year's celebration, OUTFRONT will also feature two Pride-focused takeovers across its Moments content platform. In partnership with Artsy, Moments in Culture will showcase "QUEER ART NOW", a curated series highlighting captivating works from emerging LGBTQ+ artists redefining the boundaries of contemporary art. This content will run throughout June on digital transit screens across New York's MTA, Miami's Brightline, and San Francisco's BART, Caltrain, and VTA. In New York City's MTA, OUTFRONT will also present a special edition of Moments in Art in collaboration with MoMA, featuring Peter Hujar's iconic photograph "Candy Darling on Her Deathbed." The image honors the legacy of Candy Darling, Warhol superstar and transgender actress, and Hujar's broader work documenting people who clung fiercely to the freedom to be themselves. "OUTFRONT is honored to once again partner with GLAAD to celebrate Pride Month," said Liz Rave, Vice President, Marketing of OUTFRONT Media. "Along with our special Moments programming, this year's Pride celebration is all about spotlighting LGBTQ art and stories, and there's no better canvas than OOH to bring that to life. Our assets transform public spaces into powerful moments of pride, inclusion, and self-expression." About OUTFRONT Media Inc. OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in the United States. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go. Media Contacts Matt Biscuiti The Lippin Group 212-986-7080 [email protected] Courtney Richards OUTFRONT Media 646-876-9404 [email protected] Stephan Bisson OUTFRONT Media 212-297-6573 [email protected] SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc. SAN FRANCISCO, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PAIG AI, a leading provider of AI governance and performance solutions, has officially rebranded as Trust3 AI. This strategic rebranding reflects the company's commitment to help enterprises address the growing complexities surrounding AI reliability, governance, and security. Organizations adopting AI today face significant challengesfrom ensuring the reliability of AI outputs to managing regulatory compliance and mitigating security risks. Without comprehensive visibility into AI and agent activities across their enterprise, organizations struggle to build the trust necessary for widespread adoption. Trust3 AI aims to simplify that process by equipping businesses with a unified trust layer that ensures confidence at every stage of the AI application lifecycle. The rebranding reinforces our mission to help enterprises seamlessly integrate governance, transparency, and accountability into their AI systems, empowering them to move from experimentation to operationalization without compromise. A Platform Built to Enable Trust Trust3 AI's innovative platform focuses on three core pillars of trust-building across AI systems, Reliability, Governance, and Security: Reliability Trust3 AI enhances the consistency and accuracy of AI systems by providing domain-enriched semantic layers and AI-driven analytics. It ensures AI systems deliver accurate, efficient, and consistent results to prevent errors, hallucinations, and inconsistent outputs that undermine trust and disrupt business processes. Trust3 AI enables enterprises to deliver dependable outcomes across AI systems. Success Story : A healthcare client leveraging Trust3 AI achieved a 40% improvement in the accuracy of its clinical AI tools, significantly enhancing patient care outcomes. Trust3 AI enhances the consistency and accuracy of AI systems by providing domain-enriched semantic layers and AI-driven analytics. It ensures AI systems deliver accurate, efficient, and consistent results to prevent errors, hallucinations, and inconsistent outputs that undermine trust and disrupt business processes. Trust3 AI enables enterprises to deliver dependable outcomes across AI systems. : A healthcare client leveraging Trust3 AI achieved a 40% improvement in the accuracy of its clinical AI tools, significantly enhancing patient care outcomes. Governance : With advanced governance tools, Trust3 AI helps enterprises streamline compliance and maintain oversight. Features include continuous audit trails, AI inventories for tracking deployed solutions, and compliance with global frameworks like GDPR and the EU AI Act. Key Insight : With stricter AI regulations becoming the standard, Trust3 AI simplifies governance, enabling enterprises to focus on scaling innovation while staying compliant. : With advanced governance tools, Trust3 AI helps enterprises streamline compliance and maintain oversight. Features include continuous audit trails, AI inventories for tracking deployed solutions, and compliance with global frameworks like GDPR and the EU AI Act. : With stricter AI regulations becoming the standard, Trust3 AI simplifies governance, enabling enterprises to focus on scaling innovation while staying compliant. Security: Trust3 AI addresses security concerns by creating robust guardrails to mitigate risks such as malicious use cases and data exposure. Businesses can confidently scale their AI initiatives with proactive risk mapping and adaptive security measures. Industry Stats: 97% of organizations using generative AI report security concerns. Trust3 AI eliminates these risks, fostering safe innovation. Why Trust Matters in AI The name Trust3 AI underscores the company's belief that trust is a continuous process spanning the full App lifecycle with AI . Unlike one-off solutions, the platform integrates reliability, governance, and security into every stage, allowing businesses to deploy AI systems that are as trustworthy as they are innovative. "Trust isn't just a checkbox; it's a competitive advantage. With Trust3 AI, we're not just providing technology, but fostering partnerships to ensure that AI adoption is informed, transparent, and ethical," Neeraj Sabharwal, Co-Founder Trust3 AI, added. Advancing AI with Strategic Partnerships Trust3 AI has also strengthened its capabilities through partnerships with industry-leading platforms like Snowflake and Databricks via their startup accelerator programs. These collaborations enhance the seamless integration of Trust3 AI's solutions, supporting customers across industries as they adopt next-generation AI platforms. Looking Ahead For enterprises ready to overcome the mounting challenges of AI adoption, Trust3 AI represents a transformationnot just a tool. By focusing on the 3 pillars of reliability, governance, and security, Trust3 AI enables the enterprise-ready future of artificial intelligence. About Trust3 AI Based in San Francisco, Trust3 AI (formerly PAIG AI) is a leader in AI governance, security, and lifecycle management solutions. Trust3 AI's unified platform empowers businesses to adopt AI responsibly by building trust into every AI interaction. Trust3 AI is trusted by organizations across industries, from healthcare to finance, and is proud to be part of the Snowflake and Databricks startup accelerator programs. For more information, visit https://trust3.ai and follow us on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/trust3ai Media Contact Neeraj Sabharwal media@trust3.ai SOURCE Trust3 AI TSXV: PGZ| OTCQB: PGZFF | FRA: 2EU Pan Global's Escacena Project strategically located adjacent to Minera Los Frailes Mine VANCOUVER, BC, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Pan Global Resources Inc. ("Pan Global" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGZ) (OTCQB: PGZFF) (FRA: 2EU) today acknowledges the approval by the Government of Andalucia of the restoration plan and exploitation permit for Minera Los Frailes to develop the Los Frailes underground mine adjacent to Pan Global's 100%-owned flagship Escacena Project ("Escacena") in southern Spain. Minera Los Frailes is owned by Grupo Mexico (97.31%), and Magtel (2.69%). Grupo Mexico is the fourth-largest copper producer by volume globally. Figure 1: Map showing the Escacena Project and neighbouring Minera Los Frailes Project area, highlighting proximity of Pan Globals La Romana deposit and the two former open pit mines at Aznalcollar and Los Frailes. (CNW Group/Pan Global Resources Inc.) The granting of the exploitation permit reaffirms Andalucia's status as a Tier-1 global mining jurisdiction. The Los Frailes zinc, copper, lead and silver mining project is expected to generate significant investment and employment in the region. "This milestone for our neighbors at Minera Los Frailes highlights the strength of the permitting environment in Andalucia and underscores the strategic location of our 100%-owned Escacena Project," said Tim Moody, President and CEO of Pan Global. "With our La Romana copper discovery located just west of the planned Los Frailes mine, Pan Global is uniquely positioned to benefit from increased regional investment, infrastructure upgrades, and other synergies. The Los Frailes mine will be a significant new mine development, with an anticipated 20-year mine life, and a plant producing zinc, lead, and copper concentrates." La Romana hosts a near-surface copper-tin-silver deposit with outstanding metallurgy and characteristics favorable to potential open pit development, supporting Pan Global's strategy to advance a significant, low-cost, and sustainable copper project within a Tier-1 mining district. The La Romana deposit remains open for expansion in several areas and significant upside is also represented by the many other targets in the Escacena Project area. A multi-target drill program is continuing at Escacena as drilling is set to resume at the high priority Bravo target after a short pause for the local wheat harvest. The next round of step-out drillholes is being finalized at La Romana, targeting higher-grade extensions of mineralization. Results are also anticipated within the next two weeks from the ongoing drill program in the Carmenes Project in northern Spain where near-surface high-grade gold mineralization has been reported from the Company's first drillhole (see the May 19, 2025 media release). About Pan Global Resources Pan Global Resources Inc. is actively exploring for copper-rich mineral deposits along with gold and other metals. Copper has compelling supply-demand fundamentals and outlook for strong long-term prices as a critical metal for global electrification and energy transition. Gold is also attracting record prices. The Company's flagship Escacena Project is located in the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Spain, where a favourable permitting track record, excellent infrastructure, mining and professional expertise, and support for copper as a Strategic Raw Material by the European Commission collectively define a tier-one low-risk jurisdiction for mining investment. The Company's second project, at Carmenes, in northern Spain, is also an area with a long mining history and excellent infrastructure. The Pan Global team comprises proven talent in exploration, discovery, development, and mine operations - all of which are committed to operating safely and with utmost respect for the environment and our partnered communities. The Company is a member, and operates under the principles, of the United Nations Global Compact. www.panglobalresources.com Forward-looking statements Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this media release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental, and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission. The forward-looking information contained in this media release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this media release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. SOURCE Pan Global Resources Inc. From June 12 to 24, 2025, storied auction house Bonhams will hold the online auction of Vendemmia d'Artista's 17th edition, 2022 "La Determinazione". Ornellaia has pledged its net proceeds to support the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to restore artworks for upcoming exhibition. BOLGHERI, Italy, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally renowned Cameroonian artist Pascale Marthine Tayou was chosen to design the interpretation of Ornellaia's 2022 "La Determinazione" vintage for the 17th edition of the Vendemmia d'Artista project. Pascale Marthine Tayou The artist designed the labels to celebrate Ornellaia's 2022 "La Determinazione", remaining faithful to his practice that is intrinsically linked with the materiality of color and the joy of living, in line with the 2022 vintage character. His oeuvre stands out for itsdiversity , unrestricted by a single medium or a particular set of themes. Tayou explains, "I went looking for things deep inside myself that could be in line with the idea of a plant's lifecycle. For example, I came across a plant that had grown on a stone and had succeeded in flowering. In a way, it became a symbol of what I wanted to express in my research." He continues: "You have people who live and work together and aim to shape the world in their own way. That's where I saw the most fundamental meaning: the courage to reach your goals. That's where wine plays a part, bringing special music to the phenomenon of binding people together. For me, determination is a form of commitment and courage. It could even be related to resilience and resistance." "It moved me to see the way in which Pascal Marthine Tayou had interpreted the vintage character of La Determinazione," remarks Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of the group. "His art demonstrates how courage and resilience always bring joy within reach. His vision remains close to the wine world where the ties between humans and nature form the basis of everything we do." Fourteen rare lots including the Imperials and the sole Salmanazar, hand-signed by Pascale Marthine Tayou will be sold by Bonhams, one of the world's oldest privately owned auctioneers. The online auction will be held at www.bonhams.com/ornellaia between June 12 to 24, 2025 until 2p.m. EST For the 750ml label, Tayou created a design based on concentric circles formed by a series of signs of different colors. They represent the energy generated by the union of many individual elements when they form a single whole. For the Double Magnums, Tayou took a photograph that depicts a plant growing in a desert area, emerging through the cracks in the soil. Each label is unique, showing a sequence that illustrates the various stages of the plant as it manages to sprout with determination. Meanwhile, the 10 Imperials (6 liter) and the sole Salmanazar (9 liter) become sculptures in their own right with textile artworks, reclaimed from recycled materials, that form uniquely crafted colorful patchwork cases. "Artistically, I was in a determined mental state, so I used materials and a technique that would push me to focus on their repetition as I was seeking some kind of poetry," Tayou said. "I wanted to consider determination from the point of view of the relationship between humans and nature, and the environment in its broadest sense." In a continuation of the existing seven-year partnership, Ornellaia has pledged its net proceeds wiltol support the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation for the upcoming exhibition titled Collection in Focus: Modern European Currents at Guggenheim New York opening July 15, 2025. The funds are intended to assist with the conservation treatment and in-depth analysis of select collection works included in the upcoming Guggenheim exhibition. The 2022 vintage The 2022 vintage proved to be the driest in the last four years from February to June as well as one of the hottest between May and September. Rainfall arrived later in August and September, an aspect that was important for this vintage of two extremes. The dry conditions resulted in slower growth, which led to low yield and smaller, more concentrated grapes, while the rain towards the end of the vegetative cycle brought renewed balance. The technical team displayed all of their expertise and fortitude, carrying out a strict selection in the vineyard, in addition to double sorting upon the arrival of the grapes in the cellar. "Just the right concentration and character distinguish this vintage," remarks Marco Balsimelli, Ornellaia's Technical Director. "All of the positive attributes of the sun are felt alongside a convincing freshness in an expression that is linear and forthright in style. Reacting positively to the challenges of the vintage, a higher percentage of Petit Verdot was included in the blend than usual. Ornellaia 2022 demonstrates vibrancy and energy, characteristic of the terroir we have here at Ornellaia." Vendemmia d'Artista Vendemmia d'Artista started with the 2006 vintage. Every year, a contemporary artist is invited to interpret the vintage character by creating a set of artworks that personalize the bottles. The project includes large-format bottles (Double Magnums, Imperials and one Salmanazar), which are signed by the artist and auctioned. The profits support art foundations and museums around the globe. Now in its 17th edition, Vendemmia d'Artista is recognized for its commitment to facilitate access to art for everyone. Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was established in 1937 and is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The international constellation of museums includes the Guggenheim New York, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Guggenheim Bilbao, and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A "temple of spirit" where radical art and architecture meet, the Guggenheim New York is among a group of eight Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the Guggenheim New York and the Guggenheim's activities around the world, visit guggenheim.org . Press Contact: Colangelo & Partners [email protected] SOURCE Ornellaia Vendemmia dArtista TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PATLive, an approved Florida Bar Member Benefits provider and leader in 24/7 virtual receptionist services, is proud to announce its sponsorship of and participation in the 2025 Annual Florida Bar Convention on June 2528 in Boca Raton, Florida. Attendees are invited to stop by Exhibit Space 134 to explore how PATLive's 24/7 virtual receptionist services can support law firms with streamlined client communication, lead capture, and responsive service, day or night. With services designed for the unique needs of legal professionals, PATLive offers fully customizable call answering and live chat services, delivered by friendly, U.S.-based receptionists trained in legal intake and customer care. Whether you're a solo practitioner or part of a growing team, PATLive helps firms stay responsive, professional, and focused on billable work. Meet the Team at Exhibit Space 134 Convention attendees who visit the PATLive booth will experience: Live demos of our virtual receptionist and web chat services Custom legal intake script samples and CRM integration solutions Exclusive Florida Bar Member Benefits details (including 10% off monthly plans) Giveaways, resources, and a chance to connect with our CEO, Jackie Gonzalez, Esq. "We're thrilled to support Florida's legal community as both a local company and a Florida Bar Member Benefits provider," said Jackie Gonzalez, Esq., CEO of PATLive. "The Annual Convention is a great opportunity to meet attorneys face-to-face, demonstrate the impact of 24/7 receptionist support, and show how we help law firms grow without sacrificing client experience." Tailored Support for Attorneys, On Your Terms PATLive offers fully customized live receptionist and chat services that act as a seamless extension of any legal team. Features available to Florida Bar members include: 100% U.S.-Based Live Receptionists Available 24/7/365 Custom Call Scripts tailored to each firm's unique workflows and tone Message Taking, Call Transfers, Lead Collection, and Appointment Scheduling Web Chat Support via an easy-to-install website widget Integrations with CRMs and scheduling platforms No Contracts, No Setup Fees, and No Long-Term Commitments 10% Discount on monthly recurring charges for Florida Bar members With a presence that's both national and deeply rooted in Florida, PATLive offers law firms peace of mind; knowing every call or web chat will be handled with the same level of care as their own staff. Whether in court, in a meeting, or off the clock, attorneys can count on PATLive to represent their firm with integrity, warmth, and efficiency. About PATLive Headquartered in Tallahassee, PATLive is a leading provider of 24/7 live virtual receptionist and chat services trusted by law firms, contractors, property managers, and small businesses nationwide. With over 35 years of experience, PATLive specializes in personalized, professional communication solutions that help businesses grow, delight their clients, and stay responsive, day or night. SOURCE PATLive 'Land of Heavenly Horses' in Xinjiang's Zhaosu (People's Daily App) 13:10, June 03, 2025 Between a clear blue sky and pristine waters, a group of horses plunged into the river like arrows, their gallops sending up cascades of snow-white spray. The combined roar of their hooves and the rushing water created an awe-inspiring spectacle that captivated onlookers. Located in the Ili River Valley in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Zhaosu County is famed as the "land of heavenly horses" for its rich history of horse breeding that stretches back centuries. (Produced by Wei Zhiqiang and He Mengfan) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) CHICAGO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Experience Pinnacle Live, a leading provider of premium event technology and production services, today announced the promotion of Natalie De Fazio from President to Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This transition is part of the company's succession strategy as current CEO Eddy Eisenberg steps down to assume the role of Executive Chair of the Pinnacle Live Board of Directors. Natalie De Fazio, CEO Pinnacle Live Eddy Eisenberg, a 40-year event industry veteran, founded and helped grow major AV companies like Presentation Services and AVT, later unifying AVT and Encore at Freeman. As one of Pinnacle Live's founding leaders, he's proud of its rapid rise and confident in its future under De Fazio. "In just four short years, Pinnacle Live has grown from a bold vision into a disruptive force in the event experience industry," said Eisenberg. "Natalie has been instrumental in shaping our people-first culture, expanding our capabilities, and delivering exceptional value to our clients. She is a dynamic, strategic leader, and I am incredibly proud to see her take the helm as CEO." Natalie De Fazio has served as Executive Vice President and President of Pinnacle Live and brings a wealth of experience in operations, client engagement, and organizational leadership. De Fazio is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in management and strategy consulting across diverse industries. Prior roles include Vice President of Corporate Strategy at The Freeman Company and Executive Committee member at Encore Event Technologies. She also led her own consulting firm, NMD Strategy, and held leadership positions at KPMG, Stax, Inc., Aon Hewitt, and Accretive Health. "Over the past four years, it has been an honor to be part of Pinnacle Live as it has evolved into the company it is today," said De Fazio. "It has been a privilege to work alongside Eddy Eisenberg, whose vision and integrity have shaped Pinnacle Live into the company it is today. He has taught me an incredible amount about this business and what it means to lead with purpose and passion. We have an extraordinary team and a powerful brand promise to elevate live events, and I'm honored to carry that mission forward. I look forward to building on our momentum and driving continued growth and innovation in the years ahead." As Executive Chair, Eisenberg will continue to support the company's strategic direction and long-term vision, working closely with De Fazio and the rest of the leadership team. About Pinnacle Live Founded in 2021, Pinnacle Live partners with over 200 top hotels, resorts, and convention centers to deliver unforgettable in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. Our flexible model empowers venue autonomy, allowing us to tailor solutions and exceed expectations for hospitality partners, event organizers, and corporate clients. We're known for our agility, innovation, and commitment to team growthmaking us a trusted partner and a great place to work. Discover the Pinnacle Live difference at www.pinnaclelive.com . SOURCE Pinnacle Live, LLC CARPINTERIA, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PlanMember is pleased to announce Behm Financial Group in Tacoma, WA, as its newest independent PlanMember Financial Center. Ken Behm, founder of Behm Financial Group, has actually worked with PlanMember as an independent financial advisor since 2006, but recently determined that the best way to support his clients is by expanding his team of financial advisors. "PlanMember has a number of available resources that are designed to help an enterprise grow," says Ken. "By leveraging those resources, I'll be better able to help my clients by focusing on the client/advisor relationship while also mentoring the next generation of financial advisors and financial planners." With almost 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Ken brings a deep understanding of the Washington State pension system supporting educators, administrators and other public employees. "We are pleased to have Ken Behm open and head up a new PlanMember Financial Center in Tacoma," says Jon Ziehl, PlanMember's President and CEO. "After many years as an advisor with PlanMember, this is a logical next step for Ken's growth with the firm, and we are excited to have him share his skills as a successful financial advisor with new advisors who will be joining his Financial Center in the future." PlanMember, with more than $17 billion in assets, specializes in supporting financial advisors with retirement planning for their clients. To date, PlanMember has established 50 independent Financial Centers in 26 states, with a goal of expanding to 80 independent Financial Centers nationwide. About PlanMember: For more than three decades PlanMember Financial Corporation, through its operating subsidiaries, has provided personalized retirement planning and administrative services to public and private sector employers and employees utilizing a broad selection of investment programs. The company is headquartered in Carpinteria, CA. Securities and advisory services are offered through PlanMember Securities Corporation (PSEC), a registered broker/dealer, investment advisor and member FINRA/SIPC. Behm Financial Group and PlanMember Securities Corporation are independently owned and operated companies. planmember.com/financial | LinkedIn SOURCE PlanMember Securities MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Radians, a top-tier Memphis-based PPE manufacturer, recently demonstrated its dedication to the community by donating to Literacy Mid-South. This meaningful contribution will help unlock the power of reading for individuals of all ages and backgrounds across Memphis and the Mid-South, opening doors to brighter futures and lifelong opportunities. To improve reading abilities, the donation will support various literacy programs, providing crucial resources, free books, and face-to-face tutoring opportunities. Improved literacy leads to personal success, better education, stronger job opportunities, and higher earnings. Post this Memphis-based Radians, a top-tier PPE manufacturer and supplier, believes in giving back to its local communities through its Tickets for Charity program and other sponsorships. "Radians' contribution to Literacy Mid-South isn't just about giving money," said Radians CEO Mike Tutor. "Improved literacy leads to personal success, better education, stronger job opportunities, and higher earning potential. It's about empowering people and building a more thriving and prosperous Mid-South. We're very excited to partner with a local organization like Literacy Mid-South that shares our commitment to helping others grow," said Tutor. In addition to the financial donation, Radians Sr. MarCom Specialist and local author Mary Padron is donating 40 paperback copies of Christmas Fairy Tale to Literacy Mid-South. These uplifting children's books will go to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital to bring joy and inspiration to young patients spending the holidays there. "Reading is one of the most important skills a person can have," said Padron. "It shapes how we learn, communicate, and navigate the world. Without the ability to read, it's harder to succeed in school, at work, and in life. That's why supporting literacy is so important to us at Radians." Radians encourages others in Memphis and the Mid-South to support the vital cause of literacy. Visit www.literacymidsouth.org to learn how you can get involved. A fun way to get involved right now is through Literacy Mid-South's Literatini 2025 fundraiser on Saturday, June 7 at Novel in Laurelwood Shopping Center. Tickets start at $100 and sponsorship packages are still available. For more information about Radians safety solutions for the industrial, construction, and retail marketplace, visit www.radians.com or call toll free 1-877-723-4267. About Radians Radians is on a mission to protect lives worldwide by manufacturing high-quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). With over 25 years of expertise, Radians offers a comprehensive line of safety products designed to reduce injuries and safeguard individuals across diverse markets, including industrial safety, construction, public safety, and retail. Radians has partnered with highly respected brands including DEWALT, STANLEY, DUCKS UNLIMITED, CRAFTSMAN and DSM Dyneema to provide high-performance personal protection products. Radians' brands include Bellingham, Crossfire, Neese, VolCore, Arctic Radwear, Nordic Blaze, and VisionAid. An ISO 9001:2008 certified leader in the PPE industry, the company is headquartered in Memphis, TN. It has additional facilities in Thomasville, NC, Bellingham, WA, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.Radians.com. SOURCE RADIANS Wealthcare has over 190 affiliated advisors and $8 billion in total assets under management NEW YORK, DALLAS, CHICAGO and WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Capital Group ("Republic"), an M&A advisory firm specializing in providing investment banking services to the financial services industry and their clients, congratulates Wealthcare Capital Management ("Wealthcare"), a portfolio company of NewSpring Holdings, on entering into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Sammons Financial Group ("Sammons"). Republic served as Wealthcare's exclusive investment banking advisor, and the transaction is expected to close subject to customary regulatory approvals. Wealthcare has $8 billion in total assets under management and is a full-service financial advisory firm with nearly 200 independent advisors and over 12,000 clients throughout the US. In 2024, Barron's recognized Wealthcare in its list of top 100 RIA firms for the fifth consecutive year, and AdvisorHub named Wealthcare as one of the top 100 RIAs to watch. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for both companies, affirming their dedication to elevating the client experience. The acquisition of Wealthcare by a large financial leader such as Sammons is a meaningful industry event. Post this "The acquisition of Wealthcare by a large financial leader such as Sammons is a meaningful industry event," said John Langston, Founder and CEO of Republic. "It was a pleasure working with the Wealthcare and NewSpring teams, and we are excited for the future with Wealthcare as part of Sammons.", he added. Matt Regan, CEO of Wealthcare, commented, "We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the process that we undertook with Republic Capital Group and thank them for their support and guidance throughout." "We are truly excited that Republic helped us find the perfect partner for Wealthcare in Sammons," said Jim Ashton, General Partner at NewSpring Holdings. "We are incredibly proud of what the Wealthcare team accomplished during our partnership. As Wealthcare enters this exciting new phase of growth, we are thrilled that Sammons, an organization that shares Wealthcare's client-first culture, values-based leadership, and long-term commitment to helping advisors thrive, will be able to build on Wealthcare's success." About Republic Capital Group: Republic Capital Group, led by CEO and Founder John Langston, specializes in providing investment banking services to the RIA, asset and wealth management communities and their clients. Republic partners with firms that are at the leading edge of M&A activity and are active participants in the transformation of the industry. For more information, please visit republiccg.com and on follow on LinkedIn: Republic Capital Group Media Contact: Carrie Massey [email protected] Republic Capital Group - securities offered through Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC. SOURCE Republic Capital Group Wealthcare has over 190 affiliated advisors and $8 billion in total assets under management WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sammons Financial Group announces it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Wealthcare LLC (Wealthcare), a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm with offices in Richmond, Virginia, and Philadelphia. Wealthcare is a full-service financial advisory firm with nearly 200 independent advisors and over 12,000 clients throughout the US. Sammons Financial Group "We are excited by the breadth and scale of services Wealthcare offers," said Esfand Dinshaw, CEO of Sammons Financial Group. "We look forward to adding the Wealthcare team and its 60+ employees to Sammons Financial Group as we expand our growth in the independent financial advisor space. We welcome the independent advisors and employees who are part of the Wealthcare team." Wealthcare joins Sammons Financial Group's existing portfolio of financial advisory firms, which include Dayton, Ohio-based Beacon Capital Management and NorthRock Partners with headquarters in Minneapolis and offices throughout the country, including the Bay Area. "Wealthcare is grateful to NewSpring Holdings for its decade-long partnership, which has successfully fueled our growth," said Matt Regan, President and CEO of Wealthcare. "We are excited about our new partnership with Sammons Financial Group as this acquisition aligns perfectly with the long-term vision for both organizations. For Wealthcare, it will provide the capital to accelerate the execution of our growth strategy as a leading destination for financial advisors while enabling Sammons Financial Group to expand further in the wealth management space." This collaboration represents a significant milestone for both companies, affirming their dedication to elevating the client experience. Wealthcare empowers advisors to scale with a flexible services model built on integrated technology, tailored portfolio strategies, and comprehensive operational support. Wealthcare is a recognized leader in the financial services advisor industry. In 2024, Barron's recognized the firm in its list of top 100 RIA firms for the fifth consecutive year, and AdvisorHub named Wealthcare as one of the top 100 RIAs to watch. Berkshire Global Advisors and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP represented Sammons Financial Group and Republic Capital Group and Blank Rome LLP represented Wealthcare and NewSpring Holdings in finalizing this transaction. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close subject to customary regulatory approvals. About Sammons Financial Group The companies of Sammons Financial Group help families and businesses by empowering futures and changing lives. Sammons Financial Group is employee owned with member companies that are among the most enduring and stable in the financial services industry. Sammons Financial Group is Midwest-based, with offices in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota. About Wealthcare Wealthcare, a business unit of Financeware, architected its original goals-based planning and investing methodology 26 years ago and holds 12 patents on its established goals management process. Powered by its patented Comfort Zone, Wealthcare's approach features innovative, personalized experiences and step-by-step tools that create deeper relationships between advisors and investors. Wealthcare empowers firms and advisors to go independent and grow their advisory businesses by providing GDX360 Wealthcare's proven fiduciary process that seamlessly integrates planning, investing, and trading and a full-suite of practice-management services. Wealthcare is comprised of three RIAs, Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC, Wealthcare Capital Management LLC, and Wealthcare Capital Partners LLC. Learn more at www.wealthcaregdx.com. About NewSpring Holdings NewSpring Holdings, NewSpring's majority investment strategy focused on sector-specific platform builds, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to take profitable, growing companies to the next level through acquisitions and proven organic methodologies. Founded in 1999, NewSpring partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. The Firm manages over $3.5 billion across five distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt. Partnering with management teams to help develop their businesses into market leaders, NewSpring identifies opportunities and builds relationships using its network of industry leaders and influencers across a wide array of operational areas and industries. Visit NewSpring at www.newspringcapital.com. SOURCE Wealthcare New capabilities strengthen ShareGate's leadership in secure, scalable Microsoft 365 migrations MONTREAL, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ShareGate by Workleap, the leading out-of-box tool trusted globally to assess, migrate and optimize Microsoft 365 migrations, announces its spring platform release, introducing support for Google Workspace migrations and Microsoft Purview sensitivity label retention. The new features come at a time when M&A activity, hybrid productivity demands, and AI readiness are accelerating the urgency for IT leaders to consolidate, secure, and modernize their Microsoft 365 environments. These updates address key pain points by simplifying previously complex migration workflows, ensuring secure, compliant and Copilot-ready transitions. "In migrations, IT teams are bombarded with complexity, managing multiple tenants, legacy systems, security risks and ever-changing compliance requirements," said Benjamin Niaulin, VP of Product at ShareGate. "Migrations are no longer just about moving data; that data must remain protected, compliant and fully functional. ShareGate's investment in end-to-end migration support gives IT pros the confidence and tools they need to move faster and smarter." Key capabilities in the Spring Launch include: Google Workspace Migration Support : ShareGate will support migrating Gmail and Google Calendar into Microsoft 365, helping organizations unify collaboration environments during M&A, consolidations or strategic pivots. This new capability expands ShareGate's current Google Drive migration offering and complements its existing support for SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams and Exchange Online. : ShareGate will support migrating Gmail and Google Calendar into Microsoft 365, helping organizations unify collaboration environments during M&A, consolidations or strategic pivots. This new capability expands and complements its existing support for SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams and Exchange Online. Sensitivity Label Preservation : This feature retains Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels during tenant-to-tenant migrations, which is critical for organizations in high-compliance industries or preparing to deploy Microsoft Copilot. It ensures that encryption, classification, and permissions travel with the data through migration. : This feature retains Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels during tenant-to-tenant migrations, which is critical for organizations in high-compliance industries or preparing to deploy Microsoft Copilot. It ensures that encryption, classification, and permissions travel with the data through migration. Partner Portal: ShareGate invested in its partner ecosystem by launching a new partner portal and tailored enablement programs. These investments aim to support global resellers and service providers in delivering high-value migration projects faster and more effectively. With these updates, ShareGate reinforces its position as the most intuitive and reliable tool for M365 migrations. Its latest product expansion supports secure collaboration at scale, while easing the administrative burden on IT teams tasked with navigating rapid change. To learn more about ShareGate's latest release and join the Google Workspace migration waitlist, visit www.sharegate.com . About ShareGate by Workleap ShareGate by Workleap is trusted by over 100,000 IT professionals to simplify how they assess, migrate and optimize Microsoft 365. ShareGate empowers organizations to do their best work by combining out-of-the-box usability with advanced features to accelerate migrations and shorten the journey to Copilot deployments. ShareGate is part of Workleap, a Montreal, Canada-based company focused on making work simple by streamlining talent management and scaling productivity. Media Contact Jaclyn Pullen PANBlast for ShareGate by Workleap [email protected] SOURCE Workleap BURGAS, Bulgaria, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigenergy brought together nearly 300 global energy professionals in Burgas to explore the future of commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage. A key highlight of the event was a visit to a landmark 20 MWh project in Malko Tarnovo, powered by Sigenergy's modular C&I battery energy storage system (BESS). The project highlights the scalability and real-world impact of next-generation storage technology. Sigenergys 20 MWh Modular C&I Solution in Bulgaria In partnership with Trakia MT Ltd., a leading Bulgarian solar company, the system is installed on a solar farm and features 90 Sigenergy C&I hybrid inverters combined with the SigenStack modular storage solution. Tony Xu, Founder and CEO of Sigenergy, commented: "Sigenergy's mission is to accelerate the global transition to clean energy with innovative and scalable storage solutions. This project exemplifies how advanced battery systems can drive business growth and decarbonization across industries." Modularity Transforming C&I Energy Storage SigenStack introduces a truly modular approach to C&I energy storagereplacing bulky containerized systems with stackable 12 kWh battery packs. With plug-and-play connectors and tool-free installation, the system eliminates complex wiring, the need for cranes, and heavy machinery. Thanks to this design, the entire 20 MWh system was installed in just 10 days and fully commissioned within 2 days. Galina Peycheva-Miteva, Owner of Trakia MT Ltd., noted: "The installation was incredibly smoothmore like assembling building blocks than deploying industrial infrastructure. This modular design is a game-changer for the C&I energy storage sector." Safety Engineered at the Pack Level Sigenergy's C&I BESS solutions set new benchmarks for system safety. At the heart of this innovation is the SigenStack system, engineered with safety at every level. Each 12 kWh battery pack features six layers of protection: temperature sensors, internal fire suppression units, aerogel insulation, decompression valves, high-temperature-resistant insulation pads, and smoke detectors. This configuration enables early detection of thermal runaway at the pack level and initiates a rapid, localized response within seconds. In contrast, conventional cabinet-style systems typically lack compartmentalization and may take over a minute to react, increasing the risk of fire propagation. By isolating incidents at the module level, SigenStack significantly enhances system reliability and operational safety. Its advanced inverter platform includes ultra-fast 500 ms anti-backflow protection and long-range arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) technology capable of detecting faults up to 500 meters. To further validate its safety performance, Sigenergy partnered with global assurance provider Intertek to publish a C&I Safety White Paper. The results confirm full compliance with UL 9540A and IEC 62619, structural stability under extreme testing, and sustained operational efficiency above 95%. Resilience Made for Zero Maintenance Built on robust safety and modular design, Sigenergy's C&I BESS supports 24/7 autonomous operation. With an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance, it delivers reliable performance across diverse environmental conditions. Conventional cabinet-style systems, however, often contain more vulnerable components and demand monthly inspections, half-year part replacements, and comprehensive annual maintenance. Real-time monitoring via a cloud-based platform provides full visibility into system status, energy throughput, and alarms, significantly reducing the need for on-site inspections. Maintenance is also streamlined: faulty battery packs can be replaced individually within two hours, without full system diagnostics or on-site technician intervention. This reduces downtime, simplifies spare parts logistics, and minimizes operational costs. The successful delivery of this project demonstrates Sigenergy's excellence in installation speed, safety, operational reliability, and smart management. Looking ahead, Sigenergy is committed to expanding its global footprint, driving the adoption of safer, more efficient, and sustainable energy solutions worldwide. SOURCE Sigenergy Technology Co., Ltd. VAN, Texas, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a world increasingly dominated by screens, stress, and disconnection, Sky Ranch Christian Camps stands as a powerful counterpointoffering families the space to rediscover joy, connection, and purpose. As Sky Ranch celebrates its 70th summer, its mission remains as vital today as it was in 1955: to create encouraging, faith-filled environments where kids can unplug, build lasting relationships, and grow into who God created them to be. Sky Ranch Christian Camps stands as a powerful counterpointoffering families the space to rediscover joy, connection, and purpose. With studies showing 70% of children ages 613 spend more than two hours per day on screensbut only 20% spend more than 20 minutes outdoorsSky Ranch provides a rare and necessary opportunity to break the cycle. Through high-energy outdoor adventures, Christ-centered mentorship, and the age appropriate Life Map curriculum focused on development, campers experience more than just a fun week. They gain tools for emotional resilience, spiritual grounding, and real-world connectionwithout the constant buzz of technology. "At Sky Ranch, we believe camp should be more than just funit should be transformational," said Linda Paulk, President and CEO of Sky Ranch. "Whether it's standing beneath the stars or conquering a new challenge, these moments help kids see they're part of something bigger. In a world that often feels loud and overwhelming, we offer space to slow down, build confidence, and grow in faithall within a secure and encouraging environment." This focus on whole-child development is a key part of Sky Ranch's legacy. With locations across Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Sky Ranch has welcomed hundreds of thousands of campers over the decades. Sky Ranch also understands what today's parents are feeling. As concerns about "The Anxious Generation" continue to grow, parents want to know their child is not just physically safe, but emotionally supported in a screen-saturated, high-pressure world. Sky Ranch meets this challenge head-on by providing mentor-minded counselors, intentional programming, and a structured environment where kids are known, nurtured, and guided. This isn't just camp. This is where your child's story changes forever. To learn more or register for a summer program, visit www.skyranch.org. ABOUT SKY RANCH CHRISTIAN CAMPS Founded in 1955, Sky Ranch is one of North America's premier Christian camping organizations, with locations in Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. With over 70 years of experience, Sky Ranch offers year-round programsincluding Summer Camps, Day Camps, and Family Campsthat combine high-energy fun with deep spiritual impact. Kids and families unplug from screens and connect face-to-face through outdoor adventure, personal growth, and meaningful mentorship from counselors who care. Voted DFWChild's Best Overnight Summer Camp, Sky Ranch creates safe, Christ-centered environments where confidence, character, and lifelong faith take root. Learn more at www.skyranch.org. SOURCE Sky Ranch Christian Camps DALLAS, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Skytale Group ("Skytale"), an investment banking and management consulting firm specializing in healthcare and consumer businesses, is pleased to announce that it acted as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Revitalize SkinMD ("Revitalize" or the "Company"), a premier medical spa located in Waco, Texas, on its partnership with Empower Aesthetics (or "Empower"), a rapidly growing national medical aesthetics platform backed by Shore Capital Partners ("Shore"). This transaction represents a strategic milestone in Empower's continued expansion and further solidifies Skytale's position as the foremost advisor in medical aesthetics. Skytale acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Revitalize SkinMD on its affiliation with Empower Aesthetics. Post this Revitalize SkinMD has affiliated with Empower Aesthetics, a portfolio company of Shore Capital Partners. Founded in 2015 and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Vikas Patel and Priti Patel, Revitalize has become the leader in non-invasive cosmetic treatments in Waco, Texas, blending clinical excellence with a personalized approach to aesthetics. The practice has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional outcomes and building lasting relationships with its clients. "The acquisition of Revitalize by Empower reflects the strength of well-run, physician-led practices in the evolving medical aesthetics industry," said Tedd Van Gorden, Director of Investment Banking at Skytale. "We are honored to have represented Dr. Vikas and Priti Patel in this important transaction. Their unwavering commitment to their team, their investment in staff training and development, attention to detail, and their clinical excellence made Revitalize a standout in the market and a highly attractive partner for Empower. Our focus on the medical aesthetics market continues to distinguish us as the number one investment bank in this sector." Empower, backed by the private equity firm Shore, is building a premier national network of medical spas by partnering with top-tier practices across the country. The acquisition of Revitalize marks another step in their mission to elevate patient care and provider support in the aesthetic space. "We are incredibly excited to join one of the leading medical aesthetic platforms in the med spa industry Empower. Under the leadership of Alyssa Rapp, the outstanding team at Empower aligns perfectly with our values of holistic patient care, integrity, and continued growth and success," said Revitalize co-founders Dr. Vikas and Priti Patel. "We are also deeply appreciative of the fantastic and highly talented team at Skytale, whose expertise, strategic insight, genuine understanding of our vision, and guidance were invaluable during this journey of finding the right partner. Empower and Skytale are some of the best in the industry, and we at Revitalize look forward to a bright future ahead!" "We are truly excited to partner with Priti and Dr. Vikas Patel to expand our presence in Texas," said Preethi Menon, Senior Vice President of Integrations, and Matt Botha, Senior Director of M&A at Empower Aesthetics. "They have built an outstanding business, and we are looking forward to working together to continue driving their growth and ongoing success." With this transaction, Skytale once again demonstrates its unmatched expertise and results-driven approach to representing founders and clinicians in the medical aesthetics sector. Skytale Managing Director, Ben Hernandez; Director, Tedd Van Gorden; Vice President, James Wimpress; and Analyst, Ryan Gerteisen; represented Revitalize in the partnership process. About Skytale Group Skytale Group is a management consulting and investment banking firm based in Dallas, TX. Skytale offers tailored and comprehensive strategic guidance to medical practices looking to thrive, grow, scale, sell, or understand the value of their businesses. Skytale's highly experienced team relies on vast knowledge of dental, medical aesthetics, and other healthcare industries they serve to guide clients in making decisions that move their businesses forward. Obsessed with details and efficiency, Skytale analyzes financial statements, systems, and operations to help clients elevate every aspect of their businesses. Certain principals of Skytale Group are licensed Investment Banking agents registered with Burch & Company, Inc., 4151 N. Mulberry Dr, Ste 235, Kansas City, MO 64116, member FINRA/SiPC. Services involving securities shall be performed by Burch. Skytale Group and Burch are unaffiliated entities. Learn more at skytalegroup.com . About Empower Aesthetics Empower Aesthetics is a national aesthetics platform that provides the tools, support and strategy to empower aesthetic owners and practices to reach new heights while maintaining the highest quality of care. With corporate presences in Chicago, Illinois and Austin, Texas, Empower is looking for providers with whom to partner and grow. To learn more about Empower Aesthetics, please visit www.empower.spa , or email [email protected] . About Shore Capital Partners Shore Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm with offices in Nashville, is an investor in lower middle market companies in the Healthcare, Food and Beverage, Business Services, Industrial, and Real Estate industries. Shore's strategy is to support management partners to grow faster with less risk through access to capital, world-class board and operational resources, and unmatched networking, development, and shared learnings across the portfolio. From 2020-2024, Shore received recognition from Inc Magazine as a 5x Top Founder Friendly Investor and by Pitchbook Research for being the global leader in Private Equity total deal volume from 2019-2023. Shore targets investments in proven, successful private companies with superior management teams, stable cash flow, and significant potential to grow through industry consolidation and organic growth to generate value for shareholders. Shore has $9.1 billion of assets under management and in additional investment platforms to which it provides business and operational consulting services. For more information on these awards and investment platforms, please visit: www.shorecp.com . SOURCE Skytale Group The global awards program recognizes SmartJobBoard for its innovative approach to recruitment through AI-powered job board solutions DENVER, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartJobBoard, a leading AI-powered job board solution provider for associations, nonprofits and government organizations, today announced that it has been named the sole Gold winner in the "Best AI-powered Recruitment Solution" category of the 2025 Globee Awards for Artificial Intelligence. "It's an honor to be named a winner of the 2025 Globee Awards alongside such an esteemed group of companies," said SmartJobBoard CEO Rodion Telpizov. "The recruitment industry is rapidly evolving, and we're proud to be developing AI-powered solutions that help associations, nonprofits and government career centers drive growth and deliver greater value to their members." SmartJobBoard's job board platform leverages advanced AI-powered candidate matching and scoring technology. The system analyzes each resume in relation to the job descriptionassessing skills, education, work history and certificationsto generate a clear, easy-to-understand match score for both recruiters and applicants. By embedding this intelligence directly into its platform, SmartJobBoard transforms associations and nonprofit career centers into high-impact engagement hubs, boosting member interaction and unlocking new, sustainable revenue streams. The Globee Awards for Artificial Intelligence honor organizations, products, teams, and individuals leading the way in AI innovation. From breakthrough AI models and intelligent automation to transformative use cases in healthcare, finance, security, and more, these awards spotlight those making the most significant impact through artificial intelligence. "The 2025 winners reflect the innovation and forward-thinking mindset needed to lead in AI today," said San Madan, president of the Globee Awards. "With over 2,995 professionals globally participating in data-driven evaluations, this recognition truly represents industry-wide respect and validation." The full list of winners can be found here: https://globeeawards.com/artificial-intelligence/winners/ To learn more about SmartJobBoard, visit: https://www.smartjobboard.com/ About SmartJobBoard SmartJobBoard is a leading AI-powered job board solution provider for associations, nonprofits and government organizations. With the industry's only advanced AI tools, SmartJobBoard transforms organizations' online career centers into robust recruiting and information hubs to drive engagement and growth. SmartJobBoard elevates job discovery and recruitment by combining advanced AI-based candidate matching and scoring capabilities, integration tools, dashboard analytics and customizable design templates into one streamlined offering. With an innovative approach to targeted recruiting and a simple application process for job seekers, SmartJobBoard helps organizations increase member engagement and achieve revenue growth. Founded in 2008, SmartJobBoard is trusted by over 400 organizations worldwide, including United Service Organizations (USO), American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), Serving & Accrediting Independent Schools (SAIS) and Work for Warriors (WFW). For more information, visit www.smartjobboard.com. About the Globee Awards The Globee Awards present recognition in ten programs and competitions, including the Globee Awards for Achievement, Globee Awards for Artificial Intelligence, Globee Awards for Business, Globee Awards for Excellence, Globee Awards for Cybersecurity, Globee Awards for Disruptors, Globee Awards for Impact. Globee Awards for Innovation (also known as Golden Bridge Awards), Globee Awards for Leadership, and the Globee Awards for Technology. To learn more about the Globee Awards, please visit the website: https://globeeawards.com. Media Contact: Michiko Morales Gabriel Marketing Group (for SmartJobBoard) Phone: (202) 805-2345 Email: [email protected] SOURCE SmartJobBoard China's nontraditional retail hubs draw young shoppers People's Daily Online) 13:42, June 03, 2025 Beyond the confines of traditional department stores and shopping malls, many consumers are gravitating toward unconventional, creativity-driven commercial spaces that pulse with vitality and originality. On a recent afternoon at Langyuan Station, just outside Beijing's east fifth ring road, visitors strolled past red-brick houses and sun-dappled greenery. The open-block layout sets the space apart: repurposed warehouses, railway tracks, station platforms and leafy courtyards blend seamlessly with a diverse collection of founder-led brand stores. Photo shows visitors at Langyuan Station, outside the east fifth ring road in Beijing. (People's Daily Overseas Edition/Li Jie) Once a textile storage facility, Langyuan Station began its transformation in 2019. Today, the sprawling complex has been reborn as a dynamic hub, drawing together the film and television industry, cafes, bookstores, art galleries, designer homeware shops, niche boutiques and music bars. "This site was destined to become a nontraditional commercial project," said Zhao Chunyan, general manager of Beijing Capital Langyuan Culture Development Co., Ltd. Nontraditional commercial spaces, a growing trend in China, break away from conventional retail models by emphasizing personalization and differentiation. Data from Winshang, an industry information provider, shows that most nontraditional commercial projects launched in recent years are relatively small in scale, typically covering less than 50,000 square meters. Even before these spaces attract widespread consumer attention, pioneering brand owners are often among the first to take notice. At Langyuan Station, one such tenant is Ziinlife, a designer home decor brand. The store's facade retains the site's signature red-brick wall, while inside, a nine-meter-high ceiling has been reimagined as a two-level gallery. Visitors climb a wooden staircase to explore the brand's distinctive vision of modern home living. "You can't create this kind of spatial experience in a traditional shopping mall," said Li Fei, the store manager. When Ziinlife had to relocate a few years ago, the team bypassed conventional malls, wary of high rents and large but untargeted crowds. After looking at nearly 20 parks across Beijing, they ultimately chose Langyuan Station. Why are nontraditional commercial projects proliferating in China's urban spaces? One key driver is the larger wave of urban renewal. Many aging neighborhoods, abandoned industrial sites and underperforming shopping centers are in urgent need of revitalization. In July 2024, China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development reported that more than 2,600 old factory areas and commercial blocks nationwide had already undergone renovation. Winshang's data also indicates that nontraditional venues are particularly attractive to niche and individualized brands compared to traditional retail spaces. These settings naturally draw young consumers who share similar tastes and lifestyles with the brand owners, creating a distinctive cultural and visual community. At Langyuan Station, for example, just 20 percent of the 104 commercial tenants are chain stores; the remaining 80 percent are independent or nontraditional brands. One such tenant is Lao Ding Feng, a time-honored pastry brand from Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At Langyuan Station, the brand has reimagined its identity, presenting a fresh, contemporary face to visitors. "We came in with the intent to do something different," said Dai Kun, marketing director at Beijing Lao Ding Feng Food Co., Ltd. The red brick and railway tracks at Langyuan Station resonated with Lao Ding Feng's drive for innovation. Today, this location serves not only as a retail outlet but also as the company's headquarters and R&D center in Beijing. Compared with the brand's other Beijing locations, this one doesn't offer the best geography or foot traffic. Yet during this year's five-day May Day holiday, the store ranked among the top performers in sales across all its Beijing branches for several days. Nontraditional commercial projects have also taken social media by storm, generating buzz with pop-up markets, events and exhibitions. But what's the secret to running them successfully over the long term? "At Langyuan Station, our strategy is built on three pillars: industrial integration, community engagement and design-driven development," Zhao said. Zhao believes Langyuan Station's greatest strength is its integration of commerce and industry where retail activity is supported by genuine industrial output, and commercial success helps drive further industrial growth. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) McDonald's Takes Dipping to the Next Level with Brand-New McCrispy Strips and Creamy Chili Dip We've been listening to our fans on social and beyond, and they have made one thing clear: they want more chicken. But not just any chicken they... CLEVELAND, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Wellness Holdings, LLC ("Standard Wellness" or the "Company"), a leading multi-state cannabis operator, today announced the appointment of Kelley Cordell as its Vice President of Retail. In this role, Cordell will lead the company's retail operations strategy, overseeing store performance, team development, and customer experience initiatives across all dispensary locations. She will report to Jared Maloof, CEO of Standard Wellness. "It's rare to find a leader who balances customer insight, operational strength, and team development the way Kelley does," said Mr. Maloof. "Her arrival marks a key step in deepening our commitment to customer satisfaction and building a culture where our retail teams can thrive." Kelley Cordell brings over 15 years of experience in retail leadership, having previously served in senior roles in traditional retail environments before joining the cannabis industry in 2020. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a proven track record of elevating in-store experience, optimizing retail operations, and driving revenue growth and expansion. "I'm excited to join the team at Standard Wellness as we continue to grow and evolve in the cannabis space. The team has built a strong foundation, and I'm looking forward to building on that successexpanding our footprint, enhancing the in-store experience, and driving operational excellence across the board. There's real momentum here, and I'm proud to be part of a company that's redefining wellness through innovation, purpose, and smart retail strategy." Cordell's appointment underscores Standard Wellness's commitment to investing in strong leadership as it scales its retail footprint and continues to deliver on its mission of providing safe, effective, and high-quality cannabis products. About Standard Wellness Founded in 2017 in Ohio, Standard Wellness is a vertically integrated cannabis company operating across Ohio, Missouri, and Utah, with cultivation, processing, and dispensary licenses in Maryland. The Company operates five retail locations under The Forest brand and has been a pioneer in the industry, including making the first-ever legal marijuana sale in Ohio through its dispensary The Forest Sandusky and the first ever delivery to a Utah pharmacy in February 2020. With approximately 350 employees, Standard Wellness is dedicated to improving quality of life by providing safe and legal access to cannabis for medical and adult use. Contact: Standard Wellness Chief Executive Officer: Jared Maloof Chief Executive Officer [email protected] SOURCE Standard Wellness Holdings, LLC VILNIUS, Lithuania, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Startup Lithuania, in partnership with global innovation platform Plug and Play, announces today the 5th call for applications for the Startup Lithuania Accelerator powered by Plug and Play. This initiative aims to empower early-stage, tech-driven startups willing to establish in Lithuania by providing access to tools, mentorship, and a global network to scale their businesses. Applications for Batch 5 are open and close on July 4, 2025. After four batches accelerating over 40 startups, helping 18 secure funding, and taking 12 companies to Silicon Valley through the Plug and Play Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning (GOAL), the Startup Lithuania Accelerator will conclude with its fifth and final batch. This marks the last opportunity for startups to join the program that has launched both Lithuanian and international startups onto the global stage. "This 5th call for applications is an incredible closing chapter for the Lithuanian startup ecosystem," said Povilas Zinys, Director of Plug and Play Lithuania. "We're excited to meet new startups, help them scale, and connect them with the tools, knowledge, and investors they need to grow." The final Batch 5 program will follow the established structure of previous cohorts, offering selected startups access to mentorship from industry experts, pitch development sessions, and office hours with the Plug and Play team. Startups will also have the opportunity to present at the program's Expo event in front of investors and corporate partners and be considered for the GOAL program in Silicon Valley. For information about the application process, Plug and Play will host an online information session on June 10 to explore the program in detail, including benefits, selection criteria, and important dates, to help potential participants prepare their applications. Following the close of applications, Plug and Play will analyze submissions and present top candidates to the Investment Committee for final selection. Selected startups will be invited to the Launch Event on September 18, 2025, in Vilnius, Lithuania, marking the start of the program. The Startup Lithuania Accelerator has strengthened the local startup ecosystem by helping founders prepare for investment, connect with international partners, and scale their businesses. Kloosive, one of the program's alumni, secured funding from Plug and Play after completing the program. "The connections we made and the support from others in the batch were game changers for us," said Viktorija Ramanauskaite, CEO of Kloosive. Batch 4 has already shown strong momentum. The 15 startups accepted into Batch 4 include: AgroSync - https://www.linkedin.com/company/agrosync/ Closo AI - https://www.linkedin.com/company/closo-ai/ CloudAtlas - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloudatlas/ DataCall AI - https://www.linkedin.com/company/datacall-ai/ DNA Machines - https://www.dna-machines.com/lander INSTO - https://ins.to/ Kashimi - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kashimi/ Longevity lab - https://www.linkedin.com/company/longevitylab/ MBito - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mbito/ Motifind - https://www.linkedin.com/company/motifind/ Nuar - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuarapp/ Red Arrow technologies - https://www.linkedin.com/company/red-arrow-technologies/ technologies - Veli - https://www.linkedin.com/company/veliapp/ Vitakord - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardiwe/ Zavo Pay - https://www.linkedin.com/company/zavopay/ "Time flies when the journey is this impactful we can hardly believe we're already inviting startups to the final Plug and Play cohort in Lithuania. It's been an incredible ride, and the results speak for themselves: the fourth batch brought together many of the ecosystem's most recognized startups, proving that the Lithuanian tech scene sees Plug and Play as a truly valuable international partner," said Karolina Urbonaite, Startup Ecosystem Lead at Startup Lithuania. "We strongly encourage all ambitious founders to seize this final opportunity to learn from global experts, connect with a worldwide network, and be seen on the international stage." For more information and to apply for Batch 5 of the program, visit https://startup-lithuania-accelerator.pnptc.com/ . About Startup Lithuania Startup Lithuania is the national startup ecosystem facilitator, powered by Innovation Agency Lithuania, under the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania. It supports startups through key growth initiatives, connecting international resources with local talents. The organization leads initiatives such as the Startup Guide, an online pre-acceleration program, and the Startup Visa Lithuania program, which helps international talent relocate to Lithuania. Startup Lithuania also organizes Startup Fair, the country's main annual startup event, and actively represents the ecosystem at international tech conferences, putting Lithuania's startups on the global map. For more information, visit Startup Lithuania . About Plug and Play Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/ . Plug and Play Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Plug and Play AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Straker Limited (ASX: STG) ("Straker" or the "Company"), a global leader in AI-powered language technology solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic integration with n8n, a widely adopted AI automation platform with over 230,000 active users globally and more than 3,000 enterprise clients. The new Straker Verify node, available within the n8n ecosystem, addresses a critical challenge faced by businesses scaling content creation and localisation using AI: maintaining translation quality and compliance at speed and scale. With this integration, the active users of n8n can now sign up as a Verify Ai customer and: Automatically trigger translations the moment new content is generated the moment new content is generated Receive real-time quality scores Automatically route lower-scoring or high-priority content to expert linguists at Straker for human review to expert linguists at Straker for human review Accelerate global content delivery, with full confidence in linguistic accuracy and regulatory compliance This capability is especially suited to regulated sectors, such as finance, healthcare, and legal, where translation precision is critical to compliance and operational integrity. "As organisations race to adopt generative AI workflows, translation accuracy and oversight cannot become casualties of speed," said Grant Straker, CEO and Co-founder. "This integration with n8n ensures businesses can move fast without compromising on the quality their global audiences demand. It is yet another example of Straker's strategy of leveraging third party platforms to cost effectively broaden the reach of our sales efforts and grow Straker's high margin recurring revenue" The Straker integration is now live and accessible at: https://n8n.io/integrations/straker About n8n Harnessing the power of AI, the open-source automation platform n8n is positioning itself as a central nervous system for the AI content revolution. It is a workflow automation platform combining AI with business processes. It moves beyond simple task automation to become a full-fledged development environment for creating sophisticated, AI-driven content pipelines. By integrating deeply with leading AI models and platforms like LangChain, n8n allows technical teams to construct complex workflows that can autonomously research, generate, refine, and publish content across multiple channels. This source-available and highly flexible nature means businesses can deploy it on their own infrastructure, ensuring full control over their data and AI models, a critical credential in an era of proprietary AI systems. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, n8N is a private company with funding from Sequoia, Felicis Ventures, Firstminute Capital, Harpoon Ventures, and others. Authorisation This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Straker Limited. About Straker Straker provides next generation language services supported by a state-of-the-art technology stack and robust AI layer to clients around the world. By combining the latest available technologies with linguistic expertise, Straker's solutions are scalable, cost-effective, and accurate. Through technical innovation and data analytics, Straker is a proven partner in future-proofing global communications. For more information visit: www.straker.ai SOURCE Straker Ltd LA VISTA, Neb., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Streck is excited to announce the release of an updated version of the Streck ARM-D Kit, OXA that detects an additional 36 allelic variants in 3 new antimicrobial resistance (AR) gene families. This expanded coverage is in response to customer feedback, particularly the member laboratories of the Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who have identified gene families and allelic variants of increasing diversity and relevance and require a surveillance method that can effectively detect them. Of particular interest to these labs is effective detection of the variants of OXA-235, OXA-236 and OXA-237 in the OXA-134 family, as well as OXA-327-like and OXA-198-like beta-lactamase enzymes. "The expansion of the Streck ARM-D Kit, OXA demonstrates our dedication to ensuring our products meet the needs of our customers in public health laboratories and emphasizes our commitment to make a global impact through solutions that improve infectious disease testing strategies," said Chris Connelly, director of Business Segment Molecular. "We're proud to be a trusted resource for laboratories working hard in the fight against antimicrobial resistance." Streck's ARM-D kits allow for the cost-effective and comprehensive detection of more than 2,000 allelic variants across 25 AR gene families. Results from the kits demonstrate 100% concordance with whole genome sequencing (WGS) data from the same samples, for the targeted AR variants. The ARM-D kits are often used as a pre-WGS screening method to reduce the cost of AR surveillance in public health laboratories in the United States and other parts of the world. Streck ARM-D Kit, OXA is For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. About Streck, Inc. Established in 1971, Streck provides solutions that ensure every result counts by empowering clinical and research laboratories to reliably deliver accurate results, advance diagnostics and enable healthier, happier lives for patients everywhere. Streck products are manufactured in La Vista, Nebraska, and delivered to thousands of labs worldwide. Contact: Chris Connelly, Director of Business Segment - Molecular [email protected] SOURCE Streck Best-ever May for Crosstrek Year-to-date sales up three (3) percent CAMDEN, N.J., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today reported 52,292 vehicle sales for May 2025, a decrease of 10.4 percent compared with May 2024 (58,356). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 275,260, a three (3) percent increase compared with the same period in 2024. Crosstrek took the position as the top seller and achieved its best May ever with 15,793 vehicles sold. Post this Subaru retailers made May a best-ever sales month for Crosstrek, and delivered another strong month for Forester, which has been receiving exceptional rankings as a top choice for younger drivers. We know customers appreciate our commitment to safety and reliability, whether they are first-time owners or returning members of the Subaru family. Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc.: "Subaru retailers made May a best-ever sales month for Crosstrek, and delivered another strong month for Forester, which has been receiving exceptional rankings as a top choice for younger drivers. We know customers appreciate our commitment to safety and reliability, whether they are first-time owners or returning members of the Subaru family. This, along with being recognized as the No. 1 automotive brand on Forbes' Best Brands for Social Impact list for the third year in a row, makes it clear how deeply our efforts to be More Than a Car Company are resonating with customers and beyond." Crosstrek took the position as the top seller and achieved its best May ever with 15,793 vehicles sold, a 14.1 percent increase over the same month in 2024, and Forester was close behind with 15,434 vehicles sold. Outback sales reached 11,214 vehicles sold, while BRZ, Impreza, and Legacy saw positive sales growth over the previous year. Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales, Subaru of America, Inc.: "Our hardworking retailer network remains essential to our brand's success, especially as we work to address current low inventory on popular models like Forester. They are making sure the relationship doesn't end after purchase, whether it's taking the time to educate new owners about important features and technology, providing exceptional service, or their ongoing dedication to supporting local Subaru Love Promise initiatives, our retailers always put in the extra effort." Carline May-25 May-24 % Chg May-25 May-24 % Chg MTD MTD MTD YTD YTD YTD Ascent 3,547 5,277 -32.8 % 18,384 22,935 -19.8 % BRZ 326 227 43.6 % 1,459 1,171 24.6 % Crosstrek 15,793 13,836 14.1 % 74,340 64,368 15.5 % Forester 15,434 15,345 0.6 % 84,629 81,741 3.5 % Impreza 2,457 2,419 1.6 % 12,923 12,428 3.9 % Legacy 1,793 1,527 17.4 % 9,469 7,610 24.4 % Outback 11,214 16,506 -32.1 % 62,649 64,850 -3.4 % Solterra 1,246 1,546 -19.4 % 5,326 4,149 28.4 % WRX 482 1,673 -71.2 % 6,081 7,963 -23.6 % TOTAL 52,292 58,356 -10.4 % 275,260 267,215 3 % About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. Dominick Infante Director, Corporate Communications (856) 488-8615 [email protected] Diane Anton Corporate Communications Manager (856) 488-5093 [email protected] Adam Leiter Corporate Communications Specialist (856) 488-8668 [email protected] SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc. DALLAS, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VertexOne, a leading provider of cloud software designed to revolutionize the customer experience within the energy and utility industry, announced today that Summer Energy Northeast, LLC, a licensed, competitive electric retail supplier serving commercial and residential customers across parts of the American Northeast, has gone live following a successful migration to VertexOne's leading billing and customer information system (CIS), VXretail, and electronic data interchange (EDI) solution, VXexchange. Headquartered in Dallas, Summer Energy Northeast, which prides itself on its customer-centric approach and customizable, straightforward terms and pricing plans, specializes in a bespoke approach when it comes to ensuring their customers the power to choose, with services that put their customers in control of where their energy supply comes from. "Our customers aren't just our priority they're our purpose, and partners like VertexOne make it possible to provide excellent service to those customers, who matter most," said the Summer Energy Northeast Team. "We needed a dependable technology partner who shares a commitment to delivering software that transforms the customer experience into something effortlessly intuitive. VertexOne doesn't just meet that standard, they embody it and exceed our expectations at every opportunity." The Summer Energy Northeast Team noted that VertexOne solutions have made the EDI and Billing process easy, transforming internal operational efforts and the customer experience. "We're now able to streamline processes and cut costs while simultaneously introducing new and enhanced products to rapidly grow our business with no pains," the Summer Energy Northeast Team further explained. "Today's energy retailers need technology that doesn't just meet current needs but anticipates future ones," VertexOne Senior Vice President of Sales Strategy, Ananda Goswami, said. "I've seen firsthand how energy retailers struggle with systems that box them in rather than set them free. That's why I'm especially proud of our work with Summer Energy Northeast," Goswami added. "We didn't just migrate their data, we transformed how they connect with their customers." "This successful migration," Goswami continued, "delivered on time, on budget, and precisely as promised, shows why forward-thinking energy providers continue to choose VertexOne's superior integration capabilities and comprehensive functionality as the foundation for their growth strategies." For more on VertexOne's EDI CIS/Billing System for Retail Energy, visit: vertexone.net/products/vxretail About VertexOne VertexOne is the leading provider of cloud-based SaaS solutions, powering the next generation of customer experience for utilities, energy retailers and energy transition providers. With more than 30 years of experience and 400 customers in the cloud, we capitalize on our deep expertise to provide a wide range of innovative solutions for digital transformation, revenue optimization and data-driven efficiency operations surrounding the customer. We empower our clients to deliver a compelling customer experience, reduce costs to serve, increase operational efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. For more information on how VertexOne allows you to enhance the digital customer experience, improve revenue management and leverage data analytics, visit vertexone.net. Summer Energy Northeast, LLC Summer Energy Northeast, LLC is committed to reshaping how customers power their homes and businesses. Owned and operated by seasoned veterans of the energy industry, it provides dependable, flexible energy solutions designed to empower consumers in making informed energy decisions. Summer Energy Northeast is driven by the belief that customers deserve greater control over their energy usage, so its dedicated team leverages deep industry knowledge and innovative technology to deliver reliable, competitive options tailored to today's energy needs. MEDIA Lynn Steinberg VertexOne [email protected] SOURCE VertexOne Dr. Gray to lead evidence-based clinical direction for all of Sun Life U.S. Dental WELLESLEY, Mass., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life U.S. today announced the appointment of Dr. Todd Gray as Chief Dental Officer (CDO) for its Dental business, which includes DentaQuest. Dr. Gray will focus on enhancing the organization's clinical strategy, including implementing evidence-based improvements, overseeing quality, strengthening collaboration with dental providers and dental professional associations, and driving innovation in oral healthcare. "This dedicated clinical leadership role will further strengthen collaboration with providers." Post this Dr. Todd Gray "This dedicated clinical leadership role will further strengthen our industry leading clinical team and advance collaboration with providers," said David Healy, president, Dental, Sun Life U.S. "Dr. Gray has the right mix of experience to drive enterprise clinical alignment across all our segments and brands, from Sun Life group dental coverage to DentaQuest Medicaid programs to private-label Medicare Advantage solutions. I look forward to working with Dr. Gray in our steadfast commitment to improve the oral health of all." In this role, Dr. Gray will build on a company-wide culture of person-centered care, with an emphasis on prevention. He will also support Sun Life's advocacy efforts to educate policy leaders and other stakeholders about the importance of oral health to overall health, helping ensure legislative and related efforts promote greater access to high-quality dental care. "I am passionate about making it easier for providers to deliver effective and efficient dental care, which aligns with the dedication across Sun Life and DentaQuest to increase access to quality oral healthcare nationwide," said Dr. Todd Gray, CDO, Sun Life U.S. "The focus on working closely with fellow dental providers and supporting a renewed emphasis on oral health prevention drew me to this position, and I am excited to play a larger role in helping achieve improved oral health outcomes in every community we serve." Dr. Gray's experience as a dental leader spans more than 20 years, covering direct patient care delivery, managed care dental benefits administration, and a focus on special populations including those with Medicaid and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Most recently, he served as a clinical advisor for DentaQuest, where he supported medical-dental integration, network recruitment and development, client and government outreach, and market conditioning and benefit design. Previously, Dr. Gray has served as CDO for Teledentistry.com, as CDO and senior vice president of quality management at Liberty Dental Plan, and as dental director for the State of Nevada. He also was a public policy advocate for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and adjunct faculty at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, and he has held board positions for organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada and the Nevada State Medicaid Advisory Committee. Dr. Gray received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where he also completed his residency in Pediatric Dentistry. Sun Life U.S. Dental, which includes DentaQuest, is dedicated to improving the oral health of all through purpose-driven, outcomes-based solutions. We make dental benefits better for everyone through Preventistry an inclusive approach centered on preventive, quality care, expanded access and solutions built on valued relationships across the health care ecosystem. We manage dental and vision benefits for approximately 35 million Americans. For 30 years, we have delivered cost-effective benefit plans and services for employer groups, individuals, health plans, and government-sponsored dental programs. We are the largest Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits administrator in the U.S., by membership. We also support direct patient care through an expanding network of approximately 75 dental practices in underserved communities across the United States. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.55 trillion. For more information, please visit sunlife.com. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs more than 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). Direct Media Inquiries to: Maya Linson [email protected] 202-794-3738 SOURCE Sun Life U.S. Selected for their stories and accomplishments, each student will receive $10,000 toward higher education FRANKLIN, Tenn., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carl's Jr. announced today that ten students from around the country have been selected as Carl N. and Margaret Karcher Founder's Scholarship recipients. Every year, on behalf of founders Carl and Margaret Karcher, Carl's Jr. awards $100,000 in scholarships to 10 outstanding individuals who have excelled academically, demonstrated leadership in extracurriculars and their communities and have financial need in pursuing higher education. Since 1998, Carl's Jr. has granted more than $1.5 million in scholarships to 1,000-plus deserving students. 2025 Carl N. and Margaret Karcher Founder's Scholarship Open to first-time college freshmen in states with Carl's Jr. locations, this year saw recipients hailing from California, Oregon, Texas and Nevada, and included a Carl's Jr. restaurant team member. "Since our inception, Carl's Jr. has been committed to supporting the aspirations of those in the communities where we live and work," said Blake Devillier, Carl's Jr. Brand President. "This year's recipients not only shine in the classroom, but they also show true dedication to supporting their communities. We are honored to provide this assistance to kick start the journey to each of their bright futures." Congratulations to the following recipients on their award for the 2025-2026 school year Adam Badawia - University High School, CA Ameen Kandathil - Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, CA - Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, CA Celerina Lee - Sunny Hills High School , CA - , CA Daniel Cuz - PSJA Memorial High School, TX - PSJA Memorial High School, TX Eduardo Murillo Reyes , SOAR High School, CA Carl's Jr. Team Member , SOAR High School, CA Carl's Jr. Team Member Ivan Sun - Ed W. Clark High School , NV - , NV Mercedes Rodriguez - La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, OR - La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, OR Sangeet Satpathy - Henry M. Gunn High School , CA - , CA Santiago Preciado Cruz - Life Academy High School of Health and Bioscience, CA - Life Academy High School of Health and Bioscience, CA Sophie Garcia San Pedro Senior High School, CA Twitter: @carlsjr Instagram: @carlsjr TikTok: @carlsjrofficial YouTube: @carlsjr Facebook: facebook.com/carlsjr About Carl's Jr. Carl's Jr. is famous around the world for big, audacious, impossible-to-ignore flavors inspired by its California roots. For a bold move, guests have ordered items like over-the-top, juicy charbroiled burger creations, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders, Hand-Scooped Ice-Cream Shakes and indulgent breakfast burgers for more than 80 years. Together with its Franchisees, Carl's Jr. operates more than 1,000 restaurants across the U.S. and has a presence in 24 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.carlsjr.com. About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., a privately held company based in Franklin, Tennessee, runs and operates Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, two beloved brands, known for premium and innovative menu items such as iconic charbroiled burgers, Made from Scratch Biscuits and Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders. With both a U.S. and international footprint, Carl's Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee's Restaurants LLC have more than 3,600 franchised or company-operated restaurants domestically and more than 35 international markets and U.S. territories. For more information about CKE, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com. SOURCE CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. By combining practical advice with real-world insights, Info-Tech Research Group's recently released resource empowers CMOs to step confidently into one of the most high-pressure roles in the C-suite. With only four years on average in the role, CMOs face pressure to make an immediate impact by closing knowledge gaps, shaping a strategic vision, and launching meaningful initiatives. The global IT research and advisory firm's blueprint supports this transition with a clear, phased approach that delivers early wins and lays the foundation for long-term success. TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - The early months in a chief marketing officer (CMO) role, whether new to the position or revisiting strategic priorities, are often filled with competing demands, unclear expectations, and pressure to deliver quick results. CMOs are expected to rapidly understand the organization, align marketing efforts with broader business objectives, and build credibility with stakeholders. To help navigate this critical leadership transition, Info-Tech Research Group has published The First 90 Days as a CMO, a strategic resource offering practical guidance, proven frameworks, and actionable tools to help CMOs establish early wins and lay the foundation for long-term success. A three-phase approach to CMO onboarding outlined in Info-Tech Research Groups newly published blueprint. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group) "The role of CMO in corporate environments is both exhilarating and daunting. Whether new to the position or looking to reset strategic priorities, marketing leaders face intense pressure to prove their value quickly," says Nathalie Vezina, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "The short average tenure of CMOs, around four years, indicates high expectations and the volatile nature of this position within marketing and the C-suite. Success depends on quickly addressing major challenges, such as filling knowledge gaps, developing a strategic plan, and implementing impactful initiatives." Info-Tech Highlights Key Barriers to Marketing Success In its blueprint for CMOs, Info-Tech outlines key challenges that often limit marketing's influence, including misalignment with business strategy, poor cross-functional collaboration, and a lack of credibility with executive leadership. The firm emphasizes that recognizing and addressing these issues is essential for long-term success in the role. Info-Tech's insights reveal that a critical yet often overlooked barrier is the absence of strong data analysis and market research capabilities. When CMOs lack the tools to generate and apply meaningful insights, strategic decision-making suffers. The firm recommends that CMOs prioritize understanding and clearly communicating these needs to stakeholders and the broader organization as a foundational step toward driving impactful marketing outcomes. A Three-Phase Approach to CMO Onboarding To guide CMOs through their transition, Info-Tech's blueprint outlines a structured 90-day methodology: 1. Set the Stage (Days 130) Begin by evaluating the market and business context. These steps include reviewing internal perceptions, analyzing the competitive landscape, and performing a strategic assessment to understand the current state. 2. Establish Direction (Days 3160) Develop a clear strategic framework by crafting a marketing vision, setting strategic goals and objectives, and implementing a structured plan to guide the organization forward. 3. Plan Execution (Days 6190) Define the path to success by identifying strategic initiatives, assessing resources, and planning implementation. At the same time, evaluate investment needs, review team capabilities, address risks, and set a timeline for key projects. CMO Advisory: Balance Quick Wins With Long-Term Growth Info-Tech's marketing research expert Nathalie Vezina details that while quick wins are valuable, they should never come at the expense of laying a strong foundation for long-term brand building and market positioning. The firm advises that it is essential for CMOs to strike a balance between immediate results and strategies that ensure sustainable growth. For exclusive and timely commentary from Nathalie Vezina and access to the complete The First 90 Days as a CMO blueprint, please contact [email protected]. Media Passes to Info-Tech LIVE 2025 in Las Vegas Registration is now open for Info-Tech LIVE 2025 in Las Vegas, taking place June 10 to 12, 2025, at Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier event offers journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact [email protected]. Exhibitors are also invited to be part of Info-Tech LIVE and showcase their products and services to a highly engaged audience of IT decision-makers. For more information about becoming an Info-Tech LIVE exhibitor, please contact [email protected]. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, serving over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X. SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. By 2050, OPEC forecasts oil demand to reach over 120 million barrels a day, which is significant, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Haitham Al Ghais said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of Baku Energy Week. It's a great pleasure to be in Baku again for Baku Energy Week in its 30th anniversary, which is a sign of how important this event is. Of course, in making forecasts we look at all aspects of the market. We look at the global economy to start with, which we still feel is quite robust. We're expecting growth this year of around 2.9%, despite some challenges. We look at supply and demand. We're forecasting demand to be growing by around 1.3 million barrels per day this year compared to the previous year, he said. Al Ghais pointed out that for supply, OPEC looks at various components: For us, we are assessing this year's non-DoC supply growth, meaning countries not in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC). Supply is expected to grow by around 800,000 barrels per day compared to last year. A big part is still coming from the United States. OPEC forecasts US oil production will increase by 330,000 barrels per day in 2025, albeit this is much lower than previous years and we have also seen a significant decline in the rig count recently. Most of that, of course, is shale oil. Also, when there is talk about trade and tariffs, one tends to look at it from the effects on the economy and the demand side. It will also have an effect on the supply side, because of the cost of raw materials, steel, cement. However, all of these things are still factors that are taking time to play out. The Secretary General noted that OPEC continuously monitors and assesses the main market dynamics on a monthly basis. Non-DOC supply is coming from many other sources too, including, Brazil, Canada, some places in South America and Asia. Chinese oil production is rising this year compared to previous years, when it was flat. So, it's not only about the United States production, which is of course, a very important component of the global supply-demand picture, he said. The Secretary General also noted that OPEC will launch its updated World Oil Outlook in July at the OPEC International Seminar. Some of the key aspects, trends and messages in the Outlook are related to pragmatism. In fact, this is one of the key things we have seen in the last 1-2 years -- more people are approaching the world's energy pathways with more pragmatism and realism. Al Ghais went on to add that it was important to consider that there will be nearly 2 billion more people on this planet by 2050, and a lot of these people will be in the non-OECD, the developing world, alongside that the urbanization rate is growing significantly, with OPEC seeing from now to 2030 nearly 500 million people moving to cities around the world. You can imagine how much these cities will require in terms of the consumption of electricity, gas, gasoline, diesel, heating, air conditioning. We believe in recent years there has been a pushback on policies related to net zero and alternatives, such as renewables. We are not against the fact that there will be an increase in the penetration of the renewable energies. However, we believe that renewable energies alone cannot fuel the world's economic growth and future energy requirements. The world has to become more realistic and pragmatic in terms of adopting all energies. I underline the word all, because OPEC believes in an all-energies approach. We believe in wind, solar, hydrogen, renewables, coal, and of course oil and gas, which will remain very prominent in the energy mix, he said. The issue is how we can adopt all of these energies and at the same time reduce emissions. Because the challenge the world is facing is about emissions, not energy sources. The core principle of the Paris Agreement is to reduce emissions. That's why in OPEC we take a pragmatic and realistic approach, he said. The Secretary General noted that today, oil and gas representaround almost 55% of the global energy mix. With coal, together, it's 80%. Since the 1980s, it has also been around 80%. The world has spent nearly $10 trillion in the last 20 years to transition away from fossil fuels. But this has not happened. Because the world is consuming more oil, more coal, more gas than ever before. Our projections show that by the end of 2025, in the last quarter of this year, oil demand will reachover 106 million barrels a day, a new record. By 2050, we forecast oil demand to reach over 120 million barrels a day, which is significant. Because oil alone is 30% of the global energy mix and we see it continuing at around this level even in 2050. Therefore, we require a lot of investments. These will be some of the significant and very important messages we will be highlighting in our outlook this year, he said. Al Ghais pointed out that OPEC considers all of the emerging trends in its forecasting, whether it's short-term, medium-term, or long-term. Of course, you cannot make a forecast without looking at geopolitics, economic growth, population growth and other trends. Our data looks at everything on a pure merit basis. We don't look at it with an ideological perspective; we remove ideology and focus on the facts and figures. The most important thing is that we do these things on a purely technical basis. At the end of the day, it's always the fundamentals that win. Fundamentals that are based on solid forecasting and good research and analysis always win, he explained. Talking about the upcoming 9th International OPEC Seminar, he noted that this is the Organizations flagship event, one that is held every two years. And every year it's more successful. This year it will be the ninth OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, which will be held on the 9th and 10th of July. Of course, we will be honoured with the presence of Azerbaijans Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev. In addition to that, this year, for the first time, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR has agreed to become a sponsor of the event. SOCARs president Rovshan Najaf will also attend the event. We have a very rich programme: three ministerial panels and seven high-level roundtables for industry leaders, including company CEOs and heads of international organizations. So far, we have over a thousand delegates registered from OPEC Member Countries and non-OPEC nations, including Azerbaijan, as well as host of other CEOs and industry experts. The future of our planet depends on us being together, thinking together under one roof and the Seminar is exactly the platform we are creating to bring together all the industrys stakeholders. We even have companies that are engaged in renewable energies, such as Masdar, ACWA Power, both of which are very active in Azerbaijan. We have the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency, as well as the minister from India, the fastest growing consumer of oil, and many others. We try to bring a big, diverse portfolio of public figures, private sector figures, industry leaders, stakeholders to explore opportunities and challenges together. We chart these pathways for the future of our energy all together. In OPEC, we have an open door to talk to everybody on a realistic basis, and we welcome the opinions of all, he concluded. BABYLON, N.Y., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Ben Chevere, CEO is acknowledged as an Inner Circle Lifetime for his contributions to Building Scalable Solutions in Healthcare Consulting and Laboratory Management. Ben Chevere, CEO Ben Chevere, an accomplished leader in medical consulting, currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of a thriving healthcare consulting firm that delivers turnkey laboratory and medical solutions nationwide. With more than 25 years of experience in the profession and two years in his current role as CEO, Mr. Chevere has developed a reputation for transforming practices through operational excellence, strategic growth, and an unwavering focus on results. Under his leadership, the practice has expanded from just 9 to 58 employees across four statesNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticutgrowing into a multimillion-dollar enterprise with double-digit EBITDA. Today, Mr. Chevere oversees operations for over 100 laboratories and provides comprehensive administrative and specialty medical services. His consulting model encompasses areas such as weight loss, dermatology, gynecology, and general practice expansion, with an emphasis on efficiency, compliance, and scalability. Inspired early on by his father's work in the hospital setting, Mr. Chevere has since dedicated his career to advancing healthcare delivery through innovative systems and people-first leadership. In addition to his executive responsibilities, he is deeply committed to giving backvolunteering with numerous organizations and contributing articles to industry journals and magazines. Among his most treasured accomplishments is being a devoted father of five and a proud grandfather, with a second grandchild expected in November 2025. Looking ahead, Mr. Chevere continues to focus on fostering sustainable growth within the healthcare sector, aiming to scale meaningful solutions while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Guided by his core belief"I am driven to provide for my family"he remains a purpose-driven executive grounded in integrity and impact. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, George W. McCarthy is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions as A Visionary Leader in Housing and Land Policy. George W. McCarthy George W. McCarthy, renowned for his exceptional leadership and expertise in housing and land policy, continues to make strides in shaping the future of urban development. Serving as the president and chief executive officer of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, since 2014, Dr. McCarthy has led the institute through a period of unprecedented growth and global impact. With a career spanning 39 years in the industry, Dr. McCarthy's leadership has been instrumental in expanding the Lincoln Institute's workforce from 38 to over 160 employees and more than tripling its budget. Under his guidance, the institute has forged global partnerships with major organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), further solidifying its influence in the realm of housing and land policy. Dr. McCarthy's academic background serves as the foundation of his illustrious career, with a Doctor of Philosophy in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Arts in economics from Duke University, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics and mathematics from the University of Montana. Throughout his tenure, Dr. McCarthy has been actively involved in various professional associations, including the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the International Association of Assessing Officers, among others. His dedication to advancing housing and land policy has been recognized through numerous career accomplishments, including the introduction of new centers and capabilities to the Lincoln Institute and facilitating its ability to confer undergraduate and graduate degrees through a merger with Claremont Lincoln University. Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. McCarthy is supported by his loving wife, Florence "Tootie" Larios, as he continues to envision a future of growth and success for the Lincoln Institute and the field of housing and land policy. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle PITTSBURGH, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) expects to issue financial results for the second quarter 2025 at approximately 6:30 a.m. (ET), Wednesday, July 16, 2025, as previously announced. PNC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William S. Demchak and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert Q. Reilly will hold a conference call for investors the same day at 10 a.m. (ET). Dial in numbers are (866) 604-1697 and (215) 268-9875 (international). The following will be accessible at www.pnc.com/investorevents: a link to the live audio webcast on the day of the conference call; presentation slides, earnings release and supplementary financial information; and a webcast replay available for 30 days. A telephone replay of the call will be available for 30 days at (877) 660-6853 and (201) 612-7415 (international), Access ID 13753957. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com . CONTACTS MEDIA: Kristen Pillitteri (412) 762-4550 [email protected] INVESTORS: Bryan Gill (412) 768-4143 [email protected] SOURCE The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. From animal prints to products that last to grandma chic, there's something new for every parent out there LAS VEGAS, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC Kids Expo , the organizers of North America's premier juvenile products gathering, just wrapped their 2025 show in Las Vegas, where thousands of new products from strollers to car seats to clothing and furniture, were featured. The ABC Kids Expo team scoured the floor to find the top trends in the industry. ABC Kids Expo, the organizers of North Americas premier juvenile products gathering, just wrapped their 2025 show in Las Vegas, where thousands of new products from strollers to car seats to clothing and furniture, were featured. The ABC Kids Expo team scoured the floor to find the top trends in the industry. "We continue to see companies both big and small stepping up their level of innovation," said Aaron Pederson, President, All Baby & Child, ABC Kids Expo. "New products are solving problems, helping to streamline the day to day and overall making parenting a little easier." Top trends coming out of the show included: Animal Prints are everywhere! From strollers to clothing to bottles to carriers, we're seeing everything from leopard to zebra prints in a variety of colors. Tech is becoming a bigger part of this world and we're seeing Connected Home products emerging across multiple categories. New bassinets with built in tech options, sound machines that turn on when they sense your baby is crying and monitors that interpret a baby's cry are just a few of the ways to make parenting a little easier. Rust/desert colors are in, with a strong focus on deep reds, yellow, oranges and browns, as well as Western prints. From clothing to swaddles to pacifiers to strollers these colors were everywhere. Longevity is more important than ever. We're seeing strollers that turn into trikes that turn into scooters. Car seats that go from infant seat to booster seat. Even bottles that turn into sippy cups and pouch holders. Products are no longer one and done, they're built to last. Grandma chic is taking over the category. Checkered patterns on gliders, storage boxes for the playroom or long travel, even Liberty of London clothing patterns. It's everything grandma loves made modern. Travel products continue to evolve. From fold up strollers that fit in the overhead bin of an airplane to luggage that kids can ride on to FAA approved chillers for breast milk, travel has never been easier. Licensed characters are here! Peanuts, Batman, World of Eric Carle , Disney, we're seeing them all across multiple categories from wagons to strollers to clothing to feeding. This year's ABC Kids Expo tripled its footprint from last year and featured over 350 exhibitors at the sold-out Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The ABC Kids Expo is held yearly in Las Vegas, NV. The 2026 show will be held from May 13-15 at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. The show is only open to the trade. For additional information visit https://theabcshow.com/ . About All Baby & Child ABC Kids Expo (All Baby & Child), founded in March 2003, is a non-profit organization dedicated to producing events on behalf of the juvenile products industry. The corporation's main objective and purpose are to act as a business league that helps organize and manage trade shows to benefit juvenile product manufacturers, specialty store retailers, distributors, and manufacturers' representatives. Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE ABC Kids Expo DUBLIN, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TriNet (NYSE: TNET), a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs), has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For. TriNet, a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small and medium-size businesses, has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For. "Receiving recognition as one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report is a tremendous honor and a testament to our incredible colleagues. Their unwavering dedication to each other and our customers propels our mission forward every day," said Catherine Wragg, TriNet's Chief People Officer. "TriNet is committed to cultivating a highly collaborative workplace that empowers our team and offers growth opportunities, ultimately enhancing our ability to better serve our valued SMB customers." The U.S. News Best Companies to Work For list evaluated more than 5,000 publicly traded companies based on key factors such as pay and benefits, work-life balance, stability, workplace safety, belonging, and career development. About TriNet TriNet is a leading provider of Human Resources solutions for small and medium size businesses, offering advanced technology-enabled services that include human capital expertise, employee benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, payroll and payroll tax administration, risk mitigation, and compliance consulting. Our long-term objective is to be the premier provider of HR services for a broad range of SMBs through industry leading benefits, sales distribution excellence, and a world class services delivery model. For more information, visit TriNet.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. SOURCE TriNet UNION COUNTY, N.J., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Urban League of Union County is proud to announce a growing partnership with Power Home Remodeling ("POWER"), highlighted by a generous $200,000 grant awarded through the company's POWER for Good initiative. The funding will directly support the Urban League's mission-driven community services, including youth programs, workforce development, and other essential resources aimed at building opportunity and equity throughout Union County. Power Home Remodeling team visits Urban League of Union County in Elizabeth, NJ for a formal meet and greet with the President/CEO Crystal Orr (L to R) Daiton Powell (PHR), Crystal Orr (ULOUC), Ryan Byrd (PHR), and Stephanie Falana (ULOUC Director of Programs and Operations) More than just financial support, this partnership represents a shared commitment to community impact and meaningful engagement. In recent months, both organizations have connected through site visits, volunteerism, and forward-looking collaboration: POWER representatives visited the Urban League's offices to learn more about the organization's work and impact on the ground. In turn, Crystal Orr, President & CEO of the Urban League of Union County, and Dr. Stephanie Falana, Operations & Programs Manager, visited POWER's Edison, NJ office to meet with over 150 members of their team, sharing the Urban League's mission and exploring long-term partnership opportunities. On April 21st, a team of approximately 15 POWER employees volunteered at the Urban League office, assisting with sorting and organizing hundreds of clothing items in the organization's business attire closet. This initiative helps prepare community members for job interviews and professional opportunities. POWER will also participate in the Urban League's upcoming housing event, with plans underway for continued collaboration around youth engagement, workforce readiness, and volunteer initiatives. "I am grateful to bring on new partners to our organization that saw the work we were doing and wanted to acknowledge itnot only through financial support, which is always appreciatedbut by joining us in meaningful, hands-on ways," said Crystal Orr, President & CEO of the Urban League of Union County. "I value partnerships that are holistic, where we support each other's missions in kind. Volunteerism, shared vision, and community impactthat's what this is about. That is exactly what Power Home Remodeling and their POWER for Good initiative have shown us." "POWER For Good is all about the empowerment and amplification of our people's innate desire to do good and give back," said Jim Myers, Director of Community Impact at POWER. "Partnering with The Urban League of Union County is a direct reflection of our employees' passions and interests, desire to support a deserving service organization, and drive to make a tangible impact in their local community." The Urban League of Union County and POWER are excited to continue building this impactful relationshipone rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and the goal of creating lasting change across New Jersey communities. For more information, please visit https://uloucnj.org and Instagram: @ulucnj. About the Urban League of Union County The Urban League of Union County, founded in 1944, is a non-profit community service organization dedicated to enabling African Americans and other disadvantaged individuals to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. The organization provides essential services in education, housing, health, employment, re-entry, and advocacy. About Power Home Remodeling POWER is the nation's largest, full-service, exterior home remodeler with more than 4,000 employees, over one million lifetime customers, and $1.4 billion in annual revenue. Established in 1992 and headquartered in the Philadelphia region, POWER's primary product line includes windows, siding, roofing, gutters, doors, solar roofing panels, and attic insulation, providing energy-saving solutions to residents across its operating territories, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. At POWER, we believe that every home, person, and community has potential, and everything we do is in service of bringing that potential to life. That belief led us to create POWER for Good which amplifies the vision and voices of our people to drive our philanthropic efforts. Learn how Our Work Shows at www.powerhrg.com. For more information, contact: Syreta J. Oglesby [email protected] 201-658-3711 SOURCE Urban League of Union County SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, U.S. Money Reserve announces the launch of the fifth release in its exclusive World War II: Valor & Victory Series of pure gold coins. The exclusive three-coin set pays tribute to the pivotal role of American forces in one of the most significant battles of World War II. Battle of the Bulge Coin Release Imagery For over two decades, U.S. Money Reserve has championed the importance of preserving America's legacy through exclusive coin programs. The World War II: Valor & Victory Series was designed to honor the service and sacrifices of U.S. forces by connecting historic milestones to timeless assets like gold and silver. "As we unveil the Battle of the Bulge coin, we stand proud as a company committed to honoring the bravery and sacrifices of the men and women who fought in World War II," said Philip Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and 35th Director of the United States Mint. "This series not only commemorates historic battles but also represents our enduring respect and gratitude. It's a testament in gold to a generation whose courage defined the course of history." A Turning Point Commemorated in Pure 24-Karat Gold The Battle of the Bulge, fought in December 1944 in Belgium's Ardennes Forest, was the largest and costliest single battle undertaken by U.S. forces in WWII. American forces withstood a surprise German offensive amid brutal winter conditions. Their victory helped hasten the end of Nazi Germany's campaign in the West. This pivotal battle is commemorated through the design of U.S. Money Reserve's new coin set, thoughtfully crafted under the guidance of two former Directors of the U.S. Mint. The set features vivid depictions of key moments from the battlegrounds: Obverse : Paratroopers descending alongside ground forces, honoring the valor of the 509th and 551st Parachute Infantry Battalions. : Paratroopers descending alongside ground forces, honoring the valor of the 509th and 551st Parachute Infantry Battalions. Reverse: A Sherman tank pushing forward with infantry through snowy terrain, representing the grit and determination that defined the battle. "We approached the design of the coins in this series with deep respect and careful intention," said Ryan Buchanan, Chief Creative Officer at U.S. Money Reserve. "For the Battle of the Bulgelike every coin in the serieswe worked to visually tell the story through powerful imagery, varied relief depths, and advanced finishing techniques. Our collaboration with CIT and B.H. Mayer Mint makes it possible to achieve a level of artistry and dimensionality that truly brings these historic events to life in a way few coins ever have." Unmatched Craftsmanship in Every Detail The 3-coin set is struck in .9999 pure (24-karat) gold, includes 1 oz., 1/4 oz., and 1/10 oz. coins, available exclusively through U.S. Money Reserve. Each coin is official legal tender, graded PR-69 or PR-70 by PCGS, and certified as "First Day of Issue," providing numismatic documentation for collectors, historians, and gold buyers alike. "We are proud to partner with two of the most respected names in mintingCIT and B.H. Mayerto produce these museum-quality coins," said John Rothans, Chief Procurement Officer at U.S. Money Reserve. "Struck in extremely limited mintage, these rare pieces represent the highest standards of craftsmanship and collectability in the world of precious metals, allowing us to preserve these moments in history with the reverence and permanence they deserve." Each Battle of the Bulge set also includes a randomly selected 1 oz. silver coin from the full Valor & Victory Series. The set is packaged with a certificate of authenticity, and each coin is presented in a protective display case featuring a PCGS label customized for the series. To learn more about the series and secure your Battle of the Bulge Gold 3-Coin Set, visit us here: https://usmr.gold/PRJUN3 About U.S. Money Reserve U.S. Money Reserve is one of the nation's largest private distributors of U.S. government-issued gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products. Founded in 2001, U.S. Money Reserve has grown into one of the world's largest private distributors of U.S. and foreign governmentissued gold, silver, platinum, and palladium legal-tender products, as well as precious-metals IRAs. Hundreds of thousands of clients across the country rely on U.S. Money Reserve to diversify their assets with physical precious metals. U.S. Money Reserve's uniquely trained team includes coin research and numismatic professionals equipped with the expert market knowledge to find products that offer the highest profit potential for precious metals buyers at every level. U.S. Money Reserve goes above the industry standard to provide superior customer service, with the goal of establishing a long-term relationship with each and every one of its customers. U.S. Money Reserve is based in Austin, Texas, with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Houston, Texas. Learn more at usmr.com, watch videos on YouTube, like U.S. Money Reserve on Instagram and Facebook, connect on LinkedIn, and follow on Twitter @USMoneyReserve. Media Contact Davis MacMillan RF|Binder [email protected] 212-994-7509 SOURCE U.S. Money Reserve Giresi to further reinforce Vertiv's digital and AI strategy, in support of executional strength, superior customer experience and operational leverage COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, today announced that Mike Giresi will join the company on June 30, 2025 as global Chief Information Officer (CIO), leading company initiatives in AI adoption across the business, cybersecurity, product security, and digital enabled productivity and customer experience. Mike Giresi joins Vertiv as global Chief Information Officer "Strong digital and IT vision and execution are central to our strategy to continue to lead the industry and constantly augment the value we are delivering to our customers," said Giordano (Gio) Albertazzi, Vertiv CEO. "Mike deeply understands the opportunities of a rapidly evolving AI, digital and IT space and has the experience, the executional focus and expertise to reinforce our competitive advantages." Giresi said, "I am excited to join Vertiv, helping the global teams to create accretive value through advancement of company digital strategy initiatives. By continuing to evolve and improve Vertiv customer experience, product development and manufacturing capabilities, we will take the next steps towards enabling accelerated adoption of AI and digitization for hyperscale, enterprise and edge customers." Most recently chief digital officer with consumer electronics company Molex, Giresi has more than 30 years of IT experience, with more than 20 in chief leadership roles. He has previously served as chief digital & technology officer at Aramark, CIO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., CIO of Tory Burch, CIO of Direct Brands (Columbia House & Doubleday), and CIO, SVP IT for Godiva Chocolatier. Giresi earned an EMBA from Saint Joseph's University Erivan K. Haub School of Business, and a BA from Seton Hall University in English and Information Systems. About Vertiv Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers' vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today's data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extends from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv does business in more than 130 countries. For more information, and for the latest news and content from Vertiv, visit Vertiv.com. Forward-looking statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27 of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements are only a prediction. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements set forth herein. Readers are referred to Vertiv's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a discussion of these and other important risk factors concerning Vertiv and its operations. Vertiv is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT Ruder Finn [email protected] SOURCE Vertiv Holdings Co Multi-Sensor Traffic Management Solution FlightHorizon Provides New Capabilities for Next Generation of Warfighters OKLAHOMA CITY, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc., provider of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software FlightHorizon, has been selected by the U.S. Air Force as a new vendor on the $46 billion Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract, or EWAAC IDIQ. The contract, designed to accelerate the development and delivery of innovative weapons systems, runs through 2031. Vigilant Aerospace Selected for US Air Force EWAAC Contract US Air Force EWAAC The U.S. Air Force awarded 122 companies positions on the $46 billion EWAAC as part of the fourth selection round to the procurement contract meant to support the rapid development of novel weapons capabilities. The acquisition vehicle's requirements include research and development, test and evaluation, production and fielding, prototyping, weapon design, system modeling and modernization. The contract is focused on digital acquisition and sustainment practices, including digital engineering, agile processes and open systems architecture. "As the US Air Force embraces autonomous capabilities, we're honored to play a role in helping them achieve this significant step forward," said Zach Peterson, Vigilant Aerospace's Director of Business Development. "FlightHorizon fills an important technical gap for managing large-scale autonomous flight operations across a range of locations and scenarios, making it an ideal platform for the US Air Force's needs." FlightHorizon utilizes NASA-patented technology to provide detect-and-avoid (DAA) alerts for uncrewed aircraft and to provide aircraft tracking. By integrating multiple sensors and utilizing industry technical standards and algorithms, the software delivers real-time situational awareness to track nearby aircraft and avoid potential collisions through visual and auditory alerts. About EWAAC The Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract managed by the U.S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base. The contract's primary objective is to develop novel weapons technologies across all lifecycle phases. The EWAAC aims to enable the Air Force to quickly acquire innovative solutions that can address emerging national security challenges. About Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc. Vigilant Aerospace is the leading developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones). We enable safe and scalable autonomous flight, beyond visual line of sight. Customers include NASA, the FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense and a variety of drone development programs. www.vigilantaerospace.com Media Contacts: Vigilant Aerospace [email protected] P: +1 405.445.7224 x106 Follow us on LinkedIn @vigilantaero SOURCE Vigilant Aerospace Content Licensing Agency to pursue deals enabling wider sharing of Washington Spectator's sharp-edged, insightful content NEW YORK, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Spectator (TWS), founded in 1971 as a purveyor of independent, progressive journalism, today announced that it is partnering with content licensing experts MEI Global, LLC (MEIG) to increase the visibility and impact of its reporting. The MEIG dealmaker team will leverage the investigative reporting, informed social and political commentary, and cultural criticism of TWS' highly respected reporting to seek distribution partners who understand the value of authoritative coverage of critical issues that go under-reported by mainstream media. Founded by veteran Capitol Hill reporter and Vietnam War critic Tristram Coffin, the reader-supported TWS covers topics from poverty in America and the social implications of the coming Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom, to the fragility of the US elections system and the ideological leaning of the Supreme Court. Accurate, fact-based coverage of serious political and social topics is more critical than ever and TWS relishes the opportunity to partner with other platforms to find more end users who seek such reporting. "We're excited to see how MEIG's team is able to expand our reach." Hamilton Fish, publisher, The Washington Spectator Post this "From the start, The Washington Spectator has been a beacon of progressive, uncompromising journalism," says Hamilton Fish, editor and publisher of The Washington Spectator. "We're excited to see how MEIG's team, which has a deep understanding of the current licensing landscape, is able to expand our reach by way of new distribution channels and opportunities." Fish adds, "We welcome the chance to collaborate with partners on creative ways to present our coverage of key issues to an even broader audience." MEIG's president, Chris Broekhoff, says, "Content licensing has always been a fast-evolving industry, and technological changes are speeding that pace further. Publishers have so much to manage as it is; it can be difficult to keep up with licensing developments at the same time." Adds Broekhoff, "Our dealmaker team relishes the chance to put our expertise and experience in the service of publications like TWS that embody the importance of an independent press to thriving democratic systems and look forward to creating lasting and durable distribution partnerships on their behalf." About Washington Spectator: Since 1971, the non-profit, reader-supported Washington Spectator has offered independent-minded readers behind-the-scenes insight into significant news stories that are under-reported or ignored by the corporate media. For additional information, please contact Hamilton Fish, Publisher at [email protected]. About MEI Global, LLC: MEI Global is a content licensing agency that provides a suite of services to help publishers reach new audiences, without cannibalizing existing revenue streams. MEIG assists publishers with strategic decision making through a lens of revenue growth, brand extension, and intellectual property protection. For additional information, please contact Senior Vice President of Business Development Nancy Davis Kho at [email protected]. SOURCE MEI Global BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Colonialism remains a present-day challenge, not just a historical injustice, said Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), at an international scientific conference titled "Imperial Structure: Ideologies of Colonialism and Reality", Trend reports. "Whilst the goal has an exceptional purpose in recognizing the sacred justice of colonialism, we must not allow ourselves to believe that colonialism is a matter of certain past alone," Abbasov stated, warning that colonial policies still manifest in various forms across the world - politically, economically, culturally, and institutionally. Since its establishment during a ministerial meeting in July 2023, the BIG has committed to supporting global efforts to challenge modern forms of colonialism through research, advocacy, and inclusive dialogue. "Over the past two years, we have organized around 30 international events dedicated to Guadeloupe, Mayotte, Karaki, French Guiana, Reunion, Corsica, Martinique, Mayotte, and other territories still suffering under colonial rule," he noted. Abbasov emphasized that modern colonial structures contradict the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and numerous UN General Assembly resolutions. He called for the use of international legal mechanisms, increased public awareness, and multilateral cooperation to confront both direct and indirect colonial practices. "This conference seeks to foster a deeper understanding of how colonial ideologies were constructed, institutionalized, and justified, and more importantly, how their legacies continue to shape contemporary global dynamics," Abbasov said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. May 12, 2025, was hailed in some corners as a historic turning point. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)officially designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several EU statesannounced it was laying down arms and dissolving itself after over four decades of armed struggle. The declaration triggered a flurry of headlines and speculation across the globe. But Ankara didnt celebrate. There were no handshakes or diplomatic fanfare. Just silencemeasured, wary, and sharp-edged. In that silence, Turkiye didnt hear peace. It heard the overture to a new and possibly more insidious phase. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the governments position unmistakably clear: This move concerns not only northern Iraq, but all the branches of this organization in Syria and Europe. The tone wasnt conciliatoryit was surgical. From Ankaras perspective, rhetoric is not a substitute for dismantlement. Unless every node of the PKKs networkfrom the YPG and PYD in Syria to its European shadow front under the KCKis shut down for good, the so-called disarmament looks less like surrender and more like a rebranding campaign. The PKK has never been just a guerrilla force. It's a sprawling, transnational terrorist infrastructurebuilt not only in the mountains of Qandil but also in city councils, NGOs, universities, media outlets, faux womens organizations, and political fronts. Its ideology of democratic confederalism is less a political vision than a smokescreenobscuring the groups real objective: the destabilization of Turkiye's territorial unity and the creation of ethno-political enclaves to serve as pressure points across the region. So when the PKK talks about dissolving itself, Turkiye doesnt take it at face value. This isnt the first time the group has tried to change costumes without changing its core. The YPG, the PYD, and the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) may parade under different names, but their DNA is pure Ocalan. None of them openly admits their ties to the PKK, but their origin stories, leadership structures, and military playbooks tell a different tale. Right now, Turkiye isnt engaged in a diplomatic exerciseits facing a strategic fork in the road. Either this "self-dissolution" marks the beginning of a genuine and total dismantling of the terror network stretching from Syria to Europeor its just another PR stunt meant to whitewash a pivot into the mainstream under the guise of reform. And Ankara isnt playing games anymore. Its calling things by their names. If the PKK thinks it can switch outfits and sneak in through the side door, it wont be met with applauseitll be met with precision strikes. For Turkiye, national security is not a negotiation. From Denial to Indirect Dialogue: Talks or Tactical Theater? When Mazloum Abdi, commander of the SDF, went on Shams TV and hinted at direct and mediated channels with Turkiyeand even openness to meet with Erdoganit sent ripples across the region. Al-Monitor quickly followed with a report suggesting that Ankara was considering backchannel talks involving either Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan or intelligence chief Ibrahim Kaln. But Turkish officials wasted no time shutting that down. A diplomatic source told Reuters the reports were unfounded. That kind of flat denial is par for the course in Ankaras playbook, which has long preferred intelligence backchannels over official platforms when dealing with individuals it still designates as terrorists. Still, those familiar with Turkish intelligence operations say quiet contact is happeningand the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), not the Foreign Ministry, is driving the train. That wouldnt be new. Even at the height of conflict, Turkiye kept informal channels openremember the 20132014 talks with Salih Muslim, the former PYD co-chair, during the short-lived peace process. Timeline: From Kobani to a New Qandil (20222025) 2022: Turkish forces intensify cross-border operations in Iraqs anti-terror zones, consolidating military presence near PKK strongholds. Turkish forces intensify cross-border operations in Iraqs anti-terror zones, consolidating military presence near PKK strongholds. 2023: Ankara and Baghdad upgrade security coordination. For the first time, Iraqi officials publicly acknowledge Turkish participation in joint operations against the PKKs HPG units. Ankara and Baghdad upgrade security coordination. For the first time, Iraqi officials publicly acknowledge Turkish participation in joint operations against the PKKs HPG units. 2024: Israeli strikes on Iranian proxies in Syria indirectly weaken PYD positions and push some fighters into retreat. Israeli strikes on Iranian proxies in Syria indirectly weaken PYD positions and push some fighters into retreat. March 2025: Turkish intelligence executes a high-value operation, eliminating top KCK operatives in northern Iraq. Turkish intelligence executes a high-value operation, eliminating top KCK operatives in northern Iraq. May 12, 2025: The PKK announces its self-dissolution. The PKK announces its self-dissolution. May 27, 2025: Mazloum Abdi confirms existence of communication channels with Turkiye. Viewed through a military lens, Turkiye has established operational dominance. The political terrain, meanwhile, is shifting rapidly beneath the regions feet. The question is no longer whether the PKKs declaration signals an end to violence. The real question is whether it marks a genuine collapse of a decades-old terror networkor just a change of uniform in a war thats far from over. Turkiye, for its part, has made it clear: It wont be fooled by semantics. Interests in Play: A Regional Chessboard in Motion Turkiye is pushing for the full dismantling of the PKK and its Syrian and Iraqi offshoots, aiming to stabilize its southern frontier through what it calls a deep security modelan effort that may ultimately involve returning control of northern Syria to Damascus under strict conditions: the total exclusion of the YPG from any future equation. Meanwhile, the SDF and its political arm, the PYD, are playing a high-stakes legitimacy game. Their strategy hinges on international recognitionparticularly continued U.S. supportwhich they hope will preserve their military and political relevance on the ground. In Iraqi Kurdistan, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is playing its own game. It wants the PKK out of Sinjar, where its competing for influence with both Baghdad and pro-Iranian Shiite militias. The PKKs presence complicates the KRGs relationship with Turkiye and its balancing act with federal authorities in Baghdad. Washington, for its part, is caught in a diplomatic contortion. The U.S. sees the SDF as its most reliable partner in the fight against ISIS. But formally acknowledging the PYD/YPG as branches of the PKK would torpedo the legal framework underpinning Americas military presence in northeast Syria. So, the U.S. walks a tightropesupporting its anti-ISIS allies while sidestepping questions about their ideological lineage. Russia continues to exert influence through the Assad regime, using Kurdish actors as a lever against Turkiye. For Moscow, the Kurdish question isnt ideologicalits transactional. Iran is playing an asymmetric game. It supports Shiite militias, counters Turkiyes influence in Sinjar, and quietly suppresses its own Kurdish movementsall while exploiting every shift in regional power dynamics. Then theres Israel. By ramping up airstrikes on Iranian assets in Syria, it has indirectly weakened the SDFs position, making Kurdish actors more reliant on Western backing and further fracturing the already unstable balance in eastern Syria. Confederalism as a Smokescreen: From Ocalan to Mazloum Abdi The ideological backbone of the Kurdish movement todayDemocratic Confederalismwas crafted by PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan from his prison cell on Imrali Island. This theory now serves as the guiding philosophy for the PYD, YPG, YPJ, and the SDF. On paper, it rejects the creation of a Kurdish nation-state in favor of decentralized, grassroots self-governance. In practice, however, it functions as a blueprint for a parallel statecomplete with a rigid, militarized command structure. What began as a theoretical framework has morphed into a hybrid model where ideology, ethnicity, and authoritarianism collide. The groups claim to oppose hierarchy and nationalism, yet PYD maintains a political monopoly, and its armed wings enforce discipline through tightly controlled vertical structures. Key tenets include: Jineology , or the science of womena foundational concept that legitimizes the prominent role of female fighters and political actors. Its heavily promoted by YPJ and YJA Star units. , or the science of womena foundational concept that legitimizes the prominent role of female fighters and political actors. Its heavily promoted by YPJ and YJA Star units. Anti-capitalism and anti-statism though these principles are loudly proclaimed, in reality, power remains concentrated in PYD hands. though these principles are loudly proclaimed, in reality, power remains concentrated in PYD hands. Ocalans symbolic leadershiphis portraits, slogans, and writings are omnipresent in YPG offices and military installations. His ideological grip remains firm even in absentia. This is why Turkiye consistently argues that YPG is simply a rebranded PKKnot just based on intelligence reports but on ideological continuity and command overlap. The transformation is cosmetic. The core remains intact. The Numbers Game: Control, Losses, and Military Posture As of May 2025, control over Syrian territory breaks down roughly as follows: SDF holds about 22% of the country, including most of Hasakah province, parts of Raqqa, and large swaths of Deir ez-Zor. holds about 22% of the country, including most of Hasakah province, parts of Raqqa, and large swaths of Deir ez-Zor. Turkiye and its Syrian National Army (SNA) proxies maintain control of a 40-kilometer-deep buffer zone along the border, including Afrin, Tal Abyad, and Ras al-Ayn. proxies maintain control of a 40-kilometer-deep buffer zone along the border, including Afrin, Tal Abyad, and Ras al-Ayn. The Assad regime controls about 63% of Syria, encompassing Aleppo, Damascus, the coastal strip, and the south. controls about 63% of Syria, encompassing Aleppo, Damascus, the coastal strip, and the south. Iran-aligned militias dominate parts of eastern Aleppo and southern Deir ez-Zor, where they serve as Tehrans forward outpost. Force estimates and attrition: According to Turkiyes Foreign Ministry, the YPGoperating under the SDF umbrellafields between 35,000 and 50,000 fighters. Female brigades, such as the YPJ, number roughly 8,000. Since 2016, Turkish operationsincluding Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring, and Claw-Swordhave eliminated over 15,000 PKK/YPG fighters. Between 2022 and 2024, Turkish forces neutralized at least 1,600 PKK operatives in northern Iraq, many of them senior commanders. The Intelligence-Military Nexus: Who Sets Turkiyes Policy? Right now, Turkiyes Syria policy isnt being driven by diplomatsits being orchestrated by spies. The National Intelligence Organization (MIT), under Ibrahim Kaln, is not just gathering intelits setting the tempo for all interaction with the SDF. Kaln isnt just a spymaster; hes a strategic architect, balancing the intelligence game with diplomatic overtures and covert operations. Meanwhile, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) provides the backboneestablishing logistical corridors, securing border crossings, and executing deep-field reconnaissance missions. MIT has built an intricate web of informants in Kurdish-controlled Syria, drawing from defectors, tribal networks, and disillusioned SDF veterans. On the ground, Turkiyes elite special forcesthe Bordo Berelileroperate from a constellation of permanent bases in northern Iraq: Batufa, Bashiqa, Kani Masi. From there, they coordinate air-ground operations, eliminate high-value targets, and strike with precisionoften without needing coordination from Damascus or Tehran. The combination of military footprint and intelligence reach allows Ankara to project power, shape outcomes, and keep its adversaries guessing. In this game, Turkiye isn't looking for applauseits hunting for results. Regional Reactions and the Geopolitics of No Illusions The fallout from the PKKs self-dissolution has prompted a flurry of quiet recalculationsand not just in Ankara. While the announcement stirred little visible upheaval, it reverberated through war rooms and foreign ministries from Washington to Tehran. United States: Publicly, the Biden administration maintains its strategic embrace of the SDF as a core partner in the fight against ISIS. Pentagon spokespeople continue to stress the groups role in maintaining security and managing the detention camps holding thousands of ISIS fighters and their families. But behind closed doors, U.S. military officials are reportedly uneasy. Another full-scale Turkish offensiveespecially one targeting SDF zones in Hasakah or Qamishlicould crack the fragile containment system and destabilize the last pockets of post-caliphate order. Russia: For Moscow, the PKK gambit is another bargaining chip. The Kremlin is signaling willingness to facilitate the formal absorption of the YPG into the Syrian Arab Armya move that would consolidate Assads control and offer Turkiye a face-saving exit from the Kurdish quagmire. But this comes with strings: namely, Ankara must drop its backing for Syrian opposition forces in Idlib. For the Russians, its a zero-sum trade. Iran: Tehran is watching Turkiyes moves with increasing concern. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) views the idea of autonomous Kurdish zoneswhether in Iraq, Syria, or elsewhereas a direct threat to Irans internal cohesion, particularly in its own Kurdish provinces. Irans goal is simple: no federalism, no autonomy, no precedent. Israel: While absent from Kurdish diplomacy, Israel is reshaping the Syrian battlefield in its own way. By intensifying strikes on Iranian proxies in southern Syria, it is eroding Tehrans footholdand, indirectly, weakening Assads ability to police the periphery. The collateral effect: the SDF is left more isolated and more dependent on Western patrons, with fewer cards to play. European Union: Brussels, as usual, is on mute. Apart from issuing humanitarian statements and urging de-escalation, the EU has taken no tangible steps. But in the backrooms of Berlin and Paris, Kurdish diaspora groups continue to lobby through sympathetic lawmakers, especially those aligned with left-leaning or green parties. The PKKs brand may be toxic, but its political tentacles in Europe remain active. Scenarios on the Table: Between War and Negotiation Scenario 1: YPG Integration into the Syrian Army Russias preferred outcomeand one Turkiye could grudgingly accept if it came with ironclad guarantees that PKK-linked commanders are sidelined. Assad, however, is reluctant. Infusing his army with fighters whose loyalty is questionable could create internal fractures. Scenario 2: A Confederal Compromise This involves the creation of an autonomous zone under international supervisionpossibly with a UN mandate. It's a nonstarter for Turkiye, which sees such a move as a dangerous precedent for its own Kurdish-majority provinces. Scenario 3: Military Escalation If Ankara concludes the PKKs dissolution is a smokescreen, it could greenlight a major military operationlikely targeting SDF strongholds in Qamishli or Hasakah. This would dramatically shift the balance of power on the ground and potentially fracture Turkiyes already tense relations with Washington. Scenario 4: Third-Party Mediation Neutral venues such as Qatar, Iraq, or even Azerbaijan could serve as platforms for political negotiations or disarmament verification. Turkiye favors formats that exclude the U.S. and EU, focusing instead on regional players less encumbered by Western political calculations. No Illusions: Security Is Non-Negotiable For Ankara, this is not a chapter in a long diplomatic novel. Its a red line carved in stone. Anyone waving the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces today who once fought under the PKK flag must understand: you dont erase history by swapping logos. Peace is possiblebut only when guns are truly silenced, terror ideologies dismantled, and every organizational tether to a group that spilled Turkish blood is cut for good. Turkiye has learned to read between the linesto parse tactical shifts for what they are, not what they claim to be. And if the new chapter of the Kurdish question is penned by the same authors under a new font, Ankara wont hesitate to tear it out before its allowed to unfold. Because peace isnt weakness. Its the strategic posture of a strong stateone always ready to remind the world: the defense of the nation is not up for negotiation. Its a sovereign duty. 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 Brasilia, June 3 : An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor held a meeting with Brazil's Acting Foreign Minister, Maria Laura da Rocha, and discussed strengthening collaboration on anti-terrorist cooperation, multilateralism, and democratic values between both the countries. The delegation on Monday also thanked the South American country for understanding India's stand against terrorism and views shared on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Taking to social media platform X on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Brazil in a post said: "A high-level All-Party Delegation led by MP Shashi Tharoor met Acting Foreign Minister of Brazil, Ambassador Maria Laura da Rocha. They thanked Brazil for its understanding against terrorism, shared views on the Pahalgam attack, and discussed strengthening cooperation on anti-terrorist cooperation, multilateralism, and democratic values." Earlier, the Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Tharoor met Brazilian Senator Nelson Trad Filho, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front in the Federal Senate, to discuss the menace of cross-border terrorism, including the Pahalgam terror attack. The delegation conveyed India's bipartisan resolve and also thanked Brazil for its support in the global fight against terror. After successful visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, the nine-member Indian delegation which arrived in Brazil for a two-day visit includes Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Sarfaraz Ahmad, Telugu Desam Party MP GM Harish Balayogi, Bharatiya Janata Party MPs -- Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora and Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. As part of India's ongoing efforts to foster international cooperation in the global fight against terrorism, particularly in the context of Operation Sindoor and the country's sustained sustained campaign against cross-border terrorism, the high-level all-party Parliamentary delegation arrived in Brazil on Sunday evening (local time). "The All-Party Delegation led by MP Shashi Tharoor met Senator Nelsinho Trad, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front in the Federal Senate, to discuss the menace of cross-border terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack. They conveyed India's bipartisan resolve and thanked Brazil for its support in the global fight against terror," the Indian Embassy in Brazil said in another social media post on X. Earlier, the Indian delegation also met Ambassador Celso Amorim, Head Adviser to the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and briefed him on India's resolute response to the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in April. The Indian delegation also discussed the need for strengthened global cooperation against terrorism, alongside shared commitments to peace, security, and democratic values. They also thanked Brazil for its continued support in the fight against terrorism. "A high-level All-Party Delegation, led by MP Shashi Tharoor, met with Ambassador Celso Amorim, Head Adviser to the President of Brazil. The delegation briefed him on India's resolute response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and discussed the need for strengthened global cooperation against terrorism, alongside shared commitments to peace, security, and democratic values. The delegation thanked Brazil for its continued support in the fight against terrorism," the Indian Embassy in Brazil said in a post on X. "The Embassy of India in Brazil extends a warm welcome to Dinesh Bhatia, Ambassador-Designate of India to Brazil. He was warmly received by Andre Saboia, senior representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, along with Embassy officials. We look forward to working under his leadership to further strengthen the dynamic and strategic partnership between India and Brazil," the Indian Embassy in Brazil said in a post on X. Earlier on Monday, Congress MP Tharoor in a post on X said: "Our day in Brasilia begins with a visit to the Presidential Palace, where we meet with my old friend the Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Ambassador Celso Amorim (Brazil's longest-serving Foreign Minister twice & Defence Minister once). A full & rewarding discussion followed." "India Parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor met with the President of Brazil's Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Nelsinho Trad, and had a good & comprehensive discussion. The Senator extended full support to India," said Ambassador and one of the Indian delegation members, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, in a social media post on X. "India Parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor met with Celso Amorim, Chief Adviser of the President of Brazil & former Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as Defence. Amorim emphasised Brazil's condemnation of Terrorism and support for India," Ambassador Sandhu added on X. "The All Party Delegation to the Americas met with the India-Brazil Friendship Front (Federal Senate), led by Senator Nelsinho Trad, today. India and Brazil share a deeply valued partnership across multiple multilateral platforms. We discussed the significance of #OperationSindoor and collaborative efforts to address terrorism. Glimpses from the meeting!" said Bharaiya Janata Part (BJP) MP and one of the delegaion member, Tejasvi Surya, in a social media post on X. "The All Party Delegation to the Americas called on Ambassador Celso Amorim, Head Adviser of the Special Advisory to the President of Brazil, this morning. We discussed our position of #ZeroToleranceToTerrorism and Operation Sindoor. In a long and frank conversation, he expressed deep support, sympathy, and condemned the Pakistani attack. Highlighted how terrorism is a global threat and all countries must come together to address it. Brazil, a long standing ally of India, stands with us in this combat against terror. A fruitful start to our Brazil visit," BJP MP Surya added. The Indian delegation briefed Brazilian counterparts on recent developments in India, particularly in the aftermath of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation also conveyed India's strong national consensus and resolute stance in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, reaffirming the country's policy of zero tolerance towards cross-border terrorism. Washington, June 3 : US Second Lady Usha Vance has said that this was a time of opportunity in the bilateral relationship with India and spoke effusively of her recent visit to India along with her husband, Vice-President J.D. Vance, and their three children for whom, she added, it was a "mindblowing" experience. The Second Lady, who participated in a rare public interview at an event hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum on Monday, spoke feelingly about the bond her three children forged with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a grandfather figure. "This is a time of great opportunity. And I think if my husband were here, he'd say the same thing," she said when asked by the interviewer for her personal take on the bilateral relationship. "Obviously, the US and India, their relationship has ebbed and flowed at times. There are times when one country's needs and one country's goals are different from the other. But right now, I think in the next four years and in the future, the fact that there is this established Indian-American population here and so many people in India who know the country and know the people who are here doing great things, having great opportunities." She added: "When we were visiting recently, I was just struck by the number of people who came up to me to say how much they loved our country, how they visited family, how they visited just for pleasure, that they were hoping for a close relationship. Looking forward, and I think these personal ties actually really have something to do with it." The Vances were in India in April for the first vice-presidential visit in 13 years, coming after Vice-President Joe Biden's in 2013, when he was a part of the then President Barack Obama's administration. The succeeding two Vice-Presidents -- Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, who is also of Indian descent, never got around to make the trip. "It really was the trip of a lifetime for us, my children had never been to India. What would the pandemic and J.D. century mean to politics and all that, and so they'd grown up just knowing so much about this country, the stories, the food, the relationships with grandparents and friends, but they had never actually seen it. So it was just sort of mindblowing from their perspective. And then for me and J.D., I think it just could not have been any more special," Usha Vance said. "We had the opportunity to see some of the greatest sights in north India. We're looking forward to our next trip and trying to get to the parts of the country where my family is from as well. And it just was sort of one hit after another, right? The most incredible food, the peacocks that we got to see everywhere we went, getting to see the Taj Mahal in the morning and appreciate it as the sun was just sort of coming up, and the cool skies and blue skies over in the background. And of course, as you mentioned, meeting the Prime Minister was really very special." The Vances had met the Prime Minister Modi by this time. Their first meeting was in Paris on the sidelines of an AI summit in February. "They were sort of sleep deprived in Paris, and they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him the grandfather category immediately. So they are very into him. They just love him. And he really cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day. So when we were able to visit his home, they just sort of ran up. They were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them." Washington, June 3 : US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who is one of the Trump administration's key trade negotiators, has urged India to trust the US President Donald Trump, saying he will "take care" of India's interests. Lutnick, who is the lead US trade negotiator with India and a close adviser to President Trump, also expressed optimism about a deal with India soon. "The President thinks of America first, but he does not think of America only or America exclusively," he said at the annual summit of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). "First, he's got to take care of home so we're big and strong, but then he's going to take care of his allies. He's going to make sure he takes care of India who he deeply, deeply admires and respects, and we are going to have a great, great relationship together." The Commerce Secretary sounded less conciliatory when he laid out the US terms for a deal: "India is very protectionist with tariffs. They have 100 per cent tariff on this and 100 per cent tariff on that. And if you ask them why, the answer is, I don't know why. It just is. So I think the idea of really looking at those things, thinking about them, and bringing them down to a level that is reasonable and appropriate so we can be great trading partners with each other, I think, is absolutely on the table, and it's not stressful because they haven't thought about it. They think, yeah, it makes sense. Let's go make this a proper trading relationship." The US is seeking simply more access to the Indian market. "What I hope to achieve is market access. We would like our businesses to have reasonable access to the markets of India. Now, it's not going to be everything, and it's not going to be everywhere, but we want to have the trade deficit reduced now, in exchange for that, what India is going to want is they're going to want certain key markets... that they're going to want to make sure that they have special access to the American marketplace. And so that's the trade off. If I say, Look, I'll treat you incredibly kindly on the things that are really important to you, and you bring down your tariffs and give us market access. And let's find the proper place in the middle. And I think if you have the right person on the other side, what happens is, if you put a normal Trade Minister, it's an endless set of talking and no outcome, because they're used to saying, this kind of deal would take three years. Let's get this done in two years, and that's not really fun for me. So the idea is, when they put the right person in India, put the right person on the other side of the table, and we've managed, I think, to be in a very, very good place. And you should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not too distant future, because I think we found a place that really works for both countries." Kuala Lumpur, June 3 : An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation, led by Janata Dal United MP, Sanjay Kumar Jha, communicated to prominent Malaysian political leaders in Kuala Lumpur, as part of diplomatic and public outreach, to counter cross-border terrorism. The delegation held high-level interactions with representatives from key Malaysian political parties and think-tanks to convey India's firm stance on zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the Indian Embassy in Malaysia said on Monday in a press statement on social media platform X. The visit reaffirmed India's national consensus on taking decisive and proportionate measures to counter terrorism and its sponsors, the press statement added. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India remains committed to ensuring national security by working with strategic partners such as Malaysia to combat the scourge of cross-border terrorism, the Indian Embassy in Malaysia said in the press statement. The delegation led by Sanjay Kumar 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. In the meeting with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People's Justice Party), led by Sim Tze Tzin, the delegation outlined India's resolute approach under Operation Sindoor and reaffirmed India's unity against cross-border terrorism, the Indian Embassy in Malysia said in the press statement. The PKR delegation appreciated the comprehensive briefing by the Indian delegation. The leader of the delegation, Sanjay Kumar Jha, also interacted with Saraswathy Kandasami, Deputy Minister of National Unity, during the engagement. The delegation held constructive talks with the Democratic Action Party (DAP), led by M. Kula Segaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform). The delegation conveyed India's perspectives and national resolve against terrorism. Discussions centered on India's resolute response to cross border terrorism under Operation Sindoor and diplomatic initiatives taken by India, with regard to Indus Water Treaty kept under abeyance, emphasising that "Water and blood cannot flow together". The delegation also met with senior representatives of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), led by Tan Sri Dato Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and Deputy President Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, and highlighted India's unwavering stand against terrorism and conveyed India's new normal of responding firmly against any act of terror on the Indian soil. The MIC leadership expressed solidarity with India's fight against terrorism. In 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, the delegation briefed them on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam and outlined the ongoing Operation Sindoor -- India's precise, measured, responsible, and non-escalatory response. The delegation also elaborated on India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, and emphasised that India will no longer make a distinction between terrorists and the countries that support them. The discussion began with a think-tank delegate describing the nine-member all party delegation described as 'Navaratnas' from India, and commended the 'All Party' nature of the delegation. 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. These engagements are part of India's concerted diplomatic effort to project its unified and principled position on terrorism. New Delhi, June 3 : The holy relics of Lord Buddha returned to India on Tuesday after a spiritually significant month-long exposition tour across Vietnam. The relics were ceremoniously received at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi. The delegation accompanying the relics was led by Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha, along with representation from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), led by Ven. Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Secretary General, and National Museum officials. "The holy relics will be publicly displayed at the National Museum, Delhi, for a day, allowing devotees and dignitaries to offer their respects. A formal prayer meeting with senior monks, IBC officials, and diplomats will follow," the IBC said in a post on X. "On June 4, the relics will travel in a Presidential cavalcade to Sarnath via Varanasi, where they will be ceremonially enshrined at Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, marking the grand conclusion of this historic international pilgrimage," it added. The extraordinary spiritual movement swept across Vietnam as millions of devotees participated in a historic veneration pilgrimage of the Buddha's sacred relics from India. The sacred tour, spanning multiple revered locations from the south to the north of the country, drew more than 17.8 million devotees in total, uniting Buddhists and spiritual seekers in a profound display of reverence and cultural solidarity. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had called the exhibition of these relics in Vietnam an "expression of close and friendly ties over centuries." The veneration not only affirmed Vietnam's deep-rooted Buddhist heritage but also became a vibrant expression of national unity and peace. Ceremonies included relic processions, meditative gatherings, chanting, and educational sessions, fostering spiritual mindfulness among attendees of all ages. The holy relics arrived in Vietnam from India on May 2 with an Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju which also included Andhra Pradesh Minister Kandula Durgesh and senior monks and officials. The relics were supposed to remain in Vietnam until May 21 as part of the UN Day of Vesak celebrations. However, responding to a formal request from the Vietnamese government after receiving a recommendation from the Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs, India agreed to extend the enshrinement of sacred relics of the Buddha in Vietnam beyond May 21, according to the reports of Vietnamese local media. The relics were displayed at Thanh Tam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, then in Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh province, Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh province, Phuc Son Pagoda, Bac Giang Province, Truc Lam Yen Tu Monastery in Quang Ninh, Chuong Pagoda in Hung Yen and Quan Am Ngu Hanh Son Pagoda in Da Nang City of Vietnam. Dragon boat races thrill visitors, boost local economy 08:11, June 03, 2025 By Wang Songsong, Li Wenfang ( China Daily As dragon boats swiftly navigated the narrow waterways of the Diejiao water town in Foshan, Guangdong province, the crowds were thrilled at the jaw-dropping maneuvers and fierce competition. The traditional racing event attracted more than 2 million visitors to the town during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. The Diejiao dragon boat race is an intangible cultural heritage in Foshan. The narrow and winding rivers there prompt the rowers to perform dramatic stunts and sudden stops during the race, earning it the nickname of the "fast and furious". For example, in the Dongsheng competition section, each team of nearly 40 members must navigate a 25-meter-long boat at a high speed through a 560-meter course consisting of six sharp turns. The roar of paddles was matched by the thunderous shouting and cheering of excited spectators. Among the visitors was a 27-year-old marketing manager from Shenzhen, surnamed Zhu. "It was my first time seeing a dragon boat race up close, especially the thrilling bend sprints unique to Diejiao," he said. "The atmosphere was marvelous and unbelievable, and crowds packed the riverbanks and even rooftops." "From incense rituals and firecrackers to dragon boat races and lively food stalls, the village was alive with tradition," he said. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, from Saturday to Monday, Foshan received over 2 million visitors, marking a 46.11 percent year-on-year increase, said the local government. Tourism revenue is estimated to have surged to 1.015 billion yuan ($141 million) during the three-day holiday, up 49.26 percent year-on-year, it added on Monday. The competition in Foshan will last until June 15, and top teams from across Guangdong and those from other cities such as Hong Kong and Macao will be invited to participate. Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday honoring Qu Yuan, one of ancient China's greatest patriotic poets, and is marked nationwide by thrilling dragon boat races. Data from travel services provider Qunar showed that, as of Monday, searches containing keywords like "dragon boat" and "zongzi" more than doubled compared with the previous month, and bookings for destinations offering folk culture experiences rose more than 40 percent. In recent years, more areas have expanded their festivities by blending the races with local culture and tourism, creating richer and more immersive experiences for visitors and boosting the local economy. In Haikou, Hainan province, about 40 teams, including those from Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, competed in international dragon boat racing from Saturday to Sunday, attracting over 219,000 visitors, Haikou Daily reported. In Fujian province, Fangzhuang village, one of China's largest wood dragon boat manufacturing hubs, received over 200 orders for dragon boats this year, setting a record. Fang Jianwei, a dragon boat craftsman, said they have received orders from Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces. There were also overseas orders, including those from the United States and Japan. Dragon boat traditions go beyond southern China. This year, northern-style racing returned to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in Cangzhou, Hebei province, after nearly 200 years. "The race highlights not just speed, but also skill and creativity," said Zhang Ge, deputy general manager of Cangzhou Grand Canal Development Group, adding that the city plans to turn dragon boat shows into a regular tourism product, integrating cultural, social and economic benefits to boost Cangzhou's cultural tourism appeal. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) CGTN: Recently, the U.S. has repeatedly claimed that China violated the common understandings reached at the China-U.S. economic and trade meeting in Geneva and took a series of negative moves. Whats Chinas response? Lin Jian: The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce has made clear Chinas position on that. The Geneva consensus was reached in line with the principle of mutual respect and equal-footed consultation. China has been responsibly and faithfully implementing the consensus. Without any factual ground, the U.S. falsely accuses China of violating the Geneva consensus, and has issued harmful extreme measures against China such as new chip export controls, blocking EDA sales, and pledging to revoke Chinese students visas. Those actions have seriously disrupted the Geneva consensus and hurt Chinas legitimate rights and interests. China firmly opposes them and has strongly protested to the U.S. Let us stress once again that pressuring and coercion are not the right way to engage China. We call on the U.S. to respect the facts, stop spreading disinformation, reverse the wrongdoings, and act to uphold the consensus. AFP: The White House has said that President Donald Trump will likely hold a call with President Xi Jinping this week. Can the Chinese side confirm whether that will happen? Lin Jian: I have no information to share on that. Kyodo News: It was reported that the public security department of Chinas Liaoning Province notified the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang that two Japanese nationals had been killed in Dalian and a suspect of Chinese nationality had been arrested. Can you share more details? Lin Jian: On May 23, public security authorities in Dalian received a report on a criminal case involving two deaths. Preliminary investigation shows that the victims were Japanese nationals who were business partners of the suspect, and that the case was caused by a dispute in their business cooperation. The case is undergoing further investigation. Chinese authorities will handle the case in accordance with the law. CCTV: China recently announced visa facilitation policy for Southeast Asian countries at the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit. Could you share more information with us? Lin Jian: In recent years, China and ASEAN have advanced the building of a community with a shared future and made important progress in building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home. Visits between the people of China and Southeast Asian countries have been frequent. There is a mutual hope to further ease travel between the two sides. To further facilitate cross-border travels in the region, on top of the visa-free arrangement between China and countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia and Chinas Lancang-Mekong visas program for Mekong countries, China has rolled out an ASEAN visa for ASEANs 10 member states and observer Timor-Leste. This new program offers five-year multiple-entry visas to eligible applicants visiting China for business purpose and their spouses and children, granting a maximum stay of 180 days. For anyone with more specific questions on visas to China, they are welcome to contact our diplomatic and consular missions in their countries. EFE: What is Chinas reaction to the ousting of Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai amid corruption allegations and public protests? Lin Jian: This is Mongolias internal affair and I have no comment on that. China Review News: The spokesperson just introduced the ASEAN visa policy that China has offered for Southeast Asian countries. We also noticed that, beginning from June 1, China has provided visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay on a trial basis. China also announced that it has given visa-free status to all GCC countries. This is warmly received in relevant countries. What are the effects for Chinas frequent launch of visa-free policies in recent years? And will China provide more of such policies in the future? Lin Jian: As you rightly said, starting on June 1, Chinas unilateral visa-free program is for the first time extended to Latin American and Caribbean countries, raising the number of countries given unilateral visa-free entry to China to 43. The growing visa-free list shows Chinas firm resolve in expanding high-level opening up. The various measures China has taken to ease cross-border travel are all part of Chinas concrete action to create an open global economy. Adding to the proof, in the first quarter of this year, China received over 9 million visits by foreigners, up by over 40 percent year-on-year. And in the first four months, more than 18 thousand foreign-invested companies were established in China, up by 12.1 percent year-on-year. China will continue to improve entry policies and add more countries to the visa-free list. We welcome more foreign friends to visit China for excellent purchase experience, diverse consumption scenarios and more convenient services. China is committed to greater openness and deeper cooperation for shared prosperity with the rest of the world. AFP: According to the TASS news agency, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is in China for a three-day visit. Is the Chinese side able to confirm that and give any details of his visit? Lin Jian: China and Belarus are all-weather comprehensive strategic partners. The two sides maintain close exchanges at various levels. As for your specific question, China will release relevant information in due course. CCTV: Its reported that on May 31, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, meetings were held between the defense ministers of the U.S., Japan and Australia and between them and the Philippines. They issued joint statements, expressing continued serious concern about Chinas unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea and vowing to continue to enhance maritime defense cooperation targeting China. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: The U.S., together with Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, brazenly spread the false accusation of China threat at the Shangri-La Dialogue and sought to use the East China Sea issue and the South China Sea issue to sow discord and incite confrontation between regional countries. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it, and has made serious protests. Bloc politics and confrontation are products of the Cold War mentality. They are incompatible with the trend of the times, and not welcomed by regional countries. Bloc politics and confrontation will not solve any problem, still less intimidate China. We will not flinch in defending Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We call on the U.S. and its allies to stop the smears and vilification, stop distorting facts and shifting blames on maritime issues, stop patching together exclusive mini-groups, and stop disrupting the effort of relevant parties to resolve the issues through dialogue and consultation and defend regional peace and stability. AFP: The European Union has voted to use something called the International Procurement Instrument, a piece of legislation, to exclude Chinese companies from selling medical devices in the EU. This is apparently in response to China discriminating against EU medical devices in its own public procurement in China. What is the Foreign Ministrys response to this move by the EU? Lin Jian: Id refer you to competent authorities for specifics. What I would like to point out is that China is committed to high-level opening-up, the principles of market economy and WTO rules, and solving trade disputes through dialogue and consultation. The EU claims to be one of the most open markets in the world, but in reality has been inching towards protectionism, frequently resorting to unilateral trade tools, and competing unfairly in the name of fair competition. This is typical double standard. We hope the EU will observe its commitment to an open market and WTO rules, provide Chinese companies with a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment, and work for sound and steady China-EU trade ties. China will firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. Reuters: Executives and representatives of the car industry in Europe, the U.S. and India say that Chinas rare earth export controls are creating the risk of shortages that could lead to the stoppages in production soon. Does China plan to ease its curbs or speed up the processing of applications? Lin Jian: Id refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. NHK: To follow up on the case concerning Japanese nationals. Can you clarify the nationality of the suspect? Lin Jian: I just noticed the press release issued by Dalians public security authorities, which says that the suspect is a Chinese national and the case is undergoing further investigation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. In accordance with the combat training plan for 2025, a live-fire tactical exercise was held with the Rocket and Artillery Troops units, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. According to the plan, tasks on the deployment of units withdrawn from permanent deployment points to assembly areas, bringing vehicles to the state of combat readiness, and taking firing positions were fulfilled. During the exercise, the units carried out combat firing using howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems. Imaginary enemy targets were destroyed with precise artillery fire, and the assigned tasks were successfully accomplished. The main objective of the exercise was to improve the command staffs decision-making abilities, enhance their knowledge and skills, plan activities during combat operations, foster interoperability with other types of troops, as well as to strengthen the field and practical skills of the personnel. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Seoul, June 3 : South Koreans voted on Tuesday to pick a new President, with a liberal candidate bent on punishing the forces responsible for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law attempt against a conservative keen on stopping the recklessness of his rival. The election takes place exactly six months after Yoon declared martial law in a surprise announcement that evoked dark memories of past military regimes and plunged the nation into the worst economic and political crisis in decades. Of the total 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, 27.56 million had cast their ballots as of 1 p.m., seven hours after voting began at 14,295 polling stations across the country, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). The provisional tally includes the votes cast in early voting, as well as overseas, shipboard and absentee ballots. Voter interest was keen in the snap election, as 34.74 per cent of the registered voters had already cast their ballots in the early voting held on Thursday and Friday, the second-highest figure since early voting was introduced in 2014. Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the liberal Democratic Party, campaigned on a pledge to overcome the "insurrection forces" led by Yoon in the wake of his impeachment and removal from office less than three years into his five-year term. Kim Moon-soo, the candidate of the conservative People Power Party, seized on Lee's many ongoing trials and aggressive leadership style to promise a future free of "dictatorship." While the two main contenders cast their ballots during the early voting period, other major political figures voted on Election Day. Former President Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, cast their ballots at a polling station in southern Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik voted at a polling station in northern Seoul, saying he hopes the nation overcomes the political "chaos" and moves towards a "democratic society" through the election. In the closely watched vote, the Seoul Metropolitan Police said it had received 54 reports of alleged election law violations as of noon. One incident involved a red balloon bearing the phrase "President Kim Moon-soo," which was placed near a polling station in southern Seoul where Yoon had cast his ballot earlier in the day. Election laws prohibit any acts of support for or opposition to a particular party or candidate within 100 metres of a polling station. Violators are subject to a maximum fine of 30 million won ($21,700) or up to five years in prison. Vote counting will begin soon after polls close at 8 p.m. A winner is expected to emerge around midnight, though the vote count will likely be completed around 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to the NEC. Once the vote count is completed, the NEC will convene a plenary meeting sometime between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. to formally approve the election results. As the election is being held early to replace Yoon, the new President will take office immediately without a transition period. The inauguration ceremony will likely take place hours later at the National Assembly, though details will be confirmed after the President-elect is determined. A total of five candidates are vying for the nation's top political office after two dropped out during the campaign. Aside from Lee and Kim, they are Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party, Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labour Party and Song Jin-ho, an Independent. Surveys conducted before the blackout on all nationwide polls last week showed the DP's Lee maintaining a comfortable lead of around 10 percentage points over Kim, although the gap had narrowed from earlier. Support for Lee was in the 40 per cent range, followed by 30-something per cent for Kim and around 10 per cent for Lee Jun-seok. Both Lee and Kim have made economic growth their Number 1 campaign promise, with an emphasis on nurturing the Artificial Intelligence industry. On security issues, Lee has vowed to pursue "pragmatic" diplomacy in response to the changing global order, while Kim has stressed building deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threats. Lee and Kim agree on the need to revise the Constitution to replace the current single five-year presidential term with a four-year, two-term system. Kim has pledged to cut short his own term to three years to align the President's term with those of National Assembly members beginning in 2028. Lee, however, has called for holding a referendum on amendments to the Constitution and applying the changes starting in 2030. Ulan Bator, June 3 : Mongolia's Parliament Speaker D Amarbayasgalan said on Tuesday that since the State Great Khural (Parliament), did not pass the draft resolution on the vote of confidence in the Prime Minister, then Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene was deemed to have resigned. Oyun-Erdene convened a regular meeting of the government on May 28 and submitted the draft resolution on the vote of confidence in the Prime Minister to the State Great Khural. The Mongolian Constitution stipulates that if the draft resolution is not passed, the Prime Minister is deemed to have resigned and a new one will be appointed within 30 days, Xinhua news agency reported. Oyun-Erdene has served as the Prime Minister of Mongolia since January 2021. He was re-elected in July 2024. "It was a privilege to serve my country and people through challenging times, including pandemics, wars, and trade conflicts," Oyun-Erdene said following the vote. He was forced to step down after failing to secure a parliamentary majority falling short of the 64 votes needed in the 126-seat legislature. Out of 82 lawmakers who participated in the secret ballot, 44 supported him while 38 voted against. In the two weeks leading up to the vote, hundreds of demonstrators many of them young had taken to the streets demanding his resignation. Their discontent largely stemmed from perceptions of excessive wealth and privilege surrounding Oyun-Erdene's family, particularly his son. A lavish wedding proposal by his son, along with images of expensive designer items, circulated widely on social media, raising questions about the origins of the family's wealth. Oyun-Erdene denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the accusations as part of a politically-motivated smear campaign. Transparency International, an anti-corruption watchdog, reported a decline in Mongolia's transparency ranking during his tenure. In 2024, the country was placed 114th out of 180 nations in its Corruption Perceptions Index. Mongolia, a former Communist state located between Russia and China, has been navigating a democratic transition since the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Corruption remains a longstanding issue. In 2024, US prosecutors moved to seize two New York apartments allegedly purchased with illicit mining funds by former Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold, who held office from 2012 to 2015. Batbold denied the allegations. In recent years, Mongolia has pursued stronger ties with Western nations as part of its "third neighbour" strategy, alongside maintaining relations with its powerful neighbours. During his time in office, Oyun-Erdene championed major infrastructure and resource development efforts in the mineral-rich country, outlining 14 large-scale projects, including mineral processing hubs, water diversion systems, dams, and power plants. Islamabad, June 3 : Sana Yousuf, a young and widely followed Pakistani social media influencer, was shot dead at her residence in Islamabad by a relative, in an incident that has triggered widespread outrage and renewed focus on the country's persistent issue of honour killings. Local media reports say the popular content creator, originally from Upper Chitral, was killed at close range by a male relative who had come to visit her. He fled the scene immediately after the shooting. According to police sources cited by Samaa TV, the suspect engaged Sana in a brief conversation outside her house before following her inside and opening fire. "The suspect entered the home, fired multiple shots, and escaped," a police official said. Sana sustained two bullets and died on the spot. Police have launched a manhunt to track the accused and are examining all possible angles behind the murder, including honour killing -- an entrenched issue in Pakistan, especially when it involves women's independence and public presence. The police are investigating the murder. Sana Yousuf was a rising digital star with over 4 lakh subscribers across her social media platforms. She was known for her lifestyle content, videos highlighting Chitral's culture, and powerful advocacy on women's rights and education. She often shared motivational content aimed at inspiring young Pakistanis, especially girls. Her work had earned her a strong following and recognition beyond her hometown. Her killing has sparked massive outrage on social media, where hashtags like 'Justice For Sana Yousuf' began trending on platforms such as Instagram and X. Influencers, activists, and ordinary citizens have flooded the internet, demanding swift action and justice for the slain content creator. Sana was the daughter of a local social activist and often used her platform to raise awareness about education and women's empowerment in conservative areas like Chitral. The tragedy also recalls a similar incident earlier this year when a man in Pakistan murdered his teenage daughter over her TikTok presence. In that case, the family had recently moved from the United States to Pakistan, and the father initially tried to claim that unknown assailants were responsible before confessing. Sana's killing has again spotlighted the dangers women face in Pakistan for simply exercising agency or maintaining a public presence. As calls for justice grow louder, many are demanding legal reforms and stronger action against the culture of violence that continues to claim women's lives under the guise of 'honour'. United Nations, June 3 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has 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 organisations, and diplomatic missions by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen," he said in a statement on Monday. "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, Xinhua news agency reported. 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. Mumbai, June 3 : Chandan Roy Sanyal has been officially invited by the Department of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir to be part of a special campaign showcasing the region's beauty. The actor expressed his excitement and said that it isn't just a destination and tagged it as an emotion. This initiative is intended to rekindle the spirit of travel and hope in the Valley following the tragic Pahalgam attack. Chandan said: "Jammu & Kashmir is not just a destination it's an emotion. It is poetry on the canvas of history and soul. In the wake of the Pahalgam tragedy, I felt a pull, not just as an artist, but as a human being, to be part of a narrative that's about healing the valley." The actor said that the "land has given the world so much beauty, and now it's time we give back." "I want to help shift the lens through which the world sees Kashmir not as a conflict zone, but as a cradle of culture, resilience, and astonishing natural wonder. My heart beats for stories, and this land is overflowing with them. I'm here to tell the world: it's time to come back to paradise," he said. The campaign is poised to spotlight the region's breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural fabric, and a new wave of eco-conscious travel experiences. He will front a series of visually arresting travel related activities that bring teh state's hidden gems to center stage. On the work front, Chandan will be seen in the film Dear Maa and a yet-to-be-announced project on his slate. The actor was last seen inthe film "Patna Shuklla", a legal drama film directed by Vivek Budakoti and produced by Arbaaz Khan. It stars Raveena Tandon, Manav Vij, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Satish Kaushik, Anushka Kaushik, Jatin Goswami and others. He was also seen in the latest season of "Aashram," which had Bobby Deol as the manipulative and sinister Baba Nirala, who exploits the young women in his ashram. The previous installment of the popular show premiered in 2022. Chennai, June 3 : Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President and popular actor Vijay will personally felicitate high-performing students from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry who excelled in the recent Class X and XII Board examinations. The ceremony, scheduled to take place on June 4 at Four Points by Sheraton in Mamallapuram, is part of a larger initiative by the party to recognise academic excellence on a constituency-wise basis. According to TVK General Secretary N. Anand, the upcoming event marks the second phase of the felicitation programme. The first phase was successfully conducted on May 30. "TVK President Vijay is honouring top-ranking students from every Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The event is a tribute to their hard work and perseverance in the public examinations," Anand said in an official statement. Students from the Assembly constituencies of Ramanathapuram, Erode, Karur, Thanjavur, Dharmapuri, Tiruchi, Tirunelveli, Tirupattur, Tiruppur, Thiruvarur, Tenkasi, Mayiladuthurai, Virudhunagar, Villupuram, and Puducherry will be felicitated during the June 4 event. Reinforcing his image as a youth-centric leader, Vijay will be presenting each student with a certificate of merit and a cash award. Significantly, parents of the awardees will also be present at the ceremony, underscoring the family's role in a child's academic success. "Vijay has always emphasised the importance of education in shaping a progressive society. Through these felicitation programmes, he wants to instil a culture of academic ambition and reward merit at the grassroots level," Anand added. The initiative is seen as part of TVK's broader mission to engage with the youth and promote educational excellence across the state. Political observers note that Vijay's direct involvement in recognising student achievers is likely to enhance his appeal among first-time voters and young families, especially as his party gears up for future electoral contests. The felicitation series is expected to continue across other districts in the coming weeks, covering all remaining constituencies. TVK has said it aims to ensure that every deserving student in the state receives recognition for their academic accomplishments under this programme. Brasilia, June 3 : India reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready digital development during the 11th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting in Brasilia, Brazil . Union Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar presented India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a global benchmark for inclusive and transformative digital governance at the BRICS ministers' meeting held here. The Minister highlighted the pivotal role of flagship initiatives like Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in advancing universal and meaningful connectivity. He noted that Aadhaar has empowered over 950 million citizens with a secure digital identity, enabling seamless access to essential public and private services. UPI, he emphasised, has revolutionised real-time digital payments and now accounts for 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He called upon BRICS nations to deepen collaboration in harnessing digital public infrastructure to drive inclusive growth and build resilient digital economies. He underscored that India's DPI model -- built on open, interoperable platforms -- serves as a catalyst for financial inclusion, good governance, and digital innovation, while also guarding against monopolistic practices. Chandra Sekhar shared India's progress on four pillars -- Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Space and Environmental Sustainability, and Digital Ecosystems -- under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the meeting in Brasilia on Monday. BRICS members include 11 nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, Egypt, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Dwelling on India's vibrant startup ecosystem, robust digital skills initiatives, and progressive legislation such as the Telecommunications Act and the Data Protection Act, Dr Sekhar emphasised the importance of trust and user safety in the digital age. He also spoke about India's Sanchar Saathi initiative -- a key effort to combat telecom fraud -- and called for enhanced BRICS cooperation in cybersecurity, data protection, and digital trust to ensure the safety and integrity of interconnected digital societies. Dr Chandra Sekhar highlighted India's digital journey, celebrating the transition from digital divide to digital leadership. India's ambitious Digital Bharat Nidhi programme was showcased as a cornerstone initiative, funding landmark projects such as BharatNet, which now connects over 2,18,000 village councils with optical fiber infrastructure. India's indigenous development and mass deployment of 4G and 5G technologies have enabled near-universal high-speed connectivity, now covering over 95 per cent of the population with 4G and more than 80 per cent with 5G. The country has also emerged as a global leader in affordable digital access, with the lowest data rates worldwide -- just 12 cents per gigabyte. Earlier, welcoming the adoption of the Final Declaration, Dr Sekhar commended the collaborative spirit among BRICS nations and acknowledged the expanded membership's role in enriching the dialogue. The Indian minister also held bilateral talks with his Brazilian counterpart. "Productive bilateral talks with Brazil towards strengthening digital ties for a smarter, secure future. Discussed India's strides in indigenous 4G/5G development, and domestic manufacturing and explored cooperation in 6G, Quantum Tech and Satcom. Also, discussed Brazil's 6GHz trials and satcom needs, telecom security and global DPI cooperation," Chandra Sekhar posted on X on Tuesday. Seoul, June 3 : Voter turnout for South Korea's presidential election has surpassed the 70 per cent mark, 10 hours after voting began earlier Tuesday, the election watchdog said. Of the total 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, 31.73 million, or 71.5 per cent, had cast their ballots as of 4 p.m. (local time), according to the National Election Commission (NEC). Voting began at 6 a.m. at 14,295 polling stations across the country and will run through 8 p.m. The provisional tally includes the votes cast in early voting, as well as overseas, shipboard and absentee ballots, reports Yonhap news agency. The turnout was the highest recorded at the said time of day in any presidential election. More than 15.42 million, or 34.74 per cent of the registered voters, had cast their ballots in the early voting held on Thursday and Friday. The election takes place exactly six months after Yoon declared martial law in a surprise announcement that evoked dark memories of past military regimes and plunged the nation into the worst economic and political crisis in decades. The country is set to pick a new president, with a liberal candidate bent on punishing the forces responsible for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law attempt against a conservative keen on stopping the recklessness of his rival. Both Lee and Kim have made economic growth their No. 1 campaign promise, with an emphasis on nurturing the artificial intelligence industry. Lee and Kim agree on the need to revise the Constitution to replace the current single five-year presidential term with a four-year, two-term system. Kim has pledged to cut short his own term to three years to align the president's term with those of National Assembly members beginning in 2028. Lee, however, has called for holding a referendum on amendments to the Constitution and applying the changes starting in 2030. Bhopal, June 3 : Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi received a rousing reception upon his arrival at Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport on Monday. He is in the city to launch the party's Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan (Organisational Development Campaign), following a series of strategy meetings with party workers. A large number of Congress leaders, including Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari, former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, LoP in the state Assembly Umang Singhar, and several senior leaders, were present at the airport to welcome him. A huge crowd of enthusiastic Congress workers had gathered outside the airport, leading to chaotic scenes as many rushed forward to greet Gandhi. Security personnel struggled to manage the crowd before the convoy proceeded to the Congress headquarters -- Indira Gandhi Bhavan in Shivaji Nagar. Supporters lined the route from the airport to the party office, waving flags and showering flower petals. Traditional drummers in dhoti-kurta performed at key intersections, lending a festive atmosphere to the welcome. Speaking to the media, former state Congress president Arjun Yadav told IANS, "Rahul Gandhi, the people's leader and the one championing the demand for a caste census, is here to launch the organisational strengthening campaign formally. The initiative will run through the day and aims to revitalise the party at the grassroots level." Gandhi is scheduled to hold separate meetings with the MPCC Political Affairs Committee, AICC-appointed observers, and campaign in-charges from the state unit during his one-day visit. The visit comes at a time when the Congress is grappling with setbacks in Madhya Pradesh. The party has largely remained out of power since 2003, except for a brief 15-month tenure between December 2018 and March 2020, when Kamal Nath served as Chief Minister. That government collapsed after 22 MLAs, led by Jyotiraditya Scindia -- now a Union Minister -- defected to the BJP. In the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress was reduced to just 66 seats compared to the BJP's 163. The decline continued in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party failed to win even a single seat, including its former stronghold Chhindwara. Though it managed to win one of two bypolls held in November 2024, internal organisational issues and lack of coordination among state leaders continue to hamper its efforts against the ruling BJP. Bengaluru, June 3 : The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday reprimanded actor Kamal Haasan over his controversial remark on the origins of the Kannada language, questioning why the police should provide security for his mistake. "Don't use the Right to Speech to hurt sentiments," the court said. The bench, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, made these observations while hearing a petition submitted by Kamal Haasan seeking security for the screening of his movie 'Thug Life' in Karnataka's theatres and multiplexes. Kamal Haasan had stirred controversy by stating that the Kannada language is derived from Tamil. He has also refused to apologise, despite widespread protests against him across the state. The court asked Kamal Haasan's counsel to clarify the actor's stand regarding tendering an apology and adjourned the matter until 2.30 p.m. The bench noted that a prominent person like C. Rajagopalachari had issued a similar statement in 1950 about the origins of the Kannada language and later apologised following protests, even though there was no commercial motive. "If such a big person can apologise, and a similar statement has been issued after 75 years, and there is a commercial motive..." the court observed. "You want to make a profit from the people of Karnataka, and you also maintain that you won't apologise. Even I want to watch the movie, and because of the controversy, I am unable to watch it. If you do not want to apologise, leave it. Why do you want to release it here?" the court questioned. "The cinema is made to make profits, and why should the police give protection for your mistake? The people are demanding an apology from you. You have not denied making the statement; you have agreed to have made the statement and are maintaining that you won't apologise," the court stated. "One statement can resolve the issue, and you are not tendering an apology. If you are not apologising, why are you releasing it in Karnataka?" the court pulled up the actor. The counsel for Kamal Haasan submitted that the actor has not insulted the language and made the statement with love. Meanwhile, office-bearers of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and Industries have commenced a meeting to decide on banning the release of Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' movie in the state. Commenting on Kamal Haasan's issue, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra stated on Tuesday, "The state government is not taking any stand in this regard. Kamal is a popular actor. His love for Tamil is understandable, but he can't insult the Kannada language. It's not too late; he should apologise to the people of Karnataka by correcting his unwise behaviour." BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Trend reports. "Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, I thank you for your congratulatory letter on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan. On this remarkable anniversary, I would also like to extend to you my sincerest congratulations. I fully agree with you that this important document opened a new chapter in the history of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations and has further strengthened our cooperation. This historic agreement, which vividly reflects the strategic nature of our interstate relations, has laid a solid foundation for the development of active political dialogue at all levels, as well as for the expansion of fruitful cooperation in the economic, trade, humanitarian, and other spheres. We are pleased with the current level of our relations with Kazakhstan - a brotherly country and a reliable strategic partner. The scope of issues on our bilateral agenda is expanding day by day and being enriched with new content. At the same time, both bilaterally and multilaterally, the joint efforts of our countries in addressing key issues and our mutual support in international organizations are commendable. I am confident that the traditional friendly ties and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan - built upon the solid foundations of the brotherhood of our peoples, shared historical and cultural roots, and spiritual values - will continue to grow steadily and strengthen through our joint efforts, in line with the interests of our nations. Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, I wish you robust health, happiness, and continued success in your responsible and honorable endeavors for the prosperity and well-being of the brotherly people of Kazakhstan," the letter reads. New Delhi, June 3 : The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) on Tuesday praised the government for progressive reforms in public procurement and the robust judicial support that ensured the reiteration of the country's commitment to Atmanirbharta in healthcare which became a national imperative post-Covid. With policy, regulations, and the judicial framework now aligned, Indian manufacturers look forward to a level playing field for tenders. "We heartily welcome the initiatives of the Government, the policymakers, and the Judiciary in driving a long-overdue move towards fairness in procurement," said Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD. "The word is now loud and clear: preference to foreigners over Indians is not only archaic -- it is no longer legally tenable," Nath added. His comments come as the European Union (EU) members on Monday voted to restrict imports of Chinese medical devices, delivering a blow to a key industry under Beijing's high-tech manufacturing strategy. Nath noted that the Indian government has issued a series of consistent and unabashed directives not to discriminate against Indian manufacturers. The Department of Pharmaceuticals cautioned against the exclusion of homegrown manufacturers simply for lacking foreign regulatory approval certifications such as USFDA or CE. "AiMeD welcomes each of these as groundbreaking measures towards a more inclusive and self-sufficient procurement system," Nath said. It also cited the Supreme Court's 2025 judgment in the Gwalior Municipal Corporation case which deprecated exclusionary clauses assuming Indian incapability by multinationals. Although the case dealt with municipal procurement, the judgment established the general principle of fairness in competition, and by extension, a precedent that can be applied across industries. "This judicial clarity provided an additional boost of confidence to the manufacturers in India and sends an emphatic message to the tendering authorities to introspect and improve," said Nath. "With policy, legislation, and industry capability now aligned, we think this is a watershed moment for manufacturers domestically. "Particularly for those innovating diagnostics, surgical, and therapeutic devices, this is a window of opportunity to scale impact," he said. Mumbai, June 3 : Actor Ishaan Khatter, who was recently seen in the streaming series 'The Royals', has spoken about his learning curve while working with veterans of the craft like Zeenat Aman and the Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi. Ishaan made his film debut with Majidi's 'Beyond The Clouds', and has recently worked with Zeenat Aman in 'The Royals'. The actor spoke with IANS recently, and shared his experience of working with the distinguished artists. Ishaan told IANS, "I think the only way to look at it is as an opportunity to seek and learn and hopefully have some of that genius energy rub off on you and the beauty of what they do. Before I started doing any of what I do, I was an audience. Before I was an audience, I was just a human being, an observer and I think observing is probably the first step to being an artist and to being an actor". The actor further mentioned that he has been very lucky to be able to observe some veterans at their craft making art and it has influenced who he wants to be as an artist in a "very big way". He shared, "I was very lucky to bring it back to my first film, I was very lucky to start with someone like Majid Majidi because he really set the foundation for me as an actor and all the things that I wanted to be and all the things that I desired as an artist, he gave me the nudge in that direction and reassured me that,2 'Yes, this is your path'". "The first thing that he ever told me as a performer, as an actor, as his leading man in the film was, 'I know that you want to be a great actor, but focus on becoming a good human being first and everything you want will come from there'.2 And so that's the best advice I ever received and I'm very lucky to be with some amazing human beings who are also great artists", he added. 'The Royals' is available to stream on Netflix. New Delhi, June 3 : In a bid to advancing corporate governance excellence and sustainable development in the northeast, the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) on Tuesday announced to establish its first regional campus in the region. IICA, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, formally acquired a five-acre land parcel in New Shillong Township, Meghalaya, for its first-ever regional campus. Backed by a Rs 100.95 crore investment under the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North-East (PM-DevINE), the Shillong campus will operate as a regional hub for specialised training, research, and policy advisory across key domains. Donald Phillips Wahlang, Chief Secretary, Meghalaya government, expressed the state's commitment to knowledge-led growth and highlighted the strategic location of the IICA campus within the Knowledge City cluster. The area already houses esteemed institutions like IIM Shillong, National Law University Meghalaya, and NIFT promising rich academic and professional synergy. He also informed that a new airport is soon to be developed in Shillong, which will significantly enhance regional connectivity and make the campus easily accessible to professionals, faculty, and students from across India. This infrastructural development will further reinforce Shillong's emerging status as a major academic and policy hub in the northeast, according to a Ministry of Corporate Affairs statement. Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, DG and CEO, IICA, hailed the moment as historic, describing the Shillong campus as "our first baby outside Delhi a symbol of decentralisation and empowerment." He emphasised the role of the new campus in supporting entrepreneurship, capacity building, and good governance in alignment with national priorities such as ease of doing business, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vikshit Bharat at 2047. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision during the Rising Northeast initiatives, Singh noted that the Prime Minister has consistently championed the northeast as the "Ashtalakshmi of India" a region rich in diversity, talent, and potential. Aligning with this vision, he said, "IICA is proud to be part of the transformation of the region from a remote periphery to a dynamic growth engine of New India." Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, said this partnership reflects the spirit of cooperative federalism and the Centre's vision of empowering the northeast as a growth engine. New Delhi, June 3 : Celebi Ground Handling India's arbitration application for interim measures against Ahmedabad International Airport over the cancellation of security permits has been dismissed, according to an exchange filing by the Turkish firm's parent company. "The arbitration application filed by our company, Celebi Ground Handling India Pvt Ltd, in which our company owns 61 per cent of the capital, against Adani Ahmedabad International Airport Limited in the Ahmedabad Commercial Court on 27.05.2025, seeking interim measures due to the cancellation of security clearances by the Civil Aviation Security Bureau in relation to its operations at Ahmedabad International Airport, was rejected on 02.06.2025," the company stated. The company said it would appeal to the Supreme Court on the issue. The Indian government has revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Airport Services at Indian airports, in the wake of Turkey's support to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attacks and Operation Sindoor launched by India to avenge the killings of 26 tourists. In a notification, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, "In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security." The Turkish company handles around 70 per cent of the ground operations at Mumbai airport, including passenger services, load control, flight operations, cargo and postal services, warehouses and bridge operations. Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, also stated that there were requests from across India to ban Celebi NAS Airport Services India Ltd. "Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests and Ministry of Civil Aviation has revoked security clearance of the said company. Ensuring the safety and interests of the nation remains our top priority," the minister posted. Since its entry in 2008, Celebi has expanded its presence in India's aviation sector. As per reports, the firm is partly owned by Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Tayyip Erdogan. Sumeyye Erdogan is married to Selcuk Bayraktar, the man who produces Bayraktar military drones, which Pakistan used against India. This suggests that support to Pakistan is not just a matter of Turkish state policy, but one in which Erdogan's own family is directly involved, according to reports. Kuala Lumpur, June 3 : An all-party Indian delegation met with Malaysia's House of Representatives Speaker Johari bin Abdul on Tuesday and briefed him on India's unwavering policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. The delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, also sought the cooperation of the Parliamentarians of Malaysia in the collective fight against terrorism. The Speaker reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to peace and thanked the Indian delegation for the briefing on India's approach to dealing with terrorism at large. "As part of our All-Party Parliamentary Delegation's outreach, we had the honour of meeting YB Tan Sri Dato' (Dr.) Johari bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), Parliament of Malaysia. We conveyed India's unwavering zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and highlighted the need for stronger parliamentary collaboration in the global fight against this menace," Jha posted on X. "We also briefed the Speaker on the context of the Pahalgam attack and India's principled response under Operation Sindoor. The Speaker reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to peace and security and appreciated India's consistent approach in dealing with terrorism. He welcomed continued engagement between the Parliaments of India and Malaysia to foster mutual understanding and regional stability," the post added. Meanwhile, during a meeting with the Parliamentary Special Committee on International Relations and International Trade, chaired by Malaysian MP Wong Chen, the delegation gave a briefing about the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. The discussions focused on ways to cooperate in the collective fight against terrorism. Later, the delegates conducted a productive meeting with representatives of the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) led by Datin Paduka Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib, Director General of SEARCCT in Kuala Lumpur. The delegation elaborated on India's steadfast and principled position of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, especially in light of the recent cross-border terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Jha highlighted SEARCCT's role as a regional centre for promoting counter-terrorism initiatives and its role in the India-Malaysia Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism. The discussions centred around regional synergy through SEARCCT, particularly in legal frameworks, counter-terror financing, community resilience, as well as promoting studies on the ways to address cross-border terrorism. Apart from Jha, the delegation also includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Barittas, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and former diplomat 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. Srinagar, June 3 : Jammu and Kashmir's Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday paid obeisance at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple during the annual festival in Tullamulla town of Ganderbal district, and later said that this was the first time since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that such a large crowd had gathered in any location within the union territory. The Lt Governor said that this was a positive sign. He said this after offering prayers at the temple, where hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits from all over the country have gathered. "The Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela saw a large number of devotees arriving, which is a positive sign. This is the first time since April 22 that such a huge crowd has gathered in any place in J&K. Preparations for the Amarnath Yatra are complete, with a focus on security and comfort," the L-G said. During his visit, the L-G interacted with devotees and extended his warm greetings, acknowledging the spiritual significance of the day for the Kashmiri Pandit community and others, who gathered at the temple. "On the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, I paid obeisance to Mata Kheer Bhawani. Prayed for well-being of all and peace & prosperity of Jammu Kashmir. Interacted with the large number of pilgrims, particularly my brothers and sisters from Kashmiri Pandit community. Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela holds deep spiritual significance for devotees from across the country," the L-G later posted on X sharing his pictures at the temple. Keeping their tryst with the community's patron deity, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of the country arrived in Tullamulla town to celebrate the annual festival of the deity. Mata Kheer Bhawani temple, as popularly known, is the shrine of Goddess Ragnya, believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess Durga. Legend says that the King of Lanka, Ravana, was a devout disciple of Mata Ragnya, but the Goddess, annoyed with his ways, ordered Hanuman to shift her seat to a far-off place. Thus, the temple shrine of the Goddess came to be situated in Tullamulla town. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is situated in the centre of a holy spring, which is believed to be highly auspicious by the Kashmiri Pandit community. The colour of the spring water at the deity's seat is believed to foretell future events. Pink or milky colour is believed to be propitious. Black colour spells disaster. Elders in Tullamulla town say that in 1947, when Pakistani tribal raiders invaded Kashmir, the water of the spring turned black. Each year, on Zyestha Ashtami, the annual festival of the Goddess is celebrated at the Tullamulla temple shrine. 'Kheer' (Pudding made by boiling milk, sugar and rice) is prepared and served by the devotees during the festival, hence the name, Mata Kheer Bhawani. After the exodus of the local Pandit community from the Valley when armed violence started here, migrant Kashmiri Pandits settled at different places in the country. But they come to pay obeisance at the deity's temple on the annual festival. For the entire night, devotees offer prayers at the temple shrine seeking the blessings of their patron deity. Authorities have made adequate arrangements for security, sanitation, healthcare and public assistance at the temple shrine. Heavy deployment of police and security forces has been made along the route taken by the devotees to reach Tullamulla. Speaking of their devotion for the Goddess and love for their native land, Mahraj Krishen Bhat, 65, said, "Wherever a Kashmiri Pandit might be located, he/she belongs to Kashmir and Mata Kheer Bhawani is our protector and guide". A woman devotee, Sarla Razdan, 52, said, "We will come back to our native land, whether it happens tomorrow or the day after. And for returning to our roots, we do not need guidance from politicians who have used our community to sharpen their political knives. We have survived migration, and we will also see return and rehabilitation. Being away from our ancestral place makes us feel very bad, but we are sure that the dark clouds will move away and the traditional brotherhood between communities for which Kashmir has been famous will outlive violence and mistrust." Los Angeles, June 3 : Hollywood actress Emily Ratajkowski found that she was able to "write better" once she stopped getting intimate. The 33-year-old actress recently went through "a period of celibacy" and claimed that the quality of her work had improved during her abstinence, reports 'Female First UK'. She told 'Interview' magazine, "I actually just went through a period of celibacy and I had drinks with my friend. I was like, 'I've noticed that I've really been able to write better'. And he said something so beautiful like, 'Ultimately, making art or wanting sex and connection are both about seeking connection from other people, and so it makes sense that that energy would be interchangeable'". As per 'Female First UK', she noted in response that society "mistakes" the goal of sex, and she noted that the same sort of intimacy can be found in so many different ways. She said, "I think one of the mistakes that we make as a culture, and one of the mistaken ways that sex has been presented to us, is that it's a single category of experience, that there should be one thing that we all get from sex. We should all get oxytocin and intimacy from sex, or we should all get orgasms from sex, or we should all get self-esteem from sex. There's the whole cache of things that we're told we should get from sex and a lot of them are contradictory. Something that I have learned is that it can be used to express so many things, even inside of one relationship. Like, sex inside of one relationship can be a form of catharsis. You can be working something out. You can be seeking closeness". "It can be a play. It can be somewhat autoerotic, like orgasm-seeking. It can be a way of grieving together. The same way that hugging or talking or walking or meditating can be so many different things. I also talk about that a lot with my writing students. I feel like they're afraid of writing sex scenes because it has to be a "good" sex scene. And I'm like, 'What does that even mean outside of the context of your character's lives?'. It just is what it is, just like every other scene", she added. Bhopal, June 3 : Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister, Vijay Shah, got embroiled in yet another controversy, after photos of his meeting with the gangrape victim's family were widely circulated. After remaining absent from public view for over two weeks, Minister Shah resurfaced in his constituency on Monday evening, visiting the family of a gangrape victim in Harsud. His meeting, captured in widely circulated photographs, has sparked outrage, with critics accusing him of violating the victim's right to anonymity. The state Congress has strongly condemned Minister Shah's actions, arguing that publicly revealing the identity of the victim's family is both unethical and legally questionable. Demanding accountability, the Congress has called upon the Director General of Police to respond. State Congress spokesperson KK Mishra questioned whether a First Information Report (FIR) would be filed against the minister for his actions, asking, "DGP Sir, is this act legally justified? If not, will suo motu cognisance be taken, or will this incident be overlooked as before?" The tragic incident, which occurred on May 23 in the Harsud Assembly constituency, involved the gangrape and murder of a woman. During his two-hour meeting with the bereaved family, Minister Shah assured them of government support, acknowledging that no compensation could truly make up for their loss. However, he pledged financial assistance and promised stringent action against the accused. In an attempt to provide immediate relief, the minister reportedly arranged for a tin shed to be installed over the family's kutcha house, supplying 30 tins and angle pipes. Additionally, he handed over a cheque of Rs 60,000 from a voluntary grant and assured further aid of Rs 4 lakh under the Sambal Yojana. He also vowed to advocate for the harshest possible punishment for the perpetrators, aligning with the family's demand for the death penalty. Vijay Shah's visit to Khandwa comes amid mounting criticism over his previous controversial statement regarding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Since May 14, he had remained absent from the region, presumably avoiding the backlash. His return, however, has reignited political tensions, with opposition leaders questioning both his motives and his handling of sensitive issues. Earlier, the Minister's remarks about Colonel Qureshi had led to legal action, with the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordering an FIR against him. His attempt to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court was unsuccessful, as the Apex Court refused to stay the High Court's decision. The court reprimanded Shah, questioning how a minister could use such language against a decorated officer. An investigation into the matter is going on through a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of senior IPS officers formed by the state government following the Apex Court's orders. Patna, June 3 : Bihar rural works development minister Ashok Choudhary on Tuesday claimed to have filed defamation case against Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor over alleged derogatory remarks made at a recent press conference. JD(U) leder Ashok Choudhary, in an interaction with IANS, stated that Prashant Kishor must apologise for his comments or be prepared to fight the legal battle. Choudhary, father of newly elected MP Shambhavi Choudhary, had warned him against taking personal jibes and also demanded that he either says sorry or face the law. The controversy stems from a press conference held by Prashant Kishor a few days ago, during which he allegedly said that "everyone knows what Ashok Choudhary's political character" and also accused him of buying a ticket for his daughter Shambhavi Choudhary from the LJP and getting her elected as a Member of Parliament. Reacting to these statements, Ashok Choudhary told IANS, "Prashant Kishor made an irresponsible statement. While ideological differences are natural in public life, making personal and insulting remarks in public is unacceptable. After his comments were brought to my notice by the media, we reviewed the footage and sent him a legal notice. However, his response was not satisfactory." Choudhary continued, "His reply stated that since I am a minister, I should fulfill my ministerial responsibilities. Yes, I will discharge my duties, but that doesn't give him or anyone else the right to insult me." He further said, "Today, we approached the civil court today and filed defamation suit. Either Prashant Kishor should prove his allegations, or he must apologise. I am only exercising my constitutional rights. If someone makes unsubstantiated claims that damage my reputation, I must respond legally. If necessary, we will take this fight all the way to the Supreme Court." Briefing the newsmen about his family's journey and the struggle faced by Dalit communities in the country, he said, "I come from a background where 4050 years ago, Dalits weren't even allowed basic dignity. My father used to study in conditions where no one would cook food for him or wash his utensils. Despite these odds, we have worked hard to create a space in society. This case is not just about me or my daughterit is about showing that even people from marginalised communities can stand up for their rights. We have earned our place with great struggle, and we will not allow anyone to question our integrity without consequence." Prashant Kishor was quick to respond to his charges and said that such act of arm-twisting won't work with him. Speaking to newsmen on Tesday, he said, "I do not fear FIRs or defamation cases. No one has been born yet who can intimidate me with legal notices. The name you're mentioningAshok Choudharyhe can file as many defamation cases as he wants; it makes no difference to me." He continued, "Do you think Prashant Kishor is afraid of anyone? Am I involved in illegal sand mining? Do I run a liquor business? Do I hold any government position or go around with bodyguards? When I was arrested at Gandhi Maidan, did I back down? People only fear when they've done something wrong. But in Bihar, nobody can say that Prashant Kishor has wronged them." Kishor also referenced earlier allegations he made about corruption in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). "When I said BPSC jobs were being sold for money, they also threatened defamation casesbut nothing came of it. It was all bluster," he said. "I stand by what I said," Jan Suraaj founder reiterated. Bengaluru, June 3 : Karnataka BJP chief B. Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday alleged that the Congress government in the state has been unleashing "police goondagiri" (hooliganism) on Hindu activists. He made the remarks while responding to the state police action on Hindu activists in the coastal region following communal strife. Meanwhile, a delegation of BJP MLAs and MPs is meeting with DG and IGP M.A. Saleem over the matter. Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Vijayendra, commenting on the externment orders to 36 individuals, stated, "The police are knocking on the doors of Hindu activists in the dead of night and questioning them. Where are we living? Are we in a democratic system?" "I warn the Chief Minister and Home Minister: in the future, if you don't correct yourselves and continue this police 'goondagiri' in Mangaluru and the coastal region, where the law and order system is completely getting destroyed, the BJP will not sit quiet," Vijayendra said. He further stated, "I have discussed the matter with both national and state leadership. Today, MLAs and MPs from the coastal region are meeting the DG and IGP of the state. I am giving a clear message: the BJP will not sit quiet over police high-handedness on Hindu activists." "The state government will be responsible for future consequences. It is not right that the state government is encouraging the humiliation of Hindu activists," he emphasised. "The Congress-led government is administering the state worse than the times of monarchical rule, where things were carried out as per the whims and fancies of their representatives. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led government is indulging in a 'Tughlak's durbar,' throwing all democratic principles to the wind," he slammed. "I am not stating this just as the state BJP chief; people have observed the manner in which the state has been ruled in the last few months. There is public outrage due to a lack of development activity. These developments are taking place to hide their failures," he pointed out. "The government is involved in a conspiracy to humiliate Hindu activists. I want to ask CM Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G. Parameshwara, when Hindu activist Suhas Shetty was killed, the Home Minister wanted to visit his family, but 'evil forces' prevented him from going to his house. What action did you take on this?" Vijayendra questioned. "When Hindu activist Suhas Shetty was killed, the role of women was evident, and people have seen it on video: three to four women helped the murderers and 'anti-nationals' board the vehicle and cooperated in their escape. What happened in this regard? Have they been arrested?" Vijayendra asked. "Similar incidents are taking place in Kerala and other states, but now they are occurring in our state. There is no faith that there is an elected government and that representatives of the people are ruling the state. In between, the government is filing FIRs against senior RSS leaders and Hindu activists. Party workers are being threatened," he stated. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. A total of 1.5 million manat ($880,000) has been allocated for the major repair of the roads connecting the Garamaryam-Ismayilli-Shaki highway with Jalut, Mollali, Yemishanli, Daymadara, Tarkesh, and Daymadaghli villages in Azerbaijan's Oghuz district, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree. According to the decree, the mentioned sum was allocated to the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads for the major repair of the roads connecting the Garamaryam-Ismayilli-Shaki highway with the villages of Jalut, Mollali, Yemishanli, Daymadara, Tarkesh and Daymadaghli, which are inhabited by 4,000 people. The Ministry of Finance of the nation is mandated to allocate funding as delineated in Section 1 of this decree. The Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan shall allocate the necessary financial resources for the continuation of the major repairs of the highways specified in Part 1 of this Order in the distribution of state capital investment expenses in the draft state budget of Azerbaijan for 2026. The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan shall resolve the issues arising from this decree. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Noida, June 3 : What began as a petty online squabble spiralled into a terrifying act of violence on the streets of Noida, as a man allegedly attempted to mow down another with a high-speed SUV. The shocking incident, which took place in Sector 53 under the Sector-24 police station limits, was captured on camera and has since gone viral, sparking public outrage. According to ADCP, Noida, Sumit Kumar Shukla, the altercation started from a comment made on Instagram. "Both individuals involved were known to each other. The disagreement began online but escalated dangerously on June 2," Shukla said. The disturbing video footage shows a group of young men engaged in a heated argument, which quickly turns into a brawl. Moments later, one of the assailants jumps into a black Thar and, in a chilling act of retaliation, speeds toward his rival and rams into him with full force. The impact was so brutal that the victim was flung off the road into a nearby drain. Locals who witnessed the horrifying scene rushed to the youth's aid and transported him to a nearby hospital. He is currently undergoing treatment, and his condition remains critical. In response to the viral video and growing public concern, police swiftly registered a case and launched an investigation. "Three dedicated teams have been deployed to trace and arrest the accused," said ADCP Shukla. "We've also initiated the process to seize the vehicle used in the attack," he said. Authorities have urged citizens not to fall for misinformation circulating on social media. "We appeal to the public to avoid rumours and report any relevant information to the police immediately," the ADCP added. Citizens are demanding stricter measures to prevent such brazen acts of violence on public roads. The incident has once again exposed the volatile mix of online aggression spilling into real-world brutality. New Delhi, June 3 : India's newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill will not feature in the second unofficial Test between India A and England Lions, set to begin on June 6 in Northampton. New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) Indiaas newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill will not feature in the second unofficial Test between India A and England Lions, set to begin on June 6 in Northampton. Although the BCCI had earlier announced that Gill and his Gujarat Titans opening partner B Sai Sudharsan would join the India A squad ahead of the match. However, both players will now travel directly with the senior Test squad, which arrives in England on June 6, ESPNcricinfo reported. In contrast, KL Rahul is expected to turn out for India A after linking up with the squad on Tuesday. The first Test of the five-match series between India and England is scheduled to begin on June 20 in Leeds. England Lions, who fielded a relatively inexperienced side with only six Test caps in the opening game in Canterbury, are expected to be strengthened by the inclusion of all-rounder Chris Woakes for the Northampton match. For India A, pacer Akash Deep will be available for selection. The right-arm fast bowler had been recovering from a back injury sustained after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year but was declared fit in April and subsequently played in IPL 2025 for the Lucknow Super Giants. Though he was present with the squad during the first unofficial Test, Akash mostly trained on the sidelines, bowling in brief spells during intervals across the four days. The opening match between India A and England Lions ended in a draw on a flat and slow surface in Canterbury, offering little assistance to the bowlers. Among the standout performers for India A were Karun Nair, who struck a double hundred, Dhruv Jurel with two fifties, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, all of whom contributed quick half-centuries in the second innings. All-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur, both part of Indiaas main Test squad, bowled 14.5 and 28 overs, respectively, in the match and are expected to continue building their workloads in the second unofficial Test. After the Northampton match concludes on June 9, the Indian team will play a closed-door intra-squad fixture against India A in Beckenham. Following that, the senior Test squad will head to Leeds to prepare for the series opener. Los Angeles, June 3 : Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson recently celebrated his wife LaTanya Richardson's achievement. Richardson secured a Tony Award nomination. Richardson, 75, was honored by a few of her and Jackson's famous friends at a hotel in New York City, reports 'People' magazine. The cocktail party celebration was hosted by Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee and Sotheby's real estate advisor Spencer Means. Richardson was celebrated ahead of the upcoming 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 8. As per 'People', she was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for Purpose. Richardson previously received a Tony nomination in 2014 for her performance in the revival of A Raisin in the Sun. Deborah Roberts posted a series of photos from the event, including a selfie alongside Richardson and Angela Bassett. Roberts, 64, also added a few snaps of Jackson, 76, Lee, 68, and Richardson giving speeches at the event. Roberts also included a couple of snapshots of Richardson enjoying the party alongside the partygoers, including Danielle Brooks, Purpose producer Debra Martin Chase and Purpose playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. During the celebration, Jackson reminisced about his and Richardson's 45-year marriage as he praised her acting, the New York Post reported. The couple's daughter, Zoe, also paid tribute to her mother with a short speech before handing her the microphone to say a few words. Roberts highlighted Richardson's "brilliant and inspiring career" in her caption. "(She) is showing us how to keep doing it with passion and purpose onstage and on screen", Roberts shared. "No accident that she's nominated for a Tony award for her starring role on Broadway in the compelling drama, Purpose. Congratulations to you and your stellar cast". Chase also marked the occasion and posted an Instagram carousel that included several photos from the soiree. Bengaluru, June 3 : Amid the language row, superstar Kamal Haasan wrote a letter to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday stating that the row over his remarks on origins of Kannada language is a result of a misunderstanding. Kamal Haasan also maintained that he is against the dominance of one language over another. The letter is addressed to Narasimhalu, President, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, Bengaluru. Kamal Haasan stated, "I acknowledge your letter dated May 30, 2025. Out of deep respect for the people of Karnataka, I offer the following with sincerity. "It pains me that my statement at the 'Thug Life' audio launch spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr. Rajkumar's family, especially Shiva Rajkumar - has been misunderstood and taken out of context. My words were intended only to convey that we are all one and from the same family and not to diminish Kannada in any way. There is no dispute or debate on the rich legacy of Kannada language." "Like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition that I have long admired. Throughout my career, I have cherished the warmth and affection extended to me by the Kannada-speaking community, and I say this with a clear conscience and conviction: My love for the language is genuine, and I have great respect for the love that Kannadigas have for their mother tongue," Kamal Haasan stated. "My bond with Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and all languages of this land is abiding and heartfelt. I have always stood for the equal dignity of all Indian languages and remain opposed to the dominance of any one language over another, as such imbalance undermines the linguistic fabric of the Union of India," he emphasised. "I know and speak the language of Cinema. Cinema is a universal language that knows only love and bonding. My statement was also only to establish that bond and unity amongst all of us," he maintained. "It is this love and bond that my seniors taught me which I wanted to share. It is out of this love and bond that Shivanna attended the audio launch event. I really regret that Shivanna had to go through such embarrassment on account of this. But am sure our true love and respect for each other will always remain and get firmer now," Kamal Haasan stated. "Cinema must remain a bridge between people never a wall that divides them. This was the intent of my statement and I never have been nor would ever want to give any room for public unrest and animosity," he said. "I sincerely hope my words are received in the spirit they were intended, and that my enduring affection for Karnataka, its people, and their language is recognised in its true light. I earnestly believe that this misunderstanding is temporary and an opportunity to reiterate our mutual love and respect," Kamal Haasan concluded. Kamal Haasan had stated that Kannada language was derived from Tamil and sparked a row. The actor has filed a petition before the court seeking protection. The Karnataka High Court has rapped him and asked him not to use the Right to Speech to hurt sentiments. The court also asked him why should the police give protection to him for his mistake. The court asked his clear position on whether he was willing to tender apologies or not by noon. Bhopal, June 3 : A mysterious creature launched a sudden and ferocious attack upon eighteen villagers of Limbai, a tribal settlement in Madhya Pradesh's Barwani district, on the night of May 5, and though the victims received immediate medical attention and were duly vaccinated against rabies, six of them have succumbed so far. Despite the efforts of healthcare professionals, some of the victims succumbed to their injuries in Barwani, 350 km from the state capital Bhopal, while the others later died at Maharaja Yashwant Rao (MY) Hospital, Indore. As their conditions worsened on Saturday, several individuals, including Chain Singh, 50, Sunil Nigwal, 40, Manju, Vijay, 15, all from Limbai in Rajpur sub-division, along with Kalu, 35, and Ram Singh, 48, residents of San village, were urgently referred to the MY Hospital.. Despite receiving medical care, Chain Singh passed away in the Indore hospital on Sunday. That same day, Nigwalas family transferred him from MY Hospital to their village, Limbai, only for his health to deteriorate further. On Monday, he was rushed to Barwani Hospital, where he, too, succumbed. Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Barwani, Bhupendra Rawat, told IANS that eighteen villagers had fallen victim to the unidentified beastas attack while sleeping beneath the open sky, seeking relief from the summeras relentless heat. The animal struck all of them in a single night, targeting even their faces. Though rabies vaccinations were promptly administered and proper protocols followed, six individuals tragically died. Curiously, none exhibited hallmark symptoms of rabies, such as hydrophobia, leaving medical experts baffled. "It must be a jackal or fox," the SDM opined. The identity of the animal assailant remains an enigma, leaving the medical fraternity in Indore in a fix. Surviving patients reported that victims hailed from Talwara, Menimata, Solyapura, Limbai, Ojhar, Kakariya, Davana, and Sangaon villages. Meanwhile, two additional patients were retrieved from MY Hospital by their families. By Monday, Muralidhar, 65, and Dagdu, 75, were also admitted to MY Hospital, bearing wounds on their hands, legs, and faces. "At present, two patients remain under close supervision at MY Hospital, Indore. However, they hail from Sendhwa rather than Limbai. They are asymptomatic and stable, displaying no signs of hydrophobia or any other rabies-related symptoms," the hospital's Deputy Superintendent, Dr Jitendra Verma, told IANS. "We are unable to ascertain whether the attack was carried out by a dog, fox or a jackal," he added, noting that the National Communicable Disease Control authorities have been informed. According to the victims, they had been peacefully asleep when the unknown predator struck, biting them before vanishing into the darkness. None could identify the creature responsible, making efforts to determine its species from the bite marks exceedingly difficult. Despite their uncertainty, all have been vaccinated. Outrage erupted among villagers on Monday, culminating in a road blockade on the state highway. Angered by forest officialsa refusal to hunt down the elusive beast, their frustration spilt out onto the streets. However, tensions eased as a post on an unverified X handle belonging to the Barwani District Collector said that Collector Guncha Sanobar personally visited Limbai, extended her sympathies to the injured and bereaved families, gathered crucial information from the villagers, and assured them that the government would extend all possible assistance in the wake of the distressing incident. The Collector remained unavailable for comment. Kampala, June 3 : Ugandan police have urged the public to remain calm and continue with their normal activities as security forces investigate a bomb explosion that occurred Tuesday near a church in Munyonyo, a suburb of the capital, Kampala. Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba told reporters at the scene that various security agencies had been deployed to conduct a thorough investigation. He confirmed that no civilians were injured or killed in the incident, apart from the two suspected terrorists who were riding a motorcycle. "It is too early to give anything tangible. We ask our people to remain alert, to be conscious of the environment around them. The situation is under control, and let them continue with the celebration of Martyrs' Day and all other activities. We assure them of security," Byakagaba said. Earlier, military spokesperson Chris Magezi told Xinhua by telephone that the army had killed two suspected suicide bombers, one of them a woman. Magezi said an explosive device went off during an attempt to intercept the suspects, Xinhua news agency reported. There was a heavy deployment of police and military at the scene, which was cordoned off, and roads leading to the area were blocked. An eyewitness at the scene told Xinhua that the suspects, a man and a woman, were riding on a motorcycle. "When they reached the church where people had gathered for prayers, the woman failed to access it because of the heavy security," the eyewitness said. "Shortly after they left the place, there was an explosion which killed both of them." The incident occurred as the country was commemorating Martyrs' Day, a national public holiday that attracts thousands of pilgrims from within Uganda and abroad. The last similar attack occurred in Kampala in November 2021, when terrorists detonated bombs near a police station and government offices. The Ugandan military attributed those attacks to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group affiliated with the Islamic State in Central Africa. The ADF, originally a Ugandan insurgent group, is currently based in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Tonk, June 3 : An alcoholic labourer axed his wife of 22 years to death and injured his daughter in Rajasthan's Tonk on Tuesday over a suspected domestic issue, police said, adding that a hunt has been launched to arrest him. Ram Sahay Reghar struck on the head of her wife, Kali Devi, 35, in the wee hours in the village of Saroli with an axe while she was asleep, said an official from Banetha Police Station. Inspector Ramvilas Gujjar led a forensic team to the crime scene, where blood stains could be seen on the cot on which the victim was sleeping at the time of the attack. "We received information around 4 a.m. from the victim's relatives about the incident and rushed to the spot," said Head Constable Hanuman Prasad. The victim was rushed to the government hospital in Saadat, where the doctors declared her dead and sent the body for post-mortem, the police said. The injured daughter of the couple is undergoing treatment at the hospital, the police said Kali Devi's brother Rajender Verma told mediapersons that he was informed about the incident by police and, thereafter. He rushed to Tonk from Jaipur. He said his sister used to complain about Ram Sahay's violent behaviour, but no one had expected that things would come to such a stage that he would kill her. "We are seeking that the guilty should be punished," said Verma, who was waiting for the release of his sister's body from the hospital mortuary. The victim's father, Mewa Ram, said his daughter had been married for 22 years and their family was not expecting such a deadly end to it. For Rajasthan's 33 administrative districts, the district average of women-related crime incidence was 1,040 in 2019, according to government data. The incidence of registered crime against women in Rajasthan increased from 18,344 in 2010 to 41,623 in 2019, registering a growth of 126.90 per cent during 2010-19 with an annualised growth rate of 10.86 per cent, according to a CAG report on 'Statistical trend of Crime Against Women in Rajasthan'. Incidence of registered crime against women has increased by 49.21 per cent during the year 2019 over the year 2018, according to the report. Hyderabad, June 3 : Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has said that the Congress government brought the Bhu Bharati Act to permanently solve the land woes faced by people, especially farmers. He, along with Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, attended 'Revenue Sadassu' in Mulugumadu village of Yerrupalem mandal in Khammam district on Tuesday. Bhu Bharati Revenue Sadassu are being organised from June 3 to 20 to create awareness among farmers about the Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights) Act, which came into force in April. Bhu Bharati portal was launched by the state government as a solution to land-related issues, which cropped up after the introduction of the Dharani portal by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government. The Deputy Chief Minister claimed that the Congress government brought the legislation in a transparent manner. Vikramarka described Bhu Bharati as the best revenue legislation in the country. The legislation aims to conduct a survey of farmers' lands and fix their boundaries without any disputes. He alleged that the Dharani legislation of the previous BRS government had violated the rights of farmers. The Deputy Chief Minister said that BRS leaders brought the Dharani law to hand over lands to whomever they liked. He said, "The Congress government threw the Dharani law into the Bay of Bengal as was promised during the elections." He recalled that the Congress government in the past had distributed 26 lakh acres of land among the poor under the Land Reforms Act. These assigned lands were placed under party B of the Dharani portal, and no inquiry was conducted. Vikramarka said the government would conduct an inquiry into the assigned lands and give land pattas to genuine assignees. Assigned committees under the leadership of MLAs will be constituted to give cultivable lands and house sites to the landless poor. Under the Bhu Bharat Act, land survey will be conducted. Revenue Sadassu will be conducted every year. Gram sabhas will be held to give details of land transactions in the village and the changes in the land record. Srinivas Reddy said the government would soon issue 'Bhudhar cards' for lands on the lines of Aadhaar cards for human beings. He said the legislation was brought to make sure that farmers do not face any issues. The Revenue Minister said licensed surveyors will be used to conduct land surveys. A total of 3,500 revenue officials are being appointed to solve land issues in villages. Agriculture Minister Rao said their government brought a revolutionary law to solve the problems of farmers. He said for decades, the successive governments brought many laws but could not solve land problems, but Bhu Bharati will permanently solve the problems. The Bhu Bharati Act came into force on April 14. Revenue Sadassu were held on a pilot basis in four mandals of four districts. Under the second phase, the meetings were held in 28 mandals in 28 villages from May 5. The meetings are now being held in the remaining mandals across the state from June 3 to June 20. In the first two phases, authorities received 55,000 applications relating to land issues. According to the Revenue Minister, 60 per cent of the issues have been resolved. New Delhi, June 3 : In a united move, 16 opposition parties from the INDIA Bloc have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to convene a special session of Parliament to deliberate on the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and other key national security issues. While the opposition has extended support to the government's actions against terrorism, it has also stressed the importance of transparent and strategic discussions within the framework of Parliament. "Our demand has been consistent -- a special session of Parliament should be called, not only to express gratitude to our armed forces for their bravery and sacrifice, but also to allow the government to present its comprehensive stance on the matter," the Congress said in a statement following a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders. Addressing the media, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda elaborated on the parties' concerns: "We expect the government to speak on issues such as Operation Sindoor, the recent ceasefire announcement by the US, diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan globally, and a concrete strategy to uproot terrorism. Parliament is the voice of 140 crore citizens -- this is where such matters must be addressed." Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien emphasised the constitutional responsibility of the government to keep Parliament informed. "The government is accountable to the Parliament, and Parliament is accountable to the people. That is why 16 parties have signed this letter, demanding a special session," he said. The parties that signed the letter include Congress, SP, AITC, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, J&K NC, CPI(M), IUML, CPI, RSP, JMM, VCK, Kerala Congress, MDMK, CPI (ML). Additionally, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), though not a signatory to the joint letter, has sent a separate communication to the Prime Minister echoing the same demand. The meeting of the INDIA Bloc leaders was held in New Delhi's Constitution Club to discuss these pressing matters. Earlier, 200 MPs from the Lok Sabha signed a letter to PM Modi calling for convening a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, which took place in its aftermath New Delhi, June 3 : BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla expressed his excitement for the summit clash of the IPL 2025 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium and said the team that plays better will lift the trophy. RCB and PBKS have been part of the tournament since its inception in 2008. Both sides have come close to lifting the IPL trophy but ended as runners-up. RCB will be playing an IPL final for the fourth time, having finished runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016 to Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, respectively, while Punjab had their chance in 2014. "Everyone is expecting it to be an exciting match... two teams, who have not won the IPL in the last 17 years, are locking horns in the final, and this time we will have a new champion," Shukla told the media. With the excitement among fans of both franchises reaching the pinnacle, the encounter is going to be a nail-biting affair. However, the weather is likely to make it more intense for the fans with a rain threat looming around the match. "So, this is new for the people. So, people are excited. On side, we have a team of Virat Kohli and on the other hand, we have a team of Shreyas Iyer. Whoever plays better will win... it should not rain," he added. RCB and PBKS have faced off 36 times. The rivalry is currently evenly poised with both sides winning 18 matches each. In the last five encounters, however, RCB hold the edge with four wins, while PBKS have won once. The highest score in these recent matches is 241 by RCB, while the lowest is also by them a" 95 all out. In the 20 matches where teams have batted first, theyave won 9 and lost 11. In 16 chases, the chasing side has won 9 and lost 7 a" a stat that underlines the importance of momentum and match-ups on the day. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The establishment of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) is positively received and supported worldwide, reflecting Azerbaijans prominent role in the fight against neocolonialism, said MP Nigar Mammadova at the international scientific conference titled Imperial System: Colonial Ideologies and Realities, Trend reports. Mammadova noted that countries of the Global South, having been dealt a rough hand by dominant colonial powers, are not ones to sit idly by, and they are raising their voices against hegemony and double standards, determined to carve out a seat at the table and ensure their perspectives are heard loud and clear in the international arena. Azerbaijans role in this process stands out as the country takes a principled stance against colonial policies following the end of occupation in Karabakh, she said. She emphasized that the international initiative launched from Baku, known as the BIG, is yielding results in the fight against neocolonialism. During its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan has become a driving force against new colonial trends, Mammadova added. The deputy underlined that the BIG organizes international conferences on decolonization and neocolonialism, creating a favorable environment to discuss the colonial legacy and the problems caused by neocolonial practices. The international conferences on decolonization and neocolonialism organized by the BIG have created valuable platforms for discussing the legacy of colonialism, its diverse manifestations, and the challenges stemming from neocolonial practices. It is no coincidence that in the past two years alone, the group has hosted nearly thirty international conferences, she noted. She went on to emphasize that the Azerbaijani state firmly opposes all forms of colonialism and any expression of political, economic, or moral exploitation on the global stage, considering such practices unacceptable regardless of the region in which they occur. Our country has successfully fostered an active dialogue between the Global South and the Global North, built on mutual understanding. We are committed to shaping a future that is more just, inclusive, and respectful of human rights, she said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Murshidabad : , June 3 (IANS) Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday urged for a peaceful celebration of Eid-al-Adha (Bakra Eid), which will be observed on June 7, warning against any attempts to spread hatred against a particular community or religion. This comes after the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog under the state's Department of Animal Husbandry, which had issued a directive last week asking all Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to close livestock markets from June 3 to June 8 Speaking to IANS, Chowdhury said: "Qurbani (animal sacrifice) has been taking place across Maharashtra and the country for decades. It's a traditional religious festival. For Muslims, Bakra Eid is a significant occasion celebrated worldwide. No one has had any issue with it. Every religion has its own festivals, and we celebrate them together. But if anyone tries to spread hatred against a particular religion or festival, it will damage our unity." "The Maharashtra government should take wise decisions," Chowdhury stated. "Bakra Eid forms a central part of the Muslim faith. No one should try to weaken this foundation. The festival should be celebrated across the country with joy and mutual respect. Everyone has their own religion, and we must honour all traditions. When Ganpati Puja is celebrated in Maharashtra, lakhs of Muslims take part. This spirit of brotherhood must not be disturbed. That is our request." Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has withdrawn the controversial order issued by the state cattle welfare commission to shut down livestock markets during Bakra Eid. The government has also approved a proposal to modernise the 54-year-old Deonar abattoir in Mumbai. According to Muslim community leaders, these decisions were finalised during a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. The meeting, also attended by government officials, reviewed preparations for the festival, which commemorates the spirit of sacrifice through the ritual slaughter of goats. New Delhi, June 3 : In a move that has drawn sharp responses from Indian officials and security analysts, Pakistan has released a 20-page dossier accusing India of orchestrating a "false flag" operation in Pahalgam to justify its precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor'. In a remarkable shift in tactics to change the narrative, Pakistanas dossier leans heavily on some Indian media reports, expert interviews, and public commentary to support its claim. The document refers to content from certain Indian news outlets, social media posts and well-known journalists, quoting their assessments and statements as evidence that the Pahalgam terror attack may have been staged by India itself. Screenshots of interviews with such media persons have also been shared in the dossier by Pakistan. Pakistan is doing so in an attempt to frame the Indian militaryas retaliatory strikes as pre-planned aggression rather than a justified response to terrorism. However, the use of internal Indian commentary in an international accusation has been seen by many experts and officials in New Delhi as a deliberate bid to "exploit domestic dissent for geopolitical gain". The Indian officials and experts have rejected Pakistanas claims of a false flag operation in the Pahalgam carnage. "This is a classic case of selective amplification. Pakistan has long failed to provide credible evidence of its denials and now relies on opinions from within India to shape its counter-narrative," said a security expert. Indian officials maintain that the Pahalgam attack, in which civilians were brutally killed at close range, was an act of state-backed terror a" one that crossed a red line and prompted a calibrated military response through Operation Sindoor. The officials argue that Pakistanas claims are not backed by forensic, technical, or international intelligence, only media speculation. Analysts also point out that this strategy of quoting Indian voices may backfire, as it signals a lack of independent evidence from Pakistanas side and underscores a pattern of using narrative warfare in place of facts. Even as the dossier seeks to challenge India's rationale, it inadvertently confirms the scale of damage inflicted by Indian strikes, listing 28 sites hit by Indian forces a" more than the 20 officially disclosed by Indian defence briefings a" further undercutting Islamabadas earlier denials of losses. India continues to stand by the legitimacy and necessity of Operation Sindoor, stating clearly that its actions were targeted, proportionate, and in direct response to cross-border terrorism. Ahmedabad, June 3 : A bomb threat via email triggered panic at Geneva Liberal School, located on the Ahmedabad SP Ring Road in Gujarat on Tuesday. An official said that the school received the threatening email which stated a dowry and rape case involving a man named Divij and alleged that his parents had demanded a dowry of Rs 1 crore from their daughter-in-law. It also accused the police of failing to investigate the case properly. The official said that the mail carried the subject line: "Bomb planted in the school to provide justice for a rape victim." "The sender provided contact details of the accused and his family, accusing them of being involved in the crime. The message also included grave allegations of dowry harassment," they said. It further said that the accused's parents had tortured their daughter-in-law and demanded a dowry of Rs 1 crore, and claimed that the harassment stemmed from the family's financial troubles, including home and car loans. The email accused the police of inaction and warned of violence to force a response: "The police are sleeping and did nothing. Only if children die, the police will take action. We will blast the school to bring police's attention about rape." Following the threat, the school authorities immediately alerted the police and the District Education Officer (DEO). A bomb squad team was swiftly deployed to the school premises to carry out a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, security has been heightened around the school as the Police are working to trace the origin of the email and verify the claims made. In recent years, Gujarat has witnessed a concerning rise in bomb threats targeting educational institutions, particularly schools in Ahmedabad. These threats, often disseminated via email, have led to widespread panic, evacuations, and extensive security operations, although most have been confirmed as hoaxes. On May 6, 2024, a significant incident occurred when 41 schools in Ahmedabad received bomb threat emails. The timing of these threats, just a day before the state's polling day, heightened tensions. Investigations revealed that the emails were sent from a Russian IP address, suggesting an international dimension to the threats. Ranchi, June 3 : At least two policemen, including the Station-in-charge, were injured during a mob attack on police officials in Ranchi's Lapung area on Tuesday, officials said. According to officials, the incident took place in Koinara village, under the jurisdiction of the Lapung police station, when a meeting had been convened to mediate a land dispute between two parties. Acting on intelligence inputs about the possible presence of anti-social elements intending to disrupt the meeting, police reached the venue to maintain order. However, as soon as the police team, led by Station In-charge Santosh Yadav, arrived at the scene, they were attacked by a mob. Yadav suffered a serious head injury in the assault. He, along with another injured policeman, was immediately rushed to Ranchi and admitted to a private hospital for treatment. Several other police personnel were also reportedly injured in the incident. Following the attack, senior police officers, including SP, Rural, Praveen Pushkar, reached the site to assess the situation. Speaking to reporters, Pushkar said: "The situation is tense but under control. Additional forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any further escalation. Those involved in the attack are being identified, and strict action will be taken." This is the second major incident of mob violence targeting the police in Ranchi within a span of just a few days. On Saturday night, a violent crowd of nearly 300 people stormed the Bedo Police Station. In that incident, too, the station in-charge, Dev Pratap Pradhan, along with several personnel, was assaulted. The mob vandalised the premises, broke furniture, and damaged several vehicles. Police have registered an FIR against 275 unidentified individuals, including 34 who have been named, in connection with the Bedo incident. Investigations are underway. The repeated attacks have raised concerns over growing hostility towards law enforcement in rural pockets of the district. Authorities have urged the public to maintain peace and cooperate with investigations. Bengaluru/Chennai, June 3 : Refusing to apologise for his controversial remark regarding the origins of the Kannada language, actor Kamal Haasan has informed the Karnataka High Court that his production house has decided not to release his movie 'Thug Life' in the state next week. The High Court bench, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, recorded this submission and adjourned the matter to June 10. While adjourning, the bench advised actor Kamal Haasan to at least use his discretion regarding the matter now. Senior Counsel Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for Kamal Haasan, submitted that the actor cannot be compelled to apologise or issue apologies in a certain manner. The bench intervened, stating that the court had not asked the actor to apologise. The counsel for the actor maintained that while the court had not demanded an apology, the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce had. "We will discuss the matter with the film body. We will not release the movie 'Thug Life' in Karnataka," the counsel stated. The counsel further added that he had spoken to Kamal Haasan regarding the court's observations on the case that morning and conveyed them to him. "Kamal Haasan has expressed his respect towards the Kannada language in his letter to the film body. The actor has not issued any statement showing the Kannada language in a poor light. He has not used any inappropriate words regarding the Kannada language. Since there is no ill motive, he is not tendering apologies," the counsel stated after reading Kamal Haasan's letter to the Karnataka film body in court. The bench observed that instead of "beating around the bush," the addition of one word would have resolved the matter. "His ego must be coming in the way. Neither Kamal Haasan nor anyone should cause pain to the feelings of the people," the bench stated. The counsel for the actor submitted, "We should not get divided on the basis of language. Our country is the same. Kannada and Tamil languages both should thrive. The court has not directed Kamal Haasan to tender his apologies in a certain manner." Earlier on Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court reprimanded actor Kamal Haasan over his controversial remark on the origins of the Kannada language, questioning why the police should provide security for his mistake. "Don't use the Right to Speech to hurt sentiments," the court said. Justice M. Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court stated that such remarks had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka. "Language is an emotional and cultural identity of a people. No individual has the right to undermine the pride of an entire linguistic community," he observed. The judge further questioned Haasan's authority to make such claims, asking, "Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement? No language is born out of another." He added, "A single apology could have resolved the situation." Justice Nagaprasanna stressed the importance of respecting cultural sensitivities and remarked, "Water, land, and language Jala, Nela, Bashe are sacred to the people. The division of this country itself was based on linguistic lines. No citizen has the right to hurt such sentiments." The bench, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, made these observations while hearing a petition submitted by Kamal Haasan seeking security for the screening of his movie 'Thug Life' in Karnataka's theatres and multiplexes. The controversy erupted after Haasan, during the audio launch of Thug Life in Chennai in late May, reportedly remarked that "Kannada was born out of Tamil." He has also refused to apologise, despite widespread protests against him across the state. The bench noted that a prominent person like C. Rajagopalachari had issued a similar statement in 1950 about the origins of the Kannada language and later apologised following protests, even though there was no commercial motive. "If such a big person can apologise, and a similar statement has been issued after 75 years, and there is a commercial motive..." the court observed. "You want to make a profit from the people of Karnataka, and you also maintain that you won't apologise. Even I want to watch the movie, but because of the controversy, I am unable to watch it. If you do not want to apologise, leave it. Why do you want to release it here?" the court questioned. "The cinema is made to make profits, and why should the police give protection for your mistake? The people are demanding an apology from you. You have not denied making the statement; you have agreed to have made the statement and are maintaining that you won't apologise," the court stated. "One statement can resolve the issue, and you are not tendering an apology. If you are not apologising, why are you releasing it in Karnataka?" the court pulled up the actor. The counsel for Kamal Haasan submitted that the actor has not insulted the language and made the statement with love. Meanwhile, office-bearers of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and Industries have commenced a meeting to decide on banning the release of Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' movie in the state. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated, "The court, keeping everything in view, has given its opinion. The interests of the state and language need to be protected. I spoke to literary personalities and discussed the remark. We all belong to Dravidian culture; there is no hierarchy there. All South Indian languagesKannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalamshare similarities." "Our people also should be in control and obey the orders given by the court," he stated. Responding to charges from the BJP that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and he were taking a soft stance on Kamal Haasan, Shivakumar maintained that the BJP always divides, while the Congress party unites. "Who will be responsible if anything goes wrong here? 50,000 people travel from Bengaluru to Hosur (a neighbouring city located in Tamil Nadu) every day. Many stay here and go to work in Hosur." "If he had given a wrong statement, he would apologise; the matter should not be taken elsewhere. I assume that Kamal Haasan will apologise. I request Kannada organisations not to go to extremes," Shivakumar stated. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam, Thug Life is slated for a pan-India release on June 5. Chandigarh June 3 : The Rationalisation Commission in its report on Tuesday recommended to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini restructuring of 88 municipal corporations, councils and committees and 179 government colleges. It proposed the creation of an independent department for drainage and groundwater recharging for flood control by dividing the existing Irrigation Department into two entities. Additionally, the report suggested the establishment of new institutions and the closure of redundant ones in several departments. Except for two or three departments, the number of posts is expected to increase significantly in almost all other departments. According to data available on the Human Resource Management System (HRMS), the commission has recommended creating 105,832 posts against the existing 104,980 posts in 21 departments. The Rationalisation Commission recommended restructuring of government departments, boards and corporations to make these entities more efficient, transparent, and responsive to public needs. Its Chairman, Rajan Gupta, presented the first set of 18 reports to the Chief Minister here, who subsequently directed the Chief Secretary and other officers to initiate immediate steps for its implementation. The Chief Minister emphasised that five departments should be taken up on a pilot basis for their time-bound implementation. The departments are Public Health Engineering, Irrigation, Mines and Geology, Horticulture, and Urban Local Bodies. Gupta said another set of five reports is nearly complete and will be submitted within a few days. The exercise of another 23 departments is at an advanced stage. He apprised the Chief Minister that the commission aims to improve departmental efficiency by fully empowering the lowest levels of the departments that primarily interact with the public to be more responsive and accountable. The commission has restructured all departments, from the lowest-level offices up to the office of the head of the department. It has recommended appropriate manpower, including IT and other technical staff, tailored to the requirements of each office level based on the nature of their duties. --IANS vg/dan Patna, June 3 : The Bihar government has taken major disciplinary action in the case of the Muzaffarpur minor Dalit girl's sexual assault, whose tragic death has triggered widespread outrage across the state. Patna, June 3 (IANS) The Bihar government has taken major disciplinary action in the case of the Muzaffarpur minor Dalit girlas sexual assault, whose tragic death has triggered widespread outrage across the state. Under pressure from the opposition and amid a scathing public backlash, the Health Department has relieved Dr. Abhijit Singh, Deputy Superintendent-in-Charge of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), of his duties and suspended Dr. Kumari Vibha, Superintendent of Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), Muzaffarpur. In its official order, the Health Department cited gross negligence and administrative failure as reasons for both actions. Dr. Abhijit Singh was found to have failed in discharging his administrative responsibilities at PMCH. The department noted prima facie evidence indicating that his failure directly affected the handling of the victim's treatment upon her arrival at the hospital. Dr. Kumari Vibha, on the other hand, was held accountable for violating the referral policy and displaying extreme insensitivity during the victim's treatment at SKMCH. The department stated that she failed to comply with duty norms, leading to severe lapses in medical care. As a result, Dr. Singh has been removed from his post with immediate effect, and Dr. Vibha has been suspended under Rule 9 of the Bihar Government Servant (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 2005. Her headquarters during the suspension will be the Health Department office in Patna. A charge sheet will be prepared against her based on the findings of the ongoing investigation. The victim, a minor Dalit girl from Muzaffarpur, was sexually assaulted and later transferred to PMCH, Patna, for advanced treatment. However, upon arrival, she was allegedly kept in an ambulance for nearly four hours due to a lack of timely medical response, which ultimately led to her death. The incident not only highlighted the failings of Biharas healthcare system but also reignited debates around the state of law and order and caste-based violence. The opposition parties, including the RJD, Congress, and Jan Suraaj, had accused the Nitish Kumar-led government of both lawlessness and administrative negligence, demanding the resignation of Health Minister Mangal Pandey. The incident and its mishandling became a rallying point for critics of the government, further amplified by protests and statements calling for systemic reforms. Chennai, June 3 : In a grand celebration of Tamil heritage and scholarship, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday conferred the Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award for 2025 on renowned Tamil scholar Thayammal Aravanan. The ceremony, held at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, was part of the annual aSemmozhi Daya observance marking the birth anniversary of late DMK stalwart and five-time Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The award, instituted in Karunanidhias name to recognise excellence in classical Tamil studies, carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh along with a citation plaque. In his address, Chief Minister Stalin underscored the Dravidian movementas historic role in preserving Tamil identity and promoting scholarly inquiry. The day also saw the release of two major works published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil a" Tamil Vinayadigal a" Varalatru Mozhiyiyal Ayvu, authored by Rajendran Sankaravelayuthan, and Sanga Ilakkiya Solvalam by P.R. Subramanian. These publications add to the growing body of academic resources on Tamil history and Sangam literature. In a notable gesture, the Chief Minister handed over enhanced financial assistance to five veteran Tamil scholars in recognition of their lifetime contributions. The beneficiaries were M. Chakkaravarthi, R. Mohanasundaram, Bhanumathi (Aathira Mullai), A. Idayageetham Ramanujam, and N. Sundari. Further, Stalin launched a new book published by Tamilarasu, chronicling the achievements of the DMK government over the past four years in areas such as education, social welfare, and language development. To encourage young learners, prizes were distributed to students who won competitions held in connection with Semmozhi Day. The contests aimed to cultivate interest in the Tamil language, literature, and cultural traditions among school and college students. The event was attended by several cabinet ministers, including K.N. Nehru, I. Periyasamy, E.V. Velu, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, K.R. Periakaruppan, M.P. Saminathan, Ma. Subramanian, and P.K. Sekarbabu, as well as Chennai Mayor R. Priya. Leaders from allied parties - Vaiko (MDMK), Thol. Thirumavalavan (VCK), R. Mutharasan (CPI), and K.M. Khader Mohideen (IUML) also participated, alongside MPs A. Raja and Dayanidhi Maran. Earlier in the day, Stalin paid floral tributes at Karunanidhias memorial at Anna Square, the statue at Omandurar Government Estate, and other locations tied to the late leaderas legacy. --IANS aal/dan New Delhi, June 3 : Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Tuesday said that the university is introducing a fourth year in undergraduate programmes. He also elaborated on the infrastructural development underway, revealing that projects worth around Rs 2,000 crore are currently in progress, as he expressed his aspiration to see the institution ranked among the top 100 universities globally within the next decade. Yogesh Singh was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University on September 22, 2021, becoming the 23rd VC, succeeding Yogesh Tyagi. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Yogesh Singh discussed a range of topics including the visit of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to the DU campus, the new academic courses being introduced, and the infrastructural vision for the university. Excerpts from the interview: IANS: The fourth year of undergraduate studies is being introduced at DU. How are you preparing for its implementation? Yogesh Singh: For the first time, a fourth year is being introduced in undergraduate programs at DU as recommended by the National Education Policy (NEP). We've been preparing for this for the past three years. This hasn't happened suddenly. We've offered various options to students under this new structure. Students can choose their tracks based on their interestswhether they wish to pursue a research project or follow a particular specialisation. The focus is on fostering innovation and creativity, key components of the NEP. With the introduction of the fourth year, increased infrastructural support will naturally be needed, and we have already asked colleges to prepare accordingly. I believe there won't be major issues, and if challenges arise, we'll resolve them. The focus on research and innovation demands an enabling ecosystem. Our colleges are among the most prestigious in the country - 10 to 12 DU colleges are regularly ranked among the top 20 nationwide. Many of our faculty members are top researchers with well-established laboratories. They will play a critical role in advancing this initiative. For now, we are observing the admissions process. When something new is introduced, there are often uncertainties and apprehensions. But with careful planning, we will ensure smooth implementation. If any student faces difficulties, we will support them collectively. IANS: How strong is DU's current infrastructure, and what are your future plans? Yogesh Singh: A tremendous amount of work is being done on infrastructure at Delhi University. I would like to thank the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. You'll be glad to know that projects worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore are underway to strengthen the university's infrastructure. Over 100 years have passed since DU's establishment, and naturally, much of the infrastructure has become outdated. To meet the demands of the 21st century, we need new and modern facilities - and the government is supporting us wholeheartedly in this. We are working simultaneously on developing the West and East Campuses. Additionally, two new colleges are being set up Veer Savarkar in Najafgarh and another in Fatehpur Beri. These colleges will be operational soon. I'm confident that within the next one or two years, DU's infrastructure will undergo a major transformation. IANS: When will Veer Savarkar College be operational? Yogesh Singh: The construction of Veer Savarkar College has already begun. I am confident that it will be fully functional by next year. In fact, it might even be ready within the next two or three months, but we are targeting next year for its official opening. IANS: Rahul Gandhi visited DU without prior permission. Was any action taken? Yogesh Singh: It's not about taking action, but the practice of visiting without informing the administration is not appropriate. Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition and a senior national leader. It would be better if such visits were coordinated with the university administration. This way, we can make proper arrangements. He has done this before as well - visited without notice. I believe such practices should be avoided in the future. IANS: If this happens again with any leader, will action be taken? Yogesh Singh: I'd like to convey through you that there is a proper procedure for visiting university premises. Leaders and dignitaries should inform and take permission before visiting. Following the protocol is important to avoid miscommunication and confusion. Otherwise, it sends the wrong message. IANS: The principal of Laxmibai College applied cow dung in a classroom, claiming it would help reduce heat. In response, DUSU President Ronak Khatri applied cow dung in the principal's office. Was this behaviour appropriate? Yogesh Singh: The application of cow dung by the DUSU President in the principal's room is not appropriate behaviour. Civilised and constructive ways of protest exist and should be used. We are living in 21st-century India, where our focus is on progress and development. Protests reminiscent of colonial times are no longer relevant. The Principal may have believed that applying cow dung would help cool the classroomthis was her personal experiment. She should have conducted it at her home or in her personal space before involving student areas. Similarly, Ronak Khatri should have refrained from retaliating in such a manner. This act was inappropriate and should not be repeated. IANS: Will any disciplinary action be taken? Yogesh Singh: I am not saying action must be taken, but such incidents should be avoided in the future. As DUSU President, he should focus on constructive leadership. When you do good work, you gain blessings and support automatically. IANS: Operation Sindoor showcased the Indian Army's courage. Will it be included in DU's curriculum? Yogesh Singh: It's too early to make a definitive statement, but Operation Sindoor represents national pride, love for the country, the bravery of our armed forces, and the wisdom of our leadership. It also demonstrates how our government and PM Modi respond in times of crisis. These things deserve a place in the curriculum. Universities must focus not only on academics - like algorithms and research - but also on shaping patriotic citizens. Operation Sindoor made every Indian proud. National security and patriotism should be central themes in higher education. IANS: What is being done to bring Operation Sindoor and the valour of the armed forces closer to students? Yogesh Singh: Our colleges are actively organising debates, discussions, and awareness programmes centred on Operation Sindoor. These events help students understand how such military operations are planned and executed, and the courage involved. The soldiers are our own studentsgraduates of our universitiesfighting for our safety. Every section of society has a role: the government, armed forces, and educational institutions. I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the Prime Minister for his leadership during this operation. IANS: DU created a social media handle related to Operation Sindoor. What was the purpose? Yogesh Singh: After Operation Sindoor, there was a surge of patriotic sentiment across the country. We felt the university should contribute meaningfully. That's why we launched a social media handle called "Ye Desh Hai Mera." Its purpose is to provide accurate information and perspectives to the youth. It explores the intellectual, psychological, and research aspects of such national events. In times when narratives are being manipulated, it's important to offer clarity. We launched this handle on platform X to engage students in constructive national dialogue. Prime Minister Modi has taken a pledge toward "Viksit Bharat@2047," and safeguarding the country is a responsibility of the current generation. As India grows, so do the challenges. That's why national love must be at the heart of every citizen's values. IANS: Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is a DU alumnus. What does that mean for the university? Yogesh Singh: Delhi University is 100 years old and has contributed immensely to the lives of countless students. We are proud that the current Chief Minister is our alumna. It's a moment of great pride. We are equally proud that the Prime Minister also studied here. IANS: Have any new academic programmes been introduced to enhance students' futures? Yogesh Singh: DU is launching programmes aligned with the country's current needs. For instance, we are planning to introduce a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Electronic Science. Fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are crucial today, and our curriculum is evolving accordingly. We've also encouraged the Hindi and English departments to start MA programmes in Journalism. The English department will launch it this year, and the Hindi department will follow next year. Accurate and responsible dissemination of information is vital in a democracy, and these courses will contribute to that goal. IANS: Where do you envision DU in the next ten years? Yogesh Singh: There are various global parameters to assess academic performance. One of the most significant is the QS World University Rankings. A few years ago, DU's rank was around 500. Today, it stands at 328 globally, and several departments rank within the top 100. Our goal is to bring DU into the top 100 globally within the next ten years. We aim to provide world-class education to our students and continually improve our academic standards. IANS: There are frequent allegations that DU is being influenced by a particular ideology, specifically the RSS. What's your take on this? Yogesh Singh: Honestly, I don't understand the accusation. Our goal is to nurture students who love and care for the country. Every university should aim to develop responsible and patriotic citizens. During times of national crisis, every citizen must contribute. Promoting love for the country should not be politicised. If that's seen as a particular ideology, I have nothing further to add. But yes, we are committed to national development and responsible education. IANS: Is it true that people of a particular ideology are being recruited at DU? Yogesh Singh: I completely disagree with that. We follow a transparent and multi-stage recruitment process that includes screening, interviews, and evaluation of communication, writing, and soft skills. Experts from across the country are involved. Those making such allegations either lack understanding of the system or don't have the facts. IANS: Do you think some people are trying to turn DU into JNU? Yogesh Singh: JNU is a different university with its own identity and culture. We are DU, and we have our own unique character. There is no comparison, and there's no intention of becoming like JNU. Ulan Bator, June 3 : Mongolia's National Centre for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) on Tuesday confirmed 259 new cases of measles infection, raising the national tally to 5,075. "All the latest confirmed cases were among school-age children who have had only one shot of the measles vaccine," the NCCD said in a statement. Meanwhile, 186 more measles patients have recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries to 3,333, it said. In view of this, the NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccine, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the World Health Organisation, measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contact. Measles spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death. Measles can affect anyone, but it is most common in children. Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body. Any non-immune person (not vaccinated or vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected. Unvaccinated young children and pregnant women are at the highest risk of severe measles complications. Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year. An estimated 107,500 people died from measles in 2023, mostly children under the age of five years, despite the availability of safe and cost-effective vaccines. In 2023, as many as 74 per cent of children received both doses of the measles vaccine, and about 83 per cent of the world's children received one dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday. Two doses of the vaccine are recommended to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks, as not all children develop immunity from the first dose. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. In the margins of his official visit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov had a meeting with Musalia Mudavadi, EGH, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on its X page, Trend reports. "Building on the fruitful partnership forged on multilateral platforms such as the UN, NAM, and COP29, reiterated the utmost importance of sustaining the recent dynamics of political dialogue and mutual high-level visits for further development of bilateral relations across various dimensions, whether it is parliamentary diplomacy, economic and trade cooperation, or humanitarian and cultural exchanges. In this regard, the formal inauguration of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Nairobi represents a pivotal milestone, serving as a catalyst for the enhancement of our bilateral relations," the post reads. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, June 3 : Fissures within the INDIA Bloc became evident on Tuesday as several key allies, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP), chose to stay away from a crucial opposition meeting held at Delhi's Constitution Club. New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) Fissures within the INDIA Bloc became evident on Tuesday as several key allies, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP), chose to stay away from a crucial opposition meeting held at Delhias Constitution Club. The gathering was convened to discuss the joint demand for a special session of Parliament in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. While 16 opposition parties have jointly signed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging a special session, the absence of some signatories from the meeting raised questions about internal cohesion. Trinamool Congress MP Derek OaBrien confirmed that AAP had opted out of the meeting, although it had separately written to the Prime Minister supporting the demand for a special session. According to sources, AAPas decision to stay away stemmed from its reluctance to share the stage with the Congress party, with whom it has had a strained relationship in recent months. Similarly, leaders from the Left parties, which are signatories to the joint letter, also skipped the meeting. Their absence, sources suggest, may be linked to the presence of Trinamool Congress representatives at the event -- a party with which the Left shares a contentious political history in West Bengal. Sharad Pawar, chief of the NCP (SP), had already distanced himself from the demand for a special session. He publicly stated his opposition to discussing sensitive national security issues such as Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack in an open parliamentary forum. Despite these absences, the meeting saw participation from senior leaders such as Derek OaBrien (TMC), Jairam Ramesh (Congress), Ram Gopal Yadav (SP), Deepender Singh Hooda (Congress), Manoj Jha (RJD) and Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT). The joint letter sent to Prime Minister Modi was signed by Congress, SP, TMC, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, J&K National Conference, CPI(M), IUML, CPI, RSP, JMM, VCK, Kerala Congress, MDMK, and CPI(ML), Trinamool MP Derek OaBrien said. Earlier, over 200 Lok Sabha MPs had also signed a letter urging the Prime Minister to convene a special session to deliberate on the Pahalgam terror attack and the governmentas subsequent response through Operation Sindoor. Top opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, had previously sent individual letters to the Prime Minister reiterating the same demand. Paris, June 3 : Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said that India and France must work to strengthen bilateral economic ties as there was ample scope to boost trade between the two countries from the current level of $15 billion. Addressing the India-France CEO Forum here, the minister said both countries must work towards deeper cooperation in emerging and strategic sectors. "We cannot be satisfied with just $15 billion. The scope is far greater," Goyal remarked. He suggested forming joint working groups in the private sector under the CEO Forum to explore collaborations in artificial intelligence, tourism, manufacturing, and global capability centres as well. Goyal also announced that India and France would activate a fast-track mechanism at the ambassadorial level to help businesses overcome trade and regulatory hurdles. "This will help us find new areas of trade and support each other in crossing the Rubicon of regulation," he remarked. He pointed out that Indian businesses are often "foxed" by the EUas complex regulatory environment. "It's a maze, especially with each EU member state having its own set of rules," Goyal said. The minister reaffirmed that India and the EU remain committed to concluding a comprehensive trade deal before the end of 2025. He also held a meeting with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and discussed ways to boost economic ties and huge opportunities in the Indian shipping sector. Goyal also plans to hold bilateral meetings in Paris with the United Kingdomas Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds and Saudi Arabiaas Minister of Commerce, Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kasabi, among others. The Indian Minister is on an official visit to France and Italy, reflecting 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. As part of the visit, he will also be meeting top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L'Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF and ATR. Goyal will also participate in the informal gathering of WTO Ministers on the margins of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. At this crucial forum, he will engage with global counterparts on key multilateral trade issues and articulate the perspectives and priorities of the country. Mathura, June 3 : Veteran actress and three-time Mathura MP Hema Malini on Tuesday appealed to the Vrindavan's Goswamis to let the corridor development work kick off, as in the current state, the temple does not have enough space to accommodate the number of devotees reaching there. In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Hema Malini said the Rs 500 crore Banke Bihari temple corridor in Vrindavan should come up, as "it's now or never". Allaying fears of the shopkeepers, property owners, and people on rent who fear huge losses during the corridor redevelopment, Hema Malini said that the Yogi Adityanath government has already promised that those losing their property and even those who do not have papers will get compensation, and those losing their shops will get a new shop in the developed corridor. She pointed out that if it is not built, the situation will worsen beyond imagination. On the Goswamis opposing the project, she said: "They should understand. They should have made some proper arrangements to manage the crowd. Around 5,000 people are being let into a place that can accommodate 50 people. There are so many tragedies happening. It's not a way to visit a temple. It seems like approaching a battlefield." Due to the huge crowd, many people return as they are unable to have darshan of the deity, she further said. Hema Malini gave assurance that if any problem arises, she will look into it. Appealing to the goswamis to let that work for the corridor begin, she said: "Abhi nahi, toh kabhi nahi (If it is not be done now, it will never happen). Besides, she also pointed out that the Vrindavan bypass project, estimated to cost crores of rupees, has been passed, and soon its work will begin. Using that bypass, devotees would not have to enter the main city, thus solving the concerns of locals, who face difficulties and cannot come out of their homes due to a sea of devotees. The Goswamis are opposing the Vrindavan corridor and threatening to relocate the Banke Bihari deity to another location. They allege that the government wants to turn the place of faith into a picnic spot. On May 15, the Supreme Court allowed the Uttar Pradesh government to go ahead with the Vrindavan corridor project. Bhubaneswar, June 3 : Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who led a delegation to Vietnam to bring sacred relics of Lord Buddha back to India, proposed exploring province-level ties between Odisha and Da Nang city in Vietnam, as per an official statement released on Tuesday. The proposal was made during his meeting with H.E. Le Trung Chinh, Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee. The Governor said Odisha is a state with a rich history, strong cultural traditions, and fast economic growth. "We also have many important Buddhist sites. If Da Nang is interested, we can explore building ties between our two regions," he added. Kambhampati praised Da Nang as a beautiful and historic city, making huge progress. "Da Nang has a vision to become a major port, a centre for high technology, finance, and tourism," the Governor said. He added that Da Nang's location as a vibrant coastal city in central Vietnam makes it important for economic and trade cooperation between India and Vietnam. The Governor thanked the Vietnamese government and the people of Da Nang for their warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, which received an overwhelming response from the local population. "These relics are accorded the highest protocol by the Government of India, and I have personally travelled to accompany them back," he said. Governor Kambhampati said that Buddhism has been a strong link between India and Vietnam for nearly 1,800 years. He said India values its Buddhist heritage and is working hard to protect and promote Buddhist sites. He also spoke about the growing partnership between India and Vietnam. He mentioned the visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister to India last year and a meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and Vietnam's President and Party General Secretary To Lam in New York in 2024, which helped strengthen ties. The Governor said cooperation between the two countries is expanding in areas like trade, defence, tourism, health, digital economy, education, and sustainable development. He praised Da Nang's support in working with the Indian Embassy to promote yoga, cultural exchange, and academic ties. He also noted that more direct flights between the two countries have helped improve people-to-people contact. Kambhampati also shared his experience of visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site at My Son in central Vietnam. He appreciated the work of the Indian archaeological team restoring ancient temples and said the project is a strong symbol of the close historical and cultural connection between India and Vietnam. Patna, June 3 : In a decisive move aimed at tightening discipline and ensuring accountability within the police force, Gopalganj Superintendent of Police (SP) has taken stringent action against 72 police investigators for alleged negligence in handling criminal cases. According to official sources, these investigators failed to dispose of pending cases within the stipulated time limit and ignored repeated instructions from senior officers. In response, the SP has ordered the withholding of their salaries, sending a strong message across the district police force. Gopalganj SP emphasised that indiscipline and irresponsibility will not be tolerated in the police department. He stated clearly that any officer who obstructs the path of justice or delays the investigation without a valid reason will face consequences. "Those who show laxity in delivering justice or violate the code of conduct will not be spared. Accountability is a must if we want to restore public trust," he asserted. This unprecedented step has created panic among the police force in the district, especially those with pending investigations under their charge. The SP's action is being seen as a bold and necessary reform to make the system more responsive and to curb administrative lethargy. Gopalganj SP has also directed all police station in-charges and investigators to accelerate investigations and ensure the timely disposal of cases. The aim, he said, is to deliver justice promptly and maintain public faith in the law enforcement machinery. Earlier on January 22, East Champaran Police put the salaries of 104 officers on hold for failing to hand over case files to their relievers after their transfers, disrupting investigations into 990 cases. According to a statement by East Champaran police, "During a review meeting of the pending cases by the SP, it was found that 104 policemen did not hand over case files to their relievers even after their transfers, hampering the investigation." New Delhi, June 3 : Taking a step towards employment generation, the Delhi Government on Tuesday discussed strategies to provide jobs to youths across sectors ranging from manual labour to engineering, and technical to non-technical fields, an official said. Labour and Employment Minister Kapil Mishra chaired a meeting with representatives from the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CII, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and officials of the Department of Training and Technical Education, the Department of Higher Education, and the Delhi Technical Institute. "Every youth of Delhi is our priority. Our goal is to ensure that no one remains unemployed in the city," said Mishra. The primary objective of the meeting was to formulate a comprehensive strategy to connect the youth of Delhi with gainful employment and to establish effective coordination among various departments and industrial bodies, said Mishra. He emphasised that the Delhi Government will leave no stone unturned in its mission to eliminate unemployment. He called upon all stakeholders to work in unison so that every young person is provided with employment aligned with their qualifications and interests. "Whether it is a labourer, an engineer, or a youth from a technical or non-technical background we will work to guarantee employment opportunities for all. This job fair will be a revolutionary step toward realising the dreams of Delhi's youth," he said. Mishra said the meeting reflects the Delhi Government's steadfast commitment to providing employment opportunities to every youth and transforming Delhi into an unemployment-free city. In partnership with industrial bodies, educational institutions, and government departments, the government aims to establish a robust system that not only boosts employment generation but also paves the way for a bright future for the youth, in accordance with their skills and potential, he said. The Delhi Government's Budget for the year 2025-26 includes provisions for organising employment fairs. As part of this initiative, a common platform will be created to connect job-seeking youth directly with recruiting organisations. The first mega job fair is proposed to be held in July 2025, opening new avenues of employment for the youth of Delhi. New Delhi, June 3 : It is a matter of national pride that an Indian astronaut is an active participant with defined scientific responsibilities in an international mission, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday, as he announced that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will carry out a series of crucial scientific experiments in space. The announcement marks a significant milestone in India's growing presence in global space exploration. Dr Singh, who also holds responsibilities as MoS in the Prime Ministeras Office and of the Space Department, said that Group Captain Shuklaas space research will cover a wide range of scientific domains. These include studying physical, cognitive, and physiological responses in space, as well as the effects of continuous electronic display use in microgravity -- an important consideration for future long-duration missions. The astronaut will also investigate skeletal muscle dysfunction in microgravity and test possible therapeutic strategies to counter its effects. In addition, he will perform experiments involving extremophiles like Tardigrades, tiny organisms known for surviving extreme conditions. These experiments could expand our understanding of how life might sustain itself beyond Earth. Group Captain Shukla is one of the four astronauts selected for Indiaas ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, scheduled for launch in early 2027. He is also participating in the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with Group Captain Prasanth Nair named as the designated backup. The minister highlighted that discussions around sending an Indian astronaut to the ISS were part of Prime Minister Narendra Modias recent visit to the United States. He credited the post-2014 policy reforms in the space sector -- such as opening Sriharikota to citizens and inviting private sector participation -- as pivotal to Indiaas emergence as a leader in NewSpace initiatives. Speaking about Gaganyaan, Dr Singh said the trial phases are currently underway, and once completed, India will take a major leap forward in becoming truly Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in the space domain. He called these space experiments agame-changersa that will significantly strengthen the countryas space ecosystem. Singh also noted that Indiaas space economy is projected to grow fivefold, from $8 billion to $44 billion, aligning with the governmentas long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. He said 2014 was a turning point when PM Modi opened the space sector to private players, foreign direct investment, and global collaborations. Beyond space, the Minister touched upon the government's focus on deep ocean exploration, stating that India's vast coastal resources remain underutilised. The Deep Ocean Mission aims to change that by unlocking the potential of the marine economy. He also emphasised India's push for clean energy, with increased funding for nuclear energy research and the development of Bharat Small Modular Reactors, key to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. Tumakuru, June 3 : Former minister Sogadu Shivanna has been taken into police custody while staging an indefinite hunger strike inside the premises of the Tumakuru District Deputy Commissioner's office, protesting against the filing of FIRs against farmers who agitated against the Hemavati Link Express Canal Project. Sogadu Shivanna is also the President of the Hemavati Express Link Canal Opposition Committee. Shivanna sat for a dharna demanding the immediate withdrawal of FIRs filed against farmers and agitators for staging a massive protest, forcing the government to temporarily halt the project. Shivanna urged that the government should listen to the farmers who are opposing the project. The police sleuths arrived at the spot and picked up the supporters of Sogadu Shivanna who sat with him on the floor. The police dragged them out, and the police lifted Sogadu Shivanna from where he sat and carried him away to an undisclosed location in their vehicle. The police had earlier arrested Sogadu Shivanna on May 30 when he was planning a protest in front of the residence of Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara in Tumakuru, opposing the project. Shivanna had made a video and alleged that it's a "murder of democracy". He also claimed that he is ready to sacrifice his life for the water of the Hemavati River. The police have booked FIRs against more than 100 persons, including the three sitting MLAs and agitators. The BJP has given a month's deadline to halt the project and warned that they won't let the project take off at any cost. However, the state government in the state has maintained that it will go ahead with the project. Condemning the Karnataka government's decision to go ahead with the Hemavati Express Canal Link Project despite stiff resistance from farmers, the Karnataka BJP has alleged that it is impossible to "suppress" the protest against it. Bhopal, June 3 : After the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched 'Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan' in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, the execution of the campaign, which is aimed at strengthening the party at the grassroots level, will begin from June 10. Over 60 observers appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) along with PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) will start visiting in districts assigned to them from June 10, and they will be camping there till June 30. This decision has been taken during the state's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting held in the presence of LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal at Indira Gandhi Bhawan in Bhopal, and in-charge for Madhya Pradesh Congress, Harish Choudhary. Each team will have four members (three observers and one state observer) who will be camping in their assigned districts from June 10 to June 30. During this period, they will hold communication with local party workers, leaders, and common people. "Teams will have e single task to hold meetings with the party's grassroots workers, supporters and common people. After this exercise, teams will pick at least six potential candidates for district presidents. The idea to pick a suitable person for the post of district president," said Harish Choudhary. He further stated that the Congress has decided to strengthen the district Congress president's position by fixing their accountability for the party. District presidents will be empowered to make decisions in the selection of candidates. "Congress Working Committee (CWC) has recently decided to involve district presidents in the selection of candidates. During the CWC meeting (in Delhi), MP Congress leadership has demanded that this process should start from our state," he added. Choudhary also informed that LoP Rahul Gandhi convened four meetings, including the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and observers appointed by AICC, during his visit to Bhopal. --IANS pd/dan London/New Delhi, June 3 : Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday conveyed India's appreciation for the UK government's expression of solidarity and support to New Delhi in the fight against terrorism during his meeting with Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary (PUS) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The discussions were held during the 17th India-UK Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) and 1st Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue held in New Delhi. "India and the UK are Comprehensive Strategic Partners (CSP). The FOC provided an opportunity to review and discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Both sides welcomed the conclusion of the India-UK FTA and Double Contribution Convention. FS and PUS discussed ways of strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and financial sector, defence and security, counter-terrorism, technology, science, innovation, green energy, climate, health, education, and people-to-people relations in order to deepen and diversify our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The last FOC was held in May 2024 in London. Both sides also held the first meeting of the Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue (SETCD) on addressing export controls for enabling greater technology cooperation in strategic sectors. "FS conveyed India's appreciation for the UK government's expression of solidarity and support to India in the fight against terrorism. FS and PUS also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including developments in Russia-Ukraine, Indo-Pacific and West Asia," the MEA stated. Robbins was appointed Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO in January 2025. As PUS, he is head of the UK's Diplomatic Service and the most senior policy advisor to the Foreign Secretary. The PUS is responsible for the management of the FCDO in the UK and its embassies and high commissions around the world. "I'm delighted to be in India to help advance one of the UK's most vital partnerships in the world. In a more complex world, there is strong ambition from both governments to take this partnership to even greater heights. I'm looking forward to working with Foreign Secretary Misri to make that a reality," said Robbins after holding the high-level dialogue in New Delhi. The British High Commission in New Delhi stated that both countries welcomed the significant breakthroughs achieved across the full breadth of the partnership since consultations in London last year, including the announcement of the historic trade deal. "Economic growth is the number one mission of the UK Government. Both agreed to work towards implementing the shared vision of the two Prime Ministers for an ambitious partnership between the UK and India over the next decade," the British HC mentioned. The UK and India agreed a landmark trade deal on May 6, which will redefine the partnership for the next generation, strengthening trade links, supporting jobs, and delivering shared prosperity. The deal is expected to increase bilateral trade already worth A43 billion by another A25.5 billion. During his visit, Robbins is also expected to meet a wide range of Indian government partners, including on the G20 and home affairs. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijan's embassy in Kenya has been opened, the publication of the Azerbaijani MFA on X2 said, Trend reports. Meanwhile, within the framework of an official visit to Kenya, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, together with his Kenyan counterpart Musalia Mudavadi, took part in the opening ceremony of the Embassy. The Foreign Ministers assessed the opening of the diplomatic mission as an important step towards the continuation and strengthening of Azerbaijani-Kenyan interstate ties, facilitation of communication, and promotion of cooperation. The Minister Bayramov highly appreciated the favorable environment and conditions created by Kenya as a host country for the proper functioning of the diplomatic mission. Kochi, June 3 : Lakshadweep Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been selected for the Best KVK-National Award by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi and Dhanuka for excellence in agricultural extension. Among a range of works for the development of agriculture and allied sectors in the region, the KVKas pioneering efforts that led to declaring Lakshadweep an organic territory were pivotal in securing this national recognition. The Kendra was instrumental in registering an impressive 7591 active farmers across 10 islands of Lakshadweep, adopting organic farming practices. Following such initiatives with the support of the Department of Agriculture, UT Administration of Lakshadweep, the archipelago was declared a fully organic territory by the Union Government in 2021. Promotion of seaweed cultivation across different islands through popularisation of CMFRIas indigenous technology in the area also played a crucial role in winning the award. A slew of extension activities in the area of coconut development, fisheries and aquaculture, under the leadership of Dr P N Ananth, Principal Scientist and Head of KVK-Lakshadweep, were critical in uplifting the living standard of the Islanders, thereby contributing substantially to bagging this award. Through extensive skill development programmes, Lakshadweep KVKas 'Friends of Coconuta initiative created employment opportunities for 100 rural individuals. Establishment of a marine ornamental fish hatchery at Kavaratti helped foster sustainable aquaculture in the region, providing new livelihood avenues. Efforts for widespread adoption of CMFRIas cage culture technology were critical in diversifying livelihood options among the fishing community. Vegetable and fruit cultivation were promoted, covering about 2,000 households every year with the support of CMFRIas Tribal Sub Plan scheme. KVK introduced Barn Owls as a biological control method to combat rodent damage, which accounts for 40-50 per cent yield loss in coconuts across the islands. The Kendra also set up an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at Kavaratti, offering crucial meteorological data to farmers, contributing to more informed agricultural planning and disaster preparedness. Several flagship programmes are underway in tandem with the Department of Agriculture. Amaravati, June 3 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday reviewed arrangements for the largest-ever Yoga session scheduled in Visakhapatnam on International Yoga Day with the participation of 5 lakh people. He reiterated the government's goal to set the Guinness World Record. He stressed that meticulous arrangements must be made for the June 21 event. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend the International Yoga Day celebrations, the CM instructed that traffic restrictions be managed without causing inconvenience to the public. He underscored the importance of clear guidance on routes and designated participation zones for people arriving from different regions. "There should be zero confusion or discomfort. Everyone must reach their allotted area without any hindrance," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) quoted him as saying. He expressed satisfaction over the overwhelming public response to the June 21 event. He noted that registrations and public participation in Yoga sessions held across districts so far have been impressive. To build momentum for the Visakhapatnam programme, the CM called for two massive pre-events. On June 7, Yoga awareness rallies will be held in every village and locality across the state, while on June 14, Yoga practice sessions will take place in one lakh locations, including all educational institutions and available public spaces. These initiatives aim to mentally and physically prepare the public and ensure enthusiastic participation on Yoga Day. Ministers Nara Lokesh, Kandula Durgesh, Vangalapudi Anitha, Dola Balaveeranjaneyaswamy, Satya Kumar, Chief Secretary Vijay Anand, and DGP Harish Kumar Gupta attended the review meeting. Officials briefed the CM on programmes held under 'Yoga Month' and the various measures being taken for a successful Yoga Day event. Daily themed Yoga events involving different sections of society have been receiving positive feedback, the CM was told. Officials also informed the Chief Minister that German hangars are being arranged as backup venues in case of rain on June 21 in Visakhapatnam. Special Chief Secretary Krishna Babu stated that registrations are being received from every village, with numbers exceeding expectations. Certificates are being issued to those who participate in Yoga for three consecutive days, and even an app is available to generate digital certificates. Students, women, SHG members, and the general public are actively registering. The estimated total participation is 2 crore people across the state. Out of this target, 1.77 crore registrations have already been completed. While the goal was to train 2,600 master trainers, 5,353 have already been identified, who in turn have trained 1.48 lakh Yoga practitioners, surpassing the original target of 1.25 lakh. Paris, June 3 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday addressed the India-France CEO Forum, covering a wide range of aspects of India-France cooperation, including technology, AI, education and startups. In a post on X social media platform, Goyal highlighted how French companies believe in the India growth story. "Addressed the India-France CEO Forum Small Group Meeting today in Paris along with French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad @LaurentSMartin," said the Union Minister. During the interactive discussion, attended by Indian and French companies, "we covered a wide range of aspects of India-France cooperation, including technology, AI, education, and startups," he stated. Goyal further highlighted how French companies believe in the India story and how both sides are committed to advancing economic and trade relations and cultivating a smarter future together. The minister also had a productive meeting with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Commerce minister emphasised India's commitment to help strengthen a fair, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system. He also met Saudi Minister of Commerce, Majid Al-Qasabi, and discussed enhancing bilateral trade, exploring new investment opportunities, and strengthening our economic partnership. Earlier, Piyush Goyal said that India and France must work to strengthen bilateral economic ties as there was ample scope to boost trade between the two countries from the current level of $15 billion. Addressing the India-France CEO Forum here, the minister said both countries must work towards deeper cooperation in emerging and strategic sectors. He suggested forming joint working groups in the private sector under the CEO Forum to explore collaborations in artificial intelligence, tourism, manufacturing, and global capability centres as well. Goyal also announced that India and France would activate a fast-track mechanism at the ambassadorial level to help businesses overcome trade and regulatory hurdles. "This will help us find new areas of trade and support each other in crossing the Rubicon of regulation," he remarked. IANS na/ Pune, June 3 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning an additional 10,29,957 houses for the financial year 2025-26 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) for Maharashtra. This comes after a record approval of 20 lakh houses already sanctioned earlier. In his post on X, CM Fadnavis said, "Previously, a total of 33,40,872 houses had been approved for the state. With this new sanction, the total number of approved houses for Maharashtra now stands at 44,70,829. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for this significant support." In a letter to the Chief Minister dated June 3, the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said: "I am delighted to inform you that the Ministry of Rural Development has approved target of 10,29,957 houses for your state during 2025-26 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) to the remaining eligible beneficiaries from the finalised Awaas 2018 survey lists. This decision will saturate the waiting list of the state and truly realise the vision of the Government of India of 'Housing for All' in the rural areas of the country." "I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of this ministry towards the successful implementation of the PMAY (Rural) in your state," he added. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning an additional 10,29,957 houses for the financial year 2025-26 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) for Maharashtra. In his post on X, Shinde said: "The Modi government has approved 10,29,957 new houses for Maharashtra under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) for the financial year 2025-26. Prior to this, a total of 33,40,872 houses had been approved for the state. With this new approval, the total number of sanctioned houses for Maharashtra has now reached 44,70,829. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), Maharashtra had already received approval for a record 20 lakh houses. For this new announcement, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan ji." Earlier, Chief Minister Fadnavis, along with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, attended the 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) Beneficiary Meet' and the 'MahaAwas Abhiyan State-Level Award Distribution Program' held in Pune. On this occasion, they symbolically distributed house keys to some selected beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana. Fadnavis said that the central government has approved the target of 30 lakh houses for the rural areas of Maharashtra under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Rural, and everyone in the state will be provided with a house of their right. "Through this, an investment of Rs 80 thousand crores will be made in the rural areas and Maharashtra will be the first state in the country to provide a house to everyone," he added. "The Maharashtra government has decided to fulfil the basic needs of housing, and the state government has decided to provide an additional Rs 50,000 for housing. It has decided to provide Rs 1 lakh under the Deendayal Upadhyay House Purchase Financial Assistance Scheme. It has also been decided to install solar panels in the houses of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Work is being done rapidly to provide other basic facilities to the poor along with the houses. The Rural Development Department is working very quickly to meet the target of housing on time. Efforts are being made to implement the concept of a homeless-free Maharashtra," said the Chief Minister. He further added that when there was a shortage of space, concepts like two-storey houses and housing complexes were implemented to overcome that problem. It was decided to provide uncultivated land, it was decided to extend the boundaries of the village station and provide the benefits of housing by giving land leases. The citizens should be provided with the benefits of housing by implementing all kinds of schemes. Stating that today's moment is proud and historic, Union Minister Chouhan said the resolution made to ensure that everyone in the rural areas of the state gets a house of their right is being fulfilled today. After approving the target of 10 lakh houses today, not a single poor person will be deprived of a house. Through these houses, the poor will not only get a house, but the investment of Rs 65 thousand crores through 20 lakh houses will boost the rural economy. A survey should be conducted to provide houses to those whose names are still missing from the 2018 list, he assured that every homeless person will be provided a house after the new survey. Hyderabad, June 3 : Suspected food poisoning at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Erragadda in Hyderabad has claimed the life of a patient and left 70 others affected, officials said on Tuesday. The condition of the two other patients, who are undergoing treatment at Osmania General Hospital, is stated to be critical. According to doctors, the condition of 68 others is stable. Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty and Director of Medical Education (DME) A. Narendra Kumar visited IMH on Tuesday evening. Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha has taken a serious note of the incident, directing officials to conduct an inquiry into suspected food poisoning. The mentally ill patients at the four-decade-old facility started complaining of vomiting and diarrhoea since Monday morning. A patient, identified as Kiran (30), died on Monday. According to officials, no new cases were reported after 4 p.m. on Tuesday. A team of doctors from Osmania General Hospital is stationed at IMH. A 24-hour medical team has been deployed to closely monitor patient vitals. Two ambulances were also on standby to shift the patients in case of any deterioration. The officials have not yet reached the conclusion that it was a case of food poisoning. Since all the food was consumed by the time patients started showing symptoms, authorities collected stool and vomit samples and sent them to the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) for analysis. Officials also set more than a dozen water samples for analysis as they suspect that patients were affected by contaminated water. Water samples were collected from various points in the facility. Authorities expect clarity about the cause of the illness on Wednesday. Following the direction of the Health Minister, senior officials visited the hospital and launched an investigation. There have been allegations of patients at IMH facing problems of shelter, security, unhygienic surroundings and poor-quality food. Ahmedabad, June 3 : Gujarat is witnessing a renewed uptick in Covid-19 cases, with 451 active cases reported across the state as of Tuesday, according to the health department. Of the total active cases, 20 patients are currently hospitalised, while 431 are under home isolation. So far, 43 individuals have recovered and been discharged. The official death toll has reached seven. Health officials have identified the Omicron sub-variants LF.7.9 and XFG Recombinant as the primary drivers of the new infections. Most patients are exhibiting mild symptoms, including low-grade fever, cold, and cough. Authorities have advised individuals recovering at home to closely monitor their symptoms and seek immediate medical help if they experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or any other severe discomfort. People with underlying health conditions or compromised immunity are strongly advised to avoid crowded areas and wear masks when stepping out. Medical experts have attributed the rise in infections to the cyclical nature of the virus, noting that Covid-19 case surges are commonly observed every six to eight months. The experts have urged the public to remain vigilant but stressed that there is "no need to panic". Ahmedabad remains a hotspot in this wave, recording 50 new cases in a single day. The city also reported its second consecutive Covid-related fatality on Monday an 18-year-old pregnant woman from Vinzol succumbed during treatment. Previously, a 47-year-old woman died at L G Hospital in the city. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge residents to adhere to precautionary measures to curb further transmission. In response to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, the Gujarat government has stepped up its preparedness across districts. Health department officials have been instructed to increase surveillance and testing, particularly in urban hotspots like Ahmedabad. Isolation protocols have been reinforced, and hospitals have been asked to keep dedicated Covid-19 beds and oxygen supplies ready. The state has also resumed daily health briefings to monitor the spread of infections closely. District health officers have been directed to trace contacts of positive patients and ensure home-isolated individuals are regularly followed up by health workers. Awareness campaigns are being relaunched in both urban and rural areas to remind citizens about hygiene, masking in crowded places, and the importance of early medical intervention. Additionally, authorities are reviewing vaccination records and encouraging eligible individuals to get booster doses where applicable. Bhopal, June 3 : Coming down heavily on Leader of the Opposition (LoP), in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's remarks regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged "surrender", made in Bhopal on Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party has questioned whether he (Rahul Gandhi) is acting as an "agent" of China and Pakistan. Bhopal, June 3 (IANS) Coming down heavily on Leader of the Opposition (LoP), in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's remarks regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged "surrender", made in Bhopal on Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party has questioned whether he (Rahul Gandhi) is acting as an "agent" of China and Pakistan. In a video message, party spokesperson Sambit Patra reacted with strong criticism, stating that LoP Rahul Gandhi's comments were deeply disrespectful, not only towards Operation Sindoor but also towards the Indian Army. He asserted that LoP Rahul Gandhi carries no regard for any civil or opposition leader who would use words such as "surrender" about their country and motherland, implying that such a politician is unfit to lead. While speaking at the Congress party's state office in Bhopal, LoP Rahul Gandhi took a sharp jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that when US President Donald Trump called and asked PM Modi to "surrender", he complied without hesitation. He linked this to a broader historical narrative, arguing that the BJP and RSS have a long-standing tendency to bow down rather than stand firm. LoP Rahul Gandhi remarked, "Jaise udhar se Trump ne ishara kiya, phone uthaya, kaha Modi ji kya kar rahe ho. NarendraSurrender aur ji huzur kar Modi ji ne Trump ke ishare ka palan kiya." (Just as Trump gestured, he picked up the phone and said, 'Modi ji, what are you doing? NarendraSurrender,' and Modi obediently followed Trump's signal.) Patra further stated that Operation Sindoor marked an unprecedented moment in history, where India avenged its fallen citizens. "The mission successfully dismantled terrorist bases, eliminating over a hundred militants," he said. "In retaliation, Pakistan suffered the destruction of eleven airbases, all of which are documented and supported by evidence." Despite these achievements, Patra said, LoP Rahul Gandhi has allegedly ridiculed the operation, using terms that suggest capitulation. He emphasised that India has never bowed before terrorism and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently demonstrated the strength and resilience of the nation since 2014. The political landscape has evolved significantly since the days of the 26/11 attacks, when responses were limited to diplomatic dossiers, Patra added. Today, India no longer relies on dossiers; instead, decisive action is taken, and "proper doses are given." Criticising LoP Rahul Gandhi further, Patra stated that he appears to mock this shift in approach. His past actions have also raised concerns, particularly during the Doklam standoff between India and China, where he and his family were reportedly found engaging in activities under a Chinese tent that were perceived as espionage. Given the nature of his statements and the questions he raises, suspicions have emerged regarding whether his stance aligns with interests beyond India's own, raising concerns about whether he is acting as an agent of China and Pakistan, Patra questioned. United Nations, June 4 : Ending an imbroglio over leadership of United Nations Security Council panels dealing with terrorism, Algeria has been appointed chair of the 1267 Sanctions Committee that has been dealing with Pakistan-based terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). According to the list of chairs of the 24 committees and groups released on Tuesday, Denmark has been appointed head of the influential Counterterrorism Committee (CTC). Pakistan, which held up the appointments for five months with its demands to head the Counterterrorism and 1267 committees, was kept away from those two panels and given, as a compromise, the chair of the 1988 Taliban Committee, which effectively deals with Afghanistan, now run by the Taliban. Guyana and Russia will be the co-chairs of the committee. Consensus governs many of the functions of the Council, and taking advantage of it, elected member Pakistan was able to block the appointment of the chairs of the committees until a compromise was struck. Diplomatic sources said the Western countries on the Council opposed Pakistan becoming the chair of any of the main terrorism-related panels -- the CTC and the 1988 and 1267. Those countries pointed out that Islamabad had a conflict of interest because it harboured terrorist organisations like the LeT and JeM, and its leaders, and had contentious relations with the Taliban ruling neighbouring Afghanistan. Among other appointments, South Korea heads the Peacekeeping Working Group, Panama the 1540 Non-Proliferation Committee, and Slovenia the 2231 Iran Committee and also act as the facilitator for the nuclear deal, which may get a second life under US President Donald Trump's initiative. Nearly halfway into the year, the compromise was struck with Pakistan to allow the panels that had been leaderless to function effectively. Pakistan was also given the vice chairmanship of the CTC along with Russia and France. Algeria was also appointed chair of the 1566 Counterterrorism Working Group, which was set up under a 2004 Council resolution to recommend measures against terrorist groups not covered by other panels. In other appointments, Pakistan was made a co-chair with Greece of the Informal Working Group on General Issues of Sanctions, which makes recommendations on making sanctions more effective, but has no direct say on imposing or lifting sanctions. It also was made co-chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Procedural Matters. The 1267 Sanctions Committee, which gets its name from the Council's resolution and deals with the affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State that covers Pakistan-based terrorist outfits like LeT and JeM. Heading the 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee, which is named for the number of the 2011 Council resolution on sanctions against the Taliban, will allow it to exert influence on Afghanistan. When India was on the Council during 2020 to 2022, it headed the Counter-Terrorism Committee and India's Permanent Representative to UN, Ruchira Kamboj, even arranged for the panel to meet in Mumbai at the sites of the 26/11 terror attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists. United Nations, June 4 : Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has conceded that his country hasn't made headway in its Kashmir campaign at the United Nations and elsewhere in general. "As far as the hurdles we face within the UN and in general, as far as the Kashmir cause is concerned, that still exists," Bilawal, who is leading a delegation of Pakistani parliamentarians, said at a news conference here on Tuesday. He asserted that in his meetings with UN officials and diplomats, he found "receptiveness" on issues like terrorism and water, but it did not extend to Kashmir. Bilawal, who is the Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party, dismissed an attempt by a Palestinian journalist to equate Kashmir and Gaza, a familiar ploy that some Pakistanis have also used. "Let me emphasise from the outset, there is, there's no meaningful comparison that I can make between the plight of the Palestinians and the plight of Pakistan, the plight of Kashmir," he said. "What we're seeing in Gaza, what we're seeing in Palestine, is uniquely outrageous, inhumane and condemnable in all shapes, forms and terms," he added. But he went on to allege that India was drawing its inspiration from Israel and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to model himself on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but was nowhere near him. Bilawal's delegation was modeled by Islamabad after the all-party delegations India has been sending around the world to explain its policy of zero-tolerance for terrorism and the Operation Sindoor that was launched against terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir after the massacre of 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. After arriving in New York on Monday, the Pakistani delegation met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, General Assembly President Philemon Yang, Security Council President Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and permanent representatives of the US, China, Russia, France to the UN, and the non-permanent members of the Council. They are due to be in Washington on Wednesday, when the Indian Parliamentay delegation led by Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor will also be there. Photo: Information portal of the President of Iran BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Today, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian engaged in a formal reception for the newly appointed Iranian ambassadors designated to six nations (Azerbaijan, China, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Cuba, and Uruguay), Trend reports via the president's information portal. During the convening, Pezeshkian articulated that significant advancements have been realized in bilateral relations with Azerbaijan subsequent to his diplomatic engagement in the region. He solicited the ambassadors to concentrate on bolstering the operational endeavors of Iranian enterprises within the host nations and delineating their respective domains of engagement. Iran has appointed Mujtaba Demirchilu as ambassador to Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A happy-go-lucky narwhal and a no-nonsense, slightly cynical jellyfish may not seem likely best buddies, but under the surface they are exactly that. Since springing from the imagination of author-illustrator Ben Clanton in 2016s Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea!, which launched an early graphic novel series from Tundra Books, Narwhal and Jelly have bonded over their love of waffles, parties, and seafaring adventures. Containing three stories each, the series nine titles have found an appreciative audience: along with two Narwhal and Jelly board books, the graphic novels have sold more than seven million copies in North America alone and have been translated into 17 languages. Now Clanton is bringing his aquatic characters into new waters in This Book Is Dangerous!: A Narwhal and Jelly Picture Book, released June 3 by Tundra with an announced first printing of 125,000 copies. The characters of Narwhal and Jelly were long in the shaping. The author recalled that his original motivation for creating a book about a narwhal stemmed from photos he came across in 2012 by Canadian photographer and marine biologist Paul Nicklen. His photos were of a creature that seemed too fantastic for this world, and yet this creature actually exists, Clanton told PW. That is a nice reminder of how incredible this world of ours can be, and it was with that feeling that I first began drawing narwhals. Yet despite his copious doodling, the author deemed his attempts to make a narwhal story too seriousuntil, he explained, ice cream did the trick. Waiting in line for ice cream at Molly Moons in his hometown of Seattle, Clanton found sweet inspiration. The smell of freshly made waffle cones came wafting into my nose and mixed with all those narwhals Id been daydreaming about, he explained. The shape of the cone reminded me of a narwhals tusk and next thing I knew this narwhal with an ice-cream-based personality was swimming about in my brain along with a flood of story ideas. Jelly came along full of questions and uncertainty, but that night I would storyboard three storiesand next day, another four! Plunging Narwhal and Jellyfish into the picture book realm wasnt a new notion for Clanton, who disclosed that he initially conceived of relaying this duos capers in that format, but publishers didnt share his vision at the time. Most of the editors I spoke to about the books mentioned them feeling slightbut the brevity and lightness of the stories was part of what appealed to me, he said. The author credits his editor, Tundra publisher Tara Walker, for prompting me to play with the books format, and his agent Marietta Zacker, of Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency, for encouraging me to keep that breezy dynamic in play but try putting multiple stories together, and soon I found a format that felt fun for me and really worked for the back-and-forth between Narwhal and Jelly. They took to that quick comic format like, ahem, jellyfish to water. Big Fish in Yet Another Pond Clanton is optimistic that the timing is now right to give Narwhal and Jelly a chance to shine in the picture book spotlightespecially the latter character, who takes center stage for the first time in This Book Is Dangerous! In order to find his way out of the bookwith the readers helpanxious Jelly, who doesnt do dangerous, is tasked with navigating the likes of sea serpents, pirate crabs, a circus cannon, and other undeniably dangerous things lurking on these pages. The biggest challenge of changing format with such familiar friends was being sure that there was something new to what I was makingthat there was, in fact, a fresh challenge for the characters and for me, Clanton noted. I think bringing the involvement of the reader to another level was key. And tonally, there was a shift. Narwhals unpoppable positivity plays a pretty small role in this first picture bookJelly and the reader are at the helm. I see readers as my collaborators. I want to set them up to have a great read and to have some highlight reel moments! Walker similarly welcomed Narwhal and Jellys new direction. Bens genius as a storyteller and artist is that hes created characters who are so unique and lovable and engaging that it almost doesnt matter what kind of book theyre in! she said. When we were first discussing Narwhal and Jelly more than 10 years ago, we decided that a graphic novel format felt the most unique at the timeand right for the kind of stories we wanted to tell with these characters. But with the success of the series and witnessing the wide range of these characters appeal over time, we felt it would be fun to see what they would get up to in a picture book. When Ben came up with the brilliant hook of Jelly in the starring role, we were all excited, since hes been a little more on the sidelines in the graphic novels, but he drives so much of the humor. It feels really fun and fresh to more fully embrace his character in the picture book. Further escapades starring Narwhal and Jelly are planned across both formats. Clanton is working on a second, still untitled picture book, slated for summer 2026, which will again feature Jelly as the bigger fish. Due this December is A Waffle Lot of Love, the 10th installment in the graphic novel series, and Clanton has two additional titles under contract with Tundra. And beyond that? I have another 15 or so graphic novels floating about in my brain and oodles of more picture book ideas for Jellyand for Narwhal too, the author said. So, Im hoping This Book Is Dangerous! is well received. Id love the opportunity to make those other books! This Book Is Dangerous!: A Narwhal and Jelly Picture Book by Ben Clanton. Tundra, $19.99 June 3 ISBN 978-1-77488-101-9 The 11th annual Bay Area Book Festival took place May 31June 1 in Berkeley, Calif., drawing crowds to various venues for author events, writing workshops, panel discussions, and other festivities. A Bookworm Block Party on Sunday took place on several streets radiating out from the main branch of the Berkeley Public Library; there, self-published authors, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, and other vendors displayed, sold, orin some casesgave away books and other wares. According to the festivals organizers, this years event featured 275 speakers ranging from locals to national literary luminaries like Viet Thanh Nguyen, Judith Butler, and Roxane Gay. There were 85 panels, eight workshops, and 120 exhibitors, ranging from micro-presses to companies with national distribution networks, like Collective Book Studio, Heyday Books, and AK Press, which are all headquartered in the Bay Area. Half Price Bookss booth was mobbed all day, with book lovers happy to score free and heavily discounted books. Overall, event programming emphasized diversity and leaned heavily towards progressive takes on political and cultural topics. Saturdays program, which was designated as Family Day, featured story times and panel presentations in the library, with 90 childrens and YA authors participating in discussions ranging from Finding Your Place in Middle Grade to All Bodies, All Selves. For adults, the Saturday slate also featured a series of four presentations, Democracy Dialogues, which included a presentation by Ari Berman (Minority Rule), the voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones, and Zack Beauchamp, senior correspondent for Vox, discussing the rise of Donald Trump to the presidency. In a healthy society, Berman observed, Trump never would have been elected. Sundays programming included Inside Ideas panels and presentations, ranging from authors sharing their experiences with both traditional and nontraditional publishing models, to a critique of the American legal system and social justice organizing. The Bookworm Block Party featured a Poetry Stage, where local poets at all stages of their careers read from their work. The street festival concluded Sunday with Maxine Hong Kingston, who took to the Poetry Stage with Chun Yu (Little Green: Growing Up During the Chinese Cultural Revolution), the Chinese translator of Kingstons work. The two took turns reading Kingstons poetrya haiku entitled The Malu Cycles, as well as a longer poem, Chinese Time. Kingston read first in English, followed by Yu in Chinese. When Yu translates my poetry into Chinese, Kingston noted, they are transformed. They become her poems. BABF executive director J.K. Fowler told PW, I am deeply honored that my first year as executive director was met with such enthusiasm and joy from attendees and participants alike. Fowler continued: Our theme was Changing the Narrative, and it was more than a sloganit was a call to action, and our communities answered with courage, creativity, and joy. The Bay Area Book Festival will next take place on May 30-31, 2026. Belarusian publishers Nadia Kandrusevich, of Koska, and Dmitri Strotsev, of Hochroth Minsk, were jointly awarded the International Publishers Associations 2025 Prix Voltaire at a ceremony at the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer, Norway, on June 2. The two publishers, currently living in exile in Poland and Germany, respectively, were honored for their commitment to publishing despite threats, harassment, and ultimately having to flee Belarus, per the IPA. They are the second and third Belarusians to receive the prize, which comes with a purse of 10,000 Swiss Francs. 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, said Kandrusevich, who was unable to attend the ceremony in person, in a statement. This award belongs to all the translators, publishers, and writers who keep working despite all circumstances. Strotsev, accepting his award in Belarusian, said: In March 2022, I left for the West with one small suitcase. I was fleeing political persecution, but I was also preparing for a new missionto use 30 years of publishing experience to create a free Belarusian publishing house in exile. Today, about thirty Belarusian publishing houses have re-emerged or restored their work in exile, and we are all closely connected. We have a publishing community. He added: This is important support for the Belarusian democratic resistance, this is an open invitation to Belarusian independent publishers to join the global publishing family. The Prix Voltaire is awarded each year to book publishing individuals, groups, or organizations who have published works amid pressure, threats, intimidation or harassment, be it from governments, other authorities or private interests. In Belarus, where publishers are required to obtain a license to publish and are often restricted from registering or denied licenses, the political climate for publishers has become more restrictive since 2020, when the Belarusian government intensified its campaign of censoring publishers that promoted Belarusian identity, language, or history, or published texts in Belarusian, per the IPA Kristenn Einarsson, chair of the IPAs Freedom to Publish Committee, said that the awards committee received a worrying number of nominations this year. Their stories are sometimes unknown outside of their countries or regions, but their bravery is no less great. That our laureates must continue publishing in exile as a consequence of their commitment to the freedom to publish deserves our respect and recognition. Forgettable Name, Memorable Pistol The Browning Hi Power is one of the most successful handgun designs of all time. In the course of its near-century of production, it has been made not just by FN in Belgium, but also across the globe, often under license from FN, but also by simply ripping off the design. One licensed manufacturer was FM (confusing, we know) of Argentina, which produced a chopped version of the Hi Power with a 3.9-inch barrel that they named the Detective. Both the complete gun and the shortened slide assembly were available in the United States until the early 2000s, and a small clique of devotees sought to produce what they deemed to be the ultimate carry gun by teaming an FN aluminum frame with a short FM slide. But lets not go down that rabbit hole. The pistol you see here is a product improved version of the Detective, which seeks to drag the GP35 into the 21st century. The rollmark on the slides right flank reads, MCP35 PI LW OPS a mouthful, but less objectionable than the idiot warning on the frame below it. MCP35 PI LW OPS SPECS CAL: 9mm Capacity: 15+1 Barrel: 3.88 Overall Length: 7.5 Weight: 1.34 lbs MSRP $719 PROS: Optics Ready Classic Vibes are here again Good price point CONS: Not all modern changes are an improvement Taking cues from the rabidly loyal aficionados who sought to make their ultimate carry GP35, the frame is aluminum, with a steel, pressed-in cam pin that takes the stresses of locking and unlocking the barrel. Its dustcover area has been thickened to provide room for a three-slot Picatinny rail, which is a hair too short to accommodate an X300 or XC1 weapon light, and in order to provide a third slot it rakes forward, altering the classic Browning lines. Streamlights TLR7 Sub does fit and uses the second Pic rail slot for its recoil lug, rendering the third slot superfluous and leading us to question if the designers havent screwed up the aesthetics in this area for naught. The frame itself incorporates all the features of the original we love, but adds a few others that (with the exception of the dustcover) are significant improvements. We have trouble shooting stock GP35s big paws mean hammer bite after a few rounds but the Girsan solves this with a nicely sculpted beavertail. Theres a small flare at the bottom of the front strap that locks the master hand in position, and the trigger guard is undercut slightly. Unlike the steel frame of the Belgian gun, this aluminum one looks like it has enough material in the front strap to accept checkering yay! But the manufacturer has decided not to add this boo! (Pretty much all custom Hi Powers are stippled, as checkering would weaken the frame and eventually cause catastrophic failure.) Some kind of texture here would be appreciated, but the gray and black G10 grips do a decent job of providing traction. Girsan have cleaned up the GP35s trigger pull by deleting the originals magazine safety and speccing a straight trigger blade. Due to having to design around his own patents, Browning never surpassed the 1911s trigger feel and reset, but this ones decent enough, breaking at 5.5 pounds. It initially felt much heavier, but settled down after the first 250 rounds or so. If youre coming to this pistol from a Glock or something with a clicky, tactile reset, youre going to have to get used to shooting it like a DA revolver, i.e. coming all the way forward on the return stroke, as the pistol gives you no feedback as to when the reset point has been hit. Guns.com $550 Palmetto State Armory $600 Due to its reduced mass compared to a full-sized Hi Power, Girsan have used an old 1911 trick to slow down the slide as it cycles. The firing pin retainer has a very small radius, which means it contacts the hammer a little lower, reducing leverage. Combined with a heavy hammer spring, this delays unlocking. It also makes the gun harder to rack manually. The rest of the fire control components appear to be of good quality, with a commander-style ring hammer and Mk3-type ambi safety levers. Takedown is typical Browning. Rack the slide and engage the safety to hold it at the disassembly position. Then, press out the slide stop and run the slide off the rails. To accommodate the reduced space available within the slides confines, the Girsan uses a fairly heavy, flat wire recoil spring on a full-length steel guide rod another departure from tradition. Iron sights consist of a fiber-optic front, secured in a dovetail with a fixed but removable Novak-style rear. Fortunately, these shot very close to POI and provide a fast sight picture, with plenty of light on either side of the blade. Unscrew a single, Allen-headed fastener and theres an RMSc footprint optic cut milled into the slide, into which we dropped a C&H Precision EDC-EN enclosed red dot. This was a bit bigger than ideal for the Girsans narrow profile, overhanging the slide a little. But the bigger window was appreciated when it came to rapidly acquiring a sight picture, and its shake-awake feature allows for 50,000 hours of battery life. Brownings original, two-lug barrel locking system is expensive to machine, which is why most modern handguns including FNs modernized High Power use a SIG/Petter lockup on the front edge of the ejection port. Girsan remain faithful to the original, and the barrel locks tightly to the slide for improved accuracy, aided by a tight slide-to-frame fit. We compared it to a full-house custom Hi Power built on an Israeli surplus donor gun, and the Girsan exhibited less slop between its major assemblies, one benefit of modern CNC manufacturing. ON THE RANGE Slipping the pistol into a Black Point Tactical AIWB holster, we saddled up and headed to the range to run a few drills from concealment. Using Sellier & Bellot 124-grain ball ammo for most of our test, the Girsan was able to print 2.5-inch size groups offhand at 20 yards, which was more than adequate for training purposes. We also took the opportunity to asses reliability with defensive ammo, loading its steel MecGar mags with Federal Punch 124-grain hollow points, as well as some now-discontinued Norma 65-grain NXD high-velocity stuff, which it swallowed without complaint. Recoil was a little snappier than with a full-sized Hi Power, but the gun tracked well and was easy enough to shoot, landing hits on an 8-inch steel plate at 50 yards as fast as we could recover the sights. The only malfunctions encountered were shooter induced. The Girsan keeps Brownings slide release design, covering the slides takedown notch with an extension that sticks out forward of the cam pin, and which on our custom pistol is ground off and reshaped. If you shoot with high thumbs, its easy to inadvertently press down on the extension, which raises the slide release and locks open the pistol. The solution is either to modify your grip or bust out the Dremel. LOOSE ROUNDS If we were designing this piece to be our only carry gun, then wed keep the aluminum frame and optics cut, but add a slimmer red dot, grind off the slide stop extension, and ditch the Pic rail. In these days, and in our particular set of circumstances, theres almost no scenario where the additional bulk of a light is worth the tradeoff. Home-defense guns? Absolutely. But part of the allure of Hi Power is its timeless elegance. For us, adding a rail to the dustcover would be like seeing Audrey Hepburn with massive bolt-ons (and please dont use AI to conjure up that image). Fortunately, Girsan offers just such a selection, the P35 P1 LW Match, so you can have your cake and eat it. As it stands, the PI is a competent and worthy alternative for anyone who doesnt want a n+1 polymer framed, striker fired, disposable, and characterless pistol. As a modern interpretation of a classic, it has good ergonomics, and is well-built, reliable, and accurate, which is about everything you BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. In accordance with the bilateral military cooperation plan between Azerbaijani and Serbian Defense Ministries for 2025, military representatives of both countries hold a meeting in Baku, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. In the course of the convening at the International Military Cooperation Department of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry, the participants conducted a comprehensive analysis of the extant operational framework pertaining to bilateral collaboration, deliberated on forward-looking strategic initiatives, and engaged in a robust exchange of perspectives regarding ancillary matters of reciprocal significance. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Clarke County School District Class of 2025 valedictorians and salutatorians for Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central and Classic City high schools will attend prestigious universities such as Harvard, Yale and more. These students finished with the highest and second-highest grade-point averages, respectively, in their graduating classes. The University of Georgia Trial Garden's Industry Open House took place on Wednesday, June 4, inviting students, horticulture professionals and growers to see what is in bloom this season. While beautiful, the purpose of the flowers is even more extraordinary. The turnover of FMCG major Nestle India's has grown 2.5 folds to Rs 20,100 crore in last one decade, post the Maggi crisis in 2015, according to the company's latest annual report. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters At the time of crisis, Nestle India's turnover was at Rs 8,100 crore. Nestle India's corresponding profits from operations grew by 13.5 per cent in the same period, and its market capitalisation grew to 3.9 times, said its outgoing chairman and managing director, Suresh Narayanan. Narayanan, who served the Swiss FMCG giant Nestle group for over 26 years and steered Nestle India from the Maggi crisis dating back to 2015, will hang his boots on July 31, 2025 after leading the company for 10 years. In June 2015, India food regulator, FSSAI had banned Nestle's instant noodles Maggi, for allegedly containing lead beyond permissible limits, forcing the company to withdraw the product from the market. Narayanan joined the board of Directors of Nestle India as managing director on August 1, 2015, after the crisis. "We have added 1.3 million more retail outlets since 2016 with the highest gains amongst peers in 2024. "The RUrban strategy began in 2019, and has increased RUrban distribution touchpoints to 28,240. Today we are present in approximately 209,050 villages," he said, adding, "Through relentless consumer cluster-based and RUrban strategy, our brands reach 2 out of 3 households." Now Nestle India has a reach of 5.2 million outlets and is expanding its business from breakfast cereals to the premium coffee brand Nespresso, to pet foods. After the Maggi crisis, Nestle India relaunched Maggi in five months in November 2015, after the ban was lifted and, again got its pole position in the fast-growing instant noodles segment, where it still dominates with over 60 per cent market share. Nestle India which was largely dependent on its Maggi noodles for growth, changed its strategy after the crisis. "In 2015, many considered us to be solely a MAGGI noodles company. "Since then we recalibrated and rejuvenated the portfolio launching over 150+ new products that have contributed to 7 per cent of sales," said Narayanan. Besides, Nestle also strengthened its instant coffee brand, NESCAFE by adding more than 43 million households. "Once a muted business, cConfectionery has tripled its business in the last 10 years," said Narayanan adding, "KITKAT doubled its market share and became the fastest growing brand within the chocolate category in India." Today, India is the largest market for KITKAT globally, a decade ago it was at number 10. Its other brands MUNCH and MILKYBAR have also doubled their business, he added. Moreover, Nestle India is investing in new capabilities and capacities, by increasing product lines in existing factories and setting up the Sanand factory in Gujarat, for Confectionery and Prepared Dishes and Cooking aids. The company, which operates nine factories, said its tenth factory is on the anvil in Odisha. "The CAPEX levels have increased from 1.8 per cent of sales in 2015 to 10 per cent of sales in the financial year ending 2024-2025. "This not only demonstrates the focus on Indian consumers but also our commitment to manufacture in India and 'Make in India' as a theme," said Narayanan in his last address to his shareholders. Now India is among top ten markets of Swiss FMCG major Nestle SA. It is now the "largest MAGGI market globally" and the second largest Out-of-Home business for Nestle in Asia, Oceania and Africa. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on the appointment of a number of first-instance court judges and the change of positions of some first-instance court judges, Trend reports. The full list of the candidates appointed for the position of judge as judges of the first-instance courts is here. While the BJP backs Nitish Kumar as chief minister, Chirag Paswan isn't hiding his readiness for the role, reports Aditi Phadnis. IMAGE: Chirag Paswan, right, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Giriraj Singh and Lalan Singh at the inauguration of various projects at Karakat in Rohtas, May 30, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already declared that Nitish Kumar will continue as chief minister if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comes to power in Bihar in the elections, likely to be held October-November. Bharatiya Janata Party state unit chief Dilip Jaiswal has echoed this. The implication is that even if the performance of Nitish Kumar's party, the Janata Dal -United, or JD-U, is below par, the chief minister will still be Nitish Kumar. Yet posters are up in Bihar: 'Next CM, Chirag Paswan'. Another one, in Hindi, says: 'Na danga hoga na phassad hoga na baval hoga; kyonki hamara mukhyamantri Chirag Paswan hoga (no more riots, no more violence, no more frenzy because our chief minister will be Chirag Paswan)'. Chirag, the son of one of India's best-known Dalit leaders, Ramvilas Paswan, is not denying that he is ready and able to take on the job. He has declared that his thinking is different from that of his father, who opted to play a role in the politics of India rather than the state, becoming a Union minister under six prime ministers. Chirag's motto in this election is: 'Bihar First, Bihari First'. He hasn't ruled out the possibility of contesting the assembly elections though he is a Union minister with charge of food processing. As minister, he is asserting himself at every step, informing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others that if the Madhya Pradesh minister for tribal affairs, Vijay Shah, had been in his party, he would have been expelled for life. Mr Shah spoke loosely about Colonel Sophiya Qureshi, considered the face of Operation Sindoor. Along with the JD-U, Chirag's Lok Janashakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) had brought Muslim votes to the NDA in the past. What gives Chirag the confidence now? In the last assembly polls (2020), he had walked out of the NDA, fielded candidates in 137 seats, and won only one, from Matihani in Bihar. His party's vote share was 5.7 per cent, and it is reasonable to expect that it ate into the JD-U's votes in more than 25 seats, leading to the party's suboptimal performance. The assessment is that in more than 25 seats, the JD-U's prospects were damaged by Chirag's party. But its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election was impressive. It contested just five seats and won all, getting 7 per cent of the vote. He is convinced he is the most credible face of a large section of the Dalits in Bihar, especially as the contest is to capture the vote of the youth, though many in the BJP don't agree. Chirag flirted with a film career -- in one Bollywood movie his co-star was Kangana Ranaut, also a Lok Sabha MP. But eventually he was drafted into the family business of politics. While he was alive, patriarch Ram Vilas managed the contradictions. But when he died, Pashupati Paras, Ram Vilas's younger brother, split the party. Chirag always had a sneaking feeling it was the BJP that played a role. When the BJP included Paras, not Chirag, in the NDA, he walked out, lonely and friendless. The 2020 polls proved his faction still had political capital in terms of vote percentage. Dalits in the BJP unit in the state say acidly that his Lok Sabha performance should be seen as a success of the BJP, not the LJP-RV brand. So far Chirag has been a model ally, voting in favour of the Waqf Bill and justifying the decision vigorously to his Muslim supporters. But as the polls approach, talks will begin in a few days on seat sharing. This is an intricate exercise and it is possible Chirag's mildly hectoring tone is dictated by this. He has to win seats to make a bid for chief ministership -- but he can win only if he gets to contest the seats first. But all options are open. Bonhomie was evident at a recent meeting between him and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, and the debrief from their two parties was: "Oh, didn't you know? Politics apart, they're like brothers!" Tejashwi has publicly advised Chirag to kick the Union ministership aside and return to Bihar to make it a better place -- with him, obviously. That won't happen. But watch for more developments on this front. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff The high point of the 19 Shastri months was the 22-day war that he fought against great odds and won in principle, even if military historians often call it a stalemate. Pakistan saw a great opportunity to conquer Kashmir and lost. It was the last time they had the relative strength militarily and diplomatically to take Kashmir. Shastri's resolve buried that dream forever, points out Shekhar Gupta. IMAGE: Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Photograph: Ted West/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images from the Rediff Archives Two tumultuous 19-month periods have defined our past over three generations, determined our present, and will continue to dominate the future in their very contrasting ways. One is easy to guess -- the 19 months of Emergency between June 25, 1975, and March 21, 1977. One set of 19 history-defining months out of the way, can you guess what would be the second? I can make it easier for you. Go back to the tenures of our prime ministers. Not Nehru, Indira, Vajpayee, Modi, V P Singh, Gowda, Gujral, Charan Singh. None of these. Since I have already given the riddle away, I will now suggest that we read the just-released biography of Lal Bahadur Shastri, written by eminent former IAS officer-turned-scholar Sanjeev Chopra. I had the honour to be among those speaking at the release of The Great Conciliator: Lal Bahadur Shastri and the transformation of India at the national capital's India International Centre. Between June 9, 1964, after Jawaharlal Nehru's death, and his own tragic passing at Tashkent on January 11, 1966, Shastri also served for exactly 19 months. And why do we argue that these were as consequential for India's political evolution as the Emergency, if in entirely contrasting ways? Think of a mere 19 months when India fought a full-fledged war (September 1965), engaged in a localised skirmish with tanks (Kutch April-July 1965), dealt with crippling food shortages, navigated a difficult political transformation, and built more institutions than in any comparable period in our history. The high point of the 19 Shastri months was, of course, the 22-day war that he fought against great odds and won in principle, even if military historians often call it a stalemate. A stalemate against a much, much better-equipped enemy, with superior capabilities in every dimension of warfare -- often at least three notches higher -- is a victory. Plus, only one side, Pakistan, had an objective in that war. They saw a great opportunity to conquer Kashmir and lost. It was the last time they had the relative strength militarily and diplomatically to take Kashmir. Shastri's resolve buried that dream forever. The legacy of Shastri is unfairly overshadowed by the peace he made at Tashkent -- a visit that also took his life. His true contribution is the war he waged. Field Marshal Ayub Khan and his sidekick Zulfikar Ali Bhutto saw great vulnerabilities in the Indian armed forces reeling under the 1962 debacle, and now caught in frenetic transition. They were emboldened by the 1963 Hazratbal crisis in Srinagar, misread the political transition from Nehru to Shastri as political instability, and then tested India's preparedness and morale with probing raids in the Rann of Kutch (RoK). As Mr Chopra tells you in his very well-documented account, the Pakistanis also checked out their American masters' response by using the Patton tanks in RoK. Under their larger agreement, they were not allowed to use them against India. But, because the Americans did nothing more than make some pious tut-tuts, they knew they could make the big move on Kashmir. IMAGE: Lal Bahadur Shastri with then Pakistan president Ayub Khan and then Soviet premier Alexei Kosygin at Tashkent. The result: Just a couple of months later was Operation Gibraltar, which involved sending more than 10,000 armed infiltrators into Kashmir. It was named Gibraltar because that was the first foothold the Islamic conquerors established in Europe. Each infiltrating group was also named after famed Islamic warriors: Tariq, Qasim, Khaled, Salahuddin and, for sure, Ghaznavi. Once these groups pulverised the Indian forces in the Valley, the decisive blow would be Operation Grand Slam, as Ayub named the planned massive tank thrust to take Akhnoor in Jammu, or going for the jugular, as he called it. He is also recorded as having boasted that 'it is well known that the Hindu morale cannot survive more than one or two hard blows'. In this case, there was also a misreading of the resolve of the leader on the other side. Generals, especially Pakistanis, always have a low opinion of civilians. Given how the thought processes of Ayub and his cohort worked, Shastri's diminutive stature and soft-spoken style strengthened this delusion. Except that inside that frail 5ft 2in frame resided an incredibly strong-willed Indian patriot. The increasingly successful fightback against the infiltrators was still on when Shastri convened his Cabinet on September 3. With Pakistani tanks (Op Grand Slam) threatening Akhnoor, the broad outlines of his response were drawn. Significantly, it included destroying Pakistan's offensive power while capturing only the minimum territory necessary and returning it after successful completion of the war. There's much unanimity in India on the outcome of the war. In India, the sore point will also be the return of the Haji Pir Pass in the Uri sector. The UN ceasefire resolution, however, had demanded that both sides return to the Ceasefire Line as it existed on August 5. This meant the Pakistanis had to vacate Chumb too. While Pakistan lost its last chance to grab Kashmir, the tactical and territorial picture wasn't as one-sided as Indian folklore often suggests. That's what caused the Haji Pir compromise and, probably, cost Shastri his life at such a young age. From whispers in 1966 to WhatsApp in present times, Shastri's death has been one of those eternal mysteries and the subject of countless conspiracy theories. The book gives us clarity on two things. IMAGE: Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri visits the Lahore sector on October 18, 1965. One, that Shastri had already had two heart attacks, in 1959 and then on June 5, 1964, within days of taking over as prime minister. This was the era before statins, stents, bypass surgeries. A third heart attack would be that much tougher to survive. And the second, that on the day he signed the Tashkent agreement, Shastri was initially cheerful. But as he heard of reactions back home, -- the 'surrender of Haji Pir' having become the refrain in the press -- and finally when he spoke with his daughter and wife, both of whom seemed unhappy, his spirit dropped. Within hours he was gone. It is ironic and also quite tragic and unfair that while talking about Shastri's legacy, we get bogged down with that war and peace. Or, in the overwhelming 'Jai Jawan' story. His even more long-lasting contribution was on the 'Jai Kisan' front. He initiated the Green Revolution, found C Subramaniam as his food minister, talent-hunted scientist M S Swaminathan, and founded India's first central agriculture universities. IMAGE: Then President Pratibha Patil unveils Lal Bahadur Shastri's statue at the inauguration of the new building of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in New Delhi, February 23, 2011. Photograph: Kind courtesy President's Secretariat/Wikimedia Commons More importantly, he reached out to the Americans for collaboration. One of the lesser-appreciated aspects of Shastri's politics is that he wasn't a man of the Nehruvian Centre-Left. You could call him a man of the Centre, as Mr Chopra does. I would say he was more a leader of the Centre, but leaning a bit to the Right. For evidence, read about his dismay at Nehru blocking Purshottam Das Tandon's election as Congress chief, his upbringing at the Servants of People Society, and his learnings from Lala Lajpat Rai. And then, consider the backing he received from the decidedly right-wing and pro-West Swatantra Party during his first no-confidence motion. Also, check out his speech where he locked horns with his Communist antagonist Hiren Mukherjee's accusation that he has deviating from Nehruvianism. In essence, he said, deviation is what you complain about in the communist system. In democracy, there is change. There is one enduring Americanism I repeat often: The only legacy you leave behind is people. In the case of Shastri, I will rephrase that. An even better legacy for a great public figure to leave behind is the institutions they built. The next time you hear the words PMO, CBI, CVC, Agricultural Prices Commission or even the BSF (Border Security Force), think Shastri. It is all of these, besides that war and peace, that make his 19 months even more consequential for our present and future than the Emergency. By special arrangement with The Print Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The Congress on Tuesday said India not being invited at the G7 meeting in Canada is "yet another big diplomatic bungle" after the "blunder" of allowing the US to "mediate" between India and Pakistan. IMAGE: Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh (left) with Pawan Khera address the media at party headquarters in New Delhi, May 14, 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. 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 have said. 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. Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said the G7 Summit of the presidents of the US and France; the prime ministers of the UK, Japan, Italy and Canada; and the Chancellor of Germany is taking place in Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada, from June 15. The presidents of Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Ukraine and the prime minister of Australia have also been invited to the summit, he noted. "Before 2014, G7 was actually G8 for many years and had included Russia. Dr Manmohan Singh would be invited for G8 Summits where his voice would be heard. It was at one such summit in Germany in June 2007 where the famous Singh-Merkel formula for climate change negotiations had been unveiled," Ramesh said in a post on X. He said the tradition of inviting Indian prime ministers continued after 2014. "But now, for the first time in 6 years, 'Vishwaguru' will not be in attendance at the Canada summit. Whatever spin may be given, the fact remains that this is yet another big diplomatic bungle - after the blunder of allowing the US to overturn decades of Indian foreign policy by mediating between India and Pakistan and allowing American authorities to call for continued talks at a 'neutral site'," the Congress leader said in his post. The India-Canada relations had 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. The Karnataka high court on Tuesday strongly criticised actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan for his recent remark suggesting that "Kannada was born out of Tamil", and observed that a "single apology could have resolved the situation." IMAGE: Actor Kamal Haasan. Photograph: ANI Photo Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the hearing, said that the statement had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka and questioned Haasan's refusal to offer an apology. "Language is an emotional and cultural identity of a people," and stressed that no individual has the right to make comments that undermine the pride of an entire linguistic community, the court observed. Justice Nagaprasanna remarked, "Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement? No language is born out of another. A single apology could have resolved the situation." The remark, reportedly made by Haasan at a promotional event in Chennai for his upcoming Tamil film Thug Life, sparked a backlash in Karnataka, prompting the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to announce that the film would not be screened in the state unless Haasan apologised. In response, Raajkamal Films Internationalthe production company co-founded by Haasanfiled a plea before the High Court seeking protection for the film's release. No citizen has the right to hurt sentiments, Justice Nagaprasanna remarked, emphasising the emotional and cultural importance of certain elements to the people. Water, land, and language Jala, Nela, Bashe are crucial to citizens. The division of this country itself was based on linguistic lines, he observed. Pointing out that C Rajagopalachari made a similar statement but apologised for it, he said, "....If Rajagopalachari could tender a public apology 75 years ago, why can't you (Kamal Haasan)? For your commercial interest, you have approached this court seeking police protection for a situation created by you," the judge said. The petitioner argued that Haasan's comment was quoted out of context and was not intended to offend. Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan said his remark was misunderstood and that his words were taken out of context. He asserted that his love for Kannada language is genuine. The acclaimed actor, writing to Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), acknowledged the film body's concern and said: "It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch, spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr Rajkumar's family, especially Shiva Rajkumar has been misunderstood and taken out of context." He said he only intended to convey that "we are all one, and from the same (linguistic) family," and did not mean to diminish the Kannada language in any way. "There is no dispute or debate on the rich legacy of Kannada language," he said adding he was writing out of deep respect for the people of Karnataka. Meanwhile, speaking to PTI, M Narasimhalu, President of KFCC, said: "The matter is in court now. We will do what the court tells us to do." KFCC's proposed executive committee meeting to deliberate the matter was postponed in the wake of the Karnataka High Court's hearing on the issue. The actor in his letter to the film chamber said that "like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition," that he has long admired. "Throughout my career, I have cherished the warmth and affection extended to me by the Kannada-speaking community." With a clear conscience and conviction, he said his love for the language was genuine, and he had great respect for the love that Kannadigas had for their mother tongue. His bond with Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and all other Indian languages was heartfelt. "I have always stood for the equal dignity of all Indian languages and remain opposed to the dominance of any one language over another, as such imbalance undermines the linguistic fabric of the Union of India," he added. Haasan said he spoke the language of cinema, which was universal, a language that "knows only love and bonding." His statement was only to establish bond and unity. He said it was out of love that Shivanna attended the audio launch event in Chennai. "I really regret that Shivanna had to go through such embarrassment on account of this." Haasan said he was sure the mutual love and respect between him and Shivanna would not only continue, but it would also get stronger. The actor said cinema must remain a bridge between people and not a wall that divides them. "This was the intent of my statement and I never have been nor would ever want to give any room for public unrest and animosity," wrote Haasan. He hoped the misunderstanding was temporary and an opportunity to reiterate mutual love and respect. "I sincerely hope my words are received in the spirit they were intended, and that my enduring affection for Karnataka, its people, and their language is recognised in its true light." KFCC had announced earlier that it will boycott Thug Life unless the actor apologises for his recent statement suggesting that Kannada evolved from Tamil. The remarks, made during a promotional event in Chennai, triggered widespread backlash from pro-Kannada organisations. According to the plea, the statement was made while addressing Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar, who later defended Haasan by saying that he has always spoken positively about Kannada and Karnataka. Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, representing the production house, told the Court that the remark was not drastically wrong and urged the Court to allow the film's release. The production company also requested that authorities be directed to prevent any interference with the film's screening and to provide security for the cast, crew, exhibitors, and audiences. However, the judge expressed concern over the attitude of the petitioner. You want to earn crores from Karnataka, but you won't apologise? Even ordinary citizens face legal consequences for such remarks. What makes you different? Justice Nagaprasanna asked. The Court said it would pass an order as per the law but suggested that Haasan consider issuing an apology to defuse the situation. The hearing was adjourned till 2.30 pm. You've created unrest with your statement. Think it over. If you still want to stand by it, we will decide accordingly, the judge concluded. A 42-year-old Indian-origin man is on life support with suspected brain damage in Australia after a police officer allegedly knelt on his neck during an arrest, mistaking him for being involved in domestic violence. Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay The incident occurred last week on Payneham Road at Royston Park in Adelaide's eastern suburbs. Gaurav Kundi, father of two children, is on life support with suspected brain damage after the arrest, the australiatoday.com news portal reported on Monday. The video footage of the incident obtained by 9news.com portal shows Kundi being forced onto Payneham Road while he and his wife, Amritpal Kaur, loudly protest his innocence. "I've done nothing wrong," Kundi shouts, while Kaur films and cries out that the police are acting unfairly. Kundi loses consciousness after being tackled to the ground. He is currently at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on life support. Kaur said an officer allegedly drove a knee into Kundi's neck -- a move that echoes the 2020 case of George Floyd, a Black man, in the US that sparked widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice, both in America and internationally. "I stopped filming because I panicked when the officer knelt on him," Kaur told 9News. She said Kundi's head was slammed against the police car and the road during the arrest. Kundi was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where doctors say his brain and neck nerves are severely damaged. Kaur said, "Maybe he will wake up if his brain works, or maybe he will not." Police say Kundi violently resisted arrest after leaving his home intoxicated. The couple had allegedly been arguing, and a passing patrol reportedly mistook the incident for domestic violence. However, Kaur said his husband was simply drunk and loud, not violent. Meanwhile, South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said he believes the officers acted in line with their training, the 9news reported. Police have launched an internal investigation and are reviewing body-worn camera footage. "I can say that from that evidence I've looked at, from that body-worn video, but it is only one portion, I'm comfortable, but that is only one police officer," Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia was quoted as saying by australiatoday.com. Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, also voiced strong support for police, saying they have a 'really difficult job' and deserved backing, the news portal said. The Mumbai civic body has scrapped its plan to procure Turkey-made robotic lifebuoys for deployment across half-a-dozen beaches, officials said, a move coming in the backdrop of Ankara facing backlash in India for supporting Pakistan. IMAGE: The BMC faced strong criticism from political parties for the deal after Turkey extended diplomatic and military support to Islamabad during the last month's military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Photograph: ANI Photo The remotely-operated rescue machines, designed to assist lifeguards in saving people from drowning, were to be deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai beaches, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Monday. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani replied in the affirmative when asked if the civic body has scrapped the plan to procure robotic lifebuoys manufactured in Turkey. Each unit of the machine was equipped with dual water jets, a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery, and had the capacity to carry up to 200 kg. It could travel 800 metres into the sea at speeds up to 18 km/h and operate for about an hour, as per officials. The civic body faced strong criticism from political parties for the deal after Turkey extended diplomatic and military support to Islamabad during the last month's military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Political leaders, including of the ruling BJP and its ally Shiv Sena, had questioned the procurement of the equipment from foreign supplier instead of promoting indigenous alternatives. Turkey's open support to Pakistan in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, triggered broader domestic calls for a boycott of goods made in the Eurasian country. It is the duty of Chhattisgarh and the Centre to take adequate steps for bringing peace and rehabilitation of the residents of the state who have been affected by the Maoist violence, the Supreme Court has said as it closed 18-year-old cases alleging human rights violations by security forces and Salwa Judum activists in the state. IMAGE: Security personnel during an anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma closed the cases filed by activist Nandini Sundar alleging human rights violations and other petitions including contempt which claimed non-compliance of the court's 2011 order that banned the use of special police officers directly or indirectly in anti-Maoist operations in the state. The bench said, "We find that having regard to the situation that has emerged over the decades in the state of Chhattisgarh, it is necessary that specific steps are taken so as to bring about peace and rehabilitation of the areas requiring the attention of the state as well as the central government who would have to act in a coordinated manner. "We note that it is the duty of the state of Chhattisgarh as well as the Union of India, having regard to Article 315 of the Constitution, to take adequate steps for bringing about peace and rehabilitation to the residents of the state of Chhattisgarh who have been affected by the violence from whatever quarter it may have arisen," the bench said. Referring to the enactment of the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Force Act, 2011 which created a trained force to aid and assist the security forces in maintaining law and order in the state, the bench said in its view it cannot be said to be an act of contempt of the order of 2011 passed by this court. "It is observed that every state legislature has plenary powers to pass an enactment and so long as the said enactment has not been declared to be ultra vires the Constitution or, in any way, null and void by a constitutional court, the said enactment would have the force of law. However, if any party wishes that the said Act be struck down for being unconstitutional, then legal remedies in that regard would have to be resorted to before the competent court of law," the bench said in its May 15 order, uploaded recently. The top court said indeed, the judiciary is vested under the Constitution with the power to resolve interpretive doubts and disputes about the validity or otherwise of an enacted law by the Parliament or any state legislature. "However, the interpretative power of a constitutional court does not contemplate a situation of declaring the exercise of legislative functions and passing of an enactment as an instance of a contempt of a court. We must remember that central to the legislative function is the power of the legislative organ to enact as well as amend laws," it said. The bench further said any law made by the Parliament or a state legislature cannot be held to be an act of contempt of a court, including the Supreme Court, for simply making the law. "A legislature has, inter alia, the powers to pass a law, to remove the basis of a judgment or in the alternative, validate a law which has been struck down by a constitutional court by amending or varying it so as to give effect to the judgment of a constitutional court which has struck down a portion of an enactment or for that matter the entire enactment. This is the core of the doctrine of separation of powers and must always be acknowledged in a constitutional democracy such as ours." "Any piece of legislation enacted by a legislature can be assailed within the manner known to law and that is by mounting a challenge against its validity on the twin prongs of legislative competence or constitutional validity," the bench said while disposing of the petitions. The top court further said in order to ensure that rule of law permeates to fulfil constitutional objectives of establishing an egalitarian social order, the balance between the respective sovereign functionaries must always be delicately maintained. "The promulgation simpliciter of an enactment is only an expression of the legislative function and cannot be said to be an act in contempt of a Court unless it is first established that the statute so enacted is bad in law constitutionally or otherwise. We, therefore, do not commend the filing of a contempt petition for the purpose of assailing the validity of the aforesaid enactment," the top court said. It said in the circumstances, the court finds no reason to entertain the Contempt petition as such and, hence, "We dispose of the contempt petition having regard to the fact that the prayers sought for therein cannot be granted by us in the form of a contempt petition". Regarding the writ petitions that alleged violations of human rights in the Maoist-affected areas, the bench said the prayers have been considered by this court and have been crystallised in the form of the 2011 order. "In the circumstances, we find that the writ petitions would no longer survive for further consideration by this court," it said. On July 5, 2011, the bench passed a slew of directions with regard to banning Salwa Judum, a term used for a group of tribal people armed and trained to take on CPI-Maoists and their rehabilitation. It had directed the Centre to cease and desist from using any of its funds in supporting, directly or indirectly, the recruitment of SPOs for engaging in any form of counter-insurgency activities against Maoist groups. The son or daughter-of-the-soil politics in Mumbai, so far restricted to humans, has taken an interesting turn with Bharatiya Janata Party leaders demanding that Penguin chicks born in a city zoo be given Marathi names, arguing that the flightless birds are domicile of Maharashtra by birth. IMAGE: A waddle of Humboldt penguins seen within their enclosure at Byculla Zoo in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo While a protest by BJP workers appeared to be about identity politics ahead of elections to the Mumbai civic body, it highlighted the classical language status of the Marathi language to justify naming Penguin chicks. BJP leader from the Byculla assembly constituency Nitin Bankar led the demonstration. "When Penguins were brought from abroad to the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo (commonly known as Rani Baug), we accepted that their names would be in English. However, chicks born here, on the soil of Maharashtra, should be given Marathi names," he said. Bankar claimed that repeated appeals to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had gone unheard. "We stood firm on our demand, but it was ignored. I had even written to the BMC administration, but no one responded," he claimed. Bankar said if Marathi has received classical language status, why can't some of the penguin chicks be given Marathi names? 'I carry the hopes and dreams of over a billion hearts.' IMAGE: Ax-4 Mission Mission Pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. Photograph: Kind courtesy Axiom Space/X The lift off will be from Florida, June 10, 08:22 ET. The AX-4 mission will head to space carrying not just four astronauts but the aspirations and dreams of a billion Indians. The AX-4 mission is a symbol of global collaboration, carrying four astronauts from 4 countries including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla along with a plush swan named Joy, the unexpected fifth crew member, symbolising wisdom and the vehicle of Saraswati. At the press conference held at 11 am Eastern on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the AX-4 crew spoke to journalists from around the world sharing their training experiences and displaying confidence and camaraderie. They revealed their mission will consist of 14 days of research, outreach, and technological demonstrations aboard the International Space Station (ISS). By 12:30 ET on June 11, they would dock with the ISS, but before that, they had a message for Earth. In quarantine before launch, the crew -- alongside Joy, the plush swan -- held a special press conference. Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, call sign 'Shuks', opened with a warm "Namaskar" -- "This journey is not just mine," he reflected. "I carry the hopes and dreams of over a billion hearts." In his limited baggage, he carries Indian mementos -- symbols of home. Also space bound are Aamras, Moong Dal Halwa and Gajar Halwa, to ensure that his mother is not worried about what he will get to eat in zero gravity. Speaking about the mission, his goal is to ignite curiosity. "Space is not a distant dream," he said. "Dream boldly about a future that is exciting. The stars are attainable." Group Captain Shukla's words carried extra weight, knowing he walked in the footsteps of the space legend -- Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, India's first cosmonaut, who flew to space in 1984. Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, a test pilot turned space pioneer just like him, has been a guiding light for Group Captain Shukla. On Rediff's question about Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's mentorship, Group Captain Shukla responded, "He understands the situation really well. The more I got into the journey, I realised the challenges that he would have faced. It was a revealing process for me to understand this and he has been very kind in guiding in all the steps and giving me very sound advice which I hold close to my heart." When pressed for details on how he intends to honour Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in space, Group Captain Shukla smiled. "I want it to be a surprise for him. Maybe post mission I will reveal it to you." And so, the astronaut from India with a swan as his companion and halwa in his baggage, is ready for lift off. The government is set to move an impeachment motion against Allahabad high court's Justice Yashwant Varma in Parliament and will seek to build an all-party consensus for action against the judge facing allegations of corruption after the discovery of a large amount of cash from his official residence in Delhi. IMAGE: Allahabad high court's Justice Yashwant Varma. Photograph: ANI Photo Government sources on Tuesday said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has begun consultations as part of efforts to get leaders of different parties on board for the impeachment motion against Varma following his indictment by a three-member probe committee constituted by the Supreme Court. A fire incident at Varma's residence in the national capital in March this year, when he was a judge at the Delhi High Court, had led to the discovery of several burnt sacks of cash at the outhouse. Though Varma claimed ignorance about the cash, the Supreme Court-appointed committee indicted him after speaking to a number of witnesses and recording his statement. The then Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, is believed to have prodded him to resign but Varma dug in his heels. The apex court has since transferred him to his parent cadre of the Allahabad High Court, where he has not been assigned any judicial work. Khanna then wrote to the President and the Prime Minister, recommending the impeachment motion, which is the procedure for axing members of the higher judiciary from service. Parliament's monsoon session is expected to begin around the third week of July when the government will move the motion against him, sources said. The impeachment motion has to be brought in the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha, and will need the support of two-thirds of the MPs for passage. At least 50 members in the Rajya Sabha and 100 in the Lok Sabha have to sign the motion before it is admitted by the Chair. The motion is moved by the Law Minister, and the government will seek signatures and subsequent support of members of different parties, including the opposition, to send a message of united parliamentary resolve against alleged judicial corruption after the sensational videos of burnt cash at Varma's house sent shockwaves through the country and its institutions. The motion is first introduced in one House and is then admitted in the other House only after the procedural formalities are successfully completed there. So far, there have been only two instances of Parliament taking up the impeachment motion, a constitutional necessity to remove a sitting high court or Supreme Court judge. Former Supreme Court judge V Ramaswami was the first to face it for alleged misuse of public fund, but the motion could not get the required support in Parliament in 1993. Soumitra Sen of the Calcutta High Court resigned in 2011 after the Rajya Sabha passed an impeachment motion against him, rendering the exercise irrelevant Opposition members were vocal in the last session of Parliament in seeking action against Varma after the cash discovery incident hit headlines, while the government waited for the Supreme Court to firm up its stand on the issue. The apex court had set up a three-member committee of Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, for the inquiry into the allegations Varma. The committee submitted its report to the Chief Justice of India on May 4, and its findings have not been officially disclosed yet. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed the law on approving the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on a continuous monitoring mechanism within the framework of the universal inspection program in the field of ensuring aviation safety", Trend reports. According to the document, the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the International Civil Aviation Organization on a continuous monitoring mechanism within the framework of the universal inspection program in the field of ensuring aviation safety", signed on August 1, 2023 in Baku and September 8, 2023 in Montreal, was approved. The problem in holding talks with Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday, stressing that New Delhi can engage in dialogue with Islamabad if it takes significant action against the infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in the country. IMAGE: All-party delegation leader Shashi Tharoor during a meeting with the president of the India-Brazil Friendship Front in the Federal Senate, Senator Senador Nelsinho Trad, for Operation Sindoor Global Outreach, in Brasilia on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo Tharoor, who is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Brazil, also said his team successfully conveyed India's message against terrorism to the Latin American countries, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings. "This is what we keep telling our interlocutors. If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why do they give safe haven to wanted terrorists?... Why are they able to live peacefully, to conduct training camps...and radicalise further people, to equip arms and get people to practice their arms and Kalashnikovs...," said Tharoor told PTI-video. He said the problem in talking to Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace. "You crack down on this infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in your country. Then, of course, we can talk," he said. "We can talk to them in Hindustani. We can talk to them in Punjabi. We can talk to them in English. There is no problem in finding common ground with Pakistan. The problem is finding a common vision for decency, for peace. We want to be left in peace, to grow and develop. They don't want to leave us alone. They want to harass us. They want to undermine us," he said. "They want to cut us this whole bleeding to death India by 1,000 cuts. They're not going to bleed to death so easily. Better forget that idea," he added. On another question, whether India hopes that Brazil, which is hosting the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, may issue a statement on terrorism against Indian citizens, Tharoor said, "I think, honestly, BRICS has a different agenda. I'm not saying that they may not want to express solidarity. I mean, that's really not my brief...I don't know, and I don't even know if it's in the draft that they're working on already". "As far as the other issues you're concerned, you know, international forums are not our preoccupation. Our preoccupation is honestly our bilateral relation to Pakistan and Pakistan's complete failure to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in their country," he said. On a question whether nations have been recognising India's stance against terrorism, Tharoor said his delegation has been to four nations --Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil- so far and "this has been very clear in all the countries we've been to". "And I would say in all four countries, we've had a very, clear success, if that's the word, I don't like to boast of success. That's for others to judge. But we have got our message through very clearly, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings," he said, referring to Colombia. Earlier, Tharoor had said Colombia withdrew a statement offering condolences to Pakistan for the loss of lives following India's military strikes in response to the Pahalgam attack after his delegation explained Islamabad's relentless support to cross-border terrorism. "And as a result of getting our message through, we have certainly been able, in my view, to come back feeling that these countries understand our situation better and express full solidarity with our struggle against terrorism, which is the main purpose of our trip," Tharoor said. The Tharoor-led delegation will head to Washington DC from Brazil. On a question on the delegation's expectations from the Washington DC visit, Tharoor said, "My expectations are that it's going to be a challenging visit. We have a lot of different kinds of audiences," he said. "Judging by some of the information floating around, flying around, we get some interesting and perhaps challenging questions, which we will be very happy to answer," he added. The body of 29-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi was found in a deep gorge near a waterfall in Sohra area in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Monday, several days after the tourist from Indore and his wife had gone missing, officials said. IMAGE: The couple, Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam, had travelled to Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district. Photograph: X Raja and his wife Sonam disappeared on May 23 hours after they checked out of a homestay at Nongriat village, 20 km from where his body was found, they said. "A police drone spotted the body in a deep gorge below the Weisawdong waterfall parking lot. The body was taken to the parking lot for a magisterial inquest in the evening," a senior district official told PTI. He said 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 which read 'Raja'," he said. A woman's white shirt, a strip of medicine, a part of the LCD screen of a mobile phone and a smartwatch were also seized at the spot, the official said. The body was later taken to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences for post-mortem examination. East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said a case of murder has been registered and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the incident. Rescuers will continue to look for Raja's wife, Sonam, he said. Extremely heavy rainfall and low visibility had on May 30 stalled the search and rescue operations, which was launched by the police on May 24. Sohra area recorded the maximum amount of rainfall in the state on May 29, 30 and 31, recording around 500 mm of rainfall, equalling the annual rainfall record of Mysore, a Met official told PTI. Movement of traffic was also affected across the eastern Khasi and Jaintia Hills region with many places reporting landslides and flash floods that killed six persons and left over 10 people injured. The couple, hailing from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, arrived at Mawlakhiat village on May 22 on a rented scooter. They parked their scooter and trekked 3,000 steps down the gorge to visit the famous living rootbridges at Nongriat village, where they stayed the night and left the homestay the following morning. On May 24, their scooter was found abandoned at a cafe along the road from Shillong to Sohra following which the police were informed and by Sunday, the initial search operation was planned with the help of the local villagers, police said. Indore MPs -- Shankar Lalwani and Sumer Singh Solanki -- had held reviews of the rescue operations with Director General of Police I Nongrang and Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, expressing satisfaction over the efforts of the rescue teams. Earlier this year, a Hungarian tourist -- Puskas Zsolt -- went missing soon after he started his trek to the living rootbridge and he was found dead 12 days later. While the police have ruled out any foul play in his death, medical reports indicated he died due to a fall. Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday dismissed three government employees for their alleged involvement with proscribed terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, officials said. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir police personnel stand guard in Srinagar. A police constable, a school teacher and a junior assistant in a government medical college were terminated under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, which allows dismissal without an inquiry "in the interest of national security". All three are currently lodged in jail, they said. Over 75 government employees with terror links have been dismissed so far by the LG administration. Officials said the action is part of the administration's continued crackdown on terror infrastructure, including overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers embedded within government institutions. The dismissed employees were identified as Malik Ishfaq Naseer, a police constable, Ajaz Ahmed, a teacher in the school education department and Waseem Ahmad Khan, a junior assistant in Government Medical College, Srinagar. The sacked employees were active terror collaborators, involved in logistics, arms smuggling, and aiding terror operations against security forces and civilians, a senior security official said. Constable Malik Ishfaq Naseer, recruited in 2007, came under suspicion during an investigation into arms smuggling in 2021. His brother Malik Asif was a Pakistan-trained LeT militant and was killed in 2018, but he allegedly continued to support the outfit while serving in the police, he said. He used his position to identify safe drop locations for arms, explosives, and narcotics, and shared GPS coordinates with Pakistani handlers, the official said. Malik also allegedly distributed these consignments to active terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. His LeT link was exposed in September, 2021 when J&K police was investigating a case related to smuggling of arms and explosives in Jammu region. He was not only identifying the safe location, sharing the coordinates with LeT handlers in Pakistan but he was also collecting and distributing arms and ammunition to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir region enabling them to carry out terrorist attacks on security forces and civilians, a senior security official. He said that instead of helping the police department in fighting the terror which he was mandated for, he chose to be a mole and a collaborator and betrayed his oath and uniform. His betrayal of the oath and uniform has caused grave damage to the department, society and the nation, the official added. Ajaz Ahmed, who joined the Education Department in 2011, was found smuggling arms, ammunition, and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen propaganda material. He was arrested during a routine police check in November 2023. According to the probe, the arms were meant for militants operating in Kashmir, sent by his handler Abid Ramzan Sheikh, a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen operative based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Ajaz Ahmed was allegedly involved in such activities for several years and he became a trusted terror associate of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in the Poonch region. He was actively helping the terror outfit in smuggling arms, ammunition and narcotics, the officer said. The terror link with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was exposed in November 2023 when police arrested Ajaz Ahmed and his friend during a routine check. Both were carrying arms, ammunition and posters of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in his car. Waseem Ahmad Khan, a junior assistant at Government Medical College, Srinagar, appointed in 2007, was allegedly found to be part of a terror plot that led to the assassination of journalist Shujaat Bukhari and his security personnel in June 2018, the officer said. The officer said Khan was associated with both LeT and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and provided logistical support for the attack on the journalist. He allegedly accompanied the terrorists and helped them escape after the shooting. He was arrested in August 2018 during investigations into a terror attack in Srinagar's Batmaloo area. Since assuming office in August 2020, LG Sinha has led a focused effort to dismantle the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. Over 75 government employees with terror links have been dismissed so far, they said. Officials said the administration has tightened the vetting of government recruits, making police verification mandatory. This has reduced internal sabotage risks and instilled fear among potential sympathizers, said a senior official. The LG's multi-pronged strategy -- targeting terrorists, disruptors, and their enablers in government -- has significantly weakened terror networks in the Union territory, the official added. Kamal Haasan starrer Thug Life will not be released in Karnataka on June 5, the scheduled date for the pan-India release of the much-anticipated movie, its producers informed the Karnataka high court on Tuesday. IMAGE: Actor Kamal Haasan. Photograph: ANI Photo The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), meanwhile, reiterated that Haasan must withdraw his statement on Kannada language and apologise. In a press statement issued by KFCC, it is stated that an emergency executive committee meeting of the film body was held on Tuesday after the Karnataka high court issued its order on the petition filed by Raaj Kamal Films International. 'In the meeting, we discussed everything that has happened so far, including Haasan's letter that talked about brotherly harmony, coexistence, love, trust, etc. Like him, we too want love and trust with the neighbouring states. But we have decided that unconditional apology is what the pro-Kannada organisations, the government and the entire people of the state want,' the statement read. KFCC has urged Haasan to withdraw his statement -- Kannada born out of Tamil -- and render an unconditional apology. "This is also what has been discussed very seriously in the Karnataka high court. Therefore, we have decided in Tuesday's meeting to urge him to withdraw the statement and apologise," KFCC stated. When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Nagaprasanna in Karnataka HC, counsel for the petitioner maintained that there was no malice and an apology was not warranted and submitted that the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon in Karnataka till the issue gets resolved through dialogue. The court posted to June 10 further hearing of the petition by the production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, seeking adequate security for the movie's release in the state. During the hearing, filmmaker Haasan came in for strong criticism from the court for his remark suggesting that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil', and the court observed that a 'single apology could have resolved the situation'. The petition was filed following widespread protest against the actor's recent remarks regarding Kannada language and a demand for his apology. Hearing the petition, Justice Nagaprasanna asked, "Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement? No language is born out of another. A single apology could have resolved the situation." Further, the judge said no citizen has the right to hurt sentiments and underlined that an apology 'even a symbolic one', was missing. To this, the counsel for petitioner submitted that 'an apology is needed when there is malice, not for a misunderstanding'. Justice M Nagaprasanna said that the actor's recent statement has stirred the hornet's nest and triggered 'certain unrest in the state of Karnataka', and held that it undermined the Karnataka people's sentiment of language. 'There are many ways of clarifying, but only one way of seeking apology,' the court noted, as it recorded that the letter addressed by Haasan to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) did not include an explicit apology. 'Freedom of expression cannot be extended to the extent of hurting someone's sentiment, of a mass in particular,' the Judge said. He also observed that languages may be many, but the country is still one and there can be no division there. The remarks, reportedly made by Haasan at a promotional event in Chennai for his upcoming Tamil film Thug Life, sparked a backlash in Karnataka, prompting the KFCC to announce that the film would not be screened in the state unless Haasan apologised. In response, Raajkamal Films International the production company of Haasan filed a plea before the high court seeking protection for the film's release. The senior counsel submitted that the petitioner is not, for now, willing to screen the movie in Karnataka, unless a dialogue or a trialogue with the KFCC was encouraged. Further, the counsel submitted that the matter may be adjourned to enable them to have a dialogue. Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for Haasan, read out the letter the actor sent to KFCC, which said, his recent statement in connection with the evolution of Kannada language was misunderstood and that his words were taken out of context. The actor also has asserted that his love for Kannada language is genuine. "He has sincere love for Kannada and meant no offence," Chinnappa said and added that the 'communication' was issued immediately after Haasan returned from a promotional event in Dubai. The Judge said, "but the word apology is not found in the communication...." "....on all these factors, and also in the light of the fact that of the statement of the senior counsel on instructions that the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon in the state of Karnataka till the issue gets resolved till the dialogue/trialogue would yield any results." The court underlined that an apology 'even a symbolic one', was missing. "Only one sentence was to be added. It is not compulsion, that is the grace he (Haasan) should have," said Justice Nagaprasanna. Chinnappa maintained that the statement was not issued with malice and thus did not warrant an apology. "It is not ego at all," he argued. "An apology is needed when there is malice, not for a misunderstanding." The judge said that the actor's statement had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka and questioned his refusal to offer an apology. "Language is an emotional and cultural identity of a people," and stressed that no individual has the right to make comments that undermine the pride of an entire linguistic community, the court observed. "Water, land, and language ' Jala, Nela, Bashe ' are crucial to citizens. The division of this country itself was based on linguistic lines," the court observed. Late leader C Rajagopalachari made a similar statement but apologised for it, the court said. "....If Rajagopalachari could tender a public apology 75 years ago, why can't you (Kamal Haasan)? For your commercial interest, you have approached this court seeking police protection for a situation created by you," the judge said. Advocate Chinnappa, told the court that the remark was not 'drastically wrong'. During the argument when Chinnappa said, eggs and words must be handled with care, the Judge added, "you cannot unscramble the scrambled egg. In his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir post Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-anticipated Kashmir rail project later this week, marking a milestone in the region's connectivity. IMAGE: The trial run of Vande Bharat Express from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station, Katra to Budgam Railway Station has been successfully completed, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi will start his visit on June 6 by dedicating to public the Chenab rail bridge, which is a key part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (USBRL) that will provide direct train connectivity to the valley. "History in the making... Just 3 days to go! The mighty Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, stands tall in Jammu and Kashmir...PM to inaugurate the Chenab Bridge on June 6. A proud symbol of New India's strength and vision!" Union minister Jitendra Singh said in a post on X. After inaugurating the bridge, Modi is likely to travel by train to Katra and en route, will inspect India's first cable-stayed bridge over Anji Khad, officials said, adding the prime minister will interact with railway engineers including retired employees involved in the project. At Katra, which is known as the base camp for the pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi, Modi will flag off Vande Bharat train from Katra to north Kashmir's Baramulla and another from Baramulla to Katra, signalling the completion of the project to link Kashmir by railway network. However, the officials clarified that all the passengers to and from Kashmir will have to de-board at Katra and change trains. After the inauguration, Modi will address a public rally. The work on the project to link Kashmir by train was started in 1997 and has missed several deadlines given geological, topographical and meteorological challenges, leading to cost escalation and its completion at a cost of over Rs 41,000 crore. Out of the total 272 km USBRL project, 209 km was commissioned in phases with the first phase of the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section commissioned in October 2009 followed by 18 km Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, 25 km Udhampur-Katra in July 2014 and 48.1 km long Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February, last year. The work on the 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi section was also completed in June last year, leaving a total 17 km stretch between Reasi and Katra and this section was finally completed in December 2024 as announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The visit of the prime minister will be first after the launch of Operation Sindoor to hit terror infrastructure across the border early last month in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 persons, mostly tourists, dead on April 22. According to railway officials, the staggering 119 km of the track runs through tunnels and has been equipped with full CCTV surveillance for passenger safety. "Every inch of the track is under watch," an official said, promising a safer and more secure travel experience for commuters traversing some of the country's most challenging landscapes. The official said the railway line promises to change the way people travel in the region as the project brings not just better connectivity but also a renewed sense of safety for commuters in this remote terrain. The work on the intervening stretch of the Katra-Banihal section, spanning 111 km, primarily involves tunnelling, with 97.4 km (87 percent of the section's total length) being covered by tunnels. The longest tunnel T-50, stretches over 12.77 km making it the longest railway tunnel in the country, the official said, adding there are a total of 25 main tunnels covering a length of 97.42 km, and eight escape tunnels, spanning 66.4 Km, resulting in a cumulative length of 163.82 Km. The provision of escape tunnels, exceeding three km in length, ensures safety and rescue measures in accordance with international standards, the official said. He said there are a total of 49 bridges on the Katra-Banihal section, consisting of 27 major bridges, 16 minor bridges with a combined length of 7.035 Km. This includes four mega bridges -- Chenab Bridge, Anji Bridge, Bridge 220, and Bridge 224. At 369 m, the Chenab bridge is the world's tallest railway arch bridge, taller than the Eiffel Tower, and can withstand wind speeds over 250 kmph and is designed to resist earthquakes, making it one of the most challenging bridges ever built, the official said. "Today, after nearly 30 years, the dream has become reality," the official said, expressing hope that the railway line will not only boost connectivity to Kashmir but also strengthen the region's ties with the rest of India economically, socially, and emotionally. Modi was earlier scheduled to inaugurate the train in April but the event was postponed due to inclement weather forecast. National Disaster Response Force personnel on Tuesday joined the search for a missing tourist from Indore a day after her husband's body was found in a gorge in Sohra area of Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district, police said. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo Raja Raghuvanshi (29) and his wife Sonam had gone missing on May 23 hours after they checked out of a homestay at Nongriat village, 20 km from where his body was found on Monday. "A team of 17 rescuers from the NDRF joined the search and rescue operations at Sohra today," district Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem told PTI. He said NDRF will expedite the search even as rescuers are already using drones, mountaineers and special police forces to search for the woman. Raja's brother identified his body through a distinctive tattoo on the deceased's right hand which read 'Raja', the officer said. A woman's white shirt, a strip of medicine, a part of the LCD screen of a mobile phone and a smartwatch were also seized at the spot, he said, adding that a homicide case was registered. At the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, where post-mortem examination was being conducted, Raja's brother demanded a thorough inquiry into the disappearance of the couple. "Since my brother's gold rings, a golden chain and his wallet were missing, we suspect it to be a murder. We urge the authorities to let the Central Bureau of Investigation probe the matter," he said. The SP, however, said a murder case has already been registered and a special investigation team (SIT) formed to probe the matter. Extremely heavy rainfall and low visibility had on May 30 stalled the search and rescue operations, which was launched by the police on May 24. Sohra area recorded the maximum amount of rainfall in the state on May 29, 30 and 31, recording around 500 mm of rainfall, equalling the annual rainfall record of Mysore, a Met official told PTI. Movement of traffic was also affected across the eastern Khasi and Jaintia Hills region with many places reporting landslides and flash floods that killed six persons and left over 10 people injured. The couple, hailing from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, arrived at Mawlakhiat village on May 22 on a rented scooter. They parked their scooter and trekked 3,000 steps down the gorge to visit the famous living rootbridges at Nongriat village, where they stayed the night and left the homestay the following morning. On May 24, their scooter was found abandoned at a cafe along the road from Shillong to Sohra following which the police were informed and by Sunday, the initial search operation was planned with the help of the local villagers, police said. Indore MPs -- Shankar Lalwani and Sumer Singh Solanki -- had held reviews of the rescue operations with Director General of Police I Nongrang and Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, expressing satisfaction over the efforts of the rescue teams. Earlier this year, a Hungarian tourist -- Puskas Zsolt -- went missing soon after he started his trek to the living rootbridge and he was found dead 12 days later. While the police have ruled out any foul play in his death, medical reports indicated he died due to a fall. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party over Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, saying this is the first time that Indian representatives have been sent abroad to convey about the country's victory in an armed conflict. IMAGE: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addresses a gathering of Panch and Sarpanch, at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology Auditorium in Patiala, May 28, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader's remarks came a day after he took a swipe at the BJP over Operation Sindoor, accusing it of seeking votes in the name of 'sindoor' (vermillion) and asking the saffron party if it has launched a 'one nation, one husband' scheme. The chief minister was talking to reporters after chairing a cabinet meeting Chandigarh on Wednesday. Replying to Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu's charge that he is speaking Pakistan's language, Mann asked why did the BJP withdraw its decision to send 'sindoor' door to door. "This is happening for the first time that our representatives have been sent abroad to convey that we have won a conflict. When one wins (a war), it becomes evident," he said. India sent seven multi-party delegations to key partner countries, including members of the United Nations Security Council, to convey its message of zero tolerance towards terrorism. Lashing out at Bittu, Mann said it is unfortunate that the Union minister has issued such 'irrational' statements, whereas his 'masters' in Delhi have been making hypothetical and baseless remarks. Slamming the BJP, Mann said, "The country is witnessing a sorry state of affairs as any view or idea opposed to the BJP's propaganda is being labelled as anti-national." Referring to a recent statement of the chief of defence staff, Mann said, "If the CDS has admitted in Singapore that aircraft were lost but it is not important how many, but rather why were they lost -- I have not said this. Is it Pakistan's language?" Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has acknowledged that India lost aircraft in recent military hostilities with Pakistan but dismissed Islamabad's claim of downing six Indian fighter jets as 'absolutely incorrect'. Asked about the arrest of a Punjab-based YouTuber on Wednesday for allegedly spying for Pakistan, Mann said the Centre regulates social media channels in the country. However, he added that if any anti-national activity comes to the notice of law-enforcing agencies, appropriate action is taken. Anyone involved in a crime against the country must not be spared and exemplary action should be taken in the matter, he said. A political controversy erupted on Tuesday over Mann's 'one nation, one husband' remark, with the BJP accusing him of insulting the widows of those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. Calling the chief minister's remarks 'disgraceful', Bittu said he has 'insulted' the widows of those killed by terrorists in Pahalgam and demanded an unconditional apology from the AAP leader. Asked about the BJP allegedly seeking votes in the name of Operation Sindoor in the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll, Mann had said, "(They are) seeking votes in the name of sindoor. They have turned sindoor into a joke. "If they come to your house (with sindoor), will you apply sindoor in the name of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi? Is it a 'one nation, one husband' scheme?" he had asked. 'When we were able to visit his home, they just sort of ran up. They were hugging him.' 'He was just incredibly kind and generous to them.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes United States Vice President J D Vance, Usha Vance, their children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Photographs: Press Information Bureau US Second Lady Usha Vance has recalled her visit to India and her children's experience in India and called the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi "very special." She said her children put Modi in the grandfather category, and they love him and were hugging him when they visited his residence during their visit to India. In a conversation at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, on Monday, Vance called the visit to India a "trip of lifetime for them" and added that it was her children's first visit to India. She also spoke about visiting places in North India, including the Taj Mahal and enjoying Indian food. Asked about her India visit, she said, "It really was the trip of a lifetime for us. My children had never been to India, what with the pandemic and, JD's entry into politics and all that. And so they'd grown up just knowing so much about this country, the stories, food, the relationships with grandparents and friends, but they had never actually seen it. So it was just sort of mind-blowing from their perspective. "And then for me and JD, I think it just could not have been any more special. We had the opportunity to see some of the greatest sites in North India. We're looking forward to our next trip and trying to get to the parts of the country where my family is from as well. And it just was sort of one hit after another, right. "The most incredible food, the peacocks that we got to see, everywhere we went, getting to see the Taj Mahal in the morning and appreciate it as the sun was just sort of coming up and the cool skies and blue skies over in the background." IMAGE: Modi welcomes the Vance family to his home. Vance recalled how her kids had met Modi in Paris, and he had given her five-year-old son a birthday present that day. She said the PM was very kind and generous to the kids. "Meeting the prime minister, that was really very special," Usha Vance said. "We'd actually had a chance to meet him before. And it's funny, my kids saw him. They were sort of sleep deprived in Paris and they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category immediately. "They are very into him. They just love him. And he really cemented his status by giving our five year old a birthday present that day. So, when we were able to visit his home, they just sort of ran up. They were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them." "I think it was very productive conversation for JD and the prime minister, of course. But also, think it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the good." She also spoke about seeing a puppet show in India, which included bits from the Ramayana. "That was a particular highlight with sort of puppeteering from all over the country, including from Andhra Pradesh, where my family is from. There were bits from the Ramayana. There were sort of comedic bits with animals, and it was a huge hit. My kids have been trying to recreate a home of construction paper, which is going about as well as you can imagine," she added. Talking about her children's individual experiences, Usha Vance shared that her eldest son, Ewan, was particularly captivated by the temple sculptures, while her middle child, Vivek, was thrilled to see elephants, camels, and peacocks. Her daughter's favorite moment was a ride in an autorickshaw. IMAGE: Modi with the Vance family. Talking about her children's experience in India, Vance said, "I think JD has probably told the story at some point, but when we were at the prime minister's residence, our son was just so taken by everything and then taken by the entire cart of mangoes that was available for him to eat, that he announced to the prime minister that he thought he could maybe live there and started making his plans...And our children, they talk about it all the time actually. They've been all over the place and they've had wonderful opportunities to see the world, but this was really special to them. Ewan, our oldest, was really taken by the sculptures in the temple that he visited. He just thought it was incredible craftsmanship and, of course, showed things that he was very familiar with from stories and from talking with me." "And then, Vivek, our middle child, was very excited to meet elephants and peacocks and a camel and just any animal that he could kind of get his hands on. And then our daughter thinks she's sort of along for the ride. She really enjoyed her time in an autorickshaw. That was maybe the highlight for her. "The Secret Service was very generous and allowed us to kind of drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes. So we had lot of fun with that," she added. IMAGE: Ewan and Vivek Vance bid Modi goodbye. J D Vance and his family were on a four-day official visit to India in April. During the visit, Modi hosted Vance and his family at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. During the visit, the children had several playful moments with the prime minister. From exploring the lawns to seeing the bird feeder inquisitively, the children indulged in an immersive experience at the prime minister's home. While inside, Modi shared several lively moments with Ewan, Vivek, and little Mirabel and presented the three children with peacock feathers. Mirabel Vance was seen enjoying a heartwarming moment with her father, holding the feather. The Vance family later visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. They also visited Amber Fort in Jaipur and the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Delhi and the Central Cottage Industries emporium. Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff In 21 states, the time gap between the general Budget and ministry-specific discussions was just one day. IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister M R K Panneerselvam presents the state Agricultural Budget 2025-2026 in Chennai, March 15, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo A landmark Supreme Court judgment in April set a timeline for state governors to decide on Bills sent to them by legislatures, mandating a response within specific timelines. Last month, President Droupadi Murmu, in a rare move under Article 201 (when Bills are reserved by governors for Presidential assent) of the Constitution, sought the Supreme Court's opinion whether the court can 'impose' timelines and tell state governors and the President what to do while dealing with state Bills sent to them for assent or reserved for consideration. Last year, almost three of every four state legislatures wrapped up Budget and ministry expenditure discussions in just 10 days. As many as 46.4 per cent of states completed deliberations in two to five days, according to PRS Legislative Research and Business Standard calculations. The rush is greater in reviewing ministry-wise expenditure -- arguably one of the most vital aspects of Budget scrutiny. In 21 states, the time gap between the general Budget and ministry-specific discussions was just one day. The Constitution says that the governor must act 'as soon as possible', but delays are frequent and vary widely across states. According to the Annual Review of State Laws 2024 by PRS Legislative Research, 60 per cent of Bills passed by state legislatures in 2024 received gubernatorial assent within a month. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that after India put the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, Pakistan is weaving a new "manufactured threat" narrative of what will happen if China stops Brahmaputra's flow into the country. IMAGE: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Photograph: ANI Photo He clarified that though China has not announced any such move, but even if it happens, it would in fact help mitigate the annual Assam floods. He said that most of Brahmaputra's flow is generated due to downpour in northeast India while glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall contribute to only 30-35 per cent of the river's water flow. In an X post titled 'What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan's New Scare Narrative', he said, 'After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India?" 'Let's dismantle this myth -- not with fear, but with facts and national clarity," he added. Sarma pointed out that even if China were to 'reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year'. 'Meanwhile, Pakistan, which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access under the Indus Water Treaty, now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights,' he said. Sarma claimed that Brahmaputra is a river that grows in India and does not shrink. He pointed out that China contributes only 30-35 per cent of the Brahmaputra's total flow -- mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 65-70 per cent is 'generated within India, thanks to the torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya'. Major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili also contribute to it while additional inflow comes in from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi, Sarma said. "At the India-China border (Tuting), the flow of the river is ~2,000-3,000 m/s while in the plains of Assam like Guwahati, the flow swells to 15,000-20,000 m/s during monsoon," he added. The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream -- it is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory, Sarma said. 'Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source -- it is powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilisational resilience,' he added. Public Witness and Prayer Vigil to be Held at the Chinese Embassy in Remembrance of the 36th Memorial of the Tiananmen Square Massacre--Wednesday June 4 NEWS PROVIDED BY Christian Defense Coalition June 3, 2025 WASHINGTON, June 3, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ A public witness and prayer vigil is planned to be held at the Chinese Embassy in remembrance of the 36th Memorial of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. The event will be on Wednesday, June 4 at 12:00 PM. The Embassy is located at 3505 International Pl NW, Washington, DC 20008. As part of the public witness, human right's activists will lay red fabric and photos on the public sidewalk at the Chinese Embassy's front door. The fabric and photos will be a visible reminder of the violence and bloodshed by the Chinese Army against thousands of peaceful student democracy protesters murdered in Tiananmen Square. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition, will also be praying for human rights and freedom in China and Hong Kong. Rev. Mahoney has been an international voice for human rights and freedom in China for over 40 years. He participated in the first public prayer vigil for the students killed in Tiananmen Square during the 2008 Beijing Olympics with other activists. They were arrested and threatened with a 6-month prison sentence. Rev. Mahoney is currently banned from China for his human rights work. Regarding the Tiananmen Square demonstration at the Chinese Embassy, Rev. Mahoney comments: "We are gathering at the Chinese Embassy on the 36th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre to remember and honor thousands of heroic students who were murdered and brutalized by the Chinese Army in their historic struggle for freedom. "We will be laying red fabric and photos at the front door of the Embassy as a powerful visual reminder of the violence and bloodshed these students experienced and the continued brutality against those who continue to seek freedom in China. We will also be praying for human rights in China and Hong Kong as we ask God to comfort and give strength all those who are now imprisoned and facing genocide. "America, and the free nations of the world, must always remember the violence of Tiananmen Square and passionately work to ensure dignity, equality and freedom for the people of China. "We echo the words of Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel, as he says; 'We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.'" For more information or interviews contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741. SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741 BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijan continues to cement its position as a global leader in the energy sector, political analyst Azer Garayev said in an interview with Trend. The ongoing 30th Baku Energy Forum and Baku Energy Week have once again positioned Azerbaijan at the center of regional and global attention in the energy sector. This forum is not just a continuation of traditional energy exhibitions. It is a major international platform that showcases Azerbaijans strategic vision in energy policy, its contribution to global cooperation, and its long-term plans. President Ilham Aliyevs address at the forums opening ceremony clearly outlined both the countrys achievements and future goals in the energy field, Garayev said. Garayev noted that the thirtieth anniversary of the forum marks a significant milestone in Azerbaijans post-independence energy policy. Over these 30 years, Azerbaijan has not only brought its energy resources to global markets but has also rebuilt its infrastructure, becoming a reliable partner internationally. As President Ilham Aliyev highlighted during the events opening ceremony, Azerbaijan today stands as a nation defined by political stability and a steadily advancing economy, 'The share of oil and gas in our GDP is something more than 30 percent. Azerbaijan is implementing large-scale economic reforms, and our economy is self-sufficient. Our foreign debt is less than 7 percent 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 percent,' the head of the state said. Garayev pointed out that the countrys energy strategy, initiated by the signing of the Contract of the Century in 1994, has not only secured economic independence but also significantly enhanced Azerbaijans geopolitical standing. He highlighted key infrastructure projects such as the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (BTE) pipelines, the Southern Gas Corridor, and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which have integrated Azerbaijan into the international energy network. Today, Garayev said, Azerbaijan plays a unique role in Europes energy security. Energy security is a top priority for leading global powers. In this regard, Azerbaijan has become a strategic partner for the continent. As President Aliyev highlighted, we are currently exporting gas to 12 countries, up from eight last year. '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,' he stated. In essence, this underscores Azerbaijans emergence as one of Europes key gas suppliers. Particularly in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, as Europe sought alternative energy sources, Azerbaijan stood out as a dependable and time-tested partner," he said. He emphasized that the strategic partnership agreement signed with the EU and frequent visits by European Commission leaders to Baku point to a future of robust and multifaceted cooperation. Azerbaijan is not only a gas supplier but also a politically stable and reliable transit country, Garayev said. The political analyst also addressed Azerbaijans green energy agenda. Our ambitions in this area are high. As President Aliyev said, even though we are rich in oil and gas, we are investing in green energy alongside foreign partners. '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,' he stated. Today, Azerbaijan holds a leading position across all segments of the regional energy landscape from oil and gas to green energy and transit infrastructure. Karabakh and East Zangezur have been designated as green energy zones, with substantial potential for solar and hydropower development. At the same time, wind energy projects are underway in the Caspian Sea. All of this provides a strong foundation to confidently say that Azerbaijan is poised to become a regional leader in renewable energy in the years ahead," he said. Garayev noted that hundreds of companies from dozens of countries are participating in the events held within the Baku Energy Forum. The forum brought together heads of state, high-level government officials, and executives from leading transnational energy companies a testament to Bakus growing role as a key hub of international energy diplomacy. In his address to the participants, President Ilham Aliyev clearly articulated the core principles and strategic priorities guiding the countrys energy policy. 'This important event serves as a significant platform for presenting our achievements in the energy sector and discussing future priorities'. Today, we are participating in the 30th edition a jubilee event which once again affirms its successful history and importance,' the head of the state said. This message highlights Azerbaijans reliability not just in technical capacity but also in political credibility. In todays energy sector, geopolitical stability, long-term planning, and legal transparency are criticaland Azerbaijan meets all these criteria, he said. Ashok Mehlan's daughter Sheetal is among the first batch of girls to graduate from NDA. IMAGE: Sheetal Mehlan, the NDA Graduate. Photographs: Kind courtesy Ashok Mehlan Ashok Mehlan had chosen his attire carefully for what was easily the biggest day for his family. Wearing a crisp white shirt and beige pants, he made it a point to put on sunglasses. The sunglasses were not as much to shield him from the glare of the bright morning sun; but to hide the constant welling of tears in his proud eyes. His 21-year-old daughter Sheetal was among the first batch of 17 girls to graduate along with 300 male cadets from the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, Pune. Accompanied by his wife and son Tejas, he had travelled to NDA to see her at the grand passing out parade last week. When the family met cadet Sheetal after the parade under the majestic Sudan Block, the building at the heart of the academy, tears of unbridles joy flowed out under Mr Mehlan's sunglasses. "I was overwhelmed. My daughter along with 16 other daughters was celebrating her success. I hugged my child and the tears just flowed," says the resident of Sonipat in Haryana who runs a small business. "Our dreams have come true." IMAGE: Sheetal, third from left, at the Parade Ground. That morning at the parade, the Mehlans had kept their eyes peeled on the marching columns trying to spot their daughter, but it was impossible to distinguish one cadet from the other because of the sameness of uniform and haircuts. "My wife finally spotted her just as she crossed us. I was able to get a fleeting look. It felt so good," says Mr Mehlan whose wife's maternal grandfather was the only soldier in the family. "My daughter will be the first army officer from our family. She has brought the family great honour." Hailing from a state that sends a great number of personnel and officers in the armed forces, the maximum number of girl cadets in the NDA is also from Haryana. The first batch of girls joined NDA in August 2022. Since then five more batches have joined. In a reply to the Rajya Sabha in March 2025, the minister of state for defence stated that 32 of the 121 girls cadets in the academy hailed from Haryana. IMAGE: The proud Mehlan family: Ashok Mehlan with wife, Sheetal and son Tejas. Mr Mehlan says his daughter began preparing for entrance test the moment she heard of the Supreme Court's decision to open the NDA for girls in a landmark ruling in 2021. Women armed forces officers have been inducted through the Officers Training Academy in Chennai since 1992. However, the OTA takes in candidates who have completed graduation and trainees undergo a year-long course. To be eligible for the NDA entrance exam, candidates need a Class 12 pass certificate. Training at NDA is for three years. The first batch of girls entered NDA in August 2022. Sheetal cleared the NDA written examination at a centre in Chandigarh and appeared for the Service Selection Board interview in Prayagraj. The SSB is a tough interview process conducted over 5 days. She passed that too, but encountered an obstacle in the medical fitness test. Passing the test is mandatory for entry into defence training academies. Overweight by 7 to 8 kgs, the military hospital gave her 40 days to shed the extra kilos and report back. From that moment Sheetal set course on a mission to overcome that hurdle. She cut down on food, ran, swam and went to the gym every day. Forty days later when she went back to the Base hospital in Delhi, she had dropped 9 kgs instead of the required 8. "When she told me 'Papa, I have cleared', we partied there and then in the hospital canteen. She ate to her heart's content," says Mr Mehlan giving a sense of the hard work behind a cadet's journey. "She had jazba [passion] for the armed forces and was determined to make it." IMAGE: The girl cadets pose for a photograph. Finally when the joining letter arrived, she accessed it on her phone after swimming classes. Her mother was with her and they both came to Mr Mehlan's office to break the news. "Then we were finally sure that she was going to the academy." Three days later, he dropped her at NDA. Three months later when she came home for a holiday by the NDA special train that dropped her at Delhi railway station, the family was taken aback with her remarkable transformation. "Her long hair had been cut short and she followed such a structured discipline. Her way of talking, walking and the way she conducted herself had completely changed." At the end of three years, she has undergone a sea change, he says. "We are also learning from her. She is an epitome of courtesy and officer-like qualities and a fine example for her brother," says Mr Mehlan. Cadet Sheetal Malhan will join the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in July for another year's training. Next year, she will pass out of IMA and be commissioned into the Indian Army as an officer. "She is our pride," says her father who cannot wait to see his daughter in her officer's uniform. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff 'I woke up and I'm like Oh damn! It's hit 1 million views.' 'Yeah it was crazy.' IMAGE: DJ AJ performs. All photographs: Kind courtesy DJ AJ Mumbai-born DJ AJ turned Wall Street into a dance floor last week with his electrifying desi beats. The planners for Indian American Varun Navani and Amanda Sol's wedding celebrations roped in the DJ based on their past work together. Usually dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, unlike the flamboyant image one associates with DJs, this unassuming artist could easily pass off as a Wall Street executive. Yet he is one of the most sought-after celebrity DJs on the wedding circuit. From spinning tracks at high-profile events like Siddharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani's wedding to bringing his signature energy to desi celebrations worldwide, AJ has carved a niche for himself. Offstage, he's a devoted dad to two little girls who, even as toddlers couldn't help but bust a move to his infectious mashups. DJ AJ relives the unforgettable day he set Manhattan grooving with his beats in this conversation with US Special Correspondent Abhijit J Masih. IMAGE: DJ AJ vibing to his mix. How old are you and why this very un-DJ like appearance? I'm 35. And that's just me being me. I'm not getting into the role of tattoos and oversized clothes. Basically just being in a simple minimal shirt... also the kind of events that I am doing you need to be dressed in a particular manner. There's always going to be the performance and the music. I don't think the appearance or any of that should matter because then you're looking in the wrong direction. Where can one find you spinning on a regular weekend? If I had a weekend free I would be at some club of course, but since a couple of years I barely get a weekend free. There's always some private event or a wedding or a birthday, anniversary, some corporate event. So I'm not getting enough time for a club show. IMAGE: New York streets come alive to DJ AJ's music. How did you get into DJing for weddings? In most cases the teams reach out and ask us if we can play. I used to do only clubs back in the day, between 2008 and 2014. I was doing clubs primarily but then you get that one event for a wedding and then one becomes two and so on. It's word of mouth. I would say the club space sort of died down with the whole bar culture picking up. By then I had already sort of branched out, made a name in the wedding and private events space. IMAGE: DJ AJ creating the mix. When did you know that you would be playing at this wedding in New York? What was the brief? Basically the planners reached out. They said just do your kind of thing but just keep in mind that it's an Indian origin boy and an American girl, there will be people coming in from India. A majority will be Indians but not from India. So we did a balanced set. Also understanding the demographics was very important and crucial because that would play on my mind in terms of the kind of music we can do. You mentioned that Varun and Amanda's wedding was a fusion of cultures. How did you tailor the music to honour both sides while keeping it lit? For the baraat, for example, it was basically 80% Indian music -- Bollywood and Punjabi. But then I also did like 20% of Western music. I sort of mixed it up with Indian beats and songs so that it gives that feel of a baraat, but the vocals could be English. IMAGE: DJ AJ at work. Did you ever imagine a baraat going this viral? I had no idea. We just posted it and then I went to sleep because I was jet lagged. I woke up and I'm like 'Oh damn! It's hit 1 million views.' Yeah it was crazy. Any standout reactions from the crowd and onlookers? Beyond the barricades there were bystanders, they would start removing cameras and they were also shaking a leg. That was fun, watching that energy come to life. Of course, the baraatis were having fun, but the people around were like so excited, dancing and grooving. It was great. The energy was amazing and to just observe that from the top was just an experience in itself. Also, we got good weather that day, so we got lucky. IMAGE: DJ AJ at a club. Do you feed off the crowd, or are the sets pre-planned? Nothing is pre-planned. I do everything impromptu. What was the reaction from Varun and Amanda? Did they compliment you? I met them and had good conversations with them. They loved it. They said, 'You nailed it.' They were really happy. What's that one song that never fails to blow up a desi wedding? Something that has a little more meaning like Tenu Leke. It just gets the boys' side a little charged up. SEE: How New York's streets came alive with DJ AJ's desi vibes. Video: Kind courtesy DJ AJ Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. High 86F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. BRATTLEBORO With more graffiti tied to antisemitism reported to local police and violent incidents happening through the U.S., members of the Jewish community are feeling rattled. "Yesterday afternoon, I reported more Aryan Brotherhood (a known neo-Nazi/white supremacist gang) graffiti spray painted on a fence in downtown to the Brattleboro Police Department," a concerned citizen, who asked not to be identified out of fear of retaliation, said Monday. "It was the second incident in the past month in downtown Brattleboro. The police are investigating and said they are taking the incidents seriously." The concerned citizen described being "horrified to see that there had been another antisemitic attack" on the news Sunday night. Twelve Jewish people were injured in Boulder, Colo. "This comes less than two weeks after two Israeli Embassy workers were murdered outside of the Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. and two months after the arson attack on Gov. Shapiro in Pennsylvania," the citizen said. "The rise in antisemitic events in this country and around the world are real, and it is very scary for Jewish communities. The Jews in Brattleboro are no exception." Although the community is small and rural, the citizen said, "we are not separated from the reality of this." "Jews are being targeted, attacked, injured and even murdered regardless of their stance on Gaza or their religious practices," the citizen said. "Being critical of Israel or calling for a ceasefire are not inherently antisemitic, in fact many Jews here in Brattleboro and around the world stand in solidarity against violence on the Palestinian people and are fighting for an end to the war." The citizen called for condemning "hate and violence in all its forms in order to ensure everyones safety and create a supportive environment for all people," and for following the Declaration of Inclusion signed by the Brattleboro Select Board in 2022. "Lets do our part to continue to make everyone feel safe and welcome in our community," the citizen said, citing a part of the declaration. Brattleboro Police investigate hate symbol vandalism BRATTLEBORO Police are investigating vandalism downtown that involved graffiti with hate symbols. In April, local police said they were investigating vandalism downtown that involved graffiti with hate symbols. The symbols were believed to be associated with the Aryan Brotherhood and neo-Nazism. "This type of hate and destruction is not welcome and will not be tolerated in our town, especially on a school playground where children should feel safe from this type of behavior," the Brattleboro Police Department said via social media. The Committee Against Antisemitism at Brattleboro Area Jewish Community said at the time that the incident concerns it "a great deal," and it "would definitely like to get more information about it." Defacing the town with "symbols of hatred is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," the committee said. "Everyone should feel safe here in Brattleboro." "We are reaching out to our networks through our Ready Response Team to learn more about these incidents and how we might be able to support or respond," Derrick Miller-Handley, communications director for the Root Social Justice Center in Brattleboro, said Tuesday. Miller-Handley called the reports "very concerning." "Acts of hate have no place in our community and we unequivocally condemn, and reject, displays of antisemitic, white supremacist, ideology," Miller-Handley said. "They are designed to intimidate and spread fear, and just as our work for racial justice strives for collective liberation, we stand in solidarity with all who are targeted by acts of hate." Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Meridian Energy billing platform subsidiary Flux is slashing staff after its parent selected UK company Kraken as the new core technology partner for its retail business. Meridian told shareholders today it would be considering the future of the Flux subsidiary beyond supporting the transition to Kraken. In the meantime, Flux had implemented a new structure to reflect the focus on customer migration, reducing its workforce from 121 to 68. Interim Flux CEO Bharat Ratanpal will return to his role as Meridian chief information officer on 1 July, with Flux management to report into Meridians retail business. The Flux team is first-rate, and its billing platform has done an excellent job for Meridian and Powershop, but the retail landscape is changing, and we now need a much broader technology stack, Meridian chief customer officer Lisa Hannifin said. Last May Meridian announced Flux was stepping away from international growth opportunities and refocusing on its core customers in the New Zealand and Australian markets. Fluxs other customer, Shell Energy, has a contract through to September 2026. Meridians retail business supports 400,000 homes and businesses through the Meridian and Powershop retail brands. The scope of the new Kraken contract includes a new billing platform that will play a key role as part of a broader technology stack to underpin the delivery of Meridians new retail strategy. Cloud computing is driving digital transformation in Aotearoa, but new research from Spark indicates most local businesses are not yet equipped to fully use the technology. Sparks State of Cloud 2025 report, shows a growing disconnect between the strategic importance of cloud and the readiness of organisations to use it effectively. While 70% of New Zealand businesses acknowledge the critical role of cloud in their future growth, only 34% had the infrastructure, governance, and technical maturity needed to unlock its full potential. The research, based on a survey of 400 IT decisionmakers, found many organisations were not investing in the governance oversight and technical skills required to make the most of this technology. Cloud infrastructure is not just a tool for storing data or running applications it is the engine driving the next wave of technological innovation, the report said. Without strong cloud foundations, businesses risk falling behind in their ability to leverage emerging technologies to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and innovate at scale. Despite this gap, investment in cloud technology is accelerating. Research house IDC forecasts indicates New Zealands public cloud spend will nearly double from $5B in 2024 to $9.6B by 2028, generating over $22 billion in new revenue over the next four years. Spark customer director Mark Beder emphasised the importance of governance in enhancing business capability and urged executives to collaborate with IT departments to approach cloud and AI investments strategically. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with Olivier Boucal, Senegal's Minister of Public Service and Public Service Reform, Trend reports. Emphasizing that Azerbaijan places great importance on developing relations with African countries, particularly Senegal, Prime Minister Asadov hailed the cooperation between the two countries within international organizations. The parties highlighted the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Azerbaijans ASAN Khidmet and Senegals Ministry of Public Service and Public Service Reform. They also discussed prospects for expanding Azerbaijani-Senegalese cooperation across various sectors. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A Romanian citizen pleaded guilty on June 2 in Washington, D.C., to taking part in a plot to use swatting calls and bomb threats to intimidate and threaten dozens of US officials. Thomasz Szabo, 26, who was extradited from Romania in November 2024, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of making bomb threats. Szabo admitted targeting more than 75 officials, four religious institutions, and multiple journalists as part of a campaign of intimidation, the US Justice Department said in a news release. Officials said Szabo targeted private residences, including the homes and families of senior government officials. Szabo was the founder and leader of an online community that engaged in bomb threats and swatting starting in late 2020, according to court documents. Szabo's subordinates boasted of "creating massive havoc" in the United States and costing Americans hundreds of thousands of dollars, the department said. False reports known as swatting attacks are meant to provoke a large police response at the home of the person targeted. Officials say they drain resources and can result in injury or even death. Szabos targeted and ruthless behavior put countless people in danger, including law enforcement, public officials, and ordinary citizens, said Jeanine Ferris Pirro, US Attorney for Washington, D.C., in the news release. The Justice Department said members of Szabos group targeted at least 25 members of Congress or their family members, six then-current or former senior US federal officials, and at least 13 then-current or former senior federal law enforcement officials. Others targeted included members of the federal judiciary, state government officials, and journalists. The groups activities also included threats to commit a mass-shooting at New York City synagogues and detonate explosives at the US Capitol and kill then-President-elect Joe Biden. Szabo, who is scheduled to be sentenced in October, was charged with Nemanja Radovanovic, 21, of Serbia. Charges against Radovanovic are still pending. When the European Commission started briefing EU states last month on the next sanctions package expected to be imposed on Russia, the 27 member nations expected concrete written proposals to follow. They're still waiting. Normally these sorts of documents -- in this case the potential 18th round of restrictive measures since the Kremlins full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched more three years ago -- are provided only a few days after the briefings, or confessionals as they are known in Brussels. The documents outline details of what the commission is considering about targeting. In turn, EU members provide red lines as to what they are willing to agree on since all sanctions require unanimity. So what's the holdup? Two things. The first is that some EU member states -- including larger ones such as Germany and France -- wanted to wait and see how June 2 peace talks in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine proceeded. Several EU officials told RFE/RL on the condition of anonymity that they don't believe Moscow is serious about making progress in negotiations with Kyiv and wanted to wait and see the results. Aside from agreeing to swap thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops, the two sides made no progress toward ending Europe's longest and deadliest conflict since World War II. Then there is the United States. So far, President Donald Trump has refrained from targeting Moscow with sanctions even though he has threatened to do so on numerous occasions. The reason given is the same as the Europeans: he wants to give the Russia-Ukraine negotiations every chance possible to succeed. And Brussels is desperate to have Washington onboard on for any new sanctions. European diplomats say they are relieved that the US hasnt, at least so far, accepted a rushed, bad peace deal, or that the Americans simply haven't walked away from the issue despite threatening to. And while they admit that sanctions are no longer synchronized like they were during the Biden administration, they are still keen to coordinate any coming round of measures to maximize their impact and message. Sanctions from Washington may also help coax some EU countries such as Hungary -- run by Trump ally Viktor Orban -- to go along with another wave of measures despite voicing concerns over their effectiveness. So, what would the 18th package contain? EU diplomats familiar with the file note that one particular item would require American consent: lowering the G7 Russian oil price cap to $45. The cap has held at $60 for years even though oil prices have traded below that level. The idea is that the leaders formally will agree to decrease the price cap to at least $50 when they meet at the G7 Summit in Canada on June 15-17. The groups finance ministers couldnt reach an agreement in May as Washington resisted the move. Some EU officials told RFE/RL that they believe there could be movement on the issue soon. Much like the EUs 17th package that was adopted on May 20, the new measures include blacklisting more individuals and targeting the Russian shadow fleet. On the latter, the EU has targeted more than 300 vessels that the bloc believes Moscow uses to circumvent sanctions, notably the export of oil. With an additional 600 boats believed to be part of the fleet, the goal of the upcoming measures is to add as many as those as possible even if European diplomats admit it is a challenge to find evidence that stands up in court proving that the Kremlin is financing the ships. More visa bans and asset freezes are also expected, with the EU looking to add another 100 individuals and companies to a sprawling list of those sanctioned that exceeds 2,400 entries. The European Commission also could propose reintroducing those previously removed from the blacklist. Another move could be to hit Russian diplomats who have been posted in various European countries and are suspected of spying on behalf of Moscow. The proposal also includes sanctions on the Nordstream pipelines connecting Russia with Germany. No gas is flowing through them at the moment, but Berlin has indicated that it wants formal measures to apply as some talks have resurfaced in the country about using them again in case relations with Moscow improve. There is also an idea to cut more than 20 Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system, even though most of the countrys big banks already have been targeted. The Russian foreign direct investment fund could also be hit, and the bloc is planning to introduce trade restrictions that would prevent European companies from exporting various industrial components that Russia may use to fuel its war machine. In the meantime, EU members will have to wait for the commission to write down its proposals. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) shared a video on June 3 it described as a strike on the bridge linking mainland Russia with the occupied Crimean peninsula. The SBU said it used 1,100 kilograms of explosives to hit the bridge's supports. Russian sources said traffic across the Kerch Strait reopened hours after the attack. The bridge, opened in 2018, is a key supply route for Russia's military and a symbol of Moscow's claims to Crimea, which it illegally annexed in 2014. Even before Ukrainian and Russian negotiators faced off across the conference room at Istanbul's famed Ciragan Palace on June 2, there was scant optimism for substantive progress toward peace. After just about an hour of talks, it was clear even that was an overly rosy expectation. And if that wasn't clear enough, Russia's pugilistic former president hammered home the point a day later. "The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone else's delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction of the neo-Nazi regime," Dmitry Medvedev, who is now a top official on the Russian Security Council, said in a post on Telegram. The second round of negotiations to resolve Europe's largest land war since World War II ended with even less of an outcome than the first round. Last month's initial talks were the first time Kyiv and Moscow had sat down face-to-face since the weeks just after Russia's all-out invasion in February 2022. Ukraine sent a high-level group of officials; Russia sent a delegation headed by Vladimir Medinsky, a blunt, former culture minister with a penchant for historical revisionism. That they agreed to exchange up to 1,000 prisoners of war was seen as a success. Proposals For Peace In the run-up to the June 2 talks, the two sides were expected to exchange their specific proposals for a framework deal for peace. Ukraine, which said it had transmitted its plan ahead of time to the Kremlin, called for, among other things, an unconditional, 30-day cease-fire, plus the exchange of all prisoners of war, as well as the return of Ukrainian children that Kyiv said have been abducted by Russia. As before, Ukraine sent Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Russia refused to share its plan ahead of time, which was seen as a bad sign. More ominous was that Medinsky was again the delegation's head. "It would be wrong to expect any immediate breakthroughs at the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on June 3. When the Russian document was finally released, to the state news agency TASS, it confirmed observers' worst fears about Moscow's conditions for peace. Among other things, the Russian proposal calls for the international recognition of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow annexed in 2014, as well as the four Ukrainian regions that are partially occupied by Russian forces. The text even refers to the regions collectively as "Novorossiya" -- or "New Russia" -- which is a historical term used during the Russian Empire to describe lands that are now Ukrainian. The Russian text calls for Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the territories claimed by Russia within 30 days of the cease-fire. It also calls for Ukraine to forego joining NATO and demobilize its armed forces, and a halving of foreign military aid to Kyiv. "Talking about the meaning of this memorandum would only matter if we believed that the Russian delegation as a whole had some sincere intentions regarding these negotiationsthat they also want to put an end to this war," said Kirill Martynov, editor in chief of the exiled Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europa. "But everything we see so far isconnected to the fact that the Russian side is confident it is winning the war -- that they just need to wait a little longer, press harder, finish it off, as Putin said, and Ukraine will fall," he told Current Time. On the battlefield itself, Russia is ramping up its tempo of operations, with a full offensive expected soon. Russia maintains the upper hand, with more men and more weaponry at its disposal, and its forces are grinding forward in several locations. Ukrainian officials have warned the northeast region of Sumy could be a priority in any coming offensive. Kyiv also made sure its approach was abundantly clear on the eve of the talks, when it pulled off an audacious surprise drone attack on multiple Russian airfields housing dozens of Russian strategic bombers that have been used to pummel Ukraine with cruise missiles. But while Ukraine has been praised for ingenuity, particularly with drone warfare, it has struggled with recruiting and keeping its frontline trenches and foxholes fully manned against Russian infantry assaults -- not to mention Russia's own vast drone fleet. The Wild Card White House The other wild card is the White House. President Donald Trump has said he is impatient with the pace of negotiations and threatened to pull the United States out entirely from the effort. But Trump and his advisers have also signaled frustration with Putin, who has been eager to rebuild relations with Washington after a decade of acrimony. "It looks like the Russians are again stalling for time, trying to create a 'picture of diplomacy' for the United States without real action," Umerov wrote in a post on his Facebook page. Trump's Senate Republican allies, with Democratic support, are pushing forward with legislation that would impose major new sanctions on Moscow. That's an effort officials in Washington said is quietly being coordinated with the White House, though Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal were vocal about their stance during a tour of Europe -- which included a stop in Ukraine -- over the past week. "What I learned on this trip was he's preparing for more war," Graham said of Putin said in an interview with the Associated Press. Blumenthal called the sanctions proposed in the legislation "bone-crushing" and said they would place Russia's economy "on a trade island." "It is crunch time for Putin and for the world because Russia is mounting a new offensive," he said. Gunners in a Ukrainian artillery crew in the Sumy region that borders Russia say they are seeing daily infantry attacks by Russian forces -- but they're mainly on foot, not in armored vehicles. The unit says it is targeting Russian troops and their supply lines as Moscow builds up forces for an expected summer offensive. The soldiers believe their work will not be ending any time soon, despite ongoing peace talks between representatives of Ukraine and Russia. Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I am drilling down on two issues: NATO's new spending targets and why the EU is waiting for the United States when it comes to more Russia sanctions. Briefing #1: NATO's New Targets What You Need To Know: NATO defense ministers meet on June 5 in a last ministerial meeting before the big annual NATO summit on June 24-25, when the military alliance's 32 heads of state and government, including US President Donald Trump, gather at The Hague. The meeting is about one thing only: cash. This is when officials are set to agree on the next NATO spending target. As most alliance members now spend 2 percent of GDP on defense, the next goal is 3.5 percent in so-called hard spending, meaning military capabilities such as tanks, rockets, and ammunition. According to NATO officials who spoke to RFE/RL, only Spain seems to have problems with the 3.5 percent headline, but it's expected to relent at the ministerial. Spain is one of only a few countries still not clearing the 2 percent baseline, having only reached 1.28 percent last year; the budgeted military spending increase it was hoping for appears to be stuck for now. The issue in Madrid is related to the center-left government's long-held promise to coalition partners to get Catalan, Basque, and Galician to become official EU languages -- something that requires unanimity among EU member states, which Spain failed to secure when it came up on the agenda in Brussels on May 27. While the issue hasn't been entirely dismissed yet, no date has been set for a potential decision on the issue. Deep Background: The 3.5 percent target is not the only thing that needs deciding. There should also be a 1.5 percent of GDP spending goal on what could be called soft targets, bringing total defense spending up to 5 percent of GDP. One of the big issues now, with negotiations likely to continue right up till the summit, is what can be included in that 1.5 percent. It would certainly include boosting civil preparedness and cyberdefense, but allies are lobbying to put pretty much anything in there -- rumor has it Germany wants to include financing for its Deutsche Welle media broadcasting. There are two more questions that may not be resolved anytime soon: the timeline for reaching the target and how exactly to do so. The year 2032 has been mentioned, but that may well be pushed back to 2035, with officials saying it's unrealistic for every country to boost defense spending before then as there are low growth and considerable budget deficits to contend with. There is a real discussion on the method of how to reach the target with NATO officials pushing for a 0.2 percent spending increase every year. Most countries, however, don't want such a detailed plan and prefer spending in spurts when money is available. This would mean their defense spending could jump considerably during a year when they place a major order of tanks or airplanes, for example -- and ideally this would come nearer the 3.5 percent target deadline. Drilling Down: So where does the United States stand in all of this? It's been Trump, after all, who's hammered home to European NATO allies that they need to spend more. European diplomats I have spoken to say Washington simply wants the 3.5 percent in writing in The Hague and doesn't really care what the other 1.5 percent involves. But there's also a grand transatlantic bargain to be had. The United States would like for a potential European defense splurge to benefit American weapon manufacturers. But with supply chains stretched in North America, it could make sense to set up more American production in Europe. In other words: buy American, in Europe. Think of the Patriot systems that will be made in Germany or F-35 aircraft production in Italy. So what about Ukraine? There will at least be a session of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the defense ministerial on June 5, something that seems unlikely at the Hague summit with the presence of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy still unconfirmed. at the defense ministerial on June 5, something that seems unlikely at the Hague summit with the presence of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy still unconfirmed. The day before the ministerial meeting, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein group), an alliance of 57 countries, will meet to coordinate military aid for Kyiv. With the United States no longer in the lead, Germany and the United Kingdom are now co-chairing the group with more announcements of military aid expected. NATO allies provided 50 billion euros to Ukraine in 2024, and the goal is to provide another 40 billion this year. More than 20 billion euros have been pledged so far, but there is still a fear that target won't be reached as countries will be prioritizing their own defenses and the United States signaled it might not send more arms to Kyiv as it seeks a negotiated end to the fighting. Briefing #2: The EU's Next Sanctions On Russia. What's Next And When Can They Be Expected? What You Need To Know: When the European Commission started briefing EU states last month on the next sanctions package expected to be imposed on Russia, the 27 member nations expected concrete written proposals to follow. They're still waiting. Normally these sorts of documents -- in this case the potential 18th round of restrictive measures since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched more three years ago -- are provided only a few days after the briefings, or "confessionals" as they are known in Brussels. The documents outline details of what the commission is considering about targeting. In turn, EU members provide red lines as to what they are willing to agree on since all sanctions require unanimity. Deep Background: So what's the holdup? Two things. The first is that some EU member states -- including larger ones such as Germany and France -- wanted to wait and see how June 2 peace talks in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine proceeded. Several EU officials told RFE/RL on the condition of anonymity that they don't believe Moscow is serious about making progress in negotiations with Kyiv and wanted to wait and see the results. Aside from agreeing to swap thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops, the two sides made no progress toward ending Europe's longest and deadliest conflict since World War II. Then there is the United States. So far, President Donald Trump has refrained from targeting Moscow with sanctions even though he has threatened to do so on numerous occasions. The reason given is the same as the Europeans: he wants to give the Russia-Ukraine negotiations every chance possible to succeed. Brussels is desperate to have Washington onboard on for any new sanctions. European diplomats say they are relieved the US hasn't, at least so far, accepted "a rushed, bad peace deal," or that the Americans simply haven't walked away from the issue despite threatening to. And while they admit that sanctions are no longer synchronized like they were during the Biden administration, they are still keen to coordinate any coming round of measures to maximize their impact and message. Sanctions from Washington may also help coax some EU countries such as Hungary -- run by Trump ally Viktor Orban -- to go along with another wave of measures despite voicing concerns over their effectiveness. Drilling Down: So, what would the 18th package contain? EU diplomats familiar with the file note that one particular item would require American consent: lowering the G7 Russian oil price cap to $45.The cap has held at $60 for years even though oil prices have traded below that level. The idea is that the leaders formally will agree to decrease the price cap to at least $50 when they meet at the G7 Summit in Canada on June 15-17. The group's finance ministers couldn't reach an agreement in May as Washington resisted the move. Some EU officials told RFE/RL that they believe there could be movement on the issue soon. Much like the EU's 17th package that was adopted on May 20, the new measures include blacklisting more individuals and targeting the Russian shadow fleet. On the latter, the EU has targeted more than 300 vessels that the bloc believes Moscow uses to circumvent sanctions, notably the export of oil. With an additional 600 boats believed to be part of the fleet, the goal of the upcoming measures is to add as many as those as possible even if European diplomats admit it is a challenge to find evidence that stands up in court proving that the Kremlin is financing the ships. More visa bans and asset freezes are also expected, with the EU looking to add another 100 individuals and companies to a sprawling list of those sanctioned that exceeds 2,400 entries. The European Commission also could propose reintroducing those previously removed from the blacklist. Another move could be to hit Russian diplomats who have been posted in various European countries and are suspected of spying on behalf of Moscow. The proposal also includes sanctions on the Nordstream pipelines connecting Russia with Germany. No gas is flowing through them at the moment, but Berlin has indicated that it wants formal measures to apply as some talks have resurfaced in the country about using them again in case relations with Moscow improve. There is also an idea to cut more than 20 Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system, even though most of the country's big banks already have been targeted. The Russian foreign direct investment fund could also be hit, and the bloc is planning to introduce trade restrictions that would prevent European companies from exporting various industrial components that Russia may use to fuel its war machine. Looking Ahead On June 4, the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) are set to give the green light to Bulgaria to introduce the euro on January 1, 2026. Bulgaria is then set to become the 21st EU member state out of 27 to adopt the common currency. You can read more about what Sofia still needs to do and why not everyone in the country is happy about this move here. That's all for this week! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on X @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org . Until next time, Rikard Jozwiak If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition subscribe here . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again accused Russia of "deliberately" targeting civilian infrastructure after a wave of air strikes early on June 3 killed four people and injured at least 20 others in the Sumy region that is next to the Russian border. "The Russians launched a savage strike on Sumy -- directly targeting the city and its ordinary streets with rocket artillery. It was a fully deliberate attack on civilians," Zelenskyy said in a post on social media. The Kremlin did not react immediately to Zelenskyy's accusation, but have repeatedly denied Russian troops purposely target Ukrainian civilian installations. Russian troops have waged an intense campaign in the Sumy region in recent weeks after President Vladimir Putin ordered the creation of a "buffer zone" on Ukrainian territory to shield Russian borders regions from attack. Russia says it has captured several villages in the region, and on June 3 said it was now in control of Andriyivka. Ukrainian officials, who have said they expect Russia is preparing for a summer offensive, have not confirmed the fall of Andriyivka. Several Killed In Sumy In Latest Russian Attack On Ukraine No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:47 0:00 Local authorities in Sumy said the strikes hit an apartment building, three private homes, a warehouse, a garage, and a hospital building. "Among the injured is a 17-year-old child. There are also people in serious condition," Oleh Hryhorov, the regional governor, said. Explosions were also heard in the port city of Odesa, local media reported, though details were not immediately available. The June 3 strikes come a day after Ukraine and Russia agreed to another large-scale prisoner swap but little else during a second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul that lasted just over an hour. Expectations, low to begin with, were tempered further after Ukraine said a day earlier that it had hit dozens of long-range Russian bombers with a wave of drones launched remotely after being smuggled into Russia. Both delegations presented their drafts of so-called memoranda -- documents on the principles of peace negotiations and possible conditions for a cease-fire to put a halt to Europe's largest and deadliest conflict since World War II. Ukraine's delegation leader, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, said the sides 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." Umerov's Russian counterpart, Vladimir Medinsky, said the exchange would involve "at least 1,000" on each side, a figure that exceeds the 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange carried out after the first round of talks last month. But on a cease-fire, neither side reported any progress. Russian media published the text of Moscow's memorandum, which included harsh demands such as giving up territory, halting military mobilization, and a timetable for holding elections, that both Kyiv and the West have already rejected. "It is obvious: without global pressure without decisive actions from the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who has the power Putin will not agree even to a ceasefire," Zelenskyy said in his social media post. "Not a single day goes by without Russia striking Ukrainian cities and villages. Every day, we lose our people to Russian terror. Every day, Russia gives new reasons for tougher sanctions and stronger support for our defense." Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, said he arrived in Washington together with the first deputy prime minister and other government officials on June 3, to "actively promote issues that are important for Ukraine." "We plan to talk about defense support and the situation on the battlefield, strengthening sanctions against Russia," Yermak said, adding discussions on the bilateral minerals deal that gives the United States preferential access to new Ukrainian mineral projects would be held. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Within the framework of the official visit to the Republic of Kenya, Foreign Minister Bayramov Jeyhun met with the Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, Hon Amason Kingi, in Nairobi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on its X page, Trend reports. "Minister Bayramov emphasized the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation and encouraged the establishment of direct contacts between parliamentary friendship groups and relevant committees to enhance mutual understanding and trust. Both sides agreed on the importance of further strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue and promoting mutual visits," the post reads. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Carrick-on-Shannon based company Brady Insurance has acquired Mannion Insurance, a long-established brokerage based in Strokestown. Both Brady and Mannion Insurance are family-owned, Irish-run businesses with deep ties to their communities and a focus on customer care. The acquisition follows Brady Insurances buy-back of a 51pc stake from Coverys European Holdings (CEH) last December, a Boston-based mutual insurance company. This returned it to full Irish ownership, allowing it to chart its own course. We believe in the strength and future of independent brokers in Ireland - and in putting customer relationships ahead of aggressive scaling targets, said Jane Brady, Managing Director. The addition of Mannion Insurance, a business that shares our values and client-first ethos, is a perfect fit for our vision. The acquisition shows how ambitious Irish-owned firms can work together to create value, innovate, and support local employment. Over four decades Mannion Insurance has earned a reputation for personal service and trust - we aim to build on that legacy by bringing additional resources and digital capabilities to further enhance the customer experience. Headquartered in Carrick-on-Shannon and with an office in Dublin, Brady Insurance employs 40 staff and generated 21 million in gross written premiums last year, providing personal and commercial insurance as well as specialist underwriting services. Founded in 1985 by Jim and Denise Mannion, Mannion Insurance has served both personal and commercial clients. The office in Strokestown will continue to operate with the existing team of eight in place, ensuring continuity for customers. After 40 years serving the people and businesses of Roscommon and beyond, Im proud to see our company continue under the stewardship of another family-run Irish brokerage, said Jim Mannion, founder of Mannion Insurance. We selected Brady Insurances because they share our commitment to personal service, community values, professional excellence and long-standing client relationships. This is a positive step for our staff, our clients, and for the future of independent insurance in Ireland. Commenting on predictions that Irelands 125 locally owned brokers may shrink to just ten dominant players over the next five years Jane Brady said: Theres a place for the big players, but also for firms like ours that are rooted in local knowledge and relationships. Were big enough to deal with large cases, but small enough to know our customers names. Operating from Carrick-on-Shannon, Bradys leadership has grown the firm into a diversified insurance provider. Its specialist unit, Brady Underwriting, has created proprietary systems such as EventInsure.ie, offering scalable cover for community events, large public gatherings, and the creative industries. The company also continues to explore new schemes and technologies to serve evolving customer needs. Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae has committed to visiting West Roscommon to assess the extensive damage caused by the recent wildfires. Local Fine Gael senator Gareth Scahill told a public meeting in Gorthaganny this evening, Tuesday, that Minister Healy-Rae had committed to meeting a local delegation either in West Roscommon or Dublin, and also visiting the affected areas. Senator Scahill said the Minister had made that commitment when he spoke to him earlier today. Speaking at the meeting this evening, Fianna Fail TD Martin Daly said lessons needed to be learned following the recent wildfires and that forests needed to better managed in advance of future "disasters". Independent Ireland Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice said that during Leaders Questions in the Dail with Tanaiste Simon Harris, he had raised the possibility of the reconstitution grant being provided to those whose forestry was affected by the wildfires. Sinn Fein Deputy Claire Kerrane told the public meeting that the only question that remained was what supports would be available for those affected and she would be holding the relevant Ministers to account in this regard. The meeting heard that Minister Christopher O'Sullivan, who has special responsibility for nature, heritage, and biodiversity, had committed to engaging once a report to assess the damage in West Roscommon had been completed. The meeting was also told that local Oireachtas members had written to Roscommon County Council seeking a review of fire services in the county. Several local councillors who spoke, strongly supported the move to re-open Castlerea Fire Station and urged that the necessary supports be provided to those affected. A representative from National Parks and Wildlife Service outlined to the meeting that about 90 per cent of the SAC was badly damaged or burnt. Its estimated that the raging wildfires burnt a total of 1,300 acres of bog and forestry, twenty per cent of which is estimated to be forestry plantation. The fires have also had a destructive impact on the areas rich biodiversity and there are hopes that the SAC, which locates an historic bogwalk, can be restored. Opening the well attended meeting, Seamus Crawley, Chairperson of Gorthaganny Community Development, spoke of the devastation caused by the wildfires and thanked all the local fire services and everybody locally who had worked to keep the fires away from peoples homes. Mr Crawley also spoke about how peoples forestry investments had been severely affected by the fires, which had also damaged a lot of fencing. He said said local people had been affected physically and psychologically by the fires. He said it was a frightening experience for some while others had suffered chest problems because of the thick smoke that had descended on the affected areas. As the meeting concluded, Mr Crawley said he looked forward to the politicians working on the issue and providing clarity on what supports or schemes would be available for people affected by the wildfires and how the SAC could be restored. He said the public meeting was an opportunity to learn from the experience and "what can be improved on if there is another fire". Mr Crawley noted that the local town of Castlerea did not have a fire brigade and that was a "huge loss" to the area. He said another public meeting would be called once there was feedback from politicians. A public meeting is taking place this evening to discuss the extensive damage to forestry, bogland and a special area of conservation in West Roscommon caused by unprecedented wildfires. Organised by Gorthaganny Community Development, the public meeting will take place in the Marian Hall, Gorthaganny, at 8 p.m.. A large attendance is expected at the meeting which will include local politicians and other stakeholders. A plan for the aftermath of the wildfires which ravaged the West Roscommon area more than two weeks ago will be discussed. Widespread destruction was caused across a five kilometre radius in the Gorthaganny, Coney Island, Carrowbehy, and Cloonfower areas. Its estimated that the raging wildfires burnt a total of 1,300 acres of bog and forestry, twenty per cent of which is estimated to be forestry plantation. For Michael Ryan from Brackloon who invested in forestry, the whole experience has been a nightmare. Even before the wildfires hit, Michael was still dealing with the fallout from Storm Eowyn, which knocked about 30% of his trees in his 30-acre forestry plantation at Derrylahan. Michael Ryan concedes he will suffer financially as a result of the fire damage to his forestry investment. Those fallen trees helped the raging wildfire spread because the lying trees burned quicker, and the fire was able to get a grip much easier. He noted that this was the second major fire in the area in the last six weeks, fires which had led to a very stressful period for local communities. From his own perspective, the fires have badly damaged 10 acres of his plantation with some of it completely destroyed. He likened the destruction to a scene out of Armageddon when he arrived at his forestry after getting a call about the fire outbreak on the afternoon of Sunday, May 18th. A full assessment of the extent of the damage to his trees still has to be carried but even at this early stage, he concedes that he will suffer a substantial financial loss. I cant quantify it fully at the moment. I was already carrying a financial hit after the storm, he said. Fearing that he has lost about 10% of his forestry, he conservatively estimates that each acre could fetch 7,000 at a minimum. He may be able to claim a percentage back on insurance but admits the investment value will continue to fall given that he now wants to sell the forestry as quickly as possible, even before it reaches its full maturity in five years time. The forest is not attractive to a buyer now because it's a fire risk and it's got to be cleared earlier than it should be, he said. He is determined to sell of his investment prematurely as its no longer the retirement option that he envisaged. In the context of being a forestry owner, it's constant anxiety and stress at the moment, so every summer we're worried about fires and then storms in the winter. Theres no doubt in my mind that I will clear-fell the entire crop this Autumn for my own mental health because I dont want to go through this again, he said. As he notes the saying never waste a good crisis, he is also conscious that there may be people out there looking to buy forestry at discounted rates at a time when farmers are stressed and want to get rid of their investment. From a national policy perspective, Michael strongly believes that the Government and Forest Minister Michael Healy-Rae must radically review the current landscape. If the Government ever want farmers to be serious about having forestry as part of their holdings, they need to think about a way of mitigating all of these things that I have mentioned. They need to hear our stories. This is not just about monetary value. This is the constant stress about worrying about is there going to be a storm, is there going to be a heatwave. Strategically, what is the role of farmers in our national forestry policy? We want to see the Department of Agriculture to sit down and talk to people. I think one of the issues since Storm Eowyn is that it has been very hard to get accurate information in terms of what is the best thing to do with your forestry. We need clear information so that we can make sound decisions rather than out of fear or emotion. We also need a proper safety assessment of forestry, and that people would be supported to get the proper fire-breaks in around their forestry, he said. Michael also believes that the offer of compensation should be on the discussion table. There should be a compensation scheme. If I sell my forestry and it has dropped twenty per cent in value, they could bridge some of that, he said. He was keen to acknowledge the trojan efforts of local fire crews in tackling the series of major fires over the last number of weeks. You can't speak highly enough of the fire services, he said. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Taoiseach Micheal Martin has welcomed that the mother of an Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon has been given permission to sue the UN. Sean Rooney, 24, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14th, 2022. The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah. Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed. The burial service for Private Sean Rooney at All Saints Catholic Church, Colehill, Co Donegal in December 2022 (Liam McBurney/PA) On Tuesday, his mother Natasha was granted permission by the High Court in Dublin to sue the UN. Asked about the granting of permission to sue the UN, the Taoiseach welcomed developments. Natasha Rooney has gone through a terrible trauma in respect of the murder of her son Sean and we await the outcome of the trial in Lebanon, Mr Martin said. We have been very unhappy at the pace in which that trial has taken place, its been slow, and were looking for full accountability. We believe Hezbollah was primarily responsible for the death of Sean, but of course full accountability and full transparency is owed to the Rooney family, so I welcome developments. Pte Rooneys family has pressed the UN to make crucial reports linked to the soldiers death available to his inquest, being conducted by the Dublin District Senior Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane. The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest. These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report. The hearing was told there had also been a report 10 months prior to the incident that raised concerns about the integrity of the UN vehicles involved. However, they were originally told there were issues around disclosing these reports. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. During an official visit to Kenya on June 3, 2025, Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, was received by Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto for a meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend. Both sides emphasized that reciprocal high-level visits, political dialogue, and institutional engagement are key to deepening cooperation between the two countries. The convening underscored the criticality of bolstering synergies within global entities and articulated a shared assurance in the sustained proliferation of the alliance across diverse domains. Discourse encompassed a comprehensive spectrum of domains, including macroeconomic frameworks, energy paradigms, agronomic strategies, educational methodologies, cultural dynamics, tourism ecosystems, and governance structures. Both parties acknowledged the substantial prospects for synergistic collaboration in the realms of information and communication technologies, the digital economy, energy sectors, and mineral resource management. The stakeholders concurred that the orchestration of synergistic business forums and strategic trade missions would be especially advantageous for pinpointing tangible avenues for collaboration. The Azerbaijani side also reaffirmed the growing importance of African countries in its foreign policy and stressed its interest in expanding cooperation not only with Kenya but also with other nations across the continent. The talks touched on Azerbaijans successful preparations for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (Conference of the Parties, COP) to be hosted in Baku, as well as the importance of decisions already made under this platform. Opportunities for collaboration in the context of the World Urban Forum, set to take place in 2026, were also discussed. The sides exchanged views on other current issues of mutual interest on the bilateral and international agenda. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Muzaffarpur Alleged Rape Case: High-Level Investigation Is Necessary Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey She was reportedly attacked with a knife after the rape after the rape. Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey on Muzaffarpur Alleged Rape Case, latest news: Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey, on the Muzaffarpur rape case, said Monday that a high-level investigation is necessary, calling it extremely sad and painful. He said, "The incident in Muzaffarpur is extremely sad and painful. Immediately after the incident, the accused was arrested. The SSP of Muzaffarpur has assured that a chargesheet will be filed promptly, and a speedy trial will be conducted to ensure the accused is punished." Advertisement He added, The victim, a child, received treatment at both SKMCH in Muzaffarpur and later in Patna. Given the seriousness of the case, a high-level investigation is necessary. A minor Dalit girl was raped in the last week of May and later died on Sunday morning at a state-run hospital in Patna. She was allegedly left waiting for treatment for hours. Her case has raised serious questions about the Bihar government, with the opposition questioning the law and order in Bihar. Advertisement She was reportedly attacked with a knife after the rape after the rape. The accused is a fish seller and a resident of a nearby village. SSP Muzaffarpur, Sushil Kumar, told ANI on June 2, "This incident occurred on 27th May... The accused lived in a neighboring village and knew the family. 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 on Monday 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. Advertisement 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. 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." Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also expressed concern in a post on X, stating, The brutality against a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in her treatment is extremely shameful. Advertisement 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 added. Indian stock markets opens on positive note on Tuesday, Amid Global uncertainity fiscal worries, geopolitical tensions, and tariff uncertainty are the "defining" trends for global markets Indian stock markets opens on positive note on Tuesday, Amid Global uncertainity Indian stock markets started Tuesday's session on a positive note. The Nifty 50 index opened at 24,786.30, registering a modest rise of 69.70 points or 0.28 percent. Likewise, the BSE Sensex opened at 81,492.50, gaining 118.75 points or 0.15 percent. Advertisement According to market experts, there is uncertainty that the global markets are facing due to ongoing tariff tensions, geopolitical tensions related to the Russia-Ukraine situation, and fiscal challenges in the United States, ANI reported. Ajay Bagga, banking and market expert, told ANI that fiscal worries, geopolitical tensions, and tariff uncertainty are the "defining" trends for global markets. He further said, The US stock markets rose on Monday while the US dollar weakened. This morning, Asian stocks are mildly up. Trump is putting pressure on the US Senate to clear his Big Beautiful Bold Tax Bill. Markets and senators are worried about the fiscal deficit issues it will lead to. Manufacturing PMIs in the US and Europe are pointing to a slowdown. But oil prices rose on geopolitical worries despite the economic overhang. Advertisement He added that these factors are making markets complicated to predict, as policy-related news is becoming the main driver. Other Asian markets mostly traded flat or in the green. However, Hong Kongs Hang Seng and Taiwan saw strong gains. (For more news apart from Indian stock markets opens on positive note on Tuesday, Amid Global uncertainity, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) AAP MP Sanjay Singh Writes to PM Modi, Demands Special Parliamentary Session on Operation Sindhoor and Ceasefire Decision Sanjay Singh also raised concerns over the sudden announcement of a ceasefire. AAP MP Sanjay Singh Writes to PM Modi, Demands Special Parliamentary Session on Operation Sindhoor and Ceasefire Decision New Delhi, June 3 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to immediately convene a special session of Parliament to provide a comprehensive briefing on Operation Sindhoor and the recent ceasefire decision. Advertisement In his letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Sanjay Singh stated, I write to you as a concerned Member of Parliament and as a representative voice of the people of India, who seek clarity, leadership, and transparency on matters of national security. Calling Operation Sindhoor a moment of national unity and military assertiveness, he added, Following the tragic incident in Pahalgam, the Indian Army rightly took swift and commendable action by launching Operation Sindhoor, successfully targeting terrorist camps across the border. AAP MP Sanjay Singh writes to PM Narendra Modi requesting him to immediately call a special session of Parliament to provide a comprehensive briefing on Operation Sindhur and the ceasefire decision pic.twitter.com/IQtkc4FGHu ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 However, drawing attention to certain serious concerns that have emerged thereafter, the MP pointed out, The Government conducted two all-party meetings to brief political parties about the operation. Regrettably, you, the Prime Minister of India, were not present at either. Your absence has been deeply felt by all parties, and more importantly, by the people of India who expected a strong and unifying presence from their leader at such a crucial moment. Advertisement Sanjay Singh also raised concerns over the sudden announcement of a ceasefire. Just as the momentum was building and the Indian Army was perceived to be in a strong position to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), we were surprised to learn of an immediate ceasefire through a tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump, the letter noted. He claimed that both India and Pakistan had been threatened with trade sanctions unless they agreed to a ceasefire. (For more news apart from AAP MP Sanjay Singh Writes to PM Modi, Demands Special Parliamentary Session on Operation Sindhoor and Ceasefire Decision, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) Ministry of Defence issues Advisory on Respecting the Privacy of Senior Armed Forces Personnel and Their Families Avoid speculative or intrusive reporting on private lives, Ministry of Defence issues Advisory on Respecting the Privacy of Senior Armed Forces Personnel and Their Families Ministry of Defence Issues Advisory to the Media, latest news: The Ministry of Defence on Monday issued an Advisory on Respecting the Privacy of Senior Armed Forces Personnel and Their Families, asking all media organizations to refrain from visiting or attempting to contact the private residences or families of serving or retired Armed Forces personnel for personal stories or interviews, unless expressly invited or cleared through official channels. Advertisement The Ministry of Defence, Directorate of Public Relations, stated in its advisory, It has come to the attention of the Ministry that this increased focus has extended beyond professional coverage into the personal lives of the officers and their families. Media personnel have reportedly approached their residences, attempted to contact family members, and pursued personal coverage unrelated to their official duties. Such actions are deeply inappropriate and potentially compromising to the dignity, privacy, and safety of the officers and their families. While senior officers may serve in prominent public roles, their families remain private citizens and must be treated with due respect and sensitivity. The advisory has also asked media organizations to avoid publishing or broadcasting personal details of family members, or other non-operational information that is not in the public interest. Avoid speculative or intrusive reporting on private lives, it further added. Advertisement The Ministry of Defence reiterates its commitment to transparent and constructive engagement with the media. At the same time, it appeals to all media stakeholders to maintain responsible journalistic standards, respecting the personal space and dignity of those who serve the nation, and their families, the advisory read. (For more news apart from Ministry of Defence issues Advisory on Respecting the Privacy of Senior Armed Forces Personnel and Their Families, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) Operation Sindoor Not Over Yet, Says CDS General Anil Chauhan Is terrorism a rational act of warfare? I dont think so, because terrorism has no defined logic. Operation Sindoor Not Over Yet, Says CDS General Anil Chauhan; 'Venom-Spewed by General Asim Munir' Operation Sindoor Not Over Yet, Says CDS General Anil Chauhan latest news: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said that Operation Sindoor is not over yet and emphasized the need to keep the nation's guard up. Advertisement While addressing an event organised by Savitribai Phule Pune University, General Chauhan stated that India did not want to get into a long-drawn conflict. Weve seen our experience in Operation Parakram. We were deployed for almost nine months. It involved significant expenditure and disrupted everything. After Balakot as well, we had mobilised troops, though not for as long. In this particular case (Operation Sindoor), what happened was that before the mobilisation could be completed, the operations were halted, he explained. He then added, Operation Sindoor is not over yet. It continues. This is only a temporary cessation of hostilities. There is a need to keep our guard up. As far as the Pakistani side is concerned, I can make two guesses: one, they were suffering losses faster and at a significant distance; and two, they likely realised that if the operations continued for much longer, they would incur heavier losses. Thats probably why they picked up the telephone. General Chauhan said the starting point of the recent conflict was the Pahalgam terror attack. Referring to Pakistans approach, he said, The adversary has taken the decision to bleed India by a thousand cuts. In 1965, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declared a thousand-year war against India during his address to the United Nations Security Council. Advertisement He questioned, Is terrorism a rational act of warfare? I dont think so, because terrorism has no defined logic. Elaborating on the timeline, General Chauhan said, On the 10th of May, at about 1 a.m., their (Pakistans) aim was to bring India to its knees within 48 hours. Multiple attacks were launched, escalating the conflict. But we had only targeted terror infrastructure. The operations, which they thought would last for 48 hours, folded up in about eight hours and then they picked up the phone and expressed a desire to talk. He further revealed that India informed Pakistan in advance about its strike: We had informed Pakistan on the day we launched the surgical strikes May 7. When there was rhetoric from the Pakistani side, we made it clear that if Pakistan hit us, especially military establishments, we would hit them back and hit them harder. Advertisement General Chauhan described the nature of the operation: This was the first instance of no-contact warfare we fought, except for ongoing activity on the Line of Control. It was a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic operations. He hailed Operation Sindoor as a landmark in modern warfare: Operation Sindoor created history in air warfare. Successful precision strikes were carried out deep inside enemy territory with offensive intent. It was a significant achievement. We were able to penetrate their air defence networks and sustain relentless operations. Referring to the cause of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, he said, Venom was spewed by General Asim Munir against India and Hindus in a speech weeks before the Pahalgam incident. Water and blood cannot flow together. We have raised the bar by establishing a direct link between terror and war. Advertisement (For more news apart from Operation Sindoor Not Over Yet, Says CDS General Anil Chauhan, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) Trumps Ceasefire Claims: India Doesnt Need to Be Persuaded, Says Congress MP Shashi Tharoor "it would have been persuasion of the Pakistanis. They would have had to be persuaded." Trumps Ceasefire Claims: India Doesnt Need to Be Persuaded, Says Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Trumps Ceasefire Claims, latest news: MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday responded to Donald Trumps repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, stating that if there was any persuasion by America, it would have been aimed at Pakistan, not India. Advertisement Speaking to ANI, the Congress MP said, "We have enormous respect for the American presidency, and we will speak with that respect in mind. But broadly speaking, our understanding is a bit different... No one needed to persuade us to stop. We had already said to stop. If there was any persuasion by the American president or his senior officials, it would have been persuasion of the Pakistanis. They would have had to be persuaded." "We don't need to be persuaded because we don't want war. We want to focus on development. That's the basic message," said Tharoor, as the delegation he is leading enters the final leg of its US visit. He added, "...We had consistently said from the very beginning on May 7th that we are not interested in prolonging the conflict. This is not the opening salvo in some sort of war. All it is, is retribution against the terrorists period. If Pakistan had not reacted, we would not have reacted..." India and Pakistan were in a war-like situation for four days in early May, following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives in the meadows of Baisaran, also known as "Mini Switzerland." Advertisement On April 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, a strategic and calibrated military strike targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). On May 10, Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, claiming that he had mediated the agreement before either state made a public move. "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE," Trump wrote on May 10. Advertisement The former U.S. President has repeatedly claimed that his intervention in the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan prevented a potentially catastrophic outcome, calling it a bigger success than Ill ever be given credit for. Most recently, he repeated these claims during a press conference with Elon Musk, as the tech billionaire stepped down from his role as the U.S. government's special envoy. His recent claim comes after the External Affairs Minister denied any such mediation by the US in an interview with Germanys FAZ news outlet. Advertisement (For more news apart from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Trumps Ceasefire Claims, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, who is accused under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious crimes, continued on June 3, Trend reports. The open court session held at the Baku Military Court was presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov also on the panel (reserve judge Gunel Samedova). The accused was provided with a translator and a defense attorney of his choice and testified in Russian, his preferred language. Before questioning, Judge Zeynal Agayev explained the rights and obligations provided by law to the victims participating in the trial for the first time. At the beginning of the session, Ruben Vardanyan requested that a copy of the indictment in his case be provided to his family. His lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported the request. Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev responded by stating that, according to the Criminal Procedure Code, information from the preliminary investigationincluding the indictment and case materialsconstitutes investigative secrecy and may not be disclosed. Furthermore, the indictment contains personal and family information about the parties involved in the criminal proceedings, the dissemination of which is also prohibited by law. He added that the list of individuals eligible to receive a copy of the indictment is clearly defined in the Criminal Procedure Code and does not include family members of the accused. The prosecution, citing these reasons, requested that the motion be denied. The victims present at the hearing expressed agreement with the prosecutors position. The panel of judges deliberated on the spot and ruled to deny the motion. Explaining the decision, Judge Zeynal Agayev emphasized that only specific individuals listed in the criminal procedure legislation are entitled to receive copies of the indictment, and the accused's family members are not among them. Following this, Ruben Vardanyan objected to the panel of judges, citing the refusal to provide the indictment to his family and the rejection of motions he had previously submitted. His lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported the objection. Tugay Rahimli, Special Assistant to the Prosecutor General, responded by stating that the grounds for challenging a judge under Article 109 of the Criminal Procedure Code had not been met. He also noted that Vardanyan had not presented any concrete evidence showing that the panel of judges was biased or interested in the outcome of the case, and requested that the objection not be considered. The victims present also requested that the objection be denied. The court recessed for deliberation. After returning, the court announced its decision regarding the defense's objection. The objection was dismissed without consideration. Judge Zeynal Agayev, explaining the decision, stated that the defense had not submitted specific or credible evidence as required by the Criminal Procedure Code to prove that the panel of judges had any interest in the prosecution of the accused. No circumstances were identified that could compromise the objectivity or impartiality of the court. Later in the session, testimonies of the victims were heard. Victim Ahmad Ahmadov testified that he had been shot as a result of gunfire opened by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. Victim Bahruz Bayramli stated that he had been injured by the explosion of an artillery shell fired by the enemy in Aghdara. In his testimony, Oruj Huseynov said he was wounded by a mortar shell launched by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. Answering questions from state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, he added that eight others around him were also injured in the incident. Victim Gulverdi Mehtiyev noted that he sustained shrapnel injuries as a result of gunfire near Khankendi. Victim Vurghun Orujzade reported being injured by artillery fire from the Armenian armed forces. Mammad Bayramov stated that while trying to avoid bullets fired by Armenian soldiers in Lachin, he changed position, slipped and fell, injuring his right leg near the knee. Fagan Ismayilov said he was injured by a mortar shell fired by Armenian troops in Kalbajar. At least nine people were seriously injured at the time. I was one of them, he said while answering questions from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev. Responding to questions from state prosecutor Terane Mammadova, Magsud Mansurlu testified that he was wounded in Kalbajar, and that one person was killed and several others injured during the incident. Sadig Gasimli stated that he was injured by a mortar explosion in Shusha, fired by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed groups. Answering questions from Nasir Bayramov, head of a department at the Prosecutor Generals Office, he added that Ariz Mammadov, Izzat Baghiyev, and several otherswhose names he could not currently recallsustained various bodily injuries during the incident. Victim Khayal Abdullayev said he was injured when a mortar shell landed and exploded near him in the Khojavand district. Victim Ikhtiyar Idrisov reported that his son, Bakhtiyar Idrisov, was killed by gunfire opened by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed groups. Jafaragha Ismayilov testified that he was injured by the explosion of a mortar shell that landed near him in the Aghdara district. Subhan Abbasov stated that he, along with Tamerlan Rashidli, Bayram Huseynov, and Revan Mammadov, were injured by gunfire from Armenian soldiers. Sahib Aliyev reported that he, along with Iman Nazarov, Arshad Huseynov, and Eshgin Babazadeh, was wounded by the explosion of a mortar shell in Aghdara. Yusif Turabov stated that he was injured by sniper fire from remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed groups in the Aghdara direction. Victim Haji Kamil Rzayev reported that he was wounded in the Agdam direction. Ulfat Humbatov said he was injured by artillery fire from the enemy in Kalbajar. Victim Kerem Keremli stated he was wounded in the AgdamAghdara direction. Other victimsArshad Huseynov, Perviz Aghali, Rail Nazarov, Kerem Keremli, Arif Gubadov, Rahman Mammadli, Fariz Fatullayev, Ayaz Jafarli, Tamerlan Rashidli, Terlan Jabbarov, Aslan Hajihasanov, Elvin Bayramov, Elchin Nasibov, Latif Hacili, Qabil Yusifov, Murad Naghiyev, Zahid Najafov, Tahir Zamanov, and Rafat Gambarovstated in their testimonies that they had been injured by various large-caliber weapons fired by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. In his testimony, Mehman Mammadov said he was injured as a result of Armenian mine terrorism. He also noted that during mine clearance in the Jabrayil district, a Kamaz truck hit a mine, and the driver, Mohubbat Mammadli, was severely injured and both of his legs were amputated. During the court session, forensic medical examination reports of the victims were also presented. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 10. Ruben Vardanyan faces charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan). Punjab Police arrests man from Punjab-Tarn Taran for allegedly sharing sensitive info. with Pak-ISI "...has numbers of many ISI officers, whom we call Pakistani intelligence officers" Punjab Police arrests man from Punjabs Tarn Taran for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's ISI Punjab Police arrests man from Punjabs Tarn Taran latest news: Punjab Police on Tuesday stated that it arrested a person from Punjab for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla, ANI reported. Advertisement The arrested a man is identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan from Tarn Taran in Punjab. Speaking to media, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said, "After Operation Sindoor and tensions with Pakistan, a trend has been seen in Punjab that activities have increased around army installations. We are coordinating with central agencies. We have arrested a person from Tarn Taran. #WATCH | Punjab's Tarn Taran Police arrested a man identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav says, pic.twitter.com/0DD7z9rjca Advertisement June 3, 2025 Police noted, He also had links with Gopal Singh Chawla and the device recovered from him has numbers of many ISI officers, whom we call Pakistani intelligence officers. We will investigate it properly. Many modules have been busted in Punjab..." #WATCH | Punjab's Tarn Taran Police arrested a man identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla https://t.co/vApT5HYfHS pic.twitter.com/n88xvyNTqh ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 (For more news apart from Punjab Police arrests man from Punjabs Tarn Taran for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's ISI, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) UN calls for investigation into killings in Gaza near aid distribution site; Israel says disgrace Hamas is doing its best to stop us from doing so. It is spreading rumours and fake news, and is trying..." UN calls for investigation into killings in Gaza near aid distribution site latest news: The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for an immediate and independent investigation into reports of Palestinians being killed while seeking aid near a distribution centre in Gaza on Sunday. Guterress call comes after disputed reports that Israeli forces had opened fire on people waiting to collect aid, according to a BBC report. 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. I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for the perpetrators to be held accountable, the UN Secretary-General wrote in a post on X. 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. I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held Advertisement June 2, 2025 The killings reportedly occurred while the victims were waiting for food from a centre in Rafah run by the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). As per the BBC report, the Red Cross stated that its hospital received 179 casualties, including children and women, of which 21 were dead. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported the death toll to be 31. The Israeli military on Sunday denied attacking civilians near or at the centre. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) also claimed that the reports were fabricated. International news organizations, including the BBC, are not allowed by Israel to enter Gaza. Advertisement Israel's foreign ministry, calling the UN Secretary-Generals statement a disgrace, criticized it for not mentioning Hamas. What a disgrace. Even if you look very hard, theres one word you wont find in the Secretary-Generals statement: Hamas, Israel's foreign ministry responded in a post on X. What a disgrace. Even if you look very hard, theres one word you wont find in the Secretary-Generals statement: Hamas. Not a word about the fact that Hamas is the one shooting civilians and trying to prevent them from collecting aid packages. Not a word about the fact that pic.twitter.com/pcQ5jMVQEa Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 2, 2025 The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres Antonio Guterres further wrote in his post, Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs in Gaza must be restored immediately. The UN must be allowed to work in safety and security under conditions of full respect of humanitarian principles. I continue to call for an immediate permanent, sustainable ceasefire. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. This is the only path to ensuring security for all. There is no military solution to the conflict. Advertisement The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated that the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah treated the majority of the 179 people injured in the attack, most of whom suffered gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries. The ICRC added, "All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site." Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), according to a BBC report, stated that its teams at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis also treated people wounded in the attack. MSF said that the patients "reported being shot at from all sides by Israeli drones, helicopters, boats, tanks, and soldiers," and that one staff members brother was "killed while attempting to collect aid from the distribution centre." A journalist in Rafah told the BBC that a crowd of Palestinians had gathered near the al-Alam roundabout in Rafah, close to the GHFs site, when Israeli tanks approached and opened fire. Advertisement IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin, on June 1, stated that false reports have been spread regarding the alleged open fire on Palestinians in the area of the humanitarian aid distribution site in the Gaza Strip. 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, he stated. He further said, Hamas does everything in its power to undermine food distribution efforts in the Gaza Strip. He added that Hamas starves and endangers the population in order to preserve its control over the Gaza Strip. As part of its brutal behavior and its attempts to disrupt humanitarian aid, Hamas directly harms the residents of Gaza. Later the same day, IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin released a video on his X handle, claiming he had visited the area of the GHF humanitarian aid distribution centers to set the record straight and provide some operational updates. In the video, the spokesperson said, I am here in the city of Rafah. Right behind me, you can see one of the distribution centres we opened in the last few days. So far, we have opened four distribution centres, and we intend to open more. We have already launched or distributed more than 16,000 packages of food to the people, and more than a thousand trucks have already entered Gaza with humanitarian aid. Hamas is doing its best to stop us from doing so. It is spreading rumours and fake news, and is tryingbluntly and violentlyto prevent the people of Gaza from reaching those distribution centres. I urge you not to believe every rumour spread by Hamas. We will investigate each and every one of these incidents and allegations. We are a professional military, and we will do our best to dismantle Hamas, release our hostages, and separate the population of Gaza from Hamas and its leadership, IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin added. I visited the area of one of the GHF humanitarian aid distribution centers to set the record straight and provide some operational updates: pic.twitter.com/JJSwL9R056 A Y - Effie Defrin (@IDFSpokesperson) June 1, 2025 The IDF also released a video regarding the matter, stating, Drone footage shows gunmen in Gaza shooting at civilians going to collect aid. Hamas is doing everything in its power to prevent the successful distribution of food in Gaza, read the caption of the video posted on IDF official X handle on June 1. Editorial: The Truth Behind the Chargesheet Against Hasina Public anger against Sheikh Hasina is still alive... Chargesheet Against Hasina Editorial: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) established by the interim government of Bangladesh has filed charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed and her two associates for crimes against humanity, especially for mass killings or massacres. These charges are related to the sequence of events before Sheikh Hasinas exile last year, where widespread repression was unleashed on students and other people across the country, especially in the national capital Dhaka. About 200 people are estimated to have died in this sequence, although the chargesheet approved by the Tribunal (for hearing) mentions this number in 'hundreds'. According to the chargesheet, the massacres, violence, arson, and widespread damage to government and non-government properties were the result of the tricks and conspiracies of Sheikh Hasina and her two associates. The two criminals have been named as former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The three-member tribunal is being headed by Justice Ghulam Murtaza Mazumdar, who according to the Bangladeshi English newspaper Dhaka Tribune, has been a staunch critic of Sheikh Hasina. The tribunal, after approving the chargesheet for the next hearing, has directed the prosecution (government side) to present all three accused before the court (tribunal) on June 16. Mamun is under custody in Dhaka, whereas Hasina and Kamal are in exile. (Hasina has taken refuge in India and Kamal in Thailand). In such a situation, the kind of trial it will be can be easily imagined. Advertisement This trial against Hasina and the other two officials began 10 months after the coup in Bangladesh. The process to initiate it might have been further delayed had questions not started to arise about the policies and intentions of the countrys interim government. The interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof. Muhammad Yunus had come into existence with hopes and expectations that it would end the autocratic practices of the Sheikh Hasina government, make the return of peace and order possible, and also quickly begin the process of bringing back democratic governance. But over the past ten months, this government has failed to curb anarchy across the country. On top of that, the national economy has started to decline rapidly. Along with this, a strong impression is building that Prof. Yunus has developed a fondness for power, due to which instead of thinking about the welfare of the nation, he is taking steps to prolong his own tenure. Although he recently expressed a wish to resign from his position, his critics call such statements mere drama. The massive rallies recently held in Dhaka and other cities by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have had the effect that Prof. Yunus, abandoning the idea of holding national elections in the middle of next year, has now agreed to hold elections by December this year. It is said that the chief of the national army, General Waqar-uz-Zaman, has also played a role in this decision, as he too has become fed up with the interim governments policies of using the army for policing duties. In such a situation, the steps like initiating a case against Sheikh Hasina and imposing a ban on her party Awami League are being seen merely as tactics to divert public attention away from the failures of the interim government. Advertisement From a legal point of view, Prof. Yunus government is unconstitutional, and this fact is now being repeatedly mentioned by BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia. The constitution of Bangladesh does not have any provision for an interim government, nor can the head of the government be called a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The current arrangement arose from the armys decision not to impose harsh measures on the public revolt and protestors against Sheikh Hasina. In that situation, instead of a military rule, the establishment of a civilian government was accepted by the people with the hope that this government would fill the governance vacuum and make the return of a clean, democratic government possible through national elections. But now Prof. Yunus, through an alliance between his supporter students party NCP and the Islamist hardliner party Jamaat-e-Islami, is on the path of sowing thorns in the way of traditional political forces. The trial against Sheikh Hasina is also a part of this same strategy. Public anger against Sheikh Hasina is still alive, but even common people know that due to Hasinas absence, nothing concrete is going to come out of this trial.a History revisited How "Nordic Insights" helped change community perception on works of art in general. Foto: facebook.com/FormareCulturala Ana-Maria Cononovici, 03.06.2025, 14:00 The Romanian Cultural Training Platform announces the launch of the project Nordic Insights: addressing cancel culture in public spaces through artistic dialogue and cultural innovation, a transnational project addressing controversial historical narratives in the public space in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The project runs until January 31, 2026 and brings together experts from Denmark, Sweden and Latvia alongside specialists from Romania and the Republic of Moldova.Oana Nasui, a cultural researcher and manager of the Nordic Insights project, told us why she felt the need to initiate such a project: For several years, I was personally concerned with this concept of cancel culture, the methods by which, particularly in social media, people had chosen to cancel, to cancel certain people because of principles they have voiced publicly. Some reactions are quite aggressive, as I have observed in recent years in the virtual public space. There followed a study on this topic and a participation in a History Festival in Romania, and from discussions with historians and collaborators, with whom we work on our Postmodernism Museum platform, we came up with this outline, these ideas regarding art in the public space and citizens reactions to certain works or works of public art, reactions that seem unexpected. Oana Nasui provided with us with additional information regarding Nordic Insights. I can give you an example that really marked us: in 2021, a sculpture by Samuel Von Brukenthal was unveiled in the Great Square of Sibiu. It is a figurative work, a representation of the person as such, it has nothing symbolic. After the unveiling, there were some reactions regarding the appropriateness of that sculpture in the public space and a so-called act of vandalism followed: somebody threw a splash of paint on that sculpture. I say so-called, because we try to look at peoples reactions a little more broadly, beyond the fact that they damaged a public asset, for which the person in question was actually fined; we see it more as a signal from civil society in general. And it seems that the problem with the presence of this sculpture in the public space was the direct connection that Samuel Von Brukenthal allegedly had with Horea, Closca and Crisan. He may have had a direct involvement in their capturing and killing. Why now, after so much time, do people react and why do they react in such a narrow context, especially since we cannot ignore the fact that Brukenthal left the Palace and an impressive collection and the museum is one of the oldest in Romania? We would actually open discussions about why people act like this, and why after so much time? In fact, it is about some historical narratives, which can be activated in certain contexts. The main activities of the project include an extensive research phase on controversies related to public monuments, knowledge transfer interviews with Nordic experts, three virtual discussion panels where participants can exchange views. We have online roundtables, we have interviews, we have studies presented by certain experts on this topic, studies we will also compile in a digital volume, which we will distribute later. What we found interesting to add to this project is an action plan. The idea of these panels, studies and interviews is to gather qualitative information. Its important to learn the important opinions from professionals in the area and beyond, because anyone can participate in these roundtables and express their opinion, to collect this information, to put it in a research framework and draw up this action plan. We were happy that we could open the call for expertise not only for Romania, but also for the Republic of Moldova, because we share a common history and it seemed all the more interesting to us so that our colleagues from the Republic of Moldova can enjoy the results of this project. What are the expected results as a result of the project? Oana Nasui, cultural researcher and project manager told us more: In the first panel that took place on May 28 and in the others that will take place in the fall and winter of this year, we invited on the one hand a Nordic expert, and on the other hand an expert from Romania or the Republic of Moldova. The expert from Romania or the Republic of Moldova is, in the case of the first panels, a historian, a researcher, specializing in art in public space, and for the third panel we wanted to make it address civil society and public policies, so as to have guests from this area. We built them into more than just round tables, because we wanted to have some presentations at the beginning, later to have follow-up talks, but the part of specific presentations, for example, on controversial moments in public space, we wanted to record them and distribute them publicly. Another result would be this volume, we have already commissioned several studies on this generous topic, cancel culture in public spaces. At the end of the project, we will be able to distribute it both in Romania in digital format and anywhere else in the world. At the end of the project, an action plan will be drawn up for all stakeholders involved in community development or urbanism, a resource for those who want to do projects in this area. (MI & VP) June 3, 2025 UPDATE A roundup of local and international news. June 3, 2025 UPDATE Newsroom, 03.06.2025, 20:00 REPORT The European Commission will publish an economic report on all EU member states on Wednesday, and Romania stands out with the largest budget deficit last year. According to official sources, the European Commissions analysis will once again criticize Romania not only for having the largest deficit in the Union in 2024, but also for not taking effective measures to significantly reduce it. The report seems to confirm the premise of a budget deficit of 8.6% for this year, while the 7% target seems increasingly distant. Despite these data, the European Commission will not recommend any cuts to the Council, but will only send the recommendations that Bucharest must take into account, in order to get closer to the targets. At the same time, however, the Commission is awaiting the Romanian governments proposal with fiscal measures to reduce the deficit, a plan that was supposed to be submitted by May. The election period in Romania is, however, the reason why the Commission was lenient with the deadline. MESSAGE Romanias interim Prime Minister, Catalin Predoiu, sent a message of condolences to the family of Moldovan composer Eugen Doga, emphasizing that, for Romanians on both banks of the Prut River, the maestro will remain a true music legend. Composer and academician Eugen Doga passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88. With a career spanning over six decades, he composed film, ballet, choral and instrumental music, creating an unmistakable sound universe. Eugen Doga was a full member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, an honorary member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in Salzburg, and an Honorary Doctor of several universities. GOVERNMENT Romania could have a new Cabinet in 2 weeks, after negotiations on a government programme have been completed and a political agreement has been reached between the pro-European parties in Parliament, president Nicusor Dan said. He mentioned that at the moment an expert-level task force is looking for solutions to reduce the budget deficit. On Thursday, the group will present a conclusion of the talks so far. On the other hand, according to official sources, the Supreme Defence Council is to convene this month, to include the fight against large-scale tax evasion in the national defence strategy. According to president Nicusor Dan, the effects of the fight against large-scale tax evasion will be seen next year. DISASTER The situation is worsening in Praid, in Harghita County (central Romania), where dozens of homes and guesthouses located in the vicinity of the Salt Mine have been evacuated to prevent risks generated by a prospective collapse of the floor affected by recent massive water infiltration caused by rainfall. The interim finance minister and deputy PM Tanczos Barna explained that the worst-case scenario analysed by experts from the country and abroad has been taken into account. The situation is constantly monitored and works are about to begin to divert the stream in the area, in order to limit infiltration. Experts have also agreed on a technical solution to prevent future flooding at the Salt Mine. Concurrently, central authorities have introduced 2 state aid schemes for Praid, totaling EUR 60 million: a first one to address the damage caused by the floods in the salt mine, which will benefit companies that carried out economic activity underground, and another one for about 200 companies that had relied on the tourist activity around Praid. For the households affected by floods, the government is expected to adopt another decision this week. DEFICIT The Romanian authorities will carry on talks with the European Commission regarding the measures to be taken so as to meet the 7% deficit target, and are hoping for a fair approach for our country. The statement comes from the interim finance minister, Tanczos Barna, in the context in which the Commission is to decide on Wednesday whether or not to propose the suspension of Romanias access to EU funding over delays in implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Tanczos Barna mentioned that discussions on this topic have been held in Brussels since January, providing details about the budget, the impact of the decisions made so far and ways to meet the deficit target. SURVEY Almost a third (32.2%) of Romanians would vote for AUR (the nationalist opposition), 14.7% for the Social Democrats and 13.5% for the Liberals, according to a survey conducted by INSCOP Research and quoted by the media on Tuesday. The research also shows that, if parliamentary elections were held next Sunday, 10.2% of respondents would vote for USR (currently in opposition) and 3.8 percent for UDMR. Other parties are rated at less than 3%. Regarding the estimated turnout in the parliamentary elections, 11.5% of those surveyed said they definitely would not go, and 74.2% said they would definitely go. The INSCOP Research survey was conducted between May 26 and 30, and the data was collected through the CATI method (telephone interviews). SUMMIT The leaders of NATOs eastern flank and Nordic countries reaffirmed their political, military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, as well as their commitment to increase military spending, at the B9 summit in Vilnius on Monday. Romania was represented by president Nicusor Dan, who stressed the importance of continuing aid to Romanias neighbors, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. He voiced hope that a decision to increase military spending will be made at the summit in The Hague at the end of this month. (EE) June 3, 2025 UPDATE A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 03.06.2025, 13:55 GOVERNMENT Romania could have a new Cabinet in 2 weeks, after negotiations on a government programme have been completed and a political agreement has been reached between the pro-European parties in Parliament, president Nicusor Dan said. He mentioned that at the moment an expert-level task force is looking for solutions to reduce the budget deficit. On Thursday, the group will present a conclusion of the talks so far. On the other hand, according to official sources, the Supreme Defence Council is to convene this month, to include the fight against large-scale tax evasion in the national defence strategy. According to president Nicusor Dan, the effects of the fight against large-scale tax evasion will be seen next year. DEFICIT The Romanian authorities will carry on talks with the European Commission regarding the measures to be taken so as to meet the 7% deficit target, and are hoping for a fair approach for our country. The statement comes from the interim finance minister, Tanczos Barna, in the context in which the Commission is to decide on Wednesday whether or not to propose the suspension of Romanias access to EU funding over delays in implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Tanczos Barna mentioned that discussions on this topic have been held in Brussels since January, providing details about the budget, the impact of the decisions made so far and ways to meet the deficit target. DISASTER The situation is worsening in Praid, in Harghita County (central Romania), where dozens of homes and guesthouses located in the vicinity of the Salt Mine have been evacuated to prevent risks generated by a prospective collapse of the floor affected by recent massive water infiltration caused by rainfall. The interim finance minister and deputy PM Tanczos Barna explained that the worst-case scenario analysed by experts from the country and abroad has been taken into account. The situation is constantly monitored and works are about to begin to divert the stream in the area, in order to limit infiltration. Experts have also agreed on a technical solution to prevent future flooding at the Salt Mine. Concurrently, central authorities have introduced 2 state aid schemes for Praid, totaling EUR 60 million: a first one to address the damage caused by the floods in the salt mine, which will benefit companies that carried out economic activity underground, and another one for about 200 companies that had relied on the tourist activity around Praid. For the households affected by floods, the government is expected to adopt another decision this week. RELIGIOUS SERVICE A solemn event took place in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Monday, celebrating the Romanian Greek Catholic Cardinal Iuliu Hossu, as 2025 is dedicated to him at national level, and marking the start of his recognition as Righteous Among the Nations for his efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust. The Romanian violinist Alexandru Tomescu performed music works, and a member of Iuliu Hossus family read excerpts from the cardinals memoirs. Cardinal Iuliu Hossus motto, Our faith is our life, could become the motto of each of us, and what he did for the Jews in Romania makes him an example of a man who was free, brave and generous to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, said Pope Leo XIV, who attended the commemoration. UNEMPLOYMENT The unemployment rate in Romania was 5.7% in April 2025, down 0.3% compared to March, according to the National Statistics Institute. The number of unemployed people aged 15-74 in April was 467,000 people, lower than the 490,000 registered in March but higher than in the corresponding period in 2024. According to the INS, the high 25% unemployment rate among young people, aged 15-24, recorded between January and March 2025, still causes concern. SUMMIT The leaders of NATOs eastern flank and Nordic countries reaffirmed their political, military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, as well as their commitment to increase military spending, at the B9 summit in Vilnius on Monday. Romania was represented by president Nicusor Dan, who stressed the importance of continuing aid to Romanias neighbours, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. He voiced hope that a decision to increase military spending will be made at the summit in The Hague at the end of this month. MOLDOVA The foreign ministry of the Republic of Moldova has issued a travel alert to Russia as the security situation in the region is worsening, and following cases of authorities applying coercive measures against foreign nationals. Based on the states obligation to guarantee the security of its citizens, the ministry recommends avoiding non-essential travel to the Russian Federation. The source warns of Russian practices such as detention upon crossing the border or during raids, arbitrary application of laws, transfer to preventive detention centres, administrative sanctions or criminal charges, without conclusive evidence, and the risk of harassment or abusive detention by law enforcement agencies. (AMP) Cardinal Iuliu Hossu, honored at the Vatican The Sistine Chapel hosted a special event dedicated to the Eastern-Catholic Cardinal Iuliu Hossu Cardinalul Iuliu Hossu, omagiat la Vatican (sursa foto: facebook.ambasadavatican/facebook.com/ EparhiaClujGherla) Stefan Stoica, 03.06.2025, 13:50 Cardinal Iuliu Hossu, a bishop of the Romanian Eastern-Catholic Church, who on December 1, 1918, read the proclamation of the union of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania, was commemorated in Italy through a series of public diplomacy events organized by the Romanian Embassy at the Vatican. On Sunday, June 1, in St. Peters Basilica, a religious service was celebrated in Romanian. And on Monday, June 2, in the Sistine Chapel, a solemn event took place, organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, honoring the memory of Cardinal Hossu in a year devoted to his personality. It also marked the start of the process of his recognition as Righteous among Nations, for his actions to save Jews during the Holocaust. Blessed Hossus motto, Our faith is our life, could become the motto of each of us, and what he did for the Jews of Romania makes him an example of a free, courageous and generous man who made the ultimate sacrifice, Pope Leo XIV said during the commemoration of Iuliu Hossu. In the spring of 1944, while the ghettoization of the Jews was being prepared in Cluj-Napoca and other Transylvanian cities, Cardinal Hossu mobilized the clergy and the Eastern-Catholic faithful, issuing a Pastoral Letter in which he asked them to help the Jewish community in danger. According to the testimony of Moshe Carmilly-Weinberger, a former chief rabbi of the Jewish Community of Cluj-Napoca, Cardinal Hossu helped save thousands of Jews from northern Transylvania between 1940 and 1944. During the event at the Sistine Chapel, Romanian violinist Alexandru Tomescu gave a concert, and a relative of Blessed Iuliu Hossu read excerpts from the memoirs of the Romanian cardinal, which recalled his faith, the power of forgiveness and his inner freedom despite the persecutions of the Romanian communist regime. George Bologan, Romanias ambassador to the Holy See: Iuliu Hossu is part of the Romanian Pantheon. He offered a model of conscience that could not be crushed. It is crucial to cultivate historical memory. Historical memory is, in fact, the conscience of our society. Bishop Hossu was a bridge between East and West, between reason and revelation, between truth and beauty. Shortly after the communists came to power, the Eastern-Catholic Church was outlawed and its assets were divided between the state and the Orthodox Church, and Iuliu Hossu was arrested. Long years of imprisonment followed, and then he was placed under house arrest under the supervision of the Securitate, the political police, until his death in 1970. Although he could have left Romania, especially after becoming a cardinal, Iuliu Hossu refused to leave his country. He was beatified along with six other bishops by Pope Francis during the Pontiffs 2019 visit to Romania. (VP) Conclusions of the latest B9 Summit Leaders of NATO countries from the eastern flank and of the Nordic countries who convened in Vilnius, Lithuania on Monday have reiterated the political, economic and military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia President Nicusor Dan at B9 Summit in Vilnius; Photo: presidency.ro Daniela Budu, 03.06.2025, 14:00 Leaders of NATO countries from the eastern flank and of the Nordic countries who convened in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Monday have reiterated the political, economic and military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Participants announced their intention to reach at least 5% of the GDP for defence and investment in the field in order to be able to live up to the present challenges. These are representatives of the countries in the Bucharest 9 group, namely Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poaland, Romania and Slovakia plus those of the Nordic countries, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland. Also attending the Vilnius Summit, NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, said that the commitment to joint defence is a strong one, because, as he said, we are facing the most dangerous security environment in the past decades. We are neither in a state of war nor a state of peace, Rutte said at the end of the aforementioned summit. The NATO official has rejected any hint at the US alleged reviewing of its military presence in Europe, saying that on the contrary, Washington is going to maintain a very strong conventional military presence in Europe At the same time, the participants in the Vilnius Summit have reiterated their support for the Republic of Moldova and have announced the following B9 Summit will be hosted by Romania, next year. Present in Vilnius, in his first visit abroad as President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, said that Romania is concerned about security in the Black Sea and of the neigbouring Republic of Moldova and he hailed the participants agreement to carry on their support for Ukraine. Romania will continue to support Ukraine because it is about our own security, president Dan has also said. On the sidelines of the Vilnius summit, President Dan held bilateral talks with several high officials including NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, who was also attending the meeting and who thanked him for the assurance that Ukraine can count on Romanias continuous support. In another development, referring to the talks in Lithuania focusing on the preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in the Hague, the Romanian President says that a major stake will be the commitment of member states to raising their military expenses to 3.5% of the GDP plus 1.5% for additional expenses. Nicusor Dan has said these expenses will have to rise and he also underlined the importance of the US presence in NATOs eastern flank. The Romanian President Nicusor Dan said quote: The US presence in NATOs eastern flank is extremely important for us all. We must strengthen the trans-Atlantic ties and from this point of view, our commitment to allotting 3.5% plus 1.5% of the GDP for defence is very important. And I hope we are making this decision in the Hague. We recall that the B9 format was set up by Romania and Poland back in 2015 after the Russian annexation of Crimea so that the countries in NATOs eastern flank may hold talks and cooperate in the field of security. (bill) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijan has a productive cooperation agenda with the UN and its specialized agencies, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) occupies a special place in the bilateral partnership. This was discussed during a meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Director-General of the UN Office in Nairobi Zainab Hawa Bangura, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. It was noted that Azerbaijan regularly and voluntarily reports on the implementation of this agenda, which demonstrates the country's commitment to this area. The parties also discussed various aspects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN, possible joint initiatives regarding African countries, and Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). It was emphasized that the development of cooperation with African states is one of the priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. In this context, a number of initiatives have already been implemented within the UN, and Baku intends to continue this interaction. The importance of decisions taken within the framework of COP29 was touched upon, in particular in terms of promoting the topic of financing the fight against climate change. Issues of interaction with the UN Environment Programme were also discussed. In preparation for the World Urban Forum, which will be held in Azerbaijan in 2026, plans for cooperation with the UN office, and in particular with UN-Habitat, were considered. The head of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry provided detailed information on the post-conflict situation in the region, large-scale restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated territories of the country, as well as efforts to combat the mine threat. Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS), a telehealth company, said on Tuesday that it has inked a deal to buy ZAVA, a European digital platform, to expand its footprint in the UK and officially launch the company in Germany, France, and Ireland. The transaction, expected to be closed in the second half, will be funded by the company's cash on hand. Post-transaction, Hims & Hers will establish its own branded presence in the European by leveraging the ZAVA platform. Andrew Dudum, CEO of Hims & Hers, said: "By leveraging ZAVA's established European presence, cutting-edge , and deep customer understanding, we're poised to fundamentally transform access to care for millions across Europe. Whether in rural towns, vibrant cities, or remote communities across Europe, people battling widespread, often silent chronic conditions like obesity, depression, and more will have access to the personalized, high-quality care they deserve." HIMS was up by 5.97% at $60.15 in the pre-market trade on the New York Stock Exchange. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has demanded an investigation into the reported killing of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza on Sunday. More than 30 people were killed and 100 others wounded while waiting to get food from two sites in Rafah and Middle Gaza run by the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to media reports. The organization is backed by Israel and the United States and uses private US security contractors supervised by the Israeli military. Aid distributions began at the end of May, bypassing the UN and other humanitarian agencies. The UN chief issued a statement saying he was "appalled" by the reports. "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." He stressed that Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The UN has repeatedly called for the full lifting of restrictions on aid and other essentials to meet the immense needs in the Gaza Strip, where more than two million people are at risk of famine following 20 months of war and a near total three-month aid blockade. Israel recently lifted the ban temporarily, allowing UN agencies to bring in limited quantities of baby formula, flour, medicines and other assistance through the Kerem Shalom border crossing until the GHF became operational. Meanwhile, nearly 30 Palestinians who were on their way to receive aid from a distribution site in southern Gaza were reportedly killed and dozens wounded in Israeli shooting early Tuesday. Gazans have come under fire by Israeli forces for a third consecutive day, reports quoting the Palestinian Ministry of Health and Nasser hospital said. Reuters quoted the Israeli military as saying that its forces opened fire on people who deviated from access routes near the distribution center in Rafah. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Tata Motors is on a mission to offer a comprehensive electric vehicle portfolio in India to continue exerting dominance in Indias electric car segment. This means offering a flagship electric SUV that is also no slouch in terms of performance and off-road prowess. Thats where Tata Harrier EV comes into the action, which was just launched in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Tata Harrier EV Launch Harrier EV has been one of the most anticipated car launches in India for a long time. The wait is finally over as Tata just launched Harrier EV for a starting price of Rs 21.49 lakh (Ex-sh). There are 4 colours to choose from Nainital Nocturne, Empowered Oxide, Pure Grey and Pristine White. There will be a Stealth Edition with all-Black theme soon after. Bookings for Harrier EV start from 2nd July, 2025 and deliveries are likely to commence soon after. Where design is concerned, Harrier EV follows the same ethos as other Tata EVs with minimal changes in their fascia to establish visual distinction. Harrier EV gets a closed grille along with unique bumper designs and new alloy wheels. Massive road presence of ICE models continues to be a flex point with Harrier EV as well. On the inside, there is similar equipment on offer. Which means similar 14.53-inch QLED infotainment screen from Samsung with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, streaming apps and games, 10.2-inch instrument cluster with full screen Maps support, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charger, ventilated seats, powered front seats with memory function for drivers seat, rear AC vents, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, electric Boss Mode, rear sun shades, Digital Key, JBL Black premium audio, Smart IRVM and more. Where safety is concerned, Tata Harrier EV will come with reinforced monocoque chassis based on Acti.ev+ platform. The comprehensive Level-2 ADAS features include 22 features like auto-emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist and more. 6 airbags, ESP and ABS are standard and Tata is offering 360-degree cameras, blindspot monitoring are notable too. The most notable feature is its Summon Mode that unlocks automatic driverless parking. Specs & Performance Whats new with Harrier EV is that it is an electric vehicle. It offers an option between a 65 kWh and 75 kWh battery packs, promising range of up to 627 km on a single charge and 505 km C75 range. RWD variant offers 238 PS of peak power and dual-motor config adds a 158 PS motor at the front with 504 Nm of peak combined torque, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds. Charging is pretty fast with 7.2 kW AC charger and 20% to 80% SOC in 25 minutes with a 125 KW DC charger. With Tata Mega chargers, Tata promises 250 km in just 15 minutes. This is the first Tata Motors vehicle to get RWD and QWD after Hexa and Safari Storme were discontinued. Tata calls dual-motor variants QWD (Quad Wheel Drive) and are seen with higher trims with one motor on each axle. After the Nano, Harrier EV is the first Tata vehicle to get rear independent suspension, promising a level of comfort not matched by non-independent setups. With dual-motor QWD variants, Tata is offering upgraded Terrain Modes that will help it tackle tricky terrains. There are 6 Terrain Modes Normal, Sand, Mud Ruts, Snow / Grass, Rock Crawl and Custom. Also helping in off-road endeavours is the Transparent Mode that offers video feed even of underbody. Across international markets, the new Toyota FJ Cruiser could be launched later this year or early 2026 At the time of unveiling the Land Cruiser 250 (Prado) in August 2023, Toyota teased greyed-out silhouettes of two other SUVs. One of these was speculated to be a Land Cruiser Mini, in line with Toyotas plans to introduce a smaller 44. Now, a design patent image reveals the clearest-ever profile of this upcoming SUV. Lets check out the details. Toyota new FJ Cruiser Key features The design patent was filed by Toyota way back in January 2024. But it has only now been discovered via the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) portal. In both the teaser released in 2023 and this design patent, theres a close similarity with the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV concept presented in December 2021. Some of the key features noticed in the design patent include inverted C-shaped LED DRLs, sleek headlamps and a chunky bumper. Body panels come with sharp bends and creases, which help to enhance the SUVs boxy profile. Side profile has squared wheel arches, thick body cladding, stepped side window line and broad C-pillars. Wheel size seems a bit smaller, relative to the size of the SUV. It is likely that bigger sized wheel options will be available with the higher variants. At the rear, the new FJ Cruiser has a chunky bumper and tailgate-mounted spare tyre. As compared to the Compact Cruiser EV concept, this design patent reveals production-ready rear-view mirrors and wraparound tail lamps. Overall, the SUV has a robust, dominating presence and comes across as a capable off-roader. While the name for this smaller Land Cruiser has not been decided, it is possible that Toyota may revive the FJ Cruiser nameplate for this SUV. The company has already trademarked the Land Cruiser FJ name in Japan. One of the popular off-road SUVs, the retro-styled Toyota FJ Cruiser was in production from 2006 to 2022. It will be a welcome development for enthusiasts if Toyota chooses the FJ Cruiser brand for its new 4X4 off-road SUV. Specs, powertrain It is possible that Toyotas new FJ Cruiser could be using the IMV-0 ladder-frame platform, as currently seen with the Toyota Hilux Champ sold in Thailand. Its sold as Tamaraw in the Philippines. Toyota has plans to use the IMV-0 platform with other SUVs, especially in emerging markets. For example, the next-gen Fortuner could use the IMV-0 platform. Engine options for the new Toyota FJ Cruiser could include a 2.7L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, as in use currently with the Hilux Champ. It will be paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and have four-wheel drive. Depending on the market, the new FJ Cruiser could also get 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre diesel engine options. In Toyotas line-up the new FJ Cruiser will be positioned below the Fortuner. Launch in India is not certain, even though theres scope with increasing demand for off-road focused machines. If launched in India, the new Toyota FJ Cruiser will rival the likes of Thar Roxx and Maruti Jimny. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 4. Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, Dear friend, I extend my warmest congratulations to you, your family and the people of Azerbaijan as you celebrate Independence Day on May 28th. The bond between Israel and Azerbaijan is deeply rooted in history, strengthened by our shared values and the enduring friendship between our nations. Over the years, we have cultivated a partnership built on mutual trust, goodwill, and genuine respect between our governments and peoples. I deeply appreciate Azerbaijan's unwavering support for its Jewish community and culture, as well as its steadfast solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of Hamas's heinous attack on October 7th. Your country has set a remarkable example of compassion and friendship that will not be forgotten. I also wish to express my gratitude for Azerbaijan's role in facilitating dialogue between Israel and Turkiye, helping to foster regional cooperation. Under your leadership, Azerbaijan has become a pillar of stability and strength, a beacon of prosperity, and a model for successful economic development across the region. I regret that unforeseen circumstances have necessitated a change in my schedule, forcing me to postpone my highly anticipated visit to Azerbaijan. However, I sincerely hope to reschedule our meeting-whether in Israel or Azerbaijan-at your earliest convenience so that we may continue discussing our shared interests and aspirations. With best wishes for many more years of prosperity, friendship and success," the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 4. Azerbaijan has set a remarkable example of compassion and friendship that will not be forgotten, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, Trend reports. "I deeply appreciate Azerbaijan's unwavering support for its Jewish community and culture. Your country has set a remarkable example of compassion and friendship that will not be forgotten. I also wish to express my gratitude for Azerbaijan's role in facilitating dialogue between Israel and Turkiye, helping to foster regional cooperation," the letter reads. Paleontologists have identified a new genus and species of small lambeosaurine hadrosaurid dinosaur from two fossilized jaws found in Morocco. Taleta taleta lived in what is now Morocco during the Late Cretaceous epoch, approximately 66 million years ago. The Cretaceous period saw the final stages of the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea and high eustatic sea levels, said University of Bath paleontologist Nicholas Longrich and his colleagues from Spain, France and Morocco. As a result, Earths land masses were fragmented to form a series of isolated island continents, leading to the evolution of distinct dinosaur faunas in different parts of the world. Asia and North America were dominated by hadrosaurid and ceratopsian ornithischians, and tyrannosaurid theropods reigned as top predators. In the southern hemisphere, titanosaurian sauropods were the dominant herbivores and abelisaurid theropods dominated as predators. Although isolation played an important role in driving biogeographic patterns, it is increasingly clear that dispersal played an important role, especially towards the end of the Cretaceous. The two associated jaws of Taleta taleta were found in the uppermost Maastrichtian phosphates of Morocco. The phosphates of the Oulad Abdoun Basin, located in central Morocco consist of a series of phosphatic sands, marls, and limestones laid down in a shallow marine environment at a time when the North Atlantic extended inland to cover much of Morocco, the paleontologists said. The phosphates span the Maastrichtian (72 to 66 million years ago) up into the Early Eocene (56 million years ago). Taleta taleta belongs to the lambeosaurine tribe Arenysaurini and its discovery brings the total number of arenysaurin species known from the phosphates of Morocco to three. The discovery of the first hadrosaurid from the Maastrichtian phosphates of Morocco, Ajnabia odysseus, showed that, despite being isolated by oceans, hadrosaurids successfully dispersed into Africa in the latest Cretaceous, the researchers said. Close affinities of Ajnabia with the Arenysaurini, otherwise known only from Armorica, suggest that the clade dispersed from southern Europe. More recently, a second arenysaurin, Minqaria bata, was reported from the same layers. Minqaria bata differs markedly in the shape of the jaws and teeth from Ajnabia, suggesting specialization for distinct niches. Recently, the associated upper jaws of a small duckbill dinosaur were discovered in the phosphates. Remarkably, this specimen cannot be referred to either Ajnabia or Minqaria. Instead, it represents a third genus and species. The striking variation in jaw and tooth morphology seen in African arenysaurins suggests a dispersal-driven adaptive radiation, with lambeosaurines rapidly diversifying to occupy new niches following dispersal from Europe into North Africa, they concluded. The African radiation coincided with lambeosaurine decline in North America, emphasizing the highly regional nature of dinosaur evolution. The teams paper was published in the journal Gondwana Research. _____ Nicholas R. Longrich et al. A new hadrosaurid dinosaur from the Late Maastrichtian Phosphates of Morocco provides evidence for an African radiation of lambeosaurines. Gondwana Research, published online May 28, 2025; doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2025.05.006 Marijuana use among older adults in the US has reached a new high, with 7 percent of adults aged 65 and over who report using it in the past month, according to an analysis led by researchers with the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at the NYU School of Global Public Health. Their findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, also show that the profile of those who use cannabis has changed in recent years, with pronounced increases in use by older adults who are college-educated, married, female, and have higher incomes. "Our study shows that cannabis use among older adults continues to increase, although there have been major shifts in use according to demographic and socioeconomic factors," said Joseph Palamar, PhD, MPH, an associate professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, an affiliated researcher with CDUHR, and the study's senior author. Most Americans live in a state where marijuana has been legalized for medical use, recreational use, or both. To better understand the prevalence of marijuana use among older adults in the US, researchers examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2021 through 2023. The respondents, who were 65 and older, were asked about past-month cannabis use, which was defined as "current" use. "This is the first time we were able to examine 'current' use of cannabis in this age group. Before, we were only able to look at past-year use because the numbers for current use were too small," said Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, associate professor and associate chief of research in the Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care at the University of California San Diego and the study's first author. The researchers found that current cannabis use among older adults grew to 7 percent in 2023, up from 4.8 percent in 2021 and 5.2 percent in 2022 -- a nearly 46 percent increase in only two years. "If we look even further back to 2006 and 2007, less than 1 percent of older adults used cannabis in the past year. Now, we're seeing that 7 percent have used it in the past month alone," said Han, an affiliated researcher with CDUHR. Certain groups of older adults experienced sharper increases in use over this period than others, including those who are married, white, have a college degree, and have an income of at least $75,000. Older women also saw a steep increase in cannabis use, although older men are still more likely than women to use the drug. In addition, cannabis use grew more among those living in states where medical marijuana is legal versus states where it is not. "It shouldn't be surprising that use is becoming increasingly more common among people who live in states that allow medical cannabis, which could be due to increased availability or social acceptability," said Palamar. "Interestingly, with respect to income, those with the highest incomes had the lowest prevalence of cannabis use in 2021, but by 2023 this group had the highest prevalence, which may indicate who has access to medical cannabis given its costs." The researchers also found significant increases in cannabis use by older adults with chronic diseases -- and notably, those with multiple chronic conditions -- including heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease. The authors caution that the overall increases may be driven, in part, by those who use cannabis aging into the 65+ age bracket for the period studied. Regardless, they recommend that clinicians screen and educate their older patients about cannabis use, including how physiological changes that accompany aging can make people more sensitive to psychoactive substances. "As a geriatrician, I see more and more people interested in using cannabis for treating chronic health symptoms. But cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks," said Han. Kevin H. Yang of UC San Diego and Charles Cleland of NYU Grossman School of Medicine were also co-authors on the study. The research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K23DA043651, R21DA058404, R21DA060362, R01DA057289, R01DA060207, and P30DA01104) and the UC San Diego Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging. 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 analysed patient data from the university hospitals of Kuopio and Oulu from the period 2010-2021. 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," says Doctoral Researcher Annemari Kilpelainen, the first author of the research article and a medical specialist in neurology. "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." 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. Caring for a cat with chronic health conditions can be challenging for all involved, from the process of getting to a veterinary clinic to the stress of being in a strange environment with new smells and animals. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, worked with pet owners across the United States and Canada to determine whether video telehealth visits could help improve care and the home environment for cats with feline degenerative joint disease, commonly referred to as feline arthritis. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, show that video calls where pet owners can ask questions and get non-medical advice can be beneficial. More than 95% of those who took part in the research said they would pay for telehealth visits, though most were willing to pay a little less than for in-clinic appointments. "Teleadvice is meant to provide advice and support for caregivers caring for their cats," said lead author Grace Boone, an assistant specialist in the UC Davis Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab. "We found that overall everybody was quite interested in video telehealth for home management of their cats and their mobility issues." A common ailment Routine veterinary care is important to prevent, mitigate and treat health and behavioral problems. And feline arthritis is quite common, present in roughly 6% to 30% of cats under age 10 and from 64% to 92% of those older than 10, Boone said. "Cats are great at hiding signs of pain," said Carly Moody, senior author on the paper and an assistant animal science professor. "These conditions are prevalent and pain is a serious health and welfare issue that needs to be addressed. Telehealth is beneficial because it allows you to take out that clinic stressor for some aspects of care." The researchers recruited 106 pet owners whose cats had mobility issues. Each one filled out a questionnaire about their cat's mobility, barriers to getting in-person care and how they felt about telehealth. Pet owners in the test group took the survey and participated in six video visits -- one every three weeks over four months -- and then retook the survey. The control group only received the questionnaire at the beginning of the research and four months later. A presentation on caring for cats with mobility issues also was offered to all participants at the end. In the home video session, Boone asked general questions about the cat's wellbeing and mobility, and suggested modifications if owners asked for advice. Suggestions included elevated food and water dishes to ease neck strain, larger litter boxes with shorter walls, and additional steps to access favorite places. Pet owners reported that the visits helped them understand their cats' needs, making them more confident in how they cared for their cats. "There's a lot of in-home modifications that can be implemented to increase cat comfort in the home," Moody said. "Telehealth allows veterinary professionals to see and understand the cat's home environment and make recommendations which can be helpful for the cat." Advice not medicine Telehealth visits don't require a veterinarian. A registered veterinary technician or other knowledgeable staff member can conduct the calls, answer questions and give advice. They are not meant to replace in-person veterinary care but rather supplement it, Moody said. "There's ways you can incorporate telehealth to make it easier for the owner and the cat and increase the number of visits and support an owner is receiving, particularly when they're caring for a cat that requires chronic high levels of care at home," Moody said. The visits have the potential to foster better veterinarian-client-patient relationships. "Rather than being something that detracts from in-person care, I think you can improve it and help supplement it," Boone said. Evaluating changes in the home Next up is to determine whether recommended changes based on expert advice can improve a cat's wellbeing in the home. "I think it would be really interesting to look at these interventions and specifically say, 'Are they helpful?' If somebody's not willing to change a lot of things in their home, you could prioritize the ones that make the most difference for the cat's welfare," Moody said. Moody's lab may also examine whether telehealth could be beneficial for other health issues like obesity and disease prevention. Hao-Yu Shih from the Mayo Clinic and Daniel Pang, who is affiliated with the University of Calgary and University of Montreal in Canada, contributed to the research. It was supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the family foundation Maddie's Fund. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. A ceremony to raise the Azerbaijani flag has been held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, on the occasion of Azerbaijan's Independence Day, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend. The ceremony was organized by the Azerbaijani Union in Saskatchewan. The event was attended by members of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly - Ken Cheveldeyoff from the Saskatoon Willowgrove constituency and Hugh Gordon from the Saskatoon Silverspring constituency, as well as Bev Dubois, a member of the City Council for Ward 9, and Senos Timon, a member of the 2nd constituency, as well as representatives of the local Azerbaijani community. Azerbaijan's tricolor flag was raised to the sky to the sounds of the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Canada. The speakers congratulated Canadian Azerbaijanis on this significant day and expressed gratitude to our compatriots for their contributions to the cultural diversity of the province. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. An evening of classical music and a reception on the occasion of Azerbaijan's Independence Day and the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli were held in Hohenems town in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan told Trend. The event, organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Austria and with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, was attended by officials of the local government and parliament, leading representatives of economic circles, politicians, consuls, representatives of the local community, and our compatriots. The owner of Hohenems Castle, Countess Stephanie Waldburg-Zeil, noted a sense of pride in holding such a grand event and expressed hope that in the future, work will be carried out in this region that will help strengthen ties between Austria and Azerbaijan. Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Austria Rovshan Sadigbayli spoke about the history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the period of its activity, and the successes achieved in a short period in various areas of state building. He also emphasized that the 140th anniversary of the founder of Azerbaijani classical music, Uzeyir Hajibayli, and the 200th anniversary of the famous Austrian composer Johann Strauss are being celebrated. Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Elshad Aliyev noted that the committee pays attention to the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Austria, in particular, supports the integration of our compatriots into local society, as well as the preservation of their ties with their historical homeland. He highly appreciated such events, which include cultural exchange between people. "It is also a great pride that today we celebrate the anniversaries of musical titans of Azerbaijan and Austria at one event. This reflects the depth of friendship and cultural ties between people of the countries. Another interesting aspect of the event is that it is held on the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan - May 28. Every year, the Azerbaijani people proudly celebrate this significant day in their history," he added. The artistic part featured a concert program consisting of pearls of Azerbaijani and European classical music performed by the Arpeggione Chamber Orchestra under the direction of People's Artist, Honored Art Worker Yalchin Adigozalov. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Akbar Novruz Once scarred by decades of occupation and devastated by landmines, Lachin has now emerged as a symbol of Azerbaijans renewal, regional connectivity, and geopolitical unity. On May 28, 2025, a date carrying immense historical significance, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, together with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, gathered in Lachin to inaugurate the regions new international airport and hold a landmark trilateral summit. This convergence not only marked Azerbaijans Independence Day and Pakistans Youm-e-Takbir, but also sent a clear message of shared resilience and strategic brotherhood. Against this powerful backdrop, President, Pakistan-Azerbaijan Alumni Association (PAAA) and Chairman, Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), Qaiser Nawab, shared the following remarks with Azernews: On the sacred soil of Lachin, once a land scarred by conflict and mines, now rising as a beacon of resilience, a new chapter in the history of regional unity was written on May 28, 2025. The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, came together for a trilateral summit and the inauguration of Lachin International Airport, a powerful message of hope, peace, and enduring brotherhood. This symbolic convergence of three brotherly nations in Lachin was not merely a ceremonial gathering. It was a loud, proud declaration to the world: our unity is built not on transactions, but on trust; not on convenience, but on shared destiny. May 28 holds profound significance for both Azerbaijan and Pakistan. It marks Azerbaijans Independence Day, celebrating the birth of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918the first secular democratic republic in the Muslim world. It also marks Youm-e-Takbir in Pakistan, the day in 1998 when the country demonstrated its nuclear capability to preserve its sovereignty and regional balance. To witness the leaders of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan standing shoulder to shoulder in Lachin on this historic day was deeply emotional. It was more than symbolismit was the manifestation of a shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous future built on brotherhood, sacrifice, and mutual respect. Lachin, once marred by occupation, war, and deadly landmines, has transformed into a vibrant emblem of Azerbaijani resilience and renewal. The inauguration of Lachin International Airport is not only an infrastructure milestone, but it is also a gateway of peace, reconnecting this historic region with the rest of the world. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan rightly said during the summit: This land, which once echoed with the sounds of war, now welcomes the sound of hope, progress, and solidarity. The opening of the airport reflects President Ilham Aliyevs visionary leadership, who has guided Azerbaijan with strength, wisdom, and compassion. His father, the late Heydar Aliyev, laid the foundation of modern Azerbaijan, and today, his legacy is alive through the rebuilding of territories that once lay in ruins. As someone who has had the privilege to visit Azerbaijan multiple times, I recall vividly the emotional sight of Pakistani and Azerbaijani flags flying side by side in Baku during the 44-day Patriotic War. It was a visual testimony to the love between our people. And now, Lachin adds a new chapter to this saga of solidarity. The PakistanTurkiyeAzerbaijan trilateral summit in Lachin was historic in every sense. It brought together three nations connected by deep cultural ties, shared history, and unwavering support in times of need. President Ilham Aliyev hailed the summit as a unity of brothers with a shared vision. He acknowledged Pakistan and Turkiyes steadfast support during the Karabakh conflict and underscored the importance of continuing this fraternity on all regional and global platforms. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, one of the worlds most vocal champions of Muslim solidarity, emphasized the need to strengthen trilateral cooperation in defense, trade, technology, and humanitarian diplomacy. His statement resonated with clarity: Our unity is our strength. Together, we are a force for peace and dignity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, representing Pakistan, lauded the visionary leadership of both President Aliyev and President Erdo?an. He stressed that the PakistanAzerbaijanTurkiye triangle is not built on short-term interests but on the long-standing values of trust, dignity, and shared destiny. He proposed establishing trilateral institutional mechanisms to enhance economic, energy, and youth cooperationa timely and strategic vision that can uplift millions in our region. Pakistan has always stood by Azerbaijan. During the 44-day Patriotic War, Pakistan extended full moral and diplomatic support, rejecting any normalization with the occupying regime. In return, Azerbaijan has consistently backed Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, including at the United Nations and OIC platforms. This mutual respect and support is not just politicalits personal. The affection between our people is profound, visible through growing cultural exchanges, student programs, and now, increasing trade and defense cooperation. Likewise, Turkiye has been Pakistans closest strategic partner, a friend in every storm. From earthquake relief to defense collaboration, from fighting Islamophobia to standing for Palestine, the two nations have always supported each other unconditionally. Today, the trilateral bond among Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan is not just an allianceits a model. A model of Muslim unity based on principles, vision, and action. As a youth advocate and President of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Alumni Association (PAAA), I see enormous potential in youth-to-youth diplomacy. Young minds from our nations can connect through joint academic exchanges, innovation hubs, climate action, and cultural projects. That is how we will secure this partnership for generations to come. At BRISD, we are already working to promote people-to-people connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative, and our focus includes linking youth movements, sustainable businesses, and cultural diplomacy between these three nations. In a world marred by conflict, disinformation, and mistrust, the Lachin Summit sent a clear message: Muslim nations can unitenot just in words, but in action. The leaders of Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan have shown that it is possible to come together to promote peace, prosperity, and sovereignty. From the high mountains of Lachin to the plains of Punjab, from the Bosphorus to the Caspian, our friendship flows like a riverunshakable, unstoppable, and eternal. As we celebrated Azerbaijans Independence Day and Pakistans Youm-e-Takbir on May 28, we witnessed more than historywe witnessed destiny in motion. This is not just diplomacy. This is not just infrastructure. This is brotherhoodforged in sacrifice, fueled by vision, and destined for greatness. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. A Comparative Law Symposium titled Constitution Sovereignty Territorial Integrity was held in Turkiye's Istanbul to mark the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty and May 28 - Azerbaijans Independence Day, Trend reports via the State Committee on Work with Diaspora. The event was organized in partnership with Yeditepe Universitys Faculty of Law and the Federation of Turkish-Azerbaijani Associations (TADEF), aiming to strengthen strategic legal cooperation between the two brotherly countries. Held in Yeditepe University's conference hall, the event opened with a moment of silence for the martyrs of both nations, followed by the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkiye. In his opening remarks, Yeditepe University's Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Yener Unver, welcomed participants and outlined the goals of the symposium. TADEF President Adalet Turan spoke about the legal and ideological legacy of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), stressing its role in safeguarding national unity, sovereignty, and justice today. Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Diaspora Support Fund (ADSF) Akram Abdullayev thanked the university for its role in organizing the event and emphasized that the countrys full sovereignty had been restored following the forty-four-day Patriotic War in 2020 and the twenty-three-hour anti-terror operation in 2023. He noted that the Azerbaijani Constitution now fully applies across the entire territory of the country. The symposium continued with panel sessions. The first panel, moderated by Professor Oktay Uygun of Yeditepe University, featured Professor Toghrul Ismayil of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, who analyzed Azerbaijans constitutional system in the context of national statehood traditions. Associate Professor Bulent Alkan of Ankara University discussed the evolution of democratic legal principles in Turkiyes constitution. The second panel, moderated by Professor Mehmet Rifat Tnc, focused on State Sovereignty Rights. Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sabir Hajiyev addressed the international legal defense of Azerbaijans sovereign rights, while Professor Oktay Uygun explained the constitutional foundations of Turkiyes legal sovereignty. In the third panel, led by Professor Mesut Hakk Casn of Yeditepe University, the theme was Territorial Integrity and International Legal Protection Instruments. Professor Javid Abdullazade of Ankara University analyzed the new challenges facing international law following the Karabakh conflict, and Professor Ali Asgar of Karabuk University presented on the legal aspects of territorial integrity in the Turkic world. All three sessions included lively Q&A segments, during which legal scholars, students, and members of the public emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation and legal knowledge exchange between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. The symposium concluded with a national and classical music performance by Turan Manafzade, an honored artist of Azerbaijan, pianist, conductor, and composer. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Azerbaijan's earnings from natural gas export to Italy hit new heights in 1Q2025 In 1Q2025, Azerbaijan exported 2.29 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Italy, generating $1.19 billion in revenue. This marked an increase of 652 million cubic meters, or 39.8 percent, in volume. In value terms, exports rose by $456.6 million, or 61.7 percent, compared to the same period last year. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register An estimated 90,000 Michigan veterans, military members, and their families suffer from serious mental illness directly connected to service in the military. Over the past few months, the U.S. health care system has witnessed many drastic changes . Due to mental and behavioral health budget cuts and changes in structure to how people access mental health care, Michiganders are facing more barriers to that access including Michigans military veterans. The MDHHS Walking With Warriors (WWW) veteran navigator project has estimated that 90,000 Michigan veterans , military members, and their families suffer from serious mental illness directly connected to service in the military. An additional 160,000 live with mild or moderate mental health struggles related to military service.Despite the systemic changes, St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) continues to meet veterans mental health care needs. A certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC), St. Clair County CMH offers veterans a wide range of services regardless of their ability to pay or residency. The CMH ensures veterans receive timely access to care, including 24/7 crisis services and care coordination that encompasses behavioral health, physical health, and social services.Veterans are able to receive any of the many services we have at the CMH, says Wendy Martindale, St. Clair County veteran navigator. As a veteran navigator, Im a hub of resources of the community, linking them to whatever we have here in St Clair County.St. Clair CMH veteran case management services use a person-centered approach to best determine the services and supports each veteran should receive. Outpatient services for veterans include individual therapy, group therapy, as well as evidence-based treatment for those with severe mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities.Mobile crisis services provide immediate intervention and support to veterans in crisis. St. Clair County CMH also provides peer support, enlisting trained veterans who have walked the walk that other vets can readily relate to.I also am able to work with veterans that are not in CMH services. Martindale says. My role as the navigator, any veteran or family member can work with me without cost, and they don't have to be in CMH services.These changes in accessing behavioral health services have left many veterans feeling lost and alone. To provide them support and connections with other veterans and other community members, St. Clair County CMH hosts a Veterans Coffee Hour from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m the third Thursday of every month. A CMH veteran navigator is on hand with resources. The CMH Veterans Walking Group meets at Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Here, veterans can enjoy exercise and camaraderie with others.In May, the CMH took part in an annual Veterans Appreciation Day and free luncheon. Multiple vendors, the VA Detroit Healthcare System Michigan Veterans Affair Agency (MVAA) , and other organizations that support veterans shared resources. And St. Clair County CMH Thrive Resilience Training for veterans and first responders shares practical tools that help build resilience, well-being, and confidence for navigating lifes ups and downs.St. Clair County veterans services also helps veterans connect to other community resources, explore employment opportunities, and navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) , including VA Community Care , a program that allows eligible veterans to receive health care from providers outside the VA system closer to home in their local community. However, getting approval to join the program can be difficult.If I could have anything changed or addressed right now it would be Community Care, Martindale says. Our veterans here at St. Clair County should have automatic approval.Recently, the VA has required veterans to transition their behavioral health services from trusted local providers to VA facilities in Detroit or Yale. Martindale and Debra Johnson, St. Clair County CMH CEO, have both voiced their concerns to executive director of VA Detroit health care, Chris Cauley and Senator Gary Peters about the hardships veterans face due to this transition.The VA is a medical benefit. Its not insurance, like a lot of people think. You have to go to the VA to get your services. Being in St. Clair County, we're so far away from Detroit, says Martindale.Veterans are experiencing travel burdens, insufficient VA clinician staff, extensive wait times, lack of consistency in Community Care approvals, disruption of established long-term relationships with their local providers, and other barriers.When veterans are denied their Community Care, the VA sometimes does or doesn't reach out to them to let them know," says Martindale. The denials are inconsistent as well. Some veterans in this area are approved and other ones arent. Its horrible to deny a veteran thats established and doing well. Why change something when theyre doing well, then not to follow up with them to make sure theyre set up? It is leaving them out there on their own.Veterans and veterans families seeking mental health services in St. Clair County can call 888-225-4447, or in a crisis, the Mobile Crisis Unit at 810-966-2575 St. Clair County CMH mental health professionals will respond to any location in the county 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Avoid assuming or diagnosing their feelings. Telling them that you think they seem sad or that they might have PTSD wont comfort them. After theyve opened up, try to find some coping strategies that cater to them. This might be cooking, drawing, reading, writing, and a plethora of other things. Dont try to do it all. When someone is in a serious or potentially dangerous situation, you cannot fix it all. Try to refer them to a professional for help. Artwork: Daniel Kibezi Jack Reilly Jack Reilly is a freshman at Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He enjoys writing poetry, drawing, and occasionally photography. He hopes to major in psychology at Western Michigan University and become a psychologist or therapist who works with children and teens. Vicky Kettner Daniel Kibezi Artist Statement: Hello, Im Daniel Kibez. My artwork explores the journey from adversity to healing, emphasizing the transformative power of peer support. The composition is divided into contrasting landscapes: Left Side : Dark mountains under cloudy skies, with weeds symbolizing struggle. : Dark mountains under cloudy skies, with weeds symbolizing struggle. Right Side: A radiant sun casts beams onto blooming flowers and checkmarks, representing hope and progress. Shares in Chemring jumped on Tuesday as the defence and aerospace company held annual guidance after a jump in interim profits and record order book amid global geopolitical tensions. With countries looking to spend more on arms to counter threats from Russia and China, Chemring posted a 12% rise in underlying core earnings to 39.8m while its order book soared by a quarter to 1.3bn. Order intake for the six months to April 30 was up 42% to 488m. Chemring shares were up 6.47% in late trade. Global attention on defence spending remains high, fuelled by uncertainty around US support for NATO, the ongoing events in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as enduring tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, the company said on Tuesday. These deep-rooted geopolitical dynamics will drive a positive outlook for defence and security spending for the foreseeable future. In response to this elevated threat environment, several countries continue to announce defence budget increases, with the urgent need to restock their national arsenals and upgrade their capabilities combining to present significant growth opportunities for the group. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com PM Modi likely to meet multi-party delegations on June 9 or 10 in New Delhi. 7 cross-party delegations visited 33 nations post-Pahalgam terror attack. Focus on global response, diplomatic outcomes, and India's anti-terror positioning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly sit down with representatives of the multi-party delegations that were sent to 33 nations under India's international diplomatic outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent launch of Operation Sindoor. The top-level meeting is likely to be held in New Delhi on June 9 or 10. These delegations that included Members of Parliament across different parties, senior political leaders, and veteran diplomats were entrusted with projecting India's position on terrorism and rallying global opinion for its counter-terror efforts. Their visits were intended to strengthen India's global communication and mark the imperative for collective action against terrorism. It has been reported that the delegations will submit detailed briefings to the Prime Minister, which will include key takeaways of their visits. These range from high-level interactions, strategic engagements, and the overall global reaction to India's stand on terrorism, national security, and stability in the region. In a strong demonstration of political solidarity, the government had dispatched seven different delegations overseas. These were led by: Shashi Tharoor (Indian National Congress) Ravi Shankar Prasad (Bharatiya Janata Party) Sanjay Kumar Jha (Janata Dal United) Baijayant Panda (BJP) Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party) Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) Meanwhile, Baijayant Panda's delegation, which toured Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Algeria, is to present its report to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at 2:30 PM today. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi will also chair the Union Council of Ministers meeting on June 4 at 4:30 PM. This would be the first review by the ministers following the initiation of Operation Sindoor. Following the successful debut of its inaugural edition, the 2nd Stormwater and Wastewater Conference returns to the Kingdom on June 2324, 2025, at the prestigious Jeddah Hilton, Saudi Arabia. Organized by Creative Connect in collaboration with Great Minds Event Management, the conference will serve as a high-level platform to address critical infrastructure challenges related to stormwater and wastewater management in Saudi Arabia. As urban development accelerates and the effects of climate change become increasingly pronounced, Saudi Arabia is intensifying its focus on flood control, smart water management, and sustainable infrastructure. The 2025 conference supports the goals of Vision 2030, bringing together top-tier decision-makers, environmental experts, private sector leaders, and global technology providers to advance national priorities for water security and resilience. With infrastructure resilience and water sustainability now national imperatives, the 2nd Stormwater and Wastewater Conference provides a timely forum for actionable dialogue, innovation exchange, and public-private collaboration, said Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner at GM Events. This event reflects the Kingdoms strategic commitment to building future-ready urban environments and combating climate challenges head-on. Event Highlights: Industry Sectors Represented: The event will feature solutions across key segments including stormwater drainage systems, wastewater treatment technologies, water reuse and harvesting, flood risk management, smart city infrastructure, and more. High-Level Ministerial and Government Participation: Keynotes from top officials and national policymakers will outline the Kingdoms infrastructure roadmap, regulatory developments, and sustainable urban planning goals. Technology & Solutions Showcase: A dedicated exhibition zone will spotlight breakthrough innovations from international and regional providers in wastewater processing, drainage intelligence, and climate-adaptive systems. Knowledge Exchange & Case Studies: Thought leaders and engineers will present impactful case studies covering real-world applications, operational efficiency, climate adaptation, and cross-sector cooperation. Workshops & Policy Dialogues: Interactive sessions will explore public-private partnership models, financing tools, regulatory reforms, and global best practices tailored for Gulf cities. Networking Opportunities: Senior executives from ministries, municipalities, water authorities, engineering firms, and technology providers will engage in strategic B2B and B2G meetings. A Platform for Climate Resilience and Urban Innovation As Saudi Arabia continues to reimagine its urban future in line with Vision 2030, the Stormwater and Wastewater Conference stands as a vital knowledge-sharing and deal-making forum for professionals involved in the planning, implementation, and innovation of water systems. The 2025 edition is set to welcome a diverse mix of stakeholders including government and municipal leaders, utility providers, urban planners, sustainability experts, and global innovators who are shaping the next generation of infrastructure solutions in an era of rapid urbanization and environmental urgency. Official Participants: Reinforcing the events relevance and impact, the conference brings together key industry participants including Jeddah Municipality, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Saudi Society of Civil Engineering (SSCE), and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development & Combating Desertification. Their active involvement highlights the conferences stature as a credible platform for policy dialogue, showcasing innovation, and advancing technical excellence. California-based Wienerschnitzel, a popular hot dog franchise that operates 340 restaurants across 13 states, recently announced plans to team up with Walmart, and will open locations in six stores this fall. Wienerschnitzel has spent decades building a strong reputation, especially on the West Coast, and this expansion into Walmart stores signifies a new era of growth for the brand, Shak Turner, the brands director of franchise expansion, noted in a press release. Turner joined the Wienerschnitzel team in March, with a focus on driving company growth across non-traditional formats. Wienerschnitzel, which was founded by John Galardi in 1961 as a single hot dog stand, serves more than 120 million hot dogs annually. Its new Walmart collaboration will be tested in the following locations: Puyallup, Washington; Alamogordo, New Mexico; Tempe, Arizona; Reno, Nevada; Colorado Springs, Colordado; and Bakersfield, California. These non-traditional formats allow us to modernize our footprint, bring our iconic flavors to new audiences, and reinforce the brands relevance in todays evolving retail and dining landscape, Ted Milburn, Wienerschnitzels director of franchise development, noted in the press release. Growing inside these Walmart locations significantly expands our reach and opens the door for franchisees to tap into high-traffic locations with built-in demand. The Walmart Wienerschnitzel locations will all feature the brands full menu, including iconic items like the Chili Cheese Dog, Junkyard Dog, chili cheese fries, jalapeno poppers, and Tastee Freez soft serve desserts. Beyond Walmart, Wienerschnitzel is also actively pursuing a range of non-traditional venues to broaden its reach, including development opportunities in high-traffic environments like airports, military bases, theme parks, food courts, and convenience stores. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Pakistan is interested in expanding energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, the Pakistani Oil Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said at the 30th Baku Energy Forum, Trend reports. According to him, Pakistan attaches great importance to sustainable energy development and considers Azerbaijan as an important partner in this process. We want to move towards inclusiveness and sustainable development. We need to develop sustainability in this transition in the issue of industrialization and support for the introduction of renewable energy and technologies, the minister noted. He also emphasized that Pakistan is ready to work together in the field of gas infrastructure, including the possibility of building pipelines linking the countries in the region. Azerbaijan is assisting us in developing gas infrastructure and fields in Pakistan. The energy infrastructure of our country is favorable for work in this field because Pakistan has 120,000 kilometers of pipeline, Ali Pervaiz Malik said. The minister added that Pakistan continues to actively negotiate and conclude agreements with a number of energy exporting countries while encouraging localized production and exploration of resources. Police say an unfounded bomb threat was made to a Stapleton School on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Police are in the process of tracking down a caller who made a bomb threat to a Staten Island school Tuesday afternoon, according to a spokesperson for the NYPD. Police say that an unfounded bomb threat was made to a school located at 101 Warren St. in Stapleton. The address is shared by both Dreyfus Intermediate School (I.S. 49) and the Eagle Academy for Young Men of Staten Island. It remains unknown at this time which school the threat was made to. Students return to school following an unfounded bomb threat on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 3, 2025 (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley) The spokesperson said that a secretary at the school answered a phone call from an unfounded number, and the person on the other end of the line made the threat. The building was subsequently evacuated and police responded to the scene to conduct a full canvass search, the NYPD shared. The Department of Education confirmed that both schools were evacuated and shared that parents were kept informed throughout this process. As the threat was made around lunchtime, police said many students were already outside the school. Police aid the flow of traffic following an unfounded bomb threat to a Stapleton School on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Petel Around 1:10 p.m. students outside the school could be seen filtering back into the building. A police presence remained on the scene. New York City has added an additional day to winter break for the 2025-2026 school year. (Advance/SILive.com | Shira Stoll) New York City public school students will have an additional day off during winter break next school year. The 2025-2026 New York City education department school calendar previously closed buildings for winter break from Dec. 24-Jan. 1. Classes were slated to resume on Jan. 2 which means students would have been forced to return to classes for one day that week. According to the updated calendar, schools will now be closed on Friday, Jan. 2. The additional day off during recess will allow families more time for travel and vacation. New York City public schools will now be closed for winter recess from Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, to Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. The last day of classes before break will be Tuesday, Dec. 23. Students will return to campus on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. It means students will have 12 days off, including weekends, during winter recess next year. The change in the calendar comes after New York City added a day to winter break during the current school year on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. Students returned to classes this year after break on Thursday, Jan. 2. From the left to right, Valerie Pepe, Ani Samargian (founder of AMCSI), and Emma Pepe, Valerie's mom. Valerie Pepe will host the annual AMC Music Festival set to unfold on Saturday, June 7 at Killmeyers Old Baveria Inn at 6 p.m. (Courtesy/Valerie Pepe) Staten Island Advance STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Valerie Pepe will host the annual AMC Music Festival Saturday, June 7 at Killmeyers Old Baveria Inn at 6 p.m. The event raises funds for families affected by Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC). a relatively rare condition that occurs when joint contractures are present and theres abnormal fibrosis of the muscle tissue in the lower body. Proceeds in its entirety are earmarked for the non-profit Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Support Incorporated (AMCSI), which provides necessary services needed to live an independent life with AMC. Pepe was born with the rare congenital birth defect that occurs in one out of every 3,000 live births. AMC, as its commonly called, is used to describe the presence of multiple congenital contractures. Valerie Pepe's AMC Music Festival is set for Saturday, June 7 at 6 p.m. at Killmeyer's Old Bermuda Inn. (Courtesy/Valerie Pepe) Staten Island Advance The word arthrogryposis, arthro, joint, gryp, curved, literally means curved joint (implying that it is fixed or stuck in the curved position) which are present at birth (congenita). To date, no prenatal diagnostic tools are available to test for the condition. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has recognized the grassroots efforts as a means to raise funds and awareness of the rare condition with a signed proclamation. Through the music festival we are trying to reach those families that need medical, counseling and support services in our own community, says Pepe. Diversified musical performances will be by Mr. Hood, Radio Waves and The Kitchen. Larry Oliveri will sing his rendition of God Bless America. For nearly 13 years, Pepes mission has been to ensure that everyone understands what it means to be afflicted with AMC, and how it deeply affects individuals and families. Admission to the event is $20 per person, $10 for individuals afflicted with AMC. Killmeyers Old Bavaria Inn is located at 4254 Arthur Kill Rd. in Charleston. Children under 12 will be admitted free. Those with questions about the event, should contact Pepe at 917-524-5548 or email her at valerie.m.pepecooper55@gmail.com Todt Hill resident Mike Colini was not only a beloved figure within Staten Island Little League, but the entire Island community as well. (Advance/SILive.com) (Advance/SILive.com) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. For the majority of his life, Mike Colini gave the shirt off his back if it meant helping someone in need or contributing to a worthy cause. On Saturday, the Staten Island community will say thank you in a big way. The former Staten Island Little League president, who unexpectedly died while vacationing in Las Vegas late last summer, will be honored during a street renaming ceremony just outside the loops complex in Dongan Hills. The ceremony will take place on the corner of Seaver Avenue and Joyce Street beginning at 11 a.m. The 60-year-old Colini, of course, was a stalwart at the Islands oldest Little League for over 25 years and was also the driving force behind the creation of a successful foundation that kept his sons memory alive up until the time of his death. Mike was generous; a great family man and a great friend,' said close friend and fellow SILL administrator Kevin Moylan at the time of Colinis passing. Hed do anything for anybody.' The West Brighton native graduated from Susan Wagner HS in 1982 and he eventually became a Metropolitan Transit Authority police officer. Colini, who was SILLs president at the time the loop was recovering in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, was a Little League Assistant District Administrator under current DA Frank Cambria at the time of his death. Its a very, overwhelming honor,' said Colinis wife, Diane, who was thankful to the MTA police department and the office of Councilmember David Carr for making the street renaming ceremony a reality. 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/. 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/. Costco has announced a recall of a popular brand of mineral water sold in select locations. (Owen Reiter for the Staten Island Advance) Owen Reiter Costco has announced a recall of a popular mineral water brand that may be contaminated. Costco was informed that its supplier Coca-Cola is recalling a limited quantity of Topo Chico Mineral Water, in the 18 pack of 16.9 oz. glass bottles, due to a possible contamination with pseudomonas. Pseudomonas is a bacteria that can be found naturally in water sources, including mineral water. The health consequences of consuming mineral water with the presence of pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered to be very low in healthy individuals, with potential minor health consequences if consumed by individuals with weakened immune systems. The recalled items were sold at select Texas and Louisiana warehouses from May 20-29, 2025. If you purchased Topo Chico Mineral Water with the lot code 13A2541, it should be returned to your local Costco for a full refund. Lot codes can be found on the case and on the neck of the bottle. Consumers with questions can call Coca-Cola at 1-800-438-2653. One Take 5 winner emerged from the Tuesday, May 27 drawing, with the winning ticket sold on Long Island worth over $30,000. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) The New York Lottery announced a top-prize winning ticket was sold for the May 27 Take 5 drawing. One ticket, worth $31,152.50, was purchased at a store located at 223 West Merrick Road in Freeport, Long Island, for the evening drawing. The winning numbers were 10, 11, 13, 16, and 27. Take 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. To win the Take 5 jackpot, match the five numbers on your ticket to the winning five-number combination drawn. It costs $1 per game to play. The odds of winning the Take 5 jackpot: One in 575,757. The drawing is broadcast on television twice daily at 2:30 and 10:30 p.m. Take 5 players with midday and evening draws on the same ticket must check their numbers at nylottery.ny.gov to determine if they have the winning numbers for the corresponding midday or evening drawing. Players can securely check their tickets on the New York Lottery app. Jackpot.com brings the lottery to your fingertips. Order your official New York Lottery tickets online with ease and safety. The New York Lottery continues to be touted as North Americas largest and most profitable lottery, contributing $3.8 billion in lottery aid to education for fiscal year 2023-2024 to help support education in New York state. New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school districts size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of lottery school funding. New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help by calling the states toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. (Courtesy: the office of Councilmember Kamillah Hanks) The New York City Parks Department recently completed part of a massive repaving project to pathways at Clove Lakes Park notifying Staten Island councilmembers Friday, May 30, 2025. (Courtesy: the office of Councilmember Kamillah Hanks) Whats Happening Staten Island is a series about construction projects and other community happenings around the borough. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City recently finished a portion of a massive repaving project for the pathways at Clove Lakes Park, the Advance/SILive.com has learned. The exterior of Newark Liberty International Airport, Terminal A, is seen in this May 6, 2025 photo. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Staten Island family is counting their blessings and giving thanks to Port Authority police, after officers rescued their toddler from the luggage system at Newark Liberty International Airport. It was around 6:30 p.m. on May 28, when officers assigned to Terminal A were alerted that a 2-year-old boy had gained access to a conveyor belt at the JetBlue ticketing counter. Officers with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey responded and located the uninjured child in the checked baggage room on the lower level. Emergency Medical Services were requested as a precaution, and the childs parents declined further medical attention. The family successfully flew to Tampa, Florida, for vacation, according to the childs grandfather, who expressed his gratitude to the responding officers, PIX 11 reported. Port Authority Police stand guard inside Newark Liberty International Airport, terminal A in this May 6 photo. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media The child had made his way onto the belt while the mother was speaking with an agent at the counter. The belt was positioned next to and behind the counter, according to the outlet. Officers within earshot responded. There was a split in the belts down the chute, Port Authority Police union president Frank Conti told PIX 11. One officer went toward one direction, one went toward the other direction. One of them was able to observe the child. They grabbed the boy just before he reached the X-ray units. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The second day of the 30th Baku Energy Week, the main industrial event of the region, which annually gathers world leaders in the field of energy, has come to an end., Trend reports. As on the first day, interest in the exhibition is quite high today. The exhibition is not only an introduction to the products of various brands, but also has special importance in terms of cooperation. Thus, from the morning hours, participants visit different stands and get the opportunity to get acquainted with various products presented by local and foreign companies in the energy sector on the spot and to work together. The topics of the panel discussions to be held within the framework of the exhibition are a clear example of how effective it is. "Development of infrastructure for electric vehicles in Azerbaijan", "Digitalization of railway transport", "Multimodal transportation in the Caspian region: Prospects and challenges in ensuring efficient transport logistics", "The role of artificial intelligence in the energy sector", as well as "The role of nuclear energy as an alternative energy in reducing carbon emissions" are the topics of the panel discussions on the agenda. In addition, bilateral business meetings (B2B),l and a Closed Working Session of the Working Group of the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA on the pilot project of the CIM/SMGS electronic consignment note will also be held within the framework of the exhibition today. 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. This years event hosts 267 companies from 39 countries, covering the full spectrum of the energy sector from Europe and the Middle East to Asia and Africa. Among the participating countries are Germany, the UK, Italy, Japan, the US, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the UAE, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, India, Israel, Switzerland, Guinea-Bissau, Luxembourg, Hungary, Egypt, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine. Germany is participating with a national pavilion. Around 70 percent of the exhibitors are international companies, with local firms accounting for the remaining 30 percent. The regional sales manager of the company, Chinese Neway Oil Equipment Jenny Zhang, stated that Chinese Neway Oil Equipment is interested in introducing its products to the Azerbaijani market. He first talked about the company he represents: As Neway Oil Equipment, part of the Neway Group, we are engaged in the design, manufacture, and global sales of drilling equipment for the oil and gas industry. Our company manufactures high-pressure wellhead equipment and Christmas tree equipment following API 6A and 16C standards. Our office is located in China's Suzhou." The representative of the company also assessed possible opportunities for cooperation with Azerbaijan: We export our products to different countries of the world. 15 percent of our company's income comes from its exports. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Rep. Elise Stefanik, chair of the House Republican Conference, attended the Staten Island GOPs annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Monday at the Vanderbilt at South Beach. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis introduced Stefanik, who represents New Yorks 21st Congressional District and has been considering a run for governor of the state, according to the Associated Press. She received a warm welcome from a room packed with the boroughs GOP representatives and supporters. Griffin Fossella has announced a bid for the South Shore City Council seat. It was made at La Fontana in Oakwood on Feb. 8, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Annalise Knudson) Annalise Knudson STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Republican candidate for the South Shore City Council seat said Monday that he will no longer be campaigning despite remaining on the ballot. Griffin Fossella, 27, the son of Borough President Vito Fossella, said voters should no longer expect to see him on the campaign trail in the Republican primary, but that his supporters should still expect to see his name on the ballot later this month. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is forecast to impact New York City on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. This image from Monday, June 2, 2025, shows a wildfire burning northeast of Summit Lake, British Columbia, Canada. (BC Wildfire Service/The Canadian Press via AP) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. For the moment, the latest Canadian wildfires are not forecast to send a dystopian, surface-level haze to the streets of New York City. However, smoke from the flames is already wafting overhead, according to Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. Even today (Tuesday) the skys got a little bit of a hazy look to it, which is from some of the smoke from those Canadian wildfires, Kines told the Advance/SILive.com. As of 11 a.m., the city had an air-quality index of 50, according to AirNow. The air quality is forecast to worsen before the end of the day, ultimately reaching a value of 58, which denotes moderate air quality. Anything less than 50 is designated as good. Under the moderate conditions forecast for Tuesday, those unusually sensitive to particle pollution should limit outdoor activity, as noted by AirNow. While less than ideal, Tuesdays conditions in New York are better than those further west. Theres no doubt the smoke is thickest across Wisconsin and Minnesota right now, added Kines. Visibilities back there are really reduced and it looks, you know, looking at web cams out there it just looks nasty. The smoke descending upon the U.S. originates from wildfires up in Canada, the largest of which is the Shoe Fire in central Saskatchewan, AccuWeather shared. That fire remained out of control, and as of Monday morning, has burned 1,490 square miles. So what should city residents expect? Well, according to Kines, an area of thicker smoke out in eastern Pennsylvania will gradually push eastward toward the city. That batch of smoke is forecast by Kines to hit the five boroughs sometime later Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. Should that thicker smoke come through, Kines noted that it could make for a better sunset. The anticipated conditions will be fleeting, as Kines said that smoke should clear out east by Wednesday. I guess, even if it was around first thing in the morning tomorrow I think by afternoon it would have shifted east, okay? And the skies would be more clear in the afternoon than in the morning, Kines said. Kines added that he does not foresee this smoke causing any health issues for residents as it is aloft and not near the surface. While the smoke may not pose trouble for the time being, Kines did explain that the situation could change this weekend with the shift in winds. Houston: What prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series King of the Hill, remains unclear. While Joss husband has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled violent homophobic slurs before opening fire, San Antonio police have said theyve found no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr Joss murder was related to his sexual orientation. Police did not respond to multiple emails on Tuesday seeking additional information on the cause of the shooting. Jonathan Joss was shot dead as he checked his mail with his husband. Since Joss killing, friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honoured his memory with tributes and fond remembrances. Heres what to know about Joss, his career and his shooting: BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Chinese Neway Oil Equipment is interested in introducing its products to the Azerbaijani market, the regional sales manager of the company, Jenny Zhang, told Trend at the event of the 30th anniversary of Baku Energy Week, Trend reports. He first talked about the company he represents: As Neway Oil Equipment, part of the Neway Group, we are engaged in the design, manufacture, and global sales of drilling equipment for the oil and gas industry. Our company manufactures high-pressure wellhead equipment and Christmas tree equipment following API 6A and 16C standards. Our office is located in China's Suzhou." The representative of the company also assessed possible opportunities for cooperation with Azerbaijan: We export our products to different countries of the world. 15 percent of our company's income comes from its exports. We would also be glad to cooperate with Azerbaijani companies. Albeit not directly, we can export our products to this country through agents. We are negotiating in this direction. In 2016, at the end of semester, I sent my university tutor a message on Facebook. Sporting a crush, I was eager to see if my feelings were reciprocated. He soon responded, agreed to meet up with me, and we quickly proceeded to date. At the time, it didnt feel particularly sordid, given there were only a handful of years between us in age. Two years into our relationship, a report examining staff sexual misconduct at UK universities was published, showing that of the 1839 students surveyed, about 80 per cent were uncomfortable with relationships between staff and students. Four months later, Universities Australia released a statement on the issue, declaring relationships between academic supervisors and students are never OK. Neither of us acknowledged the report during our relationship. By then, the dust felt as though it had settled, and I had made a concerted effort to avoid being his student again, namely by changing my major (a decision I later came to regret). There is a power imbalance between academics and their students. Credit: Getty Images It wasnt until 2020 that University College London became one of the first universities in the world to introduce a formal ban on romantic and sexual relationships between staff and their students. Even today, there are no formal statewide or federal bans across Australian universities. In the academic world, this is famously a grey area: somewhere between a conflict of interest and sexual harassment. While many universities require staff to declare any anticipated or existing close personal relationship with a current student, this implies that theyre not off limits. Such clear standards would have made for smoother sailing once I discovered my ex-partner had engaged in relationships with other women over the years who were, like me, once his students. 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 Deep under an inner-city Sydney suburb, two giant caverns each large enough to house an A380 superjumbos fuselage and tail are being carved out of sandstone. About 120 metres long, 26 metres high and 18 metres wide, the caverns illustrate the monumental scale of the task confronting engineers and other workers as they prepare to dig two motorway tunnels under Sydney Harbour between Birchgrove and Waverton. For the last decade, Sydney has become accustomed to tunnelling for metro train lines. Yet, two giant tunnelling machines to be shipped in parts from China later this year will dwarf those that completed Sydneys first under-harbour rail crossing early this decade and are now worming their way under the city for the Metro West rail line between the central city and Parramatta. At about 16 metres in diameter, the tunnel boring machines for the $7 billion Western Harbour Tunnel will be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The twin three-lane wide motorway tunnels will each be large enough to fit four metro rail tunnels. While the project is the envy of tunnellers around the world, Transport for NSW project director Simon Cooper said the planned under-harbour crossing was very, very complicated technically. Were building little cities underground that nobody is ever going to see that will enable our project. And when all the works done, we will pack it away, he said. When you are abroad, you hear about Sydney Harbour; you hear about the bridge. An opportunity to go under a harbour as a tunneller is ... something any tunneller around the world wants to do. Advertisement Like mobile factories, each of the boring machines will house up to 20 workers at any one time. Spanish contractor Acciona will operate the machines around the clock, slicing through about 55 metres of rock and sediment a week. Making the project more challenging, the machines will be assembled in the tight confines of the so-called launch chambers beneath Birchgrove before starting their 1.5-kilometre journey early next year under the harbour towards Waverton. Excavation equipment known as road-headers with large rotating cutting heads began chiselling away at sandstone deep beneath an oval and several houses in February to create the launch chambers, which are due to be completed by the end of the year. Cooper said it was hard enough assembling boring machines above ground where cranes could move freely, let alone in a tight space underground. In fact, the team decided to add extra height to the chambers to avoid regrets lifting parts when the assembly begins. It is a factory down there because not only are we having to assemble and have these big cranes in there, we then also have piping that goes backwards and forwards to our slurry treatment plants, he explained. After a practice assembly in a Chinese warehouse, the parts that will make up the boring machines will arrive by ship at Glebe Island in coming months. Once offloaded, they will cover most of the waterfront area seen by motorists as they cross Anzac Bridge. When the assembly starts early next year, two 400-tonne bearings equivalent to 200 cars will have to be lifted into the caverns by gantry cranes. The bearings will hold the cutter heads to each of the machines, allowing them to spin. Advertisement Highlighting the task ahead, the boring machines will have to tunnel through a portion of alluvial fill a mixture of clay, silt and sand under the harbour. Before they reach one of the riskiest parts of the tunnelling, up to 47 metres below the harbour surface, the giant machines will temporarily stop for a freshen up, which will include changing teeth on the cutter heads. Once they resume churning through the alluvial fill, the priority will be to ensure the machines do not stop. Engineers want to avoid them getting stuck like a boring machine did under the Snowy Mountains for the federal governments multibillion-dollar pumped-hydro project. Thats something that causes me worry, which is getting stuck under the harbour because theres only one way to then get to it, which is then sinking something down, Cooper explained. If something gets stuck or wears out, then you dont want to be going and trying to fix things in that bad ground because its dangerous for people, and its usually under pressure. Construction workers in one of the giant vent chambers for the Western Harbour Tunnel. Credit: Janie Barrett During tunnelling for the M1 metro rail line under the harbour in 2019, bubbles rose to the water surface directly above a giant tunnelling machine, alarming senior transport officials who feared that one of the tunnels had been damaged, and possibly breached. However, it quickly turned out to be vibrations from the boring machine that had disturbed air pockets within sediment on the harbour floor. Heralding from Hong Kong, Cooper is no stranger to mega projects having worked in the UK on schemes such as the second stage of the Channel Tunnel rail link before moving in 2008 to Australia where he has been involved with Sydneys rail projects and the WestConnex motorway. Going under the harbour is a big risk for us, especially in such a large machine. The ground conditions are not ideal. Were doing everything possible to make sure that [from the tunnel boring] selection through to how were working ... that we can do it safely, he said. Advertisement The use of boring machines represents a major U-turn on earlier plans. The previous NSW Coalition government decided to dig deeper tunnels for the main section of the motorway between Birchgrove and Waverton, ditching plans to lay large tubes in a trench on the harbour floor. At the peak of construction, about 500 people will be working underground at any one time. Apart from underground offices, about five support centres complete with kitchen facilities provide respite for workers during their breaks. Tunnel environments are noisy. They have got somewhere comfortable to sit and have a real break, said delivery director Dean McAllister, who worked on the $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway motorway and the NorthConnex tunnel. Two other chambers each about 42 metres long and 25 metres high have already been excavated for the under-harbour crossing. One of them will house a slurry treatment plant, and the other filter pressers and centrifuges to remove water in the soil. As the boring machines burrow their way under the harbour, slurry will be pumped into their cutter heads to counteract pressure. The circulating slurry will be mixed with the excavated material and pumped back to the treatment plant. After the borers complete their job, the two giant chambers will be used to house ventilation fans to circulate air through the motorway tunnels. Inside the tunnels and caverns already carved out for the projects first stage, it is noisy and humid as workers, diggers and other excavation equipment navigate the underground world. Cross passages are situated at regular intervals along the twin tunnels, which extend to a spaghetti junction at Rozelle for WestConnex. Trucks queue in the tunnels to collect spoil before emerging above ground to take their loads to development sites across the city. Its busier than Trafalgar Square. There are so many different things going on down there, Cooper said. On the north side of the harbour, road headers are churning through rock as they race south towards the Waverton peninsula. Once they reach it, two giant chambers each 38 metres long and 23 metres high will be dug out over a six-month period next year. Advertisement 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 There is currently no legislation or requirement in Australia that addresses political party defections or imposes sanctions (PM defends Greens defector after allegations, June 3). And yet Ill wager, if you ask the average person theyll say there should be. Lidia Thorpe, Fatima Payman, David Van, Tammy Tyrrell and now Dorinda Cox all yanking the voters chain, one after the other. Trust in elected officials is hard to find as it is, more so when politicians decide to switch parties midterm. Politicians should be discouraged from changing parties to avoid leaving voters with buyers remorse. Turning against the platform that got them elected shouldnt be up to the politicians discretion. Party switching must be done with voters in mind, not on personal whims or (wait for it) to gain more power. Change in this system is especially necessary amid this string of high-profile politicians switching parties to ensure elected officials do represent voters needs. With trust so scarce, anything that can reassure confidence should be implemented. Inconsiderate politicians need to prioritise their constituents and, if they wont, rules must change to hold them accountable. Bob Konig, Shell Cove Anthony Albanese and Greens defector Dorinda Cox. Credit: AAPIMAGE As a member of the Greens, I say good riddance to Dorinda Cox. Labor can have her she clearly shares their values more than those of the Greens. To defect so soon after Environment Minister Murray Watt made the egregious decision to approve the North West Shelf extension indicates she doesnt care a fig about the Murujuga petroglyphs on the Burrup Peninsula. As for the accusations of bullying her staff, they may have been dealt with, but losing 20 staff in three years says a great deal. Jenny Goldie, Cooma Once again I am astounded that electoral rules allow someone to be elected as a member of one party, and then they can change parties. And dont start me on the ethics of Dorinda Coxs situation. Glad Im not a WA Green. Aidan Cuddington, Umina Beach The prime ministers welcoming of that political turncoat Dorinda Cox to the ranks of the ALP adds insult to injury and begs the question of what he promised her to defect, and whether her memory is so bad she cannot remember why the people of Western Australia elected her to the Australian senate in the first place. Labor should respect the wishes of the people of WA and refuse to accept her vote in the senate. James Fliece, Kensington The elected Australian legislators (Letters, June 3)? Hardly. The teals will have zero real influence over this government and get to legislate precisely nothing. Which is why Greens senator Dorinda Cox saw the light and jumped into a party where she could. Peter Thornton, Killara I suspect that many people who voted teal would never have voted Labor in a fit, but their decision will probably keep Labor in power for decades to come because the teals only targeted conservative seats. But try telling them that. David Sayers, Gwandalan Advertisement Credit: Cathy Wilcox Where theres (cheap) smoke It is hard not to shake ones head at the boneheaded approach taken in Australia to curb tobacco consumption, principally by introducing the world toughest regulations and the worlds highest taxes (Premier calls for tobacco tax review, June 3). Then, fearing tobacco companies might find a market for vaping, a safer alternative to smoking, Australia introduced the worlds toughest vaping laws. Now Australia is awash with cheap illegal tobacco and unregulated but now more expensive vaping products. As a result, smoking is, at least anecdotally, on the rise. Australias response to smoking takes the cake for politically motivated, dumb policymaking. Peter Barrett, Woonona It seems that the illegal tobacco operators have worn the state government down by flooding the NSW community with their outlets, while the government claims it is too hard for the Health Department to regulate and too disruptive for the police to investigate. Perhaps penalties and a few tweaks in the areas of law are required so that judges and regulatory authorities arent left without any meaningful paths for prosecution and significant financial penalty. Donald Hawes, Peel Bad values, good response Peter Hartchers article on Donald Trumps bastardisation of American values and redefinition of natural rights, and attempts by the US administration to directly interfere in the politics and policies of other countries, is another chilling indication of the liar-in-chiefs megalomania and wrecking-ball lunacy (Team US redefining megalomania, June 3). We should be thankful that Australias democracy was robust enough to overwhelmingly reject the promotion of Trumpist right-wing big thinking in our recent federal election, and that Anthony Albanese has the quiet courage to stand up to the would-be despot in Washington. Rob Phillips, North Epping Until recently I was planning to go to the USA this year with a sibling to visit our relatives in New York. However, having read of travellers arriving there and being asked to give access to their phones and social media, plus being taken away to be body-searched, I have decided it was too much of a risk. My social media is littered with anti-Trump material and I dont want to waste my money and time on the possibility I could be put back on a plane, having only be allowed to set foot in their airport. How many others will be censoring themselves from going to the USA? Con Vaitsas, Ashbury Advertisement With the US playing fast and loose with human rights, it is high time we passed our own Human Rights Bill into law. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer Human cost People in Kennett City, Missouri are up in arms about the arrest and potential deportation of Carol, a popular resident (A Missouri town was solidly behind Trump. Then Carol was detained, June 3). So they should be, but one of their responses is instructive: No one voted to deport mums just the gangs. In other words, We are OK with him being mean to people we dont know or whom we disapprove of, but not to us or people we know. Farmers who are going to lose their farms because their workers have been deported will be feeling buyers regret, but they still support Trump. His supporters still have a long way to go before they return to humanity. Nicholas Triggs, Katoomba Former Fox reporter Pete Hegseth, now US Defence Secretary. is a leading member of team Trump. Credit: AP Your correspondent who accuses Donald Trump of falsehoods, bullying, tantrums and intimidation in his attempt to achieve regal stature needs brush up on his history (Letters, June 3). Werent the ancestors of Charles III ruthless plotters and thuggish despots determined to get their bottoms on the throne, and once there, ruled using the same insidious methods of which Trump has been denounced? Who knows, if the dear Donald manages to establish a US House of Trump, in a few hundred years his descendants may have wangled the same level of media manipulation and public acceptance the House of Windsor currently enjoys. Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie Cheap tech gives defence more bang for buck Defence Minister Richard Marles could learn a few things from Ukraines incredible bomber-destroying mission (Anger over drone attack shows Ukraine hit Russia where it hurt, June 3). First, it proved that todays wars can be won by nimble, cheap kit. Expensive bombers and nuclear submarines can be destroyed or thwarted by cheap drones and clever use of information technology. Doubling Australias defence spending, as the US wants us to do, will not necessarily make our defence force twice as effective. We should emulate Ukraine and aim to get good bang for our buck. Second, the Ukraine attack demonstrated that military intelligence is essential to military success. Ukraine did its homework and knew where and when to hit Russia to inflict maximum damage. Most importantly, however, was the ability of Ukraine to keep its plans secure. This had to be a surprise attack. The mission was 18 months in the making but, crucially, no one leaked it to the Russians. Just as importantly, Ukraine did not share its plans with its allies. Zelensky obviously calculated the risk of telling the US, in particular, was too great. Loose lips sink ships, and there are none looser than those of Putins good friend Donald Trump. Mike Reddy, Vincentia Advertisement I wonder how much of the 3.5 per cent or 5 per cent increase on defence spending demanded by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth do the Americans expect to flow to their military/industrial businesses. A nice little earner behind a hidden agenda (Albanese wont just roll over to Trump on defence budget, June 3). Ross Coleman, Glenbrook The USA wants us to spend more on defence. Sure, maybe we should. But lets buy all our new defence material from Europe, not expand the American arms industry. After all, with all these tariffs, anything made in USA will be more expensive. Barbara Grant, Castle Hill I dont want my PM taking advice on national defence spending from an ex-Fox News presenter and a draft dodger. Wayne Fitness, Rankin Park Identity, crisis Another marvellous pairing of Herald articles today. In the first, by Roby DOttavi, he surmises that the young and culturally diverse people who have been converging on Paris have seemingly altered the outward French persona for the better (Parisians shattered my stereotype. How rude, June 3). And in the second, according to Sophie Gee, this is what Seamus Heaney is asking us to think about national identity as changeable, volatile and complex (Trump fears Harvards excellence, June 3). We are all now in a moment of crisis if we allow Dangerous Don to enforce his warped idea of monoculture on esteemed institutions or, indeed, anywhere at all. Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi Roby DOttavi says the French persona seems to have changed. Credit: Getty Images Reading Sophie Gees delightful defence of universities reminds me that its not just populist American presidents that take aim at centres of educational excellence. Knowledge is power, but for many politicians power is sadly an endgame in itself. Weve had our fair share of pollies who have promised to stamp out any dissident thinking within universities especially when it questions the veracity of their own thinking, ideas and values. The paradox is that some of these individuals (but not the US president) were themselves a product of the very culture they aim to cancel. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why Advertisement Double the work To imply that parliamentarians only work when they are sitting in parliament is facile (Part-time parliament to make law for just 40 days, June 3). All good MPs experience a doubling of workload when they return to their electorate offices, having to attend to both their parliamentary and electorate duties. Senator David Pocock is fully aware of this and is just taking a cheap shot that he knows will resonate with those members of the public who do not appreciate just how gruelling the life of an MP is. Gwynn Boyd, Mosman Lesson saved and learnt The University of Sydney allows students to harangue a captive audience with their pet political peeve at the beginning of lectures (New rules for Sydney uni students, June 3)? When I went to lectures I expected to be taught for the allotted 50 minutes. If students wanted to talk about politics and believe me, there was plenty to talk about in the 1970s theyd put up posters and invite people to a lunchtime meeting somewhere on campus. Taking time out of lectures or tutorials to wind up a few students, or distract and annoy the majority who couldnt care less, is, and thankfully now was, a dreadful idea. Andrew Scott, Pymble Students have been stopped from non-course-related announcements during lectures. Advertisement Despite being one of Australias fastest-growing religious groups, the Hindu community has been the only major faith without its own school. Until now. The federal government has promised the Hindu community $8.5 million in grant funding to launch a new school in western Sydney. Surinder Jain and Sai Paravastu are supporting the development of Australias first Hindu school. Credit: Steven Siewert The Sanatan School is aiming to welcome its first class of students in 2027, with plans to eventually educate more than 1000 students, from kindergarten to year 12. One man has been charged with murder and a second charged with concealing a serious indictable offence after a gruesome stabbing death in Sydneys inner west that police allege was a drug deal gone horribly wrong. A 29-year-old man was found with multiple stab wounds to his neck at a house on Kembla Street in Croydon Park on Monday evening, following a police welfare check. NSW forensic police process the crime scene on Kembla Street. Credit: Kate Geraghty Late on Tuesday morning, police charged 32-year-old Mohammad Sofwan Bin Mustafha with murder over the stabbing. He was arrested at the Kembla Street home on Monday night before being taken to hospital for assessment. An investigation has been launched into the death of a 39-year-old man who was attacked by another patient in the psychiatric unit of a public hospital on Brisbanes southside. Police said the sudden death investigation began after they attended the scene at the unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba in May. It is unclear whether the attack itself caused the mans death or if it triggered an underlying medical condition. The Corrective Services Investigation Unit was preparing a report for the coroner, police added. Parents of more than 1100 West Australian school students will benefit from a new cost-of-living initiative to help make school camps at Rottnest Island more affordable. The subsidy of up to $150 per student for a three-night camp will help parents who otherwise may not have been able to give their child the chance to join in on arguably one of the more expensive school excursions. More school students will be able to join in on school camps at the popular tourist destination. Credit: Getty Images Students from across the state will benefit from the scheme to be unveiled on Wednesday including those from the Wheatbelt towns of Wagin and York, Mount Barker in the south and Dongara in the north. Participating schools will also receive as much as a 100 per cent subsidy on accommodation at Kingstown Barracks, bike hire from Pedal and Flipper Hire, and Rottnest Island Voluntary Guides Association educational tours. Subsidised ferry transfers are also available. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged WA regulators to consider the issue of concussion as a bare-knuckle boxing league vies to hold a fight at RAC Arena next month. The states Combat Sports Commission is currently assessing an application by the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship partially owned by former UFC fighter Conor McGregor to stage its event on July 19. Anthony Albanese visited Perth this week as part of a national cabinet meeting in WA. Credit: Getty Images A brawl over the issue has seen the sport labelled morally reprehensible in WA parliament, as the government distanced itself from the planned event. Former sports minister David Templeman, who opened the door to the event in February when he amended regulations to recognise the BKFC as a sanctioning body, declined to discuss the topic when WAtoday contacted him on Tuesday. Responding in parliament to the oppositions demands that he show some leadership and stop the morally repugnant event last week, Premier Roger Cook said the league was not his cup of tea, but trusted the Combat Sports Commission to provide advice on how to run the event safely The government continues to delegate responsibility for the fight to the Combat Sports Commission but current Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti does have powers to veto the event. Loading At a press conference earlier on Tuesday, Cook stood firmly behind the Combat Sports Commission, despite admitting sports like mixed martial arts left him a bit cold. But look, Im not here to lecture people about what they should and shouldnt do, he said, noting it was the commissions job to ensure that, where combat sports take place, they do so with appropriate supervision, particularly medical supervision, and in an appropriate manner. Saffioti, at a separate press conference today, said: If you dont regulate, if you dont actually have rules in place, it goes underground, and that poses a far greater risk to everyone involved. But speaking to 6PRs Oliver Peterson ahead of a cabinet meeting in Perth on Tuesday afternoon, Albanese raised concerns about concussion, revealing he had met last week with NRL legend Mark Carroll, who has said his time playing at the highest levels of rugby left him with chronic traumatic encephalopathy also known as CTE. I think health advice is pretty important when it comes to all of these issues. And Id be hopeful that whoever it is whos making the decision bears that in mind, Albanese said. Its not really my responsibility as PM, but I do think that we need to be really cognisant about health advice when it comes to these issues, because they are really prevalent, and then in years past, there wasnt as much concern about it. And I know of a number of footballers, a couple of whom Im friends with, who are really doing it tough in their post-football life as well. And weve seen, certainly in across a range of football codes, but particularly rugby league and AFL, weve seen early retirements in order to protect peoples long-term health interests. Ive never actually heard of bare knuckle boxing taking place. Its pretty obvious what it is ... and theres a reason why boxers wear gloves and wear appropriate protection, where it is appropriate, certainly in amateur boxing they wear headgear and all of that. You know, I do think that we need to have a bit of common sense here. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will settle for a shorter honeymoon with fiancee Jodie Haydon following Labors election win as he narrows down the date for their highly anticipated wedding. Albanese, who is set to become the first prime minister to get married while in office, told ABC Radio Perth on Tuesday that he and Haydon were yet to lock in a date. Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses thumping election victory had one drawback hell now have to take a shorter honeymoon. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer We have now had an opportunity to discuss, and we have a few options between now and the end of the year, he said. But were waiting as well to look at the calendar. Albanese proposed to Haydon in February 2024, the first prime minister to get engaged while in office, but held off planning their wedding because of the May 3 election. I deliberately did not get ahead of myself. So from May 3 and beyond, there was a blank diary, he said. On August 5, 2023, Erin Patterson said she had a discussion with a child protection worker about changing her phone number. Patterson said she told her she was going to change her number because she was becoming concerned about Simons behaviour and allegations. I was concerned about my security, so I wanted him to not be able to contact me any more, she said. Patterson said she had been updating the contact information for all her accounts from her old phone number to her new phone number. Erin and Simon Patterson. My phone was damaged. The screen was becoming less responsive and harder to read, so I decided to ... use an undamaged phone, she said. Patterson said she had been setting up applications for her accounts on the new phone. Erin Pattersons defence lawyer Colin Mandy, SC, points to a record showing a series of factory resets on phone B, starting in February 2023. Patterson said she was responsible for the last three factory resets, while her son had been responsible for the first. That had been my phone since the start of the year but in February [my son] damaged his own phone and so he needed a new phone, so I bought a new [Samsung] A23 and gave him the one Id been using, which was this phone, she said. Patterson said her son had factory reset the phone so he could set it up as his. She said she did a factory reset on August, 2, 2023, to get her sons information off the phone so she could add her own information. She said her son had used that phone until May, when he went on school camp and accidentally dropped it in mud. She noticed that the charging port had become a bit muddy, so she left the phone near a charging station she had set up in an ottoman in her loungeroom. Patterson said that she reset the phone again on August 5, 2023, the day police searched her Leongatha home. I had put all my apps on it, including my Google account, including my Google Photos, and I knew that there were photos in there of mushrooms and the dehydrator. I just panicked and I didnt want [the detectives] to see them, she said. Patterson said that on August 6, 2023, after the search of her house and interview with the police, she decided to log onto her Google account to see if she could see where her devices were. She said she then wondered whether they had been silly enough to leave the devices connected to the internet, and she hit factory reset. It was really stupid, she said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijans national air carrier, AZAL, is expanding its route network and will begin operating flights on the BakuTabrizBaku route starting from June 15, Trend reports. Tickets will be available for purchase later today. Flights on this route will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays. Tabriz is renowned for its ancient history, architectural monuments, museums, and rich cultural heritage. The launch of the BakuTabrizBaku route will enhance travel opportunities between Azerbaijan and Iran, fostering the development of cultural and economic ties. It is worth noting that AZAL is also increasing the frequency of its regular flights to Tehran, the capital of Iran. Flights on the BakuTehranBaku route will now be operated four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased on the official website www.azal.az, through the airline's mobile app, as well as at AZAL ticket offices and accredited agencies. 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 18 months, Ukraines internal security service planned an audacious assault on far-flung Russian airfields first sneaking drones into Russia, then planting them near key military runways. On Sunday, just ahead of a new round of peace talks, it was go-time. Near five unsuspecting Russian military bases, remotely activated roofs lifted off mobile homes and sheds parked on flatbed trucks. Armed Ukrainian drones tucked inside soared upwards, then pounced on military aircraft lined up on the runways, engulfing many in flames. The brazen attack which Ukrainian officials claimed destroyed at least 13 Russian aircraft and damaged dozens of others shocked Russia and instantly reduced its capabilities to threaten a nuclear attack or launch missile strikes on Ukraine and other countries. Satellite image analysis showed destroyed and damaged aircraft at Belaya air base in Russia. Credit: Chris Biggers / Janes It also served as a crucial reminder to Moscow and Ukraines Western partners that Kyiv remains capable of exploiting Russias weaknesses and disrupting its war plans, despite being outnumbered and outgunned. Ukraine said the damaged or destroyed aircraft, some of which were nuclear-capable, included A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22 M3 and Tu-160 models planes Kyiv said Russia had used nearly every night to bomb Ukraine. Many details of how the attack was planned are not public, and it was not immediately clear how many of the Russian planes were operational at the time they were targeted. Advertisement But the swift, angry reactions in Russia confirmed that Ukraine had exploited, to devastating effect, an obvious vulnerability: essential and expensive aircraft left out in the open but believed safe because they were deep inside the country. The operation also marked the latest example of drone technology redefining modern warfare. Russia and Ukraine met for a brief second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday, agreeing to swap dead and captured soldiers, but otherwise, there was no significant progress towards ending the gruelling war or even agreeing to a ceasefire. Western analysts said Ukraines deep strikes would hinder Russias ability to launch cruise missiles into Ukraine and could force Russian commanders to shift significant resources to better protect aviation assets. But the analysts cautioned the strikes were unlikely to significantly alter the course of the war, as Moscow still has enough aircraft to continue bombing Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Video footage and reactions published on social media showed that in Russia, the drone strikes stirred panic, confusion and then, from pro-war commentators, rage. Governors from several regions, including as far as Siberia, reported drone attacks. Russian onlookers filmed smoke billowing over the airfields and narrated their shock. Soon, pro-war military bloggers dubbed the attack Russias Pearl Harbour. In videos that could not be independently verified by The Washington Post, people who appear to be locals living around the airbases recorded drones zooming past them and plumes of black smoke on the horizon. In one video, a woman watches a drone move towards a smouldering airbase as her neighbours suggest that it might be the 11th to fly by. In another, a man films as several drones fly out of a truck stationed on the side of a highway. A volley of gunfire can be heard in the background as security forces try to shoot the drones down. In another, a young soldier, apparently stationed at another airbase, records several aircraft burning. Facing the camera, he uses an expletive to describe the scene. Enraged chief Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov later demanded that the soldier be shot for making the video and called him a scumbag. Advertisement Meanwhile, in Kyiv, the SBU, the Ukrainian security agency that planned the brazen strikes, publicly took credit and revealed the operations code name as Spiders Web. President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly posted photos of himself hugging the agency head, Lieutenant-General Vasyl Maliuk, in celebration. The enemy thought that it could bomb Ukraine and kill Ukrainians with impunity and endlessly, Maliuk said in a statement. But this is not so. We will respond to Russian terror and destroy the enemy everywhere. Ukraine said all SBU operatives involved in the attack were evacuated safely from Russia before it began. In Ukraine, the successful attack injected some much-needed optimism into a society beleaguered by more than three years of full-scale war and worn down by what many see as undue pressure from the United States to concede to Russian demands even without security guarantees. This operation completely changes the perception of reality both within Russia and around the world. Our enemies are now forced to recognise that Ukrainian intelligence services are capable of penetrating even the most secure facilities, Ukrainian member of parliament Roman Kostenko, who serves as the secretary of the national security committee, said. When the enemy loses dozens of strategic bombers, its not just a technical loss; its a blow to its ability to blackmail the world with missile strikes. Advertisement Former Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said Ukraine had transferred its Tu bombers to Moscow as part of its 1996 agreement to give up its nuclear capabilities in exchange for security guarantees from several countries, including Russia. On June 1, 2025, Ukraine began removing those very aircraft from one of the memorandums main guarantors. That guarantor had shamelessly used them against peaceful Ukrainians, he said, describing Sundays attack as a peculiar form of military-legal sanctions. The enemy thought that it could bomb Ukraine and kill Ukrainians with impunity and endlessly. But this is not so. Lieutenant-General Vasyl Maliuk, Ukrainian SBU security agency One former Ukrainian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive political moment, described the attack as providing an immense inspirational push for Ukrainian society and soldiers that he fears may inspire more resistance to a compromise that could lead to a real ceasefire. Were less likely to compromise in the nearest future. And some form of a compromise seems to be the only way to stop [or] pause the war, he said. Still, he added, the attack dramatically improved the SBUs reputation and deserves to be described in history books. Vulnerable aircraft The vulnerability of aircraft had long been a point of criticism among Russian military bloggers, who had called for better defences, such as hardened cover and hangars, Samuel Bendett, a drone expert and adviser to the Russia studies program at the Centre for Naval Analyses in Washington, said. Advertisement Air defences on the bases were probably honed to detect bigger Ukrainian drones that operated at long ranges and were probably not looking for FPV drones that literally snuck under the radar, Bendett said. FPV drones are small aircraft guided by a pilot using a camera with a first-person view. A big question was how Russia would rebuild the bruised component of its nuclear arsenal, Bendett said. Among the destroyed or damaged planes are aircraft that have been modernised but are no longer in production. It would not make sense to rebuild propeller-driven Tu-95s, Bendett said, though Russia had yet to acquire the next-generation bombers expected to replace them. Another question is how Ukraine ultimately steered the drones. The sophistication of launching the drones one after another pointed to capabilities such as drones pre-programmed to fly towards their targets, analysts said. Pilots might have been involved in the last stretch of the attack runs, Bendett said. In one video, a drone slowed down and hovered above the wings of a bomber, then targeted a vulnerable portion of the wing between the fuselage and the engine, he said. Such a precise attack is a hallmark of FPV drones, which carry relatively small payloads but pack a big punch by specifically targeting vehicle weak points. Russian officials and state media, meanwhile, remained noticeably silent on the attacks. According to Russian media outlet Agentsvo, Russian state broadcasters Channel One and Rossiya-1 each devoted 40 seconds of airtime to this unprecedented attack on distant Russian airbases. By Monday morning, the news had disappeared from news bulletins. Advertisement PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inspectorate of Taxes reminds the general public that the deadline to submit the 2024 Income Tax Return Form is Monday, June 30, 2025. Taxpayers must file their forms in person at the Tax Administration Office, located in the Vineyard Building, during office hours Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We strongly encourage you to come in before the deadline to avoid long lines. The 2024 Income Tax Return Forms A and B can be accessed via the Government of Sint Maartens website or through the online services portal at onlineservices.sintmaartengov.org. While forms may be downloaded online, they must be submitted physically, as the Tax Administration does not accept online submissions. It is important to note that all taxpayers must bring a copy of their completed form when submitting it to the Tax Administration to be stamped as proof of submission. Those who are unable to file by the deadline can submit a request for an extension before Monday, June 30, 2025, including a valid reason. Additionally, married couples are reminded that they are required to jointly submit one tax return form. Throughout the month of June, special assistance will be available to seniors at the Tax Administration by appointment only. Seniors who wish to receive assistance must earn no more than Cg 18,000 annually and are required to bring all relevant documents, such as their wage tax card and interest letters, etc., to their appointment. To schedule an appointment, seniors may send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling any of the following numbers: 542-2143, 542-5301, 542-5304, or 542-3839. Buriku Bibi, Ezeltje, Little Donkey Bibi, Bibi La Burra A charming children's book written in four languages within a single volume by Angliet Baidjoe - has traveled from the sister island of Bonaire to Sint Maarten, hand-delivered by Heather Mercuur. The Sint Maarten Library and the wider community have now received this heartfelt gift as a donation. Author Angliet Baidjoe, a long-serving educator originally from Suriname and of Hindustani descent, dedicated her career to teaching on the island of Sint Eustatius until Hurricane Luis in 1995. She later moved to Bonaire, where she continued teaching until her retirement. Speaking on behalf of the author, Mrs. Mercuur shared with the library staff that during her many years in education, Ms. Baidjoe, now 71, recognized a critical need: culturally responsive reading materials that reflect childrens own experiences and are written in their mother tongues or primary languages of comprehension. Confronted with the lack of such multilingual resources, she began writing stories that children could identify withcelebrating their cultures, surroundings, and voices. Her most recent publication, Buriku Bibi, Ezeltje, Little Donkey Bibi, Bibi La Burra, tells the story of Bibi, a little donkey born in the mondi (pasture) of Bonaire. After a painful accident, rescuers save Bibi and bring her to a new home at a donkey sanctuary in the kunukus (farmland). The tale follows her journey of survival, joyful reunions, and, eventually, motherhood in the safety of the conservation park. Library staff members I. Hughes and F. Housen warmly received the donation, recognizing it as a valuable addition to the collectionespecially in the areas of cultural preservation and multilingualism. Books like Buriku Bibi not only promote a love of reading and language but also inspire lifelong learning and foster cultural appreciation. The Sint Maarten Library remains a cornerstone of education and cultural enrichment on the island. THE HAGUE:--- The Dutch government has been thrown into turmoil as the coalition led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof collapsed on Tuesday following the withdrawal of support from Geert Wilders and his far-right Party for Freedom (PVV). The dramatic decision comes after months of tension within the government over disagreements on migration policy, culminating in a political crisis that could reshape the country's future. Wilders' Ultimatum and Key Points of Contention Geert Wilders, a polarizing figure in Dutch politics known for his staunch anti-Islam and anti-immigration stance, had increasingly clashed with his coalition partners over migration policy. Wilders pushed for a strict 10-point plan that aimed to significantly curb immigration. Key proposals in his plan included: Halting asylum family reunifications to prevent immigrants already in the country from bringing in their relatives. to prevent immigrants already in the country from bringing in their relatives. Returning Syrian refugees to Syria despite the ongoing instability in the region. despite the ongoing instability in the region. Closing national borders to asylum seekers and ceasing the construction and operation of asylum centers. and ceasing the construction and operation of asylum centers. Using the military to guard the borders, a proposal that drew heavy criticism for militarizing immigration management. Wilders argued that his party joined the coalition under the premise of enacting what he called "the strictest asylum policy in Europe." However, his frustrations grew as he accused the coalition of dragging its feet on implementing these measures. According to Wilders, Our responsibility for this cabinet therefore ends here. Reactions from Coalition Members The collapse followed a tense emergency meeting on Monday night during which members of the coalition attempted to reach a compromise. Prime Minister Dick Schoof's government, which represented a fragile alliance of four parties, struggled to balance Wilders' hardline demands with the more moderate positions of the other coalition partners. Caroline van der Plas of the populist Farmers Citizens Movement party openly criticized Wilders approach, stating, The Netherlands does not like quitters. Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the center-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy, expressed frustration, saying, If your goal is to blow things up, just say so. Despite repeated attempts to find common ground, there was no consensus on Wilders proposed policies. His withdrawal of support leaves the coalition without the necessary parliamentary majority, plunging governance into uncertainty. Political Implications and Potential Outcomes With the PVV pulling out of the coalition, the country faces significant political implications. Prime Minister Schoof now leads a government with only 51 seats in a 150-seat parliament, effectively rendering it powerless. Opposition leaders have begun calling for immediate elections to reestablish governance. If elections are called, early polls suggest the PVV may lose some parliamentary seats but could still emerge as the largest single party. However, forming a new government will prove challenging within the Netherlands fractured political system, marked by a constellation of parties, none of which has traditionally won an outright majority. On the other side of the spectrum, center-left and center-right parties are expected to gain momentum in a possible election. This shift could lead to a broader coalition aimed at counteracting the far-right influence and pursuing more moderated policies. A Country in Crisis The timing of the coalition's collapse could not be worse. The Netherlands is set to host a NATO summit in The Hague in just a few weeks, an event that would typically require political stability and leadership. Instead, the country finds itself grappling with internal chaos. Migration has been a flashpoint for debate in the Netherlands and across Europe. While Wilders champions draconian restrictions, critics argue his policies are unrealistic and risk tarnishing the Netherlands' image as a proponent of human rights and international law. Looking Ahead The collapse of the Dutch coalition has spotlighted the deep divisions within the country over migration. It has also raised broader questions about the political trajectory of the Netherlands and its role on the European stage. Whether this crisis leads to a reevaluation of migration policy, a political reset through elections, or prolonged instability remains uncertain. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Netherlands can emerge from this crisis with a renewed commitment to navigating its complex social and political landscape or whether it will continue to struggle with the divisive politics brought to the forefront by Wilders and his Party for Freedom. One thing is clear: the decisions made in the following months will shape the countrys future for years to come. THE HAGUE:--- The political landscape in the Netherlands has been shaken to its core as Prime Minister Dick Schoof officially announced his resignation following the dramatic collapse of his coalition government. The trigger for this upheaval was far-right leader Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom (PVV) withdrawing from the coalition. Wilders cited his disappointment over the coalition partners refusal to adopt his controversial proposals on asylum and immigration. This unexpected move has left the Dutch government in a state of disarray, with snap elections now anticipated in the coming months. However, these elections are unlikely to be held before October, leaving the Netherlands with a caretaker government tasked with managing the country's affairs during a period of significant political and economic uncertainty. The Reasons Behind the Collapse The downfall of Schoof's government stems from escalating tensions within the coalition. Wilders demanded immediate and radical policies, such as a complete halt to asylum migration, the closure of asylum shelters, and the repatriation of Syrian refugees. These measures failed to gain traction among his coalition partners, forcing a political standoff. Ultimately, Wilders took to social media, posting on X (formerly Twitter): No signature under our asylum plans. The PVV leaves the coalition. True to his statement, ministers from Wilders PVV party will exit the cabinet, effectively dismantling the current administration. The remaining coalition parties could attempt to govern as a minority; however, analysts believe new elections are the more likely outcome. Reactions from Coalition Partners The decision by Wilders and the PVV to withdraw was met with disbelief and outrage from his coalition counterparts. Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the conservative VVD party, expressed her frustration, saying, This is making us look like a fool. There is a war on our continent. Instead of meeting the challenge, Wilders is showing he is not willing to take responsibility. Similarly, Nicolien van Vroonhoven, leader of the centrist NSC party, dubbed the decision irresponsible, emphasizing the inopportune timing of creating political instability during such critical geopolitical moments. Wilders, though not a minister or head of the government himself, had managed to join the coalition only after abandoning his earlier prime ministerial ambitions. His controversial track record includes a 2014 discrimination conviction for remarks about Moroccans, marking him as a polarizing figure in Dutch politics. Implications for NATO and the Eurozone The collapse of Prime Minister Schoof's government will ripple far beyond Dutch borders. A caretaker government will be in charge when the Netherlands hosts NATO leaders later this month in The Hague, potentially jeopardizing the countrys ability to drive critical defense discussions. Notably, this includes a decision on a historic increase in defense spending, essential to meeting NATO's enhanced targets amidst ongoing threats in Europe and beyond. Domestically, the Netherlands, as the Eurozone's fifth-largest economy, faces mounting uncertainty while waiting for a newly elected administration. A prolonged period of political paralysis could delay key policy initiatives, impacting the broader European Union. The Rise of Hard-Right Sentiment in Europe The Dutch governments collapse reflects the growing hard-right sentiment across Europe, fueled by issues like migration and rising living costs. Such political divides risk undermining European unity at a time when cohesive strategies are essential for handling challenges like the war in Ukraine, relations with the United States, and economic stability. Geert Wilders' actions highlight the fragility of coalition governments, especially when ideological divides widen. Whether this signals a shift to a more polarized political era or a recalibration of Dutch leadership remains to be seen. For now, the Netherlands faces months of uncertainty, the consequences of which will be closely watched across Europe and around the world. ~Last of three-part series~ PHILIPSBURG - The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is hosting the third and final workshop of the three-part series, entitled Mindfulness: Success in Studying in The Netherlands (Part III) on June 5, 2025 at the University of St. Martin from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. This free workshop is aimed at helping to equip students to be successful and focuses on the psycho-social aspects of studying in the Netherlands. It is geared at secondary school students who are in their pre-exam or exam class and those who recently graduated. This series of workshops are designed to help students understand and equip them to deal with some of the realities of studying in The Netherlands. The topics that will be covered in this final workshop of the series include integration in the Netherlands, power distance between age groups, dealing with discrimination and many more relevant psycho-social topics. SSSD officials are encouraging persons who attended the first two workshops to attend this one. All topics that will be covered in this session are inter-related to those in the first two but are different in nature. This workshop is inter-active and participants will also be provided with tips and their questions will also be answered. The SSSD officials urged all participants to be on time. Students are encouraged to contact SSSD at 543-1235 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register for the workshop on June 5, 2025 or to obtain more information. Interested persons can also visit the SSSD office which is in the Gatspy Building across from the Police Station and next to WIB. Students are also free to attend the workshop as pre-registration is not mandatory. The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) provides services to students referred by the schools such as psychological services, counseling services, social work services, educational diagnostic services, speech language pathology services. SSSD also provides general services such as career services, parent sessions and crisis response. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is entering a joint venture with Releven, a prominent real estate developer in Lithuania, to support the delivery of sustainable real estate projects in Vilnius, Trend reports. The EBRD will invest up to 50 million euros in the partnership, which will focus on energy-efficient office, residential, and mixed-use developments in Vilnius central business district and old town. The aim is to transform underused or brownfield sites into modern urban spaces aligned with the citys long-term development strategy. All projects under the joint venture will meet high environmental standards, achieving either very good or higher BREEAM certification or exceeding Lithuanias national energy efficiency requirements by at least 10 percent. One of the first projects planned under the partnership is the Horizontai development a sustainability-focused mixed-use complex located in the citys business district. Matteo Patrone, EBRD Vice President for Banking, said the partnership with Releven highlights the importance of collaboration between private developers and public authorities in promoting sustainable urban growth. Releven CEO Saulius Merkys described the investment as a strong endorsement of the companys project pipeline and a step toward a more sustainable city centre in Vilnius. To date, the EBRD has invested over 1.8 billion euros in Lithuania across 143 projects, with a focus on green development and private-sector growth. TSMC forecasts record profit in 2025 on soaring AI demand Hsinchu, Taiwan, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Taiwanese chip titan TSMC said Tuesday that it expected to see record earnings this year as it increased semiconductor production capacity to meet soaring demand for AI technology. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing company is the world's largest contract chipmaker and counts Nvidia and Apple among its clients. While US tariffs have had "some" indirect impact on the firm, chairman and chief executive CC Wei said the artificial intelligence business would remain "very strong". "Our revenue and profit this year will set new historical highs," he told the company's annual shareholders meeting. With AI demand "very high", the company was trying to "increase production capacity to satisfy our customers", Wei said. But he denied reports that the company was planning to build factories in the Middle East. TSMC has been under pressure for years to move more of its production away from Taiwan, where the bulk of its fabrication plants are located, amid worries about China. Beijing claims the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. The chip firm has in recent years broken ground for plants in the United States, Europe and Japan. Bloomberg News, citing unnamed sources, reported last week that it was considering building an advanced facility in the United Arab Emirates. "I think rumours are really flying everywhere," Wei said. TSMC last month reported sales of NT$349.6 billion (US$11.6 billion) for April, a rise of 48.1 percent from a year earlier and up 22.2 percent from March. The surge came after US President Donald Trump's global tariff blitz spurred companies to stock up, owing to fears that higher levies were in the pipeline. Wei told shareholders that TSMC's business "may be affected" if tariffs force up prices and demand for chips falls, but he added: "Our business will still be very good." "I am not afraid of anything, I am only afraid that the world economy will decline," he added. TSMC has been in the crosshairs of Trump, who has accused Taiwan of stealing the US chip industry. There had been hopes TSMC's plan to invest an additional US$100 billion in the United States would shield Taiwan from new tariffs. Trump still imposed a 32 percent duty on imports from the island as part of his sweeping tariffs -- which were later paused for 90 days -- but excluded semiconductors. Washington has launched "national security" probes into the sector, which could pave the way for levies on chips and chipmaking equipment. Meta secures nuclear energy in 20-year Illinois plant deal Washington, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Facebook owner Meta announced Tuesday a 20-year nuclear energy agreement with US-based Constellation Energy to secure power from a nuclear plant in the state of Illinois. The investment marks big tech's latest move to meet surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence, with Microsoft, Google and Amazon also turning to nuclear power as an energy source. Under the deal, Meta's unspecified investment will replace state government subsidies to keep the Clinton Clean Energy Center operating beginning in 2027, offering the facility a crucial lifeline. The project, which takes over the plant's total electric output, will provide 1,121 megawatts of nuclear energy to support Meta's regional operations while adding 30 megawatts of incremental capacity to the electricity grid, the company said. "As we look toward our future energy needs in advancing AI, we recognize the immense value of nuclear power in providing reliable, firm electricity," Meta said in the announcement. The move comes as tech companies scramble to secure stable, clean energy sources to power energy-intensive AI data centers. Nuclear energy has gained renewed attention as companies and governments seek reliable, carbon-free power to meet climate goals while supporting growing electricity demands from data centers and AI operations. According to the International Energy Agency, electricity consumption by data centers is projected to more than double by 2030, creating significant challenges for securing adequate energy as AI usage accelerates. arp/mlm Meta EXELON MICROSOFT GOOGLE 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 military did not respond to a request for comment but in a statement picked up by local media the air force said at least 20 "armed terrorists" were killed in a "precision engagement". The incident if confirmed would be 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. Israel intercepts Yemen missile, Huthi rebels claim attack Jerusalem, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 The Israeli army said it intercepted a missile launched Monday from Yemen, whose Huthi rebels claimed an attack targeting Israel's main airport. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," the army said in a statement, as loud booms were heard in the skies over Jerusalem. Yemen's Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023 with Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Israel. In a video statement, Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group's "missile force... carried out a military operation" targeting Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Monday's interception followed another the day before that was claimed by the Iran-backed rebels. The Huthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians, paused their attacks during a two-month Gaza ceasefire that ended in March, but began again after Israel resumed its military campaign in the territory. While most of the projectiles have been intercepted, one missile fired in early May hit inside the perimeter of Ben Gurion airport for the first time. Israel has carried out several strikes in Yemen in retaliation for the attacks, including on ports and the airport in the capital Sanaa. Trump says Iran deal would not allow 'any' uranium enrichment Washington, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 US President Donald Trump on Monday ruled out allowing Iran to enrich uranium under any nuclear deal between the foes -- as Tehran defended what it said was its "peaceful" pursuit of fuel for power generation. Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention in five rounds of talks since April to ink a new accord to replace the deal with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. "Under our potential Agreement - WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!" Trump said on his Truth Social network after the Axios news outlet said Washington's offer would let Tehran enrich some of the nuclear fuel. Republican Trump also blamed predecessor Joe Biden for the impasse, saying the Democrat "should have stopped Iran a long time ago from 'enriching.'" Axios said the latest proposal that Washington had sent Tehran on Saturday would allow limited low-level uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, for an amount of time that has yet to be determined. Iran has insisted that Iran has "nothing to hide" on its nuclear program. Speaking in Cairo, where he met the UN nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: "If the goal is to deprive Iran of its peaceful activities, then certainly no agreement will be reached." 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. - 'Need for more transparency' - 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 report's findings "may be uncomfortable for some, and we are... used to being criticized". 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 Trump's administration. Araghchi said on Saturday that he had received "elements" of the US proposal for a nuclear deal following the 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 Trump's administration would oppose any Iranian enrichment. "An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. That's 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 Monday's 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 program. The United States has sent Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal that the White House called "acceptable" and in Tehran's "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. bur-ft/st 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. Dozens dead in twin attacks on Mali army bases, Timbuktu airport targeted Bamako, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2025 Twin attacks on a 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 on 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 14 attackers "neutralised", with no mention of other victims. "The terrorists were quickly routed by the swift reaction of the men," the army said, adding that "31 suspected terrorists" had been arrested. But the military was mourning the loss of at least 30 soldiers after reports emerged late on Monday of an attack on 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/bc US to eventually reduce military bases in Syria to one: US envoy Istanbul, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 The United States has begun reducing its military presence in Syria with a view to eventually closing all but one of its bases there, the US envoy for the country has said in an interview. Six months after the ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, the United States is steadily drawing down its presence as part of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), a military task force launched in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group (IS). "The reduction of our OIR engagement on a military basis is happening," the US envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, said in an interview with Turkey's NTV late on Monday. "We've gone from eight bases to five to three. We'll eventually go to one." But he admitted Syria still faced major security challenges under interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose Islamist-led coalition toppled Assad in December. Assad's ouster brought an end to Syria's bloody 14-year civil war, but the new authorities have struggled to contain recent bouts of sectarian violence. Barrack, who is also the US ambassador to Turkey, called for the "integration" of the country's ethnic and religious groups. "It's very tribal still. It's very difficult to bring it together," he said. But "I think that will happen," he added. The Pentagon announced in April that the United States would halve its troops in Syria to less than 1,000 in the coming months, saying the IS presence had been reduced to "remnants". Ukraine invited to NATO summit in The Hague: Zelensky Vilnius, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Ukraine has been invited to a NATO summit later in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, after earlier warning it would be a "victory" for Russia if it was not there. The heads of NATO states will gather in The Hague, Netherlands, from June 24-26, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's calls for alliance members to ramp up defence spending set to dominate the agenda. "We were invited to the NATO summit. I think this is important," Zelensky said Monday after he held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Vilnius. Kyiv is seeking to shore up its support from Europe because of uncertainties over vital military aid under Trump. Last week Zelensky had said that "if Ukraine is not present at the NATO summit, it will be a victory for Putin, but not over Ukraine, but over NATO." 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." Ukraine invited to NATO summit in The Hague: Zelensky Vilnius, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Ukraine has been invited to a NATO summit later in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky and the alliance said, after earlier warning it would be a "victory" for Russia if it was not there. The heads of NATO states will gather in The Hague, Netherlands, from June 24-26, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's calls for alliance members to ramp up defence spending set to dominate the agenda. "We were invited to the NATO summit. I think this is important," Zelensky said Monday after he held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Vilnius. Kyiv is seeking to shore up its support from Europe because of uncertainties over vital military aid under Trump. A NATO official confirmed to AFP that "that Ukraine will be with us in The Hague". "We will publish the NATO Summit agenda in due course," the official said. Last week Zelensky had said that "if Ukraine is not present at the NATO summit, it will be a victory for Putin, but not over Ukraine, but over NATO." 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." Iran says US nuclear proposal contains 'ambiguities, questions' Beirut, Lebanon, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that a US proposal for a new nuclear agreement submitted through mediator Oman has "many ambiguities and questions". "The written proposal we received from the US contains many ambiguities and questions. Many issues in this proposal are not clear," Araghchi said while on a visit to Lebanon. On Saturday, Iran said it received "elements" of a US proposal for a nuclear deal following five rounds of talks that started in April and were mediated by the sultanate of Oman. Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention between Washington and Tehran in the talks to seal a nuclear deal, with Iran defending what it says is its right to pursue a peaceful nuclear energy programme and the US calling it a "red line". US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that Iran will not be allowed any enrichment of uranium under a potential deal with Washington. "Continuing enrichment on Iranian soil is our red line," Iran's top diplomat said on Tuesday. He added that his country would submit a response to the proposal in the coming days, based on Iran's "principled positions and the interests of the Iranian people". "We will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium in Iran. However, we are ready to take steps... to ensure that this enrichment will not lead to the production of nuclear weapons," he said. Araghchi was visiting Beirut following a stop in Cairo on Monday, where he met with Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The head of the UN nuclear watchdog on Monday called for more transparency from Iran following a leaked report that showed Tehran had increased production of highly enriched uranium. The IAEA report showed that Iran has ramped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons. Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. Jitters in Timbuktu as daily life resumes following Mali attack Bamako, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 A nervous calm returned to Timbuktu on Tuesday just one day after an attack on an army base and airport, as residents and officials reported security forces were patrolling the fabled Malian city. Following the attack, residents on Monday lynched and burned alive an arrested man who had not been one of the assailants, according to the leader of a civil society and additional sources, with another person killed by a stray bullet. Yet by Tuesday, calm prevailed, with security forces out "in large numbers", a Timbuktu resident told AFP, which a security source confirmed. Both said that the security forces had arrested four individuals who had taken refuge in a city hideout. The two Timbuktu attacks came just a day after a different violent assault, in which at least 30 soldiers died at the Boulkessi army base in central Mali, near the border with Burkina Faso, in an attack that officials blamed on jihadists. "The situation is calm" a Timbuktu resident told AFP. "People are going about their business, but you can tell they're still scared. "It's been a long time since the city experienced such events, and it brought back bad memories for everyone because we felt like the shots were being fired in our own homes", the resident said. A total of 14 attackers were "neutralised" in the Monday assault on the Timbuktu camp, according to the army's general staff, which said it had been able to thwart the offensive. Shells were also fired at the airport where heavy gunfire was heard, the army, local officials and residents said. 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. In Timbuktu public transport resumed Tuesday while vendors selling rams for slaughter returned to the streets en masse ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid el-Adha, known locally as Tabaski. Following the attacks, authorities extended the Timbuktu region's curfew to 9:00 pm to 6:00 am (local and GMT), replacing one in effect since 2023 from 11:00 pm. Tuesday's return to almost normal was achieved only out of "resignation and fatalism", a representative from a private company in the city told AFP, adding that "people are going about their business". Another resident, who reported fearing the situation could worsen, told AFP that soldiers patrolling the street "reassures us a little, but we are really scared." lar-mk-str-bfm/cw Israel army says intercepts Yemen missile Jerusalem, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Tuesday, with a series of explosions heard over Jerusalem. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," the military said. Yemen's Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023 with Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Israel. Tuesday's interception was the third in as many days. Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service said no injuries were reported. The Huthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Monday which they said had targeted Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv. The Iran-backed rebels, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians, paused their attacks during a two-month Gaza ceasefire that ended in March, but began again after Israel resumed its military campaign in the territory. While most of the projectiles have been intercepted, one missile fired in early May hit inside the perimeter of Israel's Ben Gurion airport for the first time. Israel has carried out several strikes in Yemen in retaliation for the attacks, including on ports and the airport in the capital Sanaa. Israel army says shelling Syria after projectiles launched Jerusalem, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 The Israeli military said it was shelling targets in Syria on Tuesday in response to a pair of projectile launches, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying he held Syria's leader "directly responsible". A military statement said that "two projectiles were identified crossing from Syria into Israeli territory, and fell in open areas", adding in a subsequent statement that its "artillery struck in southern Syria" following the launches. Syria's official news agency SANA reported shelling "targeting the Yarmuk Basin, in the west of Daraa" province. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said bombardments had hit farmland in the province, without reporting casualties. There were no reports of casualties or damage on the Israeli side due to the projectiles, which the military said triggered air raid sirens in parts of the southern Golan Heights, a territory Israel conquered from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981. Katz, the Israeli defence minister, said in a statement released by his office that "we view the president of Syria as directly responsible for any threat or fire directed at the State of Israel." "A full response will follow shortly," he added. Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, led the Islamist group that spearheaded the offensive that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December. Israeli media said Tuesday's projectiles were the first fired from Syria into Israeli territory since Assad's fall. Following his overthrow, Israel moved its forces into the UN-patrolled demilitarised zone in the Golan Heights, and has carried out hundreds of strikes against military targets in Syria. Israel says the strikes aim to stop advanced weapons reaching Syria's new authorities, whom it considers jihadists. In a statement on Sunday, Israel's military said its troops were continuing "defensive operations in southern Syria" to "dismantle terrorist infrastructure and protect the residents of the Golan Heights". Syria and Israel have technically been at war since 1948. As Ecuador battles gangs, lawmakers approve return of foreign military bases Quito, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Ecuador's parliament on Tuesday gave the green light for the establishment of foreign military bases in the country as it seeks international assistance in its battle against violent drug gangs. Foreign bases were outlawed in Ecuador in 2009, but President Daniel Noboa has vowed to bring them back as he pursues a crackdown on cartels blamed for turning what was once one of the region's most peaceful countries into one of its most violent. Noboa has asked US President Donald Trump for military backing and in February said he would invite "special forces" from unnamed allied countries to help. He has announced an alliance with US mercenary Erik Prince, founder of security contractor Blackwater, and said last month that Israel wants to help Ecuador with intelligence. Noboa, 37, was sworn in for a second term in May after claiming a runaway reelection victory with promises to take an "iron fist" to gangsters. Once-peaceful Ecuador averaged a killing every hour at the start of the year as cartels battled for control over cocaine routes that pass through the nation's ports. There are an estimated 40,000 gang members in Ecuador, the president has said, and about 20 gangs with links to international cartels. Noboa last year declared Ecuador to be in an internal armed conflict, empowering him to deploy the armed forces in the streets and prisons. But despite his tough-on-crime policies, Ecuador has the highest murder rate in Latin America. - 'Strategic cooperation ' - The United States had a military base in the South American country, at the fishing port of Manta, until 2009 when a constitutional prohibition entered into effect that Noboa wants overturned. With 82 votes out of 151 members, Ecuador's unicameral National Assembly with its pro-government majority on Tuesday approved a constitutional reform to allow for such bases to be brought back. "This is a decisive contribution to security... and for the return of peace to Ecuadoran territory," the parliament stated on X. In a separate statement, it said the reform had "the aim of strengthening international cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime." The measure would allow for "the recovery of national security through strategic cooperation, intelligence sharing, and technology transfer, which will strengthen the operational capacities of the state," the congress added. The Constitutional Court must now review the text of the reform, which will then be submitted to a referendum. Parliamentary backers of socialist ex-leader Rafael Correa -- on whose watch foreign bases were outlawed -- voted against the measure. Clean rivers campaigner Fergal Sharkey said in a post on the social media platform X: I see the water industry is out there pushing the line that KKR pulled out of the Thames Water deal because of regulation. Suspect this has more to do with it. KKR wanted creditors to take a 40% hit on the debt, they told KKR where to get off. Speaking about her experience in the report, which was published on Wednesday, singer Celeste told the committee: What is most prevalent in the daily experience of being female in the music industry is this idea of an ingrained bias, or even an unconscious, sexist bias. Headteacher Stella McCarthy said it was quite an unusual situation for the school to find itself in. She admitted there was nothing it could do to remove the buzzard and were instead taking this as an opportunity to teach children about the bird. Mr Healey told Times Radio: So theyre really saying we need to take this more seriously, we need to put in place the ability to be able to detect and potentially to prevent this sort of risk in the future. 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 The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest. These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report. 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 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. RSC co-artistic directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said: From Malawi or Manhattan, through French fields, Scottish heaths, mythical lands and Giant country, our 2025/26 programme celebrates what we believe a 21st Century RSC can and should be: global in ambition and outlook, open and collaborative in nature and continuously redefining how Shakespeare and great storytelling can bring joy, connection and improve our understanding of one-another. By Nazrin Abdul The feasibility study for the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor project is in its final stage. Azernews reports that this was announced by Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov during his speech at the Baku Energy Forum. The project is included in the 10-year network development plan and is currently under review by the European Network of Transmission System Operators, he noted. The minister also stated that, with the support of the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a feasibility study is underway for the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor project. This initiative will connect Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan via the Caspian Sea, providing a direct link to European energy markets. Thus, in accordance with the requirements of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transmission of "Green Energy" between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, signed in Bucharest on December 17, 2022, a broader framework was created with the participation of four countriesAzerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania. The project, called the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor or the Black Sea Cable, envisages the transport of "green energy" generated by Azerbaijani wind power plants to Romania and Europe. At the same time, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov stated in his speech that, last year, more than 75 percent of Azerbaijan's oil exports and 51 percent of its natural gas supplies were directed to European countries. He said that today, thanks to strategic projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline, and the Southern Gas Corridor - which connect the Caspian Sea to international energy markets -Azerbaijan successfully exports its oil to 25 countries and its natural gas to 12 countries. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijan demonstrates serious progress in forming a sustainable and balanced energy strategy, and the Baku Energy Forum serves as an important platform for global dialogue in this sphere, the Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), Jassim Alshirawi said at the Baku Energy Forum, Trend reports. The forum is taking place in an important period when we discuss not only energy issues, but also environmental problems, geopolitical challenges, as well as the need to update the global energy agenda, he said. Alshirawi emphasized that the COP29 conference held in Azerbaijan last year showed how important it is to realize the challenges of the energy transition and the need to form a sustainable and secure energy order in a rapidly changing environment. According to him, IEF, together with the IEA and OPEC, holds an annual Energy Outlook Symposium, within which scenarios of future energy development, growth of global demand for energy resources, and the need for investment in both traditional and renewable sectors are considered. 89 percent of projected energy consumption will continue to come from conventional sources, but the share of renewables is expected to grow significantly over the coming decades. It is particularly important to ensure investment in developing countries, which make up two-thirds of the world's population but receive only 15 percent of global clean energy investment, he noted. The official emphasized the necessity of creating a balance between public and private investment, strengthening cross-border cooperation, concluding bilateral agreements between producer and consumer countries, as well as involving financial institutions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. An exchange of views on enhancing the efficiency of bps joint projects in Azerbaijan has been held, the country's Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on X, Trend reports. "Within the framework of the 30th Baku Energy Week, together with Rovshan Najaf, President of SOCAR, we met with Gordon Birrell, Executive Vice-President for Production and Operations at bp. We exchanged views on enhancing the efficiency of bps joint projects in Azerbaijan, with a particular emphasis on the integration of innovative technologies and digital solutions to drive operational excellence and long-term sustainability," the minister pointed out. bp first arrived in Azerbaijan and opened its first office in Baku in June 1992. Over the past years, in partnership with the Government of Azerbaijan and our co-venturers, bp-operated world-class projects Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG), Shah Deniz and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) have contributed to the development of the Caspian Sea as a modern hydrocarbon province. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are strengthening energy cooperation, the Chairman of the Board of KazMunayGas (KMG), Askhat Khassenov said in an exclusive interview with Trend. According to him, cooperation between KazMunayGas and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) covers not only oil transportation, but also other strategic directions. We always consider with our colleagues from SOCAR all possible options for cooperation. Today, there is an annual steady growth of oil pumping volumes through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, he noted. Khassenov also stressed that interaction between the companies goes beyond logistics and includes joint initiatives on industrial safety, digitalization, and decarbonization. In particular, at the Astana International Forum, a quadripartite document was signed between KMG, SOCAR, Tatneft, and Uzbekneftegaz on decarbonization. This cooperation is based on mutual trust and interest on the part of both states and national companies, Khassenov added. The geopolitical context ever more complicated and uncertain, as well as the increasingly visible climate change with dramatic consequences, require more protection for the population, through advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, but also awareness-raising and correct information activities, informs a press release of the German-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania). This was the main message conveyed by the participants in the debate "Business initiation for companies in civil security technologies and services", organized by AHK Romania on the occasion of a business delegation on the same topic in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The event was attended by representatives of the authorities (National Cybersecurity Directorate, General Directorate of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - MAI, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister), the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the German-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, of the civil society (New Strategy Center), as well as of German and Romanian companies in the field. "Romania is one of the most important security partners on NATO's eastern flank. In addition, Romania has at its disposal considerable funds, such as European funds, World Bank funds or from national programs. Romania also has a long-established security and defence industry and an innovative and dynamic IT sector. On both sides there are well-positioned companies and a strong interest in security and resilience. This is, therefore, a very good starting point for an even closer and stronger bilateral cooperation in all areas of civil security," said Sebastian Metz, general director of AHK Romania, at the opening of the debate, according to the cited press release. The charge d'affaires of the German Embassy, Christian Plate also deems there are good business opportunities in the field of cybersecurity in Romania, as a country in Ukraine's neighborhood. "There are many experts in IT and cybersecurity in Romania, which is not only a fantastic partner and a market for us, but also a place where we can cooperate, share knowledge, develop new strategies, new solutions to counter the threats we are currently facing," Christian Plate said. The head of the business delegation, Christian Landsmann, from the Department of Security and Defence of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, is leading a group of six small and medium-sized German companies on their with mission to the Romanian and Moldovan markets. "These companies bring innovative concepts in civil security and have the potential to be market leaders. They are here not just to sell products, but to invest, find partners, create jobs. They have the expertise to manage security threats, whether energy, physical, cyber. After our experiences, we see that there is a need for more security in Europe and it is a good idea to work together," explained Christian Landsmann. The Black Sea and all the security challenges related to this geopolitical space were one of the topics of debate at the round table moderated by Sebastian Metz. According to the cited source, the Black Sea means "energy, connectivity", because Romania will start to export gas from its underwater reserves as of 2027. "If you want to invest in Romania we will have cheap energy for your business. But security in the Black Sea region depends very much on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. Our main objective is to have a free and open space in the Black Sea, dedicated to energy projects and trade," said George Scutaru, general director of the New Strategy Center expert group. Another topic of the discussion was import dependency and Florin Spataru, state advisor in the Prime Minister's Chancellery, announced that the major directions in which Romania will invest in order to achieve both the goals of decarbonization and competitiveness on the single market will be chosen in the second part of this year. "In the second half of the year we intend to choose the major directions in which to invest, so that Romania can achieve both its goals of decarbonization and competitiveness on the single market. We are starting to work in those areas where we have our own resources, such as minerals, energy, human capital," mentioned Florin Spataru. The prevention of natural disasters or attacks of any kind was another important item on the agenda, including the preparedness of the population, which has been very exposed lately to "fake news" messages on social networks and on certain media channels. "In order to be prepared in advance and to have "shelters", the European Commission has approved this huge plan to create our own response capacity within Europe, to become resilient, whether we are talking about ventilators, pumps, aircraft", said Brigadier General Marius Dogeanu, head of the MAI Directorate General for Civil Protection. He added that more investments are being channeled towards civil protection, aviation, and in the future investments will also be made in using robots to replace humans in high-risk situations. The members of the German delegation are visiting Romania and the Republic of Moldova from June 3-5, and they are set to meet with Romanian and Moldovan companies, as well as with representatives of the public administrations of the two countries. AHK Romania is the official representative of the German economy. Founded in 2002, AHK has more than 670 member companies and offers companies an important platform for networking, exchange of information and experiences. As of January 1, 2020, AHK Romania will also operate the Competence Center for the Republic of Moldova. AGERPRES special correspondent Nicoleta Gherasi reports: Through projects such as Neptun Deep or Caragele, Romania can contribute to reducing or cutting Europe's reliance on Russian gas, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said on Tuesday, as he attended the Eurelectric Power Summit 2025 in Brussels. "We 100 percent support the ban on Russian gas (from 2027 - Ed. note) and I believe that Romania can also contribute to reducing or cutting European dependence on Russian gas through Neptun Deep, through its onshore program, through what is happening at Caragele, where there has been some recent progress. It is not a very large amount, it doesn't fully replace the amount of Russian gas, but still... There's the American LNG, we are working on the vertical corridor - you have seen that the Bulgarians have also started to move into action, to initiate works," Burduja said, mentioning also the bundled route capacity product for natural gas transmission offered by operator Transgaz, stressing that the vertical corridor can be operationalized and the gas be stored in the large storage capacity in Ukraine. "So, things are moving and I don't think that Europe will experience a gas shortage," explained Minister Burduja. On the other hand, he stressed that he had urged the Romgaz management to think about starting contracting Neptun Deep gas, but mentioned that part of this gas could also be used at the Azomures chemical plant and processed into chemical fertilizers with added value. Regarding Azomures, the minister mentioned that bids have been submitted for specialized consultancy to assess the plant's assets. "This type of installation, once halted or put in conservation, requires hundreds of millions of euros to restart it. This is what I have conveyed to the Europeans every time: Romania has reduced greenhouse gases by 77%, we have put a good part of our industry on hold, but think about what the cost of restarting it means and now, well, maybe we will no longer depend on Russian gas, but perhaps we will come to depend instead on imported fertilizers from, I don't know, Egypt or other areas, which are also made with Russian gas. So, what have we solved with this?," Sebastian Burduja cautioned. Romania's National Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities (CNCAN) is holding today the official launch of the ConvEx-3 (2025) international exercise, which will take place between June 24 and 25. The ConvEx-3 exercise is organised under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and aims to test and improve national and international response in the event of a major nuclear incident, as well as to strengthen cooperation between authorities, institutions and participating nations, agerpres reports. Delivering speeches at the event will be Cristina Traila from the General Secretariat of the Romanian government; Cantemir Ciurea Ercau - chairman of CNCAN; Cosmin Ghita - general director of Nuclearelectrica, and Romeo Urjan - director of the Cernavoda nuclear-power plant. Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja had a meeting on Tuesday with European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen, during which he reiterated Romania's firm position that the closure of the 1,755 MW of coal-fired capacity, scheduled for January 1, 2026, is not feasible in the absence of solid alternatives. "Today, at the Power Summit 2025 - Power Play, I had another very good bilateral discussion with Dan Jorgensen, the European Commissioner for Energy. I reiterated Romania's firm position: the closure of the 1,755 MW of coal-fired capacity, foreseen in the PNRR for January 1, 2026, is not feasible in the absence of solid alternatives. Romania's energy security is not negotiable. I emphasized that, without new generation capacities, this measure would make the national energy system vulnerable, especially during the winter period. There are technical arguments and clear data. Moreover, Romania has achieved a 77% reduction in greenhouse gases, ranking first in the EU, and maintains its commitment to completely phase out coal by 2032. But it cannot do this without having equivalent capacities put into operation," Burduja wrote on Facebook. He stressed that Romania cannot accept the "vulnerability of its national energy system", especially since the closure of the Oltenia Energy Complex groups would solve practically nothing, but would have to resort to even more imports, from Serbia, Bulgaria, etc, and the energy produced there is also based on coal and is also very expensive. "For over a year, I have been explaining to the European Commission that we cannot do this, for objective reasons. The gas-fired groups, which should replace the coal-fired ones, are in the auction, after multiple unsuccessful attempts, because the price of gas turbines has exploded in the last two years. That is why the Ministry of Energy insists on the renegotiation of the PNRR and the postponement of the deadline for the closure of coal-fired power plants. It is Romania's right, as a member state, to request this renegotiation, based on objective factors, which were not under Romania's control. I have always advocated for an intelligent and fair transition, for a Smart Deal, which would protect Romanians and our economy. Our country's energy must be safe, cheap and clean - in this order of priorities. It is common sense", explained the minister of Energy. He added that Romania is an example of a European state that has respected its commitments, investing in the expansion and modernization of cross-border connections, which has helped the Republic of Moldova or Ukraine enormously, in new sources of production, in retooling. "We expect other member states to invest in interconnections, as is normal, so that we can truly have a single and functional European energy market. I trust that Romania's position will be understood and accepted by our European partners. It is a reasonable position, which takes into account both Romania's needs and our European commitments", pointed out Sebastian Burduja. Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, and His Royal Highness Prince Radu, who were on a two-day visit to the municipality of Constanta, met on Tuesday with the military personnel on the "Queen Maria" frigate, in the seaport, and with students and teaching staff at the "Mircea the Elder" Naval Academy. Welcomed by the Chief of the Naval Staff (SMFN), Vice Admiral Mihai Panait, the guests boarded the "Queen Maria" frigate, spoke with the military personnel and the ship's management, and were also presented with the frigate, including the combat command center and navigation command. "Here, we want to convey to you the spirit of Queen Maria and King Ferdinand, because they are defining for the Romanian Naval Forces. (...) We also thank you for your collaboration, for the fact that we can promote in this way our important profession of sailors and develop maritime awareness among Romanian citizens, among the institutions of the Romanian state", the SMFN representative told the two officials. He also mentioned, among other things, the tragic situation regarding the disappearance of a sailor on board the "King Ferdinand" frigate, on a mission in the Mediterranean Sea, search operations being ongoing. "We have a tragic, delicate situation on board the 'King Ferdinand' frigate, we are in an important mission to search for a soldier, a sailor missing from the ship, within the framework of the European Union operation in the Mediterranean Sea. At this moment we are involved with four ships, three helicopters, three reconnaissance aircraft in this important search mission. It is part of our job, it is a hard job, but beautiful at the same time and, unfortunately, we also have difficult moments that we go through periodically", said Vice Admiral Mihai Panait. Prince Radu mentioned that through their visit to Constanta, the representatives of the Royal House of Romania also want to pay tribute to the profession carried out by those in the Romanian Naval Forces and the Romanian military. "I have come today to pay tribute to your profession and to the Romanian military, to tell you that since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, in all these three years and more, we have dedicated almost exclusively foreign royal visits on behalf of Romania to our military actions and to strengthening national security and the eastern flank. And lately it has become increasingly clear that the Black Sea, as well as the Baltic Sea, are not geographically, but by their purpose, closer than ever. Starting with Finland, which we visited last June, and continuing with Estonia, until today when we are here, we are trying to tell civil societies how much it means that you are here every day. I do not remember, at least in the last 35 years, that the Naval Forces have had such relevance in national defense, national and continental security," Prince Radu said. Vice Admiral Mihai Panait said that the Romanian Naval Forces are made up of 8,000 military personnel, men and women. "The Romanian Naval Forces are made up of 8,000 military personnel, men and women, we also have over 2,000 students and pupils, cadets, military and civilians, in the military naval educational institutions. We are an organization that achieves performance, a structure of the armed forces involved in two very important missions, in the last three and a half years, since the beginning of the war. The first mission is to fight against mines originating from the western Black Sea basin, until today 127 marine mines have been discovered and destroyed. (...) At the same time, since the beginning of the war, over 10,000 commercial ships have transited through our area of responsibility, which means that we, the Romanian Naval Forces, are doing a very good job. We are involved day and night in this mission "to maintain freedom of navigation in the area of responsibility of the Romanian Naval Forces on the Black Sea", stated the head of the SMFN. Her Majesty Margareta and Prince Radu signed the Book of Honor of the frigate, writing the message: "With much admiration and respect for your unparalleled profession and for the perfect example of patriotism and courage that you give to our fellow men!". Two exhibitions were also organized on board the frigate, one with exhibits from the Romanian Navy Museum and another of naval archives and documents, exhibits from the personal collection of Port Captain Anghel Georgian. After visiting the said frigate, Her Majesty Margareta and Prince Radu went to the "Mircea the Elder " Naval Academy. They met with students and teaching staff and visited the higher education institution - two navigation simulators, a chemistry laboratory, the museum and the university library. "You have inspired confidence in me, we move forward with more hope", said Prince Radu before leaving the higher education institution. Her Majesty Margareta and Prince Radu will visit, on Wednesday, the Constanta Casino and the Carol I Mosque. Oradea Airport and German airline Lufthansa officially inaugurated on Tuesday the Oradea - Munich service with three regular flights per week to one of the largest air hubs in Europe. "This is perhaps the most important outward connection for Bihor County residents, because Germany is Romania's No. 1 partner from an economic point of view. There is a strong Romanian community in the area of Bavaria. We want this partnership to be long-term," declared in the opening County Council president Mircea Malan. He was accompanied at the event by Germany's vice-consul to Timisoara Siegfried Geilhausen, Lufthansa Group General Manager for Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria Monica Dobrutchi, and Oradea mayor Florin Birta. The flights will be operated by Lufthansa Group's regional subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine, with 90-seat Economy and Business class CRJ 900 Bombardiers. The flights are scheduled for Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. According to the Bihor County Council president, the service is provided under a contract signed on April 23, 2025 for a period of three years, and is operated under a public service obligation regime. Vice-consul Siegfried Geilhausen said that the inaugural Oradea - Munich flight serves as a bridge between communities, cultures and opportunities, meant to open the horizon to new possibilities, creating tourist and economic bonds. In her turn, General Manager Monica Dobrutchi specified that "Lufthansa has the beautiful mission of connecting people, cultures, civilizations and above all, economies," and went on to remark that "thanks to the flight that links Oradea to Munich - one of the largest airports in Europe - and further, to 170 destinations, Oradea residents will be able to travel for both business and tourism." Oradea thus became the sixth Romanian city served by Lufthansa, alongside Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Sibiu and Iasi. The Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, declared on Tuesday, in Craiova, at the opening of the local producers' market "From here, from close by. From Oltenia", encouraging local farmers, that he would like retail stores in Romania to "have only Romanian products", according to a message posted on Facebook by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. "By accessing European funds, many capacities have been developed at the level of Dolj County and throughout Oltenia. I encourage you to continue supporting this pilot project, it is a successful project and we want to have only Romanian products in retail stores in Romania, because, as we know very well, we have products with established recipes, we have products with a clean label and of superior quality. This is what the Romanian producer does, that is why we need your support and always rely on the support of the Ministry of Agriculture," declared Minister Florin Barbu, quoted in the post. Florin Barbu visited on Tuesday the local producers' fair "From here, close by. From Oltenia", which takes place in the arking lot of the Carrefour hypermarket, within the Promenada Mall Craiova, between June 3-5. The minister urged the event organizers to continue the partnership with Romanian farmers, which he considered a fair one, and to develop more programs to integrate Romanian producers into retail networks. The fair is organized in partnership with Carrefour Romania and is a national premiere, with over 20 producers from Oltenia participating, the cited source mentions. The producers exhibit for sale a variety of local products, from meat, fish, cheese and dairy products, wine, to honey, bread, seasonal fruits and vegetables. One of the problems that the new government will face in the upcoming period will be to establish the criteria on the basis of which the vulnerable consumer will be defined, Florin Spataru, state advisor at the Prime Minister's Chancellery, said on Tuesday. "The energy transition is not a simple transition, it is not a cheap transition and it is not a transition that can be made only from the offices of the Cotroceni [Presidential Palace] or the Victoria Palace [of Government]. This energy transition must be discussed with the business environment, because one of the problems that the new Government will face in the upcoming period is the definition of the vulnerable consumer. How does one define the vulnerable consumer? Based on what? Based on income, based on number of people, based on location? There are things that need to be done because this energy transition will have a major social impact. I established all these committees that I coordinated, together with my colleagues from the Chancellery, I invited the ministries, the authorities that are responsible and, subsequently, I organized joint meetings with the business environment, because we will not be able to do this without understanding what the business environment can do," Florin Spataru mentioned at the event "Bucharest Leaders' Summit: The Path to 5.0. From Vision To Reality". He referred to a World Bank report, according to which decarbonization in Romania, for everything that means business, without development (from 2023, when the study was carried out - and until 2050) costs USD 350 billion. According to the recommendation, 33% of the money should come from state aid schemes and 60% from the private sector. "If we talk about development, we bring another USD 50 billion. This means that in Romania's budget, no matter which government is in power, by 2050, but certainly in the 2025-2035 period, we should find at least USD 3.5 billion for this aspect of decarbonization in its various forms. If we do not find this money, introduced there as instruments to help us in the field of decarbonization, I can tell you that there are very few chances for Romania to meet this objective," said Florin Spataru. In this regard, there is a need for net zero technologies, which were included in a programmatic document of the European Commission, technologies that can be financed and can help the decarbonization process. "More pragmatically put, we no longer buy electrolyzers and heat pumps and windmills from China, Vietnam, Thailand or wherever else we buy them, but we try to produce them here. That's when this instrument was created to help Member States finance such a project themselves. (...) About 66% of USD 350 billion - that's a lot of money that we will have to attract from the private sector to be able to meet this decarbonization objective. If we spend even one euro in the wrong direction, the negative multiplier will be much higher than that one euro," Spataru added. He emphasized that it is "a continuous effort over decades for Romania to be able to meet some of its objectives", so that "we don't wake up in 2035 and find ourselves out of the market". "Even if we close the coal-fired power plants, because we won't have the energy we need, we can't make all the money available. If you don't have the energy and you don't have the skills, no one from the private sector will come here to develop something. And these are the challenges that, in my view, Romania will face in this energy sector," Spataru pointed out. MediaUno Press Group, MediaUno Association, the Department for Sustainable Development and the National Institute of Statistics are organizing, from May 21 to June 16, 2025, "Bucharest Leaders' Summit: The Path to 5.0. From Vision To Reality", the 29th edition of the national project "Together we protect Romania". Over 30 international specialists - researchers, experts, journalists - from France, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Armenia, Georgia, Ivory Coast and Romania, as well as students from French and Romanian universities are participating, from Tuesday to Thursday, in the event "In the face of war - European dialogues." According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday, the French Institute in Romania, in partnership with a series of European and local institutions, is organizing in Bucharest the event "In the face of war - European dialogues," a space for reflection and exchange of ideas essential for understanding the challenges that Europe is currently facing in terms of security, society and geopolitics. The nearly twenty round tables, debates, interactive workshops attended by renowned personalities will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the French Institute of Romania, Rezidenta9 and Londohome. The programme is completed by a series of film screenings at the Elvire Popesco cinema hall, the same source informs."In the face of war - European dialogues" is a larger project of the French Institute that debuted in 2023 in Prague, followed, in the same year, by an edition in Vilnius, and in 2024 in Warsaw, Amsterdam, Sofia and Plovdiv, Helsinki and Rennes. This year, the European Dialogues series began in Leipzig in March, followed by the Brussels edition, just before the Bucharest one, and will conclude in Sarajevo in the autumn.The Bucharest edition of the project will focus in particular on the military and geopolitical changes in Europe and their repercussions on the emotional health and perceptions of Europeans.The event completes the list of events organized by the French Institute in Romania, on the occasion of the Centenary, starting last year.Access to the events is free. Italy and Romania are jointly giving voice to a consistent, determined and united Europe, Romania's acting Prime Minister Catalin Predoiu said on Monday evening at a National Day of Italy ceremony in Bucharest. "Allow me, first of all, to convey, on behalf of the Romanian government and the Romanian people, the warmest wishes for peace, prosperity and unity to the Italian Republic and to all its citizens, wherever they may be in the world. Because today, in every corner of the planet, the heart of Italy beats with pride. Romania and Italy share much more than a simple geographical belonging to Europe. We have common Latin roots, a deep cultural closeness, a human and spiritual bond that, over time, turned into a genuine strategic partnership - one that has become increasingly solid. The renewal and updating of our strengthened strategic partnership, carried out in 2024, is clear proof to the depth, vitality and vision of the future that define our bilateral relations," said Predoiu, agerpres reports. He said that Italy is one of Romania's main strategic partners - both bilaterally and within the European Union and NATO.Predoiu also mentioned the deep cultural ties between Romania and Italy."We are united by the echo of the Latin language, we are linked by the values passed down from generation to generation, the love for beauty, for the arts and heritage. From academic exchanges to language study, from classrooms to cathedrals and museums, to the long-awaited Romania-Italy Cultural Year in 2026 and symbolic initiatives, such as the restoration of the statue of St Peter on Trajan's Column - our common heritage continues to inspire us and bring us closer," Predoiu said.He went on to point out the need for mutual support among nations, given that internationally "we are living a complicated historical moment.""Global challenges - from armed conflicts to the green transition, from energy security to geopolitical tensions - require unity, solidarity and cooperation. More than ever, nations that share common values must support each other. Italy and Romania jointly give voice to a consistent, determined and united Europe. Our common commitment to peace, stability and sustainable development is proof to what we can build together, with hope and confidence in the future," Predoiu said.At the end of his speech, the interim PM conveyed his warmest wishes for peace and prosperity for the Italian Republic and for the friendship between the two peoples."Long live Italy! Long live Romania! Long live our friendship! Happy Republic Day!" BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijan has discussed cooperation with TotalEnergies on the supply of Green Energy, the country's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote on X, Trend reports. "At the meeting with Senior Vice-President Europe, Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies Jean-Luc Guiziou within the Baku Energy Forum, we discussed the cooperation issues on the implementation of the second phase of the development of Absheron gas condensate field - Phase - 1 project as well as a 250 MW wind farm, energy storage system, Green Energy supply and the methane emissions reduction," he emphasized. TotalEnergies has been a reliable, committed, and forward-looking investor and partner in Azerbaijan since 1996, focusing on gas supplies to the local market and diversifying it renewable energy portfolio. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Romania is hosting, for the first time, these days, the top international programme in the field of organ transplantation "Transplant Procurement Management," the National Transplant Agency (ANT) informs on Tuesday. "Romania is taking a major step in the field of organ transplantation: for the first time, the international course 'Transplant Procurement Management' (TPM) - considered one of the most efficient worldwide - is taking place in our country, being organised by the National Transplant Agency (ANT), in partnership with the DTI Foundation from Spain," informs the ANT in a press release sent to AGERPRES. "It is, without exaggeration, the most efficient course in the world in the field of donation and transplantation. It is an essential step for Romania, considering that the teams dealing with donation must be periodically trained on all modern techniques regarding organ and tissue donation. That is precisely why ANT got involved in organizing the course of the DTI Academy in Spain, the most efficient country in the world. Such trainings are extremely important and have a direct impact on the donation rate and, implicitly, on saving lives," said Guenadiy Vatachki, executive director of ANT, quoted in the press release. The Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania) is organizing, for 15 German and Romanian organizations and companies, an information delegation and a business forum in the North-East Region, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, between June 23-27. According to a press release from AHK Romania, the participating companies are active in fields such as electronics, engineering, consulting, banking and real estate and are interested in finding partners for future collaborations, as well as new opportunities and locations for business development or expansion. Companies will learn about business prospects in the region, including the impact of political relations, infrastructure development and the role of local communities in promoting economic growth. The program includes visits to the universities of Suceava, Cernauti and Balti (Draxlmaier laboratories), to the Suceava County Council and Botosani City Council, to the city halls of Cernauti and Balti, to the companies Electroalfa (Suceava), SEBN (Cernauti), to Moldovan companies, as well as to the Siret Industrial Park. The organization notes that the region plays a key role in establishing concrete steps in the reconstruction of Ukraine, offering significant business opportunities for German and Romanian companies. This is why the companies are also interested in areas such as infrastructure, technology and logistics. In this context, a business forum, attended by representatives of public administrations from Siret, Suceava, Botosani, Balti, Cernauti, from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and the Eastern Committee of the German Economy (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.), will take place on June 24, in the Siret Industrial Park. The debates will focus on economic topics, with a focus on strengthening cross-border trade and increasing investment flows. The forum will provide insights into the region's potential as a dynamic area for business expansion, in the context of efforts to reconstruct Ukraine and accelerate the reindustrialization of Romania's border area. Last but not least, participating companies will receive information on the available and qualified workforce in the region. The forum will be followed by meetings and direct discussions between the member companies of the delegation and authorities and companies from the North-East Region, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. AHK Romania is the official representation of the German economy. Founded in 2002, AHK has over 670 member companies and offers companies an important platform for networking, exchanging information and experiences. Since January 1, 2020, the Competence Center for the Republic of Moldova has also been operating within AHK Romania. Supporting pro-European political forces, advancing the European Union integration process, and strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova against hybrid threats were among the topics discussed on Tuesday by Senate President Ilie Bolojan during his meeting with the delegation of the Committee for Foreign Policy and European Integration of the Moldovan Parliament, led by Ina Coseru. According to a Senate press release, the meeting 'reconfirmed the excellent level of bilateral relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, with an emphasis on parliamentary cooperation and firm support for Chisinau's European path.', agerpres reports. Europe's largest and world's second longest cave salt, Cave 6S at Manzalesti, Buzau County, a small town located on one of Romania's largest salt deposits, has never been open to the public for safety reasons, but the local administration has been looking for solutions to capitalise on it. In the Slanic Valley in Buzau County, between the small towns of Manzalesti and Lopatari, tourists can enjoy spectacular landscapes that seem carved in salt over millions of years, agerpres reports. "The Meledic Plateau is a natural, speleological and zoological reserve that covers 67.5 hectares. It is the site of one of the largest salt deposits in Romania. By dissolving the salt, spectacular relief forms of various sizes and physiognomies result. A representative example is the set of caves dug into salt by groundwater. (...) The attractions of the Meledic Plateau include the 6S cave, which was discovered in 1980, being the second longest salt cave in the world (3,190 metres), the Great Lake and Lake Castelu," according to the Buzau County Council."The Praid and Slanic Prahova mines are salt mines dug by people; at Manzalesti, there are natural caves, 46 of them, but it is difficult to know how many there are because they appear and disappear. The caves cannot be visited in any way, they are very dangerous because salt is a plastic rock, you enter the cave, it can close behind you, not to mention that you can step on what seems solid rock at first sight that ends up behaving like quicksand. The caves were explored only by professional cavers, it is very dangerous for tourists, sometimes an entrance appears, then it disappears completely, either because the ceiling collapses and covers it, or it gets dissolved by water. They are important because they had some records, the longest and deepest salt cave in the world at one time, now it has become the second or third because it has collapsed. They are important because fossils from the ice age have been found in them, very well preserved. They are always collapsing, others are being rebuilt, it is a dynamic process. What we did, some 360-degree movies inside, we didn't go in very much, so that people could see them through VR, but otherwise you can't do them, they are very dangerous. The salt there is not like in Praid, it is very fragmented, it breaks easily. But we have the largest surface deposits of salt," according to volcanologist Razvan Popa, manager of the Buzau Land UNESCO Geopark.The Meledic Plateau and the Grunj of Manzalesti, are part of the Buzau Land Geopark, which was recognised as a UNESCO site in April 2022 as an area that includes elements of special geological interest, along with elements of ecological, archaeological, historical and cultural interest of world importance. Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today ST. LOUIS The belt buckle Jake Wheeler wears gives away his adventurous spirit. Wall of Death, it says, a tribute to a former life. Wheeler, who grew up in north St. Louis and lives on the citys south side now, used to be a carnival daredevil. He rode a motorcycle at dangerous speeds in a never-ending circle, and he was so close to spectators that he could take off a mans hat and put it back on him in the blink or two of an eye. These days, hes balancing on broken rafters in tornado-ravaged homes in the city he loves. Wheeler grew up in the West End. Like many children of his generation, he attended suburban public schools in his case, Ladue through the citys voluntary inter-district transfer program. Wheelers great aunt is Dr. Julia Davis, a famed African American educator whose name adorns a library branch at the intersection of Natural Bridge and Newstead avenues. The library, like so many places in the path of the May 16 tornado, is closed for repairs. When the tornado hit, Wheeler and his wife, Sara Isbell, did what many people have done in the past two weeks: They rushed to see what they could do to help. Wheeler is an HVAC contractor and has plenty of tools, but he stopped to pick up a chainsaw on the way. After checking on his dad, who was in a third-floor office in his house when the tornado put a hole in the roof, Wheeler started finding places where he could help. The tornado took a path through a sentimental part of the city for me, Wheeler said. Among his first stops was a home he owns on Bayard Avenue south of Fountain Park. Then, Wheeler started putting tarps on neighborhood roofs with gaping holes. He soon met Chad Jackson, who was doing the same thing. Jackson lives in Florissant but grew up in north St. Louis, on Garfield Avenue in the Ville neighborhood. When the tornado hit, Jackson called his friends with Action St. Louis, the nonprofit activist group that started after the Ferguson uprising. The group was mobilizing tornado support out of OFallon Park. Jackson owns his own remodeling company and decided his skills were best put to work on a roof. There, he met Wheeler. They became fast friends and started looking for other roofs they could protect and to protect homeowners who didnt want to leave. Wheeler and Jackson had a shared philosophy: The repairs needed to last not just a week or two but for months, or up to a year if possible. They know north city is in for a long recovery. Thats not necessarily the case in Clayton, where Johnny Lee lives. Our neighborhood got hit pretty hard, but by Monday, you could hardly even tell, he says. Lee also headed to the city to volunteer, and he ran into Wheeler and Jackson. He lacks their skills in the construction trade, but they invited him to join their ad hoc crew. For more than two weeks now, the three men have traversed the hardest-hit parts of town on Leduc Street in Kingsway East; Labadie Avenue in the Ville; and Clarance Avenue in the OFallon neighborhood. With plywood and tarps and hard work, they salvage whatever wood they can and then stabilize roofs, keeping out water that can possibly doom a home to collapse. You get up on one roof and you see that every one of them in the neighborhood is damaged, Wheeler says. All my roots are here, Jackson says. A lot of people are desperate. Isbell is part of the team. She keeps the crew organized and maintains a database of their repairs. She also puts her skills as a therapist to work, talking to families and helping connect them to services they need. On the day we met, the three men were finishing a tarp job on the roof of a four-family home owned by Markeesha Perry. As they stood on the roof, they could see a block away as members of the Missouri National Guard were milling around one of four debris sites set up locally. Its welcome help, the men said, but its not nearly enough. The carnage is 360 degrees, everywhere you look, Wheeler says. The volunteers descending on the city, and sacrificing their own income opportunities, will eventually have to go back to their jobs. But the need will remain. What north city requires is serious help from various governments city, state and federal that have the resources to do more than three guys with a ladder and adventurous spirit, the men say. We need manpower, Jackson says. Its going to take more than a private effort. CLAYTON Prosecutors dropped the case against one of two teens in a 2024 crash that killed a construction worker and injured another, the office confirmed Monday. Deondre Robinson and Patrick Aten were both 18 when police said they were racing each other in April 2024 in the 9900 block of South Broadway. Police said Robinson lost control of his car and struck two construction workers. One of the workers, 34-year-old Christopher Johnson, was dragged under Robinsons car and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another worker suffered serious injuries. They both were charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree assault. Robinson was also charged with operating a vehicle without a valid license. Less than three weeks later, on April 24, 2024, prosecutors dropped the case against Aten. "After further investigation, we decided the facts did not support a criminal prosecution," said Chris King, a St. Louis County prosecutor's office spokesman, on Monday. Deondre Robinson was set to stand trial this week for involuntary manslaughter, driving without a valid license and second-degree assault. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to recommend a 10-year prison sentence. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. bp is focused on a sustainable energy transition in the Caspian region, Gary Jones, the company's regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, said at the Baku Energy Forum, Trend reports. According to him, the company actively combines the development of traditional oil and gas projects with large-scale investments in decarbonization and renewable energy. "We are increasing our investments in upstream projects to $10 billion by 2027. At the same time, we want to be sure that we are reducing emissions in the environment," he said. Jones also emphasized that Azerbaijan remains one of the most stable regions for bp investments, especially thanks to the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) and Shah Deniz projects. ''The company pays special attention to the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels in Jabrayil, which will contribute to the decarbonization of the terminal in Sangachal,'' he explained. "We are considering projects in Karabakh, as well as developing a fully electrified platform. This reflects our holistic approach to the energy of the future," Jones added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ST. LOUIS City officials on Monday said they are working on a plan to put $30 million in interest earned on the Rams settlement money toward tornado relief. A bill is expected to be introduced at the Board of Aldermen later this week. Mayor Cara Spencer has indicated she would support the plan. Im looking forward to getting relief to people devastated by this storm, said Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, who plans to be one of the bill sponsors. Officials said the money could be used in a variety of ways for residents displaced by the May 16 storm, such as help with temporary housing, emergency home repairs and insurance deductibles as well as health services. The city has been sitting on $250 million it received from a lawsuit after the Rams left St. Louis, with leaders up to now failing to reach a consensus on how to spend it. The money has been gathering interest in the meantime. Also Monday, aldermen on the boards budget committee voted to ask the citys Estimate Board to take $1 million in city reserves and add it to a special fund meant for displaced renters. The Estimate Board, composed of the mayor, comptroller and aldermanic president, is scheduled to meet Wednesday. The moves are the latest in a scramble to cobble money together after the storm killed five people and significantly damaged more than 2,400 buildings. The city assessor has estimated it could cost more than $500 million to replace the buildings that have been lost. Some residents who lost their homes have already said theyre not sure theyll be back. Late last month, Gov. Mike Kehoe formally requested money from the federal government to help people fix their homes and cover other expenses. And he has asked state lawmakers to authorize a tax deduction to offset the cost of insurance deductibles and to pump $25 million into an emergency housing assistance program. Last week, aldermen passed a bill to waive property taxes for people whose houses were destroyed, and they will vote Tuesday to make the renter aid fund available to tornado victims. Spencer said Monday the city also has been looking at ways to focus programs funded by federal pandemic aid on tornado relief. There is a serious financial and political conundrum occurring in our country. The federal government is running up huge annual budget deficits, the need for social assistance is substantial and growing, and our politicians understand that the fastest way to get voted out of office is to either raise taxes or cut federally funded social programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). So, we all watch this proverbial train wreck occurring and we don't have a clear understanding of how much debt can accumulate before serious untenable consequences occur. It's easy to justify obviously beneficial programs such as SNAP. After all, who would want their fellow countrymen to go hungry? But while the Trump administration can look for all the waste and fraud they hope to find, you can be assured that any amount found isn't going to result into a net positive cash flow. The bottom line is, if we want these kinds of federally funded charitable programs to continue providing relief to the poor, it's going to take additional taxes to pay for them. Greg Blattner Chesterfield As nations, organizations, and stakeholders gather in Nice, the conference aims to accelerate actions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) within the framework of the UN Ocean Decade (20212030). With the ocean under increasing threat and SDG 14 trailing behind in action and funding, this meeting is an opportunity to catalyze transformative commitments and decisive policy shifts. UNOC3 comes at a critical time and I hope that it will be a starting point for reimagining what a better, more sustainable and equitable future might be. Starting with the ocean, but stretching to the whole planet because they are all connected. Its time for us to act and enable the transformations that we know we need, says Centre researcher Laura Pereira, who will participate in the UNOC3. At its core, UNOC3 seeks to deliver the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a collective effort comprised of a high-level political declaration and a series of voluntary commitments from governments, businesses, scientists, and civil society actors. UNOC3 isnt just a meeting its a stage for advocating the systemic transformations essential for the health of the ocean and the communities that depend on it. A lot has gone into preparing strong statements for action, reflecting months of mobilization within the ocean community, says Laura Pereira. Engagement at multiple levels Stockholm Resilience Centre and collaborators will be engaged at multiple levels (see list below), contributing scientific insights and participating in high-level dialogues, side events, and knowledge-sharing forums. The Centre underscores the importance of integrating resilience thinking and systems-based approaches to address the complex challenges facing marine ecosystems. The Centres participation at UNOC3 not only reflects our commitment to advancing transformative ocean governance and sustainability science, but also our long-time engagement in art/science projects. Centre researcher Andrew Merrie will be in Nice 4 June to launch three original science-fiction films, produced in collaboration with TBA 21 and Inferstudio, and rooted in his acclaimed Radical Ocean Futures Project. Each film envisions a radically different, scientifically grounded future of the global ocean. We have produced these three sci-fi short films to provoke and challenge delegates and the wider network of ocean stakeholders to think bolder, wilder and more radically about the policy and investment decisions we take today and how they might shape the future ocean, explains Andrew Merrie in a LinkedIn post. In the lead-up to the conference, three special events are scheduled: the One Ocean Science Congress (June 4-6, 2025, in Nice), the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (June 7-8, 2025, in Monaco), and the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition (June 7, 2025, in Nice). While expectations are high, bold financial pledges alone wont be enough. More decisive actions like halting harmful fisheries subsidies or deep-sea mining are essential for meaningful change, says Centre researcher Robert Blasiak, who will participate in the Blue Economy and Finance Forum. SRC contributions at UNOC3 Here is a shortlist of the SRC engagements at UNOC3: Ocean Futures Visioning: Laura Pereira has contributed to a visioning synthesis report with the Ocean & Climate Platform (OCP), imagining future pathways for ocean sustainability. This complements Andrew Merries work with TBA21, producing ocean imaginaries and visual narratives to inspire new ways of thinking about the oceans future.' Coral Reefs Futures Event: In partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and others, SRC is contributing to an event focused on climate resilience of coral reefs, with artistic components curated by collaborators like Ignacio Gianelli, visiting researcher to the Centre. Solving FCB - Solving the Sustainability Challenges at the Food-Climate-Biodiversity Nexus. This initiative, including Garry Peterson from SRC as a contributor, will host several sessions on addressing feedbacks, complexity, and blue governance challenges. Towards IPOS: Laura Pereira represents SRC on the advisory board of the Towards IPOS initiative, which will officially launch during UNOC3. The development programme SwedBio is co-organising and speaking at a series of events, including 'Rights-holder vs. Stakeholder', 'Small-Scale Fishers: At the Centre of Ocean Governance and Food Security', and 'Collaborative Currents' a networking exchange for funders and small-scale fisher representatives. Researcher Robert Blasiak will participate in the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, June 7 and 8, held at Monaco's Forum Grimaldi, in partnership with the Principality of Monaco, as a special event of UNOC3. Researcher Emilie Lindkvist will participate in the One Ocean Science Congress, which is the scientific pillar of the UNOC3, and takes place June 3-6 in Quai Infernet, Port Lympia, Nice. What milestones could be reached? According to Robert Blasiak from SRC, the conference organizers hope for landmark headlines, such as: Major new commitments in blue finance. Ratification of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) by at least 60 countries. Policy breakthroughs led by France, such as a possible ban on bottom trawling in its marine protected areas. Another potential milestone is the launch of Towards IPOS (Intergovernmental Panel for Ocean Sustainability), a science-policy interface initiative modeled after the IPCC for climate and IPBES for biodiversity, with active involvement from SRC associates. The IPOS has the potential to advance consensus on ocean status, guide policymakers in navigating future trade-offs, and inform the design of adaptive and anticipatory governance responses, says Robert Blasiak, who was part of an international team of more than 30 scholars and other experts that proposed the establishment of the IPOS in a scientific article two years ago. 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. Crew members from USS Mount Whitney, the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, are shown May 13, 2025. The ship's crew of about 300 consists of Navy sailors and civil service mariners. Military personnel serving aboard Mount Whitney say the hybrid arrangement affords them better opportunities for gaining proficiency in their jobs. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes) NAPLES, Italy Cook and baker Geremie Topacio is normally at work by 5:30 a.m., preparing breakfast for a crew of about 300 aboard the 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney. She is one of about 125 Military Sealift Command civil service mariners on the ship assigned a range of tasks from kitchen duty to cleaning, maintenance, engineering, even navigation. That wide-ranging responsibility and expertise is why the steam-powered, command-and-control ship in service for more than five decades never fails to sail, said crew members aboard the ship. Topacio takes note of individual food preferences, such as how her shipmates like their eggs, because she believes that making people feel special helps take the sting out of being away from home. I love seeing peoples face light up when they get their plate because its the food that they want, said Topacio, who has served aboard Mount Whitney for more than a year. Experts cite Military Sealift Commands efficient support as one reason the hybrid crewing model should be considered for other surface combatants, such as amphibious assault ships. Navy sailors and civil service mariners, or CIVMARS, man the bridge of USS Mount Whitney as it comes into port at Naval Station Rota, Spain, on May 13, 2025. Mount Whitney is one of about seven ships in the service with hybrid crews under the leadership of a Navy captain. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes) Such a move could save hundreds of millions of dollars a year and allow the Navy to keep ships adequately crewed while on station longer, making it easier to grow the fleet, according to a December 2020 U.S. Naval Institute report. The sealift command keeps Mount Whitney operational, providing the platform and mobility needed as the Navy projects power in Europe and Africa, said Capt. T.J. Pekin, chief mate, or Military Sealift Command officer in charge. That relationship likely is the highest form of military/civilian integration because one doesnt operate without the other on this platform, Pekin said. Mount Whitney is one of about seven Navy ships, including the expeditionary sea bases USS Hershel Woody Williams and USS Lewis B. Puller, with hybrid crews of sailors and civil service mariners, or CIVMARs, under the leadership of a Navy captain, according to the command. Its operations support Navy ships, pre-position combat cargo and conduct special missions, among other tasks. But the command is facing a severe shortage of the CIVMARs needed to crew the 140 government and commercially owned or chartered vessels it manages. They include replenishment oilers, salvage ships and hospital ships. There are about 6,093 civil service mariners working for the command, according to the MSC 2025 handbook. But more are needed to ensure adequate staffing, the command said earlier this year without specifying the number of new hires required. To address the labor crunch, the Navy has sidelined 14 support ships with the idea of rotating crews from those vessels to higher-priority ships to minimize the number of personnel who are overdue for leave and training. The strategy also would offer a more predictable work schedule for civil service mariners, the command said in February. A civil service mariner brushes butter on freshly baked rolls aboard USS Mount Whitney on May 7, 2025. About 125 civilian mariners aboard the ship are assigned tasks ranging from food service to cleaning, maintenance, engineering and navigation. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes) Williams and Puller, assigned to Africa and the Middle East, respectively, are ships that could see their operations pared down. On Mount Whitney, civil service mariners ability to handle most shipboard operations offers sailors better opportunities to advance their careers compared to those assigned to other Navy vessels, military personnel serving on the ship say. For example, three CIVMARs usually man Mount Whitneys bridge, a task that typically would take as many as eight Navy sailors on watch, said Lt. Cmdr. Kenyon Cowart, a combat systems maintenance officer on the ship. Because vessels managed by MSC are operated by civilians, crew level and organization are more closely aligned with that of civilian commercial ships rather than warships, according to the command. Its impressive what they are able to do, Cowart said. The amount of work theyre able to do with less manning is awesome. As a result, sailors serving aboard the vessel typically dont work in the kitchen, fill in as damage control petty officer for another division or get other temporary added duty assignments, they said. Those assignments, which can last weeks, are frustrating for junior sailors who are eager to gain proficiency in their jobs, said Ensign Joshua Coatney, an electronics material officer. MSC crew members allow sailors to remain focused on their job and really get good at their at their rate, which is just a huge blessing, Coatney said. The lack of extra duties also allows more time to complete education requirements and get proper rest, he and other sailors pointed out. Mount Whitney also benefits from the knowledge and sea experience of CIVMARs, some of whom have long served on the ship and know its unique features and requirements, said Capt. Colin Price, Mount Whitneys commanding officer. That is one of the things that gives me great comfort on being the captain of the ship, Price said. While many sailors may be familiar with MSC, few live and work alongside their civilian counterparts like the hybrid crew on Mount Whitney. That arrangement fosters unity and greater understanding of CIVMAR contributions, according to Price. Ive seen too right here that there are other ways to serve our country than just joining the military, he said. Women and children wait in line for malaria medication at a health center in Nametil, Mozambique, in 2023. Nearly 600,000 people died of the disease in 2023, according to the World Health Organization, with the majority of cases in Africa. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post) They buzz, they bite and they cause some of the deadliest diseases known to humanity. Mosquitos are perhaps the planets most universally reviled animals. If we could zap them off the face of the Earth, should we? The question is no longer hypothetical. In recent years, scientists have devised powerful genetic tools that may be able to eradicate mosquitoes and other pests once and for all. Now, some doctors and scientists say it is time to take the extraordinary step of unleashing gene editing to suppress mosquitoes and avoid human suffering from malaria, dengue, West Nile virus and other serious diseases. There are so many lives at stake with malaria that we want to make sure that this technology could be used in the near future, said Alekos Simoni, a molecular biologist with Target Malaria, a project aiming to target vector mosquitos in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet the development of this technology also raises a profound ethical question: When, if ever, is it okay to intentionally drive a species out of existence? Even the famed naturalist E.O. Wilson once said: I would gladly throw the switch and be the executioner myself for malaria-carrying mosquitos. But some researchers and ethicists warn it may be too dangerous to tinker with the underpinnings of life itself. Even irritating, itty-bitty mosquitoes, they say, may have enough inherent value to keep around. How to exterminate mosquitoes Target Malaria is one of the most ambitious mosquito suppression efforts in the works. Simoni and his colleagues are seeking to diminish populations of mosquitoes in the Anopheles gambiae complex that are responsible for spreading the deadly disease. In their labs, the scientists have introduced a gene mutation that causes female mosquito offspring to be born without functional ovaries, rendering them infertile. Male mosquito offspring can carry the gene but remain physically unaffected. The concept is that when female mosquitoes inherit the gene from both their mother and father, they will go on to die without producing offspring. Meanwhile, when males and females carrying just one copy of the gene mate with wild mosquitoes, they will spread the gene further until no fertile females are left - and the population crashes. Simoni said he hopes the project can move beyond the lab and deploy some of the genetically modified mosquitoes in their natural habitats within the next five years. We believe that this technology can really be transformative, he said. At the heart of Target Malarias work is a powerful genetic tool called a gene drive. Under the normal rules of inheritance, a parent has a 50-50 chance of passing a particular gene on to an offspring. But by adding special genetic machinery dubbed a gene drive to segments of DNA, scientists can rig the coin flip and ensure a gene is included in an animals eggs and sperm, nearly guaranteeing it will be passed along. Over successive generations, gene drives can cause a trait to spread across an entire species population, even if that gene doesnt benefit the organism. In that way, gene drives do something remarkable: They allow humans to overwrite Charles Darwins rules for natural selection, which normally prods populations of plants and animals to adapt to their environment over time. Technology is presenting new options to us, said Christopher Preston, a University of Montana environmental philosopher. We mightve been able to make a species go extinct 150 years ago by harpooning it too much or shooting it out of the sky. But today, we have different options, and extinction could be completed or could be started in a lab. How far should we go in eradicating mosquitoes? When so many wildlife conservationists are trying to save plants and animals from disappearing, the mosquito is one of the few creatures that people argue is actually worthy of extinction. Forget about tigers or bears its the tiny mosquito that is the deadliest animal on Earth. The human misery caused by malaria is undeniable. Nearly 600,000 people died of the disease in 2023, according to the World Health Organization, with the majority of cases in Africa. On the continent, the death toll is akin to crashing two Boeing 747s into Kilimanjaro every day, said Paul Ndebele, a bioethicist at George Washington University. For gene-drive advocates, making the case for releasing genetically modified mosquitoes in nations such as Burkina Faso or Uganda is straightforward. This is not a difficult audience because these are people that are living in an area where children are dying, said Krystal Birungi, an entomologist for Target Malaria in Uganda, though she added that she sometimes has to fight misinformation, such as the false idea that bites from genetically modified mosquitoes can make people sterile. But recently, the Hastings Center for Bioethics, a research institute in New York, and Arizona State University brought together a group of bioethicists to discuss the potential pitfalls of intentionally trying to drive a species to extinction. In a policy paper published in the journal Science last month, the group concluded that deliberate full extinction might occasionally be acceptable, but only extremely rarely. A compelling candidate for total eradication, according to the bioethicists, is the New World screwworm. This parasitic fly, which lays eggs in wounds and eats the flesh of both humans and livestock, appears to play little role in ecosystems. Infections are difficult to treat and can lead to slow and painful deaths. Yet it may be too risky, they say, to use gene drives on invasive rodents on remote Pacific islands where they decimate native birds, given the nonzero chance of a gene-edited rat or mouse jumping ship to the mainland and spreading across a continent. Even at a microbial level, it became plain in our conversations, we are not in favor of remaking the world to suit human desires, said Gregory Kaebnick, a senior research scholar at the institute. Its unclear how important malaria-carrying mosquitos are to broader ecosystems. Little research has been done to figure out whether frogs or other animals that eat the insects would be able to find their meals elsewhere. Scientists are hotly debating whether a broader insect apocalypse is underway in many parts of the world, which may imperil other creatures that depend on them for food and pollination. The eradication of the mosquito through a genetic technology would have the potential to create global eradication in a way that just felt a little risky, said Preston, who contributed with Ndebele to the discussion published in Science. Instead, the authors said, geneticists should be able to use gene editing, vaccines and other tools to target not the mosquito itself, but the single-celled Plasmodium parasite that is responsible for malaria. That invisible microorganism which a mosquito transfers from its saliva to a persons blood when it bites is the real culprit. You can get rid of malaria without actually getting rid of the mosquito, Kaebnick said. He added that at a time when the Trump administration talks cavalierly about animals going extinct, intentional extinction should be an option for only particularly horrific species. But Ndebele, who is from Zimbabwe, noted that most of the people opposed to the elimination of the mosquitoes are not based in Africa. Ndebele has intimate experience with malaria; he once had to rush his sick son to a hospital after the disease manifested as a hallucinatory episode. Were just in panic mode, he recalled. You can just imagine were not sure whats happening with this young guy. Still, Ndebele and his colleagues expressed caution about using gene-drive technology. Even if people were to agree to rid the globe of every mosquito not just Anopheles gambiae but also ones that transmit other diseases or merely bite and irritate it would be a herculean undertaking, according to Kaebnick. There are more than 3,500 known species, each potentially requiring its own specially designed gene drive. And there is no guarantee a gene drive would wipe out a population as intended. Simoni, the gene-drive researcher, agreed there are limits to what the technology can do. His teams modeling suggests it would suppress malaria-carrying mosquitoes only locally without outright eliminating them. Mosquitoes have been around for hundreds of millions of years, he said. Its a very difficult species to eliminate. In Japan, appeals typically do not include reexamination of witnesses or new evidence and are instead limited to oral arguments by attorneys and prosecutors. (Pixabay) NAHA, Okinawa A U.S. airman convicted in Japan of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor is scheduled to begin his appeal trial next month, according to court documents. Senior Airman Brennon Washington, 25, assigned to Kadena Air Base, will have his case reviewed by the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court at 3 p.m. on July 30. The appeal will be heard by Judge Takashi Miura and two associate judges, Yasutaka Kobayashi and Naoki Kitahara. Washington was sentenced on Dec. 13 to five years in prison with hard labor by a three-judge panel at Naha District Court, which found him guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. The court said Washington picked up the girl at a park in Yomitan and took her to his home on Dec. 24, 2023. He immediately appealed the verdict. The airmans attorney, Junji Shimizu, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Washington is currently in Japanese custody, the 18th Wing at Kadena wrote in an unsigned email Tuesday. The 18th Wing worked closely with local authorities throughout the proceedings to ensure that due legal process was followed under applicable laws and agreements, the email stated. We appreciate the work done by the Government of Japan to ensure a proper accounting of these charges. Japanese high courts review lower court decisions for procedural errors, legal misinterpretations or excessive sentencing. Appeals typically do not include reexamination of witnesses or new evidence and are instead limited to oral arguments by attorneys and prosecutors. The court may dismiss the appeal, reverse the verdict, send the case back for retrial, or issue a new ruling. However, it cannot impose a harsher sentence. In its verdict, the district court sided with the girls testimony, which it said was partially corroborated by security footage from the park. The court ruled that Washington knew he did not have consent, citing the girls repeated pleas for him to stop. Washington testified on Aug. 30 that he believed the girl was 18 and said their interaction was consensual. He also told the court that he did not penetrate her. The case, along with that of Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton accused of attempted sexual assault in a separate incident sparked public outcry and protests from Okinawa officials. In response, U.S. Forces Japan implemented stricter liberty policies for service members. Clayton pleaded not guilty on Monday in Naha District Court. His trial is ongoing. As of March 2025, Japan had tested DNA from 7,026 sets of World War II-era remains recovered in the country and overseas. (Pixabay) TOKYO Human remains discovered on Okinawa in 2004 have been identified as those of a Japanese soldier, marking the first time DNA alone was used to confirm the identity of a casualty from the Battle of Okinawa. A spokeswoman from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare confirmed the identification by phone Tuesday, but declined to provide further details at the familys request. The remains were matched in March to one of 1,818 DNA samples submitted by families of those who died in the World War II battle, a ministry spokeswoman said last month. Recovered in Nishihara, the remains are still in government custody, an official from the ministrys war dead identification section said by phone Tuesday. Some Japanese officials speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Its the first time Japan has identified Okinawa battle remains without the help of personal belongings or eyewitness accounts. The ministry began using DNA analysis in 2003 and has since identified only seven sets of remains from Okinawa, according to official data. The Battle of Okinawa fought from April to June 1945 left more than 14,000 American service members, approximately 110,000 Japanese troops and at least 140,000 Okinawan civilians dead. More than 187,000 sets of remains have been recovered in the decades since, according to the ministrys website. As of March, the ministry had tested DNA from 7,026 sets of WWII-era remains recovered in Japan and overseas. Between 2017 and 2023, DNA was tested from 600 remains found on Okinawa. The number tested since then has not been made public. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), Taleh Kazimov met with a delegation led by the Eastern Europe Division President at Mastercard Yasemin Bedir, Trend reports via the CBA. According to the bank, the meeting discussed the interchange service fees applied in the country, the promotion of digitalization in the field of payment systems, and initiatives taken to combat cyber fraud. The meeting also exchanged views on other important issues of mutual interest on the technological agenda. A South Korean navy P-3 Orion visits Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 26, 2018. (Breanna Ancheta/U.S. Navy) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea The United States and South Korea are discussing ways to support Seouls reconnaissance operations following last weeks crash of a South Korean naval spy plane that killed four crew members, according to the Souths military. Talks are underway to use patrol aircraft assigned to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to offset the loss of the P-3CK Orion that went down Thursday, South Korean army Col. Lee Sung-jun, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a news conference Monday in Seoul. INDOPACOM did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment Monday evening in Hawaii. The Orion crashed into a mountain in Pohang, about 170 miles southeast of Seoul, six minutes after taking off from the citys naval base for a routine training mission, South Koreas Ministry of National Defense said Friday. Two naval officers and two noncommissioned officers were killed. The sailors were posthumously promoted, and a memorial service was held Sunday in Pohang, the ministry said. South Koreas fleet of 16 Orion aircraft has been grounded pending an investigation. In the meantime, maritime helicopters, ships and other alternative forces are being used to maintain surveillance operations, Lee said. Seoul is preparing to field its first P-8A Poseidon aircraft next month, Lee said. South Korea purchased six of the Boeing-manufactured aircraft from the U.S. in 2018 for $2.1 billion, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency news release that fall. The P-8 is expected to replace the aging P-3 fleet, which has been in service with South Koreas navy since 1995. It originally entered U.S. Navy service in 1962 and was designed to detect and track enemy submarines during the Cold War, according to its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. Stars and Stripes reporter Yoojin Lee contributed to this report. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers remarks at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30, 2025. (Defense Department photo) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to Europe this week to meet with his NATO counterparts and participate in the annual commemoration of the D-Day assault critical to the Allied victory in World War II, the Pentagon said Tuesday. Hegseth will meet with his counterparts at a NATO defense ministerial in Brussels on Thursday, where he will push them to spend more money on the Continents defense, said Sean Parnell, the Pentagons chief spokesman and a close adviser to the secretary. The secretary will deliver a message at the defense ministerial focused on advancing President [Donald] Trumps call for NATO allies to commit to spend 5% of their GDP on defense and refocusing NATO on collective defense and deterrence, Parnell said in a statement Tuesday. Trump has long pushed NATO allies to spend more money on their own defenses and has criticized many alliance members for relying too heavily on the United States. At times, Trump has threatened to leave the 75-year-old alliance. Hegseth in February told NATO defense ministers in a Brussels meeting that they must spend more on hard power, including troop readiness and modern weaponry, especially considering the continued invasion of Ukraine by Russia. We can talk all we want about values. Values are important, Hegseth said. But you cant shoot values, you cant shoot flags, and you cant shoot strong speeches. There is no replacement for hard power. After the meetings in Brussels, Hegseth will travel to Normandy in France where allies will observe the 81st anniversary of Operation Overlord the June 6, 1944, amphibious and airborne assault on Frances northern beaches by some 160,000 Allied troops, including 73,000 Americans. NATO officials and World War II veterans gather each year in Normandy to honor the more than 4,000 Allied troops including some 2,500 Americans killed in battle that day and commemorate the assault that launched the campaign that would drive German forces out of France and force a surrender in May 1945. U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets sit on the runway at Jagel Airfield in Germany on June 19, 2023. American military aircraft stationed on open airfields could face similar risks as the warplanes destroyed in a recent surprise drone strike by Ukraine deep inside Russia, experts say. (Luke Olson/U.S. Air Force) U.S. warplanes positioned on open airfields could be vulnerable to attack much like the Russian bombers destroyed during a recent surprise drone strike by Ukraine that carries wider military implications, analysts say. The mission, dubbed Operation Spiderweb, targeted four bases deep in Russian territory and delivered a severe blow to Moscows strategic bomber fleet. It involved swarms of small drones, which hit more than 40 of Russias most prized aircraft, Ukrainian officials said. The operation demonstrated the growing need for robust physical protection and dedicated countermeasures against drone threats, Kateryna Bondar, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., wrote in an analysis Monday. Moreover, Operation Spiderweb highlights how cheap, off-the-shelf technology in the hands of savvy operators can put at risk multibillion-dollar weapons systems that traditionally enjoyed an air of invincibility. The militaries that adapt early by investing in resilience, countermeasures, and adaptive doctrine will be best positioned to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving battlefield, Bondar said. Together, these trends point to a future where technological agility, not just industrial scale, determines strategic advantage. For the U.S. Air Force, the Ukrainian attack inside Russia could serve as a wake-up call and galvanize efforts to harden bases where bombers and fighter planes operate. For years, security analysts have warned that American aircraft are at risk. The war in Ukraine, where drones have dominated the battlefield, has intensified concerns about how such technology could be turned against the United States. Airfields at home and abroad where US forces operate are generally unhardened and highly vulnerable to small strikes, according to a Hoover Institute report in January that assessed U.S. aircraft vulnerabilities. The study said the U.S. military now lags behind China when it comes to protecting aircraft on bases, a sign that Beijing realizes such locations could be prime targets. Meanwhile, key U.S. military sites are also exposed, the study said. For example, China could neutralize US military aircraft and fuel stores at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, home to Carrier Air Wing Five and arguably the most important Marine Corps aviation facility in Japan with as few as 10 submunition-armed missiles, the study said. And Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, home to more than a third of the Air Forces F-22 fighter fleet, also is vulnerable, the report said. Some members of Congress have called on the Defense Department to focus more on force protection and hardening of aircraft shelters. A May 2024 letter signed by 13 members of Congress focused on the mismatch between China and the U.S. in the Pacific. U.S. bases in the region have almost no hardened aircraft shelters compared to Chinese military bases, the letter said. In Operation Spiderweb, a team of drone operators took advantage of exposed aircraft. Its likely the Kremlin assumed that the bases, some of which were more than 1,000 miles away from Ukraine, were out of reach. Mick Ryan, an expert on warfare at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, said the operation should serve as a lesson to militaries about the need to balance acquiring larger numbers of cheap weapons systems and small numbers of high-cost ones that are becoming more vulnerable to quickly deployed drones. The latest Ukrainian strikes on Russian airfields will have an influence on the war but are unlikely to change the political calculus of the Russian leader, Ryan wrote. However, the attacks are yet another harbinger of future war that many Western military institutions are yet to fully accept. Afghan evacuees arrive at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, on Aug. 26, 2021. A White House budget proposal seeks to end funding for Operation Enduring Welcome, a program that allows Afghans who helped the U.S. during the Afghanistan war resettle in the United States. (Ryan Brooks/U.S. Air Force) A program to relocate Afghans who worked alongside U.S. service members during two decades of war is being targeted by the White House for shutdown by the fall. No more funding for Operation Enduring Welcome was allotted in President Donald Trumps fiscal year 2026 budget proposal released Friday. Advocacy groups fear that hundreds of thousands of Afghans awaiting resettlement in the U.S. could be shut out if the program is defunded. Shawn Vandiver, head of the nonprofit group #AfghanEvac, one of the veterans who worked to establish Enduring Welcome, called it a secure pathway to legal immigration. Its helping me understand that perhaps they dont actually care about safe, legal immigration, Vandiver said of the administrations proposal. They just dont want immigrants. There are more than 260,000 Afghans waiting in the resettlement pipeline, including about 3,000 family members of active duty service members, according to Vandivers estimates. While a majority of applicants are still in Afghanistan, thousands are in third-party countries awaiting transfer, including about 1,200 refugees who are stuck at a former U.S. military base in Qatar. In response to questions, an administration official said that more than 50,000 Afghan SIV applicants are being vetted by the State Department, which continues to prioritize and schedule visa interviews. The Trump administration remains committed to protecting those who supported our mission while ensuring rigorous security standards, the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. These measures make certain that refuge is provided only to those credibly at risk while maintaining broader U.S. national security priorities. Following the chaotic American withdrawal from Kabul in 2021, the U.S. set up channels to allow eligible Afghans such as military translators, interpreters and families of American service members to seek new lives in the U.S. through the granting of special immigrant visas and refugee status. The State Department has relocated more than 190,000 Afghans to the U.S. in the last four years under Enduring Welcome, according to the White Houses budget proposal. The White Houses proposed budget will head to Congress, which will hold committee hearings to hash out a final budget to be voted on later this year. Some lawmakers, like New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker, have pushed back against the moves to shut down the program. The proposal to cut off funding tracks with a broader trend by the Trump administration to consolidate programs and lower spending in certain federal agencies. The State Department last week also notified Congress that it will close the office that coordinates Afghan relocation efforts and transfer those duties to the Afghan Affairs Office. If Enduring Welcome were to be shut down, however, its unclear what those duties would be. No One Left Behind, another veteran-led nonprofit advocating for affected Afghans, called the decision to close the relocation office incredibly alarming. This restructuring sends the message that the promise we made to our allies in arms is no longer a priority, the group said in a statement Thursday. The closure was part of a broader restructuring that shuttered more than 300 offices. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move would make the department more agile. The program to grant parole and settlement to Afghans has stretched across multiple agencies. In May 2024, the Department of Homeland Security largely concurred with its inspector generals report, which found gaps in its ability to monitor parole expiration and remove those with derogatory information in their backgrounds. In May, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated temporary protected status for more than 8,000 Afghan nationals already in the U.S., including some who assisted the U.S. in the war. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., sent a letter calling Noems decision a historic betrayal of promises made that undermines the values Americans fought for in Afghanistan. In addition to deteriorating economic and humanitarian conditions, Afghans who helped the U.S. are at heightened risk for retaliation from the Taliban, the lawmakers wrote. A DoD-contracted driver transports humanitarian aid from the U.S. Army vessel LSV-5, across the Trident Pier, and onto the beach in Gaza, June 20, 2024. The temporary pier, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability, enables the maritime delivery of international humanitarian aid to the citizens of Gaza. (Jordan KirkJohnson/Navy) A U.S.- and Israeli-backed initiative to feed starving Gazans has struggled during its first week of operations, with the resignation of two top executives, allegations that the Israeli military has shot into crowds of civilians rushing to pick up aid packages, and the ongoing refusal of the United Nations and humanitarian partners to join the effort. On Friday, a leading U.S. management consulting firm hired last fall to help design the program and run its business operations withdrew its team operating on the ground in Tel Aviv. A spokesperson for the firm, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), said the company had terminated its contract with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and placed one of the senior partners leading the project on leave, pending an internal review. Three people closely connected to both the GHF and BCG, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, said that it would be difficult for the foundation to continue to function without the consultants who helped create it. In addition to helping develop the initiative in close coordination with Israel, BCG set the prices for paying and equipping the array of contractors who built four distribution hubs in southern Gaza and to deliver the aid. They are actually making the wheels turn, said one of the people of BCGs involvement. A spokesperson for BCG stated that the firm had provided pro bono support to the humanitarian operation and will not get paid for any of the work it has done on behalf of the foundation. Another person familiar with its operations contradicted the firms account, saying that BCG had presented monthly invoices of more than $1 million. The foundation said in an email early Tuesday that it had distributed more than 7 million meals during its first eight days of operations. It proves our model is functional and is an effective means to deliver lifesaving assistance to the Gazan people under emergency conditions, wrote John Acree, named last week as the GHFs interim director. Later Tuesday, the foundation announced a new executive director, Johnnie Moore, a Christian evangelical leader and public relations executive who is close to the Trump administration and was twice appointed during President Donald Trumps first term as a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Since the war in Gaza began following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 - which killed about 1,200 people and saw around 250 taken hostage - deliveries of lifesaving humanitarian assistance have been sporadic and woefully inadequate for the enclaves more than 2 million inhabitants. Israel, which has tightly controlled humanitarian access through its border crossings, has charged - without evidence - that much of the distribution by the U.N. and other aid organizations in the past has been seized by Hamas. The architects of the GHF plan, including the Israeli government, private entrepreneurs, consultants and some humanitarian actors, have said that the new aid mechanism was designed to protect against looting and seizures by the militant group. Armed U.S. contractors have been hired to secure the aid convoys and oversee the distribution hubs. The start of distribution followed an 11-week blockade, during which Israel prohibited any aid from entering Gaza. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to relocate virtually all of Gazas population to the southern part of the 141-square-mile enclave as it launches a new offensive in the north to eliminate Hamass remaining fighters. So far, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks in the 19-month war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatants. Three out of four distribution hubs are now operating in the south, usually only for several hours in the morning until the days packaged food deliveries have been exhausted. No violent incidents have been reported inside the distribution hubs themselves, although Gazan health workers have reported dozens of people shot nearby. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said that they were investigating an incident resulting in casualties, in which Israeli troops fired on several suspects deviating from the designated access routes to the distribution sites. Gazas Health Ministry and the International Committee of the Red Cross said that 27 people were killed and dozens more injured near an aid distribution site in southern Gaza. Previously, IDF spokesmen have said soldiers fired above the heads of crowds to disperse them but denied shooting directly at civilians, and they charged that reports of dead and wounded were Hamas disinformation. The IDF has distributed its own videos that it says show Hamas militants shooting at civilians. In a statement Tuesday, the GHF said that while the aid distribution was conducted safely and without incident at our site today, it was aware of the IDF investigation. The incident, the statement said, occurred in an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area. We recognize the difficult nature of the situation and advise all civilians to remain in the safe corridor when traveling to our sites. The U.N. and other aid professionals, as well as some foreign aid donors, have long expressed concerns about the viability, morality and safety of the GHFs model, which confines food distribution to limited sites in the south and leaves Israel in control of how much aid enters the enclave. Nearly all major humanitarian organizations have refused to participate on the grounds that it violates their rules of neutrality and appears designed to further Israels war aims. Even some senior Israeli defense officials have questioned the GHF model, anticipating that long lines could lead to stampedes, according to internal documents obtained by The Washington Post. Calling the overall situation a tragedy, the World Food Programs executive director, Cindy McCain, told ABC News on Sunday: What we need right now is an immediate ceasefire, complete, unfettered access, along with the safe roads, every gate open, to feed people and stop this catastrophe from happening. Although Israel has allowed a limited number of U.N. aid convoys to enter Israel in the past week, the World Food Program has reported that desperate Gazans have stopped and looted them before they could reach WFP distribution points. Whether we like it or not, Israel is calling the shots in Gaza right now. We can either posture and be outraged, or accept it: Aid will never be provided in a neutral manner because of the heavy hand of the Israelis, said one aid professional who was approached to assume a leading role in the GHF but ultimately declined to join the foundation. A vehicle damaged by debris sits in a driveway on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Gladstone, Mo. The debris was scattered following a home explosion the day before that killed one person and damaged nearby houses. (Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star) (Tribune News Service) A grandfather and Navy veteran killed in a home explosion in Gladstone, Mo., is being remembered by his family, who have started a GoFundMe to help pay for his funeral expenses. Firefighters responded just after 11 a.m. to Northeast 74th Terrace and North Main Street Saturday after receiving multiple calls from residents about the explosion, which family has confirmed killed Richard Adams and his two dogs, Zeus and Roy. Richard Adams granddaughter, Zanaya Hale, described Adams in the fundraising post as a loving, caring and selfless person. He served countless years in the Navy for our protection and our country with endless love and bravery, she said in the GoFundMe. Hale and her family are hoping to raise enough funds to give Adams and his dogs proper burials and funeral services. Officials used cadaver dogs to uncover Adams remains. They have not yet publicly identified him, but neighbors and family have confirmed the victim to be Adams. In a release sent Monday by the City of Gladstone, preliminary findings suggest the explosion may have involved combustible materials stored at the home. Battalion Chief Mike Desaultels told The Star it was likely fireworks material, and that state fire marshals continue to investigate. Several of Adams neighbors recalled the blast as a harrowing situation. Ashleigh Tomlin was in her kitchen Saturday morning with her family when they all heard a massive bang, which turned out to be her next-door neighbors house exploding. She and her family hit the ground and a ceiling lamp came down, hitting Tomlin on the head and giving her a concussion. They thought a plane had crashed. We were just freaking out. I mean, we thought it was an attack, she said. Heather Garcia, who lives off Northeast 74th Terrace, was still in bed when she heard the loud boom and felt her house shake. She ran outside in search of her husband, Carlos Garcia, whom she knew was outside mowing. I came running outside, I dont have any shoes on. I honestly thought maybe a tree had fallen on my house. I came outside and I started screaming for him, she said. As of Tuesday morning, the family has raised about $1,000 of their $5,000 goal. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing. 2025 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on June 2, 2025, to review a lawsuit filed against a defense contractor by Army veteran Winston Hencely, pictured here as a specialist in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2018. The suit stems from a deadly 2016 suicide bombing in Afghanistan that Hencely argues was enabled by the contractors negligence. (Courtesy photo/Rep. Buddy Carter) An Army veteran who sued a defense contractor over injuries from a suicide bombing in Afghanistan will have his case reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Winston Hencely wants the justices to give a definitive answer to a question that has divided four appellate courts, which reached different conclusions about how an exception under the Federal Tort Claims Act applies to state-law claims against government contractors. The high court agreed Monday to review the case this fall, it said in an announcement. Hencely filed a legal claim against Fluor Corp. in South Carolina in 2019 alleging that the company had been negligent in the fatal attack at Bagram airfield three years earlier. At the time, he was a 20-year-old specialist and was severely injured in the blast, which killed three U.S. soldiers and two civilian contractors. The bomber, later identified as former Taliban member Ahmad Nayeb, was employed by a subcontractor of Fluor on base and made the explosives vest while on the job using company tools and components, according to a petition for Supreme Court review of Hencelys case. Hundreds of American service members were gathered at the site for a Veterans Day 5K run on Nov. 12, 2016, court filings say. Hencely noticed Nayeb approaching and confronted him with others, but Nayeb ignored their questions, according to the petition. When Hencely grabbed Nayeb by his shoulder and felt the bulky explosive vest under his robe, Nayeb detonated the bomb. Hencelys intervention prevented Nayeb from reaching the crowded starting line and likely saved lives, the petition states. Projectiles from the bomb fractured Hencelys skull and tore through his brain and chest. He continues to suffer from a traumatic brain injury, seizures and an inability to fully use his left arm and hand, or the left side of his face and mouth. Hencelys federal lawsuit against Fluor, which is based in Greenville, S.C., alleges improper supervision and retention of Nayeb under South Carolina law, saying that he walked 53 minutes unescorted from his work site across the installation on the morning of the attack. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit based in Richmond, Va., rejected Hencelys claims on Oct. 30, 2024, ruling they were trumped by unspoken federal interests under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Two judges concurred, and the third agreed in part and dissented in part. The 4th Circuit held that the federal tort exception protected the government against any claim arising out of the combatant activities of the military or naval forces during time of war. At least four other federal circuit court rulings have split on the question of whether the exception preempts state tort claims against federal contractors, Hencelys attorneys wrote in their petition. They are asking the Supreme Court to settle the matter once and for all. Court filings included an Army determination that the primary contributing factor to the attack was Fluors complacency, and its lack of reasonable supervision of its personnel. But the investigation also found fault with military leadership, citing in part counterintelligence shortages and shortcomings in contract oversight and administration by commanders and supervisors. The 4th Circuit judges also noted in their ruling that, before the bombing, Fluor had proposed providing additional escort supervision of local nationals while at their work facilities, but the Army rejected that proposal. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins pledged to prioritize VA programs for addressing veteran suicide and homelessness in the fiscal 2026 budget that will top $440 billion. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Higher than anticipated costs for mandated veterans benefits and medical care for toxic exposures will drive the Department of Veterans Affairs budget for fiscal 2025 to more than $400 billion a roughly $30 billion increase to the amount that Congress approved, the agency said. Congress has appropriated a $31.7 billion increase to the $369.1 billion spending plan to cover veterans disability compensation and medical care through the Toxic Exposures Fund that is required under federal law, said Peter Kasperowicz, the VA press secretary. The increase provides the VA with necessary funds to cover fiscal 2025, which ends Sept. 30, the agency said. For fiscal 2026, which starts Oct. 1, the VA is requesting $441.3 billion a 10% increase from 2025, according to a budget summary released Friday. VA Secretary Doug Collins pledged to prioritize critical VA programs in 2026 that address suicide risks, homelessness, substance abuse, chronic pain and access to rural health care, according to the budget documents. President [Donald] Trump is committed to balancing the budget, while providing necessary funding for critical non-defense discretionary priorities that include caring for the nations veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors, according to a summary in the documents. The 2026 budget requests $301.2 billion in mandatory funding, an increase of $34.2 billion from the previous year, for disability compensation, pensions, readjustment funds and other veterans benefits required by law. But for fiscal 2025, Congress paid $25.7 billion in additional funds to cover higher than anticipated requests for mandatory benefits, and another $6 billion for medical claims from toxic-exposed veterans. The medical claims were made to the Toxic Exposures Fund, which covers veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service, including pollution from burn pits, radiation and industrial solvents. The fund was created under the PACT Act of 2022, which established service-connected disability payments and health coverage for toxic-exposed veterans. Costs to provide services and benefits under the fund were $20 billion in 2024, $30.4 billion in 2025 and a projected $52.6 billion in 2026, according to budget documents. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act represents the most significant expansion of VA health care and disability compensation benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other environmental exposures in 30 years, budget documents state. The budget summary also projects spending for all other VA health coverage. Budget figures show spending for non-VA medical care by private doctors will grow from $22.5 billion to $34 billion, and funding for VA medical services would decrease from $69 billion to $57 billion. For VA staffing, the 2026 budget proposes to fund 455,874 full-time positions. The figure is a decrease of 2,964 positions from the 2025 enacted level. Most of the decrease 2,042 [full-time equivalents] is in the Veterans Benefits Administration. The 2026 budget assumes there will be no pay increase for civilian employees in calendar year 2026, budget documents state. The 2026 staffing request does not reflect plans for a reduction in force that VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek discussed in a memo to VA leaders that was leaked to news reporters in March. That memo stated VA will return staffing to 2019 levels of 399,957 employees, as part of a larger downsizing of federal agencies ordered by Trump. The budget numbers for staffing do not fully account for VAs reform plan, which is still being developed, Kasperowicz said. The VA has undertaken a department-wide review of its organization and structure to identify and eliminate waste, the agency said. While the VA anticipates increased efficiencies, there are no savings assumptions from personnel reductions resulting from the department-wide review in the FY 2026 budget, according to budget documents. The 2026 budget also provides funds to update the VAs online medical records system. Funding would grow from $1.3 billion in 2025 to nearly $3.5 billion. The update will make the patient medical records system interoperable with the Defense Department, other federal agencies and private medical offices registered to accept VA reimbursements and provide care for veterans. In 2026, funds for the National Cemetery Administration also would increase from $480 million to $497 million, according to budget documents. Funding for major construction projects would grow by more than $900 million to $1.8 billion in 2026. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Prospects for cooperation in the energy sector between Azerbaijan and Pakistan have been discussed, the Azerbaijani Energy Minister wrote on X, Trend reports. "At the meeting with Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) of Pakistan Ali Pervaiz, we exchanged views on cooperation opportunities in the field of energy, as well as investment opportunities in energy infrastructure projects," Shahbazov pointed out. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. First oil production from Azerbaijans Karabakh field is expected in 2029, bp has announced, Trend reports. Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday during Baku Energy Week, Gordon Birrell, bps Executive Vice President for Production and Operations, said the timeline is relatively fast for a major offshore development. "Were aiming for first oil in 2029, which is a fairly quick turnaround for a large-scale project. The development concept includes a normally unmanned platform - a lightweight structure with a topside and essential equipment, operated remotely without permanent personnel offshore," he said. bp has finalized a deal to acquire a stake in the Karabakh oil field. The agreement was signed today with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) on the sidelines of Baku Energy Week. The Karabakh field lies about 120 km east of Baku and 2025 km from the Gunashli field, at a depth of 150 to 200 meters. Conor Campion (23) became aggressive after gardai arrived at his home with an arrest warrant, a court heard. Judge John King fined him 500 A man who tried to escape gardai through an upstairs window at his house spat at one of the officers when he was caught. Conor Campion (23) became aggressive after gardai arrived at his home with an arrest warrant, a court heard. Judge John King fined him 500. Campion, of Paul Street, Dublin 7 pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. Dublin District Court heard gardai called to his home at 7.30pm on October 4, 2022 to execute bench warrants. Campion attempted to escape from the house through an upstairs window. He was caught and arrested, and while he was in handcuffs awaiting transport, Campion shouted at the top of his voice that the gardai were going to kill him. He called one of the officers a c**t and spat at him. Campion was separately arrested for his own safety when he was found extremely intoxicated on Paul Street on June 22, 2022. He had 15 previous convictions. He had been going through a bad time, was in the throes of alcohol addiction and buried his head in the sand about the warrants, his solicitor Aoife McTaggart said. He had now built himself back up and was due to start a construction job. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 There was 404,520 of cannabis, weighing slightly less than 22.5kg, found in 45 vacuum-sealed packets in this suitcase. Gardai came across Kyle Lawrence (19) when they were investigating a report of trespassing in a car park at Dublin Airport A chef caught with 400,000 of cannabis at Dublin Airport told gardai he was under pressure due to a drugs debt of 15,000. James Fuery (32) of Brookview Grove, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on September 25, last. He has eight previous convictions at the District Court for road traffic, theft and public order offences. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence that customs officers at Dublin Airport stopped Fuery, who had arrived on a flight from Ibiza, after a drugs detection dog showed interest in the suitcase he was carrying. 404,520 of cannabis, weighing slightly less than 22.5kg, was found in 45 vacuum-sealed packets in this suitcase. Fuery was cooperative and identified the suitcase as the one he'd brought to the airport. He told gardai that this was the first time he had brought drugs into the country. Gardai came across Kyle Lawrence (19) when they were investigating a report of trespassing in a car park at Dublin Airport News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Fuery outlined to gardai his difficulties with cocaine and cannabis, and how he had relapsed into addiction. He said he built up a drug debt of 15,000 and was under pressure. The investigating garda agreed with Gerardine Small SC, defending, that her client was co-operative, entered an early guilty plea and has no previous convictions for drug offences. It was further accepted that Fuery told gardai that he realised bringing the suitcase was wrong and that he was scared. The garda agreed that Fuery said he was told that he had to have the money in 24 hours or go and get the suitcase and was apologetic. It was also accepted that Fuery had no proprietary interest in the drugs and had no trappings of wealth. Ms Small told the court her client had previously experienced homelessness due to his addiction issues and underwent rehabilitation. Fuery later relapsed into addiction and built up a debt, when he was asked to take this suitcase. Counsel said Fuery was genuinely concerned for himself and his family A number of references were handed in, and members of Fuery's family were in court to support him. Fuery has a good work history and is working as a chef while in custody A governor's report was handed to the court. Counsel noted that urine analysis had been requested but was not before the court. Ms Small asked the court to take into account her client's early guilty plea, noting that his previous convictions are of a different nature, and to show as much leniency as possible for her client. Remanding Fuery in custody, Judge Elma Sheahan directed urine analysis and adjourned the case for finalisation to July 7 next. I hope the sentence handed down today will reflect the seriousness of what he did. He may one day return to his life, but I will never return to my life. A Co Offaly man has been sentenced to six years in prison for the rape of a young woman in 2022. The Central Criminal Court heard that the man who is now in his late twenties pleaded guilty to rape on February 4, 2022, in the university accommodation they were both living in at the time. He has no previous convictions. Passing sentence today, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said, This is a case where a young man took advantage of an intoxicated woman. He said the defendant has not exhibited any sense of remorse except an apology at the very end. Mr Justice McDermott said he would consider the defendant's guilty plea as a mitigating factor, along with the testimonies given to the court on his behalf, which speak to the man's character in the past and his decent nature. The judge noted that this defendant had maintained steady employment in the past and had the support of his family and partner. Mr Justice McDermott sentenced the man to six years in prison and placed him under post-release supervision for a period of three years. He outlined that the defendant must carry out all directions deemed necessary by the Probation Services. The judge also directed the defendant to have no contact with the injured party or her family in this case. Stock image. Photo: Getty News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 At an earlier hearing, Garda Damien Travers told Tony McGillicuddy, SC, prosecuting, that on the night in question, a group of students were drinking in a corridor in the accommodation. Both the injured party and the defendant were in this group. The group spent time in the dorm rooms before going to a bar. In her statement to the gardai, the injured party said she became drunk and could not remember leaving the bar. The court heard that her memory of the night came back to her in clips. She remembered being back in the long corridor, and the accused was curled up asleep on the floor. She then remembered being in a bedroom, and the defendant was on top of her. He was trying to kiss her and kept trying to turn her head. The woman also remembered feeling his hand pushing her head onto his penis. The following morning, a friend of the young woman woke her and brought her to their room. She went to the bathroom to change her clothes and noticed that she was no longer wearing underwear, and there was semen on the inside of her leg. She told her friends that we have to go, and they brought her to get the morning-after pill. They also made an appointment for her to go to a sexual assault treatment unit (SATU). The court heard that during her examination at SATU, bruises were noted on her legs and swabs were also taken. The injured party made contact with the gardai and made an official statement in May 2022. The defendant attended a voluntary garda interview and said there had been no sexual contact between the two. DNA swabs were taken from him and sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. His DNA matched the semen swabs taken from the injured party. The defendant was then charged with rape and entered a guilty plea on the Friday before his trial was due to begin. A victim impact statement was read to the court on behalf of the injured party, which said: Writing this has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. On a college night out, he took advantage of me. I know now that it was not my fault. I had to grow up overnight. Since that night, I have never truly felt safe. Imagine trying to tell your parents that you have been raped - I did. Imagine telling the person you love that your body was violated - I did. I hope the sentence handed down today will reflect the seriousness of what he did. He may one day return to his life, but I will never return to my life. I do not forgive you; I dont have to. The Director of Public Prosecution said that this offence fell in the 7-10 year sentencing category. Gda Travers agreed with Mark Lynam SC, defending, that his client had been a mature student studying for a four-year degree but dropped out after this offence occurred. The garda agreed with counsel that the accused has not achieved much since he left college and has worked in some fast-food outlets and a deli. Mr Lynam said his client has instructed him to apologise wholeheartedly to the injured party. Counsel said his client has no memory of the offence and that has been his instruction throughout. The court heard a probation report before the court placed the man at moderate risk of reoffending. Mr Lynam said the defendant has been extremely upset and has struggled to get to grips with the reality of the situation. Two letters were handed into the court from his friends who stated that this behaviour is out of character for him and that they cant believe he is here before the courts. Counsel said, This is somewhat of a random event and outlined that it was not targeted. He asked the court to take into account his client's guilty plea, which was a valuable factor, as well as his client's lack of prior convictions. Jason Walsh (36) was caught several times charging up to 150 vehicles to park in the school after breaking the locks and getting in An intruder broke into a Dublin secondary school and turned the grounds into an unauthorised paid car park in a money-making scam. Jason Walsh (36) was caught several times charging up to 150 vehicles to park in the school after breaking the locks and getting in. Judge John Hughes said it must have been the cheapest car park in Europe when Walsh maintained he only made 200 himself after donating half the proceeds to charity. Dublin District Court heard students events had to be scaled back or cancelled to pay for the 1,000 of damage Walsh caused, and the judge told him to repay this or face jail. Walsh, of The Willows, Finglas Road, Glasnevin, pleaded guilty to trespassing, criminal damage and deception by inducing the public to pay for car parking on private property without permission. The court heard the caretaker at St Vincents Secondary School, Finglas Road, Glasnevin, called gardai after the locks on the front gates were broken and two men were parking cars on the grounds in exchange for unknown sums of money. The same thing happened again on two other days. Walsh had 181 previous convictions for offences including burglary. The accused apologised and indicated he was going to pay for the damage, his solicitor said. Walsh was trying to make a few extra quid when he got involved in the offence with two other people. Judge Hughes told Walsh he had a good oul run of it and when asked how much he had got from it, Walsh replied 200. The judge said with 150 cars, it was the cheapest car park in Europe, Id say. The court heard to pay for the damage, the school had to redirect funds from student events. Walsh said he was a recovering drug addict, rebuilding his life. The court heard he had suffered a lot of personal trauma, including the loss of a partner who was murdered. Theres kids who didnt get to go on school tours because yourself and your buddies were running a scam, the judge said. You are going to have to pony up the cash or youre going to jail. Jason Walsh said he made 200. Photo: Collins Courts News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Natasha Rooney filed a High Court case last week seeking damages over death of her son Sean in 2022 Private Sean Rooney was killed while on duty with the UN. Photo: Rooney family The mother of an Irish soldier killed in action in Lebanon has taken legal action to sue the State and the United Nations for alleged negligence contributing to his death in 2022. Natasha Rooney filed a High Court case last week seeking damages against the Defence Forces, Tanaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris, the Attorney General and the United Nations. Private Sean Rooney, a 24-year-old from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while on UN duty in December 2022, when the armoured vehicle he was driving from south Lebanon to Beirut came under fire. Ms Rooneys solicitor Darragh Mackin said the case is a civil claim for damages for the failings by both the Irish Defence Forces and the United Nations. Private Sean Rooney was killed while on duty with the UN. Photo: Rooney family News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 A military court in Lebanon has indicted seven men over the attack. It previously said all were either members of Hezbollah or another allied group. Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack. Only one man, Mohammad Ayyad, was detained. He was later released for health reasons. The other accused are expected to face trial in absentia. On a visit to Irish troops in Lebanon on Unifil duty in March, the Tanaiste expressed his concern about delays in progressing the cases, which have been postponed until September. Mr Mackin has previously criticised the UN for alleged discourtesy and failing to provide the Rooney family with the full details of reports that have been carried out into the killing, which he said are required to allow an inquest in Ireland to proceed. Seans mother has shown the ultimate courage in speaking truth to power In a statement last December, issued to mark the second anniversary of Pte Rooneys death, Mr Mackin said his clients grief is as immeasurable today as it was this day in 2022. He said: This grief has in many ways been compounded by the disrespect and discourtesy demonstrated by those within the United Nations who, to date, have not provided our client with the necessary information to allow the inquest to proceed, so the truth can be established. Our clients grief is only outweighed by her pride in her late son, who paid the ultimate price to save others. He will forever be remembered for his bravery and courage. It appears that such bravery is hereditary, in that Seans mother has shown the ultimate courage in speaking truth to power, in holding those responsible to account. In March, RTE reported that the UN would share more details with his family about its investigation into Pte Rooneys death, via Irelands diplomatic mission with the United Nations in New York. Last November, the Government appointed Michael Delaney SC to investigate matters surrounding the killing of Pte Rooney. Mr Delaney was asked to examine the training and briefing of Defence Forces personnel, and the planning of the convoy. He may identify areas for learning and recommend changes. His investigation will not look into criminal matters surrounding the attack, as these fall under the remit of the Lebanese criminal investigation. A spokesperson for Simon Harris told the Sunday Independent: The Tanaiste will continue to press the Lebanese government on the need to progress this case, so the family of Sean Rooney can receive the justice they deserve. Wife-killer had job in prison kitchens after impressing staff with his cooking abilities Satchwell is expected to return to Limerick Prison to serve his time behind bars Killer Richard Satchwell shared an isolation prison wing with Barbie Kardashian and Jonathan Dowdall before winning over other inmates with his cooking skills. Satchwell is expected to return to Limerick Prison, where he has been in custody since his wife Tinas body was found buried under the stairs in the home. He will be spending a long part of his life with other killers in the lock-up who are already serving the life sentence he is due to get next week. When he first went into custody on October 2023 while awaiting trial, the English truck driver was placed the same isolation unit where Jonathan Dowdall and Barbie Kardashian are held. Satchwell is expected to return to Limerick Prison to serve his time behind bars But Satchwell, who has experience of prison, adapted quickly to life behind bars and was allowed to mix with the general population and got a job in the kitchens. He turned out to be a well-regarded cook and even prepared meals for the staff canteen, according to Sunday World sources. An unremarkable prisoner he is expected to get on fine in whatever prison he ends up while serving his time, it was added. He will also be entitled to apply to serve his sentence in his native UK and where he has family. During his five-week trial, Satchwell was held in Cloverhill Prison in west Dublin but is now likely to return to Limerick to serve his sentence. The nature of his crime initially meant there were concerns for his safety when first remanded into custody and he was put into the same wing as Dowdall and Kardashian. Victim Tina Satchwell Dowdall, is a former Sinn Fein councillor serving time for his part in the murder of David Byrne in the Regency Hotel attack. He also appeared as a prosecution witness in Gerry Hutchs trial for the same murder and was part of the Witness Protection Programme. Transgender Kardashian is serving a five-year sentence for making threats to kill her mother and recently was acquitted of making threats to kill a fellow prisoner and a member of staff. Satchwell wont be the only lifer to be jailed for killing a partner, joining Patrick Ballard who kicked his partner to death in a public toilet in Ennis in 2021. Richard Satchwell is working in prison kitchens News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Stephen Cahoons victim was also a woman his pregnant ex-partner who he strangled to death in her Derry home in 2008. Also a lifer is Daniel Whelan, who battered a mother of four to death who he had met at an addiction treatment centre in 2018 in Waterford city. Other killers serving life sentences in the prison include Kenneth Collopy, the son of gangland figure Brian Collopy, who shot dead a man in 2009. Another is Alex Friedman, who broke into a house and stabbed his ex-girlfriends new boyfriend at a house in Clonmel in 2007. Jonathan Dowdall Barbie Kardashian Patrick Ballard Mark Crawford, who stabbed his pal to death during booze and cocaine binge in 2018, is also doing life in the prison. After Satchwell is sentenced to the mandatory life sentence next week it will be open for him to appeal against his conviction. During the trial his legal team sought an application to have the murder charge withdrawn on the grounds that there was no evidence of intent. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan also applied for the jury to be discharged after the judges charge to the jury which he described as another prosecution speech. Neither application was accepted by the judge and the proceedings went on until the verdict was delivered on Friday just after noon. Under the rules in Ireland a prisoner serving a life sentence is allowed to make an application for parole after serving 12 years. However, the average time being served before being released on licence is now closer to 22 years, which in Satchwells case would mean he will be 80 years of age. One of those serving a life sentence in Limerick, Ross Stapelton, was sentenced to life in 2004 for the 2002 murder of man who died nine months after being beaten into a coma. While eventual release may come, lifers face being returned to prison if they break release conditions. Aidan Nugent faces two charges of sexual assault and two of causing or inciting a person to engage in a sexual activity Armagh All-Ireland winner Aidan Nugent who is on bail accused of sexual assault will have his case elevated to the Crown Court next month, a judge has ordered. During a brief update in the case against the 30-year-old defendant, a prosecuting lawyer told Armagh Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry today, that papers should be ready to fix a date for the Preliminary Enquiry (PE) the legal step necessary to return a criminal case to the Crown Court. The legal representative suggested to District Judge Anne Marshall the PE could be scheduled to be heard on July 22, but that the matter should be reviewed beforehand to make sure everything is ready. Nugent, from the Cullyhanna Road in Newtownhamilton, faces two charges of sexual assault and two of causing or inciting a person to engage in a sexual activity, namely contact with his genitals, on November 17, last year. When the All-Ireland winner first appeared in court last month, the PPS revealed a further four charges will be added to the indictment when the case is sent for trial. Armagh's Aidan Nugent lifts the Sam Maguire Cup after winning the All-Ireland football final last July. Photo: Piaras O Midheach/Sportsfile Its understood that it is the Crowns case that the alleged offences were committed in America when the Armagh GAA team travelled to Miami, Florida to celebrate the team's All-Ireland win after claiming the title for the first time in 22 years by beating Galway at Croke Park in July. Nugents defence team has emphasised that during formal police interviews, he claimed that any sexual activity was consensual and that when he was charged with the offences, Nugent replied that I deny the allegations it was consensual. The All-Ireland winner had been excused from attending court on Tuesday. Adjourning the case to July 8 for review, Judge Marshall excused the defendant from having to attend on that date as well, but ordered that he will have to appear for the PE on July 22. Aidan Nugent arriving for a previous court hearing in May, 2025 News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Its not the first time this year that Leila Murray has been dealt with for an incident arising in a hospital setting A Belfast teenager who assaulted police when they were sent to hospital to help staff deal with her, was handed a two month jail sentence today. After Leila Murray entered guilty pleas to assaulting police and using disorderly behaviour at Antrim Area Hospital, a prosecuting lawyer told Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, how nursing staff had asked police to come and help them with an aggressive patient on 23 September last year. She outlined how Murray, who appeared at court by video link from prison, was hostile and aggressive towards staff, shouting and swearing in the waiting area where children and babies were present. When officers arrived to try to assist, Murray lashed out and the court heard she kicked one officer in the chest and bit him on the ring finger, causing a minor laceration. Highlighting that Murray knows the court takes a dim view of such behaviour in hospitals, defence counsel Thomas McKeever said the homeless teenager had been there as a result of a psychotic episode and is ashamed of herself. He revealed that sadly, its not the first time this year that Murray has been dealt with for an incident arising in a hospital setting. In April at Belfast Magistrates Court, Murray was handed a six month sentence over an incident at the Mater Hospital in the north of the city. In that case the court heard how Murray head-butted a female nurse in the stomach and kicked her colleague several times before standing on a chair and lunging at two security guards who tried to negotiate with her. As staff restrained her she continued lashing out violently and shouted, I have HIV and hepatitis, Im going to infect all of you before proceeding to bite and scratch at one of the guards, breaking the skin, and spitting directly in his eyes. Continuing to shout about her infectious diseases, the teenager also bit a nurse and kicked two police officers as they removed her from the scene. Mr McKeever suggested that if the Antrim case had been dealt with at the same time, Murray may not have received any additional sentencing and urged District Judge Nigel Broderick not to interfere with her release date. Describing it as a nasty assault, the judge imposed a two month prison sentence to be served concurrently. Leila Murray News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Garda Mark Pender said both men were quite loud and aggressive, particularly Kevin Scanlan (29) who was kicking a door and telling him to f**k off. Two Wicklow men have been sentenced to three months in prison each for obstructing a Garda called to a disturbance outside a house in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow three years ago. Kevin Scanlan (29) of Stoneacre, Crehelp, Dunlavin and Ross Coleborn (29) of Castledermot Road, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow both pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duty at Fairgreen Manor, Dunlavin, on April 26, 2022, contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court heard Garda Mark Pender broke his hand during the incident. Gda Pender told the court that he was called to a house in Dunlavin where he discovered both accused parties in an intoxicated state trying to gain entry to a property. The court heard that Mr Scanlon was in a relationship with Mr Coleborns sister, Claire, who lived in the house and who wanted both men to go away. Bray Courthouse, where Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court sits News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Gda Pender said both men were quite loud and aggressive, particularly Mr Scanlan who was kicking a door and telling him to f**k off. The garda who attended the scene on his own, described how a small scuffle broke out between the three of them when he tried to arrest Mr Scanlan. Gda Pender said he could not execute the arrest as he was being held by both men. The court heard Mr Scanlan had 51 previous convictions including six for public order offences, while Mr Coleborn had 26 previous convictions, the majority of which were for road traffic offences but one for assault. Gda Pender told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that Mr Scanlan was currently serving a prison sentence imposed by a court in Naas in relation to a conviction for criminal damage. He also confirmed that Mr Scanlan had been on bail at the time of the offence in Dunlavin. In a victim impact statement, Gda Pender said he did not blame the accused men that he had broken his hand during the incident but that he was disappointed he had been put in such a situation. Gda Pender said he knew both men but had never experienced such impudence and hostility from them before. He urged both men not to throw their lives away after informing the court that they had issues with alcohol, cocaine and Valium. Something is going to give unless thats stopped, said Gda Pender. Cross-examined by counsel for Mr Coleborn, Eamonn OMoore BL, the witness acknowledged that the accused had written him a letter of apology. Mr OMoore said Mr Coleborn was a father of one and mechanic who had significant issues with abuse of alcohol and drugs. Under cross-examination by barrister for Mr Scanlan, Damian Sheridan BL, Gda Pender said neither accused had come to his attention since the incident and both men looked much healthier. Mr Sheridan said Mr Scanlan had a difficult family background but had displayed remorse and shame for the impact of his offending and drug-taking. He said the father of two was a trained chef who had a job offer for when he was released from prison. He is counting the days to get back to his family, said Mr Sheridan. Counsel said the accused had been free from drugs for a period of three years and now realised the value of what he has in life. Judge Patrick Quinn said striking a police officer during a scuffle was treated as a serious offence by the court. Interfering with a garda in uniform is a serious matter, he remarked. The judge also observed that a probation report had assessed Mr Coleborn at being at a high risk of reoffending within the next 12 months and that he did not accept responsibility for his actions. Sentencing both men to three months in prison, Judge Quinn directed that Mr Scanlans sentence should be served consecutively to his existing term of imprisonment. The Essex Boys killer Michael Steele is now 82 years old Michael Steele has been released from prison (Handout/PA) A hitman who carried out on of the UKs most infamous gangland murders has been released from prison. Michael Steele was jailed for life after he was found guilty of the murder of Essex Boys Tony Tucker (38), Pat Tate (37) and Craig Rolfe (26). The three drug dealers were shot by Steele and his accomplice, Jack Whomes, as they sat in a parked Range Rover in Rettendon, Essex in 1995. Michael Steele has been released from prison (Handout/PA) News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 After spending 27 years behind bars, Steele has walked free following a parole board decision. In Feburary, they ruled that his imprisonment was was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public. However, his release was stalled when Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood branded the decision legally irrational and called on the board to reconsider allowing the triple murderer to walk free. Following a through risk assessment, they moved forward with their decision to release Steele. Mr Steele had offended for financial gain and out of greed, their decision reads. He had sought to maintain a level of status or respect from others by exerting power. There had also been an element of thrill-seeking in his actions. They noted his behaviour in prison had improved, and a psychologist said his risk of release was minimal. Steele, who has maintained his innocence since his conviction, will be on licence for the rest of his life, and subject to strict conditions as well as intensive probation supervision. Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were shot dead in a 1995 triple gangland killing which came to be known as the Essex Boys murders (Essex Police/PA) He is required to surrender his passport and is forbidden from owning a boat, airplane or firearm. He is also required to live at a designated address. If he breaks any of the conditions, he will find himself back behind bars. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Craig Rolfe, Tony Tucker and Pat Tate, a spokesperson for the Ministry for Justice told BBC. This decision was made by the independent Parole Board after a thorough risk assessment. Michael Steele will be on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision. He faces an immediate return to prison if he breaks the rules. The case has been the subject of numerous films such as Essex Boys, Bonded by Blood, and the seven-part film franchise Rise of the Footsoldier. Sky released a three-part documentary about the slayings in 2023. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov met with Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, China, Ma Shiguang, a source in the Ministry of Economy told Trend. The importance that Azerbaijan attaches to the development of economic and trade relations with China was emphasized at the meeting. Meanwhile, it was noted that the Joint Statement on the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership relations signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan and China between the two countries plays an important role in advancing cooperation to a new stage. The potential for cooperation was emphasized, as well as the opportunities created for investors and projects implemented with international partners, and information was provided about the favorable business environment of Azerbaijan. The parties discussed the possibilities of joint activities between Azerbaijan and Jiangsu in trade, investment, green energy, high technologies, the petrochemical industry, localization of production, transport and transit, and other areas. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ciara Wilson is just the most recent British female smuggler to have been accused of illegally transporting drugs worth thousands of pounds An OnlyFans model has been accused of trying to smuggle 60 vacuum-packed packages of Thai cannabis into Spain. Clara Wilson (36) is facing four years behind bars and potential fines of over 750,000 if she is found guilty. The unemployed mum-of-four has been charged with drug offences after more than 200k worth of cannabis was allegedly discovered in her two suitcases at El Prat airport in Barcelona. Wilson, from Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, was held by the Civil Guard on January 20 after flying into the Spanish city on a Qatar Airways flight from Bangkok stops in both India and Qatar. Clara Wilson She was taken into custody at a prison near Barcelona two days after her arrest, where she awaits a trial. According to a three-page indictment see by The Sun, police found 60 vacuum-packed packages containing a green-coloured substance that tested positive for marijuana. The substance weighed 34,074 grams, in suitcases Wilson had previously checked in. It added: A subsequent analysis by the National Toxicology Institute of a 55-gram sample of the substance confirmed it as cannabis. Clara Wilson News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Public prosecutors believe the drugs were being shipped into Spain by Wilson where It would be sold to third parties on the black market'. They said its value would have been 213,991 (180,820.26). Ms Wilson is just the most recent British female smuggler who have been accused of illegally transporting drugs worth thousands of pounds. Bella May Culley Bella May Culley (18) sparked a massive international search operation in after she was reported missing while she was believed to be holidaying in Thailand. However, the teen, from Billingham, County Durham, later emerged 4,000 miles away in Georgia where she had allegedly being caught carrying 30 pounds (of cannabis into the former Soviet nation. Meanwhile, Charlotte May Lee (21) from Coulsdon, south London, is facing 25 years locked in a hellhole Sri Lankan jail after police allegedly discovered 46kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase Michaela McCollum, of the infamous Peru Two, has spoken about what she sees as similarities in both cases to her own particularly that of Culley, who has told the court in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi that she is pregnant. McCollum at the time of her arrest Ms McCollum, from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, and Scotswoman Melissa Reid, both served just over two years in prison after they were caught with 12kg of cocaine in Lima airport in August 2013. Reid was released from prison in June 2016 and immediately returned to Britain, while McCollum arrive back to Dublin airport in August of that year. McCollum and Reid who had never met prior to their arrest, say that they were coerced into smuggling the cocaine while working in Ibiza. Charlotte May Lee Referring to Culley, McCollum told MailOnline: Her mum had reported her missing, then it emerged that shed been arrested. There were such parallels with my case except it was just in a different country. I couldnt help but feel bad for them. Whatever they have done, its so young to be caught up in something like this, and I know what they are going to go through. And their families. Its the worst thing anybody can have to face. As a mum, I cant even begin to imagine what it would be like to give birth in that sort of place, and to potentially have the child taken from you and put into care, she added about the case of Ms Culley. "That adds a whole new, terrifying, dimension. Its just incredibly sad. I dont know the circumstances in detail here, she added, but I do know that of all the women I came across who had been involved in drug smuggling, only about 10% were doing it as a business, who knew the risks and accepted them, she said. The vast majority were the victims of some sort of coercion, usually by men. Prisons all over the world are full of women who have been caught up in something like this. And the men at the top rarely get caught. The men who pulled all the strings in my case were never held to account. The searches will be the first in Portugal for more than two years, with the operation led by German police Police to begin new search for Madeleine McCann in area where she went missing A new search for Madeleine McCann is due to start today, with police starting in Praia da Luz, where the child disappeared in 2007. The searches will be the first in Portugal for more than two years, with the operation led by German police. The search comes after evidence that Madeleine is dead was said to be on a hard drive discovered in a former factory that belongs to the prime suspect in her disappearance, Christian Brueckner, who lived in the area at the time Madeleine went missing in 2007, while on holiday with her family in Praia De Luz, Portugal. German police suspect the three-year-old was killed by Brueckner, who has recently been acquitted of unrelated sexual offences in Germany. According to the Sun newspaper, the drive was found in 2016 at a shuttered factory that Brueckner had bought for 20,000 in 2008. The suspect allegedly admitted to killing Madeleine at a music event, according to an insurance document that investigators discovered. There have always been doubts about his credibility. Masks, chemicals and firearms were reportedly found at the abandoned property, along with childrens clothing and toys. Two memory cards and six USB sticks were also found in a wallet by German police. A dog discovered the evidence in 2016. In one case, the suspect described drugging a mother and daughter outside of a nursery school, while in another, spoke of abusing a four-year-old girl. It was also found that he had Skype talks with other paedophiles, in which he expressed his desire to capture something small and use it for days. News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Police reportedly discovered over 75 bathing costumes, toys and miniature bikes during the searches, along with pictures of four and five-year-old girls being abused. Brueckner had also visited the Algarve in the years following Madeleines disappearance, according to a satellite navigation system. A Channel 4 documentary, to be broadcast tomorrow, will present the claims in their entirety. Last October, Brueckner was cleared at the court in Brunswick of three charges of aggravated rape and two of sexual abuse of children. Prosecutors had argued for the German national to be handed a 15-year sentence and are expected to appeal against the decision. Brueckner (48) is already serving a seven-year prison term in Germany for raping a woman in 2005 in the Algarve region of Portugal where Madeleine went missing. He had been on trial since February over the offences he was alleged to have committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. A former prison cellmate of Brueckners had told a German court that he heard him bragging about abducting a girl in Portugal. Prosecutors in Portugal officially declared Christian Brueckner an arguido (suspect) in 2022. It is thought he visited the area around the time Madeleine went missing. Despite the British government dedicating millions of pounds to police investigations, Madeleine has never been found. Our showbiz reporter meets metal icons as Irish fans clamour for tickets to double date The band will play two different sets over two nights with different support acts too James Hetfield and Metallica will bring their explosive show to the Aviva next year Metallicas guitars have thrilled millions of fans around the globe, but for the iconic bands guitarist Kirk Hammett there is one that is the most famous and precious of all. It once belonged to former Skid Row and Thin Lizzy guitarist, the late Gary Moore, who was forced to sell it when he was down on his luck financially. Gary had bought it from its first famous owner, British musician Peter Green, who used it during his time in John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac. Greeny, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard named after Green, is now one of the most recognisable guitars on the face of the earth. The band will play two different sets over two nights with different support acts too . . When I joined Metallicas M72 World Tour in Philadelphia last weekend, guitar god Hammett told us at a sideline event: Its funny, I had nothing to do with the fanbase this guitar has and its a huge fanbase. When I acquired this guitar the fanbase even swelled exponentially because people learned about the other players who owned this guitar, so I feel like Im furthering a legacy. James Hetfield and Metallica will bring their explosive show to the Aviva next year News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 A lot of the time people come up to me who are not Metallica fans but who love Greeny and they want to take a picture with her. Its the first time I owned a guitar that already had a fan club before I had it. I watched Kirk in action with Greeny over two nights at The Linc stadium, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, where Metallica thrilled their own fans with incendiary performances in spectacular shows that will play Dublins Aviva Stadium next June. Eddie with Metallica tour chief Jon-Michael Marino Tickets cover two concerts, with the worlds greatest heavy metal band playing a completely different set list each night and with two new support acts on the second bill. As Metallica tour chief Jon-Michael Marino took the Sunday World inside the world of the legendary band hours before the show, I got the thrill of stepping up on to the stage where theyd perform to 67,000 fans that night. The sprawling, breath-taking stage is in the round with eight gigantic towers hosting video screens and a colossal sound system that ensures even fans sitting in the gods have the best possible experience. Earlier, on my way in, I had strolled past 87 monster trucks that ferry in the stage and production. We have a crew of 350 people, so its a travelling village. The production is incredible, but the live energy in the Metallica concert is really second to none, Jon pointed out. It doesnt matter if youre seeing the band for the first time or if you are some of the die-hard fans I know personally who have seen 250 shows, its the energy and the sense of community you have when you have 40,000 to 80,000 Metallica fans gathered in one space thats pretty special the goosebumps that you get dont really go away. Eddie Rowley with one of the Metallica guitars The shows have only got better somehow over 44 years. Theyre not getting slower, theyre not getting softer, its not a greatest hits lap around the world. They are still creating new music and I expect that theyll continue to do so. Over the two nights in Philadelphia, Metallica unleashed a barrage of their most celebrated and revered songs from their impressive arsenal with manic drumming from skinsman Lars driving the full-on, power-packed performance. James Hetfields voice is a force of nature and he looks like hes in the best shape of his life these days having struggled with alcohol abuse in the past as he prowls the stage mesmerising us with his guitar work and vocal delivery. Music saves my life every day, I hope you feel the same, Hetfield told us at the first show. On the second night he addressed the issue of suicide, urging people to seek help. I know darkness, I know everyone here knows darkness, and we dont know how hard it needs to get to go there [suicide], James says. But that permanent solution to a temporary problem is not worth it. I say talk, talk that sh*t out, get that sh*t out thats not why youre here. You are here to be loved and cherished, so talk to your friends. Eddie Rowley with the Metallica drum kit Superfan Brian Thomas from Raleigh, North Carolina, has been to 46 Metallica shows. Its going to hit 50 in Tampa in a couple of weeks and Im really looking hard at coming to Dublin, he tells me. You cant go to a sporting event in the United States without hearing a Metallica song because its high energy, excellent music, amps the crowd up and everybodys feeling good when they hear it. Metallicas M72 World Tour will play Dublins Aviva Stadium on June 19 and 21, 2026. Two-night tickets are now on sale. For further information, enhanced experiences, travel packages and more, go to metallica.lnk.to/M72WorldTour2026 Ms Walsh, a mother-of-nine, had been battling with Alzheimers disease for the last decade 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. Maureen Walsh of Church Street, Kiltimagh, Mayo 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. 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. News in 90 seconds - June 2nd I am doing it for my wife. Thats what King Service Medal recipient, retired New Zealand Army Captain Graham Fredrich Charles Milligan, 88, said about receiving the Kings Birthday honour in an interview with SunLive. Catherine Elizabeth Milligan died in 2011 and Milligan is dedicating the award for his services to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association to her. Former RSA Tauranga President, Graham Fredrich Charles Milligan, moved from Featherston in 1988. Milligan was born in Auckland and joined the Regular Cadet Forces in 1948, similar to a military boarding school, he said. About 4000 of us went through that, he said. The regular cadet force was a two-year programme that specialised in education, apprenticeship and basic military training. You got b*lled out to start with and then went on education and apprenticeship, Milligan said. Your time was fairly occupied. Milligan eventually served in the New Zealand Army from 1954 until 1981 as a mechanic. Id had some very interesting jobs, he said. He would rise through the ranks in the army, going from non-commissioned officer to captain, leading the mechanics and combat drivers. Milligan would serve in the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation from 1963 to 1965. I saw that country go from Malaya to Malaysia while I was there, he said. Hes proud of serving his country and holds all members of the military in regard, no matter where they are deployed. If you served, you served, and if you get hurt, you get hurt in the same way, Milligan said. Graham Fredrich Charles Milligan next to the wall he helped build at the Tauranga RSA. Milligan had spent a lifetime serving both the RSA and Hato Hone St John. Initially, he joined the Featherston RSA in 1975 and was fundamental to the construction of the rural towns St John premises. It was a pretty big b***dy deal, Milligan said. He would drive for St John until a cataract forced him to stop. It got pretty bad, so I ended up being president. He planned to move to Tauranga after listing his Featherston home for sale following a particularly nasty windstorm that had damaged the walls. I said to my darling, beloved, Im out of here. She agreed. Milligan said. Milligan and his wife took off one weekend to look at houses around Tauranga, a city he had visited a handful of times previously. Over that weekend, their house was sold, with the couple finding out once they returned to Featherston, he said. Milligan outside the RSA Tauranga. Once Milligan settled in Tauranga, he joined the RSA there in 1988 and eventually served as president from 2019 to 2023. He was responsible for the construction of the memorial wall standing outside the RSA, he said. The Tauranga RSA will close its doors in February next year, merging with the Mount RSA. It is going to be a sad, sad day when we do go, but its inevitable, he said. Export prices rose 7.1 percent in the March 2025 quarter, led by dairy prices, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Export prices have been increasing since March 2024 and are now 17 percent higher than they were a year ago, international accounts spokesperson Viki Ward said. Prices for dairy products (New Zealands top export commodity) rose 10 percent, led by a 13 percent increase in milk powder prices compared with the December 2024 quarter. The increase in dairy prices was shared across all of the major dairy categories, Ward said. Export prices for butter have also increased. Butter prices are now 38 percent higher than they were in the March 2024 quarter. Export prices for meat products, which are New Zealands second largest export commodity by value, rose 7.2 percent in the March 2025 quarter compared with the December 2024 quarter. Other commodities that contribute to the increase in total export prices were forestry products (up 4.9 percent) and fruit (up 4.6 percent). Total import prices rose 5.1 percent in the March 2025 quarter. The Reserve Banks trade weighted index fell 5.3 percent in the March 2025 quarter compared with the March 2024 quarter, with the New Zealand dollar weakening against most major currencies. The weaker New Zealand dollar has contributed to the rise in import and export prices, Ward said. -Contributed content An aurora lit up Bay of Plenty skies on Sunday night, with Tauranga photographer John van den Broek capturing the striking colours from Maungatapu. The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration space weather prediction centre had predicted the phenomenon would likely be visible on Sunday night. South Island residents saw purple, pink and green hues across the sky which must be free of clouds for Kiwis to be able to see it. Aurora Australis above Lake Tarawera, Rotorua on Sunday, June 1. Photo/Jessica Barnes/Blissful Photography. The Aurora was also captured at Lake Tarawera at 10.30pm on Sunday night by Jessica Barnes. "You could visibly see colour and beams with the naked eye. It was very strong for about half an hour," Barnes said. The Aurora Australis viewable above Welcome Bay, was captured from Maungatapu, Tauranga on Sunday night, June 1. Photo/John van den Broek. Aurora Australis has graced our skies several times during the past year, leaving Kiwis in awe of the spectacular sight. In October last year, colourful lights dazzled South Island residents. In September, a passenger on a flight from Auckland to Christchurch captured the lights from her seat. What is the Aurora Australis? Auroras typically happen when the magnetosphere is disrupted by solar wind that alters charged particle trajectories. The particles then rise into the upper atmosphere and create vibrant colours in the sky such as green, pink, purple and red. The Aurora Australis viewable above Welcome Bay, was captured from Maungatapu, Tauranga on Sunday night, June 1. Photo/John van den Broek. The Northern Lights is the most famous aurora and occurs anywhere within a 2500km radius of the North Pole, making Norway and Iceland some of the best places to see it. Sightings of the Aurora Australis can happen year-round but are most common during the equinoxes in March and September as the long, dark nights increase the odds of seeing the light. Some of the best spots to see the Aurora Australis include Great Barrier Island (which is a Dark Sky Sanctuary), Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, Wai-iti International Dark Sky Park, or on board a flight across the South Island. Almudena Nogues Malaga Tuesday, 3 June 2025, 12:49 | Updated 13:11h. Compartir Today is set to be a stormy Tuesday along the coastline of Malaga. Spain's state meteorological agency (Aemet) has activated a new yellow warning in the province. On this occasion, it is for coastal phenomena. The warning will be active until 9pm in Malaga, along the entire Costa del Sol, the Guadalhorce valley and Axarquia areas. The state body is forecasting winds from the west and southwest with intervals of 50 to 60 km/h (force 7). The wind and waves will be the main feature on a day that could also be marked by the entry of warm 'terral' winds. "This Tuesday we will have strong westerly gusts along the coast of Malaga. At times we may have land-based westerlies in areas of the city It is likely that the pure terral will enter late in the afternoon, with maximum temperatures that could move between 29 and 32C", the local weather expert Jose Luis Escudero pointed out on his SUR blog 'Tormentas y rayos' (Storms and lightning). Zoom Weather alerts for Spain, this Tuesday (3 June). Aemet For now, Aemet forecasts highs of 27C this Tuesday in Malaga - fairly mild - in the case of the city. This figure could rise to 30 degrees on Wednesday. In parts of the Guadalhorce Valley - such as Pizarra and Alora - it is expected to reach 31 degrees from today and the mercury could soar to 33-34 tomorrow. "It is very likely that the terral will also continue on Wednesday, temperatures on that day will be around 29-33C. We will know this better tomorrow with the updated weather models," Escudero said. The active weather warning in Malaga province is not the only one in the Andalucia region. Aemet has activated another yellow level warning for this Tuesday for thunderstorms in the Jaen province areas of Morena and Condado, and Cazorla and Segura, where this phenomenon could be accompanied by hail. The warning will affect both areas between 2pm and 9pm, with a probability of between 40% and 70%. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 3. According to a decree of the President of Uzbekistan, starting July 1, 2025, Uzbekistan will implement a 10 percent increase in pensions, scholarships, child benefits, and financial assistance for low-income families,Trend reports via the Uzbek presidents office. Key provisions of the decree include: The minimum monthly pension will increase to 918,000 sums ($76), while the base pension calculation amount will be set at 471,000 sums ( $39) per month. The minimum monthly pension for people with disabilities will increase to 1,012,000 sums ($84). Child Benefits for Low-Income Families: 360,000 sums ( $30) per month for each child under 3 years old. 275,000 sums ( $23) per month for each child aged 3 to 18 years. 165,000 sums ( $14) for the second child in the family. 110,000 sums ($9) for the third and each subsequent child. monthly amount of 420,000 sums ( $35) will be provided to eligible low-income families. These measures are part of the government's continued efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens, especially those in vulnerable and low-income groups. The increase in social benefits is aimed at aligning assistance with the rising cost of living and enhancing the financial security of Uzbekistan's citizens. Juan Cano Malaga Tuesday, 3 June 2025, 10:27 Compartir The murder of two men - Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jr. at an Irish bar in Fuengirola on Saturday, 31 May, was the culmination of a long clan war that originated in Scotland. Both men had taken refuge on the Costa del Sol to escape murder attempts on them back in their home country. Monaghan had survived an assassination attempt in Glasgow, in 2017. He had just dropped his daughter off at St George's Primary School in Penilee, when a gunman disguised as a father pushing a pram, his face hidden behind a scarf, shot him. Ross was wearing a bulletproof vest and was only wounded in the shoulder. Three days later, he was seen at Glasgow Airport, about to board a flight to Malaga. His past, however, continued to haunt him. His background and that of Lyons Jr were widely reported in the Scottish press back then. Both were gangsters from a clan involved in the drug-trading war. Ross Monaghan had even been charged with the murder of Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll - a member of the rival Daniels clan, with whom the Lyons have been at war for decades. Carroll was shot 13 times in a supermarket car park in the Glasgow suburb of Robroyston in 2010. His death went unpunished in the eyes of justice. Days before Carroll was killed, the other victim in the Fuengirola shooting - Eddie Lyons - had become the victim of another murder attempt. These cases are all linked to a series of assaults, shootings and bomb attacks in Glasgow and Edinburgh, for which more than 30 people have been arrested. Although Monaghan and Lyons Jr escaped the front line in Scotland, the repercussions for their crimes followed them to the Costa de Sol. When Ross saw his friend killed before his eyes on Saturday night, he immediately leapt from his chair and tried to hide inside the Irish-themed Monaghan pub, which was filled with the crowd watching the final of the Champions League. However, the hooded gunman got to him before he could reach the bathrooms and gunned him down in front of eye witnesses, while bar staff dived for cover. Spanish police investigators, led by the Udyco-Costa del Sol serious crime squad, knew the deceased extremely well - they had no problem identifying them, despite the fact that they had no ID documents on their bodies. The officers were also aware that the two had been targets in previous murder attempts. Officers fear that the violent clan war will continue, with more murders that could follow. Pilar Martinez Malaga Tuesday, 3 June 2025, 11:03 | Updated 11:15h. Compartir Despite a great week for tourism during the Easter holidays, the weak start of the year is even more noticeable when we compare numbers to the strong growth in visitors and overnight stays in Malaga province in 2024. Data from Turismo Costa del Sol shows a 4.3% drop in overnight stays in all types of accommodation in the months leading up to May, which includes the Holy Week. Domestic tourism continues to drop faster than international tourism - 13% compared to 1.8%. Uncertainty marks the high summer season and tourism experts say that bookings and sales are growing at a slower rate this year. According to the tourism board, this summer will be a season of last-minute bookings. Vice-president of the association of hotel business owners of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos), Javier Hernandez, stated that it will still be a good achievement if last year's record figures are simply reached, not surpassed. However, he does confirm that there is uncertainty. Along the same lines, the director and partner of the Penarroya group and general manager of Holiday World (the largest hotel complex on the Costa del Sol), Mari Francis Penarroya, said that there is a good forecast for summer sales, although last-minute bookings are not growing as fast as expected. In addition, she said that "pre-season sales in May and early June are slower" compared to last year. Meanwhile, the anticipated increase in prices has not been absorbed so well by international markets. Most of the rates have been maintained and any possible price increases are taking place at a slower rate. Penarroya remains optimistic and believes that "the summer is going well". 3,000,000 overnight stays were recorded in hotels, flats, rural houses and campsites in the province in June last year, to which must be added those in tourist dwellings not considered by Spain's INE national institute of statistics Director of the AC Marriott Malaga Palacio, Jorge Gonzalez, believes that "the summer will be similar to that of 2024". "The forecasts for July are currently at 60% and at 50% for August. We have not increased rates during these months," he explained. At the same time, the director of the five-star Only You Malaga, Pedro Echevarria, said that, at his establishment, "so far, every month is performing better than last year, with a good April and a much better May". In fact, he points out that last month "will possibly be the best month of the year, together with October". He also foresees a better June, with prices increased by 7%. The hotel's main clientele is of British, Spanish and American origin. Holiday rentals also encourage an optimistic outlook. Data from the Andalusian tourist housing association (AVVA-Pro) indicate positive booking rates for July and August 2025, with a 7.4% price increase, from 160 to 171 euros per night. At the same time, occupancy has grown by 24.6%. President of AVVA-Pro Juan Cubo confirms "the good state of tourism in the province of Malaga" despite last-minute bookings and reduced length of stay. According to him, "the destination is still experiencing strong demand", demonstrating "a clear recovery". Accommodation prices are contained and those that are rising are doing so at a slower rate compared to last year However, the president of the association of travel agencies of the Costa del Sol, Sergio Garcia, warns that "May began with more strength, but ended more slowly, while June is sluggish". Contrary to what other professionals have said, he confirms the state of uncertainty, marked by the turmoil "at national and global level". For him, the increase in prices, although good for the establishments that get booked despite it, is the reason why people cannot find cheap flights. "Travelling this summer is more expensive," he said. Whether on the coast or in the interior of the province, the slowdown is noticeable, as confirmed by the co-founder of the B Bou chain, Maria Herrero. Nonetheless, the Costa del Sol is prepared for the year's great avalanche of passengers. A look at the Wegmans plaza and part of the parking lot in Dewitt. A new business wants to move into a portion of the parking lot. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com DeWitt, NY - Another business is planning to move into the shopping plaza that houses the DeWitt Wegmans store and other retailers. Canandaigua National Bank is proposing to build a 5,100-square-foot bank in the plazas parking lot. A truck ran through a red light hit a motorcycle at the intersection of Factory and Lemoyne avenues on Friday, May 30, 2025, troopers said. Greta Stuckey Salina, N.Y. A woman who was six months pregnant lost her baby after she was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash in Salina last week, according to her family. Rebecca Woodcock, 23, of Syracuse is in critical condition following the crash on Friday, her sister Janet Woodcock told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard Tuesday. Rebecca, who was a passenger on a motorcycle, was thrown into a stopped 2018 Dodge SUV after a pickup truck ran a red light and hit the motorcycle she was on, troopers said. The crash happened shortly after 3 p.m. at Factory and Lemoyne avenues She was rushed to Upstate University Hospital with severe injuries, her sister said. Rebecca suffered a broken arm, broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a fractured nose, parts of her skull were removed to remove pressure and shes bruised all over. She also has two spots on her spine that are compressed, according to Rebeccas sister. Shes beat up pretty bad, her sister said. Her baby who Rebecca had named Madilynn Rose lost her heartbeat the day after the crash and was stillborn on Monday, Janet Woodcock said. Rebecca has a two-year-old daughter who Janet said asks for every day. But her sister has a long road of recovery ahead of her, Janet said. Rebeccas family created a GoFundMe for funeral services for Madilynn Rose who will be cremated and medical expenses and aftercare for Rebecca. Shes one hell of a human being, and shes fighting every day, Janet said. The pickups driver, Rickey Belcamino, 67, of Syracuse, was ticketed on a charge of failure to obey a traffic control device, according to Robert J. Girard, a state police spokesman. Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com Does David Muir know hes a Daddy on the internet? The Syracuse native, who anchors ABCs World News Tonight and co-anchors 20/20, shared some insights in a new interview with People magazine, including what hes really wearing underneath the TV anchor desk. I generally have jeans on from the waist down, he told People. So the first thing that we try to do is make sure my jeans arent showing... I really dont try to take myself too seriously but I always just joke, Dont tell anyone about the jeans and the boots! Muir sometimes wears jeans when hes reporting on location, but he also suits up for events like moderating a presidential debate. In April, he wore a tuxedo to the Time 100 Gala after being named one of the 100 most influential people by the publication. David Muir attends the 2025 Time100 Gala at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images) FilmMagic Muir, 51, said hes surprised he comes out of those events without looking like a total nerd. In fact, some fans even share memes and thirst edits on social media, calling him Daddy or obsessively discussing all things Muir on a Tumblr blog called Gimme Gimme Muir. People will forward TikTok videos, but only because they are laughing out loud at them and making fun of me and saying, When did you become Daddy? Muir told People. I dont know whether that happens when you hit 50 or what, but Ill take it as a compliment, I think... I guess Daddys better than the alternative. When hes not busy on camera, Muir told People magazine that he loves being outside with his dog. He said he got covered in mud during a hometown visit over the recent Memorial Day weekend. It was pouring rain and I loved every second of it, Muir said. I have a German short-haired pointer, and for him, the biggest event of the weekend was discovering there was a beaver who had begun to build a dam inside the little boathouse, Muir continued. So I spent more time at nightfall standing on the dock with the dog who was waiting for a glimpse of this beaver coming out of the boathouse than I did doing anything else. Muir has anchored World News Tonight since Diane Sawyer retired in 2014, leading the ABC program to become the most-watched evening newscast for seven years in a row and No. 1 in all key target demographics. The former anchor and reporter at Syracuses WTVH (now part of CNY Central) graduated from Onondaga Central High School and Ithaca College. Muir has stayed close to his roots. He spoke at Ithaca Colleges commencement in 2011 and 2024, was the commencement speaker at Syracuse University in 2022, and owns a home in Skaneateles. Im no different from the intern in Syracuse who then became the rookie reporter in Syracuse, Muir told syracuse.com in 2016. I think the sensibilities of having grown up in Upstate New York and the concerns, the fears, the hopes of the people there are reflected all over the country. And that still drives me to this day. The National Grid Jazz in the City series will start its 21st season at the new city stage in Jubilee Park, 161 South Ave., on Thursday, June 5 at 6 p.m. The series travels across the city this summer in partnership with the LeadSafeCNY Coalition and a healthcare village led by Syracuse Community Health. Over a dozen health and human service agencies, providers and craft vendors will be present, with food provided by Johnny Gees BBQ. The main attraction will be ATLAS, the 9-piece horn funk and soul group founded in 1981, fronted by dual vocalists Lisa Denise and Tyler Owens. Opening act 1Accord Line Dance will perform in front of the stage to open the show at 6 p.m. and all are invited to join in to dance for exercise at the three-hour concert fair. These family-friendly concerts are the centerpiece of a mobile public health effort. LeadSafeCNY will raffle off free Brita water purification kits, and visitors to the Syracuse Community Health tent will receive $5 New York State Lottery scratch-off tickets. Everyone attending receives free goodie bags filled with information provided by the attending healthcare providers. What a happy coincidence that our kickoff event inaugurates this new stage, said Larry Luttinger, founder of CNY Jazz and series organizer. This downtown-adjacent neighborhood is really blooming, near the new Pathfinder Bank and surrounding small shops. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers, kick back, dance to the classic funk and soul of ATLAS, and enjoy these surroundings with us. All events are free and open to the public. No alcohol is served. Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner played at a Jazz in the City concert on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. Jazz in the City Concert Schedule All events are Thursday from 6-9 p.m. June 5 at Jubilee Park, 161 South Ave: ATLAS with 1Accord Line Dance June 19 at 2100 E. Fayette St: Brownskin with 1Accord Line Dance July 10 at Schiller Park, Farmer St and Park Roadway: Baklava Express with Adanfo Ensemble July 24 at Dunk & Bright: The Blacklites with 1Accord Line Dance August 7 at Syracuse Community Health, 930 S. Salina St: Marion Meadows with C-Jack Run Talent Showcase August 21 at Leavenworth Park, 399 Park Ave: Blake Aaron & Will Donato with C-Jack Run Showcase Details at cnyjazzinthecity.org Engelbert Humperdinck sings his heart out before a capacity crowd at the New York State Fair on Aug. 31, 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard As the summer concert season begins, were jumping in the wayback machine to past shows that rocked Central New York. Big names that performed in Syracuse in the 1970s include Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, the Allman Brothers Band, Queen, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tony Orlando & Dawn, and Elvis Presley. Fans gathered to hear their favorite songs at stages like the Onondaga County War Memorial and Miller Court (a.k.a. Empire Court, Cole Muffler Court and now Chevy Court) at the New York State Fairgrounds. We dug into The Post-Standard archives and found dozens of vintage photos of 70s concerts, including rock, country, pop, jazz and more. Most of the images are in black-and-white, but you can still see the colorful variety in the fashion of the era. Queen performs on February 8, 1977, at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. Courtesy of Bill Brazill Bill Brazill One notable event was the Great American Music Fair, Syracuses first-ever attempt at an all-day rock music festival. The Beach Boys, the Doobie Brothers, America, Jefferson Starship and the New Riders of the Purple Sage were scheduled to perform over a 12-hour concert at the NYS Fairgrounds in 1975. The festival was marred by multiple issues, including a rescheduled date to avoid conflicts with cleanup for the New York State Fair, bad weather, and just 30,000 tickets sold (when promoters were hoping for 100,000). According to The Post-Standard archives, a rock-throwing melee also led to New York State Police using dogs, tear gas and hoses to try to control the crowd. More than 80 people were arrested with assistance from Syracuse police and the Onondaga County Sheriffs Department. Rock fans attend a concert at the New York State Fairgrounds in 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Were you at any of those shows in the 70s? Which concerts did you see? Do you have photos of your own from your favorite shows? If so, send them to gherbert@syracuse.com. Scroll through to see more throwback photos of 1970s concerts in Syracuse and Central New York: Johnny Cash and his daughter, Roseanne Cash, perform a duet at the New York State Fair Grandstand in 1977. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Rock fans attend a concert at the New York State Fairgrounds in 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Elvis Presley performs in concert at the Syracuse War Memorial on July 25, 1976. Clem Murray / The Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Bruce Springsteen (right) and E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons jam in concert at the Syracuse War Memorial on Sept. 12, 1978. Clem Murray / The Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard New Riders of the Purple Sage perform at the New York State Fair in 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Billy Joel performs at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y., on Dec. 10, 1977. Photo by Steve Woiler Steve Woiler Frank Sinatra sings Oct. 16, 1976, at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse. The Post-Standard file photos Syracuse Post-Standard Pat Boone gets a kiss from Mimi Healy, 8, after giving her a bouquet of flowers at a 1978 concert. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard John Lennon, middle with back to the camera, plays guitar and sings with wife, Yoko Ono, across from him, during a private performance at the Hotel Syracuse, Oct. 9 and 10, 1971. To Ono's left are Phil Spector to his left, Allen Ginsberg. (Video still) Video still Fairgoers try to keep cool with fans during the Lawrence Welk concert at the New York State Fair in 1973. (Syracuse Post-Standard) Syracuse Post-Standard Tony Orlando and Dawn perform at Empire Court during the New York State Fair in 1974. The Post-Standard file photo Syracuse Post-Standard The Allman Brothers Bands Dickey Betts and Berry Oakley perform amid swirling dust at Syracuse Universitys Manley Field House on April 7, 1972. Fans moving to the music were stirring up the dust from the arenas dirt floor and sending a murky cloud over the concert. (Photo courtesy of Grant Gouldon) Grant Gouldon The Osmond Brothers perform at the New York State Fair in 1978. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Country and Western music fans line Empire Court for concerts by Donna Fargo, Billy Walker and others on a gloomy, rainy Sept. 1, 1975, at the New York State Fair. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Rock fans camp out in tents near the New York State Fairgrounds in 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard The Lettermen perform at the New York State Fair Grandstand in 1977. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Donny and Marie Osmond perform at the New York State Fair in 1978. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Sept. 12, 1978: Sitting on the shoulders of saxophonist Clarence Clemons as he wades into the fans, Bruce Springsteen belts out a tune in concert at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse. Clem Murray, The Post-Standard file photo Syracuse Post-Standard Bobby Vinton performs at Empire Court at the New York State Fair in 1973. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard A fan holds up a photo of "The King" at an Elvis Presley concert at the Syracuse War Memorial on July 25, 1976. Clem Murray / The Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Elvis Presley performs in concert at the War Memorial in Syracuse on July 26, 1976. Carl Single / The Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Rock band Rainbow poses in Syracuse, N.Y., in June 1975. The line up includes Gary Driscoll on drums, Micky Lee Soule on keyboards, vocalist Ronnie James Dio and bassist Craig Gruber. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns via Getty Images) Redferns New Riders of the Purple Sage perform at the New York State Fair in 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Captain and Tennille perform at the New York State Fair in 1977. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Mac Davis performs at the New York State Fair in 1973. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard This archival photo shows a crowd at a rock concert in 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard The New Jerusalem Church junior choir and the city high school's All-Star Band under the direction of Stan Colella perform Christmas music for holiday shoppers at Sibley's on Dec. 6, 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Fairgoers wait for a concert at the New York State Fair on Sept. 1, 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Rock fans attend a concert at the New York State Fairgrounds in 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard "Syracuse Loves Elvis": A marquee sign outside the Onondaga County War Memorial highlights Elvis Presley's second straight sellout performance July 28, 1976, in Syracuse, N.Y. Clem Murray / The Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Myron Floren performs with his "Lawrence Welk Show" group at the New York State Fair in 1973. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Billy Joel gets a gift and a kiss from a fan while performing in concert at the Syracuse War Memorial on Dec. 9, 1977. Clem Murray / The Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Country and Western music fans line Empire Court for concerts by Donna Fargo, Billy Walker and others on a gloomy, rainy Sept. 1, 1975, at the New York State Fair. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard People sit under the great pillars listening to the music of Stan Colella Orchestra at the New York State Fair in 1975. Syracuse Post-Standard Syracuse Post-Standard Bruce Springsteen performs in concert at the Syracuse War Memorial on Sept. 12, 1978. (Clem Murray / Syracuse Newspapers Staff Photographer) Syracuse Post-Standard See the full photo gallery: TCGplayer drew the "geeks" who like gaming and collectible cards. Together, they built a community and a business. In this file photo, the company team smiles following the former Corporate Challenge race. June 6, 2017. Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com SYR SYR Syracuse, N.Y. Chedy Hampson turned two fantasies into reality when he moved his TCGplayer into its downtown Syracuse office building. The first was the one everyone can see from the sidewalk on Warren Street: He transformed a gray office into a place where all sorts of geeky themes became life-sized. Theres the Hogwarts library, a Star Wars spaceship and Storm Troopers, a pirate ship, a castle. These two yearling black bears were recently released back into the Adirondack wilderness. The orphaned cubs were returned home after being rehabilitated at the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center in Hunter, N.Y. Photos: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Photos: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Two baby bears almost didnt make it after losing their mother last winter in Upstate New York. The orphaned black bear cubs were starving when they were spotted in the Adirondacks. To save the malnourished babies, the cubs were brought to Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center, a wildlife rehabilitator in the Catskills, to recover. It was a long cold winter for these two black bear yearlings that came to us this year, the wildlife center wrote on Facebook. Emaciated and weak coming out of the winter, they would not have made it if they were not spotted and brought FFF for help. But after months of food, rehabilitation and TLC, the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center said the little bears have returned to their wild home. A yearling black bear steps back into the Adirondack wilderness after being rehabilitated at the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center in Hunter, N.Y. Photo: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Photo: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation The two cubs were recently picked up from the wildlife center in Hunter by the DECs Region 5 Wildlife Team and released back into the Adirondack wilderness, the DEC announced Sunday in a news release. The yearlings, who are now between 1 to 2 years old, were returned to the wild after they gained a sufficient amount of weight, and were given a clean bill of health, the DEC said. The DEC shared adorable close-ups of the yearlings furry black-and-brown faces, along with photos of the bears returning to the woods. Yearling black bears explore the Adirondack wilderness after being rehabilitated at the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center in Hunter, N.Y. Photo: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Photo: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation The Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center said two other yearlings rescued in late winter, one from the New Paltz area in the Hudson Valley and another from the Finger Lakes, remain at the center. While the New Paltz bear is expected to return to the wild soon, the Finger Lakes cub the centers little Arkville girl will get a little extra care. She was very tiny coming to us at just 12 lbs a few weeks ago, the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center wrote. This bear will remain with us longer for a later release when we feel she is ready. At least 6,000 to 8,000 black bears call New York home. While at least 50% live in the Adirondacks, the bears can also be found across most of the rest of Upstate, the DEC said. Although the black bears will eat nearly anything, the DEC urged the public not to feed the big, curious creatures. Whether you live or recreate in the bear country, please help maintain and protect the bear, the DEC said. At the same time, protect yourself and your property by not feeding bears and by reducing bear attractants. By Akbar Novruz Mojtaba Damirchili has been officially named the new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing ISNA. Damirchili, who currently heads the Eurasian Department of Irans Foreign Ministry, is recognized as a specialist in the region. His appointment comes after weeks of speculation, with Tehran officially announcing on June 2 that a new ambassador had been selectedthough the name had not been disclosed at the time. It is worth noting that in April 2023, Irans Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Twitter (now X) warning of a fake account that falsely introduced Damirchili as ambassador to Baku. The recent confirmation now makes the appointment official. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Bulgarian Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova held a meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Finance of Bulgaria. The two had a heart-to-heart about the solid partnership theyve built and the road ahead to take it to the next level, not to mention Bulgarias leap into the eurozone. Minister Petkova emphasized that Bulgaria is on the verge of achieving its strategic goal the adoption of the single European currency. This is an important and positive step for our country. We are making every effort to safeguard the rights and interests of our citizens, she stated. In turn, Kristalina Georgieva congratulated Bulgaria on its fiscal discipline. The IMF Managing Director expressed her support for the countrys goal of joining the eurozone. For Bulgaria, this is both inevitable and necessary, she added, presenting successful examples from Croatias currency transition. Georgieva also voiced support for a large-scale public information campaign to familiarize citizens with the upcoming changes during the euro adoption process. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel This photo shows a view to the west toward Seneca Lake along Searsburg Road near the Finger Lakes National Forest in Burdett, NY. Heather Ainsworth | The Post-Standard Trees in New Yorks only national forest could be cut down at an accelerated rate under an order by President Donald Trump to increase timber production in national forests by 25 percent. The Finger Lakes National Forest, spanning 16,000 acres between Cayuga and Seneca lakes, is among the national forests that could be affected by Trumps order, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service. Trumps administration invoked emergency powers to expedite the sale of timber and roll back environmental reviews to bring about a new era in logging of national forests. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said last week it would invest $200 million from taxpayers to fast-track the plan, streamline burdensome regulations and expedite project approvals. The USDA said its actions are needed to improve forest health, reduce the risk of wildfires and create a more stable supply of wood products. New Yorks two U.S. senators and an environmental group are warning that any increased logging in Finger Lakes National Forest could damage a public treasure and have unintended environmental consequences. The forest is on a ridge between the two Cayuga and Seneca lakes, about 70 miles southwest of Syracuse. Large-scale logging in the environmentally sensitive region could unearth soil that would wash into the two Finger Lakes and harm the water quality, said Yvonne Taylor, vice president of Seneca Lake Guardian. If it gets logged, that could mean more sediment in Seneca and Cayuga lakes that are already struggling with harmful algal blooms, Taylor told syracuse.com. Its a part of the Finger Lakes that really deserves to be protected, she said. Unfortunately, I dont think from what weve seen of the Trump administration that they would allow for harvesting of the timber in any kind of responsible way. Schumer, D-N.Y, said the plan is so ill-conceived that even the Once-ler in the Lorax would scoff at it, referring to the greedy industrialist character in a Dr. Seuss book. Schumer said the forest is vital to protecting the surrounding Finger Lakes, biodiversity and the regions recreation and tourism economy in Seneca and Schuyler counties. The Finger Lakes National Forest is a crown jewel of the region, and a magnet for families and tourists alike to experience the vast nature and beauty of Upstate New York, Schumer said in a statement. But Trumps recent executive order could callously cut down huge chunks of this forest, threatening the Finger Lakes. Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sent a letter Monday to the chief of the U.S. Forest Service, urging him not to boost commercial logging in the forest. The Finger Lakes National Forest is more than a beautiful landscape it is a living asset for the region, supporting tourism, recreation, and a healthy environment, while also serving as a source of pride for generations of Upstate New Yorkers, the senators wrote to Forest Service chief Tom Schultz. The senators cited a U.S. Forest Service report that found Finger Lakes National Forest and Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont together boost the economy by about $174 million per year by supporting recreational activities on their land. Finger Lakes National Forest has more than 30 miles of interconnecting trails that span gorges, ravines, pastures and woodlands. Schumer and Gillibrand said the benefits from recreational activities far outweigh any potential profits from increased timber sales. The Forest Service already allows logging on up to 800 acres in the Finger Lakes National Forest to support forest health and reduce fire risk, the senators said. They said its unclear why additional logging would be necessary or productive. The Forest Service did not respond to a request for comment. Taylor, of Seneca Lake Guardian, said a better use of resources would be to restore cuts to the Forest Service staff who oversee Finger Lakes National Forest. She said the staff was reduced this spring by 60%, leaving only three full-time workers. She said the cuts will slow the process of planting native trees in a section of the forest that was cut down to stop the infestation of the Emerald ash borer, an invasive species. The Forest Service has also managed the fire risk in the forest over the years with prescribed burns to clear overgrown brush and grass. This spring, the service planned to burn about 600 acres in the Hector Ranger District in Seneca and Schuyler counties. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner at 571-970-3751. If youve been waiting to get your hands on two of HOKAs most popular shoes, Zappos has a deal for you. Shoppers can get up to 35% off the Bondi 8 and the Arahi 7, as well as other fan-favorite styles like the Speedgoat 6, the Challenger 7, and more. However, because HOKAs are the must-have shoes of the summer, and because theyre rarely on discount, sizes are selling fast. If you see your size with the best deal, its best to make sure you grab it while you can. Arahi 7 $145 $160 HOKA's Arahi 7 is on sale for 20% off at Zappos. Get this deal The Hoka Arahi 7 has emerged as a standout in the realm of stability running shoes, offering a unique blend of support, comfort, and style. Its innovative design and features have not only garnered praise from users but also present a lucrative opportunity for affiliate marketers. Key Features J-Frame Midsole Support : The Arahi 7 incorporates Hokas patented J-Frame technology, providing dynamic stability by guiding the foot without overcorrecting. This feature is particularly beneficial for overpronators seeking a supportive yet natural ride. Enhanced Upper Construction : A zonally engineered, flat-knit upper offers improved breathability and midfoot lockdown. The addition of a plush, dual-gusseted tongue mitigates tongue migration, enhancing overall comfort. Lightweight Cushioning : Despite its stability features, the Arahi 7 remains lightweight at approximately 8.1 oz, ensuring a responsive and cushioned experience suitable for daily runs and long walks. APMA Seal of Acceptance: Recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Arahi 7 is acknowledged for promoting foot health, adding credibility and appeal to health-conscious consumers. Learn more about this product here. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft for this story, based on data provided by Zappos. It was reviewed and edited by Syracuse.com. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz returns the ball to Bosnia and Herzegovina's Damir Dzumhur during their third round match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros stadium, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) AP Carlos Alcaraz looks to continue his push for back-to-back French Open titles in the quarterfinals against Tommy Paul. Alcaraz and Paul will face off Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. ET for a spot in Fridays semifinal. Alcaraz vs. Paul will air nationally on TNT, and can be streamed live on DirecTV (free trial). Heres what you need to know: What: 2025 French Open, quarterfinal Who: No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 12 Tommy Paul When: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Time: 2:15 p.m. ET Where: Roland Garros, Paris, France TV: TNT, truTV Channel Finder: DirecTV, Verizon Fios, Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum Live stream: DirecTV (free trial), Sling (half off first month), Hulu + Live TV Heres a recent story from the Associated Press: PARIS (AP) Carlos Alcaraz conjured up what initially appeared to the chair umpire, to everyone watching in the stands or on TV and to his opponent, Ben Shelton a remarkable lunging volley to win a point at the French Open on Sunday. But Alcaraz knew it shouldnt count. So after briefly thinking about it, the defending champion at Roland-Garros fessed up and called himself for breaking the rules, handing the point to Shelton during what would become a 7-6 (8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory for Alcaraz in the fourth round. Its a shame, because it was the Hot Shot of the day, Alcaraz said later with a smile. Crazy shot, Shelton said. Heres what happened: Early in the second set, Shelton whipped a passing shot well out of Alcarazs reach up at the net. So Alcaraz flung his racket and, as his equipment flipped through the air, its strings somehow not only made contact with the ball but sent it back over the net and onto the other side of the court. Initially, the second-seeded Alcaraz was awarded the point. But he went over to the chair umpire to admit that he wasnt holding his racket when it touched the ball. Thats not allowed, so he conceded the point to Shelton, an American seeded 13th. When the official informed the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd what had happened, Alcaraz was given a round of applause. I thought, OK, I could not say anything. But I would have felt guilty if I didnt say anything, Alcaraz explained. Its just about if I know that I didnt (do), or I did, a wrong thing. ... I have to say. I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with Ben, with everyone. ... Its just about the respect we have against each other, and I think that sports, in general, should be like this. It came at what could have been a critical moment, because instead of leading 40-30 on his serve, Alcaraz was now down 30-40, giving Shelton his first break point of the match. But Alcaraz saved that one and five others in that 20-point game along the way to taking a two-set lead in an entertaining matchup between a pair of 22-year-olds who hit the ball hard. I thought it was clean, you know? I thought he hit the volley, and (then) the racket flew out of his hand, Shelton said. I was kind of surprised that he was, like, No, I let go of the racket and threw it. ... Obviously a guy with a lot of sportsmanship. Shelton, twice a semifinalist at majors, delivered serves at up to 143 mph (230 kph) and forehands at up to 116 mph (187 kph). Alcaraz, already a four-time Grand Slam champion, showed off various parts of his repertoire. It was tighter than the score might indicate: Shelton held three opportunities to own the opening set, leading in the tiebreaker at 6-4, 6-5 and 7-6. Take any of the subsequent points, and Shelton would own that set. But Alcaraz who meets No. 12 Tommy Paul of the U.S. in the quarterfinals Tuesday saved the first with a service winner. Shelton netted a backhand on the next. And the last ended with Shelton smacking a backhand right at the body of Alcaraz, who was up at the net and contorted himself in order to chop a drop volley winner. Alcaraz then converted his second set point, closing a 15-stroke exchange with a down-the-line forehand that drew a mistake from Shelton. The third set went to Shelton when Alcaraz put a forehand into the net, and the big-swinging American punched the air, then his chest, and screamed: Lets go, baby! Come on! The fourth swung Alcarazs way when he used a drop shot winner to set up a break point that he claimed for a 2-1 edge and, after a total of 3 hours, 19 minutes, he was able to finish off an 11th consecutive win at Roland-Garros. What is DirecTV? DirecTV is a comprehensive internet TV service that offers your favorite entertainment, news and sports channels, as well as local TV stations and regional sports networks. Its the only choice for fans who want full access to local, televised sports. DirecTV Choice includes 125+ channels, unlimited DVR storage and thousands of on-demand titles. 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. 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. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 3. At a recent government meeting led by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, key initiatives aimed at boosting domestic production were discussed, Trend reports, citing the Government of Kazakhstan. Bektenov underscored that nurturing growth in homegrown production is the bread and butter of the nations long-term economic game plan. The president has always emphasized the importance of this area. To ensure the competitiveness of Kazakhstani manufacturers, the government has introduced mechanisms aimed at developing domestic value-added production to support local producers. One of the outcomes of these measures is that, since last year, the processing sector has outpaced the mining sector in terms of industrial output. This is a trend that we must continue to build upon, emphasized Bektenov. The administration's strategic initiative to enhance the processing sector is perceived as a pivotal maneuver in the diversification of Kazakhstans economic framework, aiming to mitigate reliance on the historically entrenched paradigm of natural resource extraction that has pervaded the national industrial milieu. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Santy19 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Mumbai Posts: 55 Thanked: 376 Times Honda India :- Has the sleeping Red Giant Finally Woken Up ? Honda, we love what the brand stands for, their engineering might, their utter invincibility in many segment they operate in, their innovation, ground breaking products showcasing what they are capable of, but also hate them for neglecting the Indian market and what HMSI stands for in India. But things are finally changing for good! On the BigWing front - In Last 2 months alone there were barrage of big bike launches (fun bikes as they call it) from the Big Red, updated CB650 twins, Hornet 750 and 1000, X-adv 750, Rebel 500, updated Goldwing GL1800 and more to come like updated Transalp and maybe the CBR600RR. On the RedWing Front - We got their first 2 electric offerings, OBD-II compliant models of all their existing offerings, their Legacy products like Activa 110/125, Dio 110/125 , Unicorn 160 got essential feature updates like the TFT dash, keyless go and the Road-sync app On the Racing/Motorsport Front - We got their One-make Moto3-spec Honda NSF250R bike Racing series i.e Honda India Talent Cup (HITC), scouting young talents and providing them with a platform to shine (pun intended). On the investment in India front - Honda is building its 4th plant by investing 920cr in India to manufacture and export vehicles out of India and commitment to make India its largest manufacturing Hub in the world And as reported by Autocar India, we'll be getting the Rebel 300, 250cc Adv, 100-125cc retro commuter, 160cc Adv Scooter, all manufactured in India. On the Digital Front- Honda have updated their Though this new site too has many bugs, but its a step in right direction none the less. All this new found enthusiasm towards India is truly appreciated and never seen before and a article byKetan Thakkar completely sums it up Autocarpro article starts from here Quote: Exclusive: HMSI Eyes Output of 7.7 million units by FY30 Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has laid out an ambitious roadmap to scale up to 7.7 million units annually by FY30, signaling its most aggressive push yet to challenge Hero MotoCorps dominance in the Indian two-wheeler market. This means that the company intends to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. This growth strategy spans product expansion, capacity enhancements, export momentum, and electrification. At a recent internal conference, HMSI confirmed that India will be central to Hondas global volume and EV ambitions. For FY26 alone, the company is targeting 6.26 million units, up from 5.86 million in FY25, representing a 7% year-on-year increase. The company is aiming to grow its exports by double digits to 5.6 lakh units versus 5.05 lakh units it shipped in FY-24, reinforcing India's growing role as an export hub. Capacity Realignment A key part of this volume expansion is HMSIs capacity and plant structure realignment. The Vithalapur plant, earlier dedicated to scooters, is now being retooled to produce motorcycles and small fun models, as well as new EVs. A new line is being added, and the manufacturing facility is being aligned with Hondas target of achieving a 50:50 product mix between scooters and motorcycles by FY26, bridging a long-standing gap in the commuter motorcycle segment. The company aims to manufacture over 3 million scooters and 3 million motorcycles annually, further intensifying the volume battle with Hero across key categories. New Products Regarding product innovation, HMSI will launch a new 160 cc ADV scooter in Q1 FY26, targeting a more performance- and lifestyle-oriented audience. This will follow its foray into the 500cc motorcycle segment in Q4 FY26, a clear move into the premium enthusiast space where Hero currently lacks a strong presence. In the 125cc segmentstill the volume engine for the brandHMSI will increase production capacity significantly: The company plans to increase the production of 125cc scooters by 35% and the output of 125cc motorcycles by 29%. Autocar Professional learns that Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is charting an aggressive new product roadmap between late 2025 and 2027, with plans to launch over a dozen models across electric, commuter, adventure, mid-capacity, and export-focused segments. This reflects a strategic pivot from pure-volume play to a more diversified, premium-driven roadmap. While the company has started with Activa EV, three more electric vehicles are planned for the future. The company plans to produce 2.2 lakh EVs annually in the coming couple of years. Parallelly, Honda is strengthening its ICE portfolio with a mix of scooters and motorcycles. These include a traditional scooter launching in late 2025, a retro-styled commuter bike such as the MC100 Classic or the Shine 100 Classic, and a 125cc model explicitly aimed at export markets. On the adventure and off-road front, Honda will introduce a mid-range ADV scooter in August 2025 and a lightweight XR250 off-roader by mid-2026, tapping into the growing enthusiast segment. The most notable shift is Hondas push into mid-capacity and premium motorcycles. A 500cc model is slated for launch in 2026, followed by the Rebel 300 cruiser and a low-volume niche motorcycle in 2027, collectively signaling the companys intent to compete with established players like Royal Enfield. Overall, the product strategy reflects a more agile and diversified approach, balancing mass-market electric mobility with aspirations of brand elevation and global export growth. EV Push HMSIs electric vehicle ambitions will also witness an expansion. Starting at a very low volume of just 7000 units in FY25, EV production is expected to jump four fold to over 30,000 units in FY26, yet it will be a very miniscule given the growing Indian EV scooter space. With long-term prospects in mind, the roadmap includes full localisation of EV components, battery pack innovations, and the integration of sustainable materials for its Activa Electric (E1) and upcoming models. Parent company Honda Motor Co. is working on establishing a dedicated electric motorcycle plant in India by 2028, likely in Karnataka. The facility will serve the domestic market and act as a production base for other emerging markets. The company has confirmed that India will play a central role in Hondas global electrification strategy, supporting next-gen battery tech, reuse, and component innovation. Cost Optimisation, Localisation, and Supply Chain Also, as part of its Make in India initiative, HMSI is targeting a 38% cost reduction across its product lines. Key levers include: Increase localisation from 62% to 82% Volume consolidation of key components like semiconductors and powertrain parts Reducing import dependency (e.g., 91% of Printed Wiring Boards are currently imported) The company's cost-down framework was built around three pillars: weight and material reduction across 500 components, improving process optimisation with over 300 initiatives, rationalising the supplier base, and increasing competitive sourcing and localization across 91 categories. In line with Hondas global sustainability vision, HMSI achieved a 6.08% reduction in CO emissions in FY25 and reiterated its long-term commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. The push includes process optimisation, green logistics, and supplier-side energy efficiencies. Closing the Gap with Hero In FY25, HMSI posted an 18% growth, outpacing the industrys 7.4% expansion and gaining 260 basis points of market share. While Hero MotoCorp retains the lead in overall volumes, HMSI is rapidly narrowing the gap through premiumisation, diversification, and deep localisation. With EVs starting to be more meaningful, production realignment underway, and new models entering underserved segments, Honda is firmly moving beyond its scooter-dominated legacy. The race with Hero has now entered a decisive phase, and Honda is no longer content with second place; its in full throttle pursuit of the crown. Courtesy : https://www.autocarpro.in/news/exclu...-silver-126504 We Indians always had a love-hate relationship with the brand, we love what the brand stands for, their engineering might, their utter invincibility in many segment they operate in, their innovation, ground breaking products showcasing what they are capable of, but also hate them for neglecting the Indian market and what HMSI stands for in India.In Last 2 months alone there were barrage of big bike launches (fun bikes as they call it) from the Big Red, updated CB650 twins, Hornet 750 and 1000, X-adv 750, Rebel 500, updated Goldwing GL1800 and more to come like updated Transalp and maybe the CBR600RR.We got their first 2 electric offerings, OBD-II compliant models of all their existing offerings, their Legacy products like Activa 110/125, Dio 110/125 , Unicorn 160 got essential feature updates like the TFT dash, keyless go and the Road-sync appWe got their One-make Moto3-spec Honda NSF250R bike Racing series i.e, scouting young talents and providing them with a platform to shine (pun intended).Honda is building its 4th plant by investing 920cr in India to manufacture and export vehicles out of India and commitment to make India its largest manufacturing Hub in the worldAnd as reported by Autocar India, we'll be getting the Rebel 300, 250cc Adv, 100-125cc retro commuter, 160cc Adv Scooter, all manufactured in India.Honda have updated their Website , combining their RedWing and BigWing websites, Now this unified site feels modern, intuitive with new sections made for merchandise, accessories and lubes/chemicals, which we have never seen before. And for anybody who have visited their old site would know how archaic was those 2 RedWing and BigWing sites.Though this new site too has many bugs, but its a step in right direction none the less.All this new found enthusiasm towards India is truly appreciated and never seen before and a article by Autocar Professional written by industry expertcompletely sums it up Last edited by Santy19 : 31st May 2025 at 18:15 . godharmana Newbie Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 8 Thanked: 73 Times Re: Trekking through Pench Tiger Reserve Day-3: Nayegaon Lake to Naleyar Camp Today we will walk from Nayegaon lake to Naleyar camp, and except for the first 2 km, the rest of the trek is along the Bhawanthadi river. As this is the end of winter, the river has dried up except for small puddles of water at a few places. For the last couple of days we have crossed through Sakata, Chandarpur sub-ranges and today and tomorrow we will trek through the Rukhad sub-range. Range/Sub-range/Sections are demarcated by these huge concrete structures. At snack break, our guide told some stories about tiger territorial battles from Bandhavgarh and Pench. One of them is the story of three Male tigers, Kuraigad Male, his Son Jr. Kuraigad (JK) and Baji Rao from Rukhad Buffer zone. Rukhad zone is one of the buffer zones of Pench tiger reserve, open for safari throughout the year. Its entry is located bang-on the NH-7 and is famous among tourists who couldn't get a safari in the core zones or during monsoon months when the core zones are closed for tourists. Kuraigad Male is a huge tiger and doesn't shy away from the safari jeeps. Known to give good poses for photographers, google yourself to see his images (he is also called tree hugger!). Unfortunately in early 2024 there were multiple human attacks in Rukhad zone and Kuraigad was suspected to be behind them. In summer of 2024 he was shifted to Zoo by FD. Now his territory was up for grabs, here enters Baji Rao a huge male. Along with him the son of Kuraigad male, named Jr Kuraigad(JK) is roaming the same territory avoiding conflict with Baji Rao. As we trekked, Rukhad has two males - Baji Rao and Jr Kuraigad. We played a few games on the sand of the river, had lunch, and took our afternoon siesta. Afternoon siesta! Trek along on the dry river bed is the best experience of this whole trek. As we got closer to our last camping site - Nalyer Camp. The river bed was filled with signs of big cats. We found fresh pugmarks of a tigress from the previous evening and leopard pugmarks from that very morning! This natural spring doesn't dry out even in summer as per our guide, and hence the local villagers have built a small temple near it. This is on the opposite side of our Naleyar camp. As this will be the only source of water in surrounding areas of forest, big cat sightings are guaranteed here in dry months. We reached the camping site by 2:30 PM, even though it is not part of the actual trekking plan. Some of us decided to do a jungle safari at the Rukhad gate. We convinced our trek leader to let us go on a safari and we got on a safari - Within 5 minutes of leaving our camping site, we found pug marks of a tigress on the safari track, based on the pugmarks it heard us approaching and moved into a ravine. We waited at the spot, but had no luck. The safari went uneventful except for pug marks at multiple points on the safari track. We found a few birds, Sambar deer and Gaur. This is on the northern end of the Rukhad zone and you can see the electric fencing separating fields. While returning back to our camping site, strong alarm calls were heard and our gypsy driver rushed to the area. But, by the time we reached the spot, it had already become dark, and to our bad luck - we left torches at the camping site. Somewhere behind the tree line is sitting a big cat! While the image looks like there is decent lighting, it was shot at 8000 ISO! Chittal and langur were still giving alarm calls, confirming the presence of a big cat nearby. We waited, the driver tried manoeuvring the vehicle to focus the headlights in the direction of alarm calls. Disappointed, we started back to our camping site, to our surprise the alarm calls were coming barely 500 mts from our camping site, now we are in proper tiger country with multiple tigers moving around the camping site! Once we reached the camping site post safari, after some small talk with the forest staff and villagers working at Naleyar, they mentioned about a human attack incident nearby in October 2024. A male tiger attacked a young man from their village, it has to be either Bajirao or Junior Kuraighad male. And these tigers are known to visit the surroundings of the camping site! Remember the natural spring near by ? Now a little about the Naleyar camp, it lies on the elevated bank of Bhawanthadi river. It has 9 Swiss tents in total, of which 4 have attached washrooms as these are at the farthest end of the camp. As soon as we arrived in the evening our trek leader said, whoever runs and takes a tent, it is theirs. After looking at all the pug marks along the river during trek, I decided to get a tent with an attached washroom. I ran and choose one- and the plan is for Avinash and I to share it similar to the previous two nights. At that time, little did we know that this tent is at the farthest end of the campsite (this is an unfenced camp!) and closest tent to the spot where tigers visit. Back from safari and once we got to know about the human attack incident, me and Avinash were very scared to move between the deck(where dinner is served) and our tent. After dinner, Avinash went to Chandan& Anils tent, and decided to sleep there for the night. Anil, being a little adventurous, decided to move in along with me for the night. Glad he joined in, else I would have died staying alone in the tent that night. To our utter surprise, water in the only tiny tank that serves the camp site has run dry due to a leak. All the running I did to get a tent with an attached washroom was shattered. Then I took the bucket from the washroom, filled it with water from the borewell and took it back to our tent. Soon the rest of the three tent occupants followed suit. While I said these tents have attached washrooms, they are not actually attached, there is some gap between the tent and washroom - and if we have to go to the washroom at night, we shouldnt leave the tent door (a layer of cloth) open. All of us tucked into our tents by 9 and slowly the lights running on solar power dimmed down, while the jungle around us has just awakened with all the alarm calls of deer and langur. Map of Naleyar camp, surrounded by jungle! Some pics of Naleyar camp: Our tent! Pug mark of JK, on a concrete slab near the camp This camp has some resident flying squirrels which my fellow treks spotted flying in the evening while we were in safari. Day-4: Naleyar Camp to Jandi Matta Most of us woke up early. I took my binoculars to spot some birds - that morning we spotted close to 20 species of birds, while others enjoyed the sunrise. This is the final day of our trek, today we will walk through the Rukhad zone and climb a small hill and reach the highest point of this area - Jandi Matta. Snap before we left Naleyar We walked on safari tracks for close to an hour, the only rule walking this route is - stay together all the time as this is prime tiger habitat. We found scat, territory marks all across this way, almost 50 meters apart, tigers have been here since eternity and we are walking past their signs! Our guide Praveen showed territory marks of Baji Rao and JK on the same tree. Lower one being of JK as his is not fully grown yet. Then we slowly started climbing onto the hill, being afraid of depths it was not easy for me- we took multiple stops to relax and take glucose shots. We took no pictures while climbing as some stretches had slippery rocks, broken branches. It took us 90 minutes to reach the top, exhausted! We took some pictures, gathered for our last lunch together as a team. Some meditated, others took a nap, there was slight sadness in everyone's face as the trek is going to end very soon. Pictures post ascent We walked back down the hill in 30 minutes time, we waited for 10 minutes at this point for safari vehicles to pick us and drop at Rukhad FRH. We gathered at Rukhad FRH by 3PM, had a debriefing session, shared our experiences and said our goodbyes. Thanks to Ankit our trek leader and team for making this a memorable experience for us and to the loaned pair of shoes as well! Map of the locations of our trek - Our Pench trek is over at this point, but we still have a safari at Khursapar gate the next morning. We reached our stay at Turia gate by 4:30 PM, freshened up ( a bath after 4 days) and I shopped for some souvenirs at the Forest Department store. I had sprite, while my 3 friends were enjoying their spirits. Being the only sober guy with these three was such an embarrassment that night. Anil stood up and fell flat on the tea pai where all the bottles and starters were put. And at dinner in the restaurant - there was cricket screening, my three friends started shouting expletives in Telegu, lucky that no one who understood the language was around. Chandan and Avinash ate a lot of kheer, so much that the waiter started making faces every time they called him. Finally I managed to control and get them back to our room (actually I had to beg them to be silent ). Day-5: Safari day! We woke up early at 4:30am and were ready to catch our gypsy to Khursapar gate by 5pm. Khursapar gate is in Maharashtra and we need to go through some unpaved roads to reach it from Turia. Safari starts at 6:30 AM and ends by 10:30 AM - and to our disappointment, mobile phones are not allowed during safari. I have got my telephoto lens and dslr ready, but after spending days trekking and spotting almost nothing in the jungles, we had zero expectations from this safari. We were mentally prepared to see some deer, sambar, gaur and head back to Hyderabad. But as it happened, the jungle had other plans for us, we were the second gypsy to enter the park, and as soon as we entered, the driver wasted no time and started rushing - not knowing what was happening we stayed calm. And soon gypsy came to a screeching halt, and my friends shouting tiger..tiger! Yes, I spotted a tiger cub on the safari track. Then our guide pointed to our left, and to our surprise there were more tigers feasting on a large Sambar kill from last evening! It's a mother and her 4 cubs. I questioned myself, if it is the same jungle that revealed its apex predator on 8th Safari during my first visit back in 2018. My friends were extremely lucky to spot 5 tigers in their first safari! (actually 2nd one, but lets not count the Rukhad safari ) We spent the whole morning with the family, except for a 30 minute break for breakfast. The family finished their food, rolled on the grass for sometime and then reached a small waterhole. Cubs played in the water, while their mother relaxed nearby, surrounded by gypsies. I will let the pictures speak - Our safari ended by 10:30, and we were extremely happy with the sightings. It felt like Penchs way of saying, Thanks for walking my trails. The jungle saved the best for last! Post our safari we returned back to Turia, had lunch and checked out by 1pm and reached Nagpur by 3pm. We bid adieu to Anil and dropped him at the airport. As we had our train at 11 pm, we went to VR mall, watched Skyforce, had some puha for dinner and boarded AP Sampark Kranti Express bound for Kacheguda. Day 6: Back to Hyderabad While our deboarding stop was at Kacheguda, the train had an unscheduled stop at Sitaphalmandi. I got down and caught the MMTS and reached Lingampally to walk back home. A much needed trip after a long stay at Vizag, followed by a hectic week at work! A visit to Pench exactly after 5 years! Theres an unexpected thread that ties my 2020 safari to this trek, a full-circle moment I couldn't have scripted better. While returning from Rukhad to Turia gate, I got into a conversation with our forest guide about the origins of the Kuraigad male. To my amazement, he turned out to be one of the three male cubs of the famous Langdi tigress from Turia zone. I had seen those very cubs in January 2020, when they were around two years old. Two of them were attempting to stalk a herd of deer, while the third one sat still on the safari track, far from his mother and siblings. As our gypsy crossed him, our driver braked abruptly, barely ten feet from the young tiger. I was in the last seat, closest to him. For a few seconds, we locked eyes, his full of surprise, mine frozen with sheer fear and panic. Regaining my senses, I raised my camera and took some shots. The cub circled our gypsy, disappeared into the forest. Unusually bold for a cub of his age. Kuraigad Male - January 2020 And now, five years later, I may have walked through the very forests once ruled by that bold cub. From a trembling stare on a dusty safari track to fresh pugmarks and territorial roars echoing in the jungle our paths crossed again not in time, but by destiny. Sad that he is now put in zoo for rest of his life, but hopefully, I will get to meet his son - Jr Kuraigad some day. Today we will walk from Nayegaon lake to Naleyar camp, and except for the first 2 km, the rest of the trek is along the Bhawanthadi river. As this is the end of winter, the river has dried up except for small puddles of water at a few places.For the last couple of days we have crossed through Sakata, Chandarpur sub-ranges and today and tomorrow we will trek through the Rukhad sub-range.Range/Sub-range/Sections are demarcated by these huge concrete structures.At snack break, our guide told some stories about tiger territorial battles from Bandhavgarh and Pench. One of them is the story of three Male tigers, Kuraigad Male, his Son Jr. Kuraigad (JK) and Baji Rao from Rukhad Buffer zone.Rukhad zone is one of the buffer zones of Pench tiger reserve, open for safari throughout the year. Its entry is located bang-on the NH-7 and is famous among tourists who couldn't get a safari in the core zones or during monsoon months when the core zones are closed for tourists.Kuraigad Male is a huge tiger and doesn't shy away from the safari jeeps. Known to give good poses for photographers, google yourself to see his images (he is also called tree hugger!). Unfortunately in early 2024 there were multiple human attacks in Rukhad zone and Kuraigad was suspected to be behind them. In summer of 2024 he was shifted to Zoo by FD.Now his territory was up for grabs, here enters Baji Rao a huge male. Along with him the son of Kuraigad male, named Jr Kuraigad(JK) is roaming the same territory avoiding conflict with Baji Rao. As we trekked, Rukhad has two males - Baji Rao and Jr Kuraigad.We played a few games on the sand of the river, had lunch, and took our afternoon siesta.Afternoon siesta!Trek along on the dry river bed is the best experience of this whole trek.As we got closer to our last camping site - Nalyer Camp. The river bed was filled with signs of big cats.We found fresh pugmarks of a tigress from the previous evening and leopard pugmarks from that very morning!This natural spring doesn't dry out even in summer as per our guide, and hence the local villagers have built a small temple near it. This is on the opposite side of our Naleyar camp. As this will be the only source of water in surrounding areas of forest, big cat sightings are guaranteed here in dry months.We reached the camping site by 2:30 PM, even though it is not part of the actual trekking plan. Some of us decided to do a jungle safari at the Rukhad gate. We convinced our trek leader to let us go on a safari and we got on a safari -Within 5 minutes of leaving our camping site, we found pug marks of a tigress on the safari track, based on the pugmarks it heard us approaching and moved into a ravine. We waited at the spot, but had no luck.The safari went uneventful except for pug marks at multiple points on the safari track. We found a few birds, Sambar deer and Gaur.This is on the northern end of the Rukhad zone and you can see the electric fencing separating fields.While returning back to our camping site, strong alarm calls were heard and our gypsy driver rushed to the area. But, by the time we reached the spot, it had already become dark, and to our bad luck - we left torches at the camping site.Somewhere behind the tree line is sitting a big cat! While the image looks like there is decent lighting, it was shot at 8000 ISO!Chittal and langur were still giving alarm calls, confirming the presence of a big cat nearby. We waited, the driver tried manoeuvring the vehicle to focus the headlights in the direction of alarm calls. Disappointed, we started back to our camping site, to our surprise the alarm calls were coming barely 500 mts from our camping site, now we are in proper tiger country with multiple tigers moving around the camping site!Once we reached the camping site post safari, after some small talk with the forest staff and villagers working at Naleyar, they mentioned about a human attack incident nearby in October 2024. A male tiger attacked a young man from their village, it has to be either Bajirao or Junior Kuraighad male.And these tigers are known to visit the surroundings of the camping site! Remember the natural spring near by ?Now a little about the Naleyar camp, it lies on the elevated bank of Bhawanthadi river. It has 9 Swiss tents in total, of which 4 have attached washrooms as these are at the farthest end of the camp. As soon as we arrived in the evening our trek leader said, whoever runs and takes a tent, it is theirs.After looking at all the pug marks along the river during trek, I decided to get a tent with an attached washroom. I ran and choose one- and the plan is for Avinash and I to share it similar to the previous two nights.At that time, little did we know that this tent is at the farthest end of the campsite (this is an unfenced camp!) and closest tent to the spot where tigers visit. Back from safari and once we got to know about the human attack incident, me and Avinash were very scared to move between the deck(where dinner is served) and our tent. After dinner, Avinash went to Chandan& Anils tent, and decided to sleep there for the night. Anil, being a little adventurous, decided to move in along with me for the night. Glad he joined in, else I would have died staying alone in the tent that night.To our utter surprise, water in the only tiny tank that serves the camp site has run dry due to a leak. All the running I did to get a tent with an attached washroom was shattered. Then I took the bucket from the washroom, filled it with water from the borewell and took it back to our tent. Soon the rest of the three tent occupants followed suit.While I said these tents have attached washrooms, they are not actually attached, there is some gap between the tent and washroom - and if we have to go to the washroom at night, we shouldnt leave the tent door (a layer of cloth) open.All of us tucked into our tents by 9 and slowly the lights running on solar power dimmed down, while the jungle around us has just awakened with all the alarm calls of deer and langur.Map of Naleyar camp, surrounded by jungle!Some pics of Naleyar camp:Our tent!Pug mark of JK, on a concrete slab near the campMost of us woke up early. I took my binoculars to spot some birds - that morning we spotted close to 20 species of birds, while others enjoyed the sunrise.This is the final day of our trek, today we will walk through the Rukhad zone and climb a small hill and reach the highest point of this area - Jandi Matta.Snap before we left NaleyarWe walked on safari tracks for close to an hour, the only rule walking this route is - stay together all the time as this is prime tiger habitat. We found scat, territory marks all across this way, almost 50 meters apart, tigers have been here since eternity and we are walking past their signs!Our guide Praveen showed territory marks of Baji Rao and JK on the same tree. Lower one being of JK as his is not fully grown yet.Then we slowly started climbing onto the hill, being afraid of depths it was not easy for me- we took multiple stops to relax and take glucose shots. We took no pictures while climbing as some stretches had slippery rocks, broken branches. It took us 90 minutes to reach the top, exhausted!We took some pictures, gathered for our last lunch together as a team. Some meditated, others took a nap, there was slight sadness in everyone's face as the trek is going to end very soon.Pictures post ascentWe walked back down the hill in 30 minutes time, we waited for 10 minutes at this point for safari vehicles to pick us and drop at Rukhad FRH. We gathered at Rukhad FRH by 3PM, had a debriefing session, shared our experiences and said our goodbyes.Thanks to Ankit our trek leader and team for making this a memorable experience for us and to the loaned pair of shoes as well!Map of the locations of our trek -Our Pench trek is over at this point, but we still have a safari at Khursapar gate the next morning. We reached our stay at Turia gate by 4:30 PM, freshened up ( a bath after 4 days) and I shopped for some souvenirs at the Forest Department store.I had sprite, while my 3 friends were enjoying their spirits. Being the only sober guy with these three was such an embarrassment that night. Anil stood up and fell flat on the tea pai where all the bottles and starters were put.And at dinner in the restaurant - there was cricket screening, my three friends started shouting expletives in Telegu, lucky that no one who understood the language was around. Chandan and Avinash ate a lot of kheer, so much that the waiter started making faces every time they called him.Finally I managed to control and get them back to our room (actually I had to beg them to be silent).We woke up early at 4:30am and were ready to catch our gypsy to Khursapar gate by 5pm.Khursapar gate is in Maharashtra and we need to go through some unpaved roads to reach it from Turia.Safari starts at 6:30 AM and ends by 10:30 AM - and to our disappointment, mobile phones are not allowed during safari. I have got my telephoto lens and dslr ready, but after spending days trekking and spotting almost nothing in the jungles, we had zero expectations from this safari. We were mentally prepared to see some deer, sambar, gaur and head back to Hyderabad.But as it happened, the jungle had other plans for us, we were the second gypsy to enter the park, and as soon as we entered, the driver wasted no time and started rushing - not knowing what was happening we stayed calm.And soon gypsy came to a screeching halt, and my friends shouting tiger..tiger! Yes, I spotted a tiger cub on the safari track. Then our guide pointed to our left, and to our surprise there were more tigers feasting on a large Sambar kill from last evening! It's a mother and her 4 cubs.I questioned myself, if it is the same jungle that revealed its apex predator on 8th Safari during my first visit back in 2018. My friends were extremely lucky to spot 5 tigers in their first safari! (actually 2nd one, but lets not count the Rukhad safariWe spent the whole morning with the family, except for a 30 minute break for breakfast. The family finished their food, rolled on the grass for sometime and then reached a small waterhole. Cubs played in the water, while their mother relaxed nearby, surrounded by gypsies. I will let the pictures speak -Our safari ended by 10:30, and we were extremely happy with the sightings. It felt like Penchs way of saying, Thanks for walking my trails. The jungle saved the best for last!Post our safari we returned back to Turia, had lunch and checked out by 1pm and reached Nagpur by 3pm. We bid adieu to Anil and dropped him at the airport. As we had our train at 11 pm, we went to VR mall, watched Skyforce, had some puha for dinner and boarded AP Sampark Kranti Express bound for Kacheguda.While our deboarding stop was at Kacheguda, the train had an unscheduled stop at Sitaphalmandi. I got down and caught the MMTS and reached Lingampally to walk back home. A much needed trip after a long stay at Vizag, followed by a hectic week at work! A visit to Pench exactly after 5 years!Theres an unexpected thread that ties my 2020 safari to this trek, a full-circle moment I couldn't have scripted better. While returning from Rukhad to Turia gate, I got into a conversation with our forest guide about the origins of the Kuraigad male. To my amazement, he turned out to be one of the three male cubs of the famous Langdi tigress from Turia zone.I had seen those very cubs in January 2020, when they were around two years old. Two of them were attempting to stalk a herd of deer, while the third one sat still on the safari track, far from his mother and siblings. As our gypsy crossed him, our driver braked abruptly, barely ten feet from the young tiger. I was in the last seat, closest to him. For a few seconds, we locked eyes, his full of surprise, mine frozen with sheer fear and panic. Regaining my senses, I raised my camera and took some shots. The cub circled our gypsy, disappeared into the forest. Unusually bold for a cub of his age.Kuraigad Male - January 2020And now, five years later, I may have walked through the very forests once ruled by that bold cub. From a trembling stare on a dusty safari track to fresh pugmarks and territorial roars echoing in the jungle our paths crossed again not in time, but by destiny. Sad that he is now put in zoo for rest of his life, but hopefully, I will get to meet his son - Jr Kuraigad some day. Last edited by godharmana : 2nd June 2025 at 16:08 . Utopian BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 759 Thanked: 329 Times Re: A new car for a value conscious buyer Quote: It's Magic Originally Posted by Why not go with the Maruti WagonR? All your requirements seem to point towards the Maruti WagonR. Its compact, easy to drive and park, reliable, low on maintenance, and offers decent fuel efficiency along with a CNG option. Your value-conscious mind would also be at ease, as it allows you to save money. Best wishes! Quote: Sanidhya mukund Originally Posted by Closer to 20 lakh: 1. Hyryder Hybrid 2. Creta EV Closer to 15 lakhs: 1. Grand Vitara CNG 2. Nexon EV Closer to 10 lakhs: 1. Brezza CNG or Automatic 2. koda Kylaq Quote: saikishor Originally Posted by The Honda Amaze VX is a lot of car for the money, especially in the CVT guise. Quote: Vishal.R Originally Posted by You may check recently launched Altroz facelift. CNG is available in all variants. If you go for Creative (2nd from top) or top Accomplished you get features like Automatic climate control, Cruise Control, sun roof, 360 degree camera etc., along with some boot space due to twin cylinders. Diesel suites your running and there are so many good options from Mahindra, TATA, Hyundai and KIA in your budget but since you are in NCR, can't advice. Quote: nsd9 Originally Posted by Here are my thoughts based on your requirements: 1) Swift/i10 CNG are good options for their reliability, low maintenance and good FE. Their compactness make them easy to park. 2) If your 40km daily commute includes city traffic, Turbo engines FE might not be pocket friendly. 3) If you prioritise drive experience over FE, your options in the 2nd criteria - Taigun, Kylaq, Elevate are good cars in the segment. Take test drives and experience the ride quality. How to improve parking confidence? - Parking might be difficult in the start, but with practice you will master it. - Be very very light and gentle on pedal until you get comfortable with parking. - Features like reverse camera and parking sensors are there to guide and help you. - It might sound funny but Parking Simulator apps/games help you to familiarize yourself with the necessary gear shifting and steering adjustments to properly position your vehicle when parking. All the cars you mentioned except Exter seem to be good options. Exter looks odd to me for its neither hatchback nor compact-SUV design. At the end of the day, you get to choose the car you like because looks are subjective.Here are my thoughts based on your requirements:1) Swift/i10 CNG are good options for their reliability, low maintenance and good FE. Their compactness make them easy to park. Swifts CNG FE can go up to 35km/kg.2) If your 40km daily commute includes city traffic, Turbo engines FE might not be pocket friendly.3) If you prioritise drive experience over FE, your options in the 2nd criteria - Taigun, Kylaq, Elevate are good cars in the segment. Take test drives and experience the ride quality.How to improve parking confidence?- Parking might be difficult in the start, but with practice you will master it.- Be very very light and gentle on pedal until you get comfortable with parking.- Features like reverse camera and parking sensors are there to guide and help you.- It might sound funny but Parking Simulator apps/games help you to familiarize yourself with the necessary gear shifting and steering adjustments to properly position your vehicle when parking. Quote: CJ-500D Originally Posted by It tests your limit especially if you arrive late Once during a tight turn around a tree, got a big scrape at the lower part of the rear left door even though the side mirror suggested I was clear of the tree. Learnt a big lesson that day to lower the passenger side mirror while parking till you see the rear wheels which I practice to this day 10 years later! Regarding the car, I suggest getting the best car in terms of looks, power and space that the budget allows, so as not to have any regrets later (which we petrol heads are most likely to have later if gone for a lesser car) Maruti (Gurgaon plant) parking lot is where I honed my parking skills!It tests your limit especially if you arrive lateOnce during a tight turn around a tree, got a big scrape at the lower part of the rear left door even though the side mirror suggested I was clear of the tree.Learnt a big lesson that day to lower the passenger side mirror while parking till you see the rear wheels which I practice to this day 10 years later!Regarding the car, I suggest getting the best car in terms of looks, power and space that the budget allows, so as not to have any regrets later (which we petrol heads are most likely to have later if gone for a lesser car) Quote: IshaanIan Originally Posted by If ...Just get yourself an Alto and call it a day because it is the only new car that is as narrow as your old Zen. If you want extra, go for a discounted Ignis or an i10 nios Quote: Matrix_Maya Originally Posted by My Requirements are similar and i am also looking for a VFM car for around 15 Lakh. So far i have shortlisted : 1. Mahindra 3XO + Ample space for 5 People. + Wide Range of choices for Engine and Transmission. + Five Star Safety. - Boot Space. -Niggles 2. Nexon +Spacious (2nd Best after 3XO) + Wide Range of choices for Engine and Transmission. + Five Star Safety. - Tata QC and Service 3. Maruti XL6 / Clavis +Best In terms of Space - Safety is major concern. I hope XL7/Clavis will get better rating. Quote: abaliga Originally Posted by Skoda has a dealer fitment option for a touchscreen system (not sure of the brand, guess it is Pinoeer or Blaupunkt) with the rear view camera, guess this costs around 25-30K, for the peace of mind of not losing warranty, this is ideal and I would strongly recommend you consider this if you finalize the Kylaq. Quote: GoBabyGo Originally Posted by Hi, living in Delhi, the vehicle you drive often ... I would not recommend going for an EV at this point since you do not have a dedicated parking space. Charging an EV without reliable access can be quite inconvenient. All the best with your car search! Quote: mally2 Originally Posted by Nexon 45 Empowered+.. ps- noticed you dont have private charging, however if your office gig can offer you a 16A socket you are set. EV doesnt make sense relying on public chargers alone Quote: SS-Traveller Originally Posted by Some clarifications required: - what is the distance involved in your outstation travels in your own car? - is yours a private society or a DDA colony? What are the RWA's policies relating to EV charging? - is CNG an important fuel for you, or are you mentioning CNG only because of lower running costs? Based on the last line in the portion quoted above, you seem to have set your heart on a Kylaq? It might have snob value and be a pseudo-SUV, but will certainly not have low running & maintenance costs. OTOH, you could consider any EV in your budget of 10-20L, if you can set up a home charger point. For improving parking confidence, search for "parking tips" on YouTube, and you'll get hundreds, if not thousands, of videos explaining how to parallel park, as well as parking in bays at 90 to the road, nose-in or reverse-in. Radius of ~200kms from Delhi and trips once a month/fortnight. I stay in a DDA colony. Getting charging facility is a lot of hassle. CNG is not important, I added it because you have good CNG options on small cars. Yes, Kylaq is more of a heart decision. Will look at the parking tips bit. I think this coupled with practice should make me better eventually. Quote: ranjeet_sam Originally Posted by You should check out Toyota Hyryder or its sibling from the Maruti stable, the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The strong hybrid from Toyota will give you good mileage and since its a hybrid it will be future proof to an extent. Agree with all points but not happy with the boxy, slightly boring designRunning is 40km daily and not 80km, I think I should have put it in a better way. I will have a look at Hyryder as well, only worried that it will exceed the magic limit of 20L.Not happy with the amalgamation of City and Elevate styling. But I agree that it works well for the criteria I have set for my purchase.It is an amazing package save the engine and hence I did not consider.This echoes my thoughts. Will try out the simulator apps as well to make myself more conversant with the theory aspect of it, and hopefully, practical should follow.Haha, I also had a small dent on my Zen when I was getting out of the Gurgaon plant. This was in 2010 when we only had one ground level parking close to mezannine 2.This was blunt but I get where you are coming from. i10 Nios and Swift hence make it to the list.Noted, esp. for 3XO.Had read something similar on the Kylaq thread but this makes my decision a little easier for the Signature AT variant. I prefer the analog dial led setup in the Signature.I agree with you regarding the EV. It does not make sense for me considering I have no dedicated parking and charging slots.I am not keen for the EV because of the aforementioned reasons.My outstation travel would not be much.Radius of ~200kms from Delhi and trips once a month/fortnight. I stay in a DDA colony. Getting charging facility is a lot of hassle.CNG is not important, I added it because you have good CNG options on small cars.Yes, Kylaq is more of a heart decision.Will look at the parking tips bit. I think this coupled with practice should make me better eventually.I will evaluate this. The big picture: Apple and the European Commission are locked in a standoff over how tech firms should be regulated a conflict being closely watched by the tech industry, app developers, and consumer advocates. The outcome could set a precedent for how digital marketplaces operate, not only in Europe but globally, as other jurisdictions consider similar measures to promote competition and curb the power of tech giants. Apple is facing a critical deadline in the European Union, with fewer than 30 days remaining to overhaul its App Store practices or face additional financial penalties from the European Commission. The warning follows the Commission's determination that Apple's current policies continue to violate the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a sweeping regulation aimed at curbing the power of major tech platforms and fostering greater competition in digital markets. At the heart of the dispute are Apple's longstanding restrictions that prevent app developers from informing users about alternative ways to purchase digital goods or subscriptions outside the App Store. Under the DMA, companies designated as "gatekeepers" must allow developers to communicate freely with customers about external offers and payment methods, without imposing barriers or excessive fees. The Commission found that Apple's rules including so-called "anti-steering" provisions and technical barriers made it unnecessarily difficult for developers to direct users to external payment options. In April, the European Commission fined Apple 500 million (about $569 million) for these violations and ordered the company to remove the restrictions. Apple was given a 60-day window to comply, with less than a month now remaining before the June 22 deadline. If Apple fails to meet the requirements, the Commission has made it clear it will impose additional periodic fines, which could reach up to five percent of Apple's daily global revenue until compliance is achieved. Despite some changes to its App Store policies in the EU, including allowing developers to include a single external link to their own websites, regulators say Apple's approach still falls short. Developers must use Apple's format for these links, display warnings to users about leaving the Apple ecosystem, and pay a 27 percent commission on purchases made through external links only slightly less than the standard 30 percent fee for in-app transactions. The Commission argues that these measures "undermine the effectiveness" of the DMA and continue to restrict competition. Apple has strongly objected to the Commission's findings and the size of the fine, arguing that the requirements threaten user privacy and security and effectively force the company to give away its technology for free. In a statement, Apple called the decision "bad for innovation, bad for competition, bad for our products, and bad for users." The company has signaled its intention to appeal the ruling, but must still comply with the Commission's order while the legal process unfolds. The European Commission, for its part, maintains that Apple's privacy and security concerns are not substantiated, and that the DMA's goal is to ensure consumers and developers benefit from real choice and fairer digital markets. The law, which took effect in 2023, is part of a broader push by EU regulators to curb the dominance of large tech firms and open up their platforms to greater competition. In a nutshell: Starting next week, Google Wallet users in the US will no longer be able to pay using their PayPal accounts. On a support page that has since been deleted, Google confirmed that it will stop supporting PayPal payments and automatically delete all linked PayPal accounts from the Wallet app on June 13. The move will likely inconvenience many dedicated Wallet users, but it isn't entirely unexpected. Google started blocking US users from linking their PayPal accounts with Wallet on April 11. The now-deleted support page, which was first spotted by Android Authority, noted that the Google Wallet app will continue to support PayPal-branded debit cards in the US. The company also stated that PayPal will still be accepted as a valid payment method on the Google Wallet app in Germany. Google also noted that after June 13, the Wallet app will no longer display users' PayPal transaction history. Instead, people will have to either log into the PayPal website or use the official PayPal app to check their PayPal transactions previously made through Google Wallet. PayPal is killing Google Wallet integration for users in the US Later this month, Google Wallet will no longer let users in the U.S. use their PayPal account for payments. Tip @Techmeme https://t.co/KjM3wLvQtb Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 2, 2025 With PayPal integration soon to be a thing of the past, Google is advising affected users to update their default payment method and add at least one card to their Google account to ensure that they can keep using Wallet for all their online transactions, including recurring subscriptions. Google did not provide a reason for dropping PayPal in the US, but online speculation suggests that PayPal itself is discontinuing Google Wallet integration in the country. According to reports, PayPal may be planning to launch its own direct payment solutions to reduce reliance on third-party payment platforms like Google Wallet. To that end, the company is said to be pushing its official mobile app, which will help it retain a larger margin on transaction fees and give it access to a wealth of critical user data. PayPal rolled out Google Wallet support in 2017 when the latter was still called Android Pay. The option offered considerable flexibility for Android users and helped businesses that rely heavily on online payments. The new development is bad news for these Wallet users and merchants, who will have to switch payment methods to continue transacting through Google Wallet. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Cutting corners: Builder.ai promised to revolutionize software development with artificial intelligence and convinced deep-pocketed investors it had. Backed by Microsoft and valued at $1.5 billion, the startup masked manual labor as machine learning until the facade crumbled, leaving behind lawsuits, layoffs, and one of the industry's most embarrassing collapses. Builder.ai has collapsed under the weight of several deceptions, ending the rise of a British startup once heralded as a pioneer in democratizing software development. Valued at $1.5 billion in 2023 with backing from Microsoft and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, the company filed for bankruptcy protection this week after revelations that its "AI-powered" platform relied on hundreds of engineers in India while executives allegedly orchestrated a years-long financial deception. For eight years, Builder.ai marketed its "Natasha" AI system as a fully autonomous tool that could build software "as easily as ordering pizza." However, internal documents and employee accounts reviewed by Bloomberg paint a sharply different picture. Engineers in Noida and Bangalore manually coded client projects while being instructed to mimic AI-generated responses. "We were told to never mention our location or use Indian English phrases," said a former Bangalore engineer. The team timed updates to UK business hours to maintain the illusion of automation. The company's downfall accelerated in April 2025 when Bloomberg exposed a round-tripping scheme with Indian social media firm VerSe Innovation. From 2021 to 2024, the two companies exchanged nearly identical invoices totaling millions of dollars for services never rendered, artificially inflating Builder.ai's revenue by up to 300 percent. Audits later revealed 2024 revenues totaled just $55 million a fraction of the $220 million projected to investors. VerSe co-founder Umang Bedi denied the allegations, calling them "absolutely baseless." Microsoft's $455 million investment in 2023, including plans to integrate Builder.ai's technology with Azure, now stands as a cautionary tale. The partnership fell apart when creditor Viola Credit seized $37 million from Builder.ai's accounts after uncovering inflated financials, leaving only $5 million in restricted funds. The startup also owes $85 million to Amazon and $30 million to Microsoft for cloud services. The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has subpoenaed financial records and customer lists as part of a widening probe into potential securities fraud. Separately, the SEC is investigating whether Builder.ai misrepresented its technological capabilities to investors. Internal Slack messages show executives directing staff to "minimize visibility" of human labor in investor materials. "Positioning must focus on our proprietary AI human labor isn't part of the story," a 2022 internal memo stated. Founder Sachin Dev Duggal, who styled himself Chief Wizard, resigned as CEO in February 2025 amid mounting losses and relocated to Dubai. His replacement, Manpreet Ratia, disclosed that the company laid off approximately 80 percent of its global workforce about 1,000 employees. The insolvency marks the most significant AI startup failure to occur since ChatGPT's breakthrough debut in 2022, underscoring growing scrutiny of "AI washing" across the tech sector. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and the countrys Chief Commissioner for Expo 2025, met with Yoshitaka Ito, Japans Minister for Regional Revitalization and Expo 2025 Minister, during his visit to Japan, Trend reports. The meeting underscored the significance of fostering political, economic, and humanitarian relations between the two nations. The parties deliberated on opportunities for interregional collaboration and cooperative initiatives across diverse sectors. Yoshitaka Ito expressed gratitude for Azerbaijans active participation in Expo 2025 and noted that the Azerbaijani national pavilion is among the most distinguished and frequently visited at the Osaka exhibition. He also extended congratulations on the occasion of Azerbaijans National Day, scheduled for June 5 within the Expo framework, and highlighted the significance of future cooperation between several cities in Azerbaijan and Japan to deepen bilateral relations. Alakbarov recalled Azerbaijans independent representation with national pavilions at previous world expos in Milan and Dubai, underlining the countrys consistent contributions to the Expo movement. He also drew attention to the large-scale construction projects underway in the liberated territories following the historic victory in the Patriotic War, as directed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Alakbarov stressed that Azerbaijans presence at the world exhibition demonstrates the importance the country places on the Expo movement. The Expo 2025 international exhibition commenced in Osaka on April 13 and will continue until October 13. Azerbaijan, having actively participated in Expo events since 2000, is once more represented by a national pavilion. Organized by the Heydar Aliyev Center, the pavilion is themed Seven Bridges for Sustainability. On June 5, Azerbaijan will commemorate its National Day with a curated concert program showcasing the artistic prowess of Azerbaijani masters in the field. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In the semiconductor industry, where technological progress is measured in nanometers, career advancement follows a distinctive trajectory. At TSMC Arizona, engineers don't just climb a traditional corporate ladderthey progress through increasingly advanced technology nodes, each representing new challenges and opportunities for innovation. The Technology Node Roadmap as a Career Path While many industries measure career growth through titles and management responsibility, semiconductor manufacturing at TSMC Arizona offers an alternative: technical specialization across successive generations of manufacturing technology. "The Fab 21 site, I hope, will have six phases," explains Jefferson Patz, a process integration engineer at TSMC Arizona, "and each phase, I hope, will be a new technology. My goal for each phase? I want to go to the next technology." This progression isn't arbitrary. Each technology node, designated by its process size (such as 4nm, 3nm, or 2nm), represents a massive leap in manufacturing complexity and capability. TSMC's Arizona campus will eventually host multiple fabs producing chips on different nodes, with the first fab focusing on 4nm technology and future expansions planned for even more advanced processes. Engineering Identity Through Node Experience For veteran semiconductor engineers, their professional identity often becomes tied to the nodes they've helped develop. "You talk to a lot of people that work here for 15-plus years," Jefferson notes, "when you ask them what they've been doing at TSMC, they could say 'Yes, I've been in process integration for 15 years.' But the way they introduce themselves is, 'I was on N28, then I was on N22, then I was on N16.' They introduce all of the technologies that they have helped to develop and move into mass production." This way of defining one's career by technological milestones rather than job titles creates a unique perspective on professional achievement. Engineers at TSMC Arizona and throughout the company view their career progression through the lens of technological challenges overcome, not just organizational hierarchy climbed. Physical Proximity to Future Opportunity TSMC's approach to facility expansion creates a tangible representation of career progression opportunities. The company's $65 billion investment in Arizona will eventually result in multiple fabrication facilities on the same campus. Jefferson describes this physical manifestation of opportunity: "We build so many fabs. Even when I was in Taiwan, in Tainan, there were two fabs being constructed next to me while I was walking into the office. And now, I'm here at Fab 21, and there are two fabs being constructed next to the office." This visual reminder of future technological challenges helps engineers envision their career progression. The next opportunity isn't an abstract conceptit's a physical building under construction nearby that will soon house cutting-edge technology requiring their expertise. The Challenge of Node Transitions Moving between technology nodes is far from automatic. Each new node represents enormous technical challenges, requiring engineers to adapt their knowledge constantly. "Everything we're doing is new," Jefferson explains. "When you're playing at the advanced technology node, you are playing with problems no one has ever seen before." This constant innovation creates natural career milestones. As TSMC Arizona scales from its first operational 4nm fab to future facilities producing 3nm and 2nm chips, engineers face entirely different manufacturing challenges at each stage. "R&D made this awesome process, and then through ramping, we take it from our R&D facility and bring it through ramping. The thought process is: 'I can make one wafer, how do I make a thousand wafers?' That's when we ramp up. The next step is high volume mass production: 'I can make a thousand wafers, how do I make 100,000?'" These transitions create natural inflection points in an engineer's career, with each successful node deployment representing a significant professional achievement. Specialization Within Node Progression Unlike some industries where generalists might have an advantage, TSMC Arizona and the broader semiconductor industry reward deep specialization within specific engineering disciplines. This specialization creates experts within specific domains who then follow their specialty through successive technology nodes. Rather than broadening skills horizontally across different engineering fields, semiconductor engineers at TSMC Arizona deepen their expertise while applying it to increasingly complex manufacturing challenges. The Attraction of Cutting-Edge Work For many engineers, the opportunity to work on the most advanced manufacturing processes is a powerful motivator. Jefferson recalls his own career decision: "I was just finishing my Master's Degree, and I was about to accept an offer to do my PhD. My plan for my career was to work on cutting-edge technology. I want to be where the innovation happens. Then, I got a call from a TSMC recruiter." Initially hesitant about working in high-volume manufacturing rather than pure research, Jefferson discovered that mass production at advanced nodes presents some of the most challenging engineering problems in the industry. "I understood the innovation it takes to make one chip is just as innovative as it takes to make the ten thousandth, the trillionth one of them. The creativity in the problem solving it takes when you're making things that are an angstrom thick and you're making billions of them. The creativity, the innovation, and the problem solving that it takes to do that is what keeps me here." This realizationthat manufacturing advanced chips at scale is itself cutting-edge workhelps TSMC Arizona attract engineers who might otherwise pursue careers in research. Advice for Aspiring Semiconductor Engineers For students considering careers in the semiconductor industry, Jefferson offers guidance that reflects the node-based career progression model. "Find something you're interested in and dig as deep as you can into that field. It could be semiconductor physics, it could be biomimicry, it could be machine learning. Because what you're going to find is that deep skill set in any specific engineering field, because semiconductors are so interdisciplinary, is going to serve you extremely well." This advice mirrors the career development approach at TSMC Arizona, where depth of expertise enables engineers to tackle successive generations of manufacturing challenges. The Future of Semiconductor Careers at TSMC Arizona As TSMC continues expanding its Arizona operations, with plans now exceeding $165 billion in total investment, the opportunity for engineers to progress through multiple technology nodes will only grow. Each new fabrication facility represents not just increased production capacity, but a new generation of technical challenges for engineers to master. For semiconductor professionals, this node-based career progression offers a unique blend of technical depth and novel challenges. Rather than changing companies or roles to find new problems to solve, engineers at TSMC Arizona can maintain their specialization while tackling entirely new manufacturing challenges with each technology generation. As Jefferson summarizes: "I love learning, I love solving problems, and working on cutting-edge. And I think that path is so clearly laid out here at TSMC and at Fab 21 that it gives me a lot of confidence to say that this is a place I can stay and grow at." In an industry where technological progress never stops, perhaps it's fitting that semiconductor engineers measure their careers not by climbing upward on an organizational chart, but by advancing forward along the leading edge of what's possible. Apple just dropped one of its famous cryptic Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) logos for the upcoming WWDC25, set to run from June 9 through June 13. Ostensibly for Apple developers to get a sense of what's coming from Cupertino in the next year so devs can prepare for new hardware and software, the event has become a spot where Apple announces big stuff coming to its products, as well. For example, the company announced its plan to transition to Apple Silicon at WWDC 2020, the Vision Pro at WWDC 2023, and iOS 14 and the App Library at WWDC 2020. The keynote, usually helmed by Apple CEO Tim Cook, will stream online on June 9 at 10 am Pacific, and will likely contain all the great stats and positive spin on developers and their work with the big tech company. You can watch it yourself on your Apple TV, YouTube, or Apple's own website. #WWDC25 is next week! Cant wait to show you what weve been working on. See you June 9 at 10am PT. pic.twitter.com/qhrzevDbMH Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) June 2, 2025 One of the big things we'll likely hear about is the renaming of all of Apple's operating systems to reflect the year rather than the iteration. So it won't be iOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 13 or visionOS 3, but rather iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26. There are also reports about Apple changing the look and feel of its software for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, which noted Apple reporter Mark Gurman says will be "one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the company's history." This could be what the whole "Sleek Peek" could refer to. If we're lucky, we'll see Apple take its next step towards Apple Intelligence, as well, and maybe some hints as to what the Vision Pro is up to. Either way, we can all find out next week on June 9. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 3. In a recent government meeting, Kazakhstan's authorities discussed the proposal to enhance the countrys digital business map as part of broader efforts to streamline domestic production and improve business operations, Trend reports, citing the Government of Kazakhstan. Raimbek Batalov, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken, suggested the creation of a unified digital platform that would integrate the disparate information systems currently used by various government bodies and quasi-governmental organizations. He highlighted the challenges businesses face when navigating these multiple platforms, such as those used by Samruk Energy and QazaqGaz. Batalov recommended consolidating these efforts into a single, cohesive system known as the Matrix, which would simplify the procurement process and enhance transparency. This initiative is seen as a vital step in improving the competitiveness and efficiency of Kazakhstans manufacturing sector while supporting both local producers and large-scale projects. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov endorsed the proposal, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to refine the producer registry system and ensure a more seamless and transparent business environment. This move is expected to further bolster Kazakhstans economic diversification and growth. Nigeria flooding death toll jumps past 200 Abuja, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Flash flooding in north-central Nigeria last week killed more than 200 people, the Niger state humanitarian commissioner said Tuesday, while hundreds more remain missing and are feared dead. The town of Mokwa was hit with the worst flash flood in living memory Thursday from overnight rains, with more than 250 homes destroyed and swathes of the town wiped out in a single morning. The announcement comes after several days of the official toll standing at around 150, even as residents were sometimes missing more than a dozen members in a single family. "We have more than 200... corpses," Ahmad Suleiman told Nigerian broadcaster Channels Television, adding: "Nobody can tell you the number of casualties in Niger state right now because up till now, we are still looking for some corpses." "We're still looking for more," he added. But, he said, "sincerely speaking, we cannot ascertain." Given the number of people still missing nearly a week later, the toll from a single morning of flooding in Mokwa could be worse than all of 2024 combined, which saw 321 deaths from flooding across the country. Climate change has made weather swings in Nigeria more extreme, but residents in Mokwa said human factors were also at play. Water had been building up for days behind an abandoned railway track that runs along the edge of the town, residents told AFP. Floodwaters would usually pass through a couple of culverts in the mounds and run into a narrow channel. But debris had blocked the culverts, forcing water to build up behind the clay walls that eventually gave way. Floods in Nigeria are often exacerbated by inadequate drainage, the construction of homes on waterways and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels. Volunteers and disaster response teams have recovered bodies nearly 10 kilometres (six miles) away after they were swept into the Niger River. Days before the disaster struck Mokwa, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had warned of possible flash floods in 15 of Nigeria's 36 states, including Niger state, between Wednesday and Friday. When AFP reporters visited the town earlier this week, a powerful stench filled the air, which residents said came from decaying corpses trapped under the rubble. The government said it has delivered aid, but locals have criticised what they say is a lacklustre response, with multiple families telling AFP they hadn't received anything. Britain's biggest water supplier suffers rescue blow London, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Thames Water on Tuesday announced that US private equity firm KKR had decided against vital investment in Britain's biggest supplier of the commodity, reviving chances of a possible state bailout. Thames, which supplies around 16 million homes and businesses in London and elsewhere in southern England, is drowning in debt but has avoided a government rescue thanks to new loans and the promise of fresh investment. Reacting to the KKR decision, Thames Water chairman Adrian Montague said in a statement: "Whilst today's news is disappointing, we continue to believe that a sustainable recapitalisation of the company is in the best interests of all stakeholders and continue to work with our creditors and stakeholders to achieve that goal." There was no immediate response from KKR regarding its decision to pull out. Britain's Environment Secretary Steve Reed insisted that "Thames... remains stable", adding in an interview with LBC radio Tuesday that the Labour government is "keeping a very close eye on the situation". At the end of March, Thames Water chose KKR as preferred bidder to invest a reported pound4 billion ($5.4 billion) in the group -- a deal that, according to British media, would have handed the firm a majority stake. It came alongside Thames securing a pound3-billion emergency loan from creditors, giving it a short-term lifeline as it looked to attract takeover bids. But Tuesday's announcement has provided a fresh setback for Thames, which has debts of almost pound16 billion. UK water regulator Ofwat last week said it had hit the supplier with a record fine of almost pound123 million over pollution and improper dividend payments. Thames and other British water companies, privatised since 1989, have repeatedly come under fire for allowing the discharge of large quantities of sewage into rivers and the sea. This has been blamed on under-investment in a sewage system that dates back largely to the Victorian era. An interim report Tuesday from Britain's Independent Water Commission called for "wide-ranging and fundamental change" for the water sector in England and Wales. This included "clearer direction from government" and "stronger regulation of water companies". Britain's public spending watchdog has said that the nation's water sector will need to pour pound290 billion into its outdated infrastructure over the next 25 years to meet environmental and supply challenges. In late 2024, Ofwat approved a 35-percent hike to the average household's Thames water bill over five years, hitting consumers hard. Thames had sought an increase of 59 percent. Schwarzenegger surprises Vienna metro users with climate message Vienna, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 "Here is your chief mobility officer Arnold Schwarzenegger talking to you" -- with this announcement the "Terminator" star and former governor of California surprised Vienna public transport users on Tuesday by hailing them as "climate action heroes". The Austrian Hollywood star is in town for an annual conference he organises on climate change. "Thank you for your commitment to a healthy planet," he says in German in the announcement, broadcast every 30 minutes over the intercom system of all public transport, according to network operator Wiener Linien. He continues in English that "you're all real climate action heroes, helping to unite in action and terminate pollution". Schwarzenegger, 77, launched the summit in his native Austria eight years ago to highlight the challenges of climate change. In his opening speech on Tuesday, Schwarzenegger, who has been an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump, held back criticism, while calling for "action that makes their (people's) lives better". "I know that the people are sick and tired of the whining and the complaining and the doom and gloom. They want heroes... We have to win the people over," he said. This year, former British prime minister Tony Blair is attending, as well as Austrian Prime Minister Christian Stocker and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. Around 2.4 million people use the city's public transport per day, according to Wiener Linien. The Austrian capital has around two million inhabitants. Polls show South Korea's Lee on track to win presidency by landslide Seoul, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Lee Jae-myung of the left-leaning Democratic Party is on track to win South Korea's presidential election by a landslide, exit polls showed Tuesday, with turnout high after months of political chaos. Six months to the day after ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol plunged the country into crisis with his disastrous declaration of martial law, an exit poll by South Korea's three major broadcasters showed Lee with 51.7 percent of the vote. Conservative challenger Kim Moon-soo was on track to win 39.3 percent, the poll showed. After months of turmoil and a revolving door of lame-duck acting leaders, many South Koreans were eager for the country to move forward, with major polls for weeks putting Lee well ahead of Kim. "I hope the next president will create an atmosphere of peace and unity rather than ideological warfare," cab driver Choi Sung-wook, 68, told AFP as he cast his ballot. South Korea's next leader will take office almost immediately -- as soon as the National Election Commission finishes counting the votes and validates the result, likely early Wednesday. He will face a bulging in-tray, including global trade vicissitudes chafing the export-driven economy, some of the world's lowest birth rates and an emboldened North Korea rapidly expanding its military arsenal. But the fallout from Yoon's martial law declaration, which has left South Korea effectively leaderless for the first months of US President Donald Trump's tumultuous second term, was the decisive factor in the election, experts said. The vote was "largely viewed as a referendum on the previous administration," Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women's University, told AFP. "The martial law and impeachment crisis not only swayed moderates but also fractured the conservative base." - 'Strength of the Korean people' - Conservative candidate Kim -- Yoon's labour minister -- failed to convince a third-party candidate, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, to unify and avoid splitting the right-wing vote. Yoon's impeachment over his martial law bid, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament, made him the second straight conservative president to be stripped of office after Park Geun-hye in 2017. Many voters told AFP that they had been shocked by his attempt to suspend civilian rule. It "was the kind of thing done during the old days of dictatorship in our country", Park Dong-shin, 79, said. He said he cast his ballot for the candidate who would make sure those responsible were "properly dealt with". At the National Assembly, Democratic Party officials were gathered in a situation room, with a row of televisions set up to watch exit polls and vote counting. Applause and cheers filled the room when exit polls were announced, placing Lee far ahead of rival Kim, with chants of "Lee Jae-myung" immediately breaking out and echoing through the room. - 'Turning point' - Turnout was high, running at around 77.8 percent by late afternoon, officials said -- the highest in nearly two decades, as many South Koreans sought to draw a line under the six months of martial law-linked turmoil. Ballot counting stations swung into action after polls closed at 8:00 pm (1100 GMT), AFP reporters saw, with boxes of ballots arriving at the Seoul National University Gymnasium in Gwanak-gu district. On election day, Seoul streets were peaceful as people made the most of good weather and a public holiday, but police issued the highest level of alert and deployed thousands of officers to ensure the election and inauguration Wednesday proceed smoothly. The DP's Lee -- who survived an assassination attempt last year -- has been campaigning in a bullet-proof vest and delivering speeches behind a glass protective shield. South Korean presidents serve a single five-year term. Hundreds killed in South Sudan cattle raids: UN Juba, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Hundreds have died since December in escalating intercommunal conflict in South Sudan linked to cattle rustling and revenge attacks, the UN said on Tuesday. Clashes over access to resources and cattle rustling are frequent in the poverty-stricken east African nation, which also faces extreme droughts and floods. Conflicts among cattle herders have become rampant in Tonj East, located in Warrap State in northwestern South Sudan, causing "hundreds of deaths, the destruction of homes and widespread displacement," according to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). "In March, more than 200 people are estimated to have died during the intercommunal conflict," UNMISS said in a statement. "Urgent intervention is needed from the national government to prevent the conflict from escalating to catastrophic levels and to bring communities together to peacefully resolve grievances," said Guang Cong, the UNMISS deputy special representative. In February, a local official denounced a "cold-blooded massacre" in the southern Eastern Equatoria state where 41 people including women and children were killed, while 65 were wounded and many others went missing, the statement said. Such localised conflicts have further deepened the crisis in South Sudan, which has been beset by political instability and ethnic violence since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The nation has also faced months of localised clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his long-time rival, First Vice President Riek Machar. Smoke from Canadian fires reaches Europe: EU climate monitor Paris, June 3 (AFP) Jun 03, 2025 Heavy smoke from intense wildfires in Canada has reached northwestern Europe, the European Union's climate monitoring service said on Tuesday. The huge plumes are at very high altitude and do not pose an immediate health risk, it said in a statement. "Smoke originating from the wildfires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan has been transported across the Atlantic," the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) said. Satellites tracked the smoke in mid-May, with some plumes reaching as far east as Greece and the eastern Mediterranean. "A second, much larger, smoke plume crossed the Atlantic during the last week of May, reaching northwestern parts of Europe on June 1," CAMS said. Additional plumes are expected to shade the continent in the coming days. Wildfire smoke is comprised of gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, along with water vapor and particle pollution, which can be particularly hazardous to health. A high concentration of carbon monoxide is expected to pass over northwestern France, including the Paris Basin, on Tuesday. The high-altitude smoke headed for Europe is not expected to have a significant impact on surface air quality, but is likely to result in hazy skies and reddish-orange sunsets. Manitoba in central Canada is experiencing its worst start to the fire season in years due to drought, and Saskatchewan to the west declared a state of emergency at the end of May, evacuating thousands of residents. "Central regions of Canada have experienced a very intense few weeks in terms of wildfire emissions," said Mark Parrington, scientific director at CAMS. Canadian authorities have forecast a more intense fire season than usual this summer in central and western Canada, due in particular to severe or extreme drought. Elsewhere, extensive forest fires have been raging in Russia's Far Eastern Federal District since early April, particularly east of Lake Baikal, generating carbon emissions of around 35 million tons, Copernicus reported. Azerbaijan expands reach, debuts electrode exports to Turkmenistan Azerbaijan has commenced its first-ever exports of electrodes to Turkmenistan, led by Gedik Kaynak LLC, a key enterprise within the Neftchala Industrial District. With a production capacity of 300 tons per month and a recent shipment of 100 tons, this move marks a significant step in expanding Azerbaijans industrial exports and regional trade ties. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register 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 Blake Lively is reportedly seeking to withdraw her claims that her co-star and director Justin Baldoni intentionally and negligently inflicted emotional distress on her during the production of their film It Ends With Us. The decision is thought to be a response to attempts by Baldonis legal team to obtain Livelys medical records, including therapy notes and other health details, as part of the discovery process. Baldoni and Lively are currently involved in several legal actions related to her claim that she was sexually harassed by the director during production of their film It Ends With Us, and his claim that she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, attempted to destroy his career. On Monday, Baldonis legal team, acting on behalf of his company Wayfarer Studios, filed a ruling seeking to compel Lively to sign a HIPAA release that would allow them access to her medical records. The filing states: Instead of complying with the Medical RFPs, Ms. Livelys counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her [infliction of emotional distress] Claims. However, Ms. Lively has refused the Wayfarer Parties reasonable request that the withdrawal of such claims be with prejudice. She is only willing to withdraw her claims without prejudice. Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively ( Getty ) In other words, Ms. Lively wants to simultaneously: (a) refuse to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress and/or that the Wayfarer Parties were the cause; and (b) maintain the right to re-file her IED Claims at an unknown time in this or some other court after the discovery window has closed. Variety reports that Livelys lawyers Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb described the filing as a press stunt and argued that they are simply streamlining and focusing her case. The Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law, rendering certain of Ms. Livelys original claims no longer necessary, said Hudson and Gottlieb. Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims. The Independent approached Baldonis legal team, who declined to comment on the record. Lively sued Baldoni in January, accusing him of sexual harassment on set and of later orchestrating an alleged smear campaign designed to bury her. Baldoni has vehemently denied the accusations and filed a $400 million countersuit accusing Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, of trying to destroy his career and reputation. Last month, Baldonis team withdrew a subpoena that would have called on Taylor Swift to testify in the trial, which is scheduled to begin on March 9, 2026. 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 Blake Lively is reportedly seeking to withdraw her claims that her co-star and director Justin Baldoni intentionally and negligently inflicted emotional distress on her during the production of their film It Ends With Us. The decision is thought to be a response to attempts by Baldonis legal team to obtain Livelys medical records, including therapy notes and other health details, as part of the discovery process. Baldoni and Lively are currently involved in several legal actions related to her claim that she was sexually harassed by the director during production of their film It Ends With Us, and his claim that she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, attempted to destroy his career. On Monday, Baldonis legal team, acting on behalf of his company Wayfarer Studios, filed a ruling seeking to compel Lively to sign a HIPAA release that would allow them access to her medical records. The filing states: Instead of complying with the Medical RFPs, Ms. Livelys counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her [infliction of emotional distress] Claims. However, Ms. Lively has refused the Wayfarer Parties reasonable request that the withdrawal of such claims be with prejudice. She is only willing to withdraw her claims without prejudice. Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively ( Getty ) In other words, Ms. Lively wants to simultaneously: (a) refuse to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress and/or that the Wayfarer Parties were the cause; and (b) maintain the right to re-file her IED Claims at an unknown time in this or some other court after the discovery window has closed. Variety reports that Livelys lawyers Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb described the filing as a press stunt and argued that they are simply streamlining and focusing her case. The Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law, rendering certain of Ms. Livelys original claims no longer necessary, said Hudson and Gottlieb. 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. Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims. The Independent approached Baldonis legal team, who declined to comment on the record. Lively sued Baldoni in January, accusing him of sexual harassment on set and of later orchestrating an alleged smear campaign designed to bury her. Baldoni has vehemently denied the accusations and filed a $400 million countersuit accusing Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, of trying to destroy his career and reputation. Last month, Baldonis team withdrew a subpoena that would have called on Taylor Swift to testify in the trial, which is scheduled to begin on March 9, 2026. 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 Clint Eastwood denied ever sitting for an interview with an Austrian newspaper in which he allegedly decried the era of remakes and franchises. Austrian newspaper Kurier published an interview on Friday in which the Oscar-winner apparently criticised the current state of Hollywood. I long for the good old days when screenwriters wrote movies like Casablanca in small bungalows on the studio lot. When everyone had a new idea, he was quoted as having said in the interview, according to a translation by Reuters. We live in an era of remakes and franchises. I have shot sequels three times, but I haven't been interested in that for a long while. My philosophy is: do something new or stay at home. The Million Dollar Baby director, however, said he never gave the interview. A couple of items about me have recently shown up in the news, he said in a statement to Deadline. I thought I would set the record straight. I can confirm Ive turned 95. I can also confirm that I never gave an interview to an Austrian publication called Kurier, or any other writer in recent weeks, and that the interview is entirely phony. Kurier is a German-language daily headquartered in Vienna with a circulation of 100,000. The Independent has reached out to Kurier for comment. Clint Eastwood denies sitting for an interview with Austrian newspaper Kurier ( Getty ) In the same supposed interview, Eastwood, who turned 95 over the weekend, was quoted as replying to a question about where he got his energy from: There is no reason why a man can't get better with age. And I have much more experience today. Sure, there are directors who lose their touch at a certain age, but I'm not one of them. Eastwoods last directorial venture was Juror #2, starring Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, JK Simmons, Zoey Deutch, and Kiefer Sutherland. The film, released in November 2024, has Hoult play a recovering alcoholic summoned to serve on a murder case jury who slowly starts to realise he may be responsible for the victims death. In an interview with the Associated Press on why he wanted to direct the movie, Eastwood said: After the first read it had me. It made me think about what would you do if you were put in this situation? What is right? What is wrong? Who would you protect? A true moral dilemma. Thats something Id want to watch. 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 Michael B Jordan revealed that he still followed a piece of advice that Denzel Washington gave him about staying private. The actor told New York magazine the reason he shared as little as possible of himself on social media or to the press was that it creates a demand. He said that Washington, whom he regards as an inspiration, had given him career advice to prevent overexposure. Why would they pay to see you on a weekend if they see you all week for free? he recalled the veteran actor telling him. They starred together in A Journal for Jordan, which Washington directed, in 2021. Jordan is coming fresh off the success of Sinners in which he plays twin brothers Smoke and Stack who return to their Mississippi hometown to start over, only to learn that a great evil is waiting for them. The actor said he was really, really, really unsure of what my career was going to be before he met Sinners director Ryan Coogler, with whom he would collaborate on multiple projects. Am I a TV actor? Where am I going? And I was like, Man, I just want an independent film. I can show what I can do, and I just need to know if I could carry a film or not, if I could be a lead. open image in gallery Michael Jordan plays twin brothers Smoke and Stack in Sinners ( Warner Bros ) Jordan went on to work with Coogler on his directorial debut in 2013s Fruitvale Station, followed by Creed in 2015, Black Panther in 2018, and, most recently, Sinners in 2025. He told me he thought I was a movie star, Jordan said, describing his first meeting with the filmmaker. He thought I was a great actor, and he wanted to show the rest of the world that, and he wanted to make the movie with me. The Independents Clarisse Loughrey praised Jordans movie-star charisma in a four-star review of Sinners. Coogler intertwines song and the supernatural, linking West African traditions with the legendary claim that bluesman Robert Johnson acquired his talents when he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads, she said. These ideas climax in a spectacular sequence in which Sinners briefly escapes its reality to draw a visual line between the past and present of Black music. Its opening monologue speaks of musics ability to pierce the veil between life and death. Sinners, in all its beauty and horror, proves the same can be true of film. open image in gallery Michael B Jordan as Adonis Creed and Jonathan Majors as Damian Anderson ( MGM ) In February, Jordan had said he was proud of Jonathan Majors after his Creed III co-star was charged with assaulting his former girlfriend. Im proud of his resilience and his strength through it all, and his handling of it. Im glad hes good, Jordan told GQ, adding that he would work with Majors in the future. Asked how he would convince a crew member to work with Majors, he said: To be brutally honest, I havent even thought about it yet, man. The energy to thoughtfully break that down yeah, I cant give that right now. 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 Michael Cera has recalled an awkward encounter in which he was introduced to Jackie Chan, only for the Karate Kid star to not know who he was. The 36-year-old Arrested Development actor arrived at BBC Radio 2 in London to promote his latest project, Wes Andersons ThePhoenician Scheme, when he was told that Chan, 71, was down the hallway doing press for his new movie, The Karate Kid: Legends. Cera toldNMEthat a photographer offered to introduce him to the Rush Hour actor but the interaction resulted in Chan thinking Cera was a fan who had won a competition. [The photographer] asked if I knew Jackie Chan, which I dont, so she said come meet him. That was that, Cera explained. When I met him, though, he was like who is this person, what's going on? Cera added: We took a picture but I think he thought I was a competition winner. He was like, OK let's do a picture real quick. Come on. The Superbad actor said that Chan was not rude, but that Cera felt like he was invading his little personal time with his team before he goes on the radio. ThePhoenician Scheme stars Benicio Del Toro as international tycoon Zsa-zsa Korda, who decides to make his daughter, a nun named Liesl (Mia Threapleton), the heir to his estate. Cera plays Liesls Norwegian tutor Bjrn Lund. open image in gallery Michael Cera has recalled an awkward encounter when he was introduced to Jackie Chan ( Getty ) Speaking about shooting the film, Cera said that he arranged for an electric piano to be installed in the lobby of the hotel where the cast were staying, because he wanted some musical atmosphere. He added that the actor John Patrick Walter, the husband of Hope Davis (who plays Mother Superior in the film), would lead sing-alongs to Beatles songs in the lobby. However, Cera said that the directors editing suite was nearby, and they would receive noise complaints from Andersons team. Occasionally, someone would come out while he was working and tell us no music right now. open image in gallery Michael Cera in The Phoenician Scheme ( Focus Features ) In The Independents four-star review of the movie, Geoffrey Macnab called it one of the directors most enrapturing films in years. He wrote: Each scene contains something to savour a goofy visual gag, some deadpan dialogue or the use of a surprising prop (for instance, the grenades that Korda gives to guests as treats). This, then, is everything you expect from a Wes Anderson film. If you like his work, youll love it. Chan recently reprised his role as Mr Han for the new Karate Kid: Legends movie, 15 years after he starred in 2010s The Karate Kid with Jaden Smith. The film follows kung fu prodigy Li Fong, who moves to New York with his widowed mother and enters the ultimate karate competition with the help of Mr Han and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). 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 new season of Love Island USA, premiering Tuesday, welcomes back Vanderpump Rules alum Ariana Madix as host. Madix, 39, returns to present season seven of the American version of the hit British reality series, where a group of contestants enter a villa in hopes of coupling up and finding love while competing in games and challenges. The Love Island superfan and reality star first joined the series last year, taking over hosting duties from Modern Familys Sarah Hyland. But just a year before stepping into the hosting spotlight, Madix was at the center of reality TV drama herself. Who is Ariana Madix? Madix is best known for her longtime role on Bravos Vanderpump Rules, which follows a group of employees working at the Hollywood-based restaurants owned by former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump. open image in gallery Former 'Vanderpump Rules' star Ariana Madix returns to host 'Love Island USA' season seven ( Peacock ) The Florida-born TV personality first appeared as a guest on the debut season of the series in 2013 before becoming a regular cast member in season two. She stayed on the show for the next 10 seasons, alongside her now ex-boyfriend Tom Sandoval, 42. The two met during the second season and dated for approximately nine years until Sandoval infamously engaged in a six-month-long affair with their Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss, 30. What is #Scandoval? open image in gallery Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval were in a long-term relationship before he infamously cheated on her with Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss ( Getty Images for MTV ) News of the cheating scandal, dubbed #Scandoval, first broke in March 2023. At the time, Madix reportedly discovered that Sandoval had been cheating on her with Leviss when she was in Los Angeles to see him perform in his cover band, Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras. During the concert, a racy video sent from Leviss popped up on Sandovals phone, which prompted Madix to uncover their history of inappropriate texts, according to People. Meanwhile, in New York, Leviss and co-star Sheana Shay had just wrapped up an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that same day, when a source told People that Leviss admitted to Shay the truth about her and Sandoval after the taping. #Scandoval significantly impacted the series and caused major rifts among the cast, leading several members, including Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, to publicly rally around Madix, while Tom Schwartz and on-set jewelry designer Kyle Chan stood by Sandoval. Days after reports of their infidelity surfaced, both Sandoval and Leviss issued apologies to Madix on social media. Later during the Vanderpump Rules season 11 finale which aired in 2024, a year after it was filmed Madix boldly walked off set after Sandoval attempted to approach her at the cast event in San Francisco. She has since confirmed that she has no intention of returning to the show or its forthcoming reboot. I dont think I was ever going to go back to Vanderpump Rules. Thats the first time Ive ever said that publicly, but I was never going to, Madix admitted in a recent interview with People. It just didnt feel right. Not in any sort of rude way, not in a professional, We dont need this, not in a, Im too good for this, but it just didnt feel right. Post Vanderpump Rules open image in gallery Madix starred as Roxie Hart in Broadway's 'Chicago' revival in January 2024 ( Getty Images ) Following her dramatic Vanderpump Rules exit, Madix has since gone on to star in Broadways Chicago revival. For eight weeks, beginning in January 2024, she played the lead of Roxie Hart. She later returned to Broadway in the same role for a month-long run in August 2024. Between her two Broadway stints, season six of Love Island USA premiered with Madix as host. Speaking to The Associated Press in July 2024 about her first season hosting the reality show, Madix praised the experience, saying: I love it. I think that there are some things that are so interesting about this show in comparison to other reality shows where there are cameras everywhere. I enjoy how unpredictable it is, she added. It does not feel like work at all. Season seven of Love Island USA premieres June 3 on Peacock at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Episodes will release daily thereafter, except on Wednesdays. 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 cast of Parks and Recreation are heartbroken over the fatal shooting of actor Jonathan Joss in Texas, his co-star Nick Offerman has said. Joss, 59, was killed outside his burned-down home in San Antonio on Sunday after an alleged campaign of homophobic harassment against him and his new husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales. The actor was best known for playing John Redcorn in the animated comedy King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation, among numerous other TV, film and video game roles. open image in gallery Jonathan Joss, left, and his alleged killer Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja ( NBC / Bexar County Sheriffs Office ) The cast has been texting together about it all day and were just heartbroken, said Nick Offerman, who played the comically masculine Ron Swanson, in a statement to People magazine on Monday. Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy. Chris Pratt, whose career went stratospheric following his role as Andy Dwyer in Parks and Rec, also paid tribute to Joss on his Instagram Story. Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude, Pratt wrote. Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones. Prosecutors have charged Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja with murdering Joss. Police are still investigating what happened. In a post via Joss's Facebook page on Monday, Kern de Gonzales alleged that the couple's house had burned down in February after two years of arson threats from "individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship". 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. open image in gallery Nick Offerman paid tribute to his former Parks and Recreation co-star ( Getty Images ) He said that he and Joss had gone back to the house on Sunday to collect mail, only to find the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. The two men were deeply disturbed and :began yelling and crying. A man allegedly approached them and yelled homophobic abuse, before drawing a weapon and shooting Joss. However, the San Antonio Police Department said: 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. Running from 2009 to 2015, Parks and Recreation chronicled the misadventures of local government officials in the fictional U.S. town of Pawnee. Joss's character, Ken Hotate, was a casino owner and the leader of the area's Native American tribe. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. MOL Group is optimistic about soon reaching a significant milestone in the development of the Shamakhi-Gobustan project, said Adam Homonnay, Senior Vice President for Exploration and Production at MOL Group, in his speech at the Baku Energy Forum, Trend reports. "We recently celebrated five years of our partnership in developing the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block. We remain committed to exploration activities in Azerbaijan. Last year, we signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SOCAR on exploration for the Shamakhy-Gobustan project, and we are actively advancing this work. We hope to reach a new important stage soon," he said. Homonnay also highlighted the prospects for further evaluation of the ACG blocks potential, especially in areas unrelated to associated gas. For MOL Group, partnerships are of paramount importance. "In addition to Azerbaijan, we have MOUs with Kazakhstan, where we have assets under development, and with the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), with which we recently closed a deal. Together, we participated in a tender in Hungary and secured two licenses. This marks TPAOs first entry into geological exploration in Hungary," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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 Disbarred celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi was sentenced on Tuesday to seven years and three months in prison for embezzling tens of millions of dollars in settlement funds from clients. U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton also ordered 86-year-old Girardi, the estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, to pay a $35,000 fine and $2.3 million in restitution to former clients. The sentence comes nearly a year after a jury found him guilty of four counts of wire fraud for stealing an exorbitant amount of money from former clients, including several with severe physical injuries and families of people killed in accidents. He could have faced up to 80 years in prison. Girardi married RHOBH star Jayne, 53, in 2000. During their marriage, he made several appearances on the hit Bravo reality series between 2015 and 2020. Jayne filed for divorce in November 2020, but it is still ongoing due to Girardis declining mental and physical health. He was once among the most prominent lawyers in the nation, often representing victims of major disasters against powerful companies. One lawsuit against Californias Pacific Gas and Electric utility led to a $333 million settlement and was portrayed in the 2000 Julia Roberts film Erin Brockovich. Disbarred California lawyer Tom Girardi was convicted of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his clients ( Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) But his law empire collapsed, and he was disbarred in California in 2022 over client theft. Girardi has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and issues with his memory led another court to put him in a conservatorship under his brother. But on Monday, Staton ruled that he was mentally competent to be sentenced, just as she had previously found him mentally competent to stand trial. The judge had allowed him to remain free until his sentencing, but ordered him to surrender to authorities by July 17. Former clients who testified against Girardi at his trial included an Arizona woman whose husband was killed in a boat accident and victims who were burned in a 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, south of San Francisco. Prosecutors played jurors voicemails in which Girardi gave a litany of false reasons money that a court had awarded could not be paid, including tax and debt obligations and judge authorizations. He frequently told them, Dont be mad at me. Additional reporting by The Associated Press. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A stalwart summer trend that seems to be disappearing this year is the short short. For 2025, the nineties Bermuda short is back. These are a long-line, leg-skimming, baggy short thats - thankfully - a lot easier to wear. This silhouette has quietly been taking over the catwalks of New York to Copenhagen. Gradually, designers have been reimagining the once-stiff staple into a piece that slides easily between cool, corporate and casual. open image in gallery Jennifer Gardner wears shorts to attend WSJ's Future of Everything 2025 ( Getty Images ) But after years of getting used to tiny shorts what are the best Bermudas to buy this summer? Here are five styles to wear this season 1. Tailored Bermudas Sleek, structured and sharp, the tailored Bermuda short is your secret weapon for dressing smart without overheating this summer. Cut just above the knee and designed with precise pleats or a slightly flared leg, these shorts are perfect for the office with a ballet flat or loafer. Styled with a tucked-in shirt or sleeveless turtleneck, mules and some mixed metal jewellery keeps it chic but not overly preppy. open image in gallery (Zara/PA) Zara Oversize Striped Shirt, 22.99 open image in gallery (H&M/PA) H&M Bermuda Shorts, 27.99 open image in gallery (Parfois/PA) Parfois Open Bicolour Bracelet, 22.99 open image in gallery (New Look/PA) New Look Tan Crossover Strap Faux Leather Sandals, 19.99 2. Denim jorts The evolution of the denim short continues and this time, its less Noughties cut-offs and more Nineties grunge. The return of jorts (jean-shorts) that are longer and looser are the go-to denim short this summer. Teamed with a ribbed tank or plain tee and slides for the weekend, or a waistcoat and square-toed sandals for drinks a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses and a structured tote nods to the trend, while keeping the look timeless. open image in gallery (Accessorize/PA) Accessorize Narrow Tortoiseshell Rectangle Sunglasses, 17 open image in gallery (Marks and Spencer/PA) M&S Tailored Single Breasted Longline Waistcoat, 45 open image in gallery (Albaray/PA) Albaray Denim Bermuda Shorts, 75 open image in gallery (Dune London/PA) Dune Headline Woven Mary Jane Ballet Flats, 79 3. Linen Bermudas Light, breathable and channelling the coastal grandma aesthetic linen Bermuda shorts are a low-effort way to bring a laid-back coolness to your wardrobe. Whether youre lounging by the beach or rushing through a sweltering station, linen long shorts are a versatile Bermuda style that can easily be dressed up or down. For an easy summer uniform, a co-ord set like a matching linen shirt worn open over a vest is an easy option. Layered with fine jewellery and strappy sandals or espadrilles, it is perfect for the coast or the city. open image in gallery (Wild Fawn Jewellery/PA) Wild Fawn Jewellery Silver Statement Sun Necklace, 86 open image in gallery (Zara/PA) Zara Wide Strap Vest Top, 11.99 open image in gallery (J D Williams/PA) J D Williams Linen Bermuda Shorts, 26 open image in gallery (H&M/PA) H&M Braided Leather Ballet Pumps, 69.99 4. Silk or satin Bermudas You dont often hear silk and shorts in the same sentence and think of the perfect night-out outfit but silky Bermudas are a great alternative to a smart skirt or dress this summer. The lightweight short is perfect for humid evenings, but its rich texture brings a glamour to even the most simple looks. Paired with a structured top like a corset bodice or a simple high-neck vest, slim heels and chunky jewellery like a cuff or statement earrings, these are perfect to elevate the soft shorts. open image in gallery (Intimissimi/PA) Intimissimi Sleeveless High-Neck Micromodal Top, 24 open image in gallery (Anthropologie/PA) Bishop and Young Silky Bermuda Shorts, 98, Anthropologie open image in gallery (John Lewis and Partners/PA) Mint Velvet Chunky Cuff Bracelet, 45, John Lewis 5. Utility Bermudas This may sail a little too close to your dads wardrobe, but utility Bermudas with cargo pockets and adjustable waists in earthy tones are a cool and sporty style to try this summer. But when styling them its best to go all in with the aesthetic to avoid looking like youve raided lost property. Lean into the gorpcore trend with a ribbed racerback tank or Tee, sporty sandals or trainers and aviator sunglasses with a slicked-up do. open image in gallery (Claires/PA) Claires Brown Tortoiseshell Aviator Sunglasses, 10 open image in gallery (Zara/PA) Zara Ribbed Top, 11.99 open image in gallery (H&M/PA) H&M Cargo Bermuda Shorts, 11 (were 19.99) open image in gallery (Salomon/PA) Salomon XT-6 Unisex Sportstyle Shoes, 165 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 Jodie-Turner Smith has posted a cryptic message on her Instagram Stories after her ex-husband, Joshua Jackson, filed an emergency custody order. On Friday, Jackson filed a motion claiming that Turner-Smith pulled their daughter, Juno, out of school without asking him for permission. On Monday, the Anne Boleyn actor re-shared a post on social media of popular Disney characters, including Lotso the bear from Toy Story 3 and Hans from Frozen, who turned out to be villains. Why dont you like that person? They seem so nice. You know who else seemed to be nice, the meme from @netflixnmovies on Instagram read over the characters. Stay safe out there, Turner-Smith added on top of the post. According to Jacksons motion, obtained by multiple news outlets, he claimed his ex-wife thought it was no big deal to force Juno to start over with a new school, and he thought Jodie is attempting to create a scenario where Juno travels with her rather than attending a traditional school. He asked the court to order that Juno continue to attend her current school through the next academic year, and that any future changes regarding her schooling require joint consent. open image in gallery Jodie Turner-Smith shared a Disney meme with a cryptic caption on her Instagram Story ( jodiesmith/Instagram ) The Independent has reached out to Turner-Smiths representatives for comment. Turner-Smith filed for divorce from Jackson after being married for three years back in 2023. The British actor cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split, listing their date of separation as September 13, 2023. open image in gallery Stay safe out there, Turner-Smiths Instagram Story read ( Getty Images ) At the time, Turner-Smith asked for joint custody of their child and didnt want spousal support to be part of divorce proceedings. The former couple reportedly signed a prenuptial agreement. Sometimes things we really want to work just dont end up working. And thats okay, the Queen and Slim star told The Times in a February 2024 interview following their divorce. The most important thing is that you choose whats healthiest for you and your family and definitely your children. Despite the marriage not lasting, Turner-Smith said she didnt view the relationship as a failure. I dont think its a failure, she said. We obviously had such a beautiful moment together. And now its time for a new moment for both of us. And how exciting. As for her future relationships, the model revealed she wanted to take the time to step back and question whether or not shes being true to herself. If the answer is no, then you have to make a move because I believe that there are visible scars from staying in places that are not good for us. And they dont just affect us, they affect everybody around us, she added. 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 Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolies daughter Shiloh has debuted a brand new moniker after filing to drop her fathers last name after her 18th birthday. On Thursday, the 19-year-old attended the launch of fashion designer Isabel Marants capsule collection with Net-A-Porter. The musician Luella also performed her newest single, Naive, at the event with Keoni Rose and Tako Suzuko alongside her as her dancers. The choreographer was none other than Shiloh herself. However, instead of her given name, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, the young star was listed as Shi Joli on a press release obtained by PageSix. A representative later clarified to The Independent that there was a typo on the initial release, and Shiloh prefers to be credited as Shi or Shi Jolie. The fourth-oldest child of the two actors first announced she had filed to change her name shortly after her 18th birthday, telling the Los Angeles Times that she had begun the name-changing process in the state of California. According to California law, one must have the name-change legal forms published in a newspaper ad for one month, and once published, the request will show up in the legal notice section of the paper; only then can a judge approve a petition to change ones name. In the announcement, she revealed that she was filing to change her name to Shiloh Jolie, dropping her fathers last name altogether. According to TMZ, Shilohs documents were filed on her 18th birthday, May 27, 2024. Many of Jolie and Pitts children have forgone their fathers name, although Shiloh appears to be the first to make the change legally ( Getty Images ) She was granted legal permission to change her name in August 2024. In addition to Shiloh, the former couple also shares sons Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, daughter Zahara, 20, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 16. Shiloh isnt the first of their six children to publicly forego their fathers last name. In the playbill for the musical The Outsiders, which the Eternals actor produced with the assistance of Vivienne, People confirmed that the youngest daughter was listed as Vivienne Jolie instead of Vivienne Jolie-Pitt. In a video shared by Essence in November 2023, the former couples eldest daughter, Zahara, introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie while joining the Mu Pi chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College. She was seen dancing alongside her fellow sorority sisters before introducing herself, My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California. The news of Shilohs name comes one week after Pitt publicly commented on the lengthy divorce proceedings for the first time. The former couple finalized their settlement last December after more than eight years. In an interview with GQ, Pitt was asked whether anything felt different now that the divorce is official, and whether there was a sense of relief. The 61-year-old star responded: No, I dont think it was that major of a thing. Just something coming to fruition. Legally. 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 Mark Brooks has a history of being politely ignored. Ten years ago, there wasnt really any recognition that men and boys had problems, he says. Now the environment has changed. That change was signalled earlier this month by health secretary Wes Streeting, who declared there is a crisis in masculinity. Society has been slow to wake up to the fact that a lot of men and boys are really struggling today, he said. The truth is it can be quite tough to be a young man in todays society. Streeting was speaking at the launch of The Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys (CPRMB), a new organisation that seeks to produce actionable policies to tackle a decline in mens health, employability and life expectancy that has crept up on the political class. Brooks their policy adviser and a lifetime campaigner in the field of mens health has overseen the release of the CPRMBs first report. Missing Men outlines the challenges facing men and boys, and comes hot on the heels of another report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Lost Boys which paints an equally stark picture of male outcomes. Over the last year, politicians have grappled with the changing status of men. A group of Labour MPs has formed to brainstorm ways to appeal to boys amid rising support for Reform among Gen Z males. In November, Streeting commissioned the first ever mens health strategy, observing that the number one killer of men under 50 is suicide a fact so shocking that I nearly fell off my chair, he said (although one that has been true for men aged 20 to 34 since 2001). Netflixs fictional drama Adolescence, which pondered whether dispossessed schoolboys can be radicalised to commit femicide, drew the attention of the prime minister, who called for it to be shown in schools. Adolescence has been very helpful in one respect, says Brooks. Weve seen this political mainstreaming of the need to actually start looking at the challenges and barriers that men and boys face. open image in gallery Theres much to unpack when understanding why Gen Z women are earning more than men in their early careers ( Getty/iStock ) One of the many findings of the Lost Boys report is that for those working full-time between the ages of 16 and 24, the gender pay gap has reversed. This means that for much of Gen Z including those who have recently left university women on average are slightly higher paid than men. In later life, this is expected to reverse and widen in favour of men, a gap that is usually attributed to greater male participation in higher-paying fields and the motherhood penalty, which reflects the disproportionate share of childcare undertaken by women. But this subtle shift in the fortunes of Gen Z men and women is regarded by the papers authors as a bellwether. In some ways the gender pay gap is fascinating, but not really the point, says Luke Taylor, a researcher at the CSJ. Its kind of a symptom of a wider change. Much of that wider change is the collapse of work for men with lower education levels, and the educational underperformance of boys relative to girls. There has been a long-term hollowing out of work in the industrial sector for men with lower education levels. And the expectation of that kind of work has very much changed, because there are fewer of these jobs, and now you might need a degree, says Taylor. Women aged 20-24 in the UK are now slightly more likely to be employed than men, while the share of young men not in education, work, or looking for a job is climbing. open image in gallery When it comes to education, we either need to accept that boys are more stupid or its the system setting them up to fail, says researcher Luke Taylor ( Getty/iStock ) In education, trends over the last 30 years have culminated in overall better outcomes for women. Women outperform men, on average, at every level and every age group of the education system. Women perform better at GCSE and A-level, outnumber men at university and receive more first class degrees than men. They comprise a slim majority of Oxbridge admissions, although men still have the edge in firsts from these universities. Women tend to take on more degrees that lead to lower-paying fields, like education, psychology, nursing, and social work, while men hold a majority of degrees in subjects like engineering. But women have increased their share in some higher-earning occupations. There are now twice as many female law school applicants as male, and almost twice as many female medicine and dentistry grads. These have relatively high starting salaries (25,000-50,000), although they involve much more time at university. That was sort of confusing to me, because my understanding was that you get more women going to university than men, but they tend to gravitate towards lower-paying fields, says Taylor. But theyre actually now far, far more likely to be doing things like medicine and dentistry or things like law as well. And then you get quite a significant number [of] men doing things like PE and political sciences, which are not the most highly paid occupations. Boys, meanwhile, are nearly twice as likely as girls to be suspended, and more than twice as likely to be excluded. Their problems look even worse when you bring class into the mix, and white British boys on free school meals are the worst-performing demographic, according to a parliament research briefing. When it comes to education, we either need to accept that boys are more stupid or its the system setting them up to fail. Whichever one it is, we need to recognise that boys are in need of a bit more support than theyre getting, says Taylor. Brooks thinks that boys may benefit from a different culture. He examined the habits of schools where there was no gender attainment gap. What emerged was a boy-positive environment that really pushed the boys, had a fair and equal discipline process, made sure it dealt with problems around bullying, and also made sure that the boys understood the point of learning. He recalls a conversation with a headteacher who wanted to understand why boys were falling behind in her school. One of the things she noticed is that when she walked around the corridors, nearly all of the posters and celebration pictures of success were featuring just her female students, so she was looking at that and saying, well, boys are not seeing themselves as being educationally successful. Boys are not underperforming in all schools, which suggests that there may be lessons to be learned about culture. And there is one particular niche where boys continue to dramatically outpace girls. This is among top performers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem subjects). The British Olympiads are a group of nationwide competitions in Stem subjects. The smartest boys and girls in each subject are encouraged to apply, and they have to solve problems relevant to each subject under strict exam conditions. Participation in an Olympiad is voluntary, but there is a strong incentive to apply because awards strengthen applications to elite universities. The British Olympiads dont report gender distribution data, but the names of the six winners are posted online, because they go on to represent the UK in the International Olympiad. What is clear from this data is that at the top level, female participation is often extremely low. For instance, in the British Maths Olympiad, just four women out of 60 have sat on the UK team in the last 10 years (2016-2025). Tweaking how you view and support boys in school does not need to have a negative impact on the educational performance of girls Mark Brooks, CPRMB policy adviser Similar trends can be seen in the British Physics Olympiad, which appears to have had no women on its international team for each of the years 2015-24. The Chemistry Olympiad has had at least one woman on its international team over the last 10 years (she competed twice in both 2023 and 2024). Records for the Biology Olympiad are more incomplete, but a partial analysis of awards over the last 10 years reveals a more balanced gender distribution, and even an all-female team representing the UK at the International Olympiad in 2024. The Olympiads are not like GCSEs or A-levels. Only about half of UK schools offer their students the opportunity to participate, and this includes a high proportion of grammar schools and independent schools, which have a slight male bias possibly impacting female representation. Other systemic factors like sexism and stereotype threat have historically played a role and probably still contribute to lower female participation and performance although this is a position that is becoming trickier to defend given womens overall academic dominance and the presence of all-female initiatives like The European Girls Mathematical Olympiad, established in 2012. One inference from this data might be that boys with potential who are well-supported by their schools (and independent or grammar schools are more likely to have the resources to do so) are capable of runaway success in certain academic fields. Another might be that women require more support at the top levels, because they remain male-dominated. Its possible for both of these things to be true if boys are more likely than girls to be found at the top and bottom extremes of ability. The concern for some is that any new efforts to support boys do not come at the expense of unleashing potential in women. The next phase around boys education is far more evidence-based research looking in depth about what works best for boys in school in a way that doesnt negatively impact women and young girls education performance, says Brooks. Tweaking how you view and support boys in school does not need to have a negative impact on the educational performance of girls. 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 childrens dance recital turned deadly on Sunday in Alabama when one man shot another mid-performance. Marcus Sanders, 27, pulled out a gun and fatally shot Carl Williams III, 27, as the two argued during the performance at Saenger Theater in the city of Mobile, according to local reports. When police arrived at the theater around 6:30 p.m., they found two victims shot. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second victim, a bystander, was struck in the ankle, WALA reported. To bring this to a childs dance recital is despicable, said Police Chief William Jackson. Authorities said Sanders and Williams knew each other and had been arguing before Sanders pulled out the gun. open image in gallery Marcus Sanders, 27, was arrested on first-degree murder and first-degree assault charges ( Mobile Jail ) Moments before he was shot, Williams took a video of his daughter performing on stage, NBC 15 reported. Sanders didnt turn himself in to police until hours after the shooting. He is now facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree assault. Michelle Murphy, a mother attending her daughters performance, said it had been a beautiful show before tragedy struck. Once we got up, chaos ensued, and thats when you realized what just happened and what we had to try and get ourselves and all the little ones out of it, Murphy told Fox 10. Metal detectors were set up over the weekend, but were not in use at the time. A sign posted outside the theater indicated that firearms were prohibited. This was art. This was love. The lord was present. Weve been a part of the Danze 101 family for over five years now, and that was the last thing on anyones mind, Murphy said. This was about the babies, and nothing more should have transpired. Murphy also commended the studios teachers for doing all they could in the moment to protect the children and make sure everyone was safe. All I heard was arguing and then from there, I heard gunshots, and I saw the fire from the gun. We just hit the ground under the benches, a witness named Reginald told NBC. Reginald described how worried he felt being separated from his granddaughter, who performing at the recital. I've been crying because the kids are traumatized. Im traumatized because you are coming to an event for children and children who are doing positive things. Then you have this happen. Its nerve-wracking, man. I mean, its going to stay with me for a while, and Ive been trying to console my granddaughter, but its sad, he said. Another witness, Regina, expressed frustration over the fact that a gun was brought to a childrens event. It is especially when kids are involved, when a whole bunch of kids are involved, and a bullet has no name. At that moment, youre not thinking about the children, you know, and youre just thinking, its senseless. Its just really senseless, she said. The director of the Danze 101, the childrens dance academy holding the performance, apologized to students, parents and attendees that such a tragedy unfolded at their recital. During times like these, it is natural to feel a mix of emotions and confusion. We understand how deeply this incident impacts not only our dancers but also our studio parents, family and friends. Please know that our primary concern has always been the well-being of our dancers and their families, director Kenesha Carey said in a statement on social media. Carey said that counseling and resources will be made available to the dancers. No children were physically harmed in the shooting. 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 Nearly half a century after a teacher was found stabbed to death in the hallway of a California high school, a teenager who had a knife inscribed with Teacher Dear has been named as the killer. Diane Peterson, a 25-year-old teacher at Branham High School in San Jose, was stabbed in the chest by Harry "Nicky" Nickerson, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office and the San Jose Police Department said on Monday. The fatal stabbing happened on June 16, 1978, just as school had ended for summer break and teachers were clearing out their classrooms. The journey to identifying Petersons killer was riddled with false starts, but within days of her murder, Nickerson had emerged as a suspect. A 1978 booking photo of Nickerson bore a striking resemblance to a composite sketch created from eyewitness descriptions. open image in gallery Diane Peterson, a 25-year-old teacher at Branham High School in San Jose, was stabbed in the chest by Harry "Nicky" Nickerson in 1978 ( Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office ) Nickerson was not a student at Branham, Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker said at a press conference Monday. In 1983, the family of a Branham student alerted police that their son claimed to have seen the killing and identified Nickerson as the one responsible. The student, however, later denied making that statement. Another witness reported in 1984 that Nickerson had implicated himself in the killing, which he said was in response to discovering Nickerson in the act of a drug deal. There were also reports that he carried a knife engraved with the chilling words Teacher Dear. Still, none of it was enough to bring charges. open image in gallery A 1978 booking photo of Harry Nickerson bore a striking resemblance to a composite sketch created from eyewitness descriptions of the knife attack ( Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office ) Investigators from the District Attorneys Cold Case Unit, established in 2011, reopened the file multiple times. Between 2023 and 2024, they revisited forensic evidence and conducted extensive DNA testing. Meanwhile, in the years following the murder, Nickerson had been arrested and convicted of multiple charges, including armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping. He was shot and critically injured in 1984 while attempting to commit a drug robbery. No charges were filed. The break in the case came in 2025 when investigators met with a family member of Nickerson, who admitted to police that Nickerson came to their home minutes after the killing and confessed to having stabbed Peterson. This marks the end of a terrible and tragic mystery, said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. Ms. Peterson would have been a senior citizen today if she had not crossed paths with this violent teenager. I wish she was. Im pleased we solved the case, even though the murderer is not alive to face justice. I wish he was. Nickerson died by suicide in 1993. open image in gallery Nickerson died by suicide in 1993 ( Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office ) San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said the long-awaited resolution is bittersweet. While the suspect will never stand trial or face the consequences for his actions, Joseph said, 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. Let this serve as a solemn reminder: no matter how much time passes, we will continue to seek the truthbecause every victim matters, and every life deserves justice. The case is the fourth cold case homicide solved by the DAs Office this year, bringing the total number of cold case resolutions since 2011 to over 30. A relative of Diane Peterson, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed gratitude to investigators for their unwavering commitment: Thank you for not giving up for 47 years. Diane was a beautiful and wonderful person, they added. She is missed dearly. 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 man suspected in the fatal shooting of King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss confessed to the crime, telling police, I shot him, according to a police report. Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja pulled up his car behind Josss as the actor was stopping to pick up mail from his former home in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, and the two got into an argument, according to a police report obtained by The Independent. An unidentified witness who was traveling from Austin to San Antonio with Joss watched the men argue from her car and heard Ceja warn that he had a gun, the report said. Moments later, Ceja shot 59-year-old Joss, the witness told police. Ceja was detained at the scene without incident and later confessed to police, I shot him, according to the report. A rifle in Cejas possession was confiscated by police, the report said. He was charged with felony first-degree murder and his bond was set at $200,000. His first court date has been set for August. open image in gallery Jonathan Joss, left, and his alleged killer Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja ( NBC/Bexar County Sheriffs Office ) Joss, best known as the voice of John Redcorn for seasons two through 13 of the popular animated series King of the Hill, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not shared a motive behind the deadly shooting but Joss husband released a statement claiming the actor was killed in a homophobic attack after years of threats and an arson attack on their home. According to reports, the actors home was burned down in February, killing his three dogs. Joss apparently had returned to his former home on Sunday to collect mail, including a victims fire fund check. Soon after the shooting, Joss husband, Tristian Kern de Gonzales, posted a statement to the actors Facebook page claiming the shooting was a homophobic hate crime. 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 them and started yelling 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. open image in gallery Joss was also known for his work playing Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation. ( NBC ) Gonzales, who married Joss on Valentines Day of this year, claimed he and Joss were regularly harassed because of their sexuality and relationship. But San Antonio police said its investigation so far, has found no evidence to indicate that 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, the department wrote on X. The police investigation into the shooting remains 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 from Victor Aaron, who died in a 1996 car crash. Joss had reportedly started recording bits for King of the Hills reboot, which recently began production for Hulu and is set to premiere in August. 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 North Carolina mom is accused of attacking a middle school principal and superintendent grabbing one of the administrators by the neck and nearly choking her during a meeting at the school to discuss her daughters involvement in a fight. Mariah Hector, 33, was arrested and charged with assaulting a school employee and second-degree trespassing. She was released on bond, WBTV reported. Hector and other family members were called to Randolph Middle School in Charlotte on May 5 after her daughter was involved in a fight, according to an affidavit. While at the school, Hector reportedly became hostile and was asked to leave. Instead, Hector pushed past that employee and shoved the schools principal, Jennifer Schroeder, into a wall. Mariah Hector, 33, was arrested and charged with assaulting a school employee. Police say she attacked officials during a meeting about her daughters fighting at school. ( Mecklenburg County Jail ) Hector then grabbed Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Dean with both hands around her neck and attempted to choke her, according to police. Dean did not lose consciousness but had a difficult time breathing and visible signs of injury around her neck, police said. The school was then placed on lockdown as Hector was taken into custody. Another person, 20-year-old Trinity Nixon, was also charged with second-degree trespassing during the incident, according to court records. According to the arrest affidavit, Nixon entered the school after being told not to by an employee. She was then accused of cursing and yelling once inside the building. The schools principal, Schroeder, was suspended with pay just two weeks after the alleged assaults, according to the report. It was not immediately clear whether the altercation was related to her suspension. In a message sent to families, the district said Schroeder would be away from campus at this time, but that they cannot provide information on the reason for the principals absence as this is a personnel issue. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The expansion of transport and transit cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary has been discussed, Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X page, Trend reports. "During the 30th Baku Energy Week, we were pleased to meet with Gellert Jaszai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary for the Development of International Business Relations and Chairman of 4iG Space and Defence Technologies Plc. We touched upon expanding cooperation in trade, investment, transportation, and transit, as well as exploring opportunities for joint ventures in industrial zones and advancing technology transfer initiatives," Jabbarov pointed out. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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 suspect admitted to posing as a Mexican migrant and sending death threats to President Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, according to police and prosecutors. Wisconsin man Demetric D. Scott was behind a plot to get Ramon Morales-Reyes deported so the migrant could not testify against him in a criminal case, Milwaukee prosecutors said. Late last month, Homeland Security officials celebrated the arrest of Morales-Reyes, 54, who they said was an illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump. But Scott, 52, was charged Monday with identity theft, intimidating a witness and two counts of bail jumping for allegedly pretending to be Morales-Reyes and writing the threatening message about Trump. In an interview in May, Scott admitted that he wrote everything on the letters and believed the letters were the simplest way to get Morales-Reyes off his back, according to court documents obtained by Wisconsin Public Radio. open image in gallery Demetric D. Scott (L) admitted he was behind a plot to get Ramon Morales-Reyes (R) deported so that the migrant couldnt testify against him in a criminal case. The letters threatened to shoot President Donald Trump in his head. ( Milwaukee County Jail/Department of Homeland Security ) We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans we have done more for this county than you whites you have been deporting my family and now I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him, the letter said, according to the complaint. I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in his head. Scott was allegedly recorded on a call from a Milwaukee County jail detailing the scheme to frame the immigrant to prevent him from testifying about a 2023 robbery in which authorities say Morales-Reyes was the victim. [I]f he gets picked up by ICE, there wont be a Jury Trial so they will probably dismiss it that day, Scott said in court records. Attorneys and family members challenged the validity of the letter, which Trump administration officials shared with the public, soon after the Mexican mans May 22 arrest, noting that Morales-Reyes cant read or write in English. The Independent has contacted Scotts public defender and the Department of Homeland Security for comment. open image in gallery Scott, 52, was charged Monday with identify theft, intimidating a witness and two counts of bail jumping for allegedly pretending to be Morales-Reyes and writing the threatening message about Trump. ( Department of Homeland Security ) Im just glad that they have identified who it was or have a better sense of who it was, Morales-Reyes attorney Kime Abduli told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. And that Ramon is being cleared of any involvement in this. Scott is accused of armed robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated battery, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and bail jumping over a 2023 incident in which he allegedly attacked Morales-Reyes with a corkscrew while he was riding a bicycle, leaving him with a lung abrasion. Scott insisted the bicycle had been stolen from him and Morales-Reyes had previously threatened him. open image in gallery Late last month, Homeland Security officials celebrated the arrest of Morales-Reyes, 54, who they said was an illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump. ( AP ) DHS said in a statement that Morales-Reyes entered the U.S. unlawfully at least nine times between 1998 and 2005, and that he has a criminal record that includes a felony hit and run, criminal property damage, and disorderly conduct linked to domestic abuse. He remains in custody and may still face removal. At the time of his arrest, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said: Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars. This threat comes not even a year after President Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania and less than two weeks after former FBI Director Comey called for the Presidents assassination. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 3. The potential for Samarkand Airport in Uzbekistan to become a major aviation hub for the region was highlighted and officially included in the Tehran Declaration during the 13th Meeting of Ministers of Transport of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), held in Tehran, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan. The declaration also brings to the table Uzbekistans proposal to set up a Digital Transport and Customs Office, designed to cut through the red tape and smooth out transport and customs procedures across ECO member countries. During the meeting, ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening regional cooperation and underscored the importance of coordinated investments to upgrade infrastructure, harmonize transport policies, and increase private sector participation in regional transport projects. The Tehran Declaration delineates a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at optimizing regional interconnectivity and fortifying synergies among ECO member states. The Economic Cooperation Organization is comprised of a decadal consortium of sovereign states: Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It is an Eurasian political and economic intergovernmental entity established in 1985 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkiye. It offers a forum to explore methods for enhancing growth and fostering trade and investment prospects. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The end of Gov. John Bel Edwards tenure in office has offered an opportunity to take stock, and all the farewell interviews and retrospectives are a collective reminder of what an eventful time its been. A decade ago, Kardashian clan member Kylie Jenner and pop star Rihanna ushered in an era of celebrity-backed beauty. Amplified by social media, they connected with millions of mostly young customers. Rihanna, whose business is backed by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, was also genuinely disruptive, debuting Fenty Beauty in 2017 with 40 different shades of foundation. A more diverse colour palette has now become the norm across the industry. The fast-growing US cosmetics company is paying a punchy price for its donut glaze. It must continue Rhodes pace of expansion, against a difficult economic backdrop and waning enthusiasm for products fronted by famous faces, to prove that Biebers business isnt just another influencer or entertainer-led fad. But as more and more household names as well as influencers and makeup artists joined them, shopper fatigue set in. As incomes were crimped by inflation, buyers became more discerning. They also turned to skincare, haircare and niche fragrance, rather than the colour cosmetics that had propelled early viral trends, such as using different shades of foundation to contour the face. Loading Consequently, the market has been upended. Even some of those that like Bieber struck gold began exploring exits last year. Yet, so far, neither Selena Gomezs Rare Beauty nor Makeup by Mario, founded in 2020 by celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, best known for his work with Kim Kardashian, have reached a deal. Elfs swoop on Rhode, founded three years ago, ends the drought and could breathe fresh life into personality-driven businesses once more. In Rhode, Elf is betting on a premium range, containing just 10 main or hero products, including Pocket Blush and Glazing Milk, which blur the boundaries between skincare and makeup. This looks like a good fit with Elfs selection, which is more focused on cosmetics and is cheaper. For example, Elfs average price point is about $US6.50, compared with almost $US9.50 for mass-market cosmetics brands, whereas Rhodes average is about $US29. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has completed a feasibility study for the Azerbaijan-Turkiye interconnector project, said Orkhan Zeynalov, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Energy, at the Baku Energy Forum, Trend reports. He explained that the project envisages energy export from Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan region. According to the deputy minister, there are good prospects for Nakhchivan exports to be integrated into Turkiye's future energy development plans. "As the Turkish delegation noted, the country intends to commission 120 gigawatts of new 'green' generation in the coming years. Therefore, this project can fit into the national plan quite organically, as well as ensure exports to Europe," he emphasized. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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 A notable surrealist photographer and painter in her own right, Dora Maar is best remembered for her eight-year relationship with Pablo Picasso. Often regarded as a muse to Picassos genius, Maar modelled for many of the artists anguished weeping women portraits, painted while he created his anti-fascist masterpiece, Guernica. Yet, Paris-born Maar also painted Picasso, transforming him into her subject and similarly distorting his features. What most people also dont realise is that Maar was a radical, subversive and respected artist before she met Picasso, says David Greenhalgh, the National Gallery of Australias expert on international art. Her photography, her politics and her Surrealist provocations challenged Picasso. Maars artistic legacy is highlighted alongside Picassos in the National Gallery of Australias blockbuster Cezanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen/ Neue Nationalgalerie which runs until September. Pablo Picassos Dora Maar with Green Fingernails, 1936. Credit: bpk/ Nationalgalerie, SMB, Museum Berggruen/Jens Ziehe The exhibition draws from the extraordinary collection of art dealer Heinz Berggruen, who, after World War II, established a small gallery on Pariss Left Bank and collected avant-garde works. The exhibition will feature some 100 major works by six modern masters Picasso, Paul Klee, Georges Braque, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, and Alberto Giacometti. These will be shown with 75 works from the National Gallerys collection to demonstrate the revolutionaries influence on Australias leading artists. The exhibition notably features works by Maar, with whom Berggruen felt a particular affinity, perhaps due to his empathy for her tragic life and tumultuous, ultimately destructive relationship with Picasso. Advertisement She never quite recovered from her separation with Picasso, and turned away from her great talent as a photographer and a painter, Berggruens son Nicolas says. Long-overdue credit finally came to Maar with a 2019 retrospective of her work at Tate Modern, part of an international curatorial effort to reframe collections with greater biographical honesty. This move followed the highlighting of Cezannes muse, Hortense Fiquet, at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Madame Cezanne exhibition five years earlier. Dora Maars Portrait of Pablo Picasso (Portrait de Pablo Picasso), 1938. Credit: bpk/ Nationalgalerie, SMB, Museum Berggruen/ Jens Ziehe Cezanne to Giacometti offers another important opportunity, says co-curator Deirdre Cannon, to examine who these women painted by the modernists were and their true role in the creation of the art. Maars most striking photograph, Portrait of Ubu an extreme close-up of an armadillo fetus will hang alongside four other works by her. Her 1936 pastel of Picasso similarly depicts her lover in a fractured, Cubist-inspired style, emphasising his wide cats eyes, moustache, distinctive nose, and wide mouth in cool green shades, all composed like an inverted comma. We acknowledge now that artists do not work in a vacuum, and the idea of the sole, primarily male genius making art from god-given talent or through an act of divine intervention has been repudiated for a long time now, Cannon says. Advertisement This has included a reappraisal of the subjectivity of the muse. These individuals, often artists in their own right, influenced other aspects of artists practice and personal lives. The concept of the muse dates back to Greek mythology, where nine sister goddesses, daughters of Zeus, served as patrons of the arts. Homer himself invoked these ethereal women of divine inspiration to narrate the tales of Achilles and Odysseus in The Iliad. Later, masters from Raphael to Rembrandt embraced the muse as an object of beauty, personifying their creative expression. Dora Maars Portrait dUbu (Portrait of Ubu), 1936. Credit: National Gallery of Australia In the 19th century, model Elizabeth Siddal embodied the ideal of virginal beauty and rectitude in John Everett Millaiss Ophelia, leading the BBC to describe her as arts greatest supermodel. Often, those identified as muses are depicted in a very idealised manner and described in literature as having striking physical attributes or a distinctive presence, Cannon says. Advertisement Or, in the case of an artist like Picasso, their likenesses are rearranged and experimented with in pursuit of breaking new artistic ground. Traditional understandings of the muse involve feminine subservience to the creative will of men. The term itself has specific connotations that prompt reflection on the role of inspiration in visual art. Among European modernists, Cezannes radical yet doubt-laden experiments in colour and composition were the first to challenge accepted artistic ideas of the figurative form, emboldening generations of subsequent artists. John Everett Millaiss Ophelia 1851-52. Every artist in Cezanne to Giacometti is linked in a huge genealogy or family tree of influence, as they found inspiration in each others example, says Greenhalgh. In a sense, the muse we investigate is how artists inspire each other. Cezannes model across two decades of often plodding experimentation was Hortense Fiquet, the mother of his only son, Paul, whom he first met in 1869 when she was a 19-year-old model. Among the works on display in Cezanne to Giacometti are one of 29 paintings and four of the approximately 50 drawings he made of Fiquet, including Portrait of Madame Cezanne (c. 1885). Her inscrutable expression has led historians to suggest emotional distance between the pair or to interpret it as evidence of Fiquets dour character. British critic Roger Fry even described her as that sour bitch, and her husbands friends nicknamed her La Boule (French for the ball). Advertisement However, Greenhalgh argues that characterising muses like Fiquet as crones or Maar as unstable is simply an example of misogyny. But we must remember that history is a discourse, and that we can always see things from new perspectives. Context is everything. Cezanne and Fiquet lived an unconventional life; she resided in cosmopolitan Paris while the artist painted the Provence countryside. Their relationship was characterised by social and financial inequality, common in many marriages of the period. They only married to secure his familys inheritance. Paul Cezannes Portrait of Madame Cezanne, c1885. Credit: bpk/ Nationalgalerie, SMB, Museum Berggruen/Jens Ziehe Cezanne was incredibly slow when he painted, and it is thought that this was because he doubted everything he created, Greenhalgh says. It drove his sitters crazy, as they had to pose motionless for a dozen hours each day, sometimes for hundreds of sittings, only for him to abandon the painting. There are letters that demonstrate Fiquets supportive business dealings to try and sell Cezannes work, but the most direct and simple evidence we have of her importance to his practice is that she sat for Cezannes paintings time and time again, and that to me is a demonstration of their love for one another. Advertisement Advertisement Eating outFood One of the Valleys best bars welcomes heritage-listed sister venue In a loft-inspired laneway space, its serving South American and Spanish wines, alongside snacks such as sardines, Superbon Madrid crisps and deli boards. Matt Shea 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 Brisbanes most exciting restaurant openings of 2025 so far. See all stories . How do you follow-up one of Fortitude Valleys most popular wine bars? Dark Red, tucked away on Bakery Lane, heaves with punters on Friday and Saturday nights. Theres a lot to love about this place the small-producer Italian wines are on point, the vibe is freewheeling and giddy. But what has always tied it together is owner Hannah Wagner, who would typically work the bar herself, often at breakneck speed, running and recommending bottles to curious drinkers. Dark Blue opened last month in a Fortitude Valley laneway. Markus Ravik So its not so much how you build upon Dark Red, but how you build upon Wagner herself, whose personality is at the centre of what she does. Advertisement Thankfully, with the opening last month of Dark Blue in the heritage-listed Shannons Building, the answer was to hire two of the best barkeeps in the city. Dark Red is now run day-to-day by award-winner Ellery Low, who seasoned drinkers will know from his many years at Maker in Fish Lane. Related Article The Brisbane dish thats so good, diners have travelled from Canada to try it In Dark Blue, located just across Ann Street from Dark Red, on the corner of Winn Street and Winn Lane, is Charlie Hunter, who was most recently behind the bar at the rambunctious Savile Row on Ann Street in the Valley. It wasnt hard [to relinquish control] with Ellery, Wagner says. It was weird: with anyone else, I wouldnt have done it. But he fills in my gaps were pretty much opposites in terms of our style, but we see eye to eye on so many things. Advertisement Dark Blue occupies a ground-floor tenancy in the heritage-listed Shannons Building. Markus Ravik Now, with Charlie in Dark Blue, both of them are foundations. Theres something that calms me about Ellery, and something that excites me about Charlie. What else differentiates Dark Blue? Its the first venue Wagner has designed and built from scratch, as opposed to Dark Red, which she slowly evolved from the short-lived Uh Oh Italian Wine Store & Bar. Beyond cocktails, Hannah Wagners new bar focuses on wines from Chile, Argentina and Spain. Markus Ravik The result is what Wagner shorthands as having the feel of a New York loft, with the venue featuring high ceilings, timber and original brick features. A small bar sits at one end opposite a mix of high and low seating overlooking Winn Street. Above sits a vintage chandelier and a small mezzanine, which Wagner and Hunter use as a staff area. Advertisement Dark Blue leans a bit more towards cocktails than its sister venue, with Hunter serving an evolving menu that imaginatively interprets the classics. You might order the Espresso Martini-inspired Caramel Carajillo (Licor 43, Archie Rose vodka, cassia, clove, salted caramel), a Dark Blue Spritz (blueberry-infused vodka, vermouth and cava), or the Med Martini (Four Pillars Olive Leaf gin, lemon-infused vermouth, caper brine, lemon oil, dill infusion). For food, Dark Blue serves snacks such as tinned sardines and octopus, duck cherry pate, and terrine. Markus Ravik For wines, Wagner is focusing on drops from Spain, Chile and Argentina, with the initial list running to around 50 bottles. Ask her to show you some and shes particularly proud of a Korinta chasselas, a Cacique Maravilla pipeno (which roughly translates to peasant wine) made from pais grapes both from Chile and a Matias Riccitelli malbec from Argentina. I was really keen to cut into more niche portfolios, she says. By its nature with wine, you tend to learn about the terroir of a place, its geography. Youre learning about the cultures and the history. Dark Blue is open Wednesday to Saturday. Markus Ravik Advertisement There are also snacks such as tinned sardines and octopus, Superbon Madrid crisps, and deli boards you can compile yourself with items such as a terrine and a cherry duck pate. It might be a more grown-up version of Dark Red, but Dark Blue still only has 30 seats. In short, get there early after work if you want to grab a seat. Open Wed-Thu 4pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-midnight 5A Winn Lane, Fortitude Valley, instagram.com/darkblue.bne Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Advertisement Eating outHot & new Four hot new city restaurants with $15 lunch deals to hit in your break Including a three-storey Malaysian mega-venue from a top Aussie chef, and affordable fast-casual eateries for cheesy toasties and pastas. Plus more Melbourne CBD openings to get excited about. Tomas Telegramma Updated June 6, 2025 , first published June 4, 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 . Winter is upon us, but things are heating up in the CBD, where a clutch of new openings is here to help you resist the urge to hibernate. A Sydney-famous Malaysian chef has made his Melbourne debut. There are three wallet-friendly new lunch options for city workers to get around, and two seafood-centric Japanese diners are on their way. Junda Khoo is behind Ho Liao and Da Bao restaurants in Rainbow Alley. Alex Coppel The hottest new restaurant in town Since opening the wildly popular Ho Jiak in Sydney, now with four locations, Malaysian-born chef Junda Khoo has been sharing the food of his homeland and challenging expectations of what the cuisine can be. Now hes brought the party to Melbourne, with a three-storey Malaysian mega-venue. The cherry on top is rooftop beer hall Ho Liao (Level 2, Rainbow Alley), which Khoo says has been doing between 600 and 700 covers a day since it opened late last month. Its been absolutely wild. While the menu might read conventionally, Khoo puts his own spin on things. His signature char kwai teow is not traditional, not authentic, with more wok hei than youd expect. The loh bak (five-spice pork rolls) use fatty pork jowl instead of the more common mince and add prawn mousse to the mix. The rendang curry stars braised wagyu shin for extra flavour. Advertisement Assorted dishes at Ho Liao including char kwai teow (top left). Alex Coppel All the rice and noodle dishes are priced at $15, but theyre moderately sized so you can order several. Want to splash out? Go fingers-first into the delicious mess of lobster or crab, with your sauce of choice including ginger and shallot or Malaysian chilli. A more boundary-pushing restaurant called Ho Jiak Jundas Playground is set to open beneath Ho Liao, on the buildings first floor, in mid-June. Watch this space. Load up a tray from the bain marie at Da Bao. Alex Coppel Three affordable new fast-casual eateries On street level underneath Ho Liao, Da Bao is Khoos version of the economy rice stalls found across Malaysia. Bain maries are packed with the kind of simple, home-style dishes my grandmother used to make, says Khoo. Some like a typically Malaysian onion omelette you might not normally see on restaurant menus. Advertisement Sixteen dishes are on offer, from drunken chicken to green-sambal eggplant, and you can get three for $15. The name da bao, emblazoned in huge yellow lettering on the wall, means takeaway, but there is some seating available. Remos pasta bar. Right around the corner, Remos (198 Little Collins Street) is a new pasta and tiramisu laboratorio by Remo Nicolini, founder of the popular A25 Pizzeria. Hes Italianised the former Parcs site, which now serves reasonably priced bowls of pasta to take away or eat in. The classic spaghetti aglio e olio (with garlic and olive oil, plus chilli) is $14, while the gnocchi pomodoro with basil-spiked sugo and stracciatella is $15. Tiramisu, made with Dukes Coffee, comes in flavours such as pistachio and Nutella. Goldens cacio egg pepe breakfast toastie. At the top end of town in the Collins Place precinct, the recently opened Golden (55 Collins Street) is all about coffee and toasties, from $15. Its the latest venture by Jackie Middleton, of Earl Canteen and Dame, in collaboration with Hakim Halim of Queen Victoria Market cheese shop Ripe. Advertisement I dont know if we necessarily need another made-to-order [fresh] sandwich concept in Melbourne, says Middleton. But a ripper toastie, everyone likes. Breakfast could be a cacio egg pepe toastie that combines pepper pecorino and mozzarella with fancy Pep pepper and sliced hard-boiled, free-range egg. Other options include miso eggplant, inspired by the Japanese nasu dengaku, and an autumnal spiced pumpkin. Three soon-to-open restaurants to watch out for After years of pop-ups, starting at Leonie Upstairs, former Kisume sushi chef Reki Reinantha is readying a permanent home for Sachi (179 Queen Street), his seafood-focused Japanese restaurant devoted to chirashi-don expertly constructed bowls of sashimi atop vinegar-cured sushi rice, with seasonal sides. Chirashi-don at Sachi. The concept sits in between fancy and fuss-free, he says, when you dont want Minamishima, but you dont want Sushi Hub. Slated to open in July, therell be several distinct experiences with distinct offerings such as an express sushi lunch or a dedicated sake-and-snacks menu. Fish, including premium Australian bluefin tuna, will dry-age in a fridge at the doorway. Advertisement Nearby, chef Dani Liems Sushi Sho (Level 1, 369 Little Bourke Street) also known for its pop-ups, plus artful nigiri boxes with house-made sauces will be a new player in the CBDs omakase game when it puts down roots. Poached Port Phillip Bay snapper, sorrel beurre blanc, to be served at From Here By Mike. And on the riverside, From Here by Mike (9 Maritime Place, Docklands) will be the flagship dining destination at 1 Hotels first Australian property, when it opens in Melbourne on June 19. Led by chef Mike McEnearney, of Sydneys Kitchen by Mike, the restaurant will take diners from breakfast through to dinner with a focus on hyperlocal produce, and dishes such as twice-baked goats-cheese souffle with rosemary cream. Related Article How to make Ho Jiaks signature char kway teow (plus three other cult noodle dishes) Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up More than one-third of Australian men say they have used a form of intimate partner violence, including emotional abuse, as a new study found that having an affectionate father is a strong preventive factor. The worlds largest longitudinal study of mens health, Ten to Men, by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, surveyed 16,000 boys and men and found 35 per cent aged 18-65 said they had used a form of domestic violence in their lifetime. Experts have called for men with depression to be asked directly about how conflict is resolved in their relationships. Credit: iStock Having severe depression, suicidal thoughts or a plan to end ones life were considered strong enough indicators the man was also at risk of harming his partner that researchers said mental health clinicians and GPs should be trained to ask men directly how they resolved conflict at home. The study defined intimate partner violence in the same way as outlined by the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. It is any behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm. Exclusion zones and detours are in place in parts of Howard Smith Wharves for the next two weeks as workers install protective netting underneath the Story Bridges footpaths. The Story Bridge footpaths used by about 4000 walkers, bike and scooter riders daily were closed on March 5, with reports later revealing parts of the bridge were an extreme risk to the public and suffering from concrete cancer. An exclusion zone has been set up behind the Crystalbrook Vincent hotel at Howard Smith Wharves and will move south over the main span as work progresses. The Story Bridge footpaths have already been closed for three months. Credit: Felicity Caldwell At times, there will be exclusion zones and detours in place between 7am to 4pm Monday to Friday. The detours and locations will differ depending on where the works above are taking place at that time, a council spokesman said. Signage, bollards, traffic control and Queensland Police Service will be in place to ensure people know where to go. Loading The council spokesman said access in Howard Smith Wharves would be maintained, with detours to be on paths within the precinct. The Howard Smith Wharves exclusion zones will be in place until June 13, and the contractor plans to have netting installed, including over the main span, by late July, weather permitting. Council plans to investigate adding a temporary structure to the paths, so people can walk and ride across the bridge, before both footpaths are restored. Before the footpaths can be reopened, additional temporary work will be needed on the footpaths after the netting is installed, a council works notice advises, indicating a temporary footpath reopening is still at least several months away. Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal boot ride punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Loading Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Breton and Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. An app displaying real-time fuel prices at Victorian petrol stations will cost about $2.4 million a year to run and may save customers only $5 or $10 a year and could contribute to price increases but will still be worthwhile, research has found. The Allan government wants to publish up-to-date fuel prices on the Service Victoria app to save drivers time in finding the cheapest petrol. The scheme would cost the government $1.3 million and the industry $1.15 million per year to run, totalling an annual $2.4 million. Ben Wrigley thinks petrol is a bargain but still seeks out the cheapest prices. Credit: Eddie Jim Consultants asked by the government to assess the plan say its unclear whether it would decrease costs for consumers or increase them. Some fuel price transparency schemes lead to cheaper prices, while others lead to higher prices, advisory firm Sapere said. The NSW Liberals are in lockstep with unions over Labors overhaul of workers compensation laws, refusing to back proposed changes unless the government scraps one of the most controversial aspects of its bill which will see a clamp-down on long-term support for psychological injuries. The oppositions stance will pave the way for a showdown in NSW parliament this week, with Treasurer Daniel Mookhey insisting a rise in psychological injuries was threatening the financial sustainability of the states workers compensation scheme and putting significant strain on the state budget. NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman. Credit: Kate Geraghty Opposition Leader Mark Speakman on Tuesday confirmed that the Coalition would oppose Mookheys compensation bill unless the government agreed to axe a new threshold at which people with a serious psychological injury could receive ongoing support or claim damages. The increase to the threshold, known as Whole Person Impairment (WPI), was widely criticised in a snap one-day parliamentary inquiry into the compensation changes last month. The hearing was told that only 27 of the hundreds of employees with a workplace psychological injury each year would be eligible to claim long-term benefits under the new thresholds. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Chairman of the Central Bank, Taleh Kazimov met with the delegation headed by Vice President for South, Central and West Asia of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Yingming Yang, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports, Trend reports via the CBA. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the macroeconomic situation and development trends of Azerbaijan, issues of promoting digital technologies and green financing, as well as priorities identified within the framework of the "Financial Sector Development Strategy for 2024-2026". Moreover, opportunities for expanding technical assistance projects with the ADB and developing cooperation in other areas of mutual interest were discussed. The meeting culminated with reaching an agreement between the parties to further strengthen mutual relations and take important steps towards the implementation of new projects. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Those hopes evaporated on Monday. Exit polling data on Sunday night showed a win for Trzaskowski. But once the ballots were counted, Nawrocki had 50.9 per cent of the vote. It was hardly an emphatic triumph for what Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary has proclaimed a new era of the patriots of Western civilisation led by Trump. But it showed that nationalism has staying power. Rafal Trzaskowski had been supported by the countrys centrist and Brussels-steeped prime minister, Donald Tusk. Credit: Getty Images Victory for Nawrocki, said Michal Szuldrzynski, editor-in-chief of Rzeczpospolita, a centrist newspaper, heralds a period of great turbulence in Poland and in the world the effect of the global wave of Trumpism. On Monday, Orban, an admirer of Trump and would-be leader of a European movement made in his image, welcomed Trzaskowskis defeat. Frances hard-right standard-bearer, Marine Le Pen, celebrated the result as a rejection of a Brussels oligarchy intent on imposing its policies without any democratic will. Whether on the left or right, voters interviewed in Warsaw on election day said the importance of the vote went beyond just the largely ceremonial presidency. That is peanuts, Jan Brykczynski, 62, a psychologist, said of the presidency, after casting his vote for Trzaskowski. The stakes are much higher. Loading Krystina Kwiatkowska, 61, a health care worker forced into early retirement last year by government spending cuts, said she did not particularly like Nawrocki but voted for him because she wanted to make sure that Tusk did not have a free hand. It was good for Poland to stay anchored in both Western camps, she said. Trzaskowski, she said, had done a good job as the mayor of Warsaw. But, she added, he was not his own man because above him there is always this red fox, using an expression the right often deploys to present Tusk as a conniving enemy of Polands national interest. Piotr Buras, the head of the Warsaw office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Nawrocki had falsely framed the election as a choice between Washington and Brussels. He had done this for domestic political purposes, disconnected from the reality of a country that wanted good relations with both, Buras added. Ideologically and politically, Nawrocki represents the other concept of the West, the one defined by Vance in Munich, he said, referring to a February speech in which US Vice President J.D. Vance accused Europe of retreating from shared values with the United States by trying to isolate hard-right parties. (L-r) Polands Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine last month. Credit: Getty Images A majority of Poles decided to go for a candidate who is close to Trump, but that was not their main motivation, Buras said. Poland, he added, was very divided, but voters were not consciously choosing any foreign policy orientation. On the campaign trail, Nawrocki assailed Tusk for, in his telling, jeopardising Polands traditionally strong relations with the United States, which has around 10,000 soldiers in the country and has long been viewed as the guarantor of Polish security. Last month, Trump received Nawrocki in the Oval Office, an honour so far denied to the Polish prime minister. Emboldened by Trumps frequent criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Nawrocki has recently given voice to deep currents of anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland. Those feelings, rooted in history, have been largely suppressed since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with most Poles agreeing that Ukraine needs to be supported militarily as part of the defence of Europe from Russian aggression. But Nawrocki has said he would not support future Ukrainian membership of either NATO or the European Union, neither of which is really on the table though Orban and other European populists have used the distant possibility to bash their liberal opponents. Loading Zelensky, in a message written in Polish on social platform X, congratulated Nawrocki, reminding him that Poland was and remains the foundation of regional and European security and a strong voice in defence of the freedom and dignity of every nation. The Polish presidency has no significant say in setting foreign, economic or other policy, which is the preserve of Tusk and his ministers. But it can act as a centre of opposition to the government by deploying its veto power over legislation and the bully pulpit provided by its role as head of state. The departing president, Andrzej Duda, is also an ally of Law and Justice, and frequently vetoed laws passed by Tusks majority in parliament or sent them for review by courts stacked with loyalists of the previous government. The election of Nawrocki, a pugnacious former boxer, to replace Duda is likely to harden the logjam. It could also exacerbate tensions within Tusks fractious coalition of liberal, leftist and conservative parties, which have a majority in parliament but not the three-fifths of the seats needed to override a presidential veto. Nawrocki, said Kuisz, the political analyst, is much more combative than Duda, and he is going to make life much harder for Tusk and Sikorski, referring to Polands Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski. Tusk, a former senior official in Brussels who is widely respected by mainstream European politicians, suffers from Gorbachev syndrome, Kuisz added, referring to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who co-operated with Washington to end the Cold War. He is more appreciated abroad than at home. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Kyiv: Ukraine says it has struck a road and rail bridge that links Russia and the Crimean Peninsula with underwater explosives, just days after a spectacular drone attack on airbases deep inside Russia. The Ukrainian Security Service, known by its acronym SBU, claimed it damaged the foundations of the Kerch Bridge linking Russia and illegally annexed Crimea a key artery for Russian military supplies in the war. The SBU said it detonated 1100kg of explosives on the seabed, in an operation that took several months to set up. It was the third Ukrainian strike on the bridge since Russias invasion of its neighbour in February 2022, the SBU said. The bridge is now effectively in an emergency condition, the SBU claimed. 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 We are social creatures with our own special quirks and habits. Explainers unpack the rules we live by (and sometimes break). See all 25 stories . Pilgrimages are undertaken by religions of all stripes but few are as epic as the Haj. An annual five-day affair, participants travel from around the world to a desert valley to perform ancient rituals that cannot be done in any other place at any other time of the year. For many of them, it will be the peak experience of their life. With more than a million pilgrims undertaking the 60-kilometre journey by foot, it is a challenge for organisers to prevent crushes such as the 2015 stampede in which hundreds were killed. For this reason, even residents of Mecca, which is the epicentre of the Haj, now need permits to attend. Saudi authorities have so far stopped nearly 270,000 people without permits from entering the city this past week, and have fined 23,000 Saudi residents for breaking Haj rules as well as revoking the licences of 400 Haj companies. The pilgrim is in our sight, a Saudi official told a press conference, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands. Meanwhile, the kingdom is pulling out all stops to offset the kind of scorching conditions that saw 1300 pilgrims die in 2024. The temperature hit 52 degrees Celsius then; this year, temperatures start at 40 degrees and are set to increase during the week. Cooling measures include heat-resistant floor tiles, escalators and tunnels and air-conditioning in mosques. Hospital bed capacity is up, including clinics specialising in sunstroke and heat exhaustion, says the Saudi Ministry of Haj (yes, the Haj has its own government ministry). The Saudi government says it gave medical treatment to 141,000 unauthorised pilgrims last year. Clearly, the Haj is no walk in the park for participants or their hosts. So why go there? Whats it all about? And how optional is it for a Muslim? As part of a pedestrian pathway project stretching from Mount Arafat to the Great Mosque in Mecca, Saudi authorities in May displayed mist fans for cooling as well as heat-reducing plastic surfaces, lighting, rest areas and mobile phone charging stations. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Advertisement What is the Haj? The Haj is a pilgrimage (which is also the meaning of the word in Arabic) that is supposed to be undertaken by every able-bodied Muslim who has the means once in their lifetime. Its held annually during Dhu al-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar, this year falling on June 4-9. This is the highlight of ones life, says Islamic Council of Victoria president Adel Salman, who has travelled to Mecca to perform the Haj. Its exhausting, its expensive [but] youre there just to, effectively, worship your Lord in the holiest place, for Muslims, on Earth. Not only is the Haj about connecting to God, he says, but also to past prophets: the pilgrimage re-enacts the journey of the prophet Muhammad in 632AD who was, in turn, retracing the journey of the patriarch Ibrahim (Abraham) into the desert with his wife Hajar (Hagar) and son Ismail (Ishmael), including their wanderings between the two hills of Safah and Marwah, searching for water. With many people travelling from overseas, the Haj also connects Muslims to the global community of Islam. It is believed that undertaking the Haj will cleanse the believer of their sins and return them to a state of grace. It has elements of being born again, says Salman, of renewing yourself spiritually. Two pilgrims ready for the heat of the Haj in Mecca in May. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted The pilgrims adopt a form of ritual purification and dress known as ihram, which for men involves wearing two pieces of white fabric with no seams or needlework and for women involves a white robe that covers the body, apart from the face and hands. Wearing scent or makeup is forbidden and there is no gender segregation during the pilgrimage. The aim is to eliminate distinctions in social status and gender, prefiguring the Day of Judgement. Advertisement The Haj is also a chance for Muslims to wipe the slate clean with others in their community. Before setting off, pilgrims seek the forgiveness of those who might be harbouring grievances against them and offer to pray for them in Mecca. After coming back, I was a lot more conscious, more patient, more focused .. I found myself wanting to move beyond superficialities and connect. On their return, pilgrims will often be referred to by the honorific Haj or Haji and men sometimes dye their beards red to indicate that status. I came back different, says Salman. You eventually get back to life and it overtakes you [but] for a period of time after coming back, I was a lot more conscious, more patient, more focused. Not that Im a superficial person but I found myself wanting to move beyond superficialities and connect. Why Mecca? The city is where the prophet Muhammad was born and raised, and the place from which he was forced to flee when he began revealing Gods word (around the year 610, when he was about 40) and to which he and his followers the nascent Muslim community returned in triumph before his death in 632. Mecca and Medina, which is 340 kilometres to the north, have been holy sites in Islam for 14 centuries; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932. For nearly 400 years prior to World War I, the territory of Hejaz was part of the Ottoman Empire, with custodianship of the holy cities in the hands of the Hashemites, an Arab dynasty that traced its lineage to the prophet Muhammad. As the empire crumbled, the Hashemites allied themselves with the British and declared an independent kingdom with Mecca as its capital. However, in 1925 Hejaz was conquered by another dynasty from eastern Arabia the Sauds. The Saudi kings have since styled themselves Khadim al-Haramain custodian (or servant) of the two sacred places. The current king and custodian is Salman bin Abdulaziz, though the countrys de facto leader is his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS. Pilgrims arriving to perform the last Friday prayer before Eid al-Adha in Mecca on May 30. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted How many people do the Haj? Advertisement With easier air travel and a growing Muslim population, the number of people making the Haj has hovered around 2 million, hitting a peak of more than 3 million in 2012 and a low of 1.86 million in 2016, the year after a catastrophic crush on the route killed more than 2000 people. By May 2 this year, 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Mecca, authorities said. All Muslims, provided they can obtain a visa from the Saudi authorities, are eligible to attend. Children will usually not be given a visa unless accompanied by their parents and women are unlikely to be given a visa unless accompanied by a male spouse or guardian. Those who perform the Haj as children are generally expected to perform it again as adults, when they have the power of individual consent. But, given that a quarter of the worlds population is Muslim, theres not room for everyone in this small patch of desert. In 2018, The New York Times calculated that if all the worlds Muslims wished to undertake the Haj, it would take them 581 years. So the Saudi government allocates each of the worlds nations a quota for the years pilgrimage, with pilgrims booking their travel and accommodation from first-class (five-star hotels) through to more basic through accredited agents. Pilgrims arriving in Mecca must surrender their passports to Saudi authorities in return for a Haj ID, which they return to redeem their passport. Nations typically are allowed 1 pilgrim per 1000 Muslims in their population, though Saudi Arabian citizens can apply once every five years. In Indonesia the nation with the worlds largest Muslim population, which was allocated 221,000 places this year millions of people are on provincial waiting lists for as long as 17 years. Other big quotas are for India (175,025) and Pakistan (179,210). Australia is home to about 800,000 Muslims. The ministry of Haj aims to have a total 30 million pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia for the Haj and the less arduous pilgrimage of Umrah (some pilgrims register for both; or some who cant make it for the Haj will instead do the Umrah pilgrimage). A Kashmiri pilgrim is embraced by her relative in Srinagar, in Jammu and Kashmir, in May before departing for Saudi Arabia for the Haj. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Advertisement The main logistical challenge of hosting the Haj is that all pilgrims must perform the ritual in just a few days; it is not possible to stagger the huge numbers of people involved. This means enormous demand on facilities such as toilets and given the advanced age of many pilgrims medical services. The Great Mosque itself is built to accommodate 1.2 million people in prayer at once. more than 300 escalators help streamline pilgrims and specially constructed elevators can hold an ambulance ... These days Muslims can use technology to help them navigate Haj rituals: the Nusuk app is now the most important for Haj travel but the Asefny app is still in use for pilgrims experiencing medical emergencies. After the 2015 disaster, electronic ID bracelets connected to GPS were also introduced. Saudi Arabias standalone ministry for Haj affairs provides a special three-digit number for emergency calls that puts pilgrims through to one of several control centres. On the Jamarat bridge, there are more than 300 escalators to help streamline pilgrims and specially constructed elevators that can hold an ambulance take emergency patients to helipads at roof level. To deal with language barriers, medical teams are supplied with special picture books that help patients communicate the character of their illness or injury. The halls where pilgrims stone a wall representing the Devil on the bridge were once circular, but studies revealed this to be a major cause of crowd flow problems and crushing, and so the halls are now ellipse-shaped. Where do pilgrims walk on the Haj? There are six key stages. In the Great Mosque, pilgrims walk en masse around the Kaaba or Cube, pictured below, which Muslims believe to be the first mosque to emphasise the unity of the believers, a ritual called tawaf. Its this granite building, about 13 metres high, that Muslims worldwide turn to in prayer five times a day they believe the Kaaba was built as a place of worship by Ibrahim and Ismail on Gods instructions. Advertisement Vovaevich seems to be truly determined. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused Catholicos Garegin II of violating his vow of celibacy, claiming that he has a child. If it turns out that Garegin II has indeed broken his vow of celibacy and has a child, then he cannot serve as the Catholicos of All Armenians. From the moment this fact became known, he could no longer be considered a celibate priest. I raise this issue as a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church, because I see it as a matter of spiritual integrity. I also raise it as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, because I view it as a matter of national security, he wrote on Facebook. Pashinyan also demanded that Garegin provide clarification on the matter, warning that a further investigation could follow. The protest by church representatives in front of the government building clearly had no effect. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. TotalEnergies is deepening its presence in Azerbaijan by advancing VIE initiatives, said Chingiz Orujov, Senior Business Development Manager for Renewables at TotalEnergies Azerbaijan, Trend reports. It is a great pleasure to take part in the Baku Energy Forum and to be among such esteemed panelists. This is a valuable opportunity to share the scope of our renewable energy activities, Orujov said during his speech at the forum. He highlighted the companys growing commitment in the country. We have signed memoranda with the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan for the implementation of projects with a total capacity of 500 megawatts 250 megawatts in Nakhchivan and another 250 megawatts near the Sangachal terminal, he stated. Orujov emphasized that TotalEnergies actively supports the development of the national energy system and views Azerbaijan as a key partner in advancing its global energy transition strategy. We are confident that regional interconnectivity plays a critical role, and Azerbaijan represents a major growth hub in that process. We build our initiatives based on synergies with local institutions and resilient infrastructure, he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel India, Paraguay stand united against terrorism NEW DELHI : 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 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. 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. Kazakhstan takes bold steps to localize pharma sector with major funding Kazakhstan is reviewing several investment projects aimed at localizing pharmaceutical production, with nearly $700 million set to boost the countrys domestic industry. The Ministry of Health aims to increase the share of locally produced medicines and medical devices to 50 percent by 2029. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register 16 Naxalites surrender in Cgarh Kerlapenda, village becomes Maoist-free, say police Our Correspondent SUKMA IMPRESSED by the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy as well as the Niyad Neella Nar scheme of the Chhattisgarh Government, 16 Naxals including two hardcore members of the PLGA battalion surrendered at the SP office. The surrendered cadres carried a combined cash reward of Rs 25 lakh, including one female and one male Naxal with a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, one male Naxal with a reward of Rs 3 lakh, and three male Naxals carrying rewards of Rs 2 lakh each. The Naxals surrendered in the presence of SP Kiran Chavan, Second Commanding Officer of the 226th Battalion CRPF Beerendra Kumar Khantwal, ASP (Naxal Ops) Umesh Prasad Gupta, ASP Abhishek Verma, and DSP (Naxal Ops) Manish Ratre. According to the police, the surrendered cadres included CRC Regional Company No. 2 member/PPCM Hila Reeta alias Dodi Sukki and PLGA Battalion No- 1, Company No- 2, Platoon No- 2, Section C Party member Rahul Punem both carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh each. South Bastar Division TD Team Party member Lekam Lakhma carried a reward of Rs 3 lakh, while Jagargunda Area Committee Party member Sodi Chula, Maad Division SZCM Raju Dada's security guard Telam Kosa, and AOB Party member Dodi Hurra carried rewards of Rs 2 lakh each. Other surrendered Naxals included Gram Tokanpalli Sangham members Sodi Hadma, Hemla Hidma, Madwi Sanna, Padam Dara and Sodi Bhima, as well as Gram Gondpalli DAKMS members Punem Chaitu and Lekam Lakhmu. The growing pressure from police due to the continuous establishment of security camps and the realisation of the hollow ideology of Naxalism reportedly led to the surrender. Over 2.5 tonnes of explosives looted by Maoists recovered BHUBANESWAR, SECURITY forces on Monday recovered over 2.5 tonnes of explosive materials looted by Maoists in Odishas Sundergarh district, a senior police officer said. The security personnel of the States Special Operation Group (SOG), CRPF, Jharkhands elite Jaguar force and Sundergarhs District Voluntary Force (DVF) during a joint operation in Odisha-Jharkhand border, recovered more than 2.5 tonnes of explosives which was looted by Maoists from K Balang area of Sundergarh district on May 27, the officer told PTI over phone. While some of the explosives were buried under the earth, others could be located from underneath rocks, the officer engaged in the operation said, adding that the search operation was continuing since May 28, a day after the Maoists looted the explosives when they were being transported to a stone quarry for blasting purpose. Though the officer refused to disclose the exact location of the explosive recovery in the jungle, he said the place was part of the Saranda forest and in Jharkhand and some distance from the Odisha border. Earlier on Friday, the security personnel had recovered some amount of the explosives looted by Maoists following a fierce gun battle with the red rebels. Around 200 packets of explosives, amounting to about 4 tonnes, mostly gelatin sticks, were looted by Maoists at gun-point in the K Balang area. Sources, however, said that the explosives were found at Tirilposh, located close to Saranda forest, on the Odisha-Jharkhand inter-State boundary. According to the police, around 30 armed Maoists from Jharkhand hijacked the gelatin sticks-laden truck by holding the driver of the vehicle at gunpoint. A day after the looting incident, Odisha DGP Y B Khurania and other senior police officers visited the spot and an NIA team started investigating the matter. Odisha Police have also constituted an SIT (Special Investigation Team) to probe into the incident. 19,811 people affected, 3,365 houses damaged IMPHAL : MORE than 19,000 people have been affected by floods in Manipur caused by overflowing rivers and breaches in embankments, officials said on Monday. They said 3,365 houses have been damaged and 19,811 people affected by floods triggered by incessant torrential rains during the last four days. Thirty-one relief camps have been opened mostly in Imphal East district to mitigate the hardships of the people who have been evacuated from their homes and localities. Heingang, Wangkhei and Khurai assembly constituencies in Imphal East district are worst affected along with Senapati district. Forty-seven landslides too have been reported in different parts of the State during the last four days. Several localities in the States 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. 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. Local clubs, volunteers, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel joined hands to shift the patients after floodwaters entered the female orthopaedic and surgery wards, located on the ground floor, the official said. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla visited several inundated areas of Imphal town even as the army and Assam Rifles personnel rescued nearly 800 people from submerged localities in Imphal East, the worst-affected district, they 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. The water level of the Iril river in Imphal East district crossed the danger mark on Sunday but is yet to breach the embankments, he 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. Parts of the Senapati district have been affected after the Senapati river overflowed near Viewland colony, the officials said. The Indian army and Assam Rifles rescued approximately 800 civilians on Saturday, a statement said. Troops of Assam Rifles were deployed with quick reaction teams to the most affected locations in Porompat, Wankhei , Sanjenthong, Palace Compound, New Checkon, Khurai Heikrumakhong Heinang, Soibam Leikai, Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Nongmeibung Raj Bari in Imphal East district and adjoining areas. The total number of people rescued reached approximately 800 people, including 10 to 20 differently abled and aged individuals, the statement said. The authorities are coordinating with all relevant departments and agencies to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation efforts, another statement said. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has urged the Governor to declare the flood situation a state calamity. In a letter to Bhalla, Akoijam said the declaration would enable the activation of institutional measures to deal with the present situation. Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh on Sunday alleged that the water resources department has failed to control floods in various vulnerable areas of the State. He made the remarks during a visit to flood-affected areas of the Heingang constituency of former chief minister N Birren Singh. The Congress leader stressed that residential and agricultural areas have been submerged by overflowing rivers as the construction of various retaining walls remained incomplete. Errol Musk calls PM Modi fantastic leader NEW DELHI : 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. Errol lauded Indias 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, youre 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 said. When asked about his opinion on PM Modi, he said. Gaysons Tots & Teens offers school uniform Gaysons Tots & Teens has always been Nagpurs most preferred choice of parents for best quality school uniform and related accessories. Gaysons is all geared up for the new school session with abundant quantity available in all school uniform. Besides uniform, school accessories like school bags, water bottles, lunch box, lunch bags, pencil box, raincoat, umbrellas, shoes, etc. of the best quality and brands like Skybags, Wildcraft, American Tourister, Liviya, Disney, Cello etc. are available at attractive discounts. Parents may purchase the uniform right now to avoid rush. Facility of specially tailored uniforms for odd sizes is also available. For the first time flat 10 per cent discount on all school uniforms is being provided. Besides this lot many discount offers are available on school bags, tiffins, bottles. For details visit Gaysons Tots n Teens, Sitabuldi, (M: 7058464747). Gnanasekaran gets life term in Anna University rape case 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 on Monday. (PTI) CHENNAI : A MAHILA Court here 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. 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. The sensational case had triggered a political row over Gnanasekarans 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. 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). IRCTC to run two Bharat Gaurav tourist trains in June and July Business Reporter : The Devbhumi Badri Kedar Kartik Swami Yatra tour package includes confirmed helicopter tickets, comfortable rail travel in Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC train, onboard and offboard meals, road transportation in quality AC buses, accommodation, etc. IndianRailway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) will operate two Bharat Gaurav tourist trains, Devbhumi Badri Kedar Kartik Swami Yatra and Dakshin Darshan Yatra, from Nagpur and Indore respectively, to cater to the pilgrim tourists from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The first train, Devbhumi Badri Kedar Kartik Swami Yatra, will depart from Nagpur on June 7 and travel to Kedarnath, Kartik Swami, and Badrinath, covering a journey of 8 nights and 9 days. The train will pass through Nagpur, Itarsi, Bhopal, Bina, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Mathura, and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations, where passengers can board the train. The tour package includes confirmed helicopter tickets, comfortable rail travel in Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC train, onboard and offboard meals, road transportation in quality AC buses, accommodation, tour escorts, travel insurance etc. The cost of the package is Rs 49,990 per person (3AC), Rs 59,990 per person (2AC), and Rs 69,990 per person (1AC). The second train, Dakshin Darshan Yatra, will depart from Indore on July 5, 2025, and travel to Tirupati, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari, and Trivandrum, covering a journey of 9 nights and 10 days. The cost of the package is Rs 18,000 per person (SL), Rs 29,500 per person (3AC), and Rs 38,500 per person (2AC). Interested tourists can book their tickets online through IRCTCs website or through authorised agents. Kids put PM Modi in grandfather category immediately: Second Lady Usha Vance By Yoshita Singh Washington, Jun 3 (PTI) Second Lady of the United States Usha Vance described her visit to India in April as the trip of a lifetime for the family and said her three young children have put Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the grandfather category. Vice President J D Vance undertook his first official visit to India in April and was accompanied by Usha Vance and their three young children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel. It really was the trip of a lifetime for us, Usha Vance said, recalling the visit to India during a fireside chat here on Monday at the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit. The Vances were in India from April 21-24 and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi before travelling to Jaipur and Agra. Usha Vance emphasised that meeting the PM Modi was really very special. We'd actually had a chance to meet him before, she said adding that when her kids, who were sleep-deprived when travelling in Paris, saw the Prime Minister, they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category immediately. So they are very into him. "They just love him. And he really cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day, she said. The Vances and PM Modi had met in France in February during the AI Action Summit. She recalled that when the Vance family visited PM Modi's residence in Delhi, her kids ran up to him and were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them. She noted that the conversation between her husband and the Prime Minister was very productive and it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the good. Vance further said that her children had never been to India before because of the pandemic and her husband's political schedules but they have grown up knowing so much about this country, the stories, the food, the relationships with grandparents and friends, but they had never actually seen it. So it was just sort of mind-blowing from their perspective." Noting that for her and her husband, it just could not have been any more special as the family had the opportunity to see some of the greatest sights in north India. We're looking forward to our next trip and trying to get to the parts of the country where my family is from as well, she said, referring to Andhra Pradesh where her parents Krish Chilukuri and Lakshmi Chilukuri are from. It just was sort of one hit after another, Vance said as she spoke fondly of the most incredible food, peacocks, seeing the Taj Mahal, puppet shows, with puppeteering from all over the country, including from Andhra Pradesh, where her family is from. There were bits from the Ramayana. There were sort of comedic bits with animals. And it was a huge hit. Vance said that when the family was at the Prime Minister's residence, her son was just so taken by everything and then taken by the entire cart of mangoes that was available for him to eat that he announced to the Prime Minister that he thought he could maybe live there and started making his plansHe just loved it. She said that her children talk about the visit to India all the time. They've been all over the place, and they've had wonderful opportunities to see the world, but this was really special to them, she said adding that her oldest son Ewan was really taken by the sculptures in the temple that he visited and thought it was incredible craftsmanship. Vivek, the Vances' middle child, was very excited to meet elephants, peacocks, camels and just any animal that he could kind of get his hands on. She said that her daughter Mirabel really enjoyed her time in an auto rickshaw. "That was maybe the highlight for her. The Secret Service was very generous and allowed us to kind of drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes. So we had a lot of fun with that. Portion of footpath caves in, sewage trunk line bursts at Subhan Nagar Staff Reporter : Second successive incident in two years giving sleepless nights as contractor is yet to start work on replacement of worn-out trunk line, say residents A portion of footpath in Subhan Nagar in Pardi area of East Nagpur caved in due to pressure of the underground sewage trunk lines that burst due to worn out pipes. The development started about three days back and on Monday a big crater developed by roadside giving scare to residents whose properties lies adjacent to the footpath. The development occurred when nobody was nearby and the compound wall of the house of Hemnani also came crashing down. Officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) from Lakadganj Zone rushed to the spot and started work to stabilise the portion of earth that got destabilised. Last year also similar caving had occurred in Subhan Nagar and now the stretch is adjacent to that land part, said Vijay Thool, Assistant Commissioner, Lakadganj Zone, NMC. He said to ensure that there is repeat of such incidents, new pipes are being laid and the soil around that may have got loose is being compacted. As to reason for such caving of earth, Thool said perhaps the trunk line might have suffered minor damage during drilling of hole for the construction of compound wall. The small pocket started oozing the grey water and over the period of time, the hole widened due to vibrations and accompanied with pressure of trunk line the footpath caved in. The officials from Solid Waste Department and Public Works Department of NMC surveyed the spot and started work to isolate the vacuum and fill it properly by laying new pipes. Residents in Subhan Nagar claim that the sewage trunk line that is laid about 25 to 30 feet below ground needs total replacement to avoid any repeat of such incidents in future. About 2 km of new trunk line needs to be laid to handle the increased volume of sewage discharge due to increase in population. The residents of the area submitted a deputation to NMC Zone and the work is now allotted to Tata Group associate company that is supervising Naag River Pollution Abatement Project. The company right now is busy with survey for laying of new trunk lines and only after its completion the tenders for laying the new pipes would start. But given the increase in gravity of such incidents the residents said NMC needs to act fast. Children are normally playing by the road side and also vehicles are parked and when a portion of road or footpath sinks, the crater size sometimes is quite big. so the lurking danger is giving sleepless nights to the residents. Rahul Gandhi to launch Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan in Bhopal today Staff Reporter : Gandhis packed schedule involves engaging with approximately 1,500 party members, including All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers, newly appointed Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) in-charges, state delegates, district and block presidents, MPs, and MLAs The Congress party has embarked on a mission to rejuvenate its organisational structure in Madhya Pradesh through the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, with Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi arriving in Bhopal on June 3 to kickstart the initiative. Aiming to strengthen the party at the grassroots level ahead of the 2028 State elections, the campaign will prioritise promoting dedicated workers while weeding out disloyal members, referred to as fool chhap Congressis. Gandhis seven-hour visit includes multiple meetings with party leaders and a gesture of gratitude for the approval of the caste-based census, a cause he has long championed. Gandhis packed schedule involves engaging with approximately 1,500 party members, including All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers, newly appointed Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) in-charges, state delegates, district and block presidents, MPs, and MLAs. These meetings, spread across the day, will focus on reorganising the partys structure from booth to district levels to enhance its electoral preparedness. The sessions will be held at two key venues: the PCC office and Ravindra Bhawan. This visit marks Gandhis first return to the PCC headquarters in a decade, underscoring its significance. On Sunday, PCC chief Jitu Patwari and state in-charge Harish Chaudhary convened a preparatory meeting to finalise logistics, including Gandhis travel from the airport to the PCC office and meeting arrangements, with specific responsibilities assigned to party officials. A key highlight of Gandhis visit is the acknowledgment of his persistent advocacy for a caste-based census. Having raised the issue forcefully in Parliament, Gandhis efforts contributed to the Central governments recent decision to conduct the census, reversing its earlier stance. To celebrate this achievement, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has launched a social media campaign to express gratitude, and a formal thank-you event is planned during his visit. The Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan is seen as a strategic move to rebuild the partys organizational strength, unite new and veteran leaders, and prepare for future electoral challenges by addressing local issues and countering the BJPs alleged failures. Gandhis itinerary begins at 11 a.m. at the PCC office with a Political Affairs Committee meeting, where senior leaders will discuss Madhya Pradeshs political landscape and strategize for the future. From 12 to 12:30 p.m., he will meet MPs and MLAs to understand constituency-specific concerns and public expectations. Between 12.30 and 1.30 pm, a session with AICC observers and PCC in-charges will focus on leadership restructuring and organizational reforms. A one-hour slot from 1.30 to 2.30 pm is reserved for informal consultations and discussions. The day concludes with a major convention from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Ravindra Bhawan, where Gandhi will address AICC and PCC delegates, district and block presidents, and outline the campaigns detailed roadmap and action plan. Gandhis lunch arrangements, remain undecided. While it is confirmed he will dine in Bhopal, the venue and menu are yet to be finalised, as his office has not provided preferences, leaving party organisers in a slight quandary. Sources suggest a hotel is likely, but specifics are undisclosed. Gandhi will arrive in Bhopal at 9 am, following a similar campaign launch in Gujarat, with Haryana next on the list. The Congress aims to emerge stronger, with new district presidents elected to ensure effective leadership. Security has been tightened, with the PCC office fortified and surveillance enhanced for the high-profile visit. Missing couple case Rajas body found in Shillong gorge, search for Sonam intensifies The newly-wed couple that had gone missing in their honeymoon at Shillong. Staff Reporter : The body discovered in a gorge near the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Shillong has been confirmed as that of Raja Raghuwanshi, a newlywed from Indore who went missing during his honeymoon. His brother identified the body, prompting search teams to intensify efforts to locate his wife, Sonam Raghuwanshi, in the surrounding areas. The search team, investigating the disappearance of Raja and Sonam, found a body in the gorge along the Double Decker Route. After identification by family members, it was confirmed to be Rajas. The body was retrieved from the gorge, and its appearance matched Rajas description, though police ensured verification by relatives. The family confirmed the body as Rajas. Following the discovery, search operations were escalated around the site to find clues about Sonam. Police traced the location using Rajas last social media reel, filmed near Osra Hills, where the body was found. On Monday, during the ongoing search, Raja and Sonams brothers were present at the site but remained above the gorge. They were informed of the bodys discovery and confirmed its identity. Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya posted on social media, expressing grief over Rajas death and noting he had discussed the case with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Raja and Sonam, married on May 11, had traveled to Shillong on May 23 for their honeymoon but went missing. For ten days, the NDRF and local police conducted searches, recovering their rented scooter and bags. After four days without leads, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav spoke with Meghalayas Chief Minister, accelerating the rescue efforts. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of agriculture has been signed between Azerbaijan and Guinea-Bissau, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture. Azerbaijans Minister of Agriculture, Majnun Mammadov, met with Guinea-Bissaus Minister of Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Action, Viriato Luis Soares Cassama. Welcoming the guests, Mammadov provided detailed information to the participants about the state support for the agricultural sector in Azerbaijan. He pointed out that the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, places special importance on strengthening cooperation with African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, in various sectors of the economy. The minister emphasized that agriculture is one of the most promising areas for future cooperation. According to him, there is great potential for establishing trade relations in the agricultural sector between the two countries, and in this regard, establishing direct contacts between business entities of both countries and exchanging information on high-export-potential products is of great importance. During the meeting, it was stressed that Azerbaijan is ready to share the latest technologies and experiences applied in its agricultural sector with the Guinea-Bissau side. At the same time, students from Guinea-Bissau were invited to study at the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University through scholarship programs. Meanwhile, Cassama expressed his country's interest in developing partnerships with Azerbaijan in all areas. He highlighted the broad potential for cooperation in agriculture. Both sides expressed mutual interest in deepening agricultural cooperation. During the bilateral meeting, the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in agriculture between Azerbaijan and Guinea-Bissau was signed. The document was signed by Mammadov and Cassama. The memorandum outlines future directions for cooperation in the agricultural field. Under the document, the parties agreed to establish a joint Working Group on agriculture, implement joint investment projects in priority areas of mutual interest, promote efficient use of agricultural land, exchange information on high-export-potential agricultural products, cooperate in digitalization of agriculture, share experiences in agricultural insurance, exchange knowledge on new technologies in agriculture, expand cooperation in agrarian research, organize trade missions, and strengthen ties between private sectors. During the meeting, the sides also held a broad exchange of views on issues of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Rs 24.66 lakh booty stolen from businessmans house Staff Reporter : The theft occured while the Mahal family was away for a wedding ceremony in Amravati A sensational theft rocked Mahal area after thieves looted valuables worth Rs 24.66 lakh from the house of a businessman while the family was away to attend a wedding in Amravati. The incident took place at Jalaram Niwas in Mahal, where the Jasani family, owners of a plastic products business, had locked their residence and left for Amravati on Saturday night for the wedding of complainant Sanket Harish Jasanis sister. According to police, the thieves broke the lock and latch of the house during the night and stole gold and diamond jewellery, expensive watches and Rs 5 lakh cash, all kept in a cupboard in preparation for the wedding. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at Rs 24.66 lakh. The crime came to light on Sunday morning when neighbours noticed the broken lock and informed the family. Sanket Jasani (31) rushed back to Nagpur and lodged a complaint at Kotwali Police Station. Police have registered a case against unknown persons and started investigation. Teenager records crime, gives first clue to cops In a twist to the case, police found a crucial lead from a 16-year-old teenager living in the neighbourhood. The teen, who was playing games on his mobile on rooftop of his house around 2.40 am, noticed a suspicious car parked in front of the Jasani residence. He observed two persons exiting the vehicle and breaking into the house. They later fled after 3045 minutes. The teenager discreetly recorded a video of the entire incident on his mobile phone but failed to alert the police or nearby residents at the time. He informed his family only in the morning. Despite the delay, the video has proven helpful to the police to identify the accued and track their movements. Car used in crime was stolen from Saoner CCTV footage and the teens video revealed that the accused arrived in a vehicle bearing registration number MH40/CA-2140. Upon investigation, the car was found to be registered to Rishikesh Kashyap of Sadbhavana Colony, Patansawangi. Further inquiry revealed that the car was stolen from Rishikeshs house on the night of May 29. The thieves had broken into the house through a window and fled with the car, Rs 3,000 in cash, a set of keys, and a pair of earrings. That same night, they also attempted to steal the car of Rishikeshs neighbour, Sarang Thavkar, but failed. A local resident noticed the tampered vehicle and missing car. The stolen vehicle was last tracked on Kamptee Road and police suspect the accused may have escaped towards Madhya Pradesh. Family devastated on daughters wedding day The Jasani family is devastated by the incident, which occurred just hours before the scheduled wedding ceremony. They had withdrawn cash and jewellery from the bank for the event and never anticipated such theft. Police are now intensifying their search using CCTV footage, vehicle tracking and the video recorded by the teenager. Rural Postal worker Ragini Rajput honoured by Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Our Correspondent Bua Bichia, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has honored Rural Postal worker Ragini Rajput for her accomplished performance. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has invited the rural postal workers who have performed excellently in their field. Two employees from Madhya Pradesh were selected for their excellent work among the rural postal workers. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya honored Ragini Rajput, daughter of social worker Jeevan Rajput and niece of Lekhan Rajput. She is posted at Postmaster Ghutas branch, Accounts Office Bhua Bichhiya, Mandla district, MP circle. Union Minister after becoming aware of the innovations made by them, took suggestions from them to make the postal and telegraph service more effective. Ministry encouraged them by discussing in detail about the postal service, India Post Banking service. Srijan campaign educates on womens legal rights, DALSA role A speaker addressing the participants during the Srijan campaign on Monday. Staff Reporter : Under the Bhopal Police Commissionerates flagship Srijan initiative aimed at womens safety, awareness, and empowerment, an indoor class on women-related laws was held on Monday, attended by 79 participants, including 20 boys and 7 parents. The session began with a recap of the previous class. Resource person Arvind Kumar Singh, Advocate, DALSA (Defense Counsel-Deputy Chief Legal), explained that the Constitution grants equal rights to women and men under Articles 14 and 15, ensuring equality before the law. He highlighted key legislations like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which ensures daughters equal property rights. Women also have equal voting rights. Under Articles 32 and 226, individuals can approach courts for fundamental rights violations. The Directive Principles of State Policy advocate equal pay, justice, and economic independence. Singh discussed post-Nirbhaya case legal reforms, the National Commission for Women, and key provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, relevant to women and children. He elaborated on the role of Family Courts and the District Legal Services Authority (DALSA), noting Bhopals four Family Courts have eased case hearings. The Maternity Benefit Act provides six months paid leave, while the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2012, addresses serious offenses, establishing complaint mechanisms like Internal and Local Complaints Committees. Singh shared landmark case judgments favoring women and clarified doubts raised by participants. He emphasized DALSAs free legal aid for those earning under Rs 2 lakh annually, inviting children to visit DALSA. The State and National Legal Services Authorities were also discussed. In the outdoor session, Anshu Rajawat conducted physical exercises, teaching unarmed combat techniques like single, double, triple, four, and five punches. Urban renewal ! THE pledging of 10 billion dollars by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for infrastructure development in the next five years will prove to be a major boost to the national plan of urban renewal. It was during this meeting with Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi that ADB President Mr. Masato Kanda agreed to offer the help to Indias national vision. However, it is important for the countrys urban planners to give a far more serious thought to the cause than they are giving presently. The progress made in the countrys urban infrastructure development in the past some years has left many serious gaps in planning and execution. One of the most serious issues that urban India now faces is of flooding of urban centres of all shapes, sizes and grades. Flooding of cities, unfortunately, have become a commonplace phenomenon in the country for the past few years. This is mainly because of faulty urban planning stemming from faulty thinking. Until a few years ago, Indias urban sector did not face the problem of flooded cities with even nominally higher rainfall. Experts in urban designing and planning without any political vested interests think that Indian cities of older times were safer place during the rainy seasons because of the planners had factored the provision of appropriate outlet to rainwater so that it is absorbed into systems of Nature. Modern cities are unfortunately being planned differently -- with little scope for rainwater to get absorbed into the systems of Nature. This lacuna will have to be addressed on an urgent basis so that the money spent on urban development is not wasted due to damage following floods. There are also many other issues faulty or inappropriate urban design dogging most modern cities in India -- including the national capital (New Delhi) or the commercial capital (Mumbai). In the name of modern infrastructure, whatever is being achieved is not a design standard that is conducive to the needs of the people and their cities. When India utilises the ADB offering, then it would do itself much good if it engages itself in sensible urban thinking, planning, designing and execution. If these aspects are handled with much care, then India would be able to boast of truly modern but fully utilitarian but graceful urban infrastructure. Since the ADB pledge has come through the channel of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, it is his core responsibility to ensure that the money is spent in a right manner and on right design and usage. He should ensure that Indias modern urban infrastructure adheres to norms of common sense as well as science of urban architecture and town planning. The general national experience is that Indian urban planners and designers are more interested in copying western urban models that have actually failed to deliver their basic purpose. Increasing numbers of cities in modern India are beginning to look like their European or American versions -- having lost their Indianness and identities. This will never help India even as it seeks massive monetary assistance for its urban renewal. In modern times, Indian cities do become massive in shape and size and population, but their utilitarian value has continued to sink ever lower. In modern India, this cannot be allowed at any cost. Indian cities should become models of good design with a high utilitarian factor. Urban design should be such as to afford the residents higher living standard from multiple angles. It is time India gave a very serious thought to this dimension. If this area is ignored by the national leadership, the nation will suffer for long time. By no norm should this be allowed to happen. What India needs is not just cities with tall and expensive buildings, but places where ease of living is of a high standard with issues such as pollution having been taken care of beyond political tall talk. Yasemin Bedir, Eastern Europe Division President at Mastercard, made a powerful impact during her recent visit to Azerbaijan, where she led a series of high-level engagements focused on inclusive economic growth and womens leadership. Bedirs visit was marked by a series of meaningful gatherings that brought together prominent Azerbaijani women in finance, technology, and public service. At her initiative, Mastercard hosted a leadership dinner that created space for open dialogue, real questions, and new alliances. The event opened with a keynote by Yasemin Develioglu, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Eastern Europe at Mastercard. The following morning, a networking breakfast for over 40 businesswomen organized by Azerbaijan Business Women featured a keynote by innovation strategist Zehra Oney on Humanizing AI, sparking rich conversations around responsible tech leadership. A DEFINING CONVERSATION AT SHE CONGRESS 2025: THE CURRENCY OF IMPACT While in Baku, Bedir also took center stage at SHE Congress 2025, organized by Azerbaijan Business Women. Her panel, titled The Currency of Impact became the defining conversation of the event. Joined by: Natia Turnava, Governor of the National Bank of Georgia Umut Shayakhmetova, CEO and Board Member at Halyk Bank, Kazakhstan Gular Pashayeva, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan Bedir reframed leadership not around titles, but around resilience, responsibility, and long-term value. She urged women to speak up especially when its unexpected: Impact is not an accessory to leadership it is the measure of it.Its not about how high we climb, but how many doors we leave open behind us. If we want systems that serve people, we need to build those systems with women at every level, from policy design to product development. You should speak up, even when no one expects you to. Some of the most important shifts in my career came from moments when I raised my voice as a junior not as a leader. Impact begins before the title. MARKETING WITH MEANING: YASEMIN DEVELIOGKU ON EMOTION, EZPERIENCE AND BRAND LOYALT Yasemin Develioglu delivered a compelling session on marketing and brand strategy, emphasizing how brand awareness and affection deepen when they connect with human emotion. She highlighted a key shift in consumer behavior people today are less focused on ownership and more drawn to meaningful experiences, which in turn fosters lasting brand loyalty. As a powerful example of this experiential approach, she announced the launch of Priceless Baku, a local activation of Mastercards global platform that brings unforgettable moments to life, tailored to the cultural heartbeat of the city. WHAT THE PANEL REVEALED The bold and honest stories of change and challenges that panelists shared shows the impact of women leaders not only in finance but also on a societal level. Natia Turnava, the first-ever female Governor of Georgias Central Bank, the former Minister of Economy of Georgia, spoke about pushing for gender-balanced leadership in high-stakes environments. Under her leadership, 5 out of 9 supervisory board members are now women. She also led reforms increasing board quotas in Georgian banks from 20% to 40% by June 2025. This isnt just optics its about better decisions. Women tend to manage risk differently, and in volatile markets, that balanced thinking is critical. Umut Shayakhmetova highlighted Kazakhstans progress: 40% of top 10 bank CEOs are now women, and more are entering fields like IT and AI that were once considered male-only. But she was candid about the remaining glass ceilings: Weve moved from proving ourselves to building systems that prove others can follow. Gular Pashayeva, Azerbaijans first female board member in the Central Bank, noted that while women make up 40% of financial sector employees, they remain underrepresented at senior levels. Recent regulatory changes now require systemically important banks to include at least one woman on their boards. The conversation also brought hard data into focus. For example, in Georgia, only 16% of businesses with credit are owned by women, and those women-owned businesses hold just 7% of the total credit volume. Recognizing this gap, Georgias Central Bank has begun collecting sex-disaggregated lending data and joined the global Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code initiative to improve access and design more inclusive lending practices. When women see women in decision-making roles, trust increases, said Turnava.Its not only about fairness it changes how capital flows. The conversation resonated strongly with the audience. A local founder shared, Its rare to sit in a room where power and empathy co-exist on stage. I walked out not just inspired, but with ideas on how to redesign our hiring strategy and lending products. MASTERCARD: SHAPING THE AGENDA At Yasemin Bedirs initiative, Mastercard hosted a leadership dinner for prominent Azerbaijani women from different diffferent businesses. It was a space for open conversation, real questions, and new alliances. The following morning, Mastercard networking breakfast for over 40 local businesswomen, organized by Azerbaijan Business Women, took place, featuring a keynote by innovation strategist Zehra Oney, titled Humanizing AI. Her talk explored how AI must be shaped by ethics, diversity, and trust prompting a rich dialogue around responsible tech leadership. For me, the real takeaway was how many of us are thinking the same things but rarely have the space to say them out loud, said one participant. The breakfast reminded me that change begins with conversation. LEADING THE REGION TOWARD INCLUSIVE GROWTH As Yasemin Bedir said: We are not here to add color to the agenda. We are here to shape it. When we talk about impact, were really talking about the legacy we leave behind not just in numbers, but in peoples lives. In Azerbaijan, I saw firsthand how powerful it is when women come together across sectors to shape the future. Whether its through policy, technology, or finance, we must design systems that reflect the diversity of the people they serve. Thats how we build economies that are not only stronger, but fairer and thats the kind of leadership Mastercard is committed to." END About Mastercard Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, were building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. www.mastercard.com Addis & Hill Inc lowered its stake in shares of Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD Free Report) by 1.7% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 23,223 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 407 shares during the period. Enterprise Products Partners accounts for approximately 0.6% of Addis & Hill Incs portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Addis & Hill Incs holdings in Enterprise Products Partners were worth $793,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tidemark LLC lifted its holdings in Enterprise Products Partners by 54.3% during the 4th quarter. Tidemark LLC now owns 904 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 318 shares in the last quarter. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in Enterprise Products Partners during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Enterprise Products Partners during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in Enterprise Products Partners by 55.4% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 1,010 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 360 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC lifted its holdings in Enterprise Products Partners by 44.9% during the 4th quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 1,014 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Enterprise Products Partners alerts: Enterprise Products Partners Trading Up 0.8% NYSE EPD opened at $31.06 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firms fifty day moving average price is $31.17 and its 200 day moving average price is $32.26. The company has a market capitalization of $67.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.67. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. has a 12 month low of $27.37 and a 12 month high of $34.63. Enterprise Products Partners Dividend Announcement Enterprise Products Partners ( NYSE:EPD Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $15.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.14 billion. Enterprise Products Partners had a net margin of 10.49% and a return on equity of 20.48%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.66 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Enterprise Products Partners L.P. will post 2.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 30th were given a $0.535 dividend. This represents a $2.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.89%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 30th. Enterprise Products Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 80.15%. Analysts Set New Price Targets EPD has been the topic of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $37.00 price objective on shares of Enterprise Products Partners in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Argus upgraded shares of Enterprise Products Partners to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $37.00 to $36.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $36.56. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on EPD About Enterprise Products Partners (Free Report) Enterprise Products Partners L.P. provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, petrochemicals, and refined products. It operates in four segments: NGL Pipelines & Services, Crude Oil Pipelines & Services, Natural Gas Pipelines & Services, and Petrochemical & Refined Products Services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EPD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Enterprise Products Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enterprise Products Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Asante Gold Co. (OTCMKTS:ASGOF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 28,700 shares, a growth of 35.4% from the April 30th total of 21,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 27,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Asante Gold Stock Up 5.2% OTCMKTS ASGOF opened at C$0.98 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$0.79 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.77. Asante Gold has a one year low of C$0.60 and a one year high of C$1.08. Get Asante Gold alerts: About Asante Gold (Get Free Report) Further Reading Asante Gold Corporation, a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of mineral resource properties in the Republic of Ghana. It holds 100% interest in the Fahiakoba concession situated in the Ashanti and Central regions in the Republic of Ghana; and 90% interest in the Bibiani gold mine located in the western region of Ghana. Receive News & Ratings for Asante Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Asante Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Avolta AG (OTCMKTS:DUFRY Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 98,900 shares, a decrease of 24.6% from the April 30th total of 131,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 123,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Avolta Price Performance DUFRY stock traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $5.41. 58,087 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 88,017. The stocks 50 day moving average is $4.69 and its 200 day moving average is $4.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.66. Avolta has a 12-month low of $3.46 and a 12-month high of $5.42. Get Avolta alerts: Avolta Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 4th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th will be given a dividend of $0.0939 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 19th. This represents a yield of 1.77%. This is an increase from Avoltas previous dividend of $0.04. Avolta Company Profile Avolta AG operates as a travel retailer. The companys retail brands include general travel retail shops under the Dufry, World Duty Free, Nuance, Hellenic Duty Free, Zurich Duty-Free or Stockholm Duty-Free, Autogrill, and HMSHost brands; Dufry shopping stores; brand boutiques; convenience stores primarily under the Hudson brand; and specialized shops and theme stores. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Avolta Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avolta and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BNP Paribas SA (OTCMKTS:BNPQY Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 93,000 shares, a decline of 24.6% from the April 30th total of 123,300 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 520,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Analyst Ratings Changes BNPQY has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of BNP Paribas in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Kepler Capital Markets cut BNP Paribas from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Finally, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating on shares of BNP Paribas in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Get BNP Paribas alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on BNP Paribas BNP Paribas Stock Performance OTCMKTS BNPQY traded up $0.21 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $44.18. The companys stock had a trading volume of 307,557 shares, compared to its average volume of 352,182. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $41.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.91. The firm has a market cap of $99.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.14. BNP Paribas has a 52 week low of $28.93 and a 52 week high of $46.90. BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The financial services provider reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.45 by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $13.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.41 billion. BNP Paribas had a net margin of 23.95% and a return on equity of 8.90%. Equities research analysts forecast that BNP Paribas will post 5.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. BNP Paribas Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 20th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th will be issued a $1.951 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. This represents a yield of 4.38%. BNP Paribass dividend payout ratio is presently 37.50%. About BNP Paribas (Get Free Report) BNP Paribas SA provides various banking and financial products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking; Commercial, Personal Banking & Services; and Investment & Protection Services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BNP Paribas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BNP Paribas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC decreased its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 1.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 60,096 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 1,063 shares during the quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $7,132,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Geode Capital Management LLC increased 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 during 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 increased 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 during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 5,538,694 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 4,140,046 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the companys stock. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently commented on XOM shares. Scotiabank reduced their target price on Exxon Mobil from $140.00 to $115.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Piper Sandler downgraded Exxon Mobil from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Exxon Mobil from $136.00 to $135.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on Exxon Mobil from $135.00 to $131.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $125.50. Exxon Mobil Price Performance Shares of NYSE XOM opened at $103.01 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $443.95 billion, a PE ratio of 13.14, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.31 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $106.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $109.50. Exxon Mobil Co. has a fifty-two week low of $97.80 and a fifty-two week high of $126.34. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $83.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $86.11 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 12.92% and a net margin of 9.63%. The companys quarterly revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.06 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 15th will be issued a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.84%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is presently 52.52%. Exxon Mobil Company 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XOM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report). 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. China Shenhua Energy Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CSUAY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,500 shares, a decrease of 16.0% from the April 30th total of 12,500 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 21,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days. China Shenhua Energy Trading Down 2.3% Shares of CSUAY stock traded down $0.40 on Tuesday, hitting $16.44. 12,221 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,610. The stock has a market capitalization of $81.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.34 and a beta of 0.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 2.08 and a current ratio of 2.20. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $16.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.20. China Shenhua Energy has a one year low of $14.50 and a one year high of $20.96. Get China Shenhua Energy alerts: China Shenhua Energy (OTCMKTS:CSUAY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter. China Shenhua Energy had a net margin of 18.20% and a return on equity of 12.61%. The business had revenue of $9.57 billion during the quarter. Equities analysts forecast that China Shenhua Energy will post 1.66 EPS for the current year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of China Shenhua Energy to a neutral rating and set a $32.50 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, March 24th. Check Out Our Latest Report on CSUAY China Shenhua Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) China Shenhua Energy Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of coal and power; railway, port, and shipping transportation; and coal-to-olefins businesses in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through six segments: Coal, Power Generation, Railway, Port, Shipping, and Coal Chemical. Read More Receive News & Ratings for China Shenhua Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Shenhua Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated (OTCMKTS:CHUEF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 435,300 shares, an increase of 33.1% from the April 30th total of 327,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4,353.0 days. Chubu Electric Power Stock Performance CHUEF remained flat at $12.24 during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.88. Chubu Electric Power has a 52-week low of $9.01 and a 52-week high of $13.99. Get Chubu Electric Power alerts: Chubu Electric Power Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail of electricity in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: JERA, Power Grid, and Miraiz. It generates electricity through geothermal, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, biomass, and solar sources. Receive News & Ratings for Chubu Electric Power Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chubu Electric Power and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A key highlight of the visit was KPIs fully automated robotic warehouse. The delegation had the opportunity to witness robots autonomously transporting pallets weighing up to 1.5 tons from packaging lines to storage and shipping areas. Of particular interest was the Warehouse Execution System (WES)a sophisticated IT platform that manages and optimizes the entire warehouse operation. This system is seamlessly integrated with the plants production lines, enabling real-time logistics optimization and significantly improving operational efficiency. Moreover, the delegation was shown the Computer Vision system, which uses artificial intelligence to monitor warehouse workers and ensure strict compliance with safety protocols, thereby enhancing workplace safety and reducing operational risks. These state-of-the-art digital solutions were developed and implemented by the Kazakhstani company. The finished goods warehouse at KPI is the first of its kind in Central Asia, representing a leap forward in the automation of petrochemical product storage and handling. This innovative robotic system sets a new benchmark for efficiency and automation in the regions industrial sector, positioning KPI as a leader in digital transformation. Gaotu Techedu (NYSE:GOTU Get Free Report) and Scientific Learning (OTCMKTS:SCIL Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations and risk. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Gaotu Techedu and Scientific Learnings revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Gaotu Techedu alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Gaotu Techedu $5.10 billion 0.19 -$1.03 million ($0.49) -7.73 Scientific Learning N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Profitability Scientific Learning has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Gaotu Techedu. This table compares Gaotu Techedu and Scientific Learnings net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Gaotu Techedu -26.36% -37.79% -19.01% Scientific Learning N/A N/A N/A Insider and Institutional Ownership 48.4% of Gaotu Techedu shares are owned by institutional investors. 44.9% of Gaotu Techedu shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 16.1% of Scientific Learning shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Gaotu Techedu and Scientific Learning, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Gaotu Techedu 1 0 0 0 1.00 Scientific Learning 0 0 0 0 0.00 Gaotu Techedu presently has a consensus target price of $5.81, indicating a potential upside of 53.30%. Given Gaotu Techedus stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Gaotu Techedu is more favorable than Scientific Learning. Summary Gaotu Techedu beats Scientific Learning on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Gaotu Techedu (Get Free Report) Gaotu Techedu Inc., a technology-driven education company, provides learning services, educational content, and digitalized learning products in the People's Republic of China. The company offers traditional online academic subject tutoring services that covers academic subjects, such as mathematics, English, Chinese, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, and political science for students; non-academic tutoring services; personal interest courses comprising chess learning, family relationships and education, humanities, and science courses; and professional courses primarily for college students and adults preparing for professional qualification exams, such as teacher's qualification, Chartered Financial Analyst designation, Certified Public Accountant designation, and other exams. It also offers admission courses for admission tests and interviews, including national-post graduate entrance examination, civil service examinations, and others; foreign language courses; overseas study related services; and courses to prepare and pass certain language exams for study abroad, such as IELTS and TOEFL. In addition, the company designs and develops course outlines, interactive courseware, practice exercises, and lesson notes; publishes reference books comprising Chinese dictionary, dictionary of idioms, and past exam questions for the college entrance examination; and develops, expands, and upgrades education-centric digital products and solutions, as well as learning apps. Further, it offers books and digitalized auxiliary learning tools, such as smart devices and translation pens; and online tutoring services. The company was formerly known as GSX Techedu Inc. and changed its name to Gaotu Techedu Inc. in June 2021. Gaotu Techedu Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Beijing, China. About Scientific Learning (Get Free Report) Scientific Learning Corporation, an education company, develops, distributes, and licenses technology that accelerates learning by enhancing the processing efficiency of the brain. Its flagship Fast ForWord, a Web-based product, comprises Fast ForWord Language for elementary learners and Fast ForWord Literacy for adolescent learners that build foundational reading and language skills to help districts move below grade level learners to learn in the general classroom, and Fast ForWord Reading, which builds learning capacity through developing cognitive skills using exercises focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics and decoding, spelling, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. The company also provides Reading Assistant that offers a one-on-one reading tutor for learners; ResultsNow!, an online hosting and support solution for its Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant products; and BrainPro services targeted at learners who are below grade level. In addition, it offers on-site product training, technical installation, implementation management, consulting, and Web-based synchronous and asynchronous professional development services; and software technical update releases, as well as extensive telephone, email, and chat support services. The company offers learning solutions primarily to educational institutions, speech and language clinics, learning centers, and parents. Scientific Learning Corporation was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Oakland, California. Receive News & Ratings for Gaotu Techedu Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gaotu Techedu and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Crawford & Company (NYSE:CRD.B Get Free Report) traded up 5.2% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $10.46 and last traded at $10.37. 514 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 91% from the average session volume of 5,741 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.86. Crawford & Company Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $490.58 million, a PE ratio of 24.80 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $10.36 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $10.98. Get Crawford & Company alerts: Crawford & Company (NYSE:CRD.B Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 5th. The business services provider reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $312.03 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $321.90 million. Crawford & Company had a return on equity of 22.34% and a net margin of 1.55%. Analysts predict that Crawford & Company will post 0.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. Crawford & Company Announces Dividend Insider Transactions at Crawford & Company The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a $0.07 dividend. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.82%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Crawford & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 46.67%. In related news, SVP Tami E. Stevenson sold 4,900 shares of Crawford & Company stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.21, for a total transaction of $50,029.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 26,282 shares in the company, valued at approximately $268,339.22. The trade was a 15.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrew John Bart sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.30, for a total value of $206,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 126,587 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,303,846.10. This trade represents a 13.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 43,209 shares of company stock valued at $458,936. Corporate insiders own 51.04% of the companys stock. About Crawford & Company (Get Free Report) Crawford & Co engages in the provision of claims management and outsourcing solutions to carriers, brokers, and corporates. It operates through the following segments: Crawford Loss Adjusting, Crawford TPA Solutions, and Crawford Platform Solutions. The Crawford Loss Adjusting segment consists of adjusting services provided to insurance companies and self-insured entities related to property and casualty losses caused by physical damage to commercial and residential real property and certain types of personal property. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Crawford & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crawford & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Insider & Institutional Ownership 73.7% of shares of all Oil & gas field machinery companies are owned by institutional investors. 9.0% of QS Energy shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 13.0% of shares of all Oil & gas field machinery companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares QS Energy and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get QS Energy alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets QS Energy N/A N/A -1,020.74% QS Energy Competitors 0.13% 6.91% 4.50% Volatility and Risk QS Energy has a beta of -1.12, meaning that its share price is 212% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, QS Energys rivals have a beta of 1.06, meaning that their average share price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings & Valuation Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio QS Energy N/A -$1.22 million -9.78 QS Energy Competitors $4.26 billion -$120.76 million 9.76 This table compares QS Energy and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. QS Energys rivals have higher revenue, but lower earnings than QS Energy. QS Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Summary QS Energy rivals beat QS Energy on 8 of the 9 factors compared. About QS Energy (Get Free Report) QS Energy, Inc. develops and commercializes energy efficiency technologies in the United States and internationally. The companys energy efficiency technologies assist in meeting energy demands, enhancing the economics of oil transport, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The companys primary technology comprises Applied Oil Technology, a commercial-grade crude oil pipeline transportation flow-assurance product that reduces crude oil viscosity by applying a high intensity electrical field to crude oil while in transit. It serves upstream and midstream energy sectors. The company was formerly known as Save the World Air, Inc. and changed its name to QS Energy, Inc. in August 2015. QS Energy, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Tomball, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for QS Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for QS Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of GSK plc (NYSE:GSK Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $41.66, but opened at $40.68. GSK shares last traded at $40.36, with a volume of 1,532,690 shares traded. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have issued reports on GSK. Berenberg Bank reissued a hold rating on shares of GSK in a research report on Tuesday. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on shares of GSK in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. They set a neutral rating and a $35.25 price target for the company. Hsbc Global Res raised GSK to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on GSK in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an equal weight rating on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut GSK from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, GSK currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $37.38. Get GSK alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on GSK GSK Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $83.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.36, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.51. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $37.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. GSK (NYSE:GSK Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The pharmaceutical company reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.05. GSK had a return on equity of 48.59% and a net margin of 8.13%. The company had revenue of $10.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.52 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.43 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that GSK plc will post 4.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. GSK Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $0.4216 dividend. This is a boost from GSKs previous quarterly dividend of $0.39. This represents a $1.69 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.18%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. GSKs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 86.60%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Indiana Trust & Investment Management Co grew its stake in GSK by 200.0% during the 4th quarter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management Co now owns 750 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in GSK by 222.2% in the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 667 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 460 shares in the last quarter. Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new stake in GSK during the first quarter worth approximately $31,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in GSK in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Richardson Financial Services Inc. increased its position in GSK by 127.9% during the first quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 841 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 472 shares during the last quarter. 15.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. GSK Company Profile (Get Free Report) GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, and manufacture of vaccines, and specialty and general medicines to prevent and treat disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Commercial Operations and Total R&D. Read More Receive News & Ratings for GSK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GSK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hafnia Limited (NYSE:HAFN Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,420,000 shares, a growth of 25.6% from the April 30th total of 3,520,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,360,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.9 days. Approximately 1.7% of the companys shares are sold short. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of HAFN. WealthCollab LLC bought a new position in shares of Hafnia during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Naviter Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Hafnia during the 1st quarter worth approximately $42,000. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hafnia during the 1st quarter worth approximately $47,000. Smith Anglin Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Hafnia during the 1st quarter worth approximately $52,000. Finally, Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new position in shares of Hafnia during the 4th quarter worth approximately $58,000. Get Hafnia alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Fearnley Fonds upgraded shares of Hafnia to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Hafnia Stock Down 2.2% Shares of NYSE:HAFN traded down $0.12 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $5.02. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,023,006 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,869,387. Hafnia has a 52 week low of $3.61 and a 52 week high of $8.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.52. The company has a market capitalization of $2.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.95. The firms fifty day moving average price is $4.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $4.98. Hafnia (NYSE:HAFN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The company reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.01. Hafnia had a net margin of 53.44% and a return on equity of 36.90%. The business had revenue of $340.34 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $250.80 million. Hafnia Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 4th. Investors of record on Monday, May 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.1015 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a dividend yield of 7.59%. Hafnias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.06%. About Hafnia (Get Free Report) Hafnia Limited owns and operates oil product tankers in Bermuda. It operates through Long Range II, Long Range I, Medium Range (MR), Handy size, and Specialized segments. The company transports clean and dirty, refined oil products, vegetable oil, and easy chemicals to national and international oil companies, and chemical companies, as well as trading and utility companies; and owns and operates 200 vessels. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hafnia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hafnia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Risk & Volatility hopTo has a beta of 2.92, indicating that its stock price is 192% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cango has a beta of 0.66, indicating that its stock price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation & Earnings This table compares hopTo and Cangos gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get hopTo alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio hopTo $3.91 million 0.11 $120,000.00 N/A N/A Cango $1.79 billion 0.27 -$5.33 million ($0.02) -236.75 Profitability hopTo has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Cango. This table compares hopTo and Cangos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets hopTo N/A N/A N/A Cango 51.90% 3.55% 3.02% Insider and Institutional Ownership 4.2% of Cango shares are owned by institutional investors. 46.0% of hopTo shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 29.1% of Cango shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Cango beats hopTo on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About hopTo (Get Free Report) hopTo Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops and sells application publishing software in the United States, Brazil, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company's application publishing software includes application virtualization and cloud computing software for a range of computer operating systems, including Windows, UNIX, and various Linux-based variants. It provides its application publishing software solutions under the GO-Global brand name. The company offers GO-Global, an application access solution that provides cross-platform remote access and Web-enabled access to existing software applications, as well as the deployment of secure and private cloud environments for use and/or resale by independent software vendors, corporate enterprises, governmental and educational institutions, and others. Its GO-Global software products comprise GO-Global for Windows that allows access to Windows-based applications from remote locations and Internet connections; GO-Global for UNIX, which allows access to UNIX and Linux-based applications from remote locations, and Internet and connections; and GO-Global Client that allows remote application access from various local, remote, and mobile platforms, including Windows, Linux, UNIX, Apple OS X and iOS, and Google Android. The company sells its products through resellers, such as original equipment manufacturers, system integrators, value-added resellers, and distributors. It serves small to medium-sized companies, departments within large corporations, governmental and educational institutions, and independent software vendors. The company was formerly known as GraphOn Corporation and changed its name to hopTo Inc. in September 2013. hopTo Inc. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Concord, New Hampshire. About Cango (Get Free Report) Cango Inc. operates an automotive transaction service platform that connects dealers, original equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, car buyers, insurance brokers, and companies in the People's Republic of China. The company offers automobile trading solutions comprising car sourcing, transaction facilitation, logistics, and warehousing support for dealers through Cango Haoche app that offers new car transaction services, and Cango U-Car app that offers used-car transaction services. It also provides automotive financing facilitation services that include facilitating financing transactions from financial institutions to car buyers, which comprises credit origination, credit assessment, credit servicing, and delinquent asset management services; facilitating financing transactions of car purchases for car buyers; and after-market services to car buyers, which includes facilitating the sale of insurance policies from insurance brokers or companies. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. Receive News & Ratings for hopTo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for hopTo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Juncture Wealth Strategies LLC grew its holdings in Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE Free Report) by 9.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,314 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,601 shares during the period. Juncture Wealth Strategies LLCs holdings in Kenvue were worth $439,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. RFG Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of Kenvue by 34.5% in the 1st quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 20,386 shares of the companys stock worth $489,000 after buying an additional 5,233 shares in the last quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. lifted its holdings in shares of Kenvue by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 78,888 shares of the companys stock worth $1,892,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kenvue by 237.8% in the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 37,481 shares of the companys stock worth $899,000 after acquiring an additional 26,387 shares during the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Kenvue by 89,208.3% in the 1st quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 10,717 shares of the companys stock worth $256,000 after acquiring an additional 10,705 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Kenvue by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 440,364 shares of the companys stock worth $10,560,000 after acquiring an additional 24,664 shares during the last quarter. 97.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Kenvue alerts: Kenvue Trading Down 0.9% NYSE:KVUE opened at $23.67 on Tuesday. Kenvue Inc. has a one year low of $17.67 and a one year high of $25.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 1.00. The firm has a market cap of $45.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $23.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $22.63. Kenvue Announces Dividend Kenvue ( NYSE:KVUE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.23 by $0.01. Kenvue had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 20.97%. The business had revenue of $3.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.69 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.28 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Kenvue Inc. will post 1.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th were issued a $0.205 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $0.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.47%. Kenvues dividend payout ratio is currently 149.09%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Kenvue in a report on Thursday, April 10th. They issued a neutral rating and a $23.50 target price for the company. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Kenvue from $22.00 to $24.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Kenvue from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of Kenvue from $24.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 24th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Kenvue from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $25.33. View Our Latest Analysis on KVUE About Kenvue (Free Report) Kenvue Inc operates as a consumer health company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Self Care, Skin Health and Beauty, and Essential Health. The Self Care segment offers cough, cold and allergy, pain care, digestive health, smoking cessation, eye care, and other products under the Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Nicorette, Zarbee's, ORSLTM, Rhinocort, Calpol, and Zyrtec brands. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KVUE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kenvue Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kenvue and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) (CVE:KNT Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from C$16.00 to C$18.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas target price suggests a potential upside of 125.28% from the stocks current price. KNT has been the subject of a number of other reports. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) from C$12.00 to C$14.00 in a report on Friday, April 4th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) from C$17.50 to C$19.00 in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) from C$11.75 to C$12.75 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. Get K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) Price Performance Insider Activity at K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) stock remained flat at C$7.99 during mid-day trading on Tuesday. 337,797 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,128,356. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$7.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$7.99. The stock has a market cap of C$1.63 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.48. K92 Mining Inc. has a 12-month low of C$1.55 and a 12-month high of C$8.50. The company has a current ratio of 3.25, a quick ratio of 2.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.93. In other K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) news, Director Saurabh Handa sold 50,000 shares of K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$11.95, for a total value of C$597,500.00. Also, Senior Officer David Gregory Medilek sold 80,000 shares of K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$12.95, for a total transaction of C$1,035,680.00. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 234,081 shares of company stock worth $2,961,123. About K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) (Get Free Report) K92 Mining Inc engages in the mining, exploration, and development of mineral deposits in Papua New Guinea. The company produces gold, copper, and silver. Its principal property is the Kainantu property that covers an area of 725 square kilometers located in the Eastern Highlands province. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WA lessened its stake in Stryker Co. (NYSE:SYK Free Report) by 3.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,972 shares of the medical technology companys stock after selling 597 shares during the period. Stryker comprises about 3.6% of Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WAs portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WAs holdings in Stryker were worth $7,062,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SYK. Capital & Planning LLC lifted its stake in shares of Stryker by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Capital & Planning LLC now owns 841 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $304,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in shares of Stryker by 15.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 4,564 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,643,000 after purchasing an additional 609 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Stryker by 31.7% in the 4th quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 3,647 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,328,000 after purchasing an additional 877 shares during the period. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Stryker by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 9,750 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $3,510,000 after purchasing an additional 333 shares during the period. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its stake in shares of Stryker by 43.9% in the 4th quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 23,244 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $8,369,000 after purchasing an additional 7,086 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.09% of the companys stock. Get Stryker alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SYK has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. BTIG Research set a $403.00 price objective on Stryker and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating and issued a $455.00 price objective (up from $443.00) on shares of Stryker in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and issued a $442.00 price objective on shares of Stryker in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Wall Street Zen downgraded Stryker from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Stryker from $418.00 to $443.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Stryker presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $427.30. Insider Buying and Selling at Stryker In other Stryker news, Director Ronda E. Stryker sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $376.96, for a total transaction of $75,392,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,417,326 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,288,195,208.96. This represents a 5.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 5.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Stryker Stock Performance SYK stock opened at $380.80 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $145.35 billion, a PE ratio of 49.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The business has a 50 day moving average of $369.04 and a 200-day moving average of $376.02. Stryker Co. has a 12-month low of $314.93 and a 12-month high of $406.19. Stryker (NYSE:SYK Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The medical technology company reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.73 by $0.11. Stryker had a return on equity of 23.58% and a net margin of 13.25%. The company had revenue of $5.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.50 earnings per share. Strykers quarterly revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Stryker Co. will post 13.47 earnings per share for the current year. Stryker Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.84 per share. This represents a $3.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. Strykers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.41%. Stryker Profile (Free Report) Stryker Corporation operates as a medical technology company. The company operates through two segments, MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics and Spine. The Orthopaedics and Spine segment provides implants for use in total joint replacements, such as hip, knee and shoulder, and trauma and extremities surgeries. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Stryker Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stryker and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) Senior Officer Paul Martyn Clark sold 16,936 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$94.87, for a total value of C$1,606,718.32. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 260 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$24,666.20. The trade was a 98.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Toronto-Dominion Bank Price Performance Toronto-Dominion Bank stock traded up C$0.78 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting C$95.74. 939,703 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,018,291. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$86.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$83.15. The Toronto-Dominion Bank has a fifty-two week low of C$73.22 and a fifty-two week high of C$95.83. The stock has a market cap of C$167.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.82. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Toronto-Dominion Bank Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.39%. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio is 80.84%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have weighed in on TD shares. CIBC reduced their price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$95.00 to C$94.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Toronto-Dominion Bank from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their price target for the stock from C$90.00 to C$99.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. UBS Group upped their price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$83.00 to C$90.00 in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Scotiabank raised Toronto-Dominion Bank to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, National Bankshares set a C$80.00 price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$88.67. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Toronto-Dominion Bank About Toronto-Dominion Bank (Get Free Report) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The 30th anniversary edition of Baku Energy Week is currently taking place in Baku, Trend reports. This event is a big fish in the energy sector pond, making waves and turning heads in the region. For quite some time now, the event has been a melting pot for top-notch regional energy companies, government bigwigs, international whizzes, and savvy investors. Azerbaijan, with its vast energy potential, is one of the key countries in the region. Baku Energy Week is important for showcasing the country's strength in the energy sector and reinforcing its leadership in the region. During this event, specialists, companies, and officials from various countries share their experiences and discuss new technologies, strategies, and policies. It serves as a vital platform for shaping regional energy policy and building strong professional connections. Baku Energy Week is also a crucial venue for investors. The exhibitions, forums, and meetings held throughout the week provide opportunities to attract investment in energy projects and facilitate direct dialogue between domestic and foreign investors. This helps boost financial resources for the development and diversification of Azerbaijans energy sector. At the same time, the event lays the groundwork for establishing new business relations and expanding existing cooperation. Energy security is critical for the economic and political stability of countries. Baku Energy Week is a key platform for addressing energy security issues. Topics such as diversification of energy supply chains and more efficient management of natural gas, oil, and renewable energy sources are discussed at the event. It also strengthens regional cooperation and integration in the energy sector, helping to reduce geopolitical risks. The global energy sector is rapidly shifting towards renewable energy sources. Baku Energy Week fosters an enabling environment for the expansion of renewable energy technologies and projects in Azerbaijan and the wider region. Innovations and investment opportunities in solar, wind, and other alternative energy sources are explored at the event, laying the foundation for a cleaner and more sustainable energy balance in Azerbaijan. Technological advances and innovations in the energy sector are crucial for improving economic efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact. This event supports the modernization of the sector by highlighting topics such as new technologies, digital transformation, smart grids, and energy consumption management. The event is important for energy companies and government institutions in terms of adopting the latest innovations. It should be especially emphasized that energy is one of the main pillars of international politics and diplomacy. Baku Energy Week is a platform for diplomatic dialogue and strengthening intergovernmental relations. It holds strategic importance for both Azerbaijan and the region. Through this event, energy cooperation is expanding, innovations are being implemented, investments are being attracted, and the countrys energy security is being reinforced. At the same time, opportunities in the field of renewable energy are being discussed and realized in line with global energy transformation trends. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Pennon Group (LON:PNN Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported GBX (10.30) (($0.14)) EPS for the quarter, Digital Look Earnings reports. Pennon Group had a negative net margin of 1.05% and a negative return on equity of 0.88%. Pennon Group Stock Performance Shares of PNN opened at GBX 502.50 ($6.81) on Tuesday. Pennon Group has a 12 month low of GBX 383 ($5.19) and a 12 month high of GBX 691 ($9.36). The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 484.68 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 505.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 341.72. The firm has a market cap of 2.33 billion, a PE ratio of -141.29, a P/E/G ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.29. Get Pennon Group alerts: Pennon Group Cuts Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th were issued a dividend of GBX 14.69 ($0.20) per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.53%. Pennon Groups dividend payout ratio is presently -1,715.11%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and issued a GBX 497 ($6.73) price target on shares of Pennon Group in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Pennon Group About Pennon Group (Get Free Report) At the top end of the FTSE250, Pennon is an infrastructure group, focused on the UK water market is one of only three listed water companies in the UK. Operating in a stable regulatory environment with a positive outlook, we are focused on long-term sustainable growth, through disciplined capital allocation, organic and acquisitive. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pennon Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pennon Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Premier African Minerals Limited (LON:PREM Get Free Report)s share price traded down 8% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as GBX 0.02 ($0.00) and last traded at GBX 0.02 ($0.00). 304,046,094 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 8% from the average session volume of 330,310,719 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.03 ($0.00). Premier African Minerals Stock Down 8.0% The company has a market cap of 11.85 million, a PE ratio of -0.37 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 0.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 0.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 2.54 and a current ratio of 0.13. Premier African Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Premier African Minerals Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, evaluation, development, and investment of natural resource properties on the African continent. It explores for tungsten, lithium, tantalum, fluorspar, potash, and gold deposits. The company holds interests in RHA Tungsten mine, Katete REE project, zulu project, and Tinde projects in Zimbabwe, as well as properties in Mozambique. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Premier African Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Premier African Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Radiopharm Theranostics Limited (ASX:RAD Get Free Report) insider Ian Turner acquired 3,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of A$0.03 ($0.02) per share, with a total value of A$87,000.00 ($56,493.51). Radiopharm Theranostics Price Performance The stock has a market cap of $60.78 million, a P/E ratio of -0.19 and a beta of 0.82. Get Radiopharm Theranostics alerts: Radiopharm Theranostics Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Radiopharm Theranostics Limited engages in the research and development of radiopharmaceutical products for diagnostic and therapeutic uses in areas of high unmet medical needs. It is developing its lead products comprising Nano-mAbs and AVB6 Integrin. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Carlton, Australia. Receive News & Ratings for Radiopharm Theranostics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Radiopharm Theranostics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Romano Brothers AND Company lessened its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 0.4% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 74,047 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 301 shares during the period. Romano Brothers AND Companys holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $4,516,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC now owns 43,551 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,463,000 after acquiring an additional 1,487 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 33.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 19,728 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,116,000 after acquiring an additional 4,935 shares during the last quarter. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $40,000. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 10.1% in the 4th quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 18,393 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,045,000 after acquiring an additional 1,684 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 58,253 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,295,000 after purchasing an additional 2,769 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.41% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance Shares of BMY stock opened at $48.76 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.90, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The business has a fifty day moving average of $50.28 and a 200 day moving average of $55.29. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $39.35 and a 1 year high of $63.33. Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $11.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.77 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a positive return on equity of 13.93% and a negative net margin of 18.53%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($4.40) EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, EVP Samit Hirawat acquired 4,250 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction on Friday, April 25th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $47.58 per share, for a total transaction of $202,215.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president now owns 83,513 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,973,548.54. This represents a 5.36% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BMY has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $55.00 price objective (down from $67.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a neutral rating and issued a $55.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $54.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $65.00 target price on the stock. Finally, William Blair reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $58.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Bristol-Myers Squibb About Bristol-Myers Squibb (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Santander Bank Polska S.A. (OTCMKTS:BKZHF Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,100 shares, a drop of 30.1% from the April 30th total of 17,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently days. Santander Bank Polska Stock Performance BKZHF stock opened at $45.48 on Tuesday. Santander Bank Polska has a 1 year low of $45.48 and a 1 year high of $48.04. The stocks fifty day moving average is $45.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $45.48. Get Santander Bank Polska alerts: Santander Bank Polska Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading Santander Bank Polska SA provides various banking products and services for individuals, small or medium-sized enterprises, corporate clients, and public sector institutions. It offers personal account, deposits and currencies, internet and mobile banking, and mobile contactless payments, and credit solutions. Receive News & Ratings for Santander Bank Polska Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Santander Bank Polska and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO Get Free Report) updated its first quarter 2025 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 0.090-0.090 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 0.040. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.4 billion-$1.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.3 billion. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently commented on VSCO. Barclays cut their target price on Victorias Secret & Co. from $38.00 to $23.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an underweight rating and issued a $15.00 target price (up previously from $12.00) on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Friday, March 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $17.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, May 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on Victorias Secret & Co. from $46.00 to $31.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $26.18. Get Victoria's Secret & Co. alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Victorias Secret & Co. Victorias Secret & Co. Stock Performance Shares of NYSE VSCO opened at $21.17 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $1.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 2.25. Victorias Secret & Co. has a one year low of $13.76 and a one year high of $48.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.12, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $19.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.13. Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 5th. The company reported $2.60 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.30. The firm had revenue of $2.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.10 billion. Victorias Secret & Co. had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 44.74%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Victorias Secret & Co. will post 2.37 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at Victorias Secret & Co. In other Victorias Secret & Co. news, major shareholder International Pte Ltd Bbrc bought 584,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 28th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $18.48 per share, for a total transaction of $10,792,320.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 10,098,131 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $186,613,460.88. The trade was a 6.14% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders purchased 1,503,973 shares of company stock worth $26,617,312 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Victorias Secret & Co. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 62,949 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,170,000 after purchasing an additional 1,797 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. during the first quarter valued at approximately $233,000. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 279.1% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 47,839 shares of the companys stock valued at $888,000 after purchasing an additional 35,220 shares during the period. 90.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Victorias Secret & Co. Company Profile (Get Free Report) Victorias Secret & Co operates as a lingerie, clothing and beauty retailer. It offers bras, panties, lingerie, pajamas, sleep, sport and swim apparel, and beauty products. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Reynoldsburg, OH. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Victoria's Secret & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria's Secret & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. White Cliff Minerals Limited (ASX:WCN Get Free Report) insider Daniel Smith bought 10,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The shares were purchased at an average price of A$0.03 ($0.02) per share, with a total value of A$280,000.00 ($181,818.18). White Cliff Minerals Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $36.01 million, a P/E ratio of -2.11 and a beta of -0.04. Get White Cliff Minerals alerts: About White Cliff Minerals (Get Free Report) Read More White Cliff Minerals Limited engages in the exploration of mineral properties in Australia. It explores for lithium, rare earth elements (REE), gold, copper, nickel, and cobalt deposits. The company holds 100% interests in the Hines Hill REE project consists of two adjoining tenements covering an area of 576 square kilometers, located in the wheatbelt region, near east of Perth along the Great Eastern Highway; the Diemals Li/REE project consists of 6 tenements covering an area of 2,427 square kilometers, located near east of Paynes Find; the Preston River Lithium project located near the north of the Greenbushes; and the Reedy South Gold project covers an area of 272 square kilometers, located within the Meekatharra-Wydgee greenstone belt. Receive News & Ratings for White Cliff Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for White Cliff Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 3. Uzbekistan and India have signed a landmark interline agreement aimed at enhancing air travel connectivity between the two countries and beyond, Trend reports, citing Uzbekistan Airways. The agreement was formalized on the sidelines of the 81st General Assembly of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), held in Delhi. Under this agreement, passengers of Uzbekistan Airways can now book seamless through-tickets via Indira Gandhi International Airport in India, connecting to Air Indias extensive network covering over 30 domestic destinations such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi. This partnership ensures single-ticket booking, baggage check-through to the final destination, and boarding pass issuance at the passengers original departure point. Uzbekistan Airways currently operates flights to more than 90 destinations worldwide, including a unique transcontinental route between Central Asia and the United States TashkentNew YorkTashkent. The airline offers regular flights from Tashkent to Delhi and Mumbai, as well as seasonal flights to Goa. Founded in Cuba in 1945, IATA serves as the principal mechanism for inter-airline collaboration in advancing safe, dependable, secure, and cost-effective air services for the benefit of global consumers. Championing the interests of airlines worldwide, it contests unjust regulations and fees, holds regulators and governments accountable, and endeavors for rational regulation. For more than 70 years, IATA has established worldwide commercial standards that underpin the air transport industry. It enables airlines to function safely, securely, efficiently, and affordably under well-defined regulations. Comprehensive assistance is offered to all industry stakeholders through an extensive array of goods and specialized services. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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: BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The UK remains committed to sharing its expertise in clean energy with Azerbaijan, a spokesperson from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero told Trend. "As Azerbaijan looks to harness its renewable resources, we are committed to sharing our experience of the clean energy transition to help unlock the countrys full renewable potential," the spokesperson said. "We draw on our own journey to becoming a clean energy superpower, creating good jobs and driving economic growth in the UK." The UK official emphasized that, building on the outcomes of COP29 held in Baku last year, the UK looks forward to ongoing cooperation with Azerbaijan to keep the Paris Agreements 1.5C goal within reach and to support a cleaner, more sustainable future. "The UK is proud to partner with Azerbaijan as it plays a vital role in the global clean energy transition," the spokesperson added. "Baku Energy Week is an important opportunity to deepen our collaboration on climate and energy." The 30th Baku Energy Week is taking place from June 2 to 4, bringing together global energy leaders at the regions leading industry event. This years edition hosts 267 companies from 39 countries. Representing the UK at the event is Sophie Westlake, Head of the Joint International Energy Unit of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. A Basic Terms Agreement has been signed between SOCAR and the Hungarian MOL Group within the framework of the Baku Energy Week, a source in SOCAR told Trend. Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the companies on September 20 last year, work was carried out to agree on the main technical and commercial terms of the exploration, development, and production project in the Shamakhi-Gobustan field, and relevant agreements were reached. According to the Basic Terms Agreement, which determines the work to be carried out by the companies during the initial and main exploration periods, it is envisaged that MOL Group will have a 65 percent share in the project, where the Hungarian company will be the operator, and SOCAR will have a 35 percent share. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Alimat Aliyeva About 20,000 employees of the German carmaker Volkswagen (VW) have already agreed to early dismissal, Azernews reports. According to reports, about two-thirds of them will retire. As the newspaper notes, the automaker is making progress in implementing its cost-cutting measures. After difficult negotiations, the VW board of directors and the industrial trade union IG Metall, which represents the employees, reached an agreement at the end of last year on a cost-cutting program for the main Volkswagen brand. The plan includes reducing a total of 35,000 jobs by 2030, primarily at the companys plants in Germany. The layoffs are intended to be carried out in a socially responsible manner, with affected employees consenting to the terms. Employees will receive severance pay based on their length of service, which can amount to as much as 400,000 euros. In addition to job cuts, starting in 2026 Volkswagen will reduce the number of internship positions offered annually from 1,400 to 600. These measures are expected to save the company approximately 1.5 billion euros annually in labor costs. Furthermore, about 130,000 VW employees have agreed to a salary freeze. Instead of a planned 5% wage increase, the funds will be redirected to a special fund designed to finance initiatives such as flexible working hours. At the same time, the increased vacation allowance payment has been canceled. According to IG Metall, these measures have helped prevent the closure of VW plants. However, given the ongoing challenges faced by German automakers, some experts, including the publication Bild, remain skeptical about the long-term effectiveness of these promises. Volkswagen is simultaneously investing heavily in electric vehicle (EV) technology and autonomous driving, aiming to transform its business model. This transition to sustainable mobility could potentially create new jobs in emerging fields, even as traditional manufacturing roles decline. Photo: The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 3. A delegation from Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) met with Advisor to the Minister of Economy and Finance Jasur Karshibayev to discuss attracting foreign investment and advancing financial market reforms in Uzbekistan, Trend reports. The RBI delegation included Attila Farsky, Radoslaw Ignatowicz, and Natalia Semashko from the Debt Capital Markets and Custody Services Division. During the meeting, the Uzbek side provided a detailed overview of ongoing market reforms, emphasizing efforts to develop the capital market and improve conditions for foreign investors. Raiffeisen Bank International expressed strong enthusiasm for Uzbekistans financial sector and reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with local market participants. The bank highlighted its intention to leverage its regional expertise to support Uzbekistans integration into global financial markets. Both parties concluded the meeting with a mutual agreement to continue collaborating on building the necessary infrastructure to attract and facilitate foreign investment in Uzbekistans domestic market, marking a significant step toward deeper financial cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The all-party parliamentary team, of which Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamul Congress MP and partys national general secretary is a member, today met representatives of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) the Peoples Justice Party of Malaysia. It was learnt that the meeting featured a fruitful discussion on Indias counter terrorist initiatives and shared commitment of fostering peace and stability across the region. Advertisement The parliamentary team is currently touring several countries to mobilise public opinion against terrorism. Advertisement The team has visited Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Mr Banerjee as a valuable member of the team clearly stated Indias standpoint to put an end to terrorism. He said to support Pakistan is to back terrorism and Indias dialogue with Pakistan will demand handing over PoK to India to put an end to terrorism. Mr Banerjee cited incidents to show how Pakistan is backing the terrorists. Pakistan is their biggest shelter, he maintained. He visited the memorial tomb of Rash Behari Bose and the monuments dedicated to Radhabinod Pal in Japan. He visited the RKM centres in Singapore and Malaysia. The ideas of Mr Banerjee to end terrorism have received appreciation. The team met political leaders, think tanks and people from the Indian diaspora to get their support to end terrorism. In Malaysia, Abhishek Banerjee and other members of the All-Party Parliamentary delegation engaged in a thoughtful discussion with representatives of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). Their agenda was clear: ZERO tolerance against terrorism. A girl student was found hanging from the window grill of the toilet of a rented accommodation in Burdwan town this afternoon she was staying in. Payel Adhikari (21) of Panskura in East Burdwan was a student of MSc part-1 in Zoology at Burdwan University. The girl, as the other inmates of the rented house told police, entered the toilet after taking lunch. Her friends became suspicious when she wasnt opening the door despite repeated calls and they informed police. Advertisement The police broke open the door and found her hanging. The girls body was sent to the Burdwan Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem. The mystery behind such a bid couldnt be ascertained. Advertisement A higher secondary school in Barakar, near Asansol, has issued a notification stating that it will not accept new admissions into Class XI for the 2025-26 academic year, due to a shortage of teachers. The announcement has caused considerable concern in the local area. The school, already struggling with a limited number of teachers, recently lost two more staff members following a Supreme Court verdict, making it even more difficult to manage daily operations, the notification explained. Advertisement Shree Marwari Vidyalaya, located in the Barakar area of the Asansol Sadar sub-division in West Burdwan district, announced that it would be unable to admit new students into Class XI this academic year due to the staffing crisis. Advertisement Currently, around 1,200 students are enrolled in the school, which offers instruction in both Hindi and Bengali mediums. The institution requires at least 36 teachers to function effectively but presently has only 12. With two of these teachers set to leave by December as a result of the Supreme Court ruling, the schools future staffing situation remains uncertain. The teacher-in-charge of Shree Marwari Vidyalaya stated that the notification has already been submitted to the district inspector of schools and the Higher Secondary Council. The schools managing committee is expected to convene shortly to seek a resolution. Students who recently passed the Madhyamik examinations in the Barakar and Kulti areas were shocked by the sudden announcement. Soumen Laha, the district inspector of schools, commented that there is still time remaining for Class XI admissions and expressed hope that a solution would be found before the deadline. Local MLA and BJP leader Dr Ajoy Poddar remarked that this situation reflects the broader crisis in the states education sector. My father himself was an alumnus of this school. It is disheartening to see that today, the school is unable to admit students due to a lack of teachers. I am personally shocked by this development and will raise the matter in the next Assembly session, Dr Poddar stated. Shree Marwari Vidyalaya is one of the oldest and most reputed secondary and higher secondary schools in the region. This year, the number of students passing the Madhyamik examinations from the school also saw an increase. As the month-long summer vacations come to an end, government-aided schools across Bengal resumed classes from Monday. The schools are dealing with the invalidation of around 26,000 teachers and non-teaching employees, following a recent Supreme Court verdict. Headmasters and headmistresses of secondary and higher secondary schools in the state fear that there would be disruptions in normal academic activities in schools in the coming six months owing to severe shortage in adequate group C and D staff. Advertisement With the directive of the apex court around 7,000 group C and D employees, the main workforce in schools, have lost their jobs. Advertisement We dont know how to run schools for the coming six months till 31 December without the service of group C and D employees. They bear a major workload mainly related to non-teaching work in normal running of schools. It would be difficult to tackle the situation for so many months, said Chandan Maiti, state secretary of Advanced Society for Headmasters and Headmistresses. Group D staff look after jobs like cleaning of classrooms and school premises, locking and unlocking of main gate, classrooms, teachers rooms etc while the employees belonging to the C category are assigned for handling admissions of students, audit and account matters, and implementations of different state government schemes like Sabuj Sathi, Kanyashree etc, Mr Maiti said. The group C staff also look after matters like salary and pensions of teachers. One headmaster of a higher secondary school in Howrah said that the state government should have also taken into account the issue of the group C and D employees while it filed a review petition in the apex court. In its review petition the state government has requested the court seeking time for the teachers. Delhi Labour and Employment Minister Kapil Mishra on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting aimed at formulating strategies to create employment opportunities for the citys youth, spanning across sectors from labour to engineering, and technical to non-technical fields. This meeting aligns with the governments commitment that *no one should remain unemployed*, the minister stated. Representatives from the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of Training and Technical Education, Department of Higher Education, and Delhi Technical Institute were present at the meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat. Mishra asserted that every youth in Delhi is a top priority for the government, and the ultimate goal is to ensure that no one in the city remains without a job. Whether it is a labourer, an engineer, or a youth from a technical or non-technical backgroundwe will work tirelessly to create employment opportunities for all. This upcoming job fair will be a revolutionary step toward fulfilling the aspirations of Delhis youth, Mishra added. According to the minister, the first mega job fair is slated to take place in July, which is expected to open new avenues of employment for young people across the capital. He further explained that the meetings primary objective was to develop a comprehensive strategy to connect the youth of Delhi with meaningful employment, while ensuring coordination among various departments and industry bodies. Mishra emphasized that the Delhi government would leave no stone unturned in its mission to eliminate unemployment from the capital. He urged all stakeholders to work in synergy to ensure that every young person receives employment opportunities aligned with their skills, qualifications, and interests. The minister also shared that, in collaboration with industry bodies, educational institutions, and government departments, the government aims to build a strong ecosystem that not only facilitates job creation but also secures a brighter future for the youth. Mishra informed that the Delhi governments budget for 202526 includes provisions for organizing job fairs. A common digital platform will also be created to connect job-seeking youth directly with recruiting organizations. Advertisement Delhis SC/ST Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said on Tuesday that the message of unity, equality, and brotherhood shared by the great saint and social reformer, Sant Ravidas, remains a guiding principle for global peace and harmony even today. He said the saints life symbolizes the creation of a just society through spirituality, devotion, and social cohesion. The vision of Begumpura presented by Sant Ravidas was of a society free from discrimination and socio-economic segregation a model for any nation or society around the world. Advertisement The minister was participating in the international conference Begumpura: A Road to World Peace and Harmony organized by the Satguru Ravidas Research and Charitable Trust. Advertisement He emphasized that Ravidas awakened society through spiritual consciousness, while Babasaheb Ambedkar empowered the marginalized through constitutional means. According to Indraj, the guiding force behind the present Central and Delhi governments Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas approach draws inspiration from these ideals. He mentioned that Dr. Ambedkar provided the marginalized sections of society with the tools of education and dedication towards their goals. The right to equality, liberty, and social justice advocated by him have empowered the underprivileged to become self-reliant and contribute to nation-building, he added. Former Madhya Pradesh High Court judge Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, and Swami Gurdeep Giri Maharaj Ji were present on the occasion. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 3. China Huadian has joined forces with the Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications (AUPET) to train a new generation of energy specialists, marking a new step in Sino-Kazakh energy cooperation, Trend reports. During a ceremony marking AUPETs 50th anniversary, a memorandum of understanding was signed between AUPET and Kazakhstans national investment promotion company, KAZAKH INVEST. The agreement aims to foster talent development, facilitate information exchange, and involve the academic community in investment initiatives. This builds on a previous cooperation agreement between AUPET, China Huadian, North China Electric Power University, and Xinjiang University to establish the ChinaCentral Asia Electric Power Innovation Alliance. The initiative focuses on training young professionals, advancing joint research, and implementing applied projects in digitization and renewable energy. Kazakhstan is one of our priority markets, said China Huadian representatives. We see the development of local human capital as vital to our long-term success and are ready to invest in both technology and people. China Huadian is currently building a $190 million 160 MW gas-fired power plant in the Mangystau region to address local power shortages. The company also recently acquired solar power assets totaling 215 MW and is constructing a new 40 MW solar power station in Kyzylorda region. Two wanted criminals, including one being hunted for assaulting a Head Constable, were arrested in two separate incidents in South East Delhi, police said on Tuesday. One of the accused was being searched for an attack on a Delhi Police Head Constable, while the other was wanted in connection with the murder of a young woman in Kalindi Kunj. Advertisement According to the police, the first exchange of fire took place in Jaitpur, where the suspect Asif was arrested on June 2 after he opened fire at a police team attempting to apprehend him near the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Advertisement He sustained a gunshot injury to his leg in crossfire and was taken to the AIIMS for treatment. According to the police, the incident traces back to May 27 when Head Constables Karan and Pawan were patrolling JD Musafir Marg, and they noticed two men on a motorcycle acting suspiciously. On being approached, one of the men fled while the other, who was intercepted by HC Karan, attacked him with a knife and managed to escape. The motorcycle was found to be stolen in a separate case. Subsequently, a case was registered and an investigation was launched. During the investigation, CCTV footage helped identify the suspects as Raja and Asif. On May 30, Raja was arrested, and during questioning, he revealed the involvement of his associate Asif. In the second incident, an accused named Rajpal was arrested in a case of abduction and murder of a handicapped girl aged 22 years registered at Police Station Kalindi Kunj. Based on a tip-off, a trap was laid at Pusta Road in the Kalindi Kunj area. The accused was warned by the police; however, he fired two rounds, intending to escape, one of which hit the bulletproof jacket of Sub Inspector Shubham Chaudhary. Meanwhile, in self-defense and retaliation, the cop fired two rounds, one of which hit the right leg of the accused, and he was apprehended. 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 actors 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. Advertisement Taking to his X timeline, Ram Gopal Varma had said,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. Advertisement Ram Gopal Varmas 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 actors film Thug Life too wont 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 wouldnt, 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 Haasans 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 films screening. Meanwhile, office bearers of the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, demanding that the release of Kamal Haasans Thug Life 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 governments 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 Ministers 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. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has informed the Karnataka High Court that his much-anticipated film Thug Life will not be released in the state next week. The decision follows mounting protests over a comment Haasan made suggesting that Kannada evolved from Tamil, a remark that ignited widespread anger and sparked calls for an apology. Advertisement Despite the backlash, Haasan has remained steadfast in his position. Through his legal counsel, Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, he conveyed to the court that he would not be issuing an apology, arguing that he meant no disrespect and had not used any derogatory language towards Kannada. Advertisement The actor respects the Kannada language, his lawyer told the bench. There was no ill intent. He has not insulted Kannada nor shown it in a poor light. Therefore, he feels there is no need to apologise. The Karnataka High Court, however, wasnt entirely convinced. Presiding over the matter, Justice M. Nagaprasanna noted that a simple clarification or even a single word could have prevented the controversy from spiraling. It seems his ego is standing in the way, the judge remarked candidly. No one should hurt the sentiments of the people. Language is not just communication, it is culture, emotion, and pride. The judge emphasized the deeply emotional value of linguistic identity in India, especially in states like Karnataka, where language is closely tied to regional pride and history. Water, land, and languageJala, Nela, Basheare sacred to the people, he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) The legal proceedings began after Kamal Haasan sought protection for the release of Thug Life in Karnataka, fearing disruptions and unrest. Instead, the hearing turned into a heated discussion about responsibility, speech, and the consequences of public commentary. The judge questioned why the police should be required to protect a film whose controversy stemmed from the actors own statements. The statement in question was made during the audio launch of Thug Life in Chennai, where Haasan reportedly claimed that Kannada was born out of Tamil. The comment quickly went viral and triggered outrage across Karnataka, with multiple Kannada groups demanding a retraction. The all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda arrived in Delhi after concluding its visit to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain. BJP MP Baijayant Panda told reporters that the tour was very successful. The tour was very successful. We went to four countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria. All four countries have taken steps against terrorism, and their stand is also clear. They understand India. Indias history is such that we do not need to give justification. We are a country of non-violence. We went there to give facts and figures about the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and Indias response to that, he said. Advertisement He said India has also imposed economic sanctions on trade, visas, shipping, and water. Advertisement Our objective is that Pakistan should change its wrong policy and stop openly supporting terrorism. PM Modi has built a very good relationship with the leadership of these countries for the last 10-11 years, and they have also given the highest civilian honours of their country to PM Narendra Modi, he added. He further said Pakistan spreads a lot of propaganda. For many years, Pakistan was on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), due to which it was not able to misuse the funding it received for development. Now that it is not on the FATF list, it has misused it, and we have discussed this. The delegation, led by Panda, included BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak and Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad; and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. During their visit, the delegation briefed international partners on Indias response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, highlighting the broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. Group-1 of the All-Party Parliamentary delegation concluded its four-nation (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Algeria) visit today having successfully conveyed Indias message of zero tolerance for terrorism and Prime Minister Narendra Modis 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. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pak-sponsored terrorists, which took 26 innocent lives. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday that arrogant political leaders can not build a team and those who fail public dreams are failed and beaten by the people. You may be a big leader. You may alone be knowledgeable but your supporters are unable to adjust with you. You are unable to build a team as your supporters cannot approve of your arrogance, said the Union minister pointing at Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and his cabinet colleague Dhan Singh Rawat that no one sitting on the stage professed arrogance he was talking about. Advertisement Gadkari was addressing the convocation ceremony at Graphic Era University in Dehradun where he was awarded his 13th doctorate in the presence of Dhami and Rawat. Advertisement Without naming anyone, Gadkari further said, There is a difference between arrogance and self confidence. Self confidence accompanies positivity not arrogance. I am happy that this university doesnt inculcate mere knowledge but also administers values to create a society with characters. Speaking to the students and teachers of the university, he said harbouring dreams is not a crime but one must have the courage to fulfill it. We are in politics, we make you dream. But people back those who fulfill their dreams. Politicians who fail to fulfill public dreams get beatings from the people, said the Union minister. What is the biggest capital of the 21st century? Knowledge, resources and technology are must but if there is a capital bigger than this, its credibility, goodwill and honesty. This is an ideal combination of knowledge, resources and technology. There is no shortcut to this. Shortcut cuts you short said Gadkari. Gadkari stressed that Success and failures are part and parcel of life but one should never be deterred from the failures. I believe life is a game of compromises, compulsions, limitations and contradictions. So dont get demoralised. Dont be afraid of failures. Failures are the first step towards learning. A man is not finished when he is defeated but he is finished when he quits He added. Talking about how students step forward in life, Gadkari said, I want you not to become job seekers but job providers. In America six out of every 10 good doctors are Indians. Same is the situation in the UK. Once I had an opportunity to meet the Prime minister of Japan. He asked me if my software engineering students have mathematics in their genes. Why are they so intelligent? India is the country with the highest talented, trained, engineering and skilled manpower in the world. Today, I have also been awarded a doctorate degree as doctor of science. This is my 13th doctorate but I never used the title doctor with my name. I humbly say that I dont qualify for this. I am not good at engineering. However, the perception among NHAI engineers that I am an engineering expert is good. They think he cannot be fooled said Gadkari with a chuckle on cheeks. As incessant rainfall continues to lash Assam and its adjoining regions, the flood situation in the state has turned grim, displacing over 5.35 lakh people across 22 districts and raising the death toll to 11. With 15 major rivers in spate and vital infrastructure crippled, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma received a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed concern and assured full support from the Central government for relief and rehabilitation efforts. Advertisement CM Sarma took to social media to share details of his conversation with the Prime Minister. A short while ago, Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji called me to enquire about the current flood situation in Assam. I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives. I also apprised him of the relief operation undertaken by the state government, he tweeted. The Chief Minister added that the Prime Minister assured all possible assistance and lauded the states response to the disaster. Advertisement According to the latest Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin, a total of 5,15,039 people in 65 revenue circles and 1,254 villages have been affected. A total of 165 relief camps have been set up, currently sheltering 31,212 people, with 157 additional centres distributing aid. Over 12,610 hectares of crop area lie submerged, and 94 animals have been washed away. Among the worst-affected districts, Sribhumi tops the list with nearly 2 lakh people impacted, followed by Cachar (77,961) and Nagaon (67,880). Lakhimpur, another severely hit district, bore the brunt of overflowing rivers, particularly due to water released from the Ranganadi Dam operated by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sarma visited flood-hit areas in Lakhimpur and Barak Valley on Monday. The Chief Minister also warned of accountability for dam-induced flooding. We will conduct an inquiry, and if anyone is found at fault, they will be made answerable. I told NEEPCO officials that releasing stored water all at once creates a water bomb effect. We need a sustainable solution to this recurring issue, he said. Adding to the crisis, ferry services between Majuli and Jorhat have been suspended for two consecutive days, and multiple train services from Silchar were either cancelled or rescheduled due to waterlogging. The meteorological forecast offers little relief. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati has predicted moderate to extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Assam over the coming days, exacerbating fears of more flooding. Embankment breaches and infrastructural damage have been reported from several areas, with roads, bridges, houses, and electricity poles sustaining considerable damage. Urban areas have not been spared either, with over 21,000 people affected by flash floods in towns across two districts. Meanwhile, political leaders have stepped in to provide support and monitor the situation. Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi visited families of landslide victims and is expected to tour affected areas in the coming days. Flooding in Assam is an annual calamity, often intensified by catchment rainfall in the eastern Himalayan foothills and the release of dam water upstream. At a time when political observers were busy decoding Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswans desire to play an active role in Bihar politics, the partys Chief Whip and Bihar in-charge Arun Bharti dropped a political bombshell. Chirag Paswan is ready to lead Bihar, he told reporters at Patna airport on Tuesday. Advertisement When Nitish Kumar became the chief minister in 2005, he pulled Bihar out of Jungle Raj and delivered good governance. But the time has come when youth should lead Bihar and transform it into a fully-developed state under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, said Bharti, who is also brother-in-law and a close confidant of Chirag. Advertisement The LJP (R) president has repeatedly expressed his intention to contest the Assembly elections through various platforms, while maintaining that he has no ambition to become chief minister. He has been repeatedly saying that he wants to play an active role in making Bihar a developed state and stop migration to other states, which is not possible unless he quits Delhi and spends his energy in Bihar. Recently, he also mentioned that his return to Bihar would help his party to further enhance its support base. He added, Sometimes, when national leaders contest state elections, it does help the party grow. If my participation consolidates the partys position, enhances the strike rate and strengthens the NDAs position in Bihar, I will contest the assembly elections. While Chirags return to state politics is being seen in many quarters as a challenge to the JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar, many political observers have dubbed it as pure rhetoric aimed at positioning himself to ask for a better share of seats. With five Lok Sabha MPs, the party has expressed hope to contest on 45-50 Assembly seats. Sources said that eventually the party would agree to 30-35 Assembly seats. But sources in the BJP and JD(U) said that the LJP (R) will not get more than 20 to 22 seats. Now, all eyes are on the LJP (R)s Nav Sankalp Sabha on 8 June in Arrah in the Bhojpur district of Bihar, where Chirag Paswan is expected to announce his next political move. Security forces in an interstate coordinated endeavor achieved a major breakthrough in the sensational loot of two truckloads of explosives of around 4 tonnes by left-wing extremists in Odishas Sundargarh district, with the recovery of over 2.5 tonnes of looted explosive substances in a joint operation by Odisha and Jharkhand. It has come as a refreshing relief for the law-enforcing agencies of both the bordering States, as apprehension of misuse of looted explosives by the left-wing extremists loomed large. Advertisement Side by side with the recovery of explosives, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by Odisha police to crack the loot has taken into custody Shravan Agrawal, the owner of the explosive warehouse in Badgaon area of Sundargarh district in Odisha, which borders Jharkhand, also. Advertisement We have taken into custody Shraban Agarwal and a driver of one of his explosive-laden trucks. Police and SIT are investigating all the angles in this case, said Rourkela Superintendent of Police Nitesh Wadhwani. The cache was seized during a joint operation conducted by the Odisha Special Operations Group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jharkhand Jaguar, and the District Voluntary Force (DVF) in the dense forests of Koida in Odishas Sundargarh district. According to officials, the explosivesinitially seized by Maoists in a meticulously planned ambush on 27 May near the Relahatu-Yanko area under Keblang police station in Odishawere part of a consignment believed to weigh nearly five tonnes. The intercepted consignment was allegedly intended for onward transport to the Saranda forests, a known Maoist stronghold straddling the Jharkhand-Odisha border. Intelligence inputs led to an intensive search and combing operation in the hilly terrain of Koida, where security personnel, aided by metal detectors and sniffer dogs, discovered the cache concealed underground. The operation, conducted under challenging conditions, spanned several hours through rugged forest tracts and hostile territory. Odisha Police confirmed the seizure and stated that further search operations are continuing in adjacent areas. We acted upon credible intelligence. The explosives were buried at multiple locations, suggesting a deliberate attempt to disperse and conceal the materials ahead of their intended movement into Saranda, the officer said. Security analysts believe the recovery is a setback for the Maoist insurgents, who have reportedly been facing a shortage of ammunition and explosives. The intercepted consignment would likely have been deployed in the manufacture of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and for offensive operations targeting security installations and patrol units. The Superintendent of Police, Rourkela, confirmed the seizure via a post on X, commending the collaborative efforts of the participating security forces. During joint operations of Odisha SOG, CRPF, Jharkhand Jaguars, and DVF on the Odisha-Jharkhand border, another seizure of more than 2.5 tonnes of explosives looted by Maoists on 27th May has been made. Further search operations are underway, the post stated. Meanwhile, Odishas Rourkela police have ordered a thorough audit of all the transactions of explosives from all the magazines within its jurisdiction. We are thoroughly examining the transactions of the last two years. Investigation is looking into the place of origin and destination of the explosive consignment, which was waylaid by the Maoists, SP Rourkela said. In another development, the two-member NIA team comprising officers of SP and an additional SP rank is conducting an investigation into the loot case. The SP informed that the NIA team so far, has not asked us to handover the case file of the loot. While the Maoists continue to maintain a limited presence in parts of Saranda and adjoining districts, persistent operations by joint forces over the past year have significantly disrupted their supply lines and territorial mobility. The recovery comes amid heightened vigilance along the inter-state corridor and underscores the growing emphasis on cross-border intelligence-sharing and joint tactical manoeuvres to counter Left Wing Extremism in Eastern India. At least five contractual workers sustained serious burn injuries after hot metal accidentally spilled inside the Steel Melting Shop-2 (SMS-2) of the Bokaro Steel Plant late on Monday night. The incident triggered panic among workers and raised fresh concerns over safety protocols at one of Indias premier steel manufacturing units. The injured workersidentified as Samar Kumar, Chhotelal Manjhi, Ruplal Gorai, Nandkishore, and Anand Mandalwere engaged in operational tasks when molten metal reportedly fell from an overhead ladle. All five were immediately administered first aid at the plants in-house medical facility before being referred to Bokaro General Hospital (BGH) for specialized treatment. Their condition is stated to be serious but stable, hospital sources said. Advertisement All victims are employees of a private firm contracted for services within the plants SMS-2 unit. Following the incident, workers at the site staged a brief protest, alleging continued negligence and lapses in safety by the Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) management. Advertisement The situation was brought under control swiftly, and BSL officials visited the site to assess the circumstances. Directions have been issued to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care, said a senior plant official, requesting anonymity. City Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alok Ranjan, who confirmed the incident, described it as an industrial mishap and clarified that the matter currently does not involve any breach of law and order. The police are monitoring the situation. Should any legal or public safety concerns arise, appropriate action will be taken, he stated. This is not the first time questions have been raised about worker safety inside BSLs SMS units. Labour unions have long demanded stricter adherence to safety regulations and periodic audits, especially in high-risk operational zones. An internal inquiry is expected to be initiated to ascertain the cause of the accident. The northeastern region of India is grappling with a severe flood crisis, with the death toll rising to 36 and over 5.5 lakh people affected across multiple states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended full support to the affected states, assuring timely assistance and coordinated efforts to tackle the crisis. Advertisement The government is closely monitoring the situation. I have spoken to the Chief Ministers of the affected states and assured all possible support. The Centre stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of the Northeast, Modi said in a statement issued after his conversations with regional leaders. Advertisement In Assam, the worst-hit state, 11 people have lost their lives, and more than 5.35 lakh residents across 22 districts are affected. Districts like Sribhumi, Cachar, and Nagaon are among the most impacted, with the Brahmaputra and its tributaries flowing above danger levels. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been actively monitoring the situation, visiting flood-affected areas and coordinating relief efforts. Arunachal Pradesh has reported 10 fatalities due to landslides and flash floods, particularly affecting districts like Lohit, West Kameng, and Dibang Valley. Governor Lt General K T Parnaik (Retd) has urged residents to remain vigilant in high-risk zones. Meghalaya has seen six deaths resulting from landslides, drowning, and lightning strikes, with areas like Cherrapunji and Mawsynram experiencing exceptionally heavy rainfall. In Mizoram, five people have died due to landslides and house collapses, with districts like Aizawl, Champhai, and Serchhip being the most affected. Sikkim has reported three deaths following a landslide in the Mangan district that struck a military camp, claiming the lives of two army personnel and a porter. Tripura has recorded one fatality, with over 10,000 people displaced due to the floods. The India Meteorological Department has forecast more heavy rainfall in the coming days, prompting state administrations to issue high alerts and evacuate people from low-lying areas. With Prime Minister Modis assurance of central support, including potential deployment of defence personnel and additional funds under the National Disaster Response Fund, the region is focusing on both immediate relief and strengthening long-term resilience to extreme weather events. Uzbekistan reports progress in cement manufacturing Uzbekistans cement industry continues its upward trajectory, with production steadily increasing over the past three years. Recent data from the National Statistical Committee shows a notable rise in Portland cement output in early 2025, signaling ongoing growth and industrial development in the country. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Congress leader and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi officially took charge as the new president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday at the partys headquarters in Guwahati. Gogoi, who is also the deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, was welcomed by his predecessor Bhupen Kumar Borah and other senior leaders, including AICC Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh, MPs Rakibul Hussain and Pradyut Bordoloi, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, and working presidents Roselina Tirkey, Jakir Hussain Sikdar, and Pradip Sarkar. Advertisement He was appointed to the post on May 26, ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections. Following his appointment, Gogoi travelled from Jorhat to Guwahati in a roadshow with party workers and supporters, covering a distance of about 300 km. Advertisement This is just a small step for me, but our ideals remain unchanged. The Congress stands for equality and Constitutional rights, Gogoi said. We will work together to win the next assembly elections. The leadership change comes at a time when the Congress is trying to rebuild its presence in Assam after losing power to the BJP in 2016. Bhupen Borah will now head the partys campaign committee, while Debabrata Saikia will lead the coordination committee. Rakibul Hussain will head the publicity committee, and Pradyut Bordoloi, the manifesto committee. Meanwhile, Gogoi has been under attack from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who alleged earlier this year that Gogoi and his wife, a British national, had links to Pakistans military and intelligence services. The Assam government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in February to probe the matter. Gogoi has denied the allegations, confirming only that he visited Pakistan in 2013 when his wife was posted there with an NGO. He has challenged the government to release the findings of the SIT without delay. Sarma has said the report will be made public on September 10. Leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on Tuesday resolved to make a cohesive effort to push the Modi-government convene a special session of Parliament to discuss Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and subsequent developments, including US President Donald Trumps repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhans recent statement acknowledging initial losses of air assets due to tactical errors. The meeting which was attended by leaders of 16 constituents of the INDIA bloc demanded a special session of Parliament on Operation Sindoor in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trinamool Congress MP Derek OBrien told media persons after the meeting. Advertisement All the parties have written a letter to the Prime Minister demanding a special session of Parliament, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha told media persons after the meeting asserting that opposition parties assert that the government is accountable to Parliament and, ultimately, to the people. Advertisement Asserting that the seven all-party delegations sent on a world tour by the government to present Indias stand on Operation Sindoor and against terrorism to the world, will be returning to India by the end of this week, TMC MP Derek OBrien said, The opposition is demanding a debate on this issue in a special session next week after their return. The 16 constituents of the INDIA bloc that attended todays meeting included the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian Union Muslim League, Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Kerala Congress, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation. Notably, the Aam Aadmi Party and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) did not attend the meeting. Earlier, LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha, and Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary M A Baby among others also wrote separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to convene a special session of Parliament to address the de-escalation of hostilities with Pakistan and to enlighten the nation about the truth in US President Donald Trumps repeated claims of brokering India-Pakistan ceasefire and Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhans claims that Indian fighter jets were shot down in a clash with Pakistan. Leaders among others who attended todays meeting included Congress Jairam Ramesh and Deependra Hooda, TMCs Derek OBrien, SPs Ramgopal Yadav, RJDs Manoj Jha, and Shiv Sena (UBT)s Sanjay Raut. India reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready digital development during the 11th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting held in Brasilia, Brazil. Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar delivered the countrys statement, aligning Indias priorities with the overarching theme set by Brazils BRICS presidency: Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Space Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, and the Digital Ecosystem. Advertisement Dr Sekhar presented Indias Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a global benchmark for inclusive and transformative digital governance. He highlighted the pivotal role of flagship initiatives like Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in advancing universal and meaningful connectivity. He noted that Aadhaar has empowered over 950 million citizens with a secure digital identity, enabling seamless access to essential public and private services. Advertisement UPI, he emphasised, has revolutionised real-time digital payments and now accounts for 46 per cent of global digital transactions. The minister credited this remarkable digital progress to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose guidance India has built a scalable, inclusive, and resilient digital ecosystem that is inspiring countries around the world. He called upon BRICS nations to deepen collaboration in harnessing digital public infrastructure to drive inclusive growth and build resilient digital economies. He underscored that Indias DPI modelbuilt on open, interoperable platformsserves as a catalyst for financial inclusion, good governance, and digital innovation, while also guarding against monopolistic practices. Dwelling on Indias vibrant startup ecosystem, robust digital skills initiatives, and progressive legislation such as the Telecommunications Act and the Data Protection Act, Dr Sekhar emphasised the importance of trust and user safety in the digital age. He also spoke about Indias Sanchar Saathi initiativea key effort to combat telecom fraudand called for enhanced BRICS cooperation in cybersecurity, data protection, and digital trust to ensure the safety and integrity of interconnected digital societies. Dr Sekhar highlighted Indias digital journey, celebrating the transition from digital divide to digital leadership. Indias ambitious Digital Bharat Nidhi programme was showcased as a cornerstone initiative, funding landmark projects such as BharatNet, which now connects over 218,000 village councils with optical fiber infrastructure. Union Minister of State for Space, Jitendra Singh, on Tuesday said that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will conduct experiments in space to study how microgravity affects the human body and mind. These studies, he noted, will be crucial for planning future long-duration space missions. Advertisement It is a matter of national pride that an Indian astronaut is an active participant with defined scientific responsibilities in this international mission, the Minister stated. Advertisement Shukla is set to travel to space on June 8 as part of the United States Axiom-4 mission. He will spend two weeks aboard the International Space Station (ISS), performing a suite of experiments designed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Singh told a news agency that Shuklas research will also examine skeletal muscle dysfunction in space and assess therapeutic strategies to counteract its effects. Besides studying the effects of space on the human body, Shukla will also conduct experiments on tardigrades, popularly known as water bears, an organism known to survive in extreme conditions. Through these studies, scientist aim to understand how to advance sustainability beyond Earth. Besides studying the effects of space on the human body, Shukla will also conduct experiments on tardigrades microscopic organisms, often called water bears, known for their ability to survive extreme environments. Scientists hope these studies will offer insights into sustaining life beyond Earth. Group Captain Shukla is one of the four astronauts selected for Indias first human space mission, Gaganyaan, alongside Prasanth Nair, Angad Pratap, and Ajit Krishnan. Gp Capt. P.B. Nair has been named as the designated backup for the Axiom-4 mission. Speaking about Indias first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, Singh said trial phases are currently underway, and the mission is targeted for early 2027. He described such space experiments as game-changers for Indias space ecosystem, emphasizing that these will help the country become truly Atmanirbhar in the space domain. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi dispensation of surrendering before global superpowers like the US at the cost of national interest. He made the remarks in connection with Operation Sindoor and the recent India-Pakistan border skirmishes, and US President Donald Trumps claims of brokering a deal between the two hostile neighbouring nations. Advertisement Addressing a Congress workers convention during the Sangathan Srajan Abhiyaan (organization, rejuvenation, campaign) in Bhopal, Gandhi accused the BJP and RSS of surrendering in front of foreign powers. Advertisement US President (Donald) Trump called up our PM and immediately the PM agreed to a ceasefire (with Pakistan). Trump ne kaha Modi ji kya kar rahe ho? Narender (sic)Surrenderaur ji huzoor kar ke Modi ji ne Trump ke ishaarey ka paalan kiya (Trump said what are you doing Modi Ji. Narendracome on surrender. And Modi said Yes Sir and followed Trumps instruction), he said. These people (the BJP and RSS) are like this only. You create a little pressure, and they surrender, Gandhi stated. This is their character. Since the freedom struggle, they have been writing letters to surrender, he charged. If you remember 1971, there was no phone call, but the US sent its Seventh fleet.an aircraft carrier with weapons came. But still Indira ji said I will do what I have to do. The Congress party does not surrender, he asserted. Gandhi ji, Nehru ji, Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi.they were not people who surrendered, but fought against super powers, Gandhi maintained. Criticizing the BJP and RSS, Rahul Gandhi said they want to end the constitution in our country. He added that the BJP and RSS have taken control over all the constitutional bodies in the country. Rahul Gandhi emphasized two points on which the Congress and all its leaders and workers need to fight against the BJP and RSS. One is safeguarding our constitution, and the other is restoration of social justice in the country, he elaborated. Rahul Gandhi noted that he had pledged to the nation in the parliament that no matter what happens, the caste census would be approved. This is our pledge for ensuring social justice, Gandhi stated. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Bhopal in the morning at around 11 AM to launch the Sangathan Srajan Abhiyaan. He addressed three meetings at the State Congress Headquarters till around 1 pm. In the meetings, Rahul Gandhi strictly advised Congress leaders and workers not to indulge in any kind of groupism, and work unitedly to re-strengthen the grand old party. He focused on rebuilding and rejuvenating the Congress party on all fronts. Gandhi told Congressmen that they needed to work in cohesion. He assured that nothing would be forced upon the state units from the Central Leadership, but the aim would be to make those changes, which the state Organization decides unanimously. Rahul Gandhi sent across a strict message that any Congress leaders or workers found to be working against party interests and ideologies would be dealt with immediately and stringently. He said that the role of District Congress Committees would be strengthened, and they would also be made more responsible and accountable in elections of Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and Civic and Rural bodies. After the meetings, Rahul Gandhi finally addressed the party workers convention at the Ravindra Bhavan, before leaving from Bhopal in the evening. A court here on Tuesday remanded a government employee, who was arrested last week on espionage charges from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, to 7-day police custody. The suspect, Shakur Khan, was produced before the ACJ Court (First) for seeking him on police remand in the case registered against him under the Official Secrets Act 1923. Advertisement The Special Public Prosecutor (OS Act) had sought 10 days remand for him for further rounds of interrogation and procuring certain documents/evidence. However, the court granted a 7-day remand. He will be produced before the court on June 10. Advertisement Presently, the investigation agencies have seized three mobiles from his possession. On reports of the suspects connection with a former Congress minister, the prosecutor said at this stage, no body other than Khan figures in the case. Sources claimed that Khan, an AAO (assistant audit officer) posted at the Employment Office, Jaisalmer, had in the past worked as personal staff of former Congress state minister Saleh Ahmed. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajasthan Assembly, Tika Ram Jully said, Investigation agencies or prosecutors referred to nobody, allegations by BJP leaders have no credibility as they are in the habit of leveling allegations without basis. Let the investigation agencies do the probe in a transparent and fair manner. We will cooperate fully. The Intelligence sleuths and other border security agencies had nabbed Khan in the bordering Jaisalmer district on May 28 for suspicious activities and links with Pakistan. The next day, he was brought to Jaipur where central security agencies grilled him further. It is learned that he had undertaken about half a dozen journeys to Pakistan and had links with some Pakistani intelligence contacts. It is also believed that he did not seek official permission for undertaking these visits, a source claimed. Shoolini University, Solan (Himachal Pradesh), has announced a 100 per cent fee waiver for students from Himachal who secure over 90 percent marks in their qualifying examinations. Addressing the media on Tuesday, Chancellor Prof PK Khosla said, Reinforcing its commitment to regional empowerment, Shoolini University gives special preference to students from Himachal Pradesh, opening up world-class opportunities for local youth. To encourage academic excellence, we are offering a full fee waiver to Himachali students scoring above 90 per cent in their qualifying exams. Advertisement Highlighting the universitys global standing, Prof Khosla said Shoolini has been ranked the No. 1 private university in India by both the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Rankings 2025. Climbing 200 positions in the QS rankings, the university now holds a global rank of 587, making it the highest-ranked private Indian university ever. Advertisement Shoolini also leads all private institutions in India for Research Quality and International Outlook in THE rankings, he added. On the national front, Shoolini University is ranked among Indias top 15 higher education institutions including both public and private universitiesand holds an A+ accreditation from NAAC with a CGPA of 3.33. It is also a national leader in patent filings, with over 1,500 patents to its credit and an H-index exceeding 115among the highest for young Indian universities. Prof Khosla emphasized the universitys 100 per cent placement record in key programs such as MBA, BTech (CSE), Hotel Management, and Media and Communications. Renowned companies including IBM, Deloitte, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Accenture, Genpact, and Cipla regularly recruit from the campus. With over 250 international collaborations across 28 countries, Shoolini offers dual-degree programs with institutions like the University of Melbourne and Royal Holloway, University of London. Students also benefit from study abroad pathways, global internships, and exchange programs. Cutting-edge centers such as the AI and XR Research Centre, various Centers of Excellence, and industry collaborations with IBM, Microsoft, Bosch, and Ikigai Labs further enhance Shoolinis future-focused academic environment. Founded in 2009, Shoolini University has emerged as a beacon of quality education in India. With a strong focus on academic excellence, advanced research, and inclusive access, particularly for students from Himachal Pradeshthe university is redefining higher education from the heart of the Himalayas. Guided by visionary leadership and faculty drawn from top institutions like Oxford, IITs, and the University of California, Shoolini continues to transform lives through education. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called on BJP workers to take the achievements of the Central Government to every citizen. Addressing a state-level workshop organized in Lucknow on the completion of 11 years of the Modi government, Yogi said it is the good fortune of the nation to have the impactful leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Amrit Kaal of independence. Advertisement Themed 11 Years of Service, Good Governance and Poor Welfare, the event began with floral tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Advertisement Urging party workers to focus on grassroots engagement, the chief minister said it is everyones responsibility to communicate the governments 11 years of achievements at the booth level. He called for connecting all sections and organisations with the campaign and highlighting success stories of beneficiaries. He said that the 11 years of Modi governments performance form the foundation for realizing the vision of a developed India. Workers must play an active role in disseminating these achievements at the state, district, mandal, and Shakti Kendra levels. Recalling how BJP workers had taken the achievements of the Uttar Pradesh governments eight-year tenure to every booth, Yogi said it is now time to do the same at a national level showcasing both state and central accomplishments. The chief minister asked the workers not to limit the campaign to the party cadre, but engage with the general public, professional groups, and direct beneficiaries. Citing recent by-elections, he said coordinated meetings of party departments and cells had proved effective. BJPs six morchas and 2223 cells represent every segment of society including lawyers, doctors, teachers, students, and beneficiaries. Organising meetings with these groups and selecting speakers from among them would ensure effective outreach. Highlighting the success of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, CM Yogi said where once illness became a crisis for families, today, over 50 crore people in India including 10 crore in Uttar Pradesh are covered under the scheme. Through the Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Yojana, senior citizens above the age of 70 receive free health coverage of up to 5 lakh, without any discrimination. He urged party workers to distribute Ayushman and ration cards at Shakti Kendras so that beneficiaries feel connected to the governments welfare efforts. Speaking on progress in healthcare, CM Yogi noted that prior to 2014, India had only one AIIMS. While Atal Bihari Vajpayee established six AIIMS, the Modi government has added 22 more, including two in Uttar Pradesh. The One District, One Medical College vision has made institutions a reality in remote districts such as Maharajganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Mirzapur, providing both healthcare access and employment. He urged workers to proudly promote these achievements and counter misinformation from the opposition. He emphasized the impact of schemes like Har Ghar Nal Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, and PM Awas Yojana. Around 60 lakh poor families in UP have benefited from housing, electricity, ration cards, and pensions. Vulnerable communities like Kol, Musahar, and Tharu have received 100% coverage under key welfare schemes. CM Yogi recalled meeting a beneficiary from the Kol community who came simply to thank the government and encouraged workers to share such heartfelt stories. CM Yogi credited the Modi government for the resurgence of Indias cultural heritage, citing milestones such as the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the restoration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, and events like the Mahakumbh. He said PM Modi is the first Prime Minister to restore Ayodhyas glory. He urged workers to actively participate in programs like the Tiranga Yatra, Ahilyabai Holkar Remembrance, and International Yoga Day. He also called on the BJP workers to participate in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign and River Rejuvenation Program on World Environment Day (June 5). He encouraged departments and cells to organise conferences with professionals such as doctors and lawyers, and to promote beneficiary success stories through media. He said this campaign will not only promote the BJP, but also help connect the government with every segment of society. The United Kingdom (UK), Liberia and Egypt have strongly backed Indias zero tolerance against terrorism, and conveyed their respective stand to the Indian all-party parliamentary delegations. The delegation visits to different countries come under Indias unprecedented diplomatic campaign to expose Pakistans sustained role in cross-border terrorism following the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Advertisement In a diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, the Narendra Modi government has formed seven multi-party delegations to inform different nations about Pakistans links to terrorism and Indias strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Advertisement The all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, held high-level engagements in London with the UK ministers, parliamentarians, party leaders, think tanks, and India friendship groups, highlighting Operation Sindoor as a significant shift in Indias counter-terrorism approach. The leaders also discussed strengthening IndiaUK collaboration against cross-border terrorism. The delegation received wide-ranging support, reaffirming shared commitments to global security, justice, and strategic partnership. The delegation, in an interaction with UK Minister for Citizenship and Migration Seema Malhotra at the British Parliament, apprised her of Indias resolve against fighting terrorism. They also met with Labour Party India Friendship Groups including Labour Friends of India, Labour Convention of Indian Organisations, Sikhs for Labour, and Hindus for Labour presenting Indias united stance against terrorism. The delegates reaffirmed Indias steadfast commitment to tackling terrorism with determination, highlighted that terrorism continues to endanger global stability and called for stronger cooperation to eliminate this shared threat in pursuit of lasting peace, security, and the collective good of humanity. The Labour India Friendship Groups expressed their solidarity with India in a unified voice and extended firm support for Indias fight against terrorism. They agreed that terror infrastructure must be dismantled wherever it exists and that terror financing must be addressed decisively acknowledging that what affects India today could impact any nation, including the UK. Both sides underscored the importance of continued dialogue to foster mutual understanding and expressed a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and engagement between the Labour Party and India. At Conservative Campaign Headquarters, the delegation engaged with Co-Chair of the Conservative Party Dominic Johnson and Co-Chair of the Conservative Friends of India Koolesh Shah. They voiced strong support for Indias fight against terrorism, acknowledged its global implications, and lauded the Indian diasporas contribution to the UK. Earlier, on Monday the delegates interacted with UK-based think tanks, discussing the threat of cross-border terrorism and how Operation Sindoor sets a new strategic benchmark in Indias fight against it. Today, alongside my esteemed colleagues from the all-party delegation, I had the privilege of engaging with UK think tanks and the academic community, sharing Indias unwavering stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We highlighted the new normal established by India in countering state-sponsored terrorism. Our dialogue with leading think tanks was fruitful, and we conveyed our concerns, explaining the purpose of our visit, Ravi Shankar Prasad posted on X. We emphasised Indias capability in handling Pakistan, which we have successfully done in the past. While we believe in peace and amity, we also recognise the need to take decisive action to protect our citizens from terrorism. The world must understand the scourge of terrorism. We also underscored Indias economic achievements, emerging as a manufacturing hub with global recognition. As a sovereign nation with a significant growth trajectory, we firmly believe terrorism and trade are incompatible, the post added. Meanwhile, another All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde, has concluded a significant three-day official visit to Liberia, reinforcing Indias global campaign against terrorism and strengthening bilateral ties with the West African nation. In a press release, the Embassy of India in Liberia noted that the visit carried a resolute message of zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. These included meetings with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting with President Boakai, the delegation expressed gratitude for Liberias message of condolence and solidarity addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Liberian leadership, in turn, reaffirmed its support for Indias counter-terrorism efforts, including Operation Sindoor, and emphasised the need for unified international action against terror networks. Meanwhile, in Cairo, NCP (SP) Supriya Sule-led all-party delegation called on League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Tuesday, underscoring Indias unified stance and collective determination to combat terrorism. The leaders stressed that countering terrorism is a priority for both the Arab League and India. The discussions also focused on Indias wide-ranging political, economic, and cultural engagement with the Arab States. The League of Arab States, with its seat in Cairo, Egypt, is an intergovernmental organisation encompassing all Arab states in the Middle East and North Africa, established in Cairo on March 22, 1945, following the adoption of the Alexandria Protocol in 1944. Currently, it includes 22 Arab countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The delegation also had an engaging interaction with the vibrant Indian community in Egypt. The community welcomed the visit of the delegation and the message carried by them to combat terrorism, the Indian Embassy in Cairo posted. On Monday, the delegation was briefed by Indian Ambassador to Egypt Suresh Reddy on the strong India-Egypt Strategic Partnership, Egypts strong stance against terrorism, solidarity with India after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and the close bilateral collaboration on counter-terrorism. Later, the delegation had a fruitful engagement at the Egyptian Senate House with Senator Hossam Al-Khouly of Mostaqbal Watan Party and MP Hazem Omar, including the Chairmen and members of other Parliamentary Committees. The Senate reaffirmed solidarity with India and reiterated the importance attached to the close Strategic Partnership between India and Egypt. The devastation caused to Pakistans air defence systems and strategic assets, including air bases, in the short fourday Operation Sindoor, was such that Islamabad and Rawalpindi were compelled to release their troll army to convert their DGMOs call for a ceasefire in the face of imminent defeat to claims of a false victory. Such was the desperation that even their Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharief, on Azerbaijan soil and in front of global media, falsely claimed downing six Indian aircraft, including four Rafale, while praising their army chief Asim Munir, whom they were compelled to promote to Field Marshal as a display of victory. The Indian Chief of Defence Staff debunked his claim. Operation Sindoor was a perfect example of coordinated and synergized action amongst Indias three services and multiple other agencies including external intelligence and technical monitoring organizations. It was done under the aegis of the CDS. Despite shortcomings in structures and capabilities, the armed forces stood tall and displayed what they can achieve when working in unison. In a span of four days, they brought Pakistan to its knees, forcing it to request for a ceasefire. Had Operation Sindoor gone on, the devastation to Pakistans military assets would have been greater. The operation may have been a setback for Pakistan and China, which armed it, but they have picked up the pieces. After Uri was the cross-border strike on terrorist camps, which was expected to be repeated after Pulwama. Advertisement Hence Pakistan strengthened the LoC. Pakistan was certain India would not employ airpower as it could signal declaration of war, which it would not risk due to the nuclear bogey. It had also considered the Kargil scenario where orders were given by the Vajpayee government not to cross the LoC. However, Indian aircraft entered Pakistani airspace to strike Balakote. It was a total surprise compelling their then defence minister, Pervez Khatak, to mention, Our air force was ready but since it was night they could not assess the damage so they waited. Pakistan was thrilled when it downed an Indian MIG 21, ignoring its own casualties and losses. For them this was victory. This time Pakistan expected a strike akin to Balakote and hence beefed up air defences, ready to target any aircraft crossing the LoC. Advertisement Meanwhile, India, aware that terrorism would again be exploited to highlight the disputed status of Kashmir, had prepared differently for a similar eventuality. When Operation Sindoor happened, Pakistan was again surprised. They attempted to retaliate the next night, hoping to cause some damage as a face-saver, but failed. Retaliatory Indian strikes tore apart their strategic assets, after negating their air defences, forcing them to request for a ceasefire. This is not the end. The Pakistan military and civil leadership, while licking their wounds, are aware of differences in military power, failure of Chinese and Turkish military hardware and their planning and implementation. It can never admit failure as it could lead to loss of control of the army over national politics, resulting in the collapse of the current government. It could also end in another coup solely intended at preventing the emergence of Imran Khan as the new leader, aka Bhutto after 1971. Hence, their narratives have been packed with lies, backed by their hierarchy, convincing their public, while sowing seeds of distrust on gullible Indian and global media and populace. India has to now look ahead. Terrorism, even if talks are held, will not end. Pakistan is known to make promises and never keep them. At some stage in the future, prodded by China, and pumped with its new weaponry, Pakistan will attempt another terrorist incident which will be beyond Indias tolerance levels, compelling it to react. China and Pakistan have drawn their lessons from Operation Sindoor. The Indian armed forces are doing the same. It is time for India to push for creation of theatre commands, where coordination, force synergy and decisions are taken under one roof, implemented in one operations room, post clearance by the political authority as against being coordinated by the CDS, monitored in three different service operation rooms and overseen by service chiefs. Training and exercises in theatre commands would anyway strengthen joint operations. Theatre commands being way beyond single service commands of the present would be structured accordingly. Their role would include coordinating operations against one or more adversaries and hence they would be suitably organized. It should have representatives of all major external intelligence agencies, technical monitoring establishments, MEA, real-time links to satellites, etc. As technology improves, so would inputs to these commands. This implies that all resources necessary for launching operations would exist under one roof. If there is need for additional resources, these would be allocated accordingly. Operations, so controlled, would offset the need for three different service HQs being involved in planning, coordination and execution. Theatre commands would have multiple options for military offensives and limited strikes in their region of responsibility. There are many who mention that the close coordination achieved this time does not warrant amending the existing system. The difference is that all would happen under one roof, with one commander, responsible for that theatre, employing joint forces under a synergized plan. This will also enable activation of multiple contingencies depending on how operations progress. Simultaneously, service HQs as also HQ IDS (Integrated Defence Staff) would continue pushing for force development and capability enhancement. This is a major role as shortcomings in capabilities to handle a two-front conflict exist. It necessitates an enhancement in the defence budget and speeding up procurements. Multi-domain operations involving space, cyber, information and cognitive (including building and pushing the right narrative) are part and parcel of future conflicts. These imply greater civil-military fusion which would be the role of HQ IDS. The difference between the current and the next level is that service HQs would be force providers while theatre commands would employ them. HQ IDS would coordinate provision of additional resources as the situation demands. All organs of the state would need to function in synergy, displaying a whole of nation approach. The future will be vastly different. As has been after Uri, no two conflicts are the same. As days go by, the role of technology in modern warfare will only increase for which we need to prepare and change. We can no longer fight tomorrows war with todays structures. We need to change and change fast. Will the government take heed? (The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 3. Kazakhstans Ambassador to Latvia Dauren Karipov met with Latvian Minister of Transport Atis Svinka to discuss strengthening bilateral transport cooperation, including a potential visit to Kazakhstan later this year, Trend reports. During the meeting, held in Riga, the two officials reviewed the current state and future prospects of transport collaboration between Kazakhstan and Latvia. Discussions focused on expanding transit routes, upgrading infrastructure, and advancing multimodal logistics chains. Particular emphasis was placed on boosting cargo flows through Latvian ports and utilizing railway infrastructure to speed up the delivery of Kazakh goods to EU markets. The sides also touched on digitalizing freight operations and streamlining customs procedures. Aviation ties were also high on the agenda, with both parties expressing interest in enhancing business and tourism links. They exchanged views on the possible resumption of direct flights between Kazakhstan and Latvia in the near future. Notably, Ambassador Karipov conveyed an invitation from Kazakhstans Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, for Minister Svinka to visit Kazakhstan this year. The visit, if confirmed, is expected to further solidify cooperation in transit, logistics, and infrastructure development. Pakistani Generals routinely overstay their tenures and overstate their relevance in the national discourse. For a military that inherited the same structural commonalities and regulations as India, it is telling that the Pakistani Army has its 15th native Chief, whereas the Indian Army is on its 30th Indian Chief. The love to continue wearing the uniform is apparent in the case of the last five Pakistani Chiefs of Army Staff. Instead of serving the mandated three year term, General Pervez Musharraf served for over nine years, till he was grudgingly pushed out. Musharrafs successor, General Ashfaq Kayani gave himself a three-year extension to serve a six year tenure. Kayanis successor, General Raheel Sharif gave civilian politicians nightmares by threatening to extend his tenure ~ though he still manages to wear the uniform even today (almost eight years after his retirement), albeit the uniform of the Commander of the Riyadh-based, Islamic Military Counter Terrorism force. Sharifs chosen successor, General Qamar Bajwa took a lot of interest in domestic and political fights and he too chose to extend his tenure to six years. The incumbent head of Pakistani Army, Asim Munir, has been a startlingly different kettle of fish altogether. In November 2024, he first got the Pakistani Parliament to make an amendment to the Army Act wherein the tenure of the Army Chief got extended from three years to five years (also removing the 64 year age limit for retirement). Advertisement There was also an unprecedented provision made for a possible second term which means that a 10 year tenure for Munir is almost certain. But presumably not satisfied with just a 10 year opportunity, Munir went even further when on May 20 this year, he got the Pakistani Parliament to promote him to Field Marshal, ostensibly for his role in what they call Operation Bunyanum Maroos. It is the worst kept secret in Pakistan that it is the dour and over entitled Generals working out of the cantonment township of Rawalpindi (General Headquarters or GHQ) who pull the essential strings in the Pakistani narrative. Advertisement The fact is that the most popular political leader i.e., Imran Khan, has been booted into the jail by the Pakistani military and the motley crew of a discredited political alliance of PML-N and PPP, who jointly run a beholden, obsequious, and sham government. This explains the tearing hurry to bestow the Field Marshals rank on Munir, clearly at his behest. The so-called PMs proposal has very few takers and the incredulity gets accentuated by the official rationale ~ In recognition of his brilliant military leadership, courage, and bravery, ensuring Pakistans sovereignty and territorial integrity and courageous defence against the enemy. Neither did the Pakistani military acquit themselves with any distinction in the four-day conflict (they were hit across locations) nor are the claims of victory in consonance with the ridiculous and propagandic claims of similar victory in earlier wars with India. Irony dies a thousand deaths with the official Pakistani celebrations of September 6 as Defence Day (commemorating what was actually a disaster called Operation Gibraltar in 1965). Later Musharraf was to similarly gloss over the debacle of Kargil as a victory in his memoir, In the line of Fire. Befittingly, the shame of the 1971 war is not openly acknowledged or recounted as a defeat. The patent PR machinery of the Pakistani military has remained on overdrive despite losing each and every conflict that it is has launched, be it the wars of 1947-48, 1965, 1971, 1984 race to Siachen, 1999 Kargil, or even the recent four-day conflict that left them scurrying for a ceasefire. So much so, even its misadventures and machinations to achieve Strategic Depth in Afghanistan with its own creation i.e., Taliban, have backfired embarrassingly as Pakistan is now in the midst of deadly fighting against the Afghan Taliban and its proxies. Therefore for the Pakistani military to be outrageously claiming victory yet again, is not surprising as it is from a propaganda playbook used since independence. The first (and the only other) Pakistani officer to become Field Marshal was the till then General Ayub Khan. His promotion like Munirs ostensible recommendation by Parliament was equally insincere and self-driven as he had justified his own elevation by describing it as a drastic and extreme step when with great reluctance, but with fullest conviction that there was no alternative to it except the disintegration and complete ruination of the country. The reality was that there was a clear attempt to usurp power, control levers of governance and intimidate any opposition (as he turned the tables on President Iskander Ali Mirza, who had wanted to shut out Ayub Khan). For all of Ayubs initial grandstanding and commitment to restore democracy, he ruled with an iron fist for eight years and only ceded space owning to his deteriorating health, mass unpopularity, and shift in loyalties of the military brass towards opposition leaders. Even then, he finally passed the baton to yet another military general, the equally undemocratic and debauched General Yahya Khan. Later, two more overambitious Generals i.e., Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharaff succeeded in going beyond the uniform formally by undertaking coup-led Presidentships. Both had reasons of grave insecurities and ruthless ambitions binding their moves. These two Generals did not trust the local politicians to be the public front of Pakistani leadership. Hence they skirted the domineering Field Marshal route, and instead, took over the leadership mantle unilaterally. However, in the post-Musharraf era, the Generals in Rawalpindi have devised and perfected the more efficient, controllable, and optically-palatable system of allowing a farcical and submissive civilian government to take centerstage (and also the accompanying brickbats), whilst the puppeteers (read, Generals) wield control from Rawalpindi GHQ. This convenient arrangement ~ with the invaluable and protective shield of plausible deniability for any wrong committed by the Pakistani government ~ was used by post-Musharraf Chiefs like Kayani, Shareef, Bajwa and now Munir. Basically, the blame was always taken by the civilian government while the perceptions of the Pakistani military remained shielded and unscarred. Therefore by assuming the rank of Field Marshal, Munir has perfected that optical arrangement even further without getting accused of a coup (he doesnt need one given the wholly dependent status of the civilian government). Field Marshal-ship also allows for glossing over the embarrassment of the four-day conflict with India by stitching a counter-narrative of a positive outcome, even when the reality is far different. Munir follows a longstanding tradition of storytelling by Pakistani Generals that downplays their ruthless ambitions, consistent failures, and yet legitimises their relevance in the eyes of distracted and unaware Pakistani masses. Like the civilian government in Pakistan that was not really elected but selected (by the Pakistani Military), the same way the Field Marshal rank was not earned but taken by Munir himself. History is instructive on the reasons why Ayub took over as Field Marshal (later President) or why Zia and Musharraf took over Presidentship, and it never had anything to do with any military accomplishments or democracy, and everything to do with political machinations, ruthless ambition and grave insecurities. (The writer is Lt Gen PVSM, AVSM (Retd), and former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry) Rather than resorting to indiscriminate escalation or political posturing, the armed forces demonstrated an ability to absorb initial losses, adapt rapidly, and respond in a manner that was both forceful and measured. This shift also places greater responsibility on Indias political leadership to communicate clearly with both domestic and international audiences during crises ~ ensuring that military actions are not misread, while also reinforcing Indias commitment to rules-based conduct and regional stability. The choice to target air bases, rather than civilian infrastructure or symbolic sites, also underscores the intent to keep the conflict within rational, professional bounds. Secondly, the absence of nuclear brinkmanship is notable. Despite operations near sensitive Pakistani nuclear infrastructure, both sides maintained a clear distance from strategic thresholds. This reflects a shared, if ta cit, understanding that conventional warfare can ~ and should ~ be conducted below the nuclear line. Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the non-involvement of China ~ at least in any active or visible manner ~ is significant. While Pakistan remains a close ally of Beijing, India reported no unusual activity on its northern borders during the crisis. This creates a small, strategic breathing space for India to refine its western theatre doctrine without immediate multi-front complications. What this conflict demonstrated, ultimately, is that future engagements between India and Pakistan may no longer follow the template of past confrontations. The use of precision air power, emphasis on tactical rationality, and avoidance of nuclear signalling could become the new grammar of military crisis management in South Asia. That is a fragile but welcome evolution. As General Chauhan remarked, rationality prevailed, and uniforms on both sides acted with restraint and clarity. Thirdly, this conflict introduces a new norm: conventional force as a calibrated policy tool. The Indian governments declaration that any future attacks will be met with decisive military response is not mere rhetoric. It implies a standing readiness posture that will now require persistent operational vigilance, particularly from the Air Force and intelligence services. This, in turn, demands better funding, integrated command systems, and political-military synergy. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who is a member of all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, said that Brazilian leaders during the meeting with the all-party parliamentary delegation, expressed clear support for Indias counter-terrorism effort Operation Sindoor and condemned Pakistans cross-border terrorism. Speaking to ANI, Surya said that the delegation met the Brazilian Parliament President, the Acting Foreign Minister and the India-Brazil Friendship Group Members of Parliament. He said that Brazilian leaders assured the delegation that Brazil is Indias all-weather ally and friend and termed it a successful visit to Brazil. He said, Today, we met Brazils Acting Foreign Minister, Brazil Parliament President, meaning speaker equivalent, India-Brazil Friendship Group MPs. In all three meetings, Brazil has clearly expressed support for India. It has condemned Pakistans cross-border terrorism and supported Indias counter-terrorism Operation Sindoor. This is very big for India. Brazil is an essential voice in Latin America and this entire geography. Advertisement It is also a strategic partner of India in many groups, be it the G-20, G-4, BRICS, or India-led other global platforms like the International Solar Alliance, Global Alliance for BiofuelsIn all three meetings, Brazils top authority has supported Indias stance against terrorism, has supported Indias counter-terrorism measures. At the conclusion of every meeting, we were given assurance that Brazil is an all-weather ally and all-weather friend of IndiaThis has been a very successful visit to Brazil. We received immense support for India from Guyana, Panama, and Colombia. This is something, the biggest takeaway for this delegation, he added. The delegation, led by Shashi Tharoor, includes Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, reflecting Indias vibrant and inclusive democratic character. The delegation comprises Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. BJP MP Shashank Mani says, We are here as a reflection of India-Brazil friendship. We told them that Operation Sindoor is important for India and the world. The people are receiving our message well We believe that the way our multi-party delegation has come here, Brazils similar delegation will visit India soon. Advertisement Speaking about the meeting with Brazilian leadership, former Ambassador of India to the US and BJP leader Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, I think on the South American perspective, we have seen a lot of positivity, starting from Guyana, Panama. Brazil, we have had a traditional relationship with them and this morning we met the chief advisor of the president, who is a former defense minister as well as foreign minister and he underlined against any form of terrorism. And he also emphasized about Prime Minister Modi and Presidentequation. Then we also met the president of the Senate and we also had a meeting with the president of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Both responded very positively on India-Brazil relationship, particularly on terrorism. They were very clear and there is an understanding across South America that terrorism as a policy instrument is a very dangerous aspect and therefore, it needs to be opposed and India is in a way doing, fulfilling the responsibility of the world. And I think after this, the next stop we have is Washington, DC, which will have its own challenges. The South American interaction has gone very well. This delegation had a very clear, out-focused message and led by Foreign Relations Committee Chair Mr. Shashi Tharoor, he added. BJP MP Bhubaneswar Kalita said that the delegation had a fruitful meeting with the Brazilian leadership. He said that they will hold a meeting with Brazils Vice President and expressed hope that the meeting would be fruitful. said, Parliamentary delegation, which is consisted of opposition as well as ruling party and particularly our delegation is led by an opposition leader, Shashi Tharoor. And we had today very useful and fruitful meetings with the leadership of the Brazilian government. We are also, we have already met the Secretary General of Foreign Affairs, who is looking after, who is the head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Government of Brazil and we had a very fruitful discussion with the parliamentarians and the president of the Senate. So, we had very good discussion and we could convey our message to them and which they fully accepted and they have shown their solidarity with us. And after this, of course, we are going to meet the Vice President and hopefully that meeting will also be very fruitful. And overall, our discussion and interaction with the leadership, the parliamentary leadership as well as the government leadership in these two days have been very fruitful and we could convey the sentiments of India and particularly the war against terror, the Pahalgam incident, which is an act of terror by Pakistan. The government of Brazil and the leadership of Brazil have some solidarity for against terror and on unequivocal terms and they have some solidarity with India, she added. The delegation also held a meeting with India-Brazil Friendship Front President Nelsinho Trad. Shashi Tharoor said that he appreciates Trads insightful understanding and strong endorsement of Indias perspective on recent events. According to Tharoor, Trad said that they have an ally in him and his colleagues in Parliament in Brazil. Excellent & highly productive meeting with Senator Nelsinho Trad, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front & President of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. Deeply appreciate his insightful understanding & strong endorsement of Indias perspective on recent events. Such solidarity strengthens the bonds between our democracies, Tharoor posted on X. The delegation also met the Chief Advisor to Brazils President, Celso Amorim. Sharing details regarding the meeting, Tharoor on X wrote, Our day in Brasilia begins with a visit to the Presidential Palace, where we meet with my old friend the Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Ambassador Celso Amorim (Brazils longest-serving Foreign Minister twice & Defence Minister once). A full &rewarding discussion followed. The visit to Brazil is part of Indias larger global outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack, aimed at conveying Indias zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. The delegation had earlier visited Panama, Guyana, and Colombia and will now travel to the United States to continue their diplomatic outreach. Islamabads anti-India propaganda failed miserably during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs four-nation regional diplomacy tour last week that aimed at making an outreach to the international community following Operation Sindoor Indias decisive response to the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Sharif visited Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan from May 25-30 after India demolished terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) during Operation Sindoor, last month. Advertisement The visit focused on portraying Islamabad as a victim of terrorism, blaming India for not sharing credible evidence to support assertions of Islamabads involvement in the terror attack and also raking up the Kashmir issue. Advertisement Relations between Iran and Pakistan remain strained as both sides accuse each other for not doing enough to stop growing militancy across their shared border stretching approximately 959 km (596 miles). In January 2024, Iran had launched missile strikes targetting strongholds of Jaish-al-Adl, a Balochi-Sunni militant separatist organisation active in Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province. Pakistan has accused Iran of sheltering the two Baloch nationalist-separatists groups, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). We believe that the common borders of the two countries should be free from insecurity and the presence and activities of terrorist and criminal groups, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a veiled warning to Pakistan as he addressed a joint press conference with Shehbaz Sharif in Tehran on May 26. Pezeshkian stated that West Asia and South Asia currently need security and peace more than ever, which underlines the need for consultations and positive interaction with the neighbouring countries and other international partners. Bilateral issues gained prominence again as he met Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Lachin on May 27 with Sharif more inclined towards increasing economic cooperation with Baku. He reiterated Azerbaijans commitment to invest USD $2 billion in Pakistan and increase cooperation in sectors such as commerce, defence, education and health. Baku has emerged as a major hub for Pakistani nationals involved in fake passport/visa rackets and abetting human trafficking for South Asians for further travel to the West. Interestingly, Sharif has been a regular visitor to Ankara and Baku since taking over as Prime Minister of Pakistan in April 2022. In Dushanbe, Sharifs meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on May 29-30 on the sidelines of the first International High Level Conference on Glaciers Preservation (ICGP) focused on collaboration in energy projects, including CASA-1000, regional connectivity and trade. Not many people paid attention to the Pakistani PM when he, during his speech at ICGP, suddenly brought up the issue of India putting in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Even the Joint Statement issued after the meetings during the four-nation visit reflected an impartial stance. It was Shehbaz Sharif, in fact, who kept on reiterating Pakistans willingness to engage in dialogue with India. Facing a serious security crisis on its western frontier while tackling the Taliban and Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), Pakistan is making desperate efforts to draw closer to Tajikistan. The Director General of ISI and the current National Security Advisor (NSA) of Pakistan, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik visited Dushanbe last December to befriend Tajikistan which is considered a stronghold of anti-Taliban factions. However, the Tajik civil society does not like Pakistan as Islamabad has been promoting terrorism which has had a spillover effect into Tajikistan and all of Central Asia. Tajikistan strongly feels that terror outfits from Pakistani soil might create disturbances in the region, including by targetting Ismaili Shias in the mountainous Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) region. Pakistan wants to build its influence in Eurasian geopolitics with the implicit support of China. Needless to say, the Central Asian Republics understand fully that state-sponsored terrorism is an industry in Pakistan. Analysts believe that as Shehbaz Sharif tried to shore up support for Bunyan-un-Marsoos during his four-nation visit, each stop resulted in lesser display of strategic relationship with Pakistan. (The writer is an expert on South Asia and Eurasia. He was formerly with Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Views expressed are personal) Australia will gift an Australian-built Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives, countrys 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. Advertisement The Guardian-class Patrol Boat is under construction and due for completion in 2026. Advertisement 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 Indias Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which underpins our relationship and shared vision for the Indian Ocean, the Australian Defence Ministry stated. An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor held a meeting with Brazils Acting Foreign Minister, Maria Laura da Rocha, and discussed strengthening collaboration on anti-terrorist cooperation, multilateralism, and democratic values between both the countries. The delegation on Monday also thanked the South American country for understanding Indias stand against terrorism and views shared on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Advertisement Taking to social media platform X on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Brazil in a post said: A high-level All-Party Delegation led by MP Shashi Tharoor met Acting Foreign Minister of Brazil, Ambassador Maria Laura da Rocha. They thanked Brazil for its understanding against terrorism, shared views on the Pahalgam attack, and discussed strengthening cooperation on anti-terrorist cooperation, multilateralism, and democratic values. Advertisement Earlier, the Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Tharoor met Brazilian Senator Nelson Trad Filho, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front in the Federal Senate, to discuss the menace of cross-border terrorism, including the Pahalgam terror attack. The delegation conveyed Indias bipartisan resolve and also thanked Brazil for its support in the global fight against terror. After successful visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, the nine-member Indian delegation which arrived in Brazil for a two-day visit includes Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Sarfaraz Ahmad, Telugu Desam Party MP GM Harish Balayogi, Bharatiya Janata Party MPs Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora and Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. As part of Indias ongoing efforts to foster international cooperation in the global fight against terrorism, particularly in the context of Operation Sindoor and the countrys sustained sustained campaign against cross-border terrorism, the high-level all-party Parliamentary delegation arrived in Brazil on Sunday evening (local time). The All-Party Delegation led by MP Shashi Tharoor met Senator Nelsinho Trad, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front in the Federal Senate, to discuss the menace of cross-border terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack. They conveyed Indias bipartisan resolve and thanked Brazil for its support in the global fight against terror, the Indian Embassy in Brazil said in another social media post on X. Earlier, the Indian delegation also met Ambassador Celso Amorim, Head Adviser to the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and briefed him on Indias resolute response to the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam in April. The Indian delegation also discussed the need for strengthened global cooperation against terrorism, alongside shared commitments to peace, security, and democratic values. They also thanked Brazil for its continued support in the fight against terrorism. A high-level All-Party Delegation, led by MP Shashi Tharoor, met with Ambassador Celso Amorim, Head Adviser to the President of Brazil. The delegation briefed him on Indias resolute response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and discussed the need for strengthened global cooperation against terrorism, alongside shared commitments to peace, security, and democratic values. The delegation thanked Brazil for its continued support in the fight against terrorism, the Indian Embassy in Brazil said in a post on X. The Embassy of India in Brazil extends a warm welcome to Dinesh Bhatia, Ambassador-Designate of India to Brazil. He was warmly received by Andre Saboia, senior representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, along with Embassy officials. We look forward to working under his leadership to further strengthen the dynamic and strategic partnership between India and Brazil, the Indian Embassy in Brazil said in a post on X. Earlier on Monday, Congress MP Tharoor in a post on X said: Our day in Brasilia begins with a visit to the Presidential Palace, where we meet with my old friend the Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Ambassador Celso Amorim (Brazils longest-serving Foreign Minister twice & Defence Minister once). A full & rewarding discussion followed. India Parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor met with the President of Brazils Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Nelsinho Trad, and had a good & comprehensive discussion. The Senator extended full support to India, said Ambassador and one of the Indian delegation members, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, in a social media post on X. India Parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor met with Celso Amorim, Chief Adviser of the President of Brazil & former Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as Defence. Amorim emphasised Brazils condemnation of Terrorism and support for India, Ambassador Sandhu added on X. The All Party Delegation to the Americas met with the India-Brazil Friendship Front (Federal Senate), led by Senator Nelsinho Trad, today. India and Brazil share a deeply valued partnership across multiple multilateral platforms. We discussed the significance of #OperationSindoor and collaborative efforts to address terrorism. Glimpses from the meeting! said Bharaiya Janata Part (BJP) MP and one of the delegaion member, Tejasvi Surya, in a social media post on X. The All Party Delegation to the Americas called on Ambassador Celso Amorim, Head Adviser of the Special Advisory to the President of Brazil, this morning. We discussed our position of #ZeroToleranceToTerrorism and Operation Sindoor. In a long and frank conversation, he expressed deep support, sympathy, and condemned the Pakistani attack. Highlighted how terrorism is a global threat and all countries must come together to address it. Brazil, a long standing ally of India, stands with us in this combat against terror. A fruitful start to our Brazil visit, BJP MP Surya added. The Indian delegation briefed Brazilian counterparts on recent developments in India, particularly in the aftermath of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation also conveyed 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. 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 campaigns front-runner, kicked off the last day of his campaign in Seouls northern ward of Gangbuk before making stops in the neighbouring cities of Hanam, Seongnam and Gwangmyeong. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Koreas politics and home to the National Assembly, Yonhap news agency reported. On the evening of former President Yoon Suk Yeols 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 Yoons 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 DPs 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. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who is one of the Trump administrations key trade negotiators, has urged India to trust the US President Donald Trump, saying he will take care of Indias interests. Lutnick, who is the lead US trade negotiator with India and a close adviser to President Trump, also expressed optimism about a deal with India soon. Advertisement The President thinks of America first, but he does not think of America only or America exclusively, he said at the annual summit of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). Advertisement First, hes got to take care of home so were big and strong, but then hes going to take care of his allies. Hes going to make sure he takes care of India who he deeply, deeply admires and respects, and we are going to have a great, great relationship together. The Commerce Secretary sounded less conciliatory when he laid out the US terms for a deal: India is very protectionist with tariffs. They have 100 per cent tariff on this and 100 per cent tariff on that. And if you ask them why, the answer is, I dont know why. It just is. So I think the idea of really looking at those things, thinking about them, and bringing them down to a level that is reasonable and appropriate so we can be great trading partners with each other, I think, is absolutely on the table, and its not stressful because they havent thought about it. They think, yeah, it makes sense. Lets go make this a proper trading relationship. The US is seeking simply more access to the Indian market. What I hope to achieve is market access. We would like our businesses to have reasonable access to the markets of India. Now, its not going to be everything, and its not going to be everywhere, but we want to have the trade deficit reduced now, in exchange for that, what India is going to want is theyre going to want certain key markets that theyre going to want to make sure that they have special access to the American marketplace. And so thats the trade off. If I say, Look, Ill treat you incredibly kindly on the things that are really important to you, and you bring down your tariffs and give us market access. And lets find the proper place in the middle. And I think if you have the right person on the other side, what happens is, if you put a normal Trade Minister, its an endless set of talking and no outcome, because theyre used to saying, this kind of deal would take three years. Lets get this done in two years, and thats not really fun for me. So the idea is, when they put the right person in India, put the right person on the other side of the table, and weve managed, I think, to be in a very, very good place. And you should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not too distant future, because I think we found a place that really works for both countries. Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6) Today Thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 68F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 61F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Azerbaijan has held discussions with the Saudi Arabian ACWA Power company on global energy priorities, the importance of shifting to sustainable business models, and opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the green energy sector, the Ministry of Economy told Trend. Minister Mikayil Jabbarov met with Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman of the Board of ACWA Power, during the 30th Baku Energy Week. The meeting emphasized the growing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across various sectors, particularly in renewable energy. Jabbarov noted the role of Saudi investors in supporting Azerbaijans transition to green energy. ACWA Powers ongoing projects in Azerbaijan, including the construction of the largest wind power plant in the Caucasus region and efforts in seawater desalination, were highlighted as key examples of this expanding collaboration. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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. India is shooting itself in its foot, said Emirates Airlines President Tim Clark in New Delhi this week. Indias approach is fair and balanced, shot back Indigo Airlines CEO Pieter Elbers. Just because one side is making more and more noise doesnt mean it is more and more right, Elbers added. The Dubai dilemma has seen the two airline CEOs battling over perhaps the biggest prize in Indian aviation its sizeable, lucrative and fast growing market of passengers flying abroad. The matter is quite simple Emirates, by virtue of it being one of the biggest airline companies in the world and one that exclusively connects international destinations, wants to fly more flights into and out of India. The problem? Indian authorities have not renewed or increased its bilaterals in over 10 years. Bilaterals are air service agreements decided upon between two countries that govern commercial air transport between the two territories. Unlike in most other global businesses where free market principles dictate who gets to do business or not, passenger airlines are governed by bilateral agreements between two countries which decide how many flights (or to be more precise, how many number of seats) both countrys airline(s) get to operate between each other. Emirates, the flag carrier of Dubai (which is an emirate in the UAE), has been one of the most prolific operators of international flights from India, carrying hundreds of thousands of Indians either to the dream desert destination, or to their eventual destinations across the world thanks to its global network. For years, this has been the case, with Emirates becoming the biggest international airline operating in India. And neither Indian authorities, or Indias travellers minded transiting through Dubai and experiencing equally its duty free attractions as well as Emirates top-notch in-flight services. But now, increasingly, it has become an issue due to two reasons. First, with more and more Indians travelling internationally, Emirates would like to carry even more of this ever growing segment. But it cant, as the India-UAE bilateral rights give each countries just 66,504 seats in either direction every week and Emirates has already maxed out its share of it across the 334 weekly flights it operates in Indian airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. It has been making its case for the need to increase this, but Indian authorities have not paid heed. And thats precisely because of the transformation in Indian aviation in the last decade. In the 2000s and 2010s, while Emirates was garnering a sizeable chunk of Indias outbound traffic, it didnt matter much as Indias private airlines were fledgling at best (or trying to survive in most cases), with national carrier Air India in no shape to even use its share of the bilateral seats. But now, with a privatised Air India and the airline-on-steroids Indigo both having global ambitions, matters have changed. The Indian authorities also now have veered around to the viewpoint that it is time India itself became a global hub for international travel, and that there is no need to provide Indian travellers as fodder to other international airline hubs like Dubai or Doha. But on the flip side, the freeze on increasing capacity has meant that fares on the India to Gulf routes often tend to be inordinately high for flights that are just three to four hours generally impacting many Indian blue-collar workers who work in the region who have to fork out previous foreign exchange for a cherished vacation back home. But on the business side, for any airline, international traffic offers more profits, since the per passenger yields tend to be higher, while domestic routes are not only tightly fought, but the flexibility in increasing prices is also limited. And Indigo and Air India have major plans to ramp up their global operations, intending to offer direct point-to-point services from India to major destinations across the world eventually, instead of offering just a few major cities (like Air India has been doing) and then depending on codeshare partners to take care of the last mile connectivity. While it was interesting that Indigo CEO Pieter Elbers tore into Emirates pitch that aviation is a catalyst for economic growth and that India was shooting itself in the foot by not increasing bilateral share of seats by defending the Indian governments position (as it only benefits domestic operators like Air India and Indigo), the battle lines seem to be clearly drawn. A day after the Emirates outburst, fellow UAE airline Etihad also came out in support of expanding seats between India and the UAE. Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves told a business daily that Indias stand is silly. In the wake of the recent conflict between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attacks, discussions on India's fifth-generation fighter jet programme, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and the possible stopgap alternatives have gained further momentum. While Pakistan is reportedly considering the purchase of J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters from China and exploring the possibility of setting up a joint production line of combat aircraft KAAN with Turkish Aerospace Industries, India's homegrown fifth-gen fighter is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force only by 2035. If the J-35 deal is finalised, China will start delivering the stealth fighters in the next two years, shifting the regional balance as the jets will significantly enhance Pakistan's airpower. Writing for the American think tank The Heritage Foundation, policy expert Kriti Upadhyaya argues that fifth-generation aircraft is both "a strategic imperative and an operational necessity" for India as Chinas fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon is now operational and Pakistan continues to co-develop the JF-17 jets with China. ALSO READ: Pakistan's Turkiye-made highly advanced warship begins sea trials in Istanbul. Should India be worried? She points out that India's frontline aircraft Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, and MiG-29s are fourth or 4.5 generation. It is also important to note that the Indian Air Force has a combat fleet strength of 31 squadrons against a minimal requirement of 42. India's fifth-gen ambitions had suffered a setback when a joint Indo-Russian initiative Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project was stalled due to various reasons. However, India came up with the domestic alternativeAMCA or Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The twin-engine multi-role fighter AMCA is expected to incorporate radar-absorbing materials, specialised coatings, and exhaust technologies to increase stealth. Designed for sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, AMCA is likely to be equipped with sensor fusion, AI-assisted electronic piloting, Net-centric warfare systems, and integrated vehicle health management. As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved industry partnership, which equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on a competitive basis for the AMCA execution model, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is expected to issue an expression of interest soon. If timelines are met, the first prototype is expected to be rolled out between 2026 and 2027 and is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force by 2035. READ MORE: S-400 missile system proved its might during Operation Sindoor. When will India get remaining squadrons? However, given the geopolitical scenario and Pakistan's increasing air power capabilities, a 10-year wait for the fifth-generation fighter seems to be a long one. According to Upadhyaya, in the meantime, India has two options to bridge the gapUS F-35 and the Russian Su-57. Although the Su-57 is cheaper and Russia also promises the transfer of technology, the analyst notes that it lacks proven operational history and the maintenance ecosystem is uncertain. Meanwhile, the F-35 is the most widely deployed fifth-gen fighter in the world, despite the "kill switch" myth. The analyst points out that in order for the F-35 deal to happen, "India would need to undertake credible reforms to safeguard sensitive US defence technologies while also maintaining interoperability" as the US has been hesitant to offer the platform to countries that operate equipment of Russian origin. For the US, equipping India with its fifth-generation fighter, helps it to advance its strategic objective of having a credible deterrent to Chinese military adventurism in the Indo-Pacific region. According to the analyst, in order to bridge India's fifth-generation power gap, India could acquire a limited number of F-35s even as it accelerates the AMCA development. India should also build collaboration with like-minded countries like the US in areas like stealth coatings, electronic warfare systems, and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T). Besides, it should also start investing in sixth-generation technologies. However, not everyone seems to agree. A few days ago, former Indian Air Force chief R.K.S. Bhadauria said as the government put its faith in AMCA, we as a country needs to do everything to expedite the AMCA. "That cause of concern in terms of what Pakistan is going to get from China in the interim - be it J20 or J-35 - let them get these. That will be studied. What is important is in the interim how do you handle these threats and there are ways and means of tackling this threat that they will have," he was quoted as saying. The recent India-Pakistan conflict has revealed that Chinas support for Pakistan is overt and operational, moving beyond the supply of military hardware, which includes fighter jets and submarines. In a further testament to the help Pakistan received during the military confrontation following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan thanked China for the unequivocal support it received. According to media reports, former Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is in the US along with a nine-member Pakistan Parliamentary delegation to present Islamabad's version of the recent India-Pakistan conflict, met China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong. While the discussion between the two sides revolved around the security situation in South Asia in the wake of the India-Pakistan conflict, Bilawal thanked Beijing for the unequivocal support extended by China and claimed that Pakistan's response to India's Operation Sindoor was responsible and restrained, reported Geo News. ALSO READ: How India-Pakistan hostilities played out at Shangri-La Dialogue Further, he urged China to help in resolving the Kashmir dispute. Earlier, taking to X, Bilawal had claimed that he was in the US to convey Pakistan's messagethat Pakistan seeks peace with dignity and equality at the UN. 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. India strongly responded to the Pakistani attempts 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. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan claimed that as far as air warfare is concerned, Operation Sindoor created history. Speaking at a lecture in Pune, the CDS said successful operations were carried out against Pakistan and added that the operation was a big achievement as Indian security forces were able to penetrate the air defence networks of Pakistan and carry out relentless operations deep inside with precision and offensive intent. He pointed out that this was the kind of first no-contact warfare which India fought and observed that this was a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic operations. He said Operation Sindoor is not over as yet and this is only a temporary cessation of hostilities. There is a need to keep our guard up, he added. ALSO READ: Clear evidence of China's support to Pakistan during India-Pakistan conflict revealed as Pak delegation thanks Beijing Explaining why India did not want to get into a long-drawn conflict, he said, "We have seen our experience in Operation Prakaram. We were there for almost about nine months. It involves a lot of expenditure, disrupts everything. We had seen this to some extent after Balakot, there was a deployment which we had mobilised. In this particular case, what happened was that before this mobilisation could be completed, the operations were halted." On being asked about the losses incurred by the Pakistan side during Operation Sindoor, he said, "When I was asked about losses on our side, I said these are not important. The results and how you act are important. It would not be very correct to talk about losses....We will tell you how many aircraft we destroyed and how many radars did we destroy. We will make a rough assessment of that and come out with that shortly." Professional military forces are not affected by setbacks and losses, the CDS said. The Karnataka High Court rapped actor Kamal Haasan for stoking language row in the state and questioned the actor for evidence of his statement: "Kannada was born from Tamil". Noting a simple apology would have solved the issue, the Court will hear the matter regarding the release of his upcoming film 'Thug Life' later today. Hearing a plea moved by Haasan's production house Raaj Kamal Films International, High Court Judge M. Nagaprasannna observed, "No language can be born out of another - where is the material? And what has happened - disharmony. And what has people of Karnataka asked? (Only) an apology," Bar and Bench reported. The judge observed the veteran actor has hurt the sentiments of people in Karnataka and said, "Jala, Nila, Bashe - three things are important to citizens. Division of this country was on linguistic lines," the publication reported. "You apologise, then no problem. You want to earn some crores from Karnataka also," the bench noted. The judge, questioning whether the actor was a historian or linguist to make such a statement. Criticising the actor for stoking the controversy, the bench noted there was difference between a person who creates circumstances and a person who is a victim of it. "You are making the situation go out of control. It is your film for which you are seeking protection," the bench noted. Advising the actor to reconsider his decision that he will not apologise, the bench said it would hear the matter regarding protection for the release of the film again at 2.30pm today. The actor kicked up a row saying Kannada was born out of Tamil during the promotions of his upcoming film in Karnataka recently. 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. The veteran actor earlier said he would not apologise for his statement and his comments were made out of love. In new developments, actress Blake Lively has moved a New York court to seek the removal of her emotional distress claim against Justin Baldoni, Variety reported. The step comes as Baldonis legal team sought the release of Livelys medical documents to validate the claim, which would require the actress being asked to sign a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) release. ALSO READ | Justin Baldoni sues The New York Times for $250 million against Blake Livelys 'unverified' allegations article Lively earlier alleged severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration and mental anguish against her It Ends with Us co-star and director. Ms Lively has refused the Wayfarer Parties reasonable request that the withdrawal of such claims be with prejudice. She is only willing to withdraw her claims without prejudice, the court document filed by Baldonis team stated. This means that Lively has the right to reintroduce the issue with evidence after the discovery windowthe time to gather evidencehas closed, thereby blocking Baldonis attorney's access to her medical documents. ALSO READ | Blake Lively hit with a USD 7 million defamation lawsuit by crisis management firm Livelys legal team, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, has labelled the filing a press stunt. Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims, they said to the outlet. Back in March, Lively filed a motion in a New York federal court to dismiss Baldonis defamation suit, citing that the law protects individuals who have filed sexual harassment lawsuits. Lively's representatives accused Baldoni's team of using the countersuita response to her December 2024 lawsuitas a "blunt public relations instrument designed to further the Wayfarer Parties' sinister campaign to 'bury' and 'destroy' Ms Lively for speaking out about sexual harassment and retaliation." A court date has been set for the high-profile case on March 9, 2026. Preliminary hearings commenced earlier this year in February. James Cameron, the man behind blockbusters such as The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Titanic, has announced a collaboration with British author Joe Abercrombie, to co-write a script based on the latter's bestselling dark fantasy novel, The Devils. Cameron's production house Lightstorm has purchased the rights to the book that was released last month and reached the top of the bestselling charts in the UK. Interestingly, Abercrombie, known for his fantasy fiction trilogies such as First Law and Age of Madness, has some experience in filmmaking himself, having once briefly worked as a film editor. In an official statement, Cameron shared why he was drawn to the book. How do I describe The Devils? A sharply witty horror adventure? An epic battle between good and evil except most of the time you cant tell which is which? A twisted, stylish, alt-universe Middle-Ages romp, where your best hope of survival is the monsters themselves? This is Joe Abercrombie in absolute peak form, opening up a whole new world and an ensemble of delicious new characters. The twists and turns come at a rollercoaster pace and with Joes signature acerbic wit and style. The Devils showcases Joes jaundiced view of human nature, in all its dark, selfish glory, as told through some decidedly un-human characters. But of course, Joe always teases with the flickers of redemption that make it all worthwhile and ultimately quite heartwrenching. The Aliens and True Lies filmmaker added that he has been a longtime fan of Abercrombie's fiction, and listed some of his favourites of the author. Ive loved Joes writing for years, cherishing each new read, throughout the epic cycle of the First Law books, especially Best Served Cold (Love it!) and the Age of Madness trilogy. But the freshness of the world and the characters in The Devils finally got me off my butt to buy one of his books and partner with him to bring it to the screen. Im looking forward to the writing process with him, though Im certain this adaptation will practically write itself because Joe writes very visually, almost in scenes, and with a very cinematic structure. I cant wait to dig into this as I wind down on Avatar: Fire and Ash. It will be a joyful new challenge for me to bring these indelible characters to life. Expressing his elation on collaborating with the blockbuster veteran, Abercrombie says he can't think of anyone better than realising his adaptation for the screen: James Cameron has been thrilling audiences, including me, by putting the impossible on film for over four decades. No one can balance mind-blowing action and spectacle with gut-wrenching personal stakes and story the way he does." Meanwhile, Cameron is hard at work on the final touches of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third film in the space-based sci-fi franchise, and engaged in the post-production process of Avatar 4. Slated for release on December 19, Avatar: Fire and Ash will see the return of Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Kate Winslet and Sigourney Weaver, among others. In Fire and Ash, Cameron will introduce a Na'vi clan known as the 'Ash clan' whose leader Varang, played by Oona Chaplin, is expected to play an antagonist who locks horns with Jake (Sam Worthington). The director also called it the longest of the franchise so far, meaning it will go beyond the 3 hours 12 minutes runtime of the second film, Avatar: The Way of Water. It's not yet clear whether he'll direct the fifth film. Cameron had recently hinted that he might ask someone to take over the fifth. Notably, the filmmaker had also announced plans to adapt two books by Charles Pellegrino Ghosts of Hiroshima and Last Train From Hiroshima into one film. If the project indeed comes to fruition, it will mark his first non-Avatar film since Titanic. Kazakhstans grain export volumes to Italy show small decrease in 2025 Kazakh grain exports to Italy saw a slight decrease in early 2025, with a drop of 2 percent compared to the same period last year. During recent talks with Italy's TRAMITE GROUP, Kazakhstan also discussed expanding trade to include additional agricultural products and explored the possibility of long-term partnerships in the sector Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Actor Prabhas much-delayed film Raja Saab has finally received an official release date. The news brings a smile to the fans of the Adipurush actor who have been eagerly waiting. The makers took to social media to confirm the news. ALSO READ | Prabhas' character poster from 'Kannappa' revealed Director Maruthi Dasari posted on Instagram that the film is slated to release on December 5 and further mentioned that the official teaser, which will provide a first glimpse into the movie, will be out on June 16. The film was initially marked for an April 10 summer release, however, it was postponed due to delays in post-production. Many took to social media, expressing their excitement about the upcoming film. An X user commented, Looking forward to the movie, and another commented, All the best Prabhas. Apart from Prabhas, the rom-com horror flick will also feature Malavika Mohanan, Niddhi Agerwal and Rishi Kumar in the lead roles. Synonymous for his action flicks, the movie marks the Saaho actor's debut in the horror genreshowcasing the authors keenness to experiment with his script selections. Bankrolled by TG Vishwa Prasad under the People Media Factory banner, Thaman S (Game Changer, Daaku Maharaaj) will be scoring the film. ALSO READ | Is Prabhas bidding farewell to his single status? Actor keeps fans guessing about his fiancee The film also serves as Dasaris second endeavour in Bollywood, following his success with his Bollywood debut Sathyaprem Ki Katha, starring Karthik Aryan and Kiara Advani. Before his advent in the Hindi film scene, the 43-year-old rose to prominence in the Marathi film industry, being particularly noted for his ability to blend humour and emotion with flair. Ever since the release of the movies initial poster on Sankranthi last year, Raja Saab has created a huge buzz on a pan-Indian scale. The latest announcement has only amplified the excitement surrounding the release. Rana Daggubati is back as the fixer handling his clients' unpleasant cases and so is the actor's real-life uncle Venkatesh Daggubati as his estranged father, in another season that promises more intense events. As per the official logline, "In Season 1, audiences were pulled into the dangerous, adrenaline-soaked, slick world of Rana Naidu the ultimate fixer to the rich and reckless. He could erase crimes, rewrite narratives, and bury the darkest secrets in plain sight! Nothing was too messy for Rana except his own father. Enter Naga Naidu Ranas estranged father, a ticking time bomb of regret, rage, and unresolved history. The Naidus are not just dysfunctional; they are volatile, scarred, and too proud to confront the ghosts that haunt them." Season 2 will introduce a new adversary in the form of Arjun Rampal's Rauf who will "stop at nothing to settle scores." Co-starring Surveen Chawla, Kriti Kharbanda, Sushant Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, and Dino Morea, this season is also expected to blend "gritty action with high-voltage family drama complete with betrayal, redemption, and everything in between." Creator Karan Anshuman said in an official statement that the new season is "bigger, darker, and way more intense! The emotional stakes? Off the charts! Rana and Naga are still butting heads two strong-willed men weighed down by their past and their own flaws. Things at home? Lets just say the Naidu family drama is hitting a whole new level of chaos. Loyalties are shifting, tempers are flaring, and the line between love and betrayal is getting dangerously blurry. And just when things couldnt get any more complicated, Arjun Rampals Rauf steps into the storm, shaking everything up. Its raw, its real, it's chaotic... but Rana remains focused on one thing protecting his family, no matter the cost. Rana Naidu Season 2, co-created and directed by Anshuman jointly with Suparn S. Varma and Abhay Chopra, is backed by Sunder Aaron and Locomotive Global and will premiere on Netflix on June 13. Last week, Kamal Haasan found himself in the midst of controversy following a remark he made during an event for Thug Life, where the actor said that Kannada was born out of Tamil. This statement resulted in bashing from the Karnataka government and pro-Kannada organisations. Matters escalated when Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) provided an ultimatum to the actoreither apologise or the Thug Life will not be allowed to screen in the state. ALSO READ | Kamal Haasan given 24 hours to apologise; moves Karnataka HC amid language row Refusing to apologise, Haasan moved to the Karnataka High Court on Monday to restrain the government and film chamber from barring the films release in the state. On Tuesday, the Karnataka court remarked that a simple apology would suffice. "You apologise, then no problem. You want to earn some crores from Karnataka also," High Court Judge M. Nagaprasannna said, according to Bar and Bench. Following the court session on Tuesday afternoon, Haasan informed the Karnataka HC that the film would not be released in the state. Justice Nagaprasanna noted that the producers of the action-drama have informed that they are not willing to screen the movie in the state unless there is a dialogue or a trialogue involving the KFCC, PTI reported. ALSO READ | 'An apology would have done': Karnataka HC raps Kamal Haasan over Thug Life release row, throws ball in actor's court In Haasans earlier request to provide security in theatres playing Thug Life in Karnataka, the High Court has adjourned the hearing of the matter to June 10. The 70-year-old had previously 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 that "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. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday expressed concern over Maharashtra raising objection to increasing the height of the Alamatti dam despite the second Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal order approving it in 2013. On May 9, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has written a letter to our Chief Minister Siddaramaiah objecting to Karnataka increasing the height of Alamatti dam, citing flooding concerns in Sangli and Kolhapur districts. There is no scientific basis to this claim. Fadnavis has asked us to re-evaluate the plan (owing to fear of backwater pressure causing flooding). This letter is a shock to us as Maharashtra had never objected to this plan from the time the Tribunal passed its judgment in 2010. Maharashtra had even submitted an affidavit to the Tribunal seeking to increase the Alamatti dam height, said Shivakumar, who is also the state's water resources minister, adding that Karnataka would seek Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention in the matter. The deputy chief minister sought to draw the attention of Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, and called upon other Union ministers and MPs from Karnataka to safeguard Karnatakas interests. This project is our right accorded by the Krishna Tribunal. Our CM will reply to the letter by the Maharashtra CM. Alamatti project is needed for the state. We dont want any friction with our neighbouring state. But, we are concerned over the project cost escalation due to the delay." Stating that the Alamatti dam project had been pending for too long, Shivakumar said that the Centre was yet to issue the gazette notification related to increasing the dam height, though the Tribunal had given its final order in 2013. Alamatti dam, also known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam, is a hydroelectric project on the Krishna river in Vijayapura district of north Karnataka. The Krishna water dispute between undivided Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra was resolved by the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal (KWDT 2), which permitted the dam height to be increased from 591 metres to 524 metres. This increase in height will enhance the dam capacity from the current 123tmc to 133tmc. The additional 100tmc can irrigate another six lakh hectares of land. The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal 2 gave its final verdict on November 29, 2013, allocating 907tmc to Karnataka, 666tmc to Maharashtra and 1,005tmc to undivided Andhra. However, the Centres gazette notification is still pending. A meeting of water resources ministers of the Krishna Valley states, which was to be convened by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on May 7, was postponed due to the India-Pakistan border tension. Last month, Siddaramaiah had stated enhancing the dam height would help in completing the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP). We 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, informed the chief minister. We would need Rs 1 lakh crore for land acquisition for the project, said Shivakumar. Since the Krishna Tribunal 2 award has not been notified, we are unable to flow the waters into the Upper Krishna Project-3 canals which were built at a cost of Rs 1600 crore, said Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister H.K. Patil. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sparked off an outrage on Tuesday after he made a controversial remark on the BJP allegedly seeking votes in the name of 'sindoor' (vermillion) in the wake of Operation Sindoor. Accusing the BJP of turning sindoor into a joke, Mann said: "If they come to your house (with sindoor), will you apply 'sindoor' in the name of Modi. Is it a 'one nation, one husband' scheme?" .@BhagwantMann crosses all limits ! Mocking Operation Sindoor, he shamelessly asks: Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name? Is this One Nation, One Husband? Lets set the record straight: There is NO BJP activity sending sindoor to every household. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/ULxrAtEONu Pritpal Singh Baliawal (@PritpalBaliawal) June 3, 2025 The chief mnister was talking to reporters after chairing a cabinet meeting when he was asked about the BJP allegedly using Operation Sindoor to seek votes in the Ludhiana West assembly bypolls scheduled for June 19. The BJP hit back at the chief minister and said he had crossed all the limits and insulted the Indian Army and the women in the country. "Let's set the record straight. There is no BJP activity sending sindoor to every household. The term Operation Sindoor was used because terrorists were killing Hindus after checking their religion. Sindoor was a marker they used to identify women," said BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Balliawal in a post on X. "This operation was about terrorism, martyrdom, and the protection of Indian lives. But how would Bhagwant Mann, a man with zero sensitivity, understand that? A man who mocks the Indian Army, insults Veer Naris, turns every sacred symbol into a joke, such a person will never understand the value of sindoor, which carries sacrifice, love. This isn't humour," his post read. Balliawal further demanded that Mann resign from his post and apologise to the entire nation. .@BhagwantMann crosses all limits ! Mocking Operation Sindoor, he shamelessly asks: Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name? Is this One Nation, One Husband? Lets set the record straight: There is NO BJP activity sending sindoor to every household. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/ULxrAtEONu Pritpal Singh Baliawal (@PritpalBaliawal) June 3, 2025 BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, too, came down heavily on the chief minister, accusing him of ridiculing Operation Sindoor. "Shameful! Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann ridicules Operation Sindoor. Once again, the opposition shows its true face -- Disrespecting our armed forces and belittling a successful military operation. If this isn't anti-India in spirit, then what is?, he said. Under Operation Sindoor, India launched airstrikes at nine terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke, on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack. The historic Chenab rail bridge, the world's highest and longest steel arch railway bridge, is all set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6. It would be PM Modi's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir post Operation Sindoor. Marking a milestone in the Jammu and Kashmir's connectivity, a key part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (USBRL) built over the Chenab River in Reasi district will be dedicated to the public by the prime minister. History in the making Just 3 days to go! The mighty #ChenabBridge, the worlds highest railway bridge, stands tall in #JammuandKashmir. Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL). Built to withstand natures toughest tests. PM Sh @narendramodi to pic.twitter.com/EQnC0m1per Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 3, 2025 The railway bridge, designed by WSP--a Canadian-based engineering firm--has a total length of 1315 metres. According to WSP, the free span length of the bridge is 467 m measured from the surface of the river below and the height of the bridge deck is 350m. The bridge was constructed with 27,000 tonnes of steel. Importance of the bridge The Chenab railway bridge is a key part of the USBRL project. It achieves significance as the bridge brings Delhi closer to Kashmir offering better connectivity. The work on the railway project to link Kashmir started in 1997 and had missed several deadlines due to many challenges including geographical and topographical ones. The project was completed at a cost of over Rs 41,000 crore. Out of the total 272 km USBRL project, 209 km was commissioned in phases. The first phase of the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section was commissioned in October 2009, while the second phase of 18 km Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, the third phase of 25 km Udhampur-Katra in July 2014, and the fourth phase of 48.1 km long Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February last year. Meanwhile, in June last year, the work of the 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi stretch was completed. The left-out section in between--a 17 km stretch from Reasi-Katra--was finally completed in December last year. According to officials, a 119 km stretch runs through tunnels and has been equipped with full CCTV surveillance. The railway project attains significance as it comes following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. With the new railway project launch, Kashmir is eager to improve the tourism hit in the region. The inauguration of the Chenab bridge would be followed by the opening of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train. PM Modi will flag off the Vande Bharat train from Katra to north Kashmir's Baramulla and another from Baramulla to Katra. According to an official, the longest tunnel T-50, stretches over 12.77 km making it the longest railway tunnel in the country. There would be a total of 25 main tunnels covering a length of 97.42 km, and eight escape tunnels, spanning 66.4 km, resulting in a cumulative length of 163.82 km, he added. The Chenab bridge, taller than Eiffel Tower, is constructed in such a way that it can withstand wind speeds over 250 mph and is designed to resist earthquakes. The ruling Congress and the opposition BJP in Karnataka are on a confrontational path with the Congress leaders petitioning the Legislative Council chairman Basavaraj Horatti against BJP MLCs LoP Chalavadi Narayanswamy and chief whip N. Ravikumar. The Congress leaders led by Saleem Ahmed met Horatti and sought disciplinary action against the two BJP leaders for their alleged communal, anti-Constitutional and defamatory remarks against IT minister Priyank Kharge and Kalaburagi deputy commissioner Fauzia Tarannum. In their complaint, the Congress party has accused Ravikumar of insulting the DC during the Kalaburagi chalo protest held on May 24. The MLC had stated that the DC office was no longer independent and wondered if the DC was from Pakistan or an IAS officer here. The statement is a violation of Article 14 (Right to equality), 15 (Prohibition of discrimination based on religion, caste, gender or place of birth) , 21 (Right to protection of life and personal liberty) and 51A(e) and (j) Fundamental duty to promote harmony and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. His remark qualifies as hate speech. The Supreme Court has recognised that it is the responsibility of the state to curb hate speech that threatens the social harmony and unity, said the complaint, demanding disciplinary action along with the legal action. Meanwhile, the Belagavi station bazar police have filed an FIR against Ravikumar under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 197 (actions or statements that incite divisions among different religious, racial, linguistic, regional, or caste groups, thereby threatening national unity), section 224 (offense of threatening injury to a public servant to induce them to perform or refrain from performing their duties), section 299 (acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class of people by insulting their religion or religious beliefs), section 302 (offense of uttering words or doing acts with the deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person), section 351 (act of making a false statement in a declaration that is receivable as evidence), and section 353 (offense of making statements that are likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit an offense against another class or community). A case under SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act has also been filed. The delegation of Congress leaders also alleged that Narayanaswamy had made a disparaging comparison of Kharge to a dog and demanded action against the LoP for targeting a dalit leader. Meanwhile, the BJP leader has claimed that he had only used a proverb which had been misconstrued. A controversy broke out after Kharges supporters illegally detained Narayanaswamy for five hours at a guesthouse in Kalaburagi, demanding that he apologise to their leader. Narayanaswamy criticised the police for failing to protect him during the incident. The BJP has demanded Kharge's resignation, citing his alleged involvement in the detention. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court orally asked the BJP MLC to apologise to Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner after he petitioned the court challenging the FIR filed against him. The court also advised the petitioner to bring closure to the matter and not escalate it. "It should not have happened in the first place. Now that it has happened, mitigate it," the court added. Earlier, the IAS Officers Association, Karnataka had strongly condemned Ravikumars remark and demanded an unconditional apology, while urging the authorities to take legal action. The Association which described Tarannum as an officer of impeccable integrity with an exemplary track record and a deep commitment to public service, expressed serious concern that such provocative and false statements not only maligned the dignity of dedicated civil servants but also caused severe mental trauma, amounting to harassment in the line of duty. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stepped up his attack on the government over its decision to agree to a ceasefire with Pakistan, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi surrendered after a call from US President Donald Trump. Rahul reiterated his allegation even as the government had ruled out any US intervention and asserted that the decision on ceasefire was taken bilaterally after Pakistans DGMO dialed his Indian counterpart. "A call came from Trump and Narendra ji immediately surrendered - history is a witness, this is the character of BJP-RSS, they always bow down," the Rae Bareli MP said while addressing a Congress convention in Madhya Pradeshs Bhopal. Rahul, who is the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, mentioned the 1971 war and said then prime minister Indira Gandhi didnt budge despite the US sending its Seventh Fleet. "Congress's Babbar Sher and lionesses fight with superpowers, they never bowed down," he said, adding that India split Pakistan in 1971 despite America's threat. Targeting the BJP and the RSS, Rahul mocked that they have been habituated to writing "surrender letters" since Independence. "This is the difference. This is their character. All of them are like this. They have a habit of writing surrender letters since the time of independence. Congress never surrenders. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and (Vallabhbhai) Patel never surrendered, they fought against superpowers, said the Congress leader. His heart beats for Pakistan Rahuls remarks on Modi drew sharp reaction from the BJP which accused the Congress leader of making indecent remarks against the prime minister. "Rahul Gandhi's words reflect his values. He makes such indecent remarks against the country's Prime Minister. But this is what can be expected from Rahul Gandhi, whose heart beats for Pakistan. Because when he offers floral tributes to the statue of his grandmother (Indira Gandhi), he does not even remove his shoes, said BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari. The BJP leader stated that under the leadership of Modi, India has given a befitting reply to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Even Salman Khurshid to Shashi Tharoor, every Congress leader is talking about this, and Pakistan itself is giving evidence of this. The people of the country see this uncivilised Rahul Gandhi as an agent of Pakistan, he said. In a joint operation with counter-intelligence agencies, Punjab police nabbed a suspected Pakistani spy who was in touch with Pakistani intelligence officials and shared key specific details regarding Operation Sindoor. Allegedly, the suspect was also in touch with Pakistani-based Khalistan supporter Gopal Singh Chawla. According to Punjab police, Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, was arrested by Tarn Taran police following inputs from counter-intelligence agencies. "Arrested accused had been in contact with the #Pakistan #ISI and Gopal Singh Chawla, sharing sensitive information concerning army movements during #OperationSindhoor," Punjab police chief Gaurav Yadav said in a post on X on Tuesday. "Investigations have revealed that he was engaged in sharing classified details, including troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security. Preliminary investigation reveals that Gagandeep Singh had been in touch with Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla for the past five years, through whom he was introduced to the Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). He also received payments from #PIOs via #Indianchannels," the police chief said. Gagandeep Singh's arrest comes following security forces' intensified action against Pakistani spy ring in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Sleuths have arrested over 10 persons, including popular YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, for alleged connection with Pakistani spy handlers. Police have recovered Singh's mobile phone containing details of intelligence he shared with Pakistani spy operatives. The phone also reportedly had contacts of 20 ISI operatives. "Thorough financial and technical investigations are underway to trace other linkages and establish the full scope of this espionage network," Yadav said. India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan on May 7, to avenge the killings of 26 persons in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam by Pakistan-based terrorists. After days of heightened military action, India and Pakistan agreed to stop firing on May 10. IAS officer and Secretary of Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS) is at the center of a storm after an audio clip went viral in which she was heard exhorting students to clean toilets. Dr V S Alagu Varshini's comments were directed at the students of state-run Gurukul schools. A large number of students from underprivileged backgrounds are residents of the Gurukul schools that are spread across the state. In the audio clip, Varshini was heard saying that the students were not from 'posh society' and that just like how they can make 'rotis' and clean their rooms, they can be given other tasks too. Why can't they clean their own toilets? What is wrong with it?" she is heard saying in the audio clip. She also said that it was meant to encourage students to grow up in a 'holistic environment' and made it clear that parents who oppose her directions, will be served a show-cause notice. On receiving flak for her controversial statements, Varshini attempted to justify them through another audio clip released to the media. She said what she spoke was part of instructions given to school principals and that no sanitation employees were removed from the school. Commenting that participating in household chores is a daily activity in families, she said intended to pass on the same message to the students and her intention was only to ensure that the surroundings were clean. The IAS officer also listed how facilities have been improved for the benefit of the students. The opposition party Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has criticised the state government and demanded action against the officer. Former IPS officer and BRS leader, RS Praveen Kumar, said that the IAS officers attitude amounted to discrimination against Dalits, as a majority of students from the community study in Gurukul schools. Amidst the row, the National SC Commission has intervened and issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and the DGP of the state. The notice directed the authorities to submit an action report within 15 days. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The 22nd Caspian International Transport, Transit, and Logistics Exhibition (TransLogistica Caspian) hosted a panel discussion on Multimodal Transport in the Caspian Region: Prospects and Challenges in Ensuring Efficient Transport Logistics, Trend reports. The panel brought together Deputy Head of the Marketing and Tariff Policy Department of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, Natig Rasulzade, Head of Strategic Planning and Development at the Baku International Sea Trade Port, Khudayar Hasanli, and Chief Operating Officer of Azerbaijan Railways Express LLC, Rashad Majidov. Participants highlighted Azerbaijans growing role in cargo transit along the Middle Corridor and the establishment of a unified coordination system among participating countries to streamline operations. They emphasized that the Middle Corridor stands out as a sanctions-free strategic route. The panel noted that freight volumes moving through rail and sea routes are projected to rise in the coming years a trend expected to open new avenues for economic growth in Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Thawar Chand Gehlot, the governor of Karnataka, has stressed the need to sensitise people about the climate crisis. He also added that knowledge sharing, cooperation, and information exchange are important to help mitigate the challenges of climate change. The growing concerns over carbon footprint, pollution, deforestation, and other factors leading to a climate crisis were also highlighted by Gehlot. It is imperative that such issues are addressed urgently, he said. Gehlot was speaking while releasing O.P. Jindal Global University's (JGU) Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025 in Bengaluru. The report has showcased the universitys commitment to sustainability across research, teaching, operations, and community initiatives. JGU has strengthened its alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve the SDG goals, multi-stakeholder cooperation is essential. Bengaluru, Indias Silicon Valley and also a centre of science and research, is facing many challenges and stress on its resources. The government has been working assiduously to achieve SDG goals at the grassroots level through programmes like Make in India, Swachh Bharat, and others in water, health, farmer support, and state initiatives. This report is timely and important for fulfilling our responsibility towards achieving the SDGs, remarked Gehlot. The report launch event was followed by the Bengaluru Sustainability Conclave which was jointly organised by O.P. Jindal Global University and RV University. The conclave featured a panel discussion on Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals: Maximising the impact of multi-stakeholder partnerships through knowledge sharing and cooperation. It was discussed that on the corporate front, many organizations were becoming very much environment and sustainability-conscious. More and more organizations are becoming conscious as far as sustainability is concerned. It is a kind of a good branding exercise if an organisation has well-defined sustainability practices in place. Sometimes even our customers insist that we have strong sustainability practices in place. At HARMAN our aim is to become carbon neutral by 2040, remarked Smitha Chandrashekaraiah, Legal Director HARMAN International. During the event, Justice Michael D. Wilson, former Judge of the Supreme Court of Hawaii, USA, spoke about how they are entering a climate hell and elaborated on the damage that climate change and extreme events had caused, bringing distress and destruction to his native state in the United States. Interestingly in the past year, JGU has made progress in research contributions, with an increase in sustainability-related research output and global recognition. The University is encouraging student-led initiatives, new sustainability-focused degree programs, and international collaborations. The universitys campus is featuring improved water conservation efforts, an e-waste management partnership, and health-focused dining reforms. This report captures the breadth of our efforts from environmental stewardship and social impact to academic innovation and institutional accountability. Sustainability is a guiding principle that shapes our teaching, research, campus life, community engagement, and governance. This report offers a transparent, data-driven reflection of that journey, said Professor C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University. A. V. S. Murthy, Chancellor, RV University while speaking at the event said that India, with its 1.4 million people, is a nation with vast potential for achieving the SDGs. What we need today are partnerships that are inclusive, purpose-driven and built on shared ideas as a cornerstone of sustainable development. For instance, a developmental agency might support a university's research in exchange for policy-relevant insights. Or integrate cross-sector partnerships, where multiple entities combine their unique strengths to tackle a shared challenge. These partnerships demand careful planning, mutual respect and strong governance for systemic change. Technology can also help in real-time monitoring, transparent data sharing and participating feedback groups that give voice to any stakeholder, said Murthy. The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administration in Jammu and Kashmir has sacked three government employees allegedly for helping terrorist groups covertly. All three men are currently in jail. They were allegedly working for two banned groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) while holding government posts. The sacked employees are Malik Ishfaq Naseer, a police constable; Ajaz Ahmed, a teacher in the School Education Department; and Waseem Ahmad Khan, a Junior Assistant at Government Medical College, Srinagar. Each of them was found to be involved in serious acts that supported terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. According to officials, Naseer joined the J&K Police in 2007. His brother was a trained terrorist from LeT who was killed by security forces in 2018. Even after that, Malik continued to support LeT. He used his position in the police to avoid suspicion. He helped Pakistani handlers by giving them GPS coordinates to drop arms, explosives, and drugs. He later collected and handed over these items to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. His actions were a serious betrayal of his duty as a police officer. Ahmed became a teacher in 2011 but was allegedly working for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen secretly in the Poonch region. In 2023, he was caught during a police check while carrying arms and HM posters in his car. Khan, a Junior Assistant at Government Medical College in Srinagar since 2007, was found to have helped in the killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari and his two security guards in 2018. He gave support to the attackers, went with them during the attack, and helped them escape afterwards. He was later arrested for being part of the plan. Since 2020, under Sinhas leadership, the Jammu and Kashmir government has taken strong steps to stop terrorism. Over 75 government workers linked to terrorist groups have been removed from service. Police verification is now required before anyone is hired in a government job. These actions aim to stop terrorists and their helpers from entering government departments and to make the region safer. The development comes a day after Srinagar Police booked five terror associates of proscribed terror outfits involved in subversive activities under the Public Safety Act (PSA). United States's Secretary for Commerce, Howard Lutnick, on Monday said a trade deal between India and the United States could happen in the near future. The development comes after the recent visit of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to the US. However, the US secretary expressed concern over India-Russia ties. Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington on Monday, Lutnick said, "You should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not-too-distant future because I think we found a place that really works for both countries," PTI reported. He added, "When they put the right person in India, put the right person on the other side of the table, and we've managed (that), I think." However, Lutnick expressed concern about India's ties with Russia. "There were certain things that the Indian government did that generally rubbed the United States the wrong way. For instance, you generally buy your military gear from Russia. That's a way to kind of get under the skin of America if you're going to buy your armaments from Russia. I think India starting to move towards buying military equipment from the United States, which then goes a long way," ANI reported quoting Lutnick. The US commerce secretary also questioned the move by BRICS countries to replace US dollars with their own currencies for international transactions. "That's not really the way to make friends and influence people in America. The president (Donald Trump) calls that out directly and specifically, and the Indian government is addressing it specifically," Lutnick added. Lutnick's comments come after Goyal on Monday said India and the US are working to give preferential market access to each other's businesses in respective countries. "Both countries are committed to work together, both countries desire to give preferential access to each other's businesses and we are working towards the bilateral trade agreement," Goyal told reporters in Paris on Monday. A vessel operated by the international non-profit Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has set sail from Sicily in Italy in a renewed effort to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The ship, Madleen, departed from the port of Catania on June 1, carrying a 12-person crew, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan and Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham. The voyage follows a failed attempt earlier in May when another FFC ship, the Conscience, was struck by two drones in the Mediterranean, just outside Maltese territorial waters. While the group blamed Israel for the attack, no official response has been issued. Greta has more courage than most governments Hope you all stay safe and succeed in this mission@GretaThunberg pic.twitter.com/kQaeDXETpc Earth Hippy (@hippyygoat) June 1, 2025 The Madleen is transporting what FFC describes as limited amounts, though symbolic humanitarian aid. The cargo includes baby formula, rice, flour, nappies, sanitary pads, medical kits, water desalination units, childrens prosthetics and crutches. Organisers say the mission is more than an aid delivery; it is a political statement against what they call Israels blockade of Gaza. Named after the first and only female fisher from Gaza in 2014, the Madleen was chosen to represent Palestinian resilience and global resistance to policies that the FFC argues amount to collective punishment and starvation, said the organisers. At a press conference prior to departure, Thunberg, visibly emotional, said: No matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying. Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. She added that the dangers of the mission were outweighed by the global silence in the face of what she described as genocide. FFC said the journey, expected to take seven days if unimpeded, is part of a broader campaign to challenge the 15-year blockade of Gaza, combining direct non-violent action with international mobilisation. Another initiative, the Global March to Gaza, is set to begin later in June, with doctors, lawyers and journalists aiming to reach the Rafah crossing from Egypt in protest. Rima Hassan, barred from entering Israel due to her criticism of its military actions, said the Madleen carries not just aid, but a demand for justice. Silence is complicity, she said. This ship sails not just with supplies but with the voice of the world saying: the siege must end. As millions of Palestinians starve in war-torn Gaza, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is all set to host a lavish wedding for his son Avner Netanyahu, according to reports. The wedding, which will be attended by family, friends and notable public figures, will be held on June 16. Avner Netanyahu, a relatively unknown figure in Israel unlike the Prime Minister's elder son Yair Netanyahu, is set to marry his partner Amit Yardeni, according to Ynet News. The couple's engagement was announced last November. The wedding, expected to draw VIPs in Israel, has sparked protests for its lavishness especially due to the war-like situation in the country. The couple had a lavish pre-wedding ceremony in Israel, which had Netanyahu and his wife attending it. The footage showing the Prime Minister triggered widespread protest as Netanyahu had earlier claimed that he would not attend the ceremony. Protests While some argue that Avner, like any other citizen, has the right to celebrate his wedding as per his wish, others feel that the timing and extravagance of the event as deeply out of touchespecially during a time of war. Many groups have announced plans to hold demonstrations outside the wedding venue. Activists are reportedly organising motorcades to disrupt guest arrivals and plan to distribute copies of magnets bearing images of hostages, according to Ynet News. . pic.twitter.com/0AsvyUU8zw Shoula Romano-Horing (@RomanoHoring) April 19, 2025 According to a protester, their intention was not to ruin the wedding. "We couldn't even if we wanted to," he told Ynet News, adding that the protest wasn't about the marriage itself, but what the celebration symbolises during the war when many people, especially soldiers, had to go for modest, makeshift weddings. "Its about the disconnection and arrogance. While reservists got married on wooden crates, hes hosting a grand event at the countrys most luxurious venue," the protester added. Gaza hunger Ironically, the lavish wedding happens when the a UN-backed assessment states that Gaza's entire population is at "critical risk" of famine. Over two million people are in "desperate need" of food, according to reports. World Food Programme spokesperson Abeer Etefa told the BBC that though they had been able to distribute food trucks, it was still not at the quantities enough to "calm the situation and control the chaos". As a resolution for the Russia-Ukraine war continues to evade, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday offered to hold a summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul or Ankara. Erdogan's statement came days after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for a second round of negotiations in mid-May. Erdogan may not seem like an ideal candidate for hosting peace talks, considering how he sided with Pakistan, just to enhance Turkey's defence partnerships and to reiterate his grand vision of turning into the leader of the 'Islamic world'. However, he may have some credibility when it comes to Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Reason: Ankara has traditionally cooperated with both Russia and Ukraine, a balancing act that reflects its desire to fall in line with the emerging multi-polar world order. Though Turkey wasn't entirely neutral in the Ukraine war - providing drones to Ukraine and being a NATO member - Erdogan enjoys a close relationship with Putin. He also didn't join Western sanctions against Russia to appease Moscow. It is also the most powerful NATO littoral state in the Black Sea with close ties with Ukraine and Russia. Erdogan said "Thank you" in Russian after Putin's speech moments ago pic.twitter.com/QGMzMJOEEm War Monitor (@WarMonitors) September 4, 2023 Before the recent Russia-Ukraine delegation meeting in Ankara, Turkey had hosted another significant meeting in Antalya in March 2022, though it didn't yield any results. This was, however, the first high-level engagement between the two nations. The second significant attempt was the Black Sea Grain Initiative which Turkey and the United Nations brokered in July 2022. Then there was the meeting between the US and Russian spy chiefs in November 2022 and the prisoner swap between the warring parties. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky in Lviv on Aug. 18. This is Erdogans first visit to Ukraine since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February. Video: Office of the President of Ukraine pic.twitter.com/90Uhz6HMAE The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) August 18, 2022 However, much to the chagrin of Turkey, US President Donald Trump did not hold a favourable view of Ankara being a moderator. Not only did he negotiate directly with Moscow, Trump also chose Saudi Arabia to host the first high-level US-Russia talks on Ukraine. Trump's move had then foiled Turkey's hopes that it could better its connections with the US. The West is also generally apprehensive about Turkey's role as a mediator considering Erdogan's stance on multiple issues, including Palestine. However, Erdogan now hopes the mantle could fall on him, with US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack stating that Trump has reached "the end of his patience" with the Ukraine war and sees Turkey as playing a crucial role in bringing the conflict to a resolution. "Turkiye has traditional cooperation with both Russia and Ukraine. This allows you to establish important dialogue," he added. Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders' party has made a shock exit from the ruling coalition, collapsing the Netherlands' government. This has led to the remaining ministers forming a caretaker government until the next elections. Wilders' hardline stance on immigration and the asylum policy was said to have differed from other parties in the coalition. Following an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the crisis, Dutch PM Dick Schoof visited King Willem-Alexander to offer him the resignations of ministers from Wilders populist Party for Freedom (PVV). We have decided that there is now insufficient support for this government, Schoof told reporters in The Hague after an emergency cabinet meeting, adding that he considered Wilders decision irresponsible and unnecessary, as per a Guardian article. We are facing major challenges nationally and internationally and, more than ever, decisiveness is required for the safety of our resilience and the economy in a rapidly changing world, he added. Elections are unlikely to take place anytime soon, due to which they will most probably take place in October, well after an upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlandsset to take place three weeks laterwhich will see the interim government represent the country. I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands, Wilders told reporters. His Party for Freedom is still riding high in Dutch opinion polls, owing to frustration over migration and the high cost of living amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict (that has fractured Europe) and US President Donald Trump's protectionism. Last week, Wilders demanded that coalition partners sign on to a 10-point plan that aimed to radically slash migration, warning of his party's exit if inaction over the plan continued. In an X post earlier on Tuesday, he followed through with his warning, stating that he had no other choice. Wilders declared that he would lead the PVV in the next election later this year, with a view to become prime minister. However, that will likely prove difficult in a fractured political landscape that saw the former coalition take new six months to establish itself, and then survive for just 11 monthsone of the shortest-lived governments in Dutch political history. Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung has become South Koreas new president in the early hours of Wednesday (local time), in keeping with exit polls that showed his party's comfortable lead of 48.523 per cent over his conservative rival, Kim Moon-soo. This election had been triggered by his predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached after imposing a brief period of martial law in the country, early in December. I will do my utmost to fulfil the great responsibility and mission entrusted to me, so as not to disappoint the expectations of our people, Lee told reporters before the declaration of the results. Despite once publicly comparing a Lee-led government to a Hitler-like dictatorship, Kim conceded to his rival in the early hours of Wednesday morning (local time). However, the 61-year-old former human rights lawyer's new presidency will be anything but smooth sailing, as he inherits Asia's fourth-largest economy, fractured after Yoon's halved presidency. The country is also battling an economic crisis, income disparities and doubts over America's commitment to its security under Donald Trump. Following two failed attempts to reach the Blue House, Lee, who spearheaded the opposition campaign to impeach Yoon, will also face criminal proceedings for various charges, including bribery and alleged involvement in a property development scandals, all of which had been paused to let the elections take place. Lee denies all charges, calling them politically motivated. His populist government now seeks to distance itself from Yoon's confrontational stance towards relations with volatile neighbour North Korea, a task he has admitted would take time. However, he also plans to adopt a foreign strategy similar to Yoon's, in the country's relations with the US and Japan. A Russian counter-attack targeted the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Tuesday, killing at least three people and leaving many injured, as per officials. This comes amid a Moscow official declaring the Kremlin's preference for a decisive victory over a compromise. In Sumy, local authorities reported that a barrage of rockets had struck apartment buildings and a medical facility in the centre of the city, a day after direct peace negotiations in Istanbul made no progress on ending the 3-year conflict, only resulting in another prisoner exchange. ALSO READ | Why do Russia and Ukraine swap prisoners, but not peace? Deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev declared in a Telegram post on Tuesday that the point of the Istanbul talks was not to reach a compromise peace on someone else's delusional terms, but rather for ensuring its swift victory and the complete destruction of the neo-Nazi regime". "That's what the Russian Memorandum published yesterday is about," he added, referring to a document laying out Moscow's terms for a peace deal with Kyiv at the Istanbul peace negotiations. This includes demands for a few more areas of Ukraine, becoming a neutral country, scaling down armed forces and holding legitimate parliamentary electionsreferring to the election of President Zelenskyy, which Russia did not accept, considering it illegitimate. ALSO READ | Russia inches deeper into Ukraine amid fears of renewed Moscow offensive In the meantime, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko arrived in the US to persuade it to adopt a tougher stance on Russia, as well as to discuss defence support and its mineral agreement with Ukraine. In an X post on Tuesday, Zelenskyy more generally pushed for decisive actions from the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who has the power. The post also accused Russia (again) of not being serious about fostering a lasting peace between the two nations. Screengrab: X/@ZelenskyyUa Moscow's counter-attack comes two days after an Ukrainian attack on Russia over the weekend, that reportedly destroyed 40 warplanes deep inside the countrya development that Kyiv claimed was a serious blow to the Kremlin's military prestige. ALSO READ | Artem Tymofieiev: How 'Spider Web' mastermind carried out daring drone strikes on Russian bombers While the ingenious attack was important step for Kyiv, it also prompted a comment from Medvedev, who declared on Telegram that retribution is inevitable. Our army is pushing forward and will continue to advance ... everything that needs to be blown up will be blown up, and those who must be eliminated will be, he addeda chilling statement predicting more casualties in the near future. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, known for his contradictory statements, has come up with another bizarre statement about why "India will not initiate another attack against Pakistan". Sharif, while attending a high tea hosted by Pakistans senior leadership on Monday for prominent media representatives at the Prime Minister's House, continued to claim Pakistan's victory in the recent conflict, making no mention of the damaged air bases. He then went on to praise China for its support, stating how "vital it was for Pakistans security as well as maintaining a balance of power in the region." Sharif said the first reason was international support and transparency. He claimed Pakistan's commitment to the international investigation of the Pahalgam attack has garnered global backing though none of the countries, except its ally China and Islamic nations like Turkey and Azerbaijan, backed Islamabad. The second is the Trump factor, according to Sharif. The Pakistan Prime Minister said he was confident Trump wont let this great achievement [go to waste]. "Trump has proudly claimed credit for playing a decisive role in achieving the ceasefire, and this he sees as a big victory for himself. Trump is fundamentally a man of peace, not war," he added. After India's precision attack left Pakistan's Nur Khan airbase in tatters, Islamabad approached the US seeking intervention. While US President Donald Trump's intervention was hailed by Pakistan for the same reason, India maintained its stance that it did not appreciate third-party intervention in the issue. Even outlandish was his third argument where he accepted that India was an economic power while Pakistan was in tatters and could stand devastation. "With the economic progress India claims to have made, war would be a complete disaster for them. The destruction would be Indias to bear; were already in a struggling phase, so were prepared for any scenario," Sharif claimed. Sharif then went on to reiterate Pakistan's willingness to hold talks before embarking to highlight "recent domestic achievements", especially his "postless governance." All these when reports indicate that Pakistan's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.5% year-on-year in May, exceeding the Finance Ministry's 1.5% to 2% forecast. Earlier the year, the International Monetary Fund has revised cash-strapped Pakistan's economic outlook, downgrading its projected gross-domestic-product growth for 2025 to 3%, down from 3.2%. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Moldova would consider the prospect of securing long-term gas contracts with Azerbaijan as a possible option, Secretary of State at the Moldovan Energy Ministry Carolina Novac said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of the Baku Energy Week. We are looking forward for longer term collaboration with Azerbaijan. We would like to get closer in terms of our energy relations, in terms of gas supplies. I also proposed the Azerbaijani side to consider investments in Moldova. My visit is meant to give a big and positive signal to the Azerbaijani partners that Moldova is eager for investments, is eager to strengthen this collaboration. Evidence stands the remarkable transformation we have seen in the energy sector in Moldova, in terms of both diversification of sources and routes, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR is welcome to follow all the new auctions - second renewable tender, balancing market and gas tender acquisition, to engage in discussions with Energocom, consider stepping in the market and reflect this collaboration through either a long-term contract or participating in these auctions, she said. Novac pointed out that Azerbaijan has proven already to be a reliable partner and that Moldova can further on solidify its energy ties. Moldova is interested into a collaboration for gas purchases with Azerbaijani suppliers through its state-owned company Energocom. But such discussion has to be of course addressed in a technical-business format between the companies. We believe that as the transmission system operators for gas in the region coordinate commercially and agreed over a unified tariff structure, this will create a favorable environment for finalizing long-term agreements and reduce the costs and will further provide more liquidity over these pipeline. To address this, Moldova was actively engaged in such discussions with our regional partners to explore the possibility of reducing these tariffs. Our objective from the start was to facilitate more competitive access to natural gas from Azerbaijan or other suppliers and enhance overall energy security for the region, said the state secretary. She noted that Moldova has demonstrated its strategic commitment to the region being one of the main users of the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector at that start of its operation and managed to test and benefit from LNG imports at Alexandroupolis. Moldova has proven the viability of the vertical gas corridor by transporting gas to Ukrainian underground storage. Natural gas remains vital for Moldovas energy security, especially as a balancing source for its growing renewable energy capacity. Azerbaijan has the potential to play a pivotal role in Moldovas strategy to diversify supply routes and deepen regional energy cooperation, particularly through the Southern Gas Corridor and the Trans-Balkan pipeline, said the secretary of state. She noted that Moldova does not import any natural gas from Russian Federation since 2022 and recently has passed a Governmental Decision over a full phase out of all Russian energy sources. This irreversible shift has been supported by expanded interconnections with Ukraine and Romania, the liberalization of the domestic gas market, and the entry of multiple international suppliers. In this context, Azerbaijan, as a key supplier to the Southern Gas Corridor, offers a valuable and strategic source of non-Russian gas. By leveraging the reverse flow capabilities of the Trans-Balkan pipelineenhanced since 2020 and currently undergoing further upgradesMoldova can directly access Azerbaijani gas through interconnections with EU markets in Greece and Bulgaria, she said. Novac pointed out that Azerbaijani natural gas can support a competitive and diversified supply environment. Azerbaijan can support Moldovas diversification strategy by supplying competitively priced natural gas through the Southern Corridor, reinforcing Moldovas access via the Trans-Balkan and Vertical Corridors, and strengthening regional cooperation in line with EU standards and market liberalization goals, the state secretary explained. Moldovas interest in Black Sea Cable Project She pointed out that Azerbaijan has a fantastic vision on renewables and we also would like to be part of this collaboration. We are interested in participating in the Black Sea Cable Project. The secretariat of this project is in Bucharest, and we have fantastic collaboration with Romanian partners. We want to understand first and foremost what procedures we have to follow, said Novac. The state secretary went on to add that Moldova is committed to a balanced energy strategy that ensures both energy security and sustainability on its path to a green energy future. Over the past four years, Moldova has expanded its renewable energy capacity eightfold, recently launching auctions for 165 MW of photovoltaic and wind projects, with plans to include energy storage systems (BESS) by year-end to improve grid stability. On April 11, 2025, a Memorandum of Cooperation in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy was signed between the National Center for Sustainable Energy Development (IP CNED) and the Renewable Energy Agency of Azerbaijan. The signing took place during a working session of the Moldova-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission. The key areas of cooperation outlined in the Memorandum include: - Exchange of information on legislation, studies, and other materials related to the promotion of renewable energy sources; - Collaboration on research initiatives aimed at developing renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency, and creating innovative solutions; - Sharing of knowledge and expertise regarding the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and applications, including battery technologies, hydrogen, and smart grid technologies, she said. Novac noted that despite strong progress in renewables and energy efficiencyespecially in residential and public buildingsnatural gas remains essential for local power generation and as a flexible balancing resource for intermittent renewables. Partnerships with countries like Azerbaijan are critical to securing stable, diversified, and long-term gas supplies, helping Moldova maintain uninterrupted energy delivery during the transition to greener sources. Moldovas engagement with Azerbaijan through the Southern Gas Corridor aligns with European energy standards by supporting market integration, transparency, and the development of unified tariff structures. Ensuring commercial viability and sustainability of these supply routes, including collaboration on tariffs, will enable Moldova to meet EU energy security and environmental goals while maintaining reliable access to natural gas. Ultimately, Azerbaijans role supports Moldovas dual priorities of energy security and decarbonization, fostering a resilient and sustainable energy system compliant with broader European frameworks, she added. Moldovas energy transformation Novac noted that over the past years Moldova has undergone a significant transformation of its energy sector. First and foremost, we do not consume any Russian gas since 2022. Also, we've tested for the first time the Trans-Balkan pipeline and used the Vertical Corridor. Moreover, the state-owned company Energocom got gas via the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB). Likewise, at some point in 2022, we've been even one of the biggest users of the underground gas storage in Ukraine. In the electricity sector we are aiming to finalize the construction of the power line, which connects us to Romania. A huge win for us was the connection to the European continental grid on March 16, 2022, because that allows us to import electricity from Romania, she said. The state secretary noted that Moldova has fantastic results in the sphere of renewable energy. We have increased the capacities by eight times over the past four years. Now the challenge for us is to make sure that we maintain the flexibility, that we have a stable electricity sector. In parallel, we are also aiming to test by the end of this year the day-ahead and intraday markets. That will allow renewables producers to sell their electricity on this market. Another power line of 400 kV will be built with Romania, I would hope, by the end of 2027. By the end of 2028 we expect to be done with the transposition of the EU legislation in the energy sector, the state secretary concluded. "I've done nothing wrong," shouted Gaurav Kundi as an Australian police officer knelt on his neck, similar to the tragic 2020 killing of George Floyd in the United States. The Indian-origin man, 42, suffered severe brain damage and slipped into a coma following the violent incident in Adelaide. The father-of-two is currently on life support at Royal Adelaid Hospital. Doctors said he suffered severe injuries to his brain and neck nerves FAFO moment for Gaurav kundi Drunk abusive menace Indian in Australia suspected assaulting his girlfriend & being a nuisance in public FAFO NOW DEPORT HIM pic.twitter.com/uh8toAdn7z JOE (@TO_VICTORY_WFP2) June 3, 2025 His wife Amritpal Kaur, who watched the brutal act helplessly, recorded the altercation but stopped filming after she panicked when the officer knelt on him. She told 9News that Kundi's head was slammed against the police vehicle and the road during the violent arrest. Reports revealed that Kundi and Kaur were allegedly having a tiff publicly in easter Adelaide's Payneham Road on Thursday morning. Police who were patrolling the area mistook the incident for domestic violence. Kaur had tried to convince the cops that Kundi was drunk and not violent. In the viral video, Kaur can be heard saying, "Yeah, he hasn't done anything, what the hell. Oh my God! They are doing unfair." The police, on the other hand, claimed that the man "violently resisted" arrest when the cops intervened. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas justified the action of police, saying their jobs were "really difficult" and "deserved" support. South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens also defended the cops, saying he reviewed the footage from bodycams and believed the police acted according to their training. An internal investigation has been launched into the incident. A teen social media influence was fatally shot by her relative at her home in Islamabad on Tuesday. Police suspect that the murder was committed in the name of saving family honour. Who was Sana Yousuf? Identified as Sana Yousuf, the teen influencer was just 17. She had a million followers on TikTok and over 500,000 followers on Instagram. The content creator hailed from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Upper Chitral district. She was residing at Sector G-13 in Islamabad. The suspect who was a relative of Sana had come to meet her at her home. He shot her twice in the chest at close range while having a conversation and fled the scene soon after the attack. "The assailant entered the residence, fired multiple shots, and fled immediately," said a police spokesperson. Her body was shifted to Pakistan Institue of Medical Sciences for autopsy. Police are probing all angles, including honour killing. Taking to X, many users mourned the tragic death of the TikToker. "A young woman-full of dreams, hope, and courage-was silenced simply for daring to exist online. Her presence on social media was met with violence, and her life was stolen in cold blood," read one of the posts. Another read, "This is not a tragedy. It's a mirror held up to a society still plagued by toxic patriarchy-where women's voices are feared, their freedom resented, and their strength punished." Yet another user wrote, "She deserved to live. To thrive. To speak." Similarly, a 15-year-old girl named Hira was fatally shot by her father and uncle in Quetta for using TikTok earlier this year. The girl who was in the US returned to Pakistan with her family in January. She reportedly refused to stop posting videos on TikTok, enraging her family members. Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling four-party Dutch coalition Tuesday in dispute over a crackdown on migration, sparking a political crisis and possibly the end of the 11-month-old government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Wilders announced his decision in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. Wilders last week demanded support for his proposals to halt all asylum migration, send Syrian refugees back home, and close asylum shelters. He quit the government after his coalition partners failed to support his proposals. The government meltdown comes just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague and amid global instability. It was unclear what would happen next. The government could attempt to remain in power as a minority administration or call new elections for later this year. Schoof called an emergency Cabinet meeting for early afternoon. Wilders blames inaction on migration. Wilders told reporters that he was withdrawing his support for the coalition and pulling his ministers out of the Cabinet over its failure to act on his desire for a clampdown on migration. I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands, said Wilders, whose Party for Freedom is still riding high in Dutch opinion polls, though the gap with the center-left opposition is negligible. Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the right-wing Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy, said before the meeting that Schoof urged the leaders to act responsibly. The prime minister who appealed to us this morning said that we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way, Yesilgoz told reporters in parliament. But just minutes later, the meeting was over and so was Wilders involvement in the government. Im shocked, Yesilgoz said, calling Wilders decision super-irresponsible. After years in opposition, Wilders party won the last election on pledges to slash migration. He has grown increasingly frustrated at what he sees as the slow pace of the coalitions efforts to implement his plans. Last week, Wilders demanded coalition partners 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 at the time that if immigration policy is not toughened up, his party is out of the Cabinet. He made good on that pledge Tuesday. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem & AP) (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Isru Chag in Israel.) US Senator Lindsey Graham on Sunday linked an article referring to Greta Thunbergs trip to Gaza on a humanitarian aid boat on his X account, commenting, Hope Greta and her friends can swim! Thunberg, the 22-year-old Swedish environmentalist who was named Antisemite of the Week last year, boarded the Madleen boat in Sicily on Sunday along with EU parliament member Rima Hassan, who was blocked from entering Israel earlier this year due to her anti-Israel activities. The so-called Gaza freedom flotilla [consisting of one boat] is expected to arrive in Gaza in a week, with the goal of defying Israels naval blockade on terror groups in the Gaza Strip. The Madleen is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which previously tried to sail to Gaza from Malta in May but allegedly came under a mysterious drone attack, thwarting the attempt. The group blamed Israel for the attack but provided no evidence of its claim. Israel has not commented on the attack. Thunberg told the press before boarding, 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. Thunberg made her claims despite the fact that Israel has aided the US-supported group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), to distribute millions of meals to its own enemies the so-called innocent civilians of Gaza. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Isru Chag in Israel.) Three IDF soldiers were killed and two soldiers were moderately wounded by a roadside bomb planted by terrorists in northern Gaza on Monday evening, the IDF announced early Tuesday morning. The slain soldiers were identified as Staff Sgt. Ofek Barhana, Hyd, 20, from Yavne, and Staff Sgt. Lior Steinberg, Hyd, 20, from Petach Tikva, both combat medics, and Staff Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, Hyd, 22, from Maale Adumim, who was a squad commander. All three served in the Givati Brigades Rotem Battalion. The incident occurred after soldiers in a Namer APC hit an explosive, causing the APC to catch on fire. The soldiers inside were, Baruch Hashem, unharmed and managed to escape the vehicle. Another team was then dispatched to the scene in a military Hummer and fire truck to put out the fire and recover the APC. On the way back, the Hummer struck another roadside bomb, with the subsequent powerful explosion killing three soldiers and injuring two. Hashem Yikom Damam. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Isru Chag in Israel.) The Trump administration has approved a plan by Syrias new leadership to incorporate thousands of foreign jihadist former rebel fighters into the national army, Reuters reported on Monday. Thomas Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey who was named Trumps special envoy to Syria last month, told Reuters that its better to keep the fighters within a state project than to exclude them. I would say there is an understanding, with transparency, Barrack said. According to the report, until early May, the demand that Syria exclude foreign fighters from security forces was a main point of contention with the US and other Western countries. However, following Trumps trip to the Middle East last month, the White Houses approach to Syria changed sharply. Trump met with Syrias interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, lifted Assad-era sanctions on the country, and named Barrack, a close friend, as his special envoy. Three Syrian defense officials said that about 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, will join the 84th Syrian army division. Two sources close to the Syrian defense ministry told Reuters that Syrias new leadership told Western countries that bringing foreign fighters into the army will prevent them from joining al-Qaeda or Islamic State. The U.S. State Department and a Syrian government spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. Israels Kan News reported that about 15,000 Uyghurs currently live in Syria, of which about 5,000 are jihadist fighters who have fought in Syrias civil war since 2013. Many of them belong to the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), an Uyghur Islamist organization whose goals are to establish an Islamic state in northwest China and central Asia. TIP, which is defined as a terrorist organization in China, as well as in the United States, Russia, and other countries, has links to al-Qaeda and affiliated groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Pakistani Taliban. The US has designated it as having received training and financial assistance from al-Qaeda. On a related note, Barrack confirmed on Tuesday that the US has begun to decrease its military presence in Syria, with the ultimate goal of consolidating all US forces on one base. Weve gone from eight bases to five, and now to three, Barrack told Turkish media. Eventually, we will have only one. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Isru Chag in Israel.) As a coalition crisis continues to loom over the stalemate in the Chareidi draft law, Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni conveyed a sharply worded message to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. According to party sources, the message, conveyed by Gafni in the name of HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau and HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, was that if no significant progress is made by this evening in formulating a draft law, a clear directive will be given to immediately escalate measures against the coalition. BChadrei Chareidim reported that the UTJ party is awaiting the results of a meeting to be held on Tuesday evening with the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Yuli Edelstein, after which a decision on the matter will be made by the Gedolei HaDor. According to estimates, if no real breakthrough is reached, the possibility of escalating political measures will be considered, including freezing votes in the coalition or even supporting the dissolution of the Knesset. Also on Tuesday, it was reported that Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopfs right-hand man, Motti Babchik, held an extended meeting with National Unity chairman Benny Gantz. According to Babchiks associates, the two discussed, among other things, the possibility of supporting a law to dissolve the Knesset, but emphasized that no decisions were made. However, it should be noted that last week, HaRav Hirsch told the Belzer Rebbes son that dissolving the government would only be carried out as an absolutely last resort. Earlier on Tuesday, opposition head Yair Lapid tried to stir up conflict between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Chareidim. Speaking at the opening of a Yesh Atid party meeting, he said: I want to say from here to the Gedolei Yisrael, to the Gerrer Rebbe, to HaRav Landau, to HaRav Hirsch, to HaRav Yitzchak Yosef: know that you are being deceived. Netanyahu knows that there will be no evasion law, he is only buying time to somehow get through the summer session. All he cares about is still being in power during his cross-examination in court, Lapid claimed. He is selling you fairy tales and empty promises. He cannot pass the law you want. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Isru Chag in Israel.) Sirens blared on Tuesday evening in southern Ramat HaGolan for the first time in months after Israels Home Front Command issued an alert about rocket and missile fire toward the area. Residents reported hearing the sounds of explosions. The IDF spokesperson reported that two rockets were fired at Israel from Daraa in southern Syria. Baruch Hashem, they fell in open areas, and no injuries were reported. About 20 minutes later, sirens were heard in central Israel and the Shfela lowlands after the Houthis in Yemen launched a missile at Israel, sending millions of Israelis to their bomb shelters. Shortly later, the IDF announced that the missile was successfully intercepted. The IDF responded to the rockets from Syria with artillery fire at the source of the fire in southern Syria. Following the incident, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said that he holds Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa directly responsible for every threat and rocket toward the State of Israel and threatened that the full response will come as soon. It is not yet known which terror group carried out the attack. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Isru Chag in Israel.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The European Commission's participation at Baku Energy Week focuses on advancing the EU-Azerbaijan energy partnership, EU official told Trend on the sidelines of the event. "The European Commission is represented by Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Director of Energy Security and International Relations, at the Baku Energy Week. The Baku Energy Week is a timely opportunity to take stock of various initiatives and discuss how to go forward. The Commissions participation focuses on advancing the EU-Azerbaijan energy partnership, which covers gas supplies through the Southern Gas Corridor, renewable capacity development, energy efficiency gains, and action to tackle methane emissions. Accelerating the energy transition goes hand in hand with enhancing our energy security," said the source. Talking about the Caspian Green Energy Corridor and the Black Sea Cable projects, which envisage green energy transportation involving Azerbaijan, the EU official noted that under the Black Sea Strategy, the EU will consider green energy links as an opportunity to facilitate energy trading across the region, advance market integration and build a larger Energy Union. "This will enable higher integration of renewable sources into energy systems, and ultimately enhance both energy security and affordability," said the source. Commission's support to member states in transitioning to alternative energy sources The source noted that the EU supports its member states in energy transition taking into account the national specificities in terms of supply needs and alternatives. "Russia's weaponisation of energy supplies has directly impacted European households and businesses causing unprecedented security risks and instability on the energy markets. The actions presented in the Roadmap will be deployed gradually over time and in a coordinated manner with the Member States, taking into account the national specificities in terms of supply needs and alternatives. Such an approach will help minimise the impact on prices, stabilise markets through secure and predictable alternative supplies and provide legal certainty. All the measures proposed will be accompanied by sustained efforts at ensuring alternative supplies, including via demand aggregation, and optimising the use of existing gas infrastructure. They will also be underpinned by the EU's clean transition objectives. The close coordination between the Commission and Member States to prepare for the end of the Russian gas transit agreement via Ukraine in December 2024 has proved that coordinated preparatory actions, diversification efforts and a gradual approach in phasing out Russian imports are essential to preserve security of supply and guarantee price stability, and market predictability," said the EU official. European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen Further, the source noted that the establishment of the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen, or ENNOH, marks an important milestone in the development of a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure in Europe. "It reflects our commitment to building the foundations of a well-functioning hydrogen market, distinct from conventional gas systems. ENNOH is being established under the new EU Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Package as an independent association of hydrogen transmission network operators. Its responsibilities include providing technical input for future network codes, developing a non-binding, EU-wide Ten-Year Network Development Plan for hydrogen, and coordinating cross-border planning. This will help identify investment needs and support the coherent rollout of hydrogen infrastructure across the European Union," the EU official added. The legal framework contains specific safeguards to ensure that ENNOH evolves independently from the existing gas sector. ENTSOG will temporarily retain limited responsibilities related to hydrogen network development planning while ENNOH is being established, but this transitional arrangement does not imply structural overlap or shared governance. Evelyn Francis is so petrified at warnings from her energy supplier that her hot water and heating could be cut off unless she gets a new smart meter, she has been having panic attacks and has even contacted her local doctor for help. The 75-year-old former magistrates court official, who lives with her blind sister Angela Seve in Eastbourne, East Sussex, has been receiving letters and calls from Scottish Power for several months warning that her electricity supply could be cut off at the end of June. Evelyn says: I feel I have been hounded by my supplier Scottish Power over the past few months demanding I switch my old meter. 'There has been no intelligent explanation just bullying scare tactics where they treat me like an imbecile simply demanding that it must be done. It has caused me severe headaches, sleepless nights and real anxiety. I went to my local doctor for medication, but he told me the best medicine was not to allow the constant pestering to get to me. 'He even offered to write a letter explaining my condition to stop them bothering me. Hounded: Evelyn Francis, 75, has been receiving letters from her Scottish Power for several months warning that her electricity supply could be cut off at the end of June Evelyn is one of more than half a million households being warned their heating and electricity could be cut off unless they switch to a new smart meter. The affected households are those that currently have meters controlled by Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) technology, which may no longer work after the signal is stopped on June 30. Of the up to 600,000 homes using RTS meters, most are on Economy 7 tariffs which allows them to switch charge rates between peak and cheaper off-peak tariffs. It is also used for customers on Economy 10 and Total Heating Total Control. Many have benefited from lower energy bills for years thanks to Economy 7. It has been around since 1978 and is ideal for households able to use appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, at night when they are charged at the lower off-peak rate. It also benefits those with night storage heaters. Economy 7 customers typically pay half the price for electricity compared to those on a standard deal between midnight and 7am. But the day rate can be a third higher than a standard tariff, says GoCompare. Evelyn surrendered to the demands last month and agreed to have a smart meter fitted, following the consultation with her doctor. Suppliers will not promise that affected customers will be able to keep their old tariff when they are moved to a smart meter. Retired policeman Paul Bryant, 77, from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, who has been told he must switch to a smart meter, says: Suppliers are bullies with phrases such as you could lose heating and hot water services if you fail to switch to a smart meter. British Gas has bombarded us with the message that we have no alternative but I refuse to be blackmailed into doing something totally against my will. Concerns: Retired policeman Paul Bryant (pictured with wife Liz) has been told he must switch to a smart meter Paul, who is married to Liz, 75, adds: I want to keep control and save money by choosing when to take advantage of cheaper tariff rates. 'Is that asking too much? Smart meters take matters out of our hands so energy giants can do whatever they want with prices. Some households are also concerned that the switch away from RTS is forcing them to accept a smart meter, when they would prefer not to have one. Suppliers are keen to switch people to smart meters because they have Government targets they must reach to avoid hefty fines. Smart meters can also save suppliers money, as they automatically send meter readings via a mobile phone-like signal in real time without a need to send someone out to read the meter. But one in ten smart meters does not work properly, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Alan Beverley, 51, of Lincolnshire, says: Prices are being hiked by stealth. The energy companies win both ways forcing us on to smart meters by stopping older RTS meters working. After this it is only a matter of time before they take away discounted Economy 7 tariff rates. John Dobson, 59, of Swindon, Wiltshire, is furious at the constant messages from his supplier Ovo Energy telling him he must make the switch. The retired IT worker, married to Luce, 54, says: This is just the latest sneaky trick adopted to convince us to accept the flawed technology. Until companies can prove the meters never go wrong, I will refuse to sign up. He adds: Economy 7 lowers bills for people who have gone to the expense of having storage heaters installed years ago. It will cost us hundreds of pounds if we lose the special night tariff deal, with storage heaters we have installed becoming an obsolete waste of money. Threat: More than half a million households being warned their heating and electricity could be cut off unless they switch to a new smart meter Some industry experts believe the rushed switch is unnecessary and the deadline should be scrapped. Wireless technology expert Nick Hunn, of WiFore Consulting, says: These suppliers should not force you to have a new meter against your will with unnecessary threats designed to panic customers into the move. I wish the rollout was done properly rather than customers being constantly ordered to switch. When Money Mail contacted energy watchdog Ofgem, the regulator said there was no need for customers to panic households will be protected from simply being cut off while any changes are rolled out. The regulator says it is not simply flicking a switch. The end of June only marks the start of the process. A spokesman said: We want energy suppliers to treat customers fairly. We have demanded action plans from every supplier and are scrutinising them to ensure robust contingencies are in place to protect customers who remain on RTS meters following the phased switch-off. The BBC delivers the RTS signal from a transmitter in Droitwich, Worcestershire. It says: We do not own the RTS, we simply deliver the signal using our transmitter on behalf of the Energy Networks Association (ENA). An Energy UK spokesman says: Given June 30 is fast-approaching, the industry is working closely with the Government and regulator on a carefully managed phase-out process to avoid disruption to any remaining customers, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances. If youre unsure whether your home uses RTS, look for a switch box with a label that says Radio Teleswitch beside your meters. A spokesman for British Gas says: It is an industry initiative involving all electricity providers, Ofgem and Energy UK. The electricity supply to any customer who has an RTS meter will not be switched off. Scottish Power was contacted for comment. I recently decided to treat myself to a new pair of jeans from JD Williams. They cost 26 and arrived the next day. I ordered a size 12 but they delivered a size 18. I called the customer service number on the delivery note to arrange a return and reordered the size 12. The next day a second pair arrived but, again, in size 18. I called the number once more and went through the same process. The following day a third pair arrived. Another size 18! When I called again, I was advised not to reorder so they could check their stock. Then I received my mobile phone bill it was unusually high due to out-of-plan call charges on my contract, so I checked with my network provider. They were billing me 70.72 for the calls I made to JD Williams. This is so unfair. N.S., Cheltenham. JD Williams managed to send a reader the wrong size jeans three times - which led to a huge phone bill Readers' champion Sally Hamilton replies: Wallace & Gromit sprang to mind on reading your letter. Its the wrong trousers, Gromit! And theyve gone wrong. The fact they went wrong three times seemed, well, crackers. Perhaps JD Williams needs a Wallace-style inventor to sort out its stock management system. But more absurd still was the fact you were facing a phone bill nearly three times the price of your elusive pair of size 12 jeans for calling JD Williams to remedy the mix-up. Scam Watch Drivers should beware fake parking tickets impersonating a legitimate parking company or the council, CEL Solicitors warns. Fraudsters leave a ticket on the windscreen and victims are asked either to scan a QR code or visit a website to make a payment of around 60 to 70. But it is a fake portal, set up to get your personal and financial details. Check if the website on the ticket matches the official parking operators address and look for spelling or format errors. If in doubt, look up the official website of the company or council and contact them. You told me the three calls totalled one hour and 40 seconds, which you described as ridiculous for organising a simple return. I agree. Not surprisingly, you were stressed at the thought of a 70.72 bill and still no jeans to show for it. I was happy to give the company a kick in the pants for you. I am pleased to say this did the trick and JD Williams customer service swiftly contacted you to apologise for your poor experience, the hassle you faced and the costs you incurred. There had been a stock control systems issue, it admitted, which is now resolved. A spokesman said: We are replacing the item and dispatching this free of charge, and we have also reimbursed the cost of the calls. When we caught up last week, you reported your size 12s had finally arrived and fitted. Alls well that ends well, thats what I say. However, your shock phone bill highlights the potential pitfalls when using a mobile to contact a retailer. This didnt cross your mind when you dialled the number printed in bold at the top of your delivery note. It began with 087, a prefix used by many companies to provide a single national phone number for customers, often for a sales or enquiry line. The service charge (the charge made by the company with the phone number) typically costs from zero to 13p a minute 13p in JD Williams case. But the actual amount billed depends on the access charge made by a customers phone provider. Calls to 087 numbers often fall outside the free calls part of a package, as in your case, and are charged per minute or per call at anything from 3p to 93p a minute, depending on the provider. EEs access charge was one of the highest at 89p a minute when you made your calls (it is now 93p a minute). Your situation wasnt helped by JD Williams including two numbers on its delivery note. The 087 number you used is for orders and payments. There was also a 0345 number for enquiries. The first attracts a 13p-a-minute service charge. But 0345 numbers are charged like local calls and are included in many customers mobile call plans including yours. You told me the 087 number caught your eye immediately and that you didnt think to look for another. Companies using such prefixes often receive a portion of the revenue made from an access charge. You may not have flinched too much at your phone bill had your calls been dealt with speedily by JD Williams customer service. But with more than an hour on the line in total, the price rocketed to a level that couldnt be ignored. JD Williams is keen to point out there are other options for contacting its customer service that should avoid nasty bills. In addition to its 0345 number, it offers an online chat service, email or direct messaging via X and Facebook. It is a pity that customers risk falling into an expensive trap simply because they want to speak to a human about their problem. Im keen to hear from other readers who unwittingly have been caught out this way, so do drop me a line. Overpaid my gas bill and can't get a refund Just before the Easter weekend, I elected to pay off an outstanding 150 debt on my British Gas bill but accidentally paid 1,500. I immediately rang to rectify the error, which had cleared out my current account. I was told it would be three to five days before I was paid back. After Easter, I still had not received the money, so rang again. Once more I was told it would be three to five days. This carried on weekly until a phone call on April 29, where I was told that the person I was speaking to could not authorise a repayment. Help! D.M., Oldham. Sally replies: British Gas had held on to your overpayment for more than a month by the time you contacted me and you were struggling financially. I asked the firm to put more energy into returning your money. It told me you had been given the wrong information about the timescale at the start. You should have been told ten working days for such repayments but also that the large sum involved required special approval. On my intervention your request was accelerated and a few days later 1,350 was repaid to your credit card your 1,500 minus the 150 you had intended to pay. BG apologised and sent you a goodwill gesture of 75. Straight to the point I run my own business and in December my accountant told me I was due an 821.53 tax refund. In January I checked my HM Revenue and Customs account which said the refund had been made but I havent received it. HMRC told me it went to an account in my name but I dont have an account with the bank they claim the refund was made to. R.N., via email. Sally replies: HMRC apologises and has refunded you, along with 43.65 in late payment interest. It was previously refunded to an incorrect bank account. I own a flat which I let out until October last year and have now put up for sale. However, Octopus Energy has continued to send bills totalling 233.76 for an empty property. I paid the first three bills up to January as I know theres a standing charge. I have contacted Octopus many times and they havent sorted it. But now a letter from a debt collection agency has been posted through the door. B.C., Kent. Sally replies: Octopus Energy apologises and has fixed your billing, and you are now 400 in credit. You were billed using estimate readings from previous usage, which was based on when the flat was let. In March I sold a vintage synthesiser for 500 on an online marketplace and paid a postal firm 39.70 for the delivery and insurance. It was damaged beyond repair when it arrived the online marketplace has taken back the money from me to refund the buyer but the delivery company wont pay out as I sent it in a re-used box. B.B., Nottingham. Sally replies: The delivery company remains firm. It says as there was a lack of internal packaging and the box was old, the damaged parcel did not meet its criteria for a payout. Write to Sally Hamilton at Sally Sorts It, Money Mail, 9 Derry Street, London, W8 5HY or email sally@dailymail.co.uk include phone number, address and a note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Sally Hamilton. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given. British American Tobacco expects its US business to return to growth after three negative years, despite the growing threat of illegal vape products in the country. The Rothmans and Lucky Strike manufacturer told investors that US combustibles sales had rebounded, with its volume and value share increasing by 10 basis points each. It also achieved strong trial and retention rates for its Velo Plus nicotine pouches, which launched in the US last December. BAT does forecast a 'mid-teens' drop in first-half revenues from its Vuse e-cigarettes due to illicit product sales across North America. The industry has been struggling with declining tobacco sales as consumers switch to cheaper brands or alternatives such as vapes and as regulations tighten. It is also being squeezed by sales of unauthorised, flavoured disposable vapes, which amounted to around $2.4billion in the US in 2024. BAT's boss, Tadeu Marroco, said: 'The vapour category remains impacted by the proliferation of illicit vapour products in the US and Canada.' Recovery: British American Tobacco anticipates returning to turnover and profit growth in the United States this year But the FTSE 100 firm, which also owns the Dunhill and Pall Mall cigarette brands, noted its first-half sales were 'slightly ahead' of previous guidance. Consequently, it now expects full-year revenue growth of 1 to 2 per cent, along with a 1.5 to 2.5 per cent rise in adjusted profit from operations. Marroco said the company's performance would likely be second-half weighted, largely because of the 'roll-out of new category innovations in key markets' from the middle of this year. BAT and other tobacco businesses are investing substantial sums in non-combustible products amid a growing shift towards less harmful alternatives and tough regulation on the sale of tobacco brands. It aims to have 50 million consumers using its smokeless goods, including vapes and tobacco heaters, by 2030 and earn at least half of its revenues from them by 2035. In the last financial year, BAT achieved 3.4billion of revenue from new categories, equivalent to 17.5 per cent of its overall turnover. Mark Crouch, market analyst at eToro, said: 'BATs investors don't seem put off by the long-term global decline in smoking rates and are instead placing their faith in BAT's transition to smokeless alternatives.' However, he added: 'It's important not to overlook the scale of the challenge ahead for BAT. 'Combustible tobacco products still account for over 80 per cent of BAT's revenues, and the group's ambition to become 'smokeless' by 2035 raises questions about whether new categories can generate comparable returns.' BAT's latest trading update comes a week after the London-based firm declared that it had sold a $1.5billion stake in Indian conglomerate ITC. It plans to use proceeds from the sale, which still leaves it ITC's largest shareholder, on boosting its share buyback programme by 200million to 1.1billion. British American Tobacco shares were 0.75 per cent down at 3,317p on Tuesday morning, although they have still grown by around 37 per cent over the past year. Thames Water has been plunged deeper into uncertainty after the embattled utility's preferred investment partner abandoned a critical rescue deal. Private equity giant KKR had been selected to take charge of Thames Water, which has previously warned it could run out of cash, with plans to recapitalise the business and keep it in operation with a 3billion liquidity injection. The debt riddled water group told investors on Tuesday KKR no longer wished to proceed, once again leaving Thames Water at risk of collapse and nationalisation. Britain's biggest water group, which supplies more than 16 million customers, said it intends to progress discussions with industry regulator Ofwat and other stakeholders on plans designed by senior creditors. Chair Adrian Montague described KKR's decision as 'disappointing' but said Thames Water continues to believe 'a sustainable recapitalisation of the company is in the best interests of all stakeholders'. He added: 'The company will therefore progress discussions on the senior creditors' plan with Ofwat and other stakeholders. The board would like to thank the senior creditors for their continuing support.' Thames Water became the central target of public outcry over sewage and pollution in the sector Before KKR's selection as preferred partner, rival suitors included Hong Kong's CKI Infrastructure, UK-based Castle Water and a group of investors led by investment service Covalis. Thames Water became the central target of public outcry over sewage and pollution in the sector, while firms also faced criticism over poor upkeep of infrastructure and bumper shareholder payouts. The group kept the threat of nationalisation at bay in late March after judges dismissed an appeal against the company's 3billion emergency bailout package. It comes as households around the country face double-digit bill increases in the coming years after a controversial funding package was approved by regulators. An overhaul of the way the industry is regulated was proposed by a government-commissioned review in its interim report published on Tuesday. Thames Waters future is in doubt after a US private equity giant abandoned a 4billion rescue plan. KKR walked away from the investment deal, partly due to growing concerns over political interference from the Labour Government. The decision is a major setback for the debt-riddled utility firms scramble to avoid nationalisation. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the Government was keeping a close eye on the situation and is ready for any eventuality, which could include a taxpayer-funded bailout. But Thames Water which is struggling under 20billion of debt refused to confirm whether it would scrap executive bonuses despite the fresh financial hurdles. Only last week, industry regulator Ofwat fined the firm a record 123million for sewage spills and paying undeserved dividends to shareholders. Outrage: Thames Water - which is struggling under the weight of 20bn of debt - refused to confirm whether it would scrap executive bonuses despite the fresh financial hurdles New York-based KKR had been chosen as the UKs biggest water suppliers so-called preferred partner in March. Bosses last year launched a search for a buyer after its former owners, including pension and sovereign wealth funds, said the company was uninvestable plunging the debt-laden firm into crisis. But after completing due diligence checks, KKR said it will not be in a position to proceed with the takeover. The buyout firm was worried about potential future policy changes that could impact the running of the company. Tough government rhetoric over the water industry also spooked the firm, reports said. Thames Water yesterday stated it will hold talks with Ofwat and other stakeholders over a backup turnaround plan devised by its senior creditors. Chairman Sir Adrian Montague said KKRs decision was disappointing. He added: We continue to believe that a sustainable recapitalisation of the company is in the best interests of all stakeholders and continue to work with our creditors and stakeholders to achieve that. However, it fuelled fears that the Government may be forced to take control of Thames Water, which serves 16m households in London and the South East. Reed told LBC Radio yesterday that Thames itself remains stable. But MPs on the Environment Select Committee, which last month grilled the utilitys bosses over plans to pay themselves huge bonuses, sounded the alarm over the future of Thames Water. Chairman Alistair Carmichael said: In May we raised concerns that Thames had only pursued one bidder at an early stage for its takeover bid, against the wishes of Ofwat, and highlighted the risks this could pose if KKR chose not to proceed. Unfortunately our concerns have been realised, putting Thames in a perilous position. A company spokesman refused to confirm whether the payout proposals would be scrapped entirely after the KKR deal collapsed. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Saturday. A number of other analysts also recently commented on BIO. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $355.00 to $310.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from $320.00 to $270.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from $400.00 to $350.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from $409.00 to $392.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Two 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 company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $327.40. Get Bio-Rad Laboratories alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Bio-Rad Laboratories Bio-Rad Laboratories Trading Down 4.5% BIO stock opened at $216.69 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $5.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.33 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a quick ratio of 4.85, a current ratio of 6.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $238.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $287.87. Bio-Rad Laboratories has a 52 week low of $215.38 and a 52 week high of $387.99. Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The medical research company reported $2.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.81. The business had revenue of $585.40 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $573.01 million. Bio-Rad Laboratories had a positive return on equity of 3.90% and a negative net margin of 71.86%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.30 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Bio-Rad Laboratories will post 10.81 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bio-Rad Laboratories Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Bio-Rad Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth $3,561,000. Lecap Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new position in Bio-Rad Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth $510,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its holdings in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 48.8% in the 4th quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 84,677 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $27,817,000 after buying an additional 27,780 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories by 34.3% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 5,195 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,707,000 after purchasing an additional 1,326 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blackhawk Capital Partners LLC. raised its stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories by 190.5% in the 4th quarter. Blackhawk Capital Partners LLC. now owns 2,176 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $715,000 after purchasing an additional 1,427 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.24% of the companys stock. About Bio-Rad Laboratories (Get Free Report) Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc manufactures and distributes life science research and clinical diagnostic products in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through two segments, Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics. The company develops, manufactures, and markets instruments, systems, reagents, and consumables to separate, purify, characterize, and quantitate biological materials such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids for proteomics, genomics, biopharmaceutical production, cellular biology, and food safety markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bio-Rad Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bio-Rad Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen cut shares of ABM Industries (NYSE:ABM Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday morning. Separately, UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of ABM Industries from $56.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Get ABM Industries alerts: View Our Latest Report on ABM Industries ABM Industries Stock Performance ABM Industries Announces Dividend ABM stock opened at $52.16 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.07, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $48.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $51.35. ABM Industries has a fifty-two week low of $40.85 and a fifty-two week high of $59.78. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd were issued a $0.265 dividend. This represents a $1.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 3rd. ABM Industriess payout ratio is 84.13%. Insider Buying and Selling at ABM Industries In other ABM Industries news, EVP Sean Michael Mahoney sold 1,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.03, for a total value of $90,054.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,425 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,372,672.75. This represents a 3.66% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Scott B. Salmirs sold 800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.09, for a total transaction of $41,672.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 418,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,818,209.04. The trade was a 0.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 52,374 shares of company stock valued at $2,733,303. 0.90% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On ABM Industries Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in ABM Industries by 2,322.1% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,183,695 shares of the business services providers stock worth $60,582,000 after buying an additional 1,134,825 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in ABM Industries during the 4th quarter worth about $43,967,000. Boston Partners raised its holdings in ABM Industries by 2,129.6% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 641,351 shares of the business services providers stock worth $30,367,000 after buying an additional 612,586 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management raised its holdings in ABM Industries by 66.4% during the 1st quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,386,172 shares of the business services providers stock worth $65,649,000 after buying an additional 553,225 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in ABM Industries during the 1st quarter worth about $24,941,000. 91.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About ABM Industries (Get Free Report) ABM Industries Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of integrated facility, infrastructure, and mobility solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates through Business & Industry, Manufacturing & Distribution, Education, Aviation, and Technical Solutions segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for ABM Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ABM Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BBB Foods (NYSE:TBBB Get Free Report) is one of 63 public companies in the Grocery stores industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare BBB Foods to related companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, dividends, valuation, earnings and institutional ownership. Earnings & Valuation This table compares BBB Foods and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get BBB Foods alerts: Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio BBB Foods $61.89 billion -$17.30 million 131.95 BBB Foods Competitors $38.06 billion $567.26 million 10.70 BBB Foods has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its peers. BBB Foods is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BBB Foods N/A N/A N/A BBB Foods Competitors 1.15% 10.46% 4.07% Risk and Volatility This table compares BBB Foods and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. BBB Foods has a beta of 0.49, indicating that its share price is 51% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BBB Foods peers have a beta of 0.71, indicating that their average share price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings for BBB Foods and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BBB Foods 0 3 3 0 2.50 BBB Foods Competitors 1092 2947 3175 144 2.32 BBB Foods currently has a consensus price target of $34.20, suggesting a potential upside of 17.81%. As a group, Grocery stores companies have a potential upside of 6.54%. Given BBB Foods stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe BBB Foods is more favorable than its peers. Institutional and Insider Ownership 8.4% of BBB Foods shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 42.8% of shares of all Grocery stores companies are held by institutional investors. 24.2% of shares of all Grocery stores companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary BBB Foods peers beat BBB Foods on 8 of the 13 factors compared. About BBB Foods (Get Free Report) BBB Foods Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates a chain of grocery retail stores in Mexico. It offers household cleaning, personal hyenine, cosmetics and beauty, pharmacy, and general merchandise products, as well as jellies and desserts, foods and drinks, pet supplies, coffee, tea, chocolates, breads, dry and frozen foods, snacks and sweets, and toilet papers and napkins. The company also provides branded, private label, and spot products. It serves low-to-middle income households through online channels. BBB Foods Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Receive News & Ratings for BBB Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BBB Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BBB Foods (NYSE:TBBB Get Free Report) is one of 63 public companies in the Grocery stores industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare BBB Foods to related companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, profitability and earnings. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for BBB Foods and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get BBB Foods alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BBB Foods 0 3 3 0 2.50 BBB Foods Competitors 1092 2947 3175 144 2.32 BBB Foods currently has a consensus target price of $34.20, suggesting a potential upside of 17.81%. As a group, Grocery stores companies have a potential upside of 6.54%. Given BBB Foods stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe BBB Foods is more favorable than its competitors. Volatility & Risk Institutional & Insider Ownership BBB Foods has a beta of 0.49, meaning that its stock price is 51% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BBB Foods competitors have a beta of 0.71, meaning that their average stock price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500. 8.4% of BBB Foods shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 42.8% of shares of all Grocery stores companies are owned by institutional investors. 24.2% of shares of all Grocery stores companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Valuation & Earnings This table compares BBB Foods and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio BBB Foods $61.89 billion -$17.30 million 131.95 BBB Foods Competitors $38.06 billion $567.26 million 10.70 BBB Foods has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its competitors. BBB Foods is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Profitability This table compares BBB Foods and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BBB Foods N/A N/A N/A BBB Foods Competitors 1.15% 10.46% 4.07% Summary BBB Foods competitors beat BBB Foods on 8 of the 13 factors compared. About BBB Foods (Get Free Report) BBB Foods Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates a chain of grocery retail stores in Mexico. It offers household cleaning, personal hyenine, cosmetics and beauty, pharmacy, and general merchandise products, as well as jellies and desserts, foods and drinks, pet supplies, coffee, tea, chocolates, breads, dry and frozen foods, snacks and sweets, and toilet papers and napkins. The company also provides branded, private label, and spot products. It serves low-to-middle income households through online channels. BBB Foods Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Receive News & Ratings for BBB Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BBB Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:AYI Free Report) by 29,415.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 227,271 shares of the electronics makers stock after buying an additional 226,501 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC owned approximately 0.73% of Acuity Brands worth $59,852,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Acuity Brands in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Acuity Brands in the 4th quarter valued at about $40,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in Acuity Brands in the 4th quarter valued at about $42,000. National Bank of Canada FI increased its position in Acuity Brands by 50.5% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 161 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its position in Acuity Brands by 40.9% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 179 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. 98.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Acuity Brands alerts: Acuity Brands Price Performance Shares of NYSE AYI opened at $256.05 on Tuesday. Acuity Brands, Inc. has a twelve month low of $216.81 and a twelve month high of $345.30. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $250.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $288.32. The company has a market capitalization of $7.91 billion, a PE ratio of 18.85, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a quick ratio of 2.38, a current ratio of 2.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Acuity Brands Announces Dividend Acuity Brands ( NYSE:AYI Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 3rd. The electronics maker reported $3.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.67 by $0.06. Acuity Brands had a return on equity of 19.98% and a net margin of 11.11%. The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.03 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.38 EPS. The companys revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Acuity Brands, Inc. will post 15.86 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 18th were paid a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 17th. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.27%. Acuity Brandss payout ratio is presently 5.16%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have issued reports on AYI. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on Acuity Brands from $310.00 to $295.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 4th. Morgan Stanley set a $335.00 price target on Acuity Brands in a research note on Friday, April 4th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Acuity Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Acuity Brands from $290.00 to $275.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Acuity Brands currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $317.60. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AYI Acuity Brands Company Profile (Free Report) Acuity Brands, Inc provides lighting, lighting controls, building management system, location-aware applications in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL); and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). The ABL segment provides commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting solutions, as well as lighting controls and components for various indoor and outdoor applications under the A-Light, Aculux, American Electric Lighting, Cyclone, Dark to Light, eldoLED, Eureka, Gotham, Healthcare Lighting, Holophane, Hydrel, Indy, IOTA, Juno, Lithonia Lighting, Luminaire LED, Luminis, Mark Architectural Lighting, nLight, OPTOTRONIC, Peerless, RELOCWiring Solutions, and Sensor Switch. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Acuity Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Acuity Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Moldova is eager to be a part of the Black Sea Cable Project, which envisages transportation of green energy from the Caspian Sea region to Europe, Secretary of State at the Moldovan Energy Ministry Carolina Novac said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of the Baku Energy Week. We are interested in participating in the Black Sea Cable Project. The secretariat of this project is in Bucharest, and we have fantastic collaboration with Romanian partners. We want to understand first and foremost what procedures we have to follow, said Novac. The state secretary went on to add that Moldova is committed to a balanced energy strategy that ensures both energy security and sustainability on its path to a green energy future. Over the past four years, Moldova has expanded its renewable energy capacity eightfold, recently launching auctions for 165 MW of photovoltaic and wind projects, with plans to include energy storage systems (BESS) by year-end to improve grid stability. On April 11, 2025, a Memorandum of Cooperation in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy was signed between the National Center for Sustainable Energy Development (IP CNED) and the Renewable Energy Agency of Azerbaijan. The signing took place during a working session of the Moldova-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission. The key areas of cooperation outlined in the Memorandum include: - Exchange of information on legislation, studies, and other materials related to the promotion of renewable energy sources; - Collaboration on research initiatives aimed at developing renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency, and creating innovative solutions; - Sharing of knowledge and expertise regarding the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and applications, including battery technologies, hydrogen, and smart grid technologies, she said. On December 17, 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary signed a strategic partnership agreement, which includes plans for the construction of a 1,000 MW submarine energy cable under the Black Sea, spanning 1,195 kilometers. This cable will transmit green electricity generated in Azerbaijan and Georgia to Romania, with further transport to Hungary and the rest of Europe, enhancing Europes access to renewable energy from the Caucasus region. Bulgaria has also expressed interest in joining the project. Planned Solutions Inc. decreased its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,570 shares of the companys stock after selling 40 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises approximately 0.9% of Planned Solutions Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Planned Solutions Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $2,123,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in LLY. RFG Advisory LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 17.2% in the 1st quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 11,973 shares of the companys stock worth $9,888,000 after purchasing an additional 1,761 shares in the last quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the first quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,918 shares of the companys stock worth $4,842,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the period. Swisher Financial Concepts Inc. raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.5% in the first quarter. Swisher Financial Concepts Inc. now owns 1,240 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,024,000 after buying an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. McLean Asset Management Corp raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.0% in the first quarter. McLean Asset Management Corp now owns 1,491 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,231,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HBW Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.4% in the first quarter. HBW Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,648 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,361,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $818.24, for a total value of $818,240.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,840 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,778,521.60. The trade was a 14.62% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $746.63 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $775.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $799.98. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $677.09 and a 12 month high of $972.53. The company has a market capitalization of $707.60 billion, a PE ratio of 63.76, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $3.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.64 by ($1.30). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 23.51% and a return on equity of 85.24%. The firm had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.77 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.58 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 45.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.80%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 48.82%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,029.00 to $1,038.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. HSBC cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a reduce rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $1,150.00 to $700.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Hsbc Global Res lowered shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a moderate sell rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $975.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,011.37. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fulton Bank N.A. cut its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report) by 0.9% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 82,299 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 777 shares during the period. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF accounts for about 1.2% of Fulton Bank N.A.s holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. Fulton Bank N.A.s holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $29,717,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Merit Financial Group LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 34.1% during the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 16,643 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $6,010,000 after buying an additional 4,229 shares during the last quarter. Affiance Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 13.5% in the first quarter. Affiance Financial LLC now owns 34,095 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $12,311,000 after buying an additional 4,060 shares during the last quarter. Arlington Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 138.1% during the first quarter. Arlington Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,833 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,023,000 after acquiring an additional 1,643 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 105,066.7% during the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 12,620 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $4,557,000 after acquiring an additional 12,608 shares during the period. Finally, Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,665,000. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Trading Up 0.6% Shares of NYSEARCA:IWF opened at $401.95 on Tuesday. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 12-month low of $308.67 and a 12-month high of $419.53. The business has a 50 day moving average of $368.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $388.85. The company has a market capitalization of $105.93 billion, a PE ratio of 32.66 and a beta of 1.15. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Company Profile iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McLean Asset Management Corp lowered its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 4.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 147,657 shares of the companys stock after selling 6,861 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF accounts for approximately 2.6% of McLean Asset Management Corps portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. McLean Asset Management Corps holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $8,703,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EFV. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 44.8% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 13,232,972 shares of the companys stock valued at $761,293,000 after purchasing an additional 4,091,747 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $281,000. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 41.3% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 38,725 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,032,000 after purchasing an additional 11,327 shares in the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 11,118 shares of the companys stock worth $583,000 after acquiring an additional 401 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 17,855 shares of the companys stock worth $937,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Up 23.0% Shares of EFV opened at $64.27 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 52-week low of $51.05 and a 52-week high of $64.29. The company has a market capitalization of $22.31 billion, a PE ratio of 12.18 and a beta of 0.73. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $59.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $56.95. About iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT Free Report) by 6.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,740 shares of the medical technology companys stock after selling 181 shares during the period. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Medtronic were worth $246,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MDT. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its stake in Medtronic by 1,368.0% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 39,989 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $3,194,000 after purchasing an additional 37,265 shares during the period. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC raised its position in Medtronic by 15.6% during the 4th quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 3,595 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $287,000 after buying an additional 484 shares during the last quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its position in Medtronic by 43.9% during the 4th quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 7,009 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $579,000 after buying an additional 2,139 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management raised its position in Medtronic by 26.5% during the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 11,849 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $946,000 after buying an additional 2,481 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greenleaf Trust raised its position in Medtronic by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 14,095 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,126,000 after buying an additional 1,174 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.06% of the companys stock. Get Medtronic alerts: Medtronic Stock Performance NYSE:MDT opened at $83.73 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $84.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $86.17. Medtronic plc has a twelve month low of $75.96 and a twelve month high of $96.25. The company has a market capitalization of $107.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.81. Medtronic Increases Dividend Medtronic ( NYSE:MDT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 21st. The medical technology company reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.04. Medtronic had a net margin of 12.83% and a return on equity of 14.07%. The company had revenue of $8.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.81 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.46 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Medtronic plc will post 5.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. This is a boost from Medtronics previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 27th. Medtronics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 78.45%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Medtronic from $93.00 to $90.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Medtronic from $94.00 to $92.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Medtronic in a report on Monday, May 19th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Medtronic from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the company from $92.00 to $107.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Medtronic from $100.00 to $98.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $97.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Medtronic About Medtronic (Free Report) Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MDT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Medtronic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medtronic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Threadgill Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 0.2% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 33,326 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises 9.8% of Threadgill Financial LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. Threadgill Financial LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $18,267,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 9.3% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 411 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. McLean Asset Management Corp boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. McLean Asset Management Corp now owns 1,788 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $980,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 20.0% during the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 25,439 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $13,944,000 after acquiring an additional 4,232 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 27,513 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $15,080,000 after acquiring an additional 1,532 shares during the period. Finally, Milestone Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Mastercard by 519.3% in the 1st quarter. Milestone Asset Management LLC now owns 5,351 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $2,933,000 after purchasing an additional 4,487 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the companys stock. Get Mastercard alerts: Mastercard Price Performance Shares of Mastercard stock opened at $580.56 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $544.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $540.21. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $428.86 and a twelve month high of $588.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $529.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.80, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.06. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.57 by $0.16. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. The firm had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.31 EPS. The companys revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year. Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued an in-line rating and a $550.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $595.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Tigress Financial reissued a strong-buy rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Monness Crespi & Hardt downgraded Mastercard from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Mastercard from $640.00 to $660.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $609.66. Get Our Latest Research Report on Mastercard Insider Transactions at Mastercard In other news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total transaction of $3,813,337.76. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 34,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,459,292.32. The trade was a 17.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael Miebach sold 15,775 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.16, for a total transaction of $8,678,774.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 84,871 shares in the company, valued at $46,692,629.36. This trade represents a 15.67% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 23,207 shares of company stock valued at $12,664,529 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. Mastercard Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC decreased its holdings in iShares Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:IAU Free Report) by 8.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 947,542 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 87,396 shares during the period. iShares Gold Trust makes up approximately 2.8% of Capital Asset Advisory Services LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC owned about 0.13% of iShares Gold Trust worth $55,858,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of IAU. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in iShares Gold Trust by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 11,217,258 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $557,498,000 after acquiring an additional 981,362 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,864,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $52,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 17.6% in the 4th quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 12,428 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $615,000 after buying an additional 1,864 shares during the period. Finally, Spire Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 43.0% in the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 21,921 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,085,000 after buying an additional 6,591 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.67% of the companys stock. Get iShares Gold Trust alerts: iShares Gold Trust Price Performance iShares Gold Trust stock opened at $63.77 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $61.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $55.44. iShares Gold Trust has a 1-year low of $43.24 and a 1-year high of $64.98. The stock has a market cap of $47.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -37.79 and a beta of 0.13. iShares Gold Trust Profile iShares Gold Trust (the Trust) is to own gold transferred to the Trust in exchange for shares issued by the Trust (Shares). Each Share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in the net assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust consist of gold held by the Trusts custodian on behalf of the Trust. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares Gold Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Gold Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its stake in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report) by 1.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,520 shares of the payment services companys stock after buying an additional 516 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc.s holdings in American Express were worth $8,211,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Merit Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 15.7% during the first quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 20,816 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $5,601,000 after purchasing an additional 2,819 shares during the period. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. lifted its stake in American Express by 2.5% in the first quarter. Graves Light Lenhart Wealth Inc. now owns 2,751 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $740,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. raised its position in shares of American Express by 116,850.0% in the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 7,017 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,887,000 after purchasing an additional 7,011 shares during the period. Wright Investors Service Inc. raised its position in shares of American Express by 44.2% in the first quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc. now owns 22,813 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $6,138,000 after purchasing an additional 6,990 shares during the period. Finally, American National Bank & Trust raised its position in shares of American Express by 1.8% in the first quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 4,507 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,213,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: Insider Activity at American Express In related news, Director Michael J. Angelakis purchased 3,700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 7th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $269.89 per share, with a total value of $998,593.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,700 shares in the company, valued at $998,593. This trade represents a ? increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 9,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.50, for a total value of $2,603,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 9,402 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,590,251. This trade represents a 50.13% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. American Express Stock Up 0.4% Shares of American Express stock opened at $295.37 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.58. American Express has a 52-week low of $220.43 and a 52-week high of $326.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $206.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.23. The companys 50 day moving average price is $271.29 and its 200-day moving average price is $288.79. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The payment services company reported $3.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.47 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $16.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.04 billion. American Express had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 32.65%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.33 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that American Express will post 15.33 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes AXP has been the topic of several research reports. 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 report on Monday, April 21st. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. Monness Crespi & Hardt boosted 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. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of American Express from $320.00 to $300.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Finally, 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 report on Friday, March 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $296.05. Get Our Latest Report on AXP About American Express (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 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. Viking Fund Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR Free Report) by 34.9% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 112,000 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 60,000 shares during the period. Entergy accounts for 1.4% of Viking Fund Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Viking Fund Management LLCs holdings in Entergy were worth $9,575,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its position in Entergy by 22,232.1% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 61,190 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,231,000 after buying an additional 60,916 shares during the period. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Entergy in the first quarter worth $49,000. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Entergy by 28.0% in the first quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 10,029 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $857,000 after purchasing an additional 2,196 shares in the last quarter. LVW Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Entergy by 9.2% during the first quarter. LVW Advisors LLC now owns 7,671 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $656,000 after acquiring an additional 648 shares during the period. Finally, NBC Securities Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Entergy by 103,087.2% during the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 48,498 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,146,000 after acquiring an additional 48,451 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.07% of the companys stock. Get Entergy alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ETR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays upped their price objective on Entergy from $88.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Entergy from $85.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Entergy in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. KeyCorp raised Entergy from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $85.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on Entergy from $86.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 21st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Entergy presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $86.04. Entergy Trading Down 0.2% Entergy stock opened at $83.11 on Tuesday. Entergy Corporation has a one year low of $52.07 and a one year high of $88.38. The businesss fifty day moving average is $82.75 and its 200 day moving average is $80.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.80 billion, a PE ratio of 34.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.62. Entergy (NYSE:ETR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The utilities provider reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.22. Entergy had a return on equity of 10.68% and a net margin of 8.90%. The business had revenue of $3.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.54 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Entergy Corporation will post 3.88 EPS for the current year. Entergy Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 2nd. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.89%. Entergys payout ratio is presently 77.92%. Entergy Company Profile (Free Report) Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Entergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. P/F Bakkafrost (OTCMKTS:BKFKF Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 17,900 shares, a drop of 22.2% from the April 30th total of 23,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 179.0 days. P/F Bakkafrost Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:BKFKF opened at $47.40 on Tuesday. P/F Bakkafrost has a 1-year low of $40.19 and a 1-year high of $59.10. The businesss 50 day moving average is $46.08 and its 200-day moving average is $51.21. Get P/F Bakkafrost alerts: P/F Bakkafrost Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also P/F Bakkafrost, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells salmon products in North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Fishmeal, Fish Oil and Fish Feed; Freshwater FO; Freshwater SCT; Farming FO; Farming SCT; Services; and Sales & Other. Receive News & Ratings for P/F Bakkafrost Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for P/F Bakkafrost and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JBGlobal.com LLC boosted its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 20.6% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 16,455 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 2,816 shares during the period. Pfizer accounts for approximately 0.4% of JBGlobal.com LLCs holdings, making the stock its 21st largest position. JBGlobal.com LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $417,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Pfizer by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 518,535,151 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $13,756,738,000 after buying an additional 2,285,276 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Pfizer by 19.5% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 155,459,101 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,124,330,000 after buying an additional 25,315,159 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Pfizer by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 120,589,782 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,190,131,000 after buying an additional 2,923,537 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,328,986,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its position in Pfizer by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 76,502,238 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,029,604,000 after purchasing an additional 5,350,381 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Performance NYSE PFE opened at $23.45 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.08 and a 200 day simple moving average of $25.04. Pfizer Inc. has a 12-month low of $20.92 and a 12-month high of $31.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The company has a market cap of $133.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.63, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.58. Pfizer Dividend Announcement 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, beating 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 business had revenue of $13.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.43 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.82 EPS. Pfizers revenue was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.34%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 124.64%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and set a $25.00 target price (down previously from $32.00) on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. UBS Group increased their target price 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. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Pfizer to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pfizer presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.17. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Pfizer 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 Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Flashback: Sikkims Merger with India Sikkim was annexed by India in what can be called a colossal display of intrigue and treachery in which Indias foreign intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), played a major role Tuesday June 3, 2025 5:37 PM , Habib Siddiqui [Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with Sikkim leaders during Sikkim assembly, in New Delhi on July 08, 1974.(Image: Times Content)] On May 29, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Sikkim@50 celebrations via videoconferencing from New Delhi, marking five decades since the northeastern state became part of the Indian Union. Fifty years ago, Sikkim chose a democratic path for its future, the Prime Minister said. The people of Sikkim aspired to connect not only with Bharats geography but also with its very soul. As expected neither Modi nor his Godi media told the ugly truth that fifty years ago, Sikkim was annexed by India in what can be called a colossal display of intrigue and treachery in which Indias foreign intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), played a major role. Sikkim under British Rule Sikkim, a Himalayan kingdom nestled between Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, became a princely state under the British Indian Empire in 1890. Following Indias independence in 1947, while most princely states were integrated into either India or Pakistan, Sikkim and Bhutan remained exceptions. Sikkim retained its status as a protectorate first under the Dominion of India and later under the Republic of India after 1950. Palden Thondup Namgyal, born on May 23, 1923, served as the 12th and final Chogyal (king) of Sikkim. During the early 1970s, as Bhutan moved toward greater international recognition joining the United Nations in September 1971, the Chogyal sought a similar path for Sikkim. He pressed India to revise the Indo-Sikkim Treaty, aiming for a status akin to Bhutans. This ambition reportedly alarmed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who, in December 1972, turned to R.N. Kao, the founding director of Indias external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). According to accounts by authors such as Nitin Gokhale and former intelligence officials, Indira Gandhi tasked RAW with countering the growing alignment among the Himalayan kingdoms Sikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal. Historical documents suggest that Indias strategic concerns about its northern frontiers were longstanding. In a 1950 letter, then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel warned Prime Minister Nehru of vulnerabilities in the region, citing weak communication lines and limited loyalty among border populations. He emphasized the potential for foreign influence, particularly from China and the Soviet Union. Sikkim 1973 By early 1973, RAW had reportedly devised a plan to destabilize the Chogyals rule. The strategy involved supporting opposition leaders such as Kazi Lhendup Dorjee of the Sikkim National Congress (SNC) and younger activists like K.C. Pradhan. These leaders formed the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which launched a series of agitations against the monarchy. According to Gokhale, RAW provided logistical, strategic, and financial support to sustain the movement. The situation escalated on April 4, 1973 Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyals 50th birthday, when violent clashes erupted in Gangtok. A confrontation involving the Chogyals son and palace guards led to police firing and civilian deaths. The unrest was used by opposition leaders to intensify calls for Indian intervention. Within days, widespread looting and arson gripped the region. On April 8, 1973, under mounting pressure, the Chogyal signed a draft agreement prepared by Indian authorities. It transferred administrative control to India and placed the local police under the command of the Indian Armys 17 Mountain Division. The JAC called off its agitation shortly thereafter. Merger with India Two years later, in April 1975, the final phase of the merger unfolded. Public demonstrations were orchestrated in Gangtok demanding the disbanding of the Chogyals guards and full integration with India. Dorjee formally requested Indian intervention, and the Indian Army moved in. According to Gokhale, the operation was swiftwithin 20 minutes, the palace guards were disarmed, though one sentry was killed in the process. A referendum was held soon after, under the presence of tens of thousands of Indian troops in a state with a population of around 200,000. The result 97.5% in favor of abolishing the monarchy, was widely criticized as a foregone conclusion. Dorjees SNC, which had won 31 of 32 seats in the April elections, passed a motion calling for Sikkims annexation. On May 16, 1975, Sikkim officially became the 22nd state of India. China initially opposed the annexation but later tacitly accepted it after India recognized the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of the Peoples Republic of China during the Vajpayee administration. Kazi Lhendup Dorjee was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2002 for his role in Sikkims integration. However, his later years were marked by isolation. According to journalist Sudeer Sharma, Dorjee expressed regret over his treatment by Indian authorities, saying, I went out of my way to ensure the merger of Sikkim into India but after the work was done, the Indians just ignored me. Sikkim Internal Rivalry There is little doubt that RAW played a pivotal role in Sikkims 1975 merger with India. One of the lesser-known dynamics it reportedly exploited was the long-standing rivalry between two of Sikkims most influential families: the royal Namgyals and the Kazis. This animosity, rooted in a 1933 incident at the Rumtek Monastery where a young Lhendup Dorjee was replaced by Crown Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal, would later shape the political fate of the Himalayan kingdom. According to Captain Sonam Yongda, who served as aide-de-camp to the Chogyal, the monarch might have avoided annexation had he heeded the advice of regional allies. In 1974, King Birendra of Nepal, Chinese Deputy Premier Chen Li Yan, and Pakistans envoy in Kathmandu reportedly urged the Chogyal not to return to Sikkim. But the King didnt accept, Yongda recalled. He was a great believer in India. He had a huge respect for Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Not in his wildest dreams did he think India would ever gobble up his kingdom. Journalist Sudeer Sharma, in his essay The Pain of Losing a Nation, describes Indias approach as a double game. While RAW supported Dorjees political movement against the monarchy, Indian officials continued to assure the Chogyal that the institution of monarchy would be preserved. The Chogyal, an honorary Major General in the Indian Army, never imagined that the same army would one day be used to disarm his palace guards. Critically, the Chogyal also failed to build strong ties with the ethnic Nepali majority in Sikkima political miscalculation that further isolated him. Tragedy struck the royal family again on March 11, 1978, when Crown Prince Tenzing, a 26-year-old Cambridge graduate, died in a car accident near Gangtok. His death marked the symbolic end of the Namgyal dynasty, which had long been shadowed by a prophecy known as the Curse of the Namgyals, suggesting that the firstborn rarely succeeded to the throne. The Chogyal, heartbroken, passed away in 1982. Three Women The Sikkim saga is also remembered as a story of three formidable women: Indira Gandhi, Indias Prime Minister; Hope Cooke, the American-born Queen of Sikkim; and Elisa Maria, the British wife of Kazi Lhendup Dorjee. Each had her own vision for Sikkims future but only one prevailed. With RAW at her disposal, it was Indira Gandhi who ultimately shaped the kingdoms destiny. In 1978, Gandhis successor, Prime Minister Morarji Desai, publicly criticized the annexation. Its wrong for a big country to do that, he said. Many of the neighboring states were bothered about it But I cannot undo it now. The broader implications of RAWs role in Sikkim have raised questions about its operations elsewhere, e.g., in the neighboring Bangladesh. In his book Inside RAW: The Story of Indias Secret Service, author Ashok Raina writes that RAW was granted sweeping authority to conduct covert operations in neighboring countries deemed strategically sensitive Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Pakistan, and the Maldives. RAW was given a virtual carte blanche to conduct destabilization operations in neighboring countries, seen by New Delhi as inimical to India. RAW was given a list of seven countries (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Pakistan and Maldives) for its operations, Raina notes, and it systematically and brilliantly crafted covert operations to coerce, destabilize and subvert them in consonance with the foreign policy objectives of the Indian Government. He concludes: RAW over the years has admirably fulfilled its tasks of destabilizing target states The India Doctrine spelled out a difficult and onerous role for RAW. It goes to its credit that it has accomplished its assigned objectives. What New Delhi hails as strategic foresight and brilliance, and as Indias intelligence footprint grows fifty years after Sikkims annexation, her smaller neighbors quietly ask: Could history repeat itself not with tanks, but through influence, infiltration, and quiet persuasion? Could the next annexation come not by force, but by proxy, in a double game reminiscent of Sikkim? [The writer, Habib Siddiqui, is a Rights Activist who has authored more than 20 books. His latest book Modi-fied India: The Transformation of a Nation is due to be published this year by Peter Lang.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Iran continues exports to Iraq via its Khuzestan Customs despite volume decline In the early months of the current Iranian year, over $380 million worth of goods were exported to Iraq through Khuzestan Province's customs. The main exports included natural gas, petrochemicals, and steel products, with slight year-on-year changes in both volume and value. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (TSE:CP Get Free Report) (NYSE:CP) Senior Officer Keith E. Creel sold 170,227 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$110.59, for a total value of C$18,825,910.53. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance Shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City stock opened at C$111.54 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of C$104.26 billion, a PE ratio of 29.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.79. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 1 year low of C$94.60 and a 1 year high of C$119.20. The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$104.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$106.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.64, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.53. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 28th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.228 per share. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.82%. This is a boost from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.06%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently weighed in on CP. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$123.00 to C$122.00 in a research note on Friday, February 21st. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$113.00 to C$116.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Scotiabank lowered their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$118.00 to C$117.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. National Bankshares decreased their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$123.00 to C$118.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$122.00 to C$121.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$120.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on CP About Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Get Free Report) Canadian Pacific is a CAD 8 billion Class-1 railroads operating on more than 12,500 miles of track across most of Canada and into parts of the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. It is the second-smallest Class I railroad by revenue and route miles. In 2021, CP hauled shipments of grain (22% of freight revenue), intermodal containers (22%), energy products (like crude and frac sand), chemicals, and plastics (20%) coal (8%), fertilizer and potash (10%), automotive products (5%), and a diverse mix of other merchandise. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB Free Report) by 125.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 122,972 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 68,351 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $12,966,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in 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 purchasing an additional 5,297,542 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 5.9% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 20,358,585 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,169,207,000 after purchasing an additional 1,138,987 shares during the period. Betterment LLC raised its position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 8.1% in the 4th quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 18,258,259 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,945,417,000 after purchasing an additional 1,371,663 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in 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 purchasing an additional 13,330,037 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 10,606,146 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,130,085,000 after purchasing an additional 1,608,092 shares during the period. Get iShares National Muni Bond ETF alerts: iShares National Muni Bond ETF Price Performance iShares National Muni Bond ETF stock opened at $103.28 on Tuesday. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $100.29 and a 1-year high of $108.81. The companys 50-day moving average is $104.01 and its 200 day moving average is $105.80. iShares National Muni Bond ETF Company 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). Recommended Stories 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. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its position in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) by 4.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 324,088 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 13,014 shares during the quarter. Wells Fargo & Company comprises about 1.1% of ST Germain D J Co. Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 24th largest position. ST Germain D J Co. Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $23,266,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in WFC. Rialto Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. BNP Paribas bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 126.7% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 424 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 237 shares during the period. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Trading Down 0.2% Shares of WFC stock opened at $74.64 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $70.10 and a 200 day moving average of $72.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1-year low of $50.15 and a 1-year high of $81.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $242.90 billion, a PE ratio of 13.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.13. Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 11th. The financial services provider reported $1.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $0.16. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.38% and a net margin of 15.73%. The business had revenue of $20.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.82 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.20 EPS. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year. Wells Fargo & Company declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, April 29th that permits the company to repurchase $40.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to repurchase up to 17.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, June 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 28.73%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently commented on WFC shares. Citigroup reduced their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $82.00 to $78.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $82.00 to $73.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Bank of America reduced their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $83.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Wells Fargo & Company from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $80.00 target price for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. They set a hold rating and a $83.00 target price for the company. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $75.73. View Our Latest Stock Report on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Birkenstock (NYSE:BIRK Get Free Report)s stock had its outperform rating reiterated by analysts at William Blair in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,RTT News reports. A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Birkenstock from $62.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. BTIG Research raised their target price on Birkenstock from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Thursday, May 15th. UBS Group raised their target price on Birkenstock from $72.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on Birkenstock from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $67.19. Get Birkenstock alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on BIRK Birkenstock Price Performance Shares of BIRK stock traded up $0.79 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $55.36. The stock had a trading volume of 406,355 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,536,327. Birkenstock has a 12-month low of $40.56 and a 12-month high of $64.78. The company has a market cap of $10.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.56. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $50.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $52.37. The company has a current ratio of 2.84, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Birkenstock (NYSE:BIRK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The company reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $623.54 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $567.84 million. Birkenstock had a return on equity of 9.52% and a net margin of 11.73%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.38 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Birkenstock will post 1.77 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Birkenstock A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in Birkenstock by 66.5% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 841 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its position in Birkenstock by 12.3% during the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,158 shares of the companys stock valued at $179,000 after purchasing an additional 347 shares during the period. Malaga Cove Capital LLC boosted its position in Birkenstock by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC now owns 12,108 shares of the companys stock valued at $686,000 after purchasing an additional 407 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in Birkenstock by 61.0% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,288 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 488 shares during the period. Finally, Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich acquired a new position in Birkenstock during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 19.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Birkenstock (Get Free Report) Birkenstock Holding plc manufactures and sells footwear products. It also offers sandals, shoes, closed-toe silhouettes, skincare products, and accessories. The company sells its products through e-commerce sites and a network of owned retail stores, as well as business-to-business channels. It operates in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Europe, APMA, and internationally. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Birkenstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Birkenstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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 FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS Get Free Report)s stock had its sector perform rating reissued by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $503.00 target price on the business services providers stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 15.02% from the stocks current price. Several other analysts also recently commented on FDS. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of FactSet Research Systems from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price target for the company from $450.00 to $402.00 in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on FactSet Research Systems from $409.00 to $390.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 21st. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on FactSet Research Systems from $498.00 to $466.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 24th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $525.00 to $480.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $440.22. Get FactSet Research Systems alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on FactSet Research Systems FactSet Research Systems Stock Down 4.2% Shares of NYSE:FDS traded down $19.24 on Tuesday, hitting $437.32. 209,386 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 290,843. The firms 50-day moving average is $440.98 and its 200 day moving average is $457.47. The company has a market capitalization of $16.59 billion, a PE ratio of 31.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.88. FactSet Research Systems has a 1-year low of $391.69 and a 1-year high of $499.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.39. FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The business services provider reported $4.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.17 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $570.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $570.65 million. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 33.92% and a net margin of 24.16%. The firms revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.22 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that FactSet Research Systems will post 17.21 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In related news, CAO Gregory T. Moskoff sold 363 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $433.73, for a total transaction of $157,443.99. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 44 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,084.12. The trade was a 89.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of FactSet Research Systems A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FDS. Apeiron RIA LLC grew its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. Apeiron RIA LLC now owns 945 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $430,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 188.2% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 98 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 7.9% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 8,404 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,821,000 after acquiring an additional 617 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 1.2% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 301,336 shares of the business services providers stock worth $136,999,000 after acquiring an additional 3,514 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Woodline Partners LP boosted its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 1,560.4% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 37,891 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $17,227,000 after purchasing an additional 35,609 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.24% of the companys stock. FactSet Research Systems Company Profile (Get Free Report) FactSet Research Systems Inc, a financial data company, provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company delivers insight and information through the workflow solutions of research, analytics and trading, content and technology solutions, and wealth. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for FactSet Research Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FactSet Research Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Hongqiao Group Limited (OTCMKTS:CHHQF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,019,400 shares, a growth of 41.8% from the April 30th total of 2,834,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3,091.8 days. China Hongqiao Group Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:CHHQF remained flat at $1.63 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $1.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1.69. China Hongqiao Group has a 12-month low of $1.57 and a 12-month high of $2.35. Get China Hongqiao Group alerts: China Hongqiao Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading China Hongqiao Group Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and sells aluminum products in the People's Republic of China and Indonesia. The company's products include molten aluminum alloys, aluminum alloy ingots, aluminum busbars, aluminum alloy processing, and alumina products. Receive News & Ratings for China Hongqiao Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Hongqiao Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLTW Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 596,129 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 465% from the previous sessions volume of 105,450 shares.The stock last traded at $48.31 and had previously closed at $48.16. Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF Stock Up 0.6% The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $44.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $46.41. The company has a market cap of $586.00 million, a PE ratio of 17.45 and a beta of 0.85. Get Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 28.0% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,043,528 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,112,000 after purchasing an additional 228,364 shares in the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC lifted its position in shares of Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 248.4% in the 1st quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 742,413 shares of the companys stock worth $32,095,000 after buying an additional 529,293 shares during the last quarter. AIA Group Ltd bought a new position in shares of Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $12,701,000. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC now owns 230,640 shares of the companys stock worth $10,912,000 after buying an additional 1,395 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 788.1% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 159,012 shares of the companys stock worth $6,874,000 after buying an additional 141,107 shares during the last quarter. About Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF The Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped index, a market-cap-weighted index of Taiwanese companies, excluding small-caps. FLTW was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is managed by Franklin Templeton. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) Senior Officer Kelvin Vi Luan Tran sold 9,612 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$94.98, for a total value of C$912,947.76. Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Up 0.9% TSE:TD traded up C$0.82 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching C$95.78. 1,427,272 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,024,546. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$86.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$83.15. The stock has a market capitalization of C$168.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.82. The Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 52 week low of C$73.22 and a 52 week high of C$95.97. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Toronto-Dominion Bank Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.39%. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio is presently 80.84%. Analyst Ratings Changes TD has been the subject of several research reports. Scotiabank upgraded Toronto-Dominion Bank to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$83.00 to C$90.00 in a research note on Friday, February 14th. CIBC dropped their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$95.00 to C$94.00 in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. National Bankshares set a C$80.00 target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered Toronto-Dominion Bank from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the stock from C$90.00 to C$99.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$88.67. Get Our Latest Analysis on Toronto-Dominion Bank About Toronto-Dominion Bank (Get Free Report) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLF Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,096,700 shares, a decrease of 16.5% from the April 30th total of 7,305,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 4,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1,385.6 days. Great Wall Motor Stock Performance OTCMKTS:GWLLF traded down $0.15 on Tuesday, reaching $1.49. 10,580 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,560. The companys 50 day moving average is $1.56 and its 200-day moving average is $1.65. Great Wall Motor has a 1-year low of $1.19 and a 1-year high of $2.20. Get Great Wall Motor alerts: Great Wall Motor Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Great Wall Motor Company Limited researches and develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles, and automotive parts and components in China, Europe, ASEAN countries, Latin America, the Middle East, Australia, South Africa, and internationally. The company offers SUVs, sedans, pick-up trucks, multi-purpose vehicles, and energy vehicles primarily under the Haval, WEY, ORA, Tank, and Great Wall Pickup brand names. Receive News & Ratings for Great Wall Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Wall Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Iran has managed to reduce its electricity shortfall by 7,000 megawatt hours, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said during a meeting with water and power sector officials in Tehran, Trend reports. Speaking at a meeting with water and power sector officials in Tehran, Aliabadi noted that electricity shortages during peak periods reached 20,000 megawatt-hours in the last Iranian year (from March 20, 2024, through March 20, 2025), but thanks to targeted measures, the current shortfall stands at 24,000 megawatt-hours significantly lower than the projected 31,000. He emphasized that energy consumption control plays a key role in mitigating shortages. "Given the global scarcity of energy and the rise of artificial intelligence, the crisis is likely to intensify as electrification accelerates worldwide. As electrification accelerates worldwide, electricity consumption will rise significantly. In light of global developments in the energy sector, effective management of electricity use has become essential," he said. Metallus Inc. (NYSE:MTUS Get Free Report)s share price traded down 3.9% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $13.07 and last traded at $13.12. 35,833 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 374,617 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.65. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Metallus from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday. Sidoti upgraded shares of Metallus to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Get Metallus alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Metallus Metallus Price Performance The stocks 50-day moving average is $12.83 and its 200 day moving average is $14.18. The company has a market cap of $573.93 million, a PE ratio of 26.21, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.33. Metallus (NYSE:MTUS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.11 by ($0.04). Metallus had a return on equity of 6.15% and a net margin of 2.05%. The business had revenue of $280.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $264.03 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.56 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Metallus Inc. will post 0.66 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Metallus A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC grew 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 in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of 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 in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Metallus by 103.7% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,775 shares of the companys stock valued at $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 in the 1st quarter valued at $67,000. 77.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. 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. Further Reading 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. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The technology company reported $0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.05, RTT News reports. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a return on equity of 8.94% and a net margin of 8.56%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.42 EPS. Hewlett Packard Enterprises revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise updated its FY 2025 guidance to 1.780-1.900 EPS and its Q3 2025 guidance to 0.400-0.450 EPS. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Trading Up 2.0% HPE stock traded up $0.35 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $17.69. The company had a trading volume of 26,944,993 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,242,356. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.99. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 52 week low of $11.97 and a 52 week high of $24.66. The business has a 50 day moving average of $16.01 and a 200 day moving average of $19.10. The company has a market cap of $23.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.31, a PEG ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.29. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st were given a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 21st. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is 25.37%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on HPE shares. Daiwa Capital Markets lowered Hewlett Packard Enterprise from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $16.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $27.00 to $20.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 7th. Susquehanna lowered their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $20.00 to $15.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 7th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $22.00 to $17.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 7th. Finally, Daiwa America lowered shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hewlett Packard Enterprise has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $21.13. Read Our Latest Stock Report on HPE Insiders Place Their Bets In other Hewlett Packard Enterprise news, Director Bethany Mayer sold 6,409 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.19, for a total value of $84,534.71. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.36% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hewlett Packard Enterprise An institutional investor recently raised its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Free Report) by 44.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,456 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 1,377 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise were worth $69,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. 80.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Irans Khuzestan Province leads uptick in non-oil export growth Exports through Khuzestan customs grew 24% in value and 11% in weight over two months. Non-oil exports totaled 4.61 million tons worth $1.62 billion, mainly to Iraq, China, and the UAE. Imports reached 3.38 million tons valued at $1.09 billion, with value down 16% and weight up 37%. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Iran won't leave the ongoing negotiations on its nuclear program, protecting its national interests, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said at a press conference in Tehran today, Trend reports. According to her, Iran has repeatedly stated that it is in favor of negotiations. However, it has not stated anything differently either during the discussions or in the media. Mohajerani mentioned that all of Iran's scenarios and programs are on the table. She added that Iran is comprehensively informed about all issues, and so, Iran's programs in the nuclear field and in the field of lifting sanctions are completely clear, and the government has no doubts about the implementation of these programs. 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 A man and a woman have died following a house fire in Co Galway early this morning. As reported by RTE, the fire broke out shortly after 6am at a detached bungalow in the townland of Gleann Mhac Muirinn, located around 12 kilometres from Casla in the Connemara region. The man and woman, who were the only occupants of the house at the time, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies will be removed to University Hospital Galway, where post-mortem examinations are expected to be carried out. Three units of the County Galway Fire Service, including personnel from Galway City and An Cheathru Rua, attended the scene and worked to bring the blaze under control. The house has been sealed off and a technical examination will take place. In a statement, a Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai and fire services are currently at the scene of a house fire in Glenicmurrin, Co. Galway this morning, Tuesday 3rd June 2025. "The alarm was raised after 6:00am this morning. "The scene is preserved and no further information is available at this time." READ MORE | RIP: Businessman (50s) dies in tragic farm accident in Kildare A judge has directed that the assault trial of former All-Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler, Niall Gilligan be listed for July 15. Following a call-over of cases at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford directed that a number of cases be listed for trial on that date. In doing so, he stated that cases where an accused is on remand in custody pending trial will take priority and he noted that there is one such case listed for July 15. Judge Comerford listed the Gilligan case for trial behind the custody case and if the custody case does not proceed on July 15, the Niall Gilligan assault case will then be the first to proceed. As part of the preparatory work for the trial, Judge Comerford held a ground-rules hearing, in April, due to the age of the complainant in the case while another witness is also a juvenile. READ ALSO: Gardai assaulted on plane at Dublin Airport after responding to 'disruptive passenger' In the case, Mr Gilligan, aged 48, of Rosroe, Sixmilebridge denies the assault causing harm to a then 12 year old boy during an alleged stick assault. Judge Comerford previously appointed a court intermediary to the complainant and the second juvenile witness. Court intermediaries are appointed to assist juvenile witnesses with the court process. Mr Gilligan is represented by barrister Patrick Whyms BL and solicitor, Daragh Hassett. He denies the charge of assault causing harm of the boy at the Jamaica Inn Hostel, Mt Ivers Road, Sixmilebridge contrary to Section 3 of the Offences Against the Person Act, The offence is alleged to have happened on October 5 2023. The Director of Public Prosecutions had initially directed that the case be heard on a summary basis in the district court but Judge Alec Gabbett declined district court jurisdiction after hearing an outline of the State case against Mr Gilligan. In court last July, State solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey told the court that one of the injuries the boy was treated for in the aftermath of the alleged stick assault by Mr Gilligan was a fractured left hand. Solicitor for Mr Gilligan, Mr Hassett told the court last July that the sequence of events set out by the State is not accepted by his client and there is a complete dispute in relation to what is alleged to have happened here. Last July, Ms Casey confirmed that both juvenile witnesses will give evidence by video link in the circuit court. Mr Gilligan was a star forward for the senior Clare hurling team which defeated Tipperary to win the 1997 All-Ireland Final and was named an All-Star in 1999. The Sixmilebridge clubman also won two Munster titles with Clare and multiple honours with his club over a long, distinguished hurling career. Judge Comerford further remanded Mr Gilligan on bail on the same terms. Irish rap trio Kneecap have announced their biggest headline show outside of Ireland at Londons OVO Arena Wembley. The concert comes after the group remained on the line-up for Glastonbury Festival, when it was confirmed on Tuesday, despite calls from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and a number of other politicians to remove them. Kneecap were taken out of the line-up at Scotlands TRNSMT festival last week after safety concerns were raised by police, while last month the group played to thousands at Londons Wide Awake festival in Brockwell Park. The Belfast trio have scheduled a replacement gig for the cancelled festival show at Glasgows O2 Academy in July. The groups London concert will take place on September 18, with tickets going on pre-sale on the groups WhatsApp channel at 10am, before a general sale on Friday. In a post announcing the gig, Kneecap said: The belly of the beast lets go. It comes after Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged under the name Liam OHanna by the Metropolitan Police with a terror offence last month over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig in November last year. Counter-terrorism police previously investigated Kneecap after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting up Hamas, up Hezbollah. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been exploited and weaponised, and also said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. In response to the charge, the group said in a social media statement: 14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. We deny this offence and will vehemently defend ourselves, this is political policing, this is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story, genocide is, as they profit from genocide, they use an anti-terror law against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their crown court, instead a court that doesnt have a jury. Whats the objective? To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out. Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it. Ahead of their Wide Awake set, Kneecap released their latest song The Recap, which opens with a sample of a news report about the counter-terrorism police investigation into the group, and mocks Ms Badenochs attempts to block arts funding they were awarded, and the Conservative Partys election loss. In 2024, the band released an eponymous film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender which is a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together and follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music. Formed in 2017, the group, made up of O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise as well as their championing of the Irish language, and their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live and 3Cag. For late night locals we share info related to reporting on metro crime, court cases, police action and, as always, community outreach. Check TKC news gathering . . . Court documents detail domestic violence incident before Lee's Summit officer was shot A Lee's Summit police officer is out of surgery and resting with friends and family after being shot four times while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Arrest made after deputies nearly dragged, Amish buggy almost hit during chase Several charges have been filed against a Missouri man accused of leading deputies on a high-speed chase after he nearly dragged one of them and almost hit an Amish buggy. KBI arrests Kansas law enforcement officer for child sex crimes Agents with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas law enforcement officer for child sex crimes. Man shot by Kansas City, Kansas police during domestic disturbance Kansas City, Kansas police shot at a suspect early Monday morning during a domestic disturbance. The suspect is in stable condition. Man charged with multiple child sex crimes after admitting to abuse of teen girls A Kansas City man who admitted to sexually abusing two teenage girls for years is now behind bars and faces multiple charges. Affidavit: Kansas City man took $1,400 in bank robbery Curtner photo from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co. KANSAS CITY- Chr Man accused of pulling knife on bystander who tried to stop brutal attack Charges have been filed against a man accused of pulling a knife on another who attempted to stop the brutal attack of an elderly individual. Clay County deputies find missing teen just in time to save her from drug overdose Missouri deputies recognized that the teen was showing signs of an opioid overdose and were able to quickly administer an antidote. KCPD South Patrol will host community events in June Mark your calendar for movie nights, a recruiting pop-up and community resource fair Lee's Summit nonprofit gives 'significant' donation on behalf of community to injured officer's wife On Monday, former LSPD Ofc. Ronnie Doumitt's nonprofit was able to provide immediate financial assistance to the wife of the Lee's Summit officer who was injured in a shooting Sunday night. Developing . . . Credit where it's due for this EXCEPTIONAL look at local places where we celebrate mostly middle-class white ladies profiting from their carby spin on Asian cuisine . . . On the bright side, this place is appropriate and fun for a family trip in stark contrast to a Thailand vacation that will mostly inspire soul-crushing insights into gender, the social order and organized religion . . . Again, the bright side is this list has a bunch of fun ideas . . . If you spend blissful afternoons in Lulus Thai Noodle Shop, Waldo Thai, and Bamboo Pennys, rejoiceyoure barely skimming the top of Kansas Citys Thai food scene. By our count, 36 restaurants primarily serve Thai (or Thai fusion) cuisine across the area. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Despite "clever" ballot language . . . There's a growing hint that more voters might push back against Missouri Republican tactics. Here's a national political mag hyping that talking point from the DNC . . . Check-it: 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. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Iran is ready to engage in any form of cooperation to demonstrate that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, said the country's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, Trend reports. Speaking at a meeting with New Zealands new ambassador to Tehran, Bethany Madden, on June 3, Pezeshkian noted that Iran has repeatedly stated that it has never sought to develop nuclear weapons and remains committed to proving this position. Pezeshkian stated that Iran has always welcomed discussions. However, the rule of negotiation is that no one should try to force the other side to accept one's demands. 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 A Florida man is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, claiming he suffered severe injuries while riding a water slide at Disney's Blizzard Beach water park in 2021. Eugene Strickland filed the lawsuit on May 29 in Orange County, seeking $50,000 in damages for what he describes as "permanent catastrophic injuries." Strickland says the accident happened on July 31, 2021, when he was riding the Downhill Double Dipper (DDD), a high-speed water slide known for its thrilling drops, CBS News said. According to Disney's website, riders "disappear into a black hole and plummet 50 feet downhill at exhilarating speeds" before splashing into the water. Strickland says the ride's fast pace caused him to become airborne and fall off his inner tube, landing hard on the slide's plastic surface. The lawsuit points out that Strickland weighed 334 pounds at the time 34 pounds over the ride's 300-pound weight limit. Despite this, it is not clear if he was warned about or aware of the weight restriction before riding. Eugene Strickland is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for $50,000 over injuries he said he sustained after using one of the park's water slides. https://t.co/JUKJS716OQ CBS Philadelphia (@CBSPhiladelphia) June 2, 2025 Lawsuit Alleges Disney Negligence in Water Slide Accident Strickland claims his fall resulted in "serious bodily injury" including "disability, scarring, disfigurement," along with "mental anguish" and "loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life." According to NYPost, He blames Disney for not warning guests of the dangers and alleges the water slide's design created a "safety hazard" that contributed to his injuries. "I suffered serious bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, scarring, disfigurement, mental anguish," the complaint states. Strickland argues that Disney failed in its "duty to warn him of dangerous conditions" on the slide. Disney has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit or requests for comment. This case adds to a growing number of complaints Disney faces about its water parks this summer. Strickland's suit asks for $50,000 in damages and demands a trial by jury. The Downhill Double Dipper is a popular attraction at Blizzard Beach, designed like a snowy ski resort but located in sunny Florida. The ride is known for its thrilling drops and fast speeds, with some slides reaching speeds up to 50 mph. Originally published on vcpost.com Participants kicked off their day by checking out an exhibition that shone a spotlight on the bond between Azerbaijan and Ukraine. Yuriy Vilkul congratulated Azerbaijani compatriots on this significant day. Three members of the Azerbaijani Diaspora organization in Kryvyi Rih were presented with letters of appreciation from the city administration. In return, the organization gifted Yuriy Vilkul an Azerbaijani carpet. Head of the Azerbaijani Diaspora organization in Kryvyi Rih, Kamaladdin Agayev, spoke about the history and significance of Azerbaijans independence in his address. The event concluded with a cultural program featuring traditional Azerbaijani music, national dances, and musical pieces from Gara Garayevs ballet The Path of Thunder. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel At 82, Tania Leon exudes vitality. Many memories demonstrate that she has lived an intense life, first in her native Cuba and then in her host country, the United States, where she arrived at the age of 24 thanks to the lottery. She was one of the approximately 300,000 Cubans who left as refugees on the so-called Freedom Flights, a program that operated between 1965 and 1973. She had no intention of emigrating, only of studying in Paris. Nor did she grow up thinking she would be a composer, or an orchestra conductor, or a teacher, or that she could compose an opera. But she did it all. Leon maintains that everything in life fell to her by chance, as if her talent hadnt been responsible for her success. She has a long list of awards to her name. In 2021, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for Stride, her orchestral work inspired by the activism of Susan B. Anthony and premiered by the New York Philharmonic. In 2022, she received an honorary distinction from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and this year she won an honorary Grammy, among other accolades. In this interview, conducted at the Library of Congress in Washington, Leon looks back to her early years in Cuba when her grandparents bought her a piano at the age of five and her neighbors included Compay Segundo and Chucho Valdes and her long career, which has led her to establish herself as one of todays most talented musicians. With a broad smile and a warm gaze, somewhere between tender and mischievous, she affirms that she still has everything left to do. Question. You spent your childhood and part of your youth in Cuba. What are your fondest memories from that time? Answer. The culture in general... Because I grew up dancing. Both inside the house and at the dances that were held in my time. One of them was called La Tropical or something like that. Youd go dancing with your boyfriend and it was a real ceremony. Everyone was very dressed up, the men wore guayaberas... I remember it very well, it makes me very nostalgic. Q. When you were five, you were given a piano. Did your family already see musical aspirations in you? A. Every time I think about it, it seems extraordinary, because for my family, which was very humble, it was a huge effort. My grandmother cajoled my grandfather and said, We have to do something. You need a piano. And he bought it. Used, of course. They loved the possibility of me doing something different. I was the first to go to college. They tried to give my brother and me the best. Q. When did you think music could be your career? A. I never thought about it. I liked it and won competitions and everything. When I was older, I started thinking about it because there was a pianist I really liked, Martha Argerich. She was a role model for the time, one I wanted to follow. Q. You came to the United States when you were 24. What dream did you bring with you? A. The dream of going to Paris. I didnt want to come here. I came here because it was the only chance I had to get out, with the lottery. I won the right to a seat and to land in Miami. Q. And you didnt go to Paris, but to New York... A. Yes, because it was the center of music. When I arrived in Miami, it was a country town. The Miami we know today didnt exist. Q. What was the most painful thing about emigrating? A. Everything, because I didnt think about emigrating. I was going to study in France and see how my life unfolded. But Im a planetary person; I love the world and different languages and cultures. This is just a tiny little ball in the middle of the universe. Thats why I love traveling so much, and Ill visit a palace as much as a slum. I feel comfortable in both. Q. How was the transition from pianist to composer? A. It seems like I was on my path. The first person who said I was going to be a composer was my harmony teacher. I did some harmonic exercises that he thought werent exercises, but pieces. In Cuba, my brother and I invented songs, got together with several of the musicians, and made small arrangements. We were always inventing something, but I never thought I would be a composer. Tania Leon at the Kennedy Center, December 4, 2024. Gail Schulman (Getty Images) Q. How did you get started at the Dance Theater of Harlem? A. It was a coincidence. I wasnt planning on playing in a ballet. I went to Harlem for the first time in my life as a substitute for a classmate at NYU (New York University), where I was learning English and getting my degree validated. I was very excited because I had only seen Harlem in movies. That same day, Arthur Mitchell (founder of the Dance Theater of Harlem) decided to go to the same place. He was looking for a venue to start his classes, because at that time, Harlem dance didnt exist. He asked me to be the pianist. I didnt know who he was until I went to the ballet theater and saw his picture in the program. Thats how I found out who I was working with. Q. Your first composition was Tones, and you dedicated it to your grandmother. You later dedicated a work to your mother. The women in your family seem to have had a great influence on you. A. My grandmother took care of my brother and me. My mom was 18 when I was born, and my dad was 21. They were just kids, so my grandparents took charge. My grandmother was the one who took me to a conservatory when I was four because she thought I had something with music. It was somewhat avant-garde. My teachers were also almost all women. Q. Did being a woman or being Cuban present any barriers in your career? A. Ive never had that mindset of what I stand for. Ive lived in another galaxy. I never saw that as something that prevented me from doing what I wanted. And I also had the support of my grandparents, who made me believe that nothing was impossible. Q. How did your roots influence your composition for ballet? A. Since I come from a dance-centric culture, starting to work with Arthur wasnt a problem. I started without speaking; it was all about movement. Mine is a culture where everyone dances, and I used to go see Alicia Alonsos ballet in Cuba. My grandmother took me to symphony concerts. We knew the musicians who lived in my neighborhood in Havana. Compay Segundo lived on the corner near my house. Q. A luxury neighbor A. Thats right. Another person who saw me grow up was Chucho Valdes, who always identified me as a pianist. Q. What has your work as a professor at the university and with the Composers Now foundation meant to you? A. I learned to be a teacher by giving classes because I never thought Id do it; it wasnt my thing, but they invited me. I really like students. They always have new ideas that are out of the ordinary. I love anything new, even if its just a dream. And the organization I founded to promote living composers, who dont have to be just classical music composers, is one of the things that has given me the greatest satisfaction. Q. You have accumulated artistic and honorary achievements, with a long list of awards, including the Pulitzer Prize. A. Its all been a surprise. These are things that just keep coming my way. Like the Pulitzer Prize. I didnt know I was on that list. I found out through a friend, who called me at home. I was at the dentist, and when I came back, I found hed sent me an email saying congratulations. I called him to ask him why he was congratulating me, and I couldnt believe it. I told him he was crazy. And he told me to look at the website, that my picture was there. Q. How does it feel when you get a surprise like that? A. I go back to that time when I started studying and my grandmother brought me flowers for my recital. All of that goes through my mind at that moment because its a fairy tale. I didnt know I was going to live in New York and speak English; I thought Id speak French and live in France and look at the Eiffel Tower every day. Tania Leon in Washington. Hanna Leka Q. What do you still have to do professionally? A. Everything (laughs). I dont know because my life is full of surprises. Like when I met the composer Hans van de Hansen. He sent a fax to my house, and I thought it was someone playing a joke on me, so I said, No jokes, please. Then he sent me another fax and invited me to his festival. On the way out, he told me to write an opera. I told him I didnt like opera, but I ended up writing one. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition June 3 2025 A US coffee chain is continuing its rapid expansion of drive-through outlets with an application to build a new unit on the car park of the Glasgow Road Tesco store in Falkirk. Hot on the heels of a similar venture in Cupar, Starbucks has appointed Opfer Logan Architects to help erect the cafe while minimising any inconvenience to grocery shoppers. The standalone unit with integrated roof totem adheres to the requirements of the brand with service areas and bin stores fully integrated within the building curtilage. In a planning statement the architects wrote: "In addition to its social function, coffee houses like Starbucks are becoming spaces where their customers frequently hold meetings, interviews, and business lunches. Starbucks acknowledges the relationship between coffee houses and the business community, encouraging customers to linger in their stores by providing free wifi along with additional plug points for laptops and hand-held devices." Complementary landscaping will help to blend the development into the surrounding car park. June 3 2025 A public green in Ardler, Perth & Kinross, is to be given enhanced amenities under proposals to erect a new community pavilion. Meigle and Ardler Community Development Trust has engaged Kennedy Twaddle Architects for the simple centrepiece of the 0.12-hectare space. In a statement, the architects wrote: "Located in the heart of Ardler Village on public green space, the proposed Community Pavilion will serve as meeting point for residents and visitors. The proposed living roof will enhance local biodiversity and provide shelter from the elements, enhancing the functionality and ecological value of the area." Spanning a 6x8m paved area the timber structure will rest on steel supports, holding up a metal clad green roof suitable for gatherings and events. Ardler, near Coupar Angus, is home to around 200 residents. Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. After decoupling the United States from Israel [1], Donald Trump has begun to decouple it from the European Union. As with Israel, he initially gave the impression of giving carte blanche to EU members and the UK, then began to undock. Remember: President Trump allowed Western leaders to convince themselves that they could fight Russia in Ukraine alone. At numerous meetings in Paris, London, and Kyiv, EU and UK leaders attempted to announce that they would jointly ensure the continents security against the danger of a "Russian invasion." They considered placing all their nations under the British and French nuclear umbrellas, rather than that of the United States. They contemplated a continental war against Russia and a reorganization of alliances around the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland. And then: nothing. The United States suspended its coordination with the EU [2]. They no longer consult each other about the unilateral coercive measures they are taking against Russia. The 17th EU "sanctions" package was the last agreed upon in Brussels with Washington. The 18th will be agreed upon alone. It is announced that it will be of an unprecedented scale, but without the United States, it is already doomed to failure. The United States has observed within the Council of Europe the preparation of an "international criminal tribunal to prosecute Russian crimes in Ukraine," but it remains aloof [3]. In its eyes, this jurisdiction makes no sense. The Nuremberg and Tokyo criminal tribunals had followed the Allied victory over Nazism, but this one anticipates the victory of Ukrainian "integral nationalists," collaborators with the Nazis, over Russia. It has not been validated by the United Nations and has no chance of being so, given Russias veto power. Today, the United Kingdom and the EU must face the facts: They lack the military means to support their policy. They have locked themselves in their contradictions, denouncing the Ukrainian collateral losses of the Russian special military operation, while being satisfied with the Palestinian collateral losses of the Israeli war against Hamas, even though they are much greater. They have distanced themselves from the United States, which they have not taken seriously. They have one weapon left: confiscating the Russian assets they have already frozen. This would allow Ukraine to rebuild without having to pay themselves. However, confiscating assets for political reasons violates property rights. Such a decision would be irreversible. It is only possible in times of war against an enemy. Confiscating these assets therefore amounts to declaring war on an enemy several times more powerful than the United Kingdom and the EU combined. Aside from the fact that their armies would not survive a war against Russia for two days, the EU would then scare all its partners around the world: if it is possible to confiscate Russian assets, why would Brussels stop there and also confiscate the assets of states that have not condemned Russia? Lets understand whats happening. President Donald Trump had announced that he was demanding that all allies devote 5% of their GDP to military spending. Since this figure was impossible to achieveit would require a doubling of spendingthe United States withdrawal from NATOs integrated command was predictable. At the same time, the president had repeatedly asserted that the European Union was created to harm the United States, while the EU is the civilian component of the "American Empire," of which NATO constitutes the military component. Now, after recognizing that neither the United Kingdom nor the EU are capable of challenging the "American Empire," that their leaders are dependent on the "American Empire" to the detriment of their citizens, and that they refuse to be free and independent, Washington is cutting ties with them. Note that Donald Trump is not attacking Western Europeans. He is simply letting them drift in pursuit of a pipe dream. For those like me who have been envisioning the dissolution of NATO and the EU since the Soviet Union, this is a step forward. But for British subjects and European citizens, it is a catastrophe. In the coming months, we will witness the reconciliation of the United States and Russia. Everything that has shaped our way of thinking will be consigned to oblivion. The time has come for Westerners to replace their elites and rethink their societies. They are completely unprepared for this. While in 1991, we envisioned the dissolution of the "American Empire" like that of the USSR, we see that President Donald Trump intends to achieve a completely different scenario. Like Mikhail Gorbachev, he wants to return his country to its fundamentals (Make America Great Again!), but his European allies, for their part, intend to prolong this Empire. In Brussels, the EU administration still hasnt accepted this cowboy. It hopes he will be assassinated soon or lose the midterm elections and be forced to fall into line. In a way, what is happening today is the end of the Cold War, when NATOs stay-behind services made and unmade Western European governments. EU leaders, starting with Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, are direct descendants of these covert operations. They are the children of the "American Empire" and intend to perpetuate it. Visitors look at pre-Columbian sculptures in the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City. Laura Filloy Nadal finds it easier to explain the world if she has an object in front of her. The 58-year-old Mexican is an archeologist, curator and restorer. Since 2022, shes been curating the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York City. This particular wing houses the museums collection of Ancient American Art. It reopened on Saturday, May 31, after a four-year-long renovation. The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing which opened in 1982 houses more than 1,800 artifacts from the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas and Oceania, from 3000 BCE to the present. Until 2021, however, the Americas area remained almost untouched. The narrative that once connected the pieces had become outdated and no longer answered the questions of a present in constant flux, as most of the discoveries and advances in the understanding of Ancient American Art came after the wings original inauguration. Flipping the map 180 degrees In the days before the gallerys reopening, Filloy Nadal walked with EL PAIS through the 43,000-square-foot area, filled with morning light. She and curator Joanne Pillsbury have been responsible for ensuring that the discoveries, data and knowledge fit into a coherent story and accurate map. The direction of the journey is important. Flipping the map 180 degrees which has been done on the gallerys main screen is necessary. The Americas are lying down. The map is so powerful that its necessary to point it out and ask why such a choice has been made. Its part of the narrative: you can see the world from any position you want to see it and thats precisely what allows us to understand it, Filloy Nadal replies. The animated map represents the movement of the first settlers. On the screen, the arrows dont go from north to south, but from left to right, transforming according to the social and political systems borders, kingdoms, countries that have been agreed upon in the history of human decisions, almost all mediated by force and tragedy. On the other hand, everything in the room says something about how humans migrate and have always migrated. It tells a story about the Americas that is centered around human movement. Its a place where we can look at ourselves, the curator suggests. Were seeing how different cultures emerge, and were going to understand that they communicated, that there were interactions we didnt understand before, says Filloy Nadal. For example, along the coasts: between Ecuador and western Mexico. And we can see how borders have retreated or expanded over time. There are political borders, but they have nothing to do with the distribution of peoples. Oftentimes, the same culture transcends a contemporary border. Much later, in the 20th century, the movement is the other way around, which feeds into the cultural mosaic of, for example, the United States or New York, she continues. Our goal is always to return to where we are, to this land, which is New York, where 27% of the population is Latino. But long before New York existed, there was Teotihuacan, located about 30 miles northeast of modern-day Mexico City. And thats where the gallerys journey begins. There were people living there who came from all corners of Mesoamerica. Merchants, artisans, people who migrated and brought their customs with them. Teotihuacan was the multiethnic and multicultural city that New York is today. Filloy Nadal knows the questions in advance and has a clear narrative. She has selected a series of pieces from the gallery that together build a story resembling a lecture on Ancient American art. A flat-bottomed basin with a double-headed eagle, made in Mexico between 1680 and 1700. WHY Architecture (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) This is a piece that, I think, speaks volumes about globalization, about that cultural exchange that has always existed. Its very interesting, because its a 16th-century ceramic lebrillo [ earthenware bowl] , the curator says. This lebrillo was used by the Arabs and was very common in Spain. Whats interesting about this piece is that it was made in the city of Puebla, Mexico. But if you look at the colors and motifs, its not like the kind you usually see in Spain. The blue color speaks to the influence that eastern China had on Mexico. And, in the center, we see that these motifs arent made by a European hand, but by an Indigenous one. We see a double-headed eagle, which is the eagle on the coat of arms of the Habsburg royal family, who ruled or governed New Spain. In a single vessel, we have the whole world of the 16th century, she explains. Migration, metallurgy and trade When asked what do these objects reveal about the movements and relationships between the peoples of the Americas and the world, the curator replies, each specific case contributes to the narrative. A pendant depicting a marine mammal, made by Indigenous Chiriqui artists in present-day Costa Rica and Panama. Likely transported between 700 and 1550 AD. WHY Architecture (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) Take the pendant made by the Indigenous Chiriqui people of modern-day Panama, for example. Why would a curator place a Chiriqui piece in the Mayan world? The piece was made by a Chiriqui artist. But someone from the area that is now [probably] Panama who considered it to be a valuable object took it to Yucatan and left it in Chichen Itza [in Mexico], which, at the time, was a place of pilgrimage where offerings were brought. You have to imagine these life stories: someone walking to carry this object or passing this object from hand to hand, so that it reaches a sacred place, which is very different from the place where it originated, Filloy Nadal notes. A jadeite pendant, featuring a toucan. Crafted between 300 and 700 AD in what is now Costa Rica. WHY Architecture (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) The curator moves on to the Costa Rican region, where there are carefully-carved jade pieces. The Olmecs, Mexica, Teotihuacan and Maya peoples walked miles upon miles to search for the mineral in the Motagua River, in present-day Guatemala. Meanwhile, the populations of southern Costa Rica who lived near the river ignored the stone entirely. Instead, they looked south. They were interested in technology and goldsmithing, which began in South America 2,000 years earlier than in the rest of the continent. The beautiful thing about the METs gold collection is that its a synoptic collection. There are pieces from different cultures and time periods. Perhaps museums in the countries of origin have large gold collections, but the pieces dont come from other places. A funerary mask from the Lambayeque culture, made between 900 and 1100 AD. WHY Architecture (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) The collection also draws parallels between the two empires that coexisted at the time of Spains arrival the Aztecs and the Incas and their technological knowledge. This mastery of techniques such as the mixing and alloying of metals, which took much longer to master in Europe is impressive in terms of innovation in metallurgy. On the screen, an owl appears. Its the same as the one on display in the showcase, on a shield made of gold. But the digital image shows no corrosion and is in motion: the owls wings flap. You have to imagine that the opponent when in battle saw the owl as if it were coming at them," says the curator. And, thanks to these digital tools, we can explain a bit about why these objects looked like they did in the past, when they were resplendent. And how they were used. Textiles valued more than gold Although gold typically has the highest value among metals, Filloy Nadal recalls that, in the pre-Hispanic world, in terms of values, meanings and materials, textiles were valued far more than gold. The textile portion of the exhibit is in semi-darkness. But the dyes of each object have their own distinct light. This space is very innovative; the MET is one of the museums that has shown the greatest interest and has invested the most money in the acquisition of textiles, primarily because New York established itself as a pioneering city in the industry. Since its inception, the MET has created a kind of unprecedented textile library. A feather panel from the Wari Empire, dating from 600900 AD. From the Churunga Valley in southern Peru. WHY Architecture (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) One wall of the room is completely covered in panels, displaying more than 250,000 blue and yellow macaw feathers. And Filloy Nadal has information at her disposal that few visitors ask about: The people at this museum in collaboration with other institutions have conducted a series of stable isotope studies to find out what the birds ate. They found that some ate strawberries they were free-roaming macaws but others were fed corn. And corn is a crop that relies on humans. So, now we know that they were keeping birds in captivity or semi-captivity. An Inca tunic dated between 1400-1535 AD. WHY Architecture (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) There are also two unkus or tunics on display. The unku is an upper-body garment made of red, white and black threads, with a checkerboard pattern. It may have taken more than a thousand hours to manufacture. Such is its mastery that its back is exactly the same as its front. Its very interesting, because chroniclers described how some members of the emperors court were dressed in this type of shirt, with alternating black-and-white checks. The unku is also an answer to the general question that resonates throughout the permanent exhibits story: Returning to the theme of borders, this type of tunic has been found in Peru, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. In other words, the extent of the ancient Tahuantinsuyu the name that the Incas gave to their empire, Filloy Nadal affirms. The conclusion of the tour is simple: migration is something we have always done, and something we will never stop doing. And thanks to it, there is change, evolution, and creation. You migrate for your own story. And you leave many things behind, but you also bring many other things with you. Wherever you go, you have an impact and transformation. And thats something that must be appreciated, Filloy Nadal concludes. After completing the journey, youre left with the feeling that migrating and being in New York, a city of immigrants is a continuation of that very story. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition About to begin his seventh year in powerthe second beyond the limits established in El Salvadors ConstitutionNayib Bukele remains an enormously popular president, despite having consolidated an international image as a dictator. It is a label that doesnt bother him in the least, he said in his address to the nation on Sunday. On Monday, one of the most reliable opinion polls in the Central American country gave him an approval rating of 8.5 out of 10. According to the poll released by LPG Datos, the polling firm of La Prensa Grafica, Bukele ended his sixth year in power with the approval of 85.2% of the population, his main achievement being the dismantling of criminal gangs and the historic reduction of the homicide rate. Since coming to power in 2019, Bukele has maintained an approval rating above 80%. This is unique in Latin American politics, which is accustomed to leaders popularity declining over time. The same study shows, however, that, compared to 2023, his approval rating has slightly decreased by six points, dropping from 91% to 85%. The study does not show data for 2024. Another poll published in late May by CID Gallup, a firm that conducts polls in Central America, the Caribbean and South America, also gave him an 85% approval rating. This survey also showed that Salvadorans perception of whether the country is headed in the right direction fell 14 points, from 87% to 73%. The LPG Datos survey published this Monday also shows a slight increase in the population that disapproves of the president. In 2023, that percentage was 6.9%, while for 2025 it is 10.8%. Respondents cited the economy, the rising cost of living, and deficiencies in public health as the main problems. Only 1.4% of the population considered the concentration of power in a single individual to be a problem. Since coming to power in 2019, Bukele has embarked on a race to concentrate all power in a single figure: himself. Over the course of six years, he has crushed the traditional party system, secured an absolute majority in the Legislative Assembly thanks to his enormous popularity, and used it from day one to irregularly replace all the Supreme Court justices and replace the Attorney General. He later carried out a judicial purge to appoint judges to his liking, and more recently, he took over the electoral tribunal. Of his six years as president, three have been spent under his most powerful weapon to date: the state of emergency, a measure contemplated in the constitution for temporary and extraordinary emergencies, the application of which has been justified as a means of combating gangs. This measure, which was supposed to last for just one month, has now been renewed 39 times. Over the past year, Bukele has used the tool designed to combat gangs for political gain to pursue, capture, and prosecute activists and human rights defenders. The latest attack occurred last May, after the Military Police repressed a peasant demonstration in front of the presidents house and detained two of its leaders, Jose Angel Perez and Alejandro Henriquez. Both were charged with disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. Although both are low-level offenses, the Prosecutors Office has applied the same time limits on the charges as established under the state of emergency. In his speech broadcast this Sunday on the occasion of his sixth year in power, Bukele criticized human rights organizations and journalists. To the international media, you know what? I dont care if they call me a dictator. Its better than having Salvadorans killed in the streets, he said. He also took the opportunity to attack human rights organizations and justify his most recent Foreign Agents Law, which will allow the president to decide which human rights organizations get to work in the country and which do not, in addition to imposing a 30% tax on those he deems to have political influence. This measure is similar to the one imposed in Daniel Ortegas Nicaragua in 2021. A Sunday publication in the online newspaper El Faro has reported on the existence of political prisoners in El Salvador for the first time since the civil war. The report states that by March 2025, there were 28 political prisoners in El Salvador while 92 more were being persecuted for their political beliefs. Currently, political options in El Salvador are almost nonexistent given Bukeles predominance. The few individuals who have dared to challenge him are either in prison or have left the country. It remains to be seen whether a figure will emerge in the coming years who can compete with him. For now, there isnt one. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Tourists flee as Etna erupts however Sicilian authorities say no risk to local population. Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, erupted spectacularly on Monday, emitting a massive plume of ash several kilometres into the sky and sending tourists fleeing. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported that volcanic tremors began late on Sunday night, gradually intensifying and peaking in the early hours of Monday morning. The powerful outburst, caused by the partial collapse of the southeast crater, prompted the temporary evacuation of tourists from the summit area. A powerful eruption of Mount Etna sent tourists running as a huge ash plume rose into the sky on Monday. pic.twitter.com/U7dJTUoKO7 AccuWeather (@accuweather) June 2, 2025 The eruption also triggered a "code red" aviation alert however this was later downgraded and as of Tuesday morning the nearby Catania was still in operation. Eyewitnesses captured dramatic footage of thick ash clouds billowing from the summit on Monday, with viral video footage showing tourists scrambling for safety down the mountainside. Authorities on the Italian island confirmed that the volcanic activity remained largely confined to the summit area and posed no immediate widespread danger to the local population. Emilia-Romagna and Puglia take a stand against Israeli government, with Tuscany set to follow suit. The Italian regions of Puglia and Emilia-Romagna have broken off institutional relations with Israel in protest over the Netanyahu government's killing of civilians in Gaza. The move means that representatives of both regions - Puglia in the south and Emilia-Romagna in the north - will not be able to meet Israeli diplomats and that events cannot be organised in collaboration with Israeli institutions. Puglia governor Michele Emiliano has invited all regional managers, employees, agencies and collaborating companies to interrupt any relationship with institutional representatives of the Israeli government and with all diplomats or representatives "who are not openly and declaredly motivated by the desire to organise initiatives to stop the massacre of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip". Emiliano specified that Puglia's position is against the "genocide of defenseless Palestinians by the Netanyahu government", not against the Israeli people. Michele de Pascale, president of Emilia-Romagna, made a similar clarification, stressing that the region has promoted peace between Israelis and Palestinians and has unambiguously condemned the violence of Hamas, in addition to repeatedly asking for the release of the hostages. Both regions are governed by centre-left administrations, while Tuscany - led by centre-left governor Eugenio Giani - is set to make a simliar move. "If our regional council, like those of Puglia and Emilia, takes a symbolic position to sever relations with the Israeli government, I will have nothing against it" - Giani said - "In fact, I am in favour of it". Giani has also announced the approval of a motion to ask the Italian government to recognise the Palestinian state, and is reportedly planning to present a so-called regional initiative law, which requires the support of at least five regions in order to be presented to parliament. This could generate conflict with the government which intends to maintain relations with Israel. Commenting on the initiative by Puglia, foreign minister Antonio Tajani stated that foreign policy is a prerogative of the government, not of the regions. The cities of Bari and Bologna, respectively in the Puglia and Emilia-Romagna regions, have also severed institutional relations with Israel in protest over the ongoing military offensive in Gaza. The moves by the regions and cities comes as Italian political parties on the left, including the Partito Democratico (PD) and the Movimento 5 Stelle, prepare to hold a major rally in Rome on 7 June to protest against the massacre of the Palestinian people. Recently the municipal administrations of towns and cities across Italy adhered to the '50,000 shrouds for Gaza' campaign to remember the innocent victims in the Palestinian enclave. Photo credit: Anas-Mohammed / Shutterstock.com. La Sapienza is 125th in the world in CWUR university rankings. Rome's La Sapienza is the top university in Italy according to the 2025 ranking by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), a leading consulting organisation and publisher of the largest academic ranking of global universities. The rankings, released on Monday, show that La Sapienza is in 41st place at a European level (unchanged since 2024) and 125th position in the world (down one place since last year) out of the more than 21,000 higher education institutes surveyed. CWUR rates world universities based on criteria including quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty, and research performance. The top five in the 2025 worldwide rankings are Harvard University in first place, followed by MIT in Boston, Stanford University, Cambridge, and Oxford. In Italy, the University of Padua is second after La Sapienza in 178th place, followed by the University of Milan (191), the University of Bologna (204) and the University of Turin (242). The news comes a couple of months after La Sapienza confirmed its position as the top university in the world for Classical Studies and Ancient History in the 2025 edition of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, for the fifth year in a row. One of the oldest universities in the world, La Sapienza was founded by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303. It is also the largest university in Europe, with a student population of more than 120,000. For CWUR international university rankings for 2025 see official website. Photo credit: Enzoartinphotography / Shutterstock.com. A selection of the best beaches near Rome. S. Marinella For all you beach-lovers here is a selection of resorts within easy reach of Rome. Each one, ordered from north to south, offers either stabilimenti (private beaches with entrance fees and changing facilities and refreshments) or spiaggia libera (free beach with the option to rent a lounge chair and/or umbrella), and all have childrens facilities. We have indicated how to get there by public transport, as all these towns suffer from heavy traffic during the summer.The northern-most beach on our list offers a small strip of white sandy beach with the choice of setting up camp at either the stabilimenti or spiaggia libera. There are two trains per hour leaving from Termini station for S. Marinella station and the journey takes about one hour. Popular with wind-surfers. S. Severa Located about 50 km north of Rome and less than 10 km south of S. Marinella. Take one of the regular Civitavecchia trains from Rome and the beach is a ten-minute walk from the station. There are numerous stabilimenti, restaurants and spaggia libera and it is also known for its magnificent castle. Fregene A former chic hotspot of the 1960s and 1970s, Fregene boasts long stretches of sand with both stabilimenti and spiaggia libera. Along the coast there is also a wide selection of family-oriented restaurants and less expensive tavole calde. Romes club scene tends to flock to Fregene and nearby Ostia (see below) in the summer months. Although Fregene isnt the easiest place to reach by public transport, Cotral buses depart from Romes Valle Aurelia metro stop (line A) and the journey takes about one hour. Ostia/Cancelli Ostia and the Cancelli (gates) are along the coast nearest Rome. Ostia is loaded with often pricey and trendy stabilimenti, while the Cancelli offer free beaches equipped with restaurants and bathrooms. Public transport takes less than an hour and you can use the same metro/bus tickets for public transport in Rome. Take the 070 express bus from EUR, or the Roma-Lido train from Porta S. Paolo beside the Piramide metro station (line B). To reach the Cancelli get off at the last stop and take the 07 MARE bus until you reach the gates numbered 1, 2, 3 etc. Anzio/Nettuno These beaches are only ten minutes apart and are easily reached from Rome. One train per hour leaves from Termini station, stopping first at Anzio and then at Nettuno. The journey takes 60-70 minutes and the beaches are about a 10-minute walk from the respective train stations. Sabaudia Famous for its beauty and spaciousness, this stretch of beach is another Blue Flag area. Although predominantly spiaggia libera, there are a few stabilimenti to choose from. Cotral buses run from Romes Laurentina metro stop (line B) to Piazza Oberdan in Sabaudia. From here take the shuttle bus which runs up and down the local coastline. Sabaudia is also known for its Mussolini-era architecture. Also Read: S. Felice Circeo Nearly 100 km south of Rome are the Blue Flag beaches and crystal clear waters of Circeo. Stabilimenti abound but look for the spiaggia libera nearest the port: it definitely merits the mini-trek. Cotral buses leave for Circeo from the Laurentina metro station in Rome. Get off at the last stop and walk for ten minutes until you reach the beach. Also read: 13 Most Beautiful Places on the Amalfi Coast Terracina Located just 10 km south of Circeo. From Termini station take the hourly regional train for Naples and get off at Monte S. Biagio. From there, take the bus for about 20 minutes until you reach the beach. Terracina has as many spiagge libere as stabilimenti and both are well-kept and clean, making it a popular destination for families. Sperlonga The stabilimenti dominate this gorgeous getaway with picturesque views and Blue Flag status, leaving only narrow strips for the spiaggia libera. Take the regional train headed to Naples from Termini station and get off at Fondi-Sperlonga. Once there, take the Piazzoli bus for 20 minutes to Sperlonga, alternatively take a private taxi but be warned they are far more expensive than the 1.50 bus ticket. Gaeta This Blue Flag area has a quaint mediaeval town to explore and clean beaches. From Termini station take one of the frequent trains headed towards Naples, get off at Formia and take the bus for another 25 minutes until you reach Gaeta. For more information about transportation consult the Cotral and Trenitalia websites. Top Ph: Giambattista Lazazzera Reuters Irish fintech Nomupay has said it received a $40 million (35 million) investment from an unit of SoftBank at a valuation of $290 million to help it expand in Asian countries such as Japan. Nomupay started operations in 2021 after buying licences from payments company Wirecard, which collapsed a year earlier in Germany's biggest post-war fraud scandal. Nomupay has since raised $120 million, with the last round of $37 million in January valuing it at $200 million. "We will integrate the Japanese payment methods that are provided by SoftBank, which means the rest of the world can now access Japan, and then we will jointly expand into other markets," Nomupay chief executive Peter Burridge told Reuters. Nomupay is a payment processor focusing on local and cross-border payments and operates in an industry dominated by the likes of Stripe and Adyen. "We aim to be profitable by the end of the year," Burridge said. Gardai in Waterford are investigating an incident where three sheep were killed in a suspected dog attack in Kilmacthomas. A spokesperson for the gardai in Waterford said the incident happened in Ballylaneen, Kilmacthomas, on Tuesday, May 27. "These are distressing incidents for farmers and the other animals, and the onus is on the dog owners to ensure they have control of the animals at all times," said the spokesperson. Gardai are also urging hill walkers with dogs to please check with landowners and always keep their dogs under control. CONTACTING GARDAI Gardai would like to remind the public that if they see a crime being committed, they can phone 112/999. If you have any information, you can also use the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. Full details are available on www.Garda.ie and the Garda Siochana Waterford Facebook page. Ann O'Loughlin A High Court judge has given "top priority" for a case involving the granting of boat permits to ferry people to Skellig Michael. Mr Justice Garrett Simon's will decide this week whether or not to lift a suspension on boating permits needed to bring tourists to and from the UNESCO heritage island Skellig Michael, saying "people's livelihoods are at stake". The permits have not been issued while legal proceedings are before the courts in the form of a judicial review of the tendering process. At the High Court on Tuesday Mr Justice Garret Simons said he was "staggered" by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works (OPW) claiming it would need six months to prepare the case and ordered it to be heard next month, giving it "top priority". The granting of permits to successful applicants was delayed as two companies who were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, which runs from May to the end of September launched a legal challenge. The OPW ran a competition in late 2024 to award 15 boating permits for summer 2025 and serving the monastic island, which was chosen as a film location for the Star Wars movies The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. However, in April 2025, two unsuccessful participants in the competition brought High Court proceedings challenging the outcome of the competition. The OPW has said that under Irish and EU law, the OPW was then precluded from issuing permits for the 2025 summer season until legal proceedings were resolved. Skellig Michael Boat Trips and Atlantic Endeavour Limited both dispute the process underpinning the granting of the licences, alleging it to be "deficient" and "without transparency" and have been granted permission for the challenge. At the High Court Davud Dodd BL, for the plaintiffs, told Mr Justice Simons that nobody wanted the boats to not visit the island and that permits could be granted by the court in an interim fashion, as the issuing of a one-season permit was not a "contract", as contended by the OPW. 'Five-year framework' Mr Dodd said he was resisting a suggested "five-year framework" on the OPW's granting of the permits as part of a contract but that the plaintiffs also wanted to see the boats out. Mr Dodd said the OPW in applying to the court to have the suspension lifted had referred to a "contract" having to be in place for the boats to take to sea. Mr Dodd said there should be no such "contract" and that permits issued were akin to planning permission or a gun permit being granted, neither or which, he claimed, were "contracts" nor necessitated frameworks. Mr Dodd said that a permit is a statutory permit without an offer or an acceptance as found in a contract. Whether or not this granting amounted to a "contract", was a matter for the full hearing of the substantive case, he said. "We are happy, however, for the suspension to be lifted," he said. Documents Mr Justice Simons asked Andrew Beck SC, for the OPW, how it was possible that the OPW was looking for six months to prepare the case in what the judge described as "the most straightforward case of competition for licences". Mr Beck said there was discovery of documents needed, amendments to make and a possible issue around cross examination. Mr Justice Simons said he was "staggered" that the case would take up to six months to get on and that there were "livelihoods" at stake. The judge said the court would give the case "top priority", adding that the court had "gone out of its way" to facilitate an early trial. Mr Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday of this week on whether or not he would lift the suspension of the permits and adjourned the substantive hearing of the judicial review to July 21st. First their electricity was cut off. Then, gradually, the rationed food that arrived at the neighborhood grocery stores dwindled. The value of their currency declined. Limits were placed on store purchases. And now, indirectly, internet access is being restricted. The Cuban governments latest measure has opened up a gap between citizens who can afford the service and those who cant. The new tariff increase by ETECSA, the state-owned company that holds the monopoly on communications on the island, has increased connectivity costs so much that some Cubans would have to work more than a month just to check Facebook, send WhatsApp messages, or do a search on Google. That means paying 3,360 pesos (about $9) for 3 gigabytes, when the minimum monthly wage in the country remains at 2,100 pesos (about $5). Many citizens are particularly upset. And Cubans in exile feel deeply defrauded. The government, hungry for dollars, has dealt them all one final blow. The news broke on Friday, sparking a national unrest that has united some state institutions, artists, opponents, and emigrants in a shared feeling of outrage. People in Cuba are already putting up with countless hours of blackouts, food scarcity, and a lack of freedoms, but nothing in recent months has exasperated them quite as much as the fact that they must now restrict, and in some cases entirely cancel, their internet access. Amid the crises of all kinds they face, connecting to a cell phone has allowed them to cope with the lack of electricity, bridge the gap with family members living abroad, and escape the tedium and anguish of life in a collapsing country. The internet gave Cubans the opportunity to stay informed, to go beyond the limits of the island, to question their daily lives, and to speak out. It was a treasure they were given, and now, in a way, it is being taken away from them. In a statement released just before the weekend, ETECSA informed its customers that starting May 30, new measures would be implemented that involve changes to the prices of balance top-ups, consumer plans, and cell service packages. From now on, customers will only be able to purchase service in Cuban pesos up to a limit of 360 CUP ($0.97) over a 30-day period. The rest of the time, they will be forced to purchase their internet hours in dollars. Although it has become somewhat more accessible to the population since 2018, internet services in Cuba have never been an option for everyone, just for those who can afford it or who have relatives abroad who can guarantee their phone top-ups. Today, according to official figures, 75% of internet traffic on the island is supported by mobile services. Among the 7.3 million Cubans who are connected, the average monthly consumption reaches 9.9 GB per user. However, many people will now be less likely to have online access. Who is going to pay for these extremely expensive plans? A portion of the private sector, which operates under countless restrictions, and Cuban emigrants, who are largely the result of the lack of opportunities here, Cuban economist Ricardo Torres, a former researcher at the Center for Cuban Economic Studies and professor at the American University in Washington, told El PAIS. Criticism, this time, also comes from the state The so-called trade measures are, according to the government, necessary for the sustainability of the telecommunications infrastructure, to continue supporting the countrys development, and to guarantee cybersecurity and the quality of services to the people, in the words of Mayra Arevich Marin, Cuban Minister of Telecommunications. But this argument convinces nobody, and discontent is emerging in the form of public complaints from state institutions such as the University Student Federation (FEU), several schools at the University of Havana, and the Higher Institute of Art (ISA), as well as articles published in the official press expressing concern for students, doctors, educators and other professionals in need of this tool. Cubans in exile know that, once again, the government in Havana is placing the burden on their shoulders. For years, Cuban exiles have been sending remittances one of the main injections of money into the stifled island economy along with care packages full of clothes, food, and even medicine. Lately, they have also been purchasing power generators to alleviate the days without electricity. This latest measure by ETECSA feels like yet another blow to the emigrants pockets. Saily Gonzalez Velazquez, a 34-year-old entrepreneur living in Washington and whose parents live back in Santa Clara, in the center of the island, tells this newspaper that the move is a mechanism of blackmail and direct exploitation for those who are forced to emigrate. They treat us like ATMs. They expelled us from our families and then demand that we give them our dollars, taking advantage of our feelings of guilt, she says. On the other hand, life is also very expensive here in the United States. Almost three years after being here, I still count every dollar and look for products on sale when I go to supermarkets. Losing ten dollars hurts. Velazquez says the impact on her family is twofold. First, the humiliation of having to ask me for even more money to communicate with me and entertain themselves a little during the blackouts, she says. Then, having to use some of the money I send them to give to those who separated us. Because both my mom and dad are aware of that. Even so, the young woman is even more concerned about the people who have no one to help them. The elderly we see on social media begging and collecting food from garbage dumps, the mothers we hear complaining about not having the means to meet their childrens needs, the sick who have no medicine. This measure leaves them even more vulnerable, because as the demand for dollars increases, their price will rise, and with it the price of food, as is always the case. These people, unable to pay for these data packages, will no longer be able to even ask for help on social media as they do now. Its a blow that transcends our immediate families and deepens inequality and exclusion for an entire population. An economy in crisis and a dysfunctional model The latest announcement by ETECSA is yet another desperate attempt by the Havana government to stay afloat, as it has done with the recent economic packages, which have also put Cuban families at a disadvantage. And although it had already been announced, no one expected such an extreme measure. At the end of last year, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz announced that the telecommunications company would increase rates starting in 2025 to develop and sustain the telecommunications services network. In April, ETECSA acknowledged that it did not have enough foreign currency to sustain itself. Our sources of income in foreign currency have been seriously affected, Kevin Castro Rodriguez, deputy director of the companys Network Operations Vice Presidency, stated publicly. Now, authorities have gone in search of this currency, like other sectors in the country, which have gradually become dollarized. Payments in dollars have been introduced in some wholesale trade outlets, some retail stores, fuel sales, and other services, leaving establishments that operate in the national currency completely undersupplied. Torres believes the underlying problem is an economy in crisis and a dysfunctional model that seeks dollars but fails to stimulate production. The fact that a telecommunications monopoly is an instrument for raising foreign currency for a state, and that this foreign currency does not originate (primarily) from domestic productive activity, clearly tells us about the level of dysfunction we have in Cuba, he argues. The irresponsible and erratic economic policies implemented for years are leading the island to a dead end, which undoubtedly fuels discontent among broad social groups. Emigrants themselves feel extorted. We are deprived of political and economic rights, yet our dollars are desperately sought. For now, some Cubans have said they are withdrawing from social media, refusing to recharge their accounts, and even refusing to accept recharges from their relatives abroad. Saily Gonzalez Velazquez, for her part, has called for a total halt to recharges to Cuba, which has been welcomed by many inside and outside the country. This measure is true digital apartheid, she says. I am not willing to hand over dollars so they can continue repressing and reinforcing control. I believe this strike is the only effective and concrete action we can take as the diaspora to force the Cuban government to reverse this abusive measure that affects, above all, the most vulnerable. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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. 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). 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. SSU head Vasil Maliuk studies a map of an airfield. Servicio de Seguridad de Ucrania (REUTERS) The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) carried out an operation of unprecedented audacity on Sunday, something President Volodymyr Zelenskiy believes will go down in history. SSU agents infiltrated Russia, transporting 117 bomb-carrying drones hidden in commercial trucks. The containers transporting the devices were remotely opened on June 1, and the drones were activated remotely. Four Russian military airfields, thousands of miles apart, were hit by several waves of short-range devices that damaged or destroyed 41 aircraft, according to Kyiv. Satellite images released after the attacks confirm that at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed in a matter of hours. Some of these aircraft are bombers designed for nuclear attacks, such as the Tu-95 and Tu-22. If it were true, as Zelenskiy claimed, that 41 of these aircraft were destroyed, it would mean that Russia was left without a third of its strategic aircraft for long-range strikes. Even if only the 13 confirmed targets were destroyed, the success of the operation, dubbed Spiders Web, would be equally incontestable. Not only because of the damage caused, but also because Ukraine has struck Russia for the first time in Siberia, at the Belaya base, almost 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) from its borders. There are moments in military history that redefine how wars are interpreted, the American defense think tank War on the Rocks wrote on social media Monday. The use of remotely controlled drones (FPV) in the war between Russia and Ukraine is one such moment, the group of experts points out. The culmination of this turning point in history is Operation Spiders Web. Kyiv has revealed that the operation was planned for a year and a half. At least six trucks transported more than 100 explosive FPV drones. Once in Russia, according to images provided by the SSU, the devices and a dozen containers designed for the mission were moved to at least one warehouse in the Chelyabinsk province, in central Russia and near the border with Kazakhstan. The final phase of the attack was allegedly prepared in this warehouse. The trucks were driven by Russian drivers unaware of what they were transporting. They took the containers containing the drones to the vicinity of the four airfields inside the country. According to Zelenskiy, the SSU personnel involved in the mission inside Russia left enemy territory before the drones took off. The containers were designed with a system that automatically opened their doors. Ukrainian state media reported on Sunday, citing SSU sources, that these drones traveled within Russia camouflaged under the roofs of prefabricated housing, without providing further details. The videos released indicate that the drone bombs took off from containers. At least four truck drivers, unbeknown to Ukrainian agents, were interrogated by Russian intelligence services, according to the Russian media outlet Baza. These drivers stated that they were transporting prefabricated housing and were completely unaware of the operation. Some of the drivers, according to Baza, saw drones begin to take off from the trucks cargo bed during their journey. Once the container doors were opened, as confirmed by witnesses near the trucks, the drones were activated to begin their flight toward their target. The FPVs acted in coordination using artificial intelligence, a technology already common on both sides in this war. The drones were programmed to reach the attack site and identify their specific target without the need for remote piloting. This would have required the presence of drone pilots in the airfield area. Ukrainian and European defense experts have been able to confirm, based on images released by the SSU, that Soviet bombers owned by Ukraine, some of which are preserved in military museums, were used to program the FPV drones to identify targets. The drones were allegedly formatted to hit the part of the aircraft where the fuel tank is located, ensuring their complete destruction. A video posted online shows a group of Russian civilians throwing stones to try to stop the drones taking off from inside one of three containers on a truck near the Belaya airfield. Columns of smoke can be seen rising from the base in the background. Once all the drones had been launched, according to videos posted on social media by witnesses, the containers burst into flames without any external intervention, leading to the belief that they had a self-destruct mechanism. Both Zelenskiy and the SSU have stressed that they cannot provide many details about the preparations. Maliuk, the hero Lieutenant-General Vasil Maliuk, head of the SSU, has been hailed by Zelenskiy as the mastermind of Operation Spiders Web. The president dedicated two of his daily addresses to the nation on Sunday to Maliuk, while Ukrainian social media has been filled with images of him, projecting him as one of the icons of the resistance against Russia. Zelenskiys praise for Maliuk has also drawn attention due to the limited media presence in recent months of Kyrylo Budanov, until recently another of the presidents star generals. Budanov is head of the GUR, the intelligence service of the Ministry of Defense, the agency responsible, along with the SSU, for attacks and sabotage inside Russia. The Ukrainian press has been claiming since 2024 that Budanov has fallen out of favor with Zelenskiy for having become a celebrity who could overshadow the president politically. Maliuk himself heaped praise on the head of state Monday: The destruction of enemy bombers is a mission entrusted to us by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He personally oversaw the progress of the operation. Both Maliuk and Budanov have been responsible for other counterattacks against the invader. Long-range drone attacks by the SSU and the GUR against military bases and the Russian energy industry are common. In 2022, they staged the truck bomb sabotage of the Kerch Bridge, the infrastructure connecting Russia to the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, illegally annexed by the Kremlin in 2014. The Kerch Bridge was subsequently attacked with naval drones. Ukrainian SSU naval drones in the Black Sea have sunk a large part of the Russian fleet and even shot down Russian fighter jets with missiles this year. But the political implications of Operation Spiders Web go beyond internal Ukrainian issues. As in any self-respecting spy and war film, what happened could have geopolitical consequences. It is unknown to what extent Washington has been aware of the preparations. The digital media outlet Axios reported Sunday that the Pentagon followed the planning of the Ukrainian mission during its year and a half of development. During more than three years of war, U.S. intelligence has been instrumental in helping Ukraine identify military targets inside Russia and in the occupied territories. Much of the preparations for Operation Spiders Web coincided with Joe Bidens presidency, and it is unknown how much the current White House administration and his successor, Donald Trump, were aware of what Kyiv was planning. Trump has been conciliatory toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading Axios and Ukrainian political commentators to assume on Monday that the current U.S. president was unaware that the attack was going to happen. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Its been fifteen years since that iconic edition of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference, when the global oncology community opened the door to revolutionary immunotherapy: a drug (ipilimumab) succeeded in improving survival in metastatic melanoma, changing the outlook for a group of patients who had previously been considered beyond hope. Science had managed to stimulate the bodys own immune system to fight tumor cells, ushering in a new era in the battle against cancer. It was the starting point of a revolution that is still ongoing and, as this past weekends ASCO conference once again demonstrated, is far from reaching its peak. Personalized medicine now leads the way and immunotherapy is one of the fields strongest weapons against cancer. The latest major gathering in global oncology has made one thing clear: the strategy of mobilizing the bodys own immune defenses to fight malignant cells still has plenty of potential. Especially when combined with other treatments, used in earlier stages of the disease, or applied with increasing precision to the right patient profiles What we are seeing is that applying the innovation of targeted therapies and immunotherapy at earlier stages allows us to cure more patients, says Ernest Nadal, director of research at the Catalan Institute of Oncology, speaking from Chicago. Oncologists are increasingly focused on optimizing established immunotherapy treatments, which currently only work for about 25% of cancer patients, while also pushing the boundaries of innovation to develop new strategies for targeting resistant tumors. In this effort, recent studies highlight the promise of so-called Trojan horses agents that deliver drugs directly into cancer cells and bispecific drugs, which bring immune cells and tumor cells together to facilitate their destruction. Here are some of the important findings that were presented at oncologys most important conference: Progress in lung tumors with poor prognosis Despite advances in certain types of lung cancer, others still have limited treatment options. Small cell (or microcellular) lung cancer is the most aggressive of these tumors, accounting for 15% of cases. It is almost always associated with smoking, detected in advanced stages and very difficult to treat. Average survival is no longer than 13 months, and and fewer than 10% of patients survive long term. On Monday, a team led by Luis Paz-Ares, who is the chair of the medical oncology department at Madrids 12 de Octubre University Hospital, presented the result of a phase III study that offers a therapeutic option to such patients. In the study, which involved 660 participants, patients first received standard initial therapy. Those who responded were then given maintenance treatment to prolong survival. The IMforte trial compared one group receiving atezolizumab, an immunotherapy, with another group that received both atezolizumab and lurbinectedin a compound derived from a marine organism that feeds on plankton and organic debris. Luberinectedin increases the efficacy of immunotherapy due to its ability to induce a more responsive immunological context. The tumor becomes more immunogenic and responds better to immunotherapy, says Paz-Ares. As a maintenance therapy, this combination reduced the risk of death by 27% over the 15-month follow-up period of the study. You prevent one in every four deaths, and when there is long-term follow-up, we will be able to see if it leads to any cure, says the lead author of the study, which was published in the journal The Lancet and funded by the pharmaceutical company Roche. Ernest Nadal, who did not participate in the investigation, believes that research like this is highly significant, as it targets a form of cancer with a particularly poor prognosis and limited treatment options. The researcher also recalls that another study targeting this subgroup of lung cancer was presented, involving a bispecific drug that brings lymphocytes closer to tumor cells and activates them to kill these malignant cells. Instead of the traditional chemotherapy treatment, this innovative drug was administered, yielding superior results. This is good news for patients because those chemotherapies are quite toxic and not very effective, he explains. CAR-T therapies seek their place in solid tumors Within the immunotherapy revolution, one approach has transformed the prognosis of several hematologic cancers: CAR-T cell therapy. This treatment involves extracting a patients T lymphocytes a type of immune cell responsible for defending the body modifying them in the lab to enhance their effectiveness, and reinfusing them into the patient to better fight the tumor. At this years ASCO, researchers have been exploring attempts to go beyond blood cancers and cross the remaining frontier of treating solid tumors. A phase II study presented at the conference and published in The Lancet revealed that patients with a type of gastric cancer treated with the CAR-T therapy lived on average 40% longer than those treated with the therapeutic approach that is traditional for such cases: nearly eight months, compared to 5.5 among people receiving the standard treatment. Another phase II trial presented at ASCO also showed encouraging results, according to authors, in glioblastoma, a brain tumor with a very poor prognosis. Elena Garralda, director of the cancer molecular therapy research unit at the Vall dHebron Oncological Institute (VHIO), who did not participate in any of these studies, explains why translating CAR-T to solid tumors is so complex. Finding an antigen [a marker on the surface of the tumor that helps the immune system identify malignant cells] is more difficult because solid tumors are more heterogeneous, and there are also fewer antigens found only in malignant cells. Liquid biopsies are the future for cancer patients Science has advanced when it comes to the detection of molecular fingerprints, or biomarkers, that provide a wealth of information about tumors and even enable earlier decisions to be made about treatment and patient prognosis. Molecular diagnosis of cancer is another emerging area, and greater molecular knowledge of tumors will help us to better select treatments and patients. What this conference shows is that the world of molecular diagnosis is beginning to merge with the world of treatment, summarizes Aleix Prat, head of oncology at Barcelonas Hospital Clinic. One sign of this, says Prat, is the SERENA-6 study that was presented at the conference and published by The New England Journal of Medicine. In it, scientists tested liquid biopsy a technique that detects biological traces of tumors in the blood on patients with a type of metastatic breast cancer to detect and treat resistance to treatment before the disease progresses. The trial followed patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. These patients first receive hormone treatments, such as aromatase inhibitors, until they stop working and the next step is decided upon. Normally, the decision is made using diagnostic imaging techniques, but in this trial, it was based on liquid biopsy. Imaging provides a snapshot of what happened in the past, and blood, a snapshot of what is happening now, and that is a very important conceptual change, says Emilio Alba, director of the medical oncology intercenter unit at the Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals of Malaga, one of the sites that participated in the study, under the leadership of Javier Pascual. The biopsy was used to identify mutations causing resistance to hormonal treatments before they became visible on imaging. Replacing the aromatase inhibitor with camizestrant, an oral drug that overcomes resistance, reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 56%. However, the study was presented too early to determine whether this will translate into an improvement in overall survival. Liquid biopsy gives us information in order to change the treatment before the patient goes any further. It allows us to advance, explains Prat, who did not participate in the investigation. Similarly, Nadal calls the study disruptive: Instead of waiting for the disease to progress radiologically, the patient is monitored using liquid biopsy and their treatment is changed based on the information that the blood reveals, rather than CT scans. The liquid biopsy allows for more time, he says. Trojan horses and other advanced cancer treatments Garralda recalls how in 2010, immunotherapy exploded onto the research scene: It was the first revolution, because it led us to understand the ability of immunotherapy to generate lasting response. Now we are trying to expand those benefits, because all tumors tend, in one way or another, to escape the immune system, and yet we have only figured out how to reverse that evasion in a small percentage of patients, she comments. Garralda says that this years ASCO delved deeper into the development of new technologies, such as bispecific drugs and immunoconjugates, which are promising Trojan horses. Among the new treatments for different types of breast cancer presented at ASCO, one of the trends is the application of Trojan horses in the earliest stages of disease. These combinations include a targeted drug that carries a powerful chemotherapy drug to the desired location to destroy the tumor. We have to start thinking that when breast cancer metastasizes, Trojan horses will be the first line of treatment, says Javier Cortes, director of the International Breast Cancer Center in Barcelona, speaking from Chicago. One of the trials that presented results of this type of drug was Destiny-Breast09. The study evaluated the combination of the Trojan horse trastuzumab-deruxtecan with pertuzmab, a Her2 protein inhibitor that causes accelerated tumor growth. The combination of the conjugate and pertuzumab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 44% compared to the current standard of care. The Ascent-04 study presented research on a similar tool, in its case, the combination of Sacituzumab Govitecan, a Trojan horse with a mechanism similar to Trastuzumab-Deruxtecan, and Pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy, was tested as a first-line treatment in patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer expressing PD-L1. The study showed a 35% reduction in the risk of progression or death, compared to standard chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab. Nadal says that chemotherapy that attacks tumors via this type of strategy allows for higher doses of localized chemotherapy, which explains the higher efficacy on some tumors, but also cautions that overwhelming efficacy is not always achieved. The doctor also highlights the emergence of bispecific and trispecific antibodies, which introduce one or more tumor markers to the lymphocyte. Work is underway on new, more advanced forms of immunotherapy targeting multiple tumor antigens. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Online privacy and tracking professor Gunes Acar, from Radboud University in the Netherlands, wanted to have some fun with his masters students, so he started looking for an unusual example of tracking on his universitys website: I knew the page had several trackers, including Facebooks. But suddenly I saw a connection to a local port in other words, to my own computer. At first, I didnt understand anything. Acar began searching online to see if anyone else had noticed the same thing. He found some Facebook developer forums where others were complaining about it. But Facebook didnt respond, and then someone added: I dont see it anymore. But it wasnt that Facebook had stopped they had just switched to an even more hidden method, Acar says. Acar discussed the case with Narseo Vallina-Rodriguez, a researcher at Imdea Networks and a specialist in mobile app security and privacy. How the hell, was his first reaction. Could Meta be trying something new to bypass browser privacy permissions? Just by reading the code, it couldnt be determined. They had to test connections between websites and Facebook and Instagram, Metas apps, to see what was actually happening: Meta was linking information from its apps with each users web browsing even in incognito mode or when using a VPN (software that allows users to hide their internet connection). The technical details are explained on a dedicated page created by the academics. What we saw is that the website communicates with the cell phone app to exchange information and identifiers, says Vallina-Rodriguez. That means its all part of a well-thought-out strategy to deanonymize web traffic from Android devices. And since this behavior only activates when the exact pieces of software are tested, both in the app and in the browser, its also much harder to detect. On Monday, Meta disabled the system, shortly after several global media outlets, including EL PAIS, questioned the company about this dubious practice: We are speaking with Google to clarify a potential misunderstanding about how its policies are applied. As soon as we learned of the concern, we decided to pause the feature while we work with Google to resolve the issue, said a Meta spokesperson. For its part, sources at Google confirm the seriousness of the case: The developers mentioned in this report are unintentionally using functions present in many iOS and Android browsers, which blatantly violate our security and privacy principles. We have already implemented changes to mitigate these invasive techniques, launched our own investigation, and are in direct contact with the parties involved. Mozilla is also developing a solution to protect Firefox users on Android from this new method of tracking. We consider these to be severe violations of our anti-tracking policies, said a spokesperson from Mozilla Foundation. Researchers have found that native Android apps including Facebook, Instagram, and several Yandex apps such as Maps, Navi, Browser, Search appear to misuse app-privileges in Android platform together with malicious online scripts to track people online. This time they went too far Google is already patching its Chrome browser so that Meta cannot exploit this loophole. The vulnerability also affects other browsers running on Android, such as Firefox, Edge, and DuckDuckGo (after the article was published, a spokesperson for DuckDuckGo stated that Metas trackers did not affect their browser, but they should have specifically blocked Yandex trackers). We investigate various areas like this, but this time they really went too far, says Acar. Its something that has really surprised people with a lot of experience in the privacy sector. Meta had been using this method since September 2024. Could it have something to do with the cookie changes that Google has been trying to implement for years? Its possible they launched this new method as a reaction to new initiatives trying to limit third-party tracking in browsers, such as Googles Privacy Sandbox, but thats just a hypothesis, says Vallina-Rodriguez. In addition to Meta, the researchers also discovered that the Russian platform Yandex had been doing the same since 2017 without anyone noticing. Was Metas system an adaptation of what Yandex was already doing? Its hard to say: The first version of Metas communication system was very similar to Yandexs, because both used connections to the local port that is, to the users own device. Later, Meta switched to other protocols that are a bit harder to detect, explains Vallina-Rodriguez. For this system to work, the user had to be logged into their Instagram or Facebook app on their Android device. It also required the websites to have the so-called Meta Pixel, a small piece of code that enables tracking. That pixel is installed on about 20% of the most visited websites, including some sensitive ones like adult content sites. When a user visited a particular website, that pixel would generate a cookie, which was sent to Meta. But now, in addition, that same pixel opened a connection with the cell phone app, which linked this cookie to the users identity and sent it back to Metas servers. That cookie didnt allow tracking as the user moved between websites. Thats why this method is so intrusive, novel, and potentially illegal. Normally, to link cookies to your identity, trackers collect your name or the hash of your email address through a registration form on websites where its provided. But in this case, these trackers dont need to do that because users are already logged into the Facebook or Instagram app, says Vallina-Rodriguez. So, by making this connection to the local port of your own phone, they can bypass all browser privacy controls, including incognito mode, and link your cookies with your real identity. The information doesnt just include the pages visited, but many of our actions on them: They look at everything you do on the website in detail: if you search for a product, if you add it to your shopping cart, if you make a purchase, or if you register. Theres a ton of data. Basically, every time you do something, they send it to their server. Its much more than just knowing that you visited the website, Acar explains. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Elon Musks farewell from the White House last Friday was full of pleasantries, but the worlds richest man wasted no time in openly attacking the presidents tax policy. While U.S. President Donald Trump was pressuring Democratic senators to pass his so-called big, beautiful bill, Musk made it clear he doesnt find it beautiful at all, calling it a disgusting abomination. Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it, the mogul posted on his social media platform, X. Clearly, Musks relationship with Trump has soured. On Saturday, the U.S. president announced he was withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman Musks friend, client, and ally to lead NASA. Isaacman had been recommended to Trump by Musk himself. Just three days later, Musk lashed out without mincing words against what, alongside tariffs, is Trumps flagship initiative. Its not the first time Musk has criticized the tax and spending bill, but his tone is now much sharper. In an interview aired Sunday on CBS, with some excerpts released in advance, the billionaire expressed his disappointment with the proposal. I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk formerly led] team is doing, said Musk. I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, Musk told CBS News, but I dont know if it can be both. My personal opinion. Musk avoided making further criticisms of the Trump administration during the interview, although he made it clear he did not fully identify with all of its policies. Trumps tax and spending bill extends the tax cuts from his first term broadly applied but mainly benefiting the wealthy and corporations and includes some of the cuts he promised during his campaign, such as exemptions on tips and overtime pay. In exchange, it cuts food assistance, scholarships, and healthcare benefits. Last Friday, at an event in Des Moines, Iowa, Republican Senator Joni Ernst tried to defend these cuts but was harshly criticized by the audience, who said that without healthcare, people will die. People are not Well, were all going to die, she responded, to the outrage of those present. Increased deficit and debt The tax and spending bill favors the wealthy and harms the most disadvantaged. Its net effect, however, is to increase the deficit and debt. The Congressional Budget Office estimated a deficit increase of $3.8 trillion over 10 years; the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget calculated $3.1 trillion, including interest; and the Penn Wharton Budget Model pegged it at $2.8 trillion. However, the law is designed so that the tax cuts are temporary (expiring after Trumps term), which limits the calculation to 10 years and makes the cost appear smaller. It leaves the hot potato of extending the cuts to the next Congress. The Yale Budget Lab estimates that if the temporary provisions are made permanent, the cost would be $5 trillion over the 2025-2034 period and $23.7 trillion over the 2025-2055 period. Considering the already large deficit, it estimates that this could push the debt-to-GDP ratio to 200% by 2055, a level surpassed only by Sudan and Japan. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives and is now being processed in the Senate, where several Republican senators have expressed concern about how it will increase the deficit and debt. Trump has urged dissenting senators to approve the bill as soon as possible on his own social network, Truth Social. He specifically called out Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who is especially opposed to the $4-trillion increase in the debt ceiling included in the bill, the largest in history. Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB [Big Beautiful Bill], especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming. He loves voting NO on everything, he thinks its good politics, but its not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!! Trump wrote in a message. He quickly followed up: Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky cant stand him. This is a BIG GROWTH BILL! Trump claims that the economy is booming thanks to his tariffs and will grow at a rate between 5% and 9% annually in the coming years absurd forecasts. Trump is pressuring Congress members to pass the bill within a month, so it will be ready for signing on July 4, Independence Day. The president met with Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune at the White House earlier this week and has been calling senators for individual conversations, combining threats and promises to gather votes. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. They can afford to lose up to three votes, assuming Democrats vote unanimously against it. The balance is tricky. Fiscal hawks complain that the deficit and debt increase too much and demand deeper cuts. Moderates, on the other hand, do not want more drastic cuts to social spending (mainly in healthcare and food assistance) than those already included, aware that the presidents claim that the cuts target only fraud and waste doesnt hold up. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Trumps bill is ugly to its very core. The senator stated on Tuesday that it is a lie that the cuts wont hurt Americans. Behind the smoke and mirrors lies a cruel and draconian truth: tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy paid for by gutting health care for millions, he said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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. 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. Partly cloudy skies. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. There is no official definition of sanctuary, but it is the term applied to states, cities and other jurisdictions that protect undocumented migrants and offer them certain benefits, such as health care and education, that the federal government does not provide. For the Donald Trump administration, these authorities are not cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain and deport migrants and therefore, in its view, they are violating federal laws. There are about 14 states that are considered sanctuaries, according to the health policy organization KFF, but the harassment they face from the federal government, with constant threats of legal action and cutting off federal funding, in addition to their own budget constraints, are eroding their willingness to help foreigners. Three of them Illinois, California, and Minnesota have already announced cuts to their benefits for undocumented immigrants. In Illinois, a budget was introduced in Congress last week that includes the elimination of the program that provided health care for undocumented adults between the ages of 42 and 65. The measure complies with the proposal of Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, who positioned Illinois as one of the states that welcomed undocumented immigrants but, faced with the reality of public finances, has opted to save approximately $400 million by leaving nearly 33,000 people without health coverage. Latino lawmakers, who oppose the cuts, said they fought to maintain health care for those aged 65 and over who lack legal immigration status. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker during a press conference in Manchester, New Hampshire, last April. Reba Saldanha (AP) Its heartbreaking. And it doesnt mean the cost is going to go away, said Representative Lisa Hernandez, referring to people who go to emergency rooms for care. This program actually was a way to approach it in a much more cost-effective way, she added, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Republican-led federal government and Republican states advocate eliminating all benefits for undocumented immigrants, arguing that they are a burden to public finances. Proponents of these policies argue that providing health care saves money by preventing illness and avoiding emergency room visits. Studies also show that undocumented immigrants contribute more money to the public coffers through tax payments than they receive in return, as in most cases they are not eligible for benefits. Illinois is not unique. In Minnesota, the budget currently before Congress includes the withdrawal of health care for undocumented adults. In 2023, Governor Tim Walz, the former Democratic vice-presidential candidate, signed a law expanding public health insurance coverage for people without legal status. More than 20,000 people have enrolled, including some 3,000 children. Minors are still eligible for health insurance. Walz has lamented the cuts, but considers them a budgetary necessity given the states deficit. It turns out that when you offer something for nothing, especially if its free health care, it becomes very popular, said Republican state Representative Paul Torkelson. The number of undocumented immigrants participating in this program has more than doubled expectations, and its only been available for less than two years. Torkelson maintains that the program was projected to cost $196 million over four years, but has ballooned to $550 million. California, a state that has excelled in welcoming and protecting a large number of migrants, is also stripping them of benefits. Governor Gavin Newsom, in his 2025-26 fiscal year budget, has called for a freeze on undocumented immigrants enrollment in the Medi-Cal program. The 1.6 million undocumented immigrants already enrolled will not lose access to health services, but will have to make a monthly payment of $100. Although these sanctuary states programs are funded with their own resources, the Trump administration is pushing to cut their federal funding if they continue providing services to undocumented immigrants. The Republicans big, beautiful bill, which passed the House of Representatives and has since moved to the Senate, penalizes states that use their own funds to benefit undocumented immigrants. The prospect of a cut of billions of dollars in state coffers jeopardizes the continuation of these programs. A family of Venezuelan migrants at a shelter set up at the Chicago Police Department in Illinois, in 2023. The Washington Post (Getty Images) Obstacles to education The White House has also attacked educational aid for undocumented students. Trump signed an executive order to combat state laws that offer in-state higher education tuition to foreign nationals, but not to U.S. citizens from other states. Some 24 states and the District of Columbia offer the same tuition rates at their universities to all residents, regardless of immigration status. In some states, undocumented students can even access scholarships. Florida, one of the states that did not discriminate based on status, will do so from now on, and starting July 1, students without a green card will have to pay the same tuition as if they lived in another state. This measure aligns with the policies of Governor Ron DeSantis, one of Trumps staunchest allies in the presidents anti-immigrant crusade. The DHS blacklist The Trump administrations latest initiative in its crackdown on undocumented immigrants has been the creation of a blacklist of jurisdictions it considers sanctuaries. These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said in a press release. Last Thursday, the DHS published a list of around 500 jurisdictions it threatened with retaliation for failing to cooperate with immigration authorities. This memorandum marks a new attempt by the Trump administration to force states and counties to waive their constitutional rights to enact policies they deem appropriate to protect their residents. DHS does not have the authority to dictate state and local laws, said Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition. The list was created based on various factors, including whether cities or towns were identified as sanctuary jurisdictions, their level of compliance with federal immigration authorities, or whether they had protections for people in the country without legal status, according to DHS. Several of the jurisdictions included in the list, some of which support Trumps policies, have protested. In California, the city of Huntington Beach was included despite having filed a lawsuit challenging the states sanctuary laws and having passed a resolution this year declaring the community a non-sanctuary city. Jim Davel, the county administrator of Shawano County, Wisconsin, claimed that his communitys inclusion must have been an administrative error. Davel voted for Trump, as did 67% of his county. By Sunday, the list had been removed from the DHS website altogether. Government harassment has led some public officials to avoid having their cities designated as sanctuaries. In the District of Columbia, Mayor Muriel Bowser has withdrawn the designation and called for the repeal of a law limiting cooperation with immigration authorities. For his part, Brandon Scott, mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, declared on X that Baltimore is not a sanctuary city because it does not have jurisdiction over its prisons. Prison collaboration with ICE, by sharing information about their detainees, is one of the measures the government is promoting with local authorities through the signing of 287g agreements. But we are a welcoming city, and we make no apologies for that. We are better because of our immigrant neighbors, and we are not about to sell them out to this administration, Scott added. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (JUNE 3 EDITION) A recent visitor to Ballyhaunis from the US, Edward Bachmann, is already planning a return trip. I will be back again. I would like to find some of the Garvey family, he said. From New York but California based, Edward spent a week in Ireland recently looking for family. My grandparents, Bernie Healy and Annie Garvey, left Ballyhaunis in 1915. I met several second cousins, and I saw the houses, now empty, in which both of my grandparents were born in the 1880s. My cousins are all lovely people. I found Ireland in general to be a very friendly place. I was also able to meet, for the first time in 20 years, my Canadian nephew, James. It was sunny almost every day, something that everyone told me was very unusual. My mothers first cousin, Frank Healy, a great guy, who helped James and I find my grandmothers birthplace. This was down many narrow country lanes, and he hadnt been there for 30 years, but he found it. I found my grandfathers sisters gravesite at the 14th century Abbey [the Friary] in the middle of town. Olivia Kelleher A 76-year-old woman who died in a house fire in Galway has been named as Sonia Sunny Jacobs, who served 17 years in prison, including time on death row, after she was wrongfully convicted of the murder of a US policeman and a Canadian constable. Ms Jacobs perished after a blaze broke out at her bungalow near Casla in Go Galway on Tuesday morning. A man in his 30s, who is understood to have been her carer, also died in the incident at Gleann Mhic Mhuireann. Gardai and the emergency services were alerted to the fire at 6:20am on Tuesday. The bodies of the man and woman were recovered from inside the property. The scene has been preserved for a technical examination. Postmortem examinations will be carried out at University Hospital Galway. Ms Jacobs was placed on death row in Florida in 1976 having been wrongfully convicted of a double murder. Her son was nine whilst her daughter was just 10 months old when she went to prison. When Sunny Jacobs was freed in 1992, her son Eric was a married father whilst her daughter Christina was 16 years old. Ms Jacobs told the BBC in 2017 that when she went to jail when she was a mother, a daughter and a wife and by the time she came out she was a grandmother, an orphan and a widow. Ms Jacobs and Jesse Joseph Tafero, the father of the younger of her two children, were tried separately, convicted, and sentenced to death by the same judge for the murders of two police officers at a rest stop off of Interstate 95 in Broward County, Florida in 1976. Ms Jacobs and Mr Tafero had been travelling with their two young children Eric and Christina when their car broke down. They were trying to get home to North Carolina. A man Jesse knew called Walter Rhodes agreed to drive the couple and their children home. Sunny fell asleep with the children in the back seat, but was startled awake by a policeman knocking on the window of the parked car. The officer was Philip Black, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and his friend Donald Irwin a Canadian constable who was on holiday. She said that gunfire broke out and Black and Irwin were slain. Jacobs and Tafero maintained from the beginning that Rhodes had shot the officers, and that they had nothing to do with it. Although there were two eyewitnesses to events surrounding the murders, neither contradicted Jacobs' and Tafero's version of what happened. Nor was their version contradicted by physical evidence. Both Tafero and Rhodes had gunpowder residue on their hands, a fact that was consistent with Tafero's claim that Rhodes handed him the gun after shooting the officers. There was no gunpowder residue on Jacobs' hands. The convictions of Jacobs and Tafero rested primarily on the testimony of Rhodes, who was allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1981, the Florida Supreme Court commuted the sentence of Ms Jacobs to life in prison. Mr Tafero was not so lucky. He was put to death in 1990. After the execution, Mr Rhodes confessed he had fired the fatal shots confirming both Jesse's and Sunny's long-maintained innocence. Sunny was freed in 1992 when she was 45 years old. Ms Jacobs subsquently met and married Peter Pringle in 2013. Mr Pringle had been sentenced to death in 1980 in Dublin for the murder of two gardai, John Morley and Henry Byrne, in a bank raid in Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon. He served 15 years in jail before he was released in 1995 after his convictions for the July 1980 murders were deemed unsafe. Following her release from prison Sunny Jacobs campaigned for the abolition of the death penalty. She met Mr Pringle at an Amnesty International event in 1998. He was also involved in advocacy work. Mr Pringle died on New Years Eve 2022 at the age of 84. In an interview with The Guardian newspaper in 2013 Mr Pringle said that he was deeply touched when he heard about the story of Ms Jacobs. I just had to talk to her. There was this spiritual connection there." Ms Jacobs told the paper that she had to learn how to do things all over again when she was freed from prison in 1992. I had to learn how to make a living, be a mother and simply be a person again. It was very difficult, but at the same time I wanted to get past it. I wouldn't say my experience haunts me, but it's always there. Everyone gets challenged in life and you can either spend the rest of your life looking backwards, or you can make a decision to keep going. That's the choice I made." While Ms Jacobs was in prison her parents, who looked after her children, died in a plane crash. She said that her focus was on rebuilding her relationship with her children once she was freed. In her Guardian interview she said that she had never expected to find love again. "I'd given up on meeting anyone. I just accepted that not everyone was meant to have a partner. But then I met Peter." The pair set up the Sunny Healing Centre in rural Connemara where they offered a space for healing and respite to individuals who had faced miscarriages of justice. Ms Jacobs was also an author and spoke at universities and conferences. Oscar winning actress Susan Sarandon played Sunny in the movie The Exonerated which was released in 2005. 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 TOKYO - With the House of Councillors election looming this summer, a local assembly race in Tokyo on June 22 will likely give a gauge on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's future prospects, as it has long served as a bellwether for national politics. The outcome of the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election could even force Ishiba to step down, as his popularity has waned due to questions about his attempts to boost economic sentiment, including his moves to curb soaring rice prices. The assembly election in Japan's capital has often influenced Japan's political landscape, triggering the dissolution of the powerful House of Representatives or even prompting a change in prime minister. An upper house member within the Liberal Democratic Party said Ishiba has "no policies that resonate with voters," adding that he "should be removed as the frontman for the upcoming national election" to prevent the LDP from suffering a crushing blow. Ishiba has sought to stem the negative impact of sharp price increases and U.S. President Donald Trump's higher tariffs, but his proposals have been criticized even within the ruling camp as election-focused pork-barrel spending, compelling him to back off. Ishiba's government has also pursued unorthodox policies aimed at lowering rice prices, with farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi taking the lead after his predecessor resigned in May over a gaffe involving gifts from supporters. But analysts remain skeptical about whether the efforts of the popular and media-friendly Koizumi will succeed in suppressing rice prices over the longer term, saying he is also unlikely to retain the spotlight until the upper house election. Another LDP lawmaker, who has kept his distance from the leader, said Ishiba has reached a "dead end," as approval ratings for his Cabinet have sunk to their lowest levels since he took office last October -- sometimes dipping below the "danger level" of 30 percent. Unless he achieves "surprisingly positive results" in tariff negotiations with the United States, his political fortunes "will not improve," the lawmaker said, adding, "Right now, all Ishiba can do is humble himself before Trump." Over the decades, the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election has taken on a wider significance, occasionally serving as a forum for voters in the nation's largest metropolis to express their opinions on national priorities, including leadership choices and economic direction. The assembly election has "long been a harbinger of seismic change in Japanese politics," said Tatsuhiko Yoshizaki, chief economist at the Sojitz Research Institute, who has observed domestic political developments through close ties with important lawmakers. As the most prominent example, the LDP's setback in the Tokyo assembly contest in 2009 undermined then Prime Minister Taro Aso's authority, marking a clear prelude to the following month's historic general election loss that ousted his party from power. In the 2017 Tokyo election, the party established by Gov. Yuriko Koike secured a decisive victory, while the LDP experienced heavy losses, accelerating political realignment that briefly altered the composition of the opposition bloc in the national parliament. The most recent case was the 2021 assembly election in which the ruling coalition failed to win a majority, eroding then Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's standing and ultimately dashing his hopes to seek reelection in the LDP's presidential race. All these Tokyo metropolitan elections were held when support for the central government had declined against a backdrop of scandals and poor policy handling, allowing new forces to rise, pundits said, adding that Ishiba seems set to face the same battle. Indeed, Shinji Ishimaru, who placed second in the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial race using social media as a key cog in his campaigning machine, has set up a new regional political party ahead of the June assembly election. He is a former mayor of a city in Hiroshima Prefecture. Ryohei Yoshida, a senior economist at the Daiwa Institute of Research, said that if public backing for the Cabinet slides below that of the party, it would indicate the leader and his team have become a burden. Support for the LDP was around 30 percent in a Kyodo News survey in late May. "For lawmakers running in elections, the growing risk of losing their seats is certain to fuel momentum to replace the current prime minister as the face of the party," Yoshida warned. Related coverage: Japan Diet begins debate on dual surname bill for 1st time in 28 yrs FOCUS: Free rice gaffe sends Ishiba into pre-election damage control mode Ishiba Cabinet support rate hits record low at 27.4%: poll SEOUL - Lee Jae Myung of the liberal Democratic Party won Tuesday's presidential election in South Korea to become the successor of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, who polarized the nation by imposing martial law. Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election, will assume office for a single five-year term. "I will fulfill it with unwavering commitment and without deviation," Lee told supporters near the National Assembly. "Even when politics divides and politicians argue, the people need not be divided," said Lee, 60, adding, "As president, my duty is to unite, not to rule. I will be a president not of power, but of unity." The presidency was vacant since April 4, when Yoon was removed following a Constitutional Court ruling that upheld a parliamentary impeachment over his brief declaration of martial law in December. Lee has pledged to revise legislation on martial law to tighten the requirements for a presidential declaration. He also aims to revitalize small and medium-sized businesses to boost the sluggish economy. On foreign policy, Lee has promised to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan to address the North Korean nuclear threat while also seeking to improve ties with China and Russia. Lee, who took a hard line on the wartime labor compensation issue with Japan during the 2022 campaign, said he would not compromise on that or the territorial dispute over the South Korea-controlled islets in the Sea of Japan, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea. But calling Japan an "important and cooperative partner," he pledged to deepen collaboration in areas such as the economy. The incoming president will also face pressing challenges, including tariff negotiations with the United States over the 25 percent duty announced on April 2, when President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on numerous countries. According to the National Election Commission, Lee secured 49.42 percent of the vote, ahead of Kim Moon Soo of the conservative People Power Party on 41.15 percent. Turnout among the over 44 million eligible voters stood at 79.4 percent, the highest in 28 years, according to the commission. Kim, 73, said, "I humbly accept the will of the people. Congratulations to President-elect Lee Jae Myung on his victory." Lee Jun Seok launched the small conservative party last year after serving as leader of the PPP and later leaving it. Local media have reported that he had been under pressure from the PPP to drop his candidacy to boost Kim's chances, as a growing number of young voters preferred Lee Jun Seok, 40, over his two elder rivals in the race. Related coverage: Japan, South Korea open tourist fast-track entry system for ties anniv. North Korea's Kim slams officials over destroyer launch accident FOCUS: South Korea ousts Yoon, moves on to presidential race amid division BEIJING - Two Japanese nationals have been killed in Dalian, northeastern China, and a Chinese suspect has been detained, an official from the Japanese Embassy in Beijing said Tuesday. The two victims were male, according to sources familiar with Sino-Japanese relations. The Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang was informed by Chinese security authorities on May 25 that the duo had been murdered, with a business dispute cited as the motivation. The incident follows a fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen, southern China, in September and a knife attack in June last year at a Japanese school bus stop in Suzhou near Shanghai, in which a Chinese woman was killed and a Japanese mother and child injured. Two Chinese men convicted of the fatal stabbings in Shenzhen and Suzhou were separately executed earlier this year. A Japanese government source said the murder in Dalian was caused by "a grudge over business" and it was "not politically motivated or triggered by anti-Japan sentiment." Related coverage: Japanese schoolboy killer in China executed: source China school bus stop murderer executed: Japanese gov't Chinese tourists returning to Japan with new travel style Sex and disability: Nigerian women share their stories Despite growing global interest in sexual and reproductive health, the voices of women with disabilities have remained largely unheard. Imagine feeling invisible simply because of your body. Now imagine that invisibility extends into how society treats your desires, your safety, and your rights. That is the everyday reality for many women with disabilities in developing countries, where 80% of people with disabilities live. And its an issue the policymakers must address to promote inclusive policies that reach the most marginalised. We are global health researchers and authors of a recent qualitative study that explores the sexual experiences of women with disabilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Despite growing global interest in sexual and reproductive health, the voices of women with disabilities have remained largely unheard, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Our research aims to break this silence. The women in our study told us they had sexual needs and desires like any other women, but they faced particular challenges such as societal stigma, inadequate access to reproductive health services, widespread misconceptions about contraception and sexual harassment. They suggested how more accessible health services and better legal protection could help them. How we did our study We spoke to 24 women in Lagos between the ages of 20 and 45. Sixty-seven percent of participants had physical disabilities, while 33% had visual impairments. Participants were recruited through local networks and came from a range of educational, employment and marital backgrounds. They were asked open-ended questions in interviews conducted in English, Yoruba or Pidgin. We focused on how disability influenced their sexual activity, autonomy, contraceptive use, engagement in risky sexual behaviours, and experiences of sexual violence. What we learnt Our research found that the women were mostly sexually active and understood their sexual rights. However, they faced major barriers: physical limitations poor access to affordable contraceptives misinformation vulnerability to sexual violence, with limited support available widespread stigma that made it difficult for them to express their sexuality freely and safely. We are not asexual Many participants rejected the stereotype that they were asexual or uninterested in sex. They emphasised they had sexual needs and desires just like any other woman. Some participants expressed that being disabled made certain sex positions painful or physically impossible. A woman who was in her thirties told us that her husband complained that she couldnt do different styles. Other women expressed sadness, frustration, or even guilt for not being able to satisfy their partners, leading to feelings of rejection and abandonment. Accessing modern contraceptives was another major issue. Some of the women said they were afraid of using contraceptives because of health myths like the fear that birth control might worsen their disability or cause infertility. Others struggled to go to pharmacies because of their limited mobility and obstacles such as being unable to use stairs. Several women said they had experienced harassment, assault or rape, often linked to their vulnerability and social isolation. One woman described her sexual assault. If I were not disabled and nothing was wrong with me, the one that happened to me would not happen. Because of my leg, I didnt have any energy to shout, and the people that were supposed to assist me did not show up. If I had legs and was complete, the thing that happened to me will not happen. A visually impaired woman said she couldnt defend herself or even recognise her attacker when she was abused. Another said: If I had legs, that thing would not have happened to me. A number of women also spoke about the fear of being blamed or shamed about their sexual harassment experience. Others said people in their communities believed they had no right to complain. Its not all bad Still, it wasnt all despair. The women in the study had clear and actionable suggestions. They called for accessible health facilities, better education for men about disability and sex, and more media campaigns to challenge stigma. They wanted laws that specifically protected them against sexual harassment and health systems that included them in terms of physical accessibility and financial subsidy. Some called for free or subsidised contraceptives or door-to-door services for those unable to travel. One participant simply asked for a walking aid so she could visit the hospital when she needed to. We are not invisible The findings highlight the need for accessible, affordable sexual and reproductive health services tailored to women with disabilities. This includes disability-friendly healthcare, public education to challenge stereotypes, stronger legal protections, and initiatives that empower women to assert their rights. Society needs to stop pretending that women with disabilities are invisible. They are here. They are sexually active. And they have a right to love, pleasure, safety and choice. Obasanjo Bolarinwa, Senior lecturer, York St John University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. TOKYO, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Japan's House of Representatives passed Tuesday a bill to impose a ban on opening and operating online casino websites in the country. The lower chamber of parliament cleared the bill to revise a law on tackling gambling addiction by a majority vote. The revision, which prohibits websites from guiding users to casino sites, came amid recent revelations of the use of virtual casinos by a number of athletes and celebrities. According to a police survey released in March, 3.37 million people in Japan are estimated to have gambled at online casinos, with around 1.24 trillion yen (about 8.7 billion U.S. dollars) being spent annually. Gambling is illegal in Japan even if an online casino is operating legally overseas. The revised law is expected to be enacted during the current parliamentary session through June 22. Shen Jun (C), vice president of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, receives emergency blood supply delivered by a drone during a simulated test flight at the hospital's Binhai branch in Tianjin, north China, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua) BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- China is rapidly integrating drone technology into its medical emergency systems, with breakthroughs in multiple cities demonstrating enhanced efficiency in critical care logistics. North China's Tianjin Municipality launched its first medical drone route in late May, marked by a successful simulated emergency blood supply test flight. The flight connected a blood station at the Binhai New Area and the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital's Binhai branch. "The drone route creates an emergency blood lifeline for patients in critical conditions," said Shen Jun, vice president of the hospital. Carrying a 5kg payload, the drone is equipped with a temperature-controlled medical box that allows for temperature, location and flight status monitoring in real-time. Its efficient point-to-point delivery avoids delays caused by road traffic, saving precious time for emergency treatment. Amid the rapid growth of China's low-altitude economy, low-altitude medical services, as a niche sector, are expanding their applications, driving an unprecedented transformation in healthcare. In November 2024, the National Healthcare Security Administration added "air medical transport" to the national medical service price catalog, mandating standardized pricing in the country's provincial areas by the end of May this year. Commercial health insurance providers are also encouraged to explore coverage for these services. The guideline has accelerated the adoption of low-altitude aircraft in medical applications. Bolstered by technology and policy support, Chinese provinces like Zhejiang, Guangdong and Fujian are actively exploring the application of drones in their medical systems, transporting test samples, blood, emergency supplies and medicine, which are crucial for saving critical treatment times. In the city of Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, drones have become a routine part of medical services. According to the municipal health commission, the city has opened 25 low-altitude routes linking 28 sites for medical transport. As of May 27, drones had completed 5,270 flights for medical use. The drones are automated, cloud-controlled models built for urban operations. Cruising at 72km per hour with an 18-km range, they operate 70 percent to 80 percent faster than ground transport. "Usually, it takes at least 30 to 40 minutes from the hospital branch of Bancang to the headquarters by ground transportation. Drones cut this to 11 minutes," said Huang Yuting, transport manager at Zigong First People's Hospital, referring to a case in which a drone delivered a drug for emergency use last August. Hao Jihui, president of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital, said the low-altitude transport system breaks geographical barriers, enhances emergency response, and significantly improves medical resource efficiency by cutting costs and transportation times. "We'll expand drone applications to enhance cross-regional medical resource allocation and meet multi-level health service demands," Hao added. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (1st R) receives visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (2nd R) in Baabda Palace, Lebanon, on June 3, 2025. Lebanon is looking to strengthen its state-to-state relationship with Iran, President Joseph Aoun told visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi during a meeting on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon is looking to strengthen its state-to-state relationship with Iran, President Joseph Aoun told visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi during a meeting on Tuesday. According to the National News Agency, Aoun emphasized that rebuilding the destruction caused by Israel on Lebanon is a national priority, pursued in cooperation with friendly and allied nations and in accordance with Lebanese law. He reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to dialogue -- both internally and with other countries -- as a path to resolving disputes peacefully. "Many nations in our region, from Iran to the Gulf and Lebanon, have endured the devastating effects of war. Dialogue, not violence, is the way forward," Aoun said. The president also expressed hope that ongoing U.S.-Iran talks would reach a positive outcome, saying, "The Iranian people deserve to live in peace and prosperity, and a constructive resolution will reflect positively on the region as a whole." Aoun endorsed Araghchi's remarks that international relations must be based on "transparency, goodwill, mutual respect, and non-interference in domestic affairs." For his part, Araghchi expressed Iran's commitment to deepening Lebanese-Iranian relations based on shared interests and mutual respect. He affirmed Iran's support for Lebanon's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and praised Lebanese diplomatic efforts to end Israeli occupation. "Our support for Lebanon is rooted in our good bilateral relations and Iran's consistent policy of non-intervention in domestic politics," Araghchi said. He voiced support for national dialogue in Lebanon, hoping it would lead to consensus and progress without foreign interference. Araghchi also expressed Iran's willingness to enhance economic and trade ties, noting that Iranian companies are prepared to contribute to Lebanon's reconstruction through cooperation with the Lebanese government. To get involved in the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee, which fights for workers to seize control of their struggle from the pro-company CUPW apparatus, fill out the form at the end of this article or email: canadapostworkersrfc@gmail.com. Canada Post workers on a picket line in Windsor, Ontario, during their month-long Fall 2024 strike. Canada Post management announced Sunday that it had rejected the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) offer of binding arbitration to end the ongoing contract dispute. Management is instead continuing to press the Mark Carney-led federal Liberal government to compel CUPWs 55,000 members to vote on its best and final offers to urban and rural postal workers. Last Friday, the government-owned Canada Post formally asked the government to make use of Section 108.1 of the anti-worker Canada Labour Code to force contract votes. The union leadership has bent over backwards to reach a deal with Canada Post, prevent a resumption of last falls month-long strike and avert a head-on clash with the big business Liberal government. On Wednesday of last week, the CUPW bureaucrats were compelled to admit that Canada Posts final offers were essentially a carbon copy of their previous demands for massive concessions that would open the door to the Amazonification of the post office and the wholesale slashing of full-time jobs. However, even as it decries management for playing hardball, the CUPW leadership is determined to prevent postal workers from using their industrial power and rallying the working class behind them in a fight to defend public services and the right to strike, and to secure workers control over AI and other new technologies so as to ensure that they are used to improve workers lives and public services, not slash jobs and increase worker-exploitation. Thus the union responded to Canada Posts provocative final offer gambit, by offering to surrender workers rights to strike and to determine, through collective bargaining, their terms of employment. After Canada Post rejected the unions proposal, CUPW has continued to plea for binding arbitrationthat is for a government-appointed big business lackey to dictate postal workers contractsclaiming that it is the only route to a reasonable outcome. A forced vote, the union worriedly declared Sunday, may fail to end the labour conflict and risks further division, prolonging uncertainty for all parties. Arbitration would end the labour dispute immediately and create certainty for all Canadians. Canada Post management has opposed binding arbitration on the grounds that it would extend the contract dispute for up to another year, and would accelerate the companys significant financial challenges. It is also claiming to be concerned that binding arbitration would strip postal workers of the right to vote on their collective agreements. This argument is rich, given that in every contract negotiation for decades Canada Post has viewed the threat of government intervention to rob workers of their right to strike and impose arbitration as its trump card. Whenever it has deemed it in its interests, Canada Post has bayed for strike-breaking legislation and binding arbitration. Throughout the current 18 month-long contract negotiation, Canada Post has remained intransigent in its demands for sweeping concessions. These include the creation of a new category of part-time workers to allow for weekend parcel delivery, and the implementation of dynamic routing, which would employ artificial intelligence to vary letter carriers routes and workload daily. Last December, Canada Post warmly welcomed Labour Minister Steven MacKinnons use of a patently illegal reinterpretation of Section 107 of the Labour Code to illegalize the postal workers month-long strike and the governments establishment of an Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) to rubber stamp managements demands for a massive restructuring of the post office at workers expense. Now management is expecting that the Liberal government, led by the ex-central banker Carney, will again come to their aid and force final offer votes. Although a crown corporation, Canada Post has functioned as a profit-making enterprise since the 1980s. Backed by the government and all of corporate Canada, it is adamant that massive cuts must be made to labour costs to return to profitability. Declining use of letter mail and increasing competition from, private couriers for the delivery of parcels has severely undercut the companys ability to make a profit. The latest financial report, released last week, showed that Canada Post posted a pre-tax loss of $841 million in 2024, bringing total losses to $3.8 billion since 2018. The Liberal government provided Canada Post with a $1 billion bailout loan earlier this year, after management declared that it would soon run out of the cash needed to continue operations. Canada Posts best and final offers would introduce part-time flex and part-time parcel delivery workers to urban operations, implementing the move to 7-day delivery, and begin the nation-wide roll-out of dynamic routing. The 5-minute washup time before meal time would be eliminated and all new employees would have 6 months of regular employment before getting health and pension benefits. Management is hoping to entice postal workers into accepting the evisceration of their rights and jobs, by offering a $1,000 signing bonus. A decision from the Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu on whether to force votes under Section 108.1 of the Canada Labour Code is expected soon. CUPW representatives met with Hajdu and John Zerucelli, Secretary of State for Labour, on Friday, and were reportedly assured that the Liberal government would continue to play an intermediary role but would not intervene at this time. Throughout the contract struggle, the CUPW apparatus has done everything to isolate and demobilize postal workers. It dragged out talks over the course of 2024, keeping rank and file workers in the dark before finally calling a strike vote which passed with over 95 percent support in October. Only under rank and file pressure was a national strike finally called in late November. The union leadership acquiesced to the government strikebreaking, not allowing workers any say in whether the illegal back-to-work order should be defied. Subsequently, it promoted the lie that the IIC would provide workers with a venue for their voices to be heard. When workers finally got the right to strike back on May 23, CUPW refused to call a resumption of the nationwide strike, instead implementing a toothless overtime ban which has kept workers on the job. As was transparently clear from the beginning, the IIC. led by senior federal arbitrator, William Kaplan, proved to be yet another mechanism for attacking postal workers. Its report, issued last month, backed to the hilt managements plans for a massive assault on postal workers. Canada Post is facing an existential crisis: It is effectively insolvent, or bankrupt, the report declared. Without thoughtful, measured, staged, but immediate changes, its fiscal situation will continue to deteriorate. Among the changes it endorsed are a far reaching assault on services including the end of daily door-to-door mail delivery and the closure of rural post offices. CUPW's May 31 rally to "Protect the Public Post" at Toronto's Albert Jackson sorting plant. Meanwhile CUPW has done nothing to mobilize the rank-and-file, let alone wider sections of the working class. A series of protests called by the union across the country to Protect the Public Post Office on Saturday drew a few score people in Toronto and Ottawalargely union officials and their pseudo-left hangers-onand were sparsely attended elsewhere. The wider union bureaucracy, from the Canadian Labour Congress and Unifor on down, have made no effort to mobilize workers in support of the postal workers. They are busy collaborating with the big business Liberal government, joining tripartite government-management-union boards like the Prime Ministers Advisory Council on Canada-United States Relations and boasting about their attendance at King Charles IIIs opening of Parliament last week, while promoting divisive, Canadian nationalist poison in response to US President Donald Trumps trade war. Speaking to the Financial Post at the end of May, Ian Lee, an associate professor at Carleton Universitys Sprott School of Business and a former Canada Post executive, outlined a program for radical surgery to save Canada Post. It would see 40,000 workers axed, with the complete end of home letter-mail deliveryeven to community mailboxesand the federally legislated end of the universal service obligation for urban areas, and the overturning of existing collective agreements. Its quarter to midnight and they have to move rather quickly Lee declared. What would remain is a restructured and much much smaller Canada Post operation to service only rural and remote communities with no private alternatives. The IIC report and Lees comments make clear that the plans for an all-out assault on postal workers wages, jobs and working conditions are far advancedeven beyond those included in Canada Posts best and final offers. Postal workers have show great militancy. However, their struggle is now in grave danger due to the sabotage of CUPW and the broader union bureaucracy, which have done everything to isolate and suppress their struggle. To prevail, workers must take the struggle into their own hands and make it the spearhead of a working-class counter-offensive against capitalist austerity and war. It was for this reason that workers at Canada Post came together last year to form the Postal Workers Rank and File Committee in affiliation with the International Workers Alliance of Rank and File Committees. The PWRFC has outlined a strategy for fighting against Canada Posts concession demands and CUPWs sabotage, and for expanding the struggle to workers across Canada, public and private sector alike, and internationally, including in unity with US postal workers. The PWRFC has outlined demands based on what workers need, not what is demanded by governments and corporate boards in the pursuit of profit. They remain critical in the current fight: Full pension, full pay rate and full benefits to all employees! No more contracting out of jobs! Workers must have control over the introduction and development of all new technologies, so they are used to improve working conditions and service, not increasing worker exploitation! The postal service should not be run as a profit-making concern! All those interested in fighting for the perspective and building the PWRFC should fill out the form below or write to canadapostworkersrfc@gmail.com. KABUL, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, the acting deputy prime minister for administrative affairs of Afghanistan's interim government, has laid the foundation stone for a new residential township for returning immigrants in southern Helmand province, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing said in a statement on Tuesday. According to the statement, Hanafi emphasized that returning immigrants are receiving essential services, and eligible returnees will be granted residential land to help them rebuild their lives. The township spans 5,000 acres of land and is planned to include 4,260 housing units upon completion, said the statement. The Afghan interim government has previously launched residential townships for returnees in several other provinces, including Ghazni, Paktia, Faryab, Paktika, Kunar, Balkh, Kunduz, and Kandahar. The return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran has accelerated since the beginning of this year. In April and May alone, a total of 500,000 Afghans returned to their homeland from the neighboring countries. Nearly seven million Afghan refugees, most of whom are undocumented, are currently living abroad, with most living in Iran and Pakistan. 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. Ronald Adams Sr., his wife Shamenia Stewart-Adams, and one of their sons [Photo by Adams family] Monday marked eight weeks since the death of Stellantis worker Ronald Adams Sr. at the Dundee Engine Complex in Michigan. Adams was crushed to death when an overhead gantry pinned the 63-year-old machine repairman to a conveyor. According to public records, Adams died of crushing injuries/traumatic asphyxia, the latter referring to a sudden forceful compression of the chest that leads to a backward flow of blood to the head and neck. Nearly two months since the death of her husband, Shamenia Stewart-Adams has not received any information from Stellantis management, the United Auto Workers or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) about the causes of the fatal accident and the circumstances surrounding it. MIOSHA has not issued the results of its investigation nor fulfilled its obligation to update the family on its progress. The UAW has not released any information from its supposed joint investigation with management, which is reportedly being assisted by the national UAW Health and Safety Department, headed by UAW President Shawn Fain. Despite this, the UAW has approved the restart of production at the Dundee Engine Complex, with hundreds of production workers scheduled to return as retooling operations are completed in the next few weeks. This irresponsible and reckless decision only underscores the fact that the UAW bureaucracy functions as a direct tool of corporate management. It is totally unacceptable we dont have any information about Ronnies death and were coming back to work, a Dundee worker told WSWS reporters outside of the engine plant Monday afternoon. Another worker said he was very upset that shop floor workers have not been given any information about the causes of the fatal accident, adding that the restart of the plant was shady. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has initiated an independent investigation to oppose a cover-up and prevent Ronald Adams death from being swept under the rug like so many workers before him. In a statement posted Sunday, Will Lehman, a Mack Trucks worker from Pennsylvania and a leader of the IWA-RFC, urged workers to come forward to provide information to the rank-and-file investigation. In a video of the statement which quickly garnered tens of thousands of views on TikTok Monday, Lehman said: 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. He added: 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. A lot of us think theyre covering up what really happened Several Dundee workers who spoke to the WSWS said UAW officials give management a green light to disregard basic safety procedures. A lot of us think theyre covering up what really happened, including the distribution of the service keys, a veteran worker told the WSWS. And the UAW is basically in bed with management. Denouncing the rush to reopen the plant, the worker said, They just want production done at whatever the cost. Every manager in there knows it is unsafe, but they dont care. They just want it up and running. They put pressure on the workers to get things done no matter what, and workers do it because they fear for their jobs. They say, If you cant get it done, Im going to find someone else to do it. A few weeks after Ronalds death, another worker said, Stellantis fired the plant manager, Ronalds supervisor and the UAW safety representative. They fired them basically right before Ronnies funeral. It was almost like they set it up purposely to make people at the funeral think, Ok, thats good, they got rid of them and somebodys paying for this. You cant trust the union. Say you have a situation, and you confide in the UAW. The next thing you know, they pull you into the HR office. Theyre in bed with them real heavy. There are many questions that must be answered regarding the death of Ronald Adams Sr.: Why was the gantry, which workers believe had been properly locked out and therefore disconnected from its energy source, suddenly activated, crashing down on Adams in as few as 1.5 seconds? Was management rushing the retooling process and cutting corners to get production restarted as soon as possible? The factory has been undergoing a years-long retooling project, costing hundreds of millions of dollars, and has been reportedly behind schedule in the launch of a new multi-energy engine, a federally funded EV battery tray line, and front and rear end beams, which are critical for a new frame architecture being used in highly profitable Jeep and Ram models. Did layoffs and cost-cutting undermine basic safety standards? Even as it hands out billions to its top investors, Stellantis is engaged in a massive cost-cutting campaign dubbed doghouse, which Stellantis Chief Financial Officer Natalie Knight says is aimed at enforcing stricter controls over purchasing from external vendors. The Doghouse is back! If we apply more discipline, we can ensure big savings for the company, Knight said earlier this year. Did management or one of its contractors bypass the standard lockout/tagout procedures? Workers say that management routinely distributed service keys, also known as interlock keys or cheat keys, which can bypass lockouts and allow machinery to be accessed unsafely. Workers report that the day after Adams death, management quietly asked anyone with such a key to return it without penalty. Production workers at Dundee Engine Complex [Photo by Stellantis Media] Workers have also reported that the third-party robotics and automation contractor PARI, brought in by Stellantis to install new equipment on the engine line, altered the software logic of the system. Previously, the gantries were programmed to remain off during dry runs, they reported. But when PARI installed gantries and conveyors for a new engine washer, workers said, they introduced a change to the logic without properly informing workers. Many placards, which are diagrams showing where the power source for machinery can be shut off and locked out, have not been updated, workers say. The gantry that killed Adams, they report, had been moved from the south plant to the north plant. If the placard had not been updated, Adams may have thought the gantry was properly locked out although it wasnt. The plant was reportedly closed for several days after the accident to update the placards. Finally, workers report there have been software glitches in the system that cause machinery to suddenly revert to the programming used to manufacture the former 3.6-liter Pentastar engines, whose production ended in August 2023, instead of the new 1.6-liter, I-4 turbocharged engine. This glitch, they say, may have also affected the operations of the gantry. When the person goes in to try to run the machine with the new logic they put in, itll run for a minute, and then it converts back to the Pentastar, one worker told the WSWS. Ronnies family and everybody has to know the truth about what happened Workers also spoke about a previous incident at the plant a few years ago when a hi-lo blew up and they had to take cover outside. People were shook up and asked to be sent home, one worker said. First, the union told us theyd send us home. But then they came back after talking to HR and they said, HR doesnt want anybody to go home. We let the UAW have it. You dont let HR tell you. You tell them, Im sending my people home. I know there are a lot of people who want to talk about what happened to Ronnie, but theyre scared for their jobs, another worker said. If the UAW finds out who is speaking out, theyll go to HR. Then HR will call them into their office and threaten them or come up with something to get rid of them. Theyre that dirty. The operational manager is quite aware of the conditions. They know about the service keys being used. There should have been somebody working with Ronnie. There is no way he should have been left alone. Expressing support for the rank-and-file investigation initiated by the International Workers Alliance for Rank-and-File Committees, the worker said, Thats what we need. Its scary, but we have to stand up. Ronnies family and everybody has to know the truth about what happened. Fill out the form below to send us your comments. Your identity will be kept confidential. Kenyan President William Rutos state visit to China has provoked an angry response from the United States, amid an intensifying global struggle for geopolitical dominance over Africas strategic resources. Rutos visit to Beijing in April, his third since taking office, resulted in the signing of agreements totalling $950 million spanning manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and transport infrastructure. Among the most significant were plans to extend Kenyas standard gauge railway (SGR) to the Ugandan border, a project stalled since 2019 due to lack of funds, and the expansion of the highway linking Nairobi with the Rift Valley city of Nakuru through a public-private partnership. Kenyan President William Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping observe the signing of more than 20 trade agreements between the nations [Photo: Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya] Beijing and Nairobi signed 20 new cooperation agreements in science, water management, e-commerce, transport, and vocational training. Key agreements include $150 million with China Wu Yi for construction, $400 million in agricultural investments led by Zonken Group in Baringo County, and $230 million from Hunan Conference Exhibition Group targeting tourism. Last week, Chinas Benny Tea Industries announced a further $100 million investment in Kenya. Rutos visit marks a further strengthening of Chinas economic role in Kenya amid escalating US-China tensions. It comes amid US President Donald Trump sweeping tariffs, aimed at subordinating global trade to Washingtons geostrategic interests. The tariffs threaten to devastate Kenyas economy, risking an $838 million loss in exports to the US if demand falters. At a joint press briefing, Ruto praised Chinese-backed infrastructure, declaring, We have achieved many things together, and hailed Kenyas Belt and Road Initiative membership as instrumental in reshaping the country and bolstering East African connectivity. A joint communique pledged China-Africa solidarity as a force for global stability, asserting a common front to defend developing countries and promote inclusive globalisation. In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Ruto defended multilateralism in a clear swipe at Washington: We believe that multilateralism has greater safeguards and provides an even environment for trade. Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the elevation of ties with Kenya as a response to the turbulent international situation, a thinly veiled reference to the growing US-led encirclement of China. Kenyan President William Ruto meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in April [Photo: Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya] The US response was swift. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, denounced Ruto during a hearing titled East Africa & The Horn: At A Turning Point or Breaking Point?. Just last month, President Ruto declared that Kenya, a major non-NATO ally, and China are co-architects of a new world order. Thats not just alignment to China; its allegiance, Risch warned. He added, Relying on leaders who embrace Beijing so openly is an error. Its time to reassess our relationship with Kenya and others who forge tight bonds with China. The message is unmistakable: Kenya must comply with US dictates or face consequences. The chosen pretext is the tattered playbook of human rights. Risch declared, Rising abductions and torture in East Africa signal more than abuse, they expose state decay and impunity, a barely disguised comment on the Ruto regime whose brutal crackdown on last years anti-IMF austerity protests left at least 63 dead, 83 abducted, and 29 still unaccounted for. This is the height of cynicism. The same US political establishment, now posturing as a defender of rights across the Horn of Africa, is backing Israels genocidal assault on Gaza, which has killed over 53,000 and obliterated the territorys infrastructure. It was Washington that welcomed Ruto with full honours last year, despite his leading role in the 20072008 post-election ethnic violence that left over 1,200 dead and half a million displaced. And it was Washington that stood behind Ruto during last years mass uprising, which threatened its regional interests, advising him on how to suppress it and supporting his deployment of the army onto the streets of Nairobi. The US tariff war is aimed at tearing Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia from Chinese economic influence, forcing them to abandon efforts at strategic balancing. However, as the WSWS noted, the US has a major problem in that it has nothing to offer those countries economically, and a break from China risks economic devastation, threatening to set off major social upheavals. US pressure has not repelled states from Beijings orbit but is accelerating their drift toward it. Kenya is following this trajectory, despite Ruto having led the most pro-US faction of the Kenyan bourgeoisie in recent times. During his 2022 campaign, Ruto attacked China, vowing to expel Chinese workers, expose opaque loans, and curb debt. He railed against the previous Uhuru Kenyatta administrations ties to Beijing, claiming that the failure to pay back loans to Beijing threatened Kenya with asset seizures like the Port of Mombasa. Once in office, he quickly reassured Beijing. Meeting Chinas special envoy Liu Yuxi shortly after taking power, Ruto promised to step up and expand relations with China. At the same time, Ruto deepened military ties with Washington. In 2022, he deployed troops to eastern Congo to support US efforts to stabilise mineral-rich areas for extraction. He also dispatched 800 special forces police to Haiti as part of a US-funded mercenary force aimed at crushing popular unrest and stemming refugee flows. The crowning achievement of Rutos presidency in relations with Washington was securing Kenyas designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally under the Biden Administrationthe first in sub-Saharan Africacementing its role as a key proxy in US-led security operations on the continent. This designation aligns with Washingtons broader strategic vision, which sees Kenyahost to two permanent US Africa Command (AFRICOM) bases in Mombasa and Manda Bay and co-host of the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conferenceas a central pillar in projecting American military power across Africa. None of this mattered to Washington once Trump signalled a new stage of economic war. Kenyas loyalty was discarded, and Ruto was forced to strengthen ties with Beijing. Even the Haiti operation faces a funding crisis as the US distances itself, endangering the Kenyan mercenaries salaries and leaving a looming $200 million payment unmet. On trade, Kenya expected the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free access to US markets. Yet no agreement has been reached. The deal, expiring in 2025, underpins Kenyas $500 million textile industry. Tariffs would wipe out tens of thousands of jobs in export zones, along with support sectors like cotton farming and logistics. Simultaneously, Trump has slashed USAID funding, provoking 30,000 job losses in Kenya and threatening critical health services, including HIV treatment for 1.4 million Kenyans. Supplies may only last another three to six months. In a desperate attempt to reassure US of its allegiance, Kenyas Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said, What President Ruto was talking about is collective ownership. America is a big power, and so is China. The two nations are important to us, and we will continue to work together. This is not a shift in Kenyas policy to the detriment of anybody, he explained. We are not here to play one country against another. These developments are a warning to the working class across Africa and internationally. Rutos zigzagging between Beijing and Washington reflects attempts by the African bourgeois regimes to balance between the two. But claims by bourgeois nationalists, Stalinist parties, and military juntas in West Africa that the continent can navigate a multipolar path are a dead end as the world heads into global conflagration. Kenyas Stalinist Communist Party of KenyaMarxist (CPM-K) has remained silent on Rutos visit to China and on the formal cooperation agreement signed between his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). At CPM-Ks congress last November, the party proudly received greetings from the CCP, underscoring its deep alignment with Beijing. This orientation mirrors the material interests of the affluent middle-class strata the CPM-K represents, layers that have profited handsomely from Chinese investment over the past decades. The lessons of the past must be drawn. The anti-colonial struggles of the 20th century won formal independence, but failed to overthrow capitalism. The result has been decades of neocolonial rule, with African elites acting as intermediaries for foreign powers. Today, amid the fracturing of the global order, a new generation must take up the task of completing the struggle, this time on the basis of international socialism. That is the only way to ensure that the resources and labour of Africa serve its people, not the interests of foreign or domestic capitalists. The path forward lies in building a unified socialist movement that links the struggles of African workers with those of workers in the US, China, Europe, and globally. Only through the overthrow of capitalism on a world scale can the peoples of Africa realise their aspirations for peace, equality, prosperity and democratic rights. Megha Vemuri speaking at MIT [Photo: mit.youtube] The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) banned Megha Vemuri, the Class of 2025 president and valedictorian, from attending her own graduation ceremony on Friday. The ban followed a commencement speech Vemuri gave at another ceremony on Thursday in which she condemned MITs ties to the Israeli military and denounced the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Vemuri was notified on the eve of her graduation, via an official email from MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles, that she was prohibited from attending the commencement ceremony and barred from campus until 4:00 p.m. the same day. The message, which did not specify a reason for the ban, also stated that her graduation tickets had been deactivated. According to MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen, the decision was made because Vemuris speech at Thursdays OneMIT commencement did not align with the pre-approved content and that she had intentionally and repeatedly misled Commencement organizers and incited a protest from the stage, thereby disrupting a significant Institute event. Chancellor Nobles further stated in her email that while MIT acknowledges the right to free expression, Vemuris decision to lead a protest from the stage was a violation of MITs time, place, and manner rules for campus expression. In a statement, Vemuri contested this characterization, stating defiantly, I see no need for me to walk across the stage of an institution that is complicit in this genocide. She added that she was disappointed in MITs response, saying school officials massively overstepped their roles to punish me without merit or due process. Vemuris remarks at the OneMIT commencement event, where she wore a red keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestinians, quickly went viral. She began by praising her classmates for their courage in standing up for justice: You showed the world that MIT wants a free Palestine. Last spring, MITs undergraduate body and Graduate Student Union voted overwhelmingly to cut ties with the genocidal Israeli military. You called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and you stood in solidarity with the pro-Palestine activists on campus. 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 directly criticized MITs ongoing research ties with the Israeli military: Israel is the only foreign military with which MIT has active research ties. Right now, while we prepare to graduate and move forward with our lives, there are no universities left in Gaza. Her speech received a mixed response from the audience, with some chanting Free, Free Palestine! and waving flags, while others remained silent. MITs financial and research connections to the Israeli military are well known. Since 2015, MIT has received over $11 million in research funding from Israels Ministry of Defense, with more than $1.6 million allocated in 2023 alone. These funds have supported projects with clear military applications, including autonomous robotic swarms, pursuit-evasion algorithms, underwater monitoring, and quantum fiber magnetometry. As of March 2024, at least two of these projects were up for renewal. In addition, MITs relationship with the Israeli military-industrial complex extends to special programs such as the Lockheed Martin Seed Fund, and Elbit Systemsa major Israeli arms manufacturerremains a member of MITs Industrial Liaison Program. Elbit is known for producing many of the bombs used in the destruction of universities in Gaza. Vemuri is an Indian-American student originally from Alpharetta, Georgia. She graduated from MIT with a degree that combines computer science, neuroscience and linguistics, and served as class president in 2025. Vemuri has been active in advocacy and research, leading the Written Revolution initiative and contributing to work at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research. Her academic and extracurricular achievements made her a prominent figure on campus and a respected voice among her peers. The decision to ban Vemuri from her own graduation has been condemned by student groups and outside organizations. The MIT Coalition Against Apartheid stated: The attack on Megha exposes the persistent silencing of pro-Palestine voices and the mounting pressure on MIT to end all military contracts with the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD). The coalition also highlighted the hypocrisy of MITs leadership, noting that President Sally Kornbluth had just declared, At MIT, we value freedom of expression, before Vemuri was excluded for exercising that very right. The Palestinian Youth Movement and other advocacy groups have also denounced MITs actions as part of a broader crackdown on dissent and free speech related to Palestine and opposition to the US-backed genocide in Gaza. Vemuris banning has taken place alongside similar actions at other elite universities. At New York University, Logan Rozos had his diploma withheld pending disciplinary action after he referred to the genocide in Gaza and denounced the atrocities currently happening in Palestine in a commencement speech. At George Washington University, graduate student Cecilia Culver was barred from campus and university events after she urged others to not donate to the school and issued multiple requests for divestment from companies doing business with Israel during her speech. These measures are part of a broader attack on speech by university administrations by suppressing pro-Palestinian activism and dissent, often under pressure from donors, pro-Israel advocacy groups, the Trump administration and other supporters of the Gaza genocide within the US political establishment. The crackdown on Vemuri at MIT and other student activists during the university graduation period is taking place within the context of escalating attacks on First Amendment rights, specifically targeting vocal support for Palestinian rights and opposition to the ethnic cleansing operations of the Zionist state in Gaza. Under the Trump administrationand the Biden administration before ita campaign has been mounted that equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism and criminalizes campus protest activity for purportedly violating the rights of Jewish students. This lie continues to be spread by the Democrats and Republicans and the corporate media, even though large numbers of Jewish students have taken part in the protests on campuses across the US. In this witch-hunting atmosphere, students such as Mahmoud Khalila leading voice against the Gaza genocide at Columbia Universityhave been arrested and detained against their fundamental rights for their activism. Cornell University graduate student Momodou Taal was compelled to leave the US under threat of kidnapping and deportation in retaliation for filing a free speech suit against the Trump administration. Meanwhile, university administrations have increasingly adopted restrictive time, place, and manner policies that are aimed at stifling speech and making protest illegal on campus. The climate of repression has intensified as Israels assault on Gaza has assumed monstrous proportions, with over 53,000 Palestinians killedmost of whom are women and childrenand the plans to forcibly remove the population entirely from the strip being openly acknowledged by the Netanyahu and Trump administrations. The termination of billions in federal funding to Harvard University by the White House is part of this drive and aimed at intimidating university administrations. Meanwhile, wealthy donors and other university financial supporters want to ensure that lucrative research and relationships with the Israeli state and US military contractors are protected. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player [Photo by Ukrainian video] The destruction of strategic bombers deep inside Russia by the Ukrainian secret service SBU shows that NATO will stop at nothing to escalate the war with Russia, even if it means provoking a nuclear catastrophe. On Sunday, around 120 Ukrainian drones, which had previously been smuggled into the country, attacked four Russian military airfields in a coordinated operation. Two of the airfieldsBelaya in Eastern Siberia and Olenia near the Finnish-Russian borderare thousands of kilometers away from Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky personally boasted on X about the absolutely brilliant success and announced that it had been a long-planned coup: One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective implementation. The SBU released videos of the attacks. According to its information, more than 40 combat and reconnaissance aircraft were destroyed, about 34 percent of Russian bombers capable of launching cruise missiles. Well-informed Russian bloggers estimate a lower number, but even according to their information, around a dozen aircraft went up in flames. It is inconceivable that NATO was not informed and closely involved. Such a complex operation, prepared over a long period of time, cannot be carried out without reconnaissance data that only the US has at its disposal. Military and intelligence officials from NATO and Ukraine are in constant, close contact, and President Zelensky exchanges information with the heads of government of NATO countries on an almost daily basis. The action was obviously designed to humiliate and provoke the Russian government. The following day, the second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul, which ended after only an hour without any significant results. In Moscow, the attack will be interpreted as a NATO attack on strategic targets within Russia, and the regime will respond accordingly. Official sources have so far remained cautious. The Russian Ministry of Defense merely stated that some aviation equipment had caught fire and that all terrorist attacks had been repelled. But bloggers close to the Russian military are calling the attack Russias Pearl Harbor. In December 1941, the Japanese air force destroyed parts of the American Pacific Fleet in the Hawaiian port. The following day, the US declared war on Japan and entered World War II. The widely read channel Dva Majora accused NATO of directly undermining the nuclear strategic balance and reducing our countrys nuclear protection. The Telegram channel Rybar, with 1.3 million subscribers, called for an end to talks with Ukraine and a new level of escalation of the conflict. The newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets, the second largest in the country, described June 1 as a black day for Russias long-range and military transport aircraft and called for the same determination and harshness against Ukraine as Israel has shown against Hamas. President Putin will respond to the growing pressure, and NATOs experienced strategists know this very well. Attacks on NATO targets outside Ukraine that have a similar strategic significance to the destroyed Russian bombers cannot be ruled out. The danger of further escalation and expansion of the war in Ukraine, including the use of nuclear weapons, is greater than ever before. What is prompting NATO to take this risk? Why is it continuing to escalate a war that has already cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers? The history of the war in Ukraine itself provides an answer. This was never the unprovoked Russian war of aggression, as portrayed by the media. The Russian oligarchs, who had become rich by plundering the social property of the Soviet Union and whose interests Putin represents, always sought admission into the circle of capitalist great powers. Putin himself was therefore celebrated with a standing ovation by the German Bundestag in 2001. But neither the US nor the major European powers wanted to share with the Russian oligarchs. Driven by mounting economic and financial crises and the pursuit of raw materials, markets and profits, they broke one agreement after another that they had made since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and pushed further and further eastward economically and militarily. After NATO had annexed all of Eastern Europe and the former Baltic Soviet republics, it also reached out to Ukraine and Georgia, aiming to destroy Russia. While the NATO powers were still primarily preoccupied with their imperialist wars in the Middle East in the first decade of this century, they turned their attention increasingly toward Russia in the second decade. In 2014, they helped a pro-Western regime come to power in Kiev with the help of a right-wing coup and then systematically armed Ukraine. Putin responded with a military attack on Ukraine. It was a bankrupt and reactionary attempt to put pressure on the imperialist powers in order to reach a new agreement with them. But the war provided them with a welcome pretext to intensify the confrontation with Russia and to arm themselves massively. Since then, Germany has doubled and tripled its military spending and set itself the goal of building the strongest army in Europe. As in the First and Second World Wars, it is expanding eastward again. For the first time in its history, the German Armed Forces are permanently stationing a combat brigade in another countryin Lithuania, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. This greatly increases the risk of direct military confrontation with Russia. Britain, France and Poland are also using the war in Ukraine as an excuse to intensively rearm. The European powers are responding to Donald Trumps return to the White House by attempting to break away from their military dependence on the US and to confront Russia on their own. Trump vacillates between offers and threats toward Russia while menacing Europe with trade war measures. Nevertheless, the US continues to form the military backbone of NATO, which was created during the Cold War against the Soviet Union. It is intensifying the confrontation with Russia, as shown by the Ukrainian attack on Russian military airports, which could not have taken place without a green light from Washington. Even as NATO escalates the war against Russia, the imperialist powers, led by the US, are escalating their conflict with China. Over the weekend, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared that a war with China, ostensibly over Taiwan, was potentially imminent. The war in Ukraine and the danger of nuclear escalation can only be stopped through the independent intervention of the working class. It is the working class that bears the consequences of war and militarism and has no interest in supporting either side in this war. The workers of the US, Europe, Russia, and Ukraine must unite in the struggle against war and its cause, capitalism. Karol Nawrocki [AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski] According to the results of Polands national election commission, Karol Nawrocki won the run-off election for president on Sunday with 50.89 percent of the vote. His opponent Rafa Trzaskowski received 49.11 percent. Nawrocki, who was supported by the extreme right-wing opposition PiS (Law and Justice) party, received 10,606,628 votes, while the candidate of the ruling PO (Civic Platform) party received 10,237,177 votes. As in the first round, voter turnout reached another record high of 71.63 percent. The enormous politicisation reflected in this makes defeat for the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk all the more difficult. It is absolutely clear that the vote in favour of Nawrocki is first and foremost a vote against the Tusk government, which was able to form a coalition government after the 2023 parliamentary elections as the Civic Coalition. This is confirmed not only by the figures, but also by media commentators and members of the governing coalition themselves. Trzaskowski has been a close political ally of the current head of government since at least 2013, when he was appointed by Tusk to his first government. He has been mayor of Warsaw since 2018 and was narrowly defeated by the then incumbent Andrzej Duda in the 2020 election. Trzaskowski, the man from the capital, exemplifies the political divisions in the country: While the government and PO are strong in the west and in the cities, the PiS dominates in the countryside and in the east. Social differences are also reflected in voting behaviour: while the majority of better-off employees and managers voted for Trzaskowski, Nawrocki was particularly popular with farmers and the poorer working class voters. The government camp has lost support in the urban milieu in particular since its 2023 election victory. If you place the votes of the anti-PiS coalition in the Sejm (parliament) elections two years ago in relation to the current turnout, Trzaskowski should have received over 11 million votes. He had plenty of support: officially, he was backed by all parties in the governing camp, as well as three eliminated candidates from the preliminary round, five former heads of state or government (Waesa, Bielecki, Miller, Kwasniewski, Komorowski) and numerous intellectuals and celebrities. But nothing has remained of the former spirit of optimism surrounding the collapse of Stalinism. Even if it was always vague and filled with terms such as democracy or rule of law, many associated it with concrete hopesfor more equal rights, protection for minorities, humane migration policies. Instead, the Tusk government not only continued the PiS policies, but even massively tightened them in some areas, such as limiting migration and asylum. Trzaskowskis election campaign also focussed on shedding the left label, and many of his statements were more similar to the PiS narrative than that of the Civic Coalitionboth in terms of worldview and economic and social issues, as Mateusz Baczynski commented for the Onet website. Nawrockis far-right agenda hardly came under attack. Instead, the election campaign focussed on his past as a boxer and bouncerwhich probably made him even more attractive to many as an underdog and anti-establishment figure. The rejection of the political establishment is particularly clear among young people. In the first round of voting, the far-right and supposedly far-left candidates Menzen and Zandberg together received around 56 percent of the vote in the under-30 age group. The Young people, vote! campaign reviewed the voting behaviour and motives of young people. According to Pawe Mrozek, a member of the initiative, many young people did not vote for Nawrocki out of conviction, but out of rejection of Trzaskowski and the government camp. The issues that are important to young peoplesuch as education, mental health, housing, work and quality of lifehardly play a role in government initiatives, Mrozek continued. Criticism is also growing within the governing coalition. Szymon Hoownia from Polska 2050 spoke of the government being given a yellow, partly red card. Ahead of the coalitions emergency meeting, he called for a new coalition agreement in order to clearly tell the citizens what we intend to do in the next two years. At the same time, he expressed doubts about Tusks plan to call a vote of confidencea statement that he withdrew after internal criticism, partly because Polska 2050 is likely to be one of the biggest losers in any new elections. Criticism from the right-wing conservative PSL (Peoples Party), which forms the Trzecia Droga (Third Way) alliance together with Polska 2050, was much harsher. Marek Sawicki, a former minister under Tusk, accused him of laziness and disinterest in government work and called for a constructive vote of no confidence to reappoint the head of government. Wodzimierz Czarzasty from the social democratic Nowa Lewica (New Left) party also declared: I think that we have simply messed up a lot as a government. He also urged a vote of confidence in order to stabilise the coalition. The coming weeks will show whether and to what extent the Tusk government faces a crisis as a result of the presidential election. In an eagerly awaited speech on Monday evening, Tusk announced that he would not let up for a moment and would call for a vote of confidenceas a signal to the country and abroad. In other words: he wants to stick to his right-wing and militaristic course. His governments priorities included building a powerful army, a strong economy, the re-Polandisation of industry and fighting crime. While Nawrockis election victory is undoubtedly also due to the governments anti-social and disappointing policies, the role of the war in Ukraine should not be underestimated. Poland is the central NATO state on the border with Russia andwith broad support from all partieshas adopted a massive rearmament and militarisation programme. Sawickis accusation of disinterest on Tusks part probably also refers to his foreign policy trips, for example to promote a joint European arms offensive. A few weeks before the election, Tusk signed a friendship agreement with France on security policy cooperation. However, the opposition is no less bellicose. Back in March 2022, PiS leader Jarosaw Kaczynski called for a NATO peacekeeping mission for Ukraine. Poland has been a logistical hub for weapons and intelligence support since the start of the war. However, shortly before being voted out of office, the PiS increasingly distanced itself from Ukrainea reaction to growing tensions within NATO and the EU over the escalation of the war. These differences have intensified dramatically with Trumps second term in office. It is no coincidence that US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem openly called for Nawrockis election at the far-right CPAC conference in Warsaw. During the election campaign, the latter repeatedly declared his rejection of EU or NATO membership for Ukraine. Surveys show just how much the PiS is benefiting from growing opposition to the war: approval of arms deliveries to Ukraine has fallen by around 20 percent since the start of the war. At the same time, there has been an increase in agitation against Ukrainian refugeeseven though most of them work in Poland and do not receive any state benefits. The constant anti-Russia threat narrative is also meeting with increasing rejection. Only around a fifth of the population would voluntarily defend the country in the event of warover a third preferring to flee abroad. The elections in Poland shed light on the actual situation in a country that is often celebrated by Western economic commentators for its growth rates. However, despite all appearances of modernisation, social inequality has worsened since the restoration of capitalism and is increasingly undermining the foundations of democratic rule. Poland is among the most unequal in Europe, with the latest data showing that the top 10 percent takes in more than 37 percent of income, while the bottom 50 percent accounts for less than 22 percent. The high approval ratings for nationalist and in some cases openly fascist forces in particular show how unresolved historical issues weigh heavily on social consciousness. Polish workers and young people must break with the nationalist myths and anti-communist images of history that are superimposed on key historical experiencesfrom Solidarnosc and the period of Stalinism, the Armia Krajowa (Home Army), the dominant resistance movement in German-occupied Poland during World War II, and the inter-war Sanacja regime to the first socialist parties SDKPiL and PPL founded in the late 1800s. A conscious reappraisal of this history requires a turn towards Trotskyism and the struggle for the establishment of a Polish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International. Comrades, We, the employees of the Michelin Tyre Factory in Midigama in southern Sri Lanka, are appealing for your solidarity and support in our struggle to defend our jobs and working conditions. About 1,500 workers are employed in our factory but we face an uncertain situation. We only recently learnt that our factory was sold to Indias CEAT company. This deal between the Michelin and CEAT corporations was made without our knowledge. Michelins Midigama factory is due to be handed over to CEAT very soon. There is great uncertainty about what will happen to our jobs, wages, allowances and working conditions under the CEAT company. We are members of the Inter Company Employees Union (ICEU), but it did not consult us and has agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the two companies without our knowledge. The trade union leadership did not inform us about this MOU. In fact, we only found out about it when our delegation met with the Commissioner of Labour in Colombo on May 26. The ICEU says that our jobs, wages and service conditions will be maintained by CEAT company, but we have no faith in statements from the trade union leaders who made this secret agreement with the companies. The union has not told us what is in the MOU or provided us with a copy. A promised 200,000-rupee (580 euros) compensation is insufficient. The ICEU is not prepared to do anything on behalf of our rights and so we have started an independent struggle to defend our rights. As part of this fight, we protested outside the factory on May 24. We have forwarded you the following demands and ask you to give us your support: 1. All the rights enjoyed by workers in Michelin should be maintained by CEAT. 2. If the factory is handed over to CEAT, each worker must be paid 3 million rupees (8,875 euros). 3. If not, we say that the workers should have the opportunity to end their services with Michelin according to the companys voluntary retrenchment terms. We presented these demands to the ICEU, but they vehemently rejected them and want us to accept their program of selling us for a pittance of 200,000 rupees (585 euros). The Michelin website says the company will make structural changes. It also states that last years profit was 3.4 billion euros. Our demand is only 0.39 percent of last years profits made by the company. We know that you understand the reasonable nature of our demand. SEP member Pani Wijesiriwardane speaks with Michelin workers about the sacking of three employees on June 2, 2025 To try to suppress our independent campaign, Michelins management in Sri Lanka has summarily sacked three of our worker comrades Sampath Karunasena, Chirangivi Senevirathne and Priyanga Dimuthu Kumarawithout any inquiry. We have therefore added another demand: 4. Immediately reinstate the three sacked Michelin workers. We have decided to take the path of class struggle over all these demands and call on you to extend your support as our brother and sister Michelin workers. We have no faith in the union, which has nakedly betrayed us, and so we have formed an independent Action Committee to take the struggle into our own hands. We urge you to form similar committees in your factories, independently of trade union bureaucracies, in order to advance the struggle for your rights. As we now have learnt, Michelin has closed several factories in Europe beginning in 2017, and fired thousands of workers. We all now face similar attacks on our jobs and basic rights under the companys restructuring drive for higher profits. That is why it is necessity to develop a joint struggle to defeat these attacks. We declare our full support for all the struggles conducted by other Michelin workers in Europe, and internationally, and hope to take forward our struggle collaboratively and in solidarity. Thank you, Michelin employees, Midigama The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Latin America Argentina maritime and fluvial unions paralyze ports The Federation of Maritime and Fluvial Unions [Federacion Sindical Maritima y Fluvial (Fesimal)] carried out a 24-hour protest strike on May 27, paralyzing all port tugboats, river freight and fishing activities to protest a set of government measures that de-regulate towing, fishing and transport. A federation spokesperson described government decree 340/25 as in the interest of corporations, that seek to cut sailors and fishers wages by 30 percent, and remove existing regulations that protect workers and working conditions, on national waters. Furthermore, the decree will allow companies to replace permanent workers with temps and contingent employees and lead to the privatization of Argentinas Merchant Marine Agency. The decree limits the right of sailors to strike. In line with other anti-strike legislation being imposed by the Milei administration, the decree mandates that when a strike is called, 75 percent of the workers remain on the job. The protest strike prevented ships from entering or leaving all of Argentinas ports. It also stopped fishing and river transportation for a day. Buenos Aires healthcare workers protest Workers, nurses and doctors, employed by the Buenos Aires Juan Pedro Garrahan pediatric hospital, are waging a struggle against the draconian budget cuts being imposed by the Milei administration. On Thursday, May 29, Garrahan healthcare workers carried out a one-day strike and marched on the Health Ministry building, demanding wage increases and better working conditions. A delegation of the strikers was allowed in to meet with Health Ministry officials, but nothing was resolved. The workers plan a new rally this Tuesday, June 3. Garrahan provides medical services to over 600,000 patients each year. It is a regional center for pediatric medical attention, including complex surgical procedures and organ transplants. The current crisis jeopardizes the health of thousands of children in Latin America. The zonanortehoy.com news website quoted a striking doctor who declared: The loss of buying power has been brutal. We calculate that it fell between 40 and 60 percent since last year. In addition to wages, the quality of care has been negatively affected. Many Garrahan employees are working second jobs, wearing them out. The protest takes place in the context of a policy of budget cuts that Milei calls historys largest, which is destroying the hospital. The budget cuts on Garrahan and other public hospitals are part of the Mileis administrations privatization of health services. Press Secretary Manuel Adorni denied that the hospital is being starved of funds and blames mismanagement by the hospital administration. The Milei administration merely seeks to abolish privileges, added Adorni. Garrahan workers have scheduled another protest strike next week, beginning with a symbolic march of candles on Monday and a rally at the citys central Obelisk Square. Brazil Petrobras office workers defy union, strike in Rio de Janeiro and Santos On Friday, May 29, office workers in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Santos, employed by oil company Petrobras, defied their union apparatus [Federacao Unica dos Petroleiros, FUP] and decided to strike against the firms elimination of working from home. Last February, the Petrobras management decreased the number of days workers were entitled to work from their homes. Workers must now work three days in the office, instead of two. At the time, Rio de Janeiro office workers responded with a 24-hour strike; in other locals protest rallies took place. Petrobras is government-owned. The issue has never been fully resolved, with the FUP bureaucracy openly siding with Petrobras. It had cancelled workers assemblies and tried to solicit the vote of managers to defeat the strike call and to impose the arbitrary interests of Petrobras management in the service of the Lula administration. Even as the union managed to approve the betrayal in some of their unions, Rio de Janeiro and Santos office workers carried out a 48-hour strike last Thursday and Friday and plan to extend their struggle this Monday. Office workers in two other union locals, in Minas Gerais and Bahia, met on Friday to withdraw their approval of the Petrobras decision and are expected to join their union brothers and sisters in Rio and Santos. United States Strike by 800 workers at Providence, Rhode Island Butler Hospital continues Striking healthcare workers at Butler Hospital in Providence Contract talks between the New England Health Care Employees Union (SEIU 1199NE) and Butler Hospital have stalled, as more than 800 staff members continue a two-week walkout. According to a report by WPRI SEIU 1199NE, managements latest offer would leave union workers with even less than the last, best and final proposal that was put forth earlier this month. Management gave us a set of proposals with lower wages, higher healthcare costs, less on retirement and no movement on our workplace violence committee, one local union official stated. Strike threat at four New Jersey hospitals As talks continue at four New Jersey hospitalsthe Inspira Health Network in South Jersey, New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, Bayonne Medical Center and Christ Hospital in Jersey Citythe states largest nurses union is continuing talks in the face of a Saturday strike deadline. More than 3,500 members of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees say they are prepared to strike if a contract is not reached over safe staffing ratios. Workers on strike at Sutphen, major Columbus, Ohio area firetruck supplier About 85 workers at Sutphen, members of the Teamsters, who had been working without a contract since October 12, 2024, finally walked out May 28. Members of the Columbus City Council have been pressuring Sutphen to return to negotiations. Negotiations continue for workers at two Colorado grocery chains following strike vote United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 7 is continuing negotiations with Safeway and King Soopers in Colorado after a strike vote last weekend. However, the union has reported good progress in the talks and said it is not extending negotiations through the end of June. The union said the company had been trying to impose cuts to healthcare and retirement benefits. Strike continues at California cable plant after management terminates healthcare benefits Workers at Okonite, a plant in Santa, Maria, California, that builds insulated cables for hospitals, are continuing at strike following the sudden cutoff of their healthcare benefits. Workers had voted to reject a management proposal that they say failed to address the rise in the cost of living. The workers make insulated cables for hospitals, military bases, transit systems and major utilities across the US. Workers say managements move has created significant hardships. Union says Detroit-area nursing home fired employees who picketed Service Employees International Union Health Care Michigan (SEIU HCMI) said it is filing complaints against Ciena, the states largest nursing home operator, claiming management threatened employees who considered participating in a one-day strike and then fired workers some of whom picketed, claiming no call, no show. The 300 workers at the five metro Detroit-area Ciena facilities have been without a contract for months. The SEIU called a one-day strike to protest the lack of progress. Management retaliated by falsely telling workers they did not have the right to picket and offering cash bonuses to discourage workers from striking. Management also carried out surveillance and other forms of harassment. Champaign County, Illinois employees vote 96 percent for strike authorization Workers, members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, are continuing a strike against QSL America over dangerous working conditions, wrongful terminations and unpaid overtime, among other grievances on the Chicago lakefront. The union says port operations have been significantly slowed. Southern Ocean Medical Center nurses in New Jersey vote to strike over staffing Nurses at Ocean Medical Center in Safford, New Jersey, say they will strike June 9 if management does not address their issues, including improved staffing. The 350 members of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees Local 5138 have been in negotiations since February over staffing. According to the union, in addition to staffing the issues include wages, benefits and other working conditions. Ive been a nurse for 35 years, Local 5138 President Anna Pona told Ashbury Park Press. I have never seen staffing levels as bad as they are right now. Canada 60,000 Quebec construction workers on indefinite strike Residential construction workers across Quebec walked out on an indefinite strike last week in pursuit of a wage increase equal to that received already by workers in other sections of the construction industry in the province. The strike impacts the building of single-family homes, townhouses and residential buildings with six floors or less. Construction of buildings of seven floors or higher are not affected by the strike nor is renovation work. The residential workers comprise about 60,000 workers out of a total of 200,000 workers, all members of the umbrella union, the Alliance Syndicale de la Construction. Also in the union but already with newly settled contracts are civil engineering/roads, industrial and institutional/commercial workers. In those settled contracts, workers agreed to a wage increase of 22 percent over 4 years. However, in the current dispute, residential workers have only been offered 18 percent over 4 years by the Association des professionnels de la construction et de lhabitation du Quebec (APCHQ), the group of developers for all construction sectors who oversee contract settlements. The residential workers are demanding 22 percent for the majority of workers who build houses of 4 stories or less and 24 percent for those constructing buildings of 5 or 6 floors. Jean Boulet, the provincial Labour Minister in the right-wing government of Premier Francois Legault, has threatened government intervention should a quick settlement of the strike not be reached. As there is no anti-scab law for construction workers in Quebec, workers are allowed to stay on the job despite the strike should a developer keep the job going. However, the overwhelming majority of workers have walked off the job and virtually shut down the residential construction industry. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP-Sri Lanka) calls on workers in Sri Lanka and internationally to demand the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of three sacked Michelin tyre factory workers in Midigama, in southern Sri Lanka. These workers have been dismissed as part of managements attempts to suppress a campaign by Michelin Midigama employees who have been fighting since May 23 to defend their jobs and wages against the restructuring attacks of the international French-based corporation. The factory, which employs over 1,500 workers, has been sold to the Indian-based CEAT company with the transaction to be completed this month. The three victimised workers are Sampath Karunasena, Chirangivi Senevirathne and Priyanga Dimuthu Kumara. They were suspended three days ago by the company who told them that they would be charged followed by an inquiry. The company summarily sacked them, however, without any investigation. This is a blatant violation of existing labour laws in Sri Lanka and an attack on their fundamental democratic rights. The three workers have also been summoned by Weligama police, following management claims that they entered the factory without permission. The company has also labeled the legitimate industrial action of Michelin Midigama workers, who have been on strike since Friday afternoon to defend the victimised workers and all their jobs, as illegal. In a June 1 message, management accused workers of damaging the companys institutional reputation by giving false information to the media, and warned against any forcible entering of the institution. It also blamed workers for severe financial losses due to their lack of cooperation to continue production. Attempting to sabotage workers industrial action, management shut down its operations at the Midigama factory from the June 1 night shift until the June 3 nightshift. Michelin employees began campaigning over their jobs, wages and working conditions on May 23, after learning that the factory had been sold to the Indian-owned CEAT corporation. When workers sent representatives to the Labour Commissioners office in Colombo on May 26, they were told that the Inter-Company Employees Union (ICEU) had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Michelin and CEAT. The Labour Commissioner said each worker would be paid 200,000 rupees ($US650) compensation when the transaction was finalised. Michelin and the ICEU, which is affiliated with the ruling Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), have told workers nothing about the corporate transaction or the contents of their MOU. The secret deal was organised behind the backs of ICEU members and in blatant violation of their legitimate rights. The ICEU is led by Wasantha Samarasinghe, who also is the trade minister of the JVP/National Peoples Power government. Michelin workers have rejected the ICEUs agreement and advanced the following demands: (1) three million rupees compensation for every terminated Michelin worker; (2) no break in the continuity of their service and other conditions when the Michelin-CEAT transaction occurs; (3) if these conditions cannot be fulfilled, then Michelin workers should be allowed voluntary retirement, in line with the Michelin Corporations compensation scheme. When these legitimate demands were vetoed by the ICEU leadership, declaring that they had already made an agreement with Michelin and CEAT, workers decided to continue their industrial action. The JVP/NPP government is actively trying to break the ongoing strike. Apart from using the JVP-affiliated ICEU as its instrument, Mahinda Jayasinghe, Sri Lankas deputy labour minister, has tried to appease workers. He told the media on May 29 that nothing would happen to workers when the Michelin-CEAT transaction is complete. The governments policy, he cynically declared, is to defend investors as well as employees. The JVP/NPP government is closely and nervously monitoring the situation. It has no concern for the jobs and legitimate rights of Michelin workers but is desperately trying to maintain and attract international investors, by providing them with lavish concessions. Above all, the JVP/NPP regime is acutely worried about the independent militant stand taken by Michelin employees, and their defiance of the ICEU and other trade union bureaucracies. It is concerned that the Michelin workers action will encourage other workers seeking a way to fight the governments International Monetary Fund-dictated austerity measures and further attacks on the working class. The Michelin Corporations sale of its Midigama factory is part of its worldwide restructuring to boost profits amid a deepening global crisis. The giant transnational company has cited high operating expenses and intensifying competition from low-cost Asian manufacturers as the driving forces behind its restructuring. In early May, it phased out truck-tyre production at plants in Poland and China, declaring this necessary to better align manufacturing capacity with targeted markets. Michelin Group has also announced a wave of factory closures, citing market realignments, overcapacity, and soaring production costs. Last November, it revealed plans to shut two of its factories in western FranceCholet and Vannesimpacting on approximately 1,250 workers. Michelin workers in Sri Lanka now find themselves confronted with the same issues, particularly the questions of job security, now facing millions of their class brothers and sisters internationally. Pro-government and pro-company unions like the ICEU, along with the unions dominating the garment sector, are deliberately hiding the harsh reality facing workers in these industries. This is to undermine workers ability to defend their jobs, wages and the hard-won gains of past struggles. The SEP warns that the jobs and working conditions of millions of public and private sector workers in Sri Lanka are no more secure than those of the Michelin employees. The government has already made clear that it plans to eliminate over half a million public sector jobs through the restructuring of more than 400 state institutions. The Midigama workers have formed their action committee to take the forward the struggle to defend their rights. Michelin workers need to turn to workers in public and private sectors across Sri Lanka to rally their support and to urge them to form similar action committees for a unified struggle in defence of the jobs and basic rights. The SEP calls for Michelin and other workers to align themselves with the fight to build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees to unifying their struggles internationally against government and big-business attacks. Sri Lankan Michelin workers have issued a statement appealing for support from their international brothers and sisters. The defence of victimised Midigama workers is part of the broader struggle to defend the jobs, wages, working conditions and democratic rights of the working class internationally as a whole. The SEP urge workers, students and young people to send letters to the Michelin Company and issuing statements with the following demands: Reinstate sacked three Michelin workers immediately! Withdraw police complaints against all employees! Give written assurances to all workers at Midigama that their jobs, wages, working conditions are protected without breaking their service! Please send letters and statement to the following address with copies to the Socialist Equality Party. Michelin Lanka Private Limited, No. 218, Minuwangoda Road, Regent Courts, Ekala, Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka. SEP email address: wswscmb@sltnet.lk Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Joni Ernst (Republican-Iowa) joining hands at a rally in support of the Israeli genocide in Gaza. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] While the Trump White House and Republican leaders in Congress continue their lying claims that no one will be hurt by the massive cuts they are proposing in Medicaid, food stamps and other social programs, one Republican senator gave a glimpse of the chilling human cost. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, speaking Friday at a town hall meeting in rural Butler County, claimed that Republicans would protect social services for the most vulnerable and that only immigrants and able-bodied adults would lose their Medicaid coverage. One audience member shouted, People will die. Ernst then responded, Well, we all are going to die. Many in the audience groaned or jeered, and Ernst continued, For heavens sake, folks, and continued to defend the Trump administrations plans to cut 7.6 million people from the Medicaid rolls, largely through stricter work requirements and increased bureaucratic paperwork that many recipients will be unable to cope with. The negative response from the audience is politically significant. This was not a town hall in an urban center or one infiltrated by Democrats. Butler County is overwhelmingly rural and gave 72 percent of its votes to Trump in 2024. The countys population has fallen to an estimated 14,172 in 2023, fewer people than were reported nearly a century and a half ago, in the 1880 census. According to Wikipedia, Butler County is the only county in Iowa that does not have any four-lane roads (US Highway or interstate), a hospital, or a movie theatre. There are also no national fast-food chains in Butler County. As well as one of the only counties in Iowa without a stoplight. Not content with telling her rural constituents to shut up and die, Ernst posted a video on Instagram Saturday in which she sarcastically declared her desire to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall. Citing the shout from the back of the hall that people are going to die, 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. Those who objected to the prospect of death, the senator continued, should seek eternal and everlasting life and embrace Jesus Christ. Ernsts remarks were widely publicized in the media as a combination of callousness and cluelessness, but Trump administration officials and other Republicans vehemently defended the Iowa senator. Interviewed Sunday on the CNN program State of the Union, Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, dismissed the constituent anger at Ernst as astroturf (i.e., artificial and concocted) and reiterated the lie that Trump would be able to cut $700 billion from Medicaid without causing harm to anyones health. He claimed that one out of every five or six dollars in Medicaid is improper. We have illegal immigrants on the program we have able-bodied working adults that dont have a work requirement that they would have in food stamps and other federal programs. No one will lose coverage as a result of this bill. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Trumps budget would reduce federal Medicaid spending by $723 billion, and 7.6 million people would lose Medicaid coverage by 2034, mainly due to the expansion of work requirements from age 54 to age 64. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates an even higher toll, with up to 14.4 million people possibly losing coverage over the next 10 years. Its statement on the budget declares: Research showsand the CBO previously concludedthat work requirements do not increase employment. Instead, they lead enrollees who lose coverage to take on more medical debt, delay getting needed medical care, and delay taking medications. Despite the posturing by Ernst, Vought, House Speaker Mike Johnson and others, the Medicaid cuts will mean a significant increase in both sickness and death. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the expansion of Medicaid in recent yearswhich will be largely rolled back by Trumpreduced mortality among low-income adults by 2.5 percent. New Medicaid enrollees were 21 percent less likely to die than they were before receiving coverage. The Medicaid cuts are the largest spending reduction in the giant reconciliation bill passed by the House of Representatives and now awaiting action in Senate, where it cannot be filibustered. The legislation has two major purposes: to make permanent the tax cuts for the wealthy which Trump pushed through in 2017, which are set to expire at the end of this year; and to offset some of the cost of this bonanza for the rich by slashing social programs for the poor. The massive 1,220-page bill cuts other social spending besides Medicaid, including food stamps, Pell grants for low-income college students, housing aid for low-income families, and the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program, which provides food aid for 6.7 million pregnant women and infants. Spending for the National Cancer Institute would be cut 40 percent, as part of an overall $18 billion cut in the budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). There are a multitude of additional reactionary provisions which have nothing to do with taxation and spending, the nominal topics of a reconciliation bill, such as restrictions on federal judges issuing injunctions against executive orders, deregulation of gun silencers, further restrictions on transgender care, and stiff new fees for immigrants seeking to file claims for asylum or to obtain green cards and other residence permits. Senate Democrats claimed that many of these provisions would be struck down by the Senate parliamentarian under the rules governing what can be included in a reconciliation bill. The parliamentarian eliminated Democrat-supported measures such as a rise in the national minimum wage in reconciliation bills passed under the Biden administration. But in that case, the Democrats refused to overrule the parliamentarian, preferring to accommodate the Republicans and their own right wing. There is no reason to believe that Senate Republicans will follow that example in 2025. On the contrary, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has pledged to enact the full agenda of the Trump White House through the legislation that Trump has dubbed One Big Beautiful Bill. Appearing on the same CNN program as Russell Vought, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared that the Democrats would fight Trumps beautiful bill, claiming we cant let our foot off the gas pedal in terms of opposition. But when pressed by interviewer Dana Bash on what that actually meant, Jeffries offered only mush: 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 House Judiciary Committee Chairman Representative Jerrold Nadler during a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on the constitutional grounds for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, Wednesday, December 4, 2019. [AP Photo/ Drew Angerer] The Trump administrations ongoing efforts to violently intimidate all political opposition escalated last week. On May 28, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents stormed the Manhattan congressional office of New York Representative Jerry Nadler (Democrat) and detained one of his congressional aides. The seizure of Nadlers aide is the latest in a series of politically motivated attacks launched by the Trump administration aimed at kowtowing all opposition, no matter how meager, against his dictatorial agenda. The chaotic and harrowing incident was captured on video and first reported by Gothamist. The video begins with one of the DHS police agents placing the female congressional aide in handcuffs. Another woman is heard telling a different DHS agent, No, she did not. That is not what happened. The DHS cop is heard responding, She pushed him back. The baritone voice filming the video responds, That is not what happened. The congressional aide being detained starts sobbing as the agent continues to manhandle her, prompting someone to exclaim, What the fuck?! The video pans to show another woman standing in a doorway, possibly another aide to Nadler, demanding to see the DHS cops contact information, telling the agent, This is not your office. The cop refuses, Im a federal officer; we are here checking on something. We have the right to check it. The woman in the doorway again asks to see a warrant. At the same time, the detained aide continues to sob, prompting the fascist cop to yell, Stop resisting, a typical tactic used by cops to justify their violence. The other DHS agent accuses the woman in the doorway of harboring rioters in your office. She responds, I have no idea what you are talking about. The cop demands she go with him as they inspect the representatives office without a warrant or probable cause. As the cop shuts the door behind him, the video ends with the congressional aide still detained and sobbing. Department of Homeland Security agents storm Rep. Jerry Nadler's office in Manhattan and detain one of his Congressional aides, May 28, 2025. [Photo: WNYC] As a matter of fact, there was no riot at the courthouse or any level of the federal building on May 28. No arrests were made inside Nadlers office, and his aide was not charged with a crime. The federal building where Nadlers office is located also houses an immigration court on the floor below. According to Robert Gottheim, Nadlers chief of staff, the Homeland Security thugs were angry because Nadlers staff had witnessed the immigration Gestapo kidnapping immigrants outside their court hearings. Gottheim told the Times that advocates at the building advising immigrants on their rights were invited into Nadlers office after the immigrants were detained. According to Gottheim, the DHS cops threatened to arrest the advocates for loitering outside the courtroom, at which point the congressional aides invited them into the office to de-escalate the situation and avoid a confrontation. In the initial report on the thuggish arrest, Gothamist wrote that Nadlers office would not comment on what led up to the chaotic incident. But following the publication of the story, Nadler posted a statement on X which read: President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security (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. From the outset, my number one concern was for the safety of my staff. While no arrests were made and the situation was quickly deescalated, I am alarmed by the aggressive and heavy-handed tactics DHS is employing in New York City and across the country. The decision to enter a Congressional office and detain a staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. If this can happen in a Member of Congresss office, it can happen to anyoneand it is happening. In an impotent appeal to the would-be Fuhrer, Nadler ended his statement by calling on President Trump and DHS to halt the use of these dangerous tactics and to abandon use of the expedited removal process which denies due process to immigrants and citizens alike. Far from backing down, the Trump administration appears to be accelerating and intensifying the use of armed agents of the state against political opponents. Last month, DHS agents arrested the Democratic mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Ras Baraka, while he was on public property outside a massive immigrant detention facility. After dropping charges against Baraka, the newly appointed US attorney for northern New Jersey, Trump sycophant and his lawyer Alina Habba, charged Congresswoman LaMonica McIver with assaulting law enforcement during the same incident. On April 25, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on federal charges of obstructing a federal proceeding concerning an immigrant. Fascist FBI Director Kash Patel tweeted following the arrest that Dugans obstruction created increased danger to the public. Dugan is set to go on trial in July and has pleaded not guilty. Nadlers district encompasses a significant portion of Manhattan. Trump reserves special animosity towards Nadler, who as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in 2019-2020 played a central role in drafting and advancing the first articles of impeachment of Trump, over Ukraine. Following the January 6, 2021 coup, Nadler co-sponsored the second article of impeachment against Trump, charging him with inciting the insurrection. In an interview with New York Times published this past Saturday, Nadler spoke on the political character of the arrest. The Trump administration is trying to intimidate members of Congress, he told the paper. Theyre behaving like fascists. Nadler added, The Trump administration is really using totalitarian or even authoritarian practices, He concluded, We have to fight them. We dont want to be a fascist country. Fascism must be fought, but the rise of Trump and American-style fascism over the last decade demonstratively proves that the Democratic Party is incapable of waging such a fight. The Democrats, no less than the Republicans, are a party of Wall Street and US imperialism. Their shared class agenda, aimed at enriching the financial oligarchy and ensuring US military supremacy above all, paved the way for the oligarchy that birthed Trump and, with it, the growth of fascist attitudes throughout the US and internationally. Far from fighting fascism, the Democrats have served as sponsors of fascist movements around the world. This is most prominently expressed in their support for neo-Nazi elements in the Ukrainian government and military as part of the US-NATO war against Russia. And it is the Democratic administration of Joe Biden that armed and financed the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, an historic crime which has continued under Trump, as both capitalist parties provide unstinting support to Zionism as the instrument of American imperialism in the Middle East. The fight against fascism cannot be waged through the Democratic Party or by tinkering around the edges. Appeals to Republicans or perspectives based onreforming capitalist institutions of class rule and enforcement, such as the police, Supreme Court or ICE, to serve the class interests of the working class are useless. As the World Socialist Web Site explained in our 2025 New Year statement: HANOI, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam and Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in financial technology, local daily newspaper Nhan Dan (People) reported Monday. The agreement, inked between the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and the Vietnam Banks Association, aims to develop a robust fintech ecosystem and boost trade and investment in digital financial services, the report added. According to the state-owned media outlet, both countries will promote academic collaboration, support fintech delegations, and encourage digital innovation through initiatives. The partnership is expected to contribute to digital transformation and economic development in both countries. Palestinians inspect the rubble at the Al-Ansar Mosque following an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Monday, June 2, 2025 [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana] Israel continued its daily massacres of aid-seekers at its official aid distribution centers Monday, killing three people and wounding dozens. Mondays massacre followed the killing of more than 31 people and wounding over 170 in a similar massacre Sunday at an aid distribution center in the same location. Amr Abu Teiba, a witness of Sundays massacre, told Politico, There was fire from all directions, from naval warships, from tanks and drones. One witness told Le Monde, They opened fire from all sides: left, right, next to us, in front, behind, you couldnt even tell where the soldiers were, adding that ambulances were also targeted. In a statement on Sundays shooting, the Red Cross reported that All patients said they had been 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. Since the opening of aid centers operated by the US/Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) last week, massacres of aid-seekers by the Israeli military have occurred nearly every day. Following each of the killings, the Israeli military admitted firing what it called warning shots. In a statement Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded an investigation into the killings. I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday, Guterres said. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food. I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable. He added, Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs in Gaza must be restored immediately. The daily massacres of aid-seekers confirm the warnings by the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations that the aid distribution centers operated by the GHF are nothing more than the logistical component of the effort by Israel to herd the Palestinians in Gaza in concentration camps in preparation for their forcible expulsion from the territory. It has been nearly three months since Israel announced the total blockade of food, fuel, and electricity in Gaza. On May 19, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would allow minimal aid deliveries into Gaza for distribution by the GHF aid centers, which have had no meaningful impact on alleviating mass hunger. The UN and other humanitarian aid organizations have refused any cooperation with the scheme. On Friday, Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UNs humanitarian office, told reporters in a briefing that One hundred percent of the population is at risk of famine, adding that the besieged enclave is the hungriest place on earth. A report by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification last month estimated that almost 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be acutely malnourished over the course of the next 11 months. The report said, The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with half a million peopleone in fivefacing starvation. The attacks on aid-seekers were accompanied by attacks throughout Gaza on Monday. One attack on a residential building in northern Gaza killed 14 people. On Monday four people were killed in an airstrike on a school being used as a shelter in Deir al-Balah in the center of Gaza. The Guardian published a report on Monday citing sources that the bombing was part of a deliberate policy shift to more easily target schools being used as shelters. The Guardian reported that, This followed a loosening of controls on actions targeting Hamas operatives at sites with large numbers of civilians present, according to sources familiar with the strategy. Ninety-five percent of Gazas schools have been damaged during Israels assault on Gaza, with over 400 schools having suffered a direct hit, according to UN figures. Israels genocide in Gaza has killed more than 54,000 people since October 7, 2023. An in-depth analysis published by the Financial Times (FT) found that hundreds of displacement orders issued by the Israeli military have made four-fifths of Gaza off-limits to Palestinians. The report noted that Gaza was already one of the worlds most densely-populated territories before the genocide even started. The FT noted, But Israel is not done. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has suggested it wants to corral the entire population into a tiny corner of southern Gaza along the border with Egypt, with the rest of the enclave off-limits. It added, By even the most generous calculations, each of Gazas war-weary civilians will have less physical space than a small room to survive. When subtracting unusable landtaken up by rubble, marshes or roads and garbage dumpsthe space left for each Palestinian could be even less. In the most dire calculations, it could be as little as a living room sofa. This is the meaning of the declaration by Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich last month that, Within a few months...Gaza will be destroyed...The Gazan citizens will be concentrated in the south. He added that Understanding that there is no hope, and nothing to look for in Gaza, the Palestinians would accept their displacement from Gaza, adding, They will be totally despairing. JAKARTA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian security authorities were chasing at least 19 prisoners who escaped from a prison in Nabire in the eastern province of Central Papua on Monday. The prison reportedly detained some members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), a separatist movement that aims to separate West Papua from Indonesia and establish an independent state in the region. The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, a joint operation by the country's army and police to curb armed separatist rebels in Papua, is involved in the search for the jailbreakers. In a statement on Monday, the task force chief Faizal Ramadhani said that his team was working together with the provincial police in the intensive operation. "All escaped prisoners will be dealt with firmly according to procedure," he said, calling on the locals to remain calm over the incident and report to authorities for locations of the jailbreakers. As many as 11 of the escapees are reportedly members of TPNPB. Three prison wardens attempting to stop the escapees received injuries in the prison break. CHANGSHA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 28,000 people from China, Africa and international organizations have signed up for the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo as of Tuesday, organizers announced. The participants are from 48 African countries, nine international organizations, and 27 Chinese provincial-level regions. More than 4,700 Chinese and African enterprises, business associations and financial institutions will attend the event, organizers told a press briefing held by the information office of the Hunan provincial government Tuesday. Themed "China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization," the expo is scheduled to run from June 12 to 15 in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province. The event will feature 30 economic and trade activities in fields including China-Africa industrial chain collaboration, green minerals, infrastructure, traditional medicine, cultural industries and youth entrepreneurship. For the first time, dedicated exhibitions will be held on renowned China-Africa cooperation brands, quality African goods, China-Africa tourism, and China-Africa cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine. The main exhibition hall will be open to the public from June 13 to 15. The event will also have a sub-exhibition and an engineering machinery exhibition at two other venues. Since its inception in 2019, the expo has facilitated the signing of 336 cooperation projects totaling 53.32 billion U.S. dollars. In February, local authorities issued new policy measures aimed at promoting trade facilitation and the sustainable development of trade with Africa. These measures aim to address issues relating to market access, foreign exchange, trade facilitation, financing, and standards and rules. Hunan's trade with Africa has ranked first among central and western Chinese regions for years, with the trade volume surging to 54.85 billion yuan (about 7.6 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024 from 18.16 billion yuan in 2018, official data showed. Michael B. Jordan has long admired Denzel Washington, and in a new interview, he revealed the advice he received from the veteran actor. Speaking with New York Magazine, the 38-year-old explained the lack of selfies on his social media feed at the Fences stars guidance. The Sinners actor detailed that he was once asked by Washington, Why would they pay to see you on a weekend if they see you all week for free? and that the answer has shaped the way he guards himself on social media. He did, however, allow part of her personal life to be exposed to the public when dating Lori Harvey from 2020 through 2022. The New Jersey native revealed that featuring the model on his social media feed was done without intention. There was no real thought behind, he detailed. At that moment, I was like, Ah, f**k it, whatever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That does not necessarily mean that intimate footage of Jordans life does not exist. He continued to reveal to the publication that seven years ago, he hired a videographer to document his day-to-day life. The intent was me feeling like I dont take in the moments, he explained. Because Im always on the go, always working and grinding. One day I wanted to have something to reflect on outside of the memories in my head. He continued to explain why the clips will likely never be consumed by the public, detailing his goal was to create a family archive for his relatives such as nieces and nephews to explain why Uncle Mike is always gone or show to his great-grandkids when Im dead to understand a bit of where they come from. Read the full profile at Vulture. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The numbers of foreign nationals' visits to Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai have picked up to or even surpassed the pre-pandemic levels in 2019, the latest statistics showed. The municipal bureau of statistics in Shanghai recently revealed that the city in April received about 670,900 inbound foreign tourist visits, marking a 40.5 percent year-on-year increase. The figure for April 2019 was 640,800. Over the same period, Beijing saw 454,920 inbound foreign visitors, according to figures from the city's municipal bureau of culture and tourism. This has outnumbered that for the same month in 2019, which stood at 368,281, by 23.5 percent. Thanks to China's expanded visa-free policies and ever-improving tourist-friendly initiatives, the country recorded 64.88 million border crossings by foreign nationals in 2024, an 82.9-percent increase year on year. Of these, more than 20 million inbound foreign trips were made visa-free. In the first quarter of this year, the number stood at 17.44 million, up 33.4 percent compared to the same period in 2024. The latest move, on Sunday, saw the initiation of 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. With this expansion, China now offers unilateral visa-free entry to 43 countries. A more open and inclusive China is also welcoming foreign travelers from a wider spectrum: statistics in Beijing revealed that despite a decline in number of American visitors and steady numbers for visitors from Oceania, the numbers of tourists from Asia, Europe, and Africa respectively all saw evident growths from the pre-pandemic levels. In Asia, the numbers of visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to Beijing in April grew by around threefold from those in April 2019. The number for inbound visitors from Mongolia to Beijing has increased to 15,345 in April, about six times the number in the same period six years ago, while the number for Vietnam reached 16,715, marking an approximate tenfold rise. As the countries are yet covered by China's visa-free policies, observers attribute such growth to factors such as economic development. Meanwhile, inbound visitors from Russia and Italy have also seen remarkable increases. The number of visitors from African countries has increased from 7,571 in April 2019 to 11,162 in the same month this year. IOWA (25D: State in the Corn Belt) Hello, from IOWA! It's true, a lot of corn is grown in this state. The term "Corn Belt" is used to refer to the Midwest U.S. states that produce the majority of the nation's corn. Four states - IOWA, Illinois, Nebraska, and Minnesota - produce over 50% of the corn grown in the U.S. Of those four, IOWA leads the U.S. states in corn production. More broadly, Corn Belt is used to refer to the area of the country where much of the land is used for farming and agriculture. By either definition, IOWA is a Corn Belt state. Seventy-five years ago, on June 3, 1950, French mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal achieved what no climber had done before: summit an 8,000m peak. Herzog and Lachenal topped out on 8,091m Annapurna I, the 10th highest peak in the world, via the North Face and without supplemental oxygen. In west-central Nepal, Annapurna I is the highest peak in the Annapurna massif. The name Annapurna originates from Sanskrit, combining "Anna" (meaning food or grain) and "Purna" (meaning full or abundant). It translates to "the giver of food," or "she who is full of food." In Hindu mythology, Annapurna is a goddess of nourishment and abundance, an incarnation of Parvati, Shivas consort, revered for sustaining life. There are no registered attempts to climb Annapurna I before 1950. Its first ascent was not just a climb, but a race against time, weather, and human limits, marked by unparalleled courage and harrowing consequences. A severely frostbitten Maurice Herzog after the ascent of Annapurna I. Photo: Maurice Herzog The team The expedition, organized by the French Alpine Club and approved by the Nepalese government the first such permission in over a century included Maurice Herzog (leader), Louis Lachenal (a skilled Chamonix guide), Lionel Terray (a powerful, experienced alpinist), Gaston Rebuffat (another Chamonix guide known for his technical prowess), Jean Couzy and Marcel Schatz (both strong climbers), Francis de Noyelle (a diplomat facilitating logistics), Jacques Oudot (the expedition doctor), and Marcel Ichac (a filmmaker documenting the expedition). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sherpa team, which provided critical support during the expedition, included Ang Tharkay Sherpa (sirdar), Ajiba Sherpa, Ang Dawa Sherpa, Ang Tshering Sherpa, Dawa Thondup Sherpa, Ila Sherpa, Phu Tharkey Sherpa, and Sarki Sherpa. Change of plans The expedition began in mid-April 1950, with the team traveling from India to Nepals Kali Gandaki Valley. Originally, Herzogs team had climbing permits for both Dhaulagiri I and Annapurna I. The climbers first set their sights on Dhaulagiri I. From their base in Tukucha at 3,000m in the Kali Gandaki Valley, they explored the area around Miristi Khola river and the east of Dhaulagiri Glacier for potential routes. However, after making a reconnaissance of Dhaulagiri Is Southeast Ridge and northern side, Dhaulagiri I seemed too difficult, especially with not much time before the monsoon season arrived. Instead, the team decided to shift to Annapurna I. "As to Annapurna, we knew the northern slopes were accessible, but apart from that, although we had hopes, we could not be sure that the expedition could find a way up. We thought there were three possible routes, but only the glacier route proved practicable," Herzog wrote in the Alpine Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time was short. The expedition had to explore, scout, and climb the mountain in a single season, an unprecedented feat. The first ascent route on Annapurna I. Photo: The Alpine Club Route-finding The distance between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna is approximately 35 to 40km, and the two peaks are separated by the Kali Gandaki Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. Herzogs party arrived in the Annapurna region in early May. The approach offered them several challenges: dense forests and treacherous moraines. The team initially explored the North and East faces of Annapurna I, but the complex terrain and lack of viable routes forced them to reconsider. Herzog, with input from Terray and Rebuffat, decided to focus on the North Face, which offered a feasible but difficult way to the summit. According to Herzogs report, the other possibility, the East Glacier route, would have been technically more demanding. Their final decision was critical, as the monsoons approach left no room for further delays. The team adopted a siege-style approach, establishing a series of camps to support the ascent and abandoning their initial idea of carrying out a lighter, alpine-style climb. The route reconnaissance involved significant exploration, with key contributions from Terray and Rebuffat, who helped identify a viable line through the complex terrain of seracs, crevasses, and ice walls. A still image from a video showing the north side of Annapurna. The image shows the various points along the summit ridge, from CO at the east end to Ridge Junction (RJ) in the west. C2 and C3 mark the 8,091m summit. A marks the upper east ridge, B the gully leading to C1. C marks the French Couloir. SFE is the South Face exit. Photo: Joao Garcia with explanation by 8000ers.com and Damien Gildea for the American Alpine Journal Camps The route up Annapurnas North Face began with the establishment of Base Camp at 4,500m on May 18. From there, the team set up five further camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camp 1 was at 5,000m, at the base of the North Face. Camp 2 was at 5,500m, below a sickle-shaped glacier full of crevasses and steep ice slopes. This camp served as a key logistical point, stocked with supplies for the upper camps. They set up Camp 3 at around 6,000m on a windy snowfield, offering a starting point toward the upper slopes. This was followed by Camp 4, at 6,800m, situated above the rock band on a narrow ledge. Their small, exposed Camp 5 at 7,400m would be the climbers last stop before the summit attempt. Team members during the 1950 expedition. Photo: The Alpine Club The ascent The ascent was grueling. Snowstorms, avalanches, and bitter cold tested the team. The Sherpas, led by Ang Tharkay, hauled heavy loads to stock the camps, while Herzog, Lachenal, Terray, and Rebuffat scouted routes and fixed ropes. The terrain was treacherous, with steep ice, loose rock, and deep snow. Crevasses and avalanches were constant threats. Teamwork kept them going, though exhaustion and altitude strained their spirits. On June 2, Herzog and Lachenal, supported by Terray and Rebuffat, reached Camp 5. Herzog invited Ang Tharkay Sherpa to be in the summit party, but Ang Tharkay declined, explaining that his feet were starting to freeze. From left to right: Lachenal, Oudot, Rebuffat, Herzog, and Schatz. Photo: Maurice Herzog Summit push On June 3, Herzog and Lachenal launched their summit bid from Camp 5. They started at dawn, climbing without oxygen, through deep snow and fierce winds. Each step of the last 700m was a battle, and the thin air consumed their strength. Lachenal, wary of frostbite, hesitated near the top, but Herzog, driven to reach the summit, urged them onward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 2 pm, Herzog and Lachenal topped out in -40C, becoming the first people to summit an 8,000m peak. "I hardly knew if I were in heaven or on Earth, and my mind kept turning to all those men who had died on high mountains and to friends in France. Our moments up there were quite indescribable, with the realization before us that we were standing on the highest peak in the world to be conquered by man," Herzog wrote in the Alpine Journal. Herzog took photographs at the summit, planting a French tricolor in worsening conditions. Lachenal, more pragmatic, urged a swift descent as the storm was about to arrive. A difficult descent The way down from the summit was where triumph almost turned to tragedy. As Herzog and Lachenal descended, a storm hit the mountain. Herzog lost his gloves, and both climbers suffered severe frostbite on their feet. At Camp 5, Terray and Rebuffat met them. Herzogs hands and Lachenals feet were already severely frostbitten. Rebuffat and Terray warmed them overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 4, in a whiteout, the snowblind Rebuffat and Terray tried to descend to Camp 4. Unable to find it, the four spent a harrowing night in a crevasse, sharing a single sleeping bag in freezing temperatures. A Sherpa carries Herzog down Annapurna. Photo: Mark Horrell On June 5, during their descent to Camp 2, Rebuffat helped rescue Herzog and two Sherpas from an avalanche. By the afternoon, the team reached Camp 2. Finally, everyone reached Base Camp alive. "We had beaten it, and I could lie back and think: the job has been finished, the struggle is over," Herzog wrote. The North Face of Annapurna I from Camp 1. Photo: Mark Horrell Amputations Herzog and Lachenal, unable to walk because of their injuries, were carried by Sherpas across the moraines. Dr. Oudot began treating their frostbite in camp, making multiple amputations without anesthesia to combat gangrene. Oudot saved their lives but at great cost; Herzog lost all his toes and most of his fingers, and Lachenal lost his toes. Aftermath They left Base Camp on June 10, reaching Kathmandu a month later and returning to Paris on July 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herzog, Lachenal, and Ang Tharkay were awarded the Legion of Honor, and Marcel Ichacs film, Victoire sur lAnnapurna, premiered to acclaim. Herzogs book, Annapurna: The First Conquest of an 8000-Meter Peak, became a mountaineering classic. The book ends with the classic line: "There are other Annapurnas in the lives of men," which inspired generations of climbers. However, controversies later emerged. Rebuffat felt Herzog downplayed his contributions, particularly in route-finding, and was dismayed by the expeditions hierarchical structure. Lachenals posthumously published journals (1996) revealed tensions, including his frustration with Herzogs prolonged summit photography and the official narratives omissions. Ang Tharkay Sherpa. Photo: Dan Bryant/Royal Geographic Society In his book True Summit, David Roberts revealed that the expedition was marred by internal discord. Herzogs book portrayed a unified, heroic effort, but Lachenals diary and Rebuffats writings exposed tensions, including Herzogs capricious leadership, and the marginalization of Lachenal, Terray, and Rebuffats contributions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his 1954 memoirs, Ang Tharkay Sherpa wrote that the French members of the expedition treated him with friendship and equality. The 1950 Annapurna expedition remains a landmark in mountaineering history, a testament to human endurance, but also the price of ambition. A series of automobile rallies is scheduled in the region this year. According to a news release, the fourth Schoharie Turnpike Kaaterskill Clove Rally will open the 2025 season of Catskill Region Driving Tours for Enthusisasts on Saturday, June 14. Three driving tours are "just for the enjoyment of driving beautiful, rural roads in our Catskill Region," the release stated. They are noncompetitive and open to all cars. The routes are detailed in full color maps and are designed to explore five Catskill region counties, with stops at museums and historic sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants will explore the far reaches of Schoharie and Greene counties on the 130-mile route, according to the release. The event will begin with breakfast at Cafe Italia at Dutchmans Landing Park on the Hudson River in Catskill. From there, drivers will travel to Athens and pick up the Schoharie Turnpike, chartered in 1802, leading to the Old Stone Fort Museum in Schoharie, site of warfare in the American Revolution. They will then follow the Schoharie Creek and visit museums in Gilboa and Prattsville, with a concert at the Piano Performance Museum in Hunter, before descending the Kaaterskill Clove, according to the release. Two fall rallies on Sept. 20 and Oct. 18 will start at the Catskills Visitor Center in Mount Tremper. The ninth Catskill Conquest Rally on Sept. 20 will visit the Cauliflower Festival in Margaretville, then drive to Roxbury for a visit at John Burroughs' Woodchuck Lodge and lunch, then a stop at Hobart Book Village, site of seven book shops. Hanford Mills Museum and Polar Bear Ice Cream will be included on the route. The seventh Catskill Covered Bridge Rally on Oct. 18 will follow 13 creeks and rivers in Ulster, Sullivan and Delaware counties. Drivers will cross four historic, restored covered bridges, including crossing both branches of the Delaware River. The three Driving Tours for Enthusiasts will be featured in a brochure in the Catskill Challenge series of the Catskills Visitor Center. Detailed maps will be available at www.1903autorun.com. Visit the website for the rally entry form and more information and history. Cars frequently get stuck trying to drive on the Delaware beaches, especially in the warm months. Low-sitting vehicles' wheels often spin before they can even get over the dune crossing, though it seems like most people get stuck right at the end of the dune crossing, blocking others from getting on the beach. Worst of all is when someone gets stuck or parks too close to the water and the ocean reaches their vehicle. If your vehicle gets stuck on the beach, Delaware Natural Resources Police will not assist you. To avoid paying for a tow and becoming the laughingstock of the "Bad Drivers of Delaware" Facebook group, follow the advice below: Surf-fishing at The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park in September 2024. What to know before driving on the Delaware beaches Before you even consider driving on the beach, know that you can only do it on designated state park drive-on beaches after getting a surf-fishing permit and, if it's a summer weekend or holiday, making a reservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driving on the beaches is for surf fishing only. To avoid a fine, you have to be actively engaged in fishing (read: pole in the water, bait on the hook). Surf fishing vehicles must be equipped with a shovel (or two), a jack, a board or similar support for the jack, a low-pressure tire gauge and a tow rope or chain. The speed limit on the beach is 15 m.p.h. Violations of these rules can result in fines of $50 to $250 for first offenses and $100 to $500 for second offenses. You can learn all about Delaware's surf-fishing regulations here. And in case it's not obvious: The closer the frame of your vehicle is to the sand, the more likely it is to get stuck. Lower vehicles, like sedans, are not recommended for driving on the beach. A Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife officer monitors surf-fishing at The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park in September 2024. How to drive on the Delaware beaches Air pressure is the most important factor when it comes to operating a vehicle in the sand, according to Delaware Natural Resources Police Chief Wayne Kline. (Watch the video he narrated on this subject.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The air pressure in your vehicle's tires must be reduced before going on the beach. Reduced air pressure makes your tires longer and wider, allowing them to gain traction on sand. A good starting pressure for the beach is 20 pounds, Kline said. When it's hot and dry and the sand is softer, you may need to go as low as 15 pounds. Any lower than that is not recommended. A few rules of thumb: If you're driving on the beach and take your foot off the accelerator, your vehicle should coast to a stop, Kline said. If it stops suddenly, you need to let more air out. When driving on the beach, follow the tracks of other vehicles. That sand will be packed down and easier to drive on, Kline said. If you must crest a crown, or a small hill created by waves, drive parallel to the beach and turn into the crest very gradually. A sharp turn into a hill will likely result in your vehicle getting stuck. Dune crossings can be difficult because the sand is usually soft, and drivers sometimes have to stop for pedestrians and other cars, Kline said. Do your best to stay in the ruts of other vehicles and maintain speed. Give vehicles traveling uphill the right-of-way. When leaving the beach, don't forget to fill your tires at the air pumps, which typically are located where the sand and blacktop meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the beach: Another Delaware beach town just adopted a youth curfew What to do if your car gets stuck on Delaware beaches If your tires are spinning and your vehicle isn't moving, you're stuck. Stop pressing the gas pedal. First, get out of the vehicle and air your tires down a few more pounds, Kline said. If that doesn't work, it's time to start digging. Dig out under the frame of your vehicle until you can see daylight from all directions and dig wheel paths behind all four wheels. Be careful not to puncture your tires. You can use your jack to raise the wheels and place sand under them. Since the sand behind your vehicle is already packed, it's easiest to back out when you're ready to try again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marine life: When is the best time to see horseshoe crabs on Delaware Bay beaches? What we know If you have to use a tow rope, don't use it to tow your vehicle but to snatch or jerk it, Kline said. The vehicle assisting you should accelerate quickly to jerk your car out of the sand. What vehicle is assisting you? Well, you can phone a friend or ask someone nearby. If you're polite, most people are happy to help. If all else fails, call a tow company and stay with your vehicle. If you don't arrange for it to be towed, police will. Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to drive on the Delaware beaches ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) A traffic stop in Altoona led to a drug bust and two men being charged; however, one of them is still at large. Altoona police announced the arrest of Rafiq Dandridge, 30, and issued an arrest warrant for Terrance Mitchell, 34, both of Philadelphia, after a traffic stop on the 100 block of 6th Avenue at around 1:20 p.m. Saturday, May 31. Terrance Mitchell, 34 (Altoona Police Department) Rafiq Dandridge, 30( Altoona Police Department) According to police, the traffic stop was initiated after spotting a vehicle from Philadelphia with an expired registration. The driver, Mitchell, was found to be on parole for various drug violations. Dandridge, the passenger, had a warrant for his arrest out of Montgomery County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While speaking with the duo, police alleged they had conflicting stories as to why they were in Altoona. This prompted K9 Pongo to join and perform a vehicle sniff for the presence of drugs which Pongo allegedly gave a positive alert. Philadelphia native found with $23K worth of drugs in Altoona bust Police arrested Dandridge on his active warrant and released Mitchell. The vehicle was impounded to obtain a search warrant. Police said the following was found once the warrant was approved: Photo: Altoona Police Department 37 glassine packets stamped Oreo and Dennis Rodman containing suspected methamphetamine Four baggies with suspected fentanyl Four baggies containing suspected crack, 14 grams One baggie of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, 4 grams Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both men were charged with possession with intent to distribute. Dandridge was placed in Blair County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail. 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. Mitchell remains at large with an active arrest warrant through the Altoona 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. A woman was killed and five men wounded late Sunday when a mass shooting turned Minneapoliss Boom Island Park into a war zone, officials said. Another woman was hospitalized after being knocked unconscious in the chaotic aftermath, Minnesota Police Chief Brian OHara told reporters at a Monday-morning press conference at the park. Investigators said there was likely more than one shooter, given the number of shell casings, and that no arrests had been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hennepin County Medical examiner identified the woman killed as 23-year-old Stageina Katraya Shapryia Whiting from Brooklyn Center on Monday. She suffered a gunshot wound to the torso. The gunfire broke out during a dispute at a large gathering in the Mississippi River-adjacent park, OHara said, and calls began coming in around 9:30 p.m. Police arrived to find about 100 people in the park. Chief OHara said a large crowd had gathered at the park Sunday evening, perhaps for a BBQ, when an argument escalated into gunfire. His investigators believe multiple shooters were involved in the incident, as hundreds of pieces of evidence were strewn around the park, many of them empty shell casings. Its more akin to a war zone, the amount of casings found in the park. Its sickening and we need people to come forward, OHara said. The level of violence displayed in this shooting is absolutely sickening, and our investigators will work diligently to bring whoever is responsible to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Jacob Frey called the violence completely unacceptable in a social media post stating that just this week, the city launched Operation Safe Summer to curb violence. City statistics showed more than three dozen law enforcement units responded to the gunfire. CBS News reports that at least one Minneapolis City Council member wants to see Boom Island close its gates by 8 p.m. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) One person was hospitalized on Monday after a fire at a high-rise apartment building in Columbus, according to Battalion Chief Jeffrey Geitter. The fire happened at about 4:45 p.m. at the JayCee Arms apartments on East Main Street. Firefighters saw a significant amount of smoke in the hallway of the 7th floor, where one apartment had a kitchen fire, Geitter said. Two dead after head-on collision in Licking County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some residents were helped to safety and one person was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor smoke inhalation, according to Geitter. Several others were treated on scene. Geitter added that a two-alarm fire is standard practice for a high rise fire. No other details were 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. A missing autistic 13-year-old boy has been found, the Glynn County Police Department said. GCPD said Michael Williams, 13, was located at the Amtrak Station in Savannah. Police said that someone recognized the boy from the GCPDs post on Facebook. Officers are now headed to Savannah to bring the boy home. Before he was found, he was last seen at around 9 p.m. Monday in the Myers Hill Road area, a Glynn County police news release states. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Federal, state, and local agencies carried out a targeted sting operation at an unsanctioned nightclub in Ladson. 14 agencies approached The Alamo around 3 a.m. on June 1, as part of Operation Last Stand. These include the Charleston County Sheriffs Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and more. Sheriff Carl Ritchie said they have been monitoring the club since November 2024. This particular location has been a source of a lot of disruption, crime, assaults, drug dealing etc. going on in that particular area, said Ritchie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 116 criminal and immigration warrants were served to 80 people. There over 60 people believed to be in the country illegally, who were detained. The multi-agency effort allowed for the arrest of two high-level cartel members and an international murder suspect wanted by Interpol. Governor Henry McMaster said this is why he believes stricter border policies are necessary. One way it happened is when you dont have strong law enforcement, this is what happens. When particularly, in these cases now, that were going to have now and for years to come when we have illegal immigration, McMaster said. People with criminal backgrounds, people that bet on causing trouble that are recognized some as terrorists, that are allowed to come through a completely open border. This is what you get. The governor added that this operation was an example of a coordinated approach of these agencies working to enforce the laws under President Donald Trump. With over 200 patrons in the building, law enforcement also discovered seven people believed to be human trafficking victims and a missing juvenile. Officials said there were 10 underage minors in the building, with the youngest of them being 13 years old. Additionally, Charleston County code enforcement has shut down the unlicensed club. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very proud of what agencies did in that operation. I was there, very long day, but I was with them to see what these men and women do and supported them, the sheriff said. Im very proud we got this type of element out of our community. We made it safe for some of our young people and were going to continue working on that. Enrique Grace, president of the Charleston Hispanic Association, told News 2 he is grateful for the transparency from CCSO. The Hispanic community is applauding what happened. The Hispanic community and the immigrant community doesnt want criminals in their backyard, thats kind of why they left the country they are coming here. We applaud what happened. That place has been around for a long time, I guess nobody knew what was going on in there. Were pretty happy that the bad guys are off the street, Grace said. This is an ongoing investigation. Those with information about The Alamo are encouraged to call 803-896-7400. 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 WCBD News 2. Rescue workers in Washington state faced a precarious situation recently when a commercial semi-truck carrying 70,000 pounds of honeybee hives overturned on May 30, releasing 14 million bees into the wild, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. The driver, who was not hurt, likely "didnt navigate well enough on a tight turn, causing the trailer to roll," Amy Cloud, a spokesperson for the local Whatcom County Sheriffs Department, told The Seattle Times. Several beekeepers, deputies, and emergency responders assisted at the scene, located on Weidkamp Road near Lynden, a town close to the Canadian border. "I had the incredible privilege of helping to rescue millions of honeybees," one of the beekeepers, Derek Condit, wrote in a Facebook post accompanied by a video of the swarming bees. The road was closed for 24 to 48 hours, giving the bees time to reenter their hives and find their queen. "Bees are highly social by nature and drawn to their hives because thats where their queen and the next generation of bees (the 'brood') are located," Gene E. Robinson, an entomologist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, told The New York Times about the rescue efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, most of the bees returned to their hives, but it's unclear how many survived the ordeal. Some deputies were stung during the rescue efforts, Cloud told The Seattle Times, but no one had to seek medical treatment. It's not unusual for beekeepers to transport bees from one location to another so they don't deplete resources in one particular spot. Migratory beekeeping is essential for the production of many important fruit, nut, and vegetable crops, and migratory beekeepers are unsung heroes, Robinson told The New York Times. The goal of the rescue mission was to save as many bees as possible. According to the National Park Service, about 90 percent of wild flowering plants and 75 percent of food crops around the world depend on pollination to produce fruits and seeds, and bees are an essential part of this process. Read the original article on Martha Stewart SEOUL, June 3 (Xinhua) -- After six months of political turmoil, South Korea welcomed the vote for its 21st presidential election on Tuesday. Outside multiple polling stations in Seoul, from young students to elderly voters, people arrived early to cast their ballots. Some brought their children and came as a family; some pushed wheelchairs carrying senior citizens; while others, even the injured, came on crutches to make their voices heard. Inside the polling stations, a quiet and solemn atmosphere prevailed. After verifying their identities, voters received their ballots, went into the voting booth to stamp their choices, and then dropped their ballots into the ballot box. "I hope my vote can help change the country's current chaotic situation," said a young voter named Lee Dong-gyu, as he left the polling station. Official voting for the presidential election began on Tuesday at 6 a.m. local time and lasted until 8 p.m., with counting starting immediately afterward. Exit polls announced later on Tuesday that Lee Jae-myung of South Korea's majority liberal Democratic Party took a big lead. Voter turnout for this election has reached 79.4 percent, surpassing the final turnout of the previous presidential election. On April 4, South Korea's constitutional court upheld the impeachment against former president Yoon Suk-yeol over his botched martial law, leading to his immediate removal from office. By law, the country must hold a new presidential election within 60 days. Many voters took photos in front of the polling station after casting their votes. A voter in his 70s, Hwang Yeong-pal, told Xinhua, "Only by electing a truly capable leader who can lead the country forward, ensuring stability and peace, can our descendants have a brighter future." "Stabilizing the economy" emerged as the buzzword among voters interviewed outside the polling stations. "South Korea now faces a host of social problems like an aging population and shrinking demographics, but the top priority is resolving the economic crisis. In particular, U.S. President Trump's tariff 'bombs' are hitting South Korea hard," Hwang told Xinhua. "We ordinary people need a chance to survive, and skyrocketing prices are more devastating than anything else. I hope the newly elected president can truly address these problems and fill the gaps for regular people," Hwang said. Lee Dong-gyu said his biggest concern is youth employment. "Before voting, I paid close attention to each candidate's promises regarding job creation. It's really tough right now for young people. I hope the economy becomes more stable." A Newton County teenager was charged after deputies said he made threats towards a school. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Newton County Sheriffs Office said a 14-year-old boy made online threats towards students and staff at Alcovy High School in Covington. On Tuesday, they charged him with terroristic threats and acts. The juvenile court now has the case. Sheriff Ezell Brown is reminding parents and students that threats of violence will not be tolerated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown encourages parents and students to be mindful of what they say and do. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ST. LOUIS A Breckenridge Hills teen has been charged as an adult in connection with a murder last December in St. Louis Citys Gravois Park neighborhood. According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments probable cause statement, the murder happened a little after 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2024, in the 3600 block of Minnesota Avenue. Officers found the victim, Romel White, suffering from a gunshot wound to his back. White was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. He was 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators learned there had been a group of people at a home one block over on Pennsylvania Avenue, and that there was an ongoing disagreement between several males at the residence. Police said two of the males, identified as Corion Harris-Wicks, 15, and Marcus A. Allen, had planned on killing White that day and discussed their plan while at the home on Pennsylvania. Radar-indicated: Tornado likely rolled through Chesterfield At one point, police said Harris-Wicks and Allen went to a store with the group. While walking back to the home, the pair held back from the group. Allen handed a gun to Harris-Wicks to shoot White. Police said Harris-Wicks attempted to shoot White, but the gun jammed. Harris-Wicks handed the gun back to Allen, who racked the firearm and gave it back to Harris-Wicks, who then shot White. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen was arrested in February, though its unclear when Harris-Wicks was taken into custody. The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged both Harris-Wicks and Allen with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Both remain jailed without bond. Allens next court appearance is scheduled for July 3. Online records do not show any future court dates for Harris-Wicks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE, 8:40 P.M. The Richmond County Coroners Office has identified the 16-month-old as Traeson Dunn. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) Neighbors are left in shock Tuesday after a 16-month-old was found dead, and another young child was sent to the Childrens Hospital of Georgia. I looked out the window, saw a bunch of sirens. Fire trucks, police cars, ambulances. I couldnt really tell where they were, but they were right along in here and I knew something bad had to be happening, said Sonia Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Richmond County Coroners Office responded to a home on Ward Avenue in South Augusta after reports of a child death. A 16-month-old child was found dead at the home, and another young child was transported to the Childrens Hospital of Georgia. My son just had a little baby girl5 months old. You think of that because the kids are our future. So, to hear that, it really saddens me man, Kenneth Blount said. The Richmond County Sheriffs Office is now investigating the incident. While no arrests have been made, this is now the 4th time this year that the Sheriffs Office has responded to the same home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO ON WJBF: SLED investigating fatal shooting in Allendale Recent incident reports show that deputies were called there in February for harassing phone calls, stolen property in March, and criminal trespassing in April. Its sad. Its sad that the kids cant be safe in the neighborhood, whatevers going on. We have to watch these babies. All of us around here, we look after each others kids, when they play they play together. Thats just sad, said Jones. Child Enrichment Director Kari Viola-Brooke says the neighborhood is what it takes to raise a child, and its important to talk when they see something wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really need to rely on adults to step up when they have concerns, or they see something to make a report about it. Thats another thing we offer here at Child Enrichment is free, mandated reporter training. Were doing a training next week, open to the public, where people can come and recognize signs of what to do if they have concerns of abuse, said Viola-Brooke. Theres no word on the surviving childs condition or how the toddler died, but an autopsy is scheduled. Count on NewsChannel 6 to bring you the latest information as soon as it becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. LITTLE RIVER, S.C. (WBTW) A 16-year-old boy from North Carolina has been jailed in connection with last months Little River party-boat mass shooting that injured 11, Horry County police said. Shawon Shamarion Williams / Photo: Lake County Sheriffs Office The boy will be charged with eight counts of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The teenager will be transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia. The boy is the second person charged in the shooting after Shawon Shamarion Williams, 19, was arrested Thursday in Lake County, Illinois, near Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspect in Little River boat-party shooting wasnt alone, victims attorney says Williams, who graduated from North Myrtle Beach High School in 2023 and was in the Navy, waived his extradition and will return to Horry County to face his charges. Count on News13 for updates. * * * 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 17-year-old boy is dead after being shot several times inside an Ohio home early Tuesday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Cincinnati Police told our news partner, WCPO TV, that they received a ShotSpotter alert around 1:30 a.m. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived at the 3000 block of Percy Avenue, they found a 17-year-old boy shot multiple times inside a home, police said. Shell casings were also discovered outside. Officers told WCPO that this may indicate that the boy was shot from outside the home, and the bullets went inside. They believe it was a person who shot into the home and then left in a vehicle. The shooting remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A teen is facing serious charges following a shooting in Waltham on Monday. A 17-year-old male was charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and other firearm-related offenses, according to police. Authorities say they received a report of a male shooting a gun in the area of Moody Street and Railroad Avenue just before 5:30 p.m. Responding officers found two males at the scene, one of which being the 17-year-old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no reports of any injuries. Investigator determined both males were known to each other and the isolated shooting was not a random act. The 17-year-old was taken into custody without incident. The shooting remains under investigation. Massachusetts State Police and MBTA Transit Police assisted Waltham officers at the scene due to the close proximity of the Charles River and railroad tracks. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) An 18-year-old man from Burtonsville is facing charges related to a kidnapping that spanned two counties in Maryland. The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said that on June 1, around 6:25 p.m., officers responded to Wexhall Drive and Greencastle Road for a reported kidnapping. Witnesses reported seeing a man grab a woman and force her into a sedan before driving off. As they left, the victim managed to throw her purse out of the cars window. Officers found the purse and learned who the victim was through her ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They soon identified the suspect as 18-year-old Joel Akakpo. Man seen tearing down Dupont Circle Pride decorations; DC police investigating Soon after, the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) got a call for a suspicious situation involving the same sedan on Flintrock Drive in Beltsville. A witness said that they saw a woman inside a car screaming for help. She was able to lock the man out of the car for some time, but he used a rock to break a window and get back in before driving away. One day later, on June 2, MCPD officers, alongside the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, found both Akakpo and the victim in Burtonsville on Almanac Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman had minor injuries from the incident. Akakpo is facing charges of kidnapping and second-degree assault and was held without 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Two beloved radio veterans heard on Hampton Roads airwaves for years have gone silent. Mark McKay Cunningham, 55, died after a battle with leukemia on May 25, just a couple days before Robert Jeff Moreau, 67, died on May 27. Listeners knew Cunningham as Mark McKay, who spent close to 20 years from 1999 to 2019 hosting both morning and afternoon shows as a DJ, music director and assistant program director for Max Medias 97.3 The Eagle. He rose to program director in 2012. In 2019, he moved on as southeast regional director of promotions at Riser House, a Nashville-based record label. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKay also held an annual radiothon to raise money for WTKR News 3s Dream Home giveaway telecasts to benefit St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Jimmy Ray Dunn, afternoon disc jockey at The Eagle, remembers his former colleague as the ultimate professional. His show was always tight on the board very positive and forward moving, Dunn said. John Shomby, former director of programming and operations for Max Media, noted McKays old-school approach, exceptional music taste and ability to predict hits. He said McKay helped launch careers for a long list of local talent. From the day Shomby walked into the radio station, he said he and McKay were joined at the hip: He was like a little brother to me a pain in the butt, but he always had my back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A happy hour kicked off on the Eagle at 5 p.m. Friday in honor of McKay with the same theme he seemed to live his life by: nothing sad, nothing sleepy, nothing slow, nothing weepy. Moreau, a 1976 graduate of Princess Anne High School, was a familiar voice on several radio stations. He worked in the market for more than 25 years, including on 101.3 2WD, Mix 105 and 97 Star. Eric Morning Guy Worden on 93.7 BOB FM fondly recalls doing voiceover work alongside Moreau in recent years at Studio Center. His baritone voice was exceptional, Worden said of his good friend. He was a pros pro and 100% gentleman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mare Carmody, a former disc jockey at The Eagle, met Moreau decades ago early on in her career and said he was just a fun person to be around. He could be really silly, but he was also super kind-hearted, she said. I can still hear his voice in my head. He had a wonderful, resonant voice. Following his illustrious career in radio, Moreau became a professional pilot and flew commercial jets for United Land Corp. based in Charlottesville. He became a certified flight instructor and, over the course of five years, built his own airplane he named Patience. Tim Moreau said his older brother and lifelong protector got the bug for flying early on in his career when he did the traffic report from the sky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many things that Jeff did, he would master it and then move on, Tim Moreau said. He reinvented himself a third time as a real estate agent and broker for North Star Real Estate. He was a very accomplished man, Tim Moreau said. And he was the consummate showman entertaining right up until the end. Services for Jeff Moreau were held on Friday and Saturday. A celebration of life for McKay is planned for 1-4 pm on June 7 at Three Notchd Brewery & Craft Kitchen in Virginia Beach. Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com Two Chinese nationals have been charged with allegedly smuggling into the U.S. a fungus called "Fusarium graminearum, which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon," the Justice Department said Tuesday. U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan - PHOTO: This photo released by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan shows what authorities say are biological pathogens discovered in luggage at the airport in Detroit. Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, citizens of the Peoples Republic of China, were allegedly receiving Chinese government funding for their research, some of which at the University of Michigan, officials said. "The complaint also alleges that Jians electronics contain information describing her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. It is further alleged that Jians boyfriend, Liu, works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same pathogen and that he first lied but then admitted to smuggling Fusarium graminearum into America -- through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport -- so that he could conduct research on it at the laboratory at the University of Michigan where his girlfriend, Jian, worked," according to a DOJ press release. U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan - PHOTO: This photo released by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan shows what authorities say are biological pathogens discovered in luggage at the airport in Detroit. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement that the Justice Department "has no higher mission than keeping the American people safe and protecting our nation from hostile foreign actors who would do us harm." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thanks to the hard work of our excellent DOJ attorneys, this defendant who clandestinely attempted to bring a destructive substance into the United States will face years behind bars," the attorney general said. The FBI says it causes head blight, a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals -- including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party -- are of the gravest national security concerns. These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a potential agroterrorism weapon into in the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme, U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgan said. STOCK IMAGE/Getty Images - PHOTO: In this Nov. 8, 2020, file photo, a sign is shown at the University of Michigan, North Campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Todays criminal charges levied upon Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are indicative of CBPs critical role in protecting the American people from biological threats that could devastate our agricultural economy and cause harm to humans; especially when it involves a researcher from a major university attempting to clandestinely bring potentially harmful biological materials into the United States," U.S. Custom and Border Protection, Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jian will be appearing Tuesday afternoon in federal court in Detroit for her initial appearance on the complaint, the DOJ said. The affidavit alleges that Jian and Liu were dating, and also researching the biological pathogen -- and when questioned about smuggling the pathogen into the United States, lied to authorities at the Detroit airport. U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan - PHOTO: This photo released by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan shows what authorities say are biological pathogens discovered in luggage at the airport in Detroit. "On July 27, 2024 Liu entered the United States and told authorities he was visiting his girlfriend and then returning to China to start his own laboratory in China. He allegedly said that he had no work materials, but upon a secondary screening of his luggage, authorities found tissues concealed a note in Chinese, a round piece of filter paper with a series of circles drawn on it, and four clear plastic baggies with small clumps of reddish plant material inside," the affidavit said. He told authorities he didn't know how the materials ended up in his bag and suggested someone placed them there without his knowledge, officials said, but after further questioning he admitted to placing them in the bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wasn't arrested at that time, court records suggest. "LIU stated that he intentionally hid the samples in his backpack because he knew there were restrictions on the importation of the materials," according to the complaint. "LIU confirmed that he had intentionally put the samples in a wad of tissues so CBP Officers would be less likely to find and confiscate them, and he could continue his research in the United States." A press conference on the 2nd Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange is held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing, capital of China, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange will take place in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, from June 10 to 12, the State Council Information Office said at a press conference on Tuesday. Vice Minister of Science and Technology Chen Jiachang said that the conference, themed "Building the Innovation Silk Road for Shared Development: Working Together for a Belt and Road Science and Technology Community," will champion the concept of a community with a shared future for all. The conference will uphold the principles of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, aiming to strengthen exchange, build consensus, deepen cooperation, and provide strong sci-tech support for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Chen noted. The conference will feature 38 events across five categories: major events, thematic activities, special events, roundtables, and technology matchmaking sessions. Discussions will cover academic exchange, industrial innovation, international mega-science projects, artificial intelligence, and Belt and Road sci-tech planning and policy coordination. The event will gather attendees from over 100 countries and international organizations. The conference is being co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the China Association for Science and Technology, the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government. NEED TO KNOW On May 28, Andre Gordon Jr. was sentenced to three consecutive life terms after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder The charges are related to the March 2024 shooting deaths of his 52-year-old stepmother, Karen Murphy-Gordon, his 13-year-old sister, Kera Gordon, and the 25-year-old mother of his two children, Taylor Daniel The evidence showed [Gordon] was hunting in that home," Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said at a press conference A Pennsylvania man who killed three family members, including his 13-year-old sister, and led police on a brief manhunt across state lines, has learned his fate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 28, Andre Gordon Jr. was sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the 2024 slayings, according to a press release shared by the Bucks County District Attorneys Office. Prosecutors said Gordon killed his 52-year-old stepmother, Karen Murphy-Gordon, and his 13-year-old sister, who was identified by family in an obituary as Kera Gordon, before carrying out the murder of 25-year-old Taylor Daniel, with whom he shared two children. Judge Raymond F. McHugh acknowledged the immense pain of the victims' families, stating, There are no words to explain why this happened, according to the release. The tragedy unfolded on the morning of March 16, 2024, just after Gordon carjacked someone in Trenton, N.J., and violently broke into his fathers home in Falls Township, Pa., per the release. Bucks County District Attorney's Office Andre Gordon Jr. Andre Gordon Jr. There, prosecutors said Karen and her daughter, who were hiding in a home office, pleaded for help in a 911 call. In the call, Karen can be heard claiming her stepson was shooting with the young girl adding, Please, please, please, please hurry, the release states. The call captured their last moments, including screaming, gunshots, and then silence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police who responded to the home found the mother and daughter dead at the scene. Gordons father and Karens other daughter, as well as a visiting relative, were unharmed. About 10 minutes later, Gordon broke into Daniels home and fatally shot her, prosecutors said. A harrowing 911 call from Daniel captured her urging others in the house to lock themselves in their rooms, screaming, Hes got a gun, per the release. This call also ended with screams, gunshots, and subsequent silence, followed by the cries of children, one calling for mommy, prosecutors said. Taylor Daniel Facebook Taylor Daniel Taylor Daniel According to prosecutors, Daniels 5-year-old and 3-year-old daughters, her brother, and her mother, Nancy Daniel, were inside the home. Gordon also bludgeoned Nancy with an assault rifle as she tried to intervene, requiring staples for a head wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After killing Daniel, Gordon fled the scene and carjacked a man in the parking lot of a Dollar General in Morrisville, Pa., prosecutors said. A three-hour shelter-in-place order was issued until Gordon was apprehended around 5 p.m. that day in Trenton, N.J., where he was found barricaded with hostages in a home. Prosecutors said both Karen and Daniel died protecting their children. 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. I lost more than my sister and my niece, Karen's brother said in court, per the release. I lost a piece of myself that I never thought I would ever come back from. According to her obituary, Karen was an Army veteran who immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica when she was child. Her daughter, Kera, played clarinet at Charles Boehm Middle School and was remembered as a "young and gifted teenager," according to her obituary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence showed [Gordon] was hunting in that home," Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said at a press conference on May 28. She added that hearing the 911 calls was the one of the most heartbreaking parts of this case. In addition to his murder convictions, Gordon also pleaded guilty to a slew of other charges including, attempted homicide, burglary, aggravated assault, robbery of a motor vehicle, and more, prosecutors said. He's also serving a concurrent sentence of 42 months to 84 months after pleading guilty to assaulting two corrections officers at the Bucks County Correctional Facility in May 2024. Read the original article on People BEIJING (AP) Two Japanese men were killed last month in the Chinese port city of Dalian because of a dispute with a Chinese business partner, police said Tuesday. The partner, a 42-year-old man surnamed Yuan, was arrested May 24, one day after the killings were reported to Dalian police. Yuan is a long-time resident of Japan and did business with the victims in that country and the Japanese men were visiting China, a Chinese police statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police statement did not say what the dispute was about or how the victims were killed. Two stabbing attacks on Japanese schoolchildren last year have raised concern among Japanese about traveling to and living in China. In one case, a 10-year-old boy died, and in the other, a Chinese attendant on a school bus was killed after she tried to prevent the assailant from getting on the bus. Dalian, once known as Port Arthur to westerners, was a Russian naval base that was taken by Japan during the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War. A 2-year-old boy was swept away out of his moms sight after climbing onto a luggage conveyor belt at Newark Libery International Airport the latest scary trip at the troubled travel hub. The Staten Island toddler wandered onto the ankle-high conveyor belt where passengers drop off their luggage before takeoff, while his mother was busy rebooking a flight with a JetBlue employee in Terminal A on May 28, according to sources and the Port Authority PBA. The belt carried the helpless tot away from his mom and dropped him down a chute into the luggage screening area on the lower level of the terminal. The tot was carried away from his terrified mom and dropped down a chute into the terminals luggage screening area. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post It was something that happened in the blink of an eye, Frank Conti, the Port Authority PBA President told Pix 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearby Port Authority police officers Joseph DeSilvio and Angel Paulino heard what happened and leaped into action to track the toddler down. At one point, the system separated into two conveyor belt routes, the association said on Instagram. Each officer continued their search in different directions. After about five pulse-pounding minutes, one of the heroic cops found the toddler sobbing, but unharmed near an X-ray machine and scooped him up before he went into it. Newark Liberty International Airport with the New York City skyline in the background. AP The child lost a shoe and sock during the harrowing ride, sources said. His panic-stricken mom was reunited with her son before they flew to Tampa, Fla., for a vacation, according to sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tots run-in with the conveyor belt is a reminder of a horrifying incident in which a 5-month-old from Maryland was killed after being caught between two sections of a luggage belt in Spain in 2013. The belt was not running when the mom placed her daughters carseat on it, but it suddenly switched on and crushed the girl to death. The hair-raising ordeal last week is the latest troubling incident to occur at the beleaguered airport. Newark Airport has been described as a delay-plagued hellhole for a slew of problems, including unprecedented backups on the tarmac, a glut of cancellations, the possible spread of an infectious disease, ongoing construction, FAA controllers walking off the job and terrifying blackouts of its control towers. Massive delays and safety concerns have plagued Newark Liberty International Airport this year. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post The situation at the travel hub got so bad that one federal air safety employee warned the public not to fly out of the embattled airport, warning that its not safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on April 28, air traffic controllers were left without radar and communications for 90 horrifying seconds, resulting in a domino effect that delayed thousands of flights. At least five air traffic controllers took a 45-day trauma leave because the scare rattled them so much. A similar blackout occurred in November last year. Two weeks ago, New Jersey health officials sounded the alarm about a potential measles outbreak when an infected individual traveled through the airports Terminal B. A 2-year-old was shot at an apartment complex in Cincinnati over the weekend, and a 21-year-old man is now facing charges, according to our media partners, WCPO-9 TV. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The shooting occurred at the Villages at Roll Hill, in the 2500 block of Nottingham Road, around noon on Saturday. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child was taken to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center and is said to be in stable condition, according to WCPO-9. Cincinnati police have since arrested 21-year-old Carmelo Anderson on tampering with evidence charges in connection with this shooting. WCPO-9 reported that he hasnt been charged with shooting the child, however, police have not released details on how the child was injured. It is not clear if Anderson is related to the child. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theete issued a statement on the shooting. In part, she said shes outraged, heartbroken and deeply disappointed to learn that yet another child a 2-year-old has endured unimaginable pain and trauma after sustaining a gunshot injury this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear if Anderson will face additional charges. This shooting remains under investigation by the Cincinnati Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the department at 513-352-3542. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Uganda military authorities said two people died before executing a suspected explosive attack near a Catholic shrine in the capital, Kampala. The military said in a statement Tuesday they intercepted and neutralized two armed terrorists in Munyonyo, a Kampala suburb. The deceased were a man and a woman on a passenger motorcycle. The female passenger appeared to explode as a group of security forces tracking the duo drew near the suspects, police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rusoke did not provide more details and said an investigation is underway. Uganda is marking a holiday Tuesday to remember a group of Christian martyrs who were killed between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of a local king. The event attracts pilgrims to a different site near Kampala where dignitaries, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, have gathered for mass. Explosive attacks are rare in Uganda, but authorities sometimes warn of plans by extremist militants opposed to Museveni's government. Authorities in Arizona are in the middle of a mysterious case involving two teens who were found shot to death on a popular national park camping site. According to multiple reports, 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and an unidentified 17-year-old male were found dead on May 27 off State Route 87 at Tonto National Forest. "At this time, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious," the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said Friday in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Fox 10 in Phoenix reported, the two teens left for a Memorial Day weekend camping trip, but they never returned. Friends and family have since set up a memorial overlooking a valley on the famed Camelback Mountain. It's reported that the two teens often visited the spot with friends to watch the sunset. Related: Hiker Missing After Being Swept Away in National Park At this moment the MCSO is asking anyone with information to call them at 602-876-TIPS. At 2.9 million acres, Tonto National Forest is the largest of six national parks in Arizona. The park is famous for its hiking trails, Sonoran Desert Saguaro cacti, camp sites and expansive bike trails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These national parks are popular, especially this time a year. The teen's deaths come just days after authorities at another popular park, California's Sequoia National Park, continues searching for a woman who was swept away in a river following a trip with friends and family also on Memorial Day weekend. 2 Teens Shot Dead on National Park Camping Trip first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 GONZALES, La. (Louisiana First) The Gonzales Police Department has arrested two people in connection with a shooting at a daiquiri shop over the weekend. Police said they took both Henry Lee Hasten III and Dominique S. Bassett into custody within 48 hours of asking for the publics help. Authorities believe the pair is tied to the shooting outside Top Notch Daiquiris at 3005 S. Cabelas Parkway on Sunday, June 1. Henry Lee Hasten III (Left); Dominique Bassett (Right) Officers were called to the scene shortly after midnight after a fight escalated into gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large crowd was in the parking lot at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported. Police say multiple guns were discharged, and aggravated damage to property occurred. Hasten was seen participating in a fight inside the business before exiting to the parking lot. Gonzales police say he later fired a shot from the passenger side of his vehicle while leaving the area. Hasten has an extensive criminal history. Bassett was observed retrieving a firearm from his vehicle and shooting it at the person involved in the altercation before leaving the area. He is currently on probation for firearm-related offenses and has an extensive criminal history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top Notch Daiquiris released this statement after the shooting. The safety and well-being of our patrons and staff have always been, and will continue to be, our top priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate this incident and are taking immediate steps to increase security measures. We are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that something like this never happens again. Thank you to our community for your continued support and understanding. 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. 2 women shot while trying to break up fight at Koeneman Park ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A University City woman has been charged for shooting two women who attempted to break up a fight at Koeneman Park. According to Mary Schmitt, a spokeswoman, the shooting happened around 6:05 p.m. on Friday, May 30, in the 2600 block of Shannon Avenue in Jennings. Police said the two victims attempted to break up a fight between two other people. In response, Imani R. Easley, 23, pulled out a Glock pistol and shot one victim in her right arm and the other victim in her chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both victims were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. The woman who was shot in her chest remains listed in critical condition. This is a first; Missouri police officer rescues baby deer from empty pool Police said there were several bystanders and witnesses to the shooting, and the entire incident was captured on Facebook video. After reviewing the video, police arrested Easley. Police said Easley later admitted to shooting both victims. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Easley with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. Easley remains jailed on a $500,000 cash-only bond. She has a bond reduction hearing scheduled for June 9, followed by a preliminary hearing on July 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story mistakenly stated the shooting occurred on Saturday. We regret the error. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Bunk beds at Tacoma Rescue Missions womens shelter will be the inspiration for the design of its expanded mens shelter. (Photo courtesy of Tacoma Rescue Mission via Tacoma News Tribune) This article was first published by the Tacoma News Tribune. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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 womens shelter, which was updated during the pandemic to give people more privacy and space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need is so much greater, he said. 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 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 when 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 remain unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paulson told The News Tribune he is worried about how the loss of shelter beds will impact the community if those individuals are displaced. This article was first published by the Tacoma News Tribune through the Murrow News Fellow program, managed by Washington State University. Former governor and current mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo wants to raise New York Citys minimum wage to $20 by 2027. His political theatrics may benefit his poll numbers, but theyll only make it harder for at-risk youth to find work. Given the undeniable link between youth delinquency and unemployment rates, New York should be making it easier - not harder - for young people to land a job. Teenage crime rates are up in NYC. A New York Times report published in November showed that since 2018, New York saw a 25% increase in major crimes where a minor was arrested. Robberies and murders rose by 25% and 24%, respectively. Its not a coincidence that as local school attendance declines, crime rates among young people rise. A third of New York City public school kids were "chronically absent" last year - an astonishing 300,000 students. When students arent in school, theyre out making trouble. In February, a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death at a Queens McDonalds after a fight broke out among a large group of teenagers, presumably right after school. Its due to disturbances like these that local restaurants and stores are banning school-age "patrons." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part-time employment is essential for keeping teenagers busy, reducing their risk of dropping out of school, and helping them to develop the skills their generation lacks. The success of gainful employment in keeping young people out of jail is well documented. New York Citys Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) places New Yorkers aged 14 to 24 from underserved communities in various paid jobs. Participants were 23% less likely to be arrested for a felony and 38% less likely to be convicted of such a crime. A similar study in Chicago found that youths employed through summer employment were 43% less likely to be arrested for violent crimes. One reason for this is that employed students are more engaged in school and enjoy greater upward mobility as a result. One study shows a correlation between part-time employment - specifically 20 hours or less - and a decreased risk of dropping out of high school. Research from the University of Virginia and Middle Tennessee State University showsthat students with part-time engagements earned 20% more, six to nine years after graduating. This revelation can be partly explained by the work ethic and soft skills young workers cultivate while working. City Hall understands this. Thats why, in fiscal year 2024, New York allocated $638 million to workforce programs, specifically its SYEP, which engages a record 100,000 young New Yorkers. Eric Adams even proposed making SYEP a year-round offering during his campaign for mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But youth employment programs can only do so much when the city insists on repeatedly raising the minimum wage. The minimum wages effect on youth employment is undeniable. A 10% increase in the minimum wage causes up to about a 11% and 4% decrease in employment among workers aged 15-19 and 20-24, respectively. One study by the University of Washington showed that after Seattle increased the minimum wage from $11 to $13 an hour, young workers saw a reduction in their hours, resulting in an income loss of $125 per month. This year, NYCs minimum wage increased 10% to $16.50 from $15 two years ago. Cuomos $20 minimum wage proposal adds insult to injury. Still, hes not the only one. Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani proposed a $30 minimum wage by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While these candidates engage in political grandstanding, NYCs adolescents are reeling from pandemic-era job losses. Young men - the demographic most at risk for joining the criminal element - were particularly devastated by the pandemic. In 2019, the unemployment rate for young male New Yorkers aged 16 to 24 was 11.8%. The groups unemployment rate remained stubbornly high at 23% two years after COVID-19 first swept the five boroughs. New Yorks at-risk youth see a City of Dreams but are divorced from it. Theyre a train ride away from Brooklyn Heights townhouses and Midtown high-rises, but cannot take the first step toward living there. They hear about Jay-Zs "Empire State of Mind" but are barred from cultivating it in the workforce. Amid their opportunity crisis, they find solace in Nas "N.Y. State of Mind" and eventually revere it - a damning negative feedback loop. Daniel Idfresne is a junior at Syracuse University. Hes a Young Voices Social Mobility Fellow and interned for The Story with Martha MacCallum. He has written for the New York Post, Newsweek, and The Free Press. Follow him at X.com: @danielidfresne BEIRUT, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday stressed Lebanon's commitment to staying on the reform track in a meeting with Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Lebanon, who reaffirmed the organization's support for Lebanon's reform process. "The IMF stands ready to support Lebanon as it continues implementing crucial financial and economic reforms," Rigo said, according to the National News Agency, emphasizing the fund's ongoing commitment to the country's recovery. The IMF mission is assessing Lebanon's financial and economic situation. Rigo briefed Aoun on the results of recent meetings with key ministers and stakeholders, outlining several issues that require further review. Aoun welcomed the IMF delegation and expressed appreciation for the fund's continued engagement and support. "We thank the IMF for its sustained attention to Lebanon, especially in helping us reactivate and stabilize our economic and financial systems," Aoun said, for his part. He outlined key reforms and recent appointments made by the government, stressing Lebanon's determination to stay on the reform track despite the country's difficult circumstances. The president also reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating the IMF mission's work. "The reforms we are pursuing ... are a Lebanese necessity," he emphasized, pointing to efforts underway to address structural issues and restore confidence in state institutions. Aoun added that the government is fully aware of the challenges ahead but remains resolute in pushing forward with a comprehensive reform agenda that serves the Lebanese people. Earlier in the day, the Lebanese president called for the immediate digitization of the country, describing it as a critical step toward modernizing the state and restoring effective public service, while attending the "Smart Government: Diaspora Expertise for Lebanon" conference organized by the Lebanese Executives Council. In Middle Tennessee, Pride has always been more than a celebration its a homecoming. Its a season when our city bursts with joy, resilience and love. When music fills the air, color transforms the streets, and community stands shoulder to shoulder in its boldest form. And this year, the spirit matters more than ever. 2025 has brought its challenges. Like many organizations, we are facing financial setbacks due to the loss of several longtime supporters. These challenges have left us with a significant budget gap at a time when our visibility, safety and celebration matter more than ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, we remain committed to delivering the kind of Pride our community deserves: joyful, powerful and rooted in purpose. More: Nashville Pride Festival announces 2025 lineup: Kim Petras, 4 Non Blondes, Big Freedia Nashville Pride isn't just a celebration. It's an act of resistance. Pride has never been about convenience. Its about conviction. And in a year where LGBTQ+ rights are being debated, targeted and legislated against, our joy is an act of resistance. Our visibility is a protest. And our gathering louder, brighter and braver than ever is a promise to our community: We are still here. People march in the 2024 Pride parade downtown on Broadway in Nashville , Tenn., Saturday, June 22, 2024. Formally since 1988, Nashville Pride has existed at the intersection of celebration and protest. What began as a small picnic has grown into one of the largest Pride events in the South held in the shadow of the State Capitol and the glow of Broadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a space where love is loud, joy is justice, and every person belongs. This year, the 2025 Nashville Pride Festival & Parade will welcome over 240 vendors and a record number of participants in the parade. There will be local businesses, community organizations and nonprofits, as well as new and returning sponsors who have said yes when it mattered most. Their support reminds us that Pride doesnt shrink in the face of pressure. It expands. It adapts. It rises. If youve ever felt the magic of Pride a shared glance, a burst of laughter, a moment of finally feeling seen this is the year to lean in. To march with purpose. To stand a little taller. To celebrate even louder. The 2025 Nashville Pride Festival & Parade needs your support Buy a ticket. Make a donation. Sign up to volunteer. Become a sponsor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Show up where others have stepped back. In a year marked by retreat, your support isnt just meaningful its vital. This is not the time to stand on the sidelines. This is the time to show up for our city, our future and each other. Pride isnt about perfection. Its about persistence. Its about choosing hope over fear, and presence over silence. More: Why Tennessee ranks as high risk for gay and transgender people Its about showing up not just when its easy, but especially when its not. Pride belongs to all of us. And this year, it needs every one of us. Join us as the 2025 Nashville Pride celebration kicks off with the first-ever Friday Night Concert on June 27 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pride Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, beginning at Broadway and 8th Ave. And the Pride Festival continues June 28-29 at Bicentennial Park. Lets keep marching, keep dancing, and keep building a future where everyone is free to live, love, and thrive right here in Tennessee. The Nashville Pride Board of Directors The Nashville Pride Board of Directors leads the organizations year-round efforts to serve and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community across Middle Tennessee. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville needs your help to celebrate Pride Month | Opinion Jun. 2Interstate 25 southbound at Rio Bravo Boulevard is closed due to a fatal crash, according to a Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office social media post. "Expect delays for the next several hours," the post states. This is a developing story. At least 27 Palestinians were fatally shot and 161 others wounded on Tuesday as they tried to reach a food distribution center in Gaza run by a controversial U.S.-backed group, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health. It was the third day of deadly violence reported near a humanitarian hub run by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private organization accused by the United Nations of weaponizing aid. "We were shocked by the numbers of injuries. A horrific number," one ambulance driver said as the wounded were rushed to the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. "All the injuries were directly to the head and chest. Many of them young people who went to get aid from the American foundation." Little information has been made public about GHF's operations. CBS News has been told by one source that it has employed at least 300 American contractors, all heavily armed, who have been given "as much ammunition as they can carry." Mourners stand near the bodies of Palestinians killed by what the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said was Israeli fire near an aid distribution site in Rafah, at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 3, 2025. / Credit: Hatem Khaled/REUTERS GHF said Tuesday that its operations continued without disruption at its four hubs in Gaza, though it acknowledged reports of violence, which it said took place, "well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the Israeli military, which has taken control of an increasing portion of Gaza in recent weeks, said its troops had fired warning shots near the aid hub on Tuesday morning, and that it was aware of reports of casualties and was looking into them. Climate activist Greta Thunberg and a "Game of Thrones" actor on aid ship headed for Gaza "During the movement of the crowd along the designated routes toward the aid distribution site approximately half a kilometer [0.3 miles] from the site IDF troops identified several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated access routes," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. "The troops carried out warning fire, and after the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near a few individual suspects who advanced toward the troops." The IDF said it "allows the American Civil Organization (GHF) to operate independently in order to enable the distribution of aid to the Gazan residents and not to Hamas. IDF troops are not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GHF said in a statement on Tuesday that it had distributed a total of more than 7 million meals since it started operations about a week ago, and that "aid distribution was conducted safely and without incident at our site today." "We understand that IDF is investigating whether a number of civilians were injured after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone. This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area. We recognize the difficult nature of the situation and advise all civilians to remain in the safe corridor when traveling to our distribution sites." Palestinians wait to receive food aid from a hub set up in Gaza by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Among those killed this week was Reem Akhras, a mother of eight who was shot on her way to retrieve an aid parcel from a GHF hub, her family said. A CBS News team in Gaza attended her funeral Tuesday morning. "You went to get us food, Mom," Akhras' young daughter cried, sobbing over her body. "We will never forgive them, Mom. Not in this life or the next." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the situation in Gaza "unconscionable" and demanded a "prompt and impartial investigation" into the deaths around the GHF hubs. "Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available through Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism," Turk said in a statement Tuesday. "This militarized system endangers lives and violates international standards on aid distribution, as the United Nations has repeatedly warned." "The wilful impediment of access to food and other life-sustaining relief supplies for civilians may constitute a war crime," Turk said. "The threat of starvation, together with 20 months of killing of civilians and destruction on a massive scale, repeated forced displacements, intolerable, dehumanizing rhetoric and threats by Israel's leadership to empty the Strip of its population, also constitute elements of the most serious crimes under international law." January 6 defendant refuses Trump's pardon Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Baldwin grills McMahon on unallocated funds for students, schools, approved by Congress CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Another arrest has been made in connection to the theft of a French Bulldog, court records show. 20-year-old Tahari Taylor was booked into the Mecklenburg County Detention Center on May 30 and charged with felony possession of stolen goods. According to an affidavit, on April 6, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were called to the 3000 block of Barrow Road in reference to a stolen vehicle. Inside the vehicle was the victims French Bulldog Julio. MORE | Charlotte woman whose dog was stolen calls for reform in juvenile justice system The car was found on April 11, and a juvenile was charged, but Julio was still missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While investigators were investigating an unrelated incident, data from a cell phone was reviewed and found to contain evidence from this case. The phone data contained text messages between two people on April 7, less than 24 hours after the victims car and dog were stolen. The text stated that Taylor had the dog and was bringing it to the co-defendants home. Further evidence on the phone confirmed that the dog and vehicle belonged to the victim. There were also photos and videos of the victims car and dog. On May 14, a 37-year-old woman, Kendra Hunter, was also charged with felony possession of stolen goods in relation to this case. Hunter (MCSO) & Julio (CMPD) Both are being charged with felonies because the dog is worth $5,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents say that the dogs owner contacted investigators on May 1 to say that Hunter called her about the dog. It was communicated that the dog may be with someones uncle who breeds French Bulldogs. Investigators also reviewed Hunters teenage sons cellphone, finding a photo of Julio that was taken at their home less than a day after the dog was stolen. Officials have not said if Hunters son was the juvenile who was arrested. QCNEWS.COM CRIME & 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 Queen City News. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A hookah lounge located on the 700 block of North 6th Street experienced a second shooting incident in less than a year. Victim shot at Abilene hookah lounge The 6th Street Center is a historic property built in the early 1900s and is recognized as the first African American hotel in Abilene. Located in the 700 block of North 6th Street, this property is now home to several businesses, with the second floor previously serving as an event center. Most recently, the second floor has been rented out to serve as a hookah lounge and local hangout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, May 31, at around 2:00 a.m., an incident occurred at that hookah lounge when one patron shot another. This type of incident isnt new for this location, as back in October of 2024, another shooting incident took place when a man who was in a crowd allegedly tried to push his way inside the establishment, and a security guard who was hired by the hookah lounge was accused of fatally shooting the individual. Concerns over this gathering spot have been voiced as recently as the May 8 Abilene City Council meeting, where notable Abilene figure Reverend Andrew Penns addressed the council about issues he and those who live in the area are experiencing. I come with a concern about a club that has opened in the Carver neighborhood. Anytime from about 2 to 3:00 in the morning, Im being woken up by music from that club. Not only myself, but others in the neighborhood have voiced concern, Penns said to the council. Security guard arrested on murder charge in connection to death of Abilene man Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Businesses in the area are also expressing concerns following the incident at the historic building. President Shawnte Fleming-Lewis of the non-profit Let Us Breath-Abilene, which is located right next to where the shooting occurred, spoke about what she and other business owners are now facing. It was always a privilege for me to be here. The residents are all complaining about here, and eventually, this is going to turn into something bigger that is going to be out of control, Fleming-Lewis shared. Were just looking to try to contain, try to figure out what the best plan is. We just have to do a better job about protecting Abilene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The property owner for the 6th Street Center, who wishes to remain unidentified, spoke about how he traditionally rents the space for events and was leasing the property to a 3rd party when the incident occurred. They say that after this incident, they are looking to cooperate fully with city authorities for the next step in securing safety on this property. Im going to take the recommendations from the police department and the city. Were going to comply fully with whatever the city says. The violence Its got to stop. As of now, neither the individual who was shot nor the shooter has been identified. The injured party was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and the suspect in this incident has not yet been arrested. An investigation is currently underway, and police are asking anyone with information on the incident or the possible shooter to come forward and contact Abilene Crime Stoppers at (325) 676-8477. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) Three British nationals accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram (over two pounds) of cocaine into Indonesia were charged Tuesday in a court on the tourist island of Bali. They face the death penalty under the country's strict drug laws. Convicted drug smugglers in Indonesia are sometimes executed by firing squad. Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 28, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 29, were arrested on Feb. 1 after customs officers halted them at the X-ray machine after finding suspicious items in their luggage disguised as food packages, said prosecutor I Made Dipa Umbara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umbara told the District Court in Denpasar that a lab test result confirmed that ten sachets of Angel Delight powdered dessert mix in Collyers luggage combined with seven similar sachets in his partners suitcase contained 993.56 grams (2.19 pounds) of cocaine, worth an estimated 6 billion rupiah ($368,000). Two days later, authorities arrested Phineas Ambrose Float, 31 after a controlled delivery set up by police in which the other two suspects handed the drug to him in the parking area of a hotel in Denpasar. He is being tried separately. The drugs were brought from England to Indonesia with a transit in the Doha international airport in Qatar, Umbara said. The group successfully smuggled cocaine into Bali on two previous occasions before being caught on their third attempt, said Ponco Indriyo, the Deputy Director of the Bali Police Narcotics Unit during a news conference in Denpasar on Feb. 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the charges against the group of three were read, the panel of three judges adjourned the trial until June 10, when the court will hear witness testimony. Both the defendants and their lawyers declined to comment to media after the trial. About 530 people, including 96 foreigners, are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data showed. Indonesias last executions, of an Indonesian and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016. A British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, now 69, has been on death row in Indonesia for more than a decade. She was arrested in 2012 when 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of cocaine was discovered stuffed inside the lining of her luggage at Balis airport. Indonesias highest court upheld the death sentence for Sandiford in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population. ___ Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report. CHICAGO (WGN) A group of Chicago police officers is recovering in the hospital after they were injured in a crash while attempting to recover a stolen vehicle on the Northwest Side overnight. According to police, the incident unfolded just after 8:30 p.m. Monday night, in the 5200 block of West Palmer Street, in Belmont Cragin, after officers spotted a car they believed had been taken in a carjacking. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over and activate the squad cars emergency lights, but the other driver allegedly refused to stop and continued driving. Officers continued following the driver, but as they approached the vehicle, they had to swerve to avoid hitting another car in traffic, which caused the officer driving to lose control of the squad car and crash into a tree. Police say the three officers inside the car all suffered injuries in the crash and were all taken to the hospital in good condition. Amid the crash, the vehicle that was the subject of the traffic stop fled the scene and no arrests have been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into the incident is now underway. Anyone with information on the crash can contact CPD Area Five Detectives at 312-746-6554 or dial 911. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. The overnight crash is the second time in the past week that CPD officers were injured in a crash involving a squad car. Early Saturday morning, a pair of CPD officers and a bicyclist were hospitalized following a rollover crash on the West Side. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Officials are searching for a Washington state man suspected of killing his three daughters and warned that the military veteran could pose a significant risk. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted on first-degree murder charges in connection with the killings, Wenatchee police said Tuesday. The girls, ages 5, 8 and 9, were found dead Monday after authorities discovered Deckers truck near a campground roughly 130 miles east of Seattle, police said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decker was not with the truck, the police department said. His daughters bodies were found in relatively close proximity of that vehicle, Chelan County Sheriffs Capt. Brian Chance said at a news conference Tuesday night. A search Tuesday with aircraft and drones, which included the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service, did not locate Decker, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said. Evelyn, Paityn and Olivia Decker. (Wenatchee Police Department) But we are not done searching, Morrison said, adding, We will not rest until Travis is located. Details about the girls possible causes of deaths and a possible motive were not released Tuesday. The girls bodies were in the custody of the coroners office, and an investigation is ongoing, Morrison said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities began searching for the girls after their mother filed a civil complaint Friday night when Decker did not bring them home after a planned visitation, the department said. The department sought an Amber Alert from state police that night, according to the release, but its request did not meet the required criteria. A spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol said the request did not meet two criteria of the alert system, a federal program with strict guidelines set by the U.S. Justice Department: There must be a reason to believe a missing person has been abducted, and there must be a known, imminent danger of serious injury or death. Decker had some custodial rights, so abduction was not an immediate legal presumption, said the spokesperson, Chris Loftis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In a situation where a custodial parent is late returning children to another parent, law enforcement does not automatically have clear indication that the children are in danger," he said. Travis Decker. (Wenatchee Police Department) On Saturday, the state patrol issued an endangered missing person alert, meant for people who are unable to "assist in their own recovery," Loftis said. That alert, he said, "accomplished much the same public notification/outreach as an AMBER alert would have." Deckers truck had been seen traveling west from Wenatchee, police said, and authorities continued searching for the girls over the weekend. With the assistance of the FBI, law enforcement officers narrowed their focus to an area near Leavenworth, roughly 17 miles east of the area where Decker's truck was found the next day at 3:45 p.m., police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities initially obtained a warrant on three counts of custodial interference against Decker. He is now wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, the police department said. It described Decker as a military veteran with extensive training. It isn't clear whether he is armed. Because of safety concerns, police warned anybody who sees Decker not to contact or approach him. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A nonverbal 3-year-old girl died after being scalded with hot water and slammed into the side of a tub after throwing up on herself and now the babysitter who did it to her has been sentenced to prison. On May 29, Iesha Harris, 31, of Southfield, Mich., was sentenced to 28 to 50 years in prison for the beating death of Harmoni Henderson, The Oakland Press reports. Harris was a friend of the childs mother and was babysitting Harmoni at a home in Detroit at the time of her death, Prosecutor Kim Worthy said in a news release in March 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrested on March 20, 2024, Harris pleaded not guilty to felony murder and first-degree child abuse, which is punishable by up to life in prison. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Harris promised to plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a lesser sentence, according to The Oakland Press. The deadly incident took place on March 17, 2024, when Harris was babysitting Harmoni, authorities said, ClickonDetroit reports. Harris left Harmoni and her own child in a bedroom for several hours while she smoked marijuana, authorities said, ClickonDetroit reports. During that time, Harmoni threw up on herself, which apparently enraged Harris, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Babysitter Arrested for Fatally Stabbing 3-Year-Old Girl While Her Father Was at Work: Police Ms. Harris allegedly admitted to police she poured scalding water on top of the 3-year-old and slammed her head against the side of the bathtub, Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Douglas said in March 2024, when Harris was denied bond. Being slammed into the side of the tub is what ultimately killed Harmoni, authorities said, Local12 reports. Harmonis mother, Paris England, was friends with Harris and trusted her wholeheartedly, she told ClickonDetroit. 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. England believes Harris became overwhelmed while caring for two young children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement England told the outlet Harmoni had autism and was non-verbal. I think she got frustrated with her and her own daughter and she slammed my babys head against the tub," she said. Capt. Laurie Carter of the Detroit Police Special Victims Unit said she can never forget the details of how Harmoni was killed. I was very disturbed, Carter said, ClickonDetroit reports. Nothing like this should ever happen to a child. In a GoFundMe set up by Harmonis mother, England wrote, Harmoni was so full of life. Love and laughter. Biggest smile u will ever see.. any and everything will be accepted. Thank you #harmoni #forever3 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Three young men have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a gang-related shooting in Tempe that killed a 5-year-old and left two other minors wounded, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. On March 17, 2023, shots were fired from a car carrying Alfred Gary, 18, Freddy Patterson, 18, Charles Adams, 19, and Demarcus Frazier, 32, into another car with seven passengers, according to police and prosecutors. The shooting was at a stoplight at Broadway Road and 48th Street and was the result of a beef with a rival gang member, prosecutors said. Three minors were taken to local hospitals by Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, and, ultimately, the 5-year-old was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gary, Patterson and Adams pled guilty to a range of felony offenses related to the incident, including second-degree murder, drive-by shooting and aggravated assault, according to the County Attorney's Office. All three were juveniles at the time of the shooting but were charged as adults. After the shooting, they grabbed dinner before going back to the intersection and taking a video, which they showed to other gang members, according to the prosecutor's office. Gary was sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Patterson and Adams were each sentenced to 30 years in prison, court records show. Patterson and Adams also received five years for a separate drive-by shooting in Phoenix two days earlier, according to the County Attorney's Office. A woman and her two children were in the car they shot into in that incident. Frazier's case was still pending. He faces the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have a news tip? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or 812-243-5582. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JimmyJenkins. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 3 people sentenced for Tempe drive-by shooting that killed 5-year-old BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Tuesday rejected the repeated U.S. claims that China is violating the consensus reached during the China-U.S. economic and trade talks in Geneva, urging the United States to stop spreading disinformation. China has acted in a responsible manner, taking the consensus reached in the Geneva talks seriously and implementing it rigorously, Lin stated at a regular press briefing. The United States has seriously undermined the consensus by successively introducing multiple discriminatory restrictive measures against China, including issuing guidance on AI chip export controls, halting sales of chip design software to China, and announcing the revocation of visas for Chinese students, Lin said. The U.S. move has harmed China's legitimate rights and interests, and China firmly opposes this and has lodged stern representations, the spokesperson said. Stressing that pressure and coercion are not the correct ways to deal with China, he urged the United States to respect the facts, stop spreading disinformation, correct its own mistakes and take concrete actions to safeguard the consensus reached during the Geneva talks. Three people have been rescued from the Atlantic Ocean in the dark after their plane went down several miles offshore off the coast of Florida, officials said. Officials from Air and Marine Operations, an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, were alerted to a single-engine Cessna Skyhawk crashing down into the ocean on Sunday evening several miles offshore, according to a statement from of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Monday. MORE: 61-year-old man survives being pinned down by 700-pound boulder for 3 hours in Alaska creek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the evening of June 1, an AMO Fort Pierce Marine Unit was alerted by the Indian River Shores Police Department that a single-engine Cessna Skyhawk had crashed approximately 2 to 3 miles offshore, officials said. AMO crews immediately responded and arrived at the location, joining search and rescue efforts already underway by the U.S. Coast Guard, Indian River County Sheriffs Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Indian River Shores Police Department. MORE: 6 gray whales have died in San Francisco in the past week as authorities scramble for answers PHOTO: Three people have been rescued from the Atlantic Ocean in the dark after their plane went down several miles offshore off the coast of Florida, officials said. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) MORE: Tourists at beach house find human remains dating back 200 years An Indian River County Sheriffs Office helicopter was able to locate three heat signatures in the water which led to a focused search of the area and, at approximately 9:50 p.m. on Sunday night, AMO Marine Interdiction Agents located two survivors before finding the third one shortly after and bringing him on board as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The survivor identified himself as the pilot and confirmed that only three individuals had been aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash, CBP officials said. AMO agents assessed the pilots condition, monitoring his vitals and providing initial care as he reported severe rib pain. The pilot was transferred to the Coast Guard 45-foot vessel for Emergency Medical Technician evaluation. MORE: Black bear found sitting on stove inside home after crashing through ceiling All three survivors were immediately taken to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce for further medical treatment by local fire rescue personnel. AMO remains committed to protecting lives and supporting partner agencies in search and rescue efforts across the nations coastal regions, officials said. 3 plane crash survivors plucked from Atlantic Ocean at night after plane goes down off Florida coast originally appeared on abcnews.go.com NEED TO KNOW Siblings Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, have been found dead, authorities announced on June 2 The girls were last seen alive on May 30, after leaving their Washington State home for a planned visitation with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker Officials are still searching for Decker, who is now wanted on charges of murder and kidnapping The three young sisters who were last seen on Friday, May 30, after leaving their Washington State home for a planned visitation with their father have been found dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead amid the search after authorities located their father's car near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., the Wenatchee Police Department said in a press release on Tuesday, June 2. Police did not share their causes of death or the exact location of where their bodies were found. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, was not located at the scene and remains missing, according to police. Police said Decker is now wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping. "It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk, if approached," police said, adding that the father has former military experience. Wenatchee Police Department Travis Decker Travis Decker The girls had left Friday, May 30 with Decker, who also has a warrant out for his arrest on custodial interference charges. The Wenatchee Police Department previously said Decker is homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area. 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 visitation was part of a parenting plan, but he has since gone outside the parameters of it, which is not normal and cause for the alarm, the police department further said, adding that the father could not be contacted after the girls did not return on time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police shared photos of the sisters and said they are believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own" as they asked for public assistance in locating them. On Saturday, May 31, the day after the sisters were last seen, Washington State Patrol issued an endangered missing person alert, declared the girls and their father at-risk/missing, and shared a photo of their dads 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup truck with the license plate D20165C. Then on Monday, June 2, Washington State Patrol announced the cancellation of the endangered missing persons alert for the Decker sisters. At the time, it wasn't immediately clear what changed in the investigation. PEOPLE earlier reached out to police for further comment. Anyone with information on Decker's whereabouts is asked to call 911. He stands at 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs 190 lbs., police said. He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts. Read the original article on People EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 35-year-old man is dead after exchanging gunfire with El Paso Police on Sunday afternoon, June 1 in El Pasos Upper Valley, El Paso Police said. Police said they were called out about a family violence incident in progress at about 3:15 p.m. Sunday along the 6400 block of Passo Via in the Upper Vallley. As officers approached the home, a man now identified as Salvador Valdiviezo began firing at officers with a handgun, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officer shot, suspect dead in officer-involved shooting in El Pasos Upper Valley Both officers returned fire and Valdiviezo was struck several times. He was transported to a hospital where he later died, police said. One officer was shot, was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition. Police have only identified the officer as a female officer who is a two-year veteran of the department. The other officer involved in the incident has also been with the department for two years. Three simultaneous investigations are being conducted into the shooting by the Texas Rangers, the El Paso Police Departments Crimes Against Persons Unit and by Internal Affairs. 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 KTSM 9 News. Four Los Angeles County men have been arrested on suspicion of running a drug trafficking operation and conspiring to distribute more than 2,000 pounds of drugs and hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills, according to authorities. The men allegedly kept the drugs inside a safe house on Wilmington Avenue in Compton, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles Field Division said in a statement. Last month, federal agents seized 1,730 pounds of methamphetamine, 238 pounds of cocaine, 257 pounds of powdered fentanyl and about 360,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills from the home. Authorities also took possession of 13 firearms and seven vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: One of the dark web's largest drug-dealing networks was run by four L.A. County men, feds allege Authorities believe the men made about $1.6 million in drug proceeds since 2023. To hide their activities from law enforcement, the men used coded language to communicate via FaceTime and Snapchat, according to the DEA. In May 2023, when authorities say the drug distribution operation began, the men allegedly made $3,250 selling meth to a customer at a restaurant in Paramount, according to court records. A drug sale the next month brought in $6,500, court records say. The four men were arrested on Wednesday. Authorities identified them as Jesse Gordo Lopez-Martinez, 27, of Long Beach; Carlos Losy Mendoza Jr., 32, of Compton; Hector Merced Parra Jr., 25, of South Gate; and Juan Panchito Francisco Felix Salazar, 28, of Whittier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Authorities tout massive 50-pound fentanyl seizure in L.A.: 'Our biggest bust yet' Lopez-Martinez faces three counts of possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. Parra and Salazar were each charged with one count for possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. Mendoza faces four counts: two for possession of drugs with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was previously convicted in L.A. in 2012 for felony drug transportation, authorities say. Parra and Salazar have been released on bond, while Lopez-Martinez and Mendoza remain in custody. All four men have pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the DEA, Mendoza allegedly stored and safeguarded the drugs at the Compton residence while Lopez-Martinez allegedly arranged deliveries. Lopez-Martinez and Mendoza allegedly transported meth, and prosecutors say Salazar and Parra helped Lopez-Martinez supply fentanyl to customers. Parra also received fentanyl on consignment from Salazar for further distribution, authorities allege. Read more: Hollywood woman convicted of running delivery service dubbed 'Uber, but for drugs' The DEA will show zero tolerance for drug criminals, who continue to poison and devastate our communities, Matthew Allen, special agent in charge of the L.A. Field Division, said in a statement. We're going to find you, shut down your activities, and ensure you face the full force of the law. If convicted as charged, the four men could each face a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a maximum life sentence, according to the DEA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Vernon Police Department, the Baldwin Park Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations. Trial is scheduled to begin on July 21. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A 4-year-old boy is in the hospital after nearly drowning in east Wichita. The Wichita Police Department told KSN that first responders were called to a home near Central Avenue and Rock Road just before 6:30 p.m. for a report of a possible drowning. Crews arrived quickly and found that the boy had fallen into a pool. Authorities believe the incident was accidental. We suspect nothing nefarious at this point in time, WPD Sgt. Melissa McKenna said. Weve done numerous interviews out here. There were numerous witnesses to the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child was transported to a local hospital in stable condition and is responsive. 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. SHELBY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Forty seniors graduated from Pinnacle Classical Academy May 31 at an outdoor commencement ceremony in the schools Lyceum. Over 77% of the seniors received an associates degree from Cleveland Community College along with their high school diploma. Fourteen seniors also received a certificate from Cleveland Community College, in areas as varied as biotechnology, business administration, collision repair and refinishing technology and fire protection technology. Commencement speaker Hadley Heath Manning, executive vice president of the Steamboat Institute and a Shelby native, warned the graduates against the pitfalls of convenience, conformity and contempt. She encouraged the graduates to take time for inconvenient relationships, to think independently and to show compassion toward others with whom they disagree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twelve years ago, I stepped foot onto the campus of Pinnacle Classical Academy for the first time. I was six years old and had no idea how much of an impact this place would have on me, class valedictorian Chesnee Stewart said in her address to her classmates. This school has helped to shape who I am and who I will become. Class salutatorian Madelyn Hicks paid tribute to teachers who were willing to help me understand subjects that I couldnt quite grasp. Hicks said of her classmates, I truly believe that you will not find a closer knit group of people anywhere. From our first steps through the halls of Pinnacle to the challenges and triumphs that shaped our high school journey, weve learned lessons that extend far beyond textbooks, added Casey Greene, Student Government Association president. Weve learned the value of integrity, the strength found in perseverance, and the importance of community lessons that will guide us no matter where life leads next. The seniors were offered a combined $6,283,666 in multi-year merit scholarships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 77% of the seniors plan to enter college this fall; they will matriculate at Anderson University, Appalachian State University, Belmont University, Cleveland Community College, Gardner-Webb University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Wilmington and Western Carolina University. One graduate will enter the United States Army, and another will serve as a missionary; others will enter the workforce. Among the many scholarships received were the Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship, a full tuition, room, and board scholarship awarded by Gardner-Webb University to William Brooks; the Golden LEAF Scholarship, awarded to Maggie Gomez-Huffman; and Lenoir-Rhyne Universitys full-tuition President Scholarship, awarded to Michael (Cody) Humphries. We are so proud of the 40 graduates of the class of 2025, said Dr. Shelly Shope, the schools headmaster. Many of them entered Pinnacle Classical Academy as first graders when the school opened its doors in 2013. They truly embody the schools motto, Dare to Soar.' A week before graduation, the school hosted its annual senior sunset dinner. The members of the class of 2025 selected James Laughlin, a high school English teacher, to address them as their senior speaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evening before graduation, Pinnacle Classical Academy hosted its annual senior scholarship night, during which $65,590 in local scholarships were awarded to the class of 2025. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of area residents who have helped make college more affordable for our students, said Dr. Shope. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The 4Warn Storm Team tracked strong and tornadic storms in Oklahoma. 4Warn Weather: Live Radar and Maps Oklahoma Weather Radar Oklahoma Weather Watches and Warnings Map KFOR SkyCam Network Oklahoma Closings and Delays Oklahoma Weather Alerts According to NWS Norman, NOAA weather radios will be off the air starting Tuesday and through June 5 due to a required software update. Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings. Download the 4WarnMe app or the KFOR News app to get alerts. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Alabama Crimestoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in connection to the Feb. 2021 murder of Eric Lashan Russaw. Eufaula Police say Russaw was shot to death on February 5, 2021 around Wall Street in Eufaula. Police say Russaw was at a biker club party when gunshots were heard inside of the establishment. After the gunfire, witnesses found Russaw lying on his back suffering from a gunshot wound. He later succumbed to his injures. If you have any information regarding this crime, please immediately call the police or CrimeStoppers using our 24-hour tip line at 334-215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1-STOP (833-251 -7867). Text 215stop to 738477 to receive a link to an anonymous tip form. 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 WRBL. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). 1. Dalmatia: Recipes from Croatia's Mediterranean Coast by Ino Kuvacic With more than 3,600 miles of coastline, Croatias Dalmatia region is intrinsically tied to the sea. This is apparent in its cuisine, where fish and seafood plucked directly from the Adriatic reigns supreme, whether its delicately sweet and silky oysters or smoky grilled sea bream. Melbourne-based restaurateur Ino Kuvacic originally from Split, Dalmatias largest city believes the flavours of his homeland deserve to be celebrated. In his latest cookbook, he transports readers to the cobbled streets of the regions medieval towns, offering more than 100 recipes, most of which are designed to be shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Classic dishes such as brudet (seafood stew) and splitska pasticada (Split-style beef with red wine, prunes and apples) take centre stage, while small plates, including kozice s prsutom (prawns wrapped in prosciutto with goats cheese) serve as the perfect introduction to the regions cuisine. To finish, there are indulgent desserts, including Dubrovnik creme caramel, whose French and Spanish origins reflect Dalmatias rich blend of cultural influences. 25, Hardie Grant. 2. Sama Sama by Julie Lin In her new book, chef and restaurateur Lin celebrates her Malaysian-Scottish heritage. Personal stories explore the interconnectivity of food and identity, while recipes such as chilli crisp puttanesca and kaya croissant-and-butter pudding showcase Lins innovative approach to Malaysian flavours. 28, Ebury Press. 3. Peach Street to Lobster Lane by Felicity Cloake Food writer Cloakes latest release traces the origins of the most iconic dishes in the US, via a cycle ride across the country. She uncovers the stories behind specialities like crawfish stew, marionberry pie and sauerkraut balls offering insights into the immigrant communities that have shaped the USs ever-evolving food scene. 16.99, HarperCollins. 4. Smoke and Seasoned Bread by Hasan Semay Half-Turkish Cypriot, half-British chef Semays latest book resulted from a solo journey through Turkey, during which he picked up both stories and recipes. Alongside chapters dedicated to bread and mezze are explorations of regional delicacies like Adanan kofte and Gaziantep pistachios. 28, Pavilion. 5. Pakistan, by Maryam Jillani Born and raised in Islamabad, food writer Jillanis debut cookbook contextualises Pakistani cuisine through essays on each region. Encompassing Afghan, Chinese, Indian and Iranian influences, the 100-plus recipes include boldly flavoured dishes like spiced chicken dumplings, saffron flatbread and Parsi wedding custard. 26, Hardie Grant. Published in Issue 28 (summer 2025) of Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). MEMPHIS, Tenn. A police officer and five civilians were injured in a three-vehicle crash in Raleigh on Tuesday afternoon. The wreck, which involved a police cruiser, happened just before 2 p.m. at Raleigh Millington and Egypt Central. Convicted child rapist gets 40 year sentence A man, two women, a juvenile, and the officer were transported to area hospitals, all in noncritical condition. Police have not said what caused the crash. MPD said this is an ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with foreign representatives attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states' finance ministers and central bank chiefs in Beijing, capital of China, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Tuesday called for strengthening financial cooperation among member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to give strong impetus to the development of regional countries. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a group meeting with foreign representatives attending a meeting of the SCO member states' finance ministers and central bank chiefs. Ding said that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a series of important suggestions and measures for jointly building a more beautiful home of the SCO at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" meeting last year in Astana. China is willing to take its rotating presidency of the SCO as an opportunity and work with other member states to prioritize development, strengthen financial cooperation, expand the local currency settlement, promote digital inclusive finance, and actively work for the establishment of an SCO development bank, Ding said. Speaking on behalf of the foreign side, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev spoke highly of the work carried out by China as the rotating chair of the SCO, and expressed the willingness to collaborate with the Chinese side to uphold the "Shanghai Spirit" and promote regional prosperity and development. Five police officers died Monday after they were ambushed by an armed group in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, on the border with Guatemala, local officials said. The attack happened in the town of Frontera Comalapa, where the Chiapas state police officers were on patrol when they were ambushed. "Members of the state police were attacked and ambushed," the governor of Chiapas, Eduardo Ramirez, said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramirez identified the slain officers as Guillermo Cortes Morales, Jesus Sanchez Perez, Joel Martinez Perez, Brenda Lizbeth Toala Blanco and Pedro Hernandez Hernande. The local Security Secretariat said it had deployed more than 1,000 officers to "attend to the situation and guarantee security in the area." Five police officers died Monday after they were ambushed by an armed group in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, on the border with Guatemala, local officials said. / Credit: Chiapas State Governor Eduardo Ramirez The agency also shared an image of the slain officers' charred patrol vehicle after it was completely engulfed in flames on a roadway. Later, the agency announced on social media they had arrested a man in connection to the murders. Authorities said the suspect was hiding in the weeds about half a mile from the crime scene, carrying an AK-47 rifle and a backpack with military uniforms. Officials did not immediately give information about other possible suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, Chiapas has been shaken by a bloody turf war between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation cartel the country's two most powerful criminal organizations. Chiapas has been described by the InSight Crime think tank as "a major smuggling hub of both drugs and migrants." In December, authorities said they recovered more than 30 bodies from pits in Chiapas. January 6 defendant refuses Trump's pardon Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Baldwin grills McMahon on unallocated funds for students, schools, approved by Congress Diddy has sought every way out of his potential doom within the last year, and a recent report suggested that he may go to President Donald Trump for a pardon if he is convicted in his current trafficking trial. 50 Cent, the constant thorn in the controversial moguls side, has now reminded him why Trump may not be willing to help him out by sharing a few old clips. In October 2020, Puff sat down with Charlamagne Tha God for an interview ahead of the 2020 presidential election. He emphatically endorsed Joe Bidens candidacy and announced the launch of Our Black Party, a collective focused on advocacy for the African American community. Fif shared a portion of their conversation on his Instagram. If Trump gets elected, I really do believe in my heart there will be a race war, the Bad Boy co-founder said in the clip. Thats why this message is not just to Black people, you know what Im saying? This message is to everybody. This man is really trying to turn us against each other and put us in a situation. America messed up. In a second clip, the former REVOLT chairman took things even further and said, White men like Trump need to be banished. Watch the clips below. Time and different circumstances have seemingly changed Diddys tune on Donald Trump, as he is reportedly angling for a presidential pardon if he is convicted. If found guilty, the 55-year-old artist could face life in prison. Hes willing to do anything to get out of jail, a source who has been close to the Last Night artist for a decade told Rolling Stone. Hes always been this way. Hes always going to do what he has to do to get out of a situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brother Love couldnt have found himself in this situation at a better time. Just last week, Trump pardoned YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who had been recently reprimanded for gun-related charges. YB had been released from federal prison in March and sent to home confinement in Utah due to credit for time served, which ended in April. With this pardon, he wont have to follow any probation terms, the worst of which was drug testing. Trump also commuted Larry Hoovers federal life sentence for operating a criminal enterprise last week. The kingpin isnt completely off the hook, though; while he gets to leave the supermax facility in Colorado, he returns home to Illinois to continue serving his 150 to 200-year sentence for a murder he committed in Chicago in 1973. Nonetheless, Diddy may find himself needing Trumps help at the most opportune time. This past Friday (May 30), Donald Trump was asked about his willingness to help Diddy. I havent spoken to him in years, he told Fox News. He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up, from what I read. I dont know, he didnt tell me that. But Id read some nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden. The 78-year-old President admitted that he had to keep the United States in mind when considering what to do with Diddys personal affairs. You know, its different, he said. You become a much different person when you run for politics, and you do whats right. I could do other things, and Im sure hed like me, and Im sure other people would like me, but it wouldnt be as good for our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, he didnt have a final answer on what he would do at the time. Its not a popularity contest, so I dont know, he admitted. I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or dont like me, it wouldnt have any impact on me. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEED TO KNOW Jalen Vallejos, 20, was arrested on the same night he allegedly planned to attack his ex's father and possibly harm or kill his ex, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE He allegedly told a deputy with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office that he had been watching his ex sleep for the past six to eight months Vallejo allegedly had a pocket knife, lock-picking tool, sledgehammer, duct tape, wire cutters, a ski mask and pliers with him on the night of his arrest Authorities in Florida arrested a man after he allegedly confessed to watching his ex-girlfriend sleep for months while plotting to attack her and her father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jalen Vallejos, 20, is now facing a number of charges including aggravated stalking, criminal mischief, burglary and loitering after being picked up by a deputy with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office on Sunday just before midnight, according to a copy of a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE. Volusia County Corrections Jalen Vallejos Jalen Vallejos The deputy says he initiated a "consensual encounter" with Vallejos after driving by the young man in "a dark-colored hoodie with the hood up" and "using both hands to obscure his face from view," per the complaint. He is also seen wearing multiple shirts under his hoodie and jeans as well as a black ski mask that is rolled up like a hat in body cam footage of the encounter obtained by PEOPLE. When asked why he is wearing so many layers, he tells the deputy that it "gets kind of cold out," despite the temperature being 76F at the 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. Vallejos also allegedly had a pocketknife and was covered in "hitchhiker weeds and brush" on his clothes and shoes, the complaint said, "suggesting he had recently walked through thick vegetation off the sidewalk." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deputy ultimately made the decision to detain Vallejo after learning he had a lock-picking tool, writing in the complaint that there had been an uptick in car thefts in the area. Vallejos was then asked why he had a knife, a ski mask and a lock-picking tool, at which point he tells the deputy on body cam footage that he planned to break into his ex's home. He was then placed under arrest. Volusia County Corrections Jalen Vallejos Jalen Vallejos After being taken into custody, the arresting deputy alleged that Vallejos told him about a backpack in the car he had driven to his ex's neighborhood that night which contained "duct tape (to cover security cameras), wire snips (to cut camera wires), black spray paint (to vandalize the garage, as he had previously done in a prior incident), three sets of wire cutters and pliers (to use if needed), and a sledgehammer." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vallejos allegedly said that he planned to walk to his ex's home that night, pick the lock on her back gate, watch her sleep and then return to the car and get his backpack, according to the complaint. When the deputy asked why he needed the sledgehammer, Vallejos allegedly responded that he planned to use it to break down his ex's front door and then "defend himself" against her father. Vallejos allegedly said he planned to harm the father but "didn't know" if he planned to harm his ex, according to the complaint. The deputy said he then directly asked Vallejos if he planned to harm or kill his ex, at which point the young man allegedly told him, "yeah, eventually." The deputy then contacted Vallejos' ex, who said that the two had broken up six months ago after dating for over two years, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the ex and her father told the deputy they feared for their lives after being informed of Vallejos' plan, and said they did wish to file criminal charges against the young man. Vallejos is now being held at the Volusia County Jail on no bond due to the aggravated stalking charge, according to jail records. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood praised the deputy who first stopped Vallejos at a press conference on Monday. He then commented on the suspect's actions and contents of his backpack, saying: "I mean, that's got all the signs to me that somebody's getting killed." Read the original article on People Experts searching for plane wreckage in Michigans Lake Superior found logs and rocks on the bottom but no debris from an aircraft that crashed nearly 60 years ago carrying three people on a scientific assignment. A team from Michigan Technological University returned last week by boat to get closer to 16 targets that appeared on sonar last fall, more than 200 feet (61 meters) below the surface of the vast lake. The crew used side-scan sonar and other remote technology. We did not locate any sign of the wreckage of the missing aircraft, said Travis White, a research engineer at the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Tech. However, we did validate our technical approach, as we found physical objects in each target location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Beechcraft plane carrying pilot Robert Carew, co-pilot Gordon Jones and graduate student Velayudh Krishna Menon left Madison, Wisconsin, for Lake Superior on Oct. 23, 1968. They were collecting data on temperature and other lake conditions for the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Seat cushions and pieces of stray metal have washed ashore over the years along the Keweenaw Peninsula. But the wreckage and the remains of the men have never been found. Were probably not going to find a fully intact airplane, said Wayne Lusardi, state maritime archaeologist. An autonomous vessel was launched last September, recording sonar readings and other data. After studying those findings over the winter, White, Lusardi and others returned to Lake Superior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, the targets turned out to be mostly natural: large sunken trees, logs, rocks," White said by email. Metal cans on the lake bottom, believed to be 75 years old, give hope that the plane wreckage may be reasonably well-preserved and not buried, he said. White said the next challenge will be how to continue the work. We may attempt a crowdfunding model to see if we can raise some funds for future mapping activities that could help us locate the plane or other historic wrecks, he said. The initial search last fall was organized by the Smart Ships Coalition, a group of more than 60 universities, government agencies, companies and international organizations interested in maritime autonomous technologies. Deputies arrested multiple people accused of selling vapes to minors after the Paulding County School District reported an increase in students with vapes. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Paulding County Sheriffs Office conducted a two-month-long Operation Clean Air. The operation occurred after school authorities reported a new record of vapes confiscated from students between five and 20 years old. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said they arrested seven people. Their identities were not released. The PCSO said it will continue to crack down on stores that attempt to sell vapes to minors. Sheriff Ashley Henson reminds parents that while deputies are spearheading this effort, they cannot do it alone. Were asking parents to sit down with their children and have an open discussion with them regarding the health hazards of vaping that are life-endangering. Parental intervention and public awareness are the solutions to the success of Operation Clear Air and the well-being of our youth in the coming years, Henson said. The operation will continue, with more stages to follow in ensuring continued compliance with Georgia law. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] UPDATE (5:47 p.m.): A 7-year-old paddleboarder who was reported missing in Bluewater Bay in Okaloosa County has been found. Greyson Hardy was found safe by Florida Fish and Wildlife officers, according to an update to the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office Facebook page. No information was available on where he was found. PREVIOUS REPORTING OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching for a missing 7-year-old in Okaloosa County, Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: Federal Bureau of Prisons responds to Todd Chrisleys allegations about FPC Pensacola According to an Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office Facebook post, Greyson Hardy was last seen by a family member paddleboarding on equipment similar to the one pictured below near Rocky Creek by State Road 229 in Bluewater Bay. The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office is looking for 7-year-old Greyson Hardy, who went missing while riding a paddleboard in Bluewater Bay. (Courtesy of Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office) Greyson is described as 4 feet, 3 inches tall, weighing 70 pounds. He has strawberry-blond hair, blue eyes, and is wearing black swim trunks, according to the release. Multiple Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office units, including the Drone Unit, along with Florida Fish and Wildlife, North Bay Fire Department, US Fish and Wildlife, and Eglin Air Force Base, have been searching for the boy, according to the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The search has reportedly been underway for approximately an hour, and we are asking everyone in that vicinity to please keep an eye out for Greyson, the post said. UPDATE: 75-year-old man shot, killed by MPD after pointing gun at officers Anyone who sees him or has information is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately or call the OCSO at 850-651-7400. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A 77-year-old man has died after he was hit by an alleged DUI driver in Suquamish, Kitsap County on Monday. According to Washington State Patrol, the car was driving northbound on SR 305 near George Lane NE, a business park in the area, around 8:45 p.m. The 77-year-old was in the center turn lane on SR 305, looking to cross the road to one of the shoulders. When he crossed the road, he was hit by the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area does not have a designated crosswalk and it appears there is minimal street lighting. WSP did not specify if the driver was speeding. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested for suspicion of DUI. More than 100,000 Texans are demanding Gov. Greg Abbott veto a bill that would ban many hemp-based products, threatening thousands of jobs and what some advocates call basic personal liberty. On Monday, the Texas Hemp Business Council delivered over 118,000 signatures and 5,000 letters to Abbotts office at the Capitol, urging him to reject Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which they argue would devastate the states booming hemp industry. Senate Bill 3 was designed to destroy a vibrant and legitimate industry, said Cynthia Cabrera, president of the Texas Hemp Business Council. The bill now awaits review by Governor Abbott. We respectfully urge him to consider the facts, listen to our appeal and make the logical decision to veto SB 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, which passed the Texas Legislature last month, would outlaw many hemp-derived consumables that have been legal since the 2018 federal Farm Bill, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Now, some critics are saying it would force consumers into unsafe black markets and financially cripple small businesses and farmers across the state. Veterans groups have been especially vocal in opposition to SB3. Mitch Fuller, an Iraq War veteran and national legislative chairman of the VFW Department of Texas, warned that the bill would strip away an effective alternative to opioids and anti-depressants that many veterans have relied on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 3 will take away hemp-derived consumables, which is an important alternative modality to the opioids and anti-depressants that the VA has been negligent in shoving down our throats for the last 25 years, Fuller said. However, supporters of the bill, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have cited safety concerns for the Lone Star States residents. We cannot in good conscience leave Austin without banning THC, which is harming our children, and destroying Texans lives and families, The Texas Lieutenant General declared via X post last month. Yet, industry advocates say those fears are exaggerated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cabrera countered that hemp products have been subject to rigorous third-party lab testing and labeling requirements for years. This bill is not designed to regulate us, said Tara Latil, owner of CBD American Shaman. Its designed to bury us in fees, paperwork and fines until we have no choice but to shut down and walk away, leaving the market wide open for a few wealthy players whove been quietly funding this ban from the sidelines not to mention an unregulated black market. Theres a huge threat to rural economies on this. A lot of the businesses and farmers I know are in rural communities, and we are losing additional jobs and funds in those communities, added Colton Luther, managing partner at Geremy Greens Farm. Were talking about farmers, small businesses, and local communities who depend on hemp. Advocates also warned that prohibition has historically failed, pointing to the failed war on alcohol in the 1920s and the inability of black market suppliers to comply with any regulatory framework for alcohol at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prohibition did not work in the 1920s for alcohol and it will not work now for hemp not with e-commerce and an American public thats more mobile than ever. Border security and cartels remain chief concerns for Texans. The number one killer of Americans 18 to 45 years old is fentanyl, according to the CDC. If the cartels didnt bother to get licensed by the state of Texas, they wont be bothered by an unenforceable ban, said Mark Bordas, executive director of the Texas Hemp Business Council. Gov. Abbott has until June 22 to veto, sign, or allow the bill to become law without his signature. Until then, advocates like the THBC say they will continue to press for a veto, arguing that Texans deserve access to safe, legal hemp products and the thousands of jobs that depend on them. HANGZHOU, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have developed an innovative degradable silicone-hydrogel coating that shows exceptional anti-biofouling performance in marine applications. The study, conducted by researchers from east China's Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been published in the journal Small. It presents a sustainable solution for combating microbial fouling, a major challenge in terms of marine engineering and underwater infrastructure. Marine equipment and underwater structures often face serious biofouling problems caused by microorganisms, which can reduce performance, increase maintenance costs and create safety risks. Current solutions either use highly toxic biocides that harm marine ecosystems or eco-friendly alternatives that have limited effectiveness and durability. To solve this problem, the research team created a unique coating by combining a simple sol-gel method with Schiff base chemistry. This approach allowed them to mix different types of monomers -- some that resist fouling, others that kill microbes, and some that make the coating flexible and able to break down over time. The resulting coating works in four ways to prevent biofouling: It makes surfaces amphiphilic, so organisms can't stick, resists microbial attachment, kills attached bacteria and slowly renews itself as it degrades. Tests showed that the material is both flexible and long-lasting, with a hardness measurement of 0.135. In laboratory experiments, the coating demonstrated outstanding performance -- killing 98.8 percent of bacteria and preventing 99.8 percent of microbial attachment. Yan Minglong, the study's lead author, explained that this new coating lasts longer than current options, with an estimated 5.5-year lifespan when applied at a thickness of 200 micrometers. According to co-corresponding author Zhao Wenjie, this innovation could significantly improve marine equipment, such as ships and underwater structures, while being more environmentally friendly than traditional antifouling methods. The technology may also be useful in medical devices that need to resist bacterial growth. HOUSTON (KXAN) Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bail reform bill in Houston Tuesday surrounded by elected officials, bail reform advocates and victims families. The signing began at 2 p.m. at Crime Stoppers of Houston, with several state officials who attended, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, state Sen. Joan Huffman, state Rep. John Smithee, Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Mankarious, Crime Stoppers of Houston Director of Victim Services and Advocacy Andy Kahan and others. House supports Abbotts bail prioritiesminus ban on bail for undocumented people Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the Texas House overwhelmingly voted to support bail reform, the chamber did not pass a proposed element that would have automatically denied bail for people who were illegally in the country and charged with certain felonies. The House voted 122-20 to advance an amended version of Senate Bill 9, which encompasses bail reducing personal bond options. It requires judges to review appointed magistrates bond amounts, as well as allows prosecutors to protest bond decisions. Jocelyns Law fails to earn enough votes in Texas House Then, the House voted 133-8 advance an amended version of Senate Joint Resolution 5, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring judges to deny bail for certain felony charges if judges feel the accused is either a flight risk or a threat to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last, the House voted 88-50 to advance an amended version of Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would deny bail for those accused for illegal aliens charged with certain felonies. However, the resolution fell 13 votes shy of the 100 votes needed to pass the Texas House. SJR 1, also known as Jocelyns Law, is named after 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston. She was allegedly killed by a pair of men illegally in the country last 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 KXAN Austin. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is still imprisoned in El Salvador after the U.S. government illegally sent him there in March. According to the latest filing from his lawyers, the Trump administration is still resisting facilitating his return, despite having been ordered to do so by judges at every level of the court system. The Government asks this Court to accept a shocking proposition: that federal officers may snatch residents of this country and deposit them in foreign prisons in admitted violation of federal law, while no court in the United States has jurisdiction to do anything about it, Abrego Garcias lawyers wrote Monday in their opposition to the governments motion to dismiss. The motion, filed last week, is pending before U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who ordered the government to facilitate his return nearly two months ago. The Supreme Court largely backed her order in April, but instead of approving it completely in a way that couldve ended the matter, the high courts order left open questions while sending the case back to the Maryland judge for further litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court said on April 10 that Xinis order properly requires the Government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. And yet, the government has not done that. Since then, the lower court litigation has been unfolding too slowly to the liking of Abrego Garcias lawyers, who said in their opposition filing that the administration is just trying to rehash recycled arguments in its dismissal motion. The government can now file a final reply brief before Xinis rules, and that reply would ordinarily be due in two weeks; but Abrego Garcias lawyers have asked the judge to cut that due date to one week. Further briefing on recycled arguments should not prolong a case that has already dragged on far too long for Abrego Garcia and his family, they wrote. So while news has emerged of yet more immigrants the government has wrongly sent to other countries since Abrego Garcias illegal removal, his return is still not in sight. 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 MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio (WCMH) A man accused of murder appeared in court for the first time since a shootout that took the life of a Morrow County Sheriff deputy on Memorial Day. Brian Wilson, 53, was booked into Delaware County Jail after he was released from a hospital over the weekend, according to the sheriffs office. Wilson is charged with aggravated murder after an alleged shootout with deputy Daniel Weston Sherrer at home on County Road 26, just south of Marengo. Sherrer was reportedly responding to a domestic violence call when Wilson confronted him on the porch of the home. Wilson allegedly told Sherrer, You better just f go if you want your family to see you tomorrow. before shots were fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several gunshots were heard and Sherrer was hit during the exchange. More shots were fired, a court affidavit said, and two firearms were recovered, including a semiautomatic pistol and a revolver. Apply now: FBI offers teen academy for central Ohio students Wilson, charged with aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer, was also struck during the shootout and had been hospitalized for nearly a week before his release Saturday. On Tuesday, Wilson appeared virtually for his arraignment hearing in Morrow County court and received a $5 million cash surety bond with no possibility of paying 10%. The $5 million amount was issued after Morrow County prosecuting attorney Andrew Wick requested a $9 million bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wick told NBC4 that he knew Deputy Sherrer very well. He was one of the good ones, said Wick of Sherrer. Always willing to help and always curious about updates in the law. If Wilson posts bond, he cannot leave Ohio, must refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs, must remove all firearms from his residence, and cannot contact members of Sherrers family. If convicted of his aggravated murder charge, the court said Wilson could face life in prison or the death penalty. Sherrer was honored with a 120-mile procession last Wednesday and tomorrow he will be laid to rest at a private ceremony at Marion Cemetery. Visitation hours will be held Tuesday from 1-7 p.m. at Northmor High School. Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered flags flown at half staff until the completion of funeral services Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The month of May ended up near average temperature wise but finished more than two inches below average in precipitation. The weather pattern will turn stormier and more unsettled through the end of the week bringing Central Illinois some much needed rain. Key Takeaways Strong to severe storms possible Tuesday evening Damaging wind gusts the primary threat, brief tornado possible Periods of rain showers through Wednesday morning Additional rounds of rain Thursday through Friday Tuesday & Wednesday A few decaying showers and isolated storms will be possible throughout the day on Tuesday, mainly west of the Illinois River. Better chances for showers and storms will arrive Tuesday evening as a more organized line of storms heads our direction. The storms will likely be weakening as they move into the area but still may produce damaging wind gusts and perhaps an isolated tornado. The Storm Prediction Center has placed some areas west of the Illinois River within a Level 2 Risk (Slight Risk) where the risk of severe weather is highest. The risk of severe weather should end by midnight though periods of rain and storms will continue overnight and through Wednesday morning as the front stalls. It looks like well become dry Wednesday afternoon and should remain dry through Wednesday night. Rainfall amounts through Wednesday will generally range from 1.00 to 2.00, though locally higher amounts over 3.00 are possible west of the Illinois River. Thursday & Friday Showers and storms will redevelop Thursday afternoon/evening and continue into Friday. As of now sever weather appears unlikely. These showers and storms should bring an additional 0.50 to 1.00 of rain to the area which will result in an area wide total of 1.00 to 3.00 with locally higher amounts up to 4.00 possible west of the Illinois River. NWS Weather Radio Outage The NWS office in Lincoln will be getting a software update that will take weather radios off air for portions of Central Illinois from 7 am on Tuesday, June 3rd through 4 pm on Thursday, June 5th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The update is to the NWS AWIPS computer system, which they use to display and integrate weather and water information, and to send life-saving information, such as weather and water warnings, to the public. During this update, forecasts and warning information will come from their backup offices in Chicago and St. Louis. The map below shows which counties will be left without weather radio coverage over the next few days. Counties with partial coverage may be able to pick up a signal from a neighboring radio tower, but the signal will likely be degraded and still may not alert when a warning is issued. There will be no service available in Peoria and Tazewell Counties. We do have a conditional risk for severe storms on Tuesday evening so makes sure to download the CiProud 2 Go Weather App to receive weather 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 CIProud.com. Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, left, and Jonathan Joss as Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. Credit - Ben CohenNBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Actor Jonathan Joss, best known for his portrayal of Native American characters in television and film, died at age 59 after being shot near his home in Texas on Sunday. Police were reportedly dispatched to a shooting in progress along Dorsey Drive in San Antonio at around 7 p.m. and, upon arrival, found a wounded Joss near the road. San Antonio police said in a statement that officers attempted life-saving measures until the arrival of paramedics, who eventually pronounced Joss dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Joss husband after the pair married earlier this year on Valentines Day, confirmed the actors death to the Associated Press. De Gonzales posted a statement on Facebook after Joss death, saying that the two were checking the mail at a former residence when the shooting happened. 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, the statement said. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. While living there, they regularly experienced openly homophobic harassment, he claimed. Joss had told local news in January that the house [he] grew up in had been burned down and was vandalized while he and his partner were away. In addition to damaging the property, the fire reportedly killed three of Joss dogs. Joss husband said in the statement after Joss death that a man approached them while they were checking for mail at the property and began yelling violent homophobic slurs at them before raising a gun and firing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan and I had no weapons, de Gonzales said. 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. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, de Gonzales alleged. San Antonio police said in a statement: 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. The statement added: 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, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities arrested Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, and charged him with first-degree murder, according to county records. TMZ reported that Joss and his neighbor had experienced both verbal and physical fights in the past and tensions between the two men had been building for years. In this handout photo released by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, suspect Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez poses for a booking photo on June 2, 2025. Bexar County Sheriffs Office/Getty Images Joss began his acting career in 1994 with roles in episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger, as well as in movies like 8 Seconds, according to his IMDB page. In both the 1996 miniseries Dead Mans Walk and 2008 miniseries Comanche Moon, based on the Western novels by Larry McMurtry, Joss portrayed the character Kicking Wolf. Joss, who is of Apache and Comanche descent, said in 2008, I loved how Kicking Wolf wasnt your typical stoic Native American. He was allowed to smile and add some humor to the story. Joss went on to play Ken Hotate, the comical and clever tribal leader of the fictional Wamapoke people, in five episodes of NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation between 2011 and 2015. He is so funny, fellow show actor Aubrey Plaza told San Antonio local news in 2014. His relationship with Leslie Knope [Amy Poehler] is one of the funniest dynamics because of how weird their exchanges are. Jonathan is a really talented improviser. Hes always making us crack up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to People on Monday, Parks and Recreation co-star Nick Offerman said of Joss death: The cast has been texting together about it all day and were just heartbroken. Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy. Perhaps Joss most famous acting credit was voicing the character John Redcorn in animated sitcom King of the Hill, which aired on Fox for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2009. He took over the role from Victor Aaron in the shows second season after Aaron died in a car accident. A reboot of King of the Hill is scheduled to premiere in August, and Joss had reportedly already begun recording lines for it. Just days before his death, Joss appeared at a panel about the reboot on May 30 in Austin, Texas, where he spoke from the audience after expressing disappointment on social media in April for not being invited to speak on the panel. This show was a part of my life for many years. That character, that voice, that story they were my home, my pride, my connection to something bigger than myself, Joss posted on Facebook on April 21. To not be invited felt like being shut out of a place I helped build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an update about a week later, he posted: I heard back from Disney, and while the King of the Hill panel will be focusing on series regulars, I truly appreciate them taking the time to reach out to me personally. It means a lot. At the event on Friday, video on social media showed, Joss took to a microphone in the crowd and said: Im an actor. I see a mic; I use it. I see a wrong; I make it right. He went on to say, seemingly of his character and himself, For Johnny, he gave you guys a character because he is that character, he is that person. Joss was reportedly escorted by security from the event. Jonathan Joss brought King of the Hills John Redcorn to life for over a dozen seasons, including in the upcoming revival, show creators Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson said in a statement, according to Variety. His voice will be missed at King of the Hill, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathans friends and family. While a GoFundMe drive set up by a fan to support Joss and his husband after the burning down of their home in January has begun to receive more donations since the news of Joss death, a message posted to Joss Facebook account seemingly from de Gonzales said: 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. 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. Contact us at letters@time.com. Mayor Adams encouraged asylum seekers Tuesday to continue showing up for immigration court hearings, even as the citys Law Department blasted President Trumps administration for creating a culture of fear by using such proceedings as ICE hunting grounds for Trumps mass deportation efforts. Anxiety in New Yorks immigrant communities has been heightened since last month, when ICE agents detained Dylan, a 20-year-old Bronx public school student from Venezuela, after he attended a routine hearing in Manhattan related to his asylum claim. The detention of Dylan, whose last names being withheld at the request of his relatives who fear retaliation, is part of a broader national effort by Trumps administration to ensnare immigrants in deportation roundups as they appear for routine court checkups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naveed Hasan, a New York City public school parent and immigration advocate, said its absolutely not realistic to think immigrants wont be scared of going to court at the moment. Nobody can be certain what exactly is happening. Its created an environment of fear and people hiding that has gone completely unaddressed, he said. That theme was a key element of an amicus brief filed Monday by the city Law Department in Dylans habeas corpus case, alleging his detention is unlawful. The brief excoriates Trumps administration for creating a culture of fear around court appearances that deters people from participating in judicial proceedings. Asked Tuesday afternoon at his weekly press briefing to elaborate on that filing and whether he believes immigrants should show up in court, Adams still encouraged new arrivals to appear for their routine proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want people to be deterred from going to court, because if you deter people from following out the process, then you can create a level of people being fearful of our court system, he said at City Hall. The mayor also affirmed his administration will not and we have not collaborated with ICE on any civil enforcement. Pressed on what message he has for immigrants who are nonetheless scared amid the Trump administrations targeted court crackdown, Adams said, they should seek their counsel. Thats what lawyers are for. They should seek their counsel, if someone is going to court, they should sit down with their counsel and be guided by their counsel on what actions they should take, said Adams, who has faced pushback for declining to publicly criticize Trump. Like many asylum seekers in immigration court proceedings, Dylan wasnt represented by a lawyer when he showed up at 26 Federal Plaza on May 21 for his routine check-in. Since then, the New York Legal Assistance Group has started representing Dylan on a pro bono basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, a rep for the assistance group said there must be a way for asylum seekers to get real protections as they show up for hearings. Sadly, not everyone is able to have a NYLAG attorney available to prep them and be there to support them during their credible fear interviews like Dylan was fortunate enough to have, the rep said. Power Malu, a migrant advocate who has been in touch daily with Dylans family, said Adams administration should perhaps step in to provide such protections. If he is encouraging people to continue using public services and attending their court hearings, he should also have some protections in place so that people arent afraid of being punished for following the law, Malu said. Advocates have recently called on the city to invest $180 million in immigration legal services for families like Dylans. Jun. 2SANTA FE New Mexico's Supreme Court on Monday drew new boundaries for a 2021 law that allows individuals to file lawsuits in state court against government agencies for alleged civil rights violations. The unanimous ruling by the state's highest court in a lawsuit involving the New Mexico Racing Commission establishes that agencies can be immune from legal liability for certain disciplinary actions they take. But whether "judicial immunity" can be claimed must be decided by a judge, based on the facts of a specific case. "Judicial immunity protects individuals and governmental entities from liability when functioning as an 'arm of the court' or, in other words, when performing a function that is integral to a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding," Justice Briana Zamora wrote in the court's opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court's ruling comes four years after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law the state Civil Rights Act, a measure that was prompted by protests against racism and police misconduct following the 2020 death of George Floyd. Going forward, the ruling could provide more clarity for future New Mexico cases filed under the law, though the political winds that prompted its passage have waned. The legislation was opposed at the time of its approval by New Mexico cities and counties, along with some law enforcement officials, who expressed concern it could expose taxpayers to expensive settlements and lead to higher insurance costs. Prior to lawmakers approving the 2021 law, lawsuits alleging civil rights violations in New Mexico could only be filed in federal court, not in state court. Specifically, the new state law was intended to largely eliminate a different kind of legal immunity the qualified immunity that law enforcement officers can claim in cases involving possible misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case at the heart of the Supreme Court ruling involves Brad Bolen, a licensed horse trainer from Texas who was fined $500 after a New Mexico Racing Commission disciplinary panel investigated his argument with a racing steward. Bolen appealed the fine and also filed a lawsuit against the New Mexico Gaming Commission, claiming his constitutional free speech rights had been violated. The gaming commission's initial request to have the lawsuit dismissed on the grounds of judicial immunity was rejected by a state judge in Albuquerque. But the judge's ruling was then overturned by the state Court of Appeals, setting the stage for the Supreme Court to weigh in. While the Supreme Court largely sided with the Court of Appeals, it opted not to decide the merits of the case in question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the Supreme Court remanded the case back to the District Judge Joshua Allison, with guidance that he consider the underlying claims by weighing six factors to determine whether judicial immunity should be applied. Those six factors, including the nature of the disciplinary proceeding and the need to protect decision-makers from harassment or intimidation, were adopted from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on judicial immunity. The exact number of lawsuits filed under New Mexico's Civil Rights Act in the four years since it was enacted was not immediately available Monday, said a spokesman with the Administrative Office of the Courts. In large part, that's because such cases are lumped with other types of complaints in the judiciary's case-filing system. If the testimony of beleaguered teachers is anything to go by as gathered in this extensive roundup of educator opinions by 404 Media it sure sounds like the explosion of the homeworking-cheating machines also known as AI models is obliterating the up and coming generation of students. "I think generative AI is incredibly destructive to our teaching of university students," Robert W. Gehl, Ontario research chair of digital governance for social justice at York University in Toronto, told 404. Gehl noted how institutions collaborate with companies like Google and Microsoft to push their AI tools on students, undermining teachers who try to limit its use in the classroom. "A student might hear 'don't use generative AI' from a prof but then log on to the university's Microsoft suite, which then suggests using Copilot to sum up readings or help draft writing." "Honestly, if we ejected all the genAI tools into the Sun," Gehl concluded, "I would be quite pleased." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hearing the horror stories they have to share, it's not hard to see why Gehl and other educators feel that way. A Los Angeles-based teacher grimly estimated that 40 percent of the work that came across their desk "is touched by the hand of AI." Another who teaches postgrads was appalled that their students in a doctoral program about responsible AI gave in to lazily using the tech. And as it turns out, teaching English-speakers how to speak Spanish is pretty difficult when the AI-addled learners barely have a grasp on the written language of their native tongue. "Even my brightest students often don't know the English word that is the direct translation for the Spanish they are supposed to be learning," a high school Spanish teacher in Oklahoma told 404. In several cases, the Spanish teacher said they caught students using AI for assignments "because they can't read what they submit to me and so don't know to delete the sentence that says something to the effect of 'This summary meets the requirements of the prompt, I hope it is helpful to you!'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Philadelphia English teacher who conducts lessons virtually shared her ghastly suspicion that some of her students are using AI chatbots to pretty much outsource thinking itself. "In response to follow up questions, students regularly will in the course of conversation use AI to respond on the spot," they told 404. "Just yesterday, a student who couldn't explain her response asked for a second to think. She went on mute and, I have to assume, Googled the question I just asked out loud. The effect was not seamless, or convincing." Trying to crack down on AI usage just made things worse, pushing many of the students to stop participating. "I am often left with a choice between soliciting participation where students are merely the deadpan voice boxes of hallucinatory AI slop, or silence," the Philadelphia teacher despaired. "Which am I supposed to choose?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's research to back up the idea that extensive AI usage could be making us dumber part of a broader phenomenon known as cognitive offloading. In an academic setting, some research has found a link between ChatGPT use and tanking grades and even memory loss in students. And one study from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon found that the more that people trust in AI responses, the more their critical thinking skills turn to mush. But some pedagogues aren't quite prepared to declare that the AI apocalypse is fully upon them yet or that the kids are beyond saving. "LLM use is rampant, but I don't think it's ubiquitous," Ben Prytherch, a statistics professor at Colorado State University, told 404. After moving to in-class writing assignments, Prytherch found that the students' performance improved remarkably. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It turns out most of them can write after all," Phyrtherch said. "For all the talk about how kids can't write anymore, I don't see it." And that brings us to our next point. If we're going to be a little critical of some of the teachers here, some of their complaints make them sound a little out of touch: "My kids don't think anymore. They don't have interests," fumed a 12th grade English teacher. "Literally, when I ask them what they're interested in, so many of them can't name anything for me They don't have original thoughts. They just parrot back what they've heard in TikToks." We have to remember we're talking about human beings that just happen to be younger here, and not some impenetrably exotic species of extraterrestrial. Granted, the teacher's frustration is more than justified. They're dealing with a massive problem inflicted on them by moneyed interests totally beyond their control. "ChatGPT isn't its own, unique problem. It's a symptom of a totalizing cultural paradigm in which passive consumption and regurgitation of content becomes the status quo," Nathan Schmidt, a university lecturer and managing editor at Gamers With Glasses, told 404. More on AI: AI Is Destroying Gen Z's Chances at a Stable Career 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? BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- China is seeking to boost the consumption of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the country's rural regions with accelerated efforts to improve the supporting environment for their use. According to a circular issued by five government departments on Tuesday, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Commerce, promotional campaigns for NEVs will be carried out in certain counties where the NEV penetration rate is low but the consumption potential is huge. As part of these promotional campaigns, NEV models suitable for driving conditions in rural areas, and which have good reputations and are known for reliable quality, will be selected. Activities such as exhibitions and test drives will be organized. NEV after-sales maintenance and repair service enterprises, electric car charging and battery switching service providers, and financial service enterprises will also be included in these promotional campaigns, with a view to optimizing the supporting environment for NEV adoption in rural areas. Car companies are encouraged to enrich the provision of NEV models and improve their services to tap consumption potential in China's countryside. NEV manufacturers, car retailers, financial service companies, and electricity charging and after-sales service providers are also encouraged to offer "promotional deals" that integrate services spanning car purchase, car use and after-sales services to rural customers. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed that NEV production in China had surged 48.3 percent year on year to nearly 4.43 million units in the first four months of 2025, with sales up by 46.2 percent year on year to 4.3 million units. NEVs accounted for 42.7 percent of total new vehicle sales in China in the January-April period this year. The cumulative number of charging infrastructure facilities nationwide had reached almost 13.75 million at the end of March. This figure included 3.9 million public charging points for NEVs and 9.85 million private charging installations, official data revealed. A new program for getting desperately needed food into the hands of starving Palestinians in Gaza is only days old, but its already mired in chaos and tragedy. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed over the past few days while on their way to trying to obtain aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This group, backed by Israel and the US, is intended to replace the UN-led system of distributing aid in Gaza, to address a hunger crisis sparked by a months-long Israeli blockade. Over the past week, tens of thousands of Palestinians have converged on distribution points run by GHF, hoping to grab one of the limited number of packages before they run out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian authorities and witnesses accused Israeli forces of shooting dozens of civilians dead near one of the aid sites in Rafah on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. On Monday and Tuesday, Israels military said it fired warning shots toward what were described as suspects approaching a military position, and the military was looking into reports of casualties. On Sunday, during the first deadly shooting, the military said it did not fire at civilians near or within the distribution site, even as a military source admitted Israeli forces fired towards individuals about a kilometer away from the site. GHF announced that the distribution sites would be closed on Wednesday because of logistical preparations to better handle the massive number of people arriving and for the Israeli military to make preparations on the access routes to the centers. The closure is expected to last for one day. As international condemnation grows, heres what to know about aid and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. What is the situation with food in Gaza? Israel halted all humanitarian aid into Gaza in early March, with government officials saying their goal was to force Hamas to accept new ceasefire terms and release hostages taken during the militant groups terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ban meant no supplies entered the territory for 11 weeks, pushing Gazas 2.1 million people deeper into a hunger crisis. A UN-backed report warned in late April that one in five people were facing starvation and that the entire Gaza Strip was edging closer to famine. Faced with growing international pressure, Israel eased its blockade two weeks ago, allowing a small amount of aid to enter Gaza, to be distributed through UN channels as well as through GHF. But the amount of aid trickling in is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of the population, according to Palestinian officials and international aid groups. On the first day of GHFs delivery in southern Gaza last Tuesday, chaos broke out, as thousands of Palestinians rushed to receive food supplies, with Israeli troops firing warning shots into the air and the US contractors overseeing the site briefly withdrawing. Gazas hunger crisis long predates Israels total blockade, however. Since Hamas attack, Israel has severely restricted the amount of aid that can enter the strip. And even before October 2023, Israel and Egypt had imposed a partial blockade on Gaza, meaning that 63% of the population was food insecure, according to the UN. What is GHF? GHF is a private, non-profit organization created with the backing of Israel and the US to take over aid delivery in Gaza, following Israeli accusations that Hamas was stealing some of the humanitarian aid that was destined for civilians. GHF relies on private military contractors for security and aims to replace traditional methods of aid delivery in Gaza employed by humanitarian organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the organization doubled down on its mechanism, saying its work continues full-steam ahead as it asserts it has delivered millions of meals in pre-packaged boxes to Palestinians. In an operating environment as complex and volatile as Gaza, that kind of safe, direct, and large-scale aid delivery is unprecedented, GHF said in a statement. The group has faced internal turmoil its executive director, Jake Wood, quit the day before GHF began operations in Gaza, and in a further blow, the Boston Consulting Group confirmed on Tuesday that it had canceled its contract with GHF. The organization appointed evangelical Christian leader Rev. Johnnie Moore as its new executive director on Tuesday. A strong supporter of US President Donald Trump, Moore has visited the White House on numerous occasions and prayed over Trump in the Oval Office earlier this year. Moore has also previously praised a controversial Trump proposal for the US to take over Gaza, stating on X in February: The USA will take full responsibility for future of Gaza, giving everyone hope & a future. Palestinians carry food packages from the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on June 1. - Abdel Kareem Hana/AP The foundation set up four Secure Distribution Sites in southern and central Gaza aiming to feed around 1.2 million of Gazas estimated 2.1 million population. That pales in comparison to the United Nations system, which relies on some 400 aid distribution points dotted up and down Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foundation coordinates with the Israeli military to designate specific routes for traveling Palestinians many of whom must walk a long way through the devastated strip to get food and issues warnings on Facebook against diverging from the designated roads. But its unclear how many of those people are aware of these detailed instructions, nor how access to one of the hubs, designated SDS-01, takes them close to positions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Over the past three nights, Palestinians appear to have come too near to these positions, and the IDF said Tuesday it had opened fire towards people who had left the designated route. The United Nations had warned that the Israeli militarys involvement in securing the areas around the sites could discourage participation or lead to recipients facing reprisals. How has aid distribution changed and why? Before GHF arrived in Gaza, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the UNs World Food Programme (WFP) were the main distributors of aid in the enclave. Additionally, UNWRA took a leading role in providing education and healthcare services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Israel has long had a contentious relationship with UNRWA and the UN at large. This relationship ruptured completely in the aftermath of the October 7 attack. Israels parliament subsequently banned UNRWA from operating in the country, making any UN-led humanitarian efforts extremely difficult. Both Israel and the US had also accused Hamas of stealing aid distributed by the UN. Hamas has rejected those claims, and humanitarian aid organizations say most of the food aid reaches civilians. The UN has refused to participate in the new Gaza aid initiative, saying that GHF model violates some basic humanitarian principles. It warned that locating the initial distribution points only in southern and central Gaza could be perceived as encouraging Israels publicly stated goal of depopulating northern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GHF has said it is working to open new sites, including in northern Gaza, but no such distribution points have yet opened. What has been happening recently? There is not enough food for everyone who needs it. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forced to seek aid from a tiny number of sites and while a lucky few have been able to secure some relief, for most, the results have been disastrous. Palestinian authorities have said more than 60 people have been killed by Israeli forces in the past three days near a GHF aid site near the southern city of Rafah. Establishing exactly what happened at all these incidents is difficult, as Israel prevents international media from entering Gaza. Emergency crews arrive to evacuate injured people after an Israeli drone reportedly opened fire on civilians near an aid distribution point near the Netzarim Corridor, central Gaza, on June 1. - Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images On Tuesday, nearly 30 people were killed, and dozens wounded, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and Nasser hospital. The Israeli military said its forces opened fire multiple times after identifying several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated access routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, three Palestinians were shot dead and dozens wounded as they were on their way to access aid, Palestinian and hospital authorities said. The IDF said that Israeli forces fired warning shots approximately a kilometer (about 1,100 yards) from the aid distribution site. On Sunday, the Palestinian health ministry, hospital officials and a half-dozen eyewitnesses said the Israeli military was responsible for gunfire that Palestinian officials said killed 31 people. A Palestinian boy mourns loved ones who were killed by Israeli fire, as they gathered to try and access food near a US-backed aid center in Rafah, at Nasser Hospital, in southern Gaza, on June 3. - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images At the time, 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 a kilometer away, before the aid site opened. GHF said on Sunday that none of the gunfire was in the distribution center itself or the surrounding area. After Tuesdays shooting, the organization directed questions about shootings near the aid site to the IDF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site. We recognize the tragic nature of the situation and remain committed to ensuring the safety of all civilians during humanitarian operations at all of our sites, GHF said in a statement. What has the reaction been? There has been widespread international condemnation, particularly from the UN. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday he was appalled by the reports of deaths and injuries on Sunday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food, Guterres said in a statement, calling for an immediate and independent investigation into the events and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, said on Tuesday that Palestinians have been given the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available through Israels militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism. In a post on X, Philippe Lazzarini, executive director of UNRWA, also slammed the new mechanism, saying: 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. The European Unions foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, last week criticized the new aid mechanism run by GHF, saying the EU does not support any kind of privatization of the distribution of humanitarian aid. The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada have also threatened to take concrete action, including targeted sanctions, if Israel does not stop its renewed military offensive and continues to block aid from entering Gaza. CNNs Jennifer Hansler and Dana Karni contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Editors note: The video aired on June 2. NEW YORK (PIX11) An Air Quality Health Advisory has been issued for New York City for Wednesday, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Air Quality Index values may reach between 101 and 150, which could raise health concerns for individuals sensitive to air pollution. The pollutant of concern is ozone. More Local News Children, adults, and individuals with lung diseases, including asthma, should limit prolonged or intense physical activity outdoors, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The general public is less likely to be affected unless AQI values rise above 151. New Yorkers who experience a sore throat, coughing, headache, watering eyes, or are out of breath should stay indoors. The announcement comes as officials warn that wildfire smoke from Canada is reaching the tri-state area. Zachary Iscol, the New York City Emergency Management Commissioner, told PIX11 News that should things get worse, well have a distribution plan to get masks out to firehouses and police precincts and libraries where people can pick them. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Dr. Stephani Lovinsky-Desir, the Chief of the Pediatric Pulmonary Division at Columbia Medical Center, recommends using an N95 mask and HEPA filter if the Air Quality Index gets to a dangerous level. She added that people with respiratory issues should keep medicine on hand, and children should be kept inside. Lovinsky-Desir said, Their lungs are small and still developing, so if its possible to reduce outdoor play and activities for young children, definitely recommended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to track the Air Quality Index for your area. 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. Thai customs seized a massive shipment of shark fins amid crackdowns on wildlife smuggling. According to The Nation, 402 shark fins were found at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand. What's happening? Authorities seized a shipment labeled "dry fish," which had over 100 kilograms of shark fins inside. Officials estimated that the illegal shipment was worth about 2 million Thai baht, the equivalent of about $60,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the shipment of shark fins had been transported through China and originally left from Trinidad and Tobago. Removing and transporting shark fins violates several laws, including the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, the Animal Epidemics Act, the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, and the Customs Act. Why is wildlife trafficking concerning? Wildlife smuggling not only threatens the species being trafficked but also the entire ecosystem. When one group of species is overhunted, it triggers a domino effect, disrupting the whole food chain. Since sharks are at the top of the food chain, a decline in their populations can result in an increase in their prey, which can throw off the balance of other marine species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What's worse, selling shark fins raises numerous ethical concerns. Hunters will often cut off a shark's fin and throw the creature back into the ocean. Without their fins, the sharks either drown or slowly bleed to death. What's being done about the illegal transport of shark fins? Thailand has escalated its initiatives to seize and stop wildlife trafficking. According to The Nation, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gave directives to the Thai Customs Department to address the crisis. The seizure of the shark fins is a reflection of the country's efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. Which of these groups has the biggest role to play in reducing food waste? Grocery stores Restaurants Individuals The government Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "This is a clear message that Thailand will not be a transit point for illegal wildlife trade," Pantong Loykulnant, advisor on tax development and administration and spokesperson for the department, told The Nation. 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. AKRON, Ohio (WJW) An arrest has been made days after a man was shot and killed in Akron. Man injured after large fight leads to shooting According to a Tuesday news release from police, detectives arrested 31-year-old Martinez Williams on murder charges. As Fox 8 previously reported, 24-year-old Ontario Bradley was shot in the 600 block of Darrow Rd. in the early morning hours of May 31. Local teen and 6-year-old brother missing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Williams is being held at the Summit 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) One Alabama food bank said $300 million are at stake in President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill that is moving through Congress. Those are federal dollars that the state would have to pick up for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, if the bill passes. Some said that change will harm Alabama, while others said the state is ready to respond. I hate that the program will suffer because of this lack of funding, and I dont know where the state would come up with $300 million, said Nicole Williams, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That money has worried food banks in Alabama. Williams said over 700,000 Alabamians rely on SNAP benefits. She said families and grocery stores could feel the impact if those cuts are signed into law. Were also concerned about grocery stores in rural areas and them not being able to stay afloat or grocery stores closing and causing more food deserts, Williams said. National Peanut Festival dates, parade route announced for 2025 season But the 2025 Alabama general budget chairman, state Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, said hes talked about those concerns with the department of finance and others. He said the state will have a better idea of what those funding changes mean closer to next years session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got to prioritize going forward, Reynolds said. So well understand the cuts before we go back into the session in January of 26, and well understand what we can and what we cant do. Reynolds said they may be able to offset the loss of dollars next year for Medicaid and SNAP. That may be something that the House considers going into that 26 session and getting out ahead of any potential, Reynolds said. Carol Gundlach with Alabama Arise said the federal government should do its part when funding SNAP and Medicaid. So rather than do what they need to do to adequately fund these programs, theyre passing the buck onto the states, Reynolds said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those cuts have been passed by the U.S. House and are now making their way through the Senate. Williams said the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama gave 21 million meals to families just last 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 CBS 42. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) An Alabama man was sentenced to about eight years in prison for possessing and conspiring to steal high-end motor vehicles, according to U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona on Monday. Jamarus Hoskins, a 30-year-old from Greensboro, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiring to steal at least 18 high-end motor vehicles. He was also sentenced to 97 months in prison for receiving or possessing stolen motor vehicles. Those sentences will run concurrently. A jury convicted Hoskins in November. According to evidence presented at trial, Hoskins was the ringleader of an organized conspiracy to steal high-end motor vehicles from citizens and car dealerships throughout the U.S. between December 2020 and January 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alireza Doroudi flies back to Iran 2 months after being detained by ICE outside University of Alabama Evidence showed Hoskins told members of the conspiracy to steal vehicles and replace the vehicle identification numbers with fake VINs. The vehicles were registered with the Alabama Department of Revenue using fraudulent out-of-state titles. Hoskins then sold those vehicles in cash at below the market price. Jamarus Hoskins and his co-conspirators terrorized car dealerships and innocent victims across the United States for years, Escalona said in a statement. Hoskins and his crew thought the fast cars they stole and sophisticated techniques they used would help them escape responsibility for their crimes. They were wrong. The FBI and Tuscaloosa Police Department investigated the case. 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 CBS 42. Tensions remain high in San Diego after last week's Immigration and Customs Enforcement work raids at two Italian restaurants that ended with federal agents using flash-bang grenades against residents protesting the operations. Elected officials reacted with outrage. The incidents occurred Friday when heavily armed ICE and Homeland Security Investigations agents executed search warrants at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta in South Park, a serene and tree-lined neighborhood with popular restaurants, according to immigration and city officials. It marks one of the more dramatic shows of force by federal immigration officials in California as the Trump administration vowed mass deportations of those in this country illegally. Last week, officials announced a raid at an L.A.-area underground nightclub that ended with the arrest of 36 Chinese and Taiwanese citizens suspected of being in the country illegally. In April, an estimated two dozen day laborers were detained in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection action outside of a Home Depot in Pomona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yasmeen Pitts OKeefe, a spokesperson for HSI, a branch within ICE, said the warrants were related to alleged violations of hiring and harboring illegal aliens and false statements. She said four people living in the country illegally were taken into custody. Citing an ongoing investigation, she provided no other details. In a statement, Buona Forchetta said it was working with its attorneys to locate and support its employees and their families. It said it was also providing support to its staff who witnessed and experienced the incident firsthand. It did not immediately respond to the allegations in the warrant. OKeefe said as immigration agents were serving the court-authorized warrants, a large crowd began to gather, chanting "Shame!" and eventually preventing federal agents from leaving the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demonstrators became unruly and as a result less lethal noise flash diversionary devices were deployed to allow law enforcement to exit the scene as safely as possible, OKeefe said. When gatherings like these are formed, it not only places law enforcement in danger but also the demonstrators and onlookers attempting to impede law enforcement activity." Videos taken by demonstrators and bystanders have since circulated on social media. They show dozens of residents demanding federal agents leave the neighborhood while cursing at them and calling them Nazis and fascists. They also show residents standing in front of a silver Chevy SUV, prompting a federal agent to use a flash-bang grenade to try to disperse the crowd. At some point, five federal agents, most of them armed with assault rifles, approached the crowd as the government vehicles reversed and exited through another street. San Diego city officials denounced the operation and questioned the use of rifles and stun grenades for a worksite enforcement raid, which ultimately led to the publics response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal actions like these are billed as a public safety measure, but it had the complete opposite effect, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said in a statement. What we saw undermines trust and creates fear in our community. This was an unnecessary and alarming show of force deployed by those federal agents at a restaurant in a residential neighborhood, Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, whose district includes South Park, told The Times. Setting aside the debate over immigration policy, I would like to know the justification for sending dozens of agents, wearing masks, carrying machine guns and handcuffing all the workers to execute a warrant for somebody who might be undocumented. Are you serious? Last Friday was completely unnecessary, he added, and residents had every right to be furious about what they were witnessing and to make their anger known, and they did that, and I'm proud of it. Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera echoed that statement and called for a collective response against what he said was state-sponsored terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive seen firsthand the pain and trauma caused when our neighbors are targeted by aggressive, military-style federal enforcement whether its parents arrested while dropping their kids at school, residents deported while attending court, or workers ambushed while doing their jobs at local restaurants, he said. When ICE agents stormed Buona Forchetta with military-style weapons, that wasnt safety it was an attempt to terrorize San Diegans into compliance. In a post on the social media platform X, Elo-Riveras account posted a picture of federal agents with the word terrorists written over it. That post caught the attention of Stephen Miller, the Homeland Security advisor and deputy chief of staff to President Trump. We are living in the age of leftwing domestic terrorism. They are openly encouraging violence against law enforcement to aid and abet the invasion of America, Miller wrote on X. A search warrant filed by federal authorities and obtained by San Diego media outlets accused the restaurant of "knowingly employing both illegal immigrants and individuals not authorized to work in the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warrant said officials got a tip five years ago that the eatery employed 19 undocumented workers using fake green cards and some worked 12-hours shift with no breaks and were the subject of verbal abuse. A follow-up tip came earlier this year. The investigation, authorities said, found multiple instances of workers using counterfeit documents, including Social Security numbers. We are living in the age of leftwing domestic terrorism. They are openly encouraging violence against law enforcement to aid and abet the invasion of America. https://t.co/ncyd85cvDG Stephen Miller (@StephenM) May 31, 2025 Whitburn said he is a supporter of law enforcement and pointed to the professionalism of the San Diego police officers and sheriff's deputies who oftentimes take down criminals without, he said, having to use the amount of force used by federal agents last week. I doubt there was any need for that many agents at that restaurant on Friday, he said. And that begs the question, if it wasnt necessary, why the big show of force? Was it to create fear? Was it to intimidate residents who live in the area? Is that what we want our federal government to be doing?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Diego Rep. Scott Peters, whose district includes South Park, said having 20 federal agents enter a restaurant to apprehend four people who were living in the country illegally was traumatizing for everyone in the neighborhood. He said the number of agents and amount of force raised questions about how public money is being used to conduct such operations, which target working immigrants. "People must have thought: 'Wow, there must be an MS-13 [gang member] here or some drug kingpin like El Chapo at the bar.' No. They took four people away dishwashers, busboys, maybe a cook," he said. "This made our community less safe with all that happened." Buona Forchetta said in its statement that it was grateful for the outpouring of support from residents and its customers. Buona Forchetta has always been, at its core, a family, it wrote. We have built our spaces on trust, dignity, and care for one another. We stand together now and always. 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. Next spring, travelers will be able to fly nonstop from Seattle to Rome for the first time ever. Alaska Airlines announced the addition to its routes on Tuesday. Its the airlines first European destination in the network and third international. Alaska launched flights to Tokyo in mid-May and will begin service to Seoul in September. Rome is one of the most-requested destinations from Alaska passengers, according to the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serving Rome nonstop from Seattle is a dream come true, said Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci. As an Italian American whose parents emigrated from Italy, this is a particularly meaningful addition to our network. Rome has been at the top of the list ever since we announced our new global gateway out of Seattle. Our guests have been asking for an easy way to get to Italy for years, and were thrilled to provide it to people in the Northwest and beyond. Andiamo lets go! The route will be served on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated as Alaska Airlines featuring a new global experience Flights will begin in May 2026. We are immensely proud that Alaska Airlines has chosen Rome as its first destination in Europe, said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma. This decision confirms the strategic relevance of our airport as a global hub for air connectivity. For the first time in history, Italy will be directly connected to Seattle, further strengthening ties with the U.S. West Coast and the broader Pacific region. Today, Fiumicino ranks among the leading European airports in terms of direct flights to North America, consolidating its key role in intercontinental traffic flows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guests interested in the new route can join an early-access list to be notified when flights can be purchased this fall. Register your amore at alaskaair.com/rome to be the first to know more. This new nonstop option for Seattle guests will also provide improved one-stop connectivity for guests all along the West Coast and Hawaii. Alaska Airlines hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the largest airline hub on the West Coast, serving 104 nonstop destinations across North America, and now the world. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with a delegation led by Yohei Kono, president of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade (JAPIT), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with a delegation led by Yohei Kono, president of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade (JAPIT), in Beijing on Tuesday. Li said China is ready to work actively with all sectors in Japan to implement the political consensus that the two countries are cooperative partners, not threats to each other, achieve more tangible results in practical cooperation, and consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust and people-to-people friendship. Li expressed the hope that Japan will work with China to constructively manage differences, firmly grasp the correct direction of bilateral relations, and promote the healthy and steady development of bilateral relations. China and Japan have many unique advantages in deepening cooperation, Li said, adding that both sides should leverage these advantages to achieve greater mutual benefits and win-win results, inject momentum into each other's development, and make greater contributions to global economic growth. Li said that China will firmly expand high-level opening up and welcome more foreign-funded enterprises, including those from Japan, to develop in China. It is hoped that the JAPIT will continue to play an active role in deepening economic and trade cooperation, and enhance friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, he added. Kono said that under the current international situation, Japan and China should enhance communication and coordination to jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system. The JAPIT has long been committed to Japan-China friendship and is willing to continue to expand exchanges with China, enhance mutual understanding, and make positive contributions to deepening ties between the two peoples and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, he said. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with a delegation led by Yohei Kono, president of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade (JAPIT), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Alaska Airlines is making its first foray into the European travel market, announcing Tuesday it will launch new flights to and from Rome, Italy, beginning in May 2026. The introduction of the new route marks the first time travelers will be able to fly nonstop from the airline's hub in Seattle, Washington, to Italy on any airline, according to Alaska Air. Customers will fly on Boeing 787-9 aircraft the carrier obtained when it merged with Hawaiian Airlines in 2023. The new route is part of Alaska Air's push to expand its global reach. The airline intends to serve 12 global destinations on multiple continents by 2030, CEO Ben Minicucci told CBS News last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska Air will operate four weekly flights to Rome traveling in each direction. Flights to Rome will leave Seattle at 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in the Italian capital at 1:45 p.m. local time the next day. Flights from Rome to Seattle will depart Italy at 3:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, arriving in Seattle at 6 p.m. Tickets will go on sale beginning in the fall. The airline said it selected Rome as its first European destination because it's one of the "most-requested" destinations among its reward members. January 6 defendant refuses Trump's pardon Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Baldwin grills McMahon on unallocated funds for students, schools, approved by Congress The ambulance that Albuquerque Fire Rescue donated to the city of Kharkiv, which is currently undergoing repairs in the Ukrainian city. (Courtesy of Oleksandra Kirian, Kharkiv City Council) KHARKIV, Ukraine Its been three days since Yevhen Vasylenko has slept through the night, and a deep worry line has worn its way across his forehead. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian city of Kharkivs Emergency Situations Department, Vasylenko says missile and drone attacks have awakened him each night. Two nights earlier, Russias biggest attack on the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv to date had left at least 12 dead and 90 injured. Here, just 23 miles from the Russian border, the attacks are more intense and frequent. More than 12,000 of the citys buildings, 70% residential, have been destroyed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacks right now are almost every night, Vasylenko says through a translator, describing combined attacks of both drones and rockets. We are near the front line, so during all the years of the full-scale invasion we have had constant attacks. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, ballistic missiles struck Kharkivs central administrative building. Today, the building is no longer in use, but a banner quoting Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko encourages residents to fight you will win. (Cecilia Nowell) Standing outside one of the citys fire stations, Vasylenko takes a final drag on his cigarette before gesturing for us to step inside as an air raid siren whistles through the mid-afternoon air, indicating an incoming ballistic missile. When those strikes come, Ukrainian first responders pull on their flak jackets and kevlar helmets, and head out to pull civilians from the rubble of buildings, extinguish fires and disarm mines. They do so aboard a fleet of emergency vehicles including fire trucks donated from Germany; a specialized tow truck gifted by an American entrepreneur; and an ambulance sent from the City of Albuquerque. In July 2023, Albuquerque formed a sister city relationship with the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, and soon began sending aid, including a decommissioned ambulance formerly used by Albuquerques Station 8, located in the foothills near the intersection of Indian School and Tramway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the beginning, weve been dedicated partners with Kharkiv including the donation of an ambulance to support their emergency services and we will continue doing everything we can to lend a hand to our friends overseas who need our help now more than ever, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement. Messages of support, signed by members of Albuquerque Sister Cities and the city government, decorate a wall in the ambulance. (Photos courtesy of Oleksandra Kirian, Kharkiv City Council) The ambulance is a 2011 Ford F6G, a behemoth of a rescue vehicle. Albuquerque Fire Rescue Lt. Paramedic Brent Rohrig, of Station 8, recalls that the department purchased two such vehicles, which were specced out to be large enough for the tallest firefighter in the department, who stood over 7 feet tall. The department used the vehicles for a few years, but with only two in the fleet, many EMTs and paramedics didnt have an opportunity to learn on them. When the city purchased new ambulances in 2015, it moved the 2011 models to reserves. This ambulance has already been in active service with the Emergency Situations Departments Situation Center in Kharkiv City Council, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terehov said through a translator. It was used to respond to emergency calls, to reach sites of explosions and to provide help in the most difficult conditions. Its multifunctional, well-equipped and it truly saves lives. Albuquerque Fire Rescue has a legacy of donating emergency vehicles that are obsolete for the citys needs, but still in good enough shape to be useful elsewhere, says Public Information Officer Lt. Jason Fejer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did nothing more than give it away, he said of the ambulance donated to Kharkiv. In the past, Albuquerque has donated retired fire engines to Isleta Pueblo and the towns of Mesilla and Eagles Nest. At Station 8 in Albuquerque, a newer ambulance, purchased in 2015, serves the foothills neighborhood. (Cecilia Nowell) Albuquerque first began its sister city relationship with the city of Kharkiv at the urging of Northern New Mexicos Sikh community. The religious community, which has roots in India but a large presence at the Hacienda de Guru Ram Das in Espanola, counted among the first to offer aid to Ukrainian cities impacted by the war. When Simran Singh, a member of Espanolas Sikh community and a kundalini yoga teacher, approached the Albuquerque City Council about forming a sister city partnership with Kharkiv, he said the answer was an immediate yes. Its such a beautiful testament to what this state stands for, he said. The ambulance is one outcome of a total community-to-community aid initiative. Although hes grateful for all the support the United States has offered Ukraine, Kharkiv Mayor Terekhov says, direct city-to-city contacts are among the fastest and most effective forms of support today especially during wartime, when action needs to be taken not in theory, but immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the relationship provides not only vital resources but also a sense of solidarity the knowledge that we are not alone, noting that representatives from Albuquerque have visited Kharkiv despite the ongoing shelling a truly courageous gesture. At the moment, the Albuquerque ambulance is undergoing repairs to replace a few worn out parts. A number of those parts are manufactured only in the United States, so we are waiting for them to arrive, said Terekhov. Thats not unusual for donated emergency vehicles, says spokesman Vasylenko, who notes that fire engines from the US and Europe are generally designed to attach to fire hydrants, which Ukraine does not use. The style of ambulances used in the United States were not common in Ukraine either before donated vehicles began arriving. As tensions continue to escalate in Ukraine with Russia launching some of its most intense strikes on Ukrainian cities amid ongoing peace talks the ambulance may be more needed than ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once repairs are complete, the ambulance will return to duty helping people in need, said Terekhov. Liubov Sholudko and Tetiana Burianova contributed reporting and translation support. This reporting was supported by the International Womens Media Foundations Women on the Ground: Reporting from Ukraines Unseen Frontlines Initiative in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. This is an adapted excerpt from the May 24 episode of Velshi. In the wake of Donald Trumps second term, more and more Americans are asking a critical question: What can I do to defend democracy in America? That question marks a shift away from the comforting illusion that courts, politicians or institutions will save Americas democracy on their own. They wont. Institutions have failed us repeatedly, as we have learned that what we thought were guardrails are merely suggestions, reliant on goodwill, decency and the honor system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Real political change in America doesnt come from the top; it never has. It comes from the bottom, from ordinary people resisting in big and small ways. Thats the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. The political scientist Gene Sharp, nicknamed the dictator slayer, wrote something of a playbook for resisting authoritarian regimes. He didnt invent these strategies, but he observed them. For decades, Sharp studied how ordinary people challenged brutal regimes around the world, and what he found was simple, yet powerful: All rulers even the most oppressive rely on the cooperation of the people. Through fear, apathy or consent, they maintain power. But when people refuse to cooperate, when they disobey, thats when authoritarian systems begin to crack. Thats why historian Timothy Snyder begins his book titled On Tyranny with this warning: Do not obey in advance. Because its in those first, often invisible, acts of surrender that authoritarianism takes root. As we face creeping authoritarianism here at home, Snyders advice stands as a call to action for Americans confronting Trump. History shows that the courage to stand up to authority and hold power to account has helped sustain our democracy and other democracies around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The historian Drew Gilpin Faust, a former president of Harvard University, captured that spirit in a powerful essay for The New York Times about the Union soldiers of the Civil War. She wrote: I have read dozens of these mens letters and diaries, windows into why they fought, into what and whom they loved and what they hoped for at the end of a war they knew they might not survive. Together they did save the Union These men made our lives possible. They were impelled to risk all by a sense of obligation to the future. We possess a reciprocal obligation to the past. We must not squander what they bequeathed to us. We owe it to them, and every generation that came after them: women who won the right to vote, students who walked into newly desegregated schools under armed guard, trade unionists who faced violence for fighting for the rights of workers, those who fought for voting rights, reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ dignity. They didnt wait for permission. They disobeyed in advance. They withdrew their cooperation from injustice. Oftentimes, they blatantly and openly broke the law, as TV cameras rolled. Which brings us back to Sharps basic premise, a very Gandhian premise. He believed that noncooperation, the deliberate refusal to obey or comply, is one of the most powerful ways to disrupt oppressive systems. Because when enough people stop participating in the machinery of control, that very system begins to break down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, if youre wondering what you can do, here are some ideas that draw from proven strategies of resistance adapted for todays world. Overload administrative systems In Missouri, a government-run tip line targeting the trans community was flooded with thousands of fake reports, including the entire movie script of The Bee Movie submitted over and over again. The result? Total system collapse. Utah and Texas faced similar backlashes, with Utah shutting down its own surveillance hotline under the weight of memes and mass trolling. Civil disobedience of illegitimate laws This, of course, is what undergirded the Civil Rights Movement in America, but heres a more recent example: In Idaho, a middle school teacher refused to remove a sign that read Everyone Is Welcome Here. It didnt mention politics, race or gender, but was still deemed too controversial. After a monthslong battle, she resigned two weeks ago in protest. Political noncooperation This can include using the oppositions own tools against them. In 2024, Oklahomas Republican-controlled Legislature passed a law allowing parents to opt their children out of harmful educational material. Now, a group of parents has turned that law on its head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to Superintendent of Public Education Ryan Walters new curriculum, which includes conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and Christian nationalist ideology, a parent group called Were Oklahoma Education, or WOKE, is fighting back. Theyve created an opt-out form allowing families to withdraw their children from lessons on Judeo-Christian concepts of ethics and government and discrepancies in 2020 election results. Their approach is not only bold but legally savvy since the group is using the very law that conservatives passed, which was designed to shield students from so-called progressive content. The opt-out letter warns schools that failure to comply could result in legal action. Economic noncooperation This one, of course, is close to my heart. When Target pulled Pride merchandise and scaled back diversity, equity and inclusion commitments, thousands of Americans launched a boycott campaign on TikTok, Facebook and other platforms. The result? Targets quarterly profits dropped and the company admitted that backlash from both sides had harmed its bottom line. Nonviolent intervention In Worcester, Massachusetts, viral footage of an aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid showed federal agents detaining a woman as her daughters clung to the car, one of them holding a baby. Bystanders, including a city councilor and a school board candidate, intervened. The video sparked immediate outrage and protests across the state. In response, Worcester officials released bodycam footage and then took action: The city issued an executive order barring city employees from cooperating with ICE or inquiring about immigration status. Humor This is the final, and perhaps my favorite, form of disruption. Civil rights activist Bruce Hartford noted that humor and audacity go hand in hand: You can weaken, unbalance, and ultimately overthrow the king quicker by laughing at him than by futilely screaming fury at him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groups like the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and The Satanic Temple have used satire to expose religious favoritism in public institutions. The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, whose adherents refer to themselves as Pastafarians, mocked efforts to teach intelligent design in public schools by proposing a noodle-based deity, highlighting the dangers of blurring church and state. The Satanic Temple, which is not to be confused with the Church of Satan and does not promote devil worship, took similar action, demanding equal representation when governments promoted religious symbols like Ten Commandments monuments or sanctioned prayer in public schools. Their logic forced officials to either accommodate all religions or retract their policies altogether. So if youre asking yourself what one person can do, these are ideas to hopefully get you thinking. And remember this final piece of advice from Snyder: Be as courageous as you can. If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die under tyranny. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A laptop displays the website of an online kratom retailer. (Photo: Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) North Carolina legislators are once again looking to put restrictions on kratom, which is currently unregulated in the state. The House Regulatory Reform Committee on Tuesday advanced House Bill 468, which would require retailers to obtain licenses to sell kratom and prohibit sales to or purchases by people younger than 21. The bill now heads to the House Finance Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, kratom is a stimulant at low doses and a sedative at high doses. It is derived from a southeast Asian tree leaf and sold in the United States as tea, powered in capsules, or as liquid. The DEA sought to temporarily ban kratom in 2016, but backed off after a public outcry. That year, North Carolina legislators sought in separate bills to ban kratom or limit sales to people over age 18. Neither of those bills became law. Last session, a proposal to regulate kratom died in the battle between the state House and Senate over legalizing medical marijuana. Kratom has been a factor in hundreds of fatal overdoses since 2020, according to the Washington Post and the Tampa Bay Times. A handful of states have banned it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee debate Tuesday centered on provisions in the bill that would ban synthetic versions of the compounds that produce psychoactive effects. The argument centered on the compound known as 7-OH. Rep. Jeff McNeely (Photo: NCGA video stream) At the time, we choose not to have any synthetic products on the market in North Carolina, said Rep. Jeff McNeely (R-Iredell), the bills sponsor. Isaac Montanya, the former CEO of 7-OH producer Charlotte Extraction Labs (see editors note below), said the bill inserted itself into a turf war. He called its prohibition on synthetics a sly way to regulate 7-OH out of the market. The manufactures an ethical product, Montanya said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeff Smith, national policy director for Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust, told the committee that people use 7-OH to ease opioid withdrawal. Banning 7-OH would turn patients into criminals, he said. Sheldon Bradshaw, a former chief counsel with the FDA representing the industry group Botanicals for Better Health and Wellness, called 7-OH dangerous and deceptively marketed. It has no business being on store shelves and in products that are being labeled as natural kratom and marketed as herbal supplements, he said. McNeely said the ban on synthetics addresses the part of the plant thats going to be the most abused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should have had kratom and cannabis regulated two years ago if not four years ago, he said. Because its been unregulated, weve allowed things to happen good, bad, indifferent. [Editors note: This report originally identified Isaac Montanya as the CEO of Charlotte Extraction Labs. Subsequent to publication, NC Newsline received an email from the Wisconsin-based law firm, Michael Best, written on behalf of Charlotte Extraction Labs, which stated that Montanya had ceased being CEO in February, had served as an advisor to the company after leaving the CEO role, and had misidentified himself at the legislative hearing. The letter further stated that the company has severed ties with Montanya and that he did not speak for the firm. The letter also offered the following comment on the legislation: Charlotte Extraction Labs understands that House Bill 468 is a significant discussion in the North Carolina General Assembly and does not take a public position on this matter. Our primary mission is to be a manufacturer and innovator. We use highly methodical extraction techniques across a variety of natural plant alkaloids. Any reference to industry turf wars regarding one product does not represent our approach or interests.] ORANGE CITY, Fla. (WFLA) Two motorcyclists in Florida are recovering after they hit an alligator that was sitting in the middle of a lane on Interstate 4 over the weekend. NBC affiliate WESH spoke to Cameron Gilmore, who told them he was on I-4 in the Orange City area when he hit the gator. I saw it, like, 10 feet in front of me, and I just, you know, I thought I knew I was going to hit it, Gilmore said. It kind of just happened so quick. I didnt even have a second to do anything. Couldnt put on the brakes or not. And I just had to hold on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4 HCPS graduates complete rare feat thousands of other students couldnt achieve Once he hit the gator, he went flying. I flipped over the handlebars and landed on my head on I-4 and rolled, he said. Somebody said two or three rolls on, you know, head-first, and then I start flying for a long way. Gilmore told the news station that he was traveling to Sanford with a group of riders, and many of them ran toward him after the crash. My right leg was real numb and hurt, he added. WESH reported that a 25-year-old woman from Orange City hit the gator after Gilmore. Gilmore and the woman were both taken to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilmore said that he is in good spirits and has every intention of getting back on his bike, despite a couple of broken bones and fractures. Nobody wants me to, but I, yeah, I will. Im not scared, he said. WESH reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was dispatched to assist with the injured alligator. The gators condition is not known. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) David and Deb Mast were in the living room of their Medina home early Friday afternoon when Deb said something outside caught her attention as it went around the side of their house. I just saw just the tail of it and I thought it was the neighbors dog, she told Fox 8. Deadly Ashtabula County shooting suspect taken into custody Her husband went to investigate It was kind of walking aimlessly along the back fence there at the back of our property and just limping along, David said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was just walking along the back, and we were yelling to it, and it acted like it wasnt hearing us, no response, not responding to us at all, Deb said. I think her left leg in the back here rear leg, she wouldnt really put it down on the ground, like it was broken. The couple said that despite her injuries, the dog was very friendly and allowed them to ease her onto a tarp. After several calls, they were able to contact the Medina County SPCA, which eagerly took the dog and transported it to a veterinarian, where it was learned she had been shot. Cleveland Heights retains outside counsel after refusing to release bodycam video Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They found out that the bullet that was in her leg, which was a small caliber firearm from a pistol, cracked the bone and also tore her ACL. There was also some testing done that showed other underlying things as well, said Medina County SPCA Director Sarah Urquhart. She was still allowing us to pet her and give her love and compassion, unfortunately, due to the injuries that she sustained, she did have to be euthanized. The dog was chipped and its owner was located about a half mile away from the Masts home. They learned her name was Stella, a 13-year-old pit bull terrier, who had been adopted by her new family only about three months earlier. Dog shot and killed in Medina Urquhart said Stella broke free from her tether while she was outside to use the bathroom, and her owners had been looking for her for about 2-3 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Masts said Stella appeared to be underweight and eagerly accepted food and water from them. Urquhart said that could be attributed to her age and some other underlying conditions. Kent State to close LGBTQ+, womens, multicultural centers There were additional concerning questions that made the animal warden want to investigate more into Stellas history before she was recently adopted. But what they really would like to determine is who is responsible for shooting the dog and why. Its surprising. I wouldnt have thought that was an injury that would happen in this area here, really, David said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone knows anything or heard anything on Friday, May 30, between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in that vicinity of Walnut and East Washington. If you heard anything, you think it was a gunshot, a firecracker, or saw anything suspicious, please contact our humane officer here at the shelter, or you can contact the medina city police department, Urquhart 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. The Air Forces top uniformed leader called Ukraines drone attacks against Russian air bases this weekend a wake-up moment for militaries around the globe, both for defensive and offensive posture. This shows us that seemingly impenetrable locations maybe are not, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told audience members at the Center for a New American Security conference in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. We need to pay more attention to that. Seeing how we do that in our own homeland defense is one thing but we need to think about how we integrate that into our force design to ensure that we create dilemmas for our adversaries as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian strikes against multiple Russian airfields June 1 involved more than 100 drones smuggled across the border and launched in a coordinated attack from thousands of miles away. Behemoth Golden Dome may face lackluster scrutiny in Trumps Pentagon Ukrainian intelligence officials have claimed the strikes caused more than $7 billion in damage to the Russian military and incapacitated more than one-third of the countrys strategic cruise missile carriers. Russian officials have not verified those estimates. Allvin called that reported impact eyebrow-raising for his staff and other military planners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve always known that hardening our bases is something that we need to do, he said. And we have that in our budgets, to be able to get more resilient basing. But right now, I dont think its where we need to be. The top Air Force leader said that President Donald Trumps proposed $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense project may eventually have elements to counteract a similar drone attack within the United States. But he expected the Ukrainian offensive to speed some discussions on those defensive capabilities in the near future. It really comes down to finding the resources to meet all our priorities, he said. If all were doing is playing defense, and we cant shoot back, then thats not a good use of our money. So well see how the conversation gets stirred up again, based on the strike. U.S. officials this week are mediating peace talks between the two warring countries on the possibility of a ceasefire or resolution to the decade-old conflict. Kevin and Jessica Cellura had just 48 hours in December to make an enormous family decision. The couple, who both work as teachers, had to decide if they should take a job offer to teach in Morocco and leave Asheville, North Carolina, with their two youngest children. But the Celluras say their decision was made easier by the presidential election results just weeks earlier. We will get away from the chaos I feel like the America as we knew it growing up is slipping away pretty fast, Jessica Cellura told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Celluras are part of a growing stampede of Americans moving or making serious efforts to move abroad or to obtain the citizenship rights that would allow them to do so. Tax lawyers and immigration advisers told CNN they have seen an uptick in requests from Americans seeking help with navigating the complex web of guidelines needed to relocate since Donald Trumps election win. Jessica, 40, and Kevin, 52, told CNN they are unaffiliated voters. They cast their ballots for Democrat Kamala Harris in last years presidential election, though Kevin voted Republican in the 1990s. Their problems with the second Trump administration go well beyond the usual policy tussles and fierce disputes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like the government that we have is not based in reality. It is based in propaganda, said Kevin Cellura, citing the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol inspired by Trumps repeated, false claims that former President Joe Biden had rigged the preceding presidential election. Trumps reascension provided the spark the couple needed to fulfill a long-standing desire to move overseas, Kevin said. They are set to teach at a school in Moroccos capital Rabat that follows the American model of education. They have one-way plane tickets on August 10. President Donald Trumps reelection in November 2024 convinced North Carolina couple Kevin and Jessica Cellura to begin the process of moving to Morocco. - Courtesy Jessica Cellura Official data from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada show a surge in the numbers of Americans applying to become citizens in recent months. More than 1,900 applied for a British passport during the first quarter of 2025, the most since the UKs Home Office began keeping records in 2004. In Ireland, too, around 4,700 people residing in the United States applied for Irish citizenship based on their ancestry during the same period, according to the countrys Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade the highest quarterly figure in a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is impossible to know the personal stories behind thousands of data points, and the extent to which politics has played a role if at all. Very often, people can only apply for citizenship after several years living in a country. Dina Modi, an immigration casework supervisor at Immigration Advice Service, a British firm providing legal assistance to people hoping to move to and from the UK, said her clients rarely relocate over a single reason like politics. She partly attributes the recent rush of Americans seeking British passports to changes in UK tax and immigration laws. A chunk of people simply need options, according to Modi. They have no concrete plans to move but want the ability to do so quickly. Other immigration advisers have witnessed the same impulse, telling CNN that some Americans view dual citizenship as a sort of insurance against what they perceive to be a deteriorating political landscape at home. The Celluras, though, are not hesitating to leave. Im not going to be a sitting duck. Im going to figure out our exit strategy, Jessica recalls thinking after Novembers votes were tallied. Political wildfire Before the build-up to the election, David Lesperance reckons he received a maximum of two inquiries per week from Americans wanting to relocate. Now, the head of Lesperance & Associates, a tax and immigration advisory firm, he fields as many as five per day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The) people who seek me out tend to be the people who feel theyre targets, he said, noting that his clients tended to be wealthy, with the means to move abroad. In the days following Trumps January executive order restricting gender-affirming medical care for young people, Lesperance said he received seven inquiries from parents with a trans child. For these families, he said, America represents a political wildfire zone, and they can smell the smoke more than the average white heterosexual male with a MAGA hat on. Melvin Warshaw, an international tax lawyer who sometimes works with Lesperance, said he has also received more inquiries from members of the LGBTQ+ community since the election. Another cadre of his clients are those who worry that America is fast approaching an oligarchy or an autocracy. Fundamentally, both groups believe their rights are being deprived if they continue to live in the US, according to Warshaw. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comedian Rosie ODonnell offers one high-profile example. ODonnell, who has traded public jibes with Trump for almost two decades, decamped to Ireland in January with her non-binary child, and is seeking citizenship based on her ancestry. When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, thats when we will consider coming back, she explained in a March posting on TikTok. Ideological civil war Erik Lindsay did not leave America because of Trump per se, but he found that he could no longer stand the countrys deep political divisions. The 50-year-old screenwriter and novelist said the coronavirus pandemic provided the catalyst for his move from Manhattan Beach, California, to Italy in 2020 a time in America he likened to an ideological civil war where people dying had become politicized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Lindsays desire to relocate to his great-grandparents birthplace and where he thus had a claim to citizenship had been percolating since Trumps first election in 2016 when he felt his friend group fracturing over politics. Screenwriter and novelist Erik Lindsay pictured hiking in Capri, Italy, in 2021 after his relocation from Manhattan Beach, California. - Courtesy Erik Lindsay Lindsay has never voted for Trump, but he remembers the vitriolic reaction he received after posting a message on his Instagram account soon after the 2016 election imploring his anti-Trump friends to stay calm and take the long view of American history. It just got venomous, he said. Lindsay recently became an Italian citizen though only just before the rules changed. Italy, like Britain, has started to tighten rules on who can claim passports and visas. In May, Rome enacted a law removing the route to citizenship through great-grandparents. Lindsay was lucky with his timing. Now, he can choose to live in Italy, or between Italy and America, at a whim. But life feels lighter in Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To have any nuance in a conversation with anybody regarding politics thats an American is impossible, Lindsay said. You can do it here. Sam Hudson and Hanna Ziady contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Welcome to 5 Things PM! A rare 19th-century condom decorated with an erotic etching featuring a nun and three clergymen will go on display at a museum in the Netherlands. Believed to be made from a sheeps appendix, its part of an exhibit on prostitution and sexuality. Heres what else you might have missed during your busy day: 5 things Megan Varner/Reuters 1 Fed up: Kevin and Jessica Celluras problems with President Donald Trumps second term go well beyond the usual policy tussles and fierce disputes, so they decided to move to Morocco. Theyre part of a growing stampede of Americans who are relocating abroad or trying to obtain citizenship rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 Bargain shoppers: More middle class and wealthy Americans are buying necessities at Dollar General, a discount chain with more than 20,000 stores primarily in rural areas. Thats good news for the companys bottom line, but it could be a warning sign for the US economy. 3 Persistent plague: In medieval Europe, the pandemic known as Black Death killed at least 25 million people in just five years. The disease is caused by bacteria thats been circulating among humans for at least 5,000 years. Scientists say they now know why. 4 Safe space: Max Comer never set out to become a social media star, but the aircraft mechanics quirky videos help travelers feel less afraid to fly. He puts your mind at ease about things like those weird noises during takeoff and the smoke coming from overhead vents. 5 Old-school cool: Buffalo, New York, is more than just a gateway to Niagara Falls. Its a city with a friendly and increasingly sophisticated mix of nightlife, culture, food and nature. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer calls his hometown my happy place. Watch this Food fight! Thousands of people gathered in Colombia to throw tomatoes at one another during the Gran Tomatina Festival, which uses tomatoes that are overripe or otherwise not suitable to eat. Top headlines South Koreas opposition leader Lee wins election as ruling partys Kim concedes Ukraine strikes bridge connecting Russia to Crimea with underwater explosives Musk blasts Trumps agenda bill as a disgusting abomination $365 billion Thats how much richer the wealthiest 10 Americans got over the past year. Check this out Back from the brink: Hunting and conflicts with fishermen brought the Mediterranean monk seal to the edge of extinction. Thanks to conservation efforts and legal protections, its making a comeback. Dendrinos/MOm Quotable Chilling effect: Schools are scrambling to assess the impact of the Trump administrations order pausing new visa interviews for international students. Quiz time Kevin Mohatt/Reuters/File Trump privately complains that the Supreme Court hasnt stood behind his agenda. Which justice receives most of his ire? A. Samuel Alito B. Neil Gorsuch C. Brett Kavanaugh D. Amy Coney Barrett Scroll down for the answer. Good vibes On top of the world: Sherpa guide Kami Rita recently reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time, breaking his own record. He first climbed the worlds highest mountain more than 29,000 feet in 1994 and has been making the trip nearly every year since. Thanks for reading Well see you tomorrow. Quiz answer: D. Trump has directed particular ire at Barrett, his most recent appointee. Check out all of CNNs newsletters. 5 Things PM is produced by CNNs Chris Good, Meghan Pryce, Kimberly Richardson and Morgan Severson. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com TALLAHASSEE, Florida State university leaders rejected Santa Ono as the University of Floridas prospective president Tuesday in a shocking move sparked by conservative outrage over his support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives while leading the University of Michigan. The unprecedented decision by the university system Board of Governors erases a presidential pick that UF trustees expected to propel the school into greater national prominence. But Ono was met with a lukewarm response from Gov. Ron DeSantis, a powerful voice in higher education, and outright opposition from other Republicans including Sen. Rick Scott and Reps. Byron Donalds and Greg Steube. Floridas flagship university now must restart a presidential search from square one as uncertainty surrounds whats next for Ono, who only weeks ago led one of the countrys top universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, my visions have evolved, as youve heard. But over 18 months since 2022, Ono told the state board Tuesday. And Im here to ensure that DEI never returns to the University of Florida. To UF trustees, who unanimously backed him, Ono was the visionary leader that the University of Florida needs at this moment. They billed the immunologist who has served as Michigans president since October 2022 and previously led the University of Cincinnati and the University of British Columbia as a candidate who can propel the school in national rankings and research standings. The university and even DeSantis had touted how Florida was able to lure a sitting president away from a top-ranked university. And yet Republicans like Donalds, Steube and even Donald Trump Jr. urged state leaders to tank Onos nomination, with the presidents son labeling him awoke psycho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board of Governors grilled Ono over these issues and more, questioning him over past decisions and statements from social media posts nearly a decade ago on topics ranging from race-based admissions to the Israel-Hamas war. The hours of back-and-forth exposed fault lines of Florida's power structure as conservative politicians sparred with high-powered donors and business leaders. Your recent reversal on an entire architecture of ideology is nothing short of incredible, Jose Oliva, a Board of Governors member and former House speaker, told Ono. At one point, a state board member suggested the panels extensive public interview of Ono feels patently unfair, as former House Speaker Paul Renner went through a list of exhibits detailing his past moves. This is not a court of law, said Charles Lydecker, the Board of Governors member who served on UFs presidential search committee. Ive been on this board for 5 to 6 years and we have never used this as a forum to interrogate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During another tense moment Tuesday, it was revealed that at least one sitting Board of Governors member Renner was approached about UFs top job. This led to another board member asking Renner if he would recuse himself from voting on Ono, since his rejection could once again create an opening at the Gainesville university. Renner sternly defended his position amid the revelation, stating he has no intention of serving in the role regardless of Tuesdays outcome. I was asked by a trustee at the University of Florida to speak to the chair, which I did, and he said he wasnt interested and thats it, Renner told the board, saying that the conversation took place before he was appointed by Desantis. Ono, since being named the sole finalist for UFs top job, had been full-throated in his support for DeSantis and his policies that have reshaped higher education in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he was selected by UF trustees, Ono said his past statements supporting DEI programs do not reflect what I believe today, as he attempted to assure critics that he is not coming to Gainesville to slow the pace of reform. Attempting to shore up support for Ono, UF leaders pointed to notable conservatives who have switched parties in the past, including former President Ronald Reagan, who was once a Democrat. Americans gave him a chance, Mori Hosseini, UFs trustees chair and a GOP megadonor, told the Board of Governors. Please, give Dr. Ono a chance. UF went as far as baking assurances into Onos$15 million contract that the school wouldnt spend a dime on DEI under him and that he would work with DeSantis DOGE cost-cutting team to evaluate and reduce administrative overhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that wasnt enough to quell serious concerns from critics like Christopher Rufo, an education adviser to DeSantis and the Trump administration, who feared UF was hiring a DEI acolyte. Floridas congressional delegation also put consistent pressure on the Board of Governors to oppose Ono leading up to Tuesdays vote, with Scott bashing his response to pro-Palestinian protests at Michigan and an encampment that he said illustrated the university president putting Jewish students in danger and failing to uphold even the most basic standards of leadership. DeSantis, for his part, never publicly endorsed Ono which would have given him support from the state leader who appoints most Board of Governors members. The GOP governor instead backed the presidential search process at UF and warned any DEI policies would be swiftly countered by the state. Heres a novel idea: instead of loyalty pledges and $15 million favors, how about UF chooses a president who represents Florida values and rejects divisive progressive ideology like DEI? Just a thought, Steube wrote on social media ahead of the state boards final vote. Ono, as a leading academic, would have marked a deviation in Floridas recent pattern of schools picking new presidents with ties to the DeSantis administration and state Legislature. Schools such as Florida International University and Florida A&M University have chosen leaders connected to the state with hopes of scoring more funding and prestige. UFs last president was former GOP Sen. Ben Sasse, who abruptly resigned last July and has since been flagged by state auditors over questionable spending habits. SYDNEY, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Seven men have been arrested and charged following a major investigation into a criminal syndicate importing drugs into Sydney. The Multi Agency Strike Team (MAST), which consists of 41 officers from the police force in the state of New South Wales and federal law enforcement agencies, said on Tuesday that the seven men were arrested in connection with the alleged importation of over 300 kg of illicit drugs. A strike force was established in September 2023 to investigate the importation and supply of large quantities of prohibited drugs and illicit tobacco by a 42-year-old man and his associates. The MAST said in a statement on Tuesday that the group had allegedly claimed to have the ability to circumvent Australian border controls and that the 42-year-old man was using a freight forwarding company in southwest Sydney to facilitate the importation of drugs. Two members of the syndicate, aged 43 and 31, were arrested after police located more than 280 kg of liquid methamphetamine in an industrial cooler imported from Canada in August 2024. Investigations continued into the 42-year-old, who allegedly used the freight company to import three separate consignments containing over 20 million cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates. In May, MAST investigators established that the man was planning to import 50 kg of cocaine concealed in cement bags from Panama. He and three others, including two Canadian nationals, were arrested after six search warrants were executed across west and southwest Sydney on Friday. All four men, and the 43-year-old who was arrested in August 2024, were charged with offenses relating to the importation of commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The 31-year-old who was arrested in August 2024 and a seventh man, a 36-year-old who was arrested at Sydney Airport on Saturday, were charged with lesser offenses. The police said that 243 boxes of tobacco were seized from storage facilities as a result of further inquiries following Friday's arrests. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The outline of the U.S. offer to Iran in their high-stakes negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program is starting to become clearer but whether any deal is on the horizon remains as cloudy as ever. Reaching a deal is one of the several diplomatic priorities being juggled by U.S. President Donald Trump and his trusted friend and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. An accord could see the United States lift some of its crushing economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for it drastically limiting or ending its enrichment of uranium. But a failure to get a deal could see tensions further spike in a Middle East on edge over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran's economy, long ailing, could enter a free fall that could worsen the simmering unrest at home. Israel or the U.S. might carry out long-threatened airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. And Tehran may decide to fully end its cooperation with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog and rush toward a bomb. That makes piecing together the U.S. offer that much more important as the Iranians weigh their response after five rounds of negotiations in Muscat, Oman, and Rome. Possible deal details emerge A report by the news website Axios outlined details of the American proposal, the details of which a U.S. official separately confirmed, include a possible nuclear consortium enriching uranium for Iran and surrounding nations. Whether Iran would have to entirely give up its enrichment program remains unclear, as Axios reported that Iran would be able to enrich uranium up to 3% purity for some time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, negotiated under then President Barack Obama, allowed Iran to enrich to 3.67% enough to fuel a nuclear power plant but far below the threshold of 90% needed for weapons-grade uranium. Iran now enriches up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. U.S. officials all the way up to Trump repeatedly have said that Iran would have to give up enrichment entirely. The English-language arm of Iranian state television broadcaster Press TV on Tuesday published an extended article including details from the Axios report. Iranian state television long has been controlled by hard-liners within the countrys theocracy. Press TV extensively repeating those details suggests that either they are included in the American proposal or they could be elements within it welcomed by hard-liners within the government. Iranian media largely have avoided original reporting on the negotiations, without explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran's reaction The idea of a consortium enriching uranium for Iran and other nations in the Middle East also have come up in comments by other Iranian officials. Abolfazl Zohrehvand, a member of Iran's powerful parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, said that he understood that one of the American proposals included the full dismantlement of the country's nuclear program in a consortium-style deal. The Americans will "make a consortium with Saudi Arabia, the (United Arab) Emirates and Qatar ... on an island to keep it under U.S. control, Zohrehvand told the Iranian news website Entekhab. Iran could have a certain amount of stake in the consortium, but enrichment would not take place in Iran. Zohrehvand didn't elaborate on which island" would host the site. However, the Persian Gulf has multiple islands. The UAE already has a nuclear power plant, while Saudi Arabia is pursuing its own program. Qatar has said that it's exploring small nuclear reactors. A consortium could allow low-enriched uranium to be supplied to all those countries, while lowering the risk of proliferation by having countries run their own centrifuges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a consortium deal has been discussed in the past, it has fallen through previously. Now, however, the Gulf Arab states largely have reached a detente with Iran after years of tensions following Trump unilaterally withdrawing the U.S. in 2018 from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Meanwhile, Fereidoun Abbasi, a former head of the civilian Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, suggested on Iranian state television that one of Iran's disputed islands with the UAE could be a site for the project. Iran, under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, seized three islands in the Persian Gulf in 1971 as British troops withdrew just before the formation of the Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. What do we need the U.S. for? Abbasi asked. "We have the know-how. What happens next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran likely will respond to the American offer in the coming days, possibly through Oman, which has been mediating in the talks. There also could be a sixth round of negotiations between the countries, though a time and location for them have yet to be announced. This coming weekend is the Eid al-Adha holiday that marks the end of Islam's Hajj pilgrimage, meaning talks likely wouldn't happen until sometime next week at the earliest. But the pressure is on. Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium could allow it to build multiple nuclear weapons, should Tehran choose to pursue the bomb. Western nations may pursue a censure of Iran at the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency which could see them ultimately invoke the so-called snapback of U.N. sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The authority to reestablish those sanctions by the complaint of any member of the original 2015 nuclear deal expires in October. There is still time for negotiating an agreement that reduces Irans proliferation risk. But that time is short, wrote Kelsey Davenport, the director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given that Iran is sitting on the threshold of nuclear weapons and officials are openly debating the security value of a nuclear deterrent, any escalatory spiral could kill the negotiating process and increase the risk of conflict. ___ Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Matthew Lee in Washington, contributed to this report. ___ EDITORS NOTE Jon Gambrell, the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press, has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the Middle East and wider world since joining the AP in 2006. By Ju-min Park, Hyunsu Yim SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung rode a wave of voter anger against the December martial law attempt by his ousted predecessor, but his ability to lead will be judged by the strength of his policies. Lee's decisive victory in Tuesday's snap election over Kim Moon-soo, the candidate for the conservative People Power Party, hands the liberal leader a resounding mandate and his Democratic Party in control of parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healing the political rifts that led to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's shock martial law and its divisive aftermath will be a tall order. Analysts say both candidates were vague on their policy plans during the campaign, and Lee Jun-han, a political science professor at Incheon National University, said the results are more an indictment of Yoon and his PPP's poor performance than an endorsement of the DP. He said Kim, who opposed Yoon's impeachment, was unprepared and the PPP did not show remorse after the martial law. "(The next president) should properly interpret that the people's choice has been one-sided and reflect that in the government's operation or politics in the future," he said. "If they don't, public sentiment will fluctuate quickly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Lee has had his eye on the presidency for years, there have been major developments since he narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election, said Kim Jun-seok, a political science professor at Dongguk University. "Now he has restoration of democracy as one of his tasks," Kim said. "Nonetheless, there are huge challenges faced by South Korea. A grim outlook on the economy that's projected to grow maybe less than 1%. And there's a crisis outside, dealing with Trump. He has a lot of work to do." Voters said they were looking for the winner of the snap election to calm the economic and political shocks that have roiled the country since Yoon's December 3 martial law decree led to months of economic downturn and sparked nationwide protests. Many complained, however, about a lack of specifics in policy debates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee has pledged to draft a second supplementary budget for the year as soon as the election is over, and promised vouchers to help local businesses and subsidies for childcare, youth, and the elderly to address growing discontent around tightening purse strings. His camp says they intend to seek more time to negotiate on trade with U.S. President Donald Trump, but it is unclear how any request for an extension of the tariff deadline will be received in Washington. With a rise in anti-China sentiment among South Koreans and Trump's push to isolate Beijing, Lee must also tread carefully with any plans to improve ties with China. Lee has also shown sensitivity to the political winds, moderating some of his stances on China, Japan, and populist economic policies such as universal income ahead of the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope he will resuscitate the economy and get rid of insurrection forces," said Im Young-taek, 64, a small business owner. "And I do really hope he will make people comfortable. Things may not be easy with Trump but I hope he will hire capable aides and resolve the issues well." Lee's Democratic Party will control parliament, easing the passage of legislation and budgets after years of deadlock between Yoon and the legislature. That may do little to soothe political polarization, however, with conservatives warning that Lee and the DP will steamroll over any opposition. "They have absolute power, which could lead to a departure from social unity," said Incheon University's Lee. "Since they are the absolute majority, there seems to be little check and balance to stop them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, a DP-led committee passed legislation aimed at changing an election law that Lee had been convicted of violating. They have also promised to pass legislation clarifying what protections presidents have from criminal investigations, a move seen as trying to reduce Lee's exposure to other ongoing charges. (Reporting by Ju-min Park and Hyunsu Yim; Additional reporting by Joyce Lee; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Saad Sayeed) By Tom Balmforth and Milan Pavicic (Reuters) -Satellite imagery of a Russian air base taken shortly after Ukraine carried out a drone attack deep inside Russia over the weekend shows several strategic bombers were destroyed and badly damaged, according to three open source analysts. Ukraine targeted at least four air bases across Russia using 117 unmanned aerial vehicles launched from containers close to the targets. Drone footage of the operation verified by Reuters shows several aircraft were struck in at least two locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capella Space, a satellite company, supplied Reuters with an image of one of those airfields, located in the Siberian region of Irkutsk. The image was taken on June 2, the day after one of the most complex and effective operations launched by Ukraine in more than three years of war. Cloud cover can obscure conventional satellite pictures, but the data is from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites which direct energy beams at the Earth and detect echoes, making it possible to identify small topographical details. The image - more grainy than conventional high-resolution photographs and in black and white - appears to show the debris of several aircraft located along the runway of the Belaya military air base or parked in protective revetments nearby. "Based on the debris visible, comparison to recent satellite images and released drone footage from Telegram posted to Twitter, I can see the destruction of several aircraft," said John Ford, a research associate at the California-based James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford said that SAR imagery provided to him by Reuters showed what appeared to be the remnants of two destroyed Tu-22 Backfires - long-range, supersonic strategic bombers that have been used to launch missile strikes against Ukraine. The SAR image, as well as drone footage of the strikes posted on social media, also indicated that four strategic Tu-95 heavy bombers had been destroyed or severely damaged, he added. Brady Africk, an open source intelligence analyst, agreed that the SAR imagery of Irkutsk air base showed several Tu-95s and Tu-22s had been destroyed and damaged, although more imagery was needed to properly assess the impact. "But it is clear that the attack on this airbase was very successful," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The aircraft targeted in the attack were a mix of Tu-22 and Tu-95 bombers, both of which Russia has used to launch strikes against Ukraine." Africk added that Belaya air base is home to several flat decoy aircraft, which he said had apparently failed to mislead Ukrainian drones in this case. LARGE EXPLOSION Reuters has not yet obtained SAR imagery of the Olenya airfield, a base in Murmansk in Russia's far northwest that was also attacked. But drone video footage of Olenya base provided by Ukrainian authorities and verified by Reuters showed two burning bombers which appeared to be Tu-95s and a third, also a Tu-95, being hit by a large explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Defence Ministry said Ukraine had launched drone strikes targeting military airfields in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. Air defences repelled the assaults in three regions, but not Murmansk and Irkutsk, it said, adding that in those places several aircraft caught fire. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia had launched an official investigation into the weekend Ukrainian drone attacks. Top Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev also said, in an apparent response to the strikes on Russian strategic bomber bases, that Moscow would take revenge. "Retribution is inevitable." Ukraine's domestic security agency, the SBU, has claimed responsibility for the operation, called "Spider's Web", and said that in total 41 Russian warplanes were hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called the attack, which struck targets up to 4,300 km (2,670 miles) from the frontlines of the war, "absolutely brilliant". The Ukrainian military initially added 12 aircraft to its running tally of Russia's wartime military losses on Tuesday. "After processing additional information from various sources and verifying it ... we report that the total (Russian) losses amounted to 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers and other types of combat aircraft," it added in a later update. There was no immediate public response from Moscow to the SBU statement. The SBU said the damage caused by the operation amounted to $7 billion, and 34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers at Russia's main airfields were hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters could not independently verify the claims. Some experts said the operation would not be enough to stop Russia from launching missile attacks on Ukraine using strategic bombers, but it would be hard, if not impossible to replace the damaged planes because some of them are no longer in production. The attack was also likely to force Russia to reconfigure its air defences, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) research group. "The ... operation will force Russian officials to consider redistributing Russia's air defence systems to cover a much wider range of territory and possibly deploying mobile air defence groups that can more quickly react to possible similar Ukrainian drone strikes in the future," the ISW said. (Writing by Mike Collett-WhiteEditing by Frances Kerry and Jon Boyle) By Jihoon Lee and Cynthia Kim SEOUL (Reuters) -The new South Korean administration will likely make efforts to buy time for U.S. trade talks, as it studies the negotiations of bigger neighbours Japan and China for leverage, according to sources familiar with the ruling party's thinking. President Lee Jae-myung, who took office hours after winning the June 3 snap presidential election without a usual two-month transition period, said on the eve of the elections that "the most pressing matter is trade negotiations with the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The future of South Korea's export-oriented economy will hinge on what kind of deal Lee can strike, with all of his country's key sectors from chips to autos and shipbuilding heavily exposed to global trade. The new president and his liberal Democratic Party government inherit an economy that is expected to grow this year by a grim 0.8%, the weakest since 2020, and will need to unify a country deeply polarised by ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law attempt. South Korea and other countries may face further pressure, as a draft letter seen by Reuters showed the Trump administration wanted countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday. A trade ministry official declined to confirm if Seoul had received the letter. But the transition of power after a six-month leadership vacuum provides Seoul with an excuse to slow down its negotiations and observe Washington's tariff talks with other countries, lawmakers, officials and trade experts from the Democratic Party said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The new administration will need to take a fresh look at the overall framework of the negotiations and that will be a buffer to buy time, which the U.S. cannot reject," said a trade expert who took part in brainstorming for Lee's trade strategies. The sources added the administration may not be able to immediately ask Trump for an extension, and Lee's top diplomacy adviser has said he sees such a request being considered only after reviewing the progress. Still, prolonged negotiations by other countries may help to buy Seoul time. "It will be strategically right to take a wait-and-see stance because the situation is changing within the United States and around negotiations of other countries," one lawmaker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STRATEGIC SILENCE South Korea, a major U.S. ally and one of the first countries to engage with Washington after Japan, agreed in late April to craft a "July package" scrapping levies before the 90-day pause on Trump's reciprocal tariffs is lifted, but progress was disrupted by continued upheavals in South Korea's leadership. Lee has since stressed there is no need to rush into clinching a deal and the deadline of July 8 set between Seoul and Washington should be reconsidered. During his election campaign, Lee did not make specific comments about contentious issues around the trade talks. That "silence" was a strategic move, a party official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement after his victory, the Korea International Trade Association called for Lee to "respond quickly to the rapidly changing foreign trade order" and use all of the government's diplomatic and trade resources to pursue a practical negotiation strategy. Trump's across-the-board tariffs on trading partners, including 25% duties on South Korea, have been the subject of ongoing litigation, but remain in place. "For different reasons, China and Japan will be references for us, with the former on the possibility of U.S. policy changes and the latter on how to make moves under a similar circumstance," another trade expert said. Heo Yoon, an economics professor at Sogang University, says Lee's best bet to win an extension would be by joining the meeting of the Group of Seven advanced economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is a G7 meeting in Canada in mid-June, where South Korea could be invited to join and use it as a chance to extend the tariff-pause deadline," Heo said, adding an extension could also help Washington, as it would sway Lee towards the U.S. and away from China. Japan, another U.S. ally slapped with 24% tariffs, no longer sees merit in striking a quick deal, unless it is granted an exemption from 25% product-specific duties on its key industry of automobiles, also a major sector for South Korea. China agreed with the U.S. to significantly unwind their tariffs on each other in a 90-day truce signed in mid-May, but Trump last week accused Beijing of violating the agreement and threatened to take tougher actions. When it comes to joint responses to U.S. tariffs, there is a higher possibility with Japan than China, two sources said, citing shared interest in energy purchases and auto tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee's party expects there to be some "two-track" transitional period, with current officials continuing negotiations as the new administration formulates its strategies, according to the official. BETTER POSITIONED Given its strength in key sectors of U.S. interest, such as shipbuilding and technology, some analysts see South Korea as better positioned than others in the region, as Seoul prepares a separate package of industrial cooperation for bargaining power. "Successful outcomes require offers that support the president's domestic agenda, and this will be comparatively easy for Korea given its importance in politically sensitive industries," said Jay Truesdale, a former U.S. diplomat and CEO of TD International, an advisory firm in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kathleen Oh, Morgan Stanley's chief Korea and Taiwan economist, said: "We believe there may be more channels and enough scope for Korea to work out a deal compared to, let's say, its exporting peer Taiwan." South Korea has the scope to decrease its trade surplus with the U.S. via more import purchases, while it can also offer lower tariffs on agricultural products, particularly rice, quoted by Trump as a high tariff example, Oh said. But, for the Lee administration, that is more the reason it does not have to rush, the second trade expert said. "In the worst-case scenario, if tariffs are adjusted after we sign an agreement, that might mean we made unnecessary concessions," the source said, adding "it's not like we don't have any leverage". (Reporting by Jihoon Lee and Cynthia Kim; Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Joyce Lee; Editing by Josh Smith and Saad Sayeed) In New York, Andrew Cuomos comeback after resigning in disgrace could end up taking less than four years with a scandal-plagued incumbent mayor, a disorganized left wing and a feeling that the city is on the brink paving the way. Its the latest saga in the long-running soap opera of New York politics. On the heels of a presidential resurgence from another brash guy from Queens and a Democratic Party with a loud socialist streak, Cuomo sees himself as the man for the moment as he campaigns to be the next mayor of New York City, even if that required moving into his daughters apartment to be eligible to run. In public, Cuomo has kept mostly quiet, limiting himself mostly to surprise appearances where he stays a few minutes and disappears before he gets protested or takes any questions from reporters. In private, according to several who know him, he has been brooding about the investigation he is facing from President Donald Trumps Justice Department, orchestrating efforts to undermine his opponents and stressing over what positions to adopt to be taken more seriously as a progressive himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been leaning on a sense of inevitability to press more potential supporters to get on board and leave others with the impression that he will remember those who dont, delighting in opponents who, struggling for momentum, havent found an effective way to attack him. With three weeks to go before the Democratic primary, Cuomos pitch has centered on how well he managed the state government though not a single statewide official or previous city mayor whose terms overlapped with his would say they agreed with him when asked by CNN. He has not apologized or much addressed the series of sexual misconduct accusations that forced his resignation or the more than 12,000 deaths in nursing homes as he ran the states Covid-19 response yet few voters are saying they care much, or even remember, according to focus groups conducted by opposition campaigns. He never talks about redemption, though he has been chasing that since almost the moment he finished his resignation speech in August 2021. Thats clearly what it is, but he doesnt talk about it that way, said one prominent Democrat whos spoken to Cuomo multiple times about the race but has heard no sense of reflection. He talks about how the Democratic Party is so screwed up and its too far to the left, he talks about what a disaster [former Mayor Bill] de Blasio was, what a disaster [current Mayor Eric] Adams is. A limited campaign leaning into inevitability For years, New York has been tilting toward being a homegrown Dubai: a status playground for the rich steadily pushing out enclaves where the struggling working class tries to scrap by, with Instagram spots for tourists in between. Unlicensed marijuana stores, a surge of migrants that has strained the citys resources and a pervasive sense of rising crime (despite rates that are in reality dropping) have left many New Yorkers feeling the city is spinning out of control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have known each other a long time and we have been through a lot together. We talk to each other, were straight with each other, Cuomo said at his sole rally last week. New York City is in trouble. You can feel it when you walk around the street. You feel it in the anxiety, in the frustration. You see it in the crime, you see it in the number of homeless mentally ill who are left on the streets. And you feel it in that New York Citys just getting more expensive, and it is unaffordable for working men and women. Rep. Greg Meeks, who also serves as the Democratic Party leader in Queens, said that not only does Cuomo seem like the only credible choice in this race, but he hopes his win reverberates among Democrats across the country in looking at what works with voters. I thought about where the city is, what the city needs, where we take the next step so that we continue to grow and produce jobs and housing and get things done to me, theres only one person that is running that has done those kinds of things, Meeks said. No one can deny that as governor he was able to get things done that were innovative and creative, and thats what the city needs to continue to do now as were moving forward into a more technological and interdependent world. Then finally, someone who can truly stand up to Donald Trump too. Asked about the issues that forced Cuomo out as governor, Meeks argued, Hes not like the president of the United States, whos a convicted felon. Hes never been convicted of anything, and he has completely denied all of it. Meeks added that his sense is of a man who is contrite, though Cuomo has spent far less time expressing any public contrition than he and aides have put into trying to undermine the investigations into him. Cuomo speaks during a campaign news conference and rally announcing his support for a $20 hourly minimum wage, on Wednesday, May 28, in New York. - Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Getty Images At the rally, Cuomo announced his support for a $20 minimum wage, boasting about how he had signed a $15 minimum wage as governor and leaving out that he had resisted the efforts to do that for years before backing it. The air conditioning couldnt keep up with the rooms tightly packed clumps of members from a variety of unions in color-coded shirts, chanting their locals names and slogans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Costa, the international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, led a round of cheers as he talked about Cuomo helping improve both safety and service on the subways. Asked afterward to explain why he was backing Cuomo, Costa told CNN, Ive watched him, I watched his family, his father. I thought he was a great governor. I think hes learned a lot from his father and I thought he was great as a governor. You know, and then things happened and he had to step down for whatever reasons. Now hes back. I think hell be a great mayor. Cuomos upward spiral of inevitability from those either wanting to be with the guy who wins or worried hell be vindictive against those who werent with him when he does also pulled in less enthusiastic union members, like one who asked not to give his name when asked why he was there. I came because we have dues we have to pay: if we dont come, we get docked $500, he said. I got no choice. A representative of that union clarified that the policy was not specific to appearing at the Cuomo event, but at political events in general and was an encouragement, not a requirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over several weeks, a Cuomo aide offered several different rationales to CNN for why he would not be available for an interview. The candidate has participated in only a handful of interviews since entering the race in March, leaving reporters after the union rally shouting questions at him through the closed window of his Dodge Charger as an aide tried to usher them out of the way while warning they were in danger of being run over. Cuomo smiled but did not engage, then made a right turn on a red light as he pulled away. (A Cuomo spokesperson told CNN the former governor pulled into the intersection while it was green but there was someone in the crosswalk so he let that person go.) One event he wont be able to outrun is Wednesdays city-mandated primary debate and Cuomo is holed up in prep his aides worried that in his first competitive debate in 20 years, the risk for a bad moment is high. A frazzled, fractured opposition Cuomos dominance to date might not have been possible if all the candidates and other city power players who agree that they dont want him as the next mayor could agree what to do to stop him. Instead, they have often added fuel to his argument that the left wing of the party is too much of a mess to run one of the largest and most complex municipal governments in the world. Cuomo isnt the only critic. Queens and Bronx Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive icon, has been chiding them for failing to mount an organized strategy against him, according to multiple people familiar with the conversations. What shes been getting back is a lot of frustration, and a bunch of complaints that actually she doesnt get how politics works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For all the anti-Cuomo memes and custom t-shirts theyve inspired, talks between campaigns about coordinating spending on ads or other tactics broke down without getting anywhere. Aides to several top New York political leaders have been fuming privately that others think it was up to them to stop Cuomo, and most including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Brooklyn-based House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have all said that they will stay neutral. No candidate was willing to risk a kamikaze mission of going hard negative on Cuomo at the likely expense of becoming too toxic to win. Jumaane Williams, the anti-Cuomo public advocate (effectively, the city council president) popular among many Black voters in the city, last Tuesday held an event in front of City Hall to announce he was jointly endorsing two candidates city council speaker Adrienne Adams and comptroller Brad Lander. Then on Wednesday, Williams put out a video with another candidate, Zohran Mamdani, endorsing him. Leaders of the Working Families Party, for years a definitive force in galvanizing city politics with deep animosity for Cuomo personally on top of policy and political disagreements that go back over a decade have shocked allies by how flat-footed theyve been in response to his candidacy. And though on Friday the group announced a recommended ranking order for several of the candidates, with Mamdani endorsed for first, slides obtained by CNN of the polling presentation officials made to candidates show that they acknowledged their endorsement would make little difference for who gets ranked first. With ranked choice voting, progressives are really trying to figure out what strategies work best in that environment in a way that moderates or the right really havent had to wrestle with because theres one of them, where theres a slate of progressive candidates, said Tiffany Caban, a city councilwoman from Queens proudly risen out of the Democratic Socialists of America, in an interview on the steps of City Hall last week. New York Attorney General Letitia James addresses the media outside New York Supreme Court, Wednesday, November 8, 2023, in New York. - Yuki Iwamura/AP/File The one concerted effort to stop Cuomo came from Letitia James, who was urged into first running for state attorney general by Cuomo in 2018, and then led the investigations into the nursing home deaths and sexual misconduct allegations. After deciding not to run against Cuomo herself to focus on leading lawsuits against the incoming Trump administration, James joined with state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins in trying to recruit candidates, sources familiar with the efforts told CNN. Multiple prominent women in New York got calls, including Adams, the city council speaker, who is of no relation to the mayor. All turned them down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when a combination of events, including the mayors top aides resigning in protest in February over how the Trump Justice Department pulled back on the charges he was facing, Adams changed her mind and made a late entrance into race. She has struggled to raise money or gain any public traction, and while James has stuck by her, Stewart-Cousins hasnt said anything publicly about the race. An aide to Stewart-Cousins did not respond to a request for comment. The mayoral race has not gotten a lot of traction, James told CNN in an interview. Weve not broken through all of the executive orders, the tariffs, the chaos, the confusion, and other corruption. So its difficult in this climate, this 24-hour media circus. Both as a former Cuomo colleague and a lifelong Brooklyn resident, James says she knows the clock is ticking. Individuals have to think about whats in the best interest of the city, as opposed to what is in their best interest, James said. And I dont know whether or not there are a sufficient number of individuals who can set aside their ego at this point. The Cuomo foil who wants to make Cuomo a foil New York City mayoral candidate and state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani campaigns in New York City on April 16. - ANGELA WEISS/AFP/AFP via Getty Images From even before he officially launched his campaign, Cuomo was talking privately about Mamdani as the foil he wanted: a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America who has a record big on marching with causes but light on substantive results, who could embody the caricature of a far-too-left turn in the Democratic Party talking about equity and inclusion while New Yorkers were scared to get on the subway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 33-year-old assemblyman has become identified enough with the new young left that Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of Kamala Harris, endorsed him. But his views are so controversial that the former vice president has had to privately clarify that this does not signal her support, a source told CNN. But Mamdani attributes his rise at least in part to Cuomo. Hes the perfect foil for this campaign because he represents the failed leadership that weve seen not just in City Hall from Eric Adams, but also from Cuomo himself in the governors mansion in Albany, Mamdani told CNN, standing in front of a Brooklyn brownstone where a fundraiser had been shifted to a no-donation meet-and-greet because he already raised the maximum allowed under the citys system. And at least, Mamdani charged, he would not be compromised by the donors Trump shares with the Cuomo-aligned super PAC that is preparing to come down hard on him in the final weeks of the primary. But as Cuomo has centered much of his campaign on denouncing antisemitism and talking up support of Israel major issues in a city with such a large Jewish population he has found an easy target in the Israel divestment-supporting Mamdani, both among Jewish voters and among those who see the far-lefts identification with the anti-Israel cause as endemic to what is driving mainstream Democrats away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interview, Mamdani blamed Cuomos attacks, which include demanding his opponents condemn the DSA Liberation Caucus for calling the alleged shooter in the killing of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington a political prisoner, as part of the former governors long track record of weaponizing very real concerns for his personal and political benefit. When asked to clarify his own position on Israel, a Mamdani aide tried to stop the interview. Pressed multiple times to clarify if he believes Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state, Mamdani instead repeated a line hes been using that Israel has a right to exist as a state with equal rights. A race that will run to November Candidates in New York can run on the ballot lines of multiple parties, even those they make up. Should he lose the Democratic primary on June 24, Cuomo will still be the nominee of the Fight and Deliver Party. If Cuomo wins, Mamdani or whoever comes in second is expected to be the nominee of the Working Families Party. After declining to run again in the Democratic primary, Adams, the incumbent mayor, is planning to run in the fall as the Safe Streets, Affordable City nominee, people familiar with his plans told CNN. Curtis Sliwa, who has made a personality and career of being a lifelong gadfly, is making a repeat run as the Republican candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means the next mayor of New York could win without a clear majority of the vote in a race with multiple candidates facing significant question marks about their candidacies and in what has the possibility of being the first competitive citywide general election in more than two decades, when ranked choice voting will not be a factor in determining the outcome. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Despite national decreases in international tourism, many Utah businesses saw a successful Memorial Day weekend. Managing Director for the Utah Office of Tourism Natalie Randall told ABC4, In the state of Utah, we know that international visitation is a critical piece to our visitor economy. Randall reported that about 7% of the total visitor direct spending comes from international visitation, and about 40% of that comes from Canadian visitors. As youre talking through tariffs, as youre thinking about the Canadian sentiment thats coming in, were seeing at the national level, theres been this reduction in visitation to the U.S., and at Utah, we know that were not immune to seeing those changes as well, and so for us its a priority to remain proactive in the space and continue to engage with the Canadian visitor and let them know that this is a place that they can be inspired to visit. Natalie Randall, Managing Director for the Utah Office of Tourism However, Randall also told ABC4.com that there was not a large negative impact on tourism over Memorial Day weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upcoming Ogden car show to raise funds for program that helps at-risk youth Many of our businesses were able to experience successful weekends, full bookings, and many of them were able to find ways to backfill from what you might anticipate with the international visitation perhaps lagging slightly, she said. Randall said that there are many reasons to remain optimistic, including West Jet recently investing in a direct flight from Salt Lake City to Edmonton, Canada. In a recent survey of Canadian travelers conducted by Love Communications, 63% of respondents would still consider visiting the U.S. in the next 36 months, with 42% saying yes and 21% saying maybe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that survey, the most influential factors in interest in visiting the U.S. was natural scenery and iconic landmarks or historical sites, which might offer one explanation as to why international visitation to Utah has not suffered greatly, as Utah is rich in natural scenery and iconic landmarks. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The F. G. Clark Activity Center at Southern University in Baton Rouge is also known as the "Mini-Dome" and is a multi-purpose facility used for campus and community events. (Photo provided by Southern University) The Louisiana Legislature has approved legislation to increase mandatory anti-hazing training for fraternities, sororities and other college student organizations from one hour to two hours. House Bill 279 by Rep. Delisha Boyd, D-New Orleans, originally would have required all college students to take a one credit-hour anti-hazing course. Because of the potential cost , it was amended to double the training students in campus organizations receive. It is not expected to cost anything more as the courses are already in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These groups are already under mandate to have each member complete a one-hour course on the dangers of hazing. Boyds bill passed both chambers with just one lawmaker, Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn, R-Hornbeck, voting against it. It next goes to Gov. Jeff Landry for approval. Boyds bill was filed in the wake of the death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson, who was killed in a hazing incident for a fraternity he was pledging. Lawmakers will also convene a task force named after Wilson to study hazing and submit a report to the legislature by Jan. 31 next year. Its members will evaluate current state and federal laws on hazing and policies against it at colleges and universities. They will also review best practices from across the country and make recommendations for policies for Louisiana to adopt. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KABUL, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Cases of Congo fever, an infectious disease transmitted from animals, have been on the rise in Afghanistan, with about 100 suspected cases reported over the past month, hospital sources said Monday. "Compared to last year, cases have increased and continue to rise," the local media outlet Tolonews quoted local hospital doctor Faridullah Omari as saying on Monday. The contagious disease, according to the doctor, has increased 10 to 15 percent compared to last year. Citizens, especially butchers, are urged to wear gloves and masks during slaughter and follow safety measures as Eid al-Adha approaches. It is a major Muslim festival during which well-off families traditionally sacrifice animals such as sheep and cows. Apple has told the Metropolitan Police to focus on traditional policing to tackle a surge in mobile phone thefts. Gary Davis, a senior executive at the iPhone-maker, said police were not fully investigating some phone thefts in Britain by seeking information about the stolen devices from Apple. In a hearing before MPs on the science, innovation and technology committee, Mr Davis was asked whether Apple should be doing more to build a technical solution to phone thefts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He replied: I would want to make sure that as part of all of that the Met Police continues to do traditional policing, which means sending requests to us for stolen devices and Apple responding to those requests for stolen devices. We are not seeing that. It came after senior police officials urged tech companies to consider new technical ways of preventing theft. The Met wants mobile phone makers to use a unique number linked to a phones modem chip which connects to mobile networks to identify phones that are reported stolen and block them. Police believe up to three quarters of stolen phones are moved abroad, with 28pc ending up in China or Hong Kong and many in Algeria. The Met recorded more than 80,000 phone thefts in 2024, up by a quarter on 2023 levels. Credit: Met Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once overseas, these phones become more difficult to track. While UK networks can implement some blocking on the IMEI chip numbers of stolen phones, this is more patchy internationally. Speaking on Tuesday, Darren Scates, the Mets chief digital officer, said one proposal that was being considered by Apple and Google was to stop a smart phone serial number being allowed to connect to their services if it is reported as lost or stolen. The police say this would make the device worthless. Mr Scates added that technology companies had provided methods to lock the device remotely, but some criminals had means of cracking this. Technology chiefs have raised concerns over the risks of allowing more remote locking tools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Davis said the industry was wary about whether such a system could become a vector for fraud, with people potentially being able to make false claims that phones have been stolen, leading to devices being automatically blocked. The hearing comes amid growing scrutiny over spiralling crime rates across the UK. The Met has warned that there are growing links between knife crime, child exploitation gangs, drugs and mobile phone theft, with some gangs pivoting from selling illegal drugs to stealing handsets. Speaking to executives from Apple, Google and Samsung, Kit Malthouse, the senior Conservative MP, suggested that technology companies have been dragging their feet on coming up with a technical solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Mr Davis said attention also needed to be focussed on the police response to mobile phone theft, saying: We need the requests to come to us. We need to give them the responses. They need to use the information we provide to them in order to identify where the phones are being stolen, and I assume therefore target resources. I am not just seeing those resources coming through to us. Apple said it had introduced a new Stolen Device Protection feature, which requires a Face ID check to access certain phone features, rather than just a code. It has also added technology that can remotely prevent stolen phone parts being stripped and re-used. Google, meanwhile, has added an artificial intelligence feature to its Android software that can detect if a phone has been snatched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to Apples claims, Mr Scates said: The Met shares details of devices reported as stolen with the National Mobile Property Register twice a day and this information is available to Apple and Google. They also receive data from phone networks and customers. We are focused on tacking phone theft and encourage manufactures to make it harder for organised criminals to profit from this crime by preventing a stolen device from connecting to cloud services. 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. Jun. 3ST. PAUL The city of and are among the local governments that will receive funding for infrastructure projects in the latest round of awards from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. It announced recently that more than $44.2 million in loans and grants were being awarded to 15 wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects throughout the state. Appleton will receive a total of $3,543,680 for projects to replace aging sanitary sewer and water main infrastructure on Schlieman Avenue. The total includes $323,009 in low-interest loan funds and $1,292,034 in grant funds for the sanitary sewer work and $385,727 in low-interest loan funds and $1,542,910 in grant funds for the water main. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kandiyohi County will receive $47,000 in grant funds to evaluate wastewater treatment alternatives for the south and southwest areas along Big Kandiyohi Lake. The helps cities replace aging infrastructure and make system improvements to protect public health and improve water quality. Since its inception in 1987, the authority has provided $6.9 billion for public infrastructure programs statewide. (FOX40.COM) Applications are now open for the Creative Growth Fellowship, which provides $850 per month for one year to support the work of local artists, according to officials with the City of Sacramento. Video Above: New Crocker Art Museum director on his vision for the Sacramento institution The fellowship is managed by the citys Office of Arts and Culture and offers 200 individual artists direct financial support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials encourage artists to apply before the June 20 deadlines, and to make sure all materials are submitted before then. To be eligible, applicants must be: 18 years or older. Live within the City of Sacramento. Demonstrate active work in areas such as visual arts, music, theater, dance, literary arts, performance, interdisciplinary practices and more. Fields that are ineligible include: Cosmetology Culinary arts Architecture Wellness Those who are affiliated with the city government Summer ramps up in Stanislaus County with Librarys Summer Performer Series This is more than just fundingits about creating space for artists to grow and thrive in Sacramento, said Melissa Cirone, grants and programs manager for the Office of Arts and Culture. The fellowship offers a valuable opportunity for direct support, and we hope to see as many eligible artists as possible take advantage of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Complete guidelines for the Creative Growth Fellowship are available on the citys website. Applications will be accepted now through 11:59 p.m. on June 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) An Albuquerque Public School teacher is out of a job after hes accused of having inappropriate relationships with students. The criminal complaint highlights multiple concerns from parents, fellow teachers, and students that launched the investigation. Albuquerque man who founded an aerospace start-up company facing federal charges A little over a year ago, Albuquerque Public School teachers reported concerning behavior from a John Adams Middle School teacher while out on a field trip to Urban Air. A criminal complaint stated that while on the bus to Urban Air, teachers and the bus driver saw then 33-year-old Patrick Corr lying across two female students laps after he was told to sit down. Also on that trip, a student said she felt extremely uncomfortable seeing Corr pick up and toss a handful of female students in the ball pit, she claims without consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was all reported to the schools principal and an internal investigation began. Corr was placed on administrative leave at the end of the 2024 school year, as APS police investigated. That was just the tip of the iceberg. As the next school year started, staff found letters in Corrs classroom from students. The letters calling the teacher, Daddy Corr, hot, and that they love him. The complaint goes on to mention two female victims, a 16-year-old and and a 17-year-old, who spent the night at Corrs home. The 17-year-old was Corrs former student. She said they had been Snapchatting since 2020, when she started eighth grade and they also sent inappropriate photos to each other at least once. She told officers he bought alcohol for her and her 16-year-old cousin before taking them to his home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint states the teen was drunk but remembers Corr having sex with her, and the following morning he gave her Plan B. Another teen victim claimed that while drinking, Corr got her pregnant twice. She ended both pregnancies. A search warrant from Corrs Snapchat account showed 50 usernames were either former students at John Adams or were currently enrolled there. Police arrested Corr Monday night, he faces a slew of charges including three counts of having sex with a minor. The conduct Patrick Corr is accused of is reprehensible. APS Police first began its investigation into an allegation against Mr. Corr in May 2024, and he was placed on leave that same month. He tendered his resignation on May 14, 2025. Due to the allegations being criminal in nature and because we didnt want to jeopardize the criminal case, we allowed the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office to take the lead in the investigation in August 2024. APS has cooperated throughout the investigation. Prior to being hired by APS, Mr. Corr underwent an extensive background check, which included being fingerprinted, and he cleared that background check. Mr. Corr was a teacher at John Adams Middle School from 2019 until he was placed on leave. As the investigation is still ongoing, the district will have no further comment at this time. Martin Salazar, APS Communications Director Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) A small island in Carteret County West of the Atlantic Beach Bridge in Bogue Inlet is under a swim advisory. Officials with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality said samples taken from the area tested positive for a bacteria group that is found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Due to that, they recommend to avoid swimming in the area. When we find that detectable limit of bacteria, theres also things in the water that can make you sick, like salmonella or E.Coli, Environmental Program Supervisor with NCDEQ Erin Bryan-Millush said. The types of things that, from swimming in areas that are polluted with fecal indicator bacteria, would be a gastrointestenal illness or skin rash, those types of things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NCDEQ expects to have results for whether or not the advisory can be lifted by Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. The Department of Homeland Security's "sanctuary jurisdiction list" has more holes than the plot for the latest Mission Impossible film. All you need to know about its accuracy is how my native Orange County fared. The only O.C. city on the list is Huntington Beach you know, the burb with an all-Republican council thats suing California for being a sanctuary state, declared itself a nonsanctuary community in January and plans to place a plaque outside the city's main library with an acrostic "MAGA" message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missing from the list? Santa Ana, long synonymous with undocumented immigrants, which declared itself a sanctuary city all the way back in 2016 and has a deportation defense fund for residents. More laughable errors: Livingston, the first city in the Central Valley to declare itself a sanctuary for immigrants in 2017, isnt on the list. Yet Santee in San Diego County, so notorious for its racism that people still call it Klantee, is. There's even Represa. Ever heard of it? Me, neither. Turns out it's not a city but the name of the post office for two places not exactly known as sanctuaries: Folsom State Prison and California State Prison, Sacramento. Read more: Trump signs orders ramping up immigration showdown with sanctuary cities and states Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within hours of his inauguration, Donald Trump signed an executive order tellingly titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion that, among other things, stated that sanctuary jurisdictions should no longer receive federal funds. But the May 29 list laying out the jurisdictions that are supposedly subject to the penalty was so flawed that it was taken off the Homeland Security website within days. Its still not back up. The effort seemed cobbled together by someone who typed sanctuary and a citys name into Google and swallowed whatever the AI spat up without even bothering to cross-check with Wikipedia. Trump's opponents are already depicting this fiasco as emblematic of an administration that loves to shoot itself in the foot, then put the bloody foot in its mouth. But its even worse than that. The list shows how blinded by fury the Trump administration is about illegal immigration. There is no mistake too big or too small for Trump to forgive, as long as it's in the name of deportation and border walls. The presidents obsession with tying all of this country's real and imagined ills to newcomers reminds me of Cato the Elder, the Roman Republic politician famous for allegedly saying Carthage must be destroyed at the end of all his speeches, no matter the topic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's why the pushback by politicians against Homeland Security's big, beautiful boo-boo has been quick and hilarious. Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns listens to speakers discuss the city's plan to make Huntington Beach "a non-sanctuary city for illegal immigration" during a City Council meeting in January (James Carbone) Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns appeared on KCAL News to declare that Surf Citys inclusion was pure negligence while holding a small white bust of Donald Trump the way a toddler clings to its blankey. Vista Mayor John Franklin, meanwhile, was on the City Council that voted in 2018 to support the Trump administrations unsuccessful lawsuit against Californias sanctuary state law. He told ABC 10News San Diego that he thought Vista made the list because another city in the county that bears a similar name to ours may have, and I haven't confirmed it yet, adopted a sanctuary policy. Dude, say the city's name: Chula Vista, a far cooler, muy Latino town closer to the U.S.-Mexico border than Vista is. It's also on the list and isnt a sanctuary city, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other end of the political spectrum, Rep. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) told the Voice of OC that he recently advised Santa Ana officials to keep their head low and not make a big deal about their sanctuary city status as if hiding under a desk, like a "Scooby Doo" caper, will somehow save the city from the Trump administrations haphazard hammer. Immigration, more than any other part of Trumps agenda, exemplifies the Silicon Valley cliche of moving fast and breaking things. His administration has deported people by mistake and given the middle finger to judges who order them brought back. Trump officials are now shipping immigrants to countries they have no ties to, and shrugging their shoulders. Immigration agents are trying to apprehend people in places long considered off-limits, such as schools and places of worship. And yet, this still isnt enough for Trump. Read more: U.S. attorney in L.A. moves to 'neutralize' California's sanctuary rules Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deportation rates are rising, but still not to the levels seen in some years of the Biden and Obama administrations, and not even close to the offensively named Operation Wetback, the Eisenhower-era program that deported more than a million Mexican nationals. Trumps deportation dream team Homeland Security head Kristi Noem, border czar Tom Homan and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has berated ICE officials for not doing more to comply with Trump's wishes. The sanctuary list embodies all of this. Who cares if the wreckage involves human lives, or the Constitution? The sloppiness is the point. The cruelty is the point. Homeland Security didn't answer my request to explain the flaws in its sanctuary jurisdiction list and why it was taken down. Instead, a spokesperson emailed a statement saying the list is being constantly reviewed and can be changed at any time and will be updated regularly." The decision whether to include a place, the statement said, is based on the evaluation of numerous factors. Except the truth, it seems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let's laugh at the absurd mistakes while we can. Really, how pendejo can you be to think that Huntington Beach is friendly to undocumented immigrants but Santa Ana isn't? Let's laugh while we can, because things are going to get much worse before they get better. 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. MSNBCs Ari Melber focused on positive vibes, kind of, in his opening on Monday nights episode of The Beat, by focusing on what he argued is the pressure that is actually working to at least somewhat curtail whatever Donald Trump and Republicans are cooking up. Melber started by arguing there have been a series of bruising setbacks, starting with what he said was effective pushback that pushed Elon Musk to step away, publicly at least, from the Trump administration. In first term, they called that resistance. Now its protesters that have been a part, by Musks own admission, of driving him out of government. Or take these law firms, he continued, referring to firms that inexplicably chose to comply with Trump demands this year. If you look on your screen and you think about, what are the scales of justice even mean? Well, usually they mean both sides fighting, not one side just giving up. And the law firms, who are fighting back, in some ways, are winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melber may have been referring to reporting such as this showing that said law firms are losing clients over their decision. Then Melber noted the still-ongoing Republican town halls where their voters express almost unanimous outrage over what the Trump administration is doing, choosing as a recent example Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who made headlines over the weekend after a town hall where, when voters protested that cutting Medicaid and Medicare will kill people, she replied condescendingly well were all going to die. Melber showed that clip as well as an excerpt from the bizarre video she released on Saturday effectively insulting her own voters as immature children, literally comparing their concerns about her indifference to government cuts harming them, to belief in the Tooth Fairy. You can see shes feeling enough pressure that she has to say something She recorded that video in a graveyard and brings up the Tooth Fairy to try to suggest that anyone criticizing her is somehow juvenile or not getting it, but the real world impact of the health care bill is what people care about. Apparently in Iowa, where this has become a problem for her, 9 million people across the country could lose their health coverage. So the very real question is whether the government is actively taking steps under Republicans that endangered peoples current health care, not whether the fact is that we all know we are mortal, Melber commented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After rolling through some other examples, Melber said as he headed to his conclusion, This was a short stint for politics. Cabinet Secretaries serve years, sometimes across two terms. Musk is out in 130 days, and he finds himself down $70 billion since the inauguration. Musk also says Doge his work will continue. Others say, without him there as the muscle, it will fizzle out. Thats what one former staffer says. And that could be both. It can be hard sometimes to absorb all this in real time. In fact, there were people during it who said, Is this really happening? Someone who wasnt elected anything, didnt pass any transparency, vetting or divesting rules to even run a cabinet agency seems to be overseeing not only the administration at times, but disassembling parts of the government that were bipartisan, passed by lawmakers for years. Some of that did happen. Some of those jobs are gone. A lot of it was stalled once the courts got a hold of it, and now the guy doing it is gone, and hes asking you, please, please dont discuss this. Watch the whole thing below: The post Ari Melber Argues Elon Musk Exit Shows Some Pressure Against Trump Is Actually Working | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Over 100 celebrities have signed an open letter to the Trump Administration and Congress urging them not to eliminate funding for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelines LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services. A leaked budget draft, first obtained by The Washington Post in April, shows the Trump administration's plans to eliminate all funding for the federal program, which provides emergency crisis support to LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide. The cuts are set to go into effect October 1. The Trevor Project has now issued a letter calling on lawmakers save the program in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. It includes signatures from Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, Cara Delevingne, Christina Aguilera, Troye Sivan, Alan Cumming, Kelsea Ballerini, Tove Lo, Sophia Bush, Josh Hutcherson, Jonathan Van Ness, and many more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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," the letter states. "Stripping away this lifeline leaves LGBTQ+ youth with the message that their lives are not worth saving. We refuse to accept that message." The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S. seriously consider suicide each year, and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds. The LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services, funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, has provided more than 1.2 million people with queer-inclusive crisis services, and the 988 Lifeline has served more than 14 million, government data shows. The Trevor Projects crisis services saw a 33 percent increase in calls and messages on the day of Trump's inauguration compared to the weeks prior. Volume went up 46 percent the next day in comparison to typical daily rates. This followed a record-breaking 700 percent increase observed across the Trevor Projects crisis lines on November 6, the day after the presidential election. "To every LGBTQ+ young person reading this: you are not alone. We see you. We value you. You have the right to feel safe, supported, and loved exactly as you are," the letter continues. "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." Video: Escaped Arkansas inmate started tumultuous law enforcement career in Fayetteville CALICO ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) As the search for escaped Arkansas inmate Grant Hardin enters a second week, authorities have released an updated photo of what Hardin might look like. The Arkansas Department of Corrections said the search is ongoing with teams continuing to focus their efforts in north central Arkansas while also investigating tips they receive. Possible updated headshot of Grant Hardin, 56 (Courtesy: Arkansas Department of Corrections) Escaped Arkansas inmate started tumultuous law enforcement career in Fayetteville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25 while serving a decades-long sentence for rape and first-degree murder. Court documents say Hardin was reportedly let out by a corrections officer. Hardin is around six feet tall and weighs 259 pounds. The U.S. Marshals and the FBI are offering a combined $25,000 reward for information leading to Hardins capture. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at Tips.FBI.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 KNWA FOX24. The police chief of Hardy, Arkansas was arrested after an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse. (Getty Images) A coalition of federal, state and county law enforcement agencies arrested Hardys police chief following an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse, according to a Tuesday press release from the Arkansas State Police. Hardy Police Chief Scott Rose was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and state police after the Sharp County Sheriffs Office requested help with the case at the end of March, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators interviewed Rose on Monday at the FBI office in Jonesboro and subsequently arrested him. He was transported to the Sharp County Detention Center where he was booked, and then transported to the Independence County Detention Center. Rose has been charged with second degree sexual assault, sexual indecency with a child and endangering the welfare of a minor all felonies. He was also charged for providing a minor with alcohol, a misdemeanor. The state police release said the investigation was active and ongoing. A statement on the Sharp County Sheriffs Facebook page said Sheriff Shane Russell received information regarding serious allegations involving Chief Rose on March 31, prompting an investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During initial interviews with individuals believed to have first-hand knowledge, investigators found that much of the early information appeared unsubstantiated and based on rumor, the statement said. However, after interviewing the alleged victim and her family, disclosures were made detailing incidents of sexual contact and other forms of abuse that had not been previously reported. The sheriffs office requested the assistance of other agencies given the gravity of the accusations, and to ensure impartiality and transparency, according to the statement. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the Arkansas State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their professionalism, diligence, and unwavering commitment throughout this investigation, Russell said in the offices statement. Their joint efforts were vital in ensuring a thorough, impartial, and just process. This case underscores the critical importance of interagency cooperation in addressing allegations of such a serious and sensitive nature. According to the city of Hardys website, its interim chief of police is Michael Himschoot. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JERUSALEM, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Three Israeli soldiers were killed in the northern Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Tuesday. The three, Lior Steinberg, Ofek Barhana, and Omer Van-Gelder, were fighters from the 9th Battalion of the Givati infantry brigade, the statement said. Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that on Monday evening, the soldiers were escorting an IDF fire truck that entered the city of Jabaliya to put out a fire in an armored personnel carrier (APC) following a technical malfunction. As the troops were returning to Israeli territory, the convoy, which included an APC and four Humvee military trucks, entered an area where explosive devices had been planted, according to the channel. One of the vehicles was directly hit, killing the three soldiers and moderately wounding two others. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A Little Rock-based nonprofit is taking bold steps to fight food waste and hunger at the same time. Potluck Food Rescue, a longtime leader in salvaging surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and caterers, is now facing a new challenge: keeping all that food fresh in the upcoming Arkansas heat. Central Arkansas nonprofit combating food insecurity sees rise in demand Now, theyre launching a new campaign, Cool-Aid: Breaking Down Barriers to Cold Storage, to call on the community for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A working refrigerator or freezer may not seem like much, said Chris Wyman, Executive Director of Potluck Food Rescue, but for food rescue groups across the state, it can mean the difference between feeding a family and throwing away a meal. In 2024, Potluck rescued more than one million pounds of edible food, transforming what would have been waste into over 800,000 meals and saving its nonprofit partners more than $2 million in food costs. Arkansas nonprofit launches new app to combat food insecurity in the state But now, demand is higher than ever. And many of the 115 organizations Potluck partners with simply dont have enough cold storage to safely handle the volume of food being rescued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot of agencies that just dont have that capacity, Wyman said. Thats a barrier. So the whole idea of Cool-Aid is to break that barrier. Wyman says more than 20 new nonprofits have reached out for food assistance just in the past month. But without more refrigerators and freezers to store perishable items like produce, dairy, and meat, that food risks spoiling before it reaches the people who need it most. We want to help our recipient agencies to get refrigeration, to get freezers, so they can take more stuff from us, Wyman said. Potluck Food Rescue in North Little Rock receives $90,000 Blue and You Foundation grant to launch rapid food recovery app Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Food prices are up 2.8 percent since this time last year, adding pressure on both struggling families and the organizations trying to support them. Meanwhile, the country continues to throw away billions of pounds of edible food annually. We are a country of surplus, Wyman said. Its not waste at that point, but its being treated as such, and it ends up in a dumpster. Someone pays a dumpster fee, and someone else doesnt get fed. Through the Cool-Aid campaign, Potluck is seeking donations of working refrigerators and freezers, or financial support to purchase new units, for its partners across Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many families facing empty pantries this summer, a cold fridge could mean a hot meal. To learn more or contribute to the campaign, visit PotluckFoodRescue.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 KLRT - FOX16.com. The story below uses the most recent data from the CDC, which was published in November 2024. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) After Roe v. Wade was overturned in June of 2022, abortion has shifted in the Natural State, with an increase in abortions performed in other states. For the first time in five years, Arkansans had abortions outside the state more than in the state. But the total number of abortions dropped. The Centers for Disease Controls most recent report shows that in 2021, 3,133 abortions were performed, and in 2022, it dropped by 48% to 1,621. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click the arrows below. The 2022 data shows that Arkansas had reported 1,621 abortions, with 27% or 437 abortions coming from out of state. Arkansas women began to travel to Illinois for abortions as a spike in the data shows an increase from 2020-2022 by 1,124%. Abortions performed on Arkansans in other states Year Kansas Lousiana Oklahoma Tenessee Illinois 2018 59 166 133 400 0 2019 170 141 332 0 2020 74 202 168 74 2021 118 605 520 90 2022 405 55 92 289 906 Overall, Arkansans have had fewer reported abortions performed in 2022. Report: Zero abortions reported in Arkansas in 2023 More than 90% of Arkansans who received an abortion were not married. Most age groups who had an abortion in 2022 were 20 to 34 years old, 1,281. Only 9, or less than 1%, of abortions were performed on children under the age of 15. A majority of adolescents who had abortions were 18-19 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most abortions were performed on women 10-13 weeks pregnant. For 64% of women, it was their first time receiving an abortion. A majority of abortions were surgical abortions, 1,242. All the data 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 KNWA FOX24. The Army announced Tuesday that it had already reached its annual goal of recruiting 61,000 active-duty soldiers, fueled by efforts to reach out to young Americans who historically have been unqualified to serve and likely a weakening economy. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have praised recruiting momentum as a sign of renewed patriotism among the nation's youth. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, credited the uptick to "a resurgence of pride in our country" and "a generation inspired by purpose and service." The service met the goal months ahead of schedule after it and the other military branches struggled in recent years with recruiting. The Army had set out to recruit 61,000 soldiers by the end of fiscal 2025, which is Sept. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Hegseth Orders Navy to Strip Name of Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk from Ship The early success has prompted the Pentagon to consider the rare move of increasing the Army's end strength -- the total number of soldiers in its ranks. Among the options, the Pentagon could invoke a relatively obscure authority that allows the defense secretary to increase a service's end strength by up to 3% without congressional action. It is not yet clear what is driving the increase in recruiting after the Army and other services barely met their goals last year. But a variety of factors are likely at play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence that the identity or rhetoric of any particular administration influences enlistment, as the motivation to serve is traditionally driven by economic opportunities and sometimes as a direct path for a young person to leave their hometown. The service also hit its less ambitious recruiting goal of 55,000 enlistments last year. Much of the Army's recruiting woes is attributable to a shrinking pool of young Americans eligible to serve. The Pentagon estimates just under one-quarter of 17- to 24-year-olds can meet enlistment standards, namely passing the SAT-style entrance exam and meeting body weight requirements. Some service officials and experts have tied recent recruiting struggles to the military being out of the cultural zeitgeist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sharp increase in the number of required medical waivers has complicated the effort to bring Americans into the service -- driven in part by the implementation of Military Health System Genesis, a digital health record system that provides the military with unprecedented access to applicants' medical histories. Recruiters say the system often flags minor or outdated health issues, causing enlistments to stall or be denied unnecessarily. Internal Army data shows that medical waivers have nearly tripled, rising from 5,300 in 2022 to almost 15,000 in 2024. At the same time, the Army has relaxed some of its standards related to criminal history. In 2022, it approved the enlistment of 98 individuals with felony convictions -- a number that climbed to 401 in 2024. However, officials noted that applicants with convictions related to sexual offenses remain ineligible for service. But central to the turnaround is the Future Soldier Preparatory Courses, a program launched in 2022 that provides academic and fitness instruction for applicants who fall short of enlistment standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the prep courses, an applicant moves onto basic training once they're in compliance with service standards. As of Friday, 10,465 troops had gone through at least one of those courses this year, according to data provided by the service. The service loses nearly one-quarter of its fresh enlistees within the first two years of their contract, mostly due to injuries, health concerns or disciplinary problems, internal service data shows. Troops who attend the prep courses have about a 25% attrition rate, compared to 20% of soldiers who enlisted straight into basic training. Meanwhile, a softening economy could also factor into wider interest in military service. Trump's ongoing trade war and economic instability caused a 0.3% contraction in the U.S. economy in the first quarter of this year, the worst quarterly performance in three years. Youth unemployment has also edged upward as companies cut back on entry-level hiring amid volatility in the tech sector and the rapid rollout of artificial intelligence in some companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the Army's recruits counted for this year, 11,000 joined last year through the delayed-entry program, which allows young applicants, primarily high school seniors, to commit to service early and ship to basic training after they graduate. That figure is more than double the program's usual size, a temporary surge made necessary by training backlogs last year. In response, the Army expanded the number of basic training companies this year to process the larger pipeline. For the rest of the fiscal year, all new recruits will be entered in the delayed-entry program and thus will be counted in next year's recruiting numbers. Related: 'Last Stop USA': How the Army Is Trying to Fill in for a Broken Education System An Army major charged with sexually assaulting or raping more than a dozen women over a four-year period in the Washington, D.C., area began this week at Fort Meade, Maryland. Maj. Jonathan Batt faces 63 accusations, which include 10 specifications of rape and 15 sexual assault charges against 17 women, according to the Armys Office of Special Trial Counsel. Batt also faces charges of aggravated assault, battery, obstruction of justice and abusive sexual contact. Batt has pleaded not guilty to all charges, his civilian attorney Nathan Freeburg told Stars and Stripes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The major was charged in October with 76 violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice against 20 women. Some of the charges were dropped prior to trial because some of the victims declined to participate in the proceedings, Michelle McCaskill, spokeswoman for the Office of Special Trial Counsel, told Stars and Stripes. Army officer faces rape, sexual assault charges involving 20 victims Court documents show that Batt is accused of a variety of sexual and aggravated assaults on women in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., between 2019 and 2023, Stripes reported. Some women allege Batt choked them until they were unconscious before he raped them. Other women allege he used sex toys on the women against their will and bit and slapped them without consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His obstruction of justice charge stems from an allegation that he told one person not to speak with someone posing as a police officer about sexual allegations that some women are making against me, Stripes reported. Batt graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York in 2007. He was commissioned as an infantry officer and has served with the 82nd Airborne Division, 5th Ranger Training Brigade, the 3rd Infantry Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment. Batt served four combat tours in Afghanistan and was previously assigned to the Defense Departments Joint Artificial Intelligence Center in Crystal City, Virginia. The trial is expected to last until June 27, McCaskill told Stripes. An Aerostar high-altitude balloon as seen from the ground in Tucson. Photo by Dugan Meyer The U.S. Army and a private company are flying high-altitude surveillance balloons over the Tucson area, raising concerns among privacy advocates. Multiple high-altitude balloons have been spotted over the Tucson and Sierra Vista area for more than a week, with one balloon in particular staying over the area longer than any of the others. That balloon, with the registration number N257TH, has made headlines in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The balloon is owned by South Dakota aerospace company Aerostar, and in 2023 was mistaken for a Chinese spy balloon. The balloon is actually part of Aerostars Thunderhead balloon system, which has been doing multiple tests with the military and other contractors across the nation and around the globe. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX It is a technology that should not and constitutionally cannot be applied to the American people, Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, told the Arizona Mirror. Even testing for eventual overseas use in legitimate combat theaters raises a lot of questions about what kind of data is being collected. Aerostar would not answer specific questions about what type of testing was being done. The company referred additional questions to the U.S. Department of Defense and the Army, neither of which responded to multiple requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aerostar confirmed that the flights were not connected to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol or Department of Homeland Security programs, however high-altitude balloons would be ideal for that type of mission, Aerostar Culture and Communications Director Anastasia Quanbeck said in an email to the Mirror. By leveraging directional wind patterns at high altitudes, Aerostars Thunderhead Balloon Systems offer groundbreaking capabilities for navigation and persistence over areas of interest, she said. Aerostar Thunderhead Balloon Systems are capable of supporting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as extending communications across wide distances, environmental monitoring, earth observation, and scientific research. Quanbeck said she was not able to discuss the work the company does with the DOD or the Army. What is it? The Thunderhead balloons are similar to spy balloons that have made international headlines in recent years. They fly between 60,000 to 100,000 feet, twice the height of a commercial airliner, and can carry much larger payloads than a conventional drone or other small high altitude spy-planes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Chinese spy-balloons made incursions into United States airspace in 2023, it was reported that the Army would begin pursuing a similar program to launch in 2025. Aerostar had previously been used in testing exercises. In the past, Aerostar has used blimps as surveillance systems. They were originally used for surveillance in combat zones overseas, then in 2012 were used along the border and still are often spotted at the border today. However, the systems that have been seen floating over southern Arizona in recent weeks have key differences from the blimps: they sit higher in the sky, are much larger, can stay afloat for much longer and can carry larger payloads. As reported by The War Zone, the Army has been researching using high-altitude balloons to deploy drone swarms into enemy territory far above the reach of enemy defenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the balloons over southern Arizona raise questions about privacy. Persistent surveillance In 2021, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Baltimore Police Departments use of an aerial surveillance program that recorded virtually all of the city for 12 hours a day for six months was unconstitutional. Stanley thinks that case is pertinent when talking about what may be going on in Arizona. I think, if anything, it becomes more sensitive when the military is doing it, Stanley said. Wide-area persistent surveillance or wide-area airborne surveillance is a technique that got its start in early days of the Iraq war but later would find itself in the hands of police. The technology has evolved from being very heavy but is now light enough to fit onto blimps and balloons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aerostar and the military have not elaborated on what systems are aboard the balloons over the Tucson area, but Stanley said that systems like the ones Aerostar is developing could be used to deploy persistent surveillance systems, ultimately surveilling entire communities for days on end. The Thunderhead system boasts the ability to stay afloat for up to 30 days, and Aerostar has tested it along with its Zephyr platform, a new type of unmanned aircraft that also flies at high altitudes and has been tested in Arizona. That aircraft can stay in the air for up to two months. The balloon also could be carrying a variety of equipment, such as radar, lidar, GPS or cameras, Stanley said. While much of this equipment could be installed on a traditional aircraft, the balloon can stay afloat over an area at a higher altitude for longer durations, allowing for more persistent surveillance of an area, something that Stanley said can be a problem for everyday Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following someone around for long periods of time reveals things about their life, Stanley said. How often they go to the bar, associations, who they are hanging out with and that is too much power for the government or anyone else to have over individuals. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Arnold Schwarzenegger encouraged environmental activists to roll up their sleeves and address climate change despite waning political support from the current administration. Complaining, he added, would not help: Whining doesnt build anything. Throughout his remarks, Schwarzenegger pointed to his time as governor of California when he sued the federal government over its attempt to block statewide emissions regulations. Former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a rallying cry filled with tough love for dispirited environmental activists: Stop whining. At the Austrian World Summit, an environmental conference Schwarzenegger helped organize in his home country, the former governor tried to galvanize climate-change advocates that might have felt their efforts were for naught because of the Trump administrations dismissal of their cause. His message was typically blunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stop whining, Schwarzenegger said on Tuesday. Whining doesnt change anything. Whining doesnt build anything. I know that sometimes politicians in Washington, D.C., or many other capitals of the world wont always agree with everything that we do and that we believe in. Schwarzenegger said his comments were meant to spur action from people at a time they were facing governments that had not made environmental policy a priority. I know this sounds a little bit like a motivational speech, rather than a speech about the environmentbut you know whybecause it is, he said. The former actor, who is a longtime climate advocate, admitted hed heard many complaints from his peers recently. Lately, every time I talk to environmentalists and to policy people, they say to me, Arnold, I mean, what is the point of fighting for a clean environment when the government of the United States says climate change is a hoax and coal and oil is the future, when the politicians in Washington dont care, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps environmental policy has been characterized by relaxing pollution regulations, emphasizing oil drilling on federal lands, and cutting spending for existing green initiatives. During his speech, Schwarzenegger did not criticize Trump directly, saying he had a policy of not speaking negatively about U.S. presidents when he was abroadthough he did speak broadly of leaders whose policies did not help climate change. The world will always have problems and leaders who dont agree with us, or are just terrible leaders, Schwarzenegger said. We have seen it over and over again throughout history, but sometimes problems need to be solved by the people. Sometimes the people need to rise up and get to work. In his remarks, Schwarzenegger gave examples of people who didnt ask the government for permission to enact environmentally friendly policies. For example, mayors can make their city buses electric; CEOs can push to reduce their companys carbon emissions; and schools could install solar panels on their rooftops. Throughout the speech, Schwarzenegger pointed to his own track record in public office as evidence of how effective action could be. He told the story of how in 2007, during his tenure as governor, California instituted emissions regulations that were stricter than those mandated by a federal law passed under President George W. Bush. When the Environmental Protection Agency objected to Californias state-specific version of the law, the state sued the federal agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did we whine like little girlie men? Schwarzenegger asked. No, we sued them. We sued the government. We took the fight from court to court to court. In 2009, when President Barack Obama took office, the EPA granted California the exception it sought, ending its court challenge. Schwarzenegger called on the audience to adopt a similar gung-ho attitude regardless of whether they held elected office. You dont need to be the president to be a hero, Schwarzenegger said. You just need to care and get off your butts and get to work. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com KENOSHA COUNTY, Wisc. (WGN) The Kenosha County Sheriffs Office announced the arrest of two people in connection with a September 2003 cold case murder investigation. Roxanna Collins (formerly Vanderzee) of McHenry, Illinois and John Viskocil of Genoa City, Wisconsin, each face a felony charge of first-degree intentional homicide as parties to a crime charge concerning the death of David Vanderzee. Sheriffs Office said officers placed Collins under arrest on Wednesday, May 28, in McHenry, and she awaits extradition to Wisconsin at McHenry County Jail. Viskocil, also placed under police custody on May 28, is being held at the Kenosha County Jail. Collins and Viskocil remain held on $75,000 and $500,000 cash bonds, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee reports that David Vanderzee was a Navy veteran and 47 at the time authorities found him slain with multiple gunshots in the back of his head inside the home he shared with his then-wife, Roxanna Collins, the evening of Sept. 23, 2003. According to the news outlet, Collins and Vanderzee had only been married two months at the time of his execution-style death. Collins and Viskocil were also allegedly having an affair prior to Vanderzees slaying. Read More: Wisconsin news and headlines Anyone with additional information should contact the Kenosha County Sheriffs Office Detective Bureau at (262) 605-5102. 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. BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) An Asheville man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for drug trafficking. 44-year-old Aaron Daniel Jones pled guilty to trafficking opium/heroin, along with additional consecutive sentences for felony breaking & entering, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Officials said the sentencing resulted from an investigation by agents with the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office into Joness narcotics distribution activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 11, 2024, deputies observed Jones conducting two hand-to-hand drug transactions, leading to a vehicle stop. During the stop, agents discovered 35 grams of fentanyl, digital scales, $1,790 in cash, and other drug paraphernalia in Joness vehicle. A subsequent search of the defendants residence uncovered additional narcotics and over $18,104.15 in cash. On Oct. 21, 2024, Jones was found inside an abandoned home on River Ridge. He was armed with a knife, which he used to threaten a private citizen. After a struggle, the citizen was able to subdue Jones, who then called the police. Investigators also learned that Jones had a previous charge of felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle from December 2023, when Jones was found in possession of a stolen vehicle from Nissan of Hendersonville. Joness combined sentences include a mandatory minimum of 90 months and a maximum of 120 months for drug trafficking, along with a consecutive 30 to 54 months in intermediate sentences for the breaking & entering and stolen vehicle charges, which include a 6-month split sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was also assessed a $750,000 fine for the trafficking charge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WJET/WFXP) An Ashtabula County man has been arrested following a deadly shooting early Monday morning. According to the Ashtabula County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to that shooting around 6:11 Monday morning in the 3500 block of State Route 46 in Lenox Township. Ashtabula County man arrested in connection to 1977 California murder Police said a 62-year-old man suffered a single gunshot wound outside the home and was later pronounced dead at the scene while the shooter took off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was later identified as 42-year-old Timothy Adams of Jefferson, Ohio, and was taken into custody Monday afternoon without incident after a manhunt that lasted several hours. Police continue to investigate Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. ISLAMABAD, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's security forces killed seven terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the country's southwestern Balochistan province, the military said on Tuesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan army, said that five terrorists were eliminated in the Mach area of Kachhi district of the province. Troops launched a swift operation and engaged the militants' hideout, eliminating all five after an intense exchange of fire. In another operation conducted in the Margand area of Kalat district, two more terrorists affiliated with the same group were killed when their hideout was located and destroyed by security forces. The ISPR added that weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the slain militants, who were actively involved in multiple terror activities across the province. "These terrorists were part of a foreign proxy network operating to destabilize Pakistan," the statement read, adding that the operations are part of Pakistan's continuing efforts to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism. The military reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out terrorism and pledged to bring all perpetrators and their facilitators to justice. CAIRO (AP) An attack on an aid convoy in Sudans Darfur region left five people dead and several wounded, the United Nations said Tuesday, and the warring parties in the northeast African nation traded blame for the attack. The attack on the 15-truck convoy carrying desperately needed food and nutrition supplies came Monday night near the Rapid Support Forces-controlled town of Koma in North Darfur province. It was trying to reach besieged el-Fasher city, according to a joint statement from the World Food Program and UNICEF. Both agencies called for an investigation into the attack. This was the first U.N. humanitarian convoy that was going to make it to el-Fasher in over one year, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudan was plunged into a war more than two years ago, when tensions between Sudan's army and its rival paramilitary RSF exploded with street battles in the capital of Khartoum that quickly spread across the country. Monday night's attack burned many trucks and damaged the aid they were carrying, the statement said. It didnt say who was responsible for the attack. The WFP and UNICEF said they were negotiating to complete the trip to el-Fasher, which is besieged by RSF, after traveling more than 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) from the eastern city of Port Sudan on the Red Sea, which serves as an interim seat for the countrys military-allied government. It is devastating that the supplies have not reached the vulnerable children and families they were intended to, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N.'s Dujarric said all those killed and injured were Sudanese contractors working for WFP and UNICEF. They were 80 kilometers from el-Fasher, after having traveled 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) for days in incredibly difficult terrain, incredibly dangerous terrain," he said. They were parked on the side of the road waiting for clearances and they were attacked. It was an air attack, most likely drones. But we don't know who the perpetrators were, Dujarric said. The RSF said in a statement the convoy was hit by a military aircraft in a preplanned attack. Footage shared by the RSF showed burned vehicles carrying what appeared to be flour bags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military-led government, however, rejected the accusation and said in a statement that aid trucks were treacherously attacked by assault drones operated by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The Resistance Committees in el-Fasher tracked the fighting in and around the city and blamed the paramilitaries for the attack, saying the RSF statement aimed to mislead public opinion and evade accountability. The U.N. demanded a halt to attacks on humanitarian personnel, facilities and vehicles. These are violations under international humanitarian law, and we call for an urgent investigation and for the perpetrators to be brought to account, Dujarric said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El-Fasher, more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) southwest of Khartoum, is one of the last strongholds of the Sudanese military in Darfur. The region has been under RSF siege since May 2024. Mondays attack was the latest on aid operations in the past two years. Last week, WFPs premises in el-Fasher were bombed, damaging a workshop, office building and clinic, according to the statement. The war has created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. It has driven about 13 million people from their homes, including over 4 million who crossed into neighboring countries. Parts of Sudan have been pushed into famine. The fighting has been marked by atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in Darfur, according to the U.N. and international rights groups. - Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations. Calling all Wisconsin high school graduates in the Class of 2025. We want to feature your graduation photos! USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin is asking students, parents and readers to submit their favorite graduation photos here. We'll create a statewide photo gallery featuring all our submissions throughout the month. SUBMIT: Send us your Class of 2025 graduation photos for our statewide gallery Of note, these should be cap and gown photos and not professional senior portraits. Here's a look at last year's gallery that had 126 submissions for what we're looking for. Congratulations to the Class of 2025! This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Class of 2025: High school graduation Wisconsin photo gallery callout YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The attorney for a man accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a mother and her son has asked that blood evidence in the case be suppressed. In a motion filed Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on behalf of Walter Bolt, 65, of Struthers, attorney Rhys Cartwright-Jones said blood drawn from Bolt after the March 3 crash should be excluded from trial because it was not collected according to state law. Cartwright-Jones also said the affidavit to get a warrant for the blood draw was not sufficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolt has been in the Mahoning County jail on $250,000 bond since his arrest after a grand jury indicted him on two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony; aggravated vehicular assault, a third-degree felony; and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a first-degree misdemeanor. He is accused of driving drunk on March 3 and causing a head-on crash that killed Angela Brown, 44, and her son, Jason Daff, 15, at state Route 170 and Unity Road in Springfield Township. Another son of Browns was injured in the crash and is presently recovering. Bolt pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment May 19. Court records list a July 9 pretrial hearing and July 14 trial before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers say his blood-alcohol content was .215, over the legal limit of 0.08. At a bond hearing last week before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, Assistant Prosecutor Steve Maszczak said troopers and police also found several beer cans scattered throughout Bolts car in the wake of the crash. In his motion Tuesday, however, Cartwright-Jones said the affidavit written by state troopers from the Canfield Barracks of the Ohio State Highway Patrol requesting a blood draw did not say if those beer cans were open and did not provide a link between the cans and their suspicions that Bolt was drunk. Although accident reports said Bolt appeared confused after the crash, Cartwright-Jones wrote in his motion that it would be reasonable for someone to appear confused following a head-on collision. The warrant application relied heavily on the presence of beer cans and a generalized claim of impairment without confirming the condition of the containers or establishing a clear nexus between any alleged alcohol abuse and the crash, Cartwright-Jones wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cartwright-Jones also wrote that the way Bolts blood was drawn goes against state law because medical records fail to identify who took the blood when Bolt was being treated at St. Elizabeth Health Center or the qualifications of the person who drew the blood. Also, the state has failed to provide a chain of custody for how the blood got to the state crime lab, or a documented chain of people who had the blood from the time it was taken until the time it got to the lab. Really, no one can say how the blood got to the state lab, let alone who took it, let alone whether anyone took the sample in an Administrative Code-compliant way, Cartwright-Jones wrote. Prosecutors have yet to file a response. 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. Jun. 3WILKES-BARRE When Louis Weihbrecht was charged with an open count of criminal homicide for what District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce alleged was the deliberate killing of Mark Svadeba in September, Attorney John B. Pike is fostering a defense alternative. Svadeba's death was simply an accident, Pike fiercely advocated during a motion's hearing before Luzerne County Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. on Tuesday. Weihbrecht, 56, proprietor of the Outsiders Bar on South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, was charged by Plains Township police and detectives from the district attorney's office with the open count of criminal homicide alleging he intentionally ran over Svadeba with his 2007 Chevrolet Silverado truck on Sept. 13, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records say Svadeba was standing next to his Harley-Davidson motorcycle in front of an auto-repair garage on North Main Street, Plains Township, when Weihbrecht showed up in the Chevrolet truck. Svadeba and Weihbrecht exchanged words when Weihbrecht, court records allege, intentionally ran over Svadeba dragging him nearly 30 feet. The two men were reportedly in a dispute about a woman. Following Weihbrecht's arrest on Sept. 16, 2024, Sanguedolce during a news conference explained the open count of criminal homicide was filed as investigators believe Weihbrecht intended and deliberately ran over Svadeba. During Tuesday's motions hearing, Pike used Pennsylvania and Luzerne County statistics of pedestrians killed by a motor vehicle and none rose to the level of a criminal homicide offense. Pike countered by explaining Svadeba walked in front of Weihbrecht's truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was a motor vehicle accident versus a pedestrian, that's all this is," Pike argued. Assistant District Attorney James L. McMonagle responded there is clear and convincing surveillance footage that showed the two men arguing, and Weihbrecht accelerating his truck to run over Svadeba for nearly 30 feet and backing up the truck to run over Svadeba a second time. McMonagle further argued the parking lot was adequately illuminated by lights. Pike is advocating Weihbrecht only intended to strike the Harley-Davidson motorcycle when Svadeba walked in front of the truck. Other issues argued during the motion's hearing were to limit the testimony of the prosecution's expert who inspected Weihbrecht's truck and to prohibit any personal opinions about the vehicle, and to prohibit prosecutors from identifying Svadeba as a "victim" before the jury. Sklarosky said he will issue his rulings at a later date. Weihbrecht's trial is scheduled for September. He remains jailed without bail at the county correctional facility. A state probe into a potential conflict of interest and spending issues at the nonprofit supporting Cook Countys hospital system has closed after no violations were found, though internal strife that launched that investigation has led to roughly half the boards members leaving over the past year. Attorney General Kwame Raouls office said in a statement it told the Cook County Health Foundation in September it would not be seeking further information into allegations of serious governance issues, including a potential conflict of interest violation. That effectively closed the book on its investigation. Of the nine board members who left the foundation in 2024, some had gone public with their concerns that the organization was spending its limited donor dollars to pursue new responsibilities beyond the foundations capacity and without proper board sign-off. That money should have instead gone to directly support CCHs mission to give county residents universal access to healthcare regardless of their ability to pay, they argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those board members ordered up an outside audit from the law firm Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila. Months later and in the middle of the attorney generals probe, they said those recommendations were not taken up and tried to oust the foundations executive director, Sylvia Zaldivar. We tried to work with the board and resolve the issues that were raised in the Riley Safer report and internally as a board. Those issues and concerns were not addressed and as a result, myself and others resigned, attorney William Quinlan, one of those board members, told the Tribune late last month. Board member Danielle Stilz left the board the same time as Quinlan. She said in her resignation letter that there was leadership resistance to fully cooperate with the Attorney Generals investigation, or to remedy the conflict of interest the Riley Safer report highlighted. Quinlan and Stilz helped spearhead the unsuccessful effort to oust Zaldivar with two other board members in August, according to communications reviewed by the Tribune. An outside attorney for the foundation said the vote five in favor, one against, and five not voting was improper because it was conducted electronically. Quinlan noted several other resolutions had been voted on by email over the previous year. He and Stilz resigned soon after, around the same time as two other board members who signed onto the resolution calling for Zaldivars firing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joseph Flanagan, the board chair, wrote in a frustrated response to Quinlans resignation that Quinlan made several unfounded allegations. Had the Board wished to change Executive Directors it would have done so, but there was no need to do that, he wrote. Our leadership carefully manages the Foundation and carefully cares for taxpayer funds while making full disclosure to the Board. Most of those who resigned from our Board did so because of the disruption of Board meetings, Flanagan wrote. We expect that many will now rejoin. Records suggest one member returned to the board. In an email to the Tribune, Zaldivar said the board adopted new bylaws in 2024 following recommendations from legal counsel. These updates are in effect and reflect strengthened governance practices. But Zaldivar did not elaborate on what had changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last spring, the Illinois attorney generals Charitable Trust Bureau launched a probe of the foundation following Tribune reporting about potential conflicts of interest, unauthorized spending and missing board input on a potential major revamp of the nonprofit. Foundation leaders and the head of Cook County Health explored, but abruptly scrapped, an idea to grow beyond CCHFs historic mission as a modest fundraising entity into a much larger and more complex manager of grants or clinical trials. The health foundation was founded 15 years ago to support the mission of the countys public hospitals and clinics. Its annual revenue ranged from $400,000 to $1.7 million in recent years, according to federal filings. The foundation has also received taxpayer funds to administer the Provident Scholarship program, which provides up to $20,000 to medical students and up to $10,000 to other health care students who are from, and dedicated to serving, underrepresented communities in Cook County. CCHs then-CEO Israel Rocha Jr. and the foundation began discussions in 2023 to expand that role. The foundation paid about $80,000 to two outside law firms to help negotiate a master services agreement that would guide future partnerships with the health system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of board members concerned about transparency around those negotiations and potential violations of so-called Shakman rules against political hiring commissioned the Riley Safer review. Their January 2024 report flagged a conflict of interest involving a law firm tied to a board member, serious failures to follow corporate governance practices, and trouble tracking down what services another firm provided. Zaldivar supported the expansion and denied any impropriety, saying last year that the Riley Safer report contained inaccuracies: The board was kept informed throughout negotiations, the conflict was disclosed, and the other outside law firms work was necessary and valuable. Foundation leadership was otherwise already aware and addressing governance issues the Riley Safer report raised, she said. In late April last year, following the Tribunes report, the AG requested a raft of information from the foundation, including conflict-of-interest policies and statements by officers, information about contracts and payments to law firms, and an explanation about why Riley Safer was hired. The foundation hired two more attorneys to rework its bylaws and to respond to AG requests, internal board communications obtained by the Tribune show. One of those attorneys, retired Cook County Circuit Judge Thomas Mulroy, is now a board member. In response to an open records request for notices, oversight or enforcement actions, the AGs office shared only its initial inquiry. It said that staff from the offices Charitable Trust Bureau informed the CCHF in a September 2024 phone conversation that the office would not be seeking further information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can only hope the AG closed the investigation ensuring all those (reforms) were there, and if they didnt, Id be very disappointed, Quinlan said. What Stilz said should have been straightforward efforts to update bylaws in a small committee became frustrating and unnecessarily costly. The cost for one of the attorneys who helped on bylaws was $17,000 for June alone, she said, on top of the roughly $80,000 for outside attorneys help on the master services agreement. A general environment of dysfunction and confusion contributed to her exit, too, she said. Zaldivar did not dispute that figure. The foundation announced a new board chair, Verlon Johnson, earlier this year, after the end of Flanagans term. He still serves as emeritus chair. Zaldivar said the foundation will award $1 million in Provident scholarships this month. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) An audit released by the State of Connecticut Tuesday outlines various instances of inadequate management and control of overtime in the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The report said the department failed to keep records to support 220.5 hours of regular overtime and 1,051 hours of special duty overtime. Independent report reveals Lamont staffer used government-issued vehicle for personal use Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also says the department didnt meet requirements for monitoring the overtime costs of 15 state troopers who, according to the report, earned more in overtime than regular pay during the audited period- the fiscal years that ended June 30, 2022 and 2023. The department also couldnt provide evidence of supervisory approval for 28 troopers who went over work restrictions on 86 occasions and did not adequately monitor the attendance of four troopers with administrative schedules, the report states. In response, the DESPP commissioner Tuesday said overtime is not a new issue for state police. Excessive overtime is not a new problem for the Connecticut State Police, but our renewed efforts to closely monitor overtime costs, add new administrative positions and new software, strengthen internal controls and training and replace outdated infrastructure is starting to make a difference, Commissioner Ronnell Higgins said in a statement, which can be read in full below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department also erroneously paid two employees a total of $141,096, the report found. The audit states DESPP also couldnt explain a $1,832,835 variance between its weapons inventory records and the states accounting system. Connecticut comptrollers college system audit reveals systematic misuse of state funds Similarly, the department hasnt been using the states asset management system to account for its more than 5,000 weapons, including their cost, acquisition and disposal, the audit states. Higgins said this needs to be corrected. DESPP, through the Connecticut State Police, maintains a full formal inventory of all firearms, tasers, and ammunition. The auditors talked only with a representative from DESPPs fiscal department, who was not aware of the inventory, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Higgins full statement regarding the audit: DESPP welcomes the audit by the Auditors of Public Accounts for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. It reflects the priorities I have emphasized since my arrival at DESPP in November of 2023. Starting in late 2023 and continuing through today, DESPP has launched wide-ranging efforts to improve outdated systems, internal controls, and management oversight. We are filling critical jobs after years of understaffing and upgrading long out-of-date internal systems. For example, our new fiscal director is aggressively moving to expand and tighten management oversight and controls. We see this audit as a blueprint that will assist us as we continue reforms that reflect our strategic pillars of efficiency, efficacy, fiscal responsibility, and accountability. Excessive overtime is not a new problem for the Connecticut State Police, but our renewed efforts to closely monitor overtime costs, add new administrative positions and new software, strengthen internal controls and training and replace outdated infrastructure is starting to make a difference. Over the last year, DESPP estimates that we have cut projected overtime costs by 8 percent. One very important correction to the audit involves tracking and an inventory of all firearms. DESPP, through the Connecticut State Police, maintains a full formal inventory of all firearms, tasers, and ammunition. The auditors talked only with a representative from DESPPs fiscal department, who was not aware of the inventory. Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins Read the full report on the State of Connecticut website. News 8 has reached out to the DESPP for comment. The DESPP includes the Connecticut State Police, emergency management and homeland security, fire prevention, statewide emergency telecommunications 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 WTNH.com. HOUSTON / GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) The man who escaped from the Cross Creek Psychiatric & Addiction Hospital in Austin last week has been apprehended in Houston. Grimes County inmate McArthur Deashy Mathis was taken into custody at approximately 1:34 p.m. Tuesday, near Interstate 45 and West Road, by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders & Fugitive Task Force. Sheriff Don Sowell says Mathis is being transported back to the Grimes County Jail by members of the Sheriffs Offices Investigation and Patrol Division. Sheriff Sowell says the cooperative and tireless efforts of the law enforcement at the Austin Police Department working in unison with the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin also helped lead this manhunt to a successful arrest. (Courtesy: Grimes County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Grimes County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Grimes County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Grimes County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Grimes County Sheriffs Office) McArthur Deashy Mathis. (Courtesy: Grimes County Sheriffs Office) PREVIOUS STORY: Man escapes from Austin psychiatric and addiction hospital Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mathis was originally arrested on January 2 for multiple warrants out of the Victoria Police Department, as well as additional charges out of Grimes County including Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Family Member, Obstruction or Retaliation, Deadly Conduct, and Burglary of Habitation. He was transported to the Cross Creek Psychiatric & Addiction Hospital on May 21, located at 8402 Cross Park Drive in Austin, and was left in their custody. Before his escape, Mathis was last seen at the hospital at approximately 8 p.m. on May 28. He kicked the back door open and jumped over a six-foot fence. Sheriff Sowell also says Mathis is a registered sex offender and is known to have contacts in Grimes County, Lavaca County, Brazos County, and Gonzales County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -An Australian woman accused of murdering three of her estranged husband's elderly relatives with a meal laced with poisonous mushrooms wept as she was questioned over expletive-laden messages about the victims on Tuesday, in a case that has captivated the country. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution alleges she knowingly served the guests Beef Wellington that contained lethal death cap mushrooms at her home in Leongatha, a town of around 6,000 people some 135 km (84 miles) from Melbourne. Patterson denies the charges, with her defence saying the deaths were a "terrible accident". She faces a life sentence if found guilty. Appearing as a witness for her own defence, Erin Patterson was questioned on Tuesday by her barrister Colin Mandy about a series of expletive-laden messages sent to friends regarding the Patterson family. The court previously heard the relationship between the accused and her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, deteriorated shortly before the alleged murders due to a disagreement over child support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I wish I'd never said it. I feel ashamed for saying it and I wish that the family didn't have to hear that I said that," she said of the messages, that the court has previously heard in the prosecution's case. "I was really frustrated with Simon but it wasn't Don and Gail's fault," she told the court through tears. Erin Patterson is the first witness for the defence after the prosecution rested its case on Monday, following a month of evidence from witnesses, including relatives and medical, forensic and mushroom experts. The accused began her testimony on Monday afternoon. It is unknown how long she will give evidence for or whether she will be cross-examined by the prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial, which 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. State broadcaster ABC's daily podcast about proceedings is currently the most popular in the country, with two others also high in the charts. The trial continues. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry) OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Police are investigating a shooting late Friday evening that left a neighbor shot to death and one person arrested. According to authorities, officers responded to a shooting call at 4706 Sunnyview Dr. and upon arrival found the victim Billy Sorrels shot to death. Stormy Week Ahead, Starting Tonight Investigators confirm, Elisha Kirby fired a round from the doorway of her residence. The bullet fired entered Mr. Sorrels residence through a wall, where it struck and killed him. Elisha Kirby, Image Oklahoma County Kirby is booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center facing murder in the second degree. Anyone with information should contact the Homicide Tip-Line at 405/297-1200. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 3 (Xinhua) -- It is important for the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries to unite with customs administration in the region playing a crucial role in safeguarding trade flows and supporting economic resilience, in light of the recent developments concerning tariff measures introduced by the United States, a senior Brunei government official said on Tuesday. Complexities and uncertainties continue to shape the global trading landscape, Pengiran Hajah Zety Sufina, Brunei's deputy minister of finance and economy, said at the opening of a two-day meeting of ASEAN directors-general of customs here on Tuesday. She also called on the officials to continue to stand together to uphold the principles of openness, fairness, and mutual respect in international trade. The meeting aims to strengthen regional customs cooperation and advance ASEAN integration. SCURRY COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Law enforcement is investigating after a man was found dead in a ditch in Scurry County. On the morning of June 2, the Scurry County Sheriffs Office received a report of a possibly deceased individual near the intersection of FM 1606 and County Road 394, southwest of Snyder. First responders arrived at the scene and confirmed the man was deceased. Next of kin has been notified, and the man has been identified as Kelly Bryan Jones from Big Spring, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Scurry County Sheriffs Office is working in partnership with the Texas Rangers to determine the circumstances surrounding the mans death. At this time, no additional details have been made public. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Scurry County Sheriffs Office at (325) 573-3551. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The search for escaped Arkansas inmate Grant Hardin has continued for more than a week. Authorities have released a new headshot depicting what Hardin might look like as the search for him continues. Authorities shared what Grant Hardin might look like today. Courtesy of DOC Hardin, 56, is a former police chief in northwest Arkansas who escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25. He was serving a sentence for rape and murder. The combined reward from authorities for information leading to the capture of Hardin has risen to $25,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say Hardin is 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 259 pounds. Officials say he is bald but has brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at Tips.FBI.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 KARK. The Wenatchee Police Department provided this photo of Travis Decker, a Pewaukee native being sought in connection with the death of his three daughters in Washington State. The search for Decker was continuing June 3, three days after the girls' mother reported the girls missing and one day after their bodies were found near a campground. WENATCHEE, Wash. - Police in Washington state have begun a manhunt for a Pewaukee native suspected of killing his three daughters there. A warrant has been issued for Travis Decker, 32, for three counts each of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, the Wenatchee Police Department said in a June 3 news release. The girls Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5 were found dead in Chelan County on June 2, three days after they were reported missing. Decker was still being sought as part of an investigation that began May 30, when he failed to return the three girls to their mother under a custodial arrangement. Wenatchee police attempted to get the Washington State Patrol to issue an Amber Alert, but circumstances did not warrant a child-abduction alert at that time, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, Decker has been living mostly out of his pickup truck, staying occasionally in motels and campgrounds. When the girls were reported missing, authorities including Wenatchee police, Chelan County sheriff deputies, detectives and a Homeland Security helicopter began searching those area businesses and sites, and also used Flock surveillance cameras to try to trace his vehicle's path. Decker's GMC Sierra truck was eventually located at about 3:45 p.m. June 2 near the Rock Island Campground, in Chelan County, but neither Decker nor his daughters were in it. Shortly thereafter, the girls' bodies were discovered in that vicinity. Police offered no specifics about how they died or precisely where they were found. Authorities added that Decker, who has extensive military training, is considered to pose "a significant risk." It was not known if he was armed with any weapons. Anyone with information was asked to call 911. Wenatchee Police Capt. Brian Chance, in a phone interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, indicated that Decker has not been formally charged with murder or kidnapping. The court-issued warrant indicates, however, that there is probable cause on the charges for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chance added that that the Chelan County Sheriff's Office will be the lead agency in the investigation. Decker was a member of a standout 2010 Pewaukee wrestling team, wrestling in the state finals that year. Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pewaukee's Travis Decker sought in daughters' deaths in Washington President Donald Trumps critics often accuse him of harboring authoritarian ambitions. Journalists and scholars have drawn parallels between his leadership style and that of strongmen abroad. Some Democrats warn that the U.S. is sliding toward autocracy a system in which one leader holds unchecked power. Others counter that labeling Trump an autocrat is alarmist. After all, he hasnt suspended the Constitution, forced school children to memorize his sayings or executed his rivals, as dictators such as Augusto Pinochet, Mao Zedong and Saddam Hussein once did. But modern autocrats dont always resemble their 20th-century predecessors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, they project a polished image, avoid overt violence and speak the language of democracy. They wear suits, hold elections and talk about the will of the people. Rather than terrorizing citizens, many use media control and messaging to shape public opinion and promote nationalist narratives. Many gain power not through military coups but at the ballot box. The softer power of todays autocrats In the early 2000s, political scientist Andreas Schedler coined the term electoral authoritarianism to describe regimes that hold elections without real competition. Scholars Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way use another phrase, competitive authoritarianism, for systems in which opposition parties exist but leaders undermine them through censorship, electoral fraud or legal manipulation. In my own work with economist Sergei Guriev, we explore a broader strategy that modern autocrats use to gain and maintain power. We call this informational autocracy or spin dictatorship. These leaders dont rely on violent repression. Instead, they craft the illusion that they are competent, democratic defenders of the nation protecting it from foreign threats or internal enemies who seek to undermine its culture or steal its wealth. President Donald Trump appears at an Air Force base in Doha, Qatar, on May 15, 2025. Win McNamee/Getty Images Hungarys democratic facade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban exemplifies this approach. He first served from 1998 to 2002, returned to power in 2010 and has since won three more elections in 2014, 2018 and 2022 after campaigns that international observers criticized as intimidating and xenophobic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orban has preserved the formal structures of democracy courts, a parliament and regular elections but has systematically hollowed them out. In his first two years he packed Hungarys constitutional court, which reviews laws for constitutionality, with loyalists, forced judges off the bench by mandating a lower retirement age and rewrote the constitution to limit judicial review of his actions. He also tightened government control over independent media. To boost his image, Orban funneled state advertising funds to friendly news outlets. In 2016, an ally bought Hungarys largest opposition newspaper then shut it down. Orban has also targeted advocacy groups and universities. The Central European University, which was registered in both Budapest and the U.S., was once a symbol of the new democratic Hungary. But a law penalizing foreign-accredited institutions forced it to relocate to Vienna in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet Orban has mostly avoided violence. Journalists are harassed rather than jailed or killed. Critics are discredited for their beliefs but not abducted. His appeal rests on a narrative that Hungary is under siege by immigrants, liberal elites and foreign influences and that only he can defend its sovereignty and Christian identity. That message resonates with older, rural, conservative voters, even as it alienates younger, urban populations. A global shift in autocrats In recent decades, variants of spin dictatorship have appeared in Singapore, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Leaders such as Hugo Chavez and the early Vladimir Putin consolidated power and marginalized opposition with minimal violence. Data confirm this trend. Drawing from human rights reports, historical records and local media, my colleague Sergei Guriev and I found that the global incidence of political killings and imprisonments by autocrats dropped significantly from the 1980s to the 2010s. Why? In an interconnected world, overt repression has costs. Attacking journalists and dissidents can prompt foreign governments to impose economic sanctions and discourage international companies from investing. Curbing free expression risks stifling scientific and technological innovation something even autocrats need in modern, knowledge-based economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, when crises erupt, even spin dictators often revert to more traditional tactics. Russias Putin has cracked down violently on protesters and jailed opposition leaders. Meanwhile, more brutal regimes such as those in North Korea and China continue to rule by spreading fear, combining mass incarceration with advanced surveillance technologies. But overall, spin is replacing terror. America too? Most experts, myself included, agree that the U.S. remains a democracy. Yet some of Trumps tactics resemble those of informational autocrats. He has attacked the press, defied court rulings and pressured universities to curtail academic independence and limit international admissions. His admiration for strongmen such as Putin, Chinas Xi Jinping and El Salvadors Nayib Bukele alarms observers. At the same time, Trump routinely denigrates democratic allies and international institutions such as the United Nations and NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some experts say democracy depends on politicians self restraint. But a system that survives only if leaders choose to respect its limits is not much of a system at all. What matters more is whether the press, judiciary, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, churches, unions, universities and citizens have the power and the will to hold leaders accountable. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers a speech at a hotel in Madrid on Feb. 8, 2025. Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images Preserving democracy in the US Wealthy democracies such as the U.S., Canada and many Western European countries benefit from robust institutions such as newspapers, universities, courts and advocacy groups that act as checks on government. Such institutions help explain why populists such as Italys Silvio Berlusconi or Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, although accused of bending electoral rules and threatening judicial independence, have not dismantled democracy outright in their countries. In the U.S., the Constitution provides another layer of protection. Amending it requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-quarters of the states a far steeper hurdle than in Hungary, where Orban needed only a two-thirds parliamentary majority to rewrite the constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, even the U.S. Constitution can be undermined if a president defies the Supreme Court. But doing so risks igniting a constitutional crisis and alienating key supporters. That doesnt mean American democracy is safe from erosion. But its institutional foundations are older, deeper and more decentralized than those of many newer democracies. Its federal structure, with overlapping jurisdictions and multiple veto points, makes it harder for any one leader to dominate. Still, the global rise of spin dictatorships should sharpen awareness of what is happening in the U.S. Around the world, autocrats have learned to control their citizens by faking democracy. Understanding their techniques may help Americans to preserve the real thing. 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: Daniel Treisman, University of California, Los Angeles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Daniel Treisman 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. NEED TO KNOW Emilie Kisers late son Trigg died in the hospital on May 18, days after he was reportedly found unconscious in a backyard pool in Arizona Avery Woods, Kiser's friend, paid tribute to Trigg by wearing a necklace with his name in a new TikTok Woods had not posted on social media since May 13, the day after Trigg was found unresponsive Avery Woods is paying tribute to her friend Emilie Kisers late son, Trigg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As previously reported by PEOPLE, the 3-year-old died in the hospital on May 18, days after he was reportedly found unconscious in a backyard pool in Arizona on May 12. In the Monday, June 2 upload, Woods does a GRWM (Get Ready With Me) for fans, explaining in the caption, "Been awhile since I put makeup on so thought Id get ready for our anniversary missed you." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! For the video, Woods wore her hair slicked back as she applied her makeup in a white spaghetti-strap tank top. She stayed silent throughout the video as viewers saw her go through every step of her makeup process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the video was a little over a minute long, it was her jewelry that caught fans' attention. Woods wore three-layered necklaces, one of which held a circular pendant with the name "Trigg." Avery Woods/TikTok Avery Woods wears 'Trigg' necklace Avery Woods wears 'Trigg' necklace "The necklace you are such a good friend Avery," Jaclyn Hill wrote. Krystiana Tiana commented, "Missed you girl. Your face looks stunning, glowy, and refreshed but the pain in your eyes breaks my heart. Hugs." Samantha Jo added, "so beyond glad she has you, I love you." This was Woods' first TikTok since Trigg's death on Sunday, May 18. Before that, she posted a video on May 13, sharing how she was going to surprise her daughter, Stevie, on her birthday. She also addressed her social media absence on her Instagram Stories, writing, "Hi missed you & hope youre doing well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement issued on behalf of the Chandler Police Department, spokesperson Sonu Wasu told PEOPLE that Trigg was hospitalized after authorities responded to a drowning call on May 12. Emilie Kiser/Instagram Emilie Kiser, husband Brady Kiser, and their son Trigg Emilie Kiser, husband Brady Kiser, and their son Trigg The toddler was taken to Chandler Regional Medical Center and then to Phoenix Children's Hospital in critical condition, according to AZ Central. Trigg died on May 18, police and the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed in documents seen by PEOPLE. Kiser and her husband, Brady, are also parents to son Theodore, who was born in March. 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. Kiser filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, May 27, in Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County to keep records about Trigg's death out of public view, according to court documents reviewed by PEOPLE. Read the original article on People A week away from their private mission to the International Space Station, four astronauts talked to the media from quarantine on June 3, showing off a plush toy they will be bringing with them into space. It's a swan named Joy, which has special significance to this Axiom crew, made up of astronauts from the United States, India, Poland and Hungary. "The swan is rich in cultural symbolism. (It) stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland, and grace in Hungry," said Mission commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four astronauts sat in front of the camera from quarantine in Florida to talk about their mission onboard a new SpaceX Dragon , which will launch no earlier than 8:22 a.m. June 10. The swan, Whitson said, symbolizes "grace and elegance." But it's more than just a fun companion to take in the new Dragon, it will also "signal our arrival in microgravity shortly after launch" signifying the crew has reached orbit. Organized by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA, the international crew is set to liftoff on an approximately two week mission to the space station. While the crew plans about 60 scientific experiments, the Axiom missions are also aimed at advancing the company's goals of building a space station that will attach to the ISS before its planned 2030 retirement. NASA plans to shift low Earth orbit activities to contracts with private space companies, and Axiom is one of the companies paving the way with planned Axiom Station. "For me, returning to space is always a special experience," Whitson said during the June 3 press briefing. "Every mission is different. Every crew brings something new to the table." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitson said it was a joy to work with her fellow three crew members: Shubhanshu Shukla, Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu. As for Joy, the swan may turn out to be even more than just a zero-g indicator, the crew suggested. Plush swan, Joy, sits on the lap of mission pilot, Shubhanshu Shukla from India. Joy is not just the zero-g indicatior for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), but a symbolism for the name of the new SpaceX Dragon. Screenshot from the June 3 press conference. Axiom Mission 4 names new SpaceX Dragon It is noteworthy that the Axiom Mission 4 will be flying on a brand new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and it's tradition that the first crew to fly in a spacecraft gets to name it. This Dragon was originally set to ferry NASA's Crew-10 to the ISS back in March, but technical delays forced NASA and SpaceX to fly Crew-10 on another Dragon spacecraft. "The reason we selected this one may become more obvious once you hear the name of the vehicle," Whitson said with a laugh when questioned about the swan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exact name of the spacecraft has yet to be revealed, but it's expected to be announced soon. SpaceX currently has four other Crew Dragon spacecrafts in rotation: Freedom, Endeavour, Resilience, and Endurance. It was Hungarian crew member, Kapu, who came up with the name for the swan. "We are focused, we are committed, but above all, we are joyful," said Kapu. "And joy is a sign of trust, resilience, and in my mind, friendship." Kapu spoke of swans flying over Lake Balaton in Hungary. "Now one will soar a little bit higher," he said. With the mission now set to lift off no earlier than June 10 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A, here's a look at the multinational crew flying to the ISS. Who are the astronauts on the Axiom Mission 4? The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) will be Axiom Space's fourth astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The company's first mission, Axiom Mission 1, flew to the ISS in April of 2022. The last mission, Axiom Mission 3, flew to the ISS in January 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crew of four will launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The crew consists of: Whitson, who is a former NASA astronaut and only crew member who has flown to space. Whitson also served as commander on Axiom Mission 2 in 2023. Whitson holds title of most time accumulated in space by an American. She was recently inducted to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India. India is currently creating its own human spaceflight program, with plans for two crewed and six uncrewed launches by 2028. Mission Specialist Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland. He will be the first Polish astronaut to visit the ISS. Mission Specialist Kapu from Hungary. Kapu will be the second Hungarian to fly to space, and the first to visit the ISS. The Ax-4 mission patch symbolizes a unified perspective of Earth and space. The four ascending lines that converge at the International Space Station represent the four countries on the mission. The patch is further divided into three sections, reflecting the continents involved, pic.twitter.com/3y7RyR21fZ Peggy Whitson (@AstroPeggy) April 17, 2025 Heading to space with experiments When is the next launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral The mission marks the first government-sponsored spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary in more than 40 years. For this reason, it is stated to realize the return to spaceflight for these countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crew will carry 60 scientific studies from 31 countries to the ISS. These Axiom astronaut missions are also working to pave the way for Axiom's planned space station. The first module is planned for attachment in 2027. The plan is for NASA to transition to the Axiom Station, and have SpaceX safely deorbit the aging ISS. The earliest parts of the ISS have been in orbit since 1998. A launch date for the first module of the Axiom Station has yet to be announced. Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team for the latest on Axiom Mission 4. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Ax-4 astronauts reveal swan, tease name of new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) attended a watch event for a court hearing in the Yazzie/Martinez education equity case on April 29, 2025. (Photo by Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Even though the Republican tax and spend bill that cleared the United States House of Representatives last month no longer authorizes the sale of thousands acres of public land, state lawmakers in New Mexico say they will continue to monitor how the federal governments actions toward public lands could impact Native nations. As the interim legislative Indian Affairs Committee on Monday planned its work for the rest of 2025 at its first meeting since this years legislative session, two members said the U.S. governments plan to sell public lands could threaten tribal sovereignty and economic development in New Mexico, which is home to 23 Indigenous nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, an enrolled member of the Piro Manso Tiwa Tribe and an Albuquerque Democrat, said she anticipates the federal governments sales of public lands may affect tribal sovereignty, and she wants to know what legal mechanisms are available to the state government to push back against those land grabs. I envision us going back to the days of land grabs, Roybal Caballero said. U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), who co-founded the Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus earlier this year, last month applauded the removal of a provision in the budget bill that would have authorized the sale of thousands acres of public land in Utah and Nevada. At the time, Mark Allison, executive director of conservation advocacy group New Mexico Wild, said this is the first of many fights in coming days to stave off efforts to privatize public lands. The same forces that tried to sneak this land grab through would love nothing more than to come after New Mexicos public lands next time, he said. Rep. Charlotte Little, an Albuquerque Democrat from San Felipe Pueblo, said on Monday she wants the committee to receive a report on the impact of the federal governments proposed actions toward the Chaco Canyon and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks national monuments, and how those actions could also affect economic development in the surrounding areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexicos federal delegation, led by U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), in April asked the federal government to leave intact Tent Rocks along with Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and Rio Grande del Norte, which they said were under consideration for reduction or elimination. Roybal Caballero also said she wants the committee to discuss issues related to sustainable management of tribal lands including water rights, resource extraction and environmental protection. By the end of the year, the committee is expected to endorse legislation for the 2026 legislative session. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) June is the month to celebrate inclusivity and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, but one queer owned business prioritizes this year-round. Backstage Coffee, a viral spot in Downtown Greenville, is owned by Anna and Mackenzie Park. They have new themes every month, but the month of June hits hardest especially when it comes to what the business stands for. Its not really a space thats offered anywhere else around here. And I know that there have been spaces in the past that people have really flocked to, Co-Owner of Backstage Coffee Anna Park said. I dont think we understood the gravity of how large of a queer community there is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think thats a great example of just like this space creating that comfortability for people to like just feel accepted and safe no matter what, Co-Owner of Backstage Coffee Mackenzie Park said. And thats been really special for us to watch and for us to create. Backstage is featuring a new Pride month menu along with the return of the fruity pebble latte. They will also host a vintage event on Saturday, June 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock will receive a monthly salary of just over 13,000 ($14,794) for her work as president of the UN General Assembly in New York, The Foreign Office in Berlin said on Tuesday. The Foreign Office said it was standard practice for the country of origin to pay the salary. With the approval of the Cabinet, a service contract had therefore been concluded with Baerbock, it said. Without allowances, her salary grade, B9, corresponds to a taxable basic salary of just over 13,000 per month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contract with Baerbock, for example with regard to salary and accommodation, is subject to the regulations for German government employees posted abroad. Baerbock's remuneration corresponds to that of a head of a large foreign mission, according to the Foreign Office. Baerbock was elected on Monday as the next president of the UN General Assembly by an overwhelming majority. In a secret ballot forced by Russia, she received 167 votes in the largest body of the United Nations, with 14 member states abstaining. Seven other countries in New York voted against her in favour of the original German candidate, Helga Schmid, who was not up for election. Baerbock's top position is primarily considered to be of ceremonial significance. It should not be confused with the role of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The inauguration is due to take place on September 9, shortly before the general debate of the UN General Assembly with leaders from all over the world. MOGADISHU, June 3 (Xinhua) --- The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said Tuesday it has safely evacuated its troops from a military base, northeast of Mogadishu, due to heavy flooding in the area. The AU mission said during the evacuation of the Burundian troops stationed at Xawaadley Forward Operating Base on Monday, one of the helicopters experienced a technical malfunction, but the pilots skilfully maneuvered the aircraft to land safely. "All troops and crew have been successfully evacuated to the nearest military base, and no casualties have been reported," AUSSOM said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. According to a flash update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Seasonal rains have triggered localized flooding in several parts of Somalia since mid-April, particularly in Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Jubaland, Puntland, South West states and Banadir region. At least 17 people have been killed and over 84,000 others displaced by flash floods caused by torrential rains across Somalia, the agency noted. Somalia, where nearly two-thirds of the population depend on agriculture, has suffered extreme climate shocks, including prolonged dry spells that caused droughts and heavy rains resulting in floods. The latest flooding came at a time when aid operations are constrained by severe funding cuts. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A mans bail was denied after police say he sexually assaulted a woman he met on Facebook while they were on a date in York County. Charging documents by York City Police show, the woman was taken by Ozkan Can, 39, of Lititz, to the Greyhound bus station parking lot, at 53 E. North St., where he allegedly sexually assaulted her after getting her around 11 a.m. Saturday for their first date Police said Can took off his and the victims pants, and he allegedly forced her to perform sexual acts despite her trying to pull away and shaking her head no multiple times while in the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspects wanted after man mercilessly attacked in Dauphin County Police said the victim was not aware of Cans intentions, nor did she agree to go to the parking lot. Can was supposed to take her back to his home after picking her up in Hanover. After the alleged sexual assault, the charging documents show Can made a stop at the Sheetz along East Market Street, where the woman was able to get away from him and hide in the bathroom. Can tried to enter the bathroom but bystanders stopped him. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Can faces felony charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with forcible compulsion, aggravated indecent assault without consent, and sexual assault. He also faces misdemeanor charges of indecent assault without the consent of another person and indecent assault with forcible compulsion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is in York County Prison, where his bail was denied by Magisterial District Judge Thomas Harteis. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 13. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 family of a 4-year-old Bakersfield girl with a rare medical condition has been granted humanitarian protection from deportation, allowing her to continue receiving lifesaving treatment in the United States. The plight of the girl, whom The Times has identified by her initials, S.G.V., drew public outrage and galvanized dozens of lawmakers to advocate on her behalf. The girl and her parents, who are from Mexico, originally received temporary permission to enter the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023. The Trump administration had rescinded the legal protections of S.G.V. and her parents, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. Her doctor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles said she could die within days of losing her medical care for short bowel syndrome, a condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing nutrients from food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, lawyers representing the girl wrote that on May 28 after significant news coverage U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services contacted them to discuss processing her application for humanitarian parole. She and her mother, Deysi Vargas, attended a biometrics appointment in Bakersfield on Friday. By moving quickly, the agency has ensured that a fouryearold girl can continue receiving the specialized medical treatment that keeps her alive, said Rebecca Brown of the nonprofit Public Counsel. However, many families still face harm under the sweeping policy to do away with humanitarian parole. We ask the government to ensure that no one be put in harm's way." Read more: 4-year-old Bakersfield girl facing deportation could die within days of losing medical care Last week, 38 congressional Democrats, including California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, condemned the termination of the family's status and urged the Department of Homeland Security to reinstate it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Without action, S.G.V. will die," the lawmakers wrote May 29 to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. "We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this familys legal status in the U.S." The lawmakers wrote that the family's situation "clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid." In a letter Monday to the family and their attorney, acting field office director Carmen Paniagua of Citizenship and Immigration Services wrote that "effective June 2, 2025, you have been granted Humanitarian Parole for a period of one year." In April, Vargas received notice from the federal government that their humanitarian protections and permission to work legally had been terminated. The notice told them to leave voluntarily or else the federal government will find you. An online fundraiser for S.G.V.'s care amassed more than $40,000 as of Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has stripped humanitarian protections from hundreds of thousands of immigrants who entered the U.S. under various Biden-era programs. Many have similarly been ordered to leave or face criminal prosecution and other legal actions. Brown, the attorney, said that when the family's parole was terminated, there was no way to alert the immigration agency that a child's life was in danger. It took an international outcry and pressure from elected officials to get a response something that used to take a single phone call," Brown wrote in the statement with Public Counsel directing attorney Gina Amato Lough. They urged the agency to reopen communication lines to ensure that every family facing imminent harm receives the prompt consideration that S.G.V. and her parents received. Lawmakers including Padilla and Rep. Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood), who led her Democratic colleagues in writing the letter to Noem, said they were glad that Citizenship and Immigration Services had granted the family another year of parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rivas said the girl should never have been placed in a life-or-death situation to begin with. "This situation is a prime example of the Trump administration being unfit, unprepared and unqualified to handle immigration policy decisions with empathy and compassion," Rivas 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. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, a key MAGA insider, doubled down late Monday on his criticism of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and the lawmakers vocal support for Ukraine amid its war with Russia. In an interview on NewsNations Cuomo, Bannon said Graham was giving Ukrainians false hope by meeting with the countrys president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and by suggesting the U.S. support Kyivs stunning drone attack on Russias strategic bombing fleet. We cant have Lindsey Graham, and particularly Zelensky, leading us into a third world war with a deep strike into Russia, Bannon told host Chris Cuomo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments come after the former Trump adviser called for the South Carolina Republican to be jailed for his pro-Ukraine stance. Cuomo repeatedly challenged Bannon to back up that request. I dont understand how you could want to jail a U.S. senator because hes saying something you dont like, the NewsNation host said, adding, That sounds like the worst of the deep state and lawfare. Bannon responded, No, its absolutely what hes doing over there right now is stirring it up. Hes giving the Ukrainians false hope. Cuomo cut in, But its not illegal. The Trump ally continued, Hes giving Ukrainians false hope that were there to support them on engaging Russia in a kinetic conflict. And we are not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The host continued to press Bannon about why he thinks Graham should be detained. So maybe hes wrong, but why do you say throw him in jail? he said. Two things ought to happen: Either cancel his passport and dont let him back in the country, or put him in jail if he comes back, Bannon responded, adding, The attack was audacious. It was brilliant. But the problem is it gets us involved in a conflict that no one in the United States wants to be part of, he added. Cuomo noted that he didnt necessarily disagree with the former strategists opinion. Im just saying you cant be throwing people in jail because you dont like what they say. Thats my only point, he told Bannon. Im not saying that youre wrong about where this might lead and how dangerous it is. 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. Jun. 2"Let's just be careful, and let's have a great summer. Everybody needs to do their part in keeping everyone safe." Jim Stucky, Chief Grant County Fire District 13. QUINCY Over the weekend, two wildfires and a home fire in Grant County and, as of Sunday, the county is in a burn ban effective until at least Sept. 30. "Be aware of what the rules are and follow the burn ban stipulations. We prefer not burning at all," Grant County Fire District 13 Chief Jim Stucky said. "If you are going to do a campfire or whatever, make sure you have water nearby, don't let it get too big and make sure it is fully out and cold to the touch before you go to bed for the night." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grant County Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee reiterated a similar sentiment, saying that his department had a busy weekend and he is hoping the burn ban will slow things down. "It's just like the fires that happened this weekend, I know that the burn ban was not in effect during our fires, but we have these wind events or weather events that come through," Durfee said. "It's vital that people just remain alert during the dry season and fall under the restrictions. It takes everybody to do their part, and just following the regulations would be huge." Grant County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said people need to remember there are consequences, both punitive and legal, for burning during the ban. "I just ask everyone to honor the burn ban we have in place due to a past history in this county of several wildfires, and some of those wildfires burned down people's homes," Foreman said. "We certainly don't want that to ever happen, and so the public's cooperation is appreciated." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The penalties for burning during the ban range from $150 to $500, depending on the offense, according to Grant County Ordinance 17-082-CC. "If you are found to be burning, the consequences can be a warning but if you're found to be burning and it causes a wildfire, especially one that damages someone else's property, you may be subject to a citation or a court date," Foreman said. Ancient Lakes Fire The Ancient Lakes Fire, which started Saturday night outside of Quincy Lakes, is now fully contained as of Sunday night, according to Durfee. GCFD3 was called to a fire in the Quincy Lake Area Saturday night. Soon after arriving at the scene, crews realized the fire was near Ancient Lakes, where firefighters would have limited access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durfee said Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies came out and helped evacuate Quincy Lakes Recreational Area as they began working to contain the fire. Durfee said when they arrived on scene, the fire was at about 50 acre,s but because of winds at around 40 miles per hour, it quickly spread to around 146 acres. "The wind was pushing the fire," Durfee said. However, with the help of GCFD 3, Grant County Fire District 8, Ephrata Fire Department, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service, they were able to stop the fire from spreading further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Well, with the cooperation of regional partners, it was great," Durfee said. "We were able to get control of it pretty early, being that it was at night and an unknown territory. We came up with a plan with multiple agencies the next day and secured it while getting some of our units back in service, while maintaining lines and controlling the fire." The fire is under investigation by BLM. Crews will remain on scene for the next couple of days, managing hot spots and ensuring the fire doesn't reignite. "The main fire is out. They're just working on controlling lines," Durfee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highway 28 Fire On Saturday, Grant County Fire District 13 was called out to a controlled burn Sunday morning that was not fully extinguished and spread to nearby vegetation from high winds. "The guy had been a control burn on Saturday, and then his claim was that he hosed everything down really well," Stucky said. "He had piled some grass clippings on top of where he had burned the day before, and it actually started on fire Sunday morning. That's when we got called out." The fire was located just north of Ephrata in the 1900 block of Highway 28 West. Firefighters from the Ephrata Fire Department, Grant County Fire District 13, Grant County Fire District 7, Grant County Fire District 8 and Bureau of Land Management of Oregon and Washington assisted with the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Just make sure that everything that you've been burning is completely out before you put anything else on top of it," Stucky said. "If you have been burning, just give it a little extra water. But then again, don't burn anymore. We're done." Despite the strong winds, the departments were able to stop the fire from jumping onto the train tracks. The fire only scorched around six acres. Law enforcement has had contact with the responsible party, according to GCFD3. "It was a little busier than we like for sure, I think it was for everybody in the neighborhood," Stucky said. Quincy House Fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday night, a house fire resulted in the death of one Quincy man, according to GCSO. GCFD 3 was called to the 17000 block of Road 5-Northwest at around 11 p.m. for a single-family dwelling that was fully engulfed in flame, according to Durfee. Durfee said the initial report said someone was in the residence. When the crew arrived, they tried to enter the residence, but heat and smoke prevented firefighters from doing so. "We tried to go inside. We tried to do an offensive tactic with rescue measures and tried to put the fire out and stop the spread," Durfee said. "Instead, we had to go on the defensive and just try to control the incident and ensure it didn't spread." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the fire was extinguished, first responders recovered the body of 72-year-old Darrwin L. Kunish from inside a bedroom. Kunish's remains are in the care of Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison, whose staff will conduct an autopsy. Kunish's family was notified, according to Foreman. The fire is under investigation by the Grant County Fire Marshal's office. Other fires outside Grant County: The Ayers Fire, also known as the Meals Road Fire, scorched around 450 acres over the weekend. The fire is fully contained as of Monday, according to Benton County Fire District 1. The fire was located near the Oregon border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Les Blair Fire began May 31 around 2 p.m. and burned around 510 acres. It began near an orchard, according to Benton County Fire District 1. As of Sunday night, the fire was around 60% contained with crews on site enforcing containment lines. As of Monday, the fire is fully contained. The Second Creek Fire, which ignited around noon May 26, is sitting at around 80 acres and is roughly 38% contained as of Friday, according to Chelan County Fire District 3. The fire was likely started by a human, but it's under investigation. AUSTIN (KXAN) The city of Bastrop will hold a runoff election June 7 to elect a new mayor. Voters will decide between Ishmael Harris and Willie DeLaRosa after neither of the two candidates received a majority in the May 3 special election. Harris enters the runoff after falling just shy of a majority 48.6% to DeLaRosas 34.3%, in the first round of voting. Harris previously served on the citys Planning and Zoning Commission, but left his position to run for mayor. If elected, Harris hopes to improve trust in the city council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For DeLaRosa, this years election is the second time he has run for mayor after an unsuccessful 2017 bid. He served on the Bastrop City Council for 27 years and wants to streamline development in Bastrop if elected a city which has grown steadily in recent years. The special election comes after former Bastrop Mayor Lyle Nelson resigned in January following allegations of a misuse of official funds. Nelson denied those allegations, calling them part of a witch hunt, and partially blaming city councilors in a press conference. Nelsons resignation preempted a potential recall vote against him, according to a city council agenda. Fellow city councilors led the recall effort, saying that Nelson interfered with the investigation and refused to turn over critical evidence. Nelson also denied these allegations. At the same press conference, Nelson also said he had been absolved of misdeeds by local officials, including the Bastrop County Attorney and the Texas Rangers. Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland is currently managing some duties of the mayor, though the role is vacant until after the June 7 runoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first round of voting saw just 17.2% of registered voters turn out, with Harris receiving 625 votes. The last mayoral runoff election in Bastrop was in June 2023, in which Nelson received 52.1% of the vote, or just 567 votes. The last chance to vote early in the runoff is 7 p.m. Tuesday, after which polls will be open June 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The big story: After all the lobbying and politicking, the 17-member Florida Board of Governors is set to decide today whether to accept University of Florida trustees unanimous pick to lead the school or reject the choice in a first-ever denial of a universitys leadership selection. The outcome is not a foregone conclusion. The fate of Santa Ono, who would come to UF from the University of Michigan, in many ways boils down to whether he is sufficiently committed to Gov. Ron DeSantis mantra that Florida is where woke goes to die. While others have opined vociferously, DeSantis has not put his thumb on the scale, telling BOG members to vote their conscience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board will get its say starting at 1 p.m. Read more here and from the Miami Herald. In other university president news, Florida A&M Foundation leaders put off a discussion on amending their budget to meet the salary demands of president-select Marva Johnson, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. The school has proposed paying Johnson $100,000 less than she asked for, but $150,000 more than her predecessor, WFSU reports. Florida International trustees unanimously approved Jeanette Nunez as the schools next president, with a $925,000 base salary, News Service of Florida reports. State Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Escambia County, said her support of Manny Diaz Jr. to lead the University of West Florida does not conflict with her effort to make the states university presidential searches more transparent, the Pensacola News-Journal reports. Hot topics Book removals: Hillsborough County school board members blasted superintendent Van Ayres over his decision to remove hundreds of titles from school libraries after being threatened by state officials. Commissioner of education: Whos that DeSantis aide thats being talked up as Floridas next education commissioner? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School leadership: Flagler Countys principal of the year is leaving her post, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. Speed zones: Osceola County officials say speeding outside schools has been reduced since the installation of cameras and implementation of fines, WKMG reports. Tenure: A new study indicates that Floridas post-tenure review policy led to an increase in the departure rate of tenured professors, Inside Higher Ed reports. Volunteers: The Broward County school district removed a longtime volunteer from three committees over accusations that she bullied a district police officer, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the police blotter ... A Bay County school bus driver was arrested on allegations of hitting a student, WMBB reports. Dont miss a story. Heres a link to yesterdays roundup. Before you go ... Possum? Or opossum? Whats the difference? Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman and David McCormick joined together to condemn antisemitism at a bipartisan event just a day after police say a terror attack in Colorado was the latest in a series of increasing acts of antisemitism in the U.S. Fetterman, a Democrat and staunch ally of Israel, and McCormick, a Republican in his first term, joined the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation for its Senate Project Series on Monday. They admitted that while they disagree on many things, they both stand against the horrific rise of antisemitism across our country and the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes in their home state, where a man broke into Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros mansion in April and threw in two Molotov cocktails, starting a fire. No injuries were reported, but Shapiro had celebrated Passover with his family just hours before the attack. Police later said the suspect cited the war in Gaza as a reason for the attack. Though @SenFettermanPA and I disagree on many things, we stand together against the horrific rise of antisemitism across our country and the world. pic.twitter.com/q2guSHZpCy Senator Dave McCormick (@SenMcCormickPA) June 2, 2025 The Hatch Foundation series is intended to bridge the gap between parties, create dialogue between lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle in the Senate and build on the relationship between former Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Republican, and former Sen. Ted Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat. Fetterman and McCormicks conversation, moderated by Fox News Shannon Bream, came just a day after a terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, where police arrested a suspect after he used a makeshift flame thrower and threw an incendiary device into a crowd of people participating in a walk for the hostages held by Hamas. Witnesses said the man yelled Free Palestine as he carried out the attacks. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., top left, and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., top right, participate in a debate, Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, in Boston, moderated by Fox News anchor Shannon Bream, below center, as livestreamed on Fox Nation. | Steven Senne Fetterman, who has been one of the most outspoken Democrats backing Israel in the ongoing conflict, highlighted the attack in Boulder while speaking to the crowd at the event Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened yesterday in Boulder, its astonishing, you know, the kinds of, the rank antisemitism out of control, Fetterman said. The attack comes as a rise of antisemitism occurs across the country in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza that began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. According to the Anti-Defamation Leagues Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, assault and vandalism increased significantly in 2024 and overall antisemitic incidents increased 5% from the year before. The FBI has reported that hate crimes for all races, religions, sexual orientation and gender were on the rise in 2023. Fetterman and McCormick address antisemitic incidents in Pennsylvania The senators noted how theres been a rise in their state of Pennsylvania, too, evident in the attack on Shapiro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCormick said he visited the University of Pennsylvania campus, where pro-Palestinian protests occurred, including a 16-day encampment in 2024 as part of a larger wave of demonstrations at universities across the country. You started to see these huge rallies and this antisemitist hate, McCormick said Monday. Hatred really spewed at places like University of Pennsylvania and others. I actually went to University of Pennsylvania, saw these demonstrations. This wasnt free speech. This was intimidation, and in some cases physical violence. We see this deeply seeded in our society and its something that we have to stand up against with complete moral clarity, he later said. The state also grieved after a gunman killed 11 people during Shabbat morning services in the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. The shooting anniversary was where Fetterman said he and McCormick met for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the Tree of Life massacre down the road from where we live, to Boulder yesterday, D.C. the week before, and so many more horrific accounts, Fetterman said in a post online. We both see the way antisemitism has impacted communities across Pennsylvania, the country and the worldand we must call it out. From the Tree of Life massacre down the road from where we live, to Boulder yesterday, D.C. the week before, and so many more horrific accounts. We both see the way antisemitism has impacted communities across Pennsylvania, the country, and the worldand we must call it out. https://t.co/rcqHn7RyYJ U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) June 2, 2025 While the two senators agree that antisemitism is wrong and should be stopped, they didnt point to concrete ways to reduce it across the country, Bream told her fellow Fox News hosts after the panel. Fox News anchor Shannon Bream, foreground left, reads from a prompter attached to a television camera, right, moments before the start of a debate between Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., not shown, Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, in Boston, as livestreamed on Fox Nation. | Steven Senne However, they did share support for Israel in its offensive against Hamas, and for securing the countrys southern border, among other issues. Matt Sandgren, the executive director of the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, said the Senate Project works to prove Hatchs belief that the Senate works best when lawmakers can disagree respectfully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Project continues to prove that principle can thrive even in these divided times, Sandgren said in a statement, noting the foundation was thankful to the senators for showing that serious, respectful debate still has a place in American politics. BAXLEY, Ga. (WSAV) A Baxley man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of a 41-year-old, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced Tuesday. TyRelle Tarver is charged with malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault in connection to the death of Jeremy Beckworth, a GBI spokesperson reported. The 18-year-old Tarver was taken into custody and booked into the Appling County Jail Tuesday, June 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, around 11:30 p.m., the Baxley Police Department (BPD) responded to a 911 call that reported a man had been shot near the intersection of Highland Drive and Edgarton Road. Officers found Beckworth with a fatal gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead on the scene, a GBI spokesperson said. The BPD then requested the GBI conduct a death investigation which indicated that Tarver shot at Beckworth and his girlfriend several times. Beckworth was taken to the GBI Medical Examiners Office in Pooler for a complete autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death. This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Baxley Police Department at (912) 367-8305 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile 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 WSAV-TV. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Hurricane preparation is something you should not take lightly. Its more than just getting a few cases of water. Are you going to go somewhere, or if so, where is that at? You know, are you going to stay in a hotel? Are you going to go to friends? You need extra water, extra food, non-perishables, things like that. You need to prepare that anywhere between three and seven days without power. And so thats really kind of what you want to be is able to be self-sustained for up to seven days, Bay County Emergency Services Chief Matthew Lindewirth said. June 1 marks the start of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When disaster strikes, people tend to turn to FEMA for help. But in January, President Trump initiated an overhaul of FEMA. The plan shifts the responsibility for emergency preparedness and disaster recovery from the federal government to already overburdened state and local governments. As things change and as your needs as a family change, then you need to be able to be prepared for that. And so, you know, maybe you didnt have a child last year. And so now youve got to prepare for that. I mean, the hurricanes are hurricanes. Theyre going to, you know, come and go as they see. And then what we have to do is adjust and, you know, go from there, Lindewirth said. The National Hurricane Center has upgraded some of its prediction tools this season. The so-called cone of uncertainty is smaller now. That means their predictions for a hurricanes direction are more accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gulf policymakers detail efforts to brace for 2025 hurricanes So, what were trying to do is as other states come out with a new kind of AI driven alert system called Beacon, and then weve also got Alert Bay, which for us is how we communicate to the to the public during an emergency, Lindewirth said. The Bay County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a hurricane preparedness seminar at FSU Panama City. You can learn more 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. We need to protect our national IP, BBC boss Tim Davie told the Media & Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference, organized by Deloitte and Enders Analysis, in London on Tuesday. Thats where the value is. For example, we need to decide if were going to invest in things like the World Service, which to me, is a no-brainer. Also important for the BBCs future are muscular partnerships with the big American tech companies, he highlighted. I think we cannot work without some of those really big guys. And I think we can create co-ventures and create value for us and the U.K. public in that in quite a compelling way. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments had some in the audience gasping at times, given that the BBCs role and its relationships with other players tend to be at the center of attention in the U.K. TV world. Amid an ongoing debate about the BBCs future ahead of its current royal charter, which details its priorities and governance, Davie on Tuesday also called the independence of the BBC, and other public broadcasters around the world, sacrosanct and urged to ensure universal funding for the broadcaster. He even expressed concern that there could well be a future in which people dont care anymore about the U.K. public broadcaster. The BBC is venture capital for the U.K., he also argued in highlighting its ability to invest in areas outside of London, including in the likes of Manchester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serving people rather than forcing things on audiences is key, Davie also mentioned on Tuesday, mentioning that AI can help with curation. His comments came a year after he had highlighted the red alert situation for public service broadcasters in many parts of the world at the conference, saying about the U.K. public broadcaster that he leads: I dont want to be a market failure. A BBC review of allegations of bullying, published at the end of April, found no evidence of a toxic culture but a minority of people whose behavior is simply not acceptable. The broadcaster vowed to take immediate action to improve workplace culture after publishing the comprehensive independent report that its board had commissioned. Tuesdays conference also featured top executives from the likes of the Walt Disney Co., streaming giant Netflix, and Comcast-owned Sky and Sky Studios. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. TEHRAN, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Germany have expressed readiness to continue talks on Tehran's nuclear program and the removal of sanctions. In a phone call on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, discussed bilateral ties and other issues of common interest, said the Iranian Foreign Ministry on its website on Tuesday. Araghchi hoped that bilateral relations would improve, voicing Iran's readiness to take effective steps to that end. As for the ongoing indirect talks between Iran and the United States on Tehran's nuclear program and the lifting of Washington's sanctions, he highlighted the importance of Europe's "constructive" role in the resolution of the nuclear issue. Araghchi voiced Iran's willingness to continue dialogue with Germany, France, Britain, and the European Union on those issues. For his part, the German foreign minister said that his country was ready to continue bilateral and multilateral talks with Iran and to take further steps to enhance mutual trust. The two sides also decided to make the arrangements for political talks between the Iranian and German foreign ministries on certain bilateral issues, according to the statement. Iran and the three European countries of France, Germany, and Britain have held several rounds of talks covering Tehran's nuclear program and the removal of sanctions. The latest round was held in Istanbul last month. The BBC makes the UK front pages almost every day but Director General Tim Davie isnt so worried about that. Instead, he floated a more worrying vision of the future this morning where people dont care about the nations public broadcaster. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should not take people caring for granted, he said. Institutions are in big trouble if they assume engagement and there is any degree of talk [around them not caring]. We are absolutely the classic patriarchal broadcast organization. The worry is a mainstream weaponization where people dont care [about the BBC]. Davie said he is fine with the BBC making headlines, which he described as one of the joys of our free press let celebrate the fact people care. Neighbors talk to me about whats going on and whos going to host Match of the Day, and lots more added Davie. But its the 10 people on the other side of the room who dont care that Im worrying about. Davie also issued a plea for a new BBC funding mechanism to protect national IP and end an era of begrudging, grinding cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As charter renewal in 2027 and the possible end of the license fee draws ever close, Davie told the conference today that if we drift the way we are now we will be in a crisis and so quick decisions are required. He was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference after Sky boss Dana Strong and before Netflix EMEA chief Larry Tanz and UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement for San Diego and Orange counties Tuesday morning, warning of high surf and the chance for thunderstorms in the region. The NWS issues beach hazard statements when threats like rip currents or lightning create dangerous conditions for people recreating on beaches and in or near the water. In San Diego and Orange counties, south- and southwest-facing beaches, the surf could rise between 3 to 5 feet with sets up to 6 feet high through at least Tuesday afternoon, according to the NWS. More weather: Forecast | Alerts | Live Radar | Newsletter High tide for San Diego County is expected around 6:30 p.m. with an elevation of over 4 feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People planning to be in the water are encouraged to use caution due to strong rip currents, the NWS added. The warning extends from swimmers and surfers to people recreating on boats due to erratic winds of 30 knots expected. There is also the potential of a waterspout forming. In addition, a chance of thunderstorms could bring lightning to the region. Due to the conditions, the NWS issued a warning for beach lightning, stating there is a potential for lightning strikes to hit the water that might result in injury or death. People are encouraged to wait until the storm passes and stay away from metal objects. The beach hazards statement is in effect through Tuesday night. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. STANSBURY PARK, Utah (ABC4) On May 30, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) said that they were searching for a black bear caught on a bird feeder camera in Stansbury Park. According to DWR, a bear in Tooele County is an extremely rare occurrence. Since that sighting, the Stansbury Park bear has gained some popularity on social media. Reactions have ranged from disbelief to requests that the bear be left alone, and even one commenter who said theyd like to name the bear Squishy. A Facebook video shared by the North Tooele Fire District last night joined in on the joke. It has garnered several hundred reactions on Facebook. The caption reads, We THOUGHT wed found the infamous Stansbury Park bear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the video, a firefighter tells the camera that they think they spotted the alleged bear. Several firefighters gather around a statue of a bear, hoping to capture it, before theyre stopped. Guys, stop! Everythings okay, this is Smokey the Bear, another firefighter says. My bad, pack it up, a firefighter responds. They all turn around and walk away from the statue, and the video ends. One comment in response to the video read, This is a dangerous situation. I think youre trying to make it a joke. I found donut crumbs on my picnic table thats [too] close for comfort. A local Tooele County towing company, Desert Edge Towing LLC, posted an AI photo of a bear in one of their tow-trucks, saying, Dont worry guys, we got the bear! Were taking him back home. DWRs search for the bear In an interview with ABC4 on Friday, Michael Packer, the conservation outreach manager with DWR, spoke about the black bear sighting in Stansbury Park. He said the bear was first spotted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best way to avoid is just to give these animals space. We co-occupy a wonderful state. We have a lot of cool wildlife, as we grow, we kind of make our way into their backyard, Packer said. Packer said that biologists had placed a safe live-catch trap in hopes of capturing the bear. The trap does not harm the bear, but it would help DWR safely remove it from the area. On Friday, he said they were putting out a trap one more time before wrapping up in the area unless they heard another bear report. Were coming into bear season, where theres a lot of recreation happening on the landscape, these bears have been coming out of like a hibernation state theyre out and theyre actively feeding, Packer explained. Chances are higher now of encountering these bears. Although you might be more likely to spot a bear now that winter is over, Packer said that the odds are still low, and its not an increasing occurrence. According to DWR, the most recent estimate was 4,000 minimum adult bears in 2021, and estimates indicate a decline in this population in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DWR offers the following instructions for someone who might encounter a bear: Stand your ground: Never back up, lie down, or play dead. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. Prepare to use your bear spray or another deterrent. Dont run away or climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph you cannot outclimb or outrun them. Know bear behavior. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, its not being aggressive. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest. If a black bear attacks, always fight back. And never give up! People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything: rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles and even their hands and feet. On Monday, Packer provided an update on the search for the bear. It has not been caught, and biologists have removed the trap from the area. This young bear was likely on a walk-about from the Wasatch Range and wandered into this area, Packer said in an email to ABC4. He said that a bear in Tooele County is an extremely rare occurrence, and DWR doesnt have a record of black bears in the county, and theres only one historical record from early settlers in Tooele County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Packer said that if you see a bear, report it to DWR during business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. 5 p.m.) or contact your local police department outside of business hours so they can alert DWR. Nick Butts contributed to this report. 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. A bed bug-ridden stay at a Ventura hotel turned into a multimillion-dollar jury payout for two guests who were "massacre[d] from bed bug bites" during their visit, according to court records. A jury on Friday ordered the Shores Inn to pay $2 million to Alvaro Gutierrez and Ramiro Sanchez, in what may be one of the largest known bed bug-related jury awards. "The bed bugs latched onto the Plaintiffs while they slept, sucked their blood until they were gorged, and resisted eradication," according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A representative for Shores Inn did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An attorney representing the hotel in the suit declined to comment. According to their complaint, Gutierrez and Sanchez were "exposed to painful and disgusting bed bug infestations," and suffered physical, emotional, and mental anguish as a result of their Feb. 7, 2020, stay at the beachside hotel. "The management was not taking good care of the place," said Brian Virag, attorney for Gutierrez and Sanchez. "Turns out, they had experience with bed bugs at that hotel dating back a long time." Read more: L.A. man scalded by Starbucks drinks is awarded $50 million Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hotel, located near the 101 Freeway and just a short walk from Ventura Beach, touts easy parking and proximity to the Ventura Pier and the Ventura Harbor. The complaint, filed in December 2021, alleges the two men rented a room at the hotel and immediately began experiencing bed bug bites. The suit also alleged that management at the hotel must have been aware of bed bug problems because several online reviews on Google and Yelp warned guests about bed bugs at the hotel, located at 1059 South Seaward Ave. in Ventura. Despite knowing about the problem, the suit alleges, management failed to eradicate the pests from the hotel, exposing guests to harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutierrez and Sanchez left the hotel after one night, Virag said, and had to seek medical treatment as a result of the bites. On May 23, a jury awarded Gutierrez $400,000 in damages for past and future pain, disfigurement, grief, and emotional distress as a result of the injuries. Sanchez was awarded $600,000 in damages, according to court records. The jury also awarded $500,000 each to the two men in punitive damages. But Wendy Lascher, an appellate attorney recently hired by the hotel owners, said her clients were considering the possibility of appealing the decision, or moving for a mistrial or new trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's unusual factors that go beyond the initial facts of the case," she said. After the verdict was issued and the jury was dismissed, court records show that a note was found inside one of the notebooks given to jurors, suggesting two of the jurors had been near the Shores Inn hotel during the trial. The note also stated that one member of the jurors, in chambers, told other jurors that the hotel was "an eyesore & should be tore down." "I just need to clear my conscious," the note read. Virag said the note did not change the facts of the case. "It is not uncommon that the losing party will attempt to appeal the decision of 12 members of the community," he said. "We will let the courts handle that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the Disneyland Resort agreed to pay $100,000 to a resort hotel guest in a lawsuit settlement addressing claims she was bitten by bedbugs during a visit in 2018. The following year, a British tourist represented by Virag won a $375,000 award after being attacked by bed bugs during a stay at a Hollywood Hills home. Virag, an Encino-based attorney who has specialized in bed bug cases filed against hotels and apartments, said the $2-million jury award is the largest one he's seen in bed bug-related cases in his career. 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. BELMONT, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Three Belmont Abbey College nursing students have been selected among only five nationwide to join a Mercy Ships internship program. Nursing students Emma Harris, Caroline Gutierrez and Eric Dike will take part in the inaugural summer internship program. Mercy Ships is a global Christian nonprofit organization that delivers healthcare to communities in medical deserts by operating fully volunteer staffed hospital ships that provide free, life-changing surgeries and medical care. Charlotte nonprofit gives families furniture to make their house into a home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This summer, the trio will spend two weeks aboard a floating hospital ship in Madagascar, the Africa Mercy, shadowing medical professionals, assisting in transformative surgeries, and witnessing care being delivered to those who would otherwise go untreated. All three are from North Carolina: Gutierrez, Gastonia; Harris, Charlotte, Dike, Wake Forest. But this once-in-a-lifetime experience comes with a challenge. Gutierrez, Dike and Harris must raise funds to cover their travel and participation costs. Theyve each launched a GoFundMe campaign to make this mission possible:. The Belmont Abbey students will depart with Mercy Ships on July 26. 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 Queen City News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Bend man is in custody after he threatened to carry out a mass shooting over the weekend, police say. Authorities say 36-year-old Nathaniel Benjamin Wright told a family member he was planning to execute a mass shooting following a family argument. The threat was reported to Bend police on Friday afternoon. Union Gospel Mission victim count jumps to 12, stabbing suspect IDd Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When law enforcement responded to Wrights home near 3000 NE Waller Ave., officers said they saw him walk from his home to a white truck parked in the driveway, carrying an AR-15-style rifle and a duffel bag and wearing a ballistic vest. Screen grab from surveillance video shows Bend police arresting a man who threatened a mass shooting on May 30, 2025 (Courtesy to KOIN) Police stopped Wright at gunpoint, took him into custody, and took him to St. Charles Bend. Oregon Senate passes bump stock ban, allows expansion of gun-free zones Officers searched Wrights vehicle and home, and applied for and were granted an Extreme Risk Protection Order, which is a court order preventing a person at risk of hurting themselves or another person from having or getting access to deadly weapons like firearms, according to Bend authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say Wright was known to own multiple firearms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) The New Bern Police Department is currently searching for Brandon Jones, a 15-year-old black male who was last seen on June 2, near Cedar Street early in the afternoon. Jones stands around 56 tall, has black hair styled in an afro, and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants. If you have any information regarding Jones location, please contact the New Bern Police Department at (252) 672-4100 or the Craven County Crime Stoppers at (252) 633-5141. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Across abandoned expanses of Scotlands wildest terrain, ancient footpaths chart a nearly forgotten history: Hundreds of mourners trudging from coasts and valleys, shouldering corpses in caskets for many miles. Over tall mountains, through rivers and woodlands, never letting the body touch the ground. Steeped in premonitions and superstition, these treks were a rural cultures oldest death rites. Now, theyre some of the most unique hikes you can take. Corpse, or coffin roads, were used throughout the Scottish Highlands and Islands to carry caskets on foot from the remotest places once populated by thousands, to cemeteries with burial rites. The Coffin Roads by Ian Bradley explains the centuries-old folk practices and lore associated with these well-trod trails in the West Highlands and Hebrides, which differentiate them from similar paths found throughout the United Kingdom. A funeral in the Scottish Highlands. Illustration from the 19th century. Photograph by clu, Getty Images Bradley describes multi-day wakes turning raucous and exuberant, with whisky as an entire community prepared for a funeral procession of epic proportions. Groups of women skilled at keening crooned over the body, often following behind as the men set off, several at a time hoisting a heavy casket shoulder-high. Theyd rest and change bearers often, propping the coffin on piles of stones called cairns, which can still be found in many uninhabited places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cairns were part of a series of rituals to prevent the dead from returning home, like traveling in winding routes to confuse the spirit, through water where it couldnt follow; and the bodys feet pointed towards the burial site. These practices, Bradley says, initiated grieving in a community-led pilgrimage of gradual transition for both the living and the dead. ScotWays, a charity maintaining Scotlands rights of public access, details how to find several coffin roads in its guidebook, Scottish Hill Tracks. Volunteer director Tim Simons says its difficult to estimate how many existed. Separate from other paths traveled in daily life, used only to usher coffins, many are lost to living memory. Quite a few will have fallen out of use over 100 years ago, Simons says, but those that remain, are an important part of the countrys cultural heritage, well worth exploring. The more people travel [here], he continues, the busier it gets, but these routes are still relatively quiet. You can often do one and not see a single soul all day. Whether youre undertaking a journey to commemorate a transition or just want to see some of Scotlands most awe-inducing places, here are five coffin roads to explore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Hiking in the Scottish Highlands: Expert tips on five challenging routes to the peaks) Best coffin road walks for beginners One of Britains most important historic sites is a great starting point. Just over two hours from Glasgow, Kilmartin Glen holds more than 350 ancient relics like burial cairns, standing stones, and barrowsmany prehistoric, constructed before Englands Stonehenge or Egypts earliest pyramidsall clustered in a six-mile stretch outside Kilmartin village. Kilmartin Parish Church in Kilmartin Glen, Scotland. Photograph by UK City Images, Alamy The Kilmartin Stones are a collection of 79 ancient gravestonesone exception being a side-slab of a tomb chestat Kilmartin Parish Church. Photograph by Alba Tross, Alamy Bradley describes this as the archetypal coffin road. Its clear from archaeological evidence that it was essentially a ritual landscape, he explains. Theres no evidence [of] people living there, its all monuments to the dead. Its prime purpose seems to have been as a kind of coffin road through which the dead would have been carried, with probably considerable ceremony, to various kinds of graves. The easily accessible, roughly three-mile walk along flat paths winds through a linear cemetery, connecting some of the valleys main sites. (10 whimsical ways to experience Scotland) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Green Isle Walk is also well-suited for beginners. It was one of several purported coffin roads crossing the West Highland Peninsulas to meet at a jetty on Loch Shiel; here, boats carrying caskets departed for St. Finans Isle, also called the Green Isle. The Green Isle is a holy site dating to at least the seventh century that contains remains of a medieval chapel and a burial ground still in use. Just under three miles, out and back, the path follows Loch Shiels shoreline, through Scots pine, Atlantic oak, and green fields dotted with Cheviot sheep en route to the pier. Across the water, catch glimpses of stone crosses and tombstones silhouetted against the hills. Intermediate island hikes One of the most famous coffin roads is also one of the most frequented. The Isle of Harris was a substitute for planet Jupiter in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, and, more recently, the setting of Coffin Road, a crime novel by Peter May. The long reputed coffin route on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides crosses the islands dramatic interior through the hill pass of Bealach Eorabhat, headed for turquoise-edged white sand beaches, and cemeteries along the west coast. Over eight miles, lunar outcrops give way to moorlands and sweeping views of cliffs where golden eagles nest. The Coffin Route on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides crosses the islands dramatic interior toward the area's white sand beaches. Photograph by David Forster, Alamy Craig McDonald, a trip leader with Wilderness Scotland, describes their most-requested coffin trek as a special one where cairns can still be seen. Its moderately difficult, he explains, but its trickiness doesnt come so much from climbing, its more that there are a couple of sections up to the high point of Bealach Eorabhat, where the path peters out, but there arent many other tracks that break off from it, so its difficult to take the wrong way. Still, he recommends carrying a map and knowing how to use it. If a fog or mist came in, it could get a bit disorienting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (8 activities to do under the stars in Scotland) Challenging hiking trails in Scotland For experienced hikers, some of the most remote trails can give the best sense of just how grueling these funeral processions were. McDonald describes the Applecross peninsulas Kenmore to Applecross route as a stunning walk with beautiful terrain. It also features several old coffin cairns and historical features like stone markers and wrought iron gates. (Why the Scottish Highlands is the best birdwatching destination in the UK) The paths destination would have likely been what is now Clachan Church, an early 19th-century building on the site of a seventh-century monastery. Its a challenging [hike], McDonald says, youre in very remote country and people often do it as an out-and-back walk which is about [20 miles]. The track ascends about [1,640 feet] and its quite wet and boggy in places. There are a couple of river crossings as well, so if theres been heavy rain in the days prior, I would err away from doing it unless youre experienced or dont mind getting your feet wet. The 11th-century Clachan Duich Church in Kintail National Scenic Area. Photograph by Philip Sayer, Alamy The coffin road to Kintail, one of the most storied paths, travels through its namesake, Kintail National Scenic Area. Its one of several believed to have led over the Kintail mountains, which include multiple Munros (mountains in Scotland with an elevation greater than 3,000 feet), to Clachan Duich, an ancient burial ground sprawled around ruins of an 11th-century church at the head of a sea loch. Accounts of smugglers huts, 18th-century massacres, and mountaineer Frank Smythes well-documented paranormal visions along the route make it one of the most evocative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stretching 26 miles, from Glen Strathfarrar, it scales a high mountain pass and takes in the Falls of Glomach, one of Britains highest waterfalls. Its a very rugged landscape, Bradley says. You get a sense of the huge effort and hard work involved in carrying a heavy coffin over that terrain. (An eco-conscious adventure through the Scottish Highlands) Andrea Bussell is a writer and ex-New Yorker living in the mountains of Scotland's Highlands. Her writing about travel and culture is rooted in a love of nature, slow living, and indigenous wisdom of the places she visits. See more at @ambussell. UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Hostilities across Gaza are causing mass casualties, many from attacks apparently on people gathering for food aid at newly established militarized sites, UN humanitarians said on Monday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the situation is worsening by the day, with its partners reporting scores of people killed and injured, apparently while gathering to receive supplies near militarized distribution centers in Rafah and Deir al-Balah. "I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday (on Sunday). It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement. His spokesman Stephane Dujarric said later Monday that the UN chief condemned Sunday's killing and maiming of Palestinians. At least 31 people were killed and dozens of others seriously injured on Sunday morning when Israeli forces opened fire near a humanitarian aid distribution point in Rafah, southern Gaza, where residents were gathering to receive aid, according to the Gaza-based health authorities. Israel denied involvement in the killing. Guterres called for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Guterres said Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs in Gaza must be restored immediately. The United Nations must be allowed to work in safety and security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles. OCHA said that attacks against health facilities have also continued. The office said that in North Gaza, the Noura Al Kaabi Center for Dialysis was reportedly hit. The health authorities in Gaza reported that more than 40 percent of dialysis patients in Gaza have died since the escalation of the hostilities in October 2023 because the centers were either struck or have become unreachable. OCHA said that with the continuing hostilities, people have been forced to flee once again. On Saturday, Israeli authorities issued another displacement order in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, affecting about 100,000 people living in more than 200 displacement sites. The office said two primary health care centers and five medical points are within the displacement area. Three hospitals, three field hospitals, seven primary health care centers, and 20 medical points are located within a 1,000-meter radius of the facilities. OCHA said that since March 18 when a cease-fire collapsed, humanitarian partners estimate that more than 640,000 people, nearly a third of Gaza's entire population, have been displaced again across the strip. "The latest displacement order also deprived at least 8,000 students of learning, as tens of functioning temporary learning spaces and a dozen public schools had to suspend their operations," the humanitarian office said. "These closures constitute a severe setback for children's education, limiting access to a safe and structured learning environment." OCHA said the world body and its humanitarian partners continue efforts to identify and treat malnutrition whenever possible and as dwindling supplies allow. Last week, they distributed nutritional supplements to approximately 40,000 children despite severe challenges and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. The office said that as people endure deprivation, hunger and the absence of adequate food distribution, looting incidents continue to be reported. The vast majority are people taking flour directly from open trucks out of apparent desperation. However, humanitarian teams report more criminal looting. Israel requires aid delivery trucks to be open flatbeds for security reasons. Guterres and UN partners call for the complete lifting of the restrictions on aid and other essentials to ensure the needs of civilians in Gaza are met. OCHA said people in Gaza continue to suffer from frequent water shortages. The pipeline in Deir al-Balah, which supplied at least 12,000 cubic meters every day, is still not operational and humanitarians' attempts to carry out coordinated missions to repair it have been denied. On Monday, five missions to distribute potable water in the displacement camps in Jabaliya were also denied by Israeli authorities, it said. The office said its humanitarian partners working on protection report that last week, five organizations suspended their services due to ongoing hostilities, displacement and access restrictions in Gaza City and North Gaza. However, despite the trauma, exhaustion, and anxiety among displaced workers and volunteers, partners reached thousands of individuals with life-saving protection services during the last two days. OCHA said that in view of desperate conditions, the need for safe shelter, mental health care and basic aid remains acute. Over the weekend, the world body and its partners reported bringing supplies from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing into Gaza. More than 100 truckloads of food and medical supplies were picked up on Saturday and Sunday, bringing to more than 300 the number of truckloads picked up from the Gaza side of the crossing since it was reopened. "One of our attempts to collect supplies from Kerem Shalom was denied," OCHA said. "Another was still ongoing, awaiting a green light from Israeli authorities, a pause in the bombing along the route, and the allocation of a viable path." The only border crossing from Israel into the strip was kept closed over the weekend because of an Israeli holiday, preventing the UN from bringing more supplies through it since Saturday. OCHA said that even when the crossing is open, severe restrictions on what humanitarians can bring in, both in terms of volume and variety, mean that the supplies entering Gaza are still a mere trickle and fall far short of what people need. On Thursday, President Donald Trumps Department of Homeland Security released a list of jurisdictions it said defied federal immigration law, including Boise. On Saturday, Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue criticized the list. Now, the department has removed the list from its website. Was Donahue, a Republican who supports Trump, coming to the defense of Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, a Democrat who opposes him? Hes not saying. A county spokesperson said Monday that Donahue was tied up with meetings related to the list and was unavailable for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he is coming to the defense of fellow sheriffs around the country. Donahue is president of the National Sheriffs Association, and its under that banner that he spoke out. Its unclear why Boise was included on the list, since sanctuary cities are banned in Idaho. Donahue issued a statement Saturday saying the department sought no input for its listing, provided no indication of the criteria used for making the list, and offered no way to object to it. 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, Donahue said. The Sheriffs of this country feel betrayed. Donahue said members of the National Sheriffs Association and the Department of Homeland Security met on Saturday to talk about the list. However, no political appointees could explain who compiled, proofed and verified the list, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an emailed statement on Friday, a department spokesperson told the Idaho Statesman that the list was based on several factors, including places calling themselves sanctuary cities, legal protections for undocumented immigrants and restrictions on immigration sharing. The list can be changed at any time, the spokesperson said. There is no clear definition of sanctuary city, local lawyers told the Idaho Statesman. Sanctuary cities grew in popularity before Trumps first term and colloquially refer to areas where officials limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. For example, some sanctuary cities dont comply with immigration detainers, which are requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for jails to notify agents of a persons release from jail or hold someone for agents to come get them. Boise doesnt have a jail, nor does it have jurisdiction over Ada Countys. McLean said Friday that she was waiting to hear from the department why Boise made the list the only jurisdiction in Idaho that did. On Saturday, at a local Pride event, McLean told the Statesman that Boise was not a sanctuary city, and were not in charge of the jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho lawyers and an immigrant advocate told the Statesman that Boise does not appear to be violating federal immigration laws. I was very confused when I saw Boise was on the list. They do work with ICE, said Estefania Mondragon, executive director of PODER of Idaho, a local group dedicated to immigrant and Latino communities. If anything, PODER thinks that Boise can do more for undocumented immigrants. In 2019, Welcoming America certified Boise as a Welcoming City, for immigrants, in part because of local organizations that helped refugees feel comfortable. But that is not the same as a sanctuary city. The term sanctuary may even be a bit of a misnomer: Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials can do immigration enforcement anywhere in the country, according to Geoffrey Heeren, a University of Idaho law professor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho may have banned sanctuary cities, but neighboring states have embraced them. In Washington State, the Keep Washington Working Act instructs law enforcement to not honor immigration detainers. This issue has become really politicized, Heeren said. The reality is that under federal law, theres a spectrum in terms of the allowable involvement of state and local governments. Trump administration just listed Boise as an immigrant sanctuary. But is it? These immigrants in Idaho fled violence. Now they face a harsh reality Former State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says that he personally believes Israel has been committing war crimes against the Palestinian people including during his tenure in the Biden administration, where, as a major voice of U.S. foreign policy, he daily defended Israels flattening of Gaza to the American public. Speaking to Sky News Mark Stone on the Trump 100 podcast, Miller said on Monday that it is without a doubt true that Israel has committed war crimes in the territory. When Stone asked if he held this belief while serving as spokesperson, he said yes. Look, one of the things about being a spokesperson is youre not a spokesperson for yourself. Youre a spokesperson for the president, the administration and you espouse the positions of the administration, Miller said. And when youre not in the administration, you can just give your own opinions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ex-State Department official said he believes Israeli soldiers committed war crimes in individual instances rather than as part of a wider policy of systematically erasing the Palestinian people, as muchof the international community has now accused the Israeli government. We were expecting it coming, Hamid Bendaas, spokesperson for the pro-Palestinian nonprofit IMEU Policy Project, told HuffPost of Millers admission. But I think this is the first foray of that of Biden admin officials being like, Oh yeah, we were hard on Israel, we werent super pro-Israel, after saying for over a year that they were the most pro-Israel administration of all time, and a lot of the reporting since then obviously backing it up. But [Miller] is saying that hes speaking about covering war crimes, right? Its not even covering up Bidens age or stuff like that, Bendaas continued. But covering up a war crime that you know happened, and saying that doesnt happen because youre following orders? Thats basically what hes saying he did. Its just a different thing. United Nations officials,human rights groups and some world leaders have described Israels actions as genocidal, a term Miller rejected. Still, his comments on Monday represent a huge pivot from the statements he made every day on behalf of former Secretary of State Antony Blinken while heclashed with reporters who tried to push himon the U.S. role in unconditionally supporting and arming an Israeli offensive that has now reached its nineteenth month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has to be said that Miller is also guilty of, at minimum, facilitating these war crimes, progressive strategist Rania Batrice posted on X. Matthew Miller, almost daily, not only lied to the public and the press, he did it in a shitty condescending way, in an attempt to mislead the public. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller speaks to reporters during the daily press briefing in Washington, D.C., on June 3, 2024. Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images Though Miller insisted that he believed Israeli war crimes were individual acts, the State Department was aware that the Israeli government was committing possible war crimes. Experts within the U.S. government concluded last year that Israel was intentionally blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza a major development that would legally require the Biden administration to stop sending weapons to Israel. Blinken rejected the findings and delivered a report to Congress without that information, leading report author Stacy Gilbert to resign in protest. Gilbert was one of many Biden appointees who, unlike Miller, resigned over the administrations unconditional support for Israel in its bombing campaign. Biden resignee and A New Policy co-founder Josh Paul told HuffPost, The Biden Administrations wanton lawbreaking when it came to what was happening in Gaza was no less a scandal than Watergate, and in the context of its human impact, probably a greater one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller is the latest in a growing number of voices changing their tune and speaking out against Israels military campaign, the plight of Palestinians and the humanitarian crisis plaguing Gaza. The former spokesperson said that he wished the Biden administration did more to pressure Israel to accept a ceasefire deal after May 2024, when documentation of the militarys indiscriminate violence against civilians became nearly impossible to ignore. Im happy to be punitive to Matt Miller, but we also want to see more people be doing what Matt Miller is doing in a way, because its a sign that they are recognizing that public opinion has shifted pretty rapidly on this, Bendaas said. And especially on the Democratic side, its just extremely unpopular to be pro-Israel in the way that Democrats have been for the last few decades. Related... First she hovered, and now she's flown! Eaglet Sunny stretched her wings Monday and flew out of the family nest for the first time, thrilling fans of the live webcam that monitors the Big Bear family of eagles that includes mom Jackie, dad Shadow and sibling Gizmo. Video showed that, as the eaglet took off at 10:46 a.m., Gizmo's head swiveled, monitoring as Sunny fledged, or made an inaugural flight from the nest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's exciting to have this beautiful, successful moment and, at the same time, sad that we won't be seeing her as much anymore," said Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that operates the 24-hour nest cam. "It's great that she's successfully flown the nest." Sometimes when eaglets fly the nest, they don't return, Steers told The Times in an earlier interview. But Sunny didn't go far. Later Monday morning, one of the camera operators found the eaglet perching at the top of a tree near the 145-foot-tall Jeffrey pine that holds the family's huge nest. What happens next for newly independent Sunny? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents Jackie and Shadow, will be following the eaglet around, protecting her and helping her find food for anywhere between a few weeks and a few months, Steers said. Eagles dont reach sexual maturity until theyre around 4 or 5 years old. The first year of life can be perilous for an eagle. Because of its inexperience, a juvenile bald eagle has less than a 50% chance of surviving, according to the American Eagle Foundation. If they survive, they can live 15 to 30 years in the wild. Meanwhile, Gizmo will be turning 13 weeks old Saturday and hasn't taken off yet. Eaglets usually fledge at 10 to 14 weeks of age. Up until Monday, both eaglets had been practicing venturing out onto tree limbs, where they would flap their wings and bounce. They'd also tried hovering which happens when an eaglet catches the wind at just the right moment and it takes their body off the ground, but they don't fully leave the nest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunny is the fourth eaglet from Jackie and Shadow that has fledged. Three have fledged since the camera was installed, according to Steers, which she said is par for the course. The webcam was installed in 2015 and recorded its first nesting season in 2017. 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. Demonstrators gather for a protest organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee calling for the continuation of MinnesotaCare for adults in the country without authorization at the Minnesota State Capitol in May. The Republican budget bill the U.S. House passed last month would penalize Medicaid expansion states that provide health care to immigrants who are here on humanitarian parole. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) The Republican budget bill the U.S. House approved last month includes a surprise for the 40 states that have expanded Medicaid: penalties for providing health care to some immigrants who are here legally. Along with punishing the 14 states that use their own funds to cover immigrants who are here illegally, analysts say last-minute changes to the bill would make it all but impossible for states to continue helping some immigrants who are in the country legally, on humanitarian parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the bill, the federal government would slash funding to states that have expanded Medicaid and provide coverage to immigrants who are on humanitarian parole immigrants who have received permission to temporarily enter the United States due to an emergency or urgent humanitarian reason. The federal government pays 90% of the cost of covering adults without children who are eligible under Medicaid expansion, but the bill would cut that to 80% for those states, doubling the state portion from 10% to 20%. Thats the same penalty the bill proposes for states that use their own money to help immigrants who are here illegally. Ironically, states such as Florida that have extended Medicaid coverage to immigrants who are here on humanitarian parole but have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act would not be harmed by the bill, said Leonardo Cuello, a Medicaid law and policy expert and research professor at the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policy. It is wildly nonsensical and unfair to penalize expansion states for covering a population that some non-expansion states, such as Florida, also cover, Cuello said. It would appear that the purpose is more to punish expansion states than address any genuine concern with immigrant coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia is one of the states where lawmakers are nervously watching U.S. Senate discussions on the proposed penalty. Republican state Rep. Matt Rohrbach, a deputy House speaker, said West Virginia legislators tabled a proposal that would have ended Medicaid expansion if the federal government reduced its share of the funding, because the states congressional representatives assured them it wasnt going to happen. Now the future is murkier. Cuello called the proposed penalty basically a gun to the head of the states. Congress is framing it as a choice, but the state is being coerced and really has no choice, he said. There are about 1.3 million people in the United States on humanitarian parole, from Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Ukraine and Venezuela as well as some Central American children who have rejoined family here. The Trump administration is trying to end parole from some of those countries. A Supreme Court decision May 30 allows the administration to end humanitarian parole for about 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not many of those parolees qualify for Medicaid, which requires a waiting period or special status, but the 40 states with expanded Medicaid could be penalized if immigrants qualify for the program, said Tanya Broder, senior counsel for health and economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center. It would appear that the purpose is more to punish expansion states than address any genuine concern with immigrant coverage. Leonardo Cuello, Georgetown University research professor Meanwhile, an increasing number of states and the District of Columbia already are considering scaling back Medicaid coverage for immigrants because of the costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal budget bill, named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is now being considered by the Senate, where changes are likely. The fact that so many states could be affected by the last-minute change could mean more scrutiny in that chamber, said Andrea Kovach, senior attorney for health care justice at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law in Chicago. By her count, at least 38 states and the District of Columbia would be affected by the new restrictions, since they accepted some options now offered by Medicaid to cover at least some humanitarian parolees without a five-year waiting period. Theyre all going to be penalized because they added in parolees, Kovach said. So thats 38 times two senators who are going to be very interested in this provision to make sure their state doesnt get their reimbursement knocked down. The change to exclude people with humanitarian parole was included in a May 21 amendment by U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, a Texas Republican who chairs the House budget committee. Arringtons office did not reply to a request for comment, though he has stressed the importance of withholding Medicaid from immigrants who are here illegally. [Democrats] want to protect health care and welfare at any cost for illegal immigrants at the expense of hardworking taxpayers, Arrington said in a May 22 floor speech urging passage of the bill. But by the results of this last election, its abundantly clear: The people see through this too and they have totally rejected the Democrats radical agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some states already are considering cutting Medicaid coverage for immigrants, though Democratic lawmakers and advocates are pushing back. Washington, D.C., Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed phasing out a program that provides Medicaid coverage to adults regardless of their immigration status, a move she says would save the District of Columbia $457 million. Minnesota advocates protested a state budget deal reached last month with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to phase out health care coverage for adults who are here illegally, a condition Republican lawmakers insisted on to avoid a shutdown. Similarly, Illinois advocates are protesting new state rules that will end a program that has provided Medicaid coverage to immigrants aged 42-64 regardless of their legal status. The program cost $1.6 billion over three years, according to a state audit. The state will continue a separate program that provides coverage for older adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our position is that decision-makers in Illinois shouldnt be doing Trumps work for him, said Kovach, of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Lets preserve health coverage for immigrants and stand up for Illinois immigrant residents who have been paying taxes into this state for years and need this coverage. Illinois state Sen. Graciela Guzman, a Democrat whose parents are refugees from El Salvador, said many of her constituents in Chicago may be forced to cancel chemotherapy or lifesaving surgery because of the changes. It was a state budget, but I think the federal reconciliation bill really set the tone for it, Guzman said. In a tough fiscal environment, it was really hard to set up a defense for this program. Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek is among the governors holding firm, saying that letting immigrants stay uninsured imposes costs on local hospitals and ends up raising prices for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The costs will go somewhere. When everyone is insured it is much more helpful to keep costs down and reasonable for everyone. Thats why weve taken this approach to give care to everyone, Kotek said at a news conference last month. Medicaid does pay for emergency care for low-income patients, regardless of their immigration status, and that would not change under the federal budget bill. Franny White, a spokesperson for the Oregon Health Authority, said her states Medicaid program covers about 105,000 immigrants, some of whom are here illegally. She said the policy, established by a 2021 state law, can save money in the long run. Uninsured people are less likely to receive preventive care due to cost and often wait until a condition worsens to the point that it requires more advanced, expensive care at an emergency department or hospital, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California was among the first states, along with Oregon, to offer health insurance to immigrants of all ages regardless of their legal status. But it now is considering cutting back, looking to save $5 billion as it seeks to close a $12 billion budget deficit. In May, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed freezing enrollment of immigrant adults who are here illegally, and charging them premiums to save money. Its possible that other states will decide to cut back these services because of budgetary concerns, said Drishti Pillai, director of immigrant health policy at KFF, a health policy research organization. If the federal budget bill passes with the immigrant health care provision intact, states would have more than two years to adjust, since the changes would not take effect until October 2027. We have time to really understand what the landscape looks like and really create a legal argument to make sure folks are able to maintain their health care coverage, said Enddy Almonord, director for Healthy Illinois, an advocacy group supporting universal health care coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify remarks from Tanya Broder at the National Immigration Law Center. Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Demonstrators gather for a protest organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee calling for the continuation of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults outside of the Governors Reception Room at the Minnesota State Capitol Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) The Republican budget bill the U.S. House approved last month includes a surprise for the 40 states that have expanded Medicaid: penalties for providing health care to some immigrants who are here legally. Along with punishing the 14 states that use their own funds to cover immigrants who are here illegally, analysts say last-minute changes to the bill would make it all but impossible for states to continue helping some immigrants who are in the country legally, on humanitarian parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the bill, the federal government would slash funding to states that have expanded Medicaid and provide coverage to immigrants who are on humanitarian parole immigrants who have received permission to temporarily enter the United States due to an emergency or urgent humanitarian reason. The federal government pays 90% of the cost of covering adults without children who are eligible under Medicaid expansion, but the bill would cut that to 80% for those states, doubling the state portion from 10% to 20%. Thats the same penalty the bill proposes for states that use their own money to help immigrants who are here illegally. Ironically, states such as Florida that have extended Medicaid coverage to immigrants who are here on humanitarian parole but have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act would not be harmed by the bill, said Leonardo Cuello, a Medicaid law and policy expert and research professor at the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policy. It is wildly nonsensical and unfair to penalize expansion states for covering a population that some non-expansion states, such as Florida, also cover, Cuello said. It would appear that the purpose is more to punish expansion states than address any genuine concern with immigrant coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia is one of the states where lawmakers are nervously watching U.S. Senate discussions on the proposed penalty. Republican state Rep. Matt Rohrbach, a deputy House speaker, said West Virginia legislators tabled a proposal that would have ended Medicaid expansion if the federal government reduced its share of the funding, because the states congressional representatives assured them it wasnt going to happen. Now the future is murkier. Cuello called the proposed penalty basically a gun to the head of the states. Congress is framing it as a choice, but the state is being coerced and really has no choice, he said. There are about 1.3 million people in the United States on humanitarian parole, from Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Ukraine and Venezuela as well as some Central American children who have rejoined family here. The Trump administration is trying to end parole from some of those countries. A Supreme Court decision May 30 allows the administration to end humanitarian parole for about 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not many of those parolees qualify for Medicaid, which requires a waiting period or special status, but the 40 states with expanded Medicaid could be penalized anyway when they do start accepting them as they begin to qualify, said Tanya Broder, senior counsel for health and economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center. It would appear that the purpose is more to punish expansion states than address any genuine concern with immigrant coverage. Leonardo Cuello, Georgetown University research professor Meanwhile, an increasing number of states and the District of Columbia already are considering scaling back Medicaid coverage for immigrants because of the costs. The federal budget bill, named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is now being considered by the Senate, where changes are likely. The fact that so many states could be affected by the last-minute change could mean more scrutiny in that chamber, said Andrea Kovach, senior attorney for health care justice at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law in Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By her count, at least 38 states and the District of Columbia would be affected by the new restrictions, since they accepted some options now offered by Medicaid to cover at least some humanitarian parolees without a five-year waiting period. Theyre all going to be penalized because they added in parolees, Kovach said. So thats 38 times two senators who are going to be very interested in this provision to make sure their state doesnt get their reimbursement knocked down. The change to exclude people with humanitarian parole was included in a May 21 amendment by U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, a Texas Republican who chairs the House budget committee. Arringtons office did not reply to a request for comment, though he has stressed the importance of withholding Medicaid from immigrants who are here illegally. [Democrats] want to protect health care and welfare at any cost for illegal immigrants at the expense of hardworking taxpayers, Arrington said in a May 22 floor speech urging passage of the bill. But by the results of this last election, its abundantly clear: The people see through this too and they have totally rejected the Democrats radical agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some states already are considering cutting Medicaid coverage for immigrants, though Democratic lawmakers and advocates are pushing back. Washington, D.C., Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed phasing out a program that provides Medicaid coverage to adults regardless of their immigration status, a move she says would save the District of Columbia $457 million. Minnesota advocates protested a state budget deal reached last month with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to phase out health care coverage for adults who are here illegally, a condition Republican lawmakers insisted on to avoid a shutdown. Similarly, Illinois advocates are protesting new state rules that will end a program that has provided Medicaid coverage to immigrants aged 42-64 regardless of their legal status. The program cost $1.6 billion over three years, according to a state audit. The state will continue a separate program that provides coverage for older adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our position is that decision-makers in Illinois shouldnt be doing Trumps work for him, said Kovach, of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Lets preserve health coverage for immigrants and stand up for Illinois immigrant residents who have been paying taxes into this state for years and need this coverage. Illinois state Sen. Graciela Guzman, a Democrat whose parents are refugees from El Salvador, said many of her constituents in Chicago may be forced to cancel chemotherapy or lifesaving surgery because of the changes. It was a state budget, but I think the federal reconciliation bill really set the tone for it, Guzman said. In a tough fiscal environment, it was really hard to set up a defense for this program. Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek is among the governors holding firm, saying that letting immigrants stay uninsured imposes costs on local hospitals and ends up raising prices for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The costs will go somewhere. When everyone is insured it is much more helpful to keep costs down and reasonable for everyone. Thats why weve taken this approach to give care to everyone, Kotek said at a news conference last month. Medicaid does pay for emergency care for low-income patients, regardless of their immigration status, and that would not change under the federal budget bill. Franny White, a spokesperson for the Oregon Health Authority, said her states Medicaid program covers about 105,000 immigrants, some of whom are here illegally. She said the policy, established by a 2021 state law, can save money in the long run. Uninsured people are less likely to receive preventive care due to cost and often wait until a condition worsens to the point that it requires more advanced, expensive care at an emergency department or hospital, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California was among the first states, along with Oregon, to offer health insurance to immigrants of all ages regardless of their legal status. But it now is considering cutting back, looking to save $5 billion as it seeks to close a $12 billion budget deficit. In May, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed freezing enrollment of immigrant adults who are here illegally, and charging them premiums to save money. Its possible that other states will decide to cut back these services because of budgetary concerns, said Drishti Pillai, director of immigrant health policy at KFF, a health policy research organization. If the federal budget bill passes with the immigrant health care provision intact, states would have more than two years to adjust, since the changes would not take effect until October 2027. We have time to really understand what the landscape looks like and really create a legal argument to make sure folks are able to maintain their health care coverage, said Enddy Almonord, director for Healthy Illinois, an advocacy group supporting universal health care coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. bluefield daily telegraph mataoaka After his excavator had a minor repair and some greasing up, Dan Wells with Empire Salvage started it up, raised its claw to the second-story rooftop and carefully probed the wall. Soon weathered bricks and rusty gutters were falling and dust was rising. The two-story Barger Street building in Matoaka was one of the larger structures in Mercer Countys latest batch of demolitions. Dilapidated Structures Officer Lori Mills and County Commissioner Greg Puckett watched Monday while the excavator was made ready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is one our group of 63 structures that we started in April and were down to just two structures left in this group, Mills said. This large structure and a house up in the hill behind over there that well get to. That will be the last one. Its a little difficult to get to. Many of Barger Streets buildings were built during the 1920s and 1930s. But obviously this building has seen better days. For as long as I can remember, its been storage for a construction company, Mills said. The owner approached us about going ahead and having it torn down. It had been broken into multiple times, all of the electrical had been stolen, and really its just a shell of a building at this point. Mills said the two-story building and the house could be Matoakas last demolitions. Bricks in neighboring lots mark where other buildings once stood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope so, she said. I hope so. I say that every time. I do hope we have been able to cut all the blight out and whats left, I hope gives people renewed incentive to want to fix up whats left. I think theres still some more left, Puckett said. Money-wise, this is the last one for now, Mills said. But should we get additional funding, yes, there are several more that could come down. In January 2024, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection awarded Mercer County a $750,000 grant for demolishing structures. Since 2023, the county has spent a $1.5 million grant clearing up blight. More than 300 dilapidated structures have been removed on the county level.County residents along with people in the towns of Athens, Bramwell and Oakvale, can still apply for demolition grants. Well, I have a little bit left, Mils said. I have about $87,000 left after this group, so Im going to do one more small group with just smalls. Ill be bidding that out by the end of the week, first of next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills is still accepting applications for demolition grants. I am, but Im very up front when people drop one off. I say hey, theres no guarantee at this point, she said. Well pick and choose what makes sense to go into this last batch. Demolition grant applications are available at Mills office in the Memorial Building in Princeton. Applications can be requested also by email at lori.mills@mercercountywv.org. Tearing down the two-story building was expected to take up much of the day. Its a lot deeper than you think. Its much bigger than you think it is, Puckett said about the building, And on the inside, when they fall it, theres a terrible floor thats already rotted out and youve probably got 10-feet of space to fill to go all the way back. Im with Lori. Its been around for a bit and it needs to go. Happy that the owner allowed us to come in and take care of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before starting the demolition, Dan Wells with Empire Salvage said his plan was to have the building demolished by that afternoon. There were some challenges such as the fact that the building was touching a neighboring structure. It should be fairly simple. A little issue with how its connected to that building, he said. It shouldnt be connected, but we wont know until we start picking it apart. Demolishing a structure takes more thought than smashing through its walls, Wells said. The job would be easier if the building was out in a field, but power lines and a neighboring structure had to be considered Monday. Youve got to just go in and start gently picking it apart, he said. We dont want to get anything in the parking lot. We just want to keep it all right there, contained. Dont want to interfere with the poles, the wire, the building. Just gently get into it. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Colombias ambitious plans for wind energy development, especially in the resource-rich La Guajira region, are facing serious setbacks as major companies pull out and projects stall, industry experts say. Margarita Nieves, director of the Colombian Offshore Wind Research Network, told The Associated Press that despite large targets including 1.1 gigawatts awarded in a 2019 auction only two wind farms are partially operating today, with a combined capacity of less than 32 megawatts. Colombias Mining and Energy Planning Unit estimates the country could generate up to 18 gigawatts of wind energy nearly double the nations current installed electricity capacity of 20 gigawatts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several companies brought equipment and infrastructure to Colombia around 2021 before securing permits, but parks remain unbuilt. Key obstacles include limited grid connection infrastructure in La Guajira, recent regulatory changes that reduce financial returns and complex social and leadership challenges. Colombia, Latin Americas third-most populous country, has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. President Gustavo Petro, the countrys first leftist leader, presents himself as an environmentalist and advocate of a just energy transition. Yet Colombia remains deeply reliant on fossil fuels oil is its top export and a major source of government revenue. In 2023, Italian multinational Enel withdrew from the Windpeshi onshore wind energy project in La Guajira. By late 2024, EDP Renewables canceled two major projects, Alpha and Beta, two large-scale onshore wind farms in the same region. In May, Colombian state-owned oil company Ecopetrol acquired nine solar and wind energy projects from Norways Statkraft, marking the European firms exit from the country. The portfolio spans La Guajira, Sucre, Cordoba, Caldas, and Magdalena, with a combined potential capacity of 1.3 gigawatts. Only one project is currently operational, with others expected to come online between 2026 and 2027. The move is part of Ecopetrols broader energy transition strategy to reduce reliance on oil and gas and meet net-zero goals by 2050. However, challenges like regulatory delays, governance concerns, and potential impacts on Colombias fiscal stability raise questions about the transitions pace and economic effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nieves warned that the situation is very concerning, with only two of over 20 planned projects advancing. She stressed the need to speed up regulatory processes, improve consultations with Indigenous communities notably the Wayuu in La Guajira and ensure sufficient electrical infrastructure. The delays also threaten Colombias offshore wind ambitions Colombia has more than 20 years of delay in wind energy, Nieves said. Brazil, in contrast, has built over 1,300 onshore wind farms in the last two decades and is a top global turbine producer." The wind energy projects were part of Colombias just energy transition, aiming to replace fossil fuels with renewables while supporting vulnerable groups like Indigenous peoples. The region is home to Cerrejon, one of the largest open-pit coal mines in the world and a major player in Latin Americas mining sector, which has been in operation since 1985. The mine has just nine years left in its life span, and its closure, without alternative plans in place, will deal a significant blow to the regions economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resistance to projects with Indigenous communities For Samuel Lanao, head of La Guajiras environmental authority, the main reason several licensed renewable energy projects are being sold off is because companies struggle with deep-rooted social tensions, particularly during the prior consultation process with local Indigenous communities. Lanao said confrontations have emerged between firms and residents, derailing expectations of development. This has been a major blow to La Guajira, he said, as there were high hopes for economic and social progress through these projects. The Wayuu people, a seminomadic Indigenous group in the arid La Guajira region of northern Colombia and Venezuela, remain divided over wind energy development. While some have welcomed the economic support offered by companies building turbines on their ancestral lands, many others have raised concerns over environmental and cultural impacts, and a lack of meaningful prior consultation, in what is one of Colombias poorest regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diego Patron, manager of the Jemeiwaa KaI wind project, a large-scale wind farm cluster in La Guajira, acknowledged the pioneering nature of Colombias early wind efforts, which began in a regulatory vacuum without clear institutional frameworks. These foundational projects faced a steep institutional and territorial learning curve, resulting in the loss of key strategic projects, Patron said. However, their legacy now forms the cornerstone for new initiatives." Patron believes that barriers around legitimate Wayuu community representation, environmental permitting, and contract resolutions have been overcome, creating more stable conditions. Patron said misinformation deepened tensions and unfairly damaged firms like EDP that, he says, aimed to support communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Many food products, particularly fish, are frozen to preserve freshness and slow spoilage as they are transported from fish farms to markets, all the way to consumers' kitchens. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are the two regulating bodies tasked with monitoring food quality and safety, as well as compliance among the producers, importers, and distributors of frozen fish products in the country. Whenever they find frozen fish products that don't meet food safety standards, or if importers and distributors don't comply with importation and inspection procedures, they issue recalls. Recalls are necessary because they prevent potential outbreaks and protect the public from harm. Although many compliant importers and manufacturers perform quality checks, sometimes problems like contamination and product mislabeling go unnoticed until a customer submits a formal complaint. The FDA is responsible for conducting safety inspections for all seafood. They had jurisdiction over all frozen fish products until May 2016, when inspection of all farm-raised and wild-caught Siluriformes became the responsibility of the FSIS. Siluriformes, also known as catfish, are a diverse group of bony, ray-finned fish that are mostly freshwater. Here are some of the biggest frozen fish recalls, including catfish, so far in U.S. history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 12 Cheap Fish You Should Absolutely Never Eat Khee Trading, Inc. Recalled 1,764 Cartons Of Frozen Half-Shell Oysters In 10 States (2025) A pack of frozen oysters with seasoned vegetables - mnimage/Shutterstock The most recent major recall of frozen seafood happened in May 2025. The FDA published a recall of frozen oysters harvested from the Republic of Korea suspected of being contaminated with norovirus. Khee Trading, Inc. from California initiated a recall, sending notices to consumers, restaurants, and distributors in at least 10 states where its frozen half-shell oysters were shipped. This is the latest in a string of recalls for oysters harvested and processed in Korea in 2024 to 2025. Earlier in the same month, the Pacific American Fish Company (PAFCO) ordered the recall of an undisclosed quantity of frozen half-shell oysters. In March, Sea Win, Inc. from Los Angeles voluntarily recalled 650 cases. A follow-up advisory from the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) would later reveal that Sea Win's supplier in Korea, which was also conducting a recall, sent 1,500 cases of the reportedly contaminated oysters. These recalls for contaminated oysters come on the heels of a norovirus outbreak in the country. The CDC documented 206 suspected and confirmed norovirus cases in the week of January 23, 2025 alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norovirus is highly contagious with symptoms emerging within 12 to 48 hours of exposure to the bacteria. Children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are the most vulnerable and may experience fevers, fatigue, and headaches. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and dehydration. Otten's Seafood Inc. Recalled 46,804 Pounds Of Whole Catfish And Catfish Steaks (2021) A close-up shot of frozen catfish steaks - Mariia Klymenko/Getty Images When certain steps in frozen food production are bypassed, the goods in question may be recalled because they haven't been cleared by inspectors from authorized regulating bodies. This was the reason for the recall of 46,804 pounds of frozen catfish steaks and whole fresh catfish by Otten's Seafood Inc. which were distributed to customers and retailers in Illinois and Indiana. Routine surveillance by the FSIS revealed that the recalled products did not bear the USDA mark of inspection label. Furthermore, the FSIS hadn't inspected the manufacturing plant that produced and packed the frozen catfish products. The recalled catfish steaks had a shelf life of one year, while the whole catfish had a shelf life of one week if out of the freezer. As the catfish was produced in January and the recall happened only in May, there were concerns that some of the products may have already reached households. The FSIS published the announcement to make consumers who bought the problematic products aware of the situation. Fortunately, there were no reports of illnesses or hospitalizations related to the recall. Fulton Seafood Inc. Recalled 100,924 Pounds Of Wild-Caught Catfish (2019) A plate of freshly caught catfish - ritadewilestari/Shutterstock The fourth-biggest recall of frozen fish products in the U.S. in terms of volume, as of this writing, was for wild-caught catfish in Houston, Texas. Harvested and processed from January 2018 to February 2019 by Fulton Seafood Inc., the recalled Siluriformes products did not undergo proper inspection and safety clearance by the FSIS. The regulating body flagged the products for a Class 1 recall, the most dangerous of the three risk classes currently used for food recalls by the FSIS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspectors who were surveilling a cold storage facility discovered the problematic catfish products and immediately noted that they did not carry marks of inspection. The catfish were placed in cardboard boxes and were delivered to retailers, who then transferred the products inside display cases and sold them directly to consumers. Since the catfish were distributed and sold despite not having passed quality and food safety inspections by the FSIS, there were concerns that the catfish might cause health problems for consumers. Fortunately, there were no reports of illnesses or adverse reactions related to the recall. Of the 100,924 pounds ordered to be recalled, 20,647 were recovered according to the latest alert from the FSIS. The catfish were reportedly distributed only within Texas. Premium Foods USA, Inc. Recalled 121,151 Pounds Of Freshwater Catfish (2019) Frozen white fish fillets on black trays with ice - Trainman111/Getty Images Siluriformes products imported from countries the U.S. considers ineligible sources are recalled immediately. So, when the FSIS discovered that Premium Foods USA, Inc. from New York imported a variety of freshwater catfish from Bangladesh and Myanmar two ineligible countries for importing Siluriformes products, by U.S. standards they immediately ordered the recall of 76,025 pounds of imported catfish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was the third-largest frozen fish recall by volume in the U.S. The order covered a variety of frozen freshwater catfish: bagrid, yellowtail, Ompok pabda (which is native to the two exporting countries), stringing catfish, and walking catfish (native to Southeast Asia). In addition to committing an import violation, the frozen catfish were not presented to authorities for reinspection. The FSIS discovered these violations during their routine surveillance at ports of entry for imported products. This suggests that the imported catfish may not have been prepared, stored, and moved according to the guidelines of the FSIS. There were no reports of hospitalizations or ill health effects from people who may have bought and consumed frozen catfish products that had been part of the recall. Interestingly, there had been no further updates on the volume recovered even though the recall order wasn't closed until 2020, by which time the product list had been expanded and raised the total recall volume to 121,151 pounds. McAllen Cold Storage, Ltd. Recalled 51,942 Pounds Of Basa Fillets (2019) Two cuts of basa fillets against a white background - Bonchan/Getty Images McAllen Cold Storage, Ltd. from Texas similarly had to issue a recall for the 51,942 pounds of pangasius frozen basa fillets they imported from Vietnam because the goods were not presented for reinspection upon their arrival to the country. The frozen fish arrived in the U.S. from August 2018 to February 2019, and many had already reached wholesalers and retailers in Texas by the time of the recall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FSIS confirmed the violation after an official asked the company whether it received imported frozen basa fillets that did not meet federal import requirements. The products didn't have clearance from the FSIS, so there was no guarantee that they met the USDA's standards for quality and food safety. There were concerns that people who may have eaten the uninspected catfish might experience adverse health effects. Thankfully, there were no reported incidents of hospitalizations or ill effects due to the recalled products. The FSIS nevertheless recommended that consumers who bought some of the recalled products must not cook or eat the catfish, and should throw them out or return them instead. A total of 11,374 pounds of the boneless and skinless fillets had been recovered, according to the FSIS website. In the recall notice, the FSIS reaffirmed its commitment to checking in with companies with active recalls and verifying that they are performing their due responsibility in informing consumers and taking products off the shelves. Richwell Group, Inc. Recalled 160,020 Pounds Of Yellow Walking Fish (2019) Freshly caught mystus cavasius against a blue tarp - Md.Ashaduzzaman Noor/Shutterstock The biggest frozen fish recall in U.S. history in terms of volume happened in 2019. Richwell Group, Inc. of California, recalled 154,500 pounds of frozen yellow walking fish and mystus fish sourced from Vietnam after violating import rules. Additionally, the imported catfish were not presented to USDA personnel for reinspection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The import violation was cited after it was revealed that the establishment that produced the frozen catfish was ineligible to export such food products to the U.S. The products arrived from March 2018 to January 2019 and were distributed to retailers and customers nationwide. The violations were revealed thanks to the FSIS' routine surveillance of imported products at various ports of entry. The recall order was later expanded, which added over 5,000 pounds of catfish to the total recall volume. The list includes packs of two to three pieces of farm-raised, quick-frozen, headless yellow walking fish, as well as individually packed, frozen headless mystus cavasius (long-whiskered catfish). The expanded recall increased the total to 160,020 pounds, the highest in this list. The FSIS website shows that only 1,371 pounds had been recovered during the recall. Fortunately, there were no confirmed reports of health concerns or hospitalizations due to consumption of the recalled frozen fish products. H&T Seafood, Inc. Recalled 71,435 Pounds Of Sheatfish (2019) Sheatfish laid out on banana leaves - ninekrai/Shutterstock In yet another case of a recall due to lack of inspection clearance, a Californian importer, H&T Seafood, Inc., recalled a total of 71,435 pounds of wild-caught, frozen sheatfish from Vietnam that had been shipped to the U.S. from November 2017 to October 2018. The recall order came after inspectors found that the frozen Siluriformes didn't undergo proper reinspection upon their arrival at U.S. ports of entry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FSIS inspectors uncovered the violation during their routine surveillance at the distribution facility where the products were delivered. Batches of the frozen fish had already been delivered to retailers in California, Nevada, and Texas, however, before the recall was announced. Since the frozen fish imported by H&T Seafood, Inc. had started entering the country as early as 2017, and the frozen fish had a shelf life of only two years, the earlier shipments were likely already sold to retailers and consumed by the public. Fortunately, no reports of illnesses or adverse reactions emerged due to eating sheatfish linked to this recall. The FSIS website did not report an update on how many out of the 71,435 pounds were successfully recovered after the recall was closed. J Deluca Fish Company Inc. Recalled 69,590 Pounds Of Yellow Walking Fish (2019) Frozen catfish with yellow coloring on a bed of ice - Rusn/Getty Images A recall similar to H&T Seafood, Inc.'s situation happened again a few months later in May 2019. J Deluca Fish Company Inc., also from California, recalled 69,590 pounds of frozen yellow walking fish because the imported products were not presented for reinspection upon their arrival to the country. The FSIS discovered the violation after its routine surveillance SOPs that month. Moreover, J Deluca Fish Company Inc. (which also operates under the name Nautilus Seafood) committed an import violation by buying frozen fish from a Vietnamese producer that isn't eligible to export such products to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recall list consisted of two-piece packs of farm-raised, headless yellow walking fish and whole yellow walking fish packaged in various weights and sizes. They had been imported and arrived in the U.S. from August 2018 to January 2019. By the time the recall order was published, the frozen goods had already been shipped to retailers and distributors around the country. Out of the nearly 70,000 pounds ordered off the shelves, only 1,520 pounds were recovered. Likely, consumers had already gotten to the fish before the recall was made public. Fortunately, there were no reported customer complaints about adverse reactions due to eating the problematic products. Richwell Group, Inc. Recalled 73,360 Pounds Of Sheatfish (2019) A pack of frozen sheatfish with spices - Esa Septiana/Shutterstock Richwell Group, Inc. announced the biggest recall for frozen Siluriformes so far (in terms of volume) back in May 2019. The company had actually just finished a recall that started in February of that same year. Richwell Group, Inc. recalled 73,360 pounds of sheatfish imported from Vietnam due to a lack of inspection clearance. The FSIS found these products didn't undergo physical reinspection after personnel reviewed surveillance reports of the distributor facility where the frozen fish were stored. The recalled products were varieties of individually quick-frozen, wild-caught sheatfish in different flavors and sizes. Some of the packages did not show expiration dates, which lent further credibility to the recall order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The frozen sheatfish entered the U.S. from December 2017 to December 2018 and were distributed all over the country. Unsurprisingly, the FSIS reported that only 10,108 pounds were successfully recovered. There was a good chance that the recalled products were already in restaurants and consumers' homes considering more than a year had passed since the first batch arrived. Fortunately, the frozen fish didn't cause adverse reactions reported by customers, according to official records. TV Food LLC. Recalled 27,956 Pounds Of Yellow Hito (2019) Fresh catfish on a rectangular wooden plate against a white background - SaddhaPic/Shutterstock TV Food LLC. rounds out the long list of massive recalls in 2019. The importer from California recalled 27,956 pounds of frozen yellow hito imported from Vietnam. Like all the 2019 recalls on this list, the recall happened because the products were not presented to authorized personnel for reinspection at the port of entry. Unlike the other recalls that were because of the FSIS's routine surveillance, TV Food LLC.'s imported goods were discovered when the agency conducted a recall effectiveness and product disposition check of imported frozen Siluriformes imported by another company. It just so happened that the same Chicago distributor facility also housed TV Food LLC.'s imports. The recalled products were a variety of frozen catfish packaged in two and three-packs, and by various weights. They had been shipped to distributors across the country by the time the FSIS and the company announced the recall. The FSIS announcement didn't include when the imported fish entered the country, but the website reported that a total of 3,000 pounds had been recovered. Additionally, there were no reports of hospitalizations or adverse reactions from consumers related to the recalled fish products. Heartland Catfish Company Recalled 69,016 Pounds Of Catfish Fillets, Nuggets, And Whole Fish (2018) Frozen catfish on a bed of ice in a supermarket seafood stall - N_u_t/Getty Images Urgent recalls are necessary when food products become contaminated at any stage of the processing or packaging. The FSIS will publish the recall order immediately to make the public aware and take appropriate action, especially for Class I and Class II recalls. One example is the 2018 recall from the Heartland Catfish Company from Mississippi. The company is a producer of U.S. farm-raised catfish products and manages its supply of Siluriformes "from egg to harvest." In March 2018, the FSIS did a routine sampling inspection and found that a variety of frozen catfish products contained leucomalachite green (LMG) in amounts exceeding the allowable limit. LMG is a chemical compound often used as a food coloring agent. It is more commonly used in aquaculture as a fungicide or topical antiseptic for fish diseased with parasites, protozoans, and fungi. It is safe when consumed in trace amounts, but research shows that excessive concentrations are linked to cellular mutations and acquired carcinomas. Fortunately, no customer had come forward with complaints of health issues related to the recalled products. Heartland Catfish Company recalled 69,016 pounds of frozen whole catfish, catfish fillets, catfish nuggets, and skinless catfish products that had been shipped off to retailers in seven states. They were able to recover 56,104 pounds, the most impressive volume among all the recall orders in this list. Vinh Hoan USA, Inc. Recalled 84,000 Pounds Of Swai Fillets (2017) Catfish fillet slices and a lemon slice on a wooden cutting board against a white backdrop - Desertsolitaire/Getty Images Here is another recall that wasn't due to inspection lapses by the distributing facility or importer. Vinh Hoan USA, Inc. in California had to issue a recall of imported frozen swai fillets from Vietnam because the supplier did not comply with federal requirements for imported Siluriformes. The company notified the FSIS that their shipment did not undergo residue sampling and testing before entering the U.S. markets. This was a serious violation that could have resulted in major public health concerns had the uninspected products been contaminated with deadly substances or did not meet food safety standards. As such, Vinh Hoan USA, Inc. ordered the recall of 84,000 pounds of frozen swai fillets that they imported from December 2016 to January 2017. The recall list consisted of 15-pound cases of frozen fillets with best-before dates from December 2018 to January 2019. The products had been distributed to wholesalers in six other states by the time of the recall. Only 855 pounds were recovered, according to the FSIS. Despite the high probability that many of the recalled catfish had reached food establishments and households, no reports of illnesses or health issues were reported. U.S. Cado Holdings, Inc. Recalled 29,645 Pounds Of Swai Fillets (2016) A fillet cut of pangasius fish on a wood cutting board - anmbph/Shutterstock A series of recalls involving swai fillets were also issued in the second half of 2016. California's U.S. Cado Holdings, Inc. recalled a total of 29,645 pounds of farm-raised, quick-frozen swai fillets from Vietnam because of import violations. The initial recall for over 25,000 pounds was issued after the import establishment found that the frozen swai fillets did not undergo residue sampling and testing, which is a requirement for imported fish. However, the goods were already shipped to distributors in five states when the recall was issued. FSIS expanded the recall order five days later to include over 2,000 pounds of the same products with different best-by dates. A second expansion was issued the following month, adding 1,650 pounds of products to the total recall volume. The FSIS did not list the quantity recovered from these recalls, so some products may have been consumed by the public. Thankfully, there were no reports of people falling ill from consuming the recalled fish. Catfish dishes are a staple on American tables. More than 80% of the population eat seafood, and 74% of them eat fish. These numbers prove the importance of having strict regulations in the production and distribution of frozen seafood, especially among imported products. Our import inspection authorities do their best to avoid oversight, but when it happens, recall orders like these help protect the public from potential health threats. Read the original article on Mashed. Bill Gates has revealed where he plans to distribute most of his wealth in the coming years. Speaking at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the billionaire, who in a blog post last month announced that he would be giving his $200 billion fortune away to charity over the next 20 years, disclosed that he intends to funnel most of his wealth into philanthropic efforts in Africa. I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years, Gates said during the address. Every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity, Gates shared Monday. / Christophe Viseux / COP28 via Getty Images In fact, one thing that I havent said publicly before is that if we think about the priorities and the great partnerships we have, the majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperityand that path is an exciting thing to be part of, the 69-year-old continued. In a blog post last month, the billionaire revealed that he intended to give away virtually all of his fortune through his philanthropic organization, the Gates Foundation. At the time, the Microsoft co-founder noted that he anticipated the foundation would spend more than $200 billion on charity efforts between 2025 and 2045, where it will then close its doors permanently. People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that he died rich will not be one of them, Gates wrote at the time. As of 2025, Gates net worth stands at $175 billion, according to Bloomberg. Though Gates now spends most of time working on philanthropic projects through the Gates Foundation, he still acts as an advisor to Microsoft. The billionaire released his first memoir Source Code: My Beginnings earlier this year. (NewsNation) Bill OReilly said Monday that the United States has no choice but to work with China to prevent global conflict, despite the countrys history of breaking agreements and engaging in espionage. Theres no other alternative, OReilly said on NewsNations On Balance after returning from meetings with what he called the most powerful people in China. Weve got to try to get a deal with China. OReilly said he briefed President Donald Trump for about 30 minutes following his China trip, though he declined to share specifics of that conversation. He said Chinese officials indicated that tariffs were not their primary concern, but Taiwan remains the central issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2049, 100 years since Mao Zedong imposed communism, they want Taiwan under the Chinese flag, OReilly said. I told them that while President Trump is in office, its not going to happen militarily. Russia severely limited after attack: Ex-Ukraine ambassador OReilly proposed what he called a plan for peace and prosperity that would position the United States and China as global enforcers of peace, potentially sidelining Russia and Iran. He said Chinese officials appeared receptive to the concept. When pressed about Chinas surveillance state and human rights abuses, OReilly acknowledged the countrys authoritarian nature but distinguished Chinese leadership from Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he characterized as more psychopathic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wouldnt use the word evil across the board, OReilly said of China. Its a police state, a surveillance state. Nobody has any rights. They justify it by saying, look, we got a billion and a half people. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN FRANCISCO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Trump administration on Monday filed an appeal with the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the federal court's injunction that had prevented federal agencies from carrying out large-scale workforce reductions and reorganizations. In the appeal, U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer argued that "controlling the personnel of federal agencies lies at the heartland" of the president's authority, and "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" his core constitutional powers. On May 30, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected the Trump administration's appeal, upholding the temporary injunction issued earlier by Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The injunction barred federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget from moving forward with broad-scale layoffs and structural reorganizations. The Ninth Circuit held that implementing extensive layoffs and reorganizations would seriously impair many areas, including the national food safety system and veterans' healthcare, and therefore such actions should be suspended while the litigation proceeds. On May 9, Illston issued a two-week temporary injunction requiring federal agencies to halt enforcement of the administrative order signed by President Donald Trump in February, as well as the subsequent memorandum issued by the Office of Management and Budget. She also ordered agencies to rescind any layoff notices issued under the president's order, to reinstate positions for employees placed on administrative leave, and to provide appropriate compensation. In her ruling, Illston stated that the president must obtain congressional approval in order to reform federal agencies. Agencies may not undertake mass reorganizations or layoffs without authorization from Congress. On May 22, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California further ruled to extend the injunction indefinitely. The Department of Justice filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit the following day. On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced he is withdrawing the nomination of billionaire pilot Jared Isaacman, who was slated to lead NASA, according to the Associated Press. The outlet noted that Trump posted a message to social media, writing that the decision came "after a thorough review of prior associations." Before the withdrawal, not necessarily part of Trump's concerns, a recent X post from Isaacman was making some people uneasy about the pick, and it was not hard to see why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late March, Isaacman posted a photo showing himself flying a Cessna CJ4 into Washington, D.C. My commute into DCthe city looks amazing this time of year. Grateful to meet with Senators this week and honored to be nominated by @POTUS to lead the world's greatest space agency pic.twitter.com/NyOlwR7oWI Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) March 31, 2025 Futurism quickly picked up the post, and the internet lit up almost instantly. Why? Because at a time when we're all being asked to do more to fight the overheating planet (reduce car trips, fly less, eat more sustainably, recycle), this kind of flex feels like a slap in the face. NASA has been very public about how seriously it takes the climate crisis. The agency studies sea level rise and even builds animations dedicated to visualizing air pollution. So, what's someone who aspires to lead this organization doing in a vehicle that emits two tons of carbon dioxide per hour? While Trump did not give specific reasons for withdrawing the nomination, the timing also didn't help the optics of the initial pick. NASA is facing budget cuts and layoffs, so seeing someone with billionaire ties and luxury travel habits possibly stepping into a top role raised even more eyebrows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement X users had a lot to say about Isaacman's nomination. One wrote, "Yeah, definitely need more billionaires in government looking out for the average American." Another had asked Isaacman to "protect the agency's earth and space science missions. Don't just be a shill for Elon [Musk]." Many people were concerned that someone so deeply connected to private space companies, including Musk's SpaceX, could have ended up putting business interests ahead of NASA's public mission, especially its work on Earth science and climate research. Can someone who chooses to fly a private fighter jet for a quick trip to D.C. really champion a science-first, climate-conscious agenda? At the very least, opting for a commercial flight (or even taking the train) would've sent a stronger message about leading by example. According to the AP, Trump said he will announce a replacement nominee soon. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), despite being worth an estimated $1 billion through his businesses and massive YouTube success, has little personal cash due to reinvesting nearly all his earnings into content and philanthropyso much so that he says hes borrowing money from his mom to pay for his upcoming wedding. YouTube star MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, is making sure the proceeds from his online stardom will work for him in the long run. The only issue is that reinvesting his earnings has left the 27-year-old without much cash close at hand. As a result, Donaldson says he is having to ask his mom for a loan to cover the cost of his upcoming wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donaldson has risen to fame not only thanks to his often wild videos (recent uploads include I built Willy Wonkas chocolate factory and 7 days stranded at sea) but also his philanthropic efforts. The social media star has shared videos in which he adopted an orphanage in South Africa and funded a gym in Texas that trains adaptive athletes. But it seems by investing his moneybe it into his business, into his philanthropic efforts, or for his long-term financial benefitDonaldson hasnt got huge sums left in the bank. Responding to a post on X which described Donaldson as the only billionaire under 30 to have not inherited his wealth, MrBeast responded: I personally have very little money because I reinvest everything (I think this year well spend around a quarter of a billion on content). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ironically Im actually borrowing $ from my mom to pay for my upcoming wedding lol. He added: But sure, on paper the businesses I own are worth a lot. Donaldson proposed to his girlfriend, author Thea Booysen, on Christmas Day 2024. The eye-watering costs of MrBeasts videoswhich have won him 400 million subscribers on YouTube alonewere made clear when Elon Musk pitched him a move to a different platform. The X owner tried to tempt Donaldson to shift his content from the Google-owned video site to his platform, formerly known as Twitter. But MrBeast pushed back that the monetization of content on X didnt come close to that of its rival, telling Musk: My videos cost millions to make and even if they got a billion views on X it wouldnt fund a fraction of it :/ Im down though to test stuff once monetization is really cranking! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And test the site he did. A matter of weeks after the exchange with Musk, Donaldson returned with the receipts of his earnings having posted a car comparison video on X. The earnings came to $263,655lower than the millions the creator said he required to finance the videos. And he added a further caveat: Advertisers saw the attention it was getting and bought ads on my video (I think) and thus my revenue per view is prob higher than what youd experience. Told Id never make it For millions of Donaldsons young fans, content creation might seem like the perfect way to earn vast amounts of money in a fun way. But Donaldsonestimated to now be worth $1 billion per Celebrity Net Worth courtesy of a handful of businesses and a deal with tech giant Amazonhas warned his career path isnt for the faint-hearted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its painful to see people quit their job/drop out of school to make content full time before theyre ready, Donaldson wrote on X in March last year. For every person like me that makes it, thousands dont. Keep that in mind and be smart plz. Content creation is increasingly being seen as an attractive and lucrative career path by youngsters, with a 2019 survey of 3,000 children finding that almost a third of the respondents wanted to be a vlogger or YouTuber. This was the most popular career choice in the U.S. and the U.K., coming in ahead of roles such as athlete, musician and astronaut. Donaldson, who primarily lives in his studio and says his mother controls his bank account, is perhaps not living the glamorous lifestyle some of his other online contemporaries are. And over the weekend MrBeast issued a reminder to his fans about why he wanted to get into content creation, writing on X: A decade ago before I blew up everyone in my life told me I was too obsessed and constantly told Id never make it. Despite that I was in love with making content and grinded every moment my eyes were open for 7 years before anyone started watching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I literally told my mom Id rather be homeless than do anything else. Celebrating hitting 400 million subscribers on YouTube, he added: The greatest gift in life is being able to wake up everyday with a purpose and thanks to YouTube and you guys, I have that. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham City Council will consider closing 20th Avenue South near the roads intersection with Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard South to vehicles. According to the city council, the closure would control traffic flow from area establishments. A public hearing regarding the proposed closure is set to be held during the city councils 9:30 a.m. July 15 meeting. Woman found dead outside Birmingham residence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who are interested in speaking on the manner will need to attend the meeting, the city council 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 CBS 42. A Florence toddler's unfortunate encounter with a rattlesnake is a stark reminder that the rapidly warming Arizona weather signals rattlesnake season. Cara Reed has been in and out of the hospital as doctors work to remove damaged tissue from her left foot, where the snake bit her twice on May 16. Cara was playing in the carport at the family's home on the outskirts of Florence when a snake slithered out from some propane tanks and struck the top of her foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long-term prognosis for her foot is still unclear at this early stage, but dead skin and damaged tissue is being removed. As the 15-month-old deals with surgery and its aftereffects, medical and wildlife officials offer tips on how to deal with these desert dwellers. Here's what to know. How likely is it to encounter a rattlesnake in Arizona? The rattlesnakes are out there, but they really don't want to tangle with humans. For the most part, they want nothing to do with us," said Tom Jones, the amphibians and reptiles program manager for the Arizona Game & Fish Department. "If you are an avid hiker, most likely you have walked right by one and not noticed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if you hear a rattle, Jones said, take care. Don't confront the snake, just give it a wide berth and walk around it. How common are rattlesnake bites? The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center reported 182 bites in the state in 2024, a 4% increase from the previous year. The vast majority of bites happened in Pima County, which reported 107 incidents. Cochise County was next with 20 and 12 in Mohave County. There were no reports from Maricopa County, despite being the most populous in the state. Although often associated with wildlands, the center reported most of the bites occurred at a residence. Arizona is home to 13 species of rattlesnakes. The reptiles are most active during spring and summer. What is the protocol for treating a rattlesnake bite? Dr. Frank LoVecchio, a medical toxicologist at Valleywise Health, offered these key steps: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remove any close-fitting items, such as clothing, jewelry and watches. The bite area will swell almost immediately, LoVecchio said, as the digestive enzymes in the snake's venom start to try and digest blood, tissue and muscles. "Your forearm might get as big as your thigh," he said. Immobilize the bite area. "The more you move it, the more it hurts," LoVecchio said. He also recommends elevating the affected limb or body part, a practice that the poison center also emphasizes. That prevents the venom from pooling in one part of the body, where the enzymes can do damage. Head for a hospital immediately, and call ahead to ensure the facility has antivenom on hand. Calling the poison center at 1-800-221-1222 is also helpful for expert guidance. Are there things I shouldn't do? LoVecchio has a no-go list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't do anything crazy; we don't suck out the venom, we don't do a tourniquet," he said. He also advises that bite victims should refrain from drinking much water or eating anything, in case their treatment leads to surgery. How fatal are rattlesnake bites? They're not common, LoVecchio said. The poison center did not record any deaths due to rattlesnake bites in 2024. But it's important to get to prompt medical treatment at a hospital, the center advises. Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on social media @maryjpitzl. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What do you do if you get bit by a rattlesnake in Arizona? NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) On Sunday, thousands of people were excited to greet their USS Harry S. Truman sailors pier side. Families reunite with sailors as USS Harry S. Truman returns in Norfolk It was a bittersweet homecoming after an extended deployment that made headlines several times for not just missions, but million-dollar mishaps. Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman loses aircraft, tow tractor Carrier Strike Group 8 lost 3 F/A-18 Super Hornets while at sea, totaling $180 million. One of those jets was shot down by USS Gettysburg in December in what the Navy called a friendly-fire accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retired naval aviator shares insight on friendly fire incident in the Red Sea The aircraft carrier was also involved in a collision with a merchant ship near the entrance of the Suez Canal in the beginning of the groups deployment. US aircraft carrier collides with merchant ship near Egypt, but no injuries reported The strike group conducted missions ranging from exercises with NATO allies in Europe to combat operations in the Middle East, with no loss of life. Today is not just a homecoming, said Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, Commander of Carrier Strike Group 8. Its the return of every sailor back to their family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bailey described the deployment as up-tempo, and its homecoming reflected that. The Truman was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, which was displayed on the ship when it pulled into view Sunday. Also on display was metal carnage on the side from the collision with the merchant ship. Issues like the collision and the lost jets left questions of where some issues may lie. Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Hill said he couldnt be prouder of the group of sailors. Particularly, his praised their ability to change what people may perceive to be the shortcoming of Generation X in the military. He said he saw no cowering or fallback, but instead, he said the sailors just kept fighting and fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some may say U.S. Navy ships havent seen this kind of engagement since the Persian Gulf War of 1990. Truman was in a 50-day streak of continuous strikes, launching Tomahawk missiles and precision airstrikes aimed at degrading the Iranian backed Houthi rebels capabilities to disrupt commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Truman also accomplished the largest airstrike in history launched from an aircraft carrier when 125,000 pounds of ordnance was launched against Islamic State terrorists in northeast Somalia. Stay with WAVY.com for more local news, weather and traffic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The ongoing legal dispute between "It Ends With Us" co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni escalated Tuesday over Lively's decision to withdraw claims of emotional distress from her lawsuit. Lively will not be able to present evidence or make any claims of emotional distress -- claims included in the lawsuit she originally filed against Baldoni in late December -- when the case goes to trial next year, according to a ruling issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman. Liman also ruled that Lively does not have to provide her medical records to the court following the withdrawal of the claims of emotional distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge left it up to Baldoni's and Lively's legal teams to sort out whether Lively can refile the emotional distress claims later on. "The parties shall stipulate to whether the dismissal is with or without prejudice, or Lively shall renew her request by formal motion," Liman wrote in his ruling. "For avoidance of doubt, if the claims are not dismissed, the Court will preclude Lively from offering any evidence of emotional distress." In her original lawsuit, Lively claimed she experienced "severe emotional distress" after Baldoni and key stakeholders in "It Ends With Us" allegedly sexually harassed her and allegedly attempted, along with Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer Studios, to orchestrate a smear campaign against her. Lively's attorneys say she voluntarily agreed to withdraw her infliction of emotional distress claims on May 30. In a letter to the judge, her lawyers stated Lively did so in good faith to streamline the dispute in the ordinary litigation process given the damages she otherwise anticipates recovering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few days later, on June 2, lawyers for Baldoni and Wayfarer filed a motion to compel Lively to provide her medical and mental health care records, in order to prove she experienced distress, according to court filings seen by ABC News. Baldoni's lawyers asked for the emotional distress claims to be dismissed with prejudice so they cannot be refiled at a later time. PHOTO: Blake Lively in New York City, April 29, 2025 and Justin Baldoni in New York City, Aug. 8, 2024. (Getty Images) "By alleging that she suffered physical and emotional injuries, Ms. Lively has placed her physical and mental condition at issue and, in turn, must produce relevant information and documents," the court filings state. Lively's legal team responded the same day with a letter to the judge asking for the motion to be dropped, calling it a "public relations stunt." Lively's lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, told ABC News in a statement June 3, after the judge's ruling, that the actress will, "continue to pursue emotional distress damages through other claims in her lawsuit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court denied Wayfarers motion. He told the parties to continue their discussions about the technicalities of how 2 of the 15 claims will be voluntarily dismissed. Ms. Lively has offered to dismiss those claims because they are no longer necessary, and she will continue to pursue emotional distress damages through other claims in her lawsuit, including sexual harassment and retaliation," Hudson and Gottlieb said. "In addition, the Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive damages under California law. This is exactly where both parties were before the Baldoni-Wayfarer Parties rushed to file this utterly pointless motion to compel, all searching for yet another press moment. Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends with Us' legal battle: A timeline Baldoni's legal team had no additional comment on the judge's ruling when reached by ABC News. Lively and Baldoni's legal feud began after Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department in December, accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of "It Ends With Us," which he also directed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldoni denied the allegations at the time in a statement issued through his attorney Bryan Freedman, who called Lively's actions "shameful" and the allegations "serious and categorically false." Freedman claimed that Lively's complaint was "another desperate attempt to 'fix' her negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film." PHOTO: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in a scene from the movie, ' It Ends With Us.' (Sony Pictures) Lively and Baldoni subsequently launched dueling lawsuits against each other, with Lively's lawsuit reiterating the allegations outlined in her earlier California Civil Rights Department complaint. Baldoni filed a civil lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, the couple's publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane's public relations company Vision PR in January this year, alleging, among other things, extortion and defamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldoni accused Lively of having "robbed" him and Wayfarer Studios LLC of control of "It Ends with Us," which he also directed, as well as destroying Baldoni's "personal and professional reputations and livelihood." He accused Sloane of having gone "so far as to propagate malicious stories portraying Baldoni as a sexual predator" and Reynolds of using the term to describe Baldoni in a call with Baldoni's agent. The suit claims Reynolds told Baldoni's rep to "drop" him as a client. Lively's lawyers responded with a statement calling the lawsuit "another chapter in the abuser playbook." PHOTO: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in a scene from the movie, ' It Ends With Us.' (Sony Pictures) Lively and Baldoni are due to appear in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 9, 2026, with Judge Lewis Liman overseeing the case. Taylor Swift no longer facing subpoena in Justin Baldoni's legal feud with Blake Lively Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of their court date, Lively filed an amended version of her lawsuit against Baldoni in February. In March, Reynolds filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's complaint against him. Lively also filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's countersuit against her. Editor's note: This story has been updated with further clarification on Judge Liman's June 3 ruling. Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni legal drama escalates over 'emotional distress' claims originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com CHIPPEWA FALLS A Bloomer woman accused of possessing meth near a five-year-old child has now been charged. The woman has refused to meet with police, so a warrant has been issued for her arrest. Katrina M. Meighen, 38, 1603 16th Ave., was charged Friday in Chippewa County Court with possession of meth with the intent to deliver, neglecting a child and possessing drug paraphernalia. Judge Benjamin Lane issued a warrant for Meighens arrest on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, police were sent to a home in Bloomer for a possible drug overdose. A man in the home had been on a FaceTime conversation when he suffered signs of a possible overdose. When police arrived and spoke to the man, he noted he was babysitting Meighens five-year-old child. Police believed that the man was under the influence of a stimulant drug. The officer called Meighen and explained that the man was possibly under the influence of methamphetamine or another illegal drug. The deputy asked permission to search the residence to check on her son, as well as check for any drugs. Meighen gave the officer permission to remove her son from the home and look for drugs. Law enforcement conducted a search of the residence and located a purple gem bag laying on the floor near the front door, the complaint reads. The gem bag contained a white crystal substance. This bag was located near where officers made contact with [the babysitter.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Near the foot of the bed, on top of a tote, officers located a purple gem bag containing a crystal substance. In the closet, law enforcement located glass pipes with crystal substances, jars of unknown liquids, and 4.7 grams of meth in one bag, and 11.2 grams in a different bag. They also found various drug paraphernalia, including a torch attached to a propane tank. The babysitter was detained, and in his bag, officers located three empty purple gem bags. These bags were the same style as the purple gem bags located in the residence. The five-year-old boy told police that the purple bags for drugs belonged to his mom. The child was picked up by his father. Law enforcement contacted Katrina via phone after the search, the complaint reads. Katrina became upset with officers and claimed she had not granted consent during the previous phone call. Katrina then hung up on law enforcement. An attempt to locate was placed for Katrina, but law enforcement was unsuccessful in locating her. Madison Stuerman COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Blue Alert was issued Monday morning by the Missouri State Highway Patrol after a police officer was shot in Lees Summit. MSHP put an alert out around 8:45 a.m. after a suspect was named in a shooting in Lees Summit. A Blue Alert is issued after a member of law enforcement is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. Officials are looking for Thomas Eugene Tolbert, 27, after he allegedly shot at an officer during a chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lees Summit police said officers were called to a domestic disturbance around 11 p.m. Sunday night. The first officer arrived at the scene and while waiting for another officer, they saw Tolbert running from the scene. Police said the officer was shot multiple times by Tolbert. The officer was taken to an area trauma center with serious injuries. The Highway Patrol said he left the scene in a car that was found in Grandview, Missouri. The alert also stated Tolbert has a history of aggravated assault and shooting at law enforcement. The alert was sent to phones in Northwest Missouri; specifically, Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte and Ray Counties. This is a developing story. Click here to follow the original article. The Iowa Dental Board within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing oversees the state's dental profession. (Photo by Getty Images; logo courtesy State of Iowa) A central Iowa dentist charged with a lack of competency has been given a warning by state regulators. The Iowa Dental Board recently charged Jameson Klavins of Ankenys Hintz Family Dentistry with failure to maintain a satisfactory standard of competency in the practice of dentistry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the board, Klavins regularly performs endodontic procedures such as root canal therapy and treatments of tooth pulp to address infections and discourage future tooth deterioration. The board alleges it reviewed Klavins care over an unspecified period of time and found several issues that include a failure to use rubber dams when performing endodontic work and a failure to follow a basic SOAP outline, which references the Subjective/Objective/Assessment/Plan protocol taught in dental school and considered standard practice. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The board also alleged Klavins failed to meet the standard of care for proper recordkeeping and that he failed to maintain complete and detailed records of endodontic treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the same day it filed the charge against Klavins, the board agreed to settle the case with a warning that any such conduct in the future could result in action taken against Klavins license. As part of the settlement, Klavins agreed to complete, at some unspecified point in the future, a board-approved, comprehensive remedial education program on endodontic procedures and recordkeeping. Klavins has been licensed to practice dentistry in Iowa since May 2018. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE DALIAN, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese man has been detained on suspicion of killing two Japanese men, who were identified as his former business partners, over business disputes, police authorities of northeast China's Dalian City said on Tuesday. Floridas higher education board late Tuesday voted against confirming Santa Ono as the next president of the University of Florida after questioning Ono during an intense hours-long meeting about his views on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and his handling of campus protests. The states Board of Governors voted 10 to 6 to deny Onos appointment as UFs 14th president. It was the first time the board had ever voted against a universitys presidential selection. Neither Ono, the chair of UFs board of trustees which had previously unanimously approved Ono nor a university representative would comment after the meeting. Ono is now presumably out of a job, as he stepped down as the University of Michigans president to take the job at UF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boards no vote was met with audible gasps and expression of shock from UF leaders in attendance. Amanda Phalin, a UF professor and former member of the board of governors, called the decision an embarrassment that could hurt the university for decades and make it harder for the state to recruit highly-qualified university leaders. This portends more politics in the process, and more politicians in the process across the state, and less focus on academics and academic excellence, said Phalin, who attended the meeting. University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono answers a question during a meeting of the Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, as Mori Hosseini, right, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, listens. The governors board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming Floridas 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Florida Board of Governors members Aubrey Edge, left, and Alan Levine grill University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono, foreground, during a meeting of the board in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming the schools 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono, left, during a meeting of the Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, with Mori Hosseini, right, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees. The governors board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming Floridas 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) New College of Florida alumnus Mike Sanderson holds a sign critical of the proceedings as University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono reads a statement during a meeting of Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming the schools 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono talks with UF Board of Trustees Rahul Patel, right, during a meeting of Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming the schools 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono hustles back to his chair during a meeting of the Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The governors board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming Floridas 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Michigan Clinical Assistant Professor Joshua Rubin holds up a Star of David in challenging the antisemitism views of University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono (foreground left) during a meeting of Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming the schools 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono answers a question during a meeting of the Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, as Mori Hosseini, right, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, listens. The governors board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming Floridas 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono laughs while answering a question during a meeting of the Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, as Mori Hosseini, right, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, listens. The governors board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming Floridas 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida student body president Blake Cox reads a statement in support of University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono, foreground left, during a meeting of Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming the schools 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono answers a question during a meeting of the Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, as Mori Hosseini, right, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, listens. The governors board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming Floridas 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono, during a meeting of the Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The governors board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming Floridas 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono reads a statement during a meeting of the Florida Board of Governors in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, as Mori Hosseini, right, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, listens. The governors board met at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus in Orlando to vote on Ono becoming Floridas 14th president. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 14University of Florida president-elect Santa Ono glances at Mori Hosseini, right, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, as the decision by the Florida Board of Governors to vote against his confirmation as the universitys new president is announced during the boards meeting in Orlando, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)Expand Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But those who voted against Ono were critical of his previous advocacy for DEI policies. Youve had a lot what seems to be long-held principles, and then 18 months ago, they kind of all changed, said board member Aubrey Edge to Ono. The university is now likely headed back to the drawing board to find a new president a search process that can often take up to a year. If the board had voted yes, Ono would have been under contract through 2030, earning $3 million annually. Ono came from Michigan, a school that Floridas flagship university has long chased in national rankings. Michigan is ranked third nationally among public universities while UF is ranked 7th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays meeting, which took place at the University of Central Floridas downtown Orlando campus, lasted nearly four hours with just one item on the agenda Onos appointment. Ono sat surrounded by members of the board as he defended his record and expressed excitement about leading UF. Its a privilege to join an institution that not only pursues excellence, but also sets the national standard for accountability and reform in higher education, Ono said before the board voted him down. Ono is a highly respected molecular immunologist who also served as president at the University of British Columbia and University of Cincinnati. UFs board of trustees selected Ono as the sole finalist for president on May 27, praising his record of academic excellence and calling him the right person to build on UFs strong foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that announcement quickly met with backlash from many conservatives who deemed Ono too progressive for Florida as he had championed diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Michigan before saying he had evolved on the issue. Florida has banned DEI, and UF and other state universities have dismantled their programs. Christopher Rufo, a New College of Florida trustee and conservative firebrand, for example, called Onos selection a scandal, while Donald Trump Jr. dubbed Ono a woke psycho. Sen. Rick Scott, a former state governor, criticized Onos handling of protests on Michigans campus in the wake of Hamas October attacks in Israel, saying Ono stood by while a pro-terrorist encampment occupied the campus for an entire month and questioning how Ono would protect Jewish students on UFs campus. Before the vote, Ono said he fully supports ending DEI programs in higher education and said he would ensure such initiatives never returned to UF. He praised Floridas direction for higher education and its recent reforms and laid out commitments to keeping the university aligned with Gov. Ron DeSantis agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Florida, you are redefining excellence, anchoring it in truth, merit and purpose. Thats the path forward, and thats why Im here before you today, he said. Onos employment contract, first reported by the Miami Herald on Monday, included a list of duties and responsibilities that read as if meant to address the concerns of conservative critics and to make sure he followed DeSantis playbook. DeSantis signed the states anti-DEI law and has pushed to stamp out woke policies in state colleges and universities. Ono, for example, would have had to comply with both Florida and federal efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse in higher education and could only hire a provost and deans who are firmly aligned with Floridas approach to higher education, the document says. One expert told the Herald it was an unusual list full of what amounts to loyalty pledges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis, a Republican in his second term appointed most of the members of both the UF board and the board of governors, said last week some of Onos past statements made him cringe but also that those at UF who selected Ono were convinced he believed in what Florida is doing and our policies, according to Florida Politics, an online news site. Before the vote, several UF leaders told the board why they wanted Ono. Mori Hosseini, the chair of UFs board of trustees and a major DeSantis donor, said Florida was lucky that someone of Onos prestige wanted to lead one of its universities. The appointment of Dr. Ono as the president of the University of Florida should be seen as a clear and consequential win for the Florida way, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kent Fuchs, who served as UFs president for nine years and currently serves as its interim president, said it that it was unusual for someone with Onos experience and credentials to be available for the job and that the Michigan leader would make an excellent UF president. Dr. Ono is an accessible person, a person who leads with warmth, who leads with courage, and indeed, will lead our system, as well as our university, to the next level, Fuchs said. But several people spoke against Onos selection, urging the board to vote against his appointment. Wendy Nissan, a parent of UF students, said Ono failed Michigans Jewish students through his handling of campus protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida doesnt need someone whos compromised in the past. We need a leader whos always stood firm for order, fairness and conservative values, not someone who expanded DEI bureaucracies and folded under pressure, she said. Hosseini countered that Onos evolving view on DEI was not a compromise of conservative values but instead proof that Floridas approach to higher education is resonating across the country. This isnt a compromise, its a confirmation that our values are resonating and our model is winning, he said. Ono also faced criticism from board members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice Chair Alan Levine asked Ono about Michigans gender affirming care for minors at its medical facilities and its response to the attacks by Hamas in Israel, criticizing him for those services and for not immediately releasing a statement to Michigans campus community following those attacks. Ono pointed out that he released a statement a day later condemning the Hamas attacks and asking the campus community to be conscious and kind to one another. During Onos questioning, Hosseini said Paul Renner, a member of the board of governors and a former speaker of the Florida House, had approached him about UFs president vacancy before Ono was selected. That prompted back and forth between some members about whether Renner should recuse himself from the vote. Renner, who asked extensive questions of Ono about his comments on DEI, denied approaching Hosseini, instead insisting he was approached by someone on UFs board of trustees about the position. He later voted against Ono. BENTON, Ark. Authorities in Benton said a person who was found dead Tuesday is believed to be a woman who went missing earlier this week. Officials with the Benton Police Department said their officers and the Bryant Police Department responded to an area in Woodland Park just before 9 a.m. after being informed of a body in a nearby pond. Benton police searching for missing woman Officers said the victim is believed to be 22-year-old Jade Love, but DNA testing to confirm the identity is pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police officials said Love was reported missing at 11 a.m. Sunday after reportedly leaving a home on Shelby Drive. Police said she left in her car but later left the vehicle on foot. Officers said the victims body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the cause of death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Police in central Florida have identified the body of a man whose remains were first discovered over 31 years ago, using advanced DNA tests that led them to his relatives. Edman Eric Gleed had been listed as missing from Fairfax County, Virginia, by his son at the time of his death, the Clearwater Police Department said when they shared his identity Monday. He was 84. Previously, Gleed had been known to law enforcement as "Pinellas County John Doe 1993," since his body was found floating near a bridge in Clearwater, which is in Pinellas County outside of Tampa Bay, on Nov. 29, 1993. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clearwater police said Gleed's body was found without identification, and a folded pile of clothing near a lifeguard stand on the shore held no clues, either. The autopsy later conducted to determine a cause and manner of death was inconclusive, but the medical examiner did not suspect foul play, according to police. Recently, samples of the then-unidentified man's DNA were collected again and submitted for testing to the nonprofit Moxxy Forensic Investigations, which analyzed them using investigative genetic genealogy. That technique aims to solve cold cases by matching an unknown person's DNA to their potential family members. The monthslong genealogical search uncovered connections to an 18th-century couple from Bristol, England, which allowed forensic investigators "to develop a candidate for the identity" of the man eventually confirmed to be Gleed, Clearwater police said. Gleed's identify was verified with a comparison sample from his son, who is now 94 and living in North Carolina. "We are happy that we are able to provide the family some answers and some closure as to what happened with their loved one," Clearwater's deputy police chief Michael Walek said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate statement, Ed Adams, the assistant on Gleed's case at Moxxy Forensic Investigations, said the case "has been close to the hearts of everyone on the team." "We are all honored to have played a part in returning Edman Gleed to his family," Adams said. 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 ST. LOUIS The demolition of two buildings, vital to the history of St. Louis and even the survival of the United States, is nearly complete. Somehow, its been happening very much under the radar. Thats no longer the case after an exclusive FOX 2 report. The structures are known simply as Buildings 1 and 2 and yet, they are arguably among the most important buildings ever in St. Louis, perhaps only behind the Gateway Arch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We kind of earned the nickname over the years Fighterland USA and thats still what we do here today: We build fighter jets, said Allison Balderrama, a Boeing historian in St. Louis. Over the 60 or so years that we had those buildings, we built more than 10,000 aircrafts (there). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News The buildings, which were once emblazoned with the massive red McDonnell-Douglas neon sign, are now being demolished as part of Boeings $1.8 billion expansion in St. Louis. This will add more than a million square feet to its footprint and extend the Fighterland legacy that began when Curtiss-Wright Aviation constructed the buildings and produced over 2,000 aircraft for World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its amazing the amount of things we produced there, Balderrama said. Shes also the curator of Boeings Prologue Room, which is filled with exhibits, models and actually equipment from the rich history of aircraft production in St. Louis In 1946, McDonnell aircrafts FH-1 Phantom became the first jet to take off from and land on an aircraft carrier. More revolutionary made-in-St. Louis fighters would follow, including the F-4 Phantom II, AV-8B Harrier, F-15 Eagle and FA-18 Hornet. The fighters McDonnell was producing out of there became the premier fighters in the Korean war and the Vietnam war, Balderrama said. A lot of the mainstays throughout the Cold War were built out of those buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So were the Mercury space capsules. We had the first spacecraft that put the first Americans into space (in the early 1960s), she said. The Prologue Room has a piece of the heat shield from Astronaut, Gordon Coopers Faith 7 mission. 46,000 people worked for McDonnell and then McDonnell-Douglas when the buildings reached peak production in the late 60s. This is a first; Missouri police officer rescues baby deer from empty pool When Boeing took over in 1997, St. Louisans were apprehensive about losing jobs and the Fighterland legacy. Former McDonnell-Douglas Chairman John McDonnell was not, telling FOX 2 in late 1996, You cannot stay in one place during life. If you try to stay just the way you are, youre not going to be successful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boeing is now doubling down on Fighterland in St. Louis. If you shed a tear over Buildings 1 and 2 being demolished, remember how St. Louis got that nickname in the first place. That nickname fell away for a few years but were bringing it back to life, Balderrama said. This is Fighterland USA. This is our bread and butter, what we do best here. Boeing has landed a reported $20 billion contract to build the U.S. militarys next-generation fighter, the F-47, in St. Louis, with a goal of delivering the first aircraft by the year 2030. The deal is expected to bring thousands of new jobs to St. Louis, though a specific number has yet to be revealed. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A judge denied bond Tuesday for an 18-year-old charged in the murders of two students near Booker T. Washington High School. Valdemar Patterson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the April 24 broad-daylight shooting that killed 17-year-old Christian Brown and 18-year-old Darrius Wadley. Arrest made in connection to MSCS students homicide Valdemar Patterson During a preliminary hearing, defense asked for a bond to be set; an assistant district attorney argued against it, citing public safety concerns, according to a release from D.A. Steve Mulroys office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say an Infiniti pulled into the South City apartment complex at Mississippi Boulevard and Lauderdale. Surveillance video shows four suspects, all armed with guns, getting out and walking through the complex and shooting both victims multiple times, police said. New information in South Memphis shooting: Victims named, 1 shooter injured As they got back into the Infiniti, police say Patterson was shot by someone inside the apartment complex. He fell out of the car onto the ground. Patterson was later dropped off at a hospital. Authorities are still searching for additional suspects in the case. 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. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Bond was revoked for a man who had announced that he was running for Youngstown mayor and was then caught up in a domestic violence case. John Whites bond was revoked in a hearing Tuesday in the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas. Prosecutors asked for immediate revocation of Whites bond because the defendant continuously violated the terms and conditions of his bond as well as the temporary protection order in this case, wrote Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman in a bond revocation motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White was initially arrested on felony domestic violence and disrupting public services charges on May 2 in connection with an altercation with a woman. He posted bond and was released. Three days later, he appeared in Girard Municipal Court, where a no-contact order was issued as a condition of his bond. Immediately after that court proceeding, prosecutors say that White began calling the victim repeatedly; accessed her phone account and deactivated her service; hacked into the victims various accounts, locking her out and changing passwords; and accessed the victims Facebook account without her permission, in violation of the terms of the bond. A warrant was issued for White on May 7 on a charge of violating a protection order. White turned himself in on May 14, and bond was continued with additional restraints; however, prosecutors say that White again tried to gain information about the victim from another person, stating that he would burn the whole city to the ground before he let somebody take [the victim] away from him. Wildman wrote in his motion that White indicated that he had been chasing the victim for 15 years and would never stop. On May 25, the victim began receiving text messages from an unknown number, but the sender was using language and aliases known to White and the victim, saying that he wanted to build back better, his life with the victim, Wildman wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White will remain in jail until at least June 13, according to prosecutors, when there will be a formal bond hearing in Judge Sarah Kovoors court. Nadine Grimley contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Shakespeare knew it centuries ago: The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Trumps response to Bruce Springsteens warnings given from a stage in Manchester came quickloud, erratic, and dripping with grievance. Was this the voice of presidential confidence, or was it the howl of a man watching the walls close in? When power is secure, it whispers. When its scared, it shouts. And Trumps over-the-top denials say the quiet part out loud: hes terrified. On January 19, 1967, inside the cavernous walls of Studio One at EMIs Abbey Road Studios, John Lennon and Paul McCartney sat side by side, piecing together what would become the final track of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Lennon, hunched over his acoustic guitar, sang the haunting opening lines of A Day in the Life, while McCartney accompanied him on piano. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he reached the line Id love to turn you on, the two young songwriters shared a knowing glance. They were fully aware that this phrase would raise eyebrows and likely provoke the BBC, who indeed banned the song for its perceived drug references. Yet, for the Beatles, this line was less about promoting drug use and more about signaling a cultural awakening a call to consciousness that mirrored the societal shifts of the 1960s. This shift helped fuel a movement that forced the United States to abandon the war in Vietnam unable to sustain a battle both abroad and at home, America gave in, leaving Vietnam to the Vietnamese. This moment in the studio encapsulated the Beatles evolving role as not just musicians but as commentators on and catalysts for change. Their music was beginning to reflect a deeper engagement with the world around them, challenging norms and encouraging listeners to question not only their parents, but the status quo. This spirit of defiance is also evident in George Harrisons Taxman, a biting critique of the British governments taxation policies. Frustrated by the exorbitant taxes levied on the bands earnings, Harrison channeled his discontent into a song that pulled no punches in excoriating Great Britain under Harold Wilson, laying bare the inequities of the system. Taxman stands as an early example of the Beatles using their platform to address political issues, setting the stage for the more overtly socially conscious music that would follow. Fast forward through the decades, and the echoes of that Abbey Road rebellion grew louder. From the psychedelic haze of the 60s to the hard-edged protest anthems of the 70s, 80s, and beyond, artists have kept their fingers on the pulse of unrest using music not as a soothing balm but as a blaring siren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jimi Hendrixs Machine Gun wasnt just a song; it was a searing lament for Vietnam, a raw, electrified howl of anguish that warned of the blood-soaked cost of war. The Clashs Guns of Brixton captured the clenched fists and breaking glass of racial tension and economic despair in Thatchers Britain, a warning shot fired not from a rifle, but from a Fender Precision Bass landing in a collective of record players and ricochetting in the heart of the streets, lighting torches of awareness held high by both kids and adults. Bruce Springsteen, ever the chronicler of the American condition, has long carried that torch. His Death to My Hometown is a bitter reckoning with the economic devastation wrought by greed and indifference, while The Ghost of Tom Joad resurrects Steinbecks specter of the dispossessed, a haunting reminder that the struggle for dignity and justice is far from over. These songs dont just warnthey witness. They record the heartbeat of rebellion, the collective refusal to let power go unchallenged. And they remind us that music, when wielded with purpose, can shake the foundations of the system. And that foundation wasnt just shaken Bruce rocked it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 14, 2025, at Manchesters Co-op Live Arena, Springsteen opened his Land of Hope and Dreams tour with a fiery denunciation of Donald Trumps administration, labeling it corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous. He implored the audience to raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring, warning that Americas foundational values were under siege. He accused the administration of rolling back civil rights, stifling free speech, and aligning with dictators over democratic allies. These remarks were not offhandedthey were recorded and released days later as part of his live EP, Land of Hope and Dreams, which also featured a cover of Bob Dylans Chimes of Freedom, reinforcing his message of resistance. Trumps response was swift and vitriolic. On Truth Social, he lashed out, calling Springsteen a pushy, obnoxious JERK and a dried-out prune of a rocker, even mocking his appearance. He demanded that Springsteen KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, and later suggested investigating him and other artists like Beyonce and Oprah for their support of Kamala Harriss 2024 campaignalleging, without evidence, that they were illegally paid for endorsements. But Springsteen wasnt alone. Artists like Neil Young and Eddie Vedder rallied to his defense, denouncing Trumps attacks and affirming the importance of free expression. The American Federation of Musicians also stood in solidarity, emphasizing that musicians have the right to speak out against injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the aftermath of 9/11, musicians came together at the Concert for the Heroes their voices unified, rallying beneath the flag of freedom. They sang not just for America, but for the shared humanity that terrorism tried to shatter. I often wonder: if Jimi Hendrix were alive, what would he have made of it all? His blistering, feedback-laden Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock wasnt just a national anthemit was a battle cry, a raw, unflinching f-you to anyone who threatened our American ideology. Today, were fighting a different kind terrorism one that doesnt come from distant shores, but rises from within. It erodes truth, fans the flames of hate, and chips away at the foundation of democracy itself. Who better to sound the alarm than Bruce Springsteen? His voice is the call to arms we need a reminder that freedom isnt just a flag we wave, but a fight we must wage. The post Born to Rant: Springsteens Truth to Power Screed Is the Rallying Cry We Need | Guest Column appeared first on TheWrap. BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Four new Troopers joined the ranks of Louisiana State Polices Troop G in Bossier City on Monday. Chase Bond, Matthew Cook, Cole Pike and Ishmael Pitts were welcomed to the Troop G family, according to an LSP social media post. They were four of the 46 cadets who officially graduated from Cadet Class 106 this past Friday in Baton Rouge. The Troopers took part in a rigorous 24-week training program that tested their physical endurance, decision-making, and dedication to public service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven other Trooper joined the Region 3 family on Monday, which is comprised of Troop G, Troop E in Alexandria, and Troop F in Monroe. Heading to Alexandria are Michelle-Marie Ahn-Sims, Cade Moreau, Benjamin Nettles Jr., Nicholas Ortiz, Dawson Scolari, and Furnell Stevens Jr. Heading to Monroe is John Cash II. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Overdose deaths in Boston decreased by a notable 38% last year, according to a new data analysis released by the citys Public Health Commission. It was the lowest number of related deaths since 2015, reflecting the continuation of an encouraging downward trend, the commission said, that has also played out nationally. Drug overdose deaths nationwide fell by nearly 27% during 2024, provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows welcome relief from the crisis that at its worst claimed more than 107,000 lives in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many public health officials and those working in substance use have attributed the decrease to the increased availability of harm reduction tools, such as naloxone and fentanyl test strips, as well as the ever-changing illicit drug supply itself. Last month, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released its annual threat assessment showing average fentanyl purity is falling. Meanwhile, drug traffickers are introducing new contaminants into the street supply, often unknown to people who use the drugs. Big drop in Black, Latino overdose deaths An especially promising sign within Bostons 2024 overdose data is the significant drop in deaths of Black and Latino residents, specifically men, who in recent years were disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While overdose death rates for white people were dropping, they increased for people of color. For example, in 2023, Black and Indigenous men across Massachusetts had the highest opioid-related death rates, compared to a 16% drop in the death rates among white men. But 2024 in Boston told a different story: opioid-related mortality in the city fell by 59% for Black men and 52% for Latino men. Overall, Black and Latino residents experienced a 58% and 48% decrease, respectively. The city called the numbers an encouraging sign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Bostons public health commissioner, said the new data reinforces the citys commitment to eliminating racial and ethnic disparities and to ensuring equitable access to services for people with substance use disorders. While we are encouraged by these data, we still have work to do, she said. Last year, the city of Boston distributed over 23,000 doses of naloxone the overdose reversal medication via street outreach, public health vending machines, kiosks and community grants. The Boston Public Health Commission conducted over 25,000 engagements with people and made over 2,000 treatment placements, often driving patients directly to a detox or treatment facility, the city said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Mayor Michelle Wu said the new data represents the impact of our collective efforts to combat the opioid crisis, but emphasizes our continued support to communities who are disproportionately affected. More Public Health News Read the original article on MassLive. GARISSA, Kenya, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan authorities have reported that security forces killed four al-Shabab terrorists Monday in Garissa County, in the country's northeastern region bordering Somalia. "The success followed a meticulously planned intelligence-led operation. The militants were first spotted by a surveillance drone, after which SOG (Special Operations Group) units tracked and engaged them. A fierce exchange of fire ensued, resulting in four terrorists being eliminated," police said in a statement. AK-47 rifles, a machine gun, ammunition, and communication radios were recovered during the operation in Najo and Guracho areas of Garissa County, according to the statement. "The SOG, in close collaboration with other security agencies and the local community, remains unwavering in its mission to safeguard the lives and security of Kenyans," the statement added. Stefanie Clarke was sitting in her Boulder, Colorado, home texting her best friend early Sunday afternoon. The two Jewish women, who met on a trip to Israel in 1990, were discussing how the actions of the Israeli government have created an unsafe environment for Jews around the world. But as Clarke was about to send another message, she received a terrifying notification: someone had just attacked a group of demonstrators on Pearl Street. The demonstrators, who gathered every week, were raising awareness for hostages held in Gaza. I felt like I had this out-of-body experience. I couldn't believe that this was the conversation I was having, and here it was in my own backyard on Pearl Street at a place I have been hundreds of times, Clarke, co-founder of Stop Antisemitism Colorado, told POLITICO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays attack, which left at least 12 people wounded, came just two weeks after a gunman, identified asElias Rodriguez,killed two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and about two months after a man, Cody Balmer, allegedly set fire to the official residence of Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish. In all three cases, the suspects expressed support for Palestinian rights. Already on high alert, Jewish Americans are now demanding leaders address misconceptions they say have affected those who have fallen prey to misinformation. There's a tremendous amount of disinformation, said Daniel Rosen, president of the American Jewish Congress. What we are seeing now is a tragic war translating into rhetoric which then leads to violence on American soil where Jews are being attacked for being Jews, having no role in a war on the other side of the globe. The D.C. gunman allegedly shouted, Free, free Palestine! as he opened fire. On Sunday, the suspect allegedly yelled out to demonstrators, Free Palestine! Authorities said the suspect in the arson on Shapiros mansion also expressed anger overthe war in Gaza. The cries for Palestinian freedom, Clarke said, have disturbingly offered a justification for antisemitism. Israel has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in response to the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200. Hamas took hundreds of hostages in that attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burning Jews alive on the streets of Boulder is not going to save anybody in Gaza, she said. I don't have enough control to stop what is happening in my own country, how do I have any bearing on what is happening from the Israeli government? Clarke, who believes Jews have the right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, continued, The majority of Jews identify as Zionists. That doesn't mean that we support what the government of Israel is doing. I have never had a conversation with another Jew who has condoned what is happening in Gaza. It breaks our hearts. It rips out our hearts to see any innocent person suffer. Still, with the increase in antisemitic attacks, synagogues and Jewish community gatherings have increased their security following the Oct. 7 attack. Since 2020, Temple Emanuel in Denver has had to hire armed guards. Before each service, leaders now point out all exits and remind congregants that if there's any need to evacuate quickly, follow leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hate the fact that we have to spend that money [on security guards], but we have no choice, Senior Rabbi Joseph Black said. But even with added security, Black said multiple congregants have reached out since Sunday, concerned about their safety at upcoming services and events. Anger toward Israels actions, he added, has extended beyond the State of Israel to the Jewish people, and it is mining a vein of antisemitism that, unfortunately, has been around for centuries. Even though Black believes officials must strongly condemn Sundays attack, he said he doesnt hold elected leaders responsible for the attack. Colorado leaders, he said, have been supportive of providing security for Jewish communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Rosen, leaders both elected and within the Jewish community must find better ways of monitoring social media to try to prevent attacks like Sundays. Authorities saidthe suspect had planned Sundays attack for over a year and had charged him with multiple offenses, including a federal hate crime and state attempted murder charges. On Tuesday, authorities detainedthe family of the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman. And though President Donald Trump on Monday called the attack horrific, he also used the incident to lay blame on Joe Biden, arguing the former presidents border policy allowed the suspect to remain in the U.S. with an expired visa. There's this sense of oblivion, perhaps, that the Jewish community is traumatized, Black said. But he doesnt expect that fear to dissipate anytime soon, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antisemitism has been around for thousands of years. It's not going away. What we're seeing is what was always there beneath the surface. We saw it in Charlottesville, we saw it in Pittsburgh, we saw it in Washington, D.C. We saw it in Colleyville, and now we see it here and Boulder. I'm sure it's going to happen again, he said. CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify how Clarke characterized the overall effect of cries of Free Palestine. New Orleans, Harrisburg, Washington D.C., and now Boulder -- four attacks, all carried out by radicalized individuals targeting soft civilian locations. These tragedies have left communities grieving and the nation once again asking: why? Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the threat landscape in the U.S. has evolved dramatically. That coordinated attack involved complex planning, training and support networks. UIG via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: Firefighters are shown amid the rubble of the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks in New York, in 2001. MORE: Boulder group leader recounts 'panic' as attack unfolded: 'They're literally on fire' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly a quarter century later, terrorist groups have adapted. Instead of highly organized cells, they now often rely on so-called "lone wolves" -- people radicalized in isolation who require little to no external coordination. These actors can strike without warning, making prevention increasingly difficult. The 2025 Department of Homeland Security Threat Analysis highlights this shift. "Lone offenders and small groups continue to pose the greatest threat of carrying out attacks with little to no warning," it said. "Violent extremist responses to domestic sociopolitical developments -- especially the 2024 election cycle -- and international events are likely to inspire attacks in the Homeland." This observation aligns with the findings of the 2015 study "Lone Wolf Terrorism in America," which defined lone wolf terrorism as politically motivated violence carried out independently, without direct command or ties to established groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The radicalization of these individuals, the study found, often follows a pattern: personal and political grievances, online affinity with extremist sympathizers, identification of an enabler, broadcasting of intent and a final triggering event. AP/David Zalubowski - PHOTO: Police in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025, responding to an attack. In today's digital age, the radicalization process has been drastically accelerated by the internet and dark web. Radicalization is the key to perpetuating these attacks and the study validated a series of commonalities associated with pathways to radicalization for lone wolf terrorists. MORE: Pittsburgh synagogue massacre: Remembering the 11 victims The radicalization model indicated that lone wolf terrorism begins with a combination of personal and political grievances which form the basis for an affinity with online sympathizers, which is what we have seen in large measure since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. This is followed by the identification of an enabler, followed by the broadcasting of terrorist intent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final commonality is a triggering event, or the catalyst for terrorism, as noted by the National Institute of Justice. It highlighted that terrorist organizations now have unprecedented access to vulnerable individuals, who can be radicalized and equipped with rudimentary tools of violence -- all with the click of a mouse. A 2017 University of Maryland study drove the point home. "Since 2006, 98% of all deaths from terrorism in the U.S. have resulted from attacks carried out by lone actors," it said. Their preferred targets? Almost always soft ones -- unprotected public spaces where civilians gather freely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 2 Israeli Embassy staffers killed in 'act of terror' in Washington, DC Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images - PHOTO: A photograph of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky is displayed outside the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, on May 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A Three-Pronged Approach to Mitigation Combating this expanding threat requires focused action across three key areas: mindset, signatures and planning. 1. Mindset: A Cultural Shift Toward Security Awareness America must move from a place of denial to proactive vigilance. A security mindset involves proactively considering potential risks, vulnerabilities and taking steps to mitigate them. This includes thinking like an attacker and constantly being on the lookout for security flaws, which is best done with the coordination of local law enforcement. Mindset for the public also includes accepting the "see something say something" mantra and ensuring that whenever anyone sees something strange or makes them uncomfortable, they report it to 911 or local law enforcement. That may mitigate a threat in itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public participation is vital. Adopting a "see something, say something" approach and encouraging citizens to report suspicious activity to authorities can help thwart attacks before they happen. MORE: Gov. Shapiro gives sit-down interview from residence after arson attack Anadolu via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during a press conference outside of the Governor's Mansion after an arsonist set fire to the Governor's Residence in a targeted attack in Harrisburg, Penn., on April 13, 2025. 2. Signatures: Identifying Warning Signs For law enforcement, prevention depends on recognizing key behavioral signatures: Political or personal grievances. Alignment with online extremist networks. Public declarations of violent intent. Association with enablers. Recent triggering events. Early identification of these markers can be crucial in stopping a threat before it materializes. 3. Planning: Securing the Soft Targets Public events and soft targets -- places like music festivals, sporting venues, shopping centers, houses of worship, or restaurants -- are attractive to attackers because of minimal security and maximum impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security planning must become an essential part of every public gathering, regardless of size or location. This means: Coordinating with local law enforcement. Developing tailored incident response plans. Training staff and volunteers on emergency procedures. Creating systems to report and respond to concerns. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) emphasizes the importance of planning to secure public gatherings. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: In this Jan. 1, 2025, file photo, a member of the FBI looks on near a bouquet of flowers tied to a fence, a block from Bourbon Street, after at least 15 people were killed during an attack early in the morning on January 1, 2025, in New Orleans. We must confront the reality that terrorism today often does not come from abroad or in large groups -- it comes from within, from individuals radicalized online and motivated by perceived injustice or ideological fervor. These lone actors, acting on grievance and enabled by the internet, present a formidable and evolving threat to American public life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To keep communities safe, security must no longer be an afterthought. It must be integrated into every public event and venue -- supported by awareness, informed by intelligence and rooted in partnership between citizens and authorities. Only through collective vigilance and proactive planning can we hope to disrupt the next lone wolf before they strike. Donald J. Mihalek is an ABC News contributor, retired senior Secret Service agent and regional field training instructor who served during two presidential transitions. He was also a police officer and served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Richard Frankel is an ABC News contributor and retired FBI special agent who was the special agent in charge of the FBI's Newark Division and prior to that, the FBI's New York Joint Terrorism TASK force. The opinions expressed in this story are not those of ABC News. (COLORADO SPRINGS) Reactions continue to come in as the community learns more about what exactly happened in Boulder on Sunday afternoon, June 1. On Monday, state and federal leaders provided an update on the status of their case. DOJ: Boulder attack suspect facing federal hate crime charges The DOJ, FBI, and multiple other agencies in Boulder took time on Monday to talk about the ongoing investigation. During the press conference, authorities revealed disturbing new details about the attack and the long list of charges the suspect is facing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, said J. Bishop Grewell, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohamad Sabry Soliman, faces federal charges of hate crime, as well as state charges of attempted murder. He could now face a federal sentence of life in prison. No one should ever be subjected to violence of any kind, but our laws recognize that such violence is particularly pernicious when someone is targeted because of their race, their religion, or their national origin, said Grewell. Officials say Soliman planned his attack for a year and decided to act because he hated what he called the Zionist group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the charges allege that he did was to throw 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, said Grewell. Investigators say Soliman tried to buy a gun but couldnt because of his illegal status. So, he chose to make his own Molotov cocktails and used YouTube to learn how. Each device was made of wine bottles or ball jars, with red rags hanging out the tops, each filled with what investigators later discovered was 87-octane gasoline. In addition to that, it appeared he had a backpack, for like a weed killer, but that contained flammable liquid in it as well, said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. The Boulder Police Department was able to recover 16 unused Molotov cocktails shortly after the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, there is no question that the first responders saved lives and prevented further victims from being injured. And I think, the facts that we have, both federal and state charges within 24 hours of this attack, is a testament to the strength of the partnerships, the professionalism of the investigators, and our commitment to the community and to each other to pursue justice, said Michalek. Soliman now faces 16 counts of attempted murder, which could carry a sentence of 384 years in prison. He also faces charges related to the use and attempted use of an incendiary device for a potential additional 192. Since the investigation began, the FBI said it conducted 44 witness interviews, and at this point, they believe the suspect acted alone. What you see here today is us standing shoulder-to-shoulder, ensuring that justice is done in response to this tragic and terrible attack, said Michael Dougherty, 20th Judicial District Attorney. On Monday, Soliman went before a judge, who set a $10 million cash-only bond on the state charges. Soliman will appear back in court on June 5 at 3:30 p.m. Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact the FBI Denver at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. MANILA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday recommended declaring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) a national public health emergency amid the 500 percent surge in HIV cases among the country's youth. In a video message on Tuesday, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the significant increase was recorded among individuals aged 15 to 25 years. The DOH reported that the number of confirmed HIV cases daily reached 57 from January to March this year, the highest in the Western Pacific region. According to DOH data, newly diagnosed HIV cases have more than doubled over the past 10 years, from just 21 daily cases in 2014 to 48 in 2024. "There were 56 cases per day from January to April 2025, 44 percent higher than the same period last year," the DOH said. In the Philippines, diagnosed HIV cases are getting younger. Data showed that the predominant age group of confirmed cases was between 25 and 34 years old since 2006. Sexual contact remains the predominant mode of transmission, but has shifted to largely being among males having sex with males since 2007, the data further showed. Atlanta Braves fans can score some swag when they roll up their sleeves this month at their annual blood drive. The Atlanta Braves and the American Red Cross are teaming up for their 17th annual All-American Blood Drive, sponsored by Delta Airlines. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The blood drive will be held June 3-30 at the following locations and times: Hyatt House Atlanta/Cobb Galleria - June 3-4, June 10, June 13, June 17, June 25, June 27 and June 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Truist Park - June 20 and June 23, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While supplies last, donors can receive a commemorative T-shirt, a complimentary pair of tickets to a Braves game as well as other Atlanta Braves and American Red Cross giveaways. Summer blood donations typically trend down, and this multi-day blood drive is an effort to counter that trend. TRENDING STORIES: We typically see a shortfall in blood donations during the summer months, which makes it hard to keep hospital shelves stocked with lifesaving blood products. We need donors to give now to keep the blood supply stable, said Garrett Reid, Regional Donor Services Executive for the American Red Cross of Georgia. The Red Cross appreciates the support of those who roll up a sleeve to give year-round. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Atlanta Braves has collected more than 11,500 units of blood to date. The team has held this blood drive since 2009. Before it became a multi-day affair, the blood drive held the title of the largest single-day Red Cross blood drive in Georgia. If you cant make it for the blood drive this month, you have additional opportunities to take part in monthly blood drives at Truist Park. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Donors can give blood every 56 days, up to six times a year. You must be in good health and feeling well. You must be at least 16 years old in most states and you must weigh at least 110 pounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information and to make a donation appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. sponsor code: DeltaATL. See additional donation requirements for teen donors. Learn more about donating whole blood. NEED TO KNOW A fight broke out at Shanghai Disneyland between a couple and a family of three, including a toddler The incident occurred after the couple allegedly cut in line to use a photo booth and, according to bystanders, then became outraged when the family appeared in the background of their shots. Bystander footage shows the couple physically attacking the man and shoving the mother with a child in her arms Both men sustained minor injuries; the child was unharmed. It's unclear if charges were filed. A family outing to Disneyland took a violent turn following a dispute over line-jumping, which spiraled into a physical altercation in front of stunned park-goers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident unfolded on Saturday, May 31, at the Shanghai Disneyland Resort. According to Viral Press, a man and his girlfriend were taking pictures in a photo booth when family of three appeared in the background of their shots, and events quickly escalated. Viral Press Shanghai Disneyland Resort brawl Shanghai Disneyland Resort brawl In footage captured by a bystander, the couple is seen confronting the father before attacking him. The woman in the couple, who is wearing a large floppy-eared hat, appears to shove the family's toddler daughter in the face while she's in her mothers arms, causing the mother to scream and drop down to the ground. The first couple continued to attack the father, choking him while pushing him against a wall. Park security intervened, breaking up the fight as several tourists rushed to try and help de-escalate the altercation. PEOPLE has reached out to Disney Parks for comment but did not receive an immediately reply. Viral Press According to Viral Press, witnesses claimed the first couple cut the line for photos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One onlooker recalled the woman from the couple allegedly shouting, Whats wrong with me calling you stupid? Is it illegal for me to call you stupid? Are you upset? Disney Resort staff assisted the injured men following the altercation. As reported by local media, both men suffered minor injuries, including scratches and bruising. The child was reportedly not seriously harmed. Its unclear whether any charges were filed. Marcio Machado/Getty Images This is not the first time a fight has broken out at a Disney park. In May 2023, a fight broke out between groups vying for a photo with a special 100th anniversary sign, marking the Walt Disney Company's anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident, authorities said at the time, occurred after one family was standing in front of the sign to take a photo. The other family then entered the park and stood in the same area where the first family was standing. When the first family asked the other family to move so they could take their photo, this led to one family member from the second family punching a member of the first family in the face and a brawl breaking out. Two of those guests were removed from the park as a result. Joe Raedle/Getty Another incident captured on video occurred at the Florida park in 2022. Deputies responded to a fight at Magic Kingdom," a spokesperson told PEOPLE at the time. They "conducted their investigation and subsequently arrested three people for misdemeanor battery. One person was taken to the hospital for a minor injury." According to the fan-run Disney blog Walt Disney World News Today, the two groups were standing in line for Mickey's PhilharMagic Concert, when one member of a family left the line to retrieve her cell phone. When the other family "refused to let her in and physically pushed her back," a witness told the outlet, a fight ensued. Read the original article on People Braxton Brewing Company is taking over Hi-Wire Brewing's taproom in Norwood, making it the the fifth location in the growing craft brewer's portfolio. Covington-founded Braxton Brewing will transition the Hi-Wire's taproom at Factory52 into one of its own after both companies made the "mutual growth transition," according to a news release. The taproom will be temporarily closed until sometime in June for renovations. Braxton Brewing said it will retain current Hi-Wire employees from the Factory 52 location and several Hi-Wire beers will remain on tap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Braxton Brewing is taking over the green-space and full-service bar in front of the brewery, which they are calling The Porch. The brewery plans to continue offering family-friendly programming and events in the green space, including movie nights and pop-up events. The departure of Asheville, North Carolina-based Hi-Wire's northernmost taproom comes after Hurricane Helene destroyed much of the brewery's headquarters, flagship taproom and distribution warehouse in September 2024. "We had to look at our business and figure out the best path forward without knowing how we would recover from the flood," Hi-Wire co-founder Adam Charnack said in the news release. "We had to think about how to ensure the health of the business, and that meant making some hard choices." Hi-Wire opened its Cincinnati-area taproom in 2023, following expansions across North Carolina and in Louisville, Kentucky; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Nashville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Braxton Brewing recently opened a new location in Union, Kentucky in November. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Braxton Brewing Co. coming to Norwood with takeover of Hi-Wire Brewing Teenager found safe after being reported missing in Tazewell County UPDATE: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 @ 12:18 p.m. | TAZEWELL, VA (WVNS) A press release from the Tazewell Police Department stated that Alysia Trigg was found safe according to the Salem Police Department. According to the Tazewell Police Department, the incident remains under investigation. TAZEWELL, VA (WVNS) The Tazewell Police Department asked for the publics help finding teenager Alysia Naomi Trigg, who was reported missing in Tazewell County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trigg is a 16-year-old girl who is around five feet four inches tall, and was last seen in Tazewell, Virginia at her home at approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025. According to the Tazewell Police Department, Trigg is believed to be in danger. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Tazewell Police Department at (276) 988-2503. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jun. 2TOBYHANNA U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., on Monday said "at the heart of everything we do" is the belief that government should work better for the people it serves. "And that starts with our veterans," said Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township. "Those who have risked their lives for our country shouldn't be forced to deal with government red tape just to access the benefits they rightfully earned while wearing our nation's uniform. I am proud to recognize the more than 40,000 veterans in Northeastern Pennsylvania this legislation is dedicated to them, and I will continue to work every day on behalf of them and our community." Bresnahan held a press conference with local veterans and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3448 to recognize veterans and bring awareness to his recently passed legislation, H.R. 1286 the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bresnahan was joined by more than a dozen local veterans, including VFW Post 3448 Commander Greg Schultz; second-generation veteran Tony Andriola; and VFW Post 3448 Senior Vice Commander Jackie Boucher, who all gave brief remarks. Monroe County Commissioners Chairman John Christy and Vice Chairman David Parker were also in attendance. Bresnahan said he introduced the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act to simplify the forms process to make VA standard forms more user-friendly. Bresnahan said he introduced the bill on Feb. 13, and it passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs on May 6. Bresnahan said he spoke on the House Floor May 19 about the legislation before its passage out of the U.S. House by a vote of 386-1. Bresnahan said the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act would require VA to contract with a nonpartisan, federally funded research entity to conduct a study on, and provide recommendations for, revising VA forms to be more understandable for veterans and their survivors. Following this study, the VA Secretary would be required to report findings to Congress and implement recommendations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the press conference, Bresnahan also previewed the launch of a new initiative to expand constituent services across Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District with the introduction of a mobile office known as the BresnaVan. Additional details on the BresnaVan and its operations will be announced later this week. "Our mission is to make government more accessible, responsive, and present in every corner of the district," Bresnahan said. "The BresnaVan will allow us to reach communities where we don't have permanent offices and make sure every constituent has access to the support and services they deserve." Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. Kenneth and Mildred Bordeaux, an octogenarian couple in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, are facing $366,000 in fines for six minor code violations on their duplex. The fines stem from issues like a broken window handle and cracked outlet covers, which they quickly repaired after city inspections began in March 2024. Despite their prompt fixes, the city took over 220 days to verify the repairs, causing daily fines to pile up to an amount the couple say they can't afford. Their lawyer argues that these excessive fines are illegal, and they applied for a lien reduction, but the city only offered a 10-percent cut, leaving them with over $300,000 to pay. CBS News Miami found the city's inspection delays are part of a broader issue, with Lauderdale Lakes planning to increase revenue through code enforcement, affecting other property owners, too. The post Brickbat: Quick Work appeared first on Reason.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) One facility is battling the opioid crisis by helping mothers and babies recover from addictive substances. Brigids Path has saved nearly 300 babies since 2017, by providing 24/7 medical care to children exposed to addictive substances. The president of the CDC Foundation visited the facility to spread their message and encourage the community to support their mission. Brigids Path gives grace, and they dont judge you, said Ashley Wells, previous Brigids Path patient. And this is a place where they would just help anybody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wells is just one of the nearly 300 mothers that Brigids Path has helped since 2017. She says the facility has been life changing for her and her son, Asher. Once I had Asher, we were in the NICU for about two and a half weeks, and then we came here, said Wells. And since then, our lives have just changed. Brigids Path helps babies and families affected by substance abuse in the southwestern Ohio region one of the hardest hit areas by the opioid crisis. On Monday, President and CEO of the CDC Foundation and Dayton native Dr. Judy Monroe visited Brigids Path, showing support for the facility and encouraging more places like it nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to continue the success, theres an amazing staff here. I mean, the passion Ive seen today is just amazing, said Dr. Judy Monroe, CDC Foundation president, CEO. With an eye toward replicating nationally, there are only a few centers like this across the nation. The facility is only one of five in the U.S. of its kind, providing care to families struggling with addition and making it a point to not only support holistically, but also to lower costs for hospital systems by thousands of dollars. President and founder of Brigids Path, Jill Kingston, says they are excited at the push for national expansion, but right now, they are pushing for community gap funding, as they await Medicaid reimbursement. Seeing the national support that were getting has been a huge blessing, working with the state of Ohio to put Medicaid in place, said Jill Kingston, Brigids Path founding president. But its not in place yet, so we have this gap in funding that were trying to fill in, asking for the communitys help to get that done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brigids Path reports 85 percent of newborns helped at the facility are discharged into family care, 70 percent of which would have otherwise had to be placed in foster care, ultimately helping families like Wells stay and grow together. And its important for people to keep funding this place so other parents and other moms and other babies can get the help and services they need as well, said Wells. Brigids Path is asking for community support if you would like to donate, 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 WDTN.com. SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) Its a feeding frenzy for birds out on the Great Salt Lake that rely on its ecosystem billions of brine flies are buzzing along the shores of the lake. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said that brine fly larvae begin hatching in late April and May, peaking a few times each year. Brine flies are just one of the food sources that make up the ecosystem around the Great Salt Lake. The flies dont bite and have up to eight times more caloric value than brine shrimp, but they can be a bit of a nuisance for visitors at the lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adult brine flies are essentially harmless, and their life span only lasts a few days. Experts said the flies will continue to hatch through October or even November. 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 Olatunji Saliu ABUJA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- With close to 200 confirmed fatalities, authorities in Nigeria's north-central Niger State are still searching for more than 1,000 people believed to have been swept away by devastating floods triggered by heavy rains over the past week. The torrential downpours on Wednesday night wreaked havoc across Mokwa, a bustling market and farming town in Niger, submerging and washing away dozens of residential homes, some with occupants still inside, local officials said earlier. Yakubu Garba, deputy governor of Niger, told reporters late Monday that nearly a week after the disaster, hundreds remained unaccounted for despite ongoing rescue efforts. "For now, we do not know where they are. Those people have been swept away by water. We have reviewed house-to-house and based on that, the number of people yet to be seen is more than 1,000," Garba said, adding that the flooding has displaced over 3,000 residents, affected at least 2,000 properties, washed away roads, and caused the collapse of three bridges. One of the most urgent challenges, Garba noted, is the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the missing, whose families are desperately searching for them. Ibrahim Hussaini, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, told Xinhua over the weekend that over 503 households were impacted. The search for more bodies is ongoing, with local divers and volunteers assisting in the operation. Some residents believe the flooding may have been worsened by the release of water from a nearby dam, though officials have yet to confirm this. "The situation is very tragic, with many families wiped out and survivors recounting harrowing losses," Amina Yahaya, a resident from a neighboring town, told Xinhua. Flooding in central Nigeria, including the Mokwa disaster, is the result of a complex mix of factors. The country regularly faces severe floods during the rainy season, which typically lasts six months, beginning in March and intensifying by mid-May, especially in the northern regions. Local experts said climate change has led to increasingly erratic and intense rainfall patterns, overwhelming existing drainage systems and the natural capacity of the land to absorb water in many areas of Africa's most populous country. Last Tuesday, the National Emergency Management Agency said it had ramped up efforts to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding, urging all levels of government to invest in drainage infrastructure, dams, and flood-resilient facilities in flood-prone regions. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A British Airways flight attendant was reportedly found naked staging a one-man disco in a business class restroom on a flight from San Francisco to London last week. According to a report in UK publication The Sun, the incident occurred when the flight attendant, a 41-year-old man, was supposed to be serving the in-flight meal. While serving the meal, the flight attendants colleagues searched the aircraft, which was an Airbus A380, according to FlightAware. The in-flight crew boss was reportedly stunned to find the missing flight attendant completely naked and jigging up and down in a business class restroom. Timelapse: Northern Lights visible in Sonoma County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flight attendant, according to The Sun, was given a pair of pajamas reserved for first class passengers and bundled into a seat in the first-class cabin where he was restrained for the rest of the flight. Upon the plane landing at London Heathrow, the flight attendant was reportedly given medical attention and arrested. British Airways has reportedly suspended the flight attendant while an investigation is conducted. According to The Sun, angry flight crew members had to work the entire flight without breaks due to the flight attendant being incapacitated by drugs. We think the guy popped pills when he was meant to be working. It is an extraordinary thing to do, said one airline employee, speaking to The Sun. Not only is it really dangerous, it is a crazy way to end your BA career. This job can do ridiculous things to people, but staging a one-man disco in a Club World toilet is a new one to me. KRON4.com reached out to British Airways for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a matter for the police, an airlines spokesperson replied. According to FlightAware, the plane landed in London on May 25 at 11 a.m. local 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 KRON4. Three British people accused of smuggling cocaine hidden in Angel Delight sachets are facing the death penalty in Bali. Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were arrested on Feb 1 after being stopped at Balis international airport with 17 packages of the drug that weighed nearly a kilogramme in total, prosecutors said. They appeared in court in Denpasar on Tuesday, alongside Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, who was allegedly due to receive the packages and arrested a few days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Collyer and Ms Stocker, who are reported to be a couple, were stopped by security at the X-ray machine after suspicious items were detected in their suitcases. They were taken to a separate area, where staff found cocaine in blue plastic packages labelled Angel Delight in Mr Collyers luggage. More cocaine was found in seven plastic bags in Ms Stockers suitcase. The drugs were brought from England to Indonesia with a transit in Doha International Airport in Qatar, prosecutor Made Dipa Umbara said. Mr Umbara told the court that cocaine seized from the trio was worth an estimated 6 billion rupiah (271,000). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group had successfully smuggled cocaine into Bali on two previous occasions before being caught on their third attempt, said Ponco Indriyo, the deputy director of the Bali police narcotics unit. After the charges were read out, the panel of three judges adjourned the trial until June 10, when the court will hear witness testimony. The group allegedly successfully smuggled cocaine into Bali on two occasions before being caught on their third attempt - Firdia Lisnawati/AP The defendants and their lawyers declined to comment to reporters after the hearing. The three Britons could face the death penalty under Indonesias strict drug laws, although it has upheld a moratorium on the death sentence since 2017. Convicted drug smugglers have in the past been executed by firing squad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The British embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Foreigners on death row President Prabowo Subiantos administration has moved in recent months to repatriate several high-profile inmates, all sentenced for drug offences, back to their home countries. Serge Atlaoui, a Frenchman, returned to France in February after Jakarta and Paris agreed a deal to repatriate him on humanitarian grounds because he was ill. In December, Indonesia took Mary Jane Veloso, who was found guilty of drug trafficking in 2010, off death row and returned her to the Philippines. It also sent the five remaining members of the Bali Nine drug ring, who were serving heavy prison sentences, back to Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Indonesias ministry of immigration and corrections, 96 foreigners were on death row, all on drug charges, before Velosos release. 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. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Its been almost two months since near-record flooding tore through Frankfort and Franklin County. While much of the county looks to be back to normal, you still see some of the scars left by the storm. One of the places where the scars are still present despite being busy seemingly at all hours of the day is Buffalo Trace Distillery, a staple of Kentuckys capital city. Floodwaters nearly engulfing this site is one of the lasting images of Aprils storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This place plays a major role in both Kentuckys bourbon and tourism industries, and the staff here know that. It is why they have worked so hard to get it back to the top-notch experience people have come to expect. Its often said that waiting is the hardest part, and that was especially the case for those who call Buffalo Trace Distillery home. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Theres only so much you can do, explained General Manager Tyler Adams. You prepare, you prepare, and then you need to wait for that river to crest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When that wait was over, the Kentucky River had crested at a near-record level. If you look inside the distillery, youll see just how historic this flood was. We crested on Monday; we were able to come in, assess the situation, Adams said. But honestly, before it even crested, we had already started the process of what a cleanup would look like. Preparing contractors, our team members, and getting everyone in here to get ready for that inevitable cleanup that is going to come. It shouldnt be a surprise that Buffalo Trace has changed a lot over the years from when it first opened in the 1700s, let alone when the all-time record flood for Franklin County happened in 1978. One thing that has changed mightily at the distillery is the level of technology they rely on, something that needed to be planned for accordingly when it came to the overall flood plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A couple of days before, theres a lot of work in bringing those things up, Adams detailed. But yeah, you mentioned a lot has changed. I mean, where were at now is a boiler house. These were originally been coal boilers powering the distillery and the steam. So, we moved on from that a little bit. But this was another place thats definitely affected by the water crest right against. Read more of the latest Kentucky news With Kentucky Derby 151 just four weeks away from when the flood happened, Adams said distillery staff were on a mission to get things back to normal. Knowing that tourism drives visitation here, that was top of mind for us to make sure we could have visitors back to support the local restaurants and shops and everything happening in Frankfort, said Adams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People from all over were ready to lend a hand. I cannot believe how many people reached out, Adams recalled. They called us, [messaged us on] social media, emailed that they wanted and to come and help with the cleanup. Like the physical cleanup, they offered to do anything, and I think thats just such an amazing part of what Kentucky is. Buffalo Trace is an institution of Frankfort and Kentucky as a whole. When asked how he thinks people will look at this flood from a historical context 10, 20, 30 years down the road, Adams touted the communitys recovery and resilience. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, we know that mark is going to be on the wall, we hope so, Adams said. I hope they look back at the resilience and not just of recovering, but the people that supported it, supporting the community, and like seeing Kentucky and really what bourbon means. I really hope they are proud of what was overcome during then, and maybe a little inspiration that they have to deal with it again. Another way Adams hopes people look back on this flood is how Buffalo Trace wasnt just worried about itself. While the distillery bounces back from its devastation, they are also doing what they can to support Kentucky flood and tornado victims. You can use the link here to be a part of the Pour it Forward for Kentucky Charity Fundraiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have a lot of cool items on there, but act fast; it closes at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Jun. 3Deputies received a report at 2:16 p.m. Sunday of building supplies that were reported stolen at 22580 735th Ave. in Albert Lea. The theft was believed to have occurred overnight. 1 cited for underage drinking Police cited Jenna Elizabeth Weiss, 20, for underage consumption at 1:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of East Clark Street and Lake Avenue. 1 arrested on alleged violation Police arrested Francisco Jose Guerrero, 24, on an alleged probation violation after a traffic stop at 2:10 a.m. Friday at West College Street and Washington Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shoplifting, damage reported Police received a report at 1:50 p.m. Friday of a male who had attempted to steal items and then attempted to shove the items in the toilet, causing damage, at 201 W. Main St. 1 arrested on A&D hold Police arrested Matthew Dylan Harmdierks, 35, on an arrest and detain hold at 3:36 p.m. Friday at 207 S. Pearl St. Assault reported Police received a report at 7:57 p.m. Friday of a male who was punched in the face at Walmart, 1550 Blake Ave. The suspect had left the store. Storage units broken into A storage unit was reported broken into at 1:16 p.m. Friday at 401 Pilot St. A sewing machine was taken and totes were rummaged through. It was unknown when the break-in occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A storage unit was reported broken into at 11:16 a.m. Saturday at 601 Pilot St. Items were taken. Dog bite reported Police received a report at 11:25 a.m. Saturday of a dog bite that happened while the person was at the dog park at 501 W. Richway Drive. Thefts reported Police received a report at 12:26 p.m. Saturday of two thefts that had occurred at Walmart, 1550 Blake Ave. The first occurred Thursday and was valued at $9.96. The second occurred Friday and was valued at about $1,000. Items reported stolen A push lawn mower was reported stolen at 4:36 p.m. Friday at 712 Valley Ave. Police received a report at 1:41 p.m. Saturday of a camp stove that was stolen the day prior at 815 Minnesota Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A wallet was reported stolen at 10:46 p.m. Saturday at 219 S. Pearl St. It was last seen at about 5:17 p.m. Damage reported Police received a report at 9:44 p.m. Sunday of damage to a house at 210 S. Third Ave. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) On Tuesday, social media influencer Laura Afonso appeared on Spotlight New England. Afonso, known for her Instagram page Buns & Bites, gives people recommendations on where and what to eat in Rhode Island. The Providence native has built a following of almost 100,000 and consults for local businesses in the restaurant industry on social media marketing. Food lovers can find Afonso on Instagram and visit her website, where they can search for restaurants in specific Rhode Island towns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spotlight New England airs weekdays on the WPRI 12+ TV app and WPRI.com. Watch the full interview in the player above. 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 The Rhode Show Today Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VIENTIANE, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Officials from Laos and Thailand have gathered for a technical economic seminar to strengthen trade cooperation and promote local products in international markets, Lao media reported on Tuesday. The seminar, titled "Strengthening Local Products in International Markets," was held on Monday in southern Laos' Champasak province, bringing together business leaders and experts from Laos and Thailand, Lao Economic Daily reported. The seminar focused on promoting agricultural production through cooperatives and showcased best practices and innovative ideas for developing local products and services. Speaking at the event, Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith emphasized that the seminar plays a crucial role in strengthening the long-standing friendship between Laos and Thailand, while also enhancing economic and trade cooperation. Jun. 2WINNER, S.D. A Burke man who faked his own kidnapping and later violated a protection order while armed has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges stemming from two separate incidents in 2023 and 2024. Trevor Krcil, of Burke, received a 40-year sentence from Judge Bobbi J. Rank at the Tripp County Courthouse in Winner, where the sentencing was held Monday afternoon, June 2. Krcil was sentenced following his guilty pleas to two counts of committing a felony while carrying a firearm and one count of first-degree burglary, all Class 2 felonies, along with one count of third-degree burglary, a Class 5 felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the Class 2 felonies, Krcil received a 20-year prison sentence, with 10 years suspended and 25 years with 10 suspended and 293 days credited as served, respectively, on the two charges of committing a felony while in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to an additional 25 years for the charge of first-degree burglary, another Class 2 felony, with 10 years suspended. On the charge of third degree burglary, a sentence of five years was given, with those five years being suspended. He was also ordered to pay court fees, though the fines on the charges were dropped. Rank told Krcil that she took into account his otherwise clean criminal record, his military service and the letters of support that had been submitted on his behalf. In a statement to the court prior to sentencing, Krcil expressed remorse over his actions and offered an apology to his wife and other involved parties. "I understand that my actions have serious consequences, and I'm committed to doing everything in my power to address the harm I've caused. I'm grateful for the opportunity to express my remorse and express empathy to Jada and family and to take such course to making things right," Krcil said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The severity of the charges coupled with his lack of accountability concerning the incidents from which the charges stem, however, was enough for her to impose a penitentiary sentence. "He has a lack of criminal history, up until 36 years old. And otherwise has not been in contact with the criminal justice system. But the contact he has had with it, has been horrifying," Rank said when she handed down her sentence. Rank also said she rejected Krcil's explanation that he did not remember some of the events from which the charges stem. "I do not buy for one split second that he does not remember these events. He remembers. Medical reports, his evaluation, does not buy his claim of amnesia, nor does the court. Everything in the reports, he remembers exactly what he did. And the fact that he's not willing to acknowledge that causes concern for the court because that goes to the acceptance of responsibility. And those who refuse to accept responsibility have big problems with rehabilitation," Rank said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentencing results from his actions during an incident of an altercation at his wife garage in Aug. of 2024, where he was found by law enforcement with a gun after confronting his wife. Krcil had originally pleaded not guilty to all charges in September 2024. However, he later changed his plea as part of a deal with prosecutors, who in turn dismissed several other charges, including second-degree burglary; false reporting; violation of a protection order; stalking; criminal entry of a motor vehicle; aggravated assault against a police officer; second-degree kidnapping; and aggravated assault causing bodily injury with a dangerous weapon. The case originally began in December 2023 when Krcil and his wife, Jada Krcil, reported receiving text messages they believed to be threatening. On July 20, 2024, Jada received a message threatening Trevor's life, followed by a series of texts that included photos appearing to show him bound and gagged. One message demanded $10,000 for his release. Police used phone location data to track the origin of the messages and located Krcil in a loft space inside a relative's shop building in Dallas, South Dakota. He admitted to sending the messages himself using a text application and to taking a firearm from a vehicle at the property. The weapon and materials shown in the photos were recovered by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While out on bond on Aug. 6, 2024, Krcil was found at Jada's home, in violation of a protection order. A neighbor reported seeing him pull Jada into the garage. When Burke Police Chief Mark Green arrived, he heard voices inside but received no response after announcing himself. Upon entry, he found Krcil holding a revolver. Jada left through a back entrance. After Green called for backup, officers determined Krcil had fled. A nearby vehicle was later reported stolen, and law enforcement believes Krcil used it to leave the area. He was later located and taken into custody. In a difficult budget year, lawmakers are looking at increasing several fees to help fill in the gap. (Getty Images) For years, Republican lawmakers have applied a guarantee to each budget they have passed: no new taxes and fees. This year theyre reconsidering the second part. In a year defined by lower projected business tax revenues, the budget passed by the House in April includes increases to a number of registration charges and levies in the state, from drivers licenses to tractors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislative leaders say the fees are a pragmatic way forward to address expected shortfalls in business taxes in the next two years and to apply them to those who use the services. In the past, weve kind of overlooked fees, said Rep. Ken Weyler, a Kingston Republican, speaking to the House on April 10. What does it cost to register a car? Not so much. When was the last time it went up? We cant find any history beyond 25 years. But others, including Democrats, say theyre unnecessary. I didnt run on a platform of increasing fees, said Rep. Matt Wilhelm, of Manchester, speaking in April ahead of the House passing the budget. If I remember correctly from the flyers that I received in the mail my friends on the other side of the aisle didnt campaign on a platform of raising fees either. The question is now in the hands of the Senate, where the Finance Committee is set to wrap up a final proposal for the budget in time for the whole chamber to vote on Thursday. The Senate Finance Committee has proposed reducing some of the fee increases though not eliminating them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a guide to what costs might go up. Driving fees The House has included an increase to the fee to obtain a new drivers license: from $10 to $20. The application fee for a new motor vehicle registration would rise from $25 to $35. The yearly cost for vanity license plates would also increase, from $40 to $60. A number of the fee increases would affect professional drivers, specifically. Large commercial trucks would all see annual registration fees increase. Those trucks between 8,000 and 73,280 pounds which include most large commercial trucks when empty would see a 50% increase in annual fees, from $0.96 per hundred pounds to $1.44 per hundred pounds. A Senate amendment would bring this increase down to $1.06 per hundred pounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Registration fees for smaller trucks and vehicles would also increase, depending on the weight class. The House budget also includes specific registration fee increases for agricultural vehicles, from $6 to $11; for tractors, from $1.80 to $12; for cement mixers, from $6 to $11; and for saw rigs and log splitters, from $6 to $11. Development and business fees A number of costs for developers, businesses, and landowners might increase. Under the House budget, the cost for an elevator inspection would rise from $50 to $75. And developers seeking to develop subdivisions would have to pay $450 for the application fee and an additional $450 to install sewage systems; those fees are currently $300 and $290, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those building structures on shorelines, the application fee would increase from $400 to $600, as well as $6 per square foot of dock area; currently that amount is $4 per square foot. Fee hikes for farm products A number of agricultural companies could see fees increase under the House budget. The annual fee for pesticide dealers would increase from $20 to $60, and they would have to pay a new annual fee of $160 for each pesticide they are registering. Fertilizer producers and dealers would see similar increases from a $50 annual fee to a $100 annual fee, while commercial feed producers would pay $120 for each product they register with the state, up from $75. The state charges would go up for maple products, too: Those producers would face a new fee of not less than $33. Fishing, dam registration costs For those looking to fish in New Hampshire, the cost will increase slightly. While presently, out-of-state registrants must pay $15 for a one-day permit and New Hampshire residents must pay $10, they must also pay $1 toward the fisheries habitat fee. That fee would increase to $5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And dam registration fees would double, ranging from $800 to $3,000, depending on the hazard potential of the dam. Thats part of a push to better fund long-needed repairs. Democrats opposed; industry representatives divided Weyler said the voluntary nature of fees makes them more fair to taxpayers. If you dont want to do this, you dont pay the fee, he said. You dont want to use that, you dont pay the fee. So we went up with the fees, and it brought us about 5% more revenue, and it should be fairly painless, because if you dont want it, you dont, you dont get it, you dont pay the fee. But to Wilhelm, raising the fees is an unnecessary corrective to the budget. We wouldnt need to raise these fees if we halted the expansion of education freedom accounts to ultra wealthy Granite Staters who dont need taxpayer dollars to subsidize their choice to send their kids to a private school, he said, referring to efforts in the Legislature to extend the school voucher-like program to all income levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some industry representatives have strongly criticized the fees. Jasen Stock, the executive director of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, spoke against the increased costs for truck owners. To increase truck registration fees by as much as 50 to 60% in one fell swoop is a very big pill to swallow, particularly given the economic impacts that our industry has seen with respect to the markets, tariffs and so forth, Stock said at the Senate hearing. He asked that the fees be increased more gradually if necessary. But Rob Johnson, policy director at the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation, said his group is not so concerned about the potential new fees. Even when some have doubled or quadrupled, they still do not rank highly on the list of pressing expenses for farmers, Johnson said. More pressing, he argued, is the need to restore a proposed $50 million cut to the university system, which Johnson worries could hurt the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, which supports farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has an effect (on farmers), but its minimal, Johnson said of the state fees. And overall, generally, we would rather pay it as a user fee, as opposed to an increase on the property-tax payer. But Bob Scully, the official spokesman for government affairs for the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association, spoke against the fees for trucks and large vehicles, and said lawmakers were effectively passing a tax by another name. There seems to be some discussions that fees are fine and taxes arent. If youre the individual, the moneys coming out of your pocketbook. Its the same thing. According to the verdict, Talansky transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to former prime minister Olmert over several years. Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky passed away on Monday evening at the age of 92. Talansky, who also goes by "Moshe," was known for serving as a key witness in the "Cash Envelopes" affair, in which former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was convicted of receiving money illegally while serving as mayor of Jerusalem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the court case, Talansky transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to Olmert over several years. At the trial, Olmert said in 2011 that he denied ever demanding cash bribes from Talansky. Money given by Talansky completely legal, Olmert's defense had said Olmert's defense later said in September of that year that the donations from Talansky were legal, after prosecutors alleged that the former prime minister failed to report the donations to the State Comptroller. The indictment said that Talansky gave Olmert the money as a personal loan, which the Israeli leader allegedly stashed away unreported to the tax authority. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert listens to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (not seen) speak during a news conference at the Grand Hyatt hotel in New York, U.S., February 11, 2020. (photo credit: REUTERS/YANA PASKOVA) He was laid to rest in a cemetery in Beit Shemesh, according to Ynet. He was an Orthodox Jew from Long Island, New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both he and Olmert jointly founded the New Jerusalem Fund, a charity aimed at raising money for projects in Israel's capital. Yaakov Lappin, Ron Friedman, and Joanna Paraszczuk contributed to this report. (FOX40.COM) The California Green Technology Initiative officially launched Monday morning in West Sacramento. The program looks to reduce e-waste and provides technology to Californians in need. The California Emerging Technology Fund kicked off the initiative at West Sacramento City Hall. The initiative will collect unwanted technology devices, refurbish them, and get them into the hands of residents who need them most. In the world of a digital era, and especially knowing that so many services these days are expected to be delivered digitally, we in the State of California felt that level of responsibility to make sure that were doing everything that we could, said Amy Tong, Senior Counselor to Governor Gavin Newsom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of the California Green Technology Initiative is to reduce e-waste by repurposing old tech and distributing refurbished devices. The hope and the vision has been were going to get everybody online in California. We have performance metrics where our goal in the next five years to get 99% of all Californians online, said Sunne McPeak, President and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund. Its pretty significant, said West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero. Mayor Guerrero says many local families lack reliable, affordable internet access. We just have a lot of children who dont have access to the internet, including their families for work, and our elderly for those that need to get access to their medical services, she said. What we continue to need to do is to establish affordable internet service here in West Sacramento. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative does just that, working with local and state non-profits to provide free or low-cost devices to low-income households. McPeak says the program is targeting Californias digital divide. Average in california, 91% of all households are online. For low income households, its 84% of all households. So that gap between the average and any other segment of our population is called a divide, she said. That gap is caused by barriers like poverty, language, and age. The initiative addresses those challenges not just through tech devices but also with digital literacy classes and support services. Technology is really only a tool. What gives it power is when people know how to use it. Sunne McPeak, President and CEO of California Emerging Technology Fund Its also a big win for the environment by reducing e-waste, while opening doors for residents across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can save time, they can save money, the kids can do their homework at home. We can all connect to our doctor online if we want to. We can apply for a job, get a better job. That is our goal, McPeak said. Here in Sacramento, Computers 4 Kids is the regional partner thats refurbishing devices and offering digital literacy classes. For more information on how to take advantage of this program, 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 FOX40 News. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Reports of bear sightings in Bakersfield have made their way to state wildlife officials, who say the reports are uncommon but not unheard of. Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife told 17 News they started receiving reports from the Bakersfield area on Sunday. Biologists have not been able to locate a bear, however. CDFW says it is likely the bear is a young bear around 3 years old that dispersed from its mother. Bears can sometimes wander into populated areas but usually return to the mountains or natural habitat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New club at Bakersfield Christian High School is shooting for state title You can report a bear encounter using this link. If you do encounter a bear, you should: Keep your distance. Back away slowly. Let the bear know you are there Do not run. Do not make eye contact. Keep small children and pets close Make yourself look bigger and make noise If you are in the outdoors, it might be good practice to carry bear spray and know how to use it properly. Call 911 if a bear makes contact. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More than 90 percent of popular freshwater game fish in Southern California contain a parasite that is capable of inducing strokes or heart attacks in the humans who eat them. Researchers said the parasites were two species of flatworms known as trematodes. At no more than a few centimeters in length, the flukes a class of flatworms can result in weight loss or lethargy. Although rare, infection has also resulted in more severe consequences. Americans dont usually think about parasites when they eat freshwater fish because it hasnt historically been an issue here, Ryan Hechinger, an ecologist and parasitologist at UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said in a statement. But these trematodes have now been widely introduced in the U.S. and that means that doctors and the public should be aware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is the senior author of the study which was published Tuesday in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. It was funded by the National Institutes of Health. To identify this issue, Hechinger, the University of Nebraskas Daniel Metz, and former Scripps graduate student and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center marine scientist Emma Palmer examined 84 fish from seven different species in 2023. Those fish included largemouth bass and bluegill, which were collected from five frequented fishing locations in San Diego County. More than 90 percent of freshwater fish game in Southern California contain a parasite thats capable of leading to rare but severe health outcomes in humans. The fish included this bluegill and largemouth bass (Emma Palmer) Of those, 93 percent were infected with the Haplorchis pumilio parasite, and some were the host to thousands. Two of the five locations yielded positive results for the second parasite known as Centrocestus formosanus, which occurred in 91 percent of the fish. Historically, the trematodes have infected people in Southeast Asia and likely arrived in the U.S. more than a decade ago inside an invasive aquatic snail known as the red-rimmed melania. That snail is found in 17 states and Puerto Rico. One of the parasites was the flatworm Haplorchis pumilio. Some fish were the host to thousands of them (Dan Metz) Previous work led by Hechinger had found that the red-rimmed melania and its parasites are widespread in the Golden State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, what is the risk to Californians and Americans at large? Hechinger says there havent been any reported cases of parasites infecting Americans yets, but nobody is looking for cases and doctors arent required to report them. Californians should make sure to monitor fish advisories for any changes. Foodborne trematode infections cause 2 million life years lost to isability and death worldwide every year. But, infection can be avoided (Emma Palmer) The risks posed by them are easy to avoid as, if you fully cook your fish or freeze any thats intended to be eaten raw for at least a week, the parasites will die. Although, the authors found that many Americans are likely consuming freshwater fish without taking the proper precautions. The greatest health threats come from repeated infection over many months or years. Foodborne trematode infections cause two million life years lost to disability and death worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organization. They recommend that fish-borne trematode infection be added to the list of diseases doctors are required to report to public health officials. These parasites are here in the U.S., and theyre infecting fish that people are eating, said Hechinger. We hope this study can help make public health officials, doctors and the public more aware. A proposed California ballot initiative, previously named after alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione, was cleared to begin collecting petition signatures on Friday. The proposed measures official name is now Restricts insurance denials for physician-recommended medical care, increases insurers potential liability, initiative statute. The initiative would prohibit health insurers from delaying, denying, or modifying physician-recommended medical care if doing so could seriously harm the patient and permits only licensed physicians to make coverage decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should insurance companies delay, they would have to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the medication or procedure was unnecessary or would not result in disability, death, amputation, permanent disfigurement, or the loss or reduction of any bodily function. Under the initiative, people could sue insurers and receive attorney fees and treble damages, which are three times the amount of actual damages determined by a jury. If insurers face a lawsuit, they will have to prove that the services or drugs were unnecessary or that the denial, delay, or change would not result in the specified negative health outcomes, including death or disability, according to a fiscal report. The proponent of the measure, Paul Eisner, must collect signatures of 546,651 registered voters, which is 5% of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2022 general election, for the measure to become eligible for the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eisner has 180 days to circulate petitions for the measure, meaning the signatures must be submitted to county elections officials no later than Nov. 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 California Legislature on Tuesday passed legislation aimed at expanding and retooling the states Film and Television Tax Credit Program. Both SB630 and AB1138 passed out of their respective houses, putting California one step closer toward its mission of encouraging physical production to return to the state. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation would expand the definition of a qualified motion picture, allowing additional projects to apply for the tax-credit program, including series with episodes averaging 20 minutes or more, animation films, series, shorts and large-scale competition shows. The bills hit a bit of a snag in the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees, where lawmakers removed references to expanding the actual funding for the program. Previous versions of the bill sought to codify Gov. Gavin Newsoms October proposal to increase the overall cap on incentives, more than doubling it from $330 million to $750M annually. However, not all hope is lost, since Newsom still seeks to get the funding approved in his budget. That vote comes June 15. Deadline understands that the increased funding is still a primary focus for Newsom. Sources tell Deadline that they are not entirely surprised that the mentions to the $750M expansion were removed from the bills. While lobbyists have done what they can to illustrate that Californias production problem affects the entire state, lawmakers naturally have differing priorities. Deadline broke down the various paths toward reform for the Film & TV Tax Credit Program here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB630 and AB1138 seek to do more than just provide additional finance incentives to studios who bring physical production back to California, though. In addition to expanding the qualification parameters, the bills propose increasing the available credit amount for an individual project from 20% to 35% for amounts paid or incurred in Los Angeles, also giving the California Film Commission leeway to allow for additional credit percentages by 5% in other areas of economic opportunity. The legislation comes amid the latest spurt of runaway production as other states ramp up their film and TV tax incentives programs in an effort to lure production away from California. New York last month passed a state budget that includes expanded incentives. RELATED: L.A. Might Have Found A Local Solution To Stop Movies Being Made In Other States Also getting Hollywoods attention is President Donald Trumps bombshell announcement of planned tariffs on movies produced outside the U.S., which were decried many in the industry, along with Newsom, who said Trump has no authority to impose the tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erik Pedersen contributed to this report. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Calls are growing for snap elections in the Netherlands after the far-right party of populist Geert Wilders withdrew from government in a dispute over migration policy, breaking apart the four-way coalition. Dutch opposition politicians immediately demanded new elections after firebrand Wilders withdrew his Party of Freedom (PVV) from the coalition. "The Netherlands deserves a government that unites the people and works shoulder to shoulder on real solutions," said Frans Timmermans, leader of the largest opposition group in parliament. "It's time for elections, we are ready for them." Wilders pulls the plug Wilders threatened on Sunday to pull out his anti-Islam PVV - the strongest force in parliament - unless the four-party coalition agreed to his demands on a stricter immigration policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His party's 10-point plan included measures such as the closure of Dutch borders to asylum seekers, the closure of asylum seeker reception centres and an end to family reunification for recognized refugees. "No sign-off for our asylum plans, no adjustment of the coalition agreement. The PVV is leaving the coalition," Wilders wrote on X after failed consultations with the other parties on Monday evening. During the meeting, the other parties told Wilders to introduce a draft bill on his plans or a motion for a resolution to discuss them. However, the far-right leader was unwilling to go down that road, insisting on the implementation of his 10-point plan. "I couldn't do anything other than say that we would withdraw our support for this Cabinet," he later said, adding that the PVV ministers would resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The future of the government hangs in the balance following the PVV's withdrawal, with snap elections considered to be likely. The remaining three parties could potentially continue as an even more fragile minority government. Cabinet members were due to convene for a crisis meeting on Tuesday afternoon. The PVV, who emerged as the strongest force from parliamentary elections in November 2023, has called for the military to be deployed to protect the country's borders in case they are not shut to asylum seekers. Wilders also called for tens of thousands of Syrian refugees to be sent back to their home country. Offenders with dual citizenship should be deported and lose Dutch nationality, according to the PVV's plans. Opposition up in arms Opposition leader Timmermans, who heads the Labour Party, said the collapsed government has led the country to a standstill, while war is being waged in Europe and people are worried about their future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described the failed four-party ruling alliance as powerless, disunited and ridden by conflict. "That's what happens when you give power to extremes," Timmermans concluded. The leader of the Socialist Party, Jimmy Dijk, also called for new elections - "preferably as soon as possible." An alliance doomed to fail? Following their surprise win in the parliamentary elections, the PVV became part of a coalition government for the first time, striking a deal with the conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) and the populist FarmerCitizen Movement (BBB). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the centre-right coalition led by independent Prime Minister Dick Schoof was considered fragile from the outset, with the NSC in particular harbouring serious doubts as to whether Wilders' PVV would respect the constitution. The NSC and VVD have accused PVV Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber of incompetence. SACRAMENTO, United States, June 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump publicly contradicted his own administration's nuclear proposal to Iran on Monday, saying that he would not allow any uranium enrichment just hours after reports revealed his negotiators had offered Tehran limited enrichment rights. "Under our potential Agreement -- WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social Monday evening. The statement directly undercut Axios' Monday report, confirmed by two U.S. officials, that a detailed proposal delivered Saturday by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff to Iranian officials via Omani intermediaries would allow Iran to maintain low-level uranium enrichment for civilian purposes, including nuclear medicine and commercial power generation. Following Trump's latest remarks, Axios updated its report, saying the story on Witkoff's proposal "sparked immediate alarm among Iran hawks in Washington and in Israel, before Trump himself weighed in." "The question is whether Trump will stick to that red line or show more flexibility to secure a deal than his statement suggests," it said. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the proposal on Monday as "very tough" but refused to clarify the discrepancy. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials had repeatedly said that any nuclear agreement would require Iran to dismantle its enrichment capabilities completely. Iran has consistently said it won't sign any deal that doesn't allow enrichment for civilian purposes. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Tehran would not respond positively to a U.S. draft nuclear proposal containing "radical and maximum" demands. He made the remarks during a weekly press conference in Tehran while commenting on a U.S. proposal for a potential nuclear deal, which was 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, noting 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 noted that the United States had not provided clarification on the removal of the sanctions, adding that Iran needed a clear understanding of the mechanisms for lifting them and assurances it would see tangible effects, particularly in sectors such as foreign trade, economy and banking. Trump and Witkoff "have repeatedly offered inconsistent public messages about whether Iran would be allowed to retain the capacity to enrich uranium to lower levels for civilian purposes," AP News 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. Tensions in Canadas postal service drama are worsening after Canada Post rejected a proposal by unionized mail carriers to resolve stalled contract talks with binding arbitration, adding to uncertainty about whether workers will take further action that could halt mail and parcel service across the nation. Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have since May 23 refused to work overtime, resulting in a limited slowdown for deliveries. The action was taken in lieu of a threatened strike when a government-imposed moratorium on pressure tactics, which ended a 32-day strike in December, expired. Many e-commerce retailers that rely on Canada Post for last-mile parcel deliveries have switched business to FedEx, UPS and a host of independent couriers, contributing to a 65% year-over-year drop in Canada Posts parcel volumes The CUPW on Saturday objected to Canada Posts call for the government to go over the unions head and conduct a member vote on its best-and-final offer, saying a forced vote represented an unwarranted government intervention in the free collective bargaining process and would not result in lasting labor peace between the parties. The union countered with a proposal for binding arbitration to resolve all outstanding issues over wages, benefits, job protection and working conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the arbitration process, employees cannot strike and the employer cannot lock out the employees. Those conditions wouldnt apply in the event of a forced vote, according to the union. This refusal constitutes yet another demonstration that Canada Post Corporation is not interested in a reasonable outcome to this round of negotiation. A forced vote may fail to end the labour conflict and risks further division, prolonging uncertainty for all parties. Arbitration would end the labour dispute immediately and create certainty for all Canadians, the CUPW said in a weekend statement. Canada Post characterized arbitration in completely opposite terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After 18 months of challenging negotiations with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), Canada Post is seeking a timely and fair resolution to restore stability to the postal system while ensuring employees have a voice in the process by allowing them to vote. Arbitration would be long and complicated, likely lasting more than a year. This would further extend the uncertainty experienced over the last 18 months and accelerate the companys significant financial challenges. It would also continue to leave employees without a contract and strip them of their right to vote on a new collective agreement, Canada Post said in a statement, noting that the CUPW has traditionally opposed binding arbitration. CUPW National President Jan Simpson said in an Oct. 30, 2024, message to members that binding arbitration was a Canada Post delaying tactic that would waste union dues on lawyers and arbitrators. Canada Post needs union cooperation to make structural and operational changes to its business model in an effort to break a precipitous decline in mail and parcel volumes over many years that has resulted in $2.7 billion in losses since 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A government commission last month declared that Canada Post is in a financial crisis. It recommended a series of reforms, endorsed by the postal operator, such as lowering delivery standards, flexible use of part-time employees for weekend parcel delivery and more use of community mailboxes instead of door delivery. It placed most of the blame for the failed labor negotiations on the CUPW, saying union leadership is defending the status quo and seeking best-in-class compensation, terms and conditions. Canada Post is pushing for dynamic structuring of delivery routes each day based on parcel volumes, load leveling among drivers to more evenly spread the workload and a lighter regulatory hand so it can lower parcel rates to more competitive levels, among other changes. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. RELATED READING: Canada Post asks government to hold employee vote on contract offer Small businesses at risk as Canada Post workers prepare to strike The post Canada Post rejects binding arbitration as labor dispute intensifies appeared first on FreightWaves. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Smoke from Canadian wildfires carried another day of poor air quality south of the border to the Midwest, where conditions in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan were rated very unhealthy Tuesday. The fires have forced more than 27,000 Canadians in three provinces to flee their homes, and the smoke has even reached Europe. The smell of smoke hung over the Minneapolis-St. Paul area on Tuesday morning despite rain that obscured the full measure of the dirty air. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an alert for almost the entire state into Wednesday, but the Twin Cities area got the worst of it in the Midwest on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the smoke continues to move across the state Tuesday, air quality will slowly improve from northwest to southeast for the remainder of the alert area, the agency said. The smoke is expected to leave the state by Wednesday at noon. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources warned that air quality in a band from the states southwest corner to the northeast could fall into the unhealthy category through Thursday morning. The agency recommended that people, especially those with heart and lung disease, avoid long or intense activities and to take extra breaks while doing strenuous actions outdoors. Smoky conditions that have reached the U.S. periodically in recent weeks extended as far east Tuesday as Michigan, west into the Dakotas and Nebraska, and as far to the southeast as Georgia. Conditions at ground level are unhealthy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow map showed a swath of red for unhealthy conditions across the eastern half Minnesota into western Wisconsin and northern Iowa. The map also showed purple for very unhealthy" across much of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, where the Air Quality Index numbers of 250 and were common, though conditions started to improve slightly by late morning. The Air Quality Index AQI measures how clean or polluted the air is, focusing on health effects that might be experienced within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. It is based on ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Particulates are the main issue from the fires The index ranges from green, where the air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk, to maroon, which is considered hazardous. That level comes with health warnings of emergency conditions where everyone is more likely to be affected, according to AirNow. While Minnesota officials warned on Monday that conditions in the northwest part of the state could reach the maroon category on Tuesday, conditions there were generally yellow, or moderate. There were a few scattered locations in the Twin Cities area that temporarily hit maroon on Tuesday morning. But by midday Tuesday, most of the remaining maroon spots in the region were on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hospitals are seeing more patients with respiratory symptoms Hennepin Healthcare, the main emergency hospital in Minneapolis, has seen a slight increase in visits by patients with respiratory symptoms aggravated by the dirty air. Dr. Rachel Strykowski, a pulmonologist, said there is usually a bit of a delay before patients come in, which is unfortunate because the sooner those patients contact their doctors, the better the outcome. Typical symptoms, she said, include increase in shortness of breath, wheezing, maybe coughing a bit more, and flares of their underlying disease, and that's usually COPD and asthma. What happens, Strykowski said, is that the fine particulate matter from the wildfire smoke triggers more inflammation in patients' airways, aggravating their underlying medical conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strykowski noted that this is usually a time those patients can go outside and enjoy the summer weather because there are fewer triggers, so the current ones forcing them to stay inside can feel quite isolating." People can protect themselves by staying indoors or by wearing N95 masks, she said. Strykowski added that they must be N95s because the cloth masks many people used during the COVID-19 pandemic don't provide enough filtration. The Canadian fire situation Canada is having another bad wildfire season, and more than 27,000 people in three provinces have been forced to evacuate. Most of the smoke reaching the American Midwest has been coming from fires northwest of the provincial capital of Winnipeg in Manitoba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winnipeg hotels opened Monday to evacuees. More than 17,000 Manitoba residents have been displaced since last week, including 5,000 residents of the community of Flin Flon, nearly 400 miles (645 kilometers) northwest of Winnipeg. In neighboring Saskatchewan, 2,500 residents of the town of La Ronge were ordered to flee Monday, on top of more than 8,000 in the province who had been evacuated earlier. In Saskatoon, where the premiers of Canadas provinces and the countrys prime minister met Monday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said all of Canada has come together to help the Prairie provinces. Two people were killed by a wildfire in mid-May in Lac du Bonnet, northeast of Winnipeg. Canadas worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023. It choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The smoke reaches Europe Canadas wildfires are so large and intense that the smoke is even reaching Europe, where it is causing hazy skies but isnt expected to affect surface-air quality, according the European climate service Copernicus. The first high-altitude plume reached Greece and the eastern Mediterranean just over two weeks ago, with a much larger plume crossing the Atlantic within the past week and more expected in coming days, according to Copernicus. Thats really an indicator of how intense these fires are, that they can deliver smoke, high enough that they can be carried so far on jet streams, said Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires also are putting out significant levels of carbon pollution an estimated 56 megatonnes through Monday, second only to 2023, according to Copernicus. ___ Associated Press writers Tammy Webber in Fenton, Michigan, and Scott McFetridge in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report. Smoke from the massive wildfires in Canada is expected to affect residents across New York state, creating hazy skies with smoke thick enough to block the sun and lower the temperatures in some areas. Air quality in parts of the U.S. began worsening late last week as high-altitude winds carried smoke from dozens of wildfires in Canada southward. On Tuesday, the National Weather Service in Binghamton, N.Y., released a satellite image showing smoke and clouds over the western and central parts of the state and much of Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The smoke is affecting solar radiation at the surface, with higher radiation values observed in the east. As a result, temperatures in smoke-affected areas could be cooler than originally forecast, officials said. Just before 11 a.m., the NYS Mesonet at UAlbany a high-resolution weather observation network operated by the University at Albany, SUNY reported that Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems in Buffalo, Owego and Belleville had captured the smoke plume gradually advecting toward the surface over the past 6 to 8 hours. In Syracuse, some smoke had already drifted into the area, creating hazy conditions and colorful sunsets, NWS meteorologist Danielle Kittle told Syracuse.com. It could be a little bit more noticeable [Tuesday] afternoon in terms of getting the faint smell of smoke, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday morning, air quality had reached unhealthy levels in parts of the Dakotas, Iowa and Minnesota, with a smaller region in Minnesota including Minneapolis, Lakeville and Faribault classified as very unhealthy, according to the Environmental Protection Agencys AirNow page. While air quality levels remained good for most of the New York City area, per EPA data, Fox5NY warned that smoke could reach the Big Apple sometime Tuesday. The Canadian fires, which began last month, have forced the evacuation of more than 25,000 people across three Canadian provinces. With News Wire Services CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) Over the past few days, smoke from multiple wildfires in Canada has headed south, crossing into parts of the U.S. But will the haze make it all the way down to the Mountain State? Turns out, it already has. According to FireSmoke Canada, a website that broadcasts results from the Weather Forecast Research Team at the University of British Columbia, smoke from the wildfires in the upper part of Canada was officially in West Virginia as of Monday morning, albeit at low levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weather Service rehiring at offices left critically understaffed by layoffs However, things are not expected to improve as we head into Tuesday. According to the forecast from Monday evening, the cloud of lower-level smoke is set to hover over West Virginia through Tuesday. On top of that, a more concentrated cloud is set to make its way north through West Virginia as the day goes on, with the most concentrated parts potentially reaching 60 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter, nearly double the national standard over a 24-hour period, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Levels during this time wont be hazardous to most people. According to the New York Department of Health, levels 51100 have the potential to affect people with pre-existing conditions that make them sensitive to air quality, but everyone else should be unaffected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The StormTracker 12 team also said West Virginians may be able to see the smoke during sunset on Tuesday and sunrise on Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Erica Dischino, Patrick Wingrove and Amanda Stephenson DULUTH, Minnesota (Reuters) -Smoke from wildfires burning in three Canadian provinces is spreading into the U.S. Upper Midwest, stirring memories of the severe pollution that drifted south from Canada two years ago during that country's worst fire season on record. The particulate matter pollution caused by the smoke is already blowing into Minnesota and neighboring states, posing a health risk to the tens of millions who live in the region. It is expected to make its way to New York and other East Coast cities in less severe levels over the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Airborne particulate matter is the most serious environmental health risk we know of," said Doug Brugge, a public health researcher at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. "It causes cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological harm, and these plumes of smoke are at very high levels compared to what we're usually exposed to in the U.S." Scores of wildfires have swept across Canada since the start of May, forcing thousands of evacuations and disrupting crude oil production in the country. There were more than 200 active fires as of Monday, 106 of which were out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. So far, 1.9 million hectares (4.7 million acres) have burned, mostly in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Still, the current crisis does not yet come close to rivaling 2023, when 17 million hectares burned. The air quality rating in New York is expected to rise to 77 in the early morning on Wednesday as a result of the fires, while readings in Philadelphia and Washington will also rise to 70 and to 68 in Boston, according to IQAir, a website that monitors air quality around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An air quality rating of below 50 is considered to be "good," and readings between 100 and 300 are deemed "unhealthy" to "very unhealthy," while higher than that is considered "hazardous," according to the website. One of the worst spots for air quality on Tuesday afternoon was Ely, Minnesota, near the Manitoba border. It registered a "hazardous" reading of 336. In Duluth, Minnesota, the rating stood at 164 on Tuesday afternoon, having dropped from 309, while in Flin Flon, Manitoba, about 800 miles (1,300 km) to the north and in one of the areas where the Canadian wildfires are concentrated, the AQI was at 202, down from 359 in the morning. In IQAir's list of the world's major cities, Minneapolis ranked as third worst air quality, with a 168 reading, tying with Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VULNERABLE PEOPLE Children, the elderly and people with chronic cardiac, respiratory and other illnesses are most vulnerable to the effects of the smoke, especially those with cardiovascular problems, according to Brugge. "The risk of hospitalization and death is low in people who are healthy and at a young age," he said, adding that there is still evidence that air pollution exposure increases blood pressure and inflammation for those people. Exposure to wildfire smoke may also increase lung cancer patients' risk of dying from their disease, particularly among non-smokers, although the effect may be mitigated by certain cancer treatments, according to a large California study presented last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, some farmers believe the effects of the fires are not all negative. In online forums like Facebook, some farmers have said some of their best yields ever came from years with a heavy pall of wildfire smoke from Canada. The smoke can protect vulnerable crops from scorching sunlight, they think. (Reporting by Patrick Wingrove in New York, Rich McKay in Atlanta, Amanda Stephenson in TorontoAdditional reporting by Ed White in WinnipegWriting by Patrick WingroveEditing by Frank McGurty, Frances Kerry and Nick Zieminski) DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) As wildfires rage in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Midwest is starting to see the impacts of the blaze nearly a thousand miles away. The fires started last month and have burned millions of acres of land across Canada, and with the current weather pattern, that smoke made its way into the Miami Valley over the weekend. Air Quality Alert issued for June 3 Meteorologists say the heat from the wildfires is so extreme that it can lift the smoke high into the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It lifts it very high into the air, which is then picked up by upper-level winds and pushed downstream, which gets to us, said John Franks, NWS Wilmington meteorologist. Daytons air quality has not seen a significant uptick in numbers, since theres a minimal amount of low level smoke. Instead, the smoke got picked up by the jet stream, keeping it higher in the air. Certainly the lower to the ground where were actually out and about and breathing, its going to be more impactful, said Joy Landry, Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency communications specialist. If were lucky, it stays kind of higher up there. Storm Team 2 forecast: Hazy sunshine, due to Canadian wildfire smoke Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An air quality alert has been issued for Tuesday in the Miami Valley, but with rain on the way in the middle of the week, the hazy skies will come to an end. The rains just literally going to wash away those particles just the same as if you were throwing charcoal on your driveway and you hose it down. Its kind of that similar basic effect of just washing that away, said Landry. Wildfire season is just beginning in the United States and Canada, meaning the Miami Valley could see additional hazy skies later this summer and fall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A Canton man pled guilty to possession of child pornography as a habitual offender. Madison and Rankin Counties District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Chad Dodds, 54, was sentenced to 40 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) without the possibility of parole. Man pleads guilty to trafficking meth in Rankin County On October 24, 2024, Madison police received a call that an employee at Chicken Salad Chick had followed a female into the bathroom and attempted to video her from under the stall. She alerted other employees, and they confronted Dodds. Investigators said he ran out of the restaurant and did not return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were able to locate Dodds later that evening. Police obtained a search warrant for the cell phone he had on his person to determine if he captured video of the woman in the bathroom. Bramlett said officers located multiple images of child pornography on the phone, as well as evidence that he had been having online conversations with underage girls. Chad Dodds (Courtesy: Madison Co. District Attorneys Office) Dodds was charged with both attempted voyeurism and possession of child pornography. Bramlett said Dodd is a habitual offender due to having prior convictions for voyeurism and robbery. He was also a registered sex offender at the time of the offense. Chad Dodds is clearly a sexual predator. My office prosecuted him in 2017, and he was sentenced to 10 years to serve in MDOC for a voyeurism charge stemming from his arrest trying to film a young woman in a dressing room. He was given parole and a little over a year after his release from custody, he was again trying to film someone without their consent. Not only that, but he was found to be in possession of numerous images of child pornography. I hope this sentence will ensure he is no longer allowed to engage in this dangerous and unlawful behavior. I want to thank the Madison Police Department for their quick work locating the Defendant and helping my office bring him to justice, the district attorney said. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) Some local kids are getting hands-on bike training this week. Staff with the Capper foundation are teaching kids with special needs how to ride a bike starting from June 2-6. Staff on Monday guided participants around the floor at the Central Topeka Community Center gym. One of the participants, Emerson Minker, said hes excited for the finale which he didnt experience last time. Mostly the finale because we didnt do it last year, Minker said This is my second time out here and it was amazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fiesta Topeka taking action after bridge shutdown Riders come back each day during the week, ending with the training finale at Gage Park. You can learn more about the iCan Bike program by heading to the Capper Foundations 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. VILNIUS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- European Energy has closed a 145 million euro (165 million U.S. dollars) long-term loan agreement with SEB Lithuania and Swedbank Lithuania for renewable energy, the Baltic News Service (BNS) reported on Tuesday. The financing will support the continued operation of three renewable energy assets in Lithuania, as well as the development and construction of a new co-located battery storage facility, according to BNS. "Adding battery storage to our portfolio in the Baltics strengthens the resilience of our renewable energy production, supporting true energy independence and contributing to the fight against climate change," European Energy Deputy CEO Jens-Peter Zink was quoted as saying in a press release. The company currently operates wind farms with a total capacity of 121 megawatts (MW) in Telsiai and a 78.5-MW solar park in Anyksciai. The loan will fund the construction of a new battery storage facility, which will be co-located with the solar park. European Energy is one of the largest renewable energy developers in Lithuania. To date, the company has constructed approximately 450 MW of renewable energy capacity and currently has around 200 MW of additional solar and energy storage capacity under construction. European Energy develops renewable energy projects in 23 countries worldwide. The company launched operations in Lithuania in 2018. A car left a large hole in the side of an Ohio marijuana dispensary after crashing into it Monday afternoon, according to our CBS affiliate in Cleveland, WOIO-19. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The crash occurred around 4 p.m. at the Good River Wellness Dispensary in the 27000 block of Euclid Avenue in Euclid. TRENDING STORIES: Police told WOIO-19 that no one was injured in this crash. This crash remains under investigation. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] WEST WYOMING, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A hearing over an unpleasant smell in Luzerne County has come to a halt. Residents in that area say the odor is affecting their quality of life. But they now have to wait a little bit longer for a solution to their problem. At a hearing last week, Judge Joseph Carmody heard arguments surrounding a smell coming from KB Crash Creations in West Wyoming. Today, he ordered the case to be reassigned to another judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a continued hearing today, Judge Joseph Carmody recused himself after the defense brought up concerns over a potential conflict of interest. Attorney Laura Dennis Bovani, who represents the Wyoming Borough, is running for magistrate against attorney Matthew Carmody, the judges son. Woman shot by police while allegedly attacking civilian At the end of the day, we thought we all should bring that before the judge because it does create a conflict. The judge obviously took our motion into consideration, said Attorney Michawl McCarrie, representing KB Crash Creations. KB Crash Creations specializes in making kratom extracts, an organic material used in a wide variety of products, including tea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Wyoming and Wyoming Borough officials have filed quality of life citations against the company in recent months after receiving dozens of complaints about a citrus-orange smell. I cant even open my windows, and my children cant spend five minutes outside without their eyes bothering them and their lungs burning. Including myself when Im outside, said a Wyoming resident. The company admits that they are the source of the problem, and they have taken steps to mitigate the issue. One resident, who wants to remain anonymous, says he is disappointed with the judges decision, but remains hopeful for the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So were definitely hearts are in our throats, were sunk feeling, but we feel confident in moving to the next phase of the court, said the Wyoming resident. The president judge of Luzerne County will determine what comes next for the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News. With the fate of casino development hanging in the balance, Irving voters will return to the polls Saturday to choose between two sharply divergent visions for the citys future. I want to see gambling not only removed as a permitted use but also become a prohibited use in the PUD-6 zoning, Sergio Porres, who has positioned himself as an unflinching opponent of casino interests and a critic of establishment politics, said to The Dallas Express. However, his opponent, David Pfaff, maintains that the issue is largely symbolic. Casinos are illegal in Texas and have been for over 120 years. Thats a state issueIrving City Council cannot legalize casinos, Pfaff said to The Dallas Express. If that ever changes, Ive been clear: any zoning decisions would go through a public process, and residents should have the final say through a local vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contrast in casino policy reflects deeper ideological and strategic divides in the runoff election for Irvings open Place 2 City Council seat. The contest follows a closely watched May election that saw ardently anti-casino candidates win in two districts while Porres and Pfaff advanced to a runoff after a near-dead heat, with Pfaff earning 47.31% of the vote and Porres 45.11%. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, both Pfaff and Porres officially oppose the construction of a casino on land controlled by Las Vegas Sands. But Porres accuses Pfaff of benefiting from pro-casino groups and insufficiently distancing himself from their influence. Financial records confirm that the Lone Star Conservative Action Funda political group linked to Sandsspent $168,155.69 in support of Pfaff and two other candidates. Pfaff, for his part, has rejected any implication of allegiance. I dont want their [Sands and Lone Stars] support, he previously stated in a campaign video. I cannot be bought. Still, Porres argues the influence speaks for itself. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation is deeply conscious of [Incumbent Place 2 Councilman Brad LaMorgeses anti-casino record], and that is why they have invested so heavily in seeking a more favorable Council by investing in my opponent, Porres said to DX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond zoning and gaming, the candidates diverge sharply in tone, style, and policy emphasis. Pfaff, a longtime Irving resident and business owner, pitches himself as a pragmatic coalition-builder. Were at a crossroads, he said. We can either focus on revitalizing our older neighborhoods, growing our economy responsibly, and keeping taxes lowor we can get distracted by manufactured issues and political theatrics. I bring business experience and a long record of civic serviceand I intend to govern with focus, not division, he added. Porres frames his campaign as a grassroots movement to reclaim City Hall from entrenched interests. Historically, our City Council is made up of insiders who think they know best and excel at two things: giving lip service to community issues and taking care of each other, he said. Our communities feel ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes also been critical of how city leadership has handled controversial development negotiations. The casino project got as far as it did because it was negotiated behind closed doors and hidden from the public eyeeight out of nine City Council members were not aware of the details until the last moment, Porres said, vowing to overhaul the citys relationship with projects perceived as being pushed by the Chamber of Commerce. Pfaff has tried to keep the focus on core issues such as infrastructure and livability. My vision is an Irving that thrives from North to South, East to West, he said. That means revitalizing our core neighborhoods, modernizing infrastructure, supporting public safety, and creating spaces where families can live, work, and enjoy life without having to leave the city. While both candidates say they support safe neighborhoods and quality public services, Porres has criticized Pfaffs platform as vague and unambitious. He hasnt offered any specific ideas besides fixing roads and funding the police. To me, those things are baseline assumptions, Porres said. Besides his resume, he is not offering voters anything concrete. For Pfaff, that resume is an asset. He points to decades of civic involvementfrom the Chamber of Commerce to local education organizationsand his pledge to stay above partisan rancor. My approach is to listen first, lead with data and experience, and focus on long-term resultsnot short-term headlines, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign has also highlighted divisions among Irvings civic and faith-based organizations on the casino issue. CAIR Action Texas initially endorsed Pfaff before rescinding its support, while other Muslim groups later switched their support to Porres, DX reported. We spent the second week of [early voting] building bridges with the Muslim community, Porres previously told DX. With the election days away, each candidate claims momentum. Pfaff insists he represents continuity and competence without drama. I believe Irving residents want practical leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and focuses on results, he said. Porres sees a chance to reset the citys trajectory. This election is about finally breaking the grip of the establishment that has been playing musical chairs, he said. I want the voters to know exactly what I stand for so they have a meaningful choice. The Place 2 runoff is set for Saturday, June 7. Catholic leaders in Washington have sued the state over a new law requiring clergy to report suspected child abuse, including details potentially revealed during confession. The lawsuit, filed last week on behalf of the bishops, alleges Senate Bill 5375, which was signed into law on May 2, violates the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The law puts Roman Catholic priests to an impossible choice: violate 2,000 years of Church teaching and incur automatic excommunication, or refuse to comply with Washington law and be subject to imprisonment, fine, and civil liability, the lawsuit states. The laws text doesnt target Catholics specifically. In fact, it upholds the mandatory reporting requirement for ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, elders or a spiritual leader of any church, religious denomination, religious body, spiritual community or sect," adding to a list that includes school employees and health care workers. The bills sponsor, Democratic state Sen. Noel Frame, said she was motivated to create this bill following reports that Jehovahs Witnesses covered up child sexual abuse for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Catholic bishops, of a denomination that has also been roiled over several years by child sex abuse scandals, argue in their filing that the law could be used to force them to violate their oaths if theyre forced to relay child abuse information provided during confessions. The New York Times offered some helpful context here: Clergy are considered mandated reporters in a majority of states, meaning they are legally obligated to report to authorities if they suspect a child is being abused. In most states, however, the state reserves protections for the clergy-penitent relationship. In seven states, including New Hampshire and West Virginia, there is no such exception. (In Tennessee, the privilege is denied only in cases of child sexual abuse.) Its not clear that any priests have been prosecuted or penalized in those states over failing to report abuse that they learned about during a confession. In other words, the Washington state law isnt wholly unprecedented, even if its controversial to some Catholics. And one might think the Trump administration, which has made a show of cracking down on purported child abuse, might support legislation such as this, which appears equipped to help Washington do so as well. But the Justice Department last month launched an investigation into the law, framing it as anti-Catholic. In a statement responding to the lawsuit, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, who is Catholic, Im disappointed my Church is filing a federal lawsuit to protect individuals who abuse kids." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson has stated previously that Catholic Bishops potentially having to reveal child abuse claims they hear during confession didnt give him pause. Im very familiar with it," he said. "Been to confession, myself. I felt this was important legislation for protecting kids. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Catholic Charities announced they are closing some refugee programs, with unprecedented US immigration policy as a reason. The organization announced Tuesday morning that they are closing the refugee resettlement program, the migrant foster care program, and specialized programs for Afghans and refugee families with special health needs. Catholic Charities has been providing services for refugees for 100 years. 30 staff members will also lose their positions, but the organization is working to move them into new positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a statement from Catholic Charities, they tried to raise funds and underwrite costs for services after the federal administration stopped refugee resettlement and froze funding for refugee programs. The statement also said Catholic Charities contractor agency terminated its relationship with the Office of Refugee Resettlement, leading to the closures of those programs. Anyone who is a client of these programs will be referred to other department programs or providers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. The Navy will end all research studies that involve testing on dogs and cats after an intense campaign by activists, influencers and congressional members. Navy Secretary John Phelan announced last week that the service would halt the animal experiments and ordered a review of all medical research to ensure the studies align with ethical guidelines and "scientific necessity." "Today, it gives me great pleasure to terminate all Department of the Navy's testing on cats and dogs, ending these inhumane practices and saving taxpayer dollars," Phelan said in a statement on the social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Hegseth Orders Navy to Strip Name of Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk from Ship The announcement follows a yearslong campaign by White Coat Waste Project, a nonprofit whose aim is to stop the U.S. government from using animals or funding research that harms animals, and to end several Defense Department studies, including Navy research on erectile dysfunction, constipation and incontinence in humans that used cats as subjects. As recently as last year, the Defense Department funded a research initiative using beagles to test an experimental drug, according to the group. The DoD banned the use of dogs in trauma training and weapons testing in the late 1980s but has used them in limited medical research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White Coat Waste estimates that the federal government spends $20 billion each year on research studies that involve dogs and cats. "We applaud Secretary Phelan, Secretary Hegseth and President Trump for first slashing the U.S. government's largest dog lab and now sending the Pentagon's cat and dog abuse to the litterbox of history. Defunding dog and cat labs has been our top priority for Trump 47," the group's founder and president, Anthony Bellotti, said in a statement. White Coat Waste announced in mid-May that the Pentagon halted funding for the Navy's $10.8 million medical research project on cats. The group credited conservative influencer Laura Loomer, who has called attention to the issue on her "Loomer Unleashed" podcast and social media platforms, and billionaire and presidential adviser Elon Musk for lobbying for change. "We exposed animal testing contracts at the Department of Defense, and @PeteHegseth and Secretary Phelan took immediate action to end these cruel and abusive taxpayer-funded experiments on innocent animals," Loomer wrote on X on May 28. "This is such an amazing victory toward the end of taxpayer-funded animal testing!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Congress signed legislation to end research at the Department of Veterans Affairs that used cats, dogs and primates. White Coat Waste began lobbying lawmakers to end the VA's use of live animals for experiments in 2017. After Phelan's announcement, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wrote the Navy secretary and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanking them for the change. But they asked that the ban be expanded to include the use of live animals for non-medical research, such as trauma training and weapons experiments. For example, according to PETA, the Navy continues to use mammals for decompression sickness and oxygen tests, while the Army is allowed to use mammals, including primates and marine mammals, in weapons testing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Pigs, rats and other animals feel pain and fear just as dogs and cats do, and their torment in gruesome military experiments must end," PETA Vice President Shalin Gala said in a statement. "PETA appreciates the Trump administration's decision to stop the Navy's torture tests on dogs and cats, and we urge a broader ban across the Pentagon." PETA also has pressed the Pentagon to halt funding for research that involves animals at foreign institutions. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., reintroduced a bill last month that would end U.S. government funding of research that involves animals in China, including Hong Kong; Iran; North Korea; and Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "American taxpayer dollars should never fund dangerous, cruel experiments in animal research labs -- much less in China or other adversarial countries," McClain said in a statement. "This common-sense legislation ensures taxpayer dollars are not wasted on reckless research." "Hard-working taxpayers in eastern North Carolina and across America should not pay for risky experimentation in countries not subject to regular oversight and accountability," Democratic co-sponsor Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina, said in a news release. -- Pentagon reporter Konstantin Toropin contributed to this report. Related: Military Trauma Training on Live Pigs, Goats Sparks New Lawsuit Seeking Details BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A woman was arrested and charged with grand larceny on Monday after she allegedly stole over $20,000 from her employer, according to the Cattaraugus County Sheriffs Office. Officials said 48-year-old Amy Hushon, of Limestone, allegedly stole more than $21,000 in cash from Seneca Nation Optical Division while being employed there. She was charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and will appear in court at a later date. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. 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. Deputies with the Klickitat County Sheriffs Office watched a burglary suspect collide with a semi-truck during a pursuit over the weekend. According to the sheriffs office, on Sunday, June 1, a deputy tried to stop a truck that was going over the speed limit on Hwy 97. Dashcam footage shows the truck driver does not stop and a pursuit begins. Shortly after, dispatch reportedly received a report of a Klickitat County burglary that had happened sometime earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the deputy follows, the truck is seen swerving off the road before colliding with a semi-truck heading in the same direction. Photo Courtesy: Klickitat County Sheriff's Office Deputies confirmed the truck was damaged and the suspect pulled off to the side of the road before running from the scene. Photo Courtesy: Klickitat County Sheriff's Office The pursuing deputy went to check on the driver of the semi-truck while other law enforcement were arriving. Despite the efforts of multiple agencies the suspect got away for now," wrote the Klickitat County Sheriffs Office. Deputies say the truck was stolen from Yakima County and items from the burglary were found inside. The Washington State Patrol, Washington State Parks, Goldendale Police, Yakima County Sheriffs Office, and the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management assisted in the response. This case is under active investigation. NOTE: Video is from FOX 2s coverage of the Statue if Liberty replica arriving in 2023. SAUGET, Ill. A century-old Statue of Liberty replica has called the St. Louis region specifically Sauget, Illinois home for nearly two years. But unlike the original in New York, the statue in Sauget currently does not stand tall. Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica at the National Building Arts Center. Restoration efforts include removing corroded sections, patching in new metal and preparing it to stand on a pedestal after decades of metal skin corrosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally perched atop the Liberty Warehouse in Manhattan for 101 years, the Statue of Liberty replica was donated to the Brooklyn Museum in the early 2000s. After that, it was transferred to the National Building Arts Center in 2023 as part of a partnership to preserve historic architectural artifacts. Repairs began in late-April and are expected to take several months to complete, according to Emery Cox from the National Building Arts Center. Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Major repairs are underway on the Statue of Liberty replica in Sauget, Illinois. (Photos courtesy: National Building Arts Center) Once restored, the statue isnt going anywhere. It will remain a permanent fixture at the center. Once installed, the statute will stand 30 feet tall, mounted atop a 20-foot pedestal, a total height of 50 feet tall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once standing, the statue should be visible from parts of the Sauget skyline. The National Building Arts Center may also offer various ticketed tours to give the public a chance to see the statue up close. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News A public dedication ceremony is also expected once repairs are finished, though the exact timeline has not yet been determined. The Sauget Statute of Liberty is nearly 1000 miles away or a 15-hour drive, from the original Statue of Liberty in New York. Since its completion in 1886, the original Statue of Liberty has stood as an enduring symbol of freedom, hope and opportunity. 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. PHNOM PENH, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Tuesday hosted the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) 2025 on climate change, offering young people an opportunity to help shape documents and share their vision for the kingdom's climate future. Held in Phnom Penh, the conference brought together more than 250 young climate leaders, government officials, policymakers, and development partners. It amplified youth voices in Cambodia's climate agenda and shaped the country's future commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0. Chuop Paris, a secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Environment, said at the event that the government will submit its updated NDC3.0 in July 2025, aiming for greater ambition, acceleration and inclusivity to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. The youth's contributions will be included in the official youth statement to the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and reflected in the global youth statement ahead of COP30 in Brazil. "The voices of young people are essential in shaping a resilient and sustainable future for Cambodia," Paris said. "This conference is more than a platform for dialogue, it empowers youth to actively contribute meaningfully to our national climate agenda," he said. "As we work toward updating NDC 3.0, the ideas and energy of young Cambodians will play a central role in crafting inclusive and impactful climate solutions that safeguard our future." According to Cambodia's Children's Climate Risk Index 2024, nearly two million children, more than one-third of the country's youth, live in areas of high or very high climate risk, particularly in rural areas. The effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, increased floods, droughts, and erratic weather patterns, are already impacting education, health, and livelihoods. "The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. With nearly two-thirds of Cambodia's population under the age of 30, youth leadership must be embedded at every level of climate governance," said Anirban Chatterjee, deputy representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to Cambodia. "Children and young people may not have caused the climate crisis, but they are among the first to feel its effects," he said. CHIPPEWA FALLS The Chippewa Falls High School Green Team recently won an event and has earned 20 solar panels and about $5,000 in funding to place the panels at Camp Nawakwa in northern Chippewa County. With earlier commitments of 12 panels and $10,000 from OneEnergy and 12 additional panels from the Solar for Good initiative, the team now has a total of 44 solar panels and $15,000 in financial support toward the installation, a press release stated Monday. This project is about more than clean energy its about student leadership, environmental responsibility, and building a sustainable future for Camp Nawakwa, said teacher Nicholas Gagnon, who also serves as the Green Team advisor. These students have shown whats possible when young people are given the tools and support to lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camp Nawakwa, a retreat center in the Northwoods, is aiming to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels while educating campers about renewable energy, the press release states. The student-led initiative will help offset electricity costs at the camp and demonstrate the real-world application of clean energy technologies. The Chippewa Falls Green Team is continuing to work with local partners, including Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative, OneEnergy Renewables, the Couillard Foundation, and Solar for Good, to bring this vision to life. The team is also seeking additional community support to fully implement the solar installation. The man accused of killing a teenager in downtown Melbourne last month is now facing a higher charge. Stephan Dieujuste, 24, is now charged with second-degree murder, the State Attorneys Office for Brevard County announced. Dieujuste was initially charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of 19-year-old Nathaniel Jennings on May 11. Police say they got into an altercation near Vernon Place just south of New Haven Avenue when Dieujuste shot him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Dieujuste stayed at the shooting scene and told police he pulled his handgun and fired at Jennings in self-defense after Jennings, who was unarmed, tried to start a fistfight with him. Prosecutors say security video from a nearby business shows the incident did not turn into a physical fight and that Dieujuste pulled his weapon and fired eight times, including as Jennings was running away. The state attorneys office says they will request Dieujustes bail be revoked and ret to a higher amount commensurate with the new charge. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The Knox County District Attorneys Office has dropped the charges against Ahmad Gatlin after his attempted murder conviction from a 2021 shooting that occurred as two students drove away from Austin-East Magnet High School was overturned. On June 2, a spokesperson for the DAs office confirmed to 6 News that the attempted murder charges were dropped. The news comes weeks after Knox County Criminal Court Judge Steven Sword overturned Gatlins attempted murder conviction and ordered a new trial. Previously, Gatlins attorneys had filed a motion for the convictions to be vacated or for a new trial. Tellico Plains families fighting to regain full access to historic cemetery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahmad was one of three teens tried in connection with a January 2021 shooting. The victims, Johnkelian John John Mathis, 17, and an unidentified female, were shot at from another vehicle while driving away from the school and forced to take shelter in a convenience store bathroom. Gatlin was convicted on all counts in the case, while Rashan Jordan was found not guilty on all counts and a verdict could not be reached for Deondre Davis. All three were under the age of 18 at the time of the shooting, but they were transferred from juvenile court to face trial as adults. At the time of the trial, Gatlin and Davis were 19, and Jordan was 17. Davis and Jordan are serving life in prison after they were convicted in March 2023 of murdering Stanley Freeman Jr. in 2021. Im just blessed beyond measure | Greeneville mayor returns to duties Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly seven months after the January 2021 shooting, Mathis was shot and killed in August 2021. The case remains unsolved as of June 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A New Jersey tractor-trailer driver allegedly involved in a deadly August crash in Lebanon County faces multiple charges, State Police say. State Police at Jonestown on Monday filed felony charges of homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle against 35-year-old John Concepcion for the fatal crash on I-81 near Exit 85 in Union Township on Aug. 3, online court records state. The criminal complaint details that Troopers found a deceased man on the ground in the right lane, and three tractor-trailers that all had heavy damage after being dispatched to the area just after 4 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was later identified as 32-year-old Adrian Jemmot from New Jersey, the complaint shows. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts According to Troopers, they spoke with Concepcion and the drivers of the other two tractor-trailers at the scene. Concepcion allegedly did not have a valid drivers license and did not give many details about the crash. State Police said he claimed he was sleeping and that he was not the one driving. One of the tractor-trailers involved was stopped along the side of the interstate because the driver was working on it. State Police said they were told that he was on the shoulder for about three minutes before his vehicle was hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint shows the third driver reported he was following Concepcion because he works with him. He said he saw the tractor-trailer leave the roadway and hit the parked one, pushing it back onto the roadway and into his path. Eighteen people cited for underage alcohol at York County Expo Center event Witnesses reported that the parked tractor-trailer had its four-ways on when it was hit. Marijuana was also found at the crash scene, State Police noted in the complaint. Concepcion also faces misdemeanor charges of accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, recklessly endangering another person, furnishing authorities information without knowledge, and marijuana. He also faces summary charges of traffic violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His preliminary hearing has yet to be scheduled. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MADISON COUNTY, Ill. Two men are in custodyone in St. Louis City, the other in Madison County, Illinoisfor last weeks double shooting that claimed the life of an Alton man. According to Sgt. Andrew Pierson, spokesman for the Alton Police Department, the shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. on May 28 in the 3100 block of Lawn Street. Officers arrived at the scene to find Donald R. Lane suffering from a gunshot wound. Lane was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. He was 41. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff ousting talk grows after budget showdown While police were still at the scene, they were notified of a second victim with a gunshot wound at an area hospital. That individual was later transported to a St. Louis hospital for additional treatment. Investigators eventually apprehended Jermaine D. Stiff, 44, and Hosea J. Burgess, 20, for Lanes killing. The Madison County States Attorneys Office charged both Stiff and Burgess with possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender and being a felon in possession of a weapon. Both men will remain jailed pending a detention 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 FOX 2. Vigo County judges have appointed Charles Ray to the countys new magistrate position, Vigo Superior Court Division 1 Judge Charles Johnson said Monday. Rays start date will be July 1. Rays appointment came on the heels of passage of House Bill 1144 in May, which reduced or added a number of judicial posts based on county judges work loads. Vigo County was allowed to add one position, that of a magistrate of general jurisdiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to this bill, Vigo County had a juvenile court magistrate that was only able to handle juvenile issues such as Child In Need of Services cases and paternity cases, Johnson said last month. With the addition of a general jurisdiction magistrate, we are able to provide relief to the court system by reallocating some of the case load from the juvenile magistrate to this new position. The magistrate will also be able to oversee criminal cases. The case load allocation plan is still being worked on by the judges, but we do feel that this new magistrate will be of a great help to the court system, Johnson said. Ray was born in Cincinnati and raised in West Terre Haute. He is a graduate of Wabash College and received his law degree from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Charles returned to Terre Haute, he joined the law firm of Cox, Zwerner, Gambill and Sullivan, representing clients in various civil matters. After several years in practice, Charles was hired by the Vigo County Prosecutors Office in May of 2017 and worked as a deputy prosecutor. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) The Charleston Police Department announced Tuesday the death of a retired police K9 named Hektor. K9 Hektor and his partner, Master Police Officer Hall, have served the citizens of Charleston for seven years before retiring in 2022. Hektor assisted with drug seizures, tracking wanted and often violent criminals, and provided safety for CPD officers with over 1,200 deployments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also worked alongside the CPD SWAT team, Major Warrants Unit, and U.S. Marshals Task Force. K9 Hektor modeled loyalty, dedication, and an amazing work ethic, while also being a friend, companion, and an adored member of MPO Halls family, the agency said. K9 Hektor (Charleston Police Department) Master Officer Hall and K9 Hektor (Charleston Police Department) During his retirement, officials said K9 Hektor enjoyed lazy days around the house and family trips to the mountains. We are grateful to K9 Hektor for his service, and the Hall family for embracing and caring for him through his retirement. He will be deeply missed, Charleston PD said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Charlotte leaders discussed the ongoing conflict between traditional business owners and street vendors at Mondays Housing, Safety and Community Committee meeting. In the NoDa neighborhood, brick-and-mortar businesses expressed concerns as well as problems with lack of personal safety amid the ongoing turf war between them and vendors. They also added that vendors were causing sidewalk and street obstruction. During a city council meeting on May 28, business owners spoke out against vendors, calling them a nuisance. But this is an issue that has been going on for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Mondays meeting was only informational, city leaders pitched possible solutions, including having a designated area for vendors, expanding permits to all vendors, and possibly raising the cost of fines. Committee members expressed support for requiring all vendors to have permits across Charlotte. I would recommend the permit be required everywhere just from a health and safety perspective. You cant have people cooking on the sidewalk, and theres no standard, said Councilwoman Renee Johnson. QCNEWS.COM MORE CHARLOTTE NEWS Currently, street vendors are legal without a permit city-wide outside of the Congested Business District, except those in the Tryon Street Mall Vendor Program. Those vendors do require a permit. Its $160 a year to join the street vendor program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the business owners who attended Mondays meeting voiced support for vendors to have a specific space to avoid taking up space on the narrow sidewalks of NoDa. Violations of the citys street-vending ordinance result in fines ranging from $10-$50. Nationally, Charlotte ranks among the cities with the lowest maximum fines. Committee members expressed support for raising the cost of fines to meet the standard of other major cities. So, how soon could these changes be implemented? There are two City Council business meetings in June before the council takes a break in July. Councilwoman Victoria Watlington made a motion for staff to work on escalating fines up to $500 and a tracking system for those who are repeat offenders, and those who have a permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera made a motion for staff to develop a pilot program that addresses the concerns made by council members and business owners to be implemented as soon as possible. Both motions passed unanimously. Staff will provide an update on when those changes will be implemented at the next business meeting. We want the community to know that we hear you, Councilwoman Tiawana Brown said. And although we might not be able to move expeditiously on every subject that we get, this was one that warrants immediate attention because of safety and other concerns that the community has. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONG KONG, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of consular corps and business communities based in Hong Kong began a four-day tour of Chinese mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on Tuesday to explore investment opportunities in the region's burgeoning technology sector. Addressing the launch ceremony in Hong Kong, Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said Hong Kong is "not only a participant and contributor but also a beneficiary" in the GBA's development. He noted Hong Kong's unique position and pivotal role in facilitating the region's foreign trade and investment while benefiting from the area's economic opportunities. Mojalefa Mogono, Consul General of the Republic of South Africa in the HKSAR, said that "the GBA with its unparalleled economic vitality, innovative spirit, and cultural diversity stands as a statement to the potential of regional integration," eyeing deeper collaboration with partners in trade, technology, people-to-people and cultural exchanges. David Whitwam, chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, told Xinhua that he would focus on China's advanced technology and manufacturing sectors during the trip. He highlighted the GBA's advantages in talent, capital, technology and transport, combined with Hong Kong's professional services. The delegation will visit Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Zhuhai from Tuesday to Friday, including stops at major cooperation zones like Qianhai and Hengqin. The itinerary focuses on smart driving, robotics, smart agriculture and biomedicine to assess the GBA's innovation-driven development and inspire sustainable growth. Police said a chase involving teens that stretched across multiple counties Tuesday afternoon ended with a crash. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police said three suspects were taken into custody following a collision in Doraville on Peachtree Boulevard at the I-285 westbound ramp. The crash blocked traffic, but the scene has since been cleared, Channel 2s Michael Seiden reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were pursuing three juvenile suspects, Sandy Springs police said. Sandy Springs police said the vehicle and its occupants were involved in a possible drive-by Monday night. Brookhaven police said they responded to complaints of an auto entry on Buford Highway at around 11:30 a.m. involving a black Nissan SUV. They found the vehicle and started a pursuit. Officers ended the chase after they lost sight of the SUV at I-85 south from North Druid Hills Road. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunwoody and Sandy Springs police found the car and began to pursue it. Dunwoody police said they found the vehicle on Ashford Dunwoody Road, and it sped from officers. The pursued vehicle caused a crash at Mount Vernon Road at Oxford Chase Way and left the scene. The pursuit continued into Sandy Springs, Gwinnett County and back into Doraville, Dunwoody police said. Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and DeKalb police all responded to the scene, and Georgia State Patrol led the active crash investigation. According to Brookhaven police, the first suspect will be charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, entering auto, theft by receiving stolen property, and loitering/prowling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second suspect will face the following charges: possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, entering auto, theft by receiving stolen property, speeding, loitering and prowling, driving without a license, failure to obey a traffic control device, reckless driving, and failure to signal when turning. The third suspect will be charged with entering auto, theft by receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm by a minor, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] (KODE & KSN) The Cherokee County Sheriffs Office is teaming up with the FBI to investigate crime in the area. The partnership will allow the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office to assign one of its deputies as an FBI Task Force Officer. That deputy will be assigned to investigate criminal activity within Cherokee County while working with other law enforcement agencies. Its part of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force Program, which focuses on identifying and targeting criminals and groups accused of serious felony offenses. The goal is to prioritize investigations so they can be brought before prosecutors while giving investigators all resources available to local and federal law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because thats what were after. Again, is just create a better quality of life for the citizens and visitors that come here to see Cherokee County, where we would like to completely end crime. But we know thats not potential. But if we can reduce it and show the people that are thinking about committing a crime, that theres consequences for their actions, said Brian Henderson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A tow truck drivers route through a Chicago neighborhood was halted after he ran into a group of toddlers bleeding on the sidewalk. Police claim their mother was behind their injuries but her motive was a desperate call for help. Chicago police said last week they responded to the aftermath of a horrifying incident witnessed by DeVaughen Stringfellow. He said he was riding past a home on the 7100 block of South Harvard Ave when he saw a bleeding infant in the street. The man told police he got out of his car to attend to the child and was greeted by yet another child, waddling over to him dripping in blood, according to court documents obtained by FOX 32 Chicago. Police say 23-year-old Aurionah-Rakii-Karie Parker-White then walked outside with another child covered in blood, asking the tow truck driver to help her. I need help! Help me! My baby! I called the police! They didnt come! Stringfellow said Parker-White yelled, per WBBM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stringfellow also said the boy placed his injured arm on his mother to comfort her, telling her not to cry and that its going to be alright, per NBC Chicago. The man said he then put the children in his truck and took the family to St. Bernards Hospital. The children, a 1-year-old girl and 3 and 5-year old-boys had cuts to their wrists, prosecutors said. When police took Parker-White into questioning, she allegedly admitted to stabbing her children in the wrist with a sharp object. In the midst of the interview, her motive was revealed and it wasnt some violent vendetta she had against her kids. She explained she was stressed taking care of her children by herself and in a desperate attempt to gain some sort of relief, she made plans to take her life and that of her children, police say. When police spoke to the 5-year-old boy, he said his mom told him she was going to make himself and his siblings go to heaven. Friday, the mother was charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated battery to a child. Her children were last noted to be in serious condition, per FOXs report. CHICKASHA, Okla. (KFOR) Authorities in Chickasha say the man responsible for killing 37-year-old Ashley Cannon in 2020 has been sentenced to prison. According to police, officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at a residence on Virginia Avenue. Once inside the residence, officers found the body of Cannon, who was approximately 36 weeks pregnant. Stormy Week Ahead, Starting Tonight Ashley Cannon & unborn child, Nala, Image courtesy Chickasha Police Departments Facebook page In 2022, OSBI joined the investigation, and based on evidence gathered by special agents, on November 8, 2023, the Grady County DAs office charged 41-year-old Kenneth Lee Johnson with the deaths of Cannon and her unborn child, Nala. 41-year-old Kenneth Lee Johnson, Image courtesy Chickasha Police Department Facebook page Police say on May 29, 2025, Johnson pled guilty to both charges and was sentenced to life in prison with all by the first 40 years suspended. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) A Chicopee woman was arrested and charged in connection with a three-alarm fire that left a dozen residents without a home on Sunday. Department of Fire Services Public Information Officer Jake Wark stated in a news release that Chicopee fire crews responded to 26 Belcher Street after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday for reports of a structure fire. Firefighters found the three-story, multi-family home in flames. Residents of ten units without home following Chicopee fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicopee crews were able to assist in evacuating all residents, as well as rescuing two pets Sunday morning. A third pet was rescued from the building on Monday after neighbors noticed it in a third-floor window. Firefighters worked to put out the fire for over two hours, with the building sustaining severe fire, smoke, and water damage as a result. State and local fire officials began investigating the cause of the fire and determined that it had begun in a second-floor bathroom. Investigators found through evidence and witness interviews that the fire had been intentionally set. Chicopee and state police officers identified 40-year-old Michelle Hall of Chicopee as a suspect connected to the fire. Hall had allegedly been involved in an altercation at the building before the fire took place. She was arrested Sunday evening and charged with arson. 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. CHICOPEE A city woman has been charged with arson following a three-alarm structure fire that displaced a dozen people on Sunday, fire officials said. Michelle Hall, 40, was arrested and charged with setting a multi-family apartment building ablaze on Belcher Street, according to a statement from the state Department of Fire Services. According to the local and state investigation, it was determined the fire started in a bathroom on the second floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigators say they determined the fire had been intentionally set from interviews with witnesses and evidence at and outside of the scene. City and state police found that Hall had allegedly been involved in an altercation at the home prior to the fire. Hall was arrested Sunday evening. She will be prosecuted by the Hampden District Attorneys office. Firefighters battled the fire at 26 Belcher St. for more than two hours before it was extinguished. The blaze, which firefighters responded to at around 3:30 a.m., caused no injuries. All residents were safely evacuated. Two pets were rescued Sunday morning; a third was rescued Monday after neighbors reported seeing it in a third-floor window, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building sustained significant fire, smoke and water damage, the statement said. The Red Cross of Central-Western Massachusetts was assisting those who needed help on Sunday, officials said. more news from Western Massachusetts Read the original article on MassLive. The federal prosecutor who helped oversee the Justice Departments mammoth probe of Capitol rioters has left for the private sector, slamming Donald Trumps sweeping pardons on the way out. A longtime assistant U.S. attorney, Greg Rosen served as chief of the DOJs Capitol Siege Section, overseeing a team that investigated hundreds of cases connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack carried out by Trumps supporters. In an interview, Rosen told CBS News Scott MacFarlane that the presidents decision to pardon or commute the sentences of more than 1,500 people involved with the storming of the Capitol sends a terrible message to the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individuals who were dulyand appropriatelyconvicted of federal crimes ranging in culpability are immediately let loose without any supervision, without any remorse, without any rehabilitation to civil society," he said. NEW: Greg Rosen, former head of Capitol Siege section of Justice Dept, to @cbsnews about agency's review of 5,000+ FBI employees who were part of Jan 6 investigation: "The job.. it was not political. For any person to be treated poorly because of that.. is shocking" pic.twitter.com/korUn5y4ok Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) June 2, 2025 After Trump took office, the Capitol Siege Section was disbanded. Rosen has taken a job at Rogers Joseph ODonnell, a private law firm in Washington, D.C. Beyond excited for my new adventure, he wrote on LinkedIn, telling CBS News he felt like it was time for a change. The firm said in a press release that Rosen was joining its practice groups focused on white collar criminal defense and government contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosen was entrusted with supervising more than 1000 prosecutions connected with the January 6, 2021 breach and attack of the U.S. Capitol, the largest federal prosecution in American history, the release said. Ed Martin, Trumps initial pick to lead the U.S. Attorneys Office in D.C., was a Stop the Steal advocate who spread conspiracy theories about the riot. His nomination was unsuccessful; former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro is Trumps next pick for the job. Rosen also slammed the ridiculous decision to fire or sideline prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases. To see those talented prosecutors be marginalized or removed from office is an affront to the independence of the department, Rosen told CBS. Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in 2021 after he convinced followers the 2020 election was stolen from him. / Brent Stirton / Getty Images In one of his most brazen acts since returning to office, Trump issued mass pardons for individuals charged or convicted over the Capitol riot, wiping clean the records of defendants who were charged with offenses ranging from trespassing to assaulting law enforcement, including members of extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Critics have slammed the move as a dangerous whitewashing of political violence and an attempt to signal to supporters that loyalty will be rewarded. Trump had long cast the defendants as victims of unfair political persecution and pledged on the campaign trail to pardon them if elected. Six months out from Chiles presidential election scheduled for Nov. 16, the field is crowded. But one thing seems likely: The nation of 20 million will pivot sharply to the right, after six years in which the progressive idealism represented by President Gabriel Boric and his leftist Broad Front, or FA, party has held sway. Leading the pack to replace Boric, who rode the progressive wave to power in 2022 but cant run for re-election due to a constitutional bar on consecutive terms, are three figures from the traditional and radical right. According to a May 16 survey by polling firm Cadem, 17 percent of voters would like to see Evelyn Matthei of the Independent Democratic Union, or UDI, become Chiles next leader, down from a recent high of 26 percent in December. A 71-year-old economist who until recently served as district mayor of Providencia in the heart of Santiago, the capital, Matthei has traditionally cut a technocratic, moderate figure. Mattheis father was a top general during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, and she herself campaigned in support of Pinochet remaining in power in the 1990 referendum that ended his 17-year rule, while also backing efforts for him to avoid prosecution for the crimes committed in that time. But she is supportive of gay marriage and abortion, and as a presidential candidate in 2013 compared her policies to those of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In December, Matthei called for less ideology, more pragmatism in Chilean politics, and has promised to cut government waste and corporate taxes in order to restore annual GDP growth to 4 percent, a rate it last averaged between 1991 and 2005. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet with half of those surveyed by Cadem saying crime is the main reason holding back growth, ultraconservatives have sought to outflank Mattheis center-right Chile Vamos coalition on public safety and illegal immigration. In response, Matthei has taken to filming campaign spots in the Atacama, the arid northern region through which most migrants cross, while announcing a plan to deploy soldiers and drones to the border, repatriate both illegal migrants and 3,000 convicted foreign nationals, and construct a maximum-security jail in the middle of the desert. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Im not going to allow us to lose Chile, she said in unveiling the plan last month. Were going to be very tough, very drastic, very radical. She has also indicated that she would consider following the lead of U.S. President Donald Trump by sending convicts from organized crime groups like Venezuelas Tren de Aragua to be imprisoned in El Salvador. And in March, following a high-profile double murder, she suggested that the death penalty, which has been outlawed in Chile since 2001, should be applied in some cases. However, Mattheis hardened tone may not be enough to stop the return of Jose Antonio Kast, the 59-year-old far-right leader who lost to Boric in the 2021 presidential contest. In last weeks poll, Kast finished with 17 percent support, up from 8 percent in February. A long-serving UDI congressman for the south side of Santiago, Kast is the son of a Nazi emigre to Chile, and his late brother served as a minister under Pinochet, whose regime Kast has also defended. He even went so far as to say that if the dictator were still alive, he would vote for him. With little enthusiasm to carry on Borics project even among its leading lights, the momentum is clearly with Chiles insurgent conservative forces. After leaving Congress in 2018, Kast broke with the UDI and founded his populist Republican Party the following year. He has styled himself after former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and made law and order the central component of his three presidential runs to date. But unlike Matthei, Kast combines this with a strident defense of family values and an anti-system message. Chile is on the edge of the abyss, he told supporters in January, blaming a political class that has systematically failed to protect Chileans, while implying that Matthei belonged to the same old crowd. Responding to the latest polling, Kast says he sees a growing possibility of a first-round victory in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That seems unlikely because the conservative vote will be split, and not only between him and Matthei. Axel Kaiser, a 49-year-old outsider congressman who came to prominence on YouTube condemning Borics first ill-fated effort to rewrite Chiles Pinochet-era constitution in 2022, is also in the running. Kaiser, who left Kasts movement to found his own National Libertarian Party in 2024, also demands mass deportations of migrants. Modeling himself after the inflammatory style of Argentine President Javier Milei, he lambasts the political caste, has said he would shut down public hospitals if elected and has also questioned whether women securing the right to vote was a good idea. Support for Kaiser has slipped in recent weeks, from a high of 15 percent in April to just 6 percent in May, with Kast seemingly eating into his and Mattheis vote. The three will not hold an opposition primary to present a unified candidate, instead opting to test their strength on polling day in November. In the likely event of no candidate winning more than 50 percent of the vote, the second- and third-placed figures on the right are likely to fall in behind either Kastas in 2021, when he lost to Boricor Matthei, positioning them for a second-round victory on Dec. 14. Chiles left, by contrast, will hold a primary open to all voters on June 29 to decide who will take up the standard from Boric. The sitting president has notched up a series of incremental social reforms: raising the minimum wage, increasing pension payouts, capping the working week at 40 hours, reviving parts of Chiles passenger rail network and passing legislation to tackle sexual harassment and support people with autism. But these have been overshadowed by the failure of the constitutional reform process he championed and high levels of violent crime, as well as a handful of damaging blunders. These include Borics delay in removing a trusted Interior Ministry official accused of sexual abuse and a rolling, multimillion-dollar cronyism and campaign-finance scandal involving NGOs with close ties to his administration. Fresh revelations involving the latter saw the presidents disapproval rating spike to 70 percent in May, a peak registered only twice before since he took office in March 2022. As a result, the left seems demoralized and disorganized. Its best-placed candidate is Carolina Toha, a 60-year-old who recently stepped down as Borics interior minister to run for the presidency. A political scientist, former congresswoman, ex-mayor of Santiago and senior figure in the center-left administration of former President Michelle Bachelet from 2009 to 2012, Toha is seen as a steady and pragmatic hand. Addressing her fellow members of the Party for Democracy, or PPD, in April, she spoke of the need to build a modern, efficient and pro-growth progressive movement, and to fight the planetary phenomenon of anti-democratic, authoritarian populism, which she said has its imitators in Chile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But just 10 percent of those polled last week say they will vote for Toha, suggesting she is tarnished by her association with Boric. The same is likely true of Congressman Gonzalo Winter, a former student leader and the reluctant presidential candidate for the Broad Front, who took just 6 percent. Jeannette Jara of the Communist Party, who served as Borics labor minister, notched 5 percent. Two prominent progressives who may have gained more tractionBachelet, 73, and the Communist Partys Camila Vallejo, 37have ruled out running. With little enthusiasm to carry on Borics project even among its leading lights, the momentum is clearly with Chiles insurgent conservative forces. Matthei and Kast also have the backing of the countrys corporate press and most of the private sector, and seem buoyed by a regional rightward wave that seems likely to break over Peru, Brazil and Colombia in 2026. Yet centrist and left-wing sympathies may coalesce around the figure of Toha once the primary, with its state funding and TV coverage, is concluded. She can also take comfort from the failed constitutional reform process that played out in 2022 and 2023. After the failed referendum on an initial ultra-progressive draft championed by Boric, far-right factions led by Kasts Republican Party triumphed in a May 2023 election that seated a second constitutional convention. But when those delegates produced a correspondingly ultraconservative document, the public soundly rejected that one as well. Its a hint that, after years of tumult following the explosion of nationwide anti-inequality protests in 2019 and the subsequent hardships of the pandemic, a significant constituency of centrist voters are simply searching for safe harbor from the extremes. That may be enough to stave off the challenge from Kast and Kaiser. But assuming she is not pulled too far rightward in the meantime and barring any unforeseen developments, Mattheiwith her promise of a hardline but socially tolerant conservatismstill enjoys the pole position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laurence Blair is a freelance journalist covering South America and the author of Patria, an alternative history of the continent to be published in November 2024. You can follow him on Twitter at @laurieablair. The post Chiles Right Has Pole Position in the Race to Replace Boric appeared first on World Politics Review. China stepped up cloud seeding in the face of severe drought. The countrys grain-growing regions in the north have been parched for months, leading to concerns over the harvest. Though some scientists are skeptical over cloud seedings effectiveness and environmental impact, several countries have begun deploying it: China is already the worlds leading user of weather modification, firing chemical compounds into clouds to spark precipitation, and has conducted 20% more than by this time last year, Xinhua reported, apparently causing a one-third increase in rainfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as agriculture and drinking water, much of China is reliant on hydropower for electricity: Sichuan, in the southwest, gets 80% of its power from dams, meaning that droughts can lead to electricity shortages. SYDNEY, June 3 (Xinhua) -- An investigation has been launched into the death of a man who was attacked by a fellow patient at a Brisbane hospital. Authorities in the state of Queensland on Tuesday confirmed that the 39-year-old man died on May 4, two days after he was attacked by another patient in the psychiatric ward at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane's inner-south. The Queensland Police Service said that it has commenced an investigation into whether the attack caused the man's death or if it triggered an underlying medical condition and that a report would be prepared for the coroner. News Corp Australia newspapers said that the 39-year-old was a prisoner and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said that the incident is being treated as a death in custody. The man's death was not disclosed publicly until hospital staff contacted local media. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said on Tuesday that a thorough investigation into the incident was required and there would be a "sincere follow-through" if the man's death was caused by the attack. China said on Tuesday that the United States needs to stop spreading disinformation and correct wrongful actions as the trade tensions between the two countries continue. Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian claimed the U.S. falsely accuses and smears China and that Washington has taken extreme suppression measures. He listed chip export controls, blocking EDA sales and announcing plans to revoke Chinese students visas as actions that have seriously disrupted the consensus and hurt Chinas legitimate rights and interests. China firmly opposes them and has lodged strong protests with the US, Lin wrote in a Tuesday post on the social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will likely talk soon a conversation that will include discussing critical minerals. I am confident that when President Trump and party Chairman Xi have a call, that this will be ironed out, Bessent said during his Sunday appearance on CBSs Face the Nation. But the fact that they are withholding some of the products that they agreed to release during our agreement maybe its a glitch in the Chinese system, maybe its intentional. The worlds two biggest economies have accused each other in recent days of violating the terms of the trade agreement struck during the meetings in Geneva last month. Trump hammered China on Friday, arguing that Beijing violated the terms of the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, the president wrote on Truth Social. 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, the commander-in-chief added. China fired back on Monday, saying that Washington was in breach of the trade agreement, citing the guidance on chip export controls, the pause of sales of chip design software to China and the revocation of F-1 student visas of Chinese students in the U.S. After the May talks in Switzerland, the Trump administration brought down the tariffs on Chinese imports from 145 percent to 30 percent. China lowered its duties on U.S. goods from 125 percent to 10 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lin, the foreign ministry spokesperson, added on Tuesday that pressure and coercion are not the right way to engage China. We urge the US to respect the facts, stop spreading disinformation, correct its wrongful actions, and act to uphold the consensus reached between the two sides, the spokesperson added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) In Detroit, two people were charged with allegedly smuggling a fungus into America, claiming it was for studying at the University of Michigan, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Michigan. United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. reports that Yunqing Juan, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, citizens of the Peoples Republic of China, were charged with a criminal complaint with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements, and visa fraud. According to the complaint, Liu initially lied but later admitted to smuggling the fungus into America through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport so that he could conduct research with his girlfriend at a laboratory at the University of Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fungus called Fusarium graminearum is the most significant and destructive disease affecting wheat crops all over the world, according to the National Library of Medicine. The scientific literature classifies it as a potential agroterrorism weapon. According to the FBI, the complaint reports Jian received Chinese government funding for her work on this pathogen in China. The complaint also alleges that Jians electronics have information about her loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. Jians boyfriend, Liu, researches the same pathogen at a Chinese University. The alleged actions of these Chinese nationalsincluding a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Partyare of the gravest national security concerns. These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a potential agroterrorism weapon into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme, said United States Attorney Gorgon. Todays criminal charges levied upon Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are indicative of CBPs critical role in protecting the American people from biological threats that could devastate our agricultural economy and cause harm to humans; especially when it involves a researcher from a major university attempting to clandestinely bring potentially harmful biological materials into the United States. This was a complex investigation involving CBP offices from across the country, alongside our federal partners. Im grateful for their tireless efforts, ensuring our borders remain secure from all types of threats while safeguarding Americas national security interests, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JianDownload This case is still under investigation, United States Attorney Gorgon reports. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The sound of more than a dozen rapid-fire gunshots sent Angela Rivera running down her street. It was about 2:30 a.m. and moments earlier, her son had driven by while being pursued by several California Highway Patrol cruisers. When Rivera reached the source of the gunfire, she realized her 21-year-old son Sei-Jah Rivera was mortally wounded by a dozen gunshots from a lone CHP officer. Three other officers chasing Rivera did not fire their weapons, but authorities say Rivera had pulled a gun and the shooting officer perceived he was under immediate threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is CHP dashcam footage from that morning of Feb. 26, the shooting itself isn't captured on camera. That's because, experts say, the CHP had, until recently, been stubbornly slow in deploying body cameras within its ranks. "There is no reason in this day and age, when the camera technology is so readily available, to not have body-worn cameras on officers in the field," said Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology and criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina. Over the last decade, law enforcement agencies in California and across the nation have gradually integrated body-worn cameras into their operations. A study from 2016 estimated nearly 80% of large law enforcement agencies had acquired body-worn cameras, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and since then additional local agencies have followed suit. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office set rules for its body-worn cameras in 2016, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department began budgeting for them in 2020, and San Bernardino County began providing them to deputies last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the CHP is only beginning to catch up. In 2022, the CHP had about 7,600 officers, but only 3% of them or about 240 were equipped with body-worn cameras, according to reporting from CalMatters. Currently, about 1,500 CHP officers have them but they're all located in the Sacramento Valley and Bay Area, a department spokesperson said. The state Legislature approved $9.9 million in the 2024/2025 budget to purchase body-worn cameras for the CHP and $4.9 million for ongoing costs, but the equipment has not yet been deployed and training is underway. CHP officers in Southern California should begin receiving body-worn cameras in the next six to eight weeks, but that's little consolation for Rivera's family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The State's refusal to date to equip CHP officers with BWCs [body-worn cameras] will make our job harder but not impossible," the family's attorney David Fiol said. On May 14, the family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the CHP. The agency declined to comment on pending litigation. "Because we can't rely solely on the statements of the four officers at the scene, and Mr. Rivera can not provide his version of events, we are working with qualified experts to scrutinize the objective evidence we do have," Fiol said, "including the dashcam video and audio and the coroner's report, to reconstruct the moments before the defendant began shooting." Read more: Pasadena police consider body cameras that activate when officers draw handguns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 26, Sei-Jah Rivera was driving his father's work van when the CHP said he ran a red light and then refused to stop. At the time, Angela Rivera didn't realize it but she was watching the pursuit unfold as she tracked her son's location with a phone app, waiting for him to come home from a night out with his cousins. Within minutes, she watched her son's location pass by their home with the sound of blaring sirens. CHP dashcam videos provided to the family show what transpired from there: Rivera drove to the end of a cul de sac and tried to turn around, but a CHP officer rammed into the side of the van, incapacitating it. A CHP officer ordered Rivera to shut off the engine and get out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hey, turn it off. Turn it the f off. Turn it the f off." the officer shouted. "Hey, turn it off or you're going to get shot!" Rivera got out of the van as two nearby CHP officers reached out unsuccessfully to grab him. Rivera then ran behind the van where he could not be seen by the dashcam, but the audio is clear. Someone is heard shouting "gun! gun! gun! gun! gun!" then an officer is seen unloading his firearm at Rivera. One officer is heard yelling "stop! stop!" several times before the shooting concludes. Then, someone says, "He threw it. He threw it over the fence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the family's lawsuit, Rivera got out of the vehicle, "trotted toward the end of the street, removed the gun from his waistband, and tossed it over an eight-foot cinder block wall." The family claims in their lawsuit that Rivera had his back to officers when he tossed his gun over the fence, then surrendered. The complaint claims the officer fired 16 times and "continued to shoot even after Sei-Jah raised his empty hands as a sign of submission," though it does not specify what that account is based on. According to the autopsy, Rivera was struck by 12 rounds, including several that hit him in the back and left shoulder and one that entered the back of his head. Officers rendered aid at the scene but Rivera died of his wounds, according to the report. The autopsy report notes also that Rivera's handgun was recovered at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angela Rivera said she rushed to the scene, but was turned away by officers. "I just wanted to give him one last hug, but they pushed me away like an animal," she said Read more: LAPD considering stronger body camera policy in light of recent scandals The Times showed the dashcam footage to use-of-force experts who independently reviewed the footage. They agreed that it's difficult to make out the exchange that led to the shooting, because the van obscures the view. "We're not going to ask an officer to risk his life by saying, 'Oh, I wonder if he's trying to get rid of the gun or he's going to shoot me,'" said Ed Obayashi, a deputy sheriff in Modoc County and a law enforcement policy advisor to police agencies across the state. "The officer would have been justified in feeling that there was an immediate threat to his life and his other officers, regardless of the subject's intentions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear what caused the officer to shoot, but it's reasonable to assume that Rivera pulled out a gun when he was on the other side of the van, based on the sequence of events, Obayashi said. He added that it's not unusual for officers to fire multiple times in a matter of seconds in such scenarios and, in the absence of bodycam footage, investigators will have to rely heavily on officer statements and what threats they perceived, while determining why only the one officer fired. It's unclear what the field of vision looked like for the officers who did not fire, Obayashi said, but they may have been concerned about hitting the officer if they opened fire when he was so close to Rivera. The incident is being investigated by an outside law enforcement agency, as is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in California. Jerry Rodriguez, a retired 35-year law enforcement officer and expert witness, said the position of Rivera's gun plays a role in how the shooting officer responded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He fired 16 rounds, and we're accountable for every round that we discharge," Rodriguez said. "So, in order to assess the objective reasonableness of that, you would have to be able to discern what threat was being posed to the officer at the time." Read more: Internal LAPD reports show body camera misuse more widespread than chief alleges According to the Los Angeles County Medical-Examiner's autopsy and toxicology reports, Rivera was 6 feet tall, 288 pounds and was under the influence of opiates when he was killed. His family said he loved to sing and dance and had lost about 100 pounds over the past year as he worked toward his goal to join the U.S. Navy and his long-term aspiration was to become a firefighter. "He was running every day and trying his best to get into shape," his older brother, Okalani Langi, said. Fiol, the family attorney, said officers can't justify shooting Rivera because of the mere sight of a gun. He pointed to a decision last year from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that ruled a San Jose police officer could stand trial in a 2019 fatal shooting involving a replica gun and was not protected by qualified immunity, a common shield from liability for law enforcement. "The bottom line is the defendant shot at an unarmed man sixteen times," Fiol said, suggesting Rivera had already tossed the gun when he was shot. Alpert, the criminology professor, said the majority of the time body-worn cameras confirm an officer's version of events. But there are cases where an officer's report does not align with what the footage reveals, like when LAPD officers were found to be out of department policy when they repeatedly used a stun gun on a teacher in 2023 and the man later died. That's why the technology is important and should be embraced, said Alpert, the criminology professor. "It becomes a moral compass issue," he said. "Why would a police chief not want to have his officers equipped with cameras?" 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. Originally appeared on E! Online Chris Pratt is mourning the loss of a fellow Pawnee resident. Following the news that his Parks and Recreation costar Jonathan Joss was killed in a shooting June 1, the Guardians of the Galaxy star shared his disbelief and sadness over Jonathans sudden passing. Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude, Chris, 45, wrote on his Instagram Story June 2 alongside an article announcing his death. He played Ken Hotate in Parks and was also in Mag 7. Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan had a recurring role on the series as the head of the Native American Wamapoke Tribe Chief Ken Hotate alongside Chris, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Adam Scott, and Aubrey Plaza. In addition to Chris tribute, Nick Offerman, who starred as Ron Swanson on the series, shared that several members of the Parks and Rec cast were in contact with each other following the news of the King of the Hill actors death. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cast has been texting together about it all day and were just heartbroken, Nick, 54, told People in a statement. Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy. Jonathans death was confirmed by the San Antonio Police Department, per TMZ. According to the outlet, the 59-year-old was killed after a neighbor allegedly fired several bullets from a vehicle before driving away from the scene. Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega was arrested on June 2, in connection to the crime and charged with murder. He is being held on a $200,000 bail, per TMZ. Ben Cohen/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) E! News has reached out to San Antonio authorities as well as reps for Jonathan but has not yet heard back. Jonathans husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales shared a message on his Facebook, where he remembered Jonathans final moments and thanked fans for their support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved, Tristan wrote on June 2. 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. He continued, Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built. NEED TO KNOW Jonathan Joss was allegedly shot and killed by his neighbor in San Antonio on Sunday, June 1 Joss' husband claims that before the actor's death, he and Joss were "harassed" by their "homophobic" neighbors Joss' castmates, including Parks and Recreation star Chris Pratt, are paying tribute to the late actor Chris Pratt is remembering his fellow Parks and Recreation actor Jonathan Joss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss was allegedly shot and killed during a dispute at his San Antonio property on Sunday, June 1. He was 59. Pratt, 45, paid tribute with an Instagram Stories message on Monday, June 2, when he posted a photo of Joss obituary, which featured an image of Joss as Chief Ken Hotate on the NBC sitcom. Joss appeared in a recurring role as the leader of the fictional Native American Wamapoke Tribe. Pratt also pointed out that Joss acted with him in The Magnificent Seven, a 2016 remake of the classic 1960 Western. Joss portrayed Denali, an exiled Comanche warrior. Pratt starred as Joshua Faraday. Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude, Pratt wrote in his Instagram Stories. Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones. Ben Cohen/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Jonathan Joss as Ken Hotate in "Parks and Recreation" season 7 Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Jonathan Joss as Ken Hotate in "Parks and Recreation" season 7 Ahead of Pratts tribute, Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman told PEOPLE, "The cast has been texting together about it all day and were just heartbroken." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy," Offerman continued. Joss spent five years on the popular sitcom, which also starred Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Aziz Ansari and Rob Lowe. Mitchell Haaseth/NBC Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer PEOPLE confirmed on Sunday morning that the King of the Hill voice actor died at age 59 after being shot by his neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam. According to police, authorities responded to a shooting in progress at around 7 p.m., where they found Joss lying near the roadway. They attempted to administer life saving measures while waiting for EMS, but Joss was pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cejam, 56, fled in a vehicle and was detained shortly after. He has been booked for murder, and the investigation is still ongoing, per police. Joss husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, claimed he was present when the incident took place in a lengthy post on Joss Facebook page. In the statement, Gonzales alleged their house had burned down three months prior after over two years of threats that allegedly went unaddressed by law enforcement. Throughout that time we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship, he shared. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. NBC Jonathan Joss in "Parks and Recreation" season 3 Jonathan Joss in "Parks and Recreation" season 3 According to Gonzales, he and Joss went to the property to get their mail when they saw the skull of one of their dogs out in the open, causing them "severe emotional distress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw," he alleged. "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. 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 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. 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," Gonzales wrote. PEOPLE reached out to the San Antonio Police Department for comment. Read the original article on People The percentage of students with good attendance fell sharply between 2019 and 2023, while the share of chronically absent students more than doubled, offering further evidence of the pandemics shattering effect on the nations classrooms. A new analysis of data from three states North Carolina, Texas and Virginia shows that prior to COVID, 17% of students were chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of the school year. By 2023, long after schools had to cope with new variants and hybrid schedules, that figure hit 37%. Absences are both more common for everybody, but they are also more extreme, said Jacob Kirksey, an associate professor of education policy at Texas Tech University. Researchers Morgan Polikoff, left, Jeremy Singer and Jacob Kirksey spoke Friday about trends in chronic absenteeism with Ajit Gopalakrishnan, chief performance officer for the Connecticut State Department of Education. (American Enterprise Institute) Additional new research shows that while post-pandemic chronic absenteeism lingers across the board, rates were substantially higher for low-income students. In North Carolina, for example, the chronic absenteeism rate for students in poverty before the pandemic was 9.2 percentage points higher than for non-poor students. By 2023, the gap increased to 14.6 percentage points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The income gap really was the main driver that showed up over and over again, said Morgan Polikoff, an education researcher at the University of Southern California. But its hard for schools to make a dent in the problem, he said, if they arent investigating the reasons for chronic absenteeism. Theres a big difference between the kid [who] has an illness and is chronically sick versus the kid [who] is super disengaged. Kirksey and Polikoff were among several researchers who shared their findings Friday at an American Enterprise Institute event focused on facing what Kirksey called the under-the-hood dynamics of chronic absenteeism in the post-COVID era. Since 2022, when the national average peaked at 28%, the rate has dropped to 23% still much higher than the pre-COVID level of about 15%, according to the conservative think tanks tracker. I have a question that keeps me up at night. That question is Whats the new normal going to be? said Nat Malkus, the deputy director of education policy at AEI. We see this rising tide, but I think that its incumbent on us to say that chronic absenteeism still affects disadvantaged students more. The research project began in September with the goal of offering guidance to districts in time for students return to school this fall. The researchers stressed that those most likely to be chronically absent this school year low-income, highly mobile and homeless students are the same ones who will frequently miss school next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absenteeism should seldom come as a surprise, said Sam Hollon, an education data analyst at AEI. Its hard to justify delaying interventions until absences have accumulated. Focusing on Virginia, the images show how gaps in chronic absenteeism for some groups, especially low-income students, have widened. Gifted students, however, are less likely to be chronically absent than they were before the pandemic. (Morgan Polikoff and Nicolas Pardo, University of Southern California) Teacher absenteeism One new finding revealed Friday contradicts a theory that gained traction following the pandemic that students were more likely to be absent if their teachers were also out. As with students, teacher absenteeism increased during the pandemic and hasnt returned to pre-COVID levels. The relationship between teacher absences and student absences, however, is pretty negligible, said Arya Ansari, an associate professor of human development and family science at The Ohio State University. These absences among teachers dont actually contribute to the post-COVID bump that weve seen in student absences, he said. Targeting teacher absences isnt going to move the needle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related 40% of Chicago Teachers Are Chronically Absent. Those Gaps Carry Real Costs The researchers discussed how even some well-intentioned responses to the COVID emergency have allowed chronic absenteeism to persist. States, Malkus said, made it easier to graduate despite frequent absences and missing school doesnt necessarily prevent students from turning in their work. In my day, you had to get a packet and do the work at home if you were absent, Polikoff said. In interviews with 40 families after the pandemic, 39 said it was easy to make up work because of Google Classroom and other online platforms. How many said, Lets make it harder? Zero. In another presentation, Ethan Hutt, an associate education professor at the University of North Carolina, estimated that chronic absenteeism accounts for about 7.5% of overall pandemic learning loss and about 9.2% for Black and low-income students a nontrivial, but modest impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stressed that missing school also affects student engagement and relationships with teachers. While technology has made it easier for students to keep up, there may be other harms that we want to think about and grapple with, he said. Related Report: Parental Apathy Blamed for Rise in Chronic Absenteeism From one to 49 The new research comes as states are mounting new efforts to more closely track chronic absenteeism data and share it with the public. In 2010, only one state Maryland published absenteeism data on its state education agency website. Now, 49 states all but New Hampshire report rates on an annual, monthly or even daily basis, according to a new report released Tuesday by Attendance Works, an advocacy and research organization. The systems allow educators and the public to more quickly identify which students are most affected and when spikes occur. Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Washington D.C. post rates even before the end of the school year. Rhode Island offers real-time data, while Connecticut publishes monthly reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Hampshire Department of Education doesnt monitor chronic absenteeism, but has a statewide 92.7% attendance rate, a spokesperson said. States have made progress on publishing chronic absenteeism data sooner. By mid-April, 43 states had released their data for the previous school year, up from nine in 2021. (Attendance Works) The report highlights states that have taken action to reduce chronic absenteeism. In Virginia, bus drivers ensure their routes include students who might be more likely to struggle with transportation. With state funds, Fauquier County, west of Washington, D.C., opened a center for students on short-term suspension to minimize the absences that tend to pile up when a student is removed from the classroom. Overall chronic absenteeism in the state declined from 19.3% in 2022-23 to 15.7% in 2023-24. To Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works, such improvement proves we can still get things done in our country and in education, despite all of the culture wars and binary thinking. Priced out Some district and school leaders have looked to their peers for ideas on how to get kids back in school. After participating in a six-month program with 16 other districts across the country organized by the nonprofit Digital Promise, Mark Brenneman, an elementary principal in New Yorks Hudson City Schools, started interviewing families about their challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He learned that Hispanic parents often keep their children home when it rains because theyre worried theyre going to catch a cold. Several had transportation challenges. His school, Smith Elementary, even contributed to the problem, he said, by holding concerts, award ceremonies or other family events in the morning. Parents would come to celebrate their childrens accomplishments, then take them out for lunch and not return. Related Unlikely Ed Allies Join Forces to Cut Chronic Absenteeism in Half Hudson, about 40 miles south of Albany, has undergone significant change since the pandemic, added Superintendent Juliette Pennyman. Some families leaving New York City have settled in Hudson, driving up the cost of housing. Our families are being priced out of the community, she said. Housing insecurity was affecting families and students ability to focus on school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the intense focus on the issue, Smith, which had a 29% chronic absenteeism rate last year, has seen an about a 15% increase in the number of students with good attendance. Its not like were down to like 10% chronically absent, Brenneman said. But weve hammered away. The Citizens Union, one of New Yorks oldest good government groups, is supporting Andrew Cuomo as part of its 2025 mayoral race endorsement slate even though the organization demanded he be removed as governor in 2021 over sexual misconduct accusations. In an endorsement announcement shared exclusively with the Daily News this week, the watchdog group wrote that it is urging New Yorkers to back Cuomo, Brad Lander and Zellnor Myrie for mayor in the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary. The group, which was founded in 1897 to serve as a counterweight to the notoriously corrupt Tammany Hall political machine, didnt offer a proposed specific ranking of the three candidates, opting instead to endorse all of them jointly. In a statement, the groups board acknowledged the move is unusual, but argued theres good reason for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No single candidate currently running is perfectly equipped to handle this challenge. But New Yorkers are not limited to choosing just one candidate they can, and should, rank up to five candidates, the statement read. The Citizens Union Board of Directors debated this question at length and concluded that the best service to voters at this stage of the election is not to prefer a single candidate, but to provide a clear, nuanced view of the race. In this unusual election, we offer our backing to an unusual slate of three candidates. Cuomo told The News hes honored to have their support at this critical moment for New York City. But thats a far cry from where the Citizens Union stood in August 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the groups then-chairman, Randy Mastro, said in a statement his members were troubled by Cuomos refusal to immediately resign after State Attorney General Letitia James office found he had sexually harassed subordinates in violation of both federal and state laws. It is a shame that it has come to this, but since the governor refuses to do the right thing, the State Legislature must. It should immediately commence impeachment proceedings to remove him from office, Mastro, who has since left the Citizens Union and is now Mayor Adams top deputy at City Hall, said in the Aug. 3, 2021 statement. Cuomo, who has denied sexually harassing anyone, announced his resignation a week later. In this weeks endorsement announcement, the Citizens Union did acknowledge it remains concerned about aspects of Cuomos record, saying his decade as governor left serious ethical stains and he too often misused the power whose deployment he so skillfully mastered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grace Rauh, Citizens Unions executive director, said the endorsement decision was hotly debated by the boards members, but declined to share a breakdown on how their internal vote fell. Regarding Lander, the group touted his dedication to fighting for transparency and reform, focusing on detailed policy solutions, but also said he must prove he can inspire and lead a city navigating rough waters. Myrie represents the next generation of reform and has earned a chance to show his leadership at City Hall despite having no executive experience to date, the group wrote. Citizens Union is the latest group to throw its weight behind Cuomos mayoral bid despite calling for his ouster as governor. In April, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and 32BJ, two politically powerful local unions, endorsed Cuomo despite having also pressured him to resign in 2021. The ex-gov remains the favorite to win the mayoral primary, according to polls. In some recent surveys, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who has consistently polled as the runner-up to Cuomo, is closing in on the former governors lead. Mamdani didnt submit a questionnaire to be considered for the Citizens Unions endorsement, the group said. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Job seekers had a new opportunity to connect with the City of Wichita on Tuesday as it hosted its first-ever summer career fair at the Advanced Learning Library. We have a variety of city departments here all ready to talk to job seekers across the city, said Gonzalo Neira Maquilon, HR Specialist for Recruitment and Retention. Especially with it being Riverfest week, we thought it would be a great way to connect folks during a fun week of connection throughout the city. The fair featured representatives from departments including Police, Fire, IT, Law, CityArts, and Park & Recreation. A CDL career panel also offered insight into roles in Public Works, Transit, and Parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We typically have one during the Spring and the Fall, Maquilon said. This is our first summer independent career fair, and we are hoping to see a big turnout today. The city is currently hiring for 50 to 60 positions, with an emphasis on part-time and seasonal roles. We are seeing a lot of seasonal, part-time jobs for parks and rec mostly, Maquilon said. But we have a strong need for CDL professionals in public works transit and parks and rec. Applications will be accepted for all job openings. To apply for a job, click here. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) 17 News Sunrise celebrated Stockdale High School valedictorian, Albert Abods achievements and future aspirations. Soon attending University of California, San Diego to study molecular cell biology, Abod hopes to become a doctor like his parents and help make an impact. His awards are as listed below: First in class with a 4.5 GPA ASB President President of PacRim National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society Ford Dream Builder Glendon Rogers Award Vince Fong Congressional Recognition Award Top Scholar Athlete Award Four Years Orchestra Blood Drive Ambassador Kpop and Tinikling Dance Leader 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 KGET 17 News. JAKARTA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia currently needs an investment of 2,967 trillion rupiahs (around 182 billion U.S. dollars) to boost its electricity production until 2034, according to the state-owned electricity company PT PLN. PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said on Monday that the details of the investment funding needs included for project investment at 2,699 trillion rupiahs, as well as for capex maintenance and interest during construction at 268 trillion rupiahs. "It all requires investment up to almost 3,000 trillion rupiah. PLN certainly cannot carry out this agenda alone," Prasodjo said in Jakarta as quoted by local media. He said at least there were eight electricity projects that Indonesia would like to offer from 2025 to 2034, including the construction of a 22.1 gigawatt (GW) baseload renewable energy power plant and a 16.6 GW baseload geothermal power plant as well as the development of variable renewable energy (wind and solar) amounting to 24.3 GW, a 6 GW/27 GWh battery energy storage system, a 0.5 GW nuclear power plant and a transmission network and substations spanning 47,758 km. "PLN itself will invest around 567.67 trillion rupiahs to build power plants with a capacity of 20.4 GW. Overall, the national electricity capacity will increase by 69.5 GW," said Prasodjo. (100,000 rupiahs equal 6.14 U.S. dollars) Clemson University wants to contract with the Medical University of South Carolina hospital system for a new student health center on campus. (File photo by Getty Images) Clemson University wants to contract with the Medical University of South Carolina hospital system to build and run a new student health center on campus. A legislative oversight committee gave the initial nod Tuesday to the $73 million project, which the Upstate college says will help hold down student health care costs and replace its aging facility. The project still needs approval next week from a five-member financial oversight panel chaired by the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could mark MUSCs second such arrangement at a South Carolina college and the first outside of Charleston. The proposal is modeled after MUSCs relationship at The Citadel, according to documents provided to the Joint Bond Review Committee. Clemsons existing Redfern Health Center is 56 years old, built when the university had a student population of just 6,700. Since then, Clemsons enrollment has increased four-fold, yet the college has not expanded or renovated the center since it was constructed. Plans call for the Medical University Hospital Authority to spend $61 million to help build the new, 90,000-square-foot center, with Clemson chipping in $3 million, and a pair of federal grants covering the remainder. If Clemson were to pursue the project alone, it would have to pass the cost on to students, the school wrote in its proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Clemson will simply turn over to MUSC the existing health fees charged to students when they enroll. As part of the deal, that fee will stay flat for the first five years of operation, potentially saving students more money on health care. According to Clemson, student health care costs have been escalating since the COVID-19 pandemic at an average rate of 6% per year. Students currently pay $182 per semester. There will be an additional $66 fee for any students who stay on campus for the summer session. That fee covers the cost of doctors visits, counseling, and telemedicine urgent care, according to Clemsons health services website. It does not cover prescriptions, vaccinations, lab tests, X-rays, psychiatric treatment, gynecological exams, routine physical exams or procedures, such as stitches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MUSC will bill students for those additional services in a manner that does not burden Clemson students or their families but is expected to generate additional revenue, according to documents provided by the two organizations. Students who are on their parents insurance policy can continue to use that coverage. MUSC will bill the insurance company. All students will continue to have access to student healthcare regardless of their financial status, according to a joint letter from MUSC and Clemson. It will also bring an end to Clemsons current, archaic billing model for health services, which withholds diplomas and prevents students from enrolling in classes if they have an outstanding medical bill. A Clemson spokesman did not immediately respond to questions from the SC Daily Gazette about that policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MUSC will reinvest any excess revenue back into Clemson Health. The school and the hospital system expect to sign the 30-year deal in January 2026 and complete construction in July 2027. At the end of the lease term, MUSC will transfer ownership of the facility to Clemson. In addition to health care for students, Clemson and MUSC also plan to work together on more health-related research projects, as well as joint degree programs. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) Cleveland Heights City Council is taking action after Mayor Kahlil Serens wife, Natalie McDaniel, allegedly sent and made anti-Semitic remarks and texts. The FOX 8 I-Team has been fighting for public records related to the alleged behavior to be released, but so far the city has been dragging its feet. The mayor has adamantly denied the anti-Semitic behavior, but at a special meeting on May 27, Councilman Jim Petras introduced a no confidence resolution calling for accountability and transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I-X Center one step closer to being repurposed what it would mean for events It was standing room only inside council chambers on Monday night for the first public reading of the resolution. Several were carrying signs calling for the mayor to resign. RESIGN Seren its you, youre the problem, one sign said. Councilman Anthony Mattox, Jr. said he thought the issue should be left to voters and he expressed concerns because other members of council supporting the resolution are running for mayor. He also said that the controversy is breeding division. It is affecting my family, many families up here and many of your families too, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilman Craig Cobb said the controversies are making Cleveland Heights, the laughing stock of Northeast Ohio. Kent State to close LGBTQ+, womens, multicultural centers In the end, council voted 6 to 1 in favor of the no confidence resolution. Although its largely symbolic, the calls for the mayor to resign are expected to intensify. Seren responded, saying, Even as you have lost confidence, we will still get the work of the city done just as we have this evening and all of you will continue working with me and I will continue to work to move the city forward and I am appreciate to the residents and all the city workers who have shown me care and support through this. 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. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) Cleveland Heights law department officials have retained an attorney to represent them after refusing to release police body camera video involving Mayor Kahlil Serens wife. The FOX 8 I-Team has asked for the video, but the law department denied the request and sent us an email stating that they have retained Attorney Gregory Beck, of North Canton, to handle the matter. The I-Team has filed a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims asking the court to order the city to release the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interaction between the mayors wife, Natalie McDaniel, and the sergeant happened Dec. 6 inside Cleveland Heights City Hall. King of the Hill actor fatally shot: Reports Cleveland Heights officials said there was no official police report but they did release a statement written by the sergeant. No charges were filed against the mayors wife. On 12/06/2024 at approximately 1 p.m. I was approached by a unknown woman in City Halls front desk of the Mayors office, wrote Sergeant Jason Mose. I first noticed the woman in a panic state in the atrium, as if she was waiting for someone. She was gesturing and talking to herself. At some point, she approached me at the front desk and asked in a frantic voice if I knew where the Mayor was. I replied, I have not seen the Mayor. She became very agitated and annoyed at my answer. She told me she was suppose to meet her Husband in the atrium. At this point, I was able to connect this female is the Mayors wife. I asked her what time did the Mayor respond to you, she stated at 12:53 p.m., in agitated voice. I remember looking at the desk top computer and saw the exact time was 1:05 p.m. I told her maybe he is in a meeting or something. She then demanded if I knew Chief Britton was in his Office, I replied I do not know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report further noted that when an employee from the mayors office confronted her, she began swearing at him. The sergeant noted on his statement that the incident happened during city hall business hours. The sergeant added that a lieutenant tried to de-escalate the situation. I could still hear the female berating and criticizing someone from where I was sitting, the statement read. This scolding continued for approximately 20-30 minutes. The female was hitting the glass window behind me. She was calling me a giant white man and how she is a light skinned Black woman who repressed the way I treated her. This ended when the Mayor, his wife and Lieutenant Corrigan exited from the Office. The Mayor turned to me and stated we need to talk while walking towards the staircase. Parts of this incident was recorded on my BWC. Some taxpayers may receive tax refunds in June: When payments could arrive Attorney Tom Merriman said he believe the body camera video should be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rules dont change, the law doesnt change just because she happens to be married to a public official, Merriman said. If you look at the law, if you look at the case law, this is a no brainer. Its a slam dunk public record. We have tried to talk to the mayor several times but he has declined to answer any specific questions. I think the members of Cleveland Heights City Council should be demanding that this recording be released, Merriman said. I think they have a duty to the people of Cleveland Heights. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Scott Jennings, a conservative political commentator, called the Free Palestine movement nothing more than a domestic terror organization on Monday, saying it needs to be dealt with. His comment arose from a conversation about the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, on a group of people raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza. Federal law enforcement officials said the suspect in the attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, told them he specifically targeted the Zionist group. This is horrific, Jennings told CNNs Jake Tapper on The Lead. What more do we need to see, Jake, before we realize this Free Palestine movement is nothing more than a domestic terror organization right now? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect allegedly threw Molotov cocktails and used a makeshift flamethrower on the group of people and yelled Free Palestine! At least 15 people and a dog were injured in the attack that the FBI is calling a hate crime. Jennings cited Sundays attack, as well as the recent murder of Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C. and college campus protests, as examples of the Free Palestine movements domestic terror behavior. Conservative political commentator Scott Jennings called for the Free Palestine movement to be dealt with as a domestic terror organization (Getty) I think as a society, we need to understand were dealing with domestic terrorism, its growing more violent by the day and if we dont deal with it, these kinds of things are going to keep happening in cities all over the place, Jennings said. Jennings worked in former president George W. Bushs administration as a special assistant and deputy of political affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials across the country have raised concerns about antisemitic-motivated attacks rising due to political disputes stemming from the IsraelHamas war. President Donald Trump has promised to crack down on college protests that he believes are antisemitic, and accused college campuses of being hotbeds of antisemitism. Trump also blamed former President Joe Bidens ridiculous Open Border Policy for the attack in a Truth Social post. 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. Two Israeli embassy employees were killed in a targeted attack on the building in Washington, D.C. (Getty) The FBI defines domestic terrorism as criminal acts committed by individuals or groups to further ideological goals stemming from political, religious, social, racial, or environmental influences. Officials have said the attack in Boulder was targeted and leaders throughout the country have condemned the suspected perpetrator for antisemitism. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A coalition of organizations is calling on the New Mexico Environment Department to keep workers safe against New Mexicos heat. The state department is proposing a rule to establish a heat risk and illness plan for workers. Employers would be required to conduct a heat exposure assessment and implement control measures like access to water, paid rest breaks, cooling areas, and personnel monitoring. Major renovation planned for ABQ BioPark Childrens Fantasy Garden Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coalition of labor, climate, public health, faith-based, and community organizations held a press conference Monday to urge NMED to keep the rule on track without delay until November. We are standing here today in solidarity because we believe that no one, no one, should have to risk their health or their life just to earn a paycheck, said Justin Garoutte, climate and energy advocate with Conservation Voters New Mexico Some people who oppose the rule said they already have regulations in place and fear this will unnecessarily impact taxpayers. Not that we dont care as employers for our people, because were already taking those provisions to do those control measures that are necessary. I dont feel like weve fully taken all of those things into consideration. Especially how taxpayers will be impacted, said a speaker at a town hall meeting on May 21. The Environmental Improvement Board is accepting public comments on the proposed rule through July 17. Click here to submit a comment before July 17. 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. WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Teachers in West Springfield traded in their grade books for some good old-fashioned fun on Monday. Amherst Regional Middle School appoints new principal Coburn Elementary School teachers had a change in uniform on Monday, dressing up in inflatable costumes and racing each other on the field and the students loved it. This is the first time Coburn Elementary has hosted an Inflatable Race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From T-Rexes to unicorns, each one of them put their best sprint to the test. Students were shocked to see their teachers in disguise. The kids do not know what the teachers are dressing up as, this is like a surprise for them, said paraprofessional Reina Seda. They know about the race, not about whos running. This serves as the countdown to summer vacation for Coburn Elementary. 22News asked staff at the school what inspired them to put on this event, and they said it was just to spend time with the students before the end of the school year. And no doubt about it, it was a hit. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. 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. Bogota, Colombia Colombian President Gustavo Petro has criticised a Guatemalan court order for the arrests of two senior Colombian officials, accusing the prosecutors office of being corrupt. Guatemalan Public Prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche on Monday accused Colombian Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo and former Colombian Defence Minister Ivan Velasquez of corruption, influence peddling, obstruction of justice, and collusion during a United Nations-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) investigation into bribes paid to Guatemalan officials by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Petro said on Tuesday that the targeting of Camargo and Velasquez was politically motivated and shows that the attorney generals office is subordinate to the mafia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Narcotrafficking multinationals are trying to take over legal authorities and governments to carry out and whitewash their illicit business, wrote Petro in a post on X. In a statement released on Monday, Guatemalas government also said it emphatically rejects the arrest warrants. These actions are carried out with a clear political objective, without grounding in the national and international legal system, it said. While announcing the warrants on Monday, Curruchiche alleged without providing evidence that Camargo and Velasquez abused their power while working at the CICIG on the Odebrecht case, a vast corruption scandal in which the construction firm admitted to bribing officials for public contracts in 10 Latin American countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Curruchiche presented emails, purportedly between Odebrecht employees and Camargo, to reporters that he said prove Camargo and Velasquez are guilty, though Al Jazeera could not independently verify the validity of the emails. Curruchiches office first announced it was investigating Velasquez, who is currently Colombias ambassador to the Holy See, in January 2023 when he was still minister of defence. From 2013 to 2019, Velasquez oversaw the CICIG, which uncovered several corruption networks in Guatemala. Guatemalas prosecutors office did not respond to a request for comment. Both Camargo and Velasquez have denied the accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The corrupt Guatemalan Attorney General and her prosecutor Curruchiche designated as corrupt and sanctioned by the US and the European Union extend their persecution to me and Luz Adriana Camargo, wrote Velasquez in an X post on Tuesday. Colombias attorney general also rejected the charges in a press conference in Bogota on Wednesday. I am comforted by the tranquility of my innocence in the crimes that have been attributed to me by political bias, said Camargo. Action as a weapon Juanita Goebertus Estrada, director of the Americas Division at Human Rights Watch, told Al Jazeera that the accusations against the Colombian officials were unfounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence against Velasquez or Camargo of any credible participation in criminal activity, she said, adding that the warrants were just the latest in a series of controversial moves by the office of Guatemalas Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras, who has faced international criticism for resisting anti-corruption efforts. Consuelo Porras has a terrible record in human rights and democracy. She has constantly used criminal action as a weapon against those who have tried to fight against corruption in the country, said Goebertus. Curruchiche was criticised for interfering with elections after his office suspended then-candidate Bernardo Arevalos party ahead of the presidential run-off in 2023. Arevalo went on to win the elections, assuming office in January 2024 Guatemalas government said the arrest warrants are part of a wider pattern of judicial overreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are part of a series of actions by the Public Prosecutors Office, the Attorney General of the Republic and judges associated with corruption that have distorted the meaning of justice in Guatemala, said the Guatemalan government in its statement on Monday. People hold a banner with the photos of Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras and Prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche during a protest in support of democracy and to demand a peaceful democratic transition of power, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on December 7, 2023 [Cristina Chiquin/Reuters] Despite the arrest orders, it appears unlikely that actions against the two officials will be taken outside of Guatemala. Petro wont comply with the arrest warrants and it is very likely that he will seek an injunction to any international notice by Interpol that seeks to do the same, Sergio Guzman, director at Colombia Risk Analysis, a security think tank, told Al Jazeera. However, Colombian opposition figures have embraced the arrest warrants as evidence of corruption in the Petro administration. Vicky Davila, the conservative frontrunner in next years presidential elections, promised to comply with the order. On August 7 of next year, we will send them to Guatemala on a commercial flight, handcuffed, as befits extradited persons, to answer to the justice of that country for their alleged crimes, wrote Davila in a post on X on Monday. As law enforcement agents investigate Sunday's fiery attack on a group of pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, crime data shows the rampage came amid a dramatic increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes across the nation, suggesting further that the war between Israel and Hamas terrorists continues to spill into the U.S. The suspect in the Boulder attack, 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, allegedly yelled "Free Palestine" while targeting the pro-Israel demonstrators with a "flamethrower" fashioned from a commercial backpack weed sprayer and Molotov cocktails at a pedestrian mall, authorities said. Eli Imadali/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: 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, June 1, 2025. Soliman entered the United States in August 2022 on a B2 tourist visa, which expired in February 2023, according to Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. He filed for asylum in September 2022, McLaughlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents made public in the case allege Soliman, who was born in Egypt and lived in Kuwait for 17 years before moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado, three years ago, "wanted to kill all Zionist people and wish they were all dead." While some politicians and pro-Israel activists have used antisemitism as a catchall word for an alleged motive in the attack, the suspect told investigators, "This had nothing to do with the Jewish community and was specific in the Zionist group supporting the killings of people on his land (Palestine)," according to state court documents. But Ted Deutch, chief executive officer of the American Jewish Committee, noted that the attack came less than two weeks after a gunman shouting "Free Palestine" killed two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Boulder Police Department - PHOTO: Booking photo of 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, the man suspected of carrying out an "act of terrorism" during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025. "These are not isolated incidents," Deutch told ABC News. "This is a war against people who support Israel, it's a war against the Jewish people and nobody should tolerate it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deutch added, "We have to acknowledge that the incitement that weve seen from the language thats being used, the lies about genocide, the calls for globalizing the Intifada, resistance by any means necessary, all of this language contributes to an environment in which violence will, and now twice in two weeks, has taken place." Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, told ABC News that while there has been a spike in attacks on the American Jewish community since the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise assault on Israel by Hamas terrorists, antisemitic attacks in the United States have been steadily climbing for the last decade. "The last few months have put a fine point on the fact that there are those who are using the guise of protesting Israel to target and violently attack Jews," Spitalnick said. Spitalnick said the term Zionism is "woefully misunderstood" by the general public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What Zionism means to me is generally the belief that Jews should have a homeland somewhere in this part of world where we have deep historical connections. And it actually goes hand-in-hand with the belief in Palestinian self-determination and dignity for me and many others," she said. "When the term is used in this pejorative as we have seen it particularly over the last few years, but long before that as well, it effectively says that 80% to 90% of Jews should be discriminated against, or cast out of spaces, or in extreme cases violently targeted as we saw this weekend. That is antisemitism when youre saying the majority of American Jews are fair game," Spitalnick added. She said the majority of American Jews have a relationship with Israel. That doesnt mean that we agree with its government, Spitalnick said. In fact, many of us, and many Israelis, dont agree with the government and dont necessarily support whats happening in Gaza right now." National alarm sounded before attack According to an audit issued in April by the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents, including assaults and vandalism, has jumped 344% over the past five years and increased 893% over the past 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For the first time in the history of the Audit, a majority (58%) of all incidents contained elements related to Israel or Zionism," according to the ADL. Since the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, more than 10,000 antisemitic incidents have been reported in the United States alone, according to the ADL. Chet Strange/Getty Images - PHOTO: Bomb squads set up a staging area following an incident involving multiple injuries that the FBI is investigating as an act of terror on June 1, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado. In addition to the Washington, D.C., and Boulder attacks, a 38-year-old man was arrested in April and charged with firebombing the Pennsylvania governor's residence in Harrisburg, while Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family were asleep inside, officials said. According to a search warrant affidavit, the suspect allegedly targeted Shapiro "based upon perceived injustices to the people of Palestine." Islamophobic attack have also been on the rise, according to a report issued in March by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. CAIR reported that it received more than 8,650 complaints in 2024, the highest number the group has ever gotten. Rebecca Slezak/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock - PHOTO: An Israeli flag stands in a bed of flowers as caution tape blocks off a deserted Pearl Street on the scene of an attack on demonstrators calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025. Among the high-profile anti-Muslim incidents reported over the last two years was the fatal Oct. 14, 2023, stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian American boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, by his Illinois landlord, 73-year-old Joseph Czuba, who prosecutors said killed the child and attacked his mother in response to the Israel-Hamas war. Czuba was convicted of murder and hate crime charges in February and was sentenced in May to 53 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 25, 2023, three college students of Palestinian descent were shot, including one who was paralyzed, in Burlington, Vermont, when they were allegedly targeted by 48-year-old Jason J. Eaton, a former Boy Scout leader, as the students, who were visiting the city during the Thanksgiving holiday, were walking in his neighborhood speaking a mix of Arabic and English, authorities said. Two of the students were wearing keffiyehs, traditional Palestinian scarves. Eaton has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder and is awaiting a trial. While there were widespread calls for a hate crime charge against Eaton, prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to support such a charge. Following the deadly May 21 Washington, D.C., rampage, the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning law enforcement that "violent extremist messaging continues to highlight major sporting and cultural events and venues as potential targets." "The May attack that killed two Israeli Embassy staff members at an event in Washington, D.C., underscores how the Israel-Hamas conflict continue to inspire violence and could spur radicalization or mobilization to violence against targets perceived as supporting Israel," according to the DHS, adding that some online users were sharing the suspect's alleged writings and "praising the shooter and generally calling for more violence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks have come against the backdrop of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. The administration has also threatened to withhold federal funding to universities, including Harvard and Columbia, for not doing enough to tackle antisemitism on campuses. The administration has attempted to deport or revoke visas of foreign students who have engaged in pro-Palestinian protests and activism on college campuses. @opusobscurax/X via Reuters - PHOTO: Law enforcement officers detain a suspect, after an attack that injured multiple people, in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025. In April, five Democratic Senators, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Trump accusing his administration of weaponizing antisemitism. "We are extremely troubled and disturbed by your broad and extra-legal attacks against universities and higher education institutions as well as members of their communities, which seem to go far beyond combatting antisemitism, using what is a real crisis as a pretext to attack people and institutions who do not agree with you," the Democratic senators wrote, urging Trump to "reverse course immediately." 'An act of terrorism' Within hours of the Boulder attack on Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel was quick to say the case is being investigated as "an act of terrorism." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twelve people, including members of the group Run for Their Lives, an organization that regularly holds demonstrations in Boulder to bring attention to the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, were injured in the attack, which unfolded around 1:26 p.m. local time at Boulder's outdoor Pearl Street Mall, directly across the street from the Boulder County Courthouse, authorities said. Video taken of the incident showed a shirtless Soliman allegedly holding his makeshift weapons prior to the attack. Soliman was immediately taken into custody without incident. Soliman, who is being held on $10 million bond, made his first court appearance on Monday afternoon. He did not enter a plea to the charges. Unlike previous high-profile hate-crime investigations, the Boulder attack was immediately described as an act of terrorism, signaling a change in the approach federal investigators have taken in such incidents under the new Trump administration. "Back when I was in [the FBI], so before 2016, everything was terrorism until it wasnt terrorism. We still were working off the 9/11 response," said retired FBI special agent Rich Frankel, an ABC News contributor. "And after that, it appeared that they started calling it hate crime." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holocaust survivor among the Boulder attack victims Frankel said the FBI's decision to immediately refer to the Boulder incident as an act of terrorism is apparently because it allows investigators to use additional laws and investigative techniques, including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which establishes the legal framework for the gathering of intelligence, electronic surveillance and physical searches. He said it also enables prosecutors to file additional enhanced charges. AP/David Zalubowski - PHOTO: Police in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025, responding to an attack. "If you think there might be an international angle naming a group or a country, it is terrorism and that gives you a whole host of different laws that you can use and also investigative techniques because now youre under the FISA system, youre under the secret system. Instead of getting search warrants, you can get a FISA," Frankel said. "The new administration might want that more than a hate crime." Trump responds to Boulder attack in social media post, seizes on suspect's immigration status Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has also used the word terrorism to describe the Boulder case, saying in a post Monday on his Truth Social platform that the suspect "came through Biden's ridiculous Open Border Policy, which has hurt our Country so badly." "He must go out under 'TRUMP' POLICY," Trump added. "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." Flowers on police barricades outside the Boulder County Courthouse in Boulder, Colorado, on June 2, 2025. Credit - Chet StrangeGetty Images The family of Mohamed Soliman, the suspect charged with throwing Molotov cocktails at people in Boulder, Colo., advocating for the release of Israeli hostages, has been taken into ICE custody, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday. Soliman, an undocumented immigrant, has been charged with first-degree attempted murder and a federal hate crime in connection with the Sunday attack. Twelve victims, including a Holocaust survivor, were injured, at least two of whom remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are investigating to what extent his family knew about this heinous attack, if they had knowledge of it, or if they provided support to it, Noem wrote in a post on X. I am continuing to pray for the victims of this attack and their families. The White House said in a post on its official X account that Soliman's wife and five children were in ICE custody and could be deported as soon as Tuesday night under expedited removal, which allows immigration officials to remove noncitizens without appearing before a judge. DHS did not respond to TIMEs request for more information. FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said during a Monday afternoon press conference that investigators believed that the suspect acted alone. 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, Michalek added. He said the family was cooperative when officials carried out a search warrant Sunday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: What We Know About the Boulder, Colorado Attack Soliman, of El Paso County, is an Egyptian national who entered the U.S. under a non-immigrant visa that expired in February 2023, according to DHS. The 45-year-old suspect filed for asylum in September 2022. Soliman currently faces 16 counts of attempted murder in the first-degree, two counts of use of an incendiary device, and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device on the state level, along with a federal hate crime charge. The state charges alone carry a possible maximum sentence of more than 350 years in prison. He told authorities that he had been planning the attack for a year and wanted to kill all Zionists, according to an affidavit filed on Monday. Michalek said Soliman yelled Free Palestine while he threw a Molotov cocktail towards the crowd of demonstrators. He is being held on a $10 million bond. He is next set to appear in court on Thursday. Contact us at letters@time.com. SYDNEY, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have revealed unexpected genetic diversity in Western Australia's common brushtail possum, identifying a previously unrecognized subspecies. Possums in Western Australia's Pilbara and Mid-West regions differ genetically from those in the South West, revealing three distinct subspecies across the state, up from the previously known two, according to a press release from the Edith Cowan University (ECU) on Tuesday. Surprisingly, the Pilbara and Mid-West possums are genetically closer to eastern Australian populations, including a subspecies thought to be locally extinct in central Australia, said ECU PhD student Shelby Middleton who conducted the study. Brushtail possums, native nocturnal marsupials in Australia, face population declines in some regions, making these findings critical for conservation, according to the study published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. The research, conducted with the Western Australian Museum and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), highlights the importance of museum specimens in uncovering biodiversity. "Now we have a better understanding of the relationships within the species, we can be better informed when we're sourcing the animals for translocation," Middleton said. One of Middleton's supervisors, Linette Umbrello of DBCA, noted that the updated genetic insights provide essential guidance for managing uncommon possum populations across Western Australia. Bradley Davis COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) A family in the Cimarron Hills area of Colorado Springs said they recognized the man arrested in Boulder for the attack on Israeli hostage protestors as their neighbor. A man reportedly set people on fire on Sunday, leaving multiple people hurt as people gathered for a demonstration in support of the Israeli hostages. The neighbors wanted their names to be anonymous, but the mother said a man living at the apartment complex investigated by the FBI Sunday night introduced himself to her as Mohamed when they moved in two years ago. The FBI said their suspect in custody is a man named Mohamed Soliman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Stephen Miller, who is serving as White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor, the suspect was living in the country illegally on an overstayed visa. Miller said he was granted a tourist visa under the Biden Administration. This is scary. Im going to be honest, this is scary, the woman said. Especially the times that we live in. You see someones car pull up, and you dont know who is who. The mothers young daughter said she went next door to play with the mans children on a regular basis. She said she was going over to do the same Saturday, a day before the attack, when she said the whole family piled into their SUV in a rush, ignoring her as she walked over to their door. My mom asked me if they waved or not, and they didnt because the dad was driving, and he was rushing, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You saw the dad driving on Saturday? KRDO13s Bradley Davis asked. Yes. Did he look like the picture of the man you saw who got arrested? Yes. She also said she saw the dad, introduced to them as Mohamed, walking out of the apartment with a large black bag and a yellow long-nosed lighter shortly before leaving. Both said they heard the FBI investigators when they came to their street on Sunday. The mother said the agents started further up the street and assumed it was about someone she didnt know until she heard them close in on their neighbors home. You heard them yell out the address, and thats when we knew, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The daughter said she heard a loud banging and believes it was the FBI agents entering the home. Both said they did not see any of the family members during the whole process. They said all the familys cars are gone from the street and driveway. The woman said the FBI did not contact them to ask about Mohamed or the family. She said they have eaten together, and they always seemed like a normal, neighborly family. The FBI said it was investigating the home in Cimarron Hills in connection with what the agency is calling a terror attack in Boulder. It has not been officially confirmed by law enforcement that it is the residence of their suspect, Mohamed Soliman. Law enforcement officials said there are now 8 victims in the attack, where Soliman allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower to burn the Israeli hostage protestors. Click here to follow the original article. (COLORADO) A Colorado Springs family is suing the owners of a local Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Taco Bell after a father died when he was taken hostage on site. The lawsuit claims the chain restaurant ignored the history of activity and violence that led to the murder. On June 2, 2023, 31-year-old Qualin Campbell went to the KFC located at 1501 S Nevada Avenue to buy food during his lunch break. While parked, a homeless man known as David Emmanuel Guidry, and also referred to as David Emmanuel Karels, approached the car and unlawfully entered the vehicle while Campbell was inside. Campbell exited the drive-thru and parked in front of the Taco Bell located at 1507 S Nevada Street. A few minutes later, he sent a text to his wife with his location and asked her to contact 911 for assistance, as Karels had entered his car. Campbell also called 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At some point, Karels was able to get hold of Campbells gun and discharge four shots. Karels shot Campbell and then himself, all on the premises of Taco Bell. Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Mike Duran Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Mike Duran Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Mike Duran In spite of the four loud gunshots, no employees, personnel, or security guard from Taco Bell came to Mr. Campbells assistance, the lawsuit states. Moreover, no officers from Colorado Springs or response teams arrived to help Mr. Campbell until after Myron Shaun Bradford, Mr. Campbells uncle, called 911 Read the lawsuit here: 2025-05-29-15-59-09-Qualin-Campbell-Complaint-5.28.25Download According to court papers, both Taco Bell and KFC, owned by KBP Brands, had a long-standing history of criminal activity on their premises and surrounding areas. Even after the incident occurred in June 2023, other incidents, including disturbances and a burglary, have been reported at the location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims the restaurant was negligent by failing to have the appropriate security measures to protect individuals on the premises from dangers. Campbells wife, Talija Campbell, is asking for damages, attorney fees, and, according to the lawsuit, a jury trial. FOX21 News has reached out to KBP Brands and Taco Bell for comment and will update this article when it receives 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 FOX21 News Colorado. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The City of Columbus will now have a more centralized approach to tackling its housing crisis. Its a plan thats been in the works for years and has now come together as a new division in the city. NBC4 spoke with a man who is almost 70 and spent last year living on the streets and in a shelter. Now, hes in a safe apartment, thanks to Community Housing Network (CHN), a non-profit that develops permanent supportive housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police provide updates on Mifflin Township shootout suspect On Monday, Columbus City Council moved to make stories like his more common. The legislation will centralize the work to combat the affordable housing crisis. I had my ups and downs; I had my good days and my bad days, CHN resident Donald Hodge said. Hodge was living on the street, then in a shelter until March. Now, hes in a 55+ living facility built by Community Housing Network. Oh, my goodness, I was so happy, Hodge said. I couldnt believe it. It gives stability, Community Housing Network CEO Annissa Lambirth-Garrett said. It allows individuals to have a place where they can focus on their personal well-being. They have a roof over their head, a basic need. Without it, how can you recuperate when youre coming home from the hospital? Or if youre someone who is suffering from a disability? How can you thrive and grow if you dont have a place to call home? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pilot program testing tasers in Ohios prisons; may expand statewide CHN is part of a group of organizations working to combat the housing crisis in Columbus. Now the city is making its work with these groups and on housing in general more centralized. Its a long time coming to have a place in the city whose main job is to make sure that renters have support and have someone looking out for them, Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said. The division will provide legal counsel to low-income tenants facing eviction, ensure people affected by emergency vacate orders are supported, and expand access to information that will help people stay in their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now it just has a home where we can have folks that are able to identify when issues are coming around, have a place where we can send folks to engage with the city, and really a place that can hold folks accountable, Hardin said. Work is already underway and hiring for the division will start at the end of June. Donatos to open fully-automated pizza restaurant at John Glenn International this month Council has also approved the last of the emergency rental assistance funds to be used to help Columbus residents facing eviction; the city approved $1 million, left over from pandemic-era federal funds. It represents the last of the second round of emergency rental assistance that was part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This money went to organizations helping keep people in their homes, from fighting back against evictions to direct payments to landlords. Now, the money is gone and the city is tasked with finding new ways to keep people in their homes. We will continue to make a forceful economic argument why we need to find a way to support, but there is a truth that we need the federal government to be a partner in this, we need the state government to be a partner in this, Hardin said. Since the pandemic, Columbus has put out nearly $91 million in emergency rental assistance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Last week, the Court of International Trade delivered a blow to Donald Trumps global trade war. It found that the worldwide tariffs Trump unveiled on Liberation Day as well his earlier tariffs pretextually aimed at stopping fentanyl coming in from Mexico and Canada (as if) were beyond his authority. The three-judge panel was surely right about the Liberation Day tariffs and probably right about the fentanyl tariffs, but theres a better case that, while bad policy, the fentanyl tariffs were not unlawful. Please forgive a lengthy excerpt of Trumps response on Truth Social, but it speaks volumes: How is it possible for [the CIT judges] to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of TRUMP? What other reason could it be? I was new to Washington, and it was suggested that I use The Federalist Society as a recommending source on Judges. I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real sleazebag named Leonard Leo, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America, and obviously has his own separate ambitions. In any event, Leo left The Federalist Society to do his own thing. I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations. This is something that cannot be forgotten! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Trump trade strategy roiled by court blocking global tariffs Lets begin with the fact that Trump cannot conceive of a good explanation for an inconvenient court ruling other than Trump Derangement Syndrome. Its irrelevant that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the 1977 law the administration invoked to impose the relevant tariffs, does not even mention the word tariff or that Congress never envisioned the IEEPA as a tool for launching a trade war with every nation in the world, the Penguin Islands included. Also disregard the fact that the decision was unanimous and only one of the three judges was appointed by Trump (the other two were Reagan and Obama appointees). (The decision has been paused by an appeals court.) Trump is the foremost practitioner of what I call Critical Trump Theory anything bad for Trump is unfair, illegitimate and proof that sinister forces are rigging the system against him. No wonder then that Trump thinks Leonard Leo, formerly a guiding light at the Federalist Society, the premier conservative legal organization, is a sleazebag and bad person. Note: Leo is neither of those things. But Trumps broadsides at Leo and the Federalist Society are portentous. Because Congress is AWOL, refusing to take the lead on trade (and many other things) as the Constitution envisions, its fallen to the courts to restrain Trumps multifront efforts to exceed his authority. Thats why the White House is cynically denouncing unelected and rogue judges on an almost daily basis and why Trumps political henchman, Stephen Miller, is incessantly ranting about a judicial coup . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Calmes: In Trump's version of law and order, judges are demonized, criminals released The supreme, and sometimes seemingly sole, qualification for appointments to the Trump administration has been servile loyalty to Trump. But that ethos is not reserved for the executive branch. Law firms, elite universities and media outlets are being forced to kneel before the president. Why should judges be any different? Trump has a history of suggesting my judges i.e., his appointees should be loyal to him. Thats why he recently nominated Emil Bove, his former personal criminal lawyer turned political enforcer at the Department of Justice, for a federal judgeship. The significance of Trumps attack on the Federalist Society and Leo, for conservatives, cannot be exaggerated. The legal movement spearheaded by the Federalist Society has been the most successful domestic conservative project of the last century. Scholarly, civic-minded and principled, the Federalist Society spent decades developing ideas and arguments for re-centering the Constitution in American law. But now Trump has issued a fatwah that it, too, must bend the knee and its principles to the needs of one man. The law be damned, ruling against Trump is ingratitude in his mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking of ingratitude, the irony is that the Federalist Society deserves a lot of credit or blame for Trump being elected in the first place. In 2016, the death of Antonin Scalia left a vacancy on the Supreme Court. Many conservatives did not trust Trump to replace him. To reassure them, Trump agreed to pick from a list of potential replacements crafted by the Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society. That decision arguably convinced many reluctant conservatives to vote for him. In the decade since, the Heritage Foundation has dutifully reinvented itself in Trumps image . The Federalist Society stayed loyal to its principles, and thats why the Federalist Society is in Trumps crosshairs. @JonahDispatch If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi has been dismissed from his position as commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), according to a decree signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 3. Sukharevskyi will be replaced by Major Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commander of the elite drone unit "Birds of Magyar." The Unmanned Systems Forces were established as a separate branch of Ukraine's military in June 2024. The USF works to improve Ukraine's drone operations, creating drone-specific units, ramping up training, increasing drone production, and pushing innovation. The USF has also carried out hundreds of operations deep within Russian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am proud to have had the honor of leading the USF during its first and most difficult year of formation," Sukharevskyi said in a post commenting on his dismissal. "This year, although incomplete, has been spent productively. We have formed and immediately put into practice the principles on which this unique force operates. ... At the same time, at this stage, our vision for the further development of the USF differs from that of the leadership. I believe that the honest and professional decision in this situation is to end my term as commander of the USF. I am leaving my position with deep faith in everyone who continues to carry this idea forward." Read also: As Ukraines fate hangs in the balance, Soviet command culture damages war effort Sukharevskyi, previously deputy commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, was named the first commander of the newly-created USF on June 10, 2024. According to military personnel who spoke anonymously to the Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne, Sukharevskyi's relationship with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi was tense from the beginning of the USF's formation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sukharevskyi's appointment was a decision from the president, not Syrskyi, sources said. People close to both Syrskyi and Sukharevskyi also claimed the two men avoided face-to-face interactions. According to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Sukharevskyi has now been appointed deputy commander of Ukraine's Eastern Operational Command, where he is expected to implement reforms and lead modernization efforts. Regarding the decision to appoint Brovdi as the new USF commander, Umerov said that Brovdi's "experience with one of the best units should be expanded to the entire command." Along with Sukharevskyi's dismissal and replacement, Ukraine's leadership announced a number of military personnel decisions on June 3, including the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as Commander of the Joint Forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drapatyi previously resigned from his position as Ground Forces Commander on June 1 following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast that day. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. They called it paradise. The place to be. A mountain realm like no other. A place where the spectacular Teton range rises 6,000 feet above the valley floor, offering one of the most distinct and dramatic mountain fronts in the world. Below the striking peaks, the mighty Snake River meanders through a sagebrush valley dotted with aspen and pine. And it is here that I once met a great grizzly bear. She was known as Grizzly 399. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been filming in Grand Teton National Park and the Northern Rockies for 20 years. A few years ago, I had the honor of filming 399 when she had her quadruplets. It was the first trip Id made to Grand Teton to specifically see the great bear. And the last. Why the last? Because I saw what was happening. Could feel what was happening. I wanted to give the great bear space. I didnt want to be chasing her around the park, waiting in my car with heated leather seats, hoping shed cross the road, all the while hemming her in. I knew what was happening. Full-size commercial jets were flying overhead, landing at an international airport that should never even be there. Dropping off passengers to a growing town that wasnt meant to be there. Driving to stores that should have never been built there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 28 years, Grizzly 399s world shrunk all around her. Slowly, year by year, she had to make adjustments to the sprawl and greed of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. To the sprawl and greed of the human race. She did the best she could as we humans closed in. As we built more and more storage facilities and hotels and developed properties merely for vacation rentals, we could stuff more cash in our pockets, ultimately sacrificing in the process one of the most beautiful places the world has ever known. She raised her cubs in all this for decades. Navigated through it all, a steady ship in a stormy sea each wave just a little taller than the last. And yet the people came. More full-size commercial airliners roaring into an international airport. Dropping off people who wanted to own a piece of the Tetons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when you buy or develop a house next to a national park, you dont capture a piece of that park. You ruin it. What had once been a wild valley slowly turned into the suburbs, and Grizzly 399 handled it all with aplomb. She didnt have to. But she did. More and more photographers swarmed to the Tetons to see her every year. More and more investment properties went up, causing more people to drive the roadways. More stores were built. More drones flew overhead. More airplanes roared in the sky. Each year, her world shrunk. And this past fall, it finally closed in on her. That poor driver didnt kill the great Grizzly 399. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did. You see, Grizzly 399 was not just a bear. She was a symbol of a truly wild animal trying to hang on in a changing world, a world that is all about me, me, I, I and very little of Why? or What can I do to help? This is a world where if the stores start to fade or look a little old, we build the exact same stores 2 miles down the road. And 10 years later, we do it again. And again. Until thats all there is. It never stops. Our need to consume, to stuff our pockets. To turn prairie meadows into self-storage facilities. To pave over everything that is true and wild. To pave over what is real. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grizzly 399 deserved better. The single best way you and I can honor her amazing legacy is to look at what happened to Grand Teton. And not repeat it elsewhere. We can honor her legacy by protecting our national parks by not bringing sprawl to their doorsteps. We can honor her legacy by pulling back on our obsessive need to develop everything and finally showing some tact and humility the same way she did when dealing with us. You see, Grizzly 399 was so much more than a bear. She is a lesson. And she is teaching us all, still. Always had been teaching us. Because thats just what a great mother does. ____ Michael Hodges, a native of the Chicago area, is a novelist, photographer and Facebook influencer. ___ During his recent trip to the Middle East, President Donald Trump made the surprise announcement that he would lift sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness. This news was received with enthusiasm across the region, since the wide-ranging sanctions make it nearly impossible to attract the investment and aid essential to rebuild after more than a decade of civil war. If the transitional government cant kick-start the economy, generate revenue, rebuild critical infrastructure and provide jobs for its people, a return to conflict is far more likely an outcome most of Syrias neighbors and people would like to avoid. Syria remains at high risk. Countries emerging from civil war have a 40% chance of returning to conflict soon after. Sanctions relief doesnt guarantee a stable path ahead, but without it, the country has no real chance of one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States has imposed a comprehensive embargo on Syria since 2011 when Bashar Assads regime began a lethal crackdown on public protests, sparking the civil war. An embargo bans nearly all economic interactions with a target state, including trade and financial transactions. The United States had already designated Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, triggering limitations on aid, arms sales and dual-use exports, as well as some financial transactions, and it levied some sanctions in 2004 as well. The dominance of the U.S. dollar as the worlds reserve currency and the U.S. economys broad reach mean that our sanctions have real bite. They dont just prevent U.S. businesses from interacting with Syria but also foreign businesses subject to U.S. laws due to presence or activity in the American economy. This means existing U.S. sanctions have had a chilling effect on most businesses considering investing in Syria. U.S. sanctions relief is a huge win for the new Syrian government and has second-order effects since other Western countries tend to follow Americas lead. The European Union followed suit soon after Trumps announcement by lifting its sanctions too. For those who wondered if Trumps unexpected revelation was a real policy shift or just Trump speaking off the cuff, the U.S. State Department followed with a 180-day sanctions waiver to make it official. This is only a temporary reprieve, though, and the legal framework for the various sanctions remains in place. Risk aversion will continue to deter many businesses until the administration starts the involved task of unwinding relevant laws and designations. But the sanctions waiver is a big step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This might seem like an obvious policy move, since these provisions were levied against an authoritarian regime that is no longer in place. Why punish a new transitional government for the crimes of the regime it ousted? But this outcome wasnt inevitable. Sanctions can be a powerful tool, but they are famously hard to change in response to changing circumstances. The legal steps are straightforward, but the domestic politics around these punitive tools are more complex. What if the new government turns out to be just as bad as the old one? Political players are hesitant to give the benefit of the doubt to potentially dangerous groups, and the new government in Syria doesnt exactly have clean hands. In December, after years of stalemate in the war, Assads long-standing authoritarian regime collapsed, in the face of an unexpected offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist militant group once affiliated with al-Qaida. HTS rapidly made its way across the country from Idlib, taking control of Aleppo and Hama, and then marched into Damascus without a fight. Several other Syrian militant factions joined in the effort. Commanders of the factions named HTS leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, interim president weeks later. HTS is still a U.S.-designated terrorist group and has a poor human rights record. The $10 million bounty on al-Sharaas head was only removed in December. In areas of Syria that HTS recently controlled, it reportedly governed with a harsh version of Islamic law. Al-Sharaa has publicly claimed he will build an inclusive government, reflecting Syrias diversity in its men, women and youth, and that he will protect minorities. But many rights groups are skeptical and think this is little more than a performance for Western countries in order to secure the relief he needs to consolidate his rule. Perhaps so. Or perhaps he understands now that inclusion is the best path to governing a country such as Syria where different minority groups have proven their willingness to take up arms in the face of oppression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Sharaa has not earned blind trust from the world, but for the sake of Syrias beleaguered people, we should give him the chance to succeed. If he proves a bad bet, the United States and others can bring down the economic hammer once again. _____ Elizabeth Shackelford is senior policy director at Dartmouth Colleges Dickey Center for International Understanding and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. She was previously a U.S. diplomat and is the author of The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age. _____ DENVER (KDVR) The scene of an attack in Boulder that injured several people, including a Holocaust survivor, was decorated with flowers and flags placed by members of the community the next day. An area of the Pearl Street Mall was blocked off with crime scene tape Sunday after a man reportedly threw incendiary devices into a group of people, injuring a total of 12. Court documents: Suspect charged with federal hate crime after attacking pro-Israel group in Boulder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses described the chaos that ensued as they were dining and walking through the mall that afternoon. The area was blocked off for several hours as investigators were on the scene and reopened around midnight. Since the attack, members of the community have come by placing flags, leaving flowers and hugging one another at the scene. The people going to those walks are you and me, said Omer Shachar, co-leader of Run For Their Lives Boulder. All ages, kids, the elderly, just volunteers. This is what we do in our weekend to raise the awareness and share the voice of the hostages that currently cannot speak. And when we got here to the courthouse, this man waited for us with the gasoline, with Molotov cocktails and threw at us as we were getting here to take some pictures. The Run for Their Lives organization hosts global running and walking events where local communities meet to call for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas, according to the website. The city of Boulder said it was a weekly peaceful event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People ask, Are you OK? walk participant Ed Victor said. Yes, Im OK. But then you take another breath and youre like, its sadness. A Boulder resident came to the Pearl Street Mall after an attack on June 1, 2025 and placed Israeli flags around the perimeter of the scene. A Boulder resident came to the Pearl Street Mall after an attack on June 1, 2025 and placed Israeli flags around the perimeter of the scene. FOX31 was at the scene on Monday morning and saw some members of the community bringing flowers while others continued with their business and daily routines. What to know as investigation builds in Boulders Pearl Street Mall attack David Zalubowski with The Associated Press captured photos at the scene where people joined hands in prayer for the victims and left bouquets of flowers on a barrier outside of the courthouse where the attack took place. A person walks in front of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The scene of an attack that injured several people in Boulder was decorated with flowers and flags placed by members of the community on June 2, 2025. Flowers are placed along a makeshift barrier outside of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse after Sundays attack, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Flowers are placed along a makeshift barrier outside of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse after Sundays attack Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The scene of an attack that injured several people in Boulder was decorated with flowers and flags placed by members of the community on June 2, 2025. Alexandra Posnock, who moved a month ago from Skokie, Ill., to Boulder, Colo., places a bouquet of flowers along a makeshift barrier outside of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse after Sundays attack, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A closed sign hangs on the front door of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse after Sundays attack, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Rabbi Fred Greene of Congregation Har Hashem, front, hugs a man outside of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse after Sundays attack, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The scene of an attack that injured several people in Boulder was decorated with flowers and flags placed by members of the community on June 2, 2025. From left, Carrie Spyva-McIlvaine, Gabriel Velasco and Lisa Turnquist arrive to place bouquets of flowers at a growing memorial outside of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse after Sundays attack Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The scene of an attack that injured several people in Boulder was decorated with flowers and flags placed by members of the community on June 2, 2025. From left, Lisa Turnquist and Carrie Spyva-McIlvaine place a bouquet of flowers at a growing memorial outside of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse after Sundays attack Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Vickie Gottlieb, left, of Greeley, Colo., joins her husband, Troy, in a prayer for victims of an attack outside of the Boulder County, Colo., courthouse Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The scene of an attack that injured several people in Boulder was decorated with flowers and flags placed by members of the community on June 2, 2025. The scene of an attack that injured several people in Boulder was decorated with flowers and flags placed by members of the community on June 2, 2025. Some volunteers with Run for Their Lives were at the scene Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victor witnessed the attack and spoke with FOX31s Nicole Fierro on Monday about what he saw. Several people were hurt, including a woman who Victor said was a Holocaust survivor. Suddenly, its like, I believe I heard a crash. I felt a lot of heat. I turned to a flame and someone was on fire, he said. We saw the banners, saw our flags, and were just trying to get this fire out as soon as we could. It took one or two minutes. It felt way too long to get this fire out. Once she was on the ground, my friend, who has more medical experience than I do, took care of her. I was then with her husband who was burned on to the leg and was just there to comfort him. He and several others jumped in to help, using flags and banners to put out the flames. Shes an amazing, wonderful woman. When she gives her talks, I always want to be there because she has such energy, he said. I was in the ambulance with her, just talking with her before she was taken to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses describe terrifying scene of attack at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder Whether its happened to us or anyone else. Its just a support. Thats not whats been happening in Boulder, United States, surrounding. Its not OK, and not OK-ness is what causes this. And so when community comes together, this kind of thing doesnt happen. Victor said two other victims were a couple who had been married for 58 years. Boulder City Council Member Tara Weiner told FOX31 that she knows the victims. Theyre my close friends. I go on that walk sometimes. I mean, it could have been me, you know, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday afternoon, each of the victims is alive. A co-organizer for Run For Their Lives told FOX31 that the group is looking into security options and hopes to walk again on Sunday, as they want to continue to walk until all hostages are released. Im pretty sure that people here are determined to continue walking, Shachar said. I personally will keep walk, until the last hostage will come back 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 FOX31 Denver. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Transportation Authority is hosting a public information meeting about the end of transit service in Socorro. As we have previously reported, El Paso Transit Authority buses will no longer stop in Socorro starting July 1. The public meeting will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 4 at the Sergio Troncoso Public Library, 9321 Alameda. The El Paso Transportation Authority (ETA) operates the regional bus system serving communities throughout the greater El Paso area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2021, ETA has established strong, ongoing partnerships with nearly every municipality in the region to ensure coordinated, accessible transit service for all residents, according to a release sent out by the transit authority. However, in 2024, the City Council of Socorro voted not to enter into a service agreement with ETA, the transit authority said. As a result, effective July 1, ETA bus service in Socorro will be discontinued. While buses will continue to pass through the city, they will no longer stop to pick up or drop off passengers within its city limits, the transit authority said. Paratransit services which offer essential mobility for individuals with disabilities, including many who are among the most underserved and at-risk in our community may also be discontinued in Socorro, the transit authority said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public is invited to attend this meeting to learn more and explore how community input can help shape the future of transit service in Socorro, the transit authority said. We have reached out to the City of Socorro for comment. We will update this story when we 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 KTSM 9 News. CHICAGO (WGN) The Pilsen community was fired up after an alleged ICE raid in the South Side neighborhood Monday morning. WGN TV News was told several people donning FBI vests illegally entered a business and a residence, taking two Mexican nationals into custody. We are, right now, investigating the reason why those neighbors have been detained without a warrant, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sigcho-Lopez said the alleged ICE raid happened around 8:30 a.m. In both instances, the video footage and the witnesss recollection, there was no warrant, Sigcho-Lopez. Its questionable if they even attempted to identify the people they ultimately detained. In footage circulating on social media, a Chicago Police Department squad car is also visible. CPD issued the following statement in response: An officer was en route to court and observed law enforcement activity. Upon learning this activity was related to civil immigration enforcement, the officer immediately left the scene. At no point did the officer assist in immigration enforcement. -CPD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The immigration status and criminal record of the two Mexican nationals remain unclear. An ICE press release dated April 29, 2025, claims that during the first 100 days of Donald Trumps second term, ICE arrested more than 66,000 people. In response to a request for comment on this story, the FBI released the following statement: We can confirm that the FBI was supporting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement operations at a residence in the referenced vicinity earlier today which resulted in the apprehension of two subjects. The FBI, alongside other Department of Justice law enforcement partners, have been supporting these efforts at the direction of the Attorney General. The FBIs contribution to this effort can vary dependent on the specific needs of DHS. For any further releasable information, please contact the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Chicago Field Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement has not responded to requests for comment on this story. During a news conference held Tuesday morning, Chicago Mayor Bandon Johnson responded to the incident, calling them disturbing. These incidents that are happening around the country, theyre, theyre disturbing, because, you know, I still believe in due process, Johnson said. Beatriz Ponce de Leon, the Deputy Mayor for Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights in Chicago also spoke Tuesday and said these types of raids are sparking fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities. This is having, you know, bringing incivility, bringing fear, uncertainty into communities and people are starting to react and to perhaps go back into the shadows and not be to go freely to work or send their children to school, Ponce de Leon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains unclear if authorities had a search warrant prior to the arrests of the two men. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. A Rite Aid pharmacy in West Chester, Pa. (Capital-Star photo by Peter Hall) Ron McDermott is a part-owner of six pharmacies in western Pennsylvania and any outsider might think his business has never seemed better. Since the Philadelphia-based retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid declared bankruptcy last month and announced plans to close hundreds of stores across the state, McDermott has seen a flood of new customers looking to transfer their prescriptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of people are walking into our pharmacies. A lot of people are calling, McDermott said. Youd think thats great news, but there are problems. For most businesses, a major competitor shutting their doors would be welcome. But for pharmacists, taking on new clients can actually pose a risk to their bottom line. McDermotts pharmacies have had to turn away some new customers whose medications would cost them more to stock and package than they could make selling them. Its the complete opposite of what we want to do as a caring, community-based pharmacy, he said. We have to be careful when we take on new patients. Thats a sad situation in health care. Its not the way it should be. McDermott blames middlemen in the pharmaceutical supply chain called pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. Theyre companies that contract with insurance plans to handle their prescription services, and are responsible for reimbursing pharmacists for drugs that they cover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But McDermott and other pharmacists say those reimbursements have been getting smaller for years, to the point where pharmacies are actually losing money dispensing certain drugs. Along with handling administrative work for insurers and reimbursing pharmacies, they also create insurance plans formularies their list of approved or preferred drugs. In that role, they negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers, often receiving kickbacks in exchange for placing their products on a plans formulary their list of approved or preferred drugs. On the other end, they negotiate with pharmacies to determine how much theyll reimburse them when they dispense drugs to insured patients. The companies power comes largely from their size. The three biggest PBMs, Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx, are part of healthcare conglomerates that rank among the biggest companies in the country, and have hands in the insurance and pharmacy businesses too. CVS Health, for example, owns CVS, the largest chain pharmacy in America, CVS Caremark, the largest PBM, and Aetna, one of the largest insurance companies. Its the sixth largest company in the U.S. by revenue. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big three, as theyre known in the industry, are responsible for processing about 80% of all prescriptions in America. That means pharmacists who refuse to accept the reimbursements that they offer are likely to lose customers whose insurance plans rely on them. Many of those customers only use generic drugs, which cost pennies or fractions of pennies to stock. Generally, generics make up a majority of a pharmacys drug sales, and can be sold at a profit. But a disproportionate share of their revenue comes from the sale of name brand drugs, which can cost thousands of dollars per bottle and is often where reimbursements fall short of costs. Rob Frankil, the executive director of the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists, a trade group for pharmacists, said that McDermott is not alone. Im already having a lot of my members tell me theyre not willing to take in Rite Aid patients, because theyre already losing money on prescriptions they fill, he told the Capital-Star. It all stems from the same thing: the reimbursement is bad when you fill prescriptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greg Lopes, a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, a national trade group whose members include CVS, Express Scripts and OptumRx, rejected the notion that PBMs contribute to pharmacy closures. PBMs put patients first by working to lower prescription drug costs, Lopes said in a statement. It makes no sense to blame PBMs for pharmacy closures in Pennsylvania. Independent pharmacies often point the finger at PBMs, instead of acknowledging that there are many factors that influence closures, including customer preferences for online options and changing demographics. Lopes added that PBMs are supporting community pharmacies in Pennsylvania through programs that increase reimbursement and advocating to allow them to expand the additional clinical services they can offer. Pharmacies as gold Lucas Berenbrok, a researcher at the University of Pittsburghs School of Pharmacy, has been tracking pharmacy closures around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, he was part of a study that found around 200 have closed in Pennsylvania alone between January 2024 and March 2025. Berenbroks research did not dive into the reasons for the closures, but, anecdotally, he said that it often comes back to unsustainable business models and low reimbursement rates. This is a big deal because one of the things that pharmacy has prided itself on for a long time is how accessible we are, he said. Thats why I got started in this research. Lately, Berenbroks work has been focused on identifying what he and his colleagues are calling keystone pharmacies. These are businesses that, if they closed, would create pharmacy deserts in the communities they serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berenbrok said his team identified over 200 keystone pharmacies in Pennsylvania, though the list has not yet been made public. Its more of a preventative approach to say, Hey, lets look at these pharmacies as gold and try to do things to help them stay in business, he said. The recent spate of closures has not just affected local, independent pharmacies, but large chains as well. In 2021, CVS announced it would close 900 pharmacies. In 2024, Walgreens announced it would close over 1,200 in the coming years. Last month, Rite Aid declared bankruptcy. In bankruptcy filings, it announced plans to shutter about 150 of pharmacies in Pennsylvania alone, but all of its roughly 350 stores in the state may ultimately close. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press release, Rite Aid announced that more than 1,000 of its stores nationally will be sold to other businesses, including CVS and Walgreens, with many remaining open through the transition. A spokesperson for Rite Aid did not respond to multiple requests for comment about how many of those are in Pennsylvania, and how many locations in the state may ultimately shutter. A pharmacist is one of very few health care providers where you can walk in and talk to a highly educated, highly trained professional, and sometimes you dont even have to have an appointment or copay, Berenbrok said. Its a really great thing, I think, for everyone to understand and recognize how important it is to have a pharmacy around. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Editors note: KDOT has updated its construction plans and altered the schedule. See this story for complete details. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Thousands of drivers will be affected when road crews close Interstate 135 in north Wichita for almost the entire weekend. The Kansas Department of Transportation is closing southbound lanes starting Friday evening and northbound lanes beginning Saturday morning. I-135 will remain closed until 6 a.m. Monday, in time for the morning rush hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closure will also affect drivers on I-235, Kansas Highway 96, Kansas Highway 254, and streets that connect to the highways. Complete details are below the map. Starting Friday evening, June 6 To allow early pavement patching, southbound I-135 will close at 7 p.m. Friday from the K-254 interchange to just past the K-96 interchange. The ramp from westbound K-96 to southbound I-135 will also close. The newly constructed I-235 connector ramp to eastbound K-96 will remain open Friday night. Free fishing weekend coming up for Kansas Starting Saturday morning, June 7 At 5 a.m. Saturday, KDOT will close I-135 completely in both directions. The closure includes northbound I-135 at the K-96/I-135 interchange, the I-235 ramps to southbound I-135 and the I-235 connector ramp to eastbound K-96. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northbound drivers will be directed to eastbound K-96. They will exit at Hillside Street and use westbound K-96 to return to northbound I-135. Drivers will not be able to turn north or south onto Hillside Street from the K-96 detour route. KDOT said crews will be working on pavement patching, bridge surface repairs and barrier wall adjustments while I-135 is closed. Detour signs will guide drivers off the interstate. KDOT asks drivers to plan ahead and use alternate routes to get to their destinations. Visit KanDrive.gov to see current highway projects around Kansas or call 511 for road conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY) St. Martin Parish council members and swamp advocates are expressing their concerns over a river diversion project in Atchafalaya Basin, a project they say could lead to widespread flooding and environmental damage. By doing that theyre sacrificing the future of south-central Louisiana, said Dean Wilson, the executive director of the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper. The East Grand Lake Project, first proposed by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, was later approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The projects focus is to divert polluted water from the Atchafalaya River and Bayou Sorrel through 12 cuts, and then into nearby swamps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To oppose this, a coalition of groups, including the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers back in May of 2024 on issues of how the project will affect those who make a living by fishing in the Atchafalaya Basin. Wilson argues the project could cause widespread flooding and ecological damage. If the levees fall on the west side of the Atchafalaya Basin, that flood could be even larger than the 1927 flood, said Wilson. I think we have less room to spread, because all the levees will probably flood Lafayette. Wilson says the Atchafalaya Basins commercial fishermen, who rely on its water for their livelihoods, will also be affected. He says the proposed river diversion not only threatens their income, but also the cultural heritage tied to generations of fishing in these waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of people make their living there, they pay the bills, buy groceries in commercial fishing, they also depend on waterways, which is lot of fisherman in Louisiana, said Wilson. The St. Martin Parish Council recently passed a resolution at a May 7 meeting in opposition of the project. According to Wilson, two other neighboring parishes are also against the river diversion project. Iberville, Assumption and St. Martin Parish passed resolutions against the project and also Iberville Parish already filed an amicus brief in support of our lawsuit, said Wilson. St. Martin Parish Council chairman Chris Tauzin says members will vote tonight on whether or not they will also support the amicus brief for the lawsuit. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Wegmans Concerts by the Shore series is returning to Ontario Beach Park in June. The Ontario Beach Program Committee announced the return of the popular concert series Tuesday. Its 39th season will include 13 performances starting June 4 and ending August 27. People attending the concerts are encouraged to arrive early and bring a picnic dinner or visit one of the lakeshore-area restaurants. Food concessions will also be available at this series and will offer hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage, and Red Osier Roast Beef sandwiches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerts will take place at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday at Ontario Beach Park this summer with the exception of the July 9 show which will begin at 7:30 p.m. For a full schedule of concerts, you can call the beach information line at (585) 845-3320 or visit this 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 RochesterFirst. President Donald Trump has sent Congress a request to nix $9.4 billion in current funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid the first test of Republicans willingness to back the administrations gutting of federal agencies. The rescissions memo was officially transmitted Tuesday to Capitol Hill and seeks to eliminate $8.3 billion in foreign aid, along with $1.1 billion from public broadcasting, including for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. It also asks Congress to claw back funding from more than a dozen accounts across the State Department, including U.S. contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts and $900 million for global health programs, as well as $800 million for migration and refugee assistance. The request now starts a 45-day clock not counting breaks longer than three days for Congress to either approve or rebuff Trumps recommendation to claw back funding thats supposed to be flowing now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Speaker Mike Johnson vowed Tuesday to "act quickly" to approve the package, it faces longer odds in the Senate, despite the fact that the chamber can approve it at a simple-majority bar without having to worry about clearing the filibuster: Trumps previous request to revoke $15 billion during his first term in office was defeated in 2018 . Trumps memo is landing amid rising strife between Republicans on Capitol Hill and those at the White House over Congress funding power, as the administration continues to cancel, freeze and shift federal cash that lawmakers already approved, while also fighting off lawsuits in courtrooms throughout the country. If Congress approves the rescissions request, it would codify a small slice of the funding cuts Elon Musk dictated atop the Department of Government Efficiency in recent months, before the billionaire entrepreneur left his DOGE leadership role last week. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, who has been publicly critical of Trumps funding moves , lamented Tuesday that the request targets funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. The senator said she would not support cutting that program, touting it as an initiative that has "saved literally millions of lives, and has been extremely effective. Collins is in talks with the Senate parliamentarian about the rules of modifying the presidents rescissions request, since Congress hasnt approved such a package in well over two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's extremely complex in the rules, because there hasn't been a successful rescission package in many, many years, Collins said, noting that lawmakers arent allowed to claw back funding from an account that isnt already targeted in the presidents memo. Rolling back federal funding for public broadcasting is a piece lawmakers are likely to consider striking from the package, since many Republicans are fond of local PBS programming in their districts and states. Republican Sen. Mike Rounds, for instance, said Tuesday that he will be scrutinizing the proposed cut to public broadcasting, since native American tribes in South Dakota rely on public radio stations and rural areas use the emergency broadcasting system. Yet over in the House, fiscal hawks are pressuring Johnson to call a vote this week on the rescissions package, after the chambers top Republican appropriators have for weeks been negotiating with the White House over what the request will contain. While the Swamp will inevitably attempt to slow and kill these cuts, there is no excuse for a Republican House not to advance the first DOGE rescissions package the same week it is presented to Congress then quickly send it for passage in the Republican Senate so President Trump can sign it into law, the House Freedom Caucus posted on social media . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A House vote to approve the package is expected next week, however, since House GOP leaders like to abide by the rule that lawmakers should have three full days to review a bill before voting. Johnson said in an interview Tuesday that his goal is to move it as quickly as our rules allow us. Democrats are likely to unanimously oppose the rescissions package, and Democratic appropriators are especially dejected about the prospect of Republican lawmakers voting to retract the federal cash Congress already approved. Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the panel that funds the Pentagon, said theres no reason for us to be here if Republicans are going to approve Trumps request after already enacting a lengthy funding patch while also unilaterally increasing budgets for the military and border security in the GOPs party-line megabill. If we, as appropriators, allow the majority to pass a full-year CR, reconciliation and rescission, why are we here? Coons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as the White House delivers the request for clawbacks after months of begging from Republican lawmakers, top Trump administration officials are threatening to undermine Congress other funding prerogatives this fall. Democrats find it ironic. The Senates top Democratic appropriator, Washington Sen. Patty Murray said Tuesday that by sending the rescissions memo, Trump is conceding what weve known all along: that Congress not the President must approve the rescission or withholding of investments that were signed into law. In sending the rescissions request, the White House is using the main tool created under the decades-old impoundment law enacted in 1974 to stop presidents from withholding federal dollars lawmakers approve while exercising their constitutional power of the purse. At the same time, Trump administration officials continue to argue that the impoundment law is unconstitutional and publicly telegraph their plans to pull back funding regardless of Congress instructions. White House budget director Russ Vought said on CNN this week that the Trump administration may not actually have to get a Congress to pass the rescissions bill to block some funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have executive tools, he added. We have impoundment that 200 years of presidents had the ability and the recognition that they had the ability to spend less than the ceiling. Over the last week, Vought has ramped up this rhetoric, repeatedly talking about using a controversial tactic known as a pocket recission to defy Congress funding directives. Using such a maneuver later this summer, he contends, would let the White House make all of the DOGE cuts permanent, regardless of support or disapproval from Congress. To do that, the Trump administration would have to send additional recissions requests in the final weeks of the fiscal year, which runs through September. Even if lawmakers vote to approve or reject the requests, the White House could let the funding expire by withholding it through Sept. 30. Vought said this week that the White House could use the maneuver later in the year, to be able to bank some of these savings, without the bill actually being passed. The tactic has been rarely used, he acknowledged, but added, we intend to use all of these tools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Republican senators are already clamoring for the White House to send more rescissions memos. "Its a good start," Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Tuesday. "We need to do about one a month." Ben Jacobs, Robert King and Nicholas Wu contributed to this report. WASHINGTON The House will vote on a slew of spending cuts implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency as early as next week, sources familiar with the timeline confirmed to the Deseret News. The White House sent its formal rescissions package to the House on Tuesday, outlining a number of proposed spending cuts that lawmakers must approve within the next 45 days. The $9.4 billion rescissions package includes several spending cut proposals identified by multibillionaire Elon Musk since the creation of DOGE in late January. The House will act quickly on this request, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement. Under President Trump, every federal taxpayer dollar is actually being used to serve the American people, not to fund a bloated bureaucracy or purely partisan pet projects. We thank Elon Musk and his DOGE team for identifying a wide range of wasteful, duplicative, and outdated programs, and House Republicans are eager to eliminate them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The package would cut $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 1967. Every year, Congress appropriates funds to the CPB which are then distributed to more than 1,500 public media stations through community service grants. The spending cuts specifically target stations such as PBS and NPR, which the Trump administration claims unfairly target conservatives and the Republican Party. The package also cuts funding to the United States Agency for International Development, which provides foreign aid, as well as funds for the World Health Organization. NEW: Today, we sent the first rescissions package to Capitol Hill. This package contains BILLIONS in wasteful foreign aid and federal funding for NPR and PBS. Heres just some of the waste, fraud, and abuse identified: Office of Management and Budget (@WHOMB) June 3, 2025 The bill proposes millions of dollars in cuts to the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program started under the George W. Bush administration focusing on the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. The rescissions package would cut more than $8 million dedicated to the program. Demonstrators protest against cuts to American foreign aid spending, including USAID and the PEPFAR program to combat HIV/AIDS, at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill, Feb. 26, 2025, in Washington. | Mark Schiefelbein At least one Republican senator, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, expressed opposition to that provision, calling PEPFAR one of the most successful public health programs in the world without a doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The package also targets programs related to LGBTQ and womens issues. House GOP leaders are pushing to vote on the rescissions package sometime next week, sources familiar with the process told the Deseret News. After that, the package will head to the Senate where it will need only a simple majority to pass the upper chamber. Under congressional rules, lawmakers have 45 days to approve the rescissions package. If the package is not passed by then, federal funding will be released to the agencies Trump is seeking to defund. Its not yet clear how quickly the Senate would act on the package, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters this week it would be a main focus over the June work period. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) One congresswoman said the federal government has taken a chainsaw to federal agencies that help you before, during, and after a hurricane. Right now, I cannot report that the federal government is there in every way that they were there last hurricane season, unfortunately, said Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side Castor said the federal government has taken a chainsaw to federal agencies that forecast, track, and respond to hurricanes. In addition, she does not have the confidence that FEMA will be there like they were following Debbie, Helene, and Milton. Castor called it new territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive never seen it this bad before, and Ive lived here for 40 years, said Nancy Biddle, St. Pete Beach homeowner. NHC watching area off Florida coast for potential tropical development Inspectors have determined Biddle will need to make major changes to storm-proof her St. Pete Beach property against future hurricanes. She applied for the Elevate Florida program in February. She is waiting to hear if help is on the way or if funding cuts could leave her high and dry. The back and forth whether FEMA should exist at all, does not lend itself having full confidence that they are going to be the partner on the ground that we saw in the aftermath of Helene and Milton, Castor said. The congresswoman is looking to local leaders to build confidence that the help people need will be there is hurricane season, but she said its not enough as Floridians, like Biddle, are still waiting for assistance. This, unfortunately, is reflected in the monies that they are withholding from local communities like St. Pete, Pinellas, Tampa, and Hillsborough as well, Castor said. The state is relying on $400 million in federal funds to pay for Elevate Florida, which stopped accepting new applications on April 11, citing funding limitations. That same day, the Federal Emergency Management Agency eliminated $300 million in funding for another program meant to help make communities across Florida less vulnerable to storms. It was called the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, or BRIC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, a FEMA spokesperson wrote: The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program. It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. FEMA can be more efficient, but calls to eliminate it and then to take a chainsaw 2,000 experts who understand how to respond to disasters across the country this is new territory, said Castor. Time is running out for Biddle. If this, as the government program has ended, were kind of right back where we started, said Biddle. As of last month, the Florida Division of Emergency Management said Elevate Florida had not yet been funded. FEMA has not yet responded to our requests about Castors comments. 8 On Your Side also reached out for comment to Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) office about the federal cuts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Goodwin University Magnet School System has announced the groundbreaking of what will be the states first inter-district technical magnet school. The shovels are in the ground at 3 Pent Road in East Hartford, the future site of RiverTech at Goodwin University. XL Center to be renamed PeoplesBank Arena Goodwin is the first university in the country to have a public school system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to RiverTech, the 90,000-square-foot school will offer specialized technical programs including automation, like robots and drones, in addition to production, AI and cyber security. Goodwin University Magnet School System Superintendent Salvatore Menzo says the programs will also have apprenticeships that are paid and then, in addition, also get 60 university credits. So, theyll graduate with an associates degree and also be ready for the workforce. Makayla Gentry just graduated from middle school and will be entering the program this fall, specializing in welding. Students like her will use Goodwin Universitys facilities until RiverTech is built. I feel great that theyre building the technical high school because Im finally going to a school where it supports my interests and what I wanna do when I get older, she told News 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is expected to be completed between late 2026 and early 2027. Once complete, the school will accommodate 288 students. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VIENTIANE, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Laos has officially launched its first shipment of 90 tons of fresh mangoes to China, marking a significant milestone in the country's agricultural trade ambitions. According to Lao Economic Daily report on Tuesday, a ceremony marking the inaugural shipment was held in the Lao capital Vientiane on May 30. The export marked a significant step in strengthening agricultural cooperation between Laos and China. It followed the 2023 agreement by both governments to export fresh Lao mangoes to the Chinese market, a deal that opened the door to expanded trade and investment opportunities. In his speech, Bounchan Kombounyasith, director general of the Department of Agriculture under the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, emphasized that the ministry is focused on promoting high-potential agricultural products to reduce the country's reliance on imports, generate foreign exchange, and encourage value-added export processing. The Lao government aims for a 4.3 percent growth in the agricultural sector by 2025, with the goal of achieving a 22.4 percent contribution to the country's gross domestic product.. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) With a party line vote just before midnight on Monday evening, Democrats in the Connecticut House of Representatives advanced a plan for a two-year state budget that tops $55 billion. Just two Democratic representatives broke with their party and voted against the budget. Connecticut lawmakers reach deal on two-year budget, heads to House vote The two-year spending plan is the result of deliberations between Gov. Ned Lamont and the Democrats who hold commanding majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Throughout those budget negotiations, the two camps navigated ideological differences over how much to increase state spending by. The governor has generally embraced a more moderate fiscal posture, while leading legislative Democrats have long advocated for more expansive spending increases than the ones proposed by the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Included in the two-year budget is a measure to invest more than $200 million in childcare a shared priority for Lamont and his fellow Democrats in the legislature. Lamont and legislative Democrats also touted investments in K-12 education, special education, and a new tax break for low-income families with children. 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, the Democratic speaker of the state House of Representatives, said of the budget deal. While Democrats largely applauded the budget deal, Republicans warned that the spending increases are not sustainable. Many people may like this budget for what it does for their individual constituencies, State Rep. Vincent Candelora, the Republican leader in the state House of Representatives, said. But in the long run, its setting the state up for failure and tax increases. 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 WTNH.com. WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) A Connecticut man was sentenced to 33 years in prison on Tuesday for the stray-bullet killing of a Puerto Rican Olympic athlete's mother. Jasper Greene, 23, of New Haven, was one of three men charged in the death of Mabel Martinez Antongiorgi on April 9, 2022. The 56-year-old woman was sewing in her home in Waterbury, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Hartford, when a bullet flew through a wall and hit her in the head. Martinez Antongiorgis daughter, Yarimar Mercado Martinez, competed for the family's native Puerto Rico in rifle shooting at the Olympics in 2016, 2021 and 2024. She was in Brazil for another competition when her mother was killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene pleaded guilty to murder in February. His lawyer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment after Tuesday's sentencing in Waterbury Superior Court. According to court testimony, the fatal shooting stemmed from a dispute that one of the suspects, Franklin Robinson, had with a man who said hello to his girlfriend. Robinson, Greene and another man shot up a car parked on Martinez Antongiorgis street, thinking the man was inside it. A bullet went into Martinez Antongiorgis home. Another bystander was wounded but survived. A jury convicted Robinson of murder and other charges in 2023 and he was later sentenced to 90 years in prison. The third suspect, Levi Brock, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in the case, including murder, and awaits trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of her mothers death, Mercado Martinez lamented in social media posts that she couldnt even say goodbye. Why you? Why this way? she wrote. You were just sitting in your little house sewing, as you always did. Martinez Antongiorgi and her husband of over 30 years, John Luis Mercado, moved to Waterbury from Puerto Rico a few years after the U.S. territory endured 2017s devastating Hurricane Maria. At the time of her death, they had set a date to renew their wedding vows, their daughter wrote at the time. CONNECTICUT (WTNH) After a brief debate and a nearly unanimous vote, the Connecticut State Senate advanced a major piece of energy legislation that proponents say will deliver a modest reduction of electric bills for ratepayers across the state. The legislation came after months of delicate, closed-door negotiations between legislators and members of the Lamont administration who were faced with a tangled web of competing interests within Connecticuts energy ecosystem. Gov. Lamont: Budget on the 1-yard line Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We tried to thread the needle very, very carefully, State Sen. Norm Needleman, the Democratic co-chair of the legislatures Energy and Technology Committee, said. In threading that needle, policymakers said theyd opted for changes that could deliver as much as $200 worth of annual reductions to ratepayers depending on the size of their bill and other factors. That reduction will be delivered by shifting certain costs of the public benefits portion of ratepayer bills. Revenue from the public benefits charge is used to fund a range of government-directed energy programs, including the procurement of renewable energy. The charge was at the epicenter of ratepayer outrage last summer when a confluence of factors, including historically hot weather and costs associated with the operation of Millstone Nuclear Power Station, caused bills to spike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Millstone-related costs were the primary driver of last summers spike in the public benefits charge and have since come off of ratepayer bills as planned, but the flood of attention paid to the public benefits portion of the bill spurred lawmakers to scrutinize other programs funded by the charge. Some of the public benefits charges have already fallen off the bill, Needleman said, referencing the Millstone costs. Ive argued for a long time that there was a one time spike that happened quickly but is coming down at a slower rate. So, were just sort of adding to how fast its coming down. Instead of placing the costs of certain programs on the backs of ratepayers, lawmakers will utilize bonding essentially swiping the states credit card and cuts in certain areas. For Republicans, those cuts are welcome but not as expansive as they wouldve liked to see. State Sen. Ryan Fazio, the leading Republican senator on the Energy and Technology Committee, has long argued that the whole sum of programs funded by the public benefits charge off of ratepayer bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under that proposal, the programs would be neither covered by ratepayers or the states credit card. Rather, those programs would be subject to the legislatures biannual budgetary process a process that would in all likelihood mean the outright elimination of some programs. Senate Republicans and I have argued for years that we should be eliminating the public benefits charge, Fazio said. But were at least glad that were able to find a compromise with our Democratic Party and pass legislation that delivers the first cut of any significance in public benefits programs. The bill now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROBYN BECK By the time Patricia Gary contacted a lawyer to help her deal with her student loans, shed paid $23,000 towards them and still owed $3,882. That was the case even though she only borrowed $6,000 in the first place. What prompted the call was a notice in 2019 that the government planned to take some of her Social Security check in order to repay the debt. Gary needed that money to afford food and medications, so she raced to figure out how to stop the feds from taking it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Gary first took on student loans in the 1980s to attend a for-profit beauty school. She left after about a year, amid concerns she wasnt receiving a valuable education. The school later collapsed in scandal. Still, the debt Gary took on to attend followed her for years. She would periodically hear from debt collectors and make agreements with them to throw some money at the loan each month. There were stretches where Gary didnt hear from anyone about her loan and so she assumed shed handled it, but somehow it would always pop up again. In the meantime, she went back to school with help from her employer and later paid out of pocket to earn a masters degree. Those credentials helped her make a career of working with foster youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So how did someone who helped others escape their circumstances find herself at risk of struggling to afford basic needs because of her student loan? The answer, I found in researching my book, Sunk Cost: Whos to Blame for the Nations Broken Student Loan System and How to Fix It, is decades of rhetoric that fueled an image of student loan borrowers who didnt pay as people shirking their responsibilities. The result is that a program meant to help low- and middle-income Americans attend college features consequences for falling behind that are harsher in some cases than those credit card users face. Now those penalties are looming over borrowers as the Trump administration restarts student debt collection following a five year pandemic-era pause. About 5 million borrowers are at risk of having their Social Security checks and tax refunds taken as well as their wages garnished over defaulting on student loans. But the march towards these punitive consequences began decades before the Trump administration. Over the years, lawmakers layered on policies that made it nearly impossible for borrowers to escape their student loans and delivered punishing penalties when they fell behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This pattern started in the mid-1970s when Congress changed the way the bankruptcy court treats student loans. Probably one of the most well-known facts about student debt is that its nearly impossible to discharge in bankruptcy. But that wasnt always the case. About 10 years after policymakers created the broad-based student loan program, newspapers across the country chronicled how seemingly easy it was for borrowers to get rid of their student debt. There were stories of graduates with professional degrees and from elite law schools discharging their loans through bankruptcy. One article in Pennsylvania newspaper, the Lancaster New Era, told the story of a woman in Ohio who got rid of her $4,100 in student debt by filing for bankruptcy. Ultimately, she found a job that would have paid her enough to repay the loan. A major source for that story was the executive director of a state-backed organization that worked for the government as a middleman in the student loan program. In other words, the organization had an interest in ensuring it would be difficult for borrowers to escape their loans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the organization described to the paper what he called pre-planned bankruptcies. They, really make you sick, he said. According to the article, he worked with a congressman in his region to draft a bill that would ban borrowers from discharging loans in bankruptcy within five years of graduating. During congressional debate around this idea, it became clear that stories of widespread efforts from borrowers to get rid of their loans were just that stories. For example, one congressman cited data indicating a 225% increase in student loan-related bankruptcies over one year in Pennsylvania. That really amounted to an uptick to 13 cases from four. Despite this evidence, the proposal became law. Lawmakers ultimately expanded the provision to make it nearly impossible to discharge student debt throughout the lifetime of the loan. Roughly two decades after members of Congress first changed the treatment of student loans in bankruptcy, lawmakers quietly pushed through another change that would make it nearly impossible for borrowers to escape their student loans. For most consumer debt, theres a maximum amount of time a lender can sue to collect, called a statute of limitations. But in the early 1990s, lawmakers eliminated the statute of limitations on federal student loans. In other words, borrowers can be sued or face collections on the debt until they die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision was made without much fanfare. Lawmakers used a process that was meant for technical, non-substantive law changes to push it through. In their limited comments around the decision, members of Congress wrote that student loan borrowers shouldnt be able to escape their debt because their ability to repay the loan would theoretically increase over time. The wording echoed arguments in favor of making student loans more difficult to discharge in bankruptcy, portraying borrowers who werent paying their student loans as people looking to escape their debt. That logic was part of what drove lawmakers to allow the government to take borrowers Social Security benefits and tax refunds to repay defaulted student loans. In the mid-1990s, a bipartisan pair of lawmakers was looking to make it easier for the government to collect on debt of all kinds to help the federal budget. In defending the proposal, Carolyn Maloney, then a Democratic congresswoman representing New York, wrote in the New York Times that many delinquent debtors are able to pay, with little data to back up the assertion. Mainstream media outlets fueled that perception, sometimes calling those who owed the government money including former college students, military veterans and foreign governments deadbeats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To address these concerns lawmakers passed the Debt Collection Improvement Act in 1996, which among other things allowed the federal government to take a borrowers Social Security check and tax refund to repay a defaulted student loan. Years later, borrowers like Patricia Gary have coped with the fallout from decades of policies that assumed borrowers who didnt pay were doing it simply because they didnt want to. In my reporting on the student debt crisis for MarketWatch Ive spoken with borrowers who wrestled to navigate the student loan system and then had their Earned Income Tax Credit a tax credit with bipartisan support that largely helps working parents taken, making it more difficult for them to afford the basics like shoes for their children. The data on borrowers who default indicates that most people who fall behind on their student loans are people like Gary or other borrowers Ive encountered. They arent paying because they dont have the money or are struggling to navigate the complexity of the student loan system not because theyre trying to shirk their debt. Borrowers in default are more likely to be unemployed and less likely to have finished school. Despite this, the government keeps using harsh consequences to essentially pull blood from a stone. Thats because the groundwork has been laid for decades to prime policymakers and ordinary Americans to believe that borrowers defaulting on student loans are trying to outrun them, even though the data indicates otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That begs a question Gary asked me about the efforts to collect her debt during the interviews we conducted for Sunk Cost: Does it ever stop? Or they just want to keep taking money because they can do it? Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Check out more Teen Vogue education coverage: YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstowns parks and playgrounds are getting some upgrades. The old Bortz Field on the citys West Side is one of 18 projects that are now underway or in the planning stages all around the city. There is work being done at Crandall Park on the North Side, as well as Homestead and Pemberton Parks on the South Side. Were going to have the new batting cages over there, also infield turf and all brand new lighting, said Youngstown Parks and Recreation Director Clemate Franklin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is investing more than $10 million into its parks and playgrounds this spring and summer, with nearly $6 million of that coming from Youngstowns share of federal American Rescue Plan funds. There were some add-ons from each council. There were some specialized pieces that we added, and then we had some private investments as well, said Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown. The improvements include new playground equipment as well as picnic tables and grills to replace what, in many cases, had been worn out or broken. There will also be new landscaping and sidewalks, as well as lighting and security cameras. Brown said that without the availability of the ARP funds, many of the upgrades would have taken years to install as funding became available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im excited to see what the new parks will look like, and the citizens in the neighborhood can enjoy them, Brown said. Some city parks where nothing is taking place now could see improvements if there is money left over from other projects. Brown says residents will be able to start using the new facilities this summer, and most of the work should be completed this fall. While it was too cold to swim for many, the mayor on Monday was also taking his annual ceremonial first dive at the Northside Pool on Belmont Avenue. As a former lifeguard there many years ago, he had a message to remind residents about water safety this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before we open the pool, I want to make sure I give them a spiel, make sure they know how to swim. Their parents should know how to swim. If not, let Parks and Rec help them learn water safety and swimming, Brown said. The Northside Pool is also getting a new concession stand this summer that should be open by mid-June. Itll also be getting some improvements to the front entrance to the pool building and the bath house changing area. Weather permitting, the pool will be open through Sept. 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Happy Monday, Utah! Its a good bit cooler across the Beehive state today, with temperatures about 15-20 degrees cooler in some spots. Were looking at skies becoming sunny across northern Utah Monday afternoon, with clouds hanging tough across southern Utah. A remnant tropical low will spin moisture into southeast Utah, bringing widespread downpours and the slight potential for some flash flooding in some locations. Highs will be in the 70s for most locations, with 80s possible across southern Utah. Drier air will move into Utah Tuesday, leading to mostly sunny to partly sunny skies. Highs will be in the mid-70s along the Wasatch Front, with highs in the 90s for SW Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another low-pressure system will move across southern Utah on Wednesday, bringing more heavy rain potential along and south of I-70. Highs will drop back into the 80s for SW Utah and 70s for the Wasatch Front. A big ridge of high pressure will begin to build back across Utah later this week. This will usher in drier air and much warmer weather once again across the Beehive State just in time for the upcoming weekend. Stay tuned, well keep you 4Warned on-air and online! 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. Police must have judicial permission to do more than a visitor could on residential property, court rules. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) The New Jersey State Police violated a suspects constitutional rights when troopers entered his driveway to attach a GPS tracker to his car under a warrant that only allowed them access to the mans vehicle, an appellate panel ruled Tuesday. The three-judge panel found officers violated state and federal constitutional protections by entering Maurice Johnsons driveway to attach the tracker because the communications data warrant they obtained for the device did not authorize them to enter the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The [warrant] did not expressly authorize entry onto the driveway. Nor did the State Police seek prior judicial authorization to enter onto defendants residential property when they abandoned the plan to install the device on a public street or parking lot, the court wrote. The court granted Johnsons motion to suppress evidence gleaned from the improperly placed tracker. GPS data obtained from the tracker revealed a pattern of stops consistent with drug dealing, authorities said, and eventually led police to a storage unit in Johnsons name that held drugs, guns, and a substantial sum of money, the court said. A lower court judge had rejected Johnsons request to toss the fruits of the communications data warrant, finding that the driveway was not afforded Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches because it was unfenced, unlike the rest of the parcel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeals court said the driveway, however accessible, was protected from unreasonable search and seizure. The fact the particular area where the subject vehicle was parked was not protected from the weather does not mean it was not protected from physical incursion under the United States and New Jersey Constitutions, the panel wrote. The judges acknowledged that police can have an implied license to approach a homes front door as any private citizen might but said police officers veered away from the front door to plant the tracker, thus exceeding the spatial boundaries of any customary invitation that might be granted to a visitor such as a delivery person. An implied license, which allows people to, for example, knock on a front door or deliver a package without committing trespass, did not permit authorities to enter the driveway so they could put a tracker on Johnsons car, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simply put, installing a concealed GPS device is not something a visitor or delivery person would be expected and permitted to do, the court wrote. The states arguments, which compared officers actions to a private vehicle repossession, were unconvincing because the Fourth Amendment protects against state intrusion, not against private debt collectors, they added. Portions of the warrant that left the manner of the tracking devices installation to officers discretion likewise did not allow them to enter the driveway because both state and federal constitutions require warrants to particularly describe the locations they allow officers to search, the judges found. The [warrants] reference to the need to minimize the chances of detection of the device by the person whose vehicle is the subject of this warrant was not some kind of code authorizing physical entry onto unspecified private property, the court wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether police sincerely believed the warrant allowed them to enter the driveway was irrelevant, the judges said. A lower court discarded findings from a separate search warrant that authorized officers to look through Johnsons home because officers did not knock and announce themselves before entering, as the warrant required. But the lower court declined to suppress evidence secured through the improperly applied GPS tracker. The drugs, guns, and money discovered in Johnsons storage unit formed the basis for the warrant authorizing a search of his home, according to Tuesdays ruling. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After Sudans army recaptured the national capital region of Khartoum in March, tens of thousands of people returned to check on their homes and reunite with loved ones. The joy of returning was tempered by the shock of seeing the damage caused during nearly two years under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that has been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), recognised by many Sudanese and the UN as the de facto authority in Sudan, since April 2023. In a region whose hospitals and food and medicine stores had been systematically plundered by the RSF, many returnees started falling sick. Soldiers in the capital after the Sudanese army retook ground as some displaced residents returned to the ravaged state of Khartoum, March 26, 2025 [El-Tayeb Siddig/Reuters] Omdurman falters Many of the returnees had settled in Omdurman, one of the national capitals three cities, where living conditions were slightly better than in the other cities. This is because several localities in Omdurman never came under the RSFs control, insulating it from heavy clashes, pillaging, and looting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Omdurman quickly became overcrowded, with thousands of people [returning] from Egypt alone, according to Dr Dirar Abeer, a member of Khartoums Emergency Response Rooms, neighbourhood committees spearheading relief efforts across the country. The crowding, Dr Abeer said, meant an accelerated spread of cholera, an acute, highly contagious diarrhoeal infection that is endemic to Sudan and can be fatal if not treated. In areas south of the Nile in Omdurman, there are a lot of corpses rotting next to [or in] the Nile, and this has [partially] caused the spread of infection, said Badawi, a volunteer in Omdurman who declined to give his full name due to the sensitivity of speaking in a warzone. Cholera has become an epidemic in Sudan, spreading in several states, including White Nile and Gadarif, and killing hundreds in the last two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As in Khartoum, the spread was fuelled by overcrowding and a lack of essential services in these regions. The waterborne disease could be stopped with basic sanitation and provisions, said Fazli Kostan, the project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF. But thats not really possible right now, he told Al Jazeera, referring to a lack of electricity to pump water since Omdurmans electricity grids went down on May 14. The RSF had fired a barrage of suicide drones that day, which took out major power stations and grids, consequently shutting down water treatment plants and causing a sharp rise in cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deprived of safe drinking and bathing water, people have resorted to drinking contaminated water from the Nile, as well as scooping up water from the ground after it rains, Badawi said. The SAF-backed Ministry of Health (MoH) reported a huge surge in daily cholera cases in the national capital region between May 15 and May 25, with at least 172 people dying between May 20 and May 27. The UN says daily cases spiked from 90 to more than 815 in the latter half of May. Patients waiting in the streets Those who contract the disease often rush to the nearest hospital, further straining an already overwhelmed and ill-equipped health sector. However, local volunteers said many people do not experience life-threatening symptoms and that they would be better off staying at home and isolating themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The overcrowding at hospitals has further exacerbated the spread of the disease and overstrained the already collapsing health sector, they explained. We do not have enough medication or medical tools, and the rate of people coming to the hospitals is far more than we can handle, said Kareem al-Noor, a medic at al-Nao hospital in Omdurman. The [remaining hospitals] are at full capacity and people are also waiting for treatment, crowded on the streets, al-Noor added. Dr Abeer feels the SAF-backed health authorities are not doing enough to tackle the epidemic. While she acknowledged that the health sector was largely destroyed by the RSF, she believes the current health authorities could be doing more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeera submitted written questions to Dr Montasser Towarra, the MoH spokesperson, asking him what measures the ministry is undertaking to help volunteers and to provide basic provisions. He had not answered by the time of publication. Sudanese women from community kitchens run by local volunteers distribute meals for people who are affected by conflict and extreme hunger and are out of reach of international aid efforts, in Omdurman, July 27, 2024 [Mazin Alrasheed/Reuters] Hunger exacerbates the crisis Sudan is also suffering an acute hunger crisis. Since the civil war, millions of Sudanese have struggled to feed their families due to spoiled harvests, the systematic looting of markets and food aid and the destruction of homes and livelihoods. According to the UN, about 25 million people more than half the population currently suffer extreme food shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunger can weaken bodies and lead to an acute increase in contagious diseases, according to Alex De Waal, an expert on Sudan and famine. He noted that civilians especially children have always been more likely to die from diseases if they are also on the brink of starvation. We could see an excess of hundreds of thousands of deaths [due to these factors] over the next year, warned De Waal. The UN has also warned that up to one million children could die from cholera unless the spread is thwarted quickly. The only way to thwart the health crisis is to repair basic provisions such as electricity and sewage systems to improve sanitation, said De Waal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he believes that repairing essential services is not a priority for the army, which remains the de facto authority. Al Jazeera sent written questions to SAF spokesperson, Nabil Abdullah, to ask if the army is planning on repairing vital resources such as bombed electricity grids. Abdullah said, These questions are not for the army, but for the Ministry of Health. Tawarra from the MoH also did not respond to these questions. De Waal suspects the army is prioritising combat operations against the RSF. My sense is the army is too stretched financially and organisationally to prioritise anything other than fighting the war, he told Al Jazeera. Key Points Select cases of Topo Chico Mineral Water sold at Costco are recalled. The recalled water may contain Pseudomonas, a bacteria group that can cause illness. These impacted mineral water bottles were sold at locations in Texas and Louisiana. A recall was just announced on cases of mineral water sold at select Costco locations, according to a company announcement. This is due to a potential bacterial contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The water affected is 16.9-ounce bottles of Topo Chico Mineral Water. These 18-packs have a lot code 13A2541 printed on the box and on the bottle necks, and they were sold from May 20 through May 29, 2025, at select Texas and Louisiana Costco warehouses. The recalled mineral water may contain Pseudomonas, which is a group of bacteria thats a common contaminant in soil and water. The common type, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can cause infection in the blood, lungs, urinary tract or other parts of the body. People who are immunocompromised are more susceptible to serious infection. If you are experiencing any signs of illness after drinking the impacted water, contact a health care provider immediately. Check your water, and if it matches the recall information, return it to your local Costco for a full refund. For questions about this recall, contact Coca-Cola at 1-800-GET-COKE (1-800-438-2653). Read the original article on EATINGWELL EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso County announced that it is launching its first-ever Countywide assistance program to support small and micro businesses. The County made the announcement on Tuesday, June 4. The Technical Assistance Training Program will be funded with federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, passed during the Biden Administration. The program is designed to support businesses that were impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. It will provide training, one-one-one guidance and access to grant funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative emphasizes equity by focusing on women-owned and veteran-owned businesses to help address the challenges these groups often face, the County said. The Technical Assistance Program is backed by a $1 million ARPA investment, with $750,000 dedicated to small business grants and $250,000 for program operations including staffing, outreach, and administration. Eligible businesses that complete the training and needs survey will be considered for grant awards. The program is a major step toward building a stronger, more resilient local economy, with 75% of funds going directly to businesses in form of grants, the County said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El Paso County said it is partnering with the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (EPHCC) and Project Vida to deliver training, mentorship, and outreach. The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will provide workshops and business support, while Project Vida will offer individualized assistance and lead a comprehensive needs survey effort. The Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at UTEP is supporting the program by collecting and analyzing data, measuring its impact, and offering research-driven insights to guide decisions and improve outreach. To reach businesses across the region, the County and its partners will host four outreach events one in each precinct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At these events, business owners can meet with Project Vida, complete the needs survey, and begin the process to access assistance and funding. Upcoming outreach event dates are as follow, starting at 10 a.m.: Precinct 1: June 12, Montana Vista Community Center, 14618 Greg Dr. Precinct 2: June 20, EPHCC Training Center, 4141 Pinnacle St. Suite 120 Precinct 3: June 25, La Bodega Loya, 10257 Socorro Rd., Socorro Precinct 4: July 2, EPCC Northwest Campus Library, South Desert Blvd. All eligible business owners are encouraged to attend and participate in this important effort to strengthen the small business community in El Paso County. 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 KTSM 9 News. JUBA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Tuesday called on South Sudan to take steps to avert persistent intercommunal clashes in Tonj East County of Warrap State that have resulted in the killing of 280 people since March. The violence there has also caused the destruction of homes and widespread displacement. Guang Cong, deputy special representative (political affairs) of the UN secretary-general for South Sudan and deputy head of UNMISS, urged the government to act quickly to restore peace in the region. "Urgent intervention is needed from the national government to prevent the conflict from escalating to catastrophic levels and to bring communities together to resolve grievances peacefully," Cong said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. According to UNMISS, since last December Tonj East has been plagued by a series of violent incidents, including cattle raiding and revenge attacks involving large numbers of armed youth from neighboring communities. The UN mission said in March, more than 200 people were estimated to have died during the intercommunal conflict. Over the past few days, there has been another surge of violence, driven by attempts to recover stolen cattle and revenge for the previous loss of lives that has resulted in more than 80 casualties, although the numbers are yet to be verified, UNMISS said. Cong said that UNMISS has increased its peacekeeping patrols and is intensively engaging with state and local leaders to calm the situation. He said peacekeepers are experiencing significant challenges reaching some of the affected areas, due to a proliferation of checkpoints manned by armed youth. "While UNMISS is doing its utmost to deter further mobilization and conflict, the government is primarily responsible for protecting civilians," Cong said. "We... encourage the government to rapidly deploy security services to prevent further violence and create a safe environment for community dialogue and peacebuilding." Jun. 3JAMESTOWN A Jamestown day care owner and employee are accused of falling to report a sexual assault of a 4-year-old girl, according to court documents. Nicole Ruby Stevahn, 45, and Adrian Anne Miller, 35, were arrested on Friday, May 30, on suspicion of child abuse caregiver and taken to the Stutsman County Correctional Center. Stevahn and Miller each face a formal charge of failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect, a Class B misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They made their initial appearances on Monday, June 2, in Southeast District Court in Jamestown. Stevahn pleaded not guilty to the charge and Miller had not yet entered a plea as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, according to the ndcourts.gov . Stevahn and Miller were each released on a $1,000 bond. Stevahn and Miller are accused of failing to report suspected child abuse, neglect or death resulting from child abuse or neglect or failing to provide information or filing a false report, according to court documents. Stevahn is the owner of Charge on Together Childcare LLC, located at 321 16th Ave. NE in Jamestown, and Miller is the director, according to the organization's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by 30 days in prison and a $1,500 fine. Court documents say the Jamestown Police Department was contacted by a Buffalo Bridges Human Service Zone employee on May 21 about a report of a Charge on Together staff member, a 15-year-old male juvenile, inappropriately touching a 4-year-old girl. Court documents say Stevahn was notified about the incident on May 16 and failed to report it to Child Protection Services or licensing. Stevahn felt the juvenile staff member "was targeted." Stevahn and another employee started an internal investigation of the allegation. Miller told a Jamestown Police Department detective, the Human Service Zone employee and a licensing specialist with North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Early Childhood Services that the 4-year-old girl had started putting her hands down by her crotch and asked the 15-year-old juvenile, who cannot work alone per licensing regulations, to "release it for her," court documents say. Miller also said the juvenile was sitting with the girl during nap time when it was said to him. Miller, who supervises the 15-year-old juvenile, kept the 4-year-old girl from the park to avoid anymore major situations from happening since the juvenile was the staff member who went to the park with the children, court documents say. While the girl was held back, Stevahn and another staff member interrogated the girl about her home and family life, asking specific questions. Stevahn and the staff member believed an uncle was to blame for the behaviors, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an interview at the Red River Children's Advocacy Center, the girl said the 15-year-old juvenile inappropriately touched her and circled the areas on an anatomical drawing, court documents say. Court documents say Stevahn invited the girl's mother for drinks and "offered to pay for all her (the girl's mother) shots." The mother declined the invitation and afterward was told her three children were being kicked out of the day care. Charge on Together allowed the juvenile to continue working until a Child Protection Services assessment letter was sent to the day care and he was placed on leave, according to court documents. The juvenile admitted to being left alone with the girl unsupervised during nap time, court documents say. He denied inappropriately touching the girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, May 30, the Jamestown Police Department took a report that the juvenile also inappropriately touched a 3-year-old girl, court documents say. Court documents say Charge on Together staff told all parents of children in their control that the letter that was sent out by child care licensing was because the 4-year-old girl's father had been sexually abusing her and the incident was being pinned on the day care. The girl's father "had no clue" about a letter in the girl's file about an agreement to not contact Childhood Protection Services in regard to the day care because of a personal matter. (Photo by Alexander Spatari/Getty Images) A Christian ministry in Yakima and the state of Washington are clashing in federal court over whether the religious group can decline to hire LGBTQ+ employees. The Union Gospel Mission of Yakima runs a homeless shelter, addiction recovery programs and medical and dental clinics. The mission wants only to hire employees who follow the biblical notions forbidding sex outside of marriage and between anyone other than a man and woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State law forbids hiring practices based on sexual orientation, with limited exceptions for religious organizations. Federal appeals court judges in Seattle heard arguments Tuesday in the case, which began in 2023. The dispute serves as a First Amendment test of Washingtons anti-discrimination law and could land at the U.S. Supreme Court, where conservative justices have signaled interest in interrogating the statute. At least two other lawsuits over the law are also underway. The First Amendment does not allow the government to force a religious organization to hire someone who rejects its faith, said the missions attorney Jeremiah Galus, from the conservative Christian law firm Alliance Defending Freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arguments at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came months after a federal judge in eastern Washington blocked the state from enforcing the law against the gospel mission. The attorney generals office has said it has no plans to take action. The state appealed, leading to Tuesdays court hearing. The three-judge panel in a Seattle courtroom sounded skeptical of the states arguments. Judge Johnnie Rawlinson noted the courts history of respect for the right to practice religion without government interference. Its really difficult to use a state law to negate those rights, said Rawlinson, a Clinton appointee. Its a difficult challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case began after the mission reportedly chose to take down two job postings focused on information technology and operations because of applicants with opposing beliefs on sexual orientation. The mission said the positions are ministerial, in line with a state Supreme Court ruling exempting such employees. The state agreed and argued that this makes the case moot. But Judge Patrick Bumatay suggested the opposite is true. By saying it wont go after the mission for these employees, the state implies it could enforce the law when the group goes to hire for other positions, he said. It almost heightens the need for this pre-enforcement action, said Bumatay, a Trump appointee who is openly gay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Galus on Tuesday walked back the missions previous argument, acknowledging the two specific employees arent ministerial. Washington deputy solicitor general Cynthia Alexander said the mission is trying to broaden the current exemption for ministers. They want to be able to discriminate in hiring for any position, Alexander told the panel of judges. Attorneys general from 20 states, including Florida, Idaho and Texas, have urged the court to rule in favor of the Union Gospel Mission. The American Civil Liberties Union has sided with the state, arguing the district courts ruling would effectively strip an enormous number of employees of critical antidiscrimination protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would include not only employees of religious organizations but also the thousands of employees of the religiously affiliated hospitals that account for nearly half of the hospital beds in the state and all those who work for the myriad religiously affiliated charities, among others, the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State wrote in a court filing. The panel made no ruling after Tuesdays arguments. It could be months until they release one. President Donald Trump appointed two of the three judges hearing the case, Bumatay and Judge Daniel Bress. Headed for the high court? The Washington Law Against Discrimination prohibits employers from refusing to hire, firing or underpaying employees on the basis of race, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, among other grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law exempts those with fewer than eight employees, as well as nonprofit religious organizations. In 2021, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled that the religious exemption applies only to employees considered ministers. In that case, Seattles Union Gospel Mission asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the matter. The court declined, but Justice Samuel Alito took issue with the Washington decision, writing that it could conflict with the U.S. Constitution and warrant review in the future. The day may soon come when we must decide whether the autonomy guaranteed by the First Amendment protects religious organizations freedom to hire co-religionists without state or judicial interference, Alito wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To force religious organizations to hire messengers and other personnel who do not share their religious views would undermine not only the autonomy of many religious organizations but also their continued viability, the conservative justice continued. Just over a year after the state Supreme Court ruling, Seattle Pacific University, a private Christian school affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, decided to keep its policy that employees follow the traditional view on Biblical marriage and sexuality. Then-Attorney General Bob Ferguson launched an investigation into Seattle Pacific Universitys hiring practices based on the new reading of the anti-discrimination law. In 2022, the school sued the state, arguing the probe from Ferguson, who is now governor, violated its constitutional right to religious freedom. The following year, the Union Gospel Mission of Yakima got in on the action, filing its lawsuit against the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, a federal judge in Richland dismissed the missions case, since the state had taken no action to enforce the anti-discrimination law against it. The 9th Circuit reversed that decision last summer. A few months later, the same Richland judge, a Biden appointee, sided with the Yakima gospel mission, granting a preliminary injunction. The Seattle Pacific University case is ongoing in federal court in Seattle, with a trial set for next April. And thats not the only other case pending on this issue. Two weeks ago, the 9th Circuit heard arguments in the case of another religious nonprofit, called World Vision, that rescinded a Washington womans job offer after learning she was in a same-sex marriage. A federal judge in Seattle had ruled World Vision violated the state anti-discrimination law. That appeal, before a different three-judge panel, is awaiting a ruling. RIKERS ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) A court hearing held in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday aimed to determine whether ICE and other federal agencies can set up shop on Rikers Island. A state judge in Lower Manhattan kept her order in place, blocking the creation of an ICE office, halting the reestablishment of an office on Rikers Island for now. More Local News The Adams administration is pushing for an ICE office, with Mayor Eric Adams arguing that putting federal agents on Rikers Island will help get violent criminals out of New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are moving full steam ahead to have these federal authorities on the island, said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry in an interview with PIX11s Dan Mannarino. This is a good move, and this is going to keep New Yorkers safe. We are going after these public safety threats. ICE had been on Rikers Island for decades until 2014, when the City Council kicked the agency out. The Legal Aid Society and other criminal justice advocates argued that ICE on Rikers Island is a breach of the citys sanctuary principles. Advocates hoping to block immigration officials from reestablishing an office on Rikers Island seemed hopeful following the hearing. They said ICE has been accused of depriving defendants of due process, some of whom may be in the U.S. legally as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Its particularly problematic when we have an administration that has unleased ICE to have masked officers snatching students off the streets, to have individuals whisked away out of the country on spurious gang allegations that are unfounded, without any opportunity to see a judge, said Peter Markowitz, the director of the Immigration Justice Clinic at the Cardozo School of Law. 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. WEST PALM BEACH The law library inside the Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse now bears the name of one of Palm Beach Countys most revered civil rights figures and legal pioneers: Judge Edward Rodgers. The Palm Beach County Commission voted in April to rename the library the Judge Edward Rodgers Law Library, honoring the late jurists groundbreaking career and enduring contributions to justice and public service. The renaming, initiated by Chief Judge Glenn Kelley, was commemorated with an official unveiling ceremony on May 29. Rodgers made history throughout his 22-year tenure in the 15th Judicial Circuit. He became the first Black judge appointed in Palm Beach County in 1973, having already broken barriers as the countys first Black prosecutor. He later served as the circuits first Black chief judge, leading the judiciary from 1983 to 1985. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born in Pittsburgh in 1927, Rodgers moved to West Palm Beach in 1950 and experienced firsthand the segregation that defined the region. Denied admission to the University of Miami School of Law due to his race, he instead attended Florida A&M Universitys law school. After entering legal practice, Rodgers quickly emerged as a civil rights leader, pushing to desegregate institutions like the West Palm Beach Police Department and what is now Good Samaritan Medical Center. Read more: Hundreds gather to mourn Edward Rodgers, civil rights trailblazer and legal giant Rodgers built a reputation as both a compassionate judge and a fierce advocate for equality throughout his career. In 1991, he founded the Riviera Beach Civil Drug Court, among the first of its kind, offering treatment and rehabilitation rather than incarceration. The effort earned him the Jefferson Award, often referred to as the Nobel Prize for public service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After retiring from the bench in 1995, Rodgers remained a powerful voice in public life. He served as mayor and councilman of Riviera Beach and was the first chairman of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics. His final years were spent mentoring public servants and challenging the conscience of local institutions. Rodgers died in 2018 at the age of 91, survived by three children and a legacy that helped shape Palm Beach Countys legal and civic landscape. 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: Law library renamed to honor late judge and civic icon Edward Rodgers Restaurant chains and stores throughout the U.S. have been closing locations in 2025. Some big-name companies have retracted their national footprint. At that same time, one sandwich chain is growing. Cousin's Subs is continuing to add locations in 2025 and, on June 3, announced a major new location in Madison, Wisconsin, near the University of Wisconsin-Madison's campus. Cousin's Subs opened seven new restaurants in 2024, the most it's opened in one year in at least a decade," according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chain also opened a new restaurant in Janesville, WI, in 2025. The new restaurant, which will open on June 9, will be located at 1 N. Park St. and "marks the brands return to the heart of downtown Madison and reestablishes a presence near the University of WisconsinMadison campus," a press release says. Were thrilled to be back near campus and part of the downtown Madison energy, said Joe Ferguson, executive vice president at Cousins Subs, in the release. This location allows us to serve students, faculty and the entire Madison community with the same deli fresh subs and Midwest hospitality our brand is known for. The restaurant in Madison will offer dine-in, pick-up and delivery. "Catering orders can be placed online or by phone for any occasion. Members of Cousins Club, the brands loyalty program, earn one point for every $1 spent both online and in-store," the release says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To accommodate the vibrant atmosphere in downtown Madison, the Park & Regent location will operate with rotating seasonal hours," the release says. "From June through August, the store will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until midnight. From September through May, hours will shift to Sunday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday until midnight. The restaurant will also open earlier and/or stay open later for major events and game days to serve fans and concertgoers." Cousins Subs, which is based in Wisconsin, and its franchisees "operate nearly 100 sub sandwich shops throughout Wisconsin and Indiana," the release notes. Related: Largest Fast Food Restaurant Chain Closed Over 600 Stores, New Data Reveals Cousin's Subs Expands With New Madison, Wisconsin Location on June 9 first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 Soon after Cindy and Scott Schara welcomed Grace, their third child, into the world, they recall doctors asking whether they wanted a child with Down syndrome. But they did, then and always afterward. Grace was the glue, they said, that held the family together. She had an outgoing, funny personality, and loved drawing, singing, dancing and Elvis Presley. Thousands of others now know Grace, too not for those qualities but for the circumstances surrounding her death. For the past three years, most anyone driving along Interstate 41 and other highways in Outagamie and surrounding counties will have seen one of many billboards featuring Grace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have innocent lives been stolen by medical malpractice or murder? Was Grace given a lethal combination of meds at St. Elizabeths hospital? Intentional? Whos next? Grace was 19 when she died Oct. 13, 2021, seven days after being admitted to Ascension NE Wisconsin-St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton for symptoms of COVID-19. Scott Schara sued the hospital a year and a half later in a wrongful death case that includes claims of medical negligence, violation of informed consent and battery. A self-proclaimed medical murder expert, Schara believes the government and medical community have worked together to hasten the deaths of thousands of people, particularly the disabled and elderly. He's spread these views on billboards and a related website, OurAmazingGrace.net, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, a jury will decide if Grace died of COVID-19 pneumonia or if staff failed to abide by her parents last-minute request to change her "do not resuscitate status and allowed her to pass away without making any effort to save her. Jury selection in the case began Monday, June 2, in Outagamie County Circuit Court, with opening statements and testimony expected to begin June 3. The trial is expected to last three weeks. In the familys lawsuit, they say Grace was given precedex, lorazepam and morphine without their knowledge or consent, and that it was this trio of drugs not complications from COVID-19 that caused Graces body to go into respiratory distress. And, the lawsuit claims, it wasnt until Grace was in respiratory distress that the family learned a "do not resuscitate order had been placed on her chart which directs medical staff not to perform any life-saving measures if a patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital argues that injuries or damages sustained by the Schara family may be the result of their own negligence or decision-making, and that Graces condition may have been the result of a pre-existing condition or the result of a natural disease progression beyond the control of the hospital staff. The hospital also argues the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act provided immunity from liability for certain individuals and entities during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to court documents. Ascension spokesperson Victoria Schmidt said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that while the hospital is unable to comment on ongoing legal matters, we have full confidence in the legal proceedings. The case is the first to challenge COVID-19 as the cause of death listed on a death certificate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family and supporters view it as a chance to hold the medical profession responsible for hospital deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Its attracted national and local attention, with some Schara family supporters signing up to travel to the courthouse to watch the trial in shifts. The trial will be live-streamed by Childrens Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now the nation's health secretary. Attorneys for the family believe it is also the first medical battery claim attached to a wrongful death lawsuit to be tried in Wisconsin in the past 50 years. "Battery involves proving intent," said Jerome Hierseman, with Milwaukee-based End, Hierseman & Crain, a medical malpractice firm. "And that is tough to prove." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A wrongful death case can apply to any cause of death, but if that death is due to medical care, there are limitations on who can file such a case and the amount of damages that can be paid out. The battery claim is an attempt to kick the case outside the realm of medical malpractice limitations, Hierseman said. I think it is a legal Hail Mary attempt to keep the case alive, Hierseman said. If the approach is successful, it could set a precedent that bypasses the states medical-malpractice cap for those seeking legal justice when a loved one dies in a medical setting. For us, this case isnt about the money, Scott Schara said. We want to open the door for other families to save patients like Grace. Save our daughter Grace learned to communicate using sign language before she began to talk, and started riding horses as a form of speech-language therapy when she was 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not long after, she spoke her first words, walk on, a phrase shed learned in order to instruct her horse to start walking, her mom, Cindy Schara, said. She turned into a chatterbox, Scott Schara said. Her family says she loved Jesus and was full of faith. She signed her artwork with God is love. Grace referred to her parents as her earthly mom and dad, said Jessica Vander Heiden, her older sister. She had a strong connection with God. She knew this wasnt her forever home, her sister said. Grace tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 1, 2021. The family was supposed to attend a wedding, and Grace had the sniffles. To be on the safe side, they decided to test her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Graces blood-oxygen saturation levels dropped a few days later, a doctor at an Ascension urgent care clinic recommended Grace be taken to St. Elizabeth's emergency department for additional oxygen, according to the complaint. We just wanted to get her extra oxygen and bring her home, Cindy Schara said. In the ER, Grace was given oxygen through her nose or an oxygen mask. Once admitted to the hospital, she was switched to a more intrusive breathing device. Agitated by the noise it made, she pulled at it. According to the complaint, a doctor then placed an order for two sedatives, precedex and lorazepam. According to the complaint, the sounds of various bedside alarms disrupted Graces sleep, and a nurse trained Scott Schara to reset the non-essential ones. But other nurses didnt agree that he should be touching the alarms, and on the morning of Oct. 10, a nurse came into Graces room accompanied by an armed guard and told him he had to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was also told that nurses suspected he had COVID-19, he said, a suspicion confirmed six days later when he was treated for the virus at a Green Bay hospital. He gave Grace a hug and was then escorted from her hospital room and outside to his truck by an armed guard. It was the last time he would be with his daughter while she was alive. At the time, I still trusted the white coats. I thought the hospital was a safe zone, Scott Schara said. Knowing what I know now, I would have never left her alone. I would have taken her with me. When Graces dad was removed from the hospital, she was left without an advocate or a legal power of attorney, meaning any decisions involving her medical care could not be immediately addressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took a call to Graces disability attorney and numerous conversations with hospital attorneys to come to an agreement that allowed Grace to have her sister in her room as her advocate. This is a cardinal Grace Schara drew for her sister, Jessica Vander Heiden, in January 2020, when cardinals started popping into their lives after losing their brother, Travis Schara, to suicide. The morning of Oct. 13, Graces parents had a roughly 45-minute-long phone conversation with her doctor, Dr. Gavin Shokar, now a defendant in the case. According to the complaint, Shokar told them that Grace was doing well that day and overnight. He stated he wanted to get Grace out of bed to watch TV and to place a feeding tube to improve nutrition. Shokar also asked what Scott and Cindys intentions were for Grace if there was a severe decline in her condition. Graces parents stated they did not want Grace intubated, which means forcibly inserting a tube into a patients airways so they can be placed on a ventilator. There is no way a patient can be placed on a ventilator without intubation. Shokar then told Graces parents that chest compressions might not save her life should Grace go into respiratory or cardiac arrest, according to the complaint. The family ended the call believing no change was being made to Graces care plan. But at 10:56 a.m., around the time the call ended, Shokar entered a blanket DNR order" on Graces chart, according to the complaint. An investigative report issued in January 2022 conducted by the state Department of Safety and Professional Services found that Shokar "understood he received clear consent from the family to place the patient as a DNR." Graces parents maintain they did not discuss with any doctor or consent to a "do not resuscitate" order, according to the complaint. Over the next seven hours, a nurse gave Grace three doses of Ativan and a dose of morphine, according to the complaint. Less than an hour later after Grace received the morphine, Vander Heiden, Graces older sister, was sitting next to her hospital bed when she felt Grace's temperature dropping. She asked a nurse to check on Grace. The nurse said the temperature drop was normal and told Vander Heiden to cover Grace with a blanket, the complaint says. About a half-hour later, Vander Heiden saw on the monitors that Graces heart rate was dropping and her breathing was slowing. She made a FaceTime call to their parents, then ran toward the nurses station. We were all begging, screaming, pleading for someone to help save her, Vander Heiden told the Journal Sentinel. Staff responded that Grace was coded do not resuscitate, the complaint says. According to the complaint, Graces parents were screaming, Shes not DNR, save our daughter. Not one nurse moved," Vander Heiden said. "They just stayed stationary. In its response to the familys lawsuit, Ascension said it denies these allegations. A patients code status is never a static thing," said Kerri Kliminski, dean of the Madison Area Technical Colleges School of Nursing. It can be changed by the patient or the patients powers of attorney, if they are unable to advocate for themselves, at any time," Kliminski said. John Van Cleave, an extracorporeal life support expert who specializes in respiratory care for children, reviewed the civil complaint, which cites Graces medical records, and a doctors deposition. He said that if hospital staff did in fact fail to act when Graces parents, her powers of attorney, were in live communication with them, telling them she was not a DNR and to save our daughter, this could be the hospitals downfall in court. There is no excuse for not acting. You cant say, No, sorry, you already picked. Shes a DNR,' Van Cleave said. Grace died around 7:30 p.m., roughly eight and a half hours after the do not resuscitate order was entered on her medical chart. A case with national attention Grace Schara's father, Scott Schara; older sister Jessica Vander Heiden, center; and mother, Cindy Schara, right, hold a photo of Grace Schara on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Scott Schara said his views of the medical profession have changed "one hundred and eighty" degrees since Graces death. Prior to Graces death, he said he was like the rest of the population. He bought into President Donald Trumps views on COVID-19. He believed ventilators, for example, were just one tool in the toolbox to fight the virus, or as he refers to COVID-19, the poison. He now refers to the pandemic as the plandemic, a way to cull the population, although he admits he doesnt know who planned the event that left millions dead worldwide. The government and the health care system, he told the Journal Sentinel, believe there are too many non-contributing members of society, the elderly, the disabled, who do not deserve medical care. He said the standards of care condition-specific treatment plans established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and followed by most U.S. hospitals are not designed to save lives, but to "hasten death." He filed his lawsuit April 11, 2023. Beyond seeking damages, the lawsuit seeks to change the cause of death on Graces death certificate from acute respiratory failure with hypoxia as a result of COVID-19 pneumonia to drug overdose from precedex, lorazepam, morphine as a result of an illegal do not resuscitate order. The suit also seeks a declaratory judgment from the court stating the do not resuscitate order in question and non-consensual injection of certain drugs into Graces body was in violation of the hospitals policies and procedures. Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Mark McGinnis rejected the hospitals motion to dismiss the case in 2023, allowing the trial to move forward. More than 5,000 people have signed up for a newsletter to be kept up to speed on the case, according to Schara's website. A vast repository of his beliefs about medical murder, the site also sells T-shirts and sweatshirts with phrases like Grace Wins as well as more pointed slogans like unvaccinated lives matter. In an effort fill the court for Grace, the site contains a sign-up sheet for people to take shifts. As of June 2, more than 50 people per day have signed up to attend the trial Tuesday through Thursday. The site has slots for 150 per day. Attendees are warned to follow court-ordered guidelines that no cameras, cellphones, computers or recording devices are allowed in the courtroom. The judge does not want the public to try to influence the jury. NO shirts, clothing or accessories that promote our side of the case, the sign-up page reads. We encourage you to bring signs, but do not bring them into the courthouse. We want to be above reproach in our manners. The courtroom seats roughly 30 individuals. The hearing will be livestreamed into an overflow room for the public and the media, where cameras, cellphones, computers and recording devices will be allowed. The family has stated they will not be doing interviews with the media until the trials conclusion. In earlier interviews, Schara said he fully expects his conspiracy theories will be used to sway the jury. All of my theories were developed after Grace died. They are not relevant to her experience in the hospital, he said. If they make me look crazy, it takes the focus off the facts of the case. Jessica Van Egeren is a health care reporter and assistant breaking news editor with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at jvanegeren@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Grace Schara's death at Ascension in Wisconsin could be landmark case CHICAGO (WGN) Chicago police are searching for a 16-year-old girl who the department says has been missing for more than a week. Family members last saw Laylanie Bronge on Sunday, May 25 in the citys Chicago Lawn neighborhood. Police did not provide a last known address, however. Laylanie is 4 feet 10 inches, weighs 100 pounds, and has blue eyes and black hair. It is unknown what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance. Laylanie Bronge (Photo courtesy of Chicago Police Department) LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on Laylanies whereabouts should call Area One Detectives SVU office at (312) 747-8380 or dial 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. DENVER (KDVR) Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are reminding the public about the dangers of moose after three attacks since May 30, including one attack that led to a cow mooses death. The first attack involved two women walking four off-leash dogs along Fourmile Creek Road in Fairplay, which is in Park County, on Friday, May 30. CPW said the cow moose charged and trampled the women multiple times, and the women climbed onto a nearby roof to escape. A neighbor used a fire extinguisher to haze the moose away. Residents asked to close doors, windows after bear sighting in Aurora neighborhood Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither woman received medical treatment from the incident, and CPW officials said they found two cow moose in the area and were unable to determine which one was involved in the attack. Second attack leads to cow moose, calf deaths On May 31, a couple was returning home from walking their dog near Columbine Lake in Grand Lake when they were reportedly charged by a cow moose. The dog was off-leash, CPW reported. The woman in the couple was knocked to the ground and managed to crawl under a small storage area next to their house. However, CPW reported that the moose continued to charge and attempt to stomp her, showing no signs of leaving. The womans boyfriend shot and killed the moose due to the continued aggression. The woman, who had injuries to her face, shoulder and arms, was treated on scene. Officers did not cite the man for shooting the moose, determining the moose was shot in self-defense while actively posing a threat to human health and safety. However, the agency did search for the cow mooses calf, which was bedded out of sight of the victims. CPW humanely euthanized the orphaned calf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to euthanize the calf was not easy to make, said Hot Sulphur Springs Area Wildlife Manager Jeromy Huntington in CPWs announcement of the moose attacks. While rehabilitation can be successful in some cases, its not a guaranteed solution. In the case of this moose calf, taking it to a rehab at such a young age would not be in the best interest of the animals long-term survival in the wild. CPW said its wildlife regulations primarily reserve rehabilitation facilities for wildlife that could return to the wild, and no wildlife may be held for more than one year. At this age, the only thing this moose will know is human interaction for survival. If rehabilitation in a facility is successful, we believe the moose would already be habituated to humans which can lead to increased potential of threat to human health and safety, said Huntington in the announcement. Colorado Parks and Wildlife kills grey wolf in Pitkin County after attacks on livestock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last moose attack occurred Sunday evening. A woman walking her two leashed dogs at River Creek Park in Steamboat Springs was attacked by a cow moose. CPW said a man paddleboarding found her on the ground near the river. While helping her toward the parking lot, the moose returned and kicked him. EMS transported the woman to a hospital with serious injuries, and then she was flown to a facility on the Front Range. The man was evaluated and released at the scene. CPW said it saw a cow moose and two calves in the same area and believed the cow was protecting her young. Living in moose country: Safety information CPW is warning the public to be alert while recreating outdoors during calving season, which is ongoing through early summer. The agency said the recent attacks highlight the animals innate aggression toward dogs, and said hikers need to be aware, especially near water with thick vegetation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cow moose will hide their calves from predators but stay nearby, and will be aggressive toward any perceived threats to their young. Turn around or leave an area if a calf is spotted, CPW said. If a moose begins to charge, get behind objects like trees or boulders to put obstacles in its path. Respect posted signs warning of aggressive moose behavior or calf activity on trails. Choose a trail with good visibility and make noise when recreating through thick vegetation. Dog dies after moose encounter near Woodland Park The agency said that most moose conflicts involve dogs, and owners should keep their dogs on leash to avoid startling moose near trails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To protect the public and wildlife, CPW and the city of Steamboat Springs have closed River Creek Park through Wednesday, June 4. CPW officers will be assessing the area over the next 48 hours. CPW said that since 2019, it has responded to 22 injuries from moose attacks. Any moose conflicts should be reported to a local CPW 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 FOX31 Denver. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) On Monday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) brought awareness to potentially aggressive cow moose following three recent attacks in Park, Grand and Routt counties. These attacks took place over the past weekend and highlighted heightened moose aggression during calf season. The Three Recent Attacks On Friday, May 30, along Fourmile Creek Road in Fairplay, two women walking four dogs off-leash encountered a cow moose. The moose charged and trampled the women multiple times until they were able to climb onto a nearby roof. A bystander drove the moose away using a fire extinguisher. Neither woman sought medical treatment and no further action was taken as CPW was unable to identify the moose involved in the attack. On Saturday, May 31, near Colubine Lake in Grand Lake, a couple walking their leashed dog were charged by a cow moose. The woman was knocked to the ground and the moose continued to pursue and charge at her; after she had crawled under a small storage shed, the man shot and killed the moose as it showed no signs of leaving or lessened aggression. The man was not cited as CPW determined the shot was in self-defense. The womans injuries were treated on the scene. After CPW located the mooses calf, it was humanely euthanized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to euthanize the calf was not easy to make, Hot Sulphur Springs Area Wildlife Manager Jeromy Huntington said, While rehabilitation can be successful in some cases, its not a guaranteed solution. In the case of this moose calf, taking it to a rehab at such a young age would not be in the best interest of the animals long-term survival in the wild. On Sunday, June 1, at River Creek Park in Steamboat Springs, a woman walking her two leashed dogs was attacked by a cow moose. A male passerby found the woman on the ground near the river. While he was helping the victim to the parking lot, the moose returned and attacked him. The woman was flown to a Front Range facility with serious injuries. The man was evaluated at the scene and released. The City of Steamboat Springs implemented a closure at River Creek Park through Wednesday while CPW officers assess the area for public and wildlife safety. Moose Encounter Safety Tips During calving season, which takes place in the late spring to early summer, moose can become more aggressive towards perceived threats, such as dogs or people. CPW has released these tips to the public if they are in a moose habitat: Be aware in areas near water with thick vegetation, as moose are most often found in these areas and can be difficult to see. Individuals should choose a trail with clear visibility and make noise when walking through areas with thick vegetation. Be aware of and respect posted warning signs of aggressive moose behavior or activity on trails. Avoid walking dogs off-leash near riparian or willow habitats. Individuals should turn around or leave the area if they spot a moose calf. If charged by a moose, an individual should get behind a large object like a tree or boulder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the commonality with moose encounters, conflicts with moose are low. CPW has responded to 22 injuries from moose attacks since 2019; however, CPW warns the public that conflict can occur even when people follow the best practices. Any moose conflicts should be reported to a local CPW 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) Crews from Ithaca responded to a fire that broke out inside an apartment building on Sunday evening, as reported in a release from the City of Ithaca. On Sunday, June 1, around 5:30 p.m., crews from the Ithaca Fire Department (IFD) were called to a fire in the stairwell at a twelve-story apartment building, located at 118 East Green Street, for the report of a smoke detector going off in the east stairwell. The release stated that crews worked for multiple hours before getting the flames under control, but toxic gas and smoke filled the whole building, requiring them to check that the vent system had no debris from the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews respond to barn fire on Jerusalem Hill Crews from IFD, along with members from the Ithaca Police Department (IPD), helped evacuate the people living in the apartments, the release explained. Some people were treated by area EMS for smoke inhalation on scene, the release said, while others were taken to the hospital for treatment. People were relocated for a short period of time while crews worked to clear dangerous smoke and gas from the building. Once the fire was put out and conditions were deemed safe, the release explained, people were able to go back inside a little after 10 p.m., with crews remaining on the scene for a short while after to make sure the situation was under control. According to IPD, the incident is under investigation and considered suspicious. Anyone with information regarding the situation is asked to call the IPD tip-line at (607)-330-0000. 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. ABUJA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from devastating floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Nigeria's north-central Niger State last week has risen to about 200, the government said Tuesday. A statement by the state government quoted Yakubu Garba, the deputy governor of Niger, as saying more bodies had been recovered in the Mokwa area where the disaster occurred. "The dead that have been seen are close to 200 now," Garba said while receiving sympathizers in his office on Monday. "The displaced persons are more than 3,000." About 1,000 are yet to be accounted for, he said, noting that some roads were washed away and bridges collapsed. Last Wednesday night, heavy downpours wreaked havoc across Mokwa, submerging and sweeping away residential homes, some with occupants still inside, local authorities said earlier. Ibrahim Hussaini, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, told Xinhua over the weekend that over 503 households were affected by the disaster, adding the search for more bodies continued, with local divers and volunteers assisting with the rescue operation. The National Emergency Management Agency said Tuesday that it had intensified efforts to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding nationwide, urging all levels of government to invest in drainage systems, dams, and flood-resilient infrastructure in riverine areas. Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, has strongly advised Russian citizens who are illegally present in temporarily occupied Crimea to leave the peninsula without delay. Source: Chubarov on Telegram Quote: "I am recording this message in Russian on purpose so that it is clear to the citizens of Russia who are illegally present in occupied Crimea. This concerns those who settled in Crimea from 27 February 2014 to the present day. It also concerns those currently in occupied Crimea, so to speak, on holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you are already beginning to realise, the illegally built Kerch Bridge that connects occupied Crimea to the territory of the aggressor country Russia will soon be destroyed. And you may find yourselves trapped in a kind of pocket. That is why I strongly recommend you urgently leave the peninsula and go back home to Russia, to the places from which you illegally arrived in occupied Crimea." Details: Chubarov stated his message is not motivated by a desire to protect Russians from the real danger they have willingly exposed themselves to. Quote: "No, the reasons are more prosaic, related to preparations for the liberation of Crimea. If you remain in Crimea by then, Russian generals will inevitably use you as human shields to save their own lives. Believe me, it would not be the first time they have done so. So, citizens of Russia who are illegally in occupied Crimea, do not postpone your departure until tomorrow. You simply might not make it in time." Background: On the morning of 3 June, Ukraines Security Service (SSU) carried out a special operation that had been in preparation for several months, striking the Crimean Bridge for the third time this time from underwater. The SSU reported that the explosives with a power of 1,100 kg in TNT equivalent caused significant structural damage at the seabed level. As a result of the explosion, the bridge is now in a critical condition. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Miles Taylor, who in 2020 revealed himself as the author of the explosive anonymous NYT column that described a resistance group within the Trump Administration. Credit - Bill O'LearyThe Washington Post/Getty Images Several weeks agoin an unprecedented move in U.S. historyPresident Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum directing a federal review of a private citizen for criticizing him. That person was me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, while working as a the Chief of Staff for the Department of Homeland Security, I called on my colleagues to preserve our democratic institutions. Now, I am calling on federal watchdogs to take action. This week my legal team submitted a formal complaint to the Inspectors General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). We are asking them to investigate whether federal officials are carrying out what we argue is an unconstitutional order that targets a citizen not for a crime but for dissent. I served in the first Trump Administration and sounded the alarm about the abuses of power I saw firsthand, first by blowing the whistle anonymously and then publicly. I warned that if Trump returned to power, he would use the presidency to punish his critics. This warning was not rhetorical. I said it would be a revenge machine against individuals and institutions alike. Since then, the Trump White House has been busy proving my point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The President issued his order on April 9 suspending my security clearance and instructing DHS to conduct an investigation of my time in government. As he did, he suggested that I was guilty of treasona crime punishable by deathand that the Attorney General should likewise investigate. Trump teased years ago that he would punish me for speaking out, and now back in office, he has followed through on the threat, indifferent to First Amendment protections. But this is much bigger than me. This is about whether we will allow the Presidentany president, of any political partyto criminalize criticism. Thats why this Inspector General complaint matters. Inspectors General are supposed to be the immune system of American democracy. They exist inside our federal agencies to investigate misconduct and prevent the abuse of government authority. They are not prosecutors, and they do not issue verdicts. But they shine a light in the dark, especially when public officials try to exploit their offices to advance political ends. Now is the time for them to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump appointees have been directed to use their powers to investigate me, my former colleague Chris Krebs, and our associates. The consequences have already been very real. Ive been forced to step away from my job because the blacklisting makes it impossible for me to carry out my work. My family faces the prospect of financial ruin because of legal costs, so weve had to set up a legal defense fund. Threats have rolled in against us, including from stalkers who have harassed and doxxed us. Friends have distanced themselves for fear of retribution. A top DHS official was even fired after photos were circulated showing that in 2019 he attended my wedding. And the Justice Department has used the Presidents order against me to justify the removal of protections for journalists, making it easier for authorities to get search warrants against news outlets. But the real harm will come if Trumps lieutenants are allowed to carry forward with these revenge investigations, unimpeded. Indeed, it will create a precedent for this White House or any future president to investigate anyone they please. Thats why the Inspectors General must rise to this occasion. DHS and DOJ watchdogs have a responsibility to investigate whether their departments are being misused to punish dissent, whether federal employees are violating constitutional rights, and whether this abuse of power is the beginning of something much worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are in a moment that will test democracy for the ages. Will the system be able to protect Americans from political retaliation? Or have the guardrails corroded so badly that anyone now faces the prospect of the Presidents pen becoming a sword? This isnt theoretical anymore. Its happeningright here in America. And only a handful of institutions remain to stop it. Contact us at letters@time.com. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly facing cross-examination for the first time in his corruption trial on Tuesday. The questioning is being conducted by representatives of the prosecution, according to the Israeli news site ynet. Reports say it began in the morning. Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 said the 75-year-old must answer all questions posed during the cross-examination and is not allowed to consult with his lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aim is to uncover contradictions and inconsistencies in Netanyahu's statements and to examine the credibility of his account. The Israeli head of government has already had to testify repeatedly in court as a witness in his own case over several months. The trial against him has been going on for more than five years. Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and bribery, concerning the granting favours to the telecommunications giant Bezeq while he was communications minister. He is also alleged to have accepted luxury gifts from billionaire friends. Netanyahu has always denied the allegations and said he had been the victim of a "witch hunt." This is the first time that a sitting prime minister has been brought to trial in Israel. The trial could last several years. (NEXSTAR) A cruise passenger attempting to disembark at a port in Sicily fell into the Ionian Sea on Friday after the ship separated from the pier during strong winds, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed. The passenger, who was on the gangway when the incident occurred, was not seriously injured. Florida port workers accused of stealing thousands worth of cruise terminal artwork On duty crew members were able to immediately assist the guest from the water and see that they were evaluated by the medical team, the spokesperson said. It was determined that they sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for further examination and treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Norwegian Epic had departed from Civitavecchia, near Rome, on May 24 with planned stops at ports in Greece, Malta, Sicily, the western coast of Italy and France before returning to Civitavecchia on June 3. But after the incident, which occurred while docked in Catania, Sicily, passengers were delayed from disembarking and reembarking until weather conditions improved, a spokesperson said. Video shared to social media also appears to show two moorings coming loose during the gusty weather, violently striking the back of the ship. A spokesperson for the cruise line was unable to comment on the video. NCLs spokesperson did not provide any additional statement on the passenger, nor whether they continued with the voyage after the incident. As always the safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Norwegian Epic was en route from Cannes, France, to Civitavecchia 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 WFLA. A passenger on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship was thrown overboard as the boat departed the pier amidst severe weather conditions, U.S.A. Today reported. According to a statement from Norwegian Cruise Line, the incident occurred on May 30 while the vessel was docked in Catania, Italy. The passenger was in the process of disembarking the ship when strong wind gusts caused them to fall over, tumbling off the gangway and into the water below. Related: College Athlete, Son of NFL Hall of Famer, Dead at 20 On duty crew members were able to immediately assist the guest from the water and see that they were evaluated by the medical team, the statement explained. It was determined that they sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for further examination and treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cruise line was able to pause the disembarkation and rescue the passenger from the water before continuing on with the scheduled journey when the wind died down and the ship was able to safely dock again. During this interruption, our crew were actively attending to our guests until they were able to re-embark the ship, the statement continued. As always, the safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. Related: Marc Maron's 3-Word Response to Ending His 'WTF' Podcast Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist for AccuWeather, told the outlet that wind gusts in the region were up to 45 miles per hour on Friday afternoon. Gusts like this are not usual as we move into the summer months, but are more common during the winter season, Roys said. Norwegian Cruise Line did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mens Journal. Related: Here Are All of the Deals Krispy Kreme Is Running in June Cruise Passenger Thrown Overboard, Injured Amidst Extreme Weather first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 Once a hub for neighborhood kids, the now vacant Robandee Shopping Center on Bannister Road in Kansas City, which years ago fell into disrepair, burned down Sunday night. And as officials work to determine what caused the blaze, area residents are reminiscing. The commercial strip mall, located in the 8300 block of E. Bannister, broke out in flames during the evening hours of June 1, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins, spokesman for the Kansas City Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas City firefighters were on site by 9:30 p.m., working to put out the heavy fire. The fire was successfully extinguished and no injuries were reported, according to Hopkins. Fire damage caused to Robandee Shopping Center. A staple of the neighborhood The shopping center had been a Kansas City fixture for years, since the 70s, said local resident Billy Grant. The center was the hangout spot for her and the other neighborhood kids, she said. The shopping center had been a staple of the neighborhood, said Grant. As a teen, Grant worked at the supermarket that used to be in the strip, she said. The shopping center had long since been in disrepair, she added. Its been crumbling, she said. Robandee Shopping Center fallen into disrepair. Grant and other area residents have heard a lot of speculation about the cause of the fire, she said. She suspects it may have been caused by homeless individuals or vandals, but doesnt yet know if thats the case. The vacant property has been vandalized before, she said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by KCFD, which issued a dangerous building order. UPDATE: MONDAY 6/2/2025 8:41 p.m. (COLORADO SPRINGS) According to an update from the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), the driver of the car that crashed through the wall of an 8th Street business was cited for careless driving. According to CSPD, officers responded shortly before 3:30 p.m. to the 1500 block of South 8th Street, after a driver who was attempting to pull into a parking spot drove up over the curb, through an exterior wall of the business, and then came to rest inside the business. CSPD said the driver and one person inside the building sustained minor injuries. CSFD and Colorado Springs Utilities responded and determined the building was structurally sound and no utility lines were compromised. The car was removed and the business closed for the afternoon, CSPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the car was cited for careless driving. Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department MONDAY 6/2/2025 4:54 p.m. The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) responded to a car that crashed into the lobby of a business on the lower west side of the city on Monday, June 2. According to CSFD, crews responded to a business in the 1500 block of South 8th Street on Monday afternoon after a car reportedly crashed through a wall and into the lobby of a business. CSFD said the building was evacuated and only one person suffered minor injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A man was charged with reckless driving on Monday when state police allegedly clocked him going more than 100 mph on Interstate 84 in Willington because he was late for work. The trooper was conducting traffic enforcement shortly before 10 a.m. on I-84 West near Exit 71 when the driver of a Honda sedan was seen going at what appeared to be well above the 65 mph speed limit, according to Connecticut State Police. The trooper used a laser speed detector and allegedly found the motorist was going 107 mph, state police said. The trooper then pulled onto the highway to catch up to the driver, who had to slow down because of traffic. The driver was then stopped by police in the area of Exit 70. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police said the driver was identified as 27-year-old Jordan Chung of Bloomfield. According to state police, Chung attributed his fast speed to being late for work. He was arrested and charged with reckless driving of more than 85 mph. Chung was later released on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on June 17. A man convicted multiple times of possessing child sexual abuse materials faces federal charges after parole officers and state troopers searched his home in 2024 and allegedly found more than 2,000 files involving child exploitation. Nicholas Burnham, 33, of East Hartford appeared last Friday in federal court in Hartford to answer to charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut. The charges, which stem from a federal criminal complaint, carry a combined minimum of 25 years in prison and a maximum of 60 years behind bars, federal officials said. The potential penalties are enhanced based on his prior history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, Burnham was convicted in state court on one count of second-degree possession of child pornography, officials said. His probation in that case was terminated in 2018 after he was convicted of first-degree possession of child pornography, according to federal officials. In 2023, Burnham began serving a term of special parole. On Dec. 17, 2024, parole officers and Connecticut State Police went to Burnhams residence, suspecting that he was using an unauthorized electronic device, officials said. During the search, three cellphones were seized. A forensic analysis of the phones later found that they allegedly contained more than 2,000 images and videos depicting child sex abuse, federal officials said. Burnham allegedly used Telegram and other encrypted messaging applications to trade child sex abuse material with others, and also allegedly accessed numerous webpages to view and download child sex abuse material, federal officials said. Burnham has been detained in state custody since the search. SANAA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi movement said on Tuesday it launched a "hypersonic ballistic missile" targeting Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, claiming the attack disrupted airport operations and sent "millions of Israelis" to shelters. "The operation achieved its goal," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement broadcast by the group's al-Masirah TV. He vowed further attacks unless what he called "Israeli aggression" ends and the blockade on Gaza is lifted. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have launched a series of long-range attacks toward Israel since November 2023 in a show of solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza war. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said air raid sirens were activated across parts of central and northern Israel following the launch from Yemen, but said the missile was successfully intercepted. Israel's national emergency service, Magen David Adom, said there were no immediate reports of casualties. Flights at Ben Gurion International Airport were temporarily suspended during the alert, with landings and takeoffs briefly halted, according to airport authorities. Connecticuts annual mosquito management program began on Monday to monitor the insects for the presence of viruses that can cause illness in people, including West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus, officials said. The mosquito trapping and testing program, conducted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, lasts until the end of October, according to officials. This years testing comes amid an increase in an invasive mosquito that is known for its voracious appetite and rapid spread that has alarmed state entomologists. Among mosquito-borne diseases in the region, West Nile virus occurs every summer in the Northeast, and has become the main cause of mosquito-borne illness in the state, officials said. It was first introduced into the New York City area in 1999. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, West Nile virus was detected in 309 mosquito samples from 44 towns in seven counties in Connecticut, officials said. The majority of West Nile virus activity occurred in urban and suburban regions in Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven counties. Thirteen human cases of West Nile virus-associated illness were reported last year from July 30 to Sept. 15. EEE virus is more rare than West Nile virus but can cause serious illness in people, with four to eight cases reported in a typical year in the U.S. The last major outbreak in the U.S. occurred in 2019, when the number of confirmed human cases rose to 38, with four cases and three fatalities in Connecticut, officials said. The virus was detected from 72 mosquito samples from 16 towns in Fairfield, Middlesex, New London, and Windham counties during 2024. Veterinary cases of EEE were reported from one horse, a white-tailed deer and two wild birds, according to officials. There were no human cases reported in Connecticut, but cases were reported from nearby states including all of the states in New England, as well as New York and New Jersey. While other mosquito-borne illnesses like Dengue fever and Zika virus can spread in Connecticut, they have not been locally transmitted yet in the state, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mosquito season has begun, said Dr. Philip Armstrong, chief scientist at CAES. We will be trapping and testing mosquitoes from 108 locations throughout Connecticut to monitor the risk of mosquito-borne disease. Typically, West Nile virus activity peaks from July-September with highest levels of activity in urban and suburban communities in the state. Seasonal transmission of EEE virus, in contrast, occurs more sporadically with focal areas located in rural areas of eastern 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, he added. The CAES has a network of 108 mosquito-trapping stations in 88 municipalities throughout the state. Mosquito traps are set Monday through Thursday at each site every 10 days on a rotating basis and then at least once a week after detection of a virus, officials said. Mosquitoes are grouped for testing according to species, collection site and date, officials with CAES said. To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, officials recommend: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minimizing time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. When it is necessary to be outdoors, use mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA registration of skin-applied repellent products indicates that they have been evaluated and approved for human safety and effectiveness when applied according to instructions on the label. Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored and loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin. Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks. Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair. When sleeping outdoors, use tents or mosquito netting in an unscreened structure. Treat camping gear with permethrin when possible. Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito nets when outside. For information on West Nile virus and EEE, what can be done to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, the latest mosquito test results and human infections, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website at portal.ct.gov/mosquito. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com. NEW YORK Andrew Cuomo, frontrunner in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, will release a positive campaign ad Tuesday that seeks to reintroduce him to voters a contrast to some of the doom-and-gloom messaging of his candidacy. Rise, the third ad of his campaign and the first in which he speaks directly to the camera, is a six-figure buy across streaming television and digital platforms. It comes three weeks from primary day, in a tightening race in which his rivals are clamoring to define the three-term governor who resigned in disgrace four years ago by his controversies and scandals. New York City has an affordability crisis, but we will rise, Cuomo says in the 30-second spot, standing in his shirtsleeves on a Brooklyn street corner. The candidate promises to push for a higher minimum wage, as he did as governor, and build 500,000 affordable homes, referencing his tenure as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the campaign ad, set against uplifting music, Cuomo also references building bridges, train stations and airports as governor and his leadership during Covid. Because theres a simple solution to a crisis: you act, Cuomo says in the ad. So lets rise together. His management of the pandemic lifted his profile nationally, but is also the source of a criminal referral from congressional Republicans to the Department of Justice. The DOJ is now reportedly investigating Cuomo, though he said Sunday he has yet to receive a subpoena. The former governors critics have said he was part of the problems he now pledges to fix as a candidate. Cuomo has been accused of misrepresenting his advocacy on raising the minimum wage as well as his management of the Covid pandemic that claimed thousands of New Yorkers lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo, who still leads in the polls but was separated from Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani by just 9 points in a recent Emerson College survey, has also released ads about President Donald Trump targeting him and his governance during the pandemic, called Crisis. He spoke directly into the camera in his unusually long campaign launch video, during which he painted a bleak portrait of the city over the course of more than 17 minutes. NEW YORK Andrew Cuomo hasnt won the New York City mayors race yet, but hes already planning a national campaign to take on President Donald Trump whose Department of Justice is reportedly investigating him. In a wide-ranging interview with POLITICO last week, the New York City mayoral frontrunner said he plans to campaign against Trumps proposed Medicaid cuts to help Democrats in swing House districts across the country a political strategy he says could help his party retake the House. Cuomo pointed to the tactic when asked how hed handle working with the president while potentially under criminal investigation. I would spend eight years in Washington go to that U.S. Conference of Mayors, go to the National Governors Association, he said. Hes cutting Medicaid. Medicaid is not a blue-city, blue-state situation. That is in every state. That is a lot of red Congressional districts. And he could lose the House on cutting Medicaid if you organized it and got it moving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre going to have to be a spokesperson, advocate, organizer, he added. This is what Medicaid means in Mississippi, this is what Medicaid means in Texas. And you organize that, they dont have a lot of Congressional seats left to lose. He was answering a question about what leverage he would have as a New York City mayor a position that relies heavily on the federal government for funding in dealing with a presidential administration that is reportedly probing him in what he described as a laughable investigation. The Department of Justice probe into Cuomo, reported by the New York Times two weeks ago, followed a criminal referral from House Republicans that alleged Cuomo lied during testimony to Congress about his gubernatorial administrations report on nursing home deaths during Covid. Cuomos order to require nursing homes to admit Covid-positive patients continues to be a source of controversy. He says he was following federal guidance; critics say he endangered thousands of New Yorkers and subsequently undercounted their deaths. Cuomo has said he did not recall reviewing or revising his administrations report after initially saying he was not involved in it , per Congressional Republicans and reiterated that assertion in the interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My thing is, I dont recall. Theres no incorrect statement in, I dont recall, Cuomo said, calling it purely political nonsense. He told POLITICO he has not been contacted by the Department of Justice and, at a press conference Sunday, said he has yet to receive a subpoena. Cuomo used and critics say abused the powers he was granted as a three-term New York governor. He acknowledged that a mayor has relatively little authority compared to a president making a zero with his fingers to illustrate the imbalance between the two roles. He said he would fill that absence of structural power with political organizing, should the Republican president punish him or the city he seeks to lead. What is Medicaid going to mean in Lawlers district? he said, referring to a New York swing seat held by Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. But what is it going to mean nationally, is the way you really make a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo is leading every poll in the crowded Democratic primary to oust Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for reelection as an independent in November. It was the mayors own dealings with Trump following a federal corruption indictment which a judge tossed at the White Houses behest in a deal several prosecutors called a quid pro quo that further tarnished his reputation and pushed him out of the primary. Shortly after Cuomo jumped into the race in March, he gave a few soft answers on how hed deal with Trump noting their shared Queens roots and suggesting the president understands New York Citys needs. But he has since toughened his rhetoric, likely recognizing New York Democratic voters appetite for a resistance fighter. After news of the DOJ probe broke, he cut an ad portraying himself as a victim of a weaponized justice system. His spokesperson slammed the investigation as lawfare and election interference. In the interview, Cuomo said any Democratic mayor is vulnerable to Trumps attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assume any person who becomes mayor will be investigated. Just assume that. If they oppose Trump, he will investigate them for leverage, he said, calling it the price of admission. He added that he believes hes been targeted because Trump is most afraid of tangling with him. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in response to Cuomos comments about the probe and his national plans, The last time Andrew Cuomo had a say in health care, thousands of New Yorks most vulnerable perished in nursing homes due to Cuomos blatant incompetence and disregard for science. Cuomo is not the white knight that Democrats are looking for to stop Republicans commonsense effort to protect Medicaid by taking illegal immigrants off the program. Following news of the DOJ investigation, Trump told reporters he was surprised. I've known Andrew. We've had an on-off relationship. He was saying the greatest things about me and then the next day he'd hit us. And I did a lot for them, Trump said. But I hope it's going to be okay, I hope it's not going to be serious for him. We'll see what happens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A career politician and government official with a national profile, Cuomo spent four years mostly out of the public eye after he resigned in 2021 following a state attorney generals report that concluded he sexually harassed female staffers. He vehemently denies the findings and has said he regrets leaving office. Winning the mayoralty a position with a large bully pulpit would put him back in the spotlight he craves. He said hes not thinking of a future role beyond being mayor, but sees an opportunity to make a national case for Democrats. Theres a long history of New York City mayors failing to springboard to a national role. Rudy Giuliani, Mike Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio all flamed out in their respective presidential bids. And Adams dashed his own early hopes to be the partys standard bearer the Biden of Brooklyn, as he put it in better days for both of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo, a risk-averse and cautious politician, seems to be similarly eyeing a bigger role. As far as winning City Hall goes, he waved off his rivals criticisms about Trump backers donating to a well-funded super PAC boosting his campaign. I dont even know if theyre Trump donors, he said. Bill Ackman donated to me before there was a Trump. These people I know before Trump. Theyre not Trump donors, theyre Cuomo donors who maybe supported Trump. CLEVELAND (WJW) Cuyahoga County executive Chris Ronayne spoke out after state Senate leaders introduced a new proposal to assist the Cleveland Browns in getting $600 million in state funding to build a dome in Brook Park. When we look at whats being proposed by our state Senate, we see a proposed budget that will benefit billionaires to the expense of everyday working residents of Ohio and this county of Cuyahoga, Ronayne said. The FOX 8 I-Team first learned about the proposal Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate leaders promised that the new plan would mean less risk to taxpayers. As the I-Team previously reported, the Browns have asked for $600 million in bond money to be paid back with profits made from the project. Ohioans can soon buy over twice as much nonmedical marijuana State Democratic senators told the I-Team the Senate Finance Committee is now proposing using money from Ohios unclaimed funds to pay for the dome. Ohios unclaimed funds are described as unclaimed or abandoned money and other assets, which could include a bank account, rent or utility deposit, uncashed check and more. I-X Center one step closer to being repurposed what it would mean for events Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current total of unclaimed funds in Ohio is $4.8 billion, with $528 million received in fiscal year 2024 alone. Dont pick the pocket of hardworking Ohioans for the single purpose of a new stadium in Brook Park, but thats what youve done, state Senate, by proposing an allocation from the unclaimed funds department, Ronayne continued. This is your money, this is your parents money, this might be your grandmothers money, this might be your kids future money. Ronayne urged Governor Mike DeWine to veto those portions of the budget. We urged you to think about restoring some of that $600 million to our libraries, to our schools, to our Medicaid coverage for our citizenry, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also urged Ohioans to check for unclaimed funds on at unclaimedfund s.ohio.gov. The final state budget must be approved by the end of the month. **See the archived blog with updates at the bottom of this page** Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Washington, D.C. will pause the implementation of a measure that is set to eliminate the city's tipped wage system, as the yearslong debate over the law's adverse impacts continues to divide the District's left-leaning lawmakers. The D.C. Council on Tuesday voted 84 to pump the brakes on Initiative 82, the 2022 ballot referendum that mandated employers pay service workers the full minimum wage, as opposed to the traditional lower base pay that employees supplement with gratuities. (Employers were already required to make up the difference if an employee's take-home pay with tips did not equal the minimum wage.) Initiative 82 requires yearly increases to the city's tipped wagewhich was previously $5.35 per houruntil it meets D.C.'s full minimum base payset to increase next month to $17.95 per hourin 2027. July was supposed to see the tipped wage rise from $10 to $12. The Council's vote will delay that increase until October as Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, advocates for overturning the law entirely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This saga has been ongoing. D.C. voters weighed in on the issue in June 2018 when a majority approved Initiative 77, a ballot referendum that also abolished the tipped wage. But the Council countermanded that in October of that same year by a vote of 85, leading to a public outcry from some who said the government was undoing the will of the people. Indeed, the issue has long polarized a city that is dominated by liberal and progressive politics and politicians, some of whom have confronted that good intentions do not equal good outcomes. Restaurants often operate on thin profit margins; many simply cannot afford an explosive increase in labor costs. And a great deal of service workers themselveswho are in an industry that is not exactly known for being conservative politicallyopposed the abolition of the tipped wage, knowing it could lead to a drop-off in job opportunities, hours, take-home pay, and viable restaurants. That was the general message Bowser sought to convey in a press conference last month when she announced her FY26 budget would push to overturn Initiative 82. "DC restaurants are facing a perfect stormfrom increased operating and supply costs, to higher rents, and unique labor challenges," her presentation said. It also cited an April article in The Washington Post that noted food establishments in the District have been "pushed to the brink." That outcome should not have been a surprise. As I wrote in 2018 after Initiative 77 passed: In the wake of Seattle's 2015 minimum wage hike, the University of Washington conducted a study to explore long-term effects. While the policy is still too young to definitively assess the total impact on restaurants, findings suggest that food-service establishments hit a proverbial fork in the road: switch to a counter-service model or make the place an extravagant dining experience. The former all but eliminates tipping, hampering staff opportunity to maximize income. The latter increases prices drastically for the consumer, turning a casual lunch outing into an elitist affair. Somewhat puzzlingly, it also found that a significant portion of restaurant base wages surpassed $19 an hour, whereas positions paying the minimum plunged. That suggests an unfortunate trend: Many restauranteurs appear to be adapting to the higher wage requirements by prioritizing high-skill employees while kicking low-skill workers to the curbthe very people that Initiative 77 purports to help. Meanwhile, over in San Francisco, researchers from Harvard analyzed the dining scene and found that for every additional dollar added to the tipped wage, there was an additional 14 percent chance that a median rated restaurant (3.5 stars on Yelp) would close. Those aren't great odds for mom-n-pop neighborhood staplesparticularly of the hole-in-the-wall varietymany of which are located in the District's low-income areas. Fast-forward to today, and those dire predictions are already becoming reality across D.C., even before the full minimum wage hits restaurants. "We're watching a beloved bar back, a beloved busser, a dishwasher have their jobs taken away," Valerie Graham, a D.C. restaurant worker, told Reason's Justin Zuckerman in his recent documentary about the fight to end the tipped wage. Chef Geoff Tracy, who owns two restaurants in D.C., meanwhile estimated that the law would add $400,000 to his payroll costs each year. There are countless more examples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is understandably jarring for some to wrap their heads around the fact that many workers would prefer a lower minimum wage. It may not pop on a poster or in a chant at a rally. But economic reality is often more complicated than a protest sign can pithily convey. The post D.C. Pauses Plans To Hike Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers appeared first on Reason.com. NEED TO KNOW Captain Marvin Taylor III was a committed father and husband, working overtime to provide for his growing family Tragically, he died hours after his wife gave birth to their fifth child His grieving family is still in "disbelief," Fire Chief James Kubinski tells PEOPLE A Texas fire captain died hours after welcoming his fifth baby and weeks after his death, his grieving family and coworkers are still grappling with their new reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your fifth child comes into the world and, a few hours later, you leave to go check on the other four kids and pick them up to bring them back to meet their new sibling. Fire Chief James Kubinski, who worked with Captain Marvin Taylor III before the fatal accident on Mothers Day, tells PEOPLE. "He never came back," adds Kubinski. Taylor had just left a hospital in Austin after meeting his newborn when he was hit from behind in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 11. It was an intoxicated driver traveling at over a hundred miles per hour, says Kubinski, 49. That driver was immediately detained by police and arrested." City of Killeen The fire captain with his family. The fire captain with his family. Officials told CBS affiliate KWTX that 34-year-old Rodney Bremby was arrested in Taylor's death. A spokesperson for the Travis County Jail confirms to PEOPLE that Bremby arrived on May 11 and was held on a $103,000 bond. He is charged with intoxication manslaughter and was released two days later on a personal recognizance bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson says he will wear an ankle monitor until his court date. It is unclear if Bremby has retained representation. An investigation is ongoing, the Austin Police Department confirms to PEOPLE. The City of Austin Municipal Court did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. In the weeks since Taylors death, his family is still in disbelief, says Kubinski. Now Taylors wife is not only adjusting to a newborn, but she's adjusting to a newborn without her husband," he remarks. 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 fire department in Killeen which consists of 264 sworn civil service personnel and about a dozen administrative staff is also shaken by the sudden loss of one of its longstanding leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor joined the fire department in 2014, and recently started working in the training division 10 months ago. He quickly doubled the pool of new applicants from approximately 150 to 400 in that short period. Kubinski admired his passion and commitment to the job, adding that he couldnt speak any higher of someone in Taylors position. Last fall, as a heavy storm system ravaged parts of Texas, the captain was one of three service members deployed from the Killeen Fire Department. During that deployment, Taylor helped save a stranger from floodwaters, for which he received a Medal of Valor. That was part of the eulogy that was shared by one of his shift mates, says Kubinski. They talked about that incident with so much pride. Rene Fernandez An honor guard stood watch over Captain Taylor's remains before and during the service. An honor guard stood watch over Captain Taylor's remains before and during the service. The captain was the sole provider for his growing family, often taking extra shifts to support his wife and children. The kids, all boys, were named after Catholic saints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of Kubinskis last interactions with Taylor, they talked about the new baby. I said, Which baby is this? Which number is this? He said, 'This is my number five,' recalls Kubinski, who joked that Taylor could have his own engine company. Rene Fernandez The widow was given the American flag that had covered her husband's body. The widow was given the American flag that had covered her husband's body. He laughed, says Kubinski. He was a family man. The fire chief says that navigating the news of Taylors death has been one of the hardest things hes personally experienced, as it has been for many who knew Taylor. Despite their collective pain, the department rallied around Taylors family. Rene Fernandez Servicemen helped carry Taylor's casket. Servicemen helped carry Taylor's casket. A two-person honor guard stood over Taylors remains for 10 days, which was followed by a funeral service at a catholic church in Copperas Cove, a miles-long procession and final honors at the graveside. Separately, a fund that was created in Taylor's memory has raised more than $145,000 as of Tuesday, June 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're still grieving, remarks Kubinski, who says there are still moments when they get teary-eyed when thinking about what the captain would have done or said. "We're still hurting. Read the original article on People TOPEKA (KSNT) Dana Chandler received her sentence Tuesday after a jury found her guilty of killing her estranged husband and his fiance two decades ago. Judge Cheryl Rios in Pottawatomie County delivered Chandlers sentence on June 3. She sentenced Chandler to two life sentences for the deaths of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness without the possibility of parole for 50 years. The sentences are to be served consecutively. In the end, justice was served, said Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay after the sentence was delivered on June 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury delivered a guilty verdict in her double-murder case on March 7 this year for her role in the deaths of Sisco and Harkness in 2002. The couple was found dead in their bed after being shot multiple times. She loved her students tremendously: Topeka teacher killed in Highway 24 crash Chandler was first arrested in 2011 and later convicted in 2012, receiving a life sentence for causing the deaths of Sisco and Harkness. However, the Kansas Supreme Court later overturned the verdict after it was found the prosecutor in the case lied to the jury. Another jury failed to reach a verdict on the case in 2022 during a second trial. Chandler was released on bond in October that year, posting bail for $350,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third trial was scheduled, this time in Pottawatomie County in 2025. Chandler fired her defense lawyers just before this trial began, with her children and other relatives later testifying in the case. Two of Chandlers sisters were involved in a rollover crash during the trial, with one dying as a result of the incident. Chandlers trial entered recess as a result of the deadly crash. Man arrested again in connection to killing 35-year-old Topeka local in 2022 The jury deliberated for only a few hours before giving out its guilty verdict in March. Kagay spoke to the media shortly after the trials end, discussing some of the evidence that was used to reach the verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the possibility of a fourth trial was put forward in March, Chandlers sentencing moved forward. Her court case has garnered national attention with a Dateline episode called Deadly Obsession being posted in April this year. 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. 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. Air quality across the central and eastern United States on Wednesday morning. The air quality was still "unhealthy" to "dangerous" in parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. (AccuWeather/Plume Labs) Air quality reached dangerous levels in part of the Midwest Tuesday morning as thick smoke from wildfires burning in Canada blew across the region, and remained poor as the sun rose on Wednesday morning. Smoke started to appear in the sky over parts of the central and eastern United States in late May, but the intensity of the smoke near the ground reached a new level by daybreak Tuesday in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Residents in Minneapolis could smell smoke in the air, and visibility was reduced to less than 3 miles for a time on Tuesday. The air quality index (AQI) reached 288, a "dangerous" level at which even healthy individuals can start to experience immediate effects on their breathing and health when outside. By Wednesday morning, the AQI had dropped to 117, but was still bad enough for people to feel health effects from the smoke while outside. St. Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday, June 3, when there was thick wildfire smoke over the city, compared to Tuesday, May 27. (EarthCam) Images from an EarthCam in St. Paul showed the dramatic difference between the smoky start to Tuesday compared to last week when little to no smoke was in the sky. The scenes are similar to the Northeast during 2023 when smoke from Canadian wildfires shrouded skylines across the Northeast, including in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is good news for people in the Midwest awaiting relief from the poor air quality. "The prolonged stretch of a smoke-filled sky and poor air quality across portions of the Upper Midwest will finally come to an end heading into midweek courtesy of a cold front sweeping the smoke eastward," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. "Residents across Minnesota and Wisconsin who have seen the smoke, haze, and poor air quality will be able to breathe more easily by Wednesday; however, this may not be a prolonged stretch of smoke-free air, as waves of additional Canadian wildfire smoke could return by Friday and Saturday across the region," Buckingham added. A Danville man died as a result of a motor vehicle accident Wednesday, May 28, around 12:10 p.m. Danville Police responded to a report of a vehicle versus motorcycle traffic crash in the area of South Gilbert Street and Bluff Street (State Route 1). Upon arrival, officers located 46-year-old Robert J. Wilson with severe injuries after striking a Honda CRV, DPD Deputy Chief Joshua Webb said. Medical Personal arrived to render aid and the victim was transported to OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. DPD officers immediately began investigating the scene and were later assisted by the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Team and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Officers learned an 80-year-old Danville woman was traveling southbound driving the Honda CRV on Gilbert Street when she attempted to make a left hand turn onto Bluff Street, Webb said. The victim was driving his motorcycle north bound on Gilbert Street when the Honda CRV turned in front of him and he struck the vehicle. The driver of the Honda CRV remained on scene and was uninjured. After investigation of the incident, the driver of the Honda CRV was issued a traffic citation for failure to yield right of way. UNITED NATIONS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A UN spokesman on Tuesday condemned an attack that killed five UN aid convoy workers in Sudan. "We condemn in the strongest terms this horrendous act of violence against humanitarian personnel who literally put their lives at risk attempting to reach vulnerable children and families in the famine-impacted areas," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Dujarric said several others were injured in the attack Monday night on a convoy of more than 30 vehicles, including 15 World Food Programme (WFP)-UNICEF trucks carrying food and nutrition supplies. The spokesman said they were parked on the side of the road waiting for clearances at the end of the journey from Port Sudan in the country's northeast to El Fasher in the southwest. They were just 80 km from El Fasher, the embattled North Darfur State capital. "The agencies were negotiating access to complete the journey to El Fasher when it was attacked," he said. "The route was shared in advance, and parties on the ground were notified and aware of the location of the trucks. Multiple trucks were burned in the attack, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged. It is devastating the supplies have not reached the civilians in need." The spokesman said it was the first UN humanitarian convoy that was going to make it to El Fasher in over a year. It was believed the aerial attack was carried out by drones. "We call for safe, secure operating conditions and for international humanitarian law to be respected by all parties, not just in Sudan, but in all conflict-impacted countries," Dujarric said. "Under international humanitarian law, aid convoys must be protected, and parties have the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need." VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) A Danville man pleaded guilty to armed robbery and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. On May 22, 22-year-old Jalen Coe was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the class X felony and the class 4 felony. Danville man sentenced to 12 years for shooting at family gathering According to evidence presented in court, on Jan. 2, 2024, officers with the Danville Police Department stopped a car on East Robinson Street. The Vermilion County States Attorneys Office said after police stopped the car, a victim got out and the suspect moved into the drivers seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, later identified as Coe, fled from police but eventually crashed the car and ran away. Police searched the vehicle and found a machine gun on the passenger side. Police interviewed the victim, and said that after a text exchange, he brought money and cannabis to a home on Robinson Street. When the victim arrived, Coe appeared from another room with a gun. Coe threatened the victim, robbed him, forced him into a vehicle, and then forced him to drive to an ATM for more money. Eventually, the victim called 911, left the line open, and police arrived. Danville man sentenced 8 years for intent to deliver meth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three years before the armed robbery even took place, police said they responded to reports of shots fired that they later connected to Coe. According to evidence presented in court, on Oct. 21, 2021, Danville Police responded to the area of Fowler Street and found two individuals who matched the description of the suspects. One of the suspects, later identified as Coe, fled as police attempted to pat him down. He was later found, along with a loaded handgun nearby. Illinois State Police tested the gun and confirmed Coe had possessed the firearm. After Coe is released from prison, he will serve 18 months of supervised release. This sentence sends a clear message that violent crime results in serious consequences. I commend the Danville Police Department for bringing this repeat offender to justice and for protecting the good People of Vermilion County from armed violence, States Attorney Jacqueline Lacy 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 WCIA.com. VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) A 23-year-old Danville man will be spending the next 12 years in prison after shooting someone at a family gathering in 2022. On May 16, Malik Noye pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated battery with a firearm, a class 1 felony. Noye was then sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Following his imprisonment, he will additionally serve one year of mandatory supervised release. This plea and sentencing hearing were presided over by Judge Mark Goodwin. Danville man arrested for aggravated discharge of a firearm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This defendants choice to turn a personal dispute into an act of armed violence, especially in the presence of innocent family and friends, demonstrates a reckless disregard for human life, said States Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. The People presented evidence that on July 4, 2022, Noye was at a gathering of family and friends. A storm was approaching, so a clean-up of the party began. The victim of the shooting was holding the door open for people when Noye bumped into them. Noye and the victim began to argue, then Noye pulled out a gun. A struggle ensued and the gun discharged. The victim ran away, but Noye proceeded to chase and shoot the victim. Noye then fled the scene. Juvenile airlifted, injured with knife after Rantoul domestic incident Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim did not sustain life threatening injuries, and no one else was hurt. My office remains committed to working with law enforcement to ensure that violent offenders are held fully accountable for their actions and to ensure the safety of our community, Lacy 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 WCIA.com. VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) A 30-year-old Danville man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a methamphetamine related charge stemming from an incident in 2024. On May 15, Dylan Williams pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a class X felony. Williams was then sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. This sentence is to be followed by an 18-month term of mandatory supervised release. This plea and sentencing hearing were presided over by Judge Karen Wall. Danville man arrested for aggravated discharge of a firearm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case highlights the serious threat posed by those who traffic dangerous drugs like methamphetamine through our communities, said States Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. The People presented evidence that on March 26, 2024, after 8 p.m., Vermilion County Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched in regard to a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop that started in Montgomery County, Ind. The driver, later identified as Williams, entered Illinois driving westbound on I-74. Williams was then seen throwing items from the vehicle. He eventually lost control of the car he was driving and came to a stop between mile markers 211 and 210. Williams exited the drivers seat upon command and a white powder-like substance fell from his lap. Paxton woman IDd after fatal ATV crash Monday night Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While approaching him, police saw a residue suspected to be meth all down the front of Williams clothing, shoes, on his hands and on the outside of the drivers side of the car. Upon search of the vehicle, officers found meth in the drivers floorboard, the drivers side door, the area of the center console, and other areas of the passenger side of the car. After his arrest, as Williams was exiting the squad car, officers located chunks of methamphetamine and the residue that fell off him. In total, deputies located over 55 grams of meth. Additionally, laboratory testing by the Illinois State Police Crime Lab confirmed that the substance was methamphetaime. This defendant put innocent lives at risk by leading law enforcement on a chase across state lines, Lacy said. This sentence sends a clear message that drug dealers will be held accountable. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Cumberland County Hospital, based in Burkesville, Kentucky, issued a national alert June 2 about a data security incident that may have exposed personal information of patients and current and past employees. "There was unauthorized access to our files on our computer system that contain personally identifiable information, including health information," the hospital said in a news release. Information that may have been hacked includes: name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, race or ethnicity, Social Security number, medications, diagnoses, treatment notes, dates of service and other information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For employees, past or present, the breach could be deeper and also include tax forms, bank information and other personal information. "The electronic medical records system the hospital and its partners use to record and bill for patient care was not involved, the hospital alert says. Anyone treated at or employed by the hospital is encouraged to follow recommendations by the Federal Trade Commission regarding identity theft protection and details on how to place a fraud alert or security freeze on a credit file. Go to the "Advice and Guidance" section of the www.ftc.gov website. Tennessee residents can contact the Tennessee Identity Crimes Unit at 1150 Foster Ave., Cooper Hall, Nashville, through the email Safety.IdentityCrime@tn.gov or visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security webpage for "Identity Theft Resources." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who has questions or believes their personal data might be affected can call 866-461-3127. Beth Warren covers health care and can be reached at 502-265-8248. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kentucky hospital data breach could expose patients to identity theft Officials at the United States Embassy and its consulates in Mexico have confirmed several reports of Americans being kidnapped by individuals they met on a dating app, federal officials announced. In a security alert issued June 2, authorities at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara issued a warning about the incidents, all occurring in recent months in the areas of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit. Victims and their families in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release, officials said. Please be aware that this type of violence is not limited to one geographic area. Travelers should use caution when meeting strangers. Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast of Mexico, in the state of Jalisco. It is famous for its beaches, water sports and nightlife. (Getty Images) While officials did not name any of the specific dating apps, they provided the following tips for safer travel: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be cautious if using dating apps in Mexico Meet only in public places and avoid isolated locations where crimes are most likely to occur Tell friends or family members where you are going, details of the person youre meeting and what app was used to meet them If something doesnt feel right, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation In case of emergency call 911 on any telephone to reach local authorities Authorities at the U.S. Consulate General also encouraged travelers to stay abreast of the U.S. State Departments travel advisories for Mexico. Missing California woman, 31, found dead in Arizona Currently, the Mexican state of Jalisco, which includes the city of Puerto Vallarta, is currently classified as Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnappings. The state of Nayarit, which includes the city of Nuevo Nayarit, is classified as Level 2: Exercise Caution due to crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. citizens traveling in Mexico can use the following link to contact the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Mexico. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. U.S. citizens who visit Mexico are being warned that they may be at risk of being kidnapped by people who lure them in through dating apps, according to federal officials. The U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara warned that the victims of such schemes were kidnapped in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit areas in recent months, according to a news release. The consulate did not say how often this type of crime has occurred or whether any suspects have been arrested. Victims and their family members were extorted for large amounts of money in order to be released, officials said. Some of the victims met their captors in residences or hotel rooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials didn't specify the dating apps that were used but urged people to be careful while using dating apps in Mexico. Authorities also suggested that app users only meet in public places, avoid isolated locations, and tell a loved one where they plan on going, details of the person they're meeting and the app being used. They also advised people to trust their instincts and to call 911 in case of emergency. Read more: Why Mexico is banning drug war ballads The Mexican state of Jalisco, which includes the city of Puerto Vallarta, has been classified as Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to kidnappings and crime. The state of Nayarit, which includes the city of Nuevo Nayarit, has been classified as Level 2: Exercise Caution because of crime. Dating apps have also been used in the U.S. to target victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Los Angeles this spring, four people violently robbed and shot at a victim whom they met on a dating site, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. On April 28, a male victim met with a woman he connected with on a dating site near South Occidental Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard, according to the LAPD. Two more people arrived in a vehicle and one man pointed a gun at the victim and demanded his property. The assailants then went through his car and forced the victim to hand over his phone and provide the lock code. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Seether and Daughtry will be bringing their tour to Youngstown this fall. The rock bands will be co-headlining the 24-city 2025 tour. The Youngstown show will be on Monday, October 20, at the Covelli Centre. Daughtrys latest single, The Day I Die, dropped in April, following the release of their album Shock to the System (Part 1) in September 2024. Daughtrys debut album was the top-selling album in 2007, and won four American Music Awards and seven Billboard Music Awards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seether released their ninth studio album, The Surface Seems So Far, also in September 2024. The band, which formed in South Africa in 1999, has a global fanbase and boasts three platinum and two gold albums, 22 #1 singles, 21 Top 5 multi-format hits, single sales topping $17 million, and over 2 billion streams. Tickets are available now, with limited early bird pricing available at select venues. Presale tickets go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. with the code GONE. General tickets will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. on Seethers and Daughtrys websites, or on Ticketmaster. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Two rock bands are heading to the Miami Valley to rock Huber Heights this fall. At 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, Daughtry and Seether will performing with Kami Kehoe and P.O.D. at Rose Music Center at The Heights in Huber Heights. Spotify shows Home, Its Not Over and Over You as recognizable songs for Daughtry. The platform also lists Broken, Fake It and Fine Again as songs Seether is best-known for. Chris Daughtry of Daughtry | (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Seether | (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images) General sale tickets go on-sale June 6 at 10 a.m. To purchase tickets, 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 WDTN.com. The Davenport Noon Optimist Club has recognized Davenport Police Officer Sgt. Jonathon Douglas, according to a news release. The 2025 Sergeant Kevin Marxen Respect for Law award recipient Sergeant Jonathon Douglas poses with Davenport Chief of Police Jeffrey Bladel and Davenport Noon Optimist Club Respect for Law Chair Aaron Gunnare. (Davenport Noon Optimists). For more than 40 years the Davenport Noon Optimist Club (DNOC) has gathered annually to celebrate a member of the Davenport Police Department in recognition of their dedicated service advancing the Respect for Law objective of Optimist International. On Friday, May 30, DNOC presented the Sergeant Kevin P Marxen Respect for Law award to Sgt. Jonathon Douglas as its 2025 recipient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to his service with the Davenport Police Department, Douglas served honorably for six years with the United States Air Force and for nine years with the Plant City, Florida, Police Department. Douglas recognition took place Friday at the Davenport RiverCenter. Attendees included Davenport Mayor Mike Matson, Davenport Police Chief Jeffrey Bladel, both of whom offered remarks. In addition, more than 15 past recipients and Davenport Police Department peers of Douglas attended, as well as Davenport Noon Optimist Club members and guests. In July 1965, a discussion between Past Optimist International President Carl Bowen and former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover resulted in the birth of the Optimist Respect for Law program. More than 1,500 Clubs participate each year. Over a quarter of a million law enforcement officers have been honored by thousands of Optimist Clubs around the world through the years. This program is intended to make the nations youth and the general public aware of the hard work and personal dedication shown by law enforcement officials, and to encourage support for the exceptionally difficult task of law enforcement. The award is given to an officer who has shown exemplary service to the department and dedication to law enforcement. The officer is selected by his/her peers in the Davenport Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2014, past recipient Sgt. Kevin Marxen passed away unexpectedly. Following discussion with the department, it was decided to rename the Davenport Noon Optimist Clubs award the Sergeant Kevin P. Marxen Respect for Law award to honor the life lived by Marxen. Past recipients include 2024s recipient, Sgt. Jason Willey, Chief Jeffrey Bladel, Major Jamie Brown and past Chief Paul Sikorski. Davenport Noon Optimist Club is part of Optimist International, whose mission is to bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves by providing hope and positive vision. About the Davenport Noon Optimist Club By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids. Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. With their upbeat attitude, Optimist Club members help empower young people to be the best that they can be. Every year, Optimists around the world conduct 65,000 service projects and serve well over six million young people. The Davenport Noon Optimist Club serves youth in the Quad Cities with financial support and hands-on projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Iconic playwright David Mamet compared Democrats to family members who are in denial their father is a pedophile during an appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News on Monday night. Mamet said everything in the Democrats playbook is about denying reality, which takes all of a persons mental energy. He said its no different than a dysfunctional family that cannot acknowledge reality. If you have a family and dad is a pedophile, the problem is not that dad is a pedophile, but the problem for everyone in the family is they have to deny that dad is a pedophile, Mamet said. Because if they face it, the family as they know it is going to fall apart, and they dont know what comes next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: Thats horrific. Its legitimate, but its horrific. Thats where Democrats are now. David Mamet just compared Democrats to PEDOPHILES Liberals have poor mental health because they spend all their time denying reality its no different than a dysfunctional family. pic.twitter.com/UiYsYa7PVH Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) June 3, 2025 One example of Democrats denying reality, Mamet said, is the partys embrace of trans men playing in womens sports. He also said Democrats have alienated young men by demonizing traditional gender roles. One of the things men are raised to do is protect women, Mamet said. Its one of the great joys of being a man. He added that another issue he has with Democrats was seeing the Biden Administration turn its back on American Jews and Israel. The veteran writer won the Pulitzer Prize for creating Glengarry Glen Ross in the early 80s; he later adapted the play into a 1992 film and wrote several other notable screenplays, including The Untouchables. His other well-known plays include Oleanna, American Buffalo and Race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamet was on Fox News to promote his new book, The Disenlightenment. A day earlier, he was on Bill Mahers Club Random podcast, where he also voiced his displeasure with the Democratic party. The post David Mamet Compares Democratic Party to Families Who Deny They Have Pedophile Fathers | Video appeared first on TheWrap. SACRAMENTO, the United States, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal judge has dismissed California's lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's tariffs, based on jurisdictional grounds, while allowing the state to pursue an appeal in a court seen as more favorable to its arguments. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco ruled late Monday that the case belonged in the specialized U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) in New York, which handles tariff disputes. However, she granted California's request to dismiss the case entirely rather than transferring it, enabling the state to appeal directly to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as the state requested. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated in a press release Monday night that the move is a "critical step" to protect the state's economy, which faces an estimated 25 billion U.S. dollars in consumer costs and 64,000 job losses due to the tariffs. "We strongly believe this case belongs in federal district court," Bonta said in the statement, arguing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize tariffs. "Trump doesn't have the authority to impose these destructive tariffs." The dismissal reflects California's legal strategy to avoid the CIT, where Trump's tariffs have faced mixed rulings. Last week, CIT blocked the tariffs in a separate case brought by 12 states led by Oregon, ruling that Trump exceeded his authority under the IEEPA. That decision is paused pending appeal. The Monday ruling also marked a strategic pivot in a high-stakes legal clash over presidential authority and trade policy. Corley's ruling did not address the tariffs' legality but emphasized jurisdictional protocol. "This action arises out of laws providing for tariffs, and this court is divested of jurisdiction," she wrote. Legal experts noted the Ninth Circuit, known for liberal-leaning decisions, could reinstate the case in district court if it sides with California's constitutional arguments. Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs, announced in April, imposed a 10 percent baseline duty on imports from most trading partners, with rates as high as 145 percent for China. The policies have triggered market volatility, with businesses criticizing erratic adjustments. The Port of Los Angeles reported a 30 percent drop in May shipments, while Central Valley farmers in California faced retaliatory tariffs on 23 billion dollars in U.S. agricultural exports. The legal battles now span three appellate courts, with the Supreme Court likely to resolve conflicting rulings. Legal scholars argued that the cases test Congress's constitutional authority over trade, which has been increasingly delegated to the president since the 1930s. California's appeal to the Ninth Circuit is expected within days, setting up a separation-of-powers debate. DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) Davidson County Schools may soon settle a lawsuit with a family after a student was reportedly suspended for making what the school board deemed a racially motivated comment. On Friday, we filed a motion asking the court to approve a settlement that would resolve this matter, said Dean McGee, senior counsel for Educational Freedom at the Liberty Justice Center. Because Christian is a minor, a court hearing is required before the settlement can become final. Well have more to say after that hearing, but were pleased to take this important step toward clearing our clients name. The incident happened on April 9, 2024, at Central Davidson High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 9, my son received a write-up stating that he violated a board of education policy by using or making a racially motivated comment, saying that an alien needs a green card, the boys mother, Leah McGhee, said. The lawsuit claims the teen left class to go to the bathroom. He missed some of the lesson, and when he came back, the word aliens was used during class discussion. The student reportedly asked if aliens referred to space aliens or illegal aliens who need green cards and the teacher said to watch your mouth. According to the suit, a Hispanic male classmate then threatened to beat the student up. That same day, the 16-year-old was suspended for three days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cannot appeal this suspension since it is less than 10 days. Racism is only a three-day suspension with no appeal when it should be a top-tier punishment, Leah McGhee said. The 16-year-old is no longer enrolled at the school because, according to the lawsuit, he received threats and was harassed about this situation. The students parents, Leah and Chad McGhee, filed a lawsuit on behalf of their 16-year-old son and called on the school to reverse the suspension and remove it from the students record. The lawsuit argues that the words alien, illegal alien and green cards are common terms used in both state and federal law. It goes on to say the punishment was too harsh and his comment should have been protected under his First Amendment rights of free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is nothing inappropriate about saying aliens need green cards, and there certainly isnt a case for racism due to the fact that alien is not a race, Leah told the school board in May 2024. The McGhee family asked the courts to require a public apology from the school board, reverse the suspension, remove it from the students record, remove unexcused absences because of the suspension, remove all references from his record that he used racially motivated, inappropriate, or insensitive language in class and monetary damages determined during trial. A spokesperson for the school district previously said they are unable to comment due to pending litigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sixty years ago, NASA astronaut Ed White became the first American to walk in space. The Texas native performed the first spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission on June 3, 1965. The event occurred over the Pacific Ocean, starting at 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time near Hawaii. The trip lasted 23 minutes, eventually ending over the Gulf. In the end, he had traveled 6,500 miles at a speed of 17,000 miles per hour. White used a handheld maneuvering oxygen jet gun to push himself out of the capsule and move back and forth to the end of a 26-foot-long tether. Once the jet gun fuel expired, White pulled himself back and forth with the tether. When the spacewalk ended, White returned to the capsule, famously stating, This is the saddest moment of my life. The 4-day Gemini mission helped study the effects of prolonged spaceflight. White was the mission pilot, while James McDivitt served as the mission commander. Advertisement Advertisement PARK HILLS, Mo. The death of a three-year-old at a Park Hills daycare is now in the hands of the prosecutor as the daycares owner continues to operate a separate facility right next door. It has been more than two weeks since three-year-old Conrad Ashcraft died at Poppys Playhouse 2. The facility almost immediately lost its license. A memorial still sits on the front steps of the daycare. For this to still be out here just to remind everybody this is where it happened, he deserves justice and its just great. We love it, Lacie Hardie, Ashcrafts aunt, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The St. Francois County coroner has not declared a cause of death yet. An inspection from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said that on May 16th, a caregiver put Ashcraft under an 18.2-pound weighted blanket during naptime. Ashcraft was left there for four hours until he was found dead. The blanket was partially over Ashcrafts head. The sheriffs office has handed the case over to a special prosecutor, but no charges have been filed yet. I do understand that it takes a while for them to get their ducks in a row and I appreciate them going through what they have to go through and doing it with a fine-toothed comb, Hardie said. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Meanwhile, children are still going to daycare at Poppys Playhouse Etc., a facility directly next door to Poppys Playhouse 2. The facilities have different licenses. Poppys Playhouse 2 served children under 5. Poppys Playhouse, ETC serves children ages 5 to 14, but the facilities have the same owner and even some of the same employees. In an inspection done this past March, the caregiver accused of putting Conrad under the weighted blanket at Poppys Playhouse 2 was also listed as a caregiver at Poppys Playhouse ETC. When FOX 2 asked DESE about this situation, it sent a statement saying, in part, Childcare licenses are granted to facilities, not individuals/personnel working at those facilities. The immediate license suspension only pertains/applies to Poppys Playhouse 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poppys Playhouses owner declined to talk about the investigation, but told FOX 2 that the employee in question no longer works at Poppys Playhouse, ETC. FOX 2 reached out to Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Stefanski, the special prosecutor on the case, but did not hear back. Stefanski accepted role as special prosecutor after it was revealed that the daycares owner had previously worked in the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorneys Office. It was one of multiple potential conflicts of interest to arise in the case. Park Hills police originally passed the case over to the St. Francois County Sheriffs Office because the daycares owner was also a sitting city councilmember before resigning in the wake of Ashcrafts death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Dayton Dragons are recognizing local law enforcement officers during tonights game against the Lansing Lugnuts. Tonights game will include several events and activities that will serve as a spotlight for Dayton officers. Some of these events and activities include the National Anthem, which will be performed by Officer Devin Portis. Others include the ceremonial first pitch, which will be thrown by the Dayton Police Departments Officer of the Year, Michael Conrads and a touch-a-truck station that will feature 15-foot swat trucks, bomb squad trucks with an interactive bomb squad robot, K-9 vehicles with K-9s, a retro police vehicle, a Dayton Police Department motorcycle and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about whats in store, click here. For ticket information, look 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 WDTN.com. Previous coverage on summer food programs in Dayton. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Dayton Metro Library is partnering with the Montgomery County Educational Service Center to host pizza parties for high school seniors and recent graduates. These free Jump Start Your Future parties will help students plan for college, the workforce and beyond. Educational advisors will help attendees fill out FAFSA, school applications, find scholarships, build resumes or write essays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Available spots for these workshop parties are limited, so registration is required. WWII soldier returned home 80 years later; public services soon Registration is currently open for these sessions: West Carrollton Branch : Tuesday, June 10, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Miamisburg Branch : Tuesday, June 10, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Northmont Branch : Wednesday, June 11, noon to 2 p.m. Brookville Branch : Wednesday, June 11, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Vandalia Branch : Tuesday, June 24, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Kettering-Moraine Branch : Thursday, June 26, noon to 2 p.m. Northwest Branch : Tuesday, July 8, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Trotwood Branch: Tuesday, July 22, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then registration will open on Tuesday, July 1, for these sessions: Wilmington-Stroop Branch : Tuesday, August 5, noon to 2 p.m. Burkhardt Branch: Wednesday, August 6, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Later, registration for Electra C. Dorens session will open on Wednesday, October 1. Wednesday, November 5, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Springboro police encourage helmet safety with free ice cream To learn more or to register, call the Librarys Ask Me Line at 937-463-2665 or click here. If you need a sign language interpreter, assistive device, language translation, or accessibility services, please call the Ask Me Line or 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 WDTN.com. ***Prior coverage above*** DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A man has pled guilty to leading police on a high speed chase after shooting and killing a man in 2023. On Tuesday, 59-year-old William Hefner pled guilty to several charges including involuntary manslaughter, possession of drugs and weapons under disability. Neighbors concerned after two bodies found within blocks of each other The case stemmed from an incident on June 1, 2023, when Hefner is said to have shot and killed a man on Centre Street. Police found the victim and transported him to the hospital, where he died of his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hefner later led police on a chase through west Dayton and Trotwood on June 7. Hefner was initially charged with murder, felonious assault, failure to comply and improper handling of a firearm. Charges of murder and felonious assault were dismissed as part of a plea deal. Hefner faces 20-25.5 years to life in prison without possibility of early 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 WDTN.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The D.C. Council voted to pause Initiative 82, the voter-passed ballot measure that phases out the tipped minimum wage. Pausing the July 1 wage increase allows the Council to fully consider the data and the impact on our local restaurant industry as well as to assess the implications of federal tax changes on tipped income, at-large councilmember Kenyan McDuffie said. Hospitality workers rally in DC to save Initiative 82 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under I-82, the tipped minimum wage gradually increases over the next several years until the wage matches the citywide minimum wage. The next wage increase wouldve gone into effect on July 1. The measure was passed overwhelmingly by voters in November 2022. However, restaurant owners have claimed the measure has made it more expensive to do business, pushing many to close shop altogether. One of the latest includes Haikan in Shaw, which posted on social media, the challenges of food costs, Initiative 82 and the economic climate in the city brought us to this decision. Its why Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed a full repeal of the measure in her 2026 budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would ask people to support this emergency bill, said McDuffie, referring to the pause. To help provide clarity to businesses and workers as the council deliberates the budget. Eight council members voted yes on the pause, though several stated they would not support a full repeal. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau voted no. A pause is akin to not respecting the will of the voters, she said. But on top of that, we have workers here in D.C. who have been expecting this raise. People make plans when they know theyre getting a raise. Bowser proposes repealing Initiative 82 in upcoming budget Many of those people filled the council chambers on Tuesday, including Rachelle Yeung, who works at Aslin on 14th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I-82 has absolutely increased my pay, she said. I make the tipped minimum wage currently and my employer is not willing to pay me more than the minimum. So the raises provided by I-82 is essential to increasing my wages. Yeung, who has worked in the service industry since 2006, is against both the pause and the full repeal. Im absolutely against the Mayors proposal to repeal. That would essentially cut our wages in half, she said. And who amongst us can afford to tell our medical providers, our cell phone providers, our landlords that we can only pay half our bills? Many argued the restaurant industry is flourishing in D.C., despite I-82. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Full service restaurant employment is back to pre-pandemic levels, said councilmember Matt Frumin, reading from a report he requested from the city budget committee. The three months with the highest full-service restaurant employment since the data has been collected, since 1990, are No. 1, the most recent month for which we have data, April 2025. The next most recent month we have data, March 2025. And the next most recent month, February 205, he said. The employment is strong. The wages we see from the data from the budget office show going up. Others disagree. Certainly, the law boosted the cash wages employees are getting paid, but unfortunately, its had an adverse effect on tips, said Rebekah Paxton, research director with the Employment Policies Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilmembers evaluate impact of Initiative 82 on restaurant owners, employees She maintains I-82 has had the opposite effect than intended. What were trying to get at is what is the overall take-home pay workers are getting now versus before hand, Paxton said. The [Bureau of Labor Statistics] takes into account tips, overtime and all of those things and that is the data source that is showing employees are taking home less in tips. Maybe theyre getting a higher hourly wage, but overall theyre taking home less than before. People on both sides of the issue said they plan to testify about the proposal to fully repeal I-82 during a public hearing Wednesday. 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. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A 25-year-old Washington, D.C. man has died days after a vehicle struck him and fled the scene in Prince Georges County, police said. Shortly before 10 p.m. on May 28, officers were sent to the intersection of Oxon Hill and Livingston roads for a crash involving a pedestrian. There, they found Marquise Maddox, who had been hit, in the road, according to the Prince Georges County Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trio accused of stealing over $30K in candles from Fairfax County retailers Police said an initial investigation revealed that the driver hit Maddox and drove away. In a news release Tuesday, PGPD said Maddox died from his injuries on June 1, four days after the crash. Now, investigators are asking for the communitys help in identifying the driver involved in the crash. Investigators said to look out for a gray or silver 4-door sedan that has front-end damage. Police urge anyone with information to call 301-732-4422 or leave a tip 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man was shot multiple times on Monday night and died. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers responded to a shooting near the 1600 block of Trinidad Ave. NE just before 8 p.m. As police canvassed the area, they found a man unconscious in the back of the 1200 block of Raum Street. MPD said he had multiple gunshot wounds. Medics took the man to the hospital, where he died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man grazed by bullet during shooting near Waterfront Metro Station In an update on Tuesday morning, police identified the victim as 33-year-old Kalil Jerald Brown, of Northeast, D.C. (Daniel Hamburg/DC News Now) The police department urges anyone with information about what led up to the shooting to call 202-727-9099 or text MPD at 50411. MPD is also offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Harvard University wants its funding unfrozen by September, theyve told a federal court or it may be too late. In a Monday filing, Harvard which has experienced billions in funding freezes and grant terminations from the Trump administration asked the court for summary judgment in their April 21 lawsuit by Sept. 3. They argue in the filing that the canceled funds began a 120-day clock to submit reports and liquidate all financial obligations related to the federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once that close-out occurs, Harvard anticipates the Government will take the position that no restoration of funds is possible, the motion for summary judgment reads. Harvard is asking that the court order the government to declare the freeze orders and termination letters unlawful and to vacate them. They also request that the court nullify a collection of letters and termination orders that canceled funding and placed specific conditions on the university, such as allow the government to force them to hire people with different points of view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government now has an opportunity to respond to the motion. Read the full filing below. If you cant read it, click here. What funding has Trump taken from Harvard? The Trump administration has been targeting Harvard since April, going after billions of dollars. The Trump administration demanded an overhaul of its leadership structure, admissions and hiring or risk losing $9 billion in funding, according to the federal government. Harvard rejected those demands, stating that the Trump administrations list of demands looks to invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court. Then the fight over funding came to fruition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It began with a $2.2 billion funding freeze on April 14 after the school refused to comply with the federal administrations demands. In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit on April 21, arguing that its constitutional rights had been violated by the governments threats to pull billions of dollars in funding. Harvard president Garber also signed onto a letter with hundreds of other presidents pushing back against government overreach and political interference by the Trump administration. At the beginning of May, the Trump administration said it would bar Harvard University from acquiring new federal grants while the university continues to refuse to comply with the administrations demands for change on its campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few days later, eight federal agencies cut $450 million in grants and then the United States Department of Health and Human Services cut $60 million in grants from the university. Harvard went on to amend its lawsuit against the Trump administration. On May 16, a wave of nearly one thousand federal research grant terminations began, amounting to more than $2.4 billion, according to an analysis by Nature. In response, Harvard established a new Presidential Priorities Fund, asking for donations in the midst of federal cuts. Some of Harvards schools, including its School of Public Health, have even taken to social media to ask for donations after nearly every single federal grant had been terminated. Other ongoing accusations On Monday, multiple U.S. House committees also began investigating Harvard, accusing the institution of collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party, according to a 14-page letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party is requesting a series of information about Harvards activities that create risks to U.S. national security and further the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) genocide in Xinjiang. On April 17, the U.S. Department of Education sent Harvard University a records request on Thursday, demanding that the institution disclose foreign investments. McMahon called the records request the first step to ensure Harvard is not being manipulated by, or doing the bidding of, foreign entities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Higher education institutions are required to disclose foreign source gifts and contracts with a value of $250,000 or more to the U.S. Department of Education through Section 117 reports. Harvard said it has been doing so for decades as part of ongoing compliance with the law. Around the same time, Trump threatened to end Harvards tax-exempt status, which he has continued to say he will do, aiming for the institution to instead be taxed as a political entity. Foreign students The Trump administration has also been trying to take away Harvards ability to enroll foreign students. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoked a key certification allowing Harvard to enroll international students in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Harvard filed a complaint and a motion for a restraining order on May 23. A federal judge then granted the order. A week later, the same judge granted a preliminary injunction, allowing Harvard to continue enrolling international students. The revocation came after the federal government gave Harvard an ultimatum in April to submit detailed records about foreign students or lose the certification. About 27% of Harvards undergraduate and graduate students are international, according to 2024 to 2025 data. While Harvard said they gave information required by law about foreign students illegal activity and records at the end of April, U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said it was unsatisfactory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard will have another opportunity if it provides detailed records about international students within 72 hours, according to Noems letter. The university already offered foreign students to accept admission at Harvard and a foreign institution as a backup plan following the threat of revocation. MassLive reporter Juliet Schulman-Hall contributed to this article. More Higher Ed Read the original article on MassLive. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with new U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue in Beijing, capital of China, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday welcomed David Perdue to his new post as the ambassador of the United States to China and expressed the hope that he will play an active role in promoting the healthy, steady and sustainable development of bilateral relations. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Perdue in Beijing, voicing the hope that Perdue will serve as a reliable communicator, a mediator of differences and a promoter of cooperation between the two countries. China-U.S. relations are currently at an important and critical juncture, Wang said. Looking back on the journey of nearly half a century filled with twists and turns since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the most important revelation is that equality and respect are the prerequisites for exchanges between the two sides, and dialogue and cooperation are the only correct choice, Wang said. Wang stressed that after the bilateral economic and trade talks in Geneva, China has earnestly and strictly implemented the consensus reached by both sides. But, it is regrettable that the United States has since introduced a series of negative measures for groundless reasons, infringing upon China's legitimate rights and interests. China firmly opposes such actions, he noted. Wang said the U.S. side should meet China halfway, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call in January this year, and create necessary conditions for the return of bilateral relations to the right track. Perdue said President Donald Trump has great respect for President Xi Jinping, noting that it is very important for the two heads of state to maintain positive and constructive exchanges. Perdue also said that, as the U.S. ambassador to China, he is willing to maintain close communication with the Chinese side in the spirit of mutual respect and attentive dialogue. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with new U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue in Beijing, capital of China, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) 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. A 43-year-old man has died in hospital from injuries sustained in a Russian multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) attack on the city of Sumy, becoming the fourth fatality. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration on Telegram Quote: "Sadly, another person injured in todays Russian attack on Sumy has died. A 43-year-old man, who was in a critical condition, has died in hospital. His seven-year-old daughter remains seriously injured." Background: On 3 June 2025, Russian forces struck central Sumy with a long-range MLRS, killing three people and injuring 25, including three children and three adults who are in a serious condition, according to early reports. The attack damaged a medical facility, vehicles and residential buildings. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) A Decatur teenager has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after a dispute over Snapchat two years ago escalated to shots being fired, killing a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Mattarion Anderson, 17, was in court on Friday to learn his fate after he was convicted in April of first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child. After listening to three victim impact statements and hearing evidence from the defense, Judge Griffith condemned Anderson to 20 years in prison for each count sentences that will run consecutively. Macon Co. Sheriffs Office investigating after two found dead in home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trying Anderson from the bench, Griffith found that he was one of three people who, on March 8, 2023, took part in a shooting that left 20-year-old Janiah Thomas dead. The mother of two, soon to be three, was visiting her boyfriends home on Woodford Street when Anderson and his accomplices appeared in retribution for an ongoing dispute. Decatur Police said in a sworn statement that Thomas boyfriend and brother went outside once they were aware of Andersons presence. Shots were fired a short time later and the bullets went flying into the home. Thomas was shot as she tried to protect her 4-year-old daughter, who was shot in the eye. The girl would lose her eye as a result of the shooting, along with her mother and unborn sibling. In April, Judge Griffith convicted Anderson of killing Thomas and her baby, but not for aggravated battery to Thomas daughter. On Friday, more than two years after the deadly shooting, Griffith sentenced Anderson to four decades behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the sentence could have been worse if Anderson were an adult when the crime was committed. He was facing adult charges, but Griffith decided against imposing a 25-year firearm enhancement for each count due to state statute concerning underage defendants. UPDATE: State Police name victims, release new info in Shelby Co. car vs. train crash Anderson is the second person to be sentenced in connection with Thomas murder. A week after finding Anderson guilty, Griffith accepted a plea of guilty from Tarlan Mackey for residential burglary related to the shooting. Griffith sentenced Mackey to 10 years in prison for that crime while dismissing all counts of murder and aggravated battery. The third suspect in the case is Andersons brother Mattavius. His case is still pending, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for Friday. Mattavius has pleaded not guilty to nine counts of murder and aggravated battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man accused of leaving a dog to die inside a sealed plastic tub in the summer heat wants his trial to happen outside of Las Vegas because of the intense media coverage, documents said. On July 26, 2024, Las Vegas Metro police officers found the English bulldog, later named Reba, in the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue next to a dumpster inside a tote that was taped shut. The temperature that night hovered around 110 degrees. The National Weather Service reported a high of 111 for the evening. Reba died the next day. Her death made national headlines as people called for Justice for Reba. Last December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32; and Markeisha Foster, 30, on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laushaul and Fosters trial was scheduled to begin later this month, however, an attorney for Laushaul filed paperwork asking a judge to move the case from Clark County. The media has followed this case/story extensively, Laushauls attorney wrote in court documents filed May 16, citing 8 News Nows reporting. Media coverage has included photographs, articles all about Reba, interviews with individuals who know the defendant, coverage of in-court proceedings, pending motions, comments by prosecutors, police, and defense attorneys, and interviews and analyses of veterinarians as to how this could have all happened. News coverage of Rebas death began in the months after Laushaul and Foster allegedly left her in the heat, as police released video footage of their suspects. The May 16 filing indicates Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [T]he media attention on this case began even prior to the location and arrests of the co-defendants, Laushauls attorney said. Since that time, the publicity surrounding the case has been sensational, constant and prejudicial. Media coverage has included front page pictures, feature stories, in-depth analyses about how the legislature should increase the penalties for animal-related crimes. Markeisha Foster, 30; and Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, both face animal abuse charges in connection with the death of Reba the Bulldog. (KLAS) Prosecutors oppose the venue change, writing, The mere existence of publicity does not require a trial to be moved. While not asking for a venue change, Fosters attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushauls. Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel was scheduled to hear arguments on both issues Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before a trial, lawyers for the defendant and prosecutors go through a process called voir dire, where they pick a jury. Each side can reject a certain number of potential jurors until the panel is filled. Foster and Laushaul remained in custody Friday. A judge previously set Fosters bail at $50,000 and declined to set bail for Laushaul. Nevada Republican Assem. Melissa Hardy proposed Rebas Bill to strengthen penalties against animal abusers in the wake of Rebas death. The bill had not passed the Legislature as of Monday, the final day of the session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BERNALILLO Two caregivers charged in connection with the death of a disabled woman found clinging to life in the back of a van at the U.S.-Mexico border now stand accused of violating the conditions of their release, prompting prosecutors to ask a judge to lock them up until their trial. Angelita Chacon and Patricia Hurtado appeared before 13th Judicial District Judge Christopher Perez for a hearing Monday on allegations they removed their GPS ankle monitors and were in communication with each other, but the judge did not issue a ruling. Instead, Perez granted their attorneys' request to delay the hearing, which he said will probably be set within two weeks. Both women hurried out of the courtroom afterward, and neither one of their attorneys returned a message seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged violations of Chacon and Hurtado's conditions of release is the latest twist in a caretaker abuse case that shook New Mexico and the state's Developmental Disability Waiver program after Mary Melero, who was under Chacon's care, was discovered unresponsive and wrapped in a blanket in the back of a passenger van after an inspection at the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry in El Paso in February 2023. 060225_GC_ChaconHurtadoHearing_02rgb.jpg Patricia Hurtado is shown in the state District Court in Sandoval County on Monday for a hearing on the conditions of her release. The incident triggered a sweeping review of the so-called DD Waiver program and in-person wellness checks on everyone in the program across New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melero, who had autism and was in a state-run program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was severely dehydrated and drugged when she was found by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. She also had numerous open wounds, including chronic bedsores with exposed bone, bruises and lacerations on various parts of her body, as well as ligature marks consistent with prolonged restraint, according to court documents. After Melero was transported to a hospital in El Paso, medical staff determined her wounds were at different stages, suggesting Melero was a victim of chronic abuse. After spending more than a month in the hospital, Melero was removed from life support and died. Chacon, who was Melero's primary caregiver, was charged with five criminal counts, including abuse or neglect of a resident resulting in death. Hurtado, who was Chacon's live-in girlfriend at the time, also was charged with abuse of a resident resulting in death. Supplemental indictments allege the women made fraudulent claims to receive Medicaid benefits for the Customized Community Support program for caring for Melero, as well as Chacon's special-needs son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After they were arrested, an order setting their conditions of release required both, among other provisions, to be placed on electronic monitoring and not to have direct or indirect contact with each other, which prosecutors alleged they violated. "The defendants were alleged to have violated their conditions of release by taking off their ankle monitor and communicating with each other very clear disregard for the judge's order so we had requested that the conditions of release be revoked and that that they be remanded into custody," Joseph Martinez, acting director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the New Mexico Department of Justice, said in an interview outside the courtroom. "The judge granted the defense's continuance request to have the hearing very shortly, so we will be prepared at that hearing to request that both defendants be remanded into custody," he said. 060225_GC_ChaconHurtadoHearing_03rgb.jpg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State District Judge Chris Perez speaks Monday during a hearing for Angelita Chacon and Patricia Hurtado on Monday. A motion to revoke Hurtado's conditions of release alleges she "admitted to having removed her GPS ankle monitor to leave the county" after an informant alerted authorities. "The informant stated ... she was concerned for her safety because defendant had been sending her 'threatening text messages' after she had witnessed defendant's violations of her conditions of release," documents state. "Pretrial Services also claims that Patricia admitted to remaining in physical and telephonic contact with her co-defendant and even giving Ms. Chacon money ... to pay her bills." The state's motion to revoke Chacon's conditions of release alleges Hurtado told authorities Chacon had removed her ankle monitor to leave the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The defendant's conduct of removing her GPS monitor and leaving her county of residence so close to her trial setting highlights the degree to which she represents a risk of flight," documents state. Martinez called the allegations against Chacon and Hurtado "horrific." "Our job at the New Mexico Department of Justice is to hold bad actors accountable," he said. "That's why we are doing our absolute best to bring justice to the vicim in the case and to make sure that everything is investigated and prosecuted thoroughly." KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Manny Marin hit a two-out, three-run home run, and Andrew Fischer followed with a two-run shot in a seven-run fourth inning as No. 14 overall seed and defending champion Tennessee beat Wake Forest 11-5 on Monday night to win the Knoxville Regional. The Volunteers (46-17) travel to play No. 3 seed Arkansas (46-13) in a best-of-three super regional for a berth in the College World Series. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luke Costello had a one-out single off Tennessee starter AJ Russell in the second and Matt Conte hit a two-out homer to give the Demon Deacons a 2-0 lead. Wake Forest reliever Zach Johnston (2-2), who allowed just one run after entering in the third inning with the bases loaded and no outs, walked two in the fourth and left after allowing an RBI single to Reese Chapman that tied it at 2-all. Duncan Marsten entered and threw a wild first pitch to allow the go-ahead run to score. Levi Clark was hit by a pitch for the second time to put two runners on before Marin homered to right-center from the ninth spot in the order. Fischer followed a single by Gavin Kilen with a shot to right for an 8-2 lead. Matt Scannell answered with a two-run homer to left-center in the fifth and Austin Hawkes singled in a run in the sixth to make it 8-5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dean Curley singled in a pair in the Tennessee seventh and Kilen had an RBI double in the eighth. Vols reliever Brayden Krenzel (3-0) got the win, and Liam Doyle got the final seven outs for his first save. Tennessee is aiming for an eighth appearance in the College World Series after winning it for the first time last season. The Vols were runners-up in 1951. ___ AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Delta Airlines is ending a flight from Dayton to The Empire State. The non-stop Delta flight from Dayton International Airport to LaGuardia International Airport will end Sept. 7, according to the airliner. Delta routinely adjusts its network to meet demand. For any customers that are booked on flights that are impacted by a reduction, we will work to rebook them on an alternative itinerary. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience that schedule changes may cause. Delta spokesperson A Dayton Airport spokesperson told WDTN.com that Delta will be adding an additional daily route from the Gem City to Atlanta. Service by United Airlines from Dayton to Denver, Colorado will have an increased capacity, according to the airport spokesperson. 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. DAMASCUS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Syria's foreign affairs authorities on Tuesday condemned Israeli artillery shelling in southern Daraa province as a "blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty," and urged international intervention to halt what they termed "escalating aggression." In a statement released via state-run media, the Syrian interim authorities, established after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government, said they had not yet verified reports of a rocket launched from Syrian territory towards the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. They stressed that "numerous actors may seek to destabilize the region to serve their own interests." "Our top priority in the south remains extending the authority of the state and eliminating the presence of weapons outside official institutions," the statement added. It also called on the international community "to assume its responsibilities in halting repeated Israeli attacks" and support stability efforts. Earlier on Tuesday, an IDF statement said two rockets were launched from Syria towards Israeli settlements in the southern Golan Heights, triggering air raid sirens in Ramat Magshimim and Haspin. The rockets exploded in open areas without causing injuries, the IDF said. Israeli media reported these were the first projectiles fired from Syria against Israeli targets since Assad's government collapsed in December 2024. "In response, IDF artillery struck the sources of the fire in southern Syria," the Israeli military statement added. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that "we hold the Syrian leader directly responsible for any threat and firing at Israel, and the full response will come soon." Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it in a move not recognized by most of the international community. Democrat Julie Stauch launched a campaign for Iowa governor on June 3, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Julie Stauch for All Iowans) Democrat Julie Stauch published a resume and cover letter Tuesday for a job she hopes Iowans will hire her for in 2026 the Iowa governors seat. Stauch, 68, is a former Democratic political operative who has worked on the Iowa caucus campaigns for Democratic presidential candidates including Pete Buttigieg in 2020, Bill Clinton in 1996 and Michael Dukakis in 1988. She has also worked on state campaigns, including Democrat Mike Frankens 2022 U.S. Senate race against U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, as well as having served as chief public affairs officer for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A handful of other Democrats, including State Auditor Rob Sand, have also joined the race to become the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2026. The Republican primary field is also expected to be contested following Gov. Kim Reynolds announcement that she will not seek reelection, with U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, announcing exploratory committees for a run in 2026. Republicans have held a trifecta of control at the Iowa Capitol for several years, and Iowa has had a Republican governor for more than a decade. In an interview with the Iowa Capital Dispatch Tuesday, Stauch said she believed 2026 will see a change in party control because of growing dissatisfaction and disagreements within the Republican Party, pointing to issues like the use of eminent domain in carbon sequestration pipeline projects. She said Iowans are looking for change, and she believes theres more appetite for non-GOP candidates in the upcoming state elections than in previous recent cycles. This is a huge change here coming at us, Stauch said. People dont trust anybody. They dont trust any institutions. They dont trust any political party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stauch said she believes her campaign is a way to address voters concerns because she is coming into the field as a person who can both argue on behalf of Iowans top interests, while also having experience on working across the aisle to get important measures moved forward. Stauch said her launch of a resume and cover letter, available on her campaign website, was a way to build trust. On her website, she allows for Iowans to submit requests for interviews in the style of job interviews during a hiring process, where she plans to meet with Iowans and talk about her qualifications to become governor and learn about their top concerns. Im really taking this seriously about Im applying for a job, Stauch said. And Im interviewing with all the different people who are the decision makers on a job, to find out what they want to see, if we can work together because thats how we have to we have to build trust. Though Stauch has years of experience in politics, this is her first time running as a candidate. The West Des Moines Democrat said her top issues heading into the campaign are improving Iowas water quality, supporting public schools, addressing current problems in Iowas health care system and protecting eminent domain. However, she said her goal on the campaign trail was learn what issues Iowans want their governor to champion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Iowans would come back and say they dont care about any of the things that I care about, I would make their (top issues) the priority, because thats what the governors supposed to do, Stauch said. And we have had 15 years of governors that really dont care about the people of Iowa. Sand, the only Democrat to currently hold statewide elected office in Iowa, is currently considered a frontrunner in the race to become the 2026 Democratic nominee for Iowa governor. Stauch argued that her campaign is offering a different approach on how to connect and and get to know Iowans from Sands campaign that could offer a model for other Democrats in future elections. She also said she believes having candidates compete in primaries is an overall benefit for the party, serving as a way to have candidates hone their messages and get more members of a party registered to vote ahead of the general election. Think about caucus years and how all that competition inside a party whether its Democrat or Republican all that competition builds your numbers, builds your base, builds your enthusiasm, and you get more people turning out in the general, Stauch said. Democratic attorneys general around the country were at the forefront of the legal battles that put up roadblocks to key parts of President Donald Trumps sweeping agenda at the outset of his new administration. Now, even as the initial rapid-fire onslaught of executive actions has slowed, they are vowing to keep up their aggressive and coordinated posture in the courts. In a joint interview with NBC News, the Democratic attorneys general, Andrea Campbell of Massachusetts, Rob Bonta of California and Matthew Platkin of New Jersey, laid out their priorities for taking on the Trump administration in the latter half of 2025 and beyond. They said they are specifically looking at bolstering consumer protections, combating what they see as Trump's weaponization of the federal government and stymying the administration's immigration policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Trumps inauguration, Democratic attorneys general have filed 30 lawsuits combined against the administration, focused on issues including immigration and due process, tariffs, federal worker layoffs and the dismantling of federal agencies. California has been a part of 25 of those lawsuits, compared to 21 for New Jersey and 20 for Massachusetts. Campbell, Bonta and Platkin said they will remain vigilant in responding to new Trump policies while maintaining fights on critical areas stemming from the president's first months in office. One thing I think we demonstrated in the first 100 days of this administration and continue to is that we are organized, we are strategic, and were unafraid to take on whats coming, whether that be unlawful executive orders or standing up in court to defend our states interests, residents, economies and institutions, Campbell said. This isnt about policy or political differences, Platkin noted. Thats not the basis of a lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather, he said, We will look at whether the presidents violating the law and hurting the residents of our state. A Trump administration spokesperson didn't respond to questions for this article. 'Weaponization' of government agencies One of the most prominent concerns held by these Democratic attorneys general is what they say is Trumps weaponization of the government. The Department of Government Efficiency has, for example, attempted to obtain access to sensitive Internal Revenue Service data that could jeopardize the personal information including the home addresses and Social Security numbers of federal workers and others. The data could also be used to target specific people with political retribution, and to push false narratives about undocumented immigrants and voter fraud allegations, critics have warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were working closely to support some of these entities through existing lawsuits, whether directly filed by us or amicus briefs, Campbell said. She was among 19 attorneys general who sued DOGE in February to protect the sensitive information of our constituents, including their IRS data, and ensure that these agencies were not weaponized against our people or against our residents or immigrants or weaponized against our nonprofit organizations or academic institutions, she said. Meanwhile, referring to efforts by Republicans and the Trump White House to target certain nonprofits by stripping them of their tax-exempt status, Bonta said it was shocking and remarkable that the administration might be able to go after such groups they dont agree with based on their viewpoint. He said such efforts ran the risk of violating those groups First Amendment rights, stating: We will be watching closely what the IRS does and honestly, any other weaponization. Immigration and due process Democratic attorneys general have been especially active in fighting Trumps efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while much of those initial efforts centered around litigation, Campbell said her office was going to double down on efforts to provide legal guidance to immigrant communities in her state so they better know how to avoid or handle such situations. The guidance and the work that were doing to ensure folks know what their rights are is just as important as the litigation that we are filing against the federal administration, Campbell said. That guidance will continue and must. It will not slow down. Campbell said that, just last week, her office had released guidance to people who might be targeted in Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids related to know what their rights are, when it comes to ICE and ICE enforcement and ICE showing up in their community. Consumer protections Group members said theyd also be active on the issue of consumer protections after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau the federal agency that had handled discipline of such abuses was gutted by the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campbell, as well Bonta and Platkin, said theyd continue to fight Trumps attempted elimination of the agency, while also trying to do some of the work the bureau had overseen. Because we now do not have a partner at the federal level looking to advance consumer protection, more of these cases now fall on us, Campbell said. Law enforcement Platkin, for his part, said he was concerned about how many of the Trump administrations policies especially ones related to withholding certain funding for states and related to guns had put public safety at risk. He mentioned cost-cutting measures across Trumps Justice Department that resulted in the decimation of law enforcement and public safety grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New Jersey, Platkin said that has resulted in taking cops off the streets, as well as the elimination of millions of dollars in funding for items like license plate reader technology, which he said has helped law enforcement officials in the state to catch violent criminals and human traffickers and drug traffickers. Platkin also expressed concern about a settlement Trumps Justice Department reached last month that would allow the sale of devices that enable standard firearms to fire like machine guns. Platkin was involved in the litigation to fight sales of the devices called forced reset triggers and was now reviewing affirmative lawsuits on the matter. As the chief law enforcement officer of my state, one thing that has given me real concern is the risk to public safety that this administrations policies have created, he said. Tariffs While Democratic attorneys general have aggressively fought Trumps tariffs, Bonta said the battle was far from over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to continuing the legal fight, he said he was going to closely watch to see whether corporations in his state might exploit the economic uncertainty surrounding Trumps tariffs to unnecessarily raise prices. With respect to the tariffs and corporations using that opportunity to harm consumers, to take advantage of them, potentially manipulate pricing this is the bread and butter of what we do, Bonta said. We do it in non-Trump times. We do it in Trump times. We protect consumers against price gouging and junk fees and price fixing and anti competitive behavior. Its just what we do, and we will continue to do that, he added. Bonta warned that companies might see a unique opportunity to jack up their prices and harm consumers and that he and his colleagues would remain vigilant in our ongoing efforts to protect consumers, whether it be due to a tariff excuse or some other type of cover, to harm consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bonta, Campbell and Platkin also said they would remain flexible to deal with whatever the next phase of the Trump presidency brings. When posed with the question, you know, What do we do next, really, the answer is: It depends on what the Trump administration does, Bonta said. Were monitoring all the things that hes doing, he added. And when he crosses the threshold of taking an action that is unlawful and harming our states meaning, we have standing to sue then we sue whatever it is." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A growing number of young Democrats have launched primary bids against the partys old guard in recent months, underscoring generational tensions that burst into the open following former Vice President Kamala Harriss defeat in November. Former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) last week drew a primary challenger 50 years his junior in Harry Jarin, who cast the incumbent as representative of a bygone era. He follows a number of other young candidates who have launched primary bids against veteran Democratic lawmakers. The trend comes amid renewed anxiety within the party over the issue of age, spurred by new revelations about former President Biden and the recent deaths of several older House members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of politicians in Washington, they stew in this environment in D.C., sometimes for decades at a time, and they lose touch with young people and working people and people outside the beltway, Jarin told The Hill. I think thats the reason for the sudden surge of primary challengers: Weve now spent our whole lives seeing the same Democratic leaders do the same unproductive things in Congress and not actually deliver results. Jarin, a 35-year-old volunteer firefighter and former Jeopardy! contestant, is vying for the seat in Marylands 5th Congressional District that Hoyer, 85, has held since his election in 1981. Hoyer, who won in November by more than 30 points, hasnt announced whether hell seek reelection to a 24th term in 2026. In California, 39-year-old tech millionaire Saikat Chakrabarti, a veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) 2016 campaign and former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), is challenging 85-year-old former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D), who hasnt formally announced plans but reportedly filed paperwork to run for her 21st term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another California incumbent, Rep. Brad Sherman (D), who at 70 is seeking his 16th House term, drew a challenge from a former deputy press secretary, Jake Rakov, 37. In Illinois, social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh, 26, launched a bid in March for Rep. Jan Schakowskys (D) seat, contending that the same old s isnt working. Schakowsky, 80, later decided against trying for a 15th term, saying it is now time for me to pass the baton. The campaigns are cropping up as Democrats grapple with broader questions about generational disconnect. Frankly, I do think we need sharper, new, fresh perspectives to address the challenges of today, said Everton Blair, a 33-year-old educator whos challenging 12-term incumbent Rep. David Scott (D), 79, in Georgias 13th Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I think about the logistical conversation about age, its like, you want folks that can last through a couple cycles, get to the place where theyre still sharp and still able to get something done, and then they can also be a key part of the conversation and moving us forward for the next generation, and then building a bench while we still have time to build a bench, Blair told The Hill. The 2024 election also raised red flags for Democrats that young voters, especially young men, are shifting right. Its worth noting that Republicans in Congress have definitely had a lot more turnover in the last decade than Democrats have. And I dont know that you could draw a direct line to some of the gains or unexpected dynamics folks are seeing with young voters, but its certainly the case, said Kaivan Shroff, a Democratic strategist and veteran of the Generation Z group Dream for America. The conversations have taken on a new sense of urgency in recent weeks with the release of multiple books that have ramped up scrutiny on Bidens health. The public recriminations that have emerged following the release of the books have also played out as the party reels from the recent deaths of three Democrats in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six members of Congress have died in the last 16 months, and all of them were Democrats over age 65. So, I mean, I dont see how you can look at the situation and not say, Hey, we have a serious problem, Jarin told The Hill. Im not putting down any of these people or the work that theyve done. But we have to be realistic. Republicans have also grappled with their own age-related issues for years. But the questions have been felt more acutely by Democrats in recent months as they search for answers following former Harriss devastating loss to Trump in November. Cheyenne Hunt, executive director of Gen-Z for Change, said some may be hesitant to talk about age issues, especially as there are many older lawmakers who are clearly still kicking and getting the job done. But at the same time, this is a fundamental threat to our ability to govern, and so it simply cannot continue to be this way, said Hunt, who mounted a bid to become the first Gen Z woman in Congress last year. The unwillingness to make space for new voices, particularly new voices that in general, are further left [than the] party establishment, is going to be a very, very serious threat to the party, and theyre moving further and further away from where young voters are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, young candidates and activists alike stress age isnt enough to make a winning pitch for the House. To me, its not really about generational change, because there are older members that are meeting the moment and that are very good at what they do, said George Hornedo, 34, whos running for the seat held by nine-term Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.). There can be younger members of Congress that arent particularly strong. Its about efficacy and accountability and being results-oriented, he added. Its not enough to just say, Hey, Im young and Im fresh. Its about being serious. Its about being strategic. Its about being able to take on a broken system and win. Leaders We Deserve, a group helmed by Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg, launched an initiative last month aimed at elevating a new generation of leaders by supporting primary challenges against House Democrats in safe seats. The plans drew pushback as some fret about the high stakes in 2026, but Hogg stressed that its not all about age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are older people who are great; there are young people who suck, Hogg told MSNBC. He also told The Washington Post that his initiative has ruled out supporting challenges to Hoyer and Pelosi, among others. As 2026 approaches, young Americans are looking for new conversations, Shroff said. If this next wave of young candidates doesnt bring that, then its the same old, same old. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Democratic National Committee will be distributing free tacos on Tuesday in reference to the new TACO slogan inspired by Donald Trump: Trump Always Chickens Out. The DNC has commissioned a taco truck that will be parked outside the Republican National Committees Washington, D.C., headquarters from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The address, for those who want free tacos, is 310 First Street SE. The truck will also come with a graphic of Trump in a chicken suit and the Trump Always Chickens Out slogan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With his idiotic trade policy, he talks a big game, caves, and then leaves working families and small businesses to deal with the fallout, DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement to Axios. Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong coined the term TACO last month to describe Trumps tendency to announce massive tariffs before suddenly changing his mind, as he has done over and over again. The term has become common among Wall Street traders trying to predict the market. When asked by reporters about the term last week, Trump clearly had never heard of the nickname before. Once a reporter explained it to him, he lashed out. Dont ever say what you said. Thats a nasty question. To me thats the nastiest question, he said. It would certainly be nice if the Democrats had a plan to fight fascism beyond distributing free tacos. On Sunday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries struggled to come up with an answer when he was asked how Democrats will respond to ICE agents handcuffing an aide to Representative Jerry Nadler inside his officewhat seems to be part of a disturbing trend of the Trump administration targeting Democratic lawmakers. The simmering tensions between the Trump administration and House Democrats are threatening to boil over after agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) forced their way into the office of Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). The incident, which happened last week, led to the brief detention of one of Nadlers staffers by DHS agents, who said they had entered the congressmans Manhattan office searching for protesters. One agent accused Nadler aides of harboring rioters. The episode has infuriated Nadler and other Democrats in the Capitol, who have long accused President Trump of ignoring the separation of powers and crashing through legal guardrails, particularly in his effort to deport people living in the country illegally. Recently, the administration has escalated its deportation campaign with an aggressive new strategy of arresting people at immigration courts, where claims of asylum are typically heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Nadler called the administrations conduct outrageous, and accused DHS of lying about the details surrounding the episode. Hes calling for an investigation into what he considers an abuse of executive power to target political adversaries. They barged in. And in barging in one of the offices, a very big, heavyset fellow pushed my aide a very petite young woman and they then said that she pushed back and they shackled her and took her downstairs, Nadler told CNN on Monday. And she was obviously traumatized. Its not the first time the sides have clashed over Trumps deportation policies. Last month, the Justice Department arrested the Democratic mayor of Newark, N.J., at a migrant detention facility in the city. Days later, the agency charged Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), with assaulting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during the same protest in Newark charges she denies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet if the dramatic episodes have enraged Democrats, theyve also highlighted the limits of the partys powers to counter the boundary-breaking president even as the administration has arrested migrants appearing for government-ordered hearings; deported people including U.S. citizens without due process; and arrested sitting members of Congress. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has suggested there would be repercussions for the administration if it crosses certain red lines defining the separation of powers. But he didnt name them after the McIver incident, and he was similarly vague after the Nadler episode in New York. The administration is clearly trying to intimidate Democrats, in the same way that theyre trying to intimidate the country, Jeffries said Sunday in an interview with CNNs State of the Union. This whole shock and awe strategy this, flood the zone with outrageous behavior that theyve tried to unleash on the American people during the first few months of the Trump administration is all designed to create the appearance of inevitability, he added. But Donald Trump has learned an important lesson: The American people are not interested in bending the knee to a wannabe king. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadlers New York office is within a federal building that houses numerous government entities, including an immigration court office. Protesters had gathered at the building to monitor actions of ICE officers amid complaints from migrant rights advocates that the agency is moving to drop cases, ending migrants legal processes, so that they can arrest them and place them in expedited removal proceedings. According to reporting from Gothamist, which first broke the story, two protesters who had gathered at the immigration court said ICE officers threatened to arrest them, and a Nadler aide invited them into the congressmans office. They were upset that my staff invited some of the observers up to my office, Nadler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the incident shows a Nadler staffer crying as she is handcuffed. While DHS accused the congressional office of harboring rioters, Nadler referred to those in his office as observers. DHS later clarified the agents were Federal Protective Service personnel, who provide security at federal buildings. The officials were not there to harass Nadlers staff, the agency said, but to protect it. But the statement does not mention that nearly two dozen people were arrested in connection with the protests. Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadlers District Office in Manhattan, New York. 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. Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals, DHS said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), whose district is just south of Nadlers, last week also went to observe actions taken just outside immigration court rooms, where ICE officers were arresting migrants who had fulfilled their legal obligations by appearing as required. He said masked immigration officers rebuffed his questions, including about why they were covering their faces. While hes condemned the short-circuiting of due process for migrants, he said the push into Nadlers office requires disciplinary action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shameful and extreme conduct by DHS officers at Congressman Nadlers district office last week is just the latest example of the Trump administration using authoritarian tactics to bully, intimidate, and silence political opponents. [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem must initiate an investigation into this incident and take appropriate disciplinary action, Goldman said in a statement. President Trump and his political lackeys in the administration may not care about the separation of powers, but the Constitution and the American people require it. We will not be intimidated or silenced, and the Administration must stop these authoritarian tactics immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) A new poll from CNN shows only 16% of Americans think Democrats are strong leaders. The polling comes as the fallout from a new book detailing former president Joe Bidens decline continues. Journalist Tara Palmeri says the people who did not speak up about Bidens decline earlier but did now makes them look complicit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. At a private meeting last month, a top Democratic strategist pitched party leaders and donors: We need to break down ideological lanes and reject interest group agendas if we plan to win again. Adam Jentleson, former chief of staff to Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) and top aide to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), used the retreat to preview his new policy research and messaging hub, called Searchlight. Its goal: push the Democratic Party toward the most effective, broadly popular positions regardless of which wing of the party they come from, with an eye toward 2028, according to five people who have spoken directly to Jentleson and were granted anonymity to describe private conversations. Seth London, an adviser to major Democratic donors, is working with Jentleson on the effort. The think tanks mission, as described by these people, is an explicit rejection of purity tests Jentleson sees as holding the party hostage, the most famous of which became fodder for a highly effective ad Donald Trump used against former Vice President Kamala Harris during his campaign to recapture the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Searchlight a name inspired by the birthplace of Jentlesons former boss, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid comes at a precarious moment for a Democratic Party looking to revive its deeply unpopular brand and eyeing a comeback in the 2026 midterms. One person directly familiar with the project, granted anonymity to describe private details, said its aim will be to create an institutional space where Democrats can think freely and put those ideas out into the world. That doesnt exist right now because anywhere else, youre going to get those ideas sanded down from one angle or another, the person continued, adding that it wasnt going to be driven ideologically or on a left-right binary scale, but rather draw on the best ideas wherever they come from. Jentleson explained the group to top Democratic donors and officials, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin and other congressional members, according to those people. The confab, dubbed Wildflower, was hosted at a swanky resort of the same name in upstate New York, where it also drew several potential 2028 candidates, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego. Some of Jentlesons pitch, these people said, was already laid out in a New York Times op-ed published soon after the 2024 election loss. He urged Democrats to declare independence from liberal and progressive interest groups that prevent Democrats from thinking clearly about how to win and to reject the rigid mores and vocabulary of college-educated elites. He urged elected officials to not be afraid of alienating powerful groups that dictated much of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement London, too, penned a post-election strategy memo that called for a complete rejection of race- and group-based identity politics. Voters do not break down among the perceived ideological lines that a lot of Democrats are drawn into by the interest groups, said a retreat attendee granted anonymity to discuss a private event. The machinations of the party force people into boxes, and if this is a vehicle to get those new ideas out there, outside those lanes that automatically limit the breadth of voters youre able to reach, then I think a lot of people would welcome that. But the fight over the Democratic Partys future is well underway, and Searchlight is the newest entrant into an already crowded scene of Democratic groups looking to shape the 2028 presidential primary. At least some of those who heard Jentlesons pitch were frustrated that it sounded duplicative of other efforts. Just this week, Welcome PAC, a moderate-focused group, is holding WelcomeFest, a day-long event they describe as the largest public gathering of centrist Democrats. Several speakers at WelcomeFest, including Slotkin and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), also attended Wildflower. Theyre saying, we need a moderate voice, because were losing everyone and we have to come back to the center and get away from woke, identity politics, said one Democratic donor adviser who heard Jentlesons pitch. They want to become a research and communications hub for that, which is great, but we already have a bunch of entities who do that. An Albanian drug dealer who returned to the UK after being deported for drug offences has been allowed to remain in Britain despite having committed further crimes. Stiljano Ziu was jailed for nine months after being convicted of producing cannabis but was released early on condition that he agreed not to return after being deported. In breach of his deportation, he returned and married a Greek national resident in the UK, on the basis of which he claimed the right to remain in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was backed by a lower and upper immigration tribunal, on the basis that he was not a threat to the public, despite an appeal by the Home Office who said he had shown blatant disregard for the immigration controls. However, Ziu was subsequently convicted of drug dealing, which means he faces the prospect of deportation for a second time. The case, disclosed in court papers, is the latest example uncovered by The Telegraph where 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 judges interpret human rights laws and strengthen the public interest test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court was told Ziu entered the UK unlawfully in 2017 or 2018. In November 2018 he was convicted of offences involving the production of cannabis and sentenced to nine months imprisonment. He was deported the following month. However, he illegally re-entered Britain in early 2019 and just before Christmas 2020 he applied for a residence card as the spouse of a Greek national exercising treaty rights to stay in the UK. They married in April 2021. The application was refused but he successfully appealed to a first tier tribunal which noted that his unlawful entry to the UK was four years ago. Not a threat It found in his favour on the basis that it could not be satisfied that there is a present threat to the integrity of the immigration system in the circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Home Office appealed, arguing that he posed a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to the public and that deportation was proportionate. It noted that his period of residence in the UK was limited and he had started a relationship with his wife at a time when he had entered the UK in breach of a deportation order. His familial links were insufficient to establish integration in the UK and his ability to reintegrate into Albania, his country of origin, was realistic, the Home Office told the court. Ziu was, at the time of the appeal, facing trial for drug producing and dealing but the court said an impending prosecution did not automatically disqualify him from the right to stay as he could be proved innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The upper tribunal dismissed the Home Office appeal. We find that the Secretary of State has failed to show that the first-tier tribunal erred in law and we dismiss the Secretary of States appeal, the judge declared. However, Ziu was convicted in November and jailed for four-and-a-half years for two counts of conspiring to supply Class B drugs. The judge said: What happens next is of course a matter for the Secretary of State. However, the claimant must understand that his recent conviction has resulted in a sentence that may require his deportation from the United Kingdom and that is something the Secretary of State will consider. It may be that this case has been an academic exercise. 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. KAMPALA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan police have urged the public to remain calm and continue with their normal activities as security forces investigate a bomb explosion that occurred Tuesday near a church in Munyonyo, a suburb of the capital, Kampala. Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba told reporters at the scene that various security agencies had been deployed to conduct a thorough investigation. He confirmed that no civilians were injured or killed in the incident, apart from the two suspected terrorists who were riding a motorcycle. "It is too early to give anything tangible. We ask our people to remain alert, to be conscious of the environment around them. The situation is under control and let them continue with celebration of Martyrs' Day and all other activities. We assure them of security," Byakagaba said. Earlier, military spokesperson Chris Magezi told Xinhua by telephone that the army had killed two suspected suicide bombers, one of them a woman. Magezi said an explosive device went off during an attempt to intercept the suspects. There was heavy deployment of police and military at the scene, which was cordoned off, and roads leading to the area were blocked. An eyewitness at the scene told Xinhua that the suspects, a man and a woman, were riding on a motorcycle. "When they reached the church where people had gathered for prayers, the woman failed to access it because of the heavy security," the eyewitness said. "Shortly after they left the place, there was an explosion which killed both of them." The incident occurred as the country was commemorating Martyrs' Day, a national public holiday that attracts thousands of pilgrims from within Uganda and abroad. The last similar attack occurred in Kampala in November 2021, when terrorists detonated bombs near a police station and government offices. The Ugandan military attributed those attacks to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group affiliated with the Islamic State in Central Africa. The ADF, originally a Ugandan insurgent group, is currently based in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. New video shows the moment rescuers saved three men after they were left treading water when their plane crashed along Floridas Treasure Coast last weekend. Officials received a distress call at 8.24 p.m. Sunday from a single-seated Cessna 172 Skyhawk as it plunged into the waters off Vero Beach after the pilot reported engine issues. The aircraft took off from Flagler Executive Airport in Palm Coast, 150 miles to the north, just before 7 p.m. The alert sparked a multi-agency search and rescue mission. It was the Indian River County Sheriffs Office helicopter, Hawk, that found the three in the water using its thermal imaging and infrared cameras. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Eric Flowers said in a press conference Monday that the helicopter pilots were unable to find any visible debris from the crash, describing the rescue mission like looking for a needle in a haystack in the middle of the ocean. Instead of debris, Flowers said that helicopter pilot Deputy Jonathan Lozada eventually noticed three heads bobbing in the water around 8.45 p.m. Video and bodycam footage captured the moment three plane crash survivors were rescued off the Floridas Treasure coast (CBP) Lozada told the media that conditions were stacked against the rescue teams. It was very dark out there, he said in a press conference Monday. Even though we have night vision goggles, were still very limited on visibility. So for us to be able to go that far offshore, it's just unsafe for us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lozada said the three passengers might never have been found if more time had elapsed. At around 9:50 p.m. Sunday, officials from the Air and Marine Operations, an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, found two survivors in the water, the agency said. Coast Guard, Coast Guard, you have two that youre in contact with. There is one more at about your 11 oclock. Hes drifting off by himself, one of the helicopter pilots said in a video of the rescue shared by the sheriffs office on Facebook. The third man was pulled out of the water shortly after he was spotted. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat participating in the search (Indian River County Sheriffs Office) Bodycam footage from an Air and Marine Operations agent showed the moment one of the survivors was assisted up to the boat using a rope. The man, who later identified himself as the pilot, stated that only three people had been on board the plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have three, he said. We are three. Flowers said that the pilot appeared to be in the worst condition and in the most distress. The man was recorded screaming as he was transferred to the Coast Guard 45-foot vessel for Emergency Medical Technician evaluation after complaining of severe rib pain, according to the CBP. All three survivors were taken to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce for further medical treatment. The sheriff's office said the victims are in stable condition. Indian River County Sheriffs Office shared footage of the those onboard the doomed Cessna being rescued on Sunday (Indian River County Sheriffs Office) Assistant Fire Chief Steve Greer of Indian River County Fire Rescue said that the three survivors attempted to swim to shore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the cause of the crash. A preliminary crash report was expected to be available on Tuesday. The plane was headed for Vero Beach Municipal Airport and had been due to land around 8:30 p.m. local time. KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (WAVY) A man is facing several charges after a pursuit in Kill Devil Hills, deputies said. Michael Harkabusic (Courtesy: DCSO) According to the Dare County Sheriffs Office, on May 31 around 1 a.m., deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling westbound in Kill Devil Hills. A pursuit began after the driver of the vehicle failed to stop. Shortly after the pursuit began, the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The driver then fled on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an investigation, deputies were able to secure an arrest warrant for 40-year-old Michael A. Harkabusic from Pennsylvania. Harkabusic was then charged with the following: Resisting public officer No operating license Open container alcohol violation Fail to heed light or siren Fail to stop at sign/flashing red light Exceeding posted speed Driving without two headlights Failure to maintain lane control Harkabusic was issued a $15,000 secured bond as a result of the incident. 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. US envoy Steve Witkoff attempted to arrange a meeting between Dermer and Al-Thani, but it never came to fruition. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who leads Israels negotiating team in hostage talks, spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on the phone over the weekend, a source familiar with the matter told Walla on Tuesday. Sources confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that this was the first direct contact between the two. Al-Thani is considered a key mediator between Israel and Hamas in the ongoing negotiations. Dermers office declined to comment on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Post previously reported that US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, attempted to arrange a meeting between Dermer and Al-Thani after Dermer took office, but it never came to fruition. A source familiar with the details said the conversation aimed to eliminate any broken telephone issues between the parties and ensure that Al-Thani fully understood Israels position before his scheduled meetings with senior Hamas officials in Doha. Qatari PM meets with Hamas leaders to discuss negotiations Following the conversation with Dermer, Al-Thani met with Hamas leaders to discuss the negotiations. Over the weekend, Hamas announced its readiness to begin proximity talks with Israel to address the remaining disputes regarding the hostage deal and the ceasefire in Gaza. Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrives for a bilateral meeting with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia May 27, 2025. (photo credit: MOHD RASFAN/Pool via REUTERS) Israeli officials, however, noted that despite Hamass declaration, the group has so far refused to negotiate on the basis of Witkoff's proposal and continues to maintain its previous position rejecting the plan. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel said it would not send a delegation to Qatar after Hamas requested changes to the deal outlined by Witkoff. However, an Israeli official said that "negotiations have not stopped, efforts of the mediators will continue." One of Gov. Ron DeSantis' deputy chiefs of staff could become the next education commissioner. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal) Gov. Ron DeSantis recommended one of his top aides as the states education commissioner, replacing Manny Diaz Jr. following his appointment as interim president of the University of West Florida. The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on Diazs replacement during a meeting on Wednesday. DeSantis support of Anastasios Kamoutsas, one of his deputy chiefs of staff, comes after his allies, including Diaz, backed him on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stasi Kamoutsas has delivered on important issues like parental rights, school choice, and fighting back against radical ideologies in education, DeSantis said in a press release. I am confident that he will continue to serve our state well as the next Commissioner of Education, and I thank Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. for his dedicated and productive service. The vote would come a week after the UWF Board of Trustees selected Diaz to lead the university temporarily after its president resigned amid DeSantis attempt to overhaul the institution, including through controversial trustee appointments. Before joining the governors office, Kamoutsas worked at the Florida Department of Education as general counsel and chief of staff. Under my tenure, the Florida Department of Education will remain committed to student safety and success, empowering parents, and supporting teachers, he said in the same press release announcing DeSantis official backing. I look forward to working with the State Board of Education to ensure that Florida remains the education state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diazs departure as commissioner three years after his appointment is part of a wave of DeSantis allies getting jobs in higher education leadership, including Florida International Universitys selection of former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez on Monday. She was the only named finalist after Board of Trustees Chair Roger Tovar said the governors office had suggested FIU pick Nunez. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BUFFALO, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Syracuse-based Pyramid Management Group, the owner of Destiny USA, has defaulted on a multi-million-dollar loan related to its Walden Galleria mall outside of Buffalo. The lenders filed a lawsuit against Pyramid Management Group in Erie County State Supreme Court on Thursday to initiate the mortgage foreclosure process. The company owed more than $230 million as of April 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, Pyramid CEO Stephen Congel told Buffalo Business First that he was optimistic about his teams negotiations with the lenders. He said the same in a statement to NewsChannel 9 late Monday. Under Pyramids ownership and management, Walden Galleria has become the dominant shopping, dining, and entertainment destination of Western New York, said Congel. We are actively engaged in discussions with the lenders associated with Walden Galleria and remain confident that we will reach a positive resolution. In early May, representatives for the lenders sent a letter to Pyramid Management Group demanding immediate payment in full of the matured indebtedness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By failing to pay, the letter states, the malls current owners risk losing rights to manage the property or foreclosure, among other penalties. Spinoso Real Estate Group, also Syracuse-based, has applied to take over management of Walden Galleria as a court-approved receiver. Spinoso took over management of Pyramids foreclosed Palisades Center near New York City last year. Pyramid lost Champlain Center in Plattsburgh, Hampshire Mall in Massachusetts and Aviation Mall near Lake George. Many worry Destiny USA could be next. Last August, NewsChannel 9 reported Destiny USA was threatened with enforcement action for Pyramids inability to pay back $430 million in debt for the construction of the mall and its expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement last year, the CEO of Pyramid Management Group, Stephen Congel, said, We are currently engaged with the special servicer regarding modification of the loan and will continue to provide an exceptional experience for our 17 million annual guests and employees. Pyramid Management Group has not responded to NewsChannel 9s request for comment related to the pending foreclosure of Walden Galleria. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. June 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts high school student was detained over the weekend in an immigration law enforcement operation targeting his father, the Trump administration said Tuesday as it responded to anger over the arrest of 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes da Silva. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a Brazilian native, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Saturday while en route to volleyball practice. His arrest prompted scores of students at his Milford High School to walk out of class in protest on Monday, and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey demanded answers from the Trump administration, which she accuses of creating "fear in our communities" through its immigration crackdown. 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. "I'm demanding that ICE provide immediate information about why he was arrested, where he is and how his due process is being protected." In response, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that da Silva was arrested by ICE agents "engaged in a targeted immigration enforcement operation of a known public safety threat and illegal alien, Joao Paulo Gomes Pereira," who is the teenager's father. DHS said justification for arresting Gomes Pereira was that local authorities informed ICE that he is in the country undocumented and "has a habit of reckless driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour through residential areas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE agents identified Gomes Pereira's vehicle and arrested both the father and son during a traffic stop. "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," DHS said in the statement. The student is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, it said. The pair were seemingly arrested during a one-month law enforcement crackdown in the state on undocumented migrants, the results of which were announced Monday during a press conference held by federal officials who said they detained 1,461 migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerning Gomes da Silva's detainment, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley for Massachusetts blamed the state over its alleged sanctuary policies, stating that when local law enforcement declines to work with federal immigration authorities, ICE is forced to go into their streets, and if they find undocumented individuals, they will be arrested. "He is 18 years old. He's unlawfully in this country. And, unfortunately, we had to go to Milford to look for someone else and we came across him and he was arrested," she said, then shrugged. "That's where that stands." Healey has repeatedly said Massachusetts is not a sanctuary state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to a reporter's question about what danger the student posed, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons retorted by asking whether they would be asking the same question if it was state police and not ICE agents that performed the arrest. "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 said. "There are 18-year-olds arrested, but we are focused on this one. And I will say, his dad hasn't turned himself in yet and his dad knowns he's the target of it." In a writ of habeas corpus filed Sunday by attorney Miriam Conrad, who is representing Gomes da Silva, she said her client entered the U.S. through a student visa in 2021, which has lapsed but the student is eligible for and intends to apply for asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Petitioner has no criminal history," the court document states. "Petitioner is currently being detained by federal agents without cause and in violation of his constitutional rights under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution." The officials said during the press conference that nearly 1,500 undocumented migrants were detained in Operation Patriot, which was launched amid the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and controversial attempt at mass deportations. The Trump administration deportations have been met with legal challenges as well as accusations of deporting U.S. citizens, including children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., chastised the Trump administration over its detainment of Gomes da Silva. "This isn't about public safety. This is about cruelty and power and fear engendered by the Trump administration," he said in a video statement published to X. "To the Milford community, I'm with you as we tell the Trump administration to keep its hands off your kids." McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) The Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced it is revamping its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tip line following a weekend attack in Colorado. Twelve people were injured in what the FBI is calling a terrorist attack on Sunday in Boulder, Colorado. UPDATE: Total injured in Boulder attack increases to 12 DHS says that the man arrested in connection with the attack, Mohamed Soliman, is illegally in the United States. Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Soliman is accused of using a makeshift flame thrower at an outdoor mall to attack a group of people who had gathered in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the attack, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that additional personnel will be added to monitor the ICE tip line to collect information on gang members, sex offenders and violent criminals who are illegally in the United States. Yesterdays terrorist attack by a suspect illegally in our country, underscores the importance of getting these illegal aliens out of our country, said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Secretary Noem is revamping ICEs illegal alien tip line to devote more resources and personnel to help remove these criminal illegal aliens from our country. Tips on suspicious criminal activity can be called into: 866-DHS-2-ICE, or (866) 347-2423. The tip line operates 24 hours a day and is staffed by trained specialists who take reports from the public and law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.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 The Hill. NEW YORK 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-year-old Venezuelan, 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. 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. Immigration cases are not available to the public, and his last name is being withheld per his familys request. 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 Eric 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 Donald 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. _____ A former Canton police officer who was working dispatch on the night when John OKeefe died was combative on the witness stand on Monday after the defense in Karen Reads murder retrial tapped her to testify. Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of striking 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. Read attorney Alan Jackson was questioning Dever about what she saw inside the Canton Police Departments sally port, but the exchange quickly turned heated when Jackson asked her if she wanted to be in the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dever responded that she had no idea why Im here." Dever said she could see the video feed inside the sally port garage while working dispatch, but when pressed about what she saw the day she ended up working late due to OKeefes death, she said, Im telling you, I did not see anything. Dever said she could see the video feed inside the sally port garage while working dispatch, but when pressed about what she saw the day she ended up working late due to OKeefes death, she said, Im telling you, I did not see anything. Reads team has long argued that Read was framed and suggested that investigators planted evidence against their client, including possibly Reads vehicle, which was brought into the sally port garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dever said that she told federal agents in August 2023 that she saw ATF agent Brian Higgins and former Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz inside the garage. While Dever said she made that comment in good faith, she told the jury that she later realized she couldnt have seen them because the two went into the garage after she had finished her shift. Dever attributed the false memory to multiple media reports surrounding the case and said she retracted her statement. Dever also confirmed she had a conversation with Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox about the murder case at some point before taking the stand in the retrial, but she denied getting guidance with her testimony. He just wanted me to tell the truth, Dever said of Cox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under cross-examination, Dever told the prosecution that she was confused why she was on the stand and said someone on Reads legal team threatened to charge her with perjury for changing her testimony on who she saw in the sally port. How did they respond? Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan asked on cross-examination. 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 added, They wanted me to say that statement, although I knew at that point it was not an accurate statement given the timeline. Jackson denied Devers accusation, pointing out that it falls on prosecutors, not defense attorneys, to file criminal charges against people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre a police officer, correct? Who charges people with crimes? Jackson asked. Have you ever seen a defense attorney charge someone with a crime? Dever responded," Personally, no." Dever later admitted to Jackson that she never obtained a report from the FBI documenting her perjury claim. Outside of court on Monday afternoon, Read had her own thoughts about Devers testimony. Are you suggesting that Dever may have been coaxed into changing her testimony? Boston 25 News Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel asked. Yes, Read responded. When she was called into the commissioners office, the story was completely changed. It was recanted. Read added, 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked, You never told her [Dever] to lie? Read said, Never. Prosecutors allege Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at the house party and returned hours later to find him dead. The defense has claimed that she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party. 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. A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporting from the Associated Press was included in this article. 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 CONAKRY, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Guinea and Senegal have committed to developing a South-South cooperation model spanning multiple sectors, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah and his Senegalese counterpart Ousmane Sonko announced Monday following a working session in Guinea's capital, Conakry. The bilateral cooperation will focus on partnerships in mining, energy, infrastructure, fishing, culture, and cross-border security sectors, according to a statement from the Guinean government. The working session took place during Sonko's official visit to Guinea, after his arrival in Conakry on Sunday afternoon. Sonko said that his visit aimed to "discuss avenues and means to achieve a qualitative and quantitative leap by pooling resources and efforts, so that we can build together, in a complementary manner, a shared development." "Guinea cannot go far without Senegal, without Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Mali, and other regional countries. Likewise, Senegal cannot go far without its neighbors," he said, emphasizing that the challenges confronting the region are far more significant than "their divergences, which are mainly cliches and misunderstandings." For his part, the Guinean prime minister said that while the historical trajectories of Senegal and Guinea have sometimes differed, this has never hampered the convergence of the two peoples' aspirations. He underscored the urgency for both countries "to provide concrete responses to the urgent need to overcome underdevelopment." Bah further emphasized the importance of "innovating, thinking, and learning from the best examples worldwide to foster a regional hub of stability, development, and fraternity," encouraging regional cooperation to bring about lasting peace and progress. A supporter of Sean Diddy Combs was dragged out of a New York courtroom by cops after making a profanity-laden outburst. Its the fourth week of testimony in the rap moguls sex trafficking trial and, on Tuesday, the federal court experienced its first significant disruption. A woman in the courts gallery yelled, Diddy, these motherf***** laughing at you and it's not right what theyre doing to him!" according to reports by CNN and NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian, told court officers to escort her out right now! Combs turned around after Subramanian ordered her removal. A supporter of Sean Diddy Combs was dragged out of a New York courtroom by cops after having a profanity-laden outburst (REUTERS) The outburst came shortly after prosecutors complained about the real identity of Combs former assistant, known as Mia, who is a witness in the case, being publicly shared. Prosecutors said a man had violated a pseudonym order by referring to Mia by her real name on his YouTube channel, CNN reported. The man was in the courtroom on Monday, and was also seen recording outside. Prosecutors have accused Diddy of threatening, abusing, and coercing victims to fulfill his sexual desires from 2004 to 2024 (REUTERS) Prosecutors asked Subramanian to ban the man from the courtroom, which the judge agreed to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Washington Post, the woman removed from courthouse said she believed people were unfairly mocking Combs. I wanted to make my voice heard, she said. The Post reported that the woman got angry when approached by a reporter and started cursing. The outburst came shortly after prosecutors complained of a man who violated the pseudonym order by referring to Combs former assistant, Mia, by her real name on his YouTube channel, CNN reported (Reuters) Im tired of seeing everyone treating Diddy the way they are. I said my piece, the supporter said. Diddy stands accused of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors have accused Diddy of threatening, abusing, and coercing victims to fulfill his sexual desires from 2004 to 2024. Mia testified last week that she was sexually assaulted by Combs. On Monday, she said she had previously not reported the assault allegation because she was terrified and brainwashed by the rap mogul. During the Putnam Museums annual Dino Days event, Cindy Diehl Yang, president and CEO of the organization, announced the plan to bring an adult Triceratops skeleton to the Davenport museum for the greater Quad City community. (The Putnam Museum) The skeleton is currently being excavated at a dig site in remote Lusk, Wyoming. A team of 10 from the Putnam Museum and the greater community are expected to leave on Sunday, June 22, to join the dig and begin the process of bringing the findings back to the Quad Cities. The multi-year project was made official last summer when Kelly Lao, vice president of museum experiences, visited the excavation site. During that time, Dr. Marcus Eriksen, founder and executive director at Leap Lab, agreed to host the dig expedition, assist with bone prep and fabricate any missing pieces that are not found when unearthing the skeleton. (The Putnam Museum) The Putnam is thrilled to partner with Leap Lab to bring a triceratops to the Quad Cities, Lao said. This collaboration combines cutting-edge science with immersive education, inspiring curiosity and wonder in our community. Its not just about showcasing a dinosaur; its about sparking the imagination of future explorers, scientists, and lifelong learners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Triceratops fossils will make the Putnam Museum and Science Center the only place in Iowa where visitors can see a full dinosaur skeleton. The museum expects the skeleton to be installed in 2027 and be a permanent addition to the museums over 250,000-item collection. Throughout the multi-year project the museum plans to keep the Quad City community involved with project updates, including a community naming contest, a dino lab allowing guests to see the prepping of the bones, multiple appearances around town and much more. (The Putnam Museum) This long-term and monumental project is supported by multiple partners and sponsors, including the Quad City Cultural Trust, Augustana College and the Fryxell Geology Museum, VictoryXR, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Leap Lab: Ventura County Science Center, Eastern Wyoming Nature Center and local Jurassic Park aficionado Colin Parry. The Putnam will also have opportunities for community members to contribute to the Bring the Dinosaur Home to the Quad Cities project through in-person donations at the museum and online. This project feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the museum, said Yang. As Im relatively new to the Quad Cities its an honor to be a small part of bringing something this epic to this amazing community. With a project this big we cant do it alone, thank you to our partners, especially Quad City Cultural Trust and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. This will be the communitys dinosaur, and we will need everyones support to bring the dino home. About the Putnam The Putnam Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, exists to preserve, educate and connect people to the wonders of science, culture, and history. For more than 150 years, guests have experienced the Putnams permanent exhibits ranging from Unearthing Ancient Egypt to our family-favorite science galleries, as well as an array of programs and internationally recognized traveling exhibits. The Putnam is dedicated to helping guests discover and explore in a friendly and engaging atmosphere. For more information, visit 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Video courtesy of Dillon County Sheriffs Office DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Dillon County authorities are looking for a person who robbed the Sav-Mart convenience store in the Little Rock community Monday evening. Deputies said the suspect was wearing a mask and had a gun when they entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. It happened at about 5:20 p.m. The suspect fled with an undetermined amount of money, driving what was believed to be a gray Chevrolet Trailblazer, deputies said. The SUV, possibly a 2000-year model, left on Highway 9 West and turned right onto Highway 57 North. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies are asking anyone with surveillance cameras who lives in the area of Highway 9 West or Highway 57 to check their video for the SUV. Anyone with information is asked to call detective Shannon Grainger at 843-774-1432, to email sgrainger@dillonsheriff.org, or to call the departments nonemergency dispatch at 843-841-3707. Tip cans can also be provided on the departments Facebook page. A private donor is offering $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. The sheriffs office said $500 will be paid at the time of arrest and $500 after a conviction. You may remain anonymous. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Financial losses prompted the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown to sell a senior living care facility in North Canton. The Diocese announced Tuesday that St. Joseph Senior Living, Louisville, was sold to Lemmon-DeHoff Acquisition. The sale was final May 31. St. Joseph Living houses a 60-bed skilled nursing unit, a 49-unit assisted living facility, an 18-bed memory care unit, and a 66-unit independent facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to sell the facility was made in 2023. Years of significant financial losses amid the complex challenges facing standalone long-term care facilities throughout the United States, including the rising costs of providing quality care, factored into the decision to sell St. Joseph Care Center, the Diocese wrote in a news release. Bishop David Bonnar said that the new owners will continue to endorse the Catholic identity as well as providing quality, compassionate care to residents. Bonnar said that new investments in the facility will include renovations and new construction. The Dioceses primary concern from the moment the difficult decision was made to sell St. Joseph Care Center has been for the residents, Bonnar said. Working with the consulting firm McMahon & Associates, our Diocesan leadership executed a very thoughtful and intentional process of finding a buyer with a footprint in the local community and a respect for St. Joseph Care Centers Catholic identity, mission and tradition of quality, compassionate service. 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. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is urging the Senate to preserve funding for anti-pollution programs it says bolster U.S. manufacturing and maritime strength. In a letter Tuesday to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Committee on Environment and Public Works Chair Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the trade group emphasized the importance of preserving vital Environmental Protection Agency grant programs that it said support American ports and manufacturing. Currently, two critical EPA initiatives the Clean Ports Program and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant programs face elimination under the House of Representatives version of President Donald Trumps budget legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AAPA said that if these cuts proceed without Senate intervention, they would undermine Trumps strategy to counter Chinese dominance in the maritime sector. The programs are designed to strengthen Americas competitive position by supporting ports in acquiring next-generation equipment while boosting American manufacturers at a critical juncture in the global maritime industry. The EPA has awarded 54 grants totaling $3 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure as well as climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports. DERA grants totaled $147 million in 2024. In the letter to Senate leadership, AAPA President and Chief Executive Cary Davis highlighted the significant manufacturing benefits of the Clean Ports Program. Davis stressed that the program is creating jobs in America and giving American manufacturers new life in a sector long dominated by China: port cargo-handling equipment. This initiative serves as a dual-purpose tool, simultaneously modernizing American port infrastructure while revitalizing domestic manufacturing capabilities in an industry where China has maintained a strong foothold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DERA grant program represents another critical resource for the maritime industry, providing essential funding for ports to upgrade to more fuel-efficient diesel engines. Like the Clean Ports Program, DERA adheres to strict Build America, Buy America standards, ensuring that federal funds support domestic manufacturing. The potential elimination of DERAs $60 million funding would have far-reaching consequences not only limiting ports ability to reduce fuel costs and mitigate local emissions but also reducing orders for American truck and cargo-handling equipment manufacturers. The AAPAs advocacy underscores the strategic importance of these seemingly modest programs in a larger economic and national security context. The budget legislation has run into opposition from Republican members of Congress who say it doesnt do enough to cut federal spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here. Related coverage: Texas port completes $625M ship channel deepening project Fear and uncertainty driving up China-US container rates CMA CGM developing $600M Vietnam container terminals Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd partner on new Asia-Long Beach service The post Dirtier ports will hurt jobs, US maritime revival: AAPA appeared first on FreightWaves. At least one Pierce County location for a departed retailer appears to be coming back to life with a chain making its entrance into the Washington market. Representatives for Philadelphia-based Five Below have filed initial plans with Pierce County for a new store at the former Party City at 10408 156th St. E. in Sunrise Village in the South Hill area. It would be the first Pierce County store for the chain, and its other planned stores in the state also would be its first Washington locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A media representative for the chain told The News Tribune via email in response to questions Monday that the location is slated to open in November. Puget Sound Business Journal first reported on the new Washington stores May 30. Five Below specializes in discount goods for pre-teens and teens (toys, tech, apparel and more), with most items priced between $1 and $5. In an early May news release, Five Below stated it expected to open 55 new stores in the first quarter, compared to the prior guidance of approximately 50 new stores. Plans filed May 7 with Pierce County called for a tenant improvement of the site. The plans were sent back later in the month, with the county requiring proof of property owner consent and more details on mechanical/plumbing work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fall 2023, Daiso, a dollar store that specializes in Japanese goods, opened next door to the site. In February, Five Below and Dollar Tree took 44 and 148 of the former Party City leases respectively nationwide as part of Party Citys bankruptcy, commercial real estate analyst CoStar reported in February. The Sunrise Village site was among those on the Five Below lease list included in a court filing submitted in February in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston division. Party City announced in December it was closing all of its stores, which included 16 in Washington state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Five Below locations going into former Party City sites in Washington include Everett, Lynnwood, Federal Way, Union Gap, Richland and Spokane Valley, according to the court filings list. In Oregon, Five Below appears to be opening its first store in that state in Beaverton. Five Below operates more than 1,800 stores in more than 40 states. This region is one of the last ones in the nation without a store: California has 150, according to its website, while New York state has 119 and Texas has 176. AUSTIN (KXAN) Andrew Smith, who was a former Texas Department of Public Safety trooper and accused of child sex abuse, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, according to a press release from Attorney General Ken Paxton. On May 1, he pleaded guilty to one count of indecency with a child. In January 2021, a 14-year-old victim reported Smith had committed multiple acts of Indecency with a Child by contact, the release stated. Per the release, Smith was employed as a state trooper with DPS during the abuse and resigned after it was reported by the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, who is now 18-years-old, testified at court and described the numerous acts of child abuse committed by Smith when she was under the age of 14, said the release. 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, said Paxton. Paxton thanked law enforcement partners who made sure justice was secured. Thank you to all our law enforcement partners who worked to ensure that justice was secured, said Paxton. According to the release, this case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Erika Hime and Elizabeth Mireles with the AG office, at the invitation of Kleberg County District Attorney John Hubert. 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. A deep sea diver has been awarded more than 750,000 in compensation after losing a leg when he was crushed by a giant underwater hammer. Allan Peacock, 55, was injured while working underwater off the coast of India in 2011. A heavy pile, which acts like a hammer to nail another pile into the seabed, unexpectedly moved, sucking him between the two pieces of equipment and crushing his foot. Mr Peacock was able to drag himself away and received medical treatment in India and Newcastle after flying home, but his injuries resulted in him having a below-knee amputation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With efforts described as quite exceptional by a surgeon, Mr Peacock was back working underwater within 18 months, with the help of a prosthetic leg. Now, after suing at the High Court, he has been awarded 765,866 in compensation from his former employer, Del Seatek India Private Limited. He had already received 169,000 from the operator of the barge on which he was working. Allan Peacock was described as a stoical, resourceful and determined individual in court - Champion News Service Ltd The court heard Mr Peacock qualified in 1998 and was working as a saturation diver for Del Seatek when he was injured while working from a cargo barge in pipe-laying operations in Paradip, Odisha, in November 2011. His barrister, Mark Chapman KC, said conditions were difficult, with poor visibility of only about a metre and a strong tide when he descended underwater in a dive basket to work at a depth of up to 30m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His task was to disconnect two chains holding vertical piles together, one on top of the other, with the top driving the other into the seabed and acting like a hammer on a nail. As he began to work, the top pile parted from the other and the barge began to roll because of the tide, also causing the piles to move, the barrister continued. They parted because they were insecurely attached, he said. There was too much slack in the chains holding them together. The claimants right foot was sucked in between the parted piles before the top pile fell back on top of the bottom pile and, in doing so, crushed the foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Peacock was transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where he had to have an amputation because of the lack of blood flow to his foot. Mr Chapman said the extent of his injury had been graphically revealed to him and he was told without warning that amputation was required, which left him extremely shocked and quite emotional. Following the accident, the claimant was absent from all/any work for a period of around 18 months, he added. However, he is a stoical, resourceful and determined individual. He was resolute in his ambition to return to his pre-accident work, having independently researched the regulatory position applicable to amputees and commercial diving operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claimant has managed to return to work in a field which is very demanding with the use of prostheses provided by the NHS. 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. KAMPALA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's coffee export earnings surged by about 95 percent in the year ending April 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier, driven by higher global prices and strong domestic yields, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries said Monday. Export revenues rose to 1.97 billion U.S. dollars in the 12 months to April 2025, up from 1.01 billion dollars in the previous year, the ministry said in a statement, adding that export volumes also increased, with Uganda shipping 7.17 million 60-kg bags of coffee, compared to 5.9 million bags a year earlier. The ministry attributed the growth in volume to favorable harvests in Central and Southwestern Uganda, two of the country's major coffee-growing regions. "The value of coffee exports was higher due to the high global coffee prices as dry conditions in Brazil and Vietnam, the world's largest producers of Arabica and Robusta coffee respectively, continue to fuel uncertainty of the global coffee supply," the ministry explained. Officials also pointed to domestic and international initiatives as contributing factors to the boom in exports. "The high yields and exports were due to a domestic campaign where agricultural inputs were being distributed free of charge to coffee farmers, coupled with a comprehensive international campaign aimed at promoting Uganda's coffee," it said. Top destinations for Uganda's coffee included Italy, Germany, Spain, India, Sudan, Belgium, China, Algeria, the United States, and Morocco. The ministry noted that output is expected to rise further in the coming months, with the main harvest season currently underway in key coffee-producing areas. CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) More than 200 pages of records, including a handwritten letter from the school bus driver, have been released to Queen City News as part of a public records request in the ongoing investigation of a deadly Chester County crash. The crash happened on April 17, when three school buses were bringing students from Pine Ridge Middle School in West Columbia back from a field trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. Parent whose son was on field trip with fatal I-77 bus crash describes learning of the terrifying moments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A tire blew out on of the buses on I-77 South in Chester County, causing it veer into a guardrail, and flip onto its side. Jose Maria Gonzalez-Linares, 13, a beloved eighth-grader known for his musical talents and warm smile, was killed. Dozens of others were injured, but all have since been released from hospitals. Drivers letter details moments before the crash Among the newly released documents is a handwritten letter by the bus driver recounting what happened. On April 17, 2025, approximately 6:20 a.m., I performed a routine pre-trip inspection on District Bus 12 (D-12), the driver wrote. All tires were checked and concluded to be safe for travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He explained that the buses made the trip to Charlotte and began heading back. Somewhere southbound near mile marker 55, I recall passing a semi-truck I recall hearing a boom which appeared to come from the front passenger side, he shared. The bus became difficult to steer, and I made contact with a guardrail. This impact caused the bus to flip and land onto its right/passenger side. Documents highlight the school bus history The documents, obtained by Queen City News, include repair records, bus purchase orders, inspection reports, and an itinerary of the field trip. Some highlights include: Notes a tire or tire component repair roughly two weeks before the crash Bus purchase and inspection histories, with previous inspections showing no issues or need for repairs References a 2024 safety recall affecting buses from model years 20152025. Its unclear if the bus involved in the crash was part of this recall Indicates a towing service was called for a crash on I-26 in Clinton, S.C. Its unclear if its related Lists the detailed itinerary of the field trip Displays the bus drivers written account Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials have not confirmed whether all the documents directly pertain to the bus involved in the crash. Queen City News has reached out to the Lexington County School District for clarification. The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Chester County Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. It's safe to say that most of us have seen lightning here on Earth plenty of times some of us have even been struck by it. But the natural phenomenon is one all but a few select individuals will ever have the chance to see from the vantage of 250 miles in orbit. Fortunately, a few astronauts over the years have been more than willing to generously share a glimpse of crashing lightning as seen from outer space. And you better believe it looks nothing like what we're used to seeing from the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest images of sky-splitting lightning came courtesy of two NASA astronauts who reached the International Space Station together in March after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida. In May, Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain posted photos on social media site X of lightning roiling far, far beneath them. "This is what lightning looks like from the top down," McClain said in a post shared May 21. Here's a closer look at just what they managed to capture from above Earth's atmosphere. NASA astronauts on ISS capture images of lightning from space The images McClain and Ayers shared show electrostatic discharges in other words, lightning from above the clouds as they orbited in the International Space Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Ayers' post on X, she said she first observed lightning May 1 while suited up for a spacewalk outside the orbital outpost. She then managed to capture a few photos the next day, which she shared May 5. "I am so amazed by the view we have up here of our Earths weather systems," Ayers posted. While it was unclear what part of Earth the lightning was striking in Ayers' photos, McClain said her images were captured over Alabama and Georgia. "Fast and furious, but also an incredible sight!" McClain said. The photos not only reveal the chaotic beauty of lightning, but could provide valuable orbital data to scientists studying the phenomenon back on Earth. Here's a look at some of the astronauts' photos: Photo techniques pioneered by astronaut Don Pettit The photos were captured at speeds of 120 frames per second, with the depicted flashes only taking up one frame. The technique was pioneered by veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who is renowned for his astral photography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pettit, who had arrived in September 2024 for his third and most recent space station stint, departed April 19, 2025, with two cosmonauts before safely landing in Kazakhstan on his 70th birthday. How many people are on the International Space Station? Ayers and McClain, who also recently made headlines for completing a rare all-female spacewalk, are among seven people living at the International Space Station. The crew of Expedition 73 includes three Americans, three Russian cosmonauts and one Japanese spacefarer from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa.) McClain and Ayers are both part of a SpaceX mission known as Crew-10 that reached the space station in March 2025. Their arrival with JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov paved the way for the NASA astronauts who crewed the doomed Boeing Starliner to depart with the Crew-9 mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also at the station is NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, who reached the outpost in April 2025 with cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Lightning from space: Astronauts post stunning weather images on X EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote Tuesday on a proposal to ban assault-style firearms. While fully automatic weapons, such as machine guns, are already illegal in Rhode Island, the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 (H5436) aims to prohibit the purchase, sale, manufacturing, and possession of certain weapons, including semi-automatic shotguns, rifles and pistols. In the video above, Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan joined Patrick Little on 12 News This Morning to go in-depth about the proposed ban. MORE: Globe RI & 12 News Stories 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 defense dog bite expert who testified on Monday that she believes a dog attacked John OKeefe at a home in Canton where he was found dead returned to the stand for most of Tuesday before a new witness was called in Karen Reads murder retrial. Irremediable: Karen Reads defense team demands mistrial over prosecutors questioning Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of striking 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WATCH LIVE: Day 26 of witness testimony in Karen Read's retrial begins at 9 a.m. NOW ON THE STAND: Dighton Police Department Sgt. Nicholas Barros, saw Reads Lexus when it was towed from her parents house PREVIOUSLY ON THE STAND: Dr. Marie Russell, Los Angeles-based emergency physician and defenses so-called dog bite expert FOLLOW TED DANIELS COURT UPDATES: AJ shows Sgt. Barros a picture of the taillight from the Canton Police Department and asks what is different from when he saw it at Read's parents house AJ: Is this the condition of the right rear tail light when you showed up at the Read household? NB: Absolutely not. AJ: Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 Dr. Russell has been excused. Alan Jackson calls Sergeant Nick Barros of the Dighton Police Department. He saw Read's Lexus when it was towed from Read's parents house Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 Jury is excused for lunch. Alessi asked for a sidebar to discuss his line of questioning w/Dr. Russell after a sustained objection. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEW: Judge Cannone denies Alessi's motion for a mistrial. BC: "the motion for mistrial is denied. Your rights are saved. And, Mr. Brennan, you can continue with this line of questioning." Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 Breaking: Karen Read's attorney Robert Alessi calls for a mistrial after the jury is sent out of courtroom arguing that Brennan brought up the "absence" of dog DNA on swabs from JOK's clothes: RA: "Attorney Brennan, just with regard to Doctor Russell in open court in front of Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 Hank Brennan asked Dr. Russell about statements Karen Read has made in tv interviews. Dr. Russell provided a theory I've never heard her speak about before: HB: when you listen to those statements, did you hear any of them talk about the idea or issue of collision or impact? Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan questioning defense dog bite expert Dr. Marie Russell. HB: what did he (Alessi) tell you when he talked to you this morning? You should be honest? MR: Not this morning. HB: Okay. Does anybody need to remind you to be honest when you testify? pic.twitter.com/7OaEX6cVUu Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good morning from day 26 of Karen Read's retrial. I got a seat close to the power supply so good start. Dr. Marie Russell is back on the stand and SP Hank Brennan will resume his cross. Live stream here: https://t.co/mez5HRy6fQ Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 DIGHTON POLICE SERGEANT TAKES STAND Dighton Police Department Sgt. Nicholas Barros, who saw Karen Reads Lexus SUV get towed away from her parents Dighton home following the death of John OKeefe, took the stand Tuesday after the defenses dog bite expert was dismissed. Read attorney Alan Jackson showed Barros an image of the Lexus taillight from the Canton Police Department and asked what was different from when he saw it at Reads parents house. Is this the condition of the right rear taillight when you showed up at the Read household? Jackson asked. Absolutely not, Barros responded. Jackson continued, Whats different about this photo, sir? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barros said, That taillight is completely smashed out. JUDGE DENIES MOTION FOR MISTRIAL -- AGAIN The defense team leapt on a chance to ask for a mistrial Tuesday after the prosecution pointed out that no dog DNA was found on OKeefe. The defense said there had been no mention in the trial about DNA and the dog bite, and argued that raising the subject while questioning Russell had prejudiced the jury. That cannot be reversed. That cannot be cured. That cannot be ameliorated with a jury instruction, defense attorney Robert Alessi said while the jury was outside the courtroom. Prosecutors waved away the accusation, with Brennan saying, The defense does not get to pick and choose what words the Commonwealth can or cannot use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a brief pause, Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone said the trial could proceed. DOG BITE EXPERT QUIZZED Prosecutors were challenging an assessment by Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency medicine physician, who said cuts on OKeefes arms were the result of a dog attack. Russell testified Monday she treated hundreds of dog attacks and bites over nearly 30 years and became interested in the Read case after seeing a news report about questions over whether OKeefe was attacked by a dog before he died. These multiple groupings are patterns and they are, in my opinion, by the teeth and claws of a dog, Russell said, pointing to a photo of OKeefes arm. She described the wounds as linear and going in a similar direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors previously sought to block Russell from testifying, questioning her credibility. Although the judge allowed her to take the stand, the prosecution renewed their scrutiny and noted Russell never testified before as a dog bite expert and hasnt taken a dog bite forensics course however she said she was unsure any such certification or training existed. Prosecutor Hank Brennan asked Russell on Tuesday if there was any universally accepted standard for identifying dog bites. Russell said there was not. Brennan also pressed Russell about changing her testimony from saying the wounds were caused by teeth or nails to specifically naming canines. When you testified, December 2024, you didnt say nails could have caused these wounds, you didnt say generally teeth, you said canines, Brennan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe that is true, Russell responded, saying she became more certain the wounds were from canine teeth. DOG BITE EXPERT SHARES OPINION Dr.Marie Russell, an emergency physician and forensic pathologist, spent most of Monday facing questioning, notably telling the court that her opinion is that linear abrasions on OKeefes arm were the result of multiple dog bites. When shown an image of the injuries to OKeefes arm, Those wounds were inflicted as the result of a dog attack, the Los Angeles-based doctor testified. The teeth made these abrasions, Russell told the court as she examined the photo and cited multiple groupings of wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell said she observed multiple strikes from a dog on OKeefes arm, including bites and claw marks. During Reads first trial, Russell also testified that the holes found in OKeefes hoodie and the wounds to his arm were from a dog. She also said her opinion is that OKeefes injuries do not appear to have been caused by a vehicle. The prosecution sought to block her testimony ahead of the start of Reads retrial, but Judge Beverly Cannone ruled in favor of the defense. Prosecutors allege Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at the house party and returned hours later to find him dead. The defense has claimed that she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party. FORMER CANTON OFFICER QUESTIONED Before Russell took the stand, former Canton Police officer and current member of the Boston Police Department, Kelly Dever, was called on by the defense. She 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. 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-examination. 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. Jackson denied Devers accusation, pointing out that it falls on prosecutors, not defense attorneys, to charge people with crimes. Defense lawyer Alan Jackson questions Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik during the Karen Read murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Friday, May 9, 2025. (Mark Stockwell/The Sun Chronicle via AP, Pool) Dever also confirmed that she was called in to speak with Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox about the Read murder case. Outside of court, Read had her own thoughts about Devers testimony. 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. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR DEFENSE TO PRESENT THE CASE? Read has said she expects her team to present their case in about two weeks. 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. THE 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 A dog bite expert was cross-examined Tuesday by prosecutors in Karen Reads second murder trial, as the defense argues she was framed for killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe, and that wounds on his arms came from an animal. Read, 45, is accused of fatally striking OKeefe, 46, with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow outside another officers home when she dropped him off at a party there in January 2022 after the two had been drinking. Shes charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene outside Boston. Her lawyers say OKeefe was beaten inside the home, bitten by a family dog and then left outside as part of a conspiracy by the police that included planting evidence against Read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mistrial was declared last year and so far, Reads second trial has followed similar contours to the first. RELATED: Defense continues calling witnesses in Karen Read trial A dog bite expert is quizzed The jury has repeatedly been shown photos of the gashes and scrapes on OKeefes arms, and saw them again on Tuesday. Prosecutors challenged an assessment by Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency medicine physician, who said the wounds on OKeefes arms were the result of a dog attack. A photograph of John OKeefes right arm is republished 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) Dr. Marie Russell, an emergency physician and forensic pathologist, is questioned during Karen Reads murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Libby ONeill/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) Russell testified Monday she has treated hundreds of dog attacks and bites over nearly 30 years and became interested in the Read case after seeing a news report about questions over whether OKeefe was attacked by a dog before he died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These multiple groupings are patterns and they are, in my opinion, by the teeth and claws of a dog, Russell said, pointing to a photo of OKeefes arm. She described the wounds as linear and going in a similar direction. Upon leaving court at the end of the day, Read briefly addressed reporters and said she thought Russell was fantastic on the stand. SEE ALSO: Defense begins calling witnesses in Karen Read trial Prosecutors ask what makes someone a dog bite expert The prosecution had earlier sought to block Russell from testifying, questioning her credibility. Although the judge allowed her to take the stand, the prosecution renewed their scrutiny and noted Russell never testified before as a dog bite expert and hasnt taken a dog bite forensics course however she said she was unsure any such certification or training existed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Hank Brennan asked Russell on Tuesday if there was any universally accepted standard for identifying dog bites. Russell said there was not. Brennan also pressed Russell about changing her testimony from saying the wounds were caused by teeth or nails to specifically naming canines. When you testified, December 2024, you didnt say nails could have caused these wounds, you didnt say generally teeth, you said canines, Brennan said. I believe that is true, Russell responded, saying she became more certain the wounds were from canine teeth. Defense calls for a mistrial again The defense team leapt on a chance to ask for a mistrial Tuesday after the prosecution pointed out that no dog DNA was found on OKeefe. The defense said there had been no mention in the trial about DNA and the dog bite, and argued that raising the subject while questioning Russell had prejudiced the jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That cannot be reversed. That cannot be cured. That cannot be ameliorated with a jury instruction, defense attorney Robert Alessi said while the jury was outside the courtroom. Prosecutors waved away the accusation, with Brennan saying, The defense does not get to pick and choose what words the Commonwealth can or cannot use. After a brief pause, Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone said the trial could proceed. ALSO READ: Defense tears into crash reconstruction expert during Karen Read trial Testy exchange with a former police officer An exchange between former Canton police officer Kelly Dever and defense attorney Alan Jackson quickly turned tense after he asked if she wanted to be in court. Dever said she had no idea why Im here, and later remarked about the defense mispronouncing her name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dever testified that while working dispatch on the night OKeefe died, she could see a video feed from the sally port, a garage area attached to police department. Reads team has long argued a police cover-up including possibly moving Reads vehicle that was brought into the sally port garage. Dever said that she told federal agents in good faith in August 2023 that she saw ATF agent Brian Higgins and former Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz inside the garage. But on the stand, she said she realized that wasnt possible because they entered the garage after her shift ended. She attributed the error to false memory influenced by media coverage, and said she retracted her statement. MORE: Karen Read Trial 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The woman accused of leaving a dog outside in extreme heat for over 20 hours told police that she fell asleep and forgot about the animal, documents said. On Saturday, May 31, officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 6800 block of Frances Celia Avenue near Tropicana Avenue and East Russell Road after the Clark County Animal Protection Services requested assistance. The call stated that a dead dog was found in a crate in the backyard of a home there, according to an arrest report. Officers spoke with Olivia Underwood, 30, who told police she was the owner of the dog, a three-year-old Frenchie named Jazzy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underwood told police she fell asleep and forgot about the dog until it died. RELATED: Woman arrested after dog dies in crate left outside Las Vegas home in extreme heat A witness told police her husband noticed Jazzy was outside in the crate at around 8 a.m. Four hours later, when she got home, the witness noticed the dog was still locked inside the cage and was panting, according to the report. The witness contacted animal protective services as well as her sister-in-law, who lived across the street, to help. The sister-in-law told police she contacted another neighbor to check on the dog with her. She said she checked the weather app on her phone, which said it was 103 degrees, the report stated. They noticed the dog looked like she was not moving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told police she and the other neighbor were scared to go into the backyard because they were worried about trespassing laws. She said the crate was directly in the sun, and there were empty food and water bowls inside the crate. A third woman came out of her house after seeing the two women looking concerned. She told police she decided to enter the backyard to attempt to help the dog, according to the report. She noticed the dog started having a seizure and was foaming at the mouth. She thought the seizure was heat-related, so she grabbed a bucket of water from her home and poured it over the dog, but the dog was not reacting anymore. She told police she did this three times, but noticed the dog was no longer breathing and was stiff, the report said. After all three women realized the dog was dead, Underwood came out of her home and started yelling at them, telling them to get out of her backyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underwood told police that she works overnight 12-hour shifts at a local hospital. She said she put Jazzy outside in the crate on Friday night at around 5:45 p.m., around 20 hours before the dogs death, according to the report. When she left the house, the crate was locked, and there was no way for Jazzy to exit the crate or scratch on the house door to be let inside. She told police she got home at around 7 a.m., but never checked on the dog because she just went inside to go sleep, saying she fell asleep on the couch with her scrubs on from work. She later said she changed into pajamas and went to sleep. Olivia had time to get home from work, order an Uber for her grandmother, change into sleeping clothes, and fall asleep, but never checked on Jazzy, who was outside in over 100 [degree] weather, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underwood told police one of her kids woke her up at around 1 p.m., saying there were people in the backyard. She went outside to see the women tending to Jazzy. Underwood told police the women started yelling at her for leaving her dog outside, so she cursed them out and told them to get the [expletive] out of my house, the report stated. She said Jazzys crate was usually inside, but the dog made a mess the night before, so they took it outside to wash it. Underwood told police she was sorry for being so selfish. According to records, Underwood was involved in several other situations with the Animal Protection Services, including an incident in December 2016 where someone complained she left a pit bull on a patio in 35-degree weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, in June 2024, Underwood took Jazzy to an animal hospital, but refused all medical care and advice and left, the report stated. Underwood faces a charge of willful or malicious torture, maiming, or killing of a dog, court records show. She was released on bail and is expected in court on July 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 KLAS. We wanted to remind you of a few big events that are happening locally for this weeks newest Forever Home episode. The best part about these events? Theres still time for you to join in on the fun even though a couple of them are coming up this weekend. Heres how to join in! Central Vermont Humane Society: Walk for Animals will be hosting their biggest fundraiser of the year this Saturday, June 7th. The mile walk around Montpelier will be accompanied by many other vendors, fun activities, refreshments, and more. The goal is to raise $80,000 for the shelter so CVHS can continue to provide the outstanding care of homeless animals in the communities they serve. CVHS has passed the $65,000 mark as of this weekend and currently have a $5,000 matching gift challenge. Lets help them get over the finish line by turning out for this event or donating online. Head over to the Central Vermont Humane Society website to find out how to get involved with this event and future festivities. North Country Animal League: NCAL will be hosting their free open house event on Saturday, June 7th. There will be lots of fun to be had including the raffling off of baskets filled with local goodies and gift certificates. This is also the event where the winners of the beer can label contest will be announced, so you wont want to miss it. Speaking of which, the raffle prize winners will also be announced at around 5:45 PM. For more information, be sure to visit the North Country Animal Leagues website. Homeward Bound, Addison Countys Humane Society: Nominations for the first-ever dog mayor of Middlebury have concluded and the voting has begun. As of June 1st, the voting has begun to elect a dog mayor of Middlebury. The winning pooch will have a full lineup of duties that must be fulfilled, events that must be attended, and more. For more information about this fundraising event for Homeward Bound and how to cast your vote, you can visit Homeward Bounds 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) has reported the states first case of measles in 2025. According to a release sent Monday afternoon, a man in Meade County developed the infection after traveling internationally. The man visited several public locations and those who were in the following locations are asked to self-monitor or symptoms for 21 days. AG: Marshalls belongings found in Fall River County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The locations: Rapid City Medical Center Urgent Care waiting room (2820 Mt Rushmore Road, Rapid City, SD May 28, 2025, from 7:15 am to 10 am MT Monument Health Sturgis Urgent Care waiting room (2140 Junction Ave, Sturgis, SD) May 29, 2025, from 9:45 am to 3 pm MT The DOH says symptoms appear in two stages. The first may include a runny nose, cough and a slight fever, while the eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light and the fever consistently rises each day. The second stage begins on the third to seventh day of symptoms and consists of a temperature of 103-105F, and a red blotchy rash lasting for four to seven days. The DOH says the rash usually begins on the face and spreads down to the torso and out to the legs and arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOH notes that measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air. Individuals who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection are at high risk of measles infection if they have contact with an infected person, said state epidemiologist Joshua Clayton. Clayton spoke to KELOLAND News about the risks of measles last week, telling us that it was a question of when, not if, the disease would appear in South Dakota amid a wider nationwide surge in cases. The DOH states that the MMR vaccine offers the best protection against infection. Measles vaccine (MMR) is typically given at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4- 6 years of age. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles infection, and two MMR doses usually produce lifelong immunity. If you are planning to travel internationally with children, MMR vaccines can be given to children starting at six months of age, reads the release. 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. 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 is a developing story and will be updated. 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. In the week that the Prime Minister vowed to increase defence spending and solemnly averred, My first priority is the safety and security of the British people, the British people scratched their heads and gestured crossly in the direction of their southern coastline. Hang on, Keir, they muttered. What about those 1,195 men from God-knows-where who broke into our homeland on Saturday to access the all-you-can-sponge benefits buffet. Thats 15,000 of the blighters this year so far, a record. How are you making us safe and secure? You could tell the PM thought he was making a historic speech; the hair gel gets heavier and greasier along with the sententious, slippery phrases. It didnt help that he was speaking at the Govan shipyards in front of a group of workers who appeared to have been taken hostage during their break, wrestled from their Twixes and builders tea to provide a stirring backdrop for this tinpot authoritarian dictator. All credit to the Scots, they looked either bored or openly hostile. Samuel Johnsons observation that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel never rang truer. A hugely unpopular Labour leader, who acts against the national interest at any given opportunity, was suddenly asking the country to pull together because his party risks coming a humiliating third, behind Reform UK, in the Hamilton by-election on Thursday. Dont get me wrong. I welcome any rise in funding for our beleaguered armed forces, but the PMs promise to make the UK a battle-ready, armour-clad nation sounded absurd. Not least because he called committing to spending 3 per cent of GDP an ambition when highly-respected generals (and now Nato) say 3.5 per cent on defence is the bare minimum. The damage has already been done as a result of years of underinvestment, lack of purpose, partly through constant change of leadership in all three services, lack of political will and an increasing number of civil servants without any military experience who hold down jobsworth appointments resisting change and threats to their position. But it wasnt just the lack of a firm financial commitment that felt evasive. Starmer avoided any mention of the clear and present danger, which is by far the biggest threat to our national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are currently more illegal male migrants of fighting age in the UK than there are soldiers. The British Army, once among the worlds best, is now 71,000-weak and can no longer put an armoured division in the field, yet the state somehow finds a stupefying 8 million a day to place asylum seekers in pleasant hotels beyond the means of any squaddie. The 1,200 invaders who came ashore on just one day last weekend are roughly the equivalent of two infantry battalions. One estimate has numbers reaching 50,000 by the end of the year, although if we have a good summer, it could be much worse. Its frightening. To add to the jeopardy, in 2020, MI5 said that nine-tenths of the 43,000 suspects on its terror watchlist were jihadists. More potential terrorists from Iraq, Iran, Syria and North Africa are ferried ashore every hour by the RNLI and Border Force; they are so busy transporting unwanted arrivals that last week they asked trawlers for help. (When Keir Starmer promised to stop the boats, little did we realise the boats he planned to stop were British fishing boats! The PM sold our fishermen out to the French as an incentive to prevent migrant dinghies setting sail. Curiously, for our 500 million quid, the numbers being prevented are going down not up. Tant pis, Monsieur Keir!) If you or I were the prime minister or home secretary, the numbers above would be giving us sleepless nights. Who knows, maybe Keir Starmer in the wee small hours frets a little that the multicultural experiment is fast approaching breaking point and no amount of jailing far-Right thugs like Lucy Connolly or clamping down on free speech is going to keep a lid on civil unrest. I doubt it somehow. It is an article of faith for the Left that Western countries have no moral right to control their borders and keep out unfortunate people from supposedly exploited places. In 1988, Starmer even said that a racist undercurrent permeates all immigration law. Nowadays, living in fear of Farages turquoise tsunami, the hypocrite tweets: You have every right to be angry about small boat crossings. Im angry too. You have every right to be angry about small boat crossings. I'm angry too. We are ramping up our efforts to smash the people smuggling gangs at source. Hundreds of boats and engines: seized. Illegal working raids: up. Almost 30,000 people: returned. Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 2, 2025 Dont believe him. Sir Keir is a member of that human rights legal elite who have set themselves up as defenders of the international rules-based order, rejoicing in their principled stand against their less enlightened and bigoted countrymen. (Thats us, folks.) Irreversible change to the population and culture of our country is not an accidental by-product of their love for open borders; they wont rest until every last vestige of despised Britishness and patriotic feeling is erased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one better personifies that sanctimonious, canting breed than Sir Keirs old mucker Attorney General, Lord Richard Hermer. Last week, Lord Hermer caused uproar when he said that politicians threatening to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) were basically Nazis echoing 1930s Germany. It is that very same wretched ECHR which all the human rights zealots love to exploit. Immigration judges regularly place some Islamist maniacs right to a family life above the right of British people not to be blown up, or raped, successfully blocking the deportation of thousands of dangerous foreign criminals. Along with Starmer, Lord Hermer is part of the same human rights legal elite - Shutterstock Imagine hating your country so much that you dedicate your life to representing those who hate it even more. Gerry Adams, Shamima Begum, five brutes linked to al-Qaeda all were represented by Lord Hermer. So I was disgusted, but not surprised, when The Telegraph disclosed on Sunday that Lord Hermer personally signed off on the prosecution of Lucy Connolly for a single, deeply unpleasant tweet. At the time of the fast-tracked show trials around the Southport riots, the Attorney General warned: You cannot hide behind your keyboards you will face the full force of the law. (Looks like he and the PM both approved the draconian crackdown on free speech to cover up the cracks in their multicultural project.) The Telegraph also discovered that Hermers office had declined to review unduly lenient sentences handed to a convicted rapist, a paedophile and a terrorist fundraiser all of them received shorter terms than Lucy. What a sick, ideologically-warped society it is where a convicted rapist is sentenced to 28 months and a devoted mum and childminder who typed one bad thing (swiftly corrected) is sent down for 31 months. Thank goodness for Robert Jenrick, who perfectly summed up the grotesque two-tier justice meted out to Lucy in an excoriating question in the Commons, and for Baroness Kate Hoey, who demanded compassion for Lucy in the Lords. The Justice Secretary released Lawson Natty early, who supplied a machete used to kill a 14 year old. She is now halving the sentences for killers and rapists. Meanwhile Lucy Connolly remains behind bars for a reprehensible, but swiftly deleted tweet. Why? She had no answer pic.twitter.com/2NTeDV87bM Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) June 3, 2025 In Scotland, the Prime Minister asked the country to work together to confront the threat from Russia. I dont know about you but, right now, Im less worried about Vladimir Putin than Richard Hermer. Even if the Royal Navy and the Army get the funds they need and deserve, there is no way the current Attorney General will permit our forces to repel or repatriate the thousands of undocumented males who present such a danger to the UK (particularly to women and girls). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless we leave the ECHR, the hands of our soldiers and sailors are forever tied. Imagine trying to explain that mortifying impotence to those who died protecting this island from actual Nazis. Confronting the enemy within is every bit as important as bolstering our defences to engage the enemy abroad. Make no mistake: uncontrolled migration is by far the biggest threat. Starmer, Hermer and their ilk are not to be trusted with our nations security; they owe their loyalty to international human rights law. Not to the men, women and children of Britain. 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. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Hosted by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va., 3rd), Democratic members of the Steering and Policy Committee listened to testimony of the struggles of veterans during the first four months of the Trump administration. Scott was joined by committee members Nanette Barragan (D-Calif., 44th), Mike Thompson (D-Calif., 4th) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill., 2nd) in the Brothers Auditorium on the campus of Norfolk State University. The members heard testimony from four witnesses who represent veterans and their concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont deny us what we were promised by Abraham Lincoln, said Susan Hippen, a retired Navy Master Chief who represents the Veterans of Military Families Caucus. She was invoking Lincolns pledge to care for American veterans and their families in his second inaugural address in March 1865. Hippen said she has visited the new veterans clinic in Chesapeake several times, and it has about a third of the necessary patient treatment teams. You walk in, theres one person, she said. You look at the pharmacy, theres one window open. Theres no one in radiology. Theres no optometry open. Scott said hes not surprised, given how the new clinic has been hiring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some were offered jobs and then those jobs were rescinded, he said. Theyve got pending layoffs, so nobody wants to come into a group as a provisional employee. The Department of Veterans Affairs told WAVY Scott is lying to veterans about the Chesapeake clinic, and sent this statement to WAVY, through press secretary Pete Kasperowicz: The North Battlefield Clinic is exactly where it should be in terms of staffing. After opening April 17 with some 150 staff, it now employs 185 people and is actively recruiting for 243 additional positions as part of its phased growth plan. As of now, the clinic has 6,810 enrolled Veterans and has completed 4,000 patient visits in the last six weeks. Over the next 20 days, the facility is scheduled to complete 9,000 additional appointments. Congressional Democrats are pointing to the Trump administrations cutbacks and layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It means longer lines at VA medical centers and hospitals, and crowded waiting rooms, said Robin Kelly. Del. Jackie Glass (D-Norfolk) served as a cryptographer aboard USS Nimitz and said access to health care is getting tougher, especially for those who are in crisis. I see it my own family, Glass said. Trying to find a provider, specifically a mental health provider that takes TRICARE, its getting non-existent. Hippen said veterans now face more obstacles to get disability benefits. She wants the Trumps Department of Veterans Affairs to stop using contract doctors to re-examine veterans who are submitting disability claims. Military doctors already diagnosed us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott said hell gather all the information from Tuesdays testimony and work it through the budget process, because in order to make improvements to service and access a reality, the money will have to come from Capitol Hill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Its been more than two years since Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly resigned as prime minister of New Zealand after juggling being a first-time mom while navigating the aftermath of a domestic terror attack at two mosques, a deadly volcanic eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Ardern lives in Boston, where shes a fellow at Harvard University, and she seems to be in a reflection phase when it comes to politics. Her memoir, A Different Kind of Power, hits shelves on Tuesday, several months after a documentary about her time as prime minister premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the release of the book which chronicles her unlikely rise to New Zealands top leadership position, the ups and downs of her time in office, and her unexpected resignation Ardern did an interview on CBS Sunday Morning program and made something pretty clear: Shes done with politics. In this case, say never At one point during Arderns interview, Robert Costa, the CBS Sunday Morning national correspondent, asked the former prime minister if she would ever consider returning to politics in New Zealand. Ardern responded with a wide smile and zero hesitation. No, I think if you make the decision to leave, then youve made the decision to leave, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Costa pointed to leaders like Winston Churchill, who served as prime minister of the United Kingdom twice. Never say never, he said. In this case, say never, Ardern said with a laugh. I think also, for me, I have such great faith in all the people that I worked with and was lucky enough to work with. Theyre wonderful. Theyre doing a great job, and they dont need me, she added. Distanced from politics, Ardern said shes been enjoying her time in the U.S. and has appreciated the opportunity to be a normal family. The former prime minister reflected on her effort to lead with empathy and kindness an approach that simultaneously inspired praise and resistance from her constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That principle of kindness, its something we teach our kids, why shouldnt we role model that in the way that we conduct ourselves in politics? Ardern said on Sunday Morning. There are different ways to lead, but I hope you also see that some of those character traits that we perhaps bring to leadership that we might believe to be weaknesses imposter syndrome, or even empathy actually are incredible strengths," she added. Why did Jacinda Ardern resign as New Zealand Prime Minister? In Prime Minister, a documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, Ardern called herself a reluctant prime minister, as the Deseret News reported. Early on in the film, she recalled how she feared having all of the responsibility land on her shoulders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she took on the role with confidence, and over five years, championed issues including gun control, climate change, child poverty reduction, raised minimum wage, paid parental leave and mental health. She had substantial support as she navigated crisis after crisis as prime minister while embracing motherhood, but even still, the cumulative effect of the challenges she faced in office took a toll on her, ultimately leading to a surprise resignation. Jacinda Ardern at @sundancefest Prime Minister premiere: Its quite a lot to watch yourself on a screen. She praised her husband, Clarke, for his efforts to help document her ups and downs in office even when she was reluctant at times to be filmed. pic.twitter.com/gemXAOmcUZ Lottie Johnson (@Lotlotej) January 25, 2025 Near the end of Prime Minister, in a present-day interview, Ardern wondered if she had maybe subconsciously been planning her exit all along. At the time of her resignation, her favor in the polls had declined significantly. The political climate in New Zealand was also intensifying protests had erupted on Parliaments lawn over her COVID-19 mandates and Ardern believed the temperature needed to cool down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She figured that if she stepped down and removed herself from the equation, perhaps some of her accomplishments wouldnt be overturned. Prime Minister producer Clarke Gayford and his wife former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden applaud during opening remarks at the 2025 Sundance premiere of Prime Minister at the Eccles Theater in Park City on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News In Prime Minister, she stands behind her handling of the pandemic, noting that she would prefer to explain why she did too much rather than too little. Save peoples lives and keep everyone together, she said of her responsibilities. I did one, but I didnt quite manage to do the other. Ardern ultimately resigned at the start of 2023, with her sights set on spending more time with family. She married her partner, TV broadcaster Clarke Gayford, and became a dual fellow at Harvard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, with politics in the rear view mirror, Ardern is focused on spreading a message of compassion and optimism a theme throughout both the documentary and her new memoir. Optimism is a courageous act, she said during her appearance at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Its not passive, you have to keep fighting for it. ... You have to act on its behalf. Please maintain the courage of optimism, we need it now more than ever. CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office (CPSO) is hosting a blood drive in partnership with LifeShare Blood Center as part of its Give the Spice of Life! event. Cares Krewe spreads kindness with free coffee and beignets Source: CPSO The blood drive will be held on Wednesday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Caddo Correctional Center, 1101 Forum Dr. in Shreveport. Donors must be 16 years or older, and a signed permission form from a parent or guardian must be presented for those under 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CPSO is seeking at least 18 blood donors during the drive. Appointments can be scheduled online at LifeShares donor portal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Police in Northern Kentucky are investigating four reports of kids kicking in homeowners' doors during a new social media variation of the "ding dong ditch" prank. The twist is that instead of just knocking on the door and running away, some pranksters are completely destroying the victim's front doorway, police said. On social media, Florence police called for parents and guardians to keep an eye on their children's whereabouts to prevent a prank from turning into a tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Being awoken at 3 a.m. by someone forcefully kicking a front door could lead a homeowner to believe a break-in is occurring, potentially prompting them to take defensive action," the department said in a June 2 Facebook post. Police Detective Todd Manning told The Enquirer the department has also seen similar reports from residents across other cities in Kenton and Campbell counties in Northern Kentucky. Florence homeowner Sherri Souder says her home was hit by the social media trend during this past Memorial Day weekend, according to Enquirer media partner Fox 19. Souder said she woke up before midnight thinking she heard an explosion, only to check her cameras and see a kid kicking in her garage door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ding dong ditch" pranks have long been around and there are countless examples of modern spins across TikTok and other social media platforms. However, it's recently received more attention due to a deadly incident in May. Just a month ago in Virginia, a teenager was allegedly shot and killed by a homeowner while filming TikTok "ding dong ditch" prank videos with friends. One of the teen's friends was also shot and treated for minor injuries. The teens told police they were shot while running to hide after knocking on a door. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 4 NKY homes hit by new TikTok twist of 'ding dong ditch' prank DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A teen has been arrested after police say he opened fire at a Dothan movie theater after he was denied entry into a movie Monday night. Records show 18-year-old Jordan Caliste was arrested and charged with discharging a firearm into an unoccupied building. Dothan Police say Caliste was attempting to get into an R-rated movie at the AMC Dothan Pavilion 12, but when staff asked him for his ID, Caliste said he did not have it with him, and he was denied entry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Dothan Police, Caliste then pulled a gun and fired, hitting an unoccupied building in the parking lot area. No one was injured. Stay with WDHN 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Teamsters went on strike to protest what they said are unfair labor practices at Breakthru Beverages in Tampa. Its a part of a statewide work stoppage that will also impact the companys operations in places like Fort Myers, Orlando and Tallahassee. From early Tuesday morning through the afternoon, workers were chanting that they are Teamsters and what they want is a fair contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All they really want is a fair days work for a fair days pay, said Brandon Sosnoff, with Teamsters Local 79. Ive been a driver for the company for the past 10 years, and all theyve done is just take stuff from us. Thats all theyve done in the past. Many, many years, and its time for us to put a stop on it, said Yuniel Sancillena, who has been a driver for a decade. Everyone at the union is on strike to demand higher wages as well as better benefits and working conditions. Those behind the wheel said they will protest until they get what they deserve. Theyre laughing at us, and were going to continue out here, as long as it takes, as long as weve got to be out for, were going to be out here fighting for what we deserve. Truck drivers deserve better than what they do to us, Sancillena said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breakthru is one of the largest alcohol beverage wholesalers in the country, operating in 15 states and Canada. When the drivers got to the negotiating table, they said they were left disappointed. The company dropped their last, best, and final offer on us. Essentially, it was just a wage cut. Not increasing health insurance, no retirement benefits. It was just a slap in the face to these drivers, and they said weve got to hit the streets, Sosnoff said. The drivers said if the strike continues, ramifications will be felt locally and throughout the state. 8 On Your Sides Alessandra Young asked those on strike what the worst-case scenario might be for consumers if the strike continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is definitely going to be a huge impact when it comes to customers and businesses, they are going to need the product. Obviously, they dont have the manpower to get the product out. Every single driver is going to be out here, no one is going in to move those trucks, unless we get a better contract, and theyre going to feel it, Sancillena said. It is going to have a huge impact, because they got a lot of trucks that have got to go out and a lot of products that have to go out and there are many customers that will be waiting on product. The drivers said they will be out on strike for as long as it takes for them to get the contract they want to see. 8 On Your Side reached out to Breakthru Beverage for a response. While we respect the rights of our associates, we are disappointed that our Northern Florida drivers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have initiated a strike, the company wrote in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have contingency plans in place to ensure minimal disruption to the business. We hope to reach a resolution soon and are committed to maintaining an open and transparent dialog with the union. We value all our hard-working associates and always strive to provide them with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a positive work environment, Breakthru wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Ariba Shahid, Asif Shahzad KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) -More than 200 inmates escaped from a jail in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi late on Monday when they overpowered prison guards after being allowed to leave their cells following a series of earthquakes, local officials and police said. The jailbreak began just before midnight and continued into the early hours of Tuesday after hundreds of prisoners were allowed into the courtyard of the District Malir prison because of the tremors, Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, the provincial law minister, told reporters at the scene on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the prisoners snatched guns from prison staff and forced open the main gate after a shootout, evading paramilitary soldiers. At least one prisoner was killed and three guards wounded, said Provincial Police Chief Ghulam Nabi Memon. "I heard the firing for quite some time and then some time later prisoners made their way out running in all directions," Bukhsh, a private security guard at a residential complex opposite the jail who goes by a single name, told Reuters. He added that some of the prisoners entered the apartment complex before being taken away by police. On Tuesday, a Reuters reporter who visited the prison saw shattered glass and damaged electronic equipment. A meeting room, for prisoners to see their families, had been ransacked. Anxious family members had gathered outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jailbreak was one of the largest ever in Pakistan, Lanjar said. The prison, which houses 6,000 inmates, is in the Malir district of Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city. Prisoners ran through the area throughout the night, some of them barefoot, with police giving chase, local TV footage showed. About 80 of those who escaped had been caught, said Murad Ali Shah, the provincial chief minister. The jail's superintendent, Arshad Shah, told reporters that there were 28 prison guards on duty at night, and that "only a few of such a large number of prisoners escaped". He said the prison did not have security cameras. Officials said the inmates, many of them heroin users, had been unnerved by the earthquakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was panic here because of earthquake tremors," said Lanjar. The provincial chief minister said it was a mistake for prison authorities to have allowed the prisoners to leave their cells. He urged the inmates still at large to hand themselves in, or face a serious charge for breaking out. "Petty crime charges will become a big case like terrorism," Shah said. (Reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi and Asif Shahzad in Islamabad; Writing by Saeed Shah; Editing by Tom Hogue, Michael Perry and Kate Mayberry) A dramatic shift in TV commissioning has seen the UK become a world leader in high-end drama while the value of smaller shows plummets, according to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Delivering a keynote at the Deloitte Conference, Nandy said too many talented creatives have been left out of work by this shift, leaving her concerned. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said this has come as broadcast viewing declines by one third while streaming soars, leading to a change in the content mix. Take, for example, the dramatic shift in TV commissioning patterns that have seen the UK become a world leader at high-end [drama] at the same time as smaller producers have seen the value of their commissions fall by one third, she said. The squeezed middle dropping out of the UK indie market was the talk of last years Edinburgh TV Festival, although 2025 has been characterized by a scripted funding crisis driven by American co-producers pulling out of the UK. Nandy said the UK government is providing solutions, however. She flagged improvements like the recent Media Act, providing a more sustainable settlement for PSBs so they continue to invest in high quality original content, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she pointed to smaller commissions declining, she flagged later in her speech that cheaper fare like Come Dine With Me and everything in between are selling just as well as big high-end dramas like Doctor Who and Bridgerton around the world. Possibly nodding to the UK governments refusal to impose a levy on the streamers, Nandy said she wants a sustainable ecosystem for both PSBs and streamers across the UK. We wont penalize you through taxes and levies but ensure we have a regulatory framework that creates opportunities for business both big and small and for UK talent to be showcased across the world, added Nandy. Nandy was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference just prior to BBC boss Tim Davie and Netflix EMEA chief Larry Tanz. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ABUJA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 43 people were killed after gunmen launched attacks on local communities in Nigeria's north-central Benue State, local media reported Tuesday. The assaults occurred late Sunday and early Monday in the Gwer West and Apa areas, where gunmen, some wielding machetes, targeted residents in separate incidents, the official News Agency of Nigeria reported, citing "credible sources." At least 25 people were confirmed dead in Apa, while over 18 bodies were recovered in Gwer West on Monday, according to Daniel Abomtse, a tribal leader in the region. "The attackers came in a guerrilla-style," Abomtse said, noting many people sustained varying degrees of injuries. "The way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive." Rescue teams had been deployed to comb nearby bushes for survivors who fled during the attacks, he said. Edith Udeme, spokesperson for the police in Benue, confirmed the attacks at a press briefing Tuesday morning, identifying the assailants as "suspected herders," adding that police had recovered several bodies and joined the search for more victims. Benue State, located in Nigeria's central region between the Muslim-dominated north and the Christian-majority south, has witnessed repeated attacks in recent years. The motive behind the latest attacks remains unclear. Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months. Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed Commander of the Joint Forces after submitting his resignation as Ground Forces Commander, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 3. Drapatyi resigned from his previous role on June 1 following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast earlier that day. He was then summoned to a meeting with Zelensky on June 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I explained to the president the reasons for my decision (to resign). The president heard me, supported me, and suggested that we focus on the main issues the war, the front line, and victory," Drapatyi wrote on Telegram. The commander also emphasized the need to change the culture of commanders' attitudes toward their soldiers, the performance of their duties, and the value of the life of every Ukrainian soldier. "I received a task from the president. I am staying in the ranks, on the front line. Where I have to be, where I can do the most," Drapatyi said. During his evening address, Zelensky said that Drapatyi would be appointed Commander of the Joint Forces and focus "exclusively on combat issues." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian strike in question hit the 239th Polygon, a Ground Forces training ground north of the city of Dnipro, on June 1. Drapatyi, confirming the location and when announcing his resignation, said the victims were mostly young recruits who "should have learned, lived, and fought not died." The attack killed 12 people and injured more than 60 others, according to the Ground Forces press office. The Ground Forces said that if the investigation finds negligence or misconduct contributed to the casualties, those responsible will face strict accountability. Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian training sites have intensified in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also struck by an Iskander missile in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia had previously attacked Ukrainian training grounds several times when Ukrainian soldiers were lining up to be awarded for their service. The attacks, which resulted in heavy casualties, provoked criticism of the top military leadership, which allowed negligence at military facilities. Read also: As Ukraines fate hangs in the balance, Soviet command culture damages war effort Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) An investigation is underway into a head-on crash that injured three people in Providence Monday evening. The two-car crash happened at the intersection of Point and East Franklin streets near the I-95 North and I-195 West off-ramp. Both vehicles sustained significant front-end damage. It also appears one of the vehicles crashed into a utility pole and caught fire. Anthony Vega, a spokesperson for the Providence Police Department, confirmed that both drivers and a passenger were transported to the hospital with injuries that dont appear to be life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vega added that the driver of the vehicle that caught fire, 19-year-old Savonn Mom, is being charged with driving under the influence. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown at this time, however, a 12 News employee saw that driver run a red light moments prior. 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. A driver and his passenger were arrested after state police said he drove away from police and led troopers on a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 93 late Monday night. Phillip Bryson, 53, of Somersworth, is charged with driving as a habitual offender, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, reckless conduct and reckless driving, state police said Tuesday. He was held at the Merrimack County Jail pending his arraignment scheduled for Tuesday in Franklin District Court. His passenger, Roxanne Quaile, 38, of Franklin, was taken into custody on an unrelated arrest warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 10:59 p.m. Monday, troopers were notified to be on the lookout for a 2015 white Ford Escape whose driver fled from a Hooksett police officer who tried to conduct a traffic stop. Roxanne Quaile, left, and Phillip Bryson. The Ford Escape was reported to be traveling northbound on I-93 from the Hooksett Welcome Center at speeds over 100 mph and with no taillights, state police said. Soon after, Trooper Benjamin Olmstead spotted the Ford Escape traveling northbound near Exit 12 in Concord at high speed and still with no taillights. He tried to conduct a traffic stop but the driver, later identified as Bryson, failed to pull over and a pursuit ensued, state police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead, Trooper Kelsey Scott deployed spike strips, which deflated one of the Fords front tires. But Bryson continued north and then got off the interstate at Exit 17. The pursuit continued onto Route 4, through Boscawen and Salisbury, where Bryson eventually turned onto Route 127. After entering Franklin, Bryson turned onto a small, dirt road and about half a mile later, stopped in front of a mobile home. Bryson then got out of Ford and ran into the home, while Quaile was arrested, state police said. Troopers and officers from the Franklin Police Department set up a perimeter. After a period of negotiations, Bryson eventually came out of the home and was taken into custody, state police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is asked to contact Trooper Ben Olmstead at 603-223-3831 or Benjamin.M.Olmstead@dos.nh.gov. 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 DENVER (KDVR) A 32-year-old man from Elizabeth was given a 25-year prison sentence Monday after he pleaded guilty to felony vehicular assault and felony child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury in connection with a crash. Chase Albert Lein pleaded guilty in March and admitted to driving under the influence on April 10, 2024. Another Colorado wolf dead, CPW watching 4 potential dens for pups That was the same day he ran a red light at the intersection of Chambers Road and Mainstreet in Parker, striking a Hyundai carrying three people. A 12-year-old child was ejected from the vehicle upon impact, even though he was wearing a seat belt, leading to a fractured skull, while his sister suffered severe spinal injuries, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diane Lampasona, the mother who was also injured in the crash, told prosecutors she forgives Lein. She told FOX31 in April of this year that she prayed over her son at the scene. I dont think hes a monster. We all make mistakes in life, and we have to pay the price for those mistakes we make in life. I pray for him as well, Lampasona told prosecutors. I was very pleased with the judges final decision. I didnt know which way he would go, but I definitely feel like justice was provided. Officials say Leins blood alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit. Lampasona has gone through several medical procedures since the crash, as has her daughter. All three are still healing after a crash that could have killed them all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant chose to drink and drive in broad daylight and a young family nearly paid the ultimate price for his selfish actions, said Deputy District Attorney Joe Ratner in a press release. There will be no tolerance for that in Douglas County. The crash happened at 6:20 p.m. on a weekday, highlighting how DUIs can happen at any time or place. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO (WGN) A driver on North DuSable Lake Shore Drive was shot midday Tuesday near the Playpen in an apparent road rage dispute. The victim, a 32-year-old man, told authorities he was southbound near the 700 block of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive around 11:30 a.m. and had a conflict with the driver of a black Jaguar SUV. The male driver of the SUV pulled alongside the victim and opened fire, hitting the victim in the elbow, police said. The victim continued driving and pulled over on the 1500 block of South Wabash Avenue to notify authorities, police said in a release. He was later taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition. At least three bullet holes were visible in his Hondas passenger side door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to WGN NEWS from the hospital, the victim said the dispute began when the driver of the Jaguar, whom he didnt know, cut him off. He said he tried to remain calm after being shot and kept driving until he saw a police vehicle on South Wabash and flagged down an officer. All the police start coming from both directions. The ambulance came. The gentleman got out of his car and was sitting on the ground . and was nursing whatever wounds he had and the paramedics, they loaded him up, said a witness who said his name was Jaill. The shooter continued southbound on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, police said. No other injuries were reported and no one was in custody as of Tuesday afternoon. Area Three detectives are leading the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Starting Tuesday, rideshare users heading to the Nashville International Airport should plan to leave at least 10 minutes earlier. BNA now requires rideshare drivers to drop off and pick up in the same location at the Ground Transportation Center. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Abdul Helmandai has driven for Uber Black in Nashville for three years and is a member of the Tennessee Driver Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are making a decision without discussing it with the drivers, Helmandai told News 2. I mean, the drivers are the backbone; they are the real ones. If there is no driver, then I can bet there would be no airport. Helmandai told News 2 that the airports new policy will slow things down for both drivers and riders. Even before the policy change, Helmandai explained that drivers were already seeing pickup cancellations due to traffic. It will take more than an hour to pick up one customer just because drop off and pick up point same place, Helmandai said. Airport officials said the move is part of a long-term plan to reduce congestion and support the airports growth, but Helmandai told News 2 the change would devastate the rideshare business as people move toward more convenient modes of transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The taxi will become more convenient. You just walk out, Taxi! get in and go, Helmandai said. But if you take a rideshare, definitely it will take 30 minutes, an hour for every driver to get there. The change also raises concerns for travelers with mobility issues or young children. This place is huge as it is, and to have to make a passenger have to walk that much farther is ridiculous, Nashville resident Melanie said. [For] anyone that has to take a wheelchair on a regular basis, this is going to be totally inconvenient, she added. BNA representatives said the walk from the Ground Transportation Center to TSA is under 10 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are just going to add more traffic, more delays, and more problems and thats one thing Nashville does not need, Melanie said. Helmandais plea to BNA: Dont treat us like we are nobody. To customers: I ask you just to keep patience. We deeply value all of our passengers, and ensuring that Nashville International Airport (BNA) remains accessible to everyone is one of our highest priorities. While the walking path from the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) to the Grand Lobby is ADA-compliant and designed to accommodate passengers with mobility needs, as are all our areas at BNA, we understand that every travel experience is unique. Those who require additional support are encouraged to check their rideshare app for alternative drop-off options that may better suit their accessibility needs once the reconfiguration goes into effect on June 3. The comfort and well-being of all our passengers are important to us, and we remain committed to ensuring every passenger feels safe, supported, and welcome at BNA. Statement from BNA Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A Dulce man faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty to sexual contact with a minor. Cisco Cruzito Pinto, 38, admitted to having sexual contact with a minor who was between the ages of 12 and 16. Officials said Pinto used force to maintain control when the victim resisted. New Mexico man sentenced to life in prison for killing wife Pinto faces up to life in prison and will also have a minimum of five years of supervised release and up to the rest of his life when he is released from prison. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. will be closing Dupont Circle park this weekend as WorldPride festivities kick off, officials said. A letter obtained by DC News Now said that this closure comes at the request of the Metropolitan Police Department with agreement from the U.S. Park Police. The National Park Service will close Dupont Circle from Thursday, June 5 to Monday, June 9. WorldPride underway in DC for first time Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision was made based on a history and pattern of destructive and disorderly behavior from unpermitted activities happening in the park during past DC Pride weekends, including vandalism in 2023 that resulted in approximately $175,000 in damage to the historic Dupont Circle fountain, the letter read. We recognize that World Pride is a significant event, and we are committed to supporting a safe celebration for all. We ask for the publics cooperation and understanding as we take this necessary step to keep the community and visitors safe and protect one of D.C.s most treasured public spaces. Letter sent to ANC Commissioner Officials said in the letter that this was also in accordance with President Donald Trumps Executive Order on Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues, and Combating Recent Criminal Violence. DC News Now reached out to the Metropolitan Police Department and the mayors office for statements and was referred to the National Park Service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) You will have to wait just a short while longer before visiting the areas first Dutch Bros Coffee location. Photo/Dutch Bros Coffee According to Dutch Bros, the beverage company now anticipates a fall opening for its location at 8080 N. Dixie Drive in Butler Township. WDTN.com told you about the new coffee and drink shop coming to the area in January. At that time, a township planning spokesperson said the project could be completed by early summer. The spokesperson said at that time Mother Nature could change that projected timeframe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The companys hiring page indicates the company is constructing locations near Cincinnati: 8670 Winton Road, Springfield Township 5977 Lorven Drive, Milford As of date, the nearest current Dutch Bros location operating is in Lexington, Kentucky. Although the company isnt accepting applications, you can watch for when they are 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 WDTN.com. BAMAKO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen terrorists were killed in the northern Malian city of Timbuktu on Monday after a failed attempt by terrorist fighters to infiltrate a military camp, according to a statement issued by the Malian Armed Forces. The statement said the infiltration attempt occurred around 10 a.m. local time (GMT+0), and that "the terrorists were swiftly repelled by the prompt response of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa)." "A provisional toll shows 14 terrorists killed, 31 suspected terrorists arrested, and weapons, vehicles, and various materials recovered," the statement added. The attempted infiltration came a day after a deadly attack on a military base in Boulkessi, located in the central region of Douentza. Local witnesses described it as "a true carnage," with at least 30 Malian soldiers reportedly killed. The attack was claimed on social media by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM/JNIM). In a separate statement on Sunday, FAMa confirmed the assault on the Boulkessi camp, stating only that it "responded vigorously before withdrawing," without providing further details or casualties. Over the past week, several military camps across central and northern Mali have come under attack, with GSIM/JNIM claiming responsibility. The assaults have resulted in heavy casualties and significant loss of military equipment. In many cases, the targeted camps were completely burned and numerous soldiers killed. Since 2012, Mali has been grappling with a deep and multifaceted crisis caused by separatist insurgencies, jihadist incursions and intercommunal violence, which have killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands of others. The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) is leaving the Netherlands government over its policy for asylum-seekers, its leader Geert Wilders said on Tuesday, toppling the governing coalition. I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands, Wilders told reporters Tuesday morning. And our responsibility for this cabinet therefore ends here. Wilders decision to withdraw support for the most right-leaning government in Dutch history has plunged the countrys politics into chaos. It leaves the government, led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, with just 51 out of 150 seats in parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Dick Schoof called the decision unnecessary and irresponsible. But speaking with reporters after a Tuesday afternoon cabinet meeting, he offered few details on his conversations with Wilders. He said that without the PVVs support, it was impossible for the government to carry on, and that he would remain in office leading a caretaker government until a new coalition takes over. Opposition leaders have called for immediate elections. Polls suggest that, were elections to be held today, the PVV would lose seats but remain the largest party, just ahead of the center-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats no guarantee that it would be able to enter a new government. Dutch politics features a constellation of parties, none of which has ever been able to command a majority of Dutch votes. Polls suggest that both center-right and center-left parties would gain from new elections. Wilders PVV was the clear winner of a November 2023 election. But a coalition accord struck after months of haggling dictated that, while his party would join the government, he would remain on the sidelines, in parliament. Wilders has a long history of anti-Islam and anti-immigrant rhetoric, He was convicted of discrimination after insulting Moroccan immigrants at a 2014 campaign rally, and his party calls for no Islamic schools, Qurans, and mosques. Wilders last week held a rare, formal press conference to present the government with an ultimatum for hardening the countrys asylum policy despite the fact that the minister for asylum and migration is a member of his own party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PVV promised voters the strictest asylum policy ever, aiming to make it the strictest in all of Europe, Wilders said Tuesday. We proposed a plan to close the borders to asylum seekers, to stop them, to send them away. To stop building asylum-seeker centers, to close them. But the coalition, he said, refused his proposals. I could do nothing other than say that we are now withdrawing our support for this cabinet. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Dutch government has collapsed after Geert Wilders far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) withdrew from the ruling coalition, leaving the administration without a parliamentary majority and plunging the Netherlands into political uncertainty. Prime Minister Dick Schoof, an independent who took office last July, has resigned from his role in the wake of the collapse. The governments fall after less than a year in power is expected to trigger snap elections, although experts say a vote before October is unlikely and the process of forming a new government could take months. Without PVVs 37 seats in the House of Representatives, the coalition government now only has 51 seats out of 150. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilders party won the previous general election in November 2023 in a shock result, signaling a significant shift to the right in the Netherlands that has been echoed in other elections across Europe over the last year, including in Germany, France, and the European Parliament. Who is Geert Wilders? Wilders, 61, is one of the most prominent and polarizing figures in Dutch politics. Originally from Venlo in the south of the Netherlands, Wilders is a seasoned politician, first joining the field in 1990 as an assistant to Frits Bolkestein, a centre-right politician and then-leader of the Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), before securing his first elected position in 1997 as a VVD city councillor in Utrecht. He was elected to the House of Representatives a year later, and has gone on to become the longest serving lawmaker in Dutch politics. In 2004, he left the VVD and formed his own party, later renamed PVV, which he currently leads. Anti-immigration policy is at the top of Wilders' agenda. His manifesto during the 2023 general election included a ban on all mosques, Islamic schools, the use of Qurans, and anyone wearing a Hijab entering government buildings in the Netherlands. The manifesto also said the PVV wants to reduce non-Western immigration and implement a general asylum freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilders' speeches have been marked by hardline anti-immigrant and anti-Islam rhetoric as well: In late 2016, a panel of judges found him guilty of inciting discrimination against Dutch Moroccans over comments he made in a post-election address in 2014; months later, ahead of parliamentary elections in 2017, Wilders described some Moroccans in the Netherlands as scum. As of January 2024, just under 3 million people in the Netherlands were born abroad, 176,000 thousand of whom were born in Morocco. One or both of another 250,000 residents' parents were also born in Morocco. Wilders has been calling for the Dutch government to implement his partys 10-point plan, which includes slashing migration, turning away asylum seekers, and returning thousands of Syrians back to their home country. He has also been calling for changes to the Main Outline Agreement signed when the government coalition formed last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday morning, after walking out of a meeting of coalition party leaders, Wilders said in a post on X: No signature for our asylum plans. No changes to the Main Outline Agreement. PVV leaves the coalition. What could happen next? Wilders announcement that his PVV party will be leaving the coalition means that any party members holding ministerial positions in the cabinet will leave, while remaining ministers from three other parties will continue as part of a caretaker cabinet. After Prime Minister Schoofs resignation on Tuesday, a general election is likely to be called as the current government will struggle to function with a minority in the House of Representatives. The ruling coalition comprised four parties: PVV (37 seats), VVD (24 seats), NSC (20 seats), and BBB (7 seats), which together held 88 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives. With PVV's withdrawal, the coalition loses its majority, retaining only 51 seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on previous election timeframes, Reuters reported that an election before October is unlikely, and forming a new government in the meantime could take months due to the countrys fractured politics. VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, whose party formed part of the government coalition, called for elections as soon as possible in a post on X, adding that the Netherlands needs a strong cabinet to continue to deliver on the right-wing policies that the voters voted for. Earlier on Tuesday, Yesilgoz-Zegerius said in a separate post: Wilders is putting his own interests above the interests of our country by walking away Everything that could be done, we were already going to do. Everything we had already agreed upon. Contact us at letters@time.com. Dutch opposition politicians have called for new elections after the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) withdrew from the coalition government in a dispute over migration policy, triggering its collapse. "The Netherlands deserves a government that unites the people and works shoulder to shoulder on real solutions," said Frans Timmermans, leader of the largest opposition group in parliament. "It's time for elections, we are ready for them." Timmermans said the collapsed government, led by populist firebrand Geert Wilders' PVV, has led the country to a standstill, while war is being waged in Europe and people are worried about their future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described the failed four-party ruling alliance as powerless, disunited and ridden by conflict. "That's what happens when you give power to extremes," Timmermans concluded. The leader of the Socialist Party, Jimmy Dijk, also called for new elections - "preferably as soon as possible." New Jersey's primary early voting period will run from Tuesday to Sunday this year. (Daniella Heminghaus for New Jersey Monitor) Early in-person voting in this years gubernatorial and Assembly primaries began Tuesday morning, one week ahead of the June 10 primary. For the first time, this years primary early voting period will run for six days. Early polling centers are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Eligible voters can cast ballots at any early polling station in their county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jerseys 21 counties will stand up 168 early voting stations this year, up from 159 in last falls general election. The state reimburses counties early voting expenses for up to three, five, or 10 early polling sites, depending on county population. Only two counties, Union and Hudson, are standing up early polling stations at their own expense. Union is set to launch 11 early voting locations, while Hudson is erecting a staggering 31. It remains to be seen whether this years governors race featuring 11 candidates across the two major parties will draw the level of early in-person turnout observed during last years presidential races. Nearly 1.2 million residents cast early in-person ballots during the states nine-day early voting period last November, shattering previous turnout records for the voting method and eclipsing the 841,138 mail ballots returned in that race. About 65% of registered voters cast ballots in that election, with early votes accounting for a little more than a quarter of total turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until 2024, mail ballots were the main method of pre-Election Day voting. Before then, in-person early voting struggled to attract large numbers of voters. The state first allowed the practice in November 2021. This years early voting period will be longer than in previous years due to a bill Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law in March. That law extends the primary early voting period to six days, from three days in most years and five days in years with a presidential election. Gubernatorial primaries will top this years ballots. On the Democratic side, six candidates Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller are vying for the chance to succeed Murphy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five Republicans former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Sen. Jon Bramnick, radio host Bill Spadea, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and contractor Justin Barbera are competing for their partys nod. All 80 of the states Assembly seats are also up for election this year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Primaries for two Georgia Public Service commission races will take place on June 17. Early voting began May 27 and will end June 13. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder (file) Note: After this story was published, District 3 Democratic candidate Daniel Blackman was officially disqualified from the race. Any votes cast for him will not count. For the first time since 2020, Georgia voters have a chance to decide who will represent them on the Public Service Commission. This delayed election comes after a lawsuit challenged the statewide elections used to elect commissioners, arguing it diluted the voting strength of Black voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite each commissioner hailing from a specific geographic district in Georgia, voters across the state are eligible to vote for each member. This year, District 2 and 3 seats are on the ballot. The 2025 election comes as commissioners face criticism for signing off rising rates for Georgia Power customers. After Junes primary election, winners will advance to the general election in November that will coincide with municipal elections across the state. With early voting already in full swing, about 18,000 people have cast a ballot as of Monday, according to the Secretary of States data hub. When is the election? The primary election will take place on June 17. Early voting began May 27 and will end June 13. If a candidate does not receive at least 50% of the vote in the primary, a runoff election will be held on July 15. Voters can check their registration status, polling information and sample ballots on the Georgia Secretary of States My Voter Page. What is the Georgia Public Service Commission? The PSC is a five-member commission that is tasked with regulating electric, telecommunication and natural gas services. Why is this an important election for voters? The commissioners decisions and outcomes directly affect how much people in Georgia pay for necessary utility services. Their website points out that very few governmental agencies have as much impact on peoples lives as the PSC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this impact, PSC elections tend to have low visibility and voter turnout across Georgia. University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock attributes that partly to limited campaign capability. Ive often said that most Georgians [are] probably not fully aware we have a public service commission, dont know that it has five members, and couldnt name a single one of them, Bullock said. With limited campaign finances and awareness, it can be tough for candidates to reach voters. As a political scientist, Bullock said he often uses the PSC as an example when trying to identify what partisan division exists in the state. He says that when people vote for the PSC election with limited knowledge they tend to fall back on their preferred party. Georgia is still more Republican than Democratic, so I think ultimately, probably the incumbent Republicans are going to win, Bullock said. It also helps that once we get to the general election ballot, itll have the I beside their name, indicating they are the incumbents. What will my ballot look like? In District 2, incumbent Commissioner Tim Echols is running for re-election. If elected, this would mark the beginning of his third term as a commissioner. Echols will face Lee Muns on the Republican ballot. Alicia M. Johnson is running uncontested on the Democratic ballot. District 2 goes as far north as Hart County and as far south as Savannah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In District 3, which includes Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties, incumbent Commissioner Fitz Johnson is the sole candidate on the Republican ballot this month. Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Johnson to the seat in 2021. All the action in this race is on the Democratic side right now, with four candidates trying to clinch the nomination. Daniel Blackman, who served as the Environmental Protection Agencys Southeast regional administrator during the Biden administration, is fighting to remain a candidate. Blackman was disqualified after Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger agreed with an administrative court judge that he did not have the adequate residency qualifications to run. A Fulton County Superior Court judge granted an injunction allowing Blackman to remain on the ballot for now. A hearing on Blackmans appeal is set for June 10. Other Democratic candidates include Peter Hubbard, who is the founder of the clean nonprofit Center for Energy Solutions, former utility executive Robert Jones and Keisha Sean Waites, who is a former Atlanta City Council member and ex-state representative. Why are there separate ballots for the PSC primary election? The PSC primary is a partisan election and requires voters to choose a Democratic or Republican ballot. The primary election will not occur at the same time as any municipal elections. This will not be true for the general election. For cities with municipal general elections also occurring on Nov. 4, different ballots will be offered for each election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partisan nature of the primary election often contributes to low voter turnout. Many people do not turn out for primaries, said Travis Doss, president of the Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials and Richmond Countys election director. They do not feel that they have an affiliation with a party, so theres always confusion when it comes to primaries. People argue with us that they should be able to vote for both sets of candidates. This was true for a Richmond County woman who recently came in ready to cast her vote but ended up telling Doss that she would not be picking a party. Why is this an irregular election cycle? A 2020 lawsuit brought forth by Black voters in Atlanta delayed years of PSC elections and challenged the electoral process that allows statewide voters to elect district-specific commissioners. Plaintiffs argued that this is a violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and dilutes the voting power of Black Georgians. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately decided not to hear the case, and the at-large method of electing commissioners remains in place. What are some issues surrounding the current PSC? Critics and consumer watch groups have continued to express concerns over rate prices, growing electricity demands and the spread of data centers. According to previous Georgia Recorder reporting, the average Georgia Power residential customer pays about $43 more to cover base electric rate increases, recover excess fuel expenses, and cover the cost of completing two new nuclear power generators at Plant Vogtle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PSC staff and Georgia Power reached a proposed agreement to freeze base electric rates from 2026 to 2028. Critics have pointed out that Georgia Power customers could still see an increase on their utility bill after the approval of funds for storm damage and fuel recovery expenses. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX More than 200 inmates have escaped from a prison in Pakistan after they were moved from their cells for safety amid earthquake tremors, officials have said. Several dozen of the prisoners that broke out of the jail in Karachi were quickly recaptured, police said on Tuesday, but at least 130 are understood to remain unaccounted for. Authorities added that raids are under way to apprehend those still at large. Of the 216 prisoners who had fled from Malir prison during the night, 78 had been recaptured, Kashif Abbasi, a senior police official, told the AP news agency. He stressed that none of the escaped prisoners were convicted fighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escapes are not common from Pakistani jails, which have stepped up security measures since an attack on a prison by the Pakistani Taliban in the town of Dera Ismail Khan, which freed hundreds of inmates. One prisoner was killed and three security officials were wounded in a shootout that developed amid a bid to put one of the escapees back into custody. Police officers examine a damaged area inside the Malir prison in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 3, 2025 [AP] Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, home minister for Sindh province, said the jailbreak happened while prisoners were removed from their cells for safety during the tremors. Once outside their cells, a group of inmates attacked guards, seized their weapons and opened fire. In comments carried live on local TV news channels, Lanjar said the prison break was one of the largest ever in Pakistan, the Reuters news agency reported. East Hartford man charged with fatal March shooting in Hartford HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Hartford police say an East Hartford man was charged with murder in connection to a March shooting. Arian Serrano, 37, was arrested Tuesday. He was also charged with criminal possession of a firearm and criminal use of a firearm. BACKGROUND: Police investigating homicide on Main Street in Hartford The charges stem from about 11:27 p.m. on Friday, March 14. Officers were dispatched to the area of 2121 Main St. for a ShotSpotter notification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival, they found an unresponsive gunshot victim, who was pronounced deceased after being transported to a hospital. Police release bodycam footage of alleged fatal self-inflicted shooting in East Hartford The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Myron Meyers. Serrano was held on a $2 million 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 WTNH.com. TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK) An East Texas police officer was placed on administrative leave on Monday, shortly before he was charged with sexual assault of a child. Mugshot of Zackary Gilley, courtesy of Texarkana Police Department According to the Texarkana Police Department, Zackary Gilley, 32, had been employed by the department since 2018 and was arrested on Monday night. 7 illegal gambling operations shut down by Harrison County officials The chief of police said both an internal and criminal investigation were started after allegations involving a 15-year-old girl came to light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators gathered facts from a forensic expert and consulted with the Bowie County District Attorneys Office before requesting warrants be issued by a district judge. Gilley was called to the police department Monday night and arrested for: Two counts of sexual assault of a child One count of indecency with a child by contact One count of indecency with a child by exposure Titus County man arrested in connection to wifes murder The men and women of the Texarkana Texas Police Department are dedicated to serving our community with integrity and respect. When one of our own is alleged to have violated the law, it is deeply troubling and disheartening. Such actions stand in direct opposition to the values we uphold. Accountability is necessary to preserve the trust our community places in us, and we remain committed to transparency and doing what is right. Chief Kevin Schutte Texarkana, Texas Police Department His bond was set at $600,000 on Tuesday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. This photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows the scene of a bomb explosion that occurred earlier near a church in Munyonyo, a suburb of Kampala, Uganda. The Ugandan military on Tuesday said it had killed two suspected terrorists who were carrying an explosive device in the capital city. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) KAMPALA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military on Tuesday said it had killed two suspected terrorists who were carrying an explosive device in the capital city. Chris Magezi, the military spokesman, told Xinhua by telephone that the bomb exploded in the process of intercepting the two suspects. "One actually was a suicide bomber, a lady," Magezi said, adding that the two were riding a motorcycle in Munyonyo, a suburb of Kampala. This photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows the scene of a bomb explosion that occurred earlier near a church in Munyonyo, a suburb of Kampala, Uganda. The Ugandan military on Tuesday said it had killed two suspected terrorists who were carrying an explosive device in the capital city. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) This photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows the scene of a bomb explosion that occurred earlier near a church in Munyonyo, a suburb of Kampala, Uganda. The Ugandan military on Tuesday said it had killed two suspected terrorists who were carrying an explosive device in the capital city. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) State lawmakers left a large pile of major issues on their agenda for the waning hours of the 2025 spring session. Very few of them were addressed other than the must-pass budget for fiscal 2026. Color us unsurprised. Despite a $1 billion shortfall that had to be plugged, the $55 billion budget proved to be anticlimactic, largely hewing to the outline Gov. JB Pritzker offered in February. So what passed for news in the capital emanated mainly from what didnt happen rather than what did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the top of that list was the fiscal crisis the Chicago-areas public transit agencies are facing, which those agencies have said will mean substantial service reductions if Springfield doesnt act in the coming months. Following the end of the session, Pritzker and legislative leaders said the General Assembly likely would take the unusual step of acting over the summer on the issue. Thats good. For the sake of commuters and the regions economy, they should act well before what would normally be the next opportunity the fall veto session in November. Springfield should learn from the mistakes of the just-concluded session. Everyone has known for over a year that a transit overhaul and rescue needs to happen, and yet the effort still turned into the equivalent of an all-nighter for a student who hasnt done the coursework over the semester. The mad scramble for funding sources to plug the transit agencies $770 million budget hole foundered, as rank-and-file lawmakers, stakeholders and most importantly the public were given no time for due consideration and feedback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The typical Springfield gambit of waiting until the eleventh hour to spring controversial initiatives on the public in order to keep determined opposition from forming backfired spectacularly. First, late last week state Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Ram Villavalam, D-Chicago, proposed a package of revenue generators including a 50-cent surcharge on tolls, a redirection of suburban sales taxes to transit, higher suburban real estate transfer taxes and a region-wide tax on Ubers and Lyfts. Suburban officials predictably balked at the lopsided nature of that deal, creating the need for an immediate Plan B. Villavalam pivoted with only hours to spare to a $1.50 charge on delivery of most retail products. The Senate approved the so-called pizza tax, the derisive sobriquet effectively wielded by opponents, by a 10-vote margin, but the House left town without acting, an acknowledgement the votes werent there. That proposal deserved to die. Among other things, theres no logical reason downstate Illinoisans should pay an extra $1.50 on deliveries mainly to bail out bus and train service in the Chicago area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Making the idea worse was that Democrats in the Senate added a provision forbidding retailers (yes, like pizza makers) from showing the tax in a separate line item on their receipts. Nothing says confidence in your own policy-making like doing your utmost to keep consumers (most of whom double as voters) from understanding why their costs have risen so much. It was the Democratic version of President Donald Trumps temper tantrum in late April when news surfaced that Amazon was considering showing customers the cost of tariffs in their product purchases from its low-cost website dubbed Haul. So when lawmakers reconvene to take another stab at transit reform and funding, they should learn from this setback and embrace transparency. They must be more open with the public about the tax and fee mechanisms on the table and allow time for feedback. As we said last week before the unproductive weekend in the capital began, safe and reliable public transit is critical to the region and the state. And the need for more revenue is inescapable. But public acceptance of whatever funding solution emerges, even if grudging, is critical to ensuring this rescue mission succeeds. And to win that support, Springfield must break with the cloak-and-dagger machinations and engage the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the lawmakers, theres really nothing to lose at this point by being transparent given that people now have seen the sausage-making. Thirty-two senators are on record having voted for the pizza tax and have nothing to show for it. While we acknowledge that settling on an appropriate source of money is delicate and complicated, we believe its not impossible to find a means the public can accept. But to achieve that, a proposal must have two attributes. First, it has to be broadly and fairly distributed among constituencies who have a legitimate stake in the future of public transit including, by the way, those paying CTA bus and train fares that could stand to rise a little, if only to $3 or $3.50. Second, it must be related as directly as possible to the issue at hand. Part of the problem here is that Chicagos disastrous privatization of parking meters and the Chicago Skyway has reduced some of the logical levers and private garages already are drowning in some of the highest tax rates in the nation. Still, ride-share taxes are clearly in the same world. So for that matter is congestion pricing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congestion pricing in New York, even though it has been the subject of controversy, has the virtue of generating revenue for public transportation in a city that is traffic-choked by any definition. That is not to say were advocating congestion pricing for Chicago; indeed, we have editorialized against such a charge out of concern for the massive potential harm to downtown Chicago, which needs more activity, not less. But at least congestion pricing in support of public transit can be defended on grounds that the two are related. To its credit, Springfield made substantial progress on giving regional transit officials far more power over local systems such as the Chicago Transit Authority. Those governance provisions, which appeared to have broad support in both chambers, are crucial to giving Illinoisans outside Chicago confidence that theyre not bailing out an unpopular city government without appropriate safeguards. We also see the logic of sending some money from whatever Springfield raises to improve transit downstate. Thats only fair. Failure isnt an option. Come back to Springfield this summer, lawmakers, and get this needed transit reform done the right way. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. When the U.S. Senate considers five Floridians who are up for federal judgeships, three of them should be forced to answer a familiar Washington question: What did you know and when did you know it? Ed Artau and Jordan Pratt are Florida appellate judges who recently wrote opinions sure to please President Donald Trump, who announced their nominations last week. It would impugn their fitness to be federal judges if they knew at the time that Trump was considering them for the federal bench. Their generally hard-right leanings are an issue, too, casting additional doubt on whether either of them should be confirmed by the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps third Florida nominee, John Guard, is chief deputy state attorney general. He signed off on the $67 million Medicaid settlement that earmarked $10 million to First Lady Casey DeSantis Hope Florida Foundation. The money apparently flowed through to a political committee helping Gov. Ron DeSantis defeat the recreational-marijuana amendment last November. Questions persist State Attorney Jack Campbell in Tallahassee has begun a criminal investigation into the diversion of that money, and Sen. Rick Scott has said that Guard should have to answer some questions about it. Some obvious ones: Did he know where the money would go? Was it an appropriation that only the Legislature should have made? Scott isnt on the Senate Judiciary Committee, but Floridas other senator, Ashley Moody, is. Because Moody was Guards boss when he signed off on the settlement, she should disqualify herself from voting on his nomination. Artau, a judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, flagrantly flattered Trumps cause when the court ruled in February that he could continue suing non-Floridians on the Pulitzer Prize Board in a state court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump claims they defamed him by awarding prizes to the Washington Post and the New York Times for their coverage of alleged Russian interference in the 2020 election. From a First Amendment standpoint, the suit is preposterous. The main opinion of a three-judge panel gave a simple yes to that jurisdictional question and did not go into the main issue of whether the Pulitzer board had libeled Trump. As if Trump wrote it Artaus concurring opinion reads as if Trump wrote it. It quoted Trumps claim that it was all fake news, a phony witch hunt and a big hoax. The rest of the 12 pages six times as long as the opinion was pro-Trump, too. Artau has not replied to our email asking if he knew Trump was considering him for a federal judgeship when he wrote that opinion. The public deserves to know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Artau wrote that the U.S. Supreme Court should reconsider New York Times v. Sullivan, the landmark case that raised the standard for defamation lawsuits by public officials. Trump and his lawyers have repeatedly made the same argument. In an earlier, unrelated case, Artau dissented from a majority opinion overturning the resisting-arrest conviction of a woman who had been photographing Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort. Pratt, a judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeal at Daytona Beach, wrote the opinion last month striking down the Florida law allowing minors to obtain a judges permission for an abortion rather than to have to notify their parents and obtain their consent. A far-fetched theory His opinion for a unanimous panel embraced a far-fetched legal theory that the 14th Amendment gives parents an inherent right to be informed and to consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other Floridians whom Trump is nominating are Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe of Floridas Second District Court of Appeal and Kyle Dudek, a federal magistrate judge in Fort Myers. All the nominees except Dudek are known members of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization that has had extraordinary influence in judicial appointments by Trump as well as DeSantis. Artau flaunted his Federalist ties when he unsuccessfully sought a Florida Supreme Court appointment from DeSantis. On shaky ground The societys standing with Trump would appear to be shaky now in light of the tantrum the president pitched last week over a three-judge federal courts ruling against his tariffs. That outburst came just after he had announced the five Florida nominations. And it was over the top, even for Trump, in that he didnt assail just the ruling but denounced Leonard Leo, former executive vice president of the Federalist Society, and the group itself for bad advice they gave me on numerous legal occasions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outburst was likely just another attempt to intimidate federal judges into treating him as deferentially as the Republican Congress does. Nevertheless, theres great danger in his reckless jawboning. It is evident in a surge of threats against federal judges and their families. A total of 373 were investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service in just the first five months of this year, compared to 509 all last year. There have also been more than 100 unsolicited pizza deliveries, a menacing way of saying We know where you live. If any judge or family member is harmed, the world will know who incited it. ____ The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Opinion Editor Dan Sweeney, editorial writers Pat Beall and Martin Dyckman, and Executive Editor Gretchen Day-Bryant. To contact us, email at letters@sun-sentinel.com. ___ Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was given a math lesson during a Senate hearing on Tuesday when Senator Jack Reed pointed out that $1.5 multiplied by 10 is not over a trillion dollars but actually $15 billion. Sitting before the appropriations subcommittee that focuses on education, McMahon nodded her head along as Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana mistakenly claimed that the U.S. spends $1,580,000 on federal grant programs, known as TRIO and GEAR UP, per year and that after 10 years, that adds up to be over a trillion dollars. The U.S. actually spends $1.58 billion per year on the programs, which does not add up to more than a trillion after 10 years. But, McMahon did not correct Kennedys math error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Reed, the senator from Rhode Island, did. Im not a great mathematician, but I think you were talking about a trillion dollars? I believe $1.5 billion times 10 is $15 billion, thats a little bit off from a trillion dollars, Reed said. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon did not correct a senators math blunder during an appropriations hearing on Tuesday (Getty) McMahon responded, I think the budget cuts $1.2 billion for TRIO. Well, $1.2 billion that would be $12 billion, not a trillion dollars, Reed replied. Ok, McMahon said. The math blunder was part of McMahons testimony about President Donald Trumps 2026 budget proposal, which includes sweeping cuts to the Department of Education drastically impacting education grants such as TRIO or GEAR UP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent has asked the Department of Education for comment. TRIO, a federal program comprised of various grants, are some of the Education Departments largest investments aimed at assisting low-income or first-generation college students or individuals with disabilities to advance through the academic pipeline. In 2024, the Education Department provided $1.191 billion for the program. GEAR UP, a federal grant program, assists low-income students preparing to enter postsecondary education. In 2024, the Education Department provided $388 million for the program. But under Trumps proposed skinny budget, essentially all of the TRIO and GEAR UP grants would be eliminated. Its part of his efforts to shutter the Education Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the hearing, Senator Susan Collins of Maine aired concerns about the cuts to TRIO, saying she had seen the lives of countless first-generation and low-income students, not only in Maine, but across the country changed by the TRIO program. Education advocacy groups such as the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Institute for College Access & Success have condemned the proposed budget, saying it would negatively impact millions of students particularly those of low-income households. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Former WWE CEO turned Education Secretary Linda McMahon stepped into the ring Tuesday afternoon. She took questions from Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill, as the Trump administration pushes sweeping cuts to education funding. The education secretary defended the Trump administration request to cut upwards of $67 billion from the Department of Educations budget next year, thats on top of DOGE cuts already in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The push is setting off alarms from both sides of the aisle. Youre shirking educational opportunity in the United States for a whole generation and more, said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.). Democrats appeared baffled at a Tuesday hearing McMahon defended sweeping cuts to the Department of Education. There are now mental health programs for kids that are shutting down, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). For hours McMahon went toe to toe with senators. She says the presidents pledge will ensure governors and parents, not the federal government, have the final say in their childs education. We have spent $3 trillion since 1980 on education in our country when this department was set up and our scores have continued to go down. We are not doing something right, said McMahon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since taking office the president with the help of Elon Musk have gutted staff at the agency and frozen program funding. The White House is now requesting a 15% budget cut, but even Republicans appear uneasy with some of the cuts. The presidents budget request seeks to eliminate the Trio program. The funding helps countless low-income students go to college. While senators Susan Collins and Shelly Moore Capito argue the program is a worthy investment McMahon says theres no data to prove Trio, like many other federal investments, are paying off. I just think we arent able to see the effectiveness across the board, said McMahon. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An El Paso hospital celebrated its first class of students who made their way through a program designed to give them job skills and find employment. On Monday, June 2, the Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus celebrated its inaugural class of Project Search students with a graduation ceremony. Photos courtesy of Hospitals of Providence This program provides opportunities for students with disabilities to learn job skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sierra Campus is the fourth hospital within the The Hospitals of Providence network to have the program. At Sierra Campus, students started back in the fall. Throughout the school year, students are immersed in departments throughout the hospital and given the opportunity to learn new skills. Upon completion of the year-long program, many students will receive job offers within the hospital or in businesses throughout the community, The Hospitals of Providence said. We are truly proud to have welcomed this first cohort of Project Search students at the Sierra Campus this year and to have these incredible students as a part of our team and to see them graduating today is remarkable, said David Byrd, chief executive officer for The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus. Each one of these students has made incredible contributions to our hospital and theyve made us better as leaders we are so proud of them and cant wait to see the phenomenal things they are going accomplish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is to help prepare these students to learn real-life skillsets and help them gain active employment, Byrd continued. Truly, these students make a tremendous difference within our hospital and they teach us so much. Congratulations to each of these students and to their families. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Before the sun rose Tuesday, Benito Flores fortified the front door of his one-bedroom duplex on a narrow street in El Sereno. Flores, a 70-year-old retired welder, had illegally seized a home five years ago after its owner, the California Department of Transportation, had left it vacant. Hed been allowed to stay for a few months, then was directed to this nearby home owned by the agency, but now it was time to go. Later in the morning, deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department were scheduled to lock him out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flores clearly had other plans. Over months, hed sawed wooden two-by-fours to use as a brace between the front door and an interior wall to make it harder to breach. He bolted shut the metal screen door. Once Flores was satisfied hed secured the entrance Tuesday, he retreated to a wooden structure he built 28 feet high in an ash tree in the backyard. Read more: 'I'm going to resist': Protesters who seized state-owned homes five years ago prepare for eviction battle If the police wanted him to leave, theyd have to come get him in his tree house. I plan to resist as long as I can, Flores said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The homemade structure, 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, represents the last stand for Flores and a larger protest that captured national attention in March 2020. Flores and a dozen others occupied empty homes owned by Caltrans, acquired by the hundreds a half-century ago for a freeway expansion that never happened. They said they wanted to call attention to the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. The issue, Flores said, remains no less urgent today. Political leaders, he argued, have failed to provide housing for all who need it. Benito Flores. They dont care about the people, Flores said. Who is supposed to give permanent housing to elders, disabled and families with children? It is the city and the state. And they are evicting me. For the public agencies involved, the resistance represents an intransigence that belies the assistance and leniency theyve offered to Flores and fellow protesters who call their group Reclaiming Our Homes. The state allowed group members, or Reclaimers, to remain legally and paying rents far below market rates for two years. Since then, the agencies have continued to offer referrals for permanent housing and financial settlements of up to $20,000 if group members left voluntarily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evictions, theyve said, were a last resort and required by law. "We don't have any authority to operate outside of that," said Tina Booth, director of asset management for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, which is operating the housing program on Caltrans behalf. Four Reclaimers, including Flores, remain in the homes. Two have accepted settlements and are expected to leave within weeks. The final Reclaimer also has a court-ordered eviction against him, but plans to leave without incident. Caltrans wants to sell Flores home and the other empty houses in El Sereno to public or nonprofit housing providers, which would make them available to low-income residents for rent or purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flores said evicting him makes no sense because the property is intended to be used as affordable housing that he qualifies for. Flores, who suffers from diabetes, collects about $1,200 a month in Social Security and supplemental payments. If hes removed, Flores said, he has no other option except to sleep in his van where he lived for 14 years before the home seizure. We are going to live on the streets for the rest of our lives, Flores said of he and others evicted in the protest group in an open letter he sent to Sheriff Robert Luna last week. Flores received advance notice of the lockout. His supporters began arriving at 6 a.m. Tuesday to fill the normally sleepy block. Flores already was up in the tree. Within 90 minutes, more than two dozen people had arrived. They stationed lookouts on the corners. Some went inside Flores house through a side door to provide another layer of defense. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies speak over a fence to Benito Flores on Shelley Street in El Sereno, CA on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. This morning, the deputies left after speaking with him. (He was not removed as of this morning). Benito Flores speaks with the media on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 saying that the sheriff's department that will serve him with eviction lack compassion and that him living on the street will mean facing death. Gina Viola, an activist and former mayoral candidate, rallied the crowd on the sidewalk. It was "despicable," she said, to leave homes empty when so many were in need. She said those in power needed to act, just as Flores and the Reclaimers have, to provide permanent housing immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is part of a reckoning that is long overdue, Viola said. She pointed to the tree house, praising Flores. Hes a 70-year-old elder who has climbed into the sky to make this point to the world: This is my home and I wont leave it. The structure has been visible from the street for weeks. Flores had attached a sign to the front with a message calling for a citywide rent strike. The tree house is elaborate. Flores used galvanized steel braces to attach a series of ladders to the ash trees trunk. Where the trunk narrowed higher in the tree, Flores bolted spikes into the bark to make the final few steps into the structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the tree house and hanging on nearby branches were blankets, warm clothing, food, water and his medication. To keep things clean, theres a wooden broom he can sweep out leaves and other detritus. Flores expected to charge his phone via an extension cord connected to electricity in the garage. He bolted a chair to the bottom of the tree house and has a safety belt to catch him should he fall. Read more: Another group of homeless moms and families are taking over a house this time in L.A. Deputies had not yet arrived by 9 a.m. Flores descended, wearing a harness, to speak with members of the news media from his driveway. He spoke from behind a locked fence. Flores rejected the assertion that the Housing Authority has provided him with another place to live. He said the agencys offers of assistance, such as Section 8 vouchers, arent guarantees. He cited the struggles that voucher holders face when finding landlords to accept the subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They offered me potential permanent housing, Flores said of the Housing Authority. Jenny Scanlin, the agency's chief strategic development officer, said that Flores was offered more than two dozen referrals to other homes, but that he rejected them. Some involved waiting lists and vouchers, but others had occupancy immediately available, she said. We absolutely believe he would have had an alternative place to live permanent affordable housing had Flores accepted the assistance, Scanlin said. Joseph De La O, 62, seized a Caltrans-owned home in 2020. He accepted a settlement from HACLA and has since returned to homelessness. He came to Flores' home to help protest the eviction." As Flores held court in the driveway, he rolled up a pant leg to show a sore from his diabetes and said that on the streets he'd have nowhere to refrigerate his insulin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Flores spoke, supporters were on edge. Representatives of the property management company milled a block away holding drills. Around 9:45, two sheriffs cruisers parked a block away. Three deputies got out and met the property managers, then walked to Flores home. Read more: 'Its a dream to be a property owner': Years after freeway's demise, L.A. renters are buying state-owned homes Flores supporters met them at the driveway. The deputies said they wanted to talk to Flores and brushed past to the locked gate. Flores told them to ask themselves why they needed to evict a senior citizen. The deputies responded that they had offered assistance from adult protective services and were following orders from the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A deputy handed Flores a pamphlet describing housing resources the county offered, including information about calling 211. Flores held up the paper above his head to show everyone. The crowd started booing and yelling "Shame." An officer then tried to reason with Flores in Spanish. But it was clear things were going nowhere. Suerte, the officer said to Flores. Good luck. Then they left. The Sheriffs Department could not immediately be reached for comment, and a Caltrans spokesperson referred comment to the Housing Authority. Scanlin said she expected the lockout process would continue per the court's order. Flores and his supporters believe sheriff's deputies could return at any time. Some are planning to camp out at his house overnight. 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. According to Israeli law, if a bill to disperse the Knesset passes, an election is automatically called and must occur within 90 days. United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf is urging his haredi colleagues to introduce a bill to disperse the Knesset, his spokesperson said Tuesday. He hopes the move will cause the government to advance a bill to regulate haredi service in the IDF, the spokesperson added. UTJ convened Tuesday in the Knesset to discuss its next steps. The rabbinical leaders of UTJs Degel Hatorah faction are expected to convene on Wednesday to decide whether to fall in line with the more hawkish stance of Goldknopfs Agudat Yisrael faction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to law, if a bill to disperse the Knesset passes, an election is automatically called and must occur within 90 days. TheKnesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees legal team has been working on formulating the text of a draft bill, which is expected to be ready within weeks. This may not leave enough time for the bill to pass into law by the end of the Knesset summer session in late July. That means the current law, which requires that all eligible haredi men serve in the IDF, will be in effect at least until October. Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police outside the IDF Recruitment Center at Tel Hashomer, central Israel, April 28, 2025 (photo credit: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90) The bill will likely include draft quotas from the haredi sector that will increase annually and eventually reach 50% of each graduating class, as well as penalties for individuals who ignore draft orders. IDF expects to fall short of haredi draftee goal Even though the previous legal exemption expired last June, most of the estimated 24,000 draft orders sent to haredi men since then have been ignored. The IDF has already said it will not meet the commitment it made to the High Court of Justice to have 4,800 haredi draftees in the 2024-2025 draft year, which ends on June 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills supporters have said it will lead to an immediate increase in the number of draftees and bring thousands of haredim into the army. Its critics have said even with new sanctions, there is no guarantee that those who receive orders will actually respect them, and that there is no legal justification to enable 50% of haredim to continue being exempt from service, while secular and religious-Zionist Israelis do not enjoy the same privilege. In a press conference ahead of his partys weekly meeting on Tuesday, opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) called on haredi rabbis to acknowledge that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was deceiving them. I want to say from here to the great rabbis of Israel to the Gerrer Rebbe, to Rabbi [Dov] Landau, to Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef: Know that you are being deceived, he said. Netanyahu knows that there will be no draft evasion law. He is just stalling to somehow get through the [Knesset] summer session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All that interests him is remaining in power during his cross-examination in court. He is selling you myths and empty promises. He neither knows how nor can he pass the law you want. What we are offering the haredim is what we are offering all the citizens of the country: a functioning government, personal security, tax reductions, lower prices, good relations with the world, and the opportunity to be part of the Israeli story, Lapid said. Goldknopfs chief of staff and right-hand man, Motti Babchik, met with National Unity chairman Benny Gantz in the Knesset on Tuesday, KAN News reported. A spokesperson for Gantz confirmed the report but did not respond to a query regarding the content of the meeting. Jun. 2WILKES-BARRE The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) this week reminded consumers about changes in electric generation prices known as the Price to Compare (PTC) for residential and small business customers across Pennsylvania. These new PTCs took effect on June 1, reflecting wholesale energy market conditions and seasonal shifts in electricity demand. The PTC is the price that utilities charge non-shopping customers for electric generation supply. This supply is procured in accordance with Commission-approved plans, but the generation portion of the electric bill is not directly set by the PUC and instead is driven by market factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While energy prices are rising, the biggest driver of your monthly bill is how much electricity you use and in the summer, usage tends to go up with the heat," said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. "By planning now and paying closer attention to your daily usage, you can avoid surprises when your bill arrives. A few simple adjustments in how and when you use electricity can make a noticeable difference." Typical residential PTC increases among major utilities range between 5% and 16%, although some smaller utilities serving portions of northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania will see larger increases. These changes only affect customers who receive default service from their utility. Customers with competitive supplier contracts will continue paying the price in their agreement but should remain aware of broader market conditions when evaluating future supply options. Recent increases in natural gas prices, along with higher capacity costs payments made to ensure power availability during peak demand are contributing to rising electricity generation prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, usage habits influenced by weather, appliance efficiency and consumer behavior remain the most direct way individuals can control their monthly costs. Shopping smart: Understand before you sign The PUC reminds consumers that while some competitive suppliers are offering rates below the PTC, these offers are typically short-term contracts lasting only three to six months. While they may provide savings over the summer, they require active management. "Short-term supply contracts can offer a quick benefit, but they also demand close attention," DeFrank said. "You must monitor your contract's end date, watch for renewal notices, and be ready to act otherwise, you risk defaulting to a month-to-month variable rate with unpredictable pricing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consumers are urged to use the Commission's official electric shopping tool at www.PAPowerSwitch.com to compare supplier offers, review important contract terms, and learn more about energy conservation. Protecting yourself from misleading energy marketing With the summer season comes a surge in door-to-door and in-person energy sales activity. The PUC reminds consumers to remain vigilant and follow five simple steps to safeguard against deceptive marketing: #CheckForID Sales agents must wear a visible photo ID badge with the supplier name and a customer service number. Know who you're talking to Agents must clearly identify themselves and their supplier at the start of every interaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No false claims Agents are prohibited from claiming to represent your local utility, the PUC or a government agency. Avoid pressure tactics You have the right to say no, end the conversation and request no further visits. Use trusted tools Visit PAPowerSwitch.com for verified supplier offers, shopping guidance and energy-saving tips. DHS highlights proposal to expand Pennsylvania's child care workforce Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh this week discussed Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposal, which builds on efforts to make child care more affordable and expand and strengthen the child care workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For our youngest Pennsylvanians, an early childhood education experience can shape their educational, social, and emotional development during their youngest years, providing a foundation that will reap benefits throughout their lives," Arkoosh said. "A thriving child care industry both supports this growth and allows parents to work and participate in our economy." Early learning and child care programs are an invaluable resource that foster educational and social development for our youngest Pennsylvanians. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, access to early childhood education improves performance in K-12 schooling, lowers health care costs and improves employment and earning prospects into adulthood. Child care programs also allow parents to work knowing their children are safe and cared for. The CDC also cites child care as a factor for increased parental employment and income, making this industry an essential cornerstone for a healthy, vibrant economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania's child care system serves more than 300,000 children annually across the Commonwealth, including approximately 80,000 children who receive subsidies through the Child Care Works (CCW) Program, Pennsylvania's state and federally-funded child care program that helps low-income families pay their child care fees. However, providers are struggling to hire and retain staff. Pennsylvania estimates about 3,000 unfilled jobs in child care if those jobs are filled, 25,000 more children in Pennsylvania could have access to child care and their parents would have the peace of mind that their kids are well taken care of so they can go to work. Child care centers also report increasing difficulty in filling positions due to low wages, and many are forced to close classrooms or limit enrollment. Without a competitive wage, it remains difficult to attract and retain qualified early child care educators. Learn about Child Care Works and find information on certified child care providers at www.findchildcare.pa.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials: Invest in public transit Shapiro and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll this week joined transit leaders, local officials, and bus operators to highlight the importance of investing in mass transit to connect communities across the Commonwealth, create jobs and grow Pennsylvania's economy. The governor continues to advocate for his 2025 26 budget proposal, which includes $292 million in new mass transit funding next year, growing to $1.5 billion over the next five years. This is the first significant increase in state support for mass transit in more than a decade, benefiting 52 transit systems that serve nearly one million riders each day in rural, urban, and suburban communities across the Commonwealth. "Just like we repair and maintain the bridges in rural and suburban communities, we owe it to the Pennsylvanians who take mass transit to be there for them and their families too," Shapiro said. "Mass transit drives $5.4 billion in economic activity every year in Pennsylvania, and it enables businesses to affordably get their employees to offices and job site it's well worth the investment in our budget." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Governor's proposal would not raise taxes. Instead, it would increase the portion of the Sales and Use Tax dedicated to public transit from 7.68% to 9.43% generating $292 million in new annual funding next year and more than $330 million annually by 2029 30. That investment will support transit systems across the Commonwealth. "Pennsylvania's economic growth relies on our ability to build out a transportation network that puts our tradespeople to work, strengthens our businesses, and improves Pennsylvanians' lives," Carroll said. "Transit is critical 65% of fixed-route riders say they have no other option. Shared ride powers our economy, supports seniors' quality of life, and connects Pennsylvanians to opportunity, no matter where they live." Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. ULAN BATOR, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The plenary session of Mongolia's State Great Khural, the country's parliament, did not pass the draft resolution on the vote of confidence in the prime minister early morning Tuesday and decided to remove Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene from his post. Elon Musk issued a blistering criticism of the massive Republican bill for President Donald Trumps agenda Tuesday, posting on X that it is a "disgusting abomination." "Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore," Musk wrote. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it." "It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden American citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt," added Musk, who left the White House last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said the package would increase the deficit by $2.3 trillion with its tax cuts and spending hikes on immigration enforcement in the military outstripping the savings. Musk, a top Republican donor during the 2024 elections, doubled down later in the day, posting on X: In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people. A source familiar with the Musk-Trump relationship told NBC News that four issues, which Axios was first to report, were likely behind Musk's frustration on social media. The source highlighted the absence of electric vehicle tax credits from the bill, which would benefit Musk's Tesla customers as one factor, and noted how Musk had been pushing for the Federal Aviation Administration to use his Starlink satellite system in their FAA control systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source also pointed to personnel issues, noting that a nomination for Musk ally Jared Isaacman to serve as NASA administrator had been pulled over the weekend and that Musk himself had hoped to stay on in his special government employee capacity beyond the 130-day period, which the White House ultimately did not accommodate. Musk, the CEO of Tesla, had previously signaled his disappointment in the legislation, telling CBS News he believed it was a massive spending bill that undermines the work of his Department of Government Efficiency operation. The remarks came as an unwelcome surprise to Republicans on Tuesday as the Senate considers changes to the version passed by the House while seeking to placate competing factions internally, including those that want to reduce the red ink. We obviously respect everything that Elon did with DOGE. On this particular issue, we have a difference of opinion, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters. Hes entitled to that opinion, but were going to proceed full speed ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said it was a dangerous thing for Musk to be meddling with the economy, noting that a debt limit hike to avert a default was part of the bill. "This is the key to the economic resurgence of America. Its going to be jet fuel for the economy. And the sooner we do it, the better," Johnson told reporters. "And by the way, the debt ceiling is also revved into this legislation. That is a dangerous thing for Elon or anyone who has who cares about the U.S. economy to be meddling with. And I think the risk is very great. Musk's comments emboldened fiscal hawks like Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., two rare Republicans who have voted against the measure consistently. Some GOP senators who have supported the measure conceded that there was at least some validity to Musk's view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think he has a point, Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said, adding that Musk wasnt giving enough credit to the growth that the tax cuts would bring. I like Elon Musk, but hes one man. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told NBC News: The Senate should make the bill substantially better, and I hope and believe we will do that. Theres no doubt we need to reduce spending more. Other Republicans dismissed Musks criticism. I aint got any thoughts on that. We got a lot of work to do, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. He doesnt get to vote. The White House is seeking to codify $9.4 billion in cuts proposed by DOGE, the advisory entity Musk helmed in the initial months of Trump's second administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked Tuesday at a news briefing about Musks initial post, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesnt change the presidents opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and hes sticking to it. The White House declined to offer additional comment. Democrats, meanwhile, welcomed Musks criticism. I agree with Elon Musk, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., calling his own words something I didnt think was imaginable for him to say. Still, some doubted his intentions. A broken clock is right twice a day, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., joked, while doubting that Musks criticism was about sincere concern for deficits. I dont think theres an ounce of sincerity in Elon Musks interest in trying to reduce red ink, Murphy said. I think DOGE was a very transparent play to increase his profile and to help his businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, as it stands, would extend Trumps 2017 tax cuts, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime work and boost funding for immigration enforcement and the military. It would also make cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The House narrowly passed the broader package last month, but it still has several steps to clear before it reaches Trumps desk. Any changes the Senate makes would have to go back through the House, where Republicans hold a small majority, before it can be signed into law. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a close Trump ally who voted for the measure, expressed regret on X on Tuesday over a provision she said she didnt know was included. Musk criticized the bill just days after Trump gave him an official send-off from the Oval Office. His stint in Washington has been the subject of withering criticism, with many pointing out that Musk, the wealthiest person in the world, was able to achieve only a fraction of the $2 trillion in cuts he had set out to make. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also hint at lingering tensions with the Trump administration some of which made their way to the public through news reports about tense meetings and shouting matches. Musk previously took some of his grievances public, including criticism of Trumps tariffs. Meanwhile, Musks public profile has suffered as did the perception of his most consumer-centric business, Tesla. Tesla shares are down about 13% this year as sales have flagged. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com One of Elon Musks first televised interviews since leaving the White House got off to a shaky start Sunday when the tech billionaire tried to elude questions about President Donald Trump. CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue traveled to SpaceXs Brownsville, Texas, headquarters to chat with Musk, who left his controversial role as a special government employee last week. Their chat, however, got awkward from the get-go when Pogue attempted to ask about some of Trumps policies, including tariffs and an attempted crackdown on international students at Harvard University and other top schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, tariffs always affect things a little bit, Musk replied when Pogue asked if the presidents erratic trade wars had impacted his businesses. And when the journalist asked for his thoughts on Trumps efforts to ban Harvard from accepting students from outside the U.S., Musk visibly bristled at the inquiry. I think we want to stick to, you know, the subject of the day which is spaceships, as opposed to presidential policy, the South African native replied. Watch Elon Musks CBS Sunday Morning interview below. When Pogue suggested hed been told anythings good with regard to his interview questions, Musk shut him down yet again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well ... no, he said. Not surprisingly, the interview segment drew heated responses from viewers online. Awkward, strange and untrustworthy. He loves the limelight. He has nothing substantive to offer intellectually, one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another added on TikTok: The guy who stuck his nose in our business has limits on his own. Interesting. Despite Musks unwillingness to discuss much about the Trump administration with CBS Sunday Morning, he criticized Republicans on X Tuesday, calling their support of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill slashing taxes and Medicaid as a disgusting abomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it, he wrote. In a follow-up post, he added, It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt. Two Republican senators, Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), have since signaled their agreement. Related... As Elon Musk departs the Trump White House at least officially a new Senate report examines how the worlds richest man leveraged his access to the levers of federal power to boost his myriad personal businesses, including his electric vehicle company Tesla, aerospace contractor SpaceX, social media platform X, and brain-chip firm Neuralink. Musk is leaving his post as a special government employee a status that limited his stint in the executive branch to 130 days. As Donald Trump made clear in a press conference, where he gave Musk a key to the White House, the billionaires influence will live on, as will his crusade against his own regulators. Issued by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the report is titled Special Interests Over the Public Interest: Elon Musks 130 Days in the Trump Administration and features a list of 130 actions by Musk, his companies, and family members that raise questions about corruption, ethics, and conflicts of interest. Musk, of course, was Trumps biggest benefactor in the 2024 campaign, spending nearly $300 million to put Trump and Republican candidates into office. He then camped out at Mar-a-Lago during the presidential transition and moved to Washington with the 47th president. At times appearing to be the nations true chief executive, Musk commanded the forces of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and sent critical agencies like USAID (the U.S. Agency for International Development) through the woodchipper, likely condemning millions of vulnerable people across the globe to death by preventable diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Warren report is focused on Musks use of political power to boost his businesses, or secure special benefits from regulatory relief to rich new contracts that favor his fortunes and his family. The report clarifies that Not every action listed represents a violation of federal law, but argues instead that Musk has violated norms at an astonishing pace while engaging in and supporting actions that are hurting the American public. It labels this scandalous behavior regardless of whether it subjects him to criminal prosecution. The Warren report divides its list into 15 categories, which Rolling Stone can exclusively preview below: 1. White House Promotion The report highlights the time, when Tesla showrooms were increasingly beset by public protests, that Trump turned the White House lawn into a Tesla lot. 2. Lucrative Contracts The report highlights more than 20 instances of Musk or DOGE helping Musks enterprises secure new contracts on an inside track on rich lines of business. For example, it highlights Rolling Stones report about how staff at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were instructed to find tens of millions of dollars for a rich new Starlink contract, as well as a new $100 million NASA contract for SpaceX to launch an asteroid monitoring space telescope. 3. Stymied Investigations When Trump took office, Musk companies faced federal penalties and enforcement actions totalling up to $2.4 billion, according to the report. Warren highlights CNBC reporting that the federal government has allowed nearly 40 cases against Musk companies to effectively go dormant, while others, including a Department of Justice case against SpaceX for alleged anti-immigrant discrimination in hiring, have been dropped. 4. Hobbled Oversight The report describes how Musk and the administration have targeted agencies with powers to regulate Musk businesses including gutting their staff, throwing sand in the gears of their operations, and embedding DOGE staff loyal to Musk. A key example of this is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has authority to police Musk as he turns X into a payment platform. Delete CFPB, Musk has posted, and the administration has tried to bring the agency to its knees. (Read Rolling Stones interview with Warren on this topic.) 5. Policy Perks Musk operates in many highly regulated areas, from launching rockets to biomedical brain implants. The FAA has, under Trump, become a service agency for SpaceX, clearing the way for rocket launches despite frequent catastrophic failures. In Trumps auto tariff battles, the administration announced that cars with 85 percent domestic content were spared the levy a category that reportedly only includes Teslas. 6. Special Access Never before has a presidential megadonor had so much unfettered access to government data, insight, and decision-makers. The report highlights Musks role as a dominant participant at Trump Cabinet meetings, despite having no Cabinet-level post, who was privy to upcoming policy changes at the highest level of government, many of which could boost his bottom line. 7. A Personal Deep State Musk has been deeply enmeshed, through DOGE, in the HR decisions of the federal government firing tens of thousands of employees while installing loyalists throughout the bureaucracy. Many of these lackeys now have permanent government gigs, and will be able to carry out Musk-aligned policy without his active direction, including the head of the Federal Communications Commission, which has oversight of radio spectrum needed by Starlink, SpaceXs satellite internet business. 8. Personal Parochial Interests The report links Musk to the Trump administrations sudden, curious interest in the cause of white Afrikaaners from South Africa, who have been granted refugee status amid Musks trumped-up allegations that they face a genocide even as other truly vulnerable people from around the world are being denied admission to the United States. 9. Intimidation Campaign The report highlights a Wall Street Journal investigation into perceived threats from X execs who intimated that a planned merger between ad conglomerates might face trouble if ad clients didnt ramp up their spending on the social media platform. 10. Weaponizing Federal Power The report links Musk to the Trump Federal Trade Commissions seemingly baseless investigation into whether Media Matters colluded with advertisers. X sued the watchdog in late 2023, after Media Matters reported that ads on the platform were being served up against pro-Nazi content, leading large brands to suspend campaigns on the platform. 11. Influence-Peddling in Congress The report links Musks White House influence to favorable provisions of the House budget bill, including funding for the Golden Dome, a space-based missile defense program that seems ready-made for Starlink. 12. Piggyback Deals Warrens report highlights dozens of deals that Musk companies have inked with countries that are under tariff threat from the administration, as well as Musk accompanying Trumps tour of Persian Gulf countries, where the DOGE chief announced deals of his own including that Neuralink had inked a deal to begin clinical trials in the United Arab Emirates. 13. All in the Family The report highlights how Musks power is translating to deals for family members, including his brother recently inking a deal with Persian Gulf states to mount drone light shows, while his dad is reportedly in talks to build a Musk Tower in Dubai. 14. Judicial Meddling Musks fruitless effort to finance a conservative takeover of the Wisconsin state Supreme Court is highlighted in the report, as is his call for judges who oppose Trump to be impeached. 15. Maximum Transparency Denied Despite his pledge of maximum transparency by DOGE, Musk himself has hidden his norms-busting activities behind a veil of secrecy, the report concludes, failing to make public his vast financial holdings, or what if any waivers of federal ethics requirements he may have received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the full report here: 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. A serious rift has apparently erupted between Elon Musk and President Trump over the massive government spending bill the president has urged Congress to pass. Musk, who donated nearly $275 million toward Trumps 2024 election campaign, on Tuesday posted on X an unambiguous denunciation of the bill, which is called the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination, Musk wrote. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. The tech mogul wrote that the bill will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit and that Congress is making America bankrupt. Musk, the worlds richest person, also posted a warning that voters would fire all politicians who betrayed the American people in the 2026 midterm elections. The bill, in its current form, would add $3.1 trillion to the U.S. debt including interest over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. On May 28, Musk announced he was ending his tenure as a special government employee leading the White Houses Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, after 128 days. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, a person cannot serve in such a role for more than 130 days in a consecutive year. Trump held a press conference on Friday, May 30, in the Oval Office with Musk (pictured above) to thank Musk for his work. Musk had said DOGE would cut $1 trillion from the federal budget (down from his previous estimate of more than $2 trillion); currently, the DOGE website claims to have been responsible for $180 billion in cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Ran Paul (R-Kentucky) was among those chiming in to agree with Musk. We have both seen the massive waste in government spending and we know another $5 trillion in debt is a huge mistake. We can and must do better, he wrote, quoting Musks post. Trump, on Truth Social, earlier Tuesday slammed Pauls objections to the bill, writing that Rand Paul has very little understanding of the [Big Beautiful Bill], especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming. He loves voting NO on everything, he thinks its good politics, but its not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!! At a White House press briefing Tuesday, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked press secretary Karoline Leavitt how mad do you think President Trump is going to be about Musks comments? Leavitt responded that Trump already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesnt change the presidents opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and hes sticking to it. The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act last month passed the Republican-controlled House by a narrow one-vote margin but has yet to clear the Senate. Republicans are aiming to get the legislation through the Senate for Trumps signature by July 4. The legislation would make Trumps 2017 tax cuts permanent (with wealthy Americans benefiting the most) and increase funding for the U.S. military and immigration enforcement. In addition, the version that passed the House cuts funding for health, nutrition, education and clean energy programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has criticized the bill before, but using tamer terminology. Last week, for example, Musk criticized Trumps massive spending bill in an interview with CBSs Sunday Morning, saying the legislation undermines the work of DOGE. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. DENVER (KDVR) Boulder Jewish leadership has created an emergency fund to help support the Jewish community after Sundays attack that left 12 people injured, including two people who were still hospitalized as of Monday afternoon. The fund was established by JEWISHcolorado, a nonprofit that aims to convene, connect, invest and protect Jewish life in Colorado, Israel and around the world. The organization created the fund the day after an attack on a peaceful pro-Israel demonstration on the Pearl Street Mall. The suspect in the case is facing a federal hate crime charge and the attack has been described as terrorism by multiple law enforcement agencies. Total injured in Boulder attack increases to 12; federal hate crime charge filed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of yesterdays horrific attacks on peaceful participants at the Run for Their Lives event in Boulder, our community is reeling but standing strong together, the nonprofit wrote. Since the moment this violence occurred, JEWISHcolorado has been in constant communication with Boulder Jewish Community leadership to assess immediate and ongoing needs. The nonprofit said that it has a goal of $160,000 for the Boulder community that will be used in response to the attack in four areas: enhanced safety and security measures, direct victim support, comprehensive trauma support and emerging community needs. The organization said that it would be using the funds to: Provide additional protections for Jewish institutions, events and gathering places in Boulder County; Offer immediate financial assistance to individuals directly impacted by the attack to help with medical expenses, lost wages, transportation and other urgent personal needs Offer professional counseling and healing resources to both direct victims and community members experiencing secondary trauma Unforeseen challenges that may arise during this period Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you in advance for your support, and we continue to pray for a complete recovery for those injured in the attacks and continue to hold all hostages in our hearts, the nonprofit wrote. Donations can be made through this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. HILO, Hawaii (KHON2) A Hawaiian hawk, or io, was euthanized after being found emaciated and missing part of its beak on Hawaii Island. Hawaii is doing this for the first time in history. How you can see it Recently, a woman reported finding the injured bird on her property near Mountain View. According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the bird was missing the upper portion of its beak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Optimism for the future is fading as consumer confidence crumbles: 9 facts from new report An undated image of an injured Hawaiian hawk, or io, that was euthanized after being found emaciated and missing part of its beak on Hawaii Island. (Courtesy: DLNR) An undated image of an injured Hawaiian hawk, or io, that was euthanized after being found emaciated and missing part of its beak on Hawaii Island. (Courtesy: DLNR) An undated image of an injured Hawaiian hawk, or io, that was euthanized after being found emaciated and missing part of its beak on Hawaii Island. (Courtesy: DLNR) Examination of the hawk determined the injury wasnt natural, but human caused, DLNR said. No longer able to feed itself, the bird had to be euthanized. Once-extinct bird species lays first wild eggs in 40 years A wildlife biologist with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) retrieved the bird and transferred it to the Hawaii Wildlife Center (HWC). The week before the injured io was reported, the HWC also received a tip about a Craigslist post offering a free hawk in Mountain View. DLNR officials said the bird in the post had similar features to the one that was euthanized, but it had its full beak. Wildlife officials said it is not yet determined if the two incidents are related. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raymond McGuire, a DOFAW wildlife biologist, encouraged community members to report potential abuses of endangered species, including Hawaiian hawks, which have state protection in Hawaii. That means that it is illegal to harm, kill or disrupt the animals, the DLNR said. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Weve received several reports in recent years of shootings and other harmful misconduct aimed at Hawaiian hawks, McGuire said. We can all contribute to the protection of our native io and stop the trend of abuse if we keep our eyes open and speak up. The Hawaiian hawk, or io, is an endangered species of bird that is found only on the island of Hawaii, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The species has been considered to be endangered since 1967. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you suspect illegal activity, you can call the DLNR enforcement hotline at 808-643-3567 or use the DLNRTip 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 KHON2. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) In the face of increasingly severe storms and climate driven disasters, Louisiana energy leaders, regulators and lawmakers met in New Orleans for a summit focused on one mission: making the states power grid stronger, smarter and more resilient. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta discussed a $2 billion investment aimed at hardening the electrical grid, a joint effort between the state and utility provider Entergy. The initiative seeks not just to withstand major weather events, but also to recover from them quickly. Louisiana undertook a pathway to grid resilience and agreed to work with Entergy on a $2 billion investment in grid resilience for not only distribution mechanisms, but also for the transmission grid, said Skrmetta. Recognizing that, the important thing is the ability to bounce back after critical weather events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City of New Orleans offering an amnesty program for past-due parking, traffic tickets A key part of the grid resilience effort involves replacing aging, vulnerable infrastructure- starting with something as basic, but critical, as power poles. Entergy CEO Drew Marsh emphasized that this isnt just about resilience, its also about ensuring energy remains affordable and sustainable for customers across Louisiana. The customers come first, Marsh said. And so, thinking about what it means for our customers from a reliability standpoint that were just talking about, but also the sustainability and the cost effectiveness, the affordability elements of it, those are all going to be top of mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marsh noted that Louisianas abundant energy infrastructure supports low electricity prices, helping the state remain competitive in the global economy. We have abundant infrastructure and that all of that leads to low energy prices and that means that we can compete very effectively in the global economy, Marsh said. The summit also spotlighted the broader energy strategy needed for long term resilience. Congressman Troy Carter called for a comprehensive approach, including reinforced levees and solar-powered cooling centers in vulnerable neighborhoods. We still have work to do, Carter said. But we have come a long way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With storms growing stronger and more frequent, state leaders say the time to act is now. The vision includes not just restoring power faster but also using smart grid technologies and clean energy solutions to protect communities, create jobs and keep the lights on. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) has been cleared of any financial wrongdoing following an extensive audit by the Auditor Generals office. The audit, which examined ECGRAs operations over the past two years, found no discrepancies in their financial practices. The audit scrutinized ECGRAs spending to ensure it was in line with the budget and approved by the board. It also reviewed the authoritys grant-making processes, loan management, and compliance with Pennsylvania statutes. Despite the clean audit, Erie County is reported to owe ECGRA over $538,000 in under-distributed state funds. They found all of those things were completely in line with how we do things at ECGRA, said Perry Wood, Executive Director of ECGRA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erie County Executive Brenton Davis expressed dissatisfaction with the audits scope, stating, Wrongdoing, whether it was two days ago or 15 years ago, is still wrongdoing. See an increase in bugs? Heres what they are The audit process involved coordination with seven staff members from the Auditor Generals office and took nearly a year to complete. Perry Wood described the process as exhaustive, saying it literally turned our organization inside out. Despite the audits findings, Erie County Executive Brenton Davis has been vocal about his concerns, suggesting that the investigation should have been broader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wrongdoing, whether it was two days ago or 15 years ago is still wrongdoing and its a reason why we need to continue to look at all of the boards, authorities and commissions and where taxpayer money is being spent and how, Davis said. He has indicated that he does not plan to pay the amount specified in the audit report. Fatal Easter Sunday fire ruled accidental County Council Member Rock Copeland questioned the actions of legislators who initially supported the audit of ECGRA. Are they going to call for the same kind of audit that council unanimously passed? he asked. Perry Wood criticized the ongoing scrutiny as a political witch hunt, emphasizing that the audit was comprehensive and should be accepted as conclusive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The audits findings have not resolved the financial dispute between Erie County and ECGRA. As the situation unfolds, the authority may seek legal action to recover the owed funds, as suggested by Perry Woods statement, Follow the report, or end up in court. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz endorsed Sean Ryan for Buffalo mayor on Tuesday morning, joining a list of politicians endorsing the state senator. Poloncarz has served as Erie County Executive since 2012. He said he endorsed Ryan due to his belief in Ryans ability to fix the citys budget issues and develop the city economically. The endorsement comes on the morning of the first mayoral debate, which will be hosted by WIVB News 4 on-air, online, and on the WIVB+ app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preview: Buffalo mayoral candidates to face off in debate Tuesday night I just feel its that important, Poloncarz said. This is my last term as county executive and as I said, you cannot have a strong county unless you have a strong City of Buffalo. Poloncarz compared the citys current budget issues to the red-green fiscal crisis of 2005 under then-County Executive Joel Giambra. He also lauded his belief in Ryan to fairly negotiate and do what is best for residents. Poloncarz joined State Senator April Baskin and Assemblyman Jon Rivera as the most notable local politician endorsements for Ryan to become the next mayor. Ryan has also been endorsed by the Erie County Democratic Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a City of Buffalo resident. Not everybody lives in the City of Buffalo, Poloncarz said, but I think you see the residents who live in the City of Buffalo, the elected officials are making their choice. And there are four other candidates in the race for the Democratic primary. And I just think we need a new leader whos got the proven experience through what hes done. Ryan added that he does not have the intention of running an independent campaign if he loses the June 24 primary. Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon and former Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield, who are both in the Democratic primary, have filed with the Erie County Board of Elections to run independent campaigns should they lose. The five Democratic primary candidates for Buffalo mayor are set to debate at DYouville Universitys Kavinoky Theatre on Tuesday night, hosted by WIVB News 4. To find more information, including how to watch, click here. Your Local Election Headquarters Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Originally appeared on E! Online Tom Girardi will be spending several years behind bars. Nine months after Erika Jaynes estranged husband was found guilty of four counts of wire fraud related to an embezzlement scheme at his law firm Girardi Keese, he was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison, according to U.S. attorney Bilal A. Essayli. This self-proclaimed champion of justice was nothing more than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of the millions of dollars, Essayli said in a June 3 press release. My office will vigorously prosecute corrupt lawyers and those who assist them in criminal activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Girardis time behind bars, the 86-year-old has been ordered to pay a $35,000 fine and $2,310,247 in restitution to the victims of his embezzlement scheme, in which he was convicted of stealing millions of dollars from his clientsincluding relatives of victims of a 2018 plane crash that killed 189 peopleto pay for both his law firms and his own personal expenses. More from E! Online Mr. Girardi, once a self-proclaimed legal legend who purported to fight corporate greed, will now find himself on the opposite end of justice as he serves out his lengthy prison sentence, the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis said in the release. Years of hard work went into this case by agents and prosecutors motivated to pursue justice for the victims who were betrayed by Girardi after putting their trust in his corrupt law firm in their time of need and while enduring personal hardship. Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Girardi, who had pleaded not guilty to the charges ahead of his trial, has been ordered by the court to surrender to federal authorities by July 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement E! News has reached out to Girardis attorney for comment and has not heard back. Though Jayne had been previously named in a 2020 fraud lawsuit as a person who aided and abetted her estranged husbands alleged crimes, she was found in 2022 to have no actual knowledge of Girardi's dealings, according to court documents obtained by E! News. Read on to see where Jayne falls within E! News official ranking of all the Real Housewives. 159-162. The Real Housewives of D.C. Bravo's ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation's capital brought together four women so forgettable you'd be forgiven for erasing them from your memorythough their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turnerand one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later. 158. Kimberly Bryant, The Real Housewives of Orange County Who? 157. Tammy Knickerbocker, The Real Housewives of Orange County Vaguely familiar, but... 156. DeShawn Snow, The Real Housewives of Atlanta Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 155. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, The Real Housewives of Orange County This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table. 154. Jennie Nguyen, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City 153. Quinn Fry, The Real Housewives of Orange County Her defining trait was "cougar." 152. Jen Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Orange County The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows' insanely awkwardyet wildly entertainingdinner party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 151: Annemarie Wiley, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills The nurse anesthetist's flop first season can be summed up in one cringe-worthy word we hope we never hear again: Esophagus-gate. 150. Katie Rost, The Real Housewives of Potomac Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but...didn't do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no. 149. Charrisse Jackson Jordan, The Real Housewives of Potomac Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife...that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse. 148. Shamari DeVoe, The Real Housewives of Atlanta A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 147. Peggy Sulahian, The Real Housewives of Orange County While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn't understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn't really cut out for this Real Housewives life. 146. Nneka Ihim, The Real Housewives of Potomac Instead of bonding with fellow Nigerian costar Wendy Osefo during season eight, Nneka's first season storyline centered entirely around her allegedly accusing Wendy's mom of being a witch (yes, seriously). We wish we could have seen the two bond over their shared culture rather than fighting with no resolve. 145. Noella Bergener, The Real Housewives of Orange County Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we'll warm up to Mrs. Bergener. 144. Siggy Flicker, The Real Housewives of New Jersey From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we're not sure we've ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 143. Amber Marchese, RHONJ Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look. 142. Karent Sierra, The Real Housewives of Miami All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next! 141. Cristy Rice,The Real Housewives of Miami This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise. 140. Jules Wainstein, The Real Housewives of New York City As one of RHONY's more recent one-and-dones, Jules' tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 138-139. Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano, RHONJ So unnecessary they couldn't even get individual taglines. 137. Nina Ali, The Real Housewives of Dubai Much like co-star Sara Al Madani, Nina exemplified a multidimensional, successful Arab woman who is blending modern life with centuries-old cultural traditions. She avoided most of the season one drama and was sometimes overshadowed by her co-stars' bigger, louder personalities. 136. Taleen Marie, The Real Housewives of Dubai Taleen was a nice addition to RHODubai's sophomore season, but we only have one season to judge her on. 135. Eva Marcille, RHOA The America's Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App SEOUL, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of South Korea's majority liberal Democratic Party, was highly likely to be elected the country's new president, local terrestrial broadcaster MBC said Tuesday. With 22.7 percent of the votes counted at 10:53 p.m. local time (1353 GMT), Lee won 47.7 percent and his archrival Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party garnered 44.1 percent, according to the National Election Commission. With a 97.6 percent possibility, the TV station estimated that the Democratic Party frontrunner would win the snap presidential election. A joint exit poll, conducted by three terrestrial broadcasters including KBS, MBC and SBS, showed Lee leading with 51.7 percent of the votes over Kim with 39.3 percent. Preliminary voter turnout reached 79.4 percent, marking the highest in 28 years since the voting rate recorded 80.7 percent in 1997. The voter turnout, which included those who participated in early voting last Thursday and Friday, was up from 77.1 percent tallied in the previous presidential election in 2022. As Senate Republicans return to work on President Donald Trumps priority legislative package, they face a messaging battle on Medicaid that is fraught with potential pitfalls. They received a reminder of the perils Friday at an Iowa town hall, when Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) flippantly responded to an audience member who shouted out that people who lose coverage under the bill would die. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, we all are going to die, Ernst said as the crowd groaned. For heavens sakes, folks. On Saturday, as the remark was taking off on social media, Ernst released a follow-up video. Speaking from what appeared to be a cemetery, she apologized for assuming that everyone at her town hall knew that, yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth. Ernst did hit some Republican talking points at her town hall. As they seek to shape how their bill is perceived, Trump and Republican lawmakers have said they are rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid and shoring up the program for future generations. Republican strategists have urged their party to say they are strengthening Medicaid by eliminating fraud, preventing tax increases and making sure undocumented immigrants cannot benefit from the program. But Ernsts quip about mortality landed on the front page of the Des Moines Register and spread across the internet, not the party line about waste, fraud and undocumented immigrants. The imbroglio underscored the partys messaging challenge as the bill moves through the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican legislation, which narrowly passed the House last month, seeks to pay for some of Trumps priorities by cutting more than $1 trillion from spending on social safety net programs over the next decade. The changes could lead to 8.7 million people losing Medicaid coverage and 7.6 million more uninsured people over 10 years, according to projections from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Trump has painted himself as a fierce defender of Medicaid, even as GOP lawmakers stare down the prospect of significantly changing it. He promised during his 2024 campaign to protect entitlement programs and began his second term vowing to love and cherish the programs. Dont f--- around with Medicaid benefits, Trump told House Republicans last month shortly before they passed the bill. The bill that House Republicans passed would increase the number of people without health insurance by restricting eligibility, narrowing the path for some Americans to get coverage and making it easier for some to lose it. The bill would also introduce new rules targeting Medicaid expansion and federally subsidized insurance marketplaces. Republicans say that will target fraud and abuse in the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even House Republican leaders have at times struggled to send a clear message on the eligibility changes. Rep. Lisa C. McClain (R-Michigan), chair of the House Republican Conference, defended Ernst on Monday when asked about her video in the cemetery, arguing that Democrats are fearmongering about the GOPs Medicaid changes. I think she was trying to do a play on words, actually, McClain said on CNN. Listen, the fearmongering has got to stop, right? We are cutting - we are not cutting - Medicaid. Were actually trying to shore Medicaid up so its there for the people that need it the most. But Rina Shah, a former GOP strategist and Capitol Hill aide, said peoples concerns about Medicaid are well-founded and Republicans should respond accordingly. They should not be defensive, she said, and should patiently explain how they can be entrepreneurial in fixing a program that many Republicans, at least, agree needs changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All [Ernst] had to do was kind of walk back and say, I just tried to inject a moment of levity, and Im sorry, Shah said. But the whole problem is shes doing what we see from the Trump administration, which is prioritizing defiance over empathy. Its not clear Ernst will face much blowback from voters in a state Trump won by 13 percentage points last year. But her handling of the situation prompted state Rep. J.D. Scholten (D) to announce plans to challenge her in next years Senate race. He told The Washington Post that he had already been thinking about running, but the controversy convinced him. Her comments, he said, were horrific and tone deaf. Adding to the challenge, Republicans are not united on changing Medicaid. Cutting the program is both morally wrong and politically suicidal, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) wrote in a New York Times op-ed last month titled Dont Cut Medicaid. Hawley spoke Monday with Trump about the bill, according to the senator, and said in a social media post afterward that Trump reiterated: NO MEDICAID BENEFIT CUTS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley said that he still has concerns from the House bill that he would want to work out in the Senate but that he supports the Houses inclusion of work requirements. The right message is were not going to cut Medicaid benefits, Hawley said. Were going to do everything we can to help working people who cannot afford to get health care. Other Senate Republicans want the bill to do more to slash federal spending, including in ways that could further impact Medicaid. Among them is Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky), who recently made an appearance in Ernsts home state to make his case at a party fundraiser. Some conservative groups - such as Advancing American Freedom, the group started by former vice president Mike Pence - are urging GOP lawmakers to get serious about overhauling Medicaid, even if doing so is politically painful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Senators should stand firm on the House-passed Medicaid reforms that restore the program to its original intent, reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensure fiscal sanity, the groups executive vice president, Paul Teller, said in a statement, adding that conservatives should be the adults in the room on the issue. In-person town halls, such as the one Ernst held in Butler County, Iowa, have already become hot buttons for GOP lawmakers. The head of the House Republican campaign arm, Rep. Richard Hudson (North Carolina), advised members in March to hold virtual town halls rather than in-person events, as they were facing vocal opposition in the opening weeks of Trumps second term. McClain said Monday that town halls have gotten a little bit out of control with fearmongering. Democrats see Ernsts comments as validating their view that Republicans are struggling to defend the Medicaid provisions of the bill because they know they are unpopular. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is focused on House races, moved quickly to capitalize on Ernsts town hall, releasing a statement calling for three of Iowas Republican representatives to say whether they agreed with Ernst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) agreed with an MSNBC hosts tongue-in-cheek comment Monday that Ernsts defense of the bill was unorthodox. Abe Lincoln said it right: Public sentiment is everything, Schumer said. And I guarantee you, Republican senators will be hearing the outrage from their constituencies. - - - Mariana Alfaro and Matthew Choi contributed to this report. Related Content To save rhinos, conservationists are removing their horns Donald Trump and the art of the Oval Office confrontation Some advice from LGBTQ elders as WorldPride kicks off amid fears Antoine Massey is one of the two remaining inmates still on the run since allegedly breaking out of the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, and he may be looking for help from the president, as well as three rappers who have been entangled in the criminal justice system. A video that appears to feature Massey surfaced on social media on Monday (June 2), in which the man pleads with Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Donald Trump for assistance in his legal situation. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who I was in the past is not who I am today, a man appearing to be Massey begins in the video. So Im asking, please for help. [NBA] YoungBoy, Meek Mill People that been through the system that know its corrupt. Lil Wayne, Donald Trump, please, Im asking for help When I get back in custody, Im asking yall please to come and help me. He continued: Im letting yall know Im not a raper, man. Im not none of that. None of that. Im a good person. I am a father that want to be in my childrens life I want to let the younger you know that going down the route of trying to be a street person is not the route. Neither the rappers nor Trump have responded to Masseys video, which the Louisiana State Police has been made aware of. According to Baton Rouge ABC affiliate WBRZ, Massey was arrested in March on charges of domestic abuse battery and vehicle theft, and that he was also wanted for suspicion of rape and kidnapping in St. Tammany Parrish. At the time of his escape, he had not entered a plea yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the individual depicted in the video is indeed Antoine Massey, we strongly urge him to come forward and turn himself in to the proper authorities, said Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson in a statement. Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges. It is important that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed. This isnt Masseys first reported escape either. According to local CBS affiliate 4WWL, Massey and five others broke out of the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center in 2007. He also escaped from Morehouse Detention Center in 2019. Orleans Justice Center maintenance worker Sterling Williams was reportedly arrested on felony charges for facilitating the May prison break. CBS affiliate KFVS12 in Cape Girardeau, Mo., reports that Williams claimed that Massey threatened to stab him if he didnt take part in helping the escape. The Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office also said the inmates jail break may have been helped by defective locks, the outlet reported. Of the 10 fugitives, Massey and Derrick Groves are the final two inmates remaining at large. Theres a $50,000 reward being offered for information leading to their apprehension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billboard has reached out to the Orleans Police Department and the White House for comment. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Authorities are investigating videos that reportedly show one of the two New Orleans jail escapees still at large pleading for help from President Trump, reality star Kim Kardashian and rappers Meek Mill and Lil Wayne, among others. A man identifying himself as 31-year-old Antoine Massey, one of 10 inmates who authorities say escaped the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, posted multiple clips on social media claiming the system has failed a lot of people and not just me. Massey was being held in the New Orleans jail on domestic abuse and car theft charges and has a history of escaping from law enforcement custody. In one of the clips, the man held up what he described as documents that prove his innocence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im saying people that been through the system that know its corrupt. Lil Wayne, Donald Trump, please, Im asking for help. You know what Im saying? he said in one post. Please, before you throw me away for something I did not do. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said in a statement that law enforcement is aware of the videos but has not confirmed whether the man in the footage is Massey. If the individual depicted in the video is indeed Antoine Massey, we strongly urge him to come forward and turn himself in to the proper authorities, Hutson said. Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges. It is important that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man in the videos, who appears to have distinctive face tattoos like Massey, also claimed that he was let out and didnt escape from jail. They say that I broke out, he said. I didnt break out. I was let out. Multiple people have been arrested in connection with allegedly assisting the inmates with or after their jailbreak. The man thought to be Massey claims in one video that Diamond White, a woman charged with allegedly assisting after the jailbreak and obstructing the investigation, is the same woman he is charged with abusing. Sterling Williams, a 33-year-old maintenance worker at the jail, was also arrested last month after he admitted to turning off the water in the cell from which the escapees made their jailbreak through a hole behind a toilet fixture. 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. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has responded to Russia's deadly strike on the city of Sumy on 3 June. Source: Tsahkna on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: On the morning of 3 June, Russian forces attacked central Sumy, killing two people and injuring 20 more, including a 17-year-old teenager. A medical facility, several vehicles and residential buildings were damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tsahkna reacted by recalling that Russia has repeatedly rejected ceasefire proposals, as it aims to continue what is now seen in Sumy. "...barbaric attacks on civilians aimed at breaking Ukraines spirit & erasing the country. Only increased pressure will force Russia to end this war," he stated. The attack came a day after Ukrainian and Russian delegations held a meeting in Istanbul that lasted just over an hour. Background: Following the talks, the parties agreed on new exchanges of specific categories of military personnel, and Ukraine handed over a list of several hundred children abducted by Russia. Meanwhile, the Russian delegation claimed it had proposed a temporary ceasefire along certain sections of the front. Dmitry Medvedev, former president of Russia, said that the true aim of the "peace talks" in Istanbul was to ensure Russias "swift and complete victory". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The opening of the first cluster in the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova is absolutely necessary; everything is ready for this, and the decision is in the hands of the EU Council. Source: Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, at a meeting of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 June, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kos stressed that Ukraine and Moldova are ready to open the first cluster, and the EU Council must find ways to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We absolutely need to take the next step with Ukraine and Moldova. Now, both countries have done their homework. Everything is ready and in the hands of the Council to open the first cluster," she noted. Kos reiterated that "EU accession for Ukraine is a key security guarantee. We need to make it a reality". "We need to process the move forward, to keep up momentum for reform in Ukraine, to help our member states tackle their concerns and ultimately to respond to our biggest security challenges since the end of the Second World War," she said. Marta Kos also mentioned the progress in reforms that Ukraine was demonstrating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thirty-six reform indicators have been met with continued efforts in traditional reform, anti-corruption, energy market liberalisation, corporate governance and the business climate. These reforms achieved under the most difficult conditions are not abstract. They directly support Ukraine's EU accession and bring it closer to the Union in every sense, politically, legally and economically," Kos stated. Background: Brussels is developing a scenario for parallel negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU bypassing Hungary the first steps in its implementation have already been taken, although they prefer not to announce this officially. On 27 May, Janos Boka, Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs, stated that Hungary would continue to block Ukraine's accession to the EU due to espionage scandals. Read more: "Plan B" for Ukraine's EU accession: how Brussels is preparing to overcome Hungary's veto Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Investing.com -- The European Union has not received a letter from the United States that demands countries to present their best trade negotiation offers by Wednesday, as reported by Reuters early Tuesday. The U.S. President Donald Trumps administration, following a call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reinstated a deadline of July 9 to allow for ongoing negotiations between Washington and Brussels. As of now, it remains unclear whether the letter, a draft of which was previously circulated by several media outlets, has been sent to the negotiating partners. The details of the letter and its current status remain undisclosed. The ongoing talks are part of a larger negotiation between the U.S. and the EU, with the aim to resolve trade disputes and establish a mutually beneficial agreement. Related articles EU yet to receive U.S. letter demanding best trade negotiation offers BofA sees strong Q1 growth keeping Bank of Canada on hold in June Do foreign investors hold too much of US assets? Seriencamp kicked off here in Germany today with familiar themes dominating chatter money, streaming levies and co-productions. The first morning of the German TV industry event in Cologne saw 14 European networks such as ZDF, France Televisions and NRK outlining their international co-production strategies. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unsurprisingly, given the challenged state of the market, talk around financing took up as much time as content strategies, wish lists and why most networks have pivoted to streaming-first commissioning. Smart collaborations, making money stretch and partnering with both European partners and global streamers were keys for most of those on stage. During one section of the talk, commissioning execs from Belgiums VRT and Switzerlands SRF addressed how global streamer levies in their territories had been received. Elly Vervloet, Commissioning Editor and International Drama Expert of VRT, outlined how a levy in the French-speaking Wallonia area of Belgium, which orders broadcasters and streamers with sales over 150M ($170M) up to 9.5% of their local revenues on local production, had highlighted that local networks needed to supercharge development. We have to produce in a smart way we dont have a lot of money, as we are a small broadcaster, she said. Luckily, we have a funding system in Belgium that really helps with funds the tax shelter. With the investment obligations for telcos and streamers, its really important to get the ball rolling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netflix made a legal challenge against the levy in August and was joined by Disney, which declared itself an interested party. Given Donald Trumps tallying cries against international streaming levies and his well-publicized spats with the European Union over trade, the case is being categorized by some commentators as the test case for similar cases elsewhere. For now, however, it remains in place, sitting alongside Belgiums favorable funding systems. Similarly in Switzerland, the implementation of the streaming tax, dubbed locally as the Lex Netflix is being keenly felt. With local streaming services become increasingly popular with audiences and searching for ambitious projects, the idea of collaboration between them and the likes of Netflix is being studied as a business model. Bettina Albert from SFR said: The difference to Belgium is we dont have a funding system and it is a problem. Now we have the Lex Netflix, and we can see the number of projects that are coming to us as interesting co-productions are increasing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, after the session we spoke with a well-connected source in the Swiss scripted market, who told us that while there had been in boom in development following the levys introduction, primarily for Netflix, this had not yet resulted in a significant number of commissions. We all want them to get started, they added. Elsewhere in the Seriencamp kickoff session, Mourad Koufane from France Televisions international co-production team summed up what international co-productions needed to achieve for the French pubcaster. At present, France Televisions only makes three international co-productions a year, through European commissioning club The Alliance. When we choose these three projects, it is important they are super-impactful and organically internationally, he said. Even though we are doing very few, we hope they will be the talk of the town in France. Seriencamp, which brings together Germans local scripted community with international players, began today at the Cinenova in Cologne. It runs until Thursday (June 6). Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. European politics is becoming repetitive. Fuelled by concern over migration, a Right-wing party surges in the polls, and the political establishment immediately sets about working out how to deal with the symptom without addressing the cause. Having entered a coalition in the Netherlands, Geert Wilders appears to have come to the conclusion that the Dutch establishment is currently drawing from this exact playbook, and has collapsed the government as a result of its unwillingness to back his revised plans on migration and failure to deliver existing pledges. It is another sorry entry in a long series. In Germany, some politicians are calling for an outright ban on Alternative fur Deutschland, with the intelligence agencies now authorised to use surveillance in an attempt to gather information on the party. In France, Marine Le Pen has been banned from standing in the next election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in Britain, 15 years of consecutive votes for lower migration, with manifesto pledges and verbal promises to deliver the same, have resulted in the precise opposite as politicians drunk on inflated fiscal forecasts have sought to shirk hard decisions. There is every prospect that Sir Keir Starmers recent tough talk will turn out to be yet another attempt to pay lip service to concerns on migration without introducing meaningful reforms. The scale of the changes triggered by our open doors policy, however, means pressure will continue to build. Should politicians continue to defy the public, they should not be surprised if they pay a heavy price at the ballot box. 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. Saab CEO Micael Johansson is worried that the European process will drag its defense build-up. He told BI that, as an example, Sweden's spending hike could take years to become contract orders. European leaders have been warning that they only have four years to deter a serious Russian threat. Saab's CEO Micael Johansson said that while Europe's leaders have announced huge defense spending hikes, the continent's current processes are slowing it down too much. "Now, we want to spend like 3.5% to 5% of GDP on defense. But then, when you start getting into the normal processes in terms of, okay, defense forces have to decide what to spend the money on, and then it has to be acquired by someone," Johansson told Business Insider on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The process is much too long still. It takes a long time before it gets into industry," he said, adding that he was worried about the gap. As an example, Johansson said any recent boosts in Sweden's defense spending would take military authorities "six months roughly" to decide what to spend the funds on. And that's before acquisition and materiel officials come into the mix, he said. Stockholm aims to increase defense spending from 2.4% of its GDP this year to 3.5% by 2030. "And so we're still looking at a couple of years before you actually get going, which is not good enough, I think, in times of war. Which is tragic," Johansson said, who was elected president of the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe last month. Saab CEO Micael Johansson is concerned that Europe's processes are too slow for the continent to be ready for Russia. JESSICA GOW/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images At the same time, the CEO raised concerns about Russia's war footing manufacturing capability, estimating that Moscow was making up about five times as many artillery shells as all of Europe yearly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Europe has to take its own responsibility, so we need to have integrated our missile defense systems, the collaborative combat aircraft, we need to have space technology, we need to have hubs where we can do ammunition manufacturing," he said. At the Dialogue, which ran from Friday to Sunday, Germany's defense chief, Gen. Carsten Breuer, raised a similar issue for his country. "I think in Germany we are facing a situation, or at least we faced a situation, where we had processes over processes and processes, and all those processes were developed not to spend any money," Breuer said at a panel on Saturday. "Because we had enough time, but we did not have the money." Breuer said that if German officials deemed a process was moving too quickly, they would "then develop an additional process to slow it down." Gen. Carsten Breuer said his country has had a culture of slowing itself down with processes to avoid spending on defense. Sean Gallup/Getty Images European military officials have warned that their nations must be ready for a possible conflict with Russia by 2029, when they estimate that Moscow would be strong enough to launch an attack on the Baltic states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anxieties on the continent have been compounded by the second Trump administration's signaled reluctance to continue supporting regional defense in areas where European states are falling short. President Donald Trump has called for NATO's European members to hike defense spending to 5% of their GDP. Some, such as Germany, have signaled an openness to such an eventual arrangement. Saab, which manufactures the Gripen fighter jet that's geared toward fighting Russian threats, has seen a rapid surge in demand since the war in Ukraine began in 2022. The Nordics' biggest defense manufacturer reported 2024 annual sales of 63.75 billion Swedish krona, or about $6.6 billion. By comparison, annual revenue in 2021 was 39.15 billion krona. Read the original article on Business Insider TOKYO, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The average price of rice in Japan in the week through May 25 fell for the first time in three weeks following the release of government stockpiles, according to the agriculture ministry. The average price of rice sold at some 1,000 supermarkets nationwide came to 4,260 yen (about 29.76 U.S. dollars) per 5 kg, including tax, down 25 yen from the previous week, due to government-stockpiled rice starting to hit store shelves, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said Monday. However, the latest average is still about double what it was during the same period last year. To bring down surging rice prices, the Japanese government sold a total of 310,000 tons of stockpiled rice at auctions held between March and April. SINGAPORE At the end of Pete Hegseths speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asias largest defense summit, Americas defense secretary argued some members of the crowd should focus elsewhere. We would much prefer that the overwhelming balance of European investment be on that continent, he said during a question and answer session. Hegseths response addressed one of the core themes at a conference typically focused on Asian security alone. Since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, more Europeans have traveled to Singapore each year as a symbol of their commitment to the region, seen as increasingly important to their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until this January, the United States welcomed that attention but no longer. In the second Trump administration, parts of Americas government have grown more skeptical of a European military presence around Asia. Some policy officials in the Pentagon have actively discouraged it. Instead, the conference last week featured a record number of Europeans in attendance and was headlined by French President Emmanuel Macron. While there, a wide share of officials from both regions defended Europes role in Asia, something even Hegseth acknowledged in his remarks. The challenge, officials said, will be defining that role at a time when Europeans see the two regions as increasingly linked and when the United States wants its allies focused on their own backyards. This is a convergence zone right now, said Gilberto Teodoro, the Philippines secretary of national defense, in an interview. This is the first Shangri-La Dialogue where we see a lot of European advocacy and a lot of American advocacy. Clearly concerned Last year at the conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit and met with Americas then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. For many in attendance, the appearance emphasized a new sense that the two regions shared a common sense of security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea was sending troops to fight alongside Russia, China was supplying much of the Kremlins war machine and the Wests response to Russias invasion was thought to be a show of force against similar action around Taiwan. If we consider that Russia could be allowed to take a part of the territory of Ukraine without any restriction, without any concern, without any reaction of the global order, how would you phrase what would happen in Taiwan, Macron said in his keynote speech last Friday. Until January, this had also become the dominant view in Washington, pushing its allies in Europe to take the threat of China more seriously while also helping defend Ukraine. In the last year, countries from Britain to Italy have sent naval vessels to the Indo-Pacific, including the Taiwan Strait, as a show of their own military commitment to the region. That demand signal collapsed with the election of Donald Trump, whose Pentagon has since called for Europe to take a far larger burden in defending the continent to allow Americas military to focus more on the Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, Hegseth himself left open a role for European militaries around Asia as part of a larger effort to deter China something American military leaders have said is a key advantage. There is something to be said for the fact that China calculates the possibility and does not appreciate the presence of other countries on occasion, Hegseth said. If that is reflected in their calculus, then thats useful. A U.S. defense official, speaking with traveling press on the condition of anonymity, said that the answer is obvious. Theyre clearly concerned about European presence, the official said of Beijing. Different roles Some allies at the conference agreed with Hegseths message that Europe should primarily focus on the defense of the continent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finlands Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen, for example, listed the main concerns it country has with its own security: an 800-mile border with Russia and competition around the Arctic and Baltic Sea. Thats why our role in the Indo-Pacific Area cannot be so big, he said in an interview. Still, Hakkanen came to Singapore to meet with partners such as Singapore and South Korea about Finlands defense industry and intelligence sharing. Both are natural areas to cooperate, he argued, even if his country wouldnt commit major military forces to the region. Swedens defense Minister Pal Jonson attended the conference with a similar message on partnering with intelligence and weapons sales, he said. But he also came to stress why countries in the region should care about what happens in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are here also to make the case: Why it is important to stand up for Ukraines territorial integrity and freedom, Jonson said. Some Indo-Pacific countries, such as South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, have been supporting Ukraine with military aid and training for the last three years, seeing Russias invasion as a test of resolve for free countries. Judith Collins, New Zealands defense minister, said her country is continuing its mission to train Ukrainian troops on the continent and could also assist in a peacekeeping mission if a peace deal is reached. That said, New Zealand recently announced a major defense spending increase and is now aiming to spend 2% of GDP on the military by the early 2030s. Part of that plan is motivated by Wellingtons sense that it needs to take greater control over its own security, regardless of partnerships with other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comment thats been made to me by one of the NATO ministers is: We have a NATO-first policy. My answer to that was: So where does that leave us? Collins said in an interview. The answer is: doing more for ourselves with our friends in our region as well as being good contributors to peace in Europe, she said. Happy Tuesday! Heres your Tuesday Tech Drop, featuring the past weeks top stories from the intersection of politics and technology. Far right flips out over reported Palantir plan Even far-right influencers are creeped out by President Donald Trumps reported plan to work with MAGA-friendly tech company Palantir on merging data on Americans from different agencies into a single location a development that could lead to the federal government having unprecedented power to spy on, and harass, Americans. Newsweek highlighted worried responses from Nick Fuentes, the Hodgetwins and other influencers who are sounding the alarm. Read more at Newsweek. Trumps SEC scuttles Binance probe The Securities and Exchange Commission has dropped its lawsuit against Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange. Trump and his family have financial ties to Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, and Senate Democrats have demanded answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Pam Bondi about the administrations relationship with the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more at CNBC. PADFA problems Under Trump, the federal government appears to be dropping the ball in its duty to protect Americans personal information from foreign data brokers, who often will collect said info and sell it to third parties. A new piece in Just Security by Kevin Moriarty, a privacy and data security attorney, argues that the administration has demonstrated concerning inaction in enforcing the Protecting Americans Data from Foreign Adversaries Act, which was signed into law last year by President Joe Biden. Read more at Just Security. Elons exit? Not so fast The White House hosted what was essentially a going-away party for Elon Musk last week, but few people including Trump himself, along with Vice President JD Vance seem to think much will really change in terms of Musks influence over the White House. The affair seemed more like a publicity stunt than anything else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read my blog at MSNBC. Durbin targets drug pushers The Trump administration has largely gutted the units within the Food and Drug Administration responsible for overseeing the promotion of pharmaceutical drugs, leading some people to worry how the federal government will effectively police such advertising going forward. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is seeking answers from the administration on that front. Read more at STAT News. Bot bureaucracy The Trump administration has created a new AI chatbot its calling chatCBP, which apparently will help implement the presidents immigration policies. This continues a disturbingly fast uptake of generative artificial intelligence tools at federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read my blog at MSNBC. Swat team A Romanian man whod been charged with using swatting calls and fake bomb threats to target a number of political figures, including an unnamed former president and members of Congress including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. has pleaded guilty. Thomasz Szabo did so in federal court Monday, on one count of conspiracy and one count of making bomb threats. Read more at The Associated Press. Musks toxic emissions The NAACP is demanding that Musks supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, stop its work. The project has drawn scrutiny in the area over its pollutants. In a letter to officials in Shelby County, where the project is housed, the NAACP wrote: While we applaud research and innovation, there must be limits that ensure that communities are healthy and alive to enjoy the benefits of any potential innovation. Read more at NBC News. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. A former Fusion Spa employee, previously accused of sexually assaulting two customers, now faces more charges. On April 21, Gui Jiang, of Leawood, Kansas, pleaded not guilty to two separate second-degree sodomy charges. Now, hes charged with a total of five counts of second-degree sodomy. A grand jury returned the indictment on May 29. Spa on State Line Road inked with paint days after court appearance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, four of the charges stem from alleged incidents that happened in August 2023, and the fifth charge stems from an alleged incident that happened in May 2022. Jiang was an employee at Fusion Spa on State Line Road in Kansas City, Missouri. Several women have come forward, saying he sexually assaulted them while getting massages at the spa. In April, FOX4 spoke with Lila Kubas, who shared the details of her experience. Former Fusion Spa employee pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges, woman speaks out Jiangs next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 10. If you are a victim of sexual assault, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or online.rainn.org. RAINN ofrece apoyo gratuito y confidencial las 24 horas al dia, 7 dias por semana para los sobrevivientes de la violencia sexual y sus seres queridos. Llame a la Linea Nacional de Ayuda contra el Abuso Sexual en Linea al 800-656-4673. 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. Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu boldly argued Monday during a panel discussion on CNNs NewsNight that Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) are antisemitic for joining college protests against Israels war in Gaza. The Republican lobbed the accusation after fellow political commentator Maria Cardona argued President Donald Trump is to blame for the recent antisemitic attacks across the U.S., as a result of his support for white supremacist groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. That is absolutely nuts. You guys are barely scratching the surface here, Sununu replied on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt just about; we need more Democrats to condemn whats happening, he continued. How about lets get Democrats not joining in on it? How about AOC and Representative Omar dont join those college campuses? Ocasio-Cortez and Omar have criticized Israels ongoing military campaign in Gaza to varying degrees: both have called it a genocide, while Omar physically joined Columbia Universitys demonstration last year and saw her own daughter arrested for participating. Sununu argued that the rise of antisemitism in the U.S. starts on the college campuses and empowers people to go beyond words. The panel had been discussing Sundays attack in Boulder, Colorado, where a man yelling Free Palestine injured eight people. I want to be a little bit more specific about what were talking about here, said host Abby Phillip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I definitely think, to the congressmans point, there are specific things that are being said on these campuses that are antisemitic, she added. But the idea that AOC and Omar are engaging in those activities, Im not sure that theres a lot of evidence of that. Sununu said, They showed up on those campuses. They spoke at the campuses! Phillip replied, But heres what Im saying do you understand what Im saying? If they show up on college campuses to protest the situation in Gaza, is that, are you saying, automatically the same thing as uttering antisemitic words and using antisemitic language? To which Sununu had a very plain response. Yes, theyre antisemitic, he said. Make no mistake about it, this is all based on antisemitism. Phillip: But the idea that AOC and Rep. Omar are engaging in those activities. Sununu: They showed up on those campuses Phillip: If they show up on college campuses to protest, you know, what the situation in gaza is that are you saying automatically the same thing as uttering pic.twitter.com/r4Vvlq8ZyK Acyn (@Acyn) June 3, 2025 When asked what specific evidence he might have that the congresswomen are antisemitic, beyond merely attending demonstrations or criticizing the Israeli governments relentless bombardment of Gaza, Sununu baselessly replied: Supporting terrorists? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former lawmakers argument has since been shredded on social media, as neither Omar nor Ocasio-Cortez has ever endorsed terrorists. Both have criticized Israels military campaign, but also publicly denounced Hamas, as well as Sundays attack in Boulder. Phillip said regarding Omar and Ocasio-Cortez, Theres a difference between protesting and saying and doing antisemitic things. Related... Former Republican Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh announced Tuesday he is formally joining the Democratic Party because the stakes are simply too high to NOT become a Democrat. Lets start with the obviousa tyrant sits in the White House, Walsh wrote in his Substack, The Social Contract. The very thing our Founders feared most is here, he said. Throw in the fact that one of our two major political parties is a real and direct threat to democracy and the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walsh, a former supporter of President Donald Trump who later ran against him, amassed a large following through his controversial statements online and on his radio show. In 2012, he declared American Muslims an imminent threat to national security and lashed out at Rev. Jesse Jackson, accusing him of trying to keep African Americans down on some plantation. Joe Walsh, right, said he has joined the Democratic Party, denouncing President Donald Trump. Associated Press The former Republican has spent much of his recent past trying to distance himself from the bigotry he promoted in earlier years. Acknowledging his past public remarks on Tuesday, he said, thats no longer who I am. I went to Congress on a mission to get our debt under control and to shake up the political establishment, Walsh wrote. I was passionate about my causeso passionate that I said and did things I regret, so passionate that I became, way more than Im proud of, a divisive political asshole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walsh added that he has since gained a greater understanding of and appreciation for LGBTQ issues, structural racism, the need for empathetic immigration reform, the dangers of climate change, and the role the government must play to help care for the neediest and most vulnerable among us. Im still a conservative, but Im not a conservative jerk, he wrote. For the past seven years, Ive been on a mission to help heal the divide in this countrythe divide I helped to create. Walshs announcement comes as the Democratic Partys approval rating sinks to an all-time low. An NBC poll published earlier this year found that just 27% of registered voters say they have positive views of the party. A CNN/SRS poll found that Democrats messaging on the economy performed worse than Republicans over the past four months, with the GOP holding an eight-point lead on the issue. Walsh was already a vocal critic of the president. He said he made the switch to the Democratic Party because These are unprecedented, dangerous times in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course weve always fought about and debated policyhow best to pay for healthcare, whether taxes should be raised or cut, and how best to deal with immigration, Walsh wrote. But weve never before fought about actually remaining a democracy or abiding by the Constitution and the rule of law. He highlighted decency, tolerance, understanding, empathy as traits he believes are vital to politics, claiming the Democratic Party is the only party these days that values and practices these traits. Donald Trump is the worst of us, and, sadly, the rest of the Republican Party emulates his cruelty, dishonesty, and authoritarianism, Walsh wrote. Were better than what weve seen every day these past four months. America is better than this. As a former Republican, I know that cruelty sells. Related... The former police chief of Hialeah, Florida, was arrested Monday for allegedly defrauding the city after a state law enforcement investigation uncovered millions in missing cash from the department's narcotics unit. Sergio Velazquez, the police chief of Hialeah from 2012 until 2021, is facing felony charges of grand theft, organized fraud, and structuring bank deposits to evade reporting requirements. Prosecutors allege he siphoned off at least $600,000 from narcotics funds and seized cash from 2020 to 2021, then attempted to launder the money through multiple bank accounts and a corporate entity he registered. Although Velazquez is only charged for alleged conduct over a roughly one-year period, investigators say that they can't account for several million dollars more that disappeared since 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This case revealed that Velazquez violated the trust and integrity expected of him as police chief," Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio said in a press conference Monday at the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office. The evidence laid out against Velazquez is a particularly brazen example of the perverse police incentives created by the drug war and civil asset forfeiture, a tool that allows police to seize cash and property suspected of being connected to criminal activity such as drug trafficking, even if the owner isn't charged with a crime. In an arrest warrant and affidavit obtained by Miami public radio outlet WLRN, an FDLE agent said the FDLE was first alerted to the alleged theft by the Hialeah police chief who took over the department after Velazquez was dismissed in 2021. When the new chief opened a safe in his office, he discovered evidence bags with cash related to recent drug seizure casesbut tens of thousands of dollars were missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ensuing three-year FDLE investigation found that cash had continually disappeared from safes inside the police chief's administrative suite. That cash came from two sources: a city-funded "petty cash" account for long-term narcotics investigations, and money seized through civil asset forfeiture as a result of those narcotics investigations. When FDLE investigators checked the Hialeah Police Department's requests for "petty cash" funds against the expenses filed by the narcotics unit over an 11-month period in 2020 and 2021, more than $300,000 was unaccounted for. Velazquez's arrest warrant says that from 2015 to 2021, his office requested funds for narcotics operations totaling $2.8 million. But investigators could only match roughly $200,000 to legitimate expenditures. Additionally, $1 million was missing from court-awarded civil asset forfeitures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil liberties groups have long argued that civil forfeiture creates perverse profit incentives for police, and over the years there have been plenty of examples of officers who abused the process to rake in money for their departments, or simply stole to line their own pockets. In New York in 2023, an Albany County sheriff's deputy was charged with stealing more than $68,000 from the department's federal forfeiture funds account. Over in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 2020, $150,000 went "missing" from the county drug task force's asset forfeiture fund. In 2021, federal prosecutors charged two former police officers in Rohnert Park, California, with extorting money and marijuana from motorists during traffic stops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numerous police departments and district attorney offices have gotten into trouble for using asset forfeiture revenues as slush funds for frivolous expenses and fancy swag. The problem with having a big pile of illicit cash, though, as any successful drug trafficker could testify, is spending it without getting caught. At the same time that money kept disappearing from the Hialeah Police Department's narcotics funds, FDLE investigators allege that Velazquez deposited $2,000,000 in cash into personal and business accounts, splitting the deposits among multiple accounts and avoiding sums that would trigger automatic reporting requirements. According to the affidavit, Velazquez also registered a corporation and spent tens of thousands of dollars from his business accounts on luxury watches and high-end brands such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Versace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once Velazquez left office, the arrest warrant notes, the bookkeeping problems at the Hialeah Police Department suddenly stopped. The post ExHialeah Police Chief Arrested for Skimming at Least $600,000 in Cash From Drug Funds appeared first on Reason.com. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Two former Maryland officers recently pleaded guilty to federal charges relating to a years-long insurance fraud scheme. The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) said former Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) officer 36-year-old Michael Anthony Owen, Jr. and former Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACPD) officer 31-year-old Jaron Earl Taylor admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Between August 2018 and February 2020, Owen and Taylor worked with fellow police officers, Candace Tyler, Conrad DHaiti and Davion Percy, among others, the USAO detailed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man seen tearing down Dupont Circle Pride decorations; DC police investigating Members would report losses to auto insurers to obtain money or avoid paying off vehicles that were less than the amount owed to them, using their status as police officers to bolster each others claims by writing fake police reports. Then, they submitted the police reports to insurers to validate the claim. In August 2018, the USAO said Owen and Taylor staged the theft of Taylors Chevrolet Tahoe. After Taylor filed a fraudulent police report, reporting it as stolen, the two stripped the vehicle and drove it deep into the woods of a Maryland State Highway property near Largo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once he filed a claim, the U.S. Automobile Association (USAA) paid Taylor more than $38,000 for the loss. Then, in January 2020, Owen reportedly helped DHaiti avoid paying his loan balance on a Jaguar XKR. Working with him and Percy, Owen schemed to fake the cars theft. On Jan. 4 of that year, DHaiti parked his car behind the Marlow Heights Shopping Center, where Percy worked as police chief. He paid Percy $350 to arrange for someone to tow the vehicle and extensively vandalize it for the purpose of creating a total insurance loss, the USAO detailed. Tyler then filed a fake police report and DHaiti filed a claim with Liberty Mutual Insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHaiti was paid $17,585 on the false claim. Trio accused of stealing over $30K in candles from Fairfax County retailers Also that month, Owen and Taylor helped a co-conspirator dispose of an Infiniti sedan so that they didnt have to make further payments on the vehicle while on duty overseas. The conspirator gave Taylor $1,000 to stage the theft. Taylor then forwarded the money to Owen, who filed another fake police report with PGPD, claiming the vehicle was stolen. In reality, the car had been moved to the top floor of an apartment complexs parking garage, replacing the cars license plates with ones from another vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stolen car claim the conspirators filed with GEICO was denied, however, on the grounds of fraud. Owen and Taylor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, for which Owen faces up to 20 years in prison and Taylor faces up to three years. Their sentences are both scheduled for Sept. 23. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Three girls are dead in central Washington, and the search is on for their father. Wenatchee police say the girls mother called Friday saying they hadnt returned from a custodial visit with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Breaking News Alerts Law enforcement, along with the FBI, worked to narrow down the search area Monday and found Deckers truck near the Rock Island campground. They found the girls bodies, but the father was missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three children are Olivia, Evelyn and Paityn Decker ages 5, 8 and 9. Their mother told KIRO 7 in Seattle that their father was previously in the military and struggled with mental health issues. Decker is 5 foot 8 inches, and authorities have provided the following photo to help the public identify him. Police are searching for Travis Decker after the bodies of his three daughters were found in Washington (Wenatchee Police Department) Decker sisters in undated photos. (Wenatchee Police Department) Police said he has extensive military training, and its not clear if hes currently armed. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of Democratic Party, attends an election campaign in Seoul, South Korea, June 2, 2025. South Korea will hold its presidential election on June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) SEOUL, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Polls began early Tuesday nationwide to pick South Korea's new president. The election is scheduled to last from 6:00 a.m. local time (2100 GMT Monday) to 8:00 p.m. (1100 GMT Tuesday) at 14,295 polling stations across the country. The presidential race was triggered by the removal of former conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol from office over his botched martial law bid. Recent surveys showed that Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party continued to have around 50 percent of support, holding a big lead over Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party with about 30 percent. Lee lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon, then candidate of the People Power Party, by the country's narrowest margin of 0.73 percentage points. An early voting was carried out between May 29 and May 30. Among over 44 million eligible voters, 34.74 percent cast preliminary votes. Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of Democratic Party, attends an election campaign in Seoul, South Korea, June 2, 2025. South Korea will hold its presidential election on June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) A pedestrian walks past a campaign poster of presidential candidates in Seoul, South Korea, June 2, 2025. South Korea will hold its presidential election on June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Kim Moon-soo (C), presidential candidate of People Power Party, speaks during an election campaign in Seoul, South Korea, June 2, 2025. South Korea will hold its presidential election on June 3. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua) Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of People Power Party, attends an election campaign in Seoul, South Korea, June 2, 2025. South Korea will hold its presidential election on June 3. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua) A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Voters wait in line to cast ballots at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) A voter is seen at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Voters are seen at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) A voter is seen at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) A voter casts his ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A judge Tuesday ordered the former owner of the site of the city of Las Vegas deadliest to serve up to four years in prison. Adolfo Orozco-Garcia, 49, originally faced 27 charges related to the December 2019 fire that killed six tenants: Donald Keith Bennett, 63; Tracy Ann Cihal, 57; Francis Lombardo Jr., 72; Cynthia Mikell, 61; Kerry Marie Odo-Baclaan, 46; and Henry Lawrence Pinc, 70. This is an unprecedented case, Clark County District Court Judge Jacqueline Bluth said before sentencing Orozco-Garcia to 19-48 months in prison. There are a lot of people responsible for this. It is my job to look at what is Orozco-Garcias responsibility and what is justice when it comes to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire injured 13 people and left more than 50 homeless. It is the deadliest fire within Las Vegas city limits. Adolfo Orozco-Garcia, 49, originally faced 27 charges related to the December 2019 fire that killed six tenants: Donald Keith Bennett, 63; Tracy Ann Cihal, 57; Francis Lombardo Jr., 72; Cynthia Mikell, 61; Kerry Marie Odo-Baclaan, 46; and Henry Lawrence Pinc, 70. (Las Vegas Fire & Rescue) In January, Orozco-Garcia took a plea deal, avoiding a lengthy trial scheduled to begin in February. Orozco-Garcia asked Bluth to sentence him to probation. His attorneys argued he did not have a say in the day-to-day operations of the buildings and that some tenants were difficult. In making her decision, Bluth said she believed Orozco-Garcia knew about the buildings deplorable conditions, adding that probation was not appropriate. The fire ripped through the three-story building on 9th Street and Ogden Avenue. An investigation revealed it started when someone used their stove for heat. The flames quickly spread, filling other apartments and hallways with fire and heavy smoke. The victims all likely became disoriented by the amount of smoke, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to several lawsuits, the building did not have working fire alarms or sprinklers. In 2023, a judge signed off on a confidential civil settlement. Orozco-Garcia agreed to an Alford plea on two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one charge of wanton disregard of safety resulting in substantial bodily harm or death, documents said. An Alford plea, essentially a plea of no contest, means a defendant does not admit guilt, but believes prosecutors had enough evidence to convince a jury to convict. Orozco-Garcia admitted the deal meant he could have served less time should a jury have convicted him. At the time of the fire, Orozco-Garcia owned and operated 30 low-income properties in four states, including Nevada. Orozco-Garcia later sold the 41-unit building. It was redeveloped and named the DLUX Lofts a year after the fire. Bluths sentence means Orozco-Garcia will be eligible for probation after serving 19 months. The maximum time he could serve is four years. She allowed him to remain out of custody and self-surrender in 90 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire marks the deadliest in the city of Las Vegas history. The 1980 fire at the then-MGM Grand, located in unincorporated Clark County and not the city of Las Vegas, killed 87 people. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A former Runnels County Jail sergeant has been sentenced after he and one of his subordinate jailers were arrested in 2020 on accusations of engaging in sexual activities with incarcerated women. According to a media report published by the 119th District Attorneys Office, the Runnels County Sheriffs Office made contact with the Texas Rangers in May 2020 regarding an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct between two Runnels County Jailers and two female inmates. The office stated that, following an investigation conducted by the Texas Rangers, Jail Sgt. Cary Hubbard and Alexander Harrison, a jailer who was supervised by Hubbard, were arrested and charged with the State Jail Felony Offense of Improper Sexual Activity with a Person in Custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Two former Runnels County jailers arrested for sexual relations with an inmate Harrison pled guilty to two felony charges in front of 119th District Judge Ben Woodward on April 22, 2022, with no agreement from the State regarding punishment, as per the 119th District Attorneys Office. He would be found guilty and given a sentence of 730 days in state jail, which was probated for three (3) years. The office reported that Hubbard pled guilty to two similar felony charges in front of recently-elected 119th District Judge Gonzalo Rios on May 27, 2025. Similar to Harrison, there was no agreement from the State regarding punishment. Hubbard was found guilty and sentenced to 365 days in state jail, according to the office. A mugshot of former Runnels County Jail Sgt. Cary Lamont Hubbard used in relation to his arrest in 2020 for allegedly having an inappropriate sexual relationship with an inmate. Hubbard was sentenced to a year in state jail on May 27, 2025. A mugshot of former Runnels County Jail jailer Alexander Govia Harrison used in relation to his arrest in 2020 for allegedly having an inappropriate sexual relationship with an inmate. He was sentenced to 730 days in state jail on April 22, 2022. The 119th District Attorneys Office said that evidence presented during Hubbards hearing revealed that Hubbard was the direct supervisor over Jailer Harrison, and that Hubbard had engaged in sexual contact with a female inmate on more than one occasion. Evidence also showed that Hubbard had put money in the inmates phone and commissary accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hubbard was a Sargent at the Runnels County Jail, and was trusted with the supervision of other jailers, as well as the inmates, at the Runnels County Jail, the 119th District Attorneys Office said. Hubbards conduct was inexcusable and gave rise to serious issues regarding the safety and security of inmates, jail staff, and officers tasked with the job of managing the Runnels County Jail. The office stated that it hopes the sentences given to Hubbard and Harrison convey a strong message to those serving in positions of public trust. Both Alexander and Hubbard are now convicted felons and Hubbard will be required to spend a year in State Jail, the 119th District Attorneys Office said. We hope these sentences will send a strong message to those serving in positions of public trust that they will be held to a high standard when it comes to misconduct relating to their employment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. (Editors note: This article contains descriptions of child sexual abuse that some readers may find disturbing.) A 42-year-old man was sentenced to 61 years in prison after an Oklahoma County jury found him guilty of sexually abusing his former stepson when he was below the age of 16. Dusty Dean Kitchko was convicted April 23 of several felonies, including one count of first-degree rape, two counts of lewd acts with a child, two counts of forcible oral sodomy, and one count of a pattern of criminal offenses. Jurors recommended that Kitchko receive 25 years for each of the indecent counts, five years for the rape count, and two years for each of the other three counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a pre-sentencing investigative report, Kitchko showed no remorse during interviews with police. He told investigators he was not guilty of the charges against him and that the accusations had been made by his ex-wife because of what he described as a bad breakup. "Kichko (sic) does not have a criminal background that reflects a pattern of sexual criminal behavior or a background of being sexually abused himself," an investigating officer wrote. "(He) was cooperative with the investigation and interview; however, (he) did not take accountability for the crimes in which he has been charged. He denied committing the crime and continued to state that it was because of his ex and their relationship ending badly." More: Shawnee church accused of covering up child sexual abuse, stalking In November 2022, the Edmond Police Department received a report of a possible rape, Emily Ward, a spokeswoman, told The Oklahoman. Ward also said further abuse was alleged to have occurred from 2015 to 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a probable cause affidavit written by an Edmond detective, the victim revealed information about physical and sexual abuse from his ex-stepfather, Kitchko, while he was receiving treatment at the Utah-based Eagle Ranch Academy, a therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens. Police in St. George, Utah, interviewed the boy in January 2023, where he detailed multiple incidents of abuse. These included a trip to Lake Texoma during which Kitchko allegedly touched the boy inappropriately and forced the boy to touch his body parts, as well, according to the affidavit. After arriving at the family lake cabin, Kitchko also allegedly raped the boy, as detailed in the affidavit. The stepson further alleged Kitchko also inappropriately touched him when they would ride around Oklahoma County, according to the affidavit. Investigators wrote that these incidents occurred when the stepson was between the ages of 8 and 10 years old. The Edmond Police Department is shown in the Public Safety Center, 100 E First St. Kitchko did not return the Edmond detective's phone calls until April 2023. When questioned at the Edmond Police Department in May 2023, Kitchko admitted he took the boy to the lake cabin but denied the accusations against him, according to the affidavit. A week later, a polygraph examination of Kitchko indicated deception, the detective wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Noland and Todd Adler, attorneys for Kitchko, had no comment after the jury found him guilty April 23. Kitchko was remanded into Oklahoma County sheriff custody and was formally sentenced May 29. Assistant District Attorneys Charlie DeWitt and Michele McElwee acknowledged the case had been difficult emotionally but said they appreciated the jury's verdict. "This was a really hard case, and we're really glad that we got justice for him," Dewitt told The Oklahoman. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Man found guilty by Oklahoma County jury in sexual abuse of stepson When Claudia and Marco Roca opened Capriottis Sandwich Shop last summer in Plantation, they hyped its arrival with a marketing blitz. They introduced a 24-karat, gold-flake turkey sub. They even invited a celebrity, Edward Big Ed Brown from 90 Day Fiance, to make them, drawing in legions of fans to the shop. Now their Plantation franchise is hanging on by a thread while their original Capriottis in North Miami Beach has been forced to close following the alleged theft of $52,800 in goods from both restaurants, Claudia Roca told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. It has been devastating, she said. We put everything into these restaurants, and now we could lose them both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roca accused a former Capriottis manager, Shamika Johnson, and husband Johnny Georges Dorvil of conspiring to pull off an organized theft of meats, breads, packaging and proprietary ingredients over a six-month period between October 2024 and March 2025, according to an April 24 Plantation police report. Johnson and Dorvil, both Davie residents, allegedly used the stolen goods to cook and sell Philly cheesesteak subs out of an unlicensed food truck called Debs Philly Cheesesteaks, which has multiple active accounts on social media, Plantation police records say. The Broward Sheriffs Office arrested Johnson, 46, and Dorvil, 46, on grand theft charges on May 16, Plantation police spokesman Chavez Grant confirmed in an email. Johnson was released after posting a $4,000 bail on May 18, while Dorvil remains in custody, according to county court records. Neither Johnson nor the Broward County Public Defenders Office, which represents Johnson and Dorvil, could be reached for comment despite multiple calls and text messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple have not yet entered a plea, and no arraignment has been set as of the publication of this article, according to the Broward County Clerk of Courts office. An organized theft Roca told police she hired Johnson as a general manager in October to work at her Capriottis franchise locations in Plantation and North Miami Beach. Johnson then hired Dorvil without revealing to the Rocas that it was her husband, according to the April 24 Plantation police report. [Johnson] told me she worked with someone really good all her life, wanted to bring this person in and she sent me his resume, Roca told the Sun Sentinel. I reviewed the paperwork and put him on the payroll. The report alleges that Johnson and Dorvil evaded detection for six months as they smuggled bread loaves, meats and cheeses out of the Plantation Capriottis walk-in cooler and placed them into a gray SUV parked behind the building. One of those incidents was captured in a Feb. 15 surveillance video, according to footage turned over to Plantation police by Roca. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a March 6 video, a person identified in the police report as Dorvil is seen removing a small box of cheese from the cooler and nesting it inside a larger brown box before disappearing out of camera frame. Seconds later, the same person is shown holding the larger brown box outside on a separate surveillance camera. Roca told police that it was company policy to report the transportation of restaurant supplies from one location to another, which Johnson and Dorvil never did. According to the report, Johnson used her access as a store manager to grant unauthorized compensatory meals and discounts to cover the discrepancies of the stolen merchandise. Between October 2024 and February 2025, losses from the Plantation location alone totaled nearly $31,000, according to county arrest records. Roca told Plantation police that the total amount stolen adds up to $52,800 in improper [compensatory] meals and stolen food items at both locations. In March, when Roca told Johnson that she wanted to set a meeting to discuss the discrepancies in missing inventory, Johnson walked out and quit, Roca told police. Thats when the owners combed over old balance sheets and surveillance footage from both locations, tallied the losses and called police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roca says she has also filed a report with North Miami Beach police, but the status of any investigation is unclear as of this articles publication. Barely holding on During the same month, Johnson and Dorvil started operating their Debs Philly Cheesesteaks food truck, which created its first social-media post on March 8. In a public Facebook post on March 26, Johnson wrote that she created Debs Phillys in honor of her late mother. I decided to open a food truck, something that me and her have talked about for many years, she wrote. Unfortunately, we werent [able] to do it before her passing, so I kept her dream alive. Videos layered with hip-hop beats show customers eating Philly cheesesteak subs and french fries topped with bacon and ranch dressing. Johnson also appears in multiple videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple picked up high-profile support when Keith Lee, an influencer with over 17 million TikTok followers who tastes and critiques takeout dishes in his car, shouted out the food truck. In my opinion, amazing. Absolutely amazing, Lee said in his video posted April 14. I think, in my humble opinion, the best Philly cheesesteak Ive had in a long time. Its Keith Lee-approved! a Debs Philly Cheesesteak employee then cuts in. You heard it first here! The food truck made regular visits to Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise and Riviera Beach as recently as late April, according to its online schedule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The food trucks last social-media post, on May 16, coincides with the date of Johnson and Dorvils arrest. Also on May 16, a GoFundMe page was created titled Help Debs Phillys Food Truck Recover that stated an emergency situation caused them to lose everything in our food truck and the truck itself. Roca said her husband Marco and son Marco Jr. lost both their hotel industry jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and on a whim decided to invest their entire life savings into opening the first two South Florida franchises of the Las Vegas-headquartered Capriottis Sandwich Shop. But now, the loss of merchandise has forced her to close her 3-year-old North Miami Beach location on May 10, while Plantation is barely holding on and losing money. One North Miami Beach employee has lost their job, while two others agreed to relocate to the Plantation eatery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Capriottis locations were insured, but not for alleged employee theft, she said. Were trying to get out of our [North Miami Beach] lease now, Roca said. I dont know how much longer I can hold on. I put all my heart into the people that I trust, and this still happened to me. Sun Sentinel features writer Phillip Valys can be reached at pvalys@sunsentinel.com or X at @philvalys. By Julie Steenhuysen, Michael Erman and Dan Levine (Reuters) -Pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos resigned on Tuesday as co-leader of a U.S. CDC working group that advises outside experts on COVID-19 vaccines and is leaving the agency, two sources familiar with the move told Reuters. Panagiotakopoulos said in an email to work group colleagues that her decision to step down was based on the belief she is "no longer able to help the most vulnerable members" of the U.S. population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her role at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's working group of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, she co-led the gathering of information on topics for presentation. Her resignation comes one week after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic, said the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women had been removed from the CDC's recommended immunization schedule. Kennedy oversees the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health as leader of the Department of Health and Human Services. The move was a departure from the usual process in which ACIP experts meet and vote on changes to the immunization schedule or recommendations on who should get vaccines before the agency's director made a final call. The committee had not voted on the changes announced by Kennedy and the CDC does not yet have a permanent director. Two days after Kennedy's announcement, the CDC published a vaccine schedule online saying that COVID-19 vaccines remain an option for healthy children aged 6 months to 17 years when parents and doctors agree it is needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It had previously recommended updated COVID vaccines foreveryone aged 6 months and older, following the guidance ofthe panel of outside experts. Two sources said Panagiotakopoulos did not include a specific reason for her departure. Panagiotakopoulos did not return requests for comment. "Unfortunately for me, this is a personal decision," Panagiotakopoulos wrote in an email to members of the working group that was read to Reuters by a source who received it. "My career in public health and vaccinology started with a deep-seated desire to help the most vulnerable members of our population, and that is not something I am able to continue doing in this role," she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An HHS spokesman said Panagiotakopoulos' departure was a personal decision and has no impact on the government's commitment to public health. The committee is scheduled to meet on June 25-27 and is expected to deliberate and vote on recommendations for use of COVID-19 vaccines, according to one of the sources who was not authorized to speak publicly. In its last ACIP meeting on April 15-16, Panagiotakopoulos presented data to the panel on Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine and potential options for the 2025-26 vaccination schedule. Those include maintaining the current broad policy or narrowing recommendations for certain populations. The working group had been leaning toward narrowing use of the vaccine, the source familiar with the group's discussions said. But, the source added, the experts likely would recommend broader use for certain at-risk populations, including very young children and pregnant women who are at high risk of COVID complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A positive, broad recommendation for these groups sends a stronger message to providers and insurance companies that these populations should be vaccinated, and such vaccines should be covered for those uses, the source said. Two sources said the working group is continuing to meet despite last week's surprise changes in the immunization schedule, and is preparing to make recommendations to the full group of ACIP advisers at their upcoming meeting. (Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago, Michael Erman in New York and Dan Levine in San Francisco; Editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot) Gap Inc. has signed a 10-year deal with Fido Tech to fund AI-powered leak detection across 350 kilometers of water pipelines in Bengaluru. Water resilience is a critical issue both for Gap Inc. and for the communities in which we operate, Dan Fibiger, Gaps vice president of global sustainability, said. The collaboration has the potential to significantly improve water resilience for communities, industries and ecosystems in a region that faces growing demand and limited supplyits fundamental to our efforts to bridge the climate gap in the context of our supply chain. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meet Fido: A UK-based global technology company using deep learning to rapidly improve global water management and community water resilience at scale, specifically within leak detection and non-revenue water (NRW)aka, water that gets lost before reaching its intended end-user. Fido stated that water loss from leaks (aka NRW) is a major driver of water stress, especially since many leaks are hidden underground and difficult to detect. The World Bank estimates that roughly 30 percent of the worlds water supply is lost in this way, although the rate varies across utilities. Emerging from the 2019 United Utilities Innovation Lab cohorta 12-week program for emerging enterprises to collaborate with the UKs largest listed water companyFidos sensor agnostic data-as-a-service (DaaS) platform functions as a microcosm of systems thinking for the water industry. Billed as cutting-edge water leak detection technology, the AI platform and in-field device utilize multi-path data analytics algorithms to analyze both audio and kinetic signals, enabling the detection of leaks in pipe systems regardless of the material or existing infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For areas without embedded sensors, the company deploys its proprietary, capex-free mobile Fido Bug devices along pipe networks to gather real-time data and generate leakage heatmaps across the network. Using these bugs with its proprietary Cloud Correlation technology, Fido claims it can locate leaks within a one-meter radius. The platforms AI-driven leak detection claims over 92 percent accuracy and offers estimated leak sizesan edge thats earning attention in the smart infrastructure space. This insight removes human error from the detection process and prioritizes the leaks that matter, according to global water solutions provider SKion Water, thereby improving efficiency, reducing leak runtime and, ultimately, water losses. For reference, Fido was absorbed by the global water tech firm during a multi-million-pound acquisition (and follow-on investment led by Emerald Technology Ventures) in September 2022. SKion Water is a subsidiary of SKion GmbH, an investment company founded by Germanys richest woman and heiress Susanne Klatten. Fido said its results are verified using volumetric water benefit accounting and a global water stewardship standard, now spanning five continents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water stress affects families, businesses, livelihoods and the environment, Victoria Edwards, co-founder and CEO of Fido Tech, said. Places like Bengaluru are on the front line. Also known by its colonial name, Bangalore is the largest city in Karnataka and a central hub for South Indias garment industry. Nongovernmental organization Cividep India alleged that Bengaluru accounts for 20 percent of the republics total annual garment production. Its also the region that saw thousands of garment workers forced to resign following pandemic-induced financial lossesin turn, losing half a billion dollars themselves in withheld severance, per the Worker Rights Consortium. To that end, Edwards continued, forward thinking companies can tap in for an alleged-enduringly positive impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By using their skills and resources to help accelerate of new technologies they contribute not just to immediate water replenishment; they help improve institutional capacity in utilities for the benefit of all consumers, Edwards said. I am delighted to be working with such a talented team. On the topic of this supply chain climate gap, Gap Inc.s 83-page 2023 ESG report outlined the groups path to net-zero by 2050. This included updated water stewardship aspirations, such as to reduce water use and replenish water to nature, equivalent to 100 percent of the water used in manufacturing apparel and in our company-operated facilities by 2030, per a March 2023 announcement. While Gap Inc. doesnt explicitly mention sourcing from a specific state, such as Karnataka, in its publicly available information, the company has significant sourcing operations in India and a dedicated team in Bengaluru, according to LinkedIn insights. Consider Gap as something of a four-quadrant group for Americanas middle market. The Old Navy owner collaborates with vendors that have facilities across 25 countries, according to the Yeezy collaborators 2022 ESG report. China, India, and Bangladesh collectively account for approximately 76 percent of the groups total procurement spend, according to a 2022 CDP Water Security Questionnaire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, the supply chain climate gap doesnt seem retailer (or revenue) specific. Consider Kerings internal analysis that was shared last week. It indicated that 66 percent of the luxury conglomerates water consumption occurred during the production phase of raw materials. As the Balenciaga and Givenchy parent company keeps sourcing diversifiedspanning several continents for its key materialswater scarcity doesnt seem region-specific, either. Russia's production of ballistic missiles has increased by at least 66% over the past year, according to data from Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) shared with the Kyiv Independent. According to data obtained by HUR, Moscow is now producing 60 to 70 Iskander-M the ballistic version of the missile and 10 to 15 hypersonic Kinzhals per month. This compares to a reported 40 Iskander-Ms in May 2024, and a reported 45 Kinzhals in April 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the lower range, this is an increase in production of 66.67%. At the higher range, 88.89%. Russian monthly missile production (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent) Ballistic attacks on Ukraine have become more deadly in recent months as stockpiles of air defense missiles, particularly for U.S.-made Patriots, have dwindled. The figures shared with the Kyiv Independent show Russian stockpiles of "almost 600 Iskander-Ms" and "over 100" Kinzhals. At the end of 2022, Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed Russia was almost out of Iskander ballistic missiles. By December 2024, HUR spokesperson Andriy Yusov noted that Russia had increased production to somewhere between 40 and 50 Iskander missiles per month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias expanded production is a cause for alarm in Ukraine. If HUR's figures are correct, Russias production of ballistic missiles today outnumbers total production of PAC-3 MSE missiles for Patriot air defense systems, the preferred anti-ballistic defenses for much of Europe, which Lockheed Martin hopes to boost to 650 per year by 2027. Other Western systems like the SAMP/T and IRIS-T have not proved effective against ballistic missiles. Russia has moreover reportedly outfitted the newest Iskanders with radar decoys and less predictable flight paths, making them harder to shoot down even with Patriot systems. Russian missile stockpiles (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent) Ukraines military intelligence has also estimated that Russia is holding a stockpile of 60 North Korean KN-23s. These missiles are similar to the Iskander-Ms, but carry a one-ton warhead, more powerful than their Russian equivalents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The figures shared with the Kyiv Independent further show that total production for cruise missiles has also continued to grow. Russia can produce 20 to 30 Iskander-Ks, 60 to 70 X-101s, 25 to 30 Kalibrs, up to 10 X-32s and 20-30 Onyx and Zircon anti-ship missiles. A massive Ukrainian attack on Russian airfields on June 1 may have restricted Russias ability to launch several of these cruise missiles. Tu-95M3s often carry Kh-55/Kh-555 or the newer Kh-101 and Kh-102 air-launched cruise missiles. The Tu-22 carries the Kh-22 missiles.Both of these types of aircraft are among those reported to have been damaged in Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During wartime, Ukraine has also built out its production of its own cruise and ballistic missiles. But large-scale production of types of missiles depend on major industrial zones that often fall victim to Russian air strikes particularly when limited air defenses are being rationed. Read also: Russias Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraines SBU claims responsibility Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Francesco Guarascio and Phuong Nguyen HANOI (Reuters) -The U.S. has sent a "long" list of "tough" requests to Vietnam in its tariff negotiations, including demands that could force the country to cut its reliance on Chinese industrial goods imports, two people briefed about the matter told Reuters. Washington wants Vietnam-based factories to reduce their use of materials and components from China and is asking the country to control more carefully its production and supply chains, one of the people briefed on the talks said, without elaborating on whether quantitative targets were included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list is part of an "annex" to a framework text prepared by U.S. negotiators, according to four people familiar with the matter. One of them, who had direct access to the document, said the list was sent to Hanoi at the end of May after the conclusion of a second round of talks with Washington aimed at avoiding 46% "reciprocal" tariffs on imports from Vietnam. The sources declined to be named because those discussions were not public. Reuters reported on Monday that the Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offers on trade negotiations by Wednesday, citing a draft letter to negotiating partners. 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 countries including Vietnam, the European Union, Japan and India. The sources described the U.S. requests to Vietnam as "tough" and "difficult". It is unclear how Hanoi will respond to Washington's requests and whether it will send its own proposal by Wednesday. The U.S. Trade Representative did not respond to a request for comment outside U.S. business hours. Vietnam's trade ministry did not reply to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A source briefed on the matter said if U.S. requests to effectively cut Vietnam's reliance on China were met, they could pose a serious challenge to the Southeast Asian country's economy. Its sprawling manufacturing industry, which produces consumer goods including Apple devices and Nike shoes, is closely integrated into its much bigger neighbour's supply chains. It might also complicate Vietnam's long-standing policy of maintaining good relations with China, a major foreign investor but also a source of security concerns due to conflicting claims in the South China Sea. BOOMING TRADE Vietnam has nearly tripled its exports to the United States since the start of the U.S.-China trade war in 2018, when the first Trump administration imposed wide-ranging tariffs on Beijing, pushing some manufacturers to move production south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as exports to the U.S. boomed, Vietnam also vastly expanded imports from China, with their inflow almost exactly matching the value and swings of exports to the United States over the years, each totalling around $140 billion in 2024, data from the U.S. and Vietnam show. U.S. officials have long accused Vietnam of being used as a waypoint for Chinese goods destined for the United States. At times, according to the allegations, goods had "Made in Vietnam" labels despite having received no or insufficient added value in the country - allowing Chinese exporters to avoid high U.S. duties on their goods. Aware of the U.S. criticism, Hanoi has launched a crackdown on illegal transhipment of goods. The effect has yet to be seen in trade flows, however, as exports to the United States and imports from China both reached a record high in April, according to the latest data. Vietnam has also repeatedly shown its willingness to reduce non-tariff barriers and to import more U.S. goods, in line with long-standing requests from Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, officials have reiterated plans to buy U.S. planes and have signed or pledged multiple non-binding agreements, including on the purchase of farm products and energy. That may, however, not be enough, as U.S. negotiators seek real contracts, one of the people said. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio and Phuong Nguyen; Additional reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Kate Mayberry) An official with the largest federation of trade unions in Fiji is speaking out about a difficult dilemma workers are facing in the underpaid garment industry. What's happening? Jotika Gounder-Sharma, an official with the Fiji Trades Union Congress, spoke with RNZ Pacific about the "double-wall challenges" that the FTUC experiences when trying to connect with workers in the garment industry. Most of those workers are women who are paid less than Fiji's minimum wage, which initially rose to around $2 USD per hour for most industries after lobbying by the federation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FTUC also fights to eliminate forced, compulsory, and child labor while working to prevent discrimination and seeking freedom of association and collective bargaining. Gounder-Sharma pointed to one factory in which union membership dropped drastically amid high fees and management policies that made workers feel unsafe joining the organization. "This can be said for other companies as well, where the workers feel that it is about their job security, which matters more than them being part of the unions," Gounder-Sharma told RNZ Pacific. Gounder-Sharma added that supervisors sometimes mislead employees about their rights to join a union, with migrant workers who feared deportation being especially vulnerable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The employer will not pay them the dues that they are supposed to receive as per their contract," Gounder-Sharma said. "So they stay within their own community groups, and they are reluctant to engage with the union. They are reluctant even to talk to the local people." Why is this important? While the fast-fashion industry is a money-maker expected to be worth $179.50 billion by the end of the decade after having a market size of $60.5 billion in 2022, per Zion Market Research those dollars often come at the expense of the workers who make the garments. Not even 2% of the 75 million fast-fashion workers earn a living wage, according to George Washington University, even as they are exposed to thousands of toxic chemicals, including ones associated with cancer. Others face unethical working hours or life-threatening code violations, among other things, and remain impoverished as brands push to deliver mass volumes of low-cost, trendy clothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consequences of fast-fashion business practices negatively impact our wider communities as well, even if the workers are the ones taking the brunt of the problem. The world tosses the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes each second, per Earth.org. These textiles end up in landfills or incinerators, leaching toxins into our waterways and soil and releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. What's being done about this? Gounder-Sharma told RNZ Pacific that the FTUC is continuing to push for a higher minimum wage in Fiji for all workers and fighting to ensure garment workers are included. The Minister of Finance announced a $5 per hour minimum wage in the last budget address after the FTUC asked for $6, and the federation is now advocating for an $8 per hour living wage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of its efforts, the FTUC has teamed up with UnionAID to educate workers about their rights, secure better pay and conditions, and raise awareness about their plight. "We really have had to push hard to ensure that the workers come up with the issues that they are facing inside," Gounder-Sharma said. "Otherwise we are not able to help them, and this has only been made possible by the UnionAID's project." Ultimately, while several fast-fashion companies have marketed themselves as more eco-friendly and ethical than they may actually be, many people are beginning to wave goodbye to fast fashion and invest in high-quality apparel or hunt for secondhand gems. For example, DoneGood's ethical marketplace is one tool empowering consumers to use their purchasing power for good. 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. SEOUL, June 3 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's presidential frontrunner has said he will find a way for co-existence, co-prosperity and dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, delivered a speech to supporters crowding the square and streets near the National Assembly building after midnight on Tuesday. The civil rights lawyer-turned-politician said he will get over the insurrection, committed by the ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol with his botched martial law bid last December, pledging that any military coup will never be attempted again. He vowed to revive the sluggish economy and boost people's livelihoods. Jun. 3Up and down North Main Street and parts of Third Street, graffiti has been scrawled on the sides of vacant homes, commercial buildings, utility poles, utility boxes, lamp posts, traffic signs, covered bus stops, dumpsters, brick walls, concrete barriers, parked trailers, trash cans, planters, mail boxes and other surfaces. Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein said Montgomery County has seen an "explosion" in illegal graffiti, and some neighborhood leaders say the problem is out of control. "It's just very disheartening to see the urban decay in my neighborhood," said Victoria McNeal, the president of the Riverdale Neighborhood Association. "We need help. ... And I know it's all over Dayton." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But authorities are offering cash rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of prolific vandals. Police say they believe a small number of people are causing a lot of the vandalism. Major problem Graffiti tags are all over Dayton. They are on boarded-up homes and closed-down businesses along East Third Street, like the former Rite Aid and the Coffee Cup establishment. They cover the walls of abandoned buildings on West Third Street, including the old Club Majestic and Church's Chicken properties. North Main Street also has a major problem with graffiti. Dayton's public works department always monitors graffiti and tracks where it shows up, said Brian Dahm, the city's street maintenance manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dahm said public works only removes graffiti from the public right-of-way, though it can remove offensive language that has been spray painted on vacant, privately owned properties. Tags on private property usually are referred to the housing division, and city staff try to get property owners to remove or cover up the markings. Lots of illegal graffiti across the city is removed, painted over or otherwise covered up. But oftentimes the cover-up isn't perfect, and new paint doesn't match the original colors, or the tags underneath are still visible. A few weeks ago, Dayton police Major Brian Johns announced that Miami Valley Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for tips and information that result in the arrest and conviction of prolific taggers. The police department wants to "hold people accountable for destroying our city," Johns said. "It's an issue that impacts our entire city." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dayton police say they believe that a small number of individuals possibly as few as five or six people are responsible for a large share of the graffiti that has been showing up across the city. Major Johns said graffiti is a highly underreported crime, and the police department needs community members to notify police when they see new graffiti because officers may be able to find witnesses or video footage that can help identify the culprits. Generally speaking, graffiti cases are difficult to prosecute because very often there are no witnesses or other helpful evidence. In April, Dayton police Chief Kamran Afzal sent Dickstein a memo that says the police department and other city departments have a multi-faceted approach to addressing graffiti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Afzal's memo says the evidence suggests that a small number of people are responsible for much of the graffiti tags, and police are actively patrolling the Main Street corridor and engaging people who are seen carrying backpacks during late-night and early morning hours. The police chief also said that the police department is working with property owners to remove graffiti quickly and identify potential strategies to deter the vandalism. Officials say removing graffiti immediately frustrates vandals and decreases the likelihood that the property will be vandalized again. Major Johns last month made a public plea to the taggers in the city, urging them to not deface and vandalize property. He said many people are working tirelessly to revitalize and beautify the city, and graffiti is harming those efforts. Johns said there are plenty of opportunities for urban artists to create murals and other public artwork. He said illegal graffiti isn't a valid form of artistic expression he said it's a crime that causes harm. BAMAKO, Mali (AP) Extremists have killed dozens of soldiers in an attack on a military base in Mali, civil society and military sources said Tuesday, in the latest militant violence in West Africa's restive Sahel region. The attack on Sunday on the base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso, killed at least 60 soldiers and wounded 40 more, a civil society activist in the area told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. The al-Qaida-linked JNIM group claimed responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A military source told the AP there were around 280 soldiers in the base, and all of those who didnt die were taken prisoner by the terrorists. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Mali's army acknowledged the attack in a statement Monday, adding that soldiers had fought to their last breath. It did not provide an exact death toll. Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled an insurgency by armed groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, they have expelled French forces and turned to Russias mercenary units for security assistance. In a separate attack on Monday, JNIM claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on a military airport, a military base and army checkpoints in the northern town of Timbuktu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malis army said Monday on social media it repelled the attack and that 13 extremists had been killed. It did not say whether any soldiers were killed. A hospital employee in the town said one soldier died of his wounds and 10 other people were wounded. The employee spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Timbuktu residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw armed men enter the town on motorcycles. They spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals. Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South, said the high level of coordination in the two attacks shows that JNIM had been planning them for a while. Attacks by extremists have been on the rise in Mali and neighboring Burkina Faso in recent weeks. JNIM has established a strong presence in both. The United Kingdom on June 2 launched its Strategic Defense Review, a plan to dramatically boost defense spending in light of the increased threat Russia poses to European security, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, adding that it is "the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War." "Every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play because we have to recognize that things have changed in the world of today... The front line, if you like, is here," Starmer said. "We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyberattacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The media reported on June 1 that a defense review would recommend increasing the U.K.'s military spending and introducing new equipment, including jets capable of launching tactical nuclear weapons. The British military has a substantial nuclear arsenal, but can only launch such weapons from its submarines after decommissioning a number of platforms at the end of the Cold War. Starmer announced a wide range of new defense spending commitments amid the increased threat Russia poses to Euro-Atlantic security. Twelve new nuclear submarines are set to be built within the framework of the Aukus partnership with the U.K, U.S., and Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.K. plans to boost weapons production and increase stockpiles, including plans to produce 7,000 long-range weapons and six new munitions factories. Weapons spending is set to increase by 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion) to a total of 6 billion pounds ($8.1 billion). Another 15 billion pounds ($20 billion) will be invested in the U.K's nuclear warhead program. "The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War," Starmer said. NATO officials have increasingly warned that Russia could attack the alliance's eastern flank in the coming years amid Russia's war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finland expects an increased Russian military buildup on its border once the war against Ukraine is over, Major General Sami Nurmi, the head of strategy of the Finnish defense forces, told the Guardian in an interview published on May 21. Russia has increasingly threatened Ukraine's allies as it continues to wage its war. Members of NATO's eastern flank, including Finland and Poland, have raised concerns that Russia could intensify military buildup on their borders if Ukraine and Moscow reach a ceasefire. Ukraine and Russia held peace talks in Turkey on May 16 and June 2. The negotiations were largely inconclusive, with Russia reiterating maximalist demands. The talks mainly yielded agreements toward prisoner exchanges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Claim: A picture shows Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell massaging the foot of Florida Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart, the man who signed off on the warrant allowing the FBI to search U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in August 2022. Rating: Rating: Fake A rumor that circulated online in May 2025 claimed a photo showed Bruce Reinhart, a U.S. magistrate judge for the Southern District of Florida, on an airplane receiving a foot massage from Jeffrey Epstein associate and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politico reported Reinhart signed off on the warrant allowing federal agents to search President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Aug. 8, 2022. Months later, in June 2023, photos from the search made public in an unsealed indictment showed boxes, allegedly filled with documents of a classified or otherwise sensitive nature, stacked in locations like a ballroom stage and in a bathroom next to a toilet and shower. For example, numerous users shared this rumor on Facebook (archived), iFunny.co (archived), Instagram (archived), Truth Social (archived) and (archived) X (archived). Many of the posts displayed a text caption reading in part, "They are all connected. All of them." Memes also showed text misspelling Maxwell's name, reading, "Judge Bruce Reinhart who signed the search warrant for Mar-a-Lago and Giselle Maxwell." (Image courtesy of @CharlieK_news/X) However, the picture did not show Reinhart with Maxwell on an airplane. As The Associated Press and other news media outlets reported, an unknown user possibly a person using the handle @what.i.meme.to.say doctored the photo by combining two different images. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters reported its fact-check team conducted a reverse image search, showing the original photograph featured Epstein, a convicted sex offender, not Reinhart. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges in New York, according to an autopsy. Florida Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart was not photographed on an airplane receiving a foot massage from Jeffrey Epstein associate and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. (Image courtesy of Snopes Illustration) The picture of Reinhart shown in the doctored image came from a 2017 post on his personal Facebook profile. As of this writing, he or another person managing his account either removed the post or changed its privacy settings, making it inaccessible to the public. Snopes did not locate a working archived version of the post's page. The inspiration for a user to create the fake picture possibly originated from Reinhart once serving as a "defense attorney on behalf of individuals connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein," according to Politico. Citing the Miami Herald, Politico reported Reinhart once defended "pilots for Epstein, his scheduler and a woman who had been described by some of Epstein's victims as his sex slave." Sources: Bekiempis, Victoria. "Jeffrey Epstein Charged with Federal Sex Trafficking Crimes." The Guardian, 8 July 2019. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/08/jeffrey-epstein-sex-trafficking-charges-court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broadwater, Luke. "Search of Trump's Florida Residence Signals Depth of Federal Investigation." The New York Times, 9 Aug. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/08/09/us/trump-fbi-search-news. Fineout, Gary. Judge Who Approved FBI's Mar-a-Lago Search Represented Clients Linked to Jeffrey Epstein. 9 Aug. 2022, https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/09/judge-mar-a-lago-epstein-00050739. Hymes, Clare. Jury Finds Ghislaine Maxwell Guilty on Charges Tied to Jeffrey Epstein's Sex Trafficking Ring. CBS News, 30 Dec. 2021, https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/ghislaine-maxwell-verdict-2021-12-29/. Medical Examiner Confirms Epstein Death a Suicide by Hanging. 16 Aug. 2019, https://www.snopes.com/ap/2019/08/16/medical-examiner-confirms-epstein-death-a-suicide-by-hanging/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Photo Altered to Include Judge Who Approved Mar-a-Lago Warrant." The Associated Press, 16 Aug. 2022, https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-altered-photo-bruce-reinhart-ghislaine-maxwell-637299276311. Reuters Fact Check. "Fact Check-Image of Federal Magistrate Sitting across from Ghislaine Maxwell Is Digitally Altered." Reuters, 11 Aug. 2022, https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-maxwell-reinhart-idUSL1N2ZN2HC. Trump Says FBI Searched Estate in Major Escalation of Probe. 9 Aug. 2022, https://www.snopes.com/ap/2022/08/09/trump-says-fbi-searched-estate-in-major-escalation-of-probe/. Claim: Acting head of Federal Emergency Management Agency David Richardson said he did not know the U.S. had a hurricane season each year. Rating: Rating: True Context: An official from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, later said Richardson was joking when he said these words. According to rumors that spread online in early June 2025, David Richardson, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said he did not know the U.S. had a hurricane season each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, a user posted a video on Facebook (archived) claiming Richardson said this during an all-staff meeting at FEMA, which "sent alarm bells" among the rank and file: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1380951546486147 As of this writing, the post had amassed more than 51,000 likes and 2,800 comments. The claim appeared on other platforms, including X, Bluesky Reddit and TikTok. The claims stemmed from a June 2, 2025, Reuters report that Richardson had said he was not aware the U.S. had a hurricane season, which runs each year from June 1 to Nov 30. Citing four anonymous sources who had direct knowledge of the situation, Reuters reported that Richardson made this remark during a staff briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes was able to confirm that Richardson said this, so the claim is true. However, an official at the Department of Homeland Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, said in an email that he had done so in jest. The report fueled preexisting concerns that the agency was not prepared for the 2025 hurricane season following Richardson's appointment in May. On May 16, 2025, CBS News reported an internal review had shown that following staff and budget cuts, FEMA was not ready to face a season the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expected to be above normal for hurricane activity. The review, CBS said, was dated May 12, 2025. The DHS official said in the email that rumors of unpreparedness were false: Despite meanspirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this Hurricane Season. FEMA is laser focused on disaster response, and protecting the American people. It's not a secret that Under Secretary [Kristi] Noem and Acting Administrator Richardson, FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades. Under Secretary Noem's leadership, and the efforts of Acting Administrator Richardson, FEMA is fully activated in preparation for Hurricane Season. Sources: "David Richardson." Fema.gov, 8 May 2025, www.fema.gov/about/organization/david-richardson. Accessed 3 June 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Douglas, Leah, et al. "FEMA Staff Baffled after Head Said He Was Unaware of US Hurricane Season, Sources Say." Reuters, 2 June 2025, www.reuters.com/world/us/fema-staff-confused-after-head-said-he-was-unaware-us-hurricane-season-sources-2025-06-02/. Accessed 3 June 2025.. Archived: https://archive.is/HUROk. Kaplan, Michael, and Nicole Sganga. "FEMA 'Not Ready' for Hurricane Season, Internal Review Says." Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 16 May 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/fema-not-ready-for-hurricane-season-internal-review-says/. Accessed 3 June 2025. "NOAA Predicts Above-Normal 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season." Noaa.gov, NOAA, 22 May 2025, www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-above-normal-2025-atlantic-hurricane-season. Accessed 3 June 2025. Claim: U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukraine must compensate Russia for destroyed aircraft, adding: "They were just sitting there, not bothering anyone. If the Ukrainians had shot them down during a combat mission, that would be a different matter. But they were just sitting there. It's like hitting someone who's already down." Rating: Rating: Incorrect Attribution On June 1, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump was rumored to have strongly rebuked Ukraine after the country reportedly hit Russian aircraft with drones. Per a series of viral posts on X and Facebook, Trump allegedly called for Ukraine to compensate Russia for the destroyed aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The posts claimed Trump also said: They were just sitting there, not bothering anyone. If the Ukrainians had shot them down during a combat mission, that would be a different matter. But they were just sitting there. It's like hitting someone who's already down. (Snopes reader) Trump never made the above statement, nor did he call on Ukraine to compensate Russia for destroyed aircraft. We found no evidence in his publicized statements, in the news media or on his social media accounts to corroborate the claim. As such, it is an incorrect attribution. We reached out to the White House for comment on whether Trump made the above statement and will update this story if we get more information. We looked for examples of Trump's comments to the media by searching for parts of the above quote on Google News. We also looked through the White House's transcripts for any similar speeches or statements Trump made to the news media. If Trump had said this in public it would have been widely covered by news media publications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also no evidence of such a statement on Trump's social media accounts. Roll Call's archive of Trump's social media on X and TruthSocial found no posts resembling the various forms of the passage, nor did searching for sections of the quote on his X profile or on Trump's Truth, another website dedicated to archiving his Truth Social posts. In June 2025, Ukraine announced it had launched a series of drone strikes on Russian warplanes, with Russia confirming attacks in five regions. Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were headed to Istanbul before the drone strikes took place. Trump had no immediate response to the attack and has not commented as of this writing. Sources: "As Ukraine and Russia Step up Attacks, the Trump Administration Takes a Step Back: Analysis." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ukraine-russia-step-attacks-trump-administration-steps-back/story?id=122431263. Accessed 3 June 2025. Lukiv, Jaroslav, and Paul Adams . "Ukraine Drones Strike Bombers during Major Attack in Russia." BBC, 1 June 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ld7ppre9vo. Accessed 3 June 2025. Ravid, Barak. "Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Strike on Air Bases Deep inside Russia." Axios, 1 June 2025, https://www.axios.com/2025/06/01/ukraine-drone-strikes-russia. Accessed 3 June 2025. Claim: U.S. President Donald Trump said of former President Joe Biden, "If you feel sorry for him, don't feel so sorry because he's vicious. What he did with his political opponent and all of the people that he hurt, he hurt a lot of people by and so, I really don't feel sorry for him." Rating: Rating: Correct Attribution Context: Video evidence confirms Trump made the remark about Biden during a May 30, 2025, news conference. Many who heard it assumed Trump said it in reference to Biden's Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis two weeks earlier, but the context alone wasn't clear enough to definitively confirm that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late May 2025, a claim (archived) circulated online that U.S. President Donald Trump said, "If you feel sorry for him, don't feel so sorry because he's vicious," about former President Joe Biden. Trump made the alleged remark about two weeks after Biden announced he had prostate cancer. Trump on Joe Biden, who recently announced a cancer diagnosis: "If you feel sorry for him, don't feel so sorry, because he's vicious ... I really don't feel sorry for him." pic.twitter.com/qOT4hC67Qc Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 30, 2025 The claim also circulated on Facebook (archived), Threads (archived), Bluesky (archived) and Reddit (archived). Readers searched our site to find out if it was true. Trump indeed said, "If you feel sorry for him, don't feel so sorry because he's vicious," about Biden during a news conference (archived) on May 30, 2025. Therefore, we rate this claim as a correct attribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, it wasn't perfectly clear from the surrounding context exactly what Trump thought people would but in his opinion shouldn't feel sorry for Biden about. Most people who commented about it on social media assumed Trump meant Biden's cancer diagnosis. The White House press office did not elaborate on what Trump meant and instead referred us to the livestream of the May 30 news conference. Trump said on May 30, 2025, while discussing immigration during the Biden administration and an oft-touted, unproven theory that countries across the world send criminals from prisons into the U.S. (time code 48:15, our emphasis): One thing I can't figure out is, what would an administration -- what were they thinking when they allowed millions of people from prisons all over the world, not just from South America, Venezuela, all over the world, from the Congo in Africa, hundreds of people, thousands of people from the Congo, rough, rough prisoners from the Congo in Africa, hundreds of people, thousands of people from the Congo, rough, rough prisoners from Asia, from Europe, rough parts of Europe. Why would they allow them to come into our country? Why would they do that? It's the one thing I can't figure out, and I don't believe it was Joe Biden. I really don't. I mean, look, he's been a sort of a moderate person over his lifetime. Not a smart person, but a somewhat vicious person, I will say. If you feel sorry for him, don't feel so sorry because he's vicious. What he did with his political opponent and all of the people that he hurt, he hurt a lot of people by and so, I really don't feel sorry for him. But he wasn't a person that would allow murderers to come into our country. He wasn't a person that was in favor of transgender for anybody that wanted it. Take kids out of families, et cetera, et cetera. So I just don't understand why, why a thing like this, how a thing like this could have been allowed to happen. Very sad. It's very sad. It's very sad. Very sad for our country. Trump didn't explicitly mention or discuss Biden's cancer diagnosis during the May 30 news conference, though Biden himself was quoted the same day as saying "All the folks are optimistic" about his treatment prognosis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden's cancer diagnosis hadn't kept Trump from repeatedly bashing the former president online and in the press. For example, after initially wishing Biden a "fast and successful" recovery on May 18, the following day Trump repeatedly suggested that Biden had purposely hidden his cancer diagnosis. Sources: BOAK, JOSH. "Biden Has Been Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer." AP News, 18 May 2025, https://apnews.com/article/biden-cancer-prostate-be18c98abe341cd91277e1d3b75d5cd5. @realDonaldTrump. "Melania and I Are Saddened to Hear about Joe Biden's Recent Medical Diagnosis." Trrump's Truth, 18 May 2025, https://trumpstruth.org/statuses/31174. ---. "Other than the Rigged Presidential Election of 2020, the Biggest Scandal in American History Is the 'AUTOPEN!' ." Trump's Truth, 27 May 2025, https://trumpstruth.org/statuses/31270. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House. "President Trump Participates in a Press Conference with Elon Musk." YouTube, 30 May 2025, https://www.youtube.com/live/dAv3PaMnme8?t=2895s. Trump Suggests without Evidence That Biden's Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Was Hidden from the Public. apnews.com, https://apnews.com/video/trump-suggests-without-evidence-that-bidens-prostate-cancer-diagnosis-was-hidden-from-the-public-bad33f62b3714e0886585bc99b688959. Accessed 3 June 2025. Wright, Arlette Saenz, David. "Joe Biden Strikes Optimistic Tone about Cancer Diagnosis: 'We'Re Going to Be Able to Beat This' | CNN Politics." CNN, 30 May 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/30/politics/joe-biden-cancer-diagnosis-public-speech. Claim: U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the creator of dark web marketplace Silk Road. Rating: Rating: True Ross Ulbricht, formerly known online by the pseudonym "Dread Pirate Roberts" (a nod to the novel "The Princess Bride"), is known today as the founder of the Silk Road marketplace, a former site on the dark web notorious for selling illicit drugs, among other products. Since Donald Trump retook office in January 2025, social media users have suggested that the president's hard line immigration policies and rhetoric about migrants being "criminals" or "drug dealers" are hypocritical because on Jan. 21, 2025, his second day back in the White House, Trump issued Ulbricht a full and complete pardon following his arrest and imprisonment in 2013 and 2015, respectively, for drug trafficking, computer hacking and money laundering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, one Facebook user shared a meme that claimed the president pardoned Ulbricht and added: "Who's letting criminals and drug dealers loose in our country?" (Facebook user Raymond Wynn) This rumor is indeed true. Trump posted about the pardon on his social media platform, Truth Social, and it was reported by reputable news media outlets like Axios and the BBC. Federal documentation also confirmed the grant of clemency (archived). (Whether the Silk Road sold fentanyl, as claimed in the above meme, is unconfirmed. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] data on drug overdoses suggest that fentanyl did not become prevalent until after Silk Road closed in 2013. But the site was notorious for selling vast swathes of drugs.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ulbricht created the Silk Road site, accessible only using specific software that could connect to the dark web, in January 2011. He ran its cryptocurrency-based marketplace until October 2013, when it was shut down by federal authorities and he was arrested. The BBC reported that in the two and a half years it was operational, users sold more than $200 million in drugs through the site, which also offered fake IDs and hacking tools. "It's kinda earned the reputation as the eBay of drugs," cybersecurity researcher Brian Krebs reportedly told NPR in 2013, following Ulbricht's arrest. In 2015, Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison by a federal judge for drug trafficking, computer hacking and money laundering as part of the Silk Road operations. In a 2015 news release from the Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called Ulbricht "a drug dealer and criminal profiteer who exploited people's addictions and contributed to the deaths of at least six young people." Ulbricht attended Trump's 2025 State of the Union address, according to a post he made on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes' archives contributed to this report. Sources: Abuse, National Institute on Drug. Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). 21 Aug. 2024, https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates. Clarke, Amelia. "Yes, Trump Pardoned Creator of 'Silk Road' Dark Web Marketplace, Ross Ulbricht." Snopes, 9 Mar. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-pardoned-silk-road-founder/. ---. "Yes, Trump Pardoned Ross Ulbricht, Creator of 'Silk Road' Dark Web Marketplace." Snopes, 23 Jan. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-ross-ulbricht-pardon/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of 'Dark Market' Websites Seized as Part of Silk Road 2.0 Investigation | ICE. 6 Nov. 2014, https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/dozens-dark-market-websites-seized-part-silk-road-20-investigation. Habeshian, Sareen. "Trump Pardons Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht." Axios, 21 Jan. 2025, https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/trump-ross-ulbricht-silk-road. Hu, Elise. "The Man Behind The Shadowy Illicit Drug Market, Silk Road." NPR, 3 Oct. 2013. NPR, https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2013/10/03/228579712/the-man-behind-the-shadowy-illicit-drug-market-silk-road. Neuman, Scott. "FBI Arrests Alleged Owner Of 'Silk Road' Black Market Site." NPR, 2 Oct. 2013. NPR, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/10/02/228491496/fbi-arrests-owner-of-black-market-site-silk-road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'No Safe Harbor for Illegal Immigrant Criminals Under President Trump'. The White House, 14 Apr. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/04/no-safe-harbor-for-illegal-immigrant-criminals-under-president-trump/. "Silk Road Drug Website Founder Ross Ulbricht Jailed." BBC News, 29 May 2015. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32941060. 'Silk Road: How FBI Closed in on Suspect Ross Ulbricht'. BBC News, 2 Oct. 2013. www.bbc.co.uk, https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-24371894. 'Trump Pardons Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht'. BBC News, 22 Jan. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7e0jve875o. U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York. Ross Ulbricht, A/K/A "Dread Pirate Roberts," Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court To Life In Prison. 29 May 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ross-ulbricht-aka-dread-pirate-roberts-sentenced-manhattan-federal-court-life-prison. DUBAI (Reuters) - Here is a look at the hajj, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, which starts in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. * The hajj is an annual pilgrimage that millions of Muslims make to Mecca with the intention of performing religious rites as taught by the Prophet Mohammad to his followers 14 centuries ago. * The fifth pillar of Islam, the hajj is mandatory once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it and is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * The hajj begins in the 12th month of the Islamic year, which is lunar, not solar, meaning the hajj and the fasting month of Ramadan fall at different times of the solar calendar each year. * A quota system for visitors to Mecca was introduced in 1987, agreed by member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, to limit the number allowed by each country to 0.1% of its population. * Stampedes, tent fires and other accidents have caused hundreds of deaths over the past 30 years, forcing the Saudi government to build new infrastructure. In 2011, Saudi Arabia began the biggest expansion yet of the Grand Mosque of Mecca to increase its capacity to 2 million. A new railway will link the holy sites around Mecca. * Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's two main festivals, marks the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage, when Muslims slaughter animals - to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God's command - often distributing meat to the poor. (Reporting by Tala Ramadan and Michael Georgy) MOSCOW/KYIV (Reuters) -Russia and Ukraine have shared blueprints for a peace deal that demonstrate how far apart the warring parties are. Russia listed its demands in a memorandum handed to Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul on Monday and published by Russian news agencies. The text of the peace proposals that Ukrainian negotiators put forward has been shown to Reuters. SEQUENCING Moscow proposes a limited 2-3 day truce for the exchange of bodies, and says truce terms must then be negotiated. These would include a list of Russian demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv says there can be no talks without a full and unconditional ceasefire, initially for at least 30 days, with the possibility of rolling extensions. It then wants "confidence-building measures", notably the return of all children illegitimately taken from Ukraine and the release of Ukrainian civilian detainees and all prisoners of war on both sides. Meanwhile, full peace negotiations would be prepared. Kyiv says sanctions on Russia could be progressively lifted, with a "snapback" mechanism for restoring them if necessary. Final terms would be settled in a meeting of the two countries' leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They would include monitoring of the ceasefire and penalties for breaking it; security guarantees; territorial issues; economic issues including compensation and reconstruction; penalties for breaking the agreements. CEASEFIRE Kyiv says a ceasefire must be unconditional and monitored by the U.S., supported by third countries. Moscow offered two options for a truce. In the first, it would stop firing once Ukraine begins a complete withdrawal from the parts that it still controls of four regions that Russia claims: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. This would have to be completed within 30 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the second, Ukraine would cease all troop movements, along with enlistment and all foreign military assistance. It would also undertake to halt "sabotage and subversive activities" against Russia. Political prisoners and other detainees would be amnestied and released by both sides. An agreement would be signed on implementing the "parameters" of a settlement, and a date would be set for the signing of a final treaty. Ukraine would lift martial law to remove an obstacle to parliamentary and presidential elections, which it would commit to holding within 100 days. The treaty would be signed, approved by the U.N. Security Council, ratified by both sides and enter into force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FINAL SETTLEMENT Territory Moscow wants international legal recognition of Crimea, seized in 2014, as part of Russia, along with the entirety of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Kyiv notes that the territorial gains made by Russia since 2014 are not recognised by the international community. It says that "the contact line is the starting point for negotiations". Alliances Moscow says Ukraine must become neutral, outside any military alliance, with no foreign forces on its soil, and pledge not to acquire nuclear weapons Ukraine demands the right to join NATO if the U.S.-led transatlantic defence alliance accepts it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military Moscow wants limits on Ukraine's armed forces and weaponry, and a ban on foreign forces deploying there or providing support. Kyiv rejects all such restrictions. Meanwhile it insists there must be robust international guarantees of the settlement's implementation and of Ukraine's own security. Financial Moscow wants bilateral sanctions scrapped; mutual war damage claims waived; and diplomatic and economic ties, including gas transit flows, restored. Kyiv says Russian sovereign assets including those held abroad must be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine or remain frozen until reparations are paid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National identity Moscow says Ukraine has discriminated against its Russian-speakers - which Kyiv denies - and must guarantee them "full rights", recognising Russian as an official language. Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine, without evidence, of "glorifying Nazism" and spreading "Nazi propaganda", and demands that these be explicitly outlawed along with "nationalist organisations". (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin Liffey) SOFIA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria will foster stronger connections between science and business, with billions of leva to be invested in this direction, a government official said on Tuesday. Krasimir Yakimov, deputy minister of Innovation and Growth, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of the "Science for Business" forum. He noted that his ministry oversees two European programs with a combined budget of approximately 5 billion leva (2.9 billion U.S. dollars). One of the programs, focused on competitiveness and innovation in enterprises, has a budget of nearly three billion leva, Yakimov said. The second, dedicated to promoting collaboration between universities, scientific organizations, and Bulgarian companies, has a budget of just over 2 billion leva. In the remaining months of this year, significant funding from the science and business program will be unlocked. This includes 60 million leva earmarked for the development of digital and green technologies, and for testing and commercializing scientific projects, Yakimov explained. Additionally, 172 million leva will be made available to support innovation and the transfer of knowledge and technology, aiming to establish long-term cooperation between industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the research community. "For many years, Bulgarian scientists have worked hard with remarkable achievements in their respective fields, but somehow the connection with business has been missing," said Evelina Slavcheva, president of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). She emphasized that, alongside promoting foreign investment, the state must also ensure that Bulgarian businesses adopt domestic technologies, products, and scientific innovations. The joint efforts of science, business, and the state could significantly accelerate the development of Bulgaria's industry, Slavcheva said. Boyko Takov, executive director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), echoed this sentiment, stressing the need to commercialize more applied research. He highlighted the importance of awareness and dialogue to fully develop collaborative projects. The event, organized by BSMEPA and BAS, showcased 14 scientific and applied projects from BAS institutes, all seeking business partners. (1 leva = 0.58 U.S. dollar) FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) Officials from the City of Fairmont held a groundbreaking at the Morgantown Avenue Mini Park that will be undergoing improvements beginning next week. The park was also renamed to the Rotary Club of Fairmont Mini Park, recognizing the Rotary Club of Fairmonts $25,000 contribution to the project. The total cost of the project will be around $90,000, with the city paying the remaining sum. The improvements to the park will include two new playsets, which includes new mulch and borders, new paved pathways, a replacement water fountain and an additional one, a new pavilion and the installation of new security cameras. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of students from East Park Elementary were in attendance and performed a song at the ceremony. As a student myself, who came from East Park Elementary School and who utilized this playground significantly, Im excited for today, Travis Blosser, Fairmont City Manager said. Disability Action Center breaks ground new Fairmont recreation center Blosser went on to say that this fiscal year, Fairmont has invested upwards of more than $3 million dollars in its municipal park system with the goal to double that investment this upcoming fiscal year. East Park Elementary students alongside Fairmont officials during the groundbreaking of the Rotary Club of Fairmont Mini Park (WBOY image). Julie Sawyer, the President of Rotary Club of Fairmont, said the funds they donated to the park were from past fundraising projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had decided to put that money back into our community, Sawyer said. So at a board meeting we were throwing around some ideas and playgrounds came up and so we reached out to Travis Blosser and wanted to find out if there was a way that we could make a difference in one of the parks in the city and absolutely we are so proud to be able to partner with the City of Fairmont to do this for our community. The park will be closed for renovations beginning next Monday, June 9, with hopes of the project being completed before winter this year. (WBOY image) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The family of a man who was hit and killed by a drunk driver while leaving work at the Butler Eagle is getting justice. Channel 11 was the only TV station in court as the woman police say was behind the wheel faced a judge and accepted a plea deal. Jim was a Christian, and after two years, we forgive her. We wish her the best, the victims cousin, Mary Jo Burkholder, told Channel 11. On the day Kassandra Clyde pleaded guilty to driving drunk, and hitting and killing Jim Barge, his family wants her to know they forgive her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She does have a life ahead of her, and she can make good decisions. She has to start from here, and go on. And make much better decisions than she did before, Burkholder said. Channel 11 was there as Clyde walked into the courtroom for her plea hearing, where she agreed to three to six years in prison. In May of 2023, Clydes blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, yet she decided to drive and crossed the center line on 422 in Franklin Township. She crashed into Barges car. He died two weeks before he was supposed to retire from the Butler Eagle. From a grieving perspective, weve done the grieving. We just needed it to close in the court system. We wished it would have been a little faster, she said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family tells Channel 11 that the plea hearing was postponed almost a dozen times over the last two years. Very, very frustrating with the continuances. We would be ready to have this done, and we would learn of a continuance, Burkholder said. A judge will officially sentence Clyde in August, and she will find out exactly how much time she will serve in prison. We all make mistakes, and sometimes we make really bad mistakes, and we can be forgiven for them, she said. According to court records, Clyde was arrested for a DUI prior to the crash, but completed a program to get the charge expunged. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW By Brad Brooks and Joseph Ax (Reuters) -The family of the Egyptian national charged with tossing gasoline bombs at a pro-Israeli rally in Colorado was taken into federal custody on Tuesday and could be quickly deported, officials said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a social media video post that ICE had taken into custody the family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who lived in Colorado Springs and who federal officials have said was in the U.S. illegally, having overstayed a tourist visa and an expired work permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem said while Soliman will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, federal agents were also "investigating to what extent his family knew about this horrific attack if they had any knowledge of it or if they provided any support for it." ICE did not immediately respond to a request for more details about the detention of Soliman's family. According to local media reports, Soliman's family included two teenagers and three younger children. FBI and police officials had said on Monday that the family has cooperated with investigators. The suspect told investigators he acted alone. The White House, in a social media post, said Soliman's family was in ICE's custody for "expedited removal" and that they "could be deported as early as tonight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Homeland Security officials said Soliman 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. The Sunday attack in Boulder, Colorado, injured a dozen people, many of them elderly. The attack targeted people taking part in an event organized by Run for Their Lives, an organization devoted to drawing attention to the hostages seized during Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel. Soliman, 45, told investigators that he wanted to "kill all Zionist people" but had delayed committing the attack until after his daughter 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 took firearms training to obtain a concealed-carry permit but ended up using Molotov cocktails because his noncitizen status blocked him from buying guns. Soliman told investigators that he had learned how to make the fire bombs from YouTube. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Federal and local authorities said at a Monday news conference in Boulder that Soliman had done nothing to draw law enforcement attention before Sunday's attack. He was believed to have acted alone, they said. An 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. 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 Israeli Embassy aides that took place outside Washington's Capital Jewish Museum last month. (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Kansas, Joseph Ax in New Jersey and Bhargav Acharya in Canada;Editing by Rod Nickel) A Texas city is among the most family-friendly in the country. But it's not Austin, or Dallas, or San Antonio. The average American moves nearly 12 times in a lifetime, according to U.S. Census data. This happens for a variety of reasons, both positive (such as getting a new job) and negative (like facing foreclosure on a home). In times of financial and/or occupational uncertainty, families are more likely to seek relocation to somewhere with a relatively low cost of living. To determine where families may be inclined to move, WalletHub published a survey comparing over 180 U.S. cities across 45 key factors, from the cost of housing to the quality of local school and healthcare systems to opportunities for fun and recreation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Finding the best place to raise a family is difficult, between balancing an affordable cost of living with good educational opportunities, safety and enough recreation to keep kids entertained," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. "On top of all of these factors, people also often want to raise their children close to their extended family. Therefore, current or prospective parents can benefit from narrowing down their choices to a few of the best cities that are within a reasonable drive of their family." Can you guess which Texas city made the top three for family friendliness? Here's how your city compares. Austin summer on a budget: Free concert series, museums, more wallet-friendly activities Plano is No. 3 family-friendliest US city A North Texas city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area was named the third-most family-friendly city in the country, according to WalletHub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plano stood out among cities for its safety, having the tenth-lowest violent crime rate and the 29th-lowest property crime rate. It also had a low traffic fatality rate. In the education sphere, Plano has the ninth-largest share of schools (over 55%) with a rating of at least 7 out of 10. It also claimed the fifth-highest high school graduation rate. Total score : 68.55 Family fun rank : 75 Health and safety rank : 5 Education and childcare rank : 19 Affordability rank : 6 Socioeconomics rank: 2 Source: WalletHub How family-friendly is your Texas city? Besides Plano, three other cities in the Lone Star State ranked in the top 10 in various categories. Austin ranked eighth in affordability, while Irving ranked 10th in socioeconomics. Dallas ranked ninth in family fun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houston tied with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego and San Francisco in offering the most attractions among all cities in the study. H-Town also had the fifth-most playgrounds per capita. Las Vegas, Chicago, New York and Cincinnati all tied for having the most playgrounds. Jesenia Jaimes monitors the children on the playground outside the child care facility at Wesley Community Center in Houston, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Out of all the cities analyzed, Laredo had the largest share of families with young kids, topped only by Gilbert, Arizona. Not all Texas cities were considered family-friendly across the board. Brownsville tied with Rochester, New York for having the third-largest share of families who live below the poverty line. Detroit and Cleveland had the first- and second-largest share, respectively. Although Houston offers numerous playgrounds and attractions, it ranked near the bottom (169) in the health and safety category. Overall rank City Family fun rank Health & safety rank Education & child care rank Affordability rank Socioeconomics rank 3 Plano 75 5 19 6 2 16 Austin 83 92 27 8 40 75 Grand Prairie 47 59 165 98 43 77 Amarillo 81 129 85 74 48 90 Fort Worth 59 106 157 69 69 92 Laredo 69 82 23 151 116 101 Arlington 72 99 149 99 59 103 Irving 172 76 146 86 10 105 Garland 144 78 135 127 29 110 El Paso 20 94 104 155 124 118 Brownsville 89 134 31 154 126 121 Lubbock 111 154 65 96 115 136 Dallas 9 140 108 132 107 144 Houston 33 169 121 131 135 147 Corpus Christi 160 130 130 119 84 152 San Antonio 80 163 128 126 131 LIST: 10 best places to raise a family As evident in Houston's rankings, having a high rank in family fun often did not coincide with high rankings in other categories and vice versa. The overall top three cities to raise a family in did not make the top 50 for family fun. South Burlington, Vermont ranked the best in education and child care but landed near the bottom in terms of family fun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inverse was also true. Las Vegas, for example, topped the family fun ranking but came in 151st for education and child care. Los Angeles, ranked No. 2 in family fun, is also 172nd in affordability. City, state Total score Family fun rank Health & safety rank Education & child care rank Affordability rank Socioeconomics rank Fremont, CA 73.53 86 4 2 9 1 Overland Park, KS 71.66 102 18 10 1 3 Plano, TX 68.55 75 5 19 6 2 Irvine, CA 68.50 31 3 3 52 11 South Burlington, VT 65.07 163 108 1 10 17 Seattle, WA 64.93 71 93 11 7 14 Boise, ID 64.86 18 26 30 28 18 Gilbert, AZ 64.69 70 16 50 14 4 Bismarck, ND 64.57 117 32 64 4 9 San Diego, CA 64.39 5 21 12 82 30 LIST: 10 worst places to raise a family City, state Total score Family fun rank Health & safety rank Education & child care rank Affordability rank Socioeconomics rank Memphis, TN 34.07 153 181 168 158 169 Detroit, MI 34.10 49 173 180 156 182 Cleveland, OH 34.89 100 172 173 163 181 Gulfport, MS 37.67 113 158 179 165 159 Newark, NJ 38.07 170 88 53 180 177 Birmingham, AL 38.23 124 170 167 148 174 Baltimore, MD 39.06 157 148 166 118 178 San Bernardino, CA 39.26 22 168 172 178 136 Jackson, MS 39.57 76 180 127 161 167 Hialeah, FL 39.78 176 40 59 182 149 This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: This Texas city ranks as the 3rd most family-friendly city in the US The family of a University of Oklahoma student who went missing while on vacation in Taiwan has offered a $50,000 reward after officials reportedly called off their search. Diego Dorantes Sanchez, 23, vanished from Da Bai Sha beach on Green Island at about 12.15 p.m. local time on Friday, according to his family. The anthropology student from Hidalgo, Mexico, was snorkelling with three friends off the small volcanic island, branded snorkelers paradise for its vibrant coral reefs, which is situated about 20 miles east of the main island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchezs friends, along with several snorkelers and scuba divers who were present near the group, began their search at about 1 p.m. after realizing the student had disappeared, the family told OU Daily, the University of Oklahomas student newspaper. The Taiwanese Coast Guard was alerted, but adverse weather conditions delayed search efforts, the family said. Sanchez went missing just after midday off Da Bai Sha beach on Green Island on Friday, friends say (www.eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw) Sanchezs family told the student newspaper that the agency conducted its search limited to Green Island. However, experts assisting in the search, who have analyzed possible drift paths, believe Sanchez could be near Yonaguni and Ishigaki, two small Japanese islands in Okinawa Prefecture, approximately 70 and 150 miles northeast of Green Island, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friends and family called for cross-national cooperation between Taiwanese and Japanese officials and local communities to begin coordinated search and rescue efforts. We urge everyone with access to these areas to please search and report anything that may help, the family said. While friend Natalia Fabry told KOCO News: If you can please go to your shores and look for anyone who may be waiting for rescue. If you have a boat or youre a sailor or fisherman, if youre a diver, if you have a helicopter, anything, anyone, please help us. However, officials concluded their search for Sanchez on Monday, according to an update posted by friend Luis Castro on a GoFundMe page set up to support the search efforts for the missing student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchezs family, who are now in Taiwan, is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his location, according to the fundraising page. +72 hours have passed since Diego was reported missing, read an update posted Monday. Therefore, Taiwanese government has stopped the thorough search. Diegos family has decided to offer a $50,000 reward (group of people, organization, government, anyone) to intensify the search. His family has reached Taiwan. The Independent has contacted the Taiwanese Coast Guard for more information. NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) A 23-year-old disappeared while swimming off the coast of Taiwan last Friday. His family remains hopeful hes alive. What was meant to be a celebratory trip turned tragic for Diego Dorantes Sanchez and his friends after the 23-year-old vanished while swimming near Green Island, off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Diego Dorantes Sanchez missing OU student, Image Natalia Fabry Lochmatter Diego, a beloved member of multiple communities across the U.S. and abroad, was last seen in the water on May 30th. Since then, search efforts have been underway but so far, no trace of him has been found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very hard for all of us to accept that Diego is missing, said Natalia Fabry, his best friend. We are destroyed. But we are hopeful. Stormy Week Ahead, Starting Tonight The Taiwanese Coast Guard spent three days conducting an intensive search in the Green Island area, but officials have since called off the operation. Now, Diegos family is pleading with authorities to expand the search to include nearby regionsespecially Okinawa, Japan. They believe its possible strong currents could have carried him farther than initially expected. In an effort to reignite search efforts and encourage public involvement, the family has announced a $50,000 reward for anyone who finds Diego alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every community hes been a part ofhes touched the people hes interacted with, Fabry said. We strongly believe hes still alive and waiting for us. Diego Dorantes Sanchez. Image Natalia Fabry Lochmatter Loved ones are continuing to rally support online, urging anyone in the region to keep an eye out and share information that may lead to Diegos safe return. We reached out to the University of Oklahoma and received the statement below, The University of Oklahoma can confirm that one of its students has been reported missing while traveling in Taiwan. University officials are in contact with the students family and are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with appropriate authorities. Our thoughts are with the students family and friends during this challenging time. The University of Oklahoma You can help by sharing Diegos social media campaign, donating to the families GoFundMe, or by emailing buscandoadiegodorantes@gmail.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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A grieving family is desperate for answers after their 17-year-old daughter was killed in a drive-by shooting over the weekend at the intersection of North Graham Street and Craighead Road in north Charlotte. [PAST COVERAGE: Counselors available at school after Monroe High student killed in Charlotte] Channel 9s Hannah Goetz spoke with the girls family after they met with detectives at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navaeh Carters parents told Goetz on Tuesday that she was dropping keys off to a friend and was not the target of the violence She was a great student, my best friend, perfect daughter, beautiful, said Jamie Cureton, Navaehs mother. Nobody should be going through the pain that were going through with losing our baby the way it happened. Navaeh was a junior at Monroe High School with dreams of becoming a nurse. Im never going to be at peace with it, said Cureton. Whoever this is, youve shattered a beautiful persons dreams, all the hopes, the light of my life. I would just like to know why, why and why, said the teens father, Tyrone Carter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family and police are asking anyone with information to contact detectives. Nevaeh was a beautiful soul, her mother said. Shes always been my angel. She was my right hand, my best friend, the perfect child. Their support group is robust, and they want their messages to be heard. This is a childs life whos been shattered due to gun violence, and Navaeh didnt deserve this, her mother said. I just pray God that yall find in your heart to come forward. You know, there cannot be babies out here getting killed like animals, her father said. BERLIN, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A Berlin administrative court ruled on Tuesday that the German government violated European Union asylum laws by deporting three Somali nationals at its eastern border with Poland, casting uncertainty over Chancellor Friedrich Merz's newly introduced migration policy. According to the court's decision, the three asylum seekers - two men and one woman - were denied entry by border police at a train station in Frankfurt an der Oder, a city located on Germany's border with Poland. "The applicants could not demand to enter Germany beyond the border crossing," the court said in a statement released Monday. "However, the rejection was unlawful because Germany is obliged to process their claims." German authorities had justified the refusal based on the migrants' arrival from a "safe third country." However, the court ruled that the deportation contravened the European Union's Dublin Regulation, which requires the member state responsible under the agreement to examine asylum applications. In this case, that responsibility fell to Germany. This is the first legal ruling of its kind since the conservative-led government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office in May, following the victory of his Christian Democratic Union (CDU)-led alliance in Germany's federal elections earlier this year. The new administration came to power amid rising anti-immigration sentiment that has fueled the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), now the second-largest party in the Bundestag. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt defended the deportations, citing pressure on the national asylum system. "The numbers are too high. We are sticking to our practice," he told German media, adding that legal arguments supporting the government's actions would be submitted to the court. In May, the Merz government introduced a directive allowing the immediate return of undocumented individuals at Germany's borders, including asylum seekers - a significant shift from the more inclusive policy adopted during the 2015 migration crisis under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. The court's ruling comes as the European Commission advances a proposal for a bloc-wide mechanism permitting member states to return asylum seekers who transited through "safe" third countries. The proposal has faced criticism from human rights organizations and awaits approval from national parliaments and the European Parliament. The family of Sarah Milgrim, one of the two Israeli Embassy staffers who was shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last month, is remembering her as courageous, strong and striving for peace. Milgrim's parents, Robert and Nancy, and her older brother, Jacob, spoke to CBS News' Jonah Kaplan for their first network TV interview since the shooting about how they're processing their grief, Sarah's mission to promote peace in the Middle East and the rise in antisemitism in the United States. "Usually, a parent tries to mold their child. Sarah molded us," Robert Milgrim said. "She was a stronger person than I ever was." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I told Nancy after this happened that I'm a different person now than before this happened, from learning so much about what Sarah did and her courage and her striving for peace," he said. Wednesday marks two weeks since Milgrim and her boyfriend, Yaron Lischinsky, who also worked for the Israeli Embassy, were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Law enforcement officials described the attack as "targeted" and said the suspect shouted "Free Palestine" as he was being detained. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and other crimes. The interview with the Milgrim family airs Wednesday on "CBS Mornings" and "CBS Evening News." 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" (WTAJ) After nearly a decade, a fan-favorite item is coming back to McDonalds, including right here in Pennsylvania. The McDonalds snack wrap debuted in 2006 and was taken off a number of menus in 2016. Some locations kept hold of it until 2020 when McDonalds made a huge shift due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, McDonalds launched their new McCrispy strips, touting them as a permanent fixture on all McDonalds menus across the country. The announcement brought the inevitable outcry for the return of the Snack Wrap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taco Bell fans can now make two of the chains most popular menu items at home McDonalds announced the return of the snack wrap to fanfare across social media. Now, we know it will officially launch on July 10 at participating locations. Those locations include the greater Johnstown and Altoona area, McDonalds confirmed. The snack wraps will be available in their classic ranch, which debuted originally in 2006, and a new spicy version, complete with a habanero kick. Both come with lettuce and shredded cheese. The return of chicken strips and snack wraps isnt surprising. McDonalds, much like other brands, are trying to compete with each other in a flooded market where you can grab something to eat almost anywhere you look. 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. Recently, Taco Bell got into the chicken game with their tortilla-coated chicken nuggets, however, no one took America by storm with chicken the way Popeyes did when they got into the chicken sandwich game, causing long lines and numerous fights among the fanbase. 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. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) Populist far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders plunged Dutch politics into turmoil Tuesday by withdrawing his party's ministers from the ruling coalition in a dispute over a crackdown on migration. The remaining ministers will run a caretaker administration until new elections can be organized. The decision means the Netherlands will have a caretaker government when it hosts a summit of NATO leaders in three weeks. Prime Minister Dick Schoof held an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the crisis and then visited King Willem-Alexander to offer him the resignations of ministers from Wilders' Party for Freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schoof, a career civil servant who was handpicked by Wilders a year ago to lead the government, said he had repeatedly told coalition leaders in recent days that bringing down the government would be unnecessary and irresponsible. We are facing major challenges nationally and internationally and, more than ever, decisiveness is required for the safety of our resilience and the economy in a rapidly changing world, Schoof said. No date for a new election has been set, but it is unlikely before the fall. Schoof's 11-month-old administration goes down in history as one of the shortest-lived governments in Dutch political history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilders announced his decision early Tuesday in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. Wilders blames inaction on migration. Wilders told reporters that he was withdrawing his support for the coalition and pulling his ministers out of the Cabinet over its failure to act on his desire for a clampdown on migration. I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands, said Wilders, whose Party for Freedom is still riding high in Dutch opinion polls, though the gap with the center-left opposition is negligible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coalition partners rejected that argument, saying they all support cracking down on migration. Prime minister appealed for leaders to act responsibly. Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the right-wing Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy, said before the meeting that Schoof urged the leaders to act responsibly. The prime minister who appealed to us this morning said that we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way, Yesilgoz told reporters in parliament. But just minutes later, the meeting was over and so was Wilders' involvement in the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm shocked, Yesilgoz said, calling Wilders' decision super-irresponsible. After years in opposition, Wilders party won the last election on pledges to slash migration. He has grown increasingly frustrated at what he sees as the slow pace of the coalitions efforts to implement his plans. Last week, Wilders demanded coalition partners 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 at the time that if immigration policy is not toughened up, his party is out of the Cabinet. He made good on that pledge Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilders decision comes days after conservative Karol Nawrocki was announced the winner of Polands weekend presidential runoff election, a victory that suggests that Poland will likely take a more populist and nationalist path under its new president, who was backed by U.S. President Donald Trump. It is not the first time Wilders has turned his back on power. He pledged his support to a minority government led by former Prime Minister Mark Rutte in 2010, but walked away less than two years later after a dispute about government austerity measures. You know that if you work with Wilders in a coalition ... it wont go well, Rob Jetten, leader of the opposition D66 party, told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Other coalition leaders look to uncertain political future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caroline van der Plas, leader of the pro-agriculture populist Farmers Citizens Movement that is part of the coalition, said she was angry at Wilders' decision. He is not putting the Netherlands first, he is putting Geert Wilders first, she told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Nicolien van Vroonhoven, leader of the New Social Contract party that has taken a battering in polls since joining the coalition and the departure of its talismanic leader Pieter Omtzigt, said the government could continue without Wilders, saying a minority Cabinet is definitely an option. Schoof's statement appeared to put an end to such a course of events. Opposition welcomes Wilders' departure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frans Timmermans, the former European Commission climate chief who now leads the main opposition bloc in parliament, welcomed Wilders' decision. He said he would not support a minority government and called for fresh elections as soon as possible. "Well, I think its an opportunity for all democratic parties to rid ourselves of the extremes because its clear that with the extremes you cant govern. When things get difficult, they run away, he told The Associated Press. 9 Investigates is uncovering new details in the arrest of a man wrongfully accused of murder. Channel 9 obtained hundreds of pages of newly released documents that show how DNA initially pointed to Yesnin Salvado Bonilla-Iscoa for the 2023 murder of a woman stabbed to death in her car. A nearly 300-page document released by the state attorneys office details how a communal kitchen knife used by Bonilla and the now accused murderer, Luis Narvaez, led to the DNA confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesnin Bonillas family says that for months, Bonilla was painted as a killer. Bonillas father spoke exclusively with Channel 9 to clear his sons name. My son is a good person and a hard worker, said Freddy Bonilla in Spanish, Im speaking to clear his name. Because this was a mistake, and he didnt do anything. On Monday, Channel 9 obtained an audio recording of Bonillas in-custody interview with detectives taken after his arrest. Yesnin Bonilla expressed confusion and desperation, telling detectives he couldnt understand how he got mixed up in a murder case during the 2-hour interview. I would never kill a person. How could I do that. I dont understand whats happening, said Bonilla, in the Spanish interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Orange County deputies, Bonillas phone was the last to call the victim, Maria De Los Angeles Paulino. Plus, his DNA was found on the murder weapon, a knife used to stab Paulino 16 times. According to detectives, Yesnin admitted to knowing the victim because he had previously purchased drugs from her, but he told detectives on the night of the murder that his roommate, Luis Alfredo Narvaez, was with her and admitted to killing her. Deputies said a DNA sample was taken and later confirmed that Luis blood matched the blood found in the car where Maria was murdered. According to detectives, Narvaez ultimately confessed to killing her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though theres DNA that may be at the scene of the crime, that doesnt necessarily mean the person whose DNA was left behind is the killer, and thats precisely what this shows, said Criminal Defense Attorney Thomas Fighter, with Fighter Law. Bonillas Father told Channel 9 his whole family suffered for months as Yesnin was labelled an accused killer. According to Freddy Bonilla, Yesnin came to this country from Honduras to work and provide for his wife, whos now expecting a child. Feddy Bonilla told Channel 9, his son Yesnin was released from jail and had been living in Texas with his wife, however he was recently picked up by ICE and faces deportation. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. NEED TO KNOW The father of ShaoLan Lana Kamaly, 10, is suing the 71-year-old driver who hit and killed her in Florida last year The Sugar Mill Elementary School fourth-grader died after she was struck by an SUV in a crosswalk near the campus In January 2025, the driver of the SUV, Pamela Schulz, received a traffic citation from Port Orange Police for failing to exercise due care toward a pedestrian in a crosswalk The father of 10-year-old ShaoLan Lana Kamaly is suing the 71-year-old driver who hit and killed her in Florida in May 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sugar Mill Elementary School fourth-grader died after she was struck by an SUV in a crosswalk near the campus, close to the end of the school year, Port Orange Police said. In January 2025, the driver of the SUV, Pamela Schulz, received a traffic citation from Port Orange Police for failing to exercise due care toward a pedestrian in a crosswalk, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported at the time. Police alleged that she had not been operating her vehicle in a wanton or reckless manner. Speed was determined not to be a factor in this crash. Schulz eventually pleaded no contest and was fined, but was not otherwise charged, the outlet also 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. ShaoLan's father, Keivan Kamaly, filed the lawsuit against both Schulz and the owner of the vehicle involved in the crash, Douglas Ente, on Feb. 24, per the Daytona Beach News-Journal. He accused Schulz of negligently failing to stop at a stop sign and keep a proper lookout when she hit Kamaly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schulz "negligently failed to stop at the stop sign, resulting in a fatal impact with [ShaoLan] while [ShaoLan] was in the crosswalk," the lawsuit, obtained by PEOPLE, alleges. ShaoLan's father alleges that Schulz "negligently failed to keep a proper lookout," which resulted in striking ShaoLan. Kamaly is suing for medical and funeral expenses, plus other "damages permitted by the Florida Wrongful Death Act." In her magnificent short life, Lana brought immeasurable joy and light into the world with her contagious smile, sincere compliments and endless curiosity, an obituary for Kamaly said. Lana spent most of her childhood reading, writing, composing, acting and at happy times swirling in her favorite dress. Read the original article on People The FBI has released dozens of new pages inside the Shanquella Robinson investigation file. While many of them are redacted, some of them provide new details about how the FBI tried to find out what happened to the Charlotte woman whose mysterious death gained worldwide attention. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Judge to determine whether Shanquella Robinson lawsuit should stand Shanquella Robinson went on the trip with six friends who said she died of alcohol poisoning. They immediately left to come back to the States. A video then surfaced of Shanquella being attacked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original autopsy claimed she died of neck and spinal cord injuries. In January 2023, Channel 9 covered a press conference held by Daniel de la Rosa Anaya, the attorney general of Baja California Sur. In the press conference, he said the case was still under investigation. One of the newly released documents by the FBI was a letter to his office. It was sent the day of the press conference. The FBI asked the AG 11 questions, including: Who owns the villa, and were they interviewed? Are there any videos or images from the hotels security cameras that include Robinson or people associated with her? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And is there any report available from the ambulance crew? A response to these questions was not included in the new Robinson papers, but its possible it will be in future batches. The FBI released this document, saying they downloaded the contents of someones phone on the trip. The document said they found no evidence that revealed any information on the cause of death. Just a few comments expressing distress over the death The person seen hitting Shanquella in the video was identified as Daejhanae Jackson. She has since changed her name to EMani Green. Last week, she acknowledged the lawsuit against her and her travelmates for the first time. She asked a judge for more time to respond to it so she could hire an attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four of the travelmates are asking the judge to dismiss the case. They argued the US is an improper venue for the trial, and the arguments would be more appropriate in Mexico. A judge will decide whether to dismiss the case or let it stand at a later date. VIDEO: Judge to determine whether Shanquella Robinson lawsuit should stand LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The latest FBI Active Shooter annual report places Arkansas at the top in one category. The report for 2024 was released in June, compiling data from all 50 states. It shows that in 2024, Arkansas led the nation in the highest number of victims from an active shooting event. Victims killed in Fordyce mass shooting identified Arkansas reported four killed and 10 wounded as a result of the June 21, 2024, shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspected shooter, 45-year-old Travis Posey of New Edinburg, is currently being held in the Ouachita County Detention Center without bond. Court records show Posey is facing multiple counts of capital murder and attempted capital murder with an Aug. 4 trial date. She was always a hero in my book Arkansas family finding peace after daughter is recognized for bravery during mass shooting The FBI report shows Arkansas as one of 24 active shooting incidents that took place nationwide in 2024. Texas had the most incidents, at four, followed by two incidents each in California and North Carolina. The remaining states, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, as well as Arkansas, reported one incident each that year. The 24 events resulted in 22 deaths and 78 wounded, according to the FBI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI defines an active shooter as one or more people actively engaging in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. Fordyce mass shooting suspect Travis Posey pleads not guilty in first court appearance The FBI also provides resources to equip people to prevent mass 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 KARK. Like any liberal on Fox News, Anna M. Gomez finds herself outnumbered. But that hasnt stopped the Democratic appointee to the Federal Communications Commission from publicly speaking out about sham investigations and what she calls the weaponizing of the commission to serve the interests of President Trump. Appointed by President Biden in 2023, Gomez who spent a dozen years as an FCC staffer in various capacities in addition to working as a private-practice telecommunications attorney recently took her efforts to combat the FCCs actions and support press freedom to Los Angeles. A May 28 event sponsored by the advocacy group Free Press marked the first stop outside of Washington in a First Amendment Listening Tour Gomez is conducting to call attention to the Trump administrations hostility toward mainstream media. That includes attempts to punish news outlets for unfavorable reporting about the president, investigations related to DEI policies and dangling the threat of stripping broadcast licenses from owned-and-operated TV stations, or at the least holding up of mergers that would involve transferring them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that sounds extreme, remember that Trump has stated including during a speech at the Department of Justice in March that negative coverage of him was corrupt and illegal, based on his unfounded assertion that media outlets like MSNBC and CNN were functioning as extensions of his political opponents. After the panel, Gomez struck a realistic note about what she can hope to accomplish as the soon-to-be lone Democrat on the five-member body, with Geoffrey Starks having announced that hell formally depart later this month. I do work with my fellow commissioners and try to add value, and where I can agree, I will, Gomez told TheWrap. But if not, Im going to speak out. So this is my role. Based on the record thus far, Gomez will find little common ground with FCC chairman Brendan Carr, who has exhibited an apparent willingness to act as Trumps personal advocate on issues such as the approval process regarding Paramount Globals merger with Skydance Media. FCC scrutiny comes at a delicate time for the $8 billion deal, with Trump pursuing a lawsuit against Paramounts CBS News and 60 Minutes over a Kamala Harris interview during the 2024 election. It is clear this administration is weaponizing the FCC, and the FCCs licensing authority, and thats whats happening, Gomez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Practically speaking, that doesnt leave Gomez with many options, in part because some of the initiatives Carr has pursued havent played out at the commission level, meaning there are no formal votes. Instead, she said, Its threats, letters and investigations at the staff level, and those arent appealable. Media companies are uncertain about how far the GOP-controlled FCC may take its rhetoric, with Carr referring to diversity efforts as invidious discrimination, and threatening to block merger activity by any company continuing to adhere to such policies. The FCC chairman has also spoken about whether those companies are operating in the public interest a vague standard that could be used, in theory, to try and take away or block the right to own TV or radio stations. However murky those statements might be in practice, media companies that have already bowed to pressure such as announcing that they were eliminating formal DEI efforts, or that have settled lawsuits brought by Trump dont appear eager to test the boundaries, given the high stakes involved and the potential damage to their businesses. Representatives for the FCC didnt respond to a request for comment, though Carr has stated that his inquiries involving Paramount and CBS are unrelated to Trumps 60 Minutes lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To many, however, that doesnt pass the smell test, including Carr entertaining a complaint against CBS for news distortion, also using that term as leverage against MSNBC parent Comcast, a regular target of Trumps social media wrath. The threat is the point. No lawyer thinks theres an actual claim against CBS for news distortion, Jessica J. Gonzalez, co-CEO of Free Press, a non-profit media advocacy group, told TheWrap. She said that Carr invoking that prospect is absolutely an attempt to harass regulated entities. Free Press co-CEO Jessica J. Gonzalez, FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez and Congressman Raul Ruiz at Gomezs First Amendment tour event at Cal State Los Angeles on May 28. (Halline Overby). Carrs predecessor, former FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel, sounded a similar warning shortly before Trumps inauguration, saying the commission should not be the presidents speech police and should not be journalisms censor-in-chief. Yet under Carr, it feels as if thats what has come to pass. In some respects, theres precedent for Gomezs lonely crusade. During the George W. Bush administration two decades ago, Democratic commissioner Michael J. Copps became an outspoken critic of media consolidation, a minority position thanks to the GOP appointees led by pro-business chairman Michael Powell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copps frequently spoke at industry forums and to groups like the Caucus for Television Producers, Writers & Directors, shining a light on the issue without derailing Powells deregulatory agenda. Part of the problem with the FCCs recent actions is they feel so arbitrary and transparently political, pursuing clear motives like targeting news divisions Trump dislikes, or investigating DEI policies under the guise of public-interest concerns and whether broadcasters are fulfilling those obligations in exchange for their licenses. As for the importance of Gomez taking a public stand, Gonzalez said, Dissents matter. Courts look at dissent when theyre determining whether or not an agency has exceeded its statutory authority, whether or not it was unconstitutional. Beyond the legal ramifications, she added that dissent reverberates through the court of public opinion, while emboldening others to push back, whether thats media companies, law firms or universities, all of which have come under siege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important for us to document government abuse and overreach, Gonzalez noted. Can it stop what the Trump administration is doing? I still think thats an open question. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr (Tom Williams/Getty Collection) Given that, Gonzalez noted that those companies and entities that have caved in to Trumps demands are being shortsighted, a point Gomez echoed during the panel, while seeing a ray of hope in the example set by Harvard and others in refusing to bend the knee. Capitulation breeds capitulation. But the good news is courage breeds courage, she said. At the Free Press forum, California Rep. Raul Ruiz applauded Gomez for her courage, which seems particularly admirable in light of Trumps decision to fire Democratic appointees to the Federal Trade Commission, prompting speculation about how long she can hold out if she keeps challenging Carrs legally dubious pursuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, even in light of the Copps example, the stakes seem far higher for Gomez, given those who see the people engaging in this fight as bulwarks against rising authoritarianism that flouts the law and courts. For now, Gomez isnt fretting about potential consequences, but rather simply doing what she believes to be right. Im cognizant that I can be removed, but Im not really worried about myself, she said. I am going to continue to speak out until I cant anymore. The post FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez Wages a Lonely Fight for Press Freedom in Trumpland appeared first on TheWrap. Participants attend the Bucharest Nine (B9) summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on June 2, 2025. The Bucharest Nine (B9) summit took place here on Monday, with leaders of the B9 and Nordic countries pledging to gradually increase defense spending. (Lithuanian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) Participants attend the Bucharest Nine (B9) summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on June 2, 2025. The Bucharest Nine (B9) summit took place here on Monday, with leaders of the B9 and Nordic countries pledging to gradually increase defense spending. (Lithuanian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) The Food and Drug Administration has issued its most severe warning for fresh tomatoes sold in some states. A Class I recall was issued for tomatoes for potential salmonella contamination. A Class I recall is issued if there is a potential for serious health complications or death. Williams Farms Repack of South Carolina said the tomatoes were sold to wholesalers and distributors between April 23-28 under the name H&C Farms Label. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what you should know. Tomatoes recalled for potential salmonella contamination Williams Farms Repack LLC announced on May 2 it was recalling tomatoes under the both the Williams Farm Repack label and the H&C Farms label for potential salmonella contamination. Williams Farms Repack LLC announced on May 2 it was recalling tomatoes under the both the Williams Farm Repack label and the H&C Farms label for potential salmonella contamination. On May 28, the FDA classified the recall as Class I. Where were the tomatoes sold? The tomatoes were sold in three states: Georgia North Carolina South Carolina How do you know if you bought any of the recalled tomatoes? If you shop outside of Florida, or purchased tomatoes during a recent visit, check the following information to see if you have any of the recalled tomatoes. Recalled tomatoes, by size and lot code, are: 5x6, 25 pounds; R4467 6x6, 25 pounds; R4467, R4470 Combo 25 pounds; R4467 4x4 2 layer; R4467 4x5 2 layer; R4467 60 count 2 layer; R4467 60 count 18 pounds loose; R4467, R4470 XL 18 pounds loose; R4467 3-count trays; R4467 (UPC 0 33383 65504 8) I bought some of the recalled tomatoes. What should I do? Consumers who purchased the recalled tomatoes are urged to not eat them. Return them to where you bought them for a full refund or throw them away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consumers with questions should contact Jason Breland at 843-866-7707 or 843-599-5154 Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET. Has anyone gotten sick from eating the recalled tomatoes? No illnesses have been reported to date, according to the FDA. FDA classifies tomato recall as Level 1. What is Level I? The FDA has classified the recall as a Level 1. A Level 1 also called a Class 1 recall is "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," the FDA said. What is salmonella? "Salmonella are bacteria that make people sick," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contaminated food is the source for most of these illnesses. Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness. Pregnant women are also at higher risk of developing an infection from it and should seek medical attention if symptoms arise. Salmonella bacteria cause "about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year," the CDC said. Will freezing or cooking kill salmonella? Freezing and drying do not kill salmonella, the FDA said. Cooking will kill bacteria, including salmonella, but you'll need to use a food thermometer to make sure the temperature gets between 145 and 165 degrees, depending on what you're cooking. Be careful of all surfaces and your hands to prevent cross-contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safe food temperature chart What are symptoms of salmonella? Salmonella can make people ill with diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, which can last from four days up to a week. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection, the CDC said. Most cases of salmonella infections pass, but some people may need to be hospitalized. Symptoms include: Feeling dizzy when standing up Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving Bloody diarrhea So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down Signs of dehydration, such as: Not urinating much Dry mouth and throat This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Tomato recall: FDA Class I warning, salmonella contamination Republican Sen. Josh Hawleys quest to legitimize a junk science report undermining the safety of a widely used abortion pill was fully realized this week. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary confirmed in a Monday letter to the Missouri senator that the agency will conduct a safety review of the abortion pill mifepristone. Makarys letter is in response to an April request from Hawley for the department to review mifepristone following a new report published by the Ethics and Public Policy Center, an anti-abortion conservative think tank and advisory board member of Project 2025. As with all drugs, FDA continues to closely monitor the postmarketing safety data on mifepristone for the medical termination of early pregnancy, Makary wrote in his letter. As the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, I am committed to conducting a review of mifepristone and working with the professional career scientists at the Agency who review this data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. Although Makary does not mention the EPPC report, Hawleys entire argument for reviewing mifepristone relies on the junk science paper. The EPPC report claims its the largest-known study of the abortion pill and that nearly 11% of women experience sepsis, infection, hemorrhaging, or another serious adverse event within 45 days following a mifepristone abortion. But data scientists voiced serious concerns about the validity of the report, pointing out that its not peer-reviewed and the reports recommendations do not line up with the data they analyzed. It is highly concerning that the FDA is committed to a new review of mifepristone, given the massive amount of evidence on its safety and efficacy, said Dr. Angel Foster, co-founder of the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project, a shield law practice that provides telehealth abortion care to people in all 50 states. This is purely politically motivated and not rooted in science, Foster said. Rolling back access to mifepristone would be a disaster, especially for the patients that The MAP serves every day patients living in states where abortion is banned, who cant afford to pay for a procedure, and for whom neither traveling to another state nor remaining pregnant are options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have been laying the groundwork to undermine the safety of mifepristone for months. It makes sense that anti-abortion groups have set their sights on the pill: telehealth abortion care now accounts for 20% of all abortion care since the Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade. Democrats have repeatedlygrilled Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about their plans for mifepristone. The FDA commissioners promise to review the abortion pill stands in stark contrast to his past statements that he has no plans to restrict mifepristone. But Makary has repeatedly left the door open, hinting that if there was reason to believe mifepristone was unsafe his agency would review it. Makary has not once stated mifepristones proven safety record since the FDA approved it in 2000. The medication has been used safely by over 6 million people in the U.S., according to the agency. Major medical groups have repeatedly said mifepristone is safe, pointing to more than 100 studies that have corroborated its safety and effectiveness. During a recent Senate appropriations hearing, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) asked Makary about the EPPC report and whether he would use it in his approach to mifepristone. Makary said he would want to see the underlying data of the study, but took issue with Murrays characterization of the EPPC paper as a sham study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have not seen that study, senator, and you have not seen that study, Makary responded. So how can you call it a sham, bogus study? Neither of us have seen the study, the underlying data, or the methodology. The FDA did not respond to HuffPost when asked if Makarys decision to review mifepristone stemmed from the EPPC report or if hes seen its underlying data. Even apart from all the red flags with the data and supposed analysis, the fact where they land in the recommendations that has nothing to do with the research itself indicates this was driven more by ideology than by scientific rigor, Rachel Jones, a principal research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, said of the EPPC report in April. Jones told HuffPost that she would not call the paper a study since its impossible for other researchers to fully assess the methodology and integrity of its results without access to the underlying data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve known this moment was coming, and weve been sounding the alarm on Martin Makary since his nomination, Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju said in a Tuesday statement. After months of signals and dog whistles, its now in black and white on official FDA letterhead, she continued. This review is not grounded in new data or real safety concerns its driven by Project 2025-aligned groups and right-wing politicians who want to ban abortion nationwide. We are now one step closer to the Trump administrations ultimate goal of a national abortion ban. Related... Like many Jewish Americans, Hannah Gay Keao has been living on edge and fear of antisemitism since Hamas deadly October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. But when her daughter asked why she was sad hours after a man targeted Jewish people and set them on fire at a community event in Boulder, Colorado, Gay Keao paused. The firebombing attack happened just 25 miles from where Gay Keao serves on the Edgewater city council, and she said she searched for a way to explain the antisemitism unfolding in their backyard in terms the 4-year-old could understand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes Jewish, Gay Keao said. Its important for her to know the realities of the world. Jewish leaders have been alarmed by the historic rise in antisemitic threats since the war between Israel and Hamas began in 2023. That fear has only heightened this week with the attack in Boulder, the third violent attack on the Jewish community in the last two months. Two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, DC, were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in late May, and an arsonist set the Pennsylvania governors mansion on fire on the first night of Passover because of Gov. Josh Shapiros views on the war in Gaza, according to search warrants. I wish I could say I was surprised by these events, but Jews have been sounding the alarm on the rise in antisemitism since October 7, Sheila Katz, the CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women said. This is what happens when we allow antisemitism to go unchecked. This photo released by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shows damage to the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after a fire Sunday, April 13, 2025. - Commonwealth Media Services The attack on Sunday came during a peaceful demonstration aimed at raising awareness of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Twelve people were injured, and two remain hospitalized, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, told investigators he wanted to kill all Zionist people and had planned the attack for a year, according to an affidavit. He was captured on video by bystanders yelling Free Palestine before police arrested him. Soliman now faces a federal hate crime charge and state charges of attempted murder. Most Jews right now are feeling unsafe and unsure about where to show up, Katz said. Killing and burning Jews does nothing to make Palestinians safer or more free. Antisemitism will never be a path to justice. When the worst feels inenvitable Sundays attack came hours before the start of Shavuot, the holiday commemorating the day God gave the Torah to the Jewish people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Main Line Reform Temple just outside of Philadelphia, Senior Rabbi Geri Newburge said the past several weeks have been brutal, leaving her pretty demoralized and heartbroken. The aftermath of October 7combined with escalating protests against Israels war in Gaza made an attack like this feel inevitable, she said. It doesnt feel like such a stretch to me at this point that the rhetoric would move from posters or chants to doing something violent, Newburge said. The rabbi noted she and members of her congregation have also felt antisemitism increasing across the country and its taking a toll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its exhausting spiritually, emotionally and even physically, Newburge explained. Across the country, Jewish schools, synagogues and community centers continue to have tight security. Oftentimes, there is a visible police presence or armed security guards. Michael Bernstein, board chair of the Tree of Life in Pittsburgh, attended an event last Wednesday for a local Jewish organization where some of the attendees were non-Jews. He called the necessary security an unfortunate tax and a measure most other communities dont need. Michael Bernstein, board chair of the Tree of Life in Pittsburgh, speaks to CNN. - CNN This latest wave of attacks has left many Jewish leaders wondering what more can be done. Bernstein said Jews needed to secure their spaces, but security and the Jewish community alone wouldnt solve antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an American problem, its not a Jewish problem, he said, and pointed to Pittsburgh community after the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue. The 2018 shooting, the worst attack on Jews in American history, left 11 worshippers dead and six others wounded. Pittsburgh, he said, came together to say antisemitism wasnt acceptable. An attack on one group is an attack on all of us, Bernstein said. And the community held us. Its an all-of-society approach. Non-violence is non-negotiable Outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, candles and flowers mark the spot where Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were gunned down on May 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The white lilies placed at the memorial hadnt even started wilting yet when the firebombing in Boulder began. Milgrim and Lischinsky attended an event to discuss how multi-faith organizations could work together to bring humanitarian aid to war-torn regions like Gaza. Their friends and colleagues said they were devoted to the peace process in Israel. The suspected gunman, whom DC police later identified as 31-year-old Chicago native Elias Rodriguez, shouted Free Palestine after he was arrested. A photograph of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky is displayed outside the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum on May 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Katz, who said she knew Milgrim professionally and had been invited to the event, but was unable to attend, stressed non-violence must be non-negotiable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who wants to see peace, who wants to see an end to the war, who wants to see the hostages to be released, who wants to see a better future for Palestinians and Israelis, has to understand that violence towards Jews in America or around the world is not going to make that peace happen, Katz said. Antisemitism has surged globally, according to the Anti-Defamation League, and rose after the start of the war in Gaza. Threats to Jews in the United States tripled between October 7, 2023 and September 2024, the organization said. Gay Keao said she has been critical of Israels action toward Palestinians but has also witnessed a disregard for Jewish safety since October 7. Now, she often wakes up wondering, Whats going to happen next? I just refuse to believe that the cyclical violence is inevitable, she said. As a Jewish person, I cant embrace that. Im here for breaking those cycles. It comes after everybody Nearly 2,000 miles away, sitting beneath his synagogues serene outdoor Holocaust memorial, Philadelphia Rabbi Shawn Zevit said his diverse urban congregation has been experiencing a mix of emotions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he said, reaching out to Jewish loved ones is critical at this moment, so his community does not feel alone. Just the message of Im thinking about you, Zevit argued, can be comforting to Jewish people feeling upset. But the rabbi also noted calling out even minor instances of antisemitism is key to preventing future attacks. Rabbi Shawn Zevit speaks to CNN. - CNN Treat those moments as gateways for increased solidarity and vigilance, he said. Katz said people knew how to call out antisemitism when it was bullets in synagogues or Nazis with tiki torches but needed to be able to recognize it in all of its forms. Antisemitism doesnt begin with bullets or firebombs, she added. But it ends there when its ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernstein, the chair of the board of the Tree of Life, warned antisemitism doesnt stay a Jewish issue. He pointed to a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, where 10 people were killed in a racially motivated mass shooting at a supermarket. This hateful ideology, he said, it comes after everybody. CNNs TuAnh Dam contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEW YORK (AP) The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that Wells Fargo is no longer subject to harsh restraints the Fed placed on the bank in 2018 for having a toxic sales and banking culture. It's a win for Wells Fargo, which has spent nearly a decade trying to convince the public and policymakers that it had changed its ways. "We are a different and far stronger company today because of the work weve done, said Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf in a statement. Scharf also announced that each of the 215,000 employees at Wells Fargo would receive a $2,000 award for turning the bank around. Wells Fargo used to have a corporate culture where it placed unreasonable sales goals on its branch employees, which resulted in employees opening up millions of fake accounts in order to meet those goals. Wells' top executives called its branches stores and employees were expected to cross-sell customers into as many banking products as possible, even if the customer did not want or need them. After an investigation by The Los Angeles Times in 2016, Wells Fargo shut down its sales culture and fired much of its leadership and board of directors. The fake accounts scandal cost Wells Fargo billions of dollars in fines and lost business, and permanently tarnished its reputation, particularly because the scandal broke only a few years after the Great Recession and financial crisis. It was later revealed that Wells Fargo opened up roughly 3.5 million accounts that were not wanted or needed by customers. Wells Fargo, once thought to be the best run bank in the country, was now the poster child of the worst practices of banking in decades. In order to push Wells to fix itself, the Federal Reserve took the unusual step of placing Wells Fargo in a program where the bank could grow no larger than it was in 2018. No bank had previously been placed into such a program, known as an asset cap. The Fed required Wells to fix it culture and redo its entire risk and compliance departments in order to address its problems. Since taking over in 2019, Scharf's goal has been to convince the Federal Reserve that Wells Fargo had fixed its toxic banking practices. With the asset cap removed, the bank can now pursue more deposits, new accounts and take on additional investment banking businesses by holding additional securities on its balance shet. The shoreline of Kake, a Tlingit village of about 500 people, is seen in 2012. (Photo provided by the Alaska Division of Community Affairs) A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the board which regulates subsistence hunting on federal lands within Alaska acted legally when it created an emergency hunt for a Southeast Alaska village during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. The order, issued Monday, is the latest chapter of a five-year-old legal dispute stemming from a hunt authorized by the Federal Subsistence Board because the emergency in 2020 disrupted the normal food supply for the Southeast Alaska village of Kake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emergency hunt resulted in the harvest of two moose and five deer, which were distributed to local residents. The state of Alaska later sued the board, arguing that approving the emergency hunt was beyond its authority and that the board acted inappropriately by delegating the hunts administration to the Kake tribe. The Organized Village of Kake joined the lawsuit on the side of the Federal Subsistence board. The states initial lawsuit was ruled moot by U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason, but the 9th Circuit overturned that decision and sent the case back to Gleason, who ruled partially in favor of the state and partially in favor of the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state appealed again to the 9th Circuit, but on Tuesday, federal judges Carlos Bea (appointed by George W. Bush), Lucy Koh (Barack Obama) and Jennifer Sung (Joe Biden) confirmed that the hunt was legal. With Bea writing a statement on the ruling for all three judges, they said that the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act permits access to subsistence resources on federal land, not just access to the land where those resources may be found. Bea cited Section 811 of ANILCA, in which Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior to ensure reasonable access to subsistence resources on the public lands. Congress intended that the Secretary ensure that rural residents of Alaska have the reasonable opportunity to reach and use subsistence resources that can be found on federal land in Alaska, Bea wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision implies that the board has the authority to create hunts, not just end them, as the state had argued. The judges also overruled part of a U.S. District Court decision that was partially in favor of the state, saying Gleason improperly handled prior instructions by the 9th Circuit. We hold that under Title VIII of (ANILCA), the Board has the power to authorize an emergency subsistence hunt on federal public lands for rural residents of the state of Alaska, Bea wrote on behalf of the board. Court of Appeals decisions are considered final, unless appealed to a higher court, such as the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision by the three judges could also be appealed to the entire 9th Circuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doug Vincent-Lang, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said in an emailed statement that the department doesnt agree with the decision. We are disappointed and disagree with this decision. It is both bewildering and perplexing that the court could rule against the plain language of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, especially in light of the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling on Chevron deference. This ruling fundamentally alters the carefully crafted agreement that Congress made in adopting their language, he said. We are currently reviewing our next steps. Attorneys representing Kake said by email that the tribe is pleased with the result. Todays decision from the 9th Circuit is a significant victory for the Organized Village of Kake and Alaska Native subsistence rights, they said. The 9th Circuit rejected the State of Alaskas shameful, politically-motivated attempt to gut ANILCAs subsistence provisions, and confirmed the Federal Subsistence Boards authority to open a small hunt to provide desperately needed access to healthy and traditional food to a remote Alaska community at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Todays victory is an affirmation of the promises that Congress made to protect subsistence rights, and comes at a time when the State is still seeking to erode those rights in other litigation and actions. The Tribe is very pleased with the result. Correction: The initial version of this article contained an incorrect reference to the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. It has been corrected. LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) Con artists are using official-looking documents to trick individuals into paying for fake arrest warrants via Bitcoin, gift cards, or bank account information, the Ludlow police warn. In a social media post by the Ludow Police Department, a resident alerted officers to a letter they received that looked like official documents indicating a warrant for their arrest. The document stated the FBI issued a warrant for a murder trial, and to avoid arrest, demanded payment of $35,000 via Bitcoin, gift cards, or bank account information to resolve the issue. Springfield police warn public of recent Bitcoin schemes THIS IS A SCAM! -Ludlow Police Department Police are warning residents not to fall victim to these fake warrants by providing any personal or financial information.. They say that federal courts do not issue arrest warrants that require payment over the phone or online. Common red flags associated with these schemes A strong sense of urgency or imminent threat, such as claims that a loved one is under arrest or that your computer has been compromised. Unusual payment requests, such as wiring money, using gift cards or bitcoin kiosks, or handing over large amounts of cash. Offers that seem too good to be true, like surprise lottery wins or online romantic interests who appear unusually glamorous or claim to be celebrities. 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 federal judge in Tallahassee has temporarily blocked part of a Florida law restricting minors' access to social media, finding it "likely unconstitutional." Chief U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker on June 3 said he recognized First Amendment protections to prevent the state from "substantially burdening speech unless (it) can show that doing so is necessary to achieve its significant interests." The law (HB 3), passed in 2024, was supposed to go into effect this Jan. 1, but the state attorney general's office agreed not to enforce it until the judge ruled on a request for what's known as a preliminary injunction. Such orders are issued early in a lawsuit to temporarily stop something, like enforcement of a law, until the case is fully decided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial Rulings: Florida social media minor restriction won't be immediately enforced against top platforms The judge's 58-page order only blocks the portion of the state law that the associations who filed the lawsuit are focused on. It prohibits anyone under 16 from using some social media platforms, excluding 14- and 15-year-olds who obtain their parent's permission. Walker also wrote that he "does not doubt that parents and legislators in the state have sincere concerns about the effects that social media use may have on youth, nor does it render parents or the state powerless to address those concerns." NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association trade associations representing social media platforms like Meta, Google, Youtube and Snapchat first filed suit against the law in October, citing First Amendment concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, also required age verification to access pornographic websites in Florida, but the lawsuit is only focused on the social media provisions. Governor's approval: DeSantis signs social media restrictions for kids, age verification for porn sites This ruling vindicates our argument that Floridas statute violates the First Amendment by blocking and restricting minors and likely adults as well from using certain (social media) websites to view lawful content," said Matt Schruers, president of Computer & Communications Industry Association in a statement. Attorney General James Uthmeier's office said it disagrees with the judge's decision and plans to appeal, according to spokesperson Jeremy Redfern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Florida parents voted through their elected representatives for a law protecting kids from the harmful and sometimes lifelong tragic impacts of social media," Redfern said in a statement. "These platforms do not have a constitutional right to addict kids to their products." A history of social media restrictions in Florida In an interview with the USA TODAY Network Florida, Schruers said the case on minors' use of social media platforms was an example of how lawmakers revisited a 2021 law on social media concerns. That 2021 law is still pending a challenge in court by the same two trade associations. It was lauded by DeSantis at the time in reaction to social media platforms "shadowbanning" or outright suspending political candidates. (Shadowbanning is when a user's content on a platform is hidden or made less visible without their knowledge.) The law also enabled Floridians to sue these social media platforms if they proved an unjustified ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups wrote at the time that Florida was free to criticize websites for their decisions on what to moderate or restrict, but argued that the First Amendment prevented them from overriding editorial judgments. The case even made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which sent the case back to federal court in Florida. That matter still has a jury trial scheduled for March 9. Brought back to Florida: Both sides claim victory as US Supreme Court punts on Florida social media case This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@gannett.com. On X: @stephanymatat. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis-backed youth social media ban paused amid free speech issues COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A popular summer program for teens in central Ohio will have more than 50% fewer spots than last year and organizers said its due to federal budget cuts. Its unfortunate because if were going to make changes in our community and the world, it starts with the children, so if theres no programs for them like this, then what are our kids doing for the summer, said Karen Clark, the mother of two teens whove taken part in the Columbus Urban Leagues Work Readiness Training University (WRTU). Donatos to open fully-automated pizza restaurant at John Glenn International this month Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WRTU is a leadership development program for teens ages 14 to 19. My experience at WRTU was very life-changing, I would say, Asalah Kamel said. Asalah and Yasmeen, her sister, were both in WRTU last summer. I got three certifications and thats helped me a lot now to where Im at right now, Yasmeen Kamel said. Through the program, 14 and 15-year-olds participate in work readiness activities. The other teens have paid internships in a variety of fields including the medical industry, HVAC, and cosmetology. They also have the chance to get certifications in various industries. Ohio lawmakers push for stricter rules on obscene drag queens, indecent exposure Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its more than just a summer camp; these are opportunities that are going to be with them for, opportunities and planting the skills, Clark said. WRTU has been around for about 15 years. About 425 teens participated last summer, according to the Urban League. But this summer, Stephanie Hightower, president and CEO of the Columbus Urban League, said theres only enough funding for 200. We know the need is there, we know parents want to make sure their young people have opportunities, theres just less of them this summer, Hightower said. She said the non-profit cannot afford the usual number of spots because money from Franklin County, which usually funds the program, has been affected by federal cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What it does is kids with idle time end up doing idle things that maybe they shouldnt be doing in the summer, Hightower said. Pilot program testing tasers in Ohios prisons; may expand statewide The Kamel sisters said they are disappointed more teens wont have the same opportunities they did. It just cuts down a lot of opportunity for kids to get their foot in the door, Yasmeen Kamel said. Its hard to know what you want to do and then be able to go do it, so with WRTU, they help you be able to go do it. Hightower said the Urban League is fundraising to hopefully create more spots for teens. She said even if they cant partake for the whole summer, some is better than none. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to keep trying to figure it out, were not going to quit, she said. We think its important that we keep our young people in programs and with opportunities to create access for them and so were going to figure it out some kind of way. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Newly obtained documents reveal what led to the Department of Homeland Security raid on Buona Forchetta Friday evening. About a week prior to the raid, Homeland Security officers staked out the property, attempting to find 19 apparent undocumented employees. That surveillance ultimately led to the dramatic scene on Friday where frustration and anger boiled over in front of the restaurant in South Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We started hearing these bangs, South Park resident Sara Kincaid said while she was out at the dog park with her dog. The protest erupting as federal agents showed up to the restaurant, detaining at least two employees. Buona Forchetta to close temporarily following ICE raid in South Park I couldnt tell if they were shotguns or flash bangs, so we kind of stayed over there and were just freaked out, South Park resident Marshall Nolen said. According to the search warrant, DHS believes 19 people, or about half of the employees at Buona Forchetta, did not have the proper documentation to work at the restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wow, this is hitting so close to home, Kincaid said. You hear about it in the news, but you dont usually expect to see it in your backyard. DHS received their first tip about the Italian diner five years ago when a tipster claimed the owner, Matteo Cattaneo, employed people not authorized to work in the United States and forced them to work 12-hour shifts without any breaks. Ive never gone in there and seen an unhappy face. I mean Matteos someone who is very vital to the community. He does a lot for San Diego, Kincaid said about the owner. Homeland Security investigators received their second tip in January 2025, saying the business employed undocumented workers, but this tipster made no claims of mistreatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt feel like all the tactical gear and the flash bang was necessary, South Park resident Erica Nolen said. DHS officers planned to conduct the raid in the evening hours because thats when most of the target employees arrive at the restaurant. If were actually here to administer justice, then display your evidence, Marshall Nolen said. Display your reasoning. Dont just roll in with a bunch of tactical gear in a neighborhood with people wearing flip flops. You know like, cmon. Buona Forchetta shut down all their locations on Monday and Tuesday, saying in a statement, The traumatic incident involving a federal enforcement operation at our original and beloved South Park location has left a mark on all of us. A wound that is still raw, still echoing in our kitchens, our dining rooms and our hearts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement went on to thank the community for showing up with flowers and signs in support of the business. I love how our industry comes together, how the community comes together, Kincaid said after seeing the response while eating at the restaurant on Saturday. Several community members and businesses in South Park started a GoFundMe to support the detained employees and their families. In less than 24 hours, they have exceeded their 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) A federal judge has barred state officials from enforcing a Florida law that would ban social media accounts for young children, while a legal challenge against the law plays out. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued the order Tuesday, blocking portions of the law from taking effect. The measure was one of the most restrictive bans in the U.S. on social media use by children when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law in 2024. The law would ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for their use by 14- and 15-year-olds. In his order granting the preliminary injunction sought by the groups Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice, Walker wrote that the law is likely unconstitutional, but acknowledged that parents and lawmakers have sincere concerns about social media's effects on kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker wrote that the prohibition on social media platforms from allowing certain age groups to have accounts directly burdens those youths rights to engage in and access speech. Also Tuesday, a federal judge in Atlanta heard arguments from NetChoice seeking to block a 2024 Georgia law scheduled to take effect July 1 that would require age verification for social media accounts and require children younger than 16 to get parental permission for accounts. Like in Florida and other states where laws have been blocked, the internet trade group NetChoice argues that the Georgia law infringes on free speech rights, is vague, and overly burdensome. While siding with the industry groups' claims that the law limits free speech, Walker allowed a provision of the Florida law to go into effect requiring platforms to shut down accounts for children under 16, if their parent or guardian requests it. Parents and even some teens themselves are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media use on young people. Supporters of the laws have said they are needed to help curb the explosive use of social media among young people, and what researchers say is an associated increase in depression and anxiety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Schruers, the president and CEO of the industry association CCIA, praised the judge's order blocking the Florida law. This ruling vindicates our argument that Floridas statute violates the First Amendment by blocking and restricting minors and likely adults as well from using certain websites to view lawful content," he said in a statement. "We look forward to seeing this statute permanently blocked as a violation of Floridians constitutional right to engage in lawful speech online." A spokesperson for Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier defended the law and the state's efforts to insulate kids from social media at a time when platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat seem almost impossible to escape. Florida parents voted through their elected representatives for a law protecting kids from the harmful and sometimes lifelong tragic impacts of social media. These platforms do not have a constitutional right to addict kids to their products, Uthmeier's press secretary Jae Williams said in a statement. We disagree with the courts order and will immediately seek relief in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Atlanta, NetChoice attorney Jeremy Maltz told U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg that Georgia's law would impermissibly restrict speech by minors, saying that before you share your art, before you share your political information, you need to produce your papers, please. Totenberg did not rule Tuesday. But citing rulings against similar laws in other states, she expressed skepticism about Georgia's case, asking Deputy Attorney General Logan Winkles: What makes today different from all other days?" Winkles argued the law's requirement of commercially reasonable attempts to verify age could be quite cheap and likened it to banning minors from bars serving alcohol, not restricting their speech. There are things about social media that make it dangerous, Winkles said. It's a place where children are being restricted. It's not about speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Associated Press writer Jeff Amy contributed from Atlanta. ___ Kate Payne 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. BRUSSELS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) on Monday decried a decision by EU member states to block Chinese companies from participating in public procurement tenders in the medical device sector for contracts valued over 5 million euros (5.72 million U.S. dollars) under the bloc's International Procurement Instrument (IPI). The measures, reportedly approved on Monday, would prohibit Chinese firms from bidding on such contracts for a five-year period. In a statement, the CCCEU expressed profound disappointment and serious concern over the decision, warning that the targeted use of the IPI against Chinese enterprises sends a troubling signal. The chamber stressed that the measures not only "add new complexity to China-EU economic and trade relations," but also contradict the EU's proclaimed principles of openness, fairness, and non-discrimination in market access. The IPI, a unilateral tool adopted by the EU in 2022, aims to ensure the so-called "market reciprocity" in public procurement. The CCCEU argued that any push for reciprocity must be based on "an accurate understanding of historical and practical realities," noting European medical device companies have enjoyed significant access to China's market for years. "The EU's current decision fails to acknowledge this context and undermines the spirit of balanced engagement and mutual benefit," it said. The chamber also voiced broader concerns over rising protectionism, pointing to recent unilateral tariff measures by certain countries that have disrupted global trade. "China and the EU, as two major global economies, should jointly uphold free trade and multilateral cooperation, instead of introducing unilateral restrictions that escalate tensions," the statement added. Chinese firms have "consistently operated in compliance with laws and regulations," the chamber added, stressing their contributions to the EU through investment, technological advancement and job creation. The CCCEU has urged EU policymakers to reconsider the "necessity and long-term implications" of the IPI measures, warning that using policy tools as de facto trade barriers could harm bilateral interests and undermine global economic recovery efforts. (1 euro = 1.14 U.S. dollar) June 3 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Florida on Tuesday temporarily blocked a state ban on social media for children, calling it "likely unconstitutional." Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a 58-page order, reversing part of the 2024 state law, which prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from using certain social media platforms, with the exception of 14- and 15-year-olds who have parental permission. "Although this court today finds that Florida's challenged law is likely unconstitutional, it does not doubt that parents and legislators in the state have sincere concerns about the effects that social media use may have on youth, nor does it render parents or the state powerless to address those concerns," Walker wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 3, also called "Online Protections for Minors," received bipartisan support when it passed last year. The bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, requires social media sites to delete accounts for anyone under the age of 14 or face hefty fines. The law was scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, but the state attorney general's office agreed not to enforce it until the judge could rule on the request for a preliminary injunction. NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, which represents social media platforms including Meta, Google and Snapchat, filed their lawsuit in October. "This ruling vindicates our argument that Florida's statute violates the First Amendment by blocking and restricting minors -- and likely adults as well -- from using certain social media websites to view lawful content," Matt Schruers, president of Computer & Communications Industry Association, said Tuesday in a statement. While the judge focused on the social media provisions of the law, he left intact the age verification requirement to access pornographic websites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "An established principle of the First Amendment context is that enabling individuals to voluntarily restrict problematic content at the receiving end is preferred over restricting speech at the source," Walker wrote. "In this context, that means that parents are best positioned to make the appropriately individualized determinations about whether or when their children should use social media platforms," the judge added. Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was named as a defendant in the case, disagreed with Tuesday's ruling. His office said it plans to appeal. "Florida parents voted through their elected representatives for a law protecting kids from the harmful and sometimes lifelong tragic impacts of social media," said spokesperson Jeremy Redfern. "These platforms do not have a constitutional right to addict kids to their products." Protestors on April 2, 2024, dropped 48,000 handmade hearts meant to represent LGBTQ Idahoans, in protest of anti-LGBTQ legislation down the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol Building. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) A federal judge extended a temporary legal block, preventing Idaho from enforcing a new law that would block people in prisons from accessing state-funded gender-affirming health care. Judge David Nye last week extended a preliminary injunction blocking Idaho from enforcing the 2024 state law for all people in Idaho prisons diagnosed with gender dysphoria and receiving hormone therapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Idaho Legislature in 2024 passed the law through House Bill 668. Nye has blocked the law from being enforced against people in Idaho prisons in response to a lawsuit brought by ACLU of Idaho. Around 60 to 70 patients in Idaho Department of Correction custody have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, according to documents released in the lawsuit last year. Idahos law clearly violates Idahoans Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment by denying access to standard, life-saving health care, ACLU of Idaho Legal Director Paul Southwick told the Idaho Capital Sun in a statement. Everyone deserves bodily autonomy and access to necessary medical care, regardless of their gender or incarceration status. The judicial blocks only last 90 days under limits by federal law. Boise State Public Radio first reported on the extended legal block. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Idaho Attorney Generals Office could not be immediately reached for comment. Separately, a federal judge recently blocked federal prisons from enforcing an executive order by President Donald Trump that wouldve blocked gender-affirming care for people incarcerated in federal prison who have gender dysphoria, Bloomberg Law reported. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Robison et al. v. Labrador prelminary injunction ruling 6-2-25 A federal civil lawsuit against California alleges that the states Labor Code discriminates against Vietnamese-American manicurists and salon owners, following the passage of a 2020 law that changed how employees and independent contractors are classified. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana on Saturday, argues that only nail technicians are excluded from being classified as independent contractors due to a California law enacted in 2020. Nail technicians, many of whom are Vietnamese-American, were also considered independent contractors before the laws passage. According to the suit, in California, approximately 82% of all nail manicurists/ pedicurists (nail technicians) are Vietnamese American, and 85% of these are women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The penalties for misclassifying a worker as an independent contractor are severe, and when the defendants, as heads of their enforcement agencies, enforce the new rule prohibiting nail technicians from being independent contractors, the damage to the plaintiffs will be severe and irreparable. In this regard, the salon plaintiffs will be forced out of business and will be forced to close their doors. In addition, the salon plaintiffs will be subject to significant assessments and financial penalties that will be impossible to pay, the suit added. California Assemblyman Tri Ta (R-Westminster) stated that he has introduced legislation, Assembly Bill 504, to restore equal rights to manicurists. The labor law switch occurred in 2020, when AB 5, a law that altered the classification of workers as employees or independent contractors, took effect. Before its passage, in 2018, the California Supreme Court changed the requirements companies must use to label their workers as independent contractors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, companies that opposed the bill waged a campaign to prevent its passage. The businesses that filed the suit include multiple locations of Happy Nails & Spa, Holly and Hudson, and Blu Nail Bar. Since January, Vietnamese American manicurists have faced blatant discrimination under Californias labor laws, stripped of the same rights and freedoms afforded to others in their industry, Scott Wellman, attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a statement. If the State of California refuses to fix this injustice, we are prepared to hold them accountable in federal 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 KTLA. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Dozens of protesters converged in the heart of the Latino community in Minneapolis on Tuesday after a large force of federal and local authorities wearing tactical gear conducted what they called a law enforcement action. The protesters flocked to the area near a Mexican restaurant and other Latino-owned businesses after seeing livestreams that claimed an immigration raid was underway, reflecting opposition to such raids in a city that has declared itself a sanctuary for migrants. However, statements from local authorities said it was not an immigration enforcement matter, but a criminal case. While we are still gathering details, this incident was related to a criminal search warrant for drugs and money laundering and was not related to immigration enforcement, Mayor Jacob Frey said in a Facebook post soon after the police action. No arrests were made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But several dozen protesters remained at the intersection occupied by federal agents hours earlier, using cars to block traffic. A few held signs saying abolish ICE and stop the deportations. A driver went through the crowd. At least one person appeared to have been knocked to the ground but got up and said they were OK. Protesters deflated the car's tires; police moved in to take the driver away, and a scuffle ensued. At least one man was taken into custody. Bystander video showed officers wearing logos from local agencies but also federal ones, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. An armored vehicle at the scene bore the initials of Homeland Security Investigations. Minneapolis' police chief also was present. Michelle Gross, president of the local Communities United Against Police Brutality group, said the show of force appeared designed to terrorize people into submission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is jackbooted thuggery, and we aren't having it in our city, she said. Onlooker Jennifer Davila, who works in the community, said it already had been on edge because of raids. It's tight-knit, and if something happens, we know about it," she said. They had a white van, a black van and a tank. For a raid, thats pretty excessive, Davila said. And then coming into a brown community and doing this, because we have all kinds of immigrants, not just Latinos. While the mayor said there were no arrests, a few protesters were at least temporarily detained as tensions grew between the crowd and the law enforcement officers. A Minnesota Public Radio photographer was pepper-sprayed and had his camera broken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Facebook post from the sheriff's office said it partnered with federal agencies on a criminal investigation and part of that investigation included the execution of multiple search warrants at multiple locations in the metro area. Frey said the police departments only role was helping with crowd control, and that the department was not involved in anything related to immigration enforcement. Both the police department and sheriff's offices have policies against cooperating with immigration enforcement actions. The sheriff's office said that in conducting criminal investigations, We work with federal partners regularly. A local FBI spokesperson, Diana Freedman, declined in a text message to provide details about the operation. ___ Associated Press writers Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed reporting. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Federal prosecutors requested a high-profile case involving the overdose death of government witness Crystal Quinn be removed from a magistrate judges docket. The request comes less than two weeks after defense attorneys in the case accused prosecutors of misconduct by misleading the grand jury, which led to U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah McCarthys order for those transcripts to determine the validity of the allegations. Federal government accused of misconduct in high-profile criminal case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grand jury proceedings are secret and rarely disclosed to a judge unless there is a compelling reason to overcome the rule. The government alleged in court papers Friday that McCarthy abused his discretion by inventing the basis for the government to disclose grand jury transcripts to determine if they engaged in wrongdoing. Prosecutors said the allegations of misconduct are meritless. They also criticized how there was not disclosure of an email McCarthy sent to a federal public defender for one of the defendants, which caused the government to develop concerns that the process of persuading the magistrate judge to assign additional attorneys occurred ex parte which, in turn, caused the government to file its motion for reconsideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government said it learned of the email by accident when it was included in a separate email. The cases federal indictment alleged Pharaohs Gentlemens Club owner Peter Gerace, Outlaws Motorcycle Club National President John Ermin, Rare Breed Motorcycle Club President Michael Roncone, Quinns high school friend Simon Gogolack and two associates of the Rare Breeds, Howard Hinkle and Frank Knight, conspired to kill Quinn with intent to retaliate against her for cooperating with the government. Quinn was reported dead on Aug 1, 2023, at the Wellsvile home of her high school friend, Simon Gogolak, the only defendant accused of giving Quinn the fatal dose of fentanyl. The government claimed her death was staged to appear as an accidental overdose or suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury already convicted Gerace in a separate trial of eight crimes, including sex-and-drug trafficking and maintaining Pharaohs as a drug-involved business. In May, McCarthy told attorneys during oral arguments that it would not make me unhappy if any of them suggested the case be moved to U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo for scheduling and ruling on pre-trial motions. The government used that remark as the basis for its motion to remove the case from McCarthys docket. The government said the case has been pending since Jan. 4, 2024, in part because McCarthy approved extensions, failed to streamline deadlines and decisions on pre-trial motions, and added additional attorneys for the defendants, which could lead to further delays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, some significant aspects of McCarthys decisions have been sent to the District Court for review. The government said these reviews added more delays and will likely continue. This is a serious, highly publicized, and strongly contested case involving the murder of a federal witness, the government said in court papers Friday. On Monday, McCarthy granted a temporary stay to his order for prosecutors to turn over the grand jury transcripts to determine if they engaged in wrongdoing. The governments court filing comes less than two weeks after defense attorneys accused prosecutors of misconduct for allegedly judge shopping and misleading a grand jury with a clearly false and utterly absurd narrative that Gerace learned about Quinns cooperation through inappropriate means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quinn was a protected government witness whose name could not be disclosed to any of the defendants. Prosecutors alleged the order was circumvented when Quinns name was added to the defense witness list a move that was wholly unnecessary because they can call any government witness to testify. Mark Foti, Geraces attorney, said prosecutors misled the grand jury by leading it to believe Gerace learned of Quinns cooperation in June 2023, when she was added to his defense witness list in June 2023. In reality, Foti said, Gerace learned about her cooperation at a March 2023 detention hearing, when the government inadvertently disclosed Quinn was on its witness list. In the court papers Friday, prosecutors said the grand jury had evidence that Gerace potentially learned of Quinns cooperation much earlier in February 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said their timeline aligns with what happened on March 12, 2023, when dead rats were discovered on the vehicle of Quinns mother. The government said this proved Gerace and associates knew about her cooperation before the March detention hearing. Stated otherwise, to make this finding, the Grand Jury must have received evidence supporting the inference that Mr. Gerace or someone associated with Mr. Gerace believed that Ms. Quinn was cooperating with the government even prior to the detention hearing held on March 27th (2023), the government said in its court papers Friday. After all, why else would dead rats be placed on her mothers vehicle in the vicinity of her residence on or about March 13, 2023, before the date of Mr. Geraces detention hearing? Therefore, the allegations of misconduct are meritless, and McCarthys order for the grand jury transcripts was based on speculation, prosecutors said. The Grand Jurys integrity relies on its continued secrecy, and it is the position of the U.S. Attorneys Office that it cannot be the practice in this district that a Magistrate Court is permitted to obtain, inspect, and opine on grand jury matters and apply his own theories of prosecutorial misconduct without rigorously adhering to the stringent legal standards applicable to grand jury matters, the government said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporting arguments are due by Thursday for the governments effort to stop the judges order to provide him with the grand jury transcripts. On June 9, there is a conference on the governments request to remove the case from McCarthys docket. Motion to stay Motion to take the judge off the case: Red the federal indictment More from News 4 Investigates Dan Telvock is an award-winning investigative producer and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2018. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) Jobseekers without a college degree in New York City FedEx is looking for you to work for them. The shipping conglomerate has courier, switcher and package handler positions available for aspiring job candidates. More Local News The pay for couriers starts at $24.27 an hour and can go up to $36.78, according to a listing on FedExs careers website. Applicants must be able to lift 50 pounds, have good communication skills and take a medical exam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A high school diploma is required for the position, but other open jobs on FedExs website dont require a degree. To apply to the courier job listing, click here. NYCHA is hiring across New York City: Apply now There are no minimum education requirements for switchers, however, they must have a commercial drivers license. FedEx prefers at least six months of experience as a package handler or switcher for the role, but none is required, according to the listing. Switchers will be paid $29.50 an hour. Find out more about the open switcher position and apply by clicking here. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FedEx is also looking to hire a part-time package handler in Brooklyn, with a starting salary of $19.50 an hour. Employees could also receive a $5,250 tuition reimbursement if they choose to go to school, according to the listing. Check out the listing for part-time package handlers to find out how to apply. For all job listings on FedExs careers website, click here. 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. This story has been updated with new information from the city of Detroit and Grand Rapids. The federal goverment began pausing operations late last week at dozens of Job Corps centers across the country, including three in Michigan. The "phased pause" by the U.S. Department of Labor started May 29 after an internal review of the program, according to a news release. Job Corps, a federally funded residential career training program that has been around for more than 50 years, helps low-income young people ages 16 to 24 years old finish high school and get jobs. The program provides room and board and skills training for up to three years, alongside other services, such as child care and transportation. More than 700 students were enrolled at three Michigan centers in the 2023 program year, according to federal data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic lawmakers from Michigan pushed back against the move and called for a reversal of the decision. In a June 2 letter to U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Detroit; Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids; Kristen McDonald Rivet of Bay City, and Shri Thanedar, also of Detroit, said the decision was made without advance notice to the centers, and left students and staff scrambling. "This abrupt disruption has destabilized our communities, which rely on these centers. We understand and share the Departments interest in improving cost-efficiency and long-term effectiveness. Indeed, there is much work to be done to enhance the services here," the Michigan delegation wrote. "But an unplanned and abrupt pause in all operations does not support these goals. Instead, it derails the lives of thousands of young people and dedicated staff committed to strengthening our countrys workforce, at a time of great worker shortage across the state." Michigan has Job Corps centers in Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids, according to a U.S. Department of Labor website. The Detroit and Flint location is operated by Tucson-based Serrato Corp. The Grand Rapids center is run by Atlanta-based Human Learning Systems LLC. The labor department stopped contracts at 99 contract-operated centers, according to an FAQ, leading to a "suspension of program operations." The pause in operations at all contractor-run centers is slated to occur by the end of June, the news release states. The move, the release said, aligns with President Donald Trump's 2026 budget proposal and his administration's "commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 7 questions for Michigan's chief growth officer as state population edges up More: Big impact of tariffs on small Michigan suppliers could mean a loss of thousands of jobs A Labor Department official confirmed that the three Michigan-based centers had paused operations. The Free Press reached out to the Michigan centers and operators for comment on Monday. "Center operators began implementing transition plans to mobilize students safely to their home of record and suspend program activities. Funds will be used to pause program operations, which includes managing facilities, maintaining student records,and ensuring students are connected with necessary employment and program resources," according to the FAQ posted on the U.S. Department of Labor website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of 217 Job Corps participants in Detroit, 19 were referred to the city of Detroit and indicated needing a place to stay, Deputy Mayor Melia Howard said in a statement Monday. Of those participants, 12 found accommodations themselves or declined help. Six others were put in temporary shelter and the city is trying to make contact with one other person, she said. "Our workforce development and housing teams have been in close contact with the Job Corps office in Detroit since late last week when this issue arose. ... Job Corps youth participants are eligible for similar training though Detroit at Work and we are confident we will be able to provide training opportunities for those that have been displaced from Job Corps," Howard said. "Because we know the closure also affects Detroit job corps employees, we will be providing them with job placement support through Detroit at Work." Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand said in a statement Tuesday morning that he was disappointed by the decision to close the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center, which he called a vital resource for education, vocational training and stability for young people facing significant barriers. "This abrupt closure will have a devastating impact, disrupting the lives and futures of vulnerable youth who rely on the Center, potentially increasing unemployment and homelessness in our community," LaGrand said. "I strongly urge the Administration to reconsider this damaging step, as even a temporary loss of this center will leave a significant void in our city's efforts to empower our youth and build a more equitable and just future for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 25,000 students are enrolled in Job Corps nationwide. The labor department is working with state and local partners to help current students with their training and job opportunities, according to the news release. Students will get copies of their personal documents, can get connected to job opportunities by the labor department and they will get registered with their nearest American Job Center, a nationwide network of services for job seekers. According to the FAQ, the labor department "will arrange transportation and cover costs to transfer students back to their homes of record," by the end of June. Staff are employed by contractors, not the federal government. The labor department will provide staff information about employment services, job fairs and unemployment compensation. The program was paused because Job Corps has been in financial crisis, according to the federal government. A press release cited a $140 million deficit in 2024 and projected shortfall of $213 million for the 2025 program year. The U.S. Department of Labors Employment and Training Administration released a report in April on the Job Corp program's performance and cost. The average graduation rate was under 40% and the average cost for a student per year was roughly $80,000, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community, Chavez-DeRemer said in a news release. However, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the programs possibilities. More than 4,500 students were homeless before joining Job Corps, according to a news release from the Washington, D.C.-based National Job Corps Association, which represents staff and students. The association published its own "transparency report context" on the government's report, which it called an "unsound analysis of the program based on incorrect and misleading information." Job Corps has transformed the lives of millions of Americans. ...This decision, based on a deeply flawed report, needlessly endangers the futures and the lives of thousands and potentially millions more young Americans," said Donna Hay, president and CEO of the National Job Corps Association, in the news release. The Job Corps program was created in 1964 to tackle youth unemployment. Concerns about the program's cost effectiveness have cropped up during various points of its history, according to a 2022 report from the Congressional Research Service. A 1993 study, regarded as the most rigorous, found short term benefits and immediate wage increases, but also said wage increases did not remain over time, except for those enrolled at 20 years old or older, the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Detroit Job Corps Center on May 30, students were left scrambling and dozens were reportedly lugging garbage bags full of belongings, according to Fox 2 Detroit. "The staff ... they broke the news to us and they had us go to the dorms, pack our stuff," a student told the TV station. Mariyah Louis graduated from Detroit Job Corps Center in 2017. She was in the foster care system and had a turbulent relationship with her mother and needed some guidance and assistance in life, she said. The Job Corps program provided stable housing, allowed her to focus and get her high school diploma, trade certificate, driver's license, health care and mental health resources. Because of Job Corps, she pursued higher education and now owns a car detailing business, she said. "It broke my heart," Louis, 27, said when she found out about the pause in operations. "I can relate to that feeling of not knowing what I'm gonna do next, especially being a young adolescent." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last few days since the pause, she created a Facebook group for people affiliated with Detroit Job Corps to access resources and is raising $12,000 for toiletries, home goods and bus passes for students left displaced. "Job Corps was a safe haven," she said. Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Feds pause operations at 3 Michigan Job Corps centers The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday he didnt know about the nations hurricane season, raising major concerns with some about the agency. The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying that the comment was a joke. Reuters reported that during a Monday briefing, Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson said that he was not aware the U.S. has a hurricane season, leaving staffers confused. The report, which said it was unclear whether he was serious or joking, had four unnamed sources familiar with the situation. Richardson joined the agency in May; he previously served in the Marines and worked in the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the DHS. After he joined FEMA, some staff expressed concern about his lack of experience in emergency management, according to The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency heads comment, which was made on the second day of hurricane season, could deepen these concerns as the dangerous season begins. Despite meanspirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this hurricane season. FEMA is laser focused on disaster response, and protecting the American people, a spokesperson for DHS said, according to NBC. FEMA, which is housed within DHS, is the federal agency responsible for coordinating government emergency response to people and areas impacted by natural disasters. FEMA is laser focused on disaster response, and protecting the American people, the spokesperson said, according to The Hill. The spokesperson added that FEMA, under Richardson, is activated in preparation for Hurricane Season. Connor Hughes of Lithia, Fla., moves in deep floodwaters from Hurricane Milton along the Alafia River, Oct. 11, 2024, in Lithia, Fla. | Chris O'Meara When is hurricane season in the U.S.? The United States Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and goes through Nov. 30, The Hill reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years hurricane season could be unusually heavy, with a total of six to 10 hurricanes, including three to five major ones, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted. Hurricane season in the U.S. is considered FEMAs most challenging period, during which the country is the most vulnerable to large-scale devastating disasters that can overwhelm state and local disaster managers, according to The New York Times. Trump administration changes to FEMA According to NBC, President Donald Trump and his allies have been throwing around the idea of terminating FEMA. In January, while he was visiting North Carolina to survey damage from Hurricane Helene, Trump suggested overhauling or completely getting rid of the agency, which he called very bureaucratic and very slow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary, also suggested eliminating FEMA. But, NBC reported that without an alternative plan as hurricane season begins, Noem has made quiet efforts to keep the agency afloat. Though the agency is still running, major cuts have been made to FEMA over the last few months. Since Trumps inauguration in January, FEMA has lost around a quarter of its full-time staff, including one-fifth of its coordinating officers who manage large-scale disaster responses, according to The New York Times. It seems that reforming the agency will continue as DHS has reiterated its intent to upgrade a bloated, DC-centric dead weight agency to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades, the DHS spokesperson wrote in the statement, per The Hill. Democrats responses to Richardsons comment After Reuters reported what Richardson said about hurricane season, Democratic leaders took to social media to comment on Richardsons capability to do his job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., referenced the Reuters report in a post on X, saying, And Im unaware of why he hasnt been fired yet. And Im unaware of why he hasnt been fired yet. pic.twitter.com/gnzVVOkJol Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 2, 2025 Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., also took to social media to make her own comment, writing, Bare minimum requirement for the leader of FEMA: know when hurricane season is. Bare minimum requirement for the leader of FEMA: know when hurricane season is. https://t.co/DGyyIvQa2Q Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 3, 2025 Another response to the report came from Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who wrote on X, Trumps FEMA chief is incompetent. People will die. Trump's FEMA chief is incompetent. People will die. pic.twitter.com/cegwcVPfnz Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) June 2, 2025 Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, took to X and wrote, Wait WHAT?! People are bracing for storms and this man just found out the weather exists?! Wait WHAT?! People are bracing for storms and this man just found out the weather exists?! This is what happens when you hire vibes over qualifications. https://t.co/RBhKUXNBQk Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) June 2, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement VERNON COUNTY, Mo. FEMA will be in Vernon County next week to assess damage from storms. First responders honored for tornado recovery efforts in Vernon County Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday morning teams from FEMA and SEMA will do preliminary damage assessments starting Tuesday, June 10. Three teams will visit Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Vernon and Webster Counties. Theyll be assessing damage from straight-line winds, excessive rain, large hail and flooding that happened May 23 through May 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teams will determine if public assistance can be requested through FEMA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW A newly-released transcript reveals the final moments before the Dali cargo ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024 The ship lost power shortly before the collision, which killed six construction workers who were still on the bridge Maryland Gov. Wes Moore previously said the advanced warning given by the crew members allowed officials on the ground to stop the flow of traffic so that more cars were not on the bridge at the time of the collapse A newly-released transcript is revealing the final moments onboard the ship that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge last year and caused it to collapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six people died after the Dali cargo ship slammed into the Baltimore bridge in the early hours of March 26, 2024 and it took weeks to free the ship from what remained of the bridge, which spanned the Patapsco River. Now, an audio transcript released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is offering an inside look at the communications that occurred moments before, during and after the collision. According to the transcript, power on the Dali was cut off at 1:25 a.m., and an alarm subsequently went off. The pilot then asked the second officer, "Do we have steering?" The second officer replied that they did, but the alarm soon changed in tone when the pilot told a dispatcher that the ship had just lost steering and asked that the Key Bridge be shut down. JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The cargo ship that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the remnants of the structure that collapsed The cargo ship that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the remnants of the structure that collapsed At 1:27 a.m., the pilot shouted at the crew to use the bow thruster as they seemingly attempted to gain control of the ship. But about a minute later, the second officer exclaimed, Its not working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two minutes later, the recording seemed to capture the sound of the Key Bridge collapsing. Call the Coast Guard, said the pilot, after which another person on the boat stated: the Key Bridge is down. The training pilot then contacted the Coast Guard, informing them that there was a major problem. The Coast Guard replied at 1:31 a.m., at which point the master of the Dali informed them, we collided with the bridge. The cargo ships master said, we were heading toward the bridge we had a black out and then we collided with the bridge. The bridge has fallen down. At the time, the master said there were no injuries onboard the Dali. He later said, I think when I saw on the left side I could see vehicles but not sure it was on the bridge or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 1:34 a.m. the Coast Guard said there were possible persons in the water before asking all mariners to keep sharp lookout and assist if possible. SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was hit by a cargo ship in March 2024 The remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was hit by a cargo ship in March 2024 Maryland Gov. Wes Moore previously said the advanced warning given by the ships crew allowed officials on the ground to stop the flow of traffic so that more cars were not on the bridge when it collapsed. Six construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed died as a result of the crash. They were remembered by Jack Murphy, owner of Brawner Builders, which had crews working on the bridge at the time of the collision, as fine people. 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 March 2025, the NTSB said the bridge was almost 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold for critical or essential bridges prior to the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency then recommended that 30 owners of 68 bridges in 19 states "conduct a vulnerability assessment to determine the risk of bridge collapse from a vessel collision" after officials identified the bridges, like the Key Bridge, were designed before the AASHTO guidance was established. Read the original article on People PRAGUE, June 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 people were injured in a bus accident in the eastern Czech region of Olomouc on Tuesday, according to medical rescuers and police. The accident occurred between the villages of Zlate Hory and Mikulovice in the morning. "While driving down to the parking lot, the bus left the road and crashed into a tree," police said on social media platform X around noon. Nearly 50 people were on board, most of them children. The regional emergency medical service confirmed that 21 children and one teacher sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene. Local firefighters said they were responding to the accident with the support from their Polish counterparts. Police said that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Finnish soldiers are getting back to the basics paper maps to train for scenarios where GPS isn't an option. A Finnish officer told BI that GPS vulnerability is one of the lessons learned from Ukraine. The Ukraine war has featured a dramatic amount of electronic warfare tactics. Finnish soldiers are training with basic navigation tools paper maps and compasses to make sure they can operate in environments where enemy activity means GPS isn't available to them, a top military officer told Business Insider. Col. Matti Honko, the commanding officer of Finland's Guard Jaeger Regiment, said that an important lesson from Ukraine is that the satellite-navigation tool known as the Global Positioning System, or simply GPS, is vulnerable to interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukraine conflict has seen heavy electronic warfare on both sides of the battlefield. Kyiv and Moscow rely on tactics like signal jamming, GPS spoofing, and other methods of remote interference to confuse and disable enemy weaponry. GPS interference has caused problems for a range of combat systems, from cheap drones to sophisticated guided munitions. To ensure readiness for future conflicts where GPS isn't an option, the Finnish Guard jaegers are using paper maps like the ones commonly found in glove compartments for road trips in the days before GPS became the norm in cars and personal phones. Finnish conscripts use a map during the Lively Sabre exercise last week. Jake Epstein/Business Insider "I think everyone has recognized the fact that GPS can be spoofed, and you might not be able to rely on it," Honko said during an interview on the sidelines of last week's Lively Sabre 25 exercise in southern Finland. The colonel said that Finland is not abandoning the use of GPS. Rather, soldiers are being taught not to rely exclusively on it and are learning how to check things like making sure a grid reference actually matches a map, as spoofed GPS data could be wildly out of sync with real-world situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honko said that this training is happening across the Finnish Army and likely within the country's navy and air force, too. He said that Finland's proximity to Russia forces it to train on GPS-denial scenarios because jamming is a frequent occurrence, possibly due to the air defenses in the nearby city of St. Petersburg. "I would just call it a reminder that this is real, actually," Honko said. "You can see for yourself that, yes, my GPS isn't working." Electronic warfare challenges are not exclusive to the war in Ukraine. In the Middle East, for instance, GPS interference has been a feature of Israel's conflicts with Iranian proxy groups. It has also been an issue in the turbulent Red Sea, where Western naval forces have spent over a year and a half defending shipping lanes from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Electronic warfare has been a prominent feature of the Ukraine war. Photo by Viktor Fridshon/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Militaries like Finland are closely watching the constantly developing electronic warfare practices and planning for scenarios where they may be tested in battle. And they're not alone, either. Defense industry companies are similarly making sure that their products are more survivable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One such example is Saildrone, an American company that makes uncrewed surface vessels in service with a handful of naval forces, including the US Navy. Richard Jenkins, Saildrone's founder and CEO, explained to BI in a recent interview that the company has integrated technology into its USVs, enabling them to work in environments where GPS and communications technology are compromised or unavailable. Some of the company's drones that the US military operates in the Middle East have been sailing in spoofed areas for months, he said. Jenkins said he believes this is the future of warfare. "I think in a real conflict, satellites will be the first thing to go entirely." He added that "everyone needs to work out how to survive without" satellites, GPS, and communications. And for militaries, that means not just new technologies but also making sure that basic skills are preserved. Read the original article on Business Insider Crews were called to a Greater Alarm structure fire that erupted for the second time at a former private school in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles early Tuesday morning. The fire was reported around 2:30 a.m. at the one-story building located on the 1300 block of Shatto Street. Video from Citizen.com showed the massive flames and dark smoke rising from the boarded-up school as firefighters arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intense flames from the fully involved structure initially kept firefighters in a defensive mode, the Los Angeles Fire Department posted in a news alert. Smoke and fire rise from a former private school in Westlake. (Citizen.com) It took nearly 50 firefighters to eventually douse the flames in a little more than 30 minutes. The fire crew also kept the flames from spreading to any adjacent buildings. The cause of the fire at the old school, which had already been damaged in a previous fire, remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Jun. 2A wildfire that cropped up Saturday in Sanders County quickly expanded its footprint to about 1,000 acres by Monday. The uncontained Banana Lake Fire was burning in timber about 4 miles north of Plains between Locust Hill and Montana 28. A dark plume of smoke could be seen from town when the fire erupted Saturday as unseasonably high temperatures climbed into the 90s. "The winds were ripping and that's really what made it push," said spokesman Marcel Getz with the Montana Department of Natural Resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No evacuation orders had been issued as of Monday, and the cause remained under investigation. Getz said there are structures in the area of the fire, but none were considered threatened. The blaze drew a large response on Sunday, including a Hotshot crew, 17 engines and two helicopters. A Type 3 team arrived Monday. Firefighters were working to build a containment line around the blaze that was showing moderate behavior with some torching and spotting during the heat of the day. Getz said the fire slowed its progress Sunday and Monday as cooler and more humid weather moved into the region. Department of Health and Human Services personnel records used by DOGE to determine which employees would be fired as part of deep cuts to the agency were hopelessly error-ridden and contained systemic inaccuracies, according to a new class-action lawsuit. The records reflected lower performance ratings than what employees had actually received and in some cases listed incorrect job locations and job descriptions, according to the lawsuit filed in Washington federal court Tuesday by seven terminated employees. In previous statements, HHS has blamed the incorrect data on the agencys multiple, siloed HR division. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has acknowledged mistakes were made during the cuts and that some employees will have to be reinstated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is, of course, little solace to these plaintiffs that they were fired because of siloed recordkeeping, lawyers Clayton Bailey and Jessica Samuels write in the lawsuit. Nor is it any comfort to know that many of them had been fired by mistake. For these plaintiffs, HHSs intentional failure to maintain complete and accurate records before making life-changing employment decisions was a clear violation of the law. HHS declined to comment. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages for all HHS employees who were terminated on April 1 and whose reduction-in-force notice contained incorrect information. The exact number of terminated employees that would fall into that class isnt immediately clear, but the lawsuit estimates it to be most of the 10,000 employees subject to the April 1 RIF. The lawsuit also claims that the HHS layoffs were driven by a deep-seated animus toward federal workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 31, 2025, a group of DOGE representatives visited an FDA office in Maryland, Bailey and Samuels write, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency. That afternoon, while an FDA employee was heading to her car to leave for the day and alone in the parking garage, a car pulled up near her with its window open. A young man in business attire shouted at her from the car: This is DOGE and this is your Last Supper! He laughed and drove off. The employee was shaken, but didnt understand the incident at the time. She received her RIF notice the next morning. Politics aside, this is no way to treat civil servants who have dedicated their careers to public health and safety, Samuels said in a press release. These employees are entitled to some basic level of respect and fairness, just like anyone else. HHS has paused action on the RIFs amid separate litigation over President Donald Trumps ability to order widespread cuts at multiple government agencies. POLITICO previously detailed some of the errors HHS employees saw in their RIF notices, mistakes that could affect terminated employees ability to be appropriately compensated for their years of federal service and to access stopgap health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple employees' performance ratings were incorrect on their paperwork, two FDA employees granted anonymity to discuss the situation told POLITICO in April. Those scores affect the number of additional credit years federal workers can receive toward their service and, in turn, the amount of severance pay to which theyre entitled. One of the people said several staffers had lower numbers listed on their RIF notices than they actually earned. In addition, the human resources contact provided to help affected workers obtain health coverage through COBRA no longer worked at the agency, that person said. An FDNY firefighter who risked it all to rappel down the side of a burning Harlem building and save a man trying to escape the flames will be honored with the departments most prestigious award, officials said Tuesday. During the FDNYs Medal Day celebration Wednesday at City Hall, Firefighter Michael Kotzo will be given the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Medal for being instrumental in two of the three life-saving rope rescues at the dramatic Feb. 23, 2024, fire at St. Nicholas Place and acting in the highest traditions of the Fire Department of the City of New York, FDNY officials said. Several other firefighters who combated the flames and conducted rope rescues during the same fire will also receive Medal Day awards, department officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotzo, 49, didnt think twice when he saw the stranded building resident crawling out of the top-floor window of the six-story building, gasping for air. It really wasnt much of a thought as it was just reaction, Kotzo told the Daily News. It just happened. We train quite a lot, and rope rescues thats one of those drills we do every week. Its nothing out of the ordinary to go to the roof of our firehouse and, one after the other, go down the side. Were doing it all the time, he said. But there was nothing ordinary at the St. Nicholas Place fire, which officials said was sparked by an exploding e-bike battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blaze broke out on the apartment buildings third floor, trapping residents on the three floors above. Firefighters arrived within three minutes, but one tenant had already fallen from a window he was trying to climb down from. Kotzo, of Ladder Company 28 on W. 143rd St., nicknamed the Harlem Hilton, drove the ladder truck to the scene and set the aerial ladders to the upper floors, but saw multiple people in the upper windows trying to climb down on their own. The FDNY conducts roughly one rope rescue a year, sometimes none at all. On that frosty day in February, Kotzo and his team conducted three within a matter of minutes, FDNY officials said. In rope rescues, one firefighter is attached to a rope secured from above by another firefighter who lowers them down from the roof. After each rescue, a new line is thrown down, so theres no strain on the ropes and harnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotzo had just lowered one firefighter down to save someone hanging from a window when he saw another resident poke his head out of the next window over. With no other rope yet on the roof, Firefighter Kotzo determined that the victims only chance of survival was to reuse the rope a second time, the FDNY said in acknowledging the smoke eaters heroics. While attempting to calm the victim at the window, he retracted the rope and transmitted to Battalion 16 that a second rope rescue was being conducted. Understanding the inherent risk of using the same rope a second time, Kotzo snapped on his personal harness, handed the rope to Firefighter Thomas Morrison to secure and bravely dismounted the parapet, the FDNY said. Lowering himself down to the window, Kotzo realized there was a language barrier between himself and the building tenant, he recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I tried to make eye contact to give him a sense of security, he remembered. Once I saw my opportunity to make my move, I grabbed [him] in a way that was safe. He had his arms around my neck, but during the descent, he let go of my neck, so I was pretty much carrying all of his weight, so I was like, Lets hurry up and lets get down.' Kotzo handed off the patient to EMS. A moment later, he was back inside the building. We still had a fire to extinguish and a lot of work to do, he said. Im just glad everything ran smoothly. We were really fortunate that everything just clicked. One resident was killed and 17 others were injured in the blaze, officials said. Fazil Khan, a 27-year-old Columbia Journalism School graduate, died at a hospital after he succumbed to the smoke inside the building, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotzos efforts made it easy to decide who should win this years Ganci Medal, FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said. These stories are incredible, dangerous and technical, the medal recipients put their own lives at risk in service of others, Tucker said. The efforts of Firefighter Michael Kotzo of Ladder Company 28, conducting multiple roof rope rescues, are exemplary, and he is deserving of our highest honor. His success depended on the training, teamwork and bravery that is the trademark of the FDNY. Kotzo grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to New York just so he could become an FDNY firefighter. It was something Ive always wanted to do, he said. Im proud that Im able to represent the Fire Department and serve the people of this city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he receives his award Wednesday, Kotzo will be joined by his wife Wendy, children Kamryn and Gavin and his parents, who still worry about the 21-year FDNY veteran when he goes out on calls. I dont think they want to ask too many questions, he joked. For decades, the FBI and the Justice Department have been the main enforcers of laws against political corruption and white-collar fraud in the United States. In four months, the Trump administration has dismantled key parts of that law enforcement infrastructure, creating what experts say is the ripest environment for corruption by public officials and business executives in a generation. Trump aides have forced out most of the lawyers in the Justice Departments main anti-corruption unit, the Public Integrity Section, and disbanded an FBI squad tasked with investigating congressional misconduct. They have issued a series of directives requiring federal law enforcement agencies to prioritize immigration enforcement. And they have ended a 50-year policy of keeping the Justice Department independent of the White House in criminal investigations. All of that came after Trump fired most of the inspectors general the independent agency watchdogs responsible for fighting corruption and waste and the Justice Department dropped a corruption case against the mayor of New York in what a judge said was a breathtaking political bargain. And it came after the Trump administration Justice Department pulled back on enforcement of foreign bribery and lobbying statutes, as well as cryptocurrency investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has issued a steady stream of pardons to all but one Republican member of Congress convicted of felonies over the last 15 years. Hes dismantling not just the means of prosecuting public corruption, but hes also dismantling all the means of oversight of public corruption, said Paul Rosenzweig, a George Washington University law professor who was a senior homeland security official in the George W. Bush administration. The law is only for his enemies now. A spokesman for the Justice Department said in a statement, This Department of Justice has ended the weaponization of government and will continue to prosecute violent crime, enforce our nations immigration laws, and make America safe again. The White House declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden Justice Department also came under criticism from groups that considered it soft on white-collar and corporate crime. A report by the public advocacy group Public Citizen said President Joe Bidens Justice Department successfully prosecuted only 80 corporations last year a 29% drop from the previous fiscal year and fewer than in any year for the previous three decades. And an analysis published last month by the Transactional Records Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, which uses Justice Department records to examine enforcement and sentencing trends, found that white-collar prosecutions have been declining since 2011. U.S. attorneys' offices filed 4,332 prosecutions for white-collar crimes in fiscal year 2024, less than half of the 10,269 prosecutions filed three decades earlier in fiscal year 1994, the report found. But TRAC analysts, other experts and Democrats say the Trump policy changes coupled with a mandate that FBI agents spend significant time on immigration enforcement mean corporate fraud and public corruption enforcement is expected to plummet faster and further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has ushered America into a golden age of public corruption, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, told NBC News in a statement. Trump quickly cleared out the watchdogs responsible for policing corruption cases at home and abroad by gutting the Department of Justices Public Integrity Section and the anti-kleptocracy teams. Last month, the head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, Matthew Galeotti, announced in a memo and a speech that the Justice Department was turning a new page on white-collar and corporate enforcement. While he said that white-collar crime also poses a significant threat to U.S. interests, he said the Biden administrations approach has come at too high a cost for businesses and American enterprise. Big law firms interpreted his message as saying the Trump administration will still prosecute corporate misconduct, at least under certain circumstances. But three lawyers who represent large corporations in dealings with the Justice Department told NBC News that over the last several months, corporate compliance investigations of their clients have dropped. They declined to be named or to cite specifics, citing client confidentiality. Galeotti said the Justice Department will prioritize corporate violations relating to procurement and health care fraud, trade and tariff fraud, and lawbreaking that helps drug cartels, terrorists or Chinese money launderers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too often, businesses have been subject to unchecked and long-running investigations that can be costly both to the department and to the subjects and targets of its investigations, he added in a speech at an anti-money-laundering conference. Revolutionary changes All presidential administrations set broad policy direction for the Justice Department. But more than a dozen current and former Justice Department officials and legal experts said in interviews that the Trump administration has unleashed a revolution in policies, personnel and culture across the department unlike anything in the last five decades, including Trump's first term. Trump, they say, has fundamentally changed the nature of the post-Watergate Justice Department, in the process driving out hundreds of senior lawyers who helped form its backbone. The shift began even before Attorney General Pam Bondi took office, when Trumps acting U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., fired several prosecutors who had worked for Jack Smith, the special counsel who filed now-dismissed charges against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump aides said the Smith prosecutors were fired because they could not be counted on to carry out Trumps orders, because they had prosecuted him. Never before, experts said, had so many career civil servants been sacked simply because they worked on a case the president disliked. When Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former Trump defense lawyer, was acting deputy attorney general, he ordered federal prosecutors in New York to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, a move that was seen as another signal that the second Trump term would be different. The move triggered several resignations by prosecutors, and a federal judge ultimately ruled that there was no evidence to support the reasons the Justice Department gave for dropping the charges. The judge, ultimately, decided he had no choice but to dismiss the charges. Bondi also paused enforcement of a law prohibiting U.S. corporate executives from bribing foreign officials, an area of U.S. law so well-developed that major law firms had entire sections devoted to advising clients about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also disbanded the FBI task force devoted to combating foreign influence and a Justice Department group that sought to confiscate the assets of Russian oligarchs. She also ordered a pullback on enforcing the law requiring foreign agents to register with the government and disclose their activities. Several weeks later, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche ended an effort by the Justice Department to police crypto-related violations of banking secrecy and securities laws. New York Mayor Eric Adams appears before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing with "sanctuary city" mayors on March 5. (Rod Lamkey Jr. / AP file) Finally, one of the most impactful moves the Trump administration has made was to slash the size of the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, which has dropped from roughly 35 lawyers to four to five, according to two former members of the unit. Lawyers who work in the Public Integrity Section consult with U.S. attorneys around the country on official corruption matters. Their role is twofold to assist in cases when needed or when U.S. attorneys offices prosecutors faced conflicts of interest and to ensure politically appointed U.S. attorneys followed the rules in some of the most politically sensitive cases the government brings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the corruption cases the section was working on are continuing, former officials said. For example, a retired four-star admiral was convicted last month of bribery, but many cases are in limbo, and some have been dropped. And Justice Department officials say a policy that requires the Public Integrity Section to approve corruption charges against members of Congress is under review. They also noted that the policy was not followed when the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, another former Trump attorney, brought assault charges against a New Jersey congresswoman last month. Flawed past prosecutions The Public Integrity Section has made its share of mistakes over the years, and some Trump supporters wish it good riddance. President Trumps justice system is focused on protecting the rule of law and combating crime, which is what the American people elected him to do, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in a statement to NBC News. My public oversight has shown that the DOJ and FBI sections responsible for public integrity inquiries were a hotbed for partisan investigations against President Trump and his allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But by shrinking the Public Integrity Section, dropping corruption charges against Adams and pardoning political allies convicted of federal crimes, Trump has sent an unmistakable message, current and former Justice Department officials say. Public corruption investigations are being politicized like weve never seen before, said a former Justice Department official, who declined to be named for fear of retaliation. What prosecutor or FBI agent is going to want to work on a case they think Donald Trump isnt going to like? To witness the destruction of the institution is just infuriating and disheartening. Rosenzweig, the law professor, said the damage to Americas image as a country built on the rule of law is not easily fixable. Good governance is really a shared myth it happens only because we all believe in it, he said. People are good because they share a mythos that expects them to be good. When that myth is destroyed, when you learn that its just a shared dream that isnt mandatory ... its really, really hard to rebuild faith. Rosenzweig added, In 150 days, Donald Trump has casually destroyed a belief in the necessity of incorruptibility built over 250 years. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The prime minister insisted that whenever he said he didnt remember, he truly didnt remember - and was not trying to get out of a question or use the response to avoid telling the truth. Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu took breaks in his own police interrogation sessions to speak to his legal defense team in the early days of the questioning that led to the indictment against him, prosecution attorney Yehonatan Tadmor charged in the Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday, the first day of cross-examination. The 36th day of the criminal trial hearings took place on the 606th day of the Israel-Hamas War. The cross-examination is the long-awaited moment for the prosecution to levy all its weight against the prime minister in the criminal cases that have altered the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am reminding you: The instruction to tell the whole truth is in effect until the end of the trial, lead Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman told Netanyahu. Tadmors general approach seemed to be to point out inconsistencies in the prime ministers testimony, presumably to call his reliability as a witness into question. The questions on Tuesday focused on Case 1000, or the Illegal Gifts affair, where Netanyahu is on trial for advancing legislation favorable to his former friend-turned-states witness, Hollywood producer and billionaire Arnon Milchan, while receiving gifts from him in the form of cigars and champagne worth thousands of shekels. Zeroing in on the original summons for questioning by the police, Tadmor asked whether the police coordinated the interrogation with Netanyahu. Yes, they did; that is what the routine is. There is no other way, the prime minister said. Activists protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu outside the District court in Tel Aviv, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is testifying in the trial against him, June 3, 2025. (photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBEG/FLASH90) Netanyahu insisted that he even went the extra mile to clear out his schedule for those initial interrogations. However, the prosecutor cited a transcript from the first interrogation, on January 2, 2017, where Netanyahu said, in English, [This] cant be open-ended forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First of all, clearly I was mistaken; this has clearly gone on forever, the prime minister quipped on Tuesday. Tadmor insisted on those differences: Either the prime minister prepared as much as he could and cleared out his schedule, or he was so busy with his other dealings that he couldnt have prepared properly; it could not have been both. The prosecutor referenced questioning protocols by lead Netanyahu defense attorney Amit Hadad, dated April 9, where Netanyahu stated that he knew ahead of time that the interrogations were coming. I didnt think it actually had any substance at all, so I didnt pay any mind to whether it would focus on me or anyone else, Netanyahu said when Tadmor asked him to specify what his expectations of the interrogation were. The prosecutor mentioned that after the second interrogation, police officers searched the room itself afterward for cigars, champagne, and jewelry. Netanyahu said he understood from the protocols presented to him on Tuesday that his lawyers must have been concerned with an unlawful search but that he didnt remember exactly what the police asked to document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was in this context that he said he couldnt remember when Tadmor insisted that evidence suggests he asked for breaks in his own interrogations to seek legal counsel from his defense team during those initial interrogations. The prime minister denied the accusation. Everyone has memory lapses from time to time, even me, Netanyahu said. The prime minister insisted that whenever he said he didnt remember, he truly didnt remember and was not trying to get out of a question or use the response to avoid telling the truth. Tadmor stood on the differences between the prime ministers memory and his account of his trial preparation, including that he had, on occasion, brought in folders with physical papers into the courtroom. Netanyahu said that he wouldnt get into the folders contents. The prosecutor further pointed out that Netanyahu has said he doesnt remember a total of 1,788 times during the interrogations of Cases 1000 and 2000. He also pointed out instances in the trial where Netanyahus memory was quite accurate and phenomenal. Narrowing in on the specifics of Case 1000, Tadmor focused his questions on the point of origin of the Netanyahu-Milchan friendship. Netanyahu testified that it solidified in 1999, while the prosecution charged that it formed three years earlier, in 1996. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The significance of this difference is that in 1999, Netanyahu was out of politics (for a brief period until he ran again in 2002), and so his friendship with Milchan would have no bearing on him as a public official. If, as the prosecution is trying to prove, it began earlier while he was still in office, this could boost the foundation for Case 1000. Netanyahu has said that their first meeting, though not the start of their friendship, was in 1996 with his wife, Sara, at a premiere of one of the films Milchan produced in New York. Milchan testified that the prime minister flew from Los Angeles specifically for this event, at Saras request. Netanyahu has said he doesnt remember specifics. Milchan said that he bought Yair Netanyahu a Bugs Bunny doll, but that Sara insisted on a larger one. Tadmor quoted Milchan as saying that he ran all around New York looking for a massive Bugs Bunny doll, he got caught in the rain, struggled to get a cab, and that when he finally arrived, Netanyahus security team was suspicious of him. Netanyahu said on Tuesday, I remember there being talk of a Bugs Bunny doll; I dont remember [the] specifics. Milchan testified in his interrogation that the three of them himself, Netanyahu, and Sara had dinner together in July 1996. At a certain point, Milchan and Netanyahu were left alone. Tadmor suggested that the dinner was so effective that Milchan decided to visit Israel at Netanyahus request. The prime minister responded he remembered none of the specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flight logs show that Milchan arrived in Israel on September 8, 1996, about two months after the fateful meeting. Tadmor proposed that Milchan tried to get in touch with Netanyahu but was unsuccessful. Netanyahu pointed out that, per the evidence presented, Milchan entered and left Ben-Gurion Airport several times that summer, so there is no basis to establish the early September entry as significant. Zeroing in on the significance of the difference in the friendship origin point being in 1996 or 1999, Tadmor quoted from Netanyahus own testimony: I met Milchan very close to the loss of the elections [in 1999] I believe it was mere days after [the loss]. Netanyahu lost the elections that took place on May 17, 1999, to Ehud Barak. He insisted that he took an honest leave of absence from politics then, convinced along with everyone else, he noted on the witness stand that his political career was over and that he wouldnt be able to come back. When the time came, and I was asked to come back [around 2001], I initially didnt want it, he said. I thought political life was behind me, and I thought I wanted to keep it behind me, he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2000, the Barak government fell, and special elections were called elections for the premiership and not for the Knesset. At the time, Netanyahu wasnt an MK and so couldnt run. Tadmor presented his thesis: The attempted amendment to the Basic Law: The Government, which would have allowed for the election of a prime minister who had already been prime minister to run again, was advanced with Netanyahu in mind. The bill, dubbed the Netanyahu Law, passed initial readings in the Knesset on December 18, 2000, in a 63-45 vote. In the end, Ariel Sharon won those elections, and the proposed amendment never saw the light of day. Tadmor explained that the law could have only applied to him, as he was the only relevant public figure it would have related to at the time. The question then, regarding those years, is the relevance of the friendship with Milchan at the time, around 1999, when it would have carried political consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu responded that when he wrote in his 2022 autobiography, Bibi: My Story, that in 2002, he was certain he would return to politics, it took time to understand that and in real-time, he truly believed he was out of politics for good. This was what he told his close friends, he added, including Milchan. The prosecutions goal is to show that essential to the nature of Milchan and Netanyahus relationship was Netanyahus power position and the governance role he held and that the fact that any types of related conversations with Milchan were being had while he was in a public post is already out of order. This is the basis of the charges of fraud and breach of trust. Overall, the hearing was bogged down by technical objections and long waiting times. When South Koreans elect a new president Tuesday, it will end months of domestic political turmoil but their choice could bring big changes to the countrys relationship with the United States. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal opposition Democratic Party, had a clear lead in polls going into the election, which is being held six months to the day after then-President Yoon Suk Yeol plunged the East Asian democracy of more than 50 million people into turmoil by abruptly declaring martial law. Since lawmakers impeached Yoon in December over the short-lived martial law order, South Korea has been stuck in a leadership vacuum, churning through a series of acting presidents. The uncertainty has also constrained the U.S. ally in Washington even as President Donald Trump slapped it with a 25% reciprocal tariff, among other levies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidential by-election, which was triggered in April when South Koreas Constitutional Court upheld Yoons impeachment, promises a return to stability, and South Koreans have turned out in record numbers for early voting. Members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions holding up cards in Seoul calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign. (Ahn Young-joon / AP) A lot of people just want to move on, because its been a long six months, said Jennifer Lee, a principal at the Asia Group corporate consultancy in Washington, who recently returned from a trip to South Korea. Lee Jae-myung, 61, who narrowly lost to Yoon in 2022, has been seen as the most likely next president since Yoon was impeached. But public support for Lee has been driven more by anger at Yoons conservative People Power Party, which has declined to condemn his actions, than by agreement with Lees policy positions, said Rob York, director for regional affairs at Pacific Forum, a foreign policy research institute in Honolulu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think enthusiasm for him is especially strong, York said. Hes not an especially inspiring figure for a number of reasons, but the conservative party is simply so tainted right now. Further boosting Lees chances is the fact that conservative votes are being split between Kim Moon Soo, the People Power Party candidate, and Lee Jun-seok, a young lawmaker from the upstart Reform Party who has been generating controversy with his antifeminist remarks. Though Lee has moved toward the center during the campaign, he is generally seen as more open to China and North Korea than his predecessor and less friendly toward Japan, which is part of a trilateral security partnership with the United States and South Korea. A banner showing presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung, left, and Kim Moon-soo in Seoul on Friday. (Anthony Wallace / AFP via Getty Images) Because Yoon was so pro-U.S. and hardcore U.S., it seems unlikely that the U.S.-South Korea relationship will remain as strong, the Asia Groups Jennifer Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that there will be some more balancing act between the United States and China, she said, and if the Trump administration comes out hard on issues such as tariffs or cost-sharing for the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, I think there may be a lot more frictions ahead. Still, Lee the candidate has expressed support for the U.S.-South Korea alliance and already begun reaching out to the Trump administration. In an interview last week with Time magazine, Lee said Trump has outstanding skills in terms of negotiation and that both he and Trump are simply looking out for the interests of their people. Though he doesnt align with Trumps conservative views, Lee has in the past been nicknamed Koreas Trump by supporters enamored with his populist, outspoken style. Like Trump, Lee also survived an attempt on his life last year, having been stabbed in the neck during a visit to the city of Busan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Personality-wise I think the two of them, if theyre in a room together, would probably get along, York said. Both of them are people who view themselves as dealmakers, and I think theyre more concerned with crafting a deal that makes both of them look good. One of Lees top priorities will be reaching a deal on tariffs, which have hit South Korea hard. In addition to the 25% tariff, South Korea the worlds 10th-largest economy is vulnerable to steep duties on some of its biggest exports, such as steel and automobiles. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the border village of Panmunjom in 2019. (Susan Walsh / AP file) Lee is also facing a more assertive North Korea, whose leader, Kim Jong Un, has been advancing his ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. Like Trump, Lee favors greater engagement with the North, pledging last week to restore a military hotline between the two rivals, who technically remain at war. Though Trump has said hed like to revive his in-person diplomacy with Kim, North Korea appears far less interested in negotiating than it was when the two leaders met in 2018 and 2019. Kim is now receiving crucial economic and military support through a security partnership with Russia, and he said last year that North Korea is no longer pursuing reconciliation with the South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula come amid reports that Trump is considering withdrawing thousands of U.S. troops from the South, an idea he also floated during his first term. Though Seoul says there have been no such discussions, Pentagon officials say a troop reduction has not been ruled out. Neither South Korea nor U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) were barely mentioned in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths speech in Singapore last weekend laying out the U.S. approach to the Indo-Pacific, adding to concerns about where the country stands with Washington. The U.S. can unilaterally decide and act on reducing USFK troops. Its their military, after all, said Bong Young Sik, a North Korea specialist at the Yonsei Institute for North Korean Studies at Yonsei University in Seoul, referring to U.S. Forces Korea. But they need to consider and accommodate the situations their security partners are under and facing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they go with What is good for the U.S. is good for the world, I am not sure how long that approach could work, Bong said. Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong and Stella Kim from Los Angeles. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Wisconsin Historical Society will not fly the pride flag at its headquarters in Madison during Pride Month in June 2025, a spokesperson confirmed. The pride flag has flown over the building each June since at least 2019, spokesperson Colleen Lies told Madison365. "As a nonpartisan agency, the Society does not participate in advocacy outside of that mission. With that in mind, we have chosen not to raise any flags on our agency's flagpoles that can be perceived as an act of advocacy," Lies said in an interview with Madison365. "While we needed to establish a consistent policy for flag raisings, the Societys mission work of connecting people to history through collecting, preserving and sharing stories of all Wisconsinites from all backgrounds, cultures and perspectives including LGBTQ+ histories continues," Lies wrote in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the organization made a June 1 post on its social media outlining "Wisconsin's extraordinary LGBTQ+ history." Separately, Gov. Tony Evers raised the Pride Flag over the Wisconsin State Capitol for the seventh year in a row. "You are family here. You belong here. You are welcome home here," Evers wrote in a statement on social media. WHS employees express anger, disappointment in decision not to fly the pride flag In response to the updated flag policy from Wisconsin Historical Society CEO Christian verland, who stepped into the role in 2018, a group of more than a dozen WHS employees sent a letter to the Journal Sentinel describing their disappointment in the decision. The employees requested anonymity for fear of retribution from management. The Journal Sentinel independently verified the authenticity of the letter. "Many of us were disappointed, angry, and fearful when we learned that the Wisconsin Historical Society would not raise the Pride flag outside of our headquarters this June," they wrote in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our CEO has said this move doesnt signal a retreat from supporting the LGBTQ+ community. But many of us are that community. And we are stating this plainly: refusing to fly the Pride flag is, in itself, a step back. It is impossible to separate the symbol from the people it represents. "We are incredibly proud of the tremendous work that our colleagues have done, and are currently doing, to honor the history of LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites. Our CEO's decision to no longer raise the Pride flag dishonors that work and that history. His actions have eroded trust within the LGBTQ+ community, including partners who help us fulfill our mission of collecting, preserving, and sharing history. Now, it will be up to WHS staff to repair those relationships and the damage this has caused." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Historical Society will not fly the pride flag this year Five aid workers were killed and several more hurt in an attack on a United Nations convoy taking aid to a famine-stricken Sudanese city. The joint convoy by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UNs childrens fund, (Unicef) was struck on Monday night as it tried to negotiate access to El Fasher in Darfur. Several trucks were burned and five convoy members were killed in the attack, though it was not immediately clear who was behind it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sudanese army and its paramilitary enemy, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), traded accusations of responsibility, and a UN statement did not say who was to blame. The army said the convoy was targeted by RSF drones, while the RSF said it had been hit by government aircraft. The convoy of 15 lorries had driven more than 1,1000 miles from the coastal aid hub at Port Sudan and had stopped at Al Koma as access to El Fasher was being negotiated. A joint statement said: As is standard with our humanitarian convoys, the route was shared in advance, and parties on the ground were notified and aware of the location of the trucks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under international humanitarian law, aid convoys must be protected, and parties have the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need. Both agencies demand an immediate end to attacks on humanitarian personnel, their facilities and vehicles a violation under international humanitarian law. El Fasher has been besieged by RSF forces for more than a year, and is the only government-held city within the Darfur region. Aid agencies report terrible hunger and regular bombardment inside the city, but have struggled to get aid inside because of a lack of safe passage across the front lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both sides in the war are accused of halting aid deliveries to enemy territory. The UN agencies demanded an urgent investigation and called for the perpetrators to be held to account. This latest incident follows a series of attacks on humanitarian operations over the past two years, including last weeks bombardment of WFPs premises in El Fasher which damaged a workshop, office building and clinic. Sudan has been engulfed in war since April 2023, when a long rivalry between the de-facto president, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagaloa, known as Hemedti, flared into civil conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fighting between the army and Hemdetis RSF militia has turned much of the country of nearly 50 million into a war zone. Fighting has since cut supply lines and put much of the countrys agricultural land out of use. Since the war began, the war has killed tens of thousands, uprooted 13 million and created the worlds largest hunger and displacement crises. Mondays attack came as the UNs refugee arm said four million people had now fled across Sudans borders because of the fighting. The exodus has caused knock-on crises in Chad and South Sudan. Eujin Byun, UNHCR spokeswoman, said: Its a devastating milestone in what is the worlds most damaging displacement crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the conflict continues, thousands more people will continue to flee, putting regional and global stability at stake. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. WARSAW, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday that a parliamentary vote of confidence in his government will be held on June 11. The announcement follows the victory of opposition-backed candidate Karol Nawrocki in Sunday's presidential election. Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Tusk said the vote would mark a "new opening" and serve as an opportunity to reassess the government's performance since taking office after the October 2023 parliamentary elections. "We know well after this one and a half years that some things can be done better, faster," Tusk said. "The vote of confidence should be a new opening, and therefore offensive, not defensive." He added that the outcome would be followed by a periodic assessment of the government's work, including individual ministries. "Changes will follow, as already discussed." Originally scheduled for June 10, the vote was postponed to June 11 due to a planned visit by European Commission representatives to the Sejm, Poland's lower house of parliament. Tusk also addressed the implications of the presidential election result. "The political reality is new because we will have a new president, but the constitution has not changed, our obligations have not changed, and the expectations of citizens have not changed," he said. The ruling coalition led by Tusk currently holds 242 out of 460 seats in the Sejm. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A five-time convicted felon has been sentenced to prison by a federal jury for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. Michael Anthony Rangel, 43, of Ogden, was sentenced to seven years in prison Monday after a jury found him guilty. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release by the judge. In July 2022, Rangel was stopped by police for a traffic violation, and officers saw drug paraphernalia in plain view in the vehicle, according to the indictment. Rangel informed police that he had a weapon and that there was an active warrant out for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weapon was a stolen Taurus PT111 G2 pistol, and law enforcement seized the weapon and ammunition, according to a press release from the District of Utah United States Attorneys Office. Man sentenced to Utah State Prison after 10th DUI, multiple assault convictions According to court documents, Rangel was previously convicted of felony charges in five separate cases in Ogden and Salt Lake City, beginning in 2004. All of his felony convictions were related to drug charges, including possession/use of a controlled substance, attempted possession/use of a controlled substance, attempted distribution of a controlled substance, and attempted possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Rangel also has a history of assault and domestic violence, court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was investigated by the Ogden Metro Gang Task Force, and it was a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence and make neighborhoods safer to everyone. 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. An ambush on a United Nations food aid convoy in Sudan has killed at least five people, blocking urgently needed supplies from reaching civilians facing starvation in the war-torn Darfur city of el-Fasher. Aid agencies confirmed on Tuesday that the 15-truck convoy was transporting critical humanitarian supplies from Port Sudan to North Darfur when it was attacked overnight. Five members of the convoy were killed and several more people were injured. Multiple trucks were burned, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a joint statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencies did not identify the perpetrators and called for an urgent investigation, describing the incident as a violation of international humanitarian law. The route had been shared in advance with both warring parties. The convoy was nearing al-Koma, a town under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), when it came under fire. The area had witnessed a drone attack earlier in the week that killed civilians, according to local activists. Fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese army has raged for over two years, displacing millions and plunging more than half of Sudans population into acute hunger. El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, remains one of the most vulnerable regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of thousands of people in el-Fasher are at high risk of malnutrition and starvation, the UN statement warned. Both sides blamed each other for the attack. The RSF accused the army of launching an air attack on the convoy, while the army claimed RSF fighters torched the trucks. Neither account could be independently verified. The attack is the latest in a string of assaults on humanitarian operations. In recent weeks, RSF shelling targeted WFP facilities in el-Fasher, and an attack on El Obeid Hospital in North Kordofan killed several medical staff. Aid delivery has become increasingly perilous as access routes are blocked or come under fire. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fl. (WJBF) Pinellas County Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a Clearwater, Florida man for Sexual Battery. Law enforcement began their investigation on August 23rd, 2024, after a male reported a sexual battery that occurred when he was 8-years-old. Detectives learned the suspect, 62-year-old Bobby McAffee, pinned the victim down on the ground, held both of his arms above his head, and sexually battered him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 30th, 2025, detectives interviewed McAffee, who admitted to having sexual contact with the victim. The suspect also admitted to testing positive for HIV, and the victim recently found out he is also now HIV positive. McAffee was charged with one count of Sexual Battery of a Child Less Than 12 Years Old and transported to the Pinellas County Jail. The investigation continues. Information provided by the Pinellas County Sheriffs 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 WJBF. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) This weeks lively discussion at the round table included lawmakers rallying to override many of Gov. Kevin Stitts vetoes. The Flash Point team also discusses a lawsuit over the state social studies standards. Watch the entire episode 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Tuesdays Top Stories Tuesdays Five Facts [1] Body recovered in arroyo after flash flooding in Albuquerque Flash flooding led to someone dying in an arroyo in Albuquerque on Monday. Albuquerque Fire Rescue said that at 4:25 p.m., they were called to the Hahn Arroyo for a possible flood victim that was spotted in the water near Pennsylvania Blvd. They said the victim was first spotted in the Main Diversion Channel near Menaul Blvd., but they were not seen again until crews located the body just north of Edith Blvd. in northeast Albuquerque [2] APS teacher arrested after accusations of sexual relationships with students An APS teacher is accused of having inappropriate relationships with students. Patrick Corr, 33, was placed on administrative leave at the end of the 2024 school year as APS police investigated. A criminal complaint says a 17-year-old former student of Corr claims he bought alcohol for her and her 16-year-old cousin before taking them to his home. The complaint goes on to say that the teen was drunk, but remembers Corr having sex with her and giving her a Plan B pill the following morning. Another victim claims while drinking, Corr got her pregnant twice, she ended both pregnancies. Police arrested Corr Monday night, he faces a slew of charges including three counts of having sex with a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [3] Rounds of rainfall with seasonable temperatures Isolated to scattered rain and thunderstorm chances will return Tuesday and Wednesday before drier air returns. A backdoor cold front will move into northeast New Mexico early Tuesday morning, quickly moving south and west across the state. This will bring a risk of heavy rainfall over the HPCC burn scar area by Tuesday afternoon, while isolated storms will develop in western, central, and northern New Mexico. Those storms will again end late Tuesday night. [4] Albuquerque city councilors pass ordinance regulating hemp products Monday night, city councilors passed a bill that brings regulation to hemp products. The piece of legislation sponsored by Councilor Dan Lewis bans synthetic cannabinoids exceeding 0.3% of THC. KRQE News 13s Larry Barker first exposed the problem of cannabis products being identified as hemp, allowing them to be sold anywhere, including convenience stores and gas stations. The ordinance passed on a 7-2 vote. [5] Albuquerque community helps band recover stolen trailer A traveling bands trailer has been returned after being stolen during a trip to Albuquerque. After a successful show at Revel Saturday night, the band Raynes says their trailer carrying all their equipment was stolen from their hotel parking lot in the University area. The band searched around town and put out a call to social media, which led to a Facebook message from someone who spotted the trailer. The band, alongside police, recovered the trailer. They say the only thing missing was a mandolin, banjo and a pair of snakeskin boots. It is not known if a suspect has been arrested. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) Two men are facing multiple charges after allegedly shooting into a home early Tuesday morning in Florence, police said. It happened at about 1:15 a.m. in the 1100 block of Hollings Avenue. No one was hurt, but two juveniles were among multiple people in the home at the time, according to police. Multiple bullets hit the home, and officers found several shell casings nearby in the road. Officers arrested Anquon Smoot and Terrez Davis after getting a description of their vehicle and identifying it using a Flock camera, police said. It was then found at a hotel on W. Lucas Street, where several people were detained and questioned, and Smoot and Davis were arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are proud of our dedicated officers for their diligent efforts and we appreciate the assistance of the Florence County Sheriffs Office for the help in making quick arrests in this case, Florence police said. Smoot and Davis are both charged with five counts of attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and aggravated breach of peace. No additional information was immediately available. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. 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. In a speech condemning a Lake County man found guilty of sex trafficking a minor, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier warned undocumented immigrants that the state will search every inch of this state to find you. Uthmeier, the chair of the states 15-member statewide council on human trafficking, was in Eustis Tuesday along with State Attorney Bill Gladson and Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri to announce the sentencing of Jose Gomez, 31, of Eustis, to life in prison. Gomez, who was originally born in Guatemala, was living in the U.S. with a visa that expired about four years ago, according to police officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uthmeier called traffickers monsters and said the state wont hesitate to seek the death penalty. In July 2024, a young woman whose age is unknown, but determined to be over 12 and under 16 called 911 but then hung up. Upon arrival, Eustis Police Department officers found a distraught young woman who said a man, later identified as Gomez, was trying to shoot her. She said she met Gomez at a market, then via Google Translate agreed to go back to his apartment with him, where Gomez began to use methamphetamine. The woman declined the drug, but drank a glass of water given to her by Gomez when she began to feel off, according to court records. In a police interview, the young woman said Gomez raped her and tried to pull a firearm out on her before she escaped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomez was later charged with sexual battery, false imprisonment and resisting violence without arrest, but when Eustis police officials found out the woman was underage, the sexual battery charge was changed to lewd and lascivious battery upon a child and human trafficking. At the press conference, both the state attorney and police chief shared Uthmeiers rhetoric on undocumented immigrants, the subject of increased detentions across the state and country since President Donald Trump returned to office in January. Youre not going to find yourself just deported on a plane back to some other country, Gladson said of undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes such as trafficking. There are worse things than getting deported. Uthmeier, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year, praised the Trump Administrations efforts to enact 287(g) memorandums, allowing local police departments and officials to act as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were doing raids up and down the state and the reality is you dont know which of these people is going to be that monster. Its not just a little old lady on her way to church thats what the left wants you to think, Uthmeier said. However, fewer than 1 in 5 of Central Floridas ICE detainees so far this year were charged with felonies, according to data obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, ranging from 11.5% in Lake to 18.6% in Orange. Floridas about to get a free shipment of dust straight from the desert. A mammoth cloud of Saharan dust, roughly the size of the continental U.S., is barreling across the Atlantic and expected to smother parts of the Sunshine State in a rusty haze this week. The gritty gift from North Africa has already blanketed the Caribbean and now its Floridas turn to breathe it in. Its the biggest one weve had so far this season, Jason Dunion, a meteorologist who monitors hurricanes and Saharan dust, told the New York Times in an interview over the weekend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He likened the thick layer to a London fog with a brilliant orange glow at sunset. A monster cloud of Saharan dust the size of the U.S. is stampeding across the Atlantic and Floridas about to get hit with a face full of rusty haze. RAMMB / CIRA @ CSU By the time the 5,000-mile trans-Atlantic traveler reaches the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas itll lose some of its bite, but residents can still expect surreal sepia-toned skies, muggy heat and a spike in allergy attacks. The dusty invasion may look apocalyptic, but its all part of Earths strange seasonal ritual. Between mid-June and late July, massive waves of superheated air over the Sahara launch particles sky-high, where winds from the African Easterly Jet blast them westward. And it even has a name: the Saharan Air Layer, according to Fox 35. The gritty gift from North Africa has smothered the Caribbean now Floridas next in line to choke on the dusty takeover. FOX 35 Its like rinse and repeat every year, its part of a normal cycle of Earths oscillations, Sammy Hadi, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Miami, told The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although this isnt anything for people to fret about, the Saharan Air Layer weakens air quality, which will make going outside especially difficult for those with asthma or breathing issues. However, the surrounding dust does make for stunning picture-worthy sunrises and sunsets. The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) paid a visit to South Florida and the Keys today. Heres what #sunrise looked like in #KeyLargo this morning, with the sun filtered by dust. #FLKeys pic.twitter.com/VmIlLL7ddv John Morales (@JohnMoralesTV) August 22, 2021 And while Saharan dust may coat your car like its been parked in a construction zone, it will make for fewer rain storms which can be both a good and bad thing. Theres a lot of dry air, and you dont feel that dry air, but the clouds feel it because as they grow and form thunderstorms, they run into that dry air and they just collapse, Dunion dished to The Times. They get stifled. Two waves of airborne grime are duking it out over the Southeast caught between Sahara dust and wildfire smoke, locals are stuck in a gritty showdown. Jim Schwabel stock.adobe.com Dust suppresses tropical storm formation by robbing the atmosphere of the moisture it needs to spawn serious weather. In other words: its not just dirty its doing duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats good news for hurricane-watchers but not great news for everyone else, because typically the rain helps wash away all the sand and dust. So, without it all of it just lingers in the air. Experts say the dust storms typically die down by August and September. A signing ceremony is held at the 2025 China-California Business Forum in Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 2, 2025. The 2025 China-California Business Forum was held on Monday, drawing nearly 500 entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California to promote deeper economic, trade and cultural exchanges. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) LOS ANGELES, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 China-California Business Forum was held on Monday, drawing nearly 500 entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California to promote deeper economic, trade and cultural exchanges. In his opening remarks, Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun said that China and California have established long-term partnerships in various fields such as trade, education, climate change, culture and tourism. He emphasized that the forum is "an important platform for policy dialogue, business networking, economic and trade cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges between China and California." Dilpreet Sidhu, deputy mayor of Los Angeles, also gave a keynote address highlighting the significance of cooperation between China and Los Angeles in areas such as trade, tourism, climate change, education and sports. She emphasized Los Angeles' desire to continue strengthening its longstanding partnership with China. "I'm grateful for this opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding commercial ties and the critical climate cooperation between LA and China," said Sidhu, noting that China is a top export market and key partner for Los Angeles businesses. China is one of the largest trading partners of California, which has the largest economy among the U.S. states. Secretary of Transportation for the State of California Toks Omishakin focused his remarks on the potential for cooperation between California and China in addressing climate change, pointing out that both sides can deepen collaboration in green transportation and new technology development. This year's Guest Province of Honor, east China's Fujian Province, has seen positive results from its cooperation with California across various fields in recent years. During the forum, the two sides signed a series of cooperation agreements. Wang Jinfu, vice governor of Fujian, called on both sides in his keynote speech to enhance economic and trade connectivity and expand the space for mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen technological collaboration to jointly promote green and low-carbon development, and deepen exchanges and mutual learning to forge closer people-to-people ties. Guests attend a panel discussion during the 2025 China-California Business Forum in Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 2, 2025. The 2025 China-California Business Forum was held on Monday, drawing nearly 500 entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California to promote deeper economic, trade and cultural exchanges. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) Secretary of Transportation for the State of California Toks Omishakin speaks at the 2025 China-California Business Forum in Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 2, 2025. The 2025 China-California Business Forum was held on Monday, drawing nearly 500 entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California to promote deeper economic, trade and cultural exchanges. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) Dilpreet Sidhu, deputy mayor of Los Angeles, delivers a keynote address at the 2025 China-California Business Forum in Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 2, 2025. The 2025 China-California Business Forum was held on Monday, drawing nearly 500 entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California to promote deeper economic, trade and cultural exchanges. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) A signing ceremony is held at the 2025 China-California Business Forum in Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 2, 2025. The 2025 China-California Business Forum was held on Monday, drawing nearly 500 entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California to promote deeper economic, trade and cultural exchanges. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) In a stunning move, the board that oversees Florida's higher education system voted against the confirmation of Dr. Santa Ono, formerly president of the University of Michigan, as the University of Florida's 14th president. It's the first time in the history of the 17-member Florida Board of Governors (BOG), the governing body for the state's 12 public universities, that it voted down a university trustee board's leadership selection. The vote to confirm Ono failed 6-10, with member Craig Mateer absent. The decision comes a week after UF's Board of Trustees had unanimously approved Ono as its president-elect on May 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was clear from the beginning of questioning during the board hearing in Orlando that Ono would face a more difficult time than he did back in Gainesville. University of Florida president-elect Dr. Santa Ono is shown June 3 during his confirmation hearing in front of the Board of Governors in Orlando. Ono was grilled for roughly three hours on his past support of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs during his time leading the University of Michigan, his views on holistic versus merit-based admissions, gender-affirming care, climate change and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic all of which have been flashpoints in the culture wars waged by Florida's ruling conservatives. He also was asked about an encampment of pro-Palestine protesters that remained on the Michigan campus for a month, and about his position on antisemitism. BOG Vice-Chair Alan Levine questioned Ono for nearly 40 minutes. He asked Ono about what he felt was an inadequate response while he was at Michigan to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ono, as he has since being announced May 4 as the sole finalist for the UF presidency, defended his actions and denounced antisemitism: "What happened on Oct. 7 deeply affected the members of my community and me personally, and so at UF I would be consistently focused on making sure antisemitism does not rear its head again." BOG member Paul Renner, a Republican and former Florida House speaker, questioned Ono at length about past statements he had made in favor of race-based admissions and on DEI, and repeatedly questioned the timeline of those statements. DeSantis didn't oppose Ono, but has opposed DEI Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who didn't publicly oppose Ono, has inveighed against DEI initiatives and worked to eliminating them from the state's public institutions. He signed a bill in 2023 banning DEI initiatives in public colleges. More recently, he said during a news conference on May 29 that while some of Ono's past statements have made him "cringe," he planned to leave the decision of Ono's confirmation to the members of the Board of Governors, most of whom he appointed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aided by a binder containing various past documents and articles, Renner's questions at times seemed to leave Ono unsure of how to answer. Ono, who also had copies of the binder's contents, said multiple times he couldn't recall when he made the statements or reverted back to comments he had made previously. When asked by Renner about his stance on race-based admissions, Ono reiterated once again that after initially supporting DEI policies he has since realized that DEI creates more "divisiveness" and fails to support all groups of people. "I appreciate the answer, but I didn't ask about DEI," Renner shot back. As Renner went on, board Chair Brian Lamb said it would have been appropriate for Ono to receive the materials in advance, and BOG member Charles H. Lydecker, who served on UF's presidential search committee, emphasized that "this is not a court of law." 'This process does not feel fair to me' "I've been on this board 5-6 years and we have never used this as a forum to interrogate, and to me, in this case, it feels patently unfair," said Lydecker, who joined the board in 2019. "We're interrogating somebody who hasn't had a chance to review the materials in advance. ...Candidly, this process does not feel fair to me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BOG member Jose Oliva, also a Republican and another former House speaker, chimed in, "If this line of questioning is something that does not sit well with you, you really won't like mine," adding, "There is an absolute need to understand what this gentleman believes, why he believes it, the things he said and when he said them." Mori Hosseini, chair of UF's Board of Trustees, seemingly sensing things weren't headed in Ono's favor, called the questions "heartbreaking" and said that all university presidents in the state of Florida have likely made dubious decisions in their past. He said the Board of Trustees acts as the BOG's "boots on the ground" and will provide a "backstop" to ensure Ono is doing his job properly. "And yet you all decided today is the day we're going to take somebody down," Hosseini added. Hosseini was asked about any "detractors" of Ono who had expressed interest in the UF presidency, to which he acknowledged there were some. He surprised BOG members when he said that Renner had expressed interest in the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renner quickly responded, saying he was asked by a trustee to speak to Hosseini about the position, but that Hosseini said he wasn't interested. He also said he asked about the position before taking his seat on the BOG on April 15. "If it were offered, I'm telling you on the record, I would reject it," Renner said. Ono had been scheduled to sign a five-year contract with an initial base salary of $1.5 million. With annual performance and retention bonuses, Ono could have earned as much as $15 million over the life of the contract, making him one of the highest paid public university presidents in the country. What's next UF's Presidential Search Committee must now start the process over and select a new finalist who will then be vetted again by the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors. It's unclear if other candidates from the search that produced Ono will be considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leading up to Ono's June 3 confirmation hearing, his selection by UF had faced intense backlash from some Republican lawmakers after he was announced on May 4 as the sole finalist by UF's Presidential Search Committee, including from U.S. Reps. Greg Steube, R-Bradenton, Byron Donalds, R-Naples, and Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City. .@UF sets the benchmark for education nationwide. Theres too much smoke with Santa Ono. We need a leader, not a DEI acolyte. Leave the Ann Arbor thinking in Ann Arbor. Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) June 2, 2025 "@UF sets the benchmark for education nationwide. Theres too much smoke with Santa Ono. We need a leader, not a DEI acolyte. Leave the Ann Arbor thinking in Ann Arbor," Patronis posted June 2 on X. Former Florida governor and current U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in a June 2 press release said he had "serious concerns about Santa Onos nomination," and Donald Trump Jr. questioned on X whether "the decision makers at @UF lost their minds!???" Who voted for, against Santa Ono Board of Governors members who approved of Ono's appointment included Carson Dale, Kimberly Dunn, Edward Haddock, Brian Lamb, Charles Lydecker and Eric Silagy. Voting against Ono's appointment were Ashley Bell Barnett, Timothy Cerio, Manny Diaz Jr., Aubrey Edge, Patricia Frost, Carson Good, Ken Jones, Alan Levine, Jose Oliva and Paul Renner. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Higher ed panel sinks Santa Ono's bid to lead University of Florida As the National Hurricane Center eyes a potential storm off the southeast coast this week, Floridas hurricane season has kicked off along with the inevitable damage it will bring. That leaves many homeowners anxious to know the fate of Florida's proposed Fallen Tree Act. Looks like theyll have to wait till the 2026 hurricane season. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was originally slated to take effect this July in time for peak hurricane season between mid-August and late October. But as the Talahassee Democrat reports, Florida lawmakers indefinitely postponed debate on the bill in order to discuss the state budget. The Fallen Tree Act may or may not be reintroduced in 2026. If it is reintroduced and passes, it will shift liability for fallen trees onto the property owners whose trees fall. For now, Floridians are still stuck paying for any damage on their own property caused by their neighbors tree unless they can prove clear negligence on the part of their neighbor. Debate over the Fallen Tree Act Proponents of the bill believe its unfair for people to have to pay for property damage caused by their neighbors tree. Even if insurance covers the costs, each claim means higher premiums and paying a deductible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates of the Fallen Tree Act also liked the fact that it would grant homeowners the right to remove a neighbors tree if it was growing partially on their property without permission. But as Medium reports, not everyone was in favor of the bill. Some argued that extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes are beyond a homeowners control. 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 The Florida Insurance Council expressed concern that the bill would lead to an uptick in litigation between neighbors that would, in turn, lead to more lawsuits against insurance companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others warned that the Fallen Tree Act would trigger higher homeowners insurance premiums due to the aforementioned potential increase in lawsuits. Finally, some critics worried the bill would discourage people from planting trees, leading to environmental impacts. How Florida homeowners can protect themselves One way or another, Florida homeowners need to prepare for property damage due to hurricanes this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations predicts "above-normal hurricane activity" in the Atlantic, with 13 to 19 named storms. Make sure you have good insurance coverage. The cheapest home insurance policy may not offer the best coverage in the event of damage. Read your policy carefully to know what's covered and what your deductibles look like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make sure you have enough saved up to cover your deductible in the event of fallen tree damage. Even better, save up an emergency fund that can cover at least three months of essential bills. Look into removing trees on your own property Most policies dont cover tree removal until a tree actually causes damage. Even when tree removal is covered, there's usually a limit of about $1,000 per tree, which doesnt necessarily cover the entire cost of the job. This Old House puts the average cost of professional tree removal at $200 to $2,000. The cost hinges on a number of factors including the size, type and location of the tree. Get estimates. Talk to your neighbor about tree removal While you can proactively remove trees on your own property to prevent damage, you cant necessarily force a neighbor to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theres a tree on a neighbors property thats threatening yours say, because its dead or the branches have not been trimmed in ages you should put something in writing to that neighbor expressing concern and asking them to handle the problem. Keep copies of that communication in case you need to prove negligence in the course of an insurance claim. An alternative is to offer to split the cost of tree removal with a neighbor if youre worried their tree will cause harm to your property. Lets say it costs $800 to remove the tree and you split it evenly. If your homeowners insurance deductible is $750, you come out ahead by spending $400 to address the problem. Not only does that save you money, but it spares you a potential headache. 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. As Gov. Ron DeSantis ramps up the number of executions in one year in Florida with five convicted murders already executed and two more scheduled to die in June the state has added new options for methods of execution. The Sunshine State has executed people by electrocution since 1924, and lethal injection was added in 2000. Among the 17 bills the governor signed on May 22 was one that opens the door to nitrogen gas, hangings, and firing squads. House Bill 903, which called for sweeping changes in inmate lawsuits, mandatory minimum prison time, how inmates diagnosed with mental illness are treated and involuntary placement and treatment, among other things, also allows any form of execution, provided it was "not deemed unconstitutional," if electrocution or lethal injection is found to be unconstitutional or lethal injection drugs become unavailable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new law takes effect July 1. In recent years, states have turned to other methods of executions after some pharmaceutical companies have balked at providing lethal injection drugs. Convicted murderer and rapist Jessie Hoffman was executed by nitrogen gas in Louisiana, and South Carolina brought back firing squads for two murderers this year. Florida has also expanded the range of capital offenses. In 2023, the state added child rape as a capital offense, in defiance of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, and made it easier to impose a death sentence by repealing a unanimous jury requirement. The same day DeSantis signed HB 903 he also signed HB 693, which adds aggravating factors for capital felonies if the victim was gathered with one or more persons for a school activity, religious activity, or public government meeting. DeSantis increasing number of executions in Florida The change comes as DeSantis is on track to break the record for most Florida executions in one year. After President Donald Trump signed an executive order his first day in office directing U.S. attorneys to seek the death penalty for any conviction for which it is permitted, DeSantis responded with seven signed death warrants in three months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's the most death warrants by a Florida governor since 1984 and 2014 when those governors the late U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and current U.S. Sen. Rick Scott signed eight each. About 100 death row inmates, including seven added to the list this year, are eligible for execution. However, while many Republican leaders laud the governor's efforts, public support for the death penalty remains at a five-decade low at 53%, with a recent Gallup poll showing more than half of young U.S. adults ages 18 through 43 oppose it. The practice has come under increased criticism in recent years over the morality of the state ending human life and what critics call "horrific" and "barbaric" methods. Do any states use a firing squad for executions? In February, Brad Keith Sigmon became the first inmate in South Carolina to be executed by firing squad in modern history and the first in the U.S. since 2010. Since 1977, only three other inmates have been killed by firing squad, all in Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Carolina shot another man to death in April: Mikal Mahdi, convicted of the 2004 killing of an off-duty public safety officer. What does HB 903 Corrections do? The bill from Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, allows the state to use any method of execution at all provided it has not been deemed unconstitutional if: Electrocution or lethal injection are found to be unconstitutional, or The acquisition of chemicals necessary for lethal injection becomes impossible or impractical Several states have turned to using nitrogen gas as access to the drugs required for lethal injections has become limited. Some pharmaceutical companies have either stopped production or refused to provide them for executions. While the Florida bill doesn't include the words "firing squad," "hanging," or "nitrogen" anywhere in its text, any of them or other methods would be allowed under state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar Senate bill, SB 1604, specified that alternative methods may not be deemed unconstitutional or "cruel and unusual." That language does not appear in the bill that passed. Other changes in the bill include: Exempting challenges to prison disciplinary reports from requests for court costs and fees for indigent prisoners Adding a one-year statute of limitations on petitions and tort actions filed by a prisoner Adding requirements to certain federal civil actions filed by prisoners Updating minimum sentences and allows courts to impose consecutive sentences for certain crimes Allowing a warden to petition for an order compelling an inmate to submit to emergency surgical intervention or other services when the inmate is competent but refusing necessary treatment and is engaging in self-injurious behavior that threatens others Allowing jail and prison personnel to install and use tracking devices and applications Overhauling the Department of Corrections Mental Health Act and established procedures related to advance health care directives for inmates Allowing the governor and cabinet to directly appoint commissioners to the Florida Commission on Offender Review committee rather than from a list compiled by a parole qualifications committee and removes a requirement that membership of the commission must include representation of minorities How does execution by firing squad work? Sigmon, sentenced to death for the 2001 beating deaths of his ex-girlfriend's parents, chose the firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair. His attorney cited "prolonged and potentially torturous deaths" from the state's recent execution drug and fears of the electric chair, which would "burn and cook him alive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was strapped to a specially made metal chair with a hood over his head in the same room as the state's electric chair while three volunteer corrections staffers fired live rounds at him through an opening in a wall 15 feet away, according to several news media witnesses who spoke at a news conference afterward. A white target with a red bullseye was placed over Sigmon's heart, after which his attorney read his last words, the warden ordered the execution and the team fired, the witnesses said. "Brads death was horrifying and violent," Gerald Bo King, Sigmon's attorney and an execution witness, said in a statement. "It is unfathomable that, in 2025, South Carolina would execute one of its citizens in this bloody spectacle." How does execution by nitrogen gas work? Under a nitrogen gas execution, the inmate is forced to breathe pure nitrogen, resulting in suffocation by nitrogen hypoxia as the inmate's brain and body are deprived of oxygen, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Execution by nitrogen gas was legal in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Arkansas made it legal in March and the legislatures of Ohio and Nebraska reintroduced similar legislation this year. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall described nitrogen hypoxia as "textbook," "humane and effective." Chief District Judge Shelly Dick said witnesses to the state's four nitrogen executions described inmates' bodies "writhing" under their restraints, "vigorous convulsing and shaking for four minutes," heaving, spitting, and a "conscious struggling for life." Which states allow execution by firing squad in the US? Five states South Carolina, Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and Idaho have legalized firing squads as an execution method. Idaho legalized them in 2023. The last American inmate to be killed by firing squad before Sigmon was in 2010, when Utah executed Ronnie Lee Gardner for killing a man during a robbery. Before that, Gary Mark Gilmore in 1977 and John Albert Taylor in 1996 were both shot to death in Utah. Does Florida execute inmates? Florida has executed people for nearly 200 years. Benjamin Donica, the first known execution in the state, was hanged for murder in 1827. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inmates convicted of capital crimes may be sentenced to death, although they may stay on death row for years as appeals work their way through the legal system. Execution dates are set by the governor, who signs the death warrants. How many death row inmates has Florida executed? From 1924 until May 1964, the state of Florida has executed 196 people. There were no executions from May 1964 until May 1976. In 1972, the United States Supreme Court struck down the death penalty but it was reinstated in 1976. Florida has carried out 111 executions since then. When is the next execution in Florida? There are two executions scheduled for June, barring any challenges. Anthony F. Wainwright, who escaped from a North Carolina prison with another man and kidnapped, raped and killed a North Florida woman they abducted from a Winn-Dixie parking lot, is scheduled to be executed on June 10 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas Gudinas, convicted of the 1994 rape and murder of a woman near a downtown Orlando bar, has been scheduled for execution on June 24. How does Florida execute death row inmates? Before 1923, executions were usually performed by hanging. The Florida Legislature passed a law replacing that method with an electric chair, which was built by prison inmates. The first person electrocuted by the state was Frank Johnson in 1924, for shooting and killing a Jacksonville railroad engineer during a burglary. Floridas current three-legged electric chair, nicknamed Old Sparky, was built of oak by Florida Department of Corrections staff and installed at Florida State Prison in Raiford in 1999. Legislation passed in 2000 allows for lethal injection as an alternative to the electric chair. The choice is left up to the inmate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All executions, injection or electric chair, are carried out at the execution chamber located at Florida State Prison in Raiford. The executioner, a private citizen allowed to remain anonymous by state law, is paid $150 per execution. How many people are on death row in Florida? As of Wednesday, April 2, there are currently 271 inmates on Florida's death row, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. It breaks down to: White males: 162 Black males: 95 Other males: 13 White females: 0 Black females: 1 Other females: 0 Men on death row are housed at Florida State Prison and Union Correctional Institution in Raiford. Women are housed at Lowell Annex in Lowell. Florida leads the nation in death row exonerations, with 30 prisoners found wrongfully incarcerated since 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida executions by nitrogen gas, noose, firing squad become legal NEED TO KNOW Hailey Hosford, 27, was getting out of a car in a Florida parking garage when an assailant attacked her, police say Her friend, Ian Bryant, had stopped off at his luxury apartment building in Sunrise to grab something before bringing Hosford home Hosford was a beloved and popular hair stylist in Fort Lauderdale A Florida hair stylist who was waiting in the parking garage of her friend's luxury apartment building was fatally stabbed when a knife-wielding man attacked her out of nowhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just after 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, Hailey Hosford, 27, of Boca Raton, was getting out of her friend Ian Bryants car in the parking garage at The Retreat at Sawgrass Village in Sunrise, when she saw a man coming toward her, according to an arrest report reviewed by PEOPLE. Hosford quickly re-enter(ed) the vehicle in an apparent attempt to hide, according to the report. But before she could close the door, the suspect, identified as Jackson Sagesse, 21, of Sunrise, allegedly forced the door open and stabbed her repeatedly in the neck and throat, according to the report. When Bryant returned to the garage, the suspect allegedly stabbed him in the throat during a violent confrontation, per the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Sagesse allegedly chasing him, Bryant ran from the garage and managed to call 911. Sagesse allegedly returned to the garage and tried to unsuccessfully drive the car with Hosford lying unresponsive on the backseat floor before he fled on foot, according to the report. Police spoke to an employee at the apartment complex who immediately recognized Sagesse as a resident of a nearby apartment building, the report alleges. Sagesse was arrested at the apartment where he lives with his mother, where authorities allegedly found a kitchen knife in his front right pocket that matched one found in the car in the garage, the report states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Sagesse was read his rights, he allegedly told officers, I just killed someone and walked away. Hosford was pronounced dead at the scene. Bryant was rushed to a local hospital. Sagesse is charged with premeditated murder and attempted murder. He is being held at the Broward County Jail without bond. It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf. 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. As police continue to investigate, Hosfords loved ones are mourning the loss of the popular hair stylist who owned the Hailey Janes Beauty Boutique in Fort Lauderdale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hosfords best friend, Aubrey Rosebrock, told 7 News, She was a force to be reckoned with. Bryant stopped off at his apartment that night to grab some stuff, he told 7 News. Then he was going to take her home, he said. I know she was a fighter, he told 7 News. I believe she fought, and I believe she was scared. Growing emotional, he said, I want the world to know what her name is and who she was. Theres evil, and theres good, and we lost the good. The good lost. People from all over the world will be attending her funeral, he said. In a GoFundMe set up to help pay for Hosford's Celebration of Life on June 11, organizer Heather Hadwen wrote that remaining contributions will go toward a nonprofit scholarship fund the Hailey Jane Beauty Foundation created in her honor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This sacred offering will provide support for those pursuing their dreams in the world of hair, beauty, and self-expression, a world Hailey illuminated with her passion, artistry, and radiant soul from the young age of 16," Hadwen wrote. A GoFundMe was also set up for Ian Bryant to help him defray medical costs. Read the original article on People In the last scheduled days of their tumultuous 2025 session, Florida legislators passed Senate Bill 180 to bolster hurricane relief and recovery and enhance response efforts in Florida, according to a Senate press release trumpeting the legislation. But among some healthy policy prescriptions, SB 180 includes a poison pill conspicuously missing from that press release: a provision that would prevent any local government in Florida from adopting any amendment that could be deemed more restrictive or burdensome to its comprehensive plan its blueprint for orderly and sustainable growth along with its land development regulations (LDRs) and procedures. This is a sweeping, undefined provision that could rule out any changes to local growth guidelines in Florida unless developers agree and sponsor the change. And under the bill, this provision would apply retroactively from Aug. 1, 2024, through Oct. 1, 2027. Which means that if SB 180 becomes law without any amendments, much if not most local land-use planning in Florida will be suspended for three years. When state lawmakers passed Floridas Community Planning Act in 2011, their justification for eliminating the states land planning oversight agency, the Department of Community Affairs, was that they wanted to empower local leaders to make planning decisions. But with SB 180, they have severely curtailed that power. A rendering by the University of Florida shows a possible layout of new buildings for its planned graduate campus in the LaVilla part of downtown Jacksonville. Most of the new campus would be built on land behind the historic train terminal (shown intact in the rendering) that currently is part of the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Other buildings would go on the opposite site of Bay Street next to the curving Jacksonville Transportation Authority headquarters building and on a lot further down Bay Street. Ironically for a bill that purports to promote emergency planning and disaster recovery, this provision could prevent local governments from making the kinds of changes to their comp plans and LDRs that would make their communities more resilient to future storms. A comp plan change that would steer future development away from storm-vulnerable areas, for example, would be considered more restrictive and burdensome. Ditto, updated regulations on stormwater management to prevent flooding. Even periodic, state-required updates to comprehensive plans could be called into question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protest Florida state parks: USA Today Network-Florida Opinion campaign to preserve and protect our state parks These scenarios are not hypothetical. In 2023, the Legislature passed SB 250, a law with a similar though narrower three-year ban on more restrictive or burdensome changes to comp plans and LDRs for 11 counties that had been in the path of Hurricane Ian. This month, Manatee County commissioners were told by the state Department of Commerce that they would be violating that 2023 law if they voted to restore the countys strong wetland protections in its comprehensive plan. As reported by the Bradenton Herald, an incredulous Commissioner Bob McCann said, SB 250 was for hurricane disaster relief. How can you say getting rid of wetlands has anything to do with disaster relief? A map with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection seal shows proposed golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park as part of an amended land use plan. It is hard to imagine any reasonable limit on growth and development through a comp plan amendment or LDR change that would not be considered restrictive or burdensome unless a developer proposed it. And if developers object to limits, the bill creates grounds for them to sue. Communities at that point are given two choices under the bill: either withdraw their amendment to a plan or regulation, or go to court, and risk paying the legal costs of the developer who sued them. Well give legislators the benefit of the doubt, and assume they didnt realize the deeply damaging impact of this provision when they voted for the bill. After all, the final version is 48 pages, with nearly 1,400 lines of text. And it was amended no less than 10 times between its introduction and final passage, likely making its details a mystery to many of the members who voted to approve it. This is but one example of the deeply flawed process that repeatedly leads to laws laced with unintended consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislative budget battle: Florida lawmakers paralyzed over tax breaks they can't afford to give Legislative leaders are currently deadlocked over tax cuts and other budget-related issues. SB 180 passed with only one negative vote each in the Senate and House. Though the session has been extended, the agenda is currently limited to budget-related items and the Senate presidents Rural Renaissance bill. But with a two-thirds majority in both houses, the presiding officers could expand the agenda to address the existential threat to local land-use planning in Florida, while preserving the good elements in SB 180. We urge them to do so, not only for the fate of local land-use planning in Florida, but for the millions of Floridians who deserve a meaningful say in the future of their communities. Paul Owens, 1000 Friends of Florida Paul Owens is the president of 1000 Friends of Florida, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to planning for fiscally and environmentally sustainable communities. This opinion piece was distributed by The Invading Sea website. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida set to disrupt orderly, sustainable local growth | Opinion DELTONA, Fla. (WFLA) A suspicious looking man was arrested Sunday night after Volusia County deputies found him walking in a Deltona neighborhood with a ski mask over his head. Deputies said they later learned the suspect, Jalen Vallejos, 20, was on his way to his ex-girlfriends home to watch her while she slept, and had been doing so for six to eight months. Man arrested in connection to Brandon shooting: HCSO Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just watch her from the outside, Vallejos told deputies when questioned. However, items found in his possession indicated to law enforcement he might have been up to more than just watching her sleep Sunday night. Vallejos was carrying a knife, lock-picking tools and a backpack full of other unusual items, authorities said. According to the sheriffs office, the backpack contained duct tape, wire cutters, spray paint and a sledgehammer. The 20-year-old eventually told deputies he wasnt sure of his intentions on this night, but was afraid his actions could escalate, the sheriffs office said. He also admitted that he potentially planned to use some of the items in his backpack on his exs father if confronted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im afraid, Vallejos said when asked if his actions could ever escalate. Vallejos was charged with aggravated stalking, attempted armed burglary, loitering or prowling, possession of burglary tools and criminal mischief. He was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail and was being held without 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 WFLA. A Florida mother is facing charges for the murder of her 6-year-old son after she allegedly told investigators that he died while she was attempted to exorcise demons out of his body. The boy, identified by authorities as Ramyl Pierre, was found dead inside his home in Fort Pierce on Friday, ABC News reported. Deputies with the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office were carrying out a welfare check at the time, a request made after Pierre a student at Samuel Gaines Academy had missed two weeks of school. When they arrived at the residence, officers were met by Pierres mother, Rhonda Joyce Paulynice, police said. She led them to a bedroom where Pierre was found dead, wrapped in fabric with only his face exposed, according to an affidavit obtained by TC Palm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His cause of death has not been provided. While an autopsy has been performed, the medical examiners office declined to release any information on the case, citing the active criminal investigation. In speaking with the mother, she believed she was being told by God to basically exorcise demons out of the childs body, St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro told reporters. 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 at that time. Paulynice also allegedly told investigators that she was not in charge of her vessel, or body, claiming that God or the Father controlled her, the affidavit said. She added that when she tried to resist his commands, hed make her pay, though she did not provide further details. Paulynice has been charged with second-degree murder, failure to report a death and willfully touching or moving a body. She was denied bond on the murder charge during her initial court appearance. Florida needs a tax-break free budget We must have the dumbest lawmakers working in Tallahassee. Floridians are looking at a $10 billion deficit in the next two years due to cuts in federal aid, and this translates to each resident incurring an additional debt of approximately $475 by 2027. Gov. Ron DeSantis, House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton are hellbent on cutting taxes that pay for schools, law enforcement, road and bridge infrastructure, state parks, and pensions. Are Floridians willing to reduce services? Are we foolish enough to accept a small tax break now and a huge tax hike in two years? The one and only requirement of our Legislature is to form a state budget to cover services. The stalemate in Tallahassee can easily be broken. Floridas budget should not include any changes. No new spending. No tax breaks. No foisting unfunded programs on county or local officials. Failure to pass a budget will result in a government shutdown. Voters and residents will remember at election time to vote out the dummies. Karen Zaremba, Lantana State lawmakers will return to Tallahassee in hopes of finally passing a new state budget. Our View: With Trump's tariffs and federal cuts, Florida's tax plan comes at a bad time | Editorial This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: The next Florida budget should be free of big tax breaks | Letters Armed with a new framework for a deal, Florida House and Senate negotiators met June 3 to resolve their differences over a 2025-26 state budget. After blowing past their original deadline to pass a budget due to an impasse between House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, over tax cuts, the chambers spent the day trading offers on spending for health care and environmental programs. While some disagreements were resolved, the details on the main source of the dispute tax cuts arent likely to be unveiled for several days. Under the latest framework for a deal reached between the chambers, though, there will be $2.25 billion in recurring tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That will include eliminating the tax that Florida businesses pay on rents and exempting some items from sales taxes. Exactly which items will be exempt remains to be seen, though a memo announcing the deal last week from Albritton said the exemptions would be targeted towards Florida families. Another plank of the agreement is to put more money $750 million per year into a key reserve fund. That move will require lawmakers to put a measure on the 2026 ballot. The House and Senate are poised to take up that measure Thursday. From left, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami; Gov. Ron DeSantis; Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula. Lawmakers were supposed to pass a budget by May 2, the last day of the regular session, but the dispute led them to extend the session to June 6. The first outline of a broad deal between Perez and Albritton included an outright reduction in the state sales tax, from 6% to 5.75%. The across-the-board sales tax cut was a priority for Perez, who wants to restrain spending by drastically cutting back the amount of revenue available to the state. Albritton was wary of such a move, but he was willing to compromise to pass his top priority an infusion of resources to rural areas to boost education, health care and transportation programs and projects, dubbed the Rural Renaissance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has pressed lawmakers to move forward with cuts to property taxes, threatened to veto any tax cut bill with an overall sales tax reduction. He feared a major sales tax cut would make it harder to pass his preferred property tax reductions. Albritton opted to drop his Rural Renaissance priority to reach a deal with Perez. Now, rank-and-file members will hammer out the details in the coming days. The clock is running: The state's budget year runs July 1 to June 30, and failing to come up with a budget by the end of June could force a partial state government shutdown. Lawmakers also have to build in time for DeSantis to review their plan for any line-item vetoes before he signs it into law. 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: Sales tax exemptions, reserves part of Florida budget talks SACRAMENTO, the United States, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The sweeping U.S. tariffs imposed by the administration of Donald Trump are inflicting severe damage across the country's energy sector, from oil production to renewable power development, a new analysis revealed. The Trump administration's tariff policies are backfiring spectacularly on the U.S. energy sector, with new research by Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac), a leading energy and natural resource analytics consulting firm, showing that trade wars could erode projected growth in oil demand, hinder renewable energy investment and force the country into a high-cost energy isolation that undermines its global competitiveness. The research, released late May, said that President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement on April 2 represents "arguably the most pivotal moment for the world economy since China's 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization." However, unlike China's entry, which boosted global growth significantly, the sweeping U.S. tariffs and international retaliation threaten to devastate established trading relationships and accelerate the retreat from globalization, according to the firm. WoodMac developed three scenarios to assess the impact of Trump's trade policies, with the most severe "trade war" scenario projecting U.S. effective tariff rates exceeding 30 percent. Under this scenario, global GDP is projected to contract by 2.9 percent by 2030, according to its analysis. The oil industry, a cornerstone of U.S. energy independence, faces particularly severe consequences under Trump's tariff regime. In the worst scenario, global oil demand would experience an "outright fall" in 2026. Demand growth would resume from 2027, but overall demand by 2030 would still be 2.5 million barrels per day lower than under the most optimistic scenario. Oil prices would plummet to an average of 50 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2026, dealing a devastating blow to U.S. shale producers, as WoodMac's research demonstrates that "the economics of Lower 48 drilling won't support production growth with crude at 50 dollars per barrel, despite corporate ambitions to keep pushing down breakeven." The price collapse would force significant reductions in investment and lead to lower U.S. oil production through 2030. Supply growth outside the United States would also suffer from reduced budgets for upstream projects, with delays expected in developments not yet under construction. In the power sector, the added costs and uncertainty created by the tariffs build barriers to investment and make it more difficult to increase supply. "In a business with a five-to-10-year planning cycle, not knowing what a project will cost next year or the year after is extraordinarily disruptive," the WoodMac report said. The consultancy noted that many companies had already reported adjustments to strategy and business plans, including deferrals of investments. The tariff barriers effectively cement the U.S. position as a high-cost location for renewable energy and storage. The Trump administration had promoted tariffs as a tool to encourage manufacturing reshoring and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains. However, the analysis suggested these policies are achieving the opposite effect in critical energy sectors. The metals and mining sector, essential for energy infrastructure, will suffer particularly severe impacts. Aluminum demand falls by almost 4 million tons in 2026, with copper down 1.2 million tons, compared to baseline projections. Steel demand drops by a projected 90 million tons and lithium demand by 70,000 tons. The analysis said that companies in the energy and natural resources industries must now "reckon with uncertainty over tariffs persisting for months, and probably years, to come." The firm warned that, without a doubt, riskier investments will be pared back, and strategies that create increased flexibility would be prioritized, fundamentally altering the trajectory of U.S. energy development for years to come. UPDATE (1:45 p.m.): News 5 has obtained dash cam video that the Florida Highway Patrol says shows the moment a Tennessee woman in a speeding car almost hit a trooper. You can watch that close call in the video player above. PREVIOUS REPORTING PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) A woman who narrowly escaped hitting a Florida Highway Patrol car did not escape arrest, News 5 has learned. UPDATE: 75-year-old man shot, killed by MPD after pointing gun at officers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles news release, an FHP trooper was patrolling State Road 291 in Escambia County at about 9:15 p.m. Sunday when a silver sedan almost hit him. Jennifer Starnes (Photo courtesy of the Escambia County Sheriffs Office) According to the release, the silver sedan didnt yield the right of way and pulled directly in front of the trooper. Thanks to quick reaction and evasive maneuvering, the trooper avoided a potentially serious collision, the release said. The trooper then stopped the sedan, driven by 37-year-old Jennifer M. Starnes from Somerville, Tennessee. Starnes was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This enforcement action highlights the ongoing commitment of the Florida Highway Patrol to ensure roadway safety and aggressively address impaired driving, the release said. The release said FHP will continue to make DUI enforcement a priority, the release said. Kimberly-Clark plans $130M expansion in Mobile, adds 29 jobs Drive sober or get pulled over. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Syria is able to proceed because it enjoys increased support from the US, as well as from Turkey and Qatar, both US allies. Syria might integrate thousands of foreign fighters into its ranks under a new agreement, Reuters reported Monday. That possibility is being watched with interest in the region and also in the US and China. The US has green-lighted the decision, which could lead to former fighters joining Syrias new army, according to Levant24, an independent Syrian news site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian army is growing every day and taking shape. The 56th Division had a graduation ceremony over the weekend for new trainees. It took place near Hama, one of Syrias four largest cities. In addition, the 70th Division now contains elements of the US-backed Syrian Free Army that had been based at Tanf in southern Syria. There are some controversies regarding the appointments to the new army. The new commander of the 86th Division operating in Deir Ezzor is a man named Ahmed al-Hayes, who previously was involved in human-rights abuses against Kurds. As many as 3,500 foreign fighters, who some label jihadists, will be integrated into the 84th Division of the new Syrian army, according to recent reports. 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: REUTERS/MAHMOUD HASSANO) These fighters include Uyghurs who came to Syria as volunteers during the civil war. They are mainly from China or other Turkish-speaking areas. They are reputed to be members of the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP). This group is banned by China and viewed as terrorists by Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TIP leader Abu Muhammad al-Turkistani received the rank of brigadier-general and command of the 133rd Division back in December 2024 when the new Syrian government was just taking shape after the fall of the Assad regime, the reports said. Abu Muhammad al-Turkistani is a nom de guerre that means father of Muhammad the Turkistani. Its not his real name. Tom Barrack, the new US envoy to Syria, is said to support this development. The US has endorsed a Syrian government plan to absorb thousands of former rebel and foreign fighters, many of whom once fought against the Assad regime, into the countrys restructured national army, The New Arab, a London based news site, reported, citing the Reuters report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan is supposed to be transparent. It would shift from previous beliefs that one of the US conditions for sanctions relief in Syria and for increasing engagement was that Syria would likely need to remove any foreign extremist fighters. Uyghur fighters cannot return to China The issue facing these particular fighters is that they cant go back to China. This isnt the same as a volunteer from Turkey or from Europe who helped in the Syrian civil war. These men cant return home, so any expulsion of them would mean they would end up being someone elses problem, probably Turkeys. The US doesnt want Turkey having this burden either. Barrack is the US ambassador to Turkey, so this makes sense. These men could be integrated transparently into the new Syrian army alongside other Syrians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would dilute them as a group and possibly moderate them. Then they could be professionalized in the new army and serve in its institutions, thus reducing their presence as a unit. Washington [had previously demanded] that the new Syrian leadership, formed after rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted Bashar al-Assad last year, bar foreign fighters from national security institutions, The New Arab reported. But that stance appears to have softened following Trumps Middle East tour last month. Syrias government, part of which is made up of former leaders in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which itself was viewed as an extremist group in the past, have wanted to keep these foreign fighters in Syria. They appreciate the loyalty of these men. Many of these fighters arrived in Syria in the early years of the civil war, joining jihadist groups like HTS and ISIS in their battle against Assad, who was backed by Iranian and Russian forces, The New Arab reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were forged in battle to play a key role in HTS, including its elite units. There may be as many as 5,000 foreign fighters still in Syria, according to reports. Many of them now have families, bringing the total number linked to them to some 15,000 or more. The new move could strain Syria-China ties. Syria can afford to do this because it has more support from the US, as well as Turkey and Qatar, who are both US allies. Syria doesnt need to rely on China or Russia or non-Western powers as much because it has received the endorsement of the Trump administration. The US now has more say in what happens in Damascus and can ask for transparency regarding integrating the foreign fighters. This is precisely the reason that key US officials have sought to engage with Syria. Others have encouraged the US to move more slowly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, it is clear that Syria wants to move fast, and if the US isnt going to be there for Damascus, it will continue to move forward. The US engagement enables influence. For instance, reports from Syria said a border crossing with Lebanon is opening this week. General Authority for Land and Sea Ports announced Tuesday the reopening of Al-Arida border crossing, which connects northern Lebanon to southwestern Syria, linking Tartous and Tripoli governorates, Syrian state media reported. Yet again, another foreign shell company is targeting productive American manufacturers with spurious claims of patent infringement in hopes of striking it rich. And for some reason the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) continues to make this predatory litigation possible and profitable. Also known as patent assertion entities (PAEs), patent trolls dont manufacture or make anything, but they weaponize patents to aggressively pursue infringement claims and file suits to shakedown innovative and successful companies in hopes of forcing a quick settlement often using the ITC to gain negotiating leverage. The biggest losers here are American consumers who will ultimately foot the bill in the form of higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation, as well as U.S. taxpayers who are funding the ITCs expensive and duplicative investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patent trolls like the ITC because unlike district courts, the only remedy the ITC can award is an exclusion order, which is an import ban that completely bars the infringing product from importation into the United States. So, while courts will measure out proportionate remedies such as monetary damages, when justified, the ITC remedy literally blocks off an entire market over even minor or weak patent claims. And while the ITC is supposed to protect American companies from foreign infringement, it pays little mind to foreign shell companies sponsoring patent assertion campaigns. The latest troll filing a high-profile case at the ITC is Longitude Licensing, a Dublin-based firm that proudly boasts its track record of maximizing the value of patented intellectual property for global patent owners. In other words, it makes no products and just tries to find lawsuits to file. Last month, Longitude sued Apple, Qualcomm, TSMC, and other tech companies for allegedly infringing patents it holds related to semiconductors. If the ITC acquiesces to Longitudes demands, then any devices containing these components including circuit boards, smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets will be completely barred from the U.S. The Trump Administration should be paying attention. The U.S. will lose the global race for tech leadership if we cant access critical semiconductor technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Arigna Technology Limited, another Irish shell company, asked the ITC to ban over 93% of the smartphones, as well as tablets and laptops, that American consumers depend on every day. As is often the case, the tech companies had little choice but to settle rather than fight Arigna, given the risk that the ITC would ban their products from the U.S. market. Arigna was funded with the backing of Magnetar Capital, a hedge fund that not only helped create mortgage-backed securities, but then bet against those risky investments, ultimately sowing the seeds of the 2008 Financial Crisis. Magnetar, Arigna, and other investors made money while U.S. tech companies, and ultimately consumers, paid the bill. Similarly, Longitude Licensing is owned by Vector Capital, an investment firm that raised red flags in 2014 when it invested in a network of payday-lending websites, using corporations set up in Belize and the Virgin Islands to obscure their involvement and circumvent U.S. usury laws. Through this shady web, payday lenders charged their customers over 600 percent interest on loans. When Congress granted the ITC its exclusion order ability through the Tariff Act of 1930, it sought to protect domestic industries that could not use U.S. courts to reach unfair importers, so it set up a special remedy against the importers goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Congress had no idea it would be enabling a system where wealthy hedge funds help Irish shell companies pursue questionable litigation using portfolios of old patents to try to extort massive payouts from innovative companies contributing billions to the U.S. economy. Congress must step in to protect the ITC process from being exploited by patent trolls. Bipartisan ITC reform legislation was introduced in the last Congress and should be reintroduced and passed quickly. Simple fixes like forcing the ITC to conduct rigorous public interest analyses before it acts and ensuring the patents in question have a real tie to an actual American industry are reforms that everyone should support. Foreign patent trolls and their deep-pocketed predatory backers are hoping that Congress doesnt take up this legislation to fix the ITC. As Congress looks to support President Trumps trade agenda to support American manufacturing, stopping patent troll abuse at the ITC should be at the top of the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gerry Scimeca is co-founder, chairman, and general counsel of CASE Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, the nation's foremost non-profit, non-partisan organization devoted to the singular cause of promoting consumer interests through the advancement of free-market principles. Given that todays children appear to spend much of their time in school being taught that the Vikings were champions of diversity and that human beings should be encouraged to choose between one or more of 72 different genders, you may fear that educational standards in this country are slipping somewhat. But perhaps we should be grateful. Because, believe it or not, things could actually be worse. Say, for example, we were to follow a radical proposal made the other day by Daniel Susskind. Dr Susskind is an eminent economist, as well as the author of a book entitled A World Without Work: Technology, Automation and How We Should Respond. And, speaking at the Hay festival, he argued that the traditional school timetable should be ripped up, so that children can instead focus on learning to use artificial intelligence. We should be spending a third of the time that we have with students teaching them how to use these technologies, he declared. How to write effective prompts and use these systems, get them to do what we want them to do Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate that Dr Susskind is an exceptionally learned and intelligent man. None the less, I for one think his proposal sounds horrifying. We often talk about the need to ban smartphones in schools. Which is fair enough. But my priority would be to ban AI. The fundamental purpose of education, after all, is to teach children how to think. AI, however, does the opposite. It teaches them that they dont need to think. Because it will do their thinking for them. For proof, look at whats already happening in universities. In April, The Chronicle of Higher Education an American journal reported that ever-growing numbers of students were essentially outsourcing their studies to AI. When a professor at New York University tried to prevent his students from using AI to complete their assignments, he was met with consternation. Some students protested that he was interfering with their learning styles. Another complained: [If] youre asking me to go from point A to point B, why wouldnt I use a car to get there? Meanwhile, one student asked for an extension to a deadline, on the grounds that ChatGPT was down the day the assignment was due. Still, I suppose wed better get used to this sort of thing. It seems that a new educational era is upon us. One in which teachers get AI to set homework, pupils get AI to complete it, and then teachers get AI to mark it. Soon enough, there will be no need for human involvement at any stage of the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, as schools will effectively be superfluous, the Government might as well just shut them all down. In fact, I urge it to do so as quickly as possible. Such a move would immediately free up tens of billions of pounds a year. And since, in due course, AI will be taking all the jobs that todays children could have grown up to do, well need the money to pay their benefits. Going underground Heartfelt thanks to Ash Regan, the Scottish nationalist and one-time candidate to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister. Because on Sunday, she provided us with the one of the most memorable political quotes of the year. Even if not necessarily on purpose. Ms Regan was being interviewed by The Herald newspaper about her plans to clamp down on prostitution in Scotland, by criminalising the buying of sex. Wasnt there a risk, asked The Heralds reporter, that these plans might inadvertently drive prostitution underground? Ms Regan scoffed. Plainly shed never heard anything so absurd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you even think for one second, you cannot possibly drive prostitution underground, she snorted. If you had a lot of women in underground cellars with a locked door, how would the punters get to them? Having digested these extraordinary words, we can, I believe, draw only one conclusion. Ms Regan is 51 years old. And yet, during over a half a century on this planet, she has never heard or at least, never understood the phrase driven underground. And so shed taken it literally. After the interview, we must hope, a kindly aide will have taken her to one side, and gently explained that the expression is purely figurative. Otherwise, I fear that, despite Ms Regans initial scoffing, shell begin to worry that the reporter had a point and that Scottish pimps really will take to opening brothels deep beneath the Earths surface. If so, we must wait to see what revisions Ms Regan might make to her plans. Perhaps she will recommend that the Scottish NHS supply all prostitutes with free vitamin D tablets, to make up for the lack of sunlight theyll be getting. Way of the World is a twice-weekly satirical look at the headlines while aiming to mock the absurdities of the modern world. It is published at 6am every Tuesday and Saturday 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. Anne Arundel County Register of Wills Erica Griswold. (Photo courtesy maryland.gov.) Former Anne Arundel County Register of Wills Erica Griswold is appealing her May shoplifting conviction, according to court documents. Griswold, 50, remains free on a $300 bond after appealing her conviction to the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County. No hearing date has been set. Griswold was arrested in March for attempting to leave a Severn-area Walmart with more than $160 in sheets and curtains, according to a police report filed with the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors in May told a judge during a bench trial that while using a self-service checkout area at the store, Griswold failed to ring up some items and used a tag from a lower-priced item to make it appear as if she was ringing up others, citing video from the store that appeared to support the accounts of police and a store security employee. A defense attorney described Griswolds checkout as chaotic. The attorney said Griswold at times scanned items and placed them on all sides of the register and on the floor. Her attorney argued some were placed in a second empty cart provided by a store employee who was, at times, attempting to assist Griswold. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US During her own testimony, Griswold claimed she was rushing out of the store because of a call about an uncle who had just been admitted to the hospital. Under cross-examination, she told prosecutors that the call came just as she arrived at the self-checkout lane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the area did not show a phone call. Neither Griswold nor her attorney offered evidence of a call or a hospital admission. Anne Arundel District Court Judge Shaem Spencer rejected Griswolds explanation. As he watched a 21-minute store surveillance video showing Griswold completing four separate transactions, Spencer described in open court what he saw Griswold scanning items the judge said he believed were lower cost. He said Griswold concealed other unscanned items or moved more expensive items into her cart. Spencer sentenced Griswold to six months in jail, but suspended that sentence and tacked on 3 years of supervised probation. Griswold was already serving a sentence of unsupervised probation stemming from a June 2024 guilty plea to misconduct in office, after she was charged with stealing $6,600 in estate taxes paid to her office when she served as Anne Arundel County register of wills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the plea, Griswold was forced out of office. She was sentenced to 18 months in jail. The judge suspended that sentence and ordered Griswold to serve two years of supervised probation. If her latest conviction stands, Griswold could face potential repercussions for violating her probation in the first case. No hearing has been set for a new trial for Griswold in the shoplifting case. A conference before a judge is scheduled for July. CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ark. Crawford County is facing an additional lawsuit related to its library policy. A lawyer for former Crawford County Library System director Deidre Grzymala filed suit in Washington County Circuit Court last Friday on her behalf. The former librarian is alleging defamation and breach of contract. Grzymala lives in Washington County. Judge blocks Arkansas law allowing librarians to be criminally charged over harmful materials Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas and Crawford County were ordered, alongside Crawford County Judge Chris Keith and 11 Arkansas prosecuting attorneys, to pay $435,275 in attorneys fees in an April federal court ruling. At issue was Arkansas Act 372 of 2023, which amended Arkansas law for endangering the welfare of a minor to include sexual material and remove protection for library employees, which the court struck down on Constitutional grounds. Crawford Countys share of the fees was $112,978.31, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit states that Grzymala was placed under emotional duress by the quorum court and Tamara Hamby to pressure the county and library to censor books. Federal judicial ruling overturns parts of Arkansas library obscenity law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamby is named alongside the county and John Does 1 through 5 as defendants in the suit. In November 2022, the suit states that Hamby and her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Hamby, co-authored a letter to the quorum court, which stated that Grzymala was amenable to negotiating regarding the location of the books. This was not the case, the suit states, but instead, Plaintiff Grzymala was being actively pressured by defendant [Tamara] Hamby and Crawford County elected officials to reach a compromise with the relocation of certain books. The suit continues that the pressure included threats to defund the library, and later, the county attorney described the negotiations as ultimatums. Against the threat of defunding the books, they were moved, and Grzymala was then pressured to accept a severance package in January 2023 or face termination, according to the suit. The package included a letter of recommendation from County Judge Christopher Keith, along with a non-disparagement agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas, Crawford County, others ordered to pay over $400,000 in library lawsuit The suit alleges that the non-disparagement agreement was violated by quorum court members and county officials who publicly blamed Grzymala for the countys facing and losing the April judgment. It also states that a local newspaper reported that in April, Teresa Hamby called Grzymala a liar during a meeting of the Crawford County Library System board. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The "social section" in Crawford County Library's Van Buren branch (Screenshot from court documents) A former West Arkansas public library director sued Crawford County and a member of the librarys board of trustees Friday, alleging defamation and breach of contract in a years-long squabble over the availability and placement of certain books on library shelves. Deidre Grzymala states in her legal complaint that library board member Tammara Hamby defamed her in violation of an agreement between Grzymala and the county upon her resignation as Crawford County Library System director in February 2023. The agreement said Grzymala and the county would refrain from criticizing, denigrating or disparaging each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At an April 18 library board meeting, Hamby claimed Grzymala was responsible for a First Amendment lawsuit against the county, the library board and others over the librarys segregation of childrens books with LGBTQ+ themes into social sections. Three parents sued over the segregation in May 2023, and a federal judge ruled in their favor in September 2024. The Crawford County Quorum Court voted unanimously at a special meeting in April to accept the library boards offer to pay nearly $113,000 in legal fees, ending months of dispute over who would foot the bill for losing the case. Hamby was among the board members to support the payment and previously supported the segregation of LGBTQ+ childrens books. The county quorum court appointed her to the library board in early 2023, replacing one of three members that resigned en masse after the creation of the social sections. Hamby said April 18 that Grzymala lied to her and caused the lawsuit. These defamatory statements were communicated to thousands of Arkansas citizens via the Arkansas Democrat-Gazettes River Valley bureau, Grzymalas complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Hamby and Crawford County, the lawsuit lists John Doe 1-5 as defendants. Grzymalas attorney, Christopher Hooks, signed an affidavit attached to the complaint, stating that all the relevant defendants in the case are as yet unknown and will be named in the case upon Hooks learning their identities. Hooks previously alleged a violation of Crawford Countys separation agreement with Grzymala in an April 23 letter to the county seeking $100,000 in damages over Hambys remarks. Grzymalas lawsuit seeks punitive damages, alleging she has faced damage to [her] reputation as a librarian/library director, damages to reputation in the community, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity and business opportunity, incidental expenses, mental anguish, [and] extreme emotional distress. Grzymala complaint Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint requests a jury trial in the circuit court of Washington County, where Grzymala now lives. Hamby and her husband, Jeffrey, co-wrote a December 2022 letter to Crawford County pastors, saying LGBTQ+ library books within childrens reach is grooming a generation of children to feel this is normal and an accepted way of life. This was part of a pressure campaign to force the library to segregate the books, an action publicly framed as a compromise, Grzymala alleges in her complaint. The county lost a separate lawsuit over Act 372 of 2023, which would have given local elected officials the final say over whether to relocate challenged library materials some consider obscene. The 18 plaintiffs who sued the state, including Crawford County Library patrons, cited county officials statements that Act 372 was a reason to maintain the social sections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge blocked the challenged portions of Act 372, citing First Amendment violations, in December. The legal fees facing Crawford County defendants in both lawsuits exceeded $575,000, library board chairman Keith Pigg said in April. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Doctors, educators, police officers, and past and present members of the Knesset were involved in these abuses, survivor says. (Warning: The following contains sensitive material, reader discretion is advised.) Several women on Tuesday testified in the Knesset about sexual abuse they suffered as minors as part of religious ritual ceremonies. The testimonies came during a joint meeting of the Knessets Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, chaired byMK Pnina Tameno-Shete (National Unity), and the Special Committee on Young Israelis, chaired by MK Naama Lazimi (The Democrats). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The joint meeting was organized in the wake of an investigative report published on April 2 by Israel Hayom journalist Noam Barkan. Yael Ariel, one of the abuse survivors, shared: I experienced ritual abuse over many years until my late teens and was forced to harm other children. I chose to speak out and make my voice heard. I received threats after revealing my story. From age five to age 20, I was harmed in these ceremonies. According to Ariel, she received testimonies from several women who claimed that doctors, educators, police officers, and past and present members of the Knesset were involved in these abuses. I filed a complaint with the police that was closed after a few months, and I know of other cases that were closed. Speaking out today in the Knesset is a historic moment, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another survivor, Yael Shitrit, testified: You have no idea what ritual abuse is. The human brain cannot comprehend it. You cant imagine what it means to program a three-year-old girl through rape and sadism so they can do whatever they want without anyone knowing. Their trafficking of me happened all over the country. They moved me from ceremony to ceremony. Naked men stood in a circle. My therapist, her husband, and her son harmed me, and there were dozens of other girls and boys who harmed me. The Knesset committee meeting to discuss ritual sexual abuse on June 6th, 2025. (photo credit: KNESSET'S SPOKESPERSON OFFICE/SHMULIK GROSSMAN) There were ceremonies and rituals meant to make me forget, Shitrit continued. The police have known about this for a year, but they dont have the tools to deal with it. The people who will fall are very, very senior figures. These people run communities and government agencies. They threaten us. I have children I need to protect. Something needs to be set up that can deal with this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They tried to make us like them the people who caused us endless pain, Shitrit said. Your role is to make this stop in Safed, Jerusalem, Jaljulya, or anywhere else, she declared. DR. NAAMA GOLDBERG, head of an NGO called Lo Omdot MeNegged (Hebrew for Not Standing Idly By), which assists prostitution survivors, explained that the depictions are sometimes so gruesome that they are hard to believe, but this incredulity serves the abusers, who convince victims not to complain by arguing that they will not be believed. Several years ago, I received descriptions of sadistic abuse of children, Goldberg said. The accounts sounded absurd. [But] the testimonies kept coming and would not let up. They described gang rape by men, and sometimes by women. The abuse was filmed, and drugs were used. There were ritual practices and symbolism. I presented the police with written testimonies from five women. To this day, no one has contacted me. Since the report, additional testimonies have surfaced, Goldberg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A representative of the Israel Police, Ch.-Supt. Anat Yakir, said that there was a national unit reviewing all cases and that the complaints were a top priority in the intelligence division. These testimonies are a 'watershed moment' MKs who attended the meeting were visibly shaken by some of the testimonies, with one calling it a watershed moment and another calling the revelations titanic. Tameno-Shete said, Reality shows us that the police are not strong in handling sexual offenses. No one wants to talk about brutal rape and children being raped. There are unimaginable cases of monstrosity here. Police officers gave testimony at the Knesset committee meeting to discuss ritual sexual abuse on June 6trh, 2025. (photo credit: KNESSET'S SPOKESPERSON OFFICE/SHMULIK GROSSMAN) Lazimi added, I couldnt breathe when I heard about a network of ritual abuse against girls and the fact that there is an organized and dangerous mechanism and nothing is being done to stop it. In this place, we will discuss and try to expose it to bring about change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other survivors spoke at the meeting on condition of anonymity. One testified that a cousin trafficked her beginning at age 11. At 14, he took me to sadistic clubs. I endured torture and starvation at the hands of well-known and prominent individuals. I suffered harm in endless ways. There were public events, and there were internal ceremonies where I was tied to a tall post with handcuffs. Around me, there were other handcuffed victims with rituals of drinking menstrual blood and the slaughter of cats and other animals. They told me no one would believe me if I spoke out. She continued that she filed a complaint with the police five years ago. The prosecution closed the case due to lack of evidence, so I appealed, and it was accepted. I came to testify while on pregnancy bed rest, but the case was closed again due to lack of evidence. They said I was imagining things. I presented a recorded testimony from someone who admitted to harming me, but she was never summoned for questioning. Treat this as terrorism. Former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison reflected on his time leading the party, saying he felt as though he was taken for granted during his tenure. I was seen as somebody to just rubber-stamp and not to actually have a seat at the table to influence certain things, Harrison told The Washington Post during the South Carolina Democratic Partys annual convention. And that has to change, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harrison rose among the political ranks after serving as a staffer for Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.). The South Carolina native served one term at the helm of the Democratic Party from January 2021 to February 2025 and said from an internal perspective, operations need to shift. We cant just be nice ornaments, Harrison said, referring to other Black leaders. We actually have to have a substantive and real role in terms of directing this party and moving this party forward. The former chair said at times his ideas were cast aside, and concerns were ignored, the Post reported. As a whole, Democrats are still working to recover from significant losses in November, including the presidential election. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who conceded the general election to President Trump, struggled to gain the attention of younger male voters, minorities and less engaged voters, polling shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, Harrison encouraged party leaders not to abandon identity politics and continued to stress the importance of winning Black voters. When I wake up in the morning, when I look in the mirror, when I step out the door, I cant rub this off. This is who I am, he said, motioning around his face, The Associated Press reported. This is how the world perceives me. That is my identity. And it is not politics. It is my life. And the people that I need in the party, that I need to stand up for me, have to recognize that, Harrison added. You cannot run away from that. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jackie Faherty (2nd R), curator of the Encounters in the Milky Way, speaks at a panel discussion at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States, on June 3, 2025. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) NEW YORK, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. Titled "Encounters in the Milky Way," the immersive show will open to the public on June 9. As the 7th space show from the museum's Hayden Planetarium, it has been developed by a team of astronomers, scientific visualization experts, and artists, and designed to explore the dynamic movements of the universe, tracing the Milky Way's past over billions of years and projecting its future across millions more. The space show is presented in a theater equipped with a high-resolution projection system and immersive sound, giving the audience the sensation of traveling through space and experiencing the galaxy up close. The show has been particularly supported by the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, also called the "billion-star survey," a project aimed at mapping the precise positions, distances, and motions of nearly 2 billion stars in the Milky Way, according to Jackie Faherty, curator of the show. "Gaia dropped a map that all humans should be proud of," said Faherty at a media preview event on Tuesday. "We mapped the cosmos in a way, and the Milky Way really is the star of it, in a way we had never been able to do before," she added. The vast amount of detailed star movement data provides an unparalleled visual experience, including some brand-new experiences, such as the first visualization of the dramatic and ongoing merger of the Milky Way with smaller satellite galaxies. The production team spent approximately one and a half years creating this 25-minute show. Six months were primarily spent searching for data sets, developing outlines and methods, recruiting staff, and developing technical processes, followed by a year or more of production, according to Vivian Trakinski, producer of the show and the director of science visualization of the museum. "This show has more simulation data than our past shows. We have a new sound system in the dome, which is composed of 34 speakers, which was a great opportunity to specialize the motion that we present in the show. So in that way, it's much richer and more sophisticated. So it's definitely a continuation of our tradition, but there are things that make it unique," Trakinski told Xinhua. The program is expected to be screened at the museum for about three years. Faherty expressed the hope that the space show as an introduction to the globe and the map of the cosmos would lead people to explore the data available to everybody, make discoveries and walk away wanting to be scientists. To date, the museum's space shows have been seen by more than 15 million visitors and have been distributed to 160 institutions across 40 countries worldwide, according to a release by the American Museum of Natural History, which is one of the world's most distinguished scientific and cultural institutions, with a history of more than 120 years. Photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows cosmic movement in Encounters in the Milky Way, the 7th space show of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows cosmic movement in Encounters in the Milky Way, the 7th space show of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows cosmic movement in Encounters in the Milky Way, the 7th space show of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows cosmic movement in Encounters in the Milky Way, the 7th space show of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows cosmic movement in Encounters in the Milky Way, the 7th space show of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows cosmic movement in Encounters in the Milky Way, the 7th space show of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows cosmic movement in Encounters in the Milky Way, the 7th space show of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Photo taken on June 3, 2025 shows cosmic movement in Encounters in the Milky Way, the 7th space show of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the United States. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is launching a new space show to present the story of cosmic motion and how that impacts the solar system, offering a journey through the history and future of the Milky Way galaxy. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) FENTON, La. (KLFY) Eddie Alfred Jr., known as former Mayor of Fenton, was arrested for malfeasance in office and injuring public records earlier today, officials said. In early May, officials were requested by the Village of Fenton Administration to investigate a complaint involving Alfred for allegations of removing village documents upon leaving office, authorities said. As the investigation progressed, officials determined that before leaving office in December 2024, Alfred allegedly deleted electronic files, took possession of documents essential to village operations, and refused to provide information to the new administration. Detectives said they were able to recover some of the files from Alfreds residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alfred was taken into custody on an arrest warrant and was processed into the Jefferson Davis Parish Correctional Center with $5000 bond. Alfred was released on bond later today according to public records. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest This investigation remains ongoing. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. (FOX40.COM) Nevada County is home to a few dedicated theaters, with the Nevada Theater, minutes away from the tech company Grass Valley, being the oldest theater west of the Mississippi. Now, there are new plans to turn Grass Valley into a central destination for music and the arts. The former tech companys owner tried to sell it during the COVID-19 pandemic, but no buyer was in sight, until InConcert Sierra purchased it at a bargain price of about $2.3 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purchase kicked off the construction of Crown Point Venues, but it wasnt all seamless at first. Within 36 hours of In-Concert Sierra purchasing the building, Mother Nature had other plans. We signed the papers on March 3, 2023, closing the deal, and sometime that weekend, within about 36 hours, right where were standing, the roof of the building collapsed, Artistic Director of In-Concert Sierra, Ken Hardin, said. A powerful storm rolled in, dumping several feet of snow that the grass valley community hadnt seen in years, which caused sections of the buildings roof to collapse. It wound up being just Mother Nature saying, lets get this project started, because we were going to raise the roof here anyway, Hardin added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driven by resilience, Hardin and his team sprang into action, giving the building a fresh start that is projected to cost $20 million. InConcert Sierra is primarily a concert presenting organization. We dont build buildings. We dont operate buildings. So, weve had a huge learning curve, Hardin said. We have a wonderful board of directors thats been very involved in shepherding the project. Crown Point Venues is set to house three venues all under one roof. From a conference center with enough seating for at least 400 people. 4,400 square feet, which will be available for galas, fundraisers, banquets, and also for corporate trainings, government meetings, any kind of public assembly that people want to have, said Hardin. and thatll really be the economic driver of the building, that space will support the building economically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To a black box theater designed with flexible seating options to suit just about every type of performance. This wall surface doesnt touch this wall surface anywhere, so sound cant travel, vibration cant travel through, and sound cant right, so we dont bleed into another venue, Hardin said. And the crown jewel of them all, an acoustic concert hall. Basically, means that the performer performs without amplification, and the audience experience is that whatever they do on stage sounds the same anywhere in the room, anywhere you are in the room without amplification, Hardin explained. Hardin said the concert hall is aimed at attracting world-class talent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And personally, as a musician, this kind of space is exactly the kind of space that musicians dream of performing in, a beautiful acoustic, a large stage, Hardin said. We could have easily 700 people in this room with performers on the stage, an orchestra, and an audience of 540. Roughly $15 million of the $20 million has already been raised, and theyre working to raise the remaining amount with an anticipated opening in 2026. Any music enthusiast looking to get involved can visit the projects website to sign up for their fundraising event, which includes a behind-the-scenes tour of their transformation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WIVT/WBGH) A former representative of New Yorks 19th District is out with a new book that looks back on how difficult decisions made during the founding of our country might offer guidance on how to deal with the deep divisions that exist today. Chris Gibson has published The Spirit of Philadelphia: A Call To Recover The Founding Principles. The book is based on research Gibson did about the Constitutional Convention held in 1787 in Philadelphia to address some of the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson says the years between the Revolutionary War and the adoption of the Constitution was marked by a lot of dissent, dysfunction and open rebellion. Gibson says the framers of the Constitution purposely created checks and balances that decentralized power and gave control over lawmaking, funding, and the ability to go to war to the peoples representatives in Congress. He says that over the past century, and even more so in recent times, power has steadily been consolidated in the president at the expense of Congress. Basically, you vote for a president, that president comes in, whether its Barack Obama on the left or Donald Trump on the right, and the expectation for those voters is that theyre going to get everything theyre looking for and its going to come by way of executive action. This is in part what changed how we interact with each other. By moving away from founding principles, we have really torn our social fabric and were living with the consequences of those changing ideas, said Gibson. Gibson, who spent three years as president of his alma mater, Siena College, says the convention in Philadelphia not only created a framework for the government but also a spirit of collaboration and optimism. He says, despite the divisions of today, most Americans still agree about the value of liberty and equality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can find out more information and purchase the book at TheSpiritofPhiladelphia.com Gibson includes some of his recommendations for addressing our countrys polarization and says hed be happy to Zoom in with any book clubs interested in reading his book. Watch the full interview with Gibson 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 WIVT - News 34. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The trial between a former physician acquitted of 14 murder charges in 2022 and the Mount Carmel Health System began on Monday with jury selection. William Husel returned to a Columbus courtroom on Monday for the first day of the defamation trial against Mount Carmel Health System, former Mount Carmel CEO and president Edward Lamb, and Mount Carmels parent company Trinity Health Corporation. Husel sued all three for one claim of defamation in 2019 and sued Mount Carmel for breach of contract. A motion was filed by Mount Carmel to have a summary judgment instead of a trial. The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas dismissed that motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawsuit over Franklin County jail overdose alleges neglect and coverup from nurses From 2015 to 2018, critically ill patients in Columbus ICU physician Husels care died from a potentially excessive amount of painkillers. In 2019, Husel faced 14 murder charges in relation to his patients deaths. A jury ultimately found him not guilty in 2022 after a months-long trial. Husel surrendered his medical license in the aftermath of his trial. He filed multiple new civil lawsuits which included a 2023 suit for $20 million against Mount Carmel in which Husels attorneys claim malicious prosecution against him. This lawsuit was dismissed in March of 2024 before he filed a new suit a month later, which alleged public statements from the defendants calling him responsible for patient deaths and attempts at influencing local media. 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. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president of the Russian Federation, has declared that the true purpose of the so-called peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul is to ensure Russia's swift and complete victory. Source: Medvedev on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: Medvedev stated that the Istanbul negotiations are not intended to bring about a "compromise peace" based on what he called "imaginary, unrealistic conditions". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he said they are needed to secure Russia's "fastest possible victory". "This is the purpose of the Russian memorandum published yesterday," he added. Background: The meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations on 2 June lasted just over an hour and was the second of its kind since 16 May. Following the talks, the sides agreed on further exchanges of specific categories of military personnel. Ukraine also submitted a list of several hundred children abducted by Russia. The Russian delegation claimed that it had proposed a temporary ceasefire, limited to certain sections of the front. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! ATHENS, Greece (AP) A court in Athens on Tuesday convicted a former Fire Service chief and nine others for their roles in managing a 2018 wildfire that killed more than 100 people outside the Greek capital. The hearing was disrupted by protests from victims relatives after several former civil administrators on trial were acquitted. The fire, which broke out in the seaside area of Mati, east of Athens, spread rapidly due to strong winds. Many residents died in a chaotic attempt to escape either by car through a dense forest or fleeing into the sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior officials from the Fire Service and civil protection agencies were found guilty of negligence resulting in loss of life and breach of duty for failing to safely direct the evacuation. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Wednesday due to the delay caused by the courtroom protests. My daughter went there for one day and never made it out. No one told her to leave, Eleni Siapkara, dressed in black and holding a white rose, told reporters. They destroyed our family. Her 35-year-old daughter, Calliope, died in the fire. Siapkara joined other grieving relatives outside the courthouse where they released black helium-filled balloons in remembrance of the tragedy. Six of the defendants were initially found guilty in a trial that concluded last year, but an appeals court prosecutor challenged the verdict, leading to a retrial. None of the defendants was jailed while awaiting the outcome of the second trial. FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) The Forrest County Health Department will hold a special walk-in immunization clinic for school registration. The clinic will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on June 6-13, 2025. The walk-in clinic is only for incoming kindergarten and 7th grade students, both of whom have required vaccinations before starting school in the fall. Parents must provide the school with a Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121) prior to school entry. FDA elevates tomato recall in 3 states to highest level Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents should bring a copy of their childs immunization record. Form 121 can be obtained from your childs immunization provider. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) also offers MyIR Mobile, which is an online portal that gives users access to their official state immunization records. MyIR Mobile requires identity verification through a phone number or email address to keep records safe and secure. Only immunization records of Mississippi residents are accessible through this program, which is available at www.MyIRMobile.com. Childhood vaccinations are available at any CHD by appointment. If your child is not up to date on vaccinations or you have religious exemptions, call (601) 583-0291 to schedule an appointment. The Forrest County Health Department is located at 5008 Old Hwy 42 in Hattiesburg. 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 Fox News host said President Donald Trump turned out to be wrong about Ukraine not having any cards to play in the war against Russia. Fox chief political analyst Brit Hume praised the ingenious Ukrainians over an unprecedented sneak attack on Russian airbases over the weekend that wiped out more than 40 aircraft worth about $7 billion. It certainly does establish that this country, whose president was being told at the White House that he didnt have any cards to play, that he apparently has quite a few cards to play, Hume said in a Monday episode of Special Report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hume was referring to a disastrous Oval Office meeting in February when Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of the cameras over the war. If you didnt have our military equipment, this war wouldve been over in 2 weeks! Trump told Zelensky at the time. You have to be thankfulyou dont have the cards. Ukraine proved Trump wrong on Sunday when it launched Operation Spider-web, a massive drone attack that targeted Russian assets in four key bases. Zelensky personally oversaw the 18-month-long planning process for the attack, according to CBS News. The attack involved smuggling over a hundred drones deep into Russia through wooden crates on the back of trucks, which were later opened remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Axios reported that the White House was left in the dark about the attack before it was launched. State Secretary Marco Rubio reportedly spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after the ambush to reiterate Trumps call for peace between the warring nations. This daring attack, which, if the Ukrainians can be believed, wiped out about 30 to 40 percent of Russias strategic bombing force, Hume said. Thats a major setback for Russia. It is an embarrassing intelligence failure and an embarrassing defense failure, he added. And who knows what else the Ukrainians, who proved pretty ingenious, may have up their sleeves. Generally, when it comes to the stock market, the president can have a big impact on its ups and downs. However, this position of power is not the only factor, as consumer behavior, the Federal Reserve and global trade all have a strong influence over how your investments will perform. President Trumps floundering and at times confusing tariff announcements do seem to have at least temporarily affected stocks negatively, but this is not necessarily a reason to panic as most investing experts still maintain that you should play the long game. Read Next: Mark Cuban: Trumps Tariffs Will Affect This Class of People the Most Learn More: The New Retirement Problem Boomers Are Facing To better understand how some of Trumps policies could affect investment opportunities throughout the rest of 2025, GOBankingRates spoke with some financial experts for their predictions about what to expect in the months ahead. Energy Winners and Losers Samita Malik, head of insurance, tax and estate planning at Arta Finance, said the energy sector is one particularly worth watching now that Trump is back in the White House. The energy sector, including fossil fuels, is poised to grow from favorable regulatory policies under the Trump administration, given recent indications from the Department of Energy about natural gas production, Malik said. However, according to Malik, proposed reductions in federal support for renewable energy, including the elimination of green subsidies and the expansion of tariffs on imports like Chinese solar panels, could slow the growth of the renewable sector. Find Out: Who Would Benefit the Most from Trumps Social Security Tax Plan? Technology Sector For investors interested in tech, Malik said its still too early to tell which, if any, parts of the sector will benefit disproportionately and sustainably under the current administration. On the one hand, imposing tariffs on tech components may disrupt global supply chains, leading to increased production costs and potential delays, Malik said. On the other hand, proposed tax reforms, including possible reductions in corporate tax rates, could increase profitability for tech companies. Artificial Intelligence Analysts are going to be watching how moves and policies by Trump impact the abilities of businesses to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has, and will continue to, have a profound impact across industries, and investment management is no exception, Malik said. AI is transforming the investment landscape by offering deeper insights, reducing human bias, and enabling faster decision-making all at a fraction of the cost of traditional human-dependent models. The code that Wall Street traders are now using to describe Donald Trumps tactic of backing out of his trade policy threats whenever they cause the stock market to tumble has not only rattled the president, but has his most loyal sycophants at Fox News scrambling to defend him against the insulting nickname. With investors now engaging in TACO trades - which is shorthand for Trump Always Chickens Out when it comes to actually imposing his massive tariffs - Democratic lawmakers have now taken to social media to mock the president by filming themselves munching down on tacos. Amid the widespread mockery of the president by Democrats and liberal media figures, not to mention the presidents own complaints about the nasty term, a number of hosts and commentators at Fox News which essentially serves as the White Houses unofficial communications arm have circled the wagons to blast the cringey insult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way they have done that is to insist that theres no way that Trump can be seen as cowardly because there is nobody alive who has more courage than the president. The word chicken one of the problems that the Democrats have had with Donald Trump is the fact that after fight, fight, fight, everyone knows he is the bravest man in the world, Fox & Friends co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy, referencing last years assassination attempt on Trump, breathlessly declared Tuesday. Fox News hosts, including Greg Gutfeld, have circled the wagons to defend Donald Trump after Democrats began mocking the president over the Wall Street-based "TACO" moniker. (Fox News) Campos-Duffy, whose husband serves as the presidents transportation secretary, claimed the mocking was all propaganda to make the American people forget that Trump was shot in the head at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. At the same time, though, she insisted the nickname wont stick because the public knows how courageous and unafraid the president is. Every man that saw that knows he is brave, she continued. Bravest man in the world. They are thinking using taco and the word chicken on Trump somehow is going to damage or put a dent in that teflon image he has as the very brave person. Frankly, he is brave to take on tariffs! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Real World star was far from the only Fox News personality to fume over the acronym that Democrats and anti-Trump influencers have gleefully embraced. Specifically, the networks conservative stars have recently taken issue with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who posted a video on his TikTok account of a staffer asking him: Hey, Congressman, what the f*** is up with Trump always chickening out on tariffs? The California lawmaker, who has long been a vocal critic of the president, merely responded by biting into a Taco Bell crunchy taco. The Democrats have become so lame, Fox & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones groused in response to the video, while Campos-Duffy called out Swalwell for his cringey response to Trump. Their colleague Brian Kilmeade, meanwhile, blamed the whole TACO acronym on Foxs corporate cousin The Wall Street Journal, which is also owned by Rupert Murdoch. The Wall Street Journal was at war with the president when it comes to tariffs, he claimed. While the Journal did eventually report on the TACO Trade that has Trump fuming, the paper wasnt the first to cover the cheeky term, which traders had been using for weeks and was initially coined by a Financial Times columnist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere on the presidents favorite morning show, former Speaker of the House and current Fox News contributor Newt Gingrich also rejected the nickname because, in his view, Trump never loses. This whole recent thing about TACO, you know, Trump always caves. Thats nuts, Gingrich huffed. Heres a guy with the courage to endure the CIA and the FBI with the Russia hoax. He endures two impeachment attempts, a rigged election, two assassination attempts, four efforts to put him in jail, and his critics think that he always caves. My experience is, he almost always wins. The conservative cable giants top opinion hosts, meanwhile, seemingly took turns the night before to find different ways to sneer at Swalwells video while insisting that the derisive epithet is not gaining any traction. I want to point out that we like tacos. Thats why this doesnt work. We like tacos, Fox News resident comedian Greg Gutfeld exclaimed on The Five before referencing Swalwells alleged ties to a Chinese spy. The word chicken one of the problems that the Democrats have had with Donald Trump is the fact that after fight, fight, fight, everyone knows he is the bravest man in the world, Fox & Friends co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy said (Fox News) Eric Swalwell should have been doing Chinese food his chopstick was found in a wonton, Gutfeld snarked. The FBI never accused the lawmaker of any wrongdoing, and a House Ethics probe concluded without taking any further action against the congressman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutfeld wasnt the only pro-Trump Fox host to invoke the Chinese spy allegations while blasting Swalwells video. I wonder if Fang Fang likes the burrito bowl, Laura Ingraham chuckled on Monday night. The lefts weird moment goes to Fang Fang Swalwell, who posted this video on TikTok on Trumps tariffs, Trump confidant and shadow White House chief of staff Sean Hannity proclaimed before airing the clip. Maybe somebody needs to tell Mr. Fang Fang that the Atlanta Fed is predicting 4.6 percent growth in the second quarter. Still, while Foxs top Trump loyalists were going out of their way to talk about how much they like tacos and therefore the sobriquet wont actually hurt the president, other voices on the channel pointed out that this is something that could break through with the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its totally fair game, National Review editor Rich Lowry said on the Sunday broadcast of MediaBuzz. And apparently Trump was irritated in part because he hadnt heard it, and afterwards was irked with his aides not telling him about this. Lowry added: TACO, its catchy, kind of funny, and gets to a real phenomenon with the tariffs, which hes backed off them. Fox News Brit Hume scorched President Donald Trump on Monday for previously telling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he had no cards to play against Russia. (Watch the video below.) A recent Ukrainian drone attack thats been called Russias Pearl Harbor penetrated deep into the aggressing nation and destroyed a chunk of President Vladimir Putins air arsenal. Shannon Bream asked the conservative channels chief political analyst about the embarrassment and losses that Ukraine inflicted on Russia, whose unprovoked invasion began the war more than three years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It certainly does establish that this country, whose president was being told at the White House that he didnt have any cards to play, that he apparently has quite a few cards to play, including this daring attack, Hume said on Special Report. Back in February, Trump attempted to browbeat Zelenskyy into giving mineral rights to the U.S. for more support. Youre not in a good position, Trump lectured at the time in a heated exchange. You dont have the cards. With us, you have cards. But without us, you dont have any cards. Zelenskyy left the White House an hour later. Hume praised the operation for wiping out a reported 30% to 40% of Russias strategic bombing force. Thats a major setback for Russia, he continued. It is an embarrassing intelligence failure and an embarrassing defense failure. And who knows what else the Ukrainians, who have proved pretty ingenious, may have up their sleeves. Related... (COLORADO SPRINGS) The FOX21 Storm Team is growing with the addition of Nic Temple as the weekend evening meteorologist. Nic comes to Southern Colorado via Tuscaloosa, where he served as weekend evening meteorologist at WVUA 23 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Nic holds a Masters Degree in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University and a degree in Geography from the University of Alabama. Matt Meister, chief meteorologist, welcomed Nic to the team during the morning show on Tuesday, June 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched an investigation into a company that took millions from an Essex council through alleged sham solar farm investments. Rockfire Investment Finance is accused of drawing Thurrock borough council into a fraudulent scheme that effectively led to the local authoritys bankruptcy. The council poured 655m of taxpayers money into bond investments sold by Rockfire between 2016 and 2020. Rockfire promised it would provide returns of up to 6pc a year, underwritten by investments in solar farms across the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thurrock borrowed more than 1bn from about 150 other local councils, in part to fund its investments in Rockfires schemes. However, the deals went sour and the local authority was later declared effectively bankrupt in December 2022 after Rockfire failed to generate the promised returns. Thurrock was left with debts of 1.5bn at the time of its bankruptcy, while Rockfire is now in liquidation. No political party had overall control of the council when the investments were made. Thurrock has been Labour controlled since May 2024. Nick Ephgrave, the SFOs director, said the serving of Section 2 notices was a significant step in the investigation The SFO has served a series of so-called Section 2 notices to financial institutions, requiring them to hand over information on Rockfire or face criminal sanctions themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nick Ephgrave, the SFOs director, said: Todays action is a significant step in our investigation concerning this suspected criminality. We are grateful for the assistance of Essex Police, Thurrock council and others in the early stages of this inquiry. Thurrock council described the investigation as a vital step toward securing justice and ensuring accountability on behalf of our communities. Victoria Holloway, a Labour councillor since 2024, said: Since these catastrophic investments first came to light, this administration standing firmly alongside our residents has consistently and rightly called for a full investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thurrock council will continue to fully support this investigation and will make sure the SFO has access to all the information it requires, as we have continued to do since these losses were uncovered. Alongside this, the council is vigorously pursuing civil claims against Rockfire and its owner, Liam Kavanagh, to recover public funds lost through these failed investments. Todays announcement strengthens our resolve to see this through. Thurrock filed a High Court lawsuit against Liam Kavanagh accusing him of misappropriating funds. Mr Kavanagh denies the allegations The council has accused Mr Kavanagh of misappropriating funds to buy a yacht, private jet, and a country estate in Hampshire. Thurrock filed a High Court lawsuit against Mr Kavanagh in August last year. Mr Kavanagh, who is now believed to live in Dubai, denies the allegations. The scandal has proved costly for residents of Thurrock. Council tax rates were increased by 8pc last year and services for local residents have also been cut to secure the local authoritys finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Thurrock contends it was the victim of a scam, a 2023 report by Essex County Council placed blame on the authority for ignoring multiple red flags and downplaying criticism. The report said local politicians inside Thurrock council invested in Rockfires schemes to avoid difficult decisions without understanding the risks. Council leaders later attempted to conceal bad news and avoid public scrutiny when their failures started coming to light, the report said. Rockfires liquidators declined to 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. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) On Tuesday, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) announced that 635 summer meal sites are open throughout Colorado to provide free meals to children aged 18 and younger. Out of those 635 locations, 16 are open in Grand Junction. In Grand Junction, these locations include: Chipeta Elementary School, Dos Rios Elementary School, Pear Park Elementary School, Pomona Elementary School, Tope Elementary School, Bookcliff Middle School, Orchard Mesa Middle School, Grand Junction High School, CMU Tech, Candlewood Park, Clifton Community Center, Dual Immersion Academy School, EUREKA! Science Museum, Kimwood Park, Lincoln Park and Mesa Avenue Park. A map of current Grand Junction locations in the Summer Meals Program can be found on kidsfoodfinder.org. Parents, families and community members can learn more about locations and hours at www.kidsfoodfinder.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No registration, identification, or proof of income or enrollment is required to access summer meals. All meals served meet USDA nutrition guidelines. The Colorado Department of Educations School Nutrition Unit, in partnership with community-based program sponsors, runs the Summer Meal Program and provided over 1.9 million meals to Colorado youth last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds the program. CDE is currently working with 82 community organizations to run the 635 meal sites across the state. In rural areas, a to-go or delivery option for meals may be offered. Local schools, nonprofits, government agencies, camps, faith- or community-based organizations can join the program to provide new meal sites at any time throughout the summer. Many Colorado children rely on their schools for access to food, and our Summer Meals Program provides a critical resource for children and families during the summer months. We are grateful to our 83 community partners for stepping up to serve them, said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Cordova. Kids lined up at the Lunch Lizard. In addition to the Summer Meals Program, children and teens can get free meals over the summer through the Lunch Lizard. The mobile summer food program operates across Mesa County and served its first set of children on Monday in Fruita. 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. Jun. 2BEMIDJI A house in Frohn Township has suffered extensive damage after a fire broke out on Saturday morning in Bemidji. According to a release from Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, firefighters responded to reports of a structure fire along Martin Lane SE in Frohn Township. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a single-story house with heavy smoke and flames visible from the roof and rear of the home, the release said. A nearby vehicle and garage were also on fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial crews pulled a 2 1/2-inch pre-connected attack line and started a transitional attack at the back of the home. As more crews arrived on scene, additional lines were placed in service and aided in the extinguishment of the fires. A total of 24 firefighters and eight pieces of equipment were on the scene for approximately three hours. The home and its contents suffered extensive damage. No injuries have been reported. The fire is currently under investigation, but it appears to have been accidental, the release said. The Bemidji Ambulance Service, Bemidji Police Department, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office, American Red Cross, and Beltrami Electric assisted the Bemidji Fire Department at the scene. The family has started a GoFundMe page to raise donations. To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/wilson-family-needs-your-help-after-fire. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) The Collegiate School at FSU Panama City is hosting its second Summer Institute in partnership with the Florida State University Panama City STEM Institute. According to a news release, the schools will host a series of day camps for students who have completed grades seven through eight in June and July. These camps focus on STEAM: science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. This includes crime scene investigation, acting, flight technology and art. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CSI-TCS Unit is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 9-12 and July 7-10 at $140 per person. Students will participate in a murder mystery role-play and apply their science, technology and STEM skills to take on the role of a suspect. This camp includes a certification in WordPress. Creative Fusion will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24 as well as July 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 with artist Brianna Bennett at $70 per participant. This is meant for grades six to 10 to explore painting, drawing, mixed media and more. Actors Workshop is set for 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on June 10 and is free for students to learn acting techniques, master script reading, learn warm-up exercises and more. The Science of Flight will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 16-19 and July 14-17 at $140 per person to investigate and model prehistoric inventions and modern designs for air travel. Participants will learn Bernoullis Principle, study current attempts at space flight and design and launch rockets. This also includes a certification for WordPress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope students will take advantage of these exciting camps since each of them explores career options and pathways available at The Collegiate School at FSU Panama City, said Jenna Edwards, administrative specialist with TCS. For more information, click here or email TCS@fsu.edu. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating media credibility firms about their industry relationships, requiring organizations to hand over information about operations, finances, and communications, The New York Times first reported, and ADWEEK has independently verified. The FTC has issued Civil Investigative Demand letters-which, like subpoenas, require recipients to produce documents and respond to inquiries-to organizations including Media Matters for America, as first reported by The New York Times last week, and the news rating company Ad Fontes Media, ADWEEK has independently confirmed. The development highlights a broader pattern of heightened scrutiny by the U.S. government in recent years toward the advertising industry. Last year, a congressional investigation determined that the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, a leading advertising coalition, colluded in a politically motivated effort to suppress right-wing media by steering ad dollars away from outlets like Fox News, Breitbart, and The Daily Wire. The House Judiciary Committee said at the time that GARM "likely violated federal antitrust laws." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one letter issued on May 20, obtained by ADWEEK, the FTC demands the organization produce information about its operations and methodologies, finances, internal and external communications, and complaints or allegations about its work from January 1, 2019 to the present. In the 21-page letter, the government also demands details about the organization's relationships with 13 other "entities that purport to track, categorize, evaluate, or rate news sources, outlets, websites, content, or other entities for misinformation,' hate speech,' false' or deceptive' content, or similar categories." According to the letter, these organizations include media rating firm NewsGuard, trade associations the World Federation of Advertisers and the Interactive Advertising Bureau, adtech vendors DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science, as well as watchdog organizations Check My Ads Institute and the Center for Countering Digital Hate. To ensure compliance with the CID, the FTC "requires a search of all documents in the possession, custody, or control" of the organization. The government demands that the requested information and answers be submitted by June 19. "They're requesting pretty much anything pertinent to our business since we started," Ad Fontes Media CEO Vanessa Otero, who received a letter from the FTC, told ADWEEK, adding that the demands are "excessive" and "overzealous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Typically, for a subpoena or a discovery request in a civil trial, parties have to be actually charged with something or actually be sued in order to have to submit to these heavy demands that are very intrusive on your business, she said. And thats not the case with a Civil Investigative Demand, because the DOJ, FTC, FCC, and some other agencies have very broad power to do pre-litigation investigation. It can be very onerous on companiesand it can be very discouraging to peoples activities or their speech." Ad Fontes Media said it will comply with the FTC's demands, Otero said. Media Matters also received a CID, it confirmed, and is under active investigation by the FTC. An FTC spokesperson declined to comment, noting that the agency's "communications with external parties are nonpublic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter reviewed by ADWEEK was issued by the FTC's mergers division, prompting speculation that the CID letters may be part of a larger investigation concerning Omnicom's planned acquisition of IPG. In March, the FTC issued a second request for information concerning the proposed transaction. Following the governments scrutiny into GARM last year, X-under the leadership of polarizing billionaire owner Elon Musk-sued the organization over similar allegations, accusing the group and its backer, the World Federation of Advertisers, of operating as gatekeepers that pressure brands into boycotts of sites like X under the guise of brand safety. GARM shuttered days after the lawsuit was launched. Musk has also sued Media Matters. In his lawsuit, Musk alleges the group knowingly manipulated data to push a damaging narrative about X after it published research highlighting racist and antisemitic content on X. The organization snapped back with a lawsuit of its own in March. "Businesses have rights to not advertise next to stuff they find crappy, Otero told ADWEEK. And no one is colluding with anybody about this." SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. (WBOY) U.S. Marshals announced Tuesday that they have arrested a man in West Virginia who is accused of kidnapping and stabbing a witness in his criminal case in Indiana. Marvin Starcher According to a release, U.S. Marshals took Marvin Starcher, 56, of Garrett, Indiana, into custody on Monday at about 6 p.m. in Nicholas County, West Virginia. He was wanted out of DeKalb County, Indiana after failing to appear May 3 for a trial accusing him of distributing meth and unlawfully possessing a firearm. The release said Starcher is also accused of kidnapping a trial witness in his case on May 24 before stabbing and leaving that person by the side of a road in rural Indiana. He allegedly then stole the victims SUV and fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human remains found at Monongalia County construction site Official warrants were put out for Starcher, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, intimidation and criminal confinement. U.S. Marshals also began gathering information and said they learned Starcher was evading apprehension from law enforcement in southern West Virginia. On Monday, law enforcement said they found Starcher operating the stolen vehicle in the area of WV Route 16 near the Nicholas/Fayette county line. He was taken into custody and booked on a fugitive from justice warrant before being transported to the Central Regional Jail. Starcher is now awaiting extradition back to Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews with the Fayette County Sheriffs Office, Nicholas County Sheriffs Office, and Montgomery Police Department aided in the apprehension, U.S. Marshals 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 WBOY.com. AngloGold Ashanti has reached an agreement to sell its stake in the Mineracao Serra Grande mine in Goias, Brazil, to Aura Minerals. The $76m (R1.36bn) cash deal includes additional deferred consideration payments tied to a 3% net smelter return on the mine's mineral resources. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025 (Q3 2025), subject to regulatory approvals and the completion of certain pre-closing obligations. The Mineracao Serra Grande mine, located near the city of Crixas, operates three mechanised underground mines and an open pit. Its metallurgical plant has an annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes (mt). Despite recent efforts to stabilise operations, including the near-completion of decommissioning at its legacy tailings storage facility, the mine remains one of AngloGold Ashanti's higher-cost and smallest operations in terms of production. As part of the sale, certain subsidiaries holding non-operational assets will be spun off and retained by AngloGold Ashanti. These subsidiaries currently fall under Mineracao Serra Grande operations but will be transferred out prior to the sale's completion. The deal is contingent on several conditions including antitrust approval from Brazilian authorities, the completion of the tailings storage facility decommissioning and the transfer of the aforementioned subsidiaries. AngloGold Ashanti CEO Alberto Calderon said: This sale ensures we further sharpen our focus on capital allocation, operating efficiencies and the optimisation of our portfolio. We have also worked hard to ensure that MSG and its excellent team joins an established company which will continue to be responsible stewards of this asset for the benefit of all stakeholders. In related news, AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields have paused discussions on a potential joint venture (JV) that would have seen the operators combine their Iduapriem and Tarkwa mines in Ghana. This decision allows both companies to focus on improving the stand-alone performances of their respective mines. Since the JV proposition in March 2023, AngloGold Ashanti has identified valuable opportunities within its Iduapriem mine plan. "AngloGold Ashanti to sell Brazilian Serra Grande mine for $76m plus royalties" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. FLORIDA (WMBB) The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has asked that all Florida residents and visitors report sightings of wild turkeys, including hens, poults and gobblers, until August 31. According to a news release, Floridas annual summer wild turkey survey helps to determine wild turkey nesting success, poult survival and population distribution and abundance. This is vital information that FWC biologists need to maintain a healthy wild turkey population for the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FWC said that the survey is part of a broader multi-state initiative intended to better understand the reproductive success and abundance of wild turkeys. Wild turkeys are abundant in Florida and are found throughout the state. Nests usually start to hatch in late spring and into summer. However, nesting success can vary every year based on multiple factors, including weather conditions, predation and habitat quality. The FWC said that variations in nesting success and poult survival can significantly affect wild turkey populations. Reporting wild turkey sightings can help biologists estimate population metrics at the statewide and regional levels Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information and to start reporting, 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. Service members learn how to be dependable, committed, and disciplined. But many veterans have difficulty finding a job in civilian life once their time in the military is finished. An Alpharetta-based nonprofit is helping veterans launch new careers. James Cardwell knows service. Im a veteran of the US military. I served in the Army, Navy, and the Air Force. When he started a new mission, looking for a civilian job, his resume needed work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coming from combat arms, tons of management experience, obviously, I worked with lots of different systems. But nothing equated over to the civilian world, Cardwell said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He connected with Hire Heroes USA. The nonprofit helps military veterans and their spouses with job search skills and information, all for free. The nonprofit has more than 100,000 confirmed hires. Romaine Byrd said resume tweaks can be the key, changing military language into the terms that businesses use. Byrd said local businesses looking for dependable, hard-working employees should get in touch with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you do have a spot for a veteran thats looking for employment, please reach out and let us know, he said. Cardwell now works in technology and said Hire Heroes USA helped him take the next step. Theyre your wingman, the guy in the foxhole with you, your fellow sailor right there. Anything you need, theyre there to help you out, Cardwell said. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Two people are facing charges in the death of their six-month-old baby, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On September 28, 2022, the GBI was requested by Baxley police to investigate the death of Dustin Sauls, 41, and Cierra Chanceys, 36, six-month-old child. According to the GBI, the Blackshear parents delayed reporting the childs death and had cocaine at the time. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the pair was arrested and booked into the Appling County Jail. Sauls and Chancey are charged with one count of concealing the death of another and possession of cocaine. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Baxley Police Department at 912-367-8305 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at 912-389-4103. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling 1-800-597-8477. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Published by The Guardian On a windy night in early January, second-grade teacher Barbara Ishida spotted the Eaton Fire glowing in the hills behind her home in Altadena, California. Her mind turned to the deadly wildfires in Lahaina and Paradise and she thought, Lets get out now. Ishida and her husband evacuated safely, but the flames destroyed their home. An attribution study found that climate change, which is primarily caused by burning fossil fuels, made the January fires 35% more likely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selling their burned lot would not earn enough money to afford another home elsewhere, Ishida said. She thought the least they could do is rebuild in a way that wouldnt compound the climate crisis that raised the fire risk. Building back is our only option at this point, Ishida said, so were going to build back super environmentally-friendly. Her vision is to build a fire-resistant home with no gas appliances. That approach is backed by a University of California Berkeley study released in April that concluded all-electric construction is the fastest, most cost-effective and most climate-friendly strategy to rebuild after the fires. But the gas industry is pushing back against this idea. Proposed rules that would have encouraged Ishida and other homeowners to buy furnaces and heaters that emit no nitrogen oxides (NOx) a key pollutant from gas appliances have been weakened and delayed by a coalition of groups that includes SoCalGas, the countrys largest gas utility and a monopoly gas company in Southern California. After a fierce opposition campaign, the rules are going to a vote on Friday, June 6. Rules would tighten heater standards The rules are proposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the agency responsible for improving air quality in Los Angeles and nearby communities, one of the most polluted air basins in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If passed, the rules are designed to create cleaner air and reduce planet-heating emissions by setting future targets for sales of new zero-emission space and water heaters. The rules would apply to manufacturers, distributors, sellers and installers. They are expected to prevent 2,490 premature deaths and avoid 10,200 asthma cases. Consumers will continue to have a choice of purchasing either a gas or electric space/water heaters when replacing their existing units, explained Nahal Mogharabi, a spokesperson for the air-quality district. Importantly, consumers can continue to operate their existing units until the consumer chooses to replace it or the unit breaks. A charred washer and dryer are seen on May 17, 2025 in Altadena, Calif., remnants of the Eaton Fire that ripped through the Los Angeles-area community in January 2025. (Nia MacKnight / Floodlight) SoCalGas defended its role in the opposition campaign. SoCalGas stakeholder engagement and outreach efforts on this topic are a regular part of any rulemaking process where we share information that could affect Southern California customers, SoCalGas spokesperson Erica Berardi wrote in an email. BizFed, a business group that was also part of the opposition campaign, advocated for a delay in the rule-making process to allow for more transparency and sufficient public outreach to make Southern Californians aware of the significant costs associated with these changes, Elizabeth Daubel, communications director for BizFed, wrote in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time that the opposition campaign ramped up, groups allied with the gas industry filed a lawsuit against the SCAQMD, aiming to undermine its authority to impose such regulations. The opposition is far from unique; a February report by London-based think tank InfluenceMap found that fossil fuel companies in the United States, European Union and Australia are waging parallel campaigns against laws that restrict use of gas in buildings pushback that has largely succeeded in preventing and weakening these laws. Ishida signed a letter supporting the proposed SCAQMD rules because she believes they would encourage Altadena to build back in a sustainable way. When she heard about the organized opposition to the rules, Ishida felt angry. They're just putting profits over people. They're not thinking long term. They're thinking short term. And they're not thinking very well for the next generation, she said. It's sad and it's selfish and it's not right. Opposition campaign leads to weakened rules Although progressive states like California are leading the transition away from fossil fuels, gas appliances remain ubiquitous in California homes and across the western United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SCAQMD is responsible for air quality in much of Los Angeles County, Orange County and the western portions of San Bernardino and Riverside counties a highly populated corner of the state. Buildings account for one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in California but are subject to local control, meaning that local regulators like the SCAQMD have a big role to play in lowering emissions. In 2023, recognizing the air pollution caused by gas appliances, the agency proposed amendments to two rules to encourage alternatives. Changes to Rules 1111 and 1121 would establish a zero-emission NOx standard for furnaces and water heaters. As originally written, the new rules would have impacted more than 10 million gas-fired residential and commercial furnaces and residential water heaters. The rules would not affect gas stoves, a flashpoint in similar regulatory efforts. The way they were written in October 2024, the proposed rules would have required that all furnaces and water heaters installed become zero-emission by 2026 for new residential and commercial buildings. Existing buildings and mobile homes had a few more years to comply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in recent months, SCAQMD staff have softened the proposed rules. The current version now requires manufacturers to meet zero-emission sales targets for residential buildings, starting at 30% in 2027-28 and rising to 90% by 2036. The rule no longer requires that all new furnaces and water heaters be zero-emission by a certain date. The original rules would have reduced NOx emissions by 10 tons per day, which would have been the largest emission reducing rule package adopted in over three decades by the SCAQMD. The revised rules would achieve a reduction of 6 tons per day of NOx emissions. Kim Orbe, senior conservation program manager at Sierra Club, said pushing back the compliance date would allow manufacturers to continue building gas-powered equipment for years to come. She believes the weakened rules are not sending a strong enough signal to manufacturers to develop more heat pumps and other clean alternatives. (Lobbyists) have slowed down that transition where it was supposed to be a zero emission rule, Orbe said. So now it's not a zero emission rule. Now it's been tremendously weakened. The use of methane, also known as natural gas, is common in households across the United States but especially in the West. (U.S. Energy Information Administration) SoCalGas encouraged officials to oppose rules For the past two years, the draft rules have wound their way through a process to gather public feedback, including from impacted businesses like SoCalGas. The company sells methane, also known as natural gas, and has a history of lobbying hard against regulations that hurt its bottom line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late 2024, an opposition campaign sprung up to push back against the rule changes. SCAQMDs board had originally scheduled a hearing on the rules for Dec. 6, but opposition groups raised concerns about public outreach and awareness, so staff sought additional input. The final board hearing and vote on the rules was pushed back by six months, to June 6, 2025. SoCalGas and groups aligned with the company helped delay the rulemaking process by encouraging public officials to oppose the rules, according to records obtained by the Energy and Policy Institute and shared with Floodlight. Ahead of a major SCAQMD meeting on Dec. 20, SoCalGas employees sent urgent requests to public officials, including mayors of cities in the South Coast area, asking them to send letters, testify and pass resolutions opposing the rules. BizFed joined in the opposition. Their emails claimed misleadingly that the rules would prohibit the sale and installation of all gas furnaces and water heaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 9, a SoCalGas employee emailed a member of the Ontario City Council to encourage her to testify at the meeting, sending along SoCalGas talking points. The council member attended the meeting and testified against the rules. On Dec. 16, an official from the city of Lake Elsinore submitted a letter to the SCAQMD opposing the rules. The official then forwarded the letter to a SoCalGas employee who replied, Wow! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!! A day later, another SoCalGas employee emailed an official from the city of Norco, asking her to testify or submit a letter opposing the rules. He also sent her a sample letter. City officials replied with the opposition letter he had asked for. Some of the letters that SCAQMD received from public officials were drafted by a consultant working for BizFed. Several city governments copied the consultants draft letter onto their letterhead. Almost word-for-word letters were sent to the SCAQMD by the Orange County Council of Governments, the city of Lake Forest and the city of Loma Linda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consultant also sent elected officials a draft resolution that city councils could pass asking the SCAQMD to delay or cease consideration of the rules. Loma Linda officials added the resolution to the City Council meeting agenda. At its Jan. 14 meeting, the city council passed the resolution opposing the rules. The response to the rules was overwhelming, generating over 12,500 comments. But staff reported that many letters opposing the rules contained faulty information, including that the rules would mandate homeowners switch to all-electric appliances. In response, staff released a myths versus facts explainer on what the rules would do. The governing board delayed the vote and modified the rules to give more time for public outreach, and in response to concerns raised by stakeholders about cost, technology availability and consumer choice, agency spokesperson Mogharabi wrote in an email. This is a ductless heat pump outside compressor. Heat pumps are among several options for heating that would be incentivized under rules phasing out natural gas furnaces under consideration by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. (Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance via U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) Even though the rule has been modified, as is typical during the rulemaking process, the current NOx reductions are significant, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted that this summer, the agency is launching a Go Zero rebate program that will provide more than $21 million to help residents and small businesses install zero-emission heating appliances. Mogharabi said SCAQMD staff were not aware that BizFed, SoCalGas and others had emailed public officials to encourage them to submit letters, testify and pass resolutions opposing the rules. Lawsuit challenges the regulator On Jan. 10, as unprecedented megafires burned out of control in Los Angeles destroying thousands of homes and killing 30 people SCAQMD officials held a public meeting to consider the proposed rules 1111 and 1121. The tone of the meeting was somber. Officials began by acknowledging the wildfires and smoke cloaking the city, offering condolences to a board member who lost his home to the flames. Minutes later, lobbyists including a representative of SoCalGas asked for the rules to be delayed or retracted, citing an active lawsuit that challenged the SCAQMDs authority to make such rules. Whitney Squire, CEO of the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of California, said, We strongly urge the board to retract these additional proposed rules or at least postpone their implementation until the litigation reaches its conclusion. She added, These rules, which effectively ban gas appliances, would pose significant financial burdens and disrupt the lives of countless individuals. SoCalGas lobbyist Jessi Davis also spoke at the meeting. We think it would be prudent for the board to postpone this rulemaking until these issues are resolved by the courts, she said. In December, as staff were receiving pushback to rules 1111 and 1121, a coalition of groups filed a lawsuit against the SCAQMD, seeking to overturn a related rule that phases out large gas-fired furnaces and water heaters in commercial and industrial facilities. The plaintiffs include the National Association of Home Builders, the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of California and the California Restaurant Association. Other plaintiffs include Rinnai America Corp., which manufactures gas heaters, and unions representing pipefitters. SoCalGas is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit. The lawsuit aims to block enforcement of Rule 1146.2 , which imposed a zero-emissions standard on large industrial boilers and water heaters. The lawsuit argues the rule is invalid under the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). That rule is different from the proposed rules, which are specific to smaller residential and commercial furnaces and water heaters. Altadena resident Barbara Ishida examines the charred remains of her gas meter after the Eaton Fire, which gutted her home in Altadena, Calif. Ishida is determined to build back without gas appliances, and she supports proposed rules to curb their use. (Nia MacKnight / Floodlight) The lawsuit cites a previous court ruling that favored the gas industry. In 2019, the California Restaurant Association sued the city of Berkeley, arguing that its ban on gas in new buildings violated EPCA. The case was appealed up to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which sided with the plaintiffs and barred Berkeley from imposing its gas ban. In that case, the Reichman Jorgensen law firm represented the California Restaurant Association. As the firm fought the case, SoCalGas paid Reichman Jorgensen more than $4 million between 2020 and 2022, The Sacramento Bee reported. In the new lawsuit filed in December, one of the firms representing industry plaintiffs is Reichman Jorgensen. SoCalGas denied funding either the Berkeley lawsuit or the lawsuit related to Rule 1146.2. The new lawsuit poses a threat to SCAQMDs authority, according to Adrian Martinez, an attorney at Earthjustice, an environmental nonprofit that is intervening in the case. He said the plaintiffs are attempting to apply the Berkeley decision to the South Coast air-quality agency. The legal theories they're trying to push would undermine the ability of the (agency) to protect its residents, he said. They're attempting to strip local entities like SCAQMD of the ability to clean up pollution. Martinez, who attended the meeting, said the gas industry has the right to advocate for its position, but doing so during a climate emergency was morally reprehensible. SCAQMD declined to comment on the pending litigation. As she considered how to rebuild in an environmentally-friendly way, Ishida received an email from SoCalGas offering to reconnect her gas service. Ishida has no plans to do that. We need to make it more available and easy for people to build back all-electric, she said. With another wildfire season on the horizon, she is thinking about the future of Los Angeles. Were not going to be the only community that burns, Ishida said. Were not going to be the last if we continue down this stretch. SAN FRANCISCO California Gov. Gavin Newsom and fellow Sacramento Democrats are finding themselves in an awkward yet convenient alliance with MAGA-world figures against President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill. Just days after leaving the administration, Elon Musk took his opposition to the extreme over Trumps mega budget and reconciliation package, posting on X Tuesday that he just cant stand it anymore with what he called the disgusting abomination that is this massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill. His outburst had Newsom, a frequent sparring partner, chiming in with agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Couldnt have said it better myself, the governor responded to Musk. The vote of support from Newsom marks the latest turn in the rocky relationship between him and Musk, who enjoyed a favorable relationship with the governor while growing many of his companies within the state, but had become a regular target of criticism from the blue state leader during his time at the White House. Musks post, meanwhile, encouraged Republican critics of the reconciliation package like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to quickly echo his outrage as well. But Newsom also found himself in agreement with conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Tuesday over a particularly thorny provision of the bill: a 10-year ban on the enforcement of AI state regulation introduced by her fellow House Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Georgia lawmaker threatened to vote against the bill if it returns to the House with the moratorium still included presenting a potential headache for GOP leadership, who could barely scrounge up the votes the first time. The package is being considered in the Senate, where the measure may not survive scrutiny under the upper chambers Byrd rule, meant to strip out measures that have no impact or only a negligible one on the budget. I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights and I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there, Greene posted on X. We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous. Newsom, who previously expressed fears about overregulating Californias booming AI industry, has said he is concerned the moratorium will be overcorrecting in the other direction federally. Four Democrats from the California Legislature joined a letter to Congress from state lawmakers on Tuesday morning to oppose the moratorium on state AI laws, only to see their criticisms echoed by Greene hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the long absence of federal action to address privacy and social media harms, barring all state and local AI laws until Congress acts threatens to setback policymaking and undermine existing enforcement on these issues, they wrote as part of a bipartisan coalition of 260 state lawmakers. We respectfully urge you to reject any provision that preempts state and local AI legislation in this years reconciliation package. June 3 (UPI) -- At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured early Tuesday near an aid hub run by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in southern Gaza, according to the territory's Health Ministry. The Hamas-run ministry said in a social media update that the people were waiting at an area designated as an aid distribution point in Rafah and that 27 bodies and 90 injured had been brought to hospitals, "some of them in a critical condition." The statement did not say how the victims were killed and injured, but the incident follows the deaths of at least 31 Palestinians and injuring of more than 200 after Israel Defense Forces allegedly opened fire on a crowd at the same location Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF said on its official account on X on Tuesday that troops fired warning shots to deter "several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated routes" leading to the aid site. When the suspects failed to turn back, the soldiers directed additional fire toward individuals continuing to advance toward their positions. The IDF said it was aware of Tuesday's reports of casualties and was looking into the details. "The IDF allows the American Civil Organization (GHF) to operate independently in order to enable the distribution of aid to the Gazan residents -- and not to Hamas. IDF troops are not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites. The warning shots were fired approximately half a kilometer away from the humanitarian aid distribution site toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops in such a way that posed a threat to them," the military's statement read. However, an overseas volunteer doctor working in a nearby hospital told the BBC it had been "total carnage" since just before 4 a.m. local time and that they had been deluged with injured people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an urgent, independent probe into the violence that reportedly occurred Sunday. "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," he said. The IDF has categorically denied any involvement in Sunday's incident, insisting an initial investigation had found "the IDF did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site." The Gaza Health Foundation, set up to run the new U.S.-Israeli mechanism for delivering humanitarian assistance into Gaza, which bypasses the United Nations and other aid agencies, also denied the reports of Sunday's violence, saying aid had been distributed without incident and that there had been no injuries or fatalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, GHF has been plagued by problems since it began operations in Gaza a week ago with thousands of hungry Gazans swamping its Tel al-Sultan Secure Distribution Site One from day one. The scheme aims to prevent aid from allegedly being stolen and resold by Hamas to fund its military operations against Israel, but the U.N. and legacy aid agencies have roundly condemned it as being in breach of humanitarian ethics and "weaponizing" the issue of aid. GHF's two top officials, Executive Director and former U.S. Marine Jake Wood and Chief Operating Officer David Burke, both resigned in the days before the scheme began operating. Burke has not publicly commented on his decision, but Wood said he resigned because the scheme was out of step with the key humanitarian principles of "humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence." PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) The Gulf Coast State College Foundation has announced that it has received an $80,000 grant from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. According to a news release, this award will provide essential support to students served by GCSCs TRiO program, an initiative that empowers low-income, first-generation and disabled students to succeed in higher education. The GCSC Foundation has awarded $670,000 from this fund since 2011. The gifts have supported almost 600 students through direct scholarship and essential programming across campus, including TRiO, the Career Center and Veterans Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are honored to be entrusted with these funds to support the educational journeys of students whose paths to college havent always been easy, said Ashlin Glatthar, Executive Director of the GCSC Foundation. This grant will have a profound impact, especially for part-time students, student parents, and those pursuing workforce credentials in high-demand fields. Were especially grateful for the flexibility to address not just academic needs but also essential living expenses, which are often the greatest barriers to persistence and completion. To learn more about the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, 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. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. One of the bleakest periods in medieval Europe was the plague pandemic known as the Black Death, which killed at least 25 million people in just five years. But the disease didnt stop there. The plague adapted to keep its hosts alive longer, so it could spread farther and keep infecting people for centuries, and researchers now say theyve discovered how. The disease is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which has been circulating among human populations for at least 5,000 years. The pathogen has fueled three major plague pandemics since the first century AD, and though its deadliest years appear to be behind us, plague hasnt disappeared. Cases still occur a few times a year in Asia, South America and the United States and more commonly in parts of Africa, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and can be treated with antibiotics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists are still searching for answers about how Y. pestis evolved and dispersed, but recent analysis of ancient and modern Y. pestis samples revealed how plague managed to persist among humans for hundreds of years after pandemic waves petered out. After an initial period of high infection rates and rapid mortality killing infected people within three days changes to just one gene in the bacterium produced new strains that were less deadly and more transmissible, according to research published Thursday in the journal Science. Those weakened strains eventually went extinct; the dominant lineage of todays Y. pestis is the deadlier variety, the study authors reported. However, these findings about historic instances of Y. pestis adaptation could provide important clues to help scientists and physicians manage modern plague outbreaks. Trio of outbreaks Plagues most common form is bubonic plague, which causes painful swelling in lymph nodes and spreads among people through bites from fleas hitchhiking on infected rats. An outbreak of bubonic plague from 1347 to 1352 in Europe famously killed about 30% to 50% of the continents population. But the earliest known bubonic plague outbreak the Plague of Justinian took hold in the Mediterranean Basin and lasted from AD 541 to AD 544. Another plague outbreak emerged in China in the 1850s and sparked a major epidemic in 1894. Scientists view modern plague cases as part of this third pandemic. For the new study, scientists collected ancient samples of Y. pestis from human remains dating back to about 100 years after the appearance of the first and second plague pandemics, sampling remains from Denmark, Europe and Russia. After reconstructing the genomes of these plague strains, they compared them with older, ancient strains that dated back to the start of plague pandemics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers also examined more than 2,700 genomes of modern plague samples from Asia, Africa, and North and South America. One of the study coauthors, Jennifer Klunk, is a product scientist at Daciel Arbor Biosciences, a biotechnology company in Michigan that provided synthetically created molecules for the experiments, but there was no financial gain associated with the research. The researchers found that their newly reconstructed genomes from 100 years into the first two plague pandemics had fewer copies of a gene called pla, which has been recognized for decades as one of the factors that made plague so deadly, according to the studys co-lead author Ravneet Sidhu, a doctoral student in the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Seen here under a microscope, Yersinia pestis is the bacterium responsible for the plague. - BSIP/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Pla encodes an enzyme that interacts with host proteins, and one of the functions that it carries out is in breaking down blood clots, Sidhu told CNN. This ability helps Y. pestis spread into the hosts lymph nodes, where it replicates before attacking the rest of the body. Not every function of this gene is fully known, Sidhu added. However, prior studies by other researchers linked pla to severity of illness caused by both bubonic and pneumonic plague an airborne form of the disease that affects the lungs, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the reconstructed strains showed fewer copies of the pla gene, the scientists were still uncertain whether that would directly affect how deadly the disease could be. So they tested strains of reduced-pla bubonic plague on mice, and found that survival rates for this type of plague were 10 to 20 percent higher in those experiment subjects than in mice infected with Y. pestis that had a normal amount of the pla gene. It also took the reconstructed bubonic strain about two days longer to kill its hosts. The paper presents a strong argument that depletion, but not total loss, of Pla (the enzyme produced by the pla gene) is part of the evolution of the plague pathogen and may help explain the decline of plague in the second pandemic commonly known as the Black Death, said Dr. Deborah Anderson, a professor of veterinary pathobiology at the University of Missouris College of Veterinary Medicine. Anderson, who was not involved in the new research, investigates the virulence of plague, and these findings could shed light on transmission patterns in modern cases, she told CNN in an email. Our laboratory studies the flea-rodent cycle and we have collaborators who conduct field research in areas that experience annual or occasional plague outbreaks in the wild, Anderson said. There are nearly 300 rodent species that can transmit Yersinia pestis, and today, burrowing rodents such as prairie dogs or ground squirrels are considered key animal hosts that experience outbreaks of disease, she added. After reading this paper, we will pay closer attention to Pla in the future to see if there continues to be a role for its expression in driving the explosive outbreaks of plague in the animal populations. Epidemic burnout Mathematical models suggested how this might have played out in human populations centuries ago, leading to an epidemic burnout about 100 years after a bubonic plague outbreak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a pandemics early stages, infections were swift, and death came quickly for both rats and humans. Over time, as dense rat populations thinned out, selective pressures favored the emergence of a less deadly strain of Y. pestis, with fewer copies of the pla gene. Rat hosts infected with this new strain would have a little more time to carry the disease, potentially enabling them to infect more rats and more people. They suggest a model that can be readily pursued in the laboratory that may help explain the spread of plague today in the wild, Anderson said. These weaker strains of the disease eventually sputtered out and went extinct. In the modern samples, the researchers found just three examples of strains with reduced pla genes, from Vietnam: one from a human subject and two from black rats (Rattus rattus). Weve been able to do this really cool interdisciplinary study between the modern and ancient data and marry these things that have been happening throughout (the plagues) long evolutionary history, Sidhu said. It could be interesting to see how future researchers continue to try and bridge that gap between the modern third pandemic and those first and second ancient pandemics, to see other similarities. Because there arent a lot of ancient pathogens that we have as much data on, as we do for Yersinia pestis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the unusual features of plague pandemics is their persistence, and understanding how Y. pestis changed its infection patterns and survived over time could shed light on the adaptive patterns of modern pandemics such as Covid-19, she added. Even if we arent experiencing it to the amount that we were in 2020 or 2021, the pathogen is in the background still evolving and persisting. Mindy Weisberger is a science writer and media producer whose work has appeared in Live Science, Scientific American and How It Works magazine. She is the author of Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind Control (Hopkins Press). For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WEST IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. (WROC) A classroom of local students taking action to make this community a better place, and our elected leaders are sitting down to listen. Though, the kids say at first they could hardly believe it when such important people actually walked into their classroom. Is this reality or am I having a dream? remarked student Hazel Tracey. The fourth graders in Jennifer Gottfrieds class at Iroquois Middle School quickly lined up to share their ideas about how this region should be run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Irondequoit Town Board Member Ann Cunningham, Congressman Joe Morelle and his wife Mary Beth, and County Legislator Dave Long listened intently as the students shared their thoughts on everything from animal rescue, to homelessness, racial justice, disability rights and cancer. I have two rescue dogs of my own, and I want to save as many animals as possible so all animals can have a loving home with people who love them and who care about them, explains classmate Mallory Arbore. My cousin, Amanda Post, passed away from cancer, and I just want to remember her, Sophia Borlik shares with News 8s Mikhaela Singleton. Every year, students filter through this classroom and become members of The Gottfried Crewas theyre affectionately known throughout the district. News 8 first covered the class in 2024 when students spoke to Senator Samra Brouk about their stand up projects. Gottfried tasks her students with choosing a passion, researching it, then learning how to advocate for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brouks visit was the first time inviting a legislator to hear from their young constituents. This year a new first, with so many elected attendees and each having some connection to Iroquois Middle through either their children or grandchildren. I just think its so cool, because older people, like adults, only get to do this stuff and were younger and like people dont even think of our idea ideas, Sophia says of the empowering moment. The students taking their projects out into the real world as well having organized donation drives, litter cleanups, and fundraisers to support their causes. Our leaders say they were quite moved by the kids, their ideas, and actions to use their advocacy for the betterment of the community. I think I think sometimes we as adults stumble over ourselves, and our kids are able to see things so clearly and easily, and come up with really, really easy ways to make a difference, says Cunningham, who has attended many of the Gottfried Crews events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems very cool to have all these important people in this room, because that makes it a higher chance that we can accomplish the change that we want, adds student Lilian McCullough. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Woodside Energy, the operator of Senegal's Sangomar oil and gas field, has initiated arbitration proceedings against the West African nation. The dispute pertains to tax issues, with the company filing a complaint with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), a World Bank-affiliated body. The complaint, filed on 30 May, names Senegal's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy as the respondent. Woodside Energy, which holds an 82% participating interest in the project, previously took legal action in Senegal last August over a tax assessment dispute. Despite efforts to resolve the outstanding tax issues, the company's spokesperson stated that certain matters remain unresolved, prompting the request for international arbitration. The spokesperson said via email, as quoted by Reuters: "Woodside strongly believes we have acted in accordance with applicable regulations... and there are no outstanding taxes payable. The Senegal Energy Ministry has yet to comment on the matter. The specific details of the complaint lodged with the ICSID have not been disclosed to the public. This legal move comes after Woodside Energy previous challenged a tax assessment in the Senegalese court in August 2024, which the company considered unjustified. In 2024, Senegal had set up a commission to investigate various oil and gas contracts the country has signed with multinational corporations. Last month, Woodside Energy signed a non-binding agreement with Aramco to explore potential collaborations. This includes the possibility of Aramco acquiring an equity interest in the Louisiana LNG (liquefied natural gas) project in the US and securing LNG offtake rights. "Australias Woodside Energy files for arbitration against Senegal" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson said Tuesday that he's running for governor next year, joining three other Democrats in a race without a clear frontrunner after two high-profile candidates decided not to run. The metro Atlanta Democrat said he will launch his campaign Friday, emphasizing his work in business and politics and his 22 years of military service. The U.S. Navy veteran was elected to the state House in 2016 and worked as a marketing executive with General Electric. As governor, Jackson said he would put Georgia families first," in part by expanding access to medical care and economic opportunities in rural areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My Republican friends love to tout Georgia as the number one state to do business, but I'm going to campaign on making Georgia the number one place to work, to play, to have a family and for young professionals to realize that regardless of which of the 159 counties they live in, there's going to be opportunity there, Jackson said in an interview with the Associated Press. He plans to push for stricter gun regulations and to repeal Georgias abortion law, which took effect in 2022 and effectively prohibited abortions beyond about six weeks of pregnancy. Jackson will join former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta state Sen. Jason Esteves and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. They will compete for the Democratic nomination in the race to replace the states popular term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Democrat Stacey Abrams, who ran and lost to Kemp in 2018 and 2022, has not closed the door on a third run. Jackson finished sixth in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in 2022. After losing, he was reelected to the House in 2023 following the death of state Rep. Tish Naghise. He was defeated last year by Rep. Carolyn Hugley after running for House minority leader. Despite past losses, Jackson said his experience campaigning for statewide office will help him pull ahead of his competitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspired by civil rights icon John Lewis, Jackson said he has a moral obligation to run because he saw state and federal policies that were not right, not fair, not just. He wants to help Georgians who could be impacted by President Donald Trump's sweeping bill that Jackson said will devastate a lot of families with provisions such as cuts to Medicaid funds. U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, once the expected frontrunner known for her gun control advocacy, announced in March she wasnt running because she needed to focus on her husband's health after complications from cancer surgery. Former state Sen. Jason Carter, former President Jimmy Carters moderate grandson and the Democrats 2014 nominee for governor, said he would not run because his wife was diagnosed with cancer. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon. Germany's aluminium industry has voiced concern over the planned doubling of US tariffs to 50%, warning that further escalation would harm all parties involved. The industry association Aluminium Deutschland (AD) called for urgent and constructive dialogue between the European Commission and the US administration. US President Donald Trump last week announced he plans to increase tariffs on steel imports from 25% to 50%, with aluminium tariffs also included. The new rates are scheduled to take effect on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to AD, German aluminium exports to the United States total around 51,000 tons, representing roughly 2% of annual domestic production. While the volume appears small, the association said the tariffs come at a time when the industry is already under significant pressure, adding that the new escalation significantly increased uncertainty for companies. The association expressed even greater concern about the indirect effects, saying traditional supplier countries may lose access to the US market due to the high tariff rates and shift their focus to the European market. This could further increase the already substantial import pressure on Europe, it added. Germany has approved exports of arms to Israel worth almost half a billion euros since the beginning of the war in Gaza amid an ongoing debate over whether Berlin should suspend deliveries. Figures from the Economy Ministry seen by dpa show that 485 million ($554 million) in exports of weapons and military equipment were approved between October 7, 2023 - when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched deadly attacks on Israel - and May 13, 2025. It is unclear whether the figures included any deliveries granted by the new German government, which took office on May 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany has been one of Israel's most vocal supporters since the October 7 attacks and has been reluctant to criticize the Israeli military's conduct in Gaza despite widespread international condemnation. The picture has changed in recent days, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul among a number of high-profile German politicians condemning the latest Israeli offensive in Gaza and the restriction of humanitarian aid. The apparent shift in Germany's position has revived the debate on whether Berlin should end deliveries of military equipment and weapons to Israel. Wadephul recently questioned further shipments in an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, saying the government is reviewing whether Israeli actions in Gaza comply with international humanitarian law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, other leading figures from Wadephul and Merz's conservative bloc - made up of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) - have rejected the proposal, including Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. On Tuesday, top CDU lawmaker Steffen Bilger said the CDU/CSU parliamentary group's executive committee has agreed on a common line with Wadephul. While "criticism of Israel among friends" should indeed be voiced, discussions on weapons embargoes and sanctions are "not on the agenda," Bilger said. Poll: Majority of Germans support suspending exports A majority of Germans support suspending arms exports to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza, a survey revealed on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll found that 58% of respondents favoured a temporary halt to arms deliveries, while 22% were opposed. Another 19% were undecided or declined to answer. The study by polling firm INSA, commissioned by the Avaaz campaign organization, surveyed 1,001 people between May 28 and May 30. German customs cleared more than four times as many items in 2024, as seizures of heavy weapons and marijuana soared. "The key word here is e-commerce," Armin Rolfink, president of the German customs office, said on Tuesday. Customs dealt with 235 million online deliveries in 2024, of which "90% come from China," said Rolfink at the presentation of the office's yearly report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finance Minister Lars Klinbeil said more cheap goods and counterfeit products are coming to Germany via China. He said discussions are ongoing, including at the European level, about abolishing the existing tariff limit of 150 ($171), above which goods face import duties. The European Commission has proposed adding a flat fee of up to 2 on packages to tackle the surging number of small deliveries from China. The customs office is also tasked with preventing drug smuggling. While the amount of cocaine seized dropped from 39.3 metric tons in 2023 to 16.3 tons, the office confiscated 12.6 tons of marijuana, up from 8.6 tons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rolfink said he has "no findings" on whether the rise was linked to Germany's partial legalization of marijuana in April 2024. Among other items seized by the customs office were 161 weapons of war, such as guided missiles, flamethrowers and rifle grenades. Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants to see results from the planned multibillion-euro investments in infrastructure before the end of this year. "I think this is also very important in the fight against right-wing populism, to show people that the country is modernizing, that something is happening and that life is becoming easier thanks to investments in infrastructure," the vice- chancellor said at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC). "My goal is for people to see that something is happening this year." He also appealed to German businesses, "now is the time to invest." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, he called on Europe to speed up political decisions, saying there is too much bureaucracy and too little politics. He pointed out that the presidential election in Poland did not turn out well for Europe, and that 2027's presidential election in France is approaching. "No one knows what will happen then," he said. He expressed confidence in the outcome of the trade dispute with the United States. Germany and Europe's clear message to the United States is "We want a common path and are looking for a common solution." With regard to China, Klingbeil said that Germany should definitely cooperate with Beijing, but at the same time the clear message is that if Taiwan is attacked, everything will change. Klingbeil said that Germany would remain a reliable partner in development financing, "especially now that other important donor countries are reducing their support." Germany is on track to become the world's largest donor of official development assistance, he added. Germany may need to introduce compulsory elements in military service over the long term, according to the commander of the division for homeland security. "For the protection of critical defence infrastructure, I simply need more soldiers than we can currently get," Major General Andreas Henne told the RND media group in remarks published on Tuesday. He added that the plan is to recruit enough volunteers initially so that compulsory service would not be necessary. "But the more soldiers we need, the more likely it is that we will reach the limits of voluntary enlistment," he said, without specifying what form compulsory measures might take. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governing coalition of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democrats (SPD) plans to introduce a new military service model initially based on voluntary enlistment, according to the coalition agreement. This represents a compromise that meets SPD demands, while the CDU/CSU had pushed to end the suspension of compulsory military service. Conscription was suspended in 2011, effectively ending mandatory military and civilian service in practice. Henne expects the first voluntary recruits to be called up later this year. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for the preservation of the well-established US-German relations ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's meeting with US President Donald Trump. "Yes, the tone hasn't been as harsh as this for a long time," Wadephul said in the evening at a meeting of former Arthur F Burns Fellowship scholars in Berlin. He diagnosed "profound changes in the US itself with an unknown outcome" and a new style of interaction following the Trump administration's inauguration, "which is unsettling and also disconcerting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the conservative politician stressed that one must "not panic." "Instead, we must endure this storm phase by first focusing on our own interests." This also means that Germany must strengthen its defence capabilities, safeguard its trade interests, and "articulate [its] understanding of freedom of expression and academic freedom." Wadephul, who visited the US capital Washington last week, assessed the talks with his US counterpart Marco Rubio as a positive signal: "They have made me confident that we can reach agreements in mutual interest even on issues where we have differences of opinion." Difficult talks for Merz Merz is travelling to the United States on Wednesday and is due to speak with Trump at the White House on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the election campaign, the chancellor sharply criticized the US government's interference in German domestic politics. Currently, Trump's threat of permanently high tariffs on EU goods is also straining the relationship. With regard to the Ukraine war, Merz, along with other European leaders, is striving for a common stance with the US towards Russia. There is anticipation as to whether Merz will have to contend with a similarly unfriendly reception at the White House as, for example, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Germantown Police Department is investigating a threat made toward Kennedy Middle School teachers. The Police Department learned of the threat the morning of June 2. The threat had been emailed to the middle school over the weekend. While the email did not have much detail, it did threaten to harm teachers at the school, according to a news release from Germantown Police Chief Patrick Merten posted June 2 on the Germantown Police Department's Facebook page. Police responded, checking the area outside of the school and standing outside the school when students and staff arrived June 2. Additional police were present at the school throughout the school day. The department is actively investigating the source of the threat, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germantown Police were assisted by the Washington County Sheriff's Department, which provided a perimeter outside the school, Merten said in a June 3 email to a reporter that there will be additional police at all district schools the rest of the school year. Merten said the district has school resource officers in the schools every day and that patrol officers conduct periodic walk-throughs of the schools daily. The department plans to share any additional information on its Facebook page as that information becomes available, Merten said. Germantown School District superintendent Chris Reuter did not respond to a reporter's phone or email messages seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at@AlecJohnson12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Germantown police investigating threat at Kennedy Middle School Since the large-scale Hamas attacks in October 2023, the German government has approved arms exports worth around 485 million ($554 million) to Israel, according to the Economy Ministry. A letter from State Secretary Bernhard Kluttig seen by dpa shows these approvals cover the period from October 7, 2023 to May 13, 2025 and include deliveries of weapons and military equipment. It remains unclear whether the new government, which took office on May 6, has also granted export approvals. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently questioned further shipments in an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, saying the government is reviewing whether actions in the Gaza Strip comply with international humanitarian law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that future arms exports will depend on the outcome of this review. Nicaragua filed a case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague accusing Germany of complicity in genocide through its arms exports. In April 2024, the court rejected Nicaragua's request to halt shipments but did not dismiss the case entirely. Ulrich Thoden, a lawmaker for the Left Party who requested the arms data from the government, called for an immediate halt to all arms exports to Israel, warning that continued deliveries could implicate Germany in violations of international law. Germany's Lufthansa is suspending flights to Israel for another week over ongoing security concerns, the aviation group said on Tuesday. Flights operated by the group, which also owns carriers such as Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS and Eurowings, will remain suspended until June 22. Lufthansa halted connections following a missile strike launched from Yemen on Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the conflict in Gaza is continuing, with Israeli forces launching new offensives in the war-torn coastal strip. Affected passengers are eligible to cancel their tickets free of charge or rebook to a later flight, Lufthansa said. By Nikita Maria Jino (Reuters) -Shares of Australian steel producer BlueScope Steel jumped on Monday to a more than three-month high after U.S. President Donald Trump said he planned to double tariffs on imported steel. Shares of BlueScope, which operates five businesses in North America including the North Star mill in Ohio, were up as much as 9.4% at A$24.88 in early trade. The stock was among the top performers in the broader ASX 200 benchmark index, which was down 0.4%. Trump on Friday said that he planned to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminium to 50%, ratcheting up pressure on global steel producers and deepening his trade war. These proposed tariffs could bode well for BlueScope in enhancing steel prices in the U.S., thus driving tailwinds for the company, said Grady Wulff, a market analyst at Bell Direct. In mid-February, the stock rose 12% after the company's chief executive Mark Vassella said that the business could benefit from Trump's protectionist tariffs. However, shares have slipped nearly 10% since Vassella's statements. Uncertainty of a rebound in demand from China for steel and steelmaking ingredients has weighed on all companies with exposure to this market, Wulff said, along with tariffs which are increasing uncertainty around the recovery of demand for steel-related materials. BlueScope has borne the brunt of weak iron ore prices, which have fallen 3.5% so far this year. North America was BlueScope's biggest revenue-generating segment in the six months to December 31, 2024, accounting for 42%, or A$309 million ($199.77 million), of all underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation. Australia made up 39%, or A$288 million. ($1 = 1.5468 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Rashmi Aich) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday defended his government's effort to turn away asylum seekers at the country's borders, one day after a court blocked the move. The urgent decision by the Berlin Administrative Court was a setback for Merz, who has pledged to crack down on irregular migration. Merz said in Berlin that the ruling may narrow his administration's room for manoeuvre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But the room for manoeuvre is still there," he argued. "We know that we can still carry out [border] rejections." The chancellor, who took office last month, said the government will "of course do this within the framework of existing European law." "But we will do so in order to protect public safety and order in our country and to prevent cities and municipalities from being overburdened," he added. Until the situation at the European Union's external borders has improved significantly with the help of new common European rules, Germany "will have to maintain controls on the internal borders," Merz underlined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after taking office last month, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt ordered police to step up border checks and turn back irregular migrants, even if they apply for asylum. In the first case to emerge over the controversial move, the court ruled in favour of three Somalis who were turned back to Poland on May 9, stating that they should have been processed under the European Union's Dublin Regulation for asylum cases. The court found that the government's evidence to proclaim a "national emergency" to justify the measure lacked sufficient evidence. Migration expert Daniel Thym said the government could yet win the main proceedings - to be held in several months' time, at the earliest - if it presents better evidence. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday defended his government's effort to turn away asylum seekers at the country's borders, one day after a court blocked the move. The urgent decision by the Berlin Administrative Court was a setback for Merz, who has pledged to crack down on irregular migration. Merz said in Berlin that the ruling may narrow his administration's room for manoeuvre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But the room for manoeuvre is still there," he argued. "We know that we can still carry out [border] rejections." The chancellor, who took office last month, said the government will "of course do this within the framework of existing European law." "But we will do so in order to protect public safety and order in our country and to prevent cities and municipalities from being overburdened," he added. Until the situation at the European Union's external borders has improved significantly with the help of new common European rules, Germany "will have to maintain controls on the internal borders," Merz underlined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after taking office last month, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt ordered police to step up border checks and turn back irregular migrants, even if they apply for asylum. In the first case to emerge over the controversial move, the court ruled in favour of three Somalis who were turned back to Poland on May 9, stating that they should have been processed under the European Union's Dublin Regulation for asylum cases. The court found that the government's evidence to proclaim a "national emergency" to justify the measure lacked sufficient evidence. Migration expert Daniel Thym said the government could yet win the main proceedings - to be held in several months' time, at the earliest - if it presents better evidence. Coalition partners examine ruling The new government's proposed clampdown on migration has caused concern among some sections of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), the junior partner in Merz's coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tim Klussendorf, the SPD's likely next general secretary, said on Tuesday that the party remains committed to its coalition agreement with Merz's conservative bloc, but it insists on complying with the law. After Monday's ruling, the coalition partners must now "take a close look at the judgement and also enter into discussions on how the agreement from the coalition agreement can now be implemented in a legally secure manner," Klussendorf told broadcaster RTL/ntv. The court's decision was greeted by left-wing opposition parties, who have consistently argued that the government's move is illegal. Britta Hasselmann from the Greens told broadcaster ZDF on Tuesday that Merz and Dobrindt had "failed across the board" in their unilateral action, jeopardizing European cooperation and breaking the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) slammed the ruling. "Anyone who negates the security interests of German citizens in this way must ask themselves whether they are actually still speaking the law in the name of the German people," the party's spokesman on domestic policy, Martin Hess, said in Berlin. Moore was interviewed by The Jerusalem Post earlier in May, where he spoke about Evangelical Christians and support for Israel. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on Tuesday appointed Reverend Dr. Johnnie Moore as executive chairman of the US-run aid organization. Moore was appointed twice by US President Donald Trump to serve as a Commissioner on the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the statement on his appointment said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore was interviewed by The Jerusalem Post earlier in May, where he spoke about Evangelical Christians and support for Israel. "However, you slice it, about 80-90% of those Evangelicals around the world would think well of the Jewish people and Israel," he explained. He also discussed the importance of Evangelical voices since the October 7 massacre. Palestinians carry aid supplies which they received from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in the central Gaza Strip, May 29, 2025. (photo credit: Ramadan Abed/Reuters) "Since October 7, the Evangelical community has really taken responsibility to speak up," he said. While there has been considerable pressure from politicians and activists against those speaking in favor of Israel over the past year, Moore said that "I don't know a single Evangelical that flinched in the face of all of that," further noting the confidence the community has in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We believe the Jewish community is strong. We believe the State of Israel is strong. We believe the State of Israel can handle itself, even if the United States weren't there," Moore said. GHF operations since the beginning of aid distribution According to the GHF, since launching operations on May 26, 2025, over 7 million meals have been distributed in Gaza. They noted that no trucks were seized, no mass diversions occurred, and no incidents of violence were recorded at distribution sites. GHF also denied on Sunday that the IDF attacked a food distribution point near Rafah, contradicting widely circulated Hamas reports. A plume of dust from the Saharan Desert is expected to sweep across the Gulf Coast this week, bringing hazy skies and reduced air quality to millions from Texas to Florida. 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 see dust-laden skies beginning this weekend. Fortunately for Texans, the dust isnt expected to be as dense as in other states, though it may still pose discomfort for those with respiratory issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also fortunate for residents of Florida and other Gulf Coast states where the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical system that has the potential to develop as the dust could suppress and weaken the system that's right off the southeastern United States coastline. 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. According to the CDC, Saharan dust transported to the United States is a normal occurrence, especially from late June to mid-August. How does Saharan dust impact tropical activity? While Saharan dust can lead to hazy skies and poor air quality across parts of the Gulf Coast, it also plays a significant role in shaping tropical weather patterns, often for the better, at least in terms of storm suppression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alex DaSilva, hurricane expert for AccuWeather, previously told USA TODAY that Saharan dust can act as a natural deterrent to tropical storm development. It basically can choke off these systems because, again, they want plenty of moisture, and when youre taking the moisture away, it makes it harder for thunderstorms to develop," DaSilva previously told USA TODAY. In addition to drying out the atmosphere, the dust also increases wind shear and atmospheric stability two other key factors that can hinder storm formation. Although Saharan dust was crossing the Atlantic during the intensification of Hurricane Beryl, the storm was able to strengthen because it developed ahead of the densest plume of dust. This placed it in a pocket of relatively moist, unstable air the kind of environment tropical systems need to grow. 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. Another round is possible over the weekend or early next week. Saharan dust forecast tracker. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What is Saharan dust? How it may impact tropical system near Florida The News Days after Donald Trump won a second term, Kirsten Gillibrand said that Democrats might need four years to retake the Senate majority. Shes more optimistic these days. A lot has changed in the last four months, Gillibrand told Semafor in an interview this week from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headquarters as she navigates her partys steep path back to Senate control. I did not expect all of these horrible things to happen so quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gillibrand was referring to the presidents tariffs and the Medicaid cuts that Republicans attached to their tax and spending bill. But the New Yorker is not the typical campaign arm chief for all her criticism of the GOP agenda, she maintains surprisingly close relationships with Republican senators, even doing joint media hits with one of them. And shes the lead Democrat on a crypto bill thats split her party. Another thing that sets Gillibrand apart: She actually wanted the DSCC job, unlike some predecessors who were talked into it. And her fellow New York senator is a former DSCC chief who remains one of Washingtons most intense political strategists. Shes very friendly with Republicans. Thats an asset, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said of Gillibrand. But I dont think it will detract from her making sure we win every seat we can. Gillibrands chief opponent in that task is National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C. Hes one of her close GOP friends, in fact; they attend Thursday Bible study together, and she likened their rivalry to Looney Tunes characters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We joke [at] every Bible study that were like Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote, Gillibrand said. She needs to make sure she plays the role of Roadrunner, angling to drop an anvil on the coyotes head by picking up the four Senate seats needed to flip the majority back to Democrats. Most analysts see Democrats as underdogs in the battle for the chamber. Still, Democrats have major recruiting aspirations, particularly in Maine and North Carolina their best pickup opportunities. Democrats want the popular former Gov. Roy Cooper to run against Republican Sen. Thom Tillis; Cooper will make a decision this summer. Former Rep. Wiley Nickel, D-N.C., is already running. Tillis told Semafor he occasionally buttonholes Gillibrand about his own race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked her how recruiting was going. Im hearing different things. Is Cooper in? Is he out? she demurred, Tillis said, recalling a recent conversation. Ill razz her again when I see her. Gillibrand said Cooper would be a formidable candidate but signaled that her hopes to unseat Tillis dont solely rest on him. Similarly, Gillibrand said Maine Gov. Janet Mills would be a very strong candidate, but not the only viable one, against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Theres a bunch of candidates that could run in Maine, and I believe we will have a very strong candidate in Maine. And I would just suggest that Senator Collins numbers are as weak as theyve ever been, Gillibrand said. Some polls have shown Collins with tough approval ratings or facing a steep path to reelection next year; Collins faced similar challenges in 2020 and won handily. A Pan Atlantic Research poll released this week showed Mills with +8 favorability and Collins at +4. A Collins aide said Gillibrand is flat-out wrong about the Republicans prospects. Know More In order to put Democrats back in charge, Gillibrand also must protect all of her Democratic-held seats including in Michigan and Georgia and win at least two more Senate seats in solidly red states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the states Democrats are discussing: Iowa, Alaska, Kansas, Ohio, Texas and South Carolina, where they just scored a recruit against Sen. Lindsey Graham. Two Democrats are already running against Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, whose we are all going to die rebuttal to critiques of Medicaid cuts piqued Democratic interest. New Yorks two Senate Democratic leaders see a recruiting upside to what Schumer called negativity toward Trump and the negativity towards reconciliation. Its a bigger map that people would expect. We are looking at all states; no state is off the list, Gillibrand said. I hope we can have candidates, certainly by January of next year. Its early. Gillibrand succeeds Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who chaired the DSCC for four straight years. Shes revisiting Peters hands-off stance in contested primaries, saying she will support the candidates that we think are the most formidable and most exciting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to rule anything out, Gillibrand said of her strategy. Well, except for one thing. Shes taking presidential aspirations off the table for now: Im ruling that out. Not ever in my lifetime, but definitely this cycle. Im all in for DS. Room for Disagreement NRSC spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez said the GOP is not taking any races for granted and will combat Democrats attacks on its agenda by highlighting their opposition to the tax bill, Trumps agenda, and forcing ridiculous mandates like men in womens sports. Perhaps the most interesting dynamic in Gillibrands political life right now, though, is how much praise she gets from Republicans for compartmentalizing it as she works on pro-crypto legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of her GOP partners in that effort, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said her cross-aisle ally has remained rock solid even while taking on one of the most partisan jobs in Washington. She is acting in the best interests of the state of New York, and Im acting in the best interests of the state of Wyoming. So our interests are aligned on this issue, Lummis said. Now, on a lot of other issues shes perfectly aligned with the Democratic Party. Gillibrand sees it as part of her job to educate her party about digital assets that many progressives criticize as economically risky. Not many senators have that background to understand why this regulation is so important. so Ive tried to make the case to my colleagues. 19 [Democrats] voted with us. We may have a few more, she said. Burgesss view Ive covered Sen. Gillibrand for a long time. I see her taking over the DSCC, despite its draining nature and difficulty, partly because she wants to be on the leading edge of party politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Schumers words: She was very eager to do the job, and that was one of the selling points. Shes relentless in her drive on everything from combatting military sexual assault to crypto to paid family leave. She hasnt won every battle shes picked, but that tenacity easily translates to fundraising and candidate recruitment. Tough decisions are still to come, and Democratic activists will closely scrutinize how she handles contested primaries and spending decisions as the midterms approach. She seems ready for it, telling me: I love this job I fundamentally love politics. Thats not a sentiment you hear every day, even from sitting lawmakers. Notable CONWAY COUNTY, Ark. What good is a levee if it cannot keep the water out? People in Conway County are trying to solve that problem, because a part of the levee is wide open to the Arkansas River. Dilapidated is the best word to describe the levee boxes south of Plumerville. For more than 80 years, the gates have prevented water from flowing under the levee. Lately, the front line of defense for Seth Walker and his neighbors has been hurting more than helping. These are not functioning, they are not holding up water, Walker explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long wait to fix flood damage from Arkansas River Walker runs a nearby ranch and has helped maintain the gates since he was a child, but he said its to the point where something needs to be done before another major flood. Its not a matter of if, its when, and its going to get bad, and its not just going to affect us. Its going to affect everybody, Walker stated. When the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the levee boxes, the base level of the Arkansas River was lower. As a consequence of the water level rising, much of the steel structure that was not designed to be inundated with water has eroded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Conway County Levee Board said money is the solution to the problem, but there is not enough. They plan to combine three levee districts from Morrilton to Menifee to help pay for it as they seek state and federal aid. Its just about the funds. Thats what it amounts to. Were gonna basically be looking at what I call everybody taking, hold hands on this whole development system, and get the system upgraded where it needs to be, Judge Hart explained. Rise in Arkansas River closes Pine Bluff nature center On the surrounding farmland, fixing this amounts to everything. It doesnt have to be a major flood like in 2019 to cause catastrophic damage. Walker said even just half a foot of rain upriver in Oklahoma could wash away their newly planted seed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive got row (crops) that will go under, Ive got barns that will go under, thousands and thousands of crops. Its going to ruin us, Walker said. Conway County will hold a public meeting on merging levee districts to increase the tax base soon. Judge Hart said paperwork regarding titles is what is preventing things from progressing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HOOPESTON, Ill. (WCIA) Workers in Hoopeston want their voices to be heard. On Monday, dozens of employees could be seen outside Teasdale Latin Foods holding up strike signs. Nearly 30 employees on the production side of Teasdale Latin Foods, a canning company, are upset with their contracts. Workers said theyve been preparing to go on strike for almost a month and theyll continue to wait it out until things get resolved. Danville alderman banned after aggressive argument Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They started June 1 and on Monday morning they went back at it. If they could have negotiated and settled the issues, theres two or three certain issues, if they could have settled them, we wouldnt be on strike today, employee Ernest Hurt said. Hurt is one of many people who are frustrated with the way their contract negotiations are going. Im just speaking for the ones that got years in here, and theyre trying to take away the benefits that theyve already earned. And thats being disrespectful to them. And its a good slap in the face, Hurt said. Danville may get new sports facility thanks to local legend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the company wants to take away their hours, personal days and change their point systems. Employees work 12 hour shifts four days a week. But the company wants to change that to eight hours shifts five days a week. But Hurt said people want to be on a set schedule, and many enjoyed having Fridays off. Lots of proposals that have gone back and forth inside the contracts, doing things with personal days and converting them to other time off types, is part of whats being talked about. But the reality is nothings being taken away from people, Chris Tackett, Chief HR Officer said. Tackett said theyve been trying to find a middle ground since last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope, as they consider what was put on the table, that they will reconsider that, and we can get back to work, Tackett said. Vermilion Advantage gets grant to create jobs, improve economy He wouldnt go into detail about the actual contract, but said they are working with the employees. Only thing we want is Teasdale to come to the board and talk to our union members and get this negotiated so we can go back to work as soon as possible, Hurt said. Most employees said theyre satisfied with their wages. The biggest thing theyre upset about is the scheduling. Workers said in the new contract employees will have to work more hours to obtain three personal days off instead of getting them at the beginning of the start date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. By Nailia Bagirova BAKU (Reuters) -Exxon Mobil and Azeri state energy company SOCAR said on Monday they signed a deal agreeing to explore onshore oil and gas production in Azerbaijan, while BP is expected to buy into new Azeri offshore fields, according to three sources. Azerbaijan's production mainly relies on mature oil fields in the Caspian Sea and the country is aiming to maintain its oil output at around 582,000 barrels per day over the next five years with investment from Western energy companies. At the Baku Energy Week conference, SOCAR and Exxon signed a memorandum of understanding for the exploration, development, and production of unconventional onshore oil reserves in Azerbaijan. Exxons experience in developing unconventional oil could help Azerbaijan boost its onshore output, which currently accounts for just 5% of the country's total oil production, and open a new chapter in its oil industry. Unconventional oil and gas resources often refer to hydrocarbons trapped in porous rock, requiring specialised extraction technologies such as fracking. "In the years to come, we'll be able to talk about the potential size of the resource and what the economics might look like," said John Ardill, Exxon vice president of global exploration. Arzu Javadova, vice president for geology at SOCAR, said the agreement was focused on assessing options for the project and the companies were not planning to drill exploration wells at this stage. Exxon already holds stakes in Azerbaijans largest oil development project, Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which transports Caspian crude to Turkey and onward to Europe. Separately, SOCAR is expected to announce on Tuesday the sale of interests in the Karabakh and Ashrafi-Dan Ulduzu-Aypara offshore oil and gas fields to BP, with BP set to become the operator of the Karabakh development project, according to three sources familiar with the matter. Last year, BP signed a memorandum of understanding with SOCAR on potentially joining these two projects. SOCAR previously had a contract with Norways Equinor on the Karabakh and Ashrafi-Dan Ulduzu-Aypara fields, but Equinor decided to withdraw from the project in 2017 as it refocused on core assets. Azerbaijan plans to increase natural gas exports by 8 billion cubic metres by 2030, President Ilham Aliyev said at the conference on Monday. Azerbaijan exported 25 bcm of natural gas in 2024. BP also announced on Monday it had taken a final investment decision on its 240-megawatt Shafag solar plant project in the Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan. The company's solar unit Lightsource bp is building the project with joint-venture partners SOCAR and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Some 30 employers will be at a job fair this Friday at Goodwill Commons in Peoria. The fair, sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, will also help those seeking employment with resume building and interview practice. This year, employers come from a wide range of fields including health care, food service and hospitality and retail. Some of the jobs do not require a GED or a high school diploma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year when Goodwill held its fair, they were able to fill 600 jobs, the organization said. Kate Aukes, the employment program manager at Goodwill, told WMBD This Morning, who some of the employers will be at the fair. OSF and Carle Health, were going to have Kroger, GFL Environmental, and some state recruiters as well, she said. All the participating employers are listed on the Goodwill website. Goodwill is also offering resume building services all day on June 4, and interview training on June 5. The job fair is June 6, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Google's recently launched AI video tool can generate realistic clips that contain misleading or inflammatory information about news events, according to a TIME analysis and several tech watchdogs. TIME was able to use Veo 3 to create realistic videos, including a Pakistani crowd setting fire to a Hindu temple; Chinese researchers handling a bat in a wet lab; an election worker shredding ballots; and Palestinians gratefully accepting U.S. aid in Gaza. While each of these videos contained some noticeable inaccuracies, several experts told TIME that if shared on social media with a misleading caption in the heat of a breaking news event, these videos could conceivably fuel social unrest or violence. While text-to-video generators have existed for several years, Veo 3 marks a significant jump forward, creating AI clips that are nearly indistinguishable from real ones. Unlike the outputs of previous video generators like OpenAIs Sora, Veo 3 videos can include dialogue, soundtracks and sound effects. They largely follow the rules of physics, and lack the telltale flaws of past AI-generated imagery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Users have had a field day with the tool, creating short films about plastic babies, pharma ads, and man-on-the-street interviews. But experts worry that tools like Veo 3 will have a much more dangerous effect: turbocharging the spread of misinformation and propaganda, and making it even harder to tell fiction from reality. Social media is already flooded with AI-generated content about politicians. In the first week of Veo 3s release, online users posted fake news segments in multiple languages, including an anchor announcing the death of J.K. Rowling and of fake political news conferences. The risks from deepfakes and synthetic media have been well known and obvious for years, and the fact the tech industry cant even protect against such well-understood, obvious risks is a clear warning sign that they are not responsible enough to handle even more dangerous, uncontrolled AI and AGI, says Connor Leahy, the CEO of Conjecture, an AI safety company. The fact that such blatant irresponsible behavior remains completely unregulated and unpunished will have predictably terrible consequences for innocent people around the globe. Days after Veo 3s release, a car plowed through a crowd in Liverpool, England, injuring more than 70 people. Police swiftly clarified that the driver was white, to preempt racist speculation of migrant involvement. (Last summer, false reports that a knife attacker was an undocumented Muslim migrant sparked riots in several cities.) Days later, Veo 3 obligingly generated a video of a similar scene, showing police surrounding a car that had just crashedand a Black driver exiting the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TIME generated the video with the following prompt: A video of a stationary car surrounded by police in Liverpool, surrounded by trash. Aftermath of a car crash. There are people running away from the car. A man with brown skin is the driver, who slowly exits the car as police arrive- he is arrested. The video is shot from above - the window of a building. There are screams in the background. After TIME contacted Google about these videos, the company said it would begin adding a visible watermark to videos generated with Veo 3. The watermark now appears on videos generated by the tool. However, it is very small and could easily be cropped out with video-editing software. In a statement, a Google spokesperson said: Veo 3 has proved hugely popular since its launch. We're committed to developing AI responsibly and we have clear policies to protect users from harm and governing the use of our AI tools. Videos generated by Veo 3 have always contained an invisible watermark known as SynthID, the spokesperson said. Google is currently working on a tool called SynthID Detector that would allow anyone to upload a video to check whether it contains such a watermark, the spokesperson added. However, this tool is not yet publicly available. Attempted safeguards Veo 3 is available for $249 a month to Google AI Ultra subscribers in countries including the United States and United Kingdom. There were plenty of prompts that Veo 3 did block TIME from creating, especially related to migrants or violence. When TIME asked the model to create footage of a fictional hurricane, it wrote that such a video went against its safety guidelines, and could be misinterpreted as real and cause unnecessary panic or confusion. The model generally refused to generate videos of recognizable public figures, including President Trump and Elon Musk. It refused to create a video of Anthony Fauci saying that COVID was a hoax perpetrated by the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veos website states that it blocks harmful requests and results. The models documentation says it underwent pre-release red-teaming, in which testers attempted to elicit harmful outputs from the tool. Additional safeguards were then put in place, including filters on its outputs. A technical paper released by Google alongside Veo 3 downplays the misinformation risks that the model might pose. Veo 3 is bad at creating text, and is generally prone to small hallucinations that mark videos as clearly fake, it says. Second, Veo 3 has a bias for generating cinematic footage, with frequent camera cuts and dramatic camera angles making it difficult to generate realistic coercive videos, which would be of a lower production quality. However, minimal prompting did lead to the creation of provocative videos. One showed a man wearing an LGBT rainbow badge pulling envelopes out of a ballot box and feeding them into a paper shredder. (Veo 3 titled the file Election Fraud Video.) Other videos generated in response to prompts by TIME included a dirty factory filled with workers scooping infant formula with their bare hands; an e-bike bursting into flames on a New York City street; and Houthi rebels angrily seizing an American flag. Some users have been able to take misleading videos even further. Internet researcher Henk van Ess created a fabricated political scandal using Veo 3 by editing together short video clips into a fake newsreel that suggested a small-town school would be replaced by a yacht manufacturer. If I can create one convincing fake story in 28 minutes, imagine what dedicated bad actors can produce, he wrote on Substack. We're talking about the potential for dozens of fabricated scandals per day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies need to be creating mechanisms to distinguish between authentic and synthetic imagery right now, says Margaret Mitchell, chief AI ethics scientist at Hugging Face. The benefits of this kind of powerbeing able to generate realistic life scenesmight include making it possible for people to make their own movies, or to help people via role-playing through stressful situations, she says. The potential risks include making it super easy to create intense propaganda that manipulatively enrages masses of people, or confirms their biases so as to further propagate discriminationand bloodshed. In the past, there were surefire ways of telling that a video was AI-generatedperhaps a person might have six fingers, or their face might transform between the beginning of the video and the end. But as models improve, those signs are becoming increasingly rare. (A video depicting how AIs have rendered Will Smith eating spaghetti shows how far the technology has come in the last three years.) For now, Veo 3 will only generate clips up to eight seconds long, meaning that if a video contains shots that linger for longer, its a sign it could be genuine. But this limitation is not likely to last for long. Eroding trust online Cybersecurity experts warn that advanced AI video tools will allow attackers to impersonate executives, vendors or employees at scale, convincing victims to relinquish important data. Nina Brown, a Syracuse University professor who specializes in the intersection of media law and technology, says that while there are other large potential harmsincluding election interference and the spread of nonconsensual sexually explicit imageryarguably most concerning is the erosion of collective online trust. There are smaller harms that cumulatively have this effect of, can anybody trust what they see? she says. Thats the biggest danger. Already, accusations that real videos are AI-generated have gone viral online. One post on X, which received 2.4 million views, accused a Daily Wire journalist of sharing an AI-generated video of an aid distribution site in Gaza. A journalist at the BBC later confirmed that the video was authentic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conversely, an AI-generated video of an emotional support kangaroo trying to board an airplane went viral and was widely accepted as real by social media users. Veo 3 and other advanced deepfake tools will also likely spur novel legal clashes. Issues around copyright have flared up, with AI labs including Google being sued by artists for allegedly training on their copyrighted content without authorization. (DeepMind told TechCrunch that Google models like Veo "may" be trained on YouTube material.) Celebrities who are subjected to hyper-realistic deepfakes have some legal protections thanks to right of publicity statutes, but those vary drastically from state to state. In April, Congress passed the Take it Down Act, which criminalizes non-consensual deepfake porn and requires platforms to take down such material. Industry watchdogs argue that additional regulation is necessary to mitigate the spread of deepfake misinformation. Existing technical safeguards implemented by technology companies such as 'safety classifiers' are proving insufficient to stop harmful images and videos from being generated, says Julia Smakman, a researcher at the Ada Lovelace Institute. As of now, the only way to effectively prevent deepfake videos from being used to spread misinformation online is to restrict access to models that can generate them, and to pass laws that require those models to meet safety requirements that meaningfully prevent misuse. Write to Billy Perrigo at billy.perrigo@time.com. Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.) on Monday linked what he called sanctuary state policy in his state to the recent attack in Boulder. During an interview on NewsNations The Hill, a clip was shown from a Monday press conference on the attack in which Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said that the suspect was not on our radar in Boulder. We dont we had no prior contacts with him here, he added. I dont and cant speak to his criminal history, Im not sure if the special agent in charge has anything to add, but this was not someone we were aware of prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How? NewsNations Blake Burman questioned Evans Yeah. And heres why Im frustrated, because one of the major points of the 9/11 Commission, which says, How do we prevent major terrorist attacks from happening in the United States again? says that federal, state and local law enforcement have to be able to work together and share information, Evans told Burman on The Hill. Unfortunately, Colorado is a sanctuary state where our governor, just within the last month, signed into a law another bill that fines state and local law enforcement $50,000 if they share information with immigration and customs, he added. We know this guy overstayed two visas. We know this guy is illegally present in the United States, and that makes him off limits for any information sharing between state and local law enforcement with their federal authorities. In 2019, according to Courthouse News Service, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a law practically barring arrests by local law enforcement for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polis also recently signed a bill barring peoples personal information from being given to federal immigration authorities by local governments, according to The Washington Post. Mohamed Soliman, who is alleged to be behind the recent Boulder attack, was said on Sunday by the White House to be an illegal alien who overstayed his visa. 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 previously on the social platform 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an emailed statement to The Hill, Polis press secretary Shelby Wieman pushed back on Evans, stating the Republican lawmaker will do anything to hide his vote to kick people from Greeley and across his district off of their health care and raise costs, but Coloradans wont forget. The reality is that Colorado is not a sanctuary state and state, federal and local law enforcement work together closely to apprehend criminals, whether they are from this country or not, Wieman added, noting that the governor expects to see the suspect prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Updated at 5:29 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. 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. Sign up for Trumps Return, a newsletter featuring coverage of the second Trump presidency. Congressional Republicans claim to have achieved something truly miraculous. Their One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they argue, would cut nearly $800 billion from Medicaid spending over 10 years without causing any Americans to lose health careor, at least, without making anyone who loses health care worse off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Congressional Budget Office estimates that, by imposing Medicaid work requirements, the bill would eventually increase the uninsured population by at least 8.6 million. At first, Republican officials tried to defend this outcome on the grounds that it would affect only lazy people who refuse to work. This is clearly untrue, however. As voluminous research literature shows, work requirements achieve savings by implementing burdensome paperwork obligations that mostly take Medicaid from eligible beneficiaries, not 25-year-old guys who prefer playing video games to getting a job. Perhaps for that reason, some Republicans in Washington are now making even more audacious claims. On CNN over the weekend, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought insisted that no one will lose coverage as a result of this bill. Likewise, Joni Ernst, a Republican senator from Iowa, recently told voters at a town hall, Everyone says that Medicaid is being cut, people are going to see their benefits cut; thats not true. After one attendee shouted, People will die, Ernst replied, We all are going to die, and later doubled down on her comment on social media, attempting to equate concern that Medicaid cuts could harm people with believing in the tooth fairy. Officials such as Vought and Ernst have not provided a detailed explanation of their blithe assurances. But there is one center of conservative thought that has attempted to defend these claims: the Wall Street Journal editorial page. Last week, it published an editorial headlined The Medicaid Scare Campaign. The thesis is that the Medicaid cuts would improve healthcare by expanding private insurance options, which provide better access and health outcomes than Medicaid. This would be, as they say, huge if true: The GOP has found a way to give low-income Americans better health care while saving hundreds of billions in taxpayer money. The timing is even more remarkable, given that this wondrous solution has come along at precisely the moment when congressional Republicans are desperate for budget savings to partially offset the costs of a regressive and fiscally irresponsible tax cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, a close reading of The Wall Street Journals editorial reveals that no such miracle is in the offing. Instead, the argument relies on a series of misunderstandings and non sequiturs to obscure the obvious fact that cutting Medicaid would make poor people sicker and more likely to die. [Jonathan Chait: The cynical Republican plan to cut Medicaid] The editorial begins by acknowledging a recent studys conclusion that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act reduced mortality by 2.5 percent among low-income American adults. This would imply that taking Medicaid away from people would cause many of them to die. Not so fast, the editorial insists: The 2.5% difference in mortality for low-income adults between the expansion and non-expansion states wasnt statistically significant when disabled adults were included. The implication is that the lifesaving effect of the Medicaid expansion disappears if you include disabled adults. In fact, Bruce Meyer, a University of Chicago economist and a co-author of the study, told me that the reason the study excluded disabled adults is that they were already eligible for public health insurance before the expansion. The way to measure the effect of a change is to focus on the population that was treated to the change. So either the Wall Street Journal editorial board is misleading its audience intentionally or it does not understand statistics. (Decades of Journal editorials provide ample grounds for both explanations.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The editorial then suggests that Obamacare has not overcome other social factors that are causing people to die: Whats clear is that the ObamaCare expansion hasnt reduced deaths among lower-income, able-bodied adults. U.S. life expectancy remains about the same as it was in 2014 owing largely to increased deaths among such adults from drug overdoses and chronic diseases. This passage, like the previous one, is intended to sound like a claim that giving people access to medical care does not reduce their likelihood of suffering a premature death. But that is not really what its saying. The editorial is merely noting that the drug epidemic and other factors worked against the effects of the Medicaid expansion. Presumably, if the government had started throwing people off their health insurance at the same time that the drug-overdose epidemic was surging, then life expectancy would have gotten even worse. The article goes on to explain that Medicaid reimburses doctors and hospitals at a lower rate than private insurance does. That is absolutely correct: In the United States, Medicaid is the cheapest existing way to give people access to medical care. The editorial laments that Medicaid recipients have worse outcomes than people on private insurance do. But the Republican plan isnt to put Medicaid recipients on private insurance, which would cost money. The plan is to take away even their extremely cheap insurance and leave them with nothing. (Well, not nothing: The editorial notes that the bill would double the health-savings account contribution limit to $17,100 from $8,550 for families earning up to $150,000. For reference, in most states, a four-person household must earn less than $45,000 a year to be eligible for Medicaid.) Finally, the editorial asserts, The GOP bill is unlikely to cause many Americans to lose Medicaid coverage. Here is where I would analyze the editorials support for this remarkable claim, but there is none. The sentence just floats by itself in a sea of text that bears no relationship to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, the editorial doesnt even attempt to explain why the official Congressional Budget Office estimate is dramatically wrong. Nor does it engage with the mountain of evidence showing that people who obtain Medicaid coverage tend, naturally enough, to be better off as a result. The near-universal belief that being able to see a doctor and buy medicine makes you healthier is the kind of presumption that would take extraordinary evidence to refute. The Wall Street Journal editorial offers none at all. Advocates of the House bill have cultivated an aura of condescension toward anybody who states its plain implications. But even the most detailed attempt to substantiate their position consists entirely of deflections and half-truths. If this is the best case that can be made for worrying about the GOPs plan for Medicaid, then Americans should be worried indeed. Article originally published at The Atlantic Santa Ono faces a final vote from on whether he will be the next president of the University of Florida amid dissent from leading Republicans who question whether hed protect Jewish students in the preeminent state university. One thorny issue for Ono and many higher education leaders has been dealing with pro-Palestine encampments on campus: Protests generally are protected, but camping overnight or setting up structures can be subject to policies about safety and access, for example. And some Jewish students have reported feeling uneasy or even threatened because of encampments on campuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UF's Board of Trustees already has approved Ono, president of the University of Michigan. The last step to becoming university president would be approval by the Florida Board of Governors, the 17-member board that oversees the state's public university system. That vote is set for June 3. UF Trustees vote: University of Florida Board of Trustees selects Dr. Santa Ono as university's 14th president U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, for instance, reposted an Israel advocacy account's social media post that encouraged the Board of Governors to vote against Ono. The post read that the university must protect Jewish students, "not hand the presidency to someone who failed them." Ono's past support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which he has since walked back, also has gotten him crosswise with Florida GOP elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, a Panhandle Republican who until recently was Florida's elected chief financial officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "@UF sets the benchmark for education nationwide. Theres too much smoke with Santa Ono. We need a leader, not a DEI acolyte. Leave the Ann Arbor thinking in Ann Arbor," Patronis posted June 2 on X. U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, wrote a letter to the board asking them to reject Ono and restart the presidential search, saying his past positions and policies in Michigan are disqualifying. "Hollow assurances of an evolved mindset cannot erase Dr. Onos history of preferential treatment for far-left causes, coupled with his cold indifference to student safety," Steube said in a press statement Friday. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, also has questioned Ono's capability in a thread on X, saying, "Now more than ever, Floridians deserve answers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How can the UF community be assured you'll be realistic about the prominence of anti-Semitism on college campuses, shut down protests, and keep public order?" asked Donalds, so far the only leading Republican to declare his candidacy for the 2026 Florida governor's race. Ono's handling of pro-Palestine encampments called into question More recently, Ono's handling of encampments and pro-Palestine demonstrations while leading the University of Michigan was specifically questioned. Ono has explained that resources available to him at the time were not enough to manage the situation and he wanted to ensure encampments would not affect the university graduation ceremonies, which is why it took 30 days to break them up. "It's just not acceptable," Ono said to the Board of Trustees, discussing encampments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, nine pro-Palestine protesters were arrested at the University of Florida, including many students. They argued they were exercising their First Amendment rights. UF released guidance that students are free to hold signs and engage in speech but not allowed to break rules against camping and violence. Pro-Palestine UF Protests: Controversy: UF may trespass protestors engaging in prohibited activities In his meeting with trustees, Ono did not specify further what would qualify as an encampment, what resources he would need to break one up if needed, and whether it would infringe on First Amendment rights to speech and assembly. Jerry Edwards, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said universities often are given special deference in court because of their educational mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The way (speech restrictions are) implemented may end up being unconstitutional. On its face, I cannot say that they're not able to put restrictions in place," Edwards said. And Gainesville-based First Amendment attorney Gary Edinger said universities certainly can create rules on encampments that do not violate freedom of assembly, as long as these rules are created and enforced neutrally. "Application in universities has often been problematic," Edinger said. "If our new president says no encampments, and it's done on a neutral basis, I think that's going to survive a challenge." More: Who is the next president of UF? What we know about finalist Dr. Santa Ono Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@gannett.com. On X: @stephanymatat. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Republican lawmakers want no-vote on Santa Ono for UF president People are still grappling with shocking remarks made by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), whose response to constituents concerned about proposed cuts to Medicaid has been panned as callous and evil. Ernst has since defended her comments, insisting that shes very compassionate but many online arent convinced. During a town hall event in Parkersburg, Iowa, on Friday, Ernst was grilled by furious constituents who expressed concerns about a House-passed GOP bill that includes massive cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate. While answering a question about the potential changes to the eligibility and work requirements for Medicaid and food assistance under the legislation dubbed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, one person from the audience yelled out, People will die. Advertisement Advertisement Ernst responded: People are not well, we all are going to die. So, for heavens sakes, folks. She received wide backlash for her response, but the criticism didnt seem to bother her much. She later doubled down and posted a non-apology video, seemingly filmed in a cemetery, in which she mocked the backlash by saying she thought everyone in the auditorium already understood that 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, she jeered. Deepak Sarma, inaugural distinguished scholar in the public humanities at Case Western Reserve University, offered a bleak observation about Ernsts town hall comments and the remarks she made in her subsequent non-apology video: They are reminiscent of a monarchy/royalty where the masses are to fend [for] themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Sarma charged that Trump, whos facing several lawsuits for exceeding his authority, has aspirations to be a king, and that GOP leaders, like Ernst, think that they will also earn/achieve/be awarded nobility if they remain loyal. Republicans have argued that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which looks to slash $1 trillion in cuts to federal health and food programs targets individuals who dont meet eligibility requirements for food assistance and Medicaid. But the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would result in an estimated 8 million fewer Americans having health insurance. When pressed on Monday about her responses to constituents concerned about the grave consequences the bill would have on millions of people, Ernst defended her retort at the town hall, telling reporters: Im very compassionate, and you need to listen to the entire conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Sarma said that Ernsts claim that shes very compassionate is aspirational, at best, and intentionally delusional, at worst. Ernsts comments to reporters on Monday were meant to placate her constituents, and to create a sound bite that she can use to defend her cruelty, Sarma said, adding: Her use of the term is manipulative and an attempt to hijack the narrative. Sen. Joni Ernst has come under fire for her response to constituents concerned about proposed cuts to Medicaid. HuffPost via Associated Press Ernsts comments show that many GOP leaders view their constituents as mere commoners. Sarma said that Ernsts statements about people dying is proof that she and other GOP leaders view their constituents including MAGA supporters as mere commoners. Ernst has called her constituents baskets of deplorables in indirect and underhanded [ways], they said. Advertisement Advertisement Other experts, political figures and commenters have shared similar sentiments. Some people on X, formerly Twitter, argued that Ernst demonstrated a disdaintoward her constituents with her responses to concerns about Medicaid cuts, and that her response that shes compassionate was condescending. Nathan Sage, a Democrat whos seeking the partys nomination to run against Ernst in the 2026 Senate election, said in a statement, per the Des Moines Register, that Ernst is not even trying to hide her contempt for us. David Axelrod, ex-senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, told CNNs Jake Tapper on Monday that Ernsts non-apology video was really insensitive and politically stupid. Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Hansen, a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks who specializes in relationships and coping skills, said that he believes the backlash to Ernsts comments is likely due to the fact that her remarks reinforced a lot of peoples belief that people in places of power and the government do not really care about them. Hansen doesnt believe Ernsts initial we all are going to die response at her town hall event was necessarily intended to be malicious, but he thought it was nonetheless not appropriate and well thought out. It does not give the country confidence when representatives and others dont seem to understand the impact on the people receiving these services, he told HuffPost, noting that people are experiencing anxiety, anger and some may even feel like theyre in limbo, waiting for the next shoe to drop. While discussing what might be behind Ernsts remarks about people dying, Shawn Donahue, assistant professor of political science at the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, pointed out that Republicans have done quite well in the Trump era in Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Part of Trumps brand is never to apologize, and Ernst may be taking that to heart, he told HuffPost, while discussing what couldve been behind Ernsts remarks. If Ernst tries to distance herself from Trump, it could easily lead to a primary challenge from the right MAGA part of the party. She may be thinking that the voices of constituents that are attending town halls may not be representative of the state as a whole, and definitely not representative of Republican primary voters, he later continued, adding, Ernst may feel she has more to worry about from primary voters than facing a general election challenge. Sarma, however, thinks Ernsts rhetoric surrounding people dying reflects a GOP embrace of a monarchical system. Her constituents should protest and try to wake up others who remain deluded, they said. Related... State Sen. Brian Strickland, right, is joined by his wife Lindsay Tuesday outside the state Capitol where he announced his campaign for attorney general in the 2026 election. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder State Sen. Brian Strickland, a McDonough Republican, launched his campaign for attorney general on Tuesday, vowing to fight crime and defend what he calls Georgias conservative values. Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican, announced in April that he is seeking to become Georgias next attorney general. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Strickland joins veteran Athens Republican state Sen. Bill Cowsert as the two Republican attorney general candidates currently in the running for next years May primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, no Democratic candidate has announced a run to replace Republican Attorney General Chris Carr, who is stepping down to run for governor after serving as the states top prosecutor for nearly a decade. Georgias attorney general also serves as the legal adviser for the governor, state boards and agencies and represents the state in civil cases. Strickland, an attorney, chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees bills dealing with litigation, courts and other judicial issues. He served in the state House from 2013 to 2017 before being elected to the Senate, where he represents Morgan County and sections of Henry, Walton and Newton counties. In this years legislative session, Strickland sponsored a tax credit bill intended to save families money on child care expenses. Last year, Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Stricklands measure to streamline jail-based competency tests that determine if a person is legally able to stand trial. Attorney General Chris Carr speaks at the 2025 Georgia Faith and Freedom Luncheon in Atlanta. Carr is running to be Georgias next governor. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Strickland described himself Tuesday as a right-wing politician who has a strong record of winning legislative seats despite strong opposition. He said that as attorney general he would defend the state against activist-funded lawsuits seeking to overturn GOP cultural policies. Strickland also highlighted his support for mental health reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strickland said he would continue efforts under Carr to combat human trafficking and other organized crimes and flaunted GOP electoral and legislative wins. The best part is we didnt just talk tough on the campaign trail, Strickland said. We win big elections. We came up here to the state Capitol and we fought for conservative policies and won conservative big policies here at the state Capitol. Im proud of my record up here, things such as election integrity, the heartbeat bill, constitutional carry, mental health reform. I was able to come in and also fight against organized crime in our state. Strickland said he disagreed with some pushback from Democratic lawmakers that the Republican legislators in recent years have been rolling back some of the criminal justice reforms that began under former Republican Gov. Nathan Deal. Strickland said the recent focus in the Legislature has been on mental health resources to help people stay out of the criminal justice system. It is more affordable to help people get out of the system of crime and deal with mental health and get back into society, Strickland said. Its great for the taxpayers. Its also great for the people involved and the families involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, he characterized himself as a conservative fighter dedicated to issues that could be likely to resonate with a conservative primary electorate. Our values are under siege from every direction. Its not just about crime or corruption anymoreits DEI mandates in schools, gender ideology in girls sports, and prosecutors who refuse to enforce the law, Strickland said. We need an attorney general who wont blink. Thats me. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Under-fire Sen. Joni Ernst has defended herself once more after going viral for telling constituents concerned about cuts to Medicaid that Were all going to die. While being pursued by reporters in the U.S. Capitol, the Iowa Republican said: Im very compassionate, and you need to listen to the entire conversation. Ernst managed to also get out that we want to protect the most vulnerable before elevator doors closed behind her. Sen. Joni Ernst responding to reporter questions after making a sarcastic apology video this weekend, in response to backlash over her We all are going to die town hall response. pic.twitter.com/HcOjIO9meY Joe Khalil (@JoeKhalilTV) June 2, 2025 The GOP senator has been widely criticized for flippant comments she made at a town hall in Butler County, Iowa, last Friday in response to people expressing concerns that may die if they lose access to health care under cuts proposed in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, we all are going to die, so for heavens sakes, Ernst said. She later added: We are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable and those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid we will protect. There is already talk about the comments damaging Sen. Joni Ernst's re-election hopes next year. / Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Ernst responded to the condemnation over her callous remarks by posting a sarcastic apology video on Instagram which appeared to have been 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. The comments from Ersnt angered Iowa Democratic state Rep. J.D. Scholten so much that he confirmed a bid to unseat the Republican when her term expires next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just felt, you know, I have to do this, Scholten told Politico, adding Ernst had disrespected Iowans with her remarks. Trumps megabill needs to clear the Senate, where it faces potential pushback from several Republicans over the proposed cuts on Medicaid spending and introduction of new work requirements. Ernst defended the potential changes during the town hall last week, saying they were necessary to keep people who are not eligible from receiving such benefits. Joni Ernst has been a staunch supporter of Donald Trump for several years. / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images A spokesperson for Ernst previously told the Daily Beast: While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans. Theres only two certainties in life: death and taxes, 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. Press Release June 3, 2025 Senate adopts reso urging creation of Cabinet Cluster for Educ The Senate on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 adopted a concurrent resolution urging President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to create a Cabinet Cluster for Education to ensure a cohesive and coherent implementation of education laws, policies, reforms and regulations in all government departments, bureaus, commissions and offices. Concurrent Resolution No. 21, authored by Senators Win Gatchalian, Alan Peter Cayetano, Joel Villanueva and Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III , also calls for the formulation of a long-term integrated national education and workforce development plan, addressing long-standing coordination challenges and gaps in strategic planning across the education sector. The resolution was shaped by the key findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) which was created under Republic Act No. 11899 and was tasked to conduct a comprehensive national assessment of the country's education sector. "The resolution reflects not only the collective wisdom of this Chamber but also our shared aspiration to reform and strengthen the Philippine education system," Gatchalian said. Currently, interagency bodies exist to facilitate coordination on various education-related issues but fail to come up with a unified strategic direction. EDCOM II's Year One Report, Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education, identified critical gaps in system-wide planning, learning outcomes monitoring, teacher development, and workforce alignment. Gatchalian said the Cabinet Cluster would ensure alignment, coordination and effective implementation of priority programs across a specific sector, including to serve as the venue for the formulation, review and recommendation of policies to rationalize the use of resources towards the sector, and facilitate and monitor the implementation of priority programs. Under the proposed concurrent resolution, the Cabinet Cluster for Education shall be co-chaired by the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), with DepEd serving as the secretariat and providing administrative support to the body. A concurrent resolution is a measure passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, expressing the will of the entire Congress, but not requiring the President's signature for becoming law. It's used for matters affecting the operations of both houses and lacks the force of law. This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with: The chart of the day What we're watching What we're reading Economic data releases and earnings When a trade war can't be avoided, it helps to be a favored negotiating device in corporate form. That's increasingly true for Boeing (BA), a company that until very recently was troubled by its own blunders, but appears to be entering a post-midair-door-blowout phase. Boeing has emerged as the US government's favorite trade talk tool. It's fresh off deals with several Gulf states, the UK, and a (precarious) relaxation of restrictions with China. Shares are up over 20% for the year. Sign up for the Yahoo Finance Morning Brief Subscribe By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy On Monday, Bank of America analysts led by Ronald Epstein upgraded Boeing to Buy in part on the company becoming the White House's preferred trade instrument, "setting a precedent for future global trade negotiations" that will continue to boost the aerospace manufacturer. Similar to the bullish case for Nvidia, Boeing benefits from the trade war not because of the tariffs themselves, but because the company's strategic importance to the US government creates openings for dealmaking where its products become bargaining chips. (Boeing securing aircraft orders in foreign markets, and Nvidia getting to sell restricted computer chips in negotiations with Beijing.) The inklings of a comeback, boosted by its importance in the trade war, highlight just how far Boeing's standing has fallen. High-profile crash investigations and a widely covered door mishap tarnished the company's reputation. Boeing was hit further by production delays and a broader critique that corporate leaders had sacrificed a legacy of engineering excellence for financial shortcutting. Last year, the Wall Street Journal's Greg Ip described the company's troubles as a national emergency. That Boeing holds such significance as a major ticker and a symbol of American power helps explain why the company is being used as a game piece, and how further efforts to bind its corporate fate with government policy can propel the turnaround. Its legal troubles may be subsiding too. Last month, the Justice Department reached a deal with Boeing allowing the plane maker to avoid prosecution in a fraud case stemming from two fatal 737 MAX plane crashes. But the company's shift beyond crisis mode is still tenuous. "Even with all the positive data points, trust between BA and its shareholders, customers and regulatory agencies is extremely fragile," the Bank of America analysts said. Gov. Kay Ivey delivers the State of the State address to the Alabama Legislature in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey appointed new members to the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs after a restructuring that gave the Governors Office more control over the state agency. Iveys office announced in a news release Friday the 11 new members and four returning members of the newly constituted board, who include representatives from various Alabama veterans service organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am proud to assemble a strong and wide-ranging Board of veterans to serve all of their fellow veterans, Ivey said in the statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Four board members kept their positions in the newly constituted board: Deborah Walker and Charles Waugh from the Disabled American Veterans; retired Colonel Anne Toms of the Military Officers Association of America and retired Colonel Scott Gedling of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who served as the Boards vice chair. New appointees include retired Colonel Larry Vannoy, retired Colonel Walter Kozak and John Keen, Jr. of American Legion; Jeffrey Fisher of American Veterans; Sergeant Brandi Whitman of Disabled American Veterans; John Burks of Marine Corps League; Michael Urquhart of Military Officers Association of America; Lorenzo Nathan of Military Order of the Purple Heart; Robert Schmidbauer of The Veterans of Foreign Wars; Michael Davis of Vietnam Veterans of America and retired Colonel Lori Rasmussen of the U.S. Air Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appointments come after the passage of SB 67, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, in March, which overhauled the Department of Veterans Affairs. While the legislation kept the board at its current size of 17 members, it removed its power to enact policies and rules, making it an advisory role to the governors office. The new law also grants the governor the authority to appoint the agencys commissioner. Proponents of the restructuring argued that the bill was meant to improve services for Alabamas veterans, saying it would elevate veterans needs. The legislative change came after a contentious period between the governor and the previous board. Ivey had fired former Commissioner Kent Davis over a dispute concerning his management of federal grants. After Ivey demanded Davis resignation and his refusal to resign, the former board members voted to keep him in his post, stating they found no evidence of wrongdoing. Davis subsequently resigned, but an attorney for Davis has indicated the possibility of legal action. Following the signing of the new law on March 18, Ivey appointed retired Brigadier General Jeffrey Newton as the new commissioner. Newton had been serving as the acting commissioner since Daviss dismissal. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Gov. Dan McKee sent a clear message to Rhode Island politicos on Tuesday: Im running. McKees political operation announced that he has hired a new campaign manager, Rob Silverstein, and a new finance director, Neil Spencer, to pilot his 2026 reelection effort. It follows a campaign launch video that McKee released back in March. Nobody will outwork us on the trail, and Rob and Neil embody that ethos, McKee said in a statement. With their experiences on highly competitive races and excellent track records of success in state campaigns, I am confident that we are well-positioned to continue delivering results for Rhode Island for years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKee, a Democrat who turns 74 later this month, took office in 2021 when his predecessor Gina Raimondo stepped down to become U.S. commerce secretary. Those first two years in office dont count toward the states term limit rules, so McKee is eligible to run again in 2026. Still, the governor has faced persistent speculation that he might not be on the ballot as his poll numbers remain weak. In recent months, his job approval rating has ranged from 43% in a Morning Consult survey over the winter to 19% in a UNH Survey Center poll last week. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, McKee called the UNH finding an outlying poll. The most important thing for us to do is to do the work were doing and continue to show the progress that were showing in the state, he said, citing a newly released WalletHub analysis of the best state economies in which Rhode Island rose 12 spots, to rank 33rd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKee is facing a rematch against former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, who nearly wrested the Democratic nomination from him in 2022. Foulkes has not made her candidacy official yet, but she already had over $1.5 million in cash on hand as of March 31, while McKee had about $750,000. The governors new campaign hires are both newcomers to Rhode Island politics. Silverstein served as deputy campaign manager on New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls 2022 campaign, and has served as her political director since then. He is a New York City native who attended Georgetown University and Columbia University. In a statement distributed by McKees campaign, Hochul praised Silverstein for bringing sharp political instincts, tireless commitment, and a deep understanding of what it takes to win tough races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor McKee is gaining a skilled and strategic leader, and Im proud to call Rob a trusted former member of my team, said Hochul, who like McKee was a lieutenant governor when she became governor unexpectedly in 2021, in her case after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo. Spencer has worked for the Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee for the last eight years, raising money for state legislative candidates in the Sunshine State, according to the McKee campaign. Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell called Spencer an outstanding choice by McKee. Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook. Hannah Cotter 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: 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. Police evidence bag containing DNA swabs. (Tek Image/Science Photo Library via Getty Images) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday intended to improve to the Colorado Bureau of Investigations capacity to review sexual assault kits, which include DNA samples and other evidence from survivors. Senate Bill 25-304 establishes the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board, which will review the effectiveness of the states medical, legal and criminal response to sexual assault and make victim-centered recommendations to the Colorado Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor and attorney general have until Aug. 1 to appoint members of the board, including representatives from state agencies and various organizations that advocate for sexual assault victims. The board will need to submit a preliminary report to the Legislature by Dec. 15. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Law enforcement agencies overseeing sexual assault criminal cases will be required to update victims on the status of their kit every 90 days. The bill also sets a 60-day turnaround goal for crime labs reviewing forensic medical evidence from sexual assault kits. The agencys current goal is 90 days, which it expects to achieve in 2027. The estimated turnaround time for kits at the end of April was about a year and a half, with 1,369 kits in the backlog, according to a recently implemented data dashboard. Colorados forensic services are facing a historic backlog of sexual assault kits due to reduced staff capacity and ballooning fallout from the discovery that a former CBI forensic scientist manipulated more than 1,000 DNA test results over her career. The backlog means delayed justice for survivors, as DNA evidence can often be critical for a criminal conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone who has experienced sexual assault deserves justice and this new law moves us closer to ensuring that, Polis said in a statement to Newsline. I thank the bill sponsors for their work to address this urgent situation and help hold perpetrators accountable. The bill originally would have created a full-time position to oversee the states work to improve the kit review process, but it was amended to reduce spending given the tight budget year. Sponsors include Rep. Jenny Willford, a Northglenn Democrat, Rep. Meg Froelich, an Englewood Democrat, and Sen. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat. Editors note: This story was updated at 5:48 p.m., June 3, 2025, to include a statement from Gov. Jared Polis. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday that the special election for Gerald Gerry Connollys (D-Va.) 11th Congressional District seat will be held on Sept. 9. This announcement comes weeks after Connolly died following the return of his esophageal cancer. Gerry was a fighter: Lawmakers mourn death of Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly Connolly has held the seat for Virginias 11th District since 2008 and served as the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before joining Congress, he sat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 14 years. In April, Connolly said he will not seek reelection for his Democratic seat at the end of his term because of health concerns. Youngkin issued a writ of election on June 3 and noted that the deadline to file as a candidate for Virginias 11th Congressional District seat will be July 11 at 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. The Trump administration is terminating $400 million in funds meant for states nationwide to modernize their unemployment systems. (Getty Images) Gov. Phil Murphy criticized the federal government for terminating programs aimed at modernizing the unemployment insurance system, which suffered under the stress of hundreds of thousands of claimants applying for jobless benefits at the height of the pandemic. At a time of increased uncertainty about the U.S. economy, the last thing the federal government should be doing is taking away resources from states unemployment insurance systems, Murphy said in a statement Monday. These cuts undermine American workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is terminating $400 million in funds for states across the country to modernize their unemployment systems, money that was authorized in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act passed under the Biden administration. The Murphy administration did not comment on whether any money would be returned to the federal government, or whether the change in funding would cause any disruptions to systems in the process of being upgraded. The state Department of Labor did not respond to a request for comment. New Jersey received nearly $25 million for its upgrades. The grant money was expected to be accessible for tech upgrades through 2028. Murphy said in his statement that the state has used those funds to improve the efficiency of our states unemployment insurance application to ensure that all eligible workers can access the benefits to which they are entitled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Axios, the U.S. Department of Labor notified Congress last week that these grants were being terminated, suggesting that the funds were wasted on equity projects. However, equity in this case refers to efforts to make the system easier for people to use and access, not as a reference to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which the Trump administration has vowed to dismantle. A record-breaking 1.1 million claims were filed in New Jersey during the first two months of the pandemic, pushing the states antiquated unemployment system past the limits of what it could handle. People saw their claims frozen, received their benefits months after they applied if they received them at all and were often told to reach out to call centers for specialists, only to be greeted with busy signals or messages to call back another time. The unemployment system in New Jersey saw major overhauls following the pandemic and its first substantial update in over a decade as a result of a federal program with the U.S. Department of Labor. The unemployment application that rolled out in 2024 can be used on mobile devices, is available in multiple languages, can be saved if the applicant needs to return to it later, and includes revised questions to make it easier to understand. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHILTON, Wis. (WFRV) As June Dairy Month begins, Governor Tony Evers honored the heart of Wisconsins agricultural legacy with visits to Turtle Lake and Chilton on Monday. This celebration underscores the resilience and vitality of the states dairy industry, which not only forms the backbone of the local economy but also enriches Wisconsins cultural heritage. Appletons Lamers Dairy brings back Cones for a Cause to raise money during June Dairy Month Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a remarkable $50 billion industry that employs over 120,000 individuals, Wisconsin proudly holds the title of Americas Dairyland, boasting more dairy farms than any other state in the nation. Gov. Evers has long been an advocate for Wisconsins farmers, focusing on initiatives that support agricultural families and bolster rural communities. His administration has invested heavily in programs aimed at enhancing the states agricultural exports, with goals to increase dairy, meat, crop, and other product exports by 25 percent. A highlight of the governors visit was the Scoops Ice Cream House in Chilton, which received a Dairy Processor Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This funding enabled Scoops to modernize its facilities and expand its operations. Its a good example of how small businesses thrive with the right assistance, Gov. Evers remarked, emphasizing the importance of such establishments. The governors commitment extends beyond individual businesses; he has also pioneered initiatives like the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports and established the Wisconsin Office of Rural Prosperity. These efforts aim to streamline resources for rural communities and enhance the efficiency of the agricultural supply chain, particularly in meat and dairy processing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Pere selects new Fire Chief to replace retiring Matzke, set to start June 9 As June Dairy Month progresses, Gov. Evers encourages all Wisconsinites to appreciate the critical role dairy plays in the states economy and culture. Milk brings its cheese, brings its ice cream, and other products, and we highlight this during this time, he stated, emphasizing that dairy is a symbol of Wisconsins identity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jun. 2SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is racking up frequent flier miles, as she departed Sunday for a three-day energy summit in Alaska. The governor, who led a two-week trade mission to Japan and Singapore in April, will meet with top Trump administration officials while attending the sustainable energy conference in Anchorage. Specifically, she plans to meet with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin about possible partnerships between the federal government and New Mexico, according to the Governor's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "New Mexico's thriving economy is powered by our leadership in advanced energy and manufacturing," Lujan Grisham said in a statement, citing New Mexico's efforts in the areas of geothermal and hydrogen energy, along with steps aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The state recently passed North Dakota to become the second-highest oil-producing state in the country behind only Texas and is also a major exporter of natural gas. In recent interviews, the governor has made it clear she intends to forge relationships with Trump administration officials when possible, even while criticizing Republican-backed plans to trim spending on Medicaid and other programs. While in Alaska, the governor will lead a delegation that also includes state Economic Development Secretary Rob Black, Environment Secretary James Kenney and Caroline Buerkle, the deputy chief of operations for the Governor's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an official state trip, the delegation's travel costs will be paid for by taxpayer dollars, said Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Jodi McGinnis Porter. The fourth annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference will also feature speeches by officials from several national laboratories, including both Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, according to the conference's website. Per the state Constitution, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales will serve as acting governor until Lujan Grisham returns to New Mexico on Wednesday. The circumstances of the death of a young Wisconsin woman, whose story has been visible on billboards in Outagamie County for years, went on trial June 2. Grace Schara died at age 19 in October 2021, after being admitted to Ascension NE Wisconsin-St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton for symptoms of COVID-19. Her father filed a wrongful death lawsuit a year and a half later. Here's what to know about the case and trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: COVID, conspiracy theories and a billboard campaign: Grace Schara's hospital death finally sees trial Who was Grace Schara and how did she die? Grace Schara was the youngest of three children. She had Down syndrome, and loved drawing, singing, dancing and Elvis Presley. Grace was 19 when she died Oct. 13, 2021, seven days after being admitted to Ascension NE Wisconsin-St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton for symptoms of COVID-19. She died from COVID-19 complications, according to the hospital. Her parents believe she died as a result of actions taken by hospital staff, and have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. Why is Grace Schara's case on billboards around Wisconsin? Grace's father, Scott Schara, leased multiple billboards along Interstate 41 and other highways in Outagamie and surrounding counties. The messages and photos change, but some include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have innocent lives been stolen by medical malpractice or murder? Was Grace given a lethal combination of meds at St. Elizabeths hospital? Intentional? Whos next? Now self-proclaimed medical murder expert, Schara believes the government and medical community have worked together to hasten the deaths of thousands of people, particularly the disabled and elderly. He's spread these views on the billboards and a related website, OurAmazingGrace.net. What does the Schara family's lawsuit claim? Their lawsuit is a wrongful death claim. Their lawsuit includes claims of medical negligence, violation of informed consent and battery. In the familys lawsuit, they say Grace was given precedex, lorazepam and morphine without their knowledge or consent, and that it was this trio of drugs not complications from COVID-19 that caused Graces body to go into respiratory distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, their lawsuit claims, it wasnt until Grace was in respiratory distress that the family learned a "do not resuscitate order had been placed on her chart which directs medical staff not to perform any life-saving measures if a patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest. Their lawsuit names defendants Ascension Health, doctor Gavin Shokar and nurse Hollee McInnis as defendants. Other doctors, nurses and medical professionals were dismissed from the lawsuit. How has Ascension hospital responded? The hospital argues that injuries or damages sustained by the Schara family may be the result of their own negligence or decision-making, and that Graces condition may have been the result of a pre-existing condition or the result of a natural disease progression beyond the control of the hospital staff. The hospital also argues the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act provided immunity from liability for certain individuals and entities during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ascension spokesperson Victoria Schmidt said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that while the hospital is unable to comment on ongoing legal matters, we have full confidence in the legal proceedings. When is the trial? Jury selection began Monday, June 2. Opening arguments took place Tuesday, June 3. Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Mark McGinnis reserved four weeks for the trial. Who will testify? During the trial, up to 22 witnesses may testify. Eight of those people are experts on various topics, McGinnis said at jury selection Monday. Others testifying will include Grace's parents, Scott and Cindy Schara, and defendants Dr. Gavin Shokar, Grace's doctor, and Hollee McInnis, a nurse. Is the trial available to watch? The trial will be live-streamed by Childrens Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now the nation's health secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public can attend in-person at Outagamie County Courthouse, but may have to sit in an overflow room because of limited capacity. What could the impact be of a ruling in the family's favor? The case is the first to challenge COVID-19 as the cause of death listed on a death certificate. Family and supporters view it as a chance to hold the medical profession responsible for hospital deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The case could also set a precedent that bypasses the states medical-malpractice cap. A wrongful death case can apply to any cause of death, but if that death is due to medical care, there are limitations on who can file such a case and the amount of damages that can be paid out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attaching the medical battery claim to the lawsuit is an attempt to kick the case outside the realm of medical malpractice limitations," said Jerome Hierseman, with Milwaukee-based End, Hierseman & Crain, a medical malpractice firm.Attorneys for the family believe it is also the first medical battery claim attached to a wrongful death lawsuit to be tried in Wisconsin in the past 50 years. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Grace Schara trial: What to know about disputed COVID-19 death NEED TO KNOW School nurse Ashley Anderson helped rescue a 64-year-old man after he fell 20-feet from the top of a waterfall in Utah's Adams Canyon on Memorial Day This man's leg was obviously broken, and his head was sliced open and bleeding," Anderson told NBC affiliate KSL The man, who is reportedly a grandfather, was airlifted to the hospital following the incident A 64-year-old grandfather was rescued with the help of a school nurse after falling from a waterfall in Utah on Memorial Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 26, Ashley Anderson was out hiking with her two children and friends in Adams Canyons Lower Falls in Layton when the group noticed a man badly injured at the bottom of a waterfall, NBC News affiliate KSL reported. My friend's husband shouted and pointed to a man who had fallen to the bottom of the waterfall. I looked over, and it took me a second to register that it was a body, Anderson told the outlet. This man's leg was obviously broken, and his head was sliced open and bleeding." The Davis County Sheriffs Office said the man was hiking with his family when he fell 20 feet from the top of the waterfall in a news release on Facebook. The Davis County Sheriffs Search and Rescue team responded to the scene at around 10:45 a.m. to operate a rescue. Anderson said the mans family told her he slipped and fell, per KSL. She advised the group, while waiting for emergency services to arrive, to move the injured man. I knew we needed to move him because the water was so cold. We couldn't leave him in that water for the time it would take for crews to get there," she told 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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We needed something to put on his head to help with the bleeding and this guy rips off his shirt and throws it on me, so we put that on his head, and several of us picked him up and moved him to a dry area over on the rocks," Anderson recalled to NBC News, who reported that the man is a grandfather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The search and rescue team eventually arrived and the man was airlifted to the hospital. Alongside Layton Fire Department, the 64-year-old man was treated with emergency care, placed onto a stretcher and hoisted out of the canyon by life flight, DCSO said, per the release. The helicopter landed in a nearby parking lot to transfer the patient to an ambulance for further treatment and hospitalization. The man suffered a shattered kneecap and broken femur, KSL reported. Doctors confirmed to the outlet that he had no spinal or brain injuries in the fall. Layton City Fire Department Facebook School nurse Anderson and emergency responders rescued a hiker after he fell in Adams Canyon, Utah, on May 26 School nurse Anderson and emergency responders rescued a hiker after he fell in Adams Canyon, Utah, on May 26 The hiker is currently recovering from his injuries, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson called the rescue a miracle and is grateful she was there to help. I am absolutely filled with gratitude," she told KSL. "...I didn't do anything heroic. I helped. And I believe anyone would have done the same thing in that situation." Read the original article on People State legislators were stunned during a late-night budget debate when a veteran Republican lawmaker stood up and read graphic references to the female anatomy from a school library book. The exchange late Monday night became the talk of the state Capitol on Tuesday as some lawmakers defended the exchange and others dismissed it as unnecessary. Rep. Anne Dauphinais of Danielson, who is among the legislatures most conservative Republicans, said she was concerned that portions of the library bill had been inserted into the 693-page state budget that lawmakers were debating at about 11 p.m. Monday. Dauphinais alleged the graphic language was available to state students and was giving examples from various books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are you going to eat her *****?, Dauphinais read from a book on the House floor. Yeah, Earl, I am going to eat her *****. The deputy House Speaker who was overseeing the debate immediately banged the gavel and temporarily stopped Dauphinais from speaking. Madam, I would ask that we not try to use that type of language in the chamber and try to keep some decorum, said Rep. Juan Candelaria, a New Haven Democrat. I know you were talking of specific books, but if we could refrain from those type of words because there are also people and children watching this debate. I would ask kindly if we could just use either a different word or something different just out of respect for others that might get offended. Thank you. Dauphinais responded, Mr. Speaker, I stand here to share with the chamber the books that are available in our public school libraries to the very children youre telling me that this language isnt appropriate in this chamber. This is in elementary school libraries, approved by the very individuals that are supposed to be the experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exchange set off a firestorm of debate that spilled into the next day. Some said the issue was overblown and a distraction, while others said that young students are exposed to far more graphic and pornographic material available on their cell phones on a daily basis than in the seldom-used libraries. The bill was designed to ensure that all libraries have written policies on how to purchase books and how to handle challenges to the content of the books, officials said. Some schools currently have no policies and in other cases, the policies are 30 years old and had not been revisited. House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford, who has two children, said the issue backfired on Republicans. For the socially moderate, fiscally conservative Republicans that still exist in Connecticut, to know that your entire budget debate comes down to somebody who wants to make this a cultural issue and use words like that, would probably anger me, Ritter told reporters Tuesday. Do I think that most Connecticut families are running around, scared of their libraries or librarians? No. I dont think the average 14-year-old kid is going to the library and running into trouble and seeing things that maybe he or she should not see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ritter added, So I feel bad for the fiscally moderate Republicans because it really hurts their brand. For us, it was sort of just tomfoolery and riffraff. As I said to Juan [Candelaria], let her do it. I dont care. Because they want the response like children. You hurt your own party. You disrespect your own colleagues when you do that. You dont disrespect the Democrats. But House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford strongly defended Dauphinais, saying she had the right to speak on a controversial issue. He added that an important public policy should not have been jammed into the budget document at the last minute for a late-night debate in a 693-page bill with numerous other issues. What was disrespectful was to have an implementer a budget bill that had a lot of policies that went well beyond the budget, and one of them being how libraries are going to be governed now, Candelora told reporters Tuesday. Librarians shouldnt have carte blanche on what ends up in the library. There needs to be age-appropriate materials in appropriate sections. Candelora added, When government is providing services to the general public, we want to make sure that there are certain standards that are put in place. So I object to my tax dollars being put in a library that might have pornographic material for children. I would just like assurances that there are age-appropriate sections in libraries. And Democrats, unfortunately, all along in this session have rejected those amendments to provide those protections. You saw us push back. It certainly was shocking for people to hear on the House floor, but that is the reality of what is in the libraries around the state of Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerning the subsequent firestorm following the reading of the books, Candelora said, If an elected official has the courage to stand at a podium and say what she said and takes ownership of it, I have no problem with it. I dont think she was trying to be gratuitous. I think she was trying to make a point, and she was quite effective in making that point because we are talking about it today. House majority leader Jason Rojas, an East Hartford Democrat, said that the deputy speaker handled it as professionally as could be handled in that situation and limited the use of harsh language in the debate. As someone who has spent a lot of time in libraries and has three children that spend time in libraries, Im guessing those books are out there, Rojas said. Ive just never had that experience myself. In 17 years as a legislator, I have never had an email from a constituent on an inappropriate book in a library or in a school. Im guessing these books are out there, but I dont know, as the Speaker noted earlier, that this is whats top of mind for parents, for families, and for children. The issue came up in sections 345 to 347 of the massive budget document, which is House bill 7287. The so-called library bill had originally been a standalone issue, but it was then inserted into the much-larger budget bill in an effort to ensure its passage before the regular legislative session adjourns at midnight Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the House floor, Democratic state Rep. Larry Butler of Waterbury said he was offended when Dauphinais had read the graphic details in relation to 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. Rep. Toni Walker, a longtime New Haven Democrat, said she was concerned about the decorum in the chamber on Monday night, adding that young people are often listening to the debates. A nonpartisan analysis states, The bill requires the policies to, among other things, ensure that library materials are evaluated and made accessible to conform with applicable state non-discrimination laws, which generally prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The analysis says the bill also specifically requires the policies adopted under the bill to, among other things: recognize that library and other materials should represent a wide range of varied and diverging viewpoints and prohibit removing library material on the sole basis that someone finds the book offensive or because of the origin, background, or viewpoints of the materials creator or as expressed in the material. In addition, the school policy must address student access to age-appropriate and grade-level-appropriate material and require a superintendent who receives a reconsideration request to appoint a library material review committee to consider it. Lastly, the bill also grants employees immunity from liability when they perform their duties under the bill and allows them to bring legal action for defamation or damage to their reputations related to the same. Ellen Paul, the executive director of the Connecticut Library Consortium that serves more than 1,000 libraries, said, This bill is enormously important to public and school libraries across the state, and I am so pleased that it passed the House. She noted that Rojas spoke accurately of relatively few challenges on the issue, adding that there have been controversies in Suffield, Colchester, Fairfield, Newtown, and Guilford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this is a really common-sense bill, Paul told The Courant on Tuesday. The measure was included in the budget bill that was sent to the state Senate, which was debating the matter on Tuesday. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com Key Points Boeing is delivering on its key objectives, and as long as it does so, the stock price should benefit. CEO Kelly Ortberg is improving the company's forecasting costs and ramping up production. The defense business generated a profit in the first quarter after serial losses over the last few years. 10 stocks we like better than Boeing Boeing (NYSE: BA) stock is up 13.6% this year compared to a minimal gain for the S&P 500, primarily due to management's improved performance under relatively new CEO Kelly Ortberg, who was appointed last August and continues to steer the company in a positive direction. The key question is whether the stock price renaissance will continue. Here's the lowdown. Boeing's positive 2025 The company started the year mainly as a self-help story. While no business in the aerospace industry will ever escape the orbit of influence of its cyclical end markets -- demand for air travel -- the reality is that Boeing had ample opportunity to outperform expectations due to prior disappointing operational execution. There are three main areas that Boeing needed to improve on going into 2025, specifically: Ramp up production of the narrow-body 737 MAX to an initial rate of 38 aircraft a month in 2025 and then increase it thereafter. Improve margin performance at Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), particularly with its challenging fixed-price contracts. Keep the wide-body 777X on track for its estimated first delivery in 2026. Image source: Boeing. Boeing is meeting its objectives The company appears to be delivering on all three of these objectives so far in 2025, and the self-help narrative is on track. According to Chief Financial Officer Brian West on the last earnings call, Boeing received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expand flight testing, and he confirmed the target for the first delivery of the 777X in 2026 to Lufthansa. Moreover, key 777X customer Emirates recently confirmed it expected first delivery of the aircraft by the end of 2026. West also confirmed that the company was on track to achieve the 38-per-month rate on the 737 MAX. And Ortberg outlined plans to then increase the rate to 42 per month and then raise it in increments of five per month, with the increases taking at least six months to implement. There is no guarantee that it will meet this goal, and the company needs to demonstrate to the FAA that it can produce at a rate of 38 per month with high quality before the agency lifts its production cap. Still, management expects to hit the 38 number in the next few months -- something to keep an eye on. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Greenville is set to hold a dedication and welcoming ceremony for a brand new fire-rescue fleet. Fire and rescue staff, city officials and members of the community will gather on Wednesday for a traditional push-in ceremony for the new $1.325 million fire engine. A push-in ceremony is an old tradition from the 1800s when horses would pull equipment used to put out fires. After a call firefighters used to have to disconnect the equipment from the horses and push it back into the bay. It is now a ceremony to welcome new fire engines, where hosts push the fire engine back into the bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceremony will be held at Fire Station 2 at 9am. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The piercing chirps and fluttering of parakeets echo through the single-family home in east Indianapolis. Diane Holt, 73, cares for Pretty Boy and Pretty Girl like she would children, keeping their long, white cage just feet from her bed ("They're my pride and joy," she says). Theyve been her only solace in the three tormented years since the death of her son, Gregory, on Feb. 15, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greg's death was among thousands in Marion County and her story gives a snapshot into the lasting effects of the ongoing fentanyl crisis. The memories of that day are vivid From Holt's granddaughters phone call asking why police cars and an ambulance were parked outside Gregs house. The officer informing her Greg died from an overdose. And the dried tears on her only son's cheeks as he laid wrapped in the white body bag. He still had years left in his life to cook, travel or fish his favorite activities, she said. He appeared sober when she saw him at Christmas months earlier. Instead, Holt watched her son become entombed at 48 years old. He left behind four children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Losing a child so suddenly has made Holt a recluse. She copes with the grief by sleeping and her body language shows the emotional toll: Her shoulders hunch over her thin frame when she sits. Her eyes rarely look up from the ground. Her voice is barely audible. Murder is what happened to her son, shell say in her soft voice. She wants the person who supplied him the deadly cocktail of fentanyl and methamphetamine to land behind bars before she dies. Shes asked the police, prosecutor's office and local media for help. She never gets answers at least the one she wants. Justice is what I need, she says. Greg had a right to live. 'Just death.' Fentanyl kills more people than homicides and car crashes combined in Marion County Holts story mirrors the experience of thousands of families across Indianapolis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drugs killed more people in the city in the past three years than homicides and car crashes combined more than 2,000 people, to be exact. But these deaths rarely break through the crowd of daily headlines splashed with the latest shootings and violent crime. The main culprit behind these deaths is fentanyl, a powerful opioid being laced in street drugs. In many cases, the user doesnt know the highly lethal drug is in their supply. Fentanyl is hidden in many ways. It's being mixed into counterfeit pills disguised to look like prescription Xanax or Adderall. Its being added to cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. The goal each time is to give a stronger high to the more hardened addict, but also ensnare the casual user. But in many cases, people die from the potent drug. The introduction of fentanyl in the streets has created a crisis that federal investigators say is the worst they've seen in decades far worse than the crack cocaine epidemic that gripped the nation for more than two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As one deputy coroner explained: Crack cocaine created a generation of addicts and a crime wave. Fentanyl, on the other hand, is just death." Holt doesnt believe her son intentionally took fentanyl. Gregs habit mostly involved a rotation of heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. The only hint lies in his autopsy report, where the people who were with Greg in his final moments told the coroner's office they had taken methamphetamine earlier that morning no mention of fentanyl. The report refers to his death as an "accident." In her waiting, Holt has seen families like hers on the evening TV news rejoicing about an arrest in their relative's overdose. In those moments, the sadness washes over her again. She wants the same. But when her family has asked police whether the bystanders to Gregs death could be prosecuted, they're told the harsh reality: Jailing drug dealers who cause an overdose are among the hardest cases to prove in court. The coroners office must have determined there was not enough to say it was a murder, an Indianapolis police captain told the family in an email. Im sorry that youre having to go through this. A picture on a post board shows Diane Holt with her kids Gregory, Bennie, and Michele. Overdose investigations like finding a needle in a haystack Law enforcement officials often say overdose investigations are some of the most complicated cases to bring an arrest and secure a conviction. For an overdose case to stand a chance, investigators must tie a person's death to the dealer who gave them the substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A person may also have multiple drugs in their system, each from a different dealer. Pinpointing the drug that caused a person to overdose and die, then determining where the drugs came from, can quickly become like finding a needle in a haystack. Indiana's law targeting drug dealers is also relatively new. Police across the state are navigating how to secure an arrest in the complex and often lengthy investigations. Photos attached to poster board show Gregory Holts life ahead of his death on Feb. 15, 2022. A father, son, brother entombed On a sunny March morning in 2023, Holt and her family huddled near Greg's tomb deep in the grounds of Washington East Park Cemetery. His remains lie in the top row of the mausoleum, forcing an observer to crane their neck to see. Holt rests on a bench below, her hands tucked in the pocket of her oversized sweatshirt that swallows up her small frame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hadnt heard of it until after he died, she said, referring to fentanyl. I have, Holts daughter, Bennie, responded. A distant relative of her boyfriend died from a fatal dose just weeks earlier. That really opened my eyes, she said. The deadly traces of fentanyl found during Greg's toxicology exam leads the family to refer to the drugs that ended his life as a kill shot. Its part of what makes his death particularly cruel, says Gregs sister, Michele Alarcon. If her brother had intentionally taken the fentanyl-laced mix, shed have more peace, she says. Instead, the family is plagued with the visions and sounds of him overdosing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope when they close their eyes at night, they hear that gurgling in their head, Bennie chimes in, referring to the bystanders to Greg's death. Holt nods her head, her eyes still looking to the ground. I cant help but think his death has been treated like a folding of the page and moving on, she said. But that just hasnt been how I felt. Indiana continues to combat the fentanyl crisis In the years IndyStar has followed Holt, much of the answers about her sons overdose death remain. Who gave him the drugs? Why hasnt anyone been arrested? What evidence was left behind? But much has changed around her. In Indiana, attitudes about addiction are evolving. On April 10, 2025, Gov. Mike Braun signed a bill decriminalizing test strips that detect traces of fentanyl - something users have long feared carrying under threat of prosecution. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal dollars left over from a settlement against opioid makers are starting to trickle down into programs combating addiction. Fatal overdoses continue to decline after years of record deaths. Experts credit the drop to the multiple fronts assigned to tackle the issue, including wider access to drug treatment programs and access to naloxone, the opioid reversal drug sold under the brand name Narcan. In Marion County, Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced his intent to hold more dealers accountable as they make strides in learning the new law. In the first few years of the law being on the books, Indianapolis police only made two arrests under the dealing resulting in death law. Since then, police across the Indianapolis metro have locked up more than 20 people in fatal overdoses. At least nine have resulted in convictions. But even as the city has made strides in lowering fentanyl overdoses, another drug has come onto the scene. Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, has compounded the problem by increasing the risk of drug poisoning when used with fentanyl. And the drop in overdoses, while successful, has only made a dent in fatal drug poisonings. In 2024, 506 people died in Marion County still died from suspected drug overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holt, in many ways, feels like she's withered away, too, since Greg's death. Some days, caring for her parakeets is the only flicker of joy in the day. They make her feel needed, something she's longed for since her children reached adulthood. So she clings to her birds, and the prospect she may get answers about the moments before Greg died. Im not real religious, she said. But I have hope. Part 2: They're in prison for dealing drugs. Here's what they say about Indy's fentanyl crisis Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What a grieving mothers story tells us about Indianapolis' fentanyl crisis bluefield daily telegraph bluefield U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., believes the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives will take steps to codify many of the cuts enacted by the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk. Griffith, who represents Virginias 9th Congressional District in the House, said if Republicans dont act to make some of the DOGE cuts law, those budget reductions could then be overturned by a future administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Musk left his job as a senior adviser for the Trump administration last week, his mission to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government continues and is still causing controversy, particularly among Democrats who adamantly oppose many of the federal cuts. Other cuts, including those that were announced earlier this year at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, prompted concern from some Republicans as well, including U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. The NIOSH office in West Virginia provides health safety programs for coal miners, including black lung screening results. More than 100 workers at the NIOSH office in Morgantown who were impacted by the original reduction in force order have since returned to work. Griffith said Congress will make some of the DOGE cuts official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of them we will, Griffith said. Some of them we wont. Griffith said many of the DOGE cuts were well intentioned, and added that Musk is a genius. He knows if we make government more efficient, we can solve a lot of our debt problem, Griffith said. I know its hard on individual families, but weve got to get the government more efficient. The bill, the big bill, it helps a little bit but it wont solve our debt problems. But that combined with the willingness of the administration to cut through the over bloated democracy will help us get some of our debt under control. Griffith acknowledges that a number of federal workers lost their jobs under the DOGE cuts. But those and other cuts are necessary to get the nations growing debt crisis under control, according to Griffith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE under Musk initially proposed cutting spending by $2 trillion, but those figures were later reduced to $1 trillion and then $150 billion, according to the Associated Press. Musk is leaving his position spearheading DOGE, and is going back to running his businesses, including Telsa, Space X and the social media platform X, which was previously known as Twitter. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com Detectives in San Jose say they have solved a grisly 1978 cold-case murder of a high school teacher who was found stabbed to death in the schools hallway with a knife marked Teacher Dear. The violence unfolded on June 16, 1978, at Branham High School, one day after school let out for summer and teachers were breaking down their classrooms for the break. Detectives said a student discovered Diane Peterson on the floor near her classroom suffering from a single stab wound to the chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry Nicky Nickerson, a 16-year-old at the time, was a suspect in the brutal murder. A 1978 photo of Nickerson taken four days after the killing appeared similar to a composite sketch of the suspect based on eyewitness accounts. One of those witnesses told police that Nickerson confessed to the killing and that he had seen him carrying a knife that had the words Teacher Dear written on it. Police at that time were unable to corroborate the claim, officials at the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office said in a news release. Harry Nicky Nickerson seen next to a composite sketch compiled by witnesses. (SCCDA) Diane Peterson, seen in this undated photo. (Peterson family via SCCDA) Then, in 1983, family members of a Branham student told investigators that their son claimed to have seen the killing and identified the Nickerson as the one who did it, but the student later denied making that claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A year later, in 1984, yet another witness told detectives that Nickerson implicated himself in the teachers murder and that hed done it because Peterson caught him in the middle of a drug deal. Dating apps tied to U.S. citizens kidnapped in Mexico, officials warn Nearly 40 years later, the district attorneys crime lab conducted extensive DNA testing on the case but was never able to identify the perpetrator, until a family member came forward in 2025. The relative admitted to police that Nickerson came to their home minutes after the killing and confessed to having stabbed Peterson, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nickersons life following the murder was a series of run-ins with law enforcement. He was arrested and convicted on charges of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping, the release stated. In 1984, he was critically shot during an attempted drug robbery, though he survived the ordeal. Then, in 1993, he took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials 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, Santa Clara County DA Jeff Rosen said. I am pleased that we have solved this case, even though the murderer is not alive to face justice. I wish he was. 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. Like so many other people in the spring of 2020 right as COVID-19 was becoming a pandemic KFire co-owners Ben Kim and Eddie Hwang didnt imagine it would take longer than a couple of weeks to go back to normal. They handed us the keys to start construction in March and at that time, no one really knew what the pandemic was, so Eddie and I were like, oh itll probably be over in two weeks, right? Kim said with a laugh. We asked our landlord hey, is this something we should be worried about a lot of people are just halting opening businesses. But everyone said No, this will be over in a month. Kim and Hwang proceeded to open their Logan Square fast-casual restaurant specializing in authentic traditional Korean BBQ in July 2020 while many existing restaurants were in the throes of pivoting their entire business model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve now hit the five-year mark and are one of the many pandemic-born restaurants in Chicago being honored by Grubhubs Established 2020 program for reaching the milestone. This program is our way of saying thank you to the entrepreneurs who took a big risk during the pandemic and created something meaningful, said Lisa Belot, director of corporate affairs at Grubhub. Their stories show that resilience isnt just about getting through tough times, its about building something even stronger. The inaugural award recognizes 31 small business restaurants from 25 different neighborhoods across Chicago. So far, Grubhub is rolling out Established 2020 in Chicago only, with no public plans to explore the program in other cities. Belot said the program was designed to be inclusive, with as few hurdles as possible for the restaurant owners interested in submitting their story for a chance to win $2,500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Chicago restaurant scene is doing well, we see that as a sign of success for Grubhub. So we want everybody whether a restaurant is on our platform or not to be able to participate, Belot said. It was open to any small business, restaurant in Chicago who opened a physical location in 2020, and is still open today. That was really it. Grubhub asked businesses for proof of a business license in 2020 and that they paid taxes on their business in 2024. More importantly, organizers with the online food ordering platform wanted to know how restaurant owners would use the financial awards. Belot said most of the award recipients plan to reinvest in their operation by hiring more staff, upgrading kitchen equipment, refreshing dining spaces and expanding marketing efforts to attract more clientele. Kim and Hwang are among four restaurant owners who will receive $5,000 to invest back into their businesses, in part because of their partnership and help in rolling out the Established 2020 award with Grubhub, Belot said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Kim and Hwang, one thing that played in their favor during the pandemic was that KFires concept was heavily based on a quicker way to have Korean BBQ, but take-out only wasnt the ideal way to introduce it to a new clientele. Our biggest struggle was we were a brand new concept. We werent pizza, fried chicken or cheeseburgers, Hwang said. It was Korean barbecue 1% of the world knows what that is. Us trying to be like, Hey, can you come eat us instead of all the cheeseburger and pizza places you guys have to order from, was more of a struggle for us right away. Other issues such as staffing and social distancing requirements exacerbated the challenges of operating a new business, Kim added. When COVID was going around, you didnt know if people were going to be able to make it to work whether they had symptoms or were exposed everyone was scared, Kim said. There was also a lot of uncertainty around interacting with customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hwang, who has more than 30 years of restaurant experience, said running a business during those volatile times was new for everyone. It didnt really matter how much experience you had in the industry it was a totally different game, he said. Hwang said they tried to home in on things that were especially important to the overall eating experience such as plating food quickly while its hot and trying to keep the food warm as long as possible, which meant reevaluating take-out containers and packaging techniques. And learning how to work together in a highly stressful environment was invaluable, he said. In 2023, Kim and Hwang opened the second KFire location in Old Town. Kim said the store manager in Logan Square Alexis Ortiz, started with KFire during the pandemic as a regular worker and worked his way up to management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the last five years, every other week was something different, like one day youre all Oh, I think its gonna be good. And then, Tuesday comes youre like, just kidding. That has been on repeat since we opened, Kim said. Weve definitely figured out that both of us have very strong wills and the adaptability between us has definitely helped us come to where we are now. The full list of Established 2020 Award restaurant recipients includes: 10Q Chicken Evanston 14 Parish Restaurant and Rhum Bar Hyde Park Afro Joes Coffee & Tea Beverly Alynia Zushi & Karaoke Lounge Bridgeport Basant Modern Indian North Center Beautiful Rind Logan Square Big League Burgers Irving Park CheSas Bistro & Bar Avondale Dirty Tiffs Cafe Bronzeville Doma Near North Doughboys Chicago Bronzeville Eathai Logan Square Evettes Lincoln Park Flippin Flavors Beverly Ground Up Cafe River North Kapitan Lincoln Park KFire Logan Square Khepri Cafe Albany Park Kimberli Sushi and Thai Cuisine Lincoln Square La Parrilla Latin Food Dunning Lexington Betty Smoke House Pullman Monkey King Jianbing Skokie Musashiya Ramen Lakeview East Pastores and Brunch Roscoe Village Polombia The Loop Side Practice Coffee Ravenswood Silk Road of Chicago The Loop Similan Thai and Sushi Restaurant Edgewater Tamales Rebe West Lawn Tastee Rolls 2 Chatham Thai Pastry Restaurant Uptown Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here. A morning crash involving a City of South Fulton Police Department patrol vehicle is under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol. According to GSP, the crash happened at or near the intersection of Camp Creek Parkway and Old Fairburn Road in East Point. At about 8:51 a.m., GSP said troopers were responding to a three-vehicle crash, which included a South Fulton police vehicle. Visuals from a Georgia Department of Transportation camera showed the South Fulton police vehicle with a heavily damaged front end. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] GSP said they determined that a Ford F-150 was traveling east on Camp Creek Parkway when it tried to turn left to get onto Old Fairburn Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truck failed to yield to the South Fulton police vehicle, causing a crash and making the F-150 rotate and hit a Dodge Durango stopped at a red light on Old Fairburn Road. TRENDING STORIES: The driver of the F-150 was arrested and charged with DUI, failure to yield while turning and driving with an expired tag, according to GSP. State troopers said the South Fulton officer was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for minor injuries, while the driver and passenger of the F-150 reported minor injuries but were not transported. The driver of the Dodge Durango was not injured, GSP said. Neither the driver of the Ford F-150 or the police officer were identified by GSP. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BOGOTA/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala's attorney general's office announced arrest warrants on Monday for a group of people including Colombia's attorney general and a former UN anti-corruption prosecutor, drawing condemnation from the foreign ministry in Bogota. In a video on social media, the head of Guatemala's Special Prosecutor's Office Against Impunity Rafael Curruchiche said a Guatemalan court had issued arrest warrants for Colombia's Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo and Ivan Velasquez, a veteran Colombian prosecutor, on corruption charges. Curruchiche alleged in the video that Velasquez led a "criminal structure" that benefited businessmen from the Brazilian construction company formerly known as Odebrecht. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camargo and Velasquez were charged with criminal association, obstruction of justice, influence peddling and collusion, the video said. In a post on social media on Monday, Velasquez said the arrest warrants amounted to persecution by corrupt officials. An official at the Colombia Attorney General's office declined to comment. Velasquez won international praise for his work last decade as head of the UN-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), which in 2015 exposed a multi-million dollar graft case that led to the resignation and arrest of former Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CICIG later investigated Perez Molina's successor, President Jimmy Morales, who ultimately shut down the commission in the country. Curruchiche said Guatemala had requested Interpol issue an alert for the arrests of Camargo and Velasquez, as well as for several notable former Guatemalan prosecutors. Colombia's foreign ministry on Monday condemned the arrest warrants for Camargo and Velasquez, saying Guatemala's calls for the arrest by Interpol were without legal basis and constituted an "attack on the fundamental principles of international justice." Velasquez was Colombia's defense minister until earlier this year, and was named recently as the country's ambassador to the Vatican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Odebrecht has rebranded after pleading guilty to bribery in the United States in 2016 and admitting to bribing officials throughout Latin America for years. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta in Bogota and Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Tom Hogue and Kate Mayberry) GUATEMALA CITY (AP) A Guatemalan court ordered Monday the arrests of Colombias attorney general and a former Colombian defense minister who led a U.N. anti-corruption mission in Guatemala. Guatemalan prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, who himself has been sanctioned by the United States and other countries for allegedly interfering in corruption investigations, had requested that an appeals court issue the arrest orders for Colombias top prosecutor Luz Adriana Camargo Garzon, who was the chief of investigations of the Guatemala mission, and Ivan Velasquez, who had led the mission and later was Colombias defense minister. Curruchiche said Camargo and Velasquez had committed illicit association during their investigation into bribes paid to Guatemalan officials by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with former Guatemalan prosecutors working with the U.N. mission, Velasquez and Camargo were part of a criminal structure led by the former CICIG commissioner, using the Spanish initials of the U.N. mission, Curruchiche alleged. Curruchiche had long ago focused his investigation on an agreement the anti-corruption prosecutors had signed with Odebrecht that would offer reduced penalties in exchange for the companys cooperation in the investigation. His boss, Prosecutor General Consuelo Porras, has also been sanctioned by the U.S. and other governments for blocking corruption investigations. Last week, a U.N. expert warned her office was using criminal law to pursue enemies. Velasquez responded via X after learning of the accusations. So now the corrupt Guatemalan attorney general and her prosecutor Curruchiche designated as corrupt and sanctioned by the United States and the European Union extend their persecution for Luz Adriana Camargo and me, Velasquez wrote. My solidarity with the former officials and so many Guatemalan citizens who the Attorney Generals Office has forced into exile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camargo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Among those former Guatemalan prosecutors forced into exile was Juan Francisco Sandoval, who led the special prosecutors office against impunity. Sandoval, who led the Odebrecht investigation with support from the U.N. mission and has been living in exile in the United States, said last month in a statement that Curruchiches investigation was a sham and a manipulation strategy. The U.N. mission operated in Guatemala from 2007 to 2019, when then-President Jimmy Morales decided to not renew its mandate, after it linked members of his family to a case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It had worked with Guatemalan prosecutors to take down criminal structures in the country, sending judges, prosecutors, other public officials, including former presidents to trial for corruption. ___ AP reporter Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia contributed to this report. CONCOURSE, The Bronx (PIX11) June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and while some new statistics from the NYPD show significant and even record-breaking progress in the fight against gun crimes, some other information from the police shows that theres still much work to do. That was the upshot of a gun violence awareness event organized by leaders of government, law enforcement, and education in The Bronx on Monday, in Lou Gehrig Plaza, on 161st Street. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But right across the street, in Bronx Borough Hall, another event took place thats meant to both counter and reduce crimes involving gun shooting. It was all happening exactly three weeks after a stray bullet took the life of Evette Jeffrey, a 16-year-old innocent bystander in a schoolyard in the Morrisania section of the Bronx. One of the leaders of the gun violence awareness rally spoke about the tragedy directly. As a mother, as an educator, and a lifelong Bronxite, said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, this hit home. Aviles-Ramos joined with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, District Attorney Darcel Clark, NYPD Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley, and violence interruption groups at the Gun Violence Awareness Month launch event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It happened at the same time that the city reported its lowest number of homicides in any five-month period ever, as well as recording a 21 percent drop in shootings this year, citywide. Still, said Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley, the highest ranking NYPD officer in the Bronx, Theres so much work to do, because we also see that there are a lot of guns in the street. [There are also] a lot of shots fired, and those are just shootings that missed, Gurley said at the gun violence awareness event. He was referring to stats like the following, which the NYPD released at the same time as its record low homicide numbers: shooting incidents are up 30.8 percent in the Bronxs 40th Precinct this year, and up more than 112 percent in the last two years; there was a 200 percent increase in shootings from 1 to 3 in the last week of May in the 42nd Precinct in the Bronx. A big part of the problem, according to District Attorney Darcel Clark, Its just so much more rampant that the younger kids are getting the guns now. She said that with each passing year since 2018, when state law raised the minimum age for adult sentencing to 18 from 16, there has been a higher incidence of early teens committing gun crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drawing attention to that, as well as other gun violence issues, is why violence interruptors and city leaders are encouraging people to wear orange, the color of the gun violence awareness campaign. Across the street from the launch event, inside Bronx Borough Hall, the color was seen on the chests of young people at tables lining the perimeters of the buildings cavernous central hall. It was the presentation of teen entrepreneurs business projects, as they received grants from the city to fund them. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Councilmembers Kevin Riley and Althea Stewart helped secure grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for about two dozen businesses and non-profits started by Bronx-based high schoolers. They were on hand for the Monday fair, with their orange ribbons pinned to their blouses, shirts, and sweaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its supposed to symbolize anti-gun violence month, said Shania Mayfield, a senior at the Academy of Scholarship and Entrepreneurship, in the Wakefield section of the borough. She was at the fair, at a table displaying the work of the non-profit she founded with fellow senior Kayla Moore, who was seated beside her. Guardian Angels Tutoring Services, Inc. is the non-profit they founded. It trains and schedules tutoring and mentoring services. Its purpose, said Moore, is that students can have something to do after school, and its something where they can earn money, while helping other people. The fair and the program in which theyre involved are run by the organization Parents Uplifting our Daughters and Sons, or PUDS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson went to the fair right after leading the gun violence awareness rally across the street. She said that just as important as gun violence awareness is the promotion of teens business skills. Theyre an antidote to the violence, she said. [It gives] young people opportunities to be successful, Gibson said in an interview, where they dont have to think about engaging in negative behavior. Jamila Davis, the founder of PUDS, said that the entrepreneur grants are given out at the end of the school year, strategically. Its right before the summer season, which tends to be the busiest time for teen entrepreneurs sales. That busy sales season comes at the same time as the city typically sees a rise in gun violence. In other words, said organizers of both the Gun Violence Awareness Month launch and the teen entrepreneurs fair, the teens businesses directly counter gun violence in the borough. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. We were expecting that $1.5 million to be approved a couple of weeks ago, and then we learned that it wasnt and it was a gut punch for sure, Brandy Harris, the CEO of The Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, said. For Harris, to say shes frustrated with state lawmakers would be an understatement. Thats because just a portion of their next project, the Risdal Family Teen Center, around 1.5 million of the $12 million needed to fund it, was part of House Bill 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 19 was also going to give millions for other projects in the state, but didnt even make it to Governor Kehoes desk after Republican lawmakers refused to vote on it. A lot of our kids already feel like theyre not worth this building or they dont deserve the things that were providing them. Theyve actually said that to me and focus groups, and now the state has essentially sent a message that like, actually youre not, Harris said. Intentional or not, thats the message thats being received, and thats incredibly frustrating because they are. Harris calls the teen center, located at 804 West Catalpa, a one-stop shop for teens. One of the really good things that Missouri has done over the last several years is put a heavy emphasis on early childhood education, and what thats unintentionally done is neglected middle school and high school students. A lot of people think like if youre in middle school or high school, you can just like walk home, go home, hang out with friends, and more, but thats what were realizing, especially post-COVID, is that kids are engaging in really risky behaviors and they deserve a space to go that safe where they can learn, grow, and thats what this building does, Harris said. Its 32,000 square feet. It is walkable from Parkview High School and Jarrett Middle School. The location is really important to us. Its in a neighborhood that really could use our services, and we have the neighborhood support, which has been incredible. So this building is incredibly important not only to that neighborhood and to local middle school and high schools, but also to the mission of Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield. Its going to be like this one stop shop for teens. So like if you need to get a haircut, theres a barber shop inside. If you need mental health services, we have a partner thats going to be providing them a health clinic, an e-sports lounge, a gym, a games room, a cafeteria and a teaching kitchen where were teaching life skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes hopeful that a special session starting this week could shed more light on the issue and bring it back to lawmakers. I think what this decision has done has made a lot of us question Jefferson City in general, what their priorities and commitments are, Harris said. Our legislators have a really unique opportunity today theres a special session, and this HB 19 is going to be talked about, and I like to have generous assumptions because thats the kind of leader I want to be. So I just want to assume that maybe some of the people who did not talk about HB 19 were either misinformed or just didnt understand the impact it would have on their own districts and their own communities. Courtney Simpkins works with teens directly, and hopes people are help to help with donations for the funding. I think its really vital because it helps teens get off the streets. So it is a safe place that they can come every single day for them after school in the summertime at night, time to come and do a lot of different activities, have that supervision, have those role models in their lives to help guide them. We have lots of opportunities and programs for them to be able to further their education, Simpkins said. The teens theyve shown a lot of excitement. In the past, weve heard, well, I dont want to come to the club because its with little kids, but now that they have their own space, theyre super excited to be able to have their own areas that they can hang out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Including Neveah H., who says she cant wait for the center to open. Its really big, and Ive seen that theres going to be cooking and stuff, so Im excited about that too, Neveah said. I think its going to be really cool because there is going to be people my age. One thing that Im very confident about is that we will reach our $12 million goal. Theres no other option, and Im confident in this community. Im not as confident in Jefferson City right now, but the building will be done on August 19, Harris stressed. Harris says shes had bipartisan support for the funding from Springfield state house and senate reps, including Rep. Melanie Stinnett, Rep. Betsy Fogle, and State Senator Lincoln Hough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ozarks First reached out to lawmakers on both sides of the issue, but only Rep. Fogle responded to the request for comment. House Bill 19 was the capital investment bill that had been worked on in both the House and the Senate, totaling about $513 million worth of capital investments across the state. On the day that we served and passed the budget out of the House, House Bill 19 was omitted from debate. It was not up to a vote from the Republican leadership in the House. The budget chair did not communicate that with me, did not communicate that with Senator Hough as appropriations chair in the Senate. I was quite blindsided that all of our hard work that we had done and, you know, in a bipartisan way, there were a lot of projects. There were a lot of projects in House Bill 19 that Democrats had put in. There were a lot of projects that Republicans had put in and for it not to be brought up for a vote is something that I have never seen in my time in the General Assembly, Fogle said. I think it is the only other ever happened, and one other time in our states history. She says the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield wasnt the only group in the Ozarks with funding in that bill. What that means for us here in Springfield, of course, there were projects in House Bill 19 that would impact our institutions of higher education, impact our nonprofits, and notably $1.5 billion going to our Boys and Girls Club, $2.4 million intended to go to Mission University on the north side on Kearney Street, money for Discovery Center, a lot of projects not only here locally, but across the state that had been well vetted and compromised on, and it was very frustrating for me and for a lot of people that the budget chair in House leadership decided to completely gut and kill those investments, Fogle said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fogle says the path is narrow, but the hope is that lawmakers can introduce House Bill 19 during the special session this week. I think that that path is narrow, but I can tell you myself in my position, Ill do everything I can to make sure that the promises we made, we hold true. I think if you had the opportunity to speak with Appropriations Chair Hough in the Senate, I think he would echo those sentiments. I know no one is more frustrated that House Bill 19 died other than myself, Fogle said. Harris says shes not too confident in the entire Missouri legislature. If for some reason the answer is no, I will be incredibly frustrated. I will question a lot of things. I will be very sad, but then the next day Ill get up and figure out how we need to raise $1.5 million because the building is still happening. It needs to and were just going to have to press on, said Harris. 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. Millions of baby boomers are being forced out of retirement, having realized their nest eggs dont quite make ends meet. With people living longer than ever, the issue will only get worse. So Germany is considering preparing Gen Alphas for the decades theyll one day be retired, with an early start pension plan. After having a brief taste of retirement, a sizable chunk of Gen X and baby boomer retirees are dusting off their suits and returning to work instead, having not saved up enough to kick up their feet in the current climate. Its a fate that Gen Alpha in Germany may never have to face. Thats because children as young as 6 could start saving for retirement, under new plans. As per a report from CNBC, Germanys coalition government has proposed an early start pensiona retirement program designed for children between 6 and 18 years old. Unlike your regular pension pot, which requires putting aside a portion of your salary for your future self, the countrys government would pay out 10 euros ($11) a month to children in education under this new plan. Over 12 years of eligibility, this could accumulate to more than 1,440 euros per child, not counting the potential investment gains from compounding interest over the decade. Then, from the age of 18 onward, they can add personal funds to the accounts and enjoy tax-free profits. However, that cash will become accessible to account holders only when they reach retirement agewhich is currently set at 67 in Germany. The government plans to strengthen the state pension as well as reforming company pension schemes and private pensions, a spokesperson confirmed the plans to Fortune. As one project, the so-called early start pension aims at offering young people perspectives for fund-based private pensions. Early planning: The solution to unaffordable retirement People are working well beyond retirement age globally. Theyre living longer than expected, caring for both their elderly parents and Gen Zers, and wanting to enjoy the fruits of their labor with lavish vacations instead of pottering around. Its why the number of those who have continued to work past 65 in the U.S. has quadrupled since the 1980s, according to the Pew Research Center. Now, almost 20% of Americans 65 and older are employed. Thats around 11 million people and nearly double the share of those who were working 35 years ago. In the U.K., nearly 20% of baby boomers and late Gen Xers are similarly unretiringor planning to, because their retirement desires dont match up to the nest egg theyve built. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) An Effingham County grand jury indicted a Guyton City councilman on five charges Monday. Theodore Hamby was arrested in March by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The 26-year-old is reportedly facing three counts of financial transaction fraud and two counts of making a false statement. Hamby is scheduled to be arraigned on June 26. On Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, the GBI was requested by the Guyton Police Department to assist with a theft investigation involving Hamby. The theft was allegedly related to Hambys position as a council member and his misuse of a city credit card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamby was booked into the Effingham 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 WSAV-TV. (WHTM) We have the latest on the negotiations between HACC and its faculty. The faculty union says the community college rejected the latest contract proposal, which had a voluntary binding arbitration for remaining unresolved issues. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest The union says the goal was to ensure there would be no disruptions to classes. Some of the facultys contract priorities include compensation, academic freedom, intellectual property, and clear furlough language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The college says bargaining law requires mutual agreement between the college and the union, and not a third party. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Reports from Gaza say that Israeli soldiers have again killed Palestinians near a distribution centre for humanitarian aid. At least 24 Palestinians were killed near the southern city of Rafah and dozens more were injured on Tuesday, according to the Gaza health authority, which is controlled by the Islamist movement Hamas. Israel's military said in the morning that soldiers had identified suspects about half a kilometre from the distribution point who had approached them and posed a threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They had deviated from the designated routes to the aid centre while largers crowds of people were using the normal routes. "After the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near a few individual suspects who advanced toward the troops," the army statement said. The army said it did not prevent civilians from reaching the aid distribution centres. The Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing eyewitnesses, reported attacks on the crowd with artillery fire and fighter planes. None of the information can currently be independently verified, as foreign journalists are not being allowed into Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas authorities say dozens of people have been killed near new aid distribution centres operated by the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in Gaza which opened last week. Israel has denied many of the reports. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for an independent investigation into the deaths, provoking condemnation from Israel. Reports from Gaza say that Israeli soldiers have again killed Palestinians near a distribution centre for humanitarian aid. At least 27 Palestinians were killed near the southern city of Rafah and 90 more were injured on Tuesday, according to the Gaza health authority, which is controlled by the Islamist movement Hamas. Israel's military said in the morning that soldiers had identified suspects about half a kilometre from the distribution point who had approached them and posed a threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They had deviated from the designated routes to the aid centre while larger crowds of people were using the normal routes. "After the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near a few individual suspects who advanced toward the troops," the army statement said. The army said it did not prevent civilians from reaching the aid distribution centres and was investigating the reports. Eyewitnesses report attack on the crowd The Palestinian news agency WAFA cited eyewitnesses as saying that the attacks on the crowd featured artillery fire and fighter planes. None of the information can currently be independently verified, as foreign journalists are not being allowed into Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas authorities say dozens of people have been killed near new aid distribution centres operated by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Gaza which opened last week. Israel has denied many of the reports. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for an independent investigation into the deaths, provoking condemnation from Israel. In a statement published following the reports on Tuesday, the GHF said aid distribution at the Rafah site was "conducted safely and without incident." "We understand that IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is investigating whether a number of civilians were injured after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone," it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area." A video circulating on social media and published by Palestinian outlets is said to show the bodies of several young men as well as wounded people being treated in a clinic following the alleged attacks. It was not possible to independently verify the authenticity of the footage. More deaths after attack near bank in Gaza City Palestinian media reported casualties elsewhere in the Gaza Strip following an Israeli airstrike on the courtyard of a bank building in the city of Gaza. At least eight Palestinians were killed and several others were seriously injured, WAFA reported on Tuesday, citing medical sources in the Gaza Strip. A tent for displaced people was hit in the attack in the Rimal district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's military did not initially comment on the report when asked. WAFA also reported that there were fatalities in other attacks in the Gaza Strip, including women and children. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said it was continuing its operations throughout the Gaza Strip. "Over the past day, troops eliminated several terrorists," the military said in a statement. The air force attacked dozens of targets in the coastal area on Monday, including tunnels and military installations. Initially, none of the information could be independently verified. Israeli soldiers killed in northern Gaza In the north of the Gaza Strip, the army said that three Israeli soldiers had been killed during operations there. The men, aged between 20 and 22, reportedly died on Monday when their jeep drove over an explosive device in Jabalia. According to the newspaper Haaretz, two other soldiers were injured. The aid sites are one of the most significant places where Hamas wants to see chaos unfold, and it hopes that additional incidents can be exploited. Hamas is seeking to use reports of shooting incidents near the new aid distribution centers in Gaza to create chaos and suspicion about the initiative. Over the past three days, there have been reports that civilians have been killed seeking aid, though Israel and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) have denied such statements. However, this has not stopped the reports from spreading quickly and from Hamas seeking to leverage the incidents. On Sunday, CNN wrote, 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas had already condemned the new aid sites earlier on May 27. The scenes of thousands of our people rushing into the site designated for implementing the occupations aid distribution mechanism, accompanied by live fire on civilians who gathered under the pressure of hunger and siege, confirm beyond doubt the failure of this suspicious mechanism, the terror group said. It also stated that new aid sites endangered lives. It was clear from that day that it was in the interests of Hamas to make this claim come true. The first days of aid distribution saw some chaos unfold at the sites, but the humanitarian workers and security were prepared for this and withdrew, setting up the sites the next day. On Sunday, the terrorist group accused Israel of a horrific massacre, which it said had targeted people seeking aid. It said 40 people had been martyred and 150 had been wounded. The next day Hamas claimed that three starving civilians had been killed and 35 wounded. Hamas obviously blamed Israel. Palestinians seeking aid gather near an aid distribution site in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 27, 2025 (photo credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled) Hamas holds the occupation fully responsible for this crime and its predecessors. The number of martyrs killed at aid distribution centers in the past eight days has risen to 102, the terrorist group said. It accused Israel on Tuesday of a massacre in the Al-Alam area of Rafah governorate. It said Unarmed civilians waiting to receive aid had been killed and that dozens were martyrs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC wrote on Tuesday that for the third day running, Palestinians have been killed while gathering to collect aid. This morning, reports started to emerge of another fatal incident near an aid distribution center in Gaza. CNN reported that Palestinians on their way to receive aid from a distribution site in southern Gaza have come under fire for a third consecutive day, with nearly 30 people killed and dozens wounded, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and Nasser Hospital. THE IDF said, Earlier today, during the movement of the crowd along the designated routes toward the aid distribution site approximately half a kilometer from the site IDF troops identified several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated access routes. The troops carried out warning fire, and after the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near a few individual suspects who advanced toward the troops. The military said it was looking into reports of casualties. It noted that it allows the American Civil Organization (GHF) to operate independently in order to enable the distribution of aid to the Gazan residents and not to Hamas. IDF troops are not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites. The warning shots were fired approximately half a kilometer away from the humanitarian aid distribution site. It is in the interest of Hamas to cause chaos and exploit incidents Hamas hopes that this will tip the scales in its favor. It is in the terror groups interest to cause chaos and exploit incidents that occur. There is a power vacuum in Gaza between areas that Hamas controls, such as the central camps, Mawasi areas, and parts of Gaza City, and the aid sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, there are three aid sites in southern Gaza along a route that extends from near Tal al-Sultan toward the Morag Corridor and Rafah. This is accessed by civilians who come from Mawasi or Khan Yunis. Some civilians claim to have walked 10 or 15 kilometers, meaning they may come from as far away as Deir el-Balah or other areas in the central camps part of Gaza. Hamas has controlled the central camps, Deir el-Balah, Maghazi, El-Bureij, and Nuseirat, throughout the 19 months of war. The IDF has not entered these areas. In general, the military has not entered around 40% of Gaza, leaving it in the control of the terror group. Even though many Hamas commanders and leaders have been killed, the IDF is cautious and reticent to move quickly. This results in Hamas controlling almost all of the areas where civilians live in Gaza. Most of the enclaves 2 million people have been displaced by the war and are asked to evacuate from areas such as Khan Yunis to areas controlled by Hamas. The only time they are not under its control is when they leave to get the aid at the new sites. They then walk several kilometers over areas where Hamas is not visibly present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HAMASS GOAL is to create chaos and killing in the areas where there is a vacuum. It wants to control the civilians. The IDF and Israeli leaders have not provided any alternative. The military doesnt want to run displaced persons camps or deal with masses of civilians. In the war, this has been clear. Israel asks them to leave areas where it operates, without setting up any alternative government for Gaza or providing any way for a different civilian authority to emerge. Usually in war, when the goal is to remove a group from power, an alternative is set up to govern. This is what happened in 1945 in Germany and Japan, in Iraq after the 2003 invasion, and in Afghanistan. However, in Gaza, there is no alternative to Hamas. In some areas where there is a power vacuum, armed gangs or clans take over, taking over aid and shooting at civilians. These gangs and clans, or tribes, dont seem to be filling the vacuum with competent governance. They dont provide schooling or medical support; they dont run hospitals or universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gazan children have now been under the cloud of war for 19 months, with no school or alternatives. The war has resulted in them all being moved to areas under Hamas control, which perpetuates its rule. Hamas wants this to be the future. It knows the IDF is reticent to go into areas where hostages might be held. It also knows that the military moves very slowly and cautiously in Gaza and that Israel has no clear exit strategy or post-war vision. Hamas likely assumes that the goal of the war includes keeping it in power, but in a weakened state. Hamas doesnt mind this, though. It has gone through this before in the 1990s and 2000s and has always emerged from the rubble. The terror group also assumes that its leadership in Doha will eventually get a deal. It believes time is on its side and that most of the world is slowly turning against Israel after 600 days of war. The aid sites are one of the most significant places where Hamas wants to see chaos unfold, and it hopes that additional incidents can be exploited. It doesnt care what the facts are; if some people can be pushed into the firing line, or if Hamas can simply invent stories about martyrs, it will do so daily until it achieves its goal. The military has allocated intelligence resources and reserve forces, and clarified open-fire orders for senior IDF commanders on the ground. Senior IDF officials held a security assessment to discuss an extreme scenario in which Hamas could incite the population in central and southern Gaza to storm the Israeli border during a military assessment, Walla reported on Wednesday. In response, the military has allocated intelligence resources and reserve forces, and clarified open-fire orders for senior commanders on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military assessment also discussed Hamass efforts to prevent the distribution of food packages by an American company at three locations in Rafah. During the discussion, officials noted that tens of thousands of food packages have already been distributed to representatives of families of 50 people each. Each package is designed to last five days. Hamas has reportedly deployed armed operatives along pedestrian routes to intimidate civilians and prevent them from approaching the distribution centers. In some cases, according to the IDF spokesperson, Hamas terrorists fired live rounds at civilians to deter them. Despite this, residents have found ways to bypass the blockadesfrom the shelter areas to the distribution centersin order to receive the food packages. Palestinians carry their belongings as they flee their homes after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders from the center Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 3, 2025. (photo credit: Hatem Khaled/Reuters) At the same time, Hamas has been waging a psychological warfare campaign, spreading false information to discourage the public from accepting the aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas understands it is no longer the sole authority in Gaza, a security official said. As time goes on, well refine the distribution sites to serve more people and establish additional sites. The official declined to specify who is funding the packages brought into Israel. IDF believes more Palestinians will head to southern Gaza to obtain aid According to Southern Command estimates, more Palestinians are expected to head south to obtain food aid. The assessment also raised several extreme scenarios, including the possibility that Hamas would attempt to attack distribution centers using operatives without clear organizational ties. To mitigate such threats, the IDF has deployed reserve forces in the area. In addition, Walla has learned that UN officials in the Gaza Strip have refused for over a week to transfer 390 trucks from the Kerem Shalom crossing to the central Gaza Strip. A security source involved in the process said that Hamas is pressuring the UN not to cooperate, hoping to collapse the American companys distribution initiative in the south. Initially, UN officials cited legal difficulties in collecting and transporting the humanitarian aid, but according to the security source, the defense establishment believes these are merely excuses. At this stage, the American company has not set up distribution centers in the north or center of the Gaza Strip, in order to encourage residents to move to shelter areas in the south. Hamas described Matthew Millers comments as a significant admission that condemns the occupation and exposes its crimes. Hamas expressed support for statements made byBiden official Matthew Miller on Monday, where the former spokesperson for the state department stated that Israel without a doubt committed war crimes in Gaza. Hamas described Millers comments as a significant admission that condemns the occupation and exposes its crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller clearly revealed that he was not allowed to speak the truth while in office and was forced to adhere to the US governments official narrative regarding the occupations practices, the statement read. This exposes the deep political complicity of US administrations with the occupation and their criminal cover-up of its brutal violations. While Hamas commendedMillers statements on Israels practice in war, the terror group failed to acknowledge Millers comments on Hamas dragging their feet on a ceasefire over perceived support from the West. US PRESIDENT Joe Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaks about the deal between Israel and Hamas, at the White House on January 15, 2025. (photo credit: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS) Miller's comments on Hamas blocking ceasefire attempts It was clear to us in that period that 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 Palestine - appropriate discussions, appropriate decisions - protests are appropriate - but all of those things together were leading the leadership of Hamas to conclude that they didn't 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," Miller told Sky News, noting how the terror group perpetuated the conflict. Hamas also failed to acknowledge Millers interview as a disclosure of his personal belief system and not reflective of that of the entire Biden administration. IDF Spokesperson Effie Deffrin says aid distribution is undermining Hamas as the IDF presses ahead with expanded operations. IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen.Effie Deffrin said on Tuesday evening that Hamass grip on the Gaza Strip is weakening, as Israeli forces continue operations both above and below ground. Hamas is losing control. It continues to operate against its own civilians, Deffrin told the media. He emphasized that the distribution of food severely harms Hamas and its rule. Tens of thousands of meals are distributed daily to Gazans, he said. Deffrin slammed Hamas for spreading false reports about IDF activity near aid distribution sites, which have been parroted by world media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Hamas] spreads false information, which some Western media outlets have disseminated. In recent days, armed individuals have attacked Gazans. In southern Khan Yunis, they harmed civilians who came to collect aid, Deffrin said. On Tuesday morning, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza claimed that 24 Palestinians were killed by IDF fire while waiting near the aid distribution center in the Rafah area. Over the weekend, Hamas circulated a similar report claiming that 31 were killed. A Palestinian carries aid supplies he received from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 29, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled) Deffrin responded: The report from the weekend was false, noting that earlier on Tuesday, IDF soldiers fired warning shots near suspects about half a kilometer from the aid centers. We do not prevent Gaza residents from reaching the distribution centers; it is Hamas that prevents them, he clarified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deffrin also addressed criticisms of the IDFs slow response to the incident, saying: It takes time to investigate matters, but we will not report half-truths. Even if it takes time, we owe the truth first and foremost to our soldiers. Deffrin outlines future IDF plans in Gaza Deffrin also outlined expanded IDF movement in Gaza as part of Operation Gideon's Chariots. "During the holiday, IDF troops expanded the ground incursion into additional areas. We are in the midst of a large-scale operation, both above and below ground, he said. We are operating according to a well-defined plan whose purpose is to return the hostages and dismantle Hamass rule. He added that we will expand the incursion into additional areas, in the north and south of the Gaza Strip. We will continue to create the conditions to return the hostages, noting that hostage deal negotiations have stalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, international news agencies and Hamas-affiliated media reported dozens of deaths from IDF fire near an aid distribution center in the Gaza Strip. A nearby hospital operated by the Red Cross also reported 175 injuries from the incident. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) released documentation on the incident, but for many hours, the claims were echoed globally without Israels response. The IDF later released drone footage showing armed, masked gunmen throwing stones and shooting at Gazans who tried to collect humanitarian aid that had been looted in southern Khan Yunis. Hamas is doing everything in its power to sabotage the successful distribution of food in Gaza. Caution should be exercised with false information, Deffrin said. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Hampden County Sheriffs Office continues to work on its re-entry programs for those who have been released after a period of time in prison. The Sheriffs Office partnered with Emerge Careers to help those transitioning out of the house of corrections and into the community with a lifelong career. Individuals in the program are working towards obtaining their Commercial Drivers License (CDL) to become truck drivers. Driver crashes into JFK Memorial in Holyoke, police seek charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said during their partnership, hundreds have applied for the program, 28 have received their permits, and six have earned their full license. On Monday, the Sheriffs Department celebrated two graduates. One of them, Idelberto Soto, said he is proud of himself, but said he couldnt have done it alone. They really help you, but youve got to be committed to get done your part too, Soto said. Theyre really good people. Theyre always taking care of you, theyre always motivating you to get your steps done. Theyre always there no matter what. Sheriff Nick Cocchi and other speakers highlighted the importance of truck drivers for every community across the country, saying the individuals part of the program are not only working towards a job, but a career. They now have the opportunity for a second chance, making an impact in their community. 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. Content Warning: This article discusses domestic violence and sexual assault. If you are in distress and need someone to talk to, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text Start to 88788, or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Travis County Sheriffs Office and nonprofit Texas Advocacy Project (TAP) announced their 2025 Handbags & Backpacks for Hope campaign at a Monday press conference, during which they will collect bags to put life-saving information in the hands of survivors across Texas. The campaign will take new bags, specifically purses, tote bags, diaper bags, and backpacks, at drop off points shown below. TAPs focus is on supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking and human trafficking, according to its mission statement. The nonprofit has been active since the 1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofits CEO Heather Bellino said this years campaign is the first time TAP has tried to merge its Handbags for Hope and Backpacks for Hope campaigns. Many years, wed get more handbags and less backpacks, but we think if the call to action as elevated and louder, then the community will come together and make sure that we are supplying these very important bags to the people who need them the most, she said. The Travis County Sheriffs Office and nonprofit Texas Advocacy Project announced their 2025 Handbags & Backpacks for Hope campaign at a press conference. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) The Travis County Sheriffs Office and Texas Advocacy Project announced their Handbags & Backpacks for Hope campaign on June 2, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) This campaign started at the very beginning of my career, and I have seen it grow and blossom, and it means the world to me, because it says that the community is here in support of victims, Bellino said. Were no longer keeping this hidden we, as a community, are saying this abuse is not acceptable in our backyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez and Travis County Precinct 5 Constable Carlos Lopez also spoke at the Monday press conference. We make amplifying the voice of victims a high priority here when it comes to domestic violence and abuse we want to provide them all of the resources and all the help that we can possibly provide them, Hernandez said. Oftentimes, a survivor of abuse doesnt often get out of that situation quickly, but when they do theyre going to grab whatever. Bill named for UT Austin student passes, closes sexual assault loophole Domestic violence is an epidemic. The Texas Advocacy Project has been so innovative in coming up with ideas on how we can help the victims escape, because many times they dont have ample time to gather everything that they need, Lopez said. Inside the [bag] is pertinent information that they need when they do escape. When we started all this, the children would give the purses to their mothers on Mothers Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez said he believed the campaign could gather at least 5,000 bags. The campaign ends June 28. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Selena Li HONG KONG (Reuters) - Citigroup said on Monday it had appointed Wenjie Zhang as its new country officer and banking head for China, after the exit of its former China head in November. Zhang was also named president and executive director of Citibank China, the company said in a statement. The appointment is subject to regulatory approvals. He will act as the lead Citi representative and as its single, coordinated face in the mainland China market, the company said, leading the team and fostering strong regulatory relationships and risk controls. He will fill the role after former Citi China head Luke Lu left in November for personal reasons. Zhang will join Citi in July and will be based in Shanghai, reporting to Marc Luet, Citi's Head of Japan, Asia North and Australia and Banking, the bank said. A seasoned banker with 30 years of experience in corporate and institutional banking, Zhang was most recently the president of China and Shanghai branch manager for Bank of America China, according to Citi's statement. Prior to that, he was co-head of global banking and executive vice president at HSBC China, after stints at JPMorgan, Citi and Credit Agricole CIB. Citi is cutting up to 200 information technology (IT) contractor roles in China, two people familiar told Reuters last month, as the bank looks to hire its own staff globally for such operations to improve risk management and data governance. Citi, which already has a banking business in China, is in the process of setting up a securities unit in the country. (Reporting by Selena Li; Editing by Jamie Freed) A court in Cardiff convicted two Welsh protesters on Tuesday of "harassment" for causing "alarm and distress" to Alex Davies-Jones, the member of Parliament for Pontypridd and the undersecretary of state for victims. Local citizens Ayeshah Behit and Hiba Ahmed had been out pamphleting against the war in Gaza last June when they ran into Davies-Jones on the street. They asked Davies-Jones why she abstained on a ceasefire voteshe says she was out of the country during the voteand Behit posted a short Instagram video of the interaction, calling Davies-Jones a liar. "It was escalating in terms of passion and intensity. We walked off in the opposite direction. We felt scared and intimidated, and we wanted to leave the situation," Davies-Jones told the court, adding that Behit and Ahmed were "shouting and bellowing down the street." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just two hours after the video was posted, "over a dozen police officers swarmed my door and windows, with several male officers trying to climb in through open windows," Behit told the Network for Police Monitoring, a British civil libertarian nonprofit. She was let out on bail, with the condition that she refrain from posting about Davies-Jones or the case on social media. At Tuesday's trial, Judge Paul Goldspring sentenced Behit and Ahmed to a 650 pound ($880) fine as well as 18 months parole for Behit and 12 months for Ahmed. He said that their actions went "beyond the boundaries" of free speech and were a "deliberate and sustained campaign" to get Davies-Jones to stop canvassing. "I would love to say you are remorseful. I suspect you are not," Goldspring added. "I suspect your views will be held until something happens very differently in that area of the world." The British idea of free speech is at odds with the democratic tradition in a lot of the world, including the United States, where political debate is supposed to be rowdy and personal. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance gave a speech in February condemning British authorities for arresting a man who prayed outside an abortion clinic, and the U.S. State Department recently published an article pointing out that over 12,000 British citizens were arrested for online posts in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement British authorities are especially sensitive about threats to politicians because of two political assassinations in recent memory. A white nationalist killed Member of Parliament Jo Cox in 2016, and an Islamic State supporter killed Member of Parliament David Amess in 2021. But there's a big difference between threatening someone and simply making them feel uncomfortable. Ahmed claimed in court that running into Davies-Jones while pamphleting was completely unplanned, "like seeing a celebrity almost, like a unicorn in the wild." And being a celebrity means having to deal with the publicwhether you like it or not. The post Is It 'Harassment' To Heckle Your Local Politician? A British Court Thinks So. appeared first on Reason.com. SHARP COUNTY, Ark. According to officials with the Sharp County Sheriffs Office, Hardy Police Chief Scott Rose has been arrested following a multi-agency investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse. According to a release from the SCSO, Sheriff Shane Russell received information regarding serious allegations involving Rose on March 31 and the agency launched an investigation. Hardy Police Chief Fired Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said that during initial interviews, information received appeared unsubstantiated, but after interviewing the alleged victim and her family, they were told about incidents and forms of abuse that had not been previously reported. The SCSO requested assistance from external agencies to ensure transparency and impartiality by calling in officials from the Arkansas State Police and Homeland Security Investigations to assist in the investigation. According to the release, shortly thereafter, FBI officials contacted Sheriff Russell and Lieutenant Buchanan regarding a related report and a joint multi-agency investigation was launched. The release said that as a result of the investigation, Rose was arrested on Monday and is facing charges of sexual assault in the second degree, sexual indecency with a child, endangering the welfare of a minor and knowingly furnishing alcohol to a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Immanuel Baptist Church volunteer pleads guilty to sexual assault in Little Rock court In the release, Russell extended his gratitude to the Arkansas State Police, Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance throughout the investigation. The sheriff also included a statement in the release thanking the FBI, ASP and Homeland Security officials for their assistance in the investigation: I would like to take this opportunity to publicly extend my sincere gratitude to the Arkansas State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their exceptional professionalism, diligence, and unwavering commitment throughout the recent investigation conducted in Sharp County. Their joint efforts were vital in ensuring a thorough, impartial, and just process. Each agency brought a high level of expertise and integrity to this case, and their coordinated work reflects the very best of law enforcement collaboration. This case underscores the critical importance of interagency cooperation, especially when addressing allegations of such a serious and sensitive nature. The successful handling of this matter would not have been possible without the strength of those partnerships and the shared commitment to justice. On behalf of the Sharp County Sheriffs Office, I thank these agencies for their outstanding service and continued dedication to protecting our communities. Sheriff Shane Russell Sharp County Sheriffs Office This is a developing story, please 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 KARK. Harrisburg High School (Capital-Star photo by Elizabeth Hardison) Nearly six years after a Dauphin County judge placed the Harrisburg schools under state control, the district has emerged from receivership, acting Education Secretary Carrie Rowe announced Tuesday. The Pennsylvania Department of Education petitioned the court for control of the district in June 2019, as it struggled with poor finances and substandard student performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Education Secretary Pedro Rivera said in a court petition at the time the district failed to achieve the goals laid out in its long-term recovery plan, which was approved jointly by the school board and the Department of Education in 2013. Rowe said in a statement Tuesday the Harrisburg City School District was the first in Pennsylvania history to end receivership. State law requires the Education Department to apply for receivership when locally elected school officials are unable or unwilling to follow a financial recovery plan. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedicated school leaders who are committed to serving the learners in their community, Rowe said. When the district entered financial recovery in 2012, it was a very different district than the one we see today. Rowe credited Superintendent Benjamin Henry, the Harrisburg school board and the departments appointed chief recovery officer Yvonne Hollins with leadership, vision, and tenacity, that led to the implementation of a financial model that is an example for other distressed districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE In its 2019 petition, the Education Department described patterns of financial mismanagement and poor personnel decisions including the failure to hire a full-time chief financial officer and a qualified business manager, neglecting to cancel health benefits for dozens of former employees at a cost of $700,000, and hiring 37 teachers at the wrong salary step, leading to costly labor grievances from its teachers union, Since the receivership was renewed in 2022, the superintendent and school board made significant progress in implementing its financial recovery plan. It updated school buildings and infrastructure through a capital improvement plan and maintained fund balances of at least 5% of annual spending for three consecutive years. It also passed three years of audits with no negative findings, the Education Department said. Their return to local control is an opportunity to put into practice everything they have learned about effective governance, said Court-Appointed Receiver Dr. Lori Suski. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chester Upland School District in Delaware County was placed in receivership in 2012 and is continuing efforts to complete a financial recovery plan. An Allegheny County judge in March extended receivership for Duquesne City School District until at least 2028. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) For the first time in 13 years, Harrisburg schools are not supervised by the state. The state handed the reins back to the school board during a signing ceremony on June 3, but the board will officially regain supervision at 11:59 p.m. on June 17. Today, Pennsylvanias top education leader discussed why this is a big moment for the school district. This district has done the hard work in regaining financial solvency, in restoring trust, and in rebuilding stability for over 6,400 of its learners, said Pennsylvanias acting Secretary of Education Carrie Rowe. What once felt impossible has become a model for what is possible in this process when collaboration and dedication meet each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts Harrisburg City schools spent 13 years in financial recovery, with them facing receivership for the past six years. From a parent, first of all, it was hard, said Harrisburg School Board President Roslyn Copeland. It wasnt easy because you hear things, you see things, and you want to make the right decision right then and there. But again, its something that has to go through a process, so I think that was the biggest challenge. Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Henry (left), Court Appointed Receiver Dr. Lori Suski (center), and Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe (right) sign the end of Receivership for Harrisburg City School District during a press event on June 3, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. The district becomes the first in Pennsylvania history to exit Receivership, marking a milestone in its financial recovery and return to local control. Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Henry (left), Court Appointed Receiver Dr. Lori Suski (center), and Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe (right) sign the end of Receivership for Harrisburg City School District during a press event on June 3, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. The district becomes the first in Pennsylvania history to exit Receivership, marking a milestone in its financial recovery and return to local control. Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe announces the end of Receivership for Harrisburg City School District during a press event on June 3, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. The district becomes the first in Pennsylvania history to exit Receivership, marking a milestone in its financial recovery and return to local control. Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Henry provides remarks at the announcement of the end of Receivership for Harrisburg City School District during a press event on June 3, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. The district becomes the first in Pennsylvania history to exit Receivership, marking a milestone in its financial recovery and return to local control. While Copeland now has a lot more responsibility on her shoulders, along with the rest of the board and others, today was a big win for the board. 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. Harrison Ford will receive an award for his philanthropy Tuesday night from the global surgery and training nonprofit Operation Smile. But the star of the Indiana Jones and Star Wars film franchises, as well as this years Captain America: Brave New World, says all the attention should go to the awards namesake Fords friend, the late humanitarian and noted plastic surgeon Dr. Randy Sherman. Like Ford, Sherman, who was director of the Cedars-Sinai Division of Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles and a specialist in reconstructive surgery who developed numerous training programs, was an avid pilot and they bonded when they shared the same home airport. Sherman told Ford of his volunteer work with Operation Smile, providing cleft palate surgery to children in countries where access to such services is limited, and Angel Flight West, which provides free medical transportation to patients. The things that he contributed to my life and to my familys lives are beyond anybodys wildest imagination, Ford said of Sherman, who died in 2023 when his plane experienced engine failure and crashed in New Mexico. He was a very important person to me and, by the way, to all of the people that hes associated with in the medical community. All of them recognize his selfless service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Billy Magee, Operation Smile's chief medical officer, called it a joy to honor both men, pointing out that Sherman was a leader in cleft palate care and a driving force behind Operation Smiles work to expand access to surgical care closer to patients homes, even in the most remote corners of the world. This award celebrates the spirit of compassion and dedication that both Harrison and Dr. Sherman embody, said Magee, who recently announced Operation 100, which will equip 100 cleft operative teams in 100 hospitals around the world. I cant think of a more deserving recipient to carry that legacy forward. The Associated Press recently spoke with Ford about receiving the Dr. Randy Sherman Visionary Award from Operation Smile and how he hopes it will inspire others to give what they can. The interview was edited for clarity and length. Q: How did you get to know Dr. Sherman? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: When the earthquake in Haiti struck (in 2010), I reached out to Randy and asked if he thought there was anything that we could do with an airplane that I had, which was particularly suited to the kind of work thats done in these circumstances. He very quickly organized a mission with Operation Smile and he met me and my pilot, who was working for me at the time, Terry Bender. We flew my Cessna Caravan to Miami and picked up supplies and medical professionals -- doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists -- and flew to Port-au-Prince. We flew missions to bring supplies and medical personnel to a community called Hinche, in the highlands of Haiti, a town that had no airport but did have a field that we were able to land the aircraft in. We were there for about a week, going back and forth each day to Hinche to bring in supplies. Q: What made you want to be a part of that a dangerous mission under tough circumstances? A: Well, I didnt consider it to be dangerous. I considered it to be an opportunity to be able to use something that I had that was needed. The issue in Haiti was that when people were injured in the urban setting, there were no resources to treat them. They were then transported to the community that they grew up in It was such a (expletive) in Port-au-Prince when we got there. Nobody knew what was going on. But we knew there was a hospital in Hinche that was staffed by two Cuban doctors and they had no supplies, no anesthetics. And because of the delay in assets reaching them, there were a lot of people suffering amputations and other very significant medical issues. Q: What was it like to see philanthropy in action in that moment? Its an example of something that the government is not going to handle. If the nonprofit doesnt do it, it doesnt get done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: Pilots are good citizens. Theyre involved. They really are aware in many, many cases of the contributions they can make with their resources and their skills This is not all altruism. We do want people to understand the positive values of general aviation and what they bring to a community. The freedom to fly in the United States is unequaled around the world, to my understanding. And the preservation of that freedom is really important to me and others. So we want to demonstrate our positive contribution to the community. Q: You dont talk about your philanthropy much, especially what you do to fight climate change. Do you feel that should get more attention? A: I think it gets attention when it needs to be recognized -- not my work, but the issues Im talking about. Ive been working in conservation for 35 years with an organization called Conservation International. We work internationally, as the name suggests. The only work we do here in the United States is fundraising. And were under enormous threat now with the rise of nationalism and isolationism and all of the (expletive) that were suffering. Q: Does that make your work even more pressing? Especially with the cuts to USAID that previously funded environmental work? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: Of course. Yes. Members of the Republican Party and the administration had been enthusiastic about the importance of funding international conservation. In the last 10 years, we have had a real, substantial contribution from USAID addressing and mitigating issues that have suddenly disappeared from our moral flowchart. It just (expletive) disappeared. Its a travesty. Its a tragedy. Q: Will Conservation International do something differently this year to make up for those cuts? A: Unfortunately, we will not be able to do that because we dont have extra funds to distribute. We dont have the structures of a scientific community that have been established and nurtured and cultured over the years. Theyve been dissolved. We cant do it. Q: Do you hope the Operation Smile award and the attention that comes with it will convince some people to donate more? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: I hope so. I hope it motivates some people to recognize they will have to create new mechanisms of funding and support. But were also disavowing science. Were in such a fragile point of inflection here There will be moments when all of us will be called upon to think about these things again and to make our individual efforts to address the imbalance of the situation that now exists. There are many people upset with this stuff. But will we coalesce around these things and become a political constituency, a moral army? ______ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. Prince Harry changing his last name from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer wouldve offended more than King Charles. It wouldve hurt the entire side of his fathers family as well. Robert Jobson, a royal expert and the author of Catherine, the Princess of Wales: The Biography, told Newsweek in June 2025 that news of Harry almost changing his last name from his fathers to his mother Princess Dianas wouldve been a slap in the face to his grandfather, Prince Philip, where the Mountbatten name came from. (The Windsor part of Harrys surname came from his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.) More from StyleCaster Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets be clear: changing his surname from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer wouldve been no small thing. It wouldve been a public rejection of his fathers family, a slap in the face to the late Prince Philip, who fought tooth and nail to get that name recognized in the first place. For Harry to ditch it now? That would sting, Jobson said. King Charles, Prince Harry Jobson explained that, while Harry changing his name to his mothers may seem like a tribute to the late Princess of Wales, who died in 1997 when Harry was 12 years old, it also wouldve been a jab at Harrys father, King Charles, whom hes been in a feud with ever since Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, left the British royal family and moved to America in 2020. The idea of Harry becoming Harry Spencer may appeal to some, Jobson said. Those who see him as his mothers son, always fighting against the establishment. But lets not pretend this wouldve been a noble gesture. He continued, It wouldve looked petty, performative, and, frankly, unnecessary. Another line drawn in a family feud already far too public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News that Harry almost changed his last name from his fathers to his mothers came after The Daily Mail reported in June 2025 that Harry consulted Dianas brother, Charles Spencer, about making the move but was advised against it. They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step, a friend of Harrys told the Daily Mail, explaining that Harry decided against changing his name due to the legal challenges of such a decision. Jobson speculated to Newsweek that Harry may have also decided against the decision to not completely sever ties with Charles and his family. It hasnt happened. Perhaps Harry realized it wouldnt bring him closer to Dianait would just push him further from the family he still claims to want to reconcile with, he said. He continued, At some point, the performance has to stop. A name change wouldnt heal wounds; it would just deepen them. For once, walking away from drama may have been the wisest move hes made. Ingrid Seward, author of My Mother and I, also questioned Harrys decision to change his last name. I cant see that Harry would have anything to gain but there is nothing to stop him becoming Harry Spencer. I think the king would just find it extremely hurtful, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News that Harry considered changing his name came ater Meghan corrected Mindy Kaling in an episode of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, after Kaling referred to her as Meghan Markle. Its so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know Im Sussex now, Meghan told Kaling. The name change report also comes after Harry told the BBC that he wanted to reconcile with his family, but his father was preventing those efforts. I cant see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point, he said. There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family. Harry went on to add that hes forgiven his family now that a lot of time has passed. I would love reconciliation with my family. Theres no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious, he said. Best of StyleCaster Sign up for Stylecaster's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Tom Hals WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) -Harvard University asked a federal judge on Monday to issue a summary judgment ruling to unfreeze $2.5 billion in funding blocked by President Donald Trump's administration, which Harvard said was illegal. Harvard's filing in the U.S. District Court in Boston said that it had received 957 orders since April 14 to freeze funding for research pertaining to national security threats, cancer and infectious diseases and more since the country's oldest and wealthiest school rejected a White House list of demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has said he is trying to force change at Harvard - and other top-level universities across the U.S. - because in his view they have been captured by leftist "woke" thought and become bastions of antisemitism. The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs has set arguments for July 21 on Harvard's motion for summary judgment, which is a request for a judge to decide a dispute without a trial to determine material facts. Harvard sued the Trump administration in April, alleging the funding freeze violated the school's right to free speech and was arbitrary and capricious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Monday's court filing, Harvard detailed the terminated grants, including $88 million for research into pediatric HIV, $12 million for increasing Defense Department awareness of emerging biological threats and $8 million to better understand dark energy. The school said ending the funding would destroy ongoing research into cancer treatments, infectious disease and Parkinson's. The Trump administration has opened numerous investigations into Harvard. Some are looking at threats against Jewish students and faculty after pro-Palestinian protests broke out following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent Israeli military actions in Gaza. Other investigations are probing whether Harvard discriminates based on sex and gender, along with the school's ties to foreign governments and international students. The Trump administration revoked Harvard's ability to enroll international students last month, which a judge temporarily blocked after Harvard sued in a separate case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard and other universities say Trump's attacks are threats to freedom of speech and freedom of academics, as well as threats to the schools' very existence. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Matthew Lewis) UPDATED, 2:15 PM: In less than 24 hours, the New York jury in Harvey Weinsteins rape retrial will begin deliberations. In all likelihood, the seven-woman, five-man panel could be behind closed doors by mid-morning East Coast time to decide whether the once-swaggering producer will be sitting in a state prison cell for the rest of his days. The defense concluded its long closing argument earlier Tuesday, and now the prosecution has just a bit more to go in its final pitch to the jurors. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether it takes less or more to reach a verdict than the five days it took the jury in Weinsteins now-dismissed 2020 New York sex crimes trial remains to be seen. Earlier today, defense lawyer Arthur Aidala told a Manhattan jury that Weinsteins accusers chose to portray consensual sex with the Miramax boss as rape and assault because doing so allowed them to collect settlement money from Weinstein. He tossed in that the trio of women at the center of this trial and others sought to further their personal ambitions with accusations after their careers in film and TV didnt pan out. Delivering the defense teams closing argument in Weinsteins rape and sexual assault retrial, Aidala spent this morning and afternoon seeking to push his argument by discrediting the testimony of Jessica Mann, Miriam Haley and Kaja Sokola. Theyre all women with broken dreams, he said. Theyre all women who wanted to cut the line. In Aidalas telling, all three sought fame and fortune that other people achieve through hard work by instead cultivating consensual sexual relationships with the media mogul. Theyre using him, Aidala said. Theyre using their youth, their beauty, their charm, their charisma, to get stuff from him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Nicole Blumberg followed Aidala late in the afternoon and countered that it was Weinstein who left his victims broken, and shattered their dreams of a life in the entertainment industry, by raping them. Each woman felt paralyzed and confused and scared and blamed themselves for their own choices and their own actions, and buried their trauma as if nothing had happened to them, Blumberg told jurors. Blumberg spoke for about an hour today and will resume the prosecutions closing arguments Wednesday morning. The jury will receive instructions afterwards from Judge Curtis Farber and then go huddle for deliberations. Aidala, for his part, struck a sometimes jovial tone with jurors Tuesday, mimicking witness testimony, using exaggerated gestures and telling his own story of going bald while in law school to elicit laughs from jurors and from his client. Next to him, a blow-up of a photo of a younger, smiling Weinstein and his then-wife, Georgina Chapman, stood on an easel facing jurors. Playing to the crowd, the showman Aidala compared the prosecutions case to a vat of pasta sauce with pieces of a broken wine glass in it. In that context, the defense lawyer cautioned, the only safe thing to do so that no one gets hurt is to throw out the sauce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, looking on from the gallery, Blumberg put Aidalas antics on display and told jurors, This is not a circus or it should not have been. Its not a comedy show, Its not a personality contest. Were here to talk about the evidence in this case, she said. Blumberg said that evidence shows the power Weinstein wielded to make careers, produce movies and have them lavished with awards had another purpose. He also used that same power to isolate women, to trap women into places where hed be alone with them, and to rape them, she told the jury. The Assistant DA added that Weinsteins victims showed courage by coming forward, knowing their motives and actions would be dissected on the stand in a way that is unique to rape cases, where accusers are often made to feel as if theyre being put in trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not fame, Blumberg said. Nobody wants that. PREVIOUSLY, 8:25 AM: Harvey Weinstein is one step closer to learning his fate in his New York rape retrial. After a Tuesday morning session in front of Judge Curtis Farber spent haggling over material that might or might not go to the jury (it wont), Weinsteins Arthur Aidala-led defense rested its case without calling its client to testify on his own behalf. Moving deftly, the proceedings now are in closing arguments, with Aidala pleading Weinsteins merits before the jurors. Closing arguments from the defense and the Manhattan District Attorneys office are expect to go on for a few hours, but the plan is the jury will have the case by the end of today. At that point, the seven-woman, five-man panel will go behind closed doors to deliberate their verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weinstein, the 73-year-old once-powerful producer, likely would spend the rest of his life behind bars if the jury convicts him on any of the three charges against him. Back in 2020, in Weinsteins later-dismissed first New York rape case, the jury took about five days to come to a verdict of guilty on two of five counts: third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act. In March of that year, an openly shocked Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in state prison by the now-pink-slipped New York Supreme Court Judge James Burke. In this retrial, while the single count of third-degree rape Weinstein faces carries a maximum sentence of four years, each first-degree criminal sexual act count carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. Accused of assaulting numerous well-known actresses and models over the decades, prosecutors in the most benign way say Weinstein used his power and influence as an Oscar-winning producer and mini-studio boss to lure young women into his orbit. Offering what almost always were false promises of work and careers in film and television, they say Weinstein then often violently raped them or forced them into other unwanted sexual encounters. Fronted by the flamboyant Aidala, Weinsteins defense has sought to prove that the relationships between Weinstein and his accusers were long-running, consensual and mutually exploitive a friends with benefits arrangement, as Aidala said in opening arguments, where sex was traded for access to Weinsteins professional network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurors in the rape and sexual assault retrial heard from two accusers, Jessica Mann and Miriam Haley, who also testified in graphic detail against Weinstein five years ago in his first New York criminal trial. A third accuser testifying in the retrial, Kaja Sokola, was not part of the 2020 case: Sokolas accusation that Weinstein assaulted her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2006 was the basis of a new charge first-degree criminal sexual act added to a revised grand jury indictment of the Pulp Fiction producer. Prosecutors secured the indictment in September, five months after Weinsteins 2020 conviction and 23-year sentence were overturned in April. A New York Court of Appeals ruled Burke had deprived the defendant of a fair trial by allowing uncharged testimony from other women who told jurors that Weinstein had sexually abused them. The court compounded that error when it ruled that defendant, who had no criminal history, could be cross-examined about those allegations as well as numerous allegations of misconduct that portrayed defendant in a highly prejudicial light, according to the 4-3 ruling. Weinstein did not testify at his first trial either. The potential hazards of a wide-ranging cross examination were apparently a factor in his decision over the weekend to also not take the stand at the retrial. He wanted to testify, and we respect that instinct, Weinsteins longtime spokesperson Juda Engelmayer told Deadline on Monday. At this stage, doing so would subject him to scrutiny far beyond the scope of the current charges raising issues that could unfairly damage his credibility. Our position is one of caution, not evasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weinstein remains in custody in New York because of his 2022 criminal conviction in Los Angeles. He is appealing that conviction and 16-year prison sentence for raping and assaulting a woman, identified only as Jane Doe, in 2013. Weinstein has denied ever committing rape or coercing anyone sexually. In a jailhouse interview last month with right-wing commentator Candace Owens, he said: I swear that before God and the people watching now and on my family. Im wrongfully accused. But justice has to know the difference between what is immoral and what is illegal. Since this retrial started in late April, the ailing Weinstein has shuttled between a downtown Manhattan courthouse and the jail wing of a nearby hospital, Bellevue. Citing his various ailments, as he has in previous trials at pivotal points, the former producer has lobbied hard to stay out of New Yorks infamous Rikers Island jail, telling Farber the conditions there are life-threatening. Farber decided in the first week of the retrial to allow Weinstein to stay at the historic hospital during the proceedings. On the subject of his medical needs, Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery in September and was diagnosed with cancer in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Jack Queen NEW YORK (Reuters) -A prosecutor urged a Manhattan jury on Tuesday to convict Harvey Weinstein of rape and sexual assault in his retrial, saying the evidence showed the former movie mogul used his power and influence to trap and abuse women. Lawyers for the prosecution and defense delivered closing statements, with jury deliberations to follow. Weinstein's lawyer accused the three alleged victims of lying on the witness stand out of spite after consensual sexual encounters with the Miramax studio co-founder failed to deliver them Hollywood stardom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Nicole Blumberg called Weinstein a serial predator who promised career advancement in Hollywood to women, only to then coax them into private settings where he attacked them. Weinstein, who has denied ever having non-consensual sex with anyone, has pleaded not guilty. "The defendant used his power and influence to create many, many award-winning movies," Blumberg said. "But he also used that same power, that same influence, to isolate women, trap women in places where he'd be alone with them and abuse them." Weinstein, 73, is on trial in Manhattan for a second time after a New York state appeals court threw out his conviction in April 2024. Experiencing a litany of health problems, Weinstein was present in court in a wheelchair, wearing a dark suit and tie. He is accused of raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and assaulting the two other women in 2006 and 2002. The trial began in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorney Arthur Aidala walked the 12 jurors through what he said were inconsistencies in the women's testimony and email evidence he asserted undercut their claims that Weinstein had assaulted them. "They are lying about what happened. Not about everything, but about a small slice - just enough to turn their regret, their buyers' remorse, into criminality," Aidala said of the accusers. Aidala hoisted more than a dozen poster-sized printouts of emails between Weinstein and his accusers, saying they showed the sex was consensual. Mann told jurors during the trial that Weinstein raped her in a hotel room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He faces a maximum sentence of up to 29 years in prison if convicted on all changes. Weinstein already will likely spend the rest of his life in prison due to a 16-year prison sentence for rape in California. He was convicted of rape by a jury in the previous trial in Manhattan in February 2020, but the New York Court of Appeals threw out the conviction and ordered a new trial, citing errors by the trial judge. Weinstein had been serving a 23-year sentence in a prison in upstate Rome, New York, when the conviction was overturned. That conviction was a milestone for the #MeToo movement, which encouraged women to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct by powerful men. Weinstein has been held at New York City's Rikers Island jail since his conviction was overturned. He has had several health scares while being held at Rikers, and in September was rushed to a hospital for emergency heart surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accused Weinstein in the first trial of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping Mann in 2013, charges on which he was convicted. For the retrial, prosecutors added a new charge that Weinstein assaulted another woman, Kaja Sokola of Poland, in Manhattan in 2002. More than 100 women, including famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of misconduct. He has denied assaulting anyone or having non-consensual sex. Miramax studio produced many hit movies in its heyday, including "Shakespeare in Love" and "Pulp Fiction." Weinstein's own eponymous film studio filed for bankruptcy in March 2018, five months after the original sexual misconduct accusations became widely publicized. (Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI) announced its third-quarter results on Tuesday. Sales rose 1.3% year over year (Y/Y) to $940.1 million, led by favorable pricing and volume growth. It missed the consensus estimate of $943.02 million. GAAP net earnings significantly decreased to $57.8 million (or 48 cents per share) from $113.5 million (or 92 cents per share) in the prior year. This drop was primarily due to $65.8 million in pre-tax, non-recurring net charges, including a substantial $62.0 million impairment of intangible assets for two upstream bioprocessing businesses. The company reported adjusted EPS of 99 cents in line with the consensus. Also Read: Mercks Dealmaking Intensifies With MoonLake Bid As Keytruda Patent Cliff Nears: Report By Segment, Mobile Solutions sales declined 0.4% Y/Y due to lower volumes, and aftermarket sales rose 3.3% Y/Y, aided by strong OE channel demand and independent channel market share gains. Industrial Filtration Solutions sales upped 5.3% Y/Y on strong volume and pricing growth, while Aerospace and Defense sales rose 27.1% Y/Y, led by strong Aerospace end-market conditions. Life Sciences segment sales increased 0.7% Y/Y, led by continued strength in Disk Drive market and higher Food and Beverage replacement part sales. Gross margin stood at 34.2% in the quarter compared to 35.6% a year ago quarter owing to higher manufacturing costs, including footprint optimization initiatives. Year-to-date, Donaldson paid $96.9 million in dividends and repurchased shares worth $273.8 million. Last month, the Board of Directors increased cash dividend per share by 11.1% from the prior quarterly dividend to 30 cents, payable on June 30, 2025, to shareholders of record as on June 16, 2025. Donaldson revised its FY25 guidance for adjusted EPS to $3.64-$3.70 (vs. consensus of $3.60) from the previous range of $3.60-$3.68. The company revised sales growth to be up 1% to 3% (vs. earlier guidance of flat to up 4%), with pricing expected to contribute one percentage point of the increase and impacts from currency translation and tariffs to be immaterial. Donaldson projects mobile sales growth to be flat to up 2% (vs. down 1% to up 3% prior), Industrial sales growth of 2% and 4% (vs. 1% to 5% earlier), and Life Sciences sales to increase in the high single digits. For the full year, Donaldson anticipates repurchasing approximately 3.5% and 4.0% of its shares outstanding. WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) After pleading guilty in February, Jasper Greene, 23, was sentenced to 33 years of imprisonment for his role in the 2022 murder of Mabel Martinez Antongiorgi. Greene was arrested on Sept. 18, 2023 and pleaded guilty to murder in February. 2023: Naugatuck man convicted of killing Olympians mother in Waterbury Antongiorgi was struck by a stray bullet after a group of men, including Greene, shot at a car near her home on April 9, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group included 42-year-old Franklin Robinson, who is serving his sentence for murder. Testimony revealed that the shooting stemmed from a dispute with Robinson, his then-girlfriend and a man believed to be in the car outside Antongiorgis residence. In total, 22 shots were fired at the car, one stray bullet struck Antongiorgi in the head. Antongiorgi was the mother of Puerto Rican Olympic athlete, Yarimar Mercado Martinez, who competed in rifle shooting events in the 2016 and 2021 Olympic Games. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) In Hawaii, the Hawaiian Humane Society has observed a concerning trend in pet surrenders. We spoke to Brandy Shimabukuro, the communications director for HHS. She reported that from July 2024 through May 2025, certain dog breeds and mixes have been surrendered more frequently than others. Easy exercise routines for pets of all sizes: A guide for Hawaiis cats and dogs Understanding these patterns can help prospective pet owners make informed decisions and contribute to addressing the shelter capacity crisis. Top breeds surrendered in Hawaii According to Shimabukuro, the five most commonly surrendered dog breeds or mixes at their Oahu campuses are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paws, relax: Date night with your most important friend Terriers make up 32.9% of surrendered breeds. Chihuahua short coat constitutes 10.9%. Pit bull terriers make up 8.7%. American pit bull terriers make up 6.5%. Small mixed breeds under 24 pounds constitute 4.7%. Collectively, terrier-type breeds account for a significant portion of the intake at 50.1%. Additionally, various mixed breed categories by size represent 11.0% of dog surrenders. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Terriers dominate surrenders Shimabukuro explained, We see a lot of, for lack of another term, terrier mixes. This means one out of every three dogs dropped off at HHS shelters is a terrier or a mix of one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These numbers come directly from pet owners. Were relying on information that they give to us, she said. So, the numbers that I pulled, and the statistics that I pull, the percentages that I shared with you, are numbers that were relayed to us from owners or guardians who had to surrender them into our care. Its not just one kind of terrier, either. Terriers and the label terrier are really diverse. You could think of it as like the umbrella term for a whole host of different breeds, explained Shimabukuro. That could be rat terriers. Fox terriers, Jack Russell terriers. It could be Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terrier mixes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Altogether, terrier-type breeds make up to a little more than 50% of all dog surrenders at the Oahu campuses. Reasons for surrender The primary reasons for pet surrenders in Hawaii include: Lack of affordable pet-friendly housing: Many families are unable to find housing that allows pets, leading to difficult decisions. Financial hardship: Economic challenges make it difficult for some owners to care for their pets. Relocation: Some families are leaving Hawaii and cannot take their pets with them. These factors contribute to the high number of surrenders and the ongoing shelter capacity crisis. Know what your dog needs before you bring one home Many dogs, especially terriers and pit bulls, need more than just food and shelter. They need training, attention and exercise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you know that youre getting a breed that is a working breed that is used to having a job, is highly intelligent and very active, youre going to have to provide a level of exercise and enrichment that is unique to them, advised Shimabukuro. A dog that is not having their needs met, and I mean physically and mentally, is a dog thats ultimately going to start to have behavioral issues. These behaviors can lead to even more surrenders. Think about your lifestyle before choosing a pet People often choose a dog based on how it looks. But that can lead to trouble later on. What Im really hoping people take away from this article is maybe think about whats best for your lifestyle, your home and your living situation, said Shimabukuro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Choosing the right dog means thinking about what kind of life you live and whether you have the time and energy to care for a pet properly. Breed-specific challenges Certain breeds may face challenges that make them more likely to be surrendered: Terriers: Known for their high energy and strong prey drive, terriers require constant training and stimulation. Chihuahuas: Despite their small size, Chihuahuas can be assertive and may require experienced handling. Pit bull terriers: Often subject to breed-specific legislation and public misconceptions, this breed leads to potential challenges in rehoming. Understanding these breed-specific needs can help potential owners assess compatibility with their lifestyle. Top things to know before adopting a dog in Hawaii 1. Dont choose a dog just because its cute: A terrier puppy might look adorable; but looks dont tell you anything about energy, behavior or needs. Know the breeds history and whether you can handle it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2. Do research on dog breeds before you adopt: Learn about the breeds personality, activity level, intelligence and common behavior issues. While I dont believe in breed stereotypes, I advocate very strongly against breed stereotypes, Shimabukuro said. I do, however, believe in responsible pet ownership and understanding the role that genetics play with that pet in your home. 3. Make sure your housing allows pets: This is the number one reason people surrender their animals in Hawaii. If you rent, double-check your lease and talk to your landlord. 4. Be realistic about your time and energy: Dogs need daily exercise and mental activity. This is even more important for high-energy breeds. If your life is too busy to give that, you may need to reconsider getting a dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5. Plan for the long-term: Dogs live for many years. Moving, having kids or changing jobs are all common life changes that can affect your ability to care for a pet. Think ahead. 6. Understand that giving up a dog is hard for everyone: Most people who surrender a dog dont want to. Its a painful choice. Obviously, were relying on owners, said Shimabukuro. If they have to make the difficult decision to surrender their pets to us. Understanding the weight of that decision can lead to more compassionand fewer surrenders in the future. You can click here to learn more. The Hawaiian Humane Society continues to advocate for responsible pet ownership and encourages prospective pet owners to consider factors beyond appearance when choosing a breed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Ensuring compatibility with ones lifestyle and living situation is crucial for a successful and lasting pet-owner relationship. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) Hawaiian Electric has released a more detailed version of its three-year wildfire safety strategy, aimed at reducing wildfire risks and strengthening grid resilience across the state, with a particular focus on Maui, which it identifies as the area of highest risk. Putting rocks on the beach, cutting trees to save Oahu highway The $350 million plan, filed with the Public Utilities Commission, proposes major investments in technology, infrastructure, and fire hazard mitigation, along with increased community collaboration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If approved, residential electric bills could rise as early as 2026: Oahu: $1 per month Hawaii Island: $3 per month Maui County: $5 per month More than half of the proposed budget, approximately $181 million, is earmarked for Maui County, including $137 million in work planned for 2025 alone. The goal is to reduce the risk of wildfires sparked by utility equipment through a multi-pronged approach: Grid Hardening & Vegetation Management: Upgrades like covered conductors, stronger poles, and expanded hazard tree removal in high-risk areas. Undergrounding Lines: A pilot project in Lahaina will relocate two miles of overhead lines underground, with guidance from a community working group. Technology Upgrades: More weather stations, AI-assisted hazard-detection cameras, and a wildfire-focused Watch Office staffed with a meteorologist. Operational Improvements: A wildfire risk model will inform real-time decisions and fine-tune Public Safety Power Shutoff events. Community Engagement: Continued support for local safety events, partnerships with organizations on firebreaks and vegetation clearing, and expert working group meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We understand that any type of bill impact is obviously not what we would wish for, said Darren Pai, spokesperson for Hawaiian Electric. But it does take investment in the system. The objective is to make the system safer, to protect the public, and to fulfill our commitment to public safety. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Some relief may be possible. A bill passed by the state Legislature, SB 897, would allow the Public Utilities Commission to authorize securitization, or the use of long-term bonds to fund safety improvements. These would appear as a line item on customer bills but could cost less than traditional financing. The measure is currently under review by Governor Josh Green. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Public Utilities Commission is reviewing the filing. Check out more news from around Hawaii If approved, customers can expect the first changes to begin in 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 'Hazardous' wildfire smoke to choke Minnesota skies through Wednesday originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Get ready for more smoky skies, Minnesota. In fact, the smoke could be worse Monday through Wednesday than it was over the weekend, when air quality alerts covered the entire state. That's again the case over the next 72 hours, with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issuing a statewide air quality alert from noon Monday until noon Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A band of very heavy ground-level smoke from Canadian wildfires has moved into northwest Minnesota Monday morning behind a cold front. This smoke will continue to follow behind the cold front as it moves southeast, and the smoke will impact northwest and north central Minnesota on Monday," the MPCA says. A look at the surface smoke in northwest Minnesota on Monday, June 2.MnDOT "The smoke will reach central and northeast Minnesota on Monday evening and southeast Minnesota early Tuesday morning. Precipitation is expected across northern and central Minnesota Monday afternoon and evening but may not help improve air quality much," the MPCA continued. "Smoke will clear northwest Minnesota early Tuesday morning and air quality will begin to improve from northwest to southeast from Tuesday through Wednesday morning. The most significant impacts on air quality are expected to occur across northwest and north central Minnesota." Minnesota Pollution Control Agency The worst conditions will be Monday afternoon and evening in northwestern Minnesota, where air quality will reach "very unhealthy" and even "hazardous" levels, which are the highest on the air quality scale. By Monday night, the purple and red areas on the map very unhealthy and unhealthy, respectively that represent near-surface smoke will advance southeast, perhaps all the way to Duluth, the Twin Cities and Mankato. Conditions will remain unhealthy on Tuesday. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take a look at the HRRR's surface smoke model below. It shows near-surface smoke right over the Twin Cities on Tuesday afternoon. Potential surface smoke from 3 p.m. Monday until 2 a.m. Wednesday.WeatherBell A helpful tool to check the air quality in your location can be found here. Just enter your zip code for current air quality values. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. Canadas wildfire season is in full force with dozens of fires raging across the country. Strong winds are bringing some smoky conditions into the Baltimore area Tuesday and Wednesday. This is not the first time Baltimore has experienced the impacts of wildfire from Canada. In summer 2023, smoky conditions caused air quality to plummet, putting some of Baltimores most vulnerable residents at risk. Conditions have not been quite as bad as previous years. Instead, smoke has been largely isolated to higher altitudes, according to Andrew Snyder, a National Weather Service meteorologist, meaning city residents can safely venture outside. How will Baltimore be affected? Because the smoke is secluded to high altitudes, a red haze is expected to settle over the sky and be especially visible during sunrise and sunset. In addition, forecasts from Marylands Department of Environment show little impact to air quality through Wednesday afternoon, with Baltimore Citys air quality being rated as good, the healthiest possible rating, as of Tuesday evening. Should you stay inside? Through Tuesday evening, Marylands Department of Environment had not issued recommendations to stay indoors.. Ozone pollution, however, is expected to push into the high-moderate level as the week continues, which could indicate poorer air quality for at-risk populations, like seniors, children, pregnant women and those who suffer from respiratory issues such as asthma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ozone pollution occurs when air pollutants near the ground chemically interact with sunlight and form ozone, a colorless and odorless gas. Keeping up to date with the areas recent air quality index is the best way to determine whether going outside is safe. You can find the current air quality index by going to mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/AirQualityMonitoring/Pages/index.aspx. When will the smoke go away? Winds should shift southerly by Wednesday and are expected to help dissipate some of the smoky conditions, offering clearer skies by Thursday, according to the Department of the Environment. If the wildfires are in Canada, why is the smoke affecting Baltimore? Prime wildfire season has just begun across Canada, with at least 25,000 people evacuated from affected areas, according to the Associated Press. Strong winds high in the atmosphere are pushing the large swaths of smoke south, into the U.S. Could wildfires happen in Baltimore? Spring and fall are peak wildfire seasons in Maryland, but as climate change continues to impact traditional weather patterns globally, atypical seasonal conditions could cause a wide range of issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baltimore has experienced unusually dry conditions this season, with over three million residents currently living in areas that are experiencing a drought. Moderate drought conditions have affected 43% of the state, with recent rainfall doing little to ease the impacts. Moderate drought levels, like the ones Baltimore and the surrounding areas are currently undergoing, can cause an increased risk for wildfires and ground fires. Have a news tip? Contact Hannah Epstein at hepstein@baltsun.com. BOSTON (WWLP) Governor Healey announced a statewide plan to boost housing in Massachusetts that will utilize previously-unused state-owned land as new housing sites. The Bay State released its first-ever inventory of state-owned surplus land that can be used for state housing, and they found several dozen sites that will support around 3,500 housing units. The state is planning to partner with developers to get these properties ready for residents as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are a city or town thats had state properties languishing for years, underutilized, now youre going to have a chance to do something about that, said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. Not only providing new housing thats going to serve your community and serve the commonwealth, but also create new tax revenues. Developers will make bids to develop these sites, and the Healey-Driscoll administration says more sites will be made available as soon as this summer. Here in western Massachusetts, at least one siteat the former Monson Developmental Center Campusis expected to be turned into housing. The governor says affordable housing is becoming increasingly crucial as young professionals and families move away from Massachusetts in favor of more affordable neighbors. I talk to so many families, young families starting out, couples without kids, who are just dying to buy a home here but havent found one in their price point and this will be a game changer, said Governor Healey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, 1,500 units are under construction at sites across the state, and 17 more sites are expected to be made available over the next year. In all, 450 acres of state land are being made available for housing development, but the timeline for completed housing units is not yet clear. 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. HEBER CITY, Utah (ABC4) A hearing for the lawsuit against Wasatch County involving plans for the Heber Valley Temple was held this afternoon. The judge is reviewing the details and information shared today and says she will issue a written ruling in the near future. The lawsuit, filed in November 2023, asked that Wasatch County disallow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from building the temple on the set land in Heber City due to concerns of light pollution, blocking valley views for homeowners, and increased disturbances. Judge Jennifer A. Mabey is the assigned judge on the case and began the motions for summary judgment hearing Monday afternoon. Attorneys discussed concerns from the residents who filed the lawsuit, the support from members of the community, and the Churchs arguments for the development agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LDS Church files to be added as a defendant to temple lawsuit What happened during the hearing Robert Mansfield, an attorney for the residents who filed the lawsuit, began by presenting the reason that they filed the lawsuit. Mansfield first explained that the temple, set to be over 80,000 square feet and roughly 210 feet tall, would be built in a residential zone. He argued that special privileges were offered by Wasatch County to the Church when it came to the section of land that was dedicated for the construction of the temple. Changes were made by Wasatch County to the general plan without the proper disclosure and without meeting public comment requirements, according to Mansfield. Approval under threats of litigation does not comport with fundamental fairness. Also, the land use actions do not protect property values; theres going to be increased traffic, noise, loss of privacy, loss of views, light pollution in the evenings, and that hurts values, Mansfield explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUSLY: LDS Church files to be added as a defendant to temple lawsuit He further explained that there is nothing that demonstrates the temple project will protect property value, and that the Wasatch County ordinance amendments violated state law. Mansfield asked that the court grant their motion for summary judgment and deny the motion from the county. Jonathan Woodard, Deputy County Attorney for Wasatch County, explained that under the County Land Use, Development, and Management Act (CLUDMA), Wasatch County was within its rights to make allowances for the construction of the temple. Letters written to Wasatch County by residents were shared with the court. Woodard read off these public comments, which all involved residents expressing their excitement for a temple and explaining that it would end extra travel and support religious freedom. The nearest temple is located in Lindon, Utah, roughly 30 minutes from Heber City, Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUSLY: Wasatch County hears opinions on LDS Heber Valley Temple Woodard said these considerations went into the ordinance changes that would allow the temples construction. Under CLUDMA, he argued the temple would improve the morals, peace, good order, comfort, convenience, and aesthetics of the county. David Jordan, an attorney for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, argued that the development agreement did not violate CLUDMA or any state or county codes. He further said that the public comment session held in October 2023 met the requirements for notice of amendments to the county ordinances and plan. Manfield, in response to the arguments shared by Woodard and Jordan, argued that although the county and the Church were within their rights to make this development agreement, they did fail to go through the proper procedures outlined in CLUDMA and Utah State Code before beginning the project. He again asked for the injunction to stop development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Mabey told the court that she was going to take time to review the case and would issue a written ruling on the lawsuit. Weber County School District considering tax increase Background During the General Conference on October 3, 2021, the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, announced that a temple was coming to the Heber Valley area. One year later, on October 8, 2022, a groundbreaking and site dedication was completed by Nelson. In April of 2023, Wasatch County amended its light ordinances in an attempt to please both the Church and residents. According to the county, they received letters from residents for and against the regulation changes for the temples construction. The Church said that these ordinances would be in line with industry standards, and they would adhere to a curfew to maintain dark skies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months later, on October 26, 2023, residents showed up to a Wasatch County Council meeting to voice their concerns about the Heber Valley Temple. Residents were concerned about light pollution taking away the dark skies near their homes with the new regulations. Utah lawyer sanctioned for court filing that used ChatGPT and referenced nonexistent court case A group of residents called Save Wasatch Back Dark Skies led the pushback from the community. On November 29, 2023, a lawsuit was filed against Wasatch County by some residents who participated in this group. They asked that the development of the temple be halted by the judge. In January 2024, the Deputy County Attorney for Wasatch County filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, saying that the individuals who filed it did not have enough legal backing to pursue the lawsuit. Days later, the Church filed to intervene, saying that the county would only protect its own interests and not those of the Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 30, the court decided not to dismiss the lawsuit and allowed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to join as an intervenor. Since this, multiple revisions, arguments, discussions, and reviews of county ordinances and temple construction plans have been filed. According to Churchofjesuschristtemples.org, the current plan listed for the temple says that it will be 87,626 square feet and 210 feet tall. It will feature two attached end towers, and inside will be four instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, and one baptistry. 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. A Navy supply ship named for former Navy officer and 1970s civil rights icon Harvey Milk may soon be stripped of its name at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a defense official confirmed to Task & Purpose. A plan to strip the USNS Harvey Milk of its name was first reported by Military.com. Additional plans to erase the names of other key civil rights figures from the Milks sister ships are also under consideration, though not imminent, the official confirmed to Task & Purpose. Those plans were first reported by CBS News. A plan to announce the renaming of the Milk, one of the best-known gay activists in U.S. history, was set for mid-June, which is widely celebrated as Pride Month. The decision to announce the name change during Pride Month was intentional, the defense official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called the decision a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream. Names of other civil rights leaders could be erased The Milk is one of five active USNS John Lewis-class replenishment oilers, of which 20 are planned. All that have so far been named were named for civil rights icons. The ships reported to be under consideration for name changes beyond the Milk are Lewis-class ships named for Supreme Court justices Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Civil War abolitionist and Union spy Harriet Tubman, and four other civil rights figures, according to CBS. Some of those ships have, in Navy tradition, been named but not yet completed or launched. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the USNS Harvey Milk is operated by Military Sealift Command. Christened in 2021 and active since 2023, the ship refuels and resupplies other Navy ships while underway, including aircraft carriers. Navy ships formally receive their names from and in rare cases, have been renamed by the Secretary of the Navy, a legal requirement which would be the case with the Milk, according to the defense official and reporting by the two organizations. But the decision to strike the name of Milk, a former Navy lieutenant junior grade, gay activist, and elected official in the 1970s, originated with Hegseth, according to the defense official and reporting on the change. For Hegseth, renaming is a high priority The move would not be Hegseths first foray into renaming major military assets. One of Hegseths first actions in office was to restore the names of Fort Bragg and, soon after, Fort Benning, both of which had been renamed in 2023 due to those names lineage to Confederate generals. They were renamed in 2023 as Fort Liberty and Fort Moore, the latter for Col. Hal and Julia Moore, legends in the Army infantry world. Hegseth ordered the original names restored and Defense officials elevated previously-obscure soldiers from World War I and II who shared those names as the bases official namesakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several hours after the first reports of the plan to rename USNS Harvey Milk, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell released a statement that did not address the USNS Milk, but said that one or more ships could be renamed after internal reviews. Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chiefs priorities, our nations history, and the warrior ethos. Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete. Milk was a Navy officer before entering politics as a gay and labor activist in the 1960s and 70s. He joined the Navy in 1951, serving aboard the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake and then as a diving instructor in San Diego. He left the service in 1955. Politically conservative for much of his early life, Milk worked on Wall Street soon after leaving the Navy and on Barry Goldwaters 1964 campaign for President. He eventually came to politics through his interests as a small business owner in the Castro, an increasingly gay neighborhood in San Francisco. He organized labor strikes, leading gay community boycotts of businesses targeted by unions. He eventually became a leader in local civil rights issues, including helping pass housing discrimination laws. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 as the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. Milk was killed in 1978 when another member of the board, Dan White, shot and killed both Milk and the mayor in a targeted assassination. White, a former police officer, blamed Milk and the mayor for his political downfall and killed the two men in their city hall offices after climbing through a window to avoid the buildings metal detectors. The latest on Task & Purpose WASHINGTON (AP) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a highly rare move that will strip the ship of the moniker of a slain gay rights activist who served as a sailor during the Korean War. U.S. officials say Navy Secretary John Phelan put together a small team to rename the replenishment oiler and that a new name is expected this month. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the next name had not yet been chosen. The change was laid out in an internal memo that officials said defended the action as a move to align with President Donald Trump and Hegseth's objectives to re-establish the warrior culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It marks the latest move by Hegseth and the wider Trump administration to purge all programs, policies, books and social media mentions of references to diversity, equity and inclusion. And it comes during Pride Month the same timing as the Pentagons campaign to force transgender troops out of the U.S. military. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chiefs priorities, our nations history, and the warrior ethos. Phelans office did not respond to a request for comment on the decision, which was first reported by Military.com. The USNS Harvey Milk was named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who said at the time that the John Lewis-class of oilers would be named after leaders who fought for civil and human rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milk, who was portrayed by Sean Penn in an Oscar-winning 2008 movie, served for four years in the Navy before he was forced out for being gay. He later became one of the first openly gay candidates elected to public office. Milk served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and had sponsored a bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations, housing and employment. It passed, and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone signed it into law. On Nov. 27, 1978, Milk and Moscone were assassinated by Dan White, a disgruntled former city supervisor who cast the sole vote against Milks bill. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat representing San Francisco, said in a statement Tuesday that "this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the warrior ethos. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Gov. Gavin Newsom also slammed the move, saying Milk was a Korean War combat veteran whose commander called him outstanding. Stripping his name from a Navy ship wont erase his legacy as an American icon, but it does reveal Trumps contempt for the very values our veterans fight to protect, the Democrat wrote on X. The ship was christened in 2021, and during the ceremony, then-Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said he wanted to be at the event not just to amend the wrongs of the past, but to give inspiration to all of our LGBTQ community leaders who served in the Navy, in uniform today and in the civilian workforce as well, too, and to tell them that were committed to them in the future. The ship is operated by Military Sealift Command, with a crew of about 125 civilian mariners. The Navy says it conducted its first resupply mission at sea in fall 2024, while operating in the Virginia Capes. It continued to resupply Navy ships at sea off the East Coast until it began scheduled maintenance at Alabama Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the renaming is rare, the Biden administration also changed the names of two Navy ships in 2023 as part of the effort to remove Confederate names from U.S. military installations. The USS Chancellorsville named for the Civil War battle was renamed the USS Robert Smalls after a sailor and former enslaved person. And the USNS Maury, an oceanographic survey ship originally named after a Confederate sailor, was renamed the USNS Marie Tharp after a geologist and oceanographic cartographer who created the first scientific maps of the Atlantic Ocean floor. Maritime lore hints as to why renaming ships is so unusual, suggesting that changing a name is bad luck and tempts retribution from the sea gods. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to rename a ship named after gay rights icon Harvey Milk. Documents. The highly rare move will strip the USNS Harvey Milk of the moniker of slain gay rights activist and Korean War veteran, Harvey Milk. The news was first reported by Military.com. British Airways flight attendant reportedly found dancing naked on SFO flight Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. officials say Navy Secretary John Phelan put together a small team to rename the replenishment oiler and that a new name is expected this month. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the next name had not yet been chosen. The change was laid out in an internal memo that officials said defended the action as a move to align with President Donald Trump and Hegseths objectives to re-establish the warrior culture. The timing of the incident, during Pride month, was reportedly intentional. USNS Harvey Milk departs the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard after a ceremonial address in San Diego, California on November 6, 2021. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images) A memo cited by Military.com indicated that the renaming was done in alignment with president and SECDEF objectives and SECNAV priorities of reestablishing warrior culture, apparently referencing President Donald Trump, Hegseth and Phelan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Military.com, news of the renaming is slated to be publicly announced on June 13. There was no immediate word on what the ship would be renamed as. Harvey Milk (1930 1978), an openly gay member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, sits outside his camera shop in San Francisco, November 9, 1977. Milk was a gay rights activist who was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978. During his brief tenure as one of the first openly gay elected officials in the country, Milk championed the gay community and sponsored a bill that outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation. Less than a year after taking office, Milk was assassinated along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone by former supervisor Dan White. White, who served only five years in prison, died by suicide in 1985. Milk, who was portrayed by Sean Penn in an Oscar-winning 2008 movie, served for four years in the Navy before he was forced out for being gay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) issued a statement slamming the reported decision to rename the ship: Harvey Milk proudly served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy and was a formidable force for change not just in California, but in our Country. While he is remembered for his LGBTQ+ advocacy, Harvey fought for the dignity and worth of every person. In San Francisco, we take great pride that our Harveys name adorns a mighty ship among a new class of Navy vessels named for the conscience of the Congress, John Lewis which honor titans in the fight for freedom. The names of those who fought for civil rights and human rights bring luster to these ships as their leadership brought luster to America. The reported decision by the Trump Administration to change the names of the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships in the John Lewis-class is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream. Our military is the most powerful in the world but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the warrior ethos. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country. As the rest of us are celebrating the joy of Pride Month, it is my hope that the Navy will reconsider this egregious decision and continue to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Harvey Milk, a Veteran himself, and all Americans who forged historic progress for our nation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also spoke out against the reported decision, issuing a statement saying, Donald Trumps assault on veterans has hit a new low. Harvey Milk wasnt just a civil rights icon he was a Korean War combat veteran whose commander called him outstanding.' Stripping his name from a Navy ship wont erase his legacy as an American icon, but it does reveal Trumps contempt for the very values our veterans fight to protect, the statement continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ship is operated by Military Sealift Command, with a crew of about 125 civilian mariners. The Navy says it conducted its first resupply mission at sea in fall 2024, while operating in the Virginia Capes. It continued to resupply Navy ships at sea off the East Coast until it began scheduled maintenance at Alabama Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, earlier this year. While the renaming is rare, the Biden administration also changed the names of two Navy ships in 2023 as part of the effort to remove Confederate names from U.S. military installations. The USS Chancellorsville named for the Civil War battle was renamed the USS Robert Smalls after a sailor and former enslaved person. And the USNS Maury, an oceanographic survey ship originally named after a Confederate sailor, was renamed the USNS Marie Tharp after a geologist and oceanographic cartographer who created the first scientific maps of the Atlantic Ocean floor. Maritime lore hints as to why renaming ships is so unusual, suggesting that changing a name is bad luck and tempts retribution from the sea gods. 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 KRON4. Eramet said it will work with the Gabonese Government despite a forthcoming ban on unrefined manganese exports, set to take effect from 1 January 2029. This regulatory change could disrupt operations for the French mining giant, particularly its Gabon-based subsidiary Comilog, currently the world's largest manganese mine. The Gabonese Government's weekend statement regarding the ban aligns with a broader trend of African nations such as Guinea (bauxite) and Zimbabwe (lithium) moving towards local processing of raw materials instead of exporting them, reported Reuters. The demand for manganese is on the rise globally, not only for steel production but also for electric vehicle batteries. In response to the announcement, Eramet acknowledged the Gabonese Government's intentions and expressed its commitment to continue working with the authorities in a spirit of constructive partnership and mutual respect. The company emphasised its goal to protect the jobs of the 10,460 Gabonese employees at Comilog and its railway transport unit, Setrag. Despite an initial 5.5% drop, Eramet's shares later stabilised, trading around 4% lower by 08:00 GMT. Gabon's President, Brice Oligui Nguema, who came to power following a coup in 2023 and was elected last month, is focused on uniting the country and revitalising its struggling economy. While Comilog, partly owned by the Gabonese state, does process some manganese locally, most of its ore is exported. Eramet's growth has been largely driven by the Moanda mine and the Weda Bay nickel mine in Indonesia, in contrast to its traditional nickel operations in New Caledonia, which have been hampered by losses and social issues. The companys recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Indonesia's sovereign fund, Danantara, reflects its strategy to explore potential investments in nickel processing, following Indonesia's own nickel ore export ban to foster local industry development. Moreover, Firebird Metals has secured a non-binding MOU with Eramet in February for the supply of manganese ore, which will be utilised in the initial phase of Firebird's planned facility in China to produce battery-grade manganese sulphate and manganese tetra-oxide. "Eramet to work with Gabon despite manganese exports ban" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. In the moments after King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation actor Jonathan Joss was fatally gunned down Sunday night, his husband claims the accused killer cackled as the 59-year-old lay dying. "Everything was really close range. It was in the head," Tristan Kern de Gonzales told The Independent. "I held his face together while I told him how much I loved him. He could still hear me, he looked up at me and he wasn't able to talk because of the extent [of his injuries], but I could tell he was trying to say, 'I love you.'" Suspect Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez was arrested a block away from the scene of the shooting and is now facing first-degree murder charges. Kern de Gonzales said Joss' death was the result of anti-LGBT+ sentiment aimed at the doomed couple. However, police in San Antonio, Texas, say there is "no evidence" the killing was motivated by bigotry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While I'm holding him, he has the gun pointed over me, and he's laughing, saying, 'Oh, you love him? Joto,'" Kern de Gonzales alleged. "'Joto' is Spanish for f****t. I never knew the word until I came to Texas, and then I heard it a lot. Joss was pronounced dead at the scene. Ceja, according to an incident report obtained from the San Antonio Police Department, immediately confessed to the murder, telling officers, "I shot him." Tristan Kern de Gonzales (right) married actor Jonathan Joss this past Valentine's Day (Facebook/Tristan Kern de Gonzales) The SAPD quickly dismissed the shooting as a potential hate crime, issuing a statement on Monday that claimed investigators had found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss' murder was related to his sexual orientation. We take such allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information, the statement said. Should any new evidence come to light, we will charge the suspect accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deadly incident followed years of feuding between Joss, Kern de Gonzales, and the suspect, according to Kern de Gonzales, who grew up in South Carolina. He said they came home to find the skull of one of their dogs, which had been killed when their house burned down this winter, on display near their mailbox, deeply upsetting the two of them. (There is no mention of this incident in the SAPD incident report.) Joss began screaming, and this led to the eventual confrontation with the suspect, said Kern de Gonzales. In a Facebook post announcing Joss death, Kern de Gonzales alleged the shooter shouted violent homophobic slurs at the two of them before opening fire. Kern de Gonzales, who described himself as a transgender man, pushed back forcefully against the SAPDs assertion that their background didnt play a part in the killing. They ignored us, refused to file police reports for about two years [over the couples complaints of harassment], and now theyre trying to say it wasn't a hate crime, Kern de Gonzales told The Independent. Its like when the police investigate themselves and find they did nothing wrong. Suspect Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez immediately confessed to the shooting of Joss, according to police. He faces a murder charge. (Getty Images) Over the past 36 hours, local residents have recounted tales of Joss having been, alternately, really sweet, then at times wandering down the street ranting and raving. One called Joss erratic, and claimed he told people that he was God. Another neighbor shared a video with local CBS affiliate KENS, purportedly showing Joss walking back and forth with a pitchfork, screaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SAPD said it responded to more than 40 calls involving Joss in 2024, ranging from welfare checks, mental health issues, and dust-ups with neighbors. However, according to Kern de Gonzales, who married Joss this past Valentines Day, the actor may have been loud but he was never violent. I don't care if me and my husband were walking around with one pitchfork in our hand and another pitchfork up our a**, we didn't point any weapons at anybody, Kern de Gonzales told The Independent. When the man rolled up with the gun, we were checking the mail. He said he found it really sad how people treat other people when they're having a mental health crisis or going through trauma, and that no one wants to consider what led to that point. It's OK to be a little sad, but if youre in a state where youre yelling or whatever, that doesn't get the same grace, Kern de Gonzales said. Jonathan Joss never threatened anyone, even if he sometimes suffered mental health episodes, husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales told The Independent (Facebook) According to Kern de Gonzales, Joss, who has Native American heritage, had long been subjected to racist verbal attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had never seen someone be accosted for being Native American, Kern de Gonzales said. He would be playing the drum a lot outside, singing, chanting, praying People would drive by and yell out the window, F***ng Indian, and its just like, what kind of point are you trying to make? Then, when Kern de Gonzales moved in, he said the homophobia started. Jonathan would be harassed for just being in his yard wearing a dress, Kern de Gonzales went on. When people would ask why he wore a dress, he would say, Because I have nice legs. And he did. He looked beautiful in a dress. And I think a lot of people were threatened by that, because Jonathan could wear a dress and still be masculine and confident. The two coped using humor, and always found something at the end of the day to laugh about, Kern de Gonzales explained. As he now prepares his husbands funeral, people have inquired about his plans for the body, whether Joss wanted to be buried or cremated. I do take joy in quoting Jonathan, which is actually paraphrasing a line from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kern de Gonzales said. He used to love to tell people, When I die, I dont care what you do with me. Cut me up and make a soup out of me, I dont care. It makes me laugh now because I know Jonathans laughing too. NEED TO KNOW Florian Willet was arrested after a 64-year-old American woman died using the 3D-printed Sarco suicide pod in Switzerland Prosecutors briefly suspected Willet of strangulation, but the allegation was later dropped and he was released without charges Willet died by assisted suicide in May 2025 following months of legal scrutiny and reported psychological trauma from the case Months after an American woman's family sued over her controversial death inside a 3D-printed "suicide pod," the Swiss euthanasia activist who helped make it possible has taken his own life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florian Willet, the 47-year-old president of Swiss right-to-die organization The Last Resort, died on May 5 in Cologne, Germany with the help of a specialized organization, according to The Times UK, SwissInfo and The New York Post. Willet's death comes months after he was arrested and held in pre-trial detention for 70 days in connection with the controversial suicide of a 64-year-old American woman in Switzerland, according to the outlets. The woman, whose name has not been released, died in a remote forest cabin in Merishausen after entering the "Sarco pod" a sleek-futuristic nitrogen filled capsule that had been promoted by Willet's organization as a "peaceful" way to die. The woman's family later filed a lawsuit against Willet and his organization, questioning the circumstances surrounding her death and the legal and ethical oversight or lack thereof in her use of the pod, per the outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swiss prosecutors eventually declined to press international homicide charges, but initially accused Willet of assisting in the woman's suicide without proper authorization and subjected him to months of investigation and public scrutiny, the outlets reported. ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty The Sarco suicide capsule is pictured at a press conference in Zurich on July 17, 2024 The Sarco suicide capsule is pictured at a press conference in Zurich on July 17, 2024 They initially suspected Willet of intentional homicide after discovering marks on the woman's neck, which led to his arrest, per the outlets. However, the strangulation allegation was later dismissed, and Willet was released from detention in December 2024. After his release, the Schaffhausen public prosecutor's office announced that there was no suspicion of homicide in the case. However, they said that there was a "strong suspicion of inciting and assisting suicide." It is illegal to encourage a person to take their own life for "selfish motives," such as financial gain, in Sweden. Self-publicity could also be considered a selfish motive, lawyers told The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Philip Nitschke, the Australian activist and founder of Exit International who invented the pod, said in a statement on The Last Resorts website that Willet was "broken" after his time behind bars: "When Florian was released suddenly and unexpectedly from pre-trial detention in early December 2024, he was a changed man. Gone was his warm smile and self-confidence," Nitschke said. In its place was a man who was deeply traumatized by the experience of incarceration and the wrongful accusation of strangulation. The statement said that Willet had been suffering from "acute polymorphic psychotic disorder" according to the National Institute of Health, the disorder is characterized by a mixture of sudden-onset symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized behavior. Switzerland is among few countries where foreigners can travel to legally end their lives via assisted suicide, but Swiss officials have not yet approved the Sarco pod for use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Read the original article on People LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two violent incidents during an otherwise exemplary law enforcement career sharpen the focus on the City of Hendersons choice to lead its rudderless police department, research by the 8 News Now Investigators reveals. The incidents, one of them fatal, help to offer a more in-depth review of Reggie Rader, who served as a detective, sergeant and lieutenant on the gang unit and eventually rose to the rank of deputy chief at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department before he took the top law enforcement job in Henderson. He replaces Hollie Chadwick, who Hendersons city manager fired in March. Chadwick, now running for mayor against incumbent Michelle Romero, told the 8 News Now Investigators that Romero was behind her dismissal. Henderson appoints LVMPD deputy chief as new police chief Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chadwicks replacement, Rader, tazed a man eight times in the neck, according to court records. The man, William Lomax, died, according to documents filed in state and federal court. But after a coroners inquest, a jury found the use of force justified because Lomax was high on the narcotic known by its street name, PCP. Lomaxs family and estate sued Rader, Metro and others, and won, but the lawsuit sputtered on appeal. After Lomaxs death, his family was grief-stricken. Speaking on camera with 8 News Now, Lomaxs mother, Joyce Charleston, asked, how youre going to do my child like that. And LaKisha Neal-Lomax, his wife, said, It is unacceptable behavior to do a human being like that. I dont care what they did. I dont care what anybody did. The whole family is upset about it. And its unacceptable. And I dont want it to happen to anybody else. The Clark County coroner ruled Lomaxs death a homicide. Rader took the stand in his own defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said use it as many times as you need to until you get the subject in custody, Rader testified, referring to his department-issued taser. In 2014, the 8 News Now Investigators obtained video of Rader and another officer violently taking a man to the ground. The man, Jimmy Kiessling, said the police choked him out. The video appears to show Rader speaking to Kiessling: I tell you to stop youre going to stop, right? Rader appears to subdue the suspect while his colleague secured his arm around Kiesslings neck. And in his interview with the 8 News Now Investigators in January 2015, Kiessling said, Next thing I know- that Im tapping out. I remember tapping out saying that I almost passed out. Little to my knowledge, I had already passed out and I was coming to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro, at the time, defended Rader and the other officer, saying it wasnt a choke hold. Instead, the police called it a lateral vascular neck restraint which can render a subject unconscious by compressing blood vessels in the neck to restrict blood flow to the brain a move their captain at the time approved. Kiessling won a lawsuit, which officers and the department appealed. The parties agreed to do away with the lawsuit, according to public record, which often indicates a settlement. Henderson, in a statement responding to the 8 News Now Investigators inquiry into the amount of Raders salary as chief, as well as the Lomax and Kiessling matters, issued the following statement, which appears below in its entirety: Mr. Raders first official day as a City of Henderson employee will be July 7, and well be able to provide his exact salary at that time. His compensation will fall within the publicly posted salary range for the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Rader brings nearly three decades of exceptional, decorated law enforcement experience to this role. Were confident in his leadership and proud to welcome him as our next Chief of Police. The 8 News Now Investigators asked the city to make Rader available for an interview. Henderson responded via email. We are unable to schedule an interview at this time, as Mr. Rader will not officially assume office until July 7. According to a city spokesperson, Raders appointment as Chief of Police does not require formal approval by the City Council. However, an Oath of Office ceremony will be held during a special City Council meeting on July 15, at which point the Council will formally ratify the city managers selection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HERKIMER, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) Herkimer College announced on Tuesday that they have appointed an alumni to be the colleges new president. Dr. Terri Grates Day was appointed to be Herkimer Colleges new president on Tuesday, June 3, upon the recommendation of the colleges Board of Trustees. She was one of five finalists to be interviewed over a period of several months. She will take over for Cathleen McColgin, who officially retired in 2023. Days previous job was as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Volunteer State Community College, a position she has served in since 2022. She has also held positions at the University of North Texas, Southern Utah University and at Jefferson Community College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grates-Day holds a Ph.D. from the University of Dayton, as well as degrees from the University of Maryland at College Park, SUNY Poly and Herkimer College. Dr. Terri Grates Day is a fantastic SUNY success story, and she is returning to her hometown to be named our college president, Herkimer College Board of Trustees Chairman Daniel Reardon said in a statement. We have found someone with both a distinguished career and vast experience, along with a vested interest in our communitys success. Herkimer County stands on the cusp of exciting economic development, and Dr. Grates Day will not only be a leader at the college, but also within our business community. No date has been determined for Dr. Days first day at Herkimer. It is the honor of my life to return home and serve the college that first opened the doors of possibility for me, Grates-Day said in a statement. As a proud graduate of Herkimer College, I know the transformative impact this institution can have. Herkimer gave me the foundation to dream bigger and work harder, and now I have the unique privilege of serving the community that shaped who I am. Together with our outstanding faculty, staff, and community partners, I look forward to building on the colleges legacy while also preparing boldly for the future. 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. Class C Final: (2) Honeoye Falls-Lima 19, (1) Palmyra-Macedon 7 Pal-Macs hunt for an undefeated season was quickly in jeopardy, as HF-L started this one with a 5-0 run and never looked back. For the Red Raiders, Jackson Dennie would lead the scoring with three goals. Brandon Dennie added a goal of his own, paired with two assists. Reid Diehl dishes out two assists as well. For HF-L, Grady Goodberlet would continue his great season, putting in six goals. Marco Vengoechea tied him for leading scorer with six goals of his own. Jackson followed with a hat trick. Quinn Kailbourne led both teams with four assists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks HF-Ls third straight section title. The Cougar will now face Hamburg, the Section VI Class C champion. That game is scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m., in Canandaigua. Pal-Mac finishes their season 17-1. Class D Final: (1) Penn Yan 19, (3) Bloomfield-Honeoye 6 This one stayed close through the first quarter, but the likes of Teagan Fingar and Tukker Fisher would help put this one away for Penn Yan. Fingar and Fisher would put in five goals each. Branden Fingar and Miles Ditzell followed with three goals each. Teagan Fingar led both teams with five assists. For the Pride, Tylder Bruder led the team with two goals, while John Blair would pass out three assists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penn Yan will now face the Section VI Class D champions, Akron. That game will be played in Canandaigua, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Bloomfield-Honeoye ends its season at 13-5. 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 RochesterFirst. HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) High Point firefighters are expected to pack the city council meeting and demand answers to what the High Point Professional Firefighters Association is calling staffing shortages. This comes on the heels of the brief closure of Fire Station 13 for several hours. On Friday, Engine 13 and Rescue 1 were taken out of service. The firefighters union said they, along with some neighbors, are demanding answers at the city council meeting on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The High Point Firefighters Association, Local 673, is requesting that the city do a more extensive investigation as to why manpower was so short when we had to shut down Engine 13 just last week, High Point Professional Firefighters Association President Robert Templeton said. During Mondays city council meeting, firefighters and residents say theyll speak during public comment. Transparency is the big thing the HPPFA is pushing for from city leaders. They plan to ask High Points city council to take a look into what led to Station 13 having both trucks out of service on Friday morning and what prompted it to go quickly back into service that afternoon after FOX8 started asking questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, they are pushing for staffing at the fire department to meet the national standard. We are truly trying hard to be good public servants, Templeton said. Templeton said they have questions about the proposed fire department operational budget for 2025 and 2026. We are also requesting specific line-item budget of training and travel to be increased to be in line with what the police department is spending on their training so that we can have the most trained and professional fire service for our citizens to keep them safe and prosperous in High Point, Templeton said. That budget is on the agenda for the city council meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the proposed city budget for 2025 and 2026, High Point plans to spend just over $947,000 more on its fire department than it did in fiscal year 2024-2025. In the proposed budget for this upcoming fiscal year, staffing remains mostly flat. In that, the department would add one new full-time position in administration, but firefighter positions are still at 216. The fire departments total request was about $1.6 million above their base budget increase. Some funding was approved, and some wasnt. The High Point City Council and the mayor could decide to make amendments to the proposed budget prior to adoption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget can be amended at any time during the fiscal 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 FOX8 WGHP. A man has been found dead and his daughter remains missing while attempting to hike to the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine, officials said Tuesday. Tim Keiderling and Esther Keiderling, both of Ulster Park, New York, set out to hike the summit on Sunday, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife - PHOTO: In this photo released by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Tim Keiderling and his daughter Esther Keiderling are shown. They were last seen Sunday morning on the Katahdin Tablelands heading toward the summit, which is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and located in Baxter State Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baxter State Park rangers began searching for them Monday morning after their vehicle was still found parked at the trailhead in the day-use parking lot, park officials said. MORE: 2 hikers stranded in remote areas of Arizona desert rescued in separate incidents The search on Katahdin expanded Tuesday to include the help of more than 30 Maine game wardens, including the Maine Warden Service Search and Rescue team, and the Maine Warden Service K9 team. The Maine Forest Service and the Maine Army National Guard also responded as part of an aerial search. STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: A large wooden sign on the summit of Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine, marking the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The body of Tim Keiderling, 58, was found Tuesday afternoon, officials said. A Maine Warden Service K9 search team located him at approximately 2:24 p.m. on the Tablelands near the summit of Katahdin, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The search for his 28-year-old daughter is ongoing. "We know that many of our social media followers share in our deep sadness for the family and friends of Tim Keiderling, and appreciate your support," as the search for his daughter continues, Baxter State Park said in a statement on Facebook. STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: A view from the Table Lands on Mount Katahdin's Hunt Trail. Baxter State Park notes on its website that hiking Katahdin "is a very strenuous climb, no matter which trailhead you choose." The average round-trip time for a Katahdin hike is eight to 12 hours, it said. All Katahdin trailhead trails are currently closed until further notice, the park said. TAMPA Days before he is expected to discuss his districts removal of library books before state leaders, Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Van Ayres is facing scrutiny from all directions including from members of his own board. In May, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz sent a letter calling for the removal of two books from Hillsborough shelves over concerns about their content. The week after, Attorney General James Uthmeier followed up with a second letter asking about more pornographic materials in your school libraries. In a response, Ayres wrote that all titles mentioned had been removed. He also said that to err on the side of caution, all 600 titles that had been placed on a list for removal by any county in the state during the past two school years had been taken out of circulation and would be reviewed, even though no objections to them have risen through Hillsboroughs existing process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayres response drew fire from all sides. During a heated school board meeting Monday, 10 residents questioned why the books were still allowed in the district. Julie Gebhards, a mother of a former Newsome High School student, pointed to passages in books that were still allowed prior to the states letter, including Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye and Chuck Palahniuks Invisible Monsters. I cant believe that nobody stood up and said, This does not belong in our schools, she said. Three residents criticized the districts efforts to remove the titles, which include classics like Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, a graphic adaptation of Anne Franks diary and other critically acclaimed works by Morrison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeanne Coleman, a parent of two former students, questioned why the decision sidestepped the removal process, which includes parental, community and professional feedback. The process is also supposed to take into account concerns with the historic and artistic merits of the work as a whole. I agree there has to be age-appropriate books for students, but dont tell me that its inappropriate if I think its appropriate for my child to read, she said. Thats a parental decision. Ayres faced the most flak from board members. Board member Nadia Combs said she was initially pleased with how Ayres handled Diazs letter and appreciated a conversation that reiterated that no one stood for age-inappropriate books in schools. But she said the board was blindsided by the response to Uthmeiers letter, sent from the boards attorney, and his quick decision to pull books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im trying to process your lack of communication, the transparency, and also lack of knowledge and input from me, Combs told Ayres. Combs continued: You did not engage with parents, you did not engage with our PTA, you did not engage with the union. You did not engage with your employees. You did not engage with your supervisors or your lead librarians, and I was not informed at all. Ayres said that as superintendent, he bears the final responsibility for day-to-day operations. I needed to ensure that we dont have inappropriate materials in libraries, and thats my ultimate responsibility, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School board attorney James Porter called the letters from the state an unprecedented situation and said theyd work to develop protocol in the future. Board member Patti Rendon said she wished there had been a special board meeting called or some form of prior review of the letter Ayres sent out. She and board member Lynn Gray questioned other district officials for not showing they had complied with state statutes that put board members and Ayres at risk. Board chairperson Jessica Vaughn said she believed that the district overstepped media specialists hired to fill libraries, who she said put their own licenses on the line and face jail time if they do their job wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district is offering a $1,500 stipend to certified media specialists to review the books outside of their contracted hours. When Vaughn asked Ayres about the cost of the reviews, he estimated about $345,000. Thats the low end, Vaughn said. On the higher end, it could be up to half a million dollars that this is costing us. Ayres said he had concerns about the existing process, which he called not acceptable. I wanted to ensure that ... come August, all books have been reviewed, he said. And that was the action that I took ... to make those books under review and unavailable while that process took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaughn pushed Ayres on whether he had notified parents or board members about his decision. When he said he did not, she asked whether other districts had these books in their libraries. Ayres said they did. I find it offensive that you say that its your duty to protect our community from inappropriate books, because taking sexual content books and reading them out of context does not make them inappropriate, Vaughn said. Ayres is expected to address Hillsborough Countys book removal process before the state Board of Education on Wednesday in Miami. Serious followers of healthcare policy in the U.S. didn't expect much good to emerge from its takeover by Donald Trump and his secretary of Health and Human Services, the anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But the agency and its leadership managed to live down to the worst expectations May 27, when it released a 73-page "assessment" of the health of America's children titled "The MAHA Report" (for "Make America Healthy Again"). A sloppier, more disingenuous government report would be hard to imagine. Whatever credibility the report might have had as a product of a federal agency was shattered by its obvious errors, misrepresentations and outright fabrications of source materials, some of it plainly the product of the authors' reliance on AI bots. I, and my co-authors, did not write that paper. Epidemiologist Katherine Keyes says a citation to her work by the MAHA report was fabricated Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least seven sources cited in the report do not exist, as Emily Kennard and Margaret Manto of the journalism organization NOTUS uncovered. The agency hastily reissued the report with some of those citations removed, but without disclosing the changes an extremely unkosher action in the research community. "I, and my co-authors, did not write that paper," epidemiologist Katherine M. Keyes of Columbia told me by email, referring to a citation to a purported paper about anxiety among American adolescents resulting from the COVID pandemic. "It does make me concerned given that citation practices are an important part of conducting and reporting rigorous science." Keyes said she has done research on the topic at hand: "I would be happy to send this information to the MAHA committee to correct the report, although I have not yet received information on where to reach them," she said. We'll go deeper into the fabrication fiasco in a moment. What's important is its context: concerted attacks by Kennedy and his associates on the fundamentals of public health in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those attacks have profound implications not only for Americans' health, but on pocketbook issues and the U.S. economy generally. The agency bowed toward the latter issue by asserting in the report that the health profile of American children poses "a threat to our nations health, economy, and military readiness." Read more: Hiltzik: RFK Jr.'s plans for vaccine testing are highly unethical and a danger to your health. Here's why As it happens, the recent actions at the agency and its subagencies, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, increase those threats. Take the agencies' May 20 decision to remove COVID boosters from the CDC's list of recommended vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women. The decision opens the door for insurance companies to start charging full price for the shots, rather than covering them without copays as the law requires for preventive services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could mean out-of-pocket charges of $100 or more each booster, which could itself discourage families from getting vaccinated. This is a reminder of how family economics affect health. The original version of RFK Jr.'s MAHA report cited this paper by Katherine Keyes and associates about adolescents' pandemic-era mental health. The paper doesn't exist; the citation to the Journal of the American Medical Assn. goes to a page saying it can't be found. However ... (HHS) The MAHA report is silent on what experts call the "social determinants of disease," which are heavily related to economics. The report doesn't mention "food deserts," mostly low-income neighborhoods in which "children do not have access to anything other than UPFs, ... or the cost of fresh food vs. the hyperpalatable and cheap UPFs," observed the Delaware Academy of Medicine in its gloss on the report. ... after the fabrication was exposed, Heath and Human Services reissued the report, removing the citation without explanation. (HHS) And although the report mentions that safety net programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP, or food stamps, school lunch and breakfast programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WICcould play a role in promoting healthy eating, it doesn't mention that those programs face severe budget cuts from the Trump White House. Health and Human Services canceled nearly $800 million in grants to the pharmaceutical company Moderna for the development of a human vaccine against bird flu, part of a Biden administration effort to prepare for possible future pandemics, the potential social and economic impact of which should be self-evident, given our experience with COVID. Bird flu already has devastated the dairy and poultry industries in many regions and sickened dozens of farmworkers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Hiltzik: RFK Jr.'s views on autism show that anti-science myths are rampant at the agency he leads There was some hope in the research community that sound science might still live at the agency because some of its appointees had scientific or medical credentials that Kennedy lacked. Those hopes get dashed on a regular basis. On Sunday, for instance, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary a former professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins was reduced to incoherence when CBS' "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan reminded him that on May 20, he co-wrote a report in the New England Journal of Medicine that identified pregnancy as factor increasing the risk of "severe COVID-19" warranting that pregnant women get the vaccine. "Yet seven days later," Brennan said, Makary joined with Kennedy in a video announcement recommending against giving pregnant women the booster. "So what changed in the seven days?" Makary argued that only 12% of pregnant women got the shot last year, "so people have serious concerns." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What he didn't say was that those concerns have been ginned up by FDA critics including Makary and vaccine opponents, even though clinical trials involving tens of thousands of subjects have validated the recommendation that pregnant women get the vaccine. That brings us back to the MAHA report. Let's start with its core assertion that "todays children are the sickest generation in American history." As soon as the report was issued, this trope was picked up uncritically by the news media, before the report's citation errors were discovered. But it's undoubtedly wrong, the product of cherry-picking official statistics and ignoring what they really say. An attack on childhood vaccination gets a subject heading all its own in this report, which asserts that the number of recommended vaccines for children by 1 year of age has increased from three in 1986 to 29 now, including vaccines for pregnant mothers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Hiltzik: Trump's appointment of anti-vaxxer RFK Jr. to his Cabinet has scientists fearing a catastrophe for public health Pediatrician Vincent Iannelli has ably punctured this claim, which he identifies as anti-vax "propaganda." The report reaches its count of 29 by including some vaccines given to children older than 1 year and double-counting shots such as the RSV vaccine, given to either the mother or the infant, not both. An honest count would be as few as 17, not all of which are injections. The report also counts combination vaccines such as MMR and TDaP as three shots rather than one. In pushing the "sickest generation" trope, the report glides over the heath threats faced by children and adults before vaccines were available for specific diseases. In the U.S., measles cases averaged more than 530,000 per year throughout the 20th century; as of 2023, the average was 47, according to the CDC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mumps fell from more than 162,000 cases annually to 429 and rubella from nearly 48,000 to three. Whooping cough, or pertussis, fell from nearly 201,000 cases to 5,611. And polio, the fearsome nemesis of American families in the 1950s, from 16,300 to zero. One can trace the "sickness" of children in bygone generations through child mortality statistics. In 1900, the average life expectancy of a 1-year-old in the U.S. was about 56 years; that bespeaks a morbid population of infants. In 1950 it was still only about 70. Now it's 79. For all that the MAHA report purports to identify the leading health threats to America's kids processed foods, environmental chemicals, vaccines it totally ignores what we know to be the single biggest cause of childhood mortality in the U.S.: firearms. Read more: Hiltzik: Trump and RFK Jr. want to make the world safe again for polio and measles. You should be terrified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC has reported that in 2021, firearm injuries killed 2,571 children. That rate of 3.7 deaths per 100,000 children aged 17 and younger was an increase of 68% since 2000. The firearm death rate of 6.01 per 100,000 children aged 1-19 was 10 times the rate in Canada and 20 times the rates in France and Switzerland. Why the silence in the MAHA report? What does that say about how far you should trust the MAHA team at the agency? As for the multiple false citations in the report, they point to the sheer irresponsibility of a federal agency's outsourcing of research to AI. I asked the agency for an explanation of how these errors got into the MAHA report, but I received no reply. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, however, responded to a reporter's question about the fiasco by claiming there were "formatting issues" with the report. Her excuse made me laugh, because it was the same excuse offered by the big law firm Latham and Watkins when it was caught submitting AI fabrications to a judge as part of a legal filing, as I reported recently. In neither case did the excuses explain how "formatting issues," whatever that means, resulted in the fabrication of source citations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency attributes the report to a 14-member "Make America Healthy Again" commission, composed mostly of cabinet members and other officials with no responsibility for or expertise in public health, such as the secretaries of Housing and Urban Development, Education, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs and directors of White House budget and economic offices. Makary and Bhattacharya are on the panel. They lent their names and reputations to this product, much to their discredit. But it's unclear about who actually put pen to paper. Some of its language can be traced back to Kennedy's own words. The report's assertion that "todays children are the sickest generation in American history" was picked up and amplified by media coverage of the report's release, even though it's not supported by the facts. It is a verbatim echo of a claim Kennedy has made repeatedly, however, mostly as a plank in his anti-vaccination platform. It was part of the title of a book his anti-vaccine organization, Children's Health Defense, issued in 2018 ("The Sickest Generation"). The most frightening aspect of the MAHA report is that it's likely to be the blueprint for a comprehensive attack on public health; scarier in that news media and political leaders are citing it as though it has scientific value. It's so infected with falsehoods, misrepresentations and ideological blinkers that it will only subject the health of American children to the greatest risk they've faced in, yes, American history. Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. UK-based fintech firm Fincra has received a payment provider licence from South African authorities, in partnership with Nedbank. This licence allows the company to officially process various payment methods, including credit and debit card payments, electronic funds transfers (EFT), real-time clearing (RTC), and rapid payments. It is set to enhance the companys foothold in Southern Africa and improve its ability to support businesses with financial transactions. Fincra specialises in providing payment infrastructure that facilitates both the collection of global payments and local payouts through a single API or platform. The services offered by Fincra helps businesses to launch remittance services, streamline payroll processes, or venture into new markets within Africa. With the new licence, Fincra can directly integrate with South Africa's core payment systems and banking networks. This gives businesses using our infrastructure faster settlement times, greater reliability, and the assurance of full compliance with South Africas regulatory standards, the company said in a statement. Businesses seeking to grow across African borders in industries such as e-commerce, logistics, B2B marketplaces, and travel can leverage Fincras solutions. Meanwhile, in February, Fincra appointed Emmanuel Babalola as the chief commercial and growth officer. Babalola joins Fincra with experience in the African fintech sector, having previously headed Binance's expansion in over 40 African and Middle Eastern markets. His background also includes co-founding and leading Bundle, a social payments application for cash and cryptocurrency transactions. "Fincra gains payment provider licence in South Africa " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. The City of Palatka a few days ago announced the temporary closure of some sidewalks downtown because the church located at 913 Reid Street will be demolished, a city social media post states. To some, like Mischa Johns, a Putnam County archivist, its more than a church. So gently announced as a church, but its not just a church, she stated in a Facebook post. Its over a century of history in our African American community and its being razed ... We have failed this beautiful old church, and my heart is broken for another lost piece of history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The following is from Mt. Tabor Baptist Churchs website Following the Civil War within the Reconstruction Era, the institution known as Mount Tabor First Baptist Church was officially established. The church was organized during a Wednesday Prayer Meeting, on the 15th day of September, 1869, in Palatka, Florida. The original meeting place was in the Hudson Building and the second meeting place was a nicely constructed Brush Arbor (a rough, open-sided shelter constructed of vertical poles driven into the ground with additional long poles laid across the top as support for a roof of brush, cut branches or hay) built with the choicest shrubs. Within the first two years (1869-1871), three ministers, Reverend R. P. Bishop, Reverend Jones, and Reverend Samuel Small formed the ministerial council that ordained the first Deacons: Jackson Wright, Ned Hutchinson and James Arnold. Reverend William Bell served as the first regular pastor (1871-1889) and also served two subsequent pastorates (1896-1898) & (1900-1902). In 1887, during Reverend Bells pastorate it became a reality for this band of Christian believers to leave the brush arbor and the congregation relocated to a newly built wooden church edifice at 913 Reid Street in downtown Palatka, which was dedicated on May 18, 1888. In 1912, the church facility was rebuilt under the leadership of Reverend F.W. Wells. PHOTOS: Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church razed Mount Tabor First Baptist Church, 913 Reid St., Palatka, Fla., was demolished June 2, 2024. Mount Tabor First Baptist Church, 913 Reid St., Palatka, Fla., was demolished June 2, 2024. Mount Tabor First Baptist Church, 913 Reid St., Palatka, Fla., was demolished June 2, 2024. Mount Tabor First Baptist Church, 913 Reid St., Palatka, Fla., was demolished June 2, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mount Tabor First Baptist Church, 913 Reid St., Palatka, Fla., was demolished June 2, 2024. Mount Tabor First Baptist Church, 913 Reid St., Palatka, Fla., was demolished June 2, 2024. Mount Tabor First Baptist Church, 913 Reid St., Palatka, Fla., was demolished June 2, 2024. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Image via Getty Images Arizonas Democratic governor has vetoed legislation that would have barred the Chinese government from owning land in the state. The GOP-backed measure banned the Peoples Republic of China including enterprises that are totally owned by the Chinese government and subdivisions of the Chinese government from having a substantial interest in Arizona property. The bill defines a substantial interest as a stake of 30% or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Janae Shamp, the Republican sponsor of Senate Bill 1109, said during a debate of the bill on Feb. 26 that it was aimed at protecting U.S. military bases from spying, and she alleged that has already happened in Arizona. The actual Chinese government, our enemy, was trying to lease buildings near the (Luke Air Force) base, Shamp said. (N)ot making sure that we are protecting our national security or our men and women on the ground here in Arizona is ludicrous to me. Reports about the Chinese government purchasing land near military bases in the U.S. has, in many cases, been misleading. Democrats in the state House of Representatives and Senate shared concerns that the original version of Shamps proposal was unconstitutional and that it would lead to discrimination in land sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A substantial amendment to the bill, passed through the House on May 6, allayed some of those concerns. The initial version of the bill banned certain people and businesses from countries designated as enemies of the United States by the director of national intelligence from owning land in Arizona. There were exceptions for small plots of residential land more than 50 miles away from a U.S. military installation. The amended version narrowed the ban to only the Chinese government and its subsidiaries. The Arizona House of Representatives approved the amended bill on May 7 by a vote of 41-17, with eight Democrats voting in favor alongside Republicans. The Arizona Senate gave its final approval of the bill by a vote of 17-11 along party lines on May 28. In her veto letter on June 2, Gov. Katie Hobbs wrote that protecting infrastructure was important. However, this legislation is ineffective at counter-espionage and does not directly protect our military assets, she said in the letter. Additionally, it lacks clear implementation criteria and opens the door to arbitrary enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the language of the bill, Shamp claimed that its protection of this states military, commercial and agricultural assets from foreign espionage and sabotage will place this state in a significantly stronger position to withstand national security threats. Far-right Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers, of Flagstaff, on May 28 said that she had sponsored a similar bill a few years ago and was perplexed when it was voted down on the Senate floor. (Rogers sponsored her legislation in 2022 and 2023. Neither bill received a vote by the full Senate.) I hope its not too late, Rogers said, before voting for Senate Bill 1109. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A Hollidaysburg man is facing charges after he allegedly led multiple police departments on a high speed chase and almost hit an officer head on while he was driving in the wrong lane. James Potts, 44, is facing over 40 charges after he allegedly led officers on a high-speed chase, according to a criminal complaint. On June 2, a Pennsylvania trooper received a call to respond to a pursuit in Vintondale Borough in Cambria County. Potts, who was driving a Ford Explorer with a utility trailer attached, had fled from police on Ben Franklin Highway. Philadelphia duo arrested in Altoona with drugs after foot chase Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint, while running from police, Pottss vehicle reached speeds up to 90 mph and drove into the other lanes multiple times. During the pursuit, a cruiser from the Nanty Glo Borough Police Department was damaged, and the chief of the Blacklick Township Police Department was almost struck and an officer with the Cambria Township Police Department sustained a hand injury that needed sutures. Potts eventually lost control of the vehicle and allegedly tried to flee from police into a nearby wooded area. However, he was arrested after a failed deployment of a stun gun or taser. This multi-jurisdictional high speed pursuit placed the lives of responding officers and the general public in danger, and occurred at high unsafe speeds in combination with reckless and careless driving, Troopers noted in the complaint. Potts is facing felony charges of aggravated assault, fleeing officers, criminal mischief and evading arrest. Hes also facing misdemeanor charges of simple assault, resisting arrest and recklessly endangering another person, along with multiple summary driving offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes in the Cambria County Prison with bail set at 10% of $600,000. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 10. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) June is Pride Month, a time when communities across western Massachusetts celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community. A ceremonial flag raising was held in Holyoke on Monday, where residents joined local and state leaders to honor the LGBTQ+ community. We celebrate pride because it was born in protest. Not in parades. Not in merchandise. But in defiance. Sparked by the brave black and brown trans women, Queer youth, and drag queenWho fought back at stonewall in 1969, proclaimed Devin Sheehan, Holyoke School Committee member, and National School Board Association President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where to celebrate Pride Month in western Massachusetts A colorful symbol of pride, protest, and inclusion now flies above Holyoke City Hall, a proud sign of the citys commitment to celebrate and uplift its LGBTQ+ community. Mayor Joshua Garcia proclaimed June as Pride Month in Holyoke Monday night, saying, We assure you that in Holyoke, you can be who you are because you belong. State and city leaders spoke on the importance of visibility and representation in a country that they say is more divided than ever. Juan Anderson Burgos with the Holyoke Pride Committee adds, You wear these colors and you stand up for those who feel like they cant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years celebration was more than just a flag raising, but a call to action to protect LGBTQ+ individuals, especially transgender youth. We are not going to let anybody in Washington tell us how we treat each other, adds State Rep. Patricia Duffy. House of Colors member and Youth speaker, Kaycee Valentin, adds, In this political climate, we need a lot of support. We are just trying to live our lives. Keynote speaker Marybel Delgado, Founder of Transcending Beyond, spoke on her journey as the mother of a transgender child and the need for safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. Delgado said, Its about being protected, its about being valued. Its about being free. So let this flag be a beacon to every person questioning their worth. You are powerful. The city of Holyoke, strengthened by its diversity, equality, and hope. 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. The Trump administration has been turning to DNA technology to help find and arrest immigrants, including children, but immigration advocates say it has been slow to spell out how it's using and overseeing the genetic information. Three groups sued the Department of Homeland Security on Monday after trying to get records about the data collection program since last summer, during the Biden administration. The plaintiffs are the Georgetown Law Center on Privacy & Technology, part of the Georgetown University Law School that focuses on privacy and surveillance law and policy; the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights and Americans for Immigrant Justice, both immigrant rights groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups describe in their lawsuit their back-and-forth with DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection since they originally requested information about their DNA collection from noncitizens on Aug. 1, 2024. Since 2020, DHS has expanded its DNA collection program and increased DNA contributions to the FBI's database, CODIS, by 5,000%, becoming the largest contributor, according to the Georgetown center. The DNA database of the FBI can be accessed by police across the country for criminal investigations, the plaintiff groups said in a statement. Stevie Glaberson, director of research and advocacy at the Georgetown center, said in a statement that DHS is expanding its database by "collecting DNA from people accused of no crime and while operating with none of the constraints that are supposed to be in place before the government compels someone to give over their most sensitive personal information." He said Americans deserve more visibility on the program and said DHS's lack of transparency is unacceptable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Daniel Melo, senior staff attorney with Amica's Immigration Impact Lab, told NBC News that previous administrations have also collected DNA. A 2005 law mandated federal agencies collect DNA from people in custody, including noncitizens. Prior to 2020, the Justice Department had told DHS that its immigration enforcement and border agents did not have to routinely collect DNA from every noncitizen it detained, Melo said. The Biden administration adopted rules requiring full compliance with the 2005 law, but whistleblowers and a government watchdog complained compliance was uneven. The "Securing Our Borders" executive order signed by President Donald Trump requires the attorney general and the DHS to fulfill requirements on DNA collection from noncitizens mandated in the 2005 law. 'Sweeps in information about everyone' Privacy and civil rights groups have long had issues with the government's DNA collection program. Melo said the public should be concerned whether people are being advised of their rights and how the information is being collected and used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This information could tentatively be used in all sorts of ways to map full communities, to basically build a more intricate web of surveillance around noncitizen communities," Melo said. He said if DHS can continue to collect the DNA of noncitizens, essentially "experimenting" on them, "then they are able to refine these technologies and deploy them in new and interesting and probably really dangerous and scary ways on the rest of us." Emily Tucker, the Georgetown center's executive director, said in a statement that "it is a mistake to think of DHS' DNA collection program as 'immigration enforcement.'" "Trump is using immigration powers to justify the activities of his militarized federal police force because there is so little institutional or judicial oversight or accountability for executive enforcement actions that invoke immigration authority," she said in a statement. "This program is one part of a massive surveillance dragnet that sweeps in information about everyone. They will use it for deportation, but they will also use it to intimidate, silence, and target anyone they perceive as the enemy. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com UPDATE: WGN News has uncovered more details into the alleged murder. Original story: WILL COUNTY, Ill. The parents of a two-year-old girl who died under suspicious circumstances inside their Will County home in 2024 have been charged with first-degree murder. Police in Will County were called to the home of 49-year-old Edward Weiher and 28-year-old Alexa Balen, located in the 2200 block of West Thorn Apple Drive, just after 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2024, on reports of an unresponsive child and a possible carbon monoxide leak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When deputies arrived on the scene, they found Weiher, who owns the home, performing chest compressions on two-year-old Trinity Balen-Weiher on an ottoman in the living room. Balen and her six-year-old daughter were also inside the home. Edward Weiher (L) and Alexa Balen (R) During the initial investigation, deputies say they spotted garbage, rotten food, soiled diapers and clothing, medical waste and evidence of significant drug use. Nine grams of heroin were found in the home, within reach of both children, police say. 21 Xanax pills were also on a bedroom floor and multiple doses of Narcan were located near the ottoman where the child was when police arrived. Trinity Balen-Weiher was taken to Silver Cross Hospital, where she died the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homer Township Fire personnel and Nicor Gas confirmed there was no gas leak at the residence. Balens six-year-old daughter was placed in protective custody and later released to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). According to the Will County Sheriffs Office, both Weiher and Balen made incriminating statements during interviews. They were arrested on initial felony charges and later released. However, an autopsy conducted by the Will County coroner shows new evidence that supports first-degree murder charges. Weiher and Balen appeared in court and were indicted on the new charges Monday. They have been released under pretrial conditions per the Illinois Safe-T Act. 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. PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) A Honduran man has been arrested after he allegedly crashed into a barricade outside of Naval Air Station Pensacola. UPDATE: Victim in deadly Saenger Theatre shooting identified According to a news release from the Northern District of Florida United States Attorneys Office, Orly Moises Garcia Hernandez, 34, has been charged in federal court with illegally entering a military, naval, or Coast Guard property and resisting or impeding arrest by a federal officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, Garcia Hernandez crashed into a barricade outside a NAS Pensacola checkpoint gate May 25 before running from military officials in an attempt to escape. The U.S. Attorneys Offices release said Garcia Herenandez was caught at gunpoint after being chased on foot. He now faces up to 18 months in prison and being deported from the United States. Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Navy conducted a joint investigation. Mobile police identify man killed by officers Saturday Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. By James Pomfret and Clare Jim HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong's leader said on Tuesday that China's recent removal of its top representative in the city, known for his hardline policies on national security, had been a "normal" personnel change. In a surprise development, China announced late on Friday that Zheng Yanxiong, the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong - Beijing's main representative office in the city with powerful oversight over local affairs - had been "removed" from his post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was replaced by Zhou Ji, a senior official with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office on the State Council. Zheng, who played a key role in the crackdown on Hong Kong's democratic movement in recent years, was also stripped of his role as China's national security adviser on a committee overseeing national security in Hong Kong. No explanation by Beijing or Chinese state media was given for the change. According to a person with knowledge of the matter, Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison's proposed sale of its global port network to a consortium initially led by U.S. firm Blackrock had caught senior Chinese leaders "by surprise" as they had not been informed beforehand and Zheng was partly blamed for that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person, who has spoken with the liaison office, declined to be identified as the discussions were confidential. The Liaison Office gave no immediate response to faxed questions from Reuters. Zheng had served in the post since January 2023 and while the position has no fixed term, his tenure was shorter than predecessors including Luo Huining and Zhang Xiaoming. "The change of the Liaison office director is I believe, as with all changes of officials, very normal," Lee told reporters during a weekly briefing, without being drawn on reasons for the reshuffle. "Director Zheng has spent around 5 years (in Hong Kong). Hong Kong was going through a transition period of chaos to order," Lee said, referring to the months-long pro-democracy protests that erupted across Hong Kong in 2019 while adding that he looked forward to working with Zhou. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CK Hutchison's ports deal has been criticised in Chinese state media as "betraying" China's interests and bowing to U.S. political pressure. The conglomerate, controlled by tycoon Li Ka-shing, agreed in March to sell the majority of its $22.8 billion global ports business, including assets along the strategically significant Panama Canal, to the consortium. The consortium is now being led by another member - Terminal Investment Limited, which is majority-owned by Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte's family-run MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. The deal is still being negotiated. Asked whether Zheng's removal reflected a pivot by Beijing towards economic development from national security, Lee said Hong Kong still needed to pursue both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hong Kong faces a stage where development and safety must be addressed at the same time because any development must have a safe environment." China promulgated a powerful national security law in 2020, arresting scores of opposition democrats and activists, shuttering liberal media outlets and civil society groups and punishing free speech with sedition - moves that have drawn international criticism. (Reporting by James Pomfret and Clare Jim; Additional reporting by Jessie Pang; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) Geely has been met with resistance from investors regarding its $2.2bn take-private bid for its electric car unit, Zeekr, reported Reuters. Early investors, including Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), Intel Capital, and Boyu Capital, have expressed concerns that the offer does not reflect Zeekr's fair value. The investors, who participated in Zeekr's initial fundraising, have voiced their dissatisfaction through two letters to the company's board and a special committee. They argue that the privatisation price is too low, with the first letter stating that it values Zeekr at only $6.5bn, significantly less than its peers such as Li Auto and Xpeng. Geely, known for purchasing international brands like Volvo and Proton, announced its intention to fully integrate Zeekr into Geely Auto on 7 May. This move came as a surprise, especially since Zeekr went public in the US just a year prior. The bid has also raised speculation about the future of other Geely units poised for Hong Kong listings, such as CaoCao, and the possibility of delisting US-listed units like Polestar. Geely Auto, which holds approximately two-thirds of Zeekr, and Zeekr itself fall under the Geely Holding umbrella, chaired by Geely founder Eric Li. A Geely spokesperson stated that discussions with Zeekr's special committee are in progress, while Zeekr, CATL, Intel Capital, Boyu Capital, and Cathay Fortune have not commented. Bilibili, another investor, declined to comment. The offer, as per Geely Auto's filing, is non-binding, with a binding agreement contingent on the execution of definitive agreements and their terms and conditions. Eric Li's strategy has shifted from aggressive acquisitions to streamlining operations and reducing costs amidst intense competition in China's auto market. Zeekr has emerged as an asset for Geely, with sales reaching 41,403 units in the first quarter, a 25% increase year-on-year, surpassing BYD's premium brand Denza. The investors have urged that any privatisation deal should gain the approval of the majority of "independent minority" shareholders. The five investors were part of Zeekr's first external fundraising round in 2021, valuing the company at $9bn, and held a combined 6% stake. A later round in 2023 valued Zeekr at $13bn, but its public valuation dropped to $5.5bn. Y2 Capital, another investor, has also reportedly sent a letter echoing these concerns. Geely's offer of $25.66 per American Depository Share of Zeekr is a 24% premium over the average share price before the announcement, below the average US take-private deal premium of 40% since 2023. STAR-ADVERTISER / SEPT. 1 Honolulu Police Chief Arthur Joe Logan. STAR-ADVERTISER / SEPT. 1 Honolulu Police Chief Arthur Joe Logan. Arthur Joe Logan is retiring as the 12th chief of the Honolulu Police Department on June 30. Logan, a former adjutant general of the Hawaii National Guard, was selected by the Honolulu Police Commission Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi accepted Logans resignation this afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blangiardi said today that he is strongly recommending that Logan be replaced by former HPD Maj. Ben Moszkowicz, who currently serves as chief of the Hawaii Police Department, as an interim chief. The Honolulu Police Commission will choose a permanent replacement. In a statement, Logan called his time leading the department an honor and a privilege. Over the last three years, crime has gone down ; and we have made significant progress in moving the HPD forward. This would not be possible without the hard work, commitment, and creativity of our officers and civilian employees. Your dedication to serving and protecting the people of O ahu is inspiring and unequaled, said Logan. And so, it is with a heavy heart and to avoid distracting from the HPDs important work, I will be retiring at the end of this month. Logan said leading a large police department is tough and demanding, and requires constant balancing of competing needs and wants from all sectors of the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting the job done is only made possible with the support of many, Logan said. I would like to thank our sworn and civilian employees for all that they do, every day, and often while under pressure. The community needs you. Please keep up the outstanding work. He thanked the members of the Honolulu Police Commission for their trust and support and the people, community organizations, and law enforcement agencies which work closely with the HPD. Lastly, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to my wife, Gaylene, and our family for their support over my decades of public service, said Logan. Thank you for your love and sacrifice. I could not have done it without you. It took nearly a year to hire Logan who was selected with a unanimous vote by the commission. Logan was selected from four finalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other three were Moszkowicz ; then-HPD Maj. Mike Lambert, now director of the state Department of Law Enforcement ; and retired New Jersey State Police Lt. Col. Scott Ebner. The grandson of a New York City police officer who has two brothers who served in the department, Logan joined HPD in 1982. He served as a patrol officer, narcotics /vice officer and solo bike officer before being promoted to sergeant and was assigned as a detective in the robbery detail. He went on to lead the 2, 000-member Hawaii National Guard with an annual budget of $200 million. Logan worked as a criminal investigator with the state Attorney Generals Office prior to taking command of HPD. Robert Cavaco, president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, said in statement, Over the last three years, officer vacancies at the Honolulu Police Department have surged 42 % and continue to climb. We are struggling to retain officers, and currently have 228 officers eligible for retirement. HPD has faced these challenges without a plan and without urgency for three years. We need bold and immediate action to turn the tide, and the change in leadership provides us with that opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 62 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . RELATED PHOTO GALLERY The Honolulu Police Department is looking for its fourth police chief in eight years after Arthur Joe Logan decided to retire June 30. Logans departure was announced Monday by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who recommended Hawaii Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz to serve as interim chief starting July 16. Moszkowicz, a former major with HPD, was one of four finalists for chief when May 23, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moszkowicz served 22 years with HPD before becoming chief on Hawaii island. My strong recommendation is that Ben Moszkowicz take over the role of interim chief while we go about the task of looking for a chief, the mayor said Monday during a news conference, noting that commissioners were aware of his plans for some time. Blangiardi said he spoke with Moszkowicz and Hawaii Mayor Kimo Alameda about the possible police leadership transition. Moszkowicz told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that it is an honor to be considered for the position by Blangiardi as HPDs interim chief. Until the Honolulu Police Commission has a chance to meet and consider I remain focused on leading the women and men of the Hawaii Police Department, said Moszkowicz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police commissioners, appointed by the mayor, hold the authority to hire, evaluate and, if necessary, terminate the chief. In a statement Monday, Chair Kenneth Silva said commissioners received and accepted the resignation of Logan. Silva lauded Logan for taking the job after a period of significant upheaval and noted he worked hard to restore public trust in the Hono lulu Police Department. In addition to seeing violent crimes decrease across his tenure, he sought to bring stability to the department and always conducted himself with honesty and decency. We thank him for his service in helping to keep our community safe, Silva said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioners appreciate the Mayors indication of his preference for interim chief and his personal acknowledgment that the selection of interim chief will be made by the Honolulu Police Commission. We encourage nominations and self-nominations by anyone qualified and interested in the interim position, through submission of a cover letter and resume to the Honolulu Police Commission, Silva said. The search for a permanent chief will commence as soon as the Commission is able to do so. Blangiardi announced Logans resignation at a 4 p.m. news conference in his office Monday. After considerable discussionits been ongoing for some time nowJoe has decided to retire, and so I have accepted his letter of resignation effective June 30th, Blangiardi said Monday afternoon during a news conference at Honolulu Hale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Logans departure might seem sudden but had been in discussion for quite some time, Blangiardi said. The conversation between the two men became very focused and very pointed as recently as last week, according to the mayor. We had to get to a place where we both agreed that this was the best thing for the department going forward, Blangiardi said. When asked about specific internal issues that may have led to Logans departure, Blangiardi declined to elaborate. He described the decision as an amicable separation, saying the two wished each other well and would continue to be friends, emphasizing that it was not hostile. Logan, in a statement, did not mention Blangiardi, and called his time leading the department an honor and a privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last three years, crime has gone down ; and we have made significant progress in moving the HPD forward. This would not be possible without the hard work, commitment, and creativity of our officers and civilian employees. Your dedication to serving and protecting the people of Oahu is inspiring and unequaled, Logan said. And so, it is with a heavy heart and to avoid distracting from the HPDs important work, I will be retiring at the end of this month. Logan said leading a large police department is tough and demanding and requires constant balancing of competing needs and wants from all sectors of the community. Blangiardi and Logan publicly clashed during his three-year tenure over the issue of police transparency. High-profile public-safety incidents like the 2024 News Years Day-long police pursuit and shootouts with an attempted murder suspect that was not disclosed until the suspect was dead and two officers were shot prompted the mayor to say to communicate with the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blangiardi demands that city department heads communicate their work and operations consistently with the public and respond in real time to inquiries in an era where social media users document incidents in real time. HPD is the only city first responder agency that does not have an after-hours and weekend contact for news media. Logan, who put police highlights, real-time data about arrests and offense information online and on social media for the first time, believed a balance is needed between gathering the information needed to investigate and secure a scene and informing the public. Logan also launched a page on HPDs website that lists most active police cases and is automatically updated every 15 minutes. The site includes a one-or two-word description of the incident type, date, time, neighborhood and address, with the exact location redacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Council Chair Tommy Waters told the Star-Advertiser that the role of the police chief is one of the most complex and demanding in public service, especially during a time when transparency and trust are essential for effective policing. On May 28, Waters introduced Bill 46 requiring the police chief to develop and implement a strategic plan and internal procedures for the release of certain information to the media and public. It also requires that HPD provide local media outlets with access to HPDs dispatch radio communications, which were cut off after a system upgrade in 2021. The Council has consistently emphasized the importance of fostering open dialogue, enhancing public communication, and undertaking the challenging yet vital task of rebuilding trust between the Honolulu Police Department and the community it serves, Waters said. With the announcement of Chief Logans retirement, we express our gratitude for his service and remain committed to ensuring that the departments next chapter is characterized by openness, accountability, and the shared goal of creating a safer, more connected community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Logan thanked HPDs sworn and civilian employees for all that they do, every day, and often while under pressure. The community needs you. Please keep up the outstanding work, Logan said. He thanked the members of the Honolulu Police Commission for their trust and support, and the people, community organizations and law enforcement agencies that work closely with the HPD. Lastly, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to my wife, Gaylene, and our family for their support over my dec ades of public service, Logan said. Thank you for your love and sacrifice. I could not have done it without you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took nearly a year to hire Logan after then-Chief Susan Ballard abruptly retired following a critical performance appraisal from the commission. Ballard was selected by the police commission as Honolulus first female police chief on Oct. 25, 2017, in the aftermath of the federal investigation that led to the conviction of former Chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecuting attorney wife, Katherine. Blangiardi also said he will urge the commission to expedite the search for a permanent leader. Logan was selected with a unanimous vote by the commission and was selected from four finalists. The other three were Moszkowicz ; then-HPD Maj. Mike Lambert, now director of the state Department of Law Enforcement ; and retired New Jersey State Police Lt. Col. Scott Ebner. The grandson of a New York City police officer who has two brothers who served in the department, Logan joined HPD in 1982. He served as a patrol officer, narcotics /vice officer and solo bike officer before being promoted to sergeant, and was assigned as a detective in the robbery detail. He went on to lead the 2, 000-member Hawaii National Guard with an annual budget of $200 million. Logan worked as a criminal investigator with the state Attorney Generals Office prior to taking command of HPD. Police union officials used news of Logans plan to retire to highlight the nationwide plight of police departments trying to recruit officers. HPD vacancies have surged 42 % and continue to climb, according to the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. In April 2024, SHOPO urged HPD leadership to address a shortage of 437 officers that leaves areas of Oahu with limited to no coverage several days a week. With 1 out of every 5 police officer positions unfilled, 911 response times are delayed, and detectives are forced to manage heavy caseloads, SHOPO has maintained. In HPDs 2024 annual report, the department highlighted recruitment efforts like the January 2024 reestablishment of the Police Services Officer Program, which gave interim employment to people interested in joining HPD but who are working on meeting all the requirements. Logan also started the Pathways Internship Program for college students scheduled to graduate and who want to join HPD. Over the past three years, officer vacancies at the Hono lulu Police Department have surged 42 % and continue to climb, according to a statement from the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. We are struggling to retain officers, and currently have 228 officers eligible for retirement. HPD has faced these challenges without a plan and without urgency for three years, said SHOPO President Robert Cavaco, an HPD lieutenant. We need bold and immediate action to turn the tide, and the change in leadership provides us with that opportunity. SHOPO is optimistic about the Honolulu Police Departments future. HPD is fortunate to be staffed with talented and hardworking police officers who are dedicated to making Oahu a safer place for everyone. In order for us to keep doing that, we must solve our retention problem now. We look forward to working with the Mayor, City Council, and HPD leadership on getting that done as soon as possible. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge replacement project is seeing progress after Washington approved additional funding to replace the 100-year-old bridge, with eyes on Oregon to match funds. In a late May press release, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority lauded Washington state lawmakers who committed another $50 million to the project, which was signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson on May 21. The $50 million from the Evergreen State adds to the states previous commitment of $75 million in 2023 for a total of $125 million dedicated to building a safer bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Something was not right: Oregon Coast safari park received complaints for nearly a decade We deeply appreciate the strong backing from lawmakers in Olympia, especially Senator Curtis King, whose long-standing commitment to this project has been instrumental, said HRWSBA Co-Chair Jacob Anderson. Were also thankful for the leadership and advocacy of Senator Paul Harris, Representative David Stuebe, and Representative Kevin Waters, and statewide leaders on transportation policy like Senator Marko Liias, Representative Jake Fey, and Representative Andrew Barkis. This funding shows that Washington is stepping up for this critical bi-state connection and the communities that rely on it, continued Anderson. With Oregon matching that commitment, both states can send a unified message to federal partners: this project is a priority, and were ready to deliver. As Washingtons legislative session has come to an end, the authority is now eyeing Oregon House Bill 2184, which would allocate $105 million to the project and would help the state match Washingtons financial commitments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CC Slaughters, one of Portlands oldest LGBTQ+ bars, to close for good in August Led by Oregon Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) and Rep. Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River), the bill passed the Joint Committee on Transportation in April and is now being considered in the Ways and Means Committee. In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Rep. Helfrich said, This bridge is absolutely vital to the economic health of the communities on both sides of the river, which is exactly why were working so hard to secure this funding. This represents the third leg of the stool we have federal support, we have Washingtons commitment, and now Oregon needs to do her part to make this critical infrastructure project a reality. Government coordination isnt always easy, but when we unite for a common purpose, we can deliver transformative projects that uplift our communities. Im committed to advocating for Oregons contribution to ensure the Hood River Bridge continues to drive prosperity for generations to come. In the meantime, the bridge authority is urging Oregon lawmakers to pass the funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We truly appreciate the great support from Senator Bonham and Representative Helfrich, and applaud the Transportation Committee for their support, especially committee co-chairs Representative Susan McLain and Senator Chris Gorsek, said Mike Fox, HRWSBA co-chair. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics Time is of the essence, continued Fox. Construction costs are rising and demands on our transportation system are growing. Our local communities and broader region rely on this crossing every day. The new Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will only get built on time and within budget with all partners contributing their share. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an April 1 Joint Committee on Transportation hearing in the Oregon legislature, Rep. Helfrich described the bill as a critical lifeline for our bi-state communities. The state representative also highlighted his previous service as a police officer for 25 years, explaining that a new bridge would be a vital link in emergencies such as wildfires or earthquakes or other life-and-death situations. Candlelight vigil marks 15th anniversary of Kyron Hormans disappearance The time to act and build this new bridge is now, Helfrich urged the committee, noting further federal funds for the project hinges on Oregon committing the funds to the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In written testimony, submitted to the transportation committee, HRWSBA Co-chair Fox detailed the need for a new bridge, telling committee members, Most of you have crossed the old bridge yourselvesperhaps gripping the wheel a little tighter as a semi passes just inches away in the opposite lane. Youve seen firsthand the condition of the bridge, which was built in 1924 for cattle and Model Tsnot for the demands of todays traffic, commerce, or safety standards. The current bridge is too narrow, with no shoulders or space for emergency vehicles, let alone bikes and pedestrians. At just 9 feet per lane, trucks routinely straddle the centerline. Its weight-restricted, unable to handle modern freight, and poses growing safety and mobility risks. Weve long known it wasnt built to withstand a major earthquakebut recent geotechnical surveys revealed that many of its foundations arent even anchored to bedrock. Instead, they rest in compacted gravel now known to be vulnerable to liquefaction. Out of a score of 100, ODOTs sufficiency rating for this bridge is a 7, Fox stated. According to the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project website, the new bridge design aims to address concerns over river navigation for vessels, while improving vehicle, pedestrian, bike and transit access. The design features a 12-foot lane in each direction with eight-foot shoulders, a 12-foot walking and biking path, more space for barges, earthquake safety improvements and improvements to eliminate direct runoff from vehicles from entering the Columbia River. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 19-year-old man was arrested after assaulting several people during an argument last Tuesday, May 27, in Horizon, according to the Horizon City Police Department. Police say at around 11:30 a.m. that Tuesday, officers responded to a report of an assault in progress at the 680 block of Danube in Horizon. Once officers arrived, they met with the victims who reported that Aaron Jaurrieta had physically assaulted them during an argument, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police did not say how many people were assaulted. Jaurrieta was arrested and charged with assault causing bodily injury and was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $3,000 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. LANSING, (Mich.) WLNS Jewish people across America continue to react to an attack on demonstrators in Colorado calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, which injured 12 people. This includes many in Mid-Michigan, who are concerned with what they call a pattern of antisemitic rhetoric. What we know about the man charged in the attack in Boulder, Colorado Matthew Zivian, a Jewish East Lansing resident and a recent Michigan State graduate, says attacks like this hit close to home. He described Jews across the country as one big connected community. Matthew Zivian. (WLNS) He said hes seen antisemitic slogans and phrasing right here in East Lansing, and worries that if an attack like this can happen in Colorado, it can happen here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jews in Mid-Michigan want to see anti-Semitic phrases being publicly called out. Zivian worries that if anti-Semitic hate speech goes unchecked, it will lead to violence. 4 additional victims identified in Boulder attack, bringing number of injured to 12 Its a trend that weve seen all throughout history. So when it happens here, its horrifying, and terrible, and disgusting, but its no shock, says Zivian. You need to call out antisemitism when you see it and listen to your Jewish friends who are saying, what I am seeing is making me uncomfortable,' said Zivian. Zivian said he has no choice but to stay optimistic that, in the future, these acts of violence against the Jewish community will stop. 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 WLNS 6 News. HOT SPRINGS, Ark. AI Massage in Hot Springs is under investigation by the Attorney Generals Office for alleged prostitution and human trafficking. People who live and work in Hot Springs, like Hannah and Cole Carey, said they cant believe something like this was happening in their city. Its really just shocking to me that its so close to home, Hannah Carey said. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announces organized retail crime bust & human trafficking investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said a May 22 raid on AI Massage on Central Avenue stemmed from information gathered during previous investigations into other massage parlors busted for illicit sexual activity. According to Griffin, three Chinese nationals were identified as victims and are now receiving support services. One woman told investigators she responded to an online job ad in China and did not know she would be doing sex work. It kind of hits you hard, just makes you feel bad for them, thinking about what else they went through, Cole Carey said. Griffin said investigators uncovered evidence pointing to sexual activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illicit sexual activity, prostitution going on in these massage parlors. We not only talked to the victims to confirm it, there were about 100 condoms there, which normally would not be at a spa, Griffin said, There was what we believe to be a home remedy used to treat sexually transmitted infections, also implying that sexual activity is going on. Authorities also recovered $22,000 in American cash along with some foreign currency. Griffin said no arrests have been made yet because the individuals believed to be running the operation were not there during the raid. However, he said law enforcement is following every lead. Im grateful to law enforcement who have been on top of this and trying to get to the bottom of it, said Tina Haney, another Hot Springs local. Its disappointing to have this going on right under our noses and not even realize it. Arkansas Attorney General announces grant to combat human trafficking in Arkansas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The massage parlor under investigation is open today. KARK 4 News went there to ask for a comment, but the people there said their boss wasnt there and declined to comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Throughout Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal trial, attorneys on both sides have referenced the infamous 2016 hotel video of him allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, numerous times. During the third week of testimony, a security guard from the InterContinental hotel testified that Diddy allegedly paid him $100,000 to delete footage of the video and also made him sign a non-disclosure agreement, which included a $1 million fine if the contract were breached. A Hotel Security Guard Claims Diddy And His Employees Hunted Him Down For The Footage Of The Cassie Assault MEGA Eddy Garcia, a hotel security supervisor who testified he was making $10.50 an hour at the time of the March 5, 2016, assault, claimed Diddy and his employees aggressively pursued him to ensure the footage of the Cassie assault could go away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the stand, Garcia told the court that on the day of the assault, he received a phone call from Kristina Khorram, an employee of the rapper and reality TV star, who allegedly asked to obtain a copy of the video. Garcia reportedly told Khorram no, but he testified that she continued to pursue him. Eventually, Garcia stated that he received another call from Khorram, who then put Diddy on the phone. Garcia told the court Diddy sounded nervous, and the rapper attributed his behavior to consuming too much alcohol. Garcia also claimed that Diddy said the video would ruin his career if it ever got out, ultimately leading to an alleged hefty transaction. Garcia's Boss Agreed To Sell The Video For $50,000 X | Kanye West Garcia testified that he told Diddy and Khorram that he was unable to assist them because he didn't have access to the room where the original video server was housed. It was then, Garcia stated, that Diddy allegedly told him he would take care of him, which Garcia assumed meant financially. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia told the court he then contacted his supervisor, who reportedly decided to sell the footage for $50,000. He further stated that he met Diddy and Khorram at an address in California and provided them with a flash drive containing the footage. Garcia recalled telling Diddy that he was nervous he would somehow be implicated; however, Diddy allegedly calmed his fears by video chatting Cassie, who also confirmed that she wanted the video "to go away." Garcia testified that he handed over what he believed was the only existing copy of the video to Diddy and also signed a non-disclosure agreement that included a $1 million fine for any breach of the contract. After that, Garcia said Diddy brought him $100,000 in a brown bag, which he believed was to be divided among his supervisor and another security guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia testified that Diddy allegedly told him not to make any big purchases, as it would appear suspicious, before Garcia later told the court that he had bought a used car for $30,000. Cassie's Husband Broke His Silence On Diddy's Alleged Actions ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA After Cassie, who dated Diddy from 2008 to 2018, concluded her testimony in May 2025, her husband, Alex Fine, released a moving statement praising her bravery and strength on the witness stand. "Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence, and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her," he said. "All I have done is love her as she has loved me. Her life is now surrounded by love, laughter, and our family. This horrific chapter is forever put behind us," he stated, adding that he and Cassie were looking forward to their privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an Instagram post from May 2024, Fine shared a similar statement in honor of "women and children." He wrote: "Men who hit women aren't men. Men who enable it and protect those people aren't men." "Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives should feel protected and loved," he added. "Hold the women in your life with the [utmost] regard. Men who hurt women hate women." Former Escort Speaks Out About Alleged 'Freak Offs' Instagram | Shawn Dearing On June 3, Shawn Dearing, identified as a former escort who was allegedly hired a "dozen" times by Diddy, broke his silence on the rapper's trial and recalled his experience with Cassie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dearing, 37, who reportedly worked for a site called Cowboys4Angels, explained that after prosecutors released his photo during the trial, he decided to speak out to lend "some credence" to Cassie's story. "I don't seek attention. I don't want to go out there and make it seem like I'm trying to get my name known off of this experience," he said. Dearing Gets Emotional Thinking About Cassie Marlon Reid / MEGA Then, Dearing became emotional as he spoke about his alleged interactions with Cassie. "She was so uplifting the kindest and most respectful person," he said. "She was genuine throughout the whole experience." "You got me tearing up!" Dearing added. "I want what's best for her, honestly, because she she's a bad-ss lady, man. She's awesome. So I want her respect first and foremost." (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/NJ Monitor) The North Carolina House Judiciary 2 Committee voted 6-5 along party lines Tuesday to pass a bill to allow the permitless carry of concealed firearms, one of the most controversial topics of the current legislative session. Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, would allow individuals who are U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age, and not otherwise prohibited by law, to carry concealed weapons without applying for a permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its backed by Republican leadership and would make North Carolina the 30th state to approve of so-called constitutional carry. Having previously cleared the Senate, the bill now proceeds to the House Rules Committee for further consideration. House Minority Leader Robert Reives II (Photo: NCGA) Though the Judiciary 2 Committee has only 10 members six Republicans and four Democrats House Minority Leader Robert Reives II (D-Chatham, Randolph) took the unusual step of using his position as a committee floater to attend the meeting and narrow the margin. Nine states have allowed constitutional carry at age 18, North Carolina would be the 10th that this bill became law, primary sponsor Rep. Danny Britt (R-Hoke, Robeson, Scotland) said. Sen. Danny Britt (Photo: NCGA) One amendment to the legislation increases the public safety employee death benefit to $150,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another calls for the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to develop a scholarship program for any child of a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or first responder who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. These scholarships would be available for children between the ages of 17 and 28. The bill received opposition from a several lawmakers and members of the public. Only one person testified in favor of the bill: Ken Stallings from Grassroots North Carolina. Rep. Ya Liu (Photo: NCGA) Rep. Ya Liu (D-Wake) is the mother of two teenagers. She said theres a huge difference between individuals at the age of 18 and 21. At schools, students like Lius son conduct drills for active shooter and lockdown situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our children are scared, Liu said. We shouldnt accept it as a way of life, that they have to live with this. Rep. Laura Budd (D-Mecklenburg) said this morning she told her 15-year-old son on the way to school that SB 50 was on the committee hearing docket today. He was shocked that an 18-year-old at his high school, potentially his classmate, would be allowed to buy a gun, according to Budd. She added that 18-year-olds in the United States cant drink a beer or rent a car. But yet, when it comes to something as a lethal as a gun we want to lower the age and remove more restrictions, Budd said, pointing out the irony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anne Enberg, a local legislative leader for Moms Demand Action, said bills like SB 50 wont make communities safer. Enberg brought up a poll conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety in September that found 77% percent of likely North Carolina voters were against removing permit requirements from concealed carry laws. We should be looking for solutions that make us safer, not bills that would push crime and public safetys staff in the wrong direction, she said. John Vanmeter-Kirk is a rising second-year student at North Carolina State University, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, and a lifelong Raleigh resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he was speaking in front of the committee because SB 50 would put his home and community in danger. On Sunday, Vanmeter-Kirk noted, two North Carolina communities experienced mass shootings: one in Hickory and one in Asheville. Two innocent North Carolinians are dead, numerous injured, my community torn apart by senseless gun violence that couldve been prevented, Vanmeter-Kirk said. Even after two North Carolinians are dead, youre considering this incredibly dangerous bill that will only lead to the loss of more North Carolinians, dishonoring the memory of those we lost two days ago. This story has been updated. ST. LOUIS (AP) Near the end of This House, a heart-wrenching opera given its world premiere last weekend, the matriarch Ida poignantly intones messages to her family on stage and to the audience. History's the only thing to survive, soprano Adrienne Danrich sings before adding: You may have left us, but we will never leave you. A rumination on love, aspiration, coping and the unyielding weight of the past, the roughly two-hour work that opened Saturday night at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis mixes the living and ghosts ambiguously in a Harlem brownstone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ricky Ian Gordon's lush score brings to vivid life a libretto by Lynn Nottage and her daughter Ruby Aiyo Gerber, weaving impacts of the Civil War, Great Migration, Black Power movement, AIDS crisis and gentrification. There are five more performances through June 29. I just wanted to be able to tell all of these really important moments in Black history, Gerber said, but as they relate to one family up into the current moment, so that there is not this erasure as if the past was the past, which I think increasingly now, especially as we see more and more censorship of Black history, is kind of this pervasive narrative. Writing began when Gerber was a college senior Now 27, Gerber started This House as a play in 2020 during her senior year at Brown while the coronavirus pandemic unfolded. Her mother, the only woman to win a pair of Pulitzer Prizes for drama, for Ruined and Sweat, suggested Gerber adapt it with her into an opera composed by Gordon, Nottage's partner on Intimate Apparel at Lincoln Center Theater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opera Theater of St. Louis commissioned This House for its 50th anniversary festival season as its 45th world premiere. Equal parts a family drama, a ghost story and a meditation on inheritance and memory, company general director Andrew Jorgensen said. Ideas were exchanged when Gordon, Nottage and Gerber met at a Providence, Rhode Island, hotel. Among the changes, an escapist duet the librettists centered around Barcelona was changed to Valencia so as not to be similar to Stephen Sondheim's Company. Being a mother-daughter you can be so honest, Gerber said, recalling her mom telling her of one flowery passage: Thats corny and I dont think it works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nottage still lives in the Brooklyn parlor house where Gerber grew up. We have different muscles. Im someone that comes from the playwriting world, Nottage said. Rubys comfort zone is really poetry and language. and so I thought that between the two of us, we could divide and conquer in some ways. Opera is set in Harlem brownstone In the resulting story, a house at 336 Convent Ave. was bought in 1919 by Minus Walker, a sharecropper's son. Zoe, a present-day investment banker (soprano Briana Hunter), and husband Glenn (tenor Brad Bickhardt) mull whether to move back to the house and subdivide the property. Zoe's brother, poetic painter Lindon (baritone Justin Austin), doesn't want to leave the house. and his lover Thomas (bass-baritone Christian Pursell) suggests they travel to Spain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter tapped into anxiety, fear, pain and grief to portray Zoe. She's an ambitious woman, and she has been through a lot of really horrible, traumatic events through her family, Hunter said. I understand the desire to kind of escape that. Shes kind of a classic case of you cant avoid things forever. Eight of the 10 characters are Black. There's a love triangle, pregnancies and surprise deaths. The house itself sings in 12-tone chords. Ida's Uncle Percy (tenor Victor Ryan Robertson) is a numbers runner who jolts the first act with an aria Drink Up! Sportin Life on steroids, Gordon said, referring to the dope dealer in The Gershwins Porgy and Bess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all are haunted by our past, and we all are haunted by our ghosts, Gordon said. The question of living ones life is how does one reconcile the past and go on? How do you move into a future unbridled and free enough to be liberated and not imprisoned by the past? Conductor has a penchant for contemporary works Daniela Candillari led her third world premiere in less than two years after Jeanine Tesoris Grounded at the Washington National Opera and Rene Orths 10 Days in a Madhouse at Opera Philadelphia. Gordon originally envisioned the orchestra as chamber sized to hold down expenses, but Candillari pushed to add instruments. Conducting this is different from leading Verdi or Puccini. You can have two conductors read the score in a very different way, she said. Having that direct source. a living composer who can tell you: This is what I heard and this is how I meant it and this is what this needs to be, thats incredibly invaluable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forty-eight players from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra were in the deep pit at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, a venue with a thrust stage and difficult acoustics. James Robinson, the company's former artistic director, returned to direct the performances and is likely to bring the staging to Seattle Opera, where he became general and artistic director in September 2024. It is kind of a ghost story, and I think thats the most important thing, knowing that were able to bounce back and forth between time periods efficiently, he said. For Danrich, portraying Ida has a special resonance. She is a St. Louis native and is staying at a hotel three blocks from where she grew up. My cousins, my grandmother, my grandfather, me, my sisters, we all lived in that big old house and we called it the big house, she said. I was like, yep, this is my house. Im actually basing her movements and her mannerisms off of my mother. By Jarrett Renshaw, Ernest Scheyder and Jeff Mason (Reuters) -Alarm over China's stranglehold on critical minerals grew on Tuesday as global automakers joined their U.S. counterparts to complain that restrictions by China on exports of rare earth alloys, mixtures and magnets could cause production delays and outages without a quick solution. German automakers became the latest to warn that China's export restrictions threaten to shut down production and rattle their local economies, following a similar complaint from an Indian EV maker last week. China's decision in April to suspend exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has upended the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. The move underscores China's dominance of the critical mineral industry and is seen as leverage by China in its ongoing trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has sought to redefine the trading relationship with the U.S.' top economic rival China by imposing steep tariffs on billions of dollars of imported goods in hopes of narrowing a wide trade deficit and bringing back lost manufacturing. Trump imposed tariffs as high as 145% against China only to scale them back after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. China has responded with its own tariffs and is leveraging its dominance in key supply chains to persuade Trump to back down. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to talk this week, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday, and the export curbs are expected to be high on the agenda. "I can assure you that the administration is actively monitoring China's compliance with the Geneva trade agreement," she said. "Our administration officials continue to be engaged in correspondence with their Chinese counterparts." Trump has previously signaled that China's slow pace of easing the critical mineral export controls represents a violation of the agreement reached last month in Geneva. MAGNETS HELD UP AT CHINESE PORTS Shipments of the magnets, essential for assembling everything from cars and drones to robots and missiles, have been halted at many Chinese ports while license applications make their way through the Chinese regulatory system. The restrictions have triggered anxiety in corporate boardrooms and nations' capitals - from Tokyo to Washington - as officials scrambled to identify limited alternative options amid fears that production of new automobiles and other items could grind to a halt by summer's end. (Texas Scorecard) Houston Independent School District will remain under the control of the Texas Education Agency through at least June 1, 2027. Alongside the extended timeline, TEA also announced the replacement of four members of the state-appointed Board of Managers. TEA took control of Houston ISD in 2023 after years of chronic student underperformance and governance failures. The state replaced the elected school board, appointed Superintendent Mike Miles, and implemented a series of aggressive reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the takeover, Houston ISD has reduced the number of D- and F-rated campuses from 121 in 2023 to 41 in 2024, according to preliminary reporting. Despite progress, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath emphasized the need for continued state involvement to ensure long-term improvement. Houston ISD has always been a district with some of the highest performing schools in the country, but it was also a district that allowed some of its schools to fail students for over a decade, Morath said. 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. To conclude the intervention, Houston ISD must eliminate all multi-year failing campuses, fully comply with state and federal special education laws, and demonstrate effective board governance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Houston ISD spent hundreds of millions of dollars without the required board approval. Community reactions remain divided. Parent and advocacy groups praised the focus on student achievement, while critics have questioned the transparency of the appointment process and urged greater community input. The new Houston ISD Board appointees are: Edgar Colon: Legal expert and political science lecturer Lauren Gore: Harvard Law graduate and general partner at LDR Growth Partners Marty Goossen: Retired vice chairman of J.P. Morgan Private Bank Marcos Rosales: Trial lawyer at Beck Redden LLP Brina Morales, director of communications for the Greater Houston Partnership, celebrated the TEA extension, writing, Commissioner Morath is right to extend the period of reform to ensure these improvements take hold long-term, significantly impacting generations of students. HONOLULU (KHON2) Chief Arthur Joe Logan of the Honolulu Police Department has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the month, after serving in the role for three years. Hawaii is doing this for the first time in history. How you can see it On Monday, June 2, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Logans retirement during a press conference. Optimism for the future is fading as consumer confidence crumbles: 9 facts from new report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe served us well for three years to the best of his ability, Blangiardi said. Like I said, we had a lot of discussions there were a lot of issues. The role of being a chief of police is a very complex one, and there are many different things that get considered. So, we just agreed that now this is the best time to leave for the benefit of the department. HPD officer-involved collision leaves pedestrian in serious condition Also on June 2, Logan released a statement and said that it was an honor and a privilege to work as HPDs 12th Chief of Police. In his statement, Logan said crime had gone down during his time as police chief and expressed his gratitude to the departments officers and civilian employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leading a large police department is tough and demanding, and it requires constant balancing of competing needs and wants from all sectors of the community, Logans statement reads. Getting the job done is only made possible with the support of many. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You According to HPD, Logan first joined the department in 1982 and worked in the Narcotics/Vice and Traffic Divisions. He left HPD in 2002 after accepting a full-time position with the Hawaii Army National Guard and retired as the Adjutant General for Hawaii in 2020. In June 2022, Logan was sworn in as the Honolulu Police Departments 12th chief of police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a conversation that weve been having for quite some time, Blangiardi said of Logans retirement. We had to get to a place where we both agreed that this was the best thing for the department going forward, and weve now come to that realization. So, Im not surprised by it at all. Blangiardi said he would strongly recommend that Benjamin Moszkowicz the Chief of the Hawaii Police Department on Hawaii Island return to the Honolulu Police Department as the interim chief after Logans retirement. Moszkowicz has previously spent 22 years with Honolulu Police and is set to take over on July 16 after Logans retirement, pending approval from the Honolulu Police Commission. Robert Cavaco, the president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO) said in a statement that the organization is optimistic about the future of HPD. Over the last three years, officer vacancies at the Honolulu Police Department have surged 42% and continue to climb. We are struggling to retain officers, and currently have 228 officers eligible for retirement. HPD has faced these challenges without a plan and without urgency for three years. We need bold and immediate action to turn the tide, and the change in leadership provides us with that opportunity. SHOPO is optimistic about the Honolulu Police Departments future. HPD is fortunate to be staffed with talented and hardworking police officers who are dedicated to making Oahu a safer place for everyone. In order for us to keep doing that, we must solve our retention problem now. We look forward to working with the Mayor, City Council, and HPD leadership on getting that done as soon as possible. Robert Cavaco, President, SHOPO Read Logans full statement on his retirement below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief-Logan-Announces-RetirementDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. *Above video: Lawsuit claims Missouri school failed to protect student that was sexually assaulted DIAMOND, Mo. A lawsuit accusing the Diamond School District of violating a students human rights has been dismissed. The mother of an 11-year-old student, who said the district did nothing to protect her daughter when she was sexually assaulted at school, filed the civil action in March. It was filed after the Missouri Commission on Human Rights issued a letter stating she could proceed with her lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for the district, however, argued the statute of limitations had run out and the case should be dismissed. Missouri statutes say a plaintiff has just two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. According to the suit, the alleged sexual assault happened in October of 2022. One of the counts listed in the complaint against the parents of the alleged attacker was also dismissed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two people are facing charges after a teen who went missing from Beaver County was found in Ohio. Johnathan Crowe, 25, of Mansfield, Ohio, was charged with felony Human Trafficking. Ashlynn Quaintance, 19, of Bucyrus, Ohio, is being charged with various crimes. Both are in custody. The 17-year-old, who was reported missing Friday from New Sewickley Township, was located the next day in Ohio. Bucyrus police say they were notified around 2 p.m. on Saturday that a suspect connected to the girls disappearance was believed to be at a nearby fast food restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police interviewed the suspect and determined that the person had traveled to Pennsylvania to pick up the girl. Around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, police found her safe at the suspects home just outside Bucyrus. More than two dozen agencies assisted with the investigation into the girls disappearance. The Ohio Office of Attorney General Bureau of Criminal Investigation is currently leading the ongoing investigation. New Sewickley Township Police said that additional charges may be filed. The New Sewickley Township Police Department would like to thank all of the volunteer organizations and law enforcement agencies who participated in the search for Isabella, as well as the associated criminal investigation involved in this incident, the department said in a release. 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 Community members clash with ICE, other federal officers, Minneapolis police, and other state officers as officials raid Las Cuatro Milpas in Minneapolis, Minnesota Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) Federal law enforcement officers raided a Minneapolis taco restaurant Tuesday morning, sparking protests from immigrant rights activists and neighbors. Officers wearing the uniforms of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriffs Office, the FBI, and the criminal investigation arm of the IRS surrounded Las Cuatro Milpas on East Lake Street. Demonstrators clash with federal officers they raid Las Cuatro Milpas in Minneapolis, Minnesota Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) On Tuesday evening, an ICE spokesperson said the operation was Minnesotas first under President Donald Trumps Homeland Security Task Force, which he established via executive order on the first day of his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From drug smuggling to criminal labor trafficking, this operation showcases the breadth of our collective missions and the strength of a united front, said Jamie Holt, special agent in charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations in St. Paul. She thanked a list of 11 federal partners, plus local law enforcement, for their assistance. Protestors gathered on the other side of the police tape, shouting at officers and questioning why Minneapolis police whose leaders swore wouldnt assist federal agencies in civil immigration enforcement stood alongside ICE agents as officers searched the building. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey posted on social media Tuesday afternoon that no arrests were made. While we are still gathering details, this incident was related to a criminal search warrant for drugs and money laundering and was not related to immigration enforcement, Frey wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five years ago, this stretch of Lake Street was filled with protestors, who clashed with police following the murder of George Floyd. Today, protestors tossed traffic cones and trash cans in the way of law enforcement vehicles as they drove away from the scene, and shouted at the officers to go home, or quit their jobs. A trash can thrown by a demonstrator flies toward law enforcement vehicles as federal officers raid Las Cuatro Milpas in Minneapolis, Minnesota Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) The incident comes amid the Trump administrations promise of mass deportation and use of extreme and legally dubious tactics to deport immigrants, including some here legally. The administration has sought to pressure local law enforcement into joining the effort, while progressive states and cities have refused. In a statement posted to X, the Minneapolis Police Department said it was still waiting for information about the operation, and that MPD responded only to ensure the crowd and the surrounding area remained safe. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara was on the scene. In a statement posted to social media, the Hennepin County Sheriffs Office said the incident was not related to immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said it has no involvement in civil immigration enforcement but does assist federal authorities on criminal investigations and enforcement. Federal law enforcement officers on the scene declined to say what the purpose of the raid was, and directed the Reformer to an email address for ICEs media contact. Some declined to identify which agency they were with. Most wore masks. A masked ICE agent stands guard outside as federal officers raid Las Cuatro Milpas in Minneapolis, Minnesota Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) Officers emerged from the building Tuesday afternoon with boxes, which they loaded into a van. Protestors attempted to block the vehicles from moving, but officers moved protestors out of the way with chemical irritants and piercing sirens. Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez, whose ward includes Las Cuatro Milpas, was among the protestors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have people in ICE badges and we have MPD showing up, closing up the perimeter, and assisting, and helping with this situation, Chavez said. This is completely wrong. This article has been updated with comment from ICE. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court gave a final greenlight Tuesday for the tribunals first in absentia hearing by allowing the next step in proceedings against notorious fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony. The Hague-based court has scheduled a so-called confirmation of charges hearing at which prosecutors will present evidence in September to back up charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Kony, despite his whereabouts being unknown. Kony, the leader of the brutal Lords Resistance Army, faces dozens of counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, sexual enslavement and rape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC's rules do not allow trials entirely in absentia but can in some circumstances move forward with a confirmation of charges even if the suspect is not in custody. Konys court appointed lawyers had argued his fair trial rights would be violated if the proceedings continued without their client. Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin said the court has adequately robust safeguards for suspects to allow the confirmation of charges hearing to be held in absentia. The case had been seen as a trial balloon for the court moving forward with other cases where the suspect is not in custody, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Kony decision was limited to situations where the wanted person has fled ICC custody or cannot be found, says Luigi Prosperi, an international criminal law expert at the University of Utrecht. Kony is a very peculiar situation, he told The Associated Press. Kony was thrust into the global spotlight in 2012 when a video about his alleged crimes went viral. Despite the attention and international efforts to capture him, he is still at large. The LRA began its attacks in Uganda in the 1980s, when Kony sought to overthrow the government. After being pushed out of Uganda, the militia terrorized villages in Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan. It was notorious for using child soldiers, mutilating civilians and enslaving women. In 2021, the court convicted Dominic Ongwen, a one-time child soldier who morphed into a brutal LRA commander of dozens of war crimes and crimes against humanity, ranging from multiple murders to forced marriages. BOSTON (WWLP) The US Attorneys office and ICE officials held a press conference on Monday, providing updates on their activity in the Bay State, and on the recent arrest of a Milford high school junior. The update comes as ICE has ramped up their detainment efforts exponentially over the last several months, making headlines as nearly 1,500 known criminals and honors students alike are taken into custody. US Attorney Leah Foley says ICE is carrying out their duties, and threatened those who try to interfere with prosecution. These are defendants who didnt simply cross a border, they crossed a line and jeopardized the safety of Massachusetts communities, said Foley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE officials were asked about the whereabouts of an 18-year-old Milford high schooler who was detained on the way to volleyball practice this weekend. They declined to disclose where he is being held, but clarified that the target of their investigation was the students father, and while the student has no criminal record, he was detained for residing in the United States illegally. Like, I didnt say he was dangerous. I said he is in this country illegally. And were not gonna walk away from anybody, said ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons. Governor Healey sees the detainment of the Milford high schooler differently. She says despite her requests, ICE has not provided her with more information. Unless ICE has additional information that would substantiate that this individual had some criminal involvement, he should be released, Healey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE officials emphasized that they will be arresting all individuals who are in the country illegally that they come across while searching for specific people, regardless of any criminal activity. 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. By Makiko Yamazaki TOKYO (Reuters) -Investment by Japanese companies in plants and equipment surged to a record in the first quarter led by industries focused on domestic demand, but key export sectors reduced spending in a sign that U.S. tariffs are undermining business confidence. Capital spending in January-March grew 6.4% to 18.8 trillion yen ($130 billion), according to finance ministry data on Monday. The previous record had been set in 2007. But business investment has been patchy, dipping 0.2% in the previous quarter to mark the first fall in nearly four years. On a seasonally adjusted basis, capital spending rose 1.6% during the quarter. "Capital expenditure has been driven by those sectors benefiting from strong domestic sales thanks to price hikes or inbound tourism such as hotel construction," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute. Spending for the food sector climbed 13% while the real estate sector increased spending by 11%. Tellingly, however, spending by the auto sector fell 1.4% and spending by makers of factory equipment dropped 4.1%. "After Trump's election victory in November, the tariff threat has turned some of those companies cautious about fresh investment," Minami said. The data is unlikely to have a significant impact on revised gross domestic product figures due on June 9, he added. Preliminary GDP data last month showed Japan's economy shrank by an annualised 0.7% in the first quarter, contracting for the first time in a year due to stagnant consumer spending and falling exports. Capital expenditure, a key gauge of domestic demand-led economic growth, has been generally strong in recent years as companies spent on information technology to offset a chronic labour crunch arising from the country's fast-ageing population. The brisk spending has been backed by rising corporate profits. Monday's data showed corporate sales rose 4.3% in the first quarter from a year earlier, and recurring profits increased 3.8%. U.S. tariffs, however, threaten car makers and other export-oriented Japanese firms which form the backbone of the economy. Trump imposed 10% tariffs on most imports into the United States and has also imposed 25% levies on cars, steel and aluminium. Japan also faces a 24% tariff rate starting in July unless it can negotiate a deal with Trump. According to an estimate by the Japan Research Institute, if all the threatened tariff measures against Japan were take effect, U.S.-bound exports will fall by up to 6 trillion yen a year, squeezing corporate profits by up to 25%. MILFORD, Mass. (WWLP) ICE arrests are ramping up around the country, and here in Massachusetts, a detained Milford High School student is drawing national attention. ICE officials said Monday theyve arrested nearly 1,500 migrants statewide who came into the country illegally. Its part of what theyre calling Operation Patriot, targeting criminals. ICE officials said that at the beginning of May, they launched a whole government effort to remove what theyre calling dangerous and criminal aliens from all over the Commonwealth. From cities such as Boston, Worcester, Lowell, Lawrence, and right here, in Springfield. But its a recent case in Milford thats drawing national attention, and sparking concerns in schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, a student at Milford High School, was arrested on his way to volleyball practice in a traffic stop targeting his immigrant father. His attorney says the 18-year-old entered the United States lawfully when he was 7 years old and has no criminal history. He is now one of nearly 800 detained for civil immigration violations. The community in Milford was left confused and outraged, and now, school leaders are speaking out against actions taken by ICE. Theyre calling on leaders at every level to ensure their schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging, and safety for all students. This is a student who was doing what he needed to do. As every parent would want their child to, said Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance Executive Director Vatsady Sivongxay. The Massachusetts Teachers Association is calling on leaders at every level to ensure their schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging, and safety for all students. Which parents say is the priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It takes all of us to ensure that the well-being of our students are addressed when these illegal and traumatizing events happen, said Sivongxay. Operation Patriot nets 1,500 arrested by ICE in Massachusetts In a statement, the Massachusetts Teachers Association condemned ICEs cruel and inhumane actions, calling for Milford High School junior Marcelo Gomes Da Silvas immediate release. The Milford Teachers Association is also saying their students are more than just an immigration status, we call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students not hunting grounds for ICE agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marcelo Gomes Da Silva is being held in the Burlington Detention Center. He is scheduled for an initial hearing at the Chelmsford Immigration Court on Thursday. His lawyer said they will be requesting his release from ICE custody on bond. 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. As top Trump administration officials press for more deportations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced it had deported 142 migrants in the Houston, Texas, area illegally in the United States and convicted of crimes to Mexico, over a two week period. From May 19 to 30, ICE says the agency removed eight gang members from the United States, 11 convicted individuals who committed crimes against children and a man who entered the U.S. illegally 21 times. In total, the migrants were convicted of 473 criminal offenses and entered the United States 480 times, according to ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE says there were also 30 who were convicted of robbery and grand larceny, 43 who were convicted of aggravated assault and 48 who were convicted of drug crimes they removed. "Unfortunately, this is not an anomaly, said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. For the past few years, there was virtually no deterrent to illegally entering the country. As a result, millions of illegal aliens poured into the country including violent criminal aliens, child predators, transnational gang members and foreign fugitives." Bradford said that "many of these dangerous criminal aliens went on to prey on law-abiding residents in local communities right here in Southeast Texas and were laser focused on identifying them and removing them from the country before they harm anyone else. This is just a small snapshot of those efforts as it only focuses on deportations to one country over the course of a two-week period, but it gives you an idea of how big this problem really is. It comes as in mid-May, Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff at the White House, was at ICE headquarters alongside DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and urged senior leaders at ICE and Homeland Security Investigations to step up their deportation efforts, according to sources familiar with the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting was attended by senior ICE leaders and the special agents in charge of Homeland Security Investigations. Border czar Tom Homan was absent from the meeting. Miller told senior ICE leaders that the Trump administration wants to triple the daily number of arrests agents were making up to 3,000 per day, according to sources. ICE deports 142 migrants to Mexico over 2-week period originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The recent ICE detention of Milford High junior Marcelo Gomes Da Silva is revealing more accounts of youth being apprehended by federal immigration authorities. Chelsea Superintendent Almi Abeyta confirmed to Boston 25 News that two students were detained by ICE several weeks ago. She said it happened off school property after school officials reported an incident on school grounds allegedly involving a knife to local police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Abeyta, another student was recently taken into ICE custody following a separate, unrelated incident off school grounds. Its completely inhumane to detain youth, who have no rights in this country, and ship them off to foreign countries that theyve never been in, said Alex Train, chief operating officer at La Colaborativa. Train told Boston 25 News he believes the detainment of minors is sending a negative message to the community. Weve had students from Chelsea High School detained as theyve been walking to school in the morning, he said. Residents are no longer comfortable calling the police to report a crime or communicating with the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He fears that strain is going to have cascading impacts on public safety in the months ahead. This summer were bracing for a major uptick in crime, he added. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said 790 out of the 1,461 people arrested in Massachusetts in May had criminal records or pending charges. Some Republican lawmakers have praised the ongoing efforts in Massachusetts. ICE director Todd Lyons vowed to continue coming back to the state in a news conference on Monday. He condemned those who have been interfering with ICE arrests while defending the masks that agents wear. People are out there taking photos of the names and faces and posting them online with death threats, said Lyons of threats being made towards federal agents and officers in the line of duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LUCE Immigration Justice Network said it plans to continue training volunteers to verify and document the presence of ICE agents in cities and towns. Theyre doing it all with masks and ginormous guns and in full military gear, said Jaya Savita, with the LUCE Immigration Justice Network steering committee. You tell me whos scary and whos the one whos facing threats and who are the victims in this situation. Gov. Maura Healey has called for the agency to release more information about the arrests being made. Healey released the following statement on Tuesday regarding the detention of Gomes Da Silva. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This weekend, ICE arrested a high school honors student in Milford while he was driving to volleyball practice, Healey said. He has lived and gone to school in the community since he was five years old. Yesterday, ICE admitted he was not the target, had no criminal record and did not pose a danger to the community. He needs to be released, immediately. 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 PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Amid the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration, immigration agents detained a woman seeking asylum at a Portland immigration courthouse on Monday, attorneys representing the asylum seeker said. According to the attorneys, OJM a pseudonym used to protect the womans identity because of safety concerns was at a hearing for her asylum case in Portland when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials asked the court to dismiss her case and detained her. Now, the attorneys at the Portland-based Innovation Law Lab say they are filing an emergency petition, arguing ICE used deceptive and unethical practices to detain her and strip her of her due process rights. DONT MISS: Sanctuary jurisdictions list featuring Oregon, Washington removed from DHS website According to OJMs attorneys, after she left the courtroom, ICE agents arrested her in an attempt to end her asylum claim, transfer her, and rapidly deport her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OJM is a 24-year-old transgender woman from Mexico, where she was abducted and raped because of her gender identity and sexual orientation at the hands of a dangerous cartel, OJMs attorneys said, noting she fled to the United States for safety. This is a dangerous attempt by ICE to circumvent due process, speed up deportations, and eviscerate the right to asylum, said Innovation Law Lab Attorney Jordan Cunnings, who represents OJM. This unethical behavior goes against the values we hold as Oregonians, ensuring that everyone is welcomed and included in our state. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics The emergency petition, obtained by KOIN 6 News, states that OJM was released from custody by immigration authorities nearly two years ago in California. Later, in February of 2025, she filed for asylum, and in the following month, immigration officials started removal proceedings, the petition says. Only nearly two years after OJM was released from custody and months after she applied for asylum, (authorities) commenced removal proceedings against her in immigration court where she could present her asylum claim under the due process rights, the petition explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The petition goes on to claim, in a deceptive sleight of hand, (authorities) seek to eject OJM from her own asylum case, detain her and transfer her away from the District of Oregon so that they can rapidly deport her. Neighbors, PBOT fed up with NW 13th outdoor plaza The petition cites the Refugee Act of 1980, which gives people the right to apply for asylum when seeking safety in the U.S. The petition also states that noncitizens who apply for asylum are entitled to a full hearing in immigration court before they can be removed from the U.S. OJM had properly filed her asylum application, but ICE appears to be attempting to place her in expedited removal, a rapid deportation process with minimal protections, Innovation Law Lab said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OJMs case mirrors a troubling national trend, her attorneys say. Courthouse arrests destroy the integrity of our legal system and undermine the rule of law, Cunnings said. We ask immigrants and refugees who are fleeing violence to abide by an asylum process. Detaining them for showing up to court is heartbreaking and harmful to our justice system. Hood River-White Salmon Bridge project secures Washington funds, eyes $105M from Oregon Innovation Law Lab notes that OJMs gender identity matters in this case, explaining she, like others across the United States, traveled to Oregon for its inclusivity and to escape violence because of her identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys raised concerns over an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that states transgender women will no longer be detained with other women, meaning they will likely be held with male detainees, which can threaten their safety. No one, including transgender women, should be incarcerated in unsafe detention facilities where their lives are at risk, said Reyna Lopez on behalf of Oregon for All, a coalition of organizations including the ACLU, Innovation Law Lab and the Oregon Food Bank, advocating for immigrant justice. Transgender people are part of what makes our Oregon beautiful, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect just like every other Oregonian. Something was not right: Oregon Coast safari park received complaints for nearly a decade In a statement to KOIN 6 News, the Department of Homeland Security claimed, Secretary Noem is reversing Bidens catch and release policy that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to be let loose on American streets. This Administration is once again implementing the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most aliens who illegally entered the United States within the past two years are subject to expedited removals, DHS continued. Biden ignored this legal fact and chose to release millions of illegal aliens, including violent criminals, into the country with a notice to appear before an immigration judge. ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been. If they have a valid credible fear claim, they will continue in immigration proceedings, but if no valid claim is found, aliens will be subject to a swift deportation, DHS concluded. KOIN 6 News has also reached out to the United States Department of Justice, which was named in the petition. This story will be updated if we receive a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A state judge in New York will continue to block Donald Trumps administration from opening an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office inside Rikers Island jail, one of the largest and most notorious detention facilities in the country, plagued by decades of reports of widespread abuse and violence. New York City Mayor Eric Adams gave ICE permission to operate inside the jail earlier this year, drawing lawsuits from city officials accusing Adams of crafting a corrupt bargain with the president to expand his anti-immigration agenda in exchange for dropping a criminal corruption case against the mayor. On Tuesday, New York Supreme Court Justice Mary Rosado extended her temporary restraining order as she considers a more permanent injunction to keep federal immigration authorities from entering the city-run jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The argument that this is not part of a quid pro quo or theres no politics at play here is absurd, New York City Council member Alexa Aviles, chair of the councils immigration committee, told reporters after Tuesdays hearing in Manhattan. We cannot trust this administration to follow the law, she said. Protesters in New York rally against plans from Mayor Eric Adams to open the notorious city-run jails on Rikers Island to ICE agents. A state judge is putting those plans on hold, for now (Getty Images) Following Tuesdays hearing, first deputy mayor Randy Mastro defended the executive order to protect New Yorkers from violent transnational gangs. We continue to disagree with the judges decision to prevent the city from moving forward especially since no one is disputing that the executive order is in accordance with the law and we are confident in our position, he said in a statement to The Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York officials banned ICE from city jails in 2014 after the passage of so-called sanctuary laws intended to block the transfer of undocumented immigrants to ICE custody, where they are placed in deportation proceedings. But Adams following his meetings with Trump border czar Tom Homan granted ICE permission to return to the troubled facility with an executive order issued by one of his deputies. A subsequent lawsuit from the Democrat-controlled New York City Council called the order illegal, null, and void. A coalition of civil rights and legal aid groups and public defenders along with New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams filed briefs supporting the lawsuit. The order from the Adams administration is in clear violation of New York Citys sanctuary protections and it invites a new era of racial profiling, wrongful deportations, and constitutional violations, according to Meghna Philip with the The Legal Aid Society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has shown it will use any pretext to carry out mass deportations even in defiance of our Constitution and federal court rulings and this executive order gives ICE direct access to New Yorkers in custody, their information, and their families, she said in a statement. Last month, after a years-long court battle, a federal judge stripped New York City of its control over Rikers Island and ordered a third-party monitor to take over. That ruling the culmination of roughly 14 years of litigation followed years of reports detailing the conditions, abuse, violence and death inside the jail. At least 19 people died inside Rikers in 2022 the highest number of deaths since 2013. At least five people have died inside the jail in 2025 so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After years of public pressure, the jail is legally required to close by August 2027. That detention space where more than 7,000 people are jailed is set to be replaced with smaller borough-based jails. But the Adams administration is reportedly considering scrapping those plans altogether. The notorious jail complex on Rikers Island is legally set to close by August 2027, but Mayor Adams is reporting reconsidering the plans while granting ICE permission to open an office inside (AP) Federal immigration officials maintained an office at Rikers in the years before the citys sanctuary policies, leading to countless violations of detainees rights, according to law professor Peter Markowitz, co-director of the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic at Yeshiva Universitys Cardozo School of Law. ICE had access to detailed information about anyone entering the jail with on-demand access to interview them, he wrote in court documents. Detainees were often misinformed that they were being taken for legal visits, only to then be presented to plain-clothed ICE agents who would question them and attempt to extract legal admissions, according to Markowitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration officers used the jail to surveil, intimidate, and conduct uncounseled interviews in an inherently coercive setting, allowing them to extract admissions about nationality and immigration status and then use those statements to justify detention and deportation, he wrote. A lawsuit against the Adams administration accuses the mayor of a quid pro quo with Trump to expand ICE operations in New York City in exchange for dropping federal corruption charges against him (Getty Images) If ICE returns to the jail, Rikers will return to the widespread violation of detainees constitutional rights and due process of law, albeit in an even more aggressive posture than during the first Trump administration, according to Markowitz. The citys arrangement ostensibly only allows for ICE to launch criminal investigations, not for routine enforcement of largely civil federal immigration law. But civil rights groups and immigration attorneys fear that federal officers empowered by Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act to target alleged gang members will bypass due process and summarily deport immigrants using only spurious evidence against them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assertions that returning ICE to Rikers Island is necessary to advance criminal investigations of dangerous gangs reeks of pretext. I know of no specific instance where ICEs lack of physical presence at Rikers Island has stood as, or even been claimed as, an obstacle to a criminal investigation, according to Markowitz. The Independent has requested comment from ICE. In our Reality Check stories, Idaho Statesman journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? Tips@idahostatesman.com. Idaho will spend more than $900,000 to renovate its execution chamber to accommodate a firing squad as its lead method, state prison officials told the Idaho Statesman. The Idaho Department of Correction announced in late May that it was set to begin construction but did not detail the cost. The decision to move forward with the remodel project is tied to meeting a July 2026 deadline included in a bill the Legislature passed in March to prioritize the execution method, which Gov. Brad Little signed into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation followed a prior law Little approved in 2023 that made the firing squad a backup method to lethal injection, and set aside $750,000 for construction. No new funds were included when lawmakers made the firing squad the primary method to carry out the death penalty once IDOC finishes the transition with the retrofit at the maximum security prison south of Boise. Prison officials said they plan to make up the cost difference with other budget savings. The projects expected price tag of $911,000 is about $42,000 less than a prior estimate issued last year. The previous cost would have expedited construction, officials said, which would have taken three to four months. IDOC now plans for the project overseen by the Idaho Division of Public Works to take between six and nine months. The state prison system paused all possible executions until early 2026, when the project is complete, because construction effectively takes the execution chamber offline, including for lethal injections. IDOC already was under a federal injunction against carrying out the death penalty until it make changes to a room where prison officials prepare and administer lethal injection drugs. Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic, IDOCs spokesperson, told the Statesman that she doesnt know why officials chose to approve the longer construction timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge in April ruled in favor of the injunction after three news outlets, including the Statesman, sued IDOC to improve witnesses access to executions on First Amendment grounds. The Attorney Generals Office, which represents IDOC in the matter, appealed the judges decision to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. When it takes effect next year, Idahos new law will make it the only U.S. state with a firing squad as its main execution method. Four other states Utah, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Mississippi also have the controversial method on the books, but none as its primary. South Carolina upgraded its execution chamber in 2022 to add a firing squad at a cost of $54,000, The Associated Press reported. The state executed two prisoners by firing squad this year, the first time the method was used in the U.S. in nearly 15 years. By comparison, Idahos estimated price tag drew criticism from lawmakers who opposed the new law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expense to this is getting to be considerable, Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, said during debate of the bill. You can build a gorgeous, gorgeous mansion for $1 million, and I dont know why a firing squad facility is costing so much. The sponsors of Idaho bills pursued the change after the state failed to put a prisoner to death for the first time in state history. Prison officials attempted to execute Thomas Creech the states longest-serving death row prisoner in February 2024, but called off his lethal injection when they were unable to find a vein suitable for an IV. Creech, now 74, was returned to death row and has remained in legal limbo since. Eight other people convicted of murder, including one woman, make up the rest of those prisoners in Idaho who have been sentenced to death. The three, St.-Sgt. Lior Steinberg, St.-Sgt. Ofek Barhana, and St.-Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, were killed in battle in Gaza. The IDF announced on Tuesday that three soldiers: St.-Sgt. Lior Steinberg, St.-Sgt. Ofek Barhana, and St.-Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, were killed when their Hummer vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Jabalia in northern Gaza. Two other soldiers were seriously wounded, and nine other soldiers were moderately or lightly wounded in the same incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three killed soldiers served in the 9th Battalion of the Givati Brigade. Although few IDF soldiers died in the first month of renewed hostilities in March, the number of IDF deaths has jumped since the military broadened its operation a few weeks ago. It was easier to avoid IDF soldiers getting killed and wounded when the military was not seeking to control land and remain in stationary positions. IDF military vehicle operates in northern Gaza, May 25, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) But with a key point to the military's new invasion strategy being to seize land and corner Hamas into about 25% of Gaza or less, IDF soldiers holding many positions and carrying out routine patrols following standard patterns may continue to make easier targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government hopes that Hamas's will to resist will break sooner than the country's tolerance for dying soldiers. Eulogizing the three killed soldiers Steinberg, 20, was from Petah Tikva, Barhana, 20, was from Yavne, and Gelder, 22, and their squad commander, was from Maaleh Adumim. The funeral for Steinberg was due to be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Segula Military Cemetery in Petah Tikva. Barhana is survived by his parents, Mamo and Lea, and his four siblings. His funeral was due to be held at 4 p.m. in the military section of the Yavne cemetery. Omer's funeral was due to be held at 4:00 p.m. at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another incident in Jabalia, terrorists fired at a rescue helicopter from Unit 669. One soldier was seriously wounded, three were moderately wounded, and one was lightly wounded. In a series of other incidents in the southern Gaza Strip, 14 soldiers were moderately and lightly wounded, though most of them did not require evacuation. Ma'ale Adumim Mayor Guy Yifrach said that Omer studied at Amit Eitan School, loved Israel, and "gave his life for the people and the land" through volunteering from a young age. "On behalf of all the residents of Maale Adumimwe embrace the family and will support them in every step and every need," Yifrach said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petah Tikva Mayor Rami Greenberg said that Steinberg was "one of the best sons of Petah Tikva - a brave fighter, a beloved person who went out to defend us all and did not return." "We will always remember Lior with pride and gratitude," Greenberg said. Yavne Mayor Roei Gabay said that Barhana was a graduate of Yavne's public education system and a former basketball player for Elitzur Yavne B.C. "On my behalf and on behalf of the residents of the city, we extend a comforting embrace to Ofeks family. Our hearts are with you in this difficult time. No words can truly console you," Gabay concluded. The IDF confirmed that initial rocket fire from Syria fell in an open area, causing no harm or damage. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated he held Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa "directly responsible for every threat and firing towards the State of Israel, and the full response will come as soon as possible," in response to a barrage of rockets fired from southern Syria on Tuesday evening. Sirens sounded in villages and towns across northern Israel and the Golan Heights, following the barrage, the military said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF responded with artillery fire on southern Syria in response to the attack. Defense sources told The Jerusalem Post that as of now, it is unclear whether the missile launch from Yemen and the rocket launch from Syria were coordinated, and sources noted that the military is investigating. Additionally, the sources said that the rockets were fired from deep in Syria, beyond the buffer zone with Israel, indicating that the entity that launched the rockets used a medium-range rocket. Sources also told the Post that it is still unclear which group was behind the attack. Smoke rises after rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel, Mount Dov, December 20, 2023. (photo credit: Ayal Margolini/Flash90) Rocket sirens were triggered in Hispin in the Golan Heights, Nof Hagalil, Kfar Tavor, and Nazareth. The Jezreel Valley Regional Council later confirmed that the sirens that sounded in Nazareth were activated due to the missile launch from Yemen, which triggered sirens across central Israel. However, the military later said that the sirens that were activated at 10:00 p.m. in the Lower Galilee were a false identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF confirmed that initial rocket fire from Syria fell in an open area, causing no harm or damage. Minutes later, a second barrage of rockets was fired into northern Israel. It was unclear whether the second barrage towards northern Israel was fired from Syria. Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the launches were launched from the Daraa Governorate in southern Syria. "We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7," Katz stated. This is the first time that rockets have been launched from Syrian territory into Israel since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, and President Ahmed al-Sharaa's rise to power. Amichai Stein contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Kraken Prime to offer prime brokerage services to institutional clients originally appeared on TheStreet. The U.S.-based crypto exchange Kraken announced the launch of Kraken Prime, a full-service prime brokerage platform for institutional crypto clients, on June 3. With Kraken Prime, institutional clients can engage in seamless trading, custody and financing through a unified and streamlined solution. Clients at Kraken Prime can access liquidity representing over 90% of the crypto market across more than 20 global venues. Kraken Financial, a U.S. state-chartered bank, is the qualified custodian of assets from which clients can directly execute trades. Kraken Prime is built to meet the execution quality and service expectations of todays institutional investors, Kraken co-CEO David Ripley said. Kraken Primes edge lies in prioritizing quality, reliability and consistency, which are especially critical in volatile markets. We may not be the first to market but were setting the bar for institutional crypto. The brokerage platform also offers asset-backed lending, T+1 credit facilities, advanced trading tools, and 24x7 high-touch client service. The exchange said it has launched the prime brokerage service in response to the growing institutional demand driven by asset managers, hedge funds, and corporations amid increased "regulatory clarity." The crypto industry, which battled a rather combative regulatory stance taken by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during the past few years, has seen its fortunes take a 180 turn after Donald Trump assumed the presidential office in January. Kraken itself saw the charges of operating an unregistered securities exchange earlier leveled against it being dismissed in late March. Founded in 2011, the crypto exchange has been marching forward on a global expansion plan for quite a while now. In March, it entered into a $1.5 billion deal to acquire the U.S.-based futures trading exchange NinjaTrader. In May, it launched regulated crypto derivatives in Europe. With the latest move, the exchange aims to consolidate itself as a global crypto player. Kraken Prime to offer prime brokerage services to institutional clients first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared. The military said it is aware of reports regarding casualties, and the details of the incident are being looked into. The IDF on Tuesday said that it had opened fire on a group of suspects who made aggressive movements toward its soldiers about half a kilometer from one of three food aid distribution sites operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) after initially firing warning shots in the air to disperse them. According to the IDF, the suspects deviated from the designated access routes at the site, but at the same time, the military said it was probing the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were a variety of reports from Gaza and Hamas indicating around 25 Palestinians had been killed in the incident, this being the third consecutive day of Palestinians being killed near a GHF site. GHF has strongly rebutted any claim that there is a pattern of Palestinian civilians seeking food who are being killed on their way to the GHF food sites, with the authority and the IDF blaming nearby incidents staged by Hamas. Despite that counter-narrative, Israeli security sources told the Jerusalem Post that they could not yet preclude the possibility that a mix of Hamas terrorists and innocent civilians had been caught up in some of the incidents in cases where Hamas embedded itself among Palestinian civilians. A person gestures as he carries a box as Palestinians gather near an aid distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 27, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled) There is little question that Hamas is doing all it can to undermine the GHF initiative in order to re-seize control of food aid in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this also occurs as there are continued reports of officials, advisors, and subcontractors of the GHf quitting or cancelling their contracts, leaving the future of the entity as being uncertain. After all of the above, a witness of the Tuesday incident told The Jerusalem Post that, "The civilians arriving at the distribution area are supposed to walk along a designated route until they reach the corridor that leads to the distribution compound. This is intended to keep them away from IDF forces and prevent any danger to our forces." The witness added that the prohibited route is clearly marked, with barbed wire blocking it. The suspects that were shot at "deviated from the permitted route, and several hundred people started running toward IDF forces. They got as close as 200300 meters," the witness told the Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The forces fired toward the people to push them back," the witness confirmed. "We recognize the difficult nature of the situation and advise all civilians to remain in the safe corridor when traveling to our distribution sites," GHF said in a statement. Us-backed aid group launched distribution sites last week GHF launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting. The Foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities, which say it does not follow humanitarian principles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early Tuesday and that the aid operation was "conducted safely and without incident within the site." The total number of meals distributed to date is approximately 7,039,462 via roughly 107,520 boxes, according to GHF. Amichai Stein contributed to this report. WASHINGTON D.C. (WTVO) Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller (R) is poised to introduce legislation Tuesday that would recognize June as Family Month instead of LGBTQ Pride Month. Miller told The Daily Wire, The American family is under relentless attack from a radical leftist agenda that seeks to erase truth, redefine marriage, and confuse our children. By recognizing June as Family Month, we reject the lie of Pride and instead honor Gods timeless and perfect design. If we truly want to restore our nation, we must stand united to protect and uphold the foundation upon which it was built, the family. The month of June was first declared as Pride Month by President Bill Clinton in 1999 and has been done so by Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, rejecting the importance of marriage and family, the resolution reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americans are inundated with perverse Pride Month displays and events throughout the month of June that denigrate the nuclear family, it continues. The resolution notes that The birth rate in the United States has fallen below the replacement level needed to replenish the population and sustain the economy, and the best environment for children to thrive is a home with a married mother and father. Millers resolution says the decline of marriage and family has corresponded to a rise in crime, drug abuse, and other social ills, contributing to the birth rate in the United States [having] fallen below the replacement level needed to replenish the population and sustain the economy. Many tax and welfare policies encourage cohabitation and penalize couples for getting married, the resolution says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution asks the House to recognize the role of the traditional nuclear family during the month of June, and no longer recognize Pride Month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On the hilly streets of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, tucked into the anthracite coal region that once powered Americas industrial revolution, an expanding group of newcomers go about their daily lives in Dominican-inflected Spanish: running small enterprises, working in the regions booming logistics and warehousing industries, and sending WhatsApp messages to friends and relatives back in the Bronx and on the island. Theyre chasing their version of the American dream in this small, now-majority Hispanic city, as did the Italian, Irish and Slovak immigrants who came before them. They are the voters who powered Republican victories up and down the ballot in the countrys largest swing state in November. And our party is on the verge of losing them. Since beginning my career as a Republican strategist in my home city of Philadelphia in 2016, I have been nearly alone among state Republicans in consistently advocating for outreach to this growing group of voters. My firm, which has worked on both local and national campaigns, has produced the only statewide outreach to Hispanic voters for three cycles in a row, putting boots on the ground and messages over the airwaves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a striking failure of vision. As a party, we have tended to think that reaching these voters directly would be nice, though not necessary for most campaigns. Now, in light of the 2024 results, its clear that this outreach is essential. Pennsylvanias 600,000 Latino voters helped send Donald Trump to the White House for a second term, played a key role in electing a GOP majority in the Senate, and kept the House in Republican hands by flipping two districts, including the ancestrally Democratic U.S. House seat that includes Hazleton. But these voters, after turning sharply right in 2024, are strongly disapproving of the presidents performance several months into office, if recent polls are to be believed. April surveys showed cratering approval ratings among Hispanic voters who had shifted so dramatically, with just 27 percent approving of Trumps job performance, according to the Pew Research Center. The New York Times/Siena College poll echoed these findings several weeks later, with just 26 percent of Hispanic voters approving of Trumps tenure. It is tempting for Republicans to scoff at polls, but even if the topline voter approval is wrong, the significant drop in approval rating still matters. And both the polls and my conversations with would-be Hispanic Republicans in Pennsylvania show a clear drop-off. It should be a blaring alarm bell for the GOP as the 2026 midterms appear on the horizon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The slide in support makes sense its because these voters arent hearing any semblance of a positive message from the GOP. On immigration and the economy, two core issues for these mostly working-class voters, its doom and gloom on English and Spanish media, even as Republicans notch successes in securing the border and lowering energy costs. Immediately after the election, the GOP ceded the debate on the main messaging channels for Hispanic voters radio, television, and digital to the left. Its an enormous, unforced error. The deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, for example, has dominated the media over larger efforts to target criminal gangs and secure the border initiatives that are broadly popular among Hispanic voters. Republicans must show up in the places and on the platforms where our next voters are getting their information to push back on leftwing narratives and gain an advantage on the issues, from securing the border to lowering costs. A Spanish-language campaign on humane border enforcement, for example particularly one elevating Hispanic voices who are benefitting from newfound border security would do wonders for the GOP brand. But weve abandoned the playing field, failing to make these voters a central focus by sharing our message on Spanish-language media, booking even limited advertising in Hispanic communities, or developing our farm team of Latino elected officials and spokespeople. A great number of Pennsylvanias Hispanic voters are moderate or conservative, came to America the right way, and do not share such far-left fantasies as dissolving our borders, defunding our police, or teaching elementary school children that gender is a construct something I heard over and over again in my conversations with voters last year. They will be with us going forward if we reach them with openness and respect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political realignment has arrived, and with it a Republican Party that is more diverse and working-class than anybody alive has ever witnessed. In Pennsylvania, the Republican path to victory has meant increasing margins from a shrinking group of rural white voters, holding down Democrats margins in the states booming suburban communities, and making quiet inroads in diverse, urban areas like Allentown, Reading and North Philadelphia, where Latino voters turned out more Republican than the city as a whole last November. Its a combination that, if done right, can turn Pennsylvania red for years to come. But if the new GOP majority was forged in Hazletons modest streets, and in communities like it across Pennsylvanias Latino Belt, there has been little recognition of it among the Republican political class. Since Trumps shock victory in 2016, and the Blue Wave midterm that followed two years later, the operative phrase among GOP political operatives has been win back the suburbs. While Republicans clawed back some ground in the suburbs last year, the long-term trends in Pennsylvanias expanding, increasingly transient suburban communities are dire for the GOP: witness, for example, the recent Democratic flip of a wealthy, suburban state Senate district that Trump won handily in November. That means the Republican Partys future is instead a MAGA Plus coalition that will be made or broken by Latino voters. That was the formula for success in Pennsylvania, the only state where two Democratic House seats flipped to Republican in 2024 without the benefit of mid-cycle redistricting; both districts host significant, growing Hispanic voter populations, whose shifts accounted for all or most of the margin of victory for the GOP victors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That down-ballot shift among Pennsylvania Hispanic voters also played a key role in the narrowest Republican Senate flip in the country and the only one that happened in a swing state. Newly-elected GOP Sen. Dave McCormick gained his razor-tight margin of victory from those new voters, winning by just under 16,000 votes out of nearly seven million cast. Democrats recognize all this. As the Philadelphia Inquirer has noted, Pennsylvania has the largest number of competitive races of any state on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee target list next year. The road to the House majority, in other words, runs through the Keystone State. Republicans must understand that the fragile coalition that delivered us narrow congressional control is still nascent. Millions of first-time Republican voters, who are disproportionately from minority communities, are not base voters yet. They must be reached if Republicans wish to hold on to their gains, or even make further advances, in the 2026 congressional midterms. Republicans in Pennsylvania and elsewhere will be tempted to wait until 2026, but damage is being done right now as potential voters sour on our agenda. We still have time to right the ship, but engagement on community outreach, Spanish-language surrogates, translated communications, and candidate recruitment must begin right now, because every day we dont show up we are losing ground. In the absence of robust, always-on effort, Democrats will fill the void, leading to spiraling discontent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first tests of where Hispanic voters stand will occur in November across the Delaware River in New Jersey, where Republicans hope to consolidate historic gains made last year in the off-year governor and Assembly races; in Virginias statewide elections; and in local races like Pennsylvanias Lehigh County executive race. Then comes the main event. In Pennsylvania, which will remain the must-win swing state for the indefinite future, the GOPs ability to reelect its two new Republican congressmen in 2026 will be pivotal in determining whether it can keep control of the House. This is also the year that our states charismatic and ambitious Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, faces reelection before an all-but guaranteed presidential run. Shapiro and national Democrats expect turbo-charged turnout from the states booming, affluent suburban communities to power gains that will fuel them through 2028. For now, the suburbs are not coming back to the GOP. Republican majorities in the cycles to come will be won and lost on the streets of Hazleton, North Philadelphia, Reading and Allentown, not in the leafy precincts of suburban Philadelphia. Whether Republican insiders understand this math and act on it is the open question that will determine who wins Congress in 2026 and the durability of our burgeoning multiracial, multiethnic coalition. Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing aldermen to add a city grocery tax in Chicago as the long-established state grocery levy expires. Johnsons top finance leaders urged aldermen to implement the tax soon during a Tuesday meeting of the City Councils Revenue Subcommittee. Failing to install the tax would blow an additional $80 million hole in Chicagos 2026 budget as the city already faces a budget gap of around $1 billion, Budget Director Annette Guzman said. We must reaffirm the grocery tax before the states deadline, Guzman told the nine aldermen on hand for the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. JB Pritzker argued the 1% grocery sales tax is regressive and hits poor families harder when he announced last year he would end it, though the same state budget that removed the grocery levy added almost $900 million in tax hikes. But Pritzker left the door open for local governments which receive all of the taxs revenue to implement the same tax on their own. Over 150 communities across Illinois have decided to enact local grocery taxes, leaving many Illinoisans set to pay the same bill to a different body. Johnson and the City Council have so far put off the thorny decision, but must decide to implement it by Oct. 1 for it to take effect when the states tax ends next year. If we fail to do the same, we will leave critical services on the chopping block, Guzman said. The deadline is closer than it appears. The legislation must still be introduced, will likely face stalling efforts from opponents and must win over a City Council majority by the end of September with aldermen planning to take their typical August vacation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guzman and other speakers also backed calls during the meeting for Chicago to receive a bigger share of the revenue from state income taxes and several reforms to state corporate profit taxes. Those changes would require action from state lawmakers that seem very unlikely to come anytime soon, however. Johnson argued earlier Tuesday the city would not be creating a grocery tax if it elects to implement one because the states set-to-expire tax already exists. There is a process in which the collection of the grocery tax is now being placed in the responsibility of municipalities, right? he said at a City Hall news conference. So it was a function that the state of Illinois decided to relinquish, and leave it to the cities to collect the tax. So were not creating a grocery tax, were just creating a process by which we can collect it. The progressive mayors attempt to avoid wearing the jacket for the regressive grocery tax reflects the political difficulty he faces between balancing the citys budget and being seen as harming working-class residents who he champions while often pledging to make Chicago a more affordable city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By sticking cities such as Chicago with the unpopular, but necessary decision of implementing a grocery tax, Pritzker and the General Assembly were headline budgeting, Ald. William Hall said. What were doing is what the state did not have the courage to do, said Hall, Johnsons close ally and Revenue Subcommittee chair. We need $80 million, theres no ifs, ands or buts about it. The state has constantly, once again, played pingpong. Johnsons administration also called on the state to expand the states sales tax to also include services, a request backed Tuesday by Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson. He said the states reliance on its 6.25% sales tax makes Illinois less economically competitive than other states. Our sales tax system is constructed for the economy as it existed in 1960, and because of that, it is burdensome, regressive and fails to meet the funding needs and services our city and our region require right now, Ferguson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guzman also called for the states sales tax to be expanded to also target services. The broadened tax would allow for the overall sales tax rate to be lowered, she added. It will take focus, sustained advocacy by City Council, the administration and our partners in the business and nonprofit communities to make these changes our reality, she said. The call on state legislators to change the citys taxing structure seems to have come too late, for this year at least. The General Assemblys spring session ended Saturday, closing a critical window in which legislation is easier to pass. Theres a little frustration that were talking about some things the state can only do after the state has already wrapped up their conversation, Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Johnsons chief financial officer, Jill Jaworski, said she suspects state legislators may be forced to meet before the falls veto session to sort out a plan for much-needed transit funding, potentially giving the city an extra opportunity to lobby. We need to think about, are there ways that we push some of what we think is important to us now? she said. Something like expanding sales tax to services is getting a lot of chatter downstate. TALLADEGA, Ala. (WIAT) A new playground has opened in Talladega where everyone can have fun, no matter their ability. The grand opening of the Unity Playground at Veterans Park was held Monday. Its the citys first fully inclusive public playground and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Alabama food banks bracing for impact as Congress moves on big, beautiful bill Several groups contributed to the park. For some, it was a personal cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our granddaughter was born with Down syndrome, so that put a huge light in our family that we wanted to make sure that our Merrin would have somewhere she could play, said Kay Jennings, executive director of TCR Child Care Corporation. City manager Derrick Swanson said the city is still accepting donations for the park, so it can be expanded and updated for future children. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Illinois new budget starts in July and will bring new increases, but some of those increases may come from more than youve heard. Our Quad Cities News Illinois Capitol Bureau Chief Cole Henke looks at how lawmakers are relying on $1.16 billion in new revenue to balance out the states budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Comptroller Elise Nieshalla testifies before the Senate Elections Committee on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indiana, alongside 20 other states, penned a letter last month urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate delisting China-based companies on U.S. stock exchanges to protect American investors. Indiana Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and other state financial officers said there is a growing risk posed by the China-based companies due to Chinese Communist Party interference and widespread failures to meet U.S. transparency, accounting and auditing standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As stewards of invested public funds, we have a responsibility to protect our beneficiaries from foreign entities to seek to exploit our capital markets while evading accountability, Nieshalla said in a press release. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The letter highlights the Chinese Communist Partys crackdown on independent due-diligence firms and points to findings by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board that revealed auditing failures among Chinese companies. It also states that the CCPs systematic use of Variable Interest Entities an organization that is controlled through contractual agreements rather than direct ownership prevents U.S. investors from owning the company. The state financial officers also direct the SEC to investigate potential violations of the Securities Exchange Act, including disclosure of controls and procedures, internal financial reporting mechanisms, falsified accounting records and manipulative or deceptive practices. They alleged that the CCPs efforts to suppress transparency exacerbated these issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As state financial officers, part of our responsibility is to ensure that the American peoples finances and our American financial system are protected from foreign actors who mean to do us harm, the signatories said in the letter. Indiana has recently purged Chinese companies from state investments. In 2023, legislation was passed that required the Indiana Public Retirement System to divest from any entities that do military or intelligence work or are controlled by the Chinese government. Within a year, INPRS eliminated its $1.2 billion worth of investments in Chinese entities. Delisting-Letter SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Indianas Department of Child Services faces a new round of scrutiny following the death of Zara Arnold, a child with extensive DCS history who was killed by her father. Yet, just last year, DCS celebrated drastic reductions in the foster care system and improvements in child safety. Once known for having among the highest rates of children in foster care in the country, Indiana reduced placements by 50% between 2018 and 2024. DCS attributed its success to the 2018 Family First Prevention Services Act, a bipartisan federal law enacted during the first Trump administration. FFPSA defunded group home and institutional placements and created a funding stream for "prevention services" as an alternative to foster care. Yet, the interventions funded by FFPSA have been slow to roll out, both because of burdensome regulations and because such dramatic shifts in the continuum of services were never supported by data. To date, there is no evidence of improved child safety or impacts on placements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Indiana's flagship service the Indiana Family Preservation Services program is described as having "0 favorable effects" by the federal clearinghouse for evidence-based programs. That did not stop DCS from asserting the exact opposite last year. In federal testimony, Deputy Director of Child Welfare Services David Reed confidently pointed to Indianas family preservation program as an intervention that helps keep kids safe and out of foster care. He further claimed to have reduced racial disparities in foster care entries by two-thirds, relying on a calculation that anyone understanding basic statistics could debunk. Marion County North DCS (Indiana Department of Child Services) office is located in the 4160 N. Keystone Avenue building, in Mainscape Plaza. Photo taken Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. But Indiana did reduce its foster care population by 50% if not through their prevention program, then how? It wasn't because Indiana had fewer concerned residents calling the hotline about suspected child maltreatment. Those numbers have barely budged, aside from a temporary drop during the pandemic, when children were out of the public eye. It also wasn't because Indiana was providing services to more families when abuse and neglect was reported the number of families receiving services has been in steep decline since 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, DCS did not provide more support to reduce the use of foster care. It is not intervening differently just less. The most likely explanation is that DCS simply raised the threshold for investigating reports of maltreatment and responding to child abuse and neglect, whether through in-home services or foster care. Perhaps intervening less would be good if Indiana was previously over-investigating and over-intervening. If that's the case, then DCS should be honest about it instead of claiming that its new prevention supports keeping children safe at home and, thus, drives large-scale foster care reductions. DCS should release data about the children who previously would have received services but no longer do. Let the public evaluate whether those children should be left with no oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Zara Arnold, we know that other children continue to die of maltreatment. Children like Gwendalyn Cooksey, an 8 year-old girl with cerebral palsy and a history of physical abuse and exposure to parent drug use, who died of fentanyl poisoning in January. Or 5 year-old Kinsleigh Welty, who was starved to death in 2024 by her mother and grandmother only five months after the courts determined it was safe for her to return home from foster care. New leadership should understand how DCS cut foster care in half without evidence of more, or better, services. The public deserves to know whether the children no longer served by DCS are truly safe at home." Sarah Font is an associate professor of sociology and public policy at Penn State University. Emily Putnam-Hornstein is the John A. Tate Distinguished Professor for Children in Need at UNC Chapel Hill. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana foster care cuts leave children at risk | Opinion Downtown-based Kroger Co. is searching for a new CEO. Will Krogers next CEO be a woman? An insider or someone new? An internet wiz or someone all about stores? Nearly three months after the abrupt departure of CEO Rodney McMullen, the Cincinnati-based supermarket giant hasnt offered any new information on its search for a successor. Interim CEO Ron Sargent, 69, a Kroger board member and former Staples CEO, told Wall Street analysts the retailer would conduct a national search, but would also consider internal candidates. Kroger officials declined to comment on the company's ongoing search for a new CEO. Still, among Krogers 12 top executives, four are women and two of them, Mary Adcock and Valerie Jabbar, have critical operations experience that might put them in the running for the top spot. Both have experience overseeing Kroger divisions that include the management of thousands of stores. If the Kroger board of directors is leaning toward picking an outsider for the top job, the company could look for a top executive (male or female) with experience at a rival, such as Walmart or Costco, or lure top talent from a consumer products supplier, such as Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble. Ron Sargent is Kroger's interim CEO. No clear No. 2 executive at Kroger One thing missing from the top ranks of Krogers executives is anyone with the title of president and chief operating officer, which both McMullen and his predecessor, David Dillon, held before getting the CEO position. The lack of a clear No. 2 executive suggests McMullen, 64, and the board of directors werent planning for a leadership transition in the near future before the CEOs sudden exit. Kroger disclosures show McMullens departure was hasty: The company said it came about after the board was made aware of some undisclosed conduct and immediately hired an outside lawyer to investigate 10 days before he resigned. McMullen resigned amid an investigation into his personal conduct that was "inconsistent with the grocers policy of business ethics, the grocer announced March 3. Sargent took over at the retailer after McMullen's sudden exit after more than 11 years as CEO. The company hasnt offered additional details about the conduct, other than to say it was not related to the company's financial performance, operations, or reporting, and it did not involve any Kroger associates. Kroger officials have offered no update of the CEO search or a timeline for filling the role since Sargents comments to Wall Street analysts during the March earnings call. Rodney McMullen, then Kroger CEO, leads the grocer's annual meeting in 2017. Grocers prefer insiders with operations experience A look at Krogers past leaders and who rivals tap as CEOs shows retailers prefer internal candidates who have risen through the ranks. Grocery retailers also gravitate toward executives who run large swathes of stores as opposed to heads of major support departments, like human resources, finance, or legal. At Kroger, McMullen took an unusual path toward the corner office, at first heading finance as chief financial officer in the late 1990s. He was later made the head of strategy and planning in addition to finance in 2000, before becoming president and COO in 2009. Krogers previous CEOs, David Dillon and Joseph Pichler, had both overseen retail divisions at Kroger before becoming president and heir apparent: Dillon ran Dillons Food Stores, which is based in Kansas and also has stores in Missouri and Nebraska; Pichler had also been a top Dillons executive before it was acquired by Kroger. A similar pattern plays out at top Kroger rivals. Walmart CEO Douglas McMillon, 58, headed the retailers international operations before getting the top job in 2014. At Costco, Ron Vachris, 59, became CEO in 2024 after serving as president and COO for almost two years and head of merchandising before that, from 2016 to 2022. In March, Albertsons, which called off its planned merger with Kroger in late 2024 after regulators blocked the deal, named Susan Morris, 56, its CEO after she served from 2018 to 2025 as chief operations officer. She replaced Vivek Sankaran, who announced his retirement the same day McMullen resigned from Kroger. In a 2004 photo, then-Kroger CEO David Dillon laughs with the outgoing chairman (and his predecessor as CEO) Joseph Pichler after the company's annual meeting that year. Who might be the top internal candidates for boss at Kroger? So, who are the top executives at Kroger with oversight of core operations? While the company lists 12 people among its senior executive team in its annual report, at least half of them oversee supply chain, finance, legal, human resources and other support functions that generally dont lead to the CEO job. Another is Sargent, who is serving as interim CEO, and two others who have left in recent changes in the executive team. Mary-Ellen Adcock, Krogers chief merchant and marketing officer. The top executives below Sargent are: Mary E. Adcock, 49, Krogers chief merchant and marketing officer since December, whose previous job was head of retail operations from 2019 to 2024. Yael Cosset, 51, who was named the companys chief digital officer in March and whose previous job was chief information officer from 2019 to 2025. Krogers digital operations, which include home delivery and pickup, is a $12 billion business. Valerie Jabbar, 56, has been the senior vice president responsible for the oversight of several Kroger retail divisions since 2021. Yael Cosset, Kroger's chief digital officer. Will Kroger shop outside for its next CEO? If Krogers board wants an outsider for its next boss, it could always poach a top executive from another top retailer. A former Walmart or Costco executive could prove a tempting candidate assuming non-compete agreements dont prevent them from moving. One such possibility, for example, might be Judith McKenna, 58, former CEO of Walmart's international division. She retired from the company in January 2024. Walmart's noncompete agreements typically last two years, according to corporate disclosures, suggesting she might be available in early 2026. She sits on the board of directors of Delta Air Lines and Unilever. One caveat: senior Walmart executives are expensive; McKennas pay when she left Walmart was nearly $14 million annually. (McMullen's last annual pay package, for the 2024 fiscal year, was $15.5 million). Judith McKenna, former Walmart executive and Delta Air Lines board member. Another option would be to nab a senior executive from a consumer company that works extensively with supermarkets. When Albertsons enlisted Sankaran in 2019 to lead its company, hed previously served as a top executive at PepsiCo, most recently as North American CEO of its Frito-Lay division. Top executives at P&G could also be affordable. One example: Fatima Francisco, CEO of P&Gs paper products business, made $7.3 million in the last fiscal year. Fatima Francisco is P&G's CEO of Baby, Feminine & Family Care. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kroger's next CEO could be one of several qualified women TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Indiana State University has announced that the Indiana Commission for Higher Education has approved its new Bachelor of Science in Forensics degree. This new program will offer students learning experiences across various departments in the College of Arts and Sciences as part of a combined program, according to the university. The program will incorporate Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Criminology and Investigation, Legal Studies, Physics and Statistics courses to develop students skills. ISU is planning on adding a new undergraduate major this fall Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is to prepare students not only to succeed in crime labs or law enforcement but also to adapt to a range of professional environments where analytical thinking and scientific precision are essential, said Dr. Melinda Roberts, Dean of Indiana State Universitys College of Arts and Sciences. The major will include two pathways, Forensic Science and Forensic Studies, and can be completed in four years. The Forensic Science pathway will prepare students for careers as forensic specialists or analysts in crime labs, with advanced science coursework and hands-on laboratory components. The Forensic Studies pathway requires fewer total credits and provides flexibility for students to customize their degree. This will allow students to pursue careers in a variety of other settings, such as the Department of Natural Resources, environmental risk areas and local health departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISU college of business announces scholarship opportunities The newly approved Bachelor of Science in Forensics degree is a prime example of how Indiana State University continually evaluates how we, as a university, can meet the growing demand for a range of careers in Indiana and across the nation, said Dr. Christopher Olsen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Indiana State University. The Forensics major is now available for students to submit applications for the Fall 2025 semester. For more information, you can go to the universitys 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 MyWabashValley.com. By Sarah Morland, Raul Cortes MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Indigenous rights defender Hugo Aguilar is leading in the race to head Mexico's highest court after the country's first popular election to appoint judges and magistrates, according to electoral authority data released on Tuesday. With 93% of votes counted from Sunday's election, Aguilar had some 5.43 million votes, or 5.23% of the total. Lenia Batres, a close ally of the ruling Morena party, was behind him at 5.16 million votes, or 4.97%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the Supreme Court's nine positions are poised to be filled by people linked to Morena, electoral data showed. Over 3,000 candidates stood for judicial posts nationwide. Five women are among the leading candidates, including three current Morena-aligned Supreme Court judges, a legal adviser to the former president and a human rights unit chief who works under the current attorney general. President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated Aguilar's lead, saying the court had not had an Indigenous leader since Benito Juarez, a Zapotec who led the court during the mid-19th century before becoming Mexico's first Indigenous president. "He is a very recognized lawyer, he has the credentials to join the court," Sheinbaum told a press conference. "This is the goal: equal access to justice for all Mexicans. How would this have happened under the previous process?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the success of candidates close to her party, she cited opposition boycotts of the vote. "How can they complain if they decided not to participate?" she said. Voting on Sunday for some 2,600 judges and magistrates attracted an estimated 13% turnout. Critics denounced the process as too complex and said the vote could undermine the independence of the country's judicial system. "Morena's dominance in the new Supreme Court solidifies the party's long-term influence over judicial decisions, potentially limiting institutional checks on the executive," Eurasia analyst Matias Gomez Leautaud said. Morena had a strong performance in last year's general election, as the party and its allies won majorities in both legislative houses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bradesco BBI analyst Rodolfo Ramos said in a note that Aguilar's leadership would make him more cautious on firms holding mining or infrastructure concessions "with significant interaction with Indigenous communities and the environment." A MIXTEC LAWYER Aguilar, a Mixtec lawyer from the southern state of Oaxaca, is currently lead rights coordinator for the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples, having been appointed in 2018 by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He studied constitutional law and has worked in various government offices as a coordinator and adviser for Indigenous rights, as well as land and agrarian affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at a campaign event in his hometown of San Agustin Tlacotepec late last month, Aguilar said although the reform was controversial, Indigenous groups saw it as a historic opportunity for representation. "The court has traditionally had private and financial sector jurists," Aguilar said. "We haven't had a labor lawyer who addresses workers' rights, an agrarian lawyer who addresses rural rights, or who understands this part of the population." "The rights of the most vulnerable sectors of this country should matter," he added. Aguilar, who said that if elected to the court he would wear Indigenous dress, has vowed to prioritize the collective decision-making rights of Indigenous communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indigenous groups are allowed to apply their own traditions within the bounds of Mexican law, but conflicts have arisen over issues such as child marriage and ancestral land rights that clash with mining or infrastructure projects. Some 23 million Mexicans - around 19% - consider themselves Indigenous, according to a 2020 census. However, they face disproportionate poverty and low political representation. (Reporting by Sarah Morland, Raul Cortes and Diego Ore in Mexico City; Editing by Stephen Eisenhamme, Frances Kerry and Matthew Lewis) BOSTON (SHNS) Less than two weeks after the Senate moved to create a new prescription drug price cap system in Massachusetts, an industry official warned against legislative leapfrog that could complicate the most recent round of reforms. A top pharmaceutical industry lobbyist urged lawmakers to hit the brakes on an attempt to impose upper price limits on certain medications, arguing that the new regulations would come while another cost control law is still being implemented. Both a 23-page amendment added to the Senates fiscal year 2026 budget and a much broader, 118-page standalone bill (S 868) would allow the Health Policy Commission to impose upper price limits on some prescription drugs to cap what patients, providers and pharmacies pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly Ryan, deputy vice president for state policy at the influential industry group PhRMA, told legislators Monday the proposal would leapfrog substantial legislation enacted here in Massachusetts just this past December, referring to a new prescription drug price control law. That law limited patient costs to no more than $25 for certain name-brand medications to treat chronic illnesses and eliminated those costs for similar generic options. It also created a new licensure process for pharmacy benefit managers, and stood up an Office for Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis within the HPC. Where the bill before you focuses primarily on manufacturers when were looking at pricing, the office is tasked with looking at the broader supply chain, providing detailed analysis, reports and policy recommendations, Ryan told the Health Care Financing Committee at a hearing about the new bill. We urge the committee to let that work proceed before taking any next steps. The Senate has not embraced the industry call to slow down. In late May, before lawmakers heard testimony on the larger bill at a public hearing, the Senate adopted a budget rider that would empower the HPC with the ability to cap certain drug costs and set limits on what Bay Staters pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Cindy Friedman, who co-chairs the Health Care Financing Committee and authored both the bill and the amendment, said during budget debate the upper price limit measure builds on the new law with one more step in that direction. Pharmaceutical companies should be thrilled to have their drugs go through this because they should have enormous value, right? she told Ryan during Mondays hearing. Were looking for drugs that are very high cost with lots and lots of value. We want to know about that, and were willing we believe people should be willing to pay for that. It would seem to me this would work in your favor because, I would hope, your drugs have enormous value. A handful of other states have pursued similar price caps, prompting legal battles. Ryan said not one [states system] has been implemented to date. States have spent years and millions of dollars, and not a single patient has been impacted, she said. In fact, patients are likely going to be negatively impacted by [upper price limits]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health care spending in Massachusetts continues to surge well beyond state targets for cost containment, burdening many household budgets and putting care out of reach for some low-income residents. While the Senate budget amendment focuses on prescription drug price caps, Friedmans underlying bill reaches into many other areas of reform, including by giving regulators more flexibility to examine an individual hospital, health system or insurers spending. The legislation would also boost penalties for failure to comply with cost control plans and give the Division of Insurance new tools to modify premium rate increases, according to a summary produced by advocacy group Health Care for All. It is individuals, families and businesses who will ultimately bear the burden of these costs, both through increased premiums and growing out-of-pocket costs. An unacceptable 40% of residents continue to report challenges affording care, Alex Sheff, senior director of policy and government relations at Health Care for All, said. These costs come on top of the growing cost of living, challenges that leave residents with impossible choices between paying rent and getting the health care that they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Health Care Financing Committee is weighing a suite of other bills supporters say would rein in health care costs and promote affordability. Committee co-chair Rep. John Lawn said at the start of Mondays hearing that the panel must put more focus on all areas of the drug supply chain to understand what causes high drug prices. Another proposal before the panel (H 1398 / S 899) would require hospitals receiving state funding to compensate their CEOs at a rate no more than 50 times the amount that the hospitals lowest-paid worker earns. Dr. Taylor Walker, a physician at Cambridge Health Alliance and president of the physician union CIR SEIU, said 44 of 57 health care CEOs in Massachusetts earn more than 50 times the salary of their institutions lowest-paid worker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. John Moran asked Walker if the CEO compensation limit could push health care executives to leave for higher-paying roles elsewhere, such as in the pharmaceutical sector. Id say the problem is actually not losing talent because we dont want to pay CEOs $6 million a year. The problem is that were losing talent because we dont want to pay our doctors who are actually taking care of our patients, and we dont really give a shit about the people who are taking care of our communities, Walker said. This is something that is absolutely maddening. 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. Morgan Hill (center) from Safe & Smart Florida led the discussion with Leon County School Board member Darryl Jones (her immediate left) and former Democratic House Rep. Sean Shaw (immediate right) in Tampa on June 13, 2024. (Photo credit: Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) Smart & Safe Florida, the political committee working to get a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults before the voters next year, has collected enough petition signatures to trigger a review of its ballot language and financial impact a significant step toward ultimately getting the amendment before voters in 2026. Smart & Safe Florida has collected more than 377,000 signatures. Thats well above the number required to trigger a state Supreme Court review. Specifically, at a minimum Smart & Safe Florida needed to collect 220,016 signatures or 25% of the 880,062 valid signatures from registered voters, with a minimum of 8% coming from voters in at least half of the states 28 congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar proposal to legalize recreational cannabis in 2024 known as Amendment 3 received 56% of the vote, short of the 60% required for passage. Following that electoral loss, Smart & Safe secured approval to launch its campaign for the 2026 election. The petition drive process comes at the same time that Smart & Safe Florida and other organizations are fighting a new law passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature last month that will make it significantly more difficult for citizen-led constitutional amendments to make it on a ballot in Florida. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Two weeks ago, Smart & Safe Florida and Florida Decides Healthcare, another group working to get a measure on the 2026 ballot, went before U.S. Federal District Judge Mark Walker to request that he block certain provisions of the law from taking effect including the requirement that sponsors turn in completed petitions within 10 days after the voter signs the petition, a change from the previous deadline of 30 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tallahassee attorney Glenn Burhans Jr. said, prior to the new law taking effect, Smart & Safe Florida was collecting 78,000 signatures per week. Since the law took effect, he told Walker, the group was collecting between just 12,000 and 15,000 signatures per week. The next step in the process is for Florida Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier to submit the proposed amendments ballot language to the Florida Supreme Court so it can begin its review. The courts review is limited to whether the amendment conforms to a single subject and whether the ballot summary is clear. When then Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody transmitted her letter to the Florida Court regarding Amendment 3 two years ago, she also informed the justices that she opposed the measure. Uthmeier will likely do the same when he sends his letter to the Supreme Court. He chaired a political committee a year ago called Keep Florida Clean that was formed to oppose the weed measure. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell hit CNN with a thinly veiled on-air attack Monday as he accused the network of failing to cover questions about President Donald Trumps mental acuity like it has tackled Joe Bidens reported health decline. ODonnell kicked off The Last Word with talk of Trump recently reposting a bonkers conspiracy theory that Biden died in 2020 and was replaced with clones, calling the Truth Social share a complete collapse of Trumps mental acuity. The insanity of the current American president is now officially taken for granted in the news media, no huge banners on the cable news network that recently devoted itself to the issue of presidential mental acuity, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That network did not dare devote itself to the mental acuity of Donald Trump, that network decided that the mental acuity of Joe Biden is a more important story now. Trumps repost, which has been subjected to a sea of criticism, is just the latest episode thatsfueledquestionsabout his cognitive ability. During his 2024 campaign, Trump rambled to the press, served up a word salad when asked about child care and bizarrely ranted about sharks and electric boats. Two of Trumps biographers, less than a month before his election win, also sounded the alarm on his degrading cognitive ability on MSNBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, CNN has highlighted a book co-written by host Jake Tapper on an alleged cover-up of a decline in Bidens health, coverage that began just before the former president announced his prostate cancer diagnosis. ODonnell noted that no one at the network suggested Biden was incapable of doing the job as president. Rather, ODonnell said, the networks critique focused on the former presidents incapability of delivering a sharp and polished television debate performance, noting that this would have been true of every president before John F. Kennedy. What was lost in the relentless coverage of the debate moment, he added, was that Biden made perfect sense for the rest of the face-off while Trump did the opposite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump did not tell one true thing during that debate but that doesnt seem to matter, ODonnell stressed. He remarked that while Biden showed himself to be four years older and much slower in the debate, he was still way more than four times smarter and more capable than Trump. CNN did not immediately respond to a HuffPost request for comment. Related... PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) 11 dolphins are still housed at Gulf World Marine Park, but not for much longer. First-day hearing for Gulf World bankruptcy case Many anticipated they would already have been transferred to other marine facilities in Florida. But, there are a number of reasons why that didnt happen this weekend. The troubled park was already under pressure when another dolphin, now identified as Samira, died, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samira died last Tuesday, May 27. This was the fifth dolphin death at Gulf World since October. On Friday, U.S. Congressman Neal Dunns office reported that seven bottlenose dolphins had been cleared for removal from Gulf World Marine Park. They were expected to be removed from the premises sometime on Saturday. Saturday came and went, and locals, concerned residents, protesters and activists eagerly awaited an update. The dolphins have yet to be removed. While the update may not be what concerned members of the public want to hear, Congressman Dunn is urging the community not to lose hope. A decision has absolutely been made to move the dolphins. But unfortunately, the original arrangement that The Dolphin Company had made for at least seven of the 11 dolphins was to go to one of their own facilities, another facility. And thats not pleasing to either the state or the federal government, Congressman Neal Dunn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunn said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration informed him on Monday, June 2, that the seven dolphins would be transferred to Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine, Florida. I think if we had a destination that we could have all agreed on, seven of them would have already been moved; the equipment, the people that moved them, I understand, arrived last night. And so I was really hoping for this morning, but obviously, you know, stick in the spokes here to find out that they were moving to another Dolphin Company location, added Dunn. Dunn says his staff has communicated several times with both NOAA and state and local State Attorneys Office. While processes that include conducting prerequisite medical tests on the dolphins in order to move them have been underway, Dunn says the fight to find a home that isnt affiliated with The Dolphin Company continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If its another solution than sending them to a Dolphin Company, youre right. I mean, this is the same company that didnt take care of them for months, in Panama City Beach. Now, why would I feel better about them doing it somewhere else? Its the same property. I mean, maybe different local directors, but its the same company and the same resources, Dunn continued. During a recent bankruptcy court hearing counsel for Riveron, the restructuring company involved in The Dolphin Companys bankruptcy case, listed over a dozen exhibits they feel show The Dolphin Companys neglect to get Samira, the dolphin who died on Tuesday, May 27, the help she needed before it was too late. Debtors counsel eventually accused former Dolphin Company CEO Eduardo Albor of knowing Samira needed intensive monitoring because she was not eating as early as May 2. Although Albor allegedly did not inform the debtors of Samiras declining condition until after she had already passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunn said all the dolphins at Gulf World are currently being tested for conditions like pneumonia, which often originates from swimming in dirty water. He continued to say he was hoping to get the waiver issued to relocate the other four rough-toothed dolphins at the facility on Sunday, now the goal remains to secure the waiver. Meanwhile, there is an ongoing criminal investigation that is separate from the bankruptcy as well as the negotiations over the relocation of the dolphins. Court documents and claims information regarding the bankruptcy proceedings 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 mypanhandle.com. In a Channel 2 Action News exclusive, Georgia Army National Guard soldiers gave a boots-on-the-ground view of their work on the Texas-Mexico border. Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne went to the Del Rio, Texas, sector, and he reported that Georgia soldiers have been working on the southern border longer than many people may think. I feel like the mission is very essential to national security, said Staff Sgt. Erica Marroquin. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The immigration debate may put the eyes of a nation on the U.S.-Mexico border, but Georgia Army National Guard Commander Brigadier Gen. Jason Fryman said they are apolitical in their services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest job two Georgia Guard companies have in the Del Rio sector is keeping eyes on the border to watch for illegal crossings and notifying the U.S. Border Patrol, who makes arrests when called for. Sometimes you see stuff on TV, and you never really think you would actually be a part of that, said Spc. Tatyanna Heard-Gerald. Heard-Gerald says in civilian life, she works at a window factory in Bibb County. Here, she helps man a border patrol high tech surveillance truck, as does Spc. Oscar Ramiro. Im from Atlanta, Georgia, and on the civilian side, I work with my father in construction, Ramiro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fryman says one company is an engineering unit, the other a maintenance company. But most of the 250 Georgia soldiers on the border have adapted to the surveillance, or spotter, mission as members of Task Force Badger led by the Wisconsin National Guard. Wisconsin Army National Guard Lt. Col. Bryan Huebsch told Winne tin civilian life, he works in workforce development, but on the border, he commands a force of 400 soldiers. The number in our task force has grown since October as part of a larger DOD force increase across the border, he said. We went from about 2,000 soldiers to 10,000 soldiers across the entire border. Georgia National Guard Capt. Kyle Bailey says the work his soldiers do in Texas, from maintaining border patrol trucks to warehousing and ordering supplies, and most importantly, the surveillance mission, frees up Customs and Border Protection officers to focus on their main job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe every troop out here is making a difference, Bailey said. Fryman said the Georgia Guard is not new to the border, with a continuous presence there since 2018. A major told Winne that a haversack he showed him was carried by a Georgia soldier on the border in 1916. I can tell you something about 1916: The Border Patrol did not exist until 1924, so that makes a difference, said Efren Olivares, legal director of the National Immigration Law Center. Olivares said he believes border enforcement should be left to the federal enforcement agencies. I encourage all viewers to look beyond the politics of it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Del Rio sector acting Chief Patrol Agent Desi Deleon says many factors caused the dramatic drop, including actions by the Mexican government and stronger enforcement of consequences in existing U.S. law, but a major increase in U.S. military on the border in recent months, including the Georgia National Guard, is a factor. Del Rio has been one of the busiest sectors throughout the nation over the last few years, Deleon said. They were averaging about 3,000 to 4,000 apprehensions at the high water mark a day, whereas now were anywhere from 40 to 50 on a daily basis. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Gov. Kevin Stitt, pictured March 12 speaking at a rally outside the state Capitol, named an inteirm commissioner for the Oklahoma mental health department Tuesday. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Gov. Kevin Stitt named an interim commissioner of the Oklahoma mental health department Tuesday, following the Legislatures vote to fire the previous agency head last week. Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic was appointed by Stitt. He previously led the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, which had been plagued by financial mismanagement, according to a news release. Former Commissioner Allie Friesen is pictured testifying to an investigative committee on May 5. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) Former Commissioner Allie Friesen had served in the role since her January 2024 appointment, but her time as the agencys leader was marred by financial disarray, investigations and audits. Friesen blamed prior administrations for the financial situation that required a cash infusion from lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma Legislature overwhelmingly voted to fire her in a late-night vote Thursday. Lawmakers said they had lost confidence in her ability to lead the department and removed her, effective immediately. Stitt continued to stand by Friesen throughout her time as commissioner amid calls to fire her and said she was shining a light on an agency that has operated in darkness for far too long. He called the Legislatures move to fire her a politically motivated witch hunt. Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic is pictured. (Photo provided by the Governors Office) It is no secret that the Department of Mental Health has long been in need of reform, Stitt said in a statement. It is imperative that Admiral Slavonic is allowed to do the hard work needed to remove corruption and conflicts of interest without political interference. There are brighter days ahead for this department and those that rely on its services. Im grateful to Admiral Slavonic for his willingness to set another Oklahoma agency on the right course. Slavonic served in the U.S. Navy for over three decades, including as deputy and principal assistant to the secretary of the Navy, and as chief operating officer and chief management officer for the Department of the Navy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also served as assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs as an appointee of President Donald Trump during his first term. Im grateful that Gov. Stitt is so keenly focused on rooting out corruption and ensuring that government is working first and foremost for the citizens we are tasked with serving, Slavonic said in a statement. The Department of Mental Health brings much needed services to many Oklahomans, and I look forward to ensuring that they have the tools needed to provide those services. I thank Gov. Stitt for trusting me with this effort. Slavonic graduated from Oklahoma State University with bachelors degree and from University of Central Oklahoma with a masters degree. Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, leads a select committee investigating the mental health departments finances and said he looks forward to working with Slavonic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is imperative that the next director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services work to restore stability, confidence and trust in the agency and its ability to provide critical services to Oklahomans while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, he said in a statement Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) An intoxicated man in St. George was arrested Sunday after he allegedly attempted to enter a home that was not his own and then fell asleep outside on patio furniture. Adrian Diego Hogan, 22, was arrested early Sunday morning after the homeowner called 911, reporting that Hogan rang the doorbell in the middle of the night. According to the police report, he insisted that he lived in the home. In addition to public intoxication, Hogan is also facing charges of assault, aggravated assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence. He also blew .203 g/210 mL on a preliminary breath test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The responding officer found Hogan without pants or shoes, only wearing underwear, a t-shirt, and socks. He also noticeably smelled of alcohol, along with glossy and bloodshot eyes, per the police report. Man killed after falling off train traveling through Nevada to Utah Upon being asked, Hogan admitted that he had been drinking. The responding officer also reported that he was slurring his words. Hogan was adamant that the home he attempted to enter was his, despite not being able to tell the officer what street he was on. He also refused to provide his phone number, and said he did not know any other information that he was asked for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the fact that Hogan did not know where he lived, or who we could contact to assist him, it was clear that he could not care for himself, the responding officer wrote. During their contact with Hogan, police noticed he matched the description of a 911 call from a few hours earlier, involving the brandishing of a firearm. Five-time felon sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing firearm and ammunition The call advised that an intoxicated male going by Diego pointed a gun at two individuals, unprovoked. One of the victims convinced Diego to drop the gun, but after asking for it back, the victim told him was too intoxicated to have a gun at the moment. Diego became angry at this and started a small physical altercation before fleeing on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arresting him for public intoxication, Hogan admitted he had been drinking at a friends house throughout the night. He said he did not know where his pants or shoes were, but another officer located clothing just up the street from the arrest location. A pair of jeans with a leather holster attached were found with a wallet inside, containing Hogans drivers license and several cards with his name on them. The responding officer has requested that he be held with no bail, citing his history of deceptive behavior and possession of firearms as a continuous threat to the general public. 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. Intruder Arrested After Allegedly Breaking Into Royal Family Compound originally appeared on Parade. The royal family avoided a close encounter with an intruder. On June 1, an intruder attempted to break into the grounds of Windsor Castle, where Prince William and Kate Middleton live with their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 6, Thames Valley Police confirmed to NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At just after 1 p.m. on Sunday a man has entered restricted grounds at Windsor Castle, the authorities told People in a statement. He was quickly challenged by Met police officers and arrested. He did not enter the inner grounds of Windsor Castle. The name of the intruder was not revealed, but police confirmed he is a man in his thirties. The individual was arrested on suspicion of trespass on a secure site and possession of class A drugs. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox "He has been bailed and an investigation is ongoing by Thames Valley Police." the authorities added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear if any members of the royal family were at the residence at the time of the incident on June 1. This is not the first instance of an intruder at the estate - where William and Kate moved to from Kensington Palace in 2022. In October 2024, two masked raiders broke into farm buildings on the Windsor estate while the Windsors were at their home nearby. Another break in occurred shortly before the family moved in. In 2022, a man posing as a priest spent the evening at the castle indulging in food and drinks and was even given a place to sleep at the property. Intruder Arrested After Allegedly Breaking Into Royal Family Compound first appeared on Parade on Jun 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared. LinkedIn, the Microsoft-owned professional networking platform, has laid off 281 employees across California, according to a WARN document filed with local authorities. The job cuts affect various roles, including engineers, and span multiple locations. It included 159 positions in Mountain View, 60 in San Francisco, 23 in Sunnyvale, 11 in Carpinteria, and 28 remote workers based in the state. The layoffs are part of workforce reductions at Microsoft, LinkedIns parent company. Recent media reports indicated that Microsoft slashed approximately 6,000 jobs globally, including 122 positions in the Bay Area. A WARN filing, reviewed by SF Gate, revealed that in Mountain View alone 71 software engineering roles, including staff and senior positions, have been eliminated. Other affected roles include specialists in machine learning, DevOps, systems infrastructure, as well as deal desk strategists, product managers, and designers. The filing does not provide details on the full scope of LinkedIns layoffs or the reasons behind them. In April, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted that AI is responsible for writing up to 30% of the companys code, though no direct connection to the layoffs was confirmed. In 2023, LinkedIn laid off 716 employees, with CEO Ryan Roslansky addressing the decision in a public email. No such communication has been issued this time. According to LinkedIns About Us page, the company employs between 18,400 and 18,500 full-time staff globally. In November 2023, LinkedIn announced that it reached more than one billion users, as well as announcing new AI features for its paid subscribers. "LinkedIn slashes 281 jobs across California in US" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. A suspect has been arrested after breaking into the grounds of Windsor Castle, the British royal family's ancestral home. On June 3, a spokesperson for the Thames Valley Police confirmed the news to PEOPLE and said the incident occurred during the afternoon of Sunday, June 1. "At just after 1 p.m. on Sunday (1/6) a man has entered restricted grounds at Windsor Castle," a spokesperson for the Thames Valley Police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was quickly challenged by Met police officers and arrested. He did not enter the inner grounds of Windsor Castle," they continued. "He was arrested on suspicion of trespass on a secure site and possession of class A drugs. He has been bailed and an investigation is ongoing by Thames Valley Police." The Metropolitan Police shared more details in a statement shared with PEOPLE. Getty Windsor Castle on April 25, 2024. Windsor Castle on April 25, 2024. "A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs after entering private grounds at Windsor Castle," the statement said. "Officers in the grounds spotted the man just after 13:00hrs on Sunday, 1 June and quickly arrested him. He was then passed into the custody of Thames Valley Police." The Metropolitan Police run the security teams responsible for the royal family. It is a criminal offense to trespass on protected spaces designated under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, including the royal family's main bases of Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains unclear if any members of the royal family were at the royal residence at the time of the incident on June 1. Prince William and Kate Middleton notably live on the grounds of Windsor Castle at Adelaide Cottage within Windsor Great Park with their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. Chris Jackson/Getty Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte on May 5, 2025. Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte on May 5, 2025. 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! In November 2024, police announced the news of a similar intrusion at Windsor Castle. Authorities said that two masked raiders broke into farm buildings on the Windsor estate on Sunday, Oct. 13 when the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children, were believed to be at home nearby. It is thought that the burglars were targeting farm machinery and used a stolen vehicle to crash through a security gate on the way out. Windsor Castle is the world's oldest and largest occupied castle, and was founded by William the Conquerer around 1070. Read the original article on People An investigation has uncovered that three tech giants are set to build more water-hungry data centers in some of the world's driest areas. Experts warn that communities could suffer. What's happening? The nonprofit SourceMaterial used local news reports and industry sources, Baxtel and Data Center Map, to document 632 active or under-development data centers from Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, according to The Guardian, which was also involved in the investigation. It found the companies intended to increase the number of data centers they own worldwide by 78%, with projects planned in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Many of those centers will be in the arid regions. Why is this important? The demand for data centers essentially used to power a myriad of digital services has been skyrocketing with the emergence of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data centers can gobble up more energy than entire countries, leading at times to higher utility rates and strained electrical grids that can lead to blackouts, as well as spewing planet-warming pollution into the atmosphere if their power source relies on dirty fuels. What's more, just a midsize data center can require up to 300,000 gallons of water each day. With a warming climate, driven by human activities, contributing to increased water scarcity and making its availability more volatile, adding more data centers to the mix could have a troublesome ripple effect across multiple systems, including our food supply. Lorena Jaume-Palasi, founder of the Ethical Tech Society, told The Guardian that "resilience from a resource perspective is going to be very difficult" for populations grappling with water scarcity, including in Spain, which is on "the verge of ecological collapse," even as Amazon plans to add a fourth data center to the Aragon region. What's being done about this? Cryptocurrency and AI both have the potential to contribute to a greener and safer future, with companies using digital currency to fund projects like reforestation and ocean cleanups, and AI leading to more accurate weather forecasting, among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For their part, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have said they plan to be "water positive" by the end of the decade, per the Guardian. All have also invested in clean-energy projects, including to support AI operations. However, critics remain skeptical they'll live up to some of their promises. "I'll believe it when I see it," Jaume-Palasi told The Guardian of Microsoft's "zero water" data center initiative and Google's plans to cool data centers with air to reduce water use. "Most data centers right now are going from air cooling to water cooling because liquid is more efficient." Nathan Wangusi, a former water sustainability manager at Amazon, also said he had internally raised the alarm that the company's water-offset approach was "not ethical." Learning about greenwashing and critical climate issues is one way to empower yourself to advocate for change, hold corporations accountable, and determine which companies or services you want to support. 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. An Iowa amusement park's former operator has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of an 11-year-old boy who drowned on a water ride in 2021. A company that previously owned Adventureland park in the Des Moines suburb of Altoona, along with its former CEO and three managers, reached a settlement with the family of Michael Jaramillo on Sunday. Jury selection had been scheduled to start Monday for a trial over the lawsuit brought by the family. The settlement terms are confidential. Michael Jaramillo, his parents, two brothers and another family member were strapped into a 1,700-pound (770-kilogram) raft on the Raging River ride on July 3, 2021, when it flipped over. All six hit their heads on the surface under the water, but Michael Jaramillo and one of his brothers could not get out of their seatbelts and were trapped, head-down, underwater for about 10 minutes, according to the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleged that for years, Adventureland failed to properly maintain and repair its rides, including the Raging River. It also said the park continued to operate the water ride on the day of the accident despite reports of serious problems. The park's former owner, Adventure Lands of America, former CEO Michael Krantz, and the three managers, denied that the ride had been operated improperly or insufficiently supervised. But Fred Dorr, an attorney for the family, said Tuesday that their lawyers believe they built a strong case that the park and its employees were responsible. Imagine the terror going on in those kids' minds, Dorr said. And then you turn to the jury and say, 'Whats that worth, to watch your child die like that? An attorney for Adventure Lands of America did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment Tuesday. However, in answering the lawsuit, the defendants said the accident resulted from a series of unexpected and intended factors and that, in the 38 years the ride operated before the accident, no raft had overturned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krantz is a member of a Des Moines-area family that began operating Adventureland in the 1970s and sold it and other affiliated assets months after the accident to the subsidiary of an international amusement park company based in Spain. In March, Herschend, a company based in the Atlanta area, purchased the Spanish company's U.S. properties, including Adventureland. Herschend operates the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee and Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri. Primary Health Care in Iowa has ended hormone replacement therapy for adult transgender patients, according to several sources. (Photo by Zach Sommers for Iowa Capital Dispatch) A federally funded health care center in central Iowa has terminated core care for its transgender patients for fear of losing federal funding, four sources have confirmed. In a letter sent to transgender patients receiving hormone replacement therapy, and obtained by the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Primary Health Care stated in February it would no longer provide hormone replacement therapy care (d)ue to a recent Executive Order restricting use of federal grant funds from being used for gender-affirming care. PHC in the letter told patients that should the health center be out of compliance with the order, it would risk losing critical and significant funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former PHC employee, who spoke with the Iowa Capital Dispatch on the condition of anonymity, said PHCs executive team told employees the health center risked losing millions of dollars in federal grant funding for the homeless support services if it continued gender-affirming care. The Iowa Capital Dispatch granted anonymity because the former employee feared potential repercussions from PHC. A transgender advocate and another person with knowledge of the change, both of whom spoke to Iowa Capital Dispatch on the condition they not be identified, also confirmed that PHC had ended gender-affirming care. Primary Health Care is a federally qualified health center, which means it receives funding from the federal government through the Health Resources and Services Administration under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FQHCs were created in the early 1990s to serve as safety net providers. They care for underserved populations. PHC is one of 14 in the state. Representatives of Primary Health Care and Iowa Primary Care Association, which provides broad support for Iowas FQHCs, did not respond to repeated questions that were posed to executives, board members, and physicians during multiple weeks of outreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former employee said staff at PHC were begging the executive team to figure out different funding methods for the clinic in order to keep providing gender-affirming care. The basis of Primary Health Care and the Project is the queer community and how could we possibly continue to be that if were telling part of that population that (they) dont belong (at PHC)? the former employee said. Only one other federally qualified health center in Iowa responded when asked whether other care centers were following PHCs lead in terminating care for transgender patients. Chad Wolbers, chief executive officer at Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque, said thats not happening at his health centers. When asked if Crescent Community currently has transgender patients, Wolbers said, Yes we do. We take care of all that present to us in need of care. Consulting firm cites confusion over executive orders A principal with FQHC Associates, a consulting firm for FQHCs nationally, acknowledged the confusion over federally funded health care centers ability to provide gender-affirming care to patients. Steve Weinman pointed to two executive orders President Donald Trump signed in the early days of his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One executive order deals with stopping transition care for children and teenagers through 18 years of age. The other executive order, which Trump signed the day he took office, is meant to defend womens rights and recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male. In doing so, the Trump administration takes aim at gender ideology and the false claim of being able to change ones sex. Through that lens, the executive order directs agencies to end the Federal funding of gender ideology and that Federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that less than two weeks after the signing of that executive order, the Health Resources and Services Administration sent an email to its federal funds recipients that they must stop their programs related to gender ideology for people aged 19 and younger. Five days later, HRSA sent another email to tell recipients its previous notification had been rescinded. HHS told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that Health centers continue to provide care to Americans who face challenges in accessing quality healthcare. When asked why PHC still moved to stop gender-affirming care when the federal agency told FQHCs to ignore its previous mandate, the former employee at PHC said thats the big question, and thats what staff wanted to know. Why? Nothing is lawThe only thing that we were being told is that they were scared to lose the federal funding that they had. Which, the amount of federal funding that they get for homeless support is a huge chunk. Lawmaker calls decision deeply disappointing Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, the first transgender Iowan elected to the Legislature, spoke during floor debate Feb. 27, 2025 on a bill to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) State Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, a Democrat of Hiawatha and the first transgender legislator elected to Iowas Legislature, said PHCs decision to terminate hormone replacement therapy care is deeply disappointing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said an executive order is not law. It is not force of law. And what the Trump administration is doing, withholding federal funds, is a violation of both the law and funds that Congress has appropriated. If the federal pressure has been removed, then they should immediately restore services and health care to trans patients. There is no justification for cutting off access to health care, Wichtendahl said. One patient who said she received hormone replacement therapy care at PHCs University Avenue location said she felt like all hell was breaking loose when she learned about PHCs decision. It felt like the sanctuary that I had was kind of just crumbling beneath me. It was quite heart wrenching because I do love going to my doctor. The patient requested to remain anonymous. She said her provider at PHC was also emotional about the decision to terminate hormone replacement care. The former employee echoed that and said, everyone seemed to be pretty emotional about the decision that had been made. Not only was PHC stopping gender-affirming care, but the former employee claimed staff also had to remove or cross-out pronouns on their ID badges and business cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The messaging around PHCs decision to end gender-affirming care was carefully managed, according to the former employee. The executive team at PHC handed staff a script with suggested responses to likely questions that patients or people wanting to establish care may ask. There were at least six potential questions and corresponding answers, according to a staff handout the Iowa Capital Dispatch reviewed. PHCs decision, made at the same time as Republican legislative efforts to roll back gender identity protections in the Iowa Civil Rights Act weighed heavily on both the former employee and the patient. Its such a common thing for trans people to not get ample HRT care, as well as HIV care. Not having good resources for that, it just really sucks, said the patient. Wichtendahl said now is the time for the transgender community to make its voices heard and say youre not taking away our health care. We will make that demand that they restore those services, she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran appear to have stalled. US President Donald Trump insisted on Monday that he would not allow Iran to enrich uranium as part of any nuclear deal, despite reports that Washington had exhibited willingness to tolerate a low level of enrichment, albeit under international supervision. Tehran is drafting a negative response to the American proposal, an Iranian diplomat told Reuters, while CNN cited an Iranian official describing the plan as incoherent and disjointed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With talks appearing to lose momentum, Iran isnt standing still: A confidential report by the UNs nuclear watchdog warned recently that Tehran had substantially increased its stockpiles of weapons-grade enriched uranium. BEIRUT (Reuters) -Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Lebanese officials on Tuesday that Iran wanted to turn a "new page" in relations with Beirut, hinting at a shift in diplomatic ties that were long grounded in supporting Tehran-backed armed group Hezbollah. Hezbollah was once a powerful armed movement and political party with sway over Lebanon's state, but it was severely weakened by Israel's bombing campaign last year. Since then, Lebanon's U.S.-backed army commander was elected president and a new cabinet with curtailed influence for Hezbollah and its allies took power. Araqchi's one-day trip to Beirut on Tuesday was his first since February, when he attended the funeral of Hezbollah's secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, killed in Israeli air strikes in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Araqchi told both Lebanon's prime minister Nawaf Salam and foreign minister Youssef Raggi that he wanted to "turn a new page" in Iran's ties with Lebanon, according to statements by Salam and Raggi's offices. "Araqchi affirmed his country's keenness to open a new page in bilateral relations with Lebanon, based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs," Salam's office said. Araqchi also extended a formal invitation for Salam to visit Iran. The statement from Raggi's office said the pair had a "frank and direct discussion," including on establishing the state's monopoly on the use of arms - an apparent reference to possible negotiations on the future of Hezbollah's arsenal. The top Iranian diplomat briefly addressed reporters on Tuesday after meeting with Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is a key Hezbollah ally. Unlike previous addresses by Iranian diplomats, his comments did not mention Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The visit followed several turbulent episodes in ties between the two countries. Lebanon's foreign ministry summoned Iran's ambassador to Beirut in April over comments alleging that plans to disarm Hezbollah were a "conspiracy". Last year, then-prime minister Najib Mikati also issued a rare rebuke of Iran for "interfering" in internal Lebanese affairs. In February, Iran blocked Lebanese planes from repatriating dozens of Lebanese nationals stranded in Tehran after Lebanon said it would not allow Iranian aircraft to land in Beirut because of Israel's threats that it would bomb the planes. (Reporting by Laila Bassam, Tom Perry and Maya Gebeily; Writing by Maya Gebeily, Editing by William Maclean) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told both Lebanon's prime minister Nawaf Salam and foreign minister Youssef Raggi that he wanted to "turn a new page" in Iran's ties with Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Lebanese officials on Tuesday that Iran wanted to turn a "new page" in relations with Beirut, hinting at a shift in diplomatic ties that were long grounded in supporting Tehran-backed armed group Hezbollah. Hezbollah was once a powerful armed movement and political party with sway over Lebanon's state, but it was severely weakened by Israel's bombing campaign last year. Since then, Lebanon's US-backed army commander was elected president and a new cabinet with curtailed influence for Hezbollah and its allies took power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Araqchi's one-day trip to Beirut on Tuesday was his first since February, when he attended the funeral of Hezbollah's secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, killed in Israeli air strikes in September. Araqchi told both Lebanon's prime minister Nawaf Salam and foreign minister Youssef Raggi that he wanted to "turn a new page" in Iran's ties with Lebanon, according to statements by Salam and Raggi's offices. "Araqchi affirmed his country's keenness to open a new page in bilateral relations with Lebanon, based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs," Salam's office said. Araqchi also extended a formal invitation for Salam to visit Iran. The statement from Raggi's office said the pair had a "frank and direct discussion," including on establishing the state's monopoly on the use of arms - an apparent reference to possible negotiations on the future of Hezbollah's arsenal. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi in Baabda, Lebanon June 3, 2025 in this handout image. (photo credit: LEBANESE PRESIDENCY PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) The top Iranian diplomat briefly addressed reporters on Tuesday after meeting with Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is a key Hezbollah ally. Unlike previous addresses by Iranian diplomats, his comments did not mention Hezbollah. Turbulant relationship between Lebanon and Iran The visit followed several turbulent episodes in ties between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon's foreign ministry summoned Iran's ambassador to Beirut in April over comments alleging that plans to disarm Hezbollah were a "conspiracy." Last year, then-prime minister Najib Mikati also issued a rare rebuke of Iran for "interfering" in internal Lebanese affairs. In February, Iran blocked Lebanese planes from repatriating dozens of Lebanese nationals stranded in Tehran after Lebanon said it would not allow Iranian aircraft to land in Beirut because of Israel's threats that it would bomb the planes. BEIRUT (AP) Irans foreign minister said Tehran supports Lebanons efforts to pressure Israel to end its military presence in parts of the country, including diplomatic moves to expel the occupiers. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added on Tuesday that Iran looks forward to relations with Lebanon based on mutual respect under the new circumstances in the country following the Israel-Hezbollah war. Araghchis visit comes after Irans main Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, was weakened by the 14-month war with Israel that left much of the Iran-backed groups political and military leadership dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Araghchis visit is his first since October, which came at the height of the Israel-Hezbollah war that ended a month later with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The war killed more than 4,000 in Lebanon, displaced over 1 million people and caused destruction that the World Bank said will coast $11 billion in reconstruction. Since the war ended, army commander Joseph Aoun was elected president and prominent jurist and diplomat Nawaf Salam became the countrys prime minister. Both Aoun and Salam have repeatedly said that only the state will monopolize the use of weapons in Lebanon. The visit also comes after the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad was removed from power in December by insurgent groups opposed to Irans influence in the region. Assad was one of Tehrans closest allies in the Arab world and his country was a main link for the flow of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah. Aoun told the visiting Iranian official during their meeting that Beirut wants to strengthen relations from state to state with Iran. Aouns comments were released by his office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past decades, Iran funded Hezbollah with billions of dollars and sent all types of weapons to the Lebanese group enjoying wide influence in the small Mediterranean nation through. Since the Israel-Hezbollah war ended, Lebanese authorities have taken tight measures at Beiruts airport to prevent the flow of funds from Iran to Hezbollah and flights by Iranian companies have been suspended to Beirut. We look forward to having relations (with Lebanon) based on mutual respect and non-interference in each countrys internal affairs, Araghchi told reporters after meeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. He added that Iran backs a national dialogue in Lebanon between rival groups. Iran condemns the occupation of Lebanese territories by the Zionist entity and supports all efforts exerted by the Lebanese government and people to expel the occupiers through any way including diplomatic methods," Araghchi said, referring to five posts Israel refused to withdraw from earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iranian companies are ready to take part in Lebanons reconstruction if the Lebanese government wants that, Araghchi said. Earlier Tuesday, Araghchi held talks with his Lebanese counterpart, Youssef Rajji, and discussed Irans ongoing negotiations with the United States over Tehrans nuclear program. Someone in Massachusetts won $120,000 from a lottery ticket they bought at an Irish pub and restaurant in the state on Monday. The $120,000 prize was from Keno, a drawing game that takes place every three to four minutes. The winning Keno ticket was sold at Tommy Doyles Pub & Grill in South Easton. Overall, at least 816 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Monday, including 28 in Springfield, 32 in Worcester and 71 in Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. The two largest lottery prizes won so far in 2025 were each worth $15 million. One of the prizes was from a winning Diamond Deluxe scratch ticket sold in Holyoke, and the other was from a 300X scratch ticket sold on Cape Cod. Massachusetts State Lottery Read the original article on MassLive. Karen Reads lawyers demanded that Judge Beverly Cannone declare a mistrial after the prosecution brought up the topic of DNA while cross-examining a key defense witness on Tuesday morning. While questioning Dr. Marie Russell, special prosecutor Hank Brennan pointed out that no dog DNA was found on John OKeefe after his death. When you look at the clothes in this case, Mr. OKeefes clothes, you are aware those clothes were swabbed for traces of dog DNA? Brennan asked Russell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorney Robert Alessi took major objection because the prosecution didnt bring in a witness to testify about DNA and noted the defense has been meticulous about avoiding the mention of DNA. Alessi argued that raising the subject while questioning Russell had prejudiced the jury. Judge Cannone then ordered the jury out of the court to allow Alessi and Brennan to weigh in on the matter. Breaking: Karen Read's attorney Robert Alessi calls for a mistrial after the jury is sent out of courtroom arguing that Brennan brought up the "absence" of dog DNA on swabs from JOK's clothes: RA: "Attorney Brennan, just with regard to Doctor Russell in open court in front of Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 3, 2025 He [attorney Brennan] has introduced it [DNA] and brought it in for the very first time in front of the jury. He has done so intentionally. He intentionally brought up DNA. Based upon that intentional mention, the defense moves strongly, vigorously for a mistrial with prejudice, a mistrial with prejudice, a fired-up Alessi told the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alessi added, I want to be very clear. The defense has been incredibly assiduous and meticulous about not mentioning DNA in any fashion, directly or indirectly." Alessi concluded, So, in conclusion, your honor, because of the conduct of the prosecution and specifically the intentional mention of DNA, the prosecution has put in the jurys mind that topic, that is, irremediable. That cannot be reversed, that cannot be cured. That cannot be ameliorated with a jury instruction. That cannot be dislodged. The prosecution has to suffer the consequences of its own intentional actions of bringing up that topic." Brennan then brushed off the accusation, saying, The defense does not get to pick and choose what words the Commonwealth can or cannot use. Watch Alessis argument and Brennans response: After a 30-minute break, Cannone denied Alessis motion to dismiss the case, ruling that Brennan could continue his line of questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell, an emergency physician and forensic pathologist, has testified that her opinion is that linear abrasions on OKeefes arm were the result of multiple dog bites, not a vehicle collision. When shown an image of the injuries to OKeefes arm, Those wounds were inflicted as the result of a dog attack, the Los Angeles-based doctor testified. The teeth made these abrasions, Russell told the court as she examined the photo and cited multiple groupings of wounds. Russell said she observed multiple strikes from a dog on OKeefes arm, including bites and claw marks. During Reads first trial, Russell also testified that the holes found in OKeefes hoodie and the wounds to his arm were from a dog. She also said her opinion is that OKeefes injuries do not appear to have been caused by a vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution sought to block her testimony ahead of the start of Reads retrial, but Judge Beverly Cannone ruled in favor of the defense. Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of striking OKeefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, with her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die alone in a blizzard outside of a house party in Canton at the home of fellow officer Brian Albert on Jan. 29, 2022, following a night of drinking. Prosecutors allege Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at the house party and returned hours later to find him dead. The defense has claimed that she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. Get caught up with all of the latest in Karen Reads retrial. Reporting from the Associated Press was included in this article. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Federal Reserve estimates America's median household income is $77,000 annually. With that in mind, you might think that someone earning over $200,000 per year would have no problem saving money. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for high-wage earners to struggle with financial discipline. Investment guru Dave Ramsey recently offered some common-sense advice to a man who earns over $200,000 per year but has no savings. Don't Miss: Jackson is a 25-year-old earning over $200,000 per year working as a heavy-duty mechanic. Despite that high salary and not carrying any debt, Jackson still has trouble managing money, and he recently called into the "Dave Ramsey Show" to discuss his situation. "I get my paychecks and I pay my bills with it and then I dont look at my account all that much," he said. "I feel like I make too much money to not have some sort of a plan, and I don't want to feel like a fool who squanders a fortune," he continued. Ramsey told Jackson he was already further ahead than many of his contemporaries. "Just asking the question puts you in the top 5%, dude," said Ramsey. Acknowledging a problem is the first step towards solving it, and Jackson's problem isn't unique. It's tempting to believe that much money will always flow in and spend it accordingly. Family is another consideration. People earning $200,000 per year are often perceived as "rich" by relatives who lean on them for financial support. It creates a situation where someone like Jackson can lose track of their money. Trending: Be part of the next med-tech breakthrough for only $350 500+ surgeries already done with nView's AI system. That's why Ramsey advised Jackson to set a budget and stick to it. Ramsey believes it's essential to have a plan for how to spend the money before it hits your bank account. "We're going to write it down before the month begins where every dollar is going to go," he said. "Give every dollar an assignment. Contract with yourself. If you have a spouse, do it with your spouse." Ramsey is also notoriously debt-averse. He is a firm believer in getting out of debt as quickly as possible and staying out of debt. Avoiding high-interest credit card debt can be difficult for high wage earners because lenders and credit card providers inundate them with offers. While it's good to have some credit, it's important not to use all that rope to hang yourself. Spending money on high-interest credit card payments never helped anyone retire comfortably. A residential break-in on Easter Sunday in Irvine, California has led to the arrest of five people that police say are part of a transnational organized burglary crew. Don't miss Police say they have been able to link the members, who have ties to Colombia, to other burglaries throughout Southern California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security camera footage released shows them posing as Amazon delivery and food delivery drivers and knocking or ringing the doorbell before entering. Police told KTLA 5 the burglars were trying to blend in to the communities they were targeting. Now the five suspects are charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and narcotics possession. If youre worried about thieves gaining access to your home by adopting these or other tactics, there are a few things you can do to protect your property. The operation On April 20, a resident in Irvine reported that his surveillance cameras showed multiple people unknown to him in his home while he was away. The people were dressed as Amazon delivery drivers. By the time the police arrived, the burglars had already left, taking with them designer purses, shoes and jewelry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, an officer spotted a suspicious vehicle leaving the area and stopped it. The driver, Jhon Osorioarias, a 24-year-old Fontana resident, said he was delivering food to a customer, but he could not provide the address where he delivered it. Police found suspicious items in the vehicle, and he was arrested for being unlicensed. After an exhaustive investigation of Osorioarias, they determined he was part of an organized burglary crew and identified his associates as well. With the help of the departments drone team, the investigators were able to coordinate a successful operation that culminated in the arrests of the five suspects in May. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be added as detectives sort through the evidence, the police said in the press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to KTLA 5, police said hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property has been recovered from the suspects, including cash, jewelry, designed handbags and four guns, and they are in the process of tracing the owners. 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 your home from break-ins The good news is data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reveals reports of burglaries have fallen sharply since 2011. The agency says that residential properties account for most burglaries, and in 2019, the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,661. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To protect yourself from this crime, you can take some simple precautions. A survey of victims in Charlotte revealed that most burglaries happen during the day, between noon and 4 pm. This is prime time for most individuals to be out of the home, whether theyre working or running errands. So even if youre just taking a quick trip to the store, be sure to lock all your doors and windows, and enable your security system during these hours. Also be extra-aware of potential burglars posing as delivery drivers around your neighborhood and scouting homes to hit. Cameras and security systems are more accessible than ever, and can help to deter thieves who may try to enter your home. One study by the Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice (SCJ) in Newark found that installed burglar alarm makes a dwelling less attractive to the would-be and active intruders and protects the home without displacing burglaries to nearby homes. Clear signage, as provided by your security company, and a camera placed in a prominent location near your front door can be enough to scare away anyone attempting to enter your home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department has found that renters are more likely to be the targets of theft than those who own their homes. In 2011, the rate of completed burglary was 18.3 per 1,000 households that owned the property and 32.7 per 1,000 households that rented. If youre a renter, youre at high risk for a home break-in, says Safewise. Read your lease and talk to your landlord about any security concerns you have. Ask if you can upgrade the lock in your apartment, or add a compact all-in-one security system like the Abode Iota or Canary. Finally, its critical to have either renters or homeowners insurance. In the case of a break-in, your landlord or property management company is not liable for any damages or items stolen. 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. Manilas skyline seen from a hotel near the airport. Its one of the biggest cities in the Philippines, as well as the island nations capital. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Moving to rural Alaska takes a lot of adjustment especially when youre coming from a city with a population of 13 million. In Part 3 of a five part audio series, Mabuhay sa Alaska, KMXTs Brian Venua reports on how teachers who have made the move from the Philippines are navigating their new lives in Alaska. Carmela Sison is one of Kodiaks new special education teachers from the Philippines. She grew up in Manila, with a metropolitan population of over 13 million people. Kodiak has less than 13,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not the same as in Manila because I lived in the highly urbanized part, but I wanted to slow down its easier for transition, she said. Easier, but not seamless. Before she came to Kodiak in August, Sison worked at an international school in the Philippines. She said the kids there were more competitive. In the Philippines, I love that drive, I love that motivation for my students, but it was always coming from a place of I have to. Here, I want to, she said. Its not about competition, its not about getting ahead. Students in a mixed grade classroom at Tagaytay Christian Academy, a private school a few hours drive from Manila. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) That was one of the biggest surprises for her she had to figure out new ways to motivate students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I did not anticipate that at all, Sison said. I stayed up many nights changing my lesson plan because it will not connect with students. Sison said being in Kodiak has meant a lot of adjustments. Weather has been another huge adjustment. The climate is colder, but Kodiak also has four seasons. The Philippines mainly has two a wet and a dry season. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Shes one of Kodiaks third batch of teachers to come from the Philippines. Cyndy Mika, the Kodiak Island Borough School Districts superintendent, said each batch of recruits has started supporting the next. Now that weve had, really, three groups of Filipino teachers coming in, they have become the support for each other, Mika said. Serjoe Gutierrez came to Kodiak in December 2022. He struggled with students at first, too. He said that back in the Philippines, his private school students were more focused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You wouldnt have a hard time with discipline for those kids because I think theyre afraid of the teachers they respect you more there, Gutierrez said. Serjoe Gutierrez supervises his orchestra students at Kodiaks 2025 solo and ensemble festival. He never had to host performances as a teacher until moving here. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Not all of the adjustments are in the classroom. The cost of living in small towns is much higher than it is in the Philippines. Sison used to hire cleaners and home chefs or get massages for a fraction of what it would cost here. Massage is $10 an hour, home service, she said. So I used to get at least a two-hour or three-hour massage every week. Gutierrez said comparing grocery prices still blows him away sometimes. He took his family shopping on a recent trip to the Philippines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our cart was full, like overflowing full, and it only cost me like $350, he said. Like here, when you get out of Walmart or Safeway its not like the whole cart. A street food vendor in Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines cooks hot dogs on a grill. Street food is common in the Philippines, but rare in rural Alaska. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Mika, the superintendent, said some of her employees have had to learn to use amenities that most Americans take for granted, like microwaves, thermostats and space heaters. Weve had to learn through mistakes that weve made with onboarding, she said. How far do we start on the integration? Just into our conveniences of life and teaching them how to use those. She even offers to teach new recruits how to drive. They dont own vehicles in the Philippines they have such a robust system of public transportation, Mika said. Jeepneys are an iconic form of transportation in the Philippines. They can haul multiple people around at a time, charging just a few pesos per ride, however some are also used as utility vehicles in place of a truck. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Some things are familiar, though about 25% of Kodiak Island Borough is Filipino, and the community is organized. The Kodiak Filipino American Association regularly holds events that celebrate heritage from the island nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FilAm is for everybody, and its an organization that is focused on helping the community building a community, said Mark Anthony Vizcocho, the nonprofits president. Mark Anthony Vizcocho at Kodiaks 2025 Santacruzan, the pageant part of Flores de Mayo. Kodiak FilAm usually has a float at CrabFest for the parade part of the holiday. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) One of his goals this year is to reach out to more of the new teachers as he plans cultural events like Flores de Mayo, a traditional flower festival and parade in the Philippines. People dont know why we always have parties. Its because we want them to know that we like to have fun, Vizcocho said. Its a reminder of the island nation, here on this island in Alaska. This story was originally published by KMXT, as part three of a five part audio series, Mabuhay sa Alaska. Hamas demands US guarantees that negotiations for a deal, including a ceasefire, will continue after the initial 60-day period, a source told the Post. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, are ongoing despite significant gaps, a source familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post. Qatars Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, met with senior Hamas officials based in Doha. These officials emphasized that Hamas demands US guarantees that negotiations for a deal, including a ceasefire, will continue after the initial 60-day period, the source told the Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Efforts are being made to reach new understandings with Hamas before Eid al-Adha, which begins this Friday. In Doha, Dr. Bishara Bahbah, an envoy of Steve Witkoff, continues to engage with senior Hamas officials. The mediators, Egypt, Qatar, and the US administration, are working to advance a deal or at least secure agreements between the parties despite the challenges. Israeli officials note that following Egypt and Qatars announcement on Sunday regarding their efforts to reach a deal, Hamas also issued a statement, signaling its interest in an agreement. However, Hamas proposed a framework significantly different from Witkoff's original plan, which included the release of 10 hostages within a week. Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza and supporters protest calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, outside the US Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv, May 13, 2025. (photo credit: TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90) The military operation is intensifying, aid is entering without Hamass control, and the terrorist organization is under pressure, an Israeli source told the Post. Within a week, Hamas presented two proposals, which were both rejected by Witkoff, and it will gradually realize that Witkoff's framework is the only deal on the table. An Israeli official said, however, that "negotiations have not stopped, efforts of the mediators still continue." Israel will not send a delegation to Qatar after Hamas requested changes to the US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff's outline for a hostage deal, Israeli media reported Tuesday. An Israeli official said, however, that "negotiations have not stopped, efforts of the mediators still continue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel is making it clear that, despite Hamas' apparent "willingness" to continue negotiations, in practice, there is no change in the group's position, and that the gaps with the Witkoff proposal remain. Hamas's response does not include a serious reference to the Witkoff proposal and presents new demands that deviate greatly from the Israeli line, Israeli sources said. The additional demands include a ceasefire of up to seven years, a complete IDF withdrawal from the areas occupied since March, and the cancellation of the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip. March 30, 2024. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) "Israel has agreed to the Witkoff framework as proposed that is the official position," a diplomatic source clarified. "Despite Hamas' statements, there has been no significant change." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources in Israel added that Hamas's willingness to return to negotiations is seen as a purely tactical move designed to improve its international image. "This is not an answer - it is a slammed door. Hamas's response only distances us from an agreement," Witkoff said in response to Hamas's demands. Tension between mediators US, Egypt The US, Qatar, and Egypt are continuing mediation efforts in line with the Witkoff proposal. However, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati held a phone call with Witkoff on Sunday that, according to Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, was significantly and noticeably tense, reflecting Egypt's growing concerns that the war in Gaza will become an open war of attrition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt is concerned that the IDF's continued military activity, particularly in Khan Yunis, will result in a redrawing of the demographic map in the south of Gaza, and the gradual pushing of Palestinians towards the border with Egypt, posing a direct threat to the country's national security, Abdel Ati told Witkoff. Additionally, Abdel Ati reportedly did not hesitate to blame Washington for part of the failure of the negotiations, as well as criticizing the way the US administration is conducting the negotiations. Witkoff has asked American-Palestinian businessman Bishara Bahah to remain in Doha and continue talks with Hamas, in the hope that his presence will avoid a sense of finality or disconnect between the parties. RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israeli forces fired on people as they headed toward an aid distribution site in Gaza on Tuesday, killing at least 27, Palestinian health officials and witnesses said, in the third such shooting in three days. The army said it fired near a few individual suspects who left the designated route, approached its forces and ignored warning shots. The near-daily shootings have occurred after an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation established aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis and allows Israel to use aid as a weapon. The Israeli military said it fired to drive away suspects." In a statement, army spokesperson Effie Defrin said "the numbers of casualties published by Hamas were exaggerated but that the incident was being investigated. He said the army is not preventing Palestinians in Gaza from reaching aid in the distribution areas, but rather allowing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates the sites, says there has been no violence in or around them. On Tuesday, it acknowledged that the Israeli military was investigating whether civilians were wounded after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone, in an area that was well beyond our secure distribution site. A spokesperson for the group said it was saddened to learn that a number of civilians were injured and killed after moving beyond the designated safe corridor." Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israels offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gazas food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza in March, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. Either way we will die Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses have said the shootings all occurred at the Flag Roundabout, around a kilometer (half-mile) from one of the GHFs distribution sites in the now mostly uninhabited southern city of Rafah. The entire area is an Israeli military zone where journalists have no access outside of army-approved embeds. Yasser Abu Lubda, a 50-year-old displaced person from Rafah, said the shooting started around 4 a.m. Tuesday and he saw several people killed or wounded. Neima al-Aaraj, a woman from Khan Younis, said the Israeli fire was indiscriminate." She added that when she managed to reach the distribution site, there was no aid left. After the martyrs and wounded, I wont return, she said. Either way we will die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rasha al-Nahal, another witness, said that there was gunfire from all directions. She said she counted more than a dozen dead and several wounded along the road. When she reached the distribution site, she found there was no aid left, she said. She gathered pasta from the ground and salvaged rice from a bag that had been dropped and trampled upon. Wed rather die than deal with this," she said. "Death is more dignified than whats happening to us. UN human rights official condemns shootings At least 27 people were killed early Tuesday, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Hisham Mhanna, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross, confirmed the toll, saying its field hospital in Rafah received 184 wounded people, 19 of them declared dead on arrival, with eight others later dying of their wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dead were transferred to Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis. Three children and two women were among the dead, according to Mohammed Saqr, head of nursing at the hospital. Hospital director Atef al-Hout said most of the patients had gunshot wounds. An Associated Press reporter who arrived at the Red Cross field hospital at around 6 a.m. saw wounded people being transferred to other hospitals by ambulance. Outside, people were returning from the aid hub, mostly empty-handed, while empty flour bags stained with blood lay on the ground. Jeremy Laurence, a spokesman for the U.N. human rights office, told reporters it also had information indicating that 27 people were killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meager food that is being made available through Israels militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism, Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it distributed 21 truckloads of food at the Rafah site on Tuesday, while its other two operational sites were closed. During a ceasefire earlier this year, around 600 aid trucks entered Gaza daily. 3 Israeli soldiers killed in northern Gaza The Israeli military, meanwhile, said three of its soldiers were killed in northern Gaza, in what appeared to be the deadliest attack on Israel's forces since it ended a ceasefire with Hamas in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military said the soldiers, all in their early 20s, died during combat on Monday, without providing details. Israeli media reported they were killed in an explosion in the Jabaliya area. Israel ended the latest ceasefire after Hamas refused to change the agreement to release more hostages sooner. Israeli strikes have killed thousands of Palestinians since then, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Israel says the new aid distribution system is designed to prevent Hamas from stealing aid. The U.N. says its own ability to deliver aid across Gaza has been hindered by Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order and widespread looting, but that there's no evidence of systematic diversion of aid by Hamas. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't 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. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. Around 860 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the Oct. 7 attack, including more than 400 during the fighting inside Gaza. Rockets fired from Syria Sirens sounded across Israel late Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's army said that two rockets were fired from Syria into open areas in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights, marking the first time a strike's been launched toward Israel from Syrian territory since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad. A group calling itself the Mohammed Deif Brigades claimed the attack in a post on Telegram. Little is known about the group, which first surfaced on social media last month. Israel has been suspicious of the Islamist former insurgents who formed the new Syrian government and has launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syria and seized a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory since Assads fall. Syrian state TV reported Israeli shelling hit the western countryside of Syrias Daraa province after the rocket launch. Israel's defense minister said it holds Syria's president responsible for every threat and firing towards Israel, and that a full response will come as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Magdy and Khaled reported from Cairo. Julia Frankel and Areej Hazboun in Jerusalem, Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Abby Sewell in Damascus, Syria contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) The Israeli army said two rockets were fired from Syria into open areas in the Israel-controlled Golan Heights on Tuesday, marking the first time a strike has been launched toward Israel from Syrian territory since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December. Syrian state media reported that Israel shelled the western countryside of Syrias Daraa province after the rocket launch. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, also reported Israeli airstrikes that caused violent explosions around the city of Quneitra and in the Daraa countryside. A group calling itself the Mohammed Deif Brigades named after a Hamas military leader killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza last year claimed the attack in a post on Telegram. The group first surfaced on social media a few days before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until now, its just a Telegram channel. Its not known if it is a real group, said Ahmed Aba Zeid, a Syrian researcher who has studied armed factions in southern Syria. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Israel considers the Syrian president directly responsible for every threat and firing toward the State of Israel and warned of a full response to come as soon as possible. Israel has been suspicious of the Islamist former insurgents who formed the new Syrian government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and has launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syria and seized a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory since Assads fall. Syrias foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run TV channel that it has not yet verified the accuracy of the reports of strikes launched from Syria toward Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We affirm that Syria has not and will not pose a threat to any party in the region, the statement said. It condemned the Israeli shelling, which it said had resulted in significant human and material losses. The U.S., which has warmed to al-Sharaa's government and recently moved to lift some sanctions previously imposed on Syria, has pushed for Syria to normalize relations with Israel. In a recent interview with the Jewish Journal, al-Sharaa said he wants to see a return to a 1974 ceasefire agreement between the two countries but stopped short of proposing immediate normalization, saying that peace must be earned through mutual respect, not fear. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for an independent investigation into alleged Israeli strikes near aid distribution centres in Gaza, prompting a sharp rebuke from the Israeli government. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein called Guterres' statement a "disgrace" and criticized the UN chief for failing to mention Palestinian Islamist group Hamas or its rejection of ceasefire and hostage release proposals. "Not a word about the fact that Hamas is the one shooting civilians and trying to prevent them from collecting aid packages," Marmorstein wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guterres had earlier demanded an inquiry into reports, based on Hamas claims, that Israeli strikes killed civilians seeking aid. The Hamas-run media office on Sunday said 30 people were killed in such incidents. "It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food," Guterres wrote on X, adding that Israel is obligated under international humanitarian law to facilitate aid deliveries. The Israeli military rejected the allegations, saying a preliminary review found no evidence of fire on civilians near or inside aid facilities. The claims could not be independently verified. Israel has recently allowed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to distribute aid in the Gaza Strip, bypassing UN agencies while resuming limited aid deliveries after a nearly three-month blockade. Israeli soldiers stopped international journalists from entering villages in the West Bank featured in the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, during a press tour on Monday organized by co-directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham. The pair had invited more than a dozen local and international journalists to visit Adras home village of At-Tuwani, which lies within a collection of Bedouin villages in an area known as Masafer Yatta in the West Bank, to witness evidence of settler violence and army demolitions. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video posted on X by Adra and Abraham shows a masked Israeli soldier telling the journalists to clear an area barred by a checkpoint in 10 minutes, threatening them with legal action if they fail to comply. After the army destroyed a village and allowed settlers to invade it, they are now blocking our tour with dozens of international journalists saying theyre not allowed to enter Masafer Yatta and visit @basel_adra home. pic.twitter.com/1wEek6BeA6 Yuval Abraham (@yuval_abraham) June 2, 2025 Abraham is heard saying: You know that they are journalists. Theyre coming to see the destruction in Masafer Yatta, the way that you are destroying the community, the settler violence dangerous. The soldier suggests the ban on the journalists crossing over into the West Bank is to maintain order in the area. Adra interjects: Were going to my home inside. There will be no cars here. Whats your problem? Theyre coming to my home in my village. Why dont you prevent the settlers when they come to burn the homes and the cars, and attacking people? Why only for journalists who are holding cameras and phones? Why? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A journalists suggestion that the group proceed on foot rather than by car is turned down with the soldier repeating the ban is for the sake of order, to the bewilderment of many in the group. In this crossroads, no journalists and no guests and no hundreds of people to keep the order in the area right here you are a public disturbance, he says. Adras villages is among collection of hamlets also including Hafaweh, Mirkez, Jimba and Susya, which lie on the Palestinian West Bank side of the 1949 Green Line. Their future has been at stake since Israel declared much of the land they are situated on a live-fire training zone in the 1980s, with their inhabitants coming under further pressure from the construction of illegal Israeli settlements on their doorstep such as Carmel and Maon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No Other Land which won the Best Documentary Academy award follows the journey of Adra as he documents the devastation of wreaked on Masafer Yatta and its Bedouin community over the years, and Israeli journalist Abrahams attempts to amplify this narrative. The work world-premiered at 2023 Berlinale, where it won the Audience Award and Berlinale Documentary Award. In the wake of the Oscar win, the inhabitants of the Masafer Yatta villages had hoped the award would help their cause as the documentary exposed the challenges they are facing to international audiences. Instead, there has been an uptick in settler violence, while Israel has stepped up its plans to clear the Bedouin villages, bulldozing the village of Khalet a-Daba on May 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, just weeks after the documentarys Oscar win, Hamdan Ballal, a co-director on the film alongside Adra, Abraham and Rachel Szor, was attacked by a mob of Israeli settlers close to his his village and then arrested by soldiers and held overnight in an army facility. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Israeli soldiers on Monday barred journalists from entering villages in the West Bank on a planned tour organized by the directors of the Oscar-winning movie No Other Land. The directors of the deeply compassionate and powerful documentary, which focuses on the systematic Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, said they had invited the journalists on the tour to interview residents about increasing settler violence in the area. In video posted on X by the film's 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They don't want journalists to visit the villages to meet the residents, said Adra, who had invited the journalists to his home. It's clear they don't 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. Some 1,000 Palestinians have remained there despite being ordered out, and journalists, human rights activists and diplomats have visited the villages in the past. No Other Land - CPH:DOX Palestinian residents in the area have reported increasing settler violence since 7 October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and kickstarted 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Adra said settlers arrived in Khallet A-Daba Monday and took over some of the caves where village residents live, destroying residents' belongings and grazing hundreds of sheep on village lands. The military demolished much of the village last month. Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal, Basel Adra, and Yuval Abraham accept the Oscar for Best Documentary at this year's Oscars - 2 March 2025 - AP Photo 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 Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, and Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The film also won Best Documentary at the Berlinale, with Adra using his acceptance speech to say that it was difficult to celebrate while his Palestinian compatriots in Gaza were being slaughtered and massacred. He called on Germany to respect the UN calls and stop sending weapons to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abraham, then took to the stage: We are standing in front of you. Now, we are the same age. I am Israeli, Basel is Palestinian. And in two days, we go back to a land where we are not equal. He continued: I am under civilian law; Basel is under military law. We live 30 minutes from one another but I have voting rights. Basel does not have voting rights. I am free to move where I want in this land. Basel, like millions of Palestinians, is locked in the occupied West Bank. This situation of apartheid between us, this inequality, has to end. At the time, the speeches of Abraham and Adra were criticized by the Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner - of the Christian Democratic Union party. On X, he wrote: Anti-Semitism has no place in Berlin, and that also applies to the art scene. I expect the new management of the Berlinale to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. This led to a massive backlash, and this year, the new Berlinale director Trcia Tuttle addressed the controversy around the film, defending the No Other Land filmmakers by saying that discourse which suggests this film or its filmmakers are antisemitic creates danger for all of them, inside and outside of Germany, and it is important that we stand together and support them. This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. CHICAGO A Johnson & Johnson drug currently used for advanced prostate cancer can help keep the disease from progressing in men who are at earlier stages and have certain genetic mutations, according to newly unveiled data from a Phase 3 clinical trial. Results from this trial, named Amplitude, were released Tuesday at the American Society of Clinical Oncologys meeting in Chicago. They could potentially expand the number of people able to receive J&Js Akeega, a pill that combines the active ingredients from the medicines Zejula and Zytiga. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Akeega, along with hormone therapy, kept men with so-called BRCA mutations from getting sicker for longer than Zytiga and hormone therapy, reducing the relative risk of disease progression by nearly half. The combination also reduced by 56% the risk that BRCA-positive participants in the study experienced symptoms of disease progression. Akeega is already approved for men whose disease stops responding to hormone therapy if they have BRCA mutations, which often signal a more aggressive cancer. This stage of disease, classified as castration resistant, is considered to be advanced. Akeegas constituent drug components target the proteins PARP and CYP17, respectively. Drugs aimed at CYP17 have been used in prostate cancer for more than a decade, while PARP inhibitors are more recent arrivals. However, in prostate cancer, PARP blockers are largely used in the castration-resistant setting, where testosterone suppression no longer keeps the disease in check. Some physicians and drugmakers have explored moving treatment to early-stage disease as a way of helping patients live longer. Amplitude was set up to test that hypothesis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The challenge is that when we use PARP inhibitors as monotherapy at the end of the treatment sequence, resistance rapidly develops, and the median time to radiographic progression-free survival is shorter than 12 months, said Gerhardt Attard, a professor of medical oncology at University College London and lead author of the study, in a press conference presenting the data. This group of patients have poor outcomes, significantly worse outcomes than other patients. Bradley McGregor, a genitourinary specialist with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said the study results will help clear up debate over where PARP inhibitors fit into treatment of people with hormone-sensitive disease. This data is quite compelling for the BRCA 1/2 patients where that magnitude of benefit is higher, he said. Amplitude enrolled men with a broader set of mutations to homologous recombination repair, or HRR, genes, of which BRCA is one. The benefit in the overall population was smaller, with Akeega reducing the risk of radiographic progression by 37% and symptomatic progression by half. Akeega is currently approved only for the narrow BRCA-mutated population. Of the PARP inhibitors on the market, only AstraZenecas Lynparza has won clearance for the broader HRR population, but its use is reserved for castration-resistant disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Wildgust, J&Js global medical affairs vice president for oncology, said the HRR results from Amplitude should stimulate some discussion with the Food and Drug Administration. The company must keep working with regulators to see if there is room or comfort to expand to that broader population, he said. Trial investigators also analyzed results by specific HRR mutations beyond BRCA. With some, like one called PALB2, patients didnt see any benefit, Wildgust said. I think with smaller patient groups, it's a bit more difficult, he added. Physicians will need to be able to identify the patients most likely to benefit, should Akeega gain an expanded approval in earlier-stage prostate cancer. You dont know if you dont test, McGregor said. Akeega first won approval in 2023. Johson & Johnson didnt report annual sales for the drug in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GSK has some rights to Zejula, Akeegas PARP-inhibiting ingredient, by way of its 2019 acquisition of the drug's developer, Tesaro Bio. J&J had previously licensed rights to niraparib in prostate cancer specifically, allowing it to market Akeega. Recommended Reading JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) On Tuesday, Jackson residents will elect a new mayor. State Senator John Horhn (D), Kenneth Gee (R), Rodney DePriest (I), Zach Servis (I), Kim Wade (I) and Lillie Stewart-Robinson (I) are on the ballot. Servis said revitalizing the capital city begins with hiring a Public Works director and getting rid of contracts. If contracts are used, he wants to make sure theyre bid out correctly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We turned down $14 million of blight elimination funds from the state. In my administration, were going to use the money we have. Were going to use the resources we have, and were going to start targeting these issues instead of dancing around them, Servis said. DePriest said the relationships with lawmakers at the Mississippi State Capitol are critical. He said one of the major issues with blight is tax foreclosed properties being held by the Secretary of State. When these properties are held by the Secretary of State, that theres funding that they have to help clean up that process, he said. Stewart-Robinson said lawmakers have already appropriated money to the capital city. If elected, she said she will work with the legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will collaborate with them to make sure Jacksons infrastructure is improved. The ditches need improvement. The potholes, we know. We want to make sure that we pave our interests to Jackson, she said. Horhn has about 30 years of experience at the State Capitol. He believes the HUD office in Jackson has more than $6 million. If thats true, were going to use that money and pointed toward South Jackson to start eliminating blight right away. West Jackson, well follow that, he said. Gee said building relationships with state government will be a priority for him. I will advocate relentlessly for the funding and resources Jackson needs, whether its for safer roads, improved public schools, or expanded mental health services, he said. 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. Floridas attorney general responded to concerns by some counties and sheriffs that the high number of immigration arrests were overburdening their jails. Last month, 9 Investigates first reported the concerns by Orange and Pinellas counties, which represent two of the nine jails ICE uses to consolidate immigration inmates before moving them to federal facilities. The Pinellas County sheriff said he already had 200 inmates sleeping on the floor to make room for detainees from neighboring counties, while Orange County expressed alarm that its taxpayers were shelling out tens of thousands of dollars to pay for inmates from counties like Lake, Brevard, and Indian River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General James Uthmeier acknowledged the issue Tuesday and said his team was working on it. Were going to have capacity concerns. Jails are filling up, he said. Were working with the federal government to address these things. Uthmeier said his team was tossing around several ideas that they hoped to bring to the state Immigration Council soon. The council had been asking that ICE use all 67 county jails instead of just nine, which meant inmates would be housed in their county of arrest. Its not clear if that is one of the ideas Uthmeier was considering. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Jake Tappers new book, Original Sin: President Bidens Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, co-authored with Axios reporter Alex Thompson, has sparked a conversation about the ex-presidents cognitive decline while in the White House. But the books release, along with Tapper and Thompsons extensive media tour to promote it in the last month, has not helped the CNN stars ratings or the shows that follow his. In fact, viewership for The Lead with Jake Tapper suffered a noticeable year-over-year drop-off in May, posting its worst month since August 2015, according to Nielsen. And the three shows that follow his Erin Burnett Upfront, Anderson Cooper 360 and The Source With Kaitlan Collins all took significant hits as well, with each seeing its viewership drop 18% or more compared to a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ratings drop-off coincided with Tapper and Thompsons tour to promote Original Sin. The book debuted in the top spot on The New York Times bestseller list, selling about 54,000 copies in its first week, and it currently ranks as the sixth-best seller on Amazon. Tappers hosts on other CNN shows also heavily promoted the book. It was a tough month for CNN overall. After seeing its ratings rebound following a viewer exodus after the 2024 election, the channel lost that momentum in May, posting its second-lowest weekday primetime and total-day viewership ever; only December 2024 was worse. Here is a look at the ratings: CNN Viewership, according to Nielsen (chart by Chris Smith for TheWrap) The Lead With Jake Tapper, per Nielsen data, dropped 25% from 701,000 viewers in May 2024 to 525,000 viewers last month. Cooper and Burnetts shows each lost more than 100,000 viewers compared to a year ago, dropping 18% year-over-year; and Collins show took a 24% hit compared to a year ago, going from 611,000 viewers to 462,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tapper referred TheWrap to CNNs PR team when reached for comment. The award-winning program The Lead with Jake Tapper reaches broad global audiences across CNN, CNN International and Maxs streaming platform, a CNN spokesperson told TheWrap. No single metric can capture the true reach and impact of a program driving the national conversation. CNN shows like Tappers are available on Max for streaming, which is not counted by Nielsen, although the channel did not share how much that may have boosted May ratings. MSNBC did not benefit from any disenchanted CNN viewers moving over to their channel, with its ratings dropping 24% month-over-month between April and May. Tapper and Thompson have made headlines while promoting the book perhaps most notably when Tapper told Piers Morgan last week that the cover-up of Bidens cognitive decline was maybe even worse than Watergate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an interview on his own channel, Tapper said there was was not enough coverage of Bidens health issues, including from himself. And while appearing on Megyn Kellys show last month, Tapper said he called Lara Trump to apologize to her, after he ripped her in 2020 for claiming Biden was showing signs of cognitive decline. She saw something that I did not see at the time, Tapper said. 100 percent. And I own that. The media blitz hasnt appeared to help CNNs viewership, though, and has opened up the network, and Tapper, to criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Tapper and Thompsons mea culpas about the press failings, and their own, havent mollified conservatives, who have used the reporting in the book as evidence that the media downplayed Bidens health in an effort to prop up his candidacy, which Tapper has denied. Original Sin has also faced attacks from the left, accusing Tapper of focusing on Biden when there are more pressing issues regarding the current administration. Weighing in on The Left Hook podcast, writer Wajahat Ali described the book by saying, While the Trump Administration is galloping towards fascism and arguing to end birthright citizenship, corporate media remain complicit cowards by focusing on Joe Bidens age. The post CNN, Jake Tapper Ratings Drop as Biden Book Faces Blowback appeared first on TheWrap. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Jamaican woman is facing a number of federal charges, including voter fraud in Bay County. ICE agents say 52-year-old Jacqueline Dianne Wallace overstayed her visa and was in the country illegally. Wallace was apparently living in Panama City Beach in January 2024 when she registered online to vote. Authorities say she then voted in the August 2024 Presidential Primary. Bay County Sheriffs deputies arrested Wallace on May 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was booked into the Bay County Jail with a hold for ICE. Jail officials say shes no longer there. In a press release, Bay County Supervisor of Elections Nina Ward told News 13, My office is fully committed to providing access to eligible voters however it is equally important to ensure the integrity of the voter rolls by removing those who are not eligible. We have fully cooperated with the Department of Homeland Security during this investigation and will continue to be vigilant in identifying and stopping voter fraud. Officials have yet to release another update on Wallaces custody or location. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. A whos-who of Republican elites is set to gather Tuesday at the National Building Museum for a swanky gala hosted by American Compass, the institutional home of conservative economic populism in Washington. The black-tie affair is nominally being held to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the think tank, which was founded in 2020 by the conservative economist and former Mitt Romney adviser Oren Cass. But among American Compasss supporters in the capital, the event is broadly understood to represent a victory lap of sorts, marking the ascendancy of Casss brand of economic populism in the Trump era and the newfound prominence of two of American Compasss primary political allies: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both of whom are scheduled to speak at Tuesdays event. Yet despite American Compasss success in establishing itself as a buzzy hub of new conservative economic thinking in Washington, the gala comes at a particularly fraught moment for this ascendant wing of the GOP. Casss brand of economic thinking which rejects the GOPs traditional melange of free trade, tax cuts and deregulation in favor of trade protectionism, industrial policy, immigration restriction and a relatively friendlier stance toward organized labor has made definite inroads in Washington, as the Trump administrations aggressive tariff policies and public courting of organized labor suggest. But the limits of the administrations commitment to American Compass-style populism have been put on stark display in recent weeks thanks to the fight over Trumps big, beautiful domestic spending bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation, which is currently under consideration in the Senate, includes a slew of decidedly un-populist provisions tax cuts for corporations and high-earners, rollbacks to Medicaid coverage and funding cuts for food assistance programs for low-income Americans and has been met with unusually strong resistance among populist-leaning Republicans in the upper chamber, especially Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, who has publicly opposed the bills Medicaid cuts. Notably, Cass has also spoken out publicly against some of the bills tax provisions. In a recent interview with POLITICO Magazine, Cass criticized congressional Republicans for their inability to articulate a coherent economic rationale for proposed tax cuts, calling negotiation process a death march through a series of choices that nobody really wanted to be making. He also called out the House package for exacerbating Americas ongoing fiscal crisis by adding to the national debt a claim that the Trump White House continues to deny, despite multiple independent estimates showing that the bill would add over $3 trillion to the debt over the next decade. The tension inside the Building Museum will be heightened by the presence of Vance and Rubio, both of whom serve as ambassadors of sorts between the GOPs economic populist wing and the Trump White House. In the Senate, both Vance and Rubio emerged as leading champions of Cass-style economic populism, with Vance taking a stand on tariffs and rail-safety regulation, and Rubio positioning himself as a vocal advocate of targeted industrial policy as a tool for the U.S. to compete with China. Vances elevation to the No. 2 spot in the administration was also a major win for the cohort: Vance and Cass have been friendly for nearly a decade, Cass told me, dating back to the publication of Hillbilly Elegy in 2016. The two have deepened their political ties in recent years as well, with Vance headlining a conference hosted by American Compass in 2023 and hiring the groups former research director to his Senate office. But now that both men have left the Senate for Cabinet-level roles in the administration, they have had to downplay any ideological daylight between Trumps economic agenda and the conservative populists vision. Thats especially true on tax reform where American Compass and others in the movement have unsuccessfully urged the administration to raise rates on corporations and high-earners and welfare cuts, where populist have come out against the big, beautiful bills cuts to Medicaid and other popular social safety net programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departure of Vance and Rubio from the Senate has also thrust Cass and his fellow economic populists in another sort of political bind. When acting as a unified bloc in the upper chamber, Vance, Rubio and Hawley (and, to a lesser extent, other populist-curious Republican senators like Tom Cotton and Eric Schmitt) wielded significant leverage over leadership. But with Vance and Rubio now out of the picture, Hawley has been forced into the uncomfortable position of allying with more moderate (and MAGA-skeptical) Republicans like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski to push populists preferred changes to Trumps mega-bill. That dilemma points to a broader challenge facing Cass and his fellow conservative populists at the dawn of the second Trump administration. Although American Compass has found champions among a handful of high-profile Republicans in Washington and, importantly, has made inroads with a broad swath of younger Republican staffers on the Hill theyve yet to win broad-based support among rank-and-file Republicans. In particular, Republicans in the House have kept American Compasss heterodox economic argument at a comfortable arms length, giving the anti-tax budget hawks in the Freedom Caucus disproportionate power over the economic agenda in the lower chamber. That lack of broad-based political support is partly a function of the relative novelty of American Compasss message it is, after all, only five-years old and partly a result of the personality of its founder. Cass, a bespectacled and soft-spoken budget wonk, has always appealed more to the self-styled conservative intellectuals in the Senate than he has to the conservative bomb-throwers in the House. Cass is also not a typical go-along-to-get-along creature of the Washington swamp: As his recent criticisms of the big, beautiful bill suggest, he is one of the few MAGA-aligned conservatives in Washington who is still willing to offer principled criticisms of the administrations actions a tendency that has not always endeared him to White House officials. A self-described policy nerd, he is also something of an odd fit within smashmouth rhetorical frame of the MAGA mainstream. Last year, for instance, he lobbed some polite but not-so-subtle criticisms at Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, arguing that Roberts incendiary comments about Project 2025 and the need to launch a second American revolution risked undermining Republicans more substantive policy goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all these low-level tensions simmering in the background, the gala represents an opportunity for two of the administrations high-profile emissaries to tend to some sore spots between the White House and the GOPs economic populists. Vance who is slated to sit for a Q&A with Cass at the gala has emerged as a particularly adept mediator among MAGAs various factions: In March, he used a similar speech at a high-profile gathering of right-leaning tech figures to broker a truce of sorts between the tech right and the populist-right. In that respect, the Building Museum serves as a thematically appropriate venue for the event. With Trumps domestic policy agenda dangling in a delicate legislative limbo, the administration needs to quickly build some bridges with the partys economic populists to get the bill across the finish line. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) A New Jersey woman and her Albanian husband are accused of entering into a sham marriage so he can become a permanent U.S. resident, authorities said. Elvis Harizaj, 25, an Albanian national, and Natasha Flores, 27, of Newark, were both charged with making false statements to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), according to federal prosecutors. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harizaj came to the U.S. on a student visa in 2017 and married Flores in 2021 before filing for permanent resident status a year later. During their individual interviews with USCIS in 2023, Harizaj and Flores allegedly told different stories about when they moved in together, whether Flores had any student loans, and the details of the proposal, according to the federal complaint. The couple allegedly submitted a few bills and a lease to a fake Maple Shade, N.J. address as part of their citizenship application, according to court records. But the couple never lived together, and Flores landlord in Newark proved she had been living there since 2019, officials said. Flores also claimed she was never married before, but she had previously married a Brazilian man to help him get his U.S. citizenship, prosecutors alleged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harizaj eventually withdrew his permanent resident application and admitted his marriage to Flores was a sham, according to court records. He was also charged with marriage fraud. The charges of false statements and marriage fraud both have a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of three years of supervised release, prosecutors said. 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. The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, is suing the states top federal prosecutor for defamation and false arrest after he was charged with trespassing outside an immigration detention center. That case was dismissed days later, prompting a federal judge to call the whole ordeal an embarrassing retraction for interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. Habba, who is also Donald Trumps personal defense attorney, is accused of malicious prosecution violating Mayor Ras Barakas Fourth Amendment rights, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic mayor who is also running for governor was arrested outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center on May 9 as he joined members of Congress to demand answers from the Trump administration about the conditions inside. A heated argument broke out after agents blocked his entry and continued even after Baraka returned to the other side of the gates. Chaotic video from the scene and officers bodycam footage shows officers shoving and holding back protesters at the gate while agents swarm around Baraka and block protesters from entering. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is suing New Jerseys U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for defamation and false arrest after he was charged with trespassing during demonstrations at an ICE facility (Getty) Baraka was charged with trespassing, but Habba announced on May 19 that she was dropping the case for the sake of moving forward. Habba simultaneously announced criminal charges against a Democratic member of Congress in a social media statement dismissing Barakas case. Habba ultimately dismissed the case against Baraka, which a federal judge called an embarrassing retraction following a hasty arrest (Getty Images) The mayors federal lawsuit targets Habba and Ricky Patel, the special agent in charge with Newarks ICE Homeland Security Investigations office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka claims he was falsely arrested without probable cause while peacefully complying with law enforcement officers after he was invited to the property. Patel, apparently in consultation with Habba, ordered the arrest despite clear evidence of Barakas compliance and the absence of any criminal conduct, according to the complaint. A second Fourth Amendment claim accuses Habba and Patel of leading a malicious prosecution for political purposes. As a result, Baraka suffered severe reputational harm, emotional distress and other damages, according to his complaint. Habba is also accused of amplifying false and defamatory statements about the mayor on social media and in an interview on Fox News moments after his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not stand for anyone getting in the way and getting rid of criminals in this country, Habba said at the time. Its very simple. Unfortunately, the mayor has publicly for three days been saying he will break in and eventually did break in and was given multiple opportunities to remove himself and failed to do so and has been detained and will be charged. Baraka has accused Habbas office of mounting a politically motivated prosecution against him as the Trump administration takes aim at Democratic officials opposed to his anti-immigration agenda (AP) Following his arrest, Habba claimed on social media Baraka has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, Habba wrote. Similar claims were aired by top Trump administration officials. These statements falsely accused Mayor Baraka of criminal conduct and misconduct, despite Habbas actual knowledge and reckless disregard of facts demonstrating his innocence, according to the mayors lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka is seeking punitive and compensatory damages for pain, suffering, stress, humiliation, mental anguish, emotional harm and personal physical injury and physical sickness, as well as damage to his reputation. The Independent has requested comment from Habbas office. By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, who was arrested by U.S. immigration agents at a detention center last month, sued two law enforcement officials on Tuesday, alleging the arrest was part of a politically motivated move by President Donald Trump's administration. Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat who is now running for New Jersey governor, alleges in the lawsuit that he was wrongly arrested for trespassing without cause and maliciously prosecuted following a tense confrontation at a privately run immigration detention center in Newark on May 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The encounter drew widespread attention at a time of growing clashes between the Trump administration and Democrats over Trump's hardline approach to immigration. Baraka was arrested after U.S. authorities said he refused to leave the facility, known as Delaney Hall, where U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver and two other Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey were conducting an oversight visit. His complaint names as defendants Alina Habba, the acting U.S. attorney in New Jersey who brought the case and is a former personal lawyer to Trump, and Ricky Patel, a Department of Homeland Security official in Newark, who allegedly ordered the arrest. In a post on X following reports that Baraka planned to sue, Habba said Baraka should "join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey," she wrote. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement: "The American people saw with their own eyes his actions that put the safety of our law enforcement agents and the staff at Delaney Hall at risk." Prosecutors dropped the case against Baraka 10 days after his arrest. Habba said the decision was made "for the sake of moving forward" but offered no further explanation. Her office then charged McIver with assaulting and resisting officers who were trying to arrest Baraka. McIver has not yet entered a plea but has denounced the charges as political intimidation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka's lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, alleges a guard invited Baraka onto the property and he agreed to leave after he was threatened with arrest. Stephen Demanovich, one of the prosecutors assigned to the McIver case and the now-dismissed case against Baraka, is not a career member of the office, and was tapped by Habba in May to serve as her counsel. Shortly before joining her office, he moderated a panel hosted by conservative legal group the Federalist Society entitled "The Weaponization of DOJ?" Baraka's case is likely to face legal barriers given broad protections for U.S. officials acting in an official role. His complaint alleges Habba and Patel acted outside their formal responsibilities. The lawsuit alleges violations of the U.S. Constitution and defamation. It seeks an unspecified sum in damages for emotional distress, reputational damage and other harms. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward, additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Scott Malone, Hugh Lawson and Sonali Paul) Wondering what the official cause of death was for celebrity hairstylist Jesus Guerrero? Known for styling stars like Kylie Jenner and Jennifer Lopez, Guerreros unexpected passing at 34 shocked fans and clients alike. Months later, medical officials have released the findings behind his sudden death. Heres what caused Guerreros death and what the official reports now confirm. Jesus Guerreros cause of death revealed Celebrity hairstylist Jesus Guerrero, known for working with Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry, died on February 22, 2025, at age 34. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has confirmed that his cause of death was pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and disseminated cryptococcus neoformans, with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) listed as a contributing condition. His manner of death was determined to be natural. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guerreros family initially announced his death on February 23, describing it as sudden and unexpected. A GoFundMe page organized by his sister Gris echoed this description. According to the DME report, Guerrero sought medical attention on the afternoon of February 21 after reporting that he felt unwell. Medical staff pronounced him dead the following morning at a local hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines cryptococcosis as a fungal disease caused by inhaling environmental spores. It usually affects the lungs or brain. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is another serious fungal infection linked to weakened immune systems. If untreated, it can be life-threatening. According to the Mayo Clinic, AIDS severely weakens the immune system and increases the risk of such infections. Guerrero had recently returned from Dubai, where he had been working with Jennifer Lopez, and had spent time in Los Angeles with Kylie Jenner prior to his death. Guerreros family held his funeral in Houston on March 30. Jenner, Lopez, and several figures from the beauty industry attended the service. Although Katy Perry could not attend, she stayed in contact with the family. Jenner reportedly offered financial support and covered funeral expenses. As of June 3, the familys GoFundMe campaign raised $96,000, which will now go toward settling Guerreros personal assets and related costs. Originally reported by Vritti Johar on ComingSoon.net. The post Jesus Guerreros Cause of Death Revealed by LA Officials appeared first on Mandatory. By Abhijith Ganapavaram and Nandan Mandayam NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile attendance at a global airlines conference this week underscores how much India is banking on a boom in aviation to support wider development goals, but headwinds to its ambitions are gathering force. Undeterred by the uncertainty gripping the aviation sector globally due to trade tensions and shaky consumer confidence, India's biggest airlines are ploughing ahead with orders for new planes, following record deals two years ago. However, the rapid pace of growth risks losing steam if plane shortages, infrastructure challenges and taxation issues are not addressed, industry officials warned at the International Air Transport Association's annual meeting. Hostilities with neighbour Pakistan are also causing Indian airlines to take large, expensive detours around Pakistani airspace, requiring more fuel and passenger care. Carriers have asked the Indian government to waive some fees and provide tax exemptions, people familiar with the matter have told Reuters, but it is not clear if it will provide any help, despite its high-flying rhetoric. New Delhi says it wants India to be a job-creating global aviation hub along the lines of Dubai, which currently handles much of India's international traffic. "In the coming years, the aviation sector is expected to be at the centre of massive transformation and innovation, and India is ready to embrace these possibilities," Modi told global aviation leaders on Monday. But the transformation will require billions of dollars of investment in airports and industry supply chains, and a revamp of regulations, industry officials said. PUNCHING BELOW ITS WEIGHT The numbers look promising. IATA forecasts passenger traffic in India will triple over the next 20 years and the country has set a target of increasing the number of airports to as many as 400 by 2047, up from 157 in 2024. "We are fast emerging as a strategic connector country ... India is a natural connector of the skies and aviation as well," India's Civil Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu told global airline CEOs in New Delhi. Already the world's third-largest aviation market by seats after the U.S. and China, there is significant potential for India to grow. The world's most populous nation, India accounts for around 17.8% of people but only 4.2% of global air passengers, according to IATA. A record 174 million Indian domestic and international passengers flew in 2024, compared to 730 million in China, IATA data shows. Traveling on planes, trains and automobiles may get a little easier with a new partnership between JetBlue Airways and Brightline announced on June 3. The New York-based airline, which has made Florida a priority in its expansion, and the nation's only privately-owned passenger rail are offering "a seamless air-and-rail booking experience for travel across Central and South Florida" by allowing JetBlue passengers to book both a plane and train trip directly on jetblue.com as part of a combined itinerary. This allows travelers to Florida to hop off a plane and onto a train (or shuttle to a train) heading to one of Brightline's stations from Orlando down the Sunshine State's east coast in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, and Miami. Tickets are expected to be on sale immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partnership also offers alternative itineraries for Brightline to fill in when air travel runs into problems. If your JetBlue flight is stuck in Orlando, you could take a train to your destination instead of waiting around to take off. As we continue to grow in Florida and offer more flights to and from cities like Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, our partnership with Brightline helps us deliver even more value and convenience to our customers, said Dave Jehn, vice president, network planning and airline partnerships, JetBlue. JetBlue and Brightline share a commitment to innovation and great service, and together were expanding transportation options for all of our customers to get to where they want to go, whether they're starting their journey, heading to their final destination, or adjusting plans along the way. How do I book a Brightline train from JetBlue? Just search by city (not airport) at JetBlue's site or on its app to get options and you'll see suggested itineraries, which will include connections to a Brightline train segment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JetBlue's economy tickets will match up with Brightline's Smart fare, and Mint passengers will get seats with Brightline's Premium service. according to a release. When connecting from JetBlue to Brightline, you must collect all checked bags before going to the train station. Bag transfers are not provided. We are proud to partner with JetBlue to enhance connectivity throughout Florida, said Barbara Drahl, senior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy at Brightline. This partnership enables travelers to book a single ticket for both air and rail, offering a fast, reliable, and eco-friendly rail transportation option while seamlessly connecting to JetBlues extensive network. Where can I use the JetBlue-Brightline air-and-rail service? Brightline's Orlando station is located at Orlando International Airport, directly adjacent to Terminal C, connected by a walkway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In South Florida, the Fort Lauderdale Brightline station is about five miles from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Brightline offers shuttle service, which can be included in the JetBlue air-and-rail booking. Do I get TrueBlue points for Brightline connections? Not yet, anyway. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: JetBlue, Brightline partner to offer air-and-rail tickets in Florida SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) Following the attack in Boulder, Colorado, that left 12 people hurt this weekend, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, Shepard Englander, said the local Jewish community is heartbroken and outraged. This was a targeted terror attack against people because of what they believe, Englander said. America was founded so that we would have a place where people can believe whatever they believe and not be harassed and killed. This was not just an attack on Jews. This was an attack on America and what it stands for. FBI says 8 injured in Colorado attack by man with makeshift flamethrower who yelled Free Palestine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety is a concern among those in the Jewish community locally, and the Federation is working with local law enforcement to ensure the community stays safe. We have had to invest more than we ever wanted to in security professionals and we are so grateful to have some of the best, Englander said. We would rather be spending the money helping people, connecting people in programs, but now we are going to have to even spend more which is not what any of us want, but it is absolutely necessary because everyone needs to be safe and not afraid to come out and be part of a community and celebrate their traditions. Englander spoke with local law enforcement Monday about safety moving forward. The sheriffs office said Hoffman was briefed on the incident in Colorado and, as a result, requested extra patrols near local synagogues and the Jewish Federation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our intelligence unit is monitoring for anything suspicious that might possibly be related to or inspired by the Boulder incident, a sheriffs office spokesperson wrote. The sheriff says the main reason for these meetings is to share information and communicate so that we are being proactive to prevent an incident in our community. We will continue monitoring closely. During a stop in Sarasota Monday morning, 8 On Your Side asked Governor Ron DeSantis about the states response. He described antisemitism as a huge problem across the country and called the recent attacks sick. We will continue to respond the way that we always responded, DeSantis said. This type of stuff will not fly in Florida, and we will do what we can obviously to prevent, and certainly if anybody makes the mistake of doing what this guy in Colorado you will absolutely live to regret that. Englander spoke briefly with Gov. DeSantis during his stop in Sarasota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thanked him for his support and he said let us know what you need,' Englander said. America is a place where the Jewish people have had such friendship and support; being reminded of it brings tears to my eyes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a phased pause in operations at Job Corps centers nationwide. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Labor Department made the announcement Thursday, according to a media release. The decision was made in compliance with President Trumps 2026 budget proposal and the Administrations commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pause of all contractor-operated Job Corps centers will occur by June 30. State and local workforce partners are working with the labor department to help current students continue their training with other education and employment opportunities, according to the release. TRENDING STORIES: According to the release, the program operated at a $140 million deficit in 2024, and the Biden administration paused center operations to complete the program year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in 2025. In the release, the U.S. Department of Labor cited the first-ever Job Corps Transparency Report, which was released in April. The summarized findings are as listed in the release: Average Graduation Rate (WIOA Definition): 38.6% Average Cost Per Student Per Year: $80,284.65 Average Total Cost Per Graduate (WIOA Definition): $155,600.74 Post separation, participants earn $16,695 annually on average. The total number of Serious Incident Reports for program year 2023: 14,913 infractions. Inappropriate Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assaults Reported: 372 Acts of Violence Reported: 1,764 Breaches of Safety or Security: 1,167 Reported Drug Use: 2,702 Total Hospital Visits: 1,808 A startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the programs possibilities, U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chaves-DeRemer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News Center 7 reached out to the Dayton and Cincinnati Job Corps Centers to find out when their exact dates of closure were. Dayton Job Corps Center has not given a statement at this time. The News Center 7 team could not get through to speak to a representative when calling the Cincinnati Job Corps Center. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -The administration of President Donald Trump was hit with a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block it from eliminating Job Corps, the largest U.S. job training program for low-income youth. A trade group representing contractors that operate Job Corps centers and some of its members claim the U.S. Department of Labor is violating federal law and its own regulations by abruptly shuttering the program, a plan the agency announced last week. The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Job Corps was created by Congress in 1964 and allows 16-to-24-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds to obtain high school diplomas or an equivalent, vocational certificates and licenses and on-the-job training. The program currently serves about 25,000 people at 120 Job Corps centers run by contractors. The Labor Department in announcing the end of the program said it was not cost effective, had a low graduation rate and was not placing participants in stable jobs. The department also said there had been thousands of instances of violence, drug use and security breaches at Job Corps centers. The National Job Corps Association and other plaintiffs in Tuesday's lawsuit said the Labor Department does not have the power to dismantle a program established and funded by Congress. "Shuttering Job Corps will have disastrous, irreparable consequences, including displacing tens of thousands of vulnerable young people [and] destroying companies that have long operated Job Corps centers in reliance on the Governments support for the program," they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Labor Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shuttering Job Corps is a small piece of a broader effort by Trump, a Republican, and his appointees to drastically shrink the federal bureaucracy, including by getting rid of some offices and agencies altogether. But the lawsuit filed on Tuesday said Congress in creating Job Corps also limited the Labor Department's ability to shut down the program. Federal law, for example, allows the department to close individual Job Corps centers only after seeking public comment and notifying local members of Congress, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks to block the Labor Department from closing Job Corps centers and otherwise eliminating the program. The plaintiffs said they would seek an order requiring the program to continue pending the outcome of the lawsuit. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New YorkEditing by Marguerita Choy) Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. (center), visits the Charleston Job Corps Center in July 2023. (Office of Congresswoman Carol Miller photo) At least one of the West Virginia locations of a federal youth job training program will be affected by a pause in operations announced by the Trump administration late last week. The Department of Labor announced last week it would pause operations at all 99 contractor-operated Job Corps locations nationwide by June 25. The DOL said it would arrange transportation and cover expenses for current students back to their homes of record by June 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pause includes the Job Corps center at Charleston, according to news reports. West Virginias other Job Corps location, the Harpers Ferry Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, is operated by the U.S. Forest Service. While that office will not be affected by the announcement from the Department of Labor, a spokesperson for the federal Department of Agriculture said Monday it will also review operations at its 24 Job Corps offices. The Trump Administration is looking critically at the way we do business, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the best possible service for our customers, and the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, a USDA spokesperson wrote in an email to West Virginia Watch. The Department of Labor has notified USDA of their intention to terminate Job Corps contracts and suspend operations for the Job Corps program. USDA is reviewing the program and will determine the status of our 24 centers soon. We continue to work closely with DOL and Congress to ensure USDA Job Corps facilities continue to prioritize the health and safety of program participants. Calls to the Charleston Job Corps center and the Harpers Ferry Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center were not immediately returned Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Labors decision to suspend the Job Corps program came after an internal review of its outcome and structure, the agency said in a news release. The program has been in a financial crisis for years, the DOL said. The program operated at a $140 million deficit in 2024. The deficit is expected to grow to $213 million in 2025. Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training and community, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a news release. However, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the programs possibilities, she said. The Department of Labor said that in 2023, the Job Corps program reported 372 cases of inappropriate sexual behavior and sexual assaults, 1,764 acts of violence, and 1,167 breaches of safety or security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program also has a low graduation average of 39% and has a cost of more than $80,000 per student per year, which is more than the $16,695 per year that the average student earns, according to the DOL. Melissa Rhodes, program director for the Charleston Job Corps Center, told WCHS-TV Eyewitness News the staff is hanging by a thread and that students of the program are very concerned about the pause. The Job Corps program matters, Rhodes told the news station. The future of our youth matters and I would like to say we are going to continue to fight for this program because it makes a difference in the lives of young people in our country. Nationwide, there are 25,000 Job Corps students at 131 centers, according to the Department of Labor. The department said it would work with local workforce partners to help current students to connect with education and employment opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to its website, the Job Corp program is a no-cost vocational training program that helps people aged 16 to 24 earn their high school education, train for a career and find work. Its the nations largest residential career training program. The program has trained more than 2 million people since its inception in 1964. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NEED TO KNOW Former President Joe Biden has said he is optimistic and "feeling good" about his cancer treatment after announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis in May Biden spoke about his cancer treatment for the first time as he attended a Memorial Day service in Delaware on May 30 The expectation is were going to be able to beat this, Biden told reporters, according to CNN Former President Joe Biden says he is feeling optimistic since beginning his treatment for prostate cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden discussed his treatment for the first time publicly since announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis as he attended a Memorial Day service in New Castle, Del., on Friday, May 30. Well, the prognosis is good, you know, were working on everything, its moving along. I feel good. All the folks are optimistic, Biden told reporters after speaking at the service in footage captured by ABC News. According to CNN, Biden shared that his treatment consists of him taking a daily pill over the next six weeks before starting another pill. The 82-year-old also said he is being treated by a leading surgeon who was diagnosed with the same type of cancer three decades ago, per the outlet. The expectation is were going to be able to beat this, said Biden, per CNN. Its not in any organ, its in my bones are strong, it hadnt penetrated. So, Im feeling good. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno Joe Biden speaks during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware on May 30, 2025 Joe Biden speaks during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware on May 30, 2025 On May 18, Biden released a statement announcing that he had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. The cancer is characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), which represents a more aggressive form of the disease, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden shared at the time that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. During his speech at the Memorial Day service in Delaware on Friday, Biden emotionally acknowledged his late son, former Delaware attorney general Beau Biden, following his passing from glioblastoma in 2015. I know for many of you, Memorial Day, like for us, is deeply personal. For the Bidens, this day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, its a hard day, Biden said, per CNN. Being with all of you, quite frankly, makes things a little bit easier. It really does. So, thank you for allowing me to grieve with you. 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. Biden attended the service with Beaus son, Robert Hunter Biden II, 18, according to CNN. The Biden family marked the 10th anniversary of Beaus death at a private mass together that same morning, the outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The politician's appearance with his family at the service comes after he attended his grandson Hunters graduation from Salisbury School in Connecticut on May 23. Read the original article on People The race for lieutenant governor got a little more crowded on Monday as Macon Republican state Sen. John Kennedy announced hes a candidate. So far, one Democrat and two Republicans have thrown their hat into the race, but that number will probably change. Kennedy is currently the president pro tem of the Senate and told Channel 2s Richard Elliot that hes concerned about the economy, public safety, and education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He thinks he can stand out from other republican candidates. The difference though, I think how I distinguish myself, is that I want to make sure that folks understand that its not just been about rhetoric. Its about results, and that I have not been one to shy away from a tough fight, Kennedy said. Dahlonega Republican state Sen. Steve Gooch is also running for lieutenant governor. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My record has been one of the most Conservative senators in the state Senate, Gooch said. He wants to eliminate state income tax and crack down on illegal immigration. He thinks he can differentiate himself from other Republicans. Quite frankly, Im going to differentiate myself from him and any other candidate in the race just simply by running on my record, Gooch told Elliot. Atlanta state Sen. Josh McLaurin is the lone Democrat in the race. I think thats whats happening now, is were having a crisis of confidence, McLaurin said. He wants to expand Medicaid and restore reproductive rights. He also believes voters are exhausted by red-hot political rhetoric and want something else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think what voters really want to see is political courage. People want leaders who will stand with saying whats right even if its unpopular, to live the courage of their convictions, McLaurin said. We are still 11 months away from the primaries and more than a year from the general election, so expect to see more candidates throw their hats into the ring. The husband of Jonathan Joss is opening up about the actor's shooting death in a heartbreaking statement. Joss was the voice of popular characters on two television series, King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation. He voiced the character of John Redcorn on the former show, and he played Chief Ken Hotate on the latter. San Antonio police confirmed to CNN that Joss was shot to death on June 1 in San Antonio, TX. According to KSAT-TV, the suspect, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, was booked into the jail and accused of murder. The television station reported that, according to neighbors, Joss "had an ongoing dispute with the man accused of killing him." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Joss's husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales has written a lengthy post on Joss's Facebook page. In it, Joss's husband made a series of accusations of how the shooting went down, including an allegation that the shooting was motivated by the couple's relationship. He also detailed his love for Joss. "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," he started the June 2 post. He wrote that the couple had reported "threats" they received "to law enforcement many times and nothing was done." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right before the shooting, he wrote, "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." He wrote that Joss saved his life, alleging, "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,"' the post says. 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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss's husband continued: "My focus now is on protecting Jonathans legacy and honoring the life we built together." Related: Beloved Actor's Tragic Death Leaves Cast of Popular Show 'Heartbroken' 'John Redcorn' Actor Jonathan Joss' Husband Issues Heartbreaking Statement first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) The multi-million dollar renovation project of Johnstowns Central Park is moving forward and so is the fierce debate over where the money came from and how it should be used. The City of Johnstown received millions of dollars in relief funding following the COVID-19 pandemic from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The council earmarked it for upgrades to Central Park. The federal guidelines for how that money could be spent may be unclear and theres debate as to whether those funds should cover the cost of a park renovation estimated at up to $8 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City manager Art Martynuska recently told WTAJ the project is on track with plans having been approved Thursday. Johnstown City Council approves designs for Central Park project The original plan was going for about $6 million. We hope to be around that same amount, if not lower, Martynuska said. But Representative Frank Burns (D-72nd District) questions the price tag and the use of these particular funds. Casual upgrades, small upgrades to the park people are fine with. But 6 to 8 million in Central Park is ridiculous. And what people really wanted is meaningful things in their community and infrastructure, Burns said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burns proposed the money be put towards renovating or building a new police department, tearing down blighted homes or even building a new grocery store. But council has stated they believe the money must be put towards the park. City council members are telling us a former city manager, Ethan Imhoff, has misled them and they were told that they had to spend this money on the parkThats at least what theyre telling us now, that they had to spend 6 to 8 million on Central Park as part of the Main Street program, which is not true at all, Burns said. In a letter sent to each council member in May 2024, Burns stated he felt the lines were blurred between the ARPA funding and the citys RAISE grant when it came to how the project would be funded. The citys RAISE grant had to be used for transportation projects and could not be used for the park, according to the department of transportation who awarded the grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WTAJ reached out to former Johnstown city manager Ethan Imhoff. He did not agree to a recorded interview but, in a phone conversation, said the decision to spend the money on the park was already made before he became the city manager. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. The grant specified that the money had to be allocated by the start of the year meaning the city has to move forward with current plans. It remains unclear whether this is an appropriate use of the funds as the grant was intended to be invested into COVID-19 response efforts or to address economic impacts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jonathan Joss husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales claimed that the actors death was the result of a hate crime. UPDATE 6/2/25 at 4:47 p.m. ET: 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, read a statement shared via Joss Facebook on Monday, June 2. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kern de Gonzales alleged that he and Joss were the targets of openly homophobic harassment. While at the site, Kern de Gonzales claimed they found the skull of one of their dogs and its harness which caused severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw, the statement read. While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. Kern de Gonzales claimed that the unnamed man raised a gun and fired it while he and Joss were weaponless. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side, the post read. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kern de Gonzales added he was by Joss side when he passed away and he 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, the statement said. 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. Original story below: Parks and Recreation alum Jonathan Joss has died at age 59 after being fatally shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police confirmed that Joss was killed on Sunday, June 1, after an alleged altercation with a neighbor in San Antonio, Texas, according to multiple outlets. Authorities were dispatched to a shooting where they found Joss lying near the roadway. There were life saving measures attempted while waiting for EMS, but Joss was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics arrived. Officers detained their suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, after he initially fled the scene in a vehicle. Ceja has been booked for murder and the investigation is still ongoing, according to TMZ. Joss is best known for voicing John Redcorn in King of the Hill. He took over in season 2 after the original actor, Victor Arron, died in a car accident in 1996. Joss continued to play John until the series concluded in 2009. He was expected to reprise the role in the newly announced revival, which is set to premiere on Hulu in August. Parks and Recreation Cast: Where Are They Now? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recording had already begun for the series before it was recently announced at the ATX TV Festival, which featured Pamela Adlon, Lauren Tom, Toby Huss and one of the show's new writers, Saladin K. Patterson. Hours before his death, Joss posted an Instagram video teasing how the reboot is up and moving as he walked around Texas. Joss also appeared in other high-profile shows including Parks and Recreation, Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, The Magnificent Seven and more. Joss' passing is not the only death the Parks and Recreation cast has weathered. The show's executive producer Harris Wittels who also appeared on the show died in 2015 by suicide at age 30. Star Amy Poehler delivered a speech in Wittels' honor hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How TV Shows Handled Stars Deaths: From Riverdale to Glee "So today, I lost a friend," she said at a Unite4Humanity's event in February 2015. "I lost a dear, young man in my life who was struggling with addiction and who died just a few hours before we came. Jane [Aronson] and I sat and talked about it, and I'm sharing it with you because life and death live so closely together and we walk that fine line every day. At the end of the day, when things happen in our lives and we turn to people that we love and we turn to family and community for support, we lean on people and hope that they will ease our pain." Fellow Parks and Rec alum Aubrey Plaza, meanwhile, suffered a loss when her husband Jeff Baena died by suicide in January at age 47. This is an unimaginable tragedy, a rep said in a statement to Us Weekly on behalf of Plaza, 40, and family members. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time. 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 Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Jonathan Joss in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on July 31, 2021. - Credit: Derek Storm/Everett Collection Jonathan Joss, best known as the voice actor behind King of the Hills John Redcorn, died after being shot at the age of 59, according to police. During a dispute, Joss was shot and killed by a neighbor on Sunday night in San Antonio, Texas, said authorities. According to The New York Times, the neighbor was identified by investigators as Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, who was taken into custody and charged with murder. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a statement shared on Joss Facebook account by his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the couple had returned to the site of their former home, which had been damaged in a fire, to check on their mail. They were approached by a man who began yelling homophobic slurs and fired his gun, said de Gonzales. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone, said de Gonzales. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. Joss and de Gonzales married this year on Valentines Day. In a text message to The Associated Press, de Gonzales wrote, He was murdered. Joss was found near the street by officers, and paramedics pronounced him dead when they arrived, according to the Times. The San Antonio Police Department did not immediately respond to Rolling Stones request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss was best known for his distinct voice playing Redcorn, a Native American character on King of the Hill, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. The series will return to the small screen 15 years after it ended its original run, and Hulu will debut Season 14 of King of the Hill in August. Its unclear if Joss will be featured in the revival. A rep for Mike Judge did not immediately return Rolling Stones request for comment. Joss was also featured in a recurring role on the popular television show Parks and Recreation as Chief Ken Hotate. He has also appeared in Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven. Before his death, Joss posted a video on Instagram as he shared his excitement about the beloved series return, saying that the reboot is up and moving and invited fans to meet him at a comic shop in Austin, Texas, and take photos for free. When walking around the shop and discussing his character in the new series (his role in the next season has not yet been confirmed), Joss mused about the idea of expiration dates. We have them, man, life and death. Sometimes we have a talent, a desire. Sometimes you get put on a shelf, he said. If youre canned and you put on the shelf, expiration date is like forever. Be a can of whoop ass when you get on that shelf. Think about moving forward. Think about being a can with an amazing expiration date. So, even if they put you on the shelf, man, when you come out of that can, youre fresh. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. New details have emerged in the tragic killing of actor Jonathan Joss, best known for his roles in "King of the Hill" and "Parks and Recreation," including a three-word confession cops say was made by the suspect at the scene. Joss died on Sunday, June 1, in San Antonio, Texas, following what is being described as an altercation with his neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja. Now, the San Antonio Police Department report has been released, and it details more information about the deadly encounter. Actor Jonathan Joss Shot And Killed After Reported Argument With Neighbor Jonathan Joss we will remember you, and we will FIGHT for you. pic.twitter.com/IU17jE2LzV (@cowboymaxwell) June 3, 2025 According to a police report obtained by the Daily Mail, Ceja was arrested shortly after the shooting and allegedly told officers, I shot him, as he was being detained. He has since been booked on suspicion of murder and is currently being held on a $200,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A witness told officers she had driven Joss from Austin to his San Antonio property, damaged in a recent fire, around 7 p.m. so he could check his mail. According to her account, she parked in the driveway while Joss and another individual, reportedly his husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales, got out of the vehicle. Shortly after, the witness said Ceja pulled up behind her car with a passenger. In her rearview mirror, she claims she saw Ceja and Joss exchange heated words, during which Ceja allegedly threatened, he had a gun and would shoot [Joss]. Moments later, she said Ceja opened fire. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Joss was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 7:20 p.m. According to the report, police seized Cejas weapon and noted he intentionally and knowingly discharged a weapon at [Joss], resulting in his death. Josss Husband Believes The Killing Was A Hate Crime Facebook | Jonathan Joss Josss husband, Tristan, has publicly stated he believes the killing was motivated by homophobia, claiming they have been "harassed" for two years by "openly homophobic" individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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 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." Police Dispute The Hate Crime Claim Facebook | Jonathan Joss However, the San Antonio Police Department released a statement dismissing that theory at this time. "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," they said. "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." Neighbors Claim Jonathan Joss Would 'Always Do Erratic Things' RIP Jonathan Joss pic.twitter.com/QxaVQA43pm adult swim (@adultswim) June 2, 2025 One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke with MySA, claiming the actor "wasn't a good neighbor" and he would "always do erratic things in the street." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isabel Caballero, who's lived on the block since 2021, claims Joss "would just walk up and down the street" and "he would just like scream." "But we knew how he was, so we wouldn't disturb him," she added. "Even if he looked at us, talked mess to us, we just ignored him because we knew that's how he was." Parks And Rec Cast Mourns Jonathan Joss Instagram Stories | Chris Pratt Joss was beloved by fans for his voice work as John Redcorn in "King of the Hill" and for his memorable role as Chief Ken Hotate in "Parks and Recreation." News of his death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, friends, and former co-stars. Damn. RIP Jonathan," Chris Pratt wrote in his Instagram Stories. "Always such a kind dude. Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Nick Offerman shared that the entire "Parks and Recreation" cast has been texting about the tragic news. "Were just heartbroken, Offerman told PEOPLE. Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy. The investigation remains ongoing. NEED TO KNOW British journalist Charlotte Peet, who went missing in February. has been found safe, authorities said Peet told authorities she did not want communication with her relatives when they located her in March Peet had previous professional experience in Brazil, according to her LinkedIn profile Brazilian police have announced that a British journalist who went missing in February has been found safe. Authorities said they located Charlotte Peet at a Sao Paulo hostel in March, and she told them she did not want communication with her relatives, according to the BBC and the National World. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In view of this, the investigation of the disappearance was concluded," a spokesperson for the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro told the BBC. The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents based in Rio de Janeiro previously announced on Feb. 18 that the woman had not been heard from in ten days, according to The Guardian and Reuters. At the time of her disappearance, Peet was believed to have last contacted a friend in Sao Paulo about plans to travel to Rio de Janeiro, the BBC reported. After she disappeared, officials circulated photos of Peet on a bus and another at a bar close to Copacabana beach, PEOPLE previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She was there and clearly demonstrated that she had no interest in maintaining contact with her family, nor in returning to her country," said Missing Persons Unit head Ellen Souto, according to National World. 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. Back in February, Peets father told Sky News that his daughter flew to Brazil without telling her loved ones, which caused concern. "I wouldn't say that it was normal, there was something on her mind obviously otherwise she would have let us know," he said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peets LinkedIn profile lists previous reporting jobs in Brazil, including a stint at The Rio Times. The British Embassy and the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. Read the original article on People The Trump administration faced another legal setback on Monday when a judge temporarily blocked their plan to dissolve labor unions at a federal agency. The White House moved in March to revoke collective bargaining rights at the Transportation Security Administration, aiming to nullify the union contract for some 47,000 airport security officers. But U.S. District Judge Marsha J. Pechman in Seattle, Washington, granted an injunction Monday at the request of the union, the American Federation of Government Employees. Pechman, an appointee of President Bill Clinton, determined that the union was likely to prevail in its argument that the administration ran afoul of the law. She said Trumps homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, offered only a threadbare justification for stripping workers of their union rights, and the move appeared purely retaliatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 [on] federal employment in the courts, she wrote. President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the rain after landing on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on May 30. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images AFGE President Everett Kelley called Pechmans order a crucial victory for federal workers. 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, Kelley said in a statement. The order means that the Trump administration must honor the unions collective bargaining agreement for now. But the White House could still win the underlying case and succeed in having the contract tossed out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union-busting efforts are a key piece of President Donald Trumps broader plan to decimate the federal workforce and end longstanding civil-service protections. In addition to trying to kill unions at TSA, Trump has tried to nullify collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of other workers at a slew of federal agencies, all in the name of national security. The White House has said explicitly that its taking such actions at least in part because federal labor groups have stood up to the president. It noted in a fact sheet on revoking collective bargaining rights that federal labor groups had declared war on President Trumps agenda, a statement Pechman noted in her order Monday. The First Amendment protects against retaliation for engaging in litigation and public criticism of the government, she wrote. SACRAMENTO, California A U.S. District Court judge on Monday dismissed California officials lawsuit over President Donald Trumps tariffs, concluding the case belongs in an out-of-state court that specializes in trade disputes. The ruling separate from a pair of high-profile rulings in other courts last week partially sides with the Trump administration, which argued the case belongs in the New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade rather than the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Attorney General Rob Bonta earlier filed their case. But Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley dismissed the case outright rather than immediately transfer it to the trade court, as Trumps attorneys had requested. By doing so, she granted the states request to leave a path open for California to appeal the ruling to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, a famously liberal-leaning bench. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Scott Corleys decision is a blow to California officials who had hoped the district court would rule on the legality of Trumps unilateral tariffs. Last week, a D.C. District Court judge went the opposite direction and invalidated Trumps tariffs, ruling in favor of two toy-import companies. The trade court also struck down Trumps tariffs last week, although his taxes on imports have largely been left in place while federal litigation plays out. Scott Corleys ruling against California was expected. She had previously signaled that her San Francisco court likely didnt have jurisdiction in the case, noting the trade court has authority over tariff cases which was designed to prevent a patchwork of tariffs rulings in federal district courts. California in April became the first state to sue Trump over his so-called Liberation Day tariffs, claiming the president has no authority to unilaterally tax imports under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump has invoked tariffs without congressional approval by claiming the country faces a national emergency due to its trade deficits with other countries. Newsom and Bontas offices said late Monday that the state has already appealed the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We strongly believe this case belongs in federal district court and are pleased the court considered our wishes in dismissing this case so we have the opportunity to seek review, Bonta said in a statement. Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for Newsom, emphasized that the case was dismissed on procedural grounds, noting the D.C. district court reached a different conclusion last week. She added, Multiple courts have ruled against President Trumps use of emergency powers to enact these unlawful tariffs. While Scott Corleys ruling is a setback for the state, California officials joined Democratic leaders across the country last week in celebrating the pair of federal court rulings that determined Trump had overstepped his executive powers. Its raining tacos today, Newsom said on the MeidasTouch Podcast on Thursday, an apparent reference to the TACO acronym that Wall Street investors have used to refer to whiplash over Trumps see-sawing import taxes. The president has bristled at the name, which stands for Trump always chickens out. By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -A federal judge in Manhattan has extended an injunction banning the Trump administration from canceling unspent funding to help elementary and high schools in 16 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., address the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos' preliminary injunction blocks Education Secretary Linda McMahon from rescinding unspent aid, originally totaling more than $1.1 billion, from the American Rescue Plan Act while the states' lawsuit is pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday's extension directs the Department of Education to process current and future funding requests "without delay," and to provide a status report on its progress within one month. It also prevents the department from enforcing a May 11 "Dear Colleague" letter giving states until May 24 to claim remaining funds. Ramos originally issued his injunction on May 6. New York Attorney General Letitia James led the lawsuit, joined by 15 other attorneys general and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. All are Democrats. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington had authorized about $190 billion of aid to help K-12 schools recover from the pandemic, including for tutoring, feeding homeless students and upgrading school buildings. Democratic President Joe Biden's administration had extended the aid's availability through March 2026. But in a March 28 letter, McMahon, a member of Republican President Donald Trump's cabinet, said states had had enough time to spend the money and there were better uses for it. The Education Department also said it would be irreparably harmed if forced to distribute money it could not recover if it won the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the case began, Maryland had $245.9 million of unspent money, more than any other state that sued, while New York had $134.2 million. The case is New York et al v U.S. Department of Education et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-02990. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler) As Diddys trafficking trial rages on, legal and non-legal opinions continue to flood the internet. Judge Greg Mathis and his son, Amir, recently shared their perspectives on what the result could be and the 55-year-old artists perception. The prosecution needs to show more evidence that deliberately shows that he was intentionally sex trafficking for them to be successful, Amir said in one clip from The Mathis Verdict, summarizing his fathers opinion on the trial so far. Thats correct, Judge Mathis answered, adding that they needed to prove that the controversial mogul understood the gravity of what he was doing and chose to do it anyway. Amir posed a thought-provoking question for viewers and the attorneys: Where is the line between a criminal act of intent and wheres the line for someones lifestyle? In another clip, Amir admitted he believed that the prosecution had yet to show that the Bad Boy co-founder was running a criminal enterprise because the freak-offs had been presented as one-off incidents. Judge Mathis agreed, adding, I do believe, I trust that these prosecutors are astute enough to be able to lay a foundation, and I assume thats what theyre doing. And theyre gonna then connect everything that has come out thus far to demonstrate their charges of RICO. Thats what I assume is going to happen, but it hasnt happened yet! And some of these things didnt require coordination. In another clip, Judge Greg Mathis and Amir shared a laugh over Diddy being shown to be a toxic person. Mathis quickly added, Hes much worse than a toxic person, hes a monster from what theyve been showing and what weve been hearing [] Hes a state crime monster. Judge Mathis took a quick second to flex that he was the youngest district court judge in Michigans 36th Districts history in another clip. He and Amir also quoted Jay-Zs Dirt Off Your Shoulder lyrics before realizing the pimp line may not be appropriate, given the subject matter they were discussing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They moved beyond the courtroom talk and began to talk about Puff trying to present himself as a gangster. He has a temper, and hes known for that, and people are in fear because of his temper, Judge Mathis said. But street guys dont fear him cause they know hes never been in the street. Mathis went on to remind viewers that he attended catholic school, was bullied, and attempted to join a gang that wasnt doing anything illegal; the real Diddy bravado came from the fact that his late father was a big gangster connected to dangerous people and his mother had ran with some of those same individuals. Finally, they spoke about the Last Night artist portraying himself as a gangster to earn the respect of the late Notorious B.I.G. and how he began to genuinely believe that about himself. They wouldnt want [Diddy] to hang out with them, Judge Mathis said. They dont want no square hanging out with them. [He was] the president of the record company, so you definitely dont need to be down here with us. Amir added how he showed up in all of the music videos and featured on all of the albums to immerse himself in their lifestyle. When you fully start embodying that, with more time, you become that person, he said. Just like a person who tells a lie so many times, they start believing that lie. And so I no doubt believe that he believes that he is a gangster. Judge Greg Mathis and son Amirs takes align with a lot of what has come up in the trafficking trial. Diddy took issue with his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, dating Kid Cudi and looked to strike fear into him by allegedly attempting to blow up his car. When Cudi asked him about it during a meeting, he pretended it never happened, much like a gangster sworn to discretion would do. Hes also proven to have abused Cassie via footage from their stay at a hotel in Los Angeles in 2016; she claimed that it occurred several other times, including when they attended Drakes OVO Fest. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to continue providing gender-affirming care to hundreds of transgender prison inmates, ruling that an abrupt decision to curtail their medical care was not based on any reasoned analysis, as the law requires. U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth previously ordered the Bureau of Prisons to continue to provide medical care to several individual prisoners who are transgender, but his ruling Tuesday is the first that broadly blocks federal prison officials from carrying out an executive order from President Donald Trump targeting gender ideology. Trumps executive order requires the Bureau of Prisons to cease providing any medical procedure, treatment, or drug for the purpose of conforming an inmates appearance to that of the opposite sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, amid a torrent of lawsuits, prison officials interpreted Trumps order to allow transgender inmates to continue to receive medication unrelated to that care such as relieving anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. That led to about 600 transgender inmates continuing to receive gender-affirming care while about 400 were denied. Lamberth, however, said this parsing of Trumps order which did not appear to leave such wiggle room amounted to a fabricated distinction. Lamberths order requires the Bureau of Prisons to resume providing hormone therapy and social accommodations, such as gender-conforming undergarments and hair removal products, that were available prior to Trumps executive order. Lamberth ruled that there was no evidence the administration made any factual analysis before implementing Trumps directive. Neither the BOP nor the Executive Order provides any serious explanation as to why the treatment modalities covered by the Executive Order should be handled differently than any other mental health intervention, Lamberth wrote. Trumps Day One executive order also directed changes in federal policies to ensure that males are not detained in womens prisons or housed in womens detention centers. The number of transgender women in federal womens prisons make up a fraction of the population, with only about 16 nationwide, the Justice Department has said. Nearly all of the roughly 2,230 federal inmates who are transgender are housed in facilities matching their biological sex, the department has said in court papers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons declined to comment. Lamberth, a Reagan appointee based in Washington, has repeatedly ruled in favor of transgender inmates suing over BOPs effort to implement Trumps policy. He ruled that transferring transgender women to mens facilities would violate the Eighth Amendments protection against cruel and unusual punishment in part by subjecting them to potential danger. Lamberth has also ruled repeatedly against the Trump administrations efforts to shutter Voice of America and its news affiliates in another high-profile ongoing barrage of litigation. In recent years, Lamberth has used his rulings to decry what he considers a rising tide of threats to the separation of powers, democracy and in particular misinformation by Trump and his allies over the way courts work. In Tuesdays ruling, the judge agreed with a claim by the Trump administration that allowing the presidents policies to take effect is an important part of letting democratic processes play out. But, he said, democracy is not as simple as the defendants make it sound. If democratic self-governance means anything, it means giving effect to all duly enacted laws, including those that were enacted decades ago, Lamberth wrote. He added: it does not mean blind submission to the whims of the most recent election-victor. After voting in April to go forward with a zoning change to the Beckman School property, the Gary Common Council last month overrode a pocket veto from Mayor Eddie Melton that would have blocked the change. The 6-3 vote cleared the way for an industrial business to move into the Midtown neighborhood site near 23rd Avenue and Grant Street. A new business replacing the long-vacated Beckman School has been a flashpoint in the city. While some council members say it will bring needed tax revenue to Gary, some residents worry it will worsen pollution and erode the neighborhoods character. In a separate decision, the council voted 6-1 at its most recent meeting to grant a special permit for a new car wash in the Brunswick neighborhood. The facility will be located on Fifth Avenue. From the Common Council to the School Board to the Gary Sanitation District, local officials are making decisions that affect the daily lives of Gary residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at some key government meetings scheduled this month: Meeting Calendar Date: Tuesday, June 3 and 17 Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway Time: 6 p.m. CST Contact: (219) 881-1315 * Biweekly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month * Broadcast on Facebook Live Date: Tuesday, June 10 and 24 Location: Hudson-Campbell, 455 Massachusetts St. Time: 10 a.m. CST Contact: (219) 886-7099 ext. 36900 * Meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month Date: Wednesday, June 4, 11, 18 and 25 Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway, in the Cleo Wesson Lounge on the second floor Time: 2 p.m. CST Contact: (219) 881-1310 * Weekly on Wednesday *Residents can join live on Facebook or on Zoom Date: Thursday, June 12 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway Time: 3 p.m. CST Contact: (219) 881-1300 * Monthly on Thursday of the second week *Broadcast on Facebook Live Date: Tuesday, June 3 (Policy Committee), Thursday, June 12 Location: Gary Area Career Center, 1800 E. 35th Ave. Time: 4:30 p.m. CST Contact: (219) 881-5466 *Broadcast on Facebook Live Date: Wednesday, June 18 Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway Time: 4 p.m. CST Contact: (219) 886-1531 * Monthly on Wednesday of the third week Date: Thursday, June 19 Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway Time: 3 p.m. CST Contact: (219) 886-1531 (Residents are encouraged to call before attending to ensure meeting isnt canceled) * Monthly on Thursday of the third week Date: Thursday, June 19 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Location: second floor of the Gary Housing Authority Central Office, 578 Broadway Time: 6 p.m. CST Contact: (219) 881-6400 Date: Tuesday, June 10 Location: 2293 N. Main St., Commissioners Court Room/Council Chamber, 3rd Floor, Building A Time: 10 a.m. Contact: (219) 755-3280 Date: Friday, June 6 and June 20 Location: 3600 West Third Ave. Time: Noon Contact: (219) 944-0595, x1816 Date: Monday, June 16 Location: City Hall, Cleo Wesson Lounge, 2nd Floor Time: 5:30 p.m. Contact: (219) 881-1311 What meetings are you looking forward to this month? See anything missing that we should have highlighted? Email Capital B Garys Government and Politics Reporter Calvin Davis at calvin.davis@capitalbnews.org. The post June 2025 Public Meeting Schedule for Gary appeared first on Capital B Gary. CLAYTON, N.Y. (WWTI) The 1000 Islands Family Free Day will return on Saturday, June 7, according to the Antique Boat Museum (ABM), in Clayton. Free entrance is available to guests of all ages throughout the day, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Family Free Day. This annual event, now in its 26th year, was first introduced in 1997 to make the Museum more accessible to everyone and open its doors to the neighborhood. The events core purpose is still the same today. This years Family Free Day offers many activities, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antique speedboat rides ($5 per person); Paddle painting; Rowing a traditional skiff; Cardboard Boat Racing; Interactive obstacle course with soldiers from Ft. Drums 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment; Childrens crafts and games; Tours of La Duchesse, George Boldts historic houseboat; and Live performances from the 10th Mountain Division Band and local favorite Bad Husbands Club. Numerous local organizations, such as Zoo New York, Clayton Fishing Guides Association, JCC Zootechnology, Clayton Opera House, Thousand Islands Arts Center, Save The River, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, will also be present to share their summer programs and events. Throughout the day, the Great International Steamboat Flotilla will be docked at the Museum, giving visitors a rare chance to meet them. ABM will host the Flotilla from June 713, and the best opportunity to visit these ships before they set sail for the 1000 Islands is on Family Free Day. The trustees, employees, and committed volunteers of the Antique Boat Museum welcome the public for a day of learning, enjoyment and camaraderie by the water. For additional information, go to the ABMs website. 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. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is facing a deepening crisis in Hong Kong related to the audit of China Evergrande Group. In the coming month, at least ten partners are set to leave the firm, adding to the 20 who have departed over the past six months, reported Bloomberg citing people privy to the matter. This follows the exit of 77 partners from the Chinese mainland since December, as per the unified supervision platform of the Chinese CPA profession. Some partners are being let go for business reasons, while others are opting for early retirement or moving to other firms, the people stated. PwC China, locally called Zhongtian, was fined 441m yuan ($61.2m) by Chinese regulators last year for its audit work on Evergrande's inflated financial reports from 2018 to 2020. Additionally, the firm's operations in China were suspended for six months, starting in September 2024. Consequently, PwC China's revenue fell by about 11% to 6.3bn yuan in 2024. In March 2025, a Financial Times report revealed that PwC had delayed payments to recently retired partners in Hong Kong and mainland China, leaving multiple equity partners without their contributed capital. The firm's struggles are not confined to the mainland; they are also impacting its Hong Kong operations. Although PwC Hong Kong and China are separate legal entities, they collaborate closely and share business outcomes, said the people. As of 2 June 2025, PwC had 220 partners on the mainland and 250 in Hong Kong as of 31 December 2024. To address these challenges, PwC global sent Hemione Hudson, a senior partner from the UK, to lead the region. The firm has been conducting internal reviews to streamline operations, further reported the news publication citing the unnamed sources. Despite these efforts, PwC has found it difficult to retain key clients in China post-Evergrande probe, with AIA Group and Li Ning among those that have severed ties. PwC's Hong Kong role in the Evergrande audit is still under investigation by the audit regulator. The firm is also facing a lawsuit in Hong Kong from Evergrande's liquidators, who are seeking to recover investments following the developer's default in 2021. The liquidators have accused PwC of "negligence" and "misrepresentation" in their auditing practices. "PwC partner exits amid repercussions from Evergrande audit" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. On Thursday, three local nonprofits each received $2,500 to support their missions, according to a news release. (Junior Achievement of the Heartland) Throughout the 2024-25 school year, elementary students from nearly all Quad City schools learned about giving back to the community while visiting the new Free Enterprise Foundation Junior Achievement Inspiration Center. Students who participated in JA BizTown learned the importance of supporting nonprofits when their fellow students representing the Moline Regional Community Foundations Giving Tree, shared the impact of three local nonprofits: Niabi Zoo, Living Lands and Waters, and the River Bend Food Bank. Each nonprofit received a $2,500 check from MRCF presented by students at the JA Inspiration Center, 6600 44th Ave., Moline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By supporting the Giving Tree we are committed to the next generation understanding how philanthropy will change our community for the better. While students learn how the free enterprise system works in a simulated environment, we wanted to demonstrate the importance of putting inspiration into action, said Paul Plagenz, president/CEO of Moline Regional Community Foundation. This initiative brings philanthropy to life in a way that resonates with students. When young people see that their voices and decisions can direct real dollars to causes they care about, it empowers them to become lifelong community leaders and change-makers, said Junior Achievement of the Heartland President and CEO Dougal Nelson. About Junior Achievement of the Heartland Junior Achievement is dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Locally, Junior Achievement of the Heartland serves 24 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Visit here for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department is dropping a lawsuit that it filed against White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, a case in which he was accused of using an unofficial email account for government work and wrongfully retaining presidential records during the first Trump administration, according to a Tuesday court filing. The joint filing by the Justice Department and an attorney for Navarro doesn't explain why they are abandoning a case that was filed in 2022, during President Joe Biden's term in office. The one-page filing says each side will bear their own fees and costs. The lawsuit accused Navarro of using at least one non-official email account a ProtonMail account to send and receive emails. The legal action comes just weeks after Navarro was indicted on criminal charges after refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Navarro served a four-month prison sentence after being found guilty of misdemeanor charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The civil cases alleges that by using the unofficial email account, Navarro failed to turn over presidential records to the National Archives and Records Administration. The government notified the court of the lawsuit's dismissal a day before U.S. Magistrate G. Michael Harvey was scheduled to preside over a status conference for the case. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment. A lawyer for Navarro didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Navarro served as a trade adviser during President Donald Trumps first term. A longtime critic of trade arrangements with China, he has been named senior counselor for trade and manufacturing for Trump's second administration. bluefield K-9 Crook still has a lot of puppy energy and enthusiasm in him, but thats helping launch his career as a bomb-sniffing and evidence-finding dog for the Bluefield Police Department. The departments new recruit was circling his handler, Lt. Brian Copenhaver, when they arrived at the police station Monday. Crook, a Springer Spaniel, is about 2-years-old. We ordered Crook from Guardian Farms in Ona, W.Va., Copenhaver said while the new recruit enjoyed all the attention. His specialty is bombs, so hes a bomb dog and article search. We actually named him Crook after Lt. Crook, who had died in the line of duty eight years ago, and we wanted to remember Crook and this way every time we go out and do a demonstration in the community, for the schools, any of that, it allows us to talk about Crook, what he had done here, his legacy here, and we wanted to do that through our dog here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The late Lt. Aaron L. Crook died in the line of duty on May 30, 2017 after pulling over a suspected drunk driver at Lee Street and two law enforcement cruisers that were headed to the scene collided. He had been with the department since 2008. In May 2019, a section of Princeton Avenue was named the Bluefield Police Lt. Aaron L. Crook Memorial Road in his honor. K-9 Thor, who has been with the department for years, is still doing things like going to local schools, but the department decided to acquire a bomb dog. Kids love to pet Thor and Thor loves going out, but we know its only a matter of time before Thor does retire and what we wanted to do was go ahead and start a younger dog out and get him going to be able to do the same things that Thor did, Copenhaver said. Tail wagging, Crook tried climbing onto Copenhavers desk and jumped out of his chair at one point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you can tell, still very much puppy, he said. Wants to work all the time. Very hyper. Crook was chosen because Springer Spaniels have a lot of energy, which makes them very good search dogs, Copenhaver said. There are a lot of bird dogs in the law enforcement community now because they have good health and long lifespans. And they have high drives, which means they search really, really well, Copenhaver said. And he wants to go right now. The police department acquired Crook last April. Copenhaver contacted Guardian Farms and described the sort of dog that the department wanted. The owners, Kyle Patton and Levi Livingston, are both retired law enforcement officers in West Virginia and part of the West Virginia Police K-9 Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I called them and explained to them what I wanted, he said. They jumped on it and they were able to find him and train him up and got him ready for us. We actually went to a seminar the first part of April. Were certified through the West Virginia Police K-9 Association and hes ready to go. Hes ready to work. Crook can detect multiple odors that are in bombs. He also does what is called article search. If somebody leaves behind evidence of a crime, Crook can help locate it, Copenhaver said. Copenhaver had Crook demonstrate his sniffing capabilities before taking him outside. Yvonne Harris, a retired teacher living in Bluefield, watched the excited spaniel. I think hes cute as he can be, she said. What kind of dog is he? Hes bomb sniffing? She asked about Crooks breed. A Springer Spaniel? My aunt had one of those, Harris said. Look at him go. They are very active little dogs. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com ASHLAND COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) A K9 in Wisconsin recently made his debut deployment helping a Sheriffs Office to seize nearly 15 grams of methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia, which also led to the arrest of one man. According to a release from the Ashland County Sheriffs Office, the newest K9 on the force had a successful first deployment on Wednesday, May 28, on what was just his second day working alongside his handler. Brown County K-9s are not for sale: Sheriff addresses situation surrounding one of its K-9s Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K9 Doc alerted on a vehicle driven by 43-year-old Joshua Prince from Ashland, leading to the seizure of 14.8 grams of methamphetamine, cash, THC, and drug paraphernalia. Following the seizure, Prince was arrested on the following charges: Possession with intent to distribute Possession of illegally obtained prescription drugs Possession of drug paraphernalia Bail jumping The Sheriffs Office is very proud of the new K9 teams early success. K9 Doc has already proven to be a valuable asset to the department and his keem sense and quick alert helped us remove dangerous drugs from our community. The Sheriffs Office looks forward to many more successful operations with K9 Doc and Deputy Seitz working together. The Ashland county Sheriffs Office Anyone who witnesses or needs to report suspicious activity can do so by contacting the Ashland County Sheriffs Office at 715-685-7640. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An immigrant allegedly living in the country illegally and wanted on a federal arrest warrant refused orders to leave his car in Kapolei Monday, forcing agents to break a window to arrest him. Homeland Security Investigations officials told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that their agents and federal law enforcement partners executed the arrest of Ricardo Ramirez Almaguer who had entered and remained in the United States illegally. Mr. Almaguer was previously encountered with drug paraphernalia and has a prior arrest by HPD for driving under the influence, according to the statement from HSI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almaguer was arrested in Waianae on Sept. 19, 2023, and charged with drunk driving, driving without a license, and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle, according to state court records. Through a Spanish interpreter, he eventually plead no contest to the impaired driving charge. The other charges were dismissed with prejudice. in the Ka Makana Alii mall parking lot executing an arrest warrant for alleged illegal immigration went viral Monday. Six federal agents surrounded a black sedan and boxed it into a parking stall with a sport utility vehicle. shows a back passenger window of the car shattered. An unmasked woman in a white shirt and black slacks is seen trying to get a man who attempted to intervene on Almaguers behalf, to back away from the driver side car window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judicial warrant we assure you the party has the right to remain silent you are harassing him (Almaguer ) I need you to step away sir, says the woman in the footage. Three clips of the hours-long standoff were posted to the Instagram account @hawaiinewsreport. The witnesses say he is not an illegal alien but was frightened and locked himself inside his car. Onlookers witnessed this incident and tried to intervene by filming and asking questions. The witnesses were worried about the mans health while being inside the unrunning car for almost 2 hours because of the heat, read the caption on the third clip. Last week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation posted on its national social media feeds that agents are ramping up efforts with agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Immigration and Customs Enforcement to use advanced tools to track down dangerous criminals and stop threats before they reach our streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI has been committed to supporting our partners in immigration enforcement and will remain so, read a statement to the Star-Advertiser from the FBIs Honolulu Field Office. The FBI deferred questions about Mondays Ka Makana Alii arrest to DHS, the lead agency in the enforcement. See more : 40 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman testified in March on nursing home inspections to the House Health and Government Operations Committee. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters) The deputy secretary of public health services is leaving the Maryland Department of Health this week after two years serving under the Moore Administration and more than a decade in both private and public health services in Maryland, state officials confirmed Monday. Tuesday will be Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaramans last day with the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We thank Dr. Kalyanaraman for raising his hand to serve the people of Maryland especially through the COVID pandemic as a dedicated champion for public health, according to a spokesperson for Gov. Wes Moore. His departure is the latest in a string that began in February, when then-Secretary Laura Herrera Scott left amid several controversies at the department, including oversight issues at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, a high-security hospital that has been riddled with complaints of patient abuse and violence. Secretary Meena Seshamani, a former top official with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, took the reins of the department in April. Just last week, Erin McMullen left her position as the departments chief of staff, a position shes held since 2023. McMullen also worked in the department in various positions from 2013 through 2017. Chase Cook also left his job last week as the departments director of communications, following several years in the position. As the deputy secretary of public health services, Kalyanaraman has spoken on a wide variety of health and safety issues throughout the years from heat illnesses and dental health workforce to bird flu threat levels and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before working with the Moore administration, Kalyanaraman served as the health officer for Anne Arundel County from September 2019 through March 2023, leading the county through the COVID-19 pandemic. He was a really, really good resource for the issues that we dealt with during COVID, said Sen. Pam Beidle (D-Anne Arundel), chair of the Senate Finance Committee. He was always willing to do a webinar with us and our constituents. I think he did a really good job guiding our county through COVID. Before his time in local government, Kalyanaraman served from 2012 to 2019 as the chief health officer for Baltimore-based Health Care for the Homeless, a nonprofit that provides health care and housing support to 10,000 people in the region annually. He leaves a health department thats trying to pull itself out of a series of controversies and challenges. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers grilled Kalyanaraman for answers about one of those controversies a significant backlog of nursing home annual inspections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kalyanaraman argued that the department had been making progress on the backlog of state inspections, but lawmakers remain concerned that some facilities had not received annual inspections for over four years, putting vulnerable senior citizens at risk of inadequate care. Kalyanaraman declined Monday to comment on his departure. Neither McMullen nor Cook responded to a request for comment. But McMullen said in a social media post about her departure from the health department that she was filled with immense gratitude for the privilege of serving alongside such dedicated public servants. The experience has been invaluable, and I am forever thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of Marylanders alongside some of the best people you will ever meet, she said. This story was updated on Tuesday, June 3, to correct the spelling of Erin McMullens name. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE KANSAS CITY, Mo. Its that time of the year when summer storms roll into the Kansas City metro and wreak havoc on the region. But dont worry, because the Kansas City Fire Department has provided three tips you need to stay prepared in the event of severe weather. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 Here are the tips from KCFD: Turn around, dont drown. Avoid driving into heavy rains and high water. Turn around if you feel that your car may not be able to withstand pooling water on roadways. According to KCFD, It only takes a few inches of moving water to sweep a vehicle or person away. Never walk in high water Similar to tip one, high and moving water can be extremely unpredictable and is powerful enough to move sewer covers or shift surfaces under the water. This can lead to extremely dangerous conditions. Slow down for emergency vehicles and give yourself time Emergency responders can sometimes have a difficult time seeing and driving during heavy rain and storms. Slow down and try to move over when you approach an accident or stopped cars on roadways. Leave yourself room behind a car while driving, allowing you to stop safely without crashing into other drivers. Additionally, make sure to allot more time for your community and slow down to avoid hydroplaning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preparing for severe weather this spring and summer in Kansas City So, with that being said, the main thing to take away from these tips is to stay alert, stay prepared and stay safe. For all things Kansas City weather, tune into FOX4 News for the latest forecasts across the metro. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City Zoo announced on Monday that theyve welcomed two baby cotton-top tamarins. They were born on May 19. When they are old enough, the veterinary team will be able to identify their sex. Royals call up No. 1 prospect Jac Caglianone to MLB Along with the birth of the tamarins, the zoo also introduced their new program called Wild Beginnings that celebrates newborn animals at the zoo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cotton-top tamarins are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The main reason for their decline in population is due to deforestation. Family sues Kansas City, KC Sports Commission & several others for 2024 Chiefs parade shooting The Kansas City Zoo is one of the accredited facilities within the Association of Zoos & Aquariums that participates in the Species Survival Plan to ensure a genetically diverse and stable population of cotton-top tamarins. When you visit the zoo, the tamarins will be located habitat in Sobela Ocean Aquarium. 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 Holstein cow peers through the barrier of a dairy farm in Hamilton County, Kansas. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector) I do not believe the bill goes far enough in insuring that the truly needy are able to participate in the food stamp program. U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kansas Me neither, Sen. Dole. But theyre at it again. Last year, Republicans on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, with the support of Kansas Rep. Tracey Mann, wrote a Farm Bill. It went nowhere, not even a vote in the full House of Representatives. The Senate Ag Committee didnt even write a bill. Congress missed its second deadline to extend the 2018 Farm Bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why? That bill destroyed the coalition that has united to pass every farm bill of the last 50 years. Farm interests join supporters of food assistance programs to back one comprehensive piece of legislation. Nutrition advocates revolted against the draconian cuts in food stamps now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP and farmers dont have the votes by themselves to pass a Farm Bill in the House. With the extension of the extension ending in just four months Republicans are running the same play and running scared. They have raided SNAP of $60 billion for new farm subsidies, plus another $230 billion for tax cuts for the wealthy. Low-income families lose $5, with $1 going into a farmers pocket and $4 into a rich taxpayers bank account. The House Agriculture Committee passed it on a party-line vote; the Republican Mann voted yes while Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids voted no. Two strikes are enough. Farm lawmakers are using money dedicated to putting food on hungry families tables like a bottomless checkbook a private cookie jar to increase subsidies to millionaire farmers. Now that the House has passed pieces of the Farm Bill as part of President Trumps tax cut package (the Kansas delegation split along party lines), the Senate is taking a look. Then, the House should rewrite its rules to take food stamps and nutrition assistance, along with overseas food aid, out of the jurisdiction of the Agriculture Committee. Its probably time to move SNAP out of the USDA, for good measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aggies justify the monstrous boost in spending as necessary to protect farmers from dire circumstances. But maybe the circumstances wouldnt be so dire if farmers were not facing a trade war triggered by Trumps tariffs. Remember Trump Trade War I and the $20 billion shelled out to make up for that fiasco? Instead of preventing a replay, Congress went along. Kansas Republicans in the House voted to support Trump Trade War II when they voted for a provision preventing the House from even considering legislation to end the tariffs. Kansas Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran twice voted against a measure in their chamber that would have done the same. They saying theyre simply putting farm back into the Farm Bill, a quaint description of shoehorning $60 billion in new farm payments into one catch-all piece of legislation. The proposal includes every legislative cat and dog the president and the Republicans can corral from tax breaks for millionaires to more money to carry out the Trump draconian, damn-due-process mass deportation scheme. (If anyone thinks Congress is taking its responsibilities seriously, look at the sophomoric title its backers gave the bill-a name I refuse to dignify by repeating.) Lawmakers claim theyre simply asking SNAP recipients to work in exchange for benefits. That sounds reasonable. Democrats favor work too, along with ensuring workers are paid a living wage. However, there is little evidence the requirements the House champions will themselves work. Most research is ambiguous, but it suggests that paperwork and reporting requirements will deter prospective workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, the bills transfer of administrative costs to states may lead to even more cuts in cuts in assistance. If youre thinking how catchy the putting the farm back into the Farm Bill mantra sounds, consider: In the past 18 years, the top three Kansas farm program recipients cashed checks from Uncle Sam totaling nearly $30 million. That doesnt count payments they earned last year and their share of the $10 billion in emergency payments Congress appropriated in December. The average Kansas SNAP beneficiary receives a little more than $200 per month, and none of them can eat tariffs to survive. Meanwhile, the Houses new Farm Bill will boost by $30,000 the limit on a single farmers payments. Thats not the maximum amount thats just the increase in the maximum amount. Kansas representatives and senators have never shied from supporting farm spending. Its Kansas Politics 101. Despite partisan differences, its one thing Sens. Dole, Kassebaum and Roberts and Reps. Glickman, Keys, Sebelius and Slattery all had in common. They also all supported a sound, effective, amply funded food and nutrition safety net. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Correction: The time over which the top three Kansas farm programs received nearly $30 million has been updated. Greg Frazier was involved in writing five farm bills, as USDA chief of staff and a House Agriculture Committee staff director. A Kansas native, he now lives in Kansas City. 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. J.R. Claeys, a member of the Kansas Legislature for 13 years, said he accepted appointment to an administrative job in the U.S. Department of Agriculture within under President Donald Trump. He said serving the Salina area was the biggest honor of his life. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Republican Sen. J.R. Claeys of Salina resigned from the Kansas Legislature after accepting an administrative job with the rural business development service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Claeys, who served 13 years in the House and Senate but lost a GOP primary for secretary of state, disclosed several weeks ago his intent to quit as senior advisor to Attorney General Kris Kobach and as a Republican political consultant for Axiom Strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Claeys assumed duties at USDA as director of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The federal agency within USDA has responsibility for promoting economic development by supporting rural businesses and cooperatives. Claeys said he joined the administration of President Donald Trump to continue to fight for rural Americans. I have had the privilege of serving my hometown in the Kansas Legislature, Claeys said. Representing the people of Saline and Dickinson counties, including Salina where I was born and raised, has been the honor of my life. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said he appreciated the role Claeys played in shaping the Senates budget and tax policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has helped lead efforts to secure key private and public sector investments into Kansas, particularly his district, Masterson said. The 24th District in the Senate, in accordance with Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution, was declared vacant and the process of nominating a replacement could begin. Claeys won reelection to a four-year term in November. Claeys was the second Republican to recently depart the Legislature for employment at USDA. State Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, stepped down in mid-May to begin work as deputy undersecretary for the agriculture departments food and nutrition service. Sedgwick County Republicans nominated Steve Brunk to complete the unexpired portion of Penns term. Brunk served as a state representative from 2003 to 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Claeys said the central Kansas region within his legislative district experienced economic growth due to massive federal investment and an influx of state bond revenue that spurred manufacturing expansion and technological evolution. Developments included transportation projects, housing construction, downtown revitalization and growth at Kansas State Universitys aviation campus in Salina. Rural America is not an afterthought, Claeys said. It is where the strongest work ethic exists in our nation. A resource more valuable than any other. Claeys was elected to the House in 2012 and transitioned to the Senate in 2020. He worked on behalf of the Trump presidential campaign in 2020. He ran unsuccessfully for Kansas secretary of state in 2010. In 2012, the Salina Journal reported a company owned by Claeys was the subject of a Federal Trade Commission investigation into sales of worthless green certifications to more than 125 companies. The FTC concluded Tested Green, based in Washington, D.C., sold bogus environmental certifications from February 2009 to April 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This company was putting out a green certification that consumers could pay for that was deceptive, the FEC said at that time. It had nothing behind it to prove a company was green. The FTC said Tested Green certifications were backed by the National Green Business Association and the National Association of Government Contractors. Those Claeys-owned associations shared an address in the District of Columbia. Claeys said he launched Tested Green, but turned over management to a director when he began the campaign for Kansas secretary of state. Claeys said he was deceived by the director, who he declined to identify. The FTCs order listed Jeremy Ryan Claeys individually as doing business as Tested Green, the Journal said. The company wasnt fined or penalized by the FTC, but he was permanently prohibited from making or assisting in deceptive marketing claims. These scammers want to charge you very high upfront fees by offering claims that they can get borrowers a lower monthly payment or get them access to debt cancellation. Some scams, Pierce said, are just a shakedown for cash from people who are having trouble paying their bills. The crooks use information from lead generators to pinpoint vulnerable borrowers who already are seeing their credit decline because they aren't paying their student loan bills. "Every time there is a major event in the student loan system, there are the same kind of fly-by-night, boiler-room scams that robo-dial borrowers," said Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. Not surprisingly, consumers who face this kind of financial calamity should be on high alert for someone else to reach out with an unsolicited text, email or phone call, too. You can expect to hear from a scammer anytime soon. The Education Department can require employers to send it up to 15% of a borrower's disposable pay to repay the defaulted loans. Disposable income is calculated after taxes and other legal obligations. Later this summer, about 5.3 million borrowers who were in default before the pandemic began in 2020 are expected to receive a notice from U.S. Treasury that their earnings will be subject to administrative wage garnishment. We're going to be hearing more about the federal government's renewed response now to collecting unpaid federal student loan debt that's in default. Money from a borrower's tax refund and wages could be taken to cover months of unpaid student loan debt, too. For most federal student loans, you are considered in default if you have not made a payment in more than 270 days, or roughly nine months. And the numbers in default are expected to grow this year and early next year now that the COVID-19-pandemic-related student loan relief is over. Under the rules, 15% of Social Security benefits each month could be used to offset federal student loans that are in default. On the plus side, up to $750 of monthly Social Security benefits are protected from the offset. A 30-day notice already went out in early May to 195,000 student loan borrowers who are in default, notifying them of what's ahead for their Social Security retirement and disability payments if they don't take action, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Beginning in June, tens of thousands of student loan borrowers who didn't make payments for quite some time are expected to start seeing less money in their monthly federal benefits checks, like Social Security, as serious debt collection tactics start to unfold. Story Continues "They will take that fee, and they will never have delivered anything of value to you," Pierce said. A giant red flag: someone who asks you for a fee upfront to handle a problem with your student loans. More: Student loan debt collection restarts: How to avoid garnished wages, tax refund seizures The Better Business Bureau is warning student loan borrowers to be aware of student loan debt programs asking you to pay a big upfront fee or monthly fees for phony services. "Some of these companies are real, but they pitch their services with false claims and incomplete information," a BBB alert says. Don't pay a fee for relief that's free Other scams work by tricking distressed borrowers into paying for something that they could get free, such as signing you up for an income-driven repayment something you can do to lower your monthly payment by contacting your loan servicer directly or going to StudentAid.gov to sign up yourself. "Under federal law," Pierce said, "you don't need to pay anybody to access an affordable loan payment." The Education Department notes that many times outside companies will charge a fee for services that you can take care of yourself by contacting your loan servicer. "Often, theyre just fraudsters who are after your money," according to a warning from the Education Department. Services that come at no cost by contacting your servicer directly include changing your repayment plan, finding a way to lower your monthly loan payment, and figuring out how to consolidate multiple federal student loans. There are also ways to postpone making monthly payments while you're in school or unemployed. And loan servicers can offer options for getting your federal student loans out of default. Make no mistake, borrowers may need to make repeated calls to their loan servicer to get on track. Pierce said many will need to contact their congressional representative to get the ball rolling if they run into consistent problems. Members of Congress have caseworkers who help constituents who have problems with a federal agency. His group offers tips online for how to ask for help at ProtectBorrowers.org/caseworktool. Scammers prepare to strike when you're stressed out Scammers do their homework. They know that debt collection is in the news now. And they take time to gather all sorts of information about people many times before reaching out to try to convince you that they're the real deal. One sign of any scam: someone who contacts you out of the blue and demands money on the spot, perhaps payment via a bitcoin ATM, money put on gift cards, or transferring money by wire. Never hand over that money or feel pressured to act immediately. Remember, the Education Department warns, no one can promise immediate and total loan forgiveness or cancellation. "Most government forgiveness programs require many years of qualifying payments and/or employment in certain fields before your loans can be forgiven," the Education Department says. Unless you initiated the contact, never share personal information over the phone, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Protect your FSA ID Don't share your FSA ID with anybody. Another sign of a scam, Pierce said, is anyone who asks you for your login and password to access your student loan account. No reputable company, he said, would do that. The Education Department warns that your FSA ID is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. "If a company has access to your FSA ID information, they can make changes to your account without your permission," the Education Department says. The pitch can sound promising when it isn't Many consumers don't realize fraudsters go so far as to take out ads online or impersonate reputable brands with fairly decent-looking websites. Some examples of false student loan pitches include: Act immediately to qualify for student loan forgiveness before the program is discontinued. Federal student loan programs may change. Please call within 30 days of receiving this notice. Your student loans may qualify for complete discharge. Enrollments are first come, first served. Mark Kantrowitz, a student loan expert and author, said one common form of a scam involves someone pretending to be a debt collector and threatening the borrower with arrest or asset seizures if they don't pay the fake debt collector. Some scammers might be bold enough to demand hundreds of dollars from someone's wages as part of fake wage garnishment claims. But Kantrowitz said it's important for borrowers to understand the federal government would reach out to your employer to garnish your wages if you're in default on your student loans. As a result, the employer would be sending that money to the government before it even shows up on your paycheck. "There are also scams that tell the borrower to make the payment to the scam, as opposed to the federal government," Kantrowitz said. "These scams often ask for the borrower's FSA ID, and they change the mailing address so that the borrower is unaware that the payments haven't been made and their loans are delinquent or even in default." The Education Department does not have collection agencies right now, experts say. You're dealing with the student loan servicers and the Education Department's Default Resolution Group. Visit myeddebt.ed.gov for information to help resolve defaulted student loans. There was a 12-month grace period from October 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024, to protect financially vulnerable borrowers who missed making federal student loan payments. No action was taken during that time that resulted in declaring a loan in default. Many borrowers are already 90 days past due and moving closer to not making payments for 270 days, which would put them in default and put their wages, tax refunds and Social Security benefits at risk, Pierce said. He recommends that troubled borrowers go to StudentAid.gov to look up their student loan account to better understand their debt. (This story was updated to fix a typo.) Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X @tompor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Here are the red flags of student loan scams promising debt relief Marcus Stratton, a school counselor in Wakarusa, tells a legislative committee on June 2, 2025, in Topeka about his experience as a mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse and neglect. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of the Kansas Legislature You Tube channel) TOPEKA Filing reports of suspected child abuse or neglect is the most difficult part of Marcus Strattons job as a school counselor at a Kansas middle school. Stratton is a mandatory reporter, the title given to educators, health care workers, social workers and members of law enforcement who are required by law to report any suspicion of neglect or abuse. Teachers and school staff are the most frequent reporters of child neglect and abuse in Kansas, but minimal feedback, communication and transparency from the state foster care agency have left more questions than answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testifying before the Joint Committee on Child Welfare System Oversight, Stratton asked lawmakers Monday for more training for mandatory reporters and greater clarity on how the process of investigating allegations of abuse or neglect works within the states foster care agency, the Kansas Department for Children and Families. When I get to a point where I have to make a mandatory report for a child, I can no longer meet the needs of the child in a public school setting, Stratton told lawmakers. Teachers are taught not to investigate when they suspect potential abuse or neglect. Once a report is made, Stratton said he rarely knows the outcome. He only knows whether or not it has been assigned for investigation. Once we make the report, we may be meeting our legal obligations to do that, but we still have the relationship with the student that we have to maintain, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stratton is a counselor at Pauline South Intermediate School in Wakarusa, and he was not speaking as an official representative of the school. With concern for the wellbeing of students, he regularly questions how to navigate the opaque mandatory reporting process. He said the process can only be as good as those who are making the reports and those who are receiving them. Of the 71,000 reports of potential abuse, neglect or a family in need of assessment to the Kansas Protection Report Center in 2024, about half are assigned to an investigator, according to DCF data. Almost 30% of reports come from educators. In his nine years as a counselor, Stratton has never been called to court to testify in a childs case after filing a report. His experience with the Kansas Department for Children and Families has been good about 90% of the time, he said. In the years that Ive been making mandated reports, I havent come up with a magic formula, Stratton said. Theres so many different types of situations, so many different types of people. Theres just no way that I think you can perfectly legislate something like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The more information, the better, he said. He suggested training for mandatory reporters to understand how DCFs process of investigation works and what qualifications and training an investigator might have. Eudora Republican Sen. Beverly Gossage, a former teacher and chair of the committee, said Strattons concerns resonated with her. She relayed her experience with an old student who came to her sixth-grade class with a belt mark across his face. He always had a story, Gossage said. After the second time, she filed a report. It does put you in an awkward position, she said. The process can be a gray area for mandatory reporters, who may not know the consequences of filing a report and whether their anonymity will be maintained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can be difficult to be specific when filing reports, said Monique Young, a Missouri educator who has also worked in Kansas. In Missouri, counselors, teachers and administrators participate in required training to recognize when a student needs help, but it can be a tough balance, Young said, when no central system exists within schools to ensure the best outcomes for both reporters and students. Often, information regarding investigations is confidential, said Tanya Keys, the deputy secretary of DCF. But she took Strattons suggestions in stride, indicating there might be opportunities for educators to gain insight into the mandatory reporting system. Before Stratton left the committee room Monday, Gossage gave Keys and Stratton homework. She requested they meet again outside of the committee setting to discuss Strattons concerns and find solutions that can apply to all mandatory reporters. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt inadvertently admitted Tuesday that Donald Trump, having failed to make any actual trade deals with other countries, has resorted to pleading with world leaders to come to the negotiating table. Reuters reported earlier in the day that the administration has sent a letter to multiple countries urging them to provide their best offer on tariff negotiations by Wednesday. In a draft seen by Reuters, the U.S. asks countries to provide their best proposals in key areas, including quota offers to purchase American products and plans to resolve any non-tariff barriers. It is not clear which countries received the letter. When asked in a press briefing about the letter, Leavitt said she could confirm the merits in the content of the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. trade representative sent this letter to all of our trading partners just to give them a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up, she said. Leavitt said that multiple officials are currently engaged in trade talks, and that this letter was simply to remind these countries that the deadline is approaching and the president expects good deals. we're gone from "90 deals in 90 days" to sending letters to other countries pleading with them to negotiate pic.twitter.com/wounb2Hzqr Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 3, 2025 The Trump administration has come a long way from promising to make 90 deals during the 90-day pause on Trumps sweeping Liberation Day tariffs. So far, only one actual deal has emerged, with the U.K.and when Trump announced that deal, it sounded more like the concepts of a plan than an actual agreement. The administration was also in talks with China, but those negotiations have publicly (and dramatically) stalled. As for other countries, they appear to be biding their time. Many countries reportedly saw that Beijings tough negotiating strategy landed them a much better deal, indicating that waiting for Trump to suffer backlash for the tariffs at home and ultimately cave is a better tactic than trying to reach a compromise with him. Its unclear how much longer Trumps tariffs will be in place. Last week, two separate courts ruled that his tariff policy is illegal. The administration is appealing at least one of those rulings. Construction has officially begun on the new Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), named after a World War II hero and Navy Cross recipient. The vessels keel was laid May 20 during a ceremony at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine, during which Walshs great-granddaughter, Madison Ann Zolper, welded her initials into the keel plate as is customary for a ships sponsor. Walsh, a captain in the U.S. Coast Guard, helped plan the capture of Cherbourg in the days leading up to the invasion of Normandy on D-Day on June 6, 1944. He earned his place in history when, in a series of daring enterprises, he captured about 750 German soldiers with a force of 53 men and liberated 52 U.S. paratroopers in the wake of the D-Day landings. He continued to lead a life of military and community service after the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are honored to mark the beginning of the construction for the future USS Quentin Walsh and celebrate his legacy with his family. DDG 132 will provide our Navy with critical strategic capabilities to support Fleet readiness, said Capt. Jay Young, Arleigh Burke-class destroyer program manager of Program Executive Office Ships, in a release. The vessel will be equipped with AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar, a four-sided phased array radar that can defend against a wide variety of missiles, including hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Ships equipped with SPY-6 radar technology can also counter threats from surface vessels and the air, as well as electronic attacks. DANVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) In the aftermath of Fridays tornado in Washington County, one Kentucky community is mourning the loss of a man who touched countless lives. That man has been identified as 48-year-old Ronnie Hill, who was found dead outside of his home on Long Run Road. He died from injuries he received during the tornado. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark La Palme, a senior consultant at All Together Recovery, said Hill had just completed treatment at a center La Palme had started. Hill later took a job at the recovery center, helping with building maintenance. He wanted to give back, said La Palme. And I think that sense of wanting to be a part of something bigger than you, that helps other people get on the path that you found. Thats what he was all about. Hill and his fiancee were together during the tornado. Shes been receiving treatment at UK Hospital due to her injuries. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had back surgery yesterday, and she had arm surgery today. Shes tough; shes going to make it, La Palme said. La Palme said hell miss seeing Hills name come up on his phone the most. He would call me 15 times a day, La Palme said. Hes like, Mark, Im at Lowes, I see this, I see that. What do you think about this with this apartment? What about this paint? What about this tile? What about this color? I was at the outpatient clinic that we have in Danville this morning, and I was just waiting for him to come through that back door, and not seeing him. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Hills fiance and her 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 FOX 56 News. Rep. Tina Bojanowski, D-Louisville, left, speaks during the Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting. Beside her is Rep. Adrielle Camuel, D-Lexington, June 3, 2025, in Frankfort. (LRC Public Information photo) FRANKFORT A group of Kentucky lawmakers was briefed Tuesday on a slew of changes to federal education funding coming out of Washington. During the first meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Education, Kentucky senators and representatives heard about proposals to cut the federal education budget and some pauses in funding under the Trump administration from Tara Thomas, government affairs manager for the AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday marked the start of interim committee meetings for state lawmakers this year. In the months ahead, committees of senators and representatives will hear presentations to gather information to use in the 2026 legislative session. Thats when legislators will debate and finalize the next two-year state budget. In recent months, the Kentucky Department of Education and Robbie Fletcher, the states education commissioner, have sent public warnings about how losing funding, particularly dollars previously promised as COVID relief, will jeopardize projects in Kentucky schools. About two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) denied a $10.6 million request to extend COVID relief funding submitted by KDE on behalf of school districts. Thomas told lawmakers that the federal Education Department has denied some extensions for projects that were not related to services directly provided to students. Some examples include projects for improving building ventilation or the environment of the schools or supporting professional development programs. Thomas said Kentucky may have to consider if it wants to fund some of these denied requests for education programs and resources itself. Elementary and secondary education receives the biggest chunk of Kentuckys General Fund budget and is one of the most polarizing issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Kentucky has some of those programs you had extensions for and no longer have it, I think the states going to have to determine if they want to continue those programs or not, Thomas said. Other topics during the presentation included a review of the Republicans big, beautiful bill moving through Congress and the Trump administrations recently released budget request for the next fiscal year. The budget bill includes a tax credit scholarship for a nationwide school choice program. Kentucky voters rejected a constitutional amendment last November to allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools with public money. As the committee was pressed for time with other presentations during the meeting, Rep. Adrielle Camuel, D-Lexington, was the only lawmaker to ask a question of Thomas. Camuel asked for clarification about if the tax credit allowed for states to create reporting requirements to show how funds are being spent, how theyre using the federal tax credits. Thomas said that as of right now, the proposal has been a straightforward tax credit, but going to the administrations deferral to states, I would imagine that they might allow for implementing additional accountability standards if thats what the state wants to do. President Donald Trump previously signed an executive order to move the U.S. Education Departments main functions to the states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Committee co-chairman Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, said the briefing was intended to be a snapshot of the changes in federal policies and how they will affect Kentucky. Im sure things will change tomorrow, West said. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) With the agency on President Trumps wish list for cuts, Sen. Rand Paul told reporters Monday he believed there is a role for FEMA to play in responding to natural disasters like the ones that took place in London and Somerset last month. However, Paul said he wants to make sure the federal government has a way to pay for the agency without adding more debt. We are willing to do what we can to make it better. I know it takes a long time, Sen. Paul told a gathering of first responders and local leaders at the London-Corbin Airport on Monday. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the cleanup continues around the site, which took a direct hit from the tornado, there are some mangled buildings and rubble piles that look like the disaster happened just yesterday. Sen. Paul joined local leaders in London and Somerset to simply say thanks to first responders, now only just able to catch a breath as their communities recover. From trying to find survivors to recovering bodies to then trying to help clear rubble. In the days preceding that, these same responders that hadnt slept, from doing the emergency services became a neighbor, London Mayor Randall Weddle said. From having visited Mayfield through the years, its taken several years to come back, but you will come back, Paul said. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul assured that the federal government will help where it can with recovery. With President Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill the next big item on the Senate agenda, Paul said future FEMA funding isnt necessarily a part of the bills debate but believed that funding could be affected by the bills overall cost. I think the debt is a real problem. So, you talk about how do we fund FEMA when we have an interest payment of $1 trillion? That kind of expanding need is pushing out expenses like FEMA which most people agree needs to be there during times of disaster. But if we keep borrowing more, that interest payment keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger, Paul told FOX 56. Paul said he will not support the presidents budget reconciliation bill unless it no longer raises the debt ceiling, prompting Trump to publish social media criticism over the weekend. If 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. Rand will be playing right into the hands of the Democrats, and the GREAT people of Kentucky will never forgive him, Trump said in a post on his social media platform. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One of the key players in the so-called "Cum-Ex" scandal - Germany's biggest tax-fraud case - was convicted on Tuesday. Lawyer Kai-Uwe Steck was sentenced by the Bonn Regional Court to one year and 10 months' imprisonment, suspended on probation, for five counts of serious tax fraud. The court also ordered the confiscation of around 24 million (about $27 million). "Through his actions, the defendant contributed to tax losses of almost half a billion euros," said presiding judge Sebastian Hausen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said Steck was "a central figure" in the tax scandal. Steck was formerly a partner in the law firm of Hanno Berger, described as the architect of the Cum-Ex scandal. While Berger remained convinced of the legality of his actions until the end, Steck appeared remorseful, cooperated with the public prosecutor's office, and acted as a key witness. The judge said that Steck's role as a key witness had a mitigating effect on the ruling. Berger was sentenced to eight years in jail by the Bonn Regional Court in 2022. The Cum-Ex scandal involved financial players shifting shares with (cum in Latin) and without (ex) dividend rights back and forth in order to obtain refunds for taxes that had not been paid. The scam was at its peak between 2006 and 2011. According to estimates, the tax authorities were defrauded of tens of billions of euros. LONDON (Reuters) -Three-year-old Madeleine McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, in central England, disappeared on May 3, 2007 during a holiday with her parents in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Eighteen years on, Portuguese police have begun searching an area of land near where she disappeared. Here is a chronology of developments: 2007 May 3 - Madeleine goes missing from her bedroom between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m. while her parents Kate and Gerry are dining with friends around 100 yards away at a resort in Praia da Luz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May 5 - Police say they have put together a sketch of a suspect and confirm they believe Madeleine is still alive and being held within three miles of the crime scene. May 8 - Police say they have investigated 350 suspicious incidents but still have no idea where she might be. May 10 - The search around the resort winds down. May 14 - Police search a villa just up the road from where Madeleine was snatched and take a British man, Robert Murat, to a police station for questioning. He is later released. June - The McCanns travel to Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Morocco to appeal to the public to help search for their daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement September - Kate and Gerry McCann are questioned by Portuguese police. They are both named as suspects, but police do not bring charges against them. The couple then fly back to Britain with their twins, Sean and Amelie. In a brief statement after landing, Gerry says: "We have played no part in the disappearance of our lovely daughter Madeleine". 2008 March - McCanns accept 550,000 pounds of libel damages from the Daily Express and Daily Star newspapers over allegations they made that they were involved in Madeleine's death. July - Portuguese authorities end their investigation and say the McCanns and Murat are no longer suspects. Murat wins libel damages from 11 papers who had said he was involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2009 March - The McCanns launch a new appeal for information in the Algarve. May - The McCanns publicise the search for their daughter with an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's U.S. chat show. 2011 May - British Prime Minister David Cameron asks London's Metropolitan Police to investigate the case. 2012 April - British police say Madeleine could still be alive and release an artist's impression of what she may look like. 2013 June - Britain agrees to fund a full-scale police investigation. October - Police release e-fits as part of an appeal to find a suspect who officers say is of "vital importance". Portuguese police reopen their investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2014 June - Police search scrubland near to Praia da Luz. 2015 July - Australian police test the remains of a girl found in a suitcase, but they are not Madeleine's. 2019 March - Netflix releases an eight-part series about the disappearance of Madeleine. 2020 June - German police say they have a new suspect and appeal for information about a German man currently imprisoned in Germany for sexual assault offences. Convicted child abuser and drug trader Christian Brueckner was likely responsible for her disappearance, they say. July - Portuguese authorities explore three disused wells but find no evidence of a body. German police search an allotment near Hanover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2022 April - Portuguese prosecutors formally identify Brueckner as a suspect in the disappearance. He is the first suspect they have named since Kate and Gerry McCann in 2007. May - New evidence has been found, potentially incriminating the key suspect in Madeleine's disappearance, said the German prosecutor investigating the case. 2023 May - Portuguese authorities assisted by German police search a reservoir near the area where Madeleine went missing. 2025 January - The German prosecutor investigating the disappearance says there is currently no prospect of charges being brought against Brueckner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June - Portuguese police launch a new search for traces of the child's body, focusing on an area between Praia da Luz and one of the houses where Brueckner lived. (Reporting by William James; Editing by Alex Richardson) NEED TO KNOW Jonathan Joss was escorted out of a panel for King of the Hill at the ATX TV Festival on May 30, just two days before he died on June 1 A day before his death, Joss shared a video of him signing autographs at a comic and games store in Austin, Texas Joss, who was 59, was allegedly shot and killed during a dispute with his former neighbor at his San Antonio, Texas home, which had recently burned down The puzzle pieces of Jonathan Joss' final days are coming together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just two days before the King of the Hill actor was shot and killed at the age of 59 on Sunday, June 1, in San Antonio, Texas, he was escorted out of a panel for the iconic animated series at the Paramount Theatre as part of the ATX TV Festival on Friday, May 30, in Austin, Texas. While the panel was in full swing, Joss stood up and approached the microphone set up for the Q&A portion of the event, which had not begun yet, an eyewitness in the audience tells PEOPLE. The onlooker says security guards came out at this time. The eyewitness says audience members "laughed nervously in the crowd" and that King of the Hill co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels didn't seem alarmed while others appeared "a bit worried or uncomfortable." "It seemed he did get a little emotional while he spoke, but mostly he was calm and he just needed to say his piece," the onlooker adds of Joss. FOX A still from 'King of the Hill' featuring Joss' character A still from 'King of the Hill' featuring Joss' character "I'm an actor," Joss said in a fan-captured video of the moment. "I see a mic, I use it. I see a wrong, I make it right. I take a breath, I want to breathe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joss later revealed to the attendees that his house had burned down three months prior, seemingly indicating it was a hate crime as he said it was "because I'm gay." He was then seen walking toward the stage and across the front row. At one point in the video, Judge told the audience Joss played John Redcorn on King of the Hill and was returning for the revival. "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 onlooker says, adding that the panel got "back on track" after this. PEOPLE has reached out to a spokesperson for the ATX TV Festival for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Facebook post from April 21, Joss shared a statement about not being asked to participate in the King of the Hill panel at ATX TV Festival "not entirely out of anger, but also out of the deep ache in my heart." "This show was a part of my life for many years. That character, that voice, that storythey were my home, my pride, my connection to something bigger than myself," he continued. "To not be invited felt like being shut out of a place I helped build." Joss followed that Facebook post with another on April 29 in which he said he'd heard from Disney the parent company of Hulu, where the revival is airing that the panel would "be focusing on series regulars." "I truly appreciate them taking the time to reach out to me personally," he added. "It means a lot." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his disappointment, Joss shared a video to Instagram one day after the TV festival showing him celebrating that the King of the Hill "reboot is up and running" while preparing to sign autographs at an Austin-based comic and game store. Jonathan Joss/Facebook (R) 'King of the Hill' star Jonathan Joss and (L) husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales (R) 'King of the Hill' star Jonathan Joss and (L) husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales Hours after news broke that Joss was killed during a dispute with his former neighbor, his husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales shared a statement that offered his first-hand account of the incident. Gonzales, who married Joss on Valentine's Day, said he was present when Joss was shot and claimed the issue was rooted in homophobia. He revealed that Joss pushed him out of the way when the neighbor fired the gun, writing, "He saved my life." "He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other," Gonzales alleged. "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 Jonathan's legacy and honoring the life we built together." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Gonzales' claims, the San Antonio Police Department issued a statement on X on June 2, saying they were investigating the incident but have "found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation." Police previously told PEOPLE authorities were dispatched to a shooting in progress at Joss' address around 7 p.m. local time in June 1, where they found the actor lying "near the roadway." After attempting "life saving measures," paramedics pronounced Joss dead at the scene. The suspect, 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, was quickly found and detained by officers after fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Cejam has been booked on a charge of murder and the investigation is still ongoing. Read the original article on People This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Looking to further amp up its immunology business, Sanofi has agreed to acquire Blueprint Medicines in a deal that could be worth as much as $9.5 billion. Blueprints research revolves around an enzyme made by a gene called KIT. This tyrosine kinase enzyme helps control cell development, division and survival, so if it mutates, it can spur the type of uncontrolled cell growth seen in cancer and some rare diseases. Blueprint already has one medicine approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Ayvakit, and is working on a handful of others, two of which are in human testing. The FDA first approved Ayvakit in early 2020 for a rare kind of hard-to-treat gastrointestinal tumor, and specifically for the small subset of adults who have these tumors and certain mutations. Since then, the agency cleared the medicine as a treatment for both the less and more aggressive forms of systemic mastocytosis, an uncommon disorder where a kind of white blood cell known as a mast cell builds up in the bone marrow, digestive tract, skin and other organs. The accumulation can lead to severe inflammation and organ damage. Last year, Blueprint posted $479 million in net product revenue from Ayvakit. The company used to have another marketed cancer drug, Gavreto, which it was co-developing and commercializing with Roche. But Roche ultimately backed away from that alliance, leading Blueprint to sell away rights to Rigel Pharmaceuticals in early 2024. In a statement announcing the deal, Sanofi highlighted the recent trajectory in Ayvakit sales. They were up more than 60%, for example, between the first quarter of 2024 and the same three-month period this year. Blueprint recorded a $67 million net loss in 2024, compared to a more than half-a-billion-dollar net loss in each of the previous two years. The proposed acquisition represents a strategic step forward in our rare and immunology portfolios, Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson said in the Monday statement. It enhances our pipeline and accelerates our transformation into the world's leading immunology company. Hudson added that his company maintains a sizeable capacity for further acquisitions. After being an active dealmaker over the past few years, the French pharmaceutical giant still had close to 8 billion euros in cash and cash equivalents at the end of March. Sanofi bought the diabetes drug developer Provention Bio for almost $3 billion in 2023 and the rare disease-focused Inhibrix for $2.2 billion in 2024. And just last month, it agreed to spend $470 million on Vigil Neuroscience, a Massachusetts-based biotechnology company touting an Alzheimers disease drug that just finished an early-stage human study. When Derrick Groves, 27, was convicted in October of killing two people, his sentence was supposed to bring relief to New Orleans and renewed confidence in law enforcement. The days of Derrick Groves bullying and brutalizing this community are over, FBI Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil said at the time. But less than a year later, Groves, who later pleaded guilty to battery of a correctional officer, broke out of jail with nine other men and escaped into the dark New Orleans night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks later, Groves and Antoine Massey, another inmate with a history of escaping custody, are still on the run. A video posted online appears to show Massey declaring his innocence. The US Marshals Service received the video Monday and is looking into it, Deputy US Marshal Brian Fair told CNN. In the video, Massey described himself as one of the ones that was let out of the jail where they said I escaped. As far as declaring his innocence, hes going to have to come in to take care of that, Fair said. Heres what we know about Groves, a man with a violent past whose escape has drawn controversial support. A violent history Groves criminal record dates back to 2014, when he was charged for attempted second-degree murder at age 17. He was eventually found not guilty, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last October, Groves was convicted for the second time in the killing of two people on Mardi Gras Day in 2018. After his initial conviction in 2019, a new law calling for unanimous verdicts forced Groves into a second trial which ended in a mistrial due to a juror reading media reports about the case. A third trial ended in a deadlock, and Groves was finally convicted again last year after a fourth trial, the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office detailed in a news release about the conviction. Groves was determined to be one of two gunmen who opened fire with AK-47-style assault rifles on what should have been a joyous Mardi Gras family gathering, according to the DAs office. Groves was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson and two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the shooting of two other victims, charges that carry a life sentence, the district attorney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors used social media to help convict Groves, indicating that his online activity played a chilling role in their case. Groves posted on social media days after the killings showing his familiarity with the weapons used in the incident, according to the DAs office. He brazenly boasted about the violence and even took credit for the killings, officials said. Three witnesses also courageously testified, identifying Groves and his co-defendant as the gunmen, the DAs office said. Groves routinely used violence to lash out and silence witnesses or snitches, Myrthil said at the time. There was no doubt in the minds of anyone involved in this case that Groves would continue his bloody rampage on the streets of New Orleans if he werent stopped. We hope this guilty verdict and the life sentence that accompanies it will give the community renewed confidence and hope in law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of delays caused by Groves attorney being suspended from practicing law and the judge in the case recusing herself, Groves was still awaiting sentencing for that conviction at the Orleans Justice Center when he escaped, Keith D. Lampkin, a spokesman for the DAs office, detailed. In April 2024, before his conviction in the double murder, Groves was charged with battery of a correctional facility employee. He pleaded guilty in that case, court records show. After Groves escape, prosecutors and witnesses associated with the double murder left town out of an abundance of caution, Lampkin told CNN. He did not elaborate. A still from surveillance video released by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office shows inmates escaping a New Orleans jail. - Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office A loved one pleads for his surrender Groves aunt, Jasmine Groves, told CNN affiliate WDSU that she wants her nephew to turn himself in and that she hopes deadly force will not be used to get him back into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told the station that her family does not know where her nephew is and that the days since his escape have been a nightmare. Jasmine Groves added that Groves mother was taken from her home against her will by law enforcement officials. US Marshals confirmed to WDSU that they went to Groves mothers home to question her. For my family, its been like reliving a constant nightmare that we relived throughout these whole 30 years, she said. Groves is the grandson of Kim Groves, who was killed in a notorious murder-for-hire plot in the Ninth Ward in 1994, the DAs office said. She was a 32-year-old mother of three when the hit was ordered by New Orleans Police Department Officer Len Davis, WDSU reported. Sympathy for a convicted killer This time around, many of the social media posts about Groves have come from supporters, some of whom seem to reference his grandmothers death at the hands of a police officer as a reason to extend him sympathy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DERRICK GROVES is the only inmate i dont blame for what he did to qo to jail i hope he neva qet cauqht, one X user wrote. I pray Derrick Groves is never found safe travels! another posted. Another X user shared the hashtags #StayFreeWoo #Groves #JusticeForKimGroves. The DAs office did not have any comment on the social media support for Groves. He indicated, however, that any suggestion that Groves crimes were in response to or retaliation for his grandmothers death is newly generated urban myth. CNNs Zoe Sottile, Sarah Dewberry and Karina Tsui contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com HOUSTON (AP) While it remains unclear what prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series King of the Hill, police say they are looking into whether his sexual orientation played a role in his death. Joss husband has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled violent homophobic slurs before opening fire. Initially, San Antonio police said they found no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss murder was related to his sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Thursday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus walked back that statement, saying it had been made prematurely and whether Joss sexual orientation played a role in the shooting is part of the investigation. Since Joss killing, friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honored the actors memory with tributes and fond remembrances. Heres what to know about Joss, his career and his shooting: Who was Joss? Joss, 59, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from the communications and theater program at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1990. Joss was best known as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the popular King of the Hill animated series, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the show, which Joss had already worked on, is set to start in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. What was happening with Joss in the months before his death? Joss' childhood home, where he still lived, burned down in January. He lost all his belongings, and his three dogs were killed in the blaze. A GoFundMe account had been set up to help Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, get back on their feet. We may have lost our home, but not our hope. Were moving forward with love, humor, and a little elbow grease and were incredibly grateful for every ounce of support, Joss said in a May 14 Facebook post in which he indicated he was in Los Angeles looking for a new home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the end of May, Joss was back in Texas, and on Saturday, he took part in a live music performance in Austin, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of San Antonio. Who is accused of fatally shooting Joss? Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is accused by police of confronting Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at the burned-down home Sunday night. In a statement, de Gonzales alleged that when Ceja Alvarez opened fire, Joss pushed his husband out of the way and saved his life. Ceja Alvarez was charged with murder. He is free on a $200,000 bond. Ceja Alvarezs attorney, Alfonso Otero, asked the public to withhold judgment in the case until all the evidence is reviewed by prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez maintains his innocence and categorically denies any accusations and statements made against him by individuals and the media. We have confidence and trust that the judicial process will be fair to all parties involved and request everyone to respect Mr. Ceja and his familys right to privacy and his constitutional right to a fair trial, Otero said in a statement released late Friday. Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said it was premature to decide if Joss' shooting was a hate crime, which under Texas law would be handled if there's a conviction as an enhancement during sentencing and not as a separate charge. Well certainly keep our options open when the case is filed with us ... Im not closing the door on the possibility of alleging hate crime as an enhancement in this case," Gonzales said during a news conference on Thursday. Robert Rios, a friend of Joss, told TV station KSAT that Joss and Ceja Alvarez were neighbors and the two had argued for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McManus said police had been called to Joss home and his neighborhood about 70 times over the past two years related to neighborhood type disturbances" and that sometimes Joss made those calls and at other times neighbors had called to report Joss. How is Joss being remembered by friends, actors? Actor Chris Pratt, who worked with Joss on Parks and Recreation, fondly remembered the actor in an Instagram story on Monday. Both actors had also appeared in the 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven. Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude, Pratt wrote. Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Facebook post, San Antonio-based Our Lady of the Lake University, Joss alma mater, called him a trailblazer in his field. His work and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire. His voice will be missed at King of the Hill, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathans friends and family, the shows creators and producers Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Saladin Patterson said in a statement on the animated series Instagram page. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com A Kodiak fisherman has been sentenced to one year in jail for illegally shipping thousands of pounds of tanner crab infected with parasites from Alaska to Washington. Corey Potter, 64, owned and operated two crab catcher vessels and caught tanner crab and golden king crab in Southeast Alaskan waters during February and March of 2024, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Alaska. Kodiak fishermen co-defendants The co-defendants, Kyle Potter, 30, and Justin Welch, 34, followed directions from Corey Potter and transported the harvested crab to Seattle, intending to sell the crabs at a higher price than would be received in Alaska, according to the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the vessels had more than 4,200 pounds of live tanner crab aboard, and the other vessel had more than 2,900 pounds of live golden king crab. Infected tanner crab A portion of the Tanner crab was infected with Bitter Crab Syndrome (BCS), a parasitic disease that is fatal to crustaceans, the release stated. Roughly 42% of the king crab died and was unmarketable. Since the other vessel had BCS contaminated crabs, the entire catch of Tanner crab was transferred to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to dispose of in a landfill. Law enforcement served a search warrant on Welch and his fishing vessel in March 2024, which prompted Welch to inform Corey Potter and Kyle Potter of the search, and both deleted text messages detailing their plans to sell the crab for better prices in Seattle, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Kodiak fishermens illegal crab sentencing Corey Potter pled guilty to two counts of violating the Lacey Act on Feb. 7, 2025, according to the attorneys office. Corey was also ordered to a worldwide commercial fishing ban throughout the duration of his supervised release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyle Potter pled guilty and was sentenced on July 10, 2024, to five years probation, including a five-year worldwide commercial fishing ban concurrent with probation, and a $20,000 fine, according to the release. Welch pled guilty and was sentenced on June 25, 2024, to three years probation and a $10,000 fine. Michael J. Heyman, U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska, mentioned in the news release the importance of abiding by federal laws and factually reporting a harvest. Mr. Potter blatantly disregarded state and federal fishing laws and ignored the concerns of other fisherman when he directed his two captains to execute the illegal transport, resulting in the reckless loss of over 5,000 pounds of crab, Heyman said. The Kremlin has dismissed the likelihood of a trilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky taking place in the near future. Well, frankly speaking, unlikely [that it will happen] in the near future, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, according to Russian state media outlet TASS. Peskov also added that Putin is prepared for the meeting, but that it must result from agreements developed at the technical level, at the expert level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian and Russian delegations met for the second time in person on Monday in Turkey. The meeting, which lasted just over an hour, did not yield a breakthrough in terms of ceasefire talks, but both sides did agree to swap more prisoners. The White House has previously said that Trump is open to having a meeting with both Putin and Zelensky. Russia and Ukraine are still far apart on reaching a deal to end the three-year war in Eastern Europe. Russian state media has reported that the Kremlins demands include not allowing Ukraine to be a part of any military alliance, downsizing Ukraines military, having Ukraines military withdraw from partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, having Russian as the countrys official language and lifting of international sanctions. Ukraine has pushed for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, which Russia has refused to sign on to. Ukraine is demanding that Kyiv have no restrictions on the size of its military in any agreement, war reparations and that the international community refuse to recognize the Kremlins sovereignty in parts of Ukraine that it currently occupies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has pushed for months to end the biggest land war in Europe since World War II and has recently grown frustrated with Putin over the Russian militarys aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. The talks between the two sides in Turkey came a day after Ukraine unleashed a devastating aerial attack, unleashing smuggled drones deep inside Russias territory to bomb the Kremlins air bases. Ukrainian officials said the drones took out a third of Russias bomber fleet, damaging or destroying over 40 aircraft. Ukraine said on Tuesday that it utilized underwater explosives to strike a bridge that connects Russia to Crimea. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that a trilateral meeting involving Russian leader Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unlikely in the near future. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency Interfax, as reported by European Pravda Details: Peskov was responding to White House comments about Trumps openness to such a meeting format. Quote: "Frankly, this is unlikely in the near future. President Putin has repeatedly stressed his readiness for high-level contacts, but these must follow agreements developed at technical and expert levels." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president ed.] Background White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump has not ruled out taking part in a potential meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to end Moscows war of aggression. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that Ankara will be able to organise a meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy and Putin in Istanbul or Ankara. Soon after, Zelenskyy stated that he supports Erdogan's proposal to hold a meeting with Putin, Trump and Erdogan himself. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Russian government sees an early three-way meeting between Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump as unlikely, according to a Kremlin spokesman. Putin is ready for contacts at the highest level, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in Moscow on Tuesday, according to a report by the Interfax news agency. "But he emphasizes that such contacts should be the result of agreements reached beforehand at the technical level." Trump has raised the possibility of such a three-way summit in his efforts to end the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the lack of a breakthrough at Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on Monday, Peskov said that there were important results in the humanitarian field. At their second meeting since mid-May, the warring parties agreed on another large exchange of prisoners and the return of soldiers' bodies. Moscow now expects Ukraine to respond to the Russian list of demands, Peskov said. These include the permanent ceding of Ukrainian territories - which is unacceptable to Kiev. The international community meanwhile has to recognize Russia's territorial conquests, stop military support for Ukraine and lift sanctions against Russia. Possible compromises on these demands should be discussed in the negotiation process, but not debated publicly, Peskov said. MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Tuesday that work on trying to reach a settlement to end the war in Ukraine was extraordinarily complex and that it would be wrong to expect any imminent decisions but that it was waiting for Ukrainian reaction to its proposals. The Kremlin was commenting after Russia told Ukraine at peace talks in Turkey on Monday that it would only agree to end the fighting if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army, demands Ukraine has repeatedly rejected. Despite dismissing such proposals previously, Ukraine has said it will take some time before formally responding to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that Moscow was waiting for that reaction and that agreements reached at the Istanbul talks to exchange prisoners and the bodies of dead soldiers would be honoured by Moscow. "The (peace) settlement theme is extremely complex, it consists of a large number of nuances, and you saw yesterday the published text of the draft (peace) memorandum that we handed over to the Ukrainian side," said Peskov. "Of course, it would be wrong to expect any immediate solutions and breakthroughs here, but work is underway, certain agreements were reached in Istanbul, and they are important. "The agreements will be implemented and then the work will continue," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peskov said Russia and the U.S. had not yet agreed on any specific future contacts between President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, but that Putin was ready for various high-level contacts if they were properly prepared. It was unlikely though, added Peskov when asked, that Putin, Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy would hold face-to-face talks together in the near future. Asked if Russia was ready to compromise on any of its own proposals for a settlement, Peskov declined to comment, saying that negotiations had to be conducted behind closed doors. (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Andrew Osborn) Kshama Sawant, the socialist who served on the Seattle City Council until last year, launched a campaign for Congress on Monday. Above, she is speaking at a rally in Seattle in 2017. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images) Kshama Sawant, the socialist who served a decade on the Seattle City Council, launched a working-class, antiwar, anti-genocide campaign Monday to unseat incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Smith in the 2026 election. At her campaign kick-off in Seattle, Sawant called for a $25 an hour minimum wage, universal health care and a halt in U.S. military aid to Israel for its ongoing offensive against Hamas. Sawant did not seek re-election in 2023 as she established Workers Strike Back, an activist group focused on pro-labor causes and other issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Seattle resident vowed, if elected, to flip the script on how to use elected office as she did as a city leader from 2014 to 2024. My socialist city council office went to war for working people to defeat the strenuous opposition from both big business and the Democratic Party, she said in a statement. Our experience in Seattle shows that we can defeat the rich and their political servants. Sawant filed as an independent with the Federal Election Commission. Smith, whos served in the U.S. House since 1997, said Sawants candidacy will offer voters a clear contrast. Her record on the Seattle City Council is defined by extreme, divisive tactics and policies that left lasting harm, he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war in Gaza will be a major issue in the campaign. U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, in a congressional hearing, in September 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rod Lamkey-Pool/Getty Images) Sawant hit hard Monday, saying that because the Democrats and Republican parties have backed U.S. support of Israel to the hilt, they both are responsible for what is in reality a new holocaust in which thousands have died and Gaza has been reduced to rubble. Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, has blood on his hands for fully endorsing the policies, she said. He, in turn, said Sawant bears responsibility for Republican Donald Trump winning the presidency because she actively campaigned against former Vice President Kamala Harris bid for the office, undermining Democratic efforts to defeat Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have constantly fought against Donald Trump and the devastating policies he is forcing on the American people, Smith said. The two will duel to represent the 9th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Seattle and Bellevue as well as the south King County communities of Renton, Tukwila, Kent, Des Moines and Federal Way. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Labor advocates and some elected officials are calling on Los Angeles County to adopt a minimum wage of at least $25 an hour. On Monday, about 150 workers, labor leaders, Democratic party officials and loyal donors gathered at private tables reserved in the back of Wally's Wine & Spirits in Santa Monica to launch a new effort to raise the minimum hourly wage in L.A. County to $25 or higher. Amid the tinkle of glassware and clang of cutlery, Saru Jayaraman, an L.A. attorney and president of One Fair Wage, a national coalition pushing to raise wages in the service sector, emphasized the urgency of addressing a steep increase in the cost of living. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: L.A. council backs $30 minimum wage for hotels, despite warnings from tourism industry "We need bold, proactive action," Jayaraman said. "That's the only way people will be able to afford to stay in L.A. County." A person living in L.A. County and working full-time in a household without children must earn about $28 an hour in order to cover basics of rent, transportation and food, Jayaraman said, citing MIT's living wage calculator. The hourly minimum wage in Los Angeles is $17.28, 78 cents higher than the states. No wage proposal has yet been submitted to the county, Jayaraman said, but labor groups plan to work with the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to hash out the specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign is sure to face staunch resistance from business groups. It follows L.A. City Council's approval of wage boosts for airport and hotel workers to $30 an hour by 2028. Hotels and tourism industry groups have continued to fight the new ordinance, filing paperwork last week to force a citywide vote to overturn it. Business leaders who opposed the tourism wage hike had warned that Southern California like other tourism hotspots across the U.S. is already facing a slowdown in international travel due to trade war hostilities and deportation threats. To manage the mounting cost of labor, hotels will be forced close restaurants or other small businesses on their premises and in some cases, shut down entirely, they said. The coalition of businesses that is seeking to overturn the wage the L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress will need to gather about 93,000 signatures within the next few weeks in order to qualify the measure for the ballot in an upcoming election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement L.A. City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who backed the tourism wage boost, said unions were bracing for a fight in the coming weeks and months. "Corporations and businesses are only going to go more on the attack and do everything in their power to reverse these policies," she said. "We are talking about workers being able to buy food, and live in the city they work in." The campaign to boost the minimum wage has the backing of L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who said at the event that she often hears from her constituents that they are being priced out. "What it costs to just survive in Los Angeles County it takes away my breath every day," Mitchell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell supports an across-the-board minimum wage increase, rather than efforts to raise industry-specific wages. "This might not be a popular thing to say, but we don't help ourselves when we have a piecemeal, sector-by-sector approach," Mitchell said. Besides tourism workers, healthcare and fast-food workers have also lobbied for improved pay at the state or local level. In unincorporated areas of L.A. County, the minimum wage is $17.81. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. 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. Housing is in short supply throughout New Hampshire. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin) In the most recent UNH Granite State Poll, New Hampshire residents said housing is their top concern. More than three times as many people cited housing compared to the next most important issue, taxes. Yes, we are experiencing a statewide crisis of housing affordability. This crisis constrains economic growth and community vitality. Yet the New Hampshire Senate is poised to vote on a state budget that turns its back on housing, cutting funding for important programs that help our cities and towns meet their housing challenges and missing opportunities to help developers build housing that Granite Staters can afford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Housing Champions program was created by the Legislature in 2023 with a $5 million appropriation to provide grants to cities and towns to help them voluntarily change their zoning ordinances to be more housing friendly. Communities that made these changes were recognized as Housing Champions and are eligible for additional funding, such as grants for infrastructure improvements. So far, 18 communities have achieved this distinction, and others are poised to follow. Despite this celebrated success, the Senate has proposed zeroing out this program. This shortsighted decision takes away the principal incentive (carrots, not sticks) for our cities and towns to make important zoning changes. Earlier this year, the Senate passed Senate Bill 81 (then tabled it to add it to the budget) increasing the annual allocation to the states affordable housing trust fund from $5 million to $10 million and making an additional appropriation of $25 million to the trust fund. The annual increase acknowledges the rising cost of building homes the same money just doesnt go as far as it once did. The additional one-time appropriation acknowledges the housing deficit were in we need to build many thousands more homes just to meet current demand and help our economy grow. Even with good zoning, the developments that house our workforce require significant financial resources. Witness the several developments that have stalled recently in Concord because of higher costs. Senators gave themselves the opportunity to add SB 81 to the budget and then ignored it. Finally, the Senate has proposed reducing funding to the Housing Appeals Board, an innovative approach to addressing appeals of local planning and zoning decisions. The Legislature created the fast-track of the Housing Appeals Board in 2020 recognizing the delays that housing developments faced when local decisions were appealed to court. Time is money, and delays add to development costs. The Housing Appeals Board has been nationally recognized as a light-touch, small-government approach, and it has shown to be an effective and efficient means of hearing appeals. In the midst of a housing crisis, it is nonsensical to pull back on a proven way to speed up final decisions on development proposals. Our current lack of sufficient housing is a drag on economic growth and is hurting New Hampshires families. Its time for the Senate to put its money our money where its mouth is: fund these vital housing programs and help move the Granite State out of its current housing crisis and toward a better, brighter future. UK-based wealth manager Shackleton has purchased IM Asset Management (IMAM), from Irwin Mitchell. The deal also includes TWP Wealth, a financial planning business that IMAM bought in 2022. In the wake of this transaction, Shackleton is set to establish a new division focused on personal injury and court of protection services. This division aims to assist clients who have experienced life-changing injuries by providing customised financial planning and investment advice. The combined entity of IMAM and TWP has 20 advisers, serving approximately 1,600 clients and managing funds under advice totalling around 1.4bn ($1.8bn), with the majority of these funds managed internally by IMAM. The firm is headquartered in Sheffield, with advisers also located in Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, and London. Irwin Mitchell Group CEO Craig Marshall said: This deal aligns with our strategy to simplify our structure and allows us to invest further to grow our core offer as a full-service law firm. We are the leading complex personal injury firm, we have one of the largest national private client practices in the UK, and we provide comprehensive legal advice for mid-market corporate businesses. TWP operates as a high-net-worth independent financial planning firm based in Alderley Edge, Manchester, and will continue to serve its core market under the Shackleton brand. The team of 88 staff from IMAM and TWP will now be part of Shackleton, with CEO Stewart Sanderson becoming a part of the Shackleton executive committee. Shackleton CEO Paul Feeney said: We are delighted to welcome the highly experienced IMAM and TWP teams to the Shackleton Group. Indeed, we are excited to be creating a new division which brings additional skill sets to our bench of financial planning and wealth management capabilities, and strengthens our presence in Yorkshire and the North West of England. In December 2024, Shackleton marked its launch in the UK, incorporating the rebranded Skerritts Group. Based in London, it operates as a financial advisory organisation with offices in key cities and towns. "Shackleton buys IM Asset Management from Irwin Mitchell" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. BEACH PARK, Ill. A crash in Beach Park sent three people to the hospital after an SUV struck a school bus arm before colliding with several vehicles on Tuesday morning. Lake County Sheriffs Deputies responded to the area of Sheridan Road and Michigan Boulevard on reports of a traffic crash with injuries at 8 a.m. A preliminary investigation shows a GMC Acadia, driven by a 74-year-old man, was traveling northbound on Sheridan Road, and for an unknown reason, struck the stop arm of a loading school bus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GMC continued northbound and sideswiped a Ford Focus, driven by a 49-year-old man, causing the Ford Focus to crash into a utility pole, police say. According to police, the GMC then struck a Chevrolet Colorado, driven by a 39-year-old man, and a Ford Flex, driven by a 28-year-old woman. The children who were boarding the bus were not injured nor was the driver of the Ford Flex, police say. The driver of the GMC was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, and the drivers of the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Colorado were transported with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe the driver of the GMC might have suffered a medical episode prior to the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lake County Sheriffs Office Technical Crash Investigations Team is still investigating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) Lakeland police and a group of volunteers are working to find a man who has been missing for weeks. Frederick Blackwelder, 71, spent most of his time in south Lakeland, where he and other family members live, according to Lakeland Police. [He] just visits family and attends church so thats the area that he usually stays in, said Officer Stephanie Kerr, public information officer at Lakeland Police Department. Frederick Blackwelder (Credit: Lakeland Police Department) (Credit: Lakeland Police Department) In the wee hours of May 13, police said, Blackwelder was driving toward Bartow on 98 South at 540A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the last time his vehicle, a 2006 white Toyota Scion TC with Florida tag number 665-3VY, was seen. If the public could just review their videos and see if its possible that he had been in the area, it would certainly help us in locating him, Kerr said. Pinellas man blames error on state report for uptick in car insurance rates Volunteer search and recovery group, We Are The Essentials, is also helping to locate him in coordination with the police department. These areas in yellow are areas that weve searched, said Shelley Croft, private investigator and volunteer with We Are The Essentials, pointing to a map app on her phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Croft said the group uses a mapping system to track where theyve gone and where they still need to go, starting at the missing persons last known location. We dont just go rogue and go out and start searching because you have to have a starting point, said Croft. This weekend, We Are The Essentials partnered with Sunshine State Sonar to search 30 bodies of water but found no sign of Blackwelder. Everybody deserves that closure, Croft said. The unknown is heartbreaking and devastating for families when they dont know where their loved one is. Police said Blackwelder was reported missing May 24th after his family members returned from vacation and could not locate him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somebody who is very close to him reported him missing, cares for him and loves him and would like to see him found, Kerr said. She said no foul play is suspected at this time. Anyone with information and/or videos of Blackwelders vehicle is urged to contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6966. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Debris sits outside of Chauvin homes after Hurricane Ida. (Photo by Rachel Mipro/Louisiana Illuminator) Hurricane season descends on Louisiana this year amidst a cloud of federal uncertainty. Despite fears over massive staffing cuts and the threatened dissolution of key agencies that help forecast hurricanes and support storm recovery, Gov. Jeff Landry doubled down Tuesday on his belief that Louisiana is prepared should a natural disaster strike. Landry said he had spoken at length with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose agency includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and didnt anticipate any big changes at least in the next few months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not believe that the president or the White House has any intention of revamping FEMA while hurricane season is in play, Landry said at a news conference held at the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. We are working closely with FEMA, GOHSEP interim director Brig. Gen. Jason Mahfouz, said, adding that federal assistance has been validated and pledged to us in the case of a storm overwhelming the states ability to respond. Uncertainty over FEMAs ability to stand up a disaster response heightened Monday when the agencys director, David Hutchinson, reportedly told staffers at a meeting that he was unaware the U.S. had a hurricane season. The White House said Tuesday that Hutchinson was joking. In addition to FEMA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also been the target of large staffing cuts since President Donald Trump returned to office. The National Weather Service and its National Hurricane Center are part of NOAA, a subagency of the Department of Commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have not heard from anyone that those cuts are impacting the information that would flow up to the states, Landry said. The turmoil in Washington, D.C., comes as the 2025 hurricane season is very likely going to be another active year in the Gulf of Mexico, state climatologist Jay Grymes said, adding that he was confident our tropical coverage this season will be more than adequate for what we require. As the storm season starts, neighboring states Arkansas and Mississippi have experienced delays and denials in getting federal emergency aid declarations from President Trump after being hit by tornadoes in recent months. Still, the governor maintained his confidence in federal support should a storm hit, saying he believed the only change might be more flexibility with state control of disaster response should the need arise . The states have always maintained the first responsibility anyhow, Landry said. FEMA and the White House and our congressional delegation will ensure that Louisiana receives the resources it needs. Residents in a Dunmore neighborhood were briefly evacuated Sunday afternoon after a sinkhole opened up in the borough. Crews responded to 1402 College Ave. around 3:25 p.m. after a caller reported an 80-foot deep sinkhole opened up in his backyard, according to an emergency dispatch. Members of the Dunmore Fire Department and state Department of Environmental Protection along with its Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation division were on the scene Sunday, said Patti Monahan, a regional communications manager for the DEPs Northeast Regional Office. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency also reached out to the DEP, Monahan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents from three properties on College Avenue (1400, 1402 and 1404) and 2216 Jefferson Ave. were evacuated Sunday around 3:36 p.m., according to a emergency dispatch. They were cleared to return to their homes around 4:09 p.m. Theyre all safe and everything is fine, Monahan said. Dunmore Fire Department personnel reported the sinkhole was 12 to 14 feet in diameter and 40 feet deep, Monahan said. Officials with the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation determined the problem is mine related and will continue to investigate the cause and determine how to backfill the area, she said. The Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation is responsible for resolving problems such as mine fires, mine subsidence, dangerous highwalls, open shafts and portals, mining-impacted water supplies and other hazards which resulted from past coal mining (pre-1977) practices, according to a post on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website. Efforts to reach Dunmore Borough Manager Greg Wolff on Monday were unsuccessful. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. A staple character in our local community. Larry Bird has inspired many generations. Here, in Terre Haute, they have brought him to life. Celebrating its first year, the Larry bird museum, located in the Terre Haute Convention Center, walks you through Birds history. An immersive experience, enjoyable for any age. Tennille Wanner, general manager for the Terre Haute Convention Center and Larry bird museum, said they bring in visitors from all over the country. Wanner said theyve had visitors from San Diego, Boston and even Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We get a lot of folks that grew up watching Larry. So, we have our older demographic that comes in and they spend a lot of time in here because they can reminiscence and can look through the photos and listen to the interviews and say wow, I remember that, or I was at that. We hear a lot of stories, said Wanner. Vigo County Commissioner Chris Switzer and Tennille Wanner said they expect the numbers of visitors to grow as marketing efforts increase, and more people learn about the museum. Their next steps are billboards and interstate signage to catch the attention of travelers passing through Terre Haute. The Larry bird museum is free to enter and self-guided. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. 6 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. Las Cruces Police: 14-year-old dead after alleged road rage shooting EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 14-year-old boy is dead after a shooting believed to have stemmed from a road rage incident on Monday evening, June 2, in Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) said in a news release. LCPD said that at 9 p.m. on Monday, officers were dispatched to reports of shots fired near the intersection of Solano Drive and Spruce Avenue. Teen was shot, killed in road rage incident while sitting in backseat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers arrived to find a 14-year-old boy suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, according to LCPD. The name of the victim is being withheld for now as police continue to gather more information and contact the family, LCPD said. LCPD said investigators believe the incident stemmed from a road rage confrontation, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation. No arrests have been made at this time. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at (575) 526-0795. Information can be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Las Cruces-Dona Ana County at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be provided through the Las Cruces Crime Stoppers app, P3 TIPS. The app is available through the App Store on most devices. 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 KTSM 9 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Las Cruces Police Departments (LCPD) Community Outreach Team, along with community partner Raising Canes, will host the first Lunchbox Lemonade event of 2025 this week. This series will kick off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, at the Plaza de Las Cruces Splash Pad, 100 N. Main St., LCPD said. LCPD said this series encourages residents of all ages to have lunch with the Community Outreach Team at an area splash pad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants can visit with team members, discuss police matters, and share their concerns about public safety while their kids cool off in the splash pad, LCPD said. Additionally, LCPD will provide free popsicles, and Raising Canes will offer free lemonade to all attendees. However, attendees are encouraged to bring their own sack lunch. LCPD said other Lunchbox Lemonade events will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays: June 12, Metro Verde Splash Pad, 7125 Metro Park St. June 26, Unidad Park Splash Pad, 1501 E. Hadley Ave. July 10, Plaza De Las Cruces Splash Pad, 100 N. Main St. July 24, Metro Verde Splash Pad, 7125 Metro Park St. Aug 7, Unidad Park Splash Pad, 1501 E. Hadley Ave. Aug 21, Plaza De Las Cruces Splash Pad, 100 N. Main St. 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 KTSM 9 News. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A woman faces charges after Metro police said she offered an undercover officer sex in exchange for money at a Chinatown massage business, according to documents. Yaqiu Wu faces charges of engaging in prostitution and practicing massage without a license, documents said. Wus birth year indicates she was 62 or 63 at the time of her arrest. On May 30, an undercover officer visited Lucky 777 Spa on Sahara Avenue near Decatur Boulevard and asked for a 30-minute massage. Wu then took $60 from the man and walked him to a room, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Wu] returned to the room with a mobile tablet that showed live feed monitors throughout the business, to include the front entrance door, police said. These live feed monitors are frequently found in illicit massage establishments so the workers in these establishments can see when governing officials are approaching the business. Yaqui then started massaging the mans inner thigh and asked him if he liked it, documents said. You like? the report said. The [officer] smiled at [Wu]. [Wu] continued to massage the inner groin area of the [officer] and the [officer] stated to [Wu] that he wanted to [expletive] while thrusting his hips and arms back and forth. Wu then allegedly agreed to a $300 fee, police said. More officers then entered the business, taking Wu into custody. They added that she did not have a state license to practice massage therapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police also located living quarters in the business, which they said indicates it may be an illegal brothel. The 8 News Now Investigators have covered cases involving illegal brothels where sex trafficking victims have told police they were smuggled into the United States from China through Mexico. Licensed brothels are legal in smaller Nevada counties, but not Clark County, which is home to Las Vegas. As part of the investigation, an undercover LVMPD VICE officer visited the business, and an employee solicited [him] for an illegal sex act, documents said. A judge released Wu without ordering her to post bond since prosecutors had yet to file a charging document against her. She was due to return to court in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu was previously cited on similar charges in 2023, police 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. A Detroit police helicopter was zapped several times late Monday, June 2, with a laser pointer, something that is dangerous to those aboard because the lights can temporarily blind the pilot, authorities confirmed. It is also illegal in the United States to point the lights at aircraft. The laser beams, Detroit police told the Free Press in an email, seemed to come from the Canadian side of the Detroit River and were directed at the department's air support unit. Detroit police reported the incident to Canadian authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A laser pointer or pen is a device that emits a low-power beam. At short distances, it shines a small dot on objects. In the dark, however, when the beam hits the windshield of a chopper, the light disperses like a camera flash. Even worse, the beam might cause a fatal crash. Over the years, law enforcement groups have explained in public warnings that shining a laser at aircraft is dangerous because, from the cockpit, the pinpoint of light looks like a floodlight. If caught, someone aiming a beam at an aircraft could be charged and fined. It is a felony under both federal and state law. In 2024 alone, pilots reported more than 12,000 laser strikes to the Federal Aviation Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Rushing to reach the airport? This airline serving Michigan wants you there sooner Police officials have said choppers are vital to law enforcement. In 2024, the Detroit police boasted on social media that it received a new helicopter that could stay in the air longer and was faster than previous aircraft. In a short video, the department said it has been using helicopters for decades. But, police said, in the early 2000s, it sold its birds under financial pressure. In 2014, the department said it received a military-style helicopter. But in 2024, the new chopper gave the department a boost because it could stay in the air up to four hours and was commercially rated, which, the department said in its post, also could help with aviator training. Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Laser pointed at Detroit police chopper prompts call to Canadians By Eric Onstad, Hyunjoo Jin and Hongmei Li LONDON/SEOUL/SINGAPORE (Reuters) -U.S. prices of steel and aluminium spiked on Monday while shares of foreign steelmakers slumped after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would double tariffs on imports of the two metals to 50%. Trump announced on Friday the new steel and aluminium levies, which take effect on June 4, intensifying a global trade war just hours after he accused China of violating an agreement with the U.S. to mutually roll back tariffs and trade restrictions for critical minerals. The U.S. is the world's largest steel importer, excluding the European Union, with a total of 26.2 million tons of steel imported in 2024, according to the Department of Commerce. While some industry experts questioned whether the tariffs would be implemented as stated, in light of Trump's previous reversals, they said uncertainty and climbing prices of the metals would dampen industrial activity. "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," said analyst Eoin Dinsmore at Goldman Sachs. The premium for consumers buying aluminium on the physical market in the United States < AUPc1> jumped 54%, while U.S. hot rolled coil steel climbed 7.4%. Copper prices also surged as traders bet that Trump would impose hefty duties on the metal used in power and construction. U.S copper touched a near two-month peak, widening its premium over benchmark London prices. Germany's second-biggest steelmaker Salzgitter warned that Washington's tariff policy was dealing a severe blow to European industry. The U.S. accounted for around a fifth of European steel exports outside of the EU, according to Germany's steel association. "The risk for the European market, as well as other regional markets, is that some of the trade flow could reroute," said Bastian Synagowitz at Deutsche Bank. Analysts were sceptical whether the full force of the tariffs as announced on Friday would come into play. "I think the final result will be far lower than initially projected, especially concerning its duration," said Chelsea Ye, senior analyst at metals research firm McCloskey. Meanwhile, the tariff shift was applauded by U.S. producers of aluminium, used in transport, packaging and construction, who said the move would stop a "flood" of imports. For decades, subsidized foreign producers have hollowed out domestic aluminum manufacturing," said Mark Duffy, president of the American Primary Aluminum Association. DENVER (KDVR) A judge sentenced Joseph Koenig to life without parole, marking the end of sentencing for three teens who threw rocks at oncoming cars, ultimately killing 20-year-old Alexa Bartell. On Tuesday, a judge sentenced Koenig to life without parole with an additional 60 years after he was found guilty on 19 counts, one being first-degree murder. Truck used in deadly Jeffco rock throwing case was going over 100 mph: Witness Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Count 1: life without parole Count 2: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6) Count 3: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6) Count 4: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6) Count 5: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6) Count 6: 10 years (consecutive to count 1 and counts 2-6) Count 7: 120 days in jail, time served, concurrent to all other counts. Counts 8-10: 364 days in jail, time served, concurrent to all other counts. Counts 11-13, 15, 18, 19: 120 days in jail, time served, concurrent to all other counts. Count 14: 10 years (consecutive to counts 2-6) Counts 16-17: 3 years (concurrent to all other counts) Teens throw rocks at cars, kill 20-year-old woman This sentencing comes after three high school students were throwing landscaping rocks at passing cars in Jefferson County on the night of April 19, 2023. Bartell was driving by the teens when a rock went through her windshield, hitting her in the head and killing her. Koenig was said to be the one driving and threw the deadly rock. The two other people in the car, Nicholas Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, took plea deals, pleading guilty to lesser charges in exchange for agreeing to testify at Koenigs trial. Karol-Chik was sentenced to 45 years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree and crime of violence. Meanwhile, Kwak received the maximum sentence of 32 years after pleading guilty to one count of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault and an added count of criminal attempt to commit assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffco rock throwing witness fights tears describing his involvement in death of woman Koenig went to trial, where the defense argued that while the three high schoolers caused Bartells death, evidence showed it wasnt first-degree murder. Prosecution argued that Koenig made the choices that killed Bartell. Bartells family, Koenig speaks at sentencing Several family members spoke on Bartells behalf during the sentencing. Bartells mother spoke about arriving on the scene and was prevented from seeing her daughter because the injuries were so severe. Another family member said the first paramedic on the scene had to medically retire. The grief is overwhelming, the depression is soul-crushing and the fear is paralyzing. I now live my life in fear, afraid of losing someone else. I cant go to sleep at night without my phone close by and the volume turned all the way up because Im afraid of getting another call and needing to react immediately, said one of Bartells cousins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Bartells cousins said she was grateful for the charges, but no form of justice will ever bring her back. Bartells father said Koenigs sentence wasnt nearly enough, and if he had the option, hed give Koenig the death penalty. Koenig also spoke, apologizing to the family, addressing that it was his fault, and that nothing he can say will bring her back. Every day since she died, it is the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last thing that I think of when I go to sleep, said Koenig. During the sentencing, the defense asked the judge to sentence Koenig consistently with the other two, however, the judge ultimately said the jury believes Koenig threw the fatal rock and was more responsible than the others, and his sentencing needs to reflect that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After sentencing Alexas mother said, Im glad this is over. We can now begin to heal. I think justice was served. Kelly Bartell said now is the time to work on forgiveness and honoring Alexas memory. She was amazing, and she loved everybody, and she loved God, and she believed in forgiveness and being kind, and well carry that. she said. Bartell said the family is preparing for the possibility of an appeal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tech billionaire Elon Musk blasted President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill of tax cuts and spending plans just days after departing the administration. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination, Musk posted Tuesday on the social platform X, warning that the bill will increase the federal deficit. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. Heres the latest: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pete Hegseth will skip a meeting on organizing military aid to Ukraine Americas Pentagon chief will not be in attendance when more than 50 other defense leaders meet this week to coordinate military aid to Ukraine. It will be the first time that an American defense leader has skipped the gathering since the U.S. created the Ukraine Defense Contact Group three years ago. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who returned from a national security conference in Singapore on Sunday, wont arrive in Brussels until Wednesday evening after the meeting is over. Its the latest in a series of steps the U.S. has taken to distance itself from the Ukraine war effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about Hegseths absence from the meeting Trump formally asks Congress to claw back approved spending targeted by DOGE The White House has officially asked Congress to claw back $9.4 billion in already approved spending. The process known as rescission will take funding away from programs targeted by Musks Department of Government Efficiency. It requires Trump to get approval from Congress to return money that had previously been appropriated. Trumps aides say the funding cuts target programs that promote liberal ideologies. The request to Congress is unlikely to meaningfully change the troublesome increase in the U.S. national debt. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the government is on track to spend roughly $7 trillion this year, with the rescission request equaling just 0.1% of that total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about the White Houses request Justice Department drops lawsuit against Trump adviser Peter Navarro The Justice Department is dropping a lawsuit it filed against White House trade adviser Peter Navarro Navarro was accused in the lawsuit of using an unofficial email account for government work and wrongfully retaining presidential records during the first Trump administration. A court filing Tuesday by department attorneys and a lawyer for Navarro doesnt explain why they are abandoning a case that was filed in 2022, during President Joe Bidens term in office. A Justice Department spokesperson and a lawyer for Navarro didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about the dropped lawsuit Hegseth orders the name of gay rights activist Harvey Milk scrubbed from Navy ship Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship dubbed for a killed gay rights activist who served as a sailor during the Korean War. U.S. officials say Navy Secretary John Phelan put together a small team to rename the replenishment oiler and that a new name is expected this month. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The change was laid out in an internal memo that officials said defended the action as a move to align with Trump and Hegseths objectives to re-establish the warrior culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It marks the latest move by Hegseth to purge all diversity, equity and inclusion references and comes during Pride Month. Read more about Hegseths order ___ Associated Press reporter Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report. Musk: Fire all politicians who betrayed the American people Musk is keeping up the pressure on Republicans just hours after he blasted Trumps big, beautiful budget bill as an abomination. In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people, the billionaire and Trump adviser wrote on X. The message is likely to be seen as a threat to back challengers to Republicans who back the budget bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His post quoted a conservative influencer who criticized Republicans for federal spending, among other complaints. Musk has previously pledged to support primary challengers to Republicans who dont support Trumps agenda. His break from Trump over the spending bill sets up a test of his own influence on the GOP. Trump administration revokes guidance requiring hospitals to provide emergency abortions The guidance was issued was by the Biden administration in 2022 on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upended national abortion rights. The direction was an effort to preserve abortion access for extreme cases in which women are experiencing medical emergencies and need an abortion to prevent serious complications, including organ loss or severe hemorrhaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Tuesday that it is rescinding the guidance but will continue to enforce the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, including for identified emergency medical conditions that place the health of a pregnant woman or her unborn child in serious jeopardy. That law requires emergency rooms that receive Medicare dollars to provide an exam and stabilizing treatment for all patients. Nearly all emergency rooms in the U.S. rely on Medicare funds. An Associated Press inquiry last year found that, even with that guidance, dozens of pregnant women were being turned away from emergency rooms, including some who needed emergency abortions. Read more on the agencys decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former US ambassador in Beijing says he supports Trumps tariffs on China but not those on allies Nick Burns, who was ambassador to China in the Biden administration, said China has been by far the most disruptive actor in the international trade system with practices such as forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft and massive dumping. Addressing the think tank Brookings on Tuesday, Burns said the Trump administration has erred by slapping tariffs on U.S. allies and partners in Europe, South Korea and Japan. He said doing so removes Americas leverage when negotiating with China. He said he supported an order from the first Trump administration not to issue visas to Chinese students with links to the Chinese military who want to study nuclear weapons design in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Burns raised concerns that the recent announcement by the Trump administration to revoke the visas of Chinese students linked to the Chinese Communist Party could be too broad. White House formally submits $9.4B in spending cuts for already funded programs The submission includes a request for Congress to approve an $8.3 billion cut to the foreign aid budget. A spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget confirmed the figures, which would include the loss of federal funding for NPR and PBS. The official insisted on anonymity to describe the terms of the package in advance of its release. The cuts would be insufficient to meaningfully shift the upward trajectory of the national debt and would further put at risk vulnerable populations that received assistance from the federal government. The spokesperson listed specific programs that the Trump administration considered wasteful, including $750,000 to reduce xenophobia in Venezuela, $67,000 for feeding insect powder to children in Madagascar and $3 million for circumcision, vasectomies, and condoms in Zambia. The Trump administration has framed its effort to rescind the funds as a crackdown on programs that supporter liberal political views. Senate majority leader pushes back on Musk critique of GOP bill John Thune said billionaire Elon Musks critiques of the Republicans sweeping tax and spending package amounts to a difference of opinion and said the Senate would not change course. So we have a difference of opinion. Hes entitled to that opinion. Were going to proceed full speed ahead, Thune told reporters. Thune said he has seen economic modeling that predicts significant growth in the U.S. economy if the proposals were enacted. He said Musks concerns were based on analysis from the Congressional Budget Office that he called static scoring assessment. He dismissed concerns that Musks critiques could tank the GOPs signature legislation. We have an agenda that everybody campaigned on, most notably the president, Thune said. House speaker calls Elon Musks criticism of the Republican tax and immigration bill very disappointing With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the one big beautiful bill, Mike Johnson said Tuesday. Johnson said he spoke with Musk on Monday for more than 20 minutes by telephone. He said he extolled the virtues of the bill and how it was achieving campaign promises while making permanent massive tax and spending cuts. Its a very important first start. Elon is missing it, Johnson said. Johnson also noted how the bill quickly phases out tax credits for electric vehicle purchases. That is going away because the government should not be subsidizing these things, Johnson said. I know that has an effect on his business and I lament that. He also said thats hes surprised by Musks criticism given their conversation. I just deeply regret hes made this mistake, Johnson said. Read more on the tax and spending bill. Judge rules federal prisons must continue providing hormone therapy to transgender inmates The ruling Tuesday followed an executive order signed by Trump that led to a disruption in medical treatment. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said in the ruling that federal law prohibits prison officials from arbitrarily depriving inmates of medications and other lifestyle accommodations that its own medical staff has deemed appropriate. Lamberth said the transgender inmates who sued to block Trumps executive order are trying to reduce the personal anguish caused by gender dysphoria, which is the distress that a person feels because their assigned gender and gender identity dont match. He said neither the Bureau of Prisons nor the executive order provides any serious explanation as to why the treatment modalities covered by the Executive Order or implementing memoranda should be handled differently than any other mental health intervention. The bureau provides hormone therapy to more than 600 inmates diagnosed with gender dysphoria. It doesnt dispute that gender dysphoria can cause severe side effects, including depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, the judge said. Musk slams Trump-backed tax cuts and spending bill as a disgusting abomination for increasing debt Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who just left the Trump administration, blasted the Republican tax cuts and spending plans that passed the House. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination, Musk posted Tuesday on X. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. Musk continued that the bill will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt. Musk stepped down last week from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been tasked with slashing federal spending. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt played down the criticism by one of Trumps top advisers and funders of his political operations during last years election. The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill, Leavitt said, adding that Musks post doesnt change the presidents opinion. Read more on the tax bill. WH criticizes GOP senators worried about national debt and attacks Congressional Budget Offices reputation White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin are wrong to claim that the tax cuts in his budget plan would increase the national debt. Leavitt said Tuesday that Trump has vocally called them out for not having their facts together, even though most economic analyses show his tax cuts would increase the size of the national debt relative to the existing policy that includes the expiration of the tax cuts. Leavitt also criticized the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office tasked with analyzing the financial impacts of legislation, saying its staffers have contributed to Democratic candidates and this is an institution in our country that has become partisan and political. Trump will attend the NATO summit White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that Trump will travel to the Netherlands to meet with the leaders of other NATO countries during the summit later this month in The Hague. US asks trade partners to provide their best offers to Trumps team ahead of tariffs deadline The U.S. Trade Representatives office sent letters to trade partners saying they have until Wednesday to provide their best offer on a trade framework, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Leavitt called the letters a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up. In April, Trump restricted most of his country-by-country tariffs to a 10% baseline so negotiations could occur over the course of 90 days. Leavitt said Tuesday that Trump expects good deals and we are on track for that. Read more on Trumps tariffs. Karoline Leavitt says the White House takes hurricane season seriously The White House press secretary on Tuesday dismissed news reports that the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said he didnt know that the U.S. has a hurricane season as sloppy and irresponsible. I know FEMA is taking this seriously, she said. Read more more on extreme weather Federal judge clears the way for Trump to continue using an emergency powers law to impose import taxes, at least for now U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington agreed to pause his own order in favor of two Illinois-based toy companies who say the president overstepped his authority. Contreras wrote that the freeze while the administration appeals would allow the president to identify and respond to threats to the U.S. economy and national security. The judges order comes after an appeals court froze a different ruling that struck down Trumps sweeping tariffs last week Vance meets with right-wing activist Laura Loomer The two met Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. It is not clear what Vance and Loomer discussed when they met at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the vice presidents offices are located. Loomer has sought to publicly identify members of the Trump administration she feels are not loyal to the presidents agenda. Trump fired some National Security Council officials after an earlier meeting she had with Trump where she raised concerns about staff loyalty. Top Chinese diplomat meets the new US ambassador in Beijing David Perdue says he told Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Trump very much respects Chinese President Xi Jinping and stressed the importance of positive, constructive exchange between the two, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. In a social media post, Perdue confirmed the meeting Tuesday, saying he emphasized Trumps priorities of trade, fentanyl and illegal immigration, and the vital role of communication in bilateral relations. The two countries are locked in a trade war over tariffs and non-tariff measures such as export controls, and Trump last week accused China of violating agreements that paused the tariff war for 90 days. Wang told Perdue that Beijing had strictly implemented the consensus following the trade talks in Geneva but that the U.S. had regrettably taken negative measures that harmed Chinas interests. The Trump administration placed new curbs on exports of advanced chips and technology to China, while China has yet to remove export restrictions on critical minerals. The White House said Trump will likely have a phone call with Xi this week. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she talked to Trump about kidnapping plot again Whitmer says she talked to the president in the last 24 hours about the two men convicted of plotting to kidnap her in 2020. Trump mused last week that he would look into pardoning them. Whitmer, a Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate, declined to elaborate except to say she connected with Trump directly and made her thoughts known. Its important that in any case that has resulted in a jury convicting people, the impact on the victim is really important, she said Tuesday at a ribbon cutting event in Detroit. As a former prosecutor, as the target of this particular plot, I wanted to make sure that the president whos going to make a decision has all the information necessary toward making the right decision. Education Secretary Linda McMahon defends cuts at Harvard University Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said during a budget hearing Tuesday that the Education Departments demand that Harvard University end its diversity, equity and inclusion programs while also demanding new viewpoint diversity in hiring and admissions is totally contradictory. McMahon responded that Harvards DEI practices are pitting one group against another and need to go, while viewpoint diversity is an exchange of ideas thats actually better. She cited surveys finding that few Harvard professors identify as conservative. The Trump administration has cut more than $2.6 billion in research grants from Harvard as it presses a series of policy and governance demands. Harvard is fighting the cuts in court. Pressed by Murphy to explain her authority to cut Harvards funding, McMahon cited Title VI, a civil rights law. Murphy shot back that no civil rights law allows her to micromanage viewpoint diversity on campus. It was one of the sharper exchanges in a hearing that focused on McMahons new budget proposal, which requests a 15% reduction in spending for her department. Wall Street drifts as most financial markets worldwide hold relatively steady It comes as the wait continues for more updates on Trumps tariffs and how much theyre affecting the economy. The S&P 500 was 0.4% higher in midday trading, coming off a modest gain that added to its stellar May. Its back within 3% of its all-time high set earlier this year after falling roughly 20% below two months ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 74 points, or 0.2%, as of 11:15 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.7% higher. Read more about the financial markets Newark mayor sues New Jerseys top federal prosecutor after arrest at immigration detention site Newark Mayor Ras Baraka sued Tuesday over his arrest on a trespassing charge, which was later dropped. Barak, who leads New Jerseys biggest city, is a candidate in a crowded primary field for the Democratic nomination for governor next Tuesday. The lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba coincided with the day early in-person voting began. The lawsuit seeks damages for false arrest and malicious prosecution, and also accuses Habba of defamation for comments she made about his case. Citing a post on X in which Habba said Baraka committed trespass, the lawsuit says Habba issued a defamatory statement and authorized his false arrest despite clear evidence that Mayor Baraka had not committed the petty offense of defiant trespass. The suit also names Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark. Read more about Newark Mayor Ras Barakas lawsuit Thune says not extending debt limit would be incredibly consequential As Senators negotiate Trumps legislation to cut taxes and policy programs, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday morning that failing to extend the debt limit would be incredibly consequential in a very adverse way. So its got to be done. His comments come after Trump posted earlier in the day about Kentucky Sen. Rand Pauls opposition to the bill. Paul has said he wont vote for it if a debt limit extension is included. Trump said Paul has very little understanding of the bill and loves voting NO on everything. Thune said failure is not an option on the bill. Weve got to get to 51, he said. So well figure out the path forward to do that over the next couple of weeks. Democratic lawmakers put estimate of blocked federal funds at $425 billion Trumps administration has frozen at least $425 billion in federal funds already approved by Congress, according to tracking conducted by Democratic lawmakers on the House and Senate committees responsible for crafting spending bills. The lawmakers say the administration is brazenly violating federal laws and choking off critical investments in programs such as Head Start, local road and bridge projects and birth control and cancer screenings for hundreds of thousands of patients. This administrations unprecedented assault on our nations spending laws is costing the American people dearly, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democratic lawmakers on the House and Senate Appropriations committees. The lawmakers say the estimate is the minimum amount of funding the administration has frozen. Theyre maintaining a list of programs affected on the minoritys committee websites. Trump is going after Sen. Rand Paul as he works to pass his big bill The president fired off a series of angry posts on social media Tuesday morning about Pauls opposition to Trumps big tax breaks and spending cuts package. The Kentucky Republican is among GOP senators who have concerns about the likely deficit increases the bill will cause. Trump said Paul has very little understanding of the bill and loves voting NO on everything. Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!), the president wrote, adding, The people of Kentucky cant stand him. Republican push for proof of citizenship to vote proves a tough sell in the states Trump and congressional Republicans have made it a priority this year to require people to prove citizenship before they can register to vote. Turning that aspiration into reality has proved difficult. Trumps executive order directing a documentary, proof-of-citizenship requirement for federal elections has been blocked by a judge, while federal legislation to accomplish it doesnt appear to have the votes to pass in the Senate. At the same time, state-level efforts have found little success, even in places where Republicans control the legislature and governors office. Read more about proof-of-citizenship voting US growth likely to slow to 1.6% this year, hobbled by Trumps trade wars, OECD says The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development forecast Tuesday that the U.S. economy the worlds largest will slow further to just 1.5% in 2026. Trumps policies have raised average U.S. tariff rates from around 2.5% when he returned to the White House to 15.4%, the highest since 1938, according to the OECD. Tariffs raise costs for consumers and American manufacturers that rely on imported raw materials and components. World economic growth will slow to just 2.9% this year and stay there in 2026, according to the OECDs forecast. It marks a substantial deceleration from growth of 3.3% global growth last year and 3.4% in 2023. The world economy has proven remarkably resilient in recent years, continuing to expand steadily though unspectacularly in the face of global shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine. But global trade and the economic outlook have been clouded by Trumps sweeping taxes on imports, the unpredictable way hes rolled them out and the threat of retaliation from other countries. Read more about the world economic forecast Ex-Homeland Security official Taylor fights back against Trumps unprecedented investigation order A former Homeland Security official during Trumps first administration who authored an anonymous op-ed sharply critical of the president is calling on independent government watchdogs to investigate after Trump ordered the department to look into his government service. Miles Taylor, once chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, warned in an interview with The Associated Press of the far-reaching implications of Trumps April 9 memorandum, Addressing Risks Associated with an Egregious Leaker and Disseminator of Falsehoods, when it comes to suppressing criticism of the president. That memo accused Taylor of concocting stories to sell his book and directed the secretary of Homeland Security and other government agencies to look into Taylor and strip him of any security clearances. Taylor sent a letter via email to the inspectors general at the Department of Justice and Homeland Security on Tuesday. I didnt commit any crime, and thats whats extraordinary about this. I cant think of any case where someone knows theyre being investigated but has absolutely no idea what crime they allegedly committed. And its because I didnt, Taylor said. Read more about Taylors letter An analysis of the 2024 presidential election found that politically moderate and younger Latter-day Saints have warmed up to President Donald Trump after swinging away from the Republican candidate in 2016 and 2020. The Republican rebound among young and moderate voters goes against some predictions of a permanent Latter-day Saint shift toward the Democratic Party during the Trump era, according to a comparison of election data published Monday by political scientist Ryan Burge. Theres nothing here that says that the LDS vote is trending to the left, Burge told the Deseret News. You cant look at the data and make that claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps initial lackluster showing among Latter-day Saints in 2016 has largely been reversed, Burge shows, with moderate voters moving 15 percentage points toward Trump since 2020, and younger voters jumping 25 points back his direction. Latter-day Saint vote: 2016, 2020, 2024 Much has been made of Latter-day Saints lukewarm reception of Trump in 2016. That year, Trump received just 52% of the Latter-day Saint vote down 30 percentage points from Mitt Romney in 2012, and 20 points from John McCain in 2008. The drop was mostly caused by Trumps bid pushing 26% of Latter-day Saint voters toward third-party candidate Evan McMullin, Burge said, while 22% voted for Hillary Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with no viable third-party alternative in 2020 and 2024, Trumps vote share among Latter-day Saints surged, resulting in identical results both times: with 66% of Latter-day Saints voting for Trump, and 30% for his opponent. I think most of the hesitancy people had about Trump went away, Burge said. How would I describe Latter-day Saints politically? Clearly Republicans. They were hesitant to go full MAGA back in 2016. But a whole bunch of them warmed to Trump in 2020 and 2024. It's hard to know the 'default' distribution of LDS votes, though. Maybe ~70% GOP. pic.twitter.com/mgyenkHa30 Ryan Burge (@ryanburge) June 2, 2025 Burges calculations are based on the latest data from the Cooperative Election Study, an election-year poll that surveyed 144,500 people from 2022 to 2024, including 1,600 self-identified Latter-day Saints. Taking a deeper look at the Latter-day Saint data reveals multiple transformations occurring simultaneously within one of the most religiously and civically active demographics in the United States. The Trump effect on Latter-day Saint voters While Latter-day Saint voters continue to lean heavily Republican, Trumps rise to the top of conservative politics has contributed to real changes in Latter-day Saint political identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Party affiliation among Latter-day Saints fell from around 75% before Trump, to 64% in 2016, 62% in 2020 and 58% in 2024. Democratic affiliation, on the other hand, increased by 9 points, to 25%, and the percentage of independents doubled to 17%, during the same time period. Meanwhile, the share of Latter-day Saints who identify as conservative fell from 61% to 50%, leading to an increase in self-described moderates from 30% to 38%. But, as can be seen in the overall Latter-day Saint vote, these shifts have not translated to the ballot box. Trumps performance among Latter-day Saints has actually improved, paradoxically, as some voters attempt to distance themselves from certain conservative labels, Burge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, 64% of Latter-day Saint voters identified as Republicans, and 61% as conservative, but Trump received around 50% of their vote. In 2024, GOP affiliation had fallen to 58%, and conservative identity to 50%, but Trump netted 66% of the Latter-day Saint vote. These crosscurrents could represent a desire among a substantial portion of Latter-day Saints to remain independent from the whole MAGA movement, Burge said, even if they cant stomach the Democratic alternative and still vote for Trump. A lot of people want to say theyre ideologically moderate but if you actually look at the way those groups vote, its almost always leaning to what the larger group does, Burge said. A votes a binary choice, you dont get to stand in the middle on that. Pastor Ryan Burge, a political scientist and an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, poses for a portrait at First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill., Sept. 10, 2023. | Jessie Wardarski Do young Latter-day Saints support Trump? Opposing pressures among the Latter-day Saint electorate have created a genuine swing voting bloc among moderates, according to Burge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, moderate Latter-day Saints favored Joe Biden over Trump by 27 points, with nearly 60% voting Democrat. In 2024, however, moderate Latter-day Saints were split down the middle between Trump and Kamala Harris. Many of these swing voters appear to be those who came of age amid Trumps dominance in American politics. Less than one-third, 31%, of Latter-day Saint voters age 18-35 cast their ballot for Trump in 2020. But in 2024, Trump received support from 56% of young Latter-day Saints. The flip among young and moderate Latter-day Saint voters likely has something to do with tribal identities, and voters wanting to fit in with their community, Burge said, pointing out that 75% of Latter-day Saints over 50 voted for Trump in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, the relatively small gap in partisan affiliation among the youngest Latter-day Saint voters with about 50% identifying as Republican and 35% as Democrat is likely to grow over time because voters tend to become more conservative as they age, Burge said. But the increase in support for Trump among young Latter-day Saints might also reflect a process of self-selection, according to Burge. Politics has a greater impact on religious loyalties than many people would like to admit, Burge said, and some young people who leave the Republican Party because of Trump may also leave The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for linking or overlapping reasons. People are drawn to or from religious groups based on their political persuasion, Burge said. What youre really seeing with the 18-35-year-old group of young LDS is the true believers because theyre still identifying as LDS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church has issued statements declaring itself strictly neutral in matters of party politics. The general handbook says, The Church does not endorse any political party or candidate. Nor does it advise members how to vote. The church encourages its members to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters. Far-right MAGA influencer and professional bigot Laura Loomer held a private meeting with Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Tuesday morning, according to three sources who spoke with CNN. The sources would not tell CNN what the two discussed, but its still a notable meeting in multiple ways, beyond the fact of who Loomer is and what she stands for. First, as CNNs Alayna Treene noted, the last time Loomer was in the White House was in April, when she directly met with Donald Trump. After the meeting, the White House fired several people at the National Security Council whom Loomer had been calling disloyal to the MAGA agenda, including National Security Agency Director Mike Waltz of SignalGate fame. Loomer took credit for Waltzs ousting, claiming that she sowed doubts about his loyalty to Trump during their meeting. (Recall that Waltz isnt totally gone from this administration, though, as Trump has nominated him to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loomers Tuesday meeting with Vance is also interesting given that it comes one day after Wired reported that Trumps team is getting fed up with her. Multiple Trump advisers told Wired that while they have seen a certain utility in Loomer, even if they find her tiresome and off-putting, their mutually beneficial arrangements may be coming to an end, the magazine reported. Oh, I think shes on ice, one Republican who earlier gave Loomer credit for Waltzs firing told Wired. With the president. For the last four years, law enforcement agencies nationwide have been confronting unprecedented consequences created by the Biden administration's devastating open-border policies. Just as President Donald Trump was returning to office in January, Tennessee Republicans were taking critical steps to support his immigration agenda by passing laws to remove dangerous criminals from our streets. To improve coordination between state, local and federal agencies, we passed legislation creating a state immigration enforcement division within the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Tennessee Highway Patrol applies for federal ICE program in wake of Nashville crackdowns One of the most important benefits of this law is the establishment of a new state grant program to support local agencies that enter into 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). For sheriffs and police chiefs, this is a proven tool to keep their communities safe. Its voluntary, constitutional and highly effective. 287(g) programs provide funding to create ICE-deputized officers in country jails A map showcasing which law enforcement agencies that are participating in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These grant programs allow trained local officers, typically jail deputies, to identify and process criminal aliens already in custody. Several models within the program include the Jail Enforcement Model (JEM) and the Warrant Service Officer Model (WSO). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the JEM, local officers are trained and authorized by ICE to identify, process and detain individuals already in custody for immigration violations. The WSO model allows officers who have completed an online training course to serve civil immigration warrants within their detention facilities, on behalf of ICE. These models are focused and practical. Officers working within the programs dont deal with street-level immigration issues; they specifically target lawbreakers already in custody for other crimes. More: Sumner County joins a growing number of counties signing on to ICE enforcement program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shockingly, between October 1 and December 31, 2024, approximately 2,719 illegal immigrants were charged with crimes in Tennessee. These crimes included 11 homicides and 447 violent offenses, according to a report from the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. Thats in just three months, and from only 73 of Tennessees 95 counties. (The other 22 didnt submit any data.) If these models were implemented statewide, it would guarantee those 2,719 criminals would never freely walk around our state again. Our communities are fed up with the increased drug trafficking, gang violence, and presence of repeat offenders who should have never been here in the first place. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detain a man from a car stopped by Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) at a gas station in South Nashville as he could not produce any alternative identification proof other than his expired driving license, during an operation conducted by ICE along with THP to detain noncitizens across the city of Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Seth Herald Florida has reached 100% county support for 287(g). Tennessee should be next. ICE continues to do an outstanding job identifying and removing illegal aliens, but they cannot reverse four years of open-border damage alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They need our support, and these 287(g) agreements are how Tennessee can step up and help. Most recently, the Florida Sheriffs Association announced that all of the Sunshine States 67 counties would be participating in the 287(g) program, ensuring every county jail has an ICE-deputized officer in place. Currently, only seven counties in Tennessee are participating in the program. This must change. I urge every sheriff and police chief across the state to act now. Opinion: Metro government's ICE outrage is lawlessness disguised as kindness The process is straightforward. The training is covered, and the state offers financial support to help agencies get started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These programs work. Most importantly, these programs prevent the release of criminal illegal aliens back into our communities. We have the tools. The funding is available. Now its time to act. Lets make it clear that Tennessee enforces its laws and protects its citizens. Rep. Lee Reeves Lee Reeves serves District 65 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Williamson County. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee sheriffs have a new tool to fight crime. Use it | Opinion CHICAGO (WGN) A Chicago law meant to help police track gun offenders is rarely used and even more rarely enforced, according to a new analysis by the citys inspector general. CPD has no way of ascertaining the full universe of individuals with gun offenses who are required to register, Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg concluded. The investigation further found communication, staffing, and a flawed notification system make the gun offender registry woefully incomplete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if CPD rectifies communication issues within the notification process, it will be unable to ensure that all qualified gun offenders are notified of their duty to register, the IG concluded. The inspector generals report cites WGN Investigates reporting in 2023 that showed how difficult it was for people required to register to actually do so. Its frustrating, Kenneth Baker said in 2023 as he waited outside CPDs Criminal Registration Unit on the citys South Side. Each time they tell me to come back and come back. Jan. 2023 | Officer shortage means some sex offenders cant register in Chicago Bakers rap sheet included convictions for sex offenses, but despite waiting in line with others over several days he said he was unable to register. A sign on the door read: Due to capacity limits and manpower shortages we are closed for the morning session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, CPD is not doing their part to let the registrants follow the law, CPDs former commander of the registration unit Patricia Casey told WGN Investigates in 2023. They are short-staffed right now. They are down approximately half the number of persons they had several years ago, and registrations are growing. The inspector generals report noted that CPD increased staffing in the registration unit following the WGN Investigates report. However, it noted that despite CPD policy to conduct routine residency verification and non-compliance checks, police are not actually doing so. The IG also determined the Chicago Department of Law is declining to pursue registration violations to the full extent allowed and rarely seeks penalties for violators. Chicago police responded to the inspector generals findings by saying it is reviewing staffing, policies and procedures while also implementing a new software program called offenderwatch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Registration information for gun and sex offenders is used to populate the citys online map and give residents awareness of potential threats. Days after WGN Investigates interviewed Kenneth Baker, Chicago police stopped him for riding his bicycle on a sidewalk. Officers then arrested him for failing to register as a sex offender, the very thing he was trying to do but couldnt because the office was closed. Its so unjust, said Adele Nicholas with nonprofit Illinois Voices for Reform told WGN Investigates in 2023. People are often making choices between keeping their jobs or waiting in line all day to fill out this piece of paper. Im sure that Mr. Baker is not alone. The ordinance, amended and adopted in 2013, was in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down Chicagos handgun ban. Former Mayor Richard M. Daley pushed through the first version with now imprisoned Ald. Edward Burke, declaring it would make the city safer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An enhanced and comprehensive database of registered gun offenders will provide Chicago residents with the opportunity to alert themselves as to the presence of gun offenders in their own communities, Burke said at the 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 WGN-TV. Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) testifies to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on his legislation offering tax credits on the purchase of sustainable aviation fuels, June 3, 2025. | Kyle Davidson Members of the Michigan House and Senate on Tuesday took up a set of mirrored proposals to establish incentives to produce more sustainable aviation fuel which blend traditional jet fuel with propellants sourced from biomass like corn, soybeans, cover crops, forestry residue and hydrogen. Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), who sponsored House Bills 4424 and 4425, told members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that his legislation is aimed at bringing Michigan into the sustainable aviation fuel supply chain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If passed, Neyer said the bills would grant farmers access to another revenue stream and encourage the expansion of ethanol production facilities and the construction of fuel blending facilities. Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe), who sponsored the Senates package alongside Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), explained to members of the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee that the bills would simply allow aviation companies who choose to use the fuels to claim a tax credit. Its not a mandate. Its an open thing that if Delta [Airlines] wants to do it, Delta can get a tax break on how much fuel they buy and how much they decrease their CO2, Bellino said. The proposals offer a $1.50 rebate on the purchase of fuel blends that cut carbon dioxide emissions by 50% compared to regular jet fuel, with an additional two cents per gallon for every additional 1% in emissions reduced, with the rebate capping out at $2 a gallon. After 2030, any fuel used to claim the credit must use in-state sources for the organic materials used to produce the fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Either our airline industry can either buy this product from out of state and have it blended out of state, or we can provide the opportunity here with this tax incentive there to allow our our farmers and our producers here in the state to participate in this market and get a leg up on the industry, Neyer said. Additionally, with the Federal Aviation Administration working to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, these fuels are plug and play with existing fuel systems, Neyer said. If approved, the program carries a 10-year expiration date, with Neyer telling the committee he hoped the credit would no longer be needed by that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While testifying on the bill to the House committee, Sarah Gonzales, the director of state and local government affairs for Delta Airlines, assured members that the fuels are already in use, with California utilizing sustainable aviation fuels for a number of years and Delta flights out of Detroit utilizing the fuels for the first time this year. However, there is not enough of the fuel to meet demand for even a week, Gonzales said, noting that the current cost is two to 10 times that of traditional fuels. Delta Airlines Director of state and local government affairs Sarah Gonzales testifies in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on legislation offering tax credits on the purchase of sustainable aviation fuels, June 3, 2025. | Kyle Davidson With Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Washington, Iowa and California all passing tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels, Michigan is in danger of being left out of the economic benefits, Gonzales said. Although the packages won support from organizations like Clean Fuels Michigan and Corn Growers of Michigan with bipartisan support in both chambers, they were not without opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) spoke out against offering government incentives, arguing that these types of incentives take away from the market. What youre coming in here today is asking for not simply a promotion of this product, but it is still a peanut-level incentive of taking away from the free market and compelling taxpayers to fund and create a new atmosphere within the economy, further distorting the market, Carra said. In response, John Delmotte, president of the Michigan Corn Growers Association, asked Carra to view it as an investment rather than a handout. During the Senate hearing, Nichole Keway Biber, the mid-Michigan campaign organizer for Clean Water Action, offered her opposition, arguing the incentives set aside $9 million in state funds that could be used to jump start lower-emission transportation solutions while supporting a status quo approach to energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the emissions that come out of the pipe might be cleaner, the residual impacts on the environment from large-scale farming operations may outweigh those benefits, Keway Biber said. This is no time for false climate solutions that divert investments and focus away from achieving real world sustainability of healthy communities and waterways, Keway Biber said. As the House and Senate sit in deadlock, and Legislative leaders spar over the state budget ahead of the July 1 deadline, the packages showcase a sense of bipartisan, cross-chamber collaboration uncharacteristic of the current dynamic between the Democratic-led Senate and the Republican-led House. While the House and Senate Committees have yet to hold a vote on Neyers bills, he told the Michigan Advance that the package would not likely come to a vote on the House floor until after the budget is done. However, it stands a good chance given the interest in the Senate, he said. Connecticut lawmakers have advanced a bill that would partially ban a set of harmful chemicals commonly used in pesticides, but several last-minute changes to the legislation have drawn the ire of the bill's proponents. According to CT Mirror, the state Senate passed a bill that would ban the use of long-acting rodenticides and a class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids or neonics. While the bill places strict restrictions on those compounds, an amendment passed with the bill allows for exemptions for the use of neonics and won't impose many of those restrictions until 2027. It also allows for the continued use of neonics on shrubs and ornamental plants, although it does ban their use on lawns. It also allows for neonics to be used by specially licensed professional organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change was negotiated by lobbyists for the pest control industry, according to Sen. Rick Lopes (D-New Britain). "The industry's biggest concern is they said they were willing to help if you give us a little time to acclimate and change our systems, we will be on board with this," said Lopes, who is co-chair of the Senate's Environment Committee. "That's the deal we cut with them." However, the changes to the legislation drew the ire of many environmental groups. Neonics are systemic insecticides, meaning they are absorbed by and spread throughout plants and don't really discriminate between harmful pests and helpful pollinators like bees and butterflies. They've been strongly linked to the widespread deaths of pollinators, as well as being linked to negative effects on humans, like muscle tremors, lowered testosterone, altered insulin regulation, and changes to metabolism. Other places have been working to restrict pesticide use as well; Costa Rica has added multiple harmful compounds to a list of banned pesticides, while the EPA in the U.S. proposed a ban on certain pesticides being used on fruit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics of the changes point out that continuing to spray bushes and ornamental plants will continue to harm pollinators, thereby defeating the purpose of the ban in the first place, but Lopes sees the deal as an acceptable compromise. "We targeted, like we target for emissions sometimes, the largest and worst-damaging aspect of the chemical," Lopes said. "That should significantly decrease the amount of neonics exposed into our environment." While critics were largely disappointed with only obtaining a partial ban of neonics, they were ultimately satisfied that their use would be restricted by the new bill. 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. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Lawmakers are preparing for the final approval of the state budget on Tuesday. The Connecticut House of Representatives voted to approve the states two-year budget on Monday evening. Connecticut House Democrats advance $55.8 billion two-year state budget plan This years budget comes with a lot of uncertainty as Democrats dont know how much funding the federal government will cut from Connecticut in its next budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big, beautiful bill authored by Republicans in Washington would cut more than $1 trillion in federal spending over the next 10 years. The proposed budget that Connecticut lawmakers are working on currently would allow the state more flexibility in spending to fill any holes the federal government creates. In this Big B.S Bill that Trump talks about all the time, theres just lots and lots of cuts, State Sen. Bob Duff (D), the State Senate majority leader, said. Were gonna have to respond to that somehow and so we just have to set up the mechanism in which that we can come back and maybe fill some of those holes. Some Republicans in the legislature say that these mechanisms are a way to vilify the Trump administration. Im just not a fan of political gimmicks and to me, thats what this is, State Sen. Rob Sampson (R) said. This is bunch of talking points all for the purpose of the midterms next year. Trying to vilify the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This proposal could give Connecticut hundreds of millions of dollars of additional surplus that would be available to fill any federal cuts to programs like Medicaid and food stamps on top of the $4 billion-plus dollars the state already has in reserve. The legislature would have to come into special session likely later this summer or early in the fall to spend that money after the federal government passes its own budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Lawmakers worked into the final hours of the legislative session to reach an agreement to provide pay raises for Texas judges. The legislation led to a sharp divide between the House and Senate over how the raises would affect pensions for lawmakers. Senate Bill 293 calls for raising the pay for judges to $175,000 per year. Thats a 25% increase from the current $140,000 salary. The legislation comes amid concern that Texas lags behind other states in judicial pay. Texas cannot afford to continue to lose talent due to a lack of appropriate compensation, the analysis for SB 293 states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea of raising pay for judges has bipartisan support. The division comes over how those raises affect funds for retiring lawmakers. Currently, pensions for lawmakers are calculated as a percentage of the base pay for judges. Raising judges pay would also raise retirement benefits for lawmakers. Some House members believed that amounted to unethically approving a benefit for themselves. Their legislation included an amendment to keep decouple lawmaker pensions from judicial base pay, instead keeping it linked to the current level of $140,000. I do not believe, speaking for me that this is the right way for us to consider and/or pass increases to our legislative retirement, Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, said Friday, explaining why the House added the amendment. He called on the Senate to accept the House amendment. I can tell you that if they want judges to get a pay raise, then they should move to concur with the House changes to Senate Bill 293, and in the interim and next session, we can have and should have a conversation about legislative compensation, including our retirement benefits, Leach said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the legislation came before the Senate Friday night, Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, raised a point of order, saying that the amendment was not germane to the legislation. He agreed that legislation to revamp how lawmaker pensions are calculated should happen separately from SB 293. The point of order was sustained, potentially killing SB 293 and pay raises for judges. Senators called on House members to remove the amendment. House members pushed to keep the measure to decouple judicial pay from pensions for lawmakers. With the House and Senate deadlocked, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock weighed in with a potential compromise. On Saturday, he sent a memo to members of the legislature, including proposed language for the bill. Blacklocks proposal would maintain the link between judicial pay and legislator pensions, but the impact of a pay raise approved this session would not immediately affect those pensions. Instead, Blacklock proposes that the next legislature would determine the effect. As you know, judicial salaries in Texas currently rank 49th in the Nation an embarrassment that is making it harder and harder to attract and retain qualified, hard-working judges capable of delivering a high quality of justice to Texas families and businesses across our State, Blacklock wrote. He added that he fears the long-range impact, should the impasse keep judges from getting a raise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that happens, it is not the judges themselves but our Texas justice system which should be the envy of the world that will suffer most, along with the thousands of Texans who seek justice in our courts every day, Blacklock wrote. Monday afternoon, word of the agreement was announced in the Senate. The House and the Senate came together, and the result of the conference committee report and the legislation will lead to the judges getting this raise, Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, said as she laid out the conference committee report. I dont think Ive ever worked so hard on a bill that wasnt mine, Sen. Menendez said, acknowledging the difficulty of the negotiations that started after his point of order, then stretched into the final day of the session. We went over and met with our House colleagues, and all 10 of us signed the conference committee report, because every person in the state of Texas recognizes that our judiciary and our judges needed a much needed raise so we can continue to attract competent persons to our judiciary, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators did not discuss specifics of the agreement on the floor. In the House, Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas asked Rep. Leach to give further details. The bill raises the judicial base pay, salary, 25% to $175,000 along with that, the legislative retirement is linked, at least initially, to that $175,000, Leach explained. He said going forward, the Texas Ethics Commission will decide how much legislative retirement pay should rise. We are requiring the Texas Ethics Commission every five years to adjust the legislative class retirement accordingly, taking into account various factors. Of those factors theyre allowed to consider all statewide elected official judges from all branches of government, judicial, legislative and executive, Leach said, responding to Anchias question. Leach said the changes allow the legislature to increase judicial pay, and in the future do so without worrying about it affecting the pensions of lawmakers. Thats, I think, the real big win in this bill, he concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure passed 114-26. The legislation now goes to Governor Abbott for approval. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) -The Swiss economy grew by 0.8% in the first three months of 2025, the government said on Monday, its fastest quarterly growth rate in two years, as companies rushed through exports to avoid looming U.S. tariffs. Shipments of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, watches, and precision instruments surged as Swiss companies upped exports to the United States before trade duties imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump took effect. "In particular, exports to the U.S. rose sharply, pointing to possible front-loading in connection with U.S. trade policy," said the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. As a result, Swiss gross domestic product expanded by 0.8% compared to the same period last year and double its long-term average quarterly growth rate. The increase was its biggest since the first quarter of 2023. Swiss manufacturers were stunned when the U.S., Switzerland's biggest trading partner, announced 31% tariffs on the European country in April. The figure has since been temporarily cut down to 10%, with Swiss politicians eager to secure a lasting agreement in the coming weeks. Small and mid-sized Swiss engineering companies have expressed concern over the uncertainty. Foreign customers were less willing to invest in new machinery, industry association Swissmechanic said, while the strong appreciation of the Swiss franc was an additional burden. Many orders for machinery and equipment have been put on ice or cancelled, said Swissmechanic President Nicola Tettamanti, as companies delayed investment decisions. "Everybody is in wait-and-see mode, and that means no orders," Tettamanti said. "Business uncertainty is as high as it was during the COVID pandemic, and we will see the effect of this on GDP and the labour market in the next few months." The Swiss Purchasing Managers' Index fell by 3.7 points to 42.1 in May, data showed on Monday, its lowest level since May 2023 and well below the growth threshold of 50 points. (Reporting by John Revill, Editing by Friederike Heine and Saad Sayeed) Jun. 2AUGUSTA Lawmakers on Monday rejected proposals that would roll back protections in Maine's new paid family and medical leave program, including bills that would repeal the program, make it voluntary and that would exclude certain workers from coverage. The House of Representatives voted 75-65 to reject a bill repealing the program and 74-65 to reject a bill that would make it voluntary for employers and employees to participate. The Senate voted 20-14 against a bill to exempt agricultural employers and employees from the program. The bills face further votes in both chambers, but the action Monday indicates the program approved in 2023 likely won't be significantly changed by lawmakers despite Republican-led efforts to either repeal the program entirely or change aspects of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats in the House defended the fledgling program Monday, saying that while the state has only just begun collecting the new payroll tax to fund the program and benefits won't be available until next year, it promises to improve the lives of families. "It's a popular program, even before it was in law or before it pays out a single benefit," said Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor. Roeder said there has been speculation that the costs of the program will "spiral out of control," but said experiences in other states have shown otherwise. "Paid family programs across the country have remained stable over time, with most states avoiding major rate increases and no premium over 1.2%," Roeder said. As of August 2024, Maine and 12 other states had adopted mandatory paid family and medical leave programs, while eight states have voluntary paid leave options that employers can purchase through private insurers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maine program is funded with a 1% payroll tax split evenly between employers and employees. When benefits become available on May 1, 2026, the program will pay up to 90% of regular wages for up to 12 weeks for workers who are ill or need to take care of newborns or other family members, among other reasons. Employers with fewer than 15 workers are exempt from paying into the program, but workers at small businesses still pay a 0.5% payroll tax and will be eligible for benefits. Republicans in the House pushed for repeal of the program, saying it's been difficult for businesses to implement and a burden for taxpayers, particularly those who pay into the program but may never use it. "Maine citizens currently shoulder one of the highest tax burdens in the nation," said Rep. Joshua Morris, R-Turner, the sponsor of LD 406, which would repeal laws related to the paid family and medical leave program. "As of Jan. 1, with the implementation of this new payroll tax, that burden has only gotten higher." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LD 406 was rejected 75-65 along party lines in an initial House vote Monday and now heads to the Senate. Other changes to the program were also rejected in initial votes Monday. LD 1333, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Poirier, R-Skowhegan, would require employees to be employed with their employer for 120 days before they're eligible for leave and would prohibit employees from taking paid leave unless they have simultaneously taken any available unpaid leave, among other changes. Poirier said the bill would add fairness and sustainability to the program. "This bill will help ensure there are proper guardrails on the program," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was defeated 75-63 and heads to the Senate. In a House debate, Roeder addressed the requirement for an employee to be with their employer for 120 days, saying that an employee's payment into the program should follow them from job to job. "If I worked at a company for 20 years and I quit and go to another company, I should be able to use the paid leave I earned over that 20 years," she said. The House on Monday also rejected a bipartisan proposal, LD 1712, from Rep. Tiffany Roberts, D-South Berwick, for changes to the program. In the Senate, lawmakers rejected bills Monday that would exempt agricultural employees and employers from the program and that would allow for reimbursements of payroll taxes collected from businesses who offer equivalent or superior private plans. Both bills were rejected 20-14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate also approved LD 894, a Department of Labor bill providing clarifying and technical changes to the current law. Both chambers gave initial approval Monday to LD 1221, which directs the department to study ways to protect the program's funds from being expended for any purposes other than paid family and medical leave benefits. Copy the Story Link LAWRENCE, Kan. A new nonprofit in Lawrence opened its first sober group home for women in recovery. A couple days later, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office decided to donate a set of wheels to break down transportation barriers. Cardinal Housing Network is a transitional housing program serving women in Douglas County. The nonprofits mission is to provide safe, supportive housing to women in recovery. Kansas City Zoo welcomes 2 baby cotton-top tamarins Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannah Bolton is the founder and program director of the Cardinal Housing Network. About four years ago, Bolton lost her brother to alcohol addiction. She said the times he was doing well is when he had access to a sober living house. I do sometimes wonder if things had been different, Bolton said, if there had been more access to beds here in our community, had he had a better shot at recovery. Whats why she created the Cardinal Housing Network. In May, the nonprofit opened its first sober group affordable housing for women, near 11th and New Hampshire. Three women already call it home. It sits across from the courthouse, with room for ten women, and costs $125 a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolton said thanks to grant funding that includes breakfast and dinner. She also said her brother left a life insurance policy, which she used to acquire the house. I think my brother would be so proud, Bolton said. The Douglas County Sheriffs office also donated this used transport van to get people who live there to appointments. Theres a lot of overlap with their services as far as our reentry team and, the jail that helps people leave custody and hopefully successfully reenter the community, Douglas County Sheriffs Office PIO George Diepenbrock said. Transportation is a huge challenge for people trying to get back on their feet, especially sometimes getting to appointments or getting to court. We dont want that to be a barrier and its just a way that we can help out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was shocking just because we are such a new organization, Bolton said. Being able to take someone from directly where theyre at, in terms of their recovery, whether thats picking them up from their treatment in Topeka, or here in Lawrence at first step, being able to get them to exactly where they need to go and get them settled into a home and start making those necessary changes, its a safety measure, but its also an opportunity measure. Boltons on her way to opening two more homes off Ohio Street, which include seven apartments. She said theyre designed for second step-type living for moms and children. Shes closing a massive gap in housing for women in recovery, compared to men. Here in Douglas County, I think we have access to 35, while men have access to 90, while thats still very low, in terms of our partnering neighbors, Johnson County, and in Topeka, Bolton said. Women are just generally underserved in terms of being able to access housing. Theres only 15 beds available to moms and kids. So having them have their own individual space really gives the opportunity to really bond with their children and figure out what works with them in terms of their parenting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homes in her family for decades will help both mothers and their children. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Well have a little courtyard for kids to participate, Bolton said, and this van will be huge to take them out and about, into the community, head out to the Monarch Watch, or hike Clinton Lake. So, its not always about the treatment piece, its also about living in community. If you would like to donate to the Cardinal Housing Network, you can find more information 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. MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell fought back tears on air as he attacked soulless, mindless President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for slashing funding that has led to children dying. On Mondays The Last Word, ODonnell cited a New York Times column that explores the impact of the Trump administrations demolition of the U.S. Agency for International Development, an organization that in 2023 disbursed more than $43 billion for humanitarian aid, economic development and health programs around the world. The piece, by columnist Nicholas Kristof, referenced Evan Anzoo, a 5-year-old boy from South Sudan born with HIV. He was a child as precious as yours or mine, Kristof wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The orphan was being kept alive by medicines that cost less than 12 cents per day, Kristof reported, funded by the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. PEPFAR has been credited with saving more than 25 million lives since being launched by President George W. Bush. But PEPFAR has been a victim of Trumps deep cuts to overseas aid. By early March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the purge of the six-decade-old agency, wrote on social media that 83% of USAID programs had been cut. ODonnell noted that Rubio had told Congress that no children are dying on my watch as a result of the cuts. But Kristof suggested otherwise, reporting that Evans condition weakened and he died from an opportunistic infection after his medications were cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evan died on [Rubios] watch, said ODonnell, who soon started to choke up. Evans of all ages are dying on Marco Rubios watch, and no one is counting. And so we dont know as of tonight whether its tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of Evans, but we know it will be. ODonnell moved on to a New York Times column headlined Elon Musks Legacy is Disease, Starvation and Death, which cites Boston University research detailing how Musks cuts to USAIDs budget have led to an estimated 300,000 deaths, most of whom are children. ODonnell quoted a line from columnist Michelle Goldberg that argues, If there were justice in the world, Musk would never be able to repair his reputation, at least not without devoting the bulk of his fortune to easing the misery hes engendered. The anchor then went on to compare Musks butchering of the federal government with the humanitarian efforts of fellow billionaire Bill Gates, who has has devoted his life and his billions to saving children in Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ODonnell said this means Gates verdict on the current richest person in the world is so important and powerful. Bill Gates, the former richest person in the world, said, the picture of the worlds richest man killing the worlds poorest children is not a pretty one, continued ODonnell. He added, And the picture of the richest person in the world carrying around his drug box of ecstasy, Adderall, psychedelic mushrooms and then taking life-saving drugs away from the poorest people in the world is a picture only Donald Trump could have created. ODonnell ended with a brutal assessment of Musk and Trump as soulless, mindless entities. Watch the attack on the Trump administration below. wow -- @Lawrence chokes up while talking about how the Trump administration is killing kids who relied on USAID to get life-saving medicine pic.twitter.com/TYBJkb2S4K Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 3, 2025 Related... ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) At least 20 people have been killed during simultaneous attacks by unidentified gunmen on several communities in Nigerias north-central Benue state, police said on Tuesday. The attacks occurred late Sunday in communities within the Gwer West and Apa areas, said Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue police. Edet said 12 people were killed in Apa and 10 in Gwer West, but local reports suggest the death toll may exceed 30. Five people who survived the attacks are currently receiving medical treatment in a local hospital, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigeria's police often provide lower death tolls than local authorities and witnesses when reporting on attacks. Paul Biam, chief of staff to Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia, visited the communities Monday and said the administration is doing all it can to prevent attacks in the state. The Gwer West and Apa areas of Benue state have witnessed an uptick in attacks in recent months. Last week, gunmen killed at least 20 people in an attack on the village of Aondona, in Gwer West. While it remains unclear who was responsible for the killings, such attacks are common in Nigerias northern region, where local herders and farmers often clash over limited access to land and water. The farmers accuse the herders, mostly of Fulani origin, of grazing their livestock on their farms and destroying crops. The herders insist that the farms are on grazing routes that were first backed by law in 1965, five years after the country gained its independence. At least 27 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday after Israeli soldiers opened fire near an aid distribution hub in Rafah, according to officials in Gaza as well as the Red Cross. It marks the third deadly incident in three days around the Rafah aid hub run by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a private group backed by Israel and the U.S. that was established last month to replace U.N. agencies and other aid organizations. A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross said its Rafah field hospital received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were declared dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on X that it is aware of reports regarding casualties, and the details of the incident are being looked into. Troops identified several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated routes," the IDF said. "The troops carried out warning fire, and after the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near individual suspects. In a statement to TIME relating to an earlier incident on Monday in which at least three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire near a GHF aid hub in Rafah, the IDF said its troops had similarly fired warning shotsapproximately one kilometer away from the humanitarian aid distribution site toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops and posed a threat to them. The IDF added that it was looking into the incident. TIME could not independently verify the reports from southern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. and other aid agencies have criticised the new aid distribution system, saying it does not address the mounting hunger crisis in Gaza and allows Israel to use aid as a weapon. Palestinians have been presented with the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available through Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism, U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said Tuesday. Turk called for a prompt and impartial investigation. Attacks directed against civilians constitute a grave breach of international law, and a war crime, he added. Israel maintains that the new aid distribution system prevents Hamas from stealing aid. However, both the U.N. and World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain have stated that there is no evidence to suggest the group is diverting humanitarian supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of GHF, Jake Wood, resigned on May 25 saying it would not be able to work in a way that met humanitarian principles. GHF began operations the following day. On Sunday, June 1, at least 31 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured near the GHF distribution site in Rafah, Gazas health ministry said. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement its field hospital in Rafah received a mass casualty influx and that the majority had sustained shrapnel and gunshot wounds. Once again, desperate hungry civilians get killed & injured while trying to reach aid. It should be delivered to them safely & with dignity, ICRC spokesperson Hisham Mhanna said in a post on X. Contact us at letters@time.com. A domestic violence call in Lees Summit escalated into a police shooting Sunday night , and authorities are now searching for the man accused of pulling the trigger. Thomas Tolbert, 27, is wanted on five felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer. The incident began when officers responded to a domestic disturbance call . CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) President Trumps new tax and spending bill includes a controversial provision that limits federal courts ability to enforce contempt orders against the government unless plaintiffs post a monetary bond. Chief Legal Expert Khalif Rhodes discusses the bill that passed the House narrowly and now heads to the Senate, where some Republicans plan to propose changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Had Hamit Coskun torched a bible on the steps of St Pauls Cathedral would he have been charged with any crime? If he had set fire to a copy of the Torah outside a synagogue in north Londons Stamford Hill, what then? Judging by this weeks conviction of Coskun for burning a Koran outside the Turkish embassy in London it all depends on the reaction. His case has become a totemic free speech issue, yet it is really about how the courts interpret the law on public order and so-called hate offences. People take the desecration of holy texts extremely seriously. The limits of tolerance were tested in Sweden a few years ago when a Muslim activist threatened to burn a Torah scroll outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm. The odd thing about this was that provided permission from the police had been sought it was a perfectly lawful thing to do. But when the go-ahead was given under a constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration., the roof caved in. Isaac Herzog, the Israeli president, said permitting the defacement of sacred texts is not an exercise in freedom of expression, it is blatant incitement and an act of pure hate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat (which in the event was not carried out) was made in response to a series of Koran burnings in Stockholm that caused fury in the Islamic world and led to an attack on the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. So, are such texts to be protected by law or does freedom of expression mean those who do not share the faith, or hold any religious beliefs, are licensed to do whatever they please? Salwan Momika, who was murdered this year, was granted permission by Swedish police to tear apart and burn the Koran during a demonstration outside a mosque in Stockholm in 2023 - Jonathan Nackstrand Many people in response to the Coskun case appear to believe free speech is an absolute in this country; but it isnt and never has been. For a few centuries, it is true, people have been free (or used to be free) to say what they thought provided they did not incite violence. One exception was the common law offence of blasphemy and the related crime of blasphemous libel. These were formally abolished in England and Wales in 2008 and in Scotland only last year. They continue to be offences in Northern Ireland and apply only to the Christian faith. Burning a bible in Armagh would, presumably, be considered blasphemous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement English law does not forbid the burning of a holy book. Indeed, the district judge in the Coskun case was at pains to say he was not being arraigned for this but for disorderly behaviour under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Public Order Act 1986. Coskun, a Turkish-born opponent of president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held the burning book aloft and shouted Islam is the religion of terrorists and the Koran is burning. It was what happened next that made this a crime. A man emerged from an adjacent property and attacked Coskun, threatening to kill him, and a passer-by joined in. He was found guilty of disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, motivated by hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam. The judge said: What made his conduct disorderly was the timing and location of the conduct and that all this was accompanied by abusive language That the conduct was disorderly is not better illustrated than by the fact that it led to serious public disorder involving him being assaulted by two different people. Yet if someone carrying out a legal activity, namely burning a book, is attacked then surely it is the assailant who is at fault. Arguably, Coskun was not aiming his protest at Muslims but at their religion. The two are not the same, even if adherents disagree, and our right to criticise a religion must be upheld. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But our free speech protections have become so tied up with other laws that they are rendered redundant. The prosecutor in the Coskun case said his conviction did not represent any restriction on criticising religion but that is disingenuous to put it charitably. The cause of this legal confusion is the expansion of a multi-cultural society and Parliaments belief that criticising a faith is a proxy for racist hatred. Politicians believe we need laws to protect minority groups from abuse; but these are now used to shut down perfectly legitimate opinions and activities. Over the years we have seen the gradual prohibition of ideas because they hurt someones feelings or make them angry. But as long as there is no attempt or intention to provoke violence, why should this be a matter for the criminal law? Moreover, why should it be forbidden to criticise any faith whether it be Islam, Judaism or Christianity? We are assured that this is still permitted and yet it evidently isnt if to do so leads to an arrest because it inspires a hostile reaction. The Public Order Act means any conduct deemed likely to cause someone harassment, alarm or distress can be punishable. The word likely needs to be removed from legislation since it is impossible to define. Indeed, the fault here lies with Parliaments constant tinkering. Americas founding fathers introduced the First Amendment to the constitution because they did not trust the legislature to uphold free speech. It states that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech. That is unambiguous whereas legislators here have done nothing but meddle to the point where no-one is clear where the boundaries lie any more. There is more to come with a new definition of Islamophobia being drawn up by a committee appointed by Angela Rayner due to be published next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coskun case has become a cause celebre, taken up by the Free Speech Union and the National Secular Society which objects to the revival of a blasphemy law and is backing an appeal. In particular, it is seen as a unique protection for Islam, though I doubt Hasidic Jews would take kindly to a Torah being burned outside their synagogue after a Shabbat service. Any threat of disorder would presumably trigger an arrest, though I would not be confident of that. The cost of defending freedom can come at a much higher price than the 240 fine received by Coskun. The Swedish Koran burner, Salwan Momika, was murdered in Stockholm earlier this year. 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. AI notetakers can conveniently generate quick meeting transcripts. But they come with serious risks. Illustration: HuffPost; Photo:Getty Images Lately, the new attendee to your meeting is likely an artificially intelligent notetaker. In the past two years, AI notetakers have spawned everywhere. Google, Microsoft, Otter.ai and many other firms pitch their AI notetakers as the most convenient way to boost meeting productivity, as Google claims, by quickly recapping key points of what was said and what should be done next if you let them join your meeting. But do you really want these bots as your guests at your next meeting? The main problem with these tools is how often they can be inaccurate and yet they can create a lasting record that may one day be used against you. Advertisement Advertisement AI programs are designed to give you an answer, not the answer, explained Erica Wilson, a Fisher Phillips lawyer who advises businesses on using AI notetakers. When I used Googles AI notetaker, Gemini, for my teams monthly brainstorm, I noticed the AI-generated transcript assigned me stories I didnt agree to write, which could have created headaches if I didnt double-check its work. Even Gemini itself warned me in its summary that I should review Geminis notes to make sure theyre accurate, which, for me, defeats the convenience of using it in the first place. AI has a known problem of making stuff up, or having hallucinations, as researchers call it. In worst cases, these hallucinations could lead to lawsuits, as people may now believe you said something you didnt. Wilson outlined a nightmare scenario of an AI notetaker horribly interpreting someones words and having that transcript stay in inboxes. This information would be discoverable in a lawsuit, she said. Advertisement Advertisement In other words, if you or the company get sued because an employee believes that meeting was really important for their case, your inaccurate AI-generated meeting notes might become a huge problem. You might think you can focus on the meeting, because your AI notetaker is going to transcribe it for you. But with that time you spend using the AI notetaker, you also will now have to budget time for reviewing the transcript and the summary before you send it out to everybody to make sure that its not wildly wrong. And at that point, have we defeated the purpose of increasing our productivity by having the note taker? Wilson asked. In some states, everyone would need to know you brought an AI notetaker to the meeting. Besides the inaccuracy headaches, there is also the issue of consent. Many programs, like Googles Gemini, announce the presence of an AI notetaker through icons and a text disclosure, but not all do, depending on the AI notetaker you use. With some, you might not even know they are in the meeting with you. You have some software programs where people are sending AI agents to attend meetings on their behalf, and they dont necessarily all announce that they are not actually that person, Wilson said. Advertisement Advertisement Using an AI notetaker that records and generates transcripts of what was said without peoples consent could potentially be illegal. There are at least 10 states, including California, Florida, Illinois and Massachusetts, that require all-party consent for recording, meaning everyone on the call must agree to be recorded. If You Still Really Want To Use An AI Notetaker, Get Peoples Consent Before The Meeting. If these privacy and legal downsides are not enough to dissuade you, at the very least, give everyone a heads-up that you are bringing an AI notetaker as your plus-one. At a bare minimum, this general disclosure would happen before you start using it and would involve letting participants know how its being recorded and how that information is going to be used, Wilson said. And it would let people opt out of the meeting if they dont want to be in a room with an AI notetaker, too. Or better yet: You might decide to assign a human notetaker instead, so that person who is uncomfortable with an AI notetaker can still attend the meeting. For All These Security Reasons, Im Still Not Convinced You Need To Use An AI Notetaker. Its clear why the companies behind these AI notetakers want us to use their services at meetings: For one, our chattering helps to train their AI products. Advertisement Advertisement Language learning models are running out of fresh human-generated data needed to grow, and there are an estimated 55 million work meetings in America per day that could become a never-ending AI training source. But its less clear why we should readily follow these tech firms leads and use AI to document every moment of our corporate lives. Wilson said AI notetakers could be useful in large 50-person all-hands meetings where not everyone is expected to contribute, but become more of a legal issue in smaller group settings where people are expected to share. She said that if you want to add one to your next meeting, you should consider, Is this really collaborative? Are we really getting use out of it, or are we just using it for the sake of using it? And for the people who are uncomfortable with it, do we have meaningful alternatives? Know that no one enjoys being surveilled, and AI notetakers can change our behavior for the worse. Ive noticed that in meetings where I see one is present, I will be more cautious about my wording and speak less overall. If people are less willing to speak freely or candidly or honestly, if they feel like they cant try out new ideas or make mistakes, thats a real cost, said Susan McGregor, a researcher at Columbia Universitys Data Science Institute. Especially in an environment where people at least say that they value innovation and creativity ... How are you going to do that if youre concerned that a misstep or a misstatement in a live meeting might be permanently inscribed? Advertisement Advertisement She makes a compelling case for the value of simply taking notes yourself. McGregor said some people may use these AI tools to avoid having to prioritize what actually matters about a meeting, but thats what note-taking is all about. When done well, note-taking teaches you to synthesize and make relevant connections about what was said, so you can decide what is best to do next. And if you miss a meeting, you could simply ask a human who was there for help instead of an AI notetaker. They could tell you, watch out, chapter six is going to be on the midterm, McGregor said as an example. That is a meaningful, prioritized, synthesized summary. Ultimately, you can choose to endure all the legal and psychological headaches and use an AI notetaker, or you can simply use your own brain to start typing in a document, stress-free, about key points. I know which one Ill be choosing for my next meeting. Related... Newly appointed Oregon Sen. Lisa Reynolds at her pediatrics clinic in Portland on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Rian Dundon/Oregon Capital Chronicle) A Portland-area lawmaker facing scrutiny over a bill she wrote that could benefit her medical practice has been cleared by legislative lawyers of any potential conflict of interest. Oregon Sen. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, told the Capital Chronicle in an email Tuesday that a May 16 opinion from the Office of the Legislative Counsel clarifies that I am a member of an exempted class, and as such, have no legal conflict of interest, nor a need to declare one when it comes to Senate Bill 28. Reynolds is co-sponsoring the bill, which would require commercial insurers to reimburse independent primary care clinics at similar rates to hospital-owned clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds position as a doctor in a Portland-based primary care clinic raised questions about whether she would improperly benefit from the legislation. A May 30 Capital Chronicle article reported that the Oregon Government Ethics Commission referred Reynolds to Legislative Counsel for further clarity on whether she was exempt from declaring a conflict of interest. Reynolds had previously told the Capital Chronicle the advice was reassuring, and that she would consider seeking further counsel. But in fact, she already had. In its May 16 opinion, Legislative Counsel found Reynolds qualifies for a class exemption, a rule that allows public officials to take official action that would equally impact all members of a class, such as business owners or members of a particular industry. The opinion, which Reynolds shared with the Capital Chronicle on Tuesday, is signed by the Legislative Counsel Dexter Johnson and staff attorney Wenzel Cummings. Because you are a member of the smaller class of primary care providers who would be permitted the reimbursement rate under the terms of SB 28, you are excluded from the obligations to announce a conflict of interest, whether actual or potential, prior to voting on the measure in committee or on the floor of the Senate, the opinion reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds apologized for not having this clarification ahead of your article of May 30 in her email to the Capital Chronicle. I have still been very open about the impacts this bill could have, and I strive to always be very open and honest with the public and with my constituents, she wrote. The legislatures rules around conflicts of interest are complicated and I am learning as I go, as well, and trying my best to follow the advice Im receiving. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Thrivent Bank has officially commenced operations, marking a milestone as the first bank with an Industrial Loan Company (ILC) charter to open since 2020 and only the third since 2006. This launch finalises the merger of Thrivent Credit Union into the newly established bank. A subsidiary of Thrivent, a Fortune 500 financial services firm, Thrivent Bank aims to integrate the principle of generosity into its banking practices. The bank applied for the ILC charter in 2021 and received conditional approval from the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (UDFI) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) last year. The official charter was granted at Thrivent Banks headquarters in Salt Lake City. Thrivent president and CEO Terry Rasmussen said: Thrivent Bank combines our legacy of trusted financial advice with a modern, client-first banking solution. Thrivent Bank will help us build relationships with younger clients earlier in their financial journeys who we can then serve throughout their lives. With a growing number of Americans, particularly younger and more diverse individuals, seeking new banking options each year, Thrivent Bank intends to address this demand through a client-focused approach. The bank will prioritise digital-first banking and cash management solutions, empowering clients to make informed financial decisions that align with their long-term objectives. As of 1 June 2025, members of Thrivent Credit Union have transitioned to clients of Thrivent Bank, which is dedicated to providing the same service that they have come to expect. Additionally, Thrivent Bank plans to unveil a new digital banking experience later this year. Thrivent currently serves over 2.4 million clients through a network of financial advisors nationwide and manages more than $193bn in assets as of 31 December 2024. Last month, Thrivent announced plans to recruit around 600 financial advisors in 2025 for various positions across different advisory models, focusing on enhancing and expanding advisor teams. "Thrivent Bank launches operations in US" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Newly sworn-in Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry addresses senators in the Senate chamber in Augusta on Dec. 4, 2024. (Photo by Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star) As the Maine Legislature approaches its final weeks of work, each day is packed with dozens and dozens of consequential votes. After starting around 10 a.m. on Monday, the Senate cast its final vote just after 6:30 p.m. but the House did not until close to 10 p.m. Were done for the night, House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) said, asking his caucus to walk out of the chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the day, both chambers rejected a slew of proposals to make significant changes to the states Paid Family and Medical Leave program before it starts. The Senate also supported a measure to guarantee agricultural workers state minimum wage. But other votes hundreds were also cast that take legislation one step closer, or farther, from becoming Maine law. Here are some takeaways from Monday: Both chambers Legislation (LD 3) that would have Maine adopt Eastern Standard Time year-round, contingent on federal approval, now heads to the governors desk. It received enactment votes in both chambers on Monday. That was also the case for: LD 186, which would clarify the Public Utilities Commissions authority to establish time-of-use pricing for standard-offer service, LD 1258, which would add qualified out-of-state electric vehicle providers under the Electric Vehicle Fund, and LD 1473, which would require utilities to monitor meters for natural gas leaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following bills have received the initial approval of both chambers, but still need enactment votes: The following bills have been rejected by both chambers: Growing tables The number of bills on legislative tables now abound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bills that land on the appropriations table, which is managed by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee that sets the budget, have already passed the full Legislature with initial votes. However, if they arent already funded, they are placed on the table to vie for remaining unappropriated money. Essentially, thats everything being voted through with a fiscal note because lawmakers are still drafting what will be in the next two year budget plan. For example, the House passed LD 681, An Act Regarding Public Higher Education Funding in the State, Monday morning, following an earlier vote in the Senate and bucking the recommendation of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee against its passage. On the House floor on Monday, Rep. Shelley Rudnicki (R-Fairfield) asked, Are we just discarding the work thats done by committee? When the bill was sent back to the Senate for enactment, lawmakers then opted to place it on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same happened to LD 697, An Act to Direct the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board to Assess Strategies to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs and to Take Steps to Implement Reference-based Pricing, which the House passed 125-9 before the Senate placed it on the table. After securing favorable votes in either the Senate or House on Monday, the following bills were also placed on the table: LD 505: An Act to Update Processes and Fees in the Probate Court System LD 870: An Act Regarding the Membership of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission LD 1097: An Act to Provide De-escalation and Behavior Intervention Training for School Personnel LD 1773: An Act to Criminalize Certain Offenses Related to Gift Card Thefts Other bills placed on the table include: LD 60, LD 61, LD 178, LD 192, LD 361, LD 540, LD 616, LD 800, LD 900, LD 1017, LD 1043, LD 1079, LD 1425, LD 1855, LD 105, LD 384, LD 493, LD 500, LD 554, LD 679, LD 858, LD 1100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also a study table, where lawmakers place bills after they pass both chambers if they involve legislative studies. LD 634 and LD 1420 were placed on that table on Monday. And theres a highway table, which LD 1359 was placed on. Maine has separate general fund and highway fund budgets, with the Transportation Committee overseeing the latter. Non-concurrent matters After the House voted against a bill (LD 1255) last month that would amend the eligibility requirements for the free community college program, the Senate tried to follow suit, initially. But its vote against the bill failed 15-19, so the chamber passed it under the hammer. It now heads back to the House to see if the lower chamber will reconsider its position. Legislation (LD 218) that would make student transfer agreements renew automatically, except in certain circumstances related to attendance or behavior, is poised to die in nonconcurrence. After the House opposed the measure, following the majority recommendation of the Education Committee, the Senate voted for it. The House insisted on its position on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House voted against a bill (LD 115) that would assess impact fees on megayachts over 150 feet long. It now heads back to the Senate in nonconcurrence. The Senate had initially voted to pass the bill, bucking the committee recommendation, but then failed to enact the measure. Representatives supportive of the measure described it as a matter of fairness. Right now, when a family stays in a main hotel, they pay a lodging tax. When a business ships goods through our ports, they pay fees, Rep. Lookner said. But when a billionaire docks a 450 foot yacht, a vessel thats three times as long as the Vinylhaven ferry in one of our harbors, they pay nothing toward the upkeep for our piers, dredging or sea walls that make their stay possible. However, Rep. Lydia Crafts (D-Newcastle), speaking against the bill, said individual municipalities already have the ability to assess slip fees. The Senate stripped the emergency clause from LD 197, which would direct the governors Energy Office to conduct a study on the future of electric transmission infrastructure in the state, after it could not reach the threshold needed to enact it as an emergency, which is a two-thirds vote. The bill will now be sent back to the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While that bill now has a chance at passage, LD 213 is essentially dead. The chambers could not agree on LD 213, which would increase the sales commission of retailers who sell lottery tickets. The Senate insisted on its vote against the bill on Monday, after the House insisted on its vote in support of the bill. With a 29-5 vote, the Senate passed LD 331, a resolve directing the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure timely reimbursements under MaineCare for hospital cost reports. In doing so it accepted the minority report of the committee, sending it back to the House in nonconcurrence. After the House passed LD 77, a measure to fund the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Fisheries and Hatcheries Division by increasing inland fishing license fees, the Senate initially tried to pass it as well, but failed to do so with a 11-23 vote. The chamber then accepted the minority ought not to pass report. The chambers also cant agree on LD 723, a resolve to direct the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to study the feasibility of establishing a nonresidential law enforcement training program. It failed final passage in the House but was approved for final passage in the Senate. Some notable enactments Emergency legislation needs a two-thirds vote to be enacted. LD 1551, An Act to Support Maine Eating and Drinking Establishments by Allowing Vendors to Operate on the Premises of an Establishment with a Liquor License, easily cleared this bar with a 120-0 enactment vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, LD 1420, which would establish a commission to ensure a just and equitable energy transition for Maines workforce, failed to reach that threshold with a 68-61 vote. While not an emergency bill, LD 723 failed enactment after House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) called for a roll call vote. This bill would direct the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to study the feasibility of establishing a nonresidential law enforcement training program. The House failed to enact it with a 68-71 vote, after supporting its passage initially with a 74-72 vote last month. The Senate also enacted a public land resolve (LD 1724) authorizing the Baxter State Park Authority to convey certain land in Cumberland County. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) The states budget expires in 27 days and legislators are back in town to make sure theres a spending plan in place on July 1 to avoid a government shutdown. Leadership unveiled budget allocations Monday night that show how the Legislature will spend about $50 billion in general revenue, or state funds, across various government agencies. Most of the money will go to two areas: education and health care, with the former receiving more than $22 billion and the latter about $17.5 billion. The budget will include 2% pay raises for roughly 100,000 state employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those workers wont have to worry about increased health insurance costs, either, because the chambers have agreed to pump hundreds of millions into their health insurance trust fund to keep it solvent in lieu of increasing costs for state workers. As a reminder, monthly premiums for most employees are set at $50 a month for individuals and $180 a month for families. Senior-level employees have an even better deal on their monthly premiums: $8.34 for individuals and $30 a month for family plans. The pay raises were first reported by Florida Politics and confirmed in a statement the Senate released from Sen. Cory Simon, a Republican whose district includes Leon County, home to the state government and tens of thousands of its employees. Simon praised Senate President Ben Albritton and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Ed Hooper for the investment in state employees, calling it important for recruitment, retention, and morale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida has one of the lowest per capita populations of state workers in the country. We have a lean, but strong and talented state workforce, and its important to me that we invest in maintaining top talent to serve the people of our state. A pay raise for our hardworking and dedicated state employees has been a priority of the Senate throughout the entire budget process. The allocations finalized last week include funding for a 2% across the board pay increase for state workers ($1000 minimum). Also important, what often goes unseen is the significant investment the state is making in state employee health insurance. Again this year, employees are being held harmless from increases in premiums and copays, Simon said in the statement. As we move forward into the conference, the Senate will continue to prioritize additional targeted increases for law enforcement, firefighters, and other professions where we need to further increase salaries to remain competitive with the private sector. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LEHI, Utah (ABC4) The 14-year-old girl who was struck by a vehicle in front of the Lehi Rodeo grounds is in critical condition in the hospital, and family hosted a vigil for her Monday night at Willowcreek Middle School. According to family, Jenna Sharp is currently in critical condition in the ICU at Primary Childrens Hospital. She was leaving a church dance when she was struck. Weve been deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and our community. Your kind messages, prayers, and care have meant more than we can express and are truly helping to carry us through, the family said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is so loved by our community, her family is loved, and were grateful to be able to be a part of sending that healing love to her and her family, Holly Voisin, representative for the Sharp family and the person who organized the vigil, said in an interview with ABC4.com. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 14-year-old girl struck by vehicle, severely injured at Lehi Rodeo grounds In their statement, the family extended their gratitude to the first responders, nurses, doctors, and staff at the hospital, saying, Their quick action, skill, and compassion have made all the difference during the most critical moments of Jennas care. Voisin said that the family is spending time with Jenna in the hospital. She also stated that Willowcreek Middle School is providing services for any youth who were affected or may have been at the dance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sharp family has requested privacy during this time, and they also asked that people refrain from spreading unverified information online. 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. A pair of e-scooters sit on a street in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver in June 2025. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) This year, Denver again earned the ignominious distinction as the sixth worst city in the country for certain air pollutants. Poor air quality is a public health threat, leading to respiratory symptoms and negative long-term health outcomes coughing, asthma attacks, cardiovascular diseases, etc. As the Trump administration proudly rolls back federal regulations intended to protect people from air pollution and climate change, its imperative that local governments pass policies to fill the void. However, thus far in 2025, Denvers City Council has done more to signal its disapproval of poor air quality than actually tackle it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Denvers 13-member council made headlines at the start of May when it unanimously rejected a $25 million contract with Suncor Energys Commerce City oil refinery to purchase asphalt. The council cited concerns of environmental justice and persistent regulatory violations committed by Suncor. While divestment from negligent or unethical businesses can be a powerful tool to drive change, the practice must be undertaken strategically. In this case, Denver is taking a stance against Suncor by paying an additional $300,000 to an oil refinery with a similarly long rap sheet of regulatory violations including some that led to explosions and fires. Because Denvers asphalt will now come from Cenovus Energy in Wisconsin, it must be transported by rail to Colorado, which creates additional environmental risk. Twenty-five percent of the nations hazardous material accidents are caused by railroad derailments. For example, in 2023, a train spilled 500,000 pounds of asphalt into the Yellowstone River damaging hundreds of miles of natural habitat. And finally, asphalt is a byproduct of the oil refining process, and will be produced regardless of whether or not the city buys it. The Denver councils symbolic support of environmental justice and clean air is well-intentioned, but not strategic. A more effective means of opposing Suncor would be to reduce demand for gasoline perhaps by promoting public transit or other modes of transportation, which would have the added benefit of reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. More micromobility Just weeks after the Denver City Councils symbolic move against Suncor, the council passed an ordinance to crack down on micromobility. Since Denver signed an exclusive contract with Lime and Lyft in 2020, ridership of shared electric scooters and bikes has increased steadily. On average, Denverites take 11,100 micromobility rides every day, many of which replace car trips. Considering the emission reduction potential of micromobility, Denvers council should focus on increasing adoption while balancing the needs of pedestrians and other road users. Unfortunately, the new ordinance isnt balanced it forces micromobility companies to mitigate sidewalk riding, which is tantamount to making micromobility less safe and, therefore, less desirable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, 134 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed by cars in Denver a 78% increase in fatalities since 2015. Although bike infrastructure is expanding, the city is still decades away from a truly connected, cycle-safe city. Going forward, Lime and Lyft must enforce Denvers law prohibiting sidewalk riding or face fines. A possible outcome is charging riders more if they ride on sidewalks. But in a city where sidewalk riding is sometimes the only safe option, that discourages safety. For many riders, this would create a lose-lose situation: Avoid the sidewalk even on busy, dangerous roads, or use sidewalks for safety and incur fines. Or, drive a car, instead. The new micromobility ordinance isnt all bad, though. It implements a much needed mechanism to reduce improperly parked scooters and bikes, which too often obstruct sidewalks for pedestrians and wheelchair users. The council should have stopped there regulate parking, but dont dictate how riders should safely navigate our car-oriented landscape. The best way to encourage riders to avoid sidewalks is to build safe bike infrastructure. Alternatives to widening Contrary to its stated support of cleaner air, Denvers City Council has recently made moves to further entrench the citys car reliance by taking steps to widen Pena Boulevard. This Spring, in a 9-2 vote, the council approved a $15 million study to investigate widening Pena and assess other options to alleviate traffic congestion. One council member suggested that the study is a mere formality unlikely to seriously consider alternatives to widening Pena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transportation contributes significantly to the regions poor air quality and is the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado. Investing in road expansion would undermine the citys commitments to clean air, climate action, and a transit-oriented future. To retain a modicum of consistency, City Council should instead fund bus rapid transit, improvements to the Denver A-Line, greater security at Park-n-Rides along the A-line, or any number of options that would make public transit the most convenient method of traversing the city and getting to the airport. Considering Denvers record of poor air quality and the ongoing attacks on our nations bedrock environmental protection laws, Denvers City Council should focus less on signaling support for clean air and environmental justice and more on substantive policies. Besides limiting the construction of new gas stations, the city has done nothing to improve Denvers air quality this year the opposite, actually. Hopefully, the council reconsiders its priorities before Pena is widened and micromobility ridership drops. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Note: the jail is in Deadwood, not Spearfish SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) An Indiana architectural company with a track record of building prisons is suggesting the price tag for South Dakotas new prison is too high. The company sent a letter to South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley spelling out its concerns. A letter from Elevatus Architecture, addressed to Jackley, offers insights and assistance regarding the proposed 15-hundred-bed prison project. DOH reports first measles case in South Dakota Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the letter, Elevatus highlights concerns they have about the estimated cost of $825 million which they believe exceeds national benchmarks. They suggest a similar project could be delivered for around $525 million. The firm emphasizes its extensive experience in designing over 200 justice facilities nationwide. For instance, the new prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, is one of its projects. Officials broke ground on the project two years ago and should finish next year. Jackley is a South Dakota prison task force member and has an engineering degree from the South Dakota School of Mines. He says he wants to make sure they are comparing apples to apples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was contacted by several sheriffs that I trust, said Jackley. This firm had built a different jail in South Dakota, the Spearfish jail, I had an opportunity to sit down with them for about an hour and have a conversation about what I was looking for, and at that point, they provided the letter I had asked them to put something in writing. They suggest using cost-per-bed as a more accurate metric for evaluating correctional facilities. The current bid puts the cost at $550,000 per bed. The Indiana firm believes the cost should be closer to $350,000 per bed. I look forward to hearing from the other task force members and their ideas and any other potential viable options that get South Dakota a new penitentiary that protects not just the public safety aspects but the taxpayers, said Jackley. The project prison reset task force will hold its third meeting on Tuesday in Pierre. Jackley says he expects to hear more about the Elevatus letter at the meeting. 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. To the editor: The call by California ranchers to kill endangered wolves in response to livestock losses is concerning and counterproductive ( Killing wolves remains a crime in California. But a rebellion is brewing, May 30). Lethal measures undermine years of conservation progress made for a species still in recovery. Wolves play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. The resurgence of wolves in California signifies a positive step toward ecological balance after their near eradication. Protections under the California Endangered Species Act are in place to ensure the species' continued recovery and to promote coexistence strategies. The California Department of Fish and Wildlifes Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program, which not only compensates for direct losses but also supports nonlethal deterrent measures, should be expanded and at least partly funded by those that profit off our public lands, such as the Cattlemens Assn. and corporations such as Tyson, JBS and Cargill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Western states allow killing wolves indiscriminately. California must set the example where nature is the priority, not industries that disproportionately contribute to climate change and degrade ecosystems. Judie Mancuso, Laguna Beach This writer is founder and president of animal advocacy nonprofit Social Compassion in Legislation. .. To the editor: I am an environmentally concerned citizen, but it just seems the aggressive wolves in Northern California need to have their fear of human beings restored. Common sense tells me that the ranchers should be allowed to clip a few here and there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Sovich, Glendale .. To the editor: This article made me wonder why cattlemen don't put several donkeys into their herd of cattle. Donkeys can bond with the cattle, and they are smart and capable of helping keep wolves from attacking them. It would be a natural way to reduce or eliminate the threat. Deborah Sheflin, Norco .. To the editor: The most prolific cattle killers are not the wolves, as the article states, but the barbaric industry that slaughters tens of millions of these gentle beings annually just so we can buy cheap burgers. When a wolf pack kills what is now easy prey, it's so an endangered species can survive. If we hadn't decimated the habitat that supported a healthy wildlife population, then this conflict wouldn't exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tim Viselli, La Canada Flintridge .. To the editor: Wolves, a native species, roamed these lands for hundreds of thousands of years and are returning after a brief human-caused interruption. Ranchers raise cattle, a nonnative species, on public lands under inexpensive grazing permits subsidized by taxpayers. Even with wolves, the ranchers have a great deal. Thomas Bliss, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A former Kansas police chief who is in prison for making and possessing child porn has been stripped of his law enforcement certification. The license of Joel Womochil, 39, of El Dorado, was revoked in late April, according to a summary order of revocation from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training. The summary was made public in May. Womochil was sentenced March 28 to 60 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation child/production of child pornography, federal court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each charge carried 30 years, and the sentences are to be served consecutively. He was also ordered to pay $529,050 in restitution, The Eagle reported. He had been the Burns police chief since Feb. 8, 2022. He had also worked part time for the Butler County Sheriffs Office as a detention deputy and the Peabody Police Department. Womochil resigned from his post on Aug. 8, 2023, days before being arrested on Aug. 15, 2023 and charged with over a dozen counts of child porn. The charges alleged that between Aug. 9-15 that year he was in possession of child porn, with one of the 13 videos involving a child under the age of 5 who had a pacifier, court records show. Three other people were charged and sentenced to prison along with Womochil. All three conspired with him in producing the child porn, an April news release from the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Kansas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor Mullen, 33, and his girlfriend, 38-year-old Jessica Quave, both plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child - production of child pornography. In 2021, Mullen and Quave created videos of themselves engaging in sexually explicit behavior with a child under six years old and sent them to Womochil, the release added. The couple were each sentenced in March to 30 years in prison. The fourth person involved in the conspiracy was 40-year-old Denise Sandman of Indiana. Sandman met Womochil online in 2019, and she agreed to create images of a child under the age of five engaged in sexually explicit conduct and send the images to Womochil, which he saved on his hard drive, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandmann pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child production of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of a child production of child pornography. She was sentenced to 60 years in prison. Burns is a city of less than 250 people about 50 miles northeast of Wichita. A mix of hazardous weather conditions is expected across Southern California through Tuesday afternoon, with the National Weather Service warning of thunderstorms, damaging winds and dangerous conditions for mariners. NWS said the greatest chance of thunderstorms would target areas across the San Gabriel Mountains, the Antelope Valley and the mountains of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Any storms that develop may bring lightning, heavy downpour, hail and extreme winds. NWS urged residents to take shelter during storms, reminding the public in an Instagram post: When thunder roars, go indoors! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the coast, a beach hazards statement remains in effect through Tuesday afternoon for Ventura County, Malibu, Los Angeles County, Orange County and San Diego County beaches. A long-period south swell is producing elevated surf up to 6 feet, according to the NWS website, with occasional sets reaching 7 feet. Strong rip currents and hazardous swimming conditions are expected, especially along south- and southwest-facing beaches. Crews rescue victim trapped by rocks next to PCH in Ventura County Officials warned that this brings an increased risk of ocean drowning, and that rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, NWS said the waves may also wash people off beaches and rocks or capsize small boats near shore. Swimmers are advised to remain out of the water unless near an occupied lifeguard tower. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stated the NWS coastal hazard message. Stay off the rocks. Offshore, a small craft advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. Monday for waters from Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal, and from Point Sal to Santa Cruz Island including the waters near San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands. Seas over 10 feet are making conditions hazardous for smaller vessels. NWS advises inexperienced mariners to avoid navigating in these conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials recommend checking updated forecasts before heading to the water or mountains and taking all necessary precautions to stay safe during this period of unsettled weather. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) The Lincoln County Sheriff reported that the owner of the lost horse near 469th street has found their horse. 1 dead in Monday I-90 crash A Facebook post from the sheriffs office said one horse was struck by a vehicle on SD Highway 44 near 469th Street Tuesday morning around 1:00 a.m. The horse was found dead on the side of the road. Lincoln County Deputy Garrett Welsh said there were two horses that escaped from the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I spoke with the owner of this property, he says he checked his fences already, Welsh said. Hes unsure how they actually got out, but they gotten out, and the two horses ended up getting up onto the road at about 1:15 this morning. The escaped, now located, horse is an older female horse named Comanche and was an older horse with black and white hair. Welsh said Comanche was found by her owner and is now currently home safe. Welsh said its currently unknown how the two horses escaped. The owner said he had checked the fences, both the horses are older, so its not they jumped them, but do the heavy rainfall that weve had, high winds, I mean, it could be some kind of normal factors there, but theres nothing that were expecting at this point for foul play or any kind of intention that way by either the property owner or another individual. 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. Toyota will take a group supplier - Toyota Industries - private in a deal valued at 33bn, the companies have said. The move, led by Toyota Motor chairman Akio Toyoda, aims to strengthen the founding family's control over the business empire and aligns with Japanese government efforts to unwind cross-held shares. Akio Toyoda is expected to make a personal investment, alongside Toyota Motor's contribution. Founded by Toyoda's great-grandfather, Toyota Industries supplies textile looms, forklifts, and car parts. In order to privatise Toyota Industries, a new holding company will be established. Toyota Fudosan, whose shares are held by Toyota Group companies, will invest approximately 180 billion yen for the purpose of collaboration and cooperation with Toyota Group. Akio Toyoda will invest 1 billion yen as a commitment to the transactions. Additionally, Toyota Motor will invest approximately 700 billion yen in non-voting preferred shares. The plan is for these investments to be implemented by reinvesting a portion of the amount obtained by selling the shares of Toyota Industries in the transactions which have been held by Toyota Fudosan, Mr. Akio Toyoda, and Toyota Motor since Toyota Industries was listed. Furthermore, Toyota Motor, AISIN, DENSO, and Toyota Tsusho will sell their shares in Toyota Industries in the transactions, and simultaneously, will acquire their shares held by Toyota Industries through the tender offers for their treasury shares. This, the companies say, will dissolve the cross-shareholding between Toyota Industries and those four companies - except Toyota Motor will continue to invest in Toyota Industries in the form of preferred shares mentioned above. To meet the increasingly diverse and sophisticated needs of logistics sites, Toyota Industries is focusing on the development of autonomous technologies for logistics equipment such as forklifts, logistics management software, and environmentally friendly powertrains, and it will work on utilisation of data related to the movement of goods. Through this privatisation, Toyota Industries intends to deepen collaboration within Toyota Group, dynamically and swiftly advance these activities, and lead the way in the mobility sector with respect to "goods" for transformation of Toyota Group. Toyoda's buyout plan coincides with Toyota's efforts to restore governance trust following regulatory scandals at subsidiaries, including Toyota Industries. "Toyota to take key supplier private" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. WINDHOEK, Namibia (WJW) A lion fatally mauled a well-known businessman at a luxury safari lodge in Namibia after he stepped out of his tent to use the toilet, authorities said. Bernd Kebbel, 59, was camping with his wife and friends at the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp when the attack happened early Sunday morning, according to local media and Namibias Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Is it OK to leave device chargers plugged in all the time? An expert explains Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environment ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela told Informante, a Namibian news outlet, that the lion attacked Kebbel just outside his tent. Other guests managed to drive the animal away, but Kebbel had already died from his injuries. Police are investigating the incident and collecting details at the scene, according to a spokesperson. Nurse loses license over sexual misconduct with anesthetized patients The Namibian identified Kebbel as a businessman and philanthropist known for his support of wildlife conservation in the country. The lioness was put down on Sunday, June 1, according to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. 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. Its a scenario thats all too common in Instagram DMs and on Facebook Messenger: An old acquaintance with whom you havent spoken in years messages you out of the blue, usually with something like, Hey hun! But this persons not trying to catch up theyre trying to sell you something. And thats all because of the multilevel marketing business they recently joined. When you think of multilevel marketing, you probably conjure up images of the past few decades: Mary Kay makeup, Pampered Chef cookware, or Tupperware parties in 50s and 60s living rooms. But in her new book, Little Bosses Everywhere, NY Magazine journalist Bridget Read explains that the origins of MLM actually go back almost as far as the founding of America and that, rather than exemplifying the American individualistic spirit, these companies helped shape the national identity. We spoke to Read about what most people get wrong about multilevel marketing, the difference between MLMs and fraudulent schemes, and this industrys global influence and its close ties to Project 2025. Katie Couric Media: What made you decide to write this book? Bridget Read: I did a short article for New York Magazine about multi-level marketing companies during the pandemic, and it left me with more questions than answers. In describing how MLM works for an article-length piece, I had to skip over so many things that dont make sense about the business model. Ultimately, I realized that you need a whole book to tell the story of multilevel marketing, because its a story as old as the American project itself. I would define multi-level marketing as someone selling a product, and then for each person they recruit, they earn a portion of their commissions. Is that true? Thats definitely the industrys definition, but what I learned in my research is that what youre actually getting paid for are the purchases of sellers under you. The Multilevel Marketing Company is only tracking how much my downline, the group of people Ive recruited to sell more products, is buying. In theory, that could be a mix of customers and participants. However, there is considerable evidence that suggests most people buying inside MLMs are themselves participants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MLMS treat those purchases as sales because, in theory, an MLMer can go out and resell the products. Thats what theyre supposed to be doing. But in reality, most of them have a ton of products lying around at home. The revenue comes from recruiting people, and what those recruits are buying. So there really arent product sales happening in the way you think there are. Just think about how strange that is: The idea that anyone would buy these expensive products in this weird way from a friend, where theyre sort of harassing you online? It doesnt make any sense as a business model. Some of the products can be good, right? Tupperware is a household name, for instance. The products can be good, but where MLM falls into fraud and certain companies have been prosecuted as pyramid schemes is the concept of the business opportunity. Thats the part that, over and over again, has been found to be often fraudulent, because the idea that its relatively easy to make money is not true. [They sell the idea that] with this little investment, you can then build a team where youre making a living from doing that. When really, the people who continue to make a living from doing it, statistically and overwhelmingly, do it by recruiting new participants. If the majority of people in MLMs arent making money, why is it so hard for them to leave? Theres a lot of really intense in-group association that makes people compare MLMs to cults. Youre using your own kind of language, and theyre plying you with positive attention, so you feel like youre part of a family. Also, many of these companies have a policy against what they call crosslining, which is that youre not supposed to talk to anybody whos at your level. And youre definitely not supposed to send negativity down to your downline. That creates this sort of Draconian environment, where nobodys complaining and nobody shares when theyre losing money. That makes it really hard to dissent, to ask questions, and ultimately, to leave. When people do leave, then theres a lot of pressure [for those still inside] to cut those people out. Most people Ive spoken to who leave MLMs are cut out of chats; their friends stop talking to them. You really do feel like youre being cut out of your family, so that also makes people really afraid to speak out. Why do you think these companies are so disproportionately populated by women? Womens positions are much more precarious in the labor market than men, and have been for a long time. During the 60s and 70s, many more women went to work, but statistically in the United States they went to work in the industries and areas where labor is much more fragile: retail, the service industry, clerk-type work, secretaries. These jobs are not very secure, wage-earning jobs. The people in them are often independent contractors, or theyre making minimum wage. They dont get benefits, and theyre much more subject to the vicissitudes of the market, layoffs, things like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So that means more women are stuck at home; often, theyre doing childcare, too. They are simply more vulnerable to the pitch that you can make a living from home, that its flexible, and that youre not subject to clocking in somewhere every day, which often does conflict with childcare. MLM flourishes among all kinds of women. How does the government differentiate between an MLM and an illegal pyramid scheme? According to the FTC, there is such a thing as legitimate multi-level marketing, which stems from a decision made by the FTC in 1979, called the Amway Decision. Amway was, and still is, the worlds largest MLM, and the most politically powerful and influential one. Betsy DeVoss father-in-law, Rich DeVos, is one of the founders of Amway, along with his partner, Jay Van Andel. Amway comes from the same line of old MLMs that created some of the companies in the seventies that were found to be pyramid schemes. When the FTC sued, Amway argued that there were rules in place that kept the company from being a pyramid scheme. They claimed [as a seller] you had to have a certain amount of customers, you had to have 70% of your products resold, or you wouldnt get any commissions. They also claimed that Amway bought back any products you werent able to sell, and the FTC decided that they would accept those rules without any evidence Amway didnt have to prove that its rules were enforced. They didnt have to prove how many of their recruits make a living from actually selling the products. The FTC accepted Amways word that it regulated itself. Herbalife was another huge MLM that the FTC eventually sued. Though the company settled, the FTC found that the overwhelming majority of Herbalife participants did not make money, and many of them lost money. Herbalife was sued for $200 million and supposedly restructured their business. But again, theres really very little evidence that the enforcement has changed much, and so the idea of legitimate MLM is still a gray area which is why the FTC website basically warns people not to participate in them, even though theyre technically allowed. Can you tell us more how the DeVos family used their political influence to support Amway? Part of what led to the Amway decision was that, by the time the judge was making his ruling, DeVos, Van Andel, and Amway were already incredibly powerful political entities. They are Calvinist Christians from Michigan; the Congressman from their district was Gerald Ford. By the time Ford was president, they were very close to him and were big donors. Then they backed Ronald Reagan, who obviously became president in 1980. During that time they were very influential, sending a lot of money to the Republican party and to think tanks like the Heritage Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, theyve continued to be one of the largest dark-money donors in the Republican party just like the Mercers and the Kochs. Betsy DeVos, even long before she was confirmed as education secretary, said in a speech in the 90s, My family is one of the largest donors to the Republican party, and now were going to get something in return. So, theyve used their influence to help pass the policies that they want, which largely hew to an ultra-conservative free-enterprise philosophy. That includes making the government very small, deregulating all kinds of industries, increasing privatization, and lowering taxes. They contributed money to Elon Musks PAC this election cycle, and what DOGE is doing really closely aligns with their vision of the government. They also donate a substantial amount to the Heritage Foundation, and Project 2025 aligns closely with their views. So what were seeing happening in the Trump administration is a big part of the ideology that powered multilevel marketing. Do they have a direct connection to Project 2025? Yes. Barb Van Andel-Gaby, who is Jay Van Andels daughter, is the chairman of the board of the Heritage Foundation, and when she inducted Kevin Roberts who wrote the introduction to Project 2025 she literally said, He is going to increase our influence on Capitol Hill. Project 2025 includes exactly what Betsy DeVos said about the Education Department, which is that she wanted to eliminate it. It has a whole section on independent contractors, and MLM relies on as loose independent contractor laws as possible. They want to significantly limit the FTCs ability to regulate private companies and private enterprises, which would obviously greatly benefit MLMs. Who do you hope reads this book? I hope everyone picks up this book, because so much of what has happened in our country in the last 40 to 50 years in terms of the widening inequality gap actually comes from the ideology that multilevel marketing has spread throughout the United States and now the world, since the majority of MLM participants are actually overseas. That ideology is one of ruthless individual pursuit of wealth, and that instead of critiquing that inequality gap, [MLM philosophy says] we can all just keep going in our own little side hustles, and we all have the chance to be our own kind of Bezos one day. Can you tell us about the time that you went undercover at the Mary Kay convention? MLM conventions are extremely insular events. Typically, you have to be part of an organization to attend. I did not join Mary Kay, but I ended up going to the convention, and relying on the fact that Im a white blonde woman who can blend in with the crowd. It was a really wild experience, but it also made me feel much more sympathetic and empathetic toward the women who do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was moved by a lot of the stories of redemption and success, even though many of them are probably not true Ive spoken to and seen a lot of evidence of women in Mary Kay and other MLMs whove been celebrated for their sales, but end up actually having simply spent a lot of money. One woman whom I spoke to at length about her journey in Mary Kay was championed as a saleswoman, but she was just spending and spending and spending. She ultimately spent more than $75,000 on Mary Kay products over a decade. The post The Little-Known Link Between Multilevel Marketing and Project 2025 appeared first on Katie Couric Media. CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) Its been more than a week since a gunman opened fire at a chartered party boat in Little River during Memorial Day Weekend, injuring at least 11 people. More details have been released about the 19-year-old suspect arrested states away. U.S. Navy Records confirm Shawon Shamarion Williams, who was arrested outside the Great Lakes Naval Base in Lake County, Illinois, was a member of the Navy, and had enlisted on June 6, 2023. According to public Facebook posts from his mother, Jacklyn Bellamy, Williams enlisted just days after graduating from North Myrtle Beach High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commander Jessica L. McNulty, spokesperson for the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, released the following statement to WBTW reporters: We can confirm that Hull Maintenance Technician Seaman (HTSN) Shawon Williams, assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Great Lakes, was arrested by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service on May 29, 2025. NCIS transferred custody of this Sailor to local authorities. As of Monday morning, Williams is awaiting transportation from the Lake County Jail to the Jay Reuben Long Detention Facility, according to Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Sheriffs Office. Williamss mother, Bellamy hosted the party where the shooting occurred. Her Facebook page says she is from Longs. WBTW reporters found an address listed under her name on public records, but nobody was home, and it looked like nobody had been for a long time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WBTW reporters have been attempting to contact Bellamy since Thursday, when she told reporters in regards to her son, He is innocent, thats all. The Horry County Police Department said more arrests could be made in connection with the shooting. * * * Shelby Martin is a multimedia journalist who joined the News13 team in May 2025. Shelby is from Orange County, California, and graduated in 2023 from California State University, Fullerton. You can read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A red truck involved in the Mud Island shooting on Monday was possibly found in the Whitehaven area on an ATV trail by a resident. WREG crew members came across a red truck in the 100 block of East Holmes Road on Tuesday afternoon. Police have not confirmed if that is the truck connected to the incident. On Monday, three suspects fled the scene in a red truck after a man was injured in a shooting on Mud Island and was transported to Regional One, according to Memphis Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Eaves, a Whitehaven resident, said he found the truck involved in the Mud Island shooting when he was riding on his ATV on an ATV trail near his house. ORIGINAL: 1 injured, 3 suspects flee after Mud Island shooting, robbery Eaves said police told him the VIN matched the red truck. He says police also told him the suspects had put a license plate from another vehicle on the truck, but they found the original tag inside the truck. Police have not confirmed this information with WREG. The man said Memphis Police came and said they would be taking the truck downtown. Eaves said this is the eighth vehicle he has found on this trail in the south Whitehaven area in the past three months. The man said he recognized the toolbox in the red truck as the same toolbox in the red truck in the picture MPD released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 2, at 12:45 p.m., officers responded to a shooting at Island Place East and Island Village Drive. A man was located and transported to Regional One in critical condition. Police say the man was stable. When officers arrived on the scene, they saw a black Ford on the sidewalk that had struck a mailbox in the 1300 block of Island Place. Reports say the victim was driving his Ford southbound on Island Place East when he lost control and struck a mailbox and a fire hydrant. The victim said he was shot in the back of his left shoulder and was leaning on a witness when officers approached the Ford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were FedUp: FedEx Express pilots picket for better contracts The witness told police he was driving by and was flagged down by another vehicle, pointing at the victims truck. The witness said he got out of his vehicle and got the victim in the passenger seat of the Ford. The victim told him the suspects robbed him while the witness tried to keep the victim awake. Another witness said he saw the Ford and the red truck parked side by side in the middle of the street. He said he saw three men pushing the front of the victims Ford, and then he heard a gunshot but did not know where it came from. He then saw the suspects enter the red truck and drive on Island Place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, there were no witnesses to the actual shot being fired. Police found a bullet hole in the Fords drivers side front window, and they found one shell of an unknown gun in the middle of the street intersection of Island Place and Island Village. The suspects involved have not been arrested. This is an ongoing investigation. 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. Another round of severe storms is crossing the midwest this evening, bringing the potential for hail, damaging winds and a risk of tornadoes. According to the National Weather Service, large hail, gusty winds, and flash flooding are all possible through Tuesday evening as a round of storms move through Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued early Tuesday afternoon for much of the state, and several tornado warnings were issued around the Oklahoma City metro. Meteorologists warn of winds as strong as 60 mph and hail ranging from the size of a penny to a quarter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check here for live weather updates and to see active weather alerts, power outages and radar in real time. Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Live radar Oklahoma weather Tornado watch, severe thunderstorm watch across Oklahoma A tornado watch and severe thunderstorm watch are in effect for much of Oklahoma until 10 p.m. tonight for large hail, damaging winds and possible tornadoes. -Cheyenne Derksen Tornado damage in OKC Damage has been reported from a tornado near Norman, Oklahoma, as well as hail, heavy winds and flooding through the Oklahoma City metro area. This interactive map shows live impacts and damage reports coming into National Weather Service stations nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement -Cheyenne Derksen Tornado warning issued for Shawnee, Tecumseh The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Oklahoma that include Shawnee, Tecumseh and Brooksville until 6:30 p.m. A tornado warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar and there's imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter now. -Cheyenne Derksen Tornado threat in Norman lowered At 5:25 p.m., the National Weather Service reported that the threat of a tornado in the Norman area has lowered, though a tornado warning remains in effect. Strong, straight-line damaging winds are possible, and residents should remain inside away from windows as storms continue moving through the city, NWS states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement -Cheyenne Derksen Indiana Pacers' flight to OKC for NBA Finals diverted to Tulsa due to tornado warning The Indiana Pacers' flight to Oklahoma City ahead of the NBA Finals against the Thunder was diverted to Tulsa due to tornado warnings in the OKC metro, according to multiple reports. The Pacers were set to arrive Tuesday, two days before the best-of-seven NBA Finals begin Thursday night at Paycom Center. The Indiana Pacers team plane has landed in Tulsa, a team official told SI. The Pacers plane circled the OKC area before landing in Tulsa to refuel. A tornado warning is in effect in Oklahoma City. Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 3, 2025 -Jeff Patterson Tornado warning issued for Pauls Valley, Wynnewood The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Oklahoma that include Pauls Valley, Wynnewood and Antioch until 6 p.m. A tornado warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar and there's imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement -Cheyenne Derksen Tornado confirmed near Norman, Oklahoma The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado is headed east toward 36th and Main in Norman, Oklahoma at 5:07 p.m. Residents are advised to take shelter now. -Cheyenne Derksen Tornado warning issued for Norman, Moore, Newcastle The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Oklahoma that include Norman, Moore and Newcastle until 5:45 p.m. A tornado warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar and there's imminent danger to life and property. Tornado Warning including Norman OK, Moore OK and Newcastle OK until 5:45 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/oW54r1gDSy NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) June 3, 2025 -Cheyenne Derksen Tornado warning issued near Perry, north of Stillwater The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Oklahoma that include Interstate 35 south of Perry, Oklahoma, heading north of Stillwater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A tornado warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar. Under a tornado warning, there's imminent danger to life and property. Everyone should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. -Cheyenne Derksen Tornado warning issued in OKC A tornado warning has been issued for an area spanning the OKC metro. The National Weather Service advises residents to take shelter now. A tornado warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar. Under a tornado warning, there's imminent danger to life and property. Everyone should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. [4:41 PM - June 3, 2025] A Tornado Warning has been issued which includes the OKC metro. Take shelter now! #okwx pic.twitter.com/KlwPRZtQkv NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) June 3, 2025 -Cheyenne Derksen Tornado warning issued for Oklahoma County, Cleveland County A tornado warning has been issued for parts of southeast Oklahoma County and north-central Cleveland County. The area includes Midwest City, Tinker Air Force Base, Choctaw and Harrah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service advises residents to take shelter now. The warning is in place until 5:30 p.m. [4:25 PM - June 3, 2025] A Tornado Warning has been issued which includes SE Oklahoma County and N central Cleveland County with Midwest City, Tinker Air Force Base, Choctaw and Harrah. Take shelter now! #okwx pic.twitter.com/QyMH09rgwB NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) June 3, 2025 -Cheyenne Derksen Severe thunderstorm warning issued across OKC The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning across portions of Oklahoma City, Midwest City and Choctaw. The NWS warns that large hail up to ping pong size and damaging winds up to 70 mph are possible as the storm moves northeast at 25 mph. [4:10 PM - June 3, 2025] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for large hail up to ping pong size and damaging winds up to 70 mph moving northeast at 25 mph. Take action now! #okwx pic.twitter.com/QoysoyNxGd NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) June 3, 2025 -Cheyenne Derksen Weather alerts: Tornado watch, tornado warnings issued What to do when there's a tornado watch Be prepared tornadoes are possible in and around the area mentioned in the watch. Be ready to act quickly. NWS:How to prepare for a tornado What to do when there's a tornado warning Take action now. A warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar. Under a tornado warning, there's imminent danger to life and property. Everyone should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text Closings due to the weather Keep up with school, church and event closings using the link below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma City Severe Weather Closings: Schools, churches, other services National Weather Service updates Tweets by NWS Norman This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Live: Tornado warnings issued, damage reported as storms cross Oklahoma Jun. 3GRAND FORKS Even when it was time to surprise Community High School secretary Lizette Miller with her Classified Employee of the Year award, it was nearly impossible to drag her away from her work. Earlier this month, at the open house event celebrating the alternative high school's 40th year, Miller was busy welcoming the school's alumni and other visitors when Principal Terry Bohan stopped her. "Terry pulled me aside and he's like, 'I need you guys in the commons, we have some announcement we've got to make,'" Miller recalled. "And I was just like, 'Well, I'm kind of manning the entry,' and he's like, 'I've got someone coming to cover you.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even when she was greeted by her husband, son, parents and extended family from California, it didn't register that she was the one everyone had gathered in the commons to celebrate. "There's a picture captured where I'm kind of covering my face, like 'oh my God," she said. "It was just great. Tears, obviously. It was just a very humbling experience. My family was super happy, ecstatic, and very proud of my accomplishments, as well." Miller is the district's first-ever classified employee of the year. The district has long recognized classified employees of the quarter, as well as teachers of the year. Last year, however, district leadership realized they were missing an opportunity to recognize classified school staff with an annual award, according to district spokesperson Melissa Bakke, who sits on the Employee Recognition Committee. The committee selected Miller from a pool of 32 nominees using a rubric-based scoring system. Employee of the year nominations are open to staff members and, for the first time this year, parents and students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are the fun ones to read, Bakke said. "If a student goes home and they talk about experiences and parents really remember that, and then go and recognize them and take the time to recognize those teachers, I think that's really eye-opening," she said. "It's really exciting to see." Although there's no shortage of employees doing impactful work in the district, Bohan said it's no surprise that Miller ultimately rose to the top. "She keeps the mission of our students from our school in mind all the time all the time while offering a fantastic personal touch," he said. "It really sets her apart. ... It makes people remember, and makes others feel cared for because of her professional personal touch. She's well-deserving of this award." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bohan described her as a tactician in the school's front office, paying special attention to the details day to day and moment to moment that make the school administration run smoothly. And as the first person many people see when they enter the school, she has a talent for addressing a wide range of people and helping to put them at ease, from older adults trying to pursue their GED to younger families seeking English language classes. Miller, who is multilingual, also can communicate with people in Spanish and French. She first worked at the district from 2008 to 2011, working at Twining Middle School on Grand Forks Air Force Base. She left to start a daycare and raise her youngest children, then returned in 2019 to work in Community's front office. During her time at Community, she has been instrumental in digitizing the school's driver's education program. As part of her Classified Employee of the Year award, Miller received a $500 check, a gift card and a box of Widman's chippers. She was also presented with a plaque at a recent School Board meeting that will be displayed in the district office. For Miller though, the work is its own reward. "Just seeing these kids' lives change, both academically and personal," she said. "Some of these kids come here with not such a good experience, either in their personal lives or in an academic sense, so seeing them come here and seeing them flourish, and just become a whole different person from the moment they walked in to the person they become once they leave this school, has just been such a rewarding job." EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Local author Vanessa Lillie appeared Monday as a guest on Spotlight New England. Lillies suspense novel, Blood Sisters, gained recognition as a national pick by Good Morning America and Amazon book clubs. The Washington Post named it the best mystery read of 2023. Lillie, who has published four books and lives in Rhode Island, shared with hosts Ashley Erling and Audrey McClelland that she loosely bases the settings of her stories on local towns. Originally from Oklahoma, Lillie is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation and advocates for indigenous authors and booksellers. She uses her platform to amplify their voices and maintains a running list of indigenous bookstores and authors to check out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Lillie on Instagram, where she frequently hosts live videos for book discussions and recommendations. Spotlight New England airs weekdays on the WPRI 12+ TV app and WPRI.com. Watch the full interview in the player above. 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. HOWLAND, Ohio (WKBN)- A Masury man pleaded not guilty to an assault incident at a local restaurant. Craig Saloom, 41, pleaded not guilty to felonious assault (F2) and aggravated robbery (F1) charges. Police reports said that officers responded to an incident on the 8700 block of East Market Street in Howland on the evening of April 5. Police were told by the victim that he was attacked in the bathroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police reports said that the victim was struck in the head from behind while he was using the restroom, fell to the ground and was punched several times. Police noticed blood in both the victims eyes. They also noticed scrapes on the forehead and arm of the victim. The victim also had a swollen left cheek, according to reports. Police said that security camera footage shows both the victim and Saloom walking into the bathroom. After 2-3 minutes, Saloom is on video walking out of the restroom to go to the bar before leaving the restaurant. Reports said that the victim was grabbing his head while walking out of the restroom. Saloom was arrested on April 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His next court date is on Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) As the U.S Senate debates the House version of the budget, there are a number of sticking points within the GOP on the Senate side. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act received no Democratic votes in the House. Among the main sticking points for some holdouts is the expected impact the budget could have on health care, particularly Medicaid. It was just a little more than two years ago that Medicaid expanded in North Carolina. It allowed access for around 600,000 additional people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS 17s Russ Bowen sat down with Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat who represents Wake County, to talk about her concerns. Below is an excerpt from the attached on-air interview segment. Rep. Deborah Ross: Kicking people off of Medicaid is going to have dire consequences, particularly when we just got people onto Medicaid with the expansion. But the other thing that this bill does that I dont think enough people are talking about, is it takes away some of the subsidies for the health care marketplace. So, theres another 5,000 people who now will not be able to afford health insurance and may not be Medicaid eligible who have been paying for their health insurance through the marketplace. They just have gotten some subsidies because they dont earn a lot, but they are people who are working. The bottom line is this; any system has some waste, fraud and abuse. Theres a recent article that came out that said that maybe 3% could be avoided here. But the number of people who would be kicked off of their health insurance, that has ripple effects not just for them and their families, but it means they wont be able to pay their bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did a Medicaid round table a few months ago and we brought the Rural Center in. And the Rural Center said if Medicaid goes away in these rural areas, particularly the expansion that weve had, up to seven rural hospitals could immediately close their doors. Those are not my statistics. Those are the statistics we got from the Rural Center. North Carolina among 9 states that could halt Medicaid expansion if Trump cuts funding Brad Knott, NC District 13 congressional candidate. (CBS 17 file) CBS 17 is working to schedule an in-person interview with Republican Rep. Brad Knott. Rep. Knott also represents part of Wake County, as well as a number of other counties in the region. He shared the following statement with CBS 17 on the federal budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Brad Knott: The House delivered a once-in-a-generation opportunity with the passage of The One Big Beautiful Bill. Without this becoming law, we would see trillions of dollars in tax increases for Americans which would affect every person in my district and across North Carolina. The House further moved to protect and preserve Medicaid for those who truly need it and remove costly handouts for illegal immigrants and able-bodied young men. The bill also makes the largest border security investment in history to protect our communities. And perhaps most importantly, the bill begins to get our fiscal house in order with $1.5 trillion in cuts. I look forward to the Senates quick consideration of this bill so we can get it to President Trump for his signature. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) More than 200 young people in Grand Rapids were left scrambling after the federal government announced it will pause the Job Corps program nationwide. I aint going to lie: It feels like (expletive). It feels like if you had hope and it just dropped all the way, one program participant in Grand Rapids told News 8 Monday. The Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center in Grand Rapids. (June 2, 2025) Nationwide, the Job Corps houses, educates and trains some 25,000 young people ages 16 to 24, with the goal of helping them find a path to a better life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Labor announced last week it would pause the program by June 30, citing a startling number of serious incident reports and an in-depth fiscal analysis reveal(ing) the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. Labor Department suspends Job Corps centers operations, drawing bipartisan pushback There are three Jobs Corps centers in Michigan serving a total of about 700 people. Of those, 212 are helped through the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center on Hall Street SE in Grand Rapids, according to U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids. Scholten, who has criticized the pause, also said 113 people rely on the Grand Rapids center for employment. A participant who asked to be identified only by her last name Mayor told News 8 she was set to graduate in September. She doesnt know what will happen next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most students, if they dont have a place to go, theyre trying to figure out where to take us, Mayor told News 8. And for students who are almost done or close to being done, theyre just going home. Theyre not getting their certifications. Theyre just going home. No high school diploma. Were just leaving. But, she continued. I think the program did kind of help me get ready for whatever happens. It was at that point a man apparently a Job Corps employee interrupted Mayors interview with News 8 and guided her away. Shes a student, so she has to come with me, he said. This, despite the fact that Mayor is 19 and the interview was happening on a public sidewalk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Grand Rapids center affected, Scholten criticizes Job Corps pause In announcing the pause, President Donald Trumps Department of Labor released what it called the first-ever Job Corps Transparency Report. It said data from 2023 showed a nationwide average graduation rate of 38.6%. The Grand Rapids centers rate was 23.8%. The Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center in Grand Rapids. (June 2, 2025) The Department of Labor also counted a total of 14,913 serious incidents including sexual assault, violence and drug at Job Corps centers nationwide. The report listed 121 in Grand Rapids in 2023. The average cost per graduate in 2023, according to the report, was around $155,000 nationwide and $338,000 in Grand Rapids. And, the Department of Labor said, the program is facing a $213 million deficit for 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have motivated students. We work hard. Maybe we had little problems, but it wasnt like big enough for it be like, Oh, it was a big issue,' Mayor said. The federal government says it will help the young people transition to other opportunities as they are evicted from Job Corps. Local leaders say they will see what they can do to help. It just hurts my heart to see that these kids, Rev. Darryl Gaddy of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church said. I understand theres restructuring. I understand that theres budgeting things, but we cannot leave our young people in a lurch. We cant leave them with a gap in services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kent County Commissioner Robert S. Womack is also seeking support for Job Corps participants. I think its just terrible that these students are not only losing their chance to finish their certifications, but theyre losing their housing, Womack said Monday afternoon. Thats a bigger picture. The future of Job Corps students was among the topics to be discussed at a state of emergency community meeting convened by Womack Monday evening at Wealthy Theater. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vard, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, has delivered two vessels that it claimed to be the world's first with cybersecurity notations, in compliance with new mandatory regulations which took effect on 1 July 2024. The commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) Grampian Kestrel was delivered to North Star while the CSOV Purus Chinook was handed over to Purus. Cybersecurity notations ensure that vessels are equipped to handle cyber threats, maintain operations during attacks, and recover swiftly. These notations align with the International Association of Class Societies (IACS) unified requirements UR E26 and E27, which became mandatory for newbuilds contracted after 1 July 2024. Although contracted in 2023, these vessels adhere to these standards. Vard CEO Cathrine Kristiseter Marti said: The delivery of the two vessels represents an historical milestone for the maritime industry and for Vard and our owner Fincantieri, enhancing the groups leading position for the technological transition in maritime operations. The maritime industry is undergoing a significant transformation based on the increased use of digitally connected systems. These notations are essential for establishing baseline requirements and best practices to protect maritime operations from evolving and dynamic cyber threats. The delivery of these vessels shows Vards and Fincantieris commitment and willingness to set new standards and explore new ways of building cyber resilient platforms which allow our customers to manage cyber threats to the vessels. A significant number of onboard systems for these vessels come from Vard Electro's SeaQ portfolio. Vard stated that it has collaborated with its customers and classification societies to ensure vessels achieve cyber resilience in line with the regulatory standards. Vard Electro has undertaken the cyber integration testing for all systems. The Purus Chinook is the first CSOV to receive a COMF C2 V1 class notation for climate, noise, and vibration, while the Grampian Kestrel has been awarded Lloyd's Register's highest notation for noise and vibration, CAC1, stated Vard. These recognitions establish new global benchmarks for offshore working conditions, the company added. Earlier this year, Vard announced that a collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and other industry stakeholders, will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their application in commercial maritime operations as part of the NuProShip I project. "Vard delivers two vessels with cybersecurity notations" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A local student took home a top prize in a statewide essay contest and will have an opportunity to win at the national level. Giavonna Wylie, an eighth-grade student at St. Christine School in Youngstown, won an essay contest sponsored by Our Lady of Lourdes Post 1325. She then went on to take second place in the statewide Catholic War Veterans essay contest. The topic of this years essay contest was Choose a Catholic Veteran Who Served in the Revolutionary War and Explain How Their Service Inspires You, and it was open to students in sixth through eighth grades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wylie focused her essay on veteran James OToole. Her essay was among 70 others locally, according to her mother. The essay contest is one of five national youth programs, plus annual scholarships to students graduating from 12th grade and moving on to post-high school education. The top three winners of the statewide contest are sent to the office in New York for an opportunity to win at the national level. Wylies essay will be included, as well as the other winners Lucas B., the first-place winner from the Russia Local School District, and Jessica T., the third-place winner from Saint Josephs (Randolph). 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. Editors Note: Police say the missing children have been found safe. GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) Police in Garfield Heights are asking for the publics help finding a missing 15-year-old girl and her little brother. A press release sent to local media at about 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday said the two juveniles were last seen in the area of Auburn Avenue in Cleveland at about 10:26 p.m. on Monday, June 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council takes action amid mayors wife allegations Police did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Garfield Heights police at 216-475-5686. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) The challenges of packing up a family in the middle of a war zone and starting a new life have inspired a local woman to write a book about her experiences. Wilmary Rondon and five other family members were forced to leave their home country of Venezuela several years ago, due to military coups and increasingly dangerous conditions. Although reluctant to leave her homeland, Rondon said her family's well-being became the priority for her and for her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always said if I move to another place, it would be with my whole family," Rondon said. Sadly, that family did not include her mother, who died of cancer before the family could leave for the United States. The U.S. granted Protected Status Asylum for Venezuelans due to the dangerous conditions in the country over the past two decades. Rondon's remaining family members, who made the journey with her, included her father and husband, a sister and two nieces. One niece, a teenager named Wili, is now a high school student in St. Joseph and said the ability to be involved in a school that was not constantly shutting down or being being denied essentials has made all the difference for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It felt like my education just stopped for about three years," Wili said. "I feel like I didn't learn anything, and then I started learning again when I came here." Education is a key value among the Venezuelans who were forced out. The International Organization for Migration estimates that about 61% of Venezuelans forced out of their country during its dictatorship have either college or technical training. That includes 48% who have a bachelor's degree or higher, more than the U.S. national average of 36%. Rondon herself holds a degree in political science but was not able to find a job or gain consistent access to key resources before coming to the U.S. Rondon now works in St. Joseph as a recruiter, and her bilingual skills have made her a great asset to her company. Co-workers describe her as thoughtful, caring and hard-working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her difficulties, which include the loss of her mother and her brother (Wili's father), have made her more compassionate toward others, regardless of their background. "I try to help people, because I like helping others," Rondon said. "I have had a hard life, and that has made me more sensitive to others. Tune in to News-Press NOW at 5 p.m. on Thursday to watch this News-Press NOW Special Report. BAZETTA, Ohio (WKBN) A local winery plans to remain open as the owners look for a new buyer. Country Porch Winery, located at 2282 Wilson Sharpsville Rd., was listed for sale through Burgan Real Estate. According to a post from Burgan, the property includes a home, a 5,000-square-foot winery with a banquet room, modern wine-making equipment, and a commercial kitchen. A representative of Country Porch Winery said they will be open for business as usual over the summer, with no plans of closing anytime soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are just looking for the next generation of winery owners and hoping someone will carry on the Country Porch wine tradition, read a statement from the business. The broker for the sale said the owners would like to retire after many years in business, but will train the new owner if a buyer is found. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) A new historical marker will be unveiled at Queens Surf Beach in Waikiki on Wednesday, June 4, at 4 p.m.; and it will mark more than just a moment in time. It will reclaim decades of queer memory, honor mahu history and reignite the spirit of what some say was once the most visible LGBTQ+ gathering space in the islands. Its a free and open to the public event, said Dean Hamer, co-founder of Lei Pua Ala Queer Histories of Hawaii Project. Itll be hosted by the mayor because its a public park of the city of Honolulu, and theyve been our strong partner in developing this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will not be a quiet occasion. Expect chants, memories, music and food. Starting at 4 p.m. at Queens Surf Beach, Hamer continued, therell be an unveiling of a brand-new historical marker. Its mounted on a big stone, and its got a QR code and some really beautiful, amazing pictures from that time because by then people were snapping photos. Joe Wilson, also a co-founder of Lei Pua Ala and Hamers partner in life and filmmaking, added, Were really proud to be partnering with the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation in this effort. They have this younger group of folks that are trying to reclaim and reactivate that place. That group is called The Mahui. Theyve taken up space on this beach in monthly gatherings and the annual Pride picnic to bring continuity to a site that once buzzed with volleyball, hula, friendships and fierce queer joy. A beach of visibility, gathering and joy It was a gay beach. It was out in the open, but everybody was welcome, said Hamer. Apparently, there were a lot of big volleyball competitions; and one of the favorite things that Bill Char talks about is how they would invite the firemen over and then give them a good game. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Queens Surf Beach was never just about sunbathing. In the 1970s, it became a central spot for Hawaiis LGBTQ+ and Mahu communities. It was a rare public space where people could connect freely, out in the open, without hiding. Come on down and have a little party at the beach, Hamer added. Its still that kind of place. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The energy of those early gatherings is at the heart of the new historical marker being unveiled June 4 in collaboration with the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation and the City and County of Honolulu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamer said the idea for the marker began with community conversations, especially one with a kupuna who described the magical environment of the 1970s beach scene. She talked about this incredible place near the aquarium in Waikiki, on the shoreline there where people just hang out on the weekends, Hamer revealed. You didnt have to go to a dark bar. You werent going to out-of-the-way places. This is in the middle of the biggest, most beautiful public park in Honolulu. And everybody would be there, like under the tree and, you know, doing hula or playing volleyball and just connecting in different ways. Wilson said those stories shaped how they approached the markers meaning and purpose. I think our imagination was really sparked by this, he said. Weve been having casual conversations with, you know, cops and just people across our communities here for a long time to talk about how to bring hidden stories forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unveiling event is more than a ceremony. Its a community celebration, with a blessing by Kumu Patrick Makuakane, an awa ceremony and a beach picnic hosted in partnership with The Mahui. As Dean mentioned, they have this younger group of folks that are trying to reclaim and reactivate that place, Wilson said. They were so generous in offering to help host this picnic and really use it as a way to kick off the month with a big celebration. Following the dedication, the celebration continues at 6:30 p.m. with The Return of Kapaemahu at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound. Its a hula and mele tribute to the legendary mahu healers and stones. The performance is part of the Lei Pua Ala Queer Histories of Hawaii project World Pride celebrations for the month of June. The aim of our work is to make the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ and Mahu folks, who have always been part of Hawaiis story, more visible, Wilson explained. Because being seen and understood increases possibilities for being accepted and valued in the place you call home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Hamer, that visibility carries urgency. We had no idea wed be doing this work at a time when queer lives, and queer stories, are quite literally being erased from the public record, he said. Were fortunate to be living in a place where our government is working with us instead of trying to eliminate us or pretend we dont exist. You can click here and here for more information on the LGBTQ+ history of Queens Surf Beach. You can click here for more information on the specifics of the event. Queens Surf Beach is being remembered not for nostalgia but for its relevance. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson remarked that the significance of Queens Surf in Hawaiis LGBTQ+ history meant that you didnt have to go to a dark bar to be safe an accepted. You werent going to out-of-the-way places. This was in the middle of the biggest, most beautiful public park in Honolulu. Everybody would be there, under the tree, doing hula or playing volleyball and just connecting. And on June 4, they will again. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) Seven people were injured in a multi-car crash on the Parkway in Gatlinburg on Sunday. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, shortly after 4 p.m. a minivan that was traveling on the parkway suddenly accelerated, hitting a pedestrian in the crosswalk and several cars. THP said early indications suggest a medical emergency could have contributed to the crash. Autopsy report released after death of man in Monroe County custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven people were injured. Five of those people were in cars and two were pedestrians: the one hit by the minivan, and one who was injured by a street sign that fell over due to the crash. The City of Gatlinburg said three people were airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, while three others were taken in ambulances. Anoop Harjani owns a gift shop on the parkway and came outside right after the crash. He described to 6 News what he saw. All the cars just mangled up and everything, trying to help the police officers get through all the traffic. Just people hurt, injured. People were just wanting to help as best as they could, he said. Daniel Miller and his wife are visiting Gatlinburg from New Jersey. They could see the emergency response from their hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge grants Kenneth DeHart new preliminary hearing We were at our resort and we look out over the helipad and we saw a couple ambulances coming up after we heard the sirens, and they were up there transferring patients from the ambulances into the helicopter, he said. People who work along the Parkway told 6 News theyve never seen something like this happen in Gatlinburg. One said, The sounds and images from it will haunt me for a long time. Locals and tourists alike are hoping those involved will recover. Im just praying for everybody to get through it and live and move past it, Harjani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont hire him Customers out thousands after contractor leaves jobs unfinished Pray to God that everybodys okay and winds up not being too much worse for the wear, Miller said. The conditions of those injured is unknown at this time. A THP 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) A Laurel County man was arrested Saturday after allegedly recklessly weaving in traffic without any headlights on the Hal Rogers Parkway in the dark and then leading deputies on a chase. According to the Laurel County Sheriffs Office, deputies arrested 33-year-old Lyle Hammons on Hal Rogers Parkway near the intersection of US 25 in London after a deputy allegedly tried to stop him, but he continued driving eastbound on Hal Rogers Parkway, nearly hitting a police cruiser. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said the vehicle came to an abrupt stop around 7:19 p.m. at the intersection of US 25 in London, and Hammons was arrested. Hammons was charged with reckless driving, wanton endangermentsecond degree; disregarding a traffic control devicetraffic light; no headlamps; and fleeing or evading policefirst degreemotor vehicle. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Hammons was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional 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 FOX 56 News. Adolescence has been praised by London Mayor Sadiq Khan for helping bring the subject of violence against women and the dangers of social media into the limelight. Speaking to Variety on the sidelines of the inaugural SXSW London, where he gave the opening speech, Khan said that there was an epidemic of violence against women and girls in the U.K., citing statistic from 2019 and 2020 that asserted every three days a woman is killed at the hands of a man. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he said there was obviously a major part to be played by criminal justice, he noted that it was also hugely important for it to be address in educational terms in schools, highlighting various London initiatives, including one for teachers to use inside classrooms. Because Im afraid boys in particular need to be taught about healthy relationships, about how to respect girls, but also about stoicism about resilience, he said. So when youre seeing, for the first time a TIkTok or a social media film or a YouTube video about the way to treat girls, you realize thats not the way to treat girls, thats not the way to treat women, and youre seeing it from, you know, inverted commas: banter, name calling, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, violence, abuse, rape and murder thats why its really important we tackle it at all levels of the spectrum. But, for all the concern, Khan noted that hed been pulling my hair out over the lack of peoples attention in this area, which is why he gives Adolescence so much credit. Stephen Graham is a genius, but Netflix deserve huge credit, he said. And listening to Jack (Thorne), who wrote it and Stephen and the publicity they did afterwards was really important. Those conversations, from going to Parliament, having those conversations with MPs to talking about it on sofas and breakfast TV. Hopefully everyones going to understand this is an issue thats not going to go away and were going to carry on addressing this issue, from making sure the laws keeping up to pace with some of the stuff girls go through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khan referenced a The Killers concert he attended several years ago where a woman was upskirted. At that time, it wasnt a criminal offense, you could take photographs up womens skirts, but the law has been changed now to make upskirting an offense, he said. Her experience of the concert was very different to mine and thats why people like you and I men have got to show ally-ship and empathy for women and girls. And thats why Adolescence is so important. It mainstreamed this. Speaking to Variety, Khan also doubled-down on his opening speech at SXSW London, where he pitched the British capital as a stable international investment opportunity as opposed to the U.S., where there was uncertainty and political and an inward-looking mentality I know from speaking to friends in America that theyre in choppy political waters, and what Im saying to them is, that we have something rare in London, which is an environment that is open, that is stable, that is diverse, so its perfect for the creative industries, he said, adding that the number of Americans moving to the U.K. had soared since Trump started his second term as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first three month of this year, we had record numbers of Americans coming to the U.K., and coming to London in particular, looking at properties, looking at nationality. I know from speaking to those in the film sector, the music sector and the fashion sector, thats theres huge appetite to build on what theyve been doing in London, and to come to London, he said. Youll have seen some of the concern from all sorts of sectors within Hollywood about some of the things President Trump is saying, and so what Im saying is look, Londons a place thats the opposite, where theres an antidote to the negativity, so come to London. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BOULDER, Colo. Once again, the war in Gaza has come home to America. A man using what police called a "makeshift flamethrower" launched a gruesome attack on demonstrators in Boulder on Sunday, raising questions about why security wasn't stronger in the wake of an earlier attack in Washington, D.C. Run for Their Lives, the organization behind the long-standing demonstration that advocated for the return of Israeli hostages, had anticipated that its members would have safety concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group offered principles to make the events safer, including "don't protest," "be polite and peaceful" and "don't disturb your neighbors." "Focus on humanity," the guidance on its website says. "This is about innocent children, women, the elderly, and other civilians being held by terroristsnot about the war." The Boulder chapter of Run for Their Lives has been holding regular demonstrations demanding that Hamas release the hostages seized during the terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Kyle and Elizabeth Shorter, who live in a Denver suburb and were taking their wedding pictures in Boulder when the attack happened, said the Run for Their Lives demonstrators had become fixtures on the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time weve come up here the past couple of years, theyve always been here, said Elizabeth Shorter, 26. Theyve never been aggressive or chanting, just simply walking. And that, an expert said, could make them harder to protect from a terrorist. Tributes laid at the site of the attack outside the Boulder County Courthouse on Monday. (Chet Strange / Getty Images) Usually, there is a regular detail assigned to protect protesters, said Brian Higgins, who teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City and runs a security consulting firm called Group 77. But its not uncommon for a mindset to set in that, as time goes on and nothing out of the ordinary happens, that theres no need to be on high alert. Higgins, who said he wasnt aware of what security measures Boulder police had in place Sunday, was taken aback by video that showed the attacker threatening people before police intervened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That shouldnt have happened, Higgins said. That raises questions for me about how much security there was at this protest. Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said his department is aware of events taking place later in the month and will plan to provide additional security coverage. We want to ensure that people feel comfortable and safe in this community, he told reporters on Monday. Shira Weiss, global coordinator for Run for Their Lives, said that some chapters have long relied on protection from local police or private security but that it's "really the individual group leaders decision how and when they want to use security." And while some local chapters have paused to "recompose themselves and give themselves space to heal" after the Boulder attack, others have said, "We wont stop; were going to be right back out there next week," Weiss said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We obviously keep reiterating to our group leaders that safety is the No. 1 priority, she said. Although clearly frightened by what she witnessed, attack survivor Lisa Turnquist, 66, said she won't be deterred from speaking out against Hamas and on behalf of the Israeli hostages. "This is when we have to get up and we have to stand out and push back," said Turnquist, who spoke to a reporter outside the historic Boulder County Courthouse, where the attack happened. "We just want the hostages home." A dozen people were injured Sunday, eight of whom remain hospitalized, authorities said. Initial calls to police reported people "being set on fire," and officers found multiple victims with burns and other injuries, Boulder's police chief told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, has been charged with attempted murder and a hate crime, among other offenses. The attack happened just 11 days after two Israeli Embassy workers were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. In both the Boulder and the Washington attacks, the attackers are alleged to have yelled the same thing: Free Palestine. Security experts who spoke with NBC News questioned how the man in Boulder was able to allegedly launch such an attack downtown even amid heightened awareness after the Washington killings. Higgins said his security clients include several major Jewish organizations. And ever since the killings of Israeli Embassy workers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on May 22, they have been adding extra layers of security, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given whats going on out there and the agitation out there, my recommendation is that there should be an elevated level of security at all Gaza protests, Higgins said. Run for Their Lives has been holding regular demonstrations outside the county courthouse on Pearl Street since Hamas launched a bloody surprise attack on Israel and took 250 hostages. That spawned an Israeli invasion of Gaza that has left more than 54,000 people dead, many of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Michael Alcazar, a former hostage negotiator with the New York Police Department who also teaches at John Jay, said Pearl Street is a soft target for a terrorist attack. He said the attacker was able to approach the demonstrators because they didnt appear to be protected. The police chief dropped the ball not having a uniform presence over there, Alcazar said. Is the police chief not aware of whats going in the world? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Boulder Police Department didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. The Anti-Defamation League said it had been in contact with local law enforcement in Boulder. We feel at ADL like many across the country feel, which is just vulnerability and both sadness and anger at the violence that weve seen, said Oren Segal, the Anti-Defamation Leagues senior vice president for counterextremism and intelligence. This is a wake-up call not just for the Jewish community." The FBI also said in a statement that "our goal is always to get ahead of any threats." "We have long warned that lone actors or small groups of conspirators present a great challenge to law enforcement because there may not be a lot of clues about their intentions," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An affidavit alleged that Soliman, a married father of five, had been planning the attack for over a year and was waiting for one of his daughters to graduate before he set his alleged plan into motion. It didn't specify where his daughter was graduating from. Soliman told investigators during his arrest interview that he researched how to make Molotov cocktails on YouTube, according to the affidavit. It alleged that he was also unrepentant about the attack, saying he would do it again to stop Israel from taking over our land, referring to the Palestinian territories. Elias Rodriguez, the Chicagoan charged with the deaths of Lischinsky and Milgrim, was also motivated by the Gaza war, authorities said. He told police when he was arrested, I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, according to court records and published reports. In his first comments since the attack, President Donald Trump condemned the "horrific" incident Monday on Truth Social. Earlier, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller sought to shift blame onto the Biden administration for allowing Soliman in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa, Miller said Sunday on X. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, amplified that on X, saying that Soliman "is illegally in our country" and that he applied for asylum in September 2022. McLaughlin later told NBC News that Soliman's asylum claim was pending and that while his visa had expired, he hadn't yet exhausted all legal routes to stay in the United States. Deon J. Hampton reported from Boulder, Alicia Victoria Lozano reported from Los Angeles and Elizabeth Chuck and Corky Siemaszko from New York City. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEW YORK (AP) Victoria's Secret (VSCO) is postponing the release of its quarterly earnings following a security breach that disrupted the popular lingerie brand's corporate operations and led it to take down its U.S. shopping site for several days last week. In a Tuesday update, Victoria's Secret said it first detected a "security incident involving its information technology systems on May 24 and immediately turned to response protocols in effects to contain and eradicate unauthorized network access, which included engaging with third-party experts. The Ohio-based retailer added that it temporarily shut down corporate systems and its retail website on May 26 as a precaution. The Victoria's Secret website in the U.S. stayed dark for several days after, sparking prolonged frustration among shoppers. It wasn't back online until late Thursday. While not directly confirmed by Victorias Secret, the incident bore hallmarks of a cyberattack involving ransomware. Analysts note that more and more retailers are facing these kinds of attacks today and pointed to the reach and length of disruptions impacting Victoria's Secret's operations. Beyond its website, some in-store services at Victoria's Secret namesake and Pink-branded locations were also shut down due to breach. But on Tuesday, the company said most of those functions had since been restored. Victoria's Secret also said Tuesday that it's still working to fully restore access to its corporate systems, which is why it's delaying its first-quarter earnings noting that the process has prevented employees from accessing certain systems and information needed to finalize and release the financial report. Still, the company shared some preliminary results. For its first quarter of 2025, which ended May 3, Victoria's Secret now expects to report $1.35 billion in net sales and an adjusted operating income of $32 million, exceeding previously-issued guidance. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expect sales of about $1.33 billion, on average. Victoria's Secret did not immediately share a new date for the release of its first quarter earnings. Victoria's Secret maintained that last month's breach did not impact its first quarter results, as the period ended before the breach caused disruptions. But the company said it would continue to assess the full scope of the incident, including expenses that might impact future finances. The security incident impacting Victoria's Secret arrives as more and more companies report breaches that disrupt operations and/or expose customer data, particularly among retailers. Carrying empty sacks and plastic containers, many walked for hours in hopes of collecting basic food supplies for their families. Gazans are forced to travel long, often dangerous distances through active combat zones to reach new, controversial aid distribution sites. The journey is impossible for many disabled or injured people, as well as the elderly and families with small children. Many of those who can take the risk of being killed in an active war zone and of being shot during chaotic scenes at aid centres say the journey for aid is worth it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahmed Bashir, 36, walked more than 12 kilometres to reach the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) centre. "My feet and back hurt," says the father of several children, "but coming back with a parcel of food is a victory." The package containing flour, rice, pasta, sugar, salt, and tea can last a family about a week, Bashir estimates. "Every morning I wake up wondering if I can feed my children today." Still, Bashir, who lives with his children in the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone after being driven from his home during Israel's Gaza offensive, feels conflicted. "It feels like we're being manipulated. Like they want us to forget where we come from." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli soldiers have been accused of opening fire and killing dozens of people seeking aid amid chaotic scenes during the distribution of food in the new centre in Rafah in Gaza's south. GHF employees have denied killings and say they fire warning shots when Palestinians rush to the front, forcing employees of the US company to retreat. Israel halted aid deliveries in March Most of the population in Gaza has been desperate for food since Israel began blocking all aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip in March, before it ended a ceasefire with the Islamist Hamas. It has justified its moves as increasing pressure on the group to release the remaining hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Israel, at least 20 hostages are still alive and being held in Gaza by Hamas or affiliated militant groups. The fate of three other captives remains uncertain, while the bodies of 35 abductees have been identified. Former hostages have described their captivity as brutal, recounting experiences of torture, humiliation and being kept in chains. Israel began its offensive in Gaza more than a year and a half ago after the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023 which killed around 1,200 people. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 53,000 according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry. External analysis suggests the death toll is significantly higher in reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the GHF, which was established just a few months ago, the controversial aid system requires one representative from each Palestinian family to visit a distribution centre every five days to collect a food parcel. According to the organization, around 8,000 food parcels have been distributed so far each intended to sustain roughly 5.5 people for 3.5 days providing a total of approximately 462,000 meals. In its initial phase, the system is expected to reach only about 60% of Gaza's population. Roughly two million Palestinians live in the war-torn territory, many of whom have been displaced multiple times by ongoing fighting. UN considers the new aid mechanism dangerous With the establishment of four initial distribution points in the southern and central Gaza Strip, Israel says it aims to bypass the United Nations and other international aid organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stated goal is to prevent Hamas from intercepting supplies or profiting from them. However, UN officials have criticized the plan, noting that Israel has not provided concrete evidence that aid is being diverted by Hamas. The United Nations has also warned that the new aid mechanism is both inefficient and unsafe. Critics say the system fails to meet the basic standards of humanitarian relief and that Israel is using hunger to kettle starving civilians into Gaza's south. "Aid should be coordinated by the United Nations, not by an unknown foundation," says Ibtisam Abu Salem, a nurse from central Gaza. Adding to the disruption, deliveries are frequently halted whenever the Israeli army issues new evacuation orders a recurring occurrence in the volatile region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many residents say they are physically and emotionally exhausted, worn down not only by fear of attacks but also by the repeated calls to flee their homes. Locals suspicious of new system Many in Gaza express scepticism and mistrust of the new system. "We don't know who is behind it," says Ibrahim Abdul Jawad, who lives in the City of Gaza in the north. He believes that people are afraid that the operators are working with the Israeli military and that there could be arrests or pressure to help Israeli intelligence services in the distribution centres. The Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry has called on residents to boycott the new distribution mechanism, claiming the new system is part of an intelligence gathering operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't want any help from unknown groups," says Abu Chalid, an elderly man who comes from Beit Lahia in the north of the coastal strip. Forced to flee to Nuseirat in central Gaza during the war, he shares the concern about potential arrests at the newly established aid distribution centres. "We trust [the UN agency for Palestinian refugees] because it has been here for decades," says the Palestinian, who used to be a farmer. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) employs around 13,000 people in the Gaza Strip. Israel accuses the organization of being infiltrated by the Islamist Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has not provided evidence to back up its claim, which the UN body denies. Jalal Hamatu, another father, speaks with bitter clarity: "The world is debating our existence while we starve. We don't need speeches we need bread." A displaced Palestinian boy carrying a flag. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinians walk with aid supplies which they received from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Al-Bureij. Moiz Salhi/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa An Emmy-winning TV meteorologist of over three decades is sounding the alarm on the Trump administrations unprecedented cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ahead of what is expected to be an intense 2025 hurricane season. JohnMoralesTV / NBC / Via x.com Floridas John Morales, forecaster at Miami-based news station NBC 6, spoke about the changes Sunday by pointing to the accuracy of a report he was able to give six years ago. Morales played a clip of himself speaking about Hurricane Dorian, which followed the coastline up Florida and along the Southeastern U.S. in 2019. Initially, its movements made it appear like it was on track to smash right into South Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a lot of anxiety out there, because you dont see it turning, he said at the time. Its going to turn, he said calmly. As the broadcast cut back to a live feed, Morales recalled the confidence he had been able to project back then, despite fears from the community. I am here to tell you that I am not sure I can do that this year, Morales told viewers. JohnMoralesTV / NBC / Via x.com Related: A Republican's Response To A "Tax The Rich" Chant At His Town Hall Is Going Viral Because of the cuts, the gutting, the sledgehammer attack on science in general, he went on, And I could talk about that for a long, long time, and how that is affecting the U.S. leadership in science over many years, and how were losing that leadership and this is a multi-generational impact on science in this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, But, specifically, lets talk about the federal government cuts to the national weather service and to NOAA. President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musks efforts to cut federal spending on what they consider waste, fraud, and abuse led the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to eliminate hundreds of NOAA jobs this year, including many within the National Weather Service. ALLISON ROBBERT / AFP via Getty Images Related: "I Am So Torn With What You Are Doing" 11 Posts From MAGA Business Owners Who Are So Close To Getting It Project 2025 the blueprint for a second Trump term that he has tried to denounce even as its plans become reality outlines more extreme disruptions, including the total dismantling of NOAA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think people are nervous and very scared to see what happens next, a general forecaster at the National Weather Service told HuffPost back in March, after the job cuts, noting that hurricane season picks up in mid-summer. Everything people see on TV or hear from The Weather Channel, all that information comes from the National Weather Service, the employee said. Were the ones behind the scenes that you may not see. The administration did not boost confidence when it emerged that the new head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which handles post-hurricane damage, said Monday that he was not aware the country had a hurricane season. (The agency later said the comment was a joke.) Morales told viewers on Sunday that NWS offices in Central and South Florida were 19% to 39% understaffed, and that there has been a 17% drop in weather balloon launches, resulting in less data. Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV pic.twitter.com/RoR3klSXpL John Morales (@JohnMoralesTV) June 2, 2025 JohnMoralesTV / Via x.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And what were starting to see is that the quality of the forecasts is becoming degraded, Morales said, adding that hurricane-hunting planes may also be affected. With less reconnaissance missions, we may be flying blind, and we may not exactly know how strong a hurricane is before reaching the coastline, he said. The meteorologist had more to say in a written piece published over the weekend. During an extreme weather event, skeleton staff at the nations weather agencies might be at risk of making mistakes or overlooking data simply due to exhaustion. Am I worried? You bet I am! he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He provided an example of how such mistakes can have a devastating impact: Hurricane Otis, which made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, in 2023. The storm had drastically more intense wind speeds than predicted, Morales said, in part because there had not been timely reconnaissance data from hurricane-hunting flights. RETIRED / Eyepix Group/LightRocket via Getty Images Morales urged viewers to contact their congressional representatives to demand an end to the cuts. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in In the News: People Can't Believe This "Disgusting" Donald Trump Jr. Post About Joe Biden's Cancer Diagnosis Is Real Also in In the News: One Body Language Expert Spotted Something Very Telling When Donald Trump "Held His Own Hand" At His Recent Press Conference Also in In the News: Republicans Are Calling Tim Walz "Tampon Tim," And The Backlash From Women Is Too Good Not To Share Photo courtesy of the City of Longview. LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) The City of Longview has announced theyre planning to start demolishing the old fire training tower at Stamper Park on Tuesday. Fire does $50,000 in damage to Longview metal waste recycling facility The demolition project will remove the tower, its canopy and the nearby fence. Theyll also be cleaning up the former training site grounds as it sits in a residential area. The city noted the removal of this facility has been long-awaited by nearby residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are very pleased to move forward with the demolition of the old training tower at Stamper Park, said interim Longview Fire Department fire chief Andy Parker. This project addresses long-standing considerations about the facilitys location and represents our commitment to enhancing our community spaces. Its a positive step that allows us to better serve both our residents and our fire department, which now benefits from a new dedicated training center. They were only able to demolish this facility by relocating the departments training programs to their new Fire Training Center at 2212 Eastman Road. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. The Memphis Shelby County School board hired a public relations firm behind closed doors last fall. It sparked concerns among some taxpayers as they demanded to see how the board is spending their money. Whos paying the fees for outside legal and PR firms? Is it us taxpayers? one taxpayer asked the board during a meeting in January. The hire came just weeks before the board voted to fire the MSCS Superintendent, Dr. Marie Feagins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How much is MSCS paying Carter Malone Group for public relations? I think people were more concerned about it being done at the time it was done, said school board Chairwoman Joyce Dorse-Coleman. This wasnt the first time the board hired the Carter Malone Group to help them with their PR. Last summer, Feagins cancelled the previous contract. Dorse-Coleman said that soon after, the internal communications department fell apart. Records WREG obtained show that at least four communications staffers resigned within months. When we were reaching out for communications support, we werent receiving it, said Dorse-Coleman. We had no support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board entered into another contract with the Carter Malone Group in November. A move that wasnt discussed or voted on publicly, because the bill would not exceed $70,000. The policy states board approval is only necessary for professional service contracts above $75,000. Because there was no vote, the contract wasnt posted for you to see, either. WREG Investigators received a copy through someone connected within the district. It stated the firm would keep a detailed log of their work and then bill the board every month based on the hourly rates listed in the contract. Deidre Malone opens up about why MSCS hired her PR firm A public relations agency is just like a law firm. We believe it is important for our clients to know everything that we do for them, said the firms president and CEO, Deidre Malone. If my director of public relations is writing the chairs report, then shes going to document that. What that time looks like and what that costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, we asked for those invoices, and four months later, the district handed them over. In December, the invoice totaled more than $23,000. A majority of it had to do with the boards efforts to fire Feagins. The firm charged $900 for a communications strategy with the chair and another $1,200 to attend the meeting. They also prepared videos, statements and press releases based on various outcomes and provided media training and scripts. MSCS-Dec-2024-SubstantiationDownload The line items are similar in Januarys invoice, but the bill was slightly cheaper at around $19,000. The firm was again charged to prep for and attend the second special-called meeting where Feagins was terminated. They also charged $40 for a snow day social media post that month, $150 to meet with a lawmaker, and another $200 to tag along for an appearance on Your News Leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats right, their bill grew with each media appearance as the media asked your questions. It shouldnt be awkward because our role is to work with the media to get you what you need, and if your interview is an interview with the chair or one of the board members, then its our role to coordinate that, Green stated. The firm also charged $175 to help the chair draft a response in April when another board member threatened to deport a Hispanic woman who criticized her work. Original story: School board member wont apologize for deportation threat Followup story: School board member apologizes for deportation threat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MSCS-Apr-2025-SubstantiationDownload There were more interview preps, press releases, and phone calls. Plus, another $1,700 for the new interim superintendents media training. Malone said they wanted to detail everything they did, so the public could understand what they were paying for. When youre dealing with clients that are government clients, its so important for them to understand everything that an agency does for them, so thats the reason why we itemize, she said. The chair admits that information should be easier to obtain. We as a district have to do better at explaining why and the hows of certain things, like why do we have to feel like we needed an outside PR firm? Dorse-Coleman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, the trust has been distorted. We know that, Dorse-Coleman said. We have to do better, and our interim superintendent is committed and the board is committed to being more transparent. The chair said she wanted every contract published, but its unclear when that will happen. Get the latest from the WREG Investigators in your inbox The Carter Malone Groups contract ended last month. They reached the $70,000 limit before that, but continued to work through May without charging the district. Dorse-Coleman said the board is now utilizing the internal communications team again, but stated if they do not provide the support they need, shes not opposed to entering into another contract with the Carter Malone Group. 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. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares at a press conference in 2023. (Photo by Meghan McIntyre/Virginia Mercury) A locker room incident at a Loudoun County high school has reignited controversy over student privacy, free speech, and school policy now drawing scrutiny from Virginias top law enforcement office. On Monday evening, the Office of the Virginia Attorney General confirmed that Loudoun County Public Schools launched an investigation against three male students who said they felt uncomfortable when a biologically female student changed clothes in a boys locker room and recorded the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Attorney Generals office also cited persistent reports that LCPS and the school board have taken adverse and potentially unlawful action against parents, teachers, and public speakers. Last month, Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate the claims to ensure the school division was upholding student privacy, dignity, and safety. The office described the school systems actions as a retaliatory Title IX investigation targeting the three Stone Bridge High School students. The case has been referred to the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice for further review. The investigation reveals a disturbing misuse of authority by Loudoun County Public Schools, where students appear to have been targeted not for misconduct, but for expressing their discomfort for being forced to share a locker room with a member of the opposite sex, Miyares said in a statement Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Title IX was never meant to be used as a weapon against free speech or religious convictions. Every student in Virginia deserves the right to speak openly, think freely, and live according to their conscience without fear of retaliation, he said. Protecting those rights is not political its foundational to who we are as Americans. LCPS Policy 8040 allows access to sex-separated facilities based on gender identity. However, the Attorney Generals Office said the school division appears to be punishing the students who hold and express faith based views instead of protecting their constitutional rights. The school division has not commented on the investigation findings as of Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, LCPS did release a statement saying it was deeply disheartening to see an elected official whom they did not name rely on a WJLA report to publicly criticize the school division. LCPS defended its safety policies and commitment to student well-being and rejected the suggestion that schools are unsafe. Loudoun County is still contending with the fallout of a 2021 bathroom assault case involving a male student who was found guilty of attacking two female students at different schools over six months. In the first incident, the male student was wearing a skirt when he assaulted a female student in a girls bathroom, although theres no evidence he identified as female. In 2023, Loudoun County Public Schools launched a pilot program aimed at improving restroom privacy and safety. The initiative was designed to increase accessibility and provide students with the option of using multi-fixture, gender-specific restrooms or single-occupancy restrooms across all LCPS facilities. Stone Bridge High School, where the locker room incident and investigation originated, was not part of that pilot program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX *Updated to reflect information from The Promise of Justice Initiative that, should HR 243 pass in the full House, there is not enough time left in the legislative session to proceed further.* BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Louisiana House may offer a measure of relief in the future to citizens convicted by non-unanimous juries after the Senate failed to do so. Louisiana Senate rejects bill for new trials on Jim Crow juries Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Non-unanimous convictions, known as Jim Crow laws, were adopted in an 1898 constitutional convention as a direct response to black citizens gaining rights. Before, prosecutors could depend on all white juries to convict black citizens, which allowed them to still convict black citizens even with members of the jury voting not guilty. Non-unanimous convictions remained in Louisiana law until 2018, and in 2020, the Supreme Court ruled the practice unconstitutional as a violation of the Sixth Amendment. In May, a Senate bill meant to give citizens jailed by non-unanimous juries the right to seek new trials failed along party lines. Republican lawmakers were concerned with overburdening courts with additional trials and the possibility of witnesses being dead or evidence being lost. Louisiana lawmakers spar over attorney penalties in proposed insurance bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters countered that leaving someone wrongly convicted in jail to avoid raising the workload of the courts is inhuman. They also pointed out that district attorneys would ultimately decide whether to hold new trials and that transcripts of testimony from old trials are already used in cases. While House Resolution 243 does not take immediate action, it does set in motion studies to examine the impact of establishing and operating a sentencing review panel. However, if it does pass in the full House, it is unlikely to proceed further due to the amount of time remaining in the legislative session. The resolution passed through the House Appropriations Committee and now goes to the full House for a vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) An effort to deal with the states homeless issue failed in the House Committee on Appropriations on Monday. Rep. Alonzo Knox (D-New Orleans) authored HB 619. He told the committee his legislation was a compassionate way to deal with the homeless problem. The bill would allow local governments to designate certain areas as homeless encampments if beds at homeless shelters are not available. But Knox said standards would be in place for those encampments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those standards were recommended by an audit this past March, which states the legislature should take action that have statewide standards as it relates to shelters and how we address homelessness in the state, said Knox. Some of those standards include providing places to go to the bathroom and wash their hands. Port-a-Potties, and a place to wash your hands, the bare minimum, said Knox. Some committee members opposed the bill, calling it an unfunded mandate on local governments. Knox reminded members that governments were not required to make the designations, and it was up to each entity to decide how to handle homelessness in their respective parishes or cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knox said his bill was a fair way to address the issue for both sides. When asked what was the goal of his bill Knox said, To bring dignity, fairness, and balance to a very complex and nuanced subject. But not everyone shared his vision. There are parts of this thing that I do like, but there are parts I dont like. I think in some ways were creating unfunded mandates, and were creating an opportunity for things in communities that I dont want. I dont want them in my community, said Representative Jack McFarland, R-Leesville, the committee Chair. Fellow democrat, Jason Hughes, and a member of the committee told Knox his bill was in danger of dying in committee, and that it was up to him how to proceed. Your bill is on life support, said Hughes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Knox voluntarily deferred his bill and worked with other lawmakers on some amendments, he could have brought it back in this session, but he chose to roll the dice and force the vote. It was close. 10 were for and 11 were against, so it failed. Knox tells Louisiana First News he doesnt regret the gamble, as only a few days are left in this session, and he was glad to get the conversation on homelessness started. This regular legislative session ends June 12. Knox said he will consider bringing the bill back in the next legislative session. 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. (AP) For the third consecutive year, Louisiana lawmakers rejected a bill that would have allowed young victims of rape to get an abortion. In an emotional and religious-laced legislative committee meeting on Tuesday legislators objected to adding rape, in cases where the girl is under the age of 17 and impregnated as a result of the sexual offense, to the narrow list of exceptions for one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. If we're truly pro-life, we should also be fighting for the life of those children who are raped and molested, said the author of the bill, Democratic Rep. Delisha Boyd, who argued that under Louisiana's current law young victims of rape are forced to carry babies to term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those who opposed the proposed exception was Democratic Rep. Patricia Moore, who spoke publicly about being conceived after her mother was raped as a young teenager. While speaking against the bill, Moore discussed her religious beliefs and said she has struggled with her decision on the measure. Even ahead of the meeting she said she asked God to show me something in the Bible that can address this. Moore said in the area of Louisiana that she represents, she is aware of a nine-year-old who is pregnant; Im struggling because life and death, according to our Heavenly Father it's in his hands. Im like, God are you wanting this child... to have a baby? What good can come out of this? I know we got to protect our children, but to this point right now, I cannot vote Yes because Im constantly hearing that God would take a bad situation and turn it into good, Moore said. Like Moore, Boyd has publicly shared that she was born after her mother was raped as a teen. Boyd was born in 1969, four years before abortion became legal under the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than five decades later, rape survivors in Louisiana who become pregnant find themselves in a similar situation to Boyd's mother: forced to carry the baby to term in a state that has one of the countrys highest maternal mortality rates, or to travel to another state where abortion is still legal. Boyd said while she is grateful to be here, her mother and Moore's mother did not a have a choice to get an abortion in Louisiana. I know the Bible. But I also know God gives people the ability to do right and wrong, Boyd said, urging her lawmakers to give victims of rape and their families the ability to choose if they get an abortion in Louisiana. The bill failed 3-9, with two Democrats siding with Republicans on the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the reliably red state of Louisiana, which is firmly ensconced in the Bible Belt and where even some Democrats oppose abortions, adding exceptions to the near-total abortion ban has been an ongoing battle for advocates with similar measures failing the last few years. Currently, of the 12 states enforcing abortion bans at all stages of pregnancy, four have exceptions in cases of rape. A study released by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that between July 2022 and January 2024, there were more than 64,000 pregnancies resulting from rape in states where abortion has been banned in all or most cases. Louisianas abortion law went into effect in 2022 following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, ending a half-century of the nationwide right to abortion. The only exceptions to the ban are if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the mother if she continues the pregnancy or in the case of medically futile pregnancies when the fetus has a fatal abnormality. Louisiana legislators have sent legislation to shield nursing homes from lawsuit damages to Gov. Jeff Landry's desk. (Getty Images) Louisiana lawmakers gave final approval to legislation Tuesday to limit the amount of money nursing home residents and their families receive from lawsuits over injuries, neglect and wrongful deaths. Senate Bill 134 has been one of the most controversial bills of the legislative session. Advocacy organizations for seniors and people who are disabled made it a top priority to defeat the bill, saying it would protect nursing homes owners who keep their residents in dangerous situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are supposed to protect the elderly not somebody who is trying to make more money off the elderly, said Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, who opposed the bill. Supporters insisted the proposal was not just about nursing homes and would protect a variety of medical facilities from frivolous lawsuits. But Louisianas powerful nursing home owners were the primary backers of the bill and made it the focus of their legislative agenda this year. Were going to have those health care facilities turning in their keys because they cant do business in this state anymore if these lawsuits continue, Wes Hataway, policy director for the Louisiana Nursing Home Association, said at a legislative hearing last month. There are more than 60 lawsuits pending against nursing homes across the state that could be limited by the legislation. They are being brought by residents and families, often alleging a loved one developed bedsores or injuries from repeated falls while living at a facility. The lawsuits allege the nursing homes and their management companies dont hire enough staff to watch the residents adequately, instead prioritizing lower costs and maximum profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would limit the damages that can be recovered from such a lawsuit. It would bring many of the lawsuits nursing homes currently face under the state Medical Malpractice Act, which caps awards at $500,000. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Recently, lawsuits against Chateau St. James Rehab and Retirement in Lutcher and Heritage Manor West in Shreveport over infected bedsores that contributed to residents deaths had produced awards worth millions of dollars, far more than the legislation would allow. Nursing home owners are among the states biggest political donors and one of the most influential industries at the Louisiana Capitol, focusing many of their contributions on state lawmakers and governors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A handful of legislators also have direct ties to the nursing home industry. Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, and Sen. Bob Hensgens, R-Abbeville, are part of the 10-person ownership group of Acadia St. Landry Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Church Point. Their nursing home currently faces a wrongful death lawsuit. The nursing home industry pushed for this bill particularly hard, employing extra lobbyists and recruiting other influential groups such the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the Louisiana Hospital Association to support the proposal. The legislation passed easily, with a 58-37 vote in the House Tuesday and a 26-11 vote in the Senate in April. Gov. Jeff Landry could still attempt to block the legislation from passing into a law with a veto however. Legislators opposed to the bill attempted to water down the legislation by adding an amendment that would block a nursing home from being put under the $500,000 medical malpractice cap if it was poorly rated by the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services give nursing homes ratings of one to five stars based on factors such as facility inspections and staffing. The proposed amendment would have permitted lawsuits carrying greater risk to be brought against those nursing homes receiving one- or two-star ratings. Dont we want our seniors, our family members, our grandparents to be in a safe space? asked Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-New Orleans, who sponsored the amendment on the House side. Backed by AARP and other advocates for seniors, similar amendments failed in both chambers, with the Senate voting one down 20-16 and the House voting one down 57-39. Louisiana has some of the worst-rated nursing homes in the country, with approximately two-thirds of the facilities receiving one- and two-star ratings, according to Hilferty. She said those poorly-rated nursing homes make up 50% of such facilities in Metairie, which she represents in part, and more than 70% of nursing homes in Baton Rouge. Rep. Michael Melerine, R-Shreveport, defended the nursing home industry on the House floor, saying the facilities might face challenges with keeping residents healthy because of Louisianas high rates of obesity and diabetes. He also said the states general shortage of nurses contributes to low staffing at the facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cannot address this without addressing the shortage of registered nurses, he said. Melerines law partner, Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, is one of the sponsors of the legislation. Seabaugh is an attorney who was representing a nursing home facing a lawsuit over neglect in Bossier Parish. A jury ruled in favor of Seabaugh and the nursing home after a two-week trial last month. Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that a jury made the decision over a lawsuit about a nursing home in which Sen. Alan Seabaugh represented the home. Youll save money on gas as a Tesla owner, but you might get sticker shock when its time to buy car insurance. Auto insurance for electric vehicles like Teslas generally costs more than for gas-powered cars because EVs are often more expensive to repair and replace. The higher repair and replacement costs drive up the cost of insurance claims, which then leads to higher car insurance rates for those models. Choosing an insurance company is not the time to go on autopilot. Comparison shopping is critical, and in some states, shopping around includes getting a car insurance quote from Tesla. Heres how to navigate the options. This embedded content is not available in your region. Learn more: The reasons electric car insurance will cost you more, and how to save What is Tesla Insurance? Tesla started offering car insurance in California in 2019 and has since expanded to 11 other states. Tesla Insurance offers a full menu of standard coverage, including liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payment, personal injury protection, and collision and comprehensive insurance. Additional options include rental reimbursement, roadside assistance coverage, and auto loan/lease gap coverage. Learn more: Most common types of car insurance explained You can get quotes for Tesla Insurance, purchase and manage a policy, and make a claim through the Tesla app. Just ordered a new Tesla? While waiting for the vehicle, you can get a quote as soon as you have a vehicle identification number (VIN) and a delivery date. In some states, owners of other vehicles can also buy Tesla Insurance. Learn more: How much car insurance do I need? Where can you buy Tesla Insurance? Tesla offers car insurance in the following states: Arizona California Colorado Illinois Maryland Minnesota Nevada Ohio Oregon Texas Utah Virginia Learn more: How does your ZIP code affect your car insurance? How Tesla car insurance works In most states where its operating, the company offers Tesla Real-Time Insurance, which uses driving behavior data from the vehicle you're driving to help price your policy. Each month, the company calculates a Safety Score based on your previous 30 days of driving habits, and your premium is adjusted depending on the score and number of miles driven. Higher scores and lower mileage mean a lower monthly car insurance premium. In the first month of a policy, the company assumes a Safety Score of 90 out of 100. Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained. Tesla vehicles are equipped with sensors and software to track driving behavior, so no plug-in equipment is required, as with some other usage-based insurance programs. Policies in California are not based on real-time driving behavior. California Tesla owners can see their Safety Scores in the Tesla app, but the scores do not affect their car insurance rates. Other basic factors that affect the cost of Tesla Insurance are: The vehicle make, model, trim, and year. The higher the cost to repair or replace a vehicle, the more it costs to insure it. Where the vehicle is garaged. Car insurance rates tend to be lower in safer neighborhoods. The amount and type of coverage. Buying full coverage car insurance, which includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance, costs more than purchasing only the state-required minimum of liability insurance. Learn more: How your vehicles make and model affect car insurance costs How the Tesla Safety Score is calculated A variety of driving habits can lower your Safety Score, including: Hard braking Aggressive turning Following another vehicle too closely Excessive speeding Driving between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Driving without fastening your seatbelt Forced Autopilot Disengagement Forced Autopilot Disengagement happens after the vehicles technology determines that you havent applied enough resistance to the steering wheel or are inattentive. The vehicle gives three warnings before disengaging the Autopilot system. More details on these factors and how they influence the score are available on the Tesla website. Learn more: What is a car insurance premium, and how is it calculated? Tesla Insurance discounts Tesla Insurance offers a variety of car insurance discounts, but not all of them are available in every state. They include: An airbag discount is available in Nevada if the vehicle is equipped with a drivers side front airbag or airbags on both front sides. An anti-theft device discount, available in Illinois and Minnesota, applies to vehicles equipped with approved anti-theft devices. The discount is automatically applied for Tesla vehicles and requires confirmation of the equipment for vehicles other than Teslas. Drivers over age 55 (60 in Ohio) can get a defensive-driving-course discount after completing an approved defensive-driving class in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia. In California, the discount is called the Mature Driver Improvement Course discount. The Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised) discount is available in Arizona and Texas for driving more than 50 percent of miles with the FSD (Supervised) technology enabled. The technology provides automatic emergency braking, collision warnings, lane departure avoidance, and other features, but still requires a fully attentive driver. Good driver and elite driver discounts are available only in California. The good driver discount is for having no major violations and no more than one minor violation or accident in the last three years. The elite discount is for having no at-fault accidents or any violations in the last five years. The discounts are applied automatically to qualified drivers. Group discounts for Tesla employees are available in every state where Tesla Insurance operates. Multi-car discounts for insuring more than one vehicle with the company are available in every state where Tesla Insurance operates. A non-stacking discount is available in Nevada for having more than one vehicle insured with Tesla Insurance and purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Tesla Insurance reviews Like most insurance providers, Tesla Insurance draws mixed reviews from consumers on Reddit and other sites. Happy customers like the convenience of buying and managing the policy and claims through the app and say theyre paying less for coverage than with other companies. A common theme among unhappy customers centers around the Safety Score and its impact on premiums. Some customers say that in urban areas, its challenging to avoid the kinds of driving behavior that lowers the score and results in higher car insurance rates. The cost is low when conditions are perfect, one customer posted two years ago, but the potential to get penalized and pay more for coverage makes you paranoid to drive the car. Tesla Insurance pros and cons Pros: Lower premiums for good driving habits and low mileage Easy to buy and manage the policy through the app Variety of discounts available Cons: Available in only 12 states Monthly premium fluctuations may make budgeting for car insurance challenging Common discounts, like bundling home and auto insurance, may not be available Tesla Insurance versus insurance from other companies Many insurers offer coverage for Teslas, including big players like Allstate, GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, and others. And if you like Teslas approach to pricing based on your actual driving, consider usage-based insurance programs from other companies, such as State Farms Drive Safe & Save. Similar to Teslas Real-Time Insurance, usage-based programs track your driving and give discounts for good habits and low mileage. Be careful, though, because some usage-based programs can result in a higher rate if your driving doesnt score well. How to shop for Tesla car insurance Take these steps to find the best deal on car insurance for a Tesla: Decide how much coverage you need. Most states require a minimum amount of liability insurance, but its a good idea to buy enough to cover your assets. Purchase collision and comprehensive insurance to cover your vehicle; liability insurance only covers the damage and injuries you cause others. Shop around. Get quotes for the coverage you need from at least three insurance companies, including Tesla Insurance if you live in one of the states where its offered. Consider bundling, or the lack thereof. Own a home? Take into account the cost of forfeiting a discount for bundling home and auto insurance because Tesla doesnt offer home insurance. If youre thinking about buying Tesla Insurance, compare the cost of buying Tesla auto insurance and another companys home insurance with the cost of home and auto insurance bundles from other insurers. Consider customer service. Talk to other Tesla owners about their experiences with Tesla Insurance. How well did it respond to claims? How challenging was it to achieve a high Safety Score and maintain low monthly premiums? Would you prefer working with an agent or primarily through an app? Select a company that makes the most sense for you. Choose the insurance company that offers a low cost and the kind of service you want. Amy Danise and Tim Manni edited this article. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) Louisville police are searching for a man they say slung his girlfriends puppy across the room during an argument, resulting in its death. On Tuesday, June 3, the Louisville Metro Police Department asked the public to be on the lookout for Demetrius Hebert. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, Hebert recently got into an argument with his girlfriend during which he allegedly grabbed their pit-mix puppy named Kash by the neck and swung it around violently. Demetrius Hebert (LMPD) He then threw the puppy across the room and Kash hit a glass table before falling on floor, LMPD wrote. LMPD responded and noticed the puppy was in need of immediate attention. We rushed the puppy to the Shively Animal Hospital, but it was too late, and the damage was already done. The puppy died before we could get it medical attention. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Theres a warrant issued for Heberts arrest, and officers ask anyone with information to call the anonymous crime tip hotline (502) 574-LMPD. 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. OKATIE, S.C. (WSAV) The South Carolina Bar Foundation has awarded at $135,000 grant to Lowcountry Legal Volunteers (LLV). The grant will go to support LLVs free legal services program for residents of Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. Anne Caywood, Executive Director of LLV, said, These funds allow us to expand our impact across the Lowcountry. We can now maintain and grow critical programs, including family law assistance, eviction defense and estate planning services. This support ensures we can serve over 2,000 individuals this year with life-changing legal aid. Lowcountry Legal Volunteers was founded in 2000 to address the critical legal needs of low-income residents across Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. 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 WSAV-TV. By Manuela Andreoni SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed on Tuesday to defend his country's Supreme Court against attacks from the United States, in a sharp rebuke of potential sanctions from Washington against one of the top court's justices. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told U.S. lawmakers last month that President Donald Trump could slap economic sanctions on the judge overseeing the trial of Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally accused of plotting a coup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is unacceptable for the president of any country in the world to comment on the decision of the Supreme Court of another country," Lula told reporters, adding that the United States needs to understand the importance of "respecting the integrity of institutions in other countries." Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has drawn fierce criticism from the Brazilian right while leading the court's aggressive curbing of what he has called threats to Brazil's democracy, both online and in an alleged coup plot. He started by ordering social media companies to take down posts from Bolsonaro supporters that he considered threats to democratic institutions, even suspending Elon Musk's social media platform X in Brazil until it caved to his orders. Musk and other right-wing platforms have accused Moraes of censorship. The judge also ordered the arrest of a conservative lawmaker who posted a video attacking the Supreme Court and oversaw a case against Bolsonaro supporters who vandalized government buildings after the former president lost the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moraes is now overseeing a case in which Bolsonaro is accused of leading an attempt to overthrow Brazil's democracy to reverse his loss in the 2022 presidential elections. He presided over the electoral court decision barring Bolsonaro from running for public office until 2030 due to behavior in that campaign. Several of those cases have involved criticism, threats and even an alleged assassination attempt targeting Moraes himself, but the Supreme Court has backed the judge's refusal to recuse himself, drawing further complaints from his critics. The setbacks for Bolsonaro's far-right movement led his son, lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, to take a leave from Brazil's Congress this year and move to the United States, where he vowed to lead a campaign against Moraes. Rubio's comments in Congress about Moraes were prompted by questions by Florida House Representative Cory Mills, with whom Eduardo Bolsonaro said he had met days earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills asked Rubio if he was considering sanctions against Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act, which allows the U.S. president to impose economic sanctions against foreigners with a record of corruption or human rights abuses. "There is a great possibility that will happen," Rubio said. Eduardo Bolsonaro's role in advocating retribution against Moraes prompted the judge to open an investigation against the lawmaker, after prosecutors alleged judicial interference. Lula, in remarks to reporters on Tuesday, compared Eduardo Bolsonaro's efforts to "terrorist practices," adding that the lawmaker had left Congress to "try to lick Trump's boots." (Reporting by Manuela Andreoni; Additional reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Ricardo Brito; Editing by Brad Haynes and Nia Williams) A lawsuit accuses Macalester College of violating state consumer fraud laws by advertising itself as a model of compliance with ethical animal research guidelines, while killing small animals in outdated psychology courses. The civil complaint was filed Tuesday in Hennepin County District Court by Dr. Neal Barnard, a 1975 Macalester psychology graduate and medical doctor who founded the Washington, D.C.-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit group that advocates for alternatives to animal testing. Barnard, while preparing to celebrate his 50th college reunion, discovered the school continues to kill large numbers of animals every year in mechanical devices designed more than 100 years ago, the nonprofit group said in a Tuesday news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A billboard campaign against the schools practices is also planned for St. Paul. A spokesman for the group said one will go up this week near Snelling and Selby avenues that reads, Macalester Psychology Education: Outdated, unethical and shows a rat in a Skinner box. A second one is planned for next week three blocks south. A Macalester spokesman said Tuesday that the college has not received official notice of the lawsuit, and provided no further comment. Macalester psychology courses use small metal Skinner boxes, invented by psychologist B.F. Skinner in the 1920s, to force the animals deprived of food or water for long periods to perform a variety of acts to get the food or water they need to survive, the complaint says. Afterward, the animals are killed. As a psychology major in 1972, I participated in those old-fashioned exercises, Barnard says in the release. At the end of each laboratory series, the animals were tossed into a trash can, chloroform was poured over them, and the lid was closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigating behavior and brain function have evolved dramatically since then and teaching methods, including computer models and hands-on classroom exercises with human participants, have largely replaced the use of animals in psychology education, the complaint says. On information and belief, Macalester continues to use and kill small, vulnerable animals in psychology laboratory exercises whose objectives can easily be met without animals, the complaint states. The lawsuit alleges one count each of fraudulent misrepresentation, false statement in advertisement and unlawful practices. It seeks, among other actions, an order compelling Macalester to cease its use of animal laboratories in psychology instruction and in all other areas for which non-animal methods are available. Meetings went nowhere According to the complaint, Macalester reached out to Barnard and other Class of 1975 graduates two years ago about a 50th college reunion, asking for donations for activities and whether they were interested in planning them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnard went to Macalesters website on 50th reunions, then found the schools page on research policies and procedures. It lists the colleges Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, which acts to review and ensure that animal welfare standards and ethical principles are applied at the highest possible level in any animal use or research conducted at or in association with the college. The webpage, which includes two links for charitable donations to Macalester and one for prospective students to apply to the college, says the committee derives its authority from the law, mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 and the Animal Welfare Act. Barnard contacted Macalester psychology department chair Jaine Strauss to request an in-person meeting to find out whether the school uses live animals and Skinner boxes in its psychology courses. Barnard, who lives in Maryland, met Strauss in Minnesota in May 2024. In response to Barnards questions, Strauss confirmed the department continues its Skinner-inspired animal laboratories as part of the introductory psychology course and other courses, the complaint alleges. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnard shared his view to Strauss that the Three Rs prohibit such activities. The complaint says accepted ethical principles regarding the use of animals in science, called the Three Rs for replacement, reduction and refinement have been incorporated into regulations that implement the federal Animal Welfare Act, as well as the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, adherence to which is mandatory for activities covered by the federal Health Research Extension Act. Strauss told Barnard that Macalesters IACUC, which oversees all scientific uses of animals by the college, is very careful in its work, the complaint says. Barnard sent a follow-up email to Strauss that month outlining his concerns, expecting she would take them to the committee and, in compliance with the Three Rs, replace the use of animals with other methods of study, the complaint says. Barnard, believing the college was open to reform, then accepted an invitation to join Macalesters Class of 1975 Planning Committee and serve on its Gift Subcommittee. In his role from July 30 through Nov. 1, Barnard made phone calls, sent emails and mailed postal letters to fellow Macalester alumni assigned to him by Macalesters fundraising staff to solicit charitable donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Barnard did not receive any email or written response from Strauss as to any decision regarding replacing the use of animals as required by the Three Rs, the complaint says. Barnard met with Macalester President Suzanne Rivera and Macalester Vice Provost Paul Overvoorde on Nov. 6 to discuss his concerns. The next day, Barnard and Rivera spoke briefly in person, with Rivera stating she had forwarded his concerns to appropriate people. Later that same day, Barnard participated in person in another Gift Subcommittee meeting and afterward donated $100 to the school. Rivera emailed Barnard on Dec. 2, instructing him to direct all future communications on animal use matters to Macalesters legal counsel. Barnard says he relied on Macalesters false statements in joining the schools Class of 1975 Planning Committee, as well as its Gift Subcommittee, and donating to the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The publication of Barnards name on Macalesters website, while (the school) refuses to apply the Three Rs ethical principles to its animal use program, harms the reputation of (Barnard), who has worked for decades to end the use of animals in such settings, the complaint continues. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Barnard previously worked in a child psychiatry ward at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis; completed medical school and psychiatry residency at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; presided over an outpatient psychiatric clinic at George Washington University; and maintained a private practice in psychiatry, among other achievements. Major victories The advocacy group, which Barnard founded in 1985 and has 17,000 doctor members, boasts online of its major victories over the past two decades, including all medical schools in the U.S. and Canada stopping the use of live animals to train medical students, and the National Institutes of Health stopping its experiments on chimpanzees. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, the advocacy group filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture against Mayo Clinic alleging it was violating the Animal Welfare Act by using pigs in once-a-year emergency medical training. Mayo Clinic later confirmed that it had changed its policy. Earlier that year, Hennepin Healthcare ended the use of live animals for teaching emergency medicine residents, according to the advocacy group. Previously, Hennepin Healthcare used up to 150 sheep and 150 rabbits each year to teach invasive procedures like drilling a hole into an animals skull and opening the chest cavity to access the heart. Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it was phasing out animal testing in the development of monoclonal antibody therapies and other drugs with more effective, human-relevant methods. By Michel Rose and Angelo Amante PARIS/ROME (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vowed to work jointly for a stronger Europe as they met on Tuesday following bilateral tensions over Ukraine, trade and relations with the United States. Their three-hour summit in Rome aimed to ease relations after hostility flared publicly in recent weeks, with officials close to Macron and Meloni privately or openly criticising their respective initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The meeting highlighted strong convergences on the European agenda for competitiveness and prosperity, to be implemented ambitiously and swiftly," the leaders said in a joint statement, adding they agreed "on the necessary conditions for European companies to compete on an equal footing". "This also applies to sectors in transition, such as the automotive and steel industries, which require strong European commitment, as well as to more advanced sectors like artificial intelligence, decarbonised renewable energy sources such as nuclear, and space," they said. Meloni, a nationalist leading a country with a large trade surplus with the U.S., has sought to keep Europe aligned with the U.S., using the slogan "Make the West great again" in a meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington in April, and urging caution on retaliatory responses to tariffs. Macron, a fervent pro-European and a centrist, has pushed for the EU to take a more independent approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Russian war in Ukraine, Meloni has been sceptical about Macron's "coalition of the willing" and a Franco-British plan put forward earlier this year to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement. Sending troops would be deeply unpopular in Italy. In the statement, the two leaders said their "unwavering and unhesitating" support for Ukraine was needed more than ever to arrive to a fair and lasting end to the war, and called for "an ambitious change in scale" for European defence capacities. Meloni was criticised in Italy for not travelling to Kyiv with Macron and the German, British and Polish leaders on May 10 and then for missing a call with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a summit in Albania a few days later. French and Italian officials said Macron had taken the initiative to hold Tuesday's meeting and sought to play down talk of a rift, saying the meeting and a working dinner would be an opportunity for Macron to show "respect" and "friendship". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Italy and France are worried Russia might boost its presence in eastern Libya, to keep a foothold in the Mediterranean after Moscow's ally, President Bashar al-Assad, was ousted in Syria in December. "The meeting also provided an opportunity to address other significant security issues for Europe, particularly in the Middle East and Libya," the Italo-French statement said, without elaborating. Meloni and Macron agreed that a new bilateral summit would take place in France in early 2026. (Writing by Michel Rose and Angelo AmanteEditing by Frances Kerry, Alvise Armellini and Sandra Maler) The principal point of the Republican Partys domestic policy megabill the inaptly named One Big Beautiful Bill Act is to cut taxes. Indeed, Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers want to lock in roughly $4 trillion in tax breaks that are due to expire, while simultaneously adding new and costly tax cuts, most of which would benefit the wealthy. Its precisely why the party has been so brutal in proposing sweeping spending cuts to, among other priorities, health care: The Republicans tax cuts wont pay for themselves, so theyre trying to offset the costs, at least a bit, by targeting programs like Medicaid. But it would be an overstatement to claim that the GOPs reconciliation package approach to tax policy focuses entirely on cuts, breaks and giveaways. In fact, theres one tax that Republicans were only too pleased to increase. As USA Today recently reported: The spending bill passed by the U.S. House increases a tax the richest private universities pay on their endowment investment gains, a move proponents say reins in woke schools but that critics say will wind up hurting the poorest students the most. Tucked within President Donald Trumps massive tax and spending bill, which the House narrowly passed on Thursday, is a proposal to increase a tax that some universities pay on the investment returns of their endowments from 1.4% to as high as 21% for some of the most elite colleges in the country. While the measure appears designed to target elite academic institutions, an analysis by The New York Times concluded that some smaller schools would get caught up in the offensive, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative proponents have suggested that the change shouldnt be seen as too big a deal because university endowments investment returns would simply pay the existing corporate rate. But (a) that would represent a dramatic increase over the status quo; and (b) as Paul Starr explained in a smart piece for The American Prospect, [T]he top rates on corporations and university endowments would be nominally the same, but that is a false equivalence, as corporations have access to deductions that university endowments dont. As the White Houses partisan war against Harvard University helps demonstrate, the Republican Partys multifaceted offensive against higher education in general is impossible to defend, and it threatens to destabilize one of the nations most valuable assets. Dan Drezner, a political scientist at Tufts University, wrote last week that the Trump administration is trying to kill American higher education, and while that phrasing might seem hyperbolic, there are ample data points to bolster the thesis, including the GOP plan related to university endowments investment returns. With this in mind, its hard not to wonder if the proposed tax hikes on university endowments create a potential political liability for the party, given the pride the GOP invests in being an anti-tax party. Whats to stop Democrats from accusing Republicans of voting to raise education taxes or some related phrasing? This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The Trump administration had a credible official leading the Federal Emergency Management Agency. His name was Cameron Hamilton, and he had experience, not only as a Navy SEAL and former combat medic, but also as the former director of the Emergency Medical Services Division at the Department of Homeland Security. He was nevertheless fired last month, not because he did something wrong, but because Hamilton a lifelong conservative Republican testified before Congress and told lawmakers that it would be in the publics interest if FEMA continued to exist. Donald Trump, of course, wants to eliminate FEMA altogether, and so Hamilton, one day after his testimony, found himself out of a job. He was soon replaced by David Richardson, who has no background in emergency management, and who, on his first day as the agencys acting chief, told FEMAs staff that he would run right over anyone who gets in his way. A month later, as Reuters reported, Richardson continues to make newsworthy comments. Staff of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were left baffled on Monday after the head of the U.S. disaster agency said he had not been aware the country has a hurricane season, according to four sources familiar with the situation. The remark was made during a briefing by David Richardson, who has led FEMA since early May. As NBC News reported, administration officials didnt deny that Richardson made the comments, though the defense was that the acting FEMA director was joking. A statement from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, added that the allegations that Richardson was sincere about his ignorance were meanspirited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those who actually heard the comments, there was apparently some question as to whether Richardson was kidding or not, but either way, this was a curious thing for an acting FEMA chief to joke about two days into hurricane season. Unfortunately, the alleged joke wasnt the only newsworthy part of Richardsons comments. The Wall Street Journal reported, for example, that the Trump-appointed official also announced that FEMA had scrapped plans to come up with a hurricane-response plan, choosing instead to simply reuse last years plan. By way of social media, the Department of Homeland Security described the Journal's reporting as "fake news," adding, "FEMA is full-steam ahead with an effective and focused plan to respond to hurricane season, while empowering states to further lead their own disaster response." But the statement didn't exactly deny the accuracy of the Journal's report, so much as it took issue with the newspaper including the word "scraps" in its headline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also worth noting for context that Richardson recently told FEMA officials that he intended to complete work on the agencys hurricane-response plan by the week of May 19. Now, if the Journal's report is accurate, the new strategy is to dust off the Biden administrations plan and run with it. And while that might seem like a reasonable solution especially given the fact that the Biden administration was competent its not nearly that simple. As the Journals report added, some FEMA officials were confused about how the agency could follow the 2024 blueprint given the agency had already eliminated key programs and sharply cut its workforce. All of this comes on the heels of The Washington Post reporting that FEMA was already facing a backlog of 19 unprocessed emergency aid requests and that was before hurricane season began. Whats more, the broader concerns are not limited to FEMA. There are related issues at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while at the National Weather Service, The Guardian reported this week, There is a lack of meteorologists in 15 of the regional weather service offices along the coastline from Texas to Florida, as well as in Puerto Rico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same Guardian report, which has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, added, that the Miami-based National Hurricane Center is short five specialists. To be sure, The New York Times reported that the National Weather Service, after having already lost nearly 600 employees in recent months, intends to start hiring additional staff to help stabilize the department. Whats less clear is when these employees will be hired, whether theyll have the necessary experience, how long it will take to get them up to speed, and why the NWS laid off so many of its employees in the first place. Looking ahead, Americans might get lucky. Its possible that the projections are wrong and the United States wont have to deal with any deadly hurricanes this year or for that matter, in the coming years. Maybe there wont be any real-world consequences tied to the administrations latest moves at FEMA, NWS and NOAA. But as the president and his team move further away from responsible governing and disaster preparedness, counting on good fortune hardly seems like a wise strategy. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com This is an adapted excerpt from the June 2 episode of The Rachel Maddow Show. They nicknamed it the Bear. Its a military aircraft first designed in Russia in the 1950s and built to compete with the American B-52 bomber. The Tupolev Tu-95 can fly across continents before it has to stop and refuel, and it can carry eight long-range missiles. For decades, Russia has had dozens of Tu-95 bombers and other planes like it. On Sunday, Ukrainian drones struck several Russian air bases, destroying a fleet of planes, including several Tu-95 bombers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has been hammering Ukraine with these bombers for years, and this weekend, Kyiv decided that rather than just trying to intercept the missiles that these planes keep firing from the sky, it would instead try to take out the planes. According to NBC News, Ukraines Security Service smuggled more than a hundred drones into Russia. They hid them under the roofs of mobile wooden cabins in a process that took months. Then all at once, simultaneously, with no warning, the cabin roofs were opened via remote control, and then the drones flew off to do their thing, packed with explosives. Ukraine says they destroyed planes across four different military sites in Russia, including in Siberia at a site almost 3,000 miles away from Ukraine. Of Russias entire fleet of military bombers, Ukraine says they were able to destroy or severely damage about a third of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, was Russia aware that this was going to happen? Clearly no. Did they have defenses in place to protect their planes? Well, thats a funny story. In a video of Sundays drone attack, put out by Ukraines Security Service, you can see round objects on the wings of Russias bomber planes. Those circles are actually tires like the tires you put on your car. Apparently, this is a thing Russia has been doing for a while now. One NATO military official told CNN in 2023, We believe its meant to protect against drones. ... We dont know if this will have any effect. Well, now we know. As Sundays strike shows, tires do not prevent drones from destroying your attack planes. This whole thing is just astonishing, not just in a foreign policy way, but also in an action movie kind of way. It also has really serious implications beyond Russia and Ukraine. Those bomber planes Ukraine just torched are not only equipped to carry regular missiles, they also can carry nuclear warheads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are Russia, the United States or any country with nuclear weapons, your national security policies are based around the fact that you have an impenetrable nuclear deterrent. Why would anyone attack you if you could then retaliate by blowing them off the map with your nuclear stockpile? But Ukraine just disabled a primary piece of Russias nuclear arsenal with devices that look like they came from RadioShack, which means it has to contend with the fact that its impenetrable nuclear arsenal is not so impenetrable after all. Sundays strike also has really important strategic consequences for every country that thinks of itself as having a nuclear deterrent. For our country, wouldnt this be a good time to have a robust, competent national security apparatus thinking about those kinds of implications and making smart, well-informed strategic decisions on how to react to them? This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * In Gaza: More than two dozen people were killed early Tuesday after the Israeli military opened fire close to a controversial aid distribution point in southern Gaza, local health officials said, the third time in three days that Palestinians were killed in the area. * A new day in South Korea: A liberal lawyer has ousted South Koreas troubled ruling partys presidential candidate on Tuesday, ending months of political instability that began with a botched declaration of martial law. Lee Jae-myung will be sworn into office Wednesday after his conservative rival, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, conceded the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A step backwards in Poland: 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%. * Political uncertainty in the Netherlands: Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders PVV party left the governing coalition Tuesday, in a move that is set to topple the right-wing government and will likely lead to new elections. Wilders said his coalition partners were not willing to support his ideas on halting asylum migration. * An overdue breakthrough in Tulsa: The city of Tulsa, home to one of the most horrifying racial-terror massacres in U.S. history and the people who tried to cover it up, has announced a $105 million reparations package that will put dollars and actions toward redress. * Difficult diplomacy: The Trump administration is proposing an arrangement that would allow Iran to continue enriching uranium at low levels while the United States and other countries work out a more detailed plan intended to block Irans path to a nuclear weapon but give it access to fuel for new nuclear power plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Itll be interesting to see how long this pause lasts: The Department of Education has not gone through with a plan to garnish Social Security checks over defaulted loans, a department spokesperson told The Hill. The Department has not offset any social security benefits since restarting collections on May 5, and has put a pause on any future social security offsets, Ellen Keast, the spokesperson, said. * A struggling cultural institution: Sales of subscriptions for the coming season of programming at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts are down by about $1.6 million, or roughly 36 percent, compared with last year. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com On the heels of Elon Musks exit from the federal government, Rachel Maddow shared the metaphor she believes best sums up the billionaires time in Washington. During Mondays show, Maddow highlighted one particular agency that was targeted by Musks Department of Government Efficiency, aka DOGE. In March, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) sued DOGE after it faced a takeover by force of its Washington headquarters. With the help of law enforcement, DOGE seized USIPs building and laid off the independent agencys employees. Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled that the takeover was illegal and ordered the Trump administration to return the headquarters to USIP. When employees returned, they found the office in a state of disarray, full of water damage, rats and roaches, according to a sworn statement from the agencys chief executive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Maddow acknowledged that many have used Musks black eye, on display during his Oval Office goodbye last week, as a metaphor for his time with the White House, she argued that USIP provided a more on the nose way to describe the billionaires legacy. A building seized pointlessly, shut down pointlessly, left to be infested by vermin all so its rightful owners can eventually come back and have to put it all back together again. For no reason at all, Maddow said. I think thats a better metaphor. You can watch Maddows full take on Musks exit above. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Gold ( GC=F ) futures opened at $3,406.50 per ounce Tuesday, up 1% from Monday's close of $3,370.60. The precious metal price rose to $3,417.80 in early trading hours before falling below $3,400. Gold's modest rise follows reports of escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, plus the announcement of a higher tariff on steel and aluminum imports. The news did not prompt a broad stock sell-off, however. The S&P 500 rose less than 1% on Monday, and the CBOE Volatility Index ( ^VIX ) elevated early, but fell throughout the day. The CBOE Volatility Index measures the expected 30-day volatility of the S&P 500. Current price of gold The opening price of gold futures on Tuesday was up 1% from Monday's close of $3,370.60. Tuesday's opening price marks a gain of 2.2% over the past week, compared to the opening price of $3,332.50 on May 27. In the past month, the gold futures price has risen 5.1% from its opening price of $3,239.90 on May 2. In the past year, gold is up 46.7% from the opening price of $2,322.60 on June 3, 2024. 24/7 gold price tracking: Don't forget you can monitor the current price of gold on Yahoo Finance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Want to learn more about the current top-performing companies in the gold industry ? Explore a list of the top-performing companies in the gold industry using the Yahoo Finance Screener. You can create your own screeners with over 150 different screening criteria. How to invest in gold Investing in gold is a four-step process: Set your goal. Set an allocation. Choose a form. Consider your investment timeline. Today, were delving deeper into step 2, setting the appropriate gold allocation. After determining your investment goals for buying gold in the first place, next comes understanding how much to buy. Learn more: How to invest in gold in four steps Allocation is the composition of your portfolio across different types of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and gold. Setting a target allocation for each asset type helps you control risk over the long term because asset values change over time. Stocks appreciate, for example. Unless you periodically rebalance your holdings to restore the target allocation, the appreciation can leave you over-concentrated in equities. Scott Travers, author of The Coin Collector's Survival Manual and editor of COINage magazine recommends holding 5% to 15% of your net worth in gold. Other experts advise going as high as 20% if you are risk-tolerant. A review of gold's historic behavior in light of your risk appetite should help you identify the right allocation percentage. Yahoo Finance video: Safe-haven assets: Breaking down what you need to know Count your jewelry Remember, too, that your target allocation includes the value of the gold you already own. Travers recommends checking your jewelry box before buying more gold. Given gold's sharp rise in value over the past 12 months and more, your gold jewelry may be worth more than you think. Travers warns against selling your jewelry to buy gold coins because you will pay dealer fees on both transactions. Price-of-gold chart Whether youre tracking the price of gold since last month or last year, the price-of-gold chart below shows the precious metals steady upward climb in value. Historic price of gold Historically, gold has shown extended up cycles and down cycles. The precious metal was in a growth phase from 2009 to 2011. It then trended down, failing to set a new high for nine years. In those lackluster years for gold, your position will negatively impact your overall investment returns. If that feels problematic, a lower allocation percentage is more appropriate. On the other hand, you may be willing to accept gold's underperforming years so you can benefit more in the good years. In this case, you can target a higher percentage. The precious metal has been in the news lately, and many analysts are bullish on gold. In May, Goldman Sachs Research predicted gold would reach $3,700 a troy ounce by year-end 2025. That would equate to a 40% increase for the year, based on golds January 2 opening price of $2,633. Rising demand from central banks, along with uncertainty related to changing U.S. tariff policy, are the factors driving the increase. Originally appeared on E! Online The search for Madeleine McCann is back on. Almost 20 years after McCann disappeared from a resort in Lagos, Portugal, at age 3, authorities in the country have reignited the search at the request of German authorities who are investigating Christian Bruecknera convicted rapist they suspect of killing McCann, though he has not been formally charged. (Brueckner has denied any involvement in her disappearance.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Associated Press, citing a Portuguese police statement, detectives will carry out a broad range of searches this week near Lagos. On June 3, per AFP, several police vehicles were seen driving down a dirt road near where McCann disappeared, with about 25 German investigators with them. The new search is expected to last until Friday, June 6, per the outlet. Near the area that is being searched is, per AFP, a dwelling where Brueckner lived at the time. The area is reportedly also home to many ditches and wells. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brueckner was named as a suspect in McCanns disappearance in 2020 by police, though at the time German media only identified him as Christian B., per the BBC. (He would later be declared an official suspect in 2022.) At the time, McCanns parents Kate McCann and Gerry McCannwho have forever maintained innocence in their daughters disappearanceexpressed their gratitude to police. Metropolitan Police All we have ever wanted is to find her, uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice, they shared at the time, per the BBC. "We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive, but whatever the outcome may be, we need to know as we need to find peace." Five years later, this past May, it was announced Brueckner will be released from the German prison where he's been serving time for his conviction of raping a 72-year-old woman in Portugal in 2005. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is scheduled to go free in September after being acquitted last year of five other sex offense charges, according to BBC News. Prosecutors have appealed the decision. Alexander Koerner/Getty Images Over the years, McCanns parents have been candid about their ongoing hope for answers, no matter that the results may be, as they seek to keep their late daughter close. "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," they wrote on their Find Madeleine website May 3, the 18th anniversary of her disappearance. "We will do our utmost to achieve this." They added, noting May also would have marked McCanns 22nd birthday, No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day. We continue to celebrate her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has said he plans to disappear after his release from prison. Christian Brueckner, a convicted paedophile whose former Algarve home is the focus of a new search effort in the McCann case, also spoke of the nice steak and beer he would enjoy after he walks free in his first face-to-face interview with a German broadcaster. Brueckner is currently serving a seven-year sentence in Germany for raping an American tourist in Praia da Luz in 2005. He is due to be released later this year, and police face a race against time if they are to charge him in the McCann case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to RTL, the 48-year-old appeared to show no guilt and admitted he would flee to a country without an extradition treaty with Germany and go into hiding. He said: The fact is that I have been in prison for many years for something that I cannot have committed and that therefore, through the participation of the media, half the world considers me a cruel rapist. Firefighters check a well near Praia De Luz as the search continues in the Madeleine McCann case - James Manning/PA Refusing to discuss the McCann case, he complained of the difficulties of prison and said he spends 24 hours a day in his cell after being assaulted by another inmate. Ulrich Oppold, who interviewed Brueckner, said: I had the feeling that I was looking at a man who was not aware of any guilt. Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are to begin fresh searches close to the former Algarve home of the prime suspect - Paul Grover for The Telegraph On Tuesday morning, German authorities sent a team to Portugal to look for new evidence to charge Brueckner in connection with Madeleines disappearance before he is released from prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A team of 30 officers from the BKA, Germanys equivalent of the FBI, are leading fresh searches on the outskirts of Praia da Luz in southern Portugal, where the then three-year-old went missing in 2007. The operation will focus on 20 plots of land east of the Algarve resort, where Brueckner was living at the time, and will rely on ground-penetrating radar to scour the area. Detectives arrived at Praia da Luz on Monday and began closing off dirt roads in the area and setting up forensic-style tents in preparation for the search to begin the following day. The radar equipment can scan up to 15ft below the surface, using high-frequency radio waves to detect any unusual features in the soil, allowing police to explore a wider area by avoiding unnecessary digging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fresh searches the most extensive since 2008 will cover a 26-mile strip of land around Brueckners former cottage, while digs will also take place at specific locations. The focus will be on a wooded inland area east of his former home, known as Atalaia, which is roughly a 10-minute drive from where Madeleine went missing 18 years ago. It will concentrate on groundworks along with wells, ruins and water tanks. Two wells will be emptied and searched on Tuesday, local media reported. Police sources told Portuguese media they were looking for Madeleines body or any indication she may once have been there. Forensic-style tents have been set up for the search - Solarpix Authorities have not said what new evidence the latest search is based on. A source close to the investigation told The Sun it was based on a tip-off last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portuguese police will also be on the ground, but Scotland Yard will not be involved in the searches, which are expected to continue until Friday. In 2023, police carried out unsuccessful searches near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where Brueckner spent time between 2000 and 2017. Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007 - PA At the time of Madeleines disappearance, Brueckner was living in a run-down property on the outskirts of the coastal town. A mobile phone registered in his name was traced close to the McCanns accommodation on the night she went missing. Brueckner, officially named by German prosecutors as the prime suspect in Madeleines disappearance five years ago, has never been charged over the case and denies any involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October last year, he was cleared at a German trial of two sexual assaults and three rapes committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. However, prosecutors are considering appealing against the verdict. Philipp Marquort, one of his lawyers, previously said of his pending release from prison: If I were him, I would leave Europe and look for a state which doesnt extradite to Europe or Great Britain, maybe like Suriname. 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. MAGA podcaster Steve Bannon is calling on President Donald Trump to nix support for Ukraine after it carried out a surprise drone attack in Russia that blindsided the White House. The attack inflicted $7 billion in damage on Sunday and destroyed a third of Russias strategic bomber fleet. Ukrainian said the strike had been in the works for over 18 months. Bannon, one of Trumps closest confidants, commended Ukraine for executing the attack. However, he was not pleased that it occurred without Trumps knowledge, as the White House revealed on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has to condemn this immediately and pull all support, Bannon said on his War Room podcast Monday. A bomber in flames at an air base in Siberia after a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday. / Ukraine Presidency via X Bannon said Kyiv should have notified Trump of the escalation. He said the supposed betrayal, which he claims has brought the United States closer to war with Russia, must have consequences for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. If they did not give us a heads up on this, full stop, no minerals dealwalk away from all of it, he said. Theyre irresponsible. Theyre dragging us into a kinetic third world war. The podcaster, who served as a White House adviser during Trumps first term, went so far as to suggest that Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Kyivs most prominent backers in Congress, should be arrested if he does not stop traveling overseas and stirring it up in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannon theorized that Graham, instead of the president, may have given Ukraine the green light to attack deep into Russia. 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. Remember that? Hes stirring it up over there, Bannon said. Hes telling them they got backing. Ukraine reportedly carried out its attack by smuggling drones across the Russian border in wooden crates. They were then deployed simultaneously to attack five airbases, including the Belaya airbase in the far-east Irkutsk region, 2,500 miles away from Ukraine. Ukraine carried out a surprise drone attack on Russia on Sunday. / Map Illustration by Eric Faison/The Daily Beast Bannon said he is not convinced that the attack did not involve U.S. intelligence. If Russia reaches a similar conclusion, he fears the three-year-old conflict could soon include America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a ticking time bomb, Bannon said. And you see what theyre going to get us into. Because now were now, inexorably, were being drawn into this. Trump campaigned last year on a promise to end the war between Ukraine and Russia on day one of his presidency. That promise has fallen flat, as have any peace negotiations brokered by U.S. officials. The latest instance of talks falling through occurred on Monday, when a scheduled meeting between Russia and Ukraine to discuss peace in Turkey was brief, with no agreement reached. Youre supposed to be in Turkey today talking peace, Bannon said Monday, not 3000 miles into Russia, blowing up their strategic bombers. Jun. 3Dr. Jane Carreiro gestured to several rows of student exam tables in the shiny new home of Maine's only medical school. In that particular classroom on the third floor of the Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences, students will soon be role-playing as doctors and patients to learn how to conduct primary care exams. The $90 million building which will be showcased in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday is the cornerstone of a strategy to grow the University of New England's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, and connect it to all of the health sciences programs at the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By moving the medical program from the university's Biddeford campus to the sprawling, 110,000-square-foot building on its Portland campus, the DO program will grow from graduating 165 medical students per year to 200. The first class with 200 students will start this fall and graduate in 2029 before going into their residency program. A $30 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation, $5 million in federal funding secured by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and other fundraising efforts made the construction of the new facility possible. The aim is to try to get more newly minted doctors working in Maine to help ease the health care workforce shortage. "That is our No. 1 goal," said Carreiro, vice president of health affairs at UNE and dean of the medical school. "That's what we are here for, to provide the workforce that we need for patient care in northern New England." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The total number of health care practitioners in Maine doctors, nurses, physical therapists, physician assistants and others working to provide care rebounded in 2024, increasing to 43,930 from a recent low of 41,110 in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But there are continuing shortages of some providers, and demand for care is ever-increasing. In one category of primary care, for example, the number of family physicians working in Maine declined from 710 in 2019 to 630 in 2024. And experts say that Maine's recent population gains, plus its aging population, mean that demand for care has spiked even as the numbers of some providers has declined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Herbert, UNE's president, said it's not only about increasing the number of graduating doctors, but also getting them to stay here. "Most doctors settle within the general vicinity of where they did their residencies," Herbert said. A residency is a supervised clinical training for medical school graduates, where they learn under a practicing doctor for a few years. "We need more residencies in Maine to anchor doctors in Maine," he said. Herbert said there is no federal money available to increase the number of residencies, so the university is supporting a bill, LD 1311, that would add $2 million in state funding to increase physician residencies in rural Maine. Herbert said the initial proposal was $5 million per year, but it's since been scaled back to $2 million to give it a better chance of passing. The bill is pending in the Maine Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herbert said while the new building will serve DO students, it will also be used by students in the other health sciences, including nursing, dentistry, physical therapists, physician assistants and pharmacists. The different health sciences programs will work together. Doctors of osteopathy can practice all areas of medicine similar to doctors of medicine, or MDs, and training emphasizes a "whole person" approach to diagnosis, treatment and patient care. "The way we've traditionally done health care education is to have everything siloed nurses do their own thing, doctors do their own thing, PAs do their own thing. They don't train together. We will be doing more interprofessional education, and learn how to work on interdisciplinary teams," Herbert said. With all medical sciences working at the same Portland campus, having the students and faculty work together across programs will be easier to achieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a point of pride that at the Portland campus, the University of New England will be the only university in New England where all of its health programs will be co-located on a single campus," Herbert said. Copy the Story Link Over 73% of Israelis think that an investigation, as it is defined by law, should be formed. A large majority of Israelis from across the political spectrum support the foundation of astate commission of inquiry into the events leading up to and including October 7, 2023, according to a poll commissioned by the October Council. The October Council is a forum of bereaved families who lost loved ones in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and has pushed for the formation ofa probe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 73% of Israelis think that an investigation, as it is defined by law, should be formed, according to the poll. Among right-wing voters, 64% said a state probe should be formed, while only 17% said that another type of probe should be set up by the political echelon. When looking at religious characteristics, 57% of observant respondents called for a state probe, and just 15.2% of this sector said the political echelon should form a probe. Some 71.6% of traditional Jews supported a probe, and 89.4% of secular Jews supported a probe. Israeli women look at a poster with pictures of victims of the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, in Reim (photo credit: NIR ELIAS/REUTERS) The only group among whom a majority did not support a state probe was the ultra-Orthodox. Almost 30% of this population supports a probe, while 27.8% support another probe decided on by the political echelon. Around 18% say a probe is not needed, while 24.5% say that they dont know. Why won't the state launch a probe into the failures of October 7? Asked why they think the government is not interested in founding a state commission of inquiry to examine the failure of October 7, a majority of respondents (64.2%) said it is because of political reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 25% said this is because of substantive reasons, and around 10% said they did not know. Among right-wing voters, 51% said the reasons the government has not established a probe are political. Some 47% of Israelis agreed very much with the statement it is important for me that the party I vote for commits to forming a state commission of inquiry, while 25.8% said that they agree somewhat with this statement. Just 20.4% somewhat did not agree or very much did not agree with this statement. Some 44.3% of respondents said that if the bereaved families called on the public to join an increased fight for a state inquiry, they would do so. 38.2% said that they would not. The survey data confirms what we experience on the ground every day an overwhelming majority of the Israeli public, across all its sectors, demands to know the truth, the October Council said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a political matter; it is a national and security matter. The governments refusal to establish a state commission of inquiry stems from political considerations, not substantive ones. The public sees this very clearly. This type of investigation is the most powerful probe in the legal system and the only type that operates independently of the political echelon. Its members are appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and it has the power to subpoena witnesses and make personal recommendations regarding individuals. An inquiry into the events surrounding October 7 has repeatedly been blocked by the political echelon. The poll, conducted by Midgam for the October Council, was answered by 1,000 people who make up a representative sample, the October Council said. Eliav Breuer contributed to this report. When President Donald Trumps new official portrait was unveiled Monday, it lacked two elements his predecessors had featured in their photographs dating back more than 50 years: a happy expression and an American flag in the background. The picture, which replaced an earlier portrait released around Trumps inauguration in January, shows the president against a dark backdrop with part of his face obscured by shadow. The portrait is being hung in federal buildings, and it now appears on the White House website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House official said Trumps initial portrait was taken during the transition period and was always intended as a placeholder. The new image was captured more recently. The President is the most well-known person on the planet and this new portrait taken during his second term reflects the optimism and resolve of America, especially after a disastrous four years of the Biden administration, the official said. This photo released by the White House shows President Donald Trump. - The White House In the portrait, Trump wears a red tie and an unsmiling expression. While he is wearing a prominent American flag pin on his lapel, there is nothing visible behind him. The visual makes for a stark difference from other presidents over the past 60 years. The last president to opt for a neutral background was Richard Nixon, who appeared against a plain backdrop in 1969, as did most of the men who preceded him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A string of presidents after him Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden all featured an American flag over their right shoulders. Some also included a flag with the presidential seal. All smiled for the camera, most with teeth, save for Obama, who appeared to smile with lips closed. Trumps portrait from his first term kept with that practice. He stood in front of a flag, wearing a broad smile. In January, Trump released a new portrait, with a glowering expression that bore some resemblance to the mug shot he took in Georgia in 2023 after being indicted on racketeering and related charges. The background of that earlier portrait featured a corner of an American flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new portrait eliminates any background, making for a dramatic contrast with Trumps face. He is lit from the left, casting his right cheek, ear and shoulder into shadow. While his face and hair are in sharp focus, his shirt and tie are blurry. While there is no flag in the background, his flag pin is made prominent by glinting light. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com CHICAGO (WGN) The man accused of attacking his pregnant ex-girlfriend in Edgewater and killing her 11-year-old son testified in his own defense Monday. 39-year-old Crosetti Brand is representing himself despite no prior legal training. He is accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend, Lateria Smith, who was four months pregnant at the time of the incident, and stabbing her 11-year-old son, Jayden Perkins, to death. Crosetti Brand On the morning of March 13, 2024, officers responded to Smiths home in the 5900 block of North Ravenswood Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the stand, Brand claims he and Smith got into an argument after she found videos of him with other women on his phone, and the fight turned physical when Smith grabbed two knives. He says Perkins came to help his mother. RELATED: Man charged with stabbing 11-year-old Jayden Perkins to death pleads not guilty Brand says while Smith was trying to stab him she collided with Perkins and stabbed him in the chest. He says he gained control of one of the knives and stabbed Smith several times in self-defense. A framed image of Jayden Perkins, 11, can be seen at a memorial honoring him following his death in Chicago on Wednesday, March 13. (Credit: WGN) Prosecutors argued that Brand was out of prison for just one day at the time of the attack and wasnt supposed to be in contact with Smith due to an active order of protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith came to the courthouse and shared her side of the story a few weeks ago. She says Brand forced his way into the home and began stabbing her, but Perkins saved her life. PREVIOUS: Trial resumes for man accused of attacking ex-girlfriend and killing her 11-year-old son Testifying about the fatal stabbing, Smiths emotions poured through, causing a temporary break in court proceedings. Following what sheriffs deputies described as a panic attack, Smith returned to the stand to identify Brand as the man who killed her son. Brand faces 17 charges, including first-degree murder and domestic battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jayden was our hero: How people are remembering the boy killed while trying to protect his mom in Chicago No more witnesses are expected to take the stand. The judge says closing arguments will begin on Thursday. The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at: 1-877-863-6338 The National Domestic Violence Hotline is: 1-800-799-7233. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MILWAUKEE (AP) A Wisconsin man is facing charges accusing him of forging a letter threatening President Donald Trump's life in an effort to get another man who could testify against him in a criminal case deported. Prosecutors said in a criminal complaint filed Monday that Demetric D. Scott was behind a letter sent to state and federal officials with the return address and name of Ramon Morales Reyes. Scott was charged Monday with felony witness intimidation, identity theft and two counts of bail jumping. A court commissioner set a $30,000 cash bail for him during his initial court appearance Tuesday and scheduled a preliminary hearing for June 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott's attorney, listed in online court records as public defender Alexander Kostal, declined comment when reached by phone Tuesday, referring questions to the state public defender's headquarters in Madison. The office's legislative liaison, Steve Knudson, declined comment when reached by phone. Immigration agents arrested Morales Reyes, 54, on May 21 after he dropped his child off at school in Milwaukee. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the arrest, saying he had written a letter threatening to kill Trump and would self-deport to Mexico. The announcement, which also was posted by the White House on its social media accounts, contained an image of the letter as well as a photo of Morales Reyes. But the claim started to unravel as investigators talked to Morales Reyes, who doesn't speak English fluently, and obtained a handwriting sample from him that was different from the handwriting in the letters, according to court documents. Morales Reyes is listed as a victim in the case involving Scott, who is awaiting trial in Milwaukee County Jail on armed robbery and aggravated battery charges. The trial is scheduled for July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a criminal complaint and an information, another form of a charging document, Scott knocked a man identified by the initials R.M. off his bicycle in Milwaukee in September 2023, cut him with a box cutter and then rode off on R.M.'s bike. R.M. was taken to a hospital and treated for what the documents called a small laceration that did not require stitches. Police arrested Scott a few hours after the alleged robbery. According to the documents, he told investigators that he saw a man riding his bicycle, he wanted it back and he may have struck the man with a corkscrew. Scott's attorney in the robbery case, Robert Hampton III, didnt return an email seeking comment. Law enforcement officers listened to several calls Scott made from the jail in which he talked about letters that needed to be mailed and a plan to get someone picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement so Scott's trial could get dismissed, according to the criminal complaint. He also admitted to police that he wrote the letters, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morales Reyes works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee, where he lives with his wife and three children. He had recently applied for a U visa, which is for people in the country illegally who become victims of serious crimes, said attorney Kime Abduli, who filed that application. Abduli told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Monday that she was glad Morales Reyes was being cleared of any involvement in the letter writing. His deportation defense lawyer, Cain Oulahan, confirmed Tuesday that Morales Reyes is from Mexico. Oulahan wrote in an email Monday night that the main focus now is to secure Morales Reyes' release from custody and the next step will be to pursue any relief he may qualify for in immigration court. While he has a U visa pending, those are unfortunately backlogged for years, so we will be looking at other options to keep him here with his family, which includes his three US citizen children, Oulahan wrote. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are looking for a man accused of passing multiple counterfeit bills at a Midtown business. MPD says the most recent case happened on May 24th, when the man called in an order to a restaurant in the 1800 block of Union Ave. When he came to the restaurant to pick up his food, police say he paid for the order with a fake $100 bill. The business owner told MPD this is the third time that the same man has scammed them with counterfeit currency. Each time, he received change back after paying with the fake bills. Photo courtesy MPD Photo courtesy MPD Police say the man has multiple tattoos on his lower left arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you recognize the man in the pictures, call Crime Stoppers 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. Heading out of town? Here are some music, stage and art event around the state of Colorado. NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A Lexington man faces numerous charges after reportedly shooting out a police cruisers tire during an early morning chase on Nicholasville Road. The Nicholasville Police Department (NPD) announced that in the early morning hours of June 3, one of its officers was shot at and uninjured while allegedly trying to pull 23-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez Lopez over. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez was reportedly seen driving at a high rate of speed in the Catnip Hill Road area, pulled to the shoulder, and sped away. According to NPD, the officer followed Lopez to document the vehicles license plate. When the two passed into Fayette County, the officer reportedly turned around and ended the pursuit. But Nicholasville police said that Lopez followed. As he passed the officer, he allegedly shot at the police cruiser, hitting the front driver-side tire and disabling the vehicle. Nicholasville Assistant Police Chief Matt Marshall said, its got to be traumatizing on some level, to have someone fire a weapon at you, physically hes fine. He was in good spirits this morning, so were going to keep an eye on him [the officer]. Lopez reportedly fled into Fayette County and was located by Lexington police using numerous resources, including Flock cameras. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested and booked at the Jessamine County Detention Center on the following charges: Attempted murder of a first responder (peace officer) Speeding 26 mph or over the speed limit Reckless driving First-degree fleeing or evading police Failure of a non-owner operator to maintain required insurance Lopez was arrested within 12 hours of the incident. Thats just good investigative work. Thats them getting out of bed, coming into work, going to the scene, putting the pieces together, and ultimately led to the arrest of whats a very, very dangerous individual, Marshall said. He was also served with an out-of-county warrant. 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. Protesters gather outside of the Federal Building in Milwaukee to denounce the arrest of Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) A Milwaukee man was charged Monday after writing a letter to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that threatened to assassinate President Donald Trump. Demetric Scott told investigators that he wrote the letter claiming to be 54-year Ramon Morales Reyes, a Mexican-born Milwaukee resident who does not have permanent legal status. Scott was already incarcerated in the Milwaukee County Jail for armed robbery and aggravated battery and allegedly victimized Morales Reyes when he committed that crime. WISN 12 reported that Scott told investigators that he wrote the letter framing Morales Reyes because he didnt want Morales Reyes to testify against him during his trial in July. Scott reportedly told a person during a recorded jailhouse call that if Morales Reyes gets picked up by ICE, there wont be a jury trial so they will probably dismiss it that day. Thats my plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter Scott authored was written in perfect English, with only a few misspellings. We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans, it stated, adding, I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 (sic) to shoot your precious president in the head Ill see you at one of his big ralleys (sic). The letter was likely referring to a .30-06 (pronounced 30 ought six) high caliber rifle round, and appeared to be an assassination threat against the president. 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. On Friday, lawyers representing Morales Reyes and local immigration advocates from Voces de la Frontera held a press conference, asserting that Morales Reyes could not have authored the letter. The 54-year-old father, who works as a dishwasher, comes from a rural part of Mexico where he received little formal education. He does not speak English and cannot read or write proficiently even in Spanish. After Morales Reyes was arrested by ICE, his daughter contacted Voces de la Frontera and shared information about his background. Days after the arrest, Department of Homeland (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem issued a press statement, condemning Morales Reyes as having threatened President Trumps life. Noem said the letter was part of a series of dangerous threats to the president. Morales Reyes attorneys and Voces de la Frontera called on DHS to retract Noems statement and clear his name. Its unclear why Noem issued the statement, as CNN reported that MPD was investigating the likelihood that the letter was a fake on the day Morales Reyes was arrested. Scott told investigators that he did not receive any help in writing the letters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic U.S. Reps. Gween Moore and Mark Pocan visited the Dodge County jail, Wisconsins only ICE detention facility Monday, on a congressional oversight visit. They were not permitted to talk to anyone incarcerated there and did not receive any response to their questions from ICE. In this facility, ICE is still detaining Ramon Morales Reyes despite being wrongfully accused of a crime, Moore and Pocan said in a joint statement. ICE is also working without transparency to Congress, which was only magnified by todays visit when we tried to call the local Milwaukee field office number on its website, but the number was disconnected. It is unacceptable for ICE to be inaccessible to Members of Congress. As members of Congress, we will continue using all tools available to conduct oversight. This article has been edited to correct the labeling of the .30-06 (pronounced 30 ought six) rifle cartridge. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX AKRON, Ohio (WJW) A 22-year-old man has been arrested for a March shooting at an Akron lounge that sent three people to the hospital, police announced Tuesday morning. Akron police make arrest in weekend shooting Jakel P. Blackwell was arrested on three three counts of Felonious Assault, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Having Weapons Under Disability. Akron Police detectives took him into custody in collaboration with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blackwell is a convicted felon who is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm, police said in a Tuesday news release. He is accused of firing multiple rounds into a crowd of people, striking three individuals. The shooting happened the morning of March 10 inside the Field House Lounge in the 300 block of Paul Williams Street after a fight broke out during a concert, police previously said. Two men, ages 18 and 36, were hospitalized in critical condition at the time. Their current condition is not known. A 25-year-old man also arrived at an emergency room in Stow. He was reportedly grazed by a bullet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man injured after large fight leads to shooting Were thankful for our partnership with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. Moments like this highlight the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to keep Akron safe. We remain focused on seeking justice for the victims and our detectives will continue to work to bring closure to this case, said Lieutenant Michael Murphy with the Akron 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. TOPEKA (KSNT) Police have arrested a man a second time in connection to a 2022 deadly shooting. The Topeka Police Department (TPD) reports that it has arrested 22-year-old Kayden Smith, of Topeka, on a charge of second-degree murder in connection to the death of Dustin M. Clayton in 2022. Officers previously arrested Smith shortly after the death of Clayton that same year. Kayden Smiths mugshot. (Photo Courtesy/Shawnee County Department of Corrections) Police were called around 11:15 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022 to the 500 block of Southwest Lane regarding reports of a shooting. Officers arriving at the scene found Clayton dead from a gunshot wound. She loved her students tremendously: Topeka teacher killed in Highway 24 crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TPD later arrested Smith, 19 at the time, in connection to Claytons death on a charge of first-degree murder. A photo of Dustin Clayton. Police reported he died as a result of a shooting in 2022. 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. (FOX40.COM) A 28-year-old man was arrested Sunday night for assaulting a known person with a bladed object, according to the Stockton Police Department. Video Above: Violent crime statistics Police said the 30-year-old victim was inside his home around 2:35 p.m. on 500 East Jackson Street when an argument began between the two parties. According to SPD, the suspect then grabbed a bladed object and chased the victim to a car where he locked himself inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect attempted to get to the victim by breaking the windows of the cars. Man found dead in Ceres canal, police says Police arrested the man on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism. The victim declined medical attention. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. A man has been arrested after sparking a security scare at Windsor Castle. The intruder entered the restricted grounds of the castle on Sunday where he was detained on suspicion of trespassing and possession of drugs, police told news outlets today. A man in his thirties has been arrested on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs after entering private grounds at Windsor Castle, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police, who are responsible for royal protection, told media in a statement. Officers in the grounds spotted the man just after 13.00hrs on Sunday, 1 June and quickly arrested him. He was then passed into the custody of Thames Valley Police. Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest to media, pointing out that the man did not enter the inner grounds at Windsor Castle. The man has been bailed and an investigation is ongoing. The Sun, which broke the story, quoted a source as saying the incident caused quite a stir, but that at this stage it appears there was no intent to cause any serious harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Windsor Castle is one of the Kings official residences. However, last weekend he was photographed at Sandringham in Norfolk where he waved to those gathered as he made his way to church. Prince William, Kate, and their three children live in Adelaide Cottage, which is on the grounds of the Windsor Castle estate. It is not known if they were home at the time of the incident, however their cottage is not situated next to the castle itself where the intruder was detained. Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment. This is not the first time that an intruder has made it into the castle grounds, and previous incidents have at times been serious. On Christmas Day 2021, a man was arrested after breaking into Windsor Castle armed with a crossbow. He was later charged under the Treason Act and apologized to the royals. You Might Also Like SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WHNT) The Sheffield Police Chief told News 19 one of his officers was assaulted by a man while being arrested Monday night. Chief Chris Tate told News 19 that around 10:30 p.m., officers with the Sheffield Police Department responded to a disturbance call at a business. Tate said the call referenced a man who had been fired from a job over the weekend and the man showed back up at the office to confront the person who fired him. The man who fired the worker called the police for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief said that while the man was causing a disturbance, an officer started to put him in handcuffs when the man turned around and kicked the officers right ankle. The officers ankle was dislocated and fractured from the incident. The officer is being treated, SPD said. The man is charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to the Sheffield police chief. Tate did not disclose the mans name, but said he would provide more information when he received it. There is no word on how long the officers recovery will be. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Campbell man who was arrested in February by police on a gun charge was sentenced Monday to three years of probation. Jordan Hall, 41, of Campbell, received the sentence after pleading guilty in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a first-degree misdemeanor and resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor. Reports said Hall was a passenger in a car pulled over Feb. 16 by Campbell police for a cracked windshield and ran from police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After he was caught, reports said officers searched him and found a handgun he had thrown on the ground while he was being searched. A drug charge was dropped in exchange for his plea. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man was arrested Monday morning after attacking a person with a hatchet near the Portland State University campus, authorities said. According to Portland police, officers responded to a TriMet station on Southwest 6th Avenue just after 11 a.m., where someone was found stabbed. Union Gospel Mission victim count jumps to 12, stabbing suspect IDd Officials said the suspect, identified as Daniel Dickens, 42, had used a hatchet to attack a person, leaving them with non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A security guard nearby managed to catch up to Dickens and held him until police arrived, authorities said. Dickens is facing several charges, including two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and second-degree assault. He appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. PSU confirmed to KOIN 6 News that Dickens is banned from campus after past incidents, and even though this didnt happen on campus, the fact it happened so close is not sitting well with students. I live right here in this building, and I take not only this bus system here all the time, but this is like my main route to all the classes and everything like that, PSU student Alex Williams said. Hearing about someone getting hit with a hatchet is definitely not I mean, it doesnt make me feel very safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another student, Sophia Kupper, said she found out when her dad asked her if she was OK last night. She says even though it wasnt on campus, she wishes the PSU had told students what happened. It could have been me. It could have been my friends. We all walk that way to get to our classes, Kupper said. So its like, its just not awesome that the campus didnt really give us any warning. If it was another day, it would have been me walking into my class. Ex-military father at large after 3 daughters found dead in central Washington If an excluded person comes on campus, the university said they could get cited for trespassing. Court records show Decker was charged with criminal trespassing just last month for entering campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students tell me even if the area where the attack happened is public property, theyre uncomfortable with the possibility that someone like Decker could get so close. So many students live here, so many people, young people live here, even right across the street, like this is main central area for everybody, Williams said. I would hope that campus security would want to make more of an effort to kind of keep people like that off campus. Kupper said she plans to start taking extra security measures now. Its really scary. Like, Im definitely carrying my pepper spray now, Kupper said. Im definitely, like, making sure I go to my combat classes and stuff, so, yeah. Its definitely not reassuring to hear that it happened just in broad daylight and so close by. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Months after a 70-year-old Maryland man was found stabbed to death in a Southeast D.C. roadway, police said a suspect has been arrested. At around 3:40 a.m. on Sept. 10, 2024, officers were sent to the 4600 block of Livingston Road for a crash. At the scene, they found an unoccupied vehicle on the sidewalk and a man, later identified as Johnathan Reeves, of Upper Marlboro, lying in the road with stab wounds, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reeves died there. DC man dies days after being hit by vehicle in Oxon Hill; Police search for driver As the investigation progressed, MPD reviewed surveillance cameras that captured the person of interest walking in the area and put out a release asking for the communitys help in identifying the suspect. Now, eight months later, D.C. police said officers arrested Jerry Thomas King, 40, of Southwest, in connection with the deadly stabbing. Authorities charged him with second degree murder while armed. At this time, it is unclear whether Reeves and King knew each other. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gov. Jared Polis addresses the Colorado General Assembly in January at the start of the 2025 legislative session. SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) Police say a man attempting to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old and her mother for sex was arrested in Salem. The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force announced Tuesday that Christopher Tarter, 31, of Akron, was arrested Monday in a sting operation. Investigators say that Tarter responded to an online advertisement for sex from a person he thought was a 15-year-old girl and her adult mother, but he was really communicating with an undercover agent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarter said in his response to the ad that he wanted to feel like a king during the mother-daughter experience, for which he agreed to pay $220, according to investigators. When Tarter arrived at the agreed-upon location in a car registered to his wife with a car seat and stroller inside, he was met by law enforcement. Tarter also had a loaded gun on him, along with the agreed-upon amount of money, according to investigators. He was immediately taken into custody and booked into the Columbiana County Jail. Charges against Tarter were filed Tuesday and include compelling prostitution, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, importuning, possessing criminal tools and engaging in prostitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary hearing is set for next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Jun. 3A Decatur man with a history of drug possession charges was arrested Friday for the same thing in addition to driving under the influence after officers found him to be in possession of crack cocaine, according to the Priceville Police Department. At about 4:30 p.m., police said, officers initiated a traffic stop in the 3200 block of Point Mallard Parkway for an expired tag the same reason officers pulled over Michael Andrew Froman in April, when narcotics were found in his vehicle. Police identified the driver as Froman, 50. They said Froman was subjected to a DUI field investigation and arrested and crack cocaine was also found on him after a search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Froman was transported to Morgan County Jail and charged with DUI and unlawful possession of a controlled substance and was also issued citations for expired tag and no insurance, according to police. Because of Froman being out on bail for a previous drug charge, police said Morgan County Circuit Judge Jennifer Howell set his bail at $30,000 with a hold for bond revocation until there can be a review of the prior case. Froman was arrested by Priceville police on April 15 after being found with 1.1 grams of cocaine near Alabama 67 and Marco Drive after they noticed he had an expired tag, according to a police affidavit. Froman was transported to Morgan County Jail and released on April 18 after posting a $1,000 bond. On June 30, 2018, Decatur police initiated a traffic stop on a black Mazda CX-5 for going 73 mph in a 55 mph zone on Point Mallard Parkway and identified the driver as Froman, according to a police affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit said Froman was driving under the influence and approximately 3 grams of crack cocaine were found in his passenger seat. He was transported to Morgan County Jail in lieu of a $2,300 bail. The case was dismissed on Dec. 4, 2020, after Froman completed the Drug Court Program, according to an order signed by Morgan County Circuit Judge Charles Elliott. wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442. June 2 (UPI) -- The 45-year-old man accused of using a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to burn people demonstrating in support of Israeli hostages in Boulder, Colo., was charged with a federal hate crime and is facing 16 state counts of attempted murder on Monday. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, of Colorado Springs, was booked into the Boulder County jail on Sunday night after the attack near the county courthouse. Soliman appeared in county court Monday, during which bond was set at $10 million, and is due back Thursday when charges will be formally filed. He is facing 16 counts of attempted murder in the first degree, eight counts of first-degree assault and 18 counts of possession of an incendiary device. This could add up to at least 384 years of prison time on conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In federal court, he is being charged with commission of a hate crime, acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell said during a news conference. Soliman would face the maximum sentence of life in prison. Soliman, an Egyptian national, entered California in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023 and his asylum claim was pending, said Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Law enforcement officers work near the scene of an attack in Boulder, Colo., on Sunday. Photo by Rebecca Slezak/EPA-EFE "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." He reportedly lived in Kuwait for 17 years before moving to Colorado. Victims Authorities increased the number of those hurt to 12 from eight on Monday. Four women and four men hospitalized range from 52 to 88. Two people were airlifted to a hospital in Aurora near Denver, an FBI official said. Boulder is 30 miles north of Denver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other victims have been released from Boulder hospitals. Those injured included an 88-year-old woman, who is a Holocaust refugee from Europe. Rabbi Israel Wilhem, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado in Boulder, told CBS Colorado she is "very loving person." "Holocaust survivors should not spend the final chapter of their lives experiencing or witnessing this hatred again," Leo Terrell, the Justice Department official in charge of the antisemitism task force," posted on X. "We must fight this terror together." Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said the newly identified victims suffered minor injuries and learned about them when they came forward to be interviewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, whose mother was born in a concentration camp and his grandparents survived the Holocaust, said the attack was "very cruel" and has "every single hallmark of being a hate crime." "This was a peaceful march done every single week by the Jewish community, calling out the injustices of the hostages, and they were attacked because of who they are," he said on MSNBC. "It is heart-wrenching for all of us in Colorado." FBI Director Kash Patel has called the incident "a targeted terror attack." What happened Mark Michalek, the FBI special agent in charge, said witnesses reported hearing the suspect yell "Free Palestine" during the attack. 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," he said. The suspect told investigators he "wanted to kill all Zionist people" and "he would do it again," according to an affidavit filed Monday. Soliman told investigators the attack was planned for a year, according to a federal criminal complaint, and he arrived at the gathering about five minutes before it started. He said he looked up videos on how to make Molotov cocktails on YouTube and purchased the items needed to make them, the complaint stated. A black plastic container with 14 unlit Molotov cocktails was found near where he was arrested. It include "glass wine carafe bottles or Ball jars containing clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the bottles," the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman "mentioned several times he wanted to be dead" in interviews with law enforcement, the warrant read. Soliman was not on the authorities' radar before the attack. Boulder's Redfearn said his officers didn't have previous "contacts" with him. One witness told NBC News he was dressed like a groundskeeper. "When I walked by the gentleman, I didn't know who he was, but thought he was out of place and odd," Lisa Turnquist, 66, said. "It wasn't 10 seconds later, I felt fluid on my leg and another lady had been burned." Turnquist, who was not injured, said she was with about 20 other members of Boulder Run for Their Lives when they were attacked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Turnquist, who is Jewish and lives in Louisville, placed flowers at a makeshift memorial. Reaction The pro-Israel advocacy group the Anti-Defamation League said the demonstrators attacked in a statement were 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. "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 Sunday. "This type of hate-filled violence has no place in our civilized society and must be universally condemned." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack, which was near Pearl St. Mall in downtown Boulder, occurred just before 1:30 p.m. MDT, authorities said. Police found victims suffering from burns. The ADL on Sunday said, "We're witnessing a global campaign of intimidation and terror deliberately directed against the Jewish people." 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 compared with seven January 2020 to June of last year. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Sunday's attack "will not be tolerated." 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," the president said. "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. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!" Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted on X: "There is NO room in the United States for the rest of the world's terrorist sympathizers. Anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for antisemitic violence and terrorism - think again. You are not welcome here. We will find you, deport you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims, families, and people of Boulder, Colorado. This evil has to STOP now." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X: "This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I trust the American authorities will prosecute the cold-blooded perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law and will do everything possible to prevent future attacks against innocent civilians. "The antisemitic attacks around the world are a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped." HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities have arrested a man in connection with vehicle burglaries that were recently reported in Hendersonville and Gallatin. The Hendersonville Police Department said they were alerted about vehicle burglaries at YMCA and Texas Roadhouse on Monday, June 2. Further investigation reportedly revealed that the incident was related to similar crimes that took place at Vol State Community College in Gallatin. Residents warned after rise of mail thefts reported in Hendersonville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, 38-year-old Chad Hayes, of Lebanon, was identified as a suspect after Vol State Police provided information from their investigation. Hayes was later found in Lebanon and allegedly confirmed that he was involved in the vehicle burglaries in Hendersonville and Gallatin. Hendersonville Police said Hayes was charged with two counts of vehicle burglary, theft of property. The 38-year-old is being held in Sumner County Jail. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Additional charges for credit card fraud and vehicle burglary by Vol State Police and Gallatin Police are reportedly anticipated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call Hendersonville Police at 615-264-5303, Hendersonville Crime Stoppers at 615-594-4113, or by text to 274637 using the keyword TIPHPD. No addition details were 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. A Wheeling man faces a slew of felony charges for allegedly luring two girls under the age of 13 to Elgin and sexually abusing one of them, officials said. Elgin police were called to a business in the 500 block of Airport Road about 4:20 a.m. May 30 in reference to two young girls in the lobby, according to a news release from the Kane County states attorneys office and the Elgin Police Department. The girls told police theyd traveled to Elgin to meet a man who was going to take them to a gathering. The man, later identified as 26-year-old Anthony C. Ramirez, arranged to have the victims taken to the business and had sexual contact with one of them, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramirez was located, and has been charged with two counts each of aggravated kidnapping-victim under 13 years old, kidnapping, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse-victim under 13 years old as well as one count each of traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation of a child through internet, grooming, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child endangerment. All but the last charge are felonies. Ramirez is being held at the Kane County jail while awaiting trial. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident or any other similar incident involving the defendant is asked to contact Detective Nick Kozicki at 847-289-2635 or nick.kozicki@elginil.gov. A 52-year-old Milwaukee man charged with robbery and aggravated battery is now accused of trying to get the victim in his case deported, according to a criminal complaint. Prosecutors say Demetric D. Scott was behind a series of letters sent to state and federal officials threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump. The letters had the return address and name of the victim in his case, Ramon Morales-Reyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One day after receiving the letter, immigration agents arrested Morales-Reyes, 54, after he dropped his daughter off at school in Milwaukee. Im just glad that they have identified who it was or have a better sense of who it was, said Morales-Reyes attorney Kime Abduli. And that Ramon is being cleared of any involvement in this. Days after his arrest, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued news release identifying Morales-Reyes as sending the letter threatening to shoot Trump claims that immediately came under scrutiny from Morales-Reyes attorney and family since Morales-Reyes cannot speak or write in English. Scott was charged on June 2 with felony witness intimidation, identity theft and two counts of bail jumping. Earlier in the day, his attorney, Robert Hampton III, declined to comment to the Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the case against Scott involved listening to calls he made while in jail, court records show. "This dude is a (expletive) illegal immigrant and they just need to pick his (expletive) up," according to a call recording linked to Scott's jail inmate ID that is cited in the complaint. The man later added on the same call: "And the judge will agree cause if he gets picked up by ICE, there wont be a jury trial so they will probably dismiss it that day. Thats my plan." Undocumented crime victim applied for U-visa but could still be deported Morales-Reyes is in the process of applying for a U-visa, a visa that allows undocumented victims and witnesses of certain crimes to stay in the U.S. for up to four years if they help with the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He applied to the visa as a victim and witness of a robbery Scott is accused of. According to Abduli, his application was delivered to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services over a month ago, and no receipt has been issued by the agency yet. Abduli said this is not uncommon. Due to the significant backlog of cases, it takes about two months to get a receipt and at least seven to eight years to receive the visa. In the meantime, a pending application would not protect Morales-Reyes from deportation. His deportation defense lawyer Cain Oulahan said at a press conference on May 30 that he is planning to find ways for Morales-Reyes to receive any form of immigration relief to be protected from deportation while his case is pending. In an email on May 29, a senior DHS official said the investigation into the threat against Trump was ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record. He will remain in custody," the official said at the time. According to the complaint, Scott admitted on May 30 that he wrote everything on the letters and the envelopes to prevent Morales-Reyes from testifying in his trial. The same day, a Milwaukee police officer executed a search warrant for Scotts jail cell where they found a blue pen and an envelope containing the Milwaukee ICE offices address and phone number. As a result of the defendants actions, (Ramon Morales-Reyes) faces the possibility of removal from this country, the complaint says. (He) did not consent to anyone using his name and address in the sending of letters pretending to be (him). Victim testified once already in robbery case Scott already faced trial in the robbery case in January 2024 but a judge declared a mistrial when the jury could not reach a decision. A new trial date was set for July 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case revolved around a bicycle. On Sept. 26, 2023, Morales-Reyes was riding a bicycle on North 23rd Street near National Avenue. His wife had purchased it a few weeks earlier and he was getting some exercise to help with his diabetes, he later said in court. A man approached him and started shouting. Morales-Reyes pedaled away but the man caught up to him with the help of a driver in a red truck. The man attacked Morales-Reyes with a corkscrew and cut him under his left armpit. The altercation was captured on a neighbors Ring doorbell camera. The neighbor later told a jury she came outside after getting an alert on her phone and hearing someone shouting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To call the police for help, to have them come, to call the police for help, the woman said. Milwaukee police arrived soon after. One officer interviewed Morales-Reyes in Spanish, getting a description of the suspect. Morales-Reyes was taken to the hospital where he was treated for a lung abrasion but did not require stitches. Several hours later, police arrested Scott in the same area. Scott was charged with armed robbery, aggravated battery, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and bail jumping. Scott told police, and later a jury, that the bicycle was actually his and had been stolen days earlier. He said he was trying to get his property back and that Morales-Reyes had threatened him first, when they were out of view from the Ring doorbell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I told the truth, Scott later said in court. I told him that I accidentally cut him. At the time of his arrest, Scott had an open warrant for skipping court in a burglary case. He was charged with breaking into his mothers apartment building with two other men and stealing a ladder and other items. He was booked into Milwaukee County Jail on Sept. 26, 2023, and has remained there since on $10,000 bail. In handwritten letters to a judge, Scott has offered to plead guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge in the robbery case and misdemeanor theft in the burglary case. He also wrote a letter dated Aug. 5, 2024, to Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Kristy Yang, saying he would turn her courtroom into a circus with brazen antics he hoped would go viral on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case will never make it to a jury trial, he wrote. Scott has past criminal convictions that date back to 2000 including battery, disorderly conduct and third-degree sexual assault. In 2010, Scott was charged with felony murder in the death of Steve Allen, according to previous Journal Sentinel reporting. Scott was seen punching and kicking Allen, who was lying on the pavement while demanding the return of property, the Journal Sentinel reported. Allen died two days later. Online court records show Scott was convicted of second-degree recklessly endangering safety in that case and sentenced to five years in prison and five years on extended supervision. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man charged with threatening Trump in effort to deport victim of robbery A father of four died from his injuries after a boat he was driving exploded off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day, the mans loved ones announced in a GoFundMe fundraiser. Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived Fort Lauderdale, was identified as the man who died after the blast, according to the fundraiser page. The fundraiser, organized by Hannah Galindo, said Fifis sudden passing has left his family, friends, and community in shock and grief. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state police agency investigating the incident, released a statement Monday night saying Fifi was the operator of the 39-foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was driving the vessel north in the Intracoastal Waterway shortly after refueling around 5:45 p.m. when he tried starting the port, or left side, inboard engine and the boat exploded, according to the FWC statement. Boat safety experts say its critical to turn on the blower fan before starting a boat to remove any gas vapors or accumulated gasoline by the engines. And while the fan airs out the boat, boaters should smell for gas vapors, which are very combustible. READ MORE: Two boats exploded off Fort Lauderdale within 5 months. Tips to avoid a similar fate Firefighters spray down a burning 30-foot boat that went up in flames off the beach in Fort Lauderdale Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Fifi was one of the 14 people on board the vessel, which was near the large sandbar by the New River when the flash explosion occurred. Eleven people including two young children were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospitals burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr. Fifi during this difficult time, the FWC said in its statement. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Fire officials say the blast was likely caused by fuel vapors that ignited a flash fire when the boat was started. The source of the vapors and ignition is under investigation. Fifis family hopes to raise $11,000 to cover Fifis funeral and support his four children. Joshua was just beginning a new chapter in life, the page said. 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. DENVER (KDVR) A man is dead following a crash Monday afternoon in Aurora. According to a report from the Aurora Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of East 6th Avenue and Moline Street just after 2 p.m. after a 911 caller reported a crash. See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31 A Ford Fusion and a Nissan Altima, each with one occupant, were involved in the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department said a man who was driving one of the vehicles was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries but died shortly after arrival. His identity will be determined by the Arapahoe County Coroners Office. The other driver involved in the crash remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. Westbound 6th Avenue was closed due to the crash, but eastbound traffic was not affected, police said. Police said at about 3:30 p.m., they had no estimate for when the road would reopen. Possible causes of the crash remain under investigation and the police department said it will provide 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 FOX31 Denver. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Augusta County Sheriff reports a man has been charged with felony murder after an infant was found unresponsive in Verona on May 17. According to the sheriff, around 2:13 p.m. on Saturday, a call was received regarding an unresponsive and non-breathing infant at a home on Meade Park Circle. Emergency responders from Staunton Augusta Rescue Squad and Augusta County Fire and Rescue quickly responded to the scene and began emergency life-saving measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The infant was successfully resuscitated and then taken to the hospital before being airlifted to the University of Virginia Medical Center for further advanced treatment. Blacksburg PD charge man with 100 counts in child porn investigation During a joint investigation, medical personnel, law enforcement, and Child Protective Services, it was allegedly determined that the infant sustained life-threatening injuries consistent with physical harm. Investigators believe the infant was under the care of the father when the injuries occurred. The infants remains were then taken to the Chief Medical Examiner in Manassas to determine the cause of death. On May 20, the infant was pronounced dead at UVA Medical Center after being taken off life support. Later that same day, 25-year-old Blake Matthew Clark of Verona and father of the infant, was arrested by Augusta County Sheriff Deputies and charged with Felony Child Abuse and Neglect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 1, Clark was then charged with Felony Murder after additional information and evidence were allegedly obtained. Clark is currently being held at the Middle River Regional Jail without bond. The Augusta County Sheriff said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges may be pending. WFXR News will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Jacksonville police announced Tuesday that theyve made an arrest in a May 26 shooting in Jacksonvilles Normandy Village area. Muhammad Thomas, 22, is accused of shooting a man to death at the Westwood Apartments, 1171 Lane Ave. S. Officers arrived to find a man outside of his apartment suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said. The victim has been identified as Amarion Mitchell, 22. He was rushed to the hospital where he died several days later, police said. Thomas was identified as a suspect. He was already in Duval County jail on an unrelated charge when police received an arrest warrant for him in Mitchells killing, the news release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. You are the owner of this article. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego police are investigating after an elderly man was found dead on the side of a street in City Heights early Tuesday morning. Officers were dispatched to the scene in the area of 4630 Olive St. around 3:23 a.m. after receiving a report from a nearby resident, who said he heard what may have been a gunshot. According to SDPD Lt. Lou Maggi, the witness said he then looked through one of the windows in his home to see a man lying in the street and a man dressed in black standing over him before he left the scene through an alley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police searching for suspect after stabbing on edge of San Diego, National City Upon arrival, police officers found the victim in between two parked cars, obviously deceased. He was identified as a man in his 70s. No additional details about the incident, including whether it was targeted or random, are available at this time, Maggi said. Right now, the detectives are in evidence gathering mode, Maggi said, adding they are looking for any surveillance video, talking to neighbors and looking at physical evidence at the scene. Authorities are also looking for the suspect, who fled southbound on 46th Street. They are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact SDPDs Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police are investigating after a man was grazed by a bullet during a shootout near the Waterfront Metro Station on Monday afternoon. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told DC News Now that minutes before 1:30 p.m. on June 2, officers were called to the 1100 block of 4th Street, Southwest. There, police located a man who had been grazed in the shoulder. DC police finds man who was shot multiple times Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released. According to a police report obtained by DC News Now, officers found several shell casings on 4th Street. As a result, crime scene tape was placed throughout the area as the forensics team took pictures and collected evidence Monday afternoon. Bullet casings on the ground after shooting outside of the Waterfront Metro Station in D.C on June 2. (Matt Sonsalla/DC News Now) MPDs preliminary investigation revealed that two people began shooting near the metro station when the man was hit. Police believe the victim was not involved in the incident. Following the shooting, investigators issued a lookout for two people dressed in all black with masks. Shortly after, a Metro Transit police officer observed one of the suspects. The officer stopped him and found a 9mm handgun, which had been reported stolen from D.C. in October 2024, according to the police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person was detained and later charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) and numerous gun charges. D.C. police officers blocked off 4th Street on June 2 after a shooting near the Waterfront Metro Station. (Matt Sonsalla/DC News Now) This shooting comes days after a man was shot multiple times outside the Waterfront Metro Station. Police told DC News Now that no information indicates these two shootings are connected. Anyone with information about both incidents is urged to call 202-727-9099 or text MPDs Tip Line at 50411. Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A Providence man will spend the rest of his life in prison for fatally shooting two men outside a house party four years ago, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Tuesday. Kelvin Maldonado, 32, was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences, along with an additional 16 years to serve concurrently, for the murders of Abdoulaye Diallo and Abass Mbaye. In January, a jury found Maldonado guilty of two counts of murder, three counts of discharging a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PRIOR COVERAGE: Man found guilty of Providence double murder Police responded to a shooting in the area of Cheshire and Salina streets in Providence around 3:20 a.m. on June 20, 2021. Officers found Diallo unresponsive on the ground and discovered Mbaye in the passenger seat of a Range Rover. Both men were pronounced dead at the hospital. Prosecutors said Maldonado also fired at a third victim. According to Neronha, investigators were able to identify Maldonado as the shooter using video footage and cellphone location data that placed him near the scene. One witness reportedly saw him flash a gun in the same area where the shots were fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two men tragically lost their lives because the defendant had access to a gun and decided to use it to settle a meaningless dispute, Neronha said. While nothing can return Mr. Diallo and Mr. Mbaye to their families, the four consecutive life sentences imposed by Judge Rodgers more than align with the severity of the defendants crimes. I hope this sentencing provides some closure for the families of both victims. 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. ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW) A 22-year-old man was hurt Monday night after Elyria police said a large fight led to a shooting in a residential area. A news release from police described the incident as a dangerous and reckless act that endangered the people directly involved, as well as residents in the area. Woman rescued after please help me note found in Florida restaurant bathroom According to police, officers were called to the 1100 block of Barbara Street on reports of a large fight in the street. While on the way to the scene, officers received additional calls reporting the sound of gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they arrived, police said about 40 people were dispersed along the block. Most told the officers they did not see the shooting and were only there to observe the commotion. One witness did tell police they head multiple gunshots coming from the backyards of several homes. Another reported multiple people running through backyards before getting into a vehicle parked nearby. Elyria police were then notified that a 22-year-old man had arrived at a hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. He told police he was inside a vehicle attempting to leave the area as the fight escalated. He was listed in stable condition. At the scene, police found multiple shell casings spread across driveways and yards. Three vehicles were also found with bullet holes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I-X Center one step closer to being repurposed We are urging anyone with information to come forward so we can identify those responsible and prevent future violence in our neighborhoods, said Captain Bill Lantz. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Loesch at 440- 326-1205 or tloesch@cityofelyria.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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A man was hospitalized with injuries after being shot several times Monday in Jacksonvilles Ribault neighborhood. The shooting occurred during an argument at about 3 p.m. in the 6400 block of Restlawn Drive, according to Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. After being dispatched to the area, officers arrived to find the victim, an adult male, suffering from several non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, a JSO news release states. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition. A short time later, an individual identifying himself as the shooter contacted police and turned himself in without incident, the news release states. The initial investigation has revealed there was an argument followed by a physical altercation between known individuals. The fight led to the shooter producing a firearm and shooting the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The names of the victim and suspect were not released. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Previous coverage of DeSoto Bass Apartments. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A man was shot in the leg after exchanging gunfire with another person on Bragg Place Monday evening. According to Daytons Sgt. Andrew Zecchini, the shooting happened before 6:30 p.m. in the 0 block of Bragg Place, DeSoto Bass Apartments. Officers found a 38-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower leg. He was taken by medics to a nearby hospital in non-life-threatening condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was exchanging gunfire with another party when he was struck, wrote Zecchini. Officials allege the man was uncooperative in providing information about the shooting. This is the second shooting within three days at the apartments. The Dayton Police Departments Violent Offender Unit detectives are currently investigating this incident. 2 NEWS will update this article when more information is 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 WDTN.com. OLANTA, S.C. (WBTW) A 26-year-old man is facing a slew of charges after allegedly breaking into a Florence County pharmacy over the weekend, the sheriffs office said Tuesday. Shykeem Cooper of Bishopville, South Carolina, was charged with second-degree burglary, safecracking, theft of controlled substances, possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy. He was booked into the Florence County Detention Center on Monday. Florence County deputies responded at about 3:20 a.m. Saturday for an alarm call at the Olanta Pharmacy on N. Jones Road, according to the sheriffs office. When deputies arrived, they found the front glass entrance was shattered and that the medicine safe was broken into with an undetermined amount of controlled substances being stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cooper, along with co-defendants, allegedly forcibly entered the building and broke into a secured cabinet with a prybar, stealing substances and money, the sheriffs office said. No information about the other suspects was immediately available. Count on News13 for updates. * * * 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. CHICAGO (WGN) Chicago police are searching for the person who fatally shot a man during an argument on the citys South Side overnight. Chicago police say the deadly shooting occurred just before 1:30 a.m. in the 7800 block of South Merill Avenue, in South Shore. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines According to police, a witness told officers that they had heard two males arguing just before several gunshots rang out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When authorities arrived on the scene, they found the victim, a 56-year-old man, unresponsive in the front yard. The man, who had suffered gunshot wounds to his head and hand, was later pronounced dead on the scene. Authorities have not yet identified the victim killed and it is unclear what led up the altercation. An investigation by Chicago police is now underway. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Anyone with information on the crash can contact CPD Area Two Detectives at 312-747-8273 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. 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. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. ELKO COUNTY, Nevada (ABC4) A Louisiana man was killed after falling off a train traveling through Nevada to Utah. He was found in a Nevada city roughly 50 miles away from the Utah border. 24-year-old James Ivy Woods, from Shreveport, Louisiana, was identified as the victim. According to the Elko County Sheriffs Office, they received a call from a woman on June 2 around 4:35 a.m. She told police that she and her friend unlawfully jumped onto a train near Elko, Nevada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement said that she told them she fell asleep after boarding, and when she woke up, Woods was missing. Sheriffs deputies and Union Pacific Railroad personnel began searching the train tracks around the area where he may have fallen. Around 6:35 a.m., a Union Pacific Railroad employee discovered Woods body on the tracks near Wells, Nevada, roughly 50 miles from Elko, Nevada. The sheriffs office said that he was hit by the train as he fell off and sustained fatal injuries. 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. Jun. 3PAYNESVILLE, Minn. A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting Monday night in Paynesville, where police responded to a report of a domestic dispute. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shared in a post on social media early Tuesday morning that BCA agents were at the scene to investigate. According to a news release from Paynesville Chief of Police Paul Wegner, a male suspect reported to be armed had locked himself in the basement of the home. Shots were fired as police were attempting to take him into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival at the 600 block of Stearns Avenue at around 9:05 p.m. Monday, June 2, officers from the Paynesville and Cold Spring police departments and the Stearns County Sheriff's Office were able to safely evacuate an adult female from the residence. Officers entered the house and attempted to make verbal contact with the male, according to the news release. Officers reportedly told the male to come to the basement stairs with his hands visible. They also advised him that he was under arrest and that he needed to show himself. The news release did not describe the ensuing shooting in any more detail. Officers and medical personnel at the scene immediately administered life-saving measures, but the man died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Wegner. A firearm was also located at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman who reported being assaulted had suffered minor injuries to her head and neck area, according to the news release. Chief Wegner said body-worn cameras were in use at the time of the shooting, and the BCA is currently investigating the incident. 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. Jun. 3Editor's note: This story has been updated since initial publication to add comments from the mayor of Paynesville. A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting Monday night in Paynesville, where police responded to a report of a domestic dispute. The shared in a post on social media early Tuesday morning that BCA agents were at the scene to investigate. According to a news release from Paynesville Chief of Police Paul Wegner, a male suspect reported to be armed had locked himself in the basement of the home. Shots were fired as police were attempting to take him into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival at the 600 block of Stearns Avenue at around 9:05 p.m. Monday, June 2, officers from the Paynesville and Cold Spring police departments and the were able to safely evacuate an adult female from the residence. Officers entered the house and attempted to make verbal contact with the male, according to the news release. Officers reportedly told the male to come to the basement stairs with his hands visible. They also advised him that he was under arrest and that he needed to show himself. The news release did not describe the ensuing shooting in any more detail. Officers and medical personnel at the scene immediately administered life-saving measures, but the man died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Wegner. A firearm was also located at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman who reported being assaulted had suffered minor injuries to her head and neck area, according to the news release. Chief Wegner said body-worn cameras were in use at the time of the shooting, and the BCA is currently investigating the incident. Shawn Reinke, mayor of Paynesville, issued a written statement around 1 p.m. Tuesday, stating that Wegner had kept him apprised of events overnight and Tuesday morning. Reinke further wrote, "This tragic occurrence leaves our community in a state of shock that we were not planning to wake up to today. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved during this tremendously sad day." CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) An investigation is underway after a man became pinned underneath a vehicle in Cranston Tuesday afternoon. Cranston Fire Chief Daniel Marcinko told 12 News first responders were called to a home off Hollow Tree Drive to free a man stuck under a vehicle in his driveway. Marcinko said the man, who he estimated is in his mid-50s, was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear exactly how the man wound up trapped underneath the vehicle at this time. 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. (WKBN) A man arrested in January for trying to use a fake Social Security card to get a state ID pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court. Diego Lopez Gomez, 33, entered his pleas before U.S. Judge Donald C. Nugent in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio to a bill of information charging him with possession of a fraudulent permanent resident card. He was sentenced to time served and three years probation, but also ordered to turn himself in to federal immigration officials to be deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A criminal complaint in the case was filed Jan. 31 in federal court, a day after Lopez Gomez was arrested by Boardman police at the Department of Motor Vehicles on Boardman-Canfield Road. Police were called by an employee of the BMV who said a man later identified as Lopez Gomez had fake documents he tried to give to the employee to get a state identification card. Lopez Gomez presented a Social Security card that was fake, reports said. Reports said Lopez Gomez told police he worked at a local Mexican restaurant, and he gave officers a paystub and a W2 from there. Police consulted authorities with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who asked that he be placed into custody. The criminal complaint was filed in federal court the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had been held in federal detention since the complaint was filed. An affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint said the Social Security card and number Lopez Gomez tried to use was fake. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Romanian man has pleaded guilty to making dozens of swatting calls against state and federal officials in late 2023, including at least six Georgia lawmakers. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 26-year-old Thomas Szabo pleaded guilty to being the leader of a conspiracy group that targeted government buildings, churches and homes with swatting calls and bomb threats. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Christmas Day 2023 and in the days after, six Georgia lawmakers reported having police falsely sent to their homes, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene posted on social media that this was her eighth time being swatted. Police in Rome, where the congresswoman lives, told Channel 2 Action News that a man in New York called the Georgia suicide hotline claiming to have shot his girlfriend at Greenes home and was going to kill himself next. That turned out to be false. Republican state Senators John Albers, Clinton Dixon and Kay Kirkpatrick, as well as Democratic state Senator Kim Jackson also say they were targeted. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This defendants targeted and ruthless behavior put countless people in danger, including law enforcement, public officials, and ordinary citizens, said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Federal prosecutors say that between Christmas Eve 2023 and early January 2024, Szabo and members of his group made swatting calls against: At least 25 Members of Congress and their families At least six current and former U.S. Executive Branch officials At least 13 current and former senior federal law enforcement officials At least 27 current and former state government officials and their families At least four religious institutions Multiple members of the federal judiciary Multiple members of the media During that period, prosecutors say one of the groups members bragged to Szabo about doing more than 25 swattings in one day and wasting $500,000 of taxpayers money. Szabo was extradited from Romania in November. He is set to be sentenced on Oct. 23. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A Forest man pled guilty to trafficking methamphetamine in Rankin County. Madison and Rankin Counties District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said Latarke Maurice Sims, 44, pled guilty to two counts of trafficking methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 20 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) without the possibility of parole or early release. Mississippi seeks execution date for man sentenced in 1993 killing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 25, 2023, and January 10, 2025, Bramlett said Sims was found in possession of trafficking amounts of methamphetamine in Rankin County. During both incidents, authorities said Sims was also in possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. In the July 2023 offense, Bramlett said officers recovered a pistol in Sims possession, despite his status as a previously convicted felon. During the January 2025 incident, authorities said Sims attempted to flee law enforcement, resulting in a highspeed chase. Latarke Sims (Courtesy: Rankin County District Attorneys Office) Sims was previously convicted of armed robbery, kidnapping and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2006, as well as a prior conviction for sale of cocaine in 1998. 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. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A Boardman man accused of shooting at a complete stranger in Trumbull County has opted to go to trial. Dennis Sklenchar Jr. rejected a plea deal in Common Pleas Court Tuesday that would have reduced a first-degree felony felonious assault charge to a third-degree felony attempt charge. The state offered to amend count one to an attempt, which made it a felony of the third degree, which significantly lessened his exposure with regard to prison time, said Assistant Prosecutor Michael Burnett. However, Sklenchar is leaving his fate up to a jury of his peers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also faces additional charges of felonious assault, having weapons under disability, tampering with evidence and carrying concealed weapons. It stems from a random act of violence back in March, where investigators say Sklenchar shot at a man who was waiting at a bus stop on Belmont Avenue in Liberty. Police say the bullet went through the victims jacket, narrowly missing him. Police say they found a loaded handgun in Sklenchars pants at the time of his arrest. I didnt really hurt nobody or mean to hurt no one, I was just like you know, I hadnt been to sleep in like four days, Sklenchar said. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday. If convicted of the charges, Sklenchar could face more than 20 years in prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors Note: Video originally included with the story has been replaced with an edited version of the video. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it was investigating after someone tore down Pride decorations in Dupont Circle Tuesday. Someone shared a video with DCNewsNow.com, showing a man ripping the Pride-colored wrap from a pole at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Q Street NW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In sharing the video, he said the man had taken down four or five of the decorations. When he asked him to stop, the man seemed annoyed and took down the wrap seen in the video. Significant road closures for WorldPride Parade, Block Party Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets bought the cloth wraps and placed them in the area as the District celebrates Pride Month and welcomes people for WorldPride. The nonprofit group celebrates the neighborhood, promoting the museums, galleries, and businesses that enrich it with their presence. MPD said officers were not able to find the man wanted for removing the decorations. The police report lists the crime as destruction of property, noting that the incident may be motivated by a hate bias based on sexual orientation. 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. This story was updated with additional information and photos. One of the two gunmen who prosecutors say sprayed approximately 30 bullets into a Silverton home in 2023, killing a 9-year-old girl, has pleaded guilty to charges including manslaughter. As part of the plea agreement, Qasseem Dixon, 27, was sentenced to 30 to 35 years in prison. Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert Winkler imposed that sentence on Tuesday, June 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting happened the night of July 10, 2023 on Plainfield Road. Da'Myiah Barton-Pickens was inside her grandmother's house with a friend, dancing and making TikTok videos, when prosecutors say Dixon and now-29-year-old Ryan Meliek Brown opened fire at the house. The house in the 6000 block of Plainfield Road where 9-year-old Da'Myiah Barton-Pickens was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in July 2023. Da'Myiah was struck once in the chest. Her friend was grazed by a bullet. Her grandmother, Latisha Copeland, was not wounded. In court Tuesday, Copeland described holding Da'Myiah, who was mortally wounded, in her arms. She said Dixon's reckless decision "not only broke us it shattered all our hearts into a million little pieces." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Why should you be able to continue to live, when my grandbaby had to die?" Copeland said. An SKS rifle and a 9 mm handgun were used in the shooting. Authorities have said that the intended target was a man related to Da'Myiah. In court, Dixon indicated that the shooting was retaliation for an earlier incident. He said he never intended to harm children. "That wasn't my intent. That ain't what I wanted to do," he said. "I'm sorry it happened." Qasseem Dixon sits in the jury box at his plea hearing and sentencing in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Brown, the second accused gunman, has a court hearing set for July 15. He faces charges including aggravated murder and felonious assault. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man sentenced to 30 to 35 years for drive-by that killed 9-year-old (FOX40.COM) A man was sentenced to 85 years in prison for the second-degree murder of a 3-year-old child and assault resulting in the death of a child under 8 years old, according to the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office. Video Above: More than 200 suspected child sex abuse offenders arrested Officials said the victims family was staying at a hotel on February 6, 2023. LaShawn Sparks told the child mother he was taking the 3-year-old to get snacks from a nearby convenience store and would be back soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child was seen on motel surveillance footage walking out of the room and getting into the car with Sparks. The childs mother said the toddler left with no visible injuries, according to officials. Within two hours, Sparks beat and assaulted the toddler before returning to the motel, where surveillance footage shows the 3-year-old slumped over Sparks shoulder. Officials said Sparks woke the mother up the following morning, said the child was not breathing and called 911. The 3-year-old was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Man arrested for assault with deadly weapon, Stockton police says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, the toddlers blood was found inside toe car and on the bed in the model. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries to the head and neck area. Sparks was sentenced to 85 years to life in prison and was also found to have prior strike convictions for first-degree burglary and robbery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A 45-year-old Charleston man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for a weapons violation. Claude Michael Barrs pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina. Barrs was stopped by a Berkeley County Sheriffs deputy on September 29, 2023, after they observed him driving erratically, officials said. During that stop, deputies say Barrs appeared extremely nervous and admitted that his license was suspended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he was asked to exit the vehicle, officials say Barrs attempted to discreetly discard a bag on the ground that bag contained six grams of methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle uncovered an additional 0.85 grams of methamphetamine under the drivers seat and a 9mm pistol in the trunk, the US Attorneys Office said. Barrs admitted the drugs and firearm belonged to him. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. Officials said Barr was eligible for a sentencing enhancement based on prior convictions for violent felonies for serious drug offenses. At the time of this arrest, Barrs was out on bond for state charges of armed robbery, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and possession of a weapon by a violent offender, the US Attorneys Office added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrs was sentenced to 180 days in prison as part of a negotiated agreement between the parties, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. The Denver Gazette FILE PHOTO: Judge W. Eric Kuhn speaks following his swearing-in ceremony to the Court of Appeals on July 22, 2022. Also pictured, from left to right, are Judges Rebecca R. Freyre, Craig R. Welling and Ted C. Tow III, and Chief Judge Gilbert M. {span}Roman.{/span} A DeKalb County jury has convicted a man of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in a 1988 cold case. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On May 20, Reginald Colwell, 58, of Albany was found guilty of kidnapping rape, and aggravated assault. The conviction stems from an incident that happened on December 30, 1988. Investigators said a 20-year-old victim went to the DeKalb County Police Department to report that she had been raped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told investigators she was headed out to meet her boyfriend earlier that evening and heard a noise as she locked her apartment front door. According to authorities, when she turned around, a man in a ski mask put a knife to her throat and forced her into the woods behind the apartment complex on Weatherly Drive in unincorporated Stone Mountain. TRENDING STORIES: Investigators said the man held the 20-year-old at knifepoint and raped her, threatening to kill her if she refused. After the attack, the man told the victim to stay on the ground and ran off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said the woman then ran to a nearby neighborhood for help. A woman helped the victim call her boyfriend, who then rushed her to the DKPD to file a report. Investigators searched the woods and found the victims purse and other belongings. The victim was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for a sexual assault exam. According to the DeKalb County District Attorneys Office, DNA testing wasnt available at the time of the crime, however, biological evidence collected in the kit was kept by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] In June 2019, evidence from the case was tested with the help of the Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Assistance National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From there, they secured a warrant to collect Colwells DNA sample, pinning him as the suspect in the crime. Investigators learned he was living in DeKalb County in 1988. On Tuesday, a judge sentenced Colwell to two life sentences, plus 20 years, all to be served consecutively. The man who punched a Broward Sheriffs Office deputy in the face before a second deputy shot him Sunday is facing felony charges, according to authorities. Joshua Gullatt, 22, was identified Monday as the man who BSO officers shot the day before on the 4000 block of Southwest 26th Street. Gullatt faces a slew of charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. READ MORE: BSO deputy shot man after he punched another officer in the face, officials say Around 12:20 p.m., BSO spokesman Carey Codd said deputies went to 4017 Southwest 26th Street in West Park to respond to a call of a disturbance involving a weapon. When they arrived, Gullatt punched one of the deputies and knocked him to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another deputy tried to subdue Gullatt with a Taser stun gun, Codd added. Gullatt then hit that deputy and ran into a bedroom, arming himself with a deadly weapon, according to the sheriffs office, which did not specify the weapon. Codd said thats when one of the deputies opened fire and shot Gullatt. BSO deputies provided first aid before paramedics took him to the hospital. As of Monday evening, he remained in the hospital and his condition was not immediately. Theres also no available information on his legal representation. Paramedics also took the deputy who was hit to the ground to the hospital, where Codd noted he was treated for his injuries and released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting by the deputies. BSOs Internal Affairs Unit is also conducting an administrative review of the shooting, according to Codd. The sheriffs Office Homicide and Crime Scene detectives are investigating the circumstances that led to deputies being called to the scene. The deputy who fired his weapon is on administrative assignment pending the investigation, Codd said. COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) A man was injured when he was shot by an officer while walking on Nashville Highway in Columbia early Tuesday morning. The Columbia Police Department described the shooting as a moving situation in between the 1500 and 1700 block of Nashville Highway around 1 a.m. Suspected gunman identified after 2 killed, 1 injured in Columbia neighborhood According to a press release, officers were called to the area after receiving a report of a suspicious male walking in the roadway, attempting to approach passing vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arriving officers found the man in the roadway armed with a handgun. They reportedly tried to make him stop and drop his weapon for 10 minutes. Columbia police stated the man continued to walk southbound while weaving in and out of the roadway and the median. According to the press release, the man was shot by a Columbia officer as he approached the populated 1500 block of Nashville Highway, stopping the advancement and threat. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The shooting victim was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was taken into surgery. His condition was not immediately released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No officers were injured in the incident. Per routine, the officer was placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. The shooting prompted a closure of Nashville Highway between Carters Creek and West Burt Drive but the roadway has since reopened to traffic. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been called to assist with the investigation. No additional information was immediately released. 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. One man was killed and a second survived being shot in the eye in a hail of gunfire on a Brooklyn street, police said Tuesday. Ramel Fisher, 39, was shot in the abdomen on Putnam Ave. near Central Ave. in Bushwick about 10 p.m. Monday, cops said. A 63-year-old man standing near him was blasted in the right eye. It was not immediately clear who the intended target was. Medics rushed both victims to Brookdale University Hospital, where Fisher died about 45 minutes later. The other victim was in stable condition, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors said that Fisher used to live on the block but that his family had moved to Pennsylvania. Cops recovered three shell casings and a bullet fragment at the scene but have made no arrests. The shooting appeared to have left a bullet hole in the front door of an apartment building at the scene. A neighbor in a second-floor apartment that overlooks the crime scene heard several shots before he called 911. We just heard very loud gunshots. Six shots, like a few, said the neighbor, who declined to give his name. We heard some yelling right after, and then we called the police. Police came in five minutes. We saw what looked like somebody being carried down the stairs. Then there was an ambulance, and they put him in the ambulance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From his vantage point, it looked like the victim on the stairs was either inside the building or on the steps when he was struck, the neighbor said. He said he also saw rescuers rendering aid to another victim on the sidewalk. A short time later, he said, a man on a scooter appeared and told cops he knew one of the victims. This block is nice, the neighbor said. It doesnt see a lot of action. This is the first time this has happened ever since we lived here. Another neighbor, Stewart Laufer, 42, also was also caught off guard by the bloodshed. Were actually newish to the neighborhood, Laufer said. Been here about a year. Were very surprised. My wife and I lived in the South Bronx for 16 years, which is fairly notorious, but was pretty much a big nothingburger for the time we were there. And now being here on this block? Kind of surprising. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Thomas Eugene Tolbert, the man suspected of shooting a Lees Summit police officer in Missouri, has been found and arrested in Kansas, prompting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to cancel its Blue Alert. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The alert was issued while law enforcement was searching for Tolbert, who allegedly shot a Lees Summit officer while police were investigating a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex Sunday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The KBI canceled the alert after Tolbert, 27, was found and arrested in Ellis, Kansas, early Tuesday morning. Our law enforcement partners at the city, the county, the state, and the federal level have been amazing in the way theyve stepped up to help us with this case, Lees Summit Police Sgt. Chris Depue said. Then, as I mentioned before, the TIPS Hotline truly made the difference in this case. We are so thankful for that partnership. Were thankful for them helping us boost the reward yesterday from $2,000 to $10,000 to encourage tips and information. Were thankful to that tipster. You have no idea the relief you brought to a community and to this officer and his family, Depue said. Ellis Police Chief Avery Smith said Tolbert received a ride from someone who didnt know Tolbert was wanted. He made it about 300 miles west of the Kansas City metro area before he was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 4:50 a.m., KBI agents, Ellis County Sheriffs Office deputies, and Hays Police Department officers arrived at the hotel and safely took Tolbert into custody, per KBI. I heard them yelling, We need more bodies up here. And its like, whats going on? And then we hear a taser deployed, so it was quick, fast, and in a hurry, Smith explained. I think from the time that they made contact with the suspect to the time that they had him in custody, it was no more than a minute. It was very, very quick once everything happened. View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com Depue says the Blue Alert helped speed up the process of locating and arresting Tolbert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has changed, I think, from years past is the way technology has kind of encompassed law enforcement and made this today possible. The Blue Alert that was first issued in Missouri and then carried to Kansas connected law enforcement agencies in a way thats never been seen before and pushed that out to every cell phone, every person in all those states, which made the tip possible, which made the apprehension possible, Depue explained. LSPD officers worked around the clock since the search started. I think I speak for every man and woman here at this police department, that nobody slept last night. Since Sunday night, all of us have worked triple and double shifts, committed to making this day happen. And at 6:30 this morning, that news came in. That was the best news we could have gotten, Depue said. The injured LSPD officer is still in serious condition, but Depue says he is determined to make a full recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is progressing very well. He is described to me as determined. So, he told his doctors and care team yesterday that he at least wanted to get out of bed and take a few steps, although that turned into several steps up and down the hallway. He was determined, and hes determined to make a full recovery. And so with the support that he has here from the police department and this community, I have no doubt that he will, Depue said. Tolbert was arrested on a Missouri warrant for first-degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault. The charges were filed Monday in Jackson County Circuit Court in connection with the shooting. Tolbert has been booked into the Ellis County jail, according to the KBI. Its a win for Lees Summit, its a win for their police department. Its a win for that officer and his family, knowing that that guy has been caught, Smith 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. TAVARES, Fla. (WFLA) Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier held a press conference in Lake County Tuesday morning to discuss the recent conviction of an undocumented immigrant in a human trafficking case. In May, 31-year-old Jose Gomez was found guilty of human trafficking of a child, among other charges, and was sentenced to life in prison. Last July, the Eustis Police Department received a hang-up 911 call and were not able to get the caller back on the phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers arrived at the location the call came from, and while searching the area, came across a girl walking down the street seemingly in distress. The girl, only identified as being between the ages of 12 and 16, would later tell officers that she had been raped by an unknown man in his apartment, but she was able to escape. It was later revealed that the Gomez had been approached by a man offering prostitution services and was given a phone number to call if he wanted the girl to come to his apartment. Gomez told officers he gave the girl two $50 bills before the assault occurred. State Attorney Bill Gladson was also at the press conference and spoke on some of the details of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He basically bought a girl for an hour to do whatever he wanted with, Gladson said. Gomez was convicted on one count of human trafficking, three counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a child, and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence. Uthmeier said that Gomez, from Guatemala, was in the country illegally, after his work visa expired a few years ago. But he clarified that he will not be deported and will serve his sentence in the U.S. Hes going to stay right here, were going to know where he is, Uthmeier said. He will be behind bars for the rest of his life, and that prison cell will be far too nice a place for this individual. 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. Authorities are asking the public to help identify a man who broke into an Ohio Dollar General store wearing only underwear and what appears to be a white cape. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Scioto County Sheriffs deputies responded to reports that someone broke into Dollar General at 16 Brouse Run Road in West Portsmouth, just before 7 a.m. on June 1, according to Sheriff David Thoroughman. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An employee said someone broke into the store by shattering the glass front door. When authorities arrived on scene, they noticed a trail of blood and a trail of stolen womens underwear and bras leading away from the store, Thoroughman said. Surveillance cameras from inside the store captured a man wearing only what appeared to be white underwear and a cape breaking the glass door. Once the suspect went inside, he reportedly went straight to the womens clothing section and grabbed several packs of underwear and bras, according to Thoroughman. He was then seen running out of the store. Detectives recovered evidence, which has since been sent for testing. Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at (740) 351-1091. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Five days after she last saw her 2-year-old son, the wife of Jackson County legislator Manuel Manny Abarca IV pleaded for evidence that he was safe and would be coming home soon. I am just desperate for my son, Alexis Garcia Abarca said in a text message to The Star Monday evening. Asked if she had any idea where her husband might be other than their home in Kansas Citys Historic Northeast area, Garcia said she was unsure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know, she said. On Facebook, Garcia announced Sunday that her husband and 2-year-old son Manuel Abarca V, nicknamed Luca, were missing and that she had not seen the child since Wednesday evening. Garcia wrote that Luca was sick and did not have access to medication. She also described herself as the preferred and primary caregiver for both children she shares with Abarca. I am asking for help as a mother that is desperate to get her son back, Garcia wrote. She filed a police report, and the Shawnee Police Department issued an alert. As of Monday afternoon, Abarca, 37, and Luca were still listed as missing persons on the Kansas Bureau of Investigation website. The KBI said Abarca was last seen on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Shawnee Police Department confirmed on Monday that the missing persons report is still currently under investigation. Although phone contact has been made, we have not yet had the opportunity to verify the individuals well-being through direct, in-person contact, department spokesperson Emily Rittman said. While there is no immediate indication of danger, the investigation remains open out of an abundance of caution until we can independently verify their safety and well-being. 1st District Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca Shawnee Police crime mapping data shows that police were called to the home of Abarcas father on Thursday afternoon in response to what was described as a domestic dispute. The Star has submitted an open records request for a copy of the police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abarca sent out an email to the news media in the early morning hours of Monday to say that reports of his absence were false. It has come to my attention that a missing persons report has been filed erroneously concerning my son and me, Abarca wrote in a statement shared early Monday morning. Please rest assured we are not missing and that we are both safe and healthy. Abarca has been making appearances on the internet over the past several days. He was a vocal participant on Friday mornings weekly Zoom meeting of the Urban Summit of Kansas City, which he joined virtually. He was also active on social media Friday, sharing commentary about the ongoing Jackson County budget freeze. He did not attend the Monday afternoon meeting of the legislatures anti-crime committee, of which he is a member. But he later joined the 16-minute meeting of the full legislature via video conference and led the Pledge of Allegiance remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abarca did not respond to requests for comment. He is serving his first term representing the 1st District in the Jackson County Legislature. Previously he served on the board of education for Kansas City Public Schools and was a long-time aide to U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. Recently, Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. launched a misconduct investigation of Abarca, citing what White considered Abarcas abusive treatment of county employees. Over the past several months, my office has received numerous reports from associates describing unprofessional, hostile, and demeaning conduct by Legislator Manuel Abarca, White wrote in a letter to county legislators. Jun. 2KENNEBEC, S.D. Jury selection and opening statements took place Monday for the second-degree manslaughter trial of 32-year-old Jan Bothma, a South African national accused of causing a fatal crash last year while operating farm equipment. From a larger pool, a jury of eight men and six women was selected to hear the case, which is expected to last most of the week due to the number of witnesses the state plans to call. The crash occurred on April 25, 2024, along 305th Avenue near Presho in Lyman County, central South Dakota, approximately 40 miles west of the Missouri River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bothma was driving a Case IH farm tractor and sprayer when he allegedly failed to stop at a posted stop sign, striking a pickup truck driven by 33-year-old Chance Veurink of Vivian. Veurink died at the scene. Bothma, who was working on a visa for a local farmer in nearby Presho, faces charges of second-degree manslaughter a criminal offense in South Dakota defined by reckless or negligent behavior that results in death. "April 25 was a beautiful spring day full of promise, except for Chance Veurink," said Lyman County State's Attorney Steven Smith in his opening statement. Smith urged the jury to approach their role with fairness, calling their decision to be fair "the second hardest decision you will make after the verdict." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accused Bothma of recklessly using his phone while driving and running the stop sign. Smith also referenced a witness who reportedly saw Bothma speed up after slowing through a construction zone, portraying this as further evidence of negligent driving. In contrast, defense attorney George Johnson employed an unusual tactic during his opening statement. Speaking metaphorically as if he were the tractor-sprayer itself, Johnson described the Case IH machine as a key piece of evidence. He argued that computer screens mounted inside the cab on the right side partially obstructed the driver's view, particularly of traffic approaching from State Highway 248. Johnson also explained a known mechanical issue called "D-rate" that can cause the tractor to slow down automatically a problem he said occurred on the day of the crash. According to Johnson, Bothma attempted to clear the intersection by pulling onto a side dirt road to avoid blocking traffic. "It was my fault, not the driver's," Johnson said from the perspective of the tractor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial kicked off with testimonies from Deputy Don Jennings and Sheriff Steve Manger, both with the Lyman County Sheriff's Office. Jennings served as the acting coroner on the day of the crash. During questioning, Jennings and Manger reported details about the crash scene, the condition of the truck, and the extraction process used to remove Veurink from the vehicle. They also reported that a phone and tablet recovered from the crash were returned to Veurink's family. Judge Margo Northrup is presiding over the case. The second-degree manslaughter charges are a Class 4 felony, a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment in a state correctional facility and a fine of up to $20,000. Jury selection took place at the Lyman Elementary School on Monday morning to accommodate all potential jurors in one building before the trial moved three blocks down the street to the Lyman County Courthouse in the town of fewer than 300 residents. The trial is expected to continue this week with additional witness testimony. A federal judge on Tuesday heard expert testimony about a massive Denver Water project in Boulder County as she decides how much construction is needed to shore up the unlawfully permitted reservoir expansion. Dozens gathered at the Ohio Capitol to protect Medicaid benefits. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal.) As threats build to Medicaid, the federal-state health program for the poor, even many Ohioans who stand to be affected dont know it, advocates said Saturday. 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 Dozens gathered on the west lawn of the Ohio Statehouse to raise awareness that a massive spending bill passed by Republicans in Congress could end up ending health care for more than 750,000 Ohioans. People say, Oh, Im not on Medicaid,' said Bria Bennett of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. But when they hear Caresource (Ohios biggest Medicaid managed-care provider), they say Oh yeah, my kids are on Caresource. Thats a problem everywhere. People are so focused on How am I getting to work? Is my car going to get me to work? Is my uniform clean for work? Theyre worried about all those things that trying to dip into the policy things that our politicians talk about is difficult. The U.S. House-passed Republican reconciliation budget President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill would hand out $4.6 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years. The University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School estimated that 70% of the benefit would go to the richest 10% of Americans. Republicans, such as Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, have denied that the budget would cut health benefits for Americans. But then she undermined her own argument by saying We all are going to die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Parts of the bill, including a strict new work requirement, led the independent, nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office to conclude that it would cost about 10 million Americans their health insurance. Thats nearly half of the 24.6 million Americans who are covered under the Medicaid expansion that was passed as part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Most Medicaid recipients have jobs, and a 2018 assessment in Ohio said that health coverage made it easier for those people to seek and keep employment. Meanwhile, work requirements have been shown to be ineffective for anything other than hassling people off of the system. Researchers at Harvard University and the Urban Institute found that Arkansass work requirement did nothing to boost employment in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government covers 90% of the cost of the Medicaid expansion. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine proposed that if a significant portion of that funding were eliminated, the state would cut those people off ending health coverage for 770,000 Ohioans. Thats nearly 7% of the state. It might come as a surprise for many, but 26% of Ohioans are on Medicaid, and low-income residents are so numerous that 30% of households make 200% or less of the federal poverty level. Bennett of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative said its jargon like that that obscures the dire reality in which millions of Ohioans live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know what 200% of whatever is, she said. Thats just a number to me. Were trying to make things relatable because people dont necessarily know that it affects them. For the record, for a family of four 200% of the federal poverty level is $62,400 a year. Bennett said such households would be devastated if they lost Medicaid benefits. I know folks who have four-plus kids. Because of what they make, all of their kids are on Medicaid, she said. If thats taken away, there are no more doctors appointments. Theres no more dentists appointments. And, she said, those life-saving services shouldnt be axed to pad the pockets of the wealthy in an era of exploding income inequality. We should not be giving tax breaks to the wealthy when the poorest and most vulnerable of us cannot even afford health care, Bennett said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning Monday about the immigration status of terrorists and their family members after Sundays antisemitic attack in Colorado. 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, Rubio wrote on X. On Sunday, a man in Boulder, Colorado allegedly used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people on fire during a gathering for hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The number of victims currently stands at 12, including an 88-year-old Holocuast refugee. Two victims were still hospitalized as of Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, told investigators he wanted to kill all Zionist people. Soliman had overstayed his B2 visa, which expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X. Soliman is an Egyptian national, law enforcement told CNN and other outlets. Multiple people were burned in an attack during a vigil calling on Hamas to release Israeli hostages. / Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Gr / Denver Post via Getty Images Soliman prepared for the attack for over a year and planned on dying during it, according to the arrest warrant. He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it, the warrant read. Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast Soliman faces 16 counts of attempted first degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 384 years. Other charges relate to the use of attempted use of an incendiary device. His bail was set at $10 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite what Rubio implied in his social media post, Justice Department prosecutors filed one hate crime charge but no terrorism-related charge. At Mondays press conference, FBI special agent Mark Michalek said Soliman appears to have acted alone, but the agency will continue to investigate. 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, Michalek said. An affidavit for the federal hate crime charge obtained by the Associated Press shows that Soliman lived in Colorado Springs with his wife and five children. Their immigration status wasnt immediately clear. Michalek said Solimans family was cooperative during a search of his residence Sunday night. The Marines will rebrand a squadron as pilots switch to the F-35B Lightning II. The transition from the AV-8B Harrier to the F-35B is part of modernization. The change is part of service-wide plans to enhance capabilities for modern Pacific warfare. The Marine Corps will soon rebrand a storied aviation squadron as its pilots switch to a new jet designed for next-level warfare. Amid ongoing changes to the Corps, the North Carolina-based Marine Attack Squadron 231 will be renamed "Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231." The squadron, identified as the service's oldest flying squadron, was formed just after World War I, and it adopted the Harrier jump jet in the 1970s and the second-generation AV-8B Harrier II in the mid-1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With VMA-231's rebranding, the unit's pilots will no longer fly the AV-8B Harrier II, an aircraft known for its short and vertical take-off and landing capabilities. The Corps is doing away with the plane, preferring the new fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters. Marines fly the stealth jet's B variant built for short runways and big-deck amphibious assault ships. VMA-231, known as the "Ace of Spades," will be deactivated later this year and then reactivated as VMFA-231 in the next fiscal year. The aviation unit completed its last Harrier flight last Thursday at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, according to a news release out Monday. "Everybody knows that VMA-231 is transitioning to F-35s," said the unit's commanding officer, Lt. Col. Paul Truog, stressing that the final Harrier flight was not a "sad day" and asserting that "the Wing, the [Marine Aircraft Group], and the squadron are going to be more capable of responding to any crisis." US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft are seen on board the US Navy's USS Tripoli. JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images The Corps has already phased out training for the aviation mechanics responsible for Harrier engine maintenance and for Harrier pilots amid the push to field fifth-generation fighters. In previous discussions with BI, Marine pilots have characterized the newer F-35 as a game-changing capability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes come as the Corps remains deep in its transformation, a process to move from fielding a force built to fight counterinsurgencies to one made for modern warfare in the Pacific. It's a shift made all the more difficult by major logistical hurdles in the region and fast changing battlefields being radically shaped by AI and drone technology. Along with the Harrier, the Corps has put F/A-18 Hornets on the chopping block to make way for the F-35. The Hornet made up over half of the Corps' tactical air capabilities in 2022, according to Military.com, and has been a go-to aircraft for the Marines and the Navy for both offensive and defensive needs. But there's a growing recognition that future fights could demand next-generation capabilities. In its statement on changes to VMA-231, the Marine Corps said "the squadron's transition from the legacy AV-8B Harrier II to the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is representative of 2nd MAW's ongoing modernization efforts to meet the needs of the future fight," referring to the 2nd Marine Air Wing. The Corps' "Force Design" plans, announced in 2020 amid much controversy, has already seen the service scrap its scout sniper program and tanks in an all-out effort to shed any capability deemed less urgent for the Pacific, and it has also rolled out new units in Hawaii and Japan specially formed for fighting along the Pacific's formidable island chains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Correction: June 5, 2025 An earlier version of this story misstated when the Harrier was introduced into the US Marine Corps. The Harrier was introduced in the 1970s, and the second-generation jet was adopted in the mid-1980s. Read the original article on Business Insider MARLOW Marlow City Council reinstated several offices within the council and Marlow Municipal Authority, including the Vice Mayor May 22. City councilors nominated and approved Jon Rich for the position of Vice Mayor. The board then re-appointed two Marlow Municipal Authority trustees and a Planning and Zoning Commission position. The board approved to re-appoint Tom Wheat as MMA Trustee for a 1-year term, Tandy Banks as a MMA Trustee for a 1-year term and Harbour Whitaker as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for a 3-year term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another segment, the city board opened up a lot split request from the Planning and Zoning Commission from Cameron Construction, Inc. The lot sits in the 1300 block of North 2nd. City Administrator Jason McPherson said everyone was happy with the presentation for the request. Its going to lead to four houses, he said. McPherson noted a couple highlights from the presentation, such as the plans to get two completed and then build the others at the same time. He said with the garage, the property is around 1,400 square foot. McPherson said theres only one issue about possible flooding. We're going to work through that with the building permit process, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McPherson said crews will perform a hydrology report. We think we know where the water is going to go, he said. Were pretty sure with all this rain that we had, we actually got to see it. McPherson said they dont think it will change, but they will have an engineer take a look at it. We think it should be a pretty successful use of that property, he said. The board approved the rezone request with a 4-0 vote. Next, the board opened up a publication notice for a petition for annexation. McPherson said residents on Jerry Wayne Lane want to annex into the city. Portions of that were annexed into the city when that stretch made it out to the Y so they'd like to be included back in that, he said. This is their petition to the city, they are going to pay for the publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McPherson said this would lead into the June meeting for a public hearing for the annexation. The board approved to authorize publication with a 4-0 vote. Next, the board approved a Federal Fiscal Year 2025 SPR Mini Transportation Planning Grant for $12,000 from Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization through SWODA. McPherson said the grant will cover street sign mapping and pay for 80% of the street sign mapping through SORTPO. In a special meeting of the MMA, the trustee board opened a contract with Fast Forward for thermal imaging services for the electric distribution system for two years at $23,786. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McPherson said this is the first item on the fiscal year 2026 budget. This is what we did last summer, he said. Did a lot of good in finding issues that happened before an outage that we could go up and fix. McPherson said the cost was $15,000 last year. Weve helped them get a couple other towns down this way, so they cut our price for us and gave us a two-year deal, just under $12,000 a year, he said. The trustee board approved the service with a 5-0 vote. In other news, the city council and MMA board approved: To accept audit engagement letter from HSPG & Associates for audit services for fiscal year 2023-24. The City of Marlow will host its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. June 24 in the Council Chambers at 119 S. Second St., Marlow. Jun. 3MITCHELL Two proposed city ordinances were killed by the Mitchell City Council, putting into question the future of term limits for city representatives and rental inspections within Mitchell city limits. The Mitchell City Council, during its regular meeting on Monday, June 2, unanimously voted down the second reading of an ordinance establishing term limits for the city council and the mayor. Council president Kevin McCardle made the point that an $84 million a year business would never tell an experienced employee of nine years that they are now done with their jobs because they got their nine years in. He told the Mitchell Republic that he doesn't know of any business that gets rid of experienced people with a lot of knowledge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's people that feel we don't vote the right way, so if they can't get us voted out in the voting booth, the only other way is to pass an ordinance to get rid of us," Councilman Jeff Smith said. Additionally, the council voted down the second reading of an ordinance establishing a rental housing inspection code. Council member Tim Goldammer was the sole vote in favor of the ordinance. He told the Mitchell Republic that he is going back to the drawing board to address rental housing issues in Mitchell. About 50 people were in the audience Monday, and at least 20 of them stood in line to address the council, most of them either landlords or property managers. "You pack the council room, the council will vote with the people almost every time," Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson told the Mitchell Republic. "If we're going to try to create a law that the landlords like we might as well not try, because they're never going to want anything. Why would someone want more regulation on themselves?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In closing remarks, Hanson admitted that the rental inspection ordinance was probably a governmental overreach, but that no law is designed for people who are doing a good job, and that the intention was not to penalize the landlords of Mitchell. "I think the free market has already decided," Hanson said. "We are not growing. We are reducing in population." Hanson believes that the rental inspection was to protect the voice of the tenant, not the voice of the landlords. He said bad rental practices are probably a contributing factor to the population decrease and cited renters who move away after bad experiences while renting in Mitchell. Landlords and property managers complaints ranged from the practical to the personally offended, citing that the inspection fees would be passed on to renters and that it would negatively impact the housing market in Mitchell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don Dahl, who has renovated Mitchell properties such as the Western building at Third Avenue and Main Street, addressed the council about his concern that the rental inspection ordinance drew too much from the California red tape playbook. "This is Mitchell, South Dakota. Why do you want to be like everybody else?" Dahl said. "Mitchell is a special place. I've grown to love it here." Stewart Hanson, Pam Bathke, and Terry Sabers requested that the rental inspection ordinance be modified before being approved by the council. "There was a lot of people that got up and said, 'It's not my property that's the problem.' But not one person said, 'There's no properties with no problems,'" Goldammer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the city of Vermillion passed a rental housing checklist, the city received multiple lawsuits, according to South Dakota Multi Housing Association Executive Director Denise Hanzlik, who joined the council meeting via video teleconference. "You're taxing me out of this town," developer and landlord Jean Koch told the council. Smith proposed adjusting the city's existing nuisance ordinance to meet additional renter-based needs and moving away from the city's complaint-driven system. Council member Mike Bathke proposed city-led inspections at a July 2024 council work session. Since then, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement the Rental Inspection Taskforce met for three hours in January and three hours in April. In March, city staff discussed how to bring forth a rental housing ordinance. Committee meetings were not open to the public or publicized, according to Hanson. Council member Marty Barington summarized that landlords had not received enough time to give input and given the volume of private complaints that council members had received, that the ordinance should go back to the committee stage to iron out details. After a series of more landlord-led complaints, Bathke called it. "It's our job to listen to the people. Let's just drop it," Bathke said. "I don't think we need another committee." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second reading of an ordinance establishing term limits met opposition from all council members. Out of the gate, council member Bathke threw down the gauntlet. "There will be a public vote, because I'm going to pass a petition," Bathke said. "I've committed to it." Bathke told the Mitchell Republic that he was only interested in voting for an ordinance that included term limits for those currently sitting on the council, including himself. "A lot of things are predetermined, folks," Bathke said. "I guarantee you that you two have talked, and that's fine. It's not illegal. It's a good thing. When it's predetermined, Kevin jumps in, someone jumps in to second. And the reason I know is because he asked me to do it once, and I did." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discussion led to the fact that Sioux Falls is the only other town in South Dakota with term limits for city council members. Hanson suggested that Mitchell be an early adopter of term limits. "Let's be Mitchell. Let's be a trend setter. Let people have a chance," Bathke said. Smith cited the Corn Palace as the reason why he ran for another term. "Let's do what we've done for years. Let voters decide," McCardle said. "If nothing changes, nothing changes," Bathke said. Bathke asked the council, "What haven't you got done in 20 years that you could see doing in the next nine years?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith, who has served on the Mitchell City Council since 2006 with fellow council member Barington, questioned if there was something that the council had done wrong. Bathke complimented the council for working together and said they hadn't done anything wrong. "Then why change it?" McCardle said. Hanson clarified what he thought of the incumbent advantage. "You're gonna pick someone you know, even if they made a couple bad decisions, versus someone you completely don't know," Hanson said. A full term limits ordinance can be found under the council agenda meeting on the city's website. The full video of the council meeting is available on the city of Mitchell's youtube page. New details continue to emerge about Ukraines unprecedented covert drone attacks on multiple Russian air bases, but the full scale and scope of the resulting losses remain unclear. It is the latest global event to put a spotlight on an already fierce debate about whether the U.S. military should be investing in more hardened aircraft shelters and other new fortified infrastructure at bases abroad and at home, something TWZ has been following closely. What we just saw in Russia is a nightmare scenario that we have been sounding the alarm on for years now, which broadly underscores the growing threats posed by drones. Readers can first get up to speed on what is known about the attacks, which were focused on trying to neutralize Russian strategic bombers that are regularly used to conduct cruise missile attacks on Ukraine, in our latest reporting here. Authorities in Ukraine say they attacked five bases with a total of 117 small and relatively short-range first-person-view (FPV) type kamikaze drones, destroying or at least damaging 41 aircraft. Andriy Kovalenko, an official with Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, has also said that at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed. These claims have yet to be independently verified and they should be taken as speculative at this time. The russian terrorist state no longer has the ability to produce Tu-95s or any kind of strategic bomber. This is a tremendous victory for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/SVeQE78v0h Michael MacKay (@mhmck) June 1, 2025 The drones were launched from container-like enclosures built to look like small sheds or tiny homes on tractor-trailer trucks. Questions remain about exactly how they were guided to their targets, but at least some of them were human-in-the-loop guided by operators using first-person-view goggles or tablet-like devices. 5/ 5. After launching, the trailers self-destructed to avoid detection or recovery (see photos). pic.twitter.com/DWZo4HlOfa Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) June 2, 2025 From the imagery that has already emerged, a key aspect of the Ukrainian drone attacks was that the Russian planes that were targeted were parked out in the open. The fact that aircraft sitting on open flightlines are especially vulnerable, including to uncrewed aerial threats, is not new. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One day last week, I had two small UASs that were interfering with operations At one base, the gate guard watched one fly over the top of the gate check, tracked it while it flew over the flight line for a little while, and then flew back out and left, now-retired Air Force Gen. James Mike Holmes, then-head of Air Combat Command (ACC), said in 2017, now nearly a decade ago. Imagine a world where somebody flies a couple hundred of those and flies one down the intake of my F-22s with just a small weapon on it. At that time, TWZ noted that it would be easier for an adversary to just attack parked planes in the open, offering a way to knock out large numbers of aircraft before they can even get airborne. Since then, we have already had multiple opportunities to re-highlight the ever-growing risk of something like this occurring to Americas armed forces, including scenarios involving more localized attacks on bases far from active war zones by lower-end weaponized commercial drones. The Russian military has been acutely aware of drone threats to air bases even before the all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A mass drone attack on Russias Khmeimim Air Base outpost in Syria in 2017 was a watershed moment that TWZ highlighted at the time as a sign of things to come. Regular drone attacks on Khmeimim in the late 2010s also prompted the construction of new hardened aircraft shelters there. A satellite image showing the northwestern end of Khmeimim Air Base in Syria in 2022, including the row of hardened shelters that was built between 2018 and 2019. Google Earth The row of hardened shelters at Khmeimim in Syria, which were built between 2018 and 2019, can be seen in this satellite image from 2022 on the apron to the left of the main runway. Google Earth Last year, Russias Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov said that a schedule for airfields has already been drawn up and that shelters will definitely be built in response to Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, according to independent Russian journalist Alexander Kots. The construction of new aircraft shelters, hardened and unhardened, had already been visible in satellite imagery of a growing number of air bases in Russia since late 2023. However, from what has been observed to date, the focus has been on better protecting tactical jets at bases closer to Ukraine. Hardened aircraft shelters built in the past year at ussias Belbek Air Base on the occupied Crimean Peninsula are seen in this satellite image taken on May 17, 2025. PHOTO 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION Just recently, Belousov was shown a model of a hangar with a Tu-160 Blackjack bomber inside as part of a presentation on new developments relating to prefabricated and modular structures for various military purposes. Whether or not the hangar model reflects an active project, or is a proposal or notional concept of some kind, is unclear. Tu-160s were among the aircraft types Ukraine explicitly targeted with its covert drone attacks this weekend. 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 Russias construction of new aircraft shelters is part of an expanding global trend that has also been observed in China, North Korea, and elsewhere. Hardened Aircraft Shelters of J-10 Fighters pic.twitter.com/pjb2lAPsu6 Hurin (@Hurin92) September 8, 2023 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geolocation: 39.4069444, 125.8983333 Sunchon AB, DPRK (North Korea) 10/27/23 Sentinel-2 L2A pass shows paving and shelters (16 total) completed. Sunchon is home to the KPAAF 57th Air Regiment (MiG-29s).@GeoConfirmedhttps://t.co/hvZj7apAiqpic.twitter.com/rHJ7b5BY9v Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) December 1, 2023 Satellite imagery of Nasosnaya Air Base Republic Of Azerbaijan Construction of hangars for JF-17 fighter jets, which began in early 2024, is now in its final stages. The base will soon be ready to host a full squadron of 16 aircraft. pic.twitter.com/c9DAUb4L61 || Aryan (@BasedQizilbash) May 28, 2025 The U.S. military does have hardened aircraft shelters at various bases, but has made very limited investments in building more since the end of the Cold War. Calls for new shelters, hardened or otherwise, have been pointedly absent from U.S. military planning in recent years, at least publicly. Some American officials have actively pushed back on the idea, often citing the cost of building new hardened infrastructure, which is funding that could be applied elsewhere. The U.S. Air Force, for instance, has been more focused on active defenses, such as surface-to-air missile systems, and expanding the number of operating locations that forces could be dispersed to, if necessary. So, we will have the need for bases, the main operating bases from which we operate, Air Force Gen. Kevin Schneider, head of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), said at the Air & Space Forces Associations (AFA) 2025 Warfare Symposium in March. The challenge becomes, at some point, we will need to move to austere locations. We will need to disaggregate the force. We will need to operate out of other locations, again, one for survivability, and two, again, to provide response options. Those are requirements that cost money and force the Air Force to make internal trades, such as do we put that dollar towards, you know, fixing the infrastructure at Kadena [Air Base in Japan] or do we put that dollar towards restoring an airfield at Tinian, Schneider added. There is growing criticism that U.S. forces are being left increasingly vulnerable, including to drone attacks, by a lack of investment in hardened aircraft shelters and other new fortified facilities. A recent deployment of six of the U.S. Air Forces 19 prized B-2 stealth bombers to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, which wrapped up earlier this month, had offered a new datapoint in the shelter debate. Diego Garcia only has four specially designed B-2 shelters open, which are not hardened in any way, and the bombers were seen parked out in the open while on the island. More recently, a detachment of F-15E Strike Eagles arrived on the island to help provide force protection to other assets still there. A satellite image taken in April showing the six B-2s deployed to Diego Garcia with the airfields four shelters seen behind. PHOTO 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION While active defenses such as air and missile defense systems are an important part of base and force protection, their high cost and limited numbers mean the U.S. will not be able to deploy enough of them to fully protect our bases, a group of 13 Republican members of Congress had written in an open letter to the heads of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy in May 2024. In order to complement active defenses and strengthen our bases, we must invest in passive defenses, like hardened aircraft shelters and underground bunkers, dispersal of forces across both within a base and across multiple bases, redundant logistical facilities, and rapid runway repair capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While hardened aircraft shelters do not provide complete protection from missile attacks, they do offer significantly more protection against submunitions than expedient shelters (relocatable steel shelters). They would also force China to use more force to destroy each aircraft, thereby increasing the resources required to attack our forces and, in turn, the survivability of our valuable air assets, they added. Constructing hardened shelters for all our air assets may not be economically feasible or tactically sensible, but the fact that the number of such shelters on U.S. bases in the region has barely changed over a decade is deeply troubling. In January, the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington, D.C., released a report that underscores the points made above about the benefits that new hardened aircraft shelters offer in terms of reducing vulnerability and increasing the resources an enemy would have to expend. The authors of the Hudson report assessed that 10 missiles, each with a warhead capable of scattering cluster munitions across areas 450 feet in diameter, could be enough to neutralize all aircraft parked in the open and critical fuel storage facilities at key airbases like Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, or Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Hudson Institute The general points made here about the particular danger of submunitions from cluster weapons could also apply to drones with similarly sized warheads like the ones Ukraine just used in its attacks on Russias air bases. Even fully-enclosed, but unhardened shelters could provide a modicum of additional defense against these kinds of threats. Last year, officials at two U.S. air bases Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina expressed interest in the possibility of adding nets or other similar physical defensive measures to existing open-ended, sunshade-type shelters to help protect against attacks by smaller drones. Its unclear whether there has been any movement since on actual implementation. Nets are among the drone defenses currently used on both sides of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A graphic offering general details about the sunshade-type shelters at Langley that could now be in line to receive anti-drone nets. USAF Waves of still-mysterious drone incursions over Langley Air Force Base in December 2023, which TWZ was the first to report on, remain a particular focal point for broader calls from Congress and elsewhere to better protect U.S. military facilities against uncrewed aerial threats. What happened at Langley is just one of a still-growing number of worrisome drone incidents over and around U.S. military facilities, training ranges, and warships off the coast of the United States, as well as critical civilian infrastructure, in the past decade or so, many of which we have reported first. Overseas bases well outside of established conflict zones that host American forces have been the site of concerning drone overflights in recent years, as well. There was also a flurry of reported drone sightings last year over New Jersey and other parts of the United States, many of which quickly turned out to be spurious. However, the surge in public attention underscored a real threat, as Ukraine has now demonstrated in dramatic fashion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Ukraine says its covert drone attacks on Russia took more than a year to plan, prepare for, and stage, they also underscore how the basic barriers to entry for carrying out drone attacks, especially ones involving weaponized commercial designs, have long been low in terms of cost and technical aptitude. The operation notably leveraged ArduPilot, described as an open source autopilot system that is freely available online. Of course open source software has been used in war before, but seeing ArduPilot Mission Planner being used to blow up Russian strategic bombers is still wild. John Wiseman (@lemonodor.bsky.social) 2025-06-01T15:55:48.877Z Additional footage shows another FPV drone overflying the airfield; multiple Tupolev Tu-95 bombers are seen aflame. pic.twitter.com/8nbqdHvyW0 Jimmy Rushton (@JimmySecUK) June 1, 2025 18 years after @Jrdmnz @jason4short and I created ArduPilot, here it is destroying large parts of the Russian air force. Crazy https://t.co/2SfPQHrcuA Chris Anderson (@chr1sa) June 1, 2025 Drone threats are only to expand and accelerate in terms of sophistication, thanks in large part to advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, as time goes on. Uncrewed aerial systems with rapidly improving autonomous navigation and targeting capabilities that do not require a human in the loop present particularly serious threats. Without the need for an active link to a human operator, those drones are immune to jamming and do not pump out radio emissions that can help provide early warning to defenders. They are also not limited in range to keep a connection with their controllers. Improving capabilities to autonomously find and prosecute targets are already emerging on one-way-attack drones, and this is something that can be expected to proliferate, as well. Autonomous drones that can target objects dynamic targeting without having to rely just on a fixed set of coordinates via satellite navigation like GPS, another signal that can be disrupted, will only make drone threats more complex and vastly harder to counter overall. TWZ has explored all of this in great detail in this past feature. Swarming is another area that will make lower-end drones so much harder to defeat. Working cooperatively as an integrated team at computer speeds allows drones to operate and react with extreme efficiency beyond the pace of the enemys decision cycle. This, along with sheer mass and the resilience that goes with that, can quickly overwhelm defenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In general, the technology to field systems has far outpaced the technology to defeat those systems, Rear Adm. Paul Spedero, vice director for Operations, J3, Joint Chiefs of Staff, told members of the House Oversight Committee at a hearing on drone threats in April. Its a much wider, broader, deeper market for drone application, for commercial and recreational purposes, so hence that technology has evolved very quickly from radio control drones to now fully autonomous drones that may or may not even rely on reception of a GPS signal, which would make it very challenging to intercept. Ukraines covert drone attacks on Russia also underscore that these are increasing threats unbounded by basic geography. An adversary could launch uncrewed aerial attackers from 1,000 miles away or from an area right next to the target, or anywhere in between. There are many drone types that can address those mission needs, and affordably so. Those drones could be launched from the ground, from ships at sea, and/or from aerial platforms, including other lower-end drones. Complex attacks involving different tiers of threats approaching from multiple vectors at once only add to the complications for defending forces. Ukrainian "Dovbush" UAV carrying and releasing two FPV drones during tests. The "Dovbush" UAV is reportedly capable of carrying up to six FPV drones at the same time.https://t.co/wSS1kfRo3i pic.twitter.com/9vZNVJBF1J Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) November 19, 2024 Despite all this, Americas armed forces have also continued to lag in the fielding of counter-drone defenses for forces down-range, as well as bases and other assets in and around the homeland. Domestically, an often convoluted array of legal, regulatory, and other factors have presented challenges. On the sidelines of a U.S. military counter-drone experiment called Falcon Peak 2025 in October 2024, TWZ and other outlets were notably told that lasers, microwaves, surface-to-air missiles, and guns were all off the table as options for neutralizing drones within the United States, at least at the time. 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 The biggest challenge with this issue is education. Many just don't take the time to learn the ins and outs of the UAS threat, there are many layers and nuances, emerging technologies. There are high up people in the military that don't even really understand these basics. Then Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 1, 2025 The U.S. military does continue to push for enhancements to the authorities it now has to protect its bases and other assets domestically against drone threats. As part of a new Pentagon-wide counter-drone strategy rolled out last year, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) has a synchronizer role that includes making sure commanders know what they are allowed to do now if drones appear around their facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines drone attacks on Russian air bases this past weekend can only add to the already intense debate over investments in hardened aircraft shelters and other fortified infrastructure, as well as fuel calls for new counter-drone defenses, in general. The stark reality of what Ukrainian intelligence services have now demonstrated makes clear that uncrewed aerial threats, including to key assets deep inside a countrys national territory, are well past the point of something that can be ignored. Contact the author: joe@twz.com A massive plume of Saharan dust is covering the Caribbean as it makes its way toward to the United States, where it is expected to impact the Gulf region and other areas. Dust was covering Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and other parts of the region on Tuesday, according to CBS Miami's NEXT Weather radar. The plume was forecast to move northwest and reach Florida mid-week, then hit other states including Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas and Louisiana by Friday. Cars drive along a highway as a cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert blankets most of the Caribbean, in Catano, Puerto Rico, Monday, June 2, 2025. / Credit: Alejandro Granadillo / AP A dust plume from Africa already made its way to Florida over the weekend, CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG reported. Radar showed dust lingering over the state on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By mid-week, a larger plume will be over Florida, affecting air quality in the state. It will then flow northward, radar shows, more widely affecting southeastern U.S. states and the Gulf region. CBS Miami's NEXT Weather radar shows the Saharan dust forecast for this Friday, June 6, 2025. / Credit: CBS News Dust from Africa typically move across the Atlantic every year. It is known the Saharan Air Layer, and dust activity tends to peak from late June to the middle of August, meteorologist Jason Dunion told NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service in 2020. New dust plume "outbreaks" can be seen every few days and reach as far west as Texas. As dust hits the U.S. this week, air quality is also being impacted in some states by wildfire smoke from Canada, where more than 100 fires were burning "out of control" on Tuesday, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. January 6 defendant refuses Trump's pardon New developments in search for Madeleine McCann, who went missing over 18 years ago Everything we know about the Boulder attack on Israeli hostage march SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) The investigation into the cause of the fire at Matunuck Oyster Bar continues. Meanwhile, many of the restaurants roughly 300 employees are still looking for new jobs. A lot of organizations have stepped up to try and help, including Becca Paquette, the co-founder of an app that helps employers connect with people looking for work. ALSO READ: Matunuck Oyster Bar fire appears accidental Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Job seekers can create a profile on Appie which allows hiring businesses to look and see if they would be a good match. Businesses can then reach out to the person looking for work and invite them to apply. We are a local start-up with a new solution for hourly workers that are looking for jobs to connect with employers and we really thought this was the perfect situation to be able to help, Paquette said. The Matunuck Oyster Bar Employees Im sure are looking for work and rather than going to 15 different employers and filling out 15 different applications they can fill out one profile and employers reach out to them, she continued. The subscription fee has been waived for local businesses that want to use the platform to hire former Matunuck Oyster Bar employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEXT: Fundraisers launched for Matunuck Oyster Bar 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. Today were looking at new developments in stories featured in two previous columns. And fair warning: Both are pretty depressing. In one case, Florida has decided to fight a court ruling that ordered the state to stop allowing the water pollution that has led to record manatee deaths. (Yes, the states environmental protection agency is fighting an order to protect the environment.) In the other, a new report shows that home insurance rates are continuing to rise in Florida, despite Tallahassee lawmakers repeatedly telling you they delivered relief. (In other words, the politicians hope youll listen to their words and not look at your own bills.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets start with the manatees. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the record number of manatees starving to death due to water pollution that has killed off the seagrass they eat to survive. Stories from both the Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Bay Times described nightmarish demises of the states official marine mammal with the docile creatures literally rotting from the inside due to empty bellies. In one case, biologists found a calf still trying to nuzzle its mothers corpse. Other sea cows were found so starved that their bones had pierced their thinned skin. Maxwell: Manatee corpses the price of the freedom to pollute in Florida Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The in-depth reporting by the two newspapers detailed how water pollution in the Indian River Lagoon had killed off much of seagrass, contributing to the deaths of around 1,900 manatees over the past three years. I wrote at the time: To stop that pollution, lawmakers would have to stand up to development interests, agribusiness and influential utility companies, something they rarely do. Well, an animal-rights group called Bear Warriors United filed a lawsuit saying the state had a legal obligation to do just that. And a federal judge agreed, ruling that Florida had violated the federal Endangered Species Act in allowing the wastewater discharges to pollute the habitat of the threatened species. But instead of agreeing to belatedly fight to save the sea cows, Gov. Ron DeSantis administration decided to fight the ruling and made some eye-popping arguments in a court filing last week. In its appeal, the states laughably named Department of Environmental Protection agreed that there is an indeed existential threat afoot. But it isnt manatees that the state is worried about. Its developers. As the News Service of Florida reported, the state argued that the judges ruling threatens to impede commercial and residential development in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah, forget the dying sea creatures. Florida is rallying to protect the states development interests, whom the state said have no ready means to challenge this moratorium. You know who else has no ability to show up in court and file a brief? The dying manatees. Admittedly, the judges order is severe in calling for a temporary pause on all new development with the septic systems that have created much of the pollution. But the state ignored one warning after another to do the right thing on its own. So now the states acting like a whiny kid who was warned time and again to stop misbehaving and then complained when Mom and Dad finally laid down the law. The bottom line: You know things are bad when the state not only allowed the manatee die-off to happen, but is now fighting for the right to let the deaths continue. Insurance rates rise again In the insurance arena, the South Florida Sun-Sentinels intrepid insurance reporter, Ron Hurtibise, just reported that home insurance rates are rising again in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest quarterly report from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation showed an average premium increase of less than 1%. Thats small. But it comes on the heels of increases in nine of the previous 10 quarters. All told, the average premium price in Florida is now 30% higher than it was in 2022 when lawmakers claimed to have reformed the market. In other words: you got conned. Lawmakers in Tallahassee definitely made reforms, but most of them benefited the insurance companies, not consumers. Insurance costs edge higher for Florida homeowners and condo owners Yes, there are more insurance companies now in Florida, which is good. But most homeowners arent seeing financial benefits. The insurance companies are. So Floridas politicians and insurance officials carefully choose words like stabilization to refer to the relief they delivered and hope you wont notice your costs keep going up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality is that Florida has a complicated and risky insurance market, thanks to frequent storms and rising floodwaters. The only way to provide meaningful relief to consumers meaning lower rates would be for lawmakers to either beef up the state-run Citizens Insurance program, so that more people can access it, or use tax dollars to subsidize the market even more than it already does by investing even more in underwriting of reinsurance or through direct subsidies. Because its clear that the states version of reform which mainly involved making it harder for homeowners to sue their insurance company, even when theyre denied benefits theyre owed didnt bring down costs. The states own numbers say as much. smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com We could be severely undercounting the number of humans living on Earth, researchers suggest. While the United Nations has determined that as of last summer, there were about 8.2 billion humans sharing the limited resources of our planet, a new estimate finds that figure could be off by anywhere from hundreds of millions to an astonishing several billion people. That might sound like an alarming revelation. But as Queen Mary University of London professor Jonathan Kennedy argues in a recent opinion piece for The Guardian, overpopulation is "rarely just about the numbers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They reflect power struggles over which lives matter, who is a burden or a threat and ultimately what the future should look like," he wrote. The UN's figures are based on census data and population density across a global grid. But employing a different methodology, as Aalto University postdoctoral researcher Josias Lang-Ritter and his colleagues outlined in a paper published in the journal Nature earlier this year, the real number of people on Earth could be vastly higher. That's because datasets in rural areas are often incomplete and can be unreliable. The researchers found "large discrepancies between the examined datasets," implying that "rural population is, even in the most accurate dataset, underestimated by half compared to reported figures." At the same time, concerns about "overpopulation" have historically been blown out of proportion, Kennedy argued. The world's population, per the UN, will stabilize and peak around the mid-2080s, at which point, it's expected to start falling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That many people will put considerable stress on the Earths resources," Kennedy wrote, "but if consumption is managed responsibly and sustainable technologies are developed, the world will avoid an apocalyptic catastrophe." Others, most notably billionaire Elon Musk, see population collapse as a far bigger threat. "Population collapse is potentially the greatest risk to the future of civilization," Musk argued in a 2021 tweet. Of course, there are plenty of other enormous existential threats facing humanity, from climate change to dwindling resources to a devastating loss of biodiversity. But overpopulation concerns often perpetuate ethnonationalism and a perceived threat of immigrants bringing the end of the "western civilization," Kennedy warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They worry about their countries being indelibly changed by mass migration," he wrote. "But the cold hard truth is that in a few decades our shrinking, ageing societies will desperately need these newcomers to pay taxes and work in healthcare and social care." "This vision of the future may be unsettling for some, but the alternative is much worse," Kennedy added. More on overpopulation: Hordes of Tourists Are Trashing Antarctica Mayor Eric Adams belatedly offered support Monday for a Big Apple high schooler rounded up in President Trumps deportation blitz reversing his original assertion that the Venezuelan migrants arrest by ICE wouldnt discourage other migrants from seeking city services. The citys top lawyer filed a legal brief backing Dylan Lopez Contreras, a 20-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker who was detained in a Manhattan courthouse on May 21 after attending a mandatory immigration hearing. Contreras arrest drew protests from hundreds of his fellow high school students last week, as well as a wave of criticism for Adams after he conspicuously declined to question the migrants detention. Mayor Eric Adams belatedly offered support for a high school student arrested by ICE. ZUMAPRESS.com Dylan Lopez Contreras was arrested by ICE after attending a routine immigration hearing. Courtesy of Raiza The legal brief sounded the alarm that ICEs tactics threaten to deter people from participating in the court system a key promise of New York Citys sanctuary policies. 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, the brief states. Mayor Eric Adams, in a statement echoing the briefs arguments, said Contreras was punished for following the law. Dylan Lopez Contreras was going through the exact legal proceeding that we encourage new arrivals to go through in order to be able to work and provide for their families and even accessed the center that we created for migrants to be able to avoid city shelters and become independent, Adams said. Students and activists last week protested Contreras arrest. ZUMAPRESS.com But Adams sang a different tune last week when asked by The Post whether Contreras arrest would discourage other migrants from going through the court system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, I dont, Adams said. A City Hall spokesperson tried to walk back Adams initial comments, asserting the mayor was speaking with limited information. Adams has consistently voiced support for most sanctuary city policies that he maintains will ensure anyone, regardless of immigration status, will continue to call police and respond to court, if ordered. The mayor has also pushed to roll back certain sanctuary city policies to increase cooperation with ICE. Hizzoners openness to reopening a long-shuttered ICE office on Rikers Island and allowing city officials to collaborate with the feds on civil immigration enforcement coincided with his cozying up to Trump and other MAGA-aligned leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contreras immigration case which is unfolding in Pennsylvania federal court potentially puts Adams in the tough spot of appeasing his Trump-friendly allies and assuaging fears of immigrant New Yorkers worried about being unfairly caught in deportation dragnets. Dylan has done everything legally necessary to satisfy his immigration process, yet was kidnapped by ICE right in front of his mother after attending his scheduled immigration court hearing, said Power Malu, president of compassion and Candice Braun, chief empathy officer of Artists Athletes Activists/ROCC NYC, in a statement. On the one hand, the mayor of our sanctuary city is encouraging people to continue using public services and on the other hand he is not willing to stand up and protect our residents from wrongful ICE apprehensions. Mayor Karen Bass Calls Emergency Meeting in Response to Attack on Jewish Demonstrators in Colorado originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Mayor Karen Bass delivers her inaugural speech on December 11, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) Mayor Karen Bass called an emergency meeting following the antisemitic terror attack in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday. LAPD is conducting extra patrols at houses of worship and community centers throughout Los Angeles, according to Bass statement. What happened in Boulder, Colorado today an especially brutal targeting of elders is an atrocious affront to the very fabric of our society and our beliefs here in Los Angeles, Bass wrote. This was the second terrorist attack against Jews in two weeks. What happened in Boulder, Colorado today an especially brutal targeting of elders is an atrocious affront to the very fabric of our society and our beliefs here in Los Angeles. This was the second terrorist attack against Jews in two weeks I will be calling an emergency Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 2, 2025 Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, burned at least eight victims, four women and four men with ages ranging from 52 to 88, according to the F.B.I. The suspect used a makeshift flamethrower in a targeted act of violence, according to an F.B.I report. Soliman targeted a peaceful demonstration called Run for Their Lives held to bring awareness for the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. He screamed Free Palestine during the attack, according to witnesses. The event is currently advertised on its website as family-friendly and not a protest. The organization describes itself as 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. The F.B.I wrote that they are investigating the attacks as a targeted act of terrorism. Bass will hold the emergency meeting at City Hall, focusing on safety and security in L.A. immediately after the Jewish holiday of Shavuot which ends June 3. Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in this city, Bass wrote in her statement. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. HONOLULU (KHON2) After Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced the retirement of Honolulu Police Department Chief Arthur Joe Logan, he offered his recommendation for interim chief: Benjamin Moszkowicz, who is currently serving as chief of the Hawaii Police Department. Blangiardi acknowledged that while he doesnt have the sole authority to name the interim chief, he said he would strongly recommend Moszkowicz for the role. KHON2 spoke with Moszkowicz after the mayors announcement. The real work starts now the real work of, you know, putting pen to paper and starting to meet with stakeholders and meet with community members and meet with members of the department Moszkowicz told KHON2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: HPD Chief Joe Logan announces retirement He continued: That ability, that opportunity, to kind of build those collaborative partnerships and find a path forward to make us all successful, is thats, thats the part that gets me really excited. Moszkowicz said he was very humbled by the mayors recommendation to have him serve as interim chief during such an important transition period. Moszkowicz served in the Honolulu Police Department for 22 years and was appointed as police chief of the Hawaii Police Department in January 2023. He told KHON2 that he has a very intimate familiarity with the inner workings of HPD and the laws in the state. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Im very aware of the challenges that Honolulu Police Department faces, and I think I have some quite unique opportunities and some unique ideas to to get over there, and at least on a temporary basis, to hopefully impact some of those things, specifically to help out the morale on the recruitment and the retention of the men and women in the police department, but also to start building community trust, Moszkowicz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moszkowicz said he is excited for the opportunity to serve as interim chief and said he hopes the personnel at the Honolulu Police Department have an open mind about his ideas for moving the department forward. With Chief Joe Logan retiring on June 30, Blangiardi said Moszkowicz is set to take over as interim chief on July 16, pending approval from the Honolulu Police Commission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) Mayor Eric Adams stopped short of condemning a council members post suggesting state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a U.S. citizen who is running for mayor, be deported. City Council Member Vickie Paladino posted to X on Monday, calling his politics radical and questioning his ability for office. More Local News Lets just talk about how insane it is to elect someone to any major office who hasnt even been a US citizen for ten yearsmuch less a radical leftist who actually hates everything about the country, Paladino wrote. Deport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about Paladinos remarks Tuesday, Adams suggested everyone needs to tone down their rhetoric, not just Paladino. I am not going to point out one specific comment We all need to tone down our rhetoric, Adams said. Everybody needs to tone down their mean-spirit, hateful language. And Im not going to point out Council Member Paladino. I want to point us all out. Mamdani, who became a naturalized citizen in 2018, said Paladinos remarks are a reflection of President Donald Trumps authoritarian deportation efforts in New York City. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State This isnt just hateful rhetoric its a reflection of what happens when Donald Trumps authoritarian administration is allowed to shove New Yorkers into unmarked vehicles, tear our communities apart and spit in the face of the Constitution, Mamdani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This, along with death threats and Islamophobic attacks, wont slow his campaign down, Mamdani said. The MAGA extremists may try to divide us, but the movement weve built is proof of the enduring promise of this city, he said. And were not going anywhere. Other elected officials took to social media to reject Paladinos comments, including Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, who called her remarks xenophobic. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is also running for mayor, addressed the comments in a statement. The Republican answer to everything, including the common cold, is deportation and it has to stop, Cuomo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to PIX11 News, Paladino said she and her staff have received threats since her post, and that she now has police stationed at her office and home. Paladino said Mamdanis campaign underscores the need for deportations, particularly on college campuses. Zohran Mandami and his toxic supporters are a plague on our politics, and its about time someone says it, she said in a statement. His candidacy and this incident underscore the need for the mass deportation efforts currently being undertaken by the Trump administration. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter 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. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scotts plan to build new housing to replace vacant units is making progress, but some hurdles remain. Maryland and Baltimore are racing to confront a deepening housing crisisone defined by soaring rents, crumbling vacant properties, and a chronic shortage of affordable units. While state and city leaders have outlined bold, billion-dollar strategies to build, rehabilitate, and preserve housing, they face a maze of obstacles: budget shortfalls, bureaucratic delays, aging infrastructure, and the looming threat of federal funding cuts. For thousands of families, the stakes are immediatestable housing hangs in the balance. As of this month, there are less than 13,000 vacant units in Baltimore City. This number has been steadily decreasing over the last five years, with more than 16,000 vacancies reported in January 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is on track to increase its rate of reducing the number of vacant units from 500 a year to 1,000 a year, Maryland Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day said. Theres an opening for Baltimore to possibly help fill the housing shortage in Maryland, which sits at about 96,000 units. The Eager Park Partners East Baltimore Development Project, which the mayors office said is a part of the first new residential development in the Broadway East neighborhood in decades, broke ground during a Tuesday ceremony. The project plans to build 54 townhomes in place of once-vacant townhomes. Its made possible by the funding support from the state, from all our partners to make sure that we do not stop, that we keep building and we keep getting rid of vacants. Scott said at the groundbreaking ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the latest step towards building livable housing in Baltimore, where vacant units once were, as the city has seen many residents move outside of its limits in recent years. Last year was the first year since 2014 that the Baltimore population did not decrease. It grew by 754 residents. The mayors plan to address vacant housing includes a 15-year plan to invest $3 billion in acquiring vacant properties and later rehabilitating the units or demolishing them to construct new housing. He has also made efforts to change some zoning laws that have made building high-density housing difficult. Gov. Wes Moore has also prioritized replacing or revitalizing vacant properties in Baltimore. The governor signed an executive order last fall to create a Reinvest Baltimore program to coordinate the transformation of 5,000 vacant units into owned homes or other positive outcomes within the next five years. Moore is also working to expand affordable housing across the state, especially near transit hubs. Hurdles ahead However, Scott and Moores housing plans to encourage more people to move to Baltimore could be impacted by planned federal cuts to housing programs. This includes significant cuts to Section 8 and other federal rental assistance programs, proposed as part of a major Republican tax and spending bill being considered by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Day said he is concerned about the proposed cuts to housing-related programs, but added that because there are state and city resources investing in housing in the area, the cuts would likely impact Baltimore City less than other areas of the country. Related Articles It will affect all housing, its going to affect every jurisdiction, Day said. Baltimore might actually be in a slightly more advantageous position to other places given the investment that were trying to make here. There are also concerns about how these developments will impact the makeup of Baltimore and whether they will lead to the gentrification of neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott downplayed these concerns when asked by The Baltimore Sun and pointed to the developers of the Broadway East neighborhood development, who are from Baltimore. The mayor said that these housing projects, which replace vacant units, have already led to families moving back to the city. Have a news tip? Contact Katharine Wilson at kwilson@baltsun.com. ST. LOUIS St. Louis City is finalizing plans on a six-month lease of a 140,000-square-foot warehouse to store large donations and supplies for tornado recovery efforts, Mayor Cara Spencer said Monday. Were very, very pleased that this will be a hub site that will allow us to receive very large-scale donations and then to distribute them to the smaller hubs throughout the community. That will really act as the point of contact for the community who is going to need these resources, Spencer said. The mayor provided updates on the immediate and long-term plans of the tornado recovery during a news conference Monday. She also announced that the city is planning on using $5 million of ARPA funds for the tornado recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff ousting talk grows after budget showdown Weve obligated all of those funds at the end of last year. So, making sure that we are in full compliance and not changing anything of the allocations but rather working within those to ensure that we are targeting here the folks that were impacted by the tornado is really the goal, Spencer said. The mayor said the city identified other funds they are potentially looking to use for the recovery, including Rams settlement money. When it comes to Rams funds, youll see a proposal this week going to the Board of Aldermen that should get us through the summer. This is a very, very long recovery process and we want to be very thoughtful and deliberative in how we deploy the funds that are going to be required, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spencer did not release specifics but said the Board of Alderman is looking into how they can legally spend the funds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 McDonalds Snack Wrap is officially returning in July. The fast food chain previously teased in a post on X that the beloved, discontinued menu item would be returning on the 14th of an unknown month. However, on Tuesday, the chain announced that it would be returning on July 10. Snack wrap 07.10.2025, the post read. In a follow-up post, the account admin added: I know I posted 0x.14.2025 a few weeks ago but I wanted to see if they could come back even sooner. so I asked the boss and he said OKAY LETS DO IT?!?!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Snack Wrap was first introduced to the McDonalds menu in 2006 and consists of either grilled or crispy chicken, lettuce, shredded cheese, and ranch or honey mustard inside a tortilla. The Snack Wrap was so popular when it launched that it was credited with boosting the chains sales. In 2016, the company discontinued the wraps in restaurants in the United States, saying they were too complicated to make. snack wrap 07.10.2025 McDonald's (@McDonalds) June 3, 2025 The news of the Snack Wraps release date comes one day after another fast-food chain, Popeyes, announced it would be adding crispy chicken wraps to its menu. Starting Monday, Popeyes added three chicken wraps to their menu, which are available in classic, spicy, and honey mustard for $3.99 each. Similar to the Snack Wrap, Popeyes wraps are made with crispy chicken strips, lettuce, shredded cheese, and pickles in a warm tortilla, the chain says. The McDonalds Snack Wrap was originally discontinued in 2016 (McDonald's) Each wrap will also come with its own sauce the Classic wrap with mayonnaise, the Spicy wrap with spicy mayonnaise, and the Honey Mustard wrap with honey mustard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonalds USA president Joe Erlinger discussed returning the menu item during an appearance on Good Morning America in December 2024. The wraps will be available in classic, spicy, or honey mustard (Popeyes) The Snack Wrap will be back in 2025, Erlinger said. This has a cult following. I get so many emails into my inbox about this product. It will be back in 2025. However, Erlinger wouldnt reveal the exact date for competitive reasons. Although Erlinger didnt say exactly when the Snack Wrap will be available, the company seemingly hinted at its return as early as December 2023. This includes plans to offer McCrispy in nearly all markets around the world by the end of 2025 and to expand McCrispy into wraps and tenders. These planned innovations and new menu offerings reflect the Companys ability to test and scale quickly to serve customers, McDonalds announced during an investor conference at the time. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Lola, a retired K9 of the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, is being remembered by deputies after she passed away on Sunday. Alongside her handler, Deputy Fisher, she assisted with multiple investigations throughout Monroe County. Local Pet Cemetery honors law enforcement K-9s Her service extended beyond MCSO as she participated in assisting the TSA program at the 2016 Republican National Convention, the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta, the 2019 Super Bowl in Los Angeles, and the 2021 inauguration of former President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Lola was escorted by deputies to the Rush Inter Pet Cemetery, where she was laid to rest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Meal prices at 3 Johnson City schools increasing, nutrition services cites financial deficit JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Johnson Citys Board of Education (BOE) voted on Monday to raise the price of breakfast and lunch at three schools for the 2025-26 school year. Indian Trail Middle School, Liberty Bell Middle School and Science Hill High Schools full breakfast and lunch prices will go up 25 cents each. The board approved the change during its Monday regular meeting after Johnson City Schools Nutrition Services requested the increase, citing a financial deficit due to several reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Free doughnuts at Auntie Ruths Friday to celebrate National Doughnut Day Recent increases in both food and labor costs, combined with a federal reimbursement rate that no longer covers the full cost of producing each meal, have resulted in a financial deficit, the request, provided in the BOEs agenda, states (Item 7.E). To sustain our meal program and continue delivering the high-quality standards our students deserve, an adjustment in meal pricing will be necessary. According to the BOEs agenda, the following price increases will take effect at the start of the new school year: Indian Trail & Liberty Bell Current/New Breakfast $2.25/$2.50 Lunch $3.25/$3.50 Science Hill Current/New Breakfast $2.50/$2.75 Lunch $3.25/$3.50 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school systems nutrition services department noted that the price increases only apply to full-priced meal purchases, and reduced meal prices still remain 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Land managers have long worried about the convergence of mountain goats, bighorn sheep and masses of people on Mount Blue Sky. Denver Zoo continues research in hopes of finding a solution. According to exit polls, South Koreas presidential election today delivered a resounding triumph for Lee Jae-myung, the veteran center-left politician and leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DP). His victory over Kim Moon Soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) closes a tumultuous chapter in South Korean politics, marked by former president Yoon Suk-yeols short-lived martial law declaration, impeachment, and removal from office. It also ushers in a left-leaning administration with wide latitude to govern, setting the stage for a dramatic reorientation of the countrys domestic and foreign policy. Lee takes office with a rare advantage in South Koreas often fractious political system: a unified government. The DP already holds a majority in the National Assembly through at least 2028, when the next legislative elections are set to take place, giving Lee power to enact his agenda without the checks and gridlock that stymied his predecessor. Though he campaigned on a centrist message to broaden his appeal among moderate and undecided voters, Lee will use his large margin of victory and the highest turnout since 1997 to claim a strong political mandate and govern as a progressive. Read More: Lee Jae-myung Aims to Steer South Korea Through Crisis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A populist shaped by his years as a labor and human rights lawyer, Lee has long advocated for a stronger state role in redistributing economic gains and curbing the excesses of South Koreas powerful conglomerates. His recent pro-market signalssuch as pledges to double the KOSPI and pursue MSCI developed market index inclusioncontrast with his lifelong skepticism of the private sector and appear aimed at shoring up business and consumer confidence, which cratered in the aftermath of the Yoon-triggered political crisis. While structural changes such as sweeping chaebol reform may be blunted by institutional resistance, his administration will push for increased social welfare spending, higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy, and tighter oversight of big business. Despite his clear mandate, Lees policy rollout will be delayed by transition logistics and early constraints. He takes office on June 4 under by-election rules, but it will take him weeks to form his cabinet and months to begin implementing his legislative agenda. His administration wont unveil a detailed policy platform until mid-August, with its first proposed budget arriving in September. In the meantime, Lee must stabilize an economy under pressure from weak domestic demand, falling exports, and the looming threat of higher U.S. tariffs. U.S.-South Korea trade talks will represent Lees first test. The Trump administrations 90-day tariff reprieve expires July 9, at which point U.S. tariffs will rise from 10% to 25% unless a new trade deal is struck. Lee has so far adopted a cautious tone, signaling that he may seek a deadline extension to allow him to benchmark South Koreas deal against those being negotiated by Japan and others. If talks stall or collapse, South Koreawhose second-largest export market after China is the U.S.would face major headwinds as Lee tries to stimulate growth. Foreign policy is another arena where Lee will chart a distinct course. He has pledged to maintain South Koreas core alliances, but his record suggests a cooler posture toward Washington and Tokyo and a pivot toward Beijing and Pyongyang. Lee has criticized his predecessors overtures to Japan as overly subservient and is skeptical of deeper trilateral security cooperation that binds South Korea more closely to the U.S.-Japan alliance. A friendlier approach to Chinawhich Beijing is all too happy to encouragewould further strain ties with Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Lee has expressed openness to restarting talks with North Korea and wants to avoid Seoul being sidelined if Donald Trump revives his own outreach to Kim Jong-un. But Kims renunciation of reunification and deepening ties with Russia limit expectations for diplomacy. Still, engagement with Pyongyang is one of the few areas where Lee and Trump could find common ground. After three years of divided government, institutional clashes, and episodic crises, South Korea is taking a sharp left turndriven by a president who has the mandate, the parliamentary majority, and the political will to deliver it. His presidency will mark the most cohesive governing era South Korea has seen in yearsand possibly the most transformative. If Lee can deliver on even part of his agenda, he will reshape the contours of the countrys politicsand its place in the worldfor years to come. Contact us at letters@time.com. Credit - Getty Images Measles cases in the U.S. have been rare in recent decades, thanks to a strong childhood vaccination program. But a few cases inevitably pop up each year as travelers bring the virus in from other countries and infect unvaccinated people, primarily children. Those cases are no longer blips. Now that the measles vaccination rate is dropping precipitously across the U.S.due in part to anti-vaccine sentimentscases are rising. So far in 2025, 14 outbreaks have been reported in 33 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (By comparison, in 2024, there were just 16 outbreaks reported during the entire year.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists may now have a new way to catch cases. For the first time, researchers have posted national information on where the measles virus is showing up in wastewater. Wastewater surveillance is a useful public-health tool because it provides an objective glimpse into where a given virus is causing infectionsoften before traditional testing methods. For viruses like measles, which infected people shed in urine, feces, or saliva, it can provide a critical heads-up for health officials. It gives us a finger-to-the-wind weather map of what is happening with infectious diseases, says Dr. Marlene Wolfe, assistant professor at Emory and principal investigator and co-program director of WastewaterSCAN, an academic and commercial group that includes researchers from Stanford University, Emory University, and Verily (which is Alphabet Inc.'s research organization). Here's what wastewater is revealing about measles in the U.S. Adding measles to the menu of wastewater tests WastewaterSCAN began testing sewage in the U.S. for the COVID-19 virus in 2020 and has since added other disease-causing microbes including influenza, RSV, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), norovirus, enterovirus, mpox, Candida auris, and hepatitis A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This spring, the scientists began developing a test for picking up signs of the active or "wild type" measles virus that is causing outbreaks in the U.S. The test uses samples from nearly 150 sewage sites across the country and can pick up signs of measles within 48 hours. Read More: What to Know About the New COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 So far, they have detected it in three sites: one day in Hollywood, Md.; four days toward the end of May in Sacramento; and twice in mid-May in Stamford, Conn. WastewaterSCAN is only one such wastewater surveillance network in the country, though it's the first to test for measles on a national level. The CDC launched its National Wastewater Surveillance System in 2020 and includes more than 1,400 sites that cover 150 million Americans. Some state health departmentsincluding in Texas, where the current measles outbreaks beganalso test wastewater samples. WastewaterSCAN collaborates with the CDC, but the CDC does not yet test for measles in wastewater. Why wastewater monitoring may be especially useful for measles Doctors who see patients with measles must report the case to the CDC so the agency can track it and respond to any outbreaks. But it takes time for people to develop symptoms, seek medical care, get tested, and then have their case reported if the test is positive. In addition, the first symptoms of measles are common ones like fever, runny nose, and coughbefore the telltale rash appears. Plus, not everyone may get sick enough to know they have measles, so their cases may go unreported. Still others may get sick but not have access to health care and therefore never seek medical help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: Measles Vaccination Rates Are Plummeting Across the U.S. Wastewater monitoring bypasses those hurdles and can theoretically catch evidence of the virus much earlier. That could be especially helpful with a highly contagious disease like measles, in which one infected person can quickly spread the virus to as many as 18 others. This is anonymous testing that combines everyone in a community, says Wolfe. And for measles, its likely that shedding [of the virus] into wastewater is happening before people necessarily recognize what they have. How wastewater data can help health officials This type of tracking for measles is too new to know yet whether it can detect cases in a region before people start testing positive, Wolfe says. But wastewater surveillance was able to pick up signs of the COVID-19 virus days or sometimes even weeks before cases began appearing in hospitals and testing labs. Over time, as more data are collected on measles, health experts can begin to look for trends and patterns, such as increases in the number of positive samples. That could help public-health departments focus resources like vaccines in areas where infections are spreading. If the number of positive samples start to decline, that information could also give them a heads up when infections are under control. What to do if cases are detected near you Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against measles infection, and the immunization provides close to lifelong immunity. Making sure that anyone who is eligible is up to date on their measles vaccines can help them avoid infection. Contact us at letters@time.com. The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners is set to vote on its $2.5 billion budget Tuesday evening. The plan calls for a property tax hike of $0.96 per $10,000 of home value. The median home price in Mecklenburg County is $377,000, so the average homeowner would pay around $36 more per year if passed. On Monday, Charlotte City held a vote on its $3.6 billion proposed 2026 fiscal year budget. ALSO READ >> City, county to take key votes on budgets Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys budget, proposed by city manager Marcus Jones on May 5, included at least a 3% increase for all employees, a fee increase for solid waste, water, and stormwater of a total of $7.49 a month, and plans to streamline city government. The county commissioners will begin their meeting at 6 p.m. in the chamber of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in Uptown. VIDEO: Proposed $3.6 billion budget presented to Charlotte City Council As the nation gets ready for a big military parade on June 14, held to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, there is one unexpected guest star of the parade a 2-year-old blue heeler named Doc Holliday. Named after a character in the movie Tombstone, the dog is a cherished member of the Horse Cavalry Detachment, an equestrian military unit posted at Fort Cavazos, Texas. The Horse Cavalry Detachment was activated in 1972 and is a subordinate unit of the 1st Cavalry Division. Doc joined the detachment as a young puppy more than two years ago, according to Army Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, a spokesman for the III Armored Corps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unit, mostly used to support public relations and recruiting efforts, includes a wagon pulled by two mules, per ABC News. When it comes to parades, Doc is a seasoned veteran Sztalkoper said Doc is a playful dog, but he knows his place very well when its time for the parade. From the back of the units wagon, Doc has participated in several ceremonies and parades. In fact, Doc has participated twice in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. This is not the first time Doc has been included in a big parade lineup. He traveled to Washington, D.C., to be in the inaugural parade this past January, but when the inauguration moved indoors, Doc missed his chance, per The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this time around, Doc is set to take the spotlight as Army officials said the parade is a rain-or-shine event, the Post reported. The scope of the parade Doc will be marching alongside 6,700 soldiers, 28 M1 Abrams, 28 Stryker vehicles, a World War II-era B-25 bomber, 34 horses, six Paladin self-propelled howitzers and two mules, per The New York Times. U.S. Army personnel load and secure military tanks for transport to Washington, D.C., Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Fort Cavazos near Killeen, Texas. | Eric Gay The parade is set for June 14, which not only marks the Armys 250th anniversary but also Flag Day and President Donald Trumps 79th birthday. Even though its been two years in the making, it wasnt until after Trumps inauguration that officials began to explore options to make the event bigger with a parade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Army spokesman Steve Warren said they want it to be a national, global, and even interstellar event, as Army Col. Anne McClain, now serving on the International Space Station, will be phoning in, per The New York Times. Designed to tell the history of the Army from the Revolutionary era to World War II, as well as to showcase uniforms from every past U.S. conflict, the parade will go for about a mile from Constitution Avenue to the Washington Monument. At the end of the parade, the Armys Golden Knight parachutists will descend near the Ellipse and present Trump with a folded flag. Additionally, the president will enlist and reenlist 250 recruits and soldiers. Cost comparison and expected attendance The last big military parade, the National Victory Celebration parade, was held in the U.S. capital to celebrate the conclusion of the Gulf War in 1991. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Washington Post, that parade cost $8 million, or almost $19 million in todays money. Trumps parade is set to cost between $25 million to $45 million, according to Army officials. Army officials expect about 200,000 attendees. People can request free tickets, two per person. Meghan Markle dropped a rare mention of her life in the U.K. with Prince Harry and Prince Archie on the latest episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder On the June 3 episode of her Lemonada Media podcast, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, made a subtle reference to the iconic Windsor Castle photo call where she and Prince Harry first introduced their son to the world in May 2019. Prince Archie, now 6, was born in London during their time as full-time working royalsbefore the couple stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the U.S. in 2020. Meghan welcomed Tina Knowles as her guest on the bonus episode for an intimate conversation and Meghan referenced the memorable moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It seems like we're all kind of figuring it out along the way and also we evolve as women, and the chapters of being a mother evolve. I mean, Archie turns six tomorrow. He's going to be six!" the Duchess of Sussex said. "Where did the time go? I remember carrying him out there, and I was just like, he is now six years old." Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Prince Harry during a photo call at St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Prince Harry during a photo call at St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. "We had his birthday party yesterday," she continued. "But you look up, and really, I think everything is in constant fluid motion." Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan broke with royal tradition when Prince Archie was born on May 6, 2019, skipping the customary hospital step photo. Unlike previous royal parents including Prince William and Kate Middleton who posed with their newborns outside the hospital, Harry and Meghan chose to unveil their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, in an organized photo call two days later after his birth. Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Prince Harry during a photo call at St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Prince Harry during a photo call at St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. Archie made his public debut at St. George's Hall in Windsor Castle the very same location where Prince Harry and Meghan celebrated their wedding luncheon just a year earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step back from their working royal roles in January 2020 and moved to her home state of California in the U.S., where their daughter, Princess Lilibet, 4 tomorrow, was born in June 2021. The first picture of Princess Lilibet came months later when Prince Harry and Meghan released a family holiday card in December 2021, with the photo confirming that both Archie and Lili inherited their dad Harry's red hair. Meghan's postpartum photo call with Archie bubbled up on an earlier episode of Confessions of a Female Founder when the Duchess of Sussex welcomed Bumble CEO and Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd to the show. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex/Instagram Princess Lilibet, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie. Princess Lilibet, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie. 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! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I mean, I'll never forget the image of you after you delivered Archie, and the whole world was waiting for his debut," Whitney told Meghan. "I was either just becoming or about to become a new mom, and I was like, 'Oh my God, how is this woman doing this? How is this woman putting on heels and going and debuting a child in this beautiful outfit in front of the entire world?' " Read the original article on People Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Rome with a firm handshake on Tuesday, a meeting that many interpreted as a sign of diplomatic rapprochement. Macron wanted to ensure that Meloni and he could move forward together, the Elysee Palace said. There are some points that need to be clarified, particularly regarding support for Ukraine, it said. Initially, neither side provided details on how the talks actually went. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting at Chigi Palace, the seat of Italian government, was considered a diplomatic reset between Paris and Rome, even though both sides stressed that there had never been a cold spell. The leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party said last week that they have many commonalities but also differences. She said it is important to talk, even in the face of disagreements. Italy is an important partner, the Elysee Palace said, adding that Meloni would not be ostracized in any way. The relationship between the two has recently seemed tense. In Rome, Macron's trip to Kiev with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer caused irritation as Meloni was not included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even in the "coalition of the willing" initiated by Macron to support Ukraine after a ceasefire, the positions diverge: Italy strictly opposes sending troops. The strategies of the two leaders also differ in their stance towards US President Donald Trump: Rome focuses on closeness and mediation, while Paris emphasizes European independence. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Rome with a firm handshake on Tuesday, a meeting that many interpreted as a sign of diplomatic rapprochement. The conversation between the two lasted three hours, after which a working dinner took place, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Initially, neither side provided details on how the talks actually went. Macron wanted to ensure that Meloni and he could move forward together, the Elysee Palace said. There are some points that need to be clarified, particularly regarding support for Ukraine, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting at Chigi Palace, the seat of Italian government, was considered a diplomatic reset between Paris and Rome, even though both sides stressed that there had never been a cold spell. The leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party said last week that they have many commonalities but also differences. She said it is important to talk, even in the face of disagreements. Italy is an important partner, the Elysee Palace said, adding that Meloni would not be ostracized in any way. The relationship between the two has recently seemed tense. In Rome, Macron's trip to Kiev with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer caused irritation as Meloni was not included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even in the "coalition of the willing" initiated by Macron to support Ukraine after a ceasefire, the positions diverge: Italy strictly opposes sending troops. The strategies of the two leaders also differ in their stance towards US President Donald Trump: Rome focuses on closeness and mediation, while Paris emphasizes European independence. The Menomonee Falls village board voted to cut the library budget by $300,000 last month. (Menomonee Falls Public Library) 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. Menomonee Falls residents are concerned about the future of their public library after the village board voted late last month to move $300,000 from the librarys 2026 budget to the police department. Board members said the May 19 move, which passed in a unanimous 6-0 vote, was intended to help the police increase staffing in response to an uptick in crime. Critics of the decision said the move is likely to force the library to cut back on staff, hours and programming potentially putting its certification from Waukesha County at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution, which was passed months before the board begins working on writing the villages 2026 budget, also comes as libraries across the country are about to be hit by funding cuts from the federal government as part of President Donald Trumps effort to slash federal spending. This year, the librarys budget was set at about $2.3 million, making the $300,000 cut about 15% of the librarys total budget. The cut is larger than the $225,000 the library was budgeted to spend on purchasing new materials this year. The police departments 2025 budget is more than $12 million. If village board members are so obsessed with firing librarians, just say so and be transparent with the community, because that is the impact of stealing 20% of the librarys funds, Ian Dickmann, a community resident and former member of the library board, said at the board meeting. You will be firing multiple librarians, cutting library hours and negatively impacting library programs, materials and services. The community has spoken in support of the library on multiple occasions. Yet here we are again. If you as a village board cannot manage to properly fund the police and the library, then you have failed as a board. Menomonee Falls Police data shows that crime has increased slightly this year, and through retirements, resignations and leaves, the department currently has fewer than the 65 sworn officers in its budget. Police Chief Mark Waters said at a board meeting in April that the department was working with 54 fully trained officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that meeting, Waters said that this year, class A offenses, which include more serious crimes such as assaults, robberies and drug offenses, are up 18% compared to the first quarter of 2024. However, much of that increase is due to a 41% increase in drug offenses, of which Waters said the vast majority was a lot of marijuana taken out of traffic stops. As of April, there had been 41 thefts in Menomonee Falls this year, according to police data, an increase of six incidents from the first quarter last year. The clearance rate, the percentage of crimes that are solved, on those thefts was 51%. Menomonee Falls Assistant Police Chief Gary Neyhart said in an email that the department has had problems with staffing, but that budget decisions are up to the board. Chief Mark Waters provides public quarterly updates to the Village Board and a consistent message has been that staffing has been an issue here at the police department, Neyhart said. The Village Board then determines how best to address these stated staffing concerns. I also cannot speak on their behalf. I dont believe we are alone with our staffing issues and that many area departments are in a similar situation as well as dealing with retention and recruitment. We will always strive to provide the highest level of service that our staffing allows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board member Paul Tadda, said at the May meeting that the resolution to cut the library budget was made to maintain the level of police services a suburban community expects. Were down to 52 fully trained officers. That requires forced overtime to maintain shifts are full and able to respond to emergencies as necessary and provide police services that the village has been accustomed to, he said. I do not want to live in Milwaukee. Andy Guss, co-leader of the community group Grassroots Menomonee Falls, told the Wisconsin Examiner he is used to Taddas racist dog whistles, and that he is more concerned about the librarys ability to remain certified and serve as an important resource for village residents. In Wisconsin, counties set a tax levy for library services. Those funds are distributed to municipal libraries to compensate for the use of services by people who live in communities without a library. Municipal residents are exempted from paying the library tax if they live in a community that has a library which meets standards set by the state and county board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Waukesha County standards require the village to provide at least $1,630,000 in the annual library budget, be open at least 60 hours a week, employee at least 17.61 full time employees, have a collection size of at least 125,400 materials, have at least 20 public computers and provide wireless internet access. Guss says hes worried the cuts will put the library dangerously close to not meeting the standards. Were going to be really close to not hitting the Waukesha County standards, he says. And Im fearful of what will happen if we also lose additional funding from the federal government, because then how short will we be? How many people, how many librarians will we have to fire? How many services will we have to cut? How many books do we not get, how much new material can we not get? How many computers? Its scary to think about, because it limits access to people that need it. Because I dont go to the library all the time for books, I use the library for a lot of other things, like book clubs or meeting spaces. What happens to that when the hours are reduced? But at the meeting, board members brushed aside concerns community members raised about the standards. Board member Ann Lessila said in an email to the Examiner that the library wont suffer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By reallocating funds ahead of the budget process, we have allowed the library board extra time to prepare, Lessila said. The library has been funded well over the required amount every year, without having to make any significant adjustments. The library remains well funded! Just about every other department has made significant adjustments over the years. Steve Heser, a Menomonee Falls resident and the director of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System, said he highly doubts claims that residents wont see any impacts from the cuts and that one community library failing to meet the county standards strains the whole county system which in this case is the Bridges Library System covering all the libraries in Jefferson and Waukesha counties. What you really dont want in a system is one library failing to meet those standards, and then theyre kind of relying on the other municipalities to foot the bill for their library, Heser said. Aside from the county standards, Guss said hes also worried about the village board diminishing a community gathering space, especially for kids and teenagers who have already had recreational opportunities taken away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, the board voted to ban any children over the age of 12 from hanging out unaccompanied at Menomonee Falls Village Park, which is across the street from North Middle School. Village officials said the move was meant to deter vandalism. Theyve got the playground across the street. They ban the 12-year-olds so they cant go there, Guss said. But we do have at the library, they have a teen room that is well managed. I know its well attended, but I would assume that, based on these cuts, that theyre going to lower hours, lower staff, and maybe we would even lose the teen room. The Menomonee Falls Village Manager Mark Fitzgerald and six of the village board members did not respond to requests for comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NBC 6 South Florida meteorologist John Morales outlined how President Donald Trumps drastic spending cuts on science and national weather services will likely impact how accurately weather broadcasters can convey forecasts to audiences. Before Morales laid out the details, he played a clip from a 2019 report he did on Hurricane Dorian, in which the storm traveled up the Florida coastline. At the time, Morales said locals had concerns that it would hit South Florida. In the video, he was able to assure watchers that weather patterns indicated the storm would veer away from the area. Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV pic.twitter.com/RoR3klSXpL John Morales (@JohnMoralesTV) June 2, 2025 There is a lot of anxiety out there, because you dont see it turning, he said during the old clip. However, he added in a calm manner that the hurricane is going to turn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the clip was over, Morales asked the viewers watching, Remember that? as he set up his example. That was about six years ago. That was Hurricane Dorian as it was absolutely devastating the Northwest Bahamas as a Category 5. Sat over that region two days, was headed straight west. Lots of people in Florida were concerned the hurricane was heading here, he recalled as he remarked on his 34 years covering weather in South Florida. Confidently, I went on TV and I told you, Its going to turn you dont need to worry. It is going to turn. And I am here to tell you that Im not sure I can do that this year. He went on to directly take shots at the negative consequences of Trumps move to slash funding for climate and weather research and for firing hundreds of scientists at the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The cuts, the gutting, the sledge hammer attack on science in general, and I could talk about that for a long, long time and how that is effecting the U.S. leadership and science over many years and how were losing that leadership, and this is a multi-generational impact on science and this country, Morales said. During his message, the meteorologist showed an image of stats, which noted that the Central and South Florida National Weather Service is now 19 to 39% understaffed, there has been a 17% reduction in weather balloon launches across the United States and its ultimately degraded forecast accuracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets talk about the federal government cuts to the National Weather Service and to NOAA. Did you know that Central and South Florida Weather Service offices are currently, basically 20 to 40% understaffed, Morales said. From Tampa to Key West, including the Miami office, 20 to 40% understaffed. Now, this type of staffing shortage is having impacts across the nation because theres been a nearly 20% reduction in weather balloon releases, launches that carry those radio signs. And what were starting to see is that the quality of the forecast is becoming degraded. Since Trump announced his slew of funding cuts across government sectors, many meteorologists and climate scientists have started to protest Trump and his administrations controversial decisions. In an effort to provide viewers with an understanding of how government funding helps advance weather and climate research, which has led to an improvement to safety, more than 200 figures within the weather broadcasting industry came together to run a livestream for 100 hours as their way of protest. During the stream, which ran from May 28 to June 1, the professionals called out the risks that come with budget cuts to that specific area of science and research. Having reliable weather forecasts and climate projections is something that I think the American public has been able to take for granted for a very long time, climate scientist Margaret Duffy said. These funding cuts directly affect the research that underlies those forecasts. You can watch the full NBC 6 clip in the video above. The post Meteorologist Calls Out Trump On-Air Over Sledge Hammer Attack on Weather Research Funding | Video appeared first on TheWrap. An Emmy-winning TV meteorologist of over three decades is sounding the alarm on the Trump administrations unprecedented cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ahead of what is expected to be an intense 2025 hurricane season. Floridas John Morales, forecaster at Miami-based news station NBC6, spoke about the changes Sunday by pointing to the accuracy of a report he was able to give six years ago. Morales played a clip of himself speaking about Hurricane Dorian, which followed the coastline up Florida and along the Southeastern U.S. in 2019. Initially, its movements made it appear like it was on track to smash right into South Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a lot of anxiety out there, because you dont see it turning, he said at the time. Its going to turn, he said calmly. As the broadcast cut back to a live feed, Morales recalled the confidence he had been able to project back then, despite fears from the community. I am here to tell you that I am not sure I can do that this year, Morales told viewers. Because of the cuts, the gutting, the sledgehammer attack on science in general, he went on, And I could talk about that for a long, long time, and how that is affecting the U.S. leadership in science over many years, and how were losing that leadership and this is a multi-generational impact on science in this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, But, specifically, lets talk about the federal government cuts to the national weather service and to NOAA. President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musks efforts to cut federal spending on what they consider waste, fraud and abuse led the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to eliminate hundreds of NOAA jobs this year, including many within the National Weather Service. Project 2025 the blueprint for a second Trump term that he has tried to denounce even as its plans become reality outlines more extreme disruptions, including the total dismantling of NOAA. I think people are nervous and very scared to see what happens next, a general forecaster at the National Weather Service told HuffPost back in March, after the job cuts, noting that hurricane season picks up in mid-summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everything people see on TV or hear from The Weather Channel, all that information comes from the National Weather Service, the employee said. Were the ones behind the scenes that you may not see. The administration did not boost confidence when it emerged that the new head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which handles post-hurricane damage, said Monday that he was not aware the country had a hurricane season. (The agency later said the comment was a joke.) Morales told viewers on Sunday that NWS offices in Central and South Florida were 19% to 39% understaffed, and that there has been a 17% drop in weather balloon launches, resulting in less data. And what were starting to see is that the quality of the forecasts is becoming degraded, Morales said, adding that hurricane-hunting planes may also be affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With less reconnaissance missions, we may be flying blind, and we may not exactly know how strong a hurricane is before reaching the coastline, he said. The meteorologist had more to say in a written piece published over the weekend. During an extreme weather event, skeleton staff at the nations weather agencies might be at risk of making mistakes or overlooking data simply due to exhaustion. Am I worried? You bet I am! he wrote. He provided an example of how such mistakes can have a devastating impact: Hurricane Otis, which made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, in 2023. The storm had drastically more intense wind speeds than predicted, Morales said, in part because there had not been timely reconnaissance data from hurricane-hunting flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morales urged viewers to contact their congressional representatives to demand an end to the cuts. Related... Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter. A metro Atlanta student, set to speak at her universitys degree ceremony, was forced to sit it out. The decision came after she made comments in support of Palestine a day earlier. You showed the world that MIT wanted a free Palestine, said Megha Vemuri while speaking at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology commencement ceremony last Thursday as the class president. It is where she made comments about not just Palestine, but also criticized the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You stood in solidarity with the pro-Palestinian activists on campus, you faced threats, intimidation, and suppression coming from especially your own university officials, added Vemuri, who is an Alpharetta High School alum. After her speech, MIT decided that Vemuri, who had a role in an undergraduate degree ceremony the next day, couldnt attend. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The speech wasnt the one Vemuri provided to officials beforehand. The university said in a statement, in part, the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading commencement organizers and leading a protest from the stage, disrupting an important Institute ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I stand by and agree with MIT in what their decision happened to be, Rabbi Larry Sernovitz of the Hillels of Georgia told Channel 2s Candace McCowan. Sernovitz works with college students, and said this wasnt the time or place for the comments. Universities have a duty not just to their students but to the United States to make sure students dont feel intimidated, harassed, or oppressed on campus, Sernovitz said. You want to protest, thats fine, but not at graduation. Give people the freedom to celebrate their academic achievements and not have to worry that when they sit there, excited and celebrating, theyre going to have to hear anti-Israel, anti-Jewish propaganda. While Vemuri wasnt allowed at the degree ceremony, she did receive her degree. Channel 2 reached out to Vemuri, but didnt hear back. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A three-judge panel in the states Court of Appeals found a law that would cut the size of Metro Council in half is, in fact, constitutional. In 2023, the state legislature passed House Bill 48, which limited the number of metropolitan councilmembers to 20. The law was seen as retribution against Metro Councils decision not to support hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention. JULY 2024: State law reducing Metro Council size ruled unconstitutional Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last July, a Nashville court ruled that the law violated the Local Legislation Clause of the Home Rule Amendment to the state constitution. Mayor Freddie OConnell and Metro Councilmembers celebrated the decision. The ruling prevented the law from going into effect. However, a three-judge panel in the states Court of Appeals found the law to be constitutional and reversed the lower court ruling, allowing it to go into effect. At its most fundamental level, this case represents a power struggle between State government and local government, Tuesdays majority ruling reads, in part. I applaud the Courts decision today affirming the constitutionality of the Small Government Efficiency Act, Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) said in a social media post. This action reins in excessive government growth while ensuring local municipalities across the Volunteer State remain accountable and responsive to their constituents. Republicans will continue to cut waste at all levels of government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nashville could appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court. We are understandably disappointed and concerned about the rulings implications on local sovereignty. But we are also encouraged by Judge Armstrongs compelling dissent, Allison Bussell with Metro Legal told News 2 in a statement. We are digesting the ruling and considering our options. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com I am grateful to the Metro Department of Law for their expert argument before the Court of Appeals in March of this year to uphold the Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County on behalf of the voters and residents of Metro Nashville. Metro Nashville was first in the nation to fully consolidate a city and a county government, and in so doing, a 40-member, highly representative, local legislative branch was created by the voters. I am disappointed that todays Court of Appeals decision failed to respect the will of our voters. The Home Rule Amendment of the Tennessee Constitution, in part, stands for the proposition that the size of the Metro Council is a decision for the voters of Metro Nashville. The General Assemblys 2023 Small Government Efficiency Act was advanced purportedly to address the efficiency & effectiveness of Nashvilles legislative branch. For the last 60 years, this 40-member Council has capably and effectively served the interests of our constituents, who today number some 715,000. Over the course of this recent term, this Council has delivered numerous efficiency improvements, and we will continue to represent all Nashvillians to the best of our ability. I appreciate the dissenting opinion of Judge Armstrong and look forward to discussing our next steps with Metros Department of Law. Statement from Vice Mayor Angie E. Henderson Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that Nashville's governing legislative body can be cut in half. The court, in a split 2-1 decision issued June 3, reversed a lower court's ruling that a state law that would shrink Nashville's Metro Council from 40 to 20 members is unconstitutional. In a statement to The Tennessean, Nashville's associate director of law, Allison Bussell, said the city is evaluating its options moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are understandably disappointed and concerned about this ruling's implications for local sovereignty," Bussell said in the statement. "But we are also encouraged by Judge Armstrong's compelling dissent. We are digesting the ruling and evaluating our options." The next step, if the city chose it, would be to file an appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court. The Historic Metro Nashville Courthouse pictured on Oct. 2, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office, which represents the state in lawsuits, called the opinion "a solid win to limit the size of government." "We applaud former Senior Assistant Solicitor General Philip Hammersley and Solicitor General Matt Rice for their hard work on this case," a statement from the office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Majority Leader William Lamberth, who sponsored the House version of the bill during the 2023 legislative session, applauded the court's decision. "This action reins in excessive government growth while ensuring local municipalities across the Volunteer State remain accountable and responsive to their constituents," Lamberth said in a statement. Republicans will continue to cut waste at all levels of government." The majority aptly began their analysis of the case by framing it as a power struggle. "At its most fundamental level, this case represents a power struggle between State government and local government," Judge J. Steven Stafford wrote for the majority. He was joined by Judge Carma Dennis McGee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law, passed in 2023, would require city and metropolitan governments to cap their councils at 20 members. Metropolitan governments are combined city and county governments. There are three in the state Davidson County-Nashville, Moore County-Lynchburg, and Trousdale County-Hartsville. At the time, bill sponsors acknowledged that while the bill didnt explicitly name Nashville, it would be the only local government in the state that would be affected there are no other metropolitan governments in the state that have a council larger than 20 members. The law, and others like it, were seen as payback for Nashville's Metro Council rejecting a draft agreement to host the 2024 Republican National Convention. The city had successfully argued the law violated a clause of the Tennessee Constitution called the Home Rule Amendment, which prohibits the state legislature from passing laws that have a local effect without first getting local approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeals court rejected that argument. The majority opinion notes that the legislation "clearly" is "a law of general application applicable to all counties that have formed a consolidated metropolitan government or will do so in the future." Nashville Vice Mayor Angie Henderson, who manages the operations of the Metro Council, said that she was "disappointed" by the decision and that it failed to "respect the will" of Nashville's voters. "The Home Rule Amendment of the Tennessee Constitution, in part, stands for the proposition that the size of the Metro Council is a decision for the voters of Metro Nashville," Henderson said in an emailed statement. "For the last 60 years, this 40-member Council has capably and effectively served the interests of our constituents, who today number some 715,000." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lower court had also found that the law violated another clause in the Tennessee Constitution called the Exemption Clause. That clause exempts metropolitan governments from a statewide 25-member limit on city councils written in Article VII of the state constitution. But the majority of the appeals court found the law comports with the Exemption Clause. They ruled that the clause exempts metropolitan councils from the 25-member limit in Article VII of the Tennessee Constitution, but it does not exempt them from limits passed through other legislation. This was the subject of Judge Kenny Armstrong's dissenting opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Armstrong argued the law is unconstitutional. His view is that the Exemption Clause prohibits the General Assembly from limiting metropolitan councils to less than 25 members, but that the General Assembly would be free to institute a cap of more than 25 members. Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Metro Nashville Council can be cut in half, appeals court rules NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Metro Police officers pursued a vehicle overnight linked to a shooting in April that involved an off-duty officer in Nashville, according to authorities. Officials said the vehicle was first spotted in the 4000 block of Lebanon Road. When officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, the driver fled. Law enforcement followed the vehicle until it crossed into Sumner County and the pursuit was terminated. RELATED: Metro police seeking shoplifting suspect after shots fired outside Walmart Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle was reportedly involved in an April 23 incident, during which a vehicle driven by 33-year-old Scott Hudgens Jr. fled from a Nolensville Pike Walmart after shots were fired by an off-duty officer working as store security. Hudgens was accused of shoplifting and is wanted on an outstanding warrant for theft of merchandise after a February incident at Walgreens in the 5300 block of Harding Pike. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com In May, officials said that Cold Case detectives were investigating the shooting at Walmart, and Hudgens was wanted for an interview. MNPD has not confirmed if Hudgens was the driver in Tuesdays pursuit. 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. LOS ANGELES (AP) A 4-year-old Mexican girl who receives lifesaving medical care from a Southern California hospital was granted permission to remain in the country weeks after federal authorities said she could be deported, her family's attorneys said Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security granted the girl and her mother humanitarian parole for one year so she can continue to receive treatment she has been getting since arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2023, according to a copy of a letter received by Rebecca Brown, an attorney for the family from the nonprofit Public Counsel. An email message was sent to the Department of Homeland Security seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The girls family said they were notified in April and May that their humanitarian parole was being revoked and they would be subject to potential deportation. The Trump administration has been pushing to dismantle policies from former President Joe Bidens administration that granted temporary legal status for certain migrants and allowed them to live legally in the U.S., generally for two years. The girl was taken to a hospital upon arriving on at the U.S.-Mexico border with her mother in 2023 and released once she was stable enough. She receives intravenous nutrition through a special backpack for short bowel syndrome, which prevents her from being able to take in and process nutrients on her own, and lawyers said the treatment she receives is necessary at this stage for her to survive and isn't available in Mexico. The family's attorneys from Public Counsel said in a statement that while they were grateful the administration acted swiftly to ensure the girl could continue her life-saving treatment, they hoped the case highlighted the need for better communication with federal immigration officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot ignore the systemic challenges that brought Sofia to the brink, the attorneys said, using a pseudonym for the girl. Her parole was terminated without warning ... It took an international outcry and pressure from elected officials to get a responsesomething that used to take a single phone call. Humanitarian parole, which doesnt put migrants on a path to U.S. citizenship, was widely used during the Biden administration to alleviate pressure on the U.S.-Mexico southern border. It was previously used on a case-by-case basis to address individual emergencies and also for people fleeing humanitarian crises around the world including Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the late 1970s. In Mexico, the girl was largely confined to a hospital because of her medical condition, said her mother, Deysi Vargas. After joining a program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, she can now receive treatment at home in Bakersfield, California, and go to the park and store like other children, Vargas has said. Lawyers said the girl's medical treatment, which requires 14 hours a day of intravenous nutrition, will not be necessary indefinitely but that she is not at the point where she could live without it. A Mexican National who was on the run for more than a decade is back in Los Angeles to face murder charges in connection with a 2013 slaying in the Arleta neighborhood, the FBI announced Tuesday. Luis Alberto Gutierrez Tejeda, 33, was arrested last year in Guadalajara, Mexico, and was awaiting formal extradition to the United States until arriving in Los Angeles on Friday, a news release from the FBI stated. Tejeda, a San Fernando Valley gang member known as Green Eyes whose last known U.S. address was in Sylmar, was wanted for allegedly shooting a man to death during a July 2013 road rage incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally identified only as Luis Alberto Gutierrez during the initial investigation, Tejada had worked at a North Hollywood business and began acting aloof and changing his appearance in the days after the shooting, his employer told police at the time. Investigators said he then abandoned his job and had been on the run ever since. Luis Alberto Gutierrez Tejeda is seen with his face partially covered in an image provided by the FBI on June 2, 2025. Luis Alberto Gutierrez, suspected in the road-rage death of a 22-year-old driver, is shown here in a booking photo from a previous arrest. (Credit: Los Angeles Police Department) The FBIs Fugitive Task Force was asked to assist in locating and apprehending Tejada once it was known he had fled the U.S. After more than ten years on the run, Tejada was taken into custody by Mexican authorities in October 2024. In May, the Fugitive Task Force was notified that Gutierrez Tejada would be turned over to American authorities on May 30. 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. Around 13% of Mexicans likely turned out to vote in the countrys first-ever judicial election, Mexicos INE electoral authority said on Monday, as the government hailed a successful process while analysts said the low turnout could undermine an already controversial reform. President Claudia Sheinbaum estimated that some 13 million of around 100 million eligible voters cast ballots on Sunday to elect some 2,600 judges and magistrates, including all nine Supreme Court justices. Counting is set to conclude on June 15, but INE officials estimated the turnout at between 12.57% and 13.32% using a calculation based on several samples taken across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheinbaum called the process a complete success, citing a free vote and a frugal campaign at a morning press conference. Everything can be perfected. We will draw conclusions from yesterday to make improvements for 2027, she said, pointing to another vote in two years that is scheduled to fill over 1,000 more judicial positions. Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez said that the voting took place in a climate of peace and tranquility across the length and breadth of the country. Yesterdays turnout at the polls met expectations, she said. It was an innovative process that generated interest among the participants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voting in Mexico is not mandatory and there is no minimum turnout required to legitimize an election. Pollsters had warned of poor turnout over boycott calls by the opposition and the complexity of voting for a large number of candidates. Questionable credentials Goldman Sachs chief Latin America economist, Alberto Ramos, said in a note that the low turnout took away from the process legitimacy, and that the pre-selection process and logistical organization were fraught with controversy. The vast majority of the roughly 3,400 candidates were largely unknown, many have limited legal experience and some questionable credentials for the seats they are seeking, he said. A Mexican citizen votes at a polling station during the Judicial Branch Election Day to elect ministers, magistrates, and judges in Mexico City, Mexico - Luis Barron/Eyepix Group/NurPhoto/AP Bradesco analyst Rodolfo Ramos said he thought the turnout was surprisingly low, considering Sheinbaums high approval rating and the fact that the majority of Mexicans were in favor of directly voting for judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheinbaum, who inherited the judicial election project from her predecessor and mentor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has backed the vote as a way to democratize justice and root out corruption and nepotism. However, critics say it could remove checks and balances on the executive power and allow for organized crime groups to wield greater influence by running their own candidates. The run-up to the vote had been dominated by a scandal over some of the candidates, including a convicted drug smuggler and a former lawyer of drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. Late on Sunday, Mexicos Specialized Prosecutors Office for Electoral Crimes said it had received 23 reports of possible electoral crimes related to the elections of nearly 900 positions at the federal-level judiciary. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Long delays and staff shortages are still affecting operations at Mexicos Port of Manzanillo, about a week after the port resumed operations following a strike by customs workers. Miguel Angel Martinez, president of Mexicos National Chamber of Freight Transport (Canacar), said some transporters are close to bankruptcy due to an operational crisis at Manzanillos customs department. The strike at the Port of Manzanillo, which began May 12 and ended May 15, included accusations of workplace harassment, along with demands for better working conditions, more personnel and extended customs hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The port, on Mexicos Pacific Coast, resumed full operations on May 21, according to the Mexican navy, which handles customs clearance at all ports of entry. Thousands of containers and cargo are being held up and experiencing critical delays; yards are completely overwhelmed, and customs inspections often exceed 72 hours per unit, without adequate care and sanitation for our operators, Martinez posted on X on Saturday. In addition to being president of Canacar, Martinez is CEO of Grupo Marva, a carrier with 1,600 trucks and 13 terminals around Mexico, including a facility at the Port of Manzanillo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Trucking companies are] on the brink of bankruptcy, as a result of these days of paralysis. Weve already defaulted on payments to leasing companies, insurance companies, suppliers, and even our staff, Martinez said. Mexicos Association of Maquiladora and Export Manufacturing Industries Occident said the strike and delays could cost the Port of Manzanillo $150 million in lost revenue, and operations could take up to five weeks to normalize, according to El Economista. The Port of Manzanillo is the countrys largest and one of the main gateways for international trade in Mexico, handling about 45% of the containers that arrive from ocean carriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The port handles about 4,000 truck movements daily and processed nearly 4 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2024. Ernesto Hernandez Jr., a Brownsville, Texas-based customs broker, said some containers are being delayed by more than seven days at the Port of Manzanillo. The wait times are so long that even drayage truck drivers have required medical assistance due to things like heat strokes for waiting in their truck for too long, Hernandez posted Thursday on LinkedIn. Martinez urged the federal government to find a solution immediately. The impact is not minor: the economic losses are in the multimillions and are directly impacting the efficiency of supply chains throughout the country, with severe consequences for industry, commerce, and the end consumer, Martinez said. We strongly and firmly call on federal, customs, port, and state authorities to immediately establish a crisis committee and implement immediate, effective, and coordinated solutions to restore logistics flow in Manzanillo. Mexicos federal government has not officially responded to Canacars request. The post Mexicos largest port struggling with delays, container backlogs appeared first on FreightWaves. ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE) A New Mexico man will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his wife and burying her body. In April 2024, New Mexico State Police received a report from a man who said he had information about a homicide that happened in Otero County. Police soon found the body of 67-year-old Nancy Lefleur buried in a shallow grave south of Alamogordo. New Mexico Supreme Court affirms convictions of man who killed two Albuquerque teenagers The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator performed an autopsy and found she died from two gunshot wounds to the head. A jury found Shaun Lefleur guilty of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison. 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. MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico's ruling Morena party is poised to control the country's Supreme Court, vote tallies of the country's first judicial election indicated Tuesday, inching the party closer toward a grip on all three branches of government. Votes were still being counted for the majority of the 2,600 federal, state and local judge positions up for grabs in Sundays elections, but results neared completion for the nine Supreme Court positions. The majority of the newly elected justices share strong ties and ideological alignments with the ruling party, shifting a once fairly balanced high court into the hands of the very party that overhauled the judicial system to elect judges for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts warned the shift would undercut checks and balances in the Latin American nation, and would offer President Claudia Sheinbaum and her party an easier path to push through their agenda. Were watching as power is falling almost entirely into the hands of one party, said Georgina De la Fuente, election specialist with the Mexican consulting firm Strategia Electoral. There isnt any balance of power. Despite that, officials have continued to fiercely reject democratic concerns. A Morena-leaning court and an Indigenous justice With more than 98% of votes counted Tuesday night, most of those slated to head Mexico's highest court were members or former members of the Morena party. A number of them who were Supreme Court justices prior to the election were appointed by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaums mentor who pushed through the judicial overhaul last year. Others were advisers to the former president or the party or campaigned with politically aligned visions for the judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexico's top electoral authority listed the nine likely winners in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. Not all of the prospective winners were explicitly aligned with Morena. One standout was Hugo Aguilar Ortiz, an Indigenous lawyer from the southern state of Oaxaca. He has no clear party affiliation, though Sheinbaum said repeatedly she hoped to have an Indigenous judge on the court and said on Tuesday she was happy to see he would be. Political controversy Critics had feared that Morena would emerge from the election with control of the judiciary. The vote came after months of fierce debate, prompted when Lopez Obrador and the party jammed through the reforms for judges to be elected instead of being appointed based on merits. The overhaul will notably limit the Supreme Court as a counterweight to the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges, experts and the political opposition say the reform was an attempt to take advantage of high popularity levels to stack courts in favor of Morena. Sheinbaum and her mentor have insisted that electing judges will root out corruption in a system most Mexicans agree is broken. On Tuesday, Sheinbaum brushed off complaints by Mexico's opposition which called for a boycott of the vote that the Supreme Court was now unfairly stacked against them, saying they're the ones who decided not to participate in the election. The elections were marred by low participation about 13% and confusion by voters who struggled to understand the new system, something opponents quickly latched onto as a failure. De la Fuente said Morena is likely to use its new lack of a counterweight in the high court to push through rounds of reforms, including reforms to Mexico's electoral systems, a proposal that has stirred controversy and was previously blocked by courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guadalupe Taddei Zavala, chief counselor of Mexicos electoral authority, on Tuesday rejected democratic concerns. I don't see any (constitutional) crisis after the election, she said. Likely Supreme Court justices Hugo Aguilar Ortiz was the big surprise from the election. The Indigenous lawyer led all vote-getters, including several sitting Supreme Court justices. Hes known as a legal activist fighting for the rights of Indigenous Mexicans and has criticized corruption in the judiciary. Lenia Batres was already a Supreme Court justice and was appointed by Lopez Obrador. Previously a congresswoman, shes a member of Morena and an ally of Mexicos president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yasmin Esquivel is a Supreme Court justice who was appointed by Lopez Obrador. She focused her campaign on modernizing the justice system and has pushed for gender equality. She was at the center of a 2022 controversy when she was accused of plagiarizing her thesis. She is considered an ally of the Morena party. Loretta Ortiz is a justice on the Supreme Court who was appointed by Lopez Obrador. She also served in Congress and resigned from Morena in 2018 in a show of independence as a judge. Shes considered an ally of the party. Maria Estela Rios Gonzalez is a lawyer who acted as legal adviser to Lopez Obrador, first when he was mayor of Mexico City and later when he became president. She has a long history as a public servant and works in labor law and on a number of Indigenous issues. Giovanni Figueroa Mejia is a lawyer from the Pacific coast state of Nayarit with a doctorate in constitutional law. He works as an academic at the Iberoamericana University in Mexico City. Hes worked in human rights. While he holds no clear party affiliation, he supported the judicial overhaul, saying in an interview with his university that it was urgent and necessary in order to rebuild the judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irving Espinosa Betanzo is a magistrate on Mexico Citys Supreme Court and has previously worked as a congressional adviser to Morena. He campaigned for the country's highest court on a platform of eliminating nepotism and corruption and pushing for human rights. Aristides Rodrigo Guerrero Garcia is a law professor pushing for social welfare with no experience as a judge, but who has worked as a public servant and has experience in both constitutional and parliamentary law. He gained traction in campaigns for a social media video of him claiming hes more prepared than a pork rind. Sara Irene Herrerias Guerra is a prosecutor specializing in human rights for Mexicos Attorney Generals Office. Shes worked on issues like gender equality, sexually transmitted infections and human trafficking. In 2023, she worked on the investigation of a fire in an immigration facility in the border city of Ciudad Juarez that killed 40 migrants. A child under 5 years old who recently travelled to multiple international locations with family has been confirmed to have measles. An MI5 agent deliberately and repeatedly lied after confirming to a journalist that a violent and misogynistic neo-Nazi was operating as an undercover source, a court has heard. The security service apologised to the High Court on Tuesday after acknowledging that a senior official gave false information under oath when he denied such a confirmation had occurred. A deputy director identified only as Witness A provided a sworn statement on behalf of MI5, insisting the agency had steadfastly maintained its policy to neither confirm nor deny the identity of an informant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that testimony was exposed as false earlier this year when a BBC journalist produced a recording of an MI5 agent identified as Officer 2 confirming that a violent neo-Nazi did work for them as a covert human intelligence source. Two investigations have since been launched to ascertain how MI5 came to provide false information to judges on three separate occasions. At a hearing before the High Court on Tuesday, Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Attorney General for MI5, reiterated an apology on behalf of the agency. Errors had not been deliberate He said: I am not here to seek to excuse or diminish the seriousness of that position. Everyone from the director-general downwards acknowledges the seriousness caused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he insisted there had been no deliberate attempt to conceal or lie, suggesting that the failings and errors had been down to poor recollection, a lack of accurate note-taking and communication issues. Sir James said the court could be properly satisfied that a full investigation had taken place, and it concluded that the errors had not been deliberate. He said the reviews found there had been no deliberate misleading or lying. But Jude Bunting KC for the BBC said Officer 2 the agent at the centre of the case had deliberately and repeatedly lied, adding that there had been widespread knowledge within MI5 that he had done so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Officer 2 had been given authorisation from senior officials to deviate from MI5s usual policy. Mr Bunting also said Sir Jonathan Jones KC, who was commissioned by the Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to carry out the external review, had not spoken to Officer 2 directly during the probe. He said the conclusion was that Officer 2 appears to have consistently lied, adding that it was very troubling. The embarrassing episode dates back to December 2021 when a BBC journalist was investigating the activities of a far-Right extremist. Sir Ken McCallum attempted to get the BBC to drop the story - Jonathan Brady/PA After emailing the man to put the allegations to him, the reporter was surprised to be contacted by an MI5 official saying the claims were not accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During several subsequent telephone conversations, the MI5 officer confirmed to the journalist the man, identified only as agent X, did indeed work for them as a paid informant and even offered to arrange a meeting. He also told the reporter he had been legally authorised to disclose agent Xs role, suggesting the decision had been signed off at a higher level. Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, attempted to get the BBC to drop the story but, when the corporation refused, Suella Braverman, the Attorney General at the time, went to the High Court seeking an injunction. During MI5s submissions Witness A insisted they had not deviated from their standard procedure of never confirming nor denying the identities of agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same position was maintained in evidence given to two other courts as the mans ex-girlfriend sought to expose how he had used his MI5 cover to abuse and silence her. The BBC was eventually permitted to run the story about the mans violent past and extremist mindset, but was banned from naming him. Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr, sitting with Mr Justice Chamberlain and Dame Victoria Sharp, the president of the Kings Bench Division, are considering what action, if any, to take against MI5. Mr Bunting said it was the BBCs position that the threshold for bringing Contempt of Court proceedings against the agency had been reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judgment was reserved and will be handed down at a later date. 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. Michigans attorney general took aim June 2 at Consumers Energys proposed rate hike, just days after various advocacy groups rallied outside a state public service commission meeting, uniting to protest DTE Energys recent plan to increase its rates. Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a notice of intervention on behalf of Michigans residents in the electric rate case that the three-member public service commission will consider. Consumers Energy is seeking an annual rate hike of about $436 million, which Nessel said is on top of $24 million more in deferred distribution costs through a surcharge that it is seeking to bill customers. Consumers Energy line workers help restore damaged power lines in Pellston on April 3, 2025. The increase, the Jackson-based power company said in its filing with the state, would cover investments to support "delivery of safe, reliable and resilient, clean and equitable, and competitive energy" to its customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The utility added in a statement to the Free Press that its request proposes "major investments in line clearing and technology across all communities we serve to support our long-term goal that no customer will go more than 24 hours without power." "We understand many of our customers struggle to pay bills, and we are dedicated to the people who count on us for energy," it said. "We will continue to provide assistance and programs that help people reduce their energy use, pay bills and stay safe in their homes." Nessel has promised to "thoroughly scrutinize" the rate increase, adding that it was part of what she called "a troubling continuation of the patterns" by the state's two largest regulated electric companies. Recent rate hike requests from Consumers Energy and DTE, the attorney general said, have included what Nessel described as "inappropriate costs," which, in DTE's case, she identified as "private jet travel for executive staff," among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At some point, we have to ask how long utility companies like DTE and Consumers Energy will be allowed to treat customer bills and our energy rates like a blank check," Nessel said last month, when Detroit-based DTE said it was seeking to raise rates by $574 million. That is more than double what the company was granted just months ago. Whats more, the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan a nonpartisan, nonprofit group has found, based on its review of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, that Michiganders already pay some of the highest energy bills in the Midwest. In addition to high bills, the group also looked at energy reliability, which it said scored low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Another DTE rate increase could 'bankrupt' Michigan families, state rep. says Residents, advocacy groups and a state lawmaker rallied last Thursday outside a Michigan Public Service Commission meeting at Cadillac Place in Detroit to protest DTE Energy's request for a rate hike. "We must continue to invest to deliver the cleaner and more reliable energy our customers demand and deserve," DTE said in an email to Free Press last week, and that it "is making progress on building the electric grid of the future." State Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, who is also running for Congress, addressed the crowd at the rally, saying the proposed hike is devastating for his constituents, many of whom already struggle to pay their bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Michigan League of Conservation Voters, a nonprofit group which was at last week's rally, is urging the public service commission to knock down the rate hikes. "Our bills are too damn high," said Alex Kellogg, with the league. "At a time when costs for everything are high, Consumers Energy and DTE are trying to raise our energy bills by a combined amount of more than $1 billion dollars." Nessel, a Democrat, has been vocal in questioning rate hikes. "Before Consumers Energy," she said, "or anyone else for that matter, can even begin to measure any affordability or reliability improvements from their last rate hike, the company is back in business asking to bill their customers an additional $400 million annually." Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan attorney general to look at Consumers Energy rate increase Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democratic candidate for governor, is interviewed by the Michigan Advance on the porch of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., during the second day of the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) A Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday called for the chamber to issue articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson who is also a Democratic Party frontrunner for the 2026 gubernatorial primary. The call for the impeachment of Benson, who was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, came from Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton), citing what he called unlawful election directives, a failure to preserve critical election records and supposed conduct that has undermined the public trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benson in a statement called the effort a clown show. DeSana was joined at a news conference by conservative firebrand Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford), who stood by as DeSana claimed that Benson was the most lawless secretary of state in Michigan history. The articles accuse Benson of exceeding her authority during her tenure by allegedly ignoring procedural requirements imposed by the Michigan Legislature through statute, her alleged donations to a political action committee in support of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden when she sought to retain her seat last year allegedly just before her departments attorneys argued before the high court in an election inspector challenge and Bensons offices banning of firearms at polling locations. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSana also said Bensons offices handling of absentee ballots during the 2020 presidential election was part of his calculus to call for her impeachment. With Benson as a potential major player in the Democratic gubernatorial primary next year, DeSana was asked if the move was purely political. Whether its viewed as political or not, my people sent me here to uphold the law and have fair elections and we are not anywhere near that right now. So if they want to deem that political, its political, DeSana said. It is about keeping our secretary of state accountable to the residents of Michigan for her job. It is her job to run the secretary of states office and to run elections. We make the law that determines what is the authority over the election. She cannot make that law. In response, Benson said that she believes in oversight and transparency, but this isnt it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is Republican lawmakers abusing their authority to access sensitive election information that would allow them or any conspiracy theorists they share it with to tamper with election equipment, interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, or impersonate a clerk on Election Day, Benson said. I continue to call on Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall and his caucus to work with us and a judicial mediator to help us reach a resolution to this matter. Benson added that the threat amounted to a Republican-led circus. But lets be clear: this clown show he is leading is no way to govern. It is not how we solve problems. It is not how we make government work for everyone. And every taxpayer dollar wasted on these shenanigans is a waste of time and money, Benson said. I remain committed to the security of our elections and to the people of Michigan. I work for them. I suggest the House Republicans start doing the same. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she talked to President Donald Trump in the last 24 hours about the two men convicted of plotting to kidnap her (AP video: Mike Householder) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) For the first time since last fall, Middle Tennessee will see three consecutive days in the 90s. Does this count as a heat wave, or is this normal for this time of year? According to the National Weather Service office in New York City, a heat wave is defined as three consecutive days of 90 or higher. The News 2 Weather Authority team is forecasting temperatures of 90 or higher from Tuesday, June 3, through Thursday, June 5. This would meet the National Weather Service New York Citys office definition for a heat wave. New York is not Tennessee, so is the definition of a heat wave different here in the Volunteer State? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Nashville National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Husted, a heat wave is a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather. This means the criteria for a heat wave in New York City would not work here in Middle Tennessee. This is because temperatures in the 90s are not abnormal. FORECAST: Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky Weather The average high temperatures in Nashville are 90 or higher from June 25 through August 26. This is more than two months where 90 is normal. Husted said in Middle Tennessee, abnormally hot conditions are when the heat index gets above 105. For us, 90s in June is not abnormally hot. Now, if we have those temperatures approaching 100, and if we have that humidity, those dew points of 75 or 80 with a temperature of 95, making it uncomfortable, thats what we would constitute a heat wave, Husted told News 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heat index, or feels-like temperature, is how hot it feels to a human. It takes into account the moisture in the air along with the temperature. This is because it feels much hotter when there is more moisture in the air. Below is a heat index chart that has the temperature on the y-axis and dew point on the x-axis. CREDIT: National Weather Service The National Weather Service office in Nashville will issue heat advisories when the heat index is higher than 105 and extreme heat warnings when it gets above 110. The criteria for heat alerts across the United States are based on feels-like temperatures that are abnormally or dangerously hot. This means a heat wave in Middle Tennessee would be at least three days when the heat index is 105 or warmer. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Husted said this warm-up is not abnormal enough to be a heat wave, but it could be a shock to your system since its been so cool lately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the technical definition, we currently dont meet the criteria for this upcoming event, but thats not to diminish the potential impacts. Its our first heat event of the year, were not used to it at this point, Said Husted. Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland woman was arrested late last month after investigators said she allegedly assaulted her girlfriend and then struck her girlfriends son as he tried to call 911 for help. Esmeralda Medina, 23, has been charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Injury to a Child. According to an arrest report, on May 29, deputies with the Midland County Sheriffs Office were called to a home on ECR 57 after a child called 911 and said his mothers girlfriend, identified as Medina, had run over his mother and was now threatening to stab her. When deputies arrived on the scene, they detained Medina in the back seat of a patrol unit, but said she didnt want to speak about the incident. Investigators then spoke with Medinas girlfriend who said when she and Medina arrived home, she went to retrieve some items from the car, while doing so, the woman said that Medina began to back up, which caused an injury to her leg. When Medina stopped the vehicle, the victim said she and her two children went into their RV and locked the door. Following that, Medina reportedly banged on the door and demanded to be let inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once inside the RV, Medina reportedly cornered her girlfriend, threatened her with a knife, and said that no one was going to be allowed to leave the residence. One of the victims children then tried to call 911, which prompted Medina to try and grab the phone; during a scuffle over the phone, Medina reportedly elbowed the child. When Medina began wrestling with the boy over the phone, the victim tried to defend him, which caused Medina to choke the victim, the affidavit stated. After investigating, Medina was arrested and booked into the Midland County Detention Center where she remained as of Tuesday afternoon on a combined $525,000 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. Ed Miliband is poised to ditch targets for heat pumps amid budget cuts that threaten his net zero ambitions, industry sources have told The Telegraph. The previous government declared that from 2028, 600,000 heat pumps would be installed every year in British homes as part of the drive towards net zero. But official communications regarding the deadline have been dropped since Labour took power last year, and any mention of installation targets was absent from the partys 2024 manifesto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labour has refused to recommit to the 2028 deadline, which was set by Boris Johnsons government in 2021. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is expected to announce the changes in her spending review on June 11. It comes after The Telegraph revealed last week that cuts to the Department for Energy and Net Zero (Desnz) budget could force Mr Miliband to reduce funding for his flagship Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides up to 7,500 to homeowners looking to install a ground or air source heat pump. Funding for the scheme is expected to expire in 2028, and the Government is yet to confirm whether it will be renewed. The conversations I have been involved in suggest theyre planning to get rid of the 2028 deadline, and its not in any of their PR, one source told The Telegraph. Because the budget is limited and this government isnt the best with finances, the Warm Homes Plan will also get shrunk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The energy department, led by Mr Miliband, is said to be bracing for budget cuts as Ms Reeves frantically tries to fill an estimated 30bn black hole in Britains finances. The overall annual growth in day-to-day spending has fallen to 1.2pc in real terms, meaning unprotected government departments are facing cuts. Reductions to his departments budget could force Mr Miliband to reduce funding for heat pump installations, while officials are also said to be looking for savings in Labours warm homes policies, which provide funding for home insulation. Another industry source said: Ive not heard talk of the target for months. Setting an ambition is great, but setting absolute target numbers is always a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aspiration was based on a number of policy initiatives, all of which have been delayed. This is likely to deepen a rift in the Cabinet between Mr Miliband and Ms Reeves, who in January urged Labour MPs not to tolerate blockers who put their own interests above those of the country. Ministers are said to be prioritising Labours pledge of building 1.5 million homes, rather than installation targets for heat pumps. Unrealistic target The high price of the green technology has put homeowners off making the switch from gas, critics claim. Mike Foster, of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, said: The 600,000 heat pumps installed a year by 2028 was a Boris Johnson target, drafted on the back of a fag packet, which industry always thought was unrealistic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scrapping that figure is plain common sense. What matters in the fight against climate change is how much carbon there is in the atmosphere, not how many heat pumps are in peoples homes. Out of touch targets help no one and consumers dont want to be press ganged into fitting something they feel forced to do. If a product improves their lives, they will buy it. If not, they wont. Whitehall targets rarely help and more often highlight a failure to deliver by the Government, so why do it? The rate of installations would need to ramp up ninefold within the next three years to meet the targets set out by the previous government. There were just 65,600 heat pumps installed in the year to April, according to MCS Certified, the trade standards body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources claim numbers are lagging because of delays to the Governments Future Homes Standard, which would have made heat pumps compulsory in new-build homes. However, ministers are still poring over consultation documents, and green campaigners are concerned that housebuilder lobbying will mean requirements for green technology, such as battery storage and solar panels, will be dropped. Despite this, DESNZ is pressing ahead with other initiatives such as a controversial boiler tax on manufacturers, which will see manufacturers fined for failing to sell enough heat pumps. Last week, the Government also scrapped the so-called one metre rule which restricted how closely heat pumps could be positioned to a neighbouring property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The push towards net zero has been the cause of much infighting within Labour in recent months, particularly after Sir Tony Blair warned Sir Keir Starmer that Labours green policies were doomed to fail. Mr Miliband retaliated by accusing Sir Tony of having a defeatist attitude. Sources told The Telegraph the looming spending review has raised tensions even further within Mr Milibands department, as funding is expected to go towards nuclear power rather than heat pumps. At least three more cabinet ministers are understood to be locked in negotiations with the Treasury about spending levels with just a week to go before decisions are announced. The others are Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, and Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A government spokesman said: The energy shocks of recent years have shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes. Through our Warm Homes Plan, up to 300,000 households will benefit from upgrades this year, such as insulation, double glazing, solar and heat pumps making them cheaper and cleaner to run. We have almost doubled the budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 295m, and it recently enjoyed its best month since opening, with 4,028 applications in March 2025, up 88pc on the same month last year. 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. Milwaukee High School of the Arts unveiled a new mural May 30 intended to raise awareness about gun violence. Students designed the mural to educate their peers and create solutions through art and activism. The creation of "This Is Not A Drill," was a collaboration between the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort Educational Fund and the the school's student-led club Artists Against Gun Violence, according to an MPS news release. Student collaborators included lead organizer Izzy Polewski with Adriana Cruz, Andre Ceballo Olea, Catherine Kimbakimba, Ash Lawton, Eliott Stugard and Zach Boettner. The students were supported by MHSA visual art teachers Posy Knight and Julia Stacey, as well as other school and WAVE Educational Fund staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students in the group began meeting weekly in January, Polewski said. Once the mural layout was decided upon, small groups designed different sections. Cruz then created a digital painting from the students' sketches and transferred it to a wall in the school's mini-park, where students spent March, April and May bringing the mural to life with acrylic paints. "We worked so hard on this," Polewski said in a speech before the mural reveal. "All of us could not have created this without each other." Polewski, who uses they/them pronouns, is a junior visual art major at the school and serves as the founder and president of the Artists Against Gun Violence club. They are also a member of the Youth Advisory Board at WAVE. Polewski came up with the idea of the mural after their boss at WAVE asked them to find ways to reach out to the community and engage it in gun violence prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knight, the school's mural club adviser, said the mural developed through private conversations with students that created a sense of vulnerability with one another. She explained how hearing from students similar in age to the victims of mass school shootings like Columbine illustrated the atmosphere these students grew up in: one permeated with culture and conversation around gun violence. "It's like that passion is coming from a visceral place," Knight said. In speaking to the crowd at the mural's unveiling, Polewski said they think youth in Milwaukee have the biggest problem with gun violence. They said they know many students who know how to get a gun, and not many who feel safe from gun violence. "You're all scared, and I think that's dumb," Polewski said. "My goal for tonight is to make other students realize just how dumb that is. I want students feeling empowered." Mural incorporates three sections: dystopia, rebellion and utopia The students' mural is split into three sections, Polewski explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first is dystopia, which represents the desensitization of the current gun violence climate. The section features a heart with bullet holes, a bullet shattering glass, a crow and a weeping woman's eyes staring as if "history is looking at us right now." The middle section is rebellion, which features protest and methods of coping with gun violence. It includes a boom box "filled with music and love," a car with peace signs on it and a vigil to remember the lost. Finally, the utopia section represents what Polewski said students want to see after the storm of gun violence. It features a dove, music and a bird feeding its chicks. "We really want to represent peace and love and hope in that utopia section, but we also made sure to still include some signs that gun violence was a thing," Polewski said. "If you look super closely, you can find guns broken up with flowers growing out of them, like yes, if once we finish this fight, there will still be gun violence." Creating solutions through art The mural unveiling ceremony, which was held outdoors in the school's mini-park, featured a general art gallery that rotates each academic term and an open mic for students after the reveal. A number of students participated in the open mic by performing reciting various literary works like poems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polewski said solutions to gun violence can happen through art and activism because creativity shows that anger doesn't always have to result in violence. Instead, acting with peace can create an effect. "By activism through art, I think it's really all about education, like this helps educate us," Polewski said. "This helps show us what's happening, but also shows us what we can do." Finding community support Students and staff working on the mural were given a $250 budget from Principal Larry Farris and mainly used supplies donated by the school's art department, Knight said. She added that every contributor worked without pay in order to make the creation of the mural possible. Knight called it an "epic effort" to scrape together sufficient funding for the mural project and find community members to support the artists' efforts. She said more resources should be available to schools to make positive changes through creative projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Art is a vehicle for change because it creates empathy in the viewers, and it's something the mural does so well," Knight said. Now, Knight is calling upon community members to support the efforts of local high schools and students who are creating art like the mural. She said one of the best ways to do this is by attending student showcases like theater productions and gallery nights to show students that the community cares about their works. Knight said she felt hopeful seeing a number of community leaders show up to the event with genuine data and a call to action. While Mayor Cavalier Johnson was not able to attend the event as originally planned, Milwaukee County Director of Community Outreach Kyle Ashley spoke to the crowd on his behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley said gun violence is now the leading cause of death for kids and teens in Wisconsin. He said this statistic is a call to action for adults and policymakers to invest in prevention and keep youth safe. "This mural isn't just a painting, it's a statement," Johnson said. "It's a voice of young people refusing to be silent about the reality they live in every day." Tyler Kelly, policy and engagement associate at WAVE, hosted a table at the mural unveiling. He said he was excited for the community to see how the mural conveys that gun violence is an unnatural and unacceptable issue. "Having that reminder that gun violence is still happening, that it's wrong and we can do something about it, I think that has tremendous value to our young people," Kelly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MHSA's mural unveiling precedes Gun Violence Awareness Month in June. This year, National Gun Violence Awareness Day takes place June 7. Contact Mia Thurow at mthurow@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee High School of the Arts raises awareness about gun violence It's the busy season for Colorado's national parks and monuments summer, when more than ever drivers pay entrance fees up to $35. That won't be required on select dates in the weeks and months ahead. As members of the Milwaukee Common Council stood in the council chambers for 14 minutes on June 3 one for each year Yessenia Ruano has lived in the United States news broke that her imminent departure from the country could be delayed as her visa application for trafficking victims is processed. The news was the latest twist in Ruano's public effort to fight her deportation. The Milwaukee Public Schools teaching aide was ordered on May 30 by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement to return to her home country of El Salvador. Before her self-deportation order was delayed, her flight was scheduled for the evening of June 3. Ruano, who has a pending visa application for human trafficking victims, previously said that if ICE ordered it, she'd leave the country with her daughters, who are both U.S citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 14 council members who stood together flanking a photo of Ruano asked that she be able to stay in the country while her T-Visa is being processed. "It's about due process, said council President Jose G. Perez, who organized the action along with Alds. JoCasta Zamarripa and Marina Dimitrijevic. Perez said he hoped the unanimous show of solidarity would demonstrate to Milwaukee's immigrant community that the council doesn't believe Ruano's treatment is fair. Zamarripa called Ruano the "kind of person that makes Milwaukee a better place." "She is one of millions of people who are suffering at the hands of a broken immigration system and whose American dream is now turning into a nightmare," Zamarripa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dimitrijevic said Ruano's case is one of many nationwide, and she hopes the council's action would point to the larger issue. "This city was built on the backs of immigrants, and that's why we stood in solidarity today, and we're not going to back down," Dimitrijevic said. The 14 members of the Milwaukee Common Council present at the June 3 meeting stood together to support Yessenia Ruano, the Milwaukee teacher's aide who is publicly fighting her deportation. The council action came one day after U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement expressing deep concern over Ruanos deportation order despite her pending visa application. Calling Ruano a pillar in our Milwaukee community, Moore wrote that deporting her will not make our country safer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruano had a plane ticket out of the Chicago OHare airport for the evening of June 3. She was packing suitcases in the morning when she learned she may have at least a bit more time in the U.S. Ruano and her attorney, Marc Christopher, requested a stay, or a pause, on her deportation after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on May 30 said she had to self-deport and return to her home country of El Salvador. The request for a stay has been received and is being considered by ICE, Ruano said. Her understanding is that she can remain in the U.S. while the request is being processed. But it was not clear how long it would take to be processed. A big caveat is that ICE is not prevented from carrying out the deportation while the request is being processed, Christopher said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, it was not immediately clear how much longer Ruano could stay in the U.S. if the request for a stay were granted. Ms. Ruano and her legal advocates remain hopeful that ICE will take into account the humanitarian gravity of her case, Christopher said in a statement. ICE officers had said they would not wait for Ruanos open application for a trafficking victims visa to be processed by a different immigration agency. Processing times for those visas can be two years or more. All we ask is that she be allowed to stay at least until her T visa is decided so she is not sent back into the very danger she fled, Christopher said. Alison Dirr of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS aide Yessenia Ruano learns she may get more time in US Most of us can relate to feeling uncomfortable when someone scrapes their nails down a chalkboard. For those with the condition misophonia, sounds like slurping, snoring, breathing, and chewing can draw an equally stressful response. A study published in 2023 by researchers in the Netherlands suggests the condition shares genes with mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. University of Amsterdam psychiatrist Dirk Smit and colleagues analyzed the genetic data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, UK Biobank, and 23andMe databases, and found people who self-identified as having misophonia were more likely to have genes associated with psychiatric disorders, as well as tinnitus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the clip below for a summary on their findings: YouTube Thumbnail Patients with tinnitus a persistent, shrill ringing in the ears are also more likely to have psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety. "There was also an overlap with PTSD genetics," Smit told Eric W. Dolan at PsyPost. "This means that genes that give a sensitivity to PTSD also increase the likelihood for misophonia, and that could point to a shared neurobiological system that affects both. And that could suggest that treatment techniques used for PTSD could also be used for misophonia." This doesn't mean misophonia and these other conditions necessarily have shared mechanisms, only that some of the genetic risk factors may be similar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous research found people who experience misophonia are more likely to internalize their distress. Smit and team's research, published in 2023, also backed this up, showing strong links with personality traits such as worry, guilt, loneliness, and neuroticism. People with misophonia can have an intense reaction to triggering sounds. ( Cleveland Clinic Responses to a triggering sound can range from irritation and anger to distress that interferes with everyday life. "It has been argued that misophonia is based on the feelings of guilt about the evoked irritation and anger rather than behavioral expressions of anger itself that causes the distress," write Smit and team. People with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD) were less likely to experience misophonia. This was unexpected as those with ASD have a decreased tolerance to sounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our results suggest that misophonia and ASD are relatively independent disorders with regard to genomic variation," the researchers write in their paper. "It raises the possibility that other forms of misophonia exist, one that is mostly driven by conditioning of anger or other negative emotionality to specific trigger sounds moderated by personality traits." Responses to a triggering sound can range from irritation and anger to distress that interferes with everyday life. ( Andrii Iemelyanenko/Canva Smit and colleagues caution their data was mostly sourced from European populations, so the same links may not show up in different populations. What's more, misophonia was not medically diagnosed in their data samples, only self-reported which may also skew the results. But their study also provides clues for where further research could focus to find the biological mechanism behind misophonia. A 2023 survey suggests misophonia is more prevalent than previously thought, making studies like this one invaluable for understanding how our perception of the world links with our mind's ability to cope within it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This research was published in Frontiers in Neuroscience. An earlier version of this article was published in October 2024. Related News CHICAGO Police say a missing man with dementia has been located. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Authorities did not provide details on where he was located or what led to his disappearance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Alisa Petrov, the teenager who was missing since April, was found safe in Colorado. When teenagers go missing, it presents unique challenges for law enforcement, but there are also unique approaches to finding them as well. Jason Jensen has been a private investigator for 16 years. He says social media is a key way to look for missing teenagers to see if theres more to the story. Oftentimes children that go, you know, go run off, run away. theyre at danger of being exploited either for sex or for drugs. You know, they can fall victim to criminality, and we dont want that as a society, Jensen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether its checking messages, seeing if theyre posting with their friends somewhere, or if theyre logging on, all these aspects of social media can help police find out whats going on. Theyre not active with their friends, theyre off the digital radar, Jensen said. That helps law enforcement realize, ok, there may be something. Family releases statement after South Jordan girl found alive in Colorado On the other hand, he says its common for a missing teenager to just be at a friends house. When its a female that may be vulnerable to exploitation, or theres, you know, known communications with adults that are luring that type of a child from the home, then theres real danger there because we dont know if they actually met up with one of those individuals. Private Investigator Jason Jensen The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides resources and actively assists families of missing children by providing case management to work directly with the family and law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Department of Public Safety provides a list of resources having to do with missing persons, as well as maintaining a database of missing persons and unidentified persons. 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. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Mississippi Supreme Court received a renewed motion from Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R-Miss.), seeking an execution date for a man on death row. On June 2, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Charles Ray Crawfords petition for certiorari review. 3 juveniles injured in Mississippi ATV crash, woman arrested Crawford was sentenced to death in the 1993 kidnapping and killing of a community college student, 20-year-old Kristy Ray. Jurors in his 1994 trial cited a past rape conviction as an aggravating circumstance when they sentenced Crawford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford was arrested the day after Ray was abducted from her parents home and stabbed to death in northern Mississippis Tippah County. Crawford told officers he had blacked out and did not recall killing her. This August 3, 2017, photo provided by the Mississippi Department of Corrections shows Mississippi death row inmate Charles Ray Crawford, who was convicted and sentenced to death in 1994 in the 1993 kidnapping and killing of community college student, 20-year-old Kristy Ray. (Mississippi Department of Corrections via AP) At the time of that arrest, Crawford was days away from his scheduled trial on a charge of assaulting another woman by hitting her over the head with a hammer. The assault trial was delayed several months, and he was convicted. In a separate trial, Crawford was convicted in the rape of a 17-year-old girl who was friends with the victim of the hammer assault. The two victims were at the same place during the attacks. Crawford said he also experienced blackouts and did not recall committing the rape or the hammer assault. web0001.SCT_.94-DP-1016.112376.0Download Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the sentencing portion of Crawfords capital murder trial, jurors found the rape conviction was an aggravating circumstance and they sentenced him to death, court records show. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Richard Randolph, 32, of Cassville. CASSVILLE, Mo. A Missouri man will go to prison for life after accepting a plea deal in a 2023 fatal stabbing case. Richard Randolph, 32, of Cassville, was sentenced last Friday for second-degree murder in the death of Andey Hunter, 40. Back in 2023, Randolph reportedly stabbed Hunter to death near the Miller Storage Units on Old Highway 34 in Cassville. Authorities were alerted to the incident after a young man came to the Barry County Sheriffs Office claiming he had been chased away from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second-degree murder carries a sentence between 10 to 30 years, or life in prison. As part of his plea bargain, Randolph will receive credit for time served and has the possibility of parole. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Chinese scientists successfully build 300-km fully connected quantum direct communication network Global Times) 08:52, June 03, 2025 Chinese researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) by constructing a 300-kilometer fully connected network, according to a statement the research team sent to the Global Times on Monday. The team from the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences (BAQIS) proposed a multipump expandable fully connected QSDC network in noisy environments, which is designed to reduce its complexity and increase the number of users while guaranteeing communication distance between users, according to the paper. The quantum network represents a significant platform for the verification of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and the realization of quantum communication and computation. The successful construction of this network paves the way for the practical application of quantum communication networks. This technology has the potential for adoption in sectors such as government communication and financial transactions, which demand extremely high levels of information security, said the BAQIS. A major hurdle in QSDC development has been ensuring secure and reliable communication via quantum states, while the transmission distance and the number of users are two important factors that limit the realization of large-scale, scalable quantum communication networks, and existing quantum network construction techniques struggle to address these challenges simultaneously. "In our recent research, we propose a long-distance large-scale and scalable fully connected QSDC network, which employs a double-pumped structure and the introduction of extra noise to successfully realize QSDC over 300 kilometers between four users in the network in pairs," the team said. By using multipump technology, the team can exhibit reduced complexity. This advancement ensures that the fidelity of the entangled states shared among users post-communication remained above 85 percent, thereby robustly validating the scheme's effectiveness and reliability over extended distances, according to the paper. The research findings include three key technical breakthroughs: overcoming traditional star-shaped network limitations to achieve scalable full connection, extending transmission distances to 300 kilometers through optimized entangled light source preparation, and establishing an error correction mechanism based on quantum state reconstruction to ensure stable multi-node communication, said the research team. In February, Chinese research teams successfully achieved stable data transmissionof 2.38 kilobits over a 104.8-kilometer standard fiber-optic network in a 168-hour experimental test. This represented a 4,760-fold improvement over the previous system, significantly advancing QSDC performance, the Xinhua News Agency reported. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of the U.S. Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base, speaks in April at the International Center at the 40th Space Symposium at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, walks away after briefly talking to Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee's Summit, following the Senate's adjournment in 2024 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). Almost two dozen employees in Missouri State Archives and the State Library are on paid leave and will lose their jobs at the end of the month because of a politically motivated budget cut targeting Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. Twenty-two employees 17 in the archives, five in the library were told Friday that they did not need to return to work Monday. The employees are being paid through the end of the month, the final month of the current budget year but according to Hoskins could not be retained because of budget restrictions enacted by the Missouri General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Republican lawmakers behind the cut say it only targeted unfilled positions in the office and there was absolutely no financial reason for Hoskins had to lay off any staff. Hoskins, a Republican, is former state senator and has been secretary of state since January. While in the General Assembly, he tried repeatedly to cut job slots he said had been unfilled for months or years, arguing that agencies that had functioned without filling some jobs didnt need the help. Hoskins was also a member of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, which fought harder with the GOP majority leadership than it did against Democrats. State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Lees Summit Republican regularly tussled with Hoskins and the Freecom Caucus, punished him earlier this year with a budget amendment cutting 25 of the offices authorized personnel strength of 267 full time equivalent employees, or FTE, and $680,000 from one of the funds that helps pay salaries. In the last full year under Hoskins predecessor, only 204 of those positions were filled. The office has not used more than 215 of its full time slots for at least eight years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time the cut was made, Cierpiot said it should not require any layoffs. In a statement to The Independent, Rachel Dunn, spokeswoman for Hoskins, claimed the office had no choice. The General Assembly did not cut vacant or flexible FTE authority, she said. It explicitly eliminated 25 FTEs from our budget, meaning we were required by law to reduce filled positions to meet that mandate. These cuts were not based on current vacancies but on a hard reduction in authorized staffing levels. The employees were given leave with pay to allow them time to seek new jobs, she wrote. This was done out of respect for their service, and to give them time to plan next steps with dignity, rather than executing immediate unpaid terminations, Dunn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $19.6 million budget approved for Hoskins office operations includes $11.6 million in general revenue and $8 million from other funds. In addition to the archives and library, the office is the states chief election authority, the repository of records establishing every business and not-for-profit in the state, and the regulator of securities brokers and sales. Lawmakers give Hoskins and every other statewide elected official complete flexibility in determining whether each dollar is spent on payroll or the expense of maintaining the office. And in each of the past three years, the office has returned about $3 million unspent to the state treasury, including $300,000 to $400,000 of general revenue. There was enough money and enough flexibility for Hoskins to retain all his employees, Cierpiot said. The budget change, he said, did not mandate layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Secretary of State Hoskins thinks that he needs to pull back the number of people working at the archives, thats his decision, Cierpiot said. State Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said there is no reason Hoskins should have terminated employees. I cant understand a financial reason, Hough said, that there isnt ample personal service dollars within the 100% flexibility that the Secretary of State has to continue paying not only all those folks, but Im sure theyre still flexing some other dollars associated with the vacant FTEs. The problem with looking to the flexibility within the office budget for money to retain the staff is the limited nature of some funds. Money collected to regulate securities can only be spent on that function, Dunn said, and there isnt enough general revenue to cover the cut in the dedicated funds that support the archive and library functions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislature cut both the FTEs and associated appropriations, Dunn said. Previous administrations had kept many unfilled FTEs on the books, but unfilled FTEs dont always have funds associated with them. When the legislature cut both unfilled FTEs and payroll funds, our hands were tied. The archives is one of the offices most public-facing functions. It stores and preserves records from the most important to the most mundane and is used for historical and genealogical research. It is also the only part of the office to have regular evening and Saturday hours. The archives for example, is where the original document for Gov. Lilburn Boggs 1838 order that Mormons must be exterminated or driven from the state is stored, as is former Gov. Kit Bonds 1975 order rescinding Boggs directive. Online collections include territorial and state censuses, every volume of the Revised Statutes going back to 1825, and service records for soldiers and sailors from the War of 1812 through World War I. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The archives will have 43 employees after the cut, and the library will have 11, Dunn said. The Missouri State Archives are a vital part of our shared history and cultural legacy, Dunn said. These cuts will have lasting impacts on public access, preservation, and the historical transparency Missourians deserve. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent). The opening of the legislative special session Monday put partisan and intraparty fights in the Missouri Senate on display as Democrats called for expanded storm relief and Freedom Caucus members called for tax cuts as the price for supporting stadium subsidies. Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers together just two weeks after they finished work in the regular session to consider a package of tax incentives intended to convince the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kehoe is also asking lawmakers for a $235 million spending bill with $25 million for disaster relief as well as a special tax deduction for the cost of meeting insurance deductibles after a disaster. The brief opening session didnt feature any sharp exchanges, but the bills filed and the statements made about them show where the battle lines are being drawn. Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from Affton, told reporters that members of his caucus arent willing to talk about stadium funding until an appropriations bill and other disaster relief measures are on Kehoes desk. When that happens and its through the House and on the governors desk, then we can talk about it, Beck said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the Freedom Caucus said they are holding out for a tax cut that benefits all Missourians before considering a stadium plan, said state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance. Schroer filed a bill to cut the top income tax rate to 4% it is currently 4.7% and make the tax flat across all incomes. The members of the Freedom Caucus, plus the other conservative members that are not necessarily in the caucus, theyve all expressed that whether its income tax, personal property tax or real property tax, for us to sit at the table, and allow tax credits for billionaires to move forward, the little guy needs to get something in return, Schroer said. The regular session ended in acrimony when Republicans twice invoked a rarely used procedural move to shut off debate. Democrats had blocked a proposed ballot measure to restore Missouris ban on most abortions and a bill repealing the paid sick leave law passed by voters in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats vowed that the move ended their cooperation with Republicans and gave a taste of what that meant last week when they stalled the final paperwork of the regular session. Under the Missouri Constitution, lawmakers have 60 days to complete work on items in a special session and Kehoe has said he wont try to impose an artificial deadline. Because of the uncertainty of action in the Senate, the Missouri House wont convene until next week and will only remain in session if the Senate has passed a bill for it to consider. But the Chiefs and Royals have only until the end of the month to answer an offer from Kansas to fund new stadiums. Kehoe hopes to have his plan for tax incentives worth about 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums to be passed by then. The plan for the Chiefs and Royals would take tax money already generated from activities at the stadiums $28.8 million annually as estimated by the Chiefs and $15 million annually by an estimate from the Royals and commit it to bond payments for 30 years for the new or upgraded facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The economic activity associated with the Chiefs supports 4,500 jobs, Kehoe contends, and a new stadium for the Royals would generate about 8,400 jobs. The spending bill Kehoe wants passed would use $25 million of general revenue to support a new research reactor on the University of Missouris Columbia campus, plus funding for a new livestock display barn at the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia and about $50 million to help with construction of a new mental hospital in Kansas City. The funding for the reactor is $25 million less than Kehoe proposed. State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat, introduced an appropriations bill with $75 million for the reactor, plus all the other general revenue projects that died when Missouri House Republicans refused to bring the construction spending bill up for a vote. If there is going to be a $25 million variance on agreements made in this chamber, we ought to go $25 million in the other direction, Webber said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Webber also introduced a bill imposing a 1% income tax surcharge on incomes greater than $1 million, which he said would bring in about $400 million over three years to support disaster relief. There is obviously a belief, among some, that billionaires should be given a sweetheart deal. I would disagree with that, Webber said. There is also some concern about whether we can fund disaster relief for some communities in our state that were desperately hit. So what Ive tried to do is build a bridge between those two issues. State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican who chairs the Freedom Caucus, introduced a bill to finance the stadiums entirely from donations. He called it the No Taxation, All Donation Act and included incentives for giving. So if somebody gives over $10,000 to this stadium, then they are able to obtain free parking to be able to get into that stadium, Brattin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next step will be to send the bills to committees for hearings. That will happen tomorrow and the first hearings will occur soon afterward. Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, seemed happy to have gotten past the first day without a filibuster. Today went smoothly, Luetkemeyer said. And then well just take it day by day and see where we go from here. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Light Gas & Water responded Monday to the NAACP, which claimed last week that xAIs operations in southwest Memphis are endangering the health of nearby residents. A letter sent by NAACP to both MLGW and the county health department accused those entities of looking the other way as xAI ran gas turbines to help power its Colossus supercomputer in southwest Memphis, and of violating open meetings laws. NAACP pens letter calling for end of xAI supercomputer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The response letter sent Monday by MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen says those claims are patently false. McGowen says MLGW has no role in approving the use of gas turbines and undertook an impact study to ensure that the xAI facility would not impact service to other utility customers. City officials including the mayor have previously said the number of gas turbines at the site was lower than what environmental groups claimed, and on May 6, the chamber of commerce announced the turbines would be decommissioned. As of now, the company is not doing anything that is outside the parameters of what they are permitted to do, said Ted Townsend, president of the chamber, speaking to WREG on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGowens letter went on to request an apology from the civil rights organization over what it called baseless, inflammatory claims. Gloria Sweet Love is the State President of the NAACP. Her name and the name of Memphis NAACP President Kermit Moore are on the letter. But some in the Memphis Branch tell WREG they had no idea the letter was written or sent. WREG reached out to Moore, who said he stands by the letter. He had no comment on MLGWs response. Read the letter 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 WREG.com. Gov. Tim Walzs order for state employees to return to the office at least half-time went into effect this week as Minnesota government workers started receiving warnings of potential layoffs if the Legislature fails to pass a budget by the end of June. Parking lots around the state Capitol complex appeared slightly fuller than usual Monday as the requirement kicked in for the main offices of some agencies based in St. Paul, though many agencies wont have to return to the office more until later this summer. John Wilson, an economist with the state Department of Transportation, said he had already been working at the office most days, but his office has gotten much busier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work hasnt changed much for Wilson for now. But the prospect of temporary layoffs next month looms over his head. Hes worked for MnDOT for 15 years and remembers the 20-day government shutdown in 2011, when the GOP-controlled Legislature and Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Mark Dayton couldnt reach an agreement on the budget. Everybody says, well, you know, theres no sign it will come to that, but I remember it felt like that last time, Wilson said. I certainly wouldnt place my bets now. Session ended without budget passing The Department of Transportation is one of many state agencies that will run out of funding after June 30. Its been two weeks since state lawmakers ended the regular legislative session without passing all of a roughly $66 billion two-year budget. Areas that make up two-thirds of the budget Health, Human Services and K-12 Education dont have new funding yet either. However, corrections and public safety budget bills have been passed. Legislative leaders from the DFL majority Senate and the House tied between the DFL and Republicans say a final budget is close and could pass in a special session by the end of the week. Most conversations have been happening in private meetings, though lawmakers have provided signed agreements for big spending areas like education and health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after several delays. When the regular session ended on May 20, House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman said she hoped to get a budget done before layoff notices went out. But the process has already started. Minnesota has already told 700 employees that they could be temporarily out of a job a month from now if the Legislature doesnt pass a new two-year budget, according to Patrick Hogan, a spokesman with Minnesota Management and Budget. The first group to get notices was represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association, and more could follow. If there isnt any action by June 9, thousands more will receive messages, according to MMB. Union opposes return to office order The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, which represents around 18,000 state employees, opposes the return to office order and is holding informational rallies at the Capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday this week as it continues to negotiate a new contract with the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MAPE, which has said a strike is not off the table over the return to work order, also called on state leaders to overcome political gridlock and pass a budget amid continued uncertainty about funding at the federal level as well. These notices may be conditional, but the harm is real. Workers will have to prepare for lost income, disrupted lives and a government shutdown that would impact every Minnesotan who relies on public services, union president Megan Dayton said in a recent statement. We hoped our elected officials in Minnesota would serve as a barrier to the dysfunction and chaos coming out of Washington. MAPE has said its concerned about disruptions to families who have adjusted to flexible schedules and caring for children at home. Theyre also concerned about whether there will be enough office space after years of remote work. Agencies, including the Department of Human Services, Health and Revenue, have gotten exemptions to the June 1 return date. Order intended to boost collaboration, organizational culture This spring, Walz ordered government workers to report to the office at least 50% of the time if they live within 50 miles of their workplace in a move that state employee unions claimed caught them by surprise. Originally, the range was 75 miles, but the governor reduced the distance in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 60% of state employees already worked in person and did so throughout the pandemic, according to the governors office. The state has about 50,000 employees. The governor has said his order aims to boost collaboration and help state agencies build better organizational cultures. The move is also supported by businesses in downtown St. Paul, who say theyve struggled from the post-pandemic shift in work styles. Its yet to be seen just how much the return to office order will affect downtown, but St. Paul Downtown Alliance president Joe Spencer said businesses are excited to have more workers back. There are a lot of great things about working in downtown, especially in the summertime, he said. So, hopefully, they find a welcome reception, and they indeed feel our enthusiasm to have them back in the office. Related Articles JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The Missouri Department of Revenue is cautioning residents to stay alert when coming across text message scams. According to the department, countless phishing texts containing false and threatening messages have been reported. These texts often claim to be affiliated with trusted sources, such as the Missouri Department of Revenue or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News People report receiving messages that threaten to suspend their driving privileges if they fail to pay outstanding tickets or toll violations. Regardless of the messages, they are a scam. These trusted sources will never send payment requests via text or ask for personal information, according to the Federal Trade Commission. To avoid becoming a victim of online scams, it is advised to never respond or click on links within the suspicious texts, as they pose security risks. Individuals can also confirm with their local DMV regarding the scam messages for further clarification. 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. Family members are demanding justice and hate crime charges after a high school student was brutally beaten by a mob at an impromptu Palmdale rock concert. Video of the violent attack, which has since gone viral, shows 17-year-old Elijah Green curled up on the dirt while a group of at least four people, believed to be adults, repeatedly stomp on, kick and punch him while others are heard supporting the fight from out of frame. Audio from the footage also captures the offenders using racial slurs amidst the physical assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were in the hospital watching the video, said Elijahs mother, Roneika Green, during a Monday morning news conference. No mother should have to watch their child being stomped like this. The incident allegedly happened last month after some people in attendance claimed Elijah had touched a woman inappropriately the night before. However, Roneika denies that, and instead said her son tripped and leaned against the woman to try to break his fall. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department provided KTLA with a statement regarding the night of the attack that read in part, Palmdale Station is aware of an assault with a deadly weapon that occurred on the above date at an impromptu concert at the intersection of Old Harold Road and Firethorn Avenue. LASD said detectives have been assigned to the case and are in extensive contact with the victim and his family. Officials did not explicitly say the victims name or age, or provide further information about the report of an assault with a deadly weapon. Elijah Green, 17, is seen being beaten by a mob at an outdoor Palmdale concert. May 2025. (Najee Ali) Elijah Green, 17, is seen being beaten by a mob at an outdoor Palmdale concert. May 2025. (Najee Ali) Elijah Green, 17, is seen being beaten by a mob at an outdoor Palmdale concert. May 2025. (Najee Ali) Elijah Green, 17, is seen being beaten by a mob at an outdoor Palmdale concert. May 2025. (Najee Ali) Najee Ali, a local civil rights activist and Senior Organizer with Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches, said Elijahs family reached out to him to serve as their spokesperson and advocate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The racially motivated assault of Elijah Green is one of the most horrifying hate crimes against a young Black person Ive ever witnessed, stated Ali. This is L.A. vs Hate, and we are calling for a unified response from every community organization and leader who stands for justice. While the extent of Elijahs injuries were not explicitly stated, Alis statement included a quote from Roneika, saying, As a mother, watching my son get nearly beaten to death by a racist mobwhile no one helped himis something Ill never forget. Officials said this is an active investigation. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department take any allegation of hate crimes seriously, and all cases will be thoroughly reviewed by the District Attorneys Office in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, read the departments statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Palmdale Station Detective Peirson at 661-272-2477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, says she will not run for the 8th District U.S. House seat, opting instead to seek reelection to her District 43 House post. The congressional seat is open because U.S Rep. Raja Krishnmoorthi, D-Schaumburg, is making a bid to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat not seeking a sixth term next year. Two other candidates also have announced Senate run plans: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson. While I am honored by the encouragement I have received and deeply humbled by the support of so many, I believe I can continue making the greatest impact right where I am in the Illinois House of Representatives, Moeller announced in a statement Monday. I remain fully committed to representing the people of the 43rd District and to advancing the values we share. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moellers seat is also open in 2026 election, and she said her goals if reelected are to continue fighting for our seniors, advocating for high quality affordable health care, protecting our childrens future, creating good-paying jobs, and standing up for working families as well as defending womens reproductive freedom. She used her statement to pledge that she will be a relentless opponent of Donald Trumps dangerous agenda and to fight to never allow MAGA extremism to take hold in our state. District 43 includes portions of Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Hoffman Estates and Streamwood. Moeller has been its representative since March 2014. She currently serves as the chair of the Human Services Committee, vice chair of the Human Services, Appropriations Committee, and is a member of the Public Utilities, Energy and Environment, Education, K-12 Licensing and Charter School and Healthcare Licensing committees, according to her website. Prior to her House election, she was the founding executive director of the McHenry County Council of Governments and assistant village administrator for the Village of Lake in the Hills. She was elected to the Elgin City Council in 2011. Moline High School has been recognized as a 2024-25 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School, according to a news release. It is among a select group of high schools across the U.S. to be recognized for its commitment to inspiring and engaging students to unlock their potential through its PLTW Computer Science and Engineering programs. (Moline High School) PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that creates transformative learning experiences and empowers students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills for future careers. Project Lead the Way has been an amazing partner in providing solid curricular support for our STEM programs, said Chris Moore, principal of Moline High School. We are honored by the recognition, and we continue in our commitment to providing quality STEM and career and technical education for MHS students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, Moline High School had to meet criteria in the 2023-24 school year such as number of PLTW courses available to students, percent of students enrolled in PLTW, and percent of students taking more than one PLTW course. Moline High School currently offers four engineering courses and two computer science courses: Engineering courses: Introduction to Engineering, Principles of Engineering. Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, and Civil Engineering and Architecture. Computer science courses: Computer Science Essentials and Computer Science Principles. We are proud to honor Moline High School for their commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences through PLTW programs, said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW president and CEO.This achievement celebrates their dedication to student achievement and their focus on empowering students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in school and a wide range of post-secondary opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PLTW high school programs prepare todays students for the careers of tomorrow, by not only incorporating STEM skills into their learning but also building students collaboration, teamwork and communication skills so they can be ready for whatever path they take. For more information about PLTWs Distinguished Program Recognition, visit here. For more information on Moline High Schools PLTW Computer Science and Engineering program, contact MHS teacher Zachary Bostic, at 309-743-8879 or zbostic@molineschools.org. Bostic serves as Moline High Schools industrial technology teacher, Project Lead The Way coordinator, and CNC & welding apprenticeship coordinator. About PLTW For nearly 30 years, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) has prepared PreK12 students for careers, college, and life by equipping them with the STEM knowledge, credential preparation, transferable skills, and confidence to succeed. Its hands-on, real-world learning, deep industry partnerships and clear, scaffolded curriculum guide students from early career curiosity to post-secondary readiness. With strong professional development taught by a national network of more than 116,000 trained teachers in 12,200+ schools across all 50 states, PLTW enables schools to design scalable, future-focused programs that inspire students, empower educators, and connect learning to life after graduation. Visit here to learn more. PLTW Computer Science The PLTW Computer Science interdisciplinary courses engage students in compelling, real world computer science challenges. As students work together to design solutions, they learn more than just how to code, developing computational thinking and communication skills for the increasingly technology-based economy. PLTW Engineering PLTW Engineering empowers high school students to step into the role of an engineer and adopt a problem-solving mindset. Students engage in collaborative, real-life activities like working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices or robotic arms, and exploring algae as a biofuel source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. NEED TO KNOW Tracy Meechan, a 41-year-old Scottish woman, said she has now waited over two years for surgery to have a large ovarian cyst removed Meechan told the BBC that her cyst causes her so much pain that she cannot fully bend over and needs help from her children just to put on her socks and shoes She said she feels "forgotten" after spending 100 weeks on a waiting list A woman says she has now waited 100 weeks for ovarian cyst surgery, although she was placed on an "urgent" list for the procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracey Meechan told the BBC that she feels "forgotten" after spending two years on a waiting list for NHS, the United Kingdom's publicly-funded healthcare system. The cyst pain is so intense that she is unable to fully bend over, and needs her children to help her put on her socks and shoes, and has her husband take care of household tasks. The 41-year-old, who is from West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, worked as a home carer before she "signed off work" in January because of the pain. She told the BBC she feels the effects of her cyst every day that she spends on the wait list. "I can't live my life to the fullest. I can't do the activities I want to do with my kids," she said. "I can't do the job that I love." Meechan first saw her doctor about the cyst in 2021. After the visit, she waited a year to see a gynecologist for the condition, and was put on the "urgent" list for surgery after the gynecologist found that the cyst had grown over the course of six months. fstop123 / Getty Images Stock image of woman in doctor's office Although she initially assumed the surgery appointment would take place "relatively soon" because she was asked about any upcoming holiday plans, Meechan said she still has not been contacted about her cyst removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told the BBC, "About a year ago I was advised by the GP to try to get in touch with the gynecology secretary myself and I have been doing that on a regular basis letting them know I am still here and still waiting." Meechan also claimed that the NHS continues to move the timeline of her surgery whenever she calls. She said, "It's another couple of months, or they are working on the routine list, or working on the long waiters." "I was told at week 92 that they were working on women round about week 98-99, so it should be another couple of months," Meechan told the BBC. "When I did get to week 99, I called up because I wanted to keep my employer up to date. I was told they couldn't give me a date and still nothing is fixed yet." Meechan even considered getting the cyst removed through private health care, but the 8,000 price tag (which comes out to $10,806) made the option unaffordable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While waiting for the surgery, she said her mental health has "declined," telling the BBC, "This has been years and the symptoms have worsened. It's impacted my life, my personal life and my family." Meechan feels there is "no end point," telling the outlet, "It's a drudge," and adding, "there is only so much pain relief I can take and still try to be a mother to my children." A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde told the BBC that they "apologize" to Meechan "and to anyone who has faced longer waiting times than expected." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We recognize the distress this can cause," they said, adding, "We are prioritizing patients based on clinical urgency to ensure those with the most serious conditions are seen as quickly as possible and are taking action to improve wait times." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC reports that wait times as long as Meechan's were "rare" before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, nearly 25% of the entire NHS non-urgent care inpatient wait list is made up of waits longer than one year. The outlet reports that the NHS's gynecology wait list had 324 waits of more than three years. Read the original article on People WASHINGTON Mongolia s prime minister resigned early Tuesday after he failed to receive enough support in a vote of confidence in parliament, Mongolian media reported. The countrys embassy in Washington confirmed it. Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai received 44 votes, well short of the 64 needed, according to news site ikon.mn. The vote followed weeks of protests sparked by reports of lavish spending by the prime ministers son. Some called for the prime minister to step down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the vote, Oyun-Erdene warned that the vote could lead to instability and shake Mongolias fledgling democracy. If governance becomes unstable, the economic situation deteriorates, and political parties cannot come to consensus. It could lead the public to lose faith in parliamentary rule and potentially put our democratic parliamentary system at risk of collapse, he said. He defended his integrity but acknowledged a mistake: dedicating too much time to major projects while paying insufficient attention to social and internal political matters. Oyun-Erdene had held the post for four years and survived previous calls to step down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, parliament was enlarged from 76 seats to 126 following electoral reforms. It resulted in a coalition government. Landlocked between Russia and China, Mongolia has struggled to become more democratic after its party-state era. A communist state during the Cold War, it has been transforming into a democracy since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Protesters have said the countrys mineral riches have benefited business interests and the wealthy, while many Mongolians still live in poverty. Its very difficult to build that foundation for democracy at a time that Mongolia also must tackle economic problems, which are a major source of peoples frustration, said Erin Murphy, deputy director and senior fellow of India and emerging Asian economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. We still have to see what happens next and how the new government plans to tackle these issues, she said. While democracy is yet to thrive in Mongolia, it is taking root, Murphy said. By Liz Lee BEIJING (Reuters) -Mongolia's Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene has stepped down after losing parliamentary support following corruption claims that erupted into street protests last month, the country's parliament said on Tuesday. The parliament of the world's largest landlocked country did not pass a draft resolution on a confidence ballot, meaning Oyun-Erdene was deemed to have resigned, a parliament statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was an honour to serve my country and people in difficult times, including pandemics, wars, and tariffs," Oyun-Erdene said after the result of the vote was known. Oyun-Erdene, who has been prime minister since January 2021 and was re-elected in July 2024, will remain caretaker prime minister until a successor is named within 30 days. The political upheaval comes after Mongolians last month protested for weeks in the capital Ulaanbaatar alleging corruption involving Oyun-Erdene and his family. Oyun-Erdene did not immediate respond to Reuters' emailed request for comment on his resignation and the corruption allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statement posted on the Mongolian parliament website showed Oyun-Erdene thanking the country's youth for their views on transparency, and citizens for their different perspectives, but said he "regrets that this is used as a political pretext and causing instability". Oyun-Erdene argued he had been steadfast in fighting corruption but had focused too much on large projects instead of social and political issues. The outgoing prime minister had pushed for infrastructure and resource development projects in the mineral-rich country, outlining 14 mega projects including mineral processing centres, water diversion initiatives, dams and power plants. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Ryan Woo; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Jun. 2A Moraine man who tested positive for drugs after a crash that killed a man was sentenced to prison, will have to pay restitution, and will have his driver's license suspended for decades. James Josef Elliott, 25, was sentenced by Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Mary Wiseman to an aggregate term of 10 to 13 and a half years in prison, was ordered to pay $10,934.78 in restitution, and will have his license suspended for 25 years. After his release, he will spend one to three years on parole. He received credit for 356 days already spent in confinement, court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 11:15 p.m. Aug. 25, 2023, Elliott was driving a 1999 Lexus LS southbound on Ohio 741 when he ran a red light at the intersection with Lyons Road, according to an Ohio State Highway Patrol crash report. He crashed into a 2010 Nessan Versa that was turning from Ohio 741 onto Lyons Road, the report said. The crash pushed the Nissan into a traffic pole before it came to rest in the southbound lanes of Ohio 741, while the Lexus continued south and crashed into a curb, an AT&T box and finally a ditch. Danis Benajmin Jacob, 40, of Miami Twp., who was driving the Nissan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency crews took Elliott to Kettering Health Dayton for possible injuries, and his blood tested positive for cannabinoids and opioids, the crash report said. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) At a Harrisburg-area CVS on a recent Friday morning, one new customer asked where her prescription which she said she was told would be ready was. Another gasped when being asked to pay $180 for a prescription that usually cost a few dollars. Part of the answer to both was the same answer to a lot of questions in the American healthcare system: insurance. But both were also former Rite Aid customers working to transfer their prescriptions to CVS. A line of customers grew behind both while employees tried to juggle their issues with those of other customers at the drive-through window. Both asked a reporter who had been first in line to pick up prescriptions last Friday morning when the pharmacy opened at 9 a.m. whether it was always this way. (Answer: not usually, back before Rite Aid stores started closing en masse.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Morning Weather Forecast The reporter, in turn, was still in the store at almost 9:30 a.m. after being told two of his familys prescriptions were ready, and a third would be ready soon. But when that one was ready, employees searched through bins and couldnt find one of the first two, even though the system indicated it was ready. It also couldnt be found the next time the reporter tried, Monday morning, although employees called later that morning to say they had located it. Were making targeted investments in our CVS Pharmacy locations, like scheduling additional support, enhancing recruitment and hiring, and strengthening training programs, to ensure we continue to deliver service excellence to all our patients, whether existing or new, CVS said Monday in a statement. In addition, to increase capacity or fill open roles to ensure patients are well served, we look forward to interviewing Rite Aid employees who are interested in joining the CVS Pharmacy team in select regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here as everywhere Rite Aid serves which is not as many places as in the past Rite Aids competitors are (ready or not) getting new business as the Pennsylvania-based chain winds down its operations. But thats not as big an issue in most other places, where CVS and Walgreens are (not necessarily in that order) typically the No. 1 and No. 2 pharmacy chains, and Rite Aid if it exists at all is often a distant No. 3, among the three national pharmacy retail chains. Trump administration deletes list accusing Midstate communities of defying federal immigration law Independent pharmacies and pharmacies within supermarkets serve many other customers, but customers of Pennsylvanias 349 Rite Aid stores (as of May 13, according to Scrapehero data) who want to switch to other standalone chain pharmacies must be absorbed by 457 CVS stores and just 97 Walgreens, few of which serve central Pennsylvania (most are in far eastern or western Pennsylvania). California, by contrast, recently had a nearly identical 347 Rite Aid stores, according to the same data. But it also has 1,069 CVS and 497 Walgreens stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among competing chains with pharmacies, Rite Aid announcements indicate CVS and Weis Markets have purchased prescription records from some Rite Aid stores. CVS has said it purchased subscription files of 625 Rite Aid stores, although it didnt indicate where. Weis hasnt said how many CVS stores are involved nor where, although Sunbury-based Weiss footprint overlaps significantly with abc27s coverage area: That means Weis has likely purchased the subscription records of some local Rite Aid stores. In Windsor Township, York County, a Weis located at an intersection directly across from a CVS and diagonally across from a Rite Aid had signs saying, Weis Pharmacy: Welcome all Rite Aid customers. When a pharmacy purchases the subscription records of another pharmacy, the selling pharmacy typically transfers most of the subscriptions it fills to the buying pharmacy, although customers can choose to transfer their records elsewhere. Maple Donuts in York County has been sold Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Rite Aid closing, thats the biggest thing right now, of course, and we have patients calling to see if we accept their transfer, said Bethany Miller, who owns and is the pharmacist at Lion Pharmacy in Red Lion, York County. Miller said her staff is busy but managing to keep up with the new business. Miller said the transfers go well as long as they can give us their name, phone number, birth date, drug allergies and which Rite Aid, because were getting transfers from different Rite Aids. Then well be glad to do the legwork. An example? If theyre out of refills, we call their doctor, Miller said, adding insurance coverage challenges related to transfers are rarely insurmountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the time, if its covered at rite aid, itll be covered here, Miller 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 ABC27. Payette National Forest offices Visitors to Idaho's Payette National Forest can hike, fish, hunt, camp, ski and more on its 2.3 million acres. (File photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service) U.S. Forest Service officials announced additional cutbacks and temporary closures of ranger district offices in Idaho on Monday on the heels of retirements and deferred resignation programs offered by President Donald Trump. Effective immediately, the McCall, New Meadows and Weiser ranger district offices will temporarily close until further notice, Payette National Forest officials announced in a news release issued Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No reopening timeline was announced. The three temporary closures were announced less than two weeks after Sawtooth National Forest officials said they temporarily closed Sawtooth National Recreation Area offices in Stanley and Ketchum through June 16 due to staff reductions. Additionally, the Council Ranger District Office and the supervisors office in McCall are operating under new hours from 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Payette National Forest officials said Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Officials with the Payette National Forest said forest leaders are adjusting to losses in personnel due to retirements and deferred resignations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have adjusted our hours to allow current staffing to best serve the many communities surrounding the Payette National Forest, with the overall goal of improvement to our public services while providing access to the outdoors that we all love, Payette National Forest Forest Supervisor Matt Davis said in a written statement. The safety and enjoyment of our visitors remain top priorities, and well steward the areas we can with available staff and resources. As part of its effort to reduce the federal workforce, the Trump Administration offered a deferred resignation program to thousands of federal workers including U.S. Forest Service workers that allowed them to quit their jobs but continue to be paid through September, States Newsroom previously reported. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The temporary closures to U.S. Forest Service offices in Stanley, Ketchum, McCall, New Meadows and Weiser are arriving in conjunction with the kickoff to the busy summer recreation season on public lands in Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Idaho has been experiencing record usage of public lands, campgrounds and trails. Some conservationists worry the reduction in U.S. Forest Service staff and cutbacks to offices wont actually succeed in reducing government excess and waste. Instead, they worry it will make it harder to provide the public with information about fire safety, food storage requirements in bear country, directions to recreation sites, hazards such as bear activity or trail closures and help novice campers understand how to extinguish campfires and pack out their trash. Josh Johnson, central Idaho director for the Idaho Conservation League, said countless people visit U.S. Forest Services offices every day seeking basic assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To not have Forest Service staff available to support visitors, help them find out where they need to go, answer questions and respond to other issues is a problem and unfortunate, Johnson said in a May 23 interview. You cant expect to eliminate as much forest service staff as you have and still provide essential services people are used to seeing , Johnson added. With the temporary ranger office closures in place and new hours at other facilities, officials with the Payette National Forest are urging the public to visit their website for information about closures and the availability of recreation sites. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE More than four million people have fled Sudan since the start of its civil war in 2023, officials with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) say. Now in its third year, the four million people is a devastating milestone in what is the worlds most damaging displacement crisis at the moment, agency spokesperson Eujin Byun said at a Geneva media briefing on Tuesday. If the conflict continues in Sudan, we expect thousands more people will continue to flee, putting regional and global stability at stake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudan shares a border with Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic and Libya. In addition to refugees who have left the country, about 10.5 million people have been displaced internally in Sudan, according to UN estimates. Patrice Dossou Ahouansou, a UNHCR official, said 800,000 of the refugees have arrived in Chad, where their shelter conditions are dire due to funding shortages with only 14 percent of funding appeals met. This is an unprecedented crisis that we are facing. This is a crisis of humanity. This is a crisis of protection, based on the violence that refugees are reporting, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war has been raging in Sudan between its military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. In recent months, the violence has been intensifying in the western region of Darfur, where the RSF has been besieging the city of el-Fasher, compounding hunger in the area. A World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF aid convoy delivering food to el-Fasher came under attack this week, according to the UNs childrens aid agency. We have received information about a convoy with WFP and UNICEF trucks being attacked last night while positioned in Al Koma, North Darfur, waiting for approval to proceed to el-Fasher, UNICEF spokesperson Eva Hinds said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudan has seen growing instability since longtime President Omar al-Bashir was removed from power in 2019 after months of antigovernment protests. In October 2021, the Sudanese military staged a coup against the civilian government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, leading to his resignation in early 2022. Sudans army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and rival Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the RSF, had shared power after the coup but then started fighting for control of the state and its resources in April 2023. A second group of white South Africans has arrived in the United States under a refugee program announced by the Trump administration, officials and advocacy groups said Monday. 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. The group traveled on a commercial flight to Atlanta, he said. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy said in an email to The Associated Press that refugees continue to arrive in the United States from South Africa on commercial flights as part of the Afrikaner resettlement programs ongoing operations. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] An initial group of 59 white South Africans arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on a chartered flight last month under the new program announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in February. The Trump administration fast-tracked the resettlement of white South Africans after indefinitely suspending other U.S. refugee programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump 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. RELATED STORIES: Trump has falsely claimed that white South African farmers are targeted in widespread attacks that amount to genocide and are having their land taken away. Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those baseless claims during a meeting at the White House last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramaphosa has said the relatively small number of attacks on white farmers are part of South Africas larger problems with violent crime, which affects all races. The Trump administration initially said the refugee program was aimed at members of South Africas Afrikaner minority, who are descendants of mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers. In new guidance published by the U.S. Embassy last month, applicants must be a member of a racial minority in South Africa and must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution. There are approximately 2.7 million Afrikaners among South Africas population of 62 million, which is more than 80% Black. They are not the only white minority. There are around 4.5 million whites in total, including those with British or other heritage. The U.S. Embassy spokesperson said the U.S. continues to review inquiries from individuals who have expressed interest to the embassy in resettling to the United States and is reaching out to eligible individuals for refugee interviews and processing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While U.S. officials have not said how many South Africans have applied to be relocated, Kleynhans said there have been around 8,000 applications. Another group helping white South Africans apply for refugee status has said tens of thousands have applied. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Colorado Springs-area man facing both state and federal charges after he allegedly set several people on fire Sunday in Boulder previously drove for Uber, a spokesperson for the ride-sharing and on-demand delivery service confirmed Tuesday. Mohamed Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national with a recent residence in an unincorporated area of El Paso County east of Colorado Springs, started driving for the company in spring of 2023. Uber officials did not state the exact date Soliman began driving for the company, but according to Gazette reporting, he had been granted a work visa in March 2023 after filing an asylum claim the previous September. Soliman initially arrived in the U.S. in August 2022 on a tourist visa that expired the following February. After filing the asylum claim, he was granted the work authorization, but once that expired, DHS officials say he did not leave and remained in the U.S. illegally. All drivers with Uber must meet numerous eligibility requirements, including passing a criminal and driving history background check, providing a photo ID and holding a valid Social Security number. According to the Uber spokesperson, Soliman had met all the requirements to drive for the company in accordance with Colorado law at the time. Featured Local Savings Soliman had not received any "concerning" feedback, but once the news broke and Soliman was identified as a suspect, Uber said it banned his account and now is in contact with law enforcement. Mohammad Khizri, a member at the Islamic Society of Colorado Springs, said Soliman and his family attended the city's only mosque. He said Soliman was very quiet and kept to himself and showed up irregularly. "He didn't really interact with people. He just came in to pray and visit his kids and wife," Khizri said. "He seemed like a good guy very humble ... everyone was very shocked." Khizri said that he heard Soliman would live out of his car for three or four days out of the week while working for Uber in Denver and then come back to Colorado Springs to see his family. According to Khizri, the last time Soliman visited the mosque was 2 months ago during Ramadan, a month of fasting and communal prayer in the Islam faith. The Boulder 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 by Hamas. A vigil is planned for the mother of a 5-year-old girl killed in a crash by an accused drunk driver in Franklin over Memorial Day weekend, who has also died. Minaben Patel, 38, of Franklin, has died days after the May 24 crash that killed her daughter, Krisha Patel, 5, according to the district attorney and a Facebook post by the SAFE Coalition on Tuesday afternoon. The Town of Medway released a statement on Patels passing and shared a photo of the late mother holding her daughter, Krisha Patel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With deep sadness, we share the heartbreaking news that Minaben Patel, beloved mother of Krisha Patel, the statement read. Minaben was a devoted mother, a loving wife, and a dear friend to many. The Norfolk District Attorneys Office and the Franklin Police Department are saddened by the loss to Minabens family and we extend our heartfelt condolences, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and Franklin Police Chief Thomas Lynch said in a joint statement Tuesday. A vigil for Minaben Patel is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday at the crash site on Grove Street in Franklin, The SAFE Coalition, a Franklin-based nonprofit group, said in its Facebook post. Another vigil was held for Krisha Patel at the crash site last Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would like to share, through the families wishes, that Minaben Patel, mother of sweet Krisha, has passed away, the SAFE Coalition said in its post. Minabens family is again deeply thankful for all the love and support shared over the last week, the group said. They invite the community to honor this amazing Mother, Wife, Family Member and friend this Thursday for a service of remembrance. The driver accused in the fatal crash, James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail following his arraignment on May 27. A not guilty plea was entered on Blanchards behalf. He is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, negligent driving, driving a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and marked lanes violation, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was immediately unclear Tuesday if Blanchard would face additional charges in the case. During his arraignment, prosecutor Christopher Meade said Blanchard told police he had two beers while at a landscaping job on Saturday, May 24 after working that morning at his job as a mechanic. When he left his landscaping job, he opened a 1.75 liter bottle of Titos vodka. He began drinking straight out of the bottle and drove home in his truck, Meade said during the arraignment in Wrentham District Court. Investigators later found a second, empty 1.75 liter bottle of Titos in his truck that Blanchard told police was from the night before, Meade said. While driving home around 6:22 p.m. Saturday, May 24, Blanchard crashed into a Honda Accord carrying a family of four on Grove Street in Franklin, Meade said. They were going to Blackstone for a family birthday party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 5-year-old girl died following the crash, Meade said. Her mother and brother were taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The brothers condition was not known on Tuesday. Her father, the driver of the Honda, was treated and released. Defense attorney Timothy Flaherty had asked the court during Blanchards arraignment to impose a lesser amount of $10,000 cash bail, with conditions for his release to include electronic monitoring and that he enter an alcohol rehabilitation center. Its probably the right place for this young man at this time, Flaherty said during the arraignment. Its a significant case but significant penalties. But I can tell the court that this young man is not a risk of flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy will be performed to determine a cause of Minaben Patels death, the district attorney said. Meanwhile, services were held for Krisha Patel on May 31, according to the girls obituary. Our hearts are broken as we say goodbye to such a precious little soul. In her short time with us, she filled the world with laughter, wonder, and love, her obituary states. Her smile could brighten the darkest day, and her kind heart touched everyone she met. Though her time here was far too brief, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of all who loved her, her obituary states. We will carry her memory with us always - like a beautiful, shining star in the sky. May she rest peacefully, wrapped in love and light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash remains under investigation by Franklin Police, the Norfolk District Attorneys Office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. 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 SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The rider and passenger on a motorcycle were killed after colliding with a truck in Spartanburg County Monday afternoon. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash occurred around 6:25 p.m. on South Carolina Highway 14 at the intersection of Oak Grove Road. According to reports, a 2007 Dodge truck was traveling west on SC-14 when a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling east struck the drivers side of the truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spartanburg County Coroners Office identified 36-year-old Sarah Brittany McElrath, of Travelers Rest, as the passenger of the motorcycle. She was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:17 p.m. and was reported to be wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The operator of the motorcycle, 60-year-old Bobby Goode of Landrum, was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center with critical injuries and was also said to be wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. Goode died from his injuries at the hospital at 10:00 p.m., according to the coroners office. The driver of the truck was uninjured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Stay connected with 7NEWS as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio (WCMH) Its been a week since the people of Morrow County began mourning the tragic death of one of their own. Morrow County Sheriffs Deputy Daniel Sherrer was shot and killed one week ago on the evening of Memorial Day. His accused killer, 53-year-old Brian Wilson, is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday for the first time since the shooting. Columbus continues affordable housing fight as some funding drops Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community has shown up over and over again for the Morrow County Sheriffs Office who lost a colleague and a friend, and for the family who lost a loved one. The day the shooting happened, a memorial was starting to be built on the deputys cruiser in front of the Morrow County Sheriffs Office. Its now covered in flowers, memories, keepsakes, and other items to memorialize Sherrer. Blue ribbons were hung throughout the town of Mount Gilead. A local gym bought blue lights for people to put on their porch in order to light the county blue for Sherrer and the rest of the law enforcement community. The people of Morrow County showed up again for Sherrer and his family on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Ohio doctors defamation trial against Mount Carmel begins The community, thats who supports our business, said Pizzaburg Pizza owner Jason Bentz. They buy pizza from us, so we want to support them as much as we can. We donate 30% of all of our sales, but then all tips and donations go back to the officer. Also, officers, family. The local pizza shop, run by Bentz and his wife Meghan, is normally closed on Mondays, but this Monday, it was staffed like it was a busy Friday night. Were hoping to be able to raise at least $3,000, $4,000, Bentz said. Well see what happens. Between 5-6:30 p.m., the phone rang non-stop and the pizzas and strombolis were coming out of the oven at a steady pace. More than 150 pizzas were ordered by supporters who made the special trip to town on a Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus illuminates City Hall for Pride Month, honor local LGBTQ+ advocates I am happy to be a part of this community, and I feel like all of the people in the community support each other like an extended family, and thats unusual in this day and age, Rhonda Taylor, who has lived in Marengo for 20 years, said. Taylor walked into the pizza shop Monday night wearing a black t-shirt with the Morrow County Sheriffs badge on it, and a memorial to Sherrer. She said she bought it from a local clothing store to support her community and mourn the loss. I felt like I had been stabbed in the chest with an icicle, she said. Its just like a cold shot ran right through my chest because he was a very good person and way too young to die. He was the kind of guy that always would help people, no matter what was going on. He would try to help. And it just seemed so sad to me that he tried to help someone and lost his life because of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Taylor, helping her community during a time of need is a no-brainer. Federal cuts hit Columbus summer youth program I want to at least acknowledge and show my respect for a person that made the ultimate sacrifice trying to help someone, she said. Daniel was one of those people who still cared for people as individuals, and saddens me that he is gone so soon. A public visitation service for Sherrer will run from 1-7 p.m. Tuesday at Northmor High School in Galion. On Wednesday morning, a public funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. at the same high school. Sherrer will be buried in a private ceremony in Marion later that day. 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. MORGANTOWN Four months after forming, the voices against West Virginia's national elected leaders are getting louder. "We went from about 25 people in a smaller church basement," Mindy Holcomb, an organizer at West Virginia Citizen Action Group, said. "We now have, I think, close to 1,800 people on our membership rolls." Mountaineers Indivisible Citizen Action held a town hall Saturday in Morgantown where more than 100 attendees criticized Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va. An effigy of Baby Dog presided over cardboard cutouts of Capito and Moore, acknowledging the canine's greater visibility over that of its owner, Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va. Although event organizers invited Capito and Moore to meet with constituents at the town hall, neither appeared. Instead, attendees aired their grievances toward a pair of empty chairs, which had cutouts of the politicians secured to the seat backs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mountaineers Indivisible announced they would start weekly actions, alternating between Capito and Moore's offices every Thursday. Moore in particular has earned a lot criticism from the organization. Holcomb said that while Capito herself hasn't talked to Holcomb or her group yet, at least members of Capito's office up to her chief of staff have made themselves available. The office of her nephew, however, is a different story. "They just tried to get rid of us as quickly as possible," Holcomb said of Moore's office in Washington D.C. Holcomb said Moore even went as far as avoiding eye contact with them as he walked past. While Holcomb has been able to sit down with member's of Moore's staff at his Morgantown office, it's not the same as being able to speak with Moore directly. "Here's the thing," Holcomb said. "When people have stories like you heard today, when they're suffering, having someone write down notes about what they're saying and conveying that, in theory, to the congressman or then senator, that's not answering questions. That's not hearing the pain that they are going through and realizing, 'hey, my vote has impact.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Moore declined to say if he would meet with his constituents at a town hall format, instead saying his office has an open door policy and that his constituents are welcome to prescheduled events, who's existence are only disseminated by press release to members of the media. Mountaineers Indivisible and their supporters are adamant about meeting face to face with Capito and Moore because the stakes are high for Medicaid. Currently, House Resolution 1, a spending bill also known as the "Big, Beautiful Bill," defunds essential services like Medicaid to pay for a major tax cut on the rich. The current version of the bill adds work requirements, which the GOP is selling as common sense. However, reporting from ProPublica on Georgia, which instituted a work requirement scheme for its Medicaid program, contradicts current GOP wisdom. Not only did the cost of the program increase, it also resulted in 75% fewer enrollments 18 months into the program than initial estimates had for the program's first year. "Make no mistake, this package is about gutting the Affordable Care Act," West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy Executive Director Kelly Allen said. "We know what it does is going to result in up to between 50,000 and 110,000 plus West Virginians losing their Medicaid over the years when it's implemented." Allen added the bill increases red tape on SNAP, which would increase grocery costs for up to 277,000 West Virginians, including children. About 150,000 West Virginia school children stand to lose free school meals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All we've been hearing about is how we need to get rid of bureaucracy, deregulate, but it's OK to ramp up red tape on our low income people, I guess," she said. Moore voted to pass H.R. 1 last month. The bill is now the responsibility of the Senate where Capito supports the bill. Im excited about what I see," Capito said in a weekly media briefing last month. "Is it precisely what I would write? No, but I think thats why we bring it to the Senate and we work it through our processes. Statement from Tristan Kern de Gonzales Husband of Jonathan Joss 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. 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. 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 MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Lafayette County, Mississippi, inmate was captured after a brief escape from a work detail on Monday, according to the sheriffs office. At around 2:30 p.m., Lorenzo Shaw allegedly walked away from his assigned work detail along County Road 104. The deputy supervising the work crew then secured the other inmates and called for backup units. Lorenzo Shaw (Photo courtesy of the Lafayette County Sheriffs Office) Shaw was located and taken back into custody without incident following a brief search of the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lafayette County Sheriffs Office says Shaw will face additional charges in connection with 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 WREG.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man and a woman are now behind bars after a one-year-old was found with unexplained injuries last Friday in Oxford, Mississippi, according to the Lafayette County Sheriffs Office. Lafayette County Residents Teresa Mendez, 25, and Uriel Cruz, 26, are both charged with two counts of felony child abuse. On May 30, deputies with the Lafayette County Sheriffs Office say they were called to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford regarding a one-year-old child who had several unexplained injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child had to be taken to Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital due to the severity of their injuries, deputies say. Mother, sons killed in I-40 wreck remembered by loved ones During a follow-up investigation, Teresa Mendez and Uriel Cruz were both arrested and booked into the Lafayette County Detention Center. On June 2, Mendez and Cruz were denied bond during a court appearance. They will remain in jail until the hearing at a later date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. How are people at the Chabad of Colorado Springs Jewish Community feeling after Sundays anti-Semitic terrorist attack at an outdoor mall in Boulder? Rabbi Boaz Vituk, who heads the synagogue, nudges aside his jacket before entering the holy building on Monday to lead a service for Shavuot. The high holiday marks God giving the Ten Commandments and other parts of the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah, to Moses and Israelites on Mount Sinai around 1312 BCE. Vituks motion reveals a concealed handgun. He gestures to a fellow congregant standing nearby, who also uncovers a hidden firearm. Thats our No. 1 comment, Vituk says. Were all U.S. Army or Air Force. There are wicked people out there that want to annihilate us and we have to prepare ourselves physically and spiritually. A 45-year-old Egyptian native living illegally on an expired visa in Colorado Springs with his wife and five children is suspected of throwing incendiary devices that injured 12 people, some severely. Labeled a hate crime and act of terrorism by law enforcement, the incident happened during a peaceful weekly walk calling for remaining Israeli hostages to be released from Hamas captivity. The militant group Hamas unexpectedly attacked Israel near the Gaza Strip on Oct, 7, 2023, killing nearly 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Some of the latter have been released, others have died or been killed. Between 23 and 58 hostages could still be alive. Violence has spilled over into America as the war continues, with anti-Semitic acts rising by 350% across the country in the past five years, according to The Anti-Defamation Leagues 2024 report. Colorado had about one anti-Semitic incident reported to the organization every day last year. People in the community are horrified. People in the community are scared, said Rabbi Jay Sherwood, leader of Temple Shalom, which practices under both Reform and Conservative traditions. When something like this happens close to home, we really feel it. It very much feels like an attack on the entire Jewish community of Colorado, he said. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was heard yelling Free Palestine, investigators said, and he also told authorities that he wanted to kill all Zionist people. Killing Jews doesnt help Palestinians in Gaza, Sherwood said. Featured Local Savings The only message of the walks that are held regularly in cities across the United States, such as the one in Boulder, is bring the hostages home, Sherwood said. There is no difference between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, he said. Attacking Jews who are hoping the hostages would be free doesnt do anything to help any Palestinian in the world. In another recent high-profile attack, two Israeli employees of the U.S. Embassy were murdered on May 22 outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Vituk, an Orthodox Jew, said he could not use electronics or phones, have his photo taken or do a proper interview on the holiday of Shavuot, but spoke briefly outside his synagogue. On Mondays holiday, he was encouraging his congregants to pay attention and follow the common-sense rules of the Ten Commandments. When were doing what God wants and not what we want, well never be wrong, Vituk said. Were not afraid of being Godly. Jewish people wont be intimidated by hate, rabbis say. People sometimes throw objects at the 10,300-square-foot building where the Chabad of Colorado Springs Jewish Community is located, or yell sacrilegious comments or sometimes vandalize the property, Vituk said. But in general, he said, people of southern Colorado tend to be more loving than hating. Sherwood believes the U.S. has allowed anti-Semitism to flourish, as pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests and aggressive acts such as blocking Jewish students from walking on their intended paths, have been allowed at many college campuses across the nation under the label of free speech rather than hate speech. Many of their calls are to terrorize Jews to leave Israel, he said. Sherwood told his congregants on Monday to stand up for Judaism and the lessons in the Torah, which he said instructs Jews on how to be good human beings and to repair damage. The way to repair the world is to bring everybody to the center, to have people work together and not against each other, Sherwood said. I believe the Torah teaches us the lessons on how to do that. Both rabbis hope that federal aid for stepped-up safety and security measures at synagogues comes through. Theres a cadence in the Army Here we go again its the same old stuff again, Vituk said. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Portland Police Bureau joined the Multnomah County District Attorneys office to share the results of a large-scale retail theft bust in Portland last Friday. The operation turned up more than $3000 of stolen merchandise, and ended with 36 arrests. Portland Police said this large mission stretched from the Eastport Plaza in Southeast Portland to downtown, and up to Jantzen Beach. Along with the thousands in stolen property recovered, police seized two guns and a stolen car. PPBs Central Precinct Commander Brian Hughes said operations like these are about more than just safety in the stores. Police arrested 36 people during a retail theft mission in Portland, May 30, 2025 (PPB) It has a ripple effect on prices, public safety, and neighborhood quality of life, he said. These missions are part of our broader strategy to address crime and restore a sense of safety across Portland. And I think thats one of the things we did last Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A grant from the Oregon Retail Crime Association helps fund these operations in the city of Portland. Hughes said the real difference maker is having a prosecutor and investigator from the DAs office on-site with them for these missions. They work with us in real time on these cases as theyre moving forward, which is so helpful when officers have legal questions, he said. Theres a DA front and center ready to answer those questions and enables us to be more effective in the work that we do. Bend man who threatened mass shooting was armed with AR-15, police say Looming budget cuts means uncertainty for the District Attorneys office. DA Nathan Vasquez has said proposed cuts to his office would mean losing a prosecutor dedicated to focusing on retail theft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre not going to see the very coordinated, organized effort, at least from our offices, ability to do that. Youre going to see gaps, and there are going to be people that fall through the cracks, Vasquez said. And thats what Im fighting every day, is to make sure that we are holding people accountable, particularly the ones that are having a large impact on our community. When the budget was first released in late April, Vasquez wasted no time voicing his displeasure. At the time, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said in a statement that cuts to his office were some of the smallest in the county, and that no one gets special treatment because they go on TV and talk loudly. The cuts come from a decision to not renew one-time funding. But Vasquez said the programs the money has gone towards are not one-time projects. Its really a need for an ongoing effort, he said. You cant just hope that you stand up something and organize it, which weve done a tremendous job in that short period of time. But theres a lot more work to be done. And nows not the time to take our foot off the gas. We really need to continue fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vasquez said the work his office has done has shown that funding should be permanent, and he has provided information to county commissioners. The deadline to approve the county budget is June 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A 22-year-old man who gunned down a Baldwin Park police officer after allegedly killing his neighbor Saturday night will face multiple murder charges, prosecutors said Tuesday. Eduardo Medina-Berumen was charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances, two counts of attempted murder and possession of an assault weapon in connection with the bursts of gunfire that killed Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros and Darius Wong. If convicted as charged, he faces life without the possibility of parole. A rifle and as many as 60 spent shell casings were found at the scene, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said at a news conference Tuesday. L.A. County D.A. Nathan Hochman, right, with Sheriff Robert Luna, announces murder charges Tuesday against a suspect in the killing of a Baldwin Park police officer and a civilian. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Sheriff Robert Luna, speaking at the news conference, said Baldwin Park Police Officers Anthony Pimentel and Alfredo Leal were responding to reports of a shooting in the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue shortly after Medina-Berumen allegedly shot and killed Wong. The 22-year-old opened fire on both officers, Luna said. Although Leal was not injured, Pimentel was hurt by glass shards after bullets struck his patrol car window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riveros started running toward the shots to aid his fellow officers when Medina-Berumen allegedly shot him in the head, according to two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case. The sources requested anonymity to discuss the active investigation. "Officer Riveros ... was entering effectively an open shooting environment when he decided to put the safety of his community ahead of his own safety," Hochman said. "When the bullets were flying, he ran into those bullets ... and in doing so, he made the ultimate sacrifice." Dodgers-branded items are included in memorial for Samuel Riveros, a Baldwin Park police officer who was known for his love of the L.A. team. ( William Liang / For The Times) Pimentel was released from the hospital and attended the news conference. Read more: 'A night of tragedy': A young officer who loved Dodgers, snowboarding killed in Baldwin Park shootout Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although investigators are still working to determine a motive in the killings, neighbors and two law enforcement sources told The Times there was a parking dispute outside the residence where Medina-Berumen lived shortly before gunshots erupted. Medina-Berumen allegedly shot Wong, 43 who sources said was the neighbor involved in the parking dispute shortly before officers arrived. Luna said Tuesday he could not confirm or deny those reports. Medina-Berumen was living with his grandmother and mother, who called police on her son in recent months because he was "acting weird," according to the suspect's father, Eduardo Medina. I dont understand, Medina said. Its so sad. Its not good. Its not good at all. The defendant remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to Luna. It was not immediately clear when he would be arraigned or if he had legal representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hochman, who gave his prosecutors the power to seek the death penalty again earlier this year, said prosecutors would take months to decide whether to seek capital punishment against Medina-Berumen. Read more: Dodgers star Freddie Freeman's family appreciated kind gesture from slain Baldwin Park officer Friends remembered Riveros as a snowboarder and avid Dodgers fan who at times traveled to other cities to watch the teams play road games. Riveros had been an officer since 2016, records show. Officer Riveros gave his life in service to others, a profound testament to his unwavering dedication to duty and selfless courage, the L.A. County Sheriffs Department, which is investigating the killings, wrote in a statement. His loss is profoundly felt not only by his family and colleagues, but by the entire Baldwin Park community and law enforcement family." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Police Officers Research Assn. of California has launched an online fundraiser to help cover Riveros' funeral costs. Wong's brother, Victor Vuong, said his brother was an "innocent bystander that was walking down the street where he was shot in the back," according to a post connected to an online fundraiser meant to help cover funeral costs and family expenses. Wong was walking to a party after he had dropped off his wife, two children and sister-in-law and then parked his car several blocks away, the post said. Had they been with him, they may have been killed too. "He was a hardworking man who cared deeply for his family," Vuong wrote on GoFundMe. "His passion for helping others extended beyond his own family. He dedicated himself to show up to work everyday at Choc Orange Hospital." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Times staff writer Matthew Ormseth 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. Days after withdrawing from Washington, billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has criticized US President Donald Trump's key tax and spending bill. Writing on X, Musk attacked the bill as "a disgusting abomination" and charged that it will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion and burden US citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt. The bill, which Trump calls the "Big Beautiful Bill" passed the House of Representatives by a narrow majority in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, several members of Trump's Republican Party are blocking it in the Senate. They object to the planned increase in the debt ceiling and want deeper spending cuts. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesnt change the presidents opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and hes sticking to it." The bill aims to permanently extend tax breaks from Trump's first term. This is to be financed by cuts in social benefits, for example, which is being met with fierce resistance from the Democrats. The tech billionaire received unexpected support for his criticism from Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders. "Musk is right," he wrote and also called the bill an "abomination." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders pointed out that the richest Americans would receive $664 billion in tax breaks while $290 billion would be cut from food aid for the needy. Musk donated more than $250 million to Trump's election campaign and became a close confidant of the president at times. When he withdrew from Washington, he referred to the rule that contracts for external government employees are limited to 130 days per year. Elon Musk on Tuesday lashed out at President Donald Trumps agenda bill which the president is pressuring GOP senators to support calling it a disgusting abomination. Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination, the tech billionaire posted on X. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. He added in a subsequent post: Congress is making America bankrupt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another, he said: In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people. Several White House officials said they were caught off guard by the harsh remarks. While Musks sentiments on the bill were no secret to senior staff in the West Wing, they werent expecting him to take such a strong public stance, according to those officials, especially given conversations Musk has had with White House staff and GOP lawmakers. This is not the first time Musk has attacked the bill. In an interview after the package was passed by Republicans in the House, Musk said he was disappointed in the massive bill, adding that it would increase the budget deficit, not just decreases it and undermine the work that the DOGE team is doing. Asked about his most recent criticism during a press briefing Tuesday afternoon, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded that the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt change the presidents opinion this is one big, beautiful bill and he is sticking to it, she added. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday forcibly pushed back against Musk, arguing he is terribly wrong about the legislation. The GOP leader added to reporters that he and Musk had a very friendly conversation over the phone Monday, where Johnson extolled all the virtues of the bill. Elon is missing it, OK? And its not personal. I know that the [electric vehicle] mandates very important to him, Johnson said. He added: But for him to come out and pan the whole bill is to me, just very disappointing, very surprising in light of the conversation I had with him yesterday. Musks company Tesla has benefitted from federal tax credits that give consumers up to $7,500 off of certain EVs manufactured in the US, something that would go away if the GOP bill passes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who is trying to pass the bill through his chamber before July 4, called the billionaires opposition a difference of opinion but added he plans to proceed at full speed. Musk, who was granted special government employee status to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, officially left the administration Friday. Minutes after Musk posted on X, Republican Sen. Rand Paul said he agrees with the billionaire, adding: We can and must do better. Paul has publicly opposed the legislation as its currently written, arguing it adds to much to the national debt. The president spent Monday speaking with several GOP senators, including Paul. The chamber is considering several changes to the legislation as congressional leaders aim to put the package on Trumps desk by July 4 an ambitious timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul told CNN on Monday that he had a lengthy discussion with Trump this week and told the president that he cant back the bill if an increase to the debt ceiling remains in the package. Thune has said he will not drop language in the legislation addressing the debt limit hike. Its just not a conservative thing to do, and Ive told him I cant support the bill if they are together. If they were to separate out and take the debt ceiling off that, I very much could consider the rest of the bill, said Paul, who noted that Trump did most of the talking on their call. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Veronica Stracqualursi, Manu Raju, Ella Nilsen, Molly English, Morgan Rimmer and Lauren Fox contributed. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Elon Musk has trashed Donald Trumps much-vaunted big beautiful bill as a pork-filled disgusting abomination. The tech billionaire, who left his role in the White House last week, savaged the presidents flagship spending bill as outrageous while criticising lawmakers for burdening Americans with unsustainable debt. He wrote on X: I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025 It is the latest in a series of scathing attacks on the bill by Mr Musk, who has warned that the package of sweeping tax cuts will compromise cost-saving measures carried out by his Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill has promised to deliver $4.5 trillion (3.3 trillion) worth of tax cuts while significantly increasing Americas deficit. The Tesla founder has previously warned that America was going bankrupt as a result of its $36.2 trillion debt pile, echoing similar concerns made by economists. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Mr Trumps bill will increase Americas bulging deficit by $3.8 trillion by 2034. It has drawn criticism from a number of Republicans, and the bill passed through the US House last month by just a single vote. It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt, Mr Musk added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has lashed out at anyone who has voiced concern about the debt snowballing under Mr Trump. The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesnt change the presidents opinion. This is One Big Beautiful Bill, and hes sticking to it, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said. The tax and spending cuts that passed the House last month would add more than $5 trillion to the national debt in the coming decade if all of them are allowed to continue, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The national debt is a much bigger problem now than it was eight years ago. Investors are demanding the government pay a higher premium to keep borrowing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House Council of Economic Advisers argues that its policies will unleash so much rapid growth that the annual budget deficits will shrink in size relative to the overall economy, putting the US government on a fiscally sustainable path. Central figure Mr Musk, 53, the worlds richest man, became a central figure in the Trump White House, often clashing with senior members of the presidents cabinet. The two quickly formed a close working relationship during last years election campaign. At its peak, Mr Musk even lived in a cottage on the Mar-a-Lago estate where he fleshed out his plans for a tech-led effort to slash the federal bureaucracy. He often stood quietly next to Mr Trump as reporters peppered him with questions over his aggressive Doge cuts, which at times risked becoming the flashpoint of the presidents first 100 days in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Tesla boss has also voiced his concerns over Mr Trumps sweeping tariffs. By the end of his time in the administration, he was rarely seen with the president. Despite this, Mr Trump has credited Mr Musk with a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington and handed him a golden key on his departure. As a special government employee, Mr Musks position was designed to be temporary. However, he had speculated about staying indefinitely, working part time for the administration, if Mr Trump still wanted his help. His departure from the White House last week marked the end of a turbulent chapter that included thousands of layoffs of federal staff and the evisceration of government agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The billionaire entrepreneur is perceived as struggling in the unfamiliar environment of Washington, and he accomplished far less than he had hoped to. He dramatically reduced his target for cutting spending from $2 trillion to $1 trillion to $150 billion and increasingly expressed frustration about resistance to his goals. At times, he clashed with other top members of Mr Trumps administration, who chafed at the newcomers efforts to reshape their departments. Congress is making America bankrupt, he wrote in a separate post on X. 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. (WTVO) Elon Musk has called out legacy media for hypocrisy over how news agencies covered Sen. Cory Bookers (D-N.J.) arm gesture after the tech billionaire faced a firestorm over a similar gesture earlier this year. While speaking at the California Democratic Convention on Saturday, Booker put his hand on his heart and then extended his arm toward the crowd. Videos circulated on social media, with users placing it side-by-side with a nearly identical gesture made by Elon Musk on President Donald Trumps inauguration day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks gesture sparked headlines and controversy over whether the Tesla CEO was giving a Nazi salute. Legacy media lies, Musk said in a comment to a users tweet on X, comparing news coverage of Bookers gesture to his own. He also posted a comparison between Newsweek headlines on both incidents, with one reading 80 Years After Auschwitz, Elon Musk Keeps the Facist Salute Alive and the other MAGA Accuses Democratic Senator Cory Booker of Doing Nazi Salute. Fate loves irony, but hates hypocrisy, Musk wrote. At the time, Musk claimed the media misrepresented his gesture, which he said was intended to be a symbol of love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My heart goes out to you, Musk said after making the gesture. And its thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Musks defense, saying @elonmusk is being falsely smeared. Elon is a great friend of Israel. He visited Israel after the October 7 massacre in which Hamas terrorists committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The Anti-Defamation League also opined, It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. Maya Krishna-Rogers, deputy communications director for Booker, denied the Senator had made a Nazi salute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cory Booker was obviously just waving to the crowd. Anyone who claims his wave is the same as Elon Musks gesture is operating in bad faith. The differences between the two are obvious to anyone without an agenda, she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Senate Republicans were in their luncheon as they begin the process to take up President Donald Trumps One Big, Beautiful Bill when Elon Musk blasted the legislation as an outrageous, pork-filled, disgusting abomination. The Republicans in the upper chamber are planning to write their version of the massive domestic legislation bill that includes extending the 2017 tax cuts Trump signed, beefed up spending at the U.S.-Mexico border and oil drilling as well as massive changes to the social safety net in the United States. But just before Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the rest Republican leadership were about to begin their press conference, Musk, the just-departed head of Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, raged against the bill on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore, he posted. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. Some Republicans sought to ignore it. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa who recently came under criticism for dismissing constituents concerned over Medicaid cuts at a local town hall with her response, Well, were all going to die brushed off a question from The Independent as she exited the Capitol and got into her car. Sen. Rick Scott said he had not read the Musk tweet, a common refrain from politicians not wishing to discuss a hot topic. When The Independent offered to show it to him, he brushed it off. I want to get the tax cuts permanent, the border money, the military, but we've got to get spending under control, Scott, an ally of Trump, told The Independent. So I'm going to continue to work to bring down the deficit, to hopefully balance the budget the next three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has in the past called for steeper cuts in the bill and praised Musks comments, saying it bolsters the points he made. "The only way I know how to do this is lay out the facts and figures and win the argument," Johnson told The Independent. Others, such as Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Katie Britt of Alabama, both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told The Independent they had not seen the tweet. Alabamas other Republican senator Tommy Tuberville, a staunch ally of Trump brushed off Musks criticism. I ain't got any thoughts on that, Tuberville said of the Musk posting. We got a lot of work to do. He doesnt get to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Mike Johnson, who spent weeks corralling various factions within the House GOP conference before he passed it in the wee hours of the morning last month before the House broke for recess, pushed back on Musks criticism. Its very disappointing, Johnson told reporters. With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the One Big, Beautiful Bill. Other Republican senators made jokes about Musks remarks. Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore, Musk, pictured on his last day as head of DOGE, posted about President Trumps big beautiful bill. (Getty) Does that mean he likes it? Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio told The Independent. I think he's probably buying into the CBO scoring model, but look, ultimately, we haven't even gotten the bill yet right so we're gonna make it better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan body in Congress that scores how much legislation costs, estimated that extending the tax cuts in the bill would raise the debt by $3.8 trillion. But Republicans have pushed back on the estimate. Republicans have only 53 Senate seats, which is below the 60-seat threshold needed to overcome a filibuster. As a result, they hope to pass the bill through a process reconciliation, which allows them to pass legislation with a simple majority as long it relates to the budget. Musk recently exited the Trump administration after a months-long tenure at DOGE, where he slashed federal spending at numerous government agencies, including the US Agency for International Development. Other Republicans said they would work to improve the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's certainly entitled his opinion, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who faces a tough primary challenge in Texas. And we're trying to make the bill better. The bill is not the first time that Musk has wielded his significant following on X, the site then-known as Twitter that he purchased in 2022, to intervene in congressional affairs. In late 2024, he killed a bipartisan spending deal to keep the government open and said that the government should remain closed until Trumps swearing in. Musk pledged he would challenge any Republicans who voted for the bill. In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Republicans who criticized the bill seemed to balk at Musks intervention. When Musk tweeted Congress is making America bankrupt, Paul tweeted Some of us are trying to stop that. But when The Independent asked if Paul had seen Musks first tweet, he said I havent seen it as he exited and got into an elevator. Later, Paul tweeted an article about his and Musk opposing the bill The family of Mohamed Soliman, the Colorado Springs-area man accused of multiple counts of felony attempted murder and a hate crime after he allegedly set several people on fire Sunday in Boulder, was detained Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The six family members Solimans wife, three daughters and two sons are being processed for expedited removal, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who confirmed the update on X shortly after noon. "This terrorist will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,'' Noem said. "We are investigating to what extent his family knew about this heinous attack, if they had knowledge of it, or if they provided support to it.'' The Gazette reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office for Colorado to ask what charges the family might face, but the agency had no comment. Names of the arrested family members were also not released. Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national with a recent residence in an unincorporated area that borders Colorado Springs' east side, filed an asylum claim in September 2022 after arriving on a tourist visa the month before that expired the following February. Soliman was then granted a work authorization in March 2023, but after that expired, DHS officials say he did not leave and remained in the U.S. illegally. Soliman had sprayed gasoline on himself before allegedly hurling Molotov cocktails into the crowd. He "had planned on dying," he told authorities. An affidavit released by authorities detailed how Soliman allegedly prepared for and carried out the attack that injured 12 people in Boulder on Sunday afternoon. The attack occurred near 13th and Pearl streets during a "humanitarian walk" for hostages still being held by Hamas. Status questions remain Private immigration attorney Stephanie Izaguirre does not believe Soliman's family meets the statutory requirements for expedited removal if they entered the country legally with him in 2022 under a tourist visa before filing the asylum claim. According to the National Immigration Forum, which advocates for the value of immigrants, if someone is undocumented but has been in the U.S. for more than two years, they are not subject to expedited removal. If the family does not meet the requirements for expedited removal, Izaguirre claims their due process rights will be violated if they are immediately deported. "They are pending asylum and the family is not responsible for the father's actions," Izaguirre said. "The rule of law requires that we treat individuals as individuals. There should be no 'family crimes' in the United States." According to Soliman's arrest affidavit on the state level, he did not tell his wife or children about his violent intentions that he had planned for a year. Izaguirre also provided context as to why Soliman was granted a work visa. If an asylum application is pending for over 180 days, the person who filed the claim would have qualified for a work permit until final adjudication. Actions condemned Despite concerns over due process, Izaquirre told The Gazette she condemns Soliman's alleged actions. Featured Local Savings "I completely deplore what this man did, if he did what he's accused of doing," Izaguirre said. Soliman 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. Twelve victims have been identified. Initially, only eight victims were reported, but officials said four others contacted police. 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. No deaths have been reported as of Tuesday afternoon. Soliman was booked into the Boulder County jail late Sunday night after the attack, which federal authorities are calling an "act of terrorism." Timing of the attack Soliman told investigators in the Boulder District Attorney's Office that he had been planning this attack for the past year and was waiting for his oldest daughter to graduate from high school before completing the attack, according to the arrest affidavit. Soliman's daughter graduated last week from Thomas MacLaren School in Colorado Springs, according to previous reporting by The Gazette. When she was young, her father underwent a difficult surgery that restored his ability to walk, according to the earlier reporting. She told a reporter that she realized the importance of medicine after the incident and knew it was something she wanted to pursue. The teen earned academic honors each year at MacLaren and was the recipient of the Highlander Award for Leadership Involvement and a Best & Brightest Scholarship sponsored by Gazette Charities. On Monday, officials said Soliman's family cooperated with the investigation. An arrest affidavit for Soliman stated his wife went to a Colorado Springs police station shortly after his arrest, but no other details were released. Children's bikes lay strewn on lawns and porches Monday with obvious signs of play around the home of Soliman in the Cimarron Hills neighborhood. A neighbor said one of her children saw the family loading their car with several bags. She said Soliman looked unraveled as that happened, compared to a softer look for which she was more familiar. Soliman 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 in Boulder, 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. Gazette's Alex Edwards contributed to this report. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The National Guard is deploying in Albuquerque, aiming to help tackle the citys crime problem by freeing up more police officers. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared an emergency through an Executive Order in April, after receiving a letter from Albuquerques Police Chief, who requested additional resources to combat what he described as a crime problem that continues to be an emergency in the city. APD says integrating Guardsmen and women will allow officers to be more present in high-crime areas, particularly along Central Avenue. But how will this work? What will the National Guard be doing or not doing? Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General overseeing New Mexicos National Guard, joins Chris and Gabby to explain everything you need to know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not a threat to anyones civil liberties. Were New Mexicans, explained Maj. Gen. Aguilar. I even checked how many people are like traditional New Mexicans on this mission the vast majority. And weve always been the type of people who want to help a problem, and this is the opportunity weve been afforded, he added. Listen to the full discussion above to hear what the National Guard will be focused on locally over the next several months. Maj. Gen. Augilar said that in talking with officers, they agree that a longer-term operation is needed to measure any real change. Thirty-day operations are effective in making arrests, garnering stats, and having temporary change, but its gotta be longer-term, said Maj. Gen. Aguilar. [So] that we cant get waited out. Stay informed with the latest news by subscribing to the New Mexico News Insiders podcast wherever you listen. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also watch our podcasts in video form, both on-air and online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The National Infantry will host a free, family-friendly event honoring the U.S. Armys 250th birthday on June 14, 2025. The museum will have military vehicles, bounce houses, food trucks, free movies, historical reenactors and more for families to enjoy. The event will also feature a cannon blast, hotdog eating contest sponsored by Franks Alley and the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band. The Friends of Army Aviation will offer pay to fly UH-1 Huey helicopter rides to attendees as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rain or shine event will be on June 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The museum says this event will be in lieu of their annual July 4th Freedom Fest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Anti-immigration politics threw the Dutch and German governments into upheaval amid growing nationalist sentiment in Europe. In the Netherlands, nationalist leader Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the countrys ruling coalition after ministers failed to agree on tougher asylum measures. Meanwhile, a German court ruled that Berlins effort to turn asylum seekers away at the border was unlawful, a blow to government efforts to fend off a challenge from the far right. European countries have increasingly pushed to curtail migration nine EU member states last month called for greater restrictions with one notable exception: Spain aims to welcome a million new migrants in the next three years, hoping to boost plummeting birth rates and bolster its economy. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is said to have officially invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the NATO Summit in The Hague, scheduled for 24-26 June 2025, resolving earlier uncertainty over Ukraines participation. Source: Dutch news agency ANP, citing NATO sources, as reported by European Pravda Details: Rutte reportedly extended the invitation during a meeting with Zelenskyy on 2 June, after which Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraines representation at the summit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The specific events Zelenskyy will attend remain unclear, ANP sources noted. Discussions have included the possibility of his participation in NATO defence or foreign ministers meetings, side events outside the official programme, or a dinner for the leaders of NATO member states hosted by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who has recently resigned following a coalition collapse, has supported the idea of inviting Zelenskyy. Background: 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 claims. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the U.S. Navy to rename a ship honoring late LGBTQ rights hero Harvey Milk in a move intentionally set to coincide with Pride Month. According to a memo from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy reviewed by Military.com, officials have already drawn up a plan for the USNS Harvey Milk to be renamed. The ship is a John Lewis-class oiler, part of a series of vessels named after civil rights leaders and activists. While its new name has yet to be announced, Navy Secretary John Phelan and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth are expected to unveil the change on June 13, according to the memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An unnamed defense official confirmed to Military.com the decision to make the announcement in June was deliberate. The move was slammed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream. Milk, who was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, made history as Californias first openly gay elected official. He was assassinated inside San Francisco City Hall on Nov. 27, 1978 just months after helping pass a landmark city ordinance banning discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation. Before his short-lived career in public office, the trailblazing LGBTQ+ rights leader also served as a diving officer in the Navy, but resigned with the rank of lieutenant junior grade in 1955 after being questioned about his sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late 2016, the Navy announced it would name a ship after the slain LGBTQ icon. Construction began in late 2019 and, two years later, Navy Veteran Paula Neira christened the Navys USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206) in a ceremony in San Diego Bay attended by state and local leaders. Harvey fought for the dignity and worth of every person, Pelosi, who represents Californias 11th congressional district, which includes most of San Francisco, said in a statement Tuesday. In San Francisco, we take great pride that our Harveys name adorns a mighty ship among a new class of Navy vessels named for the conscience of the Congress, John Lewis which honors titans in the fight for freedom, Pelosi said. As the rest of us are celebrating the joy of Pride Month, it is my hope that the Navy will reconsider this egregious decision and continue to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Harvey Milk, a veteran himself, and all Americans who forged historic progress for our nation, she concluded. _____ RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Dozens of advocates joined together at the North Carolina General Assembly Tuesday fighting for a chance to have a bill crack down on youth vaping heard by North Carolina lawmakers. House Bill 430, known as Sollys Law, and its corresponding Senate Bill 318 would require a tobacco retail sales permit for businesses to align with federal law, which sets the minimum age to purchase at 21. SPECIAL REPORT | North Carolina mother fighting against teen vaping with new bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill is named after Solomon Solly Wynn. The New Hanover County teen died in 2023 at just 15. His stepmother Charlene Zorn says his doctors told her was due to complications from vaping. We have to do something now before someone elses child dies, said Zorn. She was one of the advocates who came to the GA pushing for the bills to pass but its been at a standstill in both the house and senate rules committees since March. Representative Donnie Loftis of Gaston County is one of the sponsors of the house bill. North Carolina is one of the last seven states to raise the age and to bring all unregulated vape shops into compliance with state law, said Rep. Loftis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The North Carolina Alliance for Health says though most vapes are acquired from retailers, the next most common way teens are able to access them is from a friend under the age of 21. They also say e-cigarette sales have increased by 250% since 2020. Macey Morris, a student at Eastern Alamance High School, is just one North Carolina teen who spoke about what shes seeing at her school. Trying to use the restrooms throughout the day during class change and even during class time can be nearly impossible. The bathrooms are filled with students vaping and take up the majority of the space which can make it uncomfortable to try and use the restroom throughout the day, said Morris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Loftis says they are waiting for the bills to go to their appropriate committees and theyre hoping Tuesdays call for action will 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 CBS17.com. NEBRASKA (KCAU) Did you know: People are not allowed to drink alcohol at parks and wildlife areas in Nebraska. In an effort to deter people from breaking the guidelines, authorities are ramping up their efforts to enforce the rules. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission announced on their website that conservation officers will conduct special enforcement patrols now through the end of August. These efforts will primarily focus on weekends. The special patrols will work on land and water to reduce alcohol-related boat and vehicle accidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We encourage people to enjoy outdoor recreation safely and responsibly, helping maintain family-friendly state park and wildlife areas for all to enjoy, Game and Parks Law Enforcement Division Administrator Jeff Clauson said. A grant from the Nebraska Department of Roads Office of Highway Safety is paying for this operation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEBRASKA (KCAU) Monday was the last day of the 1st Session in Nebraskas 109th legislature, the last of the three Siouxland states. State lawmakers wrapped up their work by voting on four bills earlier this morning. Then, this afternoon, Governor Jim Pillen and First Lady Suzanne arrived at the unicameral for the governor to deliver his Sine Die Address to state senators. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pillen spoke about remembering trooper Kyle McAcy, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a crash on I-80 back in February. The governor also spoke about the 2025-27 biennium budget that he signed into law. The Governor Pillen also said lawmakers will return to Lincoln in seven months, in January 2026. Pillen does not plan on having a special session this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. SWEETWATER, Tenn. (WATE) Two days since an EF0 tornado touched down and left multiple people injured, a Sweetwater community is left picking up the pieces. On the border of Loudon and Monroe counties, most of the damage was found off Holt Road on Friday where multiple homes and barns were damaged. A camper flipped over, injuring four people who were inside. Larry and Susan Hearn were inside this camper at the time alongside two of their daughters. All of them survived. Locals, tourists recall major Gatlinburg crash that injured seven Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You couldnt ask for a better place to be in a bad spot at a bad time, you couldnt, said Larry Hearn. From the moment their camper stopped rolling, the Hearns said people immediately jumped in to help. People down here are wonderful, said Larry. Sweetwater Hospital, big shout out to them. Churches offered to help, our daughters church, said Susan. With first responders lining the street Friday morning, they said it was like nothing they had seen before. While they were checked over at the hospital, the community got to work. Weve had friends show up with gloves and garbage bags and say what can we do? When can we start helping? And so I think just the overwhelming response from the friends and family that weve had has been unbelievable, said resident and local business owner Callie Brackett. We never expected to be in a situation where we need somebody. And boy, they came out of the woodwork to offer help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cocke County Mayor aims to retain local graduates through economic investment Brackett co-owns the local business Grain Bin Commodities off Holt Road and she said they lost two barns and two Airbnbs. Her brother Darrell Holt lives down the road and said he had to move most of his cattle as the trees knocked down his fencing. I hopefully have some bigger equipment coming in because these are large, large trees that are down in a lot of areas and its going to take more than just chainsaws, he said. So I hope to have some bigger equipment, some help coming in maybe next week to help clear some of the big debris out, the big trees out. Now that most of the small debris is gone, residents like Holt said it is the large debris they will need help removing. And while they continue to work one day at a time, the Hearns say they are lucky to be alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was by the grace of God that we made it out without injuries, said Larry Holt. Like my middle daughter, she had fractured vertebrae in her back I think her disk, and the other injuries. We got a black eye, she got a busted lip and had some stiches but were fine. The Hearns said they were visiting town from South Illinois for their granddaughters wedding when the tornado came through. Despite everything they went through, the family still attended with Larry officiating the ceremony. See more top stories on WATE.com While the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross did come by the area on Friday, those living in the area said they have relied mostly on the community to help them through this time. 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. Residents who dont want a new gas station built in their community took their concerns to Atlanta City Hall. T They warned the councilwoman for the area, she needs to show shes on their side or else they will remember when they head to the polls in November. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Amber Burks represented a group of residents who oppose a gas station being built in their community on Greenbriar Parkway near the Greenbriar Mall. She spoke at Atlantas City Council meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stop the gas station from being built, Burks told the body. Burks also focused her message on Councilwoman Marci Overstreet, who represents the area where the proposed gas station is being built. I hope you show us that you deserve our continued support, Burks said. The neighbors issued a warning to Overstreet about the project, saying she needed to show shes on their side in this fight. On November 4, as we make our way to the polls, your constituents will remember either your passivity or your active effort as a leader, Burks said. Overstreet quickly set the record straight. I never said that I dont agree with the community. I actually said I was standing with the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the community said it was blindsided when they saw the gas station being built near their homes, near a senior apartment complex and near a daycare. They say they have too many gas stations already. TRENDING STORIES: Burks says zoning was changed to prevent any new gas stations in July 2022. A month later, they grant a permit for a gas station to be built, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overstreet mentioned she thought the gas station was permitted in error. She told Channel 2s Tom Jones recently that city planning disagreed with that assessment. Overstreet says she shared that information with the community. So I have been standing with the community, Overstreet said. Residents still plan to hold Overstreet accountable. I encourage you, councilwoman, not to turn your back on southwest Atlanta, said Burks. Overstreet has said in the past that she is frustrated with the project and doesnt agree with it. Residents want a stop-work order placed on the project. They say they havent been able to find out the status of the project. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BARDSTOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) A Nelson County paramedic died after a May car crash believed to be linked to a heart attack. On Monday, Supporting Heroes, a nonprofit, said 41-year-old Wesley England was taken off of life support earlier that day at a Tennessee hospital. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 27, Nelson County EMS said England, a full-time critical care paramedic, was involved in a serious crash and was airlifted to a Level I trauma center in Nashville. On Tuesday, Nelson County EMS said Englands legacy of service will be remembered. Wesley wore many hats throughout his remarkable careerserving as a dedicated critical care paramedic, firefighter, and police officer. His unwavering commitment to the emergency services touched countless lives across our communities and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We extend our deepest gratitude for Wesleys years of service and sacrifice. Please keep his family, friends, and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers during this profoundly difficult time. Nelson County EMS According to the Supporting Heroes website, England is survived by his children, ages 9 and 18, his brother, and his parents. Wesley England (Nelson County EMS) Wesley England (Nelson County EMS) Wesley England (Nelson County EMS) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His funeral arrangements have not yet 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 FOX 56 News. The prosecution is proceeding very conservatively to score any points it can on Netanyahu, concerned that otherwise he could outfox them on the witness stand. At the end of the day, the future of Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu and, therefore, the State of Israel will be decided based on how three Jerusalem District Court judges size up his memory and truthfulness. If they find that his six months of testimony since December 2024 was compelling, or at least leaves them any reasonable doubt about the charges against him, he will emerge with an acquittal and validation for the years he claimed he was innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they find he remembered well facts that helped him and forgot facts that did not, or if they otherwise doubt his truthfulness, he will likely be convicted. Then the only question will be whether his sentence will include jail time and disqualify him from public office, or will it be a minor conviction with a slap on the wrist. Into this mix, the state prosecution started its expected months-long cross-examination of Netanyahu on Tuesday, presenting the data point that in his multiple interrogations with police, he replied 1,788 times that he doesnt remember whether a given event happened or what a given witness said to him some years ago regarding issues in the case that are in dispute. Of course, Netanyahu rightly pointed out that what and why he said he did not remember something matters, and he flagged examples where he had not remembered favorable factual points, which he only learned later from research by his lawyers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, 02 April 2025. (photo credit: Yair Sagi/POOL) But the prosecution started to score some points on this "I don't remember" issue already on Tuesday. But the prosecution started to score some points on this I dont remember issue already on Tuesday. After Netanyahu had said he did not get advice from his lawyers in the middle of being questioned by police or did not remember doing so, State Prosecutor Yonatan Tadmor who also sent former prime minister Ehud Olmert to jail presented him multiple instances where he asked police to consult with his lawyers mid-interrogation and was allowed to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Netanyahu said he did recall having time to do much preparation for his rounds of being questioned by police, Tadmor presented him with his own testimony to police or in court in which he discussed remembering preparing for issues related to Shaul Elovitch, Arnon Milchin, and other key witnesses in his public corruption trial. Once again, Netanyahu had portrayed the expensive cigars and Champagne that he received from Milchin as mere gifts from a billionaire tycoon whom he only befriended during his time out of politics after 1999. But Tadmor presented highly detailed testimony from Milchin about their first meeting taking place in 1996, when Netanyahu was prime minister. If true, this would boost the prosecutions claim that Milchin sought to befriend Netanyahu and provide him with gifts to achieve certain quid pro quos from him in his capacity as prime minister. That could likewise help prove their case that Milchins gifts to Netanyahu were illegal and involved a breach of the public trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A more complex case discussed by the prosecution was the Bugs Bunny incident. According to Milchin, he and his staff gave Yair Netanyahu a large Bugs Bunny doll, leading Sara Netanyahu to ask for an even larger Bugs Bunny doll, which she had heard about. Milchin complied and managed to get her the mega-largeBugs Bunny doll as well. Netanyahu recalled Sara receiving the mega-huge Bugs Bunny doll but not the circumstances and certainly not Milchins and Tadmors accounts that his wife had pressured Milchin into it. This incident could also be important, because it shows that Netanyahu knew Sara had received an unusual and major gift, even if he denies that he knew all the circumstances, such as Sara pressuring Milchin into it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A major defense of Netanyahu has been that he did not know about many of the gifts that Milchin was giving to Sara. But Hadas Klein, Milchins former secretary, and some of Milchins testimony indicate the opposite. As hysterical as some of the moments proved to be in court about a Bugs Bunny doll, the example could be convincing to the judges about what Netanyahu knew, regardless of what he says he remembers or does not remember. All of this also goes to a broader issue in which Netanyahu has shown a tremendous mastery of a large volume of details in the case, while sometimes claiming he is ignorant of so much of what his various aides do on his behalf. Another piece of color from Tuesdays hearing was how Tadmor transformed Bibi from the prime minister, as he was addressed by his lawyers for the last six months, to Mr. Netanyahu as the prosecution will address him for the next several months. As far as Tadmor is concerned, once Netanyahu enters the courtroom, he has the same rights and obligations as any other witness no more and no less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means if Netanyahu tries to avoid answering a question, Tadmor will demand that he answer it. If there is a moment when Tadmor can break the prime ministers credibility before the judges, he will go for it without hesitation. But after all of those tactical achievements, Tadmor and the prosecutions start was somewhat fumbling and weaker than expected. Large amounts of the hearing were spent needlessly looking for copies of prior Netanyahu interrogations to show him what he had said. These copies could have been made ready beforehand, and none of this would have been necessary if the court computers had worked properly. Other parts were spent fighting with the defense lawyers and the court about a variety of procedural niceties, which will likely have no bearing on the final verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a weaker way to start, given that the prosecution could have tried to strike at Netanyahus confidence with some substantive charges. And the very choice of the prosecution to start cross-examination with Case 1000, the Illegal Gifts Affair, as opposed to Case 4000, the Bezeq-Walla Media Bribery Affair, the way they started the prosecution portion of the case in 2021, shows that they are licking some tactical legal wounds from setbacks during the trial. If Case 4000 was their knockout punch for Netanyahu in 2021, because it carried a sure-fire prison sentence based on the grave charge of bribery, in June 2025, they started cross-examination with the less flamboyant minor breach of trust charge regarding expensive cigars, viewing it as a more solidly based charge, even if it is far less serious. In that sense, it seems the prosecution is proceeding very conservatively to score any points it can on Netanyahu, concerned that otherwise, he could outfox them on the witness stand and further bludgeon an already damaged case. Still, these were only the opening shots of a grand legal conflagration that will leave its mark on the history books and the country. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed legislation aimed at punishing so-called fake electors for the second consecutive legislative session. Earlier this year, Democratic State Sen. Skip Daly, of Washoe County, reintroduced his so-called fake electors bill numbered this go-around as Senate Bill 102 which was intended to punish a person who commits the act to at least a year in prison. In 2023, lawmakers passed a similar bill, but Lombardo vetoed it. In his veto message that year, Lombardo said the penalty was too high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025 version added a potential sentence of probation, with an added requirement that a person serve six months in jail. After the bill passed along party lines, the governor vetoed it on Monday. In his veto message posted Tuesday afternoon, Lombardo wrote the bill implicates both due process and First Amendment protections. In addition to prison or jail time and a fine, the bill would have prohibited a person convicted of violating the law from holding a state or local government job, and bar them from elected or appointed office. Voters do not vote for presidential candidates themselves but for a slate of electors, mainly political party leaders, who then in turn, vote for the preferred candidate. In December 2020, six electors from the Nevada Republican Party signed paperwork claiming President Donald Trump won the election when he lost. The group then mailed their certificates to Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, a Clark County grand jury indicted the group on charges of offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument felonies that carry penalties of up to four or five years in prison. A district court judge later dismissed the case, citing venue. The Nevada Attorney Generals Office has since appealed that decision and refiled the case in Carson City. Trump won re-election in November against Vice President Kamala Harris by more than 46,000 votes. Two of the Republican electors from 2020 served as Republican Party electors in November, signing the states certificate of ascertainment for Trumps win. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) Nevada lawmakers are trying to push through a bill that aims to reform public education in the state. Monday was the final day for bills to pass in the 2025 Nevada legislative session. Republicans and Democrats combined two separate education bills, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Clark County, and Republican Governor Joe Lombardos bills which were absorbed into one piece of legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevada Democrats unveil major education bill targeting CCSD, charter schools The bill includes open enrollment; expanding pre-kindergarten education; making the Clark County School Districts four non-voting appointed trustees into voting members; and allowing the state to take over underperforming schools. At a hearing in the Assembly Education Committee on Monday, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Steve Canavero said the punitive parts of a new system to hold schools accountable would take effect in the 2029 school year. Does [the Nevada Department of Education] have the ability, the funding, the staff, and the resources to fully take over these schools on an indefinite basis? Assem. Selena La Rue Hatch, D-Washoe County, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the start of a build out [for the] long term. Our math would say somewhere around 2029/2030 would be when we would identify persistently underperforming schools, Dr. Canavero responded. The new bill would create the Public Education Oversight Board, which would support and intervene when schools, including charters, slide academically. The permissive interventions would be direct state takeover or working to replace key personnel at the school site, Canavero said, in describing what the board could do. According to the Nevada Department of Education, half of all public schools are one or two-star schools and half of third graders are also not at the level they need to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet not all lawmakers were sold on the idea of a new board, including Democratic Assem. Erica Mosca. I definitely have some concerns, and Ive heard a lot of people have concerns around a small group having a lot of decision making in the state. Whether its taking over a school, removing a superintendent, taking over a district, Mosca, D-Clark County, said. She has previously worked at charter schools. Lombardo said he is looking to remove excuses in schools when it comes to chronic underperformance. Remove that excuse: Gov. Lombardos education bill aims at performance, accountability Its clear that there was an intention for there to be some decision making around accountability for our school districts, Canavero said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tucked in the education reform was the amendment to make the non-voting, appointed CCSD trustees into voting members. That would not kick in until July of 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) An amended version of Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardos crime bill would increase the maximum amount of prison time for a DUI driver who kills to 25 years. As initially written, Senate Bill 457 would also change Nevada law to charge DUI drivers who kill with second-degree murder. A version of the bill amended Monday would increase Nevadas DUI-with-death penalty to a maximum of 25 years, an increase from the current 20 years. As written, Nevadas DUI-with-death law carries a potential prison sentence of 2-20 years. However, a bipartisan 1995 law requires a judge to sentence a person to a minimum and maximum sentence, meaning in cases of DUI with death, the maximum amount of time a defendant will spend in prison without a parole hearing is eight years. The 8 News Now Investigators have found most drivers who kill serve those eight years, not 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should Lombardos bill pass as amended, a DUI driver who kills could serve the minimum two years in prison or up to 10 years before they are released or go before the parole board. In essence, the maximum-minimum amount of time to be served would become 10 years a change from the current eight years. However, a driver could, in theory, serve all 25 years. A 10-to-25-year sentence aligns with the penalties for second-degree murder. If a DUI driver who kills has prior convictions, the minimum would be increased from two years to five years, the amendment said. Senate Bill 457 passed the Nevada Senate with the amendment in a 20-1 vote. Democratic State Sen. James Ohrenschall was the only dissenting vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 304, which would amend the states vehicular homicide law to include all DUIs involving death, appeared unlikely to pass Monday. The proposal would carry a possible sentence of 10 to 25 years or 10 to life, also the same as the states second-degree murder statute. The legislative session ends at midnight Tuesday. Lawmakers will not reconvene, except for special circumstances at the request of the governor, until February 2027. Opponents of the governors crime bill, including the ACLU of Nevada, warn that other components in it violate a persons constitutional rights. Since February, the 8 News Now Investigators have explored Nevada DUI laws, including the fact that lawmakers proposed no immediate changes after a DUI driver killed two state troopers investigating a second DUI driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevada prosecutors, including the Clark County District Attorneys Office, have tried to charge DUI drivers who kill a person and who speed and who drive with no care for another persons life, with murder, but the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled the DUI with death law is more appropriate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Its been more than a month since the deadly mass shooting at Florida State University. A grand jury indicted 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner on two counts of first-degree murder charges punishable by death. Yet many questions remain, including a motive. News Channel 8 On Your Side sat down with Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell, who said the investigation remains active and will continue until trial, which could be six months from now. Suspect arrested after shooting at car with child inside, killing man: Hillsborough sheriff Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We never stopped looking for more evidence, we never stop looking for the truth, Campbell said. In addition to the murder charges, Ikner faces seven counts of attempted murder. Unfortunately, weve been to scenes like this before. A school shooting, this was the first one of those Ive ever been to, and its something I wish I had never had to, Campbell said. On April 17, 2025, Ikner allegedly opened fire on the Florida State University campus in a rampage that lasted three minutes and three seconds. Despite the quick response from law enforcement, two people were killed, six others were injured, and hundreds more were left traumatized. Id love for people throughout the state and the country to know were better than this, Campbell said. This community is better than this. Were going to come together. Weve seen that through the vigils. Weve seen that through the support that everyones having, and were going to get better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tragic events from April 17 sparked national attention with folks around the country and here in the state questioning concerns around gun access, mental health, and campus security. A question top of mind for many in the community is whether or not investigators know the motive behind Ikners acts. When asked, Campbell said they do have theories about a possible motive, but said its too early to share publicly. My intention is to be able to lay this all bare at a trial and let everybody in the community and the world understand. As soon as the case is over, theres nothing Ill ever hide, Campbell said. But I also have to get justice both for the victims and for Mr. Ikner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ikners next court appearance is June 11 when his arraignment is scheduled. However, it may be waived by the defense. After that, more key court dates may be set. According to Campbell, there is a statutory trial deadline of 175 days from the date of the arrest. He said the prosecution will be ready to go in six months but acknowledges the defense may request more time to prepare. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Summer is fast approaching, as is cone season on roads around Colorado Springs. This week, commuters from a large housing development will have a new access intersection to use, a northeast Colorado Springs project sees delays, and ongoing construction on the multi-year South Academy Boulevard Widening Project produces new closures and detours. Banning Lewis Ranch Parkway Residents of the sprawling Banning Lewis Ranch residential development on Colorado Springs east side may have encountered a major road opening over the weekend. The developer-funded intersection of Banning Lewis Ranch Parkway and Woodmen Road had its soft launch last Thursday, with signal testing and calibration. Over the weekend, the intersection partially opened, and the city says the full opening happened Monday morning around 10:30 a.m. The intersection is an additional ingress/egress point for the neighborhood, according to the citys website. Banning Lewis Ranch Parkway also connects with Dublin Boulevard to the west. South Academy Boulevard Southbound South Academy Boulevard will see two different closures starting this week in its ongoing widening project. The first will fully close southbound Academy between US Highway 85/ 87 and Coventry Drive overnight. The weather dependent schedule is: June 4 and 5, from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. The closure will allow crews to move barriers and change lane markings over the Fountain Creek Bridge. Drivers on southbound Academy will divert by exiting onto US 85 / 87 then onto B Street. They will then need to travel south to Magrath Avenue then turn back onto Academy. US 85 / 87 travelers trying to enter South Academy will need to exit on Mesa Ridge Parkway, enter northbound Interstate 25 until exit 135, then turn back onto South Academy. The resulting reduction to one southbound lane over Fountain Creek Bridge will start in the early morning hours on Thursday, June 5 and last about 30 days. The Colorado Department of Transportation urges drivers to use caution while crews work on the deck and curbs on the inside part of the bridge. A separate full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard will start in the evening hours of Friday, June 5, between Bradley Road and US 85 / 87. Friday, June 7 at 7 p.m. through Saturday, June 8 at 4:30 a.m. The closure will allow road workers to complete bridge jacking operations on the US 85 / 87 bridge, according to a CDOT release. A detour will have traffic exit onto Bradley Road, then to Main Street, US 85 / 87 and reenter South Academy. Dublin Boulevard Due to what the city of Colorado Springs has called unforeseen site conditions, a scheduled full closure of Dublin Boulevard between Fieler Drive and Mustang Rim Drive is postponed for at least two more weeks. The city said a new start date was unavailable, noting that the conditions have delayed permitting for the project. The delay means the Dublin Boulevard and Peterson Road intersection will remain open, as will the Sand Creek Trail. The project closure was meant to start on May 27 to allow crew to begin the process of widening the two-lane road to four lanes and two shoulders. The project will also include new 10-foot multi-use paths along each side of the roadway, a raised median and a traffic signal at Issaquah Drive. The city originally said in a construction update on May 14 that the projects summer phasing with concurrent construction projects unobstructed by traffic would shorten its length by up to six months. The dates would have fallen within the summer break for nearby Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy. A spokesperson said the city was not yet releasing details about the nature of the delay. For up to date information, drivers can text DUBLIN to 866-762-3640 or call the project hotline (719-472-3065). They can also visit the project webpage at ColoradoSprings.gov/Dublin. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is suing Alina Habba, claiming she and a Homeland Security official orchestrated his false arrest at an ICE facility in May, according to his lawyer. Baraka was arrested on May 9 outside Delaney Hall Detention Center. Habba, the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, accused Baraka of trespassing and ignoring warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to leave the facility. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka has repeatedly denied breaking the law, and the Department of Justice has since dropped the mayors case. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law, Habba wrote in a post to X. In the lawsuit filed in federal court Tuesday, Baraka accused Habba of orchestrating the arrest to turn New Jersey red. The lawsuit also names HSI special agent Ricky Patel, who Baraka claims threatened to arrest him, then urged officers to take him down. Habba and Patel went on to make defamatory statements and push a false narrative that he broke into the detention facility and that multiple other people were arrested, according to the suit. The two subjected Baraka to repeated public humiliation, his lawyers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Instead, Baraka said a guard allowed him to enter inside the fence at Delaney Hall, then the mayor willingly when asked by Patel. Baraka previously shared videos of these encounters that seemingly show the mayor being let into and out of the facility gate by a guard. It was after he exited that Baraka was arrested and held in federal custody for over five hours, according to the lawsuit. Peter Woolley, the Director of Fairleigh Dickinson Universitys School of Public Affairs, notes that the lawsuit is well-timed with the start of early voting. Baraka is a Democratic candidate for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its great publicity for his campaign, said Woolley. Woolley believes Baraka has a strong case, partly because of the statement from the judge who dismissed his charges. This is a very unusual loss and embarrassment for the U.S. Attorney, and its a very strong admonishment from a judge, said Woolley. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter 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. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is suing interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, alleging she violated his constitutional rights and defamed him when he was arrested at a federal immigration detention center last month. Baraka brought the lawsuit against Habba, who previously served as President Donald Trump's personal attorney, and Ricky J. Patel, a special agent in charge of the Newark division of Homeland Security investigations. The mayor alleges they violated his Fourth Amendment right against false arrest and malicious prosecution. Alina Habba in the Oval Office on March 28. (Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images file) Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, was arrested on trespassing charges after he and members of Congress attempted to enter an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark on May 9 to check on the treatment of detainees. The charges were later dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habba had alleged that Baraka ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security officials to remove himself" from the facility. She later said she was dismissing the misdemeanor charge "for the sake of moving forward." The lawsuit alleges that a security guard at Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, which is run by private prison company The GEO Group under contract with the Department of Homeland Security, allowed Baraka to enter the property to calm a crowd of protesters outside. Patel, however, eventually told the mayor to leave and disputed that he was invited to that area. Five minutes after Baraka left the property, the lawsuit alleges, about 20 homeland security agents many armed and masked, descended on the Mayor and members of Congress without any attempt to calm fears or ensure peace. They violently pulled Barakas arms and arrested him without probable cause, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit also alleges that before the mayor was transported from Delaney Hall, Habba issued a false and defamatory statement on her personal social media account that he had trespassed on the property and ignored multiple warnings from DHS officials to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka accuses Habba of acting for political reasons and fulfilling her stated goal of turning New Jersey red by instigating and/or authorizing the false arrest of Mayor Baraka, a Democrat. The lawsuit cited Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa's criticism of the U.S. attorneys office for its handling of matter, noting that the judge said, Your role is not to secure convictions at all costs, nor to satisfy public clamor, nor to advance political agendas. Your allegiance is to the impartial application of the law, to the pursuit of truth, and to upholding the law. Espinosa added, The hasty arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, followed swiftly by the dismissal of these trespassing charges a mere 13 days later, suggests a worrisome misstep by your Office. Baraka seeks financial damages for the alleged violation of his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizures. The lawsuit says the malicious prosecution of Mayor Baraka resulted in an unlawful seizure and detention and as a result, the mayor suffered severe reputational harm, emotional distress and other damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to NBC News' requests for comment. The Justice Department later charged Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., with assaulting, resisting and impeding law enforcement officials over the incident at the facility. The DOJ also sued Newark and other New Jersey cities, including Paterson, Hoboken and Jersey City, over sanctuary policies. In response, Baraka called the lawsuit "absurd." "We are not standing in the way of public safety," Baraka said in a statement. "We are upholding the Constitution, providing oversight, and following the laws and guidelines of the State of New Jersey Nothing in our policies prevents law enforcement from doing their jobs. What we refuse to do is turn our city into an arm of federal immigration enforcement, which the courts have already ruled is not our role." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Newark, N.J., Mayor Ras Baraka (D) on Tuesday sued interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba in her personal capacity over his arrest last month outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility he was visiting with three Democratic members of Congress. The lawsuit includes claims of false arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation, and accuses Habba of acting as a political operative, outside of any function intimately related to the judicial process. Defendant Habba has made her biased political goals explicit, the complaint read, pointing to political remarks Habba made before and after she was sworn in such as her goal to turn New Jersey red. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit also names Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark, in his personal capacity. Baraka was charged with a single misdemeanor trespassing charge last month after accompanying three members of the New Jersey congressional delegation Bonnie Watson Coleman (D), Rob Menendez (D) and LaMonica McIver (D) to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark. Habbas office later moved to dismiss the count after charging McIver with assaulting law enforcement while at the facility. But Baraka alleged in the lawsuit that the arrest was baseless and targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor said in the complaint that he was invited inside Delaney Halls gates by a guard who worked for the private company that owned the facility. Patel ordered Baraka to leave the grounds, despite the guards invitation. Baraka said he complied, but minutes later he was descended on by armed and masked Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents. Patel ordered the other DHS officers to take him down. The complaint alleges that before he was transported from Delaney Hall, Habba had posted on her personal social media account that the mayor committed trespass and had willingly chosen to disregard the law. In authorizing and/or directing the arrest of Mayor Baraka without proper legal grounds, Defendant Habba was acting for political reasons and fulfilling her stated goal of turning New Jersey red by instigating and/or authorizing the false arrest of Mayor Baraka, a Democrat, the lawsuit reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he was kept in federal custody for more than five hours, and he accused Habba of threatening him with additional charges if he refused to give up his right to sue for attorneys fees, which he refused. The complaint references scathing remarks a federal judge made toward Habbas office when dismissing the charge against Baraka. U.S. District Judge Andre Espinosa said the arrest suggested a worrisome misstep by the office, noting the apparent rush in bringing the case that culminated in the governments embarrassing retraction of the charge. Your role is not to secure convictions at all costs, nor to satisfy public clamor, nor to advance political agendas, Espinosa said to the governments lawyer. Your allegiance is to the impartial application of the law, to the pursuit of truth and to the upholding of due process for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Espinosa dismissed the complaint against Baraka with prejudice, meaning the charge cannot be brought again. Before the lawsuit was made public, Habba wrote on social platform X that the mayor should feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey. Baraka is running for governor of New Jersey. The states Democratic primary is June 10. Two of Barakas claims against Habba and Patel are whats known as a Bivens claim, which lets individuals sue federal officials in their individual capacity for monetary damages over constitutional rights violations. 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. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka filed a lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba on Tuesday, accusing her of malicious prosecution over his arrest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility last month. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and is against Habba and the Department of Homeland Security special agent who Baraka claims unlawfully took him into custody on May 9 at Delaney Hall, where he was joined by three members of Congress for what they said they intended to be an inspection of conditions at the detention facility. "The false Affidavit was made with malice, particularly seeking to assure that the evening news included videos of the Black Mayor of Newark, New Jersey being led away in handcuffs by federal officials," the lawsuit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the suit, Baraka accused Habba and Assistant Homeland Security Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin of seeking to politicize his arrest by promoting a "false and defamatory narrative" about the events that led to him being taken into custody. Bing Guan/Reuters - PHOTO: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark and New Jersey Democratic candidate for governor, prepares to address the media outside the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark field office in Newark, May 9, 2025. MORE: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka arrested at ICE facility while joining Democrats to conduct 'oversight' While Habba and McLaughlin accused Baraka of attempting to "storm" the facility, his lawsuit noted he was actually invited onto the property by an agent of the GEO Group, a private prison operator that runs Delaney Hall, and was only placed under arrest after he had exited the gates when instructed. According to the timeline in Baraka's suit, he was surrounded by roughly 20 agents outside of the facility after they were allegedly ordered by DHS special agent Ricky Patel to "take him down." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sudden escalation, according to Baraka, was part of a deliberate effort to "effect maximum humiliation" on him. The lawsuit also takes issue with what it describes as the unusual treatment of Baraka following his arrest. It said he was kept in custody for over five hours before making a first appearance before a judge, whereas typically people are given a summons after being charged with the petty offense of trespassing. Habba's office moved to dismiss its case against Baraka, though prosecutors in a May 21 hearing were admonished by the federal judge assigned to Baraka's case who said the charges against him appeared to be rushed and based on politics. Jeenah Moon/Reuters - PHOTO: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark and New Jersey's Democratic candidate for governor, walks outside the Newark Federal Courthouse, in Newark, New Jersey, May 15, 2025. MORE: Charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver spark backlash after incident with ICE agents Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The hasty arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, followed swiftly by the dismissal of these trespassing charges a mere 13 days later, suggests a worrisome misstep by your office," Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa said. "The apparent rush in this case, culminating today in the embarrassing retraction of charges, suggests a failure to adequately investigate, to carefully gather facts and to thoughtfully consider the implications of your actions before wielding your immense power," he added. Habba posted on X Monday night in response to a report on Baraka's planned lawsuit, writing, "My advice to the mayor - feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey." Federal prosecutors have separately charged Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., for allegedly assaulting agents outside the Delaney Hall facility. McIver has said she plans to plead not guilty and vigorously disputes the charges. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is suing Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, for false arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation after he was arrested and detained for trespassing at an immigration detention center on May 9. The lawsuit alleges that Habba, formerly the personal lawyer for President Donald Trump, directed Homeland Security agent Ricky Patel, who is also a named defendant, to falsely arrest Baraka for trespassing after he entered and then left a private detention facility in Newark used to house immigrants. The arrest was executed as part of a political scheme to damage Democratic Party politicians in the state, the suit alleges. It also charges Habba with defaming Baraka by issuing false statements about the events that led to his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habbas office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speaks to the press after his arrest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on May 15, 2025. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images Baraka, who is currently running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in New Jersey, was arrested by Homeland Security officers on May 9 at a GEO Group detention facility in Newark when three New Jersey members of Congress sought to inspect the facility. For months prior, Baraka had publicly raised concerns that the facility had not undergone proper inspections or received the required certifications for operation by the city. The three Democratic lawmakers Reps. Rob Menendez, Bonnie Watson Coleman and LaMonica McIver who are legally required to be granted access to any immigration detention facility, invited Baraka to join them. When Baraka arrived, he was invited onto the facility grounds by an agent of the facility operator after a crowd of protesters chanted for him to be given access. This was meant to calm the crowd, the lawsuit states. Soon afterwards, Patel asked Baraka to leave, which he did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic lawmakers, still inside the facility, overheard Patel receive and give orders to arrest Baraka for trespassing, according to Barakas lawsuit. Homeland Security officers then left the facility grounds to arrest the mayor. A scrum ensued, in which Homeland Security officers pushed Barakas security detail aside to arrest him and the members of Congress sought to put themselves between the officers and Baraka. Habbas office would later charge McIver with assault on an officer, despite no evidence from the copious video taken during the event that such an assault occurred. Baraka was then taken into custody, fingerprinted, photographed, interrogated and held for hours before seeing a judge. Just 10 days later, Habba dropped the charges, and a federal judge admonished her office for arresting the mayor and bringing charges in the first place. The lawsuit argues that the affidavit charging Baraka with trespass was false, as the mayor had been invited onto the facility grounds and left the premises after Patel asked him to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The false affidavit was made with malice, particularly seeking to assure that the evening news included videos of the Black Mayor of Newark, New Jersey being led away in handcuffs by federal officials, the complaint states. Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba previously worked as President Donald Trump's personal lawyer. Andrew Harnik via Getty Images Barakas lawsuit further argues that Habbas political statements when Trump appointed her to her current position are evidence that his arrest was geared toward a political agenda separate from the prosecutorial work of a U.S. attorney. This includes Habbas claim that her work as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey aimed to turn New Jersey red. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Habba defamed Baraka by lying about the events that preceded his arrest on the social media site X and in an appearance on Fox News. She claimed on X that Baraka has willingly chosen to disregard the law by ignoring multiple warnings to leave the facility grounds. Baraka refused to leave, Habba said on Fox News. These statements were repeated or amplified by Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, who claimed on CNN that Baraka broke into a detention facility and was arrested for storming an ICE facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security doubled down on this version of events in a statement to HuffPost. Mayor Baraka is trying to rewrite history with this frivolous lawsuit, McLaughlin said in a statement. Its too late: The American people saw with their own eyes his actions that put the safety of our law enforcement agents and the staff at Delaney Hall at risk all for the sake of the dangerous criminals housed there. The lawsuit, filed in the federal district court for New Jersey, seeks unspecified monetary damages and attorney fees. Related... Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has sued acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba, alleging that his arrest during a May visit to an ICE detention center in his city was politically motivated. Baraka was arrested on May 9 outside of the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey. At the time, Baraka was accompanying a congressional delegation conducting authorized oversight at the facility, but they mayor was denied entry. After Baraka exited the detention center and joined a gaggle of protesters on public property, ICE agents arrested him and brought him back into Delaney Hall. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) was later charged with assaulting an ICE agent amid the chaos of Barakas arrest, in what McIver called an attempt to mischaracterize and distort her actions. Later that month, Habbas office moved to dismiss the charges against Baraka, and was reprimanded by the case judge for abusing the detention power in what amounted to a hasty stunt. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinos wrote to Habba upon the dismissal of the case that the apparent rush in this case, culminating today in the embarrassing retraction of charges, suggests a failure to adequately investigate, to carefully gather facts, and to thoughtfully consider the implications of your actions before wielding your immense power. Your Office must operate with a higher standard than that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a debacle was unsurprising, and not the first time Habba who has no past experience as a prosecutor had been admonished for sloppy legal practices in front of a judge. The acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey made a name for herself as President Donald Trumps personal lawyer, and represented him in a slew of high profile criminal cases in the interim between his presidential terms, including Trumps civil sexual assault liability case brought by author E. Jean Carroll. During proceedings in Trump v. Caroll, Judge Lewis Kaplan repeatedly reprimanded Habba for violating the rules of his courtroom as a member of Trumps defense team. Trump appointed Habba to the New Jersey prosecutorial post after several months serving as a legal counselor to the president. Following Barakas arrest in May, Habba claimed that the mayor had been arrested because he had committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, Habba added. In a Tuesday lawsuit, Baraka argued that he had been allowed into the facility by security employees of GEO Group the company that owns the detention center and was later told by Ricky Patel, a Department of Homeland Security agent, that he needed to leave, and that after some back and forth he complied. Patel is listed alongside Habba as a defendant on Barakas lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 2:44 PM, five minutes after Mayor Baraka left the GEO Group property, approximately 20 DHS agents, many armed and masked, descended on the Mayor and members of Congress without any attempt to calm fears or ensure peace, the lawsuit says. Egged on by Defendant Patel, who ordered the DHS agents to take him down [] the agents pushed, shoved and assaulted the Mayors security team and members of Congress before violently pulling Mayor Barakas arms and arresting him without probable cause, the filing added. Baraka was detained for several hours, photographed for a mugshot, and later released. The lawsuit argues that Habba and Patel conspired, with others, to effectuate the arrest premised upon a knowingly false affidavit, claiming the mayor trespassed on the facility when he had been allowed in by security staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also alleges that after video emerged affirming that Defendants Habba and Patel had lied, falsely arrested, and maliciously prosecuted Mayor Baraka, Defendant Habba threatened the Mayor with more false charges, claiming that she would charge him with resisting arrest if he did not agree to give up his right to sue for attorneys fees. He refused. The mayor is demanding compensatory damages, punitive damages, as well as compensation for his attorneys fees throughout the whole ordeal. If what the judge who dismissed the case against him had to say is anything to go by, Barakas chances in court look incredibly optimistic. 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. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speaks outside Peter Rodino Federal Courthouse while announcing a defamation suit against federal officials involved in his May arrest. (Sophie Nieto-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor) Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is suing federal officials over his May 9 arrest outside an immigration detention center, alleging malicious prosecution and false arrest. He also accused Alina Habba, the acting U.S. Attorney of New Jersey, of defamation over a post on her personal social media account, in which she wrongly stated that Baraka trespassed and ignored multiple warnings from authorities to leave the Newark detention center property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To arrest me, to handcuff me, to drag me away, to take my fingerprints and a picture and mugshots for a class-C misdemeanor is egregious. For me to appear in a hearing and after the hearing, for the U.S. Marshals to rush in and basically to take my picture again is egregious and malicious in my mind, he said Tuesday outside the federal courthouse in Newark. Baraka, one of six candidates vying to be the Democratic nominee in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy, filed the federal lawsuit on the first day of early voting in the state. He said the timing is so that people are held responsible for it immediately. Besides Habba, the 17-page complaint also named Ricky Patel, a supervising agent at Homeland Security Investigations, the agency that arrested Baraka. The mayor also filed a notice of his intent to sue the federal government, said Nancy Erika Smith, his attorney. Attorney Nancy Erika Smith speaks outside the federal courthouse in Newark on June 3, 2025. She represents Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in a defamation suit against federal officials. (Sophie Nieto-Munoz | New Jersey Monitor) Political prosecutions are for fascist countries, not the United States of America. Mayor Baraka was a target because he has stood up for the constitutional and human rights of all people, including immigrants, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka was arrested one week after Delaney Hall, now the largest detention center on the East Coast, opened its doors. He said he visited to check if its owner, Geo Group, had done the required inspections and secured a certificate of occupancy. The lawsuit details his arrest by the minute. He arrived at 1:42 p.m. and was invited eight minutes later by a Geo Group staffer inside the facilitys gates, where he waited until 2:33 p.m., the complaint states. Patel ordered Baraka to leave and threatened to arrest him, and Baraka left the property at 2:38 p.m., the suit states. Three New Jersey House members on site for a facility tour joined the mayor and advocated for his entry. Five minutes later, about 20 armed, masked Department of Homeland Security agents swarmed Baraka and violently arrested him without probable cause, the complaint says. He was taken to another DHS facility where agents photographed and fingerprinted him, an experience he called humiliating. He spent five hours in custody. Before agents took Baraka to the DHS facility, Habba already posted on social media that Baraka has willingly chosen to disregard the law. Later that evening, Habba also allegedly made false statements about his arrest on Fox News, and in public appearances with other DHS officials in the following days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit contends that Habba and Patel conspired to promote false and defamatory statements about what happened, including that Baraka stormed the facility. The false affidavit was made with malice, particularly seeking to assure that the evening news included videos of the Black mayor of Newark, New Jersey, being led away in handcuffs by federal officials, the filing states. Baraka said Tuesday that race played a role in the incident. Its easy for people to believe that a mayor being arrested, especially a mayor that looks like me, has been arrested for something other than what just happened When people see me in cuffs, they automatically believe I did something wrong, I was guilty, he said. The reality is, I didnt do anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habba attended a court hearing in Barakas case, an unusual move for a U.S. attorney. But his charge was dismissed 13 days after his arrest. He said he learned Habba planned to drop the charges only after she announced it on social media. Judge Andre Espinosa rebuked the U.S. Attorneys Office while dismissing the charge with prejudice, urging attorneys to operate with a higher standard and avoid using their roles to advance political agendas. The same day Barakas case was dismissed, Habba charged Rep. LaMonica McIver with two felony counts of assaulting officers during the scuffle. McIver has called the move purely political. Habba, Trumps personal attorney who he nominated to serve as interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, also has said shes investigating Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Matt Platkin over the states ban on local law enforcement assisting in civil immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Habba did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Habba took to social media Monday night to blast Baraka for suing her and offered him advice to instead prioritize violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey, she said. Smith responded by touting a drop in violent crime in Newark during Barakas term as mayor. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, sneered at Barakas lawsuit. Mayor Baraka is trying to rewrite history with this frivolous lawsuit. Its too late: The American people saw with their own eyes his actions that put the safety of our law enforcement agents and the staff at Delaney Hall at risk all for the sake of the dangerous criminals housed there, McLaughlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka is seeking compensatory damages for pain, suffering, stress, humiliation, mental anguish, personal physical injury, physical sickness and damage to his reputation. I dont know if Alina Habba and Ricky Patel have enough resources to pay me for the damages theyve caused me. At the end of the day, they should at least apologize they should at least write me a letter and apologize to me, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEWARK, N.J. (AP) Newark Mayor Ras Baraka sued New Jersey's top federal prosecutor on Tuesday over his arrest on a trespassing charge at a federal immigration detention facility, saying the Trump-appointed attorney had pursued the case out of political spite. Baraka, who leads New Jersey's biggest city, is a candidate in a crowded primary field for the Democratic nomination for governor next Tuesday. The lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba coincided with the day early in-person voting began. The lawsuit seeks damages for false arrest and malicious prosecution, and also accuses Habba of defamation for comments she made about his case, which was later dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing a post on X in which Habba said Baraka committed trespass, the lawsuit says Habba issued a defamatory statement and authorized his false arrest despite clear evidence that Mayor Baraka had not committed the petty offense of defiant trespass. The suit also names Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark. Baraka's attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, said they also expect to sue President Donald Trump's administration but are required to wait six months. This is not about revenge, Baraka said during a news conference. Ultimately, I think this is about them taking accountability for what has happened to me. Emails seeking comment were left Tuesday with Habbas office and the Homeland Security Department, where Patel works. Videos capture chaos outside the detention center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The episode outside the Delaney Hall federal immigration detention center has had dramatic fallout. It began on May 9 when Baraka tried to join three Democratic members of Congress Rob Menendez, LaMonica McIver and Bonnie Watson Coleman who went to the facility for an oversight tour, something authorized under federal law. Baraka, an outspoken critic of Trump's immigration crackdown and the detention center, was denied entry. Video from the event showed him walking from the facility side of the fence to the street side, where other people had been protesting. Uniformed officials then came to arrest him. As they did, people could be heard urging the group to protect the mayor. The video shows a crowd forming and pushing as officials led off a handcuffed Baraka. He was initially charged with trespass, but Habba dropped that charge last month and charged McIver with two counts of assaulting officers stemming from her role in the skirmish at the facility's gate. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa rebuked Habbas office after moving to dismiss the charges. The hasty arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, followed swiftly by the dismissal of these trespassing charges a mere 13 days later, suggests a worrisome misstep by your Office, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McIver decried the charges and signaled she plans to fight them. A preliminary hearing is scheduled later this month. Baraka said the aftermath of the withdrawn charge meant he had to explain it in the media and argue his case when he had done nothing wrong. I want somebody to apologize, write a letter, say this was wrong, come out and say, We shouldnt have done this, he said. New Jersey targeted over its so-called sanctuary policies Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed facility, opened earlier this year as a federal immigration detention facility. Florida-based Geo Group Inc., which owns and operates the property, was awarded a 15-year contract valued at $1 billion in February. The announcement was part of the presidents plans to sharply increase detention beds nationwide from a budget of about 41,000 beds this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baraka sued Geo soon after that deal was announced. Then, on May 23, the Trump Justice Department filed a suit against Newark and three other New Jersey cities over their so-called sanctuary policies. There is no legal definition for sanctuary city policies, but they generally limit cooperation by local law enforcement with federal immigration officers. New Jersey's attorney general has a statewide directive in place prohibiting local police from collaborating in federal civil immigration matters. The policies are aimed at barring cooperation on civil enforcement matters, not at blocking cooperation on criminal matters. They specifically carve out exceptions for when Immigration and Customs Enforcement supplies police with a judicial criminal warrant. The Justice Department said, though, the cities wont notify ICE when theyve made criminal arrests, according to the suit. It's unclear whether Baraka's role in these fights with the White House is affecting his campaign for governor. He's one of six candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the June 10 election to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Baraka explained the timing of the suit as an effort to get the case before the court before it was too late. He described the arrest and fallout as a distraction during the campaign. But I also think that us not responding is consent, he said. In a video ad in the election's final weeks, Baraka has embraced a theme his rivals are also pushing: affordability. He says he'll cut taxes. While some of the images show him standing in front of what appears to be Delaney Hall, he doesn't mention immigration or the arrest specifically, saying: Ill keep Trump out of your homes and out of your lives. Trump has endorsed Jack Ciattarelli, one of several Republicans running in the gubernatorial primary. Ciattarelli has said if he's elected, his first executive order would be to end any sanctuary policies for immigrants in the country illegally. ___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington contributed to this report. The newly-appointed head of Oregon's Public Defense Commission announced on Monday an effort to stem Oregon's public defense crisis. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) UPDATED at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday with a statement from Gov. Tina Koteks office. When Gov. Tina Kotek fired the head of Oregons embattled public defense commission in April, she gave its new director until June 1 to come up with a strategy to end the states ongoing public defender shortage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Interim Executive Director Ken Sanchagrin announced just that: A 12-month-long, seven-point plan by the agency that seeks to expand contracts with lawyers and nonprofits across the state, increase voluntary caseloads for available attorneys and onboard law students who can be supervised while providing a defense for those accused of crimes. The response marks the commissions first attempt at addressing the shortage since Kotek overhauled its leadership two months ago. It doesnt provide a timeline for exactly when the crisis should end, as Kotek requested in April, but Sanchagrin told reporters Monday that he estimates that counties most affected by the issue could see relief as early as mid-fall. We can make significant progress over the next 12 months, but I think that coming up with a date, as somebody who really lives in the data, thats not something that is really possible at this point, he said during a Monday media briefing. Given the increases in filings, and then given also some of these new proposals that weve put out that may or may not also be impacted by some legislative decisions that are being made, that makes it extremely difficult. A Kotek press secretary said she is reviewing the plan and advocating for the Legislature to put funding towards additional trial lawyers to resolve the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Governor believes the public defense crisis poses a threat to public safety and delays justice for victims, said spokesperson Roxy Mayer in a statement. She appreciates Director Sanchagrin for stepping up to take on this challenge and for working diligently to develop a plan moving forward. The announcement drew immediate praise from critics of the public defense agencys prior approaches to solving the crisis. We need to honor the hard work of public defenders and provide the appropriate level of representation and service for indigent defense. This plan does that with enhanced capacity and recruitment, said Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, in a statement Monday. We will continue to leverage the Legislatures accountability and oversight functions to ensure the agency has the tools to execute this plan and resolve the crisis. The public defense commission is an independent body with power originally delegated by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, designed with the goal of ensuring representation and defense counsel for all Oregonians. But under a law passed in 2023, control over the agencys oversight shifted to the executive branch at the beginning of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, the commission made headlines after Kotek fired its head leader and slammed the then-estimated number of Oregonians without representation for being at 4,000, which she had called unacceptable. Oregon employs an array of centralized and deployable trial lawyers, public defenders, and nonprofit attorneys to help ensure that those who cannot afford an attorney are given proper defense, an obligation mandated by the U.S. and Oregon constitutions. The issue has long concerned officials, with a scathing 2019 study slamming Oregons complex bureaucracy that collects a significant amount of indigent defense data, yet does not provide sufficient oversight or financial accountability. As of June 2, 3,779 people lack public defenders, according to the states dashboard, though Sanchagrins letter said that the number was upwards of 4,400 as of May 2025. The majority of cases involve the six crisis counties: Coos, Douglas, Jackson, Marion, Multnomah and Washington. Approaches in each of those localities will vary, but according to the plan, about 40% of an identified 176 attorneys with extra case capacity are based in these areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What were hoping to do is to proactively work with those individuals to identify who is willing and who has the ability to take additional cases above and beyond currentlimits amongst those individuals, Sanchagrin said. Then we can build that expectation into our contracts on the front end, which means it will be able to better predict and forecast what our case needs are going to be in a given area. In a statement, the Oregon Judicial Department said it was encouraged by the urgency demonstrated by Sanchagrins plan. While we have not yet had the opportunity to fully review this detailed document, we support this step toward data-driven solutions and stand ready to assist the OPDC as needed to move forward, wrote Chief Justice Meagan Flynn in a statement. Some of the plans ability to be implemented will hinge on current legislative and budget discussions currently underway at the state level, Sanchagrin said. Currently the Legislature is still negotiating the commissions final budget and considering House Bill 2614, which would declare the public defense crisis an emergency and extend contract availability until July 2033. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, helped lead the push in 2023 for legislation that allocated around $90 million to overhaul the public defense system. He told the Capital Chronicle on Monday that the plan represents the best opportunity we have for progress in sometime. Citing ongoing negotiations, he declined to comment on the budget or the legislation but said we are giving them more than the baseline they need to be able to serve to succeed. Weve purposefully taken the long view that this whole session of recognizing that public defense must be integrated into all aspects and you need the entire system healthy, he said. You cant just put money into one compartment and say, OK, somehow its going to work out. The amount of in-custody unrepresented individuals has sharply decreased since January around 30%, according to the commission. Much of that reduction, it says, is because of the work of its trial division, which has taken over 2,200 cases and deploys across the state to assist in cases requiring multijurisdictional authority or high levels of expertise to put on a defense. Under the new plan, the trial division will seek out new counties and jurisdictions in which it can intervene in the crisis, said Aaron Jeffers, the divisions chief deputy defender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Correction: The Oregon Public Defense Commission, formerly an independent body, moved under control of the executive branch in January 2025. NEWTON, Iowa A nonprofit in Newton is halfway to its fundraising goal for a safe haven baby box to be installed at the communitys hospital. The plan was first presented in 2024 when Jasper County Attorney General Scott Nicholson brought the idea to the Open Arms Foundation of Jasper County, a nonprofit that provides support for children facing crisis or are in the foster care system. Open Arms was founded last year and provides backpacks with necessary supplies and comfort items to children who were removed from their biological families. So far, the nonprofit has helped 200 children and families, according to founder and director Nick Pietrack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the beginning of 2025, Open Arms started fundraising for a baby box in Newton. Their goal is $30,000. Pietrack says the box is estimated to cost $20,000, plus $500 in annual fees for maintenance, training, certification, and other expenses. His goal is to raise enough that the cost is covered for many years. Sen. Joni Ernst responds to backlash from her sarcastic comments on Medicaid Around $15,000 has been raised so far, but the organization plans on fundraising for the rest of the year. Pietrack said the baby box will be installed in Newton even if the fundraising goal isnt met, but he commends the communitys ability to come together in support of this cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive seen a tremendous ability in Jasper County for us to gather our community for positive things. So, its very heartwarming and wonderful to see the support and were excited about it, he said. The baby box will be located at the MercyOne Newton Medical Center. Pietrack said the current plan is to have the box located outside the emergency room and near the ambulance bays, however the hospital will be remodeling soon, so the exact location in the hospital is subject to change. We want to be proactive, not reactive. So, the reason for some of the baby boxes being installed in other communities are reactive towards horrible incidences that have happened, tragic deaths of infant children, he said. Newton is now the fourth Iowa community to start the process of installing a baby box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iowa Safe Haven Act went into effect in 2002, and it provides parents in crisis an option to safely surrender an infant up to 90-days-old. The law was expanded in 2023, allowing communities to implement their own safe haven baby boxes. Since then, baby boxes were installed at the Fort Dodge Fire Department and the MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. The Norwalk Fire Department announced last year that they are in the process of installing a baby box as a result of a babys death in 2023. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced on Monday that a baby girl was recently surrendered safely through the Safe Haven Law. She is the third infant to be surrendered this year and the 77th since the law was put into effect, according to the departments press release. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. As consultant plastic surgeon at Manchesters busy Wythenshawe Hospital, a typical day for Dr Fouzia Choukairi involves spending hours in the operating theatre reconstructing someones limbs following a terrible traffic accident. But every few weeks, she or an on-call colleague will be buzzed to the A&E department where, among the melee of broken bones, bleeding gashes and limping children, she will face a different challenge: performing sometimes life-saving treatment on a patient who has returned from overseas having had cosmetic surgery. They may have had tummy tucks [abdominoplasty] or breast implants, she explains. But then they will have got a wound or implant infection after flying home, and they may be very, very sick. They can need life-saving treatment, and it can involve a huge team not just the A&E staff but surgeons, microbiologists, intensive care specialists, anaesthetists, nurses, wound care and rehabilitation staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The patients are often very grateful, and sometimes verbally regret having had the surgery, she adds. I guess youre not going to stop people from going abroad for surgery, but we do feel patients are not well-informed or well-equipped to deal with any complications. For years, NHS staff have voiced concern at having to mop up the mess caused by foreign cosmetic procedures mostly undertaken in Turkey, considered the medical tourism capital of the world. All too often, they say, the promise of cheap liposuction, BBLs (Brazilian butt lifts), facelifts and hair transplants promoted online and sold as part of luxury holiday packages can result instead in infections, blood clots, sepsis, deformities and even death. Now, however, they are warning of a new issue that of antibiotic-resistant superbugs being brought back from overseas into UK hospitals by these patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey is a gateway between East and West, explains Dr Choukairi, who also works at Hale Private Clinic in Manchester. You have a huge mixture of people from all over the world flowing through these hospitals, airports and hotels. The patient would have travelled back on a plane, perhaps with open wounds or dressings, and they can pick up multi-resistant bugs at any of these steps. Usually, antibiotics can target infections very efficiently but if youre faced with a multi-resistant bug or an unusual bug, you have to throw broad-spectrum antibiotics at it, which are not as efficient and may take longer to clear it. If the person is very sick and requires intensive care, this is the worst-case scenario. And, of course, there is a small risk these bugs can be passed onto the person in the next bed if, say, they are immunosuppressed or also have open wounds. Alarming developments Her concern over antibiotic-resistant bugs being brought into the NHS is not in isolation. At the recent Royal College of Nursing annual conference in Liverpool, NHS nurses spoke of horrific wounds and infections seen in patients following overseas surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nykoma Hamilton, an infection control nurse in Fife, Scotland, said patients were increasingly infected with bacteria resistant to even the strongest antibiotics a group of drugs called carbapenems, which are used as a last resort when all other antibiotics have proved ineffective. Describing the superbugs as the absolute granddaddy of resistance, she told the conference that NHS hospitals and clinics in her area had recorded a near 30 per cent increase in carbapenem-resistant bacteria in recent years. Our concerns relate to the fact that a lot of people are colonised with a lot of extensively drug-resistant organisms, she said. It is an alarming development. The World Health Organisation has previously warned that the world is heading for a post-antibiotic era, with figures from the UK Health Security Agency showing the number of antibiotic-resistant infections across the UK has grown by seven per cent in recent years, up from around 62,000 in 2019 to nearly 67,000 in 2023. Doctors are also warning the risk of such infections is only likely to grow due to the numbers having foreign cosmetic surgery rising each year. Last year, an estimated 150,000 Brits travelled to Turkey for beauty tweaks with some saying the rise of NHS weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have fuelled the trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massive weight loss can result in loose skin on the face, tummy, arms and thighs, says Dr Mo Akhavani, consultant plastic surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London, who regularly deals with post-operative complications. People understandably dont want to live with this, but the NHS has finite resources and, although the health benefits are well known, the procedure is deemed low priority, so people go overseas for cheap surgery. He adds: The surgeons in Turkey are often very good and the vast majority of operations go right, but the aftercare can be a problem. Dr Akhavani, who also works at Londons Plastic Surgery Group, says he has helped a growing number of patients, especially since Covid. In 2023, figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) also showed a 94 per cent rise in three years of people needing corrective surgery on the NHS with the total cost to the taxpayer being around 4.8 million. There are factors leading to this increased risk, he tells The Telegraph. First, if a patient has had huge weight loss, they may well have had other conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which can cause complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then they may have multi-site surgery, which UK doctors wouldnt advise doing, where loose or fat skin is removed from several areas, and perhaps combined with breast implants or other procedures, meaning longer on the operating table and an increased risk of blood clots and even death. Thirdly, patients must also refrain from getting on a flight for six weeks post-surgery but they often fly straight home, which can lead to wound-healing problems. Dr Akhavani adds, We see them in A&E sometimes with gaping wounds and pus pouring out. They need antibiotic drips, then can be taken into theatre to wash out the infection, and may end up in intensive care for weeks. Often we are giving life-saving treatment but we will not correct deformities, such as removed implants, from the emergency surgery. This is the NHS and that ultimately means taxpayers money needs to be protected. In 2022, a woman from Berkshire contracted a flesh-eating virus after having a 4,500 tummy tuck in Istanbul - Jam Press In previous years, both the BAAPS and the British Medical Association (BMA) have highlighted the risks involved with the $4.5 billion (3.5 billion) global industry. These include the lack of proper consultations and risk assessments, paperwork in a foreign language, and a financial commitment to the surgery prior to travel. Aftercare concerns With surgery tied to luxury packages, patients may often have top hotels and transport, but no health monitoring post-surgery. One doctor told The Telegraph in graphic detail of a patient who had had a BBL, but then flew home, with the fat seeping out of the wound while on the plane. The patient needed three separate surgeries to repair it and was left traumatised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second nurse at the recent RCN conference recounted a young woman who had skin removal in Turkey, then returned to the UK with a large thigh wound only loosely held together with stitches. She also had dying tissue and sepsis. All she told me about was how fantastic the hotel was after shed had her surgery and that they took her back to a posh car, she said. But there was no blood pressure testing, no aftercare for this woman at all. In fact, Im surprised she made it back on the flight. Its really scary. In 2022, a mother from Berkshire, known only as Carrie, contracted a flesh-eating virus after having a 4,500 tummy tuck in Istanbul. Four days after returning to the UK, she was rushed to hospital and treated for sepsis and organ failure. The same year, Pinky Jolley required treatment in two Liverpool hospitals following botched 2,100 gastric sleeve surgery abroad that left her with multiple infections, sepsis and a permanently damaged oesophagus and stomach. She was left needing a feeding tube and largely bed bound. Pinky Jolley needed treatment at two NHS hospitals in Liverpool after a botched 2,100 sleeve gastrectomy (also known as a gastric sleeve) left her with permanent damage - Asadour Guzelian The growing probability of superbugs has also been highlighted, with the BAAPS saying: Some people are returning with multi-resistant bacteria that are hard to treat and may infect other people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 2024, following a spate of deaths of women who had flown to Turkey for BBLs, these concerns reached the top of government, with Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, urging people to think very carefully before going overseas for surgery. Back on the NHS front line, however, doctors see little chance of this happening. Dr Amer Hussain is a plastic surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. His work involves reconstructing breasts for women who have had mastectomies following cancer. But at times he has to postpone such operations due to hospital bed shortages caused by beds occupied by those in need of urgent care. Dr Amer Hussain, right, with Dr Fouzia Choukairi - Paul Cooper Patients come in following Turkey operations with infected breast implants, he says. They have redness, fever or discharge from the wound and the implant needs to be removed. We are also seeing bad infections with the bugs not even necessarily endemic to Turkey, meaning they are coming from elsewhere in the world. Like all doctors, he is aware of the strain on the NHS. I do major breast reconstruction, often for cancer patients, and the backlog of these operations due to Covid has still not been reduced, he explains. So doing these emergency surgeries does have an impact on waiting times, beds and theatre time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is that this is high-volume surgery abroad, without checks and balances, and the NHS is being forced to step in. But it is frustrating, because at the end of the day, where resources are precious, they should be for patients who need them the most. 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 cast members of Parks and Recreation are remembering co-star Jonathan Joss after his shocking shooting death over the weekend. Nick Offerman said that he and his Parks and Recreation family have been texting together about it all day and that they are all heartbroken over Joss sudden passing. The cast has been texting together about it all day and were just heartbroken, Offerman, 54, said in a statement to People on Monday. Nick Offerman paid tribute to his Parks and Recreation co-star Jonathan Joss on Monday. AFP via Getty Images Joss starred as Chief Ken Hotate, the leader of the Native American Wamapoke Tribe, on Parks and Recreation from 2011 to 2015. NBC Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate, Offerman added. A terrible tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Pratt, who starred in Parks and Recreation alongside Offerman and Joss, also paid tribute to his late co-star following the news of the actors death. Damn. RIP Jonathan, Pratt, 45, wrote on social media. Always such a kind dude. Chris Pratt also paid tribute to Joss after he was fatally shot in Texas on Sunday, June 1. Facebook/Jonathan Joss He played Ken Hotate in Parks and was also in [The Magnificent Seven], Pratt added. Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones. Joss starred in Parks and Recreation for five years from 2011 through 2015. He appeared in a recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate, the leader of the Native American Wamapoke Tribe. Besides Offerman and Pratt, Joss also starred alongside Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza and Adam Scott on the beloved sitcom. Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate, Offerman said of Joss. Mitchell Haaseth/NBC Offerman and Pratts remarks came one day after Joss, 59, was shot and killed at his property in San Antonio, Texas, following an alleged dispute with his neighbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The King of the Hill voice actors suspected killer was identified as Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, and he was taken into custody on Sunday at approximately 7:05 p.m., The Post confirmed. Ceja was charged with felony first-degree murder, and his bond was set at $200K. His court date is scheduled for August. Joss suspected shooter has been identified as Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja. Facebook/Tristan Kern de Gonzales Joss husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, alleged in a lengthy Facebook post on Monday that the actors murder was a homophobic hate crime. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other, Joss husband wrote. However, the San Antonio Police Department denied those claims. Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales. Facebook/Tristan Kern de Gonzales Currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Josss murder was related to his sexual orientation, the department tweeted after de Gonzales claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also revealed that Joss, who voiced John Redcorn in King of the Hill, was reportedly escorted out of a panel for the Fox animated series just two days before he was fatally shot. The alleged incident unfolded at the ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, on Friday, May 30. Joss also voiced John Redcorn in King of the Hill. Facebook/Dale Bracey Witnesses claimed that Joss walked up to a microphone and began to speak before it was time for the audience to interact with those on the King of the Hill panel, including the shows co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels. Im an actor, Joss said in a clip of the incident before revealing how his home had burned down earlier this year. I see a mic, I use it. I see a wrong, I make it right. I take a breath, I want to breathe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An eyewitness claimed that security approached Joss and escorted him out of the venue after he began walking toward the stage where the panel was taking place. Joss as Chief Ken Hotate and Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation. NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection As Joss moved away from the mic to go back to his seat, thats when security told him he had to leave, and he exited the theater calmly and cooperatively, the onlooker claimed. Joss was fatally shot and killed two days after the ATX TV Festival. Neighbors claimed that Joss returned to his burned-down home to collect a victims fire fund check, which was when the suspected dispute with his suspected killer began. Nickelodeon Universe visitors might've been exposed to measles, MDH warns originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A Dakota County child infected with measles visited Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America in late May, state health officials said Monday. The Minnesota Department of Health said anyone at the theme park on Saturday, May 24 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. "may have been exposed and should be aware of any symptoms that develop between May 31 and June 14." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measles case detected in the child is one of two new measles cases recently confirmed by MDH, the agency announced. The other person infected with measles is a Washington County adult who was exposed during domestic air travel outside of Minnesota, MDH said. That individual's vaccination status is unverified. Adam Uren The Dakota County child infected with measles is unvaccinated, but had not traveled outside of Minnesota in the last month. How they contracted measles is unknown. Anytime we confirm a case of measles unrelated to travel that has no known source it is worrying, stated Jessica Hancock-Allen, director of the infectious diseases division at MDH. "This is because it could be a sign that measles is spreading in the community undetected by public health and healthcare systems. It is uncertain where the child was exposed and whether others may have been exposed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health officials are urging families to ensure their children are up to date on their immunizations as measles cases are on the rise in the U.S. and globally. Minnesota recorded 70 cases of measles in 2024 the highest number of cases seen since the 2017 outbreak involving unvaccinated children sickened 75. Over 730 measles cases nationally are linked to a major, ongoing outbreak in the West Texas. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for people to get the measles vaccine, but has also faced criticism for falsely claiming the vaccine hasn't been adequately tested and offers only short-lived protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children should receive two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinethe first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at 4 to 6 years of age, according to MDH. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered 97% effective at preventing measles. Understanding measles symptoms and how the illness spreads Measles spreads easily by coughing, talking or being in the same room with someone who has measles, which can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours. According to Mayo Clinic, measles incubates and spreads throughout the body without signs and symptoms for 10 to 14 days. Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose, inflamed or watery eyes and a sore throat. The relatively mild phase of the illness lasts two-to-three days typically, with rash onset following. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rash consists of small, slightly-raised red spots and bumps in tight clusters, typically appearing on the face initially. Measles can be serious or deadly for all age groups, but it's particularly dangerous for children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 20, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, around one out of every four people who get measles in the United States require hospitalization. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. By Ope Adetayo ABUJA (Reuters) -Nigeria's defence chief on Tuesday called for the country's borders with its four neighbours to be completely fenced to curb the entrance of armed groups amid escalating insecurity. Nigeria's military has been strained by widespread security issues, particularly a 16-year insurgency in the northeast led by Islamist militant group Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province. Security forces and civilians have been attacked and killed and tens of thousands of people have been displaced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defence Chief of Staff, General Christopher Musa, who spoke at a security conference in the capital Abuja, said "border management is very critical," citing Pakistan's 1,350 km (839 miles) fence with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia's 1,400 km barrier with Iraq as successful precedents. This is the first time a top Nigerian official has publicly suggested such a measure. "Other countries, because of the level of insecurity they have, had to fence their borders," he said. Nigeria borders Niger Republic, Cameroon, Benin, and Chad, which are all grappling with escalating militant campaigns across the Sahel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigerian authorities often attribute its prolonged insurgency, including recent attacks on military stations, to foreign fighter infiltration. Nigeria's longest border (1,975 km) is with Cameroon in the northeast, a Boko Haram hotspot. It also shares 1,500 km with Niger and 85 km with Chad, nations that have lost territory to armed groups. Musa warned Nigeria's perceived wealth makes it a target. "It is Nigeria that everybody is interested in. That is why we need to secure fully and take control of our borders," he said. "It is critical for our survival and sovereignty." (Reporting by Ope Adetayo; Editing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Sharon Singleton) An employee of the Albuquerque Interagency Dispatch Center stands at her desk to monitor wildfire starts, pictured May 2022. The dispatch centers in Albuquerque and Silver City are no longer at risk of closing amid DOGE's cost-cutting efforts, according to U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) (Photo courtesy Cibola National Forest) Two federal offices housing wildfire dispatch centers that coordinate the detection of and response to wildfires for much of New Mexico no longer face risk of lease cancellations, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) said Tuesday. In early March, Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency listed two national forest supervisors offices in Albuquerque and Silver City among several hundred announced lease closures aimed at cutting federal spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The offices also housed interagency wildfire dispatch centers, which house equipment and personnel crucial to ensuring that small wildfire starts are quickly noticed and extinguished before they become larger. A Source NM review of the online DOGE list of lease terminations showed that neither of the two offices remain on the list; nor do any other Forest Service offices nationwide. They appear to have been removed in the last week. Heinrich questioned Agriculture Department Secretary Brooke Rollins about the centers recently during her testimony before a Senate committee. He confirmed Tuesday in a statement to Source New Mexico that the dispatch centers would remain open. Im proud to announce that the Interagency Dispatch Centers in Albuquerque and Silver City will be staying open, he said. These centers are essential to help protect New Mexicans during wildfires, floods, and other emergencies. Thats why I called Secretary Rollins as soon as I heard that DOGE was planning to close them. Today, we put an end to DOGEs reckless efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 500 offices remain on the DOGE list, down from roughly 750 in early March, according to a Source NM review. Many, but not all, Agriculture Department offices have been removed from the list. The dispatch centers monitor most of Central and Southwest New Mexico, a 45,000-square-mile area, and coordinate the deployment of people, vehicles and aircraft to suppress wildfires as quickly as possible. Already this year, the dispatch center in Albuquerque has responded to 172 wildfires in its coverage area, and the one in Silver City has responded to 64, according to dispatch center data. The threatened closure of the Silver City Dispatch Center, in particular, alarmed some in the area because it was unclear where another dispatch center could go in the rural area. The dispatch center, which oversees the Gila National Forest, is in the epicenter of where national forecasters warn wildfire risk is highest this season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the General Services Administration, which manages federal leases, referred comment to the Agriculture Department. Spokespeople for the national forests where the offices are housed did not respond to Sources request for comment Tuesday. The removals occur as Musk departs the White House. Heinrichs statement did not provide more details on why most other Forest Service offices nationwide no longer appear on the DOGE list, but he noted how important the ones in New Mexico are to preventing disasters. The Interagency Dispatch Centers help get resources like airtankers from Kirtland Air Force Baseto where theyre needed, and fast. As fire seasons get longer and more dangerous, and post-fire floods continue to threaten our communities, Ill keep fighting to make sure our firefighters and emergency crews have the tools they need to keep our communities safe, he said. The DOGE list said ending the two New Mexico leases would save taxpayers about $1 million a year. 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. A useful one-sentence guide to the second Trump administration might go something like this: A lot happens under Donald Trump, but a lot un-happens, too. In the past four months, President Trump has announced tariffs on Canada, paused tariffs on Canada, restarted tariffs on Canada, ruled out tariffs on certain Canadian goods, and then ruled in, and even raised, tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats just for starters. On April 2, so-called Liberation Day, Trump announced a broader set of tariffs on almost every country in the world. Soon after, the plan was half-suspended. Then Trump announced a new set of elevated tariffs on China, from which he backtracked as well. Next the courts, as often happens, took over the job of erasing the presidents previously announced policies. Last week, a trade court struck down the presidents entire Liberation Day tariff regime as unconstitutional, only for a federal circuit court to reinstate the tariffs shortly thereafter. Now a higher court has the opportunity to do the funniest thing: undo the undoing of the undoing of the tariffs, which have been in a permanent state of being undone ever since they were created. Got all that? No, you most certainly do not, and neither does anybody else. Economists and corporate executives Ive interviewed to understand future tariff policy have communicated to me a combination of confusion, fury, and resignation. Commentators have noticed the chaos too, of course. Observing how frequently Trump seems to back out of his own brinkmanship, the Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong memorably deemed this trend TACO, or Trump Always Chickens Out. [David A. Graham: The TACO presidency] Un-happening doesnt affect just trade and economic policy. In the realm of foreign policy, the Trump administration paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine after the ignominious on-camera spat between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vice President J. D. Vance. Trump went further, claiming that Ukraine had started the war and that Zelensky was a dictatorraising the prospect that the administration was on the verge of explicitly aligning with Russia. Days later, the administration reversed course and resumed intelligence sharing and security assistance. Trump has since attacked Russian President Vladimir Putin for being absolutely CRAZY! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Un-happening also affects media, immigration, science, and education policy. Judges have ruled that the administration improperly froze grant money, inappropriately blocked the Associated Press from the White House press pool, and illegally sought to place sanctions on law firms that have done work, or employed lawyers, that Trump found unsuitable. On immigration, judges have blocked several of the administrations measures, including its invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to remove migrants and its attempt to bar Harvards international students. Federal judges have blocked so much of the Trump agenda that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has described the constitutional balance of power as a form of judicial tyranny. I know this is inflammatory, Vance said in an interview with The New York Times, but I think you are seeing an effort by the courts to quite literally overturn the will of the American people. The administrations claims to monarchical power are a real threat to Americas constitutional order. But its executive orders and policy feints are so haphazard and poorly articulated that they amount to a kind of autocratic takeover written in smudge-able crayon: terrifying, cartoonish, and vulnerable to erasure, all at once. [J. Michael Luttig: The end of rule of law in America] This is not to say that Americans should ignore Trumps efforts to make confetti of the Constitution. Rather, when evaluating any one Trump policy, one has to keep front of mind the possibility that it simply wont exist by the end of the week. Despite an energetic effort by some right-wing intellectuals to make Trump out to be some kind of 14-dimensional-chess player, his approach doesnt resemble chess so much as a denial-of-service attack on a functioning government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All this un-happening shows both the upside and the downside of Trumps political instincts. The presidents slippery relationship to his own policy agenda can serve as a kind of superpower, as Ross Douthat wrote in The New York Times. The TACO reputation is crucial to Trumps political resilience, because the willingness to swerve and backpedal and contradict himself is a big part of what keeps the president viable. The constant backtracking gives Trump the ability to both bend the Constitution to its breaking point and always step back to claim that anything extreme is also provisional, Douthat wrote. Indeed, Trumps approval rating for trade has rebounded since its Liberation Day implosion, according to several polls. Questions of popularity aside, however, businesses tend to prefer certainty over promises and threats that keep disappearing. At some point, Trumps pledge to reinvigorate American industry and energy will require fat investments in factories and supply chains. Multi-hundred-million-dollar investments require clear expectations of financial return. Those arent going to happen in a world where each policy idea boasts a half-life of 48 hours. Steve Bannon coined one of the most famous Trump-world truisms when he revealed MAGAs media strategy to flood the zone with shit. Far stranger, however, is the administrations insistence on flooding the policy zone with Schrodingers catsexecutive orders and Truth Social posts that exist in a liminal state among existence, nonexistence, and imminent radioactive decay. The substantive problem with the MAGA agenda isnt just that too much is happening for any median voter to follow; its that too much is un-happening for employers, investors, and consumers to know what the hell to do about it. Article originally published at The Atlantic Editors note: This story talks about suicide and may be provoking for some viewers/readers. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Sedgwick County district attorney does not plan to file charges against two officers who shot and killed a suicidal man last year. On Tuesday, District Attorney Marc Bennett released his review of the death of Bill Osterhout, who was shot and killed in Haysville on March 26, 2024. Two days before the shooting, the 68-year-old man argued with his girlfriend. Haysville police officers were sent to investigate a possible domestic violence situation. Officers said that neither party reported physical violence. The officers filed a report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 26, the girlfriend called 911 to report that Osterhout was possibly suicidal based on a string of text messages she had received from him. The Haysville Police Department began looking for him and found him sitting in his pickup in front of the Main Street Liquor Store. An officer began talking to him. Osterhout said he was not suicidal and did not have a gun. But another officer saw a gun between his thighs and notified the other officers on the scene. Police asked Osterhout to give up his gun. He refused and began pointing it at his own head. The district attorneys report includes photos from police body cameras showing Osterhout pointing the gun at himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers pleaded with him not to hurt himself. Osterhout told the officers to shoot him. One person was killed after a shooting in the 200 block of N. Main St. in Haysville on March 26, 2024 (KSN Photo) At some point, Osterhout began to turn the gun toward an officer, and two other officers opened fire. Each officer fired 11 shots. Osterhout was hit 12 times. He died at the scene. One person was killed after a shooting in the 200 block of N. Main St. in Haysville on March 26, 2024 (KSN Photo) The district attorneys review included interviews with witnesses and the officers. The interviews were conducted by the Sedwick County Sheriffs Office and the Wichita Police Department. The investigation also included a review of body camera footage and surveillance video. Mr. Osterhout yelled at the police to shoot him and ultimately directed his weapon towards Officers 1 and 3 who were at the passenger door, prompting Officer 3 and Officer 2 to fire at Mr. Osterhout, resulting in his death, Bennett wrote in his review. Under the totality of the circumstances, Officers 2 and 3 are clearly immune from prosecution under Kansas law. If you or someone you know needs help, there are resources available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available any time of day or night. Just call 988. To learn more about the NAMI Peer-to-Peer program and other resources in our community, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Israeli soldiers on Monday blocked an international media tour organized by No Other Land directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham in the occupied West Bank, preventing journalists from entering the village featured in their Oscar-winning doc. The doc depicts the Israeli governments efforts to force Palestinians to leave their homes in Masafer Yatta in the southern West Bank. The directors had invited a dozen local and international journalists to visit and witness reportedly worsening violence by Israeli settlers and demolitions at Adras home village of At-Tuwani. But the journalists and a Palestinian Authority delegation were blocked by Israeli forces, who said they had a warrant to set up a checkpoint. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video posted by Abraham on social media, he is heard telling Israeli soldiers: You know that they are journalists. Theyre coming to see the destruction in Masafer Yatta, the way that you are destroying the community, the settler violence is dangerous. An Israeli officer responds in the video that the ban on journalists crossing over into the West Bank is to maintain order in the area. After the army destroyed a village and allowed settlers to invade it, they are now blocking our tour with dozens of international journalists saying theyre not allowed to enter Masafer Yatta and visit @basel_adra home. pic.twitter.com/1wEek6BeA6 Yuval Abraham (@yuval_abraham) June 2, 2025 In the 90s, Masafer Yatta was designated as a live-fire training zone where the Israeli military exercises full control. The West Bank is home to roughly 3 million Palestinians, but also some 500,000 Israelis living in settlements that are considered illegal under international law. In March, only a few weeks after No Other Land won the best documentary Oscar, Hamdan Ballal, a co-director on the doc along with Adra, Abraham and Rachel Szor, was attacked and heavily beaten by Israeli settlers near his village and then arrested and held overnight in an army facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These police officers and soldiers that are here now to prevent the international media, not only do they not come to prevent the settler violence, often they partake in it, Abraham told French news agency AFP, which was on the premises having been invited on the media tour. Abraham added that he has been trying to cling on to hope that the Oscar success of No Other Land would help raise global awareness and stop the violence in Masafer Yatta. Unfortunately, the world now knows, but there is no action, he told the AFP. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won a significant legal victory at the states highest court, clearing the path for his lawsuit against a border aid organization to proceed. The Supreme Court of Texas overturned a lower court injunction that had halted Paxtons prosecution of Annunciation House, an El Paso nonprofit accused of illegally harboring undocumented immigrants. Today is a great victory for Texas, secure borders, and the rule of law, Paxton said in a press release following the ruling. Annunciation House has flagrantly violated our laws by harboring illegal aliens and assisting them to enter further into our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case stems from a 2024 lawsuit filed by Paxtons office against the El Paso-based organization. The Attorney General alleges the group operates as a stash house in violation of Texas Penal Code provisions. Paxtons legal team built its case on what it describes as substantial public evidence and employee admissions. They argue that these revelations demonstrate systematic law violations by the nonprofit organization. An El Paso County district judge initially granted Annunciation Houses request for an injunction, effectively halting the states legal action against the Catholic-affiliated aid group. The state Supreme Courts decision addressed more than just procedural matters. Justices explicitly rejected claims that Paxton targeted the organization because of its religious connections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high court found no evidence to support accusations of religious discrimination in the case. Justices also reminded the trial court to presume the Attorney General acted in good faith and with legality. Paxton vowed to continue his enforcement efforts against similar organizations. I will do everything in my power to stop them and any other NGO breaking our laws, he stated. Amy Warr, an attorney for Annunciation House, argued before the Texas Supreme Court that the religious organization has not broken any laws and has never hidden immigrants from law enforcement officers. She claimed that Paxtons attack against the nongovernmental organization is just anti-immigration political rhetoric, the El Paso Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling represents another chapter in ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement along the Texas-Mexico border. Humanitarian aid organizations are frequently caught between federal immigration policy and state-level prosecution efforts. With the injunction lifted, the case returns to the trial court level. Annunciation House will face the underlying criminal allegations in proceedings that can now proceed. Ukraines audacious drone strike on Sunday that may have destroyed several Russian strategic bombers has confirmed long-held fears about first-person view drones, or FPVs, being launched from commercial containers for a surprise attack. Videos purportedly show the Ukrainian drones being launched from trucks parked near their targets thousands of miles inside Russia. Dubbed Operation Spiders Web, the attack was 18 months in the making and involved 117 Ukrainian drones launched against four airfields. Ukraines intelligence service claims the FPVs were smuggled into Russia, where they were hidden in the roofs of wooden sheds, which were placed on trucks. Then the trucks were driven near the Russian airfields and the drones were launched remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines attack has revealed that military installations far from the front lines can still be vulnerable to drone attacks. It also comes as the U.S. military struggles to prevent drone incursions at its bases. In 2024 alone, there were hundreds of incidents involving drones flying over military bases within the continental United States and Alaska, Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, or NORTHCOM, said in February. There were 350 detections reported last year on military installations, and that was 350 over a total of 100 different installations of all types and levels of security, Guillot told the Senate Armed Services Committee. Its possible for an adversary to launch drones against military installations in the United States in the same way that Ukraine attacked Russian bases, said Masao Dahlgren, who writes about missile defense for the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats an assumption that we are far from the adversary, we have oceans separating us, that were somehow far away from these threats, Dahlgren told Task & Purpose. But as these kinds of incidents show, that threat is not as far as we would like to think. More drone defenses are needed Despite the urgent need, the U.S. military has not yet invested enough in low-altitude drone defenses to protect its bases at home from an attack by FPV drones, Dahlgren said. For the most part, military installations, cities, and critical infrastructure within the United States are not protected by weapon systems designed to destroy drones, such as the Low, Slow, Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System, or LIDS, Dahlgren said. The U.S. military typically deploys those types of weapons overseas because it remains focused on defeating enemy air forces instead of protecting against drone attacks launched from concealed locations. Right now, stateside military bases may be equipped with jammers and other soft kill methods to stop drones, but the Defense Department needs to rapidly field more drone defenses to protect the United States as a whole, Dahlgren said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. military needs to use both aircraft and balloons equipped with sensors to counter drones because the radars that monitor U.S. airspace are not ideal for detecting low-altitude threats, as evidenced when a man managed to land a gyrocopter in front of the Capitol building in 2015, Dahlgren said. Ukraine's domestic security agency, the SBU, acknowledged that it carried out the operation, codenamed 'Spider's Web' and said it had caused considerable damage, estimated at $7 billion https://t.co/BWJcwtCR51 pic.twitter.com/gYS0wN2jYr Reuters (@Reuters) June 2, 2025 The No. 1 problem in my mind is sensors, Dahlgren said. These targets fly low, and if your radar, your sensor, is on the ground, youre not going to see them come over the horizon. They literally can fly under the radar until theyre quite close. Is the U.S. military prepared? In recent years, the U.S. military has been preparing to defend against small unnamed aerial systems. For example, the Army has updated the capstone event of basic training to teach soldiers how to conceal themselves from drones. While certain stateside military installations, such as nuclear missile bases, are well protected, service members at other bases wouldnt be able to do much to respond to the type of surprise drone attack that was planned over many months, like Operation Spiders Web, a former senior Defense Department official told Task & Purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Task & Purpose asked each of the military branches about Operation Spiders Web specifically focusing on what countermeasures or steps could be taken to prevent a similar strike against U.S. bases at home and abroad. The U.S. Army actively monitors all modern warfare developments, including the recent drone attacks reported in Russia over the weekend, said Army spokesperson Maj. Montrell Russell. Our primary focus is protecting our homeland, personnel, and critical assets. We regularly update our training and defensive measures to address evolving threats from unmanned aerial systems. While specific tactics cannot be disclosed for security reasons, the Army is committed to ensuring our forces are prepared for current and emerging challenges. The Marine Corps has already fielded several systems to its installations that are designed to track, identify and defeat small drones as part of its preparations to defend airfields and other critical infrastructure against drone attacks, said Lt. Col. Eric Flanagan, a spokesman for Combat Development and Integration. Other drone countermeasures include the vehicle-mounted Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS, Flanagan said. The Marine Corps is also developing a Light-MADIS, or L-MADIS, for Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Marines also announced earlier this year that deploying units would be equipped with prototype systems meant to counter small drones. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said on Tuesday that the service has budgeted money to add protections to its bases, but he added that the service needs to do more. We could really make it very defensible, but if all were doing is playing defense and we cant shoot back, then thats not a use for our money, Allvin said while speaking at a conference held by the Center for a New American Security think tank in Washington, D.C. Allvin also said the Air Force needs to think about the offensive potential of small drones, noting that Operation Spiders Web has shown that seemingly impenetrable locations need to pay more attention to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the Navy deferred questions on the matter to NORTHCOM. A NORTHCOM spokesperson described the threat that small unmanned aircraft pose to military and civilian infrastructure as serious and growing. The command has fielded mobile systems to help detect and neutralize drones; bolstered drone defenses at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and Fort Bliss, Texas; and it continues to test new technologies, such as at the Desert Peak exercise this April at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, as part of the U.S. militarys ongoing mission along the southern border. Russian investigators have questioned the drivers of the trucks from which drones were launched during a large-scale attack on military targets. From Russian media: One of the drivers, a 55-year-old man from Chelyabinsk named Alexander Z., said that the truck belonged to a pic.twitter.com/L1lYoRv0d3 Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) June 2, 2025 We remain clear-eyed about the need to further increase our collective ability to defend installations and infrastructure against an increasing range of potential threats, the spokesperson said. Layered defense Ultimately, there is no silver bullet to the threat posed by drones, said retired Army Maj. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner, former commanding general of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat posed by drones requires a response from the entire government, including the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Aviation Administration, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, Shoffner told Task & Purpose. Drones come in many different shapes and sizes, each with its own physical and electronic signature, Shoffner said. They also use a variety of methods to navigate, requiring different types of defenses. Some drones, for example, are guided by fiber optic cables, making them difficult to counter using electronic means. What we want are multiple lines of defense, Shoffner said. We want to intercept the threat as far out as possible and as soon as possible. A wake-up call The threat posed by small drones is so serious that it could change how the U.S. military approaches air defense, Dahlgren said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We used to consider air defense its own specialty in the armed forces, Dahlgren said. Youd have like youre an air defender. But now everyone has to be. So, theres going to be a lot of change in the pipeline, I hope. One way of getting that sort of expertise into the pipeline could be to have training that requires U.S. troops to identify and defeat short-range quad-copters through a combination of signals intelligence, electronic warfare and weapons that can destroy small drones, said Samuel Bendett, a drone expert. Ukraines attack on Russia also shows what can happen when aircraft are not parked in protected hangars, and are then vulnerable to attacks from small drones, said Bendett, an advisor to the Russia Studies Program at CNA as a Washington DC-based not-for-profit research and analysis organization. This attack is probably a wake-up call for many militaries that station their long-range heavy aircraft on the open tarmac across their bases, Bendett told Task & Purpose. Russian mil bloggers also pointed out that they called out the MOD [ministry of defense] for failing to keep such strategic planes in hangars, or under, even with rudimentary physical protection. The latest on Task & Purpose By Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) -The idled Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine is not in a condition to be restarted at present, due to a lack of water for cooling and the absence of a stable power supply, the head of the UN's nuclear safety watchdog said on Tuesday. Water would have to be pumped from the Dnipro River for the plant, which has not generated power for nearly three years, to restart, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility, located in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region and Europe's largest nuclear plant, was occupied by Russia in March 2022, shortly after it launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Before the war, the plant generated a fifth of Ukraine's electricity. Speaking in an interview in Kyiv, Grossi said the Russians had "never hidden the fact" that they want to restart the plant, but added they would not be able to do so soon. The plant is less than 10 km (6 miles) from Ukrainian positions on the other side of the Dnipro River. It has six reactors, the last of which stopped generating electricity in September 2022. The water level of its cooling pond, which sits on the southern bank of the Dnipro, dropped significantly in the summer of 2023 after the Kakhovka dam was destroyed downstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearby areas regularly come under artillery and drone bombardment, which has on occasion damaged the two remaining power lines supplying the electricity needed for the plant to cool itself, even in its dormant state. Both sides accuse each other of being responsible for the attacks. Greenpeace issued a report last week saying Russia was building a 90-km high-voltage power line to connect the power plant to its grid. Grossi said the IAEA did not agree with that report's conclusions. "There are some areas where there has been some work, but we do not have any concrete evidence that this is part of a concerted, orchestrated plan to connect the power plant in one sense or the other." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not in a situation of imminent restart of the plant. Far from that, it would take quite some time before that can be done," Grossi said. The plant's machinery would have to be thoroughly inspected before any restart, he added. "You can imagine in such a huge piece of machinery, you have pumps, you have bolts, you have pipes, you have a number of things that may be suffering corrosion." Grossi said that if enough water could be pumped in from the Dnipro River, all six of the plant's reactors could eventually be restarted, although "a number of things" would need to be done beforehand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RUSSIAN TECHNICIANS Ukraine has said that any attempt by Russian technicians to restart the plant would be dangerous because they are not certified to operate it. Grossi said Russian nuclear staff were capable of conducting a restart, and that the issue of certification was a political rather than technical one. "They are professionals -- they know what they are doing," he said. Ukraine has also protested at the IAEA's monitoring mission to the plant accessing it via Russian-occupied territory. Grossi said this was to protect the safety of his staff, and that at present he does not have the necessary guarantees from the Russian side to safely transit IAEA staff through the frontlines to Ukraine-controlled territory, as had been done several times in the past. (Reporting by Max HunderEditing by William Maclean and Frances Kerry) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted above-normal hurricane activity this summer in its annual outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. A news release from the organization published last week forecasts a range of 13 to 19 total named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher. NOAA estimated a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. Of the number of storms predicted, six to 10 are forecast to become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher. Three to five of those may become major category 3, 4 or 5 hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NOAA stated in the release it has 70% confidence in these ranges. NOAA and the National Weather Service are using the most advanced weather models and cutting-edge hurricane tracking systems to provide Americans with real-time storm forecasts and warnings, said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in the release. With these models and forecasting tools, we have never been more prepared for hurricane season. This years hurricane season is expected to be above normal because of warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear and potential for higher activity from the West African monsoon, NOAA stated. ENSO-neutral conditions, otherwise referred to as El Nino and La Nina, are also optimal this year for producing storms. More on the El Nino Southern Oscillation cycle can be read here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, the more heat there is settling in the Atlantic Basin, the more energy there is to fuel potential storms. NOAA stated that a reduction in trade winds also allows these storms to develop without disruption. As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities, said Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm, in the release. NOAA is critical for the delivery of early and accurate forecasts and warnings, and provides the scientific expertise needed to save lives and property. The release stated that 2025s hurricane season also has potential for the West African monsoon to produce tropical waves feeding into some of the strongest and most long-lived Atlantic storms In my 30 years at the National Weather Service, weve never had more advanced models and warning systems in place to monitor the weather, said Ken Graham, NOAAs national weather service director, in the release. This outlook is a call to action: be prepared. Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure youre ready before a storm threatens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was particularly impactful for the transportation industry. Hurricane Helene destroyed key infrastructure in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, cutting off interstate access along I-40 for months. The interstate connection reopened in February of this year, but heavy rainfall through April and May have contributed to high water levels and additional flood damage along smaller roads in the Carolina mountains. Asheville and other smaller towns still are fighting to rebuild infrastructure that was destroyed in the storm and to secure additional funding resources for that rebuild. Carriers and logistics companies should look to SONAR critical events for tools to help plan decisions during storms this hurricane season. The post NOAA releases 2025 hurricane forecast appeared first on FreightWaves. NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) North Attleboro voters approved a tax hike Tuesday to build a new high school. Patricia Dolan, North Attleboros election coordinator, told 12 News nearly 6,500 residents voted in the special election, with roughly 4,000 voting yes and about 2,500 voting no. The project is estimated to cost $288 million, with the state picking up about $107 million of that, according to the towns website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average homeowner will see their property taxes increase by nearly $1,000 per year for 30 years. Swipe through the slideshow below to view the renderings of the new high school. North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) North Attleboro High School renderings (Courtesy: John J. Antonucci) 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. HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Henry County Sheriffs Office deputy conducted a traffic stop at 4090 Virginia Avenue after seeing a car with possible fabricated tags with four individuals inside. During the investigation, the deputy realized the drivers and passengers statements were not aligning. The deputy then searched with the Martinsville Police Department and their K-9 unit. The K-9 then alerted to the smell of narcotics, therefore leading the deputies to search the vehicle. During the search, a handgun and suspected pre-packaged bags of methamphetamine were found with five varieties of pressed pills, various colored powder substances, and various other items consistent with the distribution of narcotics were located. (Photo Credit: Henry County Sheriffs Office) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the situation was further investigated, it was determined that the items belonged to 26-year-old Terri Lynn Warren of Caswell, North Carolina. Possession with the intent to distribute a Schedule I/II Substance in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-248 Possession of a Firearm while in possession of a Schedule I/II Substance in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-308.4 Possession of a Concealed Weapon in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-308 She is currently being held at the Henry County Detention Center without bond. This is an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information is to contact the Henry County Sheriffs Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid. 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 WFXRtv. Jason Grueneich, pictured June 2, 2025, at the Capitol in Bismarck, is a 2025 Bush Fellow. Grueneich works to build support for people living with HIV, including advocating for legislation approved earlier this year. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor) A Bismarck man who has experienced substance abuse, recovery and living with HIV is hoping to develop his leadership skills after being awarded a Bush Foundation fellowship. Ive been able to change my own life and work to help others to do the same, Jason Grueneich told the North Dakota Monitor. Im just lucky to be alive and here doing the work. And its amazing that the Bush Foundation saw something in me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grueneichs work includes being an advocate for those living with HIV. He created Bismarcks first LGBTQ+ recovery group and this year founded Shine Bright and Live, an HIV-focused nonprofit, and helped repeal a North Dakota state law that he said stigmatized people who are HIV positive. Grueneich is one of three North Dakotans awarded a Bush Fellowship in 2025. Up to 30 Bush Fellows are selected each year to receive up to $150,000 to support their leadership goals. Fellows can come from any sector including business, nonprofit and government, according to the Bush Foundation. Grueneich said the Bush Foundation isnt so much about funding a project but investing in leaders. Leaders work to bring as many people with them as possible, Grueneich said. It ripples out into the community and raises people up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gruenich grew up in Bismarck but said he moved away, developed a substance abuse problem and became infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He returned to Bismarck and went through a recovery program in 2016. Since then, I have dedicated myself to community, Grueneich said. Other ND Bush Fellows Sarah Dixon-Hackey and Richard Pallay III. (Courtesy of the Bush Foundation) Two other North Dakota also were awarded a Bush Fellowship. Sarah Dixon-Hackey of West Fargo will pursue certification in suicide prevention skills, expand her expertise in digital media, and deepen her research into cultural disparities in care, according to a news release. She has created storytelling projects with college students and produced podcasts for refugee families to amplify underrepresented voices, especially on the topic of mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richard Pallay III of Fargo has used his experience as a DJ to found the cultural initiative WEAREONE. He also launched Soul Dads, a peer support network for Black fathers that blends mentorship with creative expression. Pallay will use his Bush Fellowship to launch a statewide artist network and scale Soul Dads into a model that can be replicated, the news release said. Grueneich chairs the North Dakota HIV Advisory Board while working in state government. He has worked for the Department of Transportation for the past five years and is operations manager for the drivers license division. After founding Shine Bright and Live in January, Grueneich spent time at the Capitol advocating for the repeal of a state law that makes it a felony to willfully transfer body fluid containing the HIV virus. Rep. Gretchen Dobervich, D-Fargo, sponsored House Bill 1217 that repeals the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the law singled out HIV from other infectious diseases by creating the felony crime and discouraged people from getting tested for HIV, leading to the potential spread of the virus. The law, had the opposite effect of what it was intended, Dobervich said. She said Grueneich was instrumental in getting the bill through the Legislature. He was able to make the issue real, Dobervich said. Testifying in front of a legislative committee was new for him, Grueneich said. A leader faces fears, Grueneich said. Somebody living with HIV, standing in front of the Legislature numerous times when theres a lot of stigma about HIV can be daunting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his testimony, Gruenich cited President Donald Trump, who in his first term in 2019, used the State of the Union address to announce a plan to end the HIV epidemic. Grueneich said it was a way to find common ground on HIV issues. Unfortunately, we see now the administration is cutting funding for HIV prevention. Its cutting funding for the years of work weve had on finding HIV vaccination or care, he said. Grueneich said one way he hopes to benefit from the Bush Fellowship is learning how to deal with traumatic life experiences that come with working with high-risk communities such as HIV and recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre continually working through trauma and loss, Grueneich said. I want to learn how to heal and process those losses, so I can teach others how they can process that and then refill their cups so they can keep doing the work thats necessary. Editors note: The North Dakota Monitor is a recipient of funding from the Bush Foundation through its media partnership program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A Northbrook man was charged with felony aggravated assault against a municipal employee after he pointed a handgun at a village of Northbrook code enforcement official, police say, in a dispute over a permit to install solar panels. Police later obtained a search warrant and discovered a stockpile of guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition in the residents home. Tadeusz Kurzynowski, of the 1000 block of Longaker Road, Northbrook, was arrested and charged with a fourth degree felony May 13 after he pointed a gun at the Village of Northbrooks zoning administrator, according to a Northbrook police report obtained through a records request. Kurzynowski is prohibited from contacting the employee as long as he remains on pretrial release, per court documents. According to the arrest report, Kurzynowski installed solar panels on a pole barn in his backyard. An individual not named in the police report called the village April 25 to complain about the structure and solar panels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The village requires residents who wish to install solar panels on their property to apply to the village with detailed installation plans and two rounds of inspections. An village employee responded to the April 25 call on the same day and observed a large metal pole barn in Kurzynowskis backyard with solar panels and dangling electrical wires, per the police report. The employee did not contact Kurzynowski at the time, but later mailed a courtesy notice to Kurzynowski, who had not filed for permits for the work. Kurzynowski spoke with the employee at the Northbrook Village Hall on or about May 7 to discuss Kurzynowskis need for the proper permits to keep the solar panels up, the report said. The employee returned to Kurzynowskis home May 9 for an additional inspection, per the police report. The employee saw from the sidewalk that the structure and the solar panels were still up but didnt make contact with Kurzynowski that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employee returned to Kurzynowskis home May 13 at approximately 11:30 a.m. The employee saw that the pole barn and the solar panels had been taken down, with the solar panels leaning against a shed in the backyard. Kurzynowski and the employee then had a calm discussion at the front stoop of his home, according to the police report, in which Kurzynowski said he would no longer place solar panels on the pole barn, but rather install them on the ground. The two had a disagreement, the report said, after the employee informed Kurzynowski of his need to seek a solar panel application, regardless of the structure. Ill be right back, Kurzynowski told the employee, law-enforcement records state. When Kurzynowski returned, he pointed a gun at the employees head, according to the police report. Do you know what that is? Kurzynowski said, according to the employees account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It looks like a gun a 9mm, the employee said. Yes, it is a 9 mm, Kurzynowski said, according to the police report. This is my property get out. The employee then said he would leave, walked to his vehicle and left the area, records state. When the employee spoke to police, he said he did not expect for Kurzynowski to pull out a gun, that he felt threatened by him and that their exchanges had previously been cordial, according to the police report. The employee agreed to press charges against Kurzynowski. Police officers obtained an arrest warrant and a search warrant to search for the weapon at Kurzynowskis home, per the police report. By 5:30 p.m., police were at the scene to arrest Kurzynowski, records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Polish translator was brought in to assist with communication between Kurzynowski and police officers, though Kurzynowski and the village employee had spoken in English before then, records show. According to the police report, when Kurzynowski spoke to Northbrook authorities about the incident, he said he showed a gun to the village employee but did not point it at him. Kurzynowski said he brought the gun out just to make [redacted] leave and that he only wanted him to leave as he was sick of [redacted] being there, public records state. Tadeusz (Kurzynowski) related that (he) wouldnt hurt anybody, but if he wanted to, he would shoot first and ask questions later, the police report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police confiscated three handguns and four long guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition during their sweep of Kurzynowskis home. In response to Pioneer Press request for comment, the villages Communications Manager Nicholas Glenn released a statement. The Village cannot comment on this matter due to the pending criminal case against Kurzynowski, the statement read. The criminal matter is being handled by the Cook County States Attorneys Office, and the Village continues to cooperate with the States Attorneys Office on this very serious matter. With regard to Kurzynowskis zoning matter, the Village states only that it is working closely with its Village Attorney to ensure compliance with the law. The police report said, Tadeusz related that the government is the Mafia going against him and it started with the permit and is continuing now with the gun charge. Kurzynowskis first court appearance was May 14, where he met the conditions of pretrial release as long he does not contact the village employee. Kurzynowskis arraignment date is scheduled for June 10. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Memorial Day weekend is touted as the unofficial start of summer, but one week after the holiday, many residents across the Northeast were left to wonder when the springlike chill and rounds of rain will give way to warm weather. That change is finally unfolding this week. Temperatures will trend upward across the Northeast through at least Thursday following a cold start to the week, when temperatures early Monday morning bottomed out in the 30s and 40s F across most of the region. Afternoon highs in the 80s will be widespread through Friday, with the mercury making a run at the 90-degree mark Thursday in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some areas, this will be the hottest weather since September. Even where temperatures fall shy of their high mark for the year so far, an uptick in humidity will have it feeling like the middle of the summer. AccuWeather.com Factoring in humidity levels, sunshine intensity and other factors, the AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature can be an average of 10-15 degrees higher than the actual temperature, so care should be taken when working outdoors or partaking in rigorous physical exercise during the heat of the day. Along with the warm and humid conditions, as well as some high-flying clouds, smoke from distant wildfires in central Canada can contribute to the hazy appearance of the sky overhead and produce colorful sunrises and sunsets. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as the fires continue to burn, they can periodically produce a hazy sky and, on occasion, lead to a campfire smell when that smoke reaches the ground. Thunderstorms on the prowl In the middle of the warmth, and around the same time as temperatures peak Thursday afternoon, a front will approach from the West, bringing with it the chance for thunderstorms and severe weather. The greatest threat from the most potent storms will be from high wind gusts and hail. A few locations could be deluged by downpours that trigger flash flooding. Severe thunderstorms could develop by the Thursday evening commute from northern Pennsylvania to Maine. AccuWeather.com Strong storms, but not as potent as Thursday, will erupt from the eastern Great Lakes to the central Appalachians Friday as another front approaches from the Midwest. AccuWeather.com Temperatures across New England and the central Appalachians will be noticeably lower Friday following the cold front and storms that move through late Thursday. In general, temperatures will be slashed by 10-15 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summerlike warmth is projected to continue farther south in much of the mid-Atlantic Friday. However, some cooling will be felt for the weekend with temperatures some 10 degrees lower, on average. Humidity levels will remain elevated. AccuWeather.com Conditions may get busy this weekend in the region, with areas of showers and thunderstorms. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Norwegian Cruise Line passenger falls in water when ship separates from dock CATANIA, Sicily (WJW) A guest aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship fell into the water Friday after strong winds caused the vessel to separate from the pier while docked in Catania, Sicily, according to the cruise line. Is it OK to leave device chargers plugged in all the time? An expert explains The incident occurred as the passenger was disembarking. Crew members on duty quickly rescued the guest from the water and the individual was evaluated by the ships medical team, the company told FOX 8 in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guest sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Due to strong winds, one of our ships separated from the pier while docked, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said. The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. Pop-Tarts bringing back fan-favorite flavor after six-year hiatus Disembarkation and embarkation were temporarily paused until weather conditions improved and the ship was able to safely dock again, the company said in a statement. The cruise ship had departed Civitavecchia, Italy, on May 24 for a 10-day voyage with scheduled stops in Italy, Greece, Malta and France, according to CruiseMapper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. The Supreme Court justices nominated by President Donald Trump are now reportedly the latest targets in his ongoing campaign of grievances against the judiciary. Trump has been privately expressing frustration with the justices he appointed, particularly Justice Amy Coney Barrett, according to a CNN report citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. The network reports that Trump has repeatedly complained that his nominees have not shown sufficient loyalty to him or his political agenda. CNNs sources say the complaints have gone on for at least a year and extend beyond Barrett to Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch. But Barrett, whom Trump nominated in 2020 to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has drawn the most criticism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just one ruling, a senior administration official told CNN. Its been a few different events hes complained about privately. The backlash has been building in MAGA circles for some time. After Barrett joined a 5-4 majority to require the Trump administration to release nearly $2 billion in frozen foreign aid funds in March, right-wing commentator Mike Cernovich called her evil and said that she had been chosen solely because she checked identity politics boxes. In January, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon said Barrett was a disgrace and called on her to step down. Despite some high-profile disagreements, Barrett has voted with Justices Samuel Alito and Clarenence Thomas, the two most conservative members of the bench, more than 80% of the time, according to the Empirical SCOTUS blog Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. CNN reports that the president prefers to keep his frustrations private for the time being, even as he has recently lashed out at other elements of the conservative judicial establishment. President Trump will always stand with the U.S. Supreme Court, unlike the Democrat Party, which, if given the opportunity, would pack the court, ultimately undermining its integrity, principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said in a statement to CNN. The President may disagree with the Court and some of its rulings, but he will always respect its foundational role. ELKHORN, Wis. (WFRV) While it was a sad occasion, a family in southern Wisconsin expressed its gratitude to the community for helping out during a funeral procession. The City of Elkhorns official Facebook page posted a note from a person who said their faith in humanity was renewed during the funeral because of the communitys kindness. Wisconsin Humane Society raises $80,000 during Green Bay Pet Walk Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the note, the Elkhorn Police Department provided an escort during the procession, and every single driver pulled over, stopped and waited for them to pass. In my 63 years, Ive never witnessed a procession where every single vehicle pulled over, stopped, and waited for us to pass, the note said. It was a powerful display of respect and empathy. Not only did everybody in the area stop, but the note continued, mentioning that four older men stopped while riding their lawnmowers, and stood with their hands across their chests, paying homage to the grieving loved ones. Fire Department Lieutenant in Wisconsin uses chainsaw to create artful park bench This is the very essence of small-town America, and its a beacon of hope that reminds us of the kind of America we strive to be. Note to City of Elkhorn Amidst an emotional day, community members in the small Wisconsin town showed compassion and kindness, even for people they may not have known. 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. ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The small community of Pleasant Farms, in Ector County, was hit hard by a storm early Tuesday morning, leaving many destroyed homes and downed powerlines in its wake. Now, one resident is speaking out about what she and her husband experienced. The storm struck around 2:00 a.m. on June 3, and while the National Weather Service has not yet determined if it was a tornado or just strong winds, the result was the same: flattened mobile homes, toppled RVs, damaged vehicles, and downed trees and powerlines. Pleasant Farms resident, Maricruc Candia, said she and her husband were sound asleep when everything changed. We were in bed, we were asleep and all of a suddenwe started feeling it (their home) tumble, rolling over, she said. Both Candia and her husband were thrown from their home as it rolled off its foundation and imploded around them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We couldnt find each other. We were next to each other (in bed) and then we couldnt find each other until her (her husband) heard my screaming, and he finally found me. We were like 10 feet away (from each other) but had been sleeping in the same bed. I had a whole bunch of rubble on top of me, Candia said. After digging out from under the rubble, Candia said she and her husband sought shelter in their vehicle, and thats when they noticed he was bleeding and pretty badly injured. Fortunately, those injuries were minor and no major injuries have been reported, according to the Ector County Sheriffs Office, which responded to the area after numerous 911 calls. Candia said her husband began honking the horn to signal for help and that neighbors responded with towels and then helped them get to safety. Were very grateful to God that, you know, that were okay. Buttheres nothing left. I mean, literally, nothing left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Candia, who needs to replace her oxygen and other medications that were tossed about in the storm, said shes just trying to take things one step at a time. Were still waiting to see what the next step isbut obviously were going to have to find a place to wash and to stay. Material things can be replaced, but our lives arewere just happy to be here. The Red Cross responded to the area Tuesday morning to help Candia and others who were displaced. Additionally, Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett, who issued an Emergency Declaration for the impacted community, said he and his team are working with the Texas Department of Emergency Management to efficiently and effectively address the damage. This will be an all hands on deck situation to assist the citizens. This will include the Sheriff, Odessa Fire Rescue, Ector County Public Works, Ector County Environmental Enforcement, Ector County Constable Precinct 1, Jonathan Campbell, Constable PCT. 4 , South Ector County Volunteer Fire Department, and West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department, Fawcett said. If you need help, heres what you need to know: The Ector County Public Works Department will be streamlining emergency cleanup services/assistance beginning on Wednesday, June 4th. All affected homeowners are directed to call Marcie Molina with the Public Works Department at (432) 381-0098 to request assistance homeowners must provide their names and addresses so that cleanup efforts may be facilitated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fawcett said County staff members will be available to answer questions and provide support at the South Ector Volunteer Fire Department building located at 4454 W Apple Street, Odessa, TX 79766, June 4th, 2025, at 8:00 am. We are truly devastated for the members of our community that have been affected by this storm. We will continue to work diligently to provide support and services to those in need, he 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 Yourbasin. (WFRV) A Sheriffs Office in Wisconsin is urging drivers to slow down after catching a speeder going 50 miles per hour over the speed limit. The Walworth County Sheriffs Office posted a photo on Facebook of the radar on a squad car dashboard showing a driver clocked at 105 miles per hour. The speed limit in the area was 55. Manitowoc Police searching for sport bike operator who fled officers, led high-speed chase Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post said that speeding takes not only your life in your hands, but also everybody elses as well. Remember the life you take, could be someones child, parent or spouse, the post said. Nothing is urgent enough to destroy their life or yours. No additional details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. Following up on a profoundly angry book that made her a literary star is the daunting challenge Susan Choi faces with Flashlight, her sixth novel. Its predecessor, Trust Exercise (2019), broke out in a way that her earlier fiction, though well received, hadnt. The success of the book, a formally inventive story about a popular teacher sexually abusing a student at an elite arts school in the 1980s, may have had to do with its timelinessit appeared at the height of the #MeToo movementbut certainly stemmed from its fierceness. One of its three narrators, Karen, incarnates its fury. In her section, the novels best, rage crackles from every controlled, precise line. For Karens author, such rage was a real departure. The characters in Chois previous fiction tend to treat anger as an unwelcome guest. They repress it, relegating it to the realm of the unacknowledged in hopes that there, it might shrivel and die. Regina, the narrator of My Education (2013), reveals in one seething passage that she was raped four years before the novel beginsa memory that shifts the storybut Choi relates the assault in such a rushed, muddled way that even comprehending what happened takes two readings. The question of what violent feelings Regina might harbor, Choi quite consciously leaves unexplored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: Trust Exercise is an elaborate trick of a novel] The leap from Regina to Karen might seem colossal, but Choi told The Guardian that the 2016 election led her to the latters creation. Karen came from feeling so angry all the time. I specifically felt as though someone had taken a story that was my storythe story of my country, my origins. Im the daughter of an immigrant, Im the granddaughter of immigrants, Ive always been so proud of that. Trust Exercise isnt about immigration, but Chois comment conveyed the broad sense of betrayal that underlies Karens anger at her abuser and his admirers. It also, perhaps, foreshadowed Flashlight, which is about immigration on a global scale. Some of Chois earlier novels feature characters who have immigrated to the United States, but those books all begin after the move. Flashlight, by contrast, follows a family as its members migrate, variously, from Korea to Japan, Japan to North Korea, Japan to the United States, andin some casesback, each seeking whats generally seen as a very American freedom: the right to learn about, and become, their truest selves in a new home. By telling this story on an ambitious new historical and geographical canvas, Choi not only detaches this quest from any one nation, but makes mobility her theme. In doing so, she has found a very different way to handle anger. No longer an unwanted intrusion or the dominant mood, it has become a tunnel that her characters travel through, a long and dark but inescapable part of getting somewhere they need to go. Choi gives her three protagonistsSerk, a professor at a midwestern college; Anne, his wife; and Louisa, their daughtermany reasons to be angry. Serks trace back to his childhood. Born in Japan during World War II to Korean parents whod emigrated from their colonized homeland in search of opportunity, hes devastated, at age 6, by the loss of his belief in his Japaneseness. (On learning hes Korean, he says to his mother, But what are Koreans?) He dreams of assimilation while his familys devotion to Koreas communist cause grows in response not just to Japanese discrimination, but also to the U.S.-backed South Korean armys massacre of civilians on the parents home island of Jeju. Eventually, Serks parents and most of his siblings move to North Korea. Serk wont go. Alone in Tokyo, he tries to stifle his resentment at the prejudice that drove his family away, telling himself that sometimes the unjustly downtrodden took up arms and fierce miens, but equally often they turned the other cheek, studied harder, camouflaged themselves ever more behind obedience and merit and bided their time, believing against all evidence that the future would bring something better, for them if for nobody else. He tried to be the second kind of ruined person. Materially speaking, Serks strategy largely works. Though he cant assimilate, he succeeds well enough academically to emigrate and get a professorship. But emotionally, his efforts take a toll. As Flashlight progresses, Choi shows Serks transformation into a glacial spouse, a jittery parent, a person so afraid of his anger that when he feels it, he gets angrier still. Such men arent new in her writing: Serk shares these traits with Lee, the protagonist of A Person of Interest (2008), but Choi never calls on Lee to spend time alone with his emotions. Serk has tothough only after he is, shockingly, kidnapped from a Japanese beach by North Koreans while teaching in Japan for a semester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such abductions really did happen from 1977 to 1983, which North Korea acknowledged only in 2002. Little is known about most kidnapping victims fates, but Choi imagines years of horror for Serk and grief for Louisa and Anne, who think hes dead. Choi lets the reader in on his survival through Flashlights nonlinear structure, which may be, if not the most experimental way shes told a story, the trickiest approach shes taken. She weaves back and forth in time, frequently shifting her focus from one character to another. This allows her to hide some secrets from her readers, some from her characters, and some from both. Only the omniscient narrator knows whats going on: Everyone else is at sea, and furious about it. [Read: Where Han Kangs nightmares come from] But nobody in Flashlight stays mad, no matter how complex or layered their anger may be. In captivity, Serk has no choice but to sit still with his angernot only at his jailers, who force him to teach them Japanese, but at the Japanese discrimination that marked his childhood and his familys lives. In the process, he finds that he can allow the emotion to waneand that, when he does, its replaced by others, such as love for his daughter, that help him survive. An ocean away, Anne makes a similar discovery. She gets diagnosed with multiple sclerosis not long after she concludes that Serk has drowned, and is understandably bitter at fate for visiting these ordeals upon her. Yet she discovers that holding on to an anger aimed at such a large, unreachable target is less satisfying than letting it go. Louisa is livid at losing both her father and the healthy version of her mother. Though she travels through her anger more slowly, she shares her parents capacity to let it evolve and diminish. Choi has never written about that process before. For the first time in her career, she shows herself interested above all in angers impermanenceand in the emotions that occupy the hole it leaves once its gone. In the same way that Trust Exercise has Karen as its incarnation of anger, Flashlight has an incarnation of angers absence. In Annes youth, before she met Serk, she had a son, Tobias, custody of whom she ceded to his older, married father. Years later, he reenters her life, initially as a teenager consumed by rage that turns out to be the effect of a brain tumor, and then, post-surgery, as a preternaturally placid drifter, a young man given to floating through the world like a mote. Tobias is Flashlights court fool, a source of chaos, comedy, and pathos. He cant fully take care of himself, which worries Anne and aggravates Louisa. It also reminds the reader that if anger can grow stagnant, so can its absence. The capacity to get mad, to rise to provocation, and to strike out against insult is not just a good thing but a goad to growth. On that front, Chois perspective hasnt changed since Trust Exercise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has changed is her prose. The critic Ron Charles said of her in 2013 that few other writers alive today make their sentences work so hard. Before Trust Exercise, her writing was carefully balanced, sinuously elegant yet never showy. And then she swerved, compacting her sentences to convey anger, as in Karens blunt summation of her non-relationship with the mother who failed to protect her: When I visit my brother, he doesnt tell our mother Im coming. When he visits me, he doesnt tell her hes going. He pretends that hes traveling on business. In Flashlight, she swerves again, expanding her prose further than ever before, packing an astonishing amount of beauty and meaning into her descriptions. Growing up, Serk steals from vendors who sit like solemn stones beside their little piles of mountain ferns or frail carrots drawn slightly too soon from the dirt because the leisure to wait for a vegetable doesnt exist anymore. His mother accepts his haul silently, and his father, who comes home every day in clothing so stiffened with dirt that his mother uses the hand broom to beat him all over like a rug before he undresses and joins them inside, is unaware of this system by which the evening soup bowl is enhanced. These detail-rich sentences thrive on patience. By slowing down her description of the vegetable market, Choi calls attention to the small amounts of loveliness present there, amid the devastation of war, and to the poverty that makes Serk steal and his mother allow it. By taking the time for Serks mother to beat his father like a rug, Choi puts her readers in the fathers place, on the threshold of the family home, waiting for the woman in charge to let us in. As the novel goes on, the more brutal a characters conditions are, the more carefully Choi writes them, forcing readers to slow down and inhabit them. Her characters, too, have to pay close attention to their life; their survival depends on it. In a passage in which Serk, famished and desperate in a North Korean prison camp, discovers that he can trap and eat rodents, her descriptions of the geography around himto say nothing of his joy once he has a belly full of ratare almost too vivid to bear. Here, in the rat stage, is when Serk gives up the last of his anger. Choi seems to draw on, or at least she echoes, Viktor Frankl, the psychologist and Holocaust survivor who maintained that the hallmark of humanity is the freedom to choose ones attitude in any given set of circumstances. When Serk summons the energy to catch rats to keep himself alive, the strength to notice his surroundings comes with itand that, in turn, provides the hope he needs to try to escape. Just as anger could not do this for him, it cant assuage Annes loneliness after Louisa leaves for college. Living alone for the first time, she becomes, through an inner process that mystifies her, someone so responsive to the outside world that what she sees around her counterbalances the physical and emotional pain she feels: She is genuinely uplifted by sunlight in her apartment and by a sighting of a circus elephant, its ancient flanks as otherworldly as the moon, its eye as bright, the four stupendous steles of its legs bearing its hulk easily as the sky bears its clouds. Remembering the elephant, Anne thinks simply, That was the sort of thing you stayed alive for. If Choi had written Flashlight less lushlyif the elephant just had legs, not stupendous steles Annes replacement of bitterness with appreciation would risk registering as corny uplift. So would the gratitude that comes to preoccupy Serk. Chois style conveys that the world, even at its worst, rewards devoted examination; her characters long arcs, meanwhile, remind readers that just because anger has ebbed doesnt mean its gone. Louisa knows almost nothing of her fathers past as a Japanese colonial subject, and yet she inherits a version of his anger about it: The awareness that she will never know what his childhood was like festers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisas emotions speak directly to Chois earlier work. In A Person of Interest, a character named Mark, on learning that his parents concealed his past, imagines discussing his grief and anger with a long-dead mentor. If we dont know the people we came from, he muses, how do we know who we are? Choi eventually gives Mark the knowledge he wants, but in Flashlight, she denies it to Louisawhich is the realistic choice. When war, colonialism, and discrimination force people to migrate, family history all too often gets left behind. Japans occupation of Korea has this effect on Chois main characters, and Serks anger about it ripples throughout the book, becoming part of Louisas inheritance. But his and Annes ultimate bequest to their daughter is the ability to struggle against her resentment rather than sinking permanently into it. Doing so isnt easy, but Chois characters manage it over and over. In fact, its what keeps them alive. Article originally published at The Atlantic The number of people injured in an attack on a pro-Israel rally in the western US state of Colorado has risen from eight to 12, as four additional victims were identified, law enforcement authorities said on Monday. The four additional victims sustained minor injuries, which is why they were not included in the initial reports. Two people remain in hospital receiving treatment, according to authorities. The suspected attacker targeted demonstrators in the city of Boulder on Sunday who were rallying to raise awareness of Israeli hostages still held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Some of those injured were reportedly over 80 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was detained at the scene. Media reports identified him as an Egyptian national. Witnesses told the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that the attacker used a makeshift flamethrower, threw an incendiary device into the crowd and shouted "Free Palestine," FBI special agent Mark Michalek said at a press conference on Sunday. Boulder Police said officers found 16 more unused Molotov cocktails after the attack. On Monday, the man was charged with a federal hate crime related to the attack, in addition to facing attempted murder charges at the state level in Colorado, according to the US Justice Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the White House, the man was in the United States without a valid visa, having illegally overstayed a tourist visa. 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. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, is going offline for software upgrades. EPD joins forces with local group to give rescue dogs better future The office will be conducting a required, scheduled update to their advanced weather interactive processing system. The update is scheduled to begin around 8 a.m. on Monday, June 9, and last through June 11. During the process, all National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio transmitters maintained by the office will go silent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say forecast and warning operations will be conducted by backup offices in Davenport, Iowa, and Louisville, Kentucky. All radars in the Paducah system will remain operational, and the office will remain open and staffed during the upgrade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A Manhattan restaurant forced to close after a devastating fire is looking to raise money to help its employees. Ribalta on East 12th Street in Greenwich Village was significantly damaged when one of the ovens caught fire on May 18, according to a GoFundMe post. More Local News It is unclear when the eatery would reopen. More than 50 employees lost their income after the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the already challenging times for the hospitality industry in New York, Ribaltas staff is also feeling the impact, the post said. The crowdfunding post has already raised more than $18,000 in donations. The restaurant is hoping to raise $50,000. Thank you all for your support we cant wait to welcome you back soon to your favorite restaurant in NYC, the post said. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) New York City Public School students will enjoy a long weekend this week after a new holiday was added to the school calendar for this year. Public Schools will be closed on Thursday in observance of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha followed by a clerical day on Friday. While students will enjoy both days off, school administration will still have to report in on Friday. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eid al-Adha is one of three new holidays added to the school calendar for 2025, alongside Diwali and Lunar New Year. Traditionally it commemorates Prophet Abrahams devotion to Allah and his readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Eid al-Adha also takes the place of Brooklyn-Queens Day, which previously only gave the day off to students in those boroughs. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The clerical day means no classes for students attending 3-K, Pre-K, elementary school, middle school, K-12 schools and standalone D75 programs. However, students in some high schools may still have to attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Jun. 3A former council member has been appointed to fill the Third Ward seat left vacant by Joyce Poshusta, who stepped down earlier this year to pursue other opportunities. During the Austin City Council meeting Monday night, Oballa Oballa was sworn in to the position. Oballa once served in the Second Ward, but had to step down himself when he moved out of ward and decided to run for the at-large seat. "This is a great honor to be back," Oballa said prior to Monday night's meeting. "It's a great honor to be back and continue the work (council) has been working on, especially working with department heads, building relationships and employee engagement." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poshusta, in the midst of her second term, announced in March that she would be stepping down after taking a job out of town. Her last meeting was in April. Oballa will now fill out the remainder of her term and said he was encouraged to get back to work in order to help the city of Austin. "The biggest thing is I've really been inspired by the work the current City Council is doing," Oballa said. "The engagement they are continuing to do. The engagement they are continuing to do." Oballa comes in just as the council is beginning work on the 2026 budget, which itself has become something of a concern because of the Minnesota State Legislature failing to agree to a budget during the regular session. "This is a big thing," Oballa said. "That will be the thing I will be working on and making sure every department has what they need. I will be listening more to Third Ward and the residents of Austin. What do they want to be done?" QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) An off-duty New York City employee was arrested in Queens Tuesday morning, according to the NYPD. David Ospino, 36, was taken into custody around 11 a.m. More Local News Police say Ospino is an employee of the New York City Department of Education. Ospino is facing rape and endangering the welfare of a child charges. 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 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. By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Michael Duffey, who in President Donald Trump's first administration asked the military to withhold aid to Ukraine, to be undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment. On the day that one of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's top aides visited Washington, the Senate voted 51-45, along party lines with Trump's fellow Republicans backing the nominee, to confirm Duffey as the official overseeing the Pentagon's weapons programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats sought testimony from Duffey during Trump's first term as president after an email showed him, in his role as a senior White House official in the Office of Management and Budget, directing the Pentagon to withhold security aid for Ukraine that had been approved by Congress. The inquiry, which led to Trump's first impeachment, focused on Trump's request that Zelenskiy investigate the president's political rival, Joe Biden, the former Democratic vice president who would defeat Trump in the 2020 election. Democrats who impeached Trump said he had withheld the aid to put pressure on Zelenskiy's government to agree to an investigation. Trump denied wrongdoing, accusing Democrats of seeking to overturn his 2016 election victory. Most congressional Republicans called the impeachment process unfair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump was elected to his second term as president in November 2024. In his second term, Trump has put intense pressure on Ukraine - including by briefly halting military aid - to come to the bargaining table with Russia. Those efforts have so far not yielded a ceasefire or significant progress toward a broader peace deal. Duffey's confirmation vote came the same day that Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, arrived in Washington together with the first deputy prime minister and other government officials. Yermak was expected to meet with U.S. officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of Congress. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Editing by Don Durfee and Matthew Lewis) HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) More than 30 people across western North Carolina and in the Upstate have been arrested as part of an investigation into drug trafficking. SEIZED BY THE NUMBERS Cash $177,437 Meth 8 lbs Crack/Cocaine 7.5 lbs Fentanyl 1 lb Marijuana 14 lbs Guns 20 According to Henderson County Sheriffs Office, authorities in Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Transylvania, Greenville and Spartanburg counties, along with agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, recently concluded Operation Uptown Funk, a year-long investigation which resulted in more than 30 arrests, 20 firearms and more than 30 pounds of drugs and being seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Henderson County Sheriffs Office said it has identified two people, Tyrone Featherstone and Andre Whiteside, both of Hendersonville, as major sources of fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs into the region. The sheriffs office said the duo were responsible for distributing drugs around Hendersonville and the surrounding areas, resulting in multiple overdoses. The sheriffs office said detectives investigated numerous drug overdoses to track what it called a far-reaching drug network. On May 28, detectives executed 10 search warrants in Henderson, Buncombe and Greenville counties, finding trafficking levels of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, more than 30 people from Henderson County have been arrested in connection with the investigation. Tyrone Featherstone- Trafficking opium or heroin, Trafficking cocaine, Felony possession Sch1 CS, DWLR Not Impaired Rev, Possess Marijuana up to oz, continuing criminal enterprise, Conspire Trafficking Methamphetamine x2, Conspire to trafficking cocaine, Conspire traffic opium/heroin x2 Andre Whiteside- Continuing criminal enterprise, Conspire to trafficking cocaine, Trafficking cocaine, Manufacture Cocaine, Maintain place controlled substance, Possess drug paraphernalia Stephanie Brown- Continuing criminal enterprise Nakita Allen- Conspire traffic opium/heroin, Continuing criminal enterprise Desmond Whiteside- Continuing criminal enterprise, Posses stolen firearm, Poss Marijuana oz to 1 oz Clarence Summey- Continuing criminal enterprise, conspire to trafficking cocaine Tyrale Graham- PWIMSD SCH II CS, PWIMSD SCH IV CS, Felony possess SCH VI Controlled substance Amber Jackson- Conspire Traffic Opium/Heroin, Felony Possession Sch II CS, Maintain Veh/dwell/place Chrishe Landrum-Continuing Criminal Enterprise, conspire to trafficking Cocaine Danielle Jeffrey- Conspire to trafficking Cocaine Shawnda Logan- Conspire to trafficking Cocaine Larry Featherstone- PWISD Marij, Maintn Veh/Dwell/Place Justin Webber- Felony Possession Sch II CS Takerra Featherstone- PWISD Marij, Maintn Veh/Dwell CS Katina Braswell- Felony Poss of Cocaine Benjamin Tweed- Conspire/Traffic Opium/Heroin Gerale Graham- Conspire traffic Opium/Heroin Tyranna Featherstone- Conspire to trafficking Meth Miguel Espinoza- Collado- Continuing criminal enterprise Shineka Greene- Continuing criminal enterprise Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 gas-powered leaf blower ban is entering its second year in the town of Westport, Connecticut, per Patch. Various municipalities have introduced or enacted restrictions or bans on gas-powered leaf blowers, from a village in Illinois to the city of Philadelphia. In addition to noise pollution, excessive air pollution is a major reason jurisdictions in the United States have adopted bans on gas-powered leaf blowers. "Four to 5% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from gas-powered lawn equipment. These are very high-emissions devices," Baltimore official Lisa Rodvien said in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westport's ban on gas-powered leaf blowers officially went into effect on May 15, 2024, and the ordinance is seasonal. Under the new rule, residents and landscapers working in Westport are prohibited from using the common landscaping tools through October 15. The ban was a long time coming, adopted as a town ordinance in January 2023. Westport Representative Town Meeting member and lead petitioner Kristin Schneeman credited "all the residents, students, landscapers" who had participated in "what was a very civil and productive dialogue" for the two years leading up to the adoption of the ordinance. "We are hoping to see a significant change this year, with more property owners adopting compliant equipment and updating their landscaping habits," Westport Conservation Director Colin Kelly said, per Patch. Last June, the Associated Press reported that bans on gas-powered leaf blowers were on the rise and that not everyone was on board with the restrictions. According to the AP, commercial landscapers often objected because they felt electrical leaf blowers were "costlier and not nearly as effective as the gasoline-powered ones." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association president Rich Goldstein told the AP that his state is "bombarded with leaves and stuff to clean up" and that ordinances banning the equipment created a cost burden for landscaping companies. "[At] my company, I have $150,000 to $200,000 worth of gas-powered blowers," Goldstein said. "What am I supposed to do, throw them in the garbage?" Unfortunately, gas-powered leaf blowers aren't just effective when it comes to clearing yard waste. In 2021, the California Air Resources Board determined that one hour of blowing leaves generated pollution "comparable to driving a new light-duty passenger car about 1,100 miles about the distance from Los Angeles to Denver, over 15 hours of driving." Do you think the government should ban gas-powered lawn tools? No way Definitely Only certain tools I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. When Westport's ordinance passed, Schneeman hoped other towns would adopt similar policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It feels good to be able to say Westport is a leader in Connecticut on this issue, and I hope we'll see other communities following suit," she commented. 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. ALBANY The abrupt announcement of a pause of Job Corps operations across the country will be a big blow to Albany, where the current 510 students and nearly 300 staff members are looking at being off the campus by the end of the week. On Friday morning, all web pages related to Turner Job Corps had been scoured, replaced with a single entry that appeared on all, titled Beyond Job Corps, giving referrals to other options including the U.S. Department of Labors CareerOneStop, federal Pell grants and the military. The DOL has told Job Corps locations to have students transitioned off campus by June 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Job Corps provides free residential education and job training program for students ages 16-24. Its very devastating, Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard, in whose Ward II the sprawling center is located, said. Those are people that are going to have to find somewhere to go and to find jobs. Thats not as easy as people think, especially for those that are homeless. Im depressed and sad its happening. Of the student contingent, 19% are listed as housing-insecure or homeless, placing them in a potentially precarious position. Coming on the heels of the announcement two weeks ago of the layoff of 535 workers at the Georgia-Pacific container board plant in Early County, the news is grim, state Rep. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its another shock in southwest Georgia, he said. With the closing of the Turner Job Corps that organization has been there for a long time and it has had great success for a lot of individuals. It really is a blow for the Albany area and the region, and its going to affect us again. After hearing about the announcement on Thursday evening, the legislator said, he has been in touch with Dougherty County officials as well as the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.. Weve got to find out whats going on and see if theres anything we can do other than say we support them, he said. We need to see how we can support them and be effective. Weve just got to get together with our chamber folks and county and city and see what we can do. The number of students and employees affected in such a short-time frame is particularly concerning, Greene said, especially with the closing coming so unexpectedly and with so little time to prepare. State officials were completely caught off guard by the Department of Labors announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot of individuals who are going to end up in a bad posture, especially those homeless individuals, because we have no place to house them at this particular time, Greene said. While Job Corps has been targeted by President Trump, who has expressed his desire to eliminate the program, it has support from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, said U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, who serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Job Corps Caucus in the U.S. House. A letter of bipartisan support for the Job Corps sent to the House Appropriations Committee had 130 signatures, he said. And DOL Secretary Lori Chavex-DeRemer was also supportive during her time in the U.S. House. Its enjoyed bipartisan support for 60 years, Bishop said. We have one of the most successful Job Cops in the country in Albany. Im concerned. I think Job Corps is a very good program that has a good track record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bipartisan support is not surprising, as the Job Corps is a program that reflects the conservative values of work, the legislator said. I dont quite understand, particularly when the emphasis is on work, that they would want to destroy (this) program that provides job training and turns peoples lives around, Bishop said. This is a program that employs people and has upward mobility and provides the kind of work force development we want across the economy. In a statement issued last week after the announcement of the pause, Bishop said that the program has provided academic opportunities and career pathways in business and industry to at-risk young people for six decades. The Job Corps program is the embodiment of a hand-up and not a handout, the statement said. It provides work force skills and training that empower participants to become self-sufficient and productive citizens. Todays foolish action by the White House and the United States Department of Labor to close the Job Corps program will shatter the dreams and aspirations of tens of thousands of promising students. I intend to work with my Republican colleagues to protect and improve Job Corps to ensure its continued success. A leaked government memo has stirred outrage across Kano State, Nigeria. According to 21st Century Chronicle, the document revealed that 44 local government councils were directed to collectively release N670 million (roughly $470,000) for luxury cars not for infrastructure, education, or public health, but for Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. According to a memo dated March 25 and leaked in May, the funds were earmarked for refurbishing a 1969 Rolls-Royce and a Cadillac limousine, as well as procuring four brand-new Toyota Land Cruisers. The money, taken from the State/Local Government Joint Account, was to be funneled through a private firm, Sottom Synergy Resources Ltd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The backlash was immediate. Isah Bello, a member of the Kano State Community of Practice for budget tracking, called the funding allocation unconstitutional, saying it "was not captured in the 2025 budget. The local governments are entitled to their money, and there is no provision whatsoever to compel them to source those funds." Civil Society for Justice's Umar Saidu echoed that sentiment, explaining many initially assumed the memo was fake a reaction that speaks volumes about the public's faith in governance. Critics say the decision contradicts Kano's stated citizen-first policies. "People should now understand the kind of leaders they have," said local resident Idris Gora, slamming the move as a betrayal of public trust, according to 21st Century Chronicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when Kano residents face pressing social challenges including youth unemployment and rising crime allocating taxpayer money to vintage cars sends the wrong message. "The decision by the state government was poorly conceived and wrongly implemented," added Dr. Shetima Abdullahi, a lecturer at Kano State Polytechnic. Still, state officials insist the purchases are routine. Commissioner for Information Ibrahim Abdullahi Wayya defended the decision, stating the cars are meant to "protect and promote" the emirate's image, not serve as personal perks for the monarch. Whether legal or not, the move is fueling frustration around misused public funds especially in an era where fiscal transparency and community-first planning are more vital than ever. As cities around the world invest in cleaner transit, local food systems, and sustainable housing, missteps like this serve as a reminder of why citizen participation in budgeting and public accountability matters for people and for the planet. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A bill that would require Ohio prisons to offer incarcerated women free feminine hygiene products has taken a step toward becoming law. The Ohio House unanimously passed House Bill 29 on Wednesday, which would require all jails and prisons in the state that house women to provide an adequate supply of free pads and tampons in a variety of sizes. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Reps. Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) and Marilyn John (R-Richland County), would also require facilities to allow at least one shower a day for inmates who are menstruating. Under the bill, correctional institutions could not deny an inmate feminine hygiene products and would have to implement formal policies surrounding the distribution of the products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before passing the House, the bill went through four hearings where 13 people testified in its support, with nobody publicly opposing it. Zachary Miller with the Office of the Public Defender spoke at an April hearing, stating that feminine hygiene products are not a luxury but a necessary healthcare item. Scarcity of these products could cause the women to use the products for longer than recommended, leading to negative health outcomes or encourage them to barter for these products, opening the door for potential abuses of power, Miller said. Multiple former female inmates also testified at the hearings, many of which shared stories of facing limited access to sanitary products and resorting to using socks, toilet paper or other items as makeshift pads and tampons. Some recalled negative health outcomes as a result of a lack of readily available products. Currently, there is no Ohio law requiring jails and prisons to provide feminine hygiene products. In 2022, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction issued a policy to ensure women receive free and unlimited feminine hygiene products. However, during testimony, multiple people claimed access is not always reliable, and Humphrey pointed out that the policy could be rescinded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 women incarcerated in Ohio, according to Miller. The department of rehabilitation and correction oversees all 28 prisons in the state but does not operate jails. Last year, the state department spent about $173,500 on feminine products in prisons, according to an analysis of the bill. While the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections currently has a policy that requires these products to be provided to the women under its care at no cost, there are other correctional facilities in Ohio where access is not guaranteed, Miller said. Humphrey introduced a similar bill in the last legislative session that passed the House unanimously but stalled in the Senate. The former bill also did not receive any opponent testimony. SB 29 will now move to the Senate for consideration. If the bill is signed into law, Ohio will join 25 other states that have statutes requiring free feminine hygiene products for incarcerated women. 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. Attendees of a rally to support public education hold up signs at the Ohio Statehouse. Photo by Morgan Trau/WEWS Ohio educators held one last rally to urge the state Senate to fully fund public schools ahead of the chambers budget proposal. Teaching at Jefferson Area High School in Ashtabula County was only supposed to be a temporary job while John Patterson finished graduate school. I discovered that teaching was my calling, and it was my mission, said Patterson, a retired teacher of 29 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like him, education is a passion for many teachers. Dozens made their way to the Ohio Statehouse to show their support for public school funding. Its important for Ohios kids, its important for Ohios future, to get the school funding formula totally in place so theres predictability and sustainability for all of our schools in every corner of the state, Patterson told me. The educators protested against the Houses passed budget, one that slashes hundreds of millions of dollars from the expected school spending. State Rep. John Patterson, D-Jefferson. The program currently in place, the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP), was a bipartisan formula that Patterson helped create when he was a state representative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I spent a great deal of time with my dear friend (former Republican House Speaker) Robert Cupp to come together to put something out there for the legislature that is sustainable, that is transparent, and that is good for the future, Patterson said. But Speaker Matt Huffman says that funding level is unsustainable. Now the future of the education budget is in Senate Finance Chair Jerry Cirinos (R-Kirtland) hands. When we make a move in the budget for school systems, it impacts different systems in different ways, Cirino said during the start of the budget process. Thats what makes it complicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) warned that the funding formula could actually decrease the amount of money for schools this year. Theres a chance that schools would see negative numbers as a result of that formula going into place, he said. According to lawmakers who work closely with schools, including state Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, about 5% of districts would have less money this year than they did last year because they have fewer students enrolled. Are you fine potentially seeing negative numbers for some of these school districts? McColley asked. Patterson said that this makes the funding breakdown more equitable for public schools across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the Houses budget, every school would receive significantly less money than they planned for, which districts have already said could lead to staff and program cuts. Shop classes or (Future Farmers of America) classes or art, music and gym that arent necessarily required, those sorts of programs could get put on the chopping block, Patterson continued. The retired teacher is hoping that the Senators hear him before the budget amendments are announced this week. To help kids, thats who I am, Patterson said. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Stock photo from Getty Images. What is the problem trying to be solved with (Ohio) Senate Bill 153? asked a speaker testifying before a senate committee last week on yet another Republican measure to make voting harder in the state. It was a rhetorical question. Kelly DuFour, the voting and elections manager at Common Cause Ohio, knew the proposed legislation wasnt drafted as a solution to any glaring flaw in Ohio elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So did the overflow crowd hastily assembled in the middle of a day (with little advance notice from the committee) to register overwhelming opposition to SB 153. So did the two GOP state senators who co-sponsored the legislation, Bowling Green Republican Theresa Gavarone and Andrew Brenner of Delaware. They see the same data on statewide voting the public does. They know rampant voter fraud or noncitizens casting ballots en masse is not an Ohio problem. They know the checks and balances that scrupulously safeguard the administration of free and fair elections in the state routinely produce problem-free elections with 99.9% accuracy. They ought to know the 2020 presidential election was not stolen in Ohio from the sore loser whose lies led to a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Gavarone and Brenner also ought to know that there is not a scintilla of evidence that noncitizens are brazenly violating federal and state election laws at the polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio officials who combed through years of voting records in the state were able to identify only six possible noncitizens one of whom was dead who cast ballots out of 8 million registered voters between 2008 and 2020. A Brennan Center analysis concluded that even if every one of those cases is proven, thats less than one noncitizen vote in a million in any given election. Even Ohios partisan hack/elections chief Frank LaRose acknowledged the infinitesimal percentage of potential voting cases involving noncitizens were probably due to mistakes, i.e., being wrongly registered, and not intentional. Why would noncitizens, who risk much to live free, jeopardize everything with nefarious subterfuge at the polls? They wouldnt and dont. Proof is the handful of supposed infractions flagged over a 12-year period in Ohio that will likely never rise to prosecutable offenses. The reality is Buckeye elections have been laudably conducted with meticulous rigor to diligently ferret out any suspected discrepancies or irregularities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County boards of election across Ohio report that voter fraud is virtually nonexistent in the state no noncitizens voting, no voter impersonation, no drop box sabotage. But that hasnt stopped the Ohio Senates most prolific sponsor of anti-voting legislation from proposing ever-restrictive solutions to nonexistent election problems. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gavarone is a career climber who jumped on the Trump propaganda train about rigged elections that werent and never looked back. After the Big Lie took hold among MAGA faithful, she and other Trumpian opportunists amplified the deception to advance voter suppression measures in state and federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senate majority floor leader joined Republicans in statehouses across the country to exploit the unfounded doubt seeded by Trump and his GOP toadies to delegitimize democratic elections long considered the envy of the world. Like other MAGA Republicans angling for attention, Gavarone used the Republican-planted mistrust over (baseless) election fraud rhetoric with a spate of bills, including one that produced the strictest voter ID law in the nation and led to the current Senate Bill 153, arguably her most extreme effort yet to limit voting in Ohio. As a second term senator, Gavarone religiously parrots her partys talking points about working to improve the integrity and confidence of Ohios elections as though she really believes them and the charade she adopted in the wake of Trumps lawless attempt to overturn a legitimate election. Her hollow justifications for manipulating the phantom menace of pervasive voter fraud to enact severe voting restrictions that purportedly strengthen trust and integrity in our institutions are a parody of trust and integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But her latest handiwork, with co-sponsor Brenner, is a manifest assault on the voting rights of all Ohio voters. It mirrors the travesty passed by U.S. House Republicans the so-called Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or SAVE Act that would severely restrict voting access by making it harder for all American citizens and registered voters to cast a ballot. Theyd have to provide documentary proof of citizenship in person to register or update their voter registrations for federal elections. Convenient registration options by mail, online, at the BMV, and community options would be eliminated, forcing voters to register only at county election boards. The SAVE Act (which saves no one) would disproportionately impact women whove changed their names, rural residents, older Americans, Black voters, military personnel, people with disabilities, and students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gavarones SB 153 creates the same hoops for those voters and worse. It bans ballot drop boxes so people dont have the ability to sabotage our elections despite zero drop box threats in the state. It hobbles direct democracy with new barriers for statewide citizen initiatives and referendum campaigns. It creates impossible bureaucratic and financial burdens on county boards of election. What made-up election problem is Ohio Senate Bill 153 is trying to solve? None. Its about keeping people who dont agree with the people in power from voting, wrote an alarmed voting advocate in Gavarones hometown. Nailed it. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A poll released Thursday, May 1 showed 76% of Americans oppose cuts to Medicaid. (Photo via Getty Images) A new study of Ohio Medicaid showed the Affordable Care Act expansion group of nearly 770,000 would bring the state an economic benefit of $1 billion if it survives cuts at the federal and state level. But Ohio Republicans might include a trigger in the state budget to cut the expansion if Medicaid budget cuts come down from Congress. The Ohio Senate is expected to release its proposed state operating budget in the next few days, a proposal that will then be compared to and combined with the Ohio Houses version already passed last month, before a final draft heads to the governor for his signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio Houses version of the budget absorbed a proposal by Gov. Mike DeWine in his executive budget that creates a trigger effect, eliminating Group VIII, or the Medicaid expansion eligibility group, if the federal government sets the federal medical assistance percentage below (its current level of) 90%, according to budget documents. The expansion group, which was introduced administratively in Ohio in 2014, represents adults aged 19 to 64 who earn less than 138% of the federal poverty level but arent eligible for Medicaid in other categories. For a family of two, the poverty level stands at $21,150 in Ohio and other contiguous states. The federal budget, which is being reviewed by the U.S. Senate, could include a larger state contribution to the Medicaid program than seen in the past, dropping the federal contribution, called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage or FMAP, from its current share of 90%. If that is passed into law, and if the state budget is passed and signed with the trigger in place, the expansion population would face cuts. According to the Health Policy Institute of Ohios newest policy brief, written by Amy Rohling McGee, the 10% the state currently pays to support Medicaid stands in juxtaposition to revenue and state savings generated by the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After accounting for the savings the state nets as a part of the program and revenue created, researchers found that the state share is effectively 1.4%. Discontinuing expansion would save substantially less than the state share amount, it would reduce federal funds coming to Ohio by over $42 billion over five years, and would leave an estimated 435,000 Ohioans without coverage, Rohling McGee wrote as part of the HPIOs 2025 Ohio Medicaid Expansion Study. Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio The economic activity that results from those in the Medicaid expansion group having their health insurance covered is projected to generate over $1.1 billion over the next five years in state general revenue from personal income taxes, sales taxes and gross receipts taxes, according to HPIO researchers. State revenue would drop in a number of other ways without the expansion group, according to the HPIO Medicaid study. The population brings state revenue through health insuring corporation (HIC) premium taxes and franchise fees, along with prescription drug rebates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the federal Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, Ohios Medicaid program receives rebates from drug manufacturers in exchange for the programs coverage of most of the manufacturers drugs, the HPIO wrote. These rebates offset the costs of most outpatient prescription drugs dispensed to Medicaid patients. Money the state receives from drug rebates goes back into the Medicaid budget to support spending, according to the study. Along with drops in economic health for the state, the loss of the Medicaid expansion group could negatively impact the states overall health, dropping the number of insured Ohioans. The institutes research said Ohios uninsured rate would potentially increase by 80% in fiscal year 2026 without the existence of Medicaid expansion. Those in the expansion group can include students, Ohioans with chronic health conditions, and older residents. Almost 50% of the Ohioans covered under the Medicaid expansion are among the states workforce, according to the Center for Community Solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Medicaid expansion remained as it is now, the policy institute found Ohio would get more than $42 billion from the federal government over five years to fund the population in that expansion. The state would have to raise considerable revenue to be able to fill the gap that elimination of expansion would leave, the study stated. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, speaks at the Ohio Senate Republican Budget Press Conference. Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, stands in the background. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.) The Ohio Senate has announced its version of the state budget, one that provides a slight increase in public school funding, gives a $600 million grant to the Cleveland Browns for their new stadium and creates a flat income tax of 2.75%. Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) and Finance Chair Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) announced their proposed amendments to the states biennial operating budget on Tuesday afternoon. House Bill 96, the number for the Houses budget bill, passed in April. School funding The senators increased the amount of money going to public schools compared to the Houses proposal. The Senate budget gives public schools about $100 million more than the House. Although it follows most of the Houses proposed budget which only gives schools about $226 million for school funding, or $550 million total the Senate changed the funding guarantee amount. Right now, some districts have guarantees that a portion of their funding will not be reduced, even if their enrollment goes down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cirino explained this $100 million added back would only go to high-performing or improving districts. A new component has been added to recognize performance of the districts who have shown great progress or received a four or five-star rating in their last evaluation, he said. However, to be fully funded, based on statistics from the Fair School Funding Plan from 2021, schools would need an additional $666-800 million, compared to the $226 million given by the House. What would you say to the schools that say that youre not actually doing the fair school funding plan, and that this is going to devastate them, McColley and Cirino were asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not going to devastate them, McColley responded. Youd be hard pressed to find a district that received over a 2% cut in all of their revenues. Democrats like Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) argue that this is misleading because the existing funding formula should have allotted much more. Even though the numbers may look higher, its based on a lower formulation, Hicks-Hudson said. They also raised the House proposals cap on districts rainy day funds to 50%, instead of 30%. This would mean that the schools would have to refund anything above that back to the taxpayer in a method legislators want to use to provide property tax relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is going to be an ability for school districts to look over and above and beyond that 50% cap put money into a capital fund, McColley said. This still isnt high enough, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said. The legislature is micromanaging school districts, and honestly, some of these districts that havent gone out for a levy because they have the reserves, Antonio continued. Browns The Senates budget proposal still includes $600 million for a new Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park. However, the funding structure differs from what the Browns proposed and what the House approved earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House proposed borrowing $600 million by issuing bonds and repaying the debt, with interest, over 25 years, at a cost of about $1 billion. The Senate is proposing a $600 million grant for the stadium using unclaimed funds. That money is property of Ohioans held by the state, things like forgotten bank accounts, rent or utility deposits or uncashed insurance policies. The Ohio Department of Commerces website says the state is sitting on $4.8 billion in unclaimed funds. The Senate believes the state will more than recoup that investment through sales tax, income tax and commercial activity tax revenues from the 176-acre Brook Park stadium district. Flat income tax The budget also includes a 2.75% flat income tax. This mirrors a bill currently in the House, which would eliminate the separate brackets of the non-business income tax. People making more than $102,400 would have their taxes reduced from 3.5% to 3.125% in 2025 and then down to 2.75% in 2026. The lower bracket would stay at 2.75%. Getting to a flat tax is the right place to be for the people of Ohio, Cirino said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antonio responded that this will disproportionately harm low-income families. They pay off the folks at the top of the income brackets and the folks at the lower end are the losers, she said. Next steps Now, the Senate and House leaders will enter a conference committee, a closed-door negotiation period to create a final budget. Once a decision is made, both chambers must pass the combined bill. If it passes through both sides, it will be sent to Gov. Mike DeWine for review. In the past, he issued dozens of line-item vetoes on operating budgets. Line-item vetoing is the ability for the governor to pick and choose which policies within a larger piece of legislation get to stay or must go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWine is adamantly against giving the bond package to the Browns, and we have asked repeatedly if he plans to veto it. He says he hopes it doesnt get to that point. The budget must be passed by the end of June. This is a developing story and will be updated. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (WKBN) The Ohio State Highway Patrol is making a recruiting push for new cadets to join the force. OSHP recently released a series of spots aiming to encourage more people to apply. Troopers say the state has made the process of applying easier to navigate, offering initial interviews and testing at colleges around Ohio instead of focusing on candidates having to travel back and forth to the Patrols Academy in Columbus. And we also use local high school tracks where well do an individual test. Applicants will come in. They dont have to travel to Columbus, said Trooper Andrew English. We can just meet them here locally and save them that drive, for driving to Columbus for that initial piece of the application process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers say they welcome potential recruits between the ages of 21 and 39. The Patrol has also shortened the length of time needed for the application process to about two or three months, compared to what had been a year or more. The first step is a written exam, so theyll take a written exam, thats fifty questions, multiple choice, and theyll have a total of 75 minutes to complete that exam, English said. If they pass that exam, on that same day, they will move on to the physical fitness requirements. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROSS COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) A beautiful baby deer was safely moved off the side of a busy highway thanks to the kind heart of an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper. The video taken May 26, and recently shared to OSHPs Facebook page, shows Trooper Haley Shreck with the Chillicothe Post on the phone with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Ahead of her, a fawn is seen curled up on the shoulder of U.S. 23. near Chillicothe. Norwegian Cruise Line passenger falls in water when ship separates from dock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alright, Im gonna pick this thing up and move it to the grass cuz its in a really bad spot, Shreck said, after consulting with a wildlife officer. Viewers then get a close-up look at the fawn as Shreck carefully approaches the deer, picks it up and carries it to a grassy area farther from the road. This thing is adorable! Shreck lovingly said. She is then heard telling others troopers that the ODNR wildlife officer explained the mother deer is likely off looking for food. Mamas coming back, okay? she tells the fawn as the video comes to an end. The patrols Facebook post said Theres no such thing as a typical day in the life of an Ohio state trooper! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: Free summer meals for NE Ohio kids Case in point. According to ODNR, white tailed-deer give typically give birth from mid-May through July. After 10-12 weeks, the fawns are fully weaned and leave the mother. Troopers also want to remind residents if you come across something in the road that shouldnt be there, safely call #677 to be connected to your nearest Patrol 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. The Madleen ship, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), is en route to Gaza, carrying humanitarian aid and human rights activists protesting against Israels illegal blockade of the Strip. The vessel has set sail in response to Israels total aid blockade of the Palestinian enclave since March 2, which has resulted in the deaths of dozens of children due to starvation. More than 90 percent of the enclaves 2.3 million people are facing acute food shortages, according to aid groups. The Madleen, named after Gazas first and only fisherwoman, departed Catania, Sicily, on June 1, just one month after Israeli drones bombed Conscience, another FFC aid ship, off the coast of Malta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2,000km (1,250-mile) journey is expected to take seven days, provided there are no disruptions. The ships location is being monitored live by Forensic Architecture and using a Garmin live tracker on board. The latest location as of June 4, at 04:00 GMT, was some 600km (375 miles) from Sicily. The diagram below shows a live map of the flotillas current location: Surveillance drone Late on Tuesday night, a surveillance drone was seen hovering over the Madleen as it was approximately 68km (42 miles) outside Greek territorial waters. The drone was later identified as a Hellenic Coastguard Heron, which has since departed. Who is on board? There are 11 activists and a journalist on board the Madleen: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greta Thunberg Swedish climate activist Rima Hassan French-Palestinian Member of European Parliament Yasemin Acar Germany Baptiste Andre France Thiago Avila Brazil Omar Faiad France; Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Pascal Maurieras France Yanis Mhamdi France Suayb Ordu Turkiye Sergio Toribio Spain Marco van Rennes The Netherlands Reva Viard France Meet the 12 volunteers from around the world who are sailing on #Madleen in the #FreedomFlotillaCoalition's steadfast mission to break Israel's illegal siege of Gaza and establish a people's sea corridor #AllEyesOnDeck #BreakTheSiege #endoccupation #Gaza pic.twitter.com/cimfieivTy Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 2, 2025 We are doing this because no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying, because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. by - Greta Thunberg The FFC has emphasised that all volunteers and crew on board Madleen are trained in nonviolence and are sailing unarmed in a peaceful act of civil resistance against Israels actions in Gaza. What happened to previous flotillas? Last month, another ship carrying aid to Gaza was hit by drones in international waters off Malta. The ship had been seeking to deliver aid following Israels genocidal blockade of the besieged enclave. The FFC told Al Jazeera that the attack on the Conscience at 12:23pm local time (10:23 GMT) on May 2 blew a hole in the vessel and set the engine ablaze. Fifteen years ago, Israeli commandos carried out a deadly attack on Mavi Marmara, the largest ship in an aid flotilla carrying Turkish activists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The so-called Gaza Freedom Flotilla was carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid and had set out from Istanbul in an attempt to break Israels blockade of Gaza. Nine humanitarian volunteers were killed on May 31, 2010. Gaza has been under an Israeli land, sea and air blockade since 2007. What aid is the ship carrying? According to an FFC press release, the Madleen is carrying things urgently needed by people in Gaza, including medical supplies, flour, rice, baby formula, nappies, womens sanitary products, water desalination kits, crutches and childrens prosthetics. Gaza starvation One in five Palestinians in Gaza is facing starvation because of Israels three-month-long total blockade of the Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, 1.95 million people 93 percent of the enclaves population are facing acute food shortages. The IPC says Israels continued blockade would likely result in further mass displacement within and across governorates, as items essential for peoples survival will be depleted. Interactive_Gaza_food_IPC_report_May13_2025 starvation hunger famine Despite an Israeli-led and United States-backed aid distribution organisation, called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, being set up last month to deliver aid into Gaza, its new distribution hub disintegrated into chaos within hours of opening on May 27 and has been marred with even more controversy following deadly shootings at aid distribution centres. Israel has been accused of luring Palestinians to these centres and killing more than 100 of them in the past eight days. Israeli forces have killed more than 54,000 Palestinians since they launched their devastating offensive on October 7, 2023. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) After a few locally viral Facebook posts, people are once again questioning whether the Mountain State is home to mountain lions. Snake season: What to do if you find a snake in your yard Todd Dowdy, Wildlife Biologist with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, said no, there are no native mountain lions remaining in West Virginia. He said, if there were, someone would have gotten more concrete proof, especially in this day and age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most hunters use trail cameras at this point so theres thousands of trail cameras on the landscape here in West Virginia every fall. We have several houndsmen that pursue bears with dogs and raccoons. So, these sportsmen are gonna run into a mountain lion at some point, if there were mountain lions on the landscape, said Dowdy. Dowdy said in the 25 years he has been with DNR no one has provided hard evidence of a mountain lion in the state. He said hard evidence would be a very good quality photo, a print or casting of a track, mountain lion scat, or the full mountain lion carcass. Dowdy said it would be hard to mistake a creature that is nearly seven feet long, tip to tail, and weighs upwards of 80 pounds. 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. ATOKA, Okla. (KFOR) A 19-year-old has been taken into custody after a pursuit led to an officer-involved shooting in Atoka on May 30, officials say. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Atoka Police Department tried to pull over a vehicle around 12:30 p.m. along State Highway 69. As officers approached the vehicle, the driver, 19-year-old Jason New, drove off. Jason New. Image courtesy OSBI. During the pursuit, New struck a patrol vehicle along with three other vehicles. He then got out of the car and ran to the west side of Highway 69. As officers tried to apprehend him, there was an exchange of gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL NEWS: Police investigating stabbing in north Oklahoma City Officials say Atoka and Stringtown Police noticed occupants inside one of the vehicles, including two minors. Officers worked to get all five occupants out of the car safely. New was taken into custody and no injuries have been reported. The vehicle he was driving was reported stolen. He was been booked into the Atoka County Jail on complaints of Eluding Police, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a Drivers License, Aggravated Assault and Shoplifting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Arizonas largest egg producer has lost 95 percent of its chickens due to the bird flu, signaling a potential price increase for eggs. On Monday, the Arizona Department of Agriculture announced a third commercial farm had tested positive for bird flu in Maricopa County. At the same time, Hickman's Egg Ranch, which is Arizona's largest egg producer and one of the nation's top 20 producers, has had to destroy the chickens at three of its four farms due to the bird flu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of our layer flocks have been on the west side of town, have been determined to be positive. We're in the act of depopulating those farms and removing the chickens and trying to start the cleanup process," Glenn Hickman, the president and CEO of Hickman's Egg Ranch, told Fox 10 Phoenix. Hickman expressed his frustration at the three-year-long flu forcing him to destroy egg-laying chickens. Egg prices may increase in Arizona after Hickman Farms the states largest egg producers and one of the largest producers of eggs nationally had to close three of its four farms due to bird flu contamination (Getty Images) "You know, since this outbreak started in February of 2022, we've lost 170 million birds and that's just got to stop," he said. According to Hickman, it will take 20 months to fully repopulate his farms. The company is trying to get by in the meantime with help from other farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thankfully, we have some other farmers that we are cooperative with, and some of those have had some extra eggs. So we've been able to kind of reshift and reprioritize where those eggs are going," he said. While egg prices have been lowering around the country since they spiked earlier this year, a supply chain expert told Fox 10 Phoenix that there is a chance that egg prices in Arizona will increase. "Hickman's supplies about 80 percent of Arizona's egg production. You are reducing about 80 percent of Arizona's supply chain from about 2.2 billion to 450 million eggs," Hitendra Chaturvedi, an Arizona State University Professor of Practice for the department of supply chain management told the broadcaster. Hickman disagreed, and said the impact of losing his chickens on the market will be "pretty nominal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona's egg struggles are playing out as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is singing President Donald Trump's praises for a reduction in egg prices. She blamed the spike in egg prices on former President Joe Biden's administration. "I remember my very first briefing, I was asked about the cost of eggs, the reporter tried to insinuate this administration was at fault, even though he had only been here for a few days or weeks," Leavitt said. "It was a result of the previous administration's terrible polices and in record time, this president has fixed that problem he inherited from Joe Biden, and prices have dropped 61 percent since this president took office." According to Trading Economics data, white, large shell eggs are around $2.52 per dozen nationally. On January 21, the same carton would have cost approximately $6.49, nationally. According to analysts at Clarify Capital, the price drop is partially a result of Americans buying fewer eggs due to their spike in prices thus creating more supply and a lull in new bird flu cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters also reported in April that the U.S. has increased its egg imports from Turkey, Brazil, and South Korea to help bolster supply and bring down prices. Since the outbreak began in 2022, the bird flu has affects more than 166 million birds, including 127 million egg laying birds. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. In 2016, when a man at a Trump rally was photographed wearing a shirt that said Rope. Tree. Journalist. SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED, it made headlines. Back then, it was perceived as a dark sign of how then-candidate Donald Trump had, with his declarations that news media were the enemy of the American people, fundamentally reshaped the Republican Partys relationship with the press. Now, almost a decade later, Republican hostility toward mainstream news media is treated as a fact of life. The White Houses abuse of reporters is routine, and the default position of Trump supporters is one of animosity toward and distrust of the press. Its hard to imagine this reality ever changing, given that theres no containing so many of the factors that led here: increasingly advanced algorithms that funnel people toward insular information environments; conspiracy theorist content creators and right-wing influencers who push previously fringe belief sets vilifying traditional institutions; and, of course, the assault on press freedom from the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And yet, theres at least one sign that things might be changing. Last month, the Pew Research Center released a survey that found that in the past year, Republican trust in mainstream news media has increased. According to a survey of 9,500 Americans, about 53 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning adults have at least some trust in the information from national news organizations. Thats a 13-point increase from last year. Its still a lower number than Democrat-leaning adults, which is at 81 percent in Pews survey. But more than half of Republican-friendly respondents answering in this way seems like a substantial amount, given the factors at play. To understand where this sudden about-face came from, Slate reached out to Toby Hopp, a professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, who researches trust in the news, political knowledge, and the use of alternative political media platforms. Hopp prefaced the discussion by noting that any single survey can involve statistical flukes that make it hard to form any definitive conclusions. But Pews survey still found a statistically notable increase in Republicans trust, and Hopp offered some theories that would explain how such a long-standing and seemingly irreversible trend just might be starting to turn around. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Slate: I have to admit that I was a little shocked by these Pew numbers. With the caveat that we will need more polling to affirm this finding: Whats going on here? Toby Hopp: Its hard to say theres one factor that might explain this particular observation. [But] if we look just at the national media, weve seen organizations change how they go about interfacing with the public, particularly in the op-ed sections. Theres been a concerted effort from some of these large news organizations to bring folks in from the Republican Party. The Washington Post decided not to endorse a candidate; weve seen subsequent changes to the Washington Post editorial posture. A big part of what alternative media on the right does is media criticism, so when the Washington Post declined to endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, it was a fairly big story on these alternative outlets. On the local level, youve seen actors like Sinclair purchase a large number of local news stations. And so perhaps some of these efforts, in their combined form, may have led to Republicans thinking slightly differently about the national news. This Pew poll asked people about national news organizations, without necessarily qualifying what was meant. Now the media landscape is so fractured, with people consuming video, audio, and text from so many legacy organizations, YouTubers, podcasters, influencerscould it be that Republicans are also changing what they consider to be national news? Its an interesting question, particularly because weve seen real changes to who has access to the national political apparatus. The White House news corps has been reconstituted over the past four or five months to include more of what we have historically thought of as alternative or emergent media sources. Pews survey didnt necessarily find that this rise in trust from Republicans came at the expense of Democrat-leaning adults; it found that Democrats trust in information from national news organizations has been largely steady over the years. Are there limits to what this idea of trust tells us? Trust is just one barometer of news media performance. So Id be interested in seeing: Are we seeing changes in consumption? One of the other sides of a strategy in which you choose not to endorse a political candidate or choose to recraft an op-ed section is that this one group of people who has historically played a huge role in the financial, commercial success of your organizationyou cant expect that those folks are going to continue to consume your products in the same way that they always have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anecdotally, Ive seen an increasing amount of criticism of these large news organizations coming from the left. Weve seen a lot of criticism of the national news organizations with regard to their coverage of the conflict in Gaza. Their political coverage, since 2016, has been really criticized as being access-oriented, seeking to engage in newsgathering activities that involve getting anonymous reports or other types of things. Or its salacious aspects of who likes who within the White House. Its sometimes easy to think of the partisan split in news trust, with Republicans having less trust than Democrats, as a kind of law of the universe. Looking historically, has this always been the case? [Through most of U.S. history] the press was outwardly and highly partisan. Then, in the 60s and 70s, the post-Watergate era, news organizations made a deliberate and, some would argue, commercial decision to embrace these norms of objectivity, independence, and serving the public sphere. That corresponded with a time in American politics in which we saw diminished political competition. If you combined that with the reality that the mass media was the dominant force of information distribution in society, you had this scenariowhich I would argue is generally atypical in American historyin which Americans were getting their news from a limited set of sources [that they had] a great deal of trust in. So consumption habits for news looked similar across political parties. When Trump first ran for president, he took a very different tack in which he really aggressively attacked the news. If you look at Pews data, you see this dramatic decrease in trust among Republicans around the 2015, 2016, 2017 mark. So this notion of partisan striations in trust in the mainstream media is both part of American political history and also a fairly new phenomenon, relative to the 50 or 60 years that preceded Trump. Do you think this is going to be a trend that will continue? What do you think will happen with public trust in the national media? I dont think that well return to the scenario that we saw in the 70s, 80s, 90s, where the default position for most Americans was that the mainstream news was trustworthy. We exist in a high-choice media environment, [with] outlets that are defined in large part by their opposition to the mainstream news. Media criticism has been integrated into a lot of these alternative and emergent platforms. And it does seem like we exist in a general era of distrust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I do think, at some point, well look back and say there was a bottoming-out point. I dont think were going to be returning to a scenario anytime soon where 70, 75 percent of the American public is indicating a large degree of support in the national news media. But its not plausible to think that were going to continue to see a downward trend until no Republican in the U.S. has any level of trust whatsoever in the New York Times. So my prediction would be that were in a holding pattern. That this is the new normal. But so much of that is dependent on what types of social and political crises are in our future. COVID obviously played a particular role for a particular type of person relative to how much theyre willing to [trust] not only the news media, but the government, health officials, so on and so forth. And there are many, including myself, who would say were in a moment of democratic crisis. And how the national news organizations choose to react to that crisis will play a role in the trust that theyre allocated. These large news organizations should not take for granted that liberal and left-leaning citizens are going to continue to consume their products. I think what Im specifically interested in is not so much the business model part as the idea of a shared sense of reality. And I think what Im taking away from this discussion is that we are not seeing a trend in which Republican readers are suddenly, now, accepting what the Washington Post fact-checker is telling them about the COVID vaccine, for example. Am I wrong? Is there any part of this finding that indicates Americans are now more willing to believe reporting that cuts against their partisan ideas? I think one way we might look at it is there may be a change in the Republican cohort in this country related to how angry they are at the mainstream news media. Not necessarily that theyre using it more or relying upon it more to make decisions, but that the outpouring of anger that we saw, particularly after the 2016 election, is waning or receding. So, in a generic sense, more Republicans may have indicated that they have some level of trust in the mainstream news media. Are other behaviors changing? Are they using that information more? Are they using that information to make sense of the political and social realities around them? And, honestly, I dont think that we have any real basis to believe that thats true. TOWN OF ONEONTA, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) An Oneonta man is facing felony charges after allegedly opening fire on the Norfolk Southern Railway on Wednesday. The Otsego County Sheriffs Office announced the arrest of 33-year-old James Fulginiti following a shots fired complaint in the Town of Oneonta. On Wednesday, at approximately 5:08 p.m., Deputies were dispatched to the area of the railway just off of State Highway 7 and Corporate Drive. Otsego County 911 Dispatchers received reports of a male walking down the railway and allegedly shooting a firearm at a train. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding officers located the suspect, later identified as Fulginiti, and took him into custody. During an investigation, it was determined that Fulginiti had allegedly fired a BB gun at the train conductor compartment and struck the windshield. The train conductor was not injured during the incident. However, the train windshield was damaged. Fulginiti was taken to the Otsego County Sheriffs Office for processing and was charged with the following: Unlawful Interference with Railroad/Train Unlawful Propulsion of a Missile at Railroad Trains Criminal Mischief Third Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon Third Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon Fourth Degree Menacing in the Second Degree Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fulginiti was turned over to the Otsego County Corrections to be held for Centralized Arraignment. The Otsego County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the New York State Police and Norfolk Southern Railway Police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors Note: The full press conference can be viewed at the bottom of this article. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Ontario County DAs Office has joined the family of a murder victim to petition against the parole of a convicted killer. Gregory Flint, now 63 years old, was convicted decades ago of the murder of Staci Ackerman nearly four decades ago. Its unknown when his parole hearing will be, but the DAs Office is working with Stacis mother, Sue Ann Cross, to petition for his parole to be denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flints first parole hearing is next month. If granted, the earliest he can be released is in November. District Attorney Jim Ritts says the petition was created due to the state creating a system that would not supervise Flint for the rest of his life, if he were released. The fact that this monster might soon be released is almost too much to bear for a family, for a community that was devastated by his perverted and savage acts, Ritts said. He should not be paroled until Staci is paroled from her death. On September 11, 1986, Staci Ackerman was sexually assaulted and murdered by Gregory Flint in her bed in Farmington. Flint stayed with the family at the time while he was going to court for a DWI charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waking up the morning of the murder, Stacis parents went about their regular duties. Her mother, Sue Ann Cross, tried to wake her daughter, but she didnt respond. After attempts by first responders to wake her up, Staci was pronounced dead in the hospital. There is no rest or escape from such a loss. Only the need to take care of my boys did keep me alive. It was hard, said Cross. When asked by a stranger or acquaintance how many children do you have, I still pause, tears well up in my eyes, and I can barely catch my breath and struggle to speak the words. During the investigation, Flint denied staying with the family, but he admitted to sexually assaulting and killing her before leaving. He was convicted on January 29, 1987 on two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sodomy, and one count of first-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 37 years to life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the possibility that rehabilitation, Ritts said Flint is unsure how to fix a predator doing unspeakable things against a child. You cant fix that, theres not a chance in the world you can fix that, said Ritts. Cross said she has experienced anxiety, anger, and fear that something could happen to her other children. She is asking for help to ensure Flint wont hurt another person again. Greg Flint is a predator and took advantage of our kindness and then stole the life of my child, my beautiful Stacy, she said, adding, This kind of evil cannot be mended, regardless of how many years he serves in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You find the familys petition here. Full News Conference The full news conference can be found in the video 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 RochesterFirst. Free Press editor Bari Weiss joins Morning Joe to discuss the recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, which the FBI has called a targeted terror attack and comes less than two weeks after the assassination of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Weiss discusses a new Free Press piece by Jeffrey Herf, who concludes that the criticism of terrorism and antisemitism must become louder. Anthropic is making gains in the AI talent war, poaching top engineers from OpenAI and DeepMind. Rival companies have been scrambling to retain elite AI researchers with sky-high pay and strict noncompetes. Anthropic is emerging as a leader in the AI talent wars, siphoning top performers from some of its biggest rivals. Thats according to Venture Capital firm SignalFires recently released 2025 State of Talent Report, which analyzed tech hiring and employment trends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report found that engineers from OpenAI and DeepMind were increasingly more likely to jump ship to Anthropic than the reverse. Engineers at OpenAI were eight times more likely to leave the company for Anthropic, while at DeepMind, that ratio was almost 11:1 in Anthropics favor. Anthropic also leads the AI industry in holding on to talent, with an 80% retention rate for employees hired over the last two years. DeepMind follows closely behind with 78%, while OpenAIs retention rate trails at 67%, more aligned with larger Big Tech companies such as Meta (64%). Some of the enthusiasm around Anthropic is to be expected; the company is a buzzy, relatively new startup. It was founded just three years ago, in 2021, by a group of ex-OpenAI employees who were reportedly concerned about their former employer rapidly scaling its technology without sufficient safeguards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past few years, Anthropic has attempted to foster a culture that gives employees more autonomy, in part to combat some Big Tech companies inflated salaries and brand cachet. According to SignalFires report, Anthropic employees say the company embraces intellectual discourse and researcher autonomy. It also offers other talent draws, including flexible work options and clear paths for career growth. The companys flagship family of LLMs, Claude, has also emerged as a favorite with developers, which could influence some of the talent movement. Anthropics latest AI models outperformed OpenAIs and Googles top models on key software engineering benchmarks. The company labeled its recently released Opus 4 model the worlds best coding model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The companys commitment to AI safety appears to have also attracted some top engineers. Notable AI researcher Jan Leike defected to Anthropic from OpenAI last year, criticizing on the way out his former employer for focusing on shiny products over AI safety. Ex-Google researchers like Niki Parmar and Neil Houlsby have also jumped ship to the startup. AI talent wars The demand for leading researchers has massively outpaced the supply as AI labs vie to build more advanced models and outpace one another in a high-stakes AI arms race. This has made the battle for top AI talent increasingly competitive and forced some tech companies to employ creative strategies to attract elite engineers. Google DeepMind, for example, is reportedly enforcing six- to 12-month noncompete clauses that bar some AI researchers from joining rival firms. During this time, the engineers continue to receive their normal salaries despite having no active work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over at OpenAI, some top AI researchers can earn more than $10 million a year. The companys counteroffers to stop employees from joining OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskevers SSI have also reportedly reached more than $2 million in retention bonuses, in addition to equity increases of $20 million or more, per Reuters. And CTO Mira Muratis departure from OpenAI has caused further talent headaches. Murati has quietly built a 60-person team to launch her rival startup, pulling in 20 staffers from OpenAI before even announcing the venture in February, according to sources who spoke to Reuters. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Hello and welcome to Eye on AI. In this editionYoshua Bengios new AI safety nonprofitMeta seeks to automate ad creation and targetingSnitching AI modelsand a deep dive on the energy consumption of AI. I spent last week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the Fortune ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum, where I moderated two of the many on-stage discussions that touched on AI. It was clear from the conference that leaders in Southeast Asia and the Gulf are desperate to ensure their countries benefit from the AI revolution. But they are also concerned about AI Sovereignty and want to control their own destiny when it comes to AI technology. They want to control key parts of the AI tech stackfrom data centers to data to AI models and applicationsso that they are not wholly dependent on technology being created in the U.S. or China. This is particularly the case with AI, because while no tech is neutral, AIespecially large language modelsembody particular values and cultural norms fairly explicitly. Leaders in these regions worry their own values and cultures wont be represented in these models unless they train their own versions. They are also wary of the rhetoric emanating from Washington, D.C., that would force them to choose between the U.S. and China when it comes to AI models, applications, and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malaysias Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has scrupulously avoided picking sides, in the past expressing a desire to be seen as a neutral territory for U.S. and Chinese tech companies. At the Fortune conference, he answered a question about Washingtons push to force countries such as Malaysia into its technological orbit alone, saying that China was an important neighbor while also noting that the U.S. is Malaysias No. 1 investor as well as a key trading partner. We have to navigate [geopolitics] as a global strategy, not purely dictated by national or regional interests, he said, somewhat cryptically. AI Sovereignty will be difficult for many countries to achieve But speakers on one of the panels I moderated at the conference also made it clear that achieving AI sovereignty was not going to be easy for most countries. Kiril Evtimov, the chief technology officer at G42, the UAE AI company that has emerged as an important player both regionally and increasingly globally, said that few countries could afford to build their own AI models and also maintain the vast data centers needed to support training and running the most advanced AI models. He said most nations would have to pick which parts of the technology stack that they could actually afford to own. For many, it might come down to relying on open-source models for specific use cases where they didnt want to depend on models from Western technology vendors, such as helping to power government services. Technically, this is probably as sovereign as it will get, he said. Also, on the panel was Jason Kwon, OpenAIs chief strategy officer, who spoke about the companys recently announced AI for Countries program. Sitting within its Project Stargate effort to build colossal data centers worldwide, the program offers a way for OpenAI to partner with national governments, allowing them to tap OpenAIs expertise in building data centers to train and host cutting edge AI models. But what would those countries offer in exchange? Well, money, for one thing. The first partner in the AI for Countries program is the UAE, which has committed to investing billions of dollars to build a 1 gigawatt Stargate data center in Abu Dhabi, with the first 200 megawatt portion of this expected to go live next year. The UAE has also agreed, as part of this effort, to invest additional billions into the U.S.-based Stargate datacenters OpenAI is creating. (G42 is a partner in this project, as are Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank.) In exchange for this investment, the UAE is getting help deploying OpenAIs software throughout the government, as well as in key sectors such as energy, healthcare, education, and transportation. Whats more, every UAE citizen is getting free access to OpenAIs normally subscription-based ChatGPT Plus service. OpenAI says it will co-develop its AI for Countries Programs For those concerned that depending so heavily on a single U.S.-based tech company might undermine the idea of AI sovereignty, OpenAI sought to make clear that the version of ChatGPT it makes available will be tailored to the needs of each partner country. The company wrote in its blog post announcing the AI for Countries program: This will be AI of, by, and for the needs of each particular country, localized in their language and for their culture and respecting future global standards. OpenAI is also agreeing to help make investments in the local AI startup ecosystem alongside local venture capital investors. I asked Kwon how countries that are not as wealthy as the UAE might be able to take advantage of OpenAIs AI for Countries program if they didnt have billions to invest in building a Stargate-size data center in their own country, let alone also helping to fund data centers in the U.S. Kwon answered that the program would be co-developed with each partner. Because we recognise each country is going to be different in terms of its needs and what its capable of doing and what its citizens are going to require, he said. He suggested that if a country couldnt directly contribute funds, it might be able to contribute something elsesuch as data, which could help make AI models that better understand local languages and culture. Its not just about having the capital, he said. He also suggested that countries could contribute through AI literacy, training, or educational efforts and also through helping local businesses collaborate with OpenAI. Kwons answer left me wondering how national governments and their citizens would feel about this kind of exchangetrading valuable or culturally-sensitive data, for instance, in order to get access to OpenAIs latest tech. Would they ultimately come to see it as a Faustian bargain? In many ways, countries still face the dilemma G42s Evitmov flicked at: They can have access to the most advanced AI capabilities or they can have AI sovereignty. But they may not be able to have both. With that, heres more AI news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeremy Kahn jeremy.kahn@fortune.com @jeremyakahn Want to know more about how to use AI to transform your business? Interested in what AI will mean for the fate of companies, and countries? Why not join me in Singapore on July 22 and 23 for Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore. We will dive deep into the latest on AI agents, examine the data center build out in Asia, and talk to top leaders from government, board rooms, and academia in the region and beyond. You can apply to attend here. The new Fortune 500 ranking is here In total, Fortune 500 companies represent two-thirds of U.S. GDP with $19.9 trillion in revenues, and they employ 31 million people worldwide. Last year, they combined to earn $1.87 trillion in profits, up 10% from last yearand a record in dollar terms. View the full list, read a longer overview of how it shook out this year, and learn more about the companies via the stories below. A passion for music brought Jennifer Witz to the top spot at satellite radio staple SiriusXM. Now shes tasked with ushering it into a new era dominated by podcasts and subscription services. Read more IBM was once the face of technological innovation, but the company has struggled to keep up with the speed of Silicon Valley. Can a bold AI strategy and a fast-moving CEO change its trajectory? Read more This year, Alphabet became the first company on the Fortune 500 to surpass $100 billion in profits. Take an inside look at which industries, and companies, earned the most profits on this years list. Read more UnitedHealth Group abruptly brought back former CEO Stephen Hemsley in mid-May amid a wave of legal investigations and intense stock losses. How can the insurer get back on its feet? Read more Keurig Dr. Pepper CEO Tim Cofer has made Dr. Pepper cool again and brought a new generation of products to the company. Now, the little-known industry veteran has his eyes set on Coke-and-Pepsi levels of profitability. Read more NRG Energy is the top-performing stock in the S&P 500 this year, gaining 68% on the back of big acquisitions and a bet on data centers. In his own words, CEO Larry Coben explains the companys success. Read more This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Ohio's second Wawa opens this month in a Cincinnati suburb. Wawa's new store at 3501 Tylersville Road in Fairfield opens June 26, according to a company press release. The Fairfield location is the second of eight to 10 Wawas slated to open in Greater Cincinnati this year. The first Wawa in Ohio opened in Liberty Township in April. With each new store, we bring our unique combination of fresh food and beverage, convenience and service to local communities, and we extend our commitment to being a good neighbor through community partnerships," Wawa President Brian Schaller said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pennsylvania-based company will also provide free food and drinks at the Breakthrough T1D Walk at Kings Island on June 7, which raises money for diabetes research and treatment. Wawa proposed two other store locations in Fairfield. The company withdrew its request to rezone an area for a fourth store after residents pushed back. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio's 2nd Wawa opens soon in this Cincinnati suburb In 1871, Henry D. Schmidt, a New Orleans doctor, gifted the crania of 19 formerly enslaved African American and mixed-race individuals to Dr. Emil Ludwig Schmidt at the University of Leipzig to study the racist hypothesis that a persons morality or intelligence could be determined by crevices and bumps of their skull. A century and a half later, in a presumed act of higher consciousness, the German university no longer felt the need to house the ill-gotten skulls and, on Saturday, the remains of those 19 disregarded souls were given a proper burial in New Orleans. Saturdays event at Dillard University took place on the same week that Harvard University announced that it is relinquishing what are believed to be among the earliest photos of enslaved people in the United States. The 1850 images of a father and daughter known as Renty and Delia, who were photographed naked to the waist, were commissioned by Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz to support the theory of polygenism, the idea that human races evolved separately. Harvard would probably still be clutching those photos if Tamara Lanier, an author who says shes a descendant of the father and daughter pictured, hadnt fought a 15-year legal battle with the university. But the photos wont come to her. Renty and Delias images will now be placed at the International African American Museum in South Carolina, the state where they were enslaved. A sample image of "Papa" Renty and his daughter Delia, taken in 1850, during a press conference announcing a lawsuit against Harvard University, in New York City, on March 20, 2019. (Kevin Hagen / Getty Images file) As I sat through the three-hour service, which included a city acknowledgement by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, musical tributes and a riveting performance from Dillard Universitys Theatre Ensemble personifying the 19 human beings we were paying homage to, I couldnt help but think about the history of Black Americans being the guinea pigs for experimentation or examination or the subject of incomplete theories, under the guise of scientific advancement. Or the irony of racist individuals using inferior Black specimens to interrogate complex ideas about human physiology, and still arriving at racist conclusions even with evidence in their possession that contradicts their hypotheses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We live in a moment where there is a persistent effort to erase all knowledge of these atrocities and pretend as if they were just figments of Black folks imagination. But Eva Baham, who chaired the Cultural Repatriation Committee that brought the remains of the 19 New Orleanians home, said during Saturdays service that the purpose of studying history is to move forward. And when we keep our past hidden, we are starting over every day. The memorial service for Adam Grant, Isaak Bell, Hiram Smith, William Pierson, Henry Williams, John Brown, Hiram Malone, William Roberts, Alice Brown, Prescilla Hatchet, Marie Louise, Mahala, Samuel Prince, John Tolman, Henry Allen, Moses Willis, Henry Anderson and two other unidentified souls was unlike any other I have witnessed. The decedents had transitioned over a century and a half ago; however, their departure from this realm could not have been considered peaceful before this weekends ceremony. Roughly 200 community members filled the sanctuary of Dillards Lawless Memorial Chapel to pay their respects to these ancestors who were so horribly disrespected after they died. It was emotionally draining because youre trying your best to make some connections and to search and find [that] theres hope, Freddi Williams Evans, a member of the Cultural Repatriation Committee, told me. We could not verify any descendants. And so we have to step in and be their family. Harvard is letting go not just of the photos of Renty and Delia, but also images of enslaved people known as Alfred, Delia, Drana, Fassena, Jack and Jem. Lanier, who says shes the great-great-great-granddaughter of Papa Renty, said of the settlement with Harvard, This pilfered property, images taken without dignity or consent and used to promote a racist psychoscience will now be repatriated to a home where their stories can be told and their humanity can be restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As she spoke Wednesday she locked arms with Susanna Moore, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Agassiz, the Harvard biologist. Moore rightly called the work her forefather was doing with the photos a deeply racist project. The combination of Harvard relinquishing its photos and Dillard receiving the remains of those wrongly shipped to a lab overseas means that even in 2025, we are still unpacking just how much dehumanization defined slavery and its aftermath in the United States. Dillard University President Monique Guillory told me it was important to honor the 19 in New Orleans because They walked the streets of New Orleans like we do. Saturdays ceremony ended with African drumming and dancing, and then attendees were led out of the chapel by a jazz band and a traditional New Orleans second line en route to bury the remains of a tormented people, the right way. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The long process of selecting the next Democratic presidential nominee is beginning, with potential candidates speaking already to gatherings of party faithful. We can and we must condemn Donald Trumps reckless actions, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) told about 800 people at the South Carolina Democratic Partys Blue Palmetto Dinner. The nations only Black governor said Democrats must also advance their own agenda and be the party of action, supporting policies that will quickly improve the lives of Americans. Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), last years Democratic vice presidential nominee, told the South Carolina Democratic Convention that Democrats should be a little meaner in standing up to what he called President Trumps bullying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then flew across the country to speak to the California Democratic Convention and urged Democrats to find some goddamn guts to fight for working people, because the party lost a big chunk of the working class in last years election. That last election was a primal scream on so many fronts, he said. Neither Moore, Walz, nor any other Democrat has announced a 2028 presidential run so far, but Democrats have many excellent potential candidates. Former Vice President Kamala Harris (D) may seek the presidency a second time or run for governor of California in 2026. Other Democrats who may run for president include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and several others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are trying to figure out the winning recipe to cook up some wins following Republican victories last year. However, Republicans would like nothing better than to make former President Joe Bidens alleged mental decline in office something Biden strongly denies a major issue in their campaigns. I have known Biden for decades and believe he was an outstanding president. But debating his fitness for office is pointless. He will never run for office again. Democrats must look ahead, because voters will cast ballots for candidates they believe will give them a better future. Trump and congressional Republicans are doing an abysmal job governing. They embrace policies that threaten our liberties and the rule of law, give the richest Americans unjustified tax cuts and make massive cuts to vital government programs that benefit millions of people. They have eliminated hundreds of thousands of federal employees jobs and support huge tariffs that raise consumer prices, reduce American exports and force U.S. businesses to lay off workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their legislation also harms our health and environment, weakens colleges and universities and ends diversity, equity and inclusion programs that open the door to the American Dream wider. They have worsened relations with other nations, endangered U.S. national security and seek to deport 1 million unauthorized immigrants, often without due process, and weaken freedom of the press and speech. Democrats should explain, in easily understandable language, how they would replace extremist Trump policies with better ones. For example, Democrats should point out that Trump and Republicans are prioritizing GOP tax cuts that would bring little or no benefit to most Americans. The Internal Revenue Service reports that in 2022 the 1 percent of taxpayers with the highest incomes paid about 40.4 percent of federal income taxes, while the top 50 percent of taxpayers paid 97 percent of all federal individual income taxes. The 50 percent of taxpayers with the lowest incomes paid only 3 percent of income taxes. This means that Trumps tax cuts would save the richest Americans millions of dollars every year, but would save most Americans little or nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Democrats should accept the reality that in swing congressional districts and states, they need independent and sometimes a slice of moderate Republican votes to win elections. Embracing far-left progressive policies will help Republicans get elected. Rather than fighting over ideological purity, Democrats should focus on defeating Republicans. Democrats also need to reach out to low-turnout young voters and people of color with every method available. Personal contact is more effective than paid ads in reaching nonvoters. Beyond any speculation about 2028 and the presidential race, Democrats should first prioritize this years statewide elections in New Jersey and Virginia, and then the 2026 midterm elections for Congress, state legislatures and governorships. Nearly half the members of the House and Senate are former state legislators. Capturing at least one house of Congress would give Democrats the power to block some of Trumps legislative initiatives, call on administration officials to testify under oath and file lawsuits against illegal and unconstitutional actions by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have an excellent chance of winning control of the House in 2026. Republicans now have a slim majority of 220 to 212. Three vacancies were created by the deaths of Democratic members, who are likely to be replaced by other Democrats in special elections. The presidents party has lost House seats in 18 of the 20 midterm elections since the end of World War II. We dont know how popular Trump will be in 2026, but Im betting his popularity falls as his policies hurt growing numbers of Americans, dragging down Republican candidates with him. A Gallup poll found that Trump had a public approval rating of 43 percent in May and a disapproval rating of 53 percent. The only post-World War II president with a lower approval rating in May after being elected was Trump himself, with an approval rating of 39 percent in May 2017. Democrats will have a harder time winning a Senate majority than taking control of the House, but good candidates attuned to their states electorates can help to prove the political prognosticators wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Thirty-five seats will be on the ballot in 2026, 23 of which are held by Republicans. Democrats had an awful 2024, marked by election defeats. America and the world are having an awful 2025 as a result of Trumps erratic, incompetent and dangerous leadership and Republicans blind loyalty. Democrats are tired of looking back at what went wrong last year. We are rebuilding the party, holding town halls in Republican congressional districts where Republicans are too scared to do so and filing lawsuits challenging Trumps efforts to govern by executive order as if he were a king. A new era is beginning for Democrats. I look forward to better days ahead when my party starts winning elections against the radical Republicans who have abandoned Ronald Reagans principled conservatism and embraced Trump and his MAGA movements reckless extremism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donna Brazile is a political strategist, a contributor to ABC News and former chair of the Democratic National Committee. She is the author of Hacks: Inside the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White 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 The Hill. These are tough times in Washington. Federal employees dont know from one day to the next whether theyll still have a job. Reporters fear their editors wont back them up if theyre too hard on reporting the truth about President Trump. Lobbyists scan their client list to make sure none can be blackballed as DEI. Republican politicians worry about being primaried. Democrats worry about being dismissed as irrelevant. All that angst! But, according to a recent survey in the New York Times, that stress is minor compared to the biggest existential crisis facing younger, political and socially-ambitious Washingtonians today: What private club shall I join to further my career and, maybe, have fun along the way? Lets be honest. The choices are not great, starting with what is probably still Washingtons most prestigious private club, the Metropolitan Club, nestled in a drab high rise near the White House. It has a roster of famous Washington establishment names I once chatted up Vice President Dick Cheney there but if youre looking for signs of life, youd be better off at Congressional Cemetery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next up, the Cosmos Club, located in a beautiful Beaux-Arts mansion on Massachusetts Avenue, near Dupont Circle. Like San Franciscos Bohemian Club, the Cosmos Club is home to artists, writers and intellectuals. Its walls are covered with photos of members who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. But, again, its atmosphere is quiet, if not moribund. But now there are two alternatives. Neds Club, which opened in late January, across from the Treasury Department, with a $5,000 initiation fee plus an annual $5,000 membership fee. Aiming to attract younger professionals from both parties, Neds has already signed up 1,500 major players in the current and past administrations, as well as several big-name journalists. If thats your idea of a good time, half the lobbyists in town are always there, one unnamed member told the Times. The Executive Branch, opening this month, is Washingtons most exclusive private club, created by a group of investors led by Donald Trump Jr. in an subterranean cavern under a Georgetown shopping mall. With a membership fee of $500,000, the Executive Branch is clearly a place where MAGA moguls and government officials and maybe even POTUS himself can hoist a drink without fear of rubbing elbows with someone not wearing a MAGA hat. If youre not sure what club to join, heres the obvious answer: Dont join any of them. To make it in Washington, you dont really have to. There are plenty of power pits in DC you can get into for just the price of a meal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No place speaks Washington politics and power like The Palm restaurant, where caricatures of past and present big shots stare down at you from the walls. Legendary lobbyists like Tommy Boggs and Chuck Manatt had their own tables here. At Friday lunch, chances are youll see former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) holding court. Joes Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab, in a renovated bank at the corner of 15th and H, NW, a block from Lafayette Park, is another favorite for Republican and Democratic operatives. Dinner at the Capitol Grill, near the Capitol, is like dinner in the House GOP Caucus: swap stories with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). Or join Trump insiders led by frequent diner Steve Bannon at Butterworths, on Capitol Hill. Trattorio Alberto, on Barracks Row, once former House Speaker John Boehners (R-Ohio) hideaway, nightly hosts Congress members and staffers from both sides of the aisle. The Tune Inn remains Washingtons classic, no-frills, grungy bar. And theres still no better place to see and be seen by the politically powerful than Georgetowns Cafe Milano. The point is: With so many free alternatives, theres no need to join a private club to help you climb the political, professional and social ladder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, when it comes to joining clubs, the leading authority is the great Groucho Marx. He once applied for membership in the Los Angeles chapter of the Friars Club. But, once accepted, he declined the invitation, citing a busy schedule. Club managers objected, insisting there must be something else. I do have another reason, Groucho wrote back promptly. I didnt want to tell you, but since youve forced the issue: I just dont want to belong to any club that would have me as a member. That Groucho philosophy of not joining any club has enabled me to survive and thrive in the highly-competitive worlds of San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington. I highly recommend it. Bill Press is host of The Bill Press Pod . He is the author of From the Left: A Life in the Crossfire . 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. Free speech is under siege in America at a level not seen since the McCarthy era. President Donald Trump has launched a multipronged attack on speech rights designed to help him wield authoritarian power and chill dissent against his right-wing political agenda. The response from Democrats and progressive institutions has been shockingly feeble. Democrats objections to Trumps assault on free speech have been slow, quietly articulated and laden with caveats. Several universities have already complied with Trumps diktats. And while plenty of progressive activists and commentators have expressed dismay over the fate of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, the broader attacks on the cardinal democratic right of free speech havent served as the kind of central rallying point one might hope for at a time of creeping authoritarianism. Heres a key reason: Trump is using some of the lefts own tools against itself, and it doesnt know how to fight back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president is weaponizing the logic of safe spaces, an idea once championed by progressive activist circles, to suppress free speech. He has also made use of many Democrats belief in the "Palestine exception" to free speech the position that certain forms of criticizing Israel should be censored or outlawed. Using these two distinct ideas, hes able to exploit the left where it is weakest on speech rights and norms. Much of the progressive left has viewed free speech claims as a tool of centrists or the right for the past decade or so. This was always misguided, but Trumps particular exploitation of safe spaces has exposed a particularly dangerous vulnerability for progressive activism. And many liberals and Democrats have long been comfortable with censorship of pro-Palestinian speech, which is coming to haunt them now. The left has an opportunity to re-establish itself as a champion of principled and robust free speech rights to protect against further democratic erosion. Conversely, if liberals and progressives allow their support for speech rights to remain contingent on political convenience, theyll never be able to form the pro-democracy front thats badly needed in this moment. The centerpiece of Trumps censorship agenda is a crackdown on speech critical of Israel, under the dubious pretext that pro-Palestinian speech from immigrants and protests at universities is tantamount to antisemitic harassment or support of Hamas. Most recently, Trump is attempting to block Harvard from enrolling international students after accusing the university of failing to address antisemitism on campus. And skittish universities are withholding diplomas and banning from campus student commencement speakers who denounce what they describe as genocide in Gaza. This is where the assault on free speech is starting, but its not likely to be where it ends. The dangers of safetyism In the 2010s, many young progressive activists on and off college campuses embraced safetyism an umbrella term that Ill define in this article as a cluster of concepts that maintain that safety is about not just protection from physical violence but also about protection from mental and emotional discomfort and distress. Under safetyism, words can be considered violent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within this constellation of ideas, safe spaces are about not physical protection but rather the carving out of space for affirmation, support and solidarity for people from marginalized groups. The concept of safe spaces dates to the gay liberation and feminist movements in the 1960s, but in the 2010s it had a new moment with a broader range of meanings and absorbed elements of the eras general cultural turn toward mental health awareness and sensitivity, such as avoiding triggering content. While affinity groups and attentiveness to trauma can be good things, safe spaces also evolved into a cudgel against free speech norms and practices. Safe spaces were cited in many high-profile censorship-related incidents on college campuses in the 2010s, including various guests being uninvited from speaking events; Yale faculty member Erika Christakis resignation following a campus firestorm over an email she sent arguing students should have the right to wear potentially offensive costume; and Wesleyan College students attempts to defund the student newspaper for publishing an op-ed critical of the Black Lives Matter movement. Safe space arguments also contributed to the ouster of offenders from professional activist spaces within the left and were invoked to shape coverage at The New York Times. In many of these cases, political speech was deemed objectionable or censored under the banner of keeping spaces safe. Some of the reaction to this activist scene was hysterical and overstated the power of these activists. But the ideas were real and influential in liberal and progressive spaces, and the transformation of the meaning of safety was always misguided and an ominous development for attitudes toward speech. It also happened against the backdrop of a broader liberal complacency about protecting free speech from powerful institutions and figures at the time, many in the scene were unconcerned by the idea of big tech companies such as pre-Elon Musk Twitter censoring content, for example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the safetyist activists weren't part of some totalitarian project, efforts to render political language as violent are the kind of thing that totalitarian governments use to crack down on speech. And were seeing the danger of how that can play out. As Brown University political scientist Alex Gourevitch explained in a trenchant essay in Boston Review, safetyism has since been successfully appropriated by reactionaries and their allies to suppress student movements criticizing Israel. Data indicates that nearly all pro-Palestinian student encampments and demonstrations that took place from Oct. 7, 2023, to May 2024 were nonviolent and that they focused on calls for changes to Israeli policy toward Gaza and university divestment from Israel. But activist critics of the pro-Palestinian movement and alumni networks invoked safetyist rhetoric and codes to pressure university administrations to quash them; private lawsuits against Harvard, for example, cited complaints describing keffiyehs as provocations and student anxiety about protests as scary for nonspecific reasons in making the case that the campus was a hostile environment, according to Boston Review. Under safetyism, psychological distress served as a pretext for brutally repressing pro-Palestinian protests, often with the assistance of police against nonviolent protesters, and generating a significantly greater arrest rate than during the antiwar protests against the Vietnam War. That is not to deny the reports of antisemitic harassment of Jewish students and disruptions of academic life at universities, which dont necessarily fall under protected speech. But there is no evidence that those were common or defining aspects of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, nor does their existence explain the severity of the crackdowns. (And notably, harassment of pro-Palestinian protesters wasnt addressed in the same way by universities.) At Columbia University, the epicenter of the pro-Palestinian movement, the administration disciplined students through an administrative apparatus developed in 2022 that promoted holistic well-being and inclusion and represents a moral-therapeutic and safetyist outlook on discipline. The administration seemingly calculated that it could punish students more quickly and with less possibility for pushback than if it used another code of conduct at the university developed in the wake of the 1968 protests against the Vietnam War, which had aimed, according to Columbia University law professor David Pozen, to secure a wide berth for political expression and to stave off content- or viewpoint-discriminatory administrative responses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since taking office in January, Trump has turbocharged safetyist repression of one of the most important social justice movements of our time and used it to try to control universities themselves. He immediately set his sights on Columbia University, accusing it of neglecting to crack down on antisemitism and violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires universities that receive federal funding to weed out discriminatory harassment and hostile environments on their campuses. Despite its own sustained attention to antisemitism on campus and draconian crackdowns on protests, Columbia caved to Trumps threats. When I asked Pozen whether Columbias embrace of safetyism to quash pro-Palestinian protests made a Title VI violation claim more potent, he said, in an email, that it could be indirectly relevant in that what is deemed to be harassing or hostile within the meaning of Title VI depends in part on prevailing norms and expectations and that those norms and expectations have, by and large, become increasingly intolerant of offensive speech in recent years. He continued: In other words, the law of Title VI at universities is linked to campus culture. And if that culture becomes more fixated on students emotional safety, then Title VI may come to cast a wider net. (Pozen added that he personally didnt think Columbia could fairly be deemed to be in violation of Title VI, for which it is very difficult to establish liability and which requires demonstrating that students are unable to participate in educational programs because of harassment.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is plausible, then, that universities that have embraced safetyism have primed themselves to fear Title VI claims in a way that they otherwise would not have, and to make them more inclined to preemptively make concessions. This is a big deal: Trump has warned scores of universities that they may be investigated for Title VI claims. And academia is one of the most critical sources of dissent and demonstration in a democracy. Safetyist norms have also conditioned progressive activists to respond with a lack of ease in any situation involving multiple co-existing claims of mental distress or histories of oppression, as is often the case with activists surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is clarifying, instead, to stand staunchly for free speech and then to focus on the political and moral substance of the ideas at hand. It doesnt matter where one stands on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, or whether one thinks that pro-Palestinian protesters sometimes say offensive or bigoted things (which in some cases they do, just as many pro-Israeli protesters do). The point is that the redefinition, as Gourevitch put it, from the right to be safe as a right to feel safe is a hazard to free speech. The exceptions break the rule The other major tool for curtailing free speech that has purchase outside the right is the Palestine exception to free speech in America. Censorship and stigmatization of pro-Palestinian positions have prevailed across many institutions in American life for many years even prior to Hamas Oct. 7 war crimes against Israel. After the attacks, censorship exploded across many institutions generally populated by liberals and considered to have ostensibly liberal values, such as academia, the news media, Hollywood and literary institutions, which at times expelled people who expressed pro-Palestinian positions or voiced criticism of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic Party, in many cases, supported the suppression of pro-Palestinian protests. In Congress, many Democratic lawmakers supported a Republican resolution conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism, even though Zionism is a political movement, not a religion, and there is a long history of Jewish anti-Zionism. Democrats have also widely supported legislation aiming to muzzle the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel, attempting to suppress the same political tactic that many Americans used to pressure South Africa to end its apartheid regime. Democrats also refused to allow pro-Palestinian activists speak at the Democratic National Convention while allowing pro-Israeli activists to do so, as President Joe Biden backed what human rights experts and genocide scholars have described as genocide in Gaza. The roots of this exception to free speech are complex. Some of it can be attributed to the U.S. commitment to protecting Israel as a strategic beachhead in a region of tremendous economic importance for the U.S. (which has also been metabolized culturally as defending a frontier of "Western civilization"). Some of it is a proxy for bigoted anti-Arab sentiment, in which Palestinians are dehumanized as barbaric and undeserving of human rights. Some of it is an uneasiness with siding with a cause that has some antisemites among its ranks or a discomfort with criticizing a state that has served as a place of refuge for a historically persecuted people. Whatever the reasons, the effect is that in liberal and Democratic circles, free speech has an asterisk when it comes to criticizing Israel. Trump has exploited that hole, wedging himself into it aggressively in a way that puts Democrats on their back foot as the administration polices immigrant speech critical of Israel to kick immigrants out of the country. Democrats defenses against Trumps overreach in cases such as his attempt to deport Mahmoud Khalil have been clumsy and mealy-mouthed, lest they come across as sympathetic to his cause. Democrats are in a trap of their own making. They would find it far easier stand up for Khalils free speech rights without fear of supporting his positions if they hadnt spent so much denying that free speech extends to this issue and denying the humanity of Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be sure, Democrats and progressives arent solely or primarily to blame for the severity of the current free speech crisis. Trump wanted to find a way to use the power of the state to restrict speech, and hes using any tool or concept or wedge issue he can get his hands on. But the fact that large swathes of the left have been inconsistent on free speech is significant it goes a long way toward explaining why the left is divided and weak on the first major free speech tests of this era. And it should inspire a reckoning and re-evaluation of the lefts commitment to free speech, which ought to become ferocious, uncompromising and alive to the real stakes as the U.S. experiences democratic backsliding. If you want to defend the right to express unpopular or unfavored speech, you must defend it when its speech you find abhorrent (as long as its not a call for violence or deliberate defamation). Anything else isnt free speech. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Federal and local funding cuts to the Medicaid program, as well as unnecessary eligibility requirements , could cost thousands of Utahns access to continual and preventative healthcare. On the surface, it appears that Medicaid is sometimes viewed as a line item on the budget and a candidate for cutting back to save pennies and offset tax cuts. However, I caution our federal and local representatives to not underestimate the benefits of our social programs, like Medicaid, beyond their budgetary justification. My mother enrolled in Medicaid for her three children. When I fell sick, she could afford to take me to a doctor and get the medication I needed. Because she had access to the program, I was able to return to school and I was ready to continue my educational success. Without this public health service, it is likely I would have missed more days of school, and my mind would have often been foggy, interfering with my concentration in school. No school resource, excellent teacher, textbook or private school voucher could have overcome these health-related speed bumps. Not only did having access to healthcare through Medicaid benefit my health, but it also facilitated my academic achievement. My experience with Medicaid is not unique. Any parent knows that children frequently get sick. In addition, the proportion of children enrolled in Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) range from 8% to 43% across school districts in Utah including 27% and 23% of students within Granite and Salt Lake City School Districts, respectively, and 43% within San Juan School District. While these numbers sound like a health-related budgetary challenge, they also play a significant role in our educational system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although logical on face value, substantial data show that sick children underperform and miss more days of school compared to their peers. For example, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that, in 2022, nearly 6% of students nationwide missed 15 or more days of school because of health-related issues; among those students, around 29% had fair to poor health compared to only 5% among healthy students. Additionally, acute and chronic health conditions , as well as risky health behaviors , have been associated with lower school grades. Children have a greater opportunity at succeeding in school when they can take care of their health. Considering that reading comprehension has dipped , on average, and about 20% of Utah students are considered chronically absent, it is crucial for our decision makers to consider all of the holistic factors that contribute to or impede educational success. So why is public health insurance important for education? In 2023, over 50,000 Utahns under 19 years old were uninsured , a figure that will likely increase with cuts to Medicaid. Children without insurance coverage are less likely to receive preventative care and have access to prescriptions compared to their insured peers, even when insured for part of the year. In fact, prior expansions of Medicaid were associated with increases in healthcare utilization and decreases in preventable hospital visits and mortality, as well as increased reading test scores, greater rates of graduating high school and upward economic mobility. Restricting eligibility to Medicaid will have negative consequences, not only on childrens health, but also on their educational journey, undermining our states investment in public education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relation between Medicaid eligibility, educational attainment, future health and economic success creates an inter-related cycle; one that can lead to more successful and healthier Utah families. In other words, families eligible for Medicaid can care for their childrens health needs and, in turn, these children will have a greater chance of graduating from high school, having higher earnings and being more productive, therefore potentially offsetting the costs of the program. In Utah, we spend billions of dollars on public education. We should be focused on strengthening all social services that get the most out of our constitutional investment. Medicaid is one of those programs. I encourage our federal and state representatives to see Medicaid as more than a budgetary line item. Instead, view it as an investment in Utahs education and an investment in our future. In Donald Trumps second inaugural address, the president renewed a long-standing promise to deport millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. That pitch has always been tailored to help listeners hear what they want to hear. For many of his supporters, criminal was the important word, implying that Trump would keep communities safe from the dangerous gang members he had warned them about. But for White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the most important part was and has always been the words millions and millions. For Trumps most influential adviser, the more deportations the better, regardless of criminal status. NBC News reported Monday that in a meeting last week, Miller berated top Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for not making enough arrests. According to two sources who spoke with the attendees, NBC News reported, Miller at one point was threatening to fire the leaders of the field offices who post the bottom 10% of arrest figures monthly. (NBC News has reached out to Miller for comment.) In the same meeting, which was first reported by Axios, Miller set a new quota for ICEs 25 field offices: 3,000 arrests per day. He confirmed that mandate in a Fox News appearance Wednesday, calling the figure a minimum and promising that Trump would keep pushing to get that number up higher and higher each and every single day. That new target is already double the quota from January, when each field office was charged with making 75 arrests per day, or roughly 1,200 to 1,500 in total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millers rant also indicated that ICEs already expansive efforts werent enough to meet the Trump administrations unofficial goal of 1 million deportees in its first year. NBC News reported that he told attendees to look more broadly than immigrants who have committed crimes and to arrest noncriminal migrants anywhere they encounter them as well. Its exactly the kind of widened net that I predicted in January when the administration first began stripping migrants of their parole or temporary protected status, an ongoing effort that has left more than a million foreign-born people facing potential removal. The scope of Millers demands is far beyond the supposed focus on criminals that other Trump officials have been careful to maintain (at least in public). Even in cases when mistaken identity or administrative oversight have put people legally allowed to be here on planes, the White House has maintained that the focus is on deporting, as press secretary Karoline Leavitt put it in March, heinous monsters, rapists, murderers, kidnappers, sexual assaulters, predators who have no right to be in this country. Its becoming harder to maintain that fiction, though, as the dragnet widens. Outside immigration courtrooms around the country, ICE agents have begun arresting migrants immediately after dismissing their cases, ending the protection that the legal process had granted them. In doing so, immigration court appointments have become a potential trap for migrants seeking asylum or other grounds to remain in the United States. In the Trump-supporting communities where neighbors are being suddenly arrested, its raising questions about just what theyd signed up for with their votes. The New York Times recently drew attention to the case of Ming Li Hui, who goes by Carol, who works as a waitress and housecleaner in a small Missouri town. Twenty years after arriving from Hong Kong, she now faces deportation: Many are now asking how you can support Carol and also Mr. Trump. I voted for Donald Trump, and so did practically everyone here, said Vanessa Cowart, a friend of Ms. Hui from church. But no one voted to deport moms. We were all under the impression we were just getting rid of the gangs, the people who came here in droves. She paused. This is Carol. Its easy to dismiss those concerns as too little, too late. There were extremely loud warnings that Huis removal is exactly what Trumps return would bring. But if Trumps campaign rhetoric and his repeated insistence on targeting criminals were sincere, thered be no grounds for the mass deportation efforts that Miller is spearheading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under U.S. law, crossing the border illegally is in most cases a civil violation, not a criminal one but Miller has long worked to blur that line. The earliest executive orders that Trump signed on immigration instructed officials to treat all undocumented immigrants as targets for removal and use expedited removal processes against anyone who arrived in the last two years. Relatedly, Miller and his ilk have insisted, without merit, that the millions of migrants admitted during the Biden administration are all here illegally. The only serious crime committed by many of the immigrants Miller is targeting is the sin of being foreign and, usually, nonwhite in America. In his eyes, theres little to no difference between a drug-dealing gang member and a churchgoing mother who overstayed a visa. All are criminals in Millers view, and he has worked hard to warp the immigration system to agree with him. The administration may not hit the millions of deportations that Trump has promised, but Miller will make sure that as many lives are ruined as possible before hes done. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com President Trump has been harsh on the Middle East policies of former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. He has good reasons for that. The Obama-Biden era saw the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and political Islam, the empowerment of Iran, the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and the deadly Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel and ensuing war in Gaza. In contrast, Trumps first term had brought stability to the region. Trump led efforts to destroy the Islamic State, repaired fractured relations with the Gulf States and Israel and restored deterrence to the region through shows of force. Now, in Trumps second term, he should make sure he doesnt make the same mistakes as his predecessors, which could embolden Iran and political Islamist movements. Specifically, the president should avoid public conflicts with the government of Israel, take a strong stance against Iran and restore the deterrence that the Biden administration eroded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To do this, he must take on the isolationist wing of his own administration. Officials including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Michael DiMino and other isolationist adherents have strongly pushed against any sort of U.S. intervention in the region. But avoiding intervention at all costs is perceived in the Middle East as weakness. Trumps rhetoric signals he understands the true meaning of peace through strength, yet some of his actions have signaled something else. Washington halted strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, for instance, after the Houthis promised not to strike U.S. ships. Trump and his secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, have also failed to hold Iran accountable for Houthi actions; even during Trumps recent visit to Saudi Arabia, the Houthis launched rockets at Israel over Saudi airspace. Administration officials told the New York Times that the operation was costly and the United States was unable to establish air superiority. Such claims seem strange, considering the United States spends more than the next nine countries combined on its military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also avoided a stopover in Israel during his recent Middle East tour, inspiring reports of a widening gulf between Washington and Jerusalem. This is dangerous, as Israel plays a key part in establishing regional deterrence. While the U.S. prematurely aborted its attacks against the Houthis, Israel has decimated Hezbollah Irans greatest deterrent destroyed Iranian air defenses and carried out targeted assassinations against top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials. Washington still urgently needs Israel as an enforcer. The danger of such policy is that regional adversaries like Iran stop taking U.S. statements seriously. Take, for example, how Iran has scoffed at the Trump administrations avowed red line in negotiations: zero tolerance for nuclear enrichment. Over the past weeks, Iranian authorities have signaled their defiance. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the U.S. demands nonsensical, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was considering whether to participate in talks, and Iranian members of parliament issued a statement saying Iran would never back down on our nuclear rights followed by chanting death to America and death to Israel. Iranian state media called the administrations most recent proposal far from reality. Such impudence may seem strange for a country whose economy is in shambles, whose proxy network has been smashed and whose air defenses have been obliterated. Yet as Iran watches the administrations policy divisions and leaks, its leaders believe they can spot weakness, and have shown they are willing to gamble on its nuclear enrichment program. For Iran, the stakes are high; the ayatollahs do not want to share the fates of deposed Arab dictators Saddam Hussein or Muammar Gaddafi, and nuclear proliferation is their guarantee of existence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps modus operandi is using economic incentives and punishments to shape policy. While such policy may work with the Gulf nations, whose prime concern is building a wealthy and stable society, history has shown that the ideologically driven actors of the region, including Iran, only respond to credible threats. Trump proved this concept himself when he ordered the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani. What followed was a drop in Iranian proxy activity and what then CENTCOM commander Kenneth McKenzie Jr. referred to as reestablished deterrence. But while Trump understands this concept, many of the isolationists in his Cabinet do not. Gabbard argued that even building up U.S. weaponry in the region could spark a wider conflict with Iran. Such logic is exactly what led the Obama and Biden administrations before, and what caused the current chaos in the region: de-escalation at all costs. But such policy doesnt lead to peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peace has historically been achieved through the unipolar dominance of a single power, as seen during the Pax Romana, Pax Mongolica and Pax Britannica. These eras of stability endured as long as that dominant influence remained strong, and they unraveled when it began to decline. In the case of Iran, the assassination of Soleimani proved the opposite: decisive action leads to submission while de-escalation leads to further aggression. In the meantime, the White House asked agencies to pause new sanctions against Iran a move that will only further embolden the Islamic Republic. As Trump likes to bring up, Biden proved this concept through the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Kremlin officials later confirmed that the resulting perceived U.S. weakness inspired Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine. While many of Trumps isolationist advisers believe that the U.S., despite having the strongest military and economy in the world by far, is incapable of policing the world, they do not consider that Washington is not alone. A U.S.-led world order is much more appealing to most of the world than what China might offer. In the case of the Middle East, Israel would carry out the bulk of any operation against Iran. The key to U.S. hegemony without being overstretched is relying on and supporting alliances. If Trump wants to be the president of peace, he should take lessons from his own first term. If he listens to the voices denouncing forever wars, he may end up repeating the mistakes of his predecessors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joseph Epstein is director of the Turan Research Center, a nonpartisan research program at the Yorktown Institute focused on the Turkic and Persian worlds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) Consumer confidence is sliding, and fast. According to a latest report on the Economic Index, confidence dropped 27% between May 2024 and May 2025. Thats the sharpest year-over-year decline since the end of 2020. People are more stressed about money, less sure theyll keep their jobs and much less likely to make big purchases. This 27% decrease in consumer sentiment over the past year is a worrying sign that our economic recovery may be stalling, said Chip Lupo, a analyst on the report. People who have low financial confidence are likely to spend less money, make fewer large purchases, and pay down less debt than people with high confidence. As a result, when consumer sentiment experiences a significant decrease, that is negative for the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres are nine takeaways from the report. 1. Expect to spend less, because everyone else is The report indicates that people are holding on to their money. The chances someone will buy a car in the next six months dropped by more than 32%, according to the report. Buying a home? Thats down nearly 30%. Even making any large purchases is down by almost 22%. That affects industries from real estate and auto sales to tourism and retail. 2. People are more worried about money than before Stress about money increased in the last year, the only index category to go up, said the report. Its a small rise, just under 2 %; but it still matters. The more people worry about money, the less likely they are to take risks or make purchases, said the report. For businesses that rely on visitors, like those in Hawaii, that can mean less traffic and lower sales. 3. More people are unsure about keeping their jobs Confidence in job security took a 16% hit this year, according to the report. Thats the steepest drop since the pandemic-era uncertainty of 2020. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You When people feel less secure in their work, they tend to spend less and save more. That slows down the economy even further, said the report. 4. Optimism about the future is fading How will finances look six months from now? The report found that people are far less hopeful. That optimism dropped almost 14% since last May. Its the biggest drop in future financial outlooks in nearly five years. 5. Now is not the time for impulsive spending Even though optimism ticked up slightly from April to May, its still nearly 10% lower than last year, the report said. Dont let short-term changes cloud your judgment. The long-term trend is clear. Financial confidence is shrinking, and people are becoming more cautious. 6. Job markets arent inspiring confidence Only about 2.7 out of 5 consumers feel employment opportunities are abundant, the report revealed That number is nearly 10% lower than it was in May 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This affects how people feel about relocating for work, investing in new skills or education or even switching industries, said the report. 7. People are paying off less debt Debt reduction confidence fell by more than 3%. That might not sound like much; but in an economy where credit cards, student loans and mortgages are already weighing heavily, its not a good sign. 8. Fewer people believe their credit scores will improve Confidence in credit scores fell 10%, according to the report. That may reflect how hard it is to pay bills, keep up with interest, or qualify for better rates. Without strong credit, access to new housing, cars or loans becomes even more limited. 9. Fewer tourists are ready to splurge This isnt just about what people are buying at home. In places like Hawaii, where tourism drives the economy, this kind of nationwide shift hits hard, said the report. If visitors feel insecure about jobs, finances or debt, theyre less likely to book big trips or spend freely once they arrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can click here to read the full report. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Economic trends are more than numbers. Theyre about people, what they hope for, what they fear and how they make decisions. As consumer confidence dips, every choice counts. Whether youre spending, saving, or traveling, the best decisions start with awareness. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) Orange County is asking the Local Government Commission to approve bonds totaling $378 million at the state agencys meeting Tuesday, June 3. According to a press statement, the bulk of the proceeds would be used for school improvements and expansions at outdated schools in the Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools districts. Orange County is also asking the LGC to approve $78 million in limited obligation bonds that do not require voter approval. Proceeds could be used for maintenance and equipment projects in the county and city schools, as well as at the county-owned Sportsplex. Vehicles for solid waste use and schools also could be purchased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just over 67% of Orange County voters approved a referendum for $300 million in general obligation bonds in the 2024 general election. Orange County Schools is expected to receive $125 million of the proceeds. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools would be allocated $175 million and proposes replacing Carrboro, Estes Hills and Frank Porter Graham Bilingue elementary schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A doctor holds a hospital patient's hand. (Getty Images) Terminally ill people who want their doctors help in dying could do so twice as quickly under an Oregon bill that would cut the waiting period between asking for a lethal dose of medication from 15 days to seven. Oregon is one of 11 states and Washington, D.C., that allow terminally ill individuals to choose to end their lives by asking a physician for a lethal dose of medication. Only adults who are given six months to live and who can effectively communicate for themselves can elect for physician-assisted death. In 2023, the state removed a residency requirement, enabling people from other states to travel to Oregon to die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patients must make two oral requests to their physician for the medication, each separated by at least 15 days. But Senate Bill 1003, as amended, would change the law and reduce that time frame from 15 days to seven days. The bill would allow electronic transmission of prescriptions and filings, and it would require hospices and health care facilities disclose their physician-assisted death policy before a patient is admitted and publish the policy on their websites. The bill would also broaden who can prescribe lethal drugs by replacing attending physician and consulting physician in the law with attending practitioner and consulting practitioner while retaining the requirement that they are licensed physicians in Oregon. The bill is sponsored by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill received a public hearing Monday afternoon in the Senate Committee on Rules, with dozens of individuals testifying and submitting letters mostly in opposition. It has yet to receive a vote by either chamber. Oregon Death with Dignity Act bill changes sparks significant opposition The states policy, called the Death with Dignity Act, was created through a 1994 citizens initiative that passed with 51% of the vote. A lawsuit paused the act from taking effect for three years, but in 1997 that injunction was lifted and an attempt to repeal the act in a citizens initiative failed the same year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, 607 people received prescriptions for lethal doses of medications, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Most patients receiving medications were 65 or older and white. The most common diagnosis was cancer, followed by neurological disease and heart disease. Most individuals, including mental health providers and Christian medical groups, testified in opposition to the bill, saying it would undermine the time needed for patients to process their diagnosis, disregard alternative health solutions and ignore mental health concerns. The committee received 429 letters in opposition to the bill and only 12 letters in support. Rep. E. Werner Reschke, R-Malin, said it creates a culture of death over that of life. But a few proponents, such as Portland resident Thomas Ngo, said it would make the process smoother and less of an administrative burden for patients enduring terminal illness and pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ngo said his mother used the Death with Dignity Act to die after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her passing was peaceful and on her teams, Ngo told the committee. Ngos fathers partner died of the same disease but could not opt for physician-assisted death because they were at a religiously-affiliated health care provider. Oregon health care providers are not obligated to participate in the Death with Dignity Act, and many religiously affiliated hospitals do not participate. The bill will be scheduled for a work session for a later date where the committee can decide to hold the bill killing it for the remainder of the session or advance the bill to the Senate floor for a vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Correction: A previous version of this story misstated Oregons Death with Dignity Law. Oregon is one of four states that leaves a Senate vacancy unfilled until a special election is held. A bill that's passed the state House and Senate would change that. Shown is the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) A bill allowing Oregons governor to appoint a U.S. senator for the state in the event of an unexpected vacancy is now a governors signature away from becoming law. In a 31-24 vote, lawmakers in the Oregon House Tuesday passed Senate Bill 952. The legislation would give Gov. Tina Kotek, and any future Oregon governor, the authority to appoint someone from the same political party as the outgoing senator within 30 days of their passing away, stepping down or otherwise being unable to serve in their position. The appointment would expire whenever the former senators term ends or if a successor is elected, whichever comes first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation would end Oregons status as one of four states in which vacancies are left unfilled until special elections, without appointments from the governor. Senate Bill 952 passed in the Oregon Senate in April in a 16-13 vote along party lines, with one dissenting Democrat, along with amendments that mandate a special election be set within 150 days following a vacancy. Oregon lawmakers considered a similar effort in 2022 but failed to pass that attempt out of the Legislature. This is not a partisan issue, said Rep. Hai Pham, D-Hillsboro, while introducing the bill Tuesday on the House floor. Its about making sure our state isnt left on the sidelines when the stakes are high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon Republicans, however, saw the measure as further entrenching power with Democrats and party insiders. Several spoke up on the House floor and said the process should be left up to voters. If this bill is passed and a senate vacancy arises, the governor can choose someone who has never run for office, never answered to the public, and never stood before voters to earn their trust, said state Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass. What kind of accountability does that bring? The answer is none. House Minority Leader and 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Christine Drazan, R-Canby, told her colleagues that the bill was unnecessary. I personally have been through the process of running for statewide office. It is not easy, and it should not be, she said. It is grueling, it is humbling, it is demanding and it is appropriate that it be so. Oregons U.S. senators weigh in Well before the state Houses vote on Tuesday, Oregons U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats working beyond the standard retirement age of 65, had already signaled approval for the legislation. The two are part of one of the oldest Senates in U.S. history, where the median age of a member is just under 65. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyden, 76, and Merkley, 68, both sent letters to the states Senate Rules Committee April 2 encouraging passage of Senate Bill 952. Wyden, who has said he is running for re-election in 2028, wrote that under Oregons current rules Oregonians, would have only half a voice in the U.S. Senate if our state lacked a senator because of death or injury for a prolonged period. Merkley, who has not announced whether he plans to run for reelection in 2026, echoed Wydens concerns, writing that waiting for a special election in the event of a vacancy would leave critical work undone. Most states allow their governor to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy by appointment, with the appointee serving until the next regularly scheduled general election. Of the 13 states that require a special election to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy, nine allow the governor to make a temporary appointment. Oregon is one of four states that leaves a vacancy unfilled until a special election, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Police in Orlando are investigating an overnight shooting that sent one person to a hospital. The shooting happened around 11:50 p.m. Monday in the 2800 block of Willie Mays Parkway. Police said a victim was found shot and taken to a hospital for treatment. Dozens of officers were seen collecting evidence and talking to potential witnesses at the crime scene. Investigators have not released any information about what led to the shooting or a possible suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 9 is working to gather more information and will provide updates on Eyewitness News. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Law enforcement officials are investigating a social media video that appears to show Antoine Massey, one of two remaining fugitives from a historic May jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center, disputing claims that he orchestrated the escape. The video, posted Sunday on an Instagram account and deleted Monday afternoon after news reports, showed a man identifying himself as Massey, displaying matching facial tattoos. The video has resurfaced throughout social media on numerous platforms, such as WBRZ: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say that I broke out. I didnt break out. I was let out, the man said, denying allegations that he threatened a jail worker to facilitate the escape. He also claimed he fled because he faced a life sentence for crimes he did not commit. The reason why I left the jail is because these people were trying to give me a life sentence in both parishes for something that I did not do, he said. Massey, 32, is one of 10 inmates who escaped the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. Eight have been recaptured, leaving Massey and Derrick Groves, 27, at large. Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair and another law enforcement source confirmed Monday that they were working to verify the videos authenticity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the video, the man disputes the account of jail plumber Sterling Williams, who told police Massey threatened to shank him. Williams is accused of shutting off water to a first-floor cell, enabling inmates to remove a toilet, crawl through a hole in the wall, and escape via a pipe chase, a loading dock, and over a fence before fleeing across an interstate. Police reports suggest Massey and others coordinated with accomplices in advance. More than a dozen people accused of aiding the escapees have been arrested. Massey, jailed in March for motor vehicle theft and domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, is also wanted in St. Tammany Parish for suspected kidnapping and rape. His criminal record, dating back to 2009, includes convictions for armed robbery, aggravated flight from an officer, felon in possession of a firearm, theft, simple criminal damage to property, and two instances of tampering with electronic monitoring equipment. The May escape marks his fifth, including two prior incidents of cutting off ankle monitors. In the video, Massey denies the domestic abuse charge, claiming it stemmed from a false report by a jealous girlfriend. He displayed paperwork he said proves she was attacked by others, not him. He also accused Louisiana authorities of corruption, alleging unfair prosecution and mistreatment in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massey called on public figures, including President Donald Trump, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill, for help. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the jail, urged the man in the video to surrender. If the individual depicted in the video is indeed Antoine Massey, we strongly urge him to come forward and turn himself in to the proper authorities, Hutson said in a statement, per Fox 8 in New Orleans. Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges. It is important that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed. Rafael Goyeneche, CEO of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, told Fox 8 that the video could provide valuable clues to help law enforcement officers locate the fugitive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those videos, and the social media sites that he posted those on, are going to contain metadata that will enable law enforcement to determine who posted them on what platform using what devices, he said. The manhunt for Massey and Groves, now in its third week, continues. A $50,000 reward per inmate, funded by Crime Stoppers, the FBI, and ATF, is offered for information leading to their capture. A man claiming to be Antoine Massey, one of the 10 inmates who escaped the Orleans Justice Center (OJC) last month, has made a public plea proclaiming his innocence and called for high-profile assistance from President Donald Trump and rapper Meek Mill. While authorities maintain Massey was one of several prisoners who fled through a hole behind a toilet in their cellleaving behind the taunt To Easy LoL scrawled on the wallMassey tells a different story. In a video circulating on social media, Massey directly addresses the circumstances surrounding his escape and ongoing legal battle, denying that he broke out of jail. They say that I broke out, Massey said. I didnt break out. I was let out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The footage shows Massey holding up what he claims is signed documentation from the alleged victim in his domestic abuse case, which he argues supports his innocence. If you was an innocent person, he said, why would you stay in jail? Massey, now a fugitive alongside fellow escapee Derrick Groves, was being held on charges of vehicle theft and domestic abuse involving strangulation at the time of the escape. According to CNN, his criminal history includes previous jailbreaks at ages 15 and 27, and reports from law enforcement indicate he has repeatedly tampered with or removed court-ordered GPS monitoring devices. Despite this, Massey is appealing for support from influential figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and rapper-turned-justice-reform-advocate Meek Mill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both have previously weighed in on criminal justice reform, and Massey appears to be banking on their voices to help shine a light on what he insists is a miscarriage of justice. Authorities, however, are not convinced. The Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office released a statement urging Massey to surrender. If the individual depicted in the video is indeed Antoine Massey, we strongly urge him to come forward and turn himself in to the proper authorities, the statement said. Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges. It is important that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight of the 10 inmates have since been captured, while Massey and Groves remain at large. More than a dozen people have been arrested for aiding the fugitives with food, transportation, money, and shelter. A $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of either man. Masseys plea, while unconventional, underscores ongoing tensions between the criminal justice system and those who feel failed by it. Whether his call for help will be answeredand whether he will surrenderremains to be seen. See Antione Masseys alleged video here. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) The University of Southern Indiana (USI) is proposing that tuition and mandatory fees be held flat for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years in response to a recommendation by Governor Braun and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, but is USI the only university considering this? Purdue University Officials with Purdue University agreed on flat rates for the fourteenth year in a row. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Purdue University Board of Trustees say on April 4 it endorsed President Mung Chiangs request for a 14th consecutive tuition freeze and approved his faculty and staff salary policy request for fiscal year 2026 for the main campus with a 2% recurring increase, plus a 0.5% nonrecurring recognition of exceptional employee contributions. Purdue is in a unique position in American higher education: We can continue freezing tuition and maximize student access as a land-grant institution while simultaneously maintaining our commitment to the dedicated faculty and staff vital to achieving excellence at scale, Chiang said. At a time when many universities have chosen salary freezes or reduction in workforce, Purdue is in a strong position financially to make salary investments to recognize the capabilities of its workforce and further improve its competitiveness in recruiting top talent. Officials say the freeze of core tuition and mandatory fees to be formally approved by trustees in late spring 2025 per state statute, after the legislative budget setting means Purdue students will see no increase in tuition through at least the 2026-27 academic year. Base undergraduate tuition will remain at $9,992 per year for Indiana residents and $28,794 for out-of-state students through 2026-27. According to Purdue University, except for the pandemic year of 2020-21, Purdue has offered a merit increase every year since 2010. In November 2020 more than 15,000 employees received a one-time appreciation award of $750. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Supreme Court to hear Representative Bosts case on mail-in voting Ivy Tech Ivy Tech says it is planning to hold tuition and fees flat for the next two years. Ivy Tech says it will recommend its State Board of Trustees hold these fees flat for the next two years in compliance with the recommendation by Governor Braun and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Leaders from Ivy Tech will present this adjusted structure to the State Board of Trustees for adoption during its June 5 meeting in Indianapolis. Ivy Tech says it last raised tuition in 2023 after changing the structure of its distance education and tech fees and integrating those into the tuition rate for students. Tuition increased in Academic Year 2023-24 from $2,243.25 to $2,455.76 per semester for full-time students. In Academic Year 24-2025, it increased from $2,455.76 to $2,577.11 per semester for full-time students. However, this fee restructuring and reduction effort ultimately resulted in 70% of students paying less during the 2023-2025 biennium than in the previous two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Ivy Tech announced a statewide reduction in force impacting 202 employees in Indiana, including 11 in the Evansville service area. Crews work to repair sink hole near Oak Hill Cemetery Indiana University Indiana University says it will recommend that tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students be held flat for the next two years. Officials say the IU Board of Trustees will hold a public forum on the proposed tuition and fees for the 2025-27 academic years at 12:15 p.m. on June 12, at IU Bloomingtons Henke Hall of Champions. While IU is proposing no increase in tuition or mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students, the board will consider a proposed tuition increase of up to 2% for graduate programs, with an exception for some programs in the health and medical fields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IU says beginning in fiscal year 2024, the university reduced the number of academic fees by half. IU Bloomington also announced earlier this year that it will increase its minimum stipend pay for graduate students who hold part-time teaching or research appointments, effective July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). Disruptor aircraft company Otto Aviation is aiming to achieve first flight with what could potentially be a revolutionary high-efficiency business jet-type aircraft with a tear-drop-shaped fuselage called the Phantom 3500 by the end of the decade, if not within the next two years or so. Otto has made very bold claims that still have yet to be realized, but if they are, even in part, they could be transformative for the aviation industry, including for military applications. The Phantom 3500 leverages previous work on a broadly similar piston engine design called the Celera 500L, which TWZ was the first to report on the existence of when it was still very mysterious back in 2017. Otto Aviation highlighted the ongoing development of the Phantom 3500 in a video released earlier this month, seen below. The company first unveiled the design, originally called the Celera 800, in 2023. It was 10 years of very difficult labor-of-love work to build the Celera 500, Otto Aviation CEO Paul Touw says in the video. That data was used to help refine all of our technology and tools to build the second aircraft, which is now called the Phantom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Phantom 3500 is a significantly different design from the Celera 500L, most immediately in its planned use of two Williams FJ44 turbofan engines, one mounted on each side of the rear of the fuselage, for propulsion. The Celera 500L has a Raikhlin Aircraft Engine Developments (RED) A03 V12 piston engine driving a pusher propeller at the tail end. The RED A03 is a high-efficiency, multi-fuel design that you can read more about here. Otto has also completely changed the wing and tail configuration for the Phantom 3500. The jet-powered designs main wings are much larger and feature a wider chord than those found on the Celera 500L. It also features a T-tail unlike its predecessor, which had horizontal stabilizers on either side of the rear fuselage. What Phantom 3500 and the Celera 500L do share is a tear-drop-shaped fuselage optimized to take advantage of what is called laminar flow, something that has been central to Otto Aviations developments to date. In broad terms, laminar flow refers to liquid or gaseous fluids, including air, flowing in smooth, regular layers with little to no mixing between them. The Celera 500L. Otto Aviation In traditional aircraft, airflow over the fuselage and wings quickly becomes turbulent, creating drag that wastes energy and fuel, Ottos website explains. Laminar flow keeps air moving smoothly along the aircrafts surface, reducing resistance and improving aerodynamic efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virtuous cycle is the synthesis cycle of aircraft design. The virtuous cycle that we use, you take laminar flow, apply it to your design, and your drag goes down. When your drag goes down, your fuel burn goes down. When your fuel burn goes down, fuel required goes down, Scott Drennan, Ottos president and chief operating officer, explains in the video released earlier this month. This, in turn, allows for smaller engines, smaller structure to support all that, and it starts to loop down that curve, so you have a lighter, high performance aircraft that still meets all the customer experience expectations. A visual representation of the virtuous cycle with regard to drag reduction for the Phantom 3500. Otto Aviation capture In the video, Otto CEO Touw says the Phantom 3500 is expected to burn 115 gallons of fuel per hour. The average burn rate for other comparable business jets like the Bombardier Challenger 350, Cessna Citation Latitude, and Embraer Praetor 500 is around 300 gallons per hour, according to the company, citing data from Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI). A graphic showing the projected fuel burn rate for the Phantom 3500 compared to that of other business jets. Otto Aviation capture In addition to the virtuous cycle around fuel burn, theres a wonderful performance cycle. Here, our wings are in complete laminar flow. They almost disappear from a drag perspective. We can actually make the wing bigger to perform a number of beautiful performance tricks, Touw adds. One is a bigger wing allows you to take off on a shorter distance or land on a shorter distance. That bigger wing, with a lot less drag, produces more lift, and that allows you to climb much faster. Another graphic with details about the virtuous cycle in terms of performance for the Phantom 3500. Otto Aviation capture Touw says this will roughly double the number of airports in the United States that the Phantom 3500 can operate from over comparable business jets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Phantom 3500 is also expected to benefit from additional efficiencies gained by cruising at altitudes of up to 51,000 feet. Otto is projecting an absolute maximum unrefueled range of 3,500 nautical miles, reflected in the 3500 in the name, and the ability to fly up to 3,200 nautical miles with four passengers on board. Otto has said previously that the Celera 500L flew at altitudes up to 15,000 feet and speeds up to 250 miles per hour during flight testing, which it projected would translate to a speed of around 460 miles per hour at 50,000 feet. In a recent interview with FlightGlobal, Touw also said that wind-tunnel testing conducted last year surprised even us, especially in terms of data collected on the expected drag of the Phantom 3500 design. We didnt think we would be able to take that much energy out of a flight. A Phantom 3500 model seen during wind tunnel testing. Otto Aviation capture As noted, the results of laminar flow shaping for the fuselage also allows for larger internal volume than comparably sized aircraft with more traditional designs. Otto says the Phantom 3500s main cabin will have a height of six feet, five inches, considerably taller than what is found on many business jets and small airliners. It will also be more spacious overall. As part of its laminar flow design, the Phantom 3500 also eschews cabin windows entirely. Instead, Otto plans to install what it calls a Natural Vision system that consists of state-of-the-art high-definition digital displays that seamlessly integrate real-time external views. A rendering of what the Phantom 3500s cabin could look like with the Natural Vision system displays on the walls and roof. Otto Aviation capture The Phantom 3500s design is also expected to yield manufacturing benefits, including reductions in total material required for production and overall manufacturing costs. Just today, a firm called Galorath, described as the premier AI-powered estimation platform provider, announced that Otto will also be using its SEER product to help produce structured operational intelligence to anticipate costs and streamline production efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we enter the next phase of aircraft development, time-to-market, quality control, and resource accuracy are critical to our success, Obi Ndu, Ottos chief information and digital officer, said in an accompanying statement. Integrating Galoraths SEER platform into workflows ensures we have the right tools to combat economy-driven constraints and focus on cost, outcome predictions, and meeting design requirements, keeping us ahead of the curve with a strategic advantage. A graphical representation of a third virtuous cycle for the Phantom 3500 relating to manufacturing. Otto Aviation capture Interestingly, in addition, at its estimated 8,618kg (19,000lb) MTOW [maximum takeoff weight], the Phantom 3500 sits at the top of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 23 category, rather than the more-stringent Part 25 category occupied by other super-midsize types, FlightGlobal noted as an aside in its recent interview with Touw. Despite the intention to certify the Phantom 3500 as a Part 23 jet, Otto will incorporate some requirements from Part 25, opening the potential to hop up to the higher weight class in the future, adding additional fuel capacity to take range out to as much as 4,300nm. Otto has long touted the potential for its laminar flow-focused aircraft to have transformative impacts on the general aviation sector by offering improved performance at lower costs in a package that can also fly in and out of more locations. The company has previously presented these qualities as being particularly advantageous for regional charter flights along routes that would otherwise be unprofitable for large airlines to operate. With its aforementioned expected capabilities, the Phantom 3500, specifically, is poised to compete in the mid-size jet market. It could be particularly advantageous for flights between cross-U.S. city pairs like New York City and Los Angeles. It would also be capable of flying between Hawaii and the mainland United States or across the Atlantic Ocean. Otto Aviation Potential military applications have appeared in Otto marketing materials in the past, as well. In principle, a laminar flow design like the Phantom 3500 could be very well suited to moving cargo and personnel in and out of far-flung operating locations with smaller runways. The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps both notably envision future operations, especially during a potential high-end fight with China in the Pacific, as being heavily dependent on the ability to operate from a larger number of often more remote sites to make friendly forces harder to target and otherwise present challenges to the enemy. In those contexts, an aircraft like the Phantom 3500 could also operate as part of a hub-and-spoke logistics concept wherein larger aircraft and ships first bring personnel and materiel to larger bases for further dispersal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high-efficiency high-altitude performance Otto is pitching could be beneficial for other military mission sets, including surveillance and reconnaissance. Last year, Aviation Week reported that Otto was working on a super-laminar demonstrator aircraft for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects (DARPA) Agency to be used in experiments to demonstrate power beaming technology that could dramatically extend the endurance of electrically-powered drones, potentially allowing them to stay aloft indefinitely. Aviation Weeks story on Ottos work for DARPA included a computer-generated image showing multiple drones with tear-drop-shaped fuselages, very long and slender wings, and T-tails. Otto has also notably shown a rendering of a concept for an uncrewed derivative of the Celera 500L in the past. The range and fuel-efficiency benefits of a laminar flow-optimized design could be even more extreme in a design that does not need to support a crew, and provide that performance at a lower cost. A rendering of a concept for an uncrewed derivative of the Celera 500L. Otto Aviation When the Phantom 3500 actually flies, and what impact it will have on the aviation industry, remains to be seen. Touws description of work on the Celera 500L as a very difficult labor-of-love points to challenges already experienced along the way. Though the company is now describing that earlier aircraft as a technology demonstrator, it had previously presented it as a prototype for an expected family of operational aircraft that would include a larger 1000L variant. A graphic showing the silhouette of the previously proposed Celera 1000L overlaid on top of that of the Celera 500L. Otto Aviation In 2022, the company also announced plans for a 19-seat hydrogen-electric-powered version called the Celera 750L that would use ZeroAvias ZA600 powertrain and have a maximum range of up to 1,000 nautical miles. Whether or not work related to this design, or another variant or derivatives of the Celera 500L, is still ongoing is unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The focus at Otto is now clearly on the significantly redesigned and now rebranded Phantom 3500, which is the only design currently featured on the companys website. Otto has said the plan is for the Phantom 3500 to fly for the first time no later than 2030, but Touw said in his recent interview with FlightGlobal that the milestone could come as early as 2027. If the company is able to achieve even a decent fraction of what it is aiming for with this aircraft, it could be a major disruptor in the aviation marketplace on multiple levels. Contact the author: joe@twz.com OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma legislators used their final hours of the legislative session to override 47 of Governor Kevin Stitts vetoes. One of the bills revived dealt with stiffer penalties for DUI offenders. Senate Bill 54 unanimously passed through the override process in the House but squeaked by in the Senate, gaining the necessary two-thirds majority. Jeff Murrow, executive director of Victims of Impaired Drivers (VOID OK) has been actively advocating for tougher DUI laws at the State Capitol since his daughters death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marissa was killed in October of 2020 by a man that was nearly three times the legal limit. Driving the wrong way on the Kilpatrick Turnpike, said Murrow. Oklahoma lawmakers override record number of vetoes, remove Stitt appointee in dramatic end to legislative session He said the man behind the wheel had four previous DUIs. You cant say its a mistake when its their second, third, fourth time to repeat, said Murrow. He helped draft the bill which expanded penalties for aggravated DUI to include other crimes like causing an accident, eluding police, speeding in a school zone, and driving with someone under 18 in the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Stitt vetoed the bill saying that it was imposing one-size-fits-all penalties risks unjust outcomes and unnecessary incarceration. But Murrow disagreed. What were trying to do is stop treating DUI as a one-size-fits-all, said Murrow. According to the Oklahoma County Detention Center, the jail has dealt with 678 DUI charges since January 1, 2025. The jail saw 84 people facing DUI charges brought in during the month of May, with 17 of those as repeat offenders. Its a patter Murrow hopes to prevent with the new law. We cant just put people right back on the street and let them continue to drink and drive or abuse drugs and drive, said Murrow. The new law will go into effect November 1st. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Jun. 2With 25 facilities spread across the state, and beyond, WVU Health System is taking the fight to the chronic disease and health challenges that have plagued West Virginia. As with any sustained campaign, establishing and protecting supply lines is crucial to victory. On Monday, Owens & Minor and WVU Health System came together to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 350, 000 square-foot distribution center that will be the heart of that logistical effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Located on 30 acres off Rail Street in the lower portion of the Morgantown Industrial Park, the facility has 50 truck docks and is built for 40 more if and when they're needed. Owens & Minor CEO Ed Pesicka said trucks will roll in and out of the highly-automated facility at all hours, getting medical supplies in the hands of the people who need them each morning. It will do so through the use of robotics and other state-of-the-art technology, allowing a 30 % improvement in capacity efficiency over traditional warehouses, according to company representatives. That, in turn, will allow the 140 or so initial employees to more quickly turn bulk supply shipments into deliveries tailored to each medical facility. Penske Logistics will handle the transportation, covering the entire state plus some stops in Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania with seven routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As we celebrate the grand opening today, it's not just the bricks and mortar of what you see here. This is really about our ability to solve a complex problem. If you think about the complexity of distribution within the state of West Virginia, that's what this enables us to do ... Our customers are the ones that are advancing healthcare, and we're here to support them, " Pesicka said. WVU Health System CEO Albert Wright said the partnership helps reinforce the overall goal of generational change. He explained the system was founded by an act of the West Virginia Legislature in 1996 to defend against for profit, out-of-state entities by creating a health system that would be of a size and scale to remain locally owned and controlled. While it's been successful in spreading across the Mountain State over the last 30 years, COVID proved there are still significant vulnerabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Coming out of COVID, things we took for granted, like personal protective equipment and supplies and things, were no longer to be taken for granted. I remember being in a command center over at Ruby Memorial, talking with our hospital leaders and trying to figure out what type of trash bags we could put over our people to protect them. Our volunteers were sewing masks, you know, " Wright said. "One of the things we wanted to do was make sure that we always had a supply partner that was going to be visible and available to us that would make a commitment in West Virginia, you know, to work with us on economic development." During his remarks, Pesicka alluded to the fact that the distribution center's opening was "long overdue." It was initially supposed to be located in the WestRidge development and open by late 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, that's approximately when Owens & Minor sued WestRidge to terminate the original lease, claiming the developer breached the agreement and tried to use deadlines spelled out in a $15 million grant from the West Virginia Development Office as leverage to "strongarm " the company into altering the lease terms. WestRidge countersued, claiming it was Owens & Minor that violated the lease by failing to provide the guidance needed to construct the facility. That suit remains open in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. In the case of both WestRidge and the Morgantown Industrial Park, the infrastructure water, sewer, electricity, roads needed to support the development was funded through tax increment financing as both locations are within TIF districts. "Otherwise, it wouldn't have been developed, " Monongalia County Commission President Jeff Arnett said, adding, "I can't even imagine the jobs that are created here, and the number of people that are going to be able to create their lives in our county as a result of having a facility here like this. It's truly remarkable." LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Camille Funches, Rodshiekka Chester and their company, Building Resilience, were found guilty of fraudulently billing Medicaid for services that were not performed. The investigation of the company began after the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received a referral for services not being provided by Building Resilience. According to the Nevada Attorney Generals office, the investigation showed that Funches and Chester oversaw the billing services and knew the services werent provided to Medicaid recipients, yet billed for them. Interviews with Medicaid recipients also confirmed that they either didnt receive the service, or the number of services that were billed was incorrect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funches and Chester were placed on probation for two years and have a suspended sentence of 19 to 48 months. They were also ordered to pay restitution of $1 million to Medicaid. Suspected Medicaid fraud can be reported to the MFUC at (702) 486-3420 or (775) 684-1100. A complaint can also be submitted to the Nevada Attorney Generals office at this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The Ozarks First News team is celebrating its work, resulting in several Missouri Broadcasters Association honors and awards. Ozarks First Chief Investigative Reporter Lauren Inman swept the Investigative Reporting category, winning First Place for her in-depth coverage of a mans past after he was charged for allegedly breaking into a school bus, and Second Place for her work while looking into taxpayer dollars in the City of Humansville. OzarksFirst Meteorologist Matt Hefner took First Place for Best Weathercast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ozarks Firsts Carissa Codel took home First Place for Best News Series for her work after residents in Ozark took issue with a community centers tornado shelter not opening after a tornado warning was issued. Codel also followed up on the story when the city officials made changes to the process of opening shelters. The Ozarks Firsts News Team took home First Place in Breaking News Coverage while responding to wildfires that broke out in the Ozarks in February of 2024. Ozarks Firsts Executive Producer, Madison Bryan, also won Second Place for Best Newscast from our 10 p.m. Newscast on January 29, 2025. Ozarks Firsts Parker Padgett took home Second Place for Best Hard News Reporting for his work on rental scams in the Springfield area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a full list of winners, visit the website located 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) decried the "Big, Beautiful Bill" during a press conference outside Pennsylvania Capitol. (Capital-Star photo by Vincent DiFonzo) Pennsylvania Democrats stood on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg Monday and called on Republicans to oppose cuts to entitlement programs that are working their way through Congress. They dont want to talk about this massive negative impact its going to have on the quality of life of so many Pennsylvanians, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), said. Its not too late for them to join us, to be part of the discussion that says no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed federal spending cuts are part of what Republicans call their Big, Beautiful Bill, a budget reconciliation package that includes much of President Donald Trumps agenda. The bill has already passed the U.S.House, and can pass the U.S. Senate with a simple majority vote, which Republicans can muster without Democratic support. The bill would renew Trumps 2017 tax cuts that are set to expire and increase funding for immigration enforcement. To offset the costs, it includes dramatic spending cuts, especially to entitlement programs. Though the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found it could add $3.8 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years. Democrats in Harrisburg say the bills spending cuts will have dramatic impacts in Pennsylvania. Theyve warned it could result in hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians losing Medicaid coverage, and tens of thousands losing access to food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The state, they say, does not have the funds to make up for that. Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), the minority chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said there is little room to make up for potential federal cuts with state funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing the state budget the way I know it, we know that we have no capacity to backfill any of those cuts, he told the Capital-Star. According to the left-leaning think tank Pennsylvania Policy Center, the bill includes roughly $600 billion in cuts to Medicaid spending over 10 years, and would institute new work requirements for people covered through the program. They say the result could mean more than half a million Pennsylvanians would lose health care. Currently, around 23% of Pennsylvanians, or around 3 million people, are covered by Medicaid, according to the state Department of Human Services. Rep. Arvind Venkat, (D-Allegheny), who is also an emergency physician,said before the Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid, 20% of his patients didnt have health insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They would come into the emergency department too late for me to treat them, and that is a real thing, he said. The reason some gave him was the fear of medical debt that theyd accumulate because they were uninsured. He worries that will happen again if more people lose insurance We need to call out the cynicism from our Republican colleagues in Congress. On the one hand theyre saying they dont want to take coverage from anybody, Venkat said. But then theyre happy to brag that theyre going to save $1.7 trillion in decreased federal funding. And the only way that happens is if people lose insurance or stop seeking healthcare when they need it. The bills Republican defenders say that the cuts are the result of eliminating fraud and waste, and will ultimately reduce spending to help bring a ballooning budget back in line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Sen. Dave McCormick did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star, but addressed the bill at a televised debate with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman Monday morning. He said entitlement spending has been on the rise, and attributed that to an uptick of claims by people for whom benefits were never intended. Those are working-age men without dependents, and those are illegal immigrants in a number of cases, McCormick said. So what Im arguing for is that we need to cut out the use of those programs by people for whom they werent designed. The reconciliation bill would also cut SNAP spending by nearly $300 billion, according to the Pennsylvania Policy Center, by reducing the federal governments share of spending. It would also expand work requirements. As it stands, parents raising dependent children under 18 are not required to meet them, but the bill would lower the age of qualifying dependents to 7. People 55 and older are also not required to meet work requirements, but the bill would change that to 65 and up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh has warned that 140,000 Pennsylvanians could lose access to the food assistance program with the changes to work requirements. According to the Departments most recent data, in 2023, around 2 million Pennsylvanians received SNAP benefits every month. This bill would be the largest cut ever to food assistance in U.S. history, Costa said. He added that the bill could mean cuts to the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which pays farmers to provide fresh food for seniors and people who receive Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutritional assistance programs. Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, called on Republicans to join his party in opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we have an opportunity to stop this, but the problem is its only Democrats out here, he said. Spokespeople for Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star. As it stands, the U.S. Senate is likely to make changes to the bill before returning it to the House. A number of Senate Republicans have raised concerns over how much the bill could add to the deficit. Populist Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) raised concerns about cuts to Medicaid, which he called morally wrong and political suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Josh Shapiro also warned of a steep impact if the House version of the bill is passed. He said that it could impact not just patients, but hospitals that rely on Medicaid funds. Weve got 25 rural hospitals that right now are operating on a deficit that likely would have to shutter if these Medicaid cuts go in effect, Shapiro said at a press conference Monday morning in Harrisburg. It is certainly my hope that our federal representatives wouldnt vote for something that takes something away from Pennsylvania students or Pennsylvania seniors and everybody in between, he added. The PACE Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media has decided to establish a day dedicated to war correspondents and freedom of journalism in honour of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was tortured and killed in Russian captivity. Source: MP Yevheniia Kravchuk, Deputy Chair of the Servant of the People faction, on Facebook Quote: "An important initiative was launched today [3 June ed.] during the hearing on my resolution on Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity at the PACE Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media meeting in Norway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the suggestion of PACE President Theodoros Roussopoulos, a Victory for Victoria Day will be established a day dedicated to war correspondents and freedom of journalism. This day in PACE will be dedicated to the memory of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was abducted, tortured and killed in Russian captivity. Unfortunately, her story is not unique. Every year, dozens of journalists are killed, captured or disappear without a trace while covering the war against Ukraine." Details: Kravchuk said that the aim of the initiative is to honour journalists who have been killed or have disappeared while reporting the truth. It has been proposed that an annual PACE resolution, a minute of silence during the autumn session in Strasbourg, and a side event during the session will be introduced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kravchuk also announced that Victory for Victoria Day will be celebrated for the first time this year at the PACE autumn session (29 September-3 October) during the vote on a resolution on Ukrainian journalists in captivity. Read articles by Viktoriia Roshchyna for Ukrainska Pravda Read also: The Viktoriia Project: the story of the captivity and torture endured by journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna and thousands of Ukrainians imprisoned by Russia Background: Viktoriia Roshchyna disappeared on 3 August 2023 while reporting from Russian-occupied territory. In 2022, Roshchyna wrote a series of articles for Ukrainska Pravda from the temporarily occupied territories. Her work included stories about life in occupied Crimea during the war, the pseudo-referendum in occupied Donetsk Oblast, and a photo report from the devastated city of Mariupol. On 25 July 2023, Roshchyna left Ukraine for Poland, planning to make the three-day journey via Russia to the occupied part of Ukraine's east. It was not until May 2024 that Russia admitted to having detained Roshchyna. The Russian Ministry of Defence sent a letter confirming this to her father, Volodymyr Roshchyn. On 10 October 2024, Petro Yatsenko, the head of the press service of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said during the 24/7 national joint newscast that Viktoriia Roshchyna had died in Russian custody. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, later said he had received confirmation of Roshchynas death from the Russian side. The Office of the Prosecutor General announced that a criminal case opened in connection with Roshchynas disappearance has been reclassified as a war crime combined with premeditated murder. Investigators from the media outlet Slidstvo.Info found that Roshchyna was brutally tortured in Russian captivity: her body had knife wounds, she was tortured with electricity and Russian prison staff hid her from inspections. According to the autopsy, the body of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna had numerous traces of torture and some of her internal organs are also missing. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement Thursday saying the cities of Virginia Beach, Hampton and Newport News, along with 30 other localities in the Commonwealth were obstructing federal immigration laws, but Sunday, the list of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions in Virginia disappeared from the DHS website. DHS refuses to say why they deleted flawed sanctuary jurisdiction list Homeland Security has provided no information to prove the resort city of Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News, Gloucester, are deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a Democratic campaign event in Norfolk Monday, Norfolk Del. Bonita Anthony called the on, and now off, list of so-called sanctuary cities a case of performative politics. City of Hampton rejects designation as sanctuary jurisdiction by DHS I think it is a dog whistle, Anthony said. But at some point, weve got to get to a place where were talking not left versus right. Del. Cliff Hayes represents voters in Chesapeake, which was not on the list. Its amazing to me to think that we will label areas and cities as though theres some problem, Hayes said. The resort city had a public relations problem in April 2007, when Fox News commentator Bill OReilly called Virginia Beach a sanctuary city after a drunk illegal immigrant plowed into the rear of a car and killed two teen girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OReilly called for the resignations of the mayor and police chief while co-host Geraldo Rivera called out OReilly for allegedly using a tragedy to promote an agenda. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The three soldiers were killed in Jabalya when the Hummer vehicle they were riding on was damaged after it hit an explosive device. Community leaders and politicians across the political spectrum mourned the three soldiers, St.-Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, St.-Sgt. Lior Steinberg, and St.-Sgt. Ofek Barhana, killed in northern Gaza on Tuesday. "Omer enlisted two months before the war started; he has actually been in continuous combat since the beginning of his service," Gelder's mother, Tehila, told Ynet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At my home, the door has been left open for 603 days so the officers wouldnt have to knock on my door. Even yesterday, the door was open. The officers came to the house and informed us of what we had feared so much since Omer enlisted. Ma'ale Adumim Mayor Guy Yifrach said that Omer studied at Amit Eitan School, loved Israel, and "gave his life for the people and the land" through volunteering from a young age. "On behalf of all the residents of Maale Adumimwe embrace the family and will support them in every step and every need," Yifrach said. IDF announces the death of three soldiers, June 3, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Petah Tikva Mayor Rami Greenberg said that Steinberg was "one of the best sons of Petah Tikva - a brave fighter, a beloved person who went out to defend us all and did not return." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will always remember Lior with pride and gratitude," Greenberg said. Yavne Mayor Roei Gabay said that Barhana was a graduate of Yavne's public education system and a former basketball player for Elitzur Yavne B.C. "On my behalf and on behalf of the residents of the citywe extend a comforting embrace to Ofeks family. Our hearts are with you in this difficult time. No words can truly console you," Gabay concluded. Condolences from the coalition Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the three fell in pursuit of the defeat of Hamas and the liberation of the hostages. He said that the bravery of the three soldiers will forever be honored, adding, May their memory be blessed and held in the heart of the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense Minister Israel Katz sent the families of the killed soldiers his "deepest condolences" and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded troops in a post on X/Twitter. "IDF soldiers, both in regular service and in reserve duty, are fighting bravely for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. I pray for their safety and their success," Katz said. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) said in a Facebook post that this was a painful morning. I send condolences and a big hug to the dear families and friends, and I join all of Israel in praying for the recovery of the wounded, he said. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (RZP) said the three soldiers were brave-hearted warriors who fell defending the homeland, in an X post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The soldiers, with their big smiles, enter the hearts of all who see them. Their heroism is what enables the continued existence of the State of Israel, he continued, adding that We will, God willing, continue their mission. Education Minister Yoav Kisch (Likud) also expressed his condolences on X, calling the morning painful and the news bitter. Opposition MKs express condolences Opposition leader and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid called the morning difficult, and said, There is no heart that did not break this morning on X. I share in the grief of the families in their difficult hour and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded, Lapid said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yisrael Beytenu chair Avigdor Liberman said on X, "It is unacceptable that soldiers risk their lives while others dodge service with exemptions and shady deals." "The draft-dodging government undermines the security of the state. We will not give up on conscription for all, Liberman concluded, without mentioning the names of the killed soldiers. Democrats chair Yair Golan called each of the killed soldiers a world unto themselves, and expressed condolences to the families, friends, and communities also on X. The three soldiers were killed in Jabalya when the Hummer vehicle they were riding in was damaged after it hit an explosive device. When 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht tried to get a refill on the inhaler prescribed by his doctor to prevent asthma attacks, the medication that had formerly cost him less than $70 at his Appleton, Wisconsin pharmacy was now priced at more than $500, according to Coles father, Bil Schmidtknecht. Stunned, Cole left the store with a medication designed to stop asthma attacks once they start, but without the Advair Diskus inhaler he needed to prevent attacks from happening in the first place. Five days after his pharmacy visit last year, Cole had a severe asthma attack, stopped breathing and collapsed. He never regained consciousness and died. Doctors attributed his death to asthma. Cole Schmidtknecht, left, his mother, Shanon, his brother, Dane, and father, Bil. (Courtesy Schmidtknecht Family) His parents, Bil and Shanon Schmidtknecht, blame what they say is a dysfunctional system where medications can change in price overnight and without notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A part of the insurance system that many Americans dont know about was responsible for the spike in Coles inhaler price. Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, are the middlemen that control behind the scenes which drugs will be on an insurance companys list of covered medications (called its formulary). If you are dealing with bills that seem to be out of line or a denial of coverage, care or repairs, whether for health, home or auto, please email us at Costofdenial@nbcuni.com. They add or subtract medications through a process that emphasizes profits for the pharmacy benefit manager by way of rebates from drug makers, said Gerard Anderson, a professor of health policy and management at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. PBMs are looking for the drug that makes them the most money, Andersen said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its insane that its happening in America, Bil Schmidknecht said. Its not broken. Its designed to work this way. Its just hurting us. The Schmidtknechts are pushing for legislation that would require a 90-day warning when an insurance companys formulary is changed. They are also suing Optum Rx, the PBM that took Coles Advair Diskus off his insurance companys formulary, and Walgreens, his pharmacy, which, the Schmidtknechts say, didnt offer Cole a way to control his asthma while another solution could be found. The lawsuit claims that Cole did not get the required 30 days notice of the change, that his doctor wasnt contacted and that the pharmacy didnt provide Cole with any more affordable options. The Schmidknechts said Cole left the pharmacy with only a rescue inhaler, which is used for quick relief. But that type of medication by itself isnt strong enough to keep someone out of the emergency room if the asthma attack is severe, Dr. David Bernstein, an immunologist who is a professor in the division of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at the University of Cincinnati, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was empty at his house, next to his bed, Bil said of the emergency inhaler. In a motion to dismiss the Schmidkneckts lawsuit, Optum Rx expressed its deepest sympathies for Coles death and said federal law prohibits the case from being brought in state court. Optum also said three alternatives, each with a $5 copay, were available, and its system instructed Walgreens to contact Coles doctor about those options. Walgreens also offered its deepest sympathies and cited privacy for why it cant discuss specifics in the case. In a statement, it added, In general, in cases where a medication is not covered by insurance, pharmacy staff may work with the plan, patient, and/or prescriber in an effort to process and dispense the prescription if able. Cole would be 24 now. When speaking about all the things he could have been doing, his parents nearly break down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was just so young, and he had his whole life ahead of him, Shanon said. And it was so preventable and so unnecessary. For the Schmidkneckts, it's about policy change. Justice for Cole, of course, but bigger than that, justice for us all, Shanon said. Getting that change wont be easy. In the U.S., just three PBMs process 80% of prescriptions. And a big part of the PBM formulary playbook is secrecy, Anderson said. Cole Schmidtknecht. (Courtesy Schmidtknecht Family) That way, patients dont learn how PBMs make their decisions about drugs and why a medication that had been on the formulary no longer is. Often no one, from the patients to the drug companies to the insurers, is aware of the details of the decisions the PBMs are making. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They do not share this information widely, as it is considered a trade secret, Anderson said. The deals are a negotiation between the drug companies and the PBM, Anderson said. The drug company wants their drug on the formulary in a favorable position. The PBM wants to get the largest possible rebate. The rebate is the difference between the list price for a drug and what the PBM can buy it for, which can be a very much lower number than the list price, Anderson said. When there are multiple drugs that do essentially the same thing, then theres a bidding war, usually a silent one. The rewards for the PBMs can be huge. A Federal Trade Commission report released in January found that, over the past few years, the three biggest PBMs CVS Health Caremark Rx, Cignas Express Scripts and UnitedHealth Groups Optum Rx inflated the costs of numerous life-saving medications by billions of dollars. The companies countered that the FTC reports conclusions were misleading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, CVS Health said in a statement that it is inappropriate and misleading to draw broad conclusions from cherry-picked specialty generic outliers and that the companys top priority is to make health care more affordable. OptumRx said that it helped eligible patients save $1.3 billion last year and estimated that the median out-of-pocket payment for these patients was $5. To remember Cole, both his parents had a tattoo just like his inked onto their wrists. When they feel overwhelmed they glance down at it to remember the change they want to make in his honor. Its just everyones little reminder, you know, from Cole to just keep living and that we can still be happy, Shanon said. I keep trying to remind myself that happiness and joy and grief can co-exist. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A park ranger in Thailand encountered a majestic black panther calmly strolling through the Kaeng Krachan National Park one morning in May, the Idaho Statesman reported. The photos, shared on a Facebook post by Thailand's Department of National Parks, show multiple angles of a gallant black panther exploring the roads of the national park. Primarily nocturnal animals, black panthers a collective term for a rare group of black leopards or jaguars, and occasionally pumas, with their distinct black coats are active hunters at night. Their jet-black fur allows the animals to blend in with the night's surroundings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black panthers typically sleep during the day, making this daytime encounter quite out of the ordinary, though not concerning. Park officials read this chance encounter as a positive sign. Judging by the animal's calm body language and its appearance in broad daylight, the park officials believed the black panther felt extremely comfortable on the land within the National Park, "[comfortable] enough to venture out when it won't be hidden," park officials said, per the Idaho Statesman. As an apex predator, or a larger predator at the top of the food chain, black panthers help keep the local ecosystem balanced, feeding on herbivores such as deer or wild boar that graze on the land. Controlling the population of such prey protects the vegetation from being overgrazed, allowing it to continue supporting local wildlife in the ecosystem, protecting the area's biodiversity. Though the park ranger's sighting of the black panther that morning is encouraging, black panthers are rare, with common leopards and jaguars earning vulnerable and near-threatened statuses due to declining populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trail cameras are powerful tools that can help with conservation efforts. They help to gauge the population health of endangered species while being minimally invasive in the environment. They can also monitor rehabilitation efforts in local ecosystems, helping more wildlife species to survive, such as pollinators, which protect the human food supply. Comments under the Department of National Parks' Facebook post were in the local language. The translation of one comment read: "Thank you for protecting the natural resources and wild animals to become the heritage of Thailand." The translation of another Facebook user's comment simply said, "very beautiful." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Heres what youll learn when you read this story: The Manson family were devotees of cult leader Charles Manson, and many of them killed in his name in the 1969. On Friday, a parole board recommended convicted murderer Patricia Krenwinkel for release. If Krenwinkel does go free, it would be significant. Most of the Manson family are still in prison today. As the leader of a messianic cult situated in a desert commune in California, Charles Manson prophesied that a race war was on the horizon and that he and his followers would have to be armed and ready. Moreover, he believed it was his duty to usher in the war by ordering his Manson family followers to go on a killing spree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On August 8, 1969, the Manson family, on orders from their leader, murdered pregnant actor Sharon Tate, who was married to director Roman Polanski, as well as four other peopleJay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, and Steven Parentat 10050 Cielo Drive in Beverly Hills. A day later, they killed wealthy grocery store owners Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. Although the majority of the Manson Family members who took part in the massacres were condemned to death after being tried and convicted, the state of California banned the death penalty in 1972 and commuted their sentences to life imprisonment. Manson and his followers would ultimately claim they had killed a total of 35 people and buried their bodies in the desert. Regardless of the actual number of victims, the random and brutal acts of violence orchestrated by Manson and committed by his hippie communersturned-murderers ended the decade of love and continues to haunt and confound the world. Below are the key members of the Manson Family who were convicted of committing murder in the summer of 69 and where they are now. Susan Atkins Murdered Sharon Tate Getty Images On May 7, 1948, in San Gabriel, California, Susan Atkins was born to alcoholic parents. The shy child was left vulnerable as her family life continued to deteriorate. After her mother died of cancer, Atkins father eventually abandoned her and her brother. Bouncing from various relatives homes, Atkins met Manson in 1967, and he asked her to join his commune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Believing Manson was Jesus, Atkins became an ardent follower. She was charged with murdering actor Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant at the time. The murderer later admitted that she wasnt sure of why she killed. Although she ended up expressing remorse, she was denied parole. She died from brain cancer in 2009 at age 61. Leslie Van Houten Murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca Getty Images Born on August 23, 1949, in Los Angeles, Leslie Van Houten began using drugs at 15 and ran away from home, only to return briefly to finish high school. Her mother forced her to have an abortion at 17, and she eventually fled to a hippie commune where she found her way to Manson and became a heavy user of LSD and other psychedelic drugs. Van Houten was only 19 when she was charged for murdering the LaBiancas. During her time in prison, Van Houten publicly took responsibility both for the murders and the role she part she played in helping create Manson. During her five decades in prison, Van Houten had 23 parole hearings and was recommended for parole five times, but California Governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom vetoed each of those decisions. Newsoms final veto was overruled by a state appeals court, however. Now 75, Van Houten was released from prison on July 11, 2023. The one-time Manson Family member had been behind bars for 53 years. She was placed under parole supervision for a maximum of three years and moved to a transitional living facility. Patricia Krenwinkel Murdered Abigail Folger and participated in the murders of Rosemary and Leno LaBianca Getty Images Born on December 3, 1947, in Los Angeles, Patricia Krenwinkel grew up as an insecure, overweight child who was bullied in school. After graduating from high school, she considered being a nun but decided instead to attend a Jesuit college, only to drop out after one semester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after she met Manson, the two had sexual relations. At 21, she was convicted of brutally stabbing coffee bean heiress Abigail Folger 28 times and Rosemary LaBianca 16 times. Writing Death to Pigs in the victims blood, she also participated in stabbing wealthy grocery store executive Leno LaBianca, who had already died at the hands of Manson Family member Charles Tex Watson. Denied parole 14 times, the 77-year-old has said Manson had been abusing her before the multiple murders occurred. Krenwinkel was granted parole in May 2022, but California Governor Gavin Newsom reversed the decision. In May 2025, a state board recommended parole for Krenwinkel a second time. She remains incarcerated as she seeks approval from both the Board of Parole Hearings and Newsom. The governors review process can take up to 150 days. Charles Tex Watson Murdered Sharon Tate as well as Rosemary and Leno LaBianca Getty Images Born on December 2, 1945, in Farmersville, Texas, Charles Tex Watson was an honor student and athlete. He attended the University of North Texas, joined a fraternity, and eventually got a job as a baggage handler at an airline in 1967, allowing him to access free airfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking advantage of a free ticket, he flew to Los Angeles where he immersed himself into the drug and music scene. It was there that he met some of the Manson family women who introduced him to the cult leader at the infamous Spahn Ranch. Leading the charge in the Tate and LaBianca murders, Watson claimed he was the devil. After the murders, he escaped to Texas and resisted being extradited to California for nine months. Watson was convicted of murder in 1971 and is currently serving a life sentence in Sacramento, California. The 79-year-old has since turned to religion, becoming a minister, and earned a business degree. He has been denied parole 18 times and wont be eligible for parole again until 2026. Bobby Beausoleil Murdered Gary Hinman Getty Images Born on November 6, 1947, in Santa Barbara, California, Bobby Beausoleil grew up in a large Catholic family. At 15, he was sent to a reform camp for delinquent behavior and soon after fled to Los Angeles and San Francisco, getting involved in the music scene. It was during this time he befriended and moved in with Gary Hinman, who was a Manson follower. By the time the Tate murders occurred, Beausoleil was already in jail for the July 1969 fatal stabbing of Hinman. Beausoleil was on orders from Manson to kill his roommate for outstanding debt Hinman owed the cult leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beausoleil, 77, is serving a life sentence and spends his time creating music and selling art. After having previously rejected his parole requests 18 times, the California Board of Parole recommended Beausoleils release in 2019, but Governor Newsom reversed the decision. Beausoleil participated in an on-camera interview for the 2025 Netflix documentary Chaos: The Manson Murders. He described his theory for Mansons killingswhich he believes were more about keeping followers in line than anythingand suggested Manson wasnt an effective cult leader. [People] dont wanna hear how mundane this story really is. How not a mastermind Charlie actually was. In his paranoid delusions, in his miscalculations, he said. It was just blunder after blunder after blunder. If you only knew what I know now in terms of the criminal mindset. Steve Clem Grogan Murdered Donald Shea Getty Images Born on July 13, 1951, Clem Grogan was an artistically inclined high school dropout who was involved in petty crimes before he joined Mansons cult. Long before Manson and his followers found shelter at Spahn Ranch, Grogan was working odd jobs there, where he met ranch hand and stuntman Donald Shea. Believing Shea had snitched to the police about some of the Manson familys criminal activities, Manson ordered Grogan and fellow follower Bruce Davis to murder Shea on August 26, 1969. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Grogan was originally sentenced to death, the presiding judge reduced his sentence to life in prison, because he felt Grogan was too intellectually inept and high on drugs to have planned the murder. Grogan received parole in 1985 after revealing to authorities the location of Sheas remains. The 71-year-old currently lives in the Bay Area, where he plays music with several different bands. Bruce Davis Murdered Gary Hinman and Donald Shea Getty Images Born on October 5, 1942, in Monroe, Louisiana, Bruce Davis was the editor of his high school yearbook and attended college in Tennessee for a few years before traveling to California in the early 1960s. He met Manson and some of his female followers in Oregon and eventually became Mansons right-hand. Davis was present during the murder of Gary Hinman and actively participated in the torture and killing of Donald Shea. Although he was temporarily on the lam for a time, he turned himself in to authorities in 1970. Having become a preacher in prison, the 82-year-old is currently serving a life sentence at San Quentin State Prison. Davis has been recommended for parole seven times, but those efforts were blocked by three different governors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. Davis was denied parole most recently in 2022, during which time the parole board said he lacked empathy. Linda Kasabian Follower who testified against Manson and his followers Getty Images Born on June 21, 1949, in Biddeford, Maine, Linda Kasabian moved to Los Angeles in 1968. She met Mason through Catherine Gypsy Share and moved to the Spahn Ranch with Manson and his followers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, Kasabian found Mansons message to be peaceful, but his tone eventually changed to one of violence and paranoia. She was sent to 10050 Cielo Drive to assist in the Tate murders but never went inside the house as Watson told her to stay outside the residence. She also stayed in the car during the LaBianca murders, eventually leaving the scene with Manson. Kasabian turned herself in December 1969 and received immunity after becoming a lead witness in the trials against Manson and his followers. She died on January 21, 2023, at age 73. Lynette Squeaky Fromme Attempted to kill President Gerald Ford Getty Images Although she was one of Mansons most trusted associates, Lynette Squeaky Fromme had no hand in the Tate-LaBianca murders. Born on October 22, 1948, in Santa Monica, California, she wasnt present at either murder scene. However, she was a fixture in front of the Los Angeles courthouse during Mansons trial, remaining loyal to him throughout. After Manson was convicted, he was moved from prison to prison, and Fromme moved from town to town to be near him. In September 1975, she pulled a gun on President Gerald Ford in Sacramento, but it didnt go off, and she was immediately restrained by the Secret Service. She was convicted of the attempted assassination and sentenced to life in prison. The trial ended with Fromme throwing an apple at the face of the prosecuting attorney, knocking off his glasses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 1987, Fromme escaped from a West Virginia prison in an attempt to meet up with Manson, who she heard had developed cancer. She was captured and imprisoned for several more years but was granted parole in 2008. Fromme was released a year later, after which she moved into a home decorated with skulls, living with an ex-convict boyfriend who was obsessed with Manson. Now 76, Fromme published a book about her life in 2018 and said in an interview the next year: Was I in love with Charlie? Yeah, oh yeah, oh, I still am, still am. I dont think you fall out of love. You Might Also Like Over 100 celebrities, including Pedro Pascal, Sabrina Carpenter, Paris Hilton, Dua Lipa, and others, have co-signed a letter for suicide prevention amongst LGBTQ+ youth. The note highlights the negative impact of the Trump administrations proposal to scrap a suicide hotline for LGBTQ young people. Without further ado, heres everything to know about this initiative and the celebrities who have joined in. Pedro Pascal and 100 celebrities sign letter to support LGBTQ+ suicide prevention Ariana Grande, Daniel Radcliffe, Pedro Pascal, Sabrina Carpenter, and many others have signed a letter shared by an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter by The Trevor Project slams the Trump Administrations proposal of removing a suicide helpline number for queer youth. In it, the artists stated, We are heartbroken by the proposal to eliminate federal funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelines LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services. They further stated that the decision to remove the hotline can have devastating and life-threatening consequences. Moreover, the celebrities unitedly said, As artists, creators, and public figures, our platforms come with responsibility. 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. As per the letter, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has connected over 1.3 million crisis contacts with life-saving, affirming care to LGBTQ+ young people. Considering suicide among LGBTQ+ youth is a public health crisis, the artists have urged the administration to consider the people and not politics. 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, the letter stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, reports claimed the Trump administration has slashed more than $800 million worth of research into LGBTQ+ health. Over 323 research grants regarding queer health issues also lost their funding. (via The New York Times) The administration also proposed removing the suicide helpline number for LGBTQ+ youth. Elsewhere, the University of Michigan lost several funding sources for clinical trials involving LGBTQ+ people. Additionally, several academics have condemned the budget cuts that halt the progressive work on many life-threatening diseases. The post Pedro Pascal Signs Letter for LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Prevention appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A convicted felon pleaded guilty to illegally possessing two firearms Tuesday. Kelvontae Wallace, 26, of Pell City, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of machine gun, according to U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. Between Dec. 2023 and Jan. 2024, Wallace illegally possessed a firearm and a machinegun on two separate occasions, according to the plea agreement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brighton City Councilman Jerome McMullin charged with releasing video of double homicide during active investigation Talladega police officers responded to call of a person shot at the Orange #1 gas station on Dec. 15, 2023. They arrived and found a victim lying on the ground that had been shot multiple times. Surveillance video from the store showed Wallace drive up to the store, exit his vehicle, and shoot the victim with a Glock switch. On Jan. 2, 2024, authorities went to Wallaces apartment to arrest him for warrants for first-degree assault and shooting into an occupied building, stemming from the December incident in Talladega. When officers arrived, Wallace attempted to flee, but officers caught and arrested him. They recovered a loaded weapon from his apartment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SANTIAGO, Chile, June 3 (UPI) -- Brazil's federal court has authorized freezing assets that belong to suspects, including former officials from the National Institute of Social Security, or INSS, and consulting firms, in connection with a massive pension fraud scheme that affected millions of retirees and pensioners. The pension fraud scheme, which operated between 2019 and 2024, diverted roughly 6.3 billion reais -- more than $1.1 billion -- through unauthorized deductions from the benefits of more than 6 million INSS recipients. While initial investigations suggest the unauthorized deductions began during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, the scheme's growth under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has placed his administration in a politically uncomfortable position -- particularly because one of the unions involved is led by Lula's older brother, Frei Chico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Lula, who was previously jailed and later acquitted on corruption charges, these incidents pose a direct challenge to his image and his promise of a transparent government. A poll published May 30 by AtlasIntel showed disapproval of Lula's administration reached 53.7%, the highest since the start of his current term. Approval fell to 45.5%, down slightly from the previous month. The decline in support is attributed primarily to the pension scandal, as well as rising food and service prices and a perception of weak government response to economic problems. The Federal Police investigation, known as "Operation No Discount," identified at least 11 organizations, including unions and retiree associations, that received diverted funds over several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 97% of affected pensioners did not notice the deductions, which were often small amounts withdrawn monthly from modest pensions. Lula's government has moved to contain the fallout from the scandal, emphasizing in public statements that it was his administration that granted the Federal Police the autonomy to investigate and dismantle the scheme. The scandal already has triggered political fallout. Social Security Minister Carlos Lupi resigned, and several other officials, including INSS President Alessandro Antonio Stefanutto, were dismissed. The Federal Police have carried out more than 200 search and seizure operations and confiscated assets worth over 1 billion reais. The government has pledged to reimburse all affected pensioners by Dec. 31. More than 2 million people have submitted reimbursement requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since returning to office in January 2023, Lula has faced a difficult political landscape. His Workers' Party government has made some progress in stabilizing the economy and restoring social programs, but deepening political polarization and a fragmented Congress have complicated legislative efforts. Lula's relationship with Congress has been a key factor. He has been forced to make concessions to secure support for major reforms, including a tax overhaul, while Brazilians voice growing concern over issues such as public security and economic performance. Opposition lawmakers have called for a congressional investigation, a move that could keep the scandal in the public and media spotlight for months and increase political pressure on the administration. Beyond the political fallout, the pension fraud scandal highlights a sensitive and urgent issue: the long-term viability of Brazil's pension system. President Donald Trumps assault on the LGBTQ+ community will continue through Pride month. According to a Tuesday report from Military.com, the U.S. Navy is preparing to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy support ship christened in honor of the assassinated gay rights icon. The report was confirmed by CBS News and ABC News. The order reportedly came directly from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Other vessels named after prominent civil rights and labor leaders are on a list for recommended renaming. According to a list obtained by CBS News, these include the USNS Thurgood Marshall, named after the first Black Supreme Court justice; the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, named after the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court; the USNS Harriet Tubman, named after the famed abolitionist and former slave; the USNS Dolores Huerta, named after the Chicana labor activist; the USNS Lucy Stone, named after the suffragist and abolitionist; the USNS Cesar Chavez, named after the labor activist who worked alongside Huerta; and the USNS Medgar Evers, named after the civil rights leader and anti-segregationist who was assassinated by a white supremacist in 1963. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its no coincidence that such prominent historic leaders in minority movements are being targeted by an administration that is hell-bent on erasing the history of American equality movements from the public consciousness. The Defense Department source who spoke with Military.com said the decision to rename the ship during Pride month was an intentional choice. In January, Hegseth issued a directive titled, Identity Months Dead at DoD, in which he declared that members of the department were barred from using Pentagon resources to promote or celebrate cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Womens History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month. According to a memo obtained by CBS News, the decision to rename the ship was part of an effort to reestablish the warrior culture within the military a particular fixation of Hegseth. But the names on the list are, in many ways, the embodiment of American warrior culture. Tubman braved the risk of capture and death to liberate dozens of slaves from the South, and Huerta and Chavez defied federal law to lead one of the most consequential labor strikes in American history. Evers led protests against segregation in the most racist corners of Mississippi. Milk was not only one of the most prominent figures in the gay rights movement in the 70s and 80s, he was also a Korean War veteran. Milk was ousted from the Navy in 1955 after being accused of engaging in then-banned homosexual activities. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 the first gay man elected to the position after years working as an activist and leader of the Castro neighborhoods growing gay and lesbian community. As city supervisor, Milk worked closely with former Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, then also a city supervisor. Milk was assassinated along with former San Francisco Mayor George Moscone in 1978 by disgruntled former supervisor Dan White. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, when the Navy announced it would be naming a vessel after Milk, it seemed like a step towards restitution by the organization that had forced out Milk on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and had done the same to an estimated thousands of other service members under dont ask, dont tell. When Harvey Milk served in the military, he couldnt tell anyone who he truly was, California state Sen. Scott Wiener wrote in 2016. Now our country is telling the men and women who serve, and the entire world, that we honor and support people for who they are. Harvey Milks strength continues to reverberate throughout our city, our country, and the world. Now, only a few years later, Republicans are using their revulsion of DEI as a cover to reinstitute discriminatory policies, and erase the work of countless Americans who have battled and as in the case of Milk and others, lost their lives in the ongoing work to build a better America for all. Under Trump, the military has banned the enlistment of transgender individuals, and the Pentagon recently caught flack for erasing scores of photos and web pages honoring women and minorities in the military including in one instance flagging photos of the Enola Gay airplane which dropped a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, for deletion. Now, civil rights heroes will have their names scrubbed from Navy vessels, lest any seaman learn too much about the men and women who fought for the rights they may now enjoy. 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. DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) With the April retirement of Chief Al Matzke, who stepped down from his role after 40 years of service, the De Pere Police and Fire Commission has officially selected the next Fire Chief. Battalion Chief Brett Jansen will become the new chief effective on June 9, officials announced on Monday evening. Appletons Lamers Dairy brings back Cones for a Cause to raise money during June Dairy Month Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jansen, a long-time member with De Pere Fire Rescue, will step into the role after Assistant Fire Chief Jack Mlnrik finishes his time as the interim chief. Chief Jansen has served De Pere for nearly 20 years, starting as a firefighter/paramedic in 2006, until he became a Lieutenant in 2019. His current title of Battalion Chief was earned in 2022. The 2021 Wisconsin State Firefighter of the Year, Jansen, is also the Emergency Medical Services Director, with years of experience. Fire Department Lieutenant in Wisconsin uses chainsaw to create artful park bench Mayor James Boyd released the following statement regarding the selection: Battalion Chief Jansen is an exceptional leader, and were excited to see him step into the role of Fire Chief for our community. The City of De Pere has long taken pride in the strength of its public safety services and overall quality of life. Were confident that Chief Jansen will not only uphold these high standards but also lead the department forward with professionalism, innovation, and a forward-thinking approach to fire and emergency response. De Pere Mayor James Boyd City Manager Kim Flom added the following statement: We are excited to have Brett on board as the next Fire Chief. His commitment to the community and to the continued strength of the organization were evident through the recruitment process. City Manager Kim Flom No additional details were provided. 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. For Matt Chipperfield, the request seemed like any other. Since the St. Johns County fishing charter captain first learned last month the state could trade away 600 acres of his communitys pristine wilderness preserve, hed been speaking to reporters and podcasters to spread information that he hoped would block the deal. So when a person claiming to be a producer for 60 Minutes called him May 19, Chipperfield figured it was just another inquiry. The person, who identified themselves as Oliver, asked him what he knew about the land swap and who he thought might be behind it. He also scheduled an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Oliver repeatedly rescheduled the sit-down, according to text messages reviewed by the Tampa Bay Times. The producer first cited food poisoning, then said 60 Minutes had secured an interview with Gov. Ron DeSantis but the governor was running late. Eventually, Chipperfield stopped hearing back. But the person wasnt a producer with 60 Minutes at all, the Times has confirmed. The news program doesnt employ any producer named Oliver, according to a spokesperson for CBS. Additionally, no one from 60 Minutes interviewed the governor. DeSantis has had an acrimonious relationship with that news program since a segment aired in 2021 that was critical of his handling of the COVID pandemic, sparking backlash from both the governor and some Democratic officials. 60 minutes? Thats funny replied DeSantis spokesperson Bryan Griffin via email when asked if an interview took place. (60 Minutes in Australia, which has no affiliation to the CBS News show but has the same name, also confirmed it doesnt have any producer named Oliver or anyone in Florida at the moment.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were pumping me for information about who I was talking to, said Chipperfield, whose social media videos about the controversy have drawn hundreds of thousands of views. It was nefarious in nature, but it also let me know that I said something that put pressure on somebody. Its unclear who Oliver really works for. The Times called and texted the numbers used to contact Chipperfield, but no one responded. This episode is the latest and perhaps most bizarre twist in a public lands controversy that has remained a tightly kept secret. Weeks after a recently created limited liability corporation withdrew the proposal in response to protests by Floridians, nearly all the particulars of the deal have remained hidden. That includes what The Upland LLC would have done with the 600 acres of pristine wildlife preserve. When the company shelved its proposal, a letter from its lawyer to state officials said only that the public was misinformed, and there was never any intention to develop the acquired land for commercial or community development purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public also still doesnt know the identity of the person or company behind the LLC. State Rep. Kim Kendall, R-St. Augustine, has asked the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for weeks to reveal the person behind The Upland LLC so she can meet with them. The 600 acres in the deal are in her district. But the agency has so far refused, Kendall said in response to questions from the Times. Last week, the agencys legislative affairs director, Brett Tubbs, told Kendall that nobody in the department knows the identity, she said, and the staff has only interacted with the lawyer representing The Upland LLC, Gary Hunter. When asked for comment, Florida Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Alexandra Kuchta did not address the question directly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ordinarily I wouldnt respond to a question like this, but to be clear: (the Department of Environmental Protection) provided Rep. Kendall with the contact information for the applicants representative, she wrote in an email. The agency houses the committee that was days from voting on the land swap when it was pulled. Department of Environmental Protection staff had recommended that state officials on that committee approve the deal. On May 6, the agencys public lands director of eight years, Callie DeHaven, abruptly resigned, according to a copy of her resignation letter obtained by the Times. Kendall said its been frustrating to not be able to meet with the person behind the land swap. She has said she wants to explore getting the state to buy the LLCs land, adjacent to the Guana River Wildlife Management Area, to add it to the preserve as well as file legislation next year to prevent swaps like this from emerging again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the applicants withdrawal letter, he seems to have a lot to say, Kendell said in a text. From my end, the offer to have a conversation remains open, should he choose to reconsider. The Times submitted a public records request for a copy of the slideshow presentation that would have been shown at the council meeting to describe the proposal. Kuchta said in an email that officials didnt possess one. The governors office, too, did not respond to emails asking whether DeSantis staff knows whos behind the LLC. DeSantis ignored a question from a reporter about the landowners identity at a news conference in Tampa last month. There are a few other people that may know who is behind The Upland LLC: the people who own the 3,066 acres that would have been purchased by the LLC to give to the state in return for the preserved land. There are four landowners, each with hundreds of acres that were identified on the land councils public meeting agenda. Two of the four men did not respond to calls, texts and social media messages from reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Lanier, a senior adviser at Lakeland-based Saunders Real Estate, said a broker approached him in January about buying roughly 1,200 acres of Osceola County land from his client, a Miami man named Ceferino Machado. On May 21 two days after The Upland LLC formally withdrew its proposal the broker, whom Lanier said worked for Fusilier Realty Group, canceled the sale. The Fusilier Realty broker has not responded to repeated calls and emails from the Times. There was nothing special about it, it was a simple vacant land contract, Lanier said in a recent interview. I had no idea who they were or what they were doing. A landowner in Volusia County who owns a parcel the LLC would have acquired, Matthew Boni, said the sale of his land also didnt go through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the seller, I was blind to all of that, he said, referring to the states controversy. Boni declined to elaborate further, including naming the broker that approached him for the land. Kendall has also been trying to get answers from Hunter, the LLCs lawyer. Rumors have persisted that the developer behind the trade was Patrick Zalupski, chief executive and founder of Dream Finders Homes, a national homebuilding company based in Jacksonville. Zalupski was also appointed by DeSantis in 2023 to serve on the University of Florida Board of Trustees. Dream Finders Homes, through its general counsel Rob Riva, has said it had no involvement in the swap. But Riva has not responded to follow-up emails from the Times asking if Zalupski was involved in his personal capacity, nor has Zalupski responded to repeated voicemails and text messages from reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Rep. Kendall pressed Hunter to set up a meeting with his client, he replied in a text: Rep., Im not trying to be difficult but am not authorized to release any information concerning this matter. That would include Mr. Zalupskis phone number. The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Floridas most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Peru announced Tuesday that miners who had been operating illegally in a large protected archaeological reserve around the famous Nazca Lines will now be able to start the process of obtaining mining permits, after the government reduced the protected area by 42%. Energy and Mines Minister Jorge Montero said those working in the area must now legalize their mining activities since the zone is no longer designated as archaeological heritage. Youre fully illegal when you operate in a place where mining is banned ... but since that cultural heritage restriction no longer exists, theyre no longer in violation theyll need to formalize their operations, Montero said in a press conference in Lima on Tuesday for correspondents working for the international media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the government does not yet know how many miners are currently active there. The area in question forms part of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, home to the Nazca Lines massive geoglyphs etched into the desert thousands of years ago and one of Perus most fragile desert ecosystems. Last week, the Ministry of Culture issued a resolution reducing the protected area around the Nazca Lines by 2,397 square kilometers (925 square miles). The reserve, created in 1993, was set at 5,633 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) in 2004. It's incredible how the government is not even interested in the heritage of our ancestors that is unprotected, and will be destroyed without any control, Peruvian environmental lawyer, Cesar Ipenza, told The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ipenza said once the miners enter, they will create huge environmental impacts, and will not assume responsibility. And now that the government has released the area from its protection, mining petitions have already started to appear, he said. Culture Minister Fabricio Valencia said the reduction was based on over 20 years of rigorous studies and that the true archaeological reserve is about 3,200 square kilometers (1,235 square miles). On Saturday, he acknowledged on local Peruvian media that mining was taking place within the reserve. Valencia said the UNESCO World Heritage site that contains the Nazca Lines themselves, covering about 450 square kilometers (174 square miles), was not affected by the change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AP reviewed the resolution but found no details about the studies justifying the reduction. Requests for those studies went unanswered and UNESCO told AP it had not been notified by Peru of the change and that it will seek information from the government. In past years, Perus Culture Ministry, prosecutors, and media reported illegal mining inside the protected reserve, including the destruction of mining machinery and camps. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Soon after becoming the nations latest defense secretary, Pete Hegseth went right to work tackling one of his top priorities: He started renaming things. Two weeks into his tenure, for example, the scandal-plagued former television personality signed an order renaming Fort Liberty in North Carolina to Fort Bragg. The controversial Pentagon chief also changed Georgias Fort Moore to Fort Benning. Hegseth declared at the time, As the president has said, and Ive said as well, were not done there. Evidently, he wasnt kidding. Military.com reported: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to take the rare step of renaming a ship, one that bears the name of a gay rights icon, documents and sources show. Military.com reviewed a memorandum from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy the official who holds the power to name Navy ships that showed the sea service had come up with rollout plans for the renaming of the oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk. NBC News confirmed the reporting, adding that the change is likely to be implemented quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced nearly a decade ago that the service would name a fleet oiler after Milk, it wasnt especially controversial. Milk came from a Navy family, served in the Navy stateside during the Korean War on a submarine rescue ship, and was honorably discharged after four years. He went on to become a celebrated civil rights pioneer in San Francisco and popular local elected official. So why in the world would Hegseth want to rename the ship? The defense secretary hasnt publicly commented, but the fact that Milk was gay apparently mattered a great deal. Indeed, the Military.com report, which NBC News confirmed, noted that a defense official said that the timing of the announcement occurring during Pride month was intentional. The same report added, While there are some rare examples of Navy ships being renamed following construction and christening, those instances are outliers and, broadly, Navy traditions consider renaming a ship to be taboo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS News, citing Navy documents it obtained, and The New York Times, citing a senior official familiar with a memo from the Navy secretary, reported that several other vessels named for prominent figures have been identified for possible renaming, including ships named for late Supreme Court Justices Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as well as famed abolitonist Harriet Tubman. Hegseth, evidently, is prioritizing his culture war agenda over Navy traditions. A Pentagon spokesperson didn't deny the reporting, instead saying in a written statement, Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chiefs priorities, our nations history, and the warrior ethos. Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete. That didn't exactly ease the concerns of Hegseth's Democratic critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reported decision by the Trump Administration to change the names of the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships in the John Lewis-class is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said in a written statement. Our military is the most powerful in the world but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the warrior ethos. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country. The Bay Area congresswoman added, As the rest of us are celebrating the joy of Pride Month, it is my hope that the Navy will reconsider this egregious decision and continue to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Harvey Milk, a veteran himself, and all Americans who forged historic progress for our nation. This post has been updated with details for additional reporting. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered that the ship bearing the name of gay rights icon and Navy veteran Harvey Milk be renamed, according to Military.com. The Office of the Secretary of the Navy issued a memo revealing the plans to change the name of the replenishment oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk, which was christened in 2021. Theyre also considering renaming several naval ships named after civil rights leaders and other distinguished Americans, CBS News noted. An official noted that the Navy was taking steps to change the name of the ship, but added that the Navy Secretary, John Phelan, was ordered to make the name change by Hegseth. The official added that the announcement timing, coming during Pride Month, was intentional, according to Military.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington D.C. is hosting WorldPride celebrations this year. Documents obtained by CBS News reveal that other ships under consideration for renaming are the USNS Thurgood Marshall, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, USNS Harriet Tubman, USNS Dolores Huerta, USNS Lucy Stone, USNS Cesar Chavez, and USNS Medgar Evers. The military is considering renaming the USNS Harvey Milk as well as several ships named after civil rights leaders and other prominent Americans (AFP via Getty Images) The memo seen by Military.com stated that the name change was done for there to be "alignment with president and SECDEF objectives and SECNAV priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture," in a seeming reference to President Donald Trump, Hegseth, and Phelan. Milk became the first openly gay man elected to public office in California when he became a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978 after winning an election the previous year. He was assassinated in November 1978 following the passage of a bill prohibiting housing and employment discrimination because of sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The renaming of the ship was set to become public on June 13, the memo said. While a new name for the Milk has not been announced, the memo said Hegseth and Phelan are set to make the announcement aboard the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy, the USS Constitution. The Harvey Milk is an oiler ship in the John Lewis-class. Its part of a group of ships named after civil rights activists. Lewis was a congressman and civil rights icon who passed away in 2020. Instances of renaming Navy ships are rare, and the process is taboo according to Navy traditions, Military.com noted. The Navy most recently renamed two ships in 2023 with connections to the Confederacy, the USS Chancellorsville and the research ship USNS Maury, to USS Robert Smalls and USNS Marie Tharp. Smalls was a slave who took charge of a Confederate ship and surrendered it to the Union, while Tharp was an oceanographer. Harvey Milk was assassinated in 1978, shortly after his election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (AP) However, these name changes were done following the recommendation of a commission established by Congress to review names with connections to the Confederacy in the entire military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USNS Harvey Milk received its name in 2016 from the Navy secretary at the time, Ray Mabus. USNI News noted that Milk came from a family with a history of service in the Navy. Milk was commissioned in 1951. During the Korean War, he was an operations and diving officer on the submarines USS Kittiwake and USS Chanticleer. However, in 1954, Milk was facing a court-martial for previously having taken part in a homosexual act. Instead of a trial, Milk left the armed forces, similarly to many other gay service members at that time. He resigned his commission and accepted an Other Than Honorable discharge, CBS News noted. Becoming an icon and martyr in the LGBT+ community, he posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. The USNS Harvey Milk is currently undergoing maintenance work at a shipyard in Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaker Emerita and San Francisco Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi told CBS: The reported decision by the Trump Administration to change the names of the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships in the John Lewis-class is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream. "Our military is the most powerful in the world but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the 'warrior' ethos. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country, she added. Hegseth was confirmed in January, and he was quick to issue a directive ordering the Pentagon and the various branches of the military to stop having events connected to heritage and awareness months, such as Pride Month, Black History Month, and Women's History Month, arguing that it could damage unity. The documents seen by CBS News say that Phelan should select a new name for the USNS Harvey Milk on Tuesday and that notifications of the new name would be sent to other Navy officials later in the week following a legal review. Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy has announced he will not be hitting the road this summer as planned, with ongoing health issues to blame for the nascent cancellation. Murphy announced his news via social media on Monday (June 2), informing fans that, It is with regret that, due to recent health issues, I will be unable to perform for you this summer. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am very much saddened by this news, he added. This situation is hopefully temporary, and we will be able to announce shows in support of Silver Shade at some point in the near future. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. The forthcoming tour dates were set to see Murphy touring in support of Silver Shade, his first new solo album since 2014, with festival dates scheduled throughout the U.K. and Europe between June and August. Murphys live appearances have been limited in recent years, with a heart attack necessitating the postponement of his 2019 residency at New York venue Le Poisson Rouge. A reformed Bauhaus would later cancel a run of North American dates in 2022 after stating that Murphy would be entering a rehabilitation facility to attend to his health and well-being. In early 2023, the Celebrating David Bowie tour was rescheduled after Murphy underwent an unexpected medical procedure, before he dropped out entirely due to ill health and doctors orders to rest and recover. In December 2024, an upcoming U.K. and European leg of the same tour was cancelled after it was announced Murphy had suddenly taken ill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy rose to fame as a member of Bauhaus in the late 70s, with their debut single Bela Lugosis Dead being considered one of the pioneering gothic rock tracks. Bauhaus split in 1983 after releasing four albums, and Murphy launched a solo career in 1986. His third album, 1989s Deep, would peak at No. 44 on the Billboard 200, with the single Cuts You Up reaching No. 55 on the Hot 100 and topping the Modern Rock Tracks chart the following year. Bauhaus reunions would result in a final album in 2008, with the group releasing their final single, Drink the New Wine in early 2022. In May 2025, Murphy released his latest studio album, Silver Shade, which featured contributions from Boy George alongside members of Tool and Nine Inch Nails. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) Two Philadelphia men were arrested in Altoona during an investigation into drug trafficking. Altoona police announced the arrest of Damar Holmes, 33, and Donte Dillard, 35, Monday, June 2, after an investigation involving APD, state police and the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Donte Dillard, 35 (Altoona Police Department) Damar Holmes, 33 (Altoona Police Department) According to police, they had an active arrest warrant for Holmes from a previous controlled buy. Altoona police and the Blair County Drug Task Force received a tip that Holme would be returning to the Altoona area. Holmes and Dillard were then seen walking in the area of 13th Street and 11th Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers attempted to make contact with the two men. Holmes surrendered and was taken into custody on his outstanding warrant. Dillard, however, allegedly began to run. Officers then chased after Dillard until he tripped while trying to jump over a bush. After a brief physical altercation, Dillard was taken into custody. 1 arrested, 1 at large after Altoona traffic stop leads to drugs After being taken back to the Altoona Police Department, police said they found a green cloth bag that Dillard was allegedly hiding in his pants. Inside the bag, police alleged they found 224 grams (7.9 ounces) of crystal methamphetamine and 14 grams (half an ounce) of crack cocaine. Photo: Altoona Police Department Both men have been charged with possession with intent to deliver and related drug charges. Dillard was also charged with evading arrest and escape. 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. Both were placed in Blair County Prison. Bail was denied for Holmes due to already being out on bail for drug charges in December 2024. Dillards bail was set at $200,000. 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. After serving for six years as its president and CEO, Anji Roe Wood has vacated her position with Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado. Roe Wood, who joined the nonprofit in 2019, ended her tenure on May 23 to pursue an opportunity in public education, she announced in an email last month. Roe Wood has begun a new role as executive director of Cherry Creek Schools Foundation in Arapahoe County, its board Chair Valencia Culbreath confirmed. The nonprofit Cherry Creek Schools Foundation supports and partners with Cherry Creek School District 5, including by raising funds to enhance classroom and district initiatives. "This was a tough decision and I really love the mission of Junior Achievement," Roe Wood said. The local affiliate of a national organization, Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado, headquartered in Colorado Springs and founded in 1954, teaches K-12 students financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship. "Leading a public school foundation in Denver and working with the school district, it feels like a natural next step for me." Rod Dorsey, treasurer and finance and investment board chair for Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado, will serve as acting director of the local JA affiliate. The board has taken initial steps in its search for a new president and CEO, Dorsey said in an email. "We want to be very deliberate in our process and ensure we find a leader whose ethos aligns with that of the Southern Colorado communities and will build upon the great work accomplished thus far, be a high-impact steward of our mission, and manage our geographical growth and impact into future years," he said. Featured Local Savings Dorsey praised Roe Wood's energy and her passion for the nonprofit's mission in southern Colorado. "Her 360-degree focus on staff and students, and her continuous ability to identify future needs, were key to our success in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Woodland Park and the Roaring Fork communities. We have been left with a clear path for continued growth and impact that meets the needs of both students and Colorado businesses in the areas of workplace readiness and financial acumen," he said. In the email announcing her resignation, Roe Wood praised Junior Achievement staff, board members, volunteers and other partners for the work they have accomplished since 2019. While navigating the COVID-19 pandemic "with creativity and passion," they expanded student reach by 125%; launched the novel JA Finance Park model that helps students make long-lasting beneficial financial decisions; elevated JA's brand and achievements to increase visibility, community engagement and partnerships; led two strategic planning processes; and in 2023, Roe Wood earned the prestigious Junior Achievement USA Karl Flemke Achievement Award, "a celebration of the dedication and excellence of this entire team," she wrote. Roe Wood's support of Junior Achievement and the organization's mission is lifelong. "I am forever a cheerleader of Junior Achievement, our team and the people we serve," she told The Gazette. Talks for University of Idaho's proposed $685 million purchase of University of Phoenix ended Tuesday, the universities announced.(Courtesy of the University of Idaho) This story originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on June 3, 2025 The University of Phoenix and the University of Idaho have broken off talks on a multimillion-dollar purchase plan. The parties have jointly agreed to end discussions, Phoenix said Tuesday morning. The news was not unexpected. But it abruptly ends a controversial two-year courtship between Idahos land-grant institution and a for-profit online giant with a national enrollment of more than 80,000. The proposed $685 million purchase left education and business leaders stunned, and left lawmakers feeling blindsided. And on Tuesday, U of I President C. Scott Green conceded the high-stakes process posed a potential distraction for the states oldest four-year school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Board of Education will meet Thursday afternoon to consider a termination agreement that would officially break off the talks. The meeting figures to be a formality. The State Board had set a June 10 deadline for Phoenix and the U of I to come to an agreement and it has long been apparent that the deadline will come and go without a deal. While we have decided not to move forward, we remain appreciative of (U of I) President Scott Green, the leadership of the University of Idaho, and the many elected officials in Idaho who supported this process, University of Phoenix President Chris Lynne said in a news release Tuesday morning. Although we continue to see great value in University of Phoenix, it has become cost prohibitive, and potentially distracting to our other work, to continue conversations, Green said in a news release Tuesday. The State Board first gave the Phoenix purchase the green light in May 2023 after a series of closed-door discussions. Those closed meetings remain at the center of a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Raul Labrador; a court hearing is scheduled for June 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But after the State Board gave the deal its initial blessing, Labrador and many legislators questioned the clandestine process, and the merits of the multimillion deal. After a series of tense committee hearings and floor debates, lawmakers blocked the purchase in the spring of 2024. The State Board then regrouped. In late June 2024, the board gave the U of I and Phoenix nearly a 12-month extension, allowing the parties more time to try to rework a deal and win over skeptical lawmakers. But in April, the 2025 legislative session adjourned, with no discussion of a U of I-Phoenix partnership. That lack of legislative activity coupled by reports that Phoenix might instead go on sale through an initial public offering suggested that the U of Is purchase plan was already on shaky ground. From the beginning, U of I officials said the Phoenix acquisition would revolutionize education for adult learners in rural Idaho, and provide revenue from a profitable online university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the U of I now says it will be kept whole. The U of I will collect an additional $12.2 million from Phoenix in the second of a series of breakup fees worked into the State Boards extension. The U of I received $5 million last June, to cover some of the costs on researching a potential Phoenix purchase. The second payment will bring those fees to $17.2 million exactly enough to cover the U of Is Phoenix-related due diligence costs, U of I spokeswoman Jodi Walker said Tuesday. In January, Green told legislators that the Phoenix breakup fees would more than cover the universitys due diligence costs which exceed at least $14.2 million, based on previous EdNews reporting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U of I learned a lot from its two-year courtship with Phoenix, especially about delivering education to adult students who arent part of the U of Is typical demographic, Walker said. She said the U of I will now be able to refocus on its on-campus priorities, such as Moscow-based enrollment and building its research portfolio and the U of I has no immediate plans to seek a partnership with another university. Im not aware of any other conversations, she said, certainly not in the short term. Phoenixs next moves are unclear. The State Boards June 2024 extension gave Phoenix the option of talking to other would-be buyers, or pursuing an IPO. Over the past 11 months, Phoenix says it has actively explored other strategic options that align with its mission and strengths in serving working adult learners. But on Tuesday, Phoenix said it will continue to operate as an independent, private institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: Idaho Education News Kevin Richert has closely followed this story for two years, breaking news and fighting for the publics right to know. See a timeline of his exclusive, award-winning coverage. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEED TO KNOW A single-engine plane crashed into the ocean off the coast of Vero Beach in Florida on Sunday, June 1 Multiple agencies responded to the mayday call, and a helicopter was able to spot the three passengers in the water Sheriff Eric Flowers said the survivors "would probably be dead out there today if it werent for our efforts" Three people were saved in a heroic nighttime rescue after a small plane crashed off the coast of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, June 1, at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time, a mayday call came in from the pilot, Sheriff Eric Flowers of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office said at a press conference shared by ABC affiliate WPBF. The pilot was headed to Vero Beach Airport, but crashed into the Atlantic Ocean just a few miles offshore. Fortunately, a helicopter was able to locate three heat signatures in the water and the pilot and both passengers were pulled to safety, Air and Marine Operations, a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, confirmed in a statement. Flowers estimated that the three people were treading water for about 45 minutes before they were recovered. The pilot was the most severely injured, reporting pain in his ribs, however, all three were transported to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce for further medical examination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash is now being investigated by the NTSB and FAA. This is just an incredibly heroic event, Flowers said of the joint agency rescue, noting that the passengers would probably be dead out there today if it werent for our efforts. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Three people were rescued after a small plane crashed off the coast of Florida. Three people were rescued after a small plane crashed off the coast of Florida. Flowers said that the mayday call, which provided officials with coordinates, and a witness sighting were crucial in the rescue. A helicopter spotted the persons in the water and directed rescue boats to their location, the sheriffs office said in a statement shared on Facebook. When rescue teams got to the scene, the two passengers were pointing to the pilot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Pilot Jonathan Lozada noted that the dark surroundings added to the danger of the rescue. Another was the distance from land. 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. Thats a challenge for us. We dont normally fly out, three miles out in the ocean, said Flowers. So, they definitely put their own lives at risk. Despite the risk, everyone involved in the rescue is grateful they were able to save all of the survivors. Its just an incredible story. I cant wait for you guys to hopefully get to a day to talk to the people who were actually in the plane, Flowers said, addressing the group of reporters. Because, on our side, its phenomenal. Read the original article on People COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohios correction officers could soon be armed with tasers. This is very rushed, policy director at Ohio Justice and Policy Center Michaela Burriss said. De-escalation is about communication; de-escalation is about creating safe spaces. Strangers sleuthing reunites Grandview Heights graduate with class ring lost 50 years ago According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), the conversation of arming corrections officers with tasers started in 2020. Research into the matter was put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then started again in 2024. In May of this year, two prisons started a pilot program to test the use of tasers; now ODRC wants to see the program expanded statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 78% of those currently housed in the department have committed a crime of violence in their lifetime, an ODRC spokesperson wrote in a statement. This means that the inmates the staff supervise are more dangerous than they have been in the past, and we want our staff to have the tools to do their jobs safely. There absolutely shouldnt be a statewide expansion when we have no idea how the pilot is going to turn out, Burriss said. How would the proposal work? This manual lays out what all must go into equipping correction officers with tasers. Officers must go through vendor approved training, and if a taser is in use, body cameras must also be in use. Unauthorized use includes someone who is already restrained and inmates younger than 14. Burriss worries that the move is premature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police provide updates on Mifflin Township shootout suspect Weapons are not in prisons for a reason, Burriss said, adding that the long-term effects of taser use have not been sufficiently studied. I dont have a lot of confidence that somebody isnt going to get extremely hurt or somebody isnt going to die, and that somebody may not even be the person who is incarcerated, she said. Tasers are only going to beget the cycle of violence that leads to people being incarcerated in the first place. [O]DRCs policy allows only those officers with direct interaction with the incarcerated population to carry a taser device, the ODRC statement reads. This allows the managing officer (Warden), who knows that facility best, to identify those types of posts with a second approval process by the respective regional director to review and approve whether those posts identified shall be issued taser devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State leaders said if ODRC says tasers in prisons are necessary, they are inclined to fund that endeavor in the state budget. It seems to me to be appropriate, but Im also not an expert in terms of prisoner management and things like that, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said. But I dont, off the top of my head, have any opposition to that. Donatos to open fully-automated pizza restaurant at John Glenn International this month I think thats a decision that should be made by the professionals in the field, Gov. Mike DeWine said. I generally follow what their lead is, so thats about as far as Im going to go on that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, the state budget cuts funding to ODRC over the next two years 3% in 2026 and 4% in 2027. Burriss believes taxpayer dollars allotted to corrections should be spent in what she considers a more effective way. Our taxpayer money is better spent on things that we know do decrease violence in prisons and that will address those systemic problems like overcrowding and understaffing, she said. Tasers are not going to rehabilitate somebody. Theyre not going to make somebody less likely to commit an act of violence and I think thats something we all want. The state budget must pass by the end of 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Steven Foley was stunned when he shopped for cheaper car insurance, only to discover why his rates were going up drastically. He found that an accident from August 2023 is showing up on his Motor Vehicle Report, known as an MVR, as an at fault accident. In reality, he said the accident was declared at not at fault by both the insurance company he had at the time and the Florida traffic crash report, filled out by law enforcement at the scene. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side In fact, records show the driver who hit Foley was cited for careless driving and driving without a valid drivers license. I called the Florida Highway Patrol, state trooper who did the accident and they said, No, we transferred it as not at fault. But its on my MVR report, and the insurance companies now cannot override it, Foley said. So they want to increase my insurance over $800 more each six months. Apparently, someone must have hit at fault when they transferred some paperwork but no one says they did it, so Im stuck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2-year-old rescued from luggage system, X-ray machine before Tampa vacation Foley said he ran into roadblocks getting this fixed by either his insurance company or Florida Highway Patrol, so he called Better Call Behnken to get to the bottom of this. Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken called both and this is being looked into to find out what went wrong. In the meantime, Tampa Bay drivers should take note. New data shows Florida ranks in the top three states where car insurance costs the most. In addition, data from online insurance agent Insurify predicts Florida rates will jump another 10 percent this year, while the national average is 5%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of what determines your risk is your accident history, as listed in your Motor Vehicle Report, maintained by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Thats why is important to request a copy of your report and try to correct mistakes just like Foley is. I want it off my record because its going to be on there for years and increase my premium for years, he said. If you want to a copy of your own Motor Vehicle Report to check its accuracy, you can request one through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. Disagreements over articles printed in Kentuckys first newspaper led to two deadly fights, leaving one editor and a civilian dead. When Lexington was founded 250 years ago, settlers decided they needed a newspaper to keep the 300 people in the area informed. Two of the settlers, John and Fielding Bradford, offered to return east to learn the craft and gather supplies for a press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they returned, they started the Kentucke Gazette, the first newspaper west of the Allegheny Mountains. The papers main goal was to provide opinions on state politics and global issues to the American frontier community. Over the years, the name changed to the Kentucky Gazette and the publication grew from two pages to six pages a week. Its goal of providing community members with opinions and news remained. In 1827, Thomas Roberts Benning came to Lexington to serve as the editor of the Kentucky Gazette, after working as the editor of the Paris Register in Bourbon County. After Andrew Jackson was elected president, Benning turned his attention to matters at home farming, education and abolition. Some didnt take too kindly to the opinions he printed in the paper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1829, Charles Wickliffe, the 21-year-old son of one of the areas largest slaveholders, Robert Wickliffe, was infuriated by an editorial that painted his father in a bad light. Wickliffe went to the Gazette office to talk to the writer of the editorial. When he saw Benning, an altercation ensued. Benning tried to beat Wickliffe off him with a small stick, but Wickliffe pulled out a pistol. Grabbing Bennings stick and throwing it on the floor, Wickliffe then shot Benning as he was trying to flee through the offices back door. Wickliffe then pulled out another pistol and maintained his stand for a moment in an attitude of menace, in Bennings office, and finally pulled out a third pistol and stood some time in front of the office threatening to shoot again, the Gazette wrote about the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Benning did not fall when he received the wound but was soon carried from his office to his residence, and had his wound examined the ball (had) gone through the intestines and lodged in the walls of the belly in the front and to one side. He lived in extreme agony about twenty-four hours and then died, the Gazette wrote. Wickliffe was charged with murder, but his defense attorney one Henry Clay was able to get him acquitted before a mostly pro-slavery jury sympathetic to the Wickliffe family. Later that same year, a successor to the editor position was named, Wickliffes best friend James George Trotter. A few months later, Wickliffe again found fault with something written in the paper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an account of the duel by J. Winston Coleman, Wickliffe was upset by some remarks made in the paper in relation to the death of Benning. This editorial insinuated that young Wickliffe had cowardly murdered the former editor of the Gazette without the latter having a chance to defend himself and hinted strongly at a packed and perjured jury and the undue influence of Henry Clay as senior counsel for the accused. As a result, Wickliffe challenged Trotter to a duel. On Oct. 9, 1829, the two men met at the Fayette County and Scott County line. The men fired and both missed their mark, with Trotters ball passing through Wickliffes pants. Wickliffe immediately demanded a second shot, to which Trotter agreed. After reloading and taking their positions for a second time, Trotter and Wickliffe fired at each other again. This time, Trotters bullet found its mark. Lowering himself to the ground, Wickliffe was examined and found to be mortally wounded. After being rushed to his fathers house at the corner of Jefferson and Second streets, Wickliffe died about three hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An inquiry into the duel found that it had been conducted properly and Trotter returned to his position as editor of the Gazette. Although many friends of Wickliffe attacked him, Trotter only answered them in the columns of his paper, writing I abhor dueling. I abhor fighting in every shape and form; but I can say to the whole host of scoundrels who put themselves behind the breastwork of villainy and rascality, that whenever they are disposed to experiment upon my cowardice, they can be accommodated. It wasnt the last duel for Trotter. According to the Kentucky State Historical Society, Trotter seems to have been a ready and willing man of war with the pistol, as well as with the quill, when occasion demanded. We hear of him again in 1833, engaging in a personal encounter with George D. Prentice, editor of the Louisville Journal, upon the streets of Louisville. The Trotter-Wickliffe duel went down in Kentucky history. Wickliffe, the hot-head who went after newspaper editors was dead. Trotter, after a few more years as the Gazettes editor, was admitted to and died in an asylum 20 years later. Have a question or story idea related to Lexingtons 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com. Pittsburgh artist Kyle Holbrook, most recently known for his artwork on the Tree of Life Synagogue, is now experiencing vandalism on his artwork in other parts of the country. When I went to prime the mural, it had the n-word and had a swastika, said Holbrook, who is the Executive Artist for the MLK Mural Project. Holbrook has over 300 pieces of art in Pittsburgh. After the recent attacks on his murals in Oakland, California, and Miami, Florida, he wants people to know the mission of this work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I choose to do art that speaks to certain issues and draws attention and memorializes, such as the Negro Leagues mural. Its memorializing a lost, at the time, part of American History, said Holbrook The vandalism showed antisemitic symbols and racial slurs over his works about autism and black athletes. Holbrook said, For this to happen to me with two different murals within two weeksthis is something thats going on in society. He hopes his artwork will remain safe as he continues his mission for peace. I dont want people to be scared. Its important to show strength, said Holbrook. He was able to go to Oakland to fix his work and plans to go to Miami to do the same. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Paul Okean is facing a turning point. The plant nursery business owner has owned land in the Palm Beach County Agricultural Reserve for more than 40 years. At one point, Morningstar Nursery, Okeans business, went on to become a major supplier for large retail stores including Kmart, Kroger and Albertsons. My nursery days are behind me for a variety of fateful reasons. However, I am grateful for every moment they held, Okean said during a recent County Commission meeting. But I also look ahead with anticipation because I now have the opportunity to begin a new chapter alongside my children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Okean has been trying to redevelop his more than 50 acres of land in West Delray for years, but proposals to do so have been met with concerns about disrupting the area with traffic, chipping away at the countys Ag Reserve or possibly harming the equine industry. The most recent plan is technically two proposals: Park West North and Park West South. The north project could be on a 50-acre plot wedged at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Floridas Turnpike, east of Starkey Road. Park West South is a 10-acre plot east of Persimmon Avenue and directly south of Atlantic Avenue. The larger Park West North pitches self-service storage, a fitness center, a manufacturing and processing space with a taproom and a warehouse with accessory office, while Park West South proposes a warehouse with accessory office. Both Park West North and South were approved to move forward by the county commissioners but not without mixed reactions. Some people want the entire plan scrapped while others believe Okean and other farmers in the Ag Reserve should have the opportunity to redevelop the land they own into something unrelated to agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while the commissioners voted to approve Park West for transmittal which means the project goes to the state for review before going back to the Palm Beach County Commission they said they hope the developers behind it make some revisions before it comes back before them sometime in the fall. There needs to be more conversation. There is some considerations to be made that can be done between now and when this comes back to us, Commissioner Marci Woodward said during the meeting where the project was discussed. Park Wests history The Park West project wasnt always called Park West. Originally, the plan for the about 60 acres of land was called Tenderly Reserve. When presented to the county commissioners in the spring of last year, the project proposed more than 700 multifamily units, a 150-room hotel, hundreds of thousands of square feet of storage, commercial retail and office space, an indoor adventure rec and workspace, a neighborhood grocery, workforce housing, a main street, town center and a public preserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, members of the public and county officials mainly took issue with the developments requests for county policy exemptions. These included a request to increase density from one residential unit per 5 acres to 12 residential units per acre, a request to be exempt from a county traffic policy and a request to allot only 20% of the total project to preserve land, a little more than 16 of the 60 acres, and allow water management to count as part of that preservation. In response to the opposition, the Park West developers scaled back, taking away the residential and hotel components and replacing it with more light industrial-type uses, such as the warehouses. Jennifer Morton, the president of JMorton Planning and Landscape Architecture, which is representing Park West, said this request is the only request out of the four that have been made to have support from the county planning staff and the only one that does not require any zoning changes. We meet the specific (Agricultural Reserve) policies such as low-impact development with uses that serve the residents of the Ag Reserve, Morton said during the meeting. Mixed reviews Since the proposal was known as Tenderly Reserve, Palm Beach County residents have expressed opinions about the project, varying from complete opposition to advocating for Ag Reserve landowner rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some people used to be in Okeans position and urged county commissioners to approve the project. Suzanne and Joe Mulvehill, who are siblings, owned (and, in Joe Mulvehills case, still own) land in the Ag Reserve for years as legacy farmers but ultimately had to bow out when the industry began to decline. This is about doing the right thing, Suzanne Mulvehill said to the commissioners. This is about property rights. But others, such as Wellington resident David Larson, told commissioners he believes the Park West North project is ill-conceived and inconsistent with the spirit of the Ag Reserve master plan. Barbara ODonnell, who owns horse farm Irish Acres with her husband, Joseph ODonnell, which is just north of where Park West could be, said the development could disrupt Irish Acres efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our shared vision was to create a sanctuary for horses, unlike anything else in South Florida. We have 60 acres of beauty and tranquility to offer horses and their owners a chance to enjoy nature, which is slipping away to development, ODonnell said. We are recognized every year as one of the very best boarding farms in South Florida. This requires peaceful surroundings. If this development is approved, it will destroy us. Whats to come The county commissioners have found themselves attempting to strike a delicate balance between competing interests with the Park West project, and the most recent decision was no different. Besides Commissioner Maria Sachs, who did not want the project to move forward at all, the commissioners agreed the project should have the opportunity to go to a transmittal but should undergo modifications before it is presented to the commission again in a few months. I do want to see something a little less dense on the property, County Mayor Maria Marino said. The community (came) out on both sides, those in support and those not in support. Thats what community does. Thats what commissioners do. Thats what brothers and sisters do. Lets get it right. The Great Lakes have claimed thousands of lives and ships. The exact total will never be known, but historians estimate that 2530,000 people have drowned on around 6,000 vessels since the 17th century. Despite this uncertainty, experts do know the single deadliest documented shipwreck: the Lady Elgin. On September 8, 1860, the sidewheel steamer crashed into another boat while sailing north of Chicago on Lake Michigan. Over 300 people died as a result, etching the tragedy into cultural memory and even inspiring at least one folk song. But while the Lady Elgins deteriorating wreckage remains interred across a mile of Lake Michigan lakebed, one remarkably preserved artifact has made it back to the surface. After nearly 165 years, a solid gold pocket watch has been returned to the family of one of the steamers victimsa man famous for his own reasons. An illustration of the sinking of the Lady Elgin, depicted in The New York Illustrated News. Credit: Wiki Commons The Father of Pictorial Journalism Herbert Ingram was born on May 27, 1811, to a butchers family in Lincolnshire, England. After starting his career as a printers apprentice and journeyman, Ingram began noticing newspapers often sold more copies when they included illustrations. Before he could do anything about that, however, he needed money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As luck would have it, Ingram started to amass a small fortune in 1842 thanks to his newly patented Parrs Life Pills. Ingram claimed his supplements were based on a recipe created by the legendary Thomas Parr, a man who supposedly lived to the age of 152. Parrs Life Pills offered no actual medical benefits, but the proceeds did help finance an endeavor with real results. Less than a year after his foray into pharmaceuticals, Ingram launched The Illustrated London News. Unlike its competitors, the London News featured prominent illustrations and images in every weekly issue. Its success paved the way for imitators, and Ingram is now regarded as the father of pictorial journalism. By 1860, Ingram wasnt just a prominent businessman, but a member of the British Parliament. Unfortunately, none of that exactly matters to the Great Lakes. While traveling the US to obtain new material for The Illustrated London News, Ingram and one of his sons were among the hundreds of Lady Elgin passengers to drown in the shipwreck. Rediscovery and a Return Home It would take another 129 years before maritime archeologists rediscovered the wreck of the Lady Elgin. Experts traveled to the location to document the ships remains, including Holland-based historian Valerie Van Heest in 1992. But unbeknownst to her, another group of divers had also recently visited the Lady Elginand they returned to land with a keepsake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The location had leaked, and a trio of divers came upon a pocket watch. A gold pocket watch, an extraordinary discovery, Van Heest told the local Michigan news outlet Fox 17. For over 30 years, the artifact remained hidden away in storage. After working to restore it, the watchs finders reached out to Van Heest to help identify its owner. Luckily, the timepiece offered a solid leadthe initials H.I. engraved on its watch fob. Additional research indicated Herbert Ingrams descendents still lived in England. After reaching out to them and confirming the watchs provenance, Van Heest learned his hometowns museum was coincidentally in the process of building an exhibit dedicated to him. They didnt have any physical artifacts, and here I was offering not only an artifact, but Herbert Ingrams personal watch, Van Heest explained to Fox 17. It was an extraordinary, serendipitous occurrence. With the watch in the care of museum curators in Ingrams hometown of Boston, Lincolnshire, England, both his family and the public can now visit a tangible relic representing both historical triumphs and tragedies. Returning this watch is the right thing to do, said Van Heest. This is reminding people that shipwrecks affected people, affected families, and this shows that 165 years later, we care. People care about the individuals lost. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that parliament will hold a confidence vote on his government on June 11, as the country faces a new political reality" following his ally's presidential election loss. Tusk called for the vote after the liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski lost the weekend election to conservative Karol Nawrocki. Nawrocki, who was supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, won 50.89% of votes in a tight race that revealed deep divisions in the country on NATO's eastern flank. The political reality is new, because we have a new president," Tusk told a Cabinet meeting. But the constitution, our obligations and the expectations of citizens have not changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusks government runs most of the day-to-day matters in Poland. It exists separately from the presidency, but the president holds power to veto laws and influence foreign policy. Nawrockis win will make it difficult for Tusk to press his pro-European agenda. There are questions about whether Tusk's fragile coalition can survive until the next scheduled parliamentary election at the end of 2027. Some political opponents are calling for him to step down. The decision to call a confidence vote is apparently an attempt by Tusk to try to reassert authority in a shifting political situation where some coalition partners might be less likely to want to stick with him. Observers believe that he's likely to survive the vote next week and be in a position to continue governing Poland as its most powerful official. The parties in his coalition still hold a majority in parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusk oversees a coalition of several parties spanning an ideological divide, from left-wing progressives to centrists to agrarian conservatives. The coalition has failed to agree on some issues, and the government has failed to fulfill some of Tusk's key promises, including a liberalization of the restrictive abortion law. Nawrocki is due to take office on Aug. 6. He is expected to shape the countrys domestic and foreign policy in ways that could strain ties with Brussels, while aligning the Central European nation of nearly 38 million people more closely with the Trump administration. Trump welcomed his election, saying on social media: Congratulations Poland, you picked a WINNER! Nawrocki replied to Trump on social media, saying: Thank you, Mr President. Strong alliance with the USA, as well as partnership based on close cooperation are my top priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki will replace the conservative outgoing president, Andrzej Duda. The Polish Constitution limits presidents to two terms. Duda, who like Nawrocki was the candidate of the Law and Justice party, welcomed him warmly at the presidential palace on Tuesday evening, hugging him. Duda said he believes it will be only the first of meetings in which he will share his experiences, primarily in the field of security policy and international policy. Polands newly elected President Karol Nawrocki has expressed hope for continued close partnership with Ukraine, stressing the need to resolve "overdue historical issues" between the two nations. Source: Nawrocki in a statement on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Nawrockis statement responded to congratulations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who anticipated fruitful cooperation with Polands new leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am looking forward to continue partnership of our countries, based on mutual respect and understanding. I believe it requires not only good dialogue but also solving overdue historical issues," he said. Nawrocki underscored Polands role as a steadfast ally in Ukraines fight against Russian aggression. Quote from Nawrocki: "Poland has been Ukraine's strongest supporter against the Russian aggression, no other nation understands this threat more than we do". More details: The Polish president expressed optimism for collaborative efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope well continue to work together for the common good, for settling the unsettled past and building a safe future together", he concluded. The statement comes amid Kyivs cautious outlook on Nawrockis presidency, given his prior comments on historical grievances and scepticism toward Ukraines NATO and EU integration. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Hamilton County Coroner's Office has identified the 17-year-old who police say was killed after a drive-by shooting in Westwood early on June 3. A suspect opened fire into a home in the 3000 block of Percy Avenue and then sped off around 1:30 a.m., according to Captain Stephen Bower. Kayshawn Cornelius, who lives on that street, was found inside the home with three gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police and the coroner's office. A 17-year-old was killed in a shooting on June 3 in Westwood. Multiple shell casings were found outside the home, Bower said. ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, recorded as many as 14 shots being fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No suspect information has been released, and no arrests have been reported. This is the third fatal shooting in Westwood, and another three people have been wounded in shootings in the neighborhood this year, according to Cincinnati police data. So far in 2025, there have been 91 people shot in Cincinnati. During the same period last year, 125 people had been shot, the data shows. There have been 21 fatal shootings so far this year compared to 26 during the same time in 2024. Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this report. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coroner IDs 17-year-old shot, killed in drive-by shooting in Westwood BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Police arrested a man accused of a Baton Rouge shooting that left one person hurt in March. The Baton Rouge Police Department said the shooting victim and his 14-year-old daughter were walking to their apartment when a group started to tease his daughter in the 12000 block of Newcastle Avenue on March 18. Police said a man in the group, identified as Jerry Huggins, 18, was armed and threatened to shoot. The victim was reportedly shot three times. A Crime Stoppers tip led to Huggins June 2 arrest. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm. 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. DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Shreveport Police Department Sex Crimes detectives have arrested a local man following a reported sexual assault that occurred in the early morning hours of June 3, 2025. At approximately 2:00 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of East Lister Drive about a reported sexual assault. Following an investigation, detectives identified Kron White as the suspect. White was taken into custody and charged with Second Degree Rape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Louisiana law, Second Degree Rape is defined as having intercourse without the lawful consent of the victim in addition to another added circumstance. This includes situations where the victim is unable to resist due to force or threats of physical violence, leading them to reasonably believe that any attempt to resist would be ineffective. It could also apply when the victim cannot resist or comprehend the nature of the act due to an abnormal mental condition or because they have been unknowingly drugged. If convicted, White faces up to 40 years in prison. In a statement, the Shreveport Police Department says it remains committed to thoroughly investigating all allegations of sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with additional information about this case or others like it is urged to contact SPD at 318-673-7300 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Overland Park Police Department announced on Tuesday that a 24-year-old killed in a weekend crash was officially identified. According to OPPD, the crash took place on Saturday, May 31, just after 11:30 p.m. Officers were called to the area of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Metcalf Avenue in response to a deadly crash. Police said a car had been driving northbound on Metcalf and exiting onto eastbound Shawnee Mission Parkway when it lost control, drove off the road and ran into a tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man suspected of shooting Lees Summit police officer arrested in Kansas It was reported that the driver and two passengers were taken to KU Medical Center with injuries; however, the right rear passenger, later identified as 24-year-old Narender Jalla of Overland Park, was pronounced dead at the scene. After multiple days, OPPD said Jallas parents, who live outside of the United States, were officially contacted. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. If you or anyone you know has information regarding the crash, police ask that you call the Overland Park Traffic Unit at (913) 327-6731. 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. All three teenage suspects who were armed and broke into Enumclaw High School after hours on May 31 have been identified. Just before 10 p.m. on Sunday, the masked teens broke into the school 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. Two suspects have been brought into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of an abundance of caution, we will maintain an extra police presence at the school today and tomorrow, Enumclaw PD said in an email. Police said there is no threat at this time, but they will continue their investigation. KEWANEE, Ill. (WMBD) A man who had been missing for more than a week was identified as the person found dead in an area west of Kewanee. Catrelle Reed, 39, had been missing since May 22, then a body was found Friday, May 30, and after an autopsy, Kewanee police confirmed it was him, according to a post on the departments Facebook page. On Friday, the Kewanee Police Department said they were told of the body in the rural area west of the city by a concerned citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kewanee police looking for missing man At the time, the body was in a condition where a positive identification could not be confirmed. An autopsy was scheduled for this week in Peoria County. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Reeds disappearance and death remains ongoing. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Kewanee Police Department at (309) 853-1911, the Henry County Sheriffs Office at (309) 937-3911, or the Illinois State Police at (309) 752-4915. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police have identified the victim in a deadly shooting early Monday morning. According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of SW 57th St. and Villa Ave. around 3:45 a.m. on June 2. When they arrived, they found a male in the street deceased. Further investigation shows that the man had been shot, said LT. Dustin Motley, OKCPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Cory Johnson. LOCAL NEWS: Police investigating stabbing in north Oklahoma City Officials say Johnson was riding his bicycle when he got into an altercation, which led to him being shot to death. Theyre pursuing several leads with cameras. Where theyre at with that, Im not sure, but they are pursuing all possible leads, added LT. Motley. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues. Anyone with more information should contact the Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Police are investigating a reported shooting in Dayton Monday evening, a Montgomery County dispatch supervisor confirmed. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The shooting was reported at an apartment complex on Bragg Place before 6:30 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Additional information was not immediately available. News Center 7 crews are working to learn more and will continue to update this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Police responded after several rounds of gunfire went off Monday afternoon. According to the Dayton Police Department, officers responded to the 1100 block of Grafton Avenue on reports of shots fired around 4:30 p.m. Monday. Deceased person found in burning car: police A sergeant on scene told 2 NEWS that witnesses stated there were two groups of people arguing in the street before gunfire began going off. Both groups fled the scene before police arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe the two groups knew each other before the altercation occurred and that this was not a random act. No one was found to be injured, but some property was damaged during the incident, including a few vehicles. If you know any information or have video footage of the incident, you are asked to call Dayton police at 937-222-COPS (2677). DPDs Violent Offender Unit will be investigating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The crowd braves the cold weather as Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway perform at the Ford Amphitheater on April 30 as the outdoor venue opened the 2025 season. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The driver who allegedly struck a person and then fled the scene is now in police custody. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, the crash, which involved an Alfa Romeo, was reported shortly after 1 a.m. at the intersection of Flamingo and Paradise roads. The intersection was fully closed to traffic for around five hours. According to police, a 66-year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries when she was struck by the vehicle as she attempted to cross Flamingo outside of a marked crosswalk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police located the driver, identified as Isaac Velasco, 33, at the registered owners address, where he was taken into custody for hit-and-run-related charges. He is scheduled for an initial appearance in court on June 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Highland man is in custody facing a murder charge after an altercation Monday evening in which another man was shot to death, according to Valparaiso Police. The Porter County Coroners Office identified the victim as Trayveon Triplett, 24, of Valparaiso. Autopsy results were pending Tuesday morning. The Post-Tribune is not naming the suspect until he is formally charged. Valparaiso Police were called around 7:30 p.m. June 2 to the 1900 block of Chicago Street for a report of a subject being shot, according to a release from Capt. Joe Hall, the departments public information officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police learned the suspect may have left the area or secured himself in a nearby apartment. They were directed to Triplett, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was confirmed deceased on the scene, police said. Police continued an immediate search for the suspect and the Porter County Emergency Response Team responded to assist. The investigation confirmed the suspect had left the area and provided his potential location, police said. Police located the Highland man, 24, in the 300 block of Indiana Avenue. He was taken into custody and transported to the Valparaiso Police Department as part of the investigation. Police later transported the subject to Porter County Jail on charges of murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing, police said, and asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Valparaiso Police Department at 219-462-2135. Information can also be texted to TIP411 (847-411) and enter Valpo in the message field before sending the message; use the word Chicago in the first line of the tip to identify the case. Other assisting agencies include the Porter County Sheriffs Department and the Valparaiso Fire Department. EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) East Hartford police released body camera footage of Sundays shooting that led to the death of a 17-year-old. Police said they responded to the Triple-A diner on Main Street for an alleged larceny, where they observed four people entering an Uber without paying their bill. The car was stopped at the intersection of Main Street and Orchard Street, and a 17-year-old allegedly fled on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen dies from alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound while fleeing police in East Hartford The officer lost sight of the teen and heard a gunshot. The 17-year-old Hartford resident was found behind 1137 Main Street suffering from a gunshot wound to his right leg. Police said the wound was self-inflicted and that the firearm was stolen out of Windsor. Police and other emergency officials began life-saving measures, and the teen was taken to Saint Francis Hospital, where he died in surgery. The investigation is still ongoing, and anyone with information must contact Det. Sullivan at 860-528-4401 or psullivan@easthartfordct.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the body cam footage in the video 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 WTNH.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are looking for a man after a car was keyed at Costco in Cordova on Sunday. At 3:47 p.m., officers responded to vandalism at Costco at 2431 North Germantown Parkway. Courtesy of MPD Police were told a man used a key to scratch the paint of the victims vehicle. The suspect fled the scene in a white Jeep. The damage to the vehicle is over $1,000. The suspect was wearing glasses, a gray tank top, gray pants, and black flip-flops. Courtesy of MPD No arrest has been made. This is an ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Authorities are asking for the publics help locating a suspect who allegedly robbed a bank on Monday afternoon. Haverhill Police say they responded to Pentucket Bank on Lowell Avenue around 12:43 p.m. after a reported robbery. According to investigators, a suspect handed a bank teller a note demanding money, then fled with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured during the robbery. Police describe the suspect as a 57-59 skinny Caucasian man with light colored facial hair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haverhill Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the FBI are all investigating. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Detective John Orsillo at 978-373-1212. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW NEED TO KNOW The Upper Providence Township Police in Montgomery County, Penn., announced that a police officer died by suicide on Monday, June 2 The department closed its station on Tuesday, June 3 to allow officers to mourn We appreciate the continued support from the community and our mutual aid partners, said the police in a statement A Pennsylvania police department is mourning after one of their own died by suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Upper Providence Township Police in Montgomery County confirmed the death of one of their officers, who has not been publicly identified, in a statement released on Monday, June 2. "Tragically, an Upper Providence Township Police Officer took his own life in the parking lot of the township campus this evening," the department's statement read. "There was no danger to the public at any time." Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer and his family," they added. "We thank the public for their grace as we navigate this tragedy. Police did not share any additional information, but according to ABC affiliate WPVI, there were reports of shots fired at the time outside of the police station on the 1200 block of Black Rock Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, June 3, the police announced that its station is closed for the day to allow our officers time to mourn." The department went on to add that mutual aid officers from partner agencies in Montgomery County will patrol the township for the next few days. We appreciate the continued support from the community and our mutual aid partners, the police concluded. PEOPLE contacted the townships administration for comment. The township also acknowledged the officers death in a Tuesday morning Facebook post. 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 Officials canceled the search for the missing young sisters who vanished last week while visiting their father, but it's unclear why at this time The girls had last been on May 30, after leaving their Washington home for a planned visitation with their father Police said their father was homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area Authorities have canceled the endangered missing persons alert for three young sisters who vanished last week while visiting their father but it wasn't immediately clear what changed in the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington State Patrol announced the cancellation on Monday, June 2, for Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, who had last been seen on Friday, May 30, after leaving their Washington home for a planned visitation with their father, Wenatchee Police Department previously said in a statement. No further information has been released about the sisters' condition at this time. PEOPLE has reached out to police for further comment. The girls had left with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, who authorities have said is homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area. 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 visitation was part of a parenting plan, but he has since gone outside the parameters of it, which is not normal and cause for the alarm, officials said, adding that the father could not be contacted after the girls did not return on time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police shared photos of the sisters, said they are believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own, and asked for public assistance in locating them. On Saturday, May 31, the day after they went missing, Washington State Patrol issued an endangered missing person alert, declared the girls and their father at-risk/missing, and shared a photo of their dads 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup truck with the license plate D20165C. The alert had encouraged people to call 911 if they spotted the family. Read the original article on People The Waxhaw Police Department is warning residents about a scam involving ticket fees from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Police said scammers are sending fake text messages and emails that claim you owe fines for traffic violations or tolls. These messages often threaten penalties like license suspension or legal action to pressure you into paying, according to police. ALSO READ: Did you get a random item in the mail you werent expecting? It could be a brushing scam Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department is offering tips on how to avoid this type of scam. Avoid clicking on any links in unsolicited messages. Contact the NCDMV directly at 919-715-7000 or visit https://hubs.li/Q03qxmDH0 for official information. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report them to the Federal Trade Commission or the North Carolina Department of Justice. The DMV and North Carolina Department of Transportation will never send unsolicited emails or texts requesting payment for fines. All official notices will be sent via regular mail on official letterhead. VIDEO: Did you get a random item in the mail you werent expecting? It could be a brushing scam NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) North Haven police and state police are warning Connecticut residents of a scam text message claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). New scam circulating Connecticut targets E-Zpass users They say that clicking on the link provided in the message leads to a fraudulent website where personal and financial information is susceptible to theft. Police emphasized that state DMVs would not ask for information or money via text message. 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 WTNH.com. By Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk WARSAW (Reuters) -Polish lawmakers will hold a vote of confidence in the government on June 11, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday as he seeks to shore up his centre-left coalition after Sunday's presidential election loss. Tusk's candidate for president, liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, lost the ballot to eurosceptic historian Karol Nawrocki in a blow to the government's efforts to cement Warsaw's pro-European orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This vote is not an effort to continue what we had been doing before because we know that some things can be done better, faster," Tusk told reporters. "This is meant as a day of a new momentum." Political observers say Tusk's Sunday ballot loss was in part a sign of growing discontent with his government's progress in making good on election promises that propelled him to power 18 months ago. A CBOS poll from late May showed only 32% of Poles supported the current government. Tusk's coalition ended eight years of nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) rule in 2023, with the centrist former European Council president vowing to repair what he says was damage to democratic rule and women's and minority rights under his predecessors. Nawrocki built his campaign in recent months on a pledge to prioritise the needs of Poles over those of migrants or refugees from the Ukraine war, in echoes of U.S. President Donald Trump's MAGA rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is likely to use his presidential veto to thwart Tusk's liberal policy agenda. Tusk has a comfortable majority in parliament, but some commentators have said Tusk's difficulties over the last 18 months came in part from frictions between his leftist and centre-right allies over issues such as abortion. One of the key promises of his government was a plan to ease the country's near-total abortion ban introduced under the PiS government. "There is a fundamental question here: what is the goal of Tusk's coalition," said Anna Materska-Sosnowska from Warsaw University. "Is it about more than just parliamentary or government positions? If yes, then the coalition needs to put its own ambitions aside and play for the same team." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while he may have room to build more effective consensus within the coalition, Tusk is likely to struggle to persuade Nawrocki, an arch-conservative, to back policies such as more access to abortion. Outgoing President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, had made it clear he would veto any such efforts, and Nawrocki said he would follow him. (Reporting by Alan Charlish, Pawel Florkiewicz and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk;Writing by Justyna Pawlak; Editing by Peter Graff and Alex Richardson) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday said he will seek a confidence vote in parliament on June 11, after the presidential candidate he backed narrowly lost a run-off vote at the weekend. Tusk, who announced the vote on Monday evening just hours after the result of the election came in, said he had agreed on the date with parliamentary president Szymon Hoownia. Tusk's centre-left coalition, which took office in late 2023, has come under pressure since liberal candidate and Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski was defeated in a knife-edge presidential vote on Sunday by conservative Karol Nawrocki. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki, who represents the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), garnered 50.89% of the vote, while pro-European Trzaskowski, who had Tusk's support, won 49.11%. Nawrocki's election is likely to complicate Tusk's efforts to push through his pro-EU government's policies, as Nawrocki will have the power to veto legislation as president. 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. The outgoing president, Andrzej Duda - who like Nawrocki represents PiS - has used his power of veto on several occasions to block the government's agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki is expected to continue, or even intensify, this obstruction, potentially straining the coalition and exposing internal divisions. Tusk's administration says its central objective is to repair the damage to the rule of law caused by the PiS-led government, which held power from 2015 to 2023, and overhauled the judiciary in ways widely seen as undermining judicial independence. The Polish government is set to face a vote of confidence on June 11, after the presidential candidate backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk narrowly lost a run-off election at the weekend. Tusk, who announced the confidence vote on Monday evening just hours after the result of the election came in, said he had agreed on the date with parliamentary president Szymon Hoownia. Tusk said the vote of confidence should be the start of an interim review of his government's work so far. "After a year and a half, we know very well that we should have done some things better and faster." He said they would review what had not been achieved, who was responsible and what consequences would follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusk's centre-left coalition, which took office in late 2023, has come under pressure since liberal candidate and Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski was defeated in a knife-edge presidential vote on Sunday by conservative Karol Nawrocki. Nawrocki, who represents the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), garnered 50.89% of the vote, while pro-European Trzaskowski, who had Tusk's support, won 49.11%. Nawrocki's victory is likely to complicate Tusk's efforts to push through his pro-EU government's policies, as Nawrocki will have the power to veto legislation as president. The outgoing president, Andrzej Duda - who like Nawrocki represents PiS - has used his power of veto on several occasions to block the government's agenda. To override the president's veto, a 60% majority of MPs is required in parliament, which Tusk's centre-left alliance does not have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki is expected to continue, or even intensify, this obstruction, potentially straining the coalition and exposing internal divisions. Closely watched election 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. Tusk's administration says its central objective is to repair the damage to the rule of law caused by the PiS-led government, which held power from 2015 to 2023, and overhauled the judiciary in ways widely seen as undermining judicial independence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US President Donald Trump congratulated Nawrocki on his victory. "Trump ally wins in Poland, shocking all in Europe," Trump quoted a headline from the ultra-conservative Newsmax channel on his Truth Social platform. "Congratulations Poland, you picked a winner!" he continued. Trump welcomed Nawrocki to the White House during the election campaign. Nawrocki expressed his gratitude for the congratulations. "A strong alliance with the US and a partnership based on close cooperation are my priorities," he wrote on X. While the worlds attention has understandably been focussed on events in Ukraine and Gaza, the Foreign Secretarys recent visit to Morocco saw Britain seize the initiative on a diplomatic issue that has been neglected by the international community for nearly half a century; that of the status of Western Sahara, under administration by Morocco since 1975, but whose sovereignty over the region has been disputed by the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, sometimes violently, for decades. This example of British diplomatic engagement is particularly significant in the context of the new Strategic Defence Review, and the British Governments stated aim of enhancing national security through economic growth. This vast territory of more than 100,000 square miles is home to 565,000 people a population roughly the size of Leeds, spread across an area bigger than the United Kingdom, although largely concentrated in the town of Laayoune, the regional capital, and Dakhla, the largest and fastest growing container port on the east Atlantic coast. Morocco has invested heavily and imaginatively in the Western Sahara, providing tens of thousands of new jobs, and the prospect of many more to come, yet its full economic development has been held back by a frozen territorial dispute, which has contributed to a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria. Under an encouragingly wide-ranging partnership agreement signed this week between London and Rabat, the UK has, for the first time, acknowledged the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting peace in the Western Sahara. The autonomy plan, first presented to the United Nations in 2007, represents the only credible, lasting solution for peace in the Western Sahara. Under its provisions, an autonomous region would be established within the Moroccan State, with Morocco taking responsibility for defence and foreign affairs, but with local control over law enforcement, taxation, infrastructure, economic development, cultural affairs and the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By accepting the broad principles of the autonomy plan, UK diplomacy at last moves into line with other key western allies including France, Spain and the United States, shifts the dial at the UN Security Council and within the General Assembly and lays the ground for a definitive, permanent resolution of the dispute. Such a resolution is in the best interests of the people of the Western Sahara, and it is by far the best hope of bringing prosperity, and economic and human development to that region, and wider. UK support for the Moroccan autonomy plan, in conjunction with a comprehensive range of other cultural and economic initiatives of great mutual benefit, seems to be firmly in line with the Foreign Secretarys declared diplomatic approach of progressive realism. It demonstrates a recognition by the FCDO that the political tides in Africa are shifting once again, and that the UK needs to be clear-sighted about who its friends are, which countries can be trusted and reliable partners, and which countries are offering opportunities for the continents potential and solutions to its challenges. In this respect, Morocco has proved to be a bulwark against terrorism, extremism, serious crime, illegal migration and the destabilising activities of Russias and Irans proxies in sub-Saharan Africa and the autonomy plan offers further, exciting economic opportunity and potential. It is security, stability and prosperity that will help address the humanitarian issues of the refugee camps, undermine the poisonous appeal of extremism and slow migration, and offer hope. Those that oppose this move, with an insistence on perpetuating a deadlock, have their own vested interests that offer nothing to the people of the region. Supporting stability in the Sahara is politically and diplomatically the right thing to do, but our support for Morocco and its ambitions in the region also will unlock huge economic opportunities for British companies, and this UK-Moroccan partnership includes a 5 billion facility from UK Export Finance, which in turn will drive faster economic growth across the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trade with Morocco is already a quiet success story for Britain, and trade between our two countries has already almost doubled since 2018, to over 4.2 billion in 2024. Morocco plays an important role in ensuring supermarkets are stocked year-round, without competing with our own farmers and fishermen, and tomatoes, sardines and soft fruit are among our biggest imports. Britains ambition of becoming a clean energy superpower can be boosted by access to landmark projects in solar, wind and green hydrogen through this new partnership. UK companies can also play a significant role in equipping Moroccos healthcare system with digital tools, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, while there are new safeguards against the counterfeiting of British brands. I would hope that further defence engagement opportunities were also discussed in these meetings not simply defence sales and training, but the possibility of greater cooperation in the eastern Atlantic to address new maritime challenges. Britain and Morocco have been engaged with each other for over 800 years. The first Moroccan ambassador came to London in 1600 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and our first trade treaty was signed over 300 years ago. We are now moving into a new era, looking to address challenges and seize opportunities together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the Foreign Secretary spoke of a reset in relations between Britain and Africa, and a strategic engagement with the continent grounded in progressive realism. The UKs re-energised partnership with Morocco, putting security, stability and prosperity at the forefront of this engagement, proves that those sentiments were not just words. Lt Gen Sir Simon Mayall is a retired British Army officer and a former Middle East adviser at the Ministry of Defence 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 narrow majority of Germans support suspending arms exports to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza, a survey revealed on Tuesday. The poll found that 58% of respondents favoured a temporary halt to arms deliveries, while 22% were opposed. Another 19% were undecided or declined to answer. The study by polling firm INSA, commissioned by the Avaaz campaign organization, surveyed 1,001 people between May 28 and May 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany's arms exports to Israel have come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks in light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has recently announced a review of shipments to determine whether they comply with international humanitarian law. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, by contrast, has backed continuing the arms deliveries as agreed. Avaaz describes itself as a global campaign network that aims to influence political decisions through citizen mobilization. Against the backdrop of Israels escalating ground offensive in Gaza and this weekends massacre at a humanitarian aid distribution site there, several recent polls show Israeli support for the war in Gaza on the decline. Approximately 70 percent of Israelis now prefer to end the war if it means bringing home the hostages still being held in the territory. Distinguished Israeli leaders are also speaking out more forcefully against what they view as crimes against humanity committed by Israeli forces in Gaza. In a recent op-ed, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wrote Israel is waging a war of extermination: the indiscriminate, unrestrained, cruel, and criminal killing of civilians, a view he reiterated on CNN on Sunday. Over 1,200 Israeli academics have penned a letter calling for an end to the suffering of the Palestinians. And as many as 40 percent of Israeli conscripts are refusing service; one stated, I would prefer [jail] over killing children. But even as this peaceor anti-war crimesmovement gains ground, a much more disturbing poll of Israeli citizens published on May 22 alleges that nearly half of Israelis support the extermination of all Palestinians in Gaza. This poll had asked Israelis to signal their support for or opposition to Israeli policies in Gaza as well as dehumanizing rhetoric, particularly biblical references to exterminating enemies, popularized by rightwing religious figures and political elites since Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. The survey focused on the rhetoric of ultra-orthodox Rabbi Yitzhak Ginsburg, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has used similar references to justify Israels siege warfare against Gaza, which has killed an estimated 64,000 peoplea third of them under 18 years oldaccording to Reuters, with many more at risk of starvation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll was conducted using rigorous weighted sampling methods by Israeli polling firm Geocartography Knowledge Group at the request of two U.S.-based historiansTamir Sorek and Shai Hiskani of Penn State University and the University of Maryland, respectively. None of the standard meta-dataincluding margins of error, demographic breakdowns and comprehensive question wordingappear to have been made public in English, but the scholars stated aim, according to an op-ed in Haaretz, was to ask impolite questions to discover just how appealing the apocalyptic language offered by Ginsburg is to Israeli-Jews from all walks of life. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. The poll asked respondents whether they support the claim that the [Israeli military], when conquering an enemy city, should act in a manner similar to the way the Israelites acted when they conquered Jericho under the leadership of Joshua, that is, kill all its inhabitants? Just under half of respondents47 percentresponded in the affirmative. And 82 percent supported forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which may have sounded to respondents like a more humane option by contrast to extermination. Given these scholars previous work on conflict and resistance, the publication of their op-ed in a left-wing, secular newspaper like Haaretz, and a separate piece outlining their concerns over what they refer to as the mainstreaming of genocidal rhetoric, it is reasonable to believe their intent was to generate opposition to war crimes in Gaza, if not the war itself. But unfortunately, based on what social scientists know about the politics of conflict research, it is more likely this survey could have an exacerbating rather than constraining effect on Israels campaign in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first thing to know is that survey respondents who are invited to express support for war crimes may be likelier to believe such acts arent crimes at all. This effect is illustrated by research conducted by myself and colleagues Alexander Montgomery and Alexandria Nylen a few years ago. We analyzed what happens to U.S. public attitudes on the laws of war when respondents are asked to express a preference for or against a policy that qualifies as a war crime. The fictional scenario in question involved a gross violation of humanitarian lawfirebombing an Iranian citypresumably to end a war, a question we replicated from an earlier study. Pollsters and social scientists are increasingly cognizant of their role not just in measuring public opinion, but also their responsibility to avoid potentially influencing it in ways that harm. One difference between the original study and ours is that we also asked our respondents their attitudes on the lawfulness of targeting civilians in the abstract. But we asked a randomly selected half of the respondents this other question before they were asked their views on the Iran scenario, and the other half after. This enabled us to determine not only whether respondents baseline views on targeting civilians affected their attitudes toward the firebombing scenario, but also to measure how much the experience of first answering the firebombing question affected their views on the legality of targeting of civilians. Both effects were evident. Knowledge of international law, or even just being asked to think about international law, reduced support for the deadly strike. But conversely, being asked to express a policy opinion about targeting actual civilians reduced respondents belief that doing so was even banned by international law at alleven for those who in fact opposed the strike. So researchers can inadvertently affect citizens viewpoints on what conduct is legally permissible in the way they ask survey questions. Since studies show international law has a powerful moderating effect on citizen attitudes, when researchers undermine those understandings, they may inadvertently prime respondents to go along with war crimes. Second, this effect can actually be exacerbated when such survey results are disseminated in the media through press releases or op-eds that get picked up and uncritically circulated by other sources. For example, the bombing survey we were replicating had been publicized with headlines like Americans Wouldnt Mind if We Just Nuked Somebody. To test the impact of this dynamic, we created a treatment group in our survey, informing them about the earlier survey result that Americans were okay with targeting civilians. That knowledge increased their own willingness to firebomb the Iranian city. Ours was a fictional scenario, but this effect may be worse in ongoing conflicts, such as Israels war in Gaza, where the media ecosystem is especially polarized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, publicizing popular support for war crimes risks affecting conflict dynamics directly. A perception of public support, however accurate, can make it easier for politicians to order abuses and dilutes the political space for resisting atrocities. The perception that support for war crimes is widespread among a population also increases support for crimes against that population. This risks putting all civilians in danger of revenge attacks for crimes perpetrated by their nations army, even if many of them actually oppose those crimes, as 53 percent of Israelis did in the poll in question. Understanding the political psychology of public support or opposition to war crimes is vitally important, and we know what we do about the subject thanks to good survey research. Nevertheless, because of the framing effects that survey designs themselves create, pollsters and social scientists are increasingly cognizant of their role in measuring public opinionbut also their responsibility to avoid potentially influencing it in ways that harm. That responsibility is even greater when asking respondents about ongoing atrocities rather than fictional scenarios. Some best practices are emerging in the social sciences and the opinion polling industry to gather information on conflict psychology while minimizing potential harm in high-risk environments. Among these are transparencypollsters should always make their methodologies and question wording easily available to audiences; neutralitypollsters should adopt a nonpartisan stance applying equally to both conflict parties; and protection of human subjects datapollsters should ensure informed consent and confidentiality. These precautions protect vulnerable populations and the integrity of the research enterprise. But conflict researchers can go beyond this to ensure their work minimizes social harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, when it comes to researching war crimes, conflict researchers and pollsters can use the preamble to the actual survey questions to highlight current international legal standards. They can then invite respondents to evaluate policymakers actions and rhetoric against those standards, rather than simply inviting them to express support for illegal acts. A study structured in this way would likely yield a different result. Of course, the purpose of the study conducted by Sorek and Hiskani was specifically to analyze the influence of apocalyptical biblical references on Israeli attitudes toward the war in Gaza, rather than legal standards alone. So how might researchers get at questions like this without giving the impression that such policies are legitimate? One possible solution would be to compare two respondent groups, each receiving a neutral question about proposed policies in Gaza and facts about current international law, but with only one group also hearing mention of the biblical reference to Jericho in the preamble, rather than baked into the question itself. This approach captures the impact of rhetoric on answers about policy without privileging that rhetoric or inviting citizens to directly endorse it themselves. And it allows a comparison of the two groups answers in order to isolate the effect of the framing. However, social scientists already know a lot about how genocidal rhetoric affects attitudes, and less about how to counter it. So, one could also imagine studying the effect of biblical references that support tolerance, restraint and protecting the innocent rather than those that include genocidal rhetoricor even comparing the influence of both. And pollsters can build on what we already know: Even just adding an informational disclaimer at the end of such a survey, citing actual international legal standards, while doing so in any press releases as well, is a way to inoculate respondents and audiences against the pernicious effects of thinking about the unthinkable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another solution is asking respondents to think aloud about how to solve specific policy problems, without priming them with specific policy options at all. This creates a more neutral window into what resonates in a particular political moment without the risk of over-determining the result. For example, in a separate Iranian firebombing study, we asked one group of respondents not a close-ended question about whether they supported or opposed the strike, but rather an open-ended question: If you were the Commander-in-Chief what would you do in this scenario? The number wishing to bomb the city dropped dramatically when not forced into one of two boxes. Many respondents thought outside the box altogether, a sorely needed ability in polarized conflicts. The point is not to criticize this particular survey but to highlight choices pollsters can make in conflict zones. Like other forms of reporting on war and peace, surveys carry risks but can also have a constructive informational effect on conflict-affected populations: amplifying alternative frames, opening space for resistance and yielding results that, when published, can support efforts to resolve rather than escalate violence by stressing humanizing rather than dehumanizing narratives across collective groups. The same critical lens could be applied to other opinion polls on Israels war in Gaza. Polls asking Israelis whether they care more about eradicating Gaza or bringing the hostages home imply these are the only optionsand mutually exclusive ones at that. And polls asking Israelis whether they support the war rarely ask, among those who say yes, whether they nonetheless oppose war crimes. Measured correctly, the opposition might be much stronger than observers think, if not as strong as they wish. Without that ethical nuance, such polls are unlikely to fully capture public opinion and may instead risk perpetuating a polarizing media climate that increases the possibility of war crimes and decreases the chances for peace. Rather than dwell on the resonance of the more alarming narratives measured by this latest poll, it may be worth thinking about how to amplify and measure the impact of the Israeli and Palestinian voices now fighting so hard to offer alternatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charli Carpenter is a professor of political science and legal studies at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, specializing in human security and international law. She tweets at @charlicarpenter. The post Polling About War Crimes Comes With Extra Responsibilities appeared first on World Politics Review. A surfer is reflecting after a terrifying shark attack near a major American city. Jens Heller was near Montara State Beach in California when he says a shark approached and took a bite out of his board. I was sitting on the board actually and, then I felt something under my foot and kicked me off the board, Heller said, according to NBC Bay Area. "I looked back and saw this big mouth just grabbing on to my board," he added, before showing where the shark indeed bit off a portion of the surfboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heller said that after noticing the shark, he grabbed his board and proceeded to head back to shore and safety. He says other surfers told him that the shark was over 10 feet long. "Lifeguards immediately cleared the water and posted the beach with shark closure signage, effective for 48 hours from the time of the incident," California State Parks said in a statement sent to ABC7 News in the Bay Area. "California State Parks would like to remind visitors that sharks are an important part of the coastal ecosystem and that interactions between humans and sharks are rare." The beach has since reopened after the accident, with signage posted relevant to the risk at the location. Scientists at California State University Long Beach are looking into the bite marks on Heller's surfboard to establish the species of shark that was spotted. Chris Lowe, a marine biology professor and director of the school's shark lab, said that they may have a definitive answer by the end of the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Heller, he plans to keep the surfboard. Some have advised him to put it on his wall as a memory of the encounter with the shark, but it may be a difficult sell for his family. Heller told SFGATE that his wife and young daughter were on the beach at the time of the incident, and that the attack may have confirmed one of his wife's fears. They didnt see it, luckily, the surfer said about the attack itself. "My wife didnt really, couldnt believe it. She has a kind of a fear of sharks since she grew up in California. We'll see if that fear spreads after Heller's dangerous encounter with one of the scariest animals in the sea. Popular California Beach Closes Following Scary Shark Attack first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 A San Francisco dining staple closed last weekend after four decades in business. The Fog City Diner, which rebranded to simply Fog City in 2013, shut down on Friday after 40 years of service. Opened in 1985, the eclectic eatery was a beloved part of the San Francisco dining scene right up to its final day. With a heavy heart, I share some difficult news. Fog City has closed permanently with the last day of service being May 30, 2025, the restaurant said on social media. "Thank You for the 40 years of patronage!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longtime customers gathered in the comments section to mourn the abrupt shuttering of the Embarcadero institution. "THIS is how you announce it?? Fog City deserved better," one woman wrote. "Wow!! 8yrs spent out there tending bar!! Will miss everyone I worked with or served. Cheers!!" said a former employee. "This breaks my heart. Loved this spot and for so many years!! " added a third person. "What an amazing run, job well done friends! You have so much to be proud of," chimed in a fourth commenter. Fog City Diner, San Francisco, California, North America (Photo by Hoberman Collection/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Hoberman Collection/Getty Images Co-founded by Bill Higgins and Bill Upson, Fog City was an immediate hit after opening four decades ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1993, the establishment became somewhat famous when it was featured in the movie So I Married an Axe Murderer, starring Mike Myers, Nancy Travis and Phil Hartman. "The location of our FOG CITY restaurant is steeped in history one that goes back way beyond the 1985 opening of the original Fog City Diner," says the diner's official website. "From feeding hungry sailors before they shipped out to serve in WWII to housing a railroad building servicing trains in San Franciscos first railways, and acting as a docking point for ships during the Gold Rush, this site has always been an integral part of the rich tapestry of San Francisco history." Popular California Diner Announces Sad Closure After 40 Years first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 Costco announced on June 2 that Coca-Cola is voluntarily recalling a specific batch of Topo Chico Mineral Water sold at warehouse stores due to possible contamination. The recall was initiated after Coca-Cola, the distributor of Topo Chico, detected potential contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas is a group of bacteria that can naturally occur in the environment, especially soil and water sources, including mineral water. While the health risk is considered very low for healthy individuals, those with weakened immune systems may experience minor health consequences, including infections, if consumed. How To Identify the Recalled Topo Chico The 18-packs of 16.9-ounce (500mL) glass Topo Chico bottles (listed as Costco item number 1439351) were sold in select Texas and Louisiana Costco retailers between May 20 and May 29, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affected products can be identified by lot code #13A2541, which can be found on the bottle necks, as well as the cases they come in. No other Topo Chico or Coca-Cola products are impacted by this recall. What To Do if You Have the Recalled Topo Chico Mineral Water Customers who purchased these Topo Chico cases are advised to return them to their local Costco for a full refund. For further assistance or inquiries, consumers can contact Coca-Cola at 1-800-438-2653. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES Key Points The U.S. Department of State recently updated its travel advisory for Italy. The reissued advisory keeps Italy at a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, due to terrorism. Italy has held this ranking with the State Department since 2022. As the summer travel season begins and travelers start getting ready to go on their European vacations, the U.S. government wants to make sure everyone is careful in certain areas with the potential for terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the U.S. Department of State released a travel advisory for Italy warning travelers to exercise increased caution due to the threat of terrorism. The advisory ranks Italy at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, which recommends travelers stay alert to possibly heightened risk. The country has held that ranking since April 2022. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Italy, the advisory states. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. The advisory warns that common targets for terror attacks include popular tourist spots, transportation centers, shopping malls and markets, local government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, religious sites, parks, sporting events, schools, airports, and other public areas. It suggests that travelers should stay alert in tourist areas, and make sure to check local media for breaking news. At the moment there is no specific threat or terror plot that is cited. According to the State Department's 2023 Country Reports on Terrorism for Italy, there were no terrorism incidents in Italy that year. Domestically, Italy aggressively investigated and prosecuted terrorist suspects and regularly deported foreign nationals for terrorism-related security reasons, the report states. Italian law enforcement has advanced capacity to detect and deter terrorist activity, links, and associations within its borders. Authorities employ those capabilities to counter terrorist recruitment, radicalization to violence, and networking. Law-enforcement agencies and intelligence services coordinate their efforts and meet regularly to review terrorist threats and share information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The advisory should not deter travelers from going to Italy this summer. Instead, it should just function as a reminder to be aware of ones surroundings. It is only guidance, especially for countries ranked at Level 2. (And for some perspective, other countries have issued similar warnings to their citizens about traveling to the U.S.) Other countries in Europe that have a Level 2 ranking and a higher risk of possible terrorism activity include Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, and The Netherlands. The United Kingdom also has a Level 2 ranking. Travelers abroad are advised to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to receive up-to-date messages and alerts from the local U.S. Embassy. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure By Stephanie van den Berg and Bart H. Meijer AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders toppled the ruling coalition on Tuesday, gambling that a snap election focused on immigration will bring victory at the polls and secure his decades-old ambition of holding the highest political office. "We had agreed that the Netherlands would become the strictest (on immigration) in Europe, but were trailing somewhere near the bottom," he told journalists, speaking after his Freedom Party (PVV) ditched Prime Minister Dick Schoof's coalition, just weeks before a major NATO summit in The Hague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I intend to become the next prime minister. I am going to make the PVV bigger than ever." Some analysts said that despite a European shift to the right as seen in Poland with the election on Sunday of a conservative nationalist as president, his plan could still backfire. Polls indicate declining popularity for the PVV since it joined the government. Even if it remains the largest party, fashioning a coalition will be difficult in a deeply polarised nation. Opposition parties rule out working with Wilders and his sudden move on Tuesday angered and baffled political partners. Wilders, the longest serving Dutch lawmaker, gradually climbed to power after entering parliament in 1998, running on an anti-Islam platform that called for zero immigration and expelling asylum seekers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He tapped concerns of voters disillusioned with established politics and concerns about housing costs and healthcare that he has associated with immigration. His euroseceptic Freedom Party joined a power-sharing, right-wing coalition in 2024 after a record win in general elections, but Wilders said the government failed to make good on promises to clamp down on immigration. Immigration has slowed significantly since a peak in 2022. The Netherlands received almost two first-time asylum applications per 1,000 inhabitants in 2024, slightly below the European Union average, according to Eurostat data. Ten EU countries had a higher relative number of asylum seekers last year, including neighbouring Germany and Belgium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Junior coalition government members, including the conservative VVD party of ex-prime minister Mark Rutte, were reluctant to embrace some of Wilders' harshest ideas, including closing the borders to asylum seekers, returning Syrian refugees and closing asylum shelters. Those proposals also flew in the face of European Union obligations and a Dutch humanitarian tradition since World War Two of taking in people fleeing conflict. Focusing attention on immigration is a critical electoral strategy for the PVV, said Simon Otjes, assistant professor for Dutch politics at Leiden University. "Wilders is trying to return the focus back to immigration in the hopes that that will be the main theme in the coming elections," Otjes said. "A lot can happen in the next six months and it will be very unpredictable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political ambition has not been enough to secure Wilders the top job, even after winning multiple elections. He had to give up his claim to the top job last year to strike a coalition deal with three other conservative parties. Wilders' anti-Islam rhetoric has prompted death threats and travel bans to Muslim nations that trade with the Netherlands. His 17-minute film "Fitna" enraged the Muslim world in 2008 for linking Koranic verses with footage of terrorist attacks. He was convicted of discrimination after he insulted Moroccans at a campaign rally in 2014. Wilders also called the prophet Mohammad a "paedophile", Islam a "fascist ideology" and "backward religion", and suggested banning of mosques, headscarves and the Koran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The central question now will be whether Wilders can turn a future election into a referendum on immigration policy that effectively undercuts his opponents, said Joep van Lit, political researcher at Radboud University in Nijmegen. "But it's hard to tell how voters will react." (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch, Stephanie van den Berg and Bart Meijer; writing by Anthony Deutsch; editing by Mark Heinrich) From Wednesday, people in France will no longer be able to access pornography on several major sites - at least temporarily. Aylo, the company behind Pornhub, Redtube and Youporn, plans to block content from the afternoon onwards in protest at new French age verification regulations, local media reports said on Tuesday. Instead of porn, the company will only display a statement on the new regulations in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figures from the French digital regulatory authority Arcom from 2023 suggest 2.3 million minors visited porn sites every month, accounting for 12% of the total number of users in the country. To better protect minors, the platforms are to create stricter control mechanisms. Simply clicking that you are over 18 will no longer be enough. To maintain anonymity, external sites will verify the age of users. The porn sites will then only receive confirmation that the person is of legal age and will not know their identity. The external service provider will know the identity of the user but not the reason for the age check. Aylo is in favour of age verification, but says it should be done on the devices used, not on the websites visited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Lying and taking hostages when you don't want to comply with the law is unacceptable," France's Deputy Minister for Digital Affairs, Clara Chappaz, commented on X in response to the company's announcement. She said the regulation was about protecting children, and other websites were already complying with the new regulation. "If Aylo would rather leave France than apply our law, they are free to do so." Aylo, the company which runs a number of pornographic websites, including Pornhub, is to stop operating in France from Wednesday. It is in reaction to a French law requiring porn sites to take extra steps to verify their users' ages. An Aylo spokesperson said the law was a privacy risk and assessing people's ages should be done at a device level. Pornhub is the most visited porn site in the world - with France its second biggest market, after the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aylo - and other providers of sexually explicit material - find themselves under increasing regulatory pressure worldwide. The EU recently announced an investigation into whether Pornhub and other sites were doing enough to protect children. Aylo has also stopped operating in a number of US states, again over the issue of checking the ages of its users. All sites offering sexually explicit material in the UK will soon also have to offer more robust "age assurance." 'Privacy-infringing' Aylo, formerly Mindgeek, also runs sites such as Youporn and RedTube, which will also become unavailable to French customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is owned by Canadian private equity firm Ethical Capital Partners. Their vice president for compliance, Solomon Friedman, called the French law "dangerous," "potentially privacy-infringing" and "ineffective". "Google, Apple and Microsoft all have the capability built into their operating system to verify the age of the user at the operating system or device level," he said on a video call reported by Agence France-Presse. Another executive, Alex Kekesi, said the company was pro-age verification, but there were concerns over the privacy of users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some cases, users may have to enter credit cards or government ID details in order to prove their age. French minister for gender equality, Aurore Berge, wrote "au revoir" in response to the news that Pornhub was leaving France. In a post on X [in French], she wrote: "There will be less violent, degrading and humiliating content accessible to minors in France." Aylo said it would show a picture of the famous French painting "Liberty Leading the People" on its website on Wednesday in protest of the law in France [Getty Images] The UK has its own age verification law, with platforms required to have "robust" age checks by July, according to media regulator Ofcom. These may include facial detection software which estimates a user's age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April - in response to messaging platform Discord testing face scanning software - experts predicted it would be "the start of a bigger shift" in age checks in the UK, in which facial recognition tech played a bigger role. BBC News has asked Aylo whether it will block its sites in the UK too when the laws come in. In May, Ofcom announced it was investigating two pornography websites which had failed to detail how they were preventing children from accessing their platforms. [BBC] Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world's top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A year after being called one of the best pizza restaurants in the United States, Post Office Pies will soon shut down its remaining location in Mountain Brook, closing the book on 11 years in Birmingham. John Hall, a chef who originally founded the first Post Office Pies in the Avondale neighborhood with Saws BBQ founder Mike Wilson in 2014, announced the news Monday on his personal Instagram, saying that the business would shut down for good June 29. In his message, Hall thanked Birmingham for one hell of a ride, which included The New York Times listing the restaurant among the best 22 best pizzerias in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opening Post Office Pies was one of the best decisions of my life, Hall wrote. Returning to my hometown to launch my first business rooted in a concept I originally sketched out in Brooklyn always felt right, even when many thought otherwise. The original Post Office Pies, which closed in 2024, was located in the former post office for Avondale and was among the first of several restaurants and businesses to slowly reinvigorate the neighborhood as a vibrant community. Hall, who left both the business and the state in 2021 and now runs Lola Restaurant in Washington state, said the decision to close the restaurant was a difficult one, especially in the unpredictable culinary world. Specifically, Hall pointed to Post Office Pies $15,000 per month least in Mountain Brook as a looming factor. Even with volume and year over year growth, that was a difficult line for us to draw as independent operators with young families to provide for, he wrote. This was the same reason we chose to close Avondale at the end of that lease. Ultimately there is no one signing the checks for us and we have to make decisions based not on investor whimsy, but on the actual landscape that exists in Birmingham today for an independent business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, Post Office Pies received many national accolades from USA Today to Barstool Sports Dave Portnoy, who visited the pizzeria as part of his One Bite Pizza Reviews in 2019. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A scheduled six-hour power outage on Fathers Day will impact all City of Plaquemine utility customers. Entergy Louisiana told city officials that the outage will be from midnight to 6 a.m. June 15. Crews will be changing out equipment at a substation that powers the city. According to local leaders, the city doesnt get its electrical power from Entergy but uses the companys transmission lines and substation to get power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials encouraged residents to make appropriate plans ahead of the planned outage. Entergy suggests: Turning off electronic devices and appliances until five minutes after service is restored. Checking batteries in flashlights. Turning the fridge thermostat to its coldest setting and keeping the doors closed. Notify alarm companies if needed. How to keep Entergy bills low while staying cool this summer 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. Former Montana lawmaker Dorothy Bradley and former Republican Gov. Marc Racicot embrace at a rally to stop the dozens of constitutional amendment proposals made in the 2023 legislative sessions. Both were keynote speakers at the Feb. 1, 2023, event. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) On June 22, at the Ellen Theater in Bozeman, Todd Wilkinson, the editor of Yellowstonian, a publication focused on the environmental issues in the Greater Yellowstone, hosted and moderated a discussion between two old political rivals. In 1992, Republican Marc Racicot and Dorothy Bradley campaigned all over the state, conducting more than 20 joint town halls, where they debated the issues of the day. Racicot won in a very close race, and went on to become one of the most popular governors in Montana, up until he made a fateful decision concerning the deregulation of utilities, a piece of legislation that had a long-term impact and has led many Montanans to never forgive him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its hard to overlook the fact that Racicot is a man who reflects on these things in a way that is not typical of most politicians, especially from his party. When Racicot endorsed Monica Tranel during the 2022 congressional race, the state Republican party decided to censure him, a particularly confounding decision considering that Racicot was, at one time, the chairman of the Republican National Committee after his term as governor. He also managed George Bushs campaign during the 2004 presidential race. But Racicot never classified himself as a full-on conservative, and he and Bradley both highlighted the fact that during their campaign against each other, they were able to maintain a strong feeling of respect and civility despite their differences. This was one of many issues they pointed to that are contributing to the current political situation. Another was the influx of money, and Bradley pointed out that the maximum donation during their campaign was $35 and they were meticulous about following that. But one of the most striking revelations during the evening for me was when someone asked Racicot whether any of the current Republican leadership in Montana ever reaches out to him for advice. They dont even return my calls, Racicot answered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And although it wasnt exactly a surprise, I still found myself kind of amazed that these people would completely dismiss the years of experience of someone like Racicot. Its not hard to imagine that the same holds true for most of the other former office-holders in our statepeople like former governors Brian Schweitzer and Steve Bullock, or former congressman Pat Williams, and especially Jon Tester. Its obviously a product of our current political culture, which values winning over all else, that would produce the kind of arrogance that completely dismisses an entire sector of our population without a thought. But how shortsighted is it to believe that only you and those who think like you have all the answers you need? Or, that asking for advice or feedback is some kind of weakness? People can say that Donald Trump is to blame, but this started way before he descended that golden escalator, back when Newt Gingrich and his cadre of icy collaborators decided that winning at all costs was way more important than worrying about what is important to the voters. This attitude has slowly poisoned the Republican party to the point where they feel completely justified in disowning one of the people who was considered a shining star. And the most maddening part about it is how gleefully and smugly they continue down this path. Its not hard to imagine why. Because so far, its working. Because of Project 2025, they are no longer relying on Trump to drive the train, and it puts him in the perfect position as someone who just has to keep yelling All aboard and blowing his own horn. He doesnt even have to worry about steering. So where does that leave us? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Bradley said it best when she pointed out that we are all responsible for where we are, and that we are also responsible for figuring out what to do next. Trump is eventually going away, she pointed out. And its hard to imagine anyone else in his circle having the same sway over the public. So we have to figure out how to proceed once hes gone, and how to repair the damage hes done. The same holds true for our state. Greg Gianforte is serving his last term, and theres no question that people are becoming disillusioned by the lack of access to our political leaders. Our current office-holders have made it their policy to avoid as much contact with the public as possible, and its not hard to imagine why. Each time they do that, someone tries to hold them accountable for the many decisions theyve made that have done untold damage to the citizens of Montana, with the most outrageous being the (still unexplained) increase in property taxes. Todd Wilkinson and I are starting a new podcast soon, affiliated with Yellowstonian, and one of our first episodes is going to be a discussion about this conversation between Bradley and Racicot. But as a brief preview, I can tell you that most of the solutions they offered were ones weve heard before, and that we will certainly hear again. We need to continue to speak up, gather, make our voices heard, and of course vote. But it was nice to see people with different views coming together to discuss how we got here. And I suspect we will see more of that. President Donald Trump thinks a call with Chinas leader Xi Jinping will help reset souring trade talks. But even if that conversation happens this week, as the White House said is likely, its doubtful to be the breakthrough Trump is hoping for. The president is obsessed with having a call with Xi, said one person familiar with the trade talks, convinced he can personally hash out deep-seated divisions between the worlds two largest economies mano a mano with Xi. That conviction belies the difficult position the U.S. is in as it tries to pressure China to fundamentally reorder their nearly $600 billion trade relationship, without doing lasting political damage at home. And it renews questions about what Trumps endgame is in a trade war with China that is increasingly turning into a game of chicken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person familiar with the trade talks, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about their private conversations, said the administration is under a lot of pressure because of Chinas block on critical minerals, crucial components for everything from auto and electronics manufacturing to munitions production. I dont think Xi is too interested in exporting any more rare earths or magnets to the United States, hes made his position clear, the person added, though they predicted theres a good likelihood Xi would take the call to at least hear Trump out. The president has some leverage, and the question is when hes ready to impose maximum pressure on the Chinese government. A former Trump official close to the White House, granted anonymity to candidly discuss the presidents strategy, said: Trump feels like a call between principles is a way to cut through a lot of this noise, and get right to the heart of the matter." Other outside observers remain skeptical Trump will actually be able to get Xi on the phone. Since the start of the presidents second term, White House officials have been publicly promising a call between the leaders is imminent. Trump even tried to suggest through oblique comments in April that the two had spoken since Trumps inauguration. Beijing has a sharp nose for weakness, and for all his bravado, Trump is signaling eagerness even desperation to cut a direct deal with Xi, said Daniel Russel, who was assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Obama administration. That only stiffens Beijings resolve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese government has also been shaken by Trumps public spectacles in the Oval Office including high-profile meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa which has made it wary of leader-level diplomacy. The PRC sees President Trump as unpredictable, which poses risks reputationally for President Xi, said Rush Doshi, former National Security Council deputy senior director for China and Taiwan in the Biden administration. Its not usual practice for PRC diplomats to put the leader at risk of a potentially embarrassing or unpredictable encounter. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that the leaders would likely talk this week, echoing a prediction National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett made Sunday. But a White House official, granted anonymity to discuss behind-the-scenes conversations, said a call has yet to be scheduled. Asked about a potential call during a press briefing on Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian replied, "I have no information to share on that." The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a query about it. But a statement from Chinas Commerce Ministry on Monday accusing the U.S. of stirring up new economic and trade frictions suggests they arent in a conciliatory mood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just part of the finger pointing thats ensued since Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reached an agreement with their Chinese counterparts in early May to lower tensions in a trade war that has threatened to capsize both economies. The deal brought U.S. tariffs on China down from a floor of 145 percent to 30 percent, while Beijing slashed levies on U.S. imports to 10 percent and promised to lift barriers on critical mineral exports. The deal gave both sides a 90-day deadline to launch a new dialogue on a broader trade deal to address U.S. grievances about Chinese trade practices. But since then, miscommunication and conflicting expectations have ground new talks to a halt before they even started. The Trump administration has accused the Chinese government of slow-walking its restart of shipments of critical minerals and rare earth magnets. When they agreed in Geneva to remove their tariff and their countermeasures, they removed the tariff like we did. But some of the countermeasures, they've slowed on, Greer said on CNBC on Friday. Automakers have started to warn that impending shortages of rare earth magnets could force them to halt production and shutter factories in a matter of weeks. The magnets are critical to auto construction, from transmissions and fuel pumps to steering sensors and airbag actuators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two countries also remain stalled on the issue that ostensibly caused Trump to launch the trade war in the first place fentanyl. China has offered two proposals to the White House, including one in February after Trump imposed his initial 10 percent tariff on China, Canada and Mexico. Everyone agrees that for any additional progress to happen on tariffs, the gateway is fentanyl, said a business official, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive conversations. But the U.S. has been unresponsive to the fentanyl offers, which were described as being intentionally designed by China to provoke a discussion about what Beijing could feasibly do to stem the flow of the precursors that Mexican cartels use to make the highly addictive drug. Many Trump administration officials remain skeptical China will follow through with any agreement on fentanyl underscoring the distrust some officials feel about the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese government, for its part, has been angered by U.S. moves to limit U.S. exports for key Chinese industries, like semiconductors and aircraft, citing national security concerns. Less than 24 hours after the Geneva announcement, the Commerce Department issued a warning to U.S. companies discouraging them from using chips made by the Chinese tele-computing giant Huawei, suggesting that using those chips would risk violating U.S. export control laws. That caught Chinese officials by surprise, according to one business official granted anonymity to discuss sensitive conversations. The Chinese side seems to legitimately believe that there was going to be this sort of 90-day stay of new actions, and that there might be some small things that happened, but nothing totally earth shattering, said the official. The U.S. has also angered China with new moves targeting Chinese students studying in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. unilaterally keeps stirring up new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating the uncertainty and instability of bilateral economic and trade relations, and not only does it not reflect on itself, but also hits the other side with a backhanded accusation that the Chinese side violates the consensus, which is a serious deviation from the facts, a Chinese Commerce Ministry official said Monday. Trumps expectation that a call with Xi can reboot U.S.-China trade talks on those issues and render substantive results defies the diplomatic and policymaking protocols of Chinas ruling Chinese Communist Party. Trump is a deal maker. Xi Jinping is not a deal maker hes a Party guy at the top of an administrative superstructure, said Harry Broadman, a former assistant U.S. trade representative in the George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations. I cannot imagine that Xi would get into specifics at most they might agree on certain principles but that's not likely to satisfy Trump. Theres also a risk that a call between the two leaders could backfire for Trump by undermining longer term trade negotiations with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elevating talks to the leader level might remove the ability to put together the kind of deeper and bigger deal that ultimately requires more consideration and time, so jumping to the leader level can be risky, said former NSC official Doshi. But the former Trump official dismissed the idea that there are major downsides to pushing for a Trump-Xi conversation. From the U.S. perspective, what's the big downside to the call? You ask for it. If they don't do it, it's like, well, you know, we're trying, they're not even trying, the former official said. And if they do it, maybe we get some progress. The Department of Defense is observing LGBTQ+ Pride Month by stripping the name of gay rights leader Harvey Milk from a Navy ship. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the name change, Military.com reports. The timing during Pride Month is intentional, an official with the department told the outlet. The official announcement is set for June 13, but Military.com obtained a memo from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy that outlined plans to rename the ship. The Defense Department source said Hegseth instructed Navy Secretary John Phelan to implement the renaming in keeping with the restoration of so-called warrior culture. The USNS Harvey Milk was launched in November 2021, when Joe Biden was president. It was the first military ship named after an out gay person. It is a replenishment oiler, bringing fuel to other ships at sea. It was the second in a group of oilers named after civil rights icons, the first being the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis. Milks name was selected in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and the oiler was built by General Dynamics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navy is also recommending the renaming of other ships in this group, CBS News reports. They include USNS Thurgood Marshall, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, USNS Harriet Tubman, USNS Dolores Huerta, USNS Lucy Stone, USNS Cesar Chavez, and USNS Medgar Evers. Renaming of ships is rare, and the documents reviewed by the news outlets dont say what the new names will be. Milk, a gay man, was the first out member of the LGBTQ+ community to be elected to public office in California and one of the first in the nation. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 and had an extensive career in activism, including a successful fight against a California ballot measure that would have barred gays and lesbians from teaching in the states public schools. He and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in 1978 by a disgruntled former city supervisor, Dan White. Milk had joined the Navy in 1951 after graduating from college. He attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and later was a diving instructor in San Diego. In 1954, he was threatened with a court-martial for committing a homosexual act, but he decided to resign rather than face trial. He received an other than honorable discharge and left the Navy with the rank of lieutenant junior grade. In 2021, the Navy asked his nephew Stuart Milk, who has carried on his uncles legacy as an LGBTQ+ rights activist, if he wanted the discharge upgraded, but Stuart Milk said it should stand as a reminder of the unfair treatment gay service members and others received. The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships reflects the hostility of Hegseth and Donald Trump to the LGBTQ+ community and diversity in general. For instance, shortly after being confirmed as Defense secretary, Hegseth issued a directive banning staff from spending work time or resources on identity celebrations such as Pride Month, Black History Month, and Womens History Month. Plus the Defense Department is expelling transgender people from the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is absolutely shameful. Harvey Milk was a hero. He was a veteran who served our country. He died for our community," gay California state Sen. Scott Weiner said on social media. "Brave LGBTQ veterans worked for years to achieve the naming of a ship for Harvey. Now Trump & Hegseth are wiping it away due to straight up bigotry. Theyre determined to erase LGBTQ people from all aspects of public life." U.S. Rep. and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued a statement to CBS News denouncing the renaming plans. The reported decision by the Trump Administration to change the names of the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships in the John Lewis-class is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream, said Pelosi, who represents a San Francisco district. Our military is the most powerful in the world but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the warrior ethos, she continued. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country. While the Navy may be erasing Milk, his legacy will endure elsewhere. The Harvey Milk Foundation, established by Stuart Milk, works for LGBTQ+ rights around the world. May 22, Harvey Milk's birthday, is observed as Harvey Milk Day in California. And there are plans to honor him and other LGBTQ+ leaders with improvements to Harvey Milk Plaza in San Francisco. Stuart Milk wrote on his Facebook page that the Milk family and foundation were "heartbroken" to hear of the renaming order. He recently spent three days and nights on the ship as it refueled another, he noted. "The pride that all the men and women on those ships gay, straight, black, white, Hispanic, commissioned officers and enlisted personnel all of them, without exception, expressed and relayed to me, was a testament to the American spirit of patriotism and respect for our nation's collective history of growth," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His uncle did not set out to have a ship named for him, he added. "Rather, guided by passion, commitment, and hard work, he did set out to be a messenger of hope for all who had been marginalized and even criminalized, just for being who they authentically were," he wrote. "Harvey Milk's legacy is certainly enhanced and celebrated by a US Naval Ship, however his legacy will not be silenced or diminished by the renaming of that Naval ship," Stuart Milk concluded. "Rather such an action would only serve to prove that Harvey Milk style hope will continue to endure and inspire across the globe, and that neither bullets nor name stripping can stop Harvey's overriding message to us all when he prophetically anticipated making the ultimate sacrifice: 'Let the bullets that enter my brain, destroy every closet door.' You gotta give 'em hope.'" NEED TO KNOW King Charles faces increasing pressure to repair his fractured relationship with Prince Harry Despite Harrys public call for reconciliation, the monarch has yet to make a personal move toward reconciliation Trust remains the biggest barrier to a reunion; insiders say neither King Charles nor Prince William are ready to bridge the divide As King Charles sat on a throne carved from Windsor trees at Canadas Parliament on May 27, delivering a message of unity amid rising U.S.-Canada tensions, his estranged son Prince Harry was thousands of miles away in Shanghai. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though briefly on the same continent, father and son remain emotionally worlds apart. The True North is indeed strong and free, Charles, 76, declared earning praise for his statesmanship, even as he continues weekly cancer treatments. He could give a master class in diplomatic relations, Ailsa Anderson, former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth, tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story. But another challenge looms one no speech can fix: his fractured relationship with his son, who told the BBC in May: I dont know how much longer my father has He wont speak to me. The man Charles called his darling boy was meant to be one of his reliable lieutenants he could call on to support the monarchy, says royal historian Dr. Ed Owens, author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That vision unraveled in 2020 when Harry and Meghan Markle, 43, stepped back from royal duties and moved to Montecito, California. The rift deepened with bombshell interviews, their Netflix docuseries and Harrys best-selling memoir Spare, which alleged a physical altercation with Prince William, 42. Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage King Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on Dec. 25, 2018 King Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on Dec. 25, 2018 While William remains firmly estranged from Harry and Meghan, some royal observers believe its King Charles head of the Church of England and a longtime advocate for unity who should take the first step. But inside palace walls, hesitation reigns. At times, there has been a desire to reconnect but the underlying issue is trust, says royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith. The King and William dont trust Harry and Meghan with any kind of confidential conversation. Charles, insiders say, isnt surrounded by voices encouraging reconciliation. William has shown no interest in extending an olive branch, and Queen Camilla, 77 sharply criticized in Spare stays out of it, says a source. Even senior aides like Clive Alderton, also mentioned in Harrys memoir, are unlikely to push for a personal outreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is not a good angel in his ear to say, Be a good dad and make the first move, says Valentine Low, author of the upcoming book Power and the Palace. Despite Harrys call for peace, his BBC comments were widely seen as another blow. It wasnt meant to be an attack, but it would be seen as one, Low says. It makes Charles reaching out even harder. And with the King still being treated for an undisclosed type of cancer, the stakes are growing. If you have that level of breach in a family, and you are estranged, you run that risk every day of having something unfathomable to deal with, says Catherine Mayer, author of Charles: The Heart of a King. Even before recent events, Charles and Harrys dynamic was complex. Harry, the son of a broken marriage, lost his mother, Princess Diana, in tragic and public circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the rift with his father, Harry spoke with his uncle Charles Spencer about changing his familys last name to his mothers surname, Spencer, but was told the legal hurdles would be too great. There is so much baggage there that the idea that one meeting would resolve everything is ridiculous, Mayer tells PEOPLE. But having some contact would seem better than none. At the heart of the dispute is security. Harry says losing his official protection endangers his family, making him unwilling to bring Meghan and their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, who turns 4 on June 4, to the U.K. He believes Charles can reverse the decision, but the palace says the courts have examined [it] repeatedly and meticulously. Netflix/YouTube Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie Low warns that the split could potentially damage [Charles] legacy. Still, he believes most people can separate the private drama from his public role: This is a family rift rather than a constitutional rift its what happens to families. Both sides have to reach a point where they realize they cant carry on as they are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, father and son remain focused on their separate paths across the Atlantic. Harry, backed by a new communications team, is exploring new commercial ventures alongside his philanthropic work. VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty King Charles opens the 45th Parliament of Canada in Ottowa on May 26, 2025 King Charles opens the 45th Parliament of Canada in Ottowa on May 26, 2025 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! Charles, meanwhile, continues to show stamina. A senior aide noted after the Canada trip that the King is managing his illness amid incredible advances in medicine and is determined to live life as normal as possible. For Harry, that resolve may offer a glimmer of hope. I would like to think the King will take that step toward reconciliation with Harry in due course," Owens says. Read the original article on People The family of an inmate who died of a fentanyl overdose at the states troubled Waupun Correctional Institution has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the prison's top leadership, including its former warden. Joshua Botwinski, 43, died in January 2023, marking the first of eight in-custody deaths at the maximum-security facility in the last 2 12 years. He was also one of 21 prisoners who died of a drug overdose across the state prison system from 2018 through 2023, according to an investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The lawsuit filed May 29 alleges that former Waupun warden Randall Hepp and former security director Yana Pusich were "deliberately indifferent" to Botwinski's serious medical conditions, including drug addiction and an undisclosed mental illness. The lawsuit also claims that Hepp and Pusich violated Botwinski's due process rights by "creating danger" to him, resulting in his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Botwinski's family is being represented by attorney Paul A. Kinne, who was not immediately available for comment. According to the complaint, prison officials reported that Botwinski had tested positive for opiates and stimulants in August 2022, three months after he arrived at Waupun. On January 19, 2023, Botwinski was discovered in a cell following a fentanyl overdose, from which he died. The lawsuit noted that any incidents where a prisoner is found under the influence of drugs, including drug overdoses, are reported to Pusich and, in turn, Hepp. "(B)oth Pusich and Hepp knew that illegal drug use was rampant at (Waupun Correctional) ... From the reports of drug use and overdoses, they knew that inmates had an almost unfettered access to drugs in prison," the lawsuit alleges, saying that Botwinski's access to drugs in prison was greater than outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims that neither Hepp nor Pusich took any action to curb the "introduction, spread and usage of dangerous drugs in prison" despite their knowledge of the drug problem troubling Waupun, and that they had assigned staff who were known to be smuggling drugs into the prison. The complaint claims Hepp and Pusich knew of a "substantial risk of harm" to Botwinski given his history of severe drug addiction and mental health problems, and that both were "deliberately indifferent" to his medical condition, failed to protect Botwinski and "knowingly created a danger" resulting in his death. Waupun has been the focal point for much of the state prison system's problems in recent years, including an illegal drug crisis, extended lockdown periods and DOC's long-simmering staffing crisis. In June 2023, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and DOC officials asked federal authorities to conduct an investigation into an alleged illegal drug and contraband smuggling ring at Waupun Correctional. Last year, nearly a dozen prison staff resigned or were fired as a result of the probe. In June of last year, Hepp and eight other workers at Waupun were charged with misconduct in office and abuse of residents of a penal facility related to two in-custody deaths. In late April, Hepp pleaded no contest to a low-level misdemeanor charge of violating the law of a state or county institution in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin's Department of Corrections is facing four other lawsuits related to a spate of deaths at Waupun since 2023, including Dean Hoffmann, Tyshun Lemons, Cameron Williams, and Donald Maier. In June 2023, Hoffmann, 60, died by suicide, after staff failed to give him his bipolar and antidepressant medications as prescribed more than three-quarters of the time at the prison. In early October 2023, Lemons, 30, died of an accidental fentanyl overdose. Later that month, Williams, 24, died of a rare stroke after begging staff for help. In February of last year, Maier died a week after staff began periodically switching off the water to prevent him from flooding his cell. He died of probable dehydration and malnutrition, and his death was ruled a homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No lawsuits have been filed in the deaths of three other prisoners, Christopher L. McDonald, 57, and Jay J. Adkins, 66, who both died in 2024, and Damien D. Evans, 23, who died in March. Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Waupun prison warden sued over inmate fentanyl overdose death A federal judge has blocked Donald Trumps administration from denying gender-affirming care to transgender inmates, dealing another blow to the presidents executive order targeting incarcerated trans people. Ronald Reagan-appointed Judge Royce Lamberth, 81, said Trumps policy isnt based on any reasoned analysis, adding that nothing in the thin record from the government shows that the administration consciously took stock of much less studied the potentially debilitating effects of stripping trans people of their healthcare. He also slapped down the governments arguments that courts should allow Trump to dictate how federal agencies are run by letting the democratic process play out after the election. Democracy is not as simple as the defendants make it sound, Lamberth wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as the president can issue an executive order telling agencies what to do, he must abide by the Administrative Procedure Act that governs how they operate, Lamberth said. If democratic self-governance means anything, it means giving effect to all duly enacted laws, including those like the APA that were enacted decades ago, he wrote. It does not mean blind submission to the whims of the most recent election-victor. A judge struck down Trumps executive order directing federal prison officials to deny gender-affirming care to trans inmates, arguing there wasnt any reasoned analysis behind the measure (REUTERS) Tuesdays ruling is the first among several court orders surrounding Trumps approach to trans inmates that blocks prison officials from carrying out his executive order altogether. Trumps order also ordered trans women from womens detention centers. Several lawsuits were filed to reverse the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trans women make up only a small fraction of the federal prison population in womens facilities approximately 16 people, according to the Department of Justice. More than 2,230 trans inmates in federal facilities are detained in facilities that match their sex at birth, according to court filings. In his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order denying any medical procedure, treatment, or drug for the purpose of conforming an inmates appearance to that of the opposite sex. The policy also blocked trans inmates from buying clothing or commissary items that prison officials claimed are inconsistent with a persons sex at birth. Trumps far-reaching executive orders targeting trans people claim that an ideologically driven movement to deny the biological reality of sex has a corrosive impact not just on women but on the validity of the entire American system. Trump has signed several executive orders aimed at transgender Americans, including measures to block trans young people from access to gender-affirming care and preventing trans athletes from competing in womens sports (Getty Images) Plaintiffs include two trans men and a trans woman who were denied hormone therapy as well as items such as chest binders, cosmetics and underwear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three plaintiffs were diagnosed with gender dysphoria by Bureau of Prisons physicians, and prescribed hormone therapy, but those treatments were suspended under Trumps policy. The loss of hormone therapy for a trans woman who has been prescribed injections since 2016 caused her to experience anxiety, hopelessness, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation, according to court filings. Trans men who were denied ongoing testosterone treatments said they feared their menstrual cycles would return. Plaintiffs argue Trumps policy violates the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his ruling, Lamberth said trans people receiving hormone treatments do not seem interested in propagating any particular ideology. Trans inmates rely on those treatments to lessen the personal anguish caused by their gender dysphoria, a benefit on which they have relied for years under longstanding Bureau of Prisons policy, according to the judge. He wrote that the administration did not provide any serious explanation why the policy should change, and the executive order doesnt make any effort whatsoever to explain how as the president includes in the order gender-affirming care damages scientific inquiry, public safety, morale, trust in government. This administrations cruelty towards transgender people disregards their rights under the Constitution, said Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the ACLUs National Prison Project. No person incarcerated or not, transgender or not should have their rights to medically necessary care denied, added Shawn Thomas Meerkamper, managing attorney at the Transgender Law Center. WEBBER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Guards and medical staff have started training at the private prison that is about to reopen to house some of the growing number of immigrants in the country illegally detained by the Trump administration. While local officials said it will boost the economy, staff with the American Civil Liberties Union worry about how the immigrants will be treated. The prison, owned by the GEO Group of Florida, will employ about 500 people, with about 300 working there most days great news for a county with among the highest employment rates in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will again become Lake Countys biggest employer and its biggest taxpayer. Dozens in Grand Rapids protest opening of ICE facility near Baldwin The Biden administration ordered the feds to stop using private prisons in 2022, shutting it down. Bringing 300 people into Lake County every day to GEO is going to have a huge impact on those smaller businesses they may stop to, but I think the impact is also greater than Lake County, said Shelly Keene, executive director of the local Michigan Works office, which is recruiting staff for the prison. Were going to be pulling talent from neighboring counties, and theyre also going to see an economic impact, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the ACLU said it will closely monitor the prison, working with immigration attorneys and advocates to make sure detainees are properly treated. They worry about due process. For us, its really about understanding whats happening inside the facility and how that might play into some of the trends were seeing in other states where immigrants are being cut off from critical services, said Jessica Ayoub, the ACLU of Michigans deputy political director. Federal documents show reopening North Lake is part of ICEs push to more than double its immigration detention beds to nearly 100,000 nationwide. ICE runs out of space, money to detain migrants, report says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That, according to ICE, will support the administrations goal of removing a million immigrants in the country illegally per year. Documents obtained by Target 8 show the Baldwin prison will serve ICEs Chicago enforcement region, which covers the Midwest. Reopening this facility actually just aids in Trumps deportation machine, the ACLUs Ayoub said. It is going to embroil so many folks in the immigration system. We are putting the entire Midwest region at risk of being caught up in this deportation machine simply so Trump can fulfill a harmful campaign promise that is baseless and rooted in his own disdain for immigrants and their families, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman who worked at the prison the last time it was open and is working there again told Target 8 that guards and medical staff started training in early May. She didnt want to be identified because she wasnt authorized to comment. She said workers have been told the prison could open sometime this month. This is a reallly, really good job for this area, good for the businesses here. It will pick up business everywhere, she said. People are going to buy houses up here, cottages. It will get busy up here, she added. She had been unemployed before recently getting her job back. I have a good job and I have a good paycheck again, and its going to last for a while at least, so its worth it. Best job youre going to get around here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email, the GEO Group declined to say when the prison would reopen. In federal documents, ICE in February said it needed to add about 60,000 detention beds nationwide, up from about 41,500, for a total of more than 100,000. ICE strives to maintain sufficient bedspace to support its own law enforcement activities, including the arrests of aliens with criminal histories from prisons and jails and aliens at-large that pose threats to national security and public safety in the interior of the United States, and to accommodate fluctuating alien referrals from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to the federal document. ICE needs to obtain bed capacity to meet the administrations interior enforcement and border decompression goalsand removing one million aliens annually, according to ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need for more beds, according to ICE, is in response to a series of executive orders by President Trump that included declaring a national emergency at the southern border. What executive orders did Trump sign on day 1 of presidency? These Executive Orders direct DHS (Department of Homeland Security) to, among other things, take all appropriate actions to detain, to the fullest extent permitted by law, aliens apprehended for violations of immigration law until their successful removal from the United States, it read. Trump also signed the Laken Riley Act, requiring ICE to, among other things, detain certain aliens who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. This law creates a new category of aliens who are considered a public safety risk and would previously not have been detained by ICE, reads the document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Works is recruiting workers for the Lake County prison, including guards and medical staff. We do not talk or discuss politics at all, said Keene, the Michigan Works executive director. But she will discuss the starting wage for guards: $29 an hour. So if youre willing to learn a new career and do a career change and become a detention officer, if you have that within you, then I can understand why people would want to work there. Twenty-nine dollars an hour, compared to $12 or $15 is really life-changing for families. Correction: A previous version of this story misstated Jessica Ayoubs title. She is the ACLU of Michigans deputy political director. We regret the error, which has been fixed. 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. BERLIN (Reuters) -Cybercrime in Germany rose to a record level last year, driven by hacker attacks from pro-Russian and anti-Israeli groups, the BKA Federal Crime Office reported on Tuesday as the government said it would boost countermeasures to combat it. "Cybercrime is an increasing threat to our security," said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. "It is getting more aggressive but our counter-strategies are also becoming more professional," he said. Some 131,391 cases of cybercrime took place in Germany last year and a further 201,877 cases were committed from abroad or an unknown location, a BKA report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actors behind the hacker attacks on German targets were primarily either pro-Russian or anti-Israeli, said the BKA, adding targets were mostly public and federal institutions. Ransomware, when criminals copy and encrypt data, is one of the main threats, said the BKA, with 950 companies and institutes reporting cases in 2024. German digital association Bitkom said damage caused by cyberattacks here totalled 178.6 billion euros ($203.87 billion) last year, some 30.4 billion euros more than in the previous year. Dobrindt said the government planned to extend the legal capabilities authorities could use to combat cybercrime and set higher security standards for companies. ($1 = 0.8760 euros) (Reporting by Madeline Chambers, Editing by Friederike Heine) Supporters of paid family and medical leave policy rallied on the steps of the Maine State House in June 2023. One month later the policy became law. (Courtesy of Maine Women's Lobby) The entire Maine Legislature is so far taking the recommendations of the Labor Committee to reject significant changes to the states paid family and medical leave program. On Monday, the Senate voted 20-14 to back a proposal (LD 894) to tweak the program, but rejected other bills by the same margin, including one to exempt agricultural employees from the program and another to suspend remittance for companies that plan to use private plans. That bill now advances to the House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both chambers also followed the lead of the committee by backing a proposal to study ways to protect the programs funds from any use in the future. LD 894, which was also endorsed by the committee, proposes a series of amendments to the current law to create certain enforcement mechanisms and penalties, as well as clarify intermittent leave. Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland) introduced the bill on behalf of the Labor Department to make specific refinements to the policy that were noticed during the rulemaking process. This is a bill that does the quiet, but essential work of ensuring that Maines paid family and medical leave program is implemented successfully, said Sen. Mike Tipping (D-Penobscot) on the Senate floor. Though it isnt expected to be available until May 2026, the paid family and medical leave program will allow eligible public and private sector workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for reasons such as illness, to care for a loved one or the birth of a new child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tipping said LD 894 is the only bill that strengthens the program without destabilizing it. Sen. Dick Bradstreet (R-Kennebec) urged his colleagues to support a different version of the bill that he argued would help small businesses. While Sen. Cameron Reny (D-Lincoln) said while some of those suggestions are reasonable, they seem too substantial to make for a program that hasnt been fully implemented yet. Making major structural changes at this stage before a single benefit has been paid and without knowing whats working or not working, its like youre trying to redesign a plane while were on the runway, Reny said. Across the State House, lawmakers rejected bills to repeal the program (LD 406), make it voluntary (LD 1273) and make a series of other structural changes (LD 1333 and LD 1712). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Correction: An earlier version of this story said the Maine Legislature gave preliminary backing to a proposed constitutional amendment to protect the paid leave fund. That bill was amended to study the issue. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Prosecutors Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court filed their opposition to a request by a man to take back his guilty plea to a felonious assault charge. Assistant Prosecutor Katherine Jones wrote in her opposition brief before Judge Anthony DApolito that Whittington Davis, 38, of Warren, should not be allowed to take back his plea because it would put the state at an unfair disadvantage and also because he could have raised the same issues at trial but chose not to do so. Davis 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 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. His attorney Monday filed a motion asking that he be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea, saying that his client can claim self-defense and also that he was not in the right mental state at the time of the incident to knowingly violate the law. In her brief, Jones wrote that Davis had an opportunity at trial to argue that he was innocent or that he acted in self-defense, but he chose not to, instead pleading guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said Davis plea, on the day of sentencing, handicaps the state because now they have to find witnesses who were told they would not have to testify at a trial because Davis was pleading guilty. It may be harder now for some of those witnesses to have the same mindset about testifying as they did before Davis pleaded guilty, Jones wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Protect AR Rights first ballot title submission to the Arkansas attorney general was rejected on Monday. The group has stated that the submission is intended to place before voters the chance to overturn ballot initiative laws passed during the most recent general assembly. Citing concerns about security, the legislature passed multiple laws tightening the requirements for ballot referendums to be accepted, including increased restrictions on signature gathering and referendum language. Arkansas bill aims to let attorney general determine constitutionality of ballot initiatives Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those laws requiring ballot titles to be at no more than an eighth-grade reading level was the primary reason Attorney General Tim Griffin rejected the Protect AR Rights submission. I must reject your popular name and ballot title because the ballot title does not comply with Act 602 of 2025, Griffin wrote in his opinion. As explained above, Act 602 prohibits me from certifying ballot titles that are above an eighth-grade reading level under the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula. The ballot title you have submitted ranks at grade 11.5. Thus, your ballot title requires significant revisions before it complies with the Act. The attorney general also cited ambiguity in two parts of the ballot titles language. Attorney general approves Arkansas League of Women Voters, Save AR Democracy ballot title for referendum roll-back Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statement from Protect AR Rights said the group expected its first submission to be rejected. Were not surprised by todays decision from the Attorney General because its rare for a ballot measure to be approved on the first try, the statement read. This is simply the first step in a long process, and our coalition remains fully committed to protecting the rights of Arkansans to shape their own laws. The group also classified the reading requirement as being passed by politicians trying to limit access to the ballot and a serious barrier to a fundamental right. Protect AR Rights has its policy position on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas coalition speaks on proposed ballot measure process amendment Griffin recently approved a ballot initiative with similar intent for the Arkansas League of Women Voters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. St. George, Utah. (Photo by Jason Cameron/Getty Images) After a controversial provision allowing the sale of public lands in Utah and Nevada was stripped from a massive spending package, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee hinted he may try to revive it in the Senate. Utah Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy initially proposed selling nearly 11,500 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in southwestern Utah to Washington and Beaver counties, the Washington County Water Conservancy District and St. George, in addition to 450,000 acres in Nevada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, amid bipartisan opposition led by Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke who had said that selling public lands is a line he wouldnt cross the U.S. House ended up striking the language from the proposed spending package, widely referred to as the big, beautiful bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lee, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, told Politicos E&E News on his way to cast a vote on Monday he intended to bring back the public lands provisions. Lees office didnt confirm or deny the plans Tuesday. Senator Lee remains committed to advancing Western priorities and ensuring that those who live closest to the land have a voice in how its managed, his office wrote in a statement. As the process moves forward, hell continue to advocate for solutions that reflect the needs of Utahns and other Western communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Lees comment is already worrying environmental advocates, like Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, who have defended the recreational role of public lands among Americans. Senator Lees avowed and oft-stated hatred of public lands makes him a true outlier in the Senate, Travis Hammill, D.C. director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, said in a statement. His apparent intention to include a public lands sell-off provision in the Budget Bill, which was fiercely opposed in the House, is wildly out of step with what Americans have made clear that they want to see: federal public lands remaining in public hands. While the provision introduced by Maloy and Nevada Republican Rep. Mark Amodei was met with intense pushback, the big, beautiful bill is poised to undergo changes in the Senate with officials like Lee saying it needs to improve to pass the chamber. In a previous statement, Maloy had defended the proposal, arguing that it would help expand water, transportation and housing infrastructure in southwestern Utah as the region deals with rapid population growth. If allowed to purchase the public lands, St. George officials were considering an airport expansion; Washington County Water Conservancy District planned to build a new reservoir and Washington County contemplated widening some roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the proposal was cut from the Houses version of the budget bill, St. George city leaders said they planned on working with other lawmakers on the issue. We were disappointed that some groups falsely presented this amendment as if it were a land grab, city leaders said. In actuality, the amendment was intended to protect existing critical infrastructure or future critical infrastructure that would be built on already disturbed public lands. Only approximately nine acres would have been used for attainable housing, at a spot adjacent to a future cemetery and an existing residential subdivision. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Orange County commissioners unanimously pledged $5 million today to support the city of Orlandos plan to build a memorial to Pulse, honoring its victims and survivors at the site of the former LGBTQ nightclub as the ninth anniversary of the horrific massacre approaches this month. The decision followed a presentation of the proposed memorial, on which construction would begin next summer. It marked another step forward for a remembrance effort that began as a privately led campaign, collapsed amid infighting and misspending, and is being carried forward now by government agencies and public dollars. Its time that there is a memorial, said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who was the sheriff when a lone gunman opened fire during Latin Night at the club on Orange Avenue on June 12, 2016. None of us thought that it would take nine years to get to this point and we cant go back and relitigate all of the failures along the way that have happened, but what we can do is control how we move forward together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demings said he did not want the county to be an obstacle to a memorial. The rampage at the club killed 49 people, wounded 53 others and at the time was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Demings asked the capacity audience inside the commission chambers Tuesday to pause for a moment of silence at the beginning of the meeting, then described the proposed memorial as an appropriate tribute to the people and the diverse communities affected by tragedy. Heather Fagan, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyers chief of staff, lauded the countys pledge as another step in the healing process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orlando City Council welcomes new design for Pulse Memorial Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan urged her counterparts on the county board to help the community move forward. I can never forget the screams of the relatives on Orange Avenue as they found out their children and family members were victims. It haunts me to this day, but I also remember how our community came together, city and county to assist the victims and their families, she told county commissioners. I got to know 38 of the 49 families, and they want their loved ones remembered. As she spoke, Sheehan clutched a rainbow rosary, a gift from Teresa Jacobs, county mayor when the tragedy occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have an opportunity to be part of the healing, Sheehan said. This didnt just impact the gay community. There were members of the LatinX community, the African-American community, there were straight allies who were murdered that day. Its important for us to remember all those beautiful people who simply wanted to dance. The city sought county funds to help design and build a memorial estimated to cost $12 million and has itself pledged more than half the anticipated bill. Orlando took over the memorial effort in late 2023 amid the messy collapse of the private onePulse foundation, oversaw a recently concluded citizens design process, and has promised to complete the structure by the end of 2027. Created to design a memorial, the onePulse Foundation shut down after spending most of the millions it raised to defray its own lavish expenses, including hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to high-priced architects and consultants. Orlando seeks $5 million from Orange County for Pulse memorial; some commissioners are hesitant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayra Alvear, whose daughter Amanda, died at Pulse, said a completed memorial has much to offer Central Florida. This memorial will provide solace, a place for reflection, contemplationa special place for years to come, she said. shudak@orlandosentinel.com PUNA, Hawaii (KHON2) After a months-long investigation, a Hawaii Island man is being charged with 15 offenses related to child abuse and alleged sexual assault of minors. Joseph Donald Tibbs, 44, of Puna, was arrested on seven counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of first-degree promoting child abuse, two counts of second-degree promoting child abuse, two counts of incest, and two counts of use of a computer in the commission of a separate crime. According to the Hawaii Police Department, investigators began looking into Tibbs in March 2025 after receiving tips about him allegedly possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material, which is colloquially known as child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Army soldier to plead guilty in case of missing pregnant woman Tibbs was allegedly in possession of at least 30 images related to child pornography, and is also accused of sexually assaulting juveniles, according to court documents. During the course of this investigation, police determined that Tibbs had allegedly been engaging in sexual conduct with minors for over a period of one year, Hawaii Police said Monday. Tibbs was arrested on May 29, and charges were filed on May 30. After he was arrested, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on Tibbs residence and recovered various sexual-related evidence and several electronic devices. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Officials were able to identify some of the victims in photos and videos, but said there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing, and police have asked anyone with any information related to the investigation to contact Detective Chandler Nacino of the Vice Section in Kona at (808) 326-4646, extension 312, or email Chandler.Nacino@hawaiicounty.gov. Tibbs bail has been set at $4,815,000. His first court appearance was scheduled for June 2 in Hilo District Court. The investigation was a collaborative effort between several agencies, including the Hawaii Police Department, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and the Maui Police Department. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who suspects someone of committing crimes against children is asked to report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which has a 24-hour hotline available at 1-800-843-5678. Alternatively, you call dial 911 or call Crime Stoppers. Charges are allegations only, and all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of 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 KHON2. A trilateral meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to be organized in the near future, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on June 3, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported. The Kremlin's statement comes a day after the White House said that Trump would not rule out participating in this format of talks. "Frankly speaking, it is unlikely that (it will happen) soon," Peskov said in response to a question about whether the three leaders would meet in the near future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peskov added that Putin had already expressed his readiness for a high-level meeting, but that it must result from agreements reached at "the technical and expert stages." Putin had previously said he was ready to meet with Zelensky. However, when the Ukrainian leader invited him to hold the highest-level talks in Turkey on May 16, Putin did not attend. Consequently, Ukraine and Russia held their first direct talks since 2022, but at a lower level than planned, without the participation of the countries' leaders. The Russian and Ukrainian delegations held the second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2, failing to reach a ceasefire. But the parties agreed to a new prisoner exchange, as well as the repatriation of 6,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia, a member of the Ukrainian delegation to Istanbul, said that during the talks, Russia did not agree to a ceasefire and refused to hold a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Read also: Exclusive: Russias ballistic missile production up at least 66% over past year, according to Ukrainian intel figures Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia took weeks to present Ukraine with a memorandum setting out its conditions for a ceasefire, as well as key guidelines for a comprehensive treaty to end the more than 3-year-old war. To practically no ones surprise, its a list of the Kremlins longstanding, maximalist demands that Kyiv and its Western allies see as nonstarters. Ukraine had set its negotiating stance before Mondays direct peace talks in Istanbul, emphasizing its readiness to declare a 30-day ceasefire immediately without preconditions that was proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Kyiv reaffirmed its refusal to abandon a bid for NATO membership and rejected acknowledgment of Russia's annexation of any of its regions. Both sides have established mutually exclusive red lines that make any quick deal unlikely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow's demands, published in the Russian media, make it clear that President Vladimir Putin is determined to ensure the fulfillment of the goals in Ukraine he set when he launched the invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Key points of the Russian and Ukrainian documents: Moscows conditions for a 30-day truce Russia offered Ukraine a choice of two options for establishing a 30-day ceasefire. One option is that Ukraine must withdraw its forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson the four regions Moscow illegally annexed in September 2022 but never fully captured. The second option, described by Moscow as the package proposal, presses Ukraine to halt its mobilization efforts and freeze Western arms deliveries conditions that were suggested earlier by Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of that, the document also demands that Ukraine begin demobilizing its military, halt any redeployment of forces and ban the presence of any third-country forces on its soil. The package option further proposes that Ukraine end martial law and hold elections, after which the two countries could sign a comprehensive peace treaty. Russias terms for a comprehensive peace treaty The Russian document declares that conditions for peace must include the international legal recognition of Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and its 2022 annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It says a future peace treaty should have Ukraine declare its neutral status between Russia and the West, and abandon its bid to join NATO. The document demands that Ukraine limit the size of its armed forces, recognize Russian as an official language on par with Ukrainian, ban glorification and propaganda of Nazism and neo-Nazism and dissolve nationalist groups - conditions reflecting Putins goals from the outset of his invasion. The false allegations that neo-Nazi groups were shaping Ukraines politics under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, have been vehemently dismissed by Kyiv and its Western allies. In Russias view, a comprehensive peace treaty should also see both countries lift all sanctions and restrictions, abandon any claims to compensation for wartime damage, resume trade and communications, and reestablish diplomatic ties. It also suggests that the peace treaty between Russian and Ukraine be endorsed by a resolution of the U.N. Security Council. Ukraine's ceasefire position also remains firm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memorandum that Ukraine submitted to Moscow before the talks and shared with its allies emphasized the need for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to set stage for peace negotiations. It reaffirmed Ukraine's consistent rejection of Russian demands for neutral status as an attack on its sovereignty, declaring it is free to choose its alliances and adding that its NATO membership will depend on consensus with the alliance. It emphasized Kyiv's rejection of any restrictions on the size and other parameters of its armed forces, as well as curbs on the presence of foreign troops on its soil. Ukraine's memorandum also opposed recognizing any Russian territorial gains, while describing the current line of contact as a starting point in negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document noted the need for international security guarantees to ensure the implementation of peace agreements and prevent further aggression. The Ukrainian peace proposal also demanded the return of all deported and illegally displaced Ukrainian children and an all-for-all prisoner exchange. It held the door open to gradual lifting of some of the sanctions against Russia if it abides by the agreement. The opposing positions make peace seem elusive The sharply conflicting demands leave little hope for any quick progress in talks. By maintaining its maximalist demands, Moscow is seemingly unfazed by repeated threats of sanctions by the West or other pressure to make real concessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some observers see the Russian memorandum as a way by Moscow to formalize its negotiation position. Even an unsigned document gives the Kremlin a firmer diplomatic foothold, said Moscow-based defense analyst Sergei Poletaev. Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center noted that the document reflects Putins key goal of securing a friendly Ukraine without a full-fledged military or ties of any kind with its Western allies. She noted the Russian document offers Ukraine a choice between the two options because Moscow knows that a Ukrainian withdrawal from the four regions "is not viable and seeks to push Kyiv toward the second as the primary course. At the same time, Moscows memorandum appears to indicate that Russia is open to considering leaving parts of the annexed regions that it does not control to Ukraine. Stanovaya said Moscows maximalist demands mean that the fighting is set to continue, even if bilateral interactions persist. TULSA, Okla. A previously registered Kansas sex offender is going back to prison for sexually abusing a Quapaw teen. Dylan Boyd, 28, was sentenced to 136 months, or just over 11 years. He pleaded guilty in February to abusive sexual contact with a minor in Indian Country and the commission of a felony sex offense involving a minor by a registered sex offender. Boyd is required to serve 16 months for the abusive sexual contact and 120 months for the sexual offense while registered as a sex offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boyd was also recommended to be placed at Seagoville, Texass Bureau of Prisons facility. He was also required to participate in the Bureau of Prisons Residential Drug Abuse Program, mental health, and sex offender treatment programs. A Miami Tribe of Oklahoma citizen, Boyd, had prior convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a minor and violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act, when he sexually assaulted a teen younger than 16 years old in November 2020 in her Quapaw home. Boyd was in Kansas state custody at the time of his federal indictment for a prior conviction for failing to register as a sex offender for acts he committed in 2011 at the age of 15. Federal prosecutors dropped charges of sexual abuse by force and threat, sexual abuse of a minor, both in Indian Country, in exchange for the guilty plea. 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. More than a year after a 66-year-old man was fatally run over and dragged for nearly three blocks in Queens, the hit-and-run driver who bystanders begged to stop turned himself in to face murder charges Tuesday, officials said. Warren Rollins surrendered at the 105th Precinct stationhouse in Queens Village for the Dec. 10, 2023, crash that killed Gary Charlotin. Rollins, 49, ignored pleas from horrified onlookers begging him to stop, according to a law enforcement source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlotin was crossing a rain-swept stretch of Hempstead Ave. near 221st St. about 8 p.m. when the driver of a 2004 Toyota Camry heading west rammed into him, knocking him into the eastbound lane. A moment later, Rollins, driving a light-colored Chevrolet Traverse SUV, allegedly ran over Charlotin and came to a stop, idling for about two minutes, according to a police source. As bystanders screamed at him to stop, Charlotin then took off, dragging the victim 1,588 feet before Rollins finally became dislodged as the SUV reached an underpass for the Cross Island Parkway, the source said. This was a horrific death for the victim, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. As alleged, pedestrian Gary Charlotin was hit by a car while trying to cross Hempstead Ave. and thrown into the opposite traffic lane. The defendant then allegedly drove over the victim, stopped for more than two minutes, and then proceeded to speed away from the scene while dragging the victims body, while the victim was still alive. The conduct displayed that evening demonstrates a complete disregard for human life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Charlotin was found by first responders, he was still alive but was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to Katz. Dozens of mourners attended a funeral for Charlotin in February 2024. Some wailed in pain during the live-streamed ceremony. He lived in North Baldwin, L.I., according to cops. A month after the fatal crash, police arrested 38-year-old Osman Zavala-Varela, of Hempstead, L.I., who they identified as the driver of the Camry. Cops charged Zavala-Varela with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and tampering with physical evidence. He was released without bail after being arraigned and is due back in Queens Criminal Court July 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the NYPDs collision investigation squad spent a year tracking down Rollins, finally identifying him as the man driving the light-colored SUV. A Queens grand jury indicted Rollins on charges of depraved indifference murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and criminally negligent homicide, after which a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. Rollins lives in Elmont, L.I., according to cops. Rollins said nothing to reporters when he was led out of the 105th Precinct stationhouse in handcuffs Tuesday afternoon. He wore a white button-down shirt, black pants and dark-colored shoes. He was taken to Queens Supreme Criminal Court, where he pleaded not guilty and was ordered held on $150,000 bail. He is due back in court July 17. Rollins was arrested for drunken driving in 2014 and 2015, police sources said. He was busted for robbery in 1992. When it comes to aerospace manufacturing, there are a few very common trends. For one, supply chain delays mean market leaders like Boeing and Airbus are slowly grinding their way through massive backlogs. Another, is that regulatory and quality issues make for a painstaking production process. But Airbus has pointed to yet another issue thats recently snarled productivity in one of its Canadian plants and you may not have heard this one before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read on IEN: Reports say a recent break-in at an Airbus plant near Montreal left the manufacturer dealing with a tremendous headache. And it wasnt your typical bad actor, rather, a family of raccoons that were discovered when a worker saw one climbing up the landing gear of a jet that was being produced for a customer. The animal that was first spotted turned out to be the mother of five baby raccoons that were also in the plant. A worker boarded the plane to hunt down the critter and discovered a good deal of damage, including urine and chewed wires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters says that workers from the overstretched assembly line were pulled from their work to deal with the the time-consuming task of quarantining the jet and inspecting for damage. They say that Airbus did confirm the raccoon presence but declined to elaborate as to whether there was further damage or delayed production because of it. The article notes that this scenario came at a rough time for Airbus, who has been dealing with a three year backlog on deliveries it blames on supply chain issues. The company is said to have been scrambling to speed up production, with recent snags including things like delayed interiors even missing engines. As for the plane in question which was reportedly being built for a European airline a source says the plant workers had to open everything back up to inspect but that its now pursuing its assembly. As for the animals themselves, Airbus said they were removed to safe location. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news. MSNBCs Rachel Maddow on Monday dismissed Elon Musks black eye visible last week during his final day as a special government employee as the defining metaphor of the chaos hes left behind in Washington. Instead, Maddow suggested the worlds richest persons time running the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, aimed at slashing public spending, could be better summed up by the destruction its employees wreaked at the independent, nonprofit U.S. Institute of Peace. DOGE members allegedly fired staff, wiped IT systems and canceled contracts after taking the organizations building by force, said Maddow. After a federal judge ruled DOGEs actions as illegal, she said, staff returned to reportedly find water damage, evidence of rats and even marijuana allegedly left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just pure pointlessness and waste, said Maddow. Yes, the black eye was cute, but may I suggest that this is perhaps more on the nose as the legacy of what the Trump administration has done through Trumps top campaign donor, Elon Musk, as Elon Musk leaves Washington. A building seized pointlessly. Shut down pointlessly. Left to be infested by vermin. All so its rightful owners can eventually come back and have to put it all back together again. For no reason at all. I think thats a better metaphor, she added. Maddow elsewhere on her show slammed the performatively cruel crackdown on undocumented immigrants thats being ordered by President Donald Trumps administration. She pointed out multiple recent examples of egregious behavior, including the bananas moment that Homeland Security Investigations agents last week raided an Italian restaurant in San Diego while dressed as if they were going to be invading Fallujah in Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sweep on the Buona Forchetta eatery involved multiple clown cars of Trumps HSI agents in full battle rattle with helmets and long guns and flak jackets and goggles and masks, noted Maddow. They looked like they were going to rappel out of helicopters into the Tora Bora cave complex to fight al Qaeda, she continued. Busboys and waiters were detained in the raid. When the whole neighborhood came out to protest, Maddow said Trumps immigration agents had no idea what to do and set off what appeared to be these flashbang smoke grenades in response. Seriously. This is not a sign of strength, this is not a show of force, she said. This is a show of weakness and cluelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These guys talked themselves into the idea that the country would be so excited to see them be really performatively cruel to immigrants, right? They thought this would be a great political advantage for them, she added. Turns out, everywhere they try it, everyone in America hates it. Everyone hates what theyre doing. Related... BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) Local officials are teaming up to tackle the issue of litter in Raleigh County with a newly announced program. Roadside trash is never ideal and the Raleigh County Commission announced a partnership with the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority for a litter pickup program to address this very issue. Crews will be out and about ridding areas of roadside litter this summer. The program came about as part of an ongoing effort by the commission to beautify Raleigh County, with a specific focus on less populated parts of the region. Two big things on our radar this year are litter and dilapidated buildings. They kind of go together, said Raleigh County Commission President, Greg Duckworth. So, were going to work hard this year on getting litter picked up and getting these dilapidated buildings down. Raleigh County Commissioner, Daniel Hall told 59News that addressing the issue of litter will come as a benefit not only to local residents, but to those visiting Raleigh County as well. Were trying to improve Raleigh County any way we can, Hall said. Not only do the locals hate looking at the trash, theres no way tourists want to see it either. Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority Executive Director, Travis Kiblinger said similar programs in the past have led to 500 pounds of trash being picked up per mile throughout the area. The program will get underway starting July 1 and will continue through the fall months. 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. Ramsey County commissioners heard public feedback Tuesday on an initial list of projects that could be funded by money previously designated for the Riverview Corridor project. The county had allocated around $730 million for the project, but canceled the project in September. The 12-mile corridor was to connect downtown St. Paul to the Mall of America in Bloomington through a potential streetcar. A Transit and Transportation Investment Plan was presented to the county board last week and provides direction for how those funds may be reallocated. A vote on the projects is expected June 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specific projects, funding amounts and anticipated year of construction will be approved through the countys Transportation Improvement Program, which is adopted annually by the county board. Approval of the 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program is expected in the fall. West Seventh funding Some community members at Tuesdays public hearing expressed concern that the Transit and Transportation Investment Plan does not include West Seventh Street, where the Riverview Corridor was to run. City projects and other investments in West Seventh had been passed over because it was always thought that a major investment was coming our way with Riverview, said Meg Duhr, president of West Seventh/Fort Road Federation, a district council representing the West Seventh neighborhood. Individual community members and neighborhood organizations have spent years working for or against this project, wasting human capital and time while generating deep neighborhood conflict, Duhr said. And now here we are considering a transit and transportation investment plan that details all the ways that the county will spend the funds previously allocated for Riverview without a single project in our community and no mention of the remaining critical needs on West Seventh itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infrastructure conditions on West Seventh Street worsened as the area lost out on millions in infrastructure and transit investment, Duhr said. Metro Transit in 2014, for example, backed off of plans for a $28 million rapid bus line from downtown St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America. The change in plans came at the urging of St. Paul and county officials who were concerned that it might interfere with the Riverview Corridor. Roads over public transit Others at Tuesdays meeting raised concerns with the plans focus on roads rather than public transit and also called for county support of the New West Seventh Corridor, a transportation plan that includes the city of St. Paul, Metro Transit, the state Department of Transportation and other partners. Speakers included people from the Riverview Corridors citizen advisory committee, Sustain St. Paul and Highland District Councils transportation committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its Transit and Transportation Investment Plan, the county identified five project categories focused on roadways, transportation network improvement projects, corridor improvements, Union Depot and railroad safety and access and other areas. Potential projects, categories and prioritization methods were identified during internal staff workshops held earlier this year. Community members can submit comments on the plan until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Related Articles The school buses rolled into the parking lot of the E. Stuart James Grant Center at Averett University on Friday afternoon. Known as the last ride, the buses were filled with George Washington High School graduates. Exiting the iconic vehicles of school life, the students dressed in their caps and gowns went into the facility to prepare to flip from one chapter of their lives to another. It was likely the last time such a tradition happened since Danville Public Schools plans to move graduations back on-site next year following massive renovations thatll allow more space for such events. Friday marked the end of a month of graduations in the Dan River Region with two city schools celebrating seniors. In all, more than 300 graduates received their diplomas from the two ceremonies. You not only left a mark on the school, but you left a mark on me, George Washington High School Principal Johnny Cressell said. This was the first year for him as a principal, something he called one of the greatest jobs of his career. He praised the students for enduring challenges, like a seven-period day and navigating constant changes surrounding renovations of the high school. Through it all, the students grew, he told them. Just remember that every chapter in your life, whether you thrive through it or you survive it, shapes you, Cressell said. Danville School Board Chair TyQuan Graves told the capacity crowd that Friday wasnt just a celebration of a milestone. Instead, it was marking a movement. A movement of youth who refused to back down, who showed up, stood tall and kept walking forward, Graves said to the 237 graduates. And now you stand on the edge of your next journey. The school board chair, who called teachers the heartbeat of schools, also thanked the parents and guardians of the seniors. Because for every student who makes it, there is a village who lives it, he said. Citing the competitive spirit of GW, Cressell announced there were co-valedictorians for the class of 2025. Skylar Payne, one of the valedictorians, told her fellow classmates that Friday was a celebration of hard work and growth. Standing here now, I dont think Ive ever been more excited to see Mr. Cressell as I was today when I realized hed be handing my diploma, so I could get out of here, she said, drawing a laugh from the graduates and crowd. Payne said that often people wait for the next big thing in life, instead of living in the moment. Graduation was one of those milestones, where students couldnt wait to get to the finish line. I cant help but think of how fast it went by, she said. At this moment, we are standing at the edge of what was and whats to come. She said one of the keys in life was to learn that joy lives in the present moment. Charles Hungerland, the other valedictorian, told the crowd that the graduates of GW would become the leaders of society. We have proven we can do great things, Hungerland said. We are ready to lead, ready to work and ready to make this world a better place. Saying the class had so many great students, he posed that the cheerleaders should become leaders, the music students will be artists and the leaders will morph into teachers. We want this world to be a better place and every student in this room can make it better, he said. Now elect us, hire us and trust us. Danville Public Schools Superintendent Angela Hairston called the class of 2025 a unique group, especially having to endure the obstacles associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Today marks not just one chapter but the beginning of many new and exciting ones, she said. Cressell told the graduates that they should strive for excellence, explaining that it didnt mean they had to be perfect. Instead, they just needed to show up each day and have drive to do their best. Be bold, be courageous and rise above, he said. Make your life a reflection of your passion, your integrity and your vision. Galileo Earlier Friday, Galileo Magnet High School celebrated 65 graduates in an intimate ceremony. Johnathan McCain, who graduated from Gaileo in 2015, was the keynote speaker. Channeling a similar message he shared some 10 years earlier, he told students that they cant be stopped. To the class of 2025, this is your moment, he said. This is your time to feel on top of the world. McCain is a college counselor at Henderson Collegiate High School in Henderson, North Carolina, which boasts 100% of its senior class being accepted into a four-year university over the last three years. He said he wished someone had given him advice that he now knows when he was exiting high school and heading on new journeys. He told the graduates to follow the yearning deep in their hearts and not to let go. Sometimes you might find it easy to get overwhelmed, he said as he walked the halls of his college stops. He also realized he set goals that might have been too lofty, admitting that he wanted to do it all. As I began to slow down my advice to you is to take it slow I realize I am human, he said. My energy can only be directed toward one place. I do want to plug going to therapy, because mental health matters, though, he said openly. Remember that you cant be stopped, he said. Embrace your goals and work toward them, he continued. You are capable and you are worthy. Galileo Principal Michelle Ramsey said the class of 2025 holds a special spot in her heart. Graduates, today is about you, she said. It is a day to celebrate your accomplishments, your growth, the incredible journey youve taken for your educational career. She also called it a moment filled with pride, joy and anticipation for what lies ahead. She said shell be there cheering the student on along the way for wherever life takes them. In a somewhat unusual step, valedictorian Jerusha and salutatorian Sophia Markowitz gave a joint address entitled Where is the Other Half. However, it seemed only fitting that the pair shared the spotlight since they are best friends, which their speech highlighted. The two met in August of 2021 and their bond grew through that freshman year. By the 10th grade, they became even closer. For the junior year, both were in the International Baccalaureate program, which means they were nearly inseparable. This decision, one Im particularly glad she made, cemented our friendship, Markowitz said. For two years, our days would look the same. Both shared experiences from individual classes and teachers, they said, shaped their high school career. Graduates, in a time like this, when everything in the world is changing, I recommend you find your other half, to make your world, at least for the moment, seem a little better, Markowitz said. Find your people, Theodore simply told the class, after thanking her family for their support over her journey. Graves, also addressing the Galileo group, said Friday was a celebration of perseverance, passion and purpose. Galileo Magnet High School isnt just a school, he said. Its a launching pad. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) William Henry Riese, age 34, of Rapid City was sentenced in federal court Friday to 262 months in federal prison, plus 5 years of supervision. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Riese had been convicted by a jury in February of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography, and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor. 1 dead in Monday I-90 crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in custody. Riese was arrested in August of 2022 following an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Riese negotiated a time and place he would meet with what he believed to be a minor but was actually an undercover agent to engage in unlawful sex acts. When he arrived at the location, he was arrested by agents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Scientists were searching for a central Ohio resident with a mysterious strain of COVID-19. Before they could find them, it vanished. Molecular virologist Marc Johnson, a professor at the University of Missouris medical school, examines wastewater samples to track COVID-19 strains and prevalence. In his work, he noticed different strains of COVID, including mysterious variants he dubbed cryptics. One of these cryptics was traced to central Ohio. Johnson said he believed just one resident, who regularly traveled between Columbus and Washington Court House, carried the cryptic strain for at least two years. In June 2023, Johnson spoke with NBC4 and implored the rare COVID carrier to come forward and help scientists understand the strain. That same month, the strain vanished and has not returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers push for stricter rules on obscene drag queens Last December, Johnson included the Ohio sample in his research summary about cryptic strains, which may soon be published. According to the study, Johnson and his colleagues traced 18 rare cryptic strains using wastewater treatment data. Ohio publishes its wastewater treatment statistics and tracks flu, RSV and COVID levels in the sewage. Johnson and his colleagues found the central Ohio strain mutated over a nine-month period and indicated incredibly high levels of COVID, increasing as the infection presumably grew. Johnson said the highest levels of COVID in Washington Court Houses wastewater all year came from this strain. The research determined the rare strain likely manifested in the gastrointestinal track. Johnson estimated on social media in June 2023 that around 3.5 square feet of the persons intestines were infected. Johnson said via social media that it was highly unlikely the person and their doctor knew about the infection, but it was likely causing long-term damage. At the time, he was unaware of any other infections that would shed that much of the virus without killing its host. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Johnson and his colleagues do not know is who the central Ohio patient is, what symptoms they had, or what ultimately happened to them. I doubt it ended well for the person, but we will probably never know, Johnson said. Locals paint rainbow fence at German Village bar that had Pride flags stolen Johnson does know some things about the Ohioan and the strain, which he did not believe to be contagious. Johnson said the strain was most commonly found in the southern Columbus wastewater. Columbus operates two wastewater treatment plants that serve Columbus and 25 suburbs between them. According to state data, the southern Columbus plant serves south and east Columbus, and the more northern plant covers Downtown and northwest Columbus. Courtesy photo / Columbus Water & Power Johnson said the strain appeared a few times in the northern Columbus area around the holidays. The person with the rare COVID strain most likely lived in the Columbus area and commuted to Washington Court House for work or some other reason that required frequent trips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wastewater infection disease trends are updated Mondays and Thursdays, and the study shows the final trace of the rare COVID strain appeared in a June 4, 2023, sample. NBC4 compared obituaries from the first half of June 2023 to see if anyone could be a fit for the mysterious COVID strain. Fewer than 10 people could not be ruled out based on address or occupation. However, no one person stood out as a clear fit. Without making contact with the person, Johnson said everything is speculative and derived from publicly available information. His research offers insight into long-term COVID infections and how they can manifest, but without connecting with patients, there is only so much that can be uncovered. If you or a loved one could fit this description, reach out to a cryptic lineage lab to help others and access medical treatment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 US trade war with China has a major sticking point: rare earths minerals. Last month, President Donald Trump said the United States needed Greenland very badly, renewing his threat to annex the Danish territory. Greenland is a resource-rich island with a plentiful supply of critical minerals, a category that also includes rare earths elements, under its ice sheet. Trump also signed a rare earth deal with Ukraine. The tussle over rare earths precedes the current administration. China for years has built up near-total control of the materials as part of its wider industrial policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what you need to know about rare earths. What are rare earths, and are they actually rare? Rare earths are 17 metallic elements in the periodic table made up of scandium, yttrium and the lanthanides. The name rare earths is a bit of a misnomer, as the materials are found throughout the Earths crust. They are more abundant than gold, but they are difficult and costly to extract and process, and also environmentally damaging. What are rare earths used for? Rare earths are ubiquitous in the technologies we rely on every day, from smartphones to wind turbines to LED lights and flat-screen TVs. Theyre also crucial for batteries in electric vehicles as well as MRI scanners and cancer treatments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rare earths are also essential for the US military. Theyre used in F-35 fighter jets, submarines, lasers, satellites, Tomahawk missiles and more, according to a 2025 research note from CSIS. Where do rare earths come from? The International Energy Agency said 61% of mined rare earth production comes from China, and the country controls 92% of the global output in the processing stage. Theres two types of rare earths, categorized by their atomic weights: heavy and light. Heavy rare earths are more scarce, and the United States doesnt have the capabilities for the tough task of separating rare earths after extraction. Until the start of the year, whatever heavy rare earths we did mine in California, we still sent to China for separation, Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Trump administrations announcement of sky-high tariffs on China in April derailed this process. China has shown a willingness to weaponize Americas reliance on China for rare earths separation, she said. The US has one operational rare earth mine in California, according to Baskaran. Why do rare earths matter in the trade war? On Friday, Trump said on Truth Social that China violated a trade truce put in place last month. Beijing has kept its export controls on seven rare earth minerals and associated products, which were seen as a response to Trumps reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods announced in April. After agreeing on the truce in Geneva, US officials had expected China to ease export restrictions on those minerals. The export controls could have a major impact, since the US is heavily reliant on China for rare earths. Between 2020 and 2023, 70% of US imports of rare earth compounds and metals came from the country, according to a US Geological Survey report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the administration is actively monitoring Chinas compliance with the Geneva trade agreement and that US officials continue to be engaged in correspondence with their Chinese counterparts. Beyond China, rare earths are also featured in US foreign policy objectives with Ukraine, Greenland and Saudi Arabia. Ukraine is a very, very nascent mining industry, and even though it was a part of the conversation, we dont actually have a mapping of whats economically viable, Baskaran said. CNNs Nectar Gan and John Liu contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russian ex-President Dmitry Medvedev's statement that Russia seeks only a "swift victory" and the "complete destruction" of the Ukrainian government at the Istanbul peace talks is a "rare moment of honesty," U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on June 3. "I appreciate you making it clear to the world that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Russia are not remotely interested in peace," said Graham, a Republican lawmaker backing a bill on major new sanctions against Russia. Graham made the statement in reaction to Medvedev's Telegram post, in which the deputy chairman of the Russian security council admitted that "the Istanbul negotiations are not intended for reaching a compromise peace based on someone's unrealistic conditions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia and Ukraine held the second round of peace negotiations on June 2, during which Russia yet again rejected a long-term ceasefire and instead presented a memorandum with a list of harsh demands on Kyiv. These reportedly included official recognition of Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territories, Ukraine's full withdrawal from four partially occupied regions, a ban on joining NATO, limits on the military, and more conditions. Moscow's real goal in the talks is a "swift victory and the complete destruction" of the Ukrainian government, Medvedev said. He referred to Ukrainian authorities as a "neo-Nazi regime," referring to Russia's false narratives about the Nazi-led government in Kyiv that were used as a pretext for Russian aggression. "This is the meaning of the Russian memorandum published yesterday (June 2)." Medvedev has gained notoriety during the full-scale war for his theatrical and incendiary remarks aimed at Ukraine and its Western partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has repeatedly accused Moscow of intentionally stalling the negotiations to allow its forces to take more territory in the meantime. "Our army is actively advancing and will continue to advance. Everything that should explode will explode, and everybody who should be exterminated will disappear," Medvedev said. 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 return 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the first round of talks on May 16, this week's negotiations ended without any tangible progress toward a long-term ceasefire or a peace deal. Instead, the two parties agreed on a new prisoner exchange, which could involve up to 1,200 prisoners on each side. Moscow also proposed a brief ceasefire lasting up to three days to collect the bodies of fallen soldiers. President Volodymyr Zelensky called upon U.S. President Donald Trump to adopt tougher sanctions against Russia if the Istanbul talks fail to achieve progress. A bipartisan bill proposed by Graham, which he said will "start moving" forward this week, would impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products. Read also: BREAKING: Russias Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraines SBU claims responsibility Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. At least two A-50 Russian surveillance aircraft were damaged in Ukraine's June 1 drone strike inside Russia, the Telegraph reported on June 3, citing footage viewed by the publication. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) executed Operation Spiderweb on June 1, targeting four key air bases and destroying around 40 heavy bombers by smuggling trucks of first-person-view (FPV) drones deep inside Russia. Footage shared with the Telegraph reportedly shows Ukrainian drones hitting two A-50s, rare Russian spy planes that Moscow relies on for several critical functions in its full-scale war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones struck the radar domes of two A-50 aircraft, according to the Telegraph. One plane appeared to be protected by sandbags along its wings, while the other had tires arranged across its airframe. Open source satellite images from May 2 appear show two A-50s stationed at the Ivanovo air base in Russia's Ivanovo Oblast, one of the airfields targeted in Operation Spiderweb. The footage shared with the Telegraph makes it clear that these are the same A-50s damaged in the June 1 attack. Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)) The video also reportedly shows several Tupolev bombers in flames after sustaining direct hits from Ukrainian drones. An SBU source told the Kyiv Independent on June 1 that A-50s were among the aircraft hit in the attack, but the claim could not be verified at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's A-50s detect air defense systems, guide missiles, and coordinate targets for Russian fighter jets. The aircraft carry an estimated price tag of around $350 million. They are also extremely rare: Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), said in February 2024 that Moscow only had six A-50s in its arsenal. Ukraine previously shot down two A-50s in January and February 2024. Kyiv's audacious drone strike deep within Russia took 18 months of planning and dealt a major blow to Russia's fleet of bombers only days after Moscow launched a series of record-breaking mass aerial attacks against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBU reported that the operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian airbases. Read also: Inside Russia, calls for peace come with conditions and Kremlin talking points Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) What was scheduled to be a peaceful event turned deadly. Colorado Rep. Ron Weinberg states, My thoughts are mainly with the family and the victims at this point. WesternSlopeNow spoke with Weinberg, saying as a proud American of Jewish heritage, he is at a loss for words. Im completely dumbfounded how somebody with its been in the country, overextended, a visa, so on and so forth, can even have the mental state to throw alcohol on people and light them on fire, Weinberg explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman committed an anti-semitic terror attack at Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, leaving 12 pro-Israel marchers injured. A spectator in the area states, As a woman who was on the ground, bleeding out like. And then there are two other women whose calves were burned from the fire. So, I just ran over to stay with them. Weinberg states, President Trump just coming out and saying hes going to prosecute federal charges. But an absolute tragic, tragic event. Soliman is charged with a federal hate crime in addition to facing state charges for attempted murder in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president responded to Sundays attack in a tweet by blaming the Biden Administration, stating, in part, He came in through Bidens ridiculous open border policy, which has hurt our country so badly Politicians from Colorado to the White House are all responding to the attack. Sen. Michael Bennet states, Yesterday, 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. Karoline Levitt, the White House press secretary, states, It is unacceptable to this president and this White House and rest assured to all Jewish Americans across our great country. 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. Every federal, state or local elected or appointed official swears an oath to the constitutions of the United States, their state and their local government. Given the abuse federal and state politicos are currently shoveling onto constitutions, its a wonder the constitutions dont swear back at them. Which leads to the most boring but ultimately critical question you will face in Michigans 2026 election: How will you vote on the ballot proposal to call a new state Constitutional Convention? Boring? Yes. Important? Also yes. There will no shortage of headlines about the 2026 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the first time there has been both an open gubernatorial and U.S. Senate seat in the same election. Whatever major disasters or stunning (and surprising) miracles President Donald Trump concocts will guide how voters decide the makeups of the U.S. Congress and our Legislature. There will be specific ballot issues. All these candidates and issues will be hyped with massive buckets-o-bucks, ads, flyers, calls, door knocking, social media harangues leaving us overwhelmed. But in this upcoming election, one ballot issue is already designated as Proposal 1 so ordered under Article XII, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution and whether Michiganders vote "yes" or "no" could completely change our governmental and legal structure, affecting every aspect of life in this state: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How your business runs, your kids are educated, how prisoners are punished, our natural resources managed, what taxes we pay and what the taxes pay for, who will govern us; everything we know now about Michigan rules and regulation could be turned inside out, depending on how we vote on holding a Constitutional Convention. The Michigan Constitution (last revised in 1963) requires voters be asked every 16 years if a new Con-Con (short for Constitutional Convention, natch) should be called. In 1978, 1994 and 2010, voters overwhelmingly said no. Next year, voters will be asked this question again. So, start thinking about it. Time also to acquaint yourself with Michigans Constitution, if you know nothing about it. Pay attention to this very boring subject, which, like most boring subjects, is really damn important. At Michigan's Constitutional Convention, held from 1961-62, Chairman Steven Nisbet gavels the convention to order. Jimmy Tafoya, Detroit Free Press More Trump's crypto, the Qatar jet will supporters finally admit something's wrong? A Trump interlude Constitutions are our supreme laws, guiding everything that governs and affects our lives. In some respects, the U.S. Constitution, Michigans Constitution and your local city charter dictate how you act daily more than whatever scripture you follow (or ignore). Officials from the president to members of local municipal commissions (ask my wife, Cindy, who spent years on Huntington Woods beautification commission) swear to follow and defend those supreme laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or they are supposed to. We have expected, experienced and enjoyed such compliance with the rules for most of this nations nearly 250 years. What is happening now? Trump swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution (didnt have his hand on the Bible, but still ) yet he questions if he has to uphold the Constitution. How can you preserve, protect and defend the Constitution if you do not uphold it? His administration has ignored, thus violating, judicial rulings. He has tried to alter whole sections of the Constitution through Executive Orders, which is not permitted. He has accepted foreign gifts in violation of the Constitution. In open defiance of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, the administration is shredding the rule of law. Now there is talk the administration may suspend habeas corpus, an essential right guaranteed in the Magna Carta. (Thats a governing document agreed to in 1215 by King John of England, under pressure from rebel barons.) Suspending habeas corpus is allowable only under extreme circumstances defined by the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those circumstances do not exist. When asked to define habeas corpus, Homeland Security Security Kristi Noem gave the baffling response that it guaranteed Trumps right to remove people from the country. Nope, not even close. Back in 1960, hopes for a new Michigan constitution were rising as high as this stack of petitions calling for a referendum on a constitutional convention. Margaret Bailey, a Citizen for Michigan worker, said 231,218 more were needed. More Democrats better hope Michigan Gov. Whitmer changes her mind about presidential run Buckle up: A brief review of state constitutions In Michigan, our constitutional worries are less extreme, but still concerning. State House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland, has refused to submit bills passed in the previous session to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, though Michigans Constitution specifically says that must be done (the argument wasnt helped by a goofy Court of Claims ruling that the bills should be presented, but the court didnt want to interfere in the spat.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hall has also recently suggested passing a budget isnt required by the state constitution (granted, the constitution doesnt set requirements on enacting a budget, but refers to a budget. A little thing called state law requires when a budget be passed). And earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal brought by 11 Republican legislators challenging the citizens right to amend the state constitution on certain election issues. Lower federal courts already told the legislators to stuff it, though in nicer legal terms. Approaching the 2026 Con-Con vote, we face a populace and political establishment arguably more badly divided than in any period since maybe the Civil War. Many are driven by fear, anger and even hatred towards their fellow citizens, and unsympathetic to our constitutional principles. Michigan is under its fourth constitution (tidbit: Michigans Archives will soon transport the first 1835 Constitution drafted two years before we became a state to Boston specialists for a bit of fixup before it enters a new display in Lansing). After the 1835 Constitution which specified only white men could vote we had constitutions written in 1850 and 1908. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our current constitution was drafted at the 1961-62 Con-Con, which launched a number of major political careers. Primary among them: George Romney, one of Michigans greater governors, and longtime Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. Including Michigan, 11 states are on their fourth constitution. Another 20 states use their original constitutions, with Massachusetts Constitution adopted in 1780. Louisiana is on its 11th constitution, and Georgias 10th constitution is the most recent, adopted in 1983. Because state constitutions deal with more minutia involving state and local operations, they are longer than the 4,500 or so words in the U.S. Constitution. Michigans comes in around 31,200 words; a breezy read compared to Alabamas 7th constitution, at nearly 403,000 words. State constitutions are also amended more frequently. In 237 years, the U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times. Michigans voters have amended our constitution 39 times, with 85 proposed amendments since it took effect in 1963. Michigan's first state Constitution, adopted in 1835, allowed candidates to be nominated by more than one party. State law was changed to prevent that in 1893. What our constitution does The state constitution, and its amendments, state essential Michigan principles. The constitution bans capital punishment, and establishes our court system, principles of education and which schools get state funding through our tax dollars and guarantees our state colleges and universities are free from political and legislative interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It prohibits a graduated income tax. It guarantees through a recently adopted amendment reproductive rights for women. It also sets rules on overall state finance, on how old you must be to go boozing, it determines that we elect 148 total legislators and not hundreds more, and that we have a Senate and House and not a unicameral legislature. The current constitution was written to simplify and modernize Michigan government to face more current realities. The state endured serious recessions in the 1950s, and simply ran out of money. Neither the 1908 Constitution nor lawmakers were able to resolve the problems. Lots more officials were elected including the state treasurer and highway commissioner and every official served for two-year terms, exhausting voters. That 1960s Con-Con reflected new social and economic realities. It was the first to include women and Black delegates. Labor with business and agricultural interests played a major role. A call for change, or 'yeah, whatever'? And in those post World War II years, the state and nation had a more positive outlook. There were tensions, of course, with the Cold War, changing roles of women, the Civil Rights movement; but most Americans were optimistic to the future. The chief issue dividing support for the 1963 constitution was that it did not did not recognize the principle of one man-one vote (that issue was resolved eventually by the U.S. Supreme Court). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last three times they were asked, voters declined to call a new Con-Con. But, in each election opposition has declined. In 1978 nearly 77% said no; by 2010, it was nearly 67%. Still a landslide, but what drives the increased support for a new Con-Con? An actual call for change either for more progressive government or more conservative or just a yeah, whatever mood too many people seem to currently embrace? Or, given our current discontent with one another, do some voters see a new constitution as a way of imposing greater control over those they dislike? The question cannot be ignored. You, the voters, will answer these questions soon enough. Make sure you know why you are answering them the way you do. Free Press contributing columnist John Lindstrom has covered Michigan politics for 50 years. He retired as publisher of Gongwer, a Lansing news service, in 2019. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Will Michigan say yes to Constitutional Convention in 2026? | Opinion June 3 (UPI) -- "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills " husband and former attorney Tom Girardi will spend real time in a federal prison for stealing $15 million from his former clients. U.S. District Court for Central California Judge Josephine Staton on Tuesday sentenced Girardi, 86, to seven years and three months in federal prison. Staton also ordered Girardi to pay $2.3 million in restitution and fines and on Monday ruled his dementia won't keep him out of prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Girardi is the estranged husband of the reality show's Erika Jayne, and a federal jury in August convicted him on four counts of wire fraud for embezzling millions from his clients over 10 years. His victims include relatives of some of the victims of the 2018 Lion Air crash in the Java Sea that killed 189 people. Girardi embezzled $3 million from several surviving family members of the tragedy's victims. Instead of ordering Girardi to stay in a long-term care facility due to his dementia, Staton ordered him to report to prison to start serving his sentence on July 17. Staton presided over a three-hour hearing on Monday, during which two medical experts brought by the prosecution testified about Girardi's medical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two witnesses also testified on Girardi's behalf, and he took the stand to testify in his defense. Girardi's testimony indicated confusion and a lack of awareness regarding his current situation. He told the court he recently traveled the country and has an active case in Oklahoma. Girardi, though, was a resident in an assisted living home in California and kept in its secure memory care area for the past two years. He also underwent psychological evaluation for six weeks in North Carolina at the start of the year. During Monday's hearing, Girardi at times said he has "serious memory loss" when asked about his current situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staton ruled that his responses demonstrated Girardi's self-awareness. As Girardi exited the witness stand, his trousers began to drop, but he quickly righted them, which Staton said further demonstrated his mental awareness. His attorneys asked Staton to require him to stay at his current assisted living facility, but she sentenced him to serve his time at an appropriate federal prison facility. Girardi formerly was among attorneys representing victims during the 1993 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. lawsuit that inspired the "Erin Brockovich" film starring Julia Roberts that was released in 2000. NEED TO KNOW Tom Girardi, husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Girardi, was sentenced to seven years in prison Girardi was convicted of four counts of wire fraud As a lawyer, Girardi once took on Pacific Gas and Electric in a case that inspired the film Erin Brockovich Tom Girardi, the disbarred personal injury lawyer and husband to a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, was sentenced to seven years in prison after he was convicted of stealing money from his clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Girardi, 86, was sentenced by a federal judge in the Central District District of California on Tuesday, June 3, according to the Department of Justice. In August 2024, Girardi who has been separated from his wife, Erika Girardi, since 2020 was convicted of four counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors previously said Girardi embezzled clients out of $15 million over a span of 10 years, from 2010 to 2020. Related: Disbarred Attorney Tom Girardi Found Guilty of Wire Fraud After Embezzling Millions from Clients This self-proclaimed champion of justice was nothing more than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of millions of dollars, United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. My office will vigorously prosecute corrupt lawyers and those who assist them in criminal activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erika Girardi, known by the name Erika Jayne, and her husband have been engaged in divorce proceedings for the past five years. She did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment following her husband's sentencing. Sipa USA via AP Erika Girardi and Thomas Girardi Erika Girardi and Thomas Girardi 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. PEOPLE previously reported that in 2022, Girardi moved into a "restricted memory care unit," having been diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer's the year before. Prior to his legal issues, Girardi famously took on Pacific Gas and Electric in a 1993 class-action lawsuit, a case that inspired the film Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts. Girardi was disbarred in California in 2022. Read the original article on People Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a lawsuit against Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, after he was arrested last month for protesting at a new immigration detention center. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, accuses Habba of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation and says that the attorney acted as a political operative, outside of any function intimately related to the judicial process. Habba previously worked as President Donald Trumps personal attorney, including as part of his team in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case. Barakas suit argues that Habba has made her biased political goals explicit, including criticizing Democratic officeholders and saying she hopes to turn the state red, goals which the lawsuit says are antithetical to her role and ethical obligations as a U.S. attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the lawsuit alleges that the U.S. attorney, acting in her personal capacity, made defamatory statements that falsely accused Mayor Baraka of criminal conduct and misconduct, despite Habbas actual knowledge and reckless disregard of facts demonstrating his innocence. At the time of his arrest, the Newark mayor was accused of trespassing and disregarding warnings that he would be arrested if he did not leave. He insisted he did nothing wrong and charges against him were dropped. Baraka is currently running in the Democratic primary to replace term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy. In-person early voting begins today, with the primary election taking place next Tuesday. Eastbound drivers on Jefferson Highway near the Atalco refinery are welcomed to St. James Parish with an anti-littering sign barely legible beneath a layer of chemical residue emitted by Atalco. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) This article is the second in a series on the environmental costs of Americas last remaining alumina refinery. Read Part 1 GRAMERCY Theres a small area along the Mississippi Rivers east bank where the land, buildings and roadways are rust-colored and where the air is frequently filled with the same mineral that covers the surface of Mars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That spot, about 45 miles west-northwest of New Orleans, is near the entrance of the Atlantic Alumina plant, also known as Atalco, the only bauxite refinery in the United States. Bauxite is a rock composed of aluminum oxides and other heavy metals such as iron oxide the same compound that gives Mars its famous rusty hue. Periodically, the rust-colored bauxite dust travels across the river and blankets the small, historically-Black community of Wallace or travels west to Gramercy or east to Garyville. In other instances, Atalco has discharged large plumes of white-colored dust from the refined alumina as far as 4 miles from the facility. The plant occupies roughly 3 square miles of land that straddles the border of St. James Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish. For Shamell Lavigne, the red remnants from Atalco are one of the many industry-caused hazards of living in St. James Parish. She is an organizer with Rise St. James, another local activist group that focuses on environmental justice. Any given day you can pass by over there and, if the wind is blowing a certain way, its blowing that red dust, Lavigne said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, Lavigne said, rumors have circled in the community that the dust particles from Atalco might contain mercury or arsenic. Both toxic metals have been found in the chemical slurry that spilled from recent levee breaks around Atalcos manmade red mud lakes. The series of levee breaches dating back to last year are detailed in thousands of documents from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration. (Video courtesy of Jo Banner/The Descendants Project) The toxic waste has repeatedly escaped from containment areas and contaminated a public drainage system that flows to the Blind River Swamp. Lab testing of the soil and water from the impacted public areas found poisonous heavy metal elements some at concentrations far beyond the legal and safe limits, according to government records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked for comment, an LDEQ spokesman only confirmed that an investigation into Atalco was ongoing. For Atalcos part, a company official acknowledged but refused to respond to multiple interview requests from the Illuminator. Gramercy resident Gail LeBoeuf, 72, has lived roughly half a mile from the Atalco facility since 1999 and believes it could be a source of some of her health problems. She was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2022, adding to the prevalence of cases along the Mississippi River corridor that go back decades. It has given rise to the label Cancer Alley to describe the area between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, where the population has one of the highest concentrations of cancer diagnoses in the nation, according to data from the EPAs air toxin mapping tool. Studies have linked the cancer to the areas high levels of pollution, especially in predominantly Black fenceline communities next to industrial facilities. Nearly 70% of Gramercy residents are Black, according to U.S. Census figures. This includes LeBoeuf, who also has bronchitis that she believes could be the result of Atalcos particulate matter discharges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents, some as far as 5 miles from the plant, periodically find their property and vehicles covered in a layer of red bauxite dust or white powder from the making of alumina. Elevated levels of arsenic are present in the waste product of alumina refining. Recent medical studies have found that even low levels of arsenic exposure through drinking water can cause bronchitis and certain other respiratory diseases, according to the National Institutes of Health. Its hard to think its not environmentally related, LeBoeuf said of her illnesses, though she added that her doctors cant say for certain how much the industrial pollution is to blame. A ship from Jamaica arrives at Atalcos river dock on May 27, 2025, and unloads its bauxite ore, sending plumes of red dust into the air. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Pollution by air, land and water Neighbors of the Atalco alumina refinery face exposure to dust and waste throughout the process, according to a review of regulatory documents. Plus, the facility has repeatedly poured toxic waste into the Mississippi River and skirted the blame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From its dock on the river, the Atalco facility receives constant shipments of crushed bauxite ore from its mining operation in Jamaica, where it is extracted near communities that just like in Louisiana are routinely caked in a layer of red dust. When the ships arrive at Atalco, the dock has a system that unloads the bauxite powder from the ship and into a hopper connected to a conveyor belt that carries it into the refinery. Unloading the bauxite from the ship into the hopper is one of the more environmentally risky points in the process because it is prone to spills and wind exposure that carries the red dust into the atmosphere. The company recently installed a fogging system on the conveyor in an effort to minimize the wind-blown dust, though records show it has broken down at times. The fogger also does nothing to minimize airborne dust from the dried chemical residues in Atalcos red mud lakes. Atalcos conveyor system moves imported bauxite ore from its Mississippi River dock into the refinery. Like all other structures in the area near the plant, it is covered in a layer of rust-colored bauxite residue. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Although Atalco was formally notified of the levee breaches surrounding its lakes in August, there were many earlier signs of trouble at the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LDEQs file on the company contains multiple reports about the facilitys pollution leaving chemical residues on homes, vehicles, plants and waterways. Atalco has an interior system of containment ditches designed to catch chemical spills, stormwater runoff and the wastewater used to process the bauxite. The system is separate from the public drainage ditches that run along the highways outside of the facility. One of Atalcos ditch systems has an outfall pipe that drains into the Mississippi River, so LDEQ requires the company to treat its process wastewater which is water used for industrial processes to keep it relatively free from hazardous contaminants and monitor it with basic water quality testing such as potential for hydrogen or pH levels. Clean water has a neutral pH of around 7.0 on a 14-point scale. Values below 7 are considered acidic, while values above it are considered alkaline. Any extremes at either end of the scale, below 4 and above 10, often indicate the presence of dissolved chemicals that can be hazardous or even fatal to humans, animals and plant life. Under the provisions of its river outfall permit, Atalco is prohibited from discharging wastewater with a pH over 10.0 for more than 446 minutes, or just over 7 hours per month, an EPA standard. Most fish cannot survive in water with a pH level over 9.5. Atalcos outfall monitor consistently detected amounts far greater in the months leading up to the discovery of the red mud lake levee breaches in August 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the highest readings occurred in February 2024, when the facility discharged waste with a pH of 13.2 for a total of over 19,000 minutes nearly two weeks. That discharge was 43 times greater than what the EPA allows. Records show Atalco exceeded that permit limit almost every month discharging highly caustic chemicals into the Mississippi River going as far back as July 2023. In nearly every occurrence, the company blamed either the weather or some other third party, telling LDEQ the discharges could not have been prevented. For the discharge in February 2024, Atalco blamed it on a power outage and a lack of steady suppliers for the chemicals needed to neutralize high pH discharge, records show. The state has not penalized the company for those incidents. Chart depicting duration of Atalcos high pH discharges into the Mississippi River. (Created by Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Hotline complaint On April 10, 2024, authorities received a more specific warning sign. Someone filed an anonymous complaint with the National Response Center regarding a release of an unknown red and orange material onto the ground and into the roadside ditches surrounding the Atalco plant, according to LDEQ records. Caller states that nothing has been done for clean up and the vegetation is dead in that area, the complaint noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Response Center is a federal communications center that manages a 24-hour hotline for the reporting of chemical spills, train derailments and port security incidents throughout the country. Most complaints reported come from government officials or workers in the industrial and transportation sectors. U.S. Coast Guard Coast personnel who staff the hotline are trained to screen complaints and, if necessary, forward them to the agencies most appropriate to respond. For this complaint, the Coast Guard wrote an incident report and immediately notified LDEQ. The state agency initiated an investigation but did not visit the facility until 10 days later. During that site visit, the state inspector drove along the highways surrounding the Atalco plant but did not see anything suspicious in the ditches. Vegetation near the Atalco facility is covered in either red or white residue such as this patch along the Mississippi River levee. The white residue is Atalcos refined product: aluminum oxide. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) The LDEQ inspector then called Atalco on April 22, 2024 12 days after the complaint to ask about the allegation. Atalcos environmental manager, Charlotte Hooker, told LDEQ that heavy rainfall brought a lot of surface water to the facility. She acknowledged the plant saw a spike in discharges into the Mississippi River but denied that Atalco was polluting the public ditches outside of the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the companys discussion with LDEQ, someone noted that the anonymous caller may have simply witnessed run-off from nearby farmland with red-orange colored soil, according to the inspectors report. LDEQ accepted Atalcos explanation and closed the investigation, according to state records. If the investigation had continued, Lavigne said LDEQ might have discovered the levee breaches sooner but doubts if it would have made much of a difference. She said the agency doesnt do much to compel companies to prevent accidents or clean them up when they happen. She and other residents said authorities are reluctant to enforce regulations because of Atalcos status as the only remaining alumina plant in the country. I do think that theyre protected in that sense, Lavigne said. Atalco became the only remaining domestic source of alumina in the United States after the only other bauxite refinery, LAlumina, located in Ascension Parish, closed in 2020. Theyre the only alumina plant in the country, so they ride that horse every time they get in trouble. Craig Calcagano, Gramercy town alderman Previous infractions Following a 2017 compliance inspection, LDEQ cited Atalco for 78 state Environmental Quality Act violations, mostly related to the companys air pollution permit. In 2020, the state negotiated a fine of $75,000 and allowed Atalco to deny any wrongdoing. At the federal level, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has cited Atalco for 370 violations since 2021 mostly for caustic material spills, according to an Advocate report. The company paid over a half-million dollars in fines related to those violations. The residents of St. James and St. John parishes have long been aware of Atalcos incidents and say the threat of fines has done little to curb the companys pollution practices. Kristy Cambre, a long-time resident of one of the Gramercy neighborhoods closest to Atalco, noticed a layer of white dust covering her vehicle the morning of May 23. It didnt just wash off quickly or normally, Cambre said. Some spots kind of bubbled almost like I was rinsing off a soap. The red dustings used to appear more frequently, but Cambre and other residents are now seeing more of the white substance. The white substance is not sand but is a chemical powder covering part of the Mississippi River levee near the Atalco alumina refinery in Gramercy. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) The red dust comes from the raw bauxite ore or the dried residue from the red mud lakes, while the white dust is the refined alumina. Mounds of the refined alumina piled on the ground can be seen from the roadways when driving by the facility, and clouds of both white and red dust can be seen coming from Atalcos shipping dock and its conveyor belts on a daily basis. Occasionally, something goes wrong at the facility that causes much larger air pollution events that can be seen from afar such as the incident Jo Banner captured on video last week. Cambre said she never reports the more frequent dustings to authorities, but some of her neighbors have. LDEQs file on the company is filled with incident reports prompted by citizen complaints, mostly about the chemical dust and about rust-colored water filling the public ditches. In most of those cases, LDEQ records show inspectors would not substantiate the complaints, writing that they have no way of knowing whether the red dust came from Atalco or some nearby farms. Farms surrounding Atalco grow sugarcane, and the Illuminator could not find any with finely powdered rust-colored soil. In most cases, the inspectors reported in their records that they spoke with Atalco executives but never that they spoke with any of the farmers who purportedly have rust-colored soil. Theyre turning a blind eye to it, LeBoeuf said. Wallace resident Jo Banner is well known for her work as a watchdog of industrial pollution and expansion in the River Parishes. She and her twin sister, Joy, run the Descendants Project, a nonprofit that advocates for protecting the land and lives of Black residents whose ancestors were enslaved on the many antebellum plantations that lined the Mississippi River. Our families have suffered from pollution and the dangerous conditions of this plant for generations, Jo Banner said of the Atalco facility. Our homes, our cars, and even our pets are covered in red dust, and thats just what we can see. What we cant see is even more dangerous, especially to our health. A sugar cane farm is located directly across from the Atalco refinery. State officials have said the rust-colored water found in drainage ditches could be the result of runoff from the cane fields, although none of that dirt is red in color. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Craig Calcagano, alderman-at-large for the town of Gramercy, agreed with LeBoeufs assessment. He said he first noticed Atalcos lakes leaking waste in early 2024 and reported it to both the company and LDEQ, but nothing was ever done about them, he said. Theyre the only alumina plant in the country, so they ride that horse every time they get in trouble, Calcagano said. The company has occasionally paid some fines over the years, but nothing has really changed because the pollution continues, Calcagano said. Atalcos chemicals cover his property on an almost daily basis, he said. The public drainage ditches run red when it rains, and the Blind River Swamp across from the facility is dying, according to the alderman. When it starts destroying everything you got, which you work all your life for like everybody around here, what can you do? Calcagano asked. When we complain, we complain on deaf ears because they dont want to hear it. Atalcos pollution also affects people who dont live near the plant such as Teresa Williams, who works at a facility down the road from Atalco and said her car gets splattered with rust-colored residue every time she drives to and from her job. Gary Watson, a Wallace native who still owns property there but now lives in New Orleans, said the pollution is one of the reasons he left. There should be outrage, Watson said after he was told of the levee breaches. Lavigne, the community activist, said she is concerned about the people who work at Atalco who might be exposed to the toxic chemicals. A mound of white chemical powder piles up near the south fence of the Atalco refinery in St. James Parish on May 23, 2025. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) One of the more notable incidents occurred July 5, 1999, when an explosion at the plant injured 29 people and dispersed caustic waste. A federal Mine Safety and Health Administration investigation found that a power outage led to a buildup of pressure in the four giant tanks used to heat the caustic slurry. LDEQ records indicate the facility has seen numerous other incidents in recent years, including seven incidents since May 2022, resulting in chemical and diesel spills, severe burns to workers that required hospitalization and one death when 45-year-old Curtis Diggs fell into a pit of sodium hydroxide because a grate used to cover the area was missing. (Read more below) In previous incidents, Atalco has always claimed its red dust is non-hazardous, which is also a position the EPA still holds. However, recent studies have linked bauxite dust exposure to certain diseases. This additional research has prompted the EPA to issue warnings about bauxites potential to contain toxic metals and trace radioactive elements, though the toxicity is generally more concentrated in the red mud byproduct. One of the dangers with Atalcos red mud lakes, aside from levee breaches, is the potential for the toxic metal to leach into the groundwater, LSU environmental scientist Slawomir Lomnicki said. Another risk is that the red mud in the lakes can dry out and turn into airborne dust that can be carried off by the wind, according to Ganga Hettiarachchi, a professor of soil and environmental chemistry at Kansas State University. Its unclear what, if any, consequences Atalco will face in connection with its many permit violations. So far, LDEQ has issued a warning letter for 23 violations in connection with the levee breaches, providing little solace to some of the residents in St. James Parish. It looks like, you know, theyre gonna be protected, Lavigne said. Theyre definitely one of the plants thats been on our list of really dirty plants. Major incidents at the Atalco refinery in the past three years: May 3, 2022 A large semi-trailer generator caught fire at the facility, spilling about 250 gallons of diesel into a storm drain. June 9, 2022 An Atalco employee was hospitalized with severe chemical burns from a spillage of sodium hydroxide, which the report defined as an extremely hazardous caustic liquid. Nov. 7, 2022 An Atalco employee suffered chemical burns to his neck, chest and arm from a spillage of caustic liquid. Feb. 6, 2023 Two Atalco workers were hospitalized with severe chemical burns and a third suffered minor injuries after a tank of caustic liquid overflowed and spilled onto them. Jan. 7, 2024 Four Atalco workers were hospitalized with severe chemical burns after a valve failed, spraying them with what records described as an extremely hazardous caustic liquid. The company blamed the workers. May 4, 2024 A white crystalline substance blanketed cars, homes, plants and other outdoor surfaces in Gramercy, Lutcher and Paulina. Parish and state authorities figured out it was aluminum oxide coming from Atalco, and the company admitted it was the result of a broken dust valve. Still, Atalco deflected blame, telling LDEQ the failure of the valve could not be anticipated. A later root cause analysis determined the company should have performed more frequent inspections of the equipment. Aug. 4, 2024 A contract worker, 45-year-old Curtis Diggs of Baton Rouge, fell into a sump of sodium hydroxide because part of the grate that covered the pit was missing. He was airlifted to a New Orleans hospital with severe chemical burns and died about a month later. A MSHA investigation faulted the company for aggravated conduct that involved an extraordinary pattern of negligence. Correction: This report was updated to clarify Shamell Lavignes residence in St. James. Victor Garcia in a photo from his Facebook page | Photo courtesy the Garcia family Months after a suicide attempt at Columbia Correctional Institution, an online court database indicates that Victor Garcia, 34, died on April 5. 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. His sister, Susan Garcia, said her brother was removed from a ventilator and died from complications from his attempt to hang himself on July 19 in a Columbia Correctional Institution shower. At the time, Garcia was on clinical observation because he said he was feeling suicidal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia gave the Examiner access to records her family received from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, including incident reports that provide accounts from the day of Garcias suicide attempt. Questions remain about the purpose and origin of the tether Garcia used in the suicide attempt, as well as why an officer waited for a supervisor and did not immediately remove the tether when Garcia was found. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has received notice of an anticipated lawsuit being filed against the department on behalf of Victor Garcia, DOC communications director Beth Hardtke said in an email in response to questions from the Examiner. DOC practice is not to comment on matters relating to pending or ongoing litigation, Hardtke said. Attorney Lonnie Story said he plans to file a lawsuit involving Victor Garcias attempted suicide at the facility. He said he needs to obtain more information before filing a suit. Garcias prison sentence and mental health strugles Victor Garcia in an undated photo from his prison profile page | Photo courtesy the Garcia family In March 2008, when he was 16, Victor Garcia was found guilty of criminal trespassing in a dwelling, battery, disorderly conduct and a domestic abuse incident. He was sentenced to two years of probation. Garcias probation was revoked in July 2008, and in August he was sentenced to nine months in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he was 18, Garcia was found guilty of being party to a crime for burglary and being armed with a dangerous weapon, causing substantial bodily harm and two counts of armed robbery with use of force. He was sentenced to over 20 years in prison. Garcia was placed in clinical observation on July 8. According to records provided by Susan Garcia, Victor Garcia was placed there because he told security staff and psychological services that he was feeling suicidal. An incident report said that Garcia stated he was using psychological services to remove himself from general population status due to fears that he was being targeted as an informant. Susan Garcia said her brother had suicidal thoughts and had been threatened by another incarcerated person. In the two days prior to his suicide attempt, Garcia did not engage with staff during multiple attempts to evaluate him. According to a review on July 16, Garcia said he felt depressed and felt like dying every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report said it appeared other members of the psychological services team had recommended exploring a stabilization referral for Garcia to the Wisconsin Resource Center (WRC). WRC provides treatment for severe impairments in daily living caused by mental health challenges. Susan Garcia believes her brother should have been sent to WRC earlier in his time in prison. According to a mental health report dated July 19, Victor Garcia was to be monitored every 15 minutes. Under the DOCs clinical observation policy, the frequency with which a patient is monitored can vary. Depending on the level of risk, a patient might be observed at 15, 10 or 5-minute intervals, or constantly. According to an incident report by Psych Associate Chastity Drake, Drake thought she heard someone from the clinical observation area yell they were going to hang themselves. She was unsure who it was. Her report was dated July 19, with an incident time of 2:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drake asked who had yelled, and the clinical observation checker told her who it was. The name is redacted in the incident report. Drake stopped at a door to check with that person about whether he was the person who had yelled about hanging himself, and he denied it. In front of the shower, Drake reported she heard a man yelling and it sounded like the voice heard earlier. Due to PIOC going into shower, this writer determined she would touch base with him after the shower. Garcia had access to a tether Victor Garcia | Photo courtesy of the Garcia family At 2:30-3 p.m., Drake followed the observation checker to check in with Garcia, who was seated on the floor with his back against the door, according to her incident report. Drake could see a tether around his neck. She began to bang loudly on the door, yelling Garcia. He did not respond. Both ends of the tether were secured to the shower door near the shower drain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another incident report was completed by correctional officer Anthony Rego, who drove to the hospital where Garcia was treated. He wrote in the report that hed learned Garcia had been in the shower for approximately 40 minutes, and at some point had the tether around his neck. It is unclear if the tether was meant to be attached to the shower door. One incident report said Garcia had used the tether that was attached to the shower door. An incident report by correctional officer Tyler Peterson also mentions a tether. In his report, also dated July 19, Peterson wrote that he was assisting with removing and escorting Victor Garcia from a cell to the observation shower. Once he was in the shower and the door was shut, another correctional officer removed the tether and wrist restraints, he wrote. Family member questions why Garcia was left tethered while unresponsive An incident report by Courtney Schmidt, a licensed psychologist, states she was in RH1 at approximately 2:30 p.m. Schmidts report states that she and Drake were waiting to check in with Garcia to assess him for risk and that at the time, he was naked in the shower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmidt wrote that as they walked back to the clinical observation shower, she saw Garcia hanging from the tether. He was unresponsive and she could see that the tether was wrapped tightly around his neck. Drake began to pound on the shower cell door, and the officer accompanying them called for a supervisor/help over his radio. Drake left to go and wait for help in the front, while Schmidt stayed with Garcia. She wrote that she saw his belly slightly moving. Schmidt asked the officer if he could take the tether off, but he stated I am not taking it off until a supervisor comes. He then called again over his radio, and Schmidt waited until help arrived. In an interview with the Examiner, Susan Garcia questioned the decision to wait for another person to arrive. She thinks the door should have been opened, and staff should not have waited to assist her brother, if you obviously see somethings wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drake wrote that she heard the officer call for help and went to the clinical observation table to wait for help to arrive. She wrote that the response appeared delayed due to other high priority events happening at the same time. This writer went to find help and ran into Dr. Stange and Sgt. Ferstl, Drake wrote. Sgt. Ferstl and moments later Lt. Laturi and support staff rushed to the clinical observation shower. I observed as the PIOC was removed from cell and began to receive medical treatment. In his incident report, supervising officer Steven Laturi wrote that he was working as a shift supervisor. At about 2:40 p.m., he was responding to another emergency in Restrictive Housing Unit 1 (RH1) when he heard a radio call for a supervisor to report to the observation area. Laturi wrote that he was unable to respond immediately because he and a team were responding to someone else, whose name was redacted in the report. This person was in a restraint chair in a program cell, and he had tipped his restraint chair back and removed his legs from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Ferstls incident report, he was assisting Laturi and completing inventory when Drake came out from the RH1 observation area and told staff that Garcia was unresponsive. He reported that at around that time, the observation check officer made a radio call, asking for a supervisor to come to the observation area for an inmate who was harming himself. Ferstl wrote that he arrived in the RH1 observation area and saw Garcia sitting upright at the shower door. He tried to get Garcias attention, but Garcia was unresponsive. Ferstl made a radio call for a supervisor to report to the observation area. Ferstl then unsecured one end of the door tether which removed the tethers tension, he wrote, allowing Garcia to rest in a lying position near the cell door. Ferstl made another radio call, asking the health services unit to report to RH1 immediately. How Garcia described himself Garcia has a profile on penacon.com, a website for finding an incarcerated pen pal. Susan Garcia said her brother set up the profile, which includes photos of artwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia described himself as an avid reader that enjoys educating, empowering & entertaining myself mentally in a place designed to break the mind, body & spirit. He wrote that being incarcerated at 17 forced me to mature fast. When Im out, he wrote, on his bucket list was traveling the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts, experiencing the life of different cultures through food. He would call my kids almost every day, Susan Garcia said. Weekly, definitely weekly. He would send them gifts. He loved kids My brother would give the clothes off his back for you. He was emotional, but hid it. He hid it very well. Further information not yet available According to the DOCs mental health training policy, the departments division of adult institutions (DAI) is supposed to provide annual update training in suicide prevention to all DAI staff who have contact with incarcerated people. DAI facilities are also supposed to conduct drills simulating a suicide attempt by an incarcerated person and staff response. On April 17, the Columbia County Sheriffs Office said it could not release any information pertaining to the investigation at this point. The investigation was being reviewed by the Columbia County District Attorneys Office, and additional investigation may need to occur. On May 23, the sheriffs office said there had been no change in the status of the case. On May 21, the Examiner submitted a public records request to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, asking for any records produced by any DOC investigation of Garcias death. The DOC denied Susan Garcia access to body camera and security camera footage of Victor Garcias suicide attempt, citing security concerns and the public interest in protecting the safety of incarcerated people and staff. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Tim Grant is comforted during a prayer vigil on June 22, 2015 at the Charleston Southern University for the victims of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church mass shooting where nine people were killed, including two of Grant's cousins. Credit - Joe RaedleGetty Images Ten years ago this month, a 21-year-old misfit who imagined himself a white supremacist zealot walked casually through the unlocked door of the oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church in the South. Without hesitation, he was invited into a basement fellowship hall to join 12 African American worshippers at their weekly Bible study. After roughly 45 minutes, once the congregants had closed their eyes in benediction, the young man removed a .45 caliber Glock from his waist pack and began to methodically assassinate nine men and women, ranging in age from 26 to 87. Three were on the ministerial staff, including the pastor, who also was serving his fourth term in the state senate. Each was shot at least five times, with the oldest, church matriarch Susie Jackson, shredded by ten hollow-point bullets. The survivors reported that the shooter made his racist intentions explicit as he fired, and he eagerly confirmed his sickening purpose to investigators after being captured the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a journalist who had chronicled progress and regress in my native South across four decades, I was deeply affected by the murders on June 17, 2015, at Emanuel African Methodist Church in Charleston, S.C.Mother Emanuel, as it is known. It was a blunt force reminder of the persistence of racial violence despite our fitful progress on civil rights. The timing toward the end of Barack Obamas second term seemed a pointed rebuke to any who still saw in his elections the heralding of a post-racial America. Two days later, I was, like so many, simultaneously awed and befuddled by the scene at Dylann Roofs televised bond hearing, when five victims family members rose one after the next to offer some measure of forgiveness to the remorseless killer. I will never talk to her again, I will never be able to hold her again, wailed Nadine Collier, the now motherless daughter of church sexton Ethel Lance. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul. Even to the faithful, it seemed among the purest expressions of Christianity ever witnessed, and it inspired Obama to deliver a stirring eulogy that, while remembered for his warbling of Amazing Grace, also was his most searing and authentic effort at grappling with race. But what did the extension of grace really mean in the context of this tragedy? What did it mean, for that matter, in the context of 400 years of Black suffering, oppression, and injustice? Was it as simple as forgive us our trespasses and forgive them, for they know not what they do? Or were those Scriptural entreaties the foundation for something more self-protective that had evolved from centuries of systemic victimization? While writing a book about Mother Emanuel, I devoted much of the next decade to exploring those questions, convinced that answers might be found through a deeper study of the backstories of the congregation and its denomination. Where better to search for the intersections of history and theology, I figured, than in Charleston, the steepled Holy City, where nearly half of all enslaved Africans disembarked in North America and where the Civil War began? As I came to better understand the subversive role played by the Black church in resisting oppression, it grew clearer that forgiveness was not always for the forgiven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: How Do You Forgive a Murder? Black Charlestonians, as it ends up, have had a lot to forgive. The intensity of their suffering, and of their resistance to it, reverberates through the now 207-year story of Mother Emanuel and its predecessor congregation. When that body formed in 1818 after a bold walkout from white Methodist churches, it prompted an immediate and ruthless response. Congregants were arrested in mass and ministers jailed. Four years later, a purported slave insurrection plot was uncovered before it matured, and city authorities sourced its incubation in part to the church. Thirty-five men were led to the gallows, 17 with ties to the congregation. By order of the authorities, the sanctuary was dismantled board by board, and church leaders were forced into exile. What followed was a vicious legislative crackdown on the already limited rights of both enslaved and free Black Carolinians; then the broken promises of Reconstruction; then the lynchings and beatings and Klan intimidation; then the incessant indignities and denial of rights of the Jim Crow era; then the jailings of peaceful civil rights demonstrators, including Emanuels pastor; then the flying of an offensive Confederate flag over the State Capitol; and then, in 2015, the fatal shooting of an unarmed Black man by a white policeman, followed 74 days later by the murders of nine churchgoers by a young neo-Nazi. The weight of it all, the duration of it all, can take your breath away. And for many, forgiveness might seem an inadequate response, given available options like anger, bitterness, hatred, revenge, retribution. A more natural one, perhaps a more human one, might even be Where was God? But this presupposes that the forgiveness expressed toward Dylann Roof was for Dylann Roof. That, I concluded after interviewing survivors, family members, and theologians, likely misinterprets its intent and misunderstands the distinctive role that grace plays in the African American church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each of the forgiving family members explained that they acted not out of concern for Roofs physical or spiritual welfare, but for their own. No slate had been wiped. Some did not care much whether Roof lived or died. (He remains on federal death row in Indiana, one of three inmates whose sentences were not commuted to life in prison by President Biden at the close of his term.) Survivor Felicia Sanders, who had witnessed the executions of her son and her aunt, wished Gods mercy upon Roof at his bond hearing, but damned him to the pit of hell at his trial. Those who forgave depicted the moment in mystical termsunpremeditated, unexpected, the words just flowed. It was God talking, and they were mere vessels. But each also recognized in their act a timeworn survival mechanism, a tactic that had helped African Americans withstand enslavement, forced migration, captivity, indentured servitude, segregation, discrimination, denial of citizenship, and the constant threat of racial and sexual violence with their souls still, somehow, intact. Distilled over the centuries from pulpits and prayer meetings, it had become almost learned behavior, church elders told me, allowing Black Christians to purge themselves of self-destructive toxins. It served as an unburdening, not an undoing, a means not only of moral practice but of emotional self-preservation. Because the choice to forgive was one dignity that could not be taken away, it also served as a path to empowerment. It might be mistaken for submission, but in Charleston it reflected a resolve to leave the killer to the courts and to God. In that way, forgiveness resurrected agency for victims who had been robbed of it. Hes not a part of my life anymore, Rev. Anthony Thompson said to me of his slain wifes killer. Forgiveness has freed me of that, of him, completely. Im not going to make him a lifetime partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: Searching for Signs of a Change in Charleston Telling this historythe history of white supremacy and of Black suffering and resistancematters now more than ever. It explains our past. It gives needed context to our present. It is a prerequisite to a just and empathetic future, ideals that have somehow fallen from fashion. Yet, we now confront a campaign to banish this history, to deny it and erase it, for crassly transparent political purposes. The telling of the entire story of America, after all, calls into question the greatness that Donald Trump pledges to restore, and agitates a base that remains threatened and excitable by our multicultural reality. Ten years ago, Roofs self-identification with the Confederate battle flag prompted the Republican leadership of South Carolina to remove it from the state Capitol grounds after more than fifty years of affront to a fourth of the population. A wildfire movement to eradicate Confederate symbolism swept the South, and Charlestons mayor and council used the fifth anniversary of the Emanuel tragedy, three weeks after the killing of George Floyd, to remove a statue of slavery defender John C. Calhoun from the citys central square. Today, we move in the opposite direction. Personnel and educational policies that recognize the value of diversity and acknowledge past injustices are under withering assault. Within the first three months of this administration, books about racism had been banned from the U.S. Naval Academy library, and a National Park Service webpage had been scrubbed of references to Harriet Tubman (decisions that were eventually reversed in part after public outcry). Pete Hegseths Pentagon restored the names of Forts Benning and Bragg, asserting that they now honored soldiers who happened to have the same surnames as their former Confederate namesakes. A presidential executive order in March required the removal of "improper, divisive or anti-American ideology" from the Smithsonian Institution and the restoration of monuments and memorials that had been removed to perpetuate a false revision of history. The Orwellian language only reinforced the point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: The Battle for Our Memory Is the Battle for Our Country But debasing our history through censorship and ideological cherry-picking insults the memory of the nine saints who were murdered at Mother Emanuel, desecrating its sacred space all over again. In whitewashing the inglorious chapters of Americas past, we leave a void in these truths that may not prove forgivable. Contact us at letters@time.com. Rep. Jerrold Nadler on Tuesday called on the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to condemn the brief detention of a Nadler aide by federal authorities at his lower Manhattan district office last week amid a protest against President Trumps crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Joined by Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Judiciary Committees ranking Democrat, Nadler demanded Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) stand up for the congressional staffer who was handcuffed Wednesday during protests at the Varick St. building that houses both the Nadler office and an immigration courthouse. We call on you, as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to condemn this aggressive affront to the separation of powers and the safety of members of Congress, our staff, and our constituents, the letter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan didnt immediately respond. The Department of Homeland Security said the Nadler aide, who was never arrested, was briefly detained as part of a wider security check to protect federal employees in the building during the protest. But Democrats say the detention is part of an aggressive policy by the Trump administration to squelch public opposition to its plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated, the lawmakers wrote to Jordan. The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadler, who was the Judiciary chairman until this year, has been irate over the incident since it happened. He accused DHS of lying about it, especially a claim that the female staffer was harboring rioters. Along with congressional action, hes calling for a probe into what he considers an abuse of power to target opponents of the Trump administration, but Democrats believe that is unlikely to happen. They barged in and they then said that she pushed back and they shackled her and took her downstairs, Nadler told CNN on Monday. She was obviously traumatized. New York Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler on Tuesday called on the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to condemn the brief detention of a Nadler aide by federal authorities at his lower Manhattan district office last week amid a protest against President Donald Trumps crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Joined by Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Judiciary Committees ranking Democrat, Nadler demanded Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, stand up for the congressional staffer who was handcuffed Wednesday during protests at the Varick St. building that houses both the Nadler office and an immigration courthouse. We call on you, as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to condemn this aggressive affront to the separation of powers and the safety of members of Congress, our staff, and our constituents, the letter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan didnt immediately respond. The Department of Homeland Security said the Nadler aide, who was never arrested, was briefly detained as part of a wider security check to protect federal employees in the building during the protest. But Democrats say the detention is part of an aggressive policy by the Trump administration to squelch public opposition to its plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated, the lawmakers wrote to Jordan. The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadler, who was the Judiciary chairman until this year, has been irate over the incident since it happened. He accused DHS of lying about it, especially a claim that the female staffer was harboring rioters. Along with congressional action, hes calling for a probe into what he considers an abuse of power to target opponents of the Trump administration, but Democrats believe that is unlikely to happen. They barged in and they then said that she pushed back and they shackled her and took her downstairs, Nadler told CNN on Monday. She was obviously traumatized. WASHINGTON A volunteer firefighter is challenging Marylands most indomitable member for his seat in Congress. Harry Jarin, a resident of Anne Arundel County, announced last week that he will run against longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer to represent Marylands 5th District. I dont know how much more losing the establishment of the Democratic Party was planning on doing before they decide to try something different, Jarin, 35, told The Baltimore Sun. A big part of that, and kind of an underrated part of why were losing, is that we keep putting literally the same people back into office again and again, none more so than Steny Hoyer himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although it isnt unusual for Hoyer to face a primary challenge hes had primary challengers every election since 2016 the state of the Democratic Party makes Jarins challenge more relevant, even if a victory over Hoyer is hard to imagine. The party, for a decade defined by leaders with decades of experience, is facing the fallout over the age of its public leaders after multiple lawmakers died in office and former President Joe Bidens withdrawal and recent cancer diagnosis. Jarin grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and moved to Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he grew up around politics, the campaign is Jarins first run for any political office. And he could hardly have picked a more intimidating opponent. Hoyer, 85, has been in Congress since 1981. He became an integral figure in the partys leadership, serving as House Majority Leader the chambers second-highest-ranking Democrat from 2007 to 2011, and again from 2019 to 2023. Hes seen numerous primary challenges over the last decade, including last year. None have come close to unseating him. Facing three younger challengers in the 2024 primary, Hoyer received more than 72%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also the matter of money. Hoyer is a well-funded incumbent, with over $573,000 on hand, plus an extensive donor network built over many years in office. Adrian Boafo, a state House delegate from Prince Georges County who has worked for Hoyer, told The Sun that age isnt an issue for Hoyer within the district. I get the national concern and sentiment; I just dont think this is the same case as Biden, Boafo said. Hes around, hes active, and people know who he is. I remember when I used to work for the guy, Boafo added. He was sharper than all of us. However, Hoyers challenger identifies vulnerabilities in the partys longest-serving officeholders, continuing a theme that has plagued Democrats since the 2024 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I see is the Democratic Party on a very, very bad trajectory, where Republicans are slowly but surely peeling away more and more voters from groups that Democrats were able to take for granted for a long time, Jarin said. He pointed to November, when President Donald Trump won the popular vote and made gains with Hispanic and Black voters, key constituencies for Democratic candidates. Trump also posted strong numbers with young men. Jarin said the modern state of politics, where news is often consumed via TikTok or other social media, is more fitting for a younger candidate. He admitted, though, that he doesnt currently have a strong social media presence. Im not gonna say that Im some sort of social media whiz here, he said, with the caveat that he believes hes more physically able to knock on the doors of constituents. Despite Hoyers advanced age, Boafo said matching the congressmans pace is easier said than done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im 31 now and as a staffer to him, [I] couldnt keep up with him, Boafo said. I just dont think Harry understands who this guy is and who hes going up against. Age has become an early test for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Three Democratic members of the House have passed away since March. Each has been at least 70 years old. Two had previously been diagnosed with cancer, including Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia. Connolly stepped away from his role as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee in late April after his cancer returned. He died weeks later. Despite Jarins challenge emphasizing Hoyers age and energy, as well as systemic issues within the Democratic Party, he shied away from criticizing the partys handling of the presidential election, as other new generation Democrats have done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Biden is retired. Thats in the past, Jarin said. We cant do it over again. We have to look at the future. This happens on both sides of the aisle, to some extent, Jarin added, referring to lawmakers with health issues. Again, this has nothing to do with Joe Biden. ----------- Ukraine's Broadcasting, Radio Communications and Television Concern awarded a contract, on 29 May, worth UAH 180.86 million (approx. US$4.3 million) to Tias-Bud LLC for repairs to the Kyiv TV tower, following a tender. Source: Nashi Hroshi (Our Money), a Ukrainian journalist project on state tenders, citing Prozorro, a public electronic procurement system where Ukrainian state and municipal customers announce tenders for the opportunity to become a state supplier Details: This year's work will involve the restoration of certain structures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the final resource breakdown, the most expensive items are two Chinese lifts: a Shanghai Mitsubishi TV Tower MONA-MDD410 passenger lift with a load capacity of 1,000 kg for UAH 31.84 million (approx. US$765,000) and a general-purpose Institute 713 MONA HGT-250-250126 freight lift with a 250-kg capacity for UAH 23.05 million (approx. US$554,000). Market prices are unknown. An additional UAH 12.03 million (approx. US$289,000) will be spent on Ukrainian aluminium windows of various sizes. Only the surface area and elevation (0 or 80 metres) are indicated. The price per square metre is identical UAH 52,661 (approx. US$1,200). Various Sika-brand materials, for which market prices in Ukraine could not be found, account for UAH 7.67 million (approx. US$184,000). Another UAH 6.67 million (approx. US$160,000) will go towards Ukrainian aluminium doors and aluminium-framed doors of varying dimensions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company was awarded the contract without competition, as no other firms submitted bids in the open tender. Tias-Bud is based in Lviv and owned by local resident Ihor Tokarivskyi. The company website says it builds turnkey mobile communication base stations and implements IT solutions. It specialises in construction and installation work, technical and maintenance services and emergency and repair work. Since 2017, the company has received state contracts worth a total of UAH 207.32 million (approx. US$4.8 million). Background: On 1 March 2022, Russian forces launched several missiles at the TV tower infrastructure. One struck the control room on the tower itself, and another hit the transformer substation that powers the tower. The attack killed five people and injured five more. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! NEED TO KNOW Eric Spofford, former CEO of Granite Recovery Centers, was arrested over allegations of retaliating against New Hampshire Public Radio journalists Prosecutors say Spofford paid a friend $20,000 to lead a coordinated harassment campaign from March to May 2022 Several men carried out acts of vandalism and intimidation, including smashing windows and spray-painting threats The former CEO of Granite Recovery Centers was arrested Friday over allegations of stalking and orchestrating attacks on the homes of New Hampshire Public Radio journalists who published claims of sexual misconduct against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Spofford, 40, the CEO of the New Hampshire-based network of drug and alcohol treatment centers, was accused of targeting journalists at NHPR in retaliation for an investigation they published where the NPR station allegedly revealed multiple accusations of sexual misconduct during his leadership, according to a statement by the Department of Justice. The NHPR article, which detailed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, abusive leadership and retaliation by Spofford during his time as CEO, garnered significant local and national media attention, according to the statement. Spofford denied the allegations and later sued the media organizations for defamation, but a New Hampshire judge dismissed his lawsuit in 2023. Prosecutors say that from March to May 2022, Spofford devised a scheme in which he paid his close friend, Eric Labarge, $20,000 to harass and terrorize Lauren Chooljian the journalist who wrote the article along with her immediate family and a senior editor at NHPR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labarge then allegedly enlisted the help of Tucker Cockerline, Keenan Saniatan and Michael Waselchuck to carry out the stalking campaign, per the statement from the Department of Justice. The men are accused of having vandalized the homes of Chooljian, her editor, and a house where her parents previously lived, smashing windows with rocks and bricks, The New York Times reported. One of the vandals spray-painted Just the beginning! on an outside wall of her home. 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. All four men were previously charged and have been convicted, per the Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labarge was sentenced to 46 months in prison in November 2024. Cockerline received 27 months in August 2024. Saniatan was sentenced to 30 months in September 2024 and Waselchuck received 21 months in prison that same month. Spofford has been indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit stalking through interstate travel, one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce and two counts of stalking through interstate travel. Read the original article on People Palestinian media have reported there have been casualties in the Gaza Strip following an Israeli airstrike on the courtyard of a bank building in the city of Gaza. At least eight Palestinians were killed and several others were seriously injured, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday, citing medical sources in the Gaza Strip. A tent for displaced people was hit in the attack in the Rimal district. Israel's military did not initially comment on the report when asked. WAFA also reported that there were fatalities in other attacks in the Gaza Strip, including women and children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Israeli army said it was continuing its operations throughout the Gaza Strip. "Over the past day, troops eliminated several terrorists," the military said in a statement. The air force attacked dozens of targets in the coastal area on Monday, including tunnels and military installations. Initially, none of the information could be independently verified. Since the start of the Gaza war over a year and a half ago, more than 54,500 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. The war was triggered by the attack on Israel by Hamas and other Islamist militants on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were abducted to the Gaza Strip. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have made it a priority this year to require people to prove citizenship before they can register to vote. Turning that aspiration into reality has proved difficult. Trumps executive order directing a documentary, proof-of-citizenship requirement for federal elections has been blocked by a judge, while federal legislation to accomplish it doesnt appear to have the votes to pass in the Senate. At the same time, state-level efforts have found little success, even in places where Republicans control the legislature and governor's office. The most recent state effort to falter is in Texas, where a Senate bill failed to gain full legislative approval before lawmakers adjourned on Monday. The Texas bill was one of the nations most sweeping proof-of-citizenship proposals because it would have applied not only to new registrants but also to the states roughly 18.6 million registered voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill authors failed spectacularly to explain how this bill would be implemented and how it would be able to be implemented without inconveniencing a ton of voters, said Anthony Gutierrez, director of the voting rights group Common Cause Texas. Voting by noncitizens is rare Voting by noncitizens is already illegal and punishable as a felony, potentially leading to deportation, but Trump and his allies have pressed for a proof-of-citizenship mandate by arguing it would improve public confidence in elections. Before his win last year, Trump falsely claimed noncitizens might vote in large enough numbers to sway the outcome. Although noncitizen voting does occur, research and reviews of state cases has shown it to be rare and more often a mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voting rights groups say the various proposals seeking to require proof-of-citizenship are overly burdensome and threaten to disenfranchise millions of Americans. Many do not have easy access to their birth certificates, have not gotten a U.S. passport or have a name that no longer matches the one on their birth certificate such as women who changed their last name when they married. Married women who changed names are a particular concern The number of states considering bills related to proof of citizenship for voting tripled from 2023 to this year, said Liz Avore, senior policy adviser with the Voting Rights Lab, an advocacy group that tracks election legislation in the states. That hasnt resulted in many new laws, at least so far. Republicans in Wyoming passed their own proof-of-citizenship legislation, but similar measures have stalled or failed in multiple GOP-led states, including Florida, Missouri, Texas and Utah. A proposal remains active in Ohio, although Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has said he doesnt want to sign any more bills that make it harder to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Texas, the legislation swiftly passed the state Senate after it was introduced in March but never made it to a floor vote in the House. It was unclear why legislation that was such a priority for Senate Republicans every one of them co-authored the bill -- ended up faltering. I just think people realized, as flawed as this playbook has been in other states, Texas didnt need to make this mistake, said Rep. John Bucy, a Democrat who serves as vice chair of the House elections committee. Bucy pointed to specific concerns about married women who changed their last name. This surfaced in local elections earlier this year in New Hampshire, which passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement last year. Similar laws have created confusion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other states that previously sought to add such a requirement have faced lawsuits and complications when trying to implement it. In Arizona, a state audit found that problems with the way data was handled had affected the tracking and verification of residents' citizenship status. It came after officials had identified some 200,000 voters who were thought to have provided proof of their citizenship but had not. A proof-of-citizenship requirement was in effect for three years in Kansas before it was overturned by federal courts. The states own expert estimated that almost all of the roughly 30,000 people who were prevented from registering to vote while it was in effect were U.S. citizens who otherwise had been eligible. In Missouri, legislation seeking to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement cleared a Senate committee but never came to a vote in the Republican-led chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican state Sen. Ben Brown had promoted the legislation as a follow-up to a constitutional amendment stating that only U.S. citizens can vote, which Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved last November. He said there were several factors that led to the bill not advancing this year. Due to the sessions limited schedule, he chose to prioritize another elections bill banning foreign contributions in state ballot measure campaigns. Our legislative session ending mid-May means a lot of things die at the finish line because you simply run out of time, Brown said, noting he also took time to research concerns raised by local election officials and plans to reintroduce the proof-of-citizenship bill next year. Complications prompt states to focus on other issues The Republican-controlled Legislature in Utah also prioritized other election changes, adding voter ID requirements and requiring people to opt in to receive their ballots in the mail. Before Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill into law, Utah was the only Republican-controlled state that allowed all elections to be conducted by mail without a need to opt in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Florida bill that has failed to advance, voter registration applications wouldnt be considered valid until state officials had verified citizenship, either by confirming a previous voting history, checking the applicant's status in state and federal databases, or verifying documents they provided. The bill would have required voters to prove their citizenship even when updating their registration to change their address or party affiliation. Its sponsor, Republican state Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, said it was meant to follow through on Trumps executive order: This bill fully answers the presidents call, she said. ___ Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming; David A. Lieb in Jefferson City, Missouri; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio; and Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan, contributed to this report. DENVER (KDVR) Reactions are still pouring in from across the world in light of the attack on a group marching in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Politicians responded Monday, too, with some calling on policy reform here in Colorado. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are condemning the attacks, but Republicans here at home in Colorado and in Congress are calling in state leaders to reform immigration laws after Homeland Security announced the alleged perpetrator had overstayed his visit. Total injured in Boulder attack increases to 12 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Complete shock and disbelief that something so terribly inhumane can happen to people in 2025, said Colorado state Representative Ron Weinberg was disgusted and disheartened when he learned of the attack in Boulder. The Jewish representative immigrated to the U.S. from South Africa as a young man. I try to not put identity politics first. I try to make sure Im a lawmaker for the city of Loveland and the state of Colorado first and kind of federal policy and everything else aside must be dealt with on the federal level. Thats where I try to deal with that. But when it comes to my families and my heritage, my whole family was affected by the Nazis, Weinberg said. Weinberg says he doesnt want to politicize the issue so soon, but he says he does understand the frustration over Colorados immigration laws. There is some truth behind the three branches of government in this state: the executive, the legislative and judicial branches being sort of run by one party. And the checks and balance system in this state, there is no check and balance. Without making this political, Democrats and Republicans need to come and work together to sort these issues out, said Weinberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentiments echoed by his former colleague, who now serves in Congress, Congressman Gabe Evans. An individual like this who was present in the United States and has been planning this attack from upwards of a year, we probably could have stopped this if we didnt have the limitations on the sanctuary state that we have here in Colorado, said Evans. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Mohamed Soliman, the alleged perpetrator in Sundays attack, was in the U.S. illegally from Egypt. According to DHS, he came to the U.S. in 2022 under a tourism visa. They say that his B-2 visa expired in February 2023, though he had been trying to seek asylum in the U.S. since September of 2022. Congressman Evans blames Colorados immigration laws for the attack, despite the state never identifying as a sanctuary state and DHS removing a list that had most Colorado counties identifying as such. Suspect charged with federal hate crime after attacking pro-Israel group in Boulder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These sanctuary laws handcuff law enforcement in their ability to go out and work with their federal counterparts to get violent criminals like this and outright terrorists like this individual that we saw commit this crime up in Boulder. They cant get them out of the community if they cant work with ICE, Evans said. Federal, state and local law enforcement need to be able to share information with each other. So my advice to the statewide Democrats in Colorado is get with the program and allow state and local law enforcement to work with their federal counterparts. Otherwise, you are helping other antisemitic terrorists commit crimes like what we saw in Boulder. In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump said the incident is Another example why we must keep our borders secure. Congressman Evans is asking state lawmakers to repeal the immigration laws that are currently in statute. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Republican lawmakers do not like crossing President Trump, but they also dont like his trade war, and several are either offering support for the courts or at least trying to stay neutral in the battle. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) told The Hill he was sympathetic to a resolution considered in the Senate earlier this year that would have ended Trumps authority to impose reciprocal tariffs on the basis of a national security emergency, and he expressed support for the trade courts ruling. I was sympathetic with the resolution. I wouldnt necessarily say the court ruled incorrectly, said Johnson, who voted against the measure because he didnt want to take away Trumps leverage in negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure failed to pass the Senate in a 49-49 vote. Asked if the trade court that ruled against Trumps authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act made a wrong decision, Johnson replied: I dont think so. GOP senators mostly have stayed quiet after two courts the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the District Court for the District of Columbia ruled against Trumps retaliatory tariffs, dealing his trade agenda a major setback. GOP lawmakers predict Trumps legal authority to levy steep tariffs to gain leverage in tariff negotiations will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court, but they privately admit their lives would be easier if the courts put a stop to Trumps global trade war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who co-sponsored the resolution to terminate the national emergency declaration Trump used to impose global tariffs, said Republican colleagues are watching to see what impact Trumps trade war will have on economic growth in the second quarter. If we see second-quarter growth negative, youre going to see a big freak-out up here, Paul said, referring to the anxiety GOP colleagues feel over Trumps trade war. I dont know what the second-quarter numbers are but were going to see what happens in the second quarter. A lot of the tariffs havent really kicked in, he added. A Republican senator who requested anonymity to comment on the impact of Trumps trade war on the economy said businesses want more certainty about trade and tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres lots of challenges being created because of the uncertainty, the senator said. Im almost always going to be on the side of Congress reasserting their authorities, referring to Congresss constitutional power to impose taxes and duties. The senator said they would welcome a court decision that limited Trumps tariff authority. An outcome that gives greater authority to the Congress is pleasing to me but an outcome that gives certainty to people making decisions is even more important for the shorter-term well-being of the economy, the lawmaker said. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this year to rein in Trumps authority to impose tariffs, declined to comment on the latest court decisions, telling The Hill he would let the Supreme Court decide the extent of Trumps power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think I should have an opinion until it gets done on appeal, he said. The longtime Iowa senator said he wants Congress to reclaim its tariff authority, but he doesnt want to pick a fight with Trump, whose lock on the Republican base is as strong as it has ever been. I want to recapture for Congress the power to levy tariffs, he said. But remember, the bill I put in is prospective, so its not fair to say its Trump Im trying to get at. Grassleys bill would require tariffs imposed by the president to expire after 60 days unless Congress passes a resolution to approve them. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime skeptic of using tariffs to shape the domestic economy, said Monday that Trump has an argument, as commander in chief, that he has power to slap steep fees on imports to protect the nation from fentanyl, illegal immigration and other dangers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be interesting to see where ultimately the Supreme Court comes down, Thune said Monday. I think that theres an argument as commander in chief, if its an issue of national security, and frankly, for that matter economic security. I think the administrations got a compelling argument, but the court found differently. Ultimately, my expectation is it will get results, probably, by the Supremes, he said. Trump last week vented his frustration after the trade court issued a summary judgment ruling he lacked authority to levy tariffs and dial them up and down depending on how trade talks progress. He lashed out at the ruling as so wrong and so political and called on the Supreme Court to reverse this horrible, Country threatening decision, QUICKLY and DECISIVELY. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit paused the trade courts order Thursday for the White House to quickly unwind the tariffs Trump announced on April 2, Liberation Day. But a second federal court in D.C. also blocked the tariffs. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Trump has a number of other authorities he can rely on to maintain his leverage in trade fights. Trump responded to last weeks legal setbacks by doubling the tariffs of foreign steel and aluminum to 50 percent, relying on a different law: Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act. The move indicated Trumps not ready to give up the trade war, even if the Supreme Court ultimately agrees with lower courts that the president has unbounded authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to slap tariffs on nearly every country in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said last week that he expects the Supreme Court to uphold Trumps legal authority to impose near-universal reciprocal tariffs but argued the administration could switch to other laws to justify its trade policies. Well have other alternatives that we can pursue as well, to make sure that we make American trade fair again, he said. Trumps embrace of steep tariffs to gain leverage in trade talks are giving Republican senators heartburn as they watch the stock markets gyrate and hear a growing chorus of complaints from constituents. The presidents approval rating on trade is more than 9 points in the negative, and his rating on the economy is 11 points underwater, according to the polling average complied by Silver Bulletins Nate Silver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, 45.8 percent of Americans approve of Trumps job performance, while 50.6 percent disapprove, according to Silvers polling average. Trump has so far announced only one major trade deal, with the United Kingdom, since announcing steep tariffs on countries around the world on April 2, a bombshell that sent the stock markets reeling. Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent announced substantial progress in the talks between the United States and China on May 11, but later in the month said the negotiations had become a bit stalled and suggested Trump may speak directly to China President Xi Jinping to get them back on track. Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender said Monday that a lot more deals could be announced by early July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as we continue to make progress, I think youre going to see a lot more deals that are announced prior to that July 9 time frame, he told CNBCs Squawk Box. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Congressional Republicans are investigating Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's response to federal immigration arrests during hundreds of traffic stops over several days in May. Rep. Andy Ogles is leading the charge, pitting the Republican who represents part of the Democratic-leaning city against a progressive mayor who has criticized immigration officials after they arrested nearly 200 people in the greater Nashville area. The dayslong presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent chills through well-known Nashville immigrant neighborhoods. Many Republicans, meanwhile, applauded ICE's enforcement focus in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have criticized Nashville officials for publicly documenting interactions between local authorities and federal immigration agents on an official city government website. Some of the entries included authorities' names before city officials removed them. They have also blasted O'Connell for promoting a fundraiser for families affected by the ICE activity. O'Connell has said the arrests caused long-lasting trauma for families and were led by people who don't share Nashville's values of safety and community. Here is a look at the ICE activity and its fallout. The arrests Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE has said that it arrested 196 people alongside the Tennessee Highway Patrol during a weeklong effort in and around Nashville. ICE said 95 had criminal convictions, were facing criminal charges or both, but didnt provide a more detailed breakdown, including the type of crimes. It said about 30 had entered the country after previously being deported, some of whom are included in the 95. The Highway Patrol said it made more than 580 traffic stops in the joint operation with ICE. ICE highlighted seven cases, including two gang members, one of whom was wanted in an El Salvador killing, and people with convictions such as drug offenses, rape or assault. Lisa Sherman Luna of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition criticized the effort as at a scale we've never seen before. She said officers were arresting some people who were going home to their children or heading to work. The mayor's response Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early into ICE's operation in Nashville, the mayor held a news conference to assure that Nashville's police force was not involved in the immigration crackdown. He said the immigration enforcement approach is not our understanding of what a Nashville for all of us looks like. At the news conference, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee also announced the fundraising effort to provide child care, transportation, housing aid, food and more for families impacted by the ICE activity. O'Connell's administration has sent letters asking Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE to identify those arrested and their charges. He told the Nashville Rotary Club this week he still hasn't received that information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OConnell is facing particular scrutiny because of a policy requiring city agencies to report communications with federal immigration authorities to the mayors office. Nashville has had similar orders under two prior mayors, and OConnell added quicker reporting deadlines last month. He said the goal is transparency. Republicans' investigation into O'Connell Congressman Ogles declared that House committees would be investigating O'Connell during a Memorial Day news conference at Tennessee's Capitol in Nashville a venue that raised eyebrows because it's closed to the public on the holiday. Noise from protesters carried from outside the building. A subsequent letter signed by Ogles and three other House committee and subcommittee chairmen requests documents and communications about O'Connell's executive order and the ICE enforcement efforts. Ogles and others have also cried foul that the names of some immigration officials in the Nashville operation were made public. The agents names were removed, with O'Connell saying it wasnt the intent of the executive order to release them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OConnell has said Nashville isnt trying to obstruct federal or state laws, and has no reason to be concerned about the congressional investigation. Ogles first won his seat in 2022 after Republicans redistricted Nashville to flip a Democratic congressional district. Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News last week that agents will flood the zone in Nashville due to OConnells response. Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn is requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate O'Connell. Last week, the Trump administration listed Nashville among its so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, before the list was removed. O'Connell said he's puzzled by the city's inclusion and that Nashville, by definition, is not a sanctuary city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laws toughened over so-called sanctuary policies In 2019, sanctuary cities became illegal in Tennessee, threatening noncomplying governments with the loss of state economic development money. Tennessee economic development officials say they aren't aware of any warnings, denials or withholding of state money under that law to date. Early this year, lawmakers and Republican Gov. Bill Lee approved legislation to aid the Trump administration with immigration enforcement. It features a potential Class E felony against any local elected official voting for or adopting a so-called sanctuary policy. This could include voting in favor of local government restrictions that impede ICE efforts to detain migrants in the U.S. without permission. Critics believe the criminal penalty effective July 1 could be unconstitutional due to state and federal protections afforded lawmakers at various levels of government. The law also created a new state immigration division, but shielded its records from public disclosure. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Republicans in Congress want to stop judges from issuing nationwide injunctions against the Trump administration. During a Senate committee hearing Tuesday, GOP members argued one judge should not have enough power to derail President Trumps policies. Theyve stepped off the bench and into the political arena, said U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas.). This is activism, not judgment, said U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmitt and Cruz listed off recent examples where judges ruled against the presidents tariffs, mass deportations and layoffs, and federal funding cuts. However, Senate Democrats were quick to point out President Trump himself appointed some of these judges. Hes breaking the law and doing it a lot, and judges are doing their job, said U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Whitehouse and U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) argued instead of attacking judges, Congress should be defending the separation of powers. So that we dont have absolute power vested in a single person, Welch said. The House approved legislation to limit the ability of lower-court judges to issue temporary blocks on policies with nationwide implications, but the Senate has yet to vote on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has urged his allies in Congress to impeach several of these judges, but so far, lawmakers have opposed the idea. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Animal rescuers were stunned after being called upon to save an unusual visitor to California's Central Valley. A California brown pelican was found 70 miles away from the sea, prompting a rescue operation. "Talk about a surprise guest!" said the Fresno Humane Animal Services in a Facebook post. "Pelicans are usually beach lovers, so finding one so far from the ocean was like spotting a fish out of water." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to KSEE, the organization was able to get the animal to safety. California brown pelicans play a vital role in the coastal ecosystem. As top-tier predators, they keep fish populations in check. They also regurgitate enough of their food to enrich local plant life, as Eco Migrations observed. The California brown pelican was listed as endangered in California in 1971, per the National Park Service. This was due to the use of the insecticide DDT in crops being flushed out to sea and contaminating the fish that pelicans ate. DDT caused pelican egg shells to thin and break, but following the ban on the substance in 1972 the situation improved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "endangered" status placed upon California brown pelicans was removed in 2009. Despite progress, the birds are still facing feeding challenges. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, pelicans may be getting intentionally hurt by humans. The coastal range of the California brown pelican extends up to British Columbia, Canada, and all the way down to Nayarit, Mexico. They generally travel no further than 5 miles inland and rarely go up to 40 miles inland. There are a number of factors that can lead animals to veer this far away from their natural habitat. Sound and light pollution can disorient animals, for starters, while violent weather patterns can thrust them into unfamiliar environments. Additionally, a lack of feeding or mating opportunities in native habitats may push them further afield. Whatever the case, protecting wild habitats can help ensure animals have somewhere they can feed, mate, and live with all the resources they need. Reducing atmospheric pollution and, in this case, seaborne pollution can further protect ecosystems from damage. 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. Beavers are offering forests unexpected protection against wildfires. By bolstering beaver habitats, scientists have found they can prevent parts of the environment from being scorched. A new study shows that beaver dams and the wetlands they create were the only features to survive an incinerated landscape in the wake of recent wildfires in Colorado. In 2020, the East Troublesome Fire became the second-largest wildfire in the state's history, burning nearly 200,000 acres and taking more than a month to contain. While assessing the damage from the fire, wildlife managers reported that only beaver ponds were untouched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beavers are incredible creatures, building dams to create their own habitat. The semiaquatic rodents block off streams to pool water into ponds and develop wetlands where they can build homes. The water, of course, is not flammable and offers protection against an increasing number of wildfires. Researchers studied five fires from 2000 to 2018. In their findings, they reported that beaver ponds and canals thoroughly irrigate the surrounding land, turning dry, flammable vegetation into lush landscape. Not only did the plants survive, but the green space provided refuge to livestock and wildlife. Wildfires impact human communities in a number of ways. Smoke inhalation increases the risk of heart attack and stroke while reducing the body's immunity. Wildfires also have an effect on mental health, causing trauma when a person is exposed to danger and loss. Wildlife managers are looking for ways to support beaver populations. It's estimated that while there were once 100 to 200 million beavers across North America, today's numbers sit around 10 to 15 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is focusing on habitat restoration. In 2018, the National Wildlife Federation adopted a resolution to support beaver restoration as a response to the changing climate. Beavers are often called nature's engineers. Their ingenuity could be the answer to surviving in a world with an ever-changing climate. 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. The state Senate has applied the gut-and-replacement strategy to a state House bill to advance bipartisan legislation aimed at lowering some healthcare costs for North Carolinians. The strategy is aimed at increasing pricing transparency from hospitals and providers. The Senate Rules and Operations committee cleared House Bill 434 on Tuesday. It is set for a Senate floor vote Wednesday. Given the bill is almost a carbon copy of Senate Bill 316, which the Senate cleared by a 44-2 margin on March 28, HB434 is likely to be approved by the full Senate and sent back to the House for consideration. However, theres no certainty that the House will approve HB434 since the chamber has not addressed SB316. House Republican leadership has tended to be more supportive of healthcare innovation legislation in recent sessions, including the states Medicaid expansion bill. Near the end of the first Trump administration, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched on Jan. 1, 2021, a hospital price transparency initiative where every hospital is required to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide. The Triads three primary hospitals are failing to fully meet federal standards for transparency pricing, according to the seventh semiannual report produced in November by public health advocacy group Patient Rights Advocate.org. The parent systems of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Moses Cone and Forsyth Medical Center have disputed the findings. Senate leadership support North Carolinians need to have the most information possible when they receive any medical bills, said Sen. Jim Burgin, R-Harnett, and primary bill sponsor. These reforms are part of a nationwide conversation, with President Trump highlighting the need for accurate and actionable healthcare pricing information. Sen. Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston, said SB316 is the first step in dismantling the unreasonably high healthcare costs in North Carolina. For years, North Carolinians have been forced to navigate their medical expenses blindly. This bill will result in real, tangible change that North Carolinians will feel in their daily lives and pocketbooks. Sen. Amy Galey, R-Alamance, another co-sponsor of SB316, said full transparency will give patients the freedom to seek the treatment that is best for them. This empowers North Carolinians to take a more active role in their healthcare and prevents unpleasant surprise bills. Shopping for health care Yet, it appears that you can lead healthcare consumers to comparative pricing, but can you get them to shop for a hip replacement, annual physical or colonoscopy? The CMS is responsible for determining overall compliance in 15 different categories that include: complete standard charge file; codes (of any type); gross charge; discounted cash price; negotiated minimum; negotiated maximum; negotiated rates; all payers and plans; 300 most common shoppable list; price estimate tool; and price estimate tool provides cash price. The federal rule requires hospitals to post all prices online, easily accessible and searchable, in the form of a single machine-readable standard charges file pricing for all items, services and drugs by all payers and all plans. Both bills expand required disclosures for hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to include each billable item and service associated with a patients care, whether in-network or out-of-network. This gives patients a clear sense of what theyre paying for and demystifies bills and estimates, according to the bill sponsors. Both bills address surprise medical bills by requiring that patients receive written notice of any additional bills they may incur. The written notice is to include any information about out-of-network providers who may provide care to the patient, as well as requires a facility to provide an itemized list of charges to any patient before it can refer an unpaid bill to a collection agency. I dont know a single person who hasnt received a medical bill that left them with more questions than answers, Burgin said. SB316 enables patients to obtain a good faith estimate of any charges theyd be obligated to pay for non-urgent services scheduled in advance. The proposal requires that a patients bill not exceed 5% of that estimate. Other key components of SB316 are: requirements that urgent health care services be reviewed by health insurers within 24 hours or less; codify the appeals process; and any doctor conducting a review be actively licensed in that specialty for at least three consecutive years. Health insurers would be required to publicly post in a timely manner any amendments to their terms for review, or if they intend to impose new restrictions. A denial would not be allowed if the new requirements or changes havent been publicly posted on the insurers website. More details It also prohibits the sole use of artificial intelligence for utilization review determination to deny, delay, or modify any service. We do not need an algorithm thats proprietary that might be putting the thumb on the scale one way or another, making sole decision when there is a life at stake, Sawrey said. A likely popular with patients component prohibits providers from collecting a facility fee unless the services are provided at a hospitals main campus, at a remote location of a hospital, or at a facility that includes an emergency department. The State Auditors Office would have the authority to examine facility prices charged to out-of-network and uninsured patients, and to ensure compliance with transparency requirements. One potential obstacle to bipartisan passage of SB316 involves more chipping away at the states certificates of need laws, this time affecting inpatient rehabilitation services, facilities and beds that could be provided by smaller nonprofit groups and by for-profit providers. The state House has been reluctant to weaken the certificate of need laws, which are designed to prevent unnecessary duplication of services in communities. This bill would allow for treating more patients with strokes, spinal card injuries, traumatic brain injuries and diseases, Burgin said. The need for inpatient rehab beds has been increasing, but the growth in the states inventory lags. HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The City of Hendersonville is reporting a spike in mail thefts directly out of residents mailboxes. According to the Hendersonville Police Department, there are warrants for several suspects believed to involved in the crime, but law enforcement is still warning people to be careful of what they mail and how they mail it. Weve had at least a few groups that weve identified as being responsible for this, said Detective Lt. Chris Gagnon. Theyre going and randomly hitting mailboxes. Whenever theyre going there, theyre looking for things that look like they might have checks in them, or payments that theyre sending out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hendersonville leaders looking to relocate post office Last week, La Vergne police warned residents after reporting an increase in mail thefts. Now, authorities in Hendersonville are reporting thefts, with some cases apparently going back several months. If youre going to mail out something important, walk it into the post office. Dont drop it out in your mailbox because thats open to the public. Even though it is illegal, it puts it out there so they can easily steal from you, said Gagnon. One of the things that we would like to impress upon the public is to make sure youre checking your mail regularly. Sumner County Commissioner Don Schmit said his neighborhood off Forest Retreat Road has recently seen multiple mail thefts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a retired postal worker, she likes to walk the neighborhood, she walks her dogs daily and found some mail dumped in the street, added Schmit. Where the mail belonged, it was a street over from where she found it. So its been going on here for a while, and this was the third time she had found [mail]. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Schmit encouraged his constituents to drop any valuable outgoing mail at the post office itself. I wouldnt leave anything in the mail to be mailed out because you just cant trust that someones not going to [steal it]. I always advise people too, sign up for informed delivery; know what pieces of mail youre expecting over the next day or two, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said mail theft is common year-round, but as more people are out and about for the summer, HPD encourages residents to report any suspicious activity they see in their neighborhoods. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RHYOLITE RIDGE, Nevada (KLAS) Bernard Rowe came to Nevada to find gold. When he found lithium instead, he went to work on a project thats consumed nearly a decade of his life in the hills outside of Dyer, about 225 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Rowe, a geologist and managing director of the Australian mining company Ioneer, has identified a lithium deposit he said is like none other. Not because its the biggest, but because of the form it has taken over millions of years. The lithium is in a rock formation that lends itself to a more traditional kind of mining, unlike other mines that gather lithium by filtering it out of dry lake beds. Thats how its done around the world and over the mountains at Silver Peak, the only lithium mine operating in the U.S. With the Rhyolite Ridge rock formation in the background, Ioneers Bernard Rowe describes the lithium-boron deposit thats at the site during a tour in early May. Ioneers Chad Leftich is at left. (Greg Haas / 8NewsNow) In early May, Rowe led 8 News Now on a tour of Rhyolite Ridge and demonstrated what makes it so unique. (See video at top of story.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filtration is a big part of the complexity of these deposits, Rowe said. He held up two samples he retrieved from a hillside, both containing lithium. Its not a smash-and-grab: Tiny town of Dyer, Nevada, debates lithium mines impact In his right hand, nuggets of a crumbly substance he called popcorn clay. This is very difficult to filter, he said. Then, in his left hand, he held up a beige rock he called Searlesite. This is very easy to filter. And if its easy to filter, it also means that youre going to use a whole lot less water. Another Ioneer representative poured a bit of drinking water on each sample to bring the point home. The popcorn clay mixed with the water, turning into a mess in Rowes right hand. He remarked it was the type of clay that might remind someone of what theyd see on a potters wheel. The Searlesite held its form, more of a solid rock that doesnt mix with water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That simple difference is because the rock contains boron, a second mineral that Ioneer will take from Rhyolite Ridge. Ioneers Bernard Rowe explains the difference between two samples at the Rhyolite Ridge site. Both contain lithium, but lithium inside a rock containing boron, right, is much easier to process. (Greg Haas / 8NewsNow) This is 50 or 60 feet thick, this layer. And weve hit it in every single drill hole bar a couple that weve drilled, and weve drilled 150 of them out here. So we know exactly where this unit is, we know exactly its thickness, Rowe said. We know that sitting on top of this unit is the popcorn clay, which has got lithium but no boron. And sitting on top of that again is that sandstone. And so when we drill a hole, we recognize those same layers, and hence we describe like layers of a cake, he said. Unique lithium deposit The boron in the rock means Ioneer can get it with hard-rock mining techniques. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boron is also valuable. Its used to make windshields and other durable glass, as a fertilizer, in cleansers and detergents along with an abundance of other industrial uses. Rhyolite Ridge is the only lithium deposit in Nevada, in fact in the world that we know of, that has this unique boron mineral, Searlesite, in the quantities that we have it here, Rowe explained. The mineral exists in some other places in the world, but not in the quantity that we have it here. It really makes up about 50% of this rock, he said. A short drive up the gravel road, Rowe pointed out to a valley at the base of Rhyolite Ridge. He said the deposit extends more than four miles from where he parked the truck. Its more than a mile wide and as much as 60 feet thick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our drilling here says there are 500 million tons, Rowe said. Depending on how the mine is operated, the deposit could be producing lithium for more than 100 years. And beyond that, the popcorn clay could be processed in the future if its economically feasible and if water is available. Making refined chemicals The lithium-boron deposit isnt the only thing unique about the plan for Rhyolite Ridge. Were going to make boric acid and lithium carbonate, like, refined chemicals, Rowe said. This will be the first lithium mine in the world to put hard rock mining with a big chemical processing plant, he said. No one else has done that anywhere in the world. Ioneers Bernard Rowe talks about the forms of lithium found at Rhyolite Ridge, just northwest of Dyer near the Nevada-California border. (Greg Haas / 8NewsNow) The economic scale of mining is a bit of a shock to people who dont know the business. In the world of lithium, loads are shipped to China for processing. Rowe said that includes lithium mined in Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having a processing plant at Rhyolite Ridge means ore wont even be trucked down the county road that goes to Dyer. Also, Ioneer will be able to backfill as they expand the mine, eliminating the need to transport spent ore off the site. Volatile lithium carbonate prices are another important factor in what eventually happens at Rhyolite Ridge and elsewhere in Nevada. After peaking at about $80,000 per ton in 2023, lithium prices have dropped by about 87%, now at about $10,000 per ton (72,500 yuan on the Chinese market, where 60% of lithium is traded). Ioneer lost its biggest investor in February when South Africa-based Sibanye-Stillwater pulled out due to dropping prices. Ioneer said at the time it would work to identify a strong equity partner to ensure the mine proceeds to production. Ioneer has secured approval from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), along with a $996 million federal loan. But construction isnt expected to start immediately, possibly waiting until late 2025. The mine is expected to go into production in 2028. Outlook on lithium prices Dr. Simon Jowitt, Nevada State Geologist and director of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, said prices and instability make this a hard time to start a lithium mine. Some mines have reacted to low prices by shutting down until it becomes profitable again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, lithium demand will certainly increase over time as a result of increased demand for lithium-ion batteries. But this is the long term, and on a short-term basis we are likely to see these periods of oversupply and associated slumps in the lithium price, Jowitt said. Slumps and volatility in the lithium price could significantly affect the development of domestic lithium supply chains. Throw other uncertainties like the development of other battery technologies and other lithium mines globally and it is an interesting picture to try and understand, he said. Andrew Woods, director of UNLVs Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER), agreed that the long-term outlook is for higher demand. Mining in Nevada is looking at the long run demand over 10-30 years, which is still expected to grow. If we were still living in the world of January 2nd, 2025, I would say all else equaled, wed see the downward pressure on prices of lithium stabilize as steady demand eases the supply glut. 2024 was a record year for EVs being a share of the global automotive market and the start of 2025 globally was okay for the industry, Woods said last week from Quebec, where he was meeting with academics and universities as part of the Nevada Tech Hubs agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with tariffs and a trade war, it introduces a lot of uncertainties that may have unintended consequences, Woods said. Some of that could be good for mining in Nevada, if the demand for onshoring ticks up. Ioneer secured a $996 million loan from the U.S. government. Woods cautioned that Trump administration moves to revoke funding approved under the Biden administration could result in a terrible situation with higher lithium prices coupled with slower growth in crucial parts of a domestic supply chain. It doesnt necessarily change course for these mines but could decrease the room for error in their financial models and thus hurt investment and timelines in an industry with ever-increasing demand and long timelines for both getting their approvals and operations and return on investment, Woods said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Ioneer, boron production could be the key for operating through lows in the lithium market, a point emphasized in a news release Sunday night (Monday in Australia). That report estimates the life of the mine at 95 years, and increases Rhyolite Ridges estimated ore reserve at 247 million tons, four times more than a 2020 estimate. Rowe issued a statement saying that the change allows Ioneer to match prevailing market conditions. No other lithium project offers this level of flexibility and economic advantage. In periods of low cycle lithium pricing, like today, we plan to prioritize the high-boron ore production to optimize the relative proportion of total revenue derived from boric acid, Rowe said. Rhyolite Ridge obstacles A large part of news coverage regarding lithium exploration in the state has focused on the size of the discoveries and potential conflicts with conservation concerns, including protected species of plants and fish. Rhyolite Ridge has been at the center of a fight that began eight years ago surrounding Tiehms buckwheat, an endangered wildflower that grows at the site of the mine, and nowhere else in the wild. Rowe told 8 News Now Ioneer is committed to preserving populations of the wildflower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We knew about it from the outset, Rowe said. But once we knew that it was going to get listed, and there would be critical habitat, etc., then we sat down with the Fish and Wildlife and said OK, lets see if we can come up with a solution and thats what we did. It wasnt that difficult. It just took commitment to do it, Rowe said. Ioneer is using a greenhouse in Gardnerville to study Tiehms buckwheat. Pots with seedlings are under the supervision of a full-time botanist on Ioneers payroll. A greenhouse in Gardnerville where Ioneer employs a full-time botanist to study Tiehms buckwheat is shown in this May 5, 2025, photo. (Greg Haas / 8NewsNow) Despite Ioneers statements, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the BLMs approval of the mine. The wildflower will go extinct if the mines current plan moves forward, according to CBD Great Basin Director Patrick Donnelly, who calls Rhyolite Ridge the extinction mine. The organization proposed an alternative plan that would keep mining activity a mile away from Tiehms buckwheat, but the BLM approved a plan that was far less restrictive. The lawsuit describes that decision as a flagrant violation of numerous environmental protection laws. A report by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service dated Sept. 4, 2024, concludes the project will not cause the wildflowers extinction. Tiehms buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii). (Photo credit: Patrick Donnelly, Center for Biological Diversity) Donnelly dismisses Rowes commitment to protect the wildflower, pointing to a violation in early 2023 that resulted in a citation issued to Ioneer by the BLM for trespassing within the habitat of the endangered flower. In October, BLM approved the mines plan, which includes measures to mitigate dust and isolate the plant behind fences. The wildflower was dormant during the recent tour. A second battle over a rare fish the Fish Lake Valley tui chub could intensify as the species moves toward protection under the Endangered Species Act. The fish lives in a single spring on a private ranch not far from the road leading to Rhyolite Ridge. CBD argues that additional strain on groundwater supplies will impact the fishs only habitat in the wild. Ioneer paid for a groundwater study of Fish Lake Valley at the request of the BLM, and Rowe said the study showed two important things: 1.) The water table remains at its highest levels in the northern part of the valley, where the tui chub lives; and, 2.) The chemical signature of the water in that spring is different from the aquifer at the mine site, indicating it has a different source. Few mining companies have done more than Ioneer to respond to environmental sensitivities. We are proud of that fact, and it has resulted in a better, more resilient project, Rowe said. Donnelly countered that the science paid for by Ioneer isnt as reliable as the science his organization uses. The tour provided a look at a part of Nevada that few Las Vegas residents have seen. Fish Lake Valley is a world away from the bustle of the city, a home to alfalfa farmers, many who have been in Dyer most of their lives. Fish Lake Valley runs up the western edge of Nevada on the California border. The highest point in Nevada Boundary Peak at 13,147 feet towers just to the north; the southernmost tip of the valley pokes into California at the town of Oasis. 8 News Now spoke to people in Dyer about how they feel about Rhyolite Ridge. See their story 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 KLAS. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Resource-rich Mongolia is facing political uncertainty following the resignation early on Tuesday of its prime minister in the wake of protests over endemic corruption in the landlocked Asian country, squeezed between China and Russia. Before he lost the confidence vote in the parliament, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai warned that his removal could undermine Mongolias fledgling democracy. The vote followed weeks of protests sparked by reports of lavish spending by his son and calls for him to step down. The reports, which cited expensive jewelry and helicopter rides for the son's female companion, underscored the vast gap between Mongolians who have grown extremely wealthy off the country's exports and much of the rest of the population, mired in poverty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a look at why what is happening in Mongolia matters: A fledgling democracy between two big powers Mongolia, a country of about 3.5 million people, borders Russia to the north and China to the south. Its stunning alpine mountains interspersed with vast deserts hold an abundance of coal, copper and other natural resources used in high-tech manufacturing. The question of who benefits from the wealth has been a key issue since Mongolia began negotiating with foreign mining giants rumors of secret deals and under-the-table payments have circulated for years. After Mongolia threw off Communism at the end of the Cold War, it lost generous Soviet Union aid packages. Since then, it has been slowly becoming a democracy but is struggling to avoid falling into debt while holding Chinese and Russian interests at bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China is a particularly important neighbor as its ruling Communist Party buys up 92% of Mongolias exports. A 'spiders' web' of the greedy Over the years, the capital of Ulaanbaataar transformed itself from a city of clunky Soviet-era buildings surrounded by traditional herders' felt tents known as gers, into a metropolis of shopping malls and fancy hotels. The protesters have said the countrys mineral riches have benefited business interests and the wealthy, while many Mongolians still live in poverty. Early on Tuesday morning, Oyun-Erdene only got 44 votes of support in the 126-seat legislature the State Great Khural well short of the 64 needed, according to the head of the counting commission, M. Narantuya-nara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oyun-Erdene accepted defeat, saying it had been an honor to serve the nation through the coronavirus pandemic, Russia's war on Ukraine and the ongoing strife over U.S. tariffs. But he also warned of the threat of a spiders web of special interests that he said are working to hold the Mongolian people back. What happens next? Oyun-Erdene, who ran a coalition government, will remain prime minister until his replacement is elected in parliament, most likely from the ranks of opposition lawmakers. Those who pick his successor will likely also have to find a platform that will satisfy the demands of the largely young and well-educated class that has led the protests. That could include moving ahead with a national sovereignty fund introduced recently to better help spread the wealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In stepping down, Oyun-Erdene defended his integrity but said he had made the mistake of paying insufficient attention to social and internal political matters. He also warned of political instability ahead, saying it "could lead the public to lose faith in parliamentary rule and potentially put our democratic parliamentary system at risk of collapse. What do experts and the ordinary people say? Erin Murphy, deputy director and senior fellow of India and emerging Asian economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said it's not easy to "build that foundation for democracy at a time when Mongolia also must tackle economic problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julian Dierkes, a Mongolia expert at the University of Mannheim in Germany, said he doesnt expect any major policy changes, whoever becomes the next prime minister. They will be selected on the basis of personal networks and patronage, Dierkes said. Many people on the street seemed worried for the future and some defended the outgoing prime minister on Tuesday. Oyun-Erdene should not be responsible for his son's failings, said Gansukh Batbayar, a military retiree in Ulaanbaatar who lauded what he described as Oyun-Erdene's efforts to confiscate illegally earned assets and money of corrupt officials and distribute it more fairly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We barely survive in these chaotic times and our pensions are very small, said an older woman on a public bus in Ulaanbaataar, who declined to give her name to speak about the political developments. She counts on her children "to have food to eat and a roof over my head, she said. ___ Associated Press writers Didi Tang in Washington and Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report. Jun. 2ROCHESTER A man accused of sexually assaulting a girl and an adult woman and possessing child sexual abuse materials was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. Zeferino Cano Rafael, 27, of Rochester, was charged in January 2023 with two felony counts of first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was charged with possession of CSAM in February 2023 after law enforcement found a sexually explicit video on his phone. Cano Rafael entered an Alford plea on May 20 to second-degree criminal sexual conduct. An Alford plea means a defendant agrees there is likely enough evidence for a conviction, but they do not admit guilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plea was accepted in Olmsted County District Court on June 2. Olmsted County District Judge Christa Daily ordered Cano Rafael to serve a 90-month sentence in the St. Cloud correctional facility with restitution reserved for five years. He received 864 days of credit for time served. In exchange for the Alford plea, the remaining charges were dismissed. According to the criminal complaint, an 11-year-old girl reported to the Rochester Police Department in July 2022 that Cano Rafael had been sexually assaulting her since 2018. The girl would have been around 6. A woman reported to RPD that Cano Rafael had repeatedly sexually assaulted her since 2018, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He denied any wrongdoing regarding the juvenile but told police he would sneak into the adult woman's room at night. Following his arrest, further investigation by police found a sexually obscene video of a girl between 6 and 8 years old on his mobile phone. Officers believe the video was filmed in March 2022. Those experiencing sexual exploitation can call a 24-hour crisis line at 507-289-0636 to speak to someone who can direct you towards help. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A new pilot program to provide Rochester residents with affordable housing was announced on Tuesday, with Mayor Malik Evans requesting proposals for the project. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is requesting home builders with a specialty in modular and HUD-certified manufactured housing to design, manufacture, and deliver nine single-family homes. The homes will be built in Northeast Rochester along Wilder Street, Davis Street, Lewis Street, and High Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quality housing is the foundation of strong families, thriving neighborhoods, and a prosperous city. We are working every day to make Rochester a city of opportunity for renters, first-time homebuyers, and everyone in between. Testing the feasibility of modular and manufactured housing is just one way were creatively and strategically working to increase homeownership in the city, Mayor Malik Evans said during Tuesdays announcement. Mayor Evans: Rochester joining lawsuit against federal government The project is said to explore the potential for lowering the cost of construction and provide high-quality and energy-efficient housing that will provide residents who earn between 80% and 120% of the median earned income the opportunity to become homeowners. Income-qualified homebuyers in the program will also be provided access to Rochesters Home Purchase Assistance Program for assistance with down payments and closing costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposals are due by Monday, July 9 at 4 p.m. Additional details about the RFP and submission requirements can be found on the City of Rochesters website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Jun. 2ROCHESTER As U.S. airports struggle with a shortage of air traffic controllers, the Rochester International Airport is ranked as one of the most-understaffed in the country, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA air traffic control management and the air traffic controllers' union set Collaborative Resource Workgroup goals for the optimum number of certified controllers for each of the 290 towers. Rochester's current target number is 23 certified controllers, the data shows. According to the latest numbers from the FAA, Rochester tower has 10 certified professional controllers, or 43.4% of the ideal goal. It also has two trainee controllers, who do not count toward the overall goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rochester International Airport's number of certified controllers is down from September 2023, when it had 11 controllers. However, it had no controllers-in-training at that time. The FAA is in charge of staffing for the control towers, not local airports. The FAA responded to questions about the Rochester tower on Monday and stated that safety is still the top priority. "If daily or per-shift staffing levels are low, the FAA ensures safety by implementing traffic management initiatives, such as slowing the flow of aircraft into an airport," wrote FAA Public Affairs Specialist Chris Mullooly. "Growing the nation's air traffic controller workforce is a top priority for the FAA. Their work is critical to meeting our safety mission. During the hiring surge that closed on March 17, we received more than 10,000 applications." Airports in Waterloo, Iowa, and Morristown, New Jersey, were second and third on the controller list with 56.5% and 57.9% of the target number of controllers, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been a US shortage of air traffic controllers for decades, with a major setback in 1981, when President Ronald Reagan fired more than 11,000 striking air traffic controllers and banned them from being rehired. The shortage has become a high-profile issue recently as there have been some near misses between aircraft in 2025. US Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy has stated that the FAA is short about 3,000 air traffic controllers. As an example of the shortage, the Newark, NJ Liberty International Airport was plagued by cancellations and delays this spring because of a shortage of air traffic controllers. The Philadelphia tower, which handled the Newark traffic, had 63 certified controllers, which is 55% of its goal of 114. Amid the national shortage, Rochester's airport is seeing its passenger numbers increase. A total of 17,484 passengers used the airport in April 2024. That number grew to 19,104 passengers for April 2025. In 2024, RST served 200,072 passengers, up from 189,038 in 2023. However, the airport has not yet returned to its pre-COVID numbers of a high of 371,615 passengers in 2019 and 370,201 passengers in 2019. Roger Cooper, who has died aged 90, was a British journalist and businessman who was arrested as a spy on a visit to Iran in December 1985 and spent more than five years in prison, under sentence of death. For most of that time he was incarcerated in the infamous Evin Prison in Tehran, often in solitary confinement. Nevertheless, he did not court sympathy when he was finally released: I can say that anyone who, like me, was educated in an English public school and served in the ranks of the British Army is quite at home in a Third World prison. As with the incarceration of Terry Waite and his fellow British hostages in Lebanon over the same period, Coopers plight became a cause celebre, with frequent rumblings in the press about the outrageous detention of a British citizen in Iran on apparently non-existent evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was Coopers misfortune, however, that Margaret Thatchers government had little room for manoeuvre in lobbying for his release. British-Iranian diplomatic relations had been at a low ebb following the Revolution of 1979 and then, just as they were improving, were further marred by the fatwa issued against Salman Rushdie by the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989. Cooper had lived in Iran on and off for 20 years until the Revolution. He was working as sales and marketing manager of McDermott International, a US marine construction company, when he flew to Tehran in 1985 hoping to secure a contract for an oil pipeline. On December 7 he had just left his hotel in a taxi when it was cut up by a BMW Coupe: two men emerged and forced him to get in. What happened next seemed a blend of the Keystone Cops and the Theatre of the Absurd, Cooper recalled. One of the men started berating the other for forgetting to bring a blindfold, until Cooper obligingly suggested that they could procure a bandage from a pharmacy and directed the men, unfamiliar with the local area, to the nearest one. Once blindfolded, he was transported to a prison and interrogated by a man who wore a close-fitting white mask over his face, with slits for the eyes It is an image that has stayed with me ever since, regularly haunting my dreams and occurring in flashbacks during waking hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man told Cooper: We know all about your espionage career in Iran, both before and after the Revolution. We know the outline, but there are some details which are very important to us If you do not co-operate, you will stay here until you do, or until you die. Cooper protested his innocence over the course of several weeks of interrogation, his captor insisting on remaining anonymous: If you ever see my face, even by accident, or even try to see it, I will push this pen in one of your ears and out of the other, he declared on one occasion, waggling his ballpoint in Coopers ear to underline his point. Cooper was blindfolded whenever he left his cell, even to walk a few yards to the lavatory, which he was permitted to use only three times a day (unless its an emergency, he was told, and we dont like emergencies). In February 1987 Cooper was transferred to the notorious political prison in Evin, 10 miles from Tehran. Shouting and cries of pain are often heard, Cooper recalled, only partly drowned out by religious chants and prayer ceremonies played endlessly on a tape recorder in the corridor. Death Plus Ten Years He was ordered to provide his captors with a detailed run-down on key figures in British intelligence. Having no knowledge of the subject, he invented a cast of personnel based on characters in the works of Evelyn Waugh, including a Secret Service legend called Colonel Dick Hooker, inspired by Waughs Brigadier Ritchie-Hook. He amused himself in his cell by composing a poem: Brigadier Ritchie-Hook/ Is a character in a book./ My Colonel Dick Hooker/ Should have won me the Booker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cooper was told that he would be released if he agreed to share his insights in a television broadcast: This is going to be the most interesting programme on television for a long time, his interrogator told him after the recording. You were very good. The deal was abandoned, however, after his captors came across a report on the broadcast in The Guardian, pointing out that Cooper had been blatantly spoofing. In October 1987 Cooper was taken to the prison courtroom and tried. The judge, who spent most of the trial reading the newspaper, told him: As regards the verdict, that is obvious from the start, but it has to be typed out and that can take time. Cooper was not informed of the outcome of the trial, but his father wrote to him to say that he had read in The Daily Telegraph that he was to be sentenced to death. Having formed a friendship with the prison governor, Cooper eventually prevailed on him to provide details and was told that he had received two sentences: death and 10 years imprisonment. I asked him, Which comes first? He looked puzzled for a moment, then said, Ah, I see, yes, a good question. I will recommend that they keep you here for 10 years and then hang you. I replied: Please dont make it the other way round. Nevertheless, Cooper was eventually released in April 1991, and in 1994 he published a memoir, Death and Ten Years. Like him, his book is eccentric and erudite and very funny, noted the BBCs John Simpson, an old friend of Coopers, in the Telegraph. But its chief value is as a manual to show how a terrifying experience can be overcome triumphantly Roger Cooper was not a man whom threats or violence could break. His interrogators had all the power, and he had all the character. Character won. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Roger Sutherland Cooper was born in London on January 29 1935, the son of James Cooper and his wife Rosaleen, nee Graves, who were both doctors. Rosaleen was the sister of the poet and novelist Robert Graves; as Roger recalled, Uncle Robert had a good baritone voice, at its best, I thought, singing slightly bawdy songs to the embarrassment of my rather old-fashioned mother. Robert Graves would die, by macabre coincidence, on the day his nephew was arrested in Iran in 1985. Roger grew up in Devon and won scholarships to Clifton College and to St Johns College, Oxford, where he read modern languages. In 1956 he travelled to Budapest to observe the Hungarian Revolution, and returned with three fellow undergraduates the following year to deliver supplies of penicillin. He experienced his first taste of a foreign prison when they were arrested on espionage charges and held for two weeks. On their release they were interviewed for the BBC by Woodrow Wyatt, who rebuked them for having been larking about, and Roger was subsequently sent down from Oxford. He secured a BA in English, French and classical Persian literature as an external student of London University. His gift for languages saw him assigned to the Russian interpreters course during his National Service with the Army. After training as a journalist at the Toronto bureau of United Press, in 1958 he decided to pursue a long-held fascination with Persian culture and travelled to Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He lived there on and off for two decades while working variously as a journalist, teacher and interpreter. In 1960 he married an Iranian woman, Guity Habibian, and converted to Islam; they had a daughter, but were divorced in 1965. Some of Coopers articles for The New Statesman on human rights abuses earned him unwelcome attention from Savak, the secret police, but the Shah admired his eloquence sufficiently to hire him as a speechwriter. Cooper secured the final press interview with the Shah before the Revolution forced his exile in 1979. Cooper decided that he too was better off out of Iran after the Revolution, but made frequent return visits in the 1980s in his new role as a consultant, using his knowledge of the Middle East to aid international firms keen to do business in the region. Following his arrest in 1985, he found his time in solitary confinement in his two-by-three-metre cell rather restful, and was annoyed when the British government successfully lobbied for him to be spared this psychological ordeal and housed with the other prisoners. He became proficient at Persian crosswords: the guards would always call, Cooper, whats 10 across? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On more than one occasion a guard summarily told him that it was time for his death sentence to be enacted, released the safety catch on his revolver and pulled the trigger with the gun being empty. But Cooper refused to be cowed by such sadistic pranks and enjoyed teasing the guards. Cooper at a rally in Trafalgar Square in 1991 - Alamy His calculator was taken away and examined after one of the guards suggested that it might contain a secret radio transmitter; after it was returned, Cooper would periodically shout into it: Hello! Hello! Mrs Thatcher? Hello? I have a message. Jaffar is on duty in prison today. After nearly five and a half years, Coopers incarceration came to an abrupt end: on April 2 1991 he was driven to the airport and told his sentence had been suspended. David Reddaway, the British charge daffaires in Tehran, who had worked tirelessly to secure his release, met him there and lent him a tie to face the press; they then flew together to Heathrow. There was some suggestion that Cooper was freed in exchange for the release of Mehrdad Kowkabi, an Iranian student on remand after being accused of setting fire to a London bookshop selling Rushdies The Satanic Verses. Cooper himself thought he had benefited from the advent in Iran of the comparatively liberal President Rafsanjani: The Iran which has set me free is not the same as the Iran that arrested me. Todays Iran is far more humanitarian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Living in Britain once more, Cooper resumed work as a journalist, writing a regular Rip Van Winkle column for the Telegraph in which he mused on changes in British life that had occurred in his long absence. He was also in demand as a forthright reviewer of memoirs by other prisoners and hostages. Criticising Terry Waites Taken on Trust as being almost totally deficient in humour, he observed that Waite might have survived his ordeal better if he had found something to laugh at if only at himself. Cooper always denied that he had been involved in espionage in Iran, and claimed he had just been unlucky. I think, perhaps unfortunately, I matched the profile of an English spy I had no particular job, and Id lived there for many years. Despite his insouciant attitude and lack of bitterness to the Iranians, Cooper deeply regretted that his mother and one of his brothers had died during his captivity without knowing that he would one day be released; he also suffered from PTSD. In his later years he ran a property and holiday business in Spain. Roger Coopers second marriage, to Cherlee Botkin, an American, was also dissolved. He is survived by his daughter, Gisu, who came to live in Britain with her father and became a GP. Roger Cooper, born January 29 1935, died May 18 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. BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) 33-year-old Brianna Hendricks and two children were injured in a rollover crash near Black River Falls. The Wisconsin State Patrol says the single-vehicle crash happened on Monday (June 2nd) on Highway 12 around 6:30 pm. Hendricks was heading west and lost control of her vehicle when going around a corner and rolled several times. Hendricks and an 8-year-old boy in the vehicle were not wearing seat belts and were thrown from the vehicle. They were both flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. A 10-year-old boy was also taken to the hospital but is expected to be ok. 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 FOX2548 & WIProud. BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romanian officials were rerouting a stream in central Romania to prevent further flooding of the Praid salt mine, one of Europe's largest salt reserves and a crucial tourist attraction, after parts of its floor caved in. Authorities evacuated 45 households near the mine areas at risk of collapse after the worst floods in 30 years in the central Romanian county of Harghita have swollen the nearby stream. While part of the mine has been producing salt, with an annual production capacity of around 70,000-100,000 metric tons, its huge galleries and medical centre attract half a million tourists each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the government approved support schemes worth 300 million lei ($67.82 million) for immediate help to the state-owned mine as well as up to 200 local companies that will be affected from the loss of tourism. European experts were also expected on site to assess potential solutions to save the mine. ($1 = 4.4234 lei) (Reporting by Luiza Ilie, Editing by Louise Heavens) The United Kingdom has outlined plans for its future carrier air wing, which should include drones and undisclosed long-range missiles that would be launched from its deck, alongside the F-35B stealth fighters that currently go aboard its two flattops. While there have been ongoing efforts to trial drones aboard the two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, the long-range weapons and the broader effort stressing the combination of high and low capabilities in the future carrier air wing are new developments. What are described as the first European hybrid air wings are laid out in the latest Strategic Defense Review, published yesterday by the U.K. Ministry of Defense. The Royal Navy must continue to move towards a more powerful but cheaper and simpler fleet, developing a high-low mix of equipment and weapons that exploits autonomy and digital integration, the review states. Carrier strike is already at the cutting edge of NATO capability, but much more rapid progress is needed in its evolution into hybrid carrier air wings, whereby crewed combat aircraft (F-35B) are complemented by autonomous collaborative platforms in the air, and expendable, single-use drones. Plans for the hybrid carrier air wings should also include long-range precision missiles capable of being fired from the carrier deck. An F-35 is launched from the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales, with Merlin helicopters also on deck. Crown Copyright LPhot Belinda Alker That the F-35B remains the cornerstone of the carrier air wings strike capability is no surprise. The Queen Elizabeth class carriers were tailored for operations involving the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jet, although there remain questions about exactly how many of these aircraft the United Kingdom will procure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, the U.K. government said it planned to buy 138 F-35Bs. So far, however, firm orders have only been placed for 48. Meanwhile, the previous Conservative government confirmed it was negotiating to buy another 27 for delivery by 2033. Most analysts consider that many more than 48 F-35Bs would be required to meet the ambition of 24 jets available for the baseline Carrier Strike mission, across both ships. Considering training and other demands, a figure of 60-70 jets is generally thought to be reasonable. In the meantime, U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs are being relied upon to make up the required aircraft numbers during carrier cruises. The review concludes only that More F-35s will be required over the next decade. However, it doesnt put any final number on the Joint Strike Fighter buy. Moreover, it suggests that the future Lightning force could comprise a mix of conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35As and F-35Bs. The F-35A, of course, is unable to operate from aircraft carriers, but such a mix could be adopted according to military requirements to provide greater value for money. Two F-35Bs land on board HMS Prince of Wales in May 2025. Crown Copyright LPhot Helayna Birkett The F-35A is not currently operated by the United Kingdom. The F-35A is less expensive than the F-35B and, apart from STOVL, is more capable, boasting superior range and payload. The F-35A is also a 9G-capable jet, while the F-35B is cleared for 7.5G. Some commentators have taken the reference to a potential U.K. F-35A buy as evidence of plans to join the NATO nuclear sharing arrangement, under which these aircraft are provided with U.S.-owned B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs. However, the review doesnt mention this possibility, or any plans to field tactical nuclear weapons. A U.S. Air Force F-35A deployed to RAF Leeming in England during Exercise Atlantic Trident in 2023. Crown Copyright Should the United Kingdom choose to buy F-35As, it might even threaten the future of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), the future air combat initiative at the heart of which is the Tempest crewed stealth fighter. Regardless of its impact on that, it would leave the Royal Navy struggling to meet its Carrier Strike demands. With that in mind, it would likely have to rely much more heavily on drones and long-range weapons. In regard to these, the review outlines autonomous collaborative platforms in the air [and] single-use drones as part of the hybrid carrier air wing of the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Royal Navy has, for some time now, been looking at ways to integrate drones into its future carrier air wing. Back in 2023, the Royal Navy revealed details of its intention to fit its two carriers with assisted launch systems and recovery gear, enabling operations by a variety of fixed-wing uncrewed aircraft and, potentially, also conventional takeoff and landing crewed types. We are looking to move from STOVL to STOL, then to STOBAR [short takeoff but arrested recovery], and then to CATOBAR [catapult assisted takeoff but arrested recovery], Col. Phil Kelly, the Royal Navys Head of Carrier Strike and Maritime Aviation, told the Combined Naval Event conference in 2023. We are looking at a demonstrable progression that spreads out the financial cost and incrementally improves capability. Even before this, there had been indications that the service wanted to at least explore adding different drones to its future carrier air wing. The United Kingdom is not alone in this, with China and Turkey, most notably, also increasingly putting drones aboard big-deck amphibious warfare vessels and other non-conventional-takeoff-and-landing aircraft carriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Royal Navy kicked off the project with tests of the General Atomics Mojave short takeoff and landing (STOL) drone aboard the carrier HMS Prince of Wales in late 2023, as you can read about here. The Mojaves impressive STOL capabilities mean that no launch and recovery systems were required for these tests. A Mojave drone prepares to take off from the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales in November 2023, during trials off the East Coast of the United States. Crown Copyright LPhot Finn Stainer- Hutchins The cat and trap plan for drone operations aboard U.K. carriers is known as Project Ark Royal (named after the Royal Navys last aircraft carrier that was capable of CATOBAR operations). If realized, the project will see the Queen Elizabeth class carriers start to operate drones that can undertake a variety of missions and then increasingly heavier, complex, and higher performance ones. Later on, full CATOBAR capability could also add fixed-wing crewed aircraft, too. After the Mojave trials, the next phase of Project Ark Royal aims to install some kind of recovery system on the Queen Elizabeth design, allowing operations by larger fixed-wing drones. Uncrewed aircraft in this category are an aspiration that the Royal Navy is already working toward under Project Vixen, which you can read more about here. Digitally generated concept artwork of an earlier British loyal wingman design flying alongside an F-35B. U.K. Ministry of Defense Finally, the Queen Elizabeth class design is planned to be reworked with catapult launch gear, allowing the warships to operate the heaviest aircraft you can imagine, in the words of Kelly. That would include larger, high-performance drones, but potentially also crewed fixed-wing aircraft, which would be a very significant development for the Queen Elizabeth class. As it stands, the carriers are unable to operate fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft or airborne tankers, putting limits on their offensive operations. In the future, these functions could potentially be taken on by a catapult-launched fixed-wing aircraft, whether crewed or uncrewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A replacement for the carrier air wings airborne early warning capability will become especially urgent, with plans to retire the current Merlin Crowsnest helicopter, which currently fulfills this role, at the end of 2029. A Merlin Mk 2 helicopter equipped with the Crowsnest airborne early warning system on the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth. Crown Copyright POPhot Jay Allen According to previous reports, the Royal Navy has already been looking at different catapult launch solutions, including the U.S.-developed Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), the introduction of which has been far from trouble-free, as well as the U.K.-developed Electro Magnetic Kinetic Induction Technology demonstrator. Finding room for complex launch and recovery systems, as well as fielding the manpower to maintain and operate them, will be a challenge no matter how much extra space the vessels have to accommodate them. As we have explored in the past, there are many more technological hurdles for the Royal Navy to overcome, beyond the launch and recovery systems. It will also need to develop control stations, datalinks, unique procedures, and much more to ensure the drones can be safely and effectively integrated within the carrier air group, for example. Even working out the intricacies of deck handling and flow integration involving drones combined with crewed fixed-wing jets and helicopters will be a considerable effort. The Queen Elizabeth class has a notably wide deck, but theres no angled landing area, which would enable simultaneous launch and recovery operations. Also unclear is to what degree drones could operate from the carriers existing takeoff ramps, which are required to make the maximum use of the STOVL F-35B. A head-on view of HMS Prince of Wales. Crown Copyright POPhot James Clarke Ultimately, however, the Royal Navy might look to a loyal-wingman-type drone, of the kind that the U.S. Navy is working on under its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. These uncrewed aircraft will be highly autonomous but still designed primarily to work closely together with crewed platforms, at least initially. In the past, the U.S. Navy has said it wants to have uncrewed platforms make up the majority of its future carrier air wings, with up to 60 percent of all aircraft on each flattop being pilotless in the coming decade or two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kinds of ambitions the U.S. Navy has for its CCAs would certainly seem to tally with the aspiration to field autonomous collaborative platforms aboard the U.K. carriers. Last year, General Atomics presented a vision for how a new uncrewed aircraft, a carrier-capable member of its Gambit drone family, could fit into a future air wing aboard the Queen Elizabeth class carriers. A rendering, shown below, featured a catapult-equipped HMS Prince of Wales with a Gambit-series drone ready to launch. The rendering also depicts an air wing that includes carrier-capable MQ-9B drones fitted with a STOL kit, a separate concept that General Atomics unveiled in 2022, as well as F-35Bs. GA-ASI We first started thinking of this as a carrier-capable version of Gambit 2, our air-to-air UCAV [uncrewed combat air vehicle] variant, so thats what is reflected on the Farnborough booth graphics, C. Mark Brinkley, a General Atomics spokesman, told TWZ at the time. Lately, weve been thinking of it as a new concept were calling Gambit 5, designed for carrier launch and recovery, but weapons delivery need not be a primary requirement. It could be ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] focused, like Gambit 1, or even some hybrid. Other options for the Royal Navy might include a version of the U.S. Navys MQ-25 Stingray, which is initially being developed for aerial refueling, but which could potentially be adapted for other missions, including surveillance and electronic warfare, and even strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as the MQ-25, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a loyal-wingman-type drone designed by Boeings Australian subsidiary, seems to have attracted some official interest in the United Kingdom. In February, Rear Adm. James Parkin, Director Develop for the Royal Navy, gave a presentation that included a slide with a Boeing rendering showing a variant or derivative of the MQ-28 with a visible tailhook landing on a Queen Elizabeth class carrier. Ghost Bat CCAs alongside a Super Hornet. Boeing Outside of larger drones (and potentially even CTOL crewed aircraft), the review also sees a place for single-use drones aboard the carriers. Already, the Royal Navy has conducted trials involving smaller, jet-powered drones, with the QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+, best known as a target drone, being launched from HMS Prince of Wales in 2021. An adaptation of this, or a similar drone, could fulfill this role. The Banshee can be launched using a portable catapult from the deck of the carrier, and provided its not expended it can be recovered via parachute and land in the water after completing its mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Royal Navys experiments with smaller carrier-based drones are being carried out under Project Vampire, which specifies the use study of lightweight, fixed-wing carrier-borne crewless autonomous systems, for which the twin-jet-engine-powered Banshee provides a useful surrogate. Operational drones in this class could provide the carrier air wing with important new vectors for carrying out missions, including strike, electronic warfare, and surveillance. Notably, after its appearance on the Prince of Wales, an operationalized version of the Banshee appeared in combat in Ukraine, as you can read about here. Banshee Jet 80+ drones on the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales. Crown Copyright LPhot Ben Corbett Most intriguingly, the hybrid air wing should, eventually, also feature long-range missiles capable of being fired from the carrier deck, the report recommends. The explicit mention of a missile (rather than a drone) suggests that the Royal Navy is looking at the option of launching a cruise missile from the carrier, perhaps even a hypersonic weapon. A ballistic missile is also a possibility, albeit less likely. Currently, only the Russian Navy operates a carrier with provision to launch its own cruise missiles, something you can read about in depth here. However, in recent years, there have been questions about whether the P-700 missile tubes on the Admiral Kuznetsov were still active, let alone whether they were filled with live rounds of the anti-ship missiles. This is more or less academic now, anyway, with the Admiral Kuznetsov out of operational service since mid-2022 and little sign that this will change anytime soon. An extremely rare photo of the Kuznetsov firing a P-700 anti-ship missile. Uncredited While the Admiral Kuznetsov was outfitted with cruise missiles to maximize the offensive weapons that could be directed against U.S. Navy Carrier Battle Groups and high-value convoys, the Royal Navy would likely be looking to add an additional land-attack capability to its carriers. On the other hand, a dual-use missile could also be a possibility, especially with a resurgence of interest in anti-surface warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long-range cruise missiles would also not have to be stowed in below-deck launchers, as in the Admiral Kuznetsov, which would require significant changes to the internal layout of the boat, but could instead be fired from the flight deck using a truck, trailer, or container-based launcher. A composite image showing a pair of U.S. Marine Corps Long Range Fires (LRF) launch vehicles. These uncrewed trucks are capable of firing Tomahawk missiles. U.S. Marine Corps Currently, the Royal Navy uses conventionally armed Tomahawk cruise missiles to arm its Astute class nuclear-powered attack submarines. However, it also plans to provide a Tomahawk capability on its forthcoming Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, via the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). The current Type 45 destroyer also has the potential to be retrofitted with a Tomahawk capability. The Tomahawk has a range of around 1,000 miles with a 1,000-pound unitary warhead. The Royal Navy submarine HMS Astute fires a Tomahawk cruise missile in 2011. U.S. Navy PO(Phot) Paul Punter Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is increasingly looking at new long-range strike weapons, notably a deep precision strike weapon with a range of over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) that it is pursuing with Germany. While details of the missile are yet to be finalized, it could well be developed with the option to be fired from carrier decks as well as ground launchers. New heights in military cooperation Defence Ministers Healey & Pistorius agreed: develop 2,000km Deep Precision Strike Capability joint procurement of Sting Ray torpedoes for P-8 Poseidon aircraft strategic land systems partnership continue BOXER co-operation pic.twitter.com/W5U3cJaWAY German Embassy London (@GermanEmbassy) May 16, 2025 Whatever happens, theres no doubt that these plans for the so-called hybrid air wings are full of technological challenges. Not only will it be complex to introduce these new capabilities on vessels that were not originally designed for them, but it will be a very costly endeavor. Coming at a time when there are many competing high-profile U.K. defense programs, it remains unclear how realistic these aspirations are from a fiscal perspective. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com The Justice Department disclosed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading negotiations for the return of a Venezuelan man sent to a Salvadoran prison. The disclosure, made in Monday court filings, is no guarantee the Trump administration will secure the return of a man known only in court documents as Cristian, who was deported in spite of court-ordered protections. But it strikes a less aggressive tone as the Trump administration has otherwise resisted efforts to comply with various court orders requiring them to return migrants who were wrongly removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filing notes Rubios long-standing relationship with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Based on his deep diplomatic experience with El Salvador and the secretarys familiarity with political and diplomatic sensitivities in that country, he is personally handling the discussions with the government of El Salvador regarding persons subject to the courts order detained in El Salvador, the State Department said in a statement included in the filing. It adds that Rubio has read and understands this courts order and wants to ensure the court he is making prompt and diligent efforts to comply. Cristian was the second publicly reported case of someone mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 20-year-old Cristian was among those who entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor, part of a lawsuit that protected him and others from removal while they were permitted to seek asylum. In another case, Salvadoran man Kilmar Abrego Garcia was sent to a prison in the country despite a 2019 order from an immigration judge protecting him from being removed and sent to his native country. In that case, the Trump administration has resisted a Supreme Court order to return the man, saying the directive to facilitate his return requires only sending a plane to receive him should El Salvador wish to release him. Bukele has said he will not release Abrego Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a third case, the Justice Department has said it is working to return a Guatemalan man who was deported to Mexico, despite having previously been raped and extorted in the country. In court filings last week, the administration said it was arranging for him to come back to the U.S. on the return leg of a deportation flight. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Ryan Patrick Jones (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday praised the bravery of the Chinese people who were killed in a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters at Tiananmen Square in Beijing 36 years ago. "Today we commemorate the bravery of the Chinese people who were killed as they tried to exercise their fundamental freedoms, as well as those who continue to suffer persecution as they seek accountability and justice for the events of June 4, 1989," Rubio said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The CCP actively tries to censor the facts, but the world will never forget," he said, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Chinese tanks rolled into the square before dawn on June 4, 1989, and troops opened fire to end weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations by students and workers. The ruling Communist Party has never released a death toll, though rights groups and witnesses say the figure could run into the thousands. The events are a taboo topic in China and the anniversary is not marked or publicly discussed, although public commemorations take place annually in overseas cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their courage in the face of certain danger reminds us that the principles of freedom, democracy, and self-rule are not just American principles. They are human principles the CCP cannot erase," Rubio said. The statement from the U.S.'s top diplomat comes at a rocky time in the U.S.-China relationship. Since beginning his second White House term on January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump has unleashed 145% tariffs on most Chinese goods over what his administration sees as decades of trade abuses by China. Beijing responded with its own 125% tariffs on U.S. products. Officials from the two sides agreed in Geneva to dial back the triple-digit tariffs for 90 days, but have yet 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. Senior U.S. officials have said this week that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would speak soon to iron out trade issues, including a dispute over critical minerals and China's restrictions on exports of certain minerals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a regular news briefing on Tuesday the Trump administration "is actively monitoring China's compliance with the Geneva trade agreement," and added that "there will be a leader-to-leader talk very soon." (Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones; Editing by Sonali Paul) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A runner was injured Saturday in Madison after he was stabbed in an alleged unprovoked attack. According to court documents, on May 31 around 1 p.m., the man was out for a run near Maple Street and Brawner Avenue when he saw 32-year-old Timothy Castille standing at the intersection. As he got closer, Castille reportedly ran toward him and stabbed him in the neck. Man shot by Columbia officer on Nashville Highway Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told authorities there was no argument or conversation prior to the stabbing. Court documents said it is believed Castilles only intent was to critically injure the victim. Authorities said after the stabbing, Castille was captured on video running from the scene down Brawner Avenue. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The victim was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center for treatment. Upon his release from the hospital, he identified Castille as the suspect in a photo lineup. Castille was charged Tuesday with attempted criminal homicide and booked into Metro jail on a $150,000 bond. 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. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that during the Istanbul negotiations, Russian representatives dismissed the issue of abducted Ukrainian children as a "show for childless European old ladies" and acknowledged deporting several hundred children. "I want our journalists, our people and not only ours to understand their attitude toward the humanitarian aspect. First, they told us not to put on a show for childless European old ladies thats how they phrased it in Russian. Thats their attitude when we raise the issue of the children," Zelensky noted during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent. During the second round of peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, Vladimir Medinsky, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and head of Russia's delegation, presented a list submitted by Ukraine containing the names of 339 children it says were abducted by Russia and must be returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medinsky rejected the allegations, denying that Russia had taken the children by force. Ukraine has documented over 19,500 cases of children who were forcibly taken to Russia, Belarus, or occupied territories since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to official figures, only about 1,300 of them have been brought back to areas under Ukrainian control. These actions have faced widespread international backlash. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and the country's commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, over their alleged roles in organizing the deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, the European Parliament passed a resolution denouncing the deportations as part of a "genocidal strategy" to eliminate Ukrainian identity, calling for the immediate and unconditional return of all abducted children. "We told them they had stolen 20,000 children, and they responded that it wasnt 20,000 at most, they said, it was a matter of a few hundred," Zelensky said. "Our delegation (was) offended by this... Honestly, Im not. I think its more important not to fixate on the number, but on the fact itself they admitted to taking children. We believe its thousands, they say its hundreds, but what matters is that they acknowledged the fact." Read also: Closer to victory Operation Spiderweb gives much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians after 3 years of full-scale war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 112 Shahed-type attack UAVs and various types of decoy drones on the night of 2-3 June. Source: Air Force Command on Facebook Details: As of 09:00, Ukrainian air defence had destroyed 75 Russian Shahed-type UAVs and other types of drones in the east, south and north of the country. Sixty drones were shot down by air defence assets, and 15 disappeared from radar or were suppressed by electronic warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Air Force reported that strikes were recorded at 11 locations. The air attack was repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units and UAV units, as well as mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian defence forces. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian forces have attacked the gas supply system in the city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, over the past day, leaving about 3,000 residents without gas. Source: press service for the Kramatorsk City Council Quote: "The enemy struck the city yesterday, damaging the gas supply system. In particular, a high-pressure gas distribution pipeline was damaged." Details: It is noted that 2,788 consumers in the village of Yasnohirka and the neighbouring settlement were left without gas supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The exact aftermath of the attack is being determined, and, depending on the security situation, gas workers will begin repairing the damage in order to restore gas supply to residents as soon as possible," the city council said. The press service added that the Kramatorsk Gas Distribution Company's emergency response team quickly localised the emergency. Background: As a result of a Russian attack with Shahed attack drones, a part of the sorting terminal of Nova Poshta, Ukraines largest private postal services operator, in Kharkiv Oblast was destroyed. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Investing.com -- Russia is set to incorporate its domestic artificial intelligence model, Gigachat, into the International Space Stations (ISS) IT systems, according to the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. Gigachat, a product of Russias largest bank, Sberbank, is one of the countrys two main large language models (LLM), as Russia aims to keep pace with the United States and China in the global AI race. Dmitry Bakanov, the chief of Roscosmos, disclosed that the forthcoming mission to the ISS this fall will carry all the necessary equipment for Gigachat to operate. The AI model will aid the crew in processing satellite imagery, doubling the highest resolution from one meter per pixel to 0.5 meters. Bakanov made this announcement at a technology conference in Moscow, describing the AI integration as "direct assistance for the cosmonauts." Earlier this year, in April, a Russian spacecraft transported American astronaut Jonathan Kim and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Alexei Zubritsky to the ISS. The next Russian mission to the ISS is scheduled for November 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has committed to participating in the ISS until 2028. Additionally, the country has plans to launch the initial two modules of its own new space station in 2027. Related articles Russia to integrate AI model Gigachat into ISS systems Airbus shares gain on report China may order hundreds of its aircraft Italys outlook improves to positive at Moodys Russian strategic aviation aircraft have fired 2,437 cruise missiles against Ukraine since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Ukrainian air defence forces have managed to shoot down 1,916 of them. Source: Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda (translation is coming soon) Quote from Yurii Ihnat: "The enemy has been using strategic aircraft carriers (Tu-95 and Tu-160) since the first days of the full-scale invasion... Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the data I prepared specifically for Ukrainska Pravda, the enemy has used these carriers to launch 2,437 Kh-101, Kh-555 and Kh-55 cruise missiles against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Of these, 1916 were shot down. This is the result of the truly effective work of air defence, of the entire defence forces, against cruise missiles. However, a significant number, about 500, reached their targets or were not shot down." Details: Regarding the special operation codenamed Pavutyna (Spider's Web) of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) to destroy Russian strategic aircraft, Ihnat said the following: the SSU reported that more than 40 aircraft were damaged. These are various types of damage: there are completely burnt-out aircraft, some permanently damaged, and some damaged but can be repaired. For a long time, they (the damaged aircraft) will not be able to carry out their missions, namely, terrorist attacks on the territory of Ukraine. Yurii Ihnat also stressed that Russia still has enough assets to strike and called for caution. "Not all Russian strategic aviation aircraft were destroyed. That is why the defence forces and Air Force need to be extremely careful. And, of course, so must our citizens," Ihnat added. Background: On 1 June 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a special operation codenamed Pavutyna (Spiders Web), which targeted strategic aircraft at four Russian airfields. Vasyl Malik, Head of the SSU, said that in total, "34% of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main Russian airfields were hit". The SSU officially reports that 41 Russian strategic aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22 M3 and Tu-160, were hit by FPV drones. The estimated cost of the damaged Russian strategic aircraft is over US$7 billion. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Latest: Ukraine confirms 41 Russian aircraft including bombers hit during Operation Spiderweb. Russian forces lost 12 aircraft, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said in its regular daily update on June 3, without providing additional details. The report came two days after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched a mass drone attack against Russian strategic aviation parked at four different air bases on June 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk said that 41 planes, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 bombers and A-50 reconnaissance planes, were hit. The SBU later claimed the operation caused approximately $7 billion in damage and disabled one-third of Russia's cruise missile bombers. In its report, the General Staff did not specify the types of destroyed planes or whether more had been damaged. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council official Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, previously said at least 13 Russian aircraft were destroyed in the attack, with more damaged. "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," Maliuk said in a statement on June 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Ukrainian citizen Roman Lavrynovych, suspected of setting fire to property linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, may have been recruited by Russia via the Telegram messaging app, RFE/RL's Schemes investigative project reported on June 3. Two properties and a car linked to Starmer were targeted in arson attacks in the first half of May. Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old working as a model and a roofer, was charged on May 15. He allegedly set a car that Starmer previously sold to a neighbor on fire on May 8. The suspect also allegedly started fires at Starmer's two former residences on May 11 and 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police said the property suffered damage, but no one was injured. An analysis of Lavrynovychs social media activity revealed that between 2022 and 2025, he actively searched for work through various Telegram channels aimed at foreigners in London. His most recent job-seeking post appeared in the London UA group on May 2, days before a car linked to Starmer was set ablaze in London. "Looking for a job, I will consider any options," Lavrynovych wrote. Soon after, a user named Yurii replied, asking Lavrynovych to message him privately. Yurii had joined London UA only a few days prior to the dialog, according to Schemes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Ukrainian citizen, Petro Pochynok, was charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, is expected to appear at Westminster magistrates court on May 21. Stanislav Carpiuc, a Russian-speaking Romanian national born in Ukraine, was also charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. British security officials are currently investigating possible Russian involvement in the attacks, the Financial Times reported on May 23. 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 Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) warned on June 2 that Russian intelligence services are actively attempting to recruit Ukrainian nationals for illegal operations across the European Union. 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. MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia plans to integrate its homegrown Gigachat artificial intelligence model into IT systems on the International Space Station (ISS), the head of space agency Roscosmos said on Tuesday. Gigachat, developed by the country's largest bank, Sberbank, is one of Russia's two flagship large language models (LLM) as it tries to catch up with the United States and China in the global AI race. Roscosmos chief Dmitry Bakanov said that the next mission to the ISS this autumn will deliver everything needed for the model to function. Gigachat will assist the crew with processing satellite imagery, increasing the maximum resolution from one meter per pixel to 0.5 meters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a direct assistance for the cosmonauts," Bakanov told a technology conference in Moscow. In April, a Russian spacecraft delivered American astronaut Jonathan Kim and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Alexei Zubritsky to the ISS. The next Russian spacecraft mission to the ISS is planned for November 27. Russia has announced it will participate in the ISS until 2028 and plans to launch the first two modules of its own new space station in 2027. Sberbank is focusing on developing AI agents - goal-directed generative AI systems designed to process information, make decisions and take actions without direct, constant human input. (Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya, writing by Gleb Bryanski; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) The one-time payment for signing a contract to participate in the war against Ukraine has been reduced in Bashkortostan, Russian Federation. Source: The Moscow Times Details: From 5 June, it will amount to 1 million roubles (about US$12,600) instead of the current 1.6 million (US$20,100). The decree was signed by the head of the republic, Radiy Khabirov. This large payment is divided into two parts: one is paid by the federation (federal) and the subject of the federation (regional), which, in this case, is the Republic of Bashkortostan. The regional part of the payment in Ufa, the capital of Bashkortostan, will be cut in half, from 1.2 million (US$15,100) to 600,000 roubles (US$7,500), but a municipal allowance of 700,000 roubles (US$8,800) will remain there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal part of 400,000 roubles (US$5,000) is valid indefinitely throughout Russia. Thus, those who signed a contract in Ufa will receive 1.7 million, and in other military registration and enlistment offices in the region 1.4 million. According to the media outlet, Bashkortostan is at least the fourth region to reduce payments. Earlier, the authorities of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (from 3.1 million, US$39,000, to 1.9 million roubles, US$24,000), Nizhny Novgorod Oblast (from 3 million, US$37,800 to 1.5 million roubles, US$18,900) and Belgorod Oblast (from 3 million to 800,000 roubles, US$10,000) announced reductions. Political analyst Abbas Gallyamov believes that these developments indicate problems with financing recruitment for the front. "The money is running out," he says. "Now they will have to resort to administrative resources. They will bend people to their will." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A man, his wife and mother from occupied Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast have been sentenced to between 20 years and life imprisonment for supposedly blowing up a local collaborator and attempting to blow up a section of railway by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. Source: Russian news outlets Mediazona and Nastoyashchee Vremya Details: It is reported that 29-year-old Artem Murdid, a resident of occupied Melitopol, was sentenced to life imprisonment, his common-law wife Anna Voshkoder to 20 years in a general regime penal colony, and his mother Anna Murdid to 22 years in a penal colony. The man will spend the first eight years in prison and the rest of his sentence in a strict regime colony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Russians, former Oschadbank cash collector Artem Murdid, his wife and mother were members of a "terrorist community" led by an unidentified employee of the Security Service of Ukraine. The women were supposedly involved in monitoring "targets of criminal attacks". The Russian investigation claims that the accused were preparing four attacks. The only successful attack was the blowing up of the car of Ivan Tkach, director of the Municipal Transport company, who collaborated with the Russian authorities. Tkach was killed in the explosion, and a female employee of the company, Olena Syvashchenko, was seriously injured but survived. In addition, the investigators stated that the family had supposedly attempted to blow up a section of the railway, and Artem on his own had attempted to blow up Deriabin, the head of the railway station, and the head of the occupation administration of Melitopol. During the trial, Artem Murdid stated that he had learned about the essence of the charges from Russian law enforcement officials, who "created certain physical conditions violence and torture". As a result of the torture, he said, he was forced to give testimony on which the charges are based. His mother, Anna Murdid, also spoke about the use of torture. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (NewsNation) Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are taking place in Turkey following a series of surprise attacks by Ukraine over the weekend. Ukraine says the drone attacks reportedly disabled 40 bombers, or a third of Russias bomber fleet, though Russia disputes those claims and says only a few of its planes were hit. Can the US protect itself from a Ukraine-style drone attack? This means Russias ability to strike into Ukraine will be severely limited, John Herbst, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said. Its also good news to the United States, because those long-range bombers are nuclear weapons-capable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herbst said if Ukraines estimates are correct, then its a plus for American nuclear security. He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes time is on his side in the three-year conflict and that he will be able to gain control over Ukraine and later other surrounding NATO nations if western support for Ukraine stops over time. Michael Cohen: Trump will go after Elons money next This is Putins game, and sadly, weak Western leadership has proved him right with his war on Georgia in 2008, his seizure of Crimea in 2014 and the not-quite adequate Western response to the big invasion in 2022, Herbst said. So hes hoping Trumps going to stop American military supplies to Ukraine. I think that may be a bad bet to Putin. Herbst said the war is a life-or-death matter for Ukraine, and just as Israel also does not notify the U.S. of major military initiatives it takes, Ukraine is doing the same thing to protect itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added Russia realizes a major blow has been dealt to it, but it is downplaying the impact of the strike. It undermines the narrative that Russia will inevitably win this war, Herbst said. If American military supplies continue to Ukraine, or they have support from other European nations, Ukraine will not lose 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 NewsNation. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on June 2 slammed Russia for only providing its memorandum of a peace proposal at talks earlier in the day, saying that "the Russians are once again stalling for time." "(I)f this is just another attempt to buy time, then there should be one response: tougher international sanctions," Umerov said in a post to Facebook. "Our documents were submitted in advance. In contrast, the Russian 'memorandum' appeared only today during the meeting itself. This created conditions that prevented the meeting from delivering the results needed to end the war," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine and Russia held another round of peace talks on June 2, after their first meeting in Istanbul on May 16. Both rounds of talks were largely inconclusive, with Russia reiterating its rejection of a ceasefire. Umerov attended the peace negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, leading Ukraine's 14-member delegation, which included several figures from Ukraine's military, human rights, and legal sectors. Umerov also led Ukraine's 12-member delegation on May 16. "We conveyed the positions formulated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. One of the key points an unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days. This has been our principle and the position of our partners for many months," Umerov said. Russia only proposed a temporary two- to three-day ceasefire in specific areas of the front line to allow for the retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Russia rejects even the very idea of stopping the killings. Thats why we appeal to the world: pressure is needed for real peace, not for an imitation of negotiations," Umerov said. At the first round of peace talks, both sides agreed to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, which took place from May 23-25. On June 2, Ukraine and Russia agreed to work on another prisoner exchange with up to 1,200 captives from each side. Zelensky, later on June 2, criticized Russias proposal for a 23-day local ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers, speaking during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky earlier on June 2 called on U.S. President Donald Trump to deliver a "strong new package" of sanctions against Russia if peace talks in Istanbul remain unsuccessful. "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 on May 30 said that he was "very surprised" at Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities amid peace efforts. The U.S. leader has repeatedly threatened additional sanctions against Russia, but has thus far refused to implement the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said on May 28 that the U.S. would soon know whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is committed to ending the war. If not, he warned, the White House would "respond a little bit differently." 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. KYIV (Reuters) -A Russian artillery attack on Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy on Tuesday killed four people and injured 28, including three children, officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the updated death toll of four in the city in his nightly video address. A Reuters video showed rescuers and police assessing damage on a street littered with debris. One body, covered with a sheet, lay prone near cars peppered with splinters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The country's Interior Ministry put the injury toll in the incident at 28, including three children. Earlier announcements said eight people were in serious condition. Zelenskiy said at least one rocket fired from a multiple rocket launcher had failed to detonate and lodged itself in an apartment building. Commenting on the attack, Zelenskiy said on his Telegram channel: "That's all one needs to know about the Russian wish to end this war." On Monday, Russia told Ukraine at peace talks in Istanbul it would only agree to end the war if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army. Ukraine has repeatedly rejected the Russian conditions as tantamount to surrender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is obvious that ... without decisive steps by the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who has power, Putin will not ... agree to a ceasefire," he said. The attack on Sumy, a city of over 255,000 located just 30 km (18 miles) from the Russian border, follows Sunday's surprise Ukrainian drone attack on nuclear-capable long-range bombers deep in Siberia. Earlier on Tuesday, the administration of Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk also said four civilians were killed in separate artillery attacks on four locations overnight. Russia denies deliberately attacking civilians in what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. (Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko and Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Peter Graff, William Maclean, Ron Popeski and Chizu Nomiyama) Russian attacks against Ukraine killed at least seven civilians and injured 42 others over the past day, regional authorities said on June 3. Ukrainian forces downed 60 out of the 112 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Fifteen drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones that disappear from radars before reaching their targets are usually decoys. Russia launches them alongside real drones to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense. Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper said that Russian forces attacked Odesa with drones, injuring at least five people. The attack set a food warehouse on fire and damaged residential buildings and cars. A Russian attack on the village of Kivsharivka in Kharkiv Oblast killed two women aged 62 and 64, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. A 31-year-old man was killed, and a 38-year-old man was injured in a Russian attack on Balakliia. Another strike on the town of Kupiansk injured four women and a 59-year-old man, Syniehubov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian drone and missile attacks on Sumy Oblast injured four people, according to local authorities. Russian first-person-view (FPV) drones struck a State Emergency Service building and service vehicles in the Stepnohirsk community in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, injuring 12 emergency workers, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. Three people were killed in Kramatorsk and Yablunivka in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Two other people suffered injuries in the region over the past day. In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 35 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. One person was killed, and 13 others, including a child, were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Russian forces attacked the village of Baranivka in Kharkiv Oblast with a first-person view (FPV) drone on 3 June 2025, injuring a 28-year-old man. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office on Telegram Quote: "Investigators have established that an FPV drone struck near a tractor in Baranivka in the Zolochiv hromada of the Bohodukhiv district at around 14:00 on 3 June. The vehicle was damaged and the 28-year-old driver was injured." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.]. The driver has been taken to hospital in a moderate condition." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Security Service of Ukraine has detained a 42-year-old conscript in Kharkiv who was serving in a National Guard assault brigade and working for the Russians. Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SSU); Prosecutor Generals Office Details: The SSU reported that the agent was adjusting Russian airstrikes on the facilities belonging to his own unit. Prosecutors revealed that the suspect, who held pro-Russian views, established contact with an officer of Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) via the Telegram messenger app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While serving as a platoon commander, he passed the Russians the coordinates of command posts, training centres, and backup facilities used by the military unit he served in. He was also expected to send his handler a list of brigade officers and data on the units manpower from company to battalion level. In exchange for this intelligence, the FSB promised to organise his "evacuation" to Russia across the front line in Kharkiv Oblast. Law enforcement exposed and detained the mole. During the operation, comprehensive measures were taken to secure the locations of Ukraines defence forces. Investigators found a phone on the suspect containing evidence of collaboration with Russian intelligence. The SSU has served the man with a notice of suspicion for treason committed under martial law (Article 111.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). He is currently in custody. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Center for Countering Disinformation has denied reports by Russian propagandists on an alleged bilateral meeting between the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, and the Defence Minister of Ukraine, Rustem Umierov, before the talks in Istanbul. Source: Center for Countering Disinformation on Telegram Quote: "Russian propaganda has launched a campaign to discredit the Ukrainian negotiating team. Putin's aide, Vladimir Medinsky, announced an alleged bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov before the talks in Istanbul. This information is not true". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: It is reported that the meeting was actually held in the presence of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who acted as a mediator. "The statements about the alleged secret agreements reached at this meeting are a manipulation aimed at undermining the credibility of the Ukrainian negotiating team," the Center for Countering Disinformation said. The Center also warned that Russian propaganda is preparing a two-pronged information attack against Ukrainian representatives at the talks in Istanbul. In particular, disinformation about the delegation's alleged personal ties with Russians will be spread within Ukraine. Western audiences will be told that Ukraine is "delaying the peace talks". However, it is Russia that systematically avoids ceasefire agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Russia's goal is to replace reality and impose a narrative in which the aggressor poses as a peacemaker," the Center for Countering Disinformation stressed. Earlier, the Russian propaganda media outlet TASS reported that Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov had held a bilateral meeting before the talks. Background: The meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations lasted just over an hour and was the second after the negotiations on 16 May. Prior to the talks with the Russian delegation, 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. On the evening of 2 June, Russian state news agencies published the text of the Russian "memorandum of settlement", containing proposals for a ceasefire, including Ukraine's neutrality, elections and withdrawal from four oblasts. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Editor's note: This story is being updated and contains graphic images. Russian forces attacked downtown Sumy in Ukraine's northeast on June 3, killing four people and injuring 28 others, including three children, according to Ukrainian authorities. According to preliminary reports, Russia launched five attacks on Sumy using multiple launch rocket systems. "The Russians launched a savage strike on Sumy directly targeting the city and its ordinary streets with rocket artillery. It was a fully deliberate attack on civilians," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 17-year-old was among the injured, with authorities describing the condition of many victims as serious. At nearly 4:30 p.m. local time, the death toll rose to four after a 43-year-old man who was in a serious condition died in the hospital. His seven-year-old daughter was also severely injured in the Russian attack. The attack reportedly set two cars ablaze, destroying them completely. A medical facility and residential buildings were also damaged. At 7 p.m. local time, rescuers finished working at the sites of the attacks. Sappers also examined the affected area and removed the remains of explosives, the State Emergency Service reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local authorities declared June 3 and 4 a day of mourning in Sumy. According to Zelensky, at least one of the projectiles used by Russia in the attack on Sumy failed to detonate, piercing the wall of a nine-story apartment building. "That alone says everything one needs to know about Russias so-called 'desire' to end this war," he added, calling on the U.S. and Europe to increase pressure on Moscow. The attack came only a day after Russia and Ukraine held a second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2, which focused on a new prisoner exchange, but yet again failed to achieve a breakthrough in peace efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia proposed a limited two- to three-day ceasefire in specific front-line areas to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers, while continuing to disregard Ukraines call for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire supported by Western partners. Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia to the north, has been a repeated target of Russian incursions and shelling since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The region has recently seen renewed hostilities as Russian forces ramp up activity along the northeastern border. In late May, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is accumulating 50,000 troops near Sumy Oblast, seeking to create a 10-kilometer buffer zone in the area. Hours after a first round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks on May 16, Russia launched a drone strike in Sumy Oblast, killing nine people and injuring seven more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: 5 Ukrainian regions, ban on NATO, limits on Kyivs army Russian media publishes Moscows official peace demands Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Russian drone struck a mobile camp housing road workers from the company Autostrada in Kharkiv Oblast on the night of 2-3 June. The workers were engaged in repairing roads near the front line. Source: company owner Maksym Shkil on Facebook Details: Shkil reported that the attack had killed loader operator Oleksandr Kapeliushnyi, who is survived by his wife and young child. Another employee was injured and received medical assistance. His life is not in danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Shkil: "This particular road unit had been repairing frontline roads on the Kupiansk-Lyman and Vovchansk fronts. Autostradas road workers are constantly sent out to deal with the aftermath of strikes, fill craters and restore road surfaces all under constant threat of attacks." Background: A part of the sorting terminal of Nova Poshta, the largest private postal operator in Ukraine, in Kharkiv Oblast was destroyed as a result of a Russian attack. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian forces attacked the village of Chystovodivka in the Kunie hromada in Kharkiv Oblast on 3 June, killing at least two people and injuring three. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Early reports indicate that the strike was carried out using a multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Two people have been reported killed, while three others sustained injuries of varying severity. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian troops launched a strike on the central part of the city of Sumy on the morning of Tuesday 2 June. It was reported that three people had been killed and 20 more, including a 17-year-old teenager, had sustained injuries. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration on Telegram; local media outlet Kordon.Media on Facebook Quote: "The Russians targeted vehicles in the centre of Sumy. Early reports indicate casualties. Two cars were completely destroyed by fire at the site of the strike." The aftermath of the attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Kordon.Media Details: The authorities stated that the type of weapon is being established and the aftermath of the attack is being clarified. Emergency workers are working at the scene. Kordon.Media reported that one person had been killed and at least three others injured as a result of the strike on the city. Later, Sumy Oblast Military Administration confirmed that one person had been killed in the Russian strike on the city centre in Sumy. "Many people have been injured. They are being taken to medical facilities in the city of Sumy," the administration stated. Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported that two people were killed and about 20 injured in the Russian attack, including a 17-year-old teenager. Some people are in a serious condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A medical facility, cars and residential buildings were damaged by the strikes. A headquarters has been set up to deal with the aftermath of the Russian attack. The State Emergency Service reported that three people were killed in the strike on Sumy. In one of the city's districts, a shell hit the road surface. The explosion set a car on fire, but the fire was quickly extinguished. In another neighbourhood, an apartment building was damaged, but there was no major destruction or fire. Three houses, a warehouse, a garage, four cars and one of the hospital buildings were also damaged. The area is still being checked out. Rescue workers, medics and law enforcement are working at the scene. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! By Jessica Donati and Sonia Rolley (Reuters) -Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo executed at least 21 civilians over two days in February in the eastern city of Goma, Human Rights Watch said in a report published on Tuesday. The report covers incidents on February 22-23 in a Goma neighborhood, offering a snapshot of the violence during the latest escalation of the decades-long conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commanders and combatants who directly ordered or carried out abuses should be held criminally accountable, Human Rights Watch said in the report. M23 rebels have seized eastern Congos two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu, in an offensive that began in January. The unprecedented advance has killed thousands of people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee. The 21 slain civilians included six men and one woman shot in the head near Katindo military camp in Goma on February 22. HRW said M23 were responsible, citing a witness. In a separate incident, M23 killed people and dumped their bodies at a construction site less than 100 metres away from the camp. These included a 15-year-old who was taken from his home and later found dead at the site, HRW said, citing a relative and a neighbour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goma's Kasika neighbourhood was targeted because it had previously housed Congolese army barracks, HRW said. The violence continued in the neighbourhood a day later on February 23 when M23 rounded up around 20 young men at a nearby sportsfield. A witness told HRW the rebels accused the young men of being members of the army. Three that tried to run away were shot. An M23 leader said the group would look into the allegations and publish the findings. HRW gives us an opportunity to mirror ourselves. We respect this organization despite its past accusations which proved to be false, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The overall toll in Goma is likely to be higher, HRW said, with medical workers reporting that over 50 bodies were collected from the Kasika area over the two-day period. Other organizations have previously reported grievous crimes committed in eastern Congo since M23 seized swaths of territory. Amnesty International in March said rebels had raided hospitals in Goma for wounded Congolese soldiers and taken 130 people including caregivers. Many were tortured and some are still missing. UNICEF reported a five-fold surge in rape cases treated across 42 health centers in eastern Congo, in February, describing it as the worst sexual violence seen there in years. Almost a third of the victims were children, UNICEF said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one example, a mother reported that her six daughters, the youngest just 12 years old, were raped by armed men searching for food. The conflict in eastern Congo is rooted in the spillover of Rwanda's 1994 genocide and the struggle over Congo's vast mineral resources. Rwanda denies U.N. allegations that it backs the M23, saying its forces are acting in self-defence against Congo's army and allied militias. (Writing by Jessica Donati; Editing by Stephen Coates) SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A site at the former H Barracks lot near San Diego International Airport and Liberty Station opened over the weekend, meant to serve as a safe place to sleep for people experiencing homelessness. For people like Barbara Price and Johnny Barber, her longtime friend of 50 years, having a safe place to sleep at night is essential to survival. We have to survive, Price said. The best way we can whether its going to the bathroom or getting something to eat or dealing with people day to day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Diego considers sweeping parking reform package: What it entails Barber has lived in a Chevy truck for the last five years, which is adorned with the American flag. Im the son of a soldier, he said. Price has also called the truck home for the past year. Every night, they look for places to park the truck and get some rest. The H Barracks site, which recently opened near North Harbor Drive between Kincaid and McCain roads, is meant to serve people like Price and Barber. The city of San Diego entered into a one-year agreement with the nonprofit, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, who will manage the site along with other existing ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Open seven nights a week between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m., the site includes 190 parking spaces for individuals and families living in vehicles and are experiencing homelessness. The city says 120 of the spaces can be utilized by oversized vehicles. The facility also includes security and bathrooms onsite, as well as housing navigation and mental health resources. The city says the overall goal of the site, and others like it, is to get people into stable housing. However, prior to its opening, the sites proposed location was a contentious topic for many in the Point Loma community. Community members have expressed concerns about safety, particularly in relation to the proximity to the airport, a childrens playground and Liberty Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city previously stated the H Barracks site is not permanent and will only be operational until the pure water project opens in 2029. FOX 5/KUSIs Juliette Vara contributed to this report. Watch her report in the video 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A 5.8-magnitude earthquake has struck western Turkey and nearby Greek islands. Tourists staying in the region reported feeling tremors throughout the night, with the ensuing panic causing multiple injuries and leaving one dead. The epicentre was Marmaris, a popular resort town, but the effects were felt in nearby Rhodes and other islands in the Aegean Sea. No tsunami alert has been issued. Infrastructure, at present, remains unaffected, and holiday provider Tui has released a statement saying tourists should remain calm and follow any safety instructions provided by your accommodation or local officials. The natural disaster follows a similar, more powerful incident in April, which saw some 50 aftershocks hit the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Crete in Greece, prompting a tsunami alert from seismologists. While there were some minor landslides, no significant damage (or injuries) were reported. Here is everything you need to know about whether it is safe to travel to Turkey right now. Is it safe to visit Istanbul? It is currently safe to visit Istanbul although aftershocks may still be possible. Turkey, residing on a fault line, is often subject to earthquakes and it is wise to consider your accommodations preparedness ahead of travel. Is it safe to visit Antalya and Bodrum? There is no suggestion that Antalya and Bodrum, popular beach resorts, have been affected. Package holidays to Turkey continue as usual. Is it safe to visit Greece and Rhodes? As with Turkey, Greece and its islands are currently safe to visit. Aftershocks may still be possible, however, so those planning to travel should monitor information from their holiday provider. What does the FCDO say? The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not updated its Turkey or Greece travel advice in light of the earthquakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relevant government page was, however, recently altered to reflect the current wave of political demonstrations across Turkey. The FCDO says: Demonstrations and protests are currently taking place in Istanbul and other cities across Turkey. Demonstrations may become violent. Regarding terrorism, the Foreign Office warns: Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey and warns that there have been several attacks including use of knives, firearms and explosives. The FCDO warns that attacks could take place in settings often visited by foreign nationals, like airports or major event venues. Recently, the FCDO updated its advice to warn about counterfeit alcohol after people have died or become seriously ill after drinking illegally produced local spirits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before travel, it is worth reading the FCDOs advice, including on sexual assault, taxi safety, and important information about regional risks in the far south east of Turkey. Are flights still running to Turkey? Yes. There is no indication that flights or airports across Turkey or Greece have been affected at this stage. What if I want to cancel my holiday? If you have booked a package holiday to Turkey and want to cancel your trip for any reason, contact your tour operator and they might offer flexibility with alternative dates. But bear in mind that, because the FCDO has not issued any formal advice against travel to Turkey, there is no guarantee you will receive a refund, nor will you be able to claim money back with your travel insurance company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have booked flights and accommodation independently, and wish to cancel your holiday, contact your travel providers as soon as possible to see if you can rearrange your plans. Note, however, that given the circumstances, it is unlikely you will receive a full refund. You can see the full Turkey FCDO advice here and information about Greece here. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego City Council on Monday approved new parking regulations that will allow the city to adjust parking fees for times with high demand and during special events, along with increasing parking enforcement to seven days a week. City Council back in February voted to raise parking meter rates in the City of San Diego from $1.25 to $2.50 per hour. This latest update to the City parking regulations aims to generate more revenue for the City to support improvements and maintenance of local infrastructure while freeing up General Fund resources for other uses, and encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation, according to the City. The updated parking regulations will allow the City to use dynamic pricing for parking meters for high demand times and during special events like concerts, conventions, parades and festivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes also include taking away free parking on Sundays so enforcement will be seven days a week. San Diego considers sweeping parking reform package: What it entails It will also require City staff to consult and provide solutions to residents who rely on regulated street parking due to a lack of off-street solutions before parking meter enforcement expands to Sundays. Fees will be updated for valet parking permit applications and permits for blocking parking spaces during construction part of the new changes. Lastly, the changes will include reforms to Community Parking District management in an effort to address how parking meter funds are spent by districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City says parking meter revenues are limited by state and local law to specific areas and uses and that they must be reinvested to benefit parking and mobility-related needs within the meter zone where they were collected. Mondays vote came after more than a year of work by the City, which included a series of parking management recommendations from a consulting firm after a detailed analysis was performed. Related Video: City weighs paid parking at Balboa Park While the parking reforms passed City Council on Monday, the City says the actual changes to existing meters and meter rates will be implemented over time and the public will be notified beforehand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan Plante contributed to this report. Watch in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. This story has been updated with additional information. Former University of Michigan President Santa Ono was rejected in his bid to be the next president of the University of Florida. That school's Board of Governors voted down his nomination Tuesday, June 3, after Ono had come under withering criticism from conservatives in Florida and elsewhere who were troubled by his tenure in Ann Arbor, including his previous support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. University of Florida president-elect Dr. Santa Ono is shown June 3 during his confirmation hearing in front of the Board of Governors in Orlando. Ono resigned his U-M job last month when he was named the sole finalist for the top job at Florida. The Free Press was unable to reach Ono for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Free Press also left a message seeking comment from U-M. Several of the school's regents declined to comment. Derek Peterson, a U-M professor of history and African studies, serves as chair of the Faculty Senate. He told the Free Press in an email that Ono had disavowed core elements of liberal education in his purusit of the Florida job. "That a former Michigan president would take these positions should cause usas we look for a new university leaderto more firmly inquire into our candidates track record," Peterson said. "We need a president with a spine. We need firm evidence that the candidates we consider have a record of promoting those elements of liberal education that we all value. We do not want a leader who will trim his or her sails to whatever the prevailing wind in Florida might be." The rejection marked a stunning fall from grace for Ono, who had received unanimous support a week earlier from the Board of Trustees at the university's flagship school in Gainsville. That support included a contract that could have paid him up to $15 million over five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board of Governors that voted him down oversees the entire University of Florida system, which has 12 public universities, including the Gainesville campus. Ono had tried to navigate the changing political winds higher education now faces in the second Trump administration. At times, he was criticized for appearing to capitulate to Trump's demands. In February, the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funds from universities that consider race in their admission practices. In March, Ono announced that U-M would close its expansive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and redirect that money to more student-focused efforts like the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides free tuition for students from Michigan who meet income guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also in March, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold funding to 60 universities across the country, including U-M, for what the Trump administration considered the schools' insufficient efforts to combat antisemitism. That charge came after U-M had long faced criticism of its treatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus, including the removal of a protest encampment on the U-M Diag. The school's treatment of those protesters prompted lawsuits against U-M, but in the eyes of some people in Florida, Ono was too soft on the encampment. On June 2, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott blasted Onos nomination in a post on X ahead of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clearly, Ono has a concerning record from his time at the University of Michigan, where he allowed an illegal, pro-terrorist encampment to take over the campus for nearly a month, putting Jewish students in danger and failing to uphold even the most basic standards of leadership, Scott wrote. He also has a record of embracing divisive and radical DEI policies, showing he is willing to appease and prioritize far-left activists over ensuring students are protected and receive a quality education. Alan Festo of the Gainesville Sun contributed to this report. Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: @jwisely This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: University of Florida board rejects ex-Michigan president Santa Ono (KRON) A 14-year-old Santa Rosa boy remains hospitalized in critical condition after he was struck by a vehicle on Saturday night, according to authorities. The Santa Rosa Police Department received several 911 calls at 10:20 p.m. reporting the pedestrian-vehicle collision near the intersection of College Avenue and Beaver Street. The driver of the involved Honda Pilot also called dispatch, according to SRPD, and told police that the boy she struck was still down in the roadway. Arriving police officers and Santa Rosa Fire Department paramedics found the boy unconscious in the westbound lanes of College Avenue, authorities said. The boy was rushed to a local trauma center with life-threatening injuries. (KRON4) The driver was cooperative with the investigation and police said there was no indication that she was impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She told the crash investigators that she was traveling westbound on College Ave. and struck the boy who entered the roadway from the north side of the street, SRPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unknown at this time if the boy was inside a crosswalk at the time of the crash. Investigators said the boy was possibly riding a skateboard and was with another child. Motorcyclist busted going 120 mph on Highway 101 in Santa Rosa: CHP The boy was transferred to a second trauma center in the Bay Area and remained in critical condition as of Monday afternoon. Crash investigators said they are looking for surveillance cameras that were recording in the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Mike Mieger at mmieger@srcity.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 KRON4. Radio Liberty journalists have released satellite imagery showing the consequences of Ukrainian drone strikes on Belaya airbase in Russias Irkutsk Oblast on 1 June 2025. Source: Radio Liberty Details: Analysis of video and satellite imagery enabled Radio Liberty to independently confirm the destruction of at least 11 Russian aircraft during the Ukrainian Security Services Pavutyna (Spiders Web) operation on 1 June: seven Tu-95 bombers (one possibly damaged), four Tu-22M3 bombers and one An-12 cargo aircraft, not classified as strategic warplane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Belaya airbase, Radio Liberty verified the destruction of four Tu-22M3 and three Tu-95 bombers, with one additional Tu-95 likely damaged. Background: On 1 June, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a special operation codenamed Pavutyna, during which strategic aviation aircraft were targeted at four Russian airfields. SSU chief Vasyl Maliuk stated that "in total, 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main Russian airfields were destroyed". The SSU officially stated that 41 Russian strategic aircraft, including A-50s, Tu-95s, Tu-22M3s and Tu-160s, had been struck by first-person view drones. The estimated cost of the damaged warplanes is over US$7 billion. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Local, state and federal law enforcement gather Monday, June 2, 2025, to announce arrests during a raid of a Summerville-area nightclub a day earlier. (Left to right, front row): State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel, Gov. Henry McMaster, Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie and Attorney General Alan Wilson. (Screenshot of Charleston County Sheriff's Office livestream) Two alleged cartel members and one person wanted by Interpol for murder in Honduras were among at least 80 people arrested during a weekend sting operation at an unlicensed nightclub in Charleston County. Federal, state and local law enforcement raided the Alamo nightclub, located in an industrial area outside the town of Summerville, around 3 a.m. Sunday. The club had no license to operate or to sell alcohol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 200 people were there at the time of the raid. The investigation, dubbed Operation Last Stand, continues, Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said during a news conference Monday. They included 10 juveniles as young as 13 including one reported as missing as well as potential human trafficking victims. They were turned over to social service agencies. Officers also seized guns, cocaine and cash, Ritchie said, without giving details on the amounts. Those arrested included two people believed to be high-level cartel members associated with the Mexico-based Los Zetas cartel and the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang, said U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent Cardell Morant. He referred to the club scene as a cartel afterparty. More than 80% of those arrested are living in the United States illegally, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law enforcement agencies went in with 116 warrants for 80 people. Five people were arrested for criminal offenses, Morant said. Law enforcement officials did not provide names of those arrested or a list of charges. Some of these individuals have been charged with serious offenses, which include the person wanted internationally for murder, Morant said. Other charges made in the raid include assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and a felon in possession of a firearm, he said. The investigation began in November with officers looking into noise complaints and reports of assaults occurring in the parking lot, Ritchie said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bad guys like to celebrate too. So, this was their way to let off some steam, and they were, unfortunately, doing it right here in the community, Morant said. This operation was not only about immigration enforcement. It was also about restoring order, removing threats from our streets and ensuring the safety and well-being of Charleston-area residents, he added. About a dozen local, state and federal agencies participated in the raid. We will continue to work to bring justice to those that have been victimized and also bring those to justice that have violated our laws, said State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel. Ashley Anderson was hiking in with her two kids and her dogs on Memorial Day when she heard yelling. "I look over and I didn't even know what I was looking at at first," she said. "It took me a second to register that it was a body." A 64-year-old grandfather had fallen 20 feet down waterfall in Utah's Adams Canyon. Anderson, a school nurse, sprang into action and used her training to help him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told NBC affiliate KSL of Salt Lake City that the man had an "obviously broken" leg and that his head was "sliced open and bleeding." A hiker is airlifted to safety in Utah. (Layton City Fire) When Anderson arrived, she and other hikers who had pitched in to help moved him out of the cold water that was covering him. She then began first aid. She said she told the group she needed something to stop bleeding on the man's head. "This guy rips off his shirt and throws it on me, so we put that on his head, and several of us picked him up and moved him to a dry area over on the rocks," Anderson recalled. Rescue teams responded, using a helicopter to drop rescuers into the canyon before they lifted the man back up to safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said that the man was hiking with his children and grandchildren and that he fell after they got separated, KSL reported. Anderson told the station the man's family said he slipped and fell into the canyon. The station reported he shattered his kneecap and broke his femur but is expected to make a full recovery. "I kind of think that I did what anyone would do," Anderson said. "I don't feel like I did anything like more heroic or more incredible." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The highest-ranking Jewish lawmaker in America issued a stark warning about antisemitism after the attack on pro-Israeli demonstrators over the weekend. Senator Chuck Schumer warned people are blaming Jews for the actions of the Israeli government and that could lead to further violence. Investigators say Mohamed Soliman spent a year planning his attack using an improvised flamethrower and throwing Molotov cocktails at a pro-Israeli group over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Soliman faces attempted murder and hate crime charges in federal and state courts. Police identified 12 people wounded between 52-88 years old, including a Holocaust survivor. The president has made it very clear, as he said in his statement yesterday, that yes these antisemitic acts of violence do qualify as terrorism, said Leavitt. A week before the attack in Boulder a pro-Palestinian attacker shot and killed two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers say theyve seen more antisemitism leading to more violence against Jewish people. We are witnessing, in real time, the resurgence of blame against the Jewish people, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Schumer, the highest ranking Jewish elected official, says people are blaming all Jewish people for the actions of the Israeli government during its war in Gaza. The Anti-Defamation League says antisemitic attacks in 2024 were up 344% from five years ago. I fear history is beginning to whisper its warnings once again, said Schumer. Schumer says all Americans should stand up against antisemitism because he fears continued violence against Jewish people. 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. Experts are warning that the United States could be dangerously underprepared for the next natural disaster after spending and staffing cuts to critical federal agencies. What's happening? As CNN reported, a major earthquake is brewing in the Pacific Northwest, and the U.S. is the least prepared it has ever been. It's not a case of if but when it will hit, and the odds increase each year. There are more immediate concerns with hurricane season about to begin, along with a host of other extreme weather events. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducts critical climate research and monitors conditions worldwide. The Trump administration is eyeing staffing cuts of up to 20%, per the New York Times, which will severely hamper an already understaffed agency. The United States Geological Survey monitors ShakeAlert, an early warning system for earthquakes, and maintains 24/7 monitoring of volcanic activity in Hawai'i. Spending and staffing cuts are making that crucial work unsustainable in the long run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency lost 200 employees in February, the proposed budget will slash funding by $644 million, and the agency may be scrapped entirely, per the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Why is disaster preparedness important? Because of planet-heating pollution from dirty energy sources, extreme weather events have increased in frequency and severity. Short-term spending cuts will have major long-term implications. For example, axing FEMA will eliminate decades of expertise and knowledge at a stroke. It will make coordinating a response to disaster much more difficult, and some states and communities will feel that impact all the more. Individual states do not have the capacity to absorb the work currently overseen by FEMA, NOAA, and the USGS. What can be done about spending cuts to critical agencies? It might seem daunting, but taking practical and straightforward steps can undo some of the damage. First, staying informed about climate issues and backing policymakers who prioritize the environment are crucial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental concerns and funding the agencies that safeguard them need not be partisan issues. Indeed, most Americans support FEMA, and almost all states benefit regularly from the agency's help. Conversations with family and friends about these issues can go a long way toward lasting change. 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. Scientists have delivered a sobering assessment about the future of low-lying island communities as sea levels continue to rise at an accelerated pace. According to an article in Yale Environment 360, many atoll islands face an uncertain future, with some having "already irreversibly lost their natural adaptive capacity" due to human interference with their ecosystems. What's happening? Atoll islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans sit only three to 15 feet above sea level and face mounting pressure as sea level rise has more than doubled between 1993 and 2023. According to the Yale Environment 360 report, the sea level is projected to rise between 11 and 40 inches by 2100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the news isn't entirely grim. The report mentioned that "studies of hundreds of atoll islands found that 79 percent to 89 percent were either stable or increased in size in recent decades," with the key difference being ecosystem health. According to Yale Environment 360, some atolls have lost the ability to generate sediment, and University of Auckland ecologist Sebastian Steibl noted that "they lose the capacity to keep up with sea level rise." Why is sea-level change important? These islands support critical biodiversity and human communities. As Yale Environment 360 noted, despite the atoll islands accounting for only 0.02% of the islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, they are "important refuges for a quarter of the world's tropical seabirds, multitudes of nesting sea turtles, and tropical plants," and they are home to many human cultures. Coral reefs, which naturally produce the sediment that builds and maintains these islands, face increasing stress from rising temperatures. Coastal geographer Virginie Duvat from La Rochelle University warns in the article that polluting gases must be reduced to slow down the deterioration of coral reefs, which are the main source of sediment for islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps most concerning, Duvat explained that nature-based solutions cannot help the most urbanized islands, noting that once engineered approaches like concrete seawalls have been adopted, "these islands have already irreversibly lost their natural adaptive capacity." What's being done about island resilience? Scientists are pioneering nature-based solutions that show remarkable promise. Researchers have discovered that healthy ecosystems create a powerful defense system. When seabird guano makes its way into reefs, its nutrients help to support coral growth and the fish populations, causing guano-fed reefs to grow faster and produce more sediment. Conservation efforts are already showing results. At Tetiaroa Atoll, in French Polynesia, conservationists have almost fully eradicated rats and plan to target overpopulated coconut palms with the goal of eliminating 80% to 90%, according to Yale Environment 360. Research by Ruth Dunn at Lancaster University shows that there is the potential to boost coral growth rates by at least 25% if they are able to restore native vegetation and eliminate rats in the Chagos Archipelago, and the report indicates the islands could become home to "more than 280,000 additional breeding pairs of seabirds." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporting ocean conservation efforts and reducing plastic waste that harms marine ecosystems can help protect these vulnerable communities. Installing solar panels in conjunction with a battery system can also make your home more resilient and help you prepare for extreme weather events with extended grid outages and save you some serious money in the process. EnergySage makes it easy to compare quotes from vetted local installers, potentially saving you up to $10,000 on solar installations as well. 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. Indonesia and Japan announced the financial closing of a monumental $500 million project that will add a second unit to the Muara Laboh geothermal plant in West Sumatra, Indonesia, according to the Indonesia Business Post. Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who serves as special envoy for the current prime minister, met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Together, they sealed the deal and accentuated the strength of the nations' bilateral cooperation. "This 88-megawatt geothermal project in Solok, West Sumatra, marks a concrete showcase of our commitment under the Asia Zero Emission Community," Indonesia's coordinating minister for the economy, Airlangga Hartarto, told the Indonesia Business Post. "It is a significant step forward in our energy transition efforts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kishida created AZEC as prime minister to help decarbonize Asia with other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and create, per The Associated Press, "a new, huge decarbonization market in Asia that will attract global capital." Similar initiatives are underway in the U.S. in Colorado and Texas, among other states. Although there are some concerns about geothermal energy, on the whole, it provides many environmental and human benefits. It is a renewable resource that reduces planet-warming emissions, air pollution, and dependence on fossil fuels. The geothermal energy industry also creates jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Opportunities should arise for workers in a wide variety of occupations with different education and training requirements. As the demand for clean energy grows, jobs in geothermal energy will be a small but growing potential source of new employment opportunities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, it is both financially and environmentally profitable for society to move away from dirty energy and toward newer, cleaner alternatives. One of the best ways for consumers to compound the economic and environmental benefits of initiatives like these is to transition their homes to solar power. This move can bring energy costs down to or near $0. 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. Companies such as EnergySage can help. It provides a free service that makes it easy to compare quotes from vetted local installers and save up to $10,000 on solar installation, allowing everyday homeowners to harness the power of clean energy. Voicing gratitude for the kinship and shared vision of the two nations, Hartarto said to Antara News: "Indonesia deeply appreciates Japan's commitment to sustainable development. This progress reflects both countries' efforts to foster mutually beneficial economic cooperation and shared prosperity." 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. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) A record amount of sargassum piled up across the Caribbean and nearby areas in May, and more is expected this month, according to a new report. The brown prickly algae is suffocating shorelines from Puerto Rico to Guyana and beyond, disrupting tourism, killing wildlife and even releasing toxic gases that forced one school in the French Caribbean island of Martinique to temporarily close. The amount 38 million metric tons is the biggest quantity of algae observed across the Caribbean Sea, the western and eastern Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico since scientists began studying the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt in 2011, said Brian Barnes, an assistant research professor at the University of South Florida who worked on the report published on Monday by the University of South Floridas Optical Oceanography Lab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous record was set in June 2022, with some 22 million metric tons. The peaks just seem to keep getting bigger and bigger year after year, he said. But scientists dont know why yet. Its the million-dollar question, he said. I dont have a supremely satisfying answer. Three different types of sargassum exist in the Caribbean and nearby areas, reproducing asexually as they remain afloat thanks to tiny air sacs. They thrive in different ways depending on sunlight, nutrients and water temperature, factors that scientists are currently studying, Barnes said. Experts also have said that agricultural runoff, warming waters and changes in wind, current and rain could have an effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While large clumps of algae in the open ocean are what Barnes called a healthy, happy ecosystem for creatures ranging from tiny shrimp to endangered sea turtles, sargassum near or on shore can wreak havoc. It can block sunlight that coral reefs need to survive, and if the algae sinks, it can smother reefs and sea grasses. Once it reaches shore, the creatures living in the algae die or are picked off by birds, Barnes said. Huge piles of stinky seaweed also are a headache for the Caribbean, where tourism often generates big money for small islands. It is a challenge, but its certainly not affecting every single inch of the Caribbean, said Frank Comito, special adviser to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the popular tourist spot of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, officials have invested in barriers to prevent sargassum from reaching the shore, he said. In the Dutch Caribbean territory of St. Maarten, crews with backhoes were dispatched in late May as part of an emergency clean-up after residents complained of strong smells of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which can affect a persons respiratory system. The smell is quite terrible, Barnes said. Meanwhile, in the French Caribbean, officials expect to soon use storage barges and an upgraded special vessel that can collect several tons of seaweed a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sargassum disfigures our coasts, prevents swimming and makes life impossible for local residents, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou recently told reporters. But Comito said such vessels are massively expensive and not a popular option, noting that another option using heavy equipment - is labor-intensive. You have to be careful because there could be sea turtle eggs affected, he said. Its not like you can go in there and massively rake and scrape the whole thing. Some Caribbean islands struggle financially, so most of the cleanup is done by hotels, with some offering guests refunds or a free shuttle to unaffected beaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every year, the amount of sargassum expands in late spring, peaks around summer and starts to decline in the late fall or early winter, Barnes said. The new record set is hardly stationary experts said they expect even more sargassum for June. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Researchers in China have developed an antifungal drug that experts hope can help counter the growing threat of infectious diseases worldwide. The drug was developed by creating a bacterial compound called mandimycin that has proved effective in targeting fungal infections in mice. Bacteria are a natural choice of antifungal measure, as Martin Burke, a chemist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, told Science News. Bacteria and fungi have been locked in competition for resources since time immemorial. "There's been this war raging for 2 billion years," Burke said. Bacteria and fungi have been "building weapons to try to compete with each other for nutrients in the environment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study combed through 316,123 bacterial genomes to find a compound that effectively targets fungi. The researchers attached two sugar molecules to the compound's tail that helped it effectively target phospholipids, which are essentially the fungi's building blocks. There are other antifungal compounds, such as amphotericin B, but they come with side effects. As the Mayo Clinic notes, amphotericin B can harm the kidneys. The development comes at a particularly crucial time as rising global temperatures caused by human activity heighten the risk of fungal and other infections worldwide. This is already happening in some parts of the United States. For example, valley fever is caused by breathing in coccidioides organisms, per the Mayo Clinic, which are found in the soil and dust of the Southwest region. However, they have also been found in Washington state. The human body is much too warm for most fungal infections to survive, but a warmer climate may mean that fungi adapt to heat and present new risks of infection. Moreover, more frequent and intense extreme weather events will promote the growth and spread of fungal spores into new locales. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that warmer conditions could also render existing antifungal measures less effective, and a study in The Lancet noted that over 2 million deaths per year worldwide are directly attributable to fungal infections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some experts have been baffled by the success of mandimycin in trials in killing fungal infections without affecting bacterial or human cells. The researchers acknowledge that further study will be needed before the compound can be tested on people, but it is a promising new lead. "It's one of those exciting papers that opens a lot of doors, [and] pretty much behind every one is another question," Burke told Science News. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Thalia Graves at a press conference last September in Los Angeles. - Credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images A staggering $100 million defamation lawsuit that was filed against Sean Combs accuser Thalia Graves by her alleged rapist was dismissed Monday, with a U.S. District Judge ruling the suit contained several patently frivolous claims. Thalia Graves brought her suit against Combs and ex-bodyguard Joseph Sherman in September 2024, days after the hip-hop mogul was arrested and charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. She claimed that Combs and Sherman drugged her, bound her wrists, and raped her at Combs recording studio Daddys House in 2001. She also said they recorded the alleged rape, and later shared it and sold it as pornography. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several weeks after Graves filed her suit, Sherman sued Graves and her attorney, Gloria Allred, for defamation, denying that he was the man who allegedly assaulted her and filmed the alleged attack. Sherman called Graves claim utterly and entirely false, alleging he stopped working for Combs in 1999 and had never even met Graves. In dismissing Shermans suit, New York district judge Analisa Torres did not rule on the veracity of Graves assault allegations, or Shermans denial, but only whether Sherman could actually sue Graves for defamation. He could not, the judge ruled, because New York law prohibits defamation claims arising out of statements made in litigation if theyre relevant to the litigation. Torres added that any allegedly defamatory statements made by Graves in her complaint are absolutely privileged. While Sherman also accused Graves of defamation over statements she made about him and her lawsuit in the press, Torres said Shermans own complaint failed to properly identify or list these purported media statements. Furthermore, direct messages Graves purportedly sent Sherman in 2023, allegedly trying to persuade him to serve as her witness against Combs, could not be considered defamation because they werent published to a third party. (A lawyer for Sherman did not immediately return Rolling Stones request for comment. In a statement, Allred called the lawsuit frivolous and applauded her and Graves attorneys Mariann Wang and Heather Gregorio for vigorously and successfully representing them.) Wang added in her own statement, We are pleased that the Court swiftly rejected this frivolous and harassing lawsuit, and look forward to vindicating our clients rights in her original, underlying lawsuit against Combs and Sherman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with dismissing the defamation claims, Torres tossed all the other allegations in Shermans complaint: Negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, vexatious litigation, abuse of process, and malicious prosecution. The complaint asserts at least five patently frivolous claims, Torres wrote. [T]he defamation claim is barred by an absolute privilege, the intentional infliction of emotional distress and abuse of process claims are premised upon conduct that does not support such claims, the vexatious litigation claim is not recognized under New York law, and the malicious prosecution claim is plainly premature. Torres also agreed with a motion brought by Graves seeking sanctions against Sherman and his lawyer, who will now have to cover costs and attorneys fees incurred by the defendants while opposing his suit. Graves sexual assault lawsuit against Combs and Sherman is still ongoing. (Combs filed a motion to dismiss in March.) Though like many of the other civil actions against Combs, its been put on hold amid his federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sean Diddy Combs and Harvey Weinstein were both accused of drugging and sexually assaulting model Crystal McKinney. She first filed the complaint against Diddy in May 2024. Her complaint against Weinstein was filed in February 2025, and amended late last month to also name Combs. McKinney alleged that Weinstein raped her and a friend in a Manhattan hotel room in 2003. In the filing obtained by PEOPLE, McKinney was said to have received a call from an unnamed modeling agency executive whod arranged a business meeting between her and Weinstein on the night in question. She assumed he was considering her for an acting role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and one of her roommates arrived and were escorted to Weinsteins table. He allegedly told them repeatedly that he wanted to get to know both of them better, so he could see their real selves and also wanted to discuss potential acting roles in a quieter space. After inviting them to his hotel room, Weinstein allegedly served them several bottles of Boulevardier and Dom Perignon and vodka cocktails before grabbing McKinneys breasts. She and her friend allegedly retreated to the bathroom and claimed Weinstein forced himself into the room, demanding that they strip and take a bath with him. The model stated that she and her friend obliged out of fear. Weinstein allegedly forced the women to perform sexual acts on each other in the tub, later raping them on the hotel rooms bed. McKinney claimed that she was disgusted but too frightened to voice her opposition. Weinstein abruptly left the hotel room following the incident. Weinstein attorney Imran H. Ansari told Vanity Fair in a statement, Harvey Weinstein categorically denies the outlandish and fantastical claims made against him by Crystal McKinney in her complaint. Made late in time and suspiciously on the heels of her complaint against Sean Diddy Combs, Mr. Weinstein is ready to refute and defend against the salacious claims, that are believed to have been made with an opportunistic motive. The disgraced film producer has been convicted of various sex crimes in New York and California. Hes currently on trial in New York because an appeals court overturned his conviction. Combs, on the other hand, is on trial for sex trafficking, racketeering, kidnapping, and more. He faces 15 years-to-life if found guilty. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEW YORK Believing it would ruin him, Sean Diddy Combs went to extreme lengths to ensure that hotel footage of him brutally beating his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, never saw the light of day by incessantly pressuring security staff to provide it to him in exchange for a brown paper bag filled with $100,000, a Manhattan jury heard Tuesday. Eddy Garcia, a former security supervisor at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, said Combs paid him the massive sum for a copy of the March 2016 camera footage showing him pummeling Ventura, whose stage name is Cassie, after he had repeatedly refused his requests. Prosecutors contend the footage makes clear Combs resorted to violence and abuse to control his victims and say the bribery efforts were just one example of him and his inner circle closing ranks and doing damage control to keep his crimes out of public view and protect his reputation and his power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ventura previously testified that the savage assault came after she tried to leave a freak-off sexual performance with a male escort after Combs punched her. She sued Combs in November 2023, alleging he had subjected her to years of physical and psychological abuse throughout their 11-year relationship, along with coercive and degrading sexual performances with other men. Combs thought he had purchased the only copy of the video that existed, but another hotel worker, who testified earlier in the trial, used his cell phone to record the footage to show his wife. CNN then published the video last May, blasting domestic violence allegations against Combs into public view. Garcia, who took the stand in Manhattan federal court under an immunity deal, said one of Combs assistants, Kristina Khorram, first inquired about the footage in the attacks aftermath and soon after turned up at the hotel. She wanted to know what they were dealing with, Garcia recalled, which he said he couldnt help with. I said, Off the record: Its bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After dealing with Khorram in person, she called him and put Combs on the line. He asked me if I knew who he was. I said yes, Garcia said. Mr. Combs sounded very nervous just was talking very fast. Combs reasoned to Garcia that hed had too much to drink and one thing [led] to another, telling the hotel staffer the video becoming public could ruin him, Garcia testified. After that call, Garcia said, a relentless Combs would later call him again on his personal cell phone, promising to take care of me. Garcia, who was earning $10.50 an hour working security, delivered it to Combs at an L.A. high rise days later on a USB drive, confirming it was the sole copy and signed a nondisclosure agreement outlining that if any terms were violated, he would be on the hook for $1 million. In exchange, Combs handed over a brown bag filled with $100,000 cash. Combs then walked Garcia to his car outside and told him not to make any big purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia said he kept $30,000 of the payment and gave his manager $50,000 and $20,000 to another security guard. Combs had demanded copies of all of their IDs. Under questioning by Combs defense team, Garcia acknowledged that there was no provision in the agreement that he had to lie about the video if questioned about it in legal proceedings. Later Tuesday, prosecutors called Derek Ferguson, the former chief financial officer of Bad Boy Enterprises, who oversaw all financial aspects of a collection of companies that fell under the Bad Boy umbrella from 1998 through 2012, some individually held by Combs and others through joint ventures. Ferguson verified a long list of company accounts, credit cards, real estate holdings, and other records that could prove crucial to establishing racketeering elements in the governments case, which alleges that Combs operated a criminal enterprise. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to a five-count indictment, including allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting individuals for prostitution. If found guilty in the case, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The feds say Combs ran a criminal enterprise akin to a mob, in which his security guards and various staff members engaged in crimes like arson, kidnapping, sex trafficking, and obstruction of justice to facilitate his desires. The hip-hop entrepreneurs attorneys conceded from the trials outset that Combs had committed domestic violence. But theyve argued that hes not charged with such and that hes innocent of the counts being tried by the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office. They say freak-offs may disturb some, but they were not criminal in nature and involved consent from all participants. _______ By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sean "Diddy" Combs paid a hotel security officer to hand over surveillance footage that showed the hip-hop mogul violently attacking his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in a hallway, the officer testified on Tuesday at Combs' sex trafficking trial. Eddy Garcia, who had worked at an Intercontinental hotel, told jurors that Combs contacted him shortly after the incident and asked for the footage. Combs said he would "take care" of Garcia if he gave him the video, Garcia said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was concerned that this video would get out and that it would ruin his career," said Garcia, who was granted immunity from prosecution to testify. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say Combs over two decades coerced women, including Ventura, to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances with male sex workers known as "Freak Offs." The trial is in its fourth week. Jurors had previously been shown a March 2016 surveillance video from the hallway of the Intercontinental hotel in Los Angeles where Combs, wearing only a towel, threw Ventura to the ground, kicked her and dragged her away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ventura said the incident occurred after Combs had given her a black eye during a "Freak Off." Garcia said he relayed Combs' message about the video to his boss, who told him he would give Combs the video in exchange for $50,000. The next day, Garcia testified he saw his boss enter the room that hosted servers for the surveillance cameras. He said the boss gave him a USB drive, which he gave to Combs, who later returned with a brown bag and a money counter. Garcia said Combs ran cash from the bag through the counter, which displayed $100,000, returned the money to the bag, and handed the bag to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combs' lawyers have acknowledged he was at times abusive in domestic relationships, but argue that women who took part in "Freak Offs" did so consensually. Prosecutors say bribery is among the racketeering acts that Combs or his employees undertook in order to facilitate "Freak Offs" and prevent word of his abuse from getting out. Combs could face life in prison if convicted on all counts. Prosecutors have said they may finish presenting their case next week, allowing the defense to put on its case. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York, Editing by Nick Zieminski) CALICO ROCK, Ark. A massive search is currently underway for an ex-police chief who escaped from an Izard County prison more than a week ago. Authorities have been using any and every resource possible to locate 56-year-old Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist. Who is Grant Hardin, the Devil in the Ozarks? Hardin is a former police chief in northwest Arkansas who escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25. He was serving a sentence for rape and murder convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, Hardin was reportedly let out by a corrections officer. A spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Corrections said Hardin escaped by disguising himself in an ADC-type uniform. Logan Barnes is the owner of Knowles True Value Hardware Store in Calico Rock. he says the community is remaining cautious as each day passes. At first I was spooked.I think everyone was a little leery. Barnes goes on to say, We have a bunch of people that hunt and fish and they know how to protect their property. Officials say the rocky terrain, past rainy weather and his police background has made it difficult to find him. The rural area creates hiding places like caves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of places to hide here. You could go off-grid here and no one would find you, said Charlie Allen, owner of Lindsey Trout Dock. A spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Corrections says the manhunt includes helicopters, drones, horseback, ATVs, police checkpoints and more. Were the safest place on earth right now because there are cops everywhere, said a local. FBI offering $10,000 reward for information on Arkansas inmate escapee Grant Hardin Charlie Allen has owned Lindsey Trout Dock on the White River for years, he says they have a lot of tourists that come out to fish and some have already asked about Hardin but adds the water wouldnt be easy to swim across. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since he has escaped this river has been really high and its cold water so you would die of hyperthermia. Allen goes on to say he believes Hardin will be captured because, I got friends that are involved in the prison and theyre in the K9 unit out there so I have faith in that. Some of the community say theyre keeping the faith that he will be arrested. This community is like a family where everyone is looking out for each other, said Bambi Bowden, executive director of Main Street Calico Rock. Allen hopes the Devil in the Ozarks time on the run will finally end soon. He is not only a rapist but he is a murderer he needs to be in prison, Allen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities increase reward for information on Arkansas inmate escapee Grant Hardin to $25,000 The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Marshals Service have increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Arkansas prison escapee Grant Hardin to a combined $25,000 after five days of searching. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Authorities in Europe have restarted a search for a missing toddler, nearly 20 years after her initial disappearance. Several German agents filed into the Algarve in southern Portugal on Tuesday, searching for British toddler Madeleine McCann. McCann and her family visited Portugal back in 2007. As her parents ate a meal nearby, the three-year old Madeleine vanished and has not been seen since. Police did not disclose why they began the search again, but they gathered around a residence owned by the only suspect in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man, also from Germany, is currently serving time for rape and sexual assault charges unrelated to the McCann case. Teams looked through undergrowth in the area and an abandoned building, attempting to connect the man - named Christian Brueckner - to evidence that would implicate him in the child's disappearance. According to The Sun, the team of around 25 German investigators are equipped with ground radar technology that will allow them to see up to 12 feet beneath them. Brueckner's cottage included several wells and ditches beneath the surface, and the team is looking to exhaust all options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brueckner has yet to be charged in connection to McCann's disappearance, but German authorities noted their belief in his involvement in 2020. "We opened a murder investigation against the 43-year old German national, therefore you can conclude that we assume the girl is dead," said a spokesperson for the Braunschweig prosecutor's office. That investigation was the first major update in the incident since it was initially considered a missing persons case in Britain. Brueckner has a string of previous arrests and convictions for sexual offense, theft and assault. He reportedly burglarized hotel rooms and holiday rentals like the one the McCann family were staying in back in 2007. At the time of Madeleine's disappearance, Brueckner was living alone in a camper van. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madeleine's parents released a statement on May 3, marking 18 years since their daughter's disappearance. "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," Kate and Gerry McCann said on findmadeleine.com. "We will do our utmost to achieve this." Search Initiated for Madeleine McCann After Almost Two Decades first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 A fresh search effort has been launched for Madeleine McCann, a British toddler who disappeared from her family's vacation rental in Portugal more than 18 years ago. Police haven't disclosed any evidence to explain why they decided to carry out a new search almost two decades later, but they were focusing Tuesday on land around a cottage previously used by the only suspect in the girl's disappearance, a German man currently jailed in his home country for unrelated rape and sexual assault charges. Dozens of agents from Germany's leading domestic law enforcement agency were poring over the ground Tuesday in the Algarve, a southern Portugal region hugely popular with tourists, where Madeleine was last seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Search teams on Tuesday scoured undergrowth and an abandoned building, with police hoping to find evidence that could implicate the convicted German sex offender in her disappearance. Madeleine McCann / Credit: Metropolitan Police Madeleine was just 3 years old when she vanished from an apartment on the Algarve coast where she was on holiday with her family, sparking unprecedented media coverage and a global campaign to find her. A previous search of a lake near the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz in 2023 yielded no results, but on Tuesday, investigators were back in a part of nearby Lagos to hunt for clues. Several police vehicles with Portuguese and German number plates as well as fire trucks were seen down a cordoned-off dirt road toward the search site, AFP journalists at the scene saw. Portuguese police said about 25 German investigators were present, with the investigation looking at an abandoned building in an overgrown wooded area. German investigators conduct a new search operation amid the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, at Atalaia, Lagos, in Portugal's Algarve region, June 3, 2025. / Credit: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty The new searches carried out at the request of German authorities investigating Christian Brueckner, a convicted rapist who is suspected of having killed Madeleine are expected to last until Friday. According to the British tabloid The Sun, investigators are equipped with ground radar technology that can scan the ground down to a depth of 15 feet. The area includes a cottage where Brueckner was living and is dotted with wells and ditches, The Sun reported. Christian Brueckner, the German suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mobile phone registered in Brueckner's name was traced close to the family's accommodation on the night Madeleine went missing. He has always denied any role in her disappearance. The 48-year-old is currently serving a 7-year prison sentence in Germany for the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Praia da Luz. He is due to complete his sentence in September. He was acquitted in October 2024 in Germany in a separate trial for two sexual assaults and three rapes committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. German authorities in 2020 said they were convinced Brueckner was involved in Madeleine's disappearance, which has seen several false leads. He has not been charged in connection with Madeleine's case. Christian Brueckner, right, a suspect in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann in Portugal, speaks with his lawyer Friedrich Fuelscher as they wait for the verdict in a trial on unrelated sexual assault charges in Braunschweig, Germany, Oct. 8, 2024. / Credit: Michael Matthey/Pool/REUTERS Brueckner, who according to German media had a string of previous convictions, including for sexual offenses, assault and theft before he was convicted of rape, worked as an odd-job man during his 10 years in the Algarve. He also reportedly burgled hotel rooms and holiday apartments. At the time of Madeleine's disappearance, he was living in a camper van. On Tuesday, a journalist from Germany's RTL television recounted his correspondence with Brueckner and how he had met him in prison. Brueckner, the journalist said, complained that "half the world" considered him to be a "cruel rapist." He said he wanted to eat steak and drink beer when he is released from prison. A former neighbor in Portugal had told Britain's Sky News in 2020 that Brueckner was "always a bit angry, driving fast up and down the lane, and then one day, around 2006, he just disappeared without a word." He returned to Germany in 2007 the year Madeleine disappeared settling in Hanover, but still spent time in Portugal. On May 3, 18 years since their daughter's disappearance, Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann said they were still determined to find out what happened. "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," they wrote on the findmadeleine.com website. "We will do our utmost to achieve this." January 6 defendant refuses Trump's pardon Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Baldwin grills McMahon on unallocated funds for students, schools, approved by Congress ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) A decade-long hunt for the missing daughter of a ex-Robeson County deputy picked up steam Monday, as officials fanned out across the county looking for Sara Graham. Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said the searches were carried out in conjunction with the FBI. Graham, who was 18 at the time of her disappearance, was last seen about 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2015 headed to her job at a Pembroke Walmart. Her van was discovered several hours later that day in a field off E. McDonald Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2018, authorities said surveyors found a skull by some railroad tracks off Heritage Road and that the teeth had braces. The dental records of Graham and two other missing people who wore braces were sent to the state medical examiners office to try to identify the remains, which were found on Heritage Road were about 30 miles north of where Grahams van was found in 2015, authorities said. We are not giving up on finding and seeking justice for Sara, Wilkins said. Homicide detectives along with FBI agents are continuing to investigate and are following up on every new lead they receive. Someone has yet to come forward and now is the time to do so. * * * 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jun. 3A Maine Warden Service K-9 team found the body of a 58-year-old New York man near the summit of Katahdin on Tuesday, two days after he and his daughter went missing while hiking the 5,267-foot peak in Baxter State Park. Tim Keiderling's body was found in the Katahdin Tablelands at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The search for his daughter, Esther Keiderling, 28, continues. Park officials say the Keiderlings, both of Ulster Park, New York, left Abol Campground on Sunday morning to hike up Katahdin. They were last seen around 10:15 a.m. that day as they headed toward the summit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rangers began searching for the pair Monday morning after finding their vehicle in a day-use parking lot. They searched the Abol Trail, the Hunt Trail and the Katahdin Tablelands, a level area near the summit, officials said. Searchers found no signs of the pair and on Tuesday expanded the search to include helicopters, more than 30 game wardens and K-9 teams. The Hunt and Abol trails on Katahdin are closed while the search is ongoing. The Maine Forest Service is assisting in the search with three helicopters. The Maine Army National Guard responded with a Blackhawk and a Lakota helicopter equipped with an infrared thermal imaging device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Abol Trail, a popular but challenging hike with a 3,982-foot elevation gain, is the shortest route to Baxter Peak from a roadside trailhead. The trail used to include the prominent Abol Slide but was relocated in 2015 after soil and rock movement increased hazards for hikers. The relocated trail uses the ridge west of the slide. The rocky terrain requires hikers to climb over large boulders. Forecasts for Sunday by the National Weather Service in Caribou called for scattered showers at Katahdin's summit with winds peaking at 30-40 mph and low temperatures in the mid-30s. The low temperature was expected to hit the mid-30s again on Monday night, when scattered showers were also predicted. A representative at the Caribou Office on Tuesday said the agency only provides forecasts for the summit and doesn't track temperatures and wind speeds. Nearby Millinocket, which is roughly 350 above sea level, saw a low of 36 degrees Monday night. Temperatures were likely much colder on Katahdin's summit, nearly 5,000 feet higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a blog post shared to Substack on Saturday, Esther Keiderling wrote that she and her father planned a sales trip around a weekend so they could hike Katahdin. In other posts, she talked about working with her father at Rifton Equipment, where she is a customer service representative, and documented a recent trip they took to Niagara Falls. In her most recent post, Esther Keiderling said she and her father planned to start hiking up the Abol Trail between 6-7 a.m. Sunday if it wasn't pouring rain. "I'm a little nervous about everything I've seen about the Abol trail but I'm going to do it if weather permits!" she wrote. "If you don't see me back on Substack notes again, that's where I am." The search for Esther Keiderling will continue through daylight hours. Volunteer searchers are not needed, park officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who was on or around the Katahdin summit on Sunday between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. or has any information about the Keiderlings is asked to call state police in Houlton at 207-532-5400. This story will be updated. Staff Writer Drew Johnson contributed to this report. 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Show less LAGOS, Portugal (AP) Police investigating the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann searched near an abandoned rural building in southern Portugal on Tuesday as they launched fresh probes near the holiday resort where she was last seen 18 years ago. The case received worldwide interest for several years, with reports of sightings of McCann occurring as far away as Australia, while books and television documentaries were produced about her disappearance. German investigators and Portuguese police officers and firefighters were searching in the countryside several miles from the Praia da Luz resort, where the 3-year-old disappeared from her bed while on vacation with her family on May 3, 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teams were seen using pickaxes, shovels and chainsaws to clear dense vegetation and dig near a derelict building. Firefighters pumped water out of a well. Almost two decades on, investigators in the U.K., Portugal and Germany are still piecing together what happened on the night the toddler 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 outside. Portuguese police said Monday that detectives were acting on a request from a German public prosecutor as they carry out a broad range of searches this week in the area of Lagos, in southern Portugal. The main suspect 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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 resort. McCann's family marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month, and expressed their determination to keep searching. Gun-rights groups are pursuing several strategies to win the right to openly carry firearms in Florida. (Photo by Matt Rourke/The Associated Press) A Palm Beach gun owner and two Second Amendment groups have filed a motion for summary judgement in their federal court challenge to Floridas law banning individuals from openly carrying firearms, claiming the law is unconstitutional. Gun Owners of America, the Gun Owners Foundation, and gun owner Richard Hughes originally filed their lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida last August, alleging that the law banning open carry violates the Second and Fourteenth amendments of the U.S. Constitution and places them, their members, and their supporters at risk of being arrested and prosecuted should they openly carry firearms in public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro is the lone defendant in the case. In their lawsuit, Hughes and the two gun rights organizations list him because the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office warned the public after the state legalized what is known as permitless carry in 2023 that [t]he law is not open carry; open carry is still illegal under most circumstances. In 2017, the Florida Supreme Court upheld state restrictions on openly carrying a firearm, ruling in Norman v. State that the law did not violate citizens Second Amendment rights in a case brought by Dale Lee Norman, a St. Lucie County resident who faced a second-degree misdemeanor charge after he walked down a road with handgun holstered to his hip, according to the Courthouse News Service. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The federal lawsuit says that state Supreme Court ruling failed on a couple of fronts: for not once consulting contemporaneous authorities to discern the meaning of the Second Amendments text and for failure to conduct an historical analysis of the nations early tradition as to open carry or any tradition, for that matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case is personal for me and millions of gun owners across the state, said Luis Valdes, Florida state director for Gun Owners of America. Florida likes to brand itself as pro-Second Amendment, but this ban proves otherwise. We are fighting to restore a right that never shouldve been taken away and we wont stop until every Floridian can carry openly, freely, and constitutionally. Floridas open carry ban is an outdated and unconstitutional relic, Sam Parades said in a statement on behalf of the board of directors for Gun Owners Foundation. The right to bear arms means exactly that to carry arms, not just to keep them locked away. Florida remains one of only five states in the nation that bans the open carrying of a firearm, the others being Illinois, Connecticut, New York, and California a list of blue states that Florida does not usually share an alliance with. Gov. Ron DeSantis has said on several occasions that he supports open carry, and First Lady Casey DeSantis weighed in as well earlier this year, writing on X that, Its time for the Free State of Florida to join other states in enacting open carry! Sounds like a great priority for our GOP supermajority. This is the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it wasnt the year for open carry in Floridas GOP-dominated state Legislature. Senate President Ben Albritton stated his opposition to overturning the ban in his first day as leader while meeting with reporters last November. A trial date has been set for November 3, 2025. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Executive Director Keesa Smith-Brantley discusses a proposed constitutional amendment submitted to the attorney general's office during a press conference at the state Capitol on May 19, 2025. (Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Monday said he could not certify a proposed constitutional amendment related to direct democracy because it violates a new state law that prohibits ballot titles from being written above an eighth-grade reading level. Act 602, which became law in April, prohibits the attorney general from certifying a proposed ballot title with a reading level above eighth grade as determined by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula. The test uses word complexity and sentence lengths to calculate what grade of education is needed to comprehend written material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ballot title you have submitted ranks at grade 11.5. Thus, your ballot title requires significant revisions before it complies with the Act, according to Mondays opinion, which was prepared by Assistant Attorney General Jodie Keener and approved by Griffin. Mondays opinion identified additional issues with the proposal, including ambiguity regarding the Arkansas General Assemblys authority and how conflicting measures become law. The Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment, sponsored by the Protect AR Rights coalition, would amend Article 5 Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution, the section that governs the states initiative and referendum process. It would designate as a fundamental right the right of voters to propose laws and constitutional amendments that can be put to a statewide vote. Among its various provisions, the measure would require petition signatures be gathered from at least 15 counties instead of 50 and would explicitly prohibit the Arkansas General Assembly from amending or repealing a constitutional amendment approved by voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the second ballot measure proposed this year in response to state lawmakers approving about a dozen direct democracy-related laws during the 2025 legislative session. Supporters of the new laws have said they will ensure the integrity of the initiative and referendum process, while opponents have argued it will make it more difficult for citizen-led initiatives to qualify for the ballot. The direct democracy process allows Arkansans to propose new laws or constitutional amendments and put them to a statewide vote. Arkansas is one of 24 states that allows citizen-led initiatives, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Let us know what you think... Protect AR Rights spokesperson Bill Kopsky said in a phone interview that Mondays decision was expected because the attorney general often rejects the first draft of a proposed ballot title. The ballot question committee intends to request a meeting with Griffins staff to gather feedback, Kopsky said. In an emailed statement, Protect AR Rights noted this was the first step in a long process, and our coalition remains fully committed to protecting the rights of Arkansans to shape their own laws. Griffins rejection of the groups proposed amendment reinforces why its so urgently needed, according to the group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were reviewing the AGs feedback and will revise and resubmit our amendment. But lets be clear: the new 8th grade reading requirement passed by politicians trying to limit access to the ballot is a serious barrier to a fundamental right, the statement reads. We believe measures should be clear, accessible, and accurate. Thats exactly why were fighting this provision in court. Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids, another ballot question committee pursuing an education-focused constitutional amendment, are trying to challenge Act 602 by intervening in a federal lawsuit that challenges several other new laws governing the states direct democracy process. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed the lawsuit against the secretary of state in April. The League proposed its own direct democracy-related ballot measure this year that was thrice rejected by the attorney general, including once for violating Act 602. Griffin substituted and certified the popular name and ballot title so it met the eighth grade-reading level requirement on May 21. That means the League can begin gathering signatures to try to place their measure on the 2026 ballot. In response to the motion to intervene, both the League and the state argued in court filings last week that Protect AR Rights lacks standing and is not entitled to intervene in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protect AR Rights could file its own lawsuit if a judge dismisses the motion to intervene, but Kopsky said the court would likely freeze both lawsuits while deciding whether to consolidate them. We believe it would slow the process down substantially, which doesnt seem to be in anybodys interest, he said. So we were surprised that they opposed the motion to intervene, but our legal team is going to respond to it in a way thats appropriate. The bottom line is were committed to protecting the right to direct democracy and the right to have access to ballot measures in the state. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A Second Member of the Manson Family Was Recommended for Parole - Again originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Another woman tied to the Manson Family's murderous rampage through Los Angeles has been approved for parole. Patricia Krenwinkel (middle) has been approved for parole before, which was then denied by Governor Gavin Newsom. She is flanked by Susan Atkins (right) an Leslie Van Houten (left) who now lives somewhere in California after her release in 2023. (Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images) Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel, 77, who was among the people convicted of a murderous rampage that left seven Angelenos dead in the summer of 1969, could be released on parole upon the recommendation the California parole board. Krenwinkel, 77, the states longest-serving female inmate, could become the the second member of the notoriously violent killer cult that went on a bloody crime spree that terrorized Los Angeles to be released, something that is being vehemently opposed by her victims' family members. She was convicted in the brutal slaying of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, a grocery store owner and his wife whose grisly deaths bookended the infamous Manson Family rampage that took that also took the life of actress Sharon Tate (pregnant at the time with Roman Polanskis baby) as well as celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring; coffee heiress Abigail Folger; Folgers boyfriend, Wojciech Frykowski; and Steven Parent, a friend of the estates caretaker. Tate's sister Debra described Kreneinkel's actions in the slayings, how she personally carved the word "WAR" into Leno LaBianca's belly with a carving knife and decorated the walls of his family's home with political messages like "Death to Pigs" written in the blood of her victims in a Change.org petition. Using the blood of their victims, Manson Family members scrawled the words "PIG" on a door at the home of Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate and "Death to Pigs" on the living room wall at the home of Leno and Rosemary LaBiancaLos Angeles file photo "She has admitted that was not a direct order from Charles Manson or anyone else- it was her own idea," Tate wrote in the petition that urges California residents to demand that Governor Gavin Newsom keep Krenwinkel, now known as prisoner CDC# W-0831, behind bars. "For years this woman laughed about the murders in court and showed absolutely no remorse at all. She admits she was not on drugs the nights of the murders and committed them to ignite a race war." Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered by the Manson Family in August 1969 as part of their murderous spree that killed seven Angelenos and actress Sharon Tate's unborn baby (Courtesy Louise LaBianca) Those murders came just one night after Manson Family members Krenwinkel, then 21, along with Charles Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, and Linda Kasabian killed Tate and the others in a house on Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon. Krenwinkel testified that she chased Folger down and stabbed her so many times her hand throbbed. The governor noted in his parole reversal that "Krenwinkel or one or more of her crime partners tied ropes around the necks of Mr. Sebring and Ms. Tate and her two crime partners stabbed them repeatedly, killing them. Ms. Tate was eight months pregnant when she was killed. The group wrote pig in blood on the front door before fleeing," Newsom wrote. Manson, the governor noted, told Krenwinkel to do something witchy, so she used blood to write Death to Pigs, Rise, and Healter [sic] Skelter on the walls. The bodies and the grisly scene were found by the victims' son. Krenwinkel was granted parole on May 26, 2022, but the decision was reversed by Newsom on October 14, 2022, citing her horrific crimes and the continued threat she would pose to society if released. In all, the Parole Board has conducted 16 hearings for Krenwinkel since she became eligible for parole in 1977 after her death penalty sentence was deemed unconstitutional. But the elderly murderer might have a better chance at release now that her former Manson family sister is out on the streets. Her attorney, Keith Wattley told Los Angeles in a statement that his client "is living proof of both redemption and rehabilitation." Wattley said that she has spent 56 years in prison without "a single disciplinary infraction," and insists nine psychological evaluations suggest she is not longer a danger. to society." Charles Manson under arrest in 1969 (left) and in prison in 2009Los Angeles file photo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2023, to the surprise of virtually everyone, her fellow Manson family follower Leslie Van Houten, one of the most notorious killers in the history of Southern California, a woman who for the past five decades has been known as prisoner number W-13378 was released. Van Houten was not at the Tate murders, but joined the gang for a second round of mayhem, this time in Los Feliz, where cult leader Charles Manson randomly chose the LaBiancas as their next victims. Patricia Krenwinkle (left) makes a face as Leslie Van Houten and Susan Atkins (right) smile while detained in a Sheriff's van. August 5, 1970. (Photo by Getty Images)Photo by Getty Images According to court records, Watson attacked Leno LaBianca with a bayonet, the two women went after his wife, Rosemary. Van Houten pulled a pillowcase over her head and wrapped a lamp cord around her neck while Krenwinkel plunged a knife so deep into her collarbone that it bent the blade. Atkins died in prison in 2009. Manson died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83. Watson, 79, remains in a prison in Los Angeles County. Kasbian, who became the prosecutions lead witness and testified against Manson, died in 2023. It remains unclear where Van Houten is living now. The most recent recommendation by the Parole Board is not a done deal for Krenwinkel. The board's legal division has up to 120 days to finalize the decision, and then Newsom has 30 days to review and potentially reverse it. His office has not commented on the recommendation. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared. The United States Secret Service, alongside multiple law enforcement agencies in our area, conducted a card-skimming and electronic benefit transfer fraud outreach operation at the end of May. From May 29 until May 30, authorities visited more than 400 businesses to look for illegal skimming devices from ATMs, gas pumps, and point-of-sale terminals and remove them. In total, 17 devices were recovered, preventing the loss of $5.1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Criminal groups were targeting EBT information because many states utilize magnetic technology rather than new chip technology, since its much harder to steal. ALSO READ: Customers on alert as authorities look for people accused of skimming bank cards at local ATMs Channel 9s Almiya White spoke with many people who said they were familiar with that type of scam. Brad Crasnow said he was once a victim of illegal skimming devices. Ran my card, and they ended up stealing a few $100 from me after getting gas at a gas station, said Crasnow. Its not cool, like everyones struggling. Everyones got their own stuff going on. Like, I work hard for my money. Everybody works hard for their money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he now gives the card scanner a quick tug when paying at the pump. Make sure theres nothing thats loose there, Crasnow explained. Aside from a quick tug on the card reader, Crasnow said he also looks for a certain type of security tape. Just looking around, you know, they have all these seals and stuff, usually, that are to show you that its not broken into or anything like that, said Crasnow. Authorities said this was the first fraud outreach operation in North Carolina by the U.S. Secret Service. It could be used as a model for other cities around the country where this type of fraud is more common. Action 9 advice: Shake card readers to make sure no skimming device is on them Dont use it if the slot is too snug (there might be a device in it) Cover the keypad as you enter your PIN 4. Try to use ATMs attached to banks (instead of standalone ones) VIDEO: Customers on alert as authorities look for people accused of skimming bank cards at local ATMs TYLER, Texas (KETK) According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 15 Texas children are still missing or are unidentified between the years 1958 to 1979. These missing children havent been seen or heard from for over 45 years, meaning many of them would be elderly if found in 2025. LIST: 20 Tyler cold homicide cases police are still trying to solve KETK news has compiled a list of unsolved missing person cases across Texas that authorities still need to solve to bring closure to their families. 1958 Missing since: Sept. 6, 1958 in Goliad Contact: Goliad County Sherriffs Office at 361-645-3541 Age now: Myrisha, 70 and A.J., 67 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myrisha went missing at 3-years-old while A.J. went missing at 1-years-old. A.J.s thumbs are clubbed at the ends and he has a birthmark on his upper eyelid and below his lower lip. According to the nonprofit Doe Network, the childrens father A.J. Campbell picked them up at their mothers home in Goliad on Sept. 6, 1958. Their father was later found dead by suicide in a car north of Austin and the night before he had called a minister claiming he killed and buried the children. The nonprofit said he also left behind a suicide note to his wife that said he had buried the children and he would join them soon. Myrisha Faye Campbell, courtesy of NCMEC A.J. Campbell, courtesy of NCMEC 1970 Missing since: Sept. 6, 1970 in Grand Prairie Contact: Grand Prairie Police Department at 972-237-8790 Age now: 70 Brewer was 15-years-old when she went missing and she has a scar on the underside of her left arm, the side of chest and her torso. According to The Doe Network, it was believed Brewer ran off with a boyfriend. Joyce Brewer, courtesy of NCMEC Joyce Brewer age progressed to 58, courtesy of NCMEC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1973 Missing since: Jan. 14, 1973 in Dallas Contact: Dallas Police Department at 214-671-4268 Age now: 68 Search continues for missing Smith County woman 2 years later NMEC said at 16-years-old, Prater was last seen leaving his home and said he would be back shortly but never returned. He has not been seen or heard from ever since. Norman Prater age progressed to 55, courtesy of NCMEC Norman Prater age progressed to 55, courtesy of NCMEC Date found: Aug. 9, 1973 in Houston Estimated age : 15 to 18-years-old Contact: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences at 713-796-6858 The remains of an unidentified teen boy were found in Houston on Aug. 9, 1973 and based on the condition of his remains, he was likely dead for 12 months prior to the recovery. Reconstructed photo of John Houston Doe, courtesy of NCMEC According to NCMEC, John Houston Doe is the last known unidentified victim of Dean Arnold Corll (the candy man), who abducted and murdered at least 29 young men in the Houston area between 1970 and 1973. John Houston Does features according to examiners: White, possibly Hispanic admixture Brown hair around 7 inches in length from the crown Mild form of spina bifida which may have caused lower back pain or possibly affect his stride, however it may have not caused noticeable symptoms The clothing the John Houston Doe was found in includes the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtesy of NCMEC He was also found with dark blue corduroys with a 32-inch waist and a 30-inch inseam, a knotted leather ankle bracelet, and brown leather cowboy boots that were 12 inches in length and had the word NEOLITE on the heel, NCMEC said. 1974 Missing since: Sept. 11, 1974 in Gilmer Contact: Gilmer Police Department at 903-843-5545 Age now: 66 VANISHED: Danny Lee Jones Jones went missing at 15-years-old and authorities believe he may have left of his own accord. He also has a scar on his right arm. Danny Jones, courtesy of NCMEC Danny Jones age progressed to 61, courtesy of NCMEC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missing since: Sept. 9, 1974 in El Paso Contact: El Paso County Sheriffs Office at 915-538-2217 Age now: 52 Hurtado was last seen at 20-months-old walking to his grandmothers house in 1974 while his mom was washing the family vehicle. NCMEC said a neighbor saw an unidentified blue car in the area which disappeared the same time as Hurtado. Hurtado has a birthmark near his right kidney, has club feet and he was wearing brown orthopedic shoes when taken. If his condition is not treated, he will have severe pigeon-toed feet. Joseph Hurtado, courtesy of NCMEC Joseph Hurtado age progressed to 46, courtesy of NCMEC Missing since: Dec. 23, 1974 in Fort Worth Contact: Fort Worth Police Department at 817-335-4222 Age now: Moseley, 60, Trlica, 67 and Wilson, 64 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moseley, Trlica and Wilson were last seen at the Seminary South Shopping Center just two days before Christmas eve in 1974. According to the Doe Network, the three girls were Christmas Shopping and Trlicas car, an Oldsmobile was found locked in the parking lot with the keys gone, there were no signs of struggle and a wrapped present was on the backseat floorboard. A few days later, a letter from Trlica arrived at the home of her husband, Thomas that said the following: I know Im going to catch it, but we just had to get away. Were going to Houston. See you in about a week. The car is in Sears upper lot. Love Rachel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter was written by a right-handed person while Trlicas was left-handed, handwriting experts are uncertain who wrote the letter; their tests were inconclusive, The Doe Network said. Trlicas own name was also misspelled. While initially the letter was thought to have been mailed from Eliasville in Young County, the U.S. Postal Service has determined that it was mailed in Fort Worth, Texas. Foul play is possible and the case is still actively investigated. Marcus Rodriguezs girlfriend speaks out three years after his disappearance from Tyler Moseley has a small scar under her left eye, a scar in the middle of her forehead and a scar on her calf. Trlica has a chipped upper front tooth and a small scar on her chin. Wilson has a scar on her thigh. Lisa Renee Wilson age progressed to 61, courtesy of NCMEC Julie Ann Moseley age progressed to 56, courtesy of NCMEC Mary Rachel Trlica age progressed to 63, courtesy of NCMEC 1977 Missing since: July 12, 1977 in San Benito Contact: San Benito Police Department at 956-361-3880 Age now: 52 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Doe Network, Montelongo went outside to play on July 12 and hasnt been seen since. His mom reported him missing to police that afternoon. Investigators and emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to search the area, the nonprofit said. Moments later a San Benito resident reported that he had seen the small boy walking down Alamo Street, however, nothing was found after officers combed the area. Neighbors were interviewed and leads were followed, but no information revealed Montelongos whereabouts. The nonprofit explained that police learned that Montelongo liked to play near a drainage ditch close to his house and at the time he went missing, the water level at the ditch was high raising the possibility that the current swept him away. Another possibility is that he wandered away and someone picked him up, the nonprofit said. Michael Lee Montelongo, courtesy of NCMEC Michael Lee Montelongo age progressed to 49, courtesy of NCMEC 1978 Date found: Feb. 13, 1978 in Fresno Estimated age : 17 to 25-years-old Contact: Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office at 281-342-6116 or Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences at 713-796-6819 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 13, 1978 the skeletal remains of an unidentified young white man were found in a wooded area between Texas 288 and the railroad tracks in Fresno. Officials suspect he had been dead for around three to five months before he was found. John Fresno Does features and clothing according to examiners: Slender build Light brown hair One deciduous (baby) lower right molar Extensive dental work to his upper right first molar Likely had a root canal procedure within twelve months of his death Majority of his teeth exhibited signs of decay, and he had a dental abscess that may have caused him discomfort John Fresno Doe, courtesy of NCMEC John Fresno Doe, courtesy of NCMEC 1979 Date found: April 28, 1979 in Houston Estimated age : 15 to 20-years-old Contact: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences at 713-796-6819 or Houston Police Department at 713-308-3616 John Houston Doe, courtesy of NCMEC On April 28, 1979, the body of an unidentified young man was found lying on the sidewalk on the 2100 block of Cochran Street in Houston and he had died shortly before his body was found. John Houston Does features and clothing according to examiners: Short black hair around four inches in length Think black mustache above his upper lip Burn scar on his upper left arm The clothing the John Houston Doe was found in: Long sleeve orange shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows Brown trousers with no back pockets Size six and a half black harness boots Missing since: May 11, 1979 in Bryan Contact: Bryan Police Department at 979-361-3888 Age now: 62 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreno was last seen at her home in Bryan at 16-years-old on May 11 but has not been seen or heard from since. According to NCMEC, she has a burn scar on her left leg, a tattoo on her left hand between her thumb and first finger of AH, a cross tattoo on her right hand and a birthmark on her upper right leg. Moreno might also go by her middle name Felecita. Sophia Felecita Moreno, courtesy of NCMEC Sophia Felecita Moreno age progressed to 43, courtesy of NCMEC Lisa Jane Borden, courtesy of NCMEC Missing since: Oct. 10, 1979 in Big Spring Age now: 65 Borden called her family in California some time after she was last seen by her family in Big Spring on October 10 and was sent a plane ticket but never picked it up. According to Doe Network, she was reported missing by her sister and an unknown friend said she was in Amarillo working as a waitress, but gave no further details. Borden has a scar on her left hand and was known to hitchhike. People can reach out to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling their 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678 or by visiting 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. Georgia Sen. John F. Kennedy, a Republican from Macon, formally announced Monday that he is running for lieutenant governor, according to a social media post. Kennedy has served as the pro tempore in the Georgia Senate since 2023, which sits just a notch beneath the lieutenant governor in the state government. He was first elected to the Georgia Senate in 2014. Kennedy is just one of a slew of Republican candidates who have made preparations for a run or announced campaigns to succeed Lt. Gov. Butch Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Steve Gooch, a Republican from Dahlonega, announced he would be running for the seat in May. Takosha Swan, a member of the state veterans services board who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2019, also announced a bid. Sen. Blake Tillery of Vidalia has started raising money for the Republican primary, as has Jerry Timbs II, a local politician from Henry County who previously ran for a commission seat there. Neither have officially announced a campaign but are expected to soon, according to the Georgia Recorder. On the Democratic side, Georgia Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs) has announced a campaign for the seat. In his post, Kennedy emphasized his support for school choice, job creation and fighting crime. He also touted his work to pass a law limiting lawsuits and civil verdicts in Georgia. My first priority has been to put hardworking Georgians first, and thats what I will continue to do as Georgias next Lieutenant Governor, Kennedy said in the post. DES MOINES, IOWA United States Senator Joni Ernst is responding to backlash from comments made about Medicaid cuts at a townhall in Parkersburg; and to concern about a video she made over the weekend. Sen. Ernst made the comment of we are all going to die, when discussing with constituents last week cuts to Medicaid that are in the current budget bill. Ernst then took to social media on Saturday, saying that she wanted to sincerely apologize. Ernst added in the video posted to social media that she thought everyone understood that everyone will perish from the earth. At the end of the video Ernst states that she was really glad that she didnt have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy, pushing people to turn their faith to God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday a spokesperson with Sen. Ernst gave WHO 13 News the following statement: While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans. Theres only two certainties in life: death and taxes, 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. Spokesperson for Sen. Joni Ernst (R) The Iowa GOP Chair responded to the criticism of both the comments and the video: Anyone who knows Joni especially the folks who heard her answer tough questions for over an hour knows Dems and the Main Stream Media are purposefully replacing her core message because it helps their fear-mongering. But the fact is, without Senator Ernst taking a strong stand to protect the integrity of programs like Medicaid, Iowans would be worse off. Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann The bill sits in the U.S. Senate chamber, after the U.S. House passed through the budget. That bill includes the cuts to Medicaid that are these comments are circling 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 who13.com. WASHINGTON A proposal to sell off public lands in Utah and Nevada could be revived in the massive tax reconciliation bill making its way through Congress. When asked if he would push to reinstate language selling roughly 11,000 acres of public lands in southern Utah, Sen. Mike Lee told Politico this week: Yes. Although details are not clear on how Lee would move forward with such a proposal, his office told the Deseret News the Utah senator would advocate for handing control of the land to Utahns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Lee remains committed to advancing Western priorities and ensuring that those who live closest to the land have a voice in how its managed, a spokesperson for Lee told the Deseret News. As the process moves forward, hell continue to advocate for solutions that reflect the needs of Utahns and other Western communities. The move comes after the House stripped language to sell more than 211,000 acres across Utah and Nevada amid pushback from some Republicans who threatened to vote against the full reconciliation package if it was included. The original amendment was led by Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, who drafted the provision upon request from officials in Washington and Beaver counties, who would have facilitated the sale. Maloy told the Deseret News she was unaware of any efforts to revive that language as the Senate begins deliberations on the reconciliation package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 63% of Utahs land is owned by the federal government, the most of any state in the country aside from Nevada. The lands that would have been sold make up only a third of one percent of federal lands in the state, according to Maloy. The proposal was met with pushback from some Republicans who have historically opposed public land sales, such as Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., the co-chairman of the newly created Public Lands Caucus. Theres a lot of frustration down in the West. I understand that, Zinke said in response to the amendment last month. But I prefer the management scheme. And I give an example as a hotel if you dont like the management of a hotel, dont sell the hotel. Change the management. Thats where I sit on that position. Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. Happy Monday and welcome to our first edition of June! The Senate is back this week and will begin the process of taking up the big, beautiful bill the House passed. Sahil Kapur breaks down the challenges facing GOP leaders as they try to send the legislation to President Donald Trumps desk by July 4. Plus, Scott Bland digs into the archives for a quote from the 2016 campaign trail from a Republican that provides a guide for Democrats today. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Wollner Senate GOP leaders face spending squeeze on Trumps big bill By Sahil Kapur The House-passed legislation for President Donald Trumps domestic agenda is moving to the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., is facing a squeeze from opposing party factions about how to modify it. Spending and the debt: Some Republicans say they want steeper spending cuts to offset the debt increase as a result of the tax breaks and funding bumps for immigration enforcement and the military. That includes Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., both of whom have said they cannot support the bill in its current form as it adds an estimated $2.3 trillion to the debt. Its wrong. Its immoral. It has to stop, Johnson said Sunday on Fox News. My loyalty is to the American people, to my kids and grandkids. We cannot continue to mortgage their future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicaid: On the other hand, Thune must navigate worries and political considerations from senators about the existing spending cuts in the legislation particularly on Medicaid, SNAP and clean energy funding. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, voted for the Senates initial budget blueprint to begin work on the bill, but later objected to a revised version, citing concerns that it could impact her constituents who rely on Medicaid coverage. Collins is up for re-election in 2026, along with Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. All are likely to face attacks from Democrats about the stricter burdens for Americans to stay on the health care program. And at least one solid Trump ally from a red state is warning against rolling back Medicaid. Ive got some concerns, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told reporters recently. I continue to maintain my position; we should not be cutting Medicaid benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley notably told NBC News last month hes fine with coverage losses resulting from the work requirements and anti-fraud measures. So he may ultimately get in line with the bill, as Trump and Republican leaders are portraying the Medicaid provisions as program integrity measures, instead of cuts to rescind coverage. Regardless, Hawleys vocal support for preserving Medicaid benefits creates a potential land mine for Republicans to maneuver around, making it harder to cut deeper than the House bill if they want more savings to appease spending hawks. Clean energy: As part of the spending caution, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, says there is a faction of GOP senators who opposes the termination of the clean energy tax credits passed by Democrats in 2022, which Republican leaders have put on the chopping block to finance their bill. Getting technical: And theres a procedural hurdle Thune must navigate: The so-called Byrd bath. Senate rules limit bills under the reconciliation process which Republicans are using here to bypass Democrats in the Senate to budgetary measures that are primarily about dollars and cents, not policy changes. Democrats are preparing to challenge a host of provisions in the package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, the three-vote margin for defection may give Thune the breathing room he needs to pass the bill. But any changes the Senate makes need to go back to the House for another vote in the paper-thin majority. And Thune is on deadline, as the Treasury Department has said Congress needs to pass a debt ceiling increase which is part of the broader package no later than July in order to prevent a catastrophic default. Up until now, the GOPs deadlines have all been fuzzy. But this one is real. Related read: Thune says Senate on track to pass GOP megabill by July 4, by Frank Thorp V A key lesson Democrats can learn from 2016 candidate Marco Rubio Analysis by Scott Bland Donald Trump and Marco Rubio during a Republican presidential primary debate in Detroit on March 3, 2016. (Paul Sancya / AP file) Democrats are in regroup mode after losing the 2024 election, acutely aware of the partys low standing with the American public and thinking through everything from their policy platform to where and how they talk to voters like the $20 million pitch reported by The New York Times for a research project titled Speaking with American Men: A Strategic Plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More power to them, if someone wants to fund it. And Democrats desperately want to do something to move forward right now. They might want to consider some long-ago advice from one Marco Rubio about what really matters for a political partys viability and why it could take an excruciatingly long time to get there. When Rubio currently President Donald Trumps secretary of state was running for president in August 2015, he gave a prescient response to questions about then-candidate Donald Trumps rhetoric about immigration. Asked by CNBC whether the way Trump and others were talking about immigrants would hurt the Republican Party in the 2016 general election, Rubio said, This is not the Republican Party. These are individual candidates who are responsible for their own rhetoric and what they say, adding, The face of the Republican Party is going to be our nominee. Rubio hit a similar theme days later, speaking to Bloomberg News in New Hampshire: Ultimately the Republican Party will reach out to all voters based on who our nominee is. And I dont believe Donald Trump will be our nominee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont be distracted by the admittedly big thing that Rubio got wrong. The broader point is that American political parties are shaped and defined by their candidates. The biggest and best thing that the Democratic Party can do to change voter perceptions of itself is to nominate a national candidate that voters see more favorably. The party cant just erase former President Joe Bidens struggles and former Vice President Kamala Harris loss to Trump especially among the slice of Democrats fed up with their own party right now, a big contributor to those record-low poll numbers. Thats just stuck to the Democratic brand right now. Of course, Democrats arent going to nominate another presidential candidate for three years or so. Perhaps thats why some are itching to get that contest started sooner rather than later. Even formally nominating the partys next slate of congressional or Senate contenders is a year or so away. Its no wonder that research and investment efforts are getting a lot of attention on the long road to fixing a party brand, thats whats available right now. Today's top stories Boulder attack: A man who shouted free Palestine and used a makeshift flamethrower on demonstrators marching in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was charged with a federal hate crime and first-degree murder in Colorado. Follow live updates SCOTUS watch: Trumps agenda is shaping the Supreme Courts traditional monthlong ruling season, as consequential emergency cases flood the docket. Read more SCOTUS watch, cont.: The high court decided not to hear two big gun cases, a decision that allows restrictions on assault-style weapons in Maryland and large-capacity magazines in Rhode Island to remain in effect. Read more Obamacare wars: Congressional Republicans are facing new pressure to extend expiring tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. If the money lapses this year, 5 million Americans would be expected to lose coverage and others would face premium hikes. Read more Big Apple battle: New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado launched a primary challenge against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. Read more 2028 watch: Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., launched a new national political action committee to fight back against Trump and the GOP. Read more Conspiracy corner: Over the weekend, Trump reposted a baseless claim on Truth Social that former President Joe Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced with clones or robots. Read more Follow live politics coverage Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Ben Kamisar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Senator Joni Ernst received national backlash over a controversial comment made at a town hall in Parkersburg on Friday. Constituents pushed back on Ernst when talking about potential cuts to Medicaid. One attendee commented that the cuts would cause people to die. To this, Ernst replied, Well, we are all going to die. Following those comments, the senator made an apology video over the weekend from a cemetery. The Iowa Democratic Party responded on their social media pages, saying that Ernsts video is *not an apology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Senators in both parties are itching to move a bipartisan Russia sanctions package as fighting escalates in the region, but Republicans are waiting on a green light from President Trump. The effort to pass a robust sanctions package is hitting high gear. Trump and his allies are sounding a considerably more negative tone about Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has shown few signs of slowing down his battle against Ukraine. Some of Trumps closest allies, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), are pushing hard to more aggressively target Putin. And both a stunning operation by Ukraine and an escalation of attacks by Russia are giving more senators the impetus to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Trumps grown more vocal about Putins unwillingness to move toward a peace deal, he has declined to throw in his lot with the sanctions bill, which has more than 80 co-sponsors in the upper chamber effectively keeping it on ice for the time being. Were working with the White House. We are prepared to move forward as soon as they feel like the timing is right. Theyre leading, said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who, along with Graham, has had ongoing talks with Trump about the sanctions bill. We dont want to get in front of the White House. We dont want to interfere in the middle of negotiations. If we have to do this to get their attention, we most definitely will. Were 100 percent willing and able to move forward with it, Mullin continued. It doesnt do us any good if we pass it in the House, pass it in the Senate and then the president is like, Hold on a second guys. It puts him in a bad position [and it] puts us in a bad position. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters that the bill could hit the floor during the current four-week work period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The White House is] still hopeful theyll be able to strike some sort of a deal, but theres a high level of interest here in the Senate on both sides of the aisle in moving on it, he said. I think a genuine interest in doing something to make clear to Russia that they need to come to the table I think that would have a big impact. The package in question would implement some of the harshest sanctions possible on some of Moscows top trading partners, including a 500 percent tariff on nations that purchase oil, gas, uranium and other goods from Russia. China and India are Russias biggest customers for those items, accounting for 70 percent of Russias energy exports. Graham, one of the leading proponents of the legislation, labeled it as the most draconian bill Ive ever seen in my life in the Senate. He also told The Associated Press that he crafted it in coordination with Trumps advisers and last week said he expected the Senate to start moving the bill this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, Trump has remained noncommittal, even though he has increased his criticism of Putin in recent weeks. I dont know. Ill have to see it, he said on Friday when asked about the proposal. The push comes on the heels of Grahams visit to Kyiv, where he and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and then Paris, where Graham spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the latest state of play in the war. According to the South Carolina Republican, the only steps Putin is taking in the coming months to end the war is trying to defeat the Ukrainians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We saw credible evidence of a summer or early fall invasion, a new offensive by Putin, Graham told The Associated Press. Hes preparing for more war. Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. officials convened in Istanbul for a second round of peace talks on Monday, where the two warring nations agreed to trade thousands of dead and seriously injured troops. However, there were no signs of progress toward concluding the 3-year-old war. The talks took place only days after Ukraine launched a stunning drone offensive that destroyed 40 Russian warplanes at air bases across the country. The total represents one-third of the Russian bomber fleet, and the attack happened after Ukraine smuggled 117 drones deep into Russia in an operation that took 18 months of planning. Russia, meanwhile, launched a heavy attack on Ukraine on Sunday. According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia launched 472 drones against Ukraine, marking the highest total since the beginning of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intense back-and-forth in recent days is inspiring more lawmakers to push for action. I hate to say that Im glad the president is seeing Putin for the evil murderer that he is, but now we have to have a consequence for it, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said, adding that he would vote for the sanctions package in a heartbeat. While Republicans wait on word from the president, Democrats have no such patience. The single best thing President Trump can do to strengthen Ukraines hand right now is to show that the U.S. stands firmly behind them and squarely against Russia. But so far, Trump has not done that, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the floor Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where is Donald Trumps backbone? Where is his conviction? Wheres that toughness he likes to project? Schumer asked. Frankly, senators from both sides of the aisle are getting tired of Donald Trumps wishy-washy approach to Putin. If Donald Trump wont stand up to him, the Senate must. The New York Democrat also called the sanctions package a hammer blow to Moscow. Its very much needed, and its needed now, he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (KCAU) The City of Sergeant Bluff has hired its first full-time fire chief. On Tuesday, the City of Sergeant Bluff announced that Anthony Gaul has been hired as the citys first full-time fire chief. His appointment begins July 1. Photo of Sergeant Bluff Fire Chief Anthony Gaul courtesy City of Sergeant Bluff According to the release, Gaul will be managing the citys volunteer fire rescue department. The decision to hire a full-time chief to manage the department comes from growth that the department has seen over the past two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city hopes that this position will help the department better meet volunteer numbers training requirements, equipment, and call volumes. Story continues below Gaul has been with the fire rescue department since 1991 and brings plenty of experience and a relationship with his community to the position. Chief Gaul comes with a wealth of knowledge and numerous working relationships with regional and statewide municipal departments, the State of Iowa Fire Marshall office, National Volunteer Fire Council, and National Fire Academy. Chief Gaul also serves with the Woodbury County Sheriff Reserves and has many years of experience with other volunteer organizations. Under his current leadership the Sergeant Bluff Fire Rescue has attained an ISO 2 insurance rating which is rare among volunteer departments both in the State of Iowa and in the nation. Chief Gaul holds numerous certifications and licenses in Firefighting, EMS, Hazmat, and Incident Management, the release 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A settlement has been reached between a federal public defender and the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office over the Danny Lee Hill case. The case surrounds the release of an audiotape that Public Defender Calland Ferraro requested in 2022. Calland alleged that the prosecutors office said the tape needed to be provided by Hills previous attorney, not the prosecutors office. Calland filed a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court in August 2024 asking for the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office to turn over the cassette tape, even though Calland did have a written transcript, and asked for a $100-a-day penalty for up to $1,000 for any delays. The case was sent to mediation by the Ohio Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show that a settlement agreement was recently reached and that the case has been returned to the regular docket. Assistant Prosecutor Bill Danso handled the case for the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office and said that the matter has been resolved satisfactorily. Details of the settlement have not been entered yet in the case. Danny Lee Hill was convicted in 1985 for the rape and murder of 12-year-old Raymond Fife. His conviction and death sentence have gone through multiple appeals, with one still pending. His execution date is set for July 22, 2026, however, Ohio has a moratorium on executions over the inability to obtain lethal injection drugs. 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. Jun. 2A massive federal budget bill is winding its way through the Senate after passing the House in May. The controversial tax package would deliver on several of President Donald Trump's campaign promises and could mean big changes for New Mexicans. Democrats have criticized the bill for its cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and tax breaks for high-income earners, while some Republicans say the funding cuts don't go far enough to trim down the bloated federal budget and the ballooning deficit the tax cuts alone would be paid for, in part, by increasing the country's deficit by $3.8 trillion over 10 years. On average, U.S. households would see an increase in resources from the government from 2026 to 2034, if the House budget bill makes it into law, according to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis. But the bottom 10% of income earners would see a loss in household resources, primarily because of changes to Medicaid and SNAP. Meanwhile those in the top 10% would see an increase in household resources, because the taxes they owe would be reduced. Though House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) accused the CBO of shoddy math, saying the agency was more than $1 trillion off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a look at how the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," could affect New Mexico. 1. Medicaid The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" would cut approximately $700 billion from Medicaid spending over the next 10 years and introduce new work requirements and co-pays. With a high poverty level, New Mexico has the highest rate of Medicaid enrollment. More than 90,000 New Mexico residents could lose health care coverage because of the changes. This provision faces opposition from several GOP senators; but conversely those in the House who pushed for more Medicaid cuts would turn against the bill if these cuts are watered down or eliminated. Medicaid represents the toughest of tight rope acts in this bill to get through both chambers to final passage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2. Potential hospital closures The Medicaid funding cuts could also put more rural hospitals at risk of closing, Democrats have argued, because Medicaid and Medicare are important revenue sources for rural hospitals. Three of 27 inpatient rural hospitals in New Mexico are already at immediate risk of closing, according to a report from the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform. Overall, seven of the state's rural hospitals are at risk of closing. In part, that's because private insurance plans do not adequately compensate some rural hospitals for the services they provide, according to the report. Rural hospitals often already lose money on uninsured and Medicaid patients, but the hospitals not at risk of closure are often making enough profit on patient services from private health plans to balance those losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3. Food aid More than 460,000 New Mexicans receive SNAP benefits. The House bill would cut $267 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, spending over the next 10 years, in part by introducing a cost share with states. It would also introduce new work requirements to the program. The proposed changes could cost New Mexico $300 million. 4. Extending tax cuts The budget bill would extend 2017 tax cuts passed during Trump's first administration. That would prevent tax increases for 62% of taxpayers, which would happen if the tax cuts expire, according to the Tax Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would extend, or make permanent, tax cuts for most New Mexicans. Republicans have highlighted the benefits to working families, like making the child tax credit permanent. But Democrats have criticized some measures that would benefit the very wealthy, like permanently increasing the estate and gift tax exemption threshold to $15 million. 5. No tax on tips The House-passed budget bill includes no taxes on tips and overtime through 2028, fulfilling one of Trump's campaign promises. The idea of no tax on tips was appealing enough to voters that even former Vice-President Kamala Harris added it to her campaign platform. The Economic Policy Institute has criticized the idea, arguing that it helps relatively few workers, undermines pay increases for non-tipped workers and could expand the use of tipped workers, a system "rife with discrimination and worker abuse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico's restaurant industry, where tipped employees are often most visible, employs over 90,000 people in the state and generates more than $5.3 billion in annual sales, according to the New Mexico Restaurant Association. 6. Student loans and Pell Grants The budget bill would eliminate some repayment options for future federal student loan borrowers, and introduce a new, income-based repayment plan. Borrowers with loans disbursed before July 2026 could keep their current repayment plan. It would eliminate new borrowers' ability to pause loan payments during economic hardship. The bill also increases Pell Grant credit requirements and changes eligibility requirements. In the 2023-2024 academic year, there were 37,708 federal Pell Grant awards in New Mexico, according to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7. Preventing AI regulation The House bill includes a decade-long ban on state regulations of artificial intelligence. Adopting a light regulatory style for the AI industry will allow the AI supply chain to rapidly grow in the U.S., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing. "The country that leads in AI will shape the 21st century global order," Cruz said. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez signed onto a letter opposing the measure, along with attorneys general from 39 states and territories. A bill to penalize using AI-generated content for harassment or defamation was introduced in the state Legislature earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Though it didn't pass, strong state-level protections are still urgently needed, and states must have the flexibility to regulate this emerging technology if Congress refuses to act," Torrez said in a statement. This provision faces an uphill battle in the Senate where even No. 2 Senate Republican John Cornyn, R-Texas, has said it could fail a Byrd Rule challenge, which says that every line in the budget must be related to the budget and not policy. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The debate about whether the Karman Line Annexation in Colorado Springs should go through has made its way to southeastern Colorado. Seven government agencies in the area have passed resolutions expressing their opposition to the annexation, which aims to add more than 1,900 acres into Colorado Springs city limits in an attempt to accommodate a growing city. Otero County Commissioners Ron Oquist and Tim Knabenshues biggest concern is water. It what allows us to have agriculture, to have farming, to have ranching, Knabenshue said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both are worried more housing in the Springs will mean less water to grow crops like watermelon in the Arkansas Valley. Some think they [watermelons] come from Safeway or King Soopers. They come from down in southeastern Colorado, down in the Arkansas Valley, Oquist said. But the group Yes on Issue One, which supports the Karman Line Annexation, said there is not a lack of water, but water mismanagement, and they argue there will be plenty of water to accommodate the project. While no one from the group responded to FOX21 Newss request for comment as of Monday, videos posted on the groups YouTube page show project leaders explaining why they think the annexation is a good thing. We can build into a community that supports the needs of the military, whether thats rental detached homes or specialized childcare and health care, to meet the military needs and civilian needs of our community, said Kevin ONeil, the Karman Line Managing Partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Oquist and Knabenshue want to make sure they have a seat at the table, so the area they represent does not get forgotten. Were not against Colorado Springs and were not against growth; we just want to make sure that we do it responsibly, Oquist said. In the end, the loudest voice will be the voters of Olympic City U.S.A. The special election for the Karman Line Annexation is set for June 17. Ballots were mailed out by the city on May 23. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rounds of severe thunderstorms packing high winds and damaging hail will focus mainly on the central and eastern United States into the weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists say. The risk of severe weather will continue each day over the Plains and Mississippi Valley through the weekend, from just inland from the Gulf Coast to the Ohio Valley. As warm, humid air from the Gulf clashes with a press of cool air from the Rockies-combined with a strong jet stream overhead- thunderstorms will erupt and are likely to become locally violent. AccuWeather.com Friday's severe weather threat will extend all the way from eastern New Mexico to the Appalachians. Once again, the main threats will be from powerful wind gusts, hail, localized flash flooding and isolated tornadoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be two main risk zones, one extending from the southern High Plains into the western Ozark Mountains and another zone in the southern Ohio River Valley. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP The biggest and most concentrated areas of severe weather Saturday will be a vast zone extending from eastern Oklahoma and Texas to portions of the western Carolinas where storms packing flooding downpours, hail and high winds are anticipated. However, some severe thunderstorm activity can occur as far north in portions of the Ohio River Valley and the mid-Atlantic. AccuWeather.com Severe weather will continue during the day Sunday, encompassing many similar areas including the Southeast and Midwest as another round of thunderstorms traverses the nation. In these areas, any thunderstorm may contain a heavier downpour and gusty winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thunderstorms will reignite across portions of the southern Plains late Sunday afternoon before becoming more widespread and charging across portions of northern Texas and southern Oklahoma into Sunday night. Thunderstorms will be capable of producing hail, flash flooding and localized damaging wind gusts, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 90 mph. AccuWeather.com Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. A severe thunderstorm warning is in place across Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha and Kenosha counties until 2:30 p.m. on June 3, according to the National Weather Service. The Milwaukee-Sullivan NWS office issued the warning after severe thunderstorms were located near Whitewater at 1:38 p.m. The storms are moving east at a speed of 50 mph, NWS said. Meteorologists warn of winds as strong as 60 mph and hail as large as 0.75 inches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 2:15 p.m., NWS meteorologist Kevin Wagner said rain will begin in the Milwaukee area within a half hour and heavy downpours with 40 to 50 mph winds will continue for 15 to 20 minutes. Light rain may linger for another hour afterwards, he said. The NWS said to expect damage to roofs, siding and trees, particularly in the following locations: Kenosha, West Allis, New Berlin, Greenfield, Muskego, Pleasant Prairie, Antioch, Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, Hales Corners, Lake Geneva, Union Grove, East Troy, Paddock Lake, Williams Bay, Camp Lake, Wind Lake, Franklin, and Twin Lakes. Kenosha is expected to see the strongest winds, and the NWS has already received some reports of downed trees in Walworth County. A severe thunderstorm warning is also in place for Rock County, with the NWS warning attendees of the Music at the Marv festival in Janesville to seek shelter immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you're in any of the warning areas, pay attention and seek shelter," Wagner added. Wisconsin weather radar What is a severe thunderstorm warning? A severe thunderstorm warning means the area is experiencing or is about to experience a storm with winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail an inch in diameter or larger. Tips for staying safe during thunderstorms Once in a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing. Keep a battery-powered weather radio nearby in case of loss of power. Remember to bring pets inside. If there is time, secure loose objects outside as these objects often become dangerous flying debris in high winds. Postpone outdoor activities until the storms have passed. This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Milwaukee County For live coverage of severe weather occurring on Tuesday, June 3, click here. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Norman at 3:19 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3. This warning applies to Logan and Oklahoma counties. Meteorologists warn of winds as strong as 60 mph. Use caution, officials warn of hail as large as 1 inch. The NWS warns: "For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building." See weather radar for Oklahoma City area What are NWS meteorologists saying? At 3:19 p.m., the NWS issued a statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for: Northwestern Oklahoma County in central Oklahoma, Southern Logan County in central Oklahoma, Until 4 p.m. CDT. At 3:19 p.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles northwest of Edmond, moving northeast at 25 mph. HAZARD: 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE: Radar indicated. IMPACT: Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations in or near the path include: Navina, Guthrie, Meridian, Seward, Edmond, " What is a severe thunderstorm warning? A severe thunderstorm warning means the area is experiencing or is about to experience a storm with winds of 58 mph or higher or hail an inch in diameter or larger. Tips for staying safe during thunderstorms Once in a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing. Keep a battery-powered weather radio nearby in case of loss of power. Remember to bring pets inside. If there is time, secure loose objects outside as these objects often become dangerous flying debris in high winds. Postpone outdoor activities until the storms have passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporters Jana Hayes and Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez contributed to this article. This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Severe thunderstorm warning issued in Oklahoma: See live radar, alerts Fireworks on the stand during the retrial of Karen Read after a Dighton Police officer testified Reads taillight wasnt damaged that bad before it was seized by Massachusetts State Police troopers. Dighton Police Sergeant Nicholas Barros said Reads taillight had damage, but not to the extent of what pictures presented in court showed. That was the black Lexus, he said. That was not the taillight the day I was there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barros described seeing a hole about the size of a dollar bill before State Troopers seized the Lexus from Reads parents Dighton home. Did you see anybody from the State Police in any way tamper with that vehicle? Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan asked on cross. I did not, Barros replied. Barros appeared confident with his memory until Brennan began peppering him with questions. Would be fair to say, based on all the additional information youve read and seen, had some effect on your memory? Brennan questioned. I guess, Barros said. His testimony hasnt changed, Karen Read said outside court. He was subpoenaed by the prosecution and said it was damaged and not completely broken a year ago and then he said that again today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More fireworks during the testimony of the defenses dog bite expert Dr. Marie Russel, when Reads lawyer Robert Alessi demanded a mistrial over the prosecutors questioning. Alessi argued that Brennan brought up the absence of dog DNA on OKeefes clothing when it wasnt in evidence. Brennan pushed back. It might be hurtful for the defendants theories, for the creation they portrayed, for this jury yesterday, he said. But it is not improper. Judge Beverly Cannone sided with Brennan and rejected the mistrial request. Russell was asked about statements Read has made about a possible collision with OKeefe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell said people suffer something called acute grief reaction, where they blame themselves when bad things happen. Outside of court, Read was asked if she will take the stand. She said she has mixed feelings and did not give a yes or no response. A plow driver is expected to testify on Wednesday. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Sometimes the surfer catches a gnarly wave, and other times a shark catches the surfer. Luckily for one California surfer, a shark swimming in San Mateo County waters over the weekend managed to get only a sample of his surfboard. Jens Heller was about 100 yards offshore at Montara State Beach sitting on his board Saturday when the shark attacked, according to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle. Heller, his wife and their 6-month-old daughter had settled at the location after not finding ideal surfing conditions at two other beach spots earlier in the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He paddled out on his board and was in the water for about 10 to 15 minutes when he thought his foot and board hit a rock. "I was sitting on the board, and then I felt something under my foot kick me off the board," Heller told the surf outlet Powerlines Productions. "I looked back and then saw this big mouth grabbing onto my board." He saw the black eye and the teeth of the shark as he tried to get back onto his board. He swam back to shore, feeling like he was moving in slow motion, Heller told the outlet. "It's my lucky day, I guess," Heller said. "I can't believe it didn't get me at all. I was like, what are the odds?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he reached the shore and the adrenaline started to wear off, he panicked and checked himself to see if he had been bitten. Lifeguards cleared the water, and the beach was closed for two days. Heller said that state park and wildlife officials took swabs of his board on the beach to analyze the shark DNA and then asked to take his board to analyze the shark bites. Officials said they hope to determine the shark species within the next week. Read more: 'Shark!' Swimmers race to save bleeding man off Southern California beach Despite all the excitement, Heller said he will not let the experience keep him out of the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday's incident marks the second recorded shark encounter this year in California, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. On May 20, a shark bumped a swimmer at Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego, with no reported injuries. Scientists believe that most shark incidents are not predatory, but more likely "exploratory bites from sharks investigating unusual objects," according to Fish and Wildlife officials. Other times, sharks mistake humans for their usual meals, like seals or sea lions. Juvenile sharks, which can reach up to 10 feet long, sometimes charge or bump larger objects as a potential learning experience as they grow accustomed to hunting larger prey, according to authorities. White sharks, also referred to as great white sharks, are most active in San Mateo County, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Since 1950, there have been 195 white shark attacks recorded in California. The majority of those attacks involved surfers, freedivers and people on kayaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2021, a white shark bit a man swimming about a mile north of Montara Beach, according to authorities. The shark bit the man on the right leg and he was taken to the hospital in serious condition, but he survived. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) An arrest has been made in relation to a mobile home fire in northwest Bakersfield that killed a woman and two dogs. The Superior Mobile Home Park, is an 18-lot, poverty stricken park tucked away on State Road, north of Olive Drive, in Oildale. At 1:30 p.m. in lot 18, 52-year-old Amber Wimberleys trailer caught fire. Kern County firefighters battled the blaze and discovered Wimberley and her two dogs inside. Her friend, resident Jody Traylor, said they saw each other the night before Wimberley died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked her Amber, how long have we been friends?, she said Jody, you cared for me when nobody else did. You picked me up from the carwash and moved me into a home. Were family, said Traylor. Traylor said she and Wimberley have been friends since Traylor was 17. Traylor moved back to Bakersfield after a stint in Oklahoma, and discovered Wimberley was homeless. Lot 18 was Traylors late aunts property. It was vacant and she moved Wimberley there to get her off the streets. Traylor said she wants justice. Whoever did this needs to pay for it one way or another. They took her sunshine out of my life, she really was a pool of sunshine, said Traylor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kern County Fire Department arson investigators arrested 32-year-old Nicole Taylor, on multiple counts of arson, and arson causing great bodily injury. Both women have extensive criminal histories. Taylor has eight misdemeanor cases listed against her, the earliest from 2013, according to Superior Court records. Most of the charges are theft-related. Wimberly has more than 20 cases, going back to 1993, including felony convictions for vehicle theft and drug possession for sales. The cause of the fire and its starting place is still under investigation by KCFD. Sheriffs office homicide detectives took over the investigation and urge anyone with information to contact them. 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 KGET 17 News. NEED TO KNOW Jennifer Carvajal, 28, was sentenced to 67 years in prison for a 2021 drunk driving crash in Florida that killed her cousin, Pedro Carvajal, and seriously injured two others During the crash, she was speeding at nearly 110 mph when her car flipped over after hitting a palm tree and utility pole Carvajals troubled past, including childhood sexual abuse, untreated trauma, and early alcohol use, was discussed in court, but the judge emphasized her repeated, fatal choices behind the wheel A Florida woman was sentenced to 67 years in prison on May 30 for driving drunk and causing a crash that killed her cousin and seriously injured two others in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Hillsborough Circuit judge sentenced 28-year-old Jennifer Carvajal for the deadly crash, noting that at the time, she was on probation for causing a different crash that killed someone. She has now committed two acts of DUI and taken two peoples lives, Judge Greg Green said at Carvajals sentencing hearing. Its almost as if instead of taking every step to avoid putting yourself in that situation again, you took affirmative steps to ensure that it happened. On April 25, 2021, Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office deputies witnessed Carvajal speeding in her silver Hyundai at nearly 110 mph on Interstate 4, according to a criminal affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. While attempting to exit the highway, Carvajal lost control and the car became airborne before colliding with a palm tree and a utility pole, the affidavit said. The crash caused the car to flip several times before landing upside down at a nearby car dealership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carvajal was transported to Tampa General Hospital with minor injuries and three passengers were transported with severe injuries. One man, Pedro Carvajal, who was Carvajal's cousin, was pronounced dead later around 1 p.m., the criminal affidavit said. At the hospital, Florida Highway Patrol officers interviewed Carvajal where they noticed she was still impaired. According to the affidavit, she had glassy eyes, slurred speech, was having trouble staying awake and smelled like alcohol. Authorities say that Carvajals blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was 0.102, above the legal limit of 0.08. Carvajal called Pedros sister hours after the crash to ask her to tell the others that she wasnt the one driving the car, the Tampa Bay Times reported, citing authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carvajal was arrested on several driving under the influence charges with personal injury and vehicular homicide, according to her online arrest record. She did not get a life sentence but her sentence is double the 33 years suggested by the state, the Times reported. Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock In 2014, when Carvajal was 16, she killed a 52-year-old man after running a red light and plowing into his car while intoxicated, according to the outlet. She served four years in prison and was on probation at the time of the second fatal crash. In court, and in the 2014 case, judges heard testimony about Carvajals tumultuous childhood, during which she was sexually abused at 9 years old by male relatives, the Times reported. The abuse only came to light when she was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease. Carvajal never received any mental health treatment, her attorney said, per the local outlet. She contemplated suicide, used broken glass to harm herself and at age 11, began drinking to cope with her trauma, according to the attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her May sentencing, Carvajal spoke quietly while addressing the court, with her face buried in her hair. No matter how many sorrys I say to each of you, or even him, I could never forgive myself, she said. 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. Family members of Pedro, the man who died in the crash, said in court that he was a loyal friend, a diligent worker and a devoted dad, per the Tampa Bay Times. There is a void in my heart, Jazmin Lopez Dominguez, Pedros mother, said in a statement to the court. The decision Jennifer made in that moment caused a lot of pain and suffering in our lives and Julian who is growing up without knowing his father. Read the original article on People BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A man was arrested after a shooting in Gonzales on Monday evening. According to the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to a home on Hackett Canal Drive around 4:30 p.m. When they arrived, deputies found a man outside the home with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was taken to a hospital for his injuries. The victim told deputies that a family acquaintance, Kevin Chambers, 25, flashed a gun and pointed it toward him after an altercation, which led to gunfire being exchanged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies later learned that Chambers fled the scene and drove himself to a hospital, where he was also treated for a gunshot wound to the leg. Chambers was arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, and illegal use of a weapon. Video appears to show escaped New Orleans inmate Antoine Massey pleading case 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. The suspect was tasked to plan a terrorist attack in central Israel, an arson attack on a forest, and transferring weapons to the West Bank. A resident of east Jerusalem was arrested over spying for Iran, including plans to carry out terrorist attacks against Jews, the Israel Police and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced on Wednesday. This case follows a pattern of Israeli nationals investigated for allegedly spying for Iran. In May, two Israelis were indicted for carrying out a series of intelligence missions on behalf of agents operating for Iranian intelligence agencies, in the latest case of Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was discovered to be acting on behalf of Iranian intelligence, including recruiting the suspect and working with him to recruit his family members and activate them to carry out tasks within Israeli territory, the statement read. The police and Shin Bet said that the Jerusalem Central Unit conducted a cover operation and arrested the suspect, a man in his 30s from Isawiya, in east Jerusalem. An investigation revealed that the suspect maintained contact with an Iranian agent who instructed him to carry out activities in Jerusalem. According to the statement, the suspect was aware that he was serving a hostile entity intending to harm state security, including plans to carry out a terrorist attack against Jews. Iranians burn a symbolic Obelisk with British flag and Star of David prints during the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, February 10, 2025. (photo credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters) Tasks include collecting information about sites in Jerusalem The man had already begun executing some of the tasks assigned to him by the Iranian agent, including hanging signs, collecting information about sites and streets in Jerusalem (including the Western Wall and Mahane Yehuda Market), and burning IDF uniforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police and Shin Bet said that the suspect had been compensated for these tasks, amounting to thousands of shekels. The investigation also found that the suspect was tasked to plan a terrorist attack in central Israel, an arson attack on a forest, and transferring weapons to the West Bank. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) One man was arrested after a shooting on Monday evening that left another man dead. The incident took place in the 10000 block of David Drive near Sharp Lane around 5:45 p.m. According to the police, officers arrived at the scene and found James Harrell, 44, dead. During an investigation, detectives learned that Harrell and his girlfriend were being followed by her ex-boyfriend, who was later identified as Andre Franklin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Franklin made contact with the couple at a stoplight and started an argument. The two cars went their separate ways. The couple returned to Harrells home. Franklin confronted Harrell while armed with a gun. Franklin is accused of shooting and killing Harrell. Franklin reportedly chased his ex-girlfriend and Harrells son after shooting at them, police said. He captured the woman and began hitting her, forcing her into his vehicle at gunpoint. He fled the scene with the woman but later released her. The woman reported the incident to the Baker Police Department. Detectives interviewed witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage that confirmed her claims. Franklin was later arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and felon in possession of a firearm. 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. The United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will pause operations at its distribution sites in the Gaza Strip for 24 hours, the organization said in a statement on Tuesday. The decision comes after at least 27 people were killed and more than 90 injured by Israeli forces as they waited to collect humanitarian aid at a distribution center in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) The food distribution centers in southern Gaza have been overrun with thousands and thousands of Palestinians in search of food and medicine following Israel's partial lifting of the 11-week blockade of aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GHF said they are enacting the pause to conduct "logistical preparations and staging in the centers themselves to cope with the amount of people arriving," at them. "We did not expect 15,000 per hour," the GHF said in the statement. PHOTO: Children sit with sacks in the back of a donkey-drawn cart as displaced people flee from Khan Younis westward to al-Mawasi in the southern Gaza Strip on June 3, 2025, after the Israeli military had issued an evacuation order the previous day. (AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Hamas responds to ceasefire proposal, reiterates demands Tuesday's reported shooting would be the second such incident in three days to have occurred near humanitarian aid distribution sites. The International Committee of the Red Cross said they have responded to five mass casualty incidents, four of which occurred in the last 96 hours alone in a statement Tuesday. The IDF addresses deadly shooting Addressing the shooting on Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces acknowledged they "carried out warning fire approximately half a kilometer from the aid distribution center, targeting a few individuals who were approaching in a way that posed a security threat," in a video statement by IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nineteen people were declared dead upon arrival at the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, according to the ICRC. Eight others "died due to their wounds shortly after," the ICRC said in a statement Tuesday. Many of those who showed up at the Red Cross Field Hospital were then sent to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, the only functioning major hospital in southern Gaza. Twenty-four people who were killed arrived at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, according to Atef Al-Hout, the hospital's director-general, who said most of the casualties were from gunfire. The majority of victims suffered gunshot wounds, and "all responsive patients said they were trying to reach an assistance distribution site," the ICRC said. This is the fifth mass-casualty incident the ICRC Field Hospital in Rafah has responded to "in the span of one week," four of which occurred in the last 96 hours alone, the ICRC said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today's is the highest number of weapon-wounded patients received in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago. The high number of patients far exceeded the number of beds at the hospital and threatened to overwhelm the capacity of its staff to respond," the ICRC said. PHOTO: Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians killed, in what the Gaza health ministry say was Israeli fire near a distribution site in Rafah, at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 3, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters) "Supplies cannot currently be replenished at the rate necessary to meet the high number of casualties, which is increasing the strain on the hospital and existing stocks," the ICRC said. The ICRC again called for the "rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian relief into Gaza." "The ICRC urgently reiterates its call for the respect and protection of civilians. Civilians trying to access humanitarian assistance should not have to confront danger," the ICRC said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Efi Defrin defended the U.S.-backed aid distribution plan in Gaza that began last week, saying on Tuesday the new method of distributing aid damages Hamas' credibility and undermines its rule. "The plan is proving itself and is successful. Gaza residents are arriving at the compounds. They understand that Hamas is not the one who is taking care of them, but on the contrary -- it is trying to prevent them from receiving the aid," Defrin said. MORE: Humanitarian groups, UN heavily criticize new aid distribution plan in Gaza Defrin also confirmed Israeli forces are operating near these new aid distribution points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are operating near the new distribution areas -- and are doing everything necessary to allow the distribution of food in an orderly manner and to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas," Defrin said. Established international aid groups operating inside Gaza have criticized the U.S.-backed aid distribution plan, saying it is militarized and negates the neutrality of international humanitarian work. PHOTO: Women react following the death of Palestinians, in what the Gaza health ministry say was Israeli fire near a distribution site in Rafah, at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 3, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters) Earlier Tuesday, Defrin denied reports Israeli forces have shot at civilians in Gaza trying to reach these aid distribution points, calling these reports "completely false," and blamed the shootings last week and before today on Hamas. "In recent days, gunmen could be seen shooting at civilians who were on their way to collect humanitarian aid. In southern Khan Yunis, masked terrorists opened direct and targeted fire from close range and threw stones at Gazan civilians who were trying to collect aid. Hamas is losing control over the population. Hamas continues to act in its familiar way against its own residents -- with terror, violence and killing," Defrin said. The UN condemns incidents at aid centers The United Nations Secretary General "condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza," his spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable," the spokesperson said. "The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately. The UN must be allowed to work in safety and security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles," the spokesperson said. International aid groups working on the ground in Gaza have reported treating people with gunshot wounds last week and this week after shots were fired near the aid distribution points. MORE: Gazan children wait for food in long lines as starvation looms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said it is looking into reports of Israeli forces firing on Palestinians. "We're going to look into reports before we confirm them from this podium or before we take action," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. The GHF's aid distribution operation -- which the United Nations and other aid groups have so far refused to take part in, citing concerns that the GHF is not operating independently of Israeli forces -- has been beset by reports of violence. On Sunday, dozens of people were shot dead and more than 200 wounded by Israeli fire around a kilometer from an aid distribution site in the south of the strip near the city of Rafah, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF and GHF disputed the account given by the ministry. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for an independent investigation into the incident. PHOTO: Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip walk on an area at a makeshift tent camp during the dusk in Gaza City on June 2, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) MORE: At least 31 killed by Israeli gunfire near Gaza aid site, health ministry says "There hasn't been what we would consider a major incident at our distribution sites or the surrounding facility and so far it is going relatively well," a GHF spokesperson told ABC News on Monday. "However, we are looking for ways to improve it so we can get more meals delivered," the spokesperson added. "We are encouraged by our operations in the first week and the fact that we were able to provide nearly six million meals in first full week." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. consulting firm Boston Consulting Group confirmed to ABC News on Tuesday that it is no longer working with the GHF. ABC News' Ellie Kaufman, Morgan Winsor, Guy Davies, Diaa Ostaz and Jordana Miller contributed to this report. Gaza aid distribution paused for 24 hours after deadly shooting, overwhelming need originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Police ballistic markers stand besides a child's chair and bicycle at a crime scene in Brooklyn where a one year old child was shot and killed on July 13, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) This story was published in partnership with The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence. As gun violence surged in cities across the country after the start of the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, shootings rose even more steeply in Lansing, Michigan. The worst period came in 2021, when the rate of fatal shootings reached 20 per 100,000 residents, two points higher than the national rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That wave was so devastating, said Marlon Beard, a community activist in Lansing whose 17-year-old son, Marshawn, was shot and killed in 2021. We all kind of asked ourselves what we can do about it. In response, city officials and community groups raised enough money from federal grants and the city to establish a local Advance Peace program, a national violence intervention method that identifies known shooters, with support from the police, and enrolls them in an 18-month fellowship. By late 2022, violence interrupters hit the ground in southwest Lansing, mentoring, conducting skills training, and providing job opportunities to 15 participants. Within months, police data showed a decline in shootings. To better understand the programs efficacy, Advance Peace leaders commissioned a study by the Michigan Public Health Institute and Michigan State University. The study, published in March, found a 19 percent decrease in all shooting incidents from October 2022 to September 2024. More specifically, it found a 52 percent decline in fatal shootings and a 10 percent decline in nonfatal shootings. But the overall drop also coincided with a national decrease in gun violence as the pandemic receded. Determining how much of the decline was due to intervention and how much it reflected national trends remains a key part of the puzzle in understanding gun violence trends in Lansing and similar cities. The end of the pandemic also heralded the federal Build Back Better Act, which included $5 billion for community violence intervention work, along with less direct funding that strengthened the social safety net that is crucial in many communities with disproportionate rates of gun deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That widespread funding anchored programs like this one. The first 18-month Advance Peace fellowship started in late 2022 with 15 fellows on the southwest side, where shootings were most prevalent. Fatal shootings and nonfatal shootings fell by 38 percent and 32 percent, respectively, in that area. But the drop in fatal shootings was greater in the three sections of the city where Advance Peace didnt have an initial presence, raising questions about the programs influence. The southwest did, however, have the largest reduction in nonfatal shootings compared to the other areas. According to the Lansing study, Advance Peace effectively engaged with the people most likely to pick up a gun, who were identified through family members, friends, other activists, law enforcement, and people recently released from jails and prisons. More than 90 percent of participants no longer use guns to go on the offensive, said Paul Elam, the chief strategy officer at the Michigan Public Health Institute and a key member of the team that implemented the program in Lansing. Elam later took a step back from street-level engagement to join the research team. We have evidence that this works, he said. We have the evidence to prove that a public health approach works. Joseph Richardson, a gun violence researcher and professor at the University of Maryland, said the Advance Peace model can be successful, but more data is needed to show that the program was driving the drop in shootings. There were significant reductions in fatal shootings where they werent doing their work, Richardson said, but added that continued research of community violence intervention programs is crucial to better understanding the role a CVI group plays locally. Thats how we learn what steps need to be taken to implement the work properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second fellowship, which covers the entire city, started in July 2024 and will continue working with 55 fellows until December, when the Trump administrations termination of $169 million in grants for violence intervention and community safety programs leaves cities like Lansing to scramble for alternatives. Half of Advance Peace Lansings funding comes from federal grants, and its leaders are now strategizing about how to raise enough money to sustain the organizations 22-person staff and $3.5 million annual budget. If you remove that intervention piece, gun violence will go up again, said Michael McKissic, who runs Mikey23, a nonprofit gun violence prevention program that trains young people in trades like construction, plumbing, and electrical work. We need that intervention. Our organization cant do that, other organizations cant do it. You need those individuals who are going to go in and show them the error of their ways. The study showed that fatal shootings decreased by 19 percent more in Lansing from 2022 to 2024 than they did nationally when gun violence was already dropping across the country post-pandemic. But the citys rate of nonfatal shootings fluctuated, ending with a 15 percent decline in 2024. Richardson said this is the kind of discrepancy that requires more analysis, but that continued research will be more difficult after the cuts from the federal government. Elam and the other authors of the study said gun violence prevention has always been an uphill battle, and hope the promising declines dont cause leaders to disengage with gun violence prevention. They also emphasized the positive feedback theyve gotten from residents who say their boots-on-the-ground work has built trust, as well as city leaders, police, and the fellows themselves, most of whom are under 18 years old. We can talk to them, one of the 16-year-old fellows told The Trace, referring to Advance Peaces credible messengers. They care about us, theyre there for us. UPDATE, 8:02 p.m. The Silver Alert has been cancelled. Original Story: RIVERTON, Utah (ABC4) Riverton Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing woman with dementia. Antonia Zarate, 69, was reported missing around 2 p.m. Monday. Her last known location was 13392 S 2480 W in Riverton, Utah, according to officials. Police described her as a Hispanic female. She is 4 feet 7 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a purple shirt and black pants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police requested anyone with information to contact Valley Emergency Communications at (801)840-4000 or call 911. Resources for Missing Persons The Utah Department of Public Safety has a page on its website with resources for missing persons, and you can view missing persons on the website as well. Here is a list of hotlines and resources from a 2021 guidebook by the US Department of Justice: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post 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 ABC4 Utah. UPDATE: According to Texas DPS, Jay Paul Lindsey, 73 of Gilmer, was found and the Silver Alert has been canceled. James Lindsey, photo courtesy of DPS. GILMER, Texas (KETK) The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a Silver Alert for Jay Paul Lindsey, 73 of Gilmer, who was last seen on May 27. Have you seen them? Texas children that have been missing, unidentified for over 45 years Lindsey is a white man with a bald head, grey facial hear, blue eyes, weighing around 167 pounds and standing at 58. He was last seen in the 4000 block of FM 555 in the Sand Hill area of Gilmer at around 12 p.m. on May 27, according to DPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Upshur County Sheriffs Office said they believe hes driving a gray 2016 GMC Canyon four-door pick-up truck with the Texas license plate number: JSD5270. Anyone whos seen him is asked to contact the Upshur County Sheriffs Office at 903-843-2541. Jay Lindsey, photo courtesy of DPS. Jay Lindsey, photo courtesy of DPS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU) Ongoing work to replace a railroad bridge damaged by last summers flooding in North Sioux City is again putting a local business and some North Sioux City residents at odds. While work continues at the bridge site, L.G. Everist is operating a temporary transload operation in the area. The temporary transload is expected to continue until the bridge is again open for train traffic. Several people who addressed the North Sioux City commission on Monday night said the company isnt abiding by the rules put in place to protect residents. Owners of an RV park and an apartment complex are among those who said they are fed up with loud noise and dangerous dust that they say is caused by the L.G. Everist operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The noise is loud up to 90 decibels, that it can be heard blocks away, and it is startling close up. It is dusty depending on the operation and the wind. The road has taken a beating, and the tenants are understandably upset, said one woman. Every bucket goes on, they move the truck up, they move it, dust, more noise, said another man. Mayor Chris Bogenrief tells us any agreement signed by Everist needs to be followed. The mayor adds that meetings with Everist and the railway will be taking place in the coming weeks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An irrigation pivot sits in a crop of canola near Echo. (Photo by Kathy Aney/Oregon Capital Chronicle) In an effort to modernize and streamline how state officials allocate whats left of Oregons ground and surface waters, lawmakers are considering a slate of bills meant to get resource agencies collaborating on permitting reform, data collection and management rather than regulation. Thats according to primary water bill sponsors, state Reps. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, and Mark Owens, R-Crane, the chair and vice chair of the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water Committee. The two are sponsoring six of at least nine bills being considered in the final month of the 2025 legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were moving from a bias toward regulation to a bias toward management. All this stuff is moving in that direction, Helm said of state water policy. The two have been working on updating Oregons water laws specifically improving water accounting and the permitting and transfers laws for years to preserve over-drawn basins and to deal with a backlog of more than 220 contested water rights cases currently sitting with the Oregon Department of Water Resources. We look to our river basins, we look to our groundwater aquifers, weve learned we probably allocated too much water. I mean, bluntly, theres not enough. Theres no more water, really, to hand out, Owens said. Updating water laws is also a priority for Gov. Tina Kotek and her natural resources advisers, who are behind two bills this session that would require environmental reviews in water rights transfers and improve the states ability to respond to groundwater contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 427 What it does: Senate Bill 427 would require an environmental review before water rights are transferred for new uses. According to supporters at WaterWatch, the bill would close a harmful regulatory loophole that currently allows water rights to be transferred and used for new purposes without consideration for how the change in use can lower stream flows, harm wildlife and erode water quality. Whos behind it?: The bill is sponsored by state Sens. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, and Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, at the request of the Oregon Water Partnership, a coalition of seven nonprofit conservation groups including WaterWatch, The Nature Conservancy and the Oregon Environmental Council. More than 300 letters of testimony have been submitted in support of the bill, and 23 in opposition. Whos opposed?: Various local water management groups and districts, including the Eugene Water and Electric Board and the League of Oregon Cities, who wrote that it would be redundant because municipal water authorities are already subject to water safety regulations, and that the Oregon Water Resources Department lacks capacity for more review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before considering any changes to transfer statutes, we must first address critical improvements to the contested case process and overall efficiency within the Oregon Water Resources Department, they wrote. Bill status: After a public hearing in February it received a unanimous vote without recommendation as to passage from the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee to the Senate Rules Committee. Senate Bill 1153 What it does: Similar to Senate Bill 427, Senate Bill 1153 would require state agencies to review water rights transfers to ensure they do not result in a loss of instream habitat for threatened or endangered species, and that the transfer will not harm water quality. It allows state agencies to make transfers conditional on instream improvements, such as enhanced fish passage, and allows tribes to review transfers in some areas. Whos behind it?: Modernizing water rights transfers is a priority of Gov. Tina Kotek and her natural resources team, who have presented on the bill sponsored by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire. Other supporters include the nonprofit fishing and conservation group Trout Unlimited and WaterWatch of Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our challenges will only intensify. A hard look at our water laws is long overdue, Kotek natural resources advisor Chandra Ferrari wrote in a presentation to the Legislature. Whos opposed?: The bill has received more than 400 written pieces of testimony, equally split with about 200 opposed and 200 in support. Those opposed include the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Winegrowers Association and the Oregon Water Resources Congress, a nonprofit trade group made up of irrigation, water and drainage districts. The practical reality is that a significant number of streams in Oregon are designated as habitat for a sensitive, threatened, or endangered species or are listed as temperature impaired under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act due to low water flow, officials from the groups wrote in testimony opposed to the bill. Under these circumstances, almost any new transfer application could trigger some concern about habitat or water quality impacts. Bill status: An informational hearing about the bill is scheduled for Tuesday in the Senate Rules Committee, followed by a public hearing. A vote on the bill in the committee is scheduled for Thursday. Senate Bill 1154 Gerald Boullesteer uses pool testing strips to test water for nitrate in the home of his recently deceased father-in-law Don Drayton in Boardman. A test of the filtered water revealed below 10 ppm of nitrate, while a test of unfiltered water showed between 13 and 20 ppm. Boullesteer uses the filtered water even to brush his teeth. (Kathy Aney/Oregon Capital Chronicle) What it does: Senate Bill 1154 would give state agencies more authority to intervene earlier in Oregons contaminated groundwater areas and establish thresholds for contaminants that automatically qualify them as critical groundwater management areas. The bill also more clearly spells out which agencies are responsible for participating in action on groundwater management areas and what each agency is responsible for doing. Whos behind it?: Next to modernizing water rights transfers, Kotek and her advisers big water priority this session has been to update how groundwater quantity and quality are tracked. Kotek backs the bill, which the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire sponsored. Nonprofit environmental and social justice groups including Latino Network, Oregon Environmental Council and Oregon Rural Action also support it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groundwater pollution continues to get worse in our most vulnerable communities and fuel public health crises in places like the Lower Umatilla Basin, Latino Network Executive director Tony DeFalco wrote in a letter of support. Our current laws have failed to give agencies the tools they need to enforce the law, and have failed to protect at-risk Oregonians. Whos opposed?: The bill has now garnered more than 800 letters of opposition, due in large part to a campaign by the nonprofit trade group Oregon Natural Resource Industries. Many opposed are rural well owners and farmers. State Reps. Bobby Levy, R-Echo, and Greg Smith, R-Heppner, spoke in opposition to the bill at its first public hearing in April. Levy called it an unacceptable overreach of state power, and a persecution of rural Oregonians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It grants broad, unchecked authority to state agencies, allows them to walk onto private property, dig up soil, impose arbitrary restrictions and suspend water use that is critical, not only to agriculture, but to basic human life, she told legislators. Bill status: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire sent it to the Rules Committee without recommendation as to passage. Its been in the Rules Committee since April 17. House Bill 3116 What it does: The bill would appropriate $3.35 million to the Oregon Water Resources Department to grant to soil and water districts in Lincoln, Union and Gilliam counties and to the nonprofit High Desert Partnership, based in Harney County, for place-based water planning. Whos behind it?: Helm and Owens. The Association of Oregon Counties and the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts also support it. Whos opposed?: WaterWatch of Oregon opposes the bill as written and has asked that it be amended to narrow its scope. Wild Salmon Center, though neutral in its official position, has submitted testimony critical of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We encourage the Legislature to make use of the existing Place-Based Water Planning Fund that it created in 2023 to support not only the existing pilots, but also planning efforts in other geographies, Caylin Barter, water policy director at the center, wrote. Bill status: In April, the bill passed the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water and was referred to Ways and Means with the recommendation that it pass. House Bill 2169 What it does: Establishes an interagency water reuse team at Oregons Department of Environmental Quality to coordinate and expand water reuse and storage projects across the state. Whos behind it?: Helm and Owens. It also has support from unions, environmental organizations and water irrigation districts. Whos opposed?: The bill faces no major opposition. Bill status: A vote on the bill is scheduled for Tuesday in the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources. House Bill 3501 What it does: It would largely nullify Senate Bills 427 and Senate Bill 1153, prohibiting the consideration of the public interest and potential impairment when water rights are awarded or transferred. Whos behind it?: Owens. The Oregon Farm Bureau and the Oregon Groundwater Association also support it. Whos opposed?: The bill has received more than 100 letters of opposition, and just nine letters of support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Oregon, all sources of water belong to the public. To expressly prohibit the consideration of harm to these waters will have a major negative effect on Oregons values and our waterways beneficial uses, including recreation, aesthetics, and aquatic life, wrote the executive directors of Willamette Riverkeeper. Bill status: The House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee sent it to the House Rules Committee in April without recommendation as to passage. House Bill 3544 What it does: House Bill 3544 and amendments, also referred to by sponsors as the contested case bill, creates a uniform process for hearing contested cases in water rights permitting and transfers. It would drive parties in a contested case to reach settlement rather than litigation, reducing the backlog of contested cases, currently at more than 200, at the Oregon Water Resources Department. Whos behind it?: Helm and Owens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre going to have to open up their checkbooks to get this done, instead of sitting around on protests for years, decades or multiple decades, Helm said about contested water permitting cases. Whos opposed?: The nonprofit conservation group Columbia Riverkeeper as well as the Oregon Farm Bureau are opposed. In a letter opposing the bill, Miles Johnson, a lobbyist for Columbia Riverkeeper, said the bill would significantly restrict individuals and public interest organizations from protesting problematic OWRD decisions. Bill status: House Bill 3544 got two public hearings in March and April, followed by a unanimous vote out of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. The bill has been sitting in the Joint Ways and Means Committee since April 16. House Bill 3342 What it does: Digitizes paperwork and payments processing when it comes to water rights permits and transfers; limits extensions on the time water rights holders have to develop infrastructure and to put the water to beneficial use to seven years from the date of permit approval. Whos behind it?: Helm and Owens. Conservation groups including WaterWatch of Oregon and Wild Salmon Center also support it. Right now, when a person puts in for a permit to use water, they have a five year period of time in order to protect that. The department has defaulted to some very long extensions, and sometimes unlimited extensions. Ive seen extensions granted in the Harney Basin for 30 years, which is water speculation, Helm told the Capital Chronicle. Whos opposed?: The Oregon Cattlemens Association, Oregon Farm Bureau, League of Oregon Cities are among those opposed to the limits on water rights extensions and the new deadlines for responding to reviews from the Oregon Water Resources Department. Bill status: Awaiting Koteks signature. House Bill 3106 Klamath County has struggled with persistent drought and lawmakers have directed millions to residents who have had their wells dry up. (Courtesy of the governors office) What it does: Establishes a cross-agency team led by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries to create a state water data portal where water availability, flows and usage data are centralized and accessible. Whos behind it?: Helm and Owens. Conservation groups including WaterWatch of Oregon and Wild Salmon Center also support it. Whos opposed?: The Oregon Forest Industries Council and a coalition of natural resource trade groups, including Oregon Farm Bureau, Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers and the Oregon Association of Nurseries. The groups wrote in their testimony that theyd prefer statewide water data be centralized at Oregon State Universitys Institute for Water and Watersheds. Bill status: Passed near-unanimously out of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water in April with referral to Ways and Means, and recommendation that it be passed with amendments. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines on June 3, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Small business owners and farmers are already feeling the increased costs and decreased consumer purchasing power resulting from foreign tariffs imposed at the federal level. During a Tuesday press conference in West Des Moines historic Valley Junction, local business owners said they placed orders in January for holiday products that are becoming more expensive by the day as manufacturers and even local creators have to increase prices due to the additional tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Val Voicek, the owner of Bings, a store in the business shopping district, said one of her best-selling products, Nee Doh, a squishy sensory toy, has jumped from $5.95 at the beginning of the year to $6.95 now. Some orders, including her holiday order for the popular product, have been canceled because, as she said, the company has priced themselves out of the market. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Voicek said that means kids arent spending their allowances on these toys as readily, and adult shoppers are holding off on extra purchases when they come in the store to shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been in business for eight years, and this time is really uncertain for us, Voicek said. Its even harder than COVID, because its something that people and politicians in Washington could make a difference and take care of right now, but instead, were left in our communities trying to figure it out on our own. Voicek and Meredith Wells, another Valley Junction business owner, said about 70% to 80% of their inventories are imported products. Wells said for the orders she has already placed for the holiday season, vendors have warned her could cost 10% to 30% more to account for the associated tariffs throughout the supply chain. Wells said she tries to buy from local producers to stock her store, MoMere, but most local producers source packaging and other materials overseas and are similarly impacted. The truth is, were not a big corporation, we cant absorb these added costs, Wells said. We run on tight budgets, and every disruption cuts deeper. These tariffs arent being paid by foreign governments, theyre being paid by small businesses like ours, and ultimately, by our customers. Impact on Iowa farmers Aaron Lehman, president of Iowa Farmers Union said the tariffs and the ever-changing uncertainty are also having an impact on Iowa farmers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing falling prices for what we grow and, on the other hand, farmers see higher prices for what we have to purchase, like fertilizer and other inputs that have to be imported into this country, Lehman said. Farmers already have few choices in the marketplace, and a chaotic trade policy makes a bad situation even worse. Lehman said the tariffs also disrupt farmers established foreign trade relationships, because American farmers can no longer be seen as a reliable country to buy from. The trickle-down effect is that farmers put off equipment upgrades, which hurt ag-adjacent industries. He said it also means farmers delay a transition to the next generation, even though the average age of a farmer keeps going up and up. In some cases, it could even mean the end of a family farm, he said. We need to demand better from our elected leaders, Lehman said. Iowa members of Congress need to speak loudly about the impact here on the ground, in our fields and in our communities. They need to demand that Congress should have a say in fair trade policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lehman said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has made some comments in favor of this action, but that there is not enough momentum. Lehman said foreign trade policy needs to prioritize fair trade, build relationships over time and allow farmers, and businesses, to import what they need. A well thought out, reasonable trade policy can include a targeted tariff and be quite effective to help farmers and workers, Lehman said. But a chaotic trade policy that uses tariffs and that, in a way, puts farmers at the front lines of a retaliatory tariff, makes no sense at all. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A Long Island vandal has been charged with being a social media prankster after several online posts highlighting his menacing antics at businesses and private homes, police said Tuesday. Kyle Vazquez, 21, of Coram in Suffolk County, was charged with dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image, unlawful surveillance and criminal tampering after cops say he dumped a large container of eggs on his head outside Ralphs Italian Ices in Centereach in April and posted video of the prank online. He allegedly then drove off and left a mess of eggs and cracked shells by the entranceway and front door of the sweets shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day later, according to cops, a shirtless Vazquez went to a nearby Chinese restaurant, where he walked inside and poured a bucket of beans on his head. Cops said he didnt clean up there either and posted the beans to a social media site too. Cops said Vazquez also took his hijinks operation into several private homes. Last month, at three separate residences, two in Centereach and one in Selden, he requested to use the bathroom and then filmed the residents and the inside of their homes without their knowledge or consent while creating a disturbance, cops said. Vazquez was arrested Monday at the home of a friend, officials said. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) You may have seen it on social media: eye-catching graphics of GFS model projections featuring a monster hurricane headed straight for the Gulf coast. Some accounts posted about this hypothetical storm weeks in advance, stoking anxiety in a hurricane-weary region of the country. What to expect during the 2025 hurricane season | Tracking the Tropics On Tuesdays edition of Tracking the Tropics, our team of meteorologists addressed those concerns and issued a warning to social media users who encounter these long-range projections online: Dont buy into the hype. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially coming off of such a terrible season for Florida, where so many folks are going to be recovering for the next couple of years, theres just a heightened sense of anxiety. Storm anxiety is a real thing, WKRG Chief Meteorologist Ed Bloodsworth said. Nerves are just heightened now. Folks are trying to rebuild their lives, get back to what will be their new normal. The last thing you want to do is scare them with nonsense. Thats why you want to trust your local meteorologists. Long-range models, like the GFS, often spin up phantom storms that dont come to fruition. These projections have low confidence more than a few days out. No, were not going to see a Category 4 hurricane in 10 days in the Gulf. Thats just not going to happen, Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Rebecca Barry said. The confidence is so low. Its not even worth worrying about at this point. The social media graphics and video thumbnails may look official, but our team of meteorologists says you should listen to the experts not influencers who rely on clicks and follows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I get paid whether I post anything on Facebook or not. I get paid to do my job as a meteorologist, Barry said. There are a lot of people on social media that are getting paid through social media, so if they dont post something that gets a lot of likes, shares and interactions, they dont get paid that day. That leads them to make different decisions than I would on social media. Some of them I would consider not the best decisions. Barrys advice? Look at everything on social media with a critical eye. I just want people to think about who they follow on social media. Think before you share one of those posts, Barry said. What are the motives? If the confidence is that low, it doesnt deserve any space in your brain or in your day. Watch Tracking the Tropics on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Be prepared with the 2025 Hurricane Guide and stay ahead of tropical development with the Tracking the Tropics newsletter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics. Go to Canada If you were ever thinking about traveling to Canada, you should be doing that right now. The exchange rate now is one Canadian dollar to 73 U.S. cents. That means if you want to buy some item or some service like a hotel night in Canada that cost $100 in their currency, the actual cost to you in U.S. dollars is $73. One American dollar equals 19 Mexican pesos, but since 2024 the State Department has cautions about travel to Mexico regarding violent crime and kidnapping potential. They also have do not travel to Venezuela for any reason advisories plus cautions about its border with Colombia and Brazil. Democrats It seems all that the Democrats can offer is to call President Trump ugly names. Not funny President Trump reposted a comment on social media that claims Joe Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced by a clone. Looks like social media has replaced the National Enquirer and other magazines they used to sell at the supermarkets. Big hitters The one thing Gulfport does not need is more of the same billionaire and millionaire Trump puppets in Mississippi. The only tool average citizens have to fight for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security is with the vote. Defund Planned Parenthood The federal government has no business funding Planned Parenthood to the tune of multiple millions of dollars annually. Its not an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Weve been told since the sixties that abortion is strictly a medically private matter between a woman and her doctor. That standard alone means public tax dollars should not be funding it. There are private practices in nearly every state should a woman want this procedure. Go there, pay for it yourself or get private donations. Planned Parenthood has expanded its services to trans individuals. What does that have to do with planning for parenthood or abortion? The rest of us dont get federally funded plastic or cosmetic surgery. Save up your personal coins. Thank you I called 911 because I needed help lifting my husband off the floor after falling. They responded in minutes and were very professional. Thanks guys. Our tax money working for us. Cleansing Anyone notice how quiet the media is regarding the ongoing destruction of Gaza. The reason is media is not allowed. This is Americas true deep state at work controlling honest media, and its not Democrats. Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Koreas next president on Wednesday following a dramatic snap election six months after the countrys previous leader declared martial law and plunged the nation into chaos. Official results showed Lee winning by nearly three million votes ahead of his main rival, Kim Moon-soo of the incumbent conservative People Power Party. Kim conceded defeat early Wednesday morning, congratulating Lee on his victory in a speech and saying that he humbly accept(s) the peoples decision. Addressing crowds of supporters in Seoul, Lee promised to work to restore the economy from day one and to ensure there will never be a military coup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee was promptly inaugurated on Wednesday morning. The ceremony was scaled-down, with some brief musical performances and a speech from the new leader Lee had wanted to keep it simple and focus on state affairs immediately after being sworn in, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety. This election was closely watched and may now offer South Koreans some semblance of political stability after half a year of uncertainty and turmoil as the US ally and economic powerhouse navigated the aftermath of the martial law crisis. It also comes as South Koreas export-oriented economy grapples with global events like US President Donald Trumps tariffs and a potential recession, all without a permanent leader at the helm. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3 last year in a short-lived power-grab that was halted after lawmakers pushed their way past soldiers into the legislature and voted to block the decree. Yoon was impeached soon after and formally removed from office in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the months since that dramatic night, South Koreas government has been in disarray, with a revolving door of interim leaders ahead of the snap election. The acting leader of Lees Democratic Party, Park Chan-dae, said in an interview Tuesday night that the results reflected peoples fiery judgement against the insurrection regime. A woman votes at a polling station in Seoul during the presidential election on June 3, 2025. - Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images National Election Commission officials sort out ballots for counting in Seoul, South Korea, after Tuesday's snap presidential election. - Ahn Young-joon/AP Voter turnout reached nearly 80%, according to the countrys National Election Commission, marking the highest turnout since the 1997 election. Lee, a divisive figure within Korean politics, emerged early on as the frontrunner, despite recent legal challenges and allegations of corruption and abuse of power. He now faces a host of issues waiting to be tackled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Koreas economy has stuttered in recent months, with rising costs of living and lower consumption. There are trade talks with the US over Trumps tariffs, although no deal has been struck yet. There are also national challenges like the countrys aging society and falling birthrate, and geopolitical tensions with China and North Korea. Lees rise to the top A former underage factory worker from a poor family, Lee became a human rights lawyer before entering politics. He is a former mayor of Seongnam city, home to around 1 million people, and governor of Gyeonggi province, and most recently served as a lawmaker after narrowly losing to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election. He survived an assassination attempt in January 2024 when a man stabbed him in the neck during a public event in the city of Busan. The injury required surgery, but was not life threatening, officials said at the time. Later that year, he again made headlines on the night Yoon declared martial law and sent troops to parliament, becoming one of the lawmakers who rushed to the legislature and pushed past soldiers to hold an emergency vote to lift martial law. He livestreamed himself jumping over a fence to enter the building, in a viral video viewed tens of millions of times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, often speaking behind bulletproof glass and wearing a bulletproof vest, Lee promised political and economic reforms, including more controls on a presidents ability to declare martial law, and revising the constitution to allow two four-year presidential terms instead of the current single five-year term. He also supports boosting small businesses and growing the AI industry. He has emphasized easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula while holding onto the longtime goal of denuclearizing North Korea. His aides say human rights will remain central to engagement with Pyongyang, including discussions on returning any living prisoners of war from the 1950-53 Korean War. But Lee has also been embroiled in controversy, including several ongoing trials for alleged bribery and charges related to a property development scandal. Lee Jae-myung graduated with a law degree from Chung-Ang University in Seoul and worked as a civil and human rights lawyer before entering politics. - The Democratic Party of Korea Separately, he was convicted of violating election law in another ongoing case that alleges he knowingly made a false statement during a debate in the last presidential campaign. The case has been sent to an appeals court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee denies all the charges against him. Speaking to CNN in December, he claimed he had been indicted on various charges without any evidence or basis, and that the allegations are politically motivated. Opponents accuse Lee of being a polarizing figure in South Korean politics, openly criticizing former President Yoon and blocking legislation proposed by Yoons government. Yoon even cited Lees Democratic Party and its undermining of the governments budget bill as a reason for declaring martial law. Diplomatic recalibration ahead Lees team has pledged to reestablish trust with the US, which his advisers have said was weakened during the martial law crisis. The Biden administration was caught off guard by the brief challenge to South Koreas democracy, experts say, after the White House invested significant time to forge a landmark security partnership between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the election, Lees foreign policy adviser Wi Sunglac said the alliance with Washington would remain the cornerstone of South Koreas diplomacy. Supporters of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung react outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday. - Ahn Young-joon/AP Relations with China and Russia, strained in recent years, will be managed through strategic engagement, with Lees camp saying peace and security in the region require ongoing dialogue with both. Seoul is also actively negotiating with the US over Trumps tariffs, which include a 25% levy on South Korean exports and 25% duties on imports of automobiles and steel products. Trump has suggested more duties on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals all predominant industries for South Koreas economy. This is a developing story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SEOUL, June 3 (UPI) -- South Koreans headed to the polls in record numbers on Tuesday to vote for a new president exactly six months after a botched martial law decree by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol unleashed political turmoil and deepened divisions in the country. As of 6:00 p.m., some 33.8 million voters had cast a ballot, reaching a record-breaking 76.1% of South Korea's 44.4 million eligible voters, according to the National Election Commission. The figure was the highest during the same period since South Korea began holding direct elections in 1987. Interest in the race has remained sky-high since a snap election was called after Yoon's removal from office in April. Most polls have shown liberal Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung holding a commanding lead over the conservative People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo, with a Gallup Korea survey last week giving Lee an edge of 49% to 35%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polls close at 8 p.m. and a winner is expected to be announced around midnight, although the vote counting is expected to continue until early Wednesday morning, the NEC said. The winner's inauguration will be held within hours, without the typical two-month transition period due to Yoon's removal. The new president will face a host of challenges, including an economic downturn and tariff negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, who last week announced plans to double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%. The presidential vacuum has made it difficult for South Korea, an export-driven country, to craft a trade package ahead of the July deadline for Trump's 90-day pause on so-called "reciprocal" tariffs. A voter casts a ballot in South Korea's presidential election Tuesday, held exactly six months after a short-lived declaration of martial law sent the country spiraling into political chaos. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI Geopolitical concerns, including an increasingly dangerous North Korea, and a looming demographic crisis caused by the world's lowest birth rate are also on voters' minds this election season. For many, however, the top issue was safeguarding South Korean democracy in the wake of Yoon's shocking Dec. 3 martial law attempt, which was overturned within hours by Democratic Party lawmakers including Lee Jae-myung. Turnout reached a record pace during the afternoon Tuesday, with heavy interest in the race in the aftermath of the martial law attempt and impeachment of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI "Yoon Suk Yeol tried to destroy the democratic system in Korea," Lee Kyung-jae, 61, said after voting in the Sadang district of Seoul. "I was angry about that, so I selected Lee Jae-myung." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said he was a student activist during the 1980s democracy movement against the military dictatorship of President Chun Doo-hwan and called Yoon's martial law attempt a shocking flashback to that time. A voter holds her dog while checking in at a polling station in Mullae. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI "We thought our democratic system was secure," Lee said. "Most Koreans were so angry that Yoon tried to destroy it." During his final campaign rally on Monday night, Lee said the election was a chance to "shake off the dark night of insurrection and welcome a new morning of hope." A young woman walks past a banner with the six candidates in South Korea's presidential race Tuesday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI Sean King, senior vice president and East Asia expert at New York-based consulting firm Park Strategies, told UPI that "general public disgust" at Yoon's botched marital law attempt made the race "clearly Lee Jae-myung's to lose." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the foreign policy front, King said that Lee would likely take a less hawkish stance toward North Korea than Yoon, which may align with a potential nuclear summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. A voter leaves the voting booth at a polling station in the Seoul neighborhood of Sadang on Tuesday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI A Lee win "suits Donald Trump just fine, as Lee Jae-myung is sure to look favorably on Trump's desired reengagement of North Korea's Kim Jong Un," King said. Other voters on Tuesday ranked defense and security issues as top concerns. "I am concerned about the future of this Peninsula," Eric Park, 26, said outside of a polling station. He did not want to reveal who he voted for, but said he was looking for a conservative position on national defense and a strong military alliance with the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I want to see a stronger position," Park said, citing China and North Korea as looming threats. "I just think that's the only option to save the country and future generations." Kim Moon-soo has vowed to be a "security president who eliminates the fear of North Korea's nuclear weapons," and has signaled a hard-line stance similar to the approach taken by Yoon Suk Yeol. He has called for strengthening extended deterrence capabilities under the U.S.-South Korea military alliance, including the potential of redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula. While the race is a two-way contest, Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative Reform Party generally received around 10% support in polls leading up to the election. Lee, 40, has found support among younger men in their 20s and 30s, while courting controversy with remarks widely considered to be misogynistic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Choi In-woo, a 23-year-old business student, said he voted for Lee because he felt the other candidates were not engaged with issues facing younger voters, such as the need for pension reform in a rapidly aging society. "[Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo] are not thinking of how to make further developments of the economy," he said. "They just want to keep arguing about the past." Both Lee and Kim made economic growth their top campaign promise, with a focus on heavy government investment in the artificial intelligence industry. The two candidates have also agreed on the need for constitutional reform, with both proposing a transition to a two-term, four-year presidency to replace the current single, five-year term. By Hyunsu Yim SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean e-commerce and courier companies agreed to a rare halt of their delivery services on Tuesday to allow busy delivery workers time to cast their ballot in the country's snap presidential election after pressure from unions and activists. Asia's fourth-largest economy has a highly tuned e-commerce sector and South Koreans typically rely on couriers to deliver everything from fresh food to clothing, often in a matter of hours, with the service normally available throughout the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Korea's biggest e-commerce platform Coupang, agreed to halt express deliveries for the first time since it launched in 2014, joining other local delivery services such as CJ Logistics and Hanjin Logistics. "Rocket delivery will be paused during the day on June 3," New York-listed Coupang said in a notice on its platform, pausing deliveries between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Most of the tens of thousands of delivery workers in South Korea are considered gig workers or self-employed and do not enjoy the same legal protections as permanent employees. The job is also notorious for long working hours and a heavy workload, with couriers complaining they have seen few of the benefits from an improvement in labour rights in other sectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement to temporarily halt services during the polls, was positively received by some workers. "I welcome the decision. But on the other hand, it is a little regrettable that night drivers cannot rest," said Cho Shin-hwan, a Coupang courier, who had to work on past elections. Nearly 8 in 10 eligible voters in South Korea voted in the last presidential election in 2022, a far higher turnout than recent elections held in other democracies such as the United States and Japan. Presidential election days are designated as a national holiday in South Korea to encourage workers to vote, with polls for the snap election staying open between 6 a.m. (Monday 2100 GMT) and 8 p.m. (1100 GMT) on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Those affected worked hard to achieve this," said Kim Eun-jung, Deputy Secretary General at the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a non-governmental body, highlighting how delivery workers were excluded from current labour protection laws. The June 3 presidential election was called after the Constitutional Court ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this year for his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3. (Reporting by Hyunsu YimEditing by Ed Davies and Michael Perry) Last Friday, Spanish Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce stated that the government was working on "disengagement plans" to avoid depending on Israel "in any way." Spain's Defense Ministry has suspended the license of an Israeli company intending to manufacture missiles in Spain, local media reported on Tuesday afternoon. The missiles were intended to equip the Army and Marine Corps units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pap-Tecnos is the Spanish subsidiary of the Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and had been awarded a 285 million contract to develop 168 firing points and 1,680 Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles. Last Friday, Spanish Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce stated that the government was working on "disengagement plans" to avoid depending on Israel "in any way." Spain's soured relations with Israel The original contract, which was awarded to Pap-Tecnos, was issued on October 3, 2023 - days before Hamas's southern Israel invasion kickstarted a war which has soured Spanish-Israeli relations. Spain is one of several countries which joined South Africa's International Court of Justice case against Israel, alleging genocide in the war against Hamas. Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles speaks during the La Toja Forum on global challenges in Lisbon, Portugal, April 1, 2025. (photo credit: PEDRO NUNES/REUTERS) The SILAM multiple rocket launcher program is expected to continue, although without technology which would have otherwise been provided by Elbit Systems, according to El Pais. Despite the canceled contracts, Spanish media reported that the fate of Spain's acquisition of 46 laser designators for 207.1 million from the company Rafael remains unclear. Sign up for the Business & Innovation Newsletter >> MADRID (AP) Spain has canceled a deal for anti-tank missile systems that were to be manufactured in Madrid by a subsidiary of an Israeli company, in a bid to move away from Israeli military technology, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday. The decision will affect the license for 168 SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile systems with an estimated value of 285 million euros ($325 million). The systems would have been developed in Spain by Pap Tecnos, a Madrid-based subsidiary of Israels Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, according to local press. The goal is clear...a total disconnection from Israeli technology, government spokesperson Pilar Alegria told reporters, adding the government is studying the effects of the cancellation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels Defense Ministry referred questions on the decision to Rafael. The companys press office said in a statement to The Associated Press that it has not been informed of any cancellation. Pap Tecnos, located on the outskirts of Madrid, did not comment. Spain approved the deal on Oct. 3, 2023, four days before an insurgent assault led by Hamas on southern Israel that sparked a devastating war in Gaza. Authorities argued at the time that the systems used by the Spanish forces were obsolete and should be replaced for up-to-date versions like those used by allied armies. Spain's leftist government says it stopped exporting arms to Israel as of Oct. 2, 2023, but there where reports some shipments slipped through. United States late last year opened an investigation into whether NATO ally Spain denied port entry to at least three cargo vessels reportedly transporting U.S. weapons to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024 in a coordinated effort with Norway and Ireland. A month later, Spain became the first European country to ask the top United Nations court, the International Court of Justice, permission to join a case mounted by South Africa that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel strongly denies the charge. ___ Associated Press journalist Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, contributed. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is on a sales mission for the big, beautiful bill full of President Trumps legislative priorities, defending its contents amid a wave of criticism from his party about the depth of spending cuts, significance of Medicaid changes and the rollback of green-energy tax credits. Johnson said in multiple interviews that he sent a long text message to Elon Musk vouching for the bill after the billionaire tech mogul said he was disappointed with the legislation, complaining that it undermines the cost-cutting work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), his brainchild. The Speaker has also gone on a cable news blitz, pushing back on concerns Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) are voicing about the deficit impact of the bill, tearing into the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Offices math, and arguing that the benefits of the package outweigh its shortcomings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now, Speaker Johnson is looking to ease concerns of conservatives by promising to quickly stage a vote on a bill that would claw back billions of dollars in federal funding reflecting some of the cuts DOGE has made and signaling there may be more to come after the one big, beautiful bill gets to the presidents desk. This is not the only reconciliation bill, Johnson said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. Were going to have a second budget reconciliation bill that follows after this, and were beginning next week the appropriations process, which is the spending bills for government. The full-court press comes as the bill is making its debut in the Senate, where Republicans say they plan to make changes to the sprawling package, threatening to erode the delicate support for the legislation in the narrow House GOP majority. Johnson has publicly and privately urged his upper chamber colleagues to keep their alterations minimal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least on one issue, the Senate appears to be listening. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a former House member who has acted as a liaison between the two chambers, told The Hill last week that he does not expect the Senate to change the $40,000 state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap in the bill, which had emerged as a major sticking point in the House. I dont think we can change that, Mullin said. I dont think you can drop it. I think if you go below $40,000, I think it causes issues. SALT had been one of the biggest questions heading into the Senates turn with the bill. While quadrupling the deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 was a central priority for moderate House Republicans from high-tax blue states like New York, New Jersey and California, the issue has no GOP advocates in the Senate a dynamic those in the upper chamber openly recognized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of now, the House is winning the argument. In the Senate, we dont have any dog in the fight, right? Zero, Mullin said. But in the House, it does, and I dont think its a do-or-die on our side. While the SALT question may be adjudicated, the Senate still has to make decisions on a host of high-stakes issues, including whether to beef up spending cuts, water down Medicaid changes or minimize the rollback of green-energy tax credits any of which could derail the Houses tenuous equilibrium. Mullin, for his part, said the entire Republican trifecta has been closely coordinating throughout the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been talking together the whole time, he said. So, the House and the Senate and the White House have been talking this whole time together, so I dont see there being a huge difference between us. But to keep the trains on the track in the House, Johnson will have to continue his messaging blitz and put out any fires that arise as the Senate parses the packages particulars. It is a role shift for Johnson, who spent months in closed-door meetings corralling the fractious House Republican Conference around the behemoth bill culminating in a through-the-night saga on the House floor to pass it out of the chamber as fast as possible after securing the support it needed. But while Johnson met his Memorial Day deadline to pass the bill out of the House after last-minute negotiations, the rest of the Republican ecosystem is not yet on board with its contents or up to speed on what made the cut and what did not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats led to Johnsons blitz being as much of an education campaign as it is an advocacy mission. This is not a spending bill. This is a reconciliation package. It is reconciling the budget, Johnson said on Meet the Press. Were beginning next week the appropriations process, which is the spending bills for government. And youre going to see a lot of the DOGE cuts and a lot of this new fiscal restraint reflected in what Congress does next, Johnson said. So stay tuned, this is not the end-all, be-all. In a show of that commitment, Johnson has pledged to swiftly act on a package from the White House expected to hit Congress this week that would mark the first codification of DOGE cuts action that the outraged conservative base had been clamoring for. The $9.4 billion rescission package would claw back spending from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS, as well as from the largely dismantled U.S. Agency for International Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as for those pesky budget projections forecasting the bill adds trillions to the national debt over a decade, Johnson argues the budget scorers dont adequately assess the impact of economic growth spurred by the tax cut extension or other Trump policies. The presidents extraordinary policies are producing great things for the country. The tariff policy that was so controversial in the beginning is having an extraordinary effect on the U.S. economy, Johnson said, in contrast to numerous analysts who say the tariffs will damage economic growth. Despite the looming fights in the Senate, Johnson remains confident the party will meet its self-imposed deadline of enacting the package by July 4 betting he will be able to pull another rabbit out of his hat. Theyve always discounted us, Johnson said Sunday. I mean, I said I would do it out of the House before Memorial Day, and I was laughed at when I said that back early part of the year. But we beat it by four days, OK? Were going to get this done, the sooner the better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because all these extraordinary benefits that were talking about have to happen as soon as possible, he added. And Im convinced that the Senate will do it, do the right thing, send it back to us. Were going to get it to the presidents desk, and were all going to have a glorious celebration on Independence Day, by July Fourth when he gets this signed into law. Al Weaver 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Springfield Police Department marked the fifth anniversary of its body-worn camera (BWC) program, celebrating a milestone in transparency, accountability, and public safety. Launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic on June 3, 2020, Springfields program made the city the first major municipality in Massachusetts to implement a body-worn camera system fully. These federal arrest warrant letters deemed fake in Massachusetts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All sworn officers and supervisors, just under 500, are equipped with cameras during duty, contributing to over 115,000 hours of recorded footage to date. Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers said the cameras have made a significant difference in community relations and policing outcomes. The body cameras help us in several different areas, from police-community relations to aiding prosecutions by the District Attorneys Office, said Akers. The use of the cameras has increased our officers accountability and decreased the amount of citizen complaints we receive. Body-worn cameras are an essential tool to continue to build trust within our community. There was a time I couldnt imagine having to wear body cameras, now, especially for our younger officers, I cant imagine a time they wouldnt want to wear them. Axon Body Cam (Courtesy of Springfield Police Department) Mayor Domenic J. Sarno credited the program with strengthening public trust and modernizing law enforcement efforts in Springfield. I want to commend our Springfield Police Department, led by Superintendent Larry Akers, for their continued belief, support, and investment in our body-worn camera program, Sarno said. All officers and supervisors, totaling just under 500, now wear the body-worn cameras, which have greatly enhanced our public safety aspects and brought increased transparency and accountability on police and public interactions, including hours of video footage of our brave and dedicated police officers saving lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program began with 12 officers and supervisors who were first outfitted with Getac body-worn cameras in June 2020. By October of the same year, the entire department was equipped and trained. Now, the training is fully integrated into the Springfield Police Academys curriculum, ensuring that recruits are ready to use the technology immediately upon graduation. In spring 2025, the department transitioned from Getac cameras to Axon body-worn cameras, continuing its commitment to using up-to-date technology. Uninformed officers are required to keep their cameras on throughout their shifts, with automatic activation triggered by the activation of emergency vehicle lights or manual activation by the officer. Each device captures footage beginning 30 seconds before activation, with audio recording starting at the time of activation. However, there are specific limitations in place to protect privacy. Officers do not use the cameras inside schools (except the Quebec Unit), during certain medical emergencies, in private residences without permission or a warrant, or when dealing with confidential informants. Additionally, the devices do not have facial recognition or night vision capabilities. As the department moves forward, the body-worn camera program will remain a core component of its strategy to foster trust and transparency between officers and the community. 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. (KRON) A Stanford University student was killed over the weekend after he was struck by a vehicle while riding an e-bike on campus, officials announced Monday. Aradshar Chaddar was remembered as fiercely ambitious and unapologetically original. Chaddar, who was a sophomore at Stanford, died early Saturday morning near Palm Drive and Arboretum Road, according to the school. Officials said the fatal crash is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol. In a message written to the Stanford community, Vice Provost for Student Affairs Michele Rasmussen shared that Chaddar explored a variety of academic and professional interests, including but not limited to membership in Alpha Kappa Psi and the Pre-Law Society. The young man was also the current president of the Stanford Democrats. In his freshman year, he was a contributor to The Stanford Daily newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oakland teacher saved girlfriends life in a final act of love Chaddar was born in Maryland before attending school in Pakistan. His former school, Lahore Grammar School, remembered Chaddar as standing out not just for his intellect, but for the depth of his thinking and the boldness of his ideas. The school said it was his academic brilliance that earned him a prestigious scholarship at Stanford University. Support services are being offered to affected community members, Rasmussen 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 KRON4. Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week's stories include: A win for starter homes in Texas and a defeat for them in Arizona A new constitutional challenge to affordable housing fees in Denver A veto of a rent-recommendation algorithm ban in Colorado Starter Homes Are Resurrected in Texas After suffering a near-death experience last week, Texas' Senate Bill 15, a.k.a. the Texas Starter Homes Act, has passed the Legislature and now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would prevent larger cities in larger counties from requiring that homes sit on lots larger than 3,000 square feet in new subdivisions of at least five acres. Proponents argue the bill will enable the construction of more inherently affordable owner-occupied housing in cities that currently require much larger minimum lot sizes. "Texas is the first state to take seriously the idea that a basic starter home, without any subsidy, is usually affordable to people making average or below average incomes, [and] should be available throughout the state," says Salim Furth, a researcher at George Mason University's Mercatus Center. Minimum lot size bills have been one of the more controversial and less successful YIMBY reforms in state legislatures. Texas' bill is one of the first to make it over the finish line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial version of S.B. 15 would have capped minimum lot sizes at 1,400 square feet, which mirrors unzoned Houston's minimum lot sizes. That version passed the Senate back in March but was watered down in negotiations between the House and Senate during last-minute considerations of the bill. The legislation survived an effort by Texas House Democrats to effectively gut the legislation. Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. (DFort Worth) briefly succeeded in amending the bill to only require that cities create a starter home zoning district with the smaller minimum lot sizes. The amendment would not have required cities to actually apply this new zoning district to existing land or to new subdivisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would have effectively made S.B. 15 a voluntary paperwork exercise. Romero, who also briefly managed to kill S.B. 15 via a procedural move in the House earlier in May, has criticized the idea that allowing smaller homes on smaller lots would yield more affordable homes. "It's already been proven that just because you have smaller (homes) does not immediately equate to more affordable (homes)," he said to The Texas Tribune last month. (One study of minimum lot size reductions in Houston, Texas, facilitated an "unprecedented" increase in the rates of infill housing construction in single-family neighborhoods.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That gutting amendment was stripped out of the bill in last-minute negotiations between the House and the Senate, meaning that S.B. 15 will have some teeth, provided that Abbott signs it into law. While the bill does not apply to existing residential areas, Furth says it will provide developers a lot more flexibility when constructing new subdivisions, where most new housing in Texas is being built. "Most single-family home production in Texas is done in non-residential or extremely large lots. A normal Texas subdivision is going to be five-plus acres, and maybe 100 acres," he tells Reason. "This will allow [builders] to include small homes in that mix and make sure there's a variety of price points and variety of styles." and Killed in Arizona Meanwhile, in Arizona, a near-identical Starter Home Act is effectively dead in the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar to Texas' S.B. 15, Arizona's S.B. 1229 initially would have prevented cities from requiring homes in new five-acre-plus subdivisions to sit on lots of 1,500 square feet or more. It also would have prohibited cities from dictating home designs and aesthetic features. As in Texas, the bill was amended to raise its minimum lot size cap to 3,000 square feet. That helped get the legislation out of the Senate on a 1613 vote, with Republicans and Democrats on each side of the vote. Two House committees also approved the bill in March and early April. But it then stalled over what proponents say was persistent opposition from the Arizona League of Cities and Towns and Gov. Katie Hobbs' office. Hobbs vetoed a very similar starter homes bill last year, citing concerns that that bill didn't explicitly carve out areas near military bases or explicitly include fire safety standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor's concerns were incorporated into S.B. 1229. Yet the League, a taxpayer-funded association that lobbies on behalf of local governments, still opposed the measure's limits on local land use regulation. The League had pushed for amendments to S.B. 1229 that would have dramatically limited its scope by imposing price and income limits on new starter homes and requiring that buyers live in the homes for 15 years. These demands were a nonstarter with proponents of S.B. 1229, and negotiations on a compromise measure broke down earlier this spring. "Our last meeting was about an hour and a half in the governor's office. I could tell [the governor's staff] were not going to come over to our side at all. They were literally letting the League [of Cities and Towns] run the table," Sen. Shawna Bolick (RPhoenix) tells Reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the threat of Hobbs' veto hanging over S.B. 1229, the bill was never brought up for a floor vote. Despite the failure of the starter homes bill, Arizona did pass a handful of other housing reforms. That includes House Bill 2928, which expands last year's statewide legalization of accessory dwelling units in cities to unincorporated county land as well. The state also passed a bill allowing for third-party plan reviews of single-family projects. A New Challenge to Inclusionary Zoning in Denver A homebuilder in Denver is suing the city over what it says are unconstitutional affordable housing fees being slapped on two of its pending residential projects. Denver's Linkage Fee ordinance requires residential projects of 10 units or less to either set aside units to be rented or sold at below-market rates or pay per-square-foot "linkage" fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When local builder redT Homes sought approval for two projects, a four-unit single-family home development and a two-duplex project, the city said it would need to pay linkage fees of $45,000 and $25,000 on each respective project. A string of U.S. Supreme Court decisions has established that the Fifth Amendment protects property owners from having to turn over money or property when applying for a development permit, unless there's some nexus between those exactions and the actual impact caused by the permitted project. Denver claimed when passing its linkage fee ordinance in 2016 that new development raises economic activity and, therefore, raises demand for work-force housing. redT counters that its planned homes are making housing more affordable, not less, by expanding overall housing supply. By charging it an affordable linkage fee anyway, Denver is charging it for an impact it's not having. That, it argues, violates the Fifth Amendment's protections against "unconstitutional conditions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement redT Homes is suing Denver in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. "These affordable housing fees almost by definition fail" the Supreme Court's test for unconstitutional conditions, says David Deerson, an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation, which is representing redT Homes. "A fundamental law of economics is that an increase in supply tends to lower prices. Denver can't force developers like redT Homes to pay fees to solve problems that not only are they not creating, they're already solving," he says. A favorable federal court ruling for redT Homes could have major implications for housing development nationwide. Like Denver, hundreds of jurisdictions have adopted similar "inclusionary zoning" policies that require housing developers to include below-market-rate units in their projects or pay in-lieu affordable housing fees. And like Denver's linkage fees, a similar constitutional argument can be made that inclusionary zoning's affordable housing mandates take developers' property to mitigate an impact they're not having. Developers and property rights advocates have periodically challenged inclusionary zoning laws in court, typically with little success. In 2019, the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Marin County, California's inclusionary zoning policy that the California Supreme Court had upheld. (The Pacific Legal Foundation also litigated that case.) The Supreme Court's 2024 decision in Sheetz v. County of El Dorado established that fees and permit conditions imposed on whole classes of projects by legislatures must still have some connection to those projects' impacts. The Sheetz decision was a narrow one. It didn't directly deal with inclusionary zoning. But it did widen the universe of permit conditions that can be challenged as "unconstitutional conditions." Potentially, a new inclusionary zoning case with a new set of facts might pick up this Court's interest and result in a decision that puts some guardrails on affordable housing mandates and fees. On pure policy grounds, inclusionary zoning acts as a tax on development, reducing production and raising costs. Ending these policies could unlock a lot of potential new projects. Gov. Jared Polis Vetoes Ban on Rent-Recommendation Software Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has vetoed a bill that would have banned the use of rent-recommendation software. Proponents of the bill argue that this software facilitates price-fixing among landlords by sharing nonpublic data on prices and vacancies between competitors. Colorado, along with a number of other states and the U.S. Department of Justice, is currently suing rent-recommendation software provider RealPage for antitrust violations. Polis said in a veto letter, posted online by Colorado Public Radio, that while he shares concerns that this software could be used to drive up prices, the measure was overly broad. "We should not inadvertently take a tool off the table that could identify vacancies and provide consumers with meaningful data to help efficiently manage residential real estate to ensure people can access housing," said the governor in his veto letter. "This bill may have unintended consequences of creating a hostile environment for providers of rental housing and could result in further diminished supply of rental housing based on inadequate data," he wrote. The governor said he would prefer for state and federal lawsuits to play out. He said he'd be open to a future bill that made a distinction between collusive and noncollusive uses of nonpublic competitor data. Read Reason's past coverage of the RealPage controversy here. Quick Links New York City's rent-stabilized housing stock is in increasing financial distress, thanks to rising operating costs and the city's suppression of rent increases. To remedy the situation, New York assembly member, and New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani is proposing to remedy the situation by freezing rents. Our new ad is now live. Freeze the rent. pic.twitter.com/yFwVgJuGEC Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) May 29, 2025 Los Angeles Times covers the California Legislature's efforts to exclude urban infill housing from the state's notoriously burdensome environmental review process. Organized labor is cool on the effort, altruistically asking, "What's in it for us?" This is actually the perfect metaphor. Attaching union wage standards to environmental streamlining is like every TSA goons shaking you upside down until all your money falls out every time you go through Pre-Check. pic.twitter.com/ahzHk0rdUu Christian Britschgi (@christianbrits) June 2, 2025 The biggest opponents of a public housing redevelopment project in New York City? The residents [wrong link here] of multimillion-dollar homes nearby. The Connecticut Legislature has passed a major housing bill that requires localities to zone for more affordable housing, increases density near transit stops, and pares back minimum parking requirements. The post Starter Homes Live in Texas, Die in Arizona appeared first on Reason.com. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Another state employee is in trouble with the law. This time, a state health worker is accused of falsifying her own medical marijuana card. KELOLAND News obtained the court papers for 24-year-old Alexandra Feiner. AG: Marshalls belongings found in Fall River County Court documents say Feiner admitted to other state employees that she issued herself her own medical marijuana card without following proper procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feiner 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. Apparently, she was in charge of the medical marijuana procedure for obtaining a card with the Department of Health, that she took it upon herself, under the allegation,s to issue herself her own renewal card without getting the medical practitioners approval and without paying the fee, Attorney General Marty Jackley said. Feiner was certified for a medical card back in 2023, but under state law, patients are not supposed to be certified for more than 12 months at a time. Its alleged Feiner didnt get the medical providers approval this last time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DCI learned of this thanks to a co-worker, who turned her in. I want to commend that co-worker and frankly all the state employees who are doing the right thing and letting us know when there is self-dealing or inappropriate conduct by other state employees, Jackley said. Jackley says this type of behavior has been an ongoing issue with state employees and it wont be tolerated. There are a couple of more investigations out there, but at this point this will make it seven or eight criminal charges that have been brought, its a serious issue, it was addressed by the legislature and its being addressed by the Attorney General, Jackley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOH confirmed Feiners last day of employment was March 11. Feiner faces up to nine years in prison if convicted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 chainsaw operator cuts down debris collected from the bottom of Lake Lure in Rutherford County, North Carolina, on April 14, 2025, to make it easier to load into dump trucks for disposal. The submerged debris is made up of vegetative and man-made debris washed into Lake Lure when Hurricane Helene impacted the area. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Michael Davis) North Carolina officials have agreed to schedule a hearing with a firm that is protesting how the state awarded a key hurricane rebuilding contract, according to the company. IEM International, which is based in Morrisville, filed a complaint in late May about the contract to manage homebuilding efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The firm believes its bid for the contract was improperly disqualified. State officials have said IEM did not submit proper financial documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for IEM told NC Newsline that the firms request for a hearing had been granted. The NC Department of Commerce, which is overseeing the contract, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. State officials awarded the $81.5 million contract to Horne LLP, a Mississippi-based firm. The award has quickly come under scrutiny from state lawmakers, who cite Hornes involvement in past troubled recovery efforts. It is not yet known when the hearing will take place, or the broader timeline for IEMs protest. The firm has requested that the contract be re-bid; the Department of Commerce has said it believes this procurement was conducted fairly. North Carolina rules state that the meeting between the state and IEM will be scheduled within 30 days. After the meeting, the state will decide if further review of the contract is needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its original statement detailing the protest, IEM said it believed its bids disqualification was highly irregular and concerning. The firms bid, obtained through a public records request, shows that it provided a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow data from three fiscal years. It added: As a privately owned company, IEMs financial statements are not public. IEM can provide to DCR [the relevant Department of Commerce division] upon request. State officials have cited a 2024 appeals court ruling that bars agencies from asking vendors for more information once bids have opened. Stephanie McGarrah, who is leading the Department of Commerce division that oversees Helene contracts, said during a hearing that it meant the state could not adequately follow up on IEMs financials. (WHTM) Two Pennsylvania lawmakers have reintroduced the Pennsylvania Fairness Act, which would prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace and housing. House Bill 300, introduced by State Representatives Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) and Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), aims to amend the PA Human Relations Act to include sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression to the list of prohibited types of discrimination, according to PA House Democrats. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Morning Weather Forecast Roughly half of the states in the U.S. already have similar bills. The Pennsylvania Fairness Act has been brought up in the Commonwealth for decades and even cleared the House for the first time last year. Rep. Kenyatta is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and also considers himself religious. He says the bill found bipartisan support last year because religious organizations are exempt. Still, the state Senate has refused to consider the bill every time its been introduced. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) A Fayette County lawmaker criticized Raleigh County School officials for terminating a number of school counselor positions earlier this year. Republican Delegate Elliott Pritt of Fayette County said that school counselors were now a necessary aspect to the states education system because West Virginia has the highest number of foster children in the U.S. Counselors are equipped to help with both special needs and student behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March the Raleigh County Board of Education voted to terminate, transfer or cut the hours of a number of school counselors. Pritt said recent legislation could force the Board to rehire some of the counselors. We had to pass a bill this year in response to a decision Raleigh County made to fire so many of their school counselors, which is a terrible decision, said Pritt. A terrible decision. Whoever made that decision should have their education degrees revoked, and I dont mind going on the record and saying that. Raleigh County Board of Education members said in March that they were forced to balance a budget with less funding from Charleston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CEO of WV Coal Association says trade war with China will impact coal operations Raleigh County Schools Superintendent Dr. Serena Starcher said in March that the Board was following the wishes of school principals, who had suggested the cuts the BOE later approved. Public schools are expected to lose more funding to private schools and providers of homeschool curricula through growth of the Hope Scholarship program, which transfers tax dollars from public schools to support private institutions. Pritt also called on private schools to admit a growing population of children in the foster care system, many of whom need the services of school counselors and individualized educational plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor warns of potential charges against women who miscarry in West Virginia The president of the West Virginia Education Association has said that most private schools do not pay professional wages, which would be required to attract school counselors and many certified teachers. State law now requires one counselor for every 250 students in public schools but does not make the same requirement for private schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. State officials will withhold another payment to Milwaukee Public Schools because the district missed an extended deadline for submitting financial reports May 30, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Deputy State Superintendent Tom McCarthy said June 3. Its not yet clear how much money will be withheld or what the district will have to do to recoup those funds. That information will be shared in a letter in the coming days, McCarthy said. A spokesman for MPS, Stephen Davis, said the district expects to submit financial information "in the coming days" and has been assured state aid can be released quickly after the information is reviewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We expect any withholding of funds to be temporary and will not interrupt services to students in any way," Davis said in a statement. The news comes the day after MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius published her $1.549 billion budget plan for the next school year, which includes a restructuring of the district's central office and recruitment of new leadership, citing issues in the finance office among problematic operations that need stronger oversight. State officials need MPS' financial reports, including audited financial statements from the 2023-24 school year, to calculate by July 1 how much state aid they should send to MPS and every other Wisconsin school district. All other districts have submitted the needed information, DPI Spokesman Chris Bucher said previously. MPS staff are working with accounting systems that had strayed from state standards over several years under previous administrators, who've since resigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cassellius, who started the superintendent job in March, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel she had recently been focused on overseeing the cleanup of widespread lead paint hazards but has now taken over management of the late financial reports. She moved finance staff into her office suite to oversee their work completing the reports for DPI. Cassellius said she's been in contact with state officials daily and expects MPS will be able to submit the information DPI needs in time to calculate state aid payments. DPI staff have been helping MPS on site. Even though we might be a few days late, we will have delivered on that within a timeframe that allows the state to do their calculations," Cassellius said. "They have just been incredible collaborative partners patient, because they know what we're dealing with here and the enormity of what were cleaning up. McCarthy praised the district's progress under Cassellius' leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Withholding funding is a last resort and comes after countless hours spent supporting MPS," McCarthy said in a statement. "Weve seen real progress in recent months under the leadership of Dr. Brenda Cassellius, and we recognize and appreciate the hard work that has gone into those efforts." Second consecutive year MPS has missed deadlines It's the second year in a row MPS has missed state reporting deadlines. Last year, public outrage over the late reports led to the resignations of top officials, a recall attempt of school board members, and a state-imposed corrective action plan to rehabilitate the district's finance office. When MPS missed the deadlines last year, state officials withheld a $17 million special education payment. They are still withholding that payment, seeking more progress from MPS on its corrective action plan. In the last year, MPS has missed many of the dates it outlined in its corrective action plan. Milwaukee Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Aycha Sawa is seen during a school board meeting with the Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel on Tuesday May 20, 2025 at the Milwaukee Public Schools Central Offices in Milwaukee, Wis. The district's new chief financial officer, former Milwaukee Comptroller Aycha Sawa, has described a steep learning curve," finding that processes had long deteriorated in the finance office because of vacancies and turnover. The district's accounting system wasn't aligned with the state's system, and under-trained staff were using clumsy spreadsheets to complete reports for the state, making errors along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sawa has faced the dual challenge of piecing together accurate information from the districts previous poor accounting system to complete overdue reports, while charting a new system to prevent the same issues in the future. Cassellius said in an interview May 23 that her goal is for the district's 2025-26 accounting to be done in a system that's fully compliant with the state's uniform financial accounting requirements. MPS board enlists experts to advise them on future financial audits and other audits Milwaukee School Board members voted May 29 to approve members of a new external audit committee, which will advise it on how to respond to audit results, including financial audits that assess the district's accounting practices. The members were listed as: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milwaukee School Board President Missy Zombor, nominated by the School Board Nik Kovac, budget and management director for the City of Milwaukee, nominated by Mayor Cavalier Johnson Charles Roedel, deputy comptroller for the City of Milwaukee, nominated by Milwaukee Comptroller Bill Christianson Andy Holman, a certified public accountant, nominated by the School Board Ronda Kohlheim, inspector general for the City of Milwaukee, nominated by the MPS Office of Accountability and Efficiency Forming this committee was required under the district's corrective action plan. The School Board had approved a charter for the committee in March. Its purpose: to offer "objective, independent, unbiased, and knowledgeable" advice on audits of the district. Zombor said this kind of committee, if it had been in place earlier, could have given board members another perspective when former administrators assured them they were making progress on addressing issues flagged by previous financial audits, including the district's abnormal accounting practices. "It would have given us an outside opinion on the progress that was or wasnt being made," Zombor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board member Megan O'Halloran, who chairs the school board committee that reviews audits, said she wants the external audit committee's insight to be shared not only with board members but also with the public. As we are working toward rebuilding credibility and trust with our community, I think this is an incredibly important step forward," she said. The new committee will also review the district's internal audits. Following an annual audit plan, MPS' internal auditors examine policy compliance at a number of individual schools each year, along with specific district issues that are identified in risk assessments as having a greater potential for waste, fraud or abuse. MPS Chief Auditor Paul Geib said the district's Office of Accountability and Efficiency plans to schedule an orientation for the new external committee in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporter Alec Johnson contributed to this report. Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @RoryLinnane. (This story was updated to add a video and a photo gallery.) This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: DPI to withhold MPS funding again over late financial reports UPDATE 6/3: In an update just before 11:30 a.m., the Stafford County Sheriffs Office said Betty Clark was safely located. STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Virginia State Police (VSP) canceled its missing adult alert after a 78-year-old woman who disappeared in Fredericksburg Monday morning was found safe. State police said Betty Jo Clark was last seen walking in the area of Bridgewater Circle around 6 a.m. and was missing for several hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VSP issued an alert regarding her disappearance on behalf of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office, saying it posed a credible threat to her health and safety. However, in an update just before 11:30 a.m., the Stafford County Sheriffs Office said Clark was safely located thanks to the help of a good Samaritan. Missing man with autism last seen in Fairfax County, police say Thank you to everyone who called in with tips, the sheriffs office said in a post on X. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TREMONTON, Utah (ABC4) An out-of-state university professor was taken into custody in Box Elder County on Monday, accused of 20 counts of second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor. The suspect, identified as Collin James Hawkins, 27, had allegedly downloaded several videos containing child sex abuse material (CSAM) onto two separate phones. According to court documents, Kik, a messenger app, reported the illegal content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The case was originally assigned to the Idaho Crimes Against Children task force, but was later transferred to Utah after his name and address were found to be associated with a home in Tremonton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah detectives conducted a search of the home on Sunday, June 1, and detained Hawkins for questioning. Hawkins reportedly asked to speak to an officer privately and was told they were serving a warrant for evidence of CSAM. When asked, Hawkins allegedly told officers that it was not surprising that they were there. Hawkins was taken into custody but declined to speak with investigators any further and requested an attorney, according to court records. He was booked into the Box Elder County Jail on 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, but officers said they believe this is a generously underestimated amount. While court documents did not disclose which university Hawkins taught at, records indicated he was an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University-Idaho. In a statement to ABC4.com, the university confirmed that Hawkins was no longer an employee at the university. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) A nurse who worked for 16 years as an anesthetist in Hampton Roads was ordered by state regulators to surrender his license, according to a report from the Virginia Board of Nursing. Kevin Coolong of Chesapeake was a certified registered nurse anesthetist with Atlantic Anesthesia from June 2008 until August 2024, when he resigned. The board investigated complaints from four patients, identified only as Patients A, B, C and D, who alleged Coolong kissed them, stroked them and fondled them while they were sedated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board of Nursing concluded that Coolong engaged in and admitted to non-consensual sexual conduct with the female patients. The report specifies the location for two of the four: Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in February 2024 and Sentara Leigh Hospital in August 2018. Coolongs alleged behavior included placing his thumb in a patients mouth, kissing their lips, stroking their bodies and fondling their breasts. Two were maternity patients and the other two were in for orthopedic surgery. They asked for it by the way they looked and talked, Coolong told investigators, according to the report, and described the patients as clingy and needy, and was under the impression they liked him. In one incident, Coolong allegedly told investigators I cant lie to you. I kissed [Patient D] on the lips [while her eyes were closed]. In another, as a means of taking a patients body temperature, he reached into a patients gown and cupped her breast. The Board made Coolong surrender his nursing license for life. In a consent order, he neither confirms nor denies the Boards findings and conclusions. Sentara Healthcare spokesman Mike Kafka sent WAVY this statement Monday afternoon: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The safety and quality of care for our patients is our highest priority. We became aware this morning of the Virginia Board of Nursing consent order against a former Atlantic Anesthesia employee and are pleased that significant action is being taken against him. We intend to fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter. 10 On Your Side reached Coolong by phone and he said he did not want to discuss his case, and referred us to the consent order. Atlantic Anesthesia had no comment when contacted by WAVY. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Today, State Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton) held a news conference announcing articles of impeachment against Michigan Secretary of State and candidate for governor Jocelyn Benson. The impeachment resolution contains three articles, accusing Benson of engaging in corrupt conduct, violating constitutional rights, and repeatedly abusing power. These efforts come after Benson refused to hand over unredacted election training materials to lawmakers in the House of Representatives, ones she claims would threaten election security. As a legislator and lifelong resident of the State of Michigan, it is my belief that we are dealing with the most lawless Secretary of State in Michigan, said Desana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benson responded to the articles of impeachment Tuesday, calling the situation a clown show. I believe in oversight and I believe in transparency. This isnt it. This is Republican lawmakers abusing their authority to access sensitive election information that would allow them or any conspiracy theorists they share it with to tamper with election equipment, interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, or impersonate a clerk on Election Day. I continue to call on Speaker Hall and his caucus to work with us and a judicial mediator to help us reach a resolution to this matter. But lets be clear: this clown show he is leading is no way to govern. It is not how we solve problems. It is not how we make government work for everyone. And every taxpayer dollar wasted on these shenanigans is a waste of time and money. I remain committed to the security of our elections and to the people of Michigan. I work for them. I suggest the House Republicans start doing the same. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, June 3, 2025. DeSana says Bensons Michigan Legacy PAC donated funds to a Democratic Supreme Court candidate back in 2024, which he calls questionable. Made a $82,500 donation to the Keep Kyra Harris Boulden Committee, said DeSana. One month before her arguments before the Supreme Court on OHalleron v. Benson. DeSana also accuses Benson of violating the U.S. Constitution by banning open-carry firearms within 150 feet of polling places on election day, and says that the electronic and paper copies of the states qualified voter file dont match. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the third time in five years that House Republicans have introduced articles of impeachment against leading Democrats, having done so with Governor Whitmer in 2020 and Attorney General Dana Nessel in 2023. However, those resolutions were mostly symbolic and never moved forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Pennsylvania State Trooper was injured when a driver intentionally rammed his cruiser during a chase on I-81 in Dauphin County over the weekend, court documents show. Angel Gonzalez, 52, of Delaware County, allegedly led a seven-mile chase that began in Cumberland County when a Trooper tried pulling him over for multiple violations, State Police at Harrisburg said in court documents. Eighteen people cited for underage alcohol at York County Expo Center event Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spike strips were used in an attempt to stop Gonzalez, who was driving a 2002 Nissan Maxima, according to Troopers. A PIT Maneuver brought Gonzalez to a brief stop while on the interstate in the Harrisburg City area, but he allegedly began driving away in the wrong direction down a small embankment and into the center median, Troopers said. Court documents show Gonzalez allegedly rammed a Troopers vehicle intentionally on the shoulder of I-81, causing a back injury to the Trooper. State Police say Gonzalez admitted to smoking crack cocaine, and he was traveling in the area to buy drugs. Troopers said they also found a crack pipe in his vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts Gonzalez faces felony charges of aggravated assault by vehicle, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, and criminal mischief. He also faces misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person and DUI, along with summary charges of traffic violations. Gonzalez was placed in Dauphin County Prison, where his bail was set at $50,000 by Magisterial District Judge Kenneth Lenker. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Natural gas meter with pipe on wall. Stock photo from Getty Images. Ohio utility regulators are gearing up for hearings on FirstEnergys role in the House Bill 6 scandal. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is behind bars although seeking a presidential pardon for overseeing the largest corruption case in state history. FirstEnergy funneled about $60 million to a dark money group controlled by Householder. The former speaker used that money to secure his own leadership position and influence passage of HB 6. The measure propped up a pair of nuclear plants and aging coal facilities by tacking a rider onto consumers monthly bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats just the broad strokes. Nearly five years on from Householders indictment, questions remain about how exactly the scheme unfolded and where FirstEnergy officials got the money for it. Half a dozen former FirstEnergy officials in government affairs and c-suite positions are set to testify in a PUCO hearing next week. Four of them previously pled the Fifth and have since received immunity from a Franklin County judge. At the heart of the case, the Ohio Consumers Counsel wants to demonstrate whether FirstEnergy used the money it got from average consumers to bribe state officials. What to expect In January, former FirstEnergy executives Charles Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling were indicted on federal racketeering charges. Last year, state officials filed more than 40 charges against the executives as well as the man they bribed, former PUCO chairman Sam Randazzo. Last week, a judge in Summit County dismissed theft charges against Jones and Dowling, but they still face several other state criminal charges. The PUCO proceedings focus on the employees one rung below Jones and Dowling, attempting to show how money moved in the scheme by gathering testimony from the foot soldiers who answered to FirstEnergys leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four of the witnesses previously refused to testify, citing their Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination. A Franklin County judge ordered them to testify and granted them the broadest possible immunity from prosecution. The PUCO will also hear from Steven Strah, the former CFO who took over FirstEnergy following Jones ouster, and Robert Reffner, the companys chief legal officer at the time of the scandal. The Ohio Consumers Counsel subpoenas argue consumers were wrongly charged more than $6.6 million, and another $7.4 million was incorrectly listed as a capital expenditure. Compelling testimony, the filings argue, will help establish how and why FirstEnergy improperly misallocated House Bill 6 costs to the FirstEnergy Utilities. We look forward to getting answers for FirstEnergy consumers and holding FirstEnergy accountable, Ohio Consumers Counsel Maureen Willis said in a statement. Justice for FirstEnergy consumers is long overdue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just over a month ago, state lawmakers voted to put an end to the House Bill 6 rider tacked on to ratepayers monthly bills. The legislation wont take effect until August. Democrats in the Ohio House, meanwhile, argue the door remains open for next House Bill 6. No law in Ohio prevented this scandal, state Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Westlake, argued at a press conference last month. And since, not one law has even remotely been truly attempted to fix this massive injustice. Sweeney, and state Reps. Chris Glassburn, D-North Olmsted, Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, and Desiree Tims, D-Dayton, have filed bills that would require contribution disclosures to or so-called dark money groups, institute penalties for undermining signature gathering campaigns and bar companies that make contributions from receiving state contracts. The PUCO will hold a procedural hearing this morning, with the evidentiary portion of the case beginning next week, on June 10. The hearings themselves will likely take several days. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The Trump administration doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, with the new 50% rate set to begin Wednesday, June 4. When you hear about steel and aluminum, you might only be thinking about cars and construction. However, a professor in Springfield tells Ozarks First these tariffs are going to impact much more. Its storage, its warehousing, its everything, said Kyle Goodin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodin is an instructor in the School of Accountancy at Missouri State University. He says most of the aluminum and steel that the United States imports comes from places like Mexico and Canada. When used appropriately, (tariffs) can save Americans money, Goodin said. Right now, were not really sure what its going to do. He says most people will notice the cost increase in places like big box retailers or grocery stores Its not just building sky rises or building vehicles or anything like that, not just the manufacturing side, but also the shipping and transportation side as well, Goodin said. So thats why youre seeing some costs go up at places like Walmart, because theyve got to ship these goods in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walmart announced last month it will be passing the costs of tariffs off on consumers. They do have inventories of stuff, but once the inventories are gone, then thats when the prices are going to start being passed on, said Bruce Davis. Davis is retired and lives in Springfield. I probably have to cut back on my spending somewhat, Davis said. Just depends on how big of a bite they take. Davis says hes expecting to see more price increases at local stores in the future. I think people are mostly worried about just the thought of it, but I dont really think that the full impact is here yet, Davis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodin tells Ozarks First he doesnt think the Trump administration will back down from these steel and aluminum tariffs. I think these tariffs are going to probably stick around for a little longer, and they will cause some price increase, maybe not as drastically as everybody thinks, but there will be an increase in price on some stuff, Goodin said. Even though those 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum begin on Wednesday, it will still take a while before they are seen in Springfield. Goodin says Springfield consumers can expect to see a hit in a few 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Federal immigration officials have faced severe criticism from members of the Trump administration, displeased with the number of immigration arrests and deportations, according to the Washington Examiner. Late last month, a heated discussion arose between White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and several senior officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trust between the parties is in a downward spiral as top staffers believe the administration is closely watching them regarding how theyre conducting their detentions of unlawful immigrants. Three current and former immigration officials spoke to the Examiner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve been threatened, told theyre watching their emails and texts and Signals, one anonymous official said. Thats what is horrible about things right now. Its a fearful environment. Everybody in leadership is afraid. Theres no morale. Everybody is demoralized. The top 50 officials at ICE were informed about an emergency meeting in the nations capital a week in advance. The agency confirmed to the Examiner that ICEs 25 field office directors of Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) and the 25 special agents in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrived in Washington for the meeting on Tuesday, May 20, when Miller scolded them. Stephen Miller severely criticized ICE leaders during a meeting late last month, calling on them to arrest more illegal immigrants. He also questioned why they were not scouting out Home Depot stores and 7-Elevens for migrants. (Getty Images) Miller came in there and eviscerated everyone. 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, an official who spoke to those in the room during the meeting told the Examiner. Stephen Miller wants everybody arrested. Why arent you at Home Depot? Why arent you at 7-Eleven?' the official added, recounting what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ERO official said during the meeting that the Department of Homeland Security and the White House had argued publicly that they were going after criminal illegal immigrants and that ICE was targeting them, not illegal immigrants in general. Miller said, What do you mean youre going after criminals? Miller got into a little bit of a pissing contest, said the official. Thats what Tom Homan says every time hes on TV: Were going after criminals,' the ICE official told the deputy chief of staff, according to the account of the meeting. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem subsequently spoke to the assembled officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You guys are doing an okay job, but youre not doing enough. You need to do more,' one official quoted her as saying, according to the Examiner. A spokesperson for ICE told the outlet on Thursday that the descriptions regarding Miller were inaccurate. However, other outlets, such as Axios, also reported that the meeting was strained. Stephen Miller did not say many of the things you state, ICE deputy assistant director of media affairs Laszlo Baksay told the Examiner, adding that ICE detained almost 1,600 illegal immigrants on Wednesday, May 28. It was one of the days with the most arrests since the beginning of Trumps second term. Miller has set a goal of 3,000 arrests of illegal immigrants daily (REUTERS) Thats still way below the daily goal for illegal immigrant arrests, according to Miller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under President Trumps leadership, we are looking to set a goal of a minimum of 3,000 arrests for ICE every day, and President Trump is going to keep pushing to get that number up higher each and every single day, so we can get all of the Biden illegals that were flooded into our country for four years out of our country, Miller said on Fox News last week. The White House told the Examiner that Keeping President Trumps promise to deport illegal aliens is something the administration takes seriously. We are committed to aggressively and efficiently removing illegal aliens from the United States, and ensuring our law enforcement officers have the resources necessary to do so. The safety of the American people depends upon it, an administration spokesperson added. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Samuel Sterlings parents say they are devastated and in disbelief after a federal judge threw out the murder case against the former Michigan State Police sergeant in the death of their son. More than a year after she lost her son, the back of Andrica Cages shirt said it all: A mothers love never dies. The front was a picture of Sterling with angel wings on his back. Andrica Cage wears a T-shirt honoring the memory of her son, Samuel Sterling. (June 3, 2025) As she honors her son, she says she has lost hope in the justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I got hope in God, she said. Thats what Im going to stick with. Judge tosses case against former MSP sgt in death of Samuel Sterling In April 2024, police were pursuing the 25-year-old Sterling for multiple felony warrants and tracked him down to a Kentwood gas station. Officers chased Sterling on foot to a nearby Burger King while Keely pursued in an unmarked cruiser. Video shows Detective Sgt. Brian Keelys SUV hitting Sterling near the restaurant entrance. Sterling died hours later. A federal judge dismissed second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges against Keely last week, ruling that hes entitled to immunity under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution because he was acting as a federal law enforcement officer. The judge also said prosecutors didnt prove Keely intentionally killed Sterling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was sick, Cage said. I threw up. I cried. It was just unbelievable that a judge can actually dismiss something. Sterlings dad Michael Sterling believes a jury would have found Keely guilty. As of now, they wont get their day in court. He said its a slap in the face. Im not surprised, but Im very hurt, devastated, sad, angry, he said. All the above. Michael Sterling Sr. and Andrica Cage, the parents of Sameul Sterling, speak with News 8 on June 3, 2025. Abomination of justice: Community leaders react to Keely case dismissal Kent County Commissioner Robert S. Womack, who has been working with the family, said this was a death that could have been avoided. Somewhere there has to be justice for them to know that the state of Michigan recognizes this was a life that was taken, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keelys attorneys say he is vindicated by the decision. They argue he was doing his job in a high-risk situation and protecting the public from someone they say was a dangerous fugitive. This ruling not only vindicates our client but also sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity, Keely attorneys Marc E. Curtis and Lance LoRusso said in a statement. AG says shes mulling appeals in Keely case Attorney General Dana Nessel, who brought the charges against Keely and is considering appealing, said the ruling was unprecedented. The way this case was decided was nothing short of a miscarriage of justice, Nessel told News 8 last week. Family shows News 8 a photo of Samuel Sterling. Attorney Ven Johnson is representing the Sterling family in a civil excessive force lawsuit. He said the judges decision to throw out the criminal case is revictimizing the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive never seen anything like this in my life after nearly 40 years of practice, he said. Sterlings parents remain at a loss over how the murder case didnt make it to trial. Now its blood on that judges hand, Cage said. It wasnt just blood on Brian Keelys hand. Now its blood on her hand. As I always tell everybody Im a God-fearing mother, so Im going to let God handle this. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Five years after Steve Bannon said hed put government officials heads on pikes, his podcast WarRoom is no longer suspended at Spotify. Bannon tells the New York Post that his content hasnt changed much in the years since, and described it as the same in a June interview. Previously, Bannon had served as the White Houses Chief Strategist during President Donald Trumps first term, though he left in 2017 after clashing with other aides. Hes since remained an influential voice in the MAGA sphere, including via the WarRoom podcast, which publishes a number of times a week and has been dubbed a far-right Meet the Press by The Washington Post. A Spotify spokesperson told HuffPost that the decision to host Bannons new WarRoom episodes follows a temporary suspension and constructive dialogue with the shows team. The spokesperson did not specify what that dialogue addressed and if any changes had been made to the show that led to its reinstatement, however. Advertisement Advertisement Spotify removed an episode of WarRoom in November 2020 after Bannon suggested beheading government officials, including then-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci and then-FBI Director Christopher Wray. Id actually like to go back to the old times of Tudor England, Id put the heads on pikes, right, Id put them [Fauci and Wray] at the two corners of the White House as a warning to federal bureaucrats, Bannon said in the episode. You either get with the program or youre gone time to stop playing games, he added. Spotify wont tolerate content on our platform that promotes, advocates or incites hatred or violence, a Spotify spokesperson told Gizmodo in November 2020 about removing the WarRoom episode. The content in question has been removed due to multiple violations of our policy. Advertisement Advertisement Spotify went on to temporarily suspend the show altogether, according to the company spokesperson, because several episodes published in 2020 broke its Platform Rules, which urge creators to avoid content that promotes violence. Bannon, meanwhile, claimed in the New York Post interview that his remarks in that episode were metaphorical and not literal threats of violence. I made a comment two days before about Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons, where they put his head on a pike, and we said it metaphorically about Christopher Wray and Dr. Fauci, he said. After the November 2020 episode, accounts associated with Bannon were also suspended from Twitter and YouTube. WarRoom was still hosted by Apple Podcasts during that time, however, and continued to reach numerous listeners via that platform. The shows return to Spotify comes as multiple tech platforms have reversed past suspensions of President Donald Trump and his allies in recent years, and as a number of Silicon Valley executives have sought to build cozier relationships with the White House. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) also drew fierce criticism from Democrats earlier this year for giving Bannon a platform on his own podcast, a move he defended by stating that he wanted to engage with different ideas. I can give a punch and I can take a punch the MAGA movement prides itself in being resilient, Bannon told the New York Post about his return. A familiar face to embattled state agencies is taking on his latest assignment as interim commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, days after lawmakers ousted the agency's previous leader. Greg Slavonic was placed in temporary charge of the financially troubled mental health agency by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday, June 3. Slavonic will be tasked with turning around a state agency riddled with drama after an audit report on the mental health department released in May revealed that its staff was made to sign nondisclosure agreements and were discouraged from cooperating with investigators from the state auditor's office, which was trying to understand why the agency faced a $30 million budget hole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allie Friesen, the agency's former commissioner, was removed from her position after lawmakers voted to oust her on May 29. It was the culmination of a monthlong legislative investigation into the agency's money troubles. Legislators were forced to make a special appropriation for the agency to complete the current fiscal year. Still, another appropriation to the agency might be needed at the beginning of the next legislative session. It will be the second time in as many years that Slavonic takes over an agency under similar circumstances. Stitt appointed Slavonic as interim executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs in March 2023 after the agency's former director, Joel Kinstel, was removed for revolting against the agency's commission. Slavonic was elevated to permanent leadership in the agency five months later, before he left in July 2024. Greg Slavonic, pictured here in 2023, will take over as the interim director of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Stitt, who called Friesen's removal "a politically motivated witch hunt," said he was grateful Slavonic was willing "to set another Oklahoma agency on the right course." In an apparent reference to lawmakers' oversight of the mental health agency, Stitt said it would be imperative that Slavonic be allowed to work "without political interference." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are brighter days ahead for this department and those that rely on its services," the governor said in a statement. More: Legislature passes resolution seeking to oust Oklahoma mental health commissioner In a statement, Slavonic thanked Stitt for his focus on rooting out corruption and ensuring the government is working for its citizens. "The Department of Mental Health brings much needed services to many Oklahomans, and I look forward to ensuring that they have the tools needed to provide those services," he said. House Majority Leader Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, who served as the chair of the select committee tasked with examining the agency's operations and budget, responded to Slavonic's appointment and said it's important that the mental health agency's next director works to restore the department's stability and trust to provide critical services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawson said he looked forward to working with Slavonic "as he endeavors to right the ship with this agency." The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of appointing a permanent commissioner to the agency, who would need to be confirmed by the Senate. Slavonic held several roles in Washington, D.C., before working under Stitt. After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a rear admiral, Slavonic had a brief stint in the private sector before he served as chief of staff for U.S. Sen. James Lankford. He then went on to high-level civilian roles in the Department of the Navy, eventually being appointed acting undersecretary of the Navy during President Donald Trump's first term. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gov. Stitt appoints Greg Slavonic to lead Oklahoma mental health agency OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man caught on fire after resisting arrest for stealing a motorcycle, deputies said. The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said they received information from E-911 that the Stephens County Sheriffs Office, in Georgia, was in pursuit of a motorcyclist on a stolen motorcycle. The chase entered into Westminster and Oconee County deputies began to assist in the pursuit. The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said that when the suspect attempted to turn onto Westminster Highway, he had lost control and wrecked. The suspect then attempted to flee and began resisting arrest from deputies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect appeared to have gasoline on himself, deputies said after the investigation. As the suspect was resisting arrest, deputies used a stun gun, which caused the suspects shirt to catch on fire from the gasoline. Deputies said they immediately began to extinguish the fire and airlifted the suspect to the hospital for further treatment. Two deputies also received minor injuries and burns. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had left from a work detail where he was a sentenced inmate in Hall County, Georgia, 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 WSPA 7NEWS. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A Georgia man has been arrested after several trailers, reported stolen, were discovered at a local business, News 5 has learned. UPDATE: 75-year-old man shot, killed by MPD after pointing gun at officers According to a Mobile Police Department news release, officers were called to the Merri Mart at 6630 Rangeline Road at about 12:28 p.m. Saturday in reference to a theft. When officers arrived, they found several utility trailers that had been reported stolen, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldemas Hernandez-Martinez, 46, of Morrow, Ga., was arrested and charged with first-degree receiving stolen property, the release said. UPDATE: Man charged with murder after Saenger shooting He was taken to Metro 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 WKRG News 5. WILLIMANTIC Stop & Shop in Willimantic had much to celebrate as it held an official grand reopening of its newly remodeled location at 1391 Main Street. The new remodel is part of the brands multi-year commitment to refreshing stores across its footprint and improving the customer shopping experience. Store Manager Sara Tegge has been the manager since mid-February, and the remodel started in March. It was recently completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We revamped the entire store and integrated all of our natural and organic items into the aisles, Tegge said. We opened up the produce to give a more open and comfortable shopping experience for the customers. Tegge said the feedback has been positive, and people are happy with the new, clean sleek look. Its a really nice, new addition to the community, Tegge said. A customer stopped us and said thank you for giving our town something so nice. The remodel started March 10 and was completed by the celebration on Friday. The newly-remodeled store in Willimantic includes expanded grab-and-go prepared foods, a remodeled produce department and a remodeled bakery department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 800 new products are available across the store, including a multicultural assortment of popular Puerto Rican and Latin American favorites, Asian-centric products, seasonings, spices and flavors worldwide. To add to the celebration, Stop & Shop presented Eastern Connecticut State University with a $10,000 check to fight food insecurity among students. The check will support Shawns Cupboard as part of its School Food Pantry Program. Established in 2019, the program aims to help limit barriers that impact students ability to succeed in the classroom and ensure consistent access to food. This store looks amazing and I can say, Im a Stop & Shop shopper myself, Eastern President Karim Ismaili said. Im grateful on behalf of the University for the support you are providing for our students by making this donation. Ismaili said food insecurity is an issue for their students and families, so every dollar will go towards the nutritious food and personal care items they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dean of Students Dr. Kemesha Wilmot said the $10,000 check will go far, and she finds it difficult to hear about students food insecurity issues. We do have students on campus who come there, and theyre trying to get their education, and because they are unable to access food, it interferes with their academics, Wilmot said. I work with students on a day-to-day basis, and they come to my office and theyre saying, I dont have a meal, not even on campus, but even at home. Wilmot said food insecurity is an issue in the community. I really appreciate Stop & Shop for really stepping in and being that gap to support our students, Wilmot said. When a student comes into my office, hunger is not one of the things that I want to hear that is stopping them from pursuing their education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program currently serves over 260 schools across the Northeast and is known as one of the nations largest school food pantry programs. This is the fourth year that Stop & Shop has partnered with Eastern, and this donation will provide the school with over $30,000 in total to ensure that students have access to healthy foods. It will also enable the school to provide fresh produce, proteins, and personal care items to meet the rising needs of students. Stop & Shop in Willimantic is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The small community of Pleasant Farms, in Ector County, was hit hard by a storm early Tuesday morning, leaving many destroyed homes and downed power lines in its wake. Images on social media showed flattened mobile homes and RVs, damaged cars, a toppled trees. Residents said the storm hit around 2:00 am on June 3. Wilsons Corner Grocery said the Red Cross has set up in the area to provide support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Praying for the community and those who suffered and lost their homes, and grateful to hear of no serious injuries so far, the store said in a Facebook post. Employees offered a breakfast meal and a place to rest and make calls for anyone displaced. We are working to learn more and will update this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Rain and storms moving through New Mexico right now will be ending overnight. Isolated to scattered rain and thunderstorm chances will return Tuesday and Wednesday before drier air returns. A large low pressure system moving into New Mexico has brought widespread showers and thunderstorms Monday. Some of these storms have been dropping heavy rainfall and hail. Storms continue to swirl around the center of low pressure, moving across northwest New Mexico right now. Temperatures have been cooler today all across the state due to the rain and cloud cover. Storms will be ending overnight. A backdoor cold front will move into northeast New Mexico early Tuesday morning, quickly moving south and west across the state. This will bring a risk of heavy rainfall over the HPCC burn scar area by Tuesday afternoon, while isolated storms will develop in western, central, and northern New Mexico. Those storms will again end late Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another low pressure system will pass north of New Mexico Wednesday, but well still see scattered showers and storms Wednesday afternoon along and north of I-40. Rain may actually continue Tuesday night into Wednesday morning in northern New Mexico before more storms develop in the afternoon. They will be capable of heavy rain too, which will bring another threat of burn scar flash flooding over the HPCC area. Temperatures will be even cooler Wednesday afternoon across the whole state. A stretch of drier weather begins Thursday once the rain and storms move out Wednesday night. A few spotty afternoon storms will be possible in far northern New Mexico and northeast parts of the state, but almost all of the state will stay dry. Temperatures will be heating up too, with the hottest weather so far this year on the way this weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wednesday: An upper-level low will move over the far southeastern U.S. on Wednesday, bringing scattered showers and storms across Central Alabama. These storms will occur while you pick up the kids from summer camp. Warm and more humid air will flow into the state from the southeast, allowing highs to reach the middle 80s, with a heat index around 90. Thursday: Warm and humid conditions are expected as high pressure lingers off the East Coast, pumping tropical air into Alabama. The upper-level low will move eastward, away from Alabama. The day will be partly cloudy, with a slight chance of a pop-up shower or storm. High temperatures will climb into the upper 80s, and the heat index will be in the lower 90s. Weather Aware Friday, Saturday, and Sunday For Strong To Severe Storms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday: A cold front will approach Alabama on Friday, accompanied by an upper-level wave, triggering scattered showers and storms. It will be hot and humid, with highs in the upper 80s and a heat index in the 90s before storms arrive. Theres some indication in the latest model runs a cluster of stronger storms will be possible in the afternoon and evening. Be prepared for some intense summer storms. Bring your rain gear to the Steel City Smooth Jazz Fest. Weekend Outlook: The cold front stalls north of Alabama in Tennessee this weekend. A series of upper-level waves will move along the front each day, bringing a cluster of strong to severe storms (MCS) across Alabama on Saturday. The SPC has placed parts of Central Alabama in a Level 2/5 Slight Risk for severe storms with gusty winds. Highs will be in the middle 80s. Another MCS is possible on Sunday, maintaining the same weather pattern. These storms could be strong to severe, featuring gusty winds and highs in the middle 80s. Additionally, Saharan dust could move into the southeastern U.S. this weekend, causing the sky to take on a milky hue and creating beautiful sunrises and sunsets each day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be sure to follow the CBS 42 Storm Team: Follow Us on Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum, Meteorologist Michael Haynes, Meteorologist Alex Puckett, and Meteorologist Jacob Woods. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. California leaders denounced reports Tuesday that the Trump administration is preparing to strip the name of slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk from a naval ship honoring his legacy, calling it a slap in the face for the LGBTQ+ community just as Pride month begins. Milk was elected as a San Francisco supervisor in the 1970s, becoming one of the first out elected officials in the country. After he was assassinated in San Francisco City Hall in 1978, he became an icon of the gay rights movement, with images of his face becoming synonymous with the struggle for gay rights. Milk had served in the Navy before becoming an activist and political figure, and LGBTQ+ advocates and service members fought for years to have his legacy formally recognized by the Navy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both CBS News and the outlet Military.com first reported Tuesday afternoon that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, an oiler built in San Diego as part of a series of vessels named for civil rights leaders. It was launched in 2021. The Pentagon would not confirm or deny that the ship would be renamed. In a statement to The Times, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth "is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all [Department of Defense] installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chiefs priorities, our nations history, and the warrior ethos," and that "any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete." Read more: Navy oiler Harvey Milk launched in San Diego amid cheers and heartache Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon would not say whether such a review had been launched for the USNS Harvey Milk. The Navy referred questions to the Pentagon. The removal of Milk's name would be in line with a broader push by Hegseth and other leaders in the Trump administration to remove formal acknowledgments of queer rights and other programs or messages promoting diversity, equity and inclusion across the federal government. Renaming naval ships is rare, but it has happened before, including after a congressional commission recommended names linked to the Confederacy be removed a couple years ago. In addition to the USNS Harvey Milk, CBS and other outlets reported that officials were also considering renaming a number of other ships in the Navy's "John Lewis-class." The class is named for the Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights leader turned longtime politician, and all of the boats are named for civil rights leaders, activists or historic figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other boats being considered for renaming, according to those outlets, include the USNS Thurgood Marshall, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, USNS Harriet Tubman, USNS Dolores Huerta, USNS Lucy Stone, USNS Cesar Chavez and USNS Medgar Evers. Leaders in California where Milk is often hailed as a hero were quick to denounce the idea of stripping his name from the vessel. Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on the social media platform X that Trump's "assault on veterans has hit a new low." San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk speaks to reporters in October 1978, weeks before he was assassinated. (James Palmer / Associated Press) Trump and Hegseth have also issued a sweeping ban on transgender people serving in the military. "Harvey Milk wasnt just a civil rights icon he was a Korean War combat veteran whose commander called him 'outstanding,'" Newsom said. "Stripping his name from a Navy ship wont erase his legacy as an American icon, but it does reveal Trumps contempt for the very values our veterans fight to protect." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) echoed Newsom with her own comment on X. "Our military is the most powerful in the world but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the 'warrior' ethos," she wrote. "It is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream." State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who is gay and once represented the same district as Milk on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, said in an interview with The Times that the move was all "part of Trump's systematic campaign to eliminate LGBTQ people from public life." "They want us to go away, to go back in the closet, not to be part of public life," Wiener said. "And we're not going anywhere." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After graduating from college, Milk enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and was stationed in San Diego. According to the Harvey Milk Foundation, he resigned at the rank of lieutenant junior grade in 1955 "after being officially questioned about his sexual orientation." He moved to San Francisco in 1972, opened a camera shop on Castro Street and quickly got into politics rallying the growing local gay community to fight for rights and build strategic alliances with other groups, including organized labor and the city's large Asian and Pacific Islander community. Milk was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1977 and helped lead efforts to defeat a 1978 ballot initiative that would have barred gay and lesbian people from teaching in public schools statewide a major political win for the LGBTQ+ community. Read more: Newsletter: Essential California: Remembering Harvey Milk in the age of Pete Buttigieg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same year, Milk was assassinated alongside Mayor George Moscone at City Hall by former Supervisor Dan White. His killing cemented his status as an icon of the gay rights movement. Wiener called Milk "an absolute hero" who "died for our community" and deserves the honor of having a naval vessel named after him. "A group of LGBTQ veterans worked for years and years to achieve this goal of naming a ship for Harvey, and to have that taken away so casually, right during Pride month, is heartbreaking and painful," Wiener said. Removing his name would mean more than scrubbing a stenciling off the side of a ship, Wiener said, "especially now with the attacks on our community, and so many young LGBTQ people [seeing] so much negativity towards our community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milk was a "very visible role model for young queer people, and he gave people hope in a way that hadn't happened before from any high-profile queer leader, and he was murdered because of his visibility and leadership for our community," Wiener said, and for young queer people today "to see the name of a gay man on the side of a military vessel, it's very, very powerful." U.S. officials first announced in 2016 that a ship would be named for Milk, along with others in the Lewis class. At an event marking the start of construction of the ship in 2019, Milk's nephew Stuart Milk said the naming of the ship after his uncle "sends a global message of inclusion" that said not just that the U.S. will "tolerate everyone" but that "we celebrate everyone." 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. (NewsNation) The Trump administration has paused a plan to garnish the Social Security checks of those who have defaulted on their student loans, an Education Department spokesperson told NewsNation on Monday. The Department has not offset any social security benefits since restarting collections on May 5, and has put a pause on any future social security offsets, spokesperson Ellen Keast said in a statement. Social Security plans to add AI to phone systems: Reports Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement was welcome news to hundreds of thousands of older Americans with defaulted student loans, after the Education Department warned in May that federal benefits would be subject to offset as soon as this month. Student loan debt collections resumed for 1st time since COVID In May, the Education Department resumed involuntary collections on defaulted federal student loans for the first time since March 2020. As part of that process, hundreds of thousands of older borrowers were expected to be at risk of having their Social Security checks garnished. But on Monday, Keast said Social Security offsets have been paused and that the Trump administration is committed to protecting social security recipients. Social Security increase missing? Heres what to do Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coming weeks, the Department will begin proactive outreach to recipients about affordable loan repayment options and help them back into good standing, Keast said. Report estimates 452,000 people 62 and older have student loans in default This year, an estimated 452,000 people aged 62 and older had student loans in default and were likely to experience the renewed forced collections, according to a January report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Student borrowers who have defaulted on their loans are still vulnerable to other offsets, like having money withheld from their federal tax refund, and wage garnishment will begin later this summer, the Education Department confirmed in a follow-up statement. Harvard has become a top Chinese Communist Party school: Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, a federal judge blocked the Trump administrations plan to move the $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to the Small Business Administration, keeping the Education Department in charge of managing those loans, CNBC 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 NewsNation. NEED TO KNOW Emma Roldan and Madison Wessling are two of the University of Maryland's recent teaching graduates The two students were being mentored by two different teachers when, over winter break, both their mentor teachers learned of cancer diagnoses The student teachers stepped up for their mentors to help their classes finish the school year with support after the heartbreaking news Two of the University of Maryland's most recent graduates have a lot to be proud of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only did Emma Roldan and Madison Wessling meet all the academic needs of their degrees, but they've also managed to touch the lives of two teachers who helped them get there. Both Roldan and Wessling found their paths to teaching in different ways, but quickly found the field to be the perfect home for them. "Initially, I wanted to major in computer science, and was the vice president of the computer science honors society," Roldan tells PEOPLE. "However, during the COVID 2020-2021 school year, I noticed my little brother struggling in his online math class. I took the time to tutor him throughout that year, and saw his 'ah-ha!' moments as we were working together. This is where I fell in love with teaching and knew that it was something I wanted to pursue." "I didnt always know that I wanted to be a teacher. I graduated high school in 2020, and I had no plan career-wise," Wessling shares. "I did a year at a community college, taking general education classes after graduating. It wasnt until after that first year where I decided that I would try teaching." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continues, "I had always believed that I worked well with younger kids, so I figured I should try it. I did two more years at the community college, where I obtained my associate's degree. I then transferred to the University of Maryland, where I fell in love with teaching." 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. Getty Stock image of a college classroom Stock image of a college classroom Before going into the field full time, both Roldan and Wessling had to meet certain requirements, which included time in a classroom setting. "Every elementary education major is required to do a series of observations, field experiences and student teaching in order to complete the program. Our trips into classrooms started in sophomore year; going to local schools nearby, tutoring farther away, then student teaching [two to three] times a week, then daily," Roldan explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In our field placements, which are our onsite schools, we have the option to pick the county we want, but besides that, it is based on our program coordinators to know where the right fit for us will be," she continues. "The coordinator has known us throughout the span of our college careers, she knows our performance levels. She has taken into account location, skills and areas of improvement. The coordinators take months to make sure our placement is the best for us." "On the form, we list the grades in order from most desired to least," Wessling adds. "With this, we also had to fill out an information sheet to help our coordinators find a mentor teacher best suited to us. This information sheet also tells the school you are placed in a little about us." Wessling explains that the final internship required the students to "complete a series of modules ensuring that we were eligible [to graduate and teach]." Neither student can disclose where they taught, but each was placed in a school community they quickly found themselves fond of. Those connections started with meeting and getting to know their mentors a week before the placements officially began. Getty Stock image of an elementary school classroom Stock image of an elementary school classroom "My mentor teacher, R, and I bonded very quickly. She is very down to earth, and her classroom made it very clear how much she goes out of her way to make sure students feel at home," Roldan says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Wessling's experience, "The school had asked the staff to complete an 'All About Me' sheet before the first day of school for students to reference as they were entering the classrooms. While doing this, my mentor teacher and I were able to discover how much we had in common, like how we both love Legos! She quickly made me feel comfortable and welcomed me into her classroom during this week. I knew right away that I was going to learn so much from her." Next came the best part meeting the kids. Both young teachers found that their classrooms were filled with fun, sweet children who inspired them. "This class group has a very big personality, and they are all so funny! I feel like I know a lot about every student. Whatever we do in the classroom, I use analogies relating to their favorite hobbies, building a strong relationship with the kids, and making it fun at the same time," Roldan shares. Wessling says, "I couldnt have been placed in a better classroom for my senior year! At first, my role was to monitor the students in making sure they were on task at their seats or on the carpet, working in small groups or one-on-one, and building relationships with each student. Part of my teaching philosophy is to make learning fun for students, so I tried to incorporate that from the very beginning." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I absolutely love working with my students!" she continues. "They are all so eager to learn and always willing to take on any learning challenge that comes their way. Each student has such a unique and funny personality." At the same time, their mentors were providing great guidance. "When my mentor teacher was the lead teacher, my main role in the classroom was making sure the kids were staying on task, having fun, and working one-on-one with them when needed. It was casual, and it helped the students really bond with me from the beginning," Roldan says. The first semester went without a hitch. It was returning from winter break when both students would get heartbreaking news about their respective mentors. "I was out for an entire month due to UMDs winter break. I would come back every other week or so for just a few hours. The first official day back, R told me that her kids were sick and I had to be there on my own. At the end of the day, I cleared off her desk and left everything ready for R to come back the next day. Unfortunately, she then told me that she would be out for a few more days. By the end of that week, she revealed to me that her breast cancer had returned," Roldan shares. Getty Stock image of a young woman reading on her laptop Stock image of a young woman reading on her laptop Wessling found out the news about her mentor from her program coordinator. "I received an email about a week into winter break asking if I was available to chat over the phone. I quickly replied yes and got a call moments later. She broke the news to me that my mentor teacher was diagnosed with cancer and would not be able to return to the classroom for the rest of the school year," she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that point, UMD presented both students with the option to start the spring semester in a new classroom with a new mentor or remain at the schools they started in to support the classes they've been working with through the difficult transitions they faced. Roldan learned that treatment would require R to miss the remainder of the school year. The realization was emotional as the two had developed a tight bond. Behind the scenes, R was working with the program coordinator to leave her class in the best hands she could Roldan's. "My program coordinator and my mentor continued to talk and figure out a plan, and I was not yet part of this conversation. A few days later, I was informed that I would be offered the lead teacher position in the class, and that they have had several meetings discussing if I could handle this responsibility. They looked into my GPA, my participation in UMD courses over the 4 years, my effort, and, of course, my performance in teaching the material in the classroom. They told me they were confident this was something I could handle," she says. "When I heard this, there was no doubt in my mind what my decision was going to be: absolutely yes. I knew the students very well, and I knew this transition would be hard if they went from having 2 consistent people in the classroom to someone completely brand new. I told my friends and family, and they asked me if I was sure about this decision, and I was. It was never something I questioned." Getty Stock image of a teacher in front of a classroom of students Stock image of a teacher in front of a classroom of students Wessling also knew she'd stay as soon as the option was presented. "The program coordinator told me that I could take some time to think about it, but I told her instantly that I wanted to stay where I was. I now had two more options. The first option being that I will stay in my room, but have a long-term substitute in there with me. The second option was for me to become the long-term substitute and take on the role of the lead teacher." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I took a couple of days to think about this and consulted with my mentor teacher, my peers, and my family to get their thoughts, too. I got back to my coordinator and told her that I would be happy to take the long-term substitute position," she continues. There was a process that each student needed to go through to make the replacement official, but they were happy to do it, both for the mentors who guided them and the kids they'd grown to love. "My mentor teacher was relieved for the same reason I decided to stay having a consistent person that the students trusted in the classroom," Roldan explains. "I was working with the schools principal on an email that would go out to parents, and then the principal, counselor, and I planned to sit down with the kids to talk about how they were feeling and answer any questions they may have. The guidance counselor asked all of us to list two emotions we were feeling, and when it got to me, I said, 'I am sad, but I am feeling confident I can do this.' I remember the kids looking at me with hope, and they expressed their confidence in me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wessling's mentor even continued to offer her support as she faced her own challenges. "She made sure that I knew that if I ever needed anything, I could always reach out to her for help. My school administration told families about the situation of my mentor teacher. I was told to tell them that their teacher was sick and was trying her best to get better soon," she shares. "The school administration reached out to the families letting them know that I would be taking on this role. Parents reached out to me individually, letting me know that they were so appreciative of me stepping into this role and offered support whenever I may need. I had my students and my mentor teacher in mind the entire time. I knew that I couldnt just leave my students. I knew I had to be there for them. I didnt want to let my mentor teacher down. " Getty Stock image of kids raising their hands in a classroom as a teacher stands in the front of the room Stock image of kids raising their hands in a classroom as a teacher stands in the front of the room The decisions came easily, but the execution could be challenging. Not only were these two teaching full time, but doing so as they completed their senior years and all that entailed. "Part of UMDs curriculum features adding in our own lessons and teaching them to the students. This requires us to find time outside of the classroom routine, which takes time out of their curriculum," Roldan explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The mentor teacher ensures the students stay on track with their learning, but with R being out of the classroom, there was no room for error on my end, and it was a lot to balance at first," she continues. "Everyone in the school and UMD really stepped up. Professors were incredibly understanding of the situation and allowed me to record lessons, as I did not have a mentor teacher to provide feedback." Wessling faced sacrifices that included putting her existing job on pause to teach, while also having to mentor under another teacher to fulfill her particular program's requirements. "Part of the program requirements is to complete four weeks as the lead teacher. As I was already doing this in my classroom, I had to quickly do this in my new classroom, too," she says. She also faced challenges in having students who questioned her authority as "just a college student." "It was a big mental game for me as each day I had to remind myself that I am a teacher, no matter how my students saw me. I could not have done any of this without the support from my mentor teachers, the staff, my team, my coordinator, my supervisor, the families, and my own family and friends." Getty Stock image of kids working in a classroom Stock image of kids working in a classroom With their own school year having come to a close and their teaching years almost through, Roldan and Wessling feel like they're walking into their new careers having gotten some valuable experience. The schools they worked with are grateful for how each stepped up in the face of a true challenge, putting their students first. "Taking on this role certainly has had its challenges, but has also been one of the most rewarding things I could have ever imagined. With the whole class, I have seen so much growth in all of them, and I think we have built such a special bond," Roldan says. "Now, I am reaching the end of the semester, and I have decided to stay until the end of the school year to be with the kids. It's going to be hard to say goodbye. I am so proud of all of them, and I am also so happy that I took on this challenge." The young teacher, who is looking forward to staying in Maryland and continuing to teach elementary school, notes, "Teaching this year has been so hard, but so rewarding. If I could go back in time, I would always choose this." "As I start interviewing for positions, I am getting a feel for what certain grades would be like to teach, along with the different teams and what works best for me," Roldan continues. "I think the way UMD sets up the program by incorporating an in-class experience as early as sophomore year has really prepared me in the best way possible. I am feeling confident and ready for the next steps ahead." Wessling, who is taking her teaching talents to Florida this fall, feels lucky to walk into her career "having been able to learn from two astounding mentor teachers." Getty Stock image of a college graduation Stock image of a college graduation "If this experience has taught me anything, it's that I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to," she adds. "I feel very confident going into my first year of teaching. This spring semester has allowed me to set foot into the role of a lead teacher, as well as allowed me to try different classroom management techniques to determine what works best." She's also hopeful that people who are considering teaching will realize how truly rewarding the profession can be. "There is nothing I love more than watching my students' eyes light up when they learn something new, or when you see the imaginary lightbulb pop up above their heads when they finally start to understand something that has been challenging them. You will never have a boring day at school, as each student brings a new experience to the classroom each day. Each of my students holds a special place in my heart. Even though you are the teacher, there is so much that your students will teach you." Roldan agrees, adding, "If you are someone ever interested in teaching, my advice to you is to give yourself grace, and to know that your love for learning is contagious. If you show up excited and ready to learn, so will your kids." Read the original article on People Students at this law school get a firsthand look at a 'broken' immigration law system Confusion. Fear. Anxiety. That's how Hunter Parnell described what he's seen as a law student representing immigrants in Colorado. His clients have wanted to know what's next from the Trump administration and whether they will be able to stay in the United States, he said. "And people are asking: The status that I thought was going to be secureis that secure?" he said. Parnell was one of 12 law students taking part in the Colorado Law Immigration Clinic at the University of Colorado Boulder this past semester, just as the U.S. president has made stricter immigration enforcement a top priority. The university clinic is one of two in the state that provide real-world experience for students and free representation for immigrants who might otherwise have to navigate a complicated system alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clinics are small, and their dockets were full before Trump took office. In the three months since, the professors running the clinics say the demand has grown and they have fielded more questions and received more referrals from community organizations. "Our baseline is chaotic, tumultuous, harsh conditions, and serious consequences for people who are incredibly marginalized in our society," said Elizabeth Jordan, an assistant professor and director of University of Denver's Immigration Law and Policy Clinic. "So I've been struggling a little bit since January 20 with the fact that our docket was already quite full with very complicated cases." This semester has taught Parnell many lessons. The most apparent is how few resources immigrants have at their disposal to get through a system his professor described as "broken" during a time when the need is possibly at its greatest, Chalkbeat reports. "With this new administration, what we are seeing is just more desperation," he said. Clinics are valuable to the community and students The cases students handle typically involve immigrants who have civil violations for entering into the United States illegally, said Violeta Chapin, a Colorado Law clinical professor. Others are petitioning to stay in the United States. In other cases, students represent immigrantssome with green cardswho have been detained and face removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan's clinic focuses more on immigrants in detention, a system she said operates without much transparency. Cases students work on include immigrants who may have given a police officer a fake name or been charged with driving under the influence. Clients can sit in detention centers for months to years and face removal because of these offenses, she said. And the new administration hasn't released many immigrants since January. In Colorado, more than 30 students have recently had their visas revoked, including some for traffic citations or other cases. The administration also has deported some immigrants without legal proceedings, which worries Parnell. Without programs like these, Colorado's immigrant population must represent themselves or seek out attorneys in private firms who can cost thousands of dollars. According to the Colorado Sun, there are about 7,100 immigration cases per judge, and only about 15% of all Colorado immigrants have representation in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have to fill that need because there are no government attorneys for people who are navigating immigration proceedings," Chapin said. Jordan wants her students to understand how to represent clients from all backgrounds with compassion. "I also want students to understand that learning about the immigration system gives us an opportunity to examine legal systems and the way that they're constructed, their objectives, their consequences," Jordan said. Parnell wants to educate others about the legal system The students who participate in the law clinics go on to work for the federal government, private firms, or become public defenders. Not many will work with immigrants again, but Chapin said she hopes they've learned different perspectives that will help them become better lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parnell, who wants to be a public defender, said he's found that the system often neglects immigrants by handing out arbitrary consequences. One client with a similar case might get a different outcome than someone else. "For the most part, for the people that are in our immigration system, there isn't much rhyme or reason," he said. He hopes that the Trump administration's recent actions teach Coloradans and the nation just how difficult the system can be for immigrants, because he sees a lot of confusion about the process. He's also learned that attorneys should do a better job of explaining how the legal system works so that clients and the public can be more informed, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And he added that attorneys should speak out when any part of the legal system doesn't work in a way that's fair to clients. This story was produced by Chalkbeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)The U.S. Department of Labor suspended Job Corps Center operations nationwide, including the one in Shreveport, which has been serving youth for over 40 years. The Shreveport Job Corps provided housing, basic medical care, meals, books and supplies, a living allowance, and a supportive community. The programs goal was to teach students a trade by teaching skills and providing apprenticeships. Louisiana House acts after Senate fails on Jim Crow reform Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Shreveport center served around three hundred students, some of whom had no home to go to. Those who had no home are being placed in shelters and group homes. Some of them were in the middle of training and did not complete their programs. Job Corps being closed has definitely disrupted my life, definitely made it a lot harder for me, said student Rheannan Hall. I was planning to leave in July. I was out the door anyway, but then suddenly, I have no money, no home. I dont know what to do. The Caddo Parish Commission is concerned about the closure, pointing out the center has trained many Caddo workers. It has been a direct pipeline for the workforce here in Caddo Parish, said District 7 Commissioner Stormy Gage Watts. We are very concerned about the placement of the students who have lost some temporary to permanent housing while they were here. My biggest concern is making sure that we can keep those kids off of the street and find them safe and habitable dwellings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteer Louisiana director receives national recognition The Department of Labor cited the following reasons for ending the program as we know it. Average Graduation Rate (WIOA Definition): 38.6% Average Cost Per Student Per Year: $80,284.65 Average Total Cost Per Graduate (WIOA Definition): $155,600.74 Post separation, participants earn $16,695 annually on average. The total number of Serious Incident Reports for program year 2023: 14,913 infractions. Inappropriate Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assaults Reported: 372 Acts of Violence Reported: 1,764 Breaches of Safety or Security: 1,167 Reported Drug Use: 2,702 Total Hospital Visits: 1,808 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Telstra has commercially deployed the worlds first 5G triple-band FDD Massive MIMO radio, which the telco says will deliver a step-change in coverage, capacity, and performance. The Ericsson AIR 3284 is claimed to be the first commercial 5G radio in the world to combine 1800/2100/2600 MHz bands with Massive MIMO, boasting smarter beam control and more efficient use of Telstras existing spectrum portfolio. The AIR 3284 operates in the mid-band Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) spectrum, which is considered the sweet spot for balancing broad coverage with high performance and capacity. According to Telstra, the Massive MIMO capabilities of the AIR 3284 enables up to twice the downlink and three times the uplink capacity, as well as smarter beamforming for stronger signal quality and better cell edge performance. This radio delivers a new level of performance across our network," Ash Hunter, Telstras Acting Executive of Wireless Engineering says. "Whether youre running business-critical applications, gaming on the go, uploading content, or simply making a call, Telstra customers will see and feel the difference. "AIR 3284 is a key part of our four-year transformation plan and supports our commitment to continuously improving Australias best networktoday and into the future. Ludvig Landgren, Head of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, says the deployment of the AIR 3284 is a milestone not only for Telstra, but for the telecom industry. "The AIR 3284 is the first of its kind and delivers the capacity, coverage, and efficiency needed to support Australias 5G evolution," Landgren says. "It also lays the foundation for Telstras recently announced mobile network transformation that we are helping deliver, focused on building a high-performing, programmable network ready for 5G Advanced and beyond. "By integrating Massive MIMO into three critical FDD bands, were delivering a future-ready radio that will help Telstra set new benchmarks in speed, experience, and network intelligence. "Together, were enabling a smarter, more responsive, and more sustainable network experience for Telstra customers. Early deployments of the new radio technology are currently live in Brisbane suburbs and will expand soon to Melbourne, with ongoing field trials confirming performance and energy gains. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A man out on bond for murder, attempted murder, and domestic violence will spend the next 20 years in federal prison for having a gun and ammunition despite a previous conviction. Officers with the Charleston Police Department were patrolling a high-crime area in February 2023 when they encountered 33-year-old Mark Lee Frasier. When he saw the police, he ran from the car until he reached a dead-end street, but was quickly apprehended. Evidence presented during a recent trial showed that officers had found what appeared to be cocaine inside Frasiers vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search of the vehicle uncovered 9.31 grams of cocaine in the center console, 3.62 grams of crack cocaine on the drivers floorboard, 15 methamphetamine pills, and a marijuana blunt. Officers also recovered a stolen .40 caliber pistol from the drivers seat where Frasier had been sitting, said officials with the US Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina. Frasier is prohibited from having firearms or ammunition because of prior felony convictions. At the time of this arrest, Frasier was out on bond for state charges including murder, attempted murder, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and unlawful carrying of a pistol. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison as part of a negotiated agreement, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former Temple Fox School of Business Dean M. Moshe Porat has lost his final appeal in the biggest B-school ranking fraud scandal in history The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review the fraud conviction of Moshe Porat, the former dean of Temple Universitys Fox School of Business, effectively ending his legal efforts to overturn the case that exposed one of the most significant academic rankings scandals in history. Porat, who served as dean from 1996 to 2018, was convicted in 2021 on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The convictions stemmed from a scheme in which Porat and two co-conspirators statistics professor Isaac Gottlieb and administrator Marjorie ONeill submitted false data to U.S. News & World Report to artificially boost the schools rankings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fraudulent data included inflated figures on standardized test scores, student GPAs, and work experience. Read more of Poets&Quants coverage of the Porat scandal and trial: U.S. News Kicks Temple Out Of Its Online MBA Ranking Temple Dean Sacked Over Ranking Scandal Anatomy Of A Business School Rankings Fraud B-School Dean Found Guilty Of MBA Rankings Fraud Still Free: U.S. Supreme Court Throws Disgraced Former Temple Fox Dean A Lifeline INFLATED RANKINGS & INCREASED REVENUE John Byrne, founder and editor-in-chief of Poets&Quants, played a role in spotlighting the scandal and in securing Porats conviction. In January 2018, P&Q published an article by Byrne bringing attention to the discrepancies in Temples data reporting, which played a significant role in the subsequent investigations and legal proceedings involving the former dean. The article questioned how Temples online MBA program achieved a 100% submission rate for GMAT or GRE scores, despite the schools policy of waiving such tests suspicions that were confirmed when it was later revealed that only 42 of 255 students had actually submitted scores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, Byrne was the first witness called by the prosecution in Porats trial. On the stand, he testified about the significance of rankings in higher education, stating, A good ranking gets you more applications makes alumni happy, and therefore they contribute more money to the school. As a result of the fraudulent data, the Fox Schools online MBA program was ranked No. 1 nationally for four consecutive years, and its part-time MBA program climbed from No. 53 to No. 7. The inflated rankings led to increased enrollment and tuition revenue, with the school collecting nearly $40 million from additional enrollments between the 2014-2015 and 2017-2018 academic years. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS & APPEALS In March 2022, Porat was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and fined $250,000. He began serving his sentence but continued to maintain his innocence, arguing that students received the education they paid for and thus suffered no economic harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Porat remained free for a period while appealing his conviction. After being sentenced, he was initially ordered to report to prison on May 9, 2022. However, on that same day, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals granted his request to stay both his prison sentence and the payment of his $250,000 fine pending the outcome of his appeal. Porat remained free during the appeals process until the Third Circuit Court upheld his conviction on August 7, 2023. He served his sentence and was released from federal prison in August 2024. He subsequently petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a review, but the Court declined to hear his case on June 2, 2025, effectively ending his legal avenues for overturning the conviction. The post Supreme Court Declines To Hear Former Temple Business Deans Appeal, Concluding Rankings Fraud Case appeared first on Poets&Quants. The facade of the U.S. Supreme Court, covered with scaffolding for construction, in a file photo from April 22, 2025. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let stand Marylands decade-old ban on assault weapons, over the objections of conservative justices who were ready to review a lower courts defense of the law that they called dubious and questionable. 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, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a dissenting opinion. We have avoided deciding it for a full decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch also said they would have agreed to hear the case. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, while he did not vote to hear the case, also noted that the high courts decision not to hear an appeal of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals August ruling does not mean that the Court agrees with a lower-court decision or that the issue is not worthy of review. He predicted that, with similar cases currently working their way through other circuits, the court should and presumably will address the AR-15 issue soon, in the next Term or two. But state officials welcomed Mondays court decision for now. The U.S. Supreme Courts decision today to leave Marylands assault weapons ban intact means that a critical law that prevents senseless and preventable deaths will remain in effect, said a statement from Attorney General Anthony Brown, the target of the appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our Office will continue to advocate for gun safety laws at the General Assembly and will defend Marylands common-sense gun reforms in court. We will do whatever we can to protect Marylanders from this horrific violence, his statement said. The high court on Monday also let stand Rhode Islands 2022 ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines. Justices Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch were also ready to hear that case, which challenged a state law that prohibits the possession, sale or transfer of a firearm magazine that holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The 2013 Maryland law banning assault weapons came one year after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, where 26 people, including 20 children, were shot and killed. The shooter in that case used an AR-15-style rifle along with two handguns. Gun-rights groups quickly challenged the law, and were given more ammunition by a string of recent Supreme Court rulings that vastly expanded protections under the Second Amendments right to bear arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 4th Circuit had previously upheld Marylands assault weapons ban. But the Supreme Court ordered the circuit court to reconsider that ruling in light of the high courts 2022 decision in New York State Police & Rifle Association vs. Bruen in which it the court said citizens did not need a good and substantial reason to carry a concealed weapon, the burden was on the government to prove the need for such a restriction. A divided 4th Circuit ruled 10-5 last August that Marylands ban on assault weapons was constitutional, even in light of Bruen. Circuit Judge Harvie Wilkinson III wrote for the majority that weapons such as the AK-47, AR-15 and Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle, fall outside the ambit of protection offered by the Second Amendment because, in essence, they are military-style weapons designed for sustained combat operations that are ill-suited and disproportionate to the need for self-defense. An appeal quickly followed, but the courts refusal to hear the case means the 4th Circuit ruling stands. In his dissent, Thomas said the appellate court placed the burden on the wrong party. The Fourth Circuit erred by requiring the challengers to prove that the Second Amendment protects their right to own AR15s when, in fact, the burden is on the government to justify its regulation of the weapons, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City), who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said in a text message he is pleased the Supreme Court upheld the states law for now. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Marylands Assault Weapons Ban is critical for keeping Marylanders safe. These dangerous weapons like the AR-15 are military-style weapons designed for combat and not protected by the Second Amendment, Clippinger wrote. As a country and as a State, we still have more work to do to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. But for today, we celebrate that the Supreme Court has allowed our Assault Weapons Ban to remain. Nine other states, Washington, D.C., and other cities have approved similar bans on assault weapons. But Kavanaugh wrote that an estimated 15 million to 20 million Americans possess an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meaning that the States such as Maryland that prohibit AR15s are something of an outlier, he wrote. Thats why Mark Pennak, president of the gun rights group Maryland Shall Issue, said in a brief interview Monday he agrees with Kavanaugh that other pending cases will provide an opportunity. Because there are other cases that are pending out there involving the same issue let the issue percolate some more which is standard Supreme Court practice, he said. This issue is not over. FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ordered a retrial in the case of a man convicted of a 2020 murder in Fairmont. In an opinion issued Monday, two justices issued orders in the case of David Lewis, a man who had been sentenced to 40 years in prison for allegedly shooting Dylan Harr in the chest and killing him. The opinions stated that the prosecution focused too much on the character of the victim, which was irrelevant to any issue in the case andpresented for the sole purpose of gaining sympathy from the jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 arrested after Terra Alta search warrant yields meth, fentanyl The justices added that the prosecution set out to make this casemore about [the victim] than whether or not Lewis was guilty. As a result, Lewis conviction has been reversed and a new trial in his case has been ordered. Lewis was convicted after a three-day trial in 2022 that found him guilty on charges of second-degree murder and using a firearm while committing a felony. The defense did not call any witnesses during that trial. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW A surfer in California is speaking out after a close encounter with a shark on May 31 The incident happened at Montara State Beach and left bite marks on his surfboard, but Jens Heller was miraculously unharmed Lifeguards immediately cleared the water and closed the beach for 48 hours A surfer is speaking out after surviving a terrifying close call with a shark in California. Jens Heller was in the water at Montara State Beach when he suddenly felt something beneath the surface, according to ABC affiliate KGO, the San Francisco Chronicle and NBC affiliate KNTV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was sitting on the board actually and then I felt something under my foot kick me off the board. I looked back and then saw this big mouth just grabbing onto my board and then it bit [the board], he said while showing off the bite marks in a video taken moments after the encounter. I mean it kicked me completely off the board and I just remember being in the water looking back, seeing this black eye and the teeth of the shark and then I just tried to grab my board as fast as possible and then come back in, Heller added. He said two other surfers nearby also paddled back in. One of them estimated the shark was about 10 feet long. It felt like I couldnt paddle fast enough," Heller added. "It felt like Im in slow motion while I was trying to get away.I was like, man, this shark will be so much faster than me. If he really wants to get me, hell get there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A California State Parks official told KGO that authorities responded to the incident around 2 p.m. local time and that it happened about 100 yards offshore. They confirmed that the damage to Hellers board was consistent with that of a shark bite. Lifeguards immediately cleared the water and posted the beach with shark closure signage, effective for 48 hours from the time of the incident, the official said in a statement. California State Parks would like to remind visitors that sharks are an important part of the coastal ecosystem and that interactions between humans and sharks are rare. 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. Hellers wife and 6-month-old daughter were on the beach when the attack happened, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And despite damage to his surfboard, Heller made it out of the water without any injuries. He said it mustve been his lucky day. Heller told KNTV that the close call wont stop him from surfing again soon. I cant believe that it didnt get me at all, actually. What are the odds, right? Heller said in the video. Read the original article on People Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) arrives for a Republican luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Editors Note: This story is the first of a series about U.S. Sen. Susan Collins role during the second Trump presidency. After a campaign promise to bring in outsized federal dollars for Maine, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins won reelection during Trumps first term, overcoming a record amount of spending against her and defying public polls. At the start of the presidents second term, Collins rose to the helm of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the first time a Mainer has chaired one of the upper chambers most powerful committees in 92 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Maines longest-serving member of Congress has reached this pinnacle of authority as President Donald Trump is attempting to flip the system on its head. His administration, by Collins own admission, has unjustly rescinded congressionally appropriated funds, at times singling out Maine in what are widely considered retaliatory actions over the states defiance of his executive order rolling back transgender rights. During Trumps second term so far, Collins, a Republican, has bucked the executive periodically, particularly with attempts to reign in tariffs by reasserting congressional control and voting against a budget framework passed by the Senate in April because of possible cuts to Medicaid, the state-federal health program for low-income people and some people with disabilities. Though, in the budget currently being considered, she is supportive of adding work requirements to limit Medicaid eligibility. Some of her constituents want to see more public pushback. I focus on results, not rhetoric, Collins said in an interview. My goal is not to get on Fox News and MSNBC and rant and rave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outlining her strategy for Maine Morning Star, Collins said shes had success restoring some funding largely due to conversations outside of public view, relying on her long-developed relationships. It is far more effective for me to, for example, restore the funding that the administration wants to cut for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program, LIHEAP, which is so important to the state of Maine, than it is to go make a fiery speech to anywhere that doesnt result in any change, Collins said. But some constituents argue a piecemeal approach to restoring funds will ultimately be ineffective as overall democratic checks and balances are tested. Collins public use of power During Trumps first few weeks back in office, Collins said she hoped the courts would side with Congress if the presidents attempts to control spending were litigated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, with numerous cases in the courts, Collins said, some of the actions taken by the administration have and will be overturned in court, and others Congress will overturn through the appropriations process. She added, When I disagree with the actions of the administration, I have not hesitated to intervene. Collins said she consulted with the Trump administration in order to restore the U.S. Department of Agriculture grants to the University of Maine, renegotiate the Maine Sea Grant, secure an exception to the hiring freeze at Acadia National Park and reverse the cancellation of a decades-old program that allows parents to register their newborns for a Social Security number while at hospitals. Though Collins spokesperson told Maine Morning Star that Social Security Administration Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek told the senator it was an error but reporting later revealed that he deliberately sought to punish Maine after Gov. Janet Mills heated exchange with Trump over the states transgender protections. But some Maine voters argue Collins should be using her seniority as the seventh most senior member of the Senate and the most senior Republican woman for more than piecemeal fixes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Falmouth resident Anne Scheer who carried a sign during a Tax Day protest in Augusta that read Wheres Susan? said she wants the senator to rally her caucus to stand up for democracy, adding that she doesnt think that has to be an anti-Trump message. She needs to talk with her fellow Republicans and say, This is enough, Scheer said. Her vote is the mechanism of government but she has a platform that she could be speaking from. Biddeford resident Anthony Burgess Cape Elizabeth resident Jerry Kaufman, an independent who protested against Collins in Biddeford in April, said hed vote for Collins if she could convince her colleagues to confront the president to say stop the foolishness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Show some leadership and bring some people along with you, Kaufman said. At that same protest, Biddeford resident Anthony Burgess, a registered Democrat who voted for Collins once in 2014, criticized her statements of concern and disappointment about some of the Trump administrations actions as lacking conviction. He said independent U.S. Sen. Angus Kings attendance at the Hands Off rally in Portland in April demonstrated for him a refusal to cow to Trump. Her vote is the mechanism of government but she has a platform that she could be speaking from, Burgess said. When asked what her response is to those who say she should be doing more to ensure the separation of powers remains, Collins pointed to her questioning officials in subcommittee hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One main purpose of subcommittees is to hold hearings on spending proposals during which members can directly question agency heads. Collins has questioned several, including U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the proposed elimination of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Were actually holding these subcommittee hearings at a breakneck pace to evaluate spending requests and reductions, as well as to assess compliance with congressional intent and enacted laws, Collins said. Falmouth resident Anne Scheer says she wants U.S. Sen. Susan Collins to rally her caucus to stand up for democracy during a Tax day rally on April 15, 2025, in Augusta. (By Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) Exercising private influence However, Collins said the public does not see what she feels is her most efficient tactic. My goal is to get things fixed and to get problems solved, and I do that through the federal hearings where Im laying the foundation for restoration of the cuts in biomedical research, which is an extraordinarily high priority for me, Collins said, as an example. But also I do it privately by calling up Cabinet members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins said she is so far largely approaching her qualms with the administration through these one-on-one conversations. This tactic has burned her at times in the past, notably when Collins voted for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after she said he gave her private assurances he wasnt a threat to Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion ruling that he later voted to overturn. More recently, ahead of the deadline to avoid a government shutdown, Collins said she started texting with Trumps billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency. That outreach does not appear to have gone as planned, at least for the immediate outcome. While Collins initially said she was absolutely opposed to a full-year stop gap approach, she told Politico that Republican leaders instructed her to start writing a plan for that approach anyway. The version that passed, drafted by House GOP leadership, was ultimately pushed through with limited input from spending leaders of either chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in other cases, shes touted success that shes had with these conversations that happen behind closed doors, such as with the restoration of the USDA funding and renegotiation of the Maine Sea Grant. Because I have these relationships with the presidents Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and with Cabinet members, I have been able to restore funding that was in jeopardy, Collins said. Mark Brewer, chair of the political science department at the University of Maine, sees this as a strength unique to Collins. Given that shes the only Republican member of the current Maine delegation and shes the only person with a committee chair, I think shes better positioned to have those communications than any of the other members, Brewer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Collins sees these behind-the-scenes negotiations as the most effective way to restore funding that, as she puts it, has been arbitrarily and unfairly cut from Maine, when it comes to attempts to gut entire programs, thats going to take legislation, she said. Republicans big, beautiful bill The sprawling budget bill is the main vehicle where such attempts are currently being made. Cokie Giles, a registered nurse at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, protested with National Nurses United outside Collins office in Portland in March to demand the senator oppose the possible cuts to Medicaid in the budget. While Collins often talks about her ability to work across the aisle, Giles said, Well, work on your own side, and dont let these cuts go through. After Collins, citing concerns about possible Medicaid cuts, was one of two Senate Republicans to vote against the budget framework that the chamber passed in early April, Giles told Maine Morning Star she was pleased but not confident the senators opposition would remain as budget debates continues, nor that her vote would make a difference in the end. Late last month, the U.S. House narrowly approved the massive tax and spending plan. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where Republican lawmakers are expected to rewrite much of it, now taking into consideration the more detailed budget plan Trump released on Friday. The bill will then have to head back to the House for final approval, with a goal to get it to the presidents desk by the Fourth of July. As passed by the House, the 1,116-page package combines 11 bills. Among its many components, the current plan would overhaul Medicaid, reducing the program by $625 billion over 10 years under the latest estimate by the Congressional Budget Office. Mainers gather on April 11, 2025 in Biddeford to protest President Donald Trumps actions. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) Collins did not provide specific red lines that would lead her to not support the budget package, but she described Medicaid as critically important for Maines health care system and a vital resource for many seniors, low-income families, disabled patients and those who cannot work. She told Maine Morning Star she cannot support proposals that would create more duress for our hospitals and providers that are already teetering on the edge of insolvency. However, Collins is supportive of placing further limits on program eligibility, specifically work requirements for able-bodied men and women who are capable of working and do not have obligations that preclude them from participating in the workforce, she said. As passed by the House, people who are between the ages of 19 and 65 would be required to work, participate in community service, or attend an educational program at least 80 hours a month to be eligible. The language has numerous exceptions, including for pregnant people, parents of dependent children and people who have complex medical conditions, among others. Under these requirements, 34,000 Mainers would be expected to lose their Medicaid coverage, reducing federal funding by $215 million, according to the progressive Maine Center for Economic Policy. Maine Gov. Janet Mills warned in a radio address on Friday about these cuts, as well as others that would limit access to the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces. If you receive health care through MaineCare or CoverME.gov, which is the Affordable Care Act, I encourage you to contact Members of Congress to share what that coverage means to you, Mills said. They need to hear your story. Some shared their stories at a protest against Collins organized by the Maine Democratic Party in Bangor on Saturday, which drew almost 200 attendees who demanded the senator block the health care and other program cuts in the budget. In 2020, [Collins] told us that her seniority would protect us, that chairing Appropriations would give her the power to defend Maines interests, said Shawn Yardley. Her party now controls the White House and both chambers of Congress, but the cuts and the cruelty keep coming. While Collins emphasized some possible future impacts on MaineCare at the federal level, she said, the state has not been perfect on this issue. The senator called out the Maine Legislature for being unable to reach a compromise on its state budget. The state is holding up more than $100 million in emergency supplemental funding that would draw down nearly $400 million federal funds, Collins said. Maine Senate Republicans held out their support for the supplemental budget plan, and later the two-year budget, because theyd wanted it to include structural reform to Medicaid notably the work requirements Collins is supportive of adding on the federal level. Last month, the Maine House failed to secure enough support to get the now already allocated Medicaid funding out sooner. Some Republicans, though not ultimately enough for passage, supported that effort, arguing the state needs to pay its bills owed to providers, but others called it a blank check they wouldnt sign. With Maine hospitals already struggling to keep services available, state groups are calling on Collins in particular to reject federal health care cuts as well as cuts to childcare and food assistance in a digital ad campaign launched this week by Family Values @ Work Action, a national network of state and local coalitions aimed at promoting family-friendly workplace policies. This package takes food and medicine from the mouths of Maine families to fund tax cuts for the wealthy, Destie Hohman Sprague, executive director of the Maine Womens Lobby, said in a statement on Monday. Among many other components, the federal budget bill proposes cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, through expanded work requirements and shifting some program costs to state governments. Maine would also lose federal matching funds as a penalty for providing coverage to some immigrant populations. The budget plan would also raise the debt limit by $4 trillion. We have an enormous deficit and debt, Collins said, and we do need to evaluate programs. As the Senate negotiates what to keep and do away with in the big, beautiful bill that represents the heart of Trumps domestic agenda, how Maines senior senator chooses to use her influence, whether in public or not, will be put to the test. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE One of the suspects in a cigarette theft from a Ventura County liquor store was arrested at a Sacramento residence late last month, and authorities are still searching for at least one other person. The theft occurred on May 13 at a liquor store in the 2500 block of Sycamore Drive in Simi Valley, according to the Simi Valley Police Department. The incident took place after the store owner returned from a supply trip to a San Fernando Valley wholesaler and briefly left two vehicles unsecured behind the business, SVPD said in a media release issued Tuesday. Surveillance footage captured two suspects stealing boxes from both vehiclesApproximately $10,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 hurt when armed carjacking suspect crashes with kids inside car After stealing the cigarettes, the suspects fled in a gray Mitsubishi SUV with no license plate; however, through diligent investigative work, Simi Valley police were able to retrieve the plate number before it was removed to commit the crime. Working with the California Highway Patrol, officials used license plate recognition technology and discovered the SUV was a rental from Avis and linked to a Sacramento resident, SVPD said. The suspect, Jaedan Gabriel Barnes, was eventually identified after investigators reviewed further surveillance footage, analyzed social media activity and used license plate reading data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnes was seen wearing clothing that matched what was observed in the surveillance footage from the crime scene, police said. The vehicle was eventually located at a home in Sacramento thanks to the help of CHPs Sacramento and Ventura County Auto Theft Task Forces, and further surveillance operations confirmed Barnes involvement in the theft. 20-year-old woman fatally shot on sidewalk in Costa Mesa Simi Valley detectives along with CHP and Sacramento County Sheriffs Office officials eventually served a search warrant in the 1300 block of Shadowglen Road in Sacramento on May 22. Barnes, 24, was located and arrested, and evidence recovered during the search further linked him to the crime, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives are seeking charges against Barnes for vehicle burglary, grand theft and conspiracy. Additional suspects are still being identified as the investigation continues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A suspect accused of firing shots at officers during a chase from Abilene to Albany has picked up a federal charge. Michael Zachery Haley is now facing a charge for Felon in Possession of Firearms in federal court, which is in addition to his initial state charges of Attempted Capital Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. All charges are in connection to an incident that took place in January 2025. The Abilene Police Department says officers initially attempted to follow Haley because they recognized him as a fugitive with an outstanding warrant, so they requested assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once DPS Troopers attempted to stop Haley, police say he initiated a high-speed chase, during which he fired shots at officers. The chase ended with a manhunt after Haley fled on foot when he crashed in Albany near the Shackelford County Sheriffs Office off Baird Street. Albany ISD, as well as other businesses and residences in the area, were on a soft lockdown as a precaution while law enforcement worked to apprehend Haley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AI has the potential to arm the good guys with a new degree of power and flip the table upside down against cyber security criminals. This is the view of John Scimone, the President and Chief Security Officer at Dell Technologies, where he leads the companys global corporate security program. Speaking to ITWire at Dell Technologies World in Las Vegas, Scimone said complexity is the enemy of security in the global technology landscape. And with complexity comes greater security challenges. I continue to hear from peers and across our customer base about complexity. And now with AI we look at algorithms and that they are great at dealing with massive amounts of complexity and extracting information making it simpler for humans. So, when I think about the opportunities from a cyber security perspective the use of algorithms makes our jobs easier to sort through information. I think this offers huge potential. We have been on the losing team for so long. I really think this is the time where with these AI capabilities coming online and then soon transitioning into an Agentic world we have the opportunity to flip the table upside down in terms of the imbalance and arm the good guys with a new degree of power. Scimone said the reality is that the number of cyber criminals is increasing and the number of attacks is increasing. The cost of attacks is increasing but the cost to be a criminal is decreasing. The barriers of entry into this criminal underworld is getting easier with evolving asset service models. Realistically, most of the key measures of success are not trending in our favour. Thats why I think you need something as disruptive as AI to come in and completely upset those historical equations. It is on us to take full advantage of because we know the other side to going to be. Scimone has a relatively unique role in that he has responsibility for Dells product security as well as supply chain security. It is not only about protecting our own company from harm, but we also have the opportunity to ensure that customers that are trusting Dell with their technology - that they are getting the worlds most secure laptop, they are getting an inherently more secure and resilient product. Scimone said the overwhelming challenge for cyber security in recent years is ransomware. Yes, there are other threats, but nine out of 10 conversations I have with customers has ransomware at the forefront. We have a large incident response and recovery team helping our customers work through when they are having their worst day. The work we actually prefer to do is before their worst day. We have a strategic consultancy that goes in and partners with our customers to prepare them not just from a technology perspective but setting up a cyber vault to make sure that all of their data that is most critical is tucked away offline. So even in a ransomware attack they are going to be able to get their data back. And this is more than just do you have a vault? Obviously, the answer has to be yes but the questions that follow are about are you ready to use it? How quickly can you get your business back online? Are you prepared procedurally, culturally, operationally? Scimone offered his top three tips organisations should have in place to protect their data. The first is to do the basics brilliantly. It is much easier to say than do! What I mean is moving away from passwords, putting multi factor authentication in place. Secondly, and one of the modern imperatives, is getting an air-gapped vaulted copy of your most critical data. Get with your backup team and get your most critical data in a separate place where ransomware actors cant touch it. Thirdly, it is about having the right team. And that is not just a cyber security team but having your company ready to navigate this landscape. It is not just the security teams responsibility. It is not just the IT teams. It is a whole of company effort to navigate these issues from incorporating the right risk tolerance and profile with your business strategy to ensuring the right resourcing and funding are there to make sure that every member of your organisation understands that these attacks are actually more often than not hitting people rather than systems. If you do these things, you know you are in a good starting position. BRYAN, Texas (FOX 44) A Subway restaurant located near Bryan High School fell victim to a robbery on Tuesday morning. The Bryan Police Department tells FOX 44 News a suspect entered the restaurant, located in the 3600 block of E 29th Street, at approximately 10:20 a.m. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries have been reported. Police say no threat was made towards Bryan High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the suspect is described as an African-American female. If you have any information on this case, you can call 979-209-5300. This investigation is active and 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 KWKT - FOX 44. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Rhode Island officials are proposing abrupt changes to a Medicaid program for community health workers amid state and federal investigations into significant concerns about fraud and overpayment, Target 12 has learned. Kerri White, a spokesperson for the R.I. Executive Office of Health and Human Services, confirmed Monday that federal officials are investigating allegations of fraud, waste and abuse, and they have already made referrals to the R.I. Attorney Generals Fraud Unit, along with the U.S. Office of Inspector General. White alleged Medicaid has been the victim of overbilling or fraudulent claims tied to the so-called Community Health Worker program, which funds frontline public health professionals who provide health services in the communities where they live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEE ALSO: How to avoid falling victim to Medicare fraud Nearly $2 million in Medicaid costs are being saved each month from the recent crackdown, according to White, though it remains unclear who is being investigated or how much fraud is suspected. White said her office and the attorney generals office first identified suspected credible allegations of fraud, waste and abuse, along with elevated claim volumes alongside a reduction in benefits served, beginning last October. State officials issued their first suspension in December, but White declined to provide any more specifics, citing the ongoing investigation. Currently law enforcement and Medicaid are investigating claims of fraud and overpayment, so I dont have anything additional I can share at this time, White said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tim Rondeau, spokesperson for R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha, confirmed Tuesday they received the referral from EOHHS, but he declined to comment on the investigation. That said, Medicaid dollars are limited, important resources, and our healthcare system, underfunded as it is, has no room for fraud and abuse, Rondeau added. The Offices Medicaid Fraud Control Unit takes all referrals very seriously and prosecutes wrongdoers to the fullest extent of the law when the evidence supports it. Meanwhile, the states Medicaid office has proposed abrupt changes to the program, which officials said would ensure alignment with program goals and funding parameters. A public hearing on the proposed changes has been scheduled for Tuesday. Officials estimate the changes if approved would reduce spending by about $75,000 in the states current fiscal year, which closes at the end of June, and more than $582,000 in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the proposal is rapidly raising concerns within the states network of health care providers, with many seeing the changes as overly restrictive and unrealistic. Community Health Workers help Rhode Islanders stay healthy and help the state save money by preventing more intensive and expensive interventions, Sam Salganik, executive director of the Rhode Island Parent Information Network, said in a statement. Its disappointing that a few bad actors have undermined that important work. Salganiks nonprofit organization advocates and helps coordinate a variety of services for families in need, including some health care services. Advocates point to a provision in the proposed changes that would limit the amount of time community health care workers can bill each day to two hours. They suggest the two-hour limit is unrealistic, as community health workers sometimes spend entire days working with families, especially if theyre facing emergency situations, such as an eviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another provision would require community health workers to get sign-offs from physicians before billing for any work thats done with beneficiaries, which providers say is unrealistic because of scheduling conflicts and other time demands for physicians, such as seeing their own patients throughout the day. We support EOHHSs efforts to prevent fraud, but we also have concerns that some of these changes will make it difficult even for reputable providers to participate, Salgnik said. We look forward to working with EOHHS as they strengthen safeguards while ensuring that this critical service remains available to patients who need it. The public hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Virks Building in Cranston. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. 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. On 2 June, Switzerlands Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) made the decision to implement part of the European Unions 17th package of sanctions against Russia. Source: Swiss Federal Council, as reported by European Pravda Details: The EAER expanded its sanctions list by incorporating 17 individuals and 89 legal entities targeted by the EU into its latest sanctions package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Switzerland also added 189 vessels to its blacklist. These ships are believed to belong to Russias shadow fleet. Additionally, the country expanded the list of sanctioned goods. The measures will take effect at 23:00 on Tuesday, the Swiss Federal Council reported. Background: On 20 May, the EU Council approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine, as well as separate sanctions for the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The EU Council also revealed details of additional individual sanctions introduced in response to Russias hybrid destabilisation activities targeting EU countries and allies. These sanctions are part of a series of packages that were set forward for approval on 20 May. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Famed as the worlds leading festival of creativity, SXSW has made its European debut this month with an edition landing in London for the first time. However, controversy quickly reared its head... Former UK prime ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron were among the unannounced speakers at the inaugural edition of SXSW London, which runs until 7 June and spans film, gaming, panel discussion and music including musical acts Erykah Badu, Nile Rodgers and Idris Elba. Screenshots were leaked of the un-shared programme that included Cameron talking on a panel called Healthcare Revolution, and Blair on one called Government and AI, which also featured Technology Secretary and Labour Friends of Israel member Peter Kyle. Tony Blair spoke at the conferences opening day, saying that Britain needs to fully embrace artificial intelligence in public services and that we could have AI tutors along with AI nurses, AI doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite lingering concerns over data privacy and job displacement, Blair stated that the UK risks being left behind in what he described as the greatest transformation since the 19th-century Industrial Revolution. His comments were echoed by Peter Kyle, who argued that the UK risked becoming obsolete if it failed to act boldly. Blair did stress that AI was neither inherently good or bad, but a powerful tool requiring responsible use. Both Blair and Kyle spoke after a UK government trial found that generative AI could save civil servants an average of 26 minutes a day. The panel appearance, which was not announced to the public or artists, prompted many artists to cancel their planned performances at the festival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sam Akpro, Rat Party, Saliah and LVRA were amongst the artists who pulled out, with the latter accusing the festival of artwashing, saying that whilst the music team were pulling together a diverse, cool lineup, the conference team were booking speakers from multiple organisations deeply complicit in the current genocide of Palestinian people. I implore artists to engage, rather than ignore, those things that affect us and strive to protect the most marginalised voices in the world, LVRA added. I urge us as a community to think bigger, and better, than the scraps offered to us today. Scottish artist Magnus Westwell said they're also joining the boycott "due to the corporation's unethical, misleading and secretive conference programming of war criminals, art-washing and practices that exploit marginalised artists." See some of the other reactions below. To address the criticisms, a spokesperson for SXSW London sent the following: "As one of the world's largest festivals across tech, music and the creative industries, SXSW London respects everyone's views and positions and aims to create an open, diverse space for debate and discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement continued: Across the breadth of the festival, with over 800 speakers, we have a broad range of global leaders spanning the technology and cultural industries, their inclusion doesn't represent an endorsement of any particular position or viewpoint." This is not the first time that artists have boycotted SXSW. More than 100 artists and speakers pulled out of last years edition of the brand's flagship Austin event in Texas after it partnered with the US Army and defense contractor RTX Corporation. The huge wave of 2024 SXSW boycotts due to the festival's ties to defense groups that supply Israeli weapons in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war included artists like Kneecap, Rachel Chinouriri, Lambrini Girls and Scowl. Following the backlash, both partnerships were discontinued for 2025 - proving artist Saliah right: boycotts work. Syrias Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned an Israeli strike on the Syrian province of Deraa, saying that it caused significant human and material losses, the state news agency SANA reports. The strike came after the Israeli military said that two projectiles had crossed from Syria towards Israel on Tuesday, and fell in open areas in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, though the Syrian Foreign Ministry said these were reports that have not been verified yet. The ministry reiterated that Syria has not and would not pose a threat to any party in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the projectiles. We believe that there are many parties that may seek to destabilise the region to achieve their own interests, the ministry added. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said he held Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa responsible for the projectiles. We consider the president of Syria directly responsible for any threat and fire towards the State of Israel, and a full response will come soon, Katz said. Syria and Israel have recently engaged in indirect talks to ease tensions, a significant development in relations between states that have been on opposite sides of the conflict in the Middle East for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Arab and Palestinian media outlets circulated a claim of responsibility from a little-known group named the Muhammad Deif Brigades, an apparent reference to Hamass military leader who was killed in an Israeli strike in 2024. The statement from the group could not be independently verified. The Israeli army said it attacked southern Syria with artillery fire after the projectiles launched at Israel. Residents said that Israeli mortars were striking the Wadi Yarmouk area, west of Deraa province, near the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The area has witnessed increased tensions in recent weeks, including reported Israeli military incursions into nearby villages, where residents have reportedly been barred from sowing their crops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has waged a campaign of aerial bombardment that has destroyed much of Syrias military infrastructure. It has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and taken more territory in the aftermath of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads removal in December, citing lingering concerns over the past of the countrys new government. Around the same time that Israel reported the projectiles from Syria, the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile from Yemen. Yemens Iran-aligned Houthis said they targeted Israels Jaffa with a ballistic missile. The group has been launching attacks against Israel in what they say is in support of Palestinians during the Israeli war in Gaza. By Riham Alkousaa BERLIN (Reuters) -A German court sentenced a Syrian man to life in prison on Tuesday for crimes against humanity and war crimes it said he had committed as a leading member of a Hezbollah-backed militia during Syria's civil war. The Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart found the 33-year-old man guilty of leading a militia that carried out brutal attacks on Sunni Muslim civilians in his home town of Busra al-Sham in southern Syria. It did not name the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013 the militia beat three people with Kalashnikovs and handed them over to the military intelligence of Syria's then-president Bashar al-Assad, which tortured them and kept them in appalling conditions, the court found. In a 2014 raid, the group also forced a 40-year-old man and his family from their home. The man was tortured and later found on the street unable to walk due to his injuries, the court verdict said. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Iranian-backed Shi'ite group, played a major role propping up Assad during the civil war in Syria. German prosecutors have used universal jurisdiction laws that allow them to seek trials for suspects in crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on these laws, several people suspected of war crimes during the Syrian conflict have been arrested in the last few years in Germany, which is home to almost one million Syrians. In a landmark case in 2022 a German court jailed Syrian ex-intelligence officer Anwar Raslan for life for murder, rape and crimes against humanity, in the first ever conviction for state-backed torture committed during Syria's civil war. In January this year, a high-ranking member of the Islamic State militant group, a Syrian national identified as Ossama A., was charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Germany, partly for alleged involvement in a genocide against the minority Yazidi community. The trial of the man sentenced on Tuesday began last October and lasted for 42 court days. It included 30 witnesses, most of whom were Syrian nationals now living around the world, testifying over multiple sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court also consulted expert witnesses and reviewed extensive image and video evidence, some of which was made available after Assad's fall from power last December, including images of detention facilities and looted homes. The court said the verdict could be appealed. (Reporting by Riham AlkousaaEditing by Gareth Jones) Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will deliver Syria's speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York in September, sources close to new administration in Syria said on Tuesday. This will be the first time in more than 50 years that a Syrian president takes part in the UNGA meetings in New York, as former leaders Bashar al-Assad and his predecessor and father Hafez never took part in the meetings. Hafez al-Assad served as president of Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, after which Bashar took over until he was overthrown by an Islamist-led rebel alliance commanded by al-Sharaa in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria's new leadership has been seeking to garner world recognition and economic support to rebuild the country. His trip to the US would be a further diplomatic boost for al-Sharaa, who has already been to several countries in the region, as well as France for talks with President Emmanuel Macron. He also met US President Donald Trump in Riyadh. Once an insurgent leader, al-Sharaa has since renounced both al-Qaeda and Islamic State. However, doubts remain as to whether he has fully abandoned extremist ideology. Syria's crisis started with peaceful pro-democracy protests in March 2011 against al-Assad, before it turned into a full-blown conflict, drawing in foreign fighters and powers. The mother of one of six young people killed in a 2023 crash on Tacomas Tideflats claims in a recently filed lawsuit that the intersection where the wreck occurred was long known to be dangerous and officials failed to make it safer. Javan Runnels, 22, was one of six victims all in town from Arizona for an Amway convention traveling in a Kia Forte that ran a red light on southbound Alexander Avenue before it was struck by a BMW SUV that had driven through a yellow light on eastbound State Route 509, authorities said. A seventh person in the Kia suffered serious injuries in the July 16, 2023, crash, which was the states deadliest in more than two decades. Two people in the BMW were uninjured, according to Pierce County prosecutors, who later determined there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges related to the wreck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intersection had been the site of previous crashes and issues with vehicles running red lights and speeding due to flawed road and traffic design, giving officials at least a decades notice that there were problems, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed May 27 by Runnels mother, Lisa Campbell. Javan Runnels. Authorities had said the Kia was traveling between 36 and 41 mph and steadily accelerating at the moment of impact. The BMW was going between 50 to 66 mph at the time of the crash but vehicle data showed its speed was 80 mph five seconds before the collision, according to authorities. The speed limit on the highway is 50 mph. The suit, lodged in Pierce County Superior Court, cast liability on five governments and agencies described collectively as Road Defendants: the city of Tacoma, the state of Washington, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Tacoma Rail and the Port of Tacoma. Due to excessive speed limits, insufficient signage, limited visibility and poor road design, implementation, operation and control of the Alexander Avenue intersection, it posed a hazard which caused drivers to unintentionally run red traffic lights, the suit said. The Alexander Avenue intersection posed a foreseeable hazard which Road Defendants could have avoided or mitigated, yet chose not to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives for each of the five defendants declined to comment on the complaint, citing practices of not publicly addressing pending litigation. The lawsuit was not unexpected after attorneys representing Campbell filed claims with the city and state for $20 million in September 2023 a precursor to a formal legal complaint. Its the second known lawsuit filed over the deadly crash. The parents of 19-year-old Cerra Corner sued WSDOT, the city of Tacoma and the Port of Tacoma in June 2024, citing nearly identical allegations. That suit said that state and local officials studied and discussed re-designing the intersection years before the wreck. Defendants have denied wrongdoing in that lawsuit, which was ongoing as of Tuesday, court records show. Attorney Anthony Marsh, whos representing Campbell in the complaint lodged by her personally and on behalf of her sons estate, said that he saw defendants arguments denying responsibility as tantamount to hot potato between various government entities that underscored why the crash happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just a really tragic set of circumstances where if theres any sort of ability for a government agency to push the responsibility to somebody else, they typically will, with foreseeable consequences like in this case, Marsh said in an interview Tuesday. The complaint by Runnels mother accused the Road Defendants of managing the intersection so that Tacoma Rails activities took precedence over traffic flow. It also suggested that a large interchange installed to address similar issues at the state highways intersection with Port of Tacoma Road, west of Alexander Avenue, had exacerbated problems at Alexander Avenue, which hadnt received comparable changes. State Route 509 crosses Alexander Avenue at two nearby intersections: One for eastbound traffic on the highway and another for westbound vehicles. Both are currently expected to be reworked as part of a stage of WSDOTs $376 million 167 Completion Project. The stage is anticipated to be completed next year. The plan is to reduce the intersections to one crossing controlled by a single set of traffic lights and replace signal ahead signs with Prepare to Stop When Flashing signs in both directions of State Route 509. Flashing beacons on the signs will activate as the traffic signal prepares to change from green to yellow, according to WSDOT. The recently filed lawsuit also names several other defendants, including the two occupants of the BMW, the representative for Kia driver Lisa Esparzas estate, and the lone passenger in the Kia who survived the crash and allegedly had rented the vehicle. The suit seeks unspecified damages to be proven at trial, legal fees and other relief deemed appropriate by the court. BitoPro, a Taiwanese crypto exchange, confirmed on Monday that it was attacked by hackers during a recent system upgrade after a crypto sleuth brought attention to $11.5 million worth of suspicious withdrawals from the platform. An old hot walleta crypto wallet that is connected to the internet, as opposed to a cold wallet, which is nothad been targeted by hackers during a recent wallet system upgrade and asset transfer operation, BitoPro announced via Telegram on Monday. The revelation came hours after ZachXBT, a pseudonymous crypto investigator, reported on Telegram that the exchange was likely exploited for ~$11.5 million on May 8, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While BitoPro did not disclose how much money was stolen in the breach, the statement said that the platform has sufficient virtual asset reserves to maintain customer funds and company operations. Since the incident, user top-up, withdrawal and transaction functions have maintained normal operation, the company said in the statement. BitoPro did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fortune. Since the companys announcement on Monday, trading volume on the exchange has fallen 21%, according to crypto data platform CoinGecko. The news of BitoPros hack follows a separate announcement from Coinbase last month that criminals had stolen the personal data of tens of thousands of its customers. In an SEC filing about the incident, Coinbase estimated that the incident could cost as much as $400 million in remediation costs and voluntary customer reimbursements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These recent breaches add to an already historic year for crypto exchange hacks. In February, hackers stole a record $1.5 billion from Dubai-based crypto exchange ByBit. Not only was it the largest hack of a crypto exchange, it was the largest heist of all time. The ByBit hack and many others have been traced back to a collective of North Korean hackers that present a growing threat to companies and governments worldwide. The hacker group, whose goal is to pilfer enough money to support the countrys economy in the face of sanctions, has successfully infiltrated multiple crypto companies using techniques ranging from social engineeringlike impersonating an IT workerto technological exploitations and installing malware. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Online marketplace for new and refurbished electronics Reebelo Australia has paid $59,400 in penalties after the competition watchdog, the ACCC, issued it with three infringement notices for allegedly making false representations about the effect of consumer guarantee rights in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission notes that the infringement notices relate to statements made on Reebelo Australias website that purported to limit consumers ability to access their consumer guarantee rights by putting a 14-day time limit on: A consumers ability to receive a remedy for faulty or damaged goods, A consumers ability to receive a remedy for goods received that were not in a condition that matched the description of the purchased product, and A consumers ability to receive a remedy where they had received a different model of a product than what they had ordered. Under the Australian Consumer Law, consumers automatically have basic rights when buying products and services, known as consumer guarantees. These rights cannot be taken away by anything a business says or does, ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said. If a business fails to meet these guarantees, consumers have a right to a remedy if they return products that do not comply with consumer guarantees within a reasonable time, which may be more than 14 days. It is against the law for a business to mislead consumers about their right to a suitable remedy. The ACCC alleges that the representations made by Reebelo Australia were false and misleading as under the ACL consumers may be entitled to a remedy regardless of whether 14 days had passed since the product was received. Given the products that Reebelo Australia sells are often refurbished high-end electronic products such as laptops or mobile phones, we are concerned that consumers may have faced financial harm from this conduct, Lowe said. The ACCC received a number of complaints from consumers who reported difficulties obtaining a remedy from Reebelo Australia for faulty or wrong products. The ACCC closely monitors the complaints we receive from consumers, and we will continue to take appropriate action against businesses who do not comply with the Australian Consumer Law. We encourage all businesses, including online marketplace retailers, to review their polices to ensure they are complying with the law, Lowe said. The ACCC notes that separately, Reebelo Australia has agreed to several commitments as part of an administrative resolution, including amendments to its website, improvements to its online complaints handling processes, and various training and awareness measures to ensure future compliance with the ACL Background Reebelo Australia operates as an online marketplace for new and refurbished products including phones and laptops, home appliances, power tools and health and beauty products. It is located in Sydney, NSW. Reebelo Australia acts as an intermediary platform where third-party suppliers list products for sale on Reebelo Australias website. Internationally, Reebelo was launched in Singapore in October 2019 with headquarters in California. The parent company is based in Singapore with offices in Australia, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. An employee at Tampa General Hospital is facing dozens of charges related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, deputies said. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, David Scott Farber, 42, was arrested Tuesday on 79 charges. The sheriffs offices Internet Predator Unit launched the investigation after uncovering suspicious activity on a social media platform, the agency said in a news release. A search of Farbers residence revealed 79 images and videos of child sexual abuse material, some involving children under the age of 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farber had also taken inappropriate photos and videos of himself in operating rooms and patient care areas, which he then distributed to others via social media, the news release states. Records show Farber was being held at the Falkenburg Road Jail without bond Tuesday. An arrest affidavit was not immediately available. In a statement, Tampa General Hospital said Farber is not currently working at our facilities. We are cooperating with authorities on the investigation, the statement said. Sheriff Chad Chronister called the arrest disturbing and appalling. The exploitation of innocent children is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. And to learn this suspect had access to vulnerable individuals while employed in a health care setting makes his actions even more reprehensible, he said in a statement. We will ensure he is held fully accountable under the law. A Tampa man accused of shooting into a car with a child in the backseat and killing a man in Progress Village last week was arrested Monday. Hillsborough deputies arrested Dayjon Octavious Clarke, 24, in connection to the death of 24-year-old Terrel Ferrell. Deputies responded about 4 p.m. Friday to the intersection of Progress Boulevard and South 82nd Street, according to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Deputies arrived to find Ferrell in the passenger seat of a car with gunshot wounds to his upper body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman driving the car and a child in the backseat were not hurt. Authorities have not released their names. Detectives learned the driver had stopped the vehicle at the intersection to talk to Clarke, who then began shooting at them, according to the sheriffs office. The driver tried to escape and struck a motorized bicyclist, who was treated for minor injuries. The driver stopped at a nearby Thorntons convenience store to ask for help. Ferrell was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Clarke was arrested at a home on the 100 block of Logarto Circle West in Lutz and booked into the Orient Road Jail on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and shooting within or into a vehicle. He was being held without bond. NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) Tanzanian authorities deregistered a church owned by a ruling party lawmaker after he accused the government of human rights violations ahead of October elections. Parliament member Josephat Gwajimas Glory of Christ church in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, was cordoned off by police Tuesday after hundreds of congregants turned up to protest the closure announcement. Tanzanias registrar of societies wrote a letter deregistering Gwajimas church, saying his sermons contravened acceptable conduct of religious organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gwajima last Sunday called out the government for what he called detentions and enforced disappearances, warning his congregants to be wary. His message came days after a Kenyan activist and his Ugandan counterpart accused the Tanzanian police of torturing them after arresting them ahead of opposition leader Tundu Lissus treason case court proceedings. Tanzanians are set to elect a president and members of Parliament in October. The ruling party, the CCM, has been in power since Tanzanias independence in 1961. The main opposition party, Chadema, has been calling for electoral reforms ahead of the elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gwajima was elected in 2020 after he was endorsed by then-President John Magufuli. His popularity has risen over the years and he is seen as an outspoken critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is serving out Magufulis term after he died in office. Hassan is running in the October election and has been accused of silencing her critics after opposition leaders were arrested in recent months. She struck a reconciliatory tone during her first days in office and lifted a six-year ban on political rallies that was imposed by Magufuli. Hassans tone has changed in recent months as she warned foreign activists coming to Tanzania for the opposition leaders court case, saying she will not allow them to destroy the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some activists were deported to Kenya on arrival in Tanzania and the Tanzanian government did not explain the reasons for deportation. Rights groups including Amnesty International have urged Tanzania to investigate allegations the activists' human rights were abused. Another boycott of Target begins on June 3, the latest in a series of week-long spending freezes targeting major corporations across the U.S. The Minneapolis-based retailer been the subject of several other actions this year, including a boycott on the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's murder, a Black History Month boycott and a 40-day "fast" organized by faith leaders to coincide with Lent. Like previous week-long boycotts, the action was organized by The People's Union USA. John Schwarz, the group's leader, told The Arizona Republic the boycotts aren't directly related to companies' DEI positions, but rather to "hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Target announced it would be ending its DEI program this year after President Donald Trump returned to office. Here's what Wisconsin shoppers should know: When is the Target boycott? The Target boycott begins on June 3 and runs through June 9. Though the spending freeze is intended to last for a week, a post on Schwarz's Instagram indicated the group is calling for a "permanent boycott" of the retailer. "They've had their chance," the post said. "Now we show them the true power of the people. How many Target stores are in Wisconsin? There are 38 Target locations across Wisconsin, according to its store directory. What consumer boycotts are upcoming? The People's Union USA has more consumer boycotts through July. Here's the schedule: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald's : June 24-30 Independence Day boycott: July 4 After these week-long boycotts, the group has also planned month-long boycotts for July and August, according to Schwarz's Instagram. In July, consumers are urged to boycott Starbucks, Amazon and Home Depot. Walmart, McDonald's and Lowes are the subject of August's boycotts. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are Wisconsin consumers boycotting Target this week? Tarrant County political organizations have been rallying residents for weeks leading up to Tuesdays Commissioners Court redistricting vote. In the last 24 hours before the vote, leaders are preparing signs and encouraging people to sign up to speak at the 10 a.m. meeting. The Tarrant County Commissioners Court will vote whether to establish new precinct boundaries for the four commissioners seats. The fast-paced, two-month-long process began when the county selected Public Interest Legal Foundation to advise in redrawing the maps ahead of the 2026 primary and general elections. The law firm, based in Alexandria, Virginia, have presented the court with seven maps drawn by National Republican Redistricting Trusts president, Adam Kincaid. All of them would likely lead to an additional Republican-held seat on the court. A Harvard law professor told the Star-Telegram the maps show telltale signs of racial gerrymandering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After four county-hosted public meetings, Public Interest Legal Foundation added two more maps to the original five for the courts consideration. Now with the deciding vote around the corner, leaders are making a final push for their supporters to speak out. Julie McCarty, CEO of True Texas Project, said in an emailed newsletter that the Democrats are turning out in droves to speak against redistricting. She wants redistricting supporters to do the same. The Left is freaking out, the newsletter said. Theyve not only called on all the questionable organizations they control, like Act Blue, to register their choice for a new map, but they have gone so far as to offer babysitting and rides to show up at district meetings and at the court for the final vote! Hey, ya gotta admire their passion. Can our passion match that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent meetings, most of the people speaking have opposed redistricting, so the email gives guidance on how to support the redrawing. Just like at the district meetings, all you have to do is stand up and say, I am John Doe, and I support redistricting with the most conservative map that gives us 3 Republican county commissioners. Thank you, the newsletter said. Allison Campolo, former county chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, said she is rallying her troops to sign up for public comment and to stay through the long day until their voice is heard. We are reminding people that the real crux of the issue here is that these maps are illegally cracked and packed irreconcilable with the Voting Rights Act, Campolo said. This will cost Tarrant taxpayers hundreds of thousands or millions in court costs to defend these illegal maps. In a letter of opposition to the Commissioners Court, the Texas ACLU, Texas Civil Rights Project and Southern Coalition for Social Justice pointed to the $4 million cost of Galveston Countys redistricting litigation the Public Interest Legal Foundation was involved in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys from Texas ACLU and the Texas Civil Rights Project said success on June 3 would look like the Commissioners Court listening to the robust public opposition and voting accordingly. If that doesnt happen, the organizations will consider their legal options. Katherine Godby, chair of the Justice Network of Tarrant County, said the organization is working with other groups to host an 8 a.m. rally against redistricting in front of the county administration building, where the vote will take place. She said the energy surrounding the redistricting opposition has continued to grow and that people are angry over the effort. Godby said she wants to see one of the Republicans on the court join Democrats Alisa Simmons and Roderick Miles in opposition so that the maps stay the same. If it doesnt go that way, Godby said the Justice Network will continue speaking out at commissioners court meetings as they have done for years. In everyday life, these people might appear normal: they have no physical wounds, their loved ones and children are alive by their side. But Ukrainian photographer Sergey Melnitchenkos black-and-white portraits reveal the chilling depths that stand between his subjects and normalcy. They gaze outward with calm, matter-of-fact expressions, while the massive superimposed projection of their most haunting war memories distorts their features. The subjects choose the photos themselves, said Melnitchenko, who features his friends, fiancee, and son in a conceptual photography project, "Tattoos of war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The photo either taken by the subjects or sourced on news websites represents the most painful memory they associate with Russias invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022. After more than three years of relentless Russian attacks on the country that have killed tens of thousands of people, Ukrainians face no shortage of such memories. "It is an impossible task, in fact," Melnitchenko told the Kyiv Independent. "Because everyone has hundreds of these memories. You have to choose one, as if to convince yourself that this event was the most difficult, the most tragic. Although every event that concerns our country during the war is the worst." For Melnitchenko, each photo from the project carries the weight of events that he and his subjects can still hardly comprehend. One of the most challenging portraits for him was a photo of his friends Maryna and Serhii against the backdrop of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration in their native city, destroyed by a Russian missile on March 29, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the attack, the central section of the building collapsed from the ninth to the first floor, killing 37 people. Maryna and Serhii fled the city a year ago, but the memory a tattoo will stay with them forever, Melnitchenko says in his photo book about the project. But during the last shoot from the series at the end of 2024 with the family of Andrii, Viktoria, and their daughter Kira, Melnitchenko witnessed for the first time how one could transform their tragic memories into a source of strength. The family chose a photo of a beach with pine trees on a riverbank of the Dnipro River, where they loved spending time before the full-scale invasion began. Viktoriia, Andrii, and Kira stand in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, in 2024. (Sergey Melnitchenko / The Kyiv Independent) Russia currently occupies this beach in Kakhovka, Kherson region. But even under occupation, the vision from the photograph is probably long gone, as Russias destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plants dam reshaped the water terrain in the oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the photographer, the family found it therapeutic to process the loss of their favorite place by visually exposing its impact. "When Russians destroy our favorite places, or places of our memories, they are trying to take away not only this place physically, but also our good memories of them," Melnitchenko said. "This family was the first of all the heroes to choose not a photo of devastation as a background, but a photo with a place of their strength and pleasant memories," he added. Anton stands in front of a projection in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine showing his shelled apartment building in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, 2023. (Sergey Melnitchenko / The Kyiv Independent) "My sons war tattoo will remain anyway, because he is a child of war, he knows what is happening now and (will) realize it all as an adult," Sergey said. Demian stands in front of a projection of a bomb shelter in one of Ukraines kindergartens in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, 2023. (Sergey Melnitchenko / The Kyiv Independent) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalia and Karen stand in front of a projection of the destroyed Mykolaiv Admiralty shipyard in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, in 2024. (Sergey Melnitchenko / The Kyiv Independent) "We seem to choose for ourselves the picture and the memory that hurt us the most ... But, in fact, we have had thousands of such moments in the last year alone." Pasha and Masha stand in front of a projection of the destroyed Kakhovka Dam, in their house in Odesa, Ukraine, in 2023. (Sergey Melnitchenko / The Kyiv Independent) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vova stands in front of a projection in Mykolaiv, Ukraine showing a bombed-out house from his Kyiv neighborhood, 2023. (Sergey Melnitchenko / The Kyiv Independent) Read also: Growing up under missiles Ukrainian childhoods shaped by war (Photos) Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) Taylor, Texas, made history in 2021 when it held its first official LGBTQ Pride celebration. It was also the first Pride celebration for all of Williamson County. This year marks the fifth annual Taylor Pride Music and Arts Festival, which is set for Saturday, June 28, at Heritage Square Park. 2021 | This is Williamson Countys coming out party: Hundreds show up to areas first official Pride celebration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just weeks ahead of Taylor Prides milestone event, organizers said Mayor Dwayne Ariola denied a request for an official Pride Month proclamation. Taylor Pride posted about the denial on social media, saying that the mayors decision undermines the progress weve made as a community and threatens to sideline the celebration that is integral to our towns identity, and that the denial contradicts the inclusive values we hold dear, and the reality our residents continue to embrace and promote: diversity, acceptance, and love for all. The proclamation application was submitted by a Taylor resident and doesnt have any relation to the festival, Taylor Pride Founder Denise Rodgers explained. This is actually a direct denial to a constituent, to a, you know, citizen of Taylor, not to our organization, she said. Rodgers sent KXAN screenshots of the proclamation application, an email from the city clerk that the proclamation had been denied, and an email from Mayor Ariola explaining his decision to deny the proclamation request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Taylor also forwarded email correspondence between Ariola and the person who submitted the proclamation application, who asked questions about why the proclamation was denied, if there was an ability to appeal the mayors decision on the denial, if other observations would be approved for proclamations, and whether the city is prepared for the negative press that this denial is going to bring. The email from Ariola stated his reasoning for denying the application was that there are other unifying observances during the month, such as Juneteenth and the birthday of former Texas Gov. Dan Moody, who is a Taylor native. Theres a lot in June that reflects our shared values and history and I believe we should continue to focus on these opportunities to come together as a community, the email stated. It did not address the other questions from the applicant. The citys communications director noted via email on Tuesday afternoon that the city of Taylors Proclamation Policy gives sole discretion over the issuance of proclamations to the Mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Ariola has elected not to provide any additional comments, per the communications director. Its interesting that he would decline it, Rodgers said. Theres actually never been a denial of a proclamation in our city ever, except one, and that was from a hate group. So in the history of proclamations in Taylor, Texas, theres never been a denial except for the one, and then us. Rodgers said it came as a surprise to the LGBTQ community in Taylor, too, because the city has been supportive of Pride-related events in the past. The citys always been really fantastic with working in collaboration on our festival. You know, we work hand in hand with the parks department, the police department, the fire department, the fire marshal, the events coordinator. I mean, we work with everyone. We meet regularly. Weve never had any issues whatsoever, Rodgers said. Weve all kind of had the same goal of, you know, creating this really safe space to bring community together and, you know, and to celebrate. So it was quite a surprise to us to receive this denial, actually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ariola was elected as mayor in May 2024. Ariolas predecessor, Brandt Rydell, signed the last Pride Month proclamation for Taylor, which was issued during a city council meeting on May 9, 2024. Taylor Pride said this is the first time since 2021 that a Pride proclamation has been denied. The group created a Change.org petition online pushing for Ariola to reverse the denial. As of Tuesday afternoon, it has more than 1,300 signatures and several comments from community members who signed. One of the comments read, One thing I admired when first moving to Taylor years ago was how many pride flags were posted all around town, in peoples yards, and the genuine friendliness of the people here. Who really cares who loves who? Love is something to be celebrated, not hidden behind old, antiquated ways of thinking. Grow up and accept that others are different and embrace them with open arms like they have for you. Please keep Taylors pride. Dont go backwards and be ugly and rude to an entire group of people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodgers said Taylor Pride started the petition with the goal of persuading a reversal of the mayors decision, but the group and other community members are planning to show up to the citys next council meeting on June 12 if no response is given before then. Not first time Taylor faced contention around LGBTQ+ inclusion The city has faced contention surrounding LGBTQ+ inclusion in the past. In 2022, organizers of the annual Christmas parade the Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance (TAMA) added language to the parade application that some said excluded LGBTQ+ groups from participating. Taylor Pride was one of the organizations that felt excluded by the parade requirements. Constraints on entry into a Christmas parade divide a Texas town Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard, it is hurtful and its just really not okay, said Denise Rodgers, in a November 2022 interview with KXAN. The LGBTQ community we celebrate holidays; we practice religious faith; we have families and children. We are no different than the people who are hosting or attending these parades, these events and these holidays. Ultimately, the city of Taylor decided to host a second parade the same night, immediately following the TAMA parade. A week later, Taylor Pride said protesters showed up with hateful signs and stood outside its family movie night. Rodgers said on Tuesday the only backlash she and other Taylor Pride organizers have received has come from a very specific religious organization in town, and that the city has never shown opposition. The only backlash that weve experienced in the past has not come from the city itself, Rodgers said. Quite the opposite; weve always received nothing but support with the city, weve always worked in collaboration with the city, not only city staff, but city leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodgers also noted within the past year, the city has flipped almost every single seat in our city leadership. Really and truly, we were just kind of expecting a wash, rinse, repeat, you know, of what weve done every year with new entertainers of course, Rodgers said. Rodgers also noted the only other new obstacle theyre facing this year that they havent in the past is funding, because of widespread funding cuts and fewer grant opportunities for nonprofits, as well as fewer corporate sponsorships. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) A Taylorsville woman is facing 104 felony charges related to accusations of stealing rental payments from tenants. Malisha Alei Fasavalu, 34, was charged on Monday, June 2, with second-degree felony theft, second-degree felony communications fraud and 102 charges of third-degree felony possession of forgery writing. According to charging documents, Fasavalu worked as an employee for a property management company and would regularly accept checks and money orders for rental payments. Several clients reportedly claimed Fasavalu would have them complete the payment check in her own name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation conducted by the Taylorsville Police Department allegedly found a total of 85 different checks deposited into Fasavalus bank account between November 2023 and January 2025, totaling $66,630. Between February 2025 and April 2025, detectives allege another 17 checks were mobile deposited, totaling $31,927. In total, Fasavalu allegedly fraudulently obtained $98,558 in rental payments. All 102 checks related to both in-person and mobile deposits have been altered, charging documents allege. These alterations include adding Fasavalus name or [her last known address]. When originally confronted by the property management company to return the checks, Fasavalu allegedly said her sister would drop off some of the property they were asking for. Charging documents allege the drop-off never happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Fasavalu is scheduled for her initial appearance on June 5, 2025. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A 91-year-old woman who the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation asked residents to be on the lookout for after she disappeared from South Carolina has been found safe in Virginia. The TBI said around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday that Berry Fay Fisher, 91, was reported missing on Monday after she left Spartanburg County, SC, around 10 a.m. driving a dark grey 2025 Toyota RAV4 with the South Carolina tag 734BXU. Tuesday morning, the RAV4 was seen in Sullivan County, Tennessee, the TBI said. The TBI shared an update at 4:16 p.m. that Fisher had been found safe in Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: Who is performing at the Tennessee Valley Fair in 2025? The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office said Fisher is 57 tall and weighs about 150 pounds. The sheriffs office added that she has a medical condition and is supposed to be taking medication. Betty Fisher (Spartanburg County, SC Sheriffs Office) A photo of the dark grey 2025 Toyota RAV4 Betty Fisher may be driving. (Spartanburg County, SC Sheriffs Office) Anyone who saw Fisher or the vehicle she was traveling in was asked to contact the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office at (864) 503-4670. Tellico Plains families fighting to regain full access to historic cemetery Authorities say nearly 400 people go missing in Tennessee each year. Thats five people for every 100,000. Check this list of people missing from East Tennessee to see if you can help locate someone. 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. UPDATE: The TBI said Fisher was located safe in Virginia. SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said Tuesday it is assisting the Spartanburg County, South Carolina Sheriffs Office with finding a missing woman who may be in the Tri-Cities area. A social media post by the TBI said Betty Fisher, 91, was reported missing Monday after leaving her home at 10 a.m. that day. A Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office release posted by the TBI said her son told police she has not called or made contact since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TBI said Fisher was driving a dark grey 2025 Toyota RAV4 with SC tag 734BXU, and the vehicle was last seen in Sullivan County earlier Tuesday. The release said that although it hasnt been diagnosed, Fisher is believed to have early-onset dementia. The release said she takes daily medication that is necessary for her health. The release said Fisher is a white female with green eyes and white hair. She is 57 tall and weighs 152 lbs. Anyone who may see Fisher or her vehicle is urged to call the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office at (864) 503-4670. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Illumio Inc. has announced a strategic integration with NVIDIA to help critical infrastructure organisations strengthen protection and advance their Zero Trust posture. The collaboration integrates the NVIDIA BlueField networking platform with Illumios breach containment platform, delivering robust security and operational efficiency across converged IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments. Critical infrastructure organisations can now deploy Illumio directly on NVIDIA BlueField, providing security teams with a comprehensive view of network dependencies and precise security controls at both the host and network level. Organisations can gain deep visibility into traffic, protect critical assets, and use NVIDIA BlueField DPUs as effective Zero Trust enforcement points, dramatically simplifying the protection of critical systems and ensuring operational continuity while meeting stringent compliance requirements. In the future, they will also be able to use Illumios AI-driven insights to identify risks and attacker patterns, enabling rapid detection of threats in ICS and OT environments. The collaboration comes amid rising threats and increased regulatory pressure globally to strengthen cyber resilience and reduce operational risk to OT infrastructure. Key benefits to organisations include: Visibility and policy enforcement for traffic within and between IT and OT layers: Visualise all traffic to and from OT systems equipped with NVIDIA BlueField, using Illumios flexible labeling architecture to understand how systems communicate across the entire infrastructure. Rapid deployment of Zero Trust for critical infrastructure: Easily extend Zero Trust segmentation to OT and ICS environments, reducing deployment complexity, accelerating time to value, and containing breaches by mitigating lateral movement risks. Improved compliance and operational resilience: Identify assets and threats, monitor traffic, and enforce security policies across converged IT/OT environments with no impact to system performance or architectural overhauls. Organisations get consistent and reliable microsegmentation across diverse environments without compromising uptime or resiliency. The integration between Illumio and NVIDIA will significantly strengthen security for cyber-physical systems and bring us closer to achieving our vision of a world without cyber disasters, says Todd Palmer, Senior Vice President of Global Partner Sales and Alliances, Illumio. Critical infrastructure is under threat like never before. Together with NVIDIA, were making it easier for organisations to protect critical systems, ensure operational continuity, and meet stringent compliance requirements in an increasingly complex landscape. "Cyber risks against critical infrastructure are more sophisticated and disruptive than ever, and lateral movement remains a key factor in successful attacks, says Ofir Arkin, Senior Distinguished Architect for Cybersecurity at NVIDIA. Integrating the Illumio and NVIDIA BlueField platforms enables organisations to enhance visibility and control across IT and OT networks, reduce risk, contain attacks, and strengthen operational resilience. Recognised as a leader in The Forrester Wave: Microsegmentation Solutions, Q3 2024, Illumio is a trusted, dedicated segmentation vendor in the NVIDIA partner ecosystem, delivering a robust cybersecurity platform dedicated to containing breaches. Built on an AI security graph, and comprising Illumio Insights (AI cloud detection and response) and Illumio Segmentation (Zero Trust Segmentation), the platform empowers organisations to identify risks, and contain threats instantly, enabling a Zero Trust strategy. NEED TO KNOW Authorities in California have solved the 1978 murder of teacher Diane Peterson at Branham High School The case was finally closed after a family member came forward in 2025, revealing Harry "Nicky" Nickerson had confessed shortly after the murder Though Nickerson cannot face trial, since he committed suicide in 1993, authorities hope the resolution brings peace to Peterson's loved ones Nearly 50 years after a beloved teacher was stabbed to death in a California high school hallway, authorities say they've identified her killer and it was one of her students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry Nicky Nickerson, who was 16-years-old at the time, stabbed Diane Peterson in 1978 at Branham High School in San Jose, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office said in a statement. Investigators learned this year that Nickerson allegedly confessed the killing to a family member. Another witness told police that Nickerson admitted to the stabbing and had once been seen carrying a knife with Teacher Dear written on it. Police at the time were unable to corroborate this claim, the statement from the prosecutors office said. Nickerson died by suicide in 1993. Courtesy of the Peterson Family On June 16, 1978, a student found Peterson lying on the floor near her classroom with a single stab wound to her chest. Prosecutors say that the stabbing occurred the day after school let out for summer break while teachers were cleaning out their classrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nickerson was an initial suspect in the killing. A 1978 booking photo authorities took of him resembled a composite sketch of the suspect created based on eyewitness accounts of the attack, the statement said. Prosecutors say that in 1983, the family of a student at the high school claimed that their son saw the killing and identified Nickerson as the person responsible, but the witness later denied making the statement. In 1984, a witness told police that Nickerson implicated himself in the killing, allegedly saying it happened after Peterson caught him dealing drugs, according to the prosecutors office. County of Santa Clara District Attorney's Office Between 2023 and 2024, the district attorneys office said its crime lab conducted extensive DNA testing but was unable to identify a suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say that in 2025, a relative of Nickerson's came forward and admitted to police that Nickerson came home a few minutes after the killing and admitted to stabbing Peterson. 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. Nearly five decades have passed since a young teachers life was tragically taken, San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said in a statement. 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. Let this serve as a solemn reminder: no matter how much time passes, we will continue to seek the trust because every victim matters, and every life deserves justice. A family member of Petersons thanked investigators for not giving up for 47 years, according to the statement from the district attorneys office. Diane was a beautiful and wonderful person who is missed dearly, the unidentified family member said. Read the original article on People Baltimore Countys teachers union is the sole bargaining unit without a deal after Baltimore County Public Schools agreed with four of its five unions to fully fund the second year of their three-year compensation package last week. Negotiations remain ongoing between the Teachers Association of Baltimore County, also known as TABCO, and the school district. The union authorized members to limit their duties to only their scheduled work days in an action called work to rule last week. Meanwhile, members of AFSCME Local 434, the Council of Supervisors and Administrators, Education Support Professionals of Baltimore County and Baltimore County Public Schools Organization of Professional Employees can expect the compensation increases to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, according to a brief message from Superintendent Myriam Rogers to staff on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement provides a 5% average increase for staff. The increases were supposed to take effect for all five unions on July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year. In addition to pushing back the second-year increases, the memoranda of understanding signed between the unions and the district also delay the third-year increases to Jan. 1, 2027. Our members are not satisfied with that offer. They want us to keep on going, said TABCO President Cindy Sexton. We would lose out on six months of the raises and compensation. Whether the district would be able to fund the negotiated increase was uncertain during this years tumultuous budget season, when Baltimore Countys budget first proposed paying $71.69 million less than the school system requested for its general fund. District spokesperson Gboyinde Onijala said in an email Monday that the district was able to fund the compensation enhancements due to additional state funding and the districts cost saving measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogers said in May that she was confident the district could decrease the funding gap and finalize a compensation package by those same means, but she did not specify the amount of additional state funding received by the district at that time. Updated figures for the state funding and total savings should be provided at the next school board meeting, Onijala said. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered more about a possible suspect in unsolved murders in the Metroparks. Last week, the I-Team broke the news of investigators taking a hard look at Bryan Hurt. We asked, Whats happening now? Deadly Ashtabula County shooting suspect taken into custody We found threats of violence in more police reports involving the possible suspect. Yet, we also found why there is still a push for the publics help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week marks the sixth anniversary of the murders of Kate Brown and Carnell Sledge. They suffered deadly gunshot wounds in the Rocky River Reservation. In May, Investigators believe Bryan Hurt carried out a murder-suicide nearby in Clevelands West Park neighborhood, killing a neighbor while simply cutting his grass. So, Metroparks Police are looking into a possible connection to the unsolved murders. Reports we just obtained show that last year, Hurt told the call center for a bank, How about I load my gun and come down to your branch and *** you up. Kent State to close LGBTQ+, womens, multicultural centers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A report also shows that last year, he called police about kids riding bikes on his grass, saying he Had a bat and was waiting for juveniles. The I-Team has also reported Hurt had a history of trouble with the law, including doing time for an attack in the courtroom. Metroparks Police Chief Kelly Stillman said, There were some similarities that warranted an in-depth look at him. While Metroparks Police are handling the follow-up investigation into the unsolved homicides, Cleveland Police said theyll pass on any evidence they have that may help. And, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation points out, BCIs main role was helping to gather evidence at the crime scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the families of both victims reacted. Tom Brown, father of Kate Brown, said, To keep this in the publics eye is a good thing. CDC: All international travelers should get measles vaccinations Despite a possible break in the case, the Brown family plans to spend time in the Rocky River Reservation this Saturday, marking 6 years since the murders. Friends and relatives plan to be there from noon to 2 p.m., still looking for tips on the case. Tom Brown added, We still need the publics eye. We still need help from the public, and we still think somebody out there knows something. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darlene Sledge, the mother of Carnell Sledge, said, Could this be connected? Possible. Other police reports show Bryan Hurt had also called police about people walking dogs in his yard. We also saw that he once called the city 25 times to complain about trash pick-up. Police have not said what theyll rely on to tie Bryan Hurt to the murders or rule him out. Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of $100,000 for information leading to an 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. The brutal murder of a school teacher, stabbed in the chest at a California high school in 1978, has finally been solved, according to authorities, with the district attorney's office now revealing the then-16-year-old killer confessed to a family member minutes after the murder. Diane Peterson was found stabbed at Branham High School in San Jose one day after school ended for the summer. And though they had suspects over the years, her murder had never been solved. One of those suspects, Harry "Nicky" Nickerson, has now been confirmed as the killer, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced Monday. Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office - PHOTO: A June 1978 sketch of the suspect accused of killing San Jose schoolteacher Diane Peterson, left, compared to then-student Harry Nickerson, now identified as her killer, in an undated photo, right. Earlier this year, investigators learned Nickerson had confessed to a family member he committed the murder. Investigators met with the family member, who admitted to police that Nickerson came to their home minutes after the murder and confessed to stabbing Peterson, solving the decades-old murder, according to the district attorney's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district attorney's office will not be filing charges against the family member who revealed Nickerson admitted to the murder, the DA's office told ABC News. "The relative did not participate in the killing and did not provide protection or assistance. Just a witness. The relative was emotional and appeared relieved after having kept a secret for almost 50 years," the office said in a statement to ABC News. "The relative did not expressly say why they did not come forward," the office said, saying it is "reasonable to surmise it was out of fear of retaliation." MORE: Iowa cold case cracked more than 40 years after young man was killed following DNA breakthrough Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the years after the murder, Nickerson was arrested and convicted of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping, according to the DA's office. He was shot and critically injured in 1984 while attempting a drug robbery, but no charges were filed against him "given the circumstances," the district attorney's office said. Nickerson died by suicide in 1993, according to the district attorney's office. "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," Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. There is no statute of limitation on murder in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Let this serve as a solemn reminder: no matter how much time passes, we will continue to seek the truth -- because every victim matters, and every life deserves justice," San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said in a statement. Peterson Family/Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office - PHOTO: Nearly 50 years after a young teacher, Diane Peterson was found stabbed to death in a San Jose high school hallway, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office and the San Jose Police Department have officially identified her killer. A student found Peterson stabbed to death in the high school hallway in 1978, the district attorney's office said. Peterson suffered a single stab wound to her chest, according to the district attorney's office. The murder occurred one day after school ended for the summer, while teachers were cleaning their classrooms, according to the district attorney's office. A witness had previously told police that Nickerson confessed to the crime and that he had seen Nickerson "carrying a knife that had written on it: 'Teacher Dear,'" according to the district attorney's office. Police were not able to corroborate that claim, according to the district attorney's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Cold case solved over 50 years after a young mom was killed, her 3-year-old daughter left alive Nickerson had long been a suspect in the killing, according to the district attorney's office. Nickerson allegedly had a "strong similarity to a composite sketch based on eyewitness accounts of the attack," according to the DA's office. The family of a student told police in 1983 that their son had claimed to have seen the killing and that he identified Nickerson as the killer. The student later denied this, according to the district attorney's office. In 1984, a witness told police that Nickerson implicated himself in the murder, claiming he killed Peterson after he was discovered making a drug deal, according to the district attorney's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Cold case victim ID'd over 40 years after dismembered torso found in California Extensive DNA work on the case in 2023 and 2024 was unable to identify the killer, according to the district attorney's office. A family member of the victim, who asked to not be identified by police, thanked investigators for not giving up for 47 years. "Diane was a beautiful and wonderful person who is missed dearly," the relative said in a statement. CROCKETT COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A teenage kidnapping victim and her baby were rescued after a vehicle broke down in west Texas last summer. Members of the Crockett County Sheriffs Office initially made contact with this victim when she, her 2-year-old son, and suspect Devin Maurice Harmon received a courtesy ride from deputies to their hotel after experiencing car trouble on I-10 in July 2024. Court documents reveal an investigation began after marijuana was found in their vehicle, prompting detectives to search their hotel room as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Harmon and the victim were interviewed during the investigation, and the documents state that Harmon initially lied about the victims identity then gave several conflicting stories as to how they met. The child also indicted she was involved in a sexual relationship with Harmon and that the 2-year-old child could be his, so detectives took DNA swabs. Detectives later learned the teenage victim had been listed on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrens database as a kidnapping/rape victim since 2023. Harmon was interviewed again the next day, and the documents state that he eventually admitting to knowing the teenage victim was on the database and confirmed they had an ongoing sexual relationship and that the 2-year-old child could belong to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also allegedly admitted to knowing she was underage, so he was arrested for Sexual Assault of a Child. Harmon was later charged with Tampering with a Witness after calls from jail showed he attempted to contact the victim in an attempt to get her to change her story more than 70 times. In May 2025, the documents state DNA testing revealed the 2-year-old child did not belong to Harmon, which triggered the FBI to interview the teenage victim again. During this interview, the documents state the teenage victim revealed she met Harmon on a public transportation bus after running away from home in 2022 and that he sexually assaulted her multiple times then began selling her to other men. This victim claims she engaged in sex acts in exchange for money with more than 100 men in a 2-year period, and these exchanges were arranged by Harmon, who set up accommodations for hotels then took all of the money she made when she was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the documents, Harmon and the victim were on their way to Louisiana, where more prostitution was scheduled to take place. Harmon is now facing federal charges for Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage Criminal Sexual Activity as well as Tampering with a Witness and Victim in connection to this ongoing investigation. He made an initial appearance on these charges in Abilenes federal court this week. No further information is available at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. A teenage female TikTok star was shot and killed by a man for rejecting his desperate advances, in a cold-blooded murder that shocked Pakistan with a history plagued with crimes against women. Sana Yousaf, 17, was shot at by the man who sneaked into her house in the capital Islamabad on Monday night and killed her in front of her mother, local police chief Ali Nasir Rizvi said. The police on Tuesday arrested the 22-year-old culprit from the city of Faisalabad in the central province of Punjab after several raids, online surveillance of security cameras and tracing of mobile phone locations, Rizvi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man confessed to his crime. It was a case of repeated rejections. The boy was trying to reach out to her time and again, the police chief said at a press conference. "It was a gruesome and cold-blooded murder. Yousaf, hailing from the remote town of Chitral near the Afghan border, had more than 800,000 followers on the popular social media app TikTok. She had another half a million followers on Instagram. Pakistan, a Muslim majority nation with a population of more than 240 million, has a history of violence against women, and murders for the rejection of marriage proposals have cropped up in the past. A US-Pakistani man beheaded his girlfriend in Islamabad in 2021 after she rejected his marriage proposal, in a crime that drew a global spotlight on the crisis in the country. MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's Telefonica said on Tuesday it was looking into a potential cyberattack after data allegedly belonging to one million customers in Peru was released on an internet forum. "We are investigating an alleged security breach. The sample released by the actor, which comprises 1 million records, seems to correspond to customers in Peru," a Telefonica spokesperson said. According to a post on X by HackManac - an account tracking cyberattacks around the world - a group calling itself "Dedale" was offering a database containing information on approximately 22 million Telefonica customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The self-declared hackers have released a sample of 1 million records it said belonged to Telefonica customers in Peru as proof, although the Spanish company has exited the South American country two months ago. In April, Telefonica sold its troubled Peruvian unit to Argentine company Integra Tec International for about 900,000 euros ($1.03 million). ($1 = 0.8768 euros) (Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by David Latona) A recent Supreme Court ruling revoked temporary legal protection for half a million migrants in the United States. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, this ruling could eventually reduce the workforce in the Miami Valley. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It specifically impacts migrants from four countries, including Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, according to the Associated Press. The concern for Springfield is what happens now? Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said. About 15,000 Haitian migrants live in Springfield and no longer have temporary legal status, meaning they will have to leave the country in August. DeWine said businesses in Springfield will feel the impact if the Haitian community leaves. Businessmen and women have told me who run these companies, told me without these Haitians there, they cannot produce as much. Theyll scale back. They will have to stop one shift, DeWine said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City leaders said they are concerned about the effects that this ruling will have on the local economy. Haitian workers have long been reliable, hard-working contributors to our local economy including critical industrial sectors. It is important to acknowledge the real economic and social impact that policy changes can have at the local level, the city said in a statement. News Center 7 has reached out to the Haitan Community Help Center to learn how theyre planning to help the community. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] From left: Shark Tank investor and Executive Director of Global Strategy for Zetaris, Robert Herjavec, Vinay Samuel, the CEO and founder of Zetaris, and Guy Danskine, the Managing Director of Equinix in Australia Zetaris will host its Lakehouse AI platform in the Equinix International Business Exchange data centres enabling organisations to deploy powerful AI agents with unmatched speed, security, and scalability. Through this collaboration, Zetaris provides automated data engineering and an AI development and deployment platform, enabling real-time connectivity to multiple data sources, ensuring secure, private, and high-performance AI processing. This enables advanced agentic AI applications across any industry such as healthcare, financial services, retail, telecommunications and government. Commenting on the deal today, Vinay Samuel, the CEO and founder of Zetaris, said there is an 80% failure rate for AI projects according to Gartner and Forrester research. Thats what this venture tries to address. It's the challenges that the current data platforms simply aren't meeting. Zetaris is a data platform that connects to any data source, structured or unstructured in real time. It brings everything together into a single, unified view with our node code interfaces, organisations can easily discover, manage and prepare all their data with data catalogues and data pipelines and even undertake advanced modelling through scripting notebooks, he said. Leveraging Equinixs global footprint and dense ecosystems of cloud and networks allows us to deliver real-time data and AI capabilities in a secure environment and scale according to our customer needs, helping customers transform operations, boost productivity, and enhance customer engagement. Robert Herjavec, the high-profile Shark Tank investor, is Executive Director of Global Strategy for Zetaris having recently invested in the company. The one thing we are really seeing now is the incredible growth of AI. It is the number one area for venture capital. It is the number one area for infrastructure. It's the number one area for growth, he said. I like to think that we're starting to see the third wave of AI. The first wave was really the consumer and the hype cycle with ChatGPT and DeepSeek and all these other tools. The second wave is really the application wave. Now that we have it, what are we going to do with it? And then the third wave, which we're entering now, is the data in infrastructure wave. To take advantage of the applications and the power of AI, you have to have good data. And good data today, for many companies, is stored in multiple areas. The challenge isn't simply about using AI or buying it off the shelf. It's about consulting the data in a way where it's in one place with accuracy, security, and you can get to it quickly. And that's really what Zetaris does. Im very proud to be involved with a local Australian company that's taking on the world. Guy Danskine, the Managing Director of Equinix in Australia said the company is proud to support Zetaris AI-powered vision through our globally connected digital infrastructure. Together, were providing the infrastructure and platform to power the future of AI from concept to production on a global scale, Zetaris and our customers will benefit from secure, on-demand, scalable data connectivity anywhere, showcasing the power of AI when backed by the right infrastructure." The Zetaris Modern Lakehouse for AI sets itself apart by offering real-time data anywhere, one access point for all data, multi-model and multi-location support, automated engineering enabled by a Modern Lakehouse for faster AI development. Examples include AI Mortgage Brokers, AI Bankers, AI Insurance Consultants and AI Clinical Assistants. These AI agents reduce manual workloads, increase accuracy and enhance customer experiences. Organisations can now deploy AI agents in hours instead of months or years, accelerating AI adoption and innovation. Additionally, the Zetaris platform supports next-generation AI technologies, including holographic AI with voice and emotion recognition, unlocking new possibilities for immersive and interactive AI experiences. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) In a letter posted on social media, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken said he will not seek another public office once his mayoral term ends. After prayerful thought and discussions with my family, I do not intend to run for another public office at this time and look forward to seeking opportunities in the private sector, TenHaken wrote. A mothers message after loss He also highlighted various projects that were completed during his time in office, including the building of the public safety training campus and developments in downtown Sioux Falls like Jacobson Plaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When TenHakens time as mayor ends, is still not known as city councilors continue to weigh when to place the next city election. This does not mean I am walking away from politics. I will certainly stay engaged to help make sure South Dakota elects pragmatic leaders to local and state offices with servant hearts and the best interests of South Dakotans as their priority, TenHaken 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 KELOLAND.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Patient advocacy groups and anti-hunger organizations urged Tennessee Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty to vote against a provision in President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill that could reduce federal spending on Medicaid and SNAP benefits by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade. Organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition, stood in front of Sen. Blackburn and Sen. Hagertys Nashville offices Tuesday to push back against the proposed cuts. These programs exist for a reason, and its for the people who need it the most, so whenever we look at cutting it, I think its informative to look at who we would be taking from, what we would be cutting, what that would mean for Tennessee families, said Ashlie Bell-Seibers, director of Family Voices of Tennessee, a program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TN EV industry could stall under Big Beautiful Bill tax credit cuts The proposed cuts would reduce federal spending on Medicaid by at least $600 billion over the next decade and reduce federal spending on SNAP by at least $300 billion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. For Tennesseans, that means an estimated 77,000 could lose access to Medicaid, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, and 57,000 could lose access to SNAP benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Jeannine Carpenter with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank told reporters Tuesday 1.1 million Tennesseans are food insecure, and the cuts to SNAP could be devastating for those who cant afford to put food on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These SNAP cuts hurt our neighbors, they hurt the people working in our hospitals, in our factories, they hurt the people who might be next door to you, and you dont realize it, Carpenter said. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom However, Republicans argue the cuts are to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. Reduce spending and permanently lower taxes for families and job creators, secure the border, unleash American energy dominance, restore peace through strength and make government work more efficiently, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, said. Advocates in Tennessee hope they see beyond the budget line and consider the lives behind it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A trillion dollars isnt just fraud, waste, and abuse. Its vital services, its healthcare, its in-home nursing thats keeping families working, keeping families together, and it could be devastating, it will be devastating if those cuts are made, Bell-Seibers said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed the Big Beautiful Bill. The Senate is set to debate the bill soon. Republicans hope to send the bill to President Trumps desk by July 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Beginning on July 1, 2025, it will be a crime in Tennessee to create or share technology specifically designed to create or facilitate the creation of AI-generated child pornography. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston), was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on April 24, and it will take effect on July 1. The law makes it a felony to knowingly possess, distribute, or produce any software or technology specifically designed to create or facilitate the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Possession will be a Class E felony, distribution will be a Class C felony and production will be a Class B felony. Locals, tourists recall major Gatlinburg crash that injured seven Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When in the wrong hands, artificial intelligence has the ability to make exploitive crimes even worse, said Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch. I applaud the General Assembly and Governor Lee for seeing the value in strengthening our states laws to better protect Tennesseans, and Im proud our state is leading the way on common sense measures to ensure this emerging technology doesnt become a dangerous tool for bad actors. Yager said the goal of the bill was to combat the rise of AI-generated child pornography while preserving legitimate AI applications. A release from his office explained that the legislation does not broadly ban AI, but targets tools with the intent to generate child pornography. The senator worked with the TBI to create the legislation. This law is about keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology to protect our children from unthinkable exploitation, said Yager. Bad actors are using AI to create disturbing and abusive content, and Tennessee is taking a strong stand to stop it. By criminalizing the tools used to generate AI child pornography, were giving law enforcement what they need to pursue offenders and protect victims. What state laws protect kids against AI-generated deepfakes? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the first law in Tennessee targeting AI and child pornography. In 2024, the state added AI-generated images to the states anti-child pornography laws. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Running Down That Hill A terrifying video that's making its rounds on social media shows dozens of tourists fleeing a massive volcano eruption by running down an ash-covered hill. The footage was recorded on the hills next to Mount Etna on the island of Sicily, which violently erupted on Monday morning. "Stop the boat!" one man can be heard shouting in the clip. "Come on!" At around the forty-second mark, a massive cloud can be seen engulfing the surrounding hillside in a dark shadow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We were nearly grazed, look at this cloud here," a tourist said in a separate video obtained by CNN. "We were two steps away and thank goodness we have a responsible guide with us." "It arrived all at once, an immense smoke, immense, immense roar," he added. The volcano is one of the world's most active, making eruptions not uncommon. For instance, a powerful eruption in February caused a nearby airport to divert dozens of flights. However, the magnitude of this week's event hasn't been observed since 2014, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory. Manic Volcanic Fortunately, as the BBC reports, damage or injury as a result of its frequent eruptions are extremely rare. And according to CNN, all tourists were evacuated safely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, footage of the eruption is mesmerizing. Etna blew a dark cloud of gas and rock hundreds of feet into the air, showering the nearby villages with a thick layer of ash. According to the BBC, experts suggest the volcano's crater may have partially collapsed, allowing a sludge of material to flow down its side. Monday's eruption was the result of gas bubbles within the volcano's magma chamber bursting suddenly, causing material to be shot high into the sky. That makes them especially dangerous for nearby aircraft. Despite the terrifying possibility of being caught by surprise by an erupting volcano, hikers are unlikely to give up on an experience of a lifetime anytime soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mount Etna is a majestic and unpredictable force of nature," hiking guide Alessio Zocco told CNN. "It commands respect, but it also offers one of the most powerful and awe-inspiring experiences you can witness." "With knowledge, preparation, and humility, its possible to explore this landscape safely and meaningfully," he added. More on volcanoes: Scientists Say Something Is Corking the Yellowstone Supervolcano Former Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont) and ex-Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chair Ellen Weintraub are officially joining the Democratic nonprofit group End Citizens United on Tuesday to help fight corruption and get big money out of politics, The Hill has learned. Both Tester and Weintraub will work at End Citizens United, a group that advocates for campaign finance reform, as senior fellows. The pair will be doing press interviews, writing op-eds, helping advise on legislation and participating in town halls and other public events across the country. We know that theyre both going to use their unique set of experiences to help educate Americans on the unprecedented levels of corruption that were seeing today, each of them brings a little bit different experience, End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller said in an interview with The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tester, a three-term senator who lost his reelection bid to businessman and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy (R) in November, formally joined MSNBC in May as a political analyst. Last week, the former senator also joined Unite the Country, a Democrat-aligned super PAC, where he will work as a senior adviser. The outside group spent nearly $3.6 million in supporting Democratic presidential nominees, initially former President Biden and later ex-Vice President Kamala Harris, during the 2024 election cycle, according to FEC records. If we want a government that listens to working people not just billionaires and corporate CEOs we have to crack down on corruption and the role of big money in our elections. Ive seen firsthand just how corrupting Citizens United has been on our government, Tester said in a statement. Too many politicians are focused on raising money and keeping their biggest donors happy instead of addressing the struggles of regular folks. In early 2010, the Supreme Court struck down the independent expenditure blockade for unions and corporations. The amount of money in politics has exploded since, especially as other court rulings have also eased campaign finance regulations. The spending by super PACs to influence elections has been on the upward trajectory, along with expenditures from so-called dark money groups, commonly nonprofits that are not obligated to disclose their donors. Dark money groups, including nonprofits and shell corporations, spent more than $1.9 billion during the 2024 election cycle, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice that was published in early May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weintraub, who was terminated by President Trump from the FEC in early February, said she will fight for reforms that restore the laws and institutions designed to protect our democracy from corruption. Weintraub was initially appointed to serve on the FECs six-person commission by former President George W. Bush in 2002. Her term expired after five years, but no successor was appointed, which permitted her to continue being the commissioner. She was the chair of the independent agency four times during her 23-year stint. I spent more than 20 years at the FEC fighting to enforce campaign finance laws and to protect our elections from corruption, Weintraub stated. Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United unleashed unlimited money into our elections, supercharging the influence of billionaire donors. The fellows have already done a handful of events around the country where they advocated for campaign-finance reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tester and Muller held a roundtable discussion with Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo) in Aurora, Colo., on May 28, focusing on dark money. Later that day, Tester held a town hall with Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). The event, at times, was disrupted by demonstrators protesting Israels war in Gaza. Weintraub participated in a town hall with Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D) on May 17. I think that this is all about building as many platforms as possible to get the messaging out about the corruption and chaos being caused by the Trump administration, the very real cost it is having on Americans day-to-day lives, and how we all have to join together to fight back against it, Muller said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) The Texarkana Texas Police Department announced an officers arrest for alleged sexual assault. TTPD announced that Zackary Gilley, 32, was arrested for sexual assault of a child after allegations involving a 15-year-old girl were made public. The department immediately initiated internal and criminal investigations against Gilley, who had been employed with TTPD since 2018. He has since been placed on administrative leave before his arrest on Monday night. Evidence obtained by investigators and facts gathered from a forensic expert led to the preparation and presentation of a probable cause affidavit to a District Court judge, along with a request for an arrest warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen suspect arrested after allegedly stabbing boy at Texarkana complex Gilley was booked into the Bi-State Jail on two counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of indecency with a child by contact, and one count of indecency with a child by exposure. His bond was set at $600K during a hearing on Tuesday morning. Chief Schutte said, The men and women of the Texarkana Texas Police Department are dedicated to serving our community with integrity and respect. When one of our own is alleged to have violated the law, it is deeply troubling and disheartening. Such actions stand in direct opposition to the values we uphold. Accountability is necessary to preserve the trust our community places in us, and we remain committed to transparency and doing what is right. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Texas Scorecard) In a dramatic, last-minute deal to end the legislative session, Texas lawmakers approved a measure that will raise judicial salariesand, in turn, increase their own taxpayer-funded pensions. Passed just before the legislature adjourned Sine Die, Senate Bill 293 sets the starting salary for state district judges at $175,000, up from $140,000. Because legislative pensions are tied to judicial salaries, the vote also raises the maximum annual pension for lawmakers to $175,000. The compromise, however, decouples judicial salaries from future legislative pension increases, a move that had been at the heart of a days-long political dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the legislation tasks the Texas Ethics Commission with reviewing and recommending any changes to legislative pensions every five years, that begins in 2030. In the short term, lawmakers maximum annual pensions will increase by $35,000. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had accused House sponsor Jeff Leach (RAllen) of killing the judicial pay raise after Leachs version of the bill removed automatic pension increases for legislators that are typically triggered by judicial salary hikes. Patrick struck down that provision on a rare point of order, citing germaneness. Leach, meanwhile, defended the Houses position, saying lawmakers should raise judicial pay without giving themselves a pension bumpa stance backed by House leadership and many rank-and-file members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stalemate drew the attention of Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, who issued a memo over the weekend calling on both chambers to find a short-term solution to address urgently needed judicial pay increases now and revisit the pension debate next session. He noted Texas ranks 49th in the nation in judicial pay. On Sunday night, both chambers appointed conference committees to come up with a compromise. While this proposal may not be perfect, I believe it is a thoughtful compromise that balances the concerns of both chambers while achieving our top agendathat [of] supporting the integrity of our judiciary and getting something done on this issue this session, said Leach. The legislation passed the Senate unanimously, while it was approved by the House in a 114-26 vote, shortly before both chambers adjourned for the last time during this regular session. Texas will soon have the largest state-based cybersecurity department in America after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law this week. Our state is under constant attack by cyber criminals, attacks that occur thousands of times every single second of every single day, Abbott said in a June 2 press release. They successfully attacked cities, counties, and government agencies in Texas, from Mission to Muleshoe. That changes today. Abbott signed HB 150 in a ceremony at the University of Texas-San Antonio, pledging $135 million to the Texas Cyber Command, according to the release. The command will protect Texans against cyber threats by coordinating between San Antonio local, state, and federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This cyber threat intelligence center will find and fix weaknesses in state and local government systems, educating users on identifying cyber breaches. It will also coordinate swift and effective responses to cyber attacks to create the gold standard in cybersecurity. Its ultimate mission is to prevent and protect against cyber breaches, Abbott said in the release. Working together with the Texas Cyber Command, Texas will be on the path to be a national leader in cybersecurity. Cyber attacks often come from foreign actors like China, Iran, and Russia, according to Abbott. In March 2024, ransomware attackers threatened to publish sensitive information from the Tarrant Appraisal District unless officials paid $700,000, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. The deadline passed, and the attackers are believed to have released the information. The incident was reported to the FBI. A ransomware attack targeted several servers for the City of Dallas in May 2023, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. This led the city to spend at least $8.5 million on recovery. Even before that, a ransomware attack targeted the Dallas Central Appraisal District in 2022, causing the body to pay hackers $170,000 in cryptocurrency. (Texas Scorecard) 140 days and 1,200 bills later, the Texas Legislature officially adjourned sine die on Monday, marking the end of the 89th Regular Legislative Session. The Latin term sine die means without a day, signaling that lawmakers are not scheduled to reconveneat least not yet. While the regular session has concluded, the possibility always remains that lawmakers could be called back to the Capitol for a special session anytime during the next 18 months. That authority rests solely with Gov. Greg Abbott, who can summon the Legislature to address specific issues of his choosing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the moment, it is not clear that Abbott will call a special session. If he does, however, one issue appears most likely to be the focus: efforts to strengthen bail reform measures aimed at keeping violent repeat offenders and illegal aliens accused of violent crimes behind bars. Those measures were killed in the House, as they did not gain enough Democrat support to garner the necessary two-thirds vote. In the meantime, Abbott holds a powerful final card: the veto pen. Under state law, the governor has 20 days after final adjournment to sign or veto any bills that have landed on his desk. That means Abbott has until June 22 to act. If he takes no action by then, those bills automatically become law. A veto from the governor outright kills a bill and prevents it from becoming law. Unlike during the session, lawmakers do not have the opportunity to override a veto after adjournmentmaking these next few weeks critical for any legislation that passed in the final days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the dust settles on the regular session, attention now turns to the governors next moveswhether that means a series of bill signings, a flurry of vetoes, or ordering the return of lawmakers to Austin for a summer overtime session. If Abbott does not order a special session, the new legislative session begins January 12, 2027. NEED TO KNOW A healthy Texas woman, 71, developed primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) due to Naegleria fowleri, or brain-eating amoeba She contracted the infection after using a nasal irrigation device with tap water from an RV and died 8 days after symptoms began Health officials warn that rinsing your sinuses or nasal passages should only be done using sterile water A Texas woman has died from Naegleria fowleri, or brain-eating amoeba, after rinsing her sinuses with tap water, according to a new report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report published May 29 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed that a 71-year-old previously healthy woman developed severe symptoms four days after using a nasal irrigation device filled with tap water from an RVs water system at a campground in Texas. The woman experienced severe neurologic symptoms, including fever, headache, and an altered mental state. Despite medical treatment, she later developed seizures and died 8 days after symptoms began. The CDC stated that investigators with the Texas Department of State Health Services found the presence of Naegleria fowleri in her cerebrospinal fluid following lab testing. Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as brain-eating amoeba, is a single-celled living organism that can cause a rare and almost always fatal infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). According to a CDC report, only four people in the U.S. out of 164 from 1962 until 2023 have survived the infection. 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. Getty Brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri Brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri Brain-eating amoeba is most commonly found in warm fresh waters such as lakes, rivers and hot springs. It also resides in poorly maintained or minimally chlorinated swimming pools, staying in these habitats to feed on bacteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Symptoms of brain-eating amoeba generally start one to nine days after nasal exposure and many people die within 18 days of showing symptoms, according to the CDC. These include severe headaches, fever, nausea and vomiting in the first stage and stiff neck, seizures, altered mental status, hallucinations and a coma in the second stage. Health officials note that nasal irrigation using tap water remains the suspected route of exposure in this case. This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards, the report states. The CDC assured that infections of brain-eating amoeba only arise when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency notes that when rinsing your sinuses or nasal passages, store-brought water that is labeled distilled or sterile should be used. Tap water can be used only if it has been boiled for at least 1 minute and cooled beforehand. Using water that has gone through a Brita water filter is also not sufficient it's still tap water, and is not sterile. "It has to be sterile water," Dr. Travis Stork, an ER physician, host of The Doctors and a member of PEOPLE's Health Squad, previously explained. "These amoeba infections are rare but not unheard of, which is why the water must be sterile. Always follow directions!" Read the original article on People Thames Water customers face the prospect of a 230 jump in their annual bills to help secure its future, after a potential rescue deal collapsed. On Tuesday, private equity firm KKR abandoned plans for a 4bn bailout of Thames Water following a row over fines and executive bonuses. Bosses had urged ministers to shield the company from harsh penalties to pave the way for an emergency cash injection, only for the regulator to hit Thames with a record 123m fine last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The utility was also forced into a humiliating climbdown over plans to award senior managers generous bonuses, following a political backlash. A source close to KKR blamed political noise and reputational difficulties for the end of negotiations. The collapse of the deal sets up a fresh battle with regulator Ofwat over plans to increase customer bills. The watchdog previously rejected proposals for a rise of 53pc, or 230 per household, from 436 a year to 667. Thames was granted a 35pc rise to 588 instead. However, it appealed that decision to the Competition and Markets Authority in an effort to force through higher bills. That process was put on hold in March to allow talks with KKR and other potential suitors to progress. Bosses are now understood to be considering renewing the challenge if an 11th hour fallback-deal led by bondholders is also unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thames Waters immediate hopes now rest with a collection of banks and hedge funds, who have lent the company money and could end up converting their loans and taking control of the company. In March they provided it with a 3bn emergency cash injection, securing its future until May next year. If creditors are unable to save the business, then Thames would be placed into special administration a form of nationalisation and taxpayers would be on the hook for its running costs. Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, said the Government was keeping a very close eye on Thames, which serves 16m customers across London and the Thames Valley. The Prime Ministers spokesman said: Were obviously monitoring the situation. Thames have said themselves that theres a number of options that they are exploring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More broadly, the Governments been clear that theres no intention to nationalise the water industry. It would cost tens of billions of pounds and take years to unpick the current ownership provisions ... and the sectors issues would only get worse. Thames and other water suppliers have accused Ofwat of being too harsh with the financial penalties it has imposed for breaches of the rules. Chris Weston, the embattled Thames boss, last month told MPs that continuing to punish the company would only exacerbate its financial woes and risked scaring off potential new investors. However, Ofwat has instead responded with fresh action over breaches to rules regarding sewage spills and shareholder payouts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last weeks 123m charge was the largest it had ever issued. The move spooked KKR, an insider said. Asked about the regulators treatment of Thames, a No10 spokesman said: The Government makes no apology for tackling the poor behaviour that weve seen in the water sector. Mr Reed told LBC Radio that Thames itself remains stable, but added: Were monitoring the situation, but theres no disruption to water supply. Thames has got a number of options that its exploring. He added: If the circumstances happened with any company, any water company, where there was a breach and it would need to be put into special administration, that would happen but, as things stand, thats not applying to any company right now. Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, said the Government was keeping a very close eye on Thames Water - Yui Mok/PA Sir Adrian Montague, Thamess chairman, said: Whilst todays news is disappointing, we continue to believe that a sustainable recapitalisation of the company is in the best interests of all stakeholders and continue to work with our creditors and stakeholders to achieve that goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company will therefore progress discussions on the senior creditors plan with Ofwat and other stakeholders. The board would like to thank the senior creditors for their continuing support. News of the deals collapse came on the same day as a new report said the water industry needed a fundamental reset after being plagued with deep-rooted, systemic failures. The Independent Water Commission called for a fundamental strengthening and rebalancing of Ofwats regulatory role, calling for the watchdog to adopt a more supervisory approach to its oversight of water companies. Sir Jon Cunliffe, the commissions chairman, said: We have heard of deep-rooted, systemic and interlocking failures over the years failure in Governments strategy and planning for the future, failure in regulation to protect both the bill-payer and the environment, and failure by some water companies and their owners to act in the public, as well as their private, interest. 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. URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) A Champaign man charged in connection with last years pro-Palestine protests on the University of Illinois campus reached a plea deal with prosecutors on Monday, becoming the third person to receive a sentence. Court records show that George Vassilatos, 26, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer while a felony count of mob action was dismissed. Accepting the guilty plea, Judge Matthew Lee then sentenced Vassilatos to 12 months of conditional discharge and 30 hours of community service. Juvenile airlifted, injured with knife after Rantoul domestic incident Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vassilatos was the first person to be arrested in connection with the events of April 26, 2024, at the Alma Mater statue on the U of I campus. Shortly before 6 a.m. that morning, a group of protestors pitched tents near the statue in protest of the universitys involvement with companies and organizations profiting off of the war in Gaza, which continues to this day. University officials gave the protestors a deadline to take the tents down, saying that pitching tents went against campus policy. When the deadline came and went with tents still up, the University of Illinois Police and Facilities and Services Departments attempted to take the tents down themselves at 8:23 a.m. Champaign County States Attorney Julia Rietz said Vassilatos resisted officers by linking arms with other protestors. When he was pulled away from the group, Vassilatos went limp and dropped to his knees, causing officers to have to carry him away. He was placed under arrest at 8:26 a.m. UIUC pro-Palestine encampment timeline in photos Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest continued into the afternoon, at which point the number of protestors swelled into the hundreds. Another attempt by police to remove the pitched tents resulted in another struggle between officers and protestors; officers de-escalated the situation by backing away, starting a standoff with the protestors that lasted late into that night. The encampment restarted near Foellinger Auditorium two days later, where it continued uneventfully for several weeks until the school year ended. Vassilatos and eight other people were charged in connection to the unrest. All of the defendants were also charged with felony mob action and/or misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer and one Christopher Zelle was also charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer. Fifth child dies in Chatham after-school tragedy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show two of them Victor Smith and Joseph Kleckner took plea deals similar to Vassailatos. They pleaded guilty to obstruction and had mob action dismissed, with sentences of 12 months of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service. Another defendant, U of I student Yafa Issa, was tried from the bench in April. Similar to the others, she was convicted of obstruction, with mob action being dismissed. Sentencing is set for July 3. Arthur Paganini appeared in court on Wednesday for a pretrial hearing. Court records show a plea deal has been reached, and he is scheduled to formally make that plea on Aug. 6. George Taylor, who was charged only with obstruction and not mob action, saw his case dismissed. States Attorney Julia Rietz said this was after further review by her office and after Taylor volunteered in the community on his own accord. Some of that community service happened the day after the unrest at Alma Mater during Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two more defendants Elizabeth Sotiropoulos and Christopher Zelle and are still in the pretrial phase of their cases. The status of the ninth defendant is unknown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. children getting off a school bus The majority of private schools that participated in the inaugural year of Arkansas' voucher program have reapplied for the second year. They're joined by more than two dozen new applicants. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) Nearly 37,000 students have been approved to participate in the states school voucher program during the 2025-2026 academic year, the first time its open to all Arkansans. Created by the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that made sweeping changes to the states K-12 education system, the Education Freedom Account program provides state funds for allowable education expenses such as private school tuition. The program was phased in over three years with expanding eligibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday, the Arkansas Department of Education had received 42,624 applications 27,752 from private school students, 14,866 from homeschool students and six incomplete applications. Applications could be considered incomplete for a variety of reasons such as someone not entering a school in the application, ADE spokesperson Kimberly Mundell said. ADE had approved 36,855 applicants as of Monday 25,569 private school students and 11,286 homeschool students. In the first two years of the EFA program, participation was capped at 1.5% and 3% of the total public school enrollment, roughly 7,100 and 14,000 students, respectively. ADE is projecting approximately 40,000 participants for the 2025-2026 academic year, Mundell said. With no cap in year three, participation will be limited by available funding, which is worrisome to Courtnei Jackson, principal and teacher at Shiloh Excel Christian School in Little Rock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a concern to know that theres a possibility of funds running out and we still dont have families that have renewed or applied yet, she said. Shiloh Excel had 13 students last year, the majority of whom participated in the EFA program. Jackson expects around 20 students to enroll for the 2025-2026 academic year. EFA students are eligible to receive up to $6,994 per student next year. Students who previously qualified for the Succeed Scholarship Program, which was absorbed into the EFA program, will receive up to $7,771. For the 2025-2026 academic year, $277 million in state funds have been approved for the EFA program, Mundell said. Asked if applications are expected to exceed available funding and if per-student funding would be reduced if that happens, Mundell said funding hasnt yet been exceeded and there is no plan to reduce the amount of funding per pupil at this time. Let us know what you think... To manage the large influx of applications, ADE is evaluating and approving applications based on funding priority categories within designated application priority windows, instead of a first-come, first-served basis, according to the education departments EFA website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three-week priority windows began in early March. The application portal was closed from May 26 to June 1, before reopening for the fifth application window on Monday. Once a priority window closes, all submitted applications are reviewed together, with priority given to students in higher funding categories. The students with highest priority are returning EFA participants, followed by students with specialized needs. The program will continue processing applications in three-week windows until Jan. 31, 2026. If the number of applications exceeds available funding, applicants in the highest priority groups will be awarded first until all funds have been allocated, according to ADEs website. Any remaining eligible students will be placed on a rolling waitlist and considered for funding as openings occur. Third-year schools Private schools that have participated in every year of the EFA program say theyre grateful the funds have helped cover families tuition costs and increase their enrollment. But they also say technological issues persist and worry how the program might change. Smaller class sizes are key to providing an effective education at Shiloh Excel, but the school may soon expand from 20 students to 100 because of the EFA program, Jackson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have been [considering expanding] over the years, but were really considering it now, especially since we have the vouchers that are availableso its possible that we could really increase quickly, and we want to be able to accommodate that, she said. Joshua Academy in Van Buren opened in 2023 with 37 students. Enrollment grew to 47 by the end of the Christian schools first year and to 121 during the 2024-2025 academic year when 97 students participated in the EFA program. Enrollment is expected to be around 160 this fall and the EFA program has been a huge part of it, Head of School Kara Witzke said. Joshua Academy serves a fairly underserved population in a rural county with about a quarter of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch and more than 70 ACE scholarships expected next year, Witzke said. Founded in 2000 by a group of people that included Walmart heir John Walton, ACE Scholarships are designed for families that make up to 350% above the poverty level ($112,525 for a family of four in 2025). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that everybodys getting it, the families are so relieved, those especially that have been paying full price for our school or relying on outside scholarships to do so, Witzke said. Theyre so relieved to have that big burden taken care of. Tuition will cost $9,000 for elementary school and $9,500 for middle school next year, and with the EFA program covering the majority of that, Witzke said it creates an opportunity for the outdoor-based school to launch its first annual fund. Private schools often rely on donors to pay for operational costs not covered by tuition, she said, so an annual fund would allow some families to donate part of what they would have paid in tuition and receive a tax deduction. While tuition increases are common, Jackson said shes cautioned her schools board not to raise tuition too much because its important for families to have EFA funds for other things like uniforms and supplies. Shiloh Excels tuition will increase from $4,250 to $5,000 this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Clear Spring School in Eureka Springs, tuition will stay the same next year, ranging from $9,000 to $10,500 for K-12 students. Roughly 85% of the schools students receive scholarships, so the EFA program helps alleviate concerns about how much the independent school needs to raise for tuition assistance, Head of School Jessica FitzPatrick said. Though EFA funds are available, technology can make them difficult to access. Beyond the initial application, families must submit invoices through an online portal for quarterly payments to be disbursed to schools. Joshua Academy families often have phones but not computers, so some use the schools main office computer to access the online EFA portal, Witzke said. With a smaller enrollment of 69 students, FitzPatrick said staff can generally remind families to submit invoices or assist those who arent tech savvy at all. Its not hard, but if youve never done it, its a challenge and its usually our lower-income families that its the biggest challenge for, which is who theyre trying to help, FitzPatrick said. But theres a disconnect there between the lowest income and their hurdles to technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond technical glitches, some private school leaders have concerns about how the EFA program could change in the future. Opponents of the program have called for private schools receiving state funding to be held to the same standards as public schools. Some lawmakers have proposed laws to require just that. If program requirements change such that the state dictates the direction of Clear Spring, that could be a problem because it goes against its accrediting bodys guidelines for independent schools to set their own mission, vision and philosophy, FitzPatrick said. Likewise, Witzke said the EFA program seems like its often under attack and shes worried about efforts to repeal the program or attach strings that would make it impossible for a Christian school, for instance, to maintain their freedom and curriculum choice. I hope that the spirit of the LEARNS Act is maintained and that fidelity is maintained forever, but I am concerned, she said. If it were to go away and we have 200 students at our school that all of a sudden lose 80% of their funding, we would at that point have to rely on donor funding to keep the kids here, and that would be more challenging. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (Reuters) -Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip, the military said on Tuesday. The soldiers' deaths were announced hours after Hamas' armed wing said on Monday its fighters were engaging in "fierce clashes" with Israeli forces in the north of the territory. Israel began its offensive in Gaza after Hamas militants burst through the border from Israeli-blockaded Gaza, attacking Israelis in homes, cars and at an all-night music festival. Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 251 people taken as hostages into Gaza. An additional four were already held by Hamas. 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 Yomna Ehab; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Kate Mayberry) COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) Three teenagers have been arrested after they were discovered in possession of three firearms, with one of them reported stolen. College Station Police say early Tuesday morning traffic resulted in the recovery of a stolen Glock 19, which was reported stolen to the Conroe Police Department. A Palmetto Dagger Compact 9mm and a Glock 19 with an added glock switch were also seized by police. (Courtesy: College Station Police Department) Three arrests were made in connection with this discovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say 18-year-old Edwin Eugene Moore, of Somerville, has been charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon and Minor in Possession of Tobacco. In addition, 18-year-old Elijah Jamaar Green, of Washington, Texas, has been charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession Firearm by Felon and Prohibited Weapon. Finally, 19-year-old Jacoby Oneil Cole, of Independence, Texas, has been charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon, and is a documented gang member. Edwin Eugene Moore. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail) Elijah Jamaar Green. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail) Jacoby Oneil Cole. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail) All three teenagers are in the Brazos County Jail. Coles bond is set at $5,000. Moores bond is set at $5,300. Greens bond is set at $21,000. 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Greta Thunberg and other activists have now covered about a third of their journey towards the sealed-off Gaza Strip. The sailing ship Madleen, from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was in open sea south of the Greek Peloponnese peninsula on Tuesday afternoon, according to data from the ship's tracker. The group of 12 activists set sail from Sicily on Sunday. They say they want to bring aid supplies including baby food and medicine to people in need in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, they want to draw international attention to the humanitarian situation on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thunberg is by far the most recognizable face on board. The 22-year-old has become famous for her determined fight for more action on climate change. However, she has long been committed to the cause of the Palestinian people. The ship's aid mission is part of "a global movement for social and climate justice, liberation and decolonization," Thunberg wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself on board. "If we are to stand on the right side of history, it is our duty and about time that we join this movement," the post said. Israel has blocked the delivery of food, medicine and other essential goods to the Gaza Strip for almost three months as part of its war against the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement but has recently eased the blockade somewhat. It has said it wants to put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages it is holding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thunberg criticized the fact that systematic starvation and the denial of basic needs are just some of the methods Israel is using to wage war against the Palestinians. The Gaza war, triggered by the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, has been going on for more than a year and a half. NEED TO KNOW Sana Yousaf died after being fatally shot The social media influencer, who celebrated her birthday last week, died at age 17 Pakistani police confirmed they arrested a 22-year-old on suspicion of her murder within 20 hours Sana Yousaf has died at age 17 after she was fatally shot, Pakistani police confirmed on Tuesday, June 3. The TikTok star, who had over one million followers across her social media platforms, was killed at her home in the capital Islamabad on Monday night, reported CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have arrested a 22-year-old on suspicion of her murder, per the outlet. Law enforcement says he spent hours loitering outside her home. The accused involved in Yousaf's murder was arrested within 20 hours, according to IG Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi's press conference with senior officers on Tuesday. Sana Yousaf/Instagram Sana Yousaf Sana Yousaf "It was a case of repeated rejections. The boy was trying to reach out to her time and again," Rizvi said during a news conference, per CBS News. He added, "It was a gruesome and cold-blooded murder." Yousaf was a popular content creator on TikTok with more than 800,000 followers on the app. She was known for her lip-sync clips, skincare advice and beauty product promo videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last post that Yousaf posted on Instagram was a video showing her cutting a cake in celebration of her birthday, just hours before her death. Fans filled her comment section with heartfelt tributes. "Cant believe this May her soul rest in peace," wrote one user. "This doesnt feel real. You were glowing, just being 17. Im so sorry this world didnt protect you. Rest in peace, sweetheart ," commented another. Read the original article on People Two of Californias Democratic hopefuls for the 2028 presidential election former Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom were notably absent from the states 2025 Democratic convention. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris former running mate from last year, was the headliner at the convention on Saturday. Walz, who is on a sort of apology tour, didnt have an answer to the lingering question about who is best suited to lead the Democratic Party. As the control former President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wielded over the party fades, there is an opening for a new leader with a fresh perspective, but no one obvious enough to fill the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the convention, Walz scolded Democrats for failing to listen to voters, costing the party the 2024 presidential election. Some of it is our own doing, Walz said at the Anaheim Convention Center, a few long blocks away from Disneyland. The Democratic Party, the party of the working class, lost a big chunk of the working class, he said. We lost to a grifter billionaire giving tax cuts to his grifter billionaire buddies. In the past election, Trump gained ground in nearly every county in the country. In California, where Democrats control the legislature, Trump flipped 10 counties previously won by Biden in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to have confidence to get the basic stuff done like helping folks find meaningful work that pays a living wage so they can buy a home in a safe neighborhood and send their kids to good public schools, the Minnesota governor said. Somewhere we strayed from our North Star. The same day, Walz also headlined the South Carolina Democratic Convention. Wes Moore, another 2028 hopeful, joined Walz in Columbia. Meanwhile, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who seems to be positioning himself for another presidential bid, also showed up in Anaheim. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks to reporters as Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., left, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz look on at Clyburn's World Famous Fish, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. | Meg Kinnard Both the governors and the New Jersey senator dismissed rumors of presidential runs, although Booker first has to run again for his Senate seat in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz in a recent interview did admit hes thinking about seeking a third term as governor of Minnesota. But he is going to wait until after calling a special election in July, when he hopes the divided state legislature finalizes the states budget. After losing the 2024 presidential election, Walz hit the road again in March for a series of town halls in Republican-held congressional districts, starting in Iowa before traveling to Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Texas. Im getting called out on this because I called Donald Trump a wannabe dictator. Its because he is. Its because he is. Oh, the governors being mean and the governors speaking out on that, Walz said in South Carolina. Maybe its time for us to be a little meaner. Maybe its time for us to be a little more fierce, he said. Where was Kamala Harris? Newsom, who is barred by term limits to run for re-election, attended a Democratic Governors Association conference in Portland, Oregon, on May 31, the day of the convention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The San Francisco Standards Josh Koehn speculated Newsom is avoiding the fall out of his latest podcast, This is Gavin Newsom, where he has invited MAGA-loyalists to chat about controversial topics, like transgender men participating in womens sports. Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom presents his revised state budget during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, May 14, 2025. | Rich Pedroncelli Unlike Newsom, Harris didnt have any scheduled engagements. Although Harris made an appearance through a pre-recorded video at the California Democratic Convention, she didnt answer any of the burning questions at the top of the minds of elected officials, political consultants, staffers, and union representatives: Is Harris going to run for president? Or does she have her eyes set on the governors mansion in Sacramento? Harris tough loss in the last presidential election makes her less of an obvious choice. But she hasnt called off her bid for the highest office just yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Golden States gubernatorial race is already crowded thanks to high-profile names like Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. But many, like Eleni Kounalakis, the lieutenant governor of California, and Katie Porter, a former California representative and a 2024 senatorial candidate, plan to withdraw if Harris launches a bid for governor. Even if Harris runs, does she have enthusiasm behind her? Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivers the keynote speech at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. | Godofredo A. Vasquez According to the reporting from The Washington Post and The New York Times, many Democratic activists and delegates arent convinced the former vice president should run for a statewide office. I think shed be fine. I mean, shes already been a state leader, right? Denise Robb, a Democratic Party delegate from Pasadena, told the Post. Its just that she lost the presidential race and shes been almost gone. We dont hear from her. We dont see her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris shied away from public appearances after her defeat against Trump. Last month, Harris in a rare political address dodged questions around her future plans and instead focused on Trump, criticizing his first 100 days in office. One delegate, Mark Gracyk from San Francisco, told the Times he doesnt support her run for governor either. The working class would say, Oh, there she is again, she has the support of the elites, the delegate said. Walz didnt necessarily provide more comfort to the dejected delegates, nor did he lay out a coherent path for future Democratic success. As he tried his best to energize voters across two states over the course of a single day, Turning Point Action organized a large rally in support of the political vehicles gubernatorial candidate of choice in Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, a Trump loyalist and staunch conservative. At the rally, Biggs said he is all in on President Donald Trumps plan to reinstitute federalism, and when the president gives power back to the states, he is ready to be the strong, conservative governor Arizona will need. We've long discussed left-leaners repeatedly expressing fatigue with the Democratic Party over what they perceive to be a lack of effort displayed by its leaders. Well, it looks like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is starting to agree. Amanda Stronza / SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images During a May speech at the South Carolina Democratic Partys annual convention, Walz referred to President Donald Trump as a "wannabe dictator" before suggesting, "Maybe it's time for us to be a little meaner. Maybe it's time for us to be a little more fierce." Tim Walz: "Maybe it's time for us to be a little meaner, a little more fierce... When it's adult like Donald Trump, you bully the shit out of him...This is a weak cruel man."Agree 100% with Time Walz, HELL YES!pic.twitter.com/2avzj6r4iv BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) June 1, 2025 Twitter: @mmpadellan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking from his experience as a former teacher, Walz continued, "The thing that bothers a teacher more than anything is to watch a bully... And when it's a child, you talk to them and you tell them why bullying is wrong." Related: A Republican's Response To A "Tax The Rich" Chant At His Town Hall Is Going Viral "But when it's an adult like Donald Trump," he said, "you bully the shit out of him back." "Because at heart, this is a weak, cruel man that takes it out and punches down at people. What they don't want to do is stand toe to toe and punch back with someone who's calling them out for what they do." Related: "I Am So Torn With What You Are Doing" 11 Posts From MAGA Business Owners Who Are So Close To Getting It Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And this isn't the first time Walz has expressed a need for Dems to "fight back." Just two months ago, the former vice presidential hopeful shared a video of Americans expressing grievances under the Trump administration with the title "Tim Walz: Its time to fight back." "I think elected officials have been too damn timid to not stand up for these things. Bullshit," he says in the video. "It's good stuff that makes a difference." Mario Tama / Getty Images Well! One peek at the comment section under Walz's South Carolina speech will show you how deeply MAGA is rallying against his words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments. Also in In the News: People Can't Believe This "Disgusting" Donald Trump Jr. Post About Joe Biden's Cancer Diagnosis Is Real Also in In the News: One Body Language Expert Spotted Something Very Telling When Donald Trump "Held His Own Hand" At His Recent Press Conference Also in In the News: Republicans Are Calling Tim Walz "Tampon Tim," And The Backlash From Women Is Too Good Not To Share A survey of Togolese citizens recently looked into perceptions of their governments handling of the terrorist threat in the northern region and of the Alliance of Sahel States Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The survey was carried out by Afrobarometer, an independent, pan-African research network, in partnership with the Center for Research and Opinion Polls. The Savanes region in northern Togo, bordering Burkina Faso, has become an area of insecurity since a jihadist attack in 2021. This security crisis is part of a broader context of growing destabilisation in west African countries, centred on the Sahel region. It led to the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States in July 2024. The survey also covered perceptions of foreign influence in Togo and discrimination against women and girls among other topics. Koffi Amessou Adaba, a political sociologist and one of the lead authors of the study, shares insights into the surveys key findings, and the potential implications for Togos future. What are the key findings of the survey? The survey, which involved 1,200 people, reveals that 64% of Togolese respondents believe the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to form the Alliance of Sahel States is somewhat or very justified. This view is driven by three main factors: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement a perception that Ecowas is influenced by foreign powers a widespread rejection of Ecowas sanctions against Sahel states the belief that Ecowas failed to provide military support during those countries security crises. In addition, 54% of Togolese consider the presence of Russia (or the Wagner Group, now known as Africa Corps) in the Alliance of Sahel States to be beneficial. This trust in a non-western external actor reflects a profound shift in geopolitical perceptions in the region. Another important finding of this study is that 54% of Togolese believe their country would benefit from leaving Ecowas to join the Alliance of Sahel States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But opinions are split on whether the Alliance of Sahel States helps or hurts west African integration: 39% believe it doesnt undermine regional integration, but 37% think it does. Read more: West Africa is changing: five essential reads on breakaways from Ecowas How do you make sense of the Togolese push to leave Ecowas? This sentiment reflects growing frustration with Ecowas, which many Togolese now see as out of touch with the regions realities. The bloc is widely perceived as being too close to foreign powers and ineffective in responding to major security threats. Its repeated failures to help resolve Togos political crises (of 2005 and 2017 for example) have only deepened public disillusionment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This frustration is unfolding alongside a broader wave of pan-Africanism in the region, marked by a growing rejection of former colonial powers and their institutional ties. But this momentum should be approached with caution. The desire to leave Ecowas reflects anger and a strong appetite for change, not necessarily a clear assessment of the economic and diplomatic fallout such a move could bring. Read more: Ecowas breakup could push up food prices and worsen hunger in west Africa What do respondents think about terrorism in the north of the country? Nearly six in ten Togolese (59%) say they trust the government to contain or root out the terror threat. This shows broad support for official counter-terrorism efforts, although some question the current strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinions are especially split on how the crisis is communicated. Some find the messaging vague or lacking in transparency. Others think it helps keep people alert without sparking panic. The survey reveals deeper concerns. Even Togolese outside conflict zones report growing insecurity. The northern crisis appears to be fuelling nationwide anxiety. Read more: Mali is still unsafe under the military: why it hasn't made progress against rebels and terrorists Should Togo leave Ecowas? Since tensions flared, Togo has been neutral. It has not openly condemned the Alliance of Sahel States countries and has maintained its membership of Ecowas. This careful stance reflects national sentiment which leans towards support for the Alliance of Sahel States while preserving Togos strategic and economic interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This approach isnt new. Its part of a long-standing Togolese tradition of balanced, pragmatic diplomacy. The nation has always pursued pragmatic and independent foreign policy that adapts to regional dynamics. As west Africas geopolitical landscape shifts, Togo should: maintain open cooperative relations with both Ecowas and the Alliance of Sahel States preserve its strategic position as a logistics and trade hub for the region, particularly through the Port of Lome strengthen its image as a diplomatic force for stability in west Africa. Read more: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have a new defence alliance: an expert view of its chances of success Can Togo maintain its delicate balancing act? Togos careful balancing act remains its safest bet. The truth is, no one knows what the future holds for the Alliance of Sahel States bloc. But this middle ground gives Togo strategic flexibility regardless of how regional politics evolve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Togos position leaves it well-placed either way. If the Alliance of Sahel States countries rejoin Ecowas, Togo keeps its influence. If they dont, it still benefits from its neutrality. Ultimately, Togo should keep playing this diplomatic card. Its measured approach offers rare stability in a volatile region. 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: Koffi Amessou Adaba, Universite de Lome Read more: Koffi Amessou Adaba does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. The spectacular fall of Tom Girardi, a California power broker who was one of the nations most formidable trial attorneys and flaunted his wealth on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, reached its conclusion Tuesday when a judge sentenced him to seven years in prison for stealing from clients. U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton issued the sentence in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom not far from the scenes of Girardis erstwhile influence: the state courthouse where he wrested nine-figure judgments from corporations on behalf of little guy clients; the Palm restaurant where he treated investigators from the State Bar of California to wine-soaked lunches; and the private Jonathan Club, where lawyers hoping to become judges groveled for his approval. The judge noted that when Girardis clients often terribly injured or grieving the loss of a loved one asked for the money due them, he put them off by invoking his elite connections to judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made [the clients] feel that the entire legal system was on his side, Staton said, adding that given Girardi's force in the judicial system, their view was "not wrong." Read more: Tom Girardi underling faces discipline charges over $53-million payout kept secret from clients The truth was their settlements were being used to underwrite a lifestyle of what the judge described as private jets and country clubs for himself and his wife, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne. Staton said Girardi had done untold damage to the legal profession by exploiting people who had gone to him seeking justice at the lowest point in their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Girardi, who turned 86 Tuesday, was convicted of wire fraud last year, after the 2020 collapse of his Wilshire Boulevard law firm, Girardi Keese. The trial concerned about $2 million misappropriated from four settlements, but prosecutors have alleged that he committed much more extensive fraud, with as much as $100 million siphoned from client accounts. Following reporting by The Times, the State Bar acknowledged receiving more than 200 complaints against Girardi dating to the 1980s. None of the complaints led to disciplinary action until after his firm collapsed. During this period, Girardi maintained friendly relationships with high-ranking judges, including justices of the state Supreme Court, and he showered State Bar employees with cash, jobs for their children, trips on his private plane and free legal representation. The State Bar has since instituted measures to prevent corruption. Lawyers must now disclose details of the bank accounts where they hold client money, and the State Bar issued a new rule that requires lawyers to report peers for suspected misconduct. Whether others at Girardi's firm face charges is unclear. The Times reported last year that several former lawyers at his firm received letters informing them they were targets of a criminal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked outside the courtroom whether additional individuals might face prosecution, U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli said, We are looking into anyone and everyone, but there are potential statute of limitations issues with some of the cases. Girardi was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease five years ago, though the level of his impairment has been a hotly disputed issue in court proceedings, with prosecutors suggesting he was malingering. At Tuesdays sentencing, Girardi stared blankly at the judge as she read a litany of his misdeeds. When given a chance to address the court, he blamed poor accounting for clients not getting their money, said the situation was corrected and insisted he had not profited personally. Read more: Girardi's ex-CFO sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding clients Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its clear there was some negligence involved, but everybody got everything they were supposed to get. Thats the important thing, he said. But a prosecutor dismissed the statement as just the most recent in a string of falsehoods. We are here today because of Tom Girardis lies, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Scott Paetty, who had sought a 14-year sentence. He pointed to one Girardi client, Joseph Ruigomez, who suffered burns over 90% of his body in a 2010 gas line explosion in San Bruno, Calif. Girardi told Ruigomez that he had secured him a $7-million payout from PG&E. The real settlement amount was $53 million. In a victim impact statement delivered at a lectern a few feet from Girardi, Ruigomez said being preyed on by a lawyer who was supposed to be a beacon of hope was a nightmare that lasted for years. Another victim, Josie Hernandez, said she had been driven into bankruptcy by Girardis failure to pay her a settlement with a medical device company. She said internet memes and clips of Girardi's estranged wife portraying herself on "Real Housewives" as a victim of his scheme have been excruciating to deal with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the height of his career, Girardi was an associate of governors, advising Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown on judicial picks. A self-described limousine liberal, he donated millions of dollars to Democratic candidates and hosted a 2019 fundraiser at the Jonathan Club for Joe Biden in his first race against Donald Trump. No one from those circles has supported Girardi publicly since his arrest, and Staton said she was struck that none of the thousands of little guy clients Girardi represented wrote letters on his behalf. Staton ordered Girard to report to prison by July 17. She rejected a proposal from his attorneys that he be allowed to serve any sentence in the locked Alzheimers care unit at the Seal Beach nursing home where he has lived for several years. Defense attorney Samuel Cross told the judge that, given Girardi's dementia and other health problems, any term behind bars would probably amount to a life sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Tom Girardi hospitalized on eve of mental evaluation hearing Should Tom Girardi die in prison?" he asked repeatedly in remarks to the judge. Cross said Girardi has no short-term memory to speak of. He described Girardis mind as frozen in amber 30 years ago when he was a successful lawyer residing in a palatial Pasadena mansion. If hes in prison, he will not understand why, Cross said. Staton said she was not moved by what she called his cognitive decline, saying his advanced age and various maladies actually made his imprisonment less harsh than it might have been when he was at the zenith of his power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a greater punishment because he is old. It is lesser because he gives up less, the judge said. Girardi's attorneys, from the federal public defender's office, said in court that he plans to appeal his conviction. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton 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. Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi has been sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison for stealing millions of dollars from injured clients in a Ponzi scheme. U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Judge Josephine L. Staton handed down the sentencing on Monday in downtown Los Angeles. She ordered Girardi to report to prison on July 17 and pay over $2.3 million in restitution and fines. The sentencing came on Girardis 86th birthday. His attorney was hoping hed remain at a medical care facility for the rest of his life, due to age-related dementia, but Judge Stanton denied that request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, a jury found the estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne guilty of defrauding clients and stealing millions of dollars from them. In 2022, the State Bar of California disbarred him following numerous complaints, claims of misappropriating settlement funds and other ethical violations. The 2021 Hulu documentary The Housewife and the Hustler went inside the legal drama surrounding Girardi, with his former clients revealing his misconduct. Jayne filed for divorce from Girardi in 2020 after 21 years of marriage. Girardi is known for the 1993 groundwater contamination lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric. The lawsuit was portrayed in the 2000 film Erin Brockovich, which starred Julia Roberts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He ran the now-shuttered Girardi Keese law firm, which was located on Wilshire Boulevard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW Tom Llamas celebrated his debut as the new anchor of NBC Nightly News on the June 2 episode, calling it the start of a "new adventure" Llamas, who is also host of Top Story with Tom Llamas, succeeds Lester Holt in the role The journalist spoke to Today ahead of his first episode behind the Nightly News desk, revealing how he feels as the first Latino weekday evening news anchor Tom Llamas is signing on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Llamas made his debut as the new anchor of NBC Nightly News on the June 2 episode, taking over the reins from Lester Holt. "That's Nightly News for tonight, my first as the anchor of this great broadcast," Llamas said at the end of the episode. "My thanks to all of you as we start this new adventure together. Tonight, and always, we're here for you." Llamas also introduced a new series during his debut episode called "The Cost of Denial," which he explained is "a spotlight on the issues millions of American face across healthcare and homeownership when it comes to insurance coverage." Ahead of his first episode anchoring Nightly News, Llamas sat down with Savannah Guthrie on Today to discuss his new role. Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Tom Llamas on 'Today' in 2021 Tom Llamas on 'Today' in 2021 "I feel excited. I'm so looking forward to this. I can't wait," he said, adding that he "never in my wildest dreams" thought he could get to this point in his career. "I'm a little nervous, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. I think it's good to be a little nervous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With his new gig, Llamas is the first Latino weekday evening news anchor something he called both a privilege and an honor. "I thank all the Hispanic journalists that came before me because when I was watching news and growing up, we'd watch news in English and Spanish, I saw people like Jose Diaz-Balart, people that I could look up to. And I saw, well, if they can do it, I could do it," said Llamas, who is Cuban-American. "I think even bigger than that, 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," he continued. "What it tells me is that the American dream is still alive. I know that because I'm living it." Llamas also called his wife, Jennifer, and their three children "my biggest cheerleaders." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holt signed off as Nightly News anchor on the May 30 episode after more than a decade in the role, calling his stint on the evening news show "the honor of a lifetime." Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Joe Scarnici/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty (L) Tom Llamas and (R) Lester Holt (L) Tom Llamas and (R) Lester Holt "Around here, facts matter, words matter, journalism matters and you matter," Holt said in his farewell. "Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights from our country the pandemic, mass shootings, natural disasters each testing our resilience and our compassion. That's why I often like to leave you with something to smile about, moments that reassure and connect us." "Please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I'll do the same," he added, also wishing Llamas "great success." Read the original article on People Germany's top court on Tuesday rejected a challenge to the results of February's parliamentary elections. The case was brought by the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which won 4.981% of the vote - falling just short of the 5% required to secure seats in the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament. The party filed a legal challenge to the results, arguing that its right to equal opportunity was denied over the failure to carry out a recount, and the BSW's placement on election ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Constitutional Court, based in the south-western city of Karlsruhe, ruled that the complaints were inadmissible. "The applicant has not sufficiently substantiated the possibility of a violation of its right to equal opportunities," it said in a statement. Just one year after emerging as a splinter group from The Left party, the BSW fell 9,529 votes short of reaching the 5% hurdle in February's election. In its challenge, it claimed that up to 32,000 votes for the party were either not counted, or were incorrectly assigned. A successful challenge could have had huge implications for German politics. The new coalition government in Berlin - made up of Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats, the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union and the centre-left Social Democratic Party - would have lacked a majority in the Bundestag if the BSW had overcome the 5% hurdle. Germany's top court on Tuesday rejected a challenge to the results of February's parliamentary elections. The case was brought by the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which won 4.981% of the vote - falling just short of the 5% required to secure seats in the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament. The party filed a constitutional challenge to the results, arguing that its right to equal opportunity was denied over the failure to carry out a recount, and the BSW's placement on election ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Constitutional Court, based in the south-western city of Karlsruhe, ruled that the complaints were inadmissible. "The applicant has not sufficiently substantiated the possibility of a violation of its right to equal opportunities," it said in a statement. A separate complaint by the BSW is under way in the parliamentary committee. The party's founder, Sahra Wagenknecht, said that if the complaint is rejected, she plans to appeal to the Constitutional Court again. Just one year after emerging as a splinter group from The Left party, the BSW fell 9,529 votes short of reaching the 5% hurdle in February's election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its challenge, it claimed that up to 32,000 votes for the party were either not counted, or were incorrectly assigned. A successful challenge could have huge implications for German politics. The new coalition government in Berlin - made up of Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats, the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union and the centre-left Social Democratic Party - would have lacked a majority in the Bundestag if the BSW had overcome the 5% hurdle. A top federal prosecutor who oversaw the Department of Justice prosecutions of the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack has resigned while criticizing the sweeping pardons rolled out by President Donald Trump as a green light for political violence. I was shocked, if not stunned, by the breadth of the pardons, Greg Rosen, who headed the former Capitol Siege section in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, told CBS News following his exit last week. I think the message that they send is that political violence towards a political goal is acceptable in a modern democratic society, he added. Individuals who were duly and appropriately convicted of federal crimes ranging in culpability are immediately let loose without any supervision, without any remorse, without any rehabilitation to civil society. Gregory Rosen criticized President Donald Trumps sweeping pardons of the Jan. 6 rioters, saying it sends a message that political violence towards a political goal is acceptable in a modern democratic society. GWU Rosen oversaw some of the roughly 1,500 federal prosecutions related to the Capitol riot, for offenses ranging from trespassing with a dangerous or deadly weapon to assaulting law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, on Jan. 20, the same day Trump took office, he pardoned all of those convicted while calling their prosecution a grave national injustice. Rosens department, the Capitol Siege section, was disbanded by Trump a short time later, and he, along with a handful of other senior federal prosecutors who had brought criminal charges against some of Trumps allies, were demoted by the DOJ. Rioters storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. via Associated Press Rosen plans to head to the private sector next, taking a role with the D.C. firm Rogers Joseph ODonnell, which offers white-collar criminal defense. I would not change a thing about the way we conducted ourselves and the honor in which we brought to the court and to the system, said Rosen to NBC in defense of the DOJs handling of the Jan. 6 cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concept that these defendants were railroaded or mistreated is belied by the actual facts, he said. The reality is every single case was treated with the utmost scrutiny, and every single case required the same level of due process, maximal due process afforded by the U.S. Constitution. He added that he hopes the recorded work that he and other prosecutors performed ultimately shapes how history remembers the days events. Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier during the 2021 riot. via Associated Press What I hope the takeaway will be to citizens of this country is that what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, was a national disgrace and then the prosecution that followed reaffirmed the principles of the rule of law and vindicated the rights and the bravery of law enforcement, he said. In a post on LinkedIn announcing his leave, Rosen recognized his colleagues and the law enforcement officers who were injured while defending the Capitol during the attack. While quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he shared his belief that the arc of the moral universe does bend towards justice, even if it may stretch further for some. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democracy is never easy but the things that matter most rarely are, he wrote. Keep honoring that legacy. Keep fighting for the rule of law. Related... BEIJING (Reuters) -Top Chinese general Xu Qiliang, a close ally of President Xi Jinping who was the former vice chair of the powerful Central Military Commission, died of illness at age 75 on Monday in Beijing, state media reported. Xu served two consecutive terms on the Communist Party's highest military command body between 2012 and 2022, as Xi came to power. Before that, he spent decades in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force, rising to Air Force Commander in 2007 after a stint in the PLA General Staff Department. Xu was described as an "outstanding member of the Communist Party" and an "outstanding leader of the People's Liberation Army" in a short obituary published on Monday by state news agency Xinhua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was the first Central Military Commission (CMC) vice chair not to have been from the land forces, a sign of Beijing's growing emphasis on different branches of the military as the PLA pursues combat integration and modernisation. He emerged seemingly unscathed by the anti-corruption campaign targeting the highest ranks of the PLA soon after Xi came into office, which took down his predecessors Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, both vice-chairs of the CMC. China's military has undergone a renewed anti-corruption purge since last year, with over a dozen PLA generals including two former defence ministers and a serving CMC member, Miao Hua, removed or suspended from their posts. Born into a peasant family in eastern China's Shandong province, Xu joined the PLA in 1966 at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution, a decade-long period of turmoil spearheaded by Mao Zedong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was a strong advocate of military modernisation, helping transform the air force from a reliance on outdated equipment to domestically developed stealth fighters and amphibian assault ships. Xu was commander of an air force unit in Fuzhou, Fujian province, while Xi was the city's Communist Party chief in the early 1990s. It is during this period that the men were reported to have become close. (Reporting by Laurie Chen; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Originally appeared on E! Online Content warning: This story contains graphic details. A resort town in Thailand has become the scene of a gruesome death. A Chinese man is accused of killing and mutilating Woranan Pannacha, a transgender woman, in Pattaya after she allegedly refused to have sex with him, police said, according to The Bangkok Post. The suspect, 42, was arrested at the Samut Prakan airport and allegedly confessed to killing the 25-year-old on April 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He allegedly met her on a beach and offered her 8,000 baht (about $240) to come to his room to have sex, but when she arrived and refused his advances, he demanded a partial refund. When she declined, the pair allegedly got into a physical altercation and he strangled her to death. The man allegedly took her body into the bathroom and used scissors to cut open her breasts and pull out her silicone implants. He told police he wanted to "play" with Pannacha's body, so he cut her open from her neck to her genitals and removed her heart, according to the Post. Police said Pannacha's lungs also went missing, but the suspect reportedly denied touching those organs. Chonburi police commander Tawatkiat Jindakuansanong later shed light on the possible motive, telling reporters per the South China Morning Post, He confessed and said that he had seen a TV series and wanted to try to cut open the victim and remove the organs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The manwho worked as a welder in Chinaallegedly apologized, saying he could not control himself during the fight, per the Bangkok Post. More from E! Online He headed to the airport the next morning, where he was arrested. At the time, he only had a drinking bottle in his luggage, according to Pattaya police chief Pol Col Anek Sathongyu, per the Post. Natnan Srisuwan/ Getty Chonburi police commander Tawatkiat Jindakuansanong later shed light on the possible motive, telling reporters per the South China Morning Post, He confessed and said that he had seen a TV series and wanted to try to cut open the victim and remove the organs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The manwho worked as a welder in Chinaallegedly apologized, saying he could not control himself during the fight, per the Bangkok Post. E! News has reached out to Chonburi police for comment but hasn't heard back. An upstate New York town official accused of shooting and wounding a food delivery person says he was protecting his family and has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges. Ring doorbell camera footage shows John Reilly III, the highway superintendent in Chester, a town nearly 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of Manhattan, shooting at the DoorDash driver's car on May 2 as the person was trying to leave Reilly's property. Prosecutors allege the shooting was unprovoked, saying the driver was lost and his cellphone battery was dead, as he only tried to see if Reilly had ordered the food he was trying to deliver. But Reilly's lawyer, Thomas Kenniff, said in a phone interview Tuesday that Reilly, worried about a home invasion, was defending his family after the driver insisted on entering his home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reilly pleaded not guilty Monday during an appearance at the Orange County courthouse in Goshen. The charges also include first-degree assault and weapons crimes. He did not comment while leaving the courthouse and remains free on bail. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler called the shooting a horrifying act of violence. The driver, who authorities have not named, was shot in the back and seriously wounded. Video clips from Reilly's Ring doorbell camera, obtained by TV station News 12 and the Times Union, show the series of events. One clip shows the driver walking up to Reilly's front door with a plastic bag and ringing the doorbell. Another, from a short time later, appears to show the driver back in his car and Reilly exiting his house with a handgun. Reilly then fires a shot into his front lawn while saying, Go. The video then shows Reilly shooting at the car as the driver is making a three-point turn in the driveway. He fires a third shot as the car is driving away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kenniff said the videos do not tell the full story. Kenniff said Reilly's 12-year-old daughter woke him up after the driver rang the doorbell and he answered the door, telling the driver he didn't order any food. The driver, who was not wearing anything indicating he was from DoorDash, insisted on coming into the house to charge his phone, Kenniff said. My client, I think quite reasonably given the rash of home invasion robberies locally and around the country ... tells the gentleman to leave and advises that hes going to get a gun that he uses for home protection, as a lot of people in rural areas justifiably do, Kenniff said. Kenniff said Reilly fired shots in an attempt to get the driver to leave his property and didn't intend to harm the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that this was a situation where my client reasonably believed that there was a threat and he took actions to try to protect his home and protect his family, and unfortunately there may have been unintended consequences, Kenniff said. Kenniff and his firm also represented Daniel Penny, a U.S. Marine veteran who was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in December in connection with the chokehold death of a mentally ill man on a New York City subway in 2023. Police executed a search warrant at Reilly's house and seized eight illegally possessed guns, including the .45-caliber handgun used to shoot the driver, Hoovler said. While Reilly had a federal license to sell firearms, he did not have a New York state firearms license or pistol permit, making his possession of the guns illegal, Hoovler said. The unprovoked violence alleged in this case is truly horrifying, Hoovler said in a statement. Reilly is due back in court on July 2. A citizen was recognized after he reported a house fire and saved the unconscious man in the home. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Harrison Township recognized the brave efforts of James Smith who pulled an unconscious Corey Mitchell from his burning home. As previously reported on News Center 7, firefighters were dispatched to the home on Philadelphia Drive around 5:30 p.m. on April 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resident pulled from the home was in critical condition, according to Seth Dodds with the Harrison Township Fire Department. The fire damaged the first floor of the home. TRENDING STORIES: The township recognized Smith at their Board of Trustees meeting Monday night. It was the first time since the day of the fire that Smith and James had reunited. It was an emotional moment for everyone in the room, according to a spokesperson for Harrison Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin Frank and Cory Brand were the paramedics who provided lifesaving care at the scene, and they were also in attendance at the meeting. Were proud to celebrate the compassion and courage shown by all involved, a spokesperson for the township said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A car and a tractor-trailer collided head-on Monday morning in Georgetown County, killing one driver and sending the other to the hospital, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. It happened at about 7:50 a.m. on Highway 51 near Amos Road and involved a 2017 Kenworth tractor-trailer and a 1999 Nissan sedan, SCHP Cpl. David Jones said. The Nissan driver died at the scene, and the truck driver was taken to the hospital. The tractor-trailer was traveling north on Highway 51, and the Nissan was going south when the two vehicles collided, Jones said. No additional information was immediately available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The highway patrol is investigating. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Sioux City Police Department has issued a scam alert. According to the Sioux City Police Department, there is a phishing scam going around claiming that victims owe the Iowa DMV money due to a violation. Phishing scam photo courtesy Sioux City Police Department The scam claims that there is an outstanding traffic ticket that needs to be paid or else your vehicle registration will be suspended, amongst other claims. The number provided by the SCPD that this text message is coming from is a +63 number and according to the police department, this indicates the text message is coming from the Philippines and not the state of Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Story continues below Along with the scam warning, the police department issued the following tips to avoid being scammed. Be cautious of unexpected text messages: Dont click on any links or respond to messages from unknown senders. Never click on links: Avoid clicking on links in text messages, especially if they seem suspicious or ask for personal information. Verify the sender: If youre unsure about the messages legitimacy, contact the company or organization directly through their official website or phone number. Block or report suspicious numbers: If you receive a suspicious text message, block the sender and report it to your phone provider or the FTC. Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication: This can help protect your accounts from unauthorized access. Stay informed about common scam techniques: Familiarize yourself with the latest phishing tactics to recognize and avoid them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Woodbury County Treasurer said theyve gotten more than 40 calls from residents concerned about the messages. Theyre reminding locals that traffic violation payments arent collected by the DMV or the Treasurers office, and the messages should be ignored. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Swiss International Airlines flight to Miami landed back in Zurich after a four-hour journey. The Airbus A340 had "an irregularity with an engine," the airline said. The flight changed directions a couple of times over the ocean before circling Zurich for an hour. Passengers expecting to travel transatlantic ended up on a four-hour flight-to-nowhere. Swiss International Airlines Flight 64 on Monday was supposed to be a 10-hour journey from Zurich to Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passengers were already in for some disruption as it departed around an hour later than scheduled, per data from Flightradar24. Things went smoothly until an hour and a half into the journey, when the Airbus A340 started to turn around. The plane had not long started flying over the Atlantic Ocean before deciding to head back. It appeared to be going toward Switzerland, then turned toward Spain, before returning to its original path. After three hours in the air, the A340 was back in Swiss airspace. However, it then had to circle around Zurich a few times before it could land. An airline spokesperson told Business Insider that the plane returned due to "an irregularity with an engine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four-engined plane involved in the incident, HB-JMH, is 21 years old. "As a precautionary measure, the crew decided to return to the home airport in Zurich, where we have the best maintenance facilities," they added. This is often the case in so-called flights to nowhere, where returning to a hub airport also makes it easier to re-route passengers. Those on the Swiss flight were rebooked on the fastest possible alternatives. "We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers," the airline spokesperson said. Similar incidents have seen flights as long as 10 hours before returning to their original take-off point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, last November, a British Airways flight U-turned when it was halfway across the Atlantic. And after a plane crash at Toronto Airport in February, two transatlantic flights to nowhere were among dozens of planes that diverted. Read the original article on Business Insider JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) A traveling exhibit exploring the history of Black education in Tennessee will be on display at Johnson Citys Langston Centre for most of the summer. Building a Bright Future: Black Communities and Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee will be on display at the Langston Centre through July 29. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tri-Cities housing market still favors sellers, analyst says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee State Museum created the exhibit, which tells the story of Black education in the Volunteer State. The exhibit takes visitors from the Reconstruction Era to the present and also emphasizes the importance of the Rosenwald program in Tennessee. Rosenwald Schools were built across the South in the early 1900s, thanks to Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, to provide Black children with an education. Leadership at the Langston Centre said the Rosenwald program left a profound impact on Tennessee, including Northeast Tennessee. The majority of those schools came from Middle and West Tennessee, but there were some Rosenwald Schools built in East Tennessee, said Adam Dickson, the multi-cultural engagement manager at the Langston Centre. So we think about Newport, even a couple in Sullivan County. Funds from the Rosenwald Trust were used to build the auditorium here at Langston High School, so there is a connection to Rosenwald Schools even in this part of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it is estimated that by 1928, one-third of the Souths rural Black children and teachers were served by a Rosenwald School. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Sioux City City Council announced an intent to accept a proposal that would improve a small section of downtown Sioux City. During Mondays City Council meeting, the Council announced its intent to accept a proposal from Tri-State Real Estate Development for the purchase and redevelopment of 625 and 615 Douglas Street. Plans call for the restoration of 615 Douglas Street. With this proposal, the vacant lot at 625 Douglas Street would be redeveloped into green space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project includes a capital investment of over $5 million and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Theyve got a plan to put apartments in it, and theyre the same group that did the Benson building, so Im pretty confident well have a nice project when they get done. Part of the deal we made with them is to put some parking in there that others will be able to use, and a lot of the old KCAU site will become more of a park-like setting to tie into our existing park, said Mayor Bob Scott. The apartment project shows 18 apartments on the upper two floors with retail filling the first floor. The city acquired the historic building in January. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) Three former Salvadoran military officers were convicted by a five-person jury late Tuesday for the 1982 killings of four Dutch journalists during the Central American nations civil war. They received 15-year prison sentences. A jury made up of five women convicted the three men of murder in a lightning trial that began Tuesday morning in the northern city of Chalatenango, said Oscar Perez, lawyer for the Foundation Comunicandonos that represented the victims' families. Perez said prosecutors had requested minimum 15-year prison sentences for all three. Convicted were former Defense Minister Gen. Jose Guillermo Garcia, 91, former treasury police director Col. Francisco Moran, 93, and Col. Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena, 85, who was the former army commander of the Fourth Infantry Brigade in Chalatenango. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia and Moran are under police guard at a private hospital in San Salvador, while Reyes Mena lives in the United States. In March, El Salvadors Supreme Court ordered that the extradition process be started to bring him back. Perez said that in addition to the convictions of the former high-ranking officers, the judge condemned the government for the delayed justice and ordered the commander in chief of the armed forces, President Nayib Bukele, to issue a public apology to the victims. The Dutch TV journalists Jan Kuiper, Koos Koster, Hans ter Laag and Joop Willemson had linked up with leftist rebels and planned to spend several days behind rebel lines reporting. But Salvadoran soldiers armed with assault rifles and machine guns ambushed them and the guerrillas. Garcia was deported from the U.S. in 2016, after a U.S. judge declared him responsible for serious human rights violations during the early years of the war between the military and the leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front guerrillas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution of the men was reopened in 2018 after the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a general amnesty passed following the 1980-1992 war. It moved slowly, but in March 2022, relatives of the victims and representatives of the Dutch government and European Union demanded that those responsible for killing Jan Kuiper, Koos Koster, Hans ter Laag and Joop Willemson be tried. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp welcomed the convictions. This is an important moment in the fight against impunity and in the pursuit of justice for the four Dutch journalists and their next of kin, Veldkamp said in a message on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grateful to the authorities of El Salvador and to all those who have worked tirelessly on this case, he added. The United Nations Truth Commission for El Salvador, which was set up as part of a U.N.-brokered peace agreement in 1992, concluded there was clear evidence that the killings were the result of an ambush set up by Reyes Mena with the knowledge of other officials, based on an intelligence report that alerted of the journalists presence. Other members of the military, including Gen. Rafael Flores Lima and Sgt. Mario Canizales Espinoza were also accused of involvement, but died. Canizales allegedly led the patrol that carried out the massacre of the journalists. Juan Carlos Sanchez, of the nongovernmental organization Mesa Contra la Impunidad, in comments to journalists, called the trial a transcendental step that the victims have waited 40 years for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An estimated 75,000 civilians were killed during El Salvadors civil war, mostly by U.S.-backed government security forces. The trial was closed to the public. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Opening statements started Tuesday in the Horry County murder trial of one of two men accused in the killing of a 20-year-old man outside a Planet Fitness gym in Carolina Forest, according to the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office. Abdullah Seifullah, 45, is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and criminal conspiracy in the June 2023 death of David Roldan-Dimas, 20, of York County. Roldan-Dimas was shot and killed while he sat in a black Chevrolet Camaro on Glenforest Road, according to authorities, who said the Camaro had hit a parked Nissan SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seifullah and Branden Huertas, were arrested on unrelated charges in February 2024 in Connecticut. Seifullah was returned to Horry County and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center last February, according to online records. Branden Huertas / Photo: J. Reuben Long Detention Center Huertas was extradited to Horry County in November and charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, accessory before the fact and accessory after the fact. He was scheduled to stand trial in March but has since entered a plea and is waiting to be sentenced, according to Horry Countys online public records. Both men remain in the Reuben Long Detention Center. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. 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. A popular and well-respected librarian for the Bad River Public Tribal Library in northern Wisconsin, who was laid off by the Trump administration in April, has recently returned to work. Around 10:00 p.m. on April 8, Jennifer Maveety received an email saying the Institute of Museum and Library Services was ending the federal grant that funded her role as library coordinator. The letter further explained that the museum and library agency was repurposing itself to align with President Trumps agenda and following his March 14 executive order to eliminate all non-statutorily required activities and functions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maveety was hired as library coordinator in December 2022 to help the tribe reopen its library, closed since 2016. She helped redesign and rebuild it in a new space, completing the project in just six months half the time her supervisor, tribal education director Stephanie Julian, had expected. The library opened in June 2023, and Maveetys welcoming presence quickly drew in community members, confirming how much the reservation needed the space. Maveetys termination set off a firestorm of dozens of social media posts and comments, supporting her and criticizing the presidents agenda. But on May 21, she received another email stating that she would be reinstated in compliance with a May 13 federal court injunction. Maveety returned to work on May 27. It kind of feels like I never left, Maveety said. A much-needed community resource The Bad River Public Tribal Library contains more than 5,000 books, circulates more than 20,000 items per year and serves more than 1,000 residents. Maveety is its sole staff member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maveety creates and runs summer reading programs for children and book clubs for adults, which have become especially popular, and helps people write resumes and cover letters. Federal funding allows the library to purchase books by Indigenous authors for all ages and give them to readers for the book club, Maveety said. Some tribal members have even told her theyve never read a book by an Indigenous author before the book club. The tribal library contains hard-to-find volumes about local Indigenous history used by academic researchers around the state. While some books by Indigenous authors have been banned in other parts of the country, they remain available in the state's tribal libraries. For instance, in 2021, the Central York School District in Pennsylvania banned several books by Indigenous authors, including Fry Bread: A Native American Story by Kevin Maillard, An Indigenous Peoples History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and The People Shall Continue by Simon Ortiz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These books shed light on the atrocities committed against Indigenous people by European colonizers and how Indigenous people survived and persevered, though some parents in the district have raised concerns about promoting "White guilt." More: This Wisconsin library remains a source of Native truth as libraries across the country ban books by Indigenous authors Maveety said the library is one of the last places people can go to free of charge that provides useful, accurate information in this age of misinformation and censorship. However, the wave of book bans and anti-DEI efforts could affect students from the non-tribal Ashland School District from learning about Indigenous history and culture, she said. Currently, those students learn about Ojibwe activities, such as those involving canoes, wild ricing and maple tapping. Maveety hopes the states Act 31, which mandates public schools teach about Indigenous peoples, can help protect that learning in Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And even though she's been reinstated, she worries about the future of federal funding with the latest appeal to the courts decision. Anything thats federally funded feels very precarious," she said. More: Potawatomi Tribe challenges stereotypes of Natives by donating books to local schools Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Librarian rehired to serve Ojibwe community in northern Wisconsin FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Three people from Washington, D.C. are facing charges after they were accused of stealing more than $30,000 in candles from retailers across Fairfax County. In an announcement Tuesday, the Fairfax County Police Department said detectives arrested 34-year-old Delontae Shaw, 25-year-old Sincere Stewart and 28-year-old Devon Owens in connection with the organized candle theft spree. Just after 1 p.m. on Feb 2., officers responded to the Kingstowne Towne Center, in the 5800 block of Kingstowne Center for a grand larceny. This is where Bath & Body Works is located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the scene, police learned that three people had entered the store and stole candles before fleeing in a vehicle, according to FCPD. Missing man with autism last seen in Fairfax County, police say After the incident, similar thefts were reported around the Kingstowne and Fair Oaks areas, revealing a clear pattern of organized retail theft to investigators. Police said detectives from FCPSs Criminal Investigations Division took over the investigation, linking Shaw, Owens and Stewart to the following additional candle thefts, which happened between February and May: 2/10/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $1,802.45 2/25/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $1,758.05 3/15/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $1,095.60 3/24/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $1,888.55 3/28/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $1,653.42 4/3/2025 13000 Route 50, Fair Oaks $2,051.00 4/7/2025 13000 Route 50, Fair Oaks $4,319.05 4/8/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $2,000.00 4/22/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $1,282.68 4/23/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $2,464.55 4/24/2025 13000 Route 50, Fair Oaks $3,100.00 5/2/2025 5800 block of Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne $849.25 5/13/2025 13000 Route 50, Fair Oaks $2,620.45 5/21/2025 13000 Route 50, Fair Oaks $3,518.40 5/25/2025 6700 block of Frontier Drive, Springfield $600.00 In addition, the Prince William County Police Department said that Shaw was involved in a robbery at a Bath & Body Works in Manassas on April 10, along with two other suspects. At this time, it is unclear if Owens and Stewart were the other two involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the investigation, FCPD detectives, along with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Shaw, Stewart and Owens in D.C. on May 29. Authorities charged Shaw with 10 counts of grand larceny and 10 counts of larceny with intent to sell. Stewart was charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, and Owens was charged with five counts of grand larceny and five counts of larceny with intent to sell. The group is being held at the Washington D.C. Central Detention Facility and is awaiting extradition to Fairfax County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. SCHUYLER, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) New York State Police arrested a Utica man over the weekend after he hit a mobile home in Schuyler with his truck. Officers were called to Monaghan Lane in the Town of Schuyler at approximately 10:15 pm on Wednesday, May 28 for a report of a vehicle crashing into a residence. Upon their arrival, troopers spoke with the owner of the mobile home, who stated that a red pickup truck went off the road and struck the mobile home. The owner of the vehicle later found to be 40-year-old Bob Szewczyk of Utica allegedly drove away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon further investigation, troopers found that the truck had done considerable damage to the mobile home, including a broken gas line and meter. It is unknown if the house had to be evacuated due to the broken gas line. Troopers were able to locate Szewczyk on Saturday, May 31. Szewczyk would admit during an interview with New York State Police that he was highly intoxicated during the incident. Szewczyk was eventually charged with: Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, as well as Numerous other traffic infractions. Szewczyk was ultimately arrested and charged in a separate, unrelated incident. He is currently being held at the Herkimer County Jail. 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The need for additional funding was a common theme at the Trumbull County Commissioners workshop Tuesday. The countys board of elections says with its current budget, it wont be able to fund a full election this fall. Earlier this year, commissioners had approved $1.6 million for the board of elections, which was about $471,000 less than what was requested. Board of Elections Chairman Mark Alberini says the approved budget doesnt cover the departments fixed costs, let alone any variables. Alberini told the board the department is looking at a $257,000 shortfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, were not gonna be able to fully fund a full election in November yeah, its just in jeopardy, that cant happen. We all know that cant happen, Alberini said. Alberini says he knows the financial issues the county is facing, but the next recourse would be to take the issue to 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 WKBN.com. President Donald Trumps administration on Tuesday rescinded a Biden-era guideline around emergency abortion care. The move has no direct legal impacts on care, but it sends a clear message on where the Trump administration stands on abortion access. Abortion advocates also tell HuffPost that the guideline repeal will create more confusion for physicians on the ground, and lead to more delays and denials of care. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rescinded the 2022 guidance around the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, also known as EMTALA. EMTALA requires hospitals that participate in Medicare the majority of hospitals in the country to offer abortion care if its necessary to stabilize the health of a pregnant patient while theyre experiencing a medical emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guidance was published by the Biden administration after the Supreme Court repealed federal abortion protections as a reminder to physicians that EMTALA, a federal law, supersedes any state abortion ban. As frontline health care providers, the federal EMTALA statute protects your clinical judgment and the action that you take to provide stabilizing medical treatment to your pregnant patients, regardless of the restrictions in the state where you practice, then-HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra wrote. Trumps CMS stated that the previous guidance and accompanying letter do not reflect the policy of this Administration. The obligation to provide emergency abortion care comes from EMTALA itself, a federal statute written by Congress, Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, told HuffPost. The Trump administration does not have the power to simply erase that with the stroke of a pen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it absolutely sends an ominous signal about what this administration is going to attempt to do after promising not to interfere with emergency abortions, she said. The announcement came the same day anti-abortion group Catholic Medical Association announced it was dismissing its case, Catholic Medical Association v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and challenging the guidance. Although the guidance simply underlined current federal law, rescinding it will throw physicians into legal chaos. The Trump administration doesnt want you to know it, but they just quietly erased guidance that informed hospitals of their obligation to provide lifesaving care for pregnant women facing health care emergencies, like severe hemorrhage or sepsis circumstances where the only option to save a womans life may be emergency abortion care, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a Tuesday statement. Once again, the Trump administration is sending a clear message that they do not care about womens lives, and they dont care how many pregnant women they force into health care crises so long as they can continue to advance their extreme anti-abortion agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been many reports of pregnant women across the country in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and elsewhere who were denied emergency abortion care because they werent close enough to death. The decision to revoke these guidelines will create further confusion for emergency care providers who are simply trying to do their jobs. The Supreme Court rejected an attack on emergency abortion care in Idaho last summer, but pro-choice groups cautioned against calling it a win. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that the decision was not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho but instead it is delay. Complying with this law can mean the difference between life and death for pregnant people, forcing providers like me to choose between caring for someone in their time of need and turning my back on them to comply with cruel and dangerous laws, Dr. Jamila Perritt, OB-GYN, abortion provider and president of Physicians for Reproductive Health, said in a statement. As a doctor, I have a moral and ethical obligation to provide emergency care to those in need, including EMTALAs mandate to provide abortion care when it is necessary and stabilizing treatment, Perritt added. This action does not change that. Related... WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The Trump administration is pressuring trade partners to make a deal with them as tariff threats loom. Right now, President Donald Trumps planned tariffs on dozens of foreign countries are paused, but theyre set to take effect on July 8th unless the countries strike a deal with the U.S. Adding urgency to the negotiations the White House says the U.S. sent letters to all of its trading partners asking for the countries to submit their best trade offers by Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This letter, was simply to remind these countries that the deadline is approaching. And the president expects good deals and we are on track for that. I will emphasize, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. The White House says U.S. leaders are actively involved in negotiations and optimistic about the outcomes. Our team who is deeply involved in this sees these deals moving in the right direction, Leavitt said. On Tuesday U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer met with EU trade negotiators on the sidelines of an international conference in Paris. German Economics and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche says the ongoing trade turmoil is hurting economies across the globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all hope and we all do our best to end the conflicts as soon as possible, Reiche said. Meanwhile, trade negotiations between the U.S. and China have hit a snag with each country accusing the other of violating their temporary tariff truce. The White House says President Trump and Chinas President Xi plan to talk directly about those issues this week. There will be a leader-to-leader talk very soon and when that happens, as always, we will let you know, Leavitt said. Separately President Trump is moving ahead with a plan to double tariffs on steel and aluminum with an executive order imposing a 50% tax on those imported materials starting Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a president who doesnt just talk the talk. He walks the walk to and hes delivering on his promises to bolster our steel and aluminum Industries in this country and to protect those jobs, Leavitt 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. By Nate Raymond (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday rescinded guidance issued during his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden's tenure requiring hospitals to provide abortions to women in medical emergencies regardless of various state bans on the procedure. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said the 2022 guidance, which interpreted a federal law that ensures patients can receive emergency "stabilizing care" as preempting state abortion bans, did not reflect the policy of the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said it "will work to rectify any perceived legal confusion and instability created by the former administrations actions." The Biden administration issued the guidance in July 2022 weeks after the 6-3 conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court overturned its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that had recognized a nationwide right of women to obtain abortions. The 2022 guidance reminded healthcare providers across the country of their obligations under a 1986 federal law called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to ensure Medicare-participating hospitals offer emergency care stabilizing patients regardless of their ability to pay. Medicare is the government healthcare program for the elderly. Hospitals that violate EMTALA risk losing Medicare funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2022 guidance aimed to make clear that under EMTALA, physicians must provide a woman an abortion if needed to resolve a medical emergency and stabilize the patient even in states where the procedure is banned and that the federal law preempted any state laws that offer no exceptions for medical emergencies. After issuing the guidance, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state of Idaho in a bid to stop it from enforcing its near-total abortion ban in medical emergencies. A federal judge at the Justice Department's urging blocked the Idaho from enforcing the ban during medical emergencies, but the Trump administration in March dropped that lawsuit, resulting in that injunction being lifted. The ban still remains blocked in emergencies due to a similar lawsuit brought by a hospital system. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Marguerita Choy) UPDATED: The Trump administration said Tuesday that it has sent to Congress its proposal to roll back $1.1 billion in funding allocated to public media stations, NPR and PBS, continuing the presidents effort to punish mainstream media. The cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the nonprofit entity that distributes money to public media, were part of a rescissions package that also include cuts to foreign aid and other programs. The CPB operates on a two-year advanced appropriation cycle, something set up by Congress to try to shield it from political interference. The Trump administration proposal would eliminate the annual $535 million in funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, we sent the first rescissions package to Capitol Hill, according to a statement from the Office of Management and Budget. This package contains BILLIONS in wasteful foreign aid and federal funding for NPR and PBS. The rescissions package calls public media a system that is political biased and an unnecessary expense to the taxpayer. Patricia Harrison, CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, said in a statement that it was firmly committed to ensuring that funding for public media provides local communities with accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news and information, and we take seriously concerns about bias that have been raised. The path to better public media is achievable only if funding is maintained. Otherwise, a vital lifeline that operates reliable emergency communications, supports early learning, and keeps local communities connected and informed will be cut off with regrettable and lasting consequences. Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, said in a statement, The proposed rescissions would have a devastating impact on PBS member stations and the essential role they play in communities, particularly smaller and rural stations that rely on federal funding for a larger portion of their budgets. Without PBS member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and emergency services in times of crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NPR CEO Katherine Maher said that the proposal is the most serious threat ever faced by public broadcasting. The proposal, which is explicitly viewpoint-based and aimed at controlling and punishing content, violates the Public Broadcasting Act, the First Amendment, and the Due Process Clause, Maher said. If approved, Congress will be taking an unprecedented step of ending nearly half a century of bipartisan support for nonprofit, local broadcast media serving communities across the nation. PBS and NPR already are suing Trump over his effort to cut off funding via executive order, arguing that the presidents action violates the First Amendment. The CPB is suing the administration over its efforts to fire three of its board members, including Sonys Tom Rothman. The Trump administration is seeking congressional endorsement for its program of cuts, something that would likely put it on a stronger legal footing. As Trump has sought to eliminate agencies and cut off funding via executive order and via the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, their moves have been challenged in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public media has been the target of past Republican administrations including Trump in his first term. Each of Trumps budgets during his first term called for eliminating funding for the CPB. But with healthy support on both sides of the aisle, federal funding for public media has survived. This time, though, is different, advocates of public media say. Some key GOP lawmakers who had previously been champions of public broadcasting have been silent or reluctant this time around, as so much of the Republican-controlled Congress has rallied around Trumps agenda and wishes. This is one of the most serious threats that public media has seen in its entire history, said Kate Riley, president and CEO of Americas Public Television Stations, which advocates for local public broadcasters. Certainly there is a different approach by the administration to make a range of cuts and take a series of actions. She said that the elimination of CPB funding would be devastating to local public TV stations, as 70% of the CPB funding goes to local stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every single station will have to cut services and change what theyre doing, and that means fewer kids and teachers will have the amazing education resources that public television stations bring into their community for free, Riley told Deadline. It means that there will be less local content content that really highlights the unique nature of communities around the country. She said the greatest risk would be for stations that rely on federal funding for 30% or more of their budgets. Those stations, she said, are all in rural areas, and she estimated that about 30 public stations fall into that category. Public media outlets have been urging viewers and listeners to contact members of Congress, while Kerger recently teamed with Ken Burns on an op-ed tying the need for public media funding to the 250th anniversary of the United States, coming up next year. APTS has has a campaign, Protect My Public Media, that has generated about 1.6 million communications to Congress, Riley said. One Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, published a piece last month in which she reiterated her support for public broadcasting. Votes on the package are expected over the next month. We have talked to a number of Republican members who are concerned because they suppoort their local public television stations and the work that those stations are doing in public safety, in education and community connections, Riley said. Thats really work that no other entities are doing on the local level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As expected, Democrats expressed their opposition to the rescissions package. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it reckless, and said it was only the latest attempt by the Trump administration to attack the free press, decimate lifesaving humanitarian aid and hurt our national security. The Trump administration also has moved to shut down federally funded international broadcasting entities like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, but it also has sought to investigate even private media outlets. Trumps FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, has launched probes of Comcast, Disney and other private companies over their diversity, equity and inclusion practices. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Thomas Jeffersons Rotunda at the University of Virginia When it comes to the Trump administrations battle with higher education, the headlines tend to focus on Harvard and Columbia. Harvard, because it is fighting tooth and nail against overreach. Columbia, because it attempted to abide by Trump demands only to face more conflict. But the University of Virginia is among other institutions of higher education being strong-armed by the Trump administration. UVA is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice for failing to comply with the presidents total ban on diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The probe occurred despite a unanimous decision by the UVAs Board of Visitors two months ago to abolish the universitys office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and end practices that discriminate on the basis of race. Conservatives, however, believe that UVA leadership has no followed through on that mandate to end DEI. DOJ lawyers are being egged on by a right-wing organization accusing the university of choosing to rename, repackage, and redeploy the same unlawful infrastructure under a lexicon of euphemisms. That organization, America First Legal, has been described as an attack dog for Trump and lists none other than Stephen Miller as its founder, president and executive director who drew more than a quarter of a million dollars in compensation from the non-profit in 2023, the last year for which it filed a required disclosure with the IRS. Miller, of course, is Trumps White House deputy chief of policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America First has filed more than 100 legal actions against woke companies and universities, including New York University and Northwestern. While the NYU case was tossed out of court due to lack of standing, the Northwestern lawsuit is still active, with America First charging that its law school discriminates against white men in hiring faculty and in choosing articles for its law review. A DELIBERATE STRATEGY TO REBRAND, RELABEL, AND OBSCURE DEI INFRASTRUCTURE In a 98-page letter to the Department of Justice on May 21st, America First Legal cites what it believes are numerous examples where UVA simply renamed a DEI initiative without changing the substance of an office or practice. The organization takes particular aim at UVAs Darden School of Business, in addition to the universitys law and medical schools. What Darden, among other UVA schools, is being asked to do would not only impact admission decisions but also scholarship dollars devoted to crafting the best possible class of MBA students. America First Legal effectively wants to not only eliminate scholarship money for under-represented minorities and women; it also wants to eliminate awards to applicants from outside the U.S. on the basis that those awards put white men from the U.S. at a disadvantage. The organizations unreasonable demands also would impact the schools relationships with such organizations as the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, the Forte Foundation, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and Reaching Out MBA, non-profits that help business schools gain greater access to under-represented applicants, women and LGBT candidates. It also would impact administrative and faculty hiring and promotion policies. Carried to its ultimate end, particularly with DOJ support, America First would pose a significant threat to the partnerships that business schools have forged with these nonprofit organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than comply with its legal obligations, UVA appears to have deliberately rebranded its discriminatory DEI infrastructure to evade accountability, claims American First Legal in its letter. Terms such as Inclusive Excellence, Advocacy and Opportunity, Community Engagement, Strategic Wellness and Opportunity, Inclusion and Belonging, and Viewpoint Diversitysome of which were already embedded within its DEI frameworknow serve as euphemistic labels across the Universitys schools, departments, administrative divisions, and official communications. What is unfolding is not bureaucratic oversight but a deliberate strategy to rebrand, relabel, and obscure DEI infrastructure, preserving its unlawful substance while shielding it from legal scrutiny. DARDEN IS AMONG UVA SCHOOLS BEING TARGETED BY AMERICA FIRST LEGAL The letter, which shows proof of a fairly deep examination of what UVA has made publicly available on its websites, pays special attention to the universitys business school. The Darden School of Business (Darden) exemplifies UVAs rebranding of discriminatory DEI practices, claims America First Legal. Replacing its Diversity and Inclusion webpage with an Inclusive Excellence page, Darden retains diversity-focused scholarships, programming, and a Chief Diversity Officer who oversees strategic implementation. UVAs website explicitly states that its inclusive excellence framework infuse[s] inclusion and belonging into every aspect of its operation and culture. UVAs shift in language to inclusion and belonging is not a benign or unrelated initiative. It is part of the Inclusive Excellence model adopted in 2019 for the very purpose of embedding DEI across UVA and other universities across the country. By removing overt references to diversity while retaining the same discriminatory practices under euphemistic terms, UVA is not complying with federal law; it is rebranding its unlawful conduct. Nowhere is this clearer than in Dardens Scholarships for Inclusive Excellence. These scholarships are backed by a $125 million endowment and prioritize applicants based on impermissible characteristics, including race (under-represented minorities), sex (women), identity (LGBTQ students), international students (national origin) and Breakthrough Scholarsa Darden-specific awarded through the schools inclusive excellence framework thats part of its DEI-driven effort to shape a diverse and inclusive student body. By reserving awards for specific groups to ensure classrooms reflect the diverse world, these scholarships perpetuate UVAs unlawful use of discriminatory preferences in its operations. Darden also partners with external organizations to offer scholarships that favor students based on impermissible characteristics, such as the Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) Fellowship for LGBTQ+ students. This fellowship provides a minimum $20,000 scholarship and rewards applicants for their demonstrated commitment to promoting LGBTQ+ equality rather than academic or professional merit. While such preferences may not violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs, they contravene Executive Orders 14151 and 14173, which mandate equal treatment and prohibit policies favoring specific groups based on impermissible characteristics, including sex or gender identity. TARGETING ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP THE UNDERREPRESENTED GET INTO SCHOOL The organization singles out by name several Darden administrators including the former senior director of global diversity, equity and inclusion recruiting, who now holds the title senior director of global recruiting, and the former associate director who now has the title associate director of global recruiting. Changing their titles and erasing the conservative trigger word diversity wasnt enough. America First Legal looked up the publicly disclosed job descriptions for both officials and found that they were virtually unchanged. The persons duties, according to America First, still emphasizes diversity-focused pipelines and partnerships with DEI-affiliated partner organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These include the Consortium for Graduate Study in Managementwhose stated mission is to reduce the underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in the member schools enrollment and management; ROMBA, which awards fellowships to applicants based on LGBTQ+ identity and advocacy, and the Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT)an identity-based recruitment network that seeks to correct the dramatic underrepresentation of minorities in leadership positions. It didnt occur to America First that the school didnt have enough time to alter a job description posted long ago. If the DOJ follows up on America Firsts demands, a schools ability to recruit and enroll women, internationals, Blacks and Hispanics students, and gay or queer candidates would be greatly diminished. After UVA, you can bet that other universities and business schools will be next. DONT MISS: TRUMPS ATTACK ON HARVARDS FOREIGN STUDENTS WILL HAUNT U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION FOR YEARS or THE TOP U.S. MBA PROGRAMS WITH THE MOST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS LISTEN TO OUR WEEKLY PODCAST BUSINESS CASUAL: THE STUDENT VISA FREEZE The post How The Trump Administration Is Strong-Arming Higher Education appeared first on Poets&Quants. TOKYO (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump discussed cooperating with Japan on developing technology for his planned Golden Dome missile defence shield during a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba this month, the Nikkei reported. The two countries are expected to work together on systems to intercept incoming threats, and Tokyos participation could serve as a bargaining chip for it to win concessions in ongoing tariff negotiations with Washington, the paper said, without citing its sources. Trump this month said he had selected a design for the planned $175 billion defence shield and appointed U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein to head the project, which he wants to complete by the end of his term in 2029. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Golden Dome could cost $831 billion over two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan and the U.S. have previously collaborated on ballistic missile defence, including the joint development of an interceptor capable of striking warheads in space. (Reporting by Tim KellyEditing by Alexandra Hudson) The city wants to increase wages for emergency communications dispatchers and offer a $4,000 retention bonus a move union officials said they support but that doesnt go far enough. (The union) strongly believes more can be done, Michele Selvage, president of the Lincoln City Employees Association told the City Council on Monday. The current retention incentive is a meaningful gesture but it does not address a deeper issue that current and former employees have brought to LCEA wage inequity. Selvage told the council that city transit dispatchers, who dispatch StarTran buses, get paid more than emergency dispatchers and the proposed increase does not bring them to the same hourly rate. Transit dispatchers get paid roughly $24 an hour. The proposed increase for dispatchers would bring starting pay to $23.53 an hour, she said. There are now 17 vacancies in emergency communications out of a staff of 60, Selvage said. Shasta Starkey, a senior dispatcher, said in an interview emergency communications has never been at full staff in the 12 years shes worked there, but the situation is nearly as bad as its ever been, she said, and she often works 60-hour weeks. The discussion of wage increases has been going on for months separate from a recently approved union contract. City officials pulled a proposed wage increase for the head of emergency communications from the City Council agenda to work on wage increases for the rest of the emergency communications staff as well. That happened after union officials wrote letters to all City Council members, Selvage said. The City Council held a public hearing Monday and will vote on the proposals June 9. The proposed increases are in line with a marketing analysis done by the city and can be absorbed in the existing budget, said Human Resources Director Barb McIntyre. Selvage said the union's market analysis showed some wages should be higher. In addition to the wage increases, McIntyre said emergency communications staff would get the $4,000 retention incentive paid out over three years, a recognition of the critical nature of what dispatchers do and the need to retain staff. In contrast to transit dispatchers, Selvage said emergency communications dispatchers handle high-stress calls, including life-threatening emergencies. They are also responsible for providing potentially lifesaving medical instructions over the phone and for coordinating the dispatch of first responders to hazardous scenes and volatile incidents where they could face life-or-death situations. They also must work 365 days a year, even when other departments are closed and have mandated on-call shifts and require specialized training. All of that means they should at least be paid what transit dispatchers are paid, and while the proposed wage increases reflect a growing recognition of the critical role they play, Selvage encouraged the council to go further. Now, she said, many dispatchers are earning the equivalent of the retention incentive because of the amount of overtime they have to work. The city told union members they couldnt address changing the wage classifications of dispatchers until the union contract was approved, Selvage said. The union ratified the contract in April and the City Council approved it last month. The current proposal would put dispatchers in different employee classifications, which would increase their pay ranges. It would cost the city $138,000 to increase all the dispatcher pay, plus $329,000 for the retention incentive, McIntyre said. The salary range for the top dispatcher position would increase close to 15% from between $91,295 and $124,429 to between $104,763 and $142,785. Starting dispatcher pay a smaller percentage increase would jump from $47,663 to $48,940; senior dispatchers starting pay would increase from $55,282 to $59,490 and starting supervisors pay would increase from $63,826 to $65,403. Managers' starting salaries would increase from $70,416 to $73,946. Selvage said there's been little communication with the union, which suggested an independent third party be brought in to interview dispatchers to assess job satisfaction. As far as she knows that hasnt happened. Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow, who oversees emergency communications, said theyve made a number of changes to help with recruitment and retention, including continuously accepting applications, increasing the number of training academies for employees and making some changes to testing. Theyre also looking at partnering with Southeast Community College for training and possibly making emergency communications part of the Lincoln Public Schools Career Academy. Morrow said she agrees with Selvage that the proposal is just a step in the right direction. We agree there is more room and more conversations we can have, she said. The White House has attacked the BBCs coverage of the Gaza conflict, accusing the broadcaster of taking Hamass word as total truth. Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trumps press secretary, accused the BBC of having to repeatedly correct its reporting from the territory about aid distribution. Her comments come after repeated incidents, involving the deaths of dozens of Palestinians around aid distribution centres controlled by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a new US and Israeli-backed organisation, with Israeli troops accused of firing at civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBCs coverage of the conflict has been repeatedly accused of bias against Israel, but the White Houses comments mark an extraordinary escalation in criticism of the broadcaster. On Tuesday night, the BBC denied Ms Leavitts claims and said it stood by its reporting. Ms Leavitt said US officials were trying to confirm what happened after reports that Israeli security forces shot dead Palestinians queuing for food. She then pivoted to attack the BBC. Unfortunately, unlike some in the media, we dont take the word of Hamas as total truth, Ms Leavitt told a White House briefing on Tuesday. We like to look into it when they speak unlike the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She brandished a printout of stories published on the BBC website a day earlier, and described how the headlines changed from claiming an Israeli tank had killed 26 people, to 21 people, to gunfire killing 31. Karoline Leavitt holds a printout of stories published on the BBC website - Alex Brandon/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved And then, oh, wait, they had to correct and take down their entire story, saying we reviewed the footage and couldnt find any evidence of anything, she said. So were going to look into reports before we confirm them from this podium or before we take action. And I suggest that journalists who actually care about truth do the same to reduce the amount of misinformation thats going around the globe. BBC Attempt 1: "Israeli tanks kill 26." BBC Attempt 2: "Israeli tanks kill 31." BBC Attempt 3: "Israeli gunfire kills 31." BBC Attempt 4: "Red Cross says 21 people killed in aid incident." BBC Attempt 5: "We reviewed the footage and couldn't find any evidence of anything." pic.twitter.com/Wx3dngwIXo Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) June 2, 2025 The final version of the story remains on the BBC website, citing the death toll as 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadcaster separately published a BBC Verify report in which it said a widely-circulated video believed to be captured in the aftermath of the shooting at the aid point was actually taken at a different location at a different time. Yesterday BBC and others (CNN, AP, Reuters, etc) claimed that 31 were killed at a GHF aid distribution center in Gaza. Hours after it was denied by everyone, the bold headlines stayed on their websites, spreading Hmas lies. Only today BBC retracted the story pic.twitter.com/mUtWSJCCFC Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) June 2, 2025 Ms Leavitts attack is the latest criticism of the BBCs coverage of the conflict. The broadcaster was forced to pull a documentary about Gaza and apologise for serious flaws in its making after it was revealed that the narrator was the son of a Hamas government minister. The broadcaster has refused to refer to Hamas as terrorists, instead describing members of the group as militants. Grant Shapps, then the defence secretary, branded the policy as verging on disgraceful, while Sir Keir Starmer said the BBC needs to explain why it isnt using the term terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics of BBC Arabic say the channel is biased against Israel, and have accused several of its contributors of making anti-Semitic comments both before and after the October 7 attacks. Last month, the BBCs Today programme prominently reported a claim by Tom Fletcher, the UNs humanitarian chief, that 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours. The corporation later issued a correction, when it emerged the figure was an estimate for the number of children at risk of severe malnutrition by March next year. However, the claim had by then been widely reported as fact and was cited by nine Members of Parliament in the Commons. Israels international reputation stands on a knife-edge amid its expanded military offensive in Gaza and the controversial new aid distribution system. Israel insists that by setting up purpose-built distribution hubs in the largely flattened southern city of Rafah, it is both fulfilling its humanitarian commitments and preventing Hamas from stealing the aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the UN and other NGOs have denounced the GHF, the American company set up to distribute the aid, because they say it violates humanitarian principles by forcing civilians to walk long and dangerous journeys to receive it. There have now been three shooting events which implicate the Israel Defense Forces and have resulted in the deaths of more than 50 civilians. A wounded Palestinian is brought to hospital after trying to get humanitarian aid at a distribution hub - Anadolu Witnesses have alleged sniper fire and shelling, with corpses lining the road to the new aid hubs. The next few days will be crucial in saving the credibility of the aid project for which the US is Israels only major backer and, by extension, the Jewish states continued war against Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deliveries of life-saving aid to Gaza have been hampered by the Israeli military operation launched after Hamas gunmen killed about 1,200 people on Oct 7 2023 and accusations that food was being diverted by the terror group. Against that backdrop, the GHF, backed by Israel and protected by armed American contractors, began distributing aid last week. On Tuesday, witnesses described coming under fire from quadcopter drones near the aid distribution site in the Rafah area. Rasha al-Nahal described gunfire from all directions. Ms al-Nahal said she counted more than a dozen dead and several wounded along the road. She also found no aid when she arrived at the distribution hub and that Israeli forces fired at us as we were returning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An IDF spokesman said suspects had ventured towards troops less than a third of a mile from the hub, prompting them to fire warning shots. He said that after the suspects failed to retreat, the additional shots were fired towards a few individual suspects who advanced towards the troops. Volker Turk, the UNs human rights chief, said the deadly attacks on civilians around aid distribution sites constituted a war crime. A BBC spokesman said: The claim the BBC took down a story after reviewing footage is completely wrong. We did not remove any story and we stand by our journalism. Our news stories and headlines about Sundays aid distribution centre incident were updated throughout the day with the latest fatality figures as they came in from various sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These were always clearly attributed, from the first figure of 15 from medics, through the 31 killed from the Hamas-run health ministry to the final Red Cross statement of at least 21 at their field hospital. This is totally normal practice on any fast-moving news story. Completely separately, a BBC Verify online report on Monday reported a viral video posted on social media was not linked to the aid distribution centre it claimed to show. This video did not run on BBC news channels and had not informed our reporting. Conflating these two stories is simply misleading. It is vital to bring people the truth about what is happening in Gaza. International journalists are not currently allowed into Gaza and we would welcome the support of the White House in our call for immediate access. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. President Trump on Tuesday formally called on Congress to cancel $1.1 billion in funding over the next two years that has been budgeted for public broadcasters like PBS and NPR. The presidents rescission request which asks Congress to cut funding it had already approved for public broadcasters will need a majority of lawmakers in the House and the Senate in favor to become law. Tuesdays request is the latest step in President Trumps push to defund public broadcasters. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the end of taxpayer subsidization of PBS and NPR, via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike in 1967, when the CPB was established, today the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse and innovative news options, the order said. Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence. The president has also called NPR and PBS radical left monsters that Republicans must defund in recent social media posts. Congress has already allocated $535 million for public broadcasters this fiscal year; PBS last week said it is it receiving $325 million this year from the CPB, which accounts for 22% of its funding. PBS and NPR have both recently sued the Trump Administration in an attempt to thwart his plan to defund public broadcasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit filed by PBS last week said the presidents executive order violates its First Amendment rights and also claimed President Trump does not have the authority to make decisions over funding for public broadcasters. President Trump, the lawsuit added, was engaging in viewpoint discrimination because he has claimed PBS is biased against him and other Republicans. PBS chief Paula Kerger recently said the presidents executive order would spell the end for a number of local news stations. Kerger, in an interview with Katie Couric, lamented that there are stations that will go off the air in rural areas if the president is successful, without projecting a specific number of PBS member stations that would cease to operate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think well figure out a way, through digital, to make sure there is some PBS content, Kerger said. But there wont be anyone in the community creating local content. There wont be a place for people to come together. The post Trump Calls on Congress to Erase $1.1 Billion in Public Broadcast Funds appeared first on TheWrap. As an active hurricane season looms for Florida, the National Weather Service is hiring. The Trump administration, through billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has slashed workforces in multiple federal agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which encompasses the NWS and the National Hurricane Center. With concerns rising over whether the stripped-down agencies will be enough to handle increasingly dangerous weather in the U.S., CNN has reported that the NWS has received permission to temporarily lift the hiring freeze and hire about 125 new meteorologists and specialists for its forecast offices around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NWS is also hoping to continue hiring more people under a public safety exemption, CNN said. Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Is the National Weather Service hiring in Florida? As of June 3, any hiring is still in the planning stages. NWS spokesperson Erica Grow Cei told Newsweek that the agency is planning to hire additional staff members to "stabilize" the department to address people who took the voluntary early retirement option. In May, USA TODAY reported that the weather service was working to transfer meteorologists from well-staffed offices to fill 155 positions where they're needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Additionally, a targeted number of permanent, mission-critical field positions will soon be advertised under an exception to the department-wide hiring freeze to further stabilize front-line operations," Cei said. National Weather Service staff reductions More than 550 of the 4,800 weather service employees have been dismissed, retired or accepted incentive offers to step down. Many of the country's 122 local weather service forecast offices, usually staffed 24 hours day, seven days a week, were left shorthanded with staff reductions from 20-40% and scrambling to cover staffing and maintain the usual quality and number of measurements. Several offices were forced to end or reduce weather balloon launches, which can reduce the agency's ability to predict weather, and CNN reported on May 2 that 30 NWS offices no longer had a lead meteorologist. NOAA, which studies Earths atmosphere, oceans and climate, has also canceled events in a public awareness campaign on the importance of early preparation. According to a report in The Guardian on june 2, more than a dozen NWS offices along the Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico, are understaffed and the Miami-based National Hurricane Center is short five specialists Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has never happened before. Weve always been an agency that has provided 24/7 service to the American public, Tom Fahy, legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization, told ABC News. The risk is extremely high if cuts like this continue to the National Weather Service, people will die. The Trump administration laid off an estimated 650 NOAA employees in February in the name of cutting government spending, including two flight directors and an electronic engineer at NOAAs Office of Aircraft Operations, home of the NOAA Hurricane Hunters. That could affect the agency's ability to conduct the twice-daily flights necessary during a significant hurricane threat, according to former Hurricane Hunter and cofounder of Weather Underground Jeff Masters, especially if one or more becomes unavailable or sick. NOAA employees have been told to expect a further 50% reduction in its staff of almost 12,000. Hurricane season fears: Will federal cuts and state budget battle put Floridas hurricane readiness in peril? When is hurricane season? The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season began Sunday, June 1, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 30. However, storms can and do occur outside of those dates. Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text AccuWeather, NHC predictions for 2025 hurricane season AccuWeather is predicting the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season could bring: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Named storms: 13 to 18 Hurricanes: 7-10 Major hurricanes: 3-5 Direct U.S. impacts: 3-6 NOAA is predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance for a below-normal season. Forecasters predict: Named storms: 13-19 Hurricanes: 6-10 Major hurricanes: 3-5 Colorado State University meteorologists predict: 17 named storms 9 hurricanes 4 major hurricanes Dr. Ryan Truchelut of WeatherTiger hedged his bets and predicted that the 2025 season has a 50-50 chance of landing in the ranges of: 16-21 tropical storms 7-9 hurricanes 3-4 major hurricanes Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: National Weather Service to hire about 125 to replace DOGE losses Violent crime was already trending down from a covid-era spike when President Donald Trump presented a picture of unbridled crime in America on the campaign trail in 2024. Now his administration has eliminated about $500 million in grants to organizations that buttress public safety, including many working to prevent gun violence. In Oakland, California, a hospital-based program to prevent retaliatory gun violence lost a $2 million grant just as the traditionally turbulent summer months approach. Another $2 million award was pulled from a Detroit program that offers social services and job skills to young people in violent neighborhoods. And in St. Louis, a clinic treating the physical and emotional injuries of gunshot victims also lost a $2 million award. They are among 373 grants that the U.S. Department of Justice abruptly terminated in April. The largest share of the nixed awards were designated for community-based violence intervention programs that range from conflict mediation and de-escalation to hospital-based initiatives that seek to prevent retaliation from people who experience violent injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun violence is among Americas most deadly public health crises, medical experts say. Among programs whose grants were terminated were those for protecting children, victims assistance, hate-crime prevention, and law enforcement and prosecution, according to an analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank. The grants totaled $820 million when awarded, but some of that money has been spent. Not only are these funds being pulled away from worthy investments that will save lives, said Thomas Abt, founding director of the Violence Reduction Center at the University of Maryland, but the way that this was done by pulling authorized funding without warning is going to create a lasting legacy of mistrust. The Justice Department is focused on prosecuting criminals, getting illegal drugs off the streets, and protecting all Americans from violent crime, according to a statement provided by agency spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre. Discretionary funds that are not aligned with the administrations priorities are subject to review and reallocation, including funding for clinics that engage in race-based selectivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Council on Criminal Justice analysis of the terminated grants found that descriptions of 31% of them included references to diversity, equity, race, racial, racism, or gender. Baldassarres statement said the department is committed to working with organizations to hear any appeal, and to restore funding as appropriate. Indeed, it restored seven of the terminated grants for victims services after Reuters reported on the cuts in April. But the cuts have already prompted layoffs and reductions at other organizations around the country. Five groups filed a lawsuit on May 21 to restore the grants in their entirety. Joseph Griffin, executive director of the Oakland nonprofit Youth Alive, which pioneered hospital-based violence intervention in the 1990s, said his organization had spent only about $60,000 of its $2 million grant before it was axed. The grant was primarily to support the intervention program and was awarded for a three-year period but lasted just seven months. The money would have helped pay to intervene with about 30 survivors of gun violence to prevent retaliatory violence. Hes trying to find a way to continue the work, without overtaxing his team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not abandon a survivor of violence at the hospital bedside in the same way that the federal government is abandoning our field, he said. The cuts are also hitting St. Louis, often dogged by being labeled one of the most dangerous cities in America. The city created an Office of Violence Prevention with money available under former President Joe Biden, and various groups received Justice Department grants, too. Locals say the efforts have helped: The 33% drop in the citys homicide rate from 2019 to 2024 was the second-largest decrease among 29 major cities examined by the Council on Criminal Justice. I dont think theres any doubt that theres some positive impact from the work thats happening, said University of Missouri-St. Louis criminologist Chris Sullivan, who received a grant from the Justice Department to assess the work of the citys new Office of Violence Prevention. That research grant remains in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Justice Department slashed two other grants in St. Louis, including $2 million for Power4STL. The nonprofit operates the Bullet Related Injury Clinic, dubbed the BRIC, which provides free treatment for physical and mental injuries caused by bullets. LJ Punch, a former trauma surgeon who founded the Bullet Related Injury Clinic in St. Louis, says helping survivors of gun violence has a role in improving public safety. The unhealed trauma in the body of someone who's gotten the message that they are not safe can rapidly turn into an act of violence when that person is threatened again, he says. - Bram Sable-Smith/KFF Health News The BRIC had about $1.3 million left on its grant when the award was terminated in April. LJ Punch, a former trauma surgeon who founded the clinic in 2020, said it was intended to fund a mobile clinic, expand mental health services, evaluate the clinics programs, and pay for a patient advisory board. The BRIC wont abandon those initiatives, Punch said, but will likely need to move slower. Keisha Blanchard joined the BRICs advisory board after her experience as a patient at the clinic following a January 2024 gun injury. Someone fired a bullet into her back from the rear window of a Chevy Impala while Blanchard was out for a lunchtime stroll with a friend from her neighborhood walking group. The shooting was random, Blanchard said, but people always assume she did something to provoke it. Its so much shame that comes behind that, she said. The 42-year-old said the shooting and her initial medical treatment left her feeling angry and unseen. Her family wasnt allowed to be with her at the hospital since the police didnt know who shot her or why. When she asked about taking the bullet out, she was told that the common medical practice is to leave it in. Were not in the business of removing bullets, she recalled being told. At a follow-up appointment, she said, she watched her primary care doctor google what to do for a gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody cares whats going to happen to me after this, Blanchard recalled thinking. Before she was referred to the BRIC, she said, she was treated as though she should be happy just to be alive. But a part of her died in the shooting, she said. Her joyful, carefree attitude gave way to hypervigilance. She stopped taking walks. She uprooted herself, moving to a neighborhood 20 miles away. The bullet stayed lodged inside her, forcing her to carry a constant reminder of the violence that shattered her sense of safety, until Punch removed it from her back in November. Blanchard said the removal made her feel reborn. Keisha Blanchard was shot in the back by someone who fired a bullet from the back of a Chevy Impala while she was out for a lunchtime stroll in St. Louis with a friend from her neighborhood walking group. To help her recover, she became a patient of the Bullet Related Injury Clinic in St. Louis, which provides free physical and mental health care for people injured by bullets. - Bram Sable-Smith/KFF Health News Its a familiar experience among shooting survivors, according to Punch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People talk about the distress about having bullets still inside their bodies, and how every waking conscious moment brings them back to the fact that thats still inside, Punch said. But theyre told repeatedly inside conventional care settings that theres nothing that needs to be done. The Justice Department grant to the BRIC had been an acknowledgment, Punch said, that healing has a role in public safety by quelling retaliatory violence. The unhealed trauma in the body of someone whos gotten the message that they are not safe can rapidly turn into an act of violence when that person is threatened again, Punch said. Community gun violence, even in large cities, is concentrated among relatively small groups of people who are often both victims and perpetrators, according to researchers. Violence reduction initiatives are frequently tailored to those networks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Lorentz heads the Diversion Unit in the office of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney, the citys chief prosecutor. The unit offers mostly young, nonviolent offenders an opportunity to avoid prosecution by completing a program to address the issues that initially led to their arrest. About 80% of the participants have experienced gun violence and are referred to the BRIC, Lorentz said, calling the clinic critical to her programs success. Jennifer Lorentz runs the Diversion Unit in the office of the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney, the chief prosecutor in the city. About 80% of participants in the program have experienced gun violence and are referred to the Bullet Related Injury Clinic, she says. But the clinic learned in April 2025 that the Justice Department had terminated a $2 million grant to provide physical and mental health care. - Bram Sable-Smith/KFF Health News Were getting them these resources, and were changing the trajectory of their lives, Lorentz said. Helping people is part of public safety. Punch said the BRIC staffers were encouraged during the Justice Department application process to emphasize their reach into St. Louis Black community, which is disproportionately affected by gun violence. He suspects that emphasis is why its grant was terminated. Punch likened the grant terminations to only partially treating tuberculosis, which allows the highly infectious disease to become resistant to medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you partially extend a helping hand to somebody, and then you rip it away right when they start to trust you, you assure they will never trust you again, he said. If your intention is to prevent violence, you dont do that. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The White House plans to ask Congress this week to claw back $9.4 billion in already approved funding to foreign aid and public media outlets, as the administration seeks to make permanent some of the cuts and priorities of Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. The package includes $8.3 billion in cuts to foreign aid efforts ranging from climate work to LGBT programs, as well as $1.1 billion clawed back from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which partially funds NPR and PBS, an administration official told The Independent. Republican lawmakers have expressed mixed feelings about the clawback package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House is eager and ready to act on DOGEs findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand, House Speaker Mike Johnson said last week on X, promising the cuts would end USAIDs insane spending. The proposal, expected to be submitted as early as Tuesday, would have 45 days to pass. Elon Musk has criticized administrations Big, Beautiful Bill for not doing more to cut spending (Getty Images) Senator Susan Collins of Maine, chair of the Appropriations Committee, has said shes unsure thatll be enough time. Its extremely complex and the rules, because there hasnt been a successful rescission package in many, many years, she told NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescission would irreparably harm communities across America who count on public media for 24/7 news, music, cultural and educational programming, and emergency alerting services, NPR CEO Katherine Maher said in a statement, adding that the potential cuts could hurt public safety in every community given public radios role in facilitating government emergency alerts. CPB is firmly committed to ensuring that funding for public media provides local communities with accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news and information, and we take seriously concerns about bias that have been raised, Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, said in a statement on Tuesday. The path to better public media is achievable only if funding is maintained. Otherwise, a vital lifeline that operates reliable emergency communications, supports early learning, and keeps local communities connected and informed will be cut off with regrettable and lasting consequences. The Independent has contacted PBS for comment. The broadcasters have already signaled theyll push back on Trumps wider attempts to defund them, though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PBS and NPR are already suing Trump, after the president signed an executive order in May calling on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease funding the broadcasters. The latter is also suing Trump over an attempt to remove its board members. During its lawsuit, the corporation stated that the administration attempted to assign a DOGE team to the organization. However, the outfit denied the request, arguing that federal law states the organization will not be an agency or establishment of the United States Government. Many of the foreign aid programs on the chopping block are associated with another DOGE target, the U.S. Agency for International Development, which the administration shuttered in March, moving its remaining operations to the wider State Department. The cuts to USAID, part of larger disruptions to U.S. HIV/AIDS-prevention programs, have been linked to thousands of deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rescission plan is separate from the administrations so-called Big, Beautiful Bill of proposed domestic spending, which passed the House last month. The outgoing Musk has criticized that bill for not doing more to reduce government spending. "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 News as he was departing. "I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful," he went on. "But I don't know if it could be both. My personal opinion." President Donald Trump has furiously denied claims that he is attacking Harvard because he didnt get in. Trump lashed out at Michael Wolff, the biographer who made the claim and has written extensively about the president, in a Truth Social post Monday evening. Michael Wolff, a Third Rate Reporter, who is laughed at even by the scoundrels of the Fake News, recently stated that the only reason Im beating up on Harvard, is because I applied there, and didnt get in, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That story is totally FALSE, I never applied to Harvard. I graduated from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, Trump continued. He is upset because his book about me was a total BOMB. Nobody wanted it, because his reporting and reputation is so bad! Wolff presented his theory about the president last week on The Daily Beast Podcast to host Joanna Coles. President Donald Trump furiously denied a claim made by biographer Michael Wolff that he is targeting Harvard because he didnt get into the Ivy League university. (EPA) Its also odd because so many of the people around Donald Trump went to Ivy League universities. Several of them went to Harvard Business School, Coles pointed out. Obviously, JD Vance proudly went to Yale. So it does seem particularly odd, but perhaps hes also trying to stuff it to them. Its important not to lend too much calculation and planning to anything he does, Wolff responded. But the other thing is that, by the way, he didnt get into Harvard. So one of the Trump things is always holding a grudge against the Ivy Leagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as the Trump administration has been accused of waging a campaign of retribution against the university. The Trump administration has been accused of waging a campaign of retribution against the university, according to a lawsuit. (REUTERS) The administration rescinded Harvards permissions to enroll international students and forced currently enrolled foreign students to leave the university or risk losing their legal status in the country. Harvard immediately filed a lawsuit accusing the administration of violating the First Amendment with immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders. The Department of Homeland Security claims Harvard has created an unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators to harass and physically assault individuals, including many Jewish students, and otherwise obstruct its once-venerable learning environment. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office last week, the president said Harvard has to behave themselves, Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect. U.S. President Donald Trump was not informed in advance about Operation Spiderweb, Ukraine's mass drone strike that damaged over 40 Russian bombers, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on June 3. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) smuggled first-person-view (FPV) drones deep within Russia to coordinate attacks against four key air bases on June 1. Trump was not briefed ahead of the operation, Axios reported shortly after the operation, citing a Ukrainian security official. During a White House press briefing, Leavitt was asked whether Trump was informed by Ukraine about Operation Spiderweb in advance of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was not," she said. The press secretary was also asked about Trump's view of the operation, given his uncharacteristic silence on the matter. "I would like to let the president speak on that himself," she said, then updated her answer by adding that Trump wants the war in Ukraine to end. "The president does not want to see this war prolonged. He wants this war to stop," Leavitt said. Leavitt praised Trump's efforts as a peacemaker, despite Russia's continued refusal to accept a ceasefire and the escalation of mass attacks against Ukraine. She noted the second round of direct Ukraine-Russia talks on June 2 in Istanbul as a sign of progress, calling the meeting "inconceivable" and crediting the step to Trump's intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(President Trump) remains positive about the progress that we're seeing," Leavitt said. When asked whether Trump supports efforts by congressional Republicans to impose harsher sanctions against Russia, Leavitt did not answer directly, saying that lawmakers would take their cues from the president and trust his judgment as commander-in-chief. "(H)e has smartly kept this as a tool in his toolbox if necessary," Leavitt said, referring to additional sanctions. Leavitt also said that U.S. defense officials are looking into the implications of Operation Spiderweb for U.S. security and are working to ensure American aircraft are protected from the risks of internal drone strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump may take "some executive action" regarding the matter in the near future, she said. Operation Spiderweb is not the first time Ukraine has launched a major attack against Russia without first informing their American counterparts. The New York Times (NYT) reported in March that U.S. officials under former U.S. President Joe Biden reacted with "surprise" and "anger" when Ukraine sank the Mosvka, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. 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. President Donald Trumps Department of Justice is investigating pardons issued by former President Joe Biden over concerns about his competency and the use of an AutoPen to sign the documents, according to a report. Ed Martin, the DOJs pardon attorney, wrote in an email reviewed by Reuters that the investigation would examine if Biden was competent and if other people were taking advantage of him by using the AutoPen or other means. Reuters reported Martins investigation will examine the number of preemptive pardons Biden issued to members of the House Select Jan. 6 committee, his family members and their spouses, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation will also examine the clemency approved by Biden that spared 37 federal inmates from the death penalty and instead changed their sentences to life in prison. Martins email did not specify which Biden family members would be investigated, Reuters reported, but he shared a post online Tuesday signaling his attention to Bidens pardons. Wow. Follow the thread to conclusions. https://t.co/hVIgLkXMAZ Ed Martin (@EagleEdMartin) June 3, 2025 For months, Trump has said he believes Bidens last-minute pardons should be void because he signed using the AutoPen, which is a device that automatically signs a document. Trump and his allies have claimed that Bidens use of the AutoPen while in office means he was not in control or was not aware the pardons were being signed. It hasnt been confirmed if Biden used an AutoPen for the pardons, but analysts have noted that many other presidents have used AutoPens in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a president has the authority to pardon individuals, no subsequent president can rescind them, the U.S. Constitution states. During a briefing Tuesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trumps belief about voiding the AutoPen pardons. The president is making a good point when he discusses the hostage of the AutoPen, who was running the country for the past four years? Perhaps those documents were signed with the AutoPen, something that is, I believe, the Department of Justice is looking into, Leavitt said. She argued that Bidens competency was a huge issue that sent Trump back to the White House and Americans want answers, hence the investigation. She also noted the investigation is less about Bidens use of the technology to pardon, but his competency on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question is not was the AutoPen used, its whether or not the President of the United States knew it was being used, and if not, who was using it in his name? Leavitt questioned. Leavitt highlighted the DOJs investigation on Tuesday, noting Martins role, but Reuters noted that his email did not specify who he intended to launch the pardon investigation. The DOJ declined a request for comment from the Deseret News. A spokeswoman for Biden refused to comment on the development, according to USA Today. The Department of Justice is reviewing pardons doled out under former President Biden, citing concerns about whether Biden himself was making decisions about clemency power, a senior administration official confirmed to The Hill. The official told The Hill that pardon attorney Ed Martin will lead an independent review to determine if unelected staffers took advantage of Biden when it came to pardons and commutations. The American people deserve to know the extent to which unelected staffers and an autopen acted as a proxy president due to the incompetence and infirmity of the previous president, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement. President Trump was elected to restore the integrity and transparency of the office, and answering the question of who was actually running this country for four years is well within the presidents rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin was originally Trumps choice to serve as the top prosecutor in the District of Columbia. His nomination was dropped in the face of Republican opposition in the Senate over his ties to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The pardon review 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. It also comes as Jesse Jackson Jr., Michael Cohen and others who were denied pardons under Biden have called on Trump to re-examine the cases of those who did not have their applications approved during the previous administration. 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 allies have more broadly pushed back on claims that the former president was not carrying out his duties while in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden issued more than 80 pardons during his four years in office, and he commuted the sentences of thousands of people. 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. The 46th president 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. Reuters , which first reported the investigation, reviewed an email from Martin saying he was directed to launch the probe, though did not specify by whom. The outlet reported that Martin would focus on the family pardons as well as death row clemencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his last day as interim U.S. Attorney for D.C., Martin said that he would give particular scrutiny to pardons given to Biden family members. They need scrutiny because we want pardons to matter and to be accepted and to be something thats used correctly. So I do think were going to take a hard look at how they went and what they did, Martin said at a press conference last month. Martin is not only the pardon attorney, but was also tapped to lead the Weaponization Working Group, a new task force established by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Trumps actions have further exacerbated questions about presidential clemency power and how it can disproportionately benefit those with connections to the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump during his first term used clemency powers on political allies such as Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone and Michael Flynn. Trump also pardoned nearly all Jan. 6 defendants on his first day back in office this year. Updated 2:23 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The U.S. secretary of education is having issues with basic math. Linda McMahon testified on Trumps 2026 budget before the Senate on Tuesday. While discussing spending on federal grants programs for disadvantaged studentsTRIO and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UPshe made a massive math error. We spend $1.58 billion a year on TRIO? Republican Senator John Kennedy asked McMahon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, she replied. Thats one thousand five hundred and eighty million dollars a year? Is my math right? Kennedy said, spelling out $1.58 billion. I think thats right, sir. And how long have we been spending one thousand five hundred and eighty million a year on this program? he asked. Im not sure the total length and time of the program. More than 10 years? Yes. So thats over a trillion dollars that weve spent on this program.... We give this money, as I appreciate it, to colleges and universities to encourage poor kids to go to college, Kennedy said to no objection from McMahon, before going on to insinuate that the colleges were stealing this grant money from the government for their own purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Senator John Reed jumped in to check the math, as both Kennedy and the education secretary were way off. Reed: Im not a great mathematician but I think you were talking about a trillion dollars. I believe 1.5 billion times ten is 15 billion. McMahon: I think the cut is 1.2 billion Reed: That would be 12 billion not a trillion McMahon: Okay pic.twitter.com/pLBlsO5ziy Acyn (@Acyn) June 3, 2025 Im not a great mathematician, but I think you were talking about a trillion dollars? I believe $1.5 billion times 10 is $15 billion, and thats a little bit off from a trillion dollars, Reed stated, referring to Kennedy and McMahons claim. I think the budget cuts $1.2 billion, McMahon responded. Well that would be $12 billion, not a trillion dollars, said Reed, calmly holding McMahon and Kennedys hands through what amounted to a third-grade math lesson. OK, McMahon said stiffly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing was a mess in other ways, as well. McMahon also refused to clarify to Senator Tammy Baldwin whether or not she would distribute congressionally appropriated funds for after-school programs. Baldwin: Are you going to allocate all of the funding congress appropriated for students in schools in Wisconsin and across the country this year? McMahon: pic.twitter.com/5f6hUyBMcs Acyn (@Acyn) June 3, 2025 What we have done in putting forward our operating plan, the first operating plan to show where were making allocations, and then followed up with the second operating plan This isnt a nuanced question, Baldwin interrupted. Congress passed a law appropriating this funding. You said in your confirmation hearing you would spend funding Congress appropriated. If the answer isnt simply yes, based on all the evidence before us, that leads me to believe that you are planning to withhold funding and short-change schools, students, and families across America. Donald Trumps FEMA chief left his staff scratching their heads when he said he was unaware that the U.S. has a hurricane season. David Richardson, acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, sparked confusion and concern among staff after making the comment during a Monday all-hands meeting, according to four sources who spoke to Reuters. Richardsons remark came right on the heels of hurricane season, which started June 1 and lasts until November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration earlier predicted an above-normal season that is likely to see 6 to 10 hurricanes, three to five of which could be classified as major. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear to staff whether Richardsons quip was just a joke, Reuters reported. FEMAs parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, maintained that it was. Despite mean-spirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this hurricane season, a Homeland Security spokesperson told the Daily Beast in a statement. The spokesperson said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Richardson were shifting FEMA from bloated, D.C.-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has been dubbed Richardson told staff that he would not be issuing a new plan for the hurricane season, despite vowing to release one in May, because he did not want to make changes that the FEMA Review Council may not like, Reuters reported. The council was created by Trump and includes Noem, governors, and other officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One source told Reuters that the lack of strategic guidance has caused confusion among FEMA staff. Richardson, a Marine veteran with no prior disaster response experiencehe lectured in history and taught Marine martial artswas named FEMA chief last month. His predecessor, Cameron Hamilton, was abruptly terminated after a disagreement with Trumps vision of delegating FEMAs jobs down to the states. I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hamilton told a Congressional hearing last month. Having said that, Im not in a position to make decisions and impact outcomes on whether or not a determination as consequential as that should be made. President Donald Trump earlier said FEMA Trump earlier told Fox News that he believed FEMA just complicates everything, adding that he would rather see the states take care of their own problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Noem said in a March Cabinet meeting that the Trump administration was eliminating FEMA, internal documents dated May and obtained by NBC News showed that she approved a request from Richardson to retain more than 2,600 employees whose terms were set to expire between April and December. Trumps campaign against the disaster agency has already been felt on the ground. In April, FEMA rejected North Carolinas request to extend the filing period for hurricane damage reimbursement after a devastating tropical storm claimed over 100 lives. Last month, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said FEMA had yet to provide assistance days after a tornado killed at least seven people and caused over $1 billion in damage. Missouri officials wrote to Trump last week urging him to approve Governor Mike Kehoes disaster declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DHS spokesperson insisted in the statement that FEMA remains laser-focused on disaster response and protecting the American people. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades, it read. President Donald Trumps acting director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA told staff that he was unaware that the U.S. has a hurricane season, but officials claimed he was only joking. David Richardson, who has no previous disaster management experience, told an all-hands meeting at the nations main disaster response agency Monday that he had no idea that there was a hurricane season, which starts on June 1 and runs through November 1. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson pushed back on news accounts of Richardsons statements, calling them mean-spirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this Hurricane Season. FEMA is laser focused on disaster response, and protecting the American people, the DHS representative said, adding that Richardson is activated for the key role. FEMA staff say the agency has been plunged into turmoil by deep staff and program cuts engineered by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. Trump has repeatedly said he wants to dismantle the agency altogether and hand over disaster relief and recovery to the states. Critics say thats a recipe for disaster because only a handful of large states like Florida, Texas and California have the organizational know-how or financial capability to respond to major disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump appointed Richardson last month to take the helm of FEMA after abruptly firing his initial appointed acting administrator, Cameron Hamilton. Hamilton was ousted shortly after saying he did not believe the agency should be eliminated as Trump suggests, although the administration denies thats why he got the ax. The turmoil comes at the worst possible time for FEMA, which should be focused on preparations for what is predicted to be another busy summer of storms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-normal season this year, during which six to 10 hurricanes will make landfall in the continental U.S., up to five of which could be major. FEMA is still leading recovery efforts from last years Hurricane Helene, which ripped a trail of devastation from the Florida Gulf Coast to western North Carolina. The recently installed head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was joking when he said he was unaware that the U.S. has a hurricane season, according to the Department of Homeland Security. David Richardson, who has been overseeing FEMA since May, alarmed staff members Monday when he reportedly made the comment during a briefing with staff members, Reuters reports, citing four sources familiar with his comments. The hurricane season officially began on June 1. In an attempt to downplay the remark, FEMAs parent agency told Reuters that the comment was a joke and that FEMA is prepared for hurricane season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. The reported comments are the latest sign of upheaval at the federal disaster-management agency, which the Trump administration says it wants to eliminate, handing many of its responsibilities to state governments. People navigate through debris after a hurricane in North Carolina. FEMA chief recently questioned about America having a hurricane season, but officials downplayed it as a joke. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Richardson, a former Marine artillery officer and Homeland Security official, has no formal disaster-management experience. During the briefing, Richardson also allegedly said he was holding off on unveiling a new disaster plan so as not to contradict the administrations review of FEMA activities, despite previously saying in May one would be ready by later that month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently warned this years hurricane season, which runs through November, has a 60 percent chance of above-normal conditions. The agency has been in turmoil throughout the Trump administration. It has reportedly cut back on training for state and local emergency managers, and acting FEMA administrator Cameron Hamilton was fired in May, after he testified in Congress he didnt think the administration should shutter the disaster response body. Hurricane preparations inside FEMA have reportedly slowed in the face of the roughly 2,000 people who have been fired or resigned under Trump. As FEMA transforms to a smaller footprint, the intent for this hurricane season is not well understood, according to an internal agency review prepared at the direction of Richardson that was obtained by CNN . Thus FEMA is not ready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Trump created a FEMA Review Council to determine the future of the agency. The administration has criticized FEMA from a number of angles, ranging from arguments that its inefficient, to inaccurate claims the agency diverted emergency funding to house migrants. On the campaign trail, Trump also falsely claimed then Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden didnt visit the disaster zones in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, and that the federal government didnt help people in Republican-leaning areas. Trump has also threatened to withhold wildfire aid to California if it doesnt agree to various policy demands. WASHINGTON (AP) The White House on Tuesday officially asked Congress to claw back $9.4 billion in already approved spending, taking funding away from programs targeted by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. It's a process known as rescission, which requires President Donald Trump to get approval from Congress to return money that had previously been appropriated. Trump's aides say the funding cuts target programs that promote liberal ideologies. The request, if it passes the House and Senate, would formally enshrine many of the spending cuts and freezes sought by DOGE. It comes at a time when Musk is extremely unhappy with the tax cut and spending plan making its way through Congress, calling it on Tuesday a disgusting abomination for increasing the federal deficit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House budget director Russ Vought said more rescission packages and other efforts to cut spending could follow if the current effort succeeds. We are certainly willing and able to send up additional packages if the congressional will is there, Vought told reporters. Here's what to know about the rescissions request: Will the rescissions make a dent in the national debt? The request to Congress is unlikely to meaningfully change the troublesome increase in the U.S. national debt. Tax revenues have been insufficient to cover the growing costs of Social Security, Medicare and other programs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the government is on track to spend roughly $7 trillion this year, with the rescission request equaling just 0.1% of that total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at Tuesday's briefing that Vought a well-respected fiscal hawk, she called him would continue to cut spending, hinting that there could be additional efforts to return funds. He has tools at his disposal to produce even more savings, Leavitt said. Vought said he can send up additional rescissions at the end of the fiscal year in September and if Congress does not act on it, that funding expires. Its one of the reasons why we are not putting all of our expectations in a typical rescissions process, he added. What programs are targeted by the rescissions? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget, speaking on condition of anonymity to preview some of the items that would lose funding, said that $8.3 billion was being cut from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. NPR and PBS would also lose federal funding, as would the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, also known as PEPFAR. The spokesperson listed specific programs that the Trump administration considered wasteful, including $750,000 to reduce xenophobia in Venezuela, $67,000 for feeding insect powder to children in Madagascar and $3 million for circumcision, vasectomies and condoms in Zambia. Is the rescissions package likely to get passed? House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., complimented the planned cuts and pledged to pass them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This rescissions package reflects many of DOGEs findings and is one of the many legislative tools Republicans are using to restore fiscal sanity, Johnson said. Congress will continue working closely with the White House to codify these recommendations, and the House will bring the package to the floor as quickly as possible. Members of the House Freedom Caucus, among the chambers most conservative lawmakers, said they would like to see additional rescission packages from the administration. We will support as many more rescissions packages the White House can send us in the coming weeks and months, the group said in a press release. Passing this rescissions package will be an important demonstration of Congresss willingness to deliver on DOGE and the Trump agenda. Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, gave the package a less optimistic greeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this fast track, the Senate Appropriations Committee will carefully review the rescissions package and examine the potential consequences of these rescissions on global health, national security, emergency communications in rural communities, and public radio and television stations, the Maine lawmaker said in a statement. Why does the administration need Congress' approval? The White House's request to return appropriated funds is meant to comply with the 1974 Impoundment Control Act. That law created the process by which the president can formally disclose to Congress the appropriated money it intends to not spend. Congress generally has 45 days to review and approve the request, but Vought is arguing that the end of the fiscal year would enable the administration to bypass a vote. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a fiscal watchdog group, said in a 2018 backgrounder that the Senate can pass rescission packages with a simple majority, instead of the 60 votes needed to overcome a possible filibuster. Between 1974 and 2000, presidents requested $76 billion worth of rescissions and Congress approved $25 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, said in an emailed statement that the Trump administration was already illegally impounding additional funds, as withholding money has always been illegal without explicit Congressional approval. On CNN on Sunday, Vought insisted that the Trump administration was complying with the law, but it simply had a different view of the law relative to some Democrats. Were not breaking the law, Vought said. Every part of the federal government, each branch, has to look at the Constitution themselves and uphold it, and theres tension between the branches. Those close to President Donald Trump have reportedly grown irritated with Laura Loomer, the ultra-loyal Trump supporter whose apparent influence has led to the ousting of several administration officials. Loomer, 32, has made a name for herself in Trumpworld as an unofficial, yet devoted, patron to the president willing to publicly call out any person she believes has any ties to Trump criticisms. In April, Loomer reportedly gave Trump a list of disloyal National Security Council staffers who were subsequently fired. In May, Loomer appeared to take some credit for pushing Trump to axe former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz after the Signal chat blunder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump likes Laura, and she obviously has some influence, but she runs the risk of overestimating her influence and blowing herself up if she's not more careful, an unnamed source close to the White House told WIRED. I think she jumped the shark by going out and taking credit for stabbing the national security adviser and a number of people, as if it happened in a vacuum, as if there werent deep considerations and conversations about all of this, the unnamed administration source said. Those close to President Donald Trump has reportedly grown tired of Laura Loomer, a far-right activist who has influence with the president (Getty Images) While her loyalty to the president may be appreciated by Trump himself, Loomers history of making headline-grabbing, controversial comments and bolstering conspiracy theories, such as those related to 9/11, already made some of Trumps official staff uneasy about her presence. That has led her to move in and out of his orbit over the years. Insiders painted a picture of thinking she is away for good only to have her return again. Those close to the presidents campaign reportedly attempted to keep Loomer, a far-right activist, at a distance the election, not giving her an official job. Despite that, Trump brought Loomer along for the ride when he debated former vice president Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even after winning the election, Loomers presence in Trumps orbit has not been diminished. Shes managed to maintain communications with the president and some White House staffers, according to WIRED. Loomer is not an official member of the administration though shes asserted she was nearly hired on several occasions. Shes reportedly pitched her opposition research firm as a potential contract for the White House and expressed her desire to work for President Trump. While not having an official role, shes still used her social media to highlight Trumps agenda and vet members of the administration she believes are unworthy of their role. You have to ask yourself: If Trump wanted her in, do you think his staff had some ability to prevent that, apparently? an administration source told WIRED. Like, what? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspicions about Loomer have grown recently as the conservative activist has dabbled more in criticizing some of Trumps recent decisions, according to WIRED. In May, Loomer ran an op-ed on her blog, called Loomered, critiquing Trumps decision to remove oil company Chevrons operations in Venezuela. White House Insider described how Loomer moves in and out of Trumps orbit despite not having an official role in the White House. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) She also deviated from her typical praise of Trump to criticize his decision to accept a jet from Qatar. It's one thing to attack random government employees who Trump doesn't give a s*** about, but when she's attacking him and his policies directly, that could end badly for her, the unnamed White House source told WIRED. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump insiders have questioned whether Loomer can remain in the presidents good graces while wadding into those waters. Then, just weeks after Walz was ousted and days after criticizing the Qatari jet gift, Loomer took to X to apologize to Trump for making comments that made anyone feel betrayed. I am sorry if my comments made anyone feel betrayed or were used by the media as ammunition to sow division during an important trip for the President, she continued. I want to apologize to President Trump more than anyone because I am a loyal person, I love President Trump, and I know I could have probably just had a private conversation about the plane instead, Loomer wrote. The Independent has reached out to Loomer for comment. Global investors are paying close attention to U.S.-China trade tensions this week. Tensions are simmering as Washington and Beijing accuse each other of undermining last months agreementand officials hint of a possible phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. But the U.S. isnt Beijings only headache. On Monday, members of the European Union voted to block Chinese companies from bidding for public procurement tenders for medical devices for contracts valued over 5 million euros ($5.7 million) for the next five years. Its the first use of the EUs International Procurement Instrument, a 2022 law designed to encourage reciprocity in overseas procurement markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brussels has accused China of systematically discriminating against European providers. A European Commission investigation in January found that 87% of sampled Chinese public tenders discriminated, directly and indirectly, against imported medical equipment. The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU called on Brussels to reconsider its decision, saying the measures add new complexity to China-EU economic and trade relations. Medical devices are just one area where Brussels and Beijing are butting heads on trade. In October, the EU slapped tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese-made electric vehicles to combat what it deemed to be an unfair level of state subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU has also opened anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into wind turbines, wood flooring, trucks, and passenger car tires. Brussels is also monitoring whether Chinas exports are being rerouted to Europe after Trump imposed high tariffs on Chinese goods. It has previously flagged industrial overcapacity in China as a concern, fearing that a flood of cheap goods could threaten European industry. China has fought back with its own probes, specifically into European brandy, pork and dairy products. Some of Chinas neighbors are also worried about a flood of cheap goods from the worlds second-largest economy. Those fears could spark a tariff cascade, as countries erect new import duties to protect their local industries. Vietnam and South Korea both imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel earlier this year. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com A Trump-appointed judge blocked the deportation of a Venezuelan man over a lack of due process, but conceded that the president has close to unlimited authority under a wartime law. U.S. District Judge John Holcomb on Monday blocked the Trump administration from deporting Darwin Antonio Arevalo Millan under the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century wartime authority that President Donald Trump invoked to justify the deportation of Venezuelans. Arevalo, a vocal critic of the Venezuelan government, applied for asylum in the U.S. and was granted a permit that allowed him to work and reside in the country while his application was pending. The Trump administration deported hundreds of alleged Tren de Aragua gang members in March, but court records showed that many of them had no criminal records, according to CBS News and Bloomberg. / Anadolu / El Salvador Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images During a scheduled check-in with ICE, however, he was arrested without prior notice or warrant. Arevalo alleged that his arrest was connected to the fact that he was a Venezuelan with tattoos, which the government has used to identify possible members of the gang Tren de Aragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holcomb, who was appointed by Trump in 2019, said the government told the court that it was unsure whether it would provide a 14-day notice to detainees before deporting them, despite another courts earlier conclusion that it was constitutionally required. Arevalo seeks to avoid being deported as an alien enemy without being afforded the opportunity to challenge that designationnot to avoid deportation altogether, Holcomb wrote. Thus, the potential harm is that, in the absence of preliminary injunctive relief, the government would deport Arevalo without allowing him to challenge his designation as an alien enemy. Last month, federal judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.also a Trump appointeeblocked further deportations under the Alien Enemies Act after ruling that Trump could not invoke the law without a declaration of war by Congress. Holcomb saw things differently. He said that the Alien Enemies Act grants the president close to unlimited authority in deciding whether an invasion or predatory incursion has occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although some courts have attempted to construe the terms contained in the AEA while purporting to defer to the presidents judgment about the existence of either an invasion or predatory incursion, the court sees no way to strike such a balance, he wrote. The AEA provides that the presidentand not an Article III courtmay proclaim whether an invasion or predatory incursion exists, Holcomb added .Thus, construing those terms is inconsistent with the text of the AEA. The Trump administrations mass deportation blitz has put the executive and the judiciary increasingly at odds. Trump has repeatedly railed against radical leftist judges for blocking the implementation of his sweeping agenda, which several courts have restrained. Last week, however, the Supreme Court handed Trump a big win by allowing the government to revoke the temporary legal status of half a million migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Haiti granted by the Biden administration. The court allows the government to do what it wants to do regardless, liberal justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in her dissenting opinion, rendering constraints of law irrelevant and unleashing devastation in the process. Dozens of NASA's missions to explore the cosmos could be in jeopardy under a budget proposal from the White House. President Donald Trump's administration, which released an initial budget proposal May 2 for the U.S. space agency, dropped more details Friday, May 30, about just which NASA programs it looks to cancel. All told, the budget request for the next fiscal year proposes slashing NASA funding by nearly 25% from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion mostly by eliminating a significant portion of the agency's science portfolio. Trump's proposal, which would need congressional approval, has been lauded by acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro for "still prioritizing critical science and technology research," she said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in its own statement, the Planetary Society called the proposed budget "an extinction-level event for the space agencys most productive, successful, and broadly supported activity: science." A total of 41 science projects would get the ax under the proposal, which would be NASA's biggest single-year cut in the agency's history, according to the Planetary Society, a nonprofit space exploration advocacy organization. Many of the science missions Trump looks to cancel are still in development, while others are extended operations with uncrewed vehicles already deployed to orbit. Many of the missions have launched or would get off the ground from Florida's Space Coast. Here's a look at six different types of space missions, from Mars exploration to future moon landings, that could be under threat if Trump's budget were to go into effect. Mars missions: Mars Sample Return, orbiters NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft passes above Mars' south pole in this artist's concept illustration. For years, NASA's Mars Sample Return mission has sought to bring back a collection of rocks that could reveal details about potential past life on the Red Planet. The agency's Perseverance rover has been scooping up and storing intriguing rock samples since it first landed in 2021 in the Jezero Crater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ballooning costs and mission delays have hampered both NASA and the European Space Agency in executing a plan to actually retrieve and transport the samples to Earth for scientists to study further. Meanwhile, Mars Odyssey and MAVEN are two spacecrafts that have been orbiting Mars for years. All three spacecraft Perseverance and the two orbiters launched on rockets from what is now called Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. While those missions could be eliminated, Trump looks to inject another $1 billion to tap the private sector to help lay the groundwork for future Mars exploration. That includes establishing a new NASA initiative called the Commercial Mars Payload Services Program (CMPS). The program would operate similar 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. Outer solar system: New Horizons, Juno Launching in 2006 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base (now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station,) the New Horizons spacecraft became the first spacecraft to explore Pluto up close when it flew by the dwarf planet and its moons on July 14, 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, the space probe reached the Kuiper belt a doughnut-shaped region of icy bodies extending far beyond the orbit of Neptune where it continues to make discoveries about the outer solar system. The Juno probe, meanwhile, continues to reveal new insights into the gas giant Jupiter and its Jovian moons nine years after arriving in 2016. The spacecraft, which launched in August 2011 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, recently relayed data unmasking the harsh environments of both Jupiter and its volcanic moon Io. Moon missions: Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule The Artemis II Orion crew and service modules sit inside the Operations & Checkoput Building during a NASA media day event Mach 7, 2025 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion space capsule both seen as centerpieces in the effort to return Americans to the moon may have their days numbered. The SLS and Orion, which have both launched just once on an uncrewed mission in 2022 from Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida, are due to play a role in NASA's lunar ambitions under the Artemis campaign. But Trump seeks to phase out both the SLS and the Orion after just two more missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means Artemis II astronauts would still ride an Orion capsule around the moon following liftoff using the SLS rocket as early as 2026. NASA's plans also call for Artemis III astronauts aboard the Orion capsule to board a SpaceX Starship while in orbit for a ride to the moon's surface as early as 2027. Venus missions: DAVINCI and VERITAS Four years ago, NASA selected two missions to Venus under its Discovery program, focused on developing spaceflights to study our solar system. DAVINCI is a planned mission managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland for an orbiter and atmospheric descent probe to reach Venus. Its counterpart, VERITAS, is another upcoming mission to map the surface of the planet in high resolution that would be managed from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Both spacecraft would have been the first NASA vehicles to explore Venus since the 1990s. Planetary defense: OSIRIS-APEX Launched in 2016 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, NASA's OSIRIS-REx, which gathered and returned a sample of asteroid Bennu in September 2023, had been renamed OSIRIS-APophis EXplorer (OSIRIS-APEX) and sent on a path that would allow it to meet up with an infamous asteroid in 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That asteroid is name Apophis, and it initially posed a sizable threat to Earth when it was first discovered in 2004 before scientists eventually calculated that its trajectory was harmless. OSIRIS-APEX was meant to spend 18 months mapping the asteroids surface and analyzing its chemical makeup during a rendezvous with Apophis in June 2029 after the asteroid has a close encounter with Earth. Scientists had considered the mission an invaluable endeavor to allow NASA and other space agency's to build up planetary defense capabilities if a space rock ever posed a threat. Space telescope: Chandra X-Ray Observatory The remains of a supernova known as imaged Jan. 3, 2024 by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Chandra X-ray Observatory has spent more than 25 years detecting exotic environments in the cosmos to help astronomers understand the structure and evolution of the universe. The space telescope, which launched in 1999 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, continues to provide data allowing scientists to make new cosmic discoveries. While the observatory is targeted under Trump's budget proposal, other famous space telescopes like the Hubble Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope would remain in operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contributing: Brooke Edwards, Rick Neale, FLORIDA TODAY Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Trump's budget targets several NASA missions from Florida: What to know WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump will nominate Laura Swett as chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the current head of the panel and a White House official said. Swett, an energy lawyer with Vinson & Elkins, represents pipeline and power companies in cases before FERC and has been an adviser to a chair and a commissioner, both Republicans, at the independent agency. Chairman Mark Christie, a Republican, said in a post on X late on Monday that he will remain in office for a few weeks after June 30. Swett must be confirmed by the Senate, which is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans. Her term would end in June, 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed on Tuesday that Trump would nominate Swett to the position. FERC, which has a maximum of five members, regulates the power grid, liquefied natural gas projects and interstate transportation of oil and natural gas. It currently has four members. Trump has said he wants to open pipelines to bring natural gas from Pennsylvania's vast gas fields to states in the Northeast. The projects have been opposed by states. Energy company Williams Cos said last month it was working with federal and state regulators to revive two previously canceled natural gas pipelines from Pennsylvania to New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams canceled the Constitution pipeline in 2020 after years of fighting for permits from New York regulators and canceled Northeast Supply Enhancement in 2024 after seeking permits in New York and New Jersey. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) President Donald Trump has grown increasingly focused on calling Chinese President Xi Jinping this week to get closer to a deal to end the ongoing trade war between the worlds two largest economies. The White House has said that Trump and Xi will likely speak this week. However, it may not be the barrier-breaking conversation the president is aiming for. The president is obsessed with having a call with Xi, a person familiar with the talks told Politico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump believes he can untie the knot even though the U.S. is trying to change a trade relationship worth $600 billion and doing so without losing too much political capital in the U.S. The person familiar with the discussions told the outlet that the administration is under a lot of pressure following Chinas critical minerals blockade, which blocks U.S. access to essential components in auto and electronics manufacturing as well as the production of munitions. Trump believes a call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping could spell the end of the trade war between the worlds largest economies (AP) I dont think Xi is too interested in exporting any more rare earths or magnets to the United States; hes made his position clear, the person noted. But they added that Xi would likely take Trump's call. The president has some leverage, and the question is when hes ready to impose maximum pressure on the Chinese government, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a former Trump official who remains close to the White House told Politico that the president feels like a call between principals is a way to cut through a lot of this noise, and get right to the heart of the matter. However, some observers think Trump will struggle to get Xi on the phone. Obamas assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Russel, told Politico that China has a sharp nose for weakness, and for all his bravado, Trump is signaling eagerness, even desperation, to cut a direct deal with Xi. That only stiffens Beijings resolve, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing has reportedly also been disturbed by Trumps very public showdowns with world leaders, such as with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This has made the Chinese hesitant to participate in high-level discussions. Biden National Security Council deputy senior director for China and Taiwan, Rush Doshi, told the outlet that China sees President Trump as unpredictable, which poses risks reputationally for President Xi. Its not usual practice for PRC diplomats to put the leader at risk of a potentially embarrassing or unpredictable encounter, he added. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that Xi and Trump would likely talk this week, but a call has yet to be scheduled, a White House official told Politico. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, I have no information to share regarding a call. Jamieson Greer has argued that China is slow walking the removal of some trade countermeasures (AP) Last month, China and the U.S. reached an agreement to lower U.S. tariffs from 145 to 30 percent. Beijing cut back on levies on imports from the U.S. to 10 percent, and they said they would remove barriers on the exports of essential minerals. The agreement included a 90-day deadline to begin fresh discussions on a wider trade deal to take into account U.S. concerns regarding Chinese trade practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, these new talks have gotten off to a bad start with miscommunication and differing expectations. The Trump administration has argued that China has slowed its new shipments of critical minerals and rare earth magnets. Appearing on CNBC on Friday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said: When they agreed in Geneva to remove their tariff and their countermeasures, they removed the tariff like we did. But some of the countermeasures, theyve slowed on. While a business official told Politico that Everyone agrees that for any additional progress to happen on tariffs, the gateway is fentanyl, the U.S. hasnt responded to two proposals put forward by Beijing to deal with the issue. The proposals have been described as being designed by Beijing to provoke talks about what the Chinese can do to stop the flow of components that Mexican cartels use to make the drug. However, many officials in the Trump administration dont believe China would actually take the steps required to adhere to any fentanyl agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush assistant U.S. trade representative Harry Broadman told Politico that while Trump is a deal maker, Xi is not. Hes a Party guy at the top of an administrative superstructure, he said. I cannot imagine that Xi would get into specifics at most, they might agree on certain principles, but thats not likely to satisfy Trump. Senior State Department staffer Darren Beattie, a passionate Putin supporter behind the move to dismantle a key agency fighting Russian propaganda, is married to a Russian woman whose uncle is a longtime Kremlin ally, according to The Telegraph. Yulia Kirillova grew up in Moscow, studied abroad in North America, and married Beattie in 2021 in Florida. She moved to D.C. in January. Her uncle Sergei Cherniko is a drinks magnate who had an estimated net worth of $150 million in 2005. That year, he served in Russias ministry of natural resources and was then deputy governor of Siberias Nenets region. Cherniko later served in Putins civic chamber from 2008 to 2010. The relationship raises even greater scrutiny around Beatties April decision to eliminate the Global Engagement Center, a State Department office tasked with dealing with Russian disinformation campaigns. Beattie has been a staunch supporter of Putin, setting himself apart from the traditional conservative right in Bannon-esque fashion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US govt has been supporting Ukranian neo-nazi groups in its obsessive proxy war against Russia, he wrote on X in 2022. State Department could sell butt plugs and forward proceeds to fund resistance effort in ukraine, he wrote again that year. Iran Contra but with a modern American twist. A big part of American ruling class hatred of Russia is that Russia is a major power that rejects the woke ideology at the core of American regime, he wrote in 2021. This is a clear conflict of interest that is extremely typical within the Trump administration. And on top of that, Beattie was initially fired from the Trump administration in 2018 for attending a white nationalist conference. He has a long history of many other deeply problematic views. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Competent white men must be in charge if you want things to work, Beattie wrote on X in October. Unfortunately, our entire national ideology is predicated on coddling the feelings of women and minorities, and demoralizing competent white men. On January 6, 2021, he spent the day on X warning Senator Tim Scott, BLM, Ibram X. Kendi, and Kay Cole James to learn their places and take a knee to MAGA. That, on top of this personal in at the Kremlin, is highly questionable behavior for a ranking official, which has been overly normalized by this administration. A few snow drifts remain on June 18, 2004, on the Arctic coastal plain of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. (Photo by Craig McCaa/U.S. Bureau of Land Management) The Trump administration plans to lift environmental protections on roughly half of the National Petroleum Reserve on Alaskas North Slope, reopening the area to possible oil and gas drilling. The new move would reverse actions taken during the Biden administration to restrict development in the 23 million-acre reserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plans, announced Sunday in Utqiagvik and formally on Monday by the U.S. Department of the Interior, open a public comment period, with final action to come later. The plans were announced as three of the Trump administrations top officials visit Alaska. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Lee Zeldin, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are in Alaska this week for a series of events, including a speaking engagement at Gov. Mike Dunleavys annual sustainable energy conference, which begins Tuesday in Anchorage. During a brief question-and-answer session with reporters on Sunday, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, sat alongside the three cabinet members and called the effort to restrict development in NPR-A the most egregious effort of the Biden administration, adding that one of the top priorities is to get the NPRA back to where it was supposed to be by the intention of Congress, to develop oil and to remove all the regulations that the Biden guys put on NPR-A, and that is a huge priority. While large oil companies have expressed little interest to date in drilling within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which lies to the east of the Prudhoe Bay oil fields, there has been interest in drilling within the reserve, which lies to the west. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the first days of the second Trump administration, federal officials have said that they are prioritizing an effort to eliminate obstacles for companies interested in digging or drilling for natural resources in Alaska. Burgum, Wright and Zeldin traveled to the North Slope after meeting with state officials in Anchorage on Sunday and were scheduled to tour Pump Station No. 1 of the trans-Alaska Pipeline System before returning to Anchorage on Tuesday to participate in the governors energy conference. The two-hour Anchorage event was largely closed to the public, but reporters were able to listen to closing remarks and ask limited questions at the end. There were no new details about the potential construction of a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline, and officials did not address the Trump administrations decision to freeze or rescind grants awarded to renewable energy projects in Alaska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burgum, speaking in Anchorage, noted that Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport offers direct flights to 16 countries and talked about the rise of the Pacific in terms of global commerce. Alaska can play such a huge role in this, but weve got to get the federal government out of your way. Thats what the three of us are here to do, he said. In response to a question, Burgum said the administration plans to prioritize development of the planned Ambler Road, a 211-mile mining access road through the Brooks Range, and the proposed King Cove Road, an 11-mile road connecting King Cove to the Cold Bay airport, among other projects. On Monday, environmental groups responded to the NPR-A decision with scorn and concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grandmothers Growing Goodness, an environmental group that supports Indigenous communities in the Arctic, said that the repeal of the Biden administration protections would significantly impact Teshekpuk Lake and its surroundings, which are important for the Teshekpuk caribou herd. The area is also integral to Indigenous subsistence practices, supporting hunting, fishing, and gathering, they said, in an email statement with the announcement Protest demonstrations are planned in Anchorage for Monday and Tuesday to oppose the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline project and other fossil fuel projects promoted by Gov. Dunleavys sustainable energy conference, according to organizers. Its hard to overstate the havoc this could wreak on the Western Arctics undisturbed habitat for caribou, polars bears and belugas, said Marlee Goska, Alaska attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. Trumps fixation on plundering Alaskas ecosystems for short-term gain is matched only by the stupidity of turning this precious place into a fossil fuel extraction site. Alaskas vast expanses of wild lands are a big part of what makes our state so special, and well do everything possible to protect these places. Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into the pardons granted by Joe Biden to family members and death row inmates which were signed by autopen in the final hours of his presidency. On Monday, a senior official in the justice department told staff that he was investigating pardons granted by the former president, and whether Mr Biden was competent at the time. In an email to staff, obtained by Reuters, Ed Martin, a controversial Trump loyalist, said his investigation would look at whether Mr Biden was competent and whether others were taking advantage of him through use of autopen or other means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopen is a device used to add a signature to a document. Unlike the common e-signature, the autopen is a robot-writing instrument that learns how to mimic and repeat the pen strokes of any individual. They are used routinely by the White House, but Mr Trump and his supporters have spread theories that it was being used by his predecessor as he became less able to conduct the duties of president. An autopen similar to the one used by the White House - AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta The presidents allies in Congress have also launched an investigation into its use. In the email, Mr Martin indicated that his investigation will be focused on pre-emptive pardons issued to several members of the Biden family, and clemency that spared 37 federal inmates from the death penalty, allowing them to serve out their sentences in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Biden left office on Jan 20. In the run-up he said he wanted to spare his relatives from politically motivated investigations. Most controversially, he pardoned his son Hunter, who last year pleaded guilty to tax fraud and was convicted of a firearms offence. He also pardoned three siblings James, Frank, and Valerie as well as their spouses. Joe Biden pardoned Hunter, his son, who last year pleaded guilty to tax fraud and was convicted of a firearms offence - Craig Hudson A justice department spokesman declined to comment on the investigation other than to say that the email was intended for staff only. Mr Martin, who was recently appointed to several top roles in the department, including pardon attorney, previously worked as interim US attorney for Washington, DC. He was originally nominated to take on that role permanently but his nomination was withdrawn after it became clear that senators were unlikely to confirm him to the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even some Republicans baulked at his work defending Jan 6 rioters. A source told The Telegraph that Mr Martin has a broad remit to tackle what Mr Trump believes was the politicisation of the justice department under his predecessor, and to look back at claims of electoral fraud in 2020. He said the election results looked weird during a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host. There was the admission that the election was fortified. It was intentionally planned to do that in such a way to get results that looked off, Martin said. Now, does that mean they cheated? We dont have that smoking gun, but we certainly have over and over and over again aspects of things that didnt look right, and weve never had the answers on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So yes, we will get to the bottom of it again. US presidents have broad power to issue pardons in the case of federal convictions. Mr Trump has also used the power. On his first day in power, he granted clemency to most of his 1,600 supporters facing criminal charges over the attack on Congress in 2021. Mr Martin last month said presidents had power over pardons. If you use the autopen for pardon power, I dont think that thats necessarily a problem, Mr Martin said during a press conference. But he added that Mr Bidens pardons still demanded scrutiny. The email is the latest twist in efforts by Republicans to ask questions about Mr Bidens health in office and to explore whether they can use them to overturn his decisions. Republicans are exploring the extent to which Mr Biden was competent during his final days in office - Reuters Mr Biden, 82, ended his re-election campaign suddenly in July last year after a shambolic debate performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, he revealed he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. His former aides have long dismissed allegations that he was ever unable to perform the role of president during his four years in office. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Mr Martin was launching an investigation. The president is making a good point when he discusses the usage of the autopen, she said. Who was running the country for the past four years? She said it was important to find out whether Mr Biden had been aware of the use of the autopen. The Americans saw with their own eyes a mentally incompetent president, and they want answers for that, she said. 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. SINCE ISSUING A BLANKET PARDON affecting nearly 1,600 individuals convicted of crimes relating to the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, Donald Trump has issued another 57 individual pardons.1 (The only presidents to issue more pardons were Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who served three full terms, and Harry Truman and Jimmy Carter, who both pardoned large numbers of draft evaders.) Among the recipients of Trump clemency actions, the most worthy include government fraudsters, obsequious political loyalists, and financial benefactors. This was not how the Framers intended the pardon power to work. Nor is it how pardons are assessed under prevailing Department of Justice guidelines, which require applicants to wait five years after completion of the underlying sentence before filing. The substantive criteria include acceptance of responsibility, engagement in community activities, the reasons for committing the crime, and a description of how a pardon will improve the applicants life. For the over 156,000 inmates in federal custody and thousands of others who have completed their sentences, meeting these metrics wont help much. To get a presidential pardon in this administration what matters is some combination of political access, a large amount of money, and a demonstrated commitment to political vengeance. According to the New York Times, Trump has installed a team of appointees . . . with a particular focus on clemency grants that underscore the presidents own grievances about what he sees as the political weaponization of the justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Join now Last week, Trump pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley, a reality-TV couple serving time for a $30 million conspiracy to defraud banks; their daughter appeared at the Republican National Convention last year and on Lara Trumps Fox News show. He pardoned Newsmax commentator Michael Grimm, a former member of Congress who once threatened to break a reporter in half like a boy and throw another off a balcony at the U.S. Capitol, and who spent seven months in prison after a conviction for felony tax evasion. He pardoned former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins, calling him a victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice and a wonderful person, who was persecuted by the Radical Left monsters, and left for dead. In March, Jenkins was sentenced to prison for taking $75,000 in cash in exchange for giving law-enforcement badges to eight civiliansbut, says Trump, he doesnt deserve to spend a single day in jail. Trump also commuted the sentence of Imaad Zuberi, a $900,000 donor to Trumps first inaugural committee who was convicted of falsifying records to conceal his work as a foreign agent and obstructing an investigation into the fund. He pardoned Paul Walczak, a former nursing-home executive who was sentenced in April to eighteen months in prison after he pleaded guilty to tax crimes involving the personal use of funds earmarked for employees. Walczaks mother, Elizabeth Fago, raised millions for the Trump campaign and was nominated to Trumps National Cancer Advisory Board. Walczak made note of Fagos donations on his pardon application, along with her efforts to hurt Joe Biden by making public the private diary of his daughter, Ashley Biden, an incident that prompted a DOJ investigation. Three weeks after Fago attended a $1 million dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Trump signed a full and unconditional pardon for her son. Trump also commuted the life sentence imposed in 1998 on Larry Hoover, the founder of a criminal gang known as the Gangster Disciples, which was implicated in drug trafficking, money laundering, and even murder across 110 cities and 31 states. Meanwhile, for those keeping score, Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains in an El Salvador prison despite a Supreme Court order directing that Trump facilitate his return to the United States. Abrego Garcia is too dangerous to be afforded basic due process or to re-enter the United States, Trump says, because of his supposed gang membershipbut an actual convicted gang leader and murderer deserves a commutation.2 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keep up with all our articles, newsletters, podcasts, and livestreamsand pick which ones show up in your inbox: LAST WEEK, REP. JAMIE RASKIN (D-Md.) sent Trumps new pardon attorney, Ed Martin, a letter demanding an explanation of the criteria and process now being used for vetting pardon applications: Alas, it at least appears that you are using the Office of the Pardon Attorney to dole out pardons as favors to the Presidents loyal political followers and most generous donors, completely ignoring and abandoning the thousands of individual applications for clemency in the normal process. These Americans depend on your office for a fair shot at a second chance in a process that has some real integrity. Although designed as a tool of mercy, the presidential pardon has always been ripe for abuse. At the constitutional convention in 1787, George Mason of Virginia voiced concern that a President could . . . frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself to stop inquiry and prevent detection, eventually establish a monarchy, and destroy the republic. Edmund Randolph, also a Virginia delegate, proposed an exception for treason, arguing that the pardon was otherwise too great a trust, that the President may himself be guilty, and that the Traytors may be his own instruments. Yet in his Trump v. U.S. ruling last year creating criminal immunity for presidents exercising core and adjacent executive power, Chief Justice John Roberts highlighted the pardon power as conclusive to the president and preclusive of any oversight. In a concurring opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett took issue with the suggestion that the taking of a bribe in exchange for an official presidential act should be immune from prosecutorial scrutiny, to which Roberts retorted that such second-guessing would threaten the independence or effectiveness of the Executive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court got it exactly backwards. Its the Courts endorsement of a culture of corruptionnot accountability for criminal abuses of presidential powerthat harms society. The Trump administrations trend toward pay-to-play government not only continues the culture of lawlessness that began during Trumps first term of office. It also will likely threaten national security, enable terrorism and organized crime, deepen inequality, and erode citizens trust in government institutions. In the case of Trumps pardon spree, we are witnessing a constitutional tool of mercy, one whose use the Supreme Court has put practically beyond question, being wielded as a tool for rewarding loyalty and creating an incentive structure to encourage people to take illegal actions on the presidents behalf. George Masons fear that the pardon power could be abused and help destroy the republic seems more plausible by the day. Zip this article to a friends inbox or zap it onto social media: Share Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 One figure in this corrupt mess of Trump pardons who deserves praise for moral clarity: Pamela Hemphill, the MAGA Granny who pleaded guilty to a minor offense related to January 6thunlawfully demonstratingand served out her two-month prison sentence. She refused to accept Trumps pardon, and yesterday posted a letter from the Department of Justice acknowledging her refusal. How could you sleep at night taking a pardon when you know you were guilty? she has said. 2 Hoover will remain behind bars, for now at least, since his murder conviction was on a state charge. President Donald Trump has pardoned two divers who set 19 sharks free off the coast of Florida. Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr. received full and unconditional pardons for their 2022 convictions for theft on Wednesday. In Aug. 2020, Mansell and Moore freed 19 sharks and a giant grouper caught on a long line around 3 miles off the Jupiter Inlet that they believed was an illegal fishing line. The line was actually licensed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to ensnare sharks for research purposes. Lemon sharks swim close to a group of divers off Jupiter, Florida. / Jesus Olarte/AFP via Getty Images After freeing the fish, Mansell and Moore removed the long line, took it back to shore, and reported what they had done to state wildlife officials. 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. Mansells attorney, Ian Goldstein, said the case never should have been filed. He added: 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. Federal prosecutors then charged Moore, the captain of a shark-diving charter boat, and Mansell, a crew member, with theft and they were convicted by a jury in 2022. The pair avoided going to prison but were ordered to pay $3,343.72 in restitution, and banned from voting in Florida, owning a firearm, or traveling without restrictions outside the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has a long history with sharksand it was something he went on several bizarre rants about during his presidential campaign. In one memorable rally, Trump said the Democrats wanted to make boats electric, though the party of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had made no such suggestion. Speaking at a rally in Las Vegas, Trump proffered an unlikely scenario in which the electric boat starts to sink while a shark circles mere yards from the vessel. Trump: It must be because of my relationship with M.I.T., very smart, I say, what would happen if the boat sank, and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater. Do I get electrocuted or do I jump over by the shark? pic.twitter.com/zAUkDoOBD3 Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2024 He told the crowd he had asked a South Carolina businessman a hypothetical would you rather? question between getting electrocuted in the boat or jumping out of the vessel towards the shark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said the businessman told him, no one has ever asked me that question, and then told the crowd he would take electrocution, every single time over dying in a hypothetical shark attack. Since his inauguration, Trump has pardoned a range of colorful characters, including MAGA supporters convicted over the Jan 6. attack on the Capitol, a sheriff who accepted bribes in a cash-for-badge scheme, a tax cheat, and a reality TV couple. Last week the president was accused of making an unforced error over some of the pardons which have moved from being fueled by ideology to obvious corruption. The White House has released a new official presidential portrait of Donald Trump, his second version since he returned to office. Similar to the portrait released in January, Trump is giving the camera a serious stare with his eyebrows furrowed. But the new image features more dramatic lighting on a black backdrop, instead of the flag and ornate wall in the background of the previous portrait. Also, Trump swapped his blue tie for a red tie. The new portrait, announced in a short video on X, hangs in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and has replaced the previous portrait on his official biography online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his first few months in office, Trump has decorated the White House with other pieces of art that pay homage to some pivotal moments in his journey back to office. Take a look: More: Donald Trumps White House Gold Guy is a 70-year-old cabinetmaker who lives in Jupiter See Donald Trump's new official portrait The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why the portrait was updated. Trump's mugshot, assassination attempt fist pump painting hang in White House Trump has decorated the White House with other memorable imagery from the years between his two presidencies. In February, an open Oval Office door revealed a framed photo of Trump's mug shot taken following his 2023 arrest in Georgia on charges alleging he tried to overturn the 2020 election results. (The case never went to trial and faces an uncertain future following the disqualification of the Fulton County District Attorney). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, the White House posted on social media showing a new portrait of Trump's fist pump after surviving an assassination attempt at a July 13 campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. The painting on canvas by Marc Lipp was created for Trump, a White House official previously told USA TODAY, and it replaced a portrait of former President Barack Obama on the White House State Floor. The Obama portrait was moved across the foyer. What was Trump's presidential portrait before? Trump's portrait, released ahead of the Inauguration, showed him wearing a similar pointed stare in front of an American flag. In 2017, he simply smiled in front of the presidential flag and ornate wall in the background, similar to his early 2025 portrait. Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, Lauren Villagran, Joey Garrison, USA TODAY Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Donald Trump has a new presidential portrait. See other White House art. President Donald Trump has privately complained that the Supreme Court justices he appointed have not sufficiently stood behind his agenda, according to multiple sources familiar with the conversations. But he has directed particular ire at Justice Amy Coney Barrett, his most recent appointee, one of the sources said. The behind-closed-doors grievances have been wide-ranging, and while many have been about Barrett, Trump has also expressed frustration about Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the sources familiar with the matter said. The complaints have gone on for at least a year, the sources said. The presidents anger, sources said, has been fueled by allies on the right, who have told Trump privately that Barrett is weak and that her rulings have not been in line with how she presented herself in an interview before Trump nominated her to the bench in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just one ruling. Its been a few different events hes complained about privately, a senior administration official told CNN. In a statement, principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said: President Trump will always stand with the U.S. Supreme Court, unlike the Democrat Party, which, if given the opportunity, would pack the court, ultimately undermining its integrity. The President may disagree with the Court and some of its rulings, but he will always respect its foundational role. A spokesperson for the Supreme Court did not respond to a request for comment. The complaints about Barrett and other justices come as Trump wages an increasingly public battle with the judiciary and the conservative legal establishment over rulings that have gone against him. Last week, as Trump raged over a three-judge panels decision against his tariff plan, he took aim at Federalist Society leader Leonard Leo, who played a major role in helping Trump identify judges to put on the federal bench. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Truth Social post, Trump called Leo a real sleazebag a bad person, who in his own way, probably hates America. Trumps anger at Barrett predates his more recent frustration with judges he appointed. Many conservatives were apoplectic in March when Barrett voted to reject Trumps plan to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid. The backlash over that decision from some close to Trump was swift, with one conservative legal commentator describing her on a podcast as a rattled law professor with her head up her a**. Others took to social media to describe her as a DEI hire and evil. That came on top of a decision before the inauguration in January that allowed Trump to be sentenced in his New York hush money case. Barrett and Chief Justice John Roberts, a fellow conservative nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush, joined with the courts three liberals to reach that decision. At the time, Trump brushed aside the ruling as a fair decision, and Trump was ultimately sentenced without penalty. But the anger in Trumps orbit against Barrett appeared to intensify last month when the Supreme Court divided 4-4 in a high-profile case questioning whether a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma should be entitled to taxpayer funding. Barrett recused herself from taking part in the case she had multiple ties to the attorneys representing the school and the even split left in place a ruling from Oklahomas top court that found the school unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems this goes beyond her duty to recuse, Carrie Severino, president of the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, posted on social media, which could have pernicious long-term consequences if other justices were to do the same. Some of Trumps allies have privately expressed the view that Barretts rulings might have been shaped by menacing behavior and threats of violence directed at her family. In March, her sister was targeted with a bomb threat at her home in Charleston, South Carolina, police said. Trump has asked advisers and allies if they think Barrett needs more security, asking if that might make her more comfortable, the sources said. While the president has privately expressed his displeasure with Barrett, a source close to Trump insists he does not want to attack her publicly. In March, after Barrett voted against Trumps plan to cut foreign aid, Trump declined to criticize her publicly, telling reporters at the time, Shes a very good woman. Shes very smart, and I dont know about people attacking her, I really dont know. He does truly respect the Supreme Court, so he doesnt want to torch any of his appointees, one senior White House official told CNN. Hes called on them as a group to rein in the lower courts and do the right thing, but has intentionally not attacked any of the Justices by name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the criticism from the right has overlooked the fact that Barrett remains a reliable vote for conservative outcomes at the Supreme Court. She did not dissent in recent cases allowing Trump to enforce his ban on transgender service members, end temporary deportation protections for Venezuelans, fire board members at independent agencies and cut millions in education grants. Barrett, a former law professor and appeals court judge who is publishing a book in September, voted with the courts two most conservative justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito more than 80% of the time in the term that ended last year, according to data compiled by the Empirical SCOTUS blog. She was slightly more likely to side with Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh, two conservatives who are often viewed as sitting at the courts ideological center. Her decision to recuse in the Catholic school case was a factor in the schools loss, but the 4-4 split meant that one other member of the courts conservative wing likely sided with the liberals. That case was also filed against the school by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a conservative Republican. And yet Barrett is nevertheless one of the most important justices to watch because she does, at times, break with the more rigid conservativism embraced by Thomas and Alito. A year ago, when the Supreme Court was hearing arguments about whether to grant Trump sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution, it was Barrett who was at the center of some of the most compelling exchanges with Trumps attorney. Barrett was one of several justices who prodded Trumps attorney to agree that a presidents private actions would not qualify for immunity. But when the courts decision landed in July, Barrett ultimately sided with the courts conservatives to grant immunity to Trump. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump has reportedly privately aired grievances about his most recent Supreme Court Justice pick, Amy Coney Barrett, for not sufficiently supporting his agenda. While the president publicly turns to the conservative-heavy court for help in implementing some of his most controversial agenda, in private, hes complained about some of the justices hes nominated, with an emphasis on Barrett, CNN reported. Barrett, the last justice to be nominated and appointed by Trump, has shown herself to be less of a hardline conservative than other justices such as Clarence Thomas or Samuel Alito. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, she joined Chief Justice John Roberts and the liberal wing of the court in ruling against Trumps attempts to avoid paying $2 billion in USAID funding. Last month, she recused herself from a case on religious charter schools, which left the court deadlocked in a decision. Those decisions came after Barrett joined Roberts and liberal justices in ordering Trump to be sentenced in his New York hush money case, just days before his inauguration. President Donald Trump has privately complained about some of his Supreme Court picks, particularly Amy Coney Barrett (Getty Images) The recent maneuvers have earned the ire of Trump loyalists, with some calling her weak, fueling the presidents dissatisfaction with the highest court in the nation, according to CNN. Harrison Fields, a spokesperson for the White House, said in a statement that, President Trump will always stand with the U.S. Supreme Court, unlike the Democrat Party, which, if given the opportunity, would pack the court, ultimately undermining its integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The President may disagree with the Court and some of its rulings, but he will always respect its foundational role, Fields continued. Trump has also voiced dissatisfaction at another one U.S. Supreme Court picks, Justice Brett Kavanaugh. (Getty Images) Overall, the court, as well as Barrett, has largely handed Trump wins in cases over his administrations policies as well as his personal endeavors. Barrett joined her conservative colleagues last year in awarding Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution and allowing him on the ballot in several states. But, over the last year, Barrett has also shown herself unafraid of stepping away from the conservative bloc in various cases. Several sources familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump has aired complaints about Barrett as well as Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh the two other conservative judges he tapped for the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Trump has shared his complaints privately, a source close to the president told CNN he does not want to launch public attacks on individual justices. After Barrett voted against Trump in the USAID case, the president defended her, calling her a very good woman. Shes a very good woman. Shes very smart, and I dont know about people attacking her, I really dont know, Trump told reporters. June 2 (UPI) -- Just days before the U.S. Senate was set to hold a confirmation vote, President Donald Trump withdrew Jared Isaacman's nomination for NASA administrator, citing "prior associations." While the White House did not reveal specifics about why the nomination was being pulled, spokesperson Liz Huston confirmed Monday that the administration is looking for a new candidate to lead the agency. "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," Huston said. "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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Trump revealed in a post on Truth Social that he was withdrawing the nomination "after a thorough review of prior associations," without providing more details. "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 will put America First in space," Trump said. Isaacman was expected to be confirmed this week after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., filed cloture on the nomination May 22. Several Democratic members of the Senate Commerce Committee had voted with Republicans in April to favorably report the nomination to the full Senate. Isaacman, a commercial astronaut and billionaire businessman with ties to SpaceX, led the first all-civilian space flight into orbit and had received the endorsement of 28 former NASA astronauts. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., criticized the administration's decision to pull his nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Astronaut and successful businessman Isaacman was a strong choice by President Trump to lead NASA," Sheet wrote in a post on X. "I was proud to introduce Jared at his hearing and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination." NASA released details Friday about its proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, which includes 25% cuts to the space agency's overall spending. In April, Isaacman criticized reports that science funding could be cut by nearly 50%, saying it "does not appear to be an optimal outcome." After Trump's weekend post, Isaacman -- who was nominated last December -- thanked the president and the Senate "who supported me throughout this journey." "The past six months have been enlightening and, honestly, a bit thrilling. I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the complexities of government and the weight our political leaders carry," Isaacman wrote Saturday in a post on X. "I have not flown my last mission -- whatever form that may ultimately take -- but I remain incredibly optimistic that humanity's greatest spacefaring days lie ahead. I'll always be grateful for this opportunity and cheering on our president and NASA as they lead us on the greatest adventure in human history." WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump wants his big, beautiful bill of tax breaks and spending cuts on his desk to be signed into law by the Fourth of July, and he's pushing the slow-rolling Senate to make it happen sooner rather than later. Trump met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House earlier this week and has been dialing senators for one-on-one chats, using both the carrot and stick to nudge, badger and encourage them to act. But it's still a long road ahead for the 1,000-page-plus package. His question to me was, How do you think the bill's going to go in the Senate? Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said about his call with Trump. Do you think there's going to be problems? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a potentially tumultuous three-week sprint for senators preparing to put their own imprint on the massive Republican package that cleared the House late last month by a single vote. The senators have been meeting for weeks behind closed doors, including as they returned to Washington late Monday, to revise the package ahead of what is expected to be a similarly narrow vote in the Senate. Passing THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL is a Historic Opportunity to turn our Country around, Trump posted on social media. He urged senators Monday to work as fast as they can to get this Bill to MY DESK before the Fourth of JULY. But Trump's high-octane ally, billionaire Elon Musk, lambasted the package and those voting for it. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination, Musk posted on his site X, as some lawmakers have expressed reservations about the details. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A test for Thune Thune, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, has few votes to spare from the Senate's slim, 53-seat GOP majority. Democrats are waging an all-out political assault on GOP proposals to cut Medicaid, food stamps and green energy investments to help pay for more than $4.5 trillion in tax cuts with many lawmakers being hammered at boisterous town halls back home. Itd be nice if we could have everybody on board to do it, but, you know, individual members are going to stake out their positions, Thune said Tuesday. But in the end, we have to succeed. Failures not an option. Johnson called Musks harsh criticism of the bill very disappointing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all due respect, said Johnson, who said he spoke with Musk for more than 20 minutes, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the one big beautiful bill. At its core, the package seeks to extend the tax cuts approved in 2017, during Trump's first term at the White House, and add new ones the president campaigned on, including no taxes on tips. It also includes a massive buildup of $350 billion for border security, deportations and national security. To defray the lost tax revenue to the government and avoid piling onto the nation's $36 trillion debt load, Republicans want reduce federal spending by imposing work requirements for some Americans who rely on government safety net services. Estimates are 8.6 million people would no longer have health care and nearly 4 million would lose Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP. The package also would raise the nation's debt limit by $4 trillion to allow more borrowing to pay the bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump's bill "is ugly to its very core. Schumer said Tuesday that senators should listen to Musk. Behind the smoke and mirrors lies a cruel and draconian truth: tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy paid for by gutting health care for millions of Americans," said the New York senator. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is expected to soon provide an overall analysis of the package's impacts on the government balance sheets. But Republicans are ready to blast those findings from the congressional scorekeeper as flawed. The GOP holdouts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump switched to tougher tactics Tuesday, deriding the holdout Republican senators. The president laid into Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, the libertarian-leaning deficit hawk who has made a career of arguing against government spending. Paul wants the package's $4 trillion increase to the debt ceiling out of the bill. Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!), Trump posted. Paul seemed unfazed. I like the president, supported the president, the senator said. But I cant in good conscience give up every principle that I stand for and every principle that I was elected upon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The July 4th deadline is not only aspirational for the president, it's all but mandatory for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has warned Congress that the nation will run out of money to pay its bills if the debt ceiling, now at $36 trillion, is not lifted by mid-July or early August to allow more borrowing. Bessent has also been meeting behind closed doors with senators and GOP leadership. To make most of the tax cuts permanent particularly the business tax breaks that are the Senate priorities senators may shave some of Trump's proposed new tax breaks on automobile loans or overtime pay, which are less prized by some senators. There are also discussions about altering the $40,000 cap that the House proposed for state and local deductions, known as SALT, which are important to lawmakers in high-tax New York, California and other states, but less so among GOP senators. We're having all those discussions, said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., another key voice in the debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley is a among a group of senators, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who have raised concerns about the Medicaid changes that could boot people from health insurance. A potential copay of up to $35 for Medicaid services that was part of the House package, as well as a termination of a provider tax that many states rely on to help fund rural hospitals, have also raised concerns. The best way to not be accused of cutting Medicaid is to not cut Medicaid, Hawley said. Collins said she is reviewing the details. __ Associated Press journalists Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick, Matt Brown, Joey Cappelletti, Michelle L. Price, Josh Boak and Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report. Donald Trump blew up on Truth Social over a claim from author Michael Wolff that his crusade against Harvard is personal. Wolff, author of several books about the president, claimed on The Daily Beast Podcast last week that Trump didnt get into Harvard and suggested hes now targeting the university in part because he holds a grudge. He needs an enemy, Wolff said earlier in the podcast. Thats what makes the show great. The Trump show. He picks fantastic enemies, actually. And Harvard, for all it represents, fits right into the Trump show, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going after Harvard has proved to be an incredibly reliable headline, he added. So hes on the money. So hes done what he set out to do. Dominate headlines. Trump has gone after the university with gusto, freezing its federal funding, threatening its tax-exempt status and moving to block it from enrolling international students. The president claimed Wolffs story is totally FALSE and insisted he never applied to the Ivy League school. Michael Wolff, a Third Rate Reporter, who is laughed at even by the scoundrels of the Fake News, recently stated that the only reason Im beating up on Harvard, is because I applied there, and didnt get in, Trump raged on his social media platform Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That story is totally FALSE, I never applied to Harvard, Trump continued. I graduated from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. He is upset because his book about me was a total BOMB. Nobody wanted it, because his reporting and reputation is so bad! Trump attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. / John Greim / LightRocket via Getty Images Trumps education has been colored by claims from family members that he was a brat and that his sister did his homework for him. His higher education began at Fordham University in 1964. He studied for two years at the Bronx Catholic private school before transferring to the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at Penn. He graduated from the Ivy League university with a bachelors degree in economics in 1968. His late sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, told her niece Mary Trump that she drove him around New York City to try to get him into college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said he attended Fordham briefly and then he got into University of Pennsylvania because he had somebody take his exams. Those claims were denied by the widow of Joe Shapiro, the man who was said to have taken the test for Trump. The presidents father and brother also helped him to get into the school through a connection, The Washington Post reported in 2019. Trump has long boasted of his time at the Wharton school, claiming it was one of the hardest school to get into and that he graduated top of his class, a claim that the evidence suggests is dubious at best. The Trumps have been contending with rumors after the president's onslaught against Harvard. / Joe Raedle / Getty Images Trump has had a long-running beef with Wolff, who wrote Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House and Siege: Trump Under Fire, among other titles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Trump called Wolffs latest book, All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America, a total FAKE JOB, just like the other JUNK he wrote. He called me many times trying to set up a meeting, but I never called him back because I didnt want to give him the credibility of an interview, Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time. Even before Wolff floated the claim that the president was snubbed by Harvard, speculation ran rampant over the reason for his vendetta. A White House spokesperson shot down the idea that Trump was rejected from the school, telling USA Today last week, the president didnt need to apply to an overrated, corrupt institution like Harvard to become a successful businessman and the most transformative President in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has accused Harvard of liberal bias and antisemitism, using those claims to justify his offensive. Michael Wolff has authored several books about Trump, which the president claims are According to Wolff, a running joke in White House circles held that Trumps war on the prestigious school stemmed from the rejection of another Trump: his youngest son, Barron. The narrative apparently made its way to first lady Melania Trump, whose spokesperson issued a statement last Tuesday calling the claim that Barron applied to Harvard completely false. The 19-year-old recently finished his freshman year at New York University, where he studied at its Stern School of Business. President Donald Trump is ramping up his criticism of Republican senators who are threatening to complicate the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which advances his legislative agenda. On Tuesday, he railed against Sen. Rand Paul in a social media post after the Kentucky Republican publicly criticized the House-passed megabill. Paul opposes the bill because of a debt ceiling increase in it that he said would "explode deficits." Paul said at an event in Iowa last week that the cuts in the bill are "wimpy and anemic" and called for slashes to other entitlements, which Trump has made clear are a red line for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump's funding bill runs into Senate GOP fiscal hawks Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP | Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images - PHOTO: Donald Trump | Rand Paul "Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming. He loves voting 'NO' on everything, he thinks it's good politics, but it's not," Trump said in a post on his conservative social media platform Tuesday morning. In a separate post, Trump said Paul "never has any practical or constructive ideas." Over the weekend, Trump said that if Paul votes against the bill, "the GREAT people of Kentucky will never forgive him!" Paul responded to Trump's attacks on Tuesday, telling ABC News that he has been "pretty consistent" about his position on the deficit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From the very beginning, I've been consistent about it," Paul said. "I pointed it out when we have Republican presidents and we have Democrat presidents, so really, there is no change in this." Trump is working the phones and having meetings with senators to try to get his sweeping agenda passed by Congress. The legislation extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and boost spending for the military and border security -- while making some cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and other assistance programs. It will also 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 (CBO). Trump met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House on Monday, according to a White House official. The meeting comes as Thune faces the Herculean task of moving this House-backed bill through the Senate as expeditiously as possible. Thune has so far not made clear what his strategy will be for moving this package through the upper chamber. But as things currently stand, Thune can only afford to lose three of his GOP members to pass the package, and right now, he has more members than that expressing serious doubts about the bill. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images - PHOTO: Senate Majority Leader John Thune answers questions from reporters at the Capitol in Washington, June 2, 2025. The president's outreach so far has targeted a number of senators who have publicly expressed a need to see substantive changes to the House-backed bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul told ABC News that he had a "lengthy discussion" with Trump this week where the president "did most of the talking." Asked if Trump convinced him to change his mind, Paul quipped: "no." Trump also met with Republican Sen. Rick Scott on Monday to discuss the bill, sources confirmed to ABC News. Scott is among a group of Senate hardliners who wants to see larger cuts to government spending in this bill. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson -- who also received a call from Trump on Monday, according to the White House -- has also been vocal about his concerns that the bill doesn't go nearly far enough to slash federal spending. But anyone wishing to change the bill will have to balance the desire for spending cuts from hardliners against the calls from others in the conference who are insisting there be no cuts to Medicaid. Changes to Medicaid are one of the key ways the House bill slashes spending levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump seems to be targeting this part of the GOP conference as well, speaking with Republican Sen. Josh Hawley by phone, a White House official confirmed. Hawley, who has said he opposes potential cuts to Medicaid benefits, said in a post on X after that call, that Trump "said again, NO MEDICAID BENEFIT CUTS." Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images - PHOTO: Sen. Josh Hawley speaks to the press after voting on the nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, June 2, 2025 in Washington. Trump put pressure on Republican senators to fall in line in a post on his social media site on Monday night, emphasizing that he wants the GOP tax megabill on his desk before the Fourth of July holiday. "I call on all of my Republican friends in the Senate and House to work as fast as they can to get this Bill to MY DESK before the Fourth of JULY," Trump wrote. MORE: Senate parliamentarian will have final say on some provisions in Trump's funding bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echoing sentiments from Trump, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday suggested that Republican senators who vote against Trump's megabill will have a price to pay. "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," Leavitt told reporters. Evan Vucci/AP - PHOTO: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters at the White House, June 2, 2025, in Washington. Despite expressing some displeasures about the large tax bill last week, Leavitt said Trump was keen on keeping the bill largely in-tact. "Those discussions are ongoing, but the president is not going to back down from those key priorities that he promised the American public, and they are expecting Capitol Hill to help him deliver," Leavitt said. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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! 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 Trump administration has reversed course on a plan to close 34 Mine Safety and Health Administration offices. (Karen Kasmauski/Getty Images) President Donald Trumps administration has reversed course on a plan to close more than 30 mine safety offices, something union leaders and advocates said would compromise inspectors ability to protect coal miners lives. However, two field offices in Kentucky in Prestonsburg and Beaver Dam remain slated for closure, reports Bloomberg Law, as well as offices in Pineville in West Virginia and Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leases of the offices, which serve as bases for federal coal mine inspectors, were set to end this summer along with several other federal offices under a plan by the Department of Government Efficiency which until recently was led by billionaire Elon Musk. A spokesperson for the Department of Labor confirmed last week hat 34 Mine Safety and Health Adminsitration offices will be retained. They said the agency 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. The reversal comes amid a push back from the Black Lung Association, the United Mine Workers of America, and others on what advocates called the Trump administrations attacks on coal miner safety. In April, workers at the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety were put on administrative leave due to reorganizations at the federal level. According to an analysis from the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, the MSHA offices that were slated to close performed more than 16,600 safety and health inspections with more than 230 of those done in West Virginia between February 2024 and 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered workers from NIOSHs Respiratory Health Division back to work, ending a reduction in force that prevented coal miners with black lung disease from having the option to transfer to less dusty areas of the mine to prevent further illness and injury. MSHA had delayed the implementation of a new silica rule aimed at protecting coal miners from the dust that causes black lung disease. The rule was set to be effective in April but will now be effective in August. Im happy theyre going to keep these MSHA offices open, Gary Hairston, president of the National Black Lung Association, said in a news release. We need these offices that are close to the mines so that MSHA can conduct safety inspections and respond to accidents in a timely way. Now we need MSHA to enforce the new silica rule, and we need Congress to give MSHA enough funding to do its job. In a statement Friday, the United Mine Workers of America, a labor union representing coal miners, said the organization is relieved by the decision but called on the Department of Labor to be transparent about which offices remain are still at risk, and to stop remaining efforts to reduce the governments mine safety infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea that anyone would even consider shuttering dozens of MSHA field offices, most of which are located in remote mining communities, shows a fundamental misunderstanding of what it takes to keep miners safe, UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said in the statement. Weve said from day one that cutting these offices would compromise inspectors ability to respond quickly to accidents, enforce safety regulations, and protect the lives of our members and their coworkers. In a statement Friday, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, and chair of the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, said she was glad to hear that many of West Virginias MSHA offices will remain open. I have raised this issue directly with [Department of Labor] Secretary [Lori] Chavez-DeRemer because I was concerned about the impact these closures could have on mine safety and workers access to support, Capito said. Keeping these offices open is the right decision and a win for miners, inspectors, and the communities they serve. This story is republished from West Virginia Watch, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network. By Nate Raymond (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's first batch of judicial nominees since returning to the White House is set to go before a U.S. Senate panel as the Republican looks to further reshape a judiciary whose members have stymied parts of his agenda. Five of the 11 judicial nominees Trump has announced so far are slated to appear on Wednesday before the Republican-led U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which will weigh whether to recommend them for the full Senate's consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those nominees all have conservative bona fides that their supporters say will help Trump shift the ideological balance of the judiciary further to the right after making 234 appointments in his first term, which was a near-record for a president's first four years in office. Trump's first-term appointees included three members of the U.S. Supreme Court, which since gaining a 6-3 conservative majority has curtailed abortion rights, rejected affirmative action policies on university campuses and limited the power of administrative agencies. White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement that Trump was committed to "restoring integrity to the judicial system, which begins with appointing America First judges, not unelected politicians in robes." Among Wednesday's nominees is Whitney Hermandorfer, who as a lawyer serving under Tennessee's Republican attorney general has defended the state's abortion ban and challenged federal protections for transgender youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hermandorfer, who is nominated to a seat on the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, will appear before the Senate panel with four nominees to fill trial court vacancies in Missouri. Those include Joshua Divine, Missouri's solicitor general, who challenged Democratic former President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness efforts and has defended abortion and transgender healthcare restrictions. The hearing comes days after Trump broke with conservative legal activist Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society, who advised Trump on judicial appointments in his first term. I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations, Trump wrote. This is something that cannot be forgotten!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leo in response said he was grateful Trump transformed the courts. He said the judiciary "is better than its ever been in modern history, and that will be President Trumps most important legacy." Trump's attack on Leo came a day after a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade that included a Trump-appointed judge blocked most of his tariffs. It is one of several rulings White House officials describe as part of a "judicial coup" by judges who have blocked his policies. Mike Davis, whose conservative Article III Project backs Trump's judicial nominees, said that in his second term Trump "doesn't need to appease the D.C. establishment with weak and timid judges." "He is picking bold and fearless judges, like Emil Bove, who will follow the Constitution instead of seeking establishment favor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bove, a Justice Department official who previously served as Trump's defense lawyer in the New York criminal trial over hush money paid to a porn star, was nominated last week to join the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. His nomination drew criticism from Democrats and Ed Whelan, a conservative legal commentator who in a piece in the National Review called Bove's nomination "disturbing." "Clearly you have some folks agitating for MAGA-type nominees, and the White House will be open to those folks so long as they also have good legal qualifications," Whelan said in an interview. But he said most of Trump's nominees, as well as candidates in the pipeline, have fit within the rubric of what Trump would have sought in his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's going to be very hard for Trump to pick people other than people with traditional conservative qualifications," Whelan said. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Lisa Shumaker) President Donald Trump is fuming at Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for refusing to support his big, beautiful bill and is blasting the Republican senator on social media. Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming, Trump wrote Tuesday on his Truth Social platform. He loves voting NO on everything, he thinks its good politics, but its not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!! Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas, the president wrote in a separate post later Tuesday. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky cant stand him. This is a BIG GROWTH BILL! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calls for $4 trillion in tax cuts and billions for Trumps mass deportation initiative. Meanwhile, it could kick millions of people off Medicaid and curb eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which some 42 million people rely on to buy food each month. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the legislation would add more than $2 trillion to federal budget deficits over 10 years, something Paul isnt happy with. The problem is the math doesnt add up, the Republican said Sunday on Fox News. Theyre going to explode the debt by the House says $4 trillion, the Senates actually been talking about ... $5 trillion. This year, in September the deficit will be about $2.2 trillion. The Republicans would say, Well, thats Bidenomics! Thats [former President Joe] Biden spending levels! Paul continued. Well, in March, every Republican, virtually every Republican other than me, voted to continue the Biden spending level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats just not conservative, he added. Trump believes expanding the debt ceiling and extending tax cuts will improve the economy. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press Trump may be unable to ignore Pauls perspective, since the fate of his bill now rests with the U.S. Senate. Senate Republicans can only afford to lose three GOP votes to pass the bill with a simple majority if all Democrats vote against it, as expected. Yet only a handful of Republican senators are currently calling for changes to the bill, which Trump hopes to have on his desk by July 4. Paul told reporters Monday that hes had a lengthy chat with Trump about his concerns, but that the president did most of the talking. Related... In April, Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum ordering senior members of his administration to investigate Miles Taylor, the author of an anonymous 2018 op-ed in the New York Times that had claimed a quiet resistance was taking hold among the highest levels of the first Trump administration. Trumps memo which suggested that Taylor had committed treason and revoked his security clearance has been widely decried by the presidents critics as an abuse of executive power designed to silence his critics. Now, Taylor the former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, who revealed himself as the op-eds author in 2020 is speaking out about his experience as the target of the presidents order. Its been completely destructive to our lives, Taylor said in an interview with POLITICO Magazine, adding that he and his family have faced increased security threats because of Trumps order. I dont want to go out there and say this order achieved the presidents objective of destroying my personal life, but the reality is that I had to step away from work because I couldnt do the work that I did anymore with this blacklisting in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Taylors lawyers filed formal complaints with the inspectors general at the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, requesting that they investigate whether Trumps order violates existing law or constitutional protections. Taylor said he considers the requests a test case of whether independent government watchdogs have been co-opted by the current administration. This is one of the last ways that there is to look into illegal activity within administration, said Taylor, so I suppose were going to see if the system works. Regardless of how his latest legal challenge shakes out, Taylor is still encouraging people to look at his experience as a cautionary tale: This is what can happen if you wait too damn long to get out there and tell people the truth. The following has been edited for clarity and concision. What was your initial reaction to the presidential memo? I was surprised and not surprised. I was not surprised that the president was seeking revenge against me because Id spoken out in the first administration. I expected that he would do that. In fact, Ive been warning for almost seven years that thats what he would do if he won a second term that he would use the powers of the presidency to relentlessly go after his critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What surprised me was that so quickly into the administration, they made the jump into individualized investigative executive orders against named critics of the president. Thats pretty alarming, that the president now wields that pen as a literal sword against free speech. In your 2018 op-ed in New York Times, you described the president as amoral, unmoored from any first discernible first principle, impetuous, adversarial, petty and anti-democratic. Did the order demonstrate anything about the president you didnt already suspect? It proved my point. I was surprised because of the lever that they chose. Thats a Rubicon that hasnt been crossed before a president specifically ordering an investigation. The farthest prediction that I had made about what Trump would do in a second term is that he would spin up a bunch of special counsels and topic areas, with a wink nod to the attorney general and those special counsels to go after his critics. It didnt occur to me he would be so ham-fisted as to name a critic who hadnt committed a crime, and to issue an order for an investigation without any criminal predicate. To me, that seemed extraordinary. Had you begun to prepare legally for an action like this? When he started to revoke peoples security clearances, we suspected it was possible we would be somewhere early in that list of people. A lot of those are being challenged in the courts right now, and given whats happening with the law firms, it seems like a lot of those are going to be struck down. We expected to be in those batches, but we didnt necessarily expect the president to try to open up a full-fledged investigation into us. How has the revocation of your security clearance affected your day-to-day life? The honest answer is, I really cant talk about it. The memo also revoked the security clearances of people associated with you for instance, people at the University of Pennsylvania, where you used to work. Can you talk about that? I mean, how else can you look at that, other than as a naked act of retribution? In that order, the president bounces all over the place: Im a critic of his, Im a leaker, or maybe Im a spy, and lets take away security clearances at this university that I was an adjunct part-time lecturer for in the past. Thats clearly just punitive and meant to intimidate and send a signal to folks that if they speak out even if theyre a layer removed from the person they, too, could be punished in ways that could totally upend their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Folks dont understand that there are lot of people in the national security community whose job, paycheck and ability to feed their family is dependent on their ability to access sensitive information. But because someone might be at a university that I once taught at, theyll potentially have their clearance revoked, which would upend their lives. Thats insane, and it has nothing to do with protecting the country. It has everything to do with sending a chilling effect on free speech. How else has the order affected your life? Its been completely destructive to our lives. I think that folks dont want to admit these things when they happen, because its humiliating. I dont want to go out there and say this order achieved the presidents objective of destroying my personal life, but the reality is that I had to step away from work because I couldnt do the work that I did anymore with this blacklisting in Washington. My wife, whos a stay-at-home mom with our baby, had to return to work because we need income to be able to pay for a legal defense and to be able to keep our house. Weve had friends and family who were targeted in the aftermath. A friend who was a senior official at the Department of Homeland Security was fired because the White House found a picture of him on Instagram at my wedding. And of course we faced sort of renewed security threats. The presidents policies and actions have affected the lives of a lot of people American citizens and other people living in the U.S. legally who dont have the public platform or the political networks that you have. Does your experience illustrate something uniquely alarming about the direction of the second Trump administration, or is it part of a broader effort to intimidate critics and punish constituencies that dont align with him? This is now a guided missile for the president to weaponize his powers against individuals, just like the orders we saw blacklisting major law firms, blacklisting major universities and other institutions. This is the scalpel theyll use to ruin the lives of individuals the president is opposed to. That doesnt necessarily mean its going to be all high-profile critics of the president. It could be anyone someone who gets in the way of the motorcade by accident, a cab driver who says the wrong thing to a Trump official. Theres literally no limit to where the president could take this. Thats really, really scary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say that there are few people who are probably better prepared than me, and very few people who are going to have access to the level of support that Ive had since this happened. If youre number 100 on the list of individuals Trump goes and orders an investigation into, youre probably going to have a tough time finding the right law firm, standing up a legal defense fund, getting folks out there to support you. Thats why these cases work, because they dont really have to do it to hundreds of people. At first, they need to do it a couple of folks, make their lives awful and then its effective. It sends the message: Dont cross the president or this administration, or you could be on the receiving end of one of these radioactive pieces of paper. The memo suggested, among other things, that you had committed treason. How do you respond to that allegation? The president sees criticism as subversive. Ive always taken a different view. Theres a great quote from Teddy Roosevelt, where he says that not only is it morally wrong and servile to say you cant criticize the president, but its actually morally treasonous not to criticize the president if he or she is deserving of criticism. I take that view. I think the president calling this treason from the get-go is probably the most revealing thing about his intentions here, which is not to protect national security, but silence critics. After the original op-ed came out in 2018, the first thing he tweeted was a seven-letter response TREASON?. He ordered the New York Times to hand me over and the Justice Department to open an investigation. There was no investigation, and there was no handing over. Why? Because I engaged in criticism of the president, and criticism is not classified in America. You lied to the press about your role in authoring that that op-ed back in 2018. You were asked directly if you had authored it, and you denied it. Why should Americans believe your warnings about Trump now? I used the device of anonymity so people would pay attention to the message and not the messenger. I said very clearly at the time that if asked directly if I was Anonymous, I would deny it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why did I do that? I didnt use the device of anonymity because I was scared to associate my name with my criticisms of the president. I used it because Im a student of history, and I saw that when the Founding Fathers used the same device, it worked. Specifically, when the founders were trying to rally support for the U.S. Constitution, they wrote anonymous essays under the pseudonym Publius. They didnt do it because they were scared they did it because they wanted to create a spectacle for people to focus on a very important message. And I did the same thing. They were also fomenting a revolution of a sort. Is that what youre trying to do? Im not comparing myself to the Founders. What I am saying is that specific tactic they used got attention, and I got people to start paying attention and talking about how President Trumps own lieutenants didnt think he was fit for office. I wasnt one of his immediate lieutenants, and I wasnt the cabinet secretary, but members of his own cabinet were saying, Maybe this is getting so bad, we need to eject him with the 25th Amendment. To me, that was pretty important for a voter to know. Thats also why I pledged I would come forward before the 2020 election, because I did think it was very important to come out in my own name not when it was safe after the election, but beforehand. But that meant having to tell a couple journalists, No, Im not Anonymous. Journalist who I told I that I was not anonymous and who got it right I later apologized and said, I hope you understand why I had to do what I had to. Do you think your decision to be anonymous back then undermines your credibility now? No, I dont. Youre taking some legal action now to push back against the investigation that the president has ordered. What are you hoping to accomplish? I hope we will make it harder for any president to order a revenge investigation against a private American citizen. A lot of people told me that I shouldnt respond to this I should just lay low and let it blow over. But when it blows up your life before youve been charged with anything, then its clear that this isnt something thats just symbolic and will blow over. This could destroy a lot of peoples lives if the president starts doing this to more people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So were calling on the inspector generals of the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, which are supposed to be independent watchdogs, to look into whether there are people in the administration actively carrying out these orders. Legal scholars have said theyre probably illegal and unconstitutional, and therefore anyone engaged in carrying them out might be engaged in illegal activity. That would normally be the thing that inspectors general step in to review. Do you believe that theyre still independent in a meaningful sense? I have no reason to think that theyre not. I suppose this is a test case to see whether those IGs will be able to go do their jobs, or whether theyve been co-opted. I dont know them personally, and I suspect theyre good public servants who want to do their jobs, but this is one of the last ways that there is to look into illegal activity within an administration. So I suppose were going to see if the system works. What recourse is available to you if it doesnt? My lawyers are looking at a lot of different options. For a sense of the direction it could go, you can look at what other institutions have done in response to similar executive orders from the president many of which have been shot down in the past few weeks by the courts. So we are actively looking at other legal avenues, but we wanted to take the first appropriate step here. During the first Trump administration, you worked at DHS, which is now playing a very prominent role in enforcing Trumps immigration policy and executing his plans for mass deportation. What do you make of the way Trump is using DHS now? I think its just the beginning. The deportation piece is its a very fraught issue. At the end of the day, presidents from both parties have deported people who were here unlawfully. I think the difference is that the Trump administration appears to be doing it very retributively and without any consideration of humanitarian pathways to citizenship and existing humanitarian protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My even bigger worry is about the president turning the Department of Homeland Security into a much bigger political weapon beyond immigration. After 9/11, we built a very sophisticated counterterrorism apparatus in the Department of Homeland Security, one that in the wrong hands could be abused and turned into a domestic counterterrorism apparatus to target political enemies. We are seeing little indications of that border agents going through the pocket litter of political critics, for instance. Im not saying that DHS is engaged in some sweeping action to go after Trumps critics, but if Donald Trump has taken the actions that hes taken against me and [former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency] Chris Krebs, its not very far of a logically leap for him to use DHS much more aggressively to punish his foes and reward his allies. Critics of DHS, on both on the left and the right, have raised the possibility of abuse of its security apparatus from the creation of the department. Now that you find yourself on the other side of that abuse in some respect, does it make you reconsider the work you did with the department at all? I dont think those two things are tied together. In my entire tenure at DHS, I never saw the weaponization of its authorities to intentionally punish political critics. To me, that is extraordinary. It would be like us comparing oranges and refrigerators. But do you think that previous administrations took the necessary steps to prevent those types of abuse from happening? Your concern is not novel at all it was articulated at the founding of the department. No, not nearly enough was done to prevent abuse. There were a lot of different proposals over the past 20 years of ways to further insulate DHS from political pressure from putting in place longer term limits for senior officials to strengthening IGs. Those have just totally gone by the wayside, and now we may be on the cusp of seeing the consequences of that failure. The resistance that you proclaimed in your 2018 op-ed failed to materialize, and subsequent efforts to mobilize a broad-based anti-Trump resistance have failed to meaningly constrain him and his administration. Are you rethinking your own approach to resistance? First, I would say the term resistance was totally misunderstood. I didnt get to choose that headline for the New York Times op-ed, but I probably wouldnt have put resistance in the headline. What I was talking about was not people defying the lawful orders of the commander-in-chief. I was talking about a group of people actively advising the president and the administration not to do things that were illegal. So if thats resistance, any American should want resistance to always be around the president. The Oval Office should not be an echo chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, I would say that, as evidenced by what were experiencing now, our efforts failed catastrophically. Not only did Donald Trump return to office, but hes returned to office and put out a slew of things that are likely unlawful and unconstitutional according to the courts, not to me. Why did it fail? Im going to give you an answer that may seem deeply ironic and that is anonymity. One of the reasons that I ultimately unmasked myself is that I think anonymity is of the biggest threats to our democracy. In my former party, the Republican Party, all the way up to the highest levels, senior officials were not just disgusted by Trump but really thought he was the wrong pick to be president the United States. But the vast majority of them remained anonymous they didnt speak up and as a consequence, he won office again. But he also has a pretty good radar for dissenters, and so hes systematically eliminated or pushed most of those dissenters out of the Republican Party. And thats why I think weve wound up back with Donald Trump. So again, thats why I think anonymity is a huge threat to democracy. After I unmasked myself, I spent a lot of time going around and saying, We really need to go own our words. Because if we dont, then we will watch democracy just atrophy. You said earlier that you didnt think your decision to be anonymous has undermined your credibility, but now youre saying that anonymity was the thing that that undercut the resistance. If it was such an impediment to the strategic success of the anti-Trump movement, why do you think it hasnt undermined you in some way? Im talking about two separate things. In one case, Im talking about the device of not attaching your name to something as a way to draw attention to a very serious issue. I would say there are contexts in which anonymity is very, very important we allow whistleblowers in our democracy to make claims anonymously and to file them and to protect their identities. I could have chosen the route to do that and to protect my family and life and everything from attack, but I felt like it was really important to take that mask off and have that conversation. My point about broader anonymity is that the general fear of getting canceled whether its from the left or the right is keeping folks from saying that something is wrong. That is why I had decided from the get-go that I will be anonymous to make sure people pay attention to this message, but I also have to take this mask off. I totally understand if people criticize that, judge it and think it was a stupid approach. I totally get it. But I also knew that at that time, if I had come out and said how serious the situation was in the Trump administration under my own name, it would have been a half-day news story. Donald Trump would have swatted it down, made it all about me and people would have moved on. But were in a very different situation now. I think that in some ways, my experience was a cautionary tale: This is what can happen if you wait too damn long to get out there and tell people the truth. President Trump and his administration are leaning into immigration more than antisemitism in the wake of an attack in Boulder, Colo., that targeted a pro-Israel gathering. The administration has made it its mission to usher in tough immigration policies, and it has also gone after universities for antisemitism over campus protests related to the Gaza war. The attack on the group demonstrating in Boulder for the release of hostages held by Hamas fits into several arguments the administration is making about what needs to change in the country, particularly since the suspect behind the attack was living in the U.S. on an expired visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, the response from the administration has been much more focused on highlighting that immigration status. Trumps response to the attack a day later began by ripping his predecessor President Biden for what he deems a ridiculous open border policy. The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, was revamping the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tip line to report suspicious criminal activity by illegal aliens including terrorist activity, gang related crimes, and suspected sex trafficking in its response to the event in Boulder. For four years, the Biden Administration allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliensincluding terrorists, gang members, and other violent criminalsto pour into our country. Yesterdays terrorist attack by a suspect illegally in our country, underscores the importance of getting these illegal aliens out of our country, assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS response to the attack on Sunday involved immediately highlighting that the suspect had been in the U.S. illegally. Similarly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned about deporting criminals in response to the attack. 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, he said on X. The suspect, Mohamed Soliman, has been charged with a federal hate crime after he allegedly yelled Free Palestine as he was attacking the group, injuring multiple people with Molotov cocktails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soliman had entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in August 2022. That visa expired in early 2023 but Soliman stayed in the country since and he had applied for asylum during that time. DHS said he had also applied for a work permit once the tourist visa was up, but that had also expired. Soliman used a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices Sunday to attack people demonstrating for the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas. The victims of the attack range in age from 52 to 88, The Associated Press reported. Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, one of the administrations chief immigration hawks, quickly called out Solimans immigration status late Sunday just after the attack, calling him 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, Miller said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Press secretary Karoline Leavitt, meanwhile, did highlight that Jewish Americans should rest assure that this president has your back. She also directed her response towards the work of the administration to crack down on border crossings and also blamed the Biden. Id also like to point out that this administration has done more than any administration to curb this violence and to curb illegal immigration, she said. We know that this individual, this terrorist, was allowed into this country by the previous administration was given a tourism visa and then was illegallyl allowed to stay. The incident in Boulder comes just a week after another antisemitic attack in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man who shouted free, free Palestine while being detained fatally shot two Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, at a reception at the Capital Jewish Museum. Following that attack in Washington, attorney general Pam Bondi said the threat level has been increased for all Americans, telling people that whether you are Jewish or not, be vigilant. Some Democrats on Monday said the administration wasnt doing enough to call out antisemitism. It was an obviously antisemitic attack and the latest in a series of antisemitic attacks. We had that attack on that couple exiting the Jewish community center in Washington a couple of weeks ago and the Jewish community is very on edge. And we want the federal government to do more, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said on CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), meanwhile, called out the dangers of unchecked antisemitism but opted not to address the administrations response. Because of their Jewish identity, they were targeted by hate. When antisemitism is allowed to fester in more corners of society, it historically leads to more terrorism and violence, Schumer said on the Senate floor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. A Helluva Timeline The remarkable reporting by the NYT that the Trump White House hired a disgruntled Harvard Law student who was also serving as a would-be whistleblower in the Justice Departments investigation of the law review is a little hard to follow, but a quick timeline helps to bring it into better focus. Briefly, the Trump DOJ appeared eager, as the Times put it, to escalate its bogus civil investigation of the Harvard Law Review for allegedly discriminating against white men into a criminal probe with allegations of obstruction of justice. Even though the law review is independent of the university, top DOJ civil rights officials tried to use the investigation to put added pressure on Harvard as part of its broader attack on the school, the NYT reports, relying on previously unreported letters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those letters disclosed that the government had a cooperating witness on the law review. The witness is Daniel Wasserman, who is now working under Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy. Heres the timeline culled from the NYT piece: April 25: Wasserman is offered a job at the White House, the same day the conservative Washington Free Beacon publishes a story with the headline: Exclusive: Internal Documents Reveal Pervasive Pattern of Racial Discrimination at Harvard Law Review April 28: The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services announce a civil rights investigation citing the Washington Free Beacon story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May 13: The first Trump DOJ letter is sent to Harvard regarding the law review allegations. May 21: In the second letter to Harvard, the Trump DOJ first discloses that Wasserman was providing information to the government and accuses the law review of retaliating against him and ordering him to destroy evidence. May 22: Wassermans first day of work at the White House May 23: The third Trump DOJ letter is sent to to Harvard regarding the law review. May 28: Wasserman graduates from Harvard Law School. A senior administration official told the Times that Wassermans hiring was unrelated to the government investigation and that Miller was not involved in hiring him and did not meet him until he started working at the White House. Understatement Of The Day Legal experts said it was highly unusual for an administration to give a cooperating witness in an ongoing investigation a White House job.the NYT, on the Trump White Houses hiring of Daniel Wasserman Big First Amendment Case On Track For July Trial The Trump administration failed on Monday in its effort to avert a trial next month to determine whether a federal judge should block the government from retaliating against pro-Palestinian students based on speech, All Rise News reports. The Latest On The Big Anti-Immigrant Cases Abrego Garcia: In a new filing opposing the Trump administrations motion to dismiss the case, the lawyers for the wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia framed up the stakes starkly: The Government asks this Court to accept a shocking proposition: that federal officers may snatch residents of this country and deposit them in foreign prisons in admitted violation of federal law, while no court in the United States has jurisdiction to do anything about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Sudan: In the third country deportations case out of Massachusetts, the Trump administration told the court that the eight detainees who were originally bound for South Sudan remain in Djibouti and that DHS has provided Microsoft Teams, a satellite phone, and a private interview room for the detainees to speak with their attorneys. Cristian: Two related developments in the Maryland case of the wrongfully deported Cristian: His lawyers took the judges invitation and in a new filing say they are likely to file a motion for contempt of court and other sanctions against the Trump administration for blatant violations of the courts orders. As a prelude to that move, they are asking U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher to order expedited discovery similar to that undertaken in the Abrego Garcia case. The Trump administration attempted to cure last weeks violation of the judges order by filing an updated declaration by an ICE official on the steps the government has and will take to facilitate Cristians return. The updated declaration is still remarkably thin and not based on personal knowledge of the governments actions, as the judge ordered. It also appears to be an attempt to place the entire case more firmly in the foreign policy realm and out of the reach of the judiciary by highlighting Secretary of State Marco Rubios personal involvement in handling the discussions with the government of El Salvador: I Didnt Know That Many People Loved Me Greg Sargent interviewed an at times tearful Carol Hui, the woman originally from Hong Kong whose detention by the Trump administration shocked the deep-red Missouri town where she has lived and worked for 20 years. Government-Sponsored Discrimination Alert The Trump administrations use of state power to target minorities and marginalized groups continues apace, but its almost become background noise in the Trump II presidency. A few examples from just the past 24 hours: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a little-noticed memo in March, the Trump administration ordered federal border agents and customs officers not to attend events hosted by organizations that support women or minority groups in law enforcement, a senior border official who retired over the policy told the NYT. Harmeet K. Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, sent a letter Monday to public school districts in California threatening legal action if they continue to allow trans athletes to compete in high school sports. On what is clearly a pretextual basis, the National Park Service has denied next weekends WorldPride celebration access to D.C.s Dupont Circle park, which is the center of the citys historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Oh Boy The new acting chief of the Trump DOJs voting section is Maureen Riordan, who until recently was a lawyer for the Public Interest Legal Foundation, Democracy Docket reports. PILF has been a leading group in the voter fraud bamboozlement movement and has succeeded in purging voter roles, introducing new voter restrictions, and limiting the reach of voting rights laws. Voter suppression luminaries Hans von Spakovsky, J. Christian Adam, and John Eastman either are or have been associated with the group. The Trump II Clown Show FEMA : Acting FEMA Director David Richardson in the role since May, when the previous director was forced out for defending FEMAs existence before Congress told his staff Monday that he didnt know there was a hurricane season, remarks a FEMA spokesperson dismissed as meant to be a joke. NWS : After downsizing some 600 workers, decimating its operational capabilities, the National Weather Service is now planning to hire 100 new people. Forest Service: Tech billionaire Michael Boren is alleged to have built an airstrip on protected land without a permit, flown a helicopter dangerously close to a crew building a Forest Service trail, and constructed a cabin on federal property. Today the Senate Agriculture Committee holds a hearing on his confirmation to be the under secretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment, which oversees the Forest Service. Weaponizing The Federal Trade Commission Under new FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson, the commission is continuing the bogus right-wing crusade against censorship of conservatives on social media by targeting watchdog groups and other organizations in a new investigation into whether they improperly colluded by coordinating boycotts among advertisers. Among the targeted groups are Media Matters, Ad Fontes Media, and at least a dozen other groups, the NYT reports. The FTCs letters of inquiry into the internal operations of the groups and their business practices. Pentagon Puts Greenland On Notice In a symbolic but aggressive move, the Pentagon under Donald Trump is preparing to shift Greenland from the jurisdiction of the European Command to U.S. Northern Command. Why Timothy Snyder Left For Canada The former Yale historian, with some reluctance, wades into the public discourse around his decision to leave New Haven for Toronto: Last Years Move to Toronto by Timothy Snyder And This Years Politics (video and commentary) Read on Substack Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! (NewsNation) The White House said to expect President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to soon speak to one another about ongoing trade disputes. The conversation is likely to happen sometime this week, a senior White House official told NewsNation. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the talks timeline, per Reuters. It comes after both the United States and China have accused one another of violating agreements on trade amid tense tariff negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ashley Hinson backs Trumps agenda despite boos at town hall Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of playing with supply chains of India and Europe, and Trump in a social media post accused China of totally violating their 90-day agreement, reached in May. The deal slashed Trumps sky-high tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, while Beijing dropped its own from 125% to 10%. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said his country has responsibly and faithfully upheld its end of the agreement. Without any factual basis, the U.S. falsely accuses and smears China, and has taken extreme suppression measures against China such as new chip export controls, blocking EDA sales, and announcing plans to revoke Chinese students visas, spokesperson Lin Jians statement reads in part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weather Service rehiring at offices left critically understaffed by layoffs Last week, Bessent described negotiations between the two nations as having hit a stall, adding that it might take the two heads of state speaking directly to get a deal done. The Trump administration is currently in a legal battle over whether the presidents sweeping tariffs can remain in place. NewsNations Anna Kutz contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. The Trump administration removed a list of sanctuary jurisdictions allegedly defying enforcement of federal immigration law after cricitism about its accuracy and blowback from a national law enforcement group. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published the list May 29 and removed it from its website June 1, according to an internet archive. The Wisconsin jurisdictions accused of obstructing the law and in jeopardy of losing federal grants and contracts were the city of Milwaukee, city of Madison, Dane County and Shawano County. DHS officials did not respond to a request for comment June 3 on why the Wisconsin jurisdictions made the list, what prompted the list's removal and whether the jurisdictions' federal funding was no longer at risk of termination or suspension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Milwaukee, other Wisconsin 'sanctuary jurisdictions' listed as defying federal immigration law Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson blasted the administration's hasty approach, saying he had received no notification. A City Hall spokesperson said officials were meeting to evaluate options on whether to take issue with the designation. Milwaukee is not officially designated a sanctuary for immigrants, though some argue its policies and positions indirectly make it a sanctuary city. Shawano County Sheriff George Lenzner said on June 2 the county doesn't identify as a sanctuary jurisdiction and "remains committed to upholding federal immigration laws and policies." The County Board voted in 2021 to become a Second Amendment Sanctuary County that opposed any attempts to enact "legislation unlawfully infringing on our rights under the Second Amendment," which may be where the misunderstanding stemmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationally, other places pointed out that the list misspelled city names, misidentified counties as cities or vice versa, and included conservative communities with no sanctuary immigration policies. The National Sheriffs' Association released a statement saying sheriffs felt "betrayed" by the list. No political appointee for the administration could explain in a meeting with the association who compiled, proofed, and verified the list before publication. "DHS has done a terrible disservice to President Trump and the Sheriffs of this country," the statement said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sanctuary jurisdictions list by Trump's DHS vanishes after outcry Twin Cities burger and ice cream restaurant expanding to Wisconsin originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Bebe Zito is bringing its burgers and ice cream across the border. The Minnesota-born restaurant will open its fourth location at the 3rd Street Market Hall in Milwaukee. The exact opening date has not yet been announced, but representatives say it will be later this summer. Bebe Zito first opened about five years ago, but co-owner Gabriella Grant-Spangler, who attended the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, says that Milwaukee has long been on the shortlist for a potential expansion. Bebe ZitoBebe Zito/Facebook While its three Minnesota locations specialize in burgers and ice cream, the new Milwaukee location will also offer coffee and baked goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I've loved seeing Bebe Zito evolve over the years. The addition of a coffee and bakery element really excites me, said co-founder and pastry chef Ben Spangler. "I've been a pastry chef for over half my life now, and I'm excited to incorporate some decadent baked goods to Bebe Zito!" The restaurant recently left the Eat Street Crossing food hall, but still has locations in Uptown Minneapolis, the Malcolm Yard Food Hall, and Woodbury Lakes. Related: Bebe Zito honored in national ice cream competition This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The Knoxville Police Department arrested two people after shots were fired at a business on North Central Street, a KPD spokesperson said. Around 2:40 a.m. Tuesday morning, officers went to the eVape Tavern and Dispensary on North Central Street in response to reports of a shooting. A witness told them that Robert Vandergriff, 58, tried to get staff at the bar to serve his girlfriend, Glenda Savage, 59. The staff refused to serve her having determined she was intoxicated, police say. They asked the couple to leave the bar, which they did. Autopsy report released after death of man in Monroe County custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, Vandergriff and Savage returned to the bar and began shooting at the building from the street, police said. No one was struck or injured. (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) Vandergriff and Savage were quickly identified and, shortly after, both were located and arrested, KPD wrote. Vandergriff was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, while Savage was charged with one count of aggravated assault. Seth Barber, owner of the business said he was shocked to learn what had happened. He said five shots were audible on the tape of the shooting, and he could see four bullet holes in the building, some in the windows and one in the teeth of the skull logo above the door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most importantly, its a reputational issue. Happy Holler is a new, upcoming neighborhood, Barber said. Were wanting to make this a good entertainment district, and sometimes with a new influx of people, some of the less desirable crowd comes with it. So, weve got a bit of reputational damage, not for us personally but for us as a neighborhood. New artifacts at the Titanic Museum expected to sell for $1 million Barber emphasized that shootings like this were not normal in the area, and he couldnt remember the last time something like this happened. This isnt the kind of neighborhood we want to have, 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. MIAMI (AP) Misdemeanor charges have filed against the man who was operating the boat that fatally struck a 15-year-old girl off a South Florida beach last year, as well as the man who was operating the boat she had been wakeboarding behind, authorities announced Tuesday. Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 79, was charged April 28 with violating two U.S. Coast Guard navigational rules, and Edmund Richard Hartley, 31, was charged April 29 with violating four Coast Guard rules, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a press release. Attorneys for Alonso and Hartley didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment. They have both pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2024, 15-year-old Ella Adler and another girl were wakeboarding behind a 42-foot (13-meter) Hanse Fjord walk-around near Key Biscayne, just south of Miami, before falling off at different spots, officials said. A dozen people had been on the boat pulling Adler. Before the vessel, operated by Hartley, could return to collect her, Adler was hit by another boat, which immediately sped away, officials said. Witnesses described the hit-and-run craft as a center console boat with a light blue hull, multiple white outboard engines and blue bottom paint. Investigators eventually found the boat, a Boston whaler, docked behind Alonso's Coral Gables home. His attorneys have previously said he didn't realize he had stuck anyone with his boat and was cooperating with authorities. Adler was a freshman at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove and a ballerina with the Miami City Ballet. OAK FOREST, Ill. (WGN) Two Chicago men now face first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of a man in Oak Forest last month. Authorities say 30-year-old Michael Protho and 32-year-old Rashee Wyrick are linked to the May 23 homicide of 54-year-old Edward Lewis of Elburn. First responders called to a home in the 15500 block of Long Avenue around noon on Friday, May 23. There, emergency crews located Lewis unresponsive body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 charged in Christmas armed robbery of suburban 7-Eleven Michael Protho and Rashee Wyrick (Photo: City of Oak Forest) The Cook County States Attorneys Office approved one felony count of first-degree murder against Protho on Monday, May 26. Law enforcement officials took Wyrick into their custody on Saturday, May 31. He is due in court on Tuesday, June 3. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Anyone with additional information is asked to call the police at (708) 687-1376. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KYLE, Texas (KXAN) Two dead goats were dumped outside the Kyle Animal Hospital, according to the Kyle Police Department. Kyle PD said animal control officers removed the animals and theres an active investigation. The department said the animals showed no signs of abuse, so it would be a charge for illegal dumping under 500 lbs. The Kyle Animal Hospital posted about the situation on its Facebook page. The hospital said it happened on Sunday. The Kyle Animal Hospital said these are surveillance images of when the animals were dumped. (Photo: Kyle Animal Hospital) The Kyle Animal Hospital said these are surveillance images of when the animals were dumped. (Photo: Kyle Animal Hospital) The Kyle Animal Hospital said these are surveillance images of when the animals were dumped. (Photo: Kyle Animal Hospital) It released surveillance images of a potential suspect. On the post, the hospital said it is seeking the publics help to identify the person who did this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyle PD said anyone with information should contact their non-emergency line at 512-268-3232. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trump has pardoned two shark divers from South Florida who were convicted of theft for freeing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a fisherman's longline. Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr. received the pardons on Wednesday after being convicted in 2022 of theft of property within special maritime jurisdiction. The two men avoided prison time, but were ordered to pay $3,343.72 in restitution. The felony convictions prevented them from voting in Florida, owning firearms, and traveling freely outside the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Since the beginning of his second term, President Trump has issued around 40 pardons, before the 1,600 pardons for those connected with the 2021 US Capitol riot (AP) According to court records, Moore, who was captain of a shark-diving charter boat, and Mansell, a crew member, spotted the longline about 3 miles off the Jupiter Inlet in August 2020. 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, stating that the line belonged to a fisherman licensed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to catch sharks for research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. The pardon for the divers comes as President Trump delivers a series of other pardons. Since the beginning of his second term, they are understood to total 40, before the 1,600 pardons for those charged or convicted in connection with the 6 January 2021 US Capitol riot. Mansell and Moore were two of at least eight pardons delivered in recent weeks. Alongside them, commuted the federal prison sentence of Larry Hoover, founder of a Chicago street gang. TOKYO/BEIJING (Reuters) -China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that two Japanese men killed last month in the northeastern city of Dalian were business partners of the suspect and authorities were investigating. Dalian police confirmed the case in a statement on Tuesday and said a 42-year-old male suspect of Chinese nationality has been arrested. He had lived in Japan for a long time, the statement said. The two victims were business partners of the suspect who had entered China temporarily, police said, adding that the incident was triggered due to business conflicts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Japanese government is "providing necessary support to the victims' families and will continue to respond appropriately from the perspective of protecting Japanese nationals," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. Chinese police notified the Japanese consulate in Shenyang on May 25 about the killings, two days after the incident, Hayashi, Japan's top government spokesperson, told a regular briefing. (Reporting by Mariko Katsumura and Kantaro Komiya in Tokyo, Antoni Slodkowski, Bu Shi and Liz Lee in Beijing; writing by Farah Master; editing by Lincoln Feast and Michael Perry) Two people are dead following a crash early Tuesday in Hooksett, police said. Hooksett Police responded to a report of a crash involving two vehicles in the area of Hooksett Road near the Allenstown town line at 5:40 a.m. Upon arrival officers reported finding a Nissan Rogue had hit a Hyundai Kona around 5:40 a.m., Hooksett Police said in a news release. The driver of the Nissan and the driver of the Hyundai were both rushed to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A passenger riding in the Hyundai was hospitalized with serious injuries. The names of those involved in the crash havent been released, pending notification of next of kin, police said. A crash reconstruction unit later determined that the Nissan was traveling south when the operator crossed the center line, striking the Hyundai in a northbound lane, according to police. Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Hooksett Police Det. Trevor Dearden at 603-624-1560. The investigation remains ongoing. Inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority collected the monkeys and took them into care. Two monkeys that escaped from domestic captivity in Lebanon crossed the border and appeared in a house in Moshav Dovev on the northern border last week. Inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority collected the monkeys and took them into care. The monkeys were likely released due to difficulties their owners faced in raising and feeding them. In some cases, the monkeys make their way to Israel. This happened five months ago, and again only a month and a half ago, when two vervet monkeys reached Rosh Hanikra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most famous case of a Lebanese monkey crossing into Israel was six years ago. That monkey, named Tahtuh, took a long journey over several weeks. Unlike the monkeys that stopped at settlements near the border fence, Tahtuh reached as far as the Karmiel area. Nura Tavor, director of the Monkey Forest in Yodfat, told Walla six months ago: The monkey Tahtuh left Tyre, continued to the Bint Jbail area, and was picked up by Sister Beatrice, who established an animal farm in southern Lebanon called Peace Ark. Tahtuh, with his wandering spirit, continued on his way, escaped from the farm, reached Zarit, and carried on his journey until he was captured by Tavor in Majd el-Kurum. A special bond developed between Tavor and Sister Beatrice, and with the help of the IDF, Tahtuh was returned to Beatrice. Israeli soldiers at a staging area near the Israeli border with Lebanon, northern Israel, October 21, 2023 (photo credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90) Yisrael Sabag, a farmer from Moshav Dovev, said that the two monkeys chose to enter the shed of one of the homes in the moshav. The homeowner was shocked to see them. Its definitely something unusual. He gave them food, and they seemed hungry. Then he called the inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to take them, Sabag said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the arrival of the monkeys was an amusing incident, considering the difficult reality in the moshav. Almost all the families have returned to their homes, and only five families have not come back, he said. But even though the families have returned, its not the same. The atmosphere here is sad; you dont see people when you walk around the moshav. Theres no joy and no sense of community like before. It feels like everything fell apart during the evacuation period, and now its hard to rebuild it. Moshav residents describe sense of abandonment since evacuation According to Sabag, Next week, we wont celebrate Shavuot, the farmers holiday that we always celebrated. The moshav committee approached the residents, and only a few expressed interest in celebrating. "Its really sad, but the feeling is that the state no longer cares about what happens here. The war is over and thats it. Theyve forgotten us. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Two men were sentenced in Washington, D.C., for murdering a man in 2021, believing he was responsible for a family members death, a release states. On Jan. 19, 2021, 52-year-old Ronnie Wallace shot Tyrone Wright in a parking lot in the Mayfair Mansions Apartment complex because he believed Wright was partially responsible for his brothers murder. After Wright was shot, 33-year-old Deangelo Glover Wallaces cousin ran out from a nearby building and fired additional rounds at Wright, killing him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC police finds man who was shot multiple times In the process, a bystander was shot in the leg. On Feb. 10, Wallace was found guilty of first-degree murder and several gun charges. His cousin, Glover, was found guilty of second-degree murder in addition to related gun charges. A superior court judge sentenced Glover to 21 years in prison and Wallace to 45 years in prison, with five years of supervised release. Wallace and Glover were sentenced on May 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Two Milwaukee fires on June 1 that displaced nearly 40 people shared a troubling characteristic: no sprinklers. The lack of sprinklers prompted a call from Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski to address the issue, which has taken on increased prominence following a Mother's Day blaze that killed five people in a four-story apartment with no sprinklers in May. It looks like Godzilla took a bite out of both buildings. None of that has to happen, Lipski said. Smoke alarms alert them to the problem; sprinklers allow them to get out. We NEED to stop sacrificing SURVIVABILITY for AFFORDABILITY. Aaron Lipski (@alipski1) June 1, 2025 Lipski's call to action came after the June 1 fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 25 people were displaced after a fire started at a 14-unit apartment at 4422 W. Hampton Ave. Less than 10 hours before, a four-unit apartment building at 8711 W. Villard Ave. set fire, displacing 14. A June 1 fire at 4422 W. Hampton Ave. displaced about 23 residents, Milwaukee's fire chief said. The building had no sprinklers. Between the two fires, one person was injured and one firefighter had minor injuries. Investigators have yet to determine causes of the two fires, Lipski said. Lipski said sprinklers would have made a "dramatic difference" in these cases, echoing what he said following the Highland Court apartment fire in May. Since that fire and Lipski highlighting the issue, the lack of sprinklers in Milwaukee residences like these have come under scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's allowed at these three buildings, and others like them, because of building code rules that allow buildings built before 1974 with certain sizes, shapes, dimensions and occupancy not to have sprinklers. The Hampton Avenue building was built in 1973 and the Villard Avenue apartment in 1962, according to online property records. A June 1 fire at 8711 W. Villard Ave. displaced about 14 residents. The residence had no sprinklers, Milwaukee's fire chief said. On May 28, city officials met to review Milwaukees sprinkler code, which is dictated by state law. That is due to Act 270, which then-Gov. Scott Walker signed into law 12 years ago and took away the ability of local governments to adopt municipal ordinances that are more restrictive than state law. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel previously reported that many state legislators, who were landlords themselves, helped pass laws around that time that undermined renter's rights. At the meeting, city officials said they are proposing increasing the number of fire protection inspections to twice a year in response to the Highland fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost of adding sprinklers to buildings is a frequently cited reason for not requiring them and Lipski has pushed back against that repeatedly. At the meeting, he said it costs about the same as adding new carpet to a unit. On June 2, Lipski said he was feeling OK about city officials interest in addressing the issue. This has been a problem thats existed since sprinklers existed, he said. Its not hyperbole. Its not fearmongering. Its happening and we got to see if we can fix it. If we try and we fail, then well just keep trying. Officials estimate between 30,000 and 50,000 Milwaukee residents live in buildings without sprinklers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milwaukee Common Council members Andrea Pratt and Mark Chambers Jr., who represent the areas where the June 1 fires occurred, did not immediately respond to Journal Sentinel requests for comment. The Red Cross opened a temporary shelter at Saint Paul Lutheran Church for tenants of the Humboldt fire, said Jennifer Warren, spokesperson for American Red Cross Wisconsin Region. Four people stayed overnight. Red Cross plans to host a Multi Agency Resource Center to help tenants secure another apartment. No date has been set yet. David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Two more fires in Milwaukee happen in residences without sprinklers MORRISON BLUFF, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Two sisters were killed in a three-vehicle crash in Logan County late Friday night, according to a crash report. The report by Arkansas State Police said around 11:17 p.m. said a 2010 Toyota was traveling south on State Highway 109 across the Morrison Bluff Bridge as an 18-wheeler was traveling north. A 2011 Chevrolet was traveling behind the Toyota, the report noted. The Chevrolet hit the rear of the Toyota, causing it to cross the centerline and collide with the 18-wheeler, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Toyota, identified as MacKenzie Arthur, 20, of Scranton, and the passenger, a minor, were killed in the crash. Arkansas Tech University confirmed that MacKenzie Arthur and her sister, Maddie Arthur, died in the crash. No other injuries were reported in the crash. Iowa Supreme Court allows lawsuits against Tyson executives over COVID deaths ATU said MacKenzie Arthur was an agricultural education major and would have been a senior during the 2025-26 academic year. She was on the Deans List and/or the Presidents List at Arkansas Tech in multiple semesters. Mackenzie was a sweet soul, Dr. Justin Killingsworth, interim head of the ATU Department of Agriculture and Tourism and associate professor of agricultural education, said. She was quiet in class, but she did great work. Mackenzie would have been an amazing teacher. She was a great person, and our hearts go out to the Arthur family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Scranton School District said in a social media post that Maddie Arthur was going to be a senior this upcoming school year and MacKenzie Arthur graduated in 2023 from the district. MacKenzie and Maddie brought light, love, and laughter to all who knew them, SSD said in the post. Their memory will forever be a part of us, and their impact on our lives will never fade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. STORY: An explosion in the Ugandan capital has killed two suspected rebels including a female suicide bomber. The blast happened near a Roman Catholic shrine in the south of Kampala and authorities say no other people were hurt. According to local media, it took place as people were gathering for Martyrs' Day celebrations. The day commemorates Christians who were killed for their faith in the 19th century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ugandan Police Commissioner Anatoli Muleterwa said heightened intelligence and surveillance had prevented the attack. "Our deployment was too high, the surveillance was too high. They thought they were going to get any advantage of fulfilling their mission, only to be put out of action by our security." He added that teams were now working to determine the type of explosives used and possible motives Ugandan army spokesperson Chris Magezi [ma-gay-zee] told Reuters that the attackers were thought to be linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Congo-based rebel group affiliated with Islamic State. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility. MIDDLEBURY and ORWELL, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) The Vermont attorney generals office announced two separate cases Monday with unfortunate similiarities, though MyChamplainValley emphasizes that these cases are not related. In one case, Daniel Ciofreddi, 39, of Middlebury, was arraigned on charges of promoting child sexual abuse material, luring a child, and providing marijuana to a person under 21. In the other case, Cody Laduc, 22, of Orwell, was arraigned on two charges of lewd and lascivious conduct one with a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UVM Childrens Hospital fights child abuse with information Both men pleaded not guilty before the court, with Judge Robert Katims presiding in both cases. Both were released pending trial, though with conditions limiting access to social media and prohibiting any contact with girls under 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 ABC22 & FOX44. June 3 (UPI) -- A 49-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen who pleaded guilty to charges of fighting U.S.-led coalition forces as an Islamic State militant has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Lirim Sylejmani was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty in December to charges of receiving military training from ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. "The defendant will spend a decade in prison thinking about the betrayal to this country," U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sylejmani and his family were detained by the Syrian Democratic Forces in Syria on Feb. 27, 2019, as coalition fighters made their final advances on ISIS' last caliphate in the country, which fell the next month. He was then transferred to U.S. law enforcement on Sept. 15 the following year to face charges in the United States. According to prosecutors, Sylejmani worked with ISIS from November 2015, when he moved from Kosovo to Syria to join the militant group, to the day of his capture. Prosecutors said he changed his name to Abu Sulayman al-Kosovi and trained alongside other recruits to be an ISIS soldier following his arrival in the Middle Eastern country. His training included instruction on using AK-47 rifles, PK machine guns, M-16 rifles and grenades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department said he fought against the Syrian Democratic Forces and was wounded in battle, having been hit by shrapnel in the leg. Because of the injury, he was reassigned to a different battalion in the fall of 2017. Prosecutors said he was paid for his services by ISIS. After being captured, Sylejmani spoke with various media outlets, telling NPR in late 2019 that he and his family arrived in Syria via Canada. He said ISIS promised them free housing, electricity and water, but instead, they "starved" living under the caliphate. "Anyone thinking that ISIS is the answer to their questions, best think again," Pirro said. "We will go to any lengths to root out subversive individuals who want to overthrow the government and harm its citizens." (Image: NRA) Nearly half of state attorneys general have united in support of H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This legislation would ensure that law-abiding citizens with concealed-carry permits can exercise their rights in other states and jurisdictions. On May 21, 2025, state attorneys general from Alabama to Alaska sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) urging a floor vote and swift passage of the Act. The signatories, who all represent states that have adopted constitutional-carry laws, declared that "recognizing a broad right of concealed carry among law-abiding Americans promotes public safety and respects the fundamental liberties of our constituents." In the letter, the AGs push back on one of the chief objections to H.R. 38that it intrudes upon "states' rights." The letter reads: "Citizens have rights, while governments have powers ... and no state has the power to violate the fundamental, enumerated rights of we the people." ..... CHEYENNE The University of Wyoming is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights over the admittance of a transgender sorority sister at Kappa Kappa Gamma in 2022, according to a Monday news release. The U.S. Department of Education declared June as Title IX Month on Monday, in recognition of the 53rd anniversary of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. June will now be dedicated to commemorating women and celebrating their struggle for, and achievement of, equal educational opportunity, states the U.S. Department of Education news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of this recognition, the departments Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched investigations into UW and Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado. The latter is currently being sued by Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal advocacy group, over a policy implemented by JeffCo that assigns overnight school trip sleeping arrangements based on gender identity, not biological sex, according to Denver7. The Department is recognizing June as Title IX Month to honor womens hard-earned civil rights and demonstrate the Trump Administrations unwavering commitment to restoring them to the fullest extent of the law, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the news release. This Administration will fight on every front to protect womens and girls sports, intimate spaces, dormitories and living quarters, and fraternal and panhellenic organizations. UW grabbed nationwide attention after six sorority sisters launched a federal lawsuit against their parent organization over the admittance of its first transgender sorority member, Artemis Langford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the federal investigation, the university stated it doesnt control decisions about sorority and fraternity membership, a UW spokesperson told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle in an emailed statement. Appropriately, the university has not been a participant in litigation in federal court regarding the legality of the sororitys decision to admit the transgender student, UW spokesperson Chad Baldwin said in an email. The Office for Civil Rights initiation of an investigation is not itself evidence of a violation of federal civil rights laws and regulations. Baldwin referred to University Regulation 11-4, which states that the university does not control or accept responsibility for the activities nor endorse the programs of student organizations, including sororities and fraternities. The university maintains it has been and is in compliance with Title IX, but will fully comply with the federal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent Womens Forum, a right-wing policy group, supported the move by the federal education department in a Monday news release. Its affiliate, the Independent Womens Law Center, involved one of its lead attorneys, May Mailman, in the original lawsuit filed by the sorority sisters. Women deserve single-sex spaces where their privacy and safety are respected, and universities must be held accountable when those protections are compromised, stated Beth Parlato, senior legal advisor for IWLC, in the news release. This investigation is a necessary step to ensure that federal policies meant to protect women are being properly enforced and not undermined in the name of political ideology. The lawsuitIn 2023, six sorority sisters filed a lawsuit against KKG for admitting a transgender sorority member. The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice in August 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson. Johnson gave the sorority sisters an option to amend their complaint and refile the lawsuit. Instead, the plaintiffs appealed their lawsuit in the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last June, Judge Carolyn B. McHugh found the case was not appealable without a final order from Johnson. She gave the plaintiffs two options: stand on their existing complaint and seek a final decision from the Wyoming judge, or amend their complaint and continue their case at the federal district court level. Its been nearly a year since the sorority sisters appealed case was dismissed by the 10th Circuit. In early May, Johnson gave the appellants 30 days to submit their amended complaint, or have the case dismissed permanently. The sorority sisters have until June 9 to submit their amended complaint. The U.S. Department of Labor announced it will begin a phased pause in operations at Job Corps centers nationwide, including Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Its sad that theyre closing all the Job Corps down, Job Corps student Brian Wisemon told Channel 2s Audrey Washington. Wisemon learned of the sudden closures just a few days ago. How can yall promise something and then take it away? asked Wisemon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Job Corps is a residential career training and education program. Wisemon heads the student government association at a Job Corps center. He said he believes the pause will impact thousands of at-risk students. Were looking at youth that are caring and hoping for a second chance at life, Wisemon explained. TRENDING STORIES: The Labor Department said in a statement it decided to pause Job Corps operations, mostly for financial reasons: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Job Corps program has been in a financial crisis for years, creating constant uncertainty for participants and administrators. The gap between funding and expenses has been publicly known, with operating costs steadily rising and the programs budget remaining flat over several fiscal years. On Monday, Washington spoke with former Job Corps contractor Kip Carr. It directly affects the working-class people, said Carr. It was helping a lot of people get a job. You were doing work-based learning, Wisemon added. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] On Monday, NewsDrone 2 flew over an empty lot in South Fulton along Roosevelt Highway and Washington Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs posted on the fence around the lot stated that the land would be the future site of a new Job Corps center. Carr said that the plan now seems unlikely. There are students who are days away from getting the GEDs. I hope there are other organizations that they can transition to, Carr said. The U.S Department of Labor also cited the Job Corps effectiveness and safety as reasons for the pause. There are more than 100 federally funded Job Corps centers in the United States. June 3 (UPI) -- United Nations head Antonio Guterres has called for "an immediate and independent investigation" into reports that Israeli forces shot and killed dozens of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza over the weekend. "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, the United Nations' secretary-general, said Monday in a statement. "I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, at least 31 Palestinians were killed and 200 injured when Israel Defense Forces soldiers opened fire on those at an aid station in Rafah, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement. The ministry accused Israel of using the aid centers as "a new mechanism" to conduct mass killings in Gaza amid an acute shortage of medical supplies. Dr. Ahmed Abu Sweid, an Australian doctor who recently arrived in Gaza, said in a recorded statement that they had received civilian casualties at the Nasser Medical Complex, just north of Rafah, on Sunday who were wounded after being told to go to an aid center to collect food. He said the civilians showed up at the medical center with gunshot wounds and shrapnel wounds, most of whom arrived in critical condition, some were dead on arrival due to "target gunshot wounds to the head and thorax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've never seen anything like this," he said. Israel has denied responsibility, saying findings from a preliminary investigation show that "the IDF did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site." "The reports are false," Israel said in a statement, while accusing Hamas of doing "everything in its power to undermine food distribution efforts in the Gaza Strip." Israel's foreign ministry rejected Guterres' statement, deriding it for not mentioning Hamas, the militant group it has been at war with in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What a disgrace," the ministry said. "Does the U.N. really care about providing aid to the people in Gaza, or is it more focused on feeding Hamas and its war machine?" Since the war began with Hamas' surprise attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw another 251 kidnapped, Israel has devastated Gaza, killing nearly 54,500 people, mostly women and children. The U.S. Department of State has issued its first travel advisory of June. May was a busy month for the U.S. Department of State. Several countries in Europe, including Belgium, Italy and Switzerland, received travel advisories. Even though Italy is considered a popular travel destination in the summer, there are serious concerns about terrorist attacks. Additionally, the U.S Department of State issued a Level 4 warning for Somalia. That means Americans should avoid traveling there at all costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Do not travel to Somalia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping, piracy, and lack of availability of routine consular services," the U.S. said. "Due to security risks, U.S. government employees working in Somalia are prohibited from traveling outside the Mogadishu International Airport complex where the U.S. Embassy is located. The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu maintains normal staffing." The latest country that has received a travel advisory resides in West Asia. On June 3, the U.S Department of State issued a Level 1 warning for Qatar. That's the lowest advisory level for safety and security risks. "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for the region, including Qatar," the Department of State's travel advisory states. "This is due to risks to civil aviation from political and military tensions in the region. The notice advises U.S. operators to review current threat information and to report safety or security incidents. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration." If Americans travel to Qatar in the near future, they should keep travel documents up-to-date, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and read the Country Security Report for Qatar. U.S. State Department Issues First Travel 'Warning' of June first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 June 3 (UPI) -- Ukraine said Tuesday it successfully carried out a military strike on the Crimean Bridge, the culmination of an operation that took several months to execute. The Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, posted to Telegram that it struck the bridge, which connects Russia and Crimea, in an underwater attack. The aquatic assault, the third strike on the bridge by Ukraine, involved SBU agents who mined the bridge's pillars over a period of several months. The first explosive device was detonated early Tuesday morning, and SBU officials claim no civilians were harmed in the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBU said the structure's submerged support system was "severely damaged at the bottom level," with the equivalent of over 2400 pounds of TNT used, which ostensibly left the bridge is in disrepair. SBU Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk, who was in charge of the operation, said via the Telegram report that "the Crimean Bridge is an absolutely legitimate target, especially given that the enemy used it as a logistical artery to provide its troops." Ukraine also suffered a major attack Tuesday as its president Volodymyr Zelensky posted to social media around an hour after the assault on the Kerch Bridge happened. He posted videos that purportedly showed bodies on the ground of the northeastern city of Sumy and confirmed that three people were killed and many were injured. "The Russians launched a savage strike on Sumy, directly targeting the city and its ordinary streets with rocket artillery. It was a fully deliberate attack on civilians." said Zelensky. He did not mention the Kerch Bridge attack in his post. New air defense units will be established to counter Russias drone attacks on Ukraine, Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda on June 2. Despite ongoing peace talks, Russia continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire, intensifying drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, killing and injuring civilians. Overnight on June 1, Russia launched an aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying a record 472 drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian forces downed 210 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, while 172 more drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars, according to the Air Force. "We would have liked to have had better results, but there were still dozens of hits," Ihant said. According to Ihant, Russia employed tactics involving the launch of a large number of weapons at a single target that approached from high altitude. During their meeting on June 2, air force commanders emphasized the urgent need to strengthen drone air defense capabilities, he said. "We are talking about anti-aircraft drones that help intercept air targets. Crews are being trained in different locations on the territory of our country. New units will be introduced," the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia seeks to produce up to 500 drones per day, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in late May. Meanwhile, Ukraine has more than doubled its long-range drone production in 2024 compared to the previous yeara staggering 22-fold increase since 2022. By the end of 2024, Ukraine had developed a total of 324 new types of weapons, according to the Ministry of Strategic Industries. Read also: How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has been invited to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague between June 24 and 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a June 2 online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent. "We were invited to the NATO summit. I think this is important," Zelensky said, adding that he held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during the Vilnius summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) and the Nordic countries on June 2. "Now, (Foreign Minister Andrii) Sybiha will be speaking with his colleagues regarding infrastructure and what potential outcomes may arise from this summit in The Hague." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky did not specify who would be representing Ukraine at the summit or whether he would attend the event himself. The statement follows speculations that the allies decided not to invite Ukraine to the annual summit due to opposition from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later denied the claims, and the Netherlands said it would welcome Zelensky's attendance. At the previous NATO summit in Washington in 2024, Zelensky was a prominent presence, engaging directly with allied leaders. This year, the tone appears more cautious as NATO members weigh how to handle Ukraine's future in the alliance amid renewed questions about U.S. commitment. Trump has claimed that Ukraine provoked the war by pursuing NATO membership, a narrative often used by Russian propaganda to justify its 2022 full-scale invasion. He also signaled plans to reduce U.S. military presence in Europe and has been reluctant to provide new military support to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier reporting suggested that this year's communique may omit direct mention of both Russia and Ukraine a contrast to past summits where Ukraine dominated the agenda. Read also: Idiots Zelensky slams Russias proposal for brief truce to retrieve fallen soldiers bodies Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine needs about 200 aircraft of various types to repel the Russian aggression effectively. Source: Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda (translation is coming soon) Quote from Ihnat: "The aircraft themselves should be of different types. The F-16 is a multipurpose aircraft. It can operate in the sky and against air, ground and surface targets. There are specific and different tasks in aviation, as I have just mentioned. Estimates have been made of how many types of aircraft are needed. Well, about 200 for effective defence of the country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Ihnat says that in the early 90s, there were about a thousand aircraft in Ukraine, but this was the total number of flying and non-flying aircraft. The Soviet Union was building up a grouping of nuclear forces and tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Ukraine. The same Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers were in Poltava Oblast. There were also many frontline aircraft and bombers in Dubno and Starokostiantyniv. This was a huge aircraft grouping to be directed to the West in case of emergency, Ihnat explains. However, some warplanes rotted away in the 1990s and early 2000s, and some were sold to Africa and other countries. Therefore, the spokesman stressed that efficiency today is not measured by quantity but by modernisation and innovation. Background: Even before Ukraine received F-16 fighters, Colonel Ihnat noted that Ukraine needed up to 200 multipurpose aircraft to defend its skies. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! KYIV (Reuters) -A Ukrainian government delegation arrived in Washington on Tuesday to discuss military support and sanctions against Russia, a day after Kyiv and Moscow held their second round of peace talks. Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, said he arrived in Washington together with the first deputy prime minister and other government officials. "We will actively promote issues that are important for Ukraine. Our agenda is rather comprehensive," Yermak said on the Telegram app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We plan to talk about defence support and the situation on the battlefield, strengthening sanctions against Russia..." Yermak said the officials would also discuss the bilateral minerals deal which gives the United States preferential access to new Ukrainian mineral projects and sets up an investment fund which could be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia made little progress during their second round of talks in Istanbul and remain far apart in their positions. President Zelenskiy has been repeatedly urging the United States and President Donald Trump to impose tougher sanctions on Russia if Moscow stalls the peace talks. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Anastasiia MalenkoWriting by Olena HarmashEditing by Peter Graff) Ukraine and Russia have agreed to another prisoner exchange during negotiations in Istanbul while making little other headway. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov told journalists that the first priority was to exchange seriously injured and seriously ill prisoners of war. The second category would be young soldiers between the ages of 18 and 25. The agreement, he said, had been reached on specific categories and "not on numbers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, confirmed the agreement on the exchange of prisoners in the categories mentioned. He said the aim is to exchange at least 1,000 prisoners of war in each group. In addition, according to both sides, an agreement was also reached on the exchange of 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action. Umerov said Kiev had proposed the end of June to the Russians as the next date for follow-up talks. Ukraine also reiterated its call for a meeting at the highest level. "All key issues can only be resolved at the top leadership level," Umerov said, adding that US President Donald Trump's participation was also possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposals for the desired ceasefire had been handed over, he said. The Russian document was currently being evaluated, said Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi. Ukraine has been fighting a Russian invasion with Western support for over three years. Second round of talks was brief Monday's talks - the second recent round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine - were brief, running only a little over an hour. The delegations met in Cragan Palace in Istanbul, with Turkish officials acting 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 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 was again led by presidential adviser Medinsky, and the Ukrainian one by Defence Minister Umerov. The talks were intended to discuss ways out of Russia's three-year war against Ukraine. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. List of 'abducted' children During the second round of negotiations, Ukraine handed Russia a list of minors it considers to have been abducted. "We are talking about hundreds of children whom Russia illegally deported, forcibly resettled or detained in the temporarily occupied territories," wrote Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, on Telegram on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The return of these children is part of a just and stable peace. "Now the ball is in Russia's court," he continued. Von derLeyen calls for new sanctions if Ukraine talks falter Meanwhile, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe is prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia if peace negotiations do not advance. She told German broadcaster ZDF on Monday that if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not take the talks seriously, the EU will go ahead with more sanctions against Russian targets, including the Nord Stream gas pipelines and the Russian shadow fleet. Von der Leyen added that she had spoken with US Senator Lindsey Graham, who is preparing another package of sanctions for the US Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU recently put its 17th package of sanctions against Russia into effect. An 18th package is already in the works, aimed in part at preventing the restart of the Nord Stream pipelines. Additional measures include further lowering the price cap on Russian oil and new sanctions targeting the Russian financial sector. Russia unveils peace demands for Ukraine Russia has for the first time publicly released a 12-point memorandum outlining its conditions for a peace settlement with Ukraine, state news agency TASS reported on Monday. The document calls for Ukraine to recognize the annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya as part of Russia a demand Kiev rejects as illegal. It also insists Ukraine adopts a permanently neutral status and abandons any future aspirations to join NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other conditions include Ukraine remaining free of nuclear weapons, reducing the size of its armed forces and disbanding both nationalist military groups and the National Guard. The Kremlin also demands that Russian be recognized as an official language and that the rights of Russian-speaking minorities be guaranteed. Further requirements include lifting sanctions against Russia, restoring diplomatic relations and resuming the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe. The memorandum proposes that any peace treaty be formalized through a legally binding UN Security Council resolution. The document was handed over to Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul. Ukraine said it would review the proposal. Russia proposes two ceasefire options Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Russian state media citing the Russian delegation's documents, Moscow also offered two ceasefire options during negotiations in Istanbul. The first option requires Ukraine's full withdrawal from the four annexed regions Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson despite Russia controlling only parts of them. Russian forces control nearly all of Luhansk, about 70% of Donetsk and roughly two-thirds of both Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions. However, the regional capitals Kherson and Zaporizhzhya remain under Ukrainian control. The second option calls for a ceasefire along the current front lines. Under the plan, Kiev would end mobilization efforts and stop receiving foreign weapons. A joint monitoring centre would be established to oversee compliance. Ukraine would also pledge to stop sabotage operations on Russian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once martial law is lifted, nationwide elections would be held within 100 days, according to the proposal. Ukrainian officials also presented their own memorandum during the Istanbul talks, but the two sides remain far apart on core issues. KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's SBU security service said on Tuesday that it had hit the road and rail bridge linking Russia and the Crimean peninsula below the water level with explosives. In a statement, the SBU said it had used 1,100 kilograms (2,420 pounds) of explosives that were detonated early in the morning and damaged underwater pillars of the bridge, a key supply route for Russian forces in Ukraine in the past. The official Russian outlet which provides regular status updates on the bridge said its operation had been suspended for about three hours between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It gave no reason for the temporary closure, but said the bridge had been reopened and was functioning as normal. "Previously, we hit the Crimean Bridge twice, in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition underwater," the SBU said in its statement, adding that the operation had been prepared over several months. The SBU shared video footage that showed an explosion next to one of the many support pillars of the bridge. Reuters was able to confirm the location from the structure and bearing elements of the bridge that matched satellite and file imagery of the area. Reuters was not able to independently verify when the video was filmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian military bloggers said the attack had been unsuccessful and speculated that it had been carried out by a Ukrainian sea drone. On Sunday, Ukraine launched drones in an operation codenamed "Spider's Web" to attack Russian nuclear-capable long-range bomber planes at distant airfields across Russia. The 19-km (12-mile) Crimea Bridge over the Kerch Strait is the only direct link between the transport network of Russia and the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The bridge was a flagship project for Russian President Vladimir Putin. It consists of a separate roadway and railway, both supported by concrete stilts, which give way to a wider span held by steel arches at the point where ships pass between the Black Sea and the smaller Azov Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bridge was used by Russian forces during their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when they crossed it to reach Crimea and from there went on to seize parts of Ukraine's southern Kherson and southeastern Zaporizhzhia regions. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash in Kyiv; additional reporting by Andrew Osborn; editing by Peter Graff and Mark Heinrich) WASHINGTON Ukraine said it struck and damaged the Crimean bridge on Tuesday, two days after carrying out one of its most audacious assaults of the war deep inside Russia. In a social media post, Ukraines Ministry of Defense wrote that several months of planning went into the operation, which was executed by the countrys Security Service. Can the US protect itself from a Ukraine-style drone attack? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, at 4:44 a.m., without any civilian casualties, the first explosive device was detonated, the statement read. The underwater pillars of the bridge supports were severely damaged at the seabed level thanks to 1,100 kg of explosives in TNT equivalent. As a result, the bridge is now in critical condition. Dozens of Palestinians killed after shots fired near Gaza aid site The Security Service of Ukraine has carried out a new, unique special operation and struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time this time underwater! The operation lasted several months. @ServiceSsu agents planted explosives on the supports of this illegal structure. And pic.twitter.com/lgu6ANR3K1 Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 3, 2025 While the full extent of the damage was not yet clear, the agency shared a video of the underwater blast and smoke, as well as a photo showing mangled steel and other debris. The bridge also called the Kerch Bridge spans 12 miles and links annexed Crimea to Russia. It is a critical pipeline for the Russian military in its war against Ukraine and has symbolic importance for President Vladimir Putin, who attended a ceremony marking its opening in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraines Security Service, celebrated the operation in a statement. Previously, we hit the Crimean Bridge twice in 2022 and 2023. So, today we continued this tradition underwater, Malyuk said. The Crimean Bridge is absolutely a legitimate target, especially considering that the enemy used it as a logistical artery to supply its troops. Russia has not yet commented on the attack. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. There is a dispute over the extent of damage to the Kerch Bridge after an early morning attack. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said it detonated underwater explosives on pillars of the Kerch Bridge early Tuesday morning that severely damaged it. Russian sources, however, acknowledged the attack but downplayed the destruction, noting that traffic flow resumed within hours. Russian sources also claimed they repelled a sea drone attack on the bridge later on Tuesday. The bridge is heavily defended by layers of passive and active measures. The bridge mining operation, which SBU said was months in the making, marks the third time it has attacked Russias prized $4 billion span linking Russia with the Crimean peninsula it occupies. The rail and roadway bridge has served as a critical logistics supply route for Russian troops. This latest incident comes just two days after SBU launched a major drone blitz on airbases inside Russia, which Ukrainian officials claimed destroyed or damaged strategic bombers and other high-value aircraft, the number of which is still to be determined. SBU released a video showing an underwater explosion next to bridge pillars. In the 8-second clip, you can see the explosion erupt out of the water, followed by a plume of smoke. However, it does not show whether any damage was caused. The security agency also released a still picture showing a damaged guardrail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBU did not say how it obtained the video, but it appears they may have access to the bridges security CCTV feed. ! . . https://t.co/Rf4fR7QDXkpic.twitter.com/wgsS4HoCbc (@ServiceSsu) June 3, 2025 The SBU conducted a new unique special operation and struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time this time underwater!, SBU claimed on Telegram. The operation lasted several months. SBU agents mined the supports of this illegal facility. And today, without any civilian casualties, at 4:44 a.m., the first explosive device was activated! The underwater supports of the piers were severely damaged at the bottom level 1,100 kg (about 2,425 pounds) of explosives in TNT equivalent contributed to this, SBU further claimed. In fact, the bridge is in a state of emergency. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, the SBU commander, personally supervised the operation and coordinated its planning, the agency stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement God loves the Trinity, and the SBU always brings what it has conceived to the end and never repeats itself, Malyuk said in a statement. Previously, we hit the Crimean Bridge twice in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition underwater. No illegal Russian facilities have a place on the territory of our state. Therefore, the Crimean Bridge is an absolutely legitimate target, especially considering that the enemy used it as a logistical artery to supply its troops. Crimea is Ukraine, and any manifestations of occupation will receive our tough response. The War Zone cannot independently verify the claims pertaining to the operation. The explosion is geolocated to the southeastern pylon for the section of the bridge where ships pass under, on the Sea of Azov side. An image taken this month with an arrow pointing to where the explosion occurred. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. The Russian bridge authority, which claimed that the span had been temporarily closed due to inspection, said it reopened several hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motor vehicle traffic on the Crimean Bridge has been resumed, the official CRIMEAN BRIDGE: operational information Telegram channel stated at 9 a.m. local time, a little more than four hours after the explosions. There are no difficulties in accessing the inspection points on either side of the Crimean Bridge. The Romanov Light Telegram channel claimed the bridge was largely unharmed. The support was inspected this morning it was not damaged, Romanov Light posited. We are waiting for information from the Services who leaked the video and the frame from the cameras. Still, Romanov Light said he hopes this incident spurs additional security measures around the bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will strengthen the underwater defense line of the bridge in advance, wont we?, he asked rhetorically. We will deploy echo sounders, anti-torpedo equipment, strengthen and increase the number of underwater barriers Right? While SBU said the bridge was mined, it remains unclear just how the explosives were planted under it and when. There was an unconfirmed claim that Ukraine used its Marichka underwater drone in the attack, however, no visual evidence has emerged of that. The Crimean bridge was probably attacked today by the Ukrainian underwater drone "Marichka", media. This is an underwater drone with a range of up to 1000 km. pic.twitter.com/3Wrxgqxq0S MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) June 3, 2025 Hours after the bridge was reopened, Romanov Light said that Ukraine attacked it again with sea drones at about 3 p.m. local time. Area residents reported hearing an explosion, according to the Ukrainian Crimean Wind Telegram channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A helicopter was launched into the air and is flying around the coastline along the strait, Crimean Wind claimed. There is panic in Kerch publics. A video emerged claiming to show a surface drone boat attempting to attack the bridge today being destroyed by a Russian Lancet drone. defended Kerch bridge with Lancet against sea drone pic.twitter.com/7ZANL5nagi C4H10FO2P (@markito0171) June 3, 2025 At around 3 p.m. local time, the bridge authority said the span was closed again, but did not explain why. We ask those on the bridge and in the inspection zone to remain calm and follow the instructions of the transport security officers, it stated. At around 5:42 p.m. local time, the bridge was reopened. Traffic on the Kerch/Crimean Bridge, has resumed. pic.twitter.com/qEChXrHzKb Vanguard Intel Group (@vanguardintel) June 3, 2025 During the first attack, in October 2022, the bridge was damaged by a truck bomb. In July 2023, it was hit by sea drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russians have tried to address the bridges vulnerability to attack by sea. In the wake of the second attack, Russia created a barrier along the Black Sea side of the bridge made up of sunken barges. Russia bolstered those defenses further over the next year and a half. The sunken barges were eventually removed, but fixed anti-swimming/sabotage screens were installed along the entire span of both bridge sections. These were done in two layers on the Black Sea side and one on the Sea of Azov side. Chains of floating barges were also anchored in place, creating a funnel to the critical approach to the opening under the bridge for larger ships to pass through. October 2024 image showing construction of the screens around the Kerch Bridge. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. A high resolution satellite photo taken this month of the critical pass through an area for shipping where the bomb went off. PHOTO 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. A wide angle view of the northern Kerch Bridge area taken this month showing its passive defenses. PHOTO 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. Russia has also drastically increased active defenses around the bridge, which include helicopter, surface, and on bridge patrols. Enhanced vehicle screening, additional air defenses, and anti-diver/sabotage interdiction operations have also been put in place. Given all these security measures, it is remarkable that the SBU was able to get explosives under the bridge, especially at its most critical point. Had they been able to drop it, the result would not only be severing bridge traffic, but also closing off access to the Sea of Azov. This would have been a major blow, especially to occupied areas that line this body of water. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com NATO militaries are watching the Ukraine war and using the conflict to inform training. A top Polish general said he's learning that light infantry skills are still very important. "It must be developed better," Brig. Gen. Michal Strzelecki told BI. In a war where tanks struggle to move without drawing the attention of a drone, missions sometimes fall more to small, agile, light infantry units. That's one of many lessons that NATO militaries are taking from the Ukraine war. A top Polish general overseeing the country's paratroopers said that a big takeaway is that light infantry skills, like those brought by airborne forces, still matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brig. Gen. Michal Strzelecki, commander of Poland's 6th Airborne Brigade, told Business Insider that he is seeing in Ukraine "a kind of refreshment of the light infantry skills." Light infantry troops are rapidly deployable forces. They can move quickly and fight without the support of heavy armored vehicles, like tanks or infantry fighting vehicles. These troops are often lightly armed and equipped for versatility and swift, flexible operations that include surprise attacks and raids. For airborne forces, missions can involve insertion operations from planes or helicopters. US and other NATO forces used highly mobile light infantry for remote patrols and small-unit engagements during counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Ukraine war, as a large-scale conventional fight, is very different from America's post-9/11 conflicts, but the war is showing that there is still a role for lighter infantry forces and a need for those skills in big potential future fights. For instance, mobile light infantry units operating between strongpoints played an invaluable role in helping defend Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region during the early days of the full-scale invasion. Light infantry was also involved in urban warfare operations around the eastern city of Bakhmut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in multiple instances, airborne and air assault brigades have conducted successful night assaults, small-unit ambushes, and rapid strategic deployments. European wars in the 20th century heavily featured armored vehicles, but these have struggled in Ukraine. Michigan National Guard photo by Pvt. Chris Estrada Speaking on the sidelines of the Lively Sabre 25 exercise in southern Finland last week, Strzelecki said fighting in Europe has been historically heavily focused on maneuver warfare, "which requires a lot of, let's say, mechanized units, armored units." Tanks played a prominent role in both World War I and World War II, supporting dismounted infantry forces by delivering an armored punch to break through enemy lines. During the Cold War, Soviet armored assets were a major concern for NATO and factored into how allies developed their own armored capabilities. And amid the conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990s, tanks and other armor again found themselves useful in the European theater. Strzelecki said that the Ukraine war shows that the skills of light infantry units have not been forgotten. "It must be developed better, and this is what we are doing in the 6th Airborne. We are very focused on [those kinds] of operations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are light infantry, airborne infantry. So that's why we have to be focused on that," he added. The scarred battlefields of Ukraine have been far less permissive for tank and armor operations than some other conflicts. Not only have the Soviet tank designs struggled, but so have top Western tanks like the American Abrams and German Leopards. Heavy Russian defenses during Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive derailed Ukrainian efforts to breach enemy positions with armor and mechanized or motorized infantry assaults. Forces sometimes abandoned their vehicles and took the fight to the enemy on foot. Light infantry assaults saw mixed results. The situation for armored assets has only become more difficult with time and the growing proliferation of uncrewed systems. The Ukraine war has been defined by the heavy use of drones, enabling near-constant surveillance and atypical strike options. This is a difficult operating environment for armored vehicles. Thousands of these combat vehicles have been damaged and destroyed, with many taken out by small drones strapped with explosives. Read the original article on Business Insider When a drone popped out of the back of a broken-down truck on the side of a Siberian highway on Sunday, bystanders didn't know what to make of it. "Holy smokes! Technology's come so far! Why are we even driving anymore? Better off piloting that drone," the narrator of a viral video said. "The cops are after it, would you look at that! Some idiot's spraying bullets everywhere!" The Russian police, it turns out, were right to shoot at the drone. It was headed straight toward the airbase near Irkutsk. Across the country, swarms of small explosive drones descended onto military bases and destroyed a large part of Russia's nuclear bomber fleet. The flying bombs were smuggled into Russia by Ukrainian intelligence services in a plot known as Operation Spiderweb. The Ukrainian drone attack was an audacious, desperate, and dangerous gamble on the eve of this week's peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. ("Trump said we don't have the cardsthis shows we do have the cards, and we can play them," Oleg Ustenko, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told Politico.) It was also a demonstration of a trend unfolding worldwide: Drones now allow weaker forces to go toe-to-toe with even nuclear superpowers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fighters on both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflictand rebel movements around the worldare becoming skilled at using drones to replace conventional air power. The drone revolution was partially driven by militaries developing cheap explosive suicide drones, also known as "loitering munitions." Another major factor has been the rise of drones as a civilian hobby. Anyone with access to an electronics store can buy or build a one-man air force now. Drones were not always "weapons of the weak." The first armed drone strikes were carried out by the U.S. military in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a symbol of Washington's ability to spy on and kill enemies from across the globe. Turkey developed a homegrown drone line, Bayraktar, during its war against Kurdish rebels. Israel began selling a line of loitering munitions known as the Harpy and Harop, which Azerbaijan used to crush the Armenian separatists of Karabakh in 2020. But weaker states were also jealously eyeing the potential of unmanned aerial vehicles. Iran used captured Israeli and American surveillance drones to kick-start its own line of Shahed drones. The Shahed was revolutionary because it was so cheap to manufacture and operate; Iran could spread this technology to even nonstate allies, such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Iraqi militias. The technology spread upward, too. Cheap loitering munitions were an attractive prospect to superpowers that could manufacture such weapons at scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I asked one of the companies, I said I want a lot of drones, and you know, in the case of Iran, they make a good drone, and they make them for $35,000 to $40,000," U.S. President Donald Trump told an audience during a recent visit to Qatar. "So I said to this company, I want to see it. Two weeks later, they came to me with a drone that cost $41 million. I said, that's not what I was talking about, $41 million. I'm talking about something that costs $35,000 to $40,000, where you send thousands of them up." In late 2022, Russia paid $2 billion to set up a Shahed mass production plant on its own territory. Rather than coming up with a Shahed copy, Ukraine imported the Bayraktar. Europeans crowdfunded for Ukraine to buy Bayraktar drones, some of which brought down the Russian flagship Moskva. Ukraine is now building a Bayraktar plant on Ukrainian soil. The Middle East has been torn up by proxy wars fought with European weapons for decades. Now Europe is suffering from a proxy war fought with Middle Eastern weapons. Meanwhile, drones were becoming a popular civilian hobby. The Chinese company DJI came out with the Phantom quadcopter, the first cheap and easy-to-use consumer drone, in 2013. While these first drones were designed for photography, another subculture popped up around first-person view (FPV) racing, in which drone pilots would use virtual reality headsets to pull off acrobatic maneuvers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Islamic State group quickly figured out how to use consumer drones to drop grenades on the Iraqi army. Russia and Ukraine adopted the same tactic during their war, using Chinese consumer drones (or domestic copies) to hunt down each other's troops. Because the drones carry a camera, there has been a proliferation of gruesome drone-eye-view propaganda videos of troops being killed from the air. In October 2023, Hamas broke through Israel's "Iron Wall" fortifications around Gaza, leading to the worst outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian violence in history. One of the most effective tactics in that attack was the use of consumer drones to take down Israeli communications towers and machine gun turrets. On the other hand, American supporters have been crowdfunding to buy Israeli forces their own consumer drones, one of which filmed the final moments of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The latest innovation in air warfare has been the rise of fiber optic drones. By last year, Russian forces had developed an advantage in radio jamming, which allowed them to interfere with Ukrainian drones' remote control systems. Ukraine's answer was to simply run a fiber optic cable from the ground to the drone. As cartoonish as it sounds, it works. The Ukrainian military has launched drone attacks controlled by gigantic spools of cable, stretching tens of miles through the air. Images on social media show fields literally covered in webs of optical fiber. Another potential solution to radio jamming is installing artificial intelligence on drones, allowing the drones themselves to make targeting decisions without orders from the ground. Last week, the Ukrainian military claimed to have deployed a new drone "mothership" that can launch AI-powered swarms of small explosive drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For better or for worse, drone warfare is here to stay. Even if governments around the world banned consumer dronesunlikely, given how much industry and first responders rely on these flying machinesthe parts and know-how to build them would still be easy to obtain. In 2002, the Swedish writer Sven Lindqvist wrote A History of Bombing, tracing the cultural effects of air warfare through the 20th century. At first, Europeans fantasized about using airpower to hold onto their colonial empires forever, wiping out the rebellious "savages" with no risk or cost. After witnessing the effects of World War II and the atomic bomb, however, the world's elites realized that they were also vulnerable to these new aerial weapons. Just before his death in 2019, Lindqvist published a revised edition of A History of Bombing that addressed the growing drone threat. "The drone war is the unmanned opposite of the mass armies of the Great War. Convenientso long as the other side hasn't got one," he wrote. "What if the drone becomes every man's or at least every state's weapon? Will it not be too easy to wage war, if all you risk are machines, not soldiers?" The post Ukraine's Drones Just Took Down a Chunk of Russia's Bomber Fleet. What Does That Mean for America? appeared first on Reason.com. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has updated Russias aircraft losses for the second time in one day, adding 29 more aircraft to the morning figures. Source: General Staff on Facebook Quote: "Attention! Updated statistics on the destruction of enemy aircraft at Russian military airfields as a result of the Security Service of Ukraines special operation on 1 June 2025. After processing additional information from various sources and verifying it a process that required some time we report that the total losses of the Russians amount to 41 military aircraft, including strategic bombers and other types of combat aircraft." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: In its morning report, the General Staff announced the loss of an additional 12 Russian aircraft, bringing the total to 384. The updated report now records a total of 41 aircraft losses, raising the figure to 413. Background: On 1 June, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) carried out a special operation codenamed Pavutyna (Spiders Web), during which strategic aviation aircraft were targeted at four Russian airfields. SSU chief Vasyl Maliuk stated that "in total, 34% of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main Russian airfields were destroyed". The SSU officially stated that 41 Russian strategic aviation aircraft had been destroyed in the drone strikes, including A-50s, Tu-95s, Tu-22M3s and Tu-160s. The estimated cost of the strategic aircraft destroyed is over US$7 billion. Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, reported that Russian strategic aviation aircraft have fired 2,437 cruise missiles against Ukraine since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Ukrainian Air Defence Forces have managed to shoot down 1,916 of them. Commenting on the SSUs Pavutyna operation, Ihnat noted that Russia still has enough assets to strike and called for caution. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Ukrainian parliament supported a bill on establishing the institution of a military ombudsman in the first reading on June 3, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said. The legislation was supported by 287 lawmakers, with 25 abstaining and none voting against it. Bills must pass two readings and be signed by the president before becoming law. Ukraine first unveiled the office in April 2024 to ensure soldiers had a mechanism to report violations of their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military ombudsman "will be responsible for considering appeals and complaints of service members, providing primary legal assistance, conducting inspections, and investigating violations of the rights of service members and their family members," the Defense Ministry said. President Volodymyr Zelensky has tapped Olha Reshetylova, formerly a journalist and human rights activist, as the first military ombudsman. The Military Ombudsman Office will be established as a civilian oversight body over the security and defense sector. The legislation also establishes procedures for military personnel to submit complaints and for the inspection of military units. As Ukraine entered the fourth year of the full-scale war with Russia, several units have faced accusations of misconduct and abuse within their ranks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most recently, the French-trained 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade is under investigation for alleged involvement of its command in handing out falsified bonus payments and demanding bribes. Last December, the commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade was detained for failing to address abuse and torture allegations involving his subordinates. Read also: Closer to victory Operation Spiderweb gives much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians after 3 years of full-scale war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Ukrainian drone attack targeting energy infrastructure in Russian-occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts overnight on June 3 caused widespread blackouts, according to Russian occupation authorities. Yevhen Balytskyi, the Kremlin-appointed head of the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, claimed that 457 settlements in the region were left without power, affecting more than 600,000 homes. In neighboring Kherson Oblast, Moscow-installed proxy Volodymyr Saldo claimed that drone debris damaged substations near occupied Henichesk, as well as near Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, resulting in power outages across 150 settlements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian officials have not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified. Kyiv's previous attacks on substations in Russia and Russian-occupied territories were aimed at undermining Moscow's ability to sustain its war effort. Situated in southern Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts have been partially occupied since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The regions' centers, the cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, remain under Ukrainian control and are frequently targeted by Russian forces. A Russian FPV (first-person-view) drone attack targeted first responders near Vasylivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, injuring at least 12 people, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A Ukrainian delegation led by Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has arrived in the United States for meetings with representatives of US President Donald Trump's team to discuss a range of issues. Source: Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: Yermak stated that in Washington, the Ukrainian delegation will discuss defence support and the situation on the battlefield, strengthening sanctions against Russia including Senator Lindsey Grahams proposed legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meetings will also address the agreement to establish an Investment Recovery Fund, bringing back Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and Russian propaganda linked to church issues. Quote: "There will be many meetings with representatives of both parties who support Ukraine and with President Donald Trumps team. We will share the outcomes of the meetings in Istanbul and explain how Russia is stalling the ceasefire and negotiations to prolong the war." Background: Earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump does not rule out participating in a potential meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to end Russias war. 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. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! In a few weeks, we will be celebrating our 249th Independence Day, which brings celebratory vibes but concerns about how the Constitution is being ignored. Who will stand to defend it? In todays Americawhere civil liberties are too often dismissed as inconvenient and the Constitution is treated like a museum piece rather than a living covenantwe are called to remember the physician patriots who helped birth this nation. Not only with words, but with scalpel and scripture, with medicine and manifesto, they shaped the foundation of the republic. They are forgotten no more. Let us speak their names. Dr. Benjamin Rush Dr. Josiah Bartlett Dr. Lyman Hall Dr. Matthew Thornton Dr. Oliver Wolcott Five of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were practicing physicians. Men of science. Men of healing. Men of vision. They risked everythingtheir homes, their practices, their reputations, and their livesto proclaim a truth that would reverberate through the centuries: That all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights. Today, as physicians find themselves persecuted, silenced, indicted, and humiliated for practicing medicine in a corrupt and politicized system, we must draw strength from those who came before us. The physician-patriots. The original defenders of liberty. We must reclaim that legacy and declare boldly: We will come back. The forgotten flames of the Revolution Dr. Benjamin Rush was more than a signer. He was the conscience of the Pennsylvania delegation. A professor, physician, and moral philosopher, he penned essays against slavery, advocated for universal education, and reformed American psychiatry. He believed that medicine and morality were inseparable. It was he who convinced a fractured Pennsylvania delegation to ratify the Constitution. It was he who envisioned a nation guided by public virtue and personal freedom. Josiah Bartlett, physician and governor of New Hampshire, was the first to vote for independence after John Hancock. Lyman Hall brought the spirit of liberty to Georgia, where he also founded a college. Matthew Thornton healed the wounded in the fields before writing his name in ink. And Oliver Wolcott, Connecticuts surgeon-soldier, later helped negotiate peace with the British. These were not men seeking titles. They were doctors defending their people. From stethoscopes to shackles Fast forward 250 years. Today, physicians are more likely to find themselves in a courtroom than in a Congress. We are accused for prescribing, condemned for speaking out, and shackled by the same government that once exalted our profession. Where once a physician could help birth a nation, now he risks prison for treating pain. Where once a doctor could shape constitutions, today she must navigate Kafkaesque regulations. The Hippocratic Oath is not a shield anymoreit is a target on our backs. The Constitution we once helped ratify is used against us. Our emails are read. Our prescriptions are audited. Our judgments are questioned not by colleagues, but by bureaucrats with no medical training. Prosecutors with political ambitions drag doctors through the mud, casting them as criminals rather than caregivers. And yet, we do not give up. We are not criminals. We are the daughters and sons of Benjamin Rush. We are physicians, patriots, and defenders of the human soul. The betrayal of constitutional liberty The First Amendment guarantees free speech. Yet physicians have been gagged. The Fourth Amendment protects against unlawful search and seizure. Yet doctors have had their practices raided without warning. The Sixth Amendment guarantees a speedy trial and the right to confront ones accuser. Yet many of us are forced into guilty pleas because the cost of trial is too great. ADVERTISEMENT What happened to justice? What happened to liberty? What happened to the republic these physician-patriots fought for? When Dr. Rush signed that parchment in Philadelphia, he did so knowing he might be ordered hung by the British monarch. Today, we fear loss of license or a DEA number. But the courage must be the same. The white coat is still sacred. Despite the assaults, the white coat still means something. It is a symbol of trust. Of wisdom. Of mercy. We must never allow the governmentor the cowards who enable itto steal that symbol from us. We must organize. We must speak. We must fight. We must teach the nation that doctors were among the first defenders of democracy, and we are still willing to be the last. As I write these words, I do so as one who has stood trial. As one who has felt the cold breath of injustice. As one who knows what it is to be stripped of dignity by a system that has forgotten who its real enemies are. And I say this not in bitterness, but in resurrection: We will come back. Physician-patriots, then and now We are entering a new era of physician activism. No longer content to operate quietly in clinics, a new generation of doctors is rising. We are reclaiming the roles our predecessors played. We are building organizations. We are exposing corruption. We are filing lawsuits. We are telling our stories. And we are writing a new declaration. One not of independence, but of interdependence. One that says: A physician who heals must be free to do so without political interference. A prescription written with compassion must not be treated as a crime. A voice raised in protest must not be silenced by fear. We call on the spirit of Rush, Bartlett, Hall, Thornton, and Wolcott. We call on the ghosts of Valley Forge and the shadows of Independence Hall. And we promise them: We will not let their legacy fade. This is our revolution. Today, the battlefield is not Lexington or Concord. It is the clinic. The hospital. Out on the internet addressing the public and in the courtroom. Today, the redcoats are not British soldiers but federal prosecutors and unelected administrators. Today, the declaration we sign is not on parchment, but in our courage to speak and act. Yet the struggle is the same. If they jail us, we will write from the cell. If they silence us, we will speak louder. If they indict us, we will defend ourselves not just with lawyers, but with the truth. Because we are not just doctors. We are the inheritors of a sacred duty: To defend life, liberty, and the dignity of every patient. The torch has not gone out. In his final years, Benjamin Rush wrote extensively on mental health, believing that the soul, like the body, needed healing. He believed in the divine potential of every human being. That is what we fight for now. For every person shamed by addiction. For every child with no access to mental health care. For every physician afraid to prescribe the right medicine. For every healer dragged through the mud. This is not just a profession. It is a calling. It is a revolution. And it is just beginning. Conclusion: We are still here The Constitution is not dead. The Declaration of Independence is not obsolete. They live in us. In our hands. In our clinics. In our hearts. To those who seek to silence us: Know this. We are descendants of physician-patriots. We are not afraid. To our patients: We will not abandon you. To our fellow doctors: We call you now to stand up. To reclaim your voice. To remember your power. And to Benjamin Rush, wherever your soul rests: The fire you lit still burns. We are coming back. Muhamad Aly Rifai is a nationally recognized psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist based in the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. He is the founder, CEO, and chief medical officer of Blue Mountain Psychiatry, a leading multidisciplinary practice known for innovative approaches to mental health, addiction treatment, and integrated care. Dr. Rifai currently holds the prestigious Lehigh Valley Endowed Chair of Addiction Medicine, reflecting his leadership in advancing evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders. Board-certified in psychiatry, internal medicine, addiction medicine, and consultation-liaison (psychosomatic) psychiatry, Dr. Rifai is a fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), the American Psychiatric Association (FAPA), and the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (FACLP). He is also a former president of the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society, where he championed access to community-based psychiatric care and physician advocacy. A thought leader in telepsychiatry, ketamine treatment, and the intersection of medicine and mental health, Dr. Rifai frequently writes and speaks on physician justice, federal health care policy, and the ethical use of digital psychiatry. You can learn more about Dr. Rifai through his Wikipedia page, connect with him on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or subscribe to his YouTube channel. His podcast, The Virtual Psychiatrist, offers deeper insights into topics at the intersection of mental health and medicine. Explore all of Dr. Rifais platforms and resources via his Linktree. A Ukrainian delegation is set to brief U.S. senators Wednesday as lawmakers weigh a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia and its biggest energy customers, China and India. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said in an interview that he organized the meeting with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and noted all 100 senators were invited to attend the closed-door session. Its a pivotal moment in Ukraine and crunch time for the Senate on this bill, said Blumenthal, noting that the legislation now has 82 co-sponsors, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The visiting delegation, he said, includes Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraines deputy defense minister, Serhii Boyev, is traveling with Yermak. The sanctions package from Blumenthal and Graham is designed to increase pressure on Russias wartime economy by targeting countries that buy oil and gas a move Blumenthal said could be a game changer. He also pointed to recent long-range drone attacks deep inside Russia dubbed Operation Spiderweb as evidence of Ukraines agility and resolve. Those strikes, he said, counter a false narrative that Ukraine is losing the war and could shift momentum in Washington in favor of increasing aid for Ukraine.They can strike air bases 4,000 miles from Ukraine; They can hit anywhere, Blumenthal said. Just in the skill and audacity of these attacks, it will rank with the United States raid on Osama bin Laden and the Israeli pager operation as one of the great military achievements in recent years. Blumenthal said the White House remains hesitant to support the sanctions bill, but the battlefield momentum could sway President Donald Trump and skeptical lawmakers. Events will move the White House and maybe some of the presidents friends here, he said, referring to Graham. Congress can move ahead. [Trump] doesnt have to support it. A recent Ukrainian drone strike deep inside Russian territory has sparked anger and concern among Kremlin officials over the exposed vulnerability of a nuclear-capable air force far from the front lines, Bloomberg reported on June 2, citing undisclosed sources close to senior Moscow officials. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out the operation "Spiderweb" on June 1, targeting Russian air bases at Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenya, and Ivanovo with drones hidden in trucks across Russia. The strike is claimed to have hit 41 aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. These planes belong to Russia's nuclear-capable air fleet and are used to launch cruise missile attacks on Ukraine's cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's General Staff said in its daily update on June 3 that Russian forces lost 12 aircraft, without elaborating on the types of destroyed planes or whether more had been damaged. Meanwhile, a source close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg that the number of affected aircraft may be closer to 10. According to the outlets sources, only a small number of the targeted Russian bombers are required for strikes against Ukraine, meaning the pace of missile and bombing attacks is unlikely to slow. The SBU claimed the operation caused approximately $7 billion in damage and disabled one-third of Russia's cruise missile bombers. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another image shows two more likely destroyed Tu-22M3 bombers on the field. Read also: Grounds for a nuclear attack Russian propagandists react to Ukraines Operation Spiderweb Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. One of the four suspects in a series of arson attacks on property linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer may have been recruited by Russian intelligence via the Telegram app. Source: Skhemy, an investigative reporting project by Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: After analysing the Ukrainian suspect's activity on social media and messenger apps, journalists came to the conclusion that 21-year-old Roman Lavrynovych, suspected of setting fire to property linked to Starmer, may have been recruited by Russian security services via Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skhemy's investigation revealed that Lavrynovych had been actively searching for work in Telegram groups for foreigners in London from 2022 to 2025. Most of the work he sought was in construction or hospitality, often for cash. His last post seeking work in one of these groups appeared on 3 May five days before a car linked to Starmer was set on fire in London. It is reported that Lavrynovych last accessed Telegram in the early hours of 13 May, just a few hours before he was arrested by police following another arson attack on a building also connected to the UK prime minister. His latest job-seeking posts on Telegram channels were made in early May. On 2 May, for example, he wrote in the London UA group: "Looking for a job, open to any options". Two hours later, a user named Yurii replied: "Message me privately". Yurii had joined the group just a few days earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skhemy also found that Lavrynovych had listed the UK as his place of residence and had provided a UK phone number in his profile on the Russian social media platform VKontakte as early as 2016. Lavrynovych is facing three counts of arson with intent to endanger life. Earlier, three people had already been charged in the case: Ukrainians Petro Pochynok (34) and Roman Lavrynovych (21), and Stanislav Karpiuk (26), a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian origin. Pochynok and Karpiuk are charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. All three are expected to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday 6 June. On 2 June, London police announced that a fourth man had been arrested in connection with the series of arson attacks linked to the UK Prime Minister. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Jun. 2POLK COUNTY, Minn. A UND chemistry professor and the mayor of a small Minnesota township were arrested Thursday, May 29, for allegedly soliciting someone whom they believed to be a minor for prostitution. Qianli "Rick" Chu, 50, is charged with felony hiring or agreeing to hire someone who he believes is at least 16 years old, but under the age of 18, for prostitution. The crime has a maximum five-year prison sentence. Also arrested on the same charge was Robert Lawrence Coulter, whose name is listed as the 2024 winner of the Solway, Minnesota, mayoral election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Dodds, director of communications for UND, provided the Herald with a statement that said the university is aware of a situation involving the now former UND faculty member's connection to a Polk County, Minnesota, criminal investigation. "The allegation, as reported, is disturbing and completely at odds with UND core values," the statement said. "Late Friday, May 30, the former faculty member resigned from UND, effective immediately. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation and future legal proceedings, we are withholding further comment on the matter." Polk County law enforcement, alongside members of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigations Task Force, carried out an undercover operation to identify individuals looking to hire underage girls for commercial sex acts, according to a probable cause statement filed in the case. Law enforcement posted an advertisement on two websites commonly used for advertising and soliciting commercial sex; the advertisement included provocative photographs of a female who appeared young but in reality was an undercover task force officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a phone number and narrative included in the advertisement, saying the girl named "Amber" was "open-minded" and "guaranteed satisfaction." Chu texted "Amber," saying he would like to see her, according to the statement. They exchanged messages about her pricing and where to meet. "Amber" disclosed that she was almost 17 and "clean," to which Chu allegedly responded, "Great. I am a nice and clean gentleman." Chu was given a pre-planned address in Crookston, where he arrived and was placed under arrest, the statement said. Searching him, law enforcement alleged they found condoms, a wallet containing $599 in cash and a cellphone confirmed to be the same one used to communicate with "Amber." Chu was given a $15,000 cash or surety bond, with conditions including no contact with anyone under the age of 18 aside from his own children. He posted $1,500 cash and was released Monday, June 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chu's initial court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, June 5. He has retained Alexander Reichert to represent him in the case. Coulter was arrested during the same undercover operation. Coulter, 56, is a corrections agent, according to the statement, and his name is also listed as the winner and sole candidate for Solway's November 2024 mayoral election. The Herald reached out to Solway Township staff to confirm whether Coulter is currently the mayor, but did not hear back in time for publication. The statement of probable cause in Coulter's case says he texted "Amber," asking if she would like company "(because) I really want to come see you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time, a Polk County officer posed as "Amber," communicating back and forth with Coulter, discussing payment and a meet-up location, according to the statement. When "Amber" explained that she was 16, Coulter answered that she was too young for anything besides friendship, but offered to pay her for her time so they could talk, according to the statement. "Amber" responded that she needs money, not friends, and ultimately, the conversation ended. A couple minutes later, Coulter allegedly reached back out to ask what "Amber" wanted, and she explained that she wanted to exchange sexual acts for a certain amount of money. Coulter allegedly agreed, and they made a plan to meet. Coulter was arrested upon arrival at the pre-determined location. Law enforcement found $120 in cash on him, as well as the cellphone used to communicate with "Amber," according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coulter told law enforcement that he came to meet a girl he met online, but only planned to talk with her about what she was doing, the statement said. He allegedly said he brought the money so that she would take the time to speak with him, and he hadn't thought to call local law enforcement to find the girl and offer her resources. Coulter remains in custody on a $15,000 cash or surety bond. His initial appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 10. Union Commonwealth University might be located in Barbourville, Ky., about 60 miles and a couple of counties to the east. But its president, Dr. DJ Washington, was impressed enough by the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce that he wants to be a part of it. I thank you for leading with purpose. I thank you for leading with passion. I thank you for all of the efforts that you do, said Washington, who went on to say that Union should became a Chamber member if they werent already. ... From the moment I walked in the door, I was just well-greeted and (there were) so many warm welcomes and smiles and great handshakes, and I want to just tell you thank you for allowing Union to be part of such an amazing community as you have here. Washington spoke about Union Commonwealth University formerly known as Union College; the name change was announced last year at Tuesdays June membership luncheon for the Chamber at The Center for Rural Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A first-generation college student from Tennessee, Washington attended Union himself, earning a Bachelors Degree in Communication and Marketing in 2003. He went on to earn a Masters in Public Relations from Ball State University and a doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas. In his career, Washington served as Director of Employer and Regional Engagement at the University of Notre Dame, which included spearheading efforts to expand the schools network of alumni, parents and employers. In particular, Washington found himself impressed with the local business community, observing that over 90% of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce is made up of small businesses. This is my second time coming to (the local Chamber luncheon) and every time I come, its packed, he noted. To be able to see the engagement and the level of support that you all have for each other is just really impressive, to be able to see how youre developing talent and how youre thriving in businesses every single day. Just like small college matters, added Washington, small business also matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was one key point Washington had to stress on Tuesday, is that small colleges can make a big impact. While the size and scope of the institution isnt like the University of Kentucky or another large research or flagship school, he noted, a place like Union, with over 1,300 students, has the ability to train and develop individuals such as himself, a first-generation college student. Additionally, Union Commonwealth has a $34.4 million economic impact on Barbourville. Being able to support students in Appalachia, students who sometimes come from families that have been immersed in substance abuse and maybe (unable) to get out of poverty for the most part, Union is the type of campus that takes those particular students into our campus and we help accelerate them as leaders, said Washington, just as many of you do in business with your employees and the talent that you continue to develop on a day-to-day basis. The kind of leadership that Union Commonwealth can help develop is essential in business, said Washington, as is cooperation Were better together, he stressed. Washington said that Union Commonwealth is in the process of refreshing dorms, renovating the schools chapel, and is preparing to launch a front lawn beautification plan. He credited the ability to make these projects a reality with his dedicated team of individuals who ... dont get behind me, they get in front of me and are leading the charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been 145 years (since the school was founded); we have an old campus, said Washington, and so the opportunity for us to be able revitalize, to reimagine, to rebuild is unbelievable, and were taking every opportunity to be able to do that. He added, Were a year into this growth effort, and were about to take off. We truly are about to accelerate, and none of that could be possible if it wasnt for our colleagues, for our alumni, our trustees, and many of you. Having our community leaders, and being able to have individuals who represent our municipalities, is truly huge. Washington noted that Union Commonwealth has seen a 15% increase in enrollment from this same time last year, and applications are up over 275% over the same time frame. For the first time, graduate students outnumber undergrads, and thats the way that you want to see colleges growing because of the online education opportunities that are out there. Union Commonwealth University ranked in the top five of 18 private higher education institutions in Kentucky, said Washington, in applications, admitted students, and deposits, and were tops in freshmen commitments over the last quarter. Washington also said that the school has engaged in a $3 million cost reduction strategy, has been able to walk into a balanced budget without support from endowed funds for the first time post-Covid, and has received a historic pledge, the largest gift in the schools history, of $1.2 million. I can tell you that campus is booming, said Washington. Were excited. Theres a lot of growth and a lot of energy, and a lot of opportunity ahead of us. Unionized physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners picketed in rain and smokey air outside Allina's Coon Rapids clinic on June 3, 2025 in a first for Minnesota. (Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer) Newly unionized doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants walked picket lines for the first time in Minnesota outside four Allina clinics on Tuesday, voicing frustration with what they called the factory style of modern medicine. The clinicians voted by a wide margin to unionize with Doctors Council SEIU in October 2023, forming the nations largest private-sector doctors union with more than 600 members across 60 Allina clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But since then, union leaders say theyve made little progress toward finalizing a first labor contract covering wages, benefits and working conditions despite meeting with hospital leaders nearly 40 times. Were not seeing Allina come to the table with meaningful proposals, said Dr. Chris Antolak, a family physician, outside Allinas clinic in Coon Rapids. Were here today to picket because we need to prove to Allina that were standing in strength and solidarity. The union also organized picket lines, which are not strikes, outside Allina clinics in Maplewood, West St. Paul and Bloomington. The striking image of physicians picketing underscores the turbulent state of American health care, which leaves many patients and now even doctors demanding change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Physicians, as the white collars on their lab coats convey, have not historically seen themselves as workers in need of a union. The consolidation of health care and productivity demands set by faraway bosses, however, has made many feel more like workers pushed to churn through patients on an assembly line rather than masters of their own practices. Im a union kid. My parents were teachers I never thought I would be union until I realized the power that we have as a single voice, said Dr. Kara Larson, whos worked as a pediatrician at the Coon Rapids clinic since 1999. The union brought us together to advocate for change for our patients. The clinicians say Allina has proposed cutting compensation by reducing their base salary from the median wage for health care providers nationally to the 25th percentile. They also say the health system, one of the largest in the Upper Midwest with $5.8 billion in revenue in 2024, refused to budge in negotiations over reducing work loads and increasing support staff and sick leave. Addressing safety concerns also remains a sticking point health care workers are among the most likely to be physically assaulted on the job, which is also animating separate union nurses negotiations with more than a dozen hospitals including Allina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Allina Health said it is negotiating in good faith with the union to seek responsible agreements. Allina Health and the union were fully aware they would be charting new territory in creating these first contracts, and it is important to get it right, the statement said. The two sides have come to tentative agreements over the control of their schedules, creation of a mentorship program and labor management committee, and protections against unfair discipline. Braving rain and willdfire-induced bad air, the physicians at times seemed unfamiliar with picket line practices: A SEIU staff member shouted out instructions on picketing where to start walking and where to pivot back before they started. More than once the group seemed to forget to keep moving and came to a standstill, while two people led competing chants at different paces, muddying whats typically a clear call-and-response. But nevertheless, they got their point across. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are sure to become more practiced in blue collar labor demonstrations in the years to come as unionization increases. Just this year, resident physicians at Hennepin Healthcare and the University of Minnesota unionized with SEIUs Committee of Interns and Residents, one of the fastest growing health care unions in the country. More than 130 Allina doctors at Mercy and Unity hospitals voted to unionize in 2023, and last year, more than 400 nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other advanced nursing staff voted to unionize across nine Essentia hospitals and 60 clinics spanning northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Chris Rubesch, president of the Minnesota Nurses Association, joined the picket line in support of the doctors on Tuesday, signaling a growing alliance between two classes of health care workers not infrequently at odds with each other. We have a broken health care system that prioritizes profits and we need to refocus on our patients, Rubesch said. We are standing with you shoulder to shoulder. DENVER (KDVR) A student was arrested for spray painting political messages on campus on Friday night, according to an email from University of Denver Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. The messages were reported to have expressed political views, including pro-Palestine and anti-Trump rhetoric and were found in several locations, but the locations were not named. The messages were allegedly sprayed days before an attack on a pro-Israel group in Boulder by a man who yelled, Free Palestine, and is now being called a terror attack by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Total injured in Boulder attack increases to 12 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The act of defacing our shared spaces is unacceptable and contrary to our community standards, Haefner wrote to the DU campus in his email. Vandalism is not a form of free expression. It is not protected speech. It is a violation of our shared values and disrespectful to the living and learning environment we share as a community. Haefner added that DU supports the right to express diverse perspectivesbut that must happen through lawful means. According to a probable cause statement obtained by FOX31, the student, identified as 23-year-old Marshall Ray, spray painted Free Gaza and Free Palestine on campus property. The statement said that Ray was spray painting a traffic sign when contacted and was painting Gaza at that point. Officers also said a can of spray paint and two paint markers were in his pocket. Ray is being held for investigation of criminal mischief and disturbing the peace. The final determination of charges will be made by the Denver District Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haefner said that facilities crews were working diligently Monday morning to clean up the graffiti, and said the administration is committed to ensuring campus community members feel safe, respected and heard. The chancellor said that the DU student was arrested by the Denver Police Department. The investigation is ongoing and evidence is being reviewed, Haefner wrote, because there could be others involved. Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to contact Campus Safety at 303-871-2334. DU said the incident has also been reported to Equal Opportunity and Title IX (EOIX) for review. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 proud product of the Pasco community, who has dedicated her teaching career to expanding access and opportunities for the regions multi-lingual learners, has been recognized as the 2026 Educational Service District 123 Teacher of the Year. The accolade also automatically puts Gabriela Whitemarsh, a bilingual mathematics teacher at Pasco High School, in the running for Washington Teacher of the Year. The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI, selects that winner in late summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitemarsh said she was surprised with the recognition last week at a staff meeting. Superintendent Michelle Whitney and executive staff from ESD 123 presented her a certificate. Gabriela Whitemarsh I was humbled, very honored, Whitemarsh told the Tri-City Herald. But teaching isnt conducted in a silo, she says, paying credit to her colleagues, administrators, students and families for the honor. There are so many people who have helped me along the way, Whitemarsh said. Thats not just my own merit, it comes from a whole group of people both in my personal and professional life and I am eternally grateful for each and every one of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was also among nine educators earlier this year who took home the 2025 Tri-City Crystal Apple Awards for Excellence in Education. Whitemarsh called teaching the greatest career ever, and says its a privilege to play a role in building up the next generation of leaders. Its very personal, and I dont take it for granted at all, she said. Expanding mathematics access Pasco High Principal Veronica Machado in a letter of recommendation described Whitemarsh as an individual who cares about innovation, equity, collaboration and excellence in education for every student. Her passion and dedication are unmatched, and she has left an indelible impact on her students, her colleagues, and Pasco High School, Machado wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ESD 123 Superintendent Steve McCullough said in a statement that Whitemarshs passion, creativity and dedication to educational equity embodied what it means to be a leader in the profession. We are honored to have Gabriela represent our region and know she will continue to make an extraordinary impact, he said. Whitemarsh is completing her ninth year as a public school teacher. Prior to coming to Pasco High, she worked nine years at Columbia Basin College as a program director, most notably for the Math Engineering Science Achievement. She also taught mathematics as an adjunct professor. Pasco High School bilingual mathematics teacher Gabriela Whitemarsh poses for a photo recognizing her as the 2026 ESD 123 Regional Teacher of the Year. The accolade puts her in the running to be Washington Teacher of the Year. She is founder the Advanced Multilingual Mathematics Program (HiCap L1 Math) at Pasco High School, an initiative that opens the door to college-level mathematics for newcomer students who previously lacked access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitemarsh says she saw the need herself back when she was attending the school. She was often one of only a handful of Hispanic students who were in advanced courses. There are so many who are capable, why arent there more of us who are taking these courses and being rigorously prepared for college? she said. Since the program took off in 2018, about 92 students have completed advanced math courses, and 41 have earned between 5 and 20 college math credits all while they continued to build a foundation in the English language arts. Whitemarsh says its her students and the stories of their families who drive her to continue teaching. Many come to her with varying backgrounds, education levels and at different ages but each strives to learn and help one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education is at the heart of what we do. It opens doors and opportunities and theres a ripple effect, she said. Learning is also at the heart of her family. Her husband also works as a math teacher, but at Stevens Middle School. Her parents, who immigrated from Mexico, constantly instilled in her the value of education. In addition to her teaching duties, Whitemarsh also chairs Pasco Highs multilingual department, serves as a bilingual facilitator, and regularly provides professional development to her colleagues on culturally responsive teaching and equitable practices. Shes also been previously recognized for dedicating countless hours toward tutoring students one-on-one during the COVID pandemic and for being a mentor to her colleagues. Whitemarsh has also previously been involved in leadership positions with the regional Hispanic Academic Achievers Program a program she benefited from which has awarded scholarships to youth in the Hispanic community since 1991. In late May 2025, a rumor spread online that California will allow undocumented immigrants to count ballots in the state's elections. The allegation appeared to originate with a Republican state assembly member, Carl DeMaio, who on May 23 claimed on X that California Democrats "just passed" a bill called Assembly Bill 930 "to allow illegal immigrants" to count ballots. AB 930 is a legitimate bill sponsored by Democratic Assembly Member Christopher Ward. However, both Ward and the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials, a nonpartisan group of county officials that supports AB 930, disputed DeMaio's claim. The bill's main purpose is to modernize election processes and clarify existing law. The key language in the bill at the center of DeMaio's claim would amend California's Election Code to allow election officials to appoint "four individuals," instead of "four voters of the county," to a special recount board. In California, a special recount board convenes to oversee a ballot recount when a voter requests it after any election. DeMaio claims this change allows election officials to appoint undocumented immigrants to a recount board under a 2019 state law permitting undocumented immigrants to hold "appointed civil office." However, Ward and the election officials' association disagree, pointing to a provision in California's Elections Code that prohibits nonvoters appointed to a "precinct board" from tallying votes. According to Ethan Jones, a consultant for the California State Assembly Committee on Elections, a "special recount board" likely falls under the definition of a "precinct board," which would mean that Ward and the association are correct and AB 930 would not allow undocumented immigrants to count votes. However, Jones said the law is somewhat ambiguous in this case, meaning DeMaio's claim is not entirely out of the question. In late May 2025, a rumor spread online that California passed a law allowing undocumented immigrants to count ballots in its elections. The claim appeared to originate with state Republican Assembly Member Carl DeMaio, who posted a clip on X denouncing the purported bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "BREAKING: CA Democrats just passed AB 930 to allow illegal immigrants to COUNT BALLOTS in our elections!" the May 23 post read. BREAKING: CA Democrats just passed AB 930 to allow illegal immigrants to COUNT BALLOTS in our elections! And will require counting of ballots received SEVEN days after the election! Spread the word and help me defeat AB 930! https://t.co/YDeGOarvur Carl DeMaio (@carldemaio) May 23, 2025 Others spread similar messages, some of which included the clip of DeMaio, on X and Facebook; many of these posts claimed California just "legalized" allowing undocumented immigrants to count ballots. AB 930 is a legitimate bill meant to modernize California's election processes and clarify existing law, sponsored by Democratic Assembly Member Christopher Ward. It is not yet law. One of its provisions "repeals requirements that the members of a recount board must be voters," per a May 1 analysis of the bill's text available for download on the California Legislature's website. The bill would apply to ballot recounts in the state for any election. The California Association of Clerks and Election Officials, a nonpartisan group of the state's county officials and a supporter of AB 930 says that state law already prohibits nonvoters from counting ballots, meaning AB 930 would not allow undocumented immigrants to count ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeMaio's argument rests on a 2019 law that allows undocumented immigrants to sit on certain boards and commissions. However, both the bill sponsor and the election officials' association say that 2019 law does not apply in this case. According to the association, California election law already prohibits nonvoters from counting ballots, meaning AB 930 does not allow undocumented immigrants to tally ballots. It is likely that the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials are correct but some ambiguity in the law's wording prevents us from providing a definitive truthfulness rating on this story. AB 930 has also only passed one of California's two legislative chambers as of this writing; it must pass both and be signed by the state's governor to become law. Here's our breakdown of what we know about AB 930. Why are people claiming AB 930 allows undocumented immigrants to count ballots? The key language in dispute is the bill's amendment of the election code to read "individuals" instead "voters of the county," the language used in state law as of this writing. A spokesperson for DeMaio, Dylan Martin, pointed to this change in an emailed statement as supposed evidence that the legislation allows undocumented immigrants to sit on a recount board, a group of people who oversee an election ballot recount. California law allows any voter to ask the state for a recount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is the relevant text from the legislation, under Section 6 (emphasis ours): Section 15625 of the Elections Code is amended to read: (a) The recount shall be conducted under the supervision of the elections official. The elections official shall convene special recount boards consisting of four individuals appointed by and at the discretion of the elections official. The requester shall reimburse the county for the cost of each member of a recount board. However, a legislative aide in Ward's office, Anthony Reyes, said in an email that the change from "voter" to "individual" was made "solely to provide consistency and clarity across various parts of the Election Code." "It ensures flexibility in describing a broader range of roles (some of which are non-tallying or observational in nature), but does not affect the legal requirement that vote-tallying board members be registered voters," Reyes said. In a May 29 letter to Ward's office obtained via Reyes, the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials said this (emphasis theirs): AB 930 does not allow undocumented immigrants to sit on recount boards. However, it is possible that separately a documented non-citizen could be hired for other election-related work. Counties cannot hire an undocumented immigrant for a county extra help position, as all such employees must be legally cleared to work. As the clerks and elections officials' office noted, it is against federal law for any U.S. employer to knowingly hire an undocumented immigrant. Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and long-standing U.S. Supreme Court precedent, federal immigration law supersedes state law. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution also gives the U.S. Congress broad power over immigration and related laws. As such, federal law, not state law, dictates whether an immigrant can be employed in the United States, including California. DeMaio's claim DeMaio's office claimed a separate law California passed in 2019, Senate Bill 225, allows undocumented immigrants to sit on recount boards because it permits undocumented immigrants to hold "appointed civil office" to ensure diverse perspectives on local boards and commissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They are not employees. This relates to members of the BOARD that oversees the counting. They are appointees," Martin wrote. He pointed to the following section of SB 225 (emphasis ours): (b) Notwithstanding any other law, a person, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, is eligible to hold an appointed civil office if the person is 18 years of age and a resident of the state. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, a person appointed to civil office, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, may receive any form of compensation that the person is not otherwise prohibited from receiving pursuant to federal law, including, but not limited to, any stipend, grant, or reimbursement of personal expenses that is associated with carrying out the duties of that office. As elections officials appoint individuals to the recount boards, Martin argued, the special recount board members count as an "appointed civil office," and as long as they do not receive employee compensation wages, in other words they can sit on a recount board per AB 930 and federal law. However, according to Reyes, from the bill sponsor's office, SB 225 does not apply to "temporary, non-civil service assignments like recount boards, which are governed by a separate set of election-specific statutes." The 'election-specific statute' Instead, the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials, as well as Ward's office, argue that a "special recount board" would fall under California Elections Code 12302, which prohibits nonvoters from tallying votes for a "precinct board" (emphasis ours): (c)(2) A nonvoter appointed to a precinct board pursuant to this subdivision shall not be permitted to do either of the following: (A) Serve as, or perform any of the duties of, the inspector of a precinct board. (B) Tally votes for the precinct board. A "special recount board" as described in AB 930 likely falls under the definition of a "precinct board" per California law (emphasis ours): (a) "Precinct board" is the board appointed by the elections official to serve at a single precinct or a consolidated precinct. In an election conducted using vote centers, "precinct board" means the board appointed by the elections official to serve at a vote center. (b) "Precinct board," when used in relation to proceedings taking place after the polls have closed, likewise includes any substitutive canvassing and counting board that may have been appointed to take the place of the board theretofore serving. As a special recount board takes place after the polls have closed and is a "counting board," it probably counts as a precinct board. But Ethan Jones, chief consultant for the California State Assembly Committee on Elections, said in an email that while there's a "colorable argument" that the restrictions for a precinct board apply to a special recount board, he "wouldn't say that's a slam dunk." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's somewhat ambiguous whether the restrictions on precinct boards would apply to recount boards, or whether a recount board would be considered a precinct board under the law," Jones said. A search for "special recount board" within the "definitions" section of California's Elections Code returned no results, meaning the state law does not explicitly specify that a special recount board is a precinct board. To summarize, should AB 930 pass, it is likely that it would not permit undocumented immigrants to tally votes in any capacity due to federal employment restrictions and preexisting state law. However, there is a small chance that ambiguity in the existing law may in theory allow California's undocumented immigrants to sit on a special recount board, which convenes when a voter requests a ballot recount. Sources: "8 USC 1324a: Unlawful Employment of Aliens." House.gov, uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:8%20section:1324a. Accessed 28 May 2025. "Bill Text - AB-930 Elections and Voting Procedures." Ca.gov, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB930. Accessed 28 May 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Bill Text - SB-225 Citizens of the State." Ca.gov, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB225. Accessed 30 May 2025. "California Code, ELEC 12302." Ca.gov, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=ELECionNum=12302. Accessed 30 May 2025. "California Code, ELEC 15625." Ca.gov, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=ELECionNum=15625. Accessed 30 May 2025. "Chapter 1 - Purpose and Background | USCIS." Www.uscis.gov, 11 May 2021, www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-10-part-a-chapter-1. Accessed 28 May 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Committee Staff | California State Assembly." Ca.gov, aelc.assembly.ca.gov/members/committee-staff. Accessed 30 May 2025. Constitution Annotated. "ArtVI.C2.1 Overview of Supremacy Clause." Constitution.congress.gov, constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artVI-C2-1/ALDE_00013395/. Accessed 28 May 2025. "Elections Code - ELEC DIVISION 0.5. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS [1 - 362] ." Ca.gov, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=ELEC&division=0.5.&title=&part=&chapter=4.&article=. Accessed 30 May 2025. "Elections Code - ELEC DIVISION 12. PREELECTION PROCEDURES [12000 - 12327] ." Ca.gov, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=ELEC&division=12.&title=&part=&chapter=4.&article=1. Accessed 30 May 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones, Ethan. ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 930 (Ward). 1 May 2025, media.snopes.com/2025/05/assembly_floor_analysis_ab_930.pdf. Accessed 28 May 2025. "Overview | Constitution Annotated | Congress.gov | Library of Congress." Constitution.congress.gov, constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C18-8-1/ALDE_00001255/. Page, Bob. CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION of CLERKS and ELECTION OFFICIALS. CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF CLERKS AND ELECTION OFFICIALS, 29 May 2025, media.snopes.com/2025/05/caceo_statement.pdf. Accessed 30 May 2025. "Recounts Frequently Asked Questions : California Secretary of State." Ca.gov, 2025, www.sos.ca.gov/elections/recounts/recounts-faq. In late May and early June 2025, rumors swirled that the wife of White House adviser Stephen Miller, Katie Miller, had left him for tech magnate Elon Musk, who until then had served as the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency's public face. Some internet users even suggested that the affair had started with Stephen Miller's consent in an arrangement some described as a "throuple." For example, user @gwensnyder.bsky.social on Bluesky relayed these claims: (Bluesky user @gwensnyder.bsky.social) The post read: Oh I am not sh**posting, folks. Stephen Miller, his wife, and Elon are widely rumored to be a throuple. Now Miller's wife is leaving the Trump team to be with Musk & LITERALLY PER THE NEW YORK TIMES Stephen is angrily subtweeting Musk. They actually put it in the paper of record that he was mad The post on Bluesky had received 7,600 likes and 3,200 reshares as of this writing. The same rumor appeared several times on Bluesky, but also on X, where the official account of the Democratic National Committee tagged Miller in its post of a single empty chair in a supposed hotel room in reaction to rumors that Miller's wife had left government to work for Musk in the private sector (archived): The empty chair represented a meme known as the "cuck chair," a chair on which someone supposedly sits while they watch their spouse have sex with someone else. This post had amassed 2.1 million views and 32,000 likes as of this writing, further spreading the unsubstantiated claim that Miller had cheated on her husband with Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes has reached out to the Miller couple and Musk, seeking details. However, because we were not able to confirm or disprove the story, we have left it unrated. How the rumor was born The rumor started as Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of SpaceX, announced his departure from DOGE. Bluesky user Snyder (to whom we have reached out for comment and await a reply) referenced a New York Times story published on May 28, 2025, which indeed referenced Miller criticizing Musk on X without naming him. Miller posted on X (archived) in response to Musk lambasting the "One Big Beautiful" budget bill the U.S. House of Representatives had voted on, which experts, including analysts at the Tax Foundation, said would cause the budget deficit to balloon. The article read: However, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, shot back at Mr. Musk on social media without naming him. Mr. Miller asserted that the bill would reduce the deficit despite multiple independent analyses saying otherwise and noted that the cuts made by Mr. Musk's team were unrelated to the spending bill. Lower down in the thread on Bluesky, Snyder linked to a story published on Feb. 27, 2025, in Wired, which Snyder said "strongly implied throupledom." The story explained that while Stephen Miller had assumed the position of White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, his wife had been appointed as "top communications official at DOGE," directly with Musk. Citing an anonymous Republican source, the story went on to suggest that this had been by design: The Millers are seen inside Trumpworld as glorified babysitters for Musk, tasked with ensuring he stays within bounds, insofar as that's possible. "He gets a lot of grace," the first Republican said of Musk. "Many people aren't nervous, because Stephen Miller is deeply involved. And Katie." This Republican compared Musk to a preteen child. However, the Wired story implied more salacious suspicions about the relationship between the Millers and Musk without making them explicit: Musk's relationship with the Millers has become a subject of great intrigue in Washington as DOGE continues to wreak havoc on the federal government. Little is known about how often they interact outside of work and how the relationship grew over the late stages of the campaign into the transition. "If you can find out anything about Stephen Miller's social life, I don't wanna know the answer," says a longtime Republican operative who knows the couple personally. Given the anonymous sourcing, Snopes was unable to independently verify Wired's reporting. We have reached out to Snyder on Bluesky asking if the user heard the rumor independently. Musk leaves government, taking Katie Miller with him However, on May 28, 2025, a CNN report that Katie Miller had left DOGE to work for Musk full time gave new life to claims that the relationship between Musk and the pair was more complicated than it seemed. Citing three unnamed sources, CNN said Miller was now helping arrange interviews for Musk. Snopes was unable to independently verify CNN's reporting because it was based on anonymous sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though several internet users took it to mean that she had left her husband, with whom she shares three children, the reality is that Katie Miller had the status of "special government employee," which precluded her working more than 130 days per year for the U.S. government. As such, she would have had to leave government work regardless of which job she took on after her stint at DOGE. While she did not confirm the story, she had reshared on X one post by Musk regarding his departure from the government, as well as a screen capture of one of his quotes about DOGE, suggesting she may indeed be working as his spokeswoman. Two days later, on May 30, 2025, Musk stood in the White House Oval Office, speaking to the press alongside U.S. President Donald Trump about his return to the private sector. Musk appeared with a bruise around his right eye. While Musk said he owed his black eye to his son, whom he said he had instructed to punch him, the internet once again lit up with speculation (archived): this is a black eye delivered by someone who cant throw a punch and Stephen Millers wife just left him for Elon Musk also Stephen Miller is left handed probably unrelated pic.twitter.com/HCKfsYABML Kristi Yamaguccimane (@TheWapplehouse) May 30, 2025 The post had gained 2.7 million views and 41,000 likes as of this writing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes reached out to the Millers as well as Musk asking them to provide further details. We will update this report should they respond. Sources: "'Big Beautiful Bill' House GOP Tax Plan: Preliminary Details and Analysis." Tax Foundation, 13 May 2025, taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/big-beautiful-bill-house-gop-tax-plan/. Accessed 2 June 2025. "Elon Musk Bids Farewell to White House but Says Doge Will Continue." BBC, 29 May 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9y4exj822o. Accessed 2 June 2025. Hamilton, Phillip. "Cuck Chair." Know Your Meme, 15 Nov. 2022, knowyourmeme.com/memes/cuck-chair. Accessed 2 June 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klein, Betsy, et al. "May 28, 2025 - Donald Trump Presidency News." CNN, 28 May 2025, www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-presidency-news-05-28-25#cmb8dqgz400003b6siifazr80. Accessed 2 June 2025. Lahut, Jake. "Elon Musk's Takeover Is Being Aided by a Trumpworld Power Couple." WIRED, 27 Feb. 2025, www.wired.com/story/katie-stephen-miller-elon-musk-takeover/. Accessed 2 June 2025. Pager, Tyler, et al. "Elon Musk, Distanced from Trump, Says He's Exiting Washington and DOGE." The New York Times, 29 May 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/us/politics/elon-musk-trump-doge.html. Accessed 2 June 2025. Pogue, David, and Joe Walsh. "Elon Musk Says He's 'Disappointed' by Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' and What It Means for DOGE." Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 28 May 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-disappointed-by-trump-big-beautiful-bill-doge/. Accessed 2 June 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Siddiqui, Faiz, and Frances Vinall. "Musk Explains His Black Eye, Says He Told Son X to Punch Him." The Washington Post, 31 May 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/31/elon-musk-black-eye-trump/. Accessed 2 June 2025. "Summary of Government Ethics Rules for Special Government Employees." Justice.gov, 27 Aug. 2014, www.justice.gov/jmd/ethics/summary-government-ethics-rules-special-government-employees. Accessed 2 June 2025. Sean Diddy Combs appeared to be living like a shot-caller referenced in his 1997 hit Its All About the Benjamins right up until his arrest in September. Attorneys for the entrepreneur and music mogul told CNN at the time that they had been negotiating his voluntary surrender before he was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations. Among the evidence found Inside the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan where Combs had checked in days before, investigators found bags of lubricant, $9000 in cash, a bottle of clonazepam, and two small bags with pink powder. The contents of the bags tested positive for MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and ketamine, according to a stipulation read in court during his criminal sex trafficking trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, probably would not want the world to know about his past drug use, given his other business and cultural accomplishments. After all, he has publicly said he avoided the fate of his father, Melvin Combs, who reportedly was a drug dealer before he was fatally shot when his son was a toddler. The ongoing trial, however, has laid bare allegations that drugs have seemingly been as much a part of Combs past as professional success. Opiates and ecstasy Prosecutors have argued that drugs were part of Combs alleged racketeering conspiracy. The defendant used his employees to get and distribute drugs. They delivered those drugs whenever the defendant asked, including so he could give those same drugs to the women he was forcing to have sex with male escorts, Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson said in her opening statement last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combs defense team has acknowledged his past drug use and violence, but maintain it is not related to the criminal charges hes facing. We are telling you right now that he is physical, that he is a drug user, and Im telling you he had a bit of a different sex life, Teny Geragos, an attorney for Combs, said in her opening statement. Is that a federal crime? No. You will hear that he got IVs after ingesting drugs. Is that a federal crime? No. He will be responsible. He will be accountable for the things that he did. But we will fight for his freedom throughout the next eight weeks for what he did not do. Part of the defense strategy seems to involve suggesting Combs behavior was influenced by his drug use and jealousy, asking his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who testified about her past substance abuse, about symptoms of withdrawal she may have noticed with Combs in their time together. It felt unfair when he was so hard on you when he, himself, was a full blown drug addict, right? Combs attorney Anna Estevao asked Ventura during cross-examination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, you could say, Ventura responded. Ventura was asked if she believed Combs was an addict and she replied, I would say he was an addict before being asked what Combs was addicted to. Success, Ventura quipped, adding later that she believed he was addicted to various substances over the years. Was he addicted to opiates? Estevao asked. At a point, yes, Ventura responded. How do you know that he was addicted to opiates? Estevao continued. Because he told me, Ventura said. She testified Combs once overdosed on painkillers in February 2012. David James, who formerly worked as a personal assistant to Combs, testified he frequently saw Combs take opiates during the day and ecstasy at night, including a pill once shaped like former President Barack Obamas face. On a couple of occasions, James procured drugs for Combs and his friends, he testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Drew Pinsky, an addiction specialist who was recently featured as an on-air contributor in Hollywood Demons on Max, told CNN, People could use a lot of drugs and not be a drug addict. Addict is a very specific, progressive illness, he explained. Pinsky has not met or treated Combs. In a video shared on social media by Combs in May 2024, he said, I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. He did not specify what he sought help for, though his post came days after CNN published 2016 hotel surveillance video that showed Combs physically assaulting Ventura. Pinsky gained insight into celebrities and substance abuse through his reality series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which aired from 2008 to 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres nothing special about celebrities in addiction, except that they can progress more than the average person because theres not an employer pulling them back, he told CNN. That means there are fewer guardrails for the rich and famous, given that they dont have the same level of accountability that comes with having to hold down a regular job or even have those in their lives empowered to get them into treatment. As such, their disease progresses more, Pinsky said. So it can be more outrageous looking. The public can develop a naive sense of what larger-than-life personalities may be like behind closed doors, Pinsky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question I always get all the time is, So whats up with this person?, he added. As though theres some separate manual for celebrities. No, theyre the same, and they tend to be sicker, Pinsky said. The Combs trial is expected to continue on for several more weeks. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Urban League of Rochester celebrated the academic achievements of 800 students at its 46th annual Black Scholars Award ceremony. The event took place at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday. The Urban League of Rochester has provided students with college and career readiness resources for over four decades through the Black Scholars program. The organization also provides financial assistance for low-income college students through an endowment fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The theme for this years ceremony was DREAM: The Blueprint to Purpose. The event included remarks from community leaders, presentations, and a keynote address given by Rochester native and recording artist Danielle Ponder. Rochester Prep celebrates college acceptances, $3.2M in scholarships The celebration brought together families, peers, and community members for a night to recognize students who maintained an 83 average and higher throughout all four years of high school. The event is not just a ceremony, its a celebration of legacy, perseverance, and the promise of a brighter future, Senior Vice President of Programs, Taureen Uthman, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community partners also provided select students with scholarships to support their next steps. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. The aerial photographs show five narrow lanes made of high metal fences wedged between two artificial mounds of earth and topped with barbed wire. Inside, hundreds of people are crammed under the baking sun. The sight of ordinary Gazans corralled into cages is not the image Israels reputation managers were after. But, just over a week into its controversial new aid delivery scheme to bypass Hamas using a US contractor, that is what they are faced with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That, and viral videos of civilians running for their lives to the sound of gunfire, amid accusations bitterly denied by Israel that more than 20 were shot dead by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Sunday as order disintegrated at a distribution centre in the south of the Strip. On Tuesday morning, there were reports of another mass casualty event near a centre, with Gaza health authorities reporting 24 dead and dozens wounded. The IDF conceded that they fired near Palestinians who deviated from an approved route. It was the third day in a row that the IDF had opened fire in the vicinity of the centres. One man who spoke to The Telegraph said he found the centre terrifying and like a prison, but that he was forced there miles from his temporary home out of fear that his children would starve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another called it a place of killing. Fuelling the international criticism is the nature of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the American company created to deliver the new system, with persistent suggestions of CIA involvement, opaque funding and concealed Israeli control. Displaced Palestinian women and children plead for food in Khan Yunis, Gaza - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images This has been enhanced by condemnation from the UN and other large aid NGOs, which want nothing to do with the GHF and accuse it of politicising aid. After Sundays alleged shooting, and new claims of gunfire killing more than 20 people overnight, the projects credibility is on a knife-edge. From Israels point of view, the new system makes perfect sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government argues that under the previous model, which it cut off entirely at the beginning of March, Hamas robbed the aid trucks blind the UN denies this then sold the food, fuel and medical supplies back to civilians, thus cementing their control over the population and financing their terror infrastructure. 0306 Gaza zones and centres By contrast, the new arrangement requires people to travel to four purpose-built distribution centres in the south of the Strip. Israel had promised that aid recipients would be biometrically screened, in order to weed out Hamas. The terror group has attempted to use the proposed measure to sow fear into the population, and there have been some reports of Palestinians staying away, citing their unease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, multiple aid recipients have said that biometric screening is not being employed. The idea, in principle, is that while the IDF provides a wider blanket of security, Gazans themselves do not interact with Israeli soldiers, but deal directly with the foundation staff and associated security contractors. Some reports suggest these contractors are paid more than $1,000 a day. Places of killing The UN and legacy NGOs, which used to deliver aid into communities through more than a hundred drop-off points, say this offends basic humanitarian principles, trapping people between starvation and a long and dangerous journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Omar Baraka, 40, from Khan Younis, said: We go to dangerous red zones, the army asks us to walk for several kilometres. There is no order in the place, its very chaotic. Tens of thousands of citizens go there. The organisation delivered aid in the first two days, then the centres became places of killing. Salem Al-Ahmad, an 18-year-old high school student, has ventured to the GHF site on several occasions to try to pick up flour for his family. The situation required getting food and saving yourself from death, he said. Anyone who gets aid has to run back quickly, about three kilometres, because the army starts shooting to empty the area of civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I found a lot of food lying on the ground because it is difficult to carry and run with it. I only had 1kg bags of flour so I could run from the gunfire. Gazas population has been pushed towards famine following Israels aid blockade - Ahmed Jihad Ibrahim Al-arini/Anadolu via Getty Images Israeli government officials and their supporters in the press argue that, despite the chaotic scenes, the early days of the new scheme represent a triumph. This is because it shows Gazas civilian population has passed through the fear barrier in other words, it shows they are now prepared to defy the terror groups commands not to engage with the GHF. There is certainly evidence that Hamas has tried to put obstacles some physical, others in the form of propaganda between the Gazan civilians and the new aid system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is far less certain to what extent the group has been behind the scenes of chaos at the new distribution centres themselves. Critics say that the scenes of disorder are simply a function of a desperate, starving population and inexperienced aid distributors. Aside from gunfire, flashbangs and smoke grenades have been thrown. Meanwhile, multiple people say that no serious attempt at screening is made. On Monday night, Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, told the BBC that the way humanitarian aid is now being delivered is unacceptable and dehumanising. He said: I think what it shows is utter disregard for civilians. Can you imagine people that have been absolutely desperate for food, for medicine, for almost three months and then they have to run for it or try to get it in the most desperate circumstances? Credit: X/@HowidyHamza Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from the practical difficulties the new system imposes, it has been accused of serving Benjamin Netanyahus agenda by forcing the population into the largely levelled south of the Strip, leaving the IDF clear to execute Operation Gideons Chariot, which, sources have said, will see a similarly widespread demolition of property. Some have even questioned whether the GHF model is a crucial component of an attempt to realise Donald Trumps riviera vision for Gaza, which would see the population displaced ahead of a comprehensive redevelopment. While the president himself now appears lukewarm about the scheme, there are some in Israels government notably the defence minister Israel Katz who allude to it often. Aside from its performance on the ground, the origins and make-up of the GHF and its partner organisation, Safe Reach Solutions (SRS), continue to provoke comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latter is headed by Philip F Reilly, a CIA veteran, who is said to have played a role in training the Contra rebels in Nicaragua in the 1980s, and was then the first agency officer into Afghanistan after the Sept 11 attacks, where he went on to be station chief. SRS previously had the contract to police traffic and people along a main north-south road in Gaza during the January to March ceasefire. A recent investigation by the New York Times suggests that an informal network of powerful individuals in both the IDF and prime ministers office, known as the Mikveh Yisrael Foru, had been aiming towards a parallel aid system that cut out the NGOs since December 2023. It claimed that the group had identified Mr Reilly as its candidate to lead such a mission as early as January last year, and that the January contract was a key step in convincing Mr Netanyahu to hire him for the aid distribution job. The GHF is a separately registered company, although it was registered by the same lawyer and previously had the same spokesman. A $100 million donation to the GHF got tongues wagging in Israel that this was really the work of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency indeed, the former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman said as much. The GHF denies this, saying the donation was from a western European country, but declined to name which one. Tired from malnutrition Jake Wood, a former US Marine, quit as chief executive of the foundation the day before aid distribution operations began, claiming it violated humanitarian principles. He had previously said: I would participate in no plan in any capacity if it was an extension of an IDF plan or an Israeli government plan to forcibly dislocate people anywhere within Gaza. Mr Wood has since been replaced by John Acree, a former senior official at USAid. Back in Rafah, Ahmed Musa, a 34-year-old from Khan Younis, spoke of despair at Sundays events. I left at dawn to go to the American aid centre in the Mawasi area of Rafah, he said. I went there under duress, as I have four hungry children who are tired from malnutrition. The scene was terrifying, he added. I sat and cried bitterly over my helplessness that I did not receive anything. But I will try again. 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. Air quality levels in parts of the northern United States are being negatively impacted by wildfires that have forced more than 25,000 people to evacuate across Canada as of Tuesday. There were currently 209 active fires 106 of which are out of control throughout Canada as of Tuesday morning, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. In some parts of the U.S., air quality has already reached unhealthy levels, particularly in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota. Separately, there was a fire on the U.S. border along the state lines of Idaho that burned about 250 acres on Sunday, which caused some evacuations, according to the Idaho Department of Lands. The fire was 100% contained and controlled as of Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should expect at least a couple more rounds of Canadian smoke to come through the U.S. over the next week, Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the Associated Press on Sunday. Heres what we know about how the Canadian wildfires will affect the states this week. Which U.S. states are being impacted by the Canadian wildfires? The entire state of Minnesota is under an air quality alert until Wednesday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reported on Monday. The northwest part of Minnesota is expected to experience the maroon air quality (AQI) index category, which is the highest level and considered hazardous for everyone. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded numerical scale that helps people understand the health risks and exposures to airborne pollutants at any given time. (You can find your local AQI forecast by entering your ZIP code here.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The air will seem hazy or smoky and you wont be able to see long distances, the MPCA said about this AQI level. The air will smell strongly of smoke. The MPCA recommends that anyone in northwest and central Minnesota stay indoors while the air quality alert is in effect. Other areas experiencing unhealthy air quality levels as of Tuesday morning, according to the Environmental Protection Agencys AirNow tracker, include: Southeastern South Dakota Northwestern Iowa Areas experiencing moderate air quality levels as of Tuesday morning, according to the EPA, are: Other parts of South Dakota North Dakota Nebraska Other parts of Iowa Illinois Whats the forecast for the days ahead? Strong upper-level winds will continue pushing wildfire smoke into the U.S. throughout the week, Weather.com reported on Tuesday. Other states, including Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, may see smoke from the fires, although the thickness will vary compared to states like Minnesota and the Dakotas, according to CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The smoke will continue to move southeast across the U.S., affecting air quality over most of the East Coast by the end of Tuesday, according to the EPAs air quality forecast. What happens when you inhale wildfire smoke? Wildfire smoke is mostly made up of microscopic particulate matter with elements like acids, chemicals, metals, soil and dust from whatever the fire is burning, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. When inhaled, these elements can go deep inside a persons lungs and bloodstream, and research has proven that inhaling wildfire smoke is more dangerous to humans than pollution from other sources. Small particles of the smoke could stay in the air and continue moving throughout the area even weeks after the fires are extinguished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that wildfire smoke can affect people immediately, causing physical reactions like wheezing, asthma attacks and chest pain. U.S. offers support to help Canada handle wildfires Over the weekend, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker up north and said it would be sending 150 firefighters and more equipment to help Canada fight the wildfires that have already killed at least two people and forced tens of thousands to evacuate as of Tuesday. We are here to help our neighbors during their time of need, and our Forest Service Wildland Firefighters are the best in the business, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in a press release Saturday. I am thankful for the men and women who are bravely stepping up to serve. We pray for their success as they fight fires and save lives. Canada had its worst wildfire season on record in June 2023, when more than 45 million acres burned. The previous record was set in 1995, when 17.5 million acres burned. Tens of thousands of Canadians were displaced for months in 2023 as historically poor air quality drifted south into the U.S., where the smoke from the Canadian wildfires engulfed the East Coast in an orange, low-visibility haze. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation on Tuesday named as its executive chairman an American evangelical Christian leader who has publicly backed President Donald Trump's proposal for the United States to take over the Palestinian enclave. The appointment of Rev. Dr. Johnnie Moore, a former evangelical adviser to the White House during Trump's first term in office, came as health officials said at least 27 people died and more than 150 were injured trying to reach a GHF aid site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "GHF is demonstrating that it is possible to move vast quantities of food to people who need it most safely, efficiently, and effectively," Moore said in the foundation statement. "GHF believes that serving the people of Gaza with dignity and compassion must be the top priority." The GHF began operations one week ago under a distribution model criticized by the United Nations as the militarization of aid. The GHF says so far it has given out seven million meals from so-called secure distribution sites. It uses private U.S. security and logistics companies to get aid into Gaza. The U.N. and aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not a neutral operation. U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher has said it "makes aid conditional on political and military aims" and uses starvation as "a bargaining chip." The appointment of Moore could fuel U.N. concerns, given his support for the controversial proposal Trump floated in February for the U.S. to take over Gaza and develop it economically. After Trump proposed the idea, Moore posted video of Trump's remarks on X and wrote: "The USA will take full responsibility for future of Gaza, giving everyone hope & a future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'BAD GUYS' The U.N. did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the appointment of Moore, who has accused the U.N. of ignoring "bad guys" stealing aid in Gaza. The U.N. has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for impediments getting aid into Gaza and distributing throughout the war zone. Israel has long accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. In a reference to the new GHF-led aid model, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week said Israel was "taking control of food distribution" in Gaza. "The @UN & others should clean up their act & work with America," Moore posted on May 26. "Surely, these old U.S. & E.U.-funded humanitarian orgs won't let people starve in exchange for being 'right' when they know what they have done hasn't worked & has, in fact, made a terrible war worse?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies, and Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. Moore visited Israel about three months after the 2023 Hamas attack and wrote: "Never have I seen such horror." Just a couple of weeks later, he posted a video titled "Come visit beautiful Gaza," which sought to portray Gaza as a tourist destination if it wasn't for Hamas militants. Trump has said Gaza has the potential to be "The Riviera of the Middle East." The United Nations has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders. Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, all territory captured by Israel in a 1967 war with neighboring Arab states. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Don Durfee and Sonali Paul) US officials have expressed disappointment over an ultimatum issued by Russia to Ukraine during the second round of talks in Istanbul on Monday 2 June. Source: ABC News, citing its sources, as reported by European Pravda Details: Following the conclusion of the talks, US officials stated they were "disappointed but not surprised" by Russias extensive list of demands, which it said must be fulfilled before it agrees to a 30-day ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officials described the demands as unacceptable both to Kyiv and Washington, viewing them as Moscows attempt to delay genuine negotiations. Even before the latest round of talks began, US President Donald Trump had shown growing frustration at the lack of progress toward peace. Sources close to the White House say Trump has recently begun distancing himself from the war, despite lashing out at both Ukraine and Russia earlier. Although Trump had previously threatened new sanctions against Moscow, no practical measures from the US were observed following Mondays second round of talks. Meanwhile, fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify. On Sunday, Kyiv launched a large-scale drone strike on several Russian airfields. The operation was carefully prepared over the course of a year and a half and involved covert drone deployment on Russian territory. 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. Kyiv also handed over a list of several hundred Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. 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. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced support on June 2 for a Senate-backed bill aimed at strengthening sanctions against Russia, the New York Post reported. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators said in late May that they are ready to vote on a bill on sanctions against Russia if peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine war 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's many members of Congress that want us to sanction Russia as strongly as we can," Johnson said. "And I'm an advocate of that." U.S. President Donald Trump 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. Russia and Ukraine held a second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2. Kyiv presented a peace proposal that reportedly included potential easing of sanctions on Moscow, among other clauses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The condition proposed by Ukraine is that sanctions are automatically renewed if the ceasefire agreement is broken. Following the new round of talks, Russia proposed a limited two- to three-day ceasefire in specific front-line areas to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers, while continuing to disregard Ukraines call for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire supported by Western partners. Read also: Sanctions on Russia are working, Ukraine just needs more Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON -The U.S. Navy will rename an oil tanker that had been named after slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday, the military's latest move under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to root out diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2016, the U.S. Navy said it would name one of its new class of oil tankers after Milk, a Navy veteran who later became one of the first openly gay people elected to public office in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USNS Harvey Milk was christened in 2021, as part of the John Lewis class of tankers. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the directive for the change came from Hegseth's office. The official said it was unclear when the renaming would actually take place, but noted that June is Pride Month, observed annually to honor the LGBTQ rights movement. Another official said it would not be surprising if additional ships in the John Lewis class were renamed, since other tankers honored civil rights and human rights leaders. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth was committed to ensuring names of military installations and equipment "are reflective of the Commander-in-Chiefs priorities, our nations history, and the warrior ethos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete," Parnell said. The planned name change was first reported by military news website Military.com. Milk served in the U.S. Navy in 1951 as a diving officer during the Korean War. Elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors as the first openly gay California politician, he was killed in office in 1978. Since taking office in January, Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has eliminated diversity initiatives at the Pentagon, ended observances of identity celebrations such as Black History Month and removed some books from the Naval Academy, including the memoir of celebrated Black author Maya Angelou. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEI programs seek to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and other traditionally underrepresented groups. Civil rights advocates argue that such programs, generally backed by Democrats, are needed to address longstanding inequities and structural racism. They have come under attack from conservatives, who say race- and gender-focused initiatives are inherently discriminatory and fail to prioritize merit. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the move to change the tanker's name was "disgusting" and "blatant discrimination." "Hegseth should be ashamed of himself and reverse this immediately," Schumer said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Hegseth chided past celebrations of the U.S. military's diversity in a broad address to Pentagon staff, saying: "I think the single dumbest phrase in military history is 'our diversity is our strength.'" (Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in WashingtonEditing by Matthew Lewis and David Gregorio) While the IAEA sees the roughly 20,000 centrifuges installed at Iran's enrichment facilities, it does not know how many more have been produced in recent years and are now elsewhere. UN inspectors monitoring Iran's Fordow nuclear site confronted a major gap in their knowledge last year as they watched trucks carrying advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges roll into the facility dug into a mountain south of Tehran. WhileIran had notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that hundreds of extra IR-6 centrifuges would be installed at Fordow, the inspectors had no idea where the sophisticated machines had come from, an official familiar with the UN monitoring work told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The episode encapsulated how the UN nuclear watchdog has lost track of some critical elements of Iran's nuclear activities since US President Donald Trump ditched a 2015 deal that imposed strict restrictions and close IAEA supervision. Key blind spots include not knowing how many centrifuges Iran possesses or where the machines and their parts are produced and stored, quarterly IAEA reports show. The agency has also lost the ability to carry out snap inspections at locations not declared by Iran. The US has started new talks with Iran, aiming to impose fresh nuclear restrictions on Tehran. For any deal to succeed, though, those IAEA blind spots will need to be closed, according to more than a dozen people familiar with Iran's atomic activities, including officials, diplomats and analysts. An Iranian woman walks past an anti-US mural on a street in Tehran, Iran, April 26, 2025; illustrative (photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS) "There are gaps in our knowledge of Iran's nuclear program that must be addressed in order to have a baseline understanding of its current scale and scope," said Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group think-tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That may take months to piece together but it's critical if the IAEA and parties to the negotiations are to have confidence in the non-proliferation benefits of an agreement." The IAEA, which answers to 180 member states, declined to comment for this article. The Iranian foreign ministry and Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation didn't respond to queries. Iran has long held that it was entitled to scrap its commitments to enhanced IAEA supervision under the 2015 deal after the US unilaterally withdrew. It rejects Western accusations that it is at least keeping the option of building a nuclear weapon open, saying its aims are purely peaceful. The Islamic Republic has nonetheless made big strides in uranium enrichment in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the US and world powers struck the nuclear deal with Iran in 2015, they sought to limit Tehran's "breakout time" - how long it would need to produce enough fissile material for a single atom bomb - to at least a year by capping the purity to which it could enrich uranium at below 4%. Now that breakout time has all but evaporated. Iran has installed ever more advanced centrifuges and is enriching to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% of weapons grade. According to a confidential report by the IAEA at the weekend, Iran has enough uranium enriched to that level for nine nuclear weapons if refined further, by an agency yardstick. No other country has enriched uranium to such a high level without producing weapons, the watchdog added. Nuclear power plants often use fuel enriched to between 3% and 5%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A European official who follows Iran's nuclear program told Reuters the enrichment program was now so advanced that, even if it was shut down entirely, the Iranians could restart and rebuild it in the space of a few months. After five rounds of discussions between Iranian and US negotiators, several obstacles remain. Among them are Iran's rejection of an American demand that it commit to scrapping enrichment and its refusal to ship its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium abroad. Given the window has closed to restore as long a breakout time as in 2015, any new deal would instead have to bolster IAEA supervision of the nuclear program, said the official who also requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Roughly three years ago Iran ordered the removal of all the surveillance and monitoring equipment added by the 2015 deal, including surveillance cameras at the workshops that make centrifuge parts. At that point the IAEA had already not had access to those cameras' footage for more than a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the IAEA sees the roughly 20,000 centrifuges installed at Iran's enrichment facilities, it does not know how many more have been produced in recent years and are now elsewhere. A US State Department spokesperson said IAEA monitoring was critical for the international community to understand the full extent of Iran's nuclear program, though adding it was not in America's interest to "negotiate these issues publicly." Iran rejects US enrichment demands The 2015, Obama-era deal capped the purity to which Iran could enrich uranium at 3.67%, well below the 20% it had already reached then, and restricted the number and type of centrifuges Iran could use and where. Enrichment was not allowed at Fordow. Iran, meanwhile, agreed to the snap inspections and an expansion of the IAEA's oversight to include areas like centrifuge production and its stock of so-called yellowcake uranium that has not been enriched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IAEA reports showed Iran adhered to limits on key elements of its nuclear program, including enrichment, until more than a year after Trump abandoned the pact in 2018, during his first term. The US president decried a "horrible one-sided deal" that did not address other issues such as Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in regional conflicts. His withdrawal prompted Tehran to retaliate, both by eventually pushing far beyond those enrichment and centrifuge limits and by scrapping the extra IAEA supervision put in place after the 2015 deal. Iran is still, however, providing IAEA inspectors with regular access to its facilities as part of longer-standing obligations as a party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, under which there is no cap on enrichment levels but nuclear technology must be used for peaceful purposes. US and Iranian negotiators started their new nuclear talks in April, with Trump having threatened military action if no pact is struck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in Washington in April that it is important Iran accept "indispensable" restrictions to enable his agency to reassure the world about Iran's intentions, without specifying the curbs. He has also said last week any new deal should provide for "very robust inspection by the IAEA". The IAEA says it cannot currently "provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful." Completing the puzzle Diplomats have for years expected that any new deal will task the IAEA with creating a so-called baseline, a complete picture of where all areas of Iran's nuclear program stand, filling in gaps in the agency's knowledge as much as it can. Establishing a baseline will be particularly challenging since some blind spots have lasted so long they cannot fully be filled in; the IAEA has said in quarterly reports to member states it has lost "continuity of knowledge" and will not be able to restore it on production and inventory of centrifuges, certain centrifuge parts and yellowcake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Assembling that puzzle will be an essential part of any deal. We know establishing that new baseline will be hard," said Eric Brewer, a former US intelligence analyst now at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a non-governmental organization focused on security and based in Washington. "It will depend in part on how cooperative Iran is." Even then, there is a significant risk the IAEA would lack a complete picture of Tehran's activities, he added. "Is that uncertainty acceptable to the United States?" Brewer said. "Important question." (NewsNation) Ukraines coordinated drone attack on Russian targets this weekend raises questions about the U.S. militarys ability to protect itself from a similar attack, particularly after mysterious drones were sighted in New Jersey and other states last year. Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, the former U.S. Air Force assistant vice chief of staff, says the current defense system that shields the U.S. from such attacks is lacking as technologies continue to evolve. Newton, NewsNations senior national security contributor, characterized Ukraines use of 117 drones to attack 40 Russian bombers as extraordinary. The mission, he said, was executed with military and intelligence-based precision, having been planned for more than a year under the direction of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulder attack suspect says he planned violence for a year Newton said aspects of the operation provide a blueprint for American military defense officials as they continue to strategize for possible future military attacks from adversaries such as Russia and China that will likely involve drones and an array of nuclear missiles. Its something weve got to be worried about, Newton told NewsNation. Sundays Ukrainian drone attack took place less than two weeks after President Donald Trump outlined plans for the Golden Dome, a game-changing multi-layered defense system officials claim will protect the U.S. against nearly 100% of attacks. How the Golden Dome would protect the United States Newton said the super-technology that will be used in the Golden Dome is what has been missing in a military missile defense system first introduced in former President Ronald Reagans Strategic Defense Initiative in 1983. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the Golden Dome will be a state-of-the-art system with land, sea and space sensors and interceptors. Posters for the proposed Golden Dome for America missile defense shield are displayed before an event with President Donald Trump in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Monday, May 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The U.S. currently relies on ground-level interceptors in California and Alaska, which provide limited protection against countries like North Korea, but not against larger-scale and more complex missile attacks. Community outraged as ICE raid sparks questions in Chicago Yet, evolving technology that reduces the detectability of enemy drones also requires a stronger level of defense planning, Newton said. He compares the shift to that of Improvised Explosive Devices used by foreign troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during wars in the Middle East, which led to the injury and death of American soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones represent the next iteration of weaponry that U.S. military defense officials must now contend with. Officials have also expressed concerns that the amount of Chinese-owned farmland located near key U.S. military installations may also make the country vulnerable to future drone attacks from its enemies. Were really in the midst of making sure for the next several years that we are armed and capable of addressing a threat we didnt see, Newton said. How Ukraine drone attack exploited Russian defense blind spot NewsNation national security contributor and former CIA officer and FBI special agent Tracy Walder believes the well-executed Ukrainian mission speaks more to how ill-prepared Russia was for such an attack than an alarm for U.S. officials. Part of the issue is the overriding American perception of Russia as a powerhouse, Walder said. While she is not convinced that the U.S. is entirely well-defended against a similar drone attack, the incident also proves to her that Russia is not omniscient, as some may believe. Who is making drones like the ones used in Ukraines attack? Walder expects Iran to be among the top producers of these drones, which she predicts will be sold to Russia and China. That puts the onus on U.S. military defense officials to continue developing non-kinetic defenses, including GPS jammers designed to throw drones off-course as well as directed energy weapons and lasers designed to keep the U.S. one step ahead of its enemies. Policemen of the Khyzhak Brigade prepare a Vampire combat drone for a delivery of ammunition and food for their brothers-in-arms to a position near a frontline town of Toretsk, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region Ukraine, May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov Newton and Walder expect drone technology to continue to evolve, making them smaller and allowing them to fly at lower elevations and with lower heat emissions. Such developments will allow the drones to remain off the radars of defense systems like The Golden Dome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones change the face of warfare, Walder told NewsNation, adding, So I think this is something were going to have to deal with and obviously as technology evolves, we have to evolve in terms of our defenses. New Jersey drone sightings fuel publics national security concerns The focus on drones continues as unanswered questions remain surrounding the mysterious sightings that took place last fall in New Jersey and other locations, including U.S. military installations. Despite pledging to provide answers about the drone sightings, Trump and his administration have yet to provide concrete conclusions as complaints over a lack of government transparency continue from lawmakers and residents alike. Luis Elizondo, the former leader of the Defense Departments advanced aerospace threat identification program, told NewsNation in April that the drone sightings are problematic given the unknown nature of the objects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones fly completely unchallenged, Elizondo said. We still dont know where theyre coming from, we still dont know whos behind the wheel. We still dont know where theyre going. This is a big problem. And weve known about it for a long time. Weather Service rehiring at offices left critically understaffed by layoffs The Ukrainian drone attack adds to those concerns, said Newton, who called the known unknown aspect of the issues as perplexing. While he is not calling for Americans to begin building underground bunkers in fear of possible drone attacks, he said, Its also compelling to make sure that we are defending against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walder understands how the public confuses a lack of government transparency with a lack of a plan to develop effective drone defense strategies. Despite a lack of official conclusions, Walder hypothesizes that the drones spotted last fall were indeed launched by the U.S. military as a way of testing detection levels as part of its defense planning against possible attacks. But after multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, issued a joint statement that only concluded that the government had ruled out that drones spotted in the U.S. originated from foreign adversaries without giving as much information as the public was seeking, she understands the levels of public concern. The problem is that the public sees that as just ineptitude, Walder said. When we look at that, the public says, Well, do you even know how to defend us against these, and are you even capable when you cant even get the messaging right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she said that as drone warfare continues, playing things close to the vest is critical. We dont need our enemies or even our friends knowing what were doing to be able to track these things, Walder 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 NewsNation. With an eye toward finalizing trade agreements ahead of its self-imposed July 9 deadline, the White House is pushing global trade partners to submit their most attractive offers to the U.S. by Wednesday. According to a draft of a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) letter viewed by Reuters, the Trump administration is seeking to expedite the closure of deals with a number of countries. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within the document, presumably to be sent to foreign trade officials, the administration asked for proposals related to the lowering of tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers along with quotas for the purchase of U.S. goods like agricultural and industrial products. It also asked for details about other commitments countries might make related to digital commerce and economic security. The outlet reported that the USTR wrote that it would evaluate responses with the intent of creating a possible landing zone for negotiations which could include a new rate for reciprocal duties. In the weeks since President Donald Trumps April 2 Liberation Day announcements and the subsequent deferral of so-called reciprocal duties, cabinet officials have touted progress in trade negotiations between the U.S. and dozens of trading partners. While talks have been in progress with Vietnam, India, Japan and the European Union, only one dealwhich can be more accurately described as a framework for an agreementhas been finalized with the United Kingdom. The ambitious June 4 request for proposals underscores a sense of urgency within the administration. Just five weeks remain until Trumps reciprocal duties, which were deferred for a period of three months on April 9, will resume, blanketing imports from across the globe in double-digit duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the White Houses tariff schemes were unveiled, theyve thrown markets into tumult and shaken up global sourcing and supply chains. According to a Monday report from the South China Morning Post, U.S. retailers and big box stores like Walmart have been pushing their suppliers in China to take on more of the tariff burden thats been foisted upon themsome demanding that their overseas partners pay up to 66 percent of the added duties. After Walmarts chief executive spoke out about the impact the tariffs might have on prices at retail during an earnings call last month, Trump directed the retailer to eat the tariffs rather than pass along the cost to consumers. Trade talks with China have all but stalled, according to administration officials. In recent days, both China and the U.S. have accused the other of undermining negotiations following the establishment of a three-month trade truce last month. While tensions between the two countries are running high, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would likely speak sometime this week. And over the weekend, the USTR quietly released a Federal Register notice announcing extensions of certain existing tariff exclusions from Section 301 duties until Aug. 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The notice said that a three-month extension would be granted on 164 exclusions that were extended in May of last year, along with 14 exclusions that were established in September. The products covered by the exclusions include mostly solar manufacturing equipment, technology and electronics, and some Covid-related goods. The US Trade Representatives decision to extend these exclusions takes into account public comments previously provided, previous advice of the advisory committees, and the interagency Section 301 Committee, the notice said. Reports indicate hundreds of soldiers may be withdrawn, and US forces may move from bases near the Euphrates River to consolidate at one base in eastern Syria. The US is redeploying its troops in Syria, as changes in Damascus mean Washington will be able totransform its footprint in the country. The Syrian shifts have occurred rapidly, as the new government has taken shape in the last six months since the fall of the Assad regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US has also decided to reach out to the new government in Syria and appointed a new envoy,Tom Barrack, who is also its ambassador to Turkey. The reports that Washington is redeploying troops withdrawing up to 500 soldiers, according to Jennifer Griffin at Fox News, and moving some from bases near the Euphrates River to bases farther east, near al-Shaddadi are significant, because these actions willshift the balance of power in part of Syria. Understanding the US role is important, and it is essential to understand how Washington got here. A soldier from the US-led coalition holds the hand of a boy during a joint US- Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) patrol in the countryside of Qamishli in northeastern Syria, February 8, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/ORHAN QEREMAN/FILE PHOTO) Americas role in Syria is complex and dates back to 2015, when it intervened to fight ISIS. The US began by helping support the formation of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an outgrowth of the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which was a Kurdish armed group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SDF served as an umbrella group with which Washington could more easily work directly in the war on ISIS. The YPG is viewed as a terrorist group by Turkey, a US and NATO ally, and therefore, it was important to keep it institutionally distant despite its prominent role in eastern Syria fighting ISIS. The US also backed a group of Syrian rebels in southern Syria who became known as the Syrian Free Army (SFA). This is not to be confused with the Free Syrian Army, the umbrella group of Syrian rebel groups. The SFA in Tanf only had several hundred fighters who were trained by the US. After the fall of the Assad regime, this group integrated with the Syrian armys 70th Division. It currently patrols parts of southern Syria and helps check ISIS threats and protect an airbase. The SDF is much larger, with tens of thousands of fighters. It controls Syria east of the Euphrates River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early March, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi met with newSyrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to iron out a plan to integrate his forces and eastern Syria within the new government. US ending years of discord with Syria sanctions relief This was an important development, and it was backed by the US-led coalition, which consists of American forces under US Central Command. As such, Washington helped pave the way for engagement with Damascus. Not only did the Pentagon appear on board, but the White House also agreed on this policy in May, when US President Donald Trump met Sharaa in Riyadh. Since then, the US State Department helped push forward sanctions relief, and Barrack was appointed the new envoy. This ended years in which the US State Department and the Pentagon disagreed on Syria policy, with the Pentagon backing the SDF, and the State Department generally less keen on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ONE REASON the US can withdraw troops is because other foreign powers are leaving Syria. During the decade-long civil war, the Russians and Iranians played an important role in Syria Tehran starting in 2012 and Moscow in 2015. Turkey also invaded northern Syria beginning in 2015 and 2016. As such, Syria became a place where world powers were fighting. Many countries, including Israel, bombed Syria. After the fall of the Assad regime, however, things changed. Tehran left Syria, and Moscow was confined to a base near the coast. Washington was the sole major power still involved, but Israel stepped up its attacks and also took over areas along the border. The number of US troops in Syria has always been an issue of discussion in Washington. There were thought to be several hundred for years, but the real number is believed to be about 2,000. These numbers were supposed to have been reduced in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent reports indicate that the US is revising where it is deployed in Syria. This appears to mean shifting troops from the Euphrates River area farther east. This is happening as the SDF and Damascus continue talks on unity and integration. It is also made possible by efforts to keep ISIS in check. The Syrian government continues to rebuild its army and graduate new forces. According to American officials, three US bases have either been shut down or transferred to the SDF, North Press Agency, an independent news agency based in eastern Syria, reported. Among them, al-Omar base has been fully closed, the Conoco base handed over to the SDF, and a smaller outpost vacated. A recent interview with Barrack by Turkeys NTV indicated how the US continues to stand with the SDF. His comments were very different than how other officials, such as former ambassador James Jeffrey, had described the US role in eastern Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six years ago, the SDF was seen as a temporary, tactical, and transactional relationship by key figures in Washington. Barrack now says the SDF is an ally, and that members of Congress view support for it as important. He is backing its integration into the new Syrian governments forces. This is a shift in tone as important as having the Pentagon and the State Department on board with the White Houses policy, as opposed to how things operated in 2015-2019. Washingtons Syria policy can move forward because of this coordination. It is also moving forward to prevent a vacuum from forming along the Euphrates River and to encourage stability. With each move of US forces, there is a trust but verify aspect to see if things will work out. BALTIMORE Court records show that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is personally intervening with El Salvador to facilitate the return of a Venezuelan man with the pseudonym Cristian a case similar to one in which a judge has directed the Trump administration to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to Maryland. Rubio has a personal relationship with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador and is committed to making prompt and diligent efforts to comply with a court order to facilitate Cristians return, said a document filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Maryland by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official. The document raises questions about whether Rubio is also seeking the release of Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old sheet metal apprentice mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia has not been returned, and another Maryland judge, Paula Xinis, ordered U.S. officials to be deposed on what, if anything, they have done to facilitate his return. The Trump administration has said it lacks the authority to compel the release of Abrego Garcia because he is in foreign custody. Mondays document disclosed that Rubio has a personal relationship with President Bukele and senior officials in the El Salvadoran government that dates back over a decade to the Secretarys service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The court document, written by ICE official Melissa B. Harper, said the State Department had authorized her to say that Rubio is personally handling the discussions with the government of El Salvador regarding Cristians case based on this deep experience with El Salvador and the Secretarys familiarity with political and diplomatic sensitivities in that country. The Baltimore Sun has reached out to the White House asking whether Rubios actions in Cristians case and relationship with Bukele contradict earlier statements that the United States is unable to secure Abrego Garcias release. Trump administration officials have said without evidence that Abrego Garcia was a gang member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cristian is a Venezuelan man wrongly sent to an El Salvador prison while he had a pending asylum application, said the federal judge in his case, Stephanie Gallagher. He requested to go by a pseudonym court papers call him Cristian because of concerns for his safety while in detention or elsewhere. In a previous document, Gallagher compared her order in Cristians case to that imposed by Xinis, who has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate and effectuate the return of Abrego Garcia. Like Judge Xinis in the Abrego Garcia matter, this Court will order Defendants to facilitate Cristians return to the United States so that he can receive the process he was entitled to under the parties binding Settlement Agreement, Gallagher wrote in April. Under the settlement agreement, Cristian was among a group who entered the United States as unaccompanied minors and were permitted to seek asylum, the judge wrote. -------------- By Jeff Mason and Jarrett Renshaw WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. has asked countries to make their best offers on trade negotiations by Wednesday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday, as U.S. officials ramp up efforts to deliver multiple agreements to President Donald Trump before a self-imposed deadline just five weeks away. Leavitt's comments confirm a report by Reuters on Monday that the Trump administration was 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In turn, the letter promises answers "within days" with an indication of a "landing zone," including what tariff rates countries can be expected to be saddled with after a 90-day pause on Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs expires on July 8. I can confirm the merits and the content of the letter. USTR sent this letter to all of our trading partners just to give them a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up," Leavitt said. Other items requested by the Trump administration include any commitments on digital trade and economic security, along with country-specific commitments, according to the letter. Earlier on Tuesday, a source familiar with talks between the U.S. and European Union told Reuters that EU officials had not yet received the letter. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Leslie Adler and Marguerita Choy) The Pentagon plans to move its oversight of Greenland from U.S. European Command to U.S. Northern Command, a switch that would bring the Denmark-aligned island closer to alignment with the United States. The change, first reported by Politico, comes as President Trump has repeatedly expressed an interest in taking control of the autonomous territory, where the U.S. military houses a base. Trump on the campaign trail and after taking office has said the U.S. taking control Greenland is a national security issue. Shifting the responsibility for U.S. security interests in Greenland to Northcom, the military command that oversees Americas homeland defense, would largely be symbolic but underscores Trumps focus on the territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move could come as soon as this week, a Defense Department official and two people familiar with the planning told Politico. The Pentagon did not return a request for comment from The Hill. Reports first emerged last month that the Trump administration was mulling the move as Greenland is part of the North American continent, even as it is associated with Europe politically and culturally given it is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. Trump in his first term floated the notion of buying Greenland, but in his second term has doubled down on the idea. He has declined to rule out using military force in taking the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont rule it out. I dont say Im going to do it, but I dont rule out anything, Trump said in a May 4 interview with NBCs Meet the Press. We need Greenland very badly, he added. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which well take care of and well cherish them and all of that. But we need that for international security. Trumps threats have frustrated and alarmed officials in Greenland and Denmark, who have repeatedly said the territory is not for sale. The switch of Greenland to Northcom, while leaving Denmark and the semi-autonomous Faroe Islands under Eucom, is likely to further worry Copenhagen and European allies. One person familiar with the move told Politico the Danish government has not been formally briefed on the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relations with Denmark have already been strained following a Wall Street Journal report early last month that the United States had ordered its intelligence agencies to step up its spying efforts on Greenland. The article prompted Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to call in the U.S. acting ambassador to Denmark for talks, saying the report is somewhat disturbing and worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends. Northcom is mainly responsible for U.S. homeland security such as missions at the southern border, air and missile defense, and convening with Canada and Mexico on joint security issues. Proponents of moving Greenland under Northcom have argued the switch makes sense given the U.S. has long had a military presence on the island, Pituffik Space Base, and the island is far closer to North America than to Europe and the U.S. command center there. Greenland is also seen as a vital outpost in countering Russia and China in the Arctic as well as missile defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the push to acquire Greenland, the Trump administrations recent attempts to make inroads with its officials and residents have fallen flat. Vice President Vance in March visited Pituffik, where he urged the territory to cut a deal with the U.S. government. Vance only briefly visited the base after plans for a larger trip were scrapped due to protests on the island and uproar from Greenland and Danish officials who said the vice president hadnt been formally invited and U.S. officials hadnt consulted them on his itinerary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it would decide whether Republicans can challenge Illinois law that allows mail-in election ballots to be counted 14 days after Election Day, following lower federal courts previous dismissals of the GOP effort. The lawsuit, led by downstate Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, comes as the GOP and President Donald Trump have pushed for the recognition of a singular Election Day ballot count most recently in a presidential executive order issued in March despite state laws allowing ballots to be counted after Election Day as long as they are postmarked or voter-signed and certified on or before the election date. In the Illinois case, both the U.S. District Court and the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled Bost and two presidential electors lacked legal standing when they challenged the law in May 2022. The courts did not decide on the merits of the case regarding the legality of post-Election Day ballot counting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in dismissing the lawsuit in July 2023, U.S. District Judge John Kness also wrote that he thought Illinois 2015 law complied with the U.S. Constitution as well as federal election law and does not conflict with the federal mandate that Election Day be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. By counting only mail-in ballots postmarked on or before Election Day, the statute does not extend the day for casting votes in a federal election, Kness, a Trump appointee, wrote. In a 2-1 decision in August of last year, a three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the lower courts dismissal due to lack of standing. Judicial Watch, a conservative legal organization that had worked unsuccessfully with Trump to stop post-Election Day ballot counting in the 2020 presidential race, is representing Bost and appealed last November to the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit contended the state law violated the federally established date for federal elections. About 20 states have similar post-Election Day counting laws. But in its appeal to the nations highest court, Judicial Watch noted a federal appeals court in Louisiana last fall sided with Republicans and ruled Mississippis law allowing mail-in ballot counting after Election Day violated federal law. Bost has argued the counting of late, illegal ballots dilutes the value of lawfully cast votes and infringes upon his right as a federal candidate to stand for office and that he faces added costs for poll watchers post Election Day. Bost has also alleged that post-Election Day votes could reduce his margin of victory and that this will lead to the public perception that my constituents have concerns about my job performance and would influence numerous third parties, such as future voters, Congressional leadership, donors and potential political opponents. Trump has made numerous false, misleading and unsupported claims about mail-in balloting, calling them in his 2020 election loss a whole big scam. But even as he argued against them, the Republican National Committee and the Illinois Republican Party ramped up efforts to get GOP voters to cast ballots by mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the RNC and the National Republican Congressional Committee filed briefs in support of the election law challenge. Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, called it an injustice that the courts would deny a federal candidate the ability to challenge an election provision that they view illegal. The Supreme Courts decision to hear this case is a critical opportunity to uphold federal law, protect voter rights, and ensure election integrity, Fitton said. Illinois 14-day extension of Election Day thwarts federal law, violates the civil rights of voters, and invites fraud. Yet in its appeal, Justice Watch said Bost and the GOP activists do not allege voter fraud, nor do they allege that ballots were mailed after Election Day, contrary to Illinois law. Instead, they allege ballots received after Election Day are illegal and are as invalid as if they were received one year after Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Justice Department under President Joe Biden filed briefs in support of the Illinois law, in part because the statute was aimed at ensuring that late arriving votes cast overseas by U.S. military members would be counted. Ironically, Bost, in his sixth House term from Murphysboro, is a Marine veteran who serves as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. In a statement, Bost said he was thankful the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the ruling that he lacked standing to challenge the law. With the American peoples confidence in our elections at a discouraging low point, its more important than ever we work to restore their trust, Bost said. I believe a big part of that effort is ensuring all votes are tallied by Election Day, not days or weeks later, he said. This is a critical moment for the rule of law and election integrity. USC Medical School Professor Testifies Karen Read Boyfriend 'Attacked' By Dog Before Death originally appeared on L.A. Mag. USC Keck School of Medicine Professor Dr. Marie Russell, a former police officer and emergency room doctor who lives in Los Angeles testified in Karen Read trial Monday that these marks found on the body of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe is consistent with a dog attack, not a vehicle strike Defense Exhibit Karen Read Retrial Week seven in the blockbuster retrial of Karen Read got off to a raucous start as a former Canton Police Officer Kelly Dever testified that she felt pressured by the defense team to testify to statements she gave to the FBI in 2023 that she has now recanted. "Did you tell those law enforcement agents on August 9th, 2023, that you saw Brian Higgins and Chief Berkowitz go into the sallyport together and alone with the SUV for a 'wildly long time'?" Jackson asked her. "That was my recollection at the time," she replied. She has since said that she was mistaken when she told federal investigators eighteen months ago that she saw the men - the former Chief of the Canton Police Department and federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Agent Brian Higgins, who was on a task force that turned out of that station - near Read's car after it had been towed as part of the evidence in the case. Read's boyfriend, John O'Keefe, a Boston Police Officer, was found dead during a blizzard on Jan. 29, 2022, and the government says she backed into him after a night of heavy drinking and left him to die in a snowbank. Read's defense, which includes high-profile Los Angeles defense attorney Alan Jackson and his partner Elizabeth Little, maintains O'Keefe was attacked by fellow cops and a German Shepherd inside the home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton and dragged out to the yard where he died. Higgins, who had been flirting with Read in the weeks before O'Keefe died and had shared a kiss with her, according to testimony, had been among the revelers inside the house. Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe was found dead in a snowbank on Jan.29, 2022. His girlfriend Karen Read's retrial entered its seventh week Monday in connection with his death in Massachusetts with testimony from USC medical professor Boston Police Department Dever, who is now a Boston Police Officer, told the court that Jackson threatened to charge her with perjury for recanting her prior statements to federal investigators in August 2023. The FBI was investigating the Read case at the time and multiple police officials connected to her case also responded to the death of Sandra Birchmore in the same town nearly a year to the day before O'Keefe died. The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office and its state police investigators said Birchmore took her own life, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The FBI took over the case, which led to the startling arrest of a former Stoughton Police Detective Matthew Farwell, a former police union official whose own cases were prosecuted by in that same D.A.'s office. Farwell is now charged by the FBI with strangling Birchmore to death and staging her death to look like a suicide to cover up the fact that she was pregnant with his child and that he had allegedly taken her virginity when she was a 15-year-old girl in the Stoughton Police Explorer's Program, a mentoring activity for kids interested in careers in law enforcement. Several of the investigators in the Read case were also part of the Birchmore investigation, and did not consider Farwell a suspect in her death. Mention of the Birchmore case, and the FBI's questioning of witnesses in the Read case, will not be allowed per a ruling from Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone, as reported by Los Angeles. Farwell's scheduled first status hearing in the Birchmore case has been pushed multiple times during Read's retrial, and is expected to take place over Zoom on July 1. Former Stoughton Police Detective Matthew Farwell is charged with killing Sandra Birchmore, a case taken down by the FBI, and not the state, despite an investigation into her death by the same officers who charged ReadCourtesy Department of Justice Officer Dever was questioned during the period the FBI was on Boston's South Shore for both cases in the clandestine federal probe. She presented herself on the stand Monday morning as a hostile witness forced to appear by Read's defense team. Jackson asked her if she wanted to testify. I am put on the stand in a murder trial, Dever replied in an icy tone. I dont know why Im here. I have no connection to this case. Dever testified that she never spoke to anyone in the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office about her involvement in Reads case, though she confirmed she had a personal friendship with prosecution witness, Sarah Levinson, who was a guest at the party inside 34 Fairview Road, the home owned by another Boston cop Brian Albert who had invited people to his house after bar-hopping with Read and O'Keefe in Canton. Dever testified she was working as a Canton Police dispatcher when Read's Lexus SUV - the weapon prosecutors say was used to plow into O'Keefe - was towed into a sallyport at the department's garage on the afternoon of Jan. 29, 2022. Jackson asked whether she could recall observing anything unusual that stood out to her in the stations garage while working dispatch. I cant make that statement on the stand, because Ive been provided information released by the defense, Dever answered, adding that what she said to the FBI she now believes, was a distorted memory." "Therefore I cant state it, because at this point it would be a lie," she told the court in the tense exchange with Jackson. "I cannot make that statement that youre wanting me to make on the stand, because Ive advised that that would be a lie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson redirected Dever to answer the question truthfully. Dever testified that she was cooperative with the FBI, and retracted her statement when presented with information that showed she was off duty when Read's SUV arrived. I am telling you," she testified, "I did not see anything. Jackson pushed back, asking Dever whether she told the agents she saw Higgins and Berkowitz enter the sallyport together for a wildly long time which was the statement she gave to the FBI while Reads SUV was in the garage. Dever confirmed that was her initial recollection, but had recanted it. Under cross examination by special prosecutor Hank Brennan, Dever testified that she felt threatened by defense attorneys who wanted her to say she saw Higgins and Berkowitz in the sallyport with Reads SUV. They became very aggressive, raised their voices, and the one word that I can very definitely remember is they said that they would charge me with perjury, Dever alleged. "My entire job revolves around what I say on the stand. If I was to lie, I lose my job. I lose everything. Im here to tell the truth. I cannot lie while sitting on this stand. Another government witness who took the stand in Read's retrial, and during the first trial, which ended in a hung jury last year, admitted in her testimony that she had also lied about her identity when the FBI showed up to interview her in 2023. She also initially failed to tell the FBI that she called Albert, Peggy O'Keefe, the slain officer's mother, her friend Kerry Roberts, who was also with McCabe and Read when O'Keefe was found, a witness advocate in the Norfolk County District Attorney's office - who is trying the case - and her husband in the span of ten minutes after the agents showed up at her home. State witness Kerry Roberts also admitted to making statements to a grand jury that contradicted her testimony in Read's retrial. Elizabeth Little; Alan Jackson; Karen Read; and David Yanetti are fighting for the Massachusetts' woman's freedom in a headline-grabbing trial connected to the death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, whose body was found in the snow on Jan. 29, 2022 Greg Derr via AP Photos Dever was the second defense witness to take the stand Monday. Text messages from the now-fired Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor were read by a longtime friend, Jonathan Diamandis, who had been one of the recipients in a text chain of some of the misogynistic messages the investigator directed at Read during his investigation. The friend 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. Brennan read them and asked Diamandis to verify the accuracy of each message, which included terms like "whack job cunt" and "nut bag, as my chief would say," which the defense argues, showed the bias shown against Read almost immediately after her arrest. That bias, Read's defense argues, was part of a vast police coverup to protect the homeowner, other cops, and the Albert family's German Shepherd, Chloe. The defense called University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine faculty member Dr. Marie Russell to the stand to testify about what she called evidence of a dog attack that occurred before O'Keefe died. Wounds on his right arm, she told the court, were inflicted as the result of a dog attack." The judge struck the word "attack" from the record. Russell later added that the deep cuts were "multiple strikes from a dog," and that O'Keefe's injuries came as "the result of dog bites or claw marks. Russell, a former County-USC Medical Center trauma doctor in its emergency room, was also a one-time police officer in Malden, Massachusetts, before entering her career in medicine. Chloe was re-homed to a farm in Vermont sometime after O'Keefe's death. The state ended its case against Read playing a clip of an interview the defendant gave, where she wondered out loud if she had "hit" O'Keefe after dropping him off at an after-party. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) With dog attacks on postal workers climbing to more than 6,000 cases in the past year, the U.S. Postal Service is launching its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign beginning June 1. According to USPS data, Los Angeles recorded 77 dog attacks on postal workers in 2024, the highest number of any city in the country. Houston followed with 65 incidents, and Chicago ranked third with 57. Rank City, State Number of Attacks 1 Los Angeles, California 77 2 Houston, Texas 65 3 Chicago, Illinois 57 4 St. Louis, Missouri 47 5 Cincinnati, Ohio 44 6 Dallas, Texas 43 7 Kansas City, Missouri 40 7 Cleveland, Ohio 40 8 San Diego, California 35 9 Denver, Colorado 34 10 San Antonio, Texas 32 10 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 32 10 Detroit, Michigan 32 10 Columbus, Ohio 32 11 Minneapolis, Minnesota 30 12 Indianapolis, Indiana 26 13 Phoenix, Arizona 25 13 Memphis, Tennessee 25 14 Omaha, Nebraska 24 14 Louisville, Kentucky 24 15 Rochester, New York 23 16 Toledo, Ohio 21 16 Sacramento, California 21 16 El Paso, Texas 21 17 San Francisco, California 20 17 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 20 17 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 20 17 Albuquerque, New Mexico 20 18 Stockton, California 18 18 Oakland, California 18 19 Youngstown, Ohio 17 19 Salt Lake City, Utah 17 19 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 17 19 Miami, Florida 17 19 Des Moines, Iowa 17 20 St. Petersburg, Florida 15 20 Fort Worth, Texas 15 20 Birmingham, Alabama 15 Nationwide, California led all states with 701 dog bite incidents. Texas ranked second, while Ohio came in third. 2024 Dog Bite/Dog Incident Data STATE Number of dog bites Top 10 States 1 California 701 1 2 Texas 438 2 3 Ohio 350 3 4 Illinois 344 4 5 New York 322 5 6 Pennsylvania 316 6 7 Michigan 231 7 8 Florida 210 8 9 Missouri 207 9 10 North Carolina 169 10 This years campaign, themed Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track, urges pet owners to take responsibility for keeping dogs properly restrained during mail delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative runs throughout June and uses the hashtag #dogbiteawareness to spread awareness across social media. The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership, Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in a statement. All dogs regardless of breed, size, or age have the potential to bite. The USPS emphasizes that many attacks occur unexpectedly, even from dogs that have no history of aggression. Mail carriers are trained to stay vigilant in neighborhoods where dogs are present and to follow safety protocols, such as never startling a dog and using items like mail satchels to create a barrier if threatened. The Postal Service advises customers to secure their dogs in a separate room or area away from the door during mail delivery. Pet owners should also avoid opening the door while the carrier is present and ensure children do not retrieve mail in the presence of a pet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to physical harm, dog attacks on USPS workers can lead to costly repercussions for dog owners, including medical expenses, lost wages, and uniform replacement costs. Stray dog who fended off pack of coyotes finds forever home If a mail carrier feels unsafe, mail delivery to the residence can be suspended until the dog is properly secured. Residents would then need to retrieve their mail from their local Post Office. In some cases, the USPS may require pet owners to rent a P.O. box to resume service. As part of its annual campaign, the USPS urges pet owners to take preventive action. The most important message for our customers to remember is to keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered, Theriault said. Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities. 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. Waco, Tx (FOX 44) All charges against Kyle Joseph Nielsen in connections with threats against the Axtell school have been dropped as it was determined the wrong man was arrested. The motion to dismiss was filed in 54th District Court by the McLennan County District Attorneys Office. The motion stated that subsequent investigation revealed that the defendant, Kyle Joseph Nielsen, is not the perpetrator. Investigators initially linked an IP address used by the perpetrator to the defendant. Subsequent investigation revealed that link was made in error. A statement issued by attorney F. Clinton Broden stated it was the result of an investigation by Nielsens defense team and stated a motion filed prior to the dismissal argued that Nielsen was wrongfully arrested after a McLennan County Sheriffs Office investigator likely mis-read a post-it note. Nielsen had been accused of making threats against the Axtell school. The defense had argued that the e-mail address used to set up the relevant Snapchat accounts involved was believed to actually belong to someone living in Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broden further stated in his statement that Nielsen has retained a Dallas attorney to pursue possible civil rights claims against the investigator and the McLennan County Sheriffs Office. The following statement was issued by the McLennan County Sheriffs Office: Following the arrest of a suspect in connection with a school threat, our agency continued to pursue all investigative leads thoroughly and objectively. During this process, new information emerged that prompted a reassessment of the evidence supporting probable cause. The suspect was initially identified based on data from federal partners, including screen names and IP addresses, along with a positive witness identification. This led to the issuance of a warrant and the suspects arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subsequently, the witness recanted their identification, and further analysis revealed an error in linking the suspect to the provided IP address. It was determined that the individual accused was not responsible for the threat. Our agency immediately relayed these findings to the district attorneys office, resulting in the dismissal of charges. This case underscores the importance of thorough and impartial investigations. We remain committed to evidence-based policing, accountability, and collaboration with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure public trust and safety. McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens said: This is exactly how the system is supposed to work the defense presented their case, additional investigation was conducted, and the evidence revealed Mr. Nielsen was not the perpetrator. 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. Associate Chief Justice John Pearce asks a question as Mormon Women for Ethical Government and The League of Womens voters oppose the Utah State Legislature during oral arguments at The Supreme Court of Utah in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (Pool photo by Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News) Utah Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice John Pearce will be stepping down from the bench at the end of the year. Pearce whom former Gov. Gary Herbert first appointed to Utahs highest court in November 2015 gave six months notice in a resignation letter to Gov. Spencer Cox dated Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The time has come for me to turn the page, start a new chapter of my career, and find new ways to serve the people of Utah, Pearce wrote in the letter. In keeping with the tradition of not leaving the Court until there has been an opportunity to nominate and confirm a successor, I am providing six months notice of my intent to depart. Pearce said his last day will be Dec. 1. Hell depart shortly after his 10-year anniversary on the Utah Supreme Court. Previously, Pearce also served on the Utah Court of Appeals. Between 2009 and 2013, he also served as general counsel to Herbert. A news release issued Tuesday by the Utah Judiciary said Pearce plans to return to private practice and to continue teaching at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. Pearces letter didnt mention it, but his departure comes in the wake of a 2025 legislative session that saw unprecedented tension between lawmakers and the judiciary. Ultimately, after a deal was struck, the most controversial bills that would have given legislators more of a say in judicial retention elections were scrapped and Cox vetoed a bill that would have given the governor and the Senate power over appointing the courts next chief justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That tension came after a series of rulings issued by the court that frustrated lawmakers, prompting some to accuse the Utah Supreme Court of being an activist court. In August, the court issued a 4-1 opinion that upheld an injunction blocking enforcement of Utahs 2020 near-total abortion ban that lawmakers had hoped would take effect once Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. And a month before that, the Utah Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion that sent an anti-gerrymandering lawsuit back to district court, ruling the judge erred in dismissing the claim that the Legislature violated the Utah Supreme Court when it when it repealed and replaced a 2018 voter-approved ballot initiative that sought to enact an independent redistricting commission. Pearces letter didnt address any of that, though. He focused his message on expressing gratitude for his 16 years of public service, writing that hes had the privilege to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people in the state none more so than my colleagues on the Utah Supreme Court. I am extremely proud of the Court and the work that it has done, he wrote. My colleagues, past and present, are brilliant, courageous, and dedicated to the rule of law. I am a better attorney and person because of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pearce also wrote he considers himself deeply fortunate to have spent a decade as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. I have never lost sight of the fact that there are more qualified attorneys in Utah than there are seats on the bench, he added. I am humbled by the trust the people of Utah place in their judiciary and am profoundly honored to have had this chance to serve. I wish you all the best as you continue to lead the state. Chief Justice Matthew Durrant, in a statement issued Tuesday, praised Pearce and his work, expressing particular appreciation for Pearces efforts to enhance representation for indigent parties and to improve the way the Supreme Court measures lawyer competence. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Pearces contributions to the citizens of Utah and to their judiciary have been truly extraordinary, Durrant said. He is not only a brilliant jurist, but also a wonderful colleague. The legacy he has built will long be a force for good in our state. Since 2022, Pearce has served as the associate chief justice, one ranking below Durrant in the courts leadership. In a statement issued Tuesday, Cox also praised Pearce for dedicating 16 years to public service in both the executive and judicial branches. Utah is a better place because of leaders like him who answer the call to serve, said the governor, who will pick his successor. I take the responsibility of appointing his replacement very seriously and will work to ensure we select a highly qualified justice who will continue to uphold the rule of law and serve the people of Utah with integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, who has been critical of some of the courts recent rulings, especially in the redistricting case also issued a statement. I appreciate Justice Pearces years of public service, Adams said. We wish him well as he transitions to private practice and teaching. According to his bio on the Utah Supreme Courts website, Pearce has a degree in economics from the University of Utah and received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley. He started his legal career at the firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California. He was also a shareholder and member of the Executive Committee at Jones Waldo in Salt Lake City. Pearce also teaches legislative process and statutory interpretation at the University of Utahs S.J. Quinney College of Law. Additionally, he has served on several boards and committees, including the Salt Lake County Bar Executive Committee, the Guardian ad Litem Oversight Committee, the Juvenile Indigent Representation Task Force, and the Governmental Records Access and Management Act Working Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to fill Pearces vacancy when he leaves Dec. 1, Cox will appoint his successor from a list of seven candidates provided by the Appellate Nominating Commission. That appointment will then be subject to confirmation by the Senate. Correction: This story has been corrected to say that tension between lawmakers and the judiciary occurred in the 2025 legislative session, not 2024. Supreme Court Justices John A. Pearce, left, and Matthew B. Durrant arrive for oral arguments in Colby Jenkins lawsuit seeking to have late-postmarked ballots counted in his 2nd District primary race, which he lost by 176 votes, on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Pool photo by Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune) SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Students in a classroom. (Photo by Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images) The Virginia Department of Education is preparing to launch a new Office of Excellence and Best Practices by hiring an executive director who will be responsible for fostering innovation, highlighting high-performing schools, and directing resources toward initiatives with a proven track record of improving student outcomes. The agency posted an advertisement for the opening last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson, who began in March, said it has been challenging for the agency to track and share successful educational practices and resources across school divisions, despite significant funding. She believes the office will help. One of the things were really working hard at in the department is breaking down silos, including on data sharing, real impact, proven resources that are quickly scalable and usable from the field, said Gullickson. We have made progress, but we have a lot more to do to really better support our educators with this data. Some Democratic state legislators, including Senate Education and Health Committee Chair Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, are concerned about the timing of the agencys decision to fill a senior position. Since Youngkin completes his term in January, the next governors administration may have different ideas about the new office and its leadership. If this role is truly essential to the departments mission, the decision should be left to the next administration, which will be responsible for setting future education policy and direction, Hashmi said. Rushing to fill it now appears to be more about entrenching a political agenda than serving Virginias students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors administration and Democrats have not seen eye-to-eye on many education priorities with few exceptions, including their work to improve assessment testing and increase teacher pay. In 2022, Youngkin laid out his legislative priorities including his administrations efforts torestore excellence in education, after pointing to the states low proficiency standards and parents battles with school divisions over their rights and concerns. The governor also called for investing in charter schools and developing more lab schools. Democrats have sparred with the administration over most of the governors initiatives that involved public education funding and equity, curriculum changes and his scholarship program proposal. The administration, lawmakers and educators also disagreed over the administrations process for revising school history and social science standards, which determine what students need to know in those subjects before graduating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of Excellence and Best Practices director, once hired, will work in tandem with the Road to Readiness School Performance and Support Framework Resource Hub, which offers free educational resources to families and educators. The application process closes on June 11. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE VERGENNES, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) The Northlands Job Corps will close its doors by June 30, ending training for more than 200 students and eliminating numerous Addison County Jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor is suspending Job Corps across the U.S. because it does not achieve the intentional outcomes that a student deserves, according to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer in an article from The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VAAP is reportedly urging officials to take federal action, halting the disassembly of Job Corps. and restoring funding. Vermont unemployment rose to 2.7% in April Jill Martin Diaz of the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project said at least one student has self deported following the Trump Administrations order to shut down the nationwide program. When young people are driven to self-deport because they feel abandoned and unsafe, our systems have failed them, Diaz saiud. Whats happening at Northlands is part of a national pattern of federal attacks on immigrant children. Becca Balint responded to the closing in an Instagram video, saying, This is an incredible program that trains people in welding, construction, food service, automotive, nursing jobs that are critical to our economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im just so angry that they have targeted this program, she said. This is why Im so frustrated with this administration. They are hurting the people in lower and intermediate classes and catering to people at the top. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WOODSTOCK, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Vermont Eclectic Company staff announced their decision to retire and close the business yesterday, June 2. The company initially opened at their first location in Woodstock July 2020. On the official website, Vermont Eclectic Co. is described by staff as a collaborative effort with a number of Vermont artists, each of whom has created unique and custom artwork that expresses their own passion for the Green Mountain Statethe land, the people, the culture, the sense of humorall of it. We love Vermont. We also love a great t-shirt. Thus was born the Vermont Eclectic Company, the website also states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to this Instagram announcement, both the Stowe and Church Street, Burlington locations will remain open until there is no inventory left. Officials from the company thanked staff, builders, shirt-printers and partners. They also thanked customers for being part of this wild, wonderful ride. This announcement follows the recent closure of The Dirstrict VT, formerly ArtsRiot, which operated out of Burlington. That establishment similarly announced their closure last week. Burlington venue The District VT closes its doors Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS St. Louis City officials question whether money problems are the sheriffs fault, as Alfred Montgomery threatened to cut vital inmate health transports a move hes now taking back. Sheriff Montgomery has said previously he doesnt have the money for those inmate transports, even after he was caught using a deputy and vehicle to transport his own children. Following budget testimony on Monday, FOX 2 asked the sheriff how he can justify using a deputy and car to pick up his own children while claiming his office is in a budget crisis. Sheriff Montgomery did not answer our questions nor questions from other reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a stark contrast to how things began, when he shook hands with the media before blaming them. We cant allow the media to interfere with the process of the sheriffs office, Montgomery told the budget committee. The sheriff had threatened last week to stop prisoner health transports, if he did not get more money. City leaders pushed back. Have you considered in cutting down on things that are not under your offices purview? Alderman Michael Browning (Ward 9) said, alluding to the sheriffs response in the aftermath of the St. Louis tornado, which falls outside the legal duties of the sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montgomery doubled down. If theres a problem within our city when it comes to our residents, Sheriff Montgomery is coming. Im coming! Sheriff ousting talk grows after budget showdown Im asking you to follow the law. Thats what Im asking, Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez (Ward 6) said. Sheriff Montgomery told the panel his department would continue the inmate transports. He said his previous threat to stop them was canceled. Theyll keep doing the job, he said, while adding that he still needs more money and more deputies. Youre saying, We need the money. Trust us, and the problem is that it is very hard to trust you, Browning said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montgomery responded in frustration, You guys are asking me at one point, stick to your core duties, and Im trying my best to stick to my core duties at the same time while asking me, but we need you to do this. It doesnt make sense to me. The meeting ended shortly thereafter, with the sheriff briskly walking across the street to his office followed by question after question that he would not answer. There will not be an immediate answer on the sheriffs request. Weve learned that he has agreed to return to another budget meeting to try asking again. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Pittsburgh Public Schools is urging parents to check their childrens belongings after discovering that several students had stamp bags of heroin. I didnt receive a phone call about it; I just got the message from PPS, said parent Constance Moyer. On Friday evening, families of students at Pittsburgh Dilworth PreK-5 were informed that several second-graders had brought drugs to school. I cant believe that Dilworth, an amazing school, has had this type of substance brought in. Its mind-blowing, Moyer said. Moyers son is in Pre-K at Pittsburgh Dilworth, and she was shocked to learn that drugs were being passed around by students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats so heartbreaking; a child could have died. What if they had inhaled it or swallowed anything? she questioned. This morning at school drop-off, other parents shared their concerns. Its very scary because something as simple as touching it could harm a child or others, so its very frightening, said Tiara Saunders, a parent of a fifth-grade student at Pittsburgh Dilworth. Currently, the district is aware that the bags were stamped with the words Take Off. They are now working with Pittsburgh Police to trace the origins of the heroin and understand how it ended up in the hands of second-graders. Moyer emphasized that while Pittsburgh Dilworth is a good school and educators are doing their best to teach students, it is ultimately up to parents to help keep their children safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hate to say it, but it doesnt start at school; it starts at home. Whatever is happening in your household spills over into schools, and that is so sad, she explained. The last day of classes for students is next Thursday. The district wants parents and staff to remain vigilant for anything unusual. Im considering taking my child out of this school because Im concerned about his safety, Moyer said. Officials are urging any parents who find their child in possession of one of these bags to contact the police immediately. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A veteran and Houston County volunteer firefighter was one of two Houston County men thanked by law enforcement for catching a fleeing suspect by holding him at gunpoint for trespassing Sunday afternoon. Ill do it any day and every day, no matter how good or bad, Im here just to serve my community, said Nick Francis. Francis says his peaceful Sunday evening was interrupted after seeing multiple sheriff deputies riding by his home and hearing commotion like yelling and dogs barking in the woods behind his home, which is private property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies had been called to the area around Oak Creek Lane, reports of disorderly conduct at the trailer park in the woods. I mean we live on a busy highway you see a lot of police riding around and thats not common for our area so I have two children in the house, my father in law is not in good health so I have a lot of people to look out for and I didnt want them to bust in our house or something I just wanted to be proactive, said Francis. Thats when he grabbed his rifle and walked along with his neighbor, who also happens to be his uncle, to the woods where they surprisingly found a suspect law enforcement was trying to catch. I drew my weapon and said hey what are you doing, he started freaking out I said get in front of me and lay down well call the police and he said I didnt do anything wrong I said well the police are looking for somebody, you are on our property and you scared to death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police showed up three to five minutes later, and they thanked Francis for leading them to the suspect. I wasnt looking for the guy intentionally, I was just making sure there was no one here that wasnt supposed to be. He was very compliant, he asked if I was going to kill him, and I said no, there is no intent, I want the cops to sort this out, said Francis. Francis says he is glad the unexpected situation didnt escalate to a dangerous outcome for all involved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TOWN OF CHEMUNG, N.Y. (WETM) The victim of a fatal two-vehicle crash on Interstate 86 on Monday has been identified, according to information from New York State Police. John E. Miller, 67, of Lowman was identified on Tuesday, June 3, as the victim of a crash involving his sedan and a tractor-trailer on Monday, June 2, state police said. Previous Story: One dead, one injured after tractor trailer crash on I-86 in Chemung Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation revealed that Miller was driving on the wrong side of the highway when he struck the truck. Miller was declared dead at the scene by the Chemung County Medical Examiner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Some scary moments for a Memphis driver after a gun was pointed at him following a crash with his sons Corvette last week along I-40 in Northeast Memphis. The victim, who did not want to be identified, said his son called him after he got into an accident with the driver of a black Nissan Murano Friday morning at I-40 east and Sycamore View Road. The father drove to the sons location. He said after he saw the driver of the Murano flee the scene, he followed him in his truck, but backed off when the driver pointed a gun at him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I said, okay, okay. I let him go because I had his information, he said. Its Memphis. I dont like it. I only work and come home, and thats it. Man accused of pulling gun on driver after I-40 crash (submitted photo) The mans son said the driver of the Murano swerved into his lane and hit the passenger side of his Chevy Corvette, causing about $3,200 worth of damage. A camera inside the Corvette captured the crash and the driver getting out of the black SUV. He said after they moved to a safer spot along the interstate, they called the police. However, he said the driver told him he didnt have insurance or a drivers license and asked if he could switch places with his driver. Damage Corvette (submitted photo) Damage Corvette (submitted photo) Once we told him no, they kind of sat in the car for a while. I was on the phone trying to get the police, and all of the sudden I just see him take off. It wasnt casual, you could hear his tires screech, said the driver of the Corvette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police released a picture of the black Nissan Murano with the temporary Tennessee tag QK8GRL9. Photo courtesy MPD Mother, sons killed in I-40 wreck remembered by loved ones The driver of the Corvette said the Murano has heavy damage to the drivers side back door. He said the driver of the Murano showed them the registration information for the SUV, but told him the vehicle belonged to the mother of his child. The man behind the wheel of the Murano is facing a charge of aggravated assault. Call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH if you recognize the man or vehicle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Bike West Hartford will hold a vigil Wednesday to honor the life of a pedestrian who was struck and killed over the weekend. Stephen Mendelsohn of New Britain was pronounced deceased on scene after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of New Britain Avenue and South Main Street on June 1. RELATED: Police identify pedestrian struck and killed in West Hartford The vigil will be held at the same location of the incident, at 5 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although we do not know all of the details about this crash, we recognize that any fatality or serious injury on our roadways is one too many, the group said in a statement. They plan to hold a moment of silence for Mendelsohn and will invite anyone who knew him to share a few words. Organizers also plan to bring flowers and a pair of white sneakers to serve as a public symbol against traffic violence and as a reminder of the life lost. More information can be found on the Bike West Hartford 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 WTNH.com. SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) Simpsonville police are warning people of jugging, a tactic thieves are using by targeting unsuspecting victims, following them home from the ATM and breaking into their vehicles. The Simpsonville Police Department is investigating several jugging incidents they said happened over the weekend in the Greenville area. Jugging is where people are actually sitting in parking lots of banks and watching people go through the ATM or come out with an envelope of cash, walking out the banks doors and then following the person, said Captain Cheryl Schofield, with the Simpsonville Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schofield said when the person gets out of their car, thieves will break into the vehicle in hopes that the money that was just withdrawn is still inside the vehicle. Were trying to put out a warning to everybody that if you do go to the ATM, be mindful of your surroundings. Make sure that if you feel like somebody is following you, to kind of pick up on that and let the Simpsonville Police Department know, or the Greenville County Sheriffs Office know, said Schofield. Simpsonville police said the thieves usually work in teams. Upstate authorities said this crime is very common in Houston, Texas, but they are seeing it in Greenville. Simpsonville Police said theyve worked with investigators in Greenville and Anderson counties to apprehend suspects in different cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several ways that you can stay safe. Be aware of your surroundings and anyone that may be following you. Conceal your cash, police said, and never leave your money in your car when you get to where youre going. Wherever it is, be it a grocery store or a house, just dont leave the money sitting in the car unoccupied, Schofield said. Just in case somebody did watch you take it out of the ATM. People who didnt want to go on camera said they prefer to use mobile banking, which Schofield also suggests. Be vigilant of your surroundings. Be mindful of whats going on, even if its not happening to you. If youre looking around and see something suspicious, please call the police, said Schofield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or someone you know is a victim of jugging, call the Simpsonville Police Department at (864) 967- 9536. Keep in mind, there are spoofing scams where scammers pretend to be officers demanding money. Simpsonville police said they will never call you asking for money. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW In December 2023, Vin Diesel was sued by a former assistant who claimed the actor sexually assaulted her in September 2010, which Diesel denies The judge in the case dismissed some of the former assistant's claims connected to California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) Diesel's lawyer Bryan Freedman said they'll next present evidence that the remaining allegations are "fictitious" Vin Diesel scored a legal win in his continued court battle with an ex-assistant who accused him of sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in December 2023, Asta Jonasson, a former assistant to Diesel, filed a sexual battery lawsuit in Los Angeles against the Fast & Furious actor over an alleged 2010 incident at an Atlanta hotel. On Tuesday, June 3, Judge Daniel M. Crowley made a tentative ruling in the case, dismissing the first four causes of action that had to do with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): discrimination in violation of FEHA; hostile work environment in violation of FEHA; retaliation in violation of FEHA; failure to prevent discrimination, harassment and retaliation in violation of FEHA. "Plaintiffs FEHA claims are time-barred because she failed to timely exhaust her administrative remedies by filing a CRD complaint within one year of the alleged adverse action, a jurisdictional requirement for a FEHA lawsuit," Judge Crowley wrote in the tentative ruling, viewed by PEOPLE. Diesel's lawyer Bryan Freedman says in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE on June 3, "It is unfortunate that a person who worked for the company for less than two weeks 15 years ago in another state is allowed to use the California court system to assert such baseless claims." Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media Vin Diesel at the Golden Globes on Jan. 5, 2025 Vin Diesel at the Golden Globes on Jan. 5, 2025 "The court today granted our client's motion in full dismissing half of this frivolous case," continues Freedman, who separately also represents Justin Baldoni in the ongoing It Ends With Us legal battle with Blake Lively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Next, we will present irrefutable evidence that the remaining fictitious allegations alleged herein did not occur and finally end what remains of this maliciously filed lawsuit," claimed Freedman. Matthew T. Hale, an attorney for Jonasson, says in a statement to PEOPLE, "While we respectfully disagree with the courts decision on this limited legal issue, the court made no factual findings that impact the remaining causes of action in this case." "We will continue to advocate vigorously on behalf of our client, who remains committed to seeking justice," adds Hale. Six of Jonasson's causes of action remain: retaliation in violation of Labor Code 1102.5; retaliation in violation of Labor Code 98.6; wrongful termination in violation of public policy; sexual battery; negligent supervision and retention; and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her complaint, Jonasson said she was hired by Diesels production company One Race Films to assist him on location in Atlanta, where his team was filming 2011s Fast Five. She alleged that Diesel forcibly pulled her onto a bed, groped her breasts and legs and masturbated at a hotel in Atlanta in September 2010, and that she was fired the next day. After news of the lawsuit in December 2023, Freedman said in a statement, "Let me be very clear: Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety." He added at the time, "This is the first [Diesel] has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations." Read the original article on People A repeat violent sex offender convicted of rape in 1988 ran a Telegram group to arrange pedophilic relationships while also hosting teenage boys he befriended online at his Washington home, federal prosecutors said. After 17 years of civil detainment at a facility for accused sexual predators on McNeil Island in the South Puget Sound, southwest of Tacoma, prosecutors said Alan Lewis Meirhofer, now 72, returned to sexually exploiting children via online platforms. Meirhofer, of Skagit County, was caught sharing child sexual abuse content online and trying to set up his adult friends, other registered sex offenders, with minors, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mother of a teenage boy hes accused of grooming reported Meirhofer to the police, leading to his arrest in March 2021, prosecutors said. Now, Meirhofer has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington said in a June 2 news release. Following his release from civil commitment, Mr. Meirhofer adapted his predatory behavior to modern technology, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said in a statement. His court-appointed federal public defender, Dennis Carroll, declined McClatchy News request for comment June 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of sentencing, Meirhofer asked for the 15-year prison sentence sought by prosecutors, a sentencing memo filed by Carroll on Meirhofers behalf shows. In a letter to the court, Meirhofer wrote that he felt guilt over his grievous actions and that he takes full and sole responsibility for child pornography shared over Telegram. I understand now what I didnt see before, is my complicity in this crime, he wrote. Telegram, with its end-to-end encryption feature, offers a level of privacy for text messages and video calls. His criminal record In the governments sentencing memo, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cecelia Gregson labeled Meirhofer as a prolific child predator who terrorized numerous historical victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gregson said Meirhofer raped three 13-year-olds in separate attacks in the late 1980s, when hes accused of also breaking into four homes in Washington. On July 18, 1987, Meirhofer stalked one 13-year-old boy in Bellingham and discovered where he lived, Gregson wrote in court documents. Later that night, he cut the homes phone line, then entered the house, held a knife to the boys neck and kidnapped him, according to the filing. Meirhofer drove him to a location where he was drugged and repeatedly anally raped, Gregson wrote. In 1988, Meirhofer was convicted on charges of burglary, kidnapping and rape, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two years later, Meirhofer was convicted of first-degree burglary while armed with a deadly weapon and second-degree assault, prosecutors said. Meirhofer was civilly committed in 2000 to McNeil Islands detention center before his release in 2017, according to prosecutors. Upon his release, he was registered as a level 3 sex offender in Washington, the level with the highest risk of reoffending, prosecutors said. Afterward, Meirhofer continued to prey on children using platforms like Google and Instagram, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 14 sexual exploitation-related tips linked to him, Miller said. The Telegram group While the administrator of the Telegram group, Meirhofer groomed teenage boys in Skagit County and invited them to his house, according to prosecutors. Skagit County is about a 100-mile drive northeast from Seattle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In trying to befriend them, he gave them gifts, including alcohol, clothes, food, marijuana and money, prosecutors said. One boy who visited Meirhofers house and borrowed his phone discovered Meirhofer shared photos of the teens friends in a group chat with other people, as well as child sexual abuse material, according to prosecutors. Meirhofer was taken into custody after the tip from the teens mother, prosecutors said. His electronics were also seized. Investigators learned that his Telegram group chat had two purposes: exchanging child pornography and coordinating relationships between adults and minors, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While arguing for a 15-year prison sentence, Gregson wrote in the governments sentencing memo that Alan Meirhofer represents every parents worst nightmare and every childs boogeyman. Decades of incarceration did not deter him from sexually exploiting children at the first opportunity provided, Gregson said. Concerns or suspicions about child sexual exploitation can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrens CyberTipline online or by calling 1-800-843-5678. If you suspect a child has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect, your first step should be to contact the appropriate agency. The Child Welfare Information Gateway has a list of state agencies you can contact. Find help specific to your area here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For additional help, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline has professional crisis counselors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. You can call or text 1-800-422-4453. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please call 911 for help. Man planned Halloween sex party to abuse child, feds say. Hes convicted in FL Inmate makes thousands of calls to girl hes convicted of abusing in CA, feds say Kidnapped 10-year-old found 250 miles away with man met on Roblox, CA cops say Man exploits 16-year-old over Instagram, then flees his trial in CA, feds say VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate is expected to discuss Oceanfront safety and enforcement Tuesday afternoon ahead of the busier summer months. As more people head towards the beach while the weather heats up, Virginia Beach officials want to make sure everyone stays safe. Following several gun-related incidents over the spring at the Oceanfront, Neudigate is set to discuss some of the challenges his department is facing. Virginia Beach to address challenges of maintaining Oceanfront safety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, between April 25-27, over 50 were arrested and nearly 30 guns were confiscated at the Oceanfront. One person told 10 On Your Side, they do not always feel safe at night. Long live locals in a tourist town, said Tamela Romero, a resident. VBPD: 2 separate firearm-related incidents on Atlantic Ave. on Saturday The discussion comes after City Manager Patrick Duhaney said during a city council meeting that Neudigate will look into legislative changes that could implement new crime-fighting strategies. Currently, under the Dillon Rule, however, local governments are only able to do what the Commonwealth has given them permission to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, Duhaney stated that some crimes that were once considered primary offenses were moved to second-tier offenses. [The chief] is going to point out some things that happened through some General Assembly sessions where the pendulum swung one way, and it may be time that theres appropriate discussion about possibly the pendulum swinging legislatively another way, Duhaney said. You know, some things that used to be primary offenses or moved to second-tier offenses, it may make sense to bring back some of those back to being primary offenses. They give the police officers some opportunities to be more proactive on addressing some issues. One local said he is glad a conversation about safety enforcement is happening. Im happy if it gets less scary because more people can enjoy it all the time. Its a beautiful place, said local, Kevin Mitchell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neudigate is expected to speak with city councilmembers starting at 2:30 p.m. 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. On June 2, 2025, Italys Mount Etna, one of Earths most active volcanoes, erupted again, releasing what experts called a lava fountain that sent tourists rushing downhill to safety. In late March 2021, thousands of people in Iceland hiked into the Geldingadalur valley to watch fiery lava splutter and spill from the crater of the Fagradalsfjall volcano after it erupted for the first time in nearly 800 years. As white ash clouds puffed above trails of glowing, molten rock inching through craggy black stones, some visitors took photos, others sat in quiet awe, and a few toasted marshmallows over the lava flows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photographer Chris Burkard, who captured the eruption for National Geographic, was transfixed by the ominous-but-beautiful landscape too. It was mesmerizing, he says. I never thought something as simple as molten rock would get me this excited. Thousands of visitors hiked out to the Fagradalsfjall volcano to witness the aftermath of its March 2021 eruption. Photograph by Chris Burkard, National Geographic A tourist took a cell phone photo at the volcano in March 2021. Photograph by Chris Burkard, National Geographic The aftermath of eruptions has created famously fertile ground for tourism. Japanese tourists have bunked at onsen ryokans (hot springs inns) in villages near volcanoes since the 8th century. The ruins of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, preserved by a blanket of ashes when Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, lured countless sightseers on the European Grand Tour in the 17th and 18th centuries. But the steam, crackle, and pop of active volcanoes has an allure all its own. Theyre one of the most primeval forces of nature that we can observe, says Benjamin Hayes, chief of interpretation and education for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. You feel the power of Mother Earth near this lifeblood of the planet. Traveling to an active volcano isnt without risks and ethical questions. It can be the thrill of lifetimeor a fatal attraction. Before you get fired up to see one, heres what you should know. The rise of lava chasers In the last decade, volcano tourism has boomed, fueled in part by social media and so-called lava chasers. They seek legendary, photogenic smoking spots like Mount Vesuvius (and the other two dozen-plus active volcanic sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List). In the United States, several national parks feature active volcanoes, including Mount Rainier in Washington State, Lassen Peak in California, and the Yellowstone Caldera in Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day after the Island of Hawaiis Mount Kilauea erupted on December 20, 2020, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park saw a sharp spike in visitors. Many of the 8,000 guests were locals, but the park also saw a steady increase of out-of-state visitors as COVID-19 travel restrictions eased. Depending on the place, travelers can take lava boat tours, hop helicopter trips over calderas, surf down the slopes of a volcano, or even walk to the edge of the lava lake. But these endeavors come with risk. Eruptions often produce poisonous gasses (e.g., sulfur dioxide, present at Fagradalsfjall) that can damage your lungs. Between 2010 and 2020, at least 1,143 people have been killed in volcanic explosions, most recently near New Zealands Whakaari/White Island volcano, which suddenly erupted December 9, 2019, killing 22 tourists and injuring 25 others. (Visiting a volcano? Heres how to stay safe.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, these casualties seem to have fueled curiosity rather than deterred tourism. Instead of steering clear of erupting volcanoes, sensation seekers are drawn to disaster areasa trend expected to continue after the pandemic. Targeting eruptions Volcanic eruptions happen when theres an increase in magma-static pressure or a shift in tectonic plates, which can also spur earthquakes. Sometimes, erosion or melting glaciers slowly move the earth and eventually spur eruptions; other times sudden landslides trigger them. Volcanic activities are monitored by scientific observatories around the world, so blow ups are rarely a surprise. (For a bit of armchair volcanology, use the Smithsonian Institutions online active eruption tracker.) If you know some of the basics, you can observe eruptions fairly safely, says Rosaly M.C. Lopes, a volcanologist and planetary geologist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Were lucky that the most beautiful eruptionsin Hawaii, Iceland, and Stromboli, Italyare also not the most explosive ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Author of the Volcano Adventure Guide, Lopes says its important to know the type of volcanoes youre visiting. The volatility of a given site depends on its lava: thin and runny lava flows out of the volcano slowly, while thick and viscous lava makes it difficult for gas to escape, resulting in more explosive (and possibly, deadly) eruptions. Knowing which sort you are dealing with could potentially save your life. When Italys Mount Etna erupted in 1987, two tourists were killed. Lopes was only a mile away on a research trip when it happened. If its a volcano like Etna, and there is a sudden explosion, look up and see where these rock fragments are going to land, she says. But you dont run; you dodge them. And after fragments land, you run. On the opposite spectrum, during the sudden eruption of New Zealands Whakaari/White Island volcano, Lopes says those who survived were likely the ones who sprinted the fastest. Some people stayed to take photos. I think some just got caught and couldnt run fast enough, she says. But that is a dangerous volcano, and volcanologists knew it could have a sudden explosion. Life in the shadow of a volcano There are more than 1,500 active volcanoes in 81 countries. For the hundreds of millions of people who reside near them, theyre just a part of daily life, like bad traffic or frequent rain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Japans most active volcanos, Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu, erupts every four to 24 hours. The people of Kagoshima dont even bother looking up when Sakurajima erupts, it happens so often, says Alex Bradshaw, director of Overseas Communications of Kagoshima Prefecture. (Learn what its like to live beside a volcano.) The relationship between Sakurajima and the locals is reciprocal. Fertile soil near the volcano helps Kagoshima grow its famed daikon radishes and tiny komikan oranges. Without Sakurajima there would be no Kagoshima. Its the symbol of our city, and the people here view it as a protective god, says Naoto Maesako, owner of Kagoshima Citys Yogan Yaki restaurant, where vegetables, kurobuta pork, and wagyu beef are cooked on hot plates made from local lava. We feel that Sakurajima sees us through typhoons and other disasters safely. Its our history right in front of us, and we can see the same smoldering scene as our ancestors did. Despite frigid winter weather, thousands of Icelander showed up at the volcano on days it was erupting in late March 2021. In Hawaii, the connection between volcanoes and residents is a part of the islands origin story. Ancient Hawaiian chants refer to Pele, goddess of volcanoes and fire, as she who shapes the sacred land. The Hawaiian people have been here and have flourished for more than 1,000 years, says Hayes. Its impossible not to be connected deeply with generations of cherished stories, ancestors, and family connection to the ainathe land. Taking a dark turn Some volcano tourism veers close to disaster or dark tourism. In 2010, 353 people died and more than 400,000 people lost their homes when Indonesias Mount Merapi erupted. Soon after, tour companies popped up specifically to offer excursions to the ash-buried villages. It is an echo of the human casts and imprints at Pompeii, which reveal a terrifying account of the final days of its residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Learn about dark tourism and why travelers are drawn to disasters.) In 2018, Mount Kilaueas continued eruptions destroyed approximately 600 homes, as well as roads, farms, and ranches, on the Island of Hawaii. That May, while fires still raged in neighborhoods, tourist spending increased by 3.3. percent to $173.9 million. Hospitality companies had to balance meeting travelers needs with sensitivity towards affected residents. Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau, encourages tourists who are curious about volcanoes to stick to the national park. Its a great place to learn about the volcanoes, Birch says. Anything outside of that, you might cross into private property and potentially end up in someones backyard. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologist Frank Trusdell recalls that within 24 hours of the Mauna Loa eruption in 1984, plane tickets to the Island of Hawaii were sold out. Everybody wanted to come to see the eruption, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists like Trusdell understand why people are drawn to volcanoes, and they believe this helps raise aware and interest in volcanology. Every time you go somewhere that you see a geological processeven if its fairly tame volcanos like Yellowstone geysersit awakens your curiosity, says Lopes. It gives you a much greater respect for our planet. This story originally published on April 2, 2021. It has been updated. THOMASVILLE, Ala. (WKRG) After a lawsuit was filed last month in connection with a deadly Clarke County crash, the plaintiff has since filed a voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit. Serious crash at Grelot and Schillinger intersection According to documents within the Circuit Court of Clarke County, Alabama, Nancy Calvert, who was injured in the crash, filed the lawsuit with Prince Glover Hayes and Grove Hills Keahey Law Office two days after the wreck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed against 4 US Transportation Company and Andrii Dmyterko, 45, who was driving a semitruck that crashed into several vehicles, killing two people and injuring others. Calvert and her attorneys filed the voluntary dismissal on May 28. Heres the full document of the plaintiffs voluntary dismissal: thomasville-crash-lawsuit-voluntary-dismissalDownload Neil Costes 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 WKRG News 5. Voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5 at an polling location in Edmond. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) Three open seats in the Oklahoma House will be decided June 10 by voters in a special election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m on the day of the election. House District 71 In Tulsa County, voters will choose between Republican Beverly Atteberry and Democrat Amanda Clinton. The seat opened up when Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, stepped down in December for a position in the City of Tulsas government. Beverly Atteberry is pictured. (Photo provided) Atteberry, 57, previously said shes lived in the district since 1993 and knows the community well since shes seen all of its ups and downs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an attorney and business owner, she said her knowledge of the law and inner-workings of the state Capitol will let her hit the ground running. Atteberrys law firm serves Tulsa area clients and focuses on wills, probate, and criminal law. Improving Oklahomas roads, public education and government spending to help bring more businesses to the state are among her priorities if elected, Atteberry told Oklahoma Voice. Amanda Clinton is the pictured. (Photo provided) Clinton, 46, is a small business owner, an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University and a former journalist. She worked for Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols campaign and on boards for Planned Parenthood and the OSU Foundation Board of Governors. She previously said shes an advocate for reproductive health freedom, access to medical care, clean water and minimizing state Superintendent Ryan Walters impact on public schools. Her priorities also include lowering the cost of living and ending homelessness, according to her website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clinton has said her experience with the Cherokee Nation has been an example to her of a government serving its people. House District 74 Democrat Amy Hossain will face off against Republican Kevin Wayne Norwood in the race for House District 74. The district in Tulsa and Rogers Counties includes Owasso and part of Tulsa. Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, resigned in December for a job in the Tulsa County government. Amy Hossain is pictured. (Photo provided) Hossain, 50, works as the chief human resources officer for Domestic Violence Intervention Services in Tulsa and is the president of Khan Ohana, a nonprofit working to break the cycle of poverty among college students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She previously said shes running because as a voter, shes been frustrated by the lack of options on her ballot in the past and wanted to give voters the choice to elect someone from her party. If elected, her priorities include raising the minimum wage, better funding for public schools, access to affordable and accessible health care and housing, according to her website. Kevin Norwood is pictured. (Photo provided) Norwood, 58, is a pastor who said hes been involved in his community, helping to build businesses and mentoring youth, for three decades. His work with community initiatives like Keep Owasso Beautiful and Owasso Cares have led to recognition and awards, according to his website. Building a vibrant economy, tax relief for Oklahomans, safer communities, strong infrastructure and supporting community and family initiatives are among his priorities. He also intends to revitalize main streets and stop the green energy grift, according to his website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norwood will champion his community and reflect conservative Oklahoma values, according to his campaign website. House District 97 Finally, two Democrats, JeKia Harrison and Aletia Haynes Timmons, will vie for the open House District 91 seat, representing parts of Oklahoma City and Midwest City. Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, stepped down in April to serve as an Oklahoma County commissioner. JeKia Harrison is pictured. (Photo provided) Harrison, 35, works as a legislative assistant for Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, and previously worked as a child welfare specialist for the state Department of Human Services. She also owns Pen 2 Paper Consulting, a political campaign consulting and management firm, and has been involved in leadership for organizations like Young Democrats of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action, which advocates for stronger gun laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increased funding for Oklahoma public schools, more affordable housing, reforms to criminal justice and raising the minimum wage are some of Harrisons priorities, according to her campaign website. Aletia Haynes Timmons is pictured. (Photo from the Oklahoma County District Court) Timmons, 64, is a recently retired Oklahoma County District judge and she previously worked in civil rights and employment law, as well as in the Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office. Her priorities include criminal justice reforms, greater accountability in government, strengthening the economy and finding common ground and working for real solutions, according to her campaign website. Timmons has received several awards and recognitions for her dedication to justice, community service, and diversity, according to her website. Shes a founder of a program in Northeast Oklahoma City addressing food insecurity and has worked as an instructor on Langston Universitys Oklahoma City campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voting is set for Thursday and Friday at select locations between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Voters can check their registration status and polling location on the Oklahoma Election Boards website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Voting is officially underway in the runoff special election for the vacant District 1 seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The Registrar of Voters mailed ballots to all registered voters in the South County district on Monday, giving residents just shy of a month to cast a vote in the race between Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre. Completed ballots can either be returned through the U.S. Postal Service or by placing them in one of the more the two dozen drop boxes set to open up in the lead up to race day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To keep tabs on the ballot as it makes its way to the registrar for tabulation, voters can sign up for the countys Wheres My Ballot? tool. D1 Special Election: What to know | The Candidates | How to vote | More Stories District 1 residents who want to vote in person will be able to do so beginning on Saturday, June 21, when the first crop of seven vote centers opens. Just over a dozen additional polling places will be up and running on the final day of voting on Tuesday, July 1. Maps of all the vote centers and drop box locations across South County available to collect completed ballots can be found on the Registrar of Voters website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The runoff between McCann and Aguirre will decide the successor to former Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas following her abrupt resignation from public office in November of last year just weeks after winning a second term. The race narrowed from a field of seven candidates to a South Bay mayoral showdown after no one secured more than 50% of the vote the threshold for an outright win in the special elections first round back in March. Whoever wins in the runoff will serve out the remainder of the term Vargas vacated, which runs through January 2029. Since the race is at a district level, only residents who live within its boundaries will be eligible to cast a vote in the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes neighborhoods in south San Diego, such as Barrio Logan, Chollas View, East Village and Golden Hill, as well as the whole of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and National City. San Diegans can look up their supervisorial district on the Registrar of Voters website. All residents who are already signed up to vote in the district will be able to participate in the election, but the Registrar of Voters office encourages people to check their voter status before the registration deadline passes on Monday, 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Texas 2025 legislative session will likely be remembered for its education agenda. From private school vouchers to a public school funding boost, through a heavier emphasis on Christianity and student discipline, to bans on cellphones and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, lawmakers advanced bills that will have a lasting impact on students, teachers and parents for years to come. One proposal that would have scrapped the state standardized test fell through in the final days of session, while the much-awaited school funding package changed drastically from an earlier version school officials favored more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, much of the legislation approved by lawmakers will take effect in September, right around the time schools get going for the 2025-26 academic year. Here is a recap of the most significant legislative developments this session. Texas creates one of the largest school voucher programs in the country A top priority for Abbott, Senate Bill 2 authorizes the creation of a program allowing families to use taxpayer dollars to pay for their childrens private school education one of the largest in the nation. The bill cruised to final passage with more than a month left in the legislative session and was signed into law shortly after. The voucher program will officially launch at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year. Almost any school-age child in Texas can apply and participate, including students already attending private schools. Up to 20% of the programs initial $1 billion budget could flow to wealthier families who earn 500% or more of the poverty rate roughly $160,000 or above for a family of four. [School choice, vouchers and the future of Texas education] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most participating families will receive an amount equal to 85% of what public schools get for each student through state and local funding roughly somewhere between $10,300 and $10,900 per year for each child, according to a legislative budget analysis that included financial projections for the next five years. The money will flow to families through education savings accounts, which essentially function as state-managed bank accounts. State budget experts predict that the programs cost to taxpayers could escalate to roughly $4.8 billion by 2030. Children with disabilities will be eligible for the same funding as other students, plus up to $30,000 in additional money, an amount based on what the state would spend on special education services for that child if they attended a public school. Home-schoolers can receive up to $2,000 per year. Jaden Edison Cash-strapped schools get $8.5 billion for teacher raises, special ed and more House Bill 2 represents an $8.5 billion boost to Texas public schools after years of stagnant funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill establishes the following long-term teacher pay raise system: Teachers with three to four years of experience in school districts with 5,000 or fewer students will receive a $4,000 raise, while those with five or more years of teaching on their resume will earn $8,000. Teachers with three to four years of experience in school districts with more than 5,000 students will earn a $2,500 raise, while those with five or more years of experience will receive $5,000. [Texas officials claim that school funding is at an all-time high ignores inflation and temporary federal money] The bill also includes funding for an expansion of the Teacher Incentive Allotment, a state program that awards raises to educators who demonstrate that they have improved their students academic outcomes. Currently about 6% of Texas teachers benefit from the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 2 provides a $55 increase to the base amount of money per student schools receive from the state, a large portion of which must continue to go toward salaries for full-time employees. The rest can address operational costs as schools see fit. The legislation will give districts $45 per student that they can only use to increase the salaries of school counselors, librarians, nurses and other support staff. It also grants schools $106 per student to pay costs associated with transportation, insurance, utilities and hiring retired educators, which has become more common as schools struggle to fill teacher vacancies. Additionally, the bill overhauls Texas special education funding system, which will no longer give money to districts based on the classroom setting where a child with a disability receives instruction. The funding will now go to districts based on the individual needs of that student, an approach lawmakers and public education advocates consider more equitable. Districts will receive $1,000 for each evaluation they conduct assessing a student for a disability. HB 2 also establishes a compensation system for educator preparation and mentorship programs while setting a 2030 deadline for districts to stop using untrained educators to teach core subjects. The bill sets aside money for schools to better identify learning difficulties among the states youngest students. And it raises the amount of money districts receive for school safety upgrades to $20 per student and $33,540 per campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jaden Edison Efforts to change STAAR test fall apart in the final stretch Hopes were high that the Legislature would scrap the widely unpopular STAAR test when state Rep. Diego Bernal gave an impassioned speech on the Texas House floor last month. Most of us campaigned on this. And session after session, we talk about it, and we don't do it, the San Antonio Democrat said. We're sort of like the divorced dad that keeps promising his kid that he'll pick them up, but the kid is waiting on the steps in front of the house, and we never show up. Lawmakers did come close to swapping out STAAR for three shorter tests with House Bill 4, but ultimately failed to hammer out their differences in the final days of this years legislative session. Despite momentum and widespread bipartisan support, the session ended with the kid still waiting on the steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Bill to scrap STAAR test dies in the Texas Legislature] For more than a decade, Texas students have sat for hours at the end of the school year to take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test. Some students get so anxious about the high-stakes exam which is used to track student, teacher and school performance that they report not wanting to go to school. Educators say weeks of preparing children to take the test mean losing valuable instructional time. The two chambers could not close the gulf over what they wanted to see out of the new test and from the states A-F school accountability rating system, which largely uses standardized test results to grade schools performance. Their biggest difference was over how much power districts should have to push back in courts when they disagree with their accountability ratings. Sneha Dey Schools can now manage classroom disruptions with more discipline As teachers struggle to manage the rise in student violence since the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas lawmakers said their solution was in giving schools more flexibility to punish students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sweeping package, House Bill 6 expands when schools can dole out out-of-school suspensions to Texas youngest and homeless students. It does this by undoing state laws from 2017 and 2019 that put limitations on when and how those students could be disciplined. The legislation also extends how long students can face in-school suspensions from three days to as long as schools see fit, so long as the placement is reviewed every 10 days. Students facing in-school suspension still complete schoolwork in a different classroom on school grounds. HB 6 also wades into when schools can send students to alternative education settings, strict environments that often remove children from their regular school buildings and lean on computer-based work. While students caught vaping were previously required to go to alternative education settings, schools can now discipline those students less severely if it is their first offense. Schools can also teach students in alternative education programs remotely a mode of instruction that was shown to contribute to learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Classroom violence went up in Texas after the pandemic. Is more discipline the answer?] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers shepherding the legislation emphasized that removing students from the classroom is a way to protect other students and allow learning to continue. But critics of HB 6 worry more discipline wont change the behavior of the student acting out, which can often signal underlying emotional needs. They worry heavy-handed discipline will derail students education at a time when they need individualized attention and mental health support. Sneha Dey Texas' youngest children get help with math and reading The Legislatures school finance package, House Bill 2, included extra learning support for children as early as kindergarten, before learning gaps compound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than half of third graders in the state are not at grade level in reading or math, meaning they lack the key foundational skills they need to thrive as learners. Research shows that students who are behind in third grade rarely catch up, which can lead to serious consequences later in life. The legislation requires districts to use literacy and numeracy screeners to identify students who are struggling early on. The screeners would allow students to be assessed three times a year between pre-K and third grade on skills like phonics, vocabulary and spelling. Those who are furthest behind would get extra tutoring in small group settings. Currently, the state doesnt track literacy development until the third-grade STAAR test, with two dyslexia screenings acting as the only formal checkpoints after students first enter kindergarten. Sneha Dey Ten Commandments bill continues push to inject more religion in public schools Senate Bill 10 requires public schools under certain circumstances to display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom. The legislation does not require districts to purchase the materials but mandates that schools accept and hang them up if they are privately donated. The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights organizations have said they will sue Texas if Abbott signs SB 10 into law, just like they did when Louisiana approved a similar Ten Commandments law. Abbott responded to that threat on social media, telling the groups to bring it. The Legislature also approved Senate Bill 11, a measure that will allow school districts to adopt a policy providing students and staff a daily period of prayer or time to read a religious text. The bill bans any prayer or religious reading over a loudspeaker or in the presence of any student who does not have a signed consent form. Both bills arrive as conservative Christians continue pushing to infuse more religion into public schools and daily life. Lawmakers this session also considered Senate Bill 2617, a proposal that would have blocked districts from purchasing instructional materials that do not use the terms Before Christ (B.C.) and Anno Domini (A.D.) when referring to historical time periods, but the legislation died in a House committee. Jaden Edison Lawmakers extend Texas DEI ban to K-12 schools Texas GOP lawmakers have made parental control a central issue in public education. Legislators this session aimed to give parents greater authority over what their children are taught and which extracurricular activities they join. A key focus was eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in K-12 schools. Lawmakers accused some schools of promoting ideological agendas in the classroom instead of prioritizing high-quality instruction. They also claimed that school districts focused too heavily on diversity hiring rather than selecting the most qualified educators. Senate Bill 12, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, prohibits school districts from considering race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation in hiring and training practices. Under the bill, if parents believe a school is violating the DEI ban, they can file a complaint with the school principal. If parents are unsatisfied with the schools response, they can appeal to the Texas education commissioner, who can investigate the complaint and conduct a hearing. The legislation further upholds parental authority by giving them the ability to opt their child in or out of specific programs, such as the requirement in this bill that a parent must opt in to a child's sex education curriculum, and this is so that parents can make informed choices that align with their family's values, said Rep. Jeff Leach, a Republican from Plano and the bills sponsor, in May. [Democrats lash out as Legislature bans school clubs that support gay teens] In addition, schools will be banned from authorizing or sponsoring student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Parents will also be required to provide written consent for their children to participate in any extracurricular club. Critics argue that the bill targets marginalized groups, especially LGBTQ+ students, and could harm students mental health by limiting their sense of belonging. They also warn that the legislation may lead to self-censorship among teachers and administrators, who might over-interpret the law out of fear of violating it. Sofia Sorochinskaia Parents, school boards will have more control over school library materials Lawmakers also aimed to give parents and school boards more authority over which books students can access in school libraries. Senate Bill 13, by Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, will allow parents and school boards to challenge any school library material. The bill grants school boards the authority to decide which books should be approved or removed from school libraries. They also have the option to delegate this responsibility to local school advisory councils if 50 parents or 10% of parents in the district, whichever is less, sign a petition calling for their creation. In addition, the bill will prohibit schools from keeping library materials that contain indecent content or profane content. No child should pick up a book in their school library of all places and be exposed to inappropriate, harmful material within its pages, Paxton said in March. These young brains cannot unsee what they see. Opponents of the bill argue the legislation will lead to the banning of books that discuss topics like sexuality and gender identity, and that reflect the experiences of marginalized students. They warn that such policies could undermine representation and limit access to diverse perspectives. Critics also point out that most Texas school districts already have processes in place for parents to challenge library books. They argue that SB 13 will promote censorship and the unnecessary removal of books from school libraries. Sofia Sorochinskaia Students will be barred from using their cellphones during the school day Texas will join several other states across the country in banning cellphones in schools. House Bill 1481, introduced by Rep. Caroline Fairly, a Republican from Amarillo, aims to limit the use of personal wireless communication devices in K-12 classrooms. The bill received strong bipartisan support: It passed unanimously in the Senate and by a 136-10 vote in the House. Supporters of the bill argue that cellphones distract students, hurting their focus, participation and overall academic performance. Many also hope the legislation will help reduce bullying and improve students' mental health. The bill was authored by the only Gen Z member of the Texas House. She said she understands firsthand how harmful social media can be for students. When you see what is being pushed on social media and the distraction it causes in the classroom, there is a need for our government to support our educators, she told The Texas Tribune in March. Opponents of the bill worry it could make it harder for students to contact parents or emergency services. They also raised concerns about parents being unable to track their childrens whereabouts. To address these issues, the bill allows students to keep their phones nearby but restricts their use during the school day. Sofia Sorochinskaia 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! Germany benefits from free trade more than any other country in the world, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday. Amid disruptions to trade due to US President Donald Trump's tariff policies, Wadephul said countries around the world are showing increased interest in trade deals with the European Union, which is seen as a "reliable partner." Speaking at a trade event for the agricultural industry in Berlin, Germany's top diplomat said the EU must take advantage of new opportunities to extend partnerships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He singled out the trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc - which includes Argentina, Brazil, Parguay and Uruguay - as well as deals with Indonesia, Australia, India and Thailand. Negotiations over trade deals will always raise questions among German consumers and business leaders, Wadephul said. "Will the quality of my food still be guaranteed if the steaks come from Brazil and Argentina? What does competition from abroad mean for our small and medium-sized enterprises?" The government takes the population's concerns seriously, he said. However, "no country in the world benefits as much from open markets and trade as Germany." Germany's export-driven economy is likely to be deeply affected by US tariffs, if ongoing negotiations between the European Union and Washington fail to produce a deal. Wake County leaders raised the property tax rate and cut its proposed housing and EMS funding to increase its spending for the Wake County Public School System. The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved the $2.17 billion budget 6-1 Monday evening after a lengthy discussion about the merits of cutting proposed housing and EMS funds to increase public school funding. You cant set yourself on fire to keep others warm, said Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas, the lone commissioner who voted against the budget. Thats not partnership. Thats a neglect of your own responsibility. Once again, were being asked to pit public safety and affordable housing against public education. That is a false and dangerous choice, and one we should refuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this spring, Wake County Manager David Ellis had proposed a budget with a property tax rate of 51.6 cents per $100 of assessed property value. That would have been an increase of 0.25-cents per $100 valuation in the property tax rate to cover the cost of the $142 million library bond that voters approved last fall. The bond will pay for five new libraries and renovate or expand nine other library buildings over the next decade. It proposal also included a $35 million increase for the Wake County Public School System. But Monday, county leaders instead approved a budget that brings school funding to $40.3 million, the amount requested by the Wake County Board of Education. WCPSS administration identified $60 million in additional needs this year and made $18.7 million in budget cuts, The News & Observer previously reported. The county tax rate also will increase from Ellis initial proposal to 51.71 cents per $100 valuation. Thats an increase of 0.11 cents per $100 valuation over what the county manager proposed for a total increase of 0.36-cents per $100 valuation. The owner of a $450,000 home would pay $2,326.95 in county taxes, an increase of $16.20. I had to do a lot of soul searching for what are my core values and what I think is the best for the constituents of District 7 that I represent, said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson. Cutting housing and EMS is painful. ... I would not be sitting here in this seat today had it not been for strong public education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 0.11-cent increase over what Ellis initial proposal will raise $3.5 million for WCPSS. Budget cuts Commissioners made additional cuts in the budget to redirect spending to public schools. The proposed budget had included 15 new paramedics and 10 emergency medical technicians to Wake County EMS. The budget approved by Wake leaders cut 12 of those positions to direct $780,000 to WCPSS. When we asked the staff about areas that we could possibly cut in the budget, they came back to us and said, Weve realized, in reality, we probably wouldnt actually be able to hire that many people and get them trained in the next year, said Wake County Commissioner Chair Susan Evans. So we could hold off on 12 of those positions, knowing full well that well need to fund those the following year. But they were being very realistic about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioners also voted to lower the amount for its Housing Opportunity Fund by $1 million over the next five years. The fund is meant to be a public-private revolving loan fund to buy affordable housing in more affluent urban areas where land costs are higher. This reduction will decrease the projected number of affordable units created from 2,500 to 1,250 over the 15-year life of the fund, according to Wake County. Commissioner Safiyah Jackson called on the business community of Wake County to fill that gap and help us ensure that we can acquire land. Many of the commissioners placed blame on the North Carolina General Assembly for not fully funding public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public schools are under unprecedented attacks, said Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters. Ideologically, politically and financially, and there is a disparate impact that these attacks have on students of color and students from low-income families. And, for me, its about ensuring that no matter your ZIP code, every child has the opportunity for a real chance at success and education remains the most powerful tool that we have to break the cycles of generational poverty, and yet we continue to underinvest as a society in our communities where that power is needed the most. The budget includes pay raises from 1% to 3.5% for the countys 5,000 employees, the lowest pay increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes a property tax rate increase of 1.5 cents per $100 valuation for the Fire Tax District, which includes unincorporated Wake County and Wendell. That money will go toward aging fire stations and pay increases for firefighters. More information about the budget can be found online at wake.gov/budget. The town of Walkersville will contribute $2,500 to a program to provide free lunches to students at the towns library during the summer months. The towns commissioners last week unanimously approved a contribution of $2,500 to the program. Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen abstained from the vote because she works for the countys library system. Many students rely on school lunches during the year, and the library provides those lunches during the summer, Levi Branson, the branch manager for the Walkersville branch, told the commissioners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The library has given out about 15,000 lunches since 2019, including nearly 4,000 last year, he said. Branson said each meal consists of a main item, a side item, a snack, and water. The program serves as a volunteer opportunity for teenagers and others who need service hours, and all shifts for the program have already been filled, he said. Walkersville is one of two Frederick County Public Libraries branches participating in the summer lunches program, along with Brunswick, library system spokeswoman Kelly Cambrel wrote in an email Monday. The Walkersville program will run from June 16 to Aug. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. while supplies last, in the librarys Batson Community Room in the library at 2 S. Glade Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is sponsored by the town, Glade Valley Community Services, and Friends of the Walkersville Library. The Brunswick program will run from June 8 to Aug. 15 from 12:15 to 1 p.m., with no lunches served on the Juneteenth (June 19) and July 4 holidays, in the librarys community room at 915 N. Maple Ave. The program is run through a partnership with the city of Fredericks Department of Housing and Human Services Summer Food Services Program. The lunch program addresses food insecurity issues for children who rely on school lunches during the school year, Cambrel wrote. It also brings them to the library, where they can take part in the systems Summer Challenge reading program to help prevent the loss of literacy skills during the summer months, she wrote. Ryan Marshall A "wall of dust" is heading toward Florida and could hang around until the weekend. Saharan dust helps prevent hurricanes from developing or strengthening and provides some vivid sunrises and sunsets. Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Saharan dust moving across the Atlantic from Africa isn't unusual. Activity usually ramps up in mid-June, peaks from late June to mid-August, and begins to subside after mid-August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dust isn't the only threat out there, especially for those with respiratory problems. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is moving south into the U.S., although it is not expected to last as long or be as bad in Florida as it was almost two years ago. Here's what you should know. 'Wall of dust' approaching Florida, US "Were currently seeing a massive plume of dust moving east through the Caribbean," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert, said in an email Monday afternoon. "It's about 2,000 miles wide from east to west, stretching from Jamaica all the way past Barbados. North to south, it's about 750 miles, spanning from Trinidad and Tobago in the south to north of Puerto Rico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That gives you a sense of the scale; its essentially a wall of dust. While it's not uncommon for dust to cross the Atlantic, this is one of the larger plumes weve seen so far this season. It's not necessarily unusual, but definitely on the stronger side." "We expect it to arrive in the U.S. late in the week. Florida could see enhanced sunsets as early as Thursday, and the dust could spread into parts of the northern Gulf Coast places like Houston, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge by Friday into Saturday," DaSilva said. "While its not rare for this dust to travel across the Atlantic and affect the southern U.S., it usually only happens a couple of times a year. This appears to be the largest plume we've seen in 2025 so far." "It's an expansive plume, something that is typical for this time of year," said Fox Weather meteorologist Bob Van Dillen said via email Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It doesn't look as deep of a layer as the models had predicted last week, but it's still should be enough for Floridians to notice a haze in the air. Sunrises and sets should feature more of a darker red hue as well, stating Wednesday and peaking Friday/Saturday. The heaviest concentration of dust looks like Central Florida at this point. This will be the biggest push of Saharan dust into Florida so far this year. What can Florida expect from Saharan dust this week? Saharan dust moving toward Florida, U.S. 11 a.m. June 2, 2025. Since most of the dust typically is high in the atmosphere, "it rarely causes significant air quality issues for breathing," DaSilva said. "If the dust is really thick, it can impact surface air quality, but that's uncommon. "Interestingly, rain showers are expected (this week) as well. When that happens, the dust can get caught in raindrops and settle on the ground. Once it dries, it might leave a residue brown dust on cars." Tallahassee, central Panhandle : "If things remain on track, the Saharan dust will arrive late this week," said Felecia Bowser, meteorologist in charge with the National Weather Service Tallahassee in an email Monday. "The showers and thunderstorms anticipated for mid to late week this week could result in seeing some cars have dust residue on them due to rain pushing the dust down to the earth. It is a bit too early to tell how thick the dust will be, but we could see hazy skies/hazy sunsets thus reducing visibility a bit." North, Northeast Florida: The Saharan dust isn't expected to impact North and Northeast Florida. "It looks like it'll stay south of us at this point," said Jason Hess, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Jacksonville, in a phone interview Monday afternoon. East, Central Florida : "The Saharan dust is expected to roll in mid week, becoming noticeable Tuesday or Wednesday. It'll probably linger over us for a few days, possible into the weekend," said Robert Haley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Melbourne in a phone interview Monday afternoon. South Florida: "The front draped over South Florida causing all the storms right now (Monday afternoon) is expected to dissipate through Tuesday. The dust is forecast to move over us toward the middle to end of the week, reducing thunderstorm chances but not eliminating them. Expect murky skies and nice sunsets when the dust arrives Wednesday morning before departing Thursday evening and into Friday morning," said Barry Baxter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Miami, in a phone interview Monday afternoon. West coast, Southwest Florida: Tuesday morning, the highest concentration of Saharan dust is located over Puerto Rico, said Stephen Shiveley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Tampa Bay in a phone interview. "It'll be heading our way over the next couple of days, but a factor for us is an upper-level low in the Gulf of America bringing tropical moisture over us. So we'll see a lot of showers and cloud cover. The dust may be over us but it won't be as noticeable unless there's a break in the clouds. Early in the weekend, while there may be less dust over Southwest Florida, it may be more noticeable as the upper-level low moves out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phone lines at the National Weather Service office in Mobile are down. We've reached out via email and will update this story once we hear from them. Will smoke from Canadian wildfires reach Florida? The same weather conditions bringing the Saharan dust into Florida is helping push smoke from the Canadian wildfires away from the Sunshine State. "The Canadian wildfire smoke is definitely into north central Florida and the Panhandle," Van Dillen said. "All the storms Monday afternoon in South Florida has essentially washed it out of the air, no worries there for smoke. It looks like the smoke hangs out through Tuesday morning until it rushes north and out; that wind shift will actually usher in the Saharan dust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Smoke is noticeable in north Florida now (late Monday, June 2) but not as thick as neighbors to the north in Georgia and South Carolina. Air quality alerts were posted for the poor air resulting from the smoke and ozone combining from the warm air." Tallahassee, central Panhandle : The smoke "is pretty high up in the atmosphere and thus at this time, does not appear it will be of a high concern," Bowser said. "We do not suspect people will experience a significant smokey smell. A very slight haze may be seen with this, but due to how high up in the atmosphere it is, we are not expecting much in the way of significant visibility restrictions. At this time, the smoke is located across Georgia/Alabama." North, Northeast Florida: Smoke from the Canadian wildfires was high over Northeast Florida, not at ground level, during the weekend, bringing hazy skies, Hess said. A front that moved through the area has since pulled the smoke back north. East, Central Florida : The smoke is expected to hold just north of us, Haley said. "We may get a little smoke Monday and Tuesday in the upper levels, several thousand feet up, but the winds moving the dust over us are keeping the smoke away." South Florida : Smoke from the Canadian wildfires aren't expected at this time to affect South Florida, Baxter said. West coast, Southwest Florida: Meteorologists were watching the Canadian smoke over the weekend as winds brought it into North Florida. "We don't think we'll see the smoke down here at least in the next week," Shiveley said. What is Saharan dust? Saharan dust moving toward Florida, U.S. 11 a.m. June 2, 2025. Known officially as the Saharan Air Layer, Saharan dust is dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert in northern Africa, according to the National Weather Service. As it moves off the west coast of Africa, it can travel across the North Atlantic reaching Florida and the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Saharan Air Layer can be 2 to 2.5 miles thick, starting about one mile above the surface. Interactive map: Check air quality in Brevard County When does Saharan Air Layer normally occur? The Saharan Air Layer forms over the Sahara Desert during late spring, summer, and early fall, moving over the tropical North Atlantic every three to five days, the National Weather Service said. Activity usually ramps up in mid-June, peaks from late June to mid-August, and begins to rapidly subside after mid-August. "During the peak period, individual Saharan Air Layer outbreaks reach farther to the west as far west as Florida, Central America and even Texas and cover vast areas of the Atlantic." How does Saharan dust affect tropical storms and hurricanes? Three factors associated with Saharan dust help prevent tropical cyclones from developing and, with storms already present, inhibit strengthening: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warm temperatures: The Saharan Air Layers warmth acts to stabilize the atmosphere, which can suppress the formation of clouds. Dry air: Tropical cyclones need moisture so the dry, dusty air associated with the Saharan Air Layer can weaken a tropical cyclone. Strong winds: Strong winds in the Saharan Air Layer increase vertical wind shear in and around a storm. Saharan dust brings vivid sunrises, sunsets While Saharan dust can make the sky look hazy it can bring some stunning sunrises and sunsets. Where there is a lot of dust or smoke in the atmosphere, sunrises and sunsets can appear even more yellow, orange and red than normal, according to the National Weather Service. "A heavy load of dust in the atmosphere can enhance ... leads to longer-lasting, duskier colors that cause vivid sunsets and sunrises." Air quality from dust, smoke could pose respiratory problems for some "Saharan dust lowers air quality by increasing the concentration of mineral dust, things like silica and quartz," Dr. Samuel Gurevich, a pulmonologist with Cleveland Clinic in Florida said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These tiny particles can travel deep into the lungs and cause significant inflammation." The dust also tends to make the air drier, which can further irritate airways, Gurevich said. This might mean a runny nose or itchy eyes. "But, for people with respiratory conditions, it can cause more serious symptoms or flare ups," he said. How is the air quality in Florida? How can you check local conditions? Can't see the map? What are air quality alerts? Explanation of what the air quality alert numbers mean. Air quality alerts are indicators the air is unsafe to breathe for certain people. Alerts are triggered by a number of factors, including the detection of fine-particle pollution, which can irritate the lungs. Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will provide tropical weather coverage daily until Nov. 30 to keep you informed and prepared. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Saharan dust, Canadian smoke: Expected impacts in Florida GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) The 13th Circuit Solicitor, Walt Wilkins, announced his retirement last week. Wilkins has been the longest-serving solicitor for Greenville and Pickens counties, serving for 14 years. He referred to his time as a solicitor as the highlight of his life, but he reminisced on all it took to get here. In 2010 came the big choice of Whats next? At the time, Wilkins was serving as the United States District Attorney of South Carolina, appointed by President Bush. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, under the new presidency, he would soon lose his job. Fueled by his love of prosecution and justice, Wilkins said he decided to run for the 13th Circuit Solicitor position. Fortunately, no one ran against me, Wilkins said. I ran unopposed, and I was sworn in January of 2011. The honorable position was previously held by Wilkins father from 1974 to 1981. The shared setting with his father wasnt unfamiliar to him. He was really good about carrying me around, Wilkins said. Wherever he went, he would take me to whatever meeting, and I was just a fly on the wall. I can remember when I was 7 or 8 years old, playing down on the first floor in his office in this building right here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilkins prosecuted several major cases during his time as solicitor, including S.C. vs. Clarence Jenkins, over a decade agohis most recent, and what he called his biggest trial, was S.C. vs. Zachary Hughes. Zachary Hughes found guilty in 2021 murder of Christina Parcell Wilkins said his career is not highlighted by those wins, but by justice for the victims and punishment for those found guilty. You can never undo the damage thats been done to a victim, Wilkins said. All you can do is present a system and a path in which we can hold someone accountable for their actions. His last day is Friday, June 6, and hell move into a new role that he said he couldnt pass up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilkins said he is moving on to practice private law with the one who introduced him to this career field. He said the opportunity to work with his father is a full-circle moment, and its the beginning of a new chapter for his family. He got to practice with his dad when he was younger, and so it really just kind of fulfills the evolution of our careers, Wilkins said. They have kind of merged back together at this moment, and it really is just such an honor to be able to practice with him. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will appoint the next 13th Circuit Solicitor. Wilkins said he hopes hell appoint the 13th Circuit Chief Deputy Solicitor, Andrew Culbreath. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. (Photo courtesy of the Iowa Department of Corrections) The Iowa Department of Corrections announced Monday the appointment of Mark C. Foreman as warden of Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. I am committed to providing safe, secure, and humane environments that support rehabilitation and public safety, Foreman said in a news release. Foreman is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served as a sergeant with infantry and security forces for over six years before beginning his corrections and law enforcement career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his military service, Foreman worked with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for more than two decades. He worked at several correctional facilities, including serving as associate warden for FCI Tallahassee, a low-security federal prison for female inmates in Tallahassee, Florida. Following his time with federal institutions, Foreman went on to work for public correctional facilities such as jail administrator for Jackson County Correctional Facility and assistant warden at Jefferson Correctional Institution in Monticello, Florida. Both facilities have multiple security levels ranging from minimum to medium. The Iowa State Penitentiary is a cornerstone of our institution system, and we are confident that Mark is the right leader to guide it into the future, Iowa DOC Director Dr. Beth Skinner said in a news release. Foremans experience also includes several positions with private correctional institutions company CoreCivic, including his most recent role as senior warden of Cimarron Correctional Facility, a medium-security facility located three miles southwest of Cushing, Oklahoma Prior to this, he served as warden of Cibola County Correctional Facility, a minimum-security prison in Milan, New Mexico; assistant warden of Jenkins Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison in Millen, Georgia and assistant warden of McRae Correctional Facility, a low-security prison in McRae-Helena, Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His leadership style is rooted in accountability, staff development, and a clear vision for operational excellence. ISP will benefit greatly from his experience and steady hand, said Deputy Director for Institutions Nick Lamb in a news release. Foreman will be replacing the previous warden Chris Tripp, who worked with the Iowa State Penitentiary for many years in several different roles before his retirement. HOLLIDAY (KFDX/KJTL) The arrest warrant for a Holliday pastor arrested Friday sheds more light on the details of the alleged grooming of a teenage girl. Texas Rangers arrested and charged Nathan Roach, 31, on May 30 for the alleged grooming of a child under 18. Roach bonded out of jail after his arrest on a $100,000 bond. Wichita Falls man charged for assaulting woman with shotgun According to his arrest warrant, Roach was in a relationship with a now-17-year-old girl that began in 2022, when the girl was 15. When the alleged grooming began, Roach was the youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Holliday. He became the lead pastor in June 2024. Court documents revealed that in December 2023, the girls parents found messages between her and Roach. The next month, the parents confronted him and asked him to stop communicating with their daughter privately. However, in an April 2025 interview, police said he admitted he did not stop. When the teen girl spoke with investigators, she said Roach would touch her legs during church lessons and while eating. She also said he would give her hugs, put his hands under her shirt and would also kiss her cheek and neck. The warrant also showed that in December 2024 and January 2025, the teen girls parents said they found more messages from Roach on their daughters phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February 2025, Roach allegedly texted the parents and apologized before he then took time off from work. Church deacons later asked Roach to resign after they met with the girls parents. On May 29, just one day before his arrest, a forensic analysis of Roachs phone showed what investigators described as a large number of photos and videos of the teen girl. Investigators also said Roach searched the internet about laws against communication with a 17-year-old, as well as clergy sexual misconduct. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Attorney General Nick Brown, center, speaks to reporters alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta, right, and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, left, before an event at Town Hall Seattle on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard) SEATTLE Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown warned in mid-April that the Trump administrations actions put the country near the precipice of a constitutional crisis. His comments alongside fellow state attorneys general in Colorado came shortly after the White House defied court orders to return a Maryland man the federal government had wrongfully sent to El Salvador under the presidents immigration crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six weeks later, Brown shies away from using that term, but says President Donald Trumps disregard for some court rulings, especially in immigration cases, has made the circumstances around how he is wielding executive power much more dangerous. Whether or not were in a constitutional crisis, you know, thats somewhat of an academic debate, the Democratic attorney general told reporters before a town hall Monday alongside his counterparts from Oregon and California. In my mind, we are in a crisis. Call it what you want. Its been a whirlwind few months for Brown, who took office in January. Later that month, the day after Trump took office, Brown sued over the presidents executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship. Since then, hes filed 19 more lawsuits, over threats to gender-affirming care, election systems and cuts to a host of federal agencies and funding opportunities. Some of that litigation is playing out in federal courtrooms in Seattle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those cases have led to court orders blocking Trumps actions, but are not fully settled. Oregon and California are plaintiffs in even more lawsuits than Washington. Brown guaranteed more litigation to come. At Mondays event in Seattle, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield recalled a meeting he had with his governor, Tina Kotek, in January. She didnt want him to be the next Bob Ferguson, who during Trumps first term served as Washington attorney general and brought dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration. This raised Fergusons profile before he was elected governor last year. During the first Trump presidency, I kept looking on the news all the time, and I kept seeing Bob Ferguson every single day, Kotek told Rayfield. Youre not going to do that to me, are you? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rayfield told the crowd, I stand here in Washington to tell you I am the Oregon version of Bob Ferguson. At the town hall, the trio of western states top legal officials heard concerns from locals about cut public health funding, increasingly brazen immigration enforcement, disinvestment in climate policy, and congressional attacks on reproductive health care. California Attorney General Rob Bonta acknowledged that its a heavy time for people opposed to Trump. We shouldnt feel hopeless, because were not helpless, he added. We have power. Where things stand Last month, Brown was in Washington, D.C., when the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments over challenges to Trumps order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship. The arguments focused on the legal issue of lower court orders blocking actions nationwide, versus only in the places from which plaintiffs are suing. The justices havent yet ruled on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Browns office will be in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Seattle on Wednesday, arguing to maintain such a preliminary injunction indefinitely stopping the federal government from implementing the birthright citizenship order. The attorney general has also been at the forefront of defending so-called sanctuary policies that states and cities have enacted to stop local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Brown said his lawsuit against an eastern Washington county that aided immigration agents was the most difficult case that I have had to bring. Last week, the Trump administration included Washington, about three dozen of the states counties and a handful of cities on a nationwide list of sanctuary jurisdictions that it feels hinder the work of immigration enforcement. Listed on the inventory was the nonexistent Swinomish County. The president has threatened to withhold federal funding from these state and local governments. Over the weekend, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security took down the lists webpage amid pushback from police officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a call Monday, Brown and other attorneys general laughed over the administrations sloppiness. We will survive Donald Trump, Brown said. Still, he felt the need to knock on wood after saying Trump wouldnt be on the ballot in 2028. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The man suspected of murdering a Washington County woman in April is pleading not-guilty. 40-year-old David Earl Gipson was back in court Monday morning, June 2, for his arraignment. He pleaded not-guilty to all charges against him, including murder, kidnapping and sexual assault. The judge also assigned Gipson a public defender. Gipson is accused of beating 74-year-old Lettie Cooper Collins to death, then kidnapping her daughter-in-law, assaulting, hog-tying and putting her in a small storage, from which she escaped on April 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities hauled Gipson out of the woods and handcuffed him in the back of a pick-up truck. Hes been held without bond in the Washington County Jail ever since. WCSO investigators initially said Gipson claimed Collins son owed him money, and that may have been the motive for the crimes. Gipson is not due in court again until August. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Washington just launched the first-ever police use of force database in the nation. Its called the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety (WADEPS). It requires all law enforcement agencies in the state to report use-of-force data to the state every month including when an officer uses a firearm, Taser, pepper spray, canine, or strikes a person with a weapon or their body. Agencies must report information about the officer and person involved in these use-of-force incidents, such as their age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The online tool was developed by Washington State University (WSU). It will allow anyone to view the information that is submitted. The goal is to provide transparency in these kinds of incidents. A single location with clear, standardized and contextual information will help the public better understand the use of force in Washington, Attorney General Nick Brown said in a letter sent to law enforcement agencies on Monday. Law enforcement and policymakers will have common tools to better analyze force and make informed decisions about policing policies and practices. Law enforcement agencies have until September 2 to begin reporting data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several agencies were early participants in the program, including Fife Police. Chief Pete Fisher said his department was excited about WADEPS mission to enhance transparency, accountability, and real-time analysis of police use of force incidents. Washington has 301 law enforcement agencies. 12 are state agencies with law enforcement divisions (not including Washington State Patrol) two of which are prohibited from using force. 28 agencies are tribal police departments that are encouraged but not required by state law to participate in the collection program. To visit WADEPS, click here. (NewsNation) The Orleans Justice Center has come under scrutiny in the past month since the jailbreak that saw ten prisoners escape. The scrutiny comes as changes and resignations of several prison officials and higher-ups have flown in from former law enforcement and state and local officials. Officials in New Orleans on Tuesday said the Orleans Parish Justice Center identified 16 significant pipe leaks, which contributed to the compromised security of the facility inside the cells. The ten inmates, including four alleged killers, escaped through a hole behind a toilet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alleged New Orleans escaped inmate claims he isnt a fugitive We were trusting that, said Susan Hutson, Parish of Orleans Sheriff when asked about if the jail has leaky pipe monitors built into walls were sustainable. We found two uncompressed fitings so far, but there could be many more. Its a big, big building. Orleans Parish officials added that the leaks are causing damage to control panels that need to be replaced and compromising the security of the jail itself. The standard shelf life of a jails plumbing system should be around 30 years; Orleans Parish jail is only 10 years old. This came up in the last couple of weeks about this major flood issue that came up, Hutson said. We always have plumbing issues. We have too many folks there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orleans Parish officials also identifed in the interim, they have $300,000-400,000 of work that needs to be done to ensure all the required fixes are met for the prison. Long term, they estimated $900,000 for the changes. The prison is seeking additional funds to make the emergency repairs. Growing number of New Orleans fugitives friends, family arrested for aiding escape We have redirected some funds out of our general operating to support the razor wire we need to get installed, also the gate covering so we wont have another escape, acknowledgef Bianka Brown, chief financial officer of the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office. Brown said the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office unassigned fund balance as of December 2024 was roughly $8 million, with $3 million towards FEMA and other capital projects. 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. June 3 (UPI) -- Authorities in Michigan said an opossum was rescued from the Mackinac Bridge, the 5-mile bridge connecting the state's two peninsulas. The Mackinac Bridge Authority said on social media that the opossum was spotted on the bridge May 29, prompting a response from bridge staff and the Mackinac County Sheriff's Office. The workers and a deputy where able to safely wrangle the opossum into a cage and transport it back to the south end of the bridge to be released in Mackinaw City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bridge has occasional visits from wildlife, including a family of birds spotted last week. Another recent wildlife visit on the bridge. On Tuesday this family of Canada geese checked out work on the bridge. They were on the causeway section so they were able to get back down to the water as well. pic.twitter.com/w9b2etgu63 The Mackinac Bridge (@mackinacbridge) May 30, 2025 "On Tuesday this family of Canada geese checked out work on the bridge. They were on the causeway section so they were able to get back down to the water as well," the Mackinac Bridge Authority said on social media. June 3 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Australia came to the rescue of a wayward dog who found his way into a 26-foot-deep mine shaft. The Country Fire Authority in Victoria said a Labrador named Ted wandered off his owner's property with a Labradoodle named Penny on Thursday and the dog duo made their way to Pronk Track in Trentham. Penny was found Monday standing vigil next to the mine shaft that now contained her adoptive brother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When we arrived, as you would expect, Penny was quite agitated, but luckily one of our firefighters knew the owners because they lived next door to them," Trentham Fire Brigade Capt. David Wheeldon said in a news release. The fire brigade summoned the owners of the dogs as well as the Country Fire Authority's Oscar 1 rescue crew. "Throughout the morning, we were providing Ted with plenty of food and water," David said. Firefighters descended into the mine shaft and were able to bring Ted back up to the surface level for a reunion with Penny and his owners about 2:53 p.m., the CFA said. The Trentham Fire Brigade and personnel from Forest Fire Management Victoria located a number of nearby mine shafts and secured them to prevent future incidents. GARIFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) In a quiet Garfield Heights neighborhood, a moment unfolded that few will forget. Seven-year-old Bronx is in the fight of his life. Hes battling leukemiaenduring chemotherapy, hospital stays, and the kind of fears no child should have to face. But on this day, Bronx got a surprise visit from someone who knows exactly what hes going through: Legendary FOX 8 Anchor Wayne Dawson, who has endured his own battle with cancer. Kent State to close LGBTQ+, womens, multicultural centers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wayne didnt come for the cameras. He came for Bronx. My mom reached out, and here he is, said Bronxs mother, Jayvonna Terry. And thank you guys for everything because this just changed my life. When Wayne walked through the front door, Bronx lit up. Hello, my friend; my name is Wayne Dawson from Channel 8, and your name is Bronx, right? Wayne asked as he sat beside the boy. Deadly Ashtabula County shooting suspect taken into custody Wayne gently shared his own journey through chemotherapy, radiation and the mental weight that comes with fighting cancer. I know you are dealing with cancer now, am I right? he said. I went through the same thing the chemo, the radiation and all that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bronx listened closely. He smiled, and then he repeated the words Wayne offered to him as a mantra. Cancer is defeated. Cancer is defeated, Wayne told him. For nearly an hour, the two sat together talking, laughing and simply being present in the moment. All I could do was just sleep and watch Nickelodeon, Bronx shared. King of the Hill actor fatally shot: Reports Wayne never needed a script. He didnt come as an anchor. He came as a survivor. And to Bronx, that meant the world. Sometimes, all it takes is someone whos been there to show a child that they can get through it too. Courage. Compassion. And the power of showing upthats what this moment was all about. 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. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will brief reporters Tuesday afternoon as pressure grows on President Trump over his tariff moves and whether the U.S. will add additional sanctions on Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Last week, a federal judge ruled that Trump did not have the unilateral authority to implement his sweeping tariffs on nearly all foreign trading partners. Despite the decision, the president has doubled down on his trade agenda. Trump has also aired frustration with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid peace talks. While Kyiv has been more open to a ceasefire, Moscow has been less so leading to pressure from lawmakers to implement sanctions on Russia to move negotiations along. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press briefing is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. EDT. Watch the live video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Frederick County Health Department has recommended that the public avoid waters around Adamstown for the next week due to a sewage overflow. The affected waters from the unnamed tributary near the railroad tracks in Adamstown that flows to Tuscarora Creek, as well as Tuscarora Creek to Md. 28, should be avoided, according to a Health Department press release. The department said the sewage overflow means that swimming and full-body immersion in these waters should be avoided until June 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If someone comes into contact with the affected waters, health officials recommend washing thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating. Pet owners are also advised by county health officials to avoid these waters. Boating and fishing is still permitted. The press release said fish may still be safe to consume if cleaned, scaled, and cooked. Cameron Adams Channel 9 meteorologists are monitoring an area of tropical disturbance near the east coast of Florida. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the non-tropical low-pressure system as it works to develop over the next couple of days. With only a 10% chance of developing, the disturbance is unlikely to become a named storm. However, its potential is enough to keep meteorologists on alert. The area is forecast to move northeast and away from Florida at 10 to 15 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it lingers over the warm waters of the Atlantic, it could develop tropical characteristics. Even without major development, the system could stir up gusty winds and rough surf along the east coast over the next few days. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Labour council has launched a crackdown on wealthy homeowners after accusing them of using a loophole to evade a 300pc tax raid on empty properties. Westminster council as much as quadrupled council tax in April in a bid to stop residents leaving houses unoccupied. It also rolled out double taxes for second home owners. But the move has been met with a significant increase in the number of people using loopholes to avoid paying the higher taxes, according to the local authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is planning a crackdown by using the Governments anti-fraud database to reveal whether or not residents are falsely claiming key exemptions. Adam Hug, the councils leader, said: We have found a significant increase in owners trying to evade the additional costs by reporting the property as either not empty, not a second home, or, most commonly, claiming a single-person discount. It is challenging for officers to evidence that the property is indeed being used as a second home, especially if that persons primary residence is outside the borough. For both these issues, we are meeting with the Governments National Fraud Initiative. The National Fraud Initiative is an electronic database designed to share information for use by private and public sector bodies that can identify potentially fraudulent claims, payments and inconsistencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council estimates that there are 34,000 homes in Westminster that are not being used as a primary residence, representing a quarter of its housing stock. This includes some 4,000 registered second homes and 1,300 long-term empty properties, as well as short-term lets used by tourists and private hospital patients. The borough has some of the highest house prices in the country, with properties selling for an average 1.5m last year, according to property website Rightmove. Speaking at a conference held last month by the Empty Homes Network, a pressure group for policy to tackle vacant properties, Mr Hug said Westminster was highly attractive to overseas investors who are extremely wealthy and significantly more challenging to contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From April, it imposed a 100pc council tax premium on homes that have been empty for up to five years, 200pc for up to 10 years and 300pc for more than a decade. Meanwhile, second home owners are liable for a 100pc council tax premium. Westminster is not the first council to have seen a double council tax raid on second home owners backfire. Analysis reported by The Telegraph shows local authorities will lose 334m to the policy because of a raft of exemptions available to residents. Other boroughs in the capital to have implemented double council tax for second home owners include Hackney, Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea. Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, has even suggested that London second home owners should pay much more than the 100pc premium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westminster council has previously called for greater powers to take control of empty properties after just six months of being vacant to tackle homelessness in the borough. 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. ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) It is summer in Rochester (meteorological summer, anyway) and that often pairs with wildfire smoke. Expect a haze overhead as the smoke rides the jet stream and spreads across New York State skies. SUNSET ALERT: Calling all photographers! A thick plume of wildfire smoke aloft is set to influence tonight's sunset across the Great Lakes & New England. Expect an unusually red sunset as smoke particles do a great job of scattering light. As the Sun lowers, light passes through pic.twitter.com/nWazzizMY8 Eric Snitil (@EricSnitilWx) June 3, 2025 Temperatures keep climbing on today. Expect highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s with higher numbers away from Lake Ontario. Flow remains out of the southwest. Potentially the warmest day of the year so far could fall on Wednesday as the southwest flow sends afternoon highs well into the 80s. A cold front will approach from the west and stretch across the Great Lakes here, but it does not arrive at Western New York until later Wednesday night into early Thursday. There may be strong storms Thursday afternoon if the front can tap into some extra energy from daytime heating. Temperatures come down here with highs in the middle 70s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8-Day Forecast Another storm system moves in Friday and that brings some rain into the afternoon and overnight. There are questions as to whether or not these showers leak into Saturday. If they do, they shouldnt last long and be out by the afternoon. Sunday looks dry. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEATHERSFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) A Weathersfield man is being held in the Trumbull County Jail on $1 million bond, facing a rape charge. Charles Shultz, 52, was booked into the jail on Monday. Court records state that the charge, a first-degree felony, stems from an incident on August 20, 2024. The charge was filed April 24, and a warrant was issued at that time. Bond was set at $1 million during an arraignment on Monday, and a preliminary hearing was set for Monday in Niles Municipal Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WKBN requested more information from police on the investigation, but has not yet heard back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. A woman from Webster County has been taken into custody after shooting at police at her residence on May 21, in Seymour, Missouri. Susan Sinclair mugshot, photo courtesy of Douglas County Mo. Sheriff According to online court dockets, Susan Sinclair, born 1966, has been charged with two counts of first-degree attempted assault, two counts of armed criminal action, two counts of aiding or abetting a person discharging or shooting a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest for a felony. The probable cause statement says Douglas County police arrived at Sinclairs home to execute an arrest warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Douglas Co. Sheriff details Wednesdays officer-involved shooting Police say they checked a home where Sinclairs vehicle was parked near the highway, the statement says. The police tried to open the door and noticed it was locked. They kicked down the door and saw a muzzle flash to the right of the door. One of the policemen fell backwards and continued to enter through the door. The police say that a shot was fired and the police returned fire. The police advised Sinclair to come out of the home and then they heard Sinclair say, Ive got guns in both hands. Police say they fired their final shot and ran into the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested Sinclair and provided first aid after she had a gunshot wound to her right eye. According to a Douglas County Mo. Sheriff social media post, Sinclair was issued the first arrest warrant for a felony warrant for two counts of third-degree assault, resisting or interfering with arrest and 40 counts of misdemeanor animal neglect and abandonment. Police placed Sinclair into custody at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis after being cleared for confinement on Friday, May 30, the post says. I am grateful that neither of my deputies was injured during this incident and did exactly what was required of them by reverting to their training, Sheriff Degase said in the post. Situations like this are why we place a high emphasis on our firearms training. Douglas County is blessed to have Sgt. Box and Deputy Evans protecting our county. 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. A well-known Fort Lauderdale Police detective was fired after an investigation revealed that he used police databases to search his ex-girlfriend and her family and made conflicting statements about a tracker found on the womans car. As a recruiting officer for the department, Henry Lockwood III often served as the face of Fort Lauderdale Police. He helped lead efforts to advertise the department to Spring Breakers, as the South Florida Sun Sentinel previously reported, mentored youths and spoke about the force on national television. We want to make sure we increase in community engagement. The more we engage with them, the less problems we know we have, Lockwood told the Sun Sentinel during the Spring Break initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Fort Lauderdale Police internal affairs report obtained by the Sun Sentinel, Lockwood has been terminated from his job after his ex-girlfriend raised concerns with the Coconut Creek Police Department about a tracker on her car. During an August 2024 interview with an officer in Coconut Creek, the ex-girlfriend said she and Lockwood had parted ways in April that year. She went to the police, she said, as she was scared and wanted to have it documented in case anything was to escalate from this situation,' according to the report. Related Articles Two days after the interview, a Coconut Creek Police investigator followed up at a local Hyundai dealership where the woman had asked for help in finding a tracker. She did so, she told police, because on two occasions she noticed that her ex-boyfriend showed up to different locations without her telling him where she was. She found that suspicious, the Fort Lauderdale Police internal affairs report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the woman returned to the dealership to retrieve her car, the GPS tracking device was missing, prompting an employee to review the dealerships video. It was then, according to the internal affairs report, that the employee and the ex-girlfriend observed an unknown male walk into the service bay toward the area where the car was located. The man was then observed leaving the service bay carrying the GPS tracking device in his hands. The woman told employees she knew the man on the video. The dealerships video cameras showed it was Lockwood who walked in wearing plain clothes to retrieve the device. He was on duty at the time, the report says. Interviewed later by Fort Lauderdale Police investigators, Lockwood initially denied placing the tracker on the car but later admitted to it when speaking to a supervisor. Then he denied it again, saying someone else had placed it there. Asked by Fort Lauderdale investigators why he had removed his uniform shirt while at the dealership, he replied: Because at that time I was not in any official capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lockwood also used police databases at least 26 times between April and August of 2024 to conduct searches on his ex-girlfriend and people in her life, including her brother, friends and a former boyfriend, according to the report. The investigation found Lockwood violated multiple department policies, including conduct unbecoming an officer and misuse of law enforcement authority or position. Misuse of police databases for personal reasons can lead to criminal penalties, depending on how the information is used. On Aug. 29, the report says, the Fort Lauderdale Police Departments office of internal affairs referred the case to the public corruption unit of the State Attorneys Office, which declined to review it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither the former girlfriend nor the car dealership wanted Lockwood to be prosecuted, according to the report. Several more BSO deputies suspended or fired in wake of Tamarac triple murder Honestly, I just want this to go away, the woman is quoted as telling a Coconut Creek officer. I dont want Henry to be in any type of trouble. I dont want him his job to be on the line his career. I just want us to go our separate ways. So, he continues his life. I continue my life and we just be done with it. No criminal charges, no consequences. I just wanted this to be documented. And thats pretty much it. The dealership told police that it did not want to press any charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 5, Fort Lauderdale Police Chief William Schultz signed a disciplinary recommendation of termination. The records show Lockwood has been represented by attorney Eugene Gibbons of Fort Lauderdale through the Fraternal Order of Police. A phone message left with Gibbons office Monday evening was not returned. The police union did not respond to an emailed message seeking comment. This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. This article has been updated to correct the name of Fort Lauderdale Police Chief William Schultz. A giant data center has been proposed to be located between Thomas and Davis, West Virginia, near tourist destinations like Blackwater Falls State Park. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) When people refer to West Virginia as Almost Heaven, we think of the beautiful, quiet scenic areas like Black Water Falls, Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods, all in Tucker County. However, our lawmakers just see money signs and not very many of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Patrick Morrisey recently signed into law House Bill 2014 one of his key priorities which created the states microgrid program to encourage data centers to come to the Mountain State. Residents in Tucker County are already fighting a proposed data center. A Virginia company, Fundamental Data, has applied for an air permit from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for the Ridgeline Facility. It includes an off-the-grid natural gas power plant between Thomas and Davis, which will likely power the giant data center proposed for a site just a mile away from the countys most heavily populated and tourist-attracting areas. A microgrid is a small power plant that is usually attached to a larger national grid, but runs independently to power things like a college campus, hospital complex or, in this case, a data center. West Virginias new law allows high impact data centers to curtail local zoning ordinances, meaning their microgrids dont have to attach to existing utilities. HB 2014, as requested by Morrisey, originally included provisions that would have required electric utilities with coal fired plants to operate at a higher capacity 69% compared to 40% and hold a 45-day supply of coal on hand at all times, while most only stockpile a 30-day supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers saw this bill as an opportunity to boost the states coal industry, but power companies said it would be difficult to meet those standards. Not only that, but meeting those standards would have raised electricity rates for customers. The bill was amended dozens of times and passed without those standards, and Morrisey signed it into law. Now residents of Tucker County are worried about a proposed data center taking away from the serene beauty of their home. As someone who grew up in Poca just across the river from the coal-powered John E. Amos Power Plant, I understand why you wouldnt want a new one to pop up near your home. Its never quiet you can hear the beep beep beep of equipment backing up all night and the banging of construction, and when the towers release steam, it sounds like the end of the world (at least it did when I first heard it as a child). And coal definitely keeps the lights on at the plant 24/7. In Virginia, which has the largest data center market in the world, there are local noise and lighting ordinances to protect residents. West Virginia residents wont have the same protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My dad said during the 1970s, before air pollution was taken more seriously, ash from the John Amos plant would be all over the place in the mornings. Sometime in the 1990s, everyone on our street noticed spots on their cars that messed up the paint. My dad said the air pollution commission ran some tests on the spots that indicated they came from the power plant. It only happened that one time, dad said, but it was worrisome then and its something to think about now as the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations. For instance, the Department of Justice has been told to block states from enforcing their own regulations on coal because President Donald Trump wants to revive beautiful, clean coal. Not only are power plants loud, but data centers are as well. They create noise pollution, typically a low humming sound, which is the cooling system that must run constantly to keep the temperatures down. Many data centers also use a diesel powered back-up system in case they lose power, and those must be tested monthly. These generators can run between 85 and 100 dBA 85 dBA is when hearing can be harmed. So why are we putting up with this noise? It must be because itll bring lots of jobs to the state, right? Not likely. Data centers are just buildings full of computers, and are largely automated. You ever wonder where the stuff you save on the cloud is stored, where the computers that make AI art are or where bitcoin is mined? In a data center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some facilities employ only 50 people. Most data center jobs come from the construction of the facilities, and are often contracted from out-of-state. Aside from data centers not bringing jobs, they could cost ratepayers more money. Virginia has proposed two transmission lines for their data centers, and the lines could cost West Virginians more than $440 million, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis The two transmission lines, both of which cut through West Virginia, were proposed to help with growing demand for electricity from data centers. PJMs transmission cost allocation methodology charges all ratepayers for the transmission infrastructure because it assumes that the regional transmission costs could not be attributed to a single new user or class of users. However the most recent Regional Transmission Expansion Plan processes shows thats not the case. While West Virginia is trying to use Virginia as an example on data centers, the state isnt doing it the same way with regulations and protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What youre going to get if you do it this way is the worst players, the ones that didnt need to be in Northern Virginia, said Julie Bolthouse, director of land use at Piedmont Environmental Council in Virginia. the players that are wanting that lack of regulations because they didnt want to abide by rules and didnt want to or need to protect communities, which is worse for West Virginia and the communities. What West Virginia is doing is not what Virginia is doing. If lawmakers are serious about bringing data centers to the state, then they need to be serious about the consequences and set better regulations to protect residents who want to enjoy wild, wonderful West Virginia without noise cancelling headphones. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX While Romania debated its future in its recent presidential election, Romanians in Ukraines Chernivtsi Oblast just across the border continued to wrestle with war, mobilization, and the loss of their pre-war lives. Romanias tight election race at the end of May kept many in Europe on the edge of their seats as candidates with starkly different visions for the countrys future vied to take office in the EU member state. Pro-European liberal Nicusor Dan, who supported aid to Ukraine in fighting off Russias invasion, defeated his opponent George Simion, a far-right Eurosceptic candidate who opposed supporting Ukraine and was banned from entering the country over his "systematic anti-Ukrainian activities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the west, Ukraines historically diverse population includes sizable communities of ethnic Romanians, Poles, and Hungarians. Their ancestors lived with Ukrainians in the areas that became Ukrainian after the borders took their current shape in the First and Second World Wars. My grandma is a Romanian, my grandpa is a Romanian, father is a Romanian. I am (also) a Romanian, said Oleksandr, 58, a resident of Ukraine and one of only 431 people who cast votes for a Romanian election in Ukraine, according to the turnout numbers provided by the Romanian Special Telecommunications Service. He declined to provide his last name. "We were good neighbors to each other and have to remain good neighbors." Chernivtsi Oblast remains the main hub of ethnic Romanians among the three Ukrainian oblasts bordering Romania. It hosts an estimated more than 100,000 ethnic Romanians, some of whom live in almost entirely Romanian villages, study in Romanian-speaking schools, and organize cultural festivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the war, many Ukrainians with Romanian roots from the area routinely went to Romania for work or studies, strengthening cultural diplomacy between the countries and fueling the local economy. Nicusor Dan and his partner Mirabela Gradinaru greet supporters after the first exit poll results on the day of the presidential election in Bucharest, Romania, on May 19, 2025. (Andrei Pungovschi / Getty Images) We were good neighbors to each other and have to remain good neighbors (with Romania), said Ihor, a silver-haired local man who came to the Romanian voting station in Chernivtsi on May 18 with his wife. Ihor did not want to give his last name. But now in Chernivtsi, far away from most of the Russian attacks on the front and major cities, the war has unsettled the balance that once let the Romanian community move easily between both countries and cultures. Military-aged men are not allowed to leave the country and can no longer work abroad. Despite many holding dual Romanian-Ukrainian citizenship, Ukrainian law only recognizes them as Ukrainian citizens. With the oblasts economy weakened by the loss of income from abroad, local job opportunities are limited. Many men fear being drafted from the streets. Funerals of Ukrainian fighters in Chernivtsi Oblast took place almost daily in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A wave of patriotic fervor, which mobilized Ukrainians in response to Russias invasion, has bolstered the Ukrainian language's role as the state language. But in Chernivtsi, the ethnic Romanian minority hopes that their opportunities to live, study, and pray in the Romanian language in Ukraine wont be affected by Ukraines pushback against centuries of Russification. Getting a Romanian passport to work abroad Residents and Romanian activists say the majority of dual citizens in Chernivtsi Oblast obtained Romanian citizenship for economic, not identity-based reasons. Romanian law grants the right to citizenship to any Ukrainian who can prove their descent from people who lived in Chernivtsi Oblast during Romanian rule from the late 1910s to the 1940s. Mainly, (people got dual citizenship) to have access to European countries. In our Ukraine, there is no job, and nothing to live on, said ethnic Romanian Vasyl Bota, 74, whose five children left to work abroad before the full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mainly, (people got dual citizenship) to have access to European countries, said Vasyl Byku, an ethnic Romanian activist and the head of the Romanian Culture Society named after Mihai Eminescu, a Romanian romantic poet and novelist. Ukrainians walk with suitcases toward a border post in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, on March 9, 2022, as they prepare to cross into the town of Siret, Romania, amid Russias ongoing invasion. (Pablo Garcia Sacristan / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The situation was different before, there was a visa regime (with the European Union), Byku told the Kyiv Independent. Visas were very expensive. People went to Europe, were caught there, returned, and deported. (With a Romanian passport), they got an opportunity to go and do some work. People from Chernivtsi and other western oblasts would direct their earnings from abroad to renovating their family houses in Ukraine, said Lavrentii, a driver with dual Ukrainian-Romanian citizenship who often transports people across the Romanian border. It also gave work in construction to people living here. The chain has been interrupted. It affects everything, Lavrentii added. Mobilization Locals say its widely known in Chernivtsi that a routine document check done by draft office patrols can result in being drafted right off the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Chernivtsi, Oleksii Rusetskyi was drafted on New Years Eve at the train station as he was arriving from Kyiv, his sister, Olena Mishakova, told the Kyiv Independent on May 18 at a rally in the citys downtown area for missing and captured soldiers. Mishakova held up a large Ukrainian flag with her brothers picture, along with another hundred silent women, children, and men lined up with flags and pictures of their family members. We were born here as Romanians, but this does not mean that we are not citizens of Ukraine. We are citizens of Ukraine in the first place. Her brother went missing in Donetsk Oblast on Dec. 25, a year into his service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fear of being drafted has also changed daily life for men in Chernivtsi. Ivan, a taxi driver who declined to give his last name, regularly checked a chat on Viber with over 33,000 members where people shared updates on the draft office patrols around the city. He told the Kyiv Independent that he avoided trips outside Chernivtsi, afraid he could be conscripted at any one of the checkpoints encircling it. All the young people took their families and left to Romania, to Europe, because they don't see a future here, said Yurii Levchyk, a Chernivtsi district council member and the director of the Bukovyna art center for revival and promotion of Romanian culture. A man holds a Ukrainian flag as part of a living corridor paying tribute to Denys Hrynchuk as a bus carrying his coffin passes through the village of Staryi Vovchynets, Chernivtsi Oblast, Ukraine, on March 5, 2022. (Alexey Furman / Getty Images) For one, this is no longer a state here, it's a police system, Levchyk told the Kyiv Independent as he walked from the voting station to his art center on May 18. People are being grabbed on the streets. There are still plenty of (ethnic Romanian) people here, but they are hiding, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many ethnic Romanians in Chernivtsi Oblast have also volunteered to fight for their homeland, Ukraine, Byku said. In every (ethnic Romanian) village, our national flags for fallen soldiers stand in the cemeteries, Byku said. We were born here as Romanians, but this does not mean that we are not citizens of Ukraine. We are citizens of Ukraine first and foremost. Romanian minority rights Simions position on the Russian war in Ukraine fueled old tensions between Romania and Ukraine concerning Romanian minority rights. Maybe the war deepened all our problems, Levchyk said, referring to government corruption, the lack of accountability for the authorities, and cases of potentially unlawful mobilization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We didn't feel any major problems (before the full-scale war). Sometimes we thought that we were being wronged, but we would bring it up and discuss, and put things right, Levchyk said, describing his frustration with the problems in the country that were not specific to Romanians. "The war deepened all the problems." Beyond the frustrations many Ukrainians share about the government, Byku said that ethnic Romanians in Ukraine do not experience ethnic conflict or discrimination. Earlier, Byku opposed a 2017 law that would have switched about a hundred Romanian-speaking schools around the country to studies in the Ukrainian language. But according to Byku, the schools continue to operate in Romanian as the law was put on hold." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just want to be citizens of Ukraine. But we don't want to lose our identity. This is very important to us, Byku added. Despite this, Russian propaganda actively uses narratives of alleged abuses of minority groups in Ukraine to raise anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Romania. According to Roman Hryshchuk, a Ukrainian Orthodox priest from the ethnic Romanian village of Hlyboke, the rumors about persecution of the faith and Orthodoxy by Ukrainian authorities are spread in Romania by Romanian-speaking priests from Russian-linked churches, which still dominate Chernivtsi Oblast. Ukrainians displaced by the war, along with members of the local community, share a meal after Easter Monday mass at a monastery in Boyany, Ukraine, on April 25, 2022. (Andreea Campeanu / Getty Images) As Ukrainian communities and activists vote to switch their own parishes to the Ukrainian church and leave behind the persistent religious domination of Moscow, Hryshchuk said the priests of Russian-linked churches lie to their parish that the Ukrainian church will force them to hold services exclusively in Ukrainian. However, in 2019, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church founded its Romanian vicariate to accommodate Romanian speakers who wish to hold services in the Romanian language. This, in fact, caused a wave of anti-Ukrainian outrage in Romania. And Simion built his (presidential candidates) work around this wave, Hryshchuk added. Note from the author: Hello, this is Natalia Yermak. I reported this story for you. In a far western Chernivtsi Oblast, removed from the front and the Kyiv Independent's headquarters in Kyiv, Russian propaganda around alleged ethnic and religious persecution in Ukraine could grow unnoticed until it threatens the long-standing relationship between allies. If you wish to help us shed light on it, please consider supporting our field reports from all over Ukraine by becoming a member. Thank you! Read also: Romanias new president faces daunting challenges after surprise victory over far-right upstart Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Two people face numerous charges for the alleged break-ins of several area coin-operated machines. Jeremy Ford is charged with 10 counts of burglary of coin-operated/collection machines and five counts of theft of property over $2,500 with two or more convictions. Warrant details alleged relationship between pastor and teen Jessica Vasquez is charged with three counts of burglary of coin-operated/collection machines and one count of theft of property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, May 29, 2025, around 9:20 a.m., Wichita Falls Police Department responded to the 3600 block of Jacksboro Highway at Roys Wash and Dry for a reported burglary of a coin-operated machine. When officers arrived, they stated that they spoke with an employee who reported that a male and female, later identified as Ford and Vasquez, had come inside and approached a Coca-Cola vending machine. The employee told police that she saw Ford tampering with the lock on the machine and believed he was attempting to drill it out. The employee said Vasquez stood next to the machine and appeared to act as a lookout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the employee confronted the pair, and they left. Detectives also responded to the scene and found a screw inside the vending machines lock cylinder, which they stated had damaged the lock, rendering it inoperable. Officers later located both suspects, who police said are in a dating relationship. During an interview with police, Ford told them that he did several other similar incidents around town because he didnt think anyone else was doing it the way he was. As of publication, Ford remains jailed on bonds that total $77,000. Vasquez is also still in jail on bonds that total $20,000. 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. The White House plans to confront resistance to Medicaid cuts from Senate Republicans by arguing that any reductions in coverage would only affect people who didn't deserve it in the first place. A strong bloc of Republicans in the Senate has signaled that they are uncomfortable with Medicaid reductions in the sweeping tax-and-spending bill enacted last month by the House. President Donald Trump's advisers are determined to confront those concerns by claiming that cuts would chiefly target undocumented immigrants and able-bodied people who should not be on Medicaid, according to four administration officials and outside allies granted anonymity to discuss strategy. This bill will preserve and protect the programs, the social safety net, but it will make it much more common sense, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought said Sunday. Thats what this bill does. No one will lose coverage as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The megabill would add work requirements to the program and bar undocumented immigrants from getting coverage, among other attempts to tighten eligibility. Those provisions are projected to leave roughly 7.6 million low-income people without health care over the next decade losses that would amount to hundreds of billions of dollars in cost savings for the program. Contrary to Trump officials' claims, such cuts are widely anticipated to go beyond immigrants and the narrow slice of able-bodied unemployed, according to health experts. The provisions would likely add new layers of paperwork for low-income enrollees, making it more difficult for qualified recipients to stay on the program and pushing otherwise-eligible Americans suddenly out of health coverage. In a POLITICO interview published Sunday, Trump Medicaid chief Mehmet Oz argued the changes would future proof the program, also insisting that "we're not cutting Medicaid." Theres a lot of sensitivity about being accused, accused of not taking care of people who have disabilities or seniors without money or children, Oz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump officials have aggressively pushed that stance in public and private in recent days, insisting that the administrations plan will shield deserving Medicaid recipients like the elderly and disabled, while targeting those who officials have cast as a drain on the nations safety net. Many of those people gained coverage over the last decade through Obamacare's expansion of Medicaid. Republicans have been stung before by their efforts to enact health care cuts, most notably facing massive voter blowback in 2017 that cratered Trump's bid to repeal Obamacare and contributed to widespread losses in the following midterms. But Trump officials and allies argue that voters will support these changes to Medicaid, seeing them less as cuts than tweaks meant to ensure resources go to those who truly need it. Medicaid does not belong to people who are here illegally, and it does not belong to capable and able-bodied men who refuse to work, said one of the White House officials. So no one is getting cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, White House spokesman Kush Desai said Trump would "protect and preserve Medicaid" by "kicking illegal immigrants off of the program and implementing commonsense work requirements," adding that Americans voted for such policies. The strategy represents a stark messaging shift for a GOP that has long found itself on the defensive in debates over health coverage. And its an attempt by the White House to mirror the approach Trump has taken on other issues like immigration and trade, casting aside political complexities in favor of portraying them as a simple choice between us and them. Trump has framed his mass deportation campaign as an effort to rid the country of millions of immigrants deemed undeserving of staying in the U.S. Hes justified his tariffs as a counter to other countries ripping us off on trade. Before, they were taking things away from people, Thomas Miller, a senior fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said of the health messaging shift. Now, theyre saying theyre not deserving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Senate, Vought and White House legislative affairs chief James Braid have taken the lead in talks with Republican lawmakers, the White House official said. Trump has also dialed up a handful of senators over the last week, said another White House official granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy, ahead of a sprint in the Senate to pass its version of the megabill in a matter of weeks. The success of that effort could hinge on a handful of GOP senators who are skeptical of any Medicaid policies that could be interpreted as cuts, especially after the House added last-minute health care provisions into its bill that ballooned the predicted coverage losses. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine have expressed reservations about Medicaid work requirements, while some others have warned more generally about the prospect of cutting the program. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), perhaps the most outspoken Republican on the issue, said Monday in a post on X that Trump had assured him NO MEDICAID BENEFIT CUTS will be in the bill. But rather than change course on policy, Trump officials and other Hill Republicans have instead signaled a preference for winning votes by redefining what qualifies as a cut. In a midday missive on Monday, the White House touted its push to remove roughly 1.4 million undocumented immigrants as key to strengthening Medicaid benefits for whom the program was designed pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, low-income seniors, and other vulnerable low-income families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That strident approach has prompted blowback from patient advocates and health industry groups across the spectrum, and even bewildered some Republicans who questioned the wisdom of making any changes to a program as politically delicate as Medicaid, especially in the red states of Trumps base. The fact remains that a great many Trump voters are on Medicaid, particularly in rural areas, said GOP pollster Whit Ayres, adding it's unclear whether voters will buy Republicans' assertion that some cuts shouldn't qualify as actual cuts.If no one loses coverage, how are you going to cut $500 billion? Still, Trump aides remain confident they can bring both the Senate and the broader public around to their view. Much of the Medicaid-cautious contingent in the Senate including Hawley have already said theyre okay with work requirements, drawing the line instead at broader funding cuts that might directly impact health providers and state budgets. The White House in the meantime has salivated over a fight with Democrats over coverage for undocumented immigrants, viewing it as another politically advantageous front in its immigration offensive. As for work requirements, Republicans pointed to polling that has consistently shown most Americans support them in theory even despite the warnings about how it's likely to play out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a simple, clear message to say were only taking away coverage from people who are not working, said Miller. You dont get down to the granular details of, what does that actually mean in practice? Megan Messerly and Ben Leonard contributed to this report. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded Tuesday to former Trump committee staffer Elon Musk calling the administrations new spending bill a disgusting abomination that is outrageous and pork-filled, telling members of the press that the tech moguls opinion doesnt change a thing. The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill, it doesnt change the presidents opinion, Leavitt said, responding to Fox News Peter Doocy who asked how mad President Trump would be over Musks criticism of the bill. This is one big, beautiful bill, and hes stickin too it. Watch the moment below: Doocy: How mad do you think President Trump is going to be when he finds out Elon Musk said this massive outrageous pork filled congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.. Leavitt: The President already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesnt change pic.twitter.com/Ssveyttwxa Acyn (@Acyn) June 3, 2025 Musk said in a tweet Tuesday shame on those congress members who voted for President Donald Trumps big beautiful bill, which the Tesla and SpaceX boss called a disgusting abomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry, but I just cant stand it anymore, Musk posted on X, the social media platform he owns. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it. Soon after, he added in a separate X post that the bill will add $2.5 trillion the U.S. deficit and burden Americans with crushingly unsustainable debt. This is the second time Musk has criticized the bill in the last week. Last Tuesday, Musk said he was disappointed in the bill and felt the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE.), which he spearheaded for Trump until May 30, had become a political whipping boy. His comments on Tuesday stand out, considering it comes just a few days after Trump gave Musk a warm send-off from the White House, as HIS 130-day term with his Administration came to an end. The president called Musk an incredible patriot during the joint press conference from the Oval Office and applauded him for his work with leading DOGE; he also gave Musk a gold key to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has said in recent months DOGE would ideally cut $1 trillion-$2 trillion from the annual federal budget, and as of Friday, DOGE has estimated it has cut $175 billion. This is not the end of DOGE, but really the beginning, Musk, while donning a black DOGE hat and a black shirt saying The Dogefather, said at the press conference. He said the DOGE team will only grow stronger in the years ahead, as its influence begins permeating throughout the government. Its sort of like Buddhism; its like a way of life, Musk said. The post White House Says Elon Musk Ripping Trump-Backed Bill as Disgusting Abomination Doesnt Change a Thing appeared first on TheWrap. US President Donald Trump is likely to hold a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. Leavitt provided no further details and there was no immediate confirmation from Beijing. If the call takes place, the leaders are expected to focus on the ongoing trade dispute. Although the United States and China agreed in mid-May to ease some of their tariffs, tensions between the countries have recently flared up again. Meanwhile, the US Senate is working on new sanctions against Russia. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the measures would target countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas and other energy supplies a move that could heavily impact China. The White House on Tuesday sent Congress a request to claw back $9.4 billion in funding for foreign aid and to public broadcasting the first package that would codify the slashes spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It is a long-awaited move that many conservative activists have been clamoring for, even as House and Senate Republicans separately push forward on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act full of President Trumps tax cut and spending priorities. The package needs only a simple majority to pass in each chamber, allowing Republicans to bypass the threat of a Democratic filibuster in the Senate. Congress has 45 days to approve the rescission request after it is submitted but must balance that timeline with other top priorities like the big, beautiful bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House is aiming to vote on the package next week. Today, we have officially received the rescissions request from the White House to eliminate $9.4 billion in wasteful foreign aid spending at State and USAID and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said. The House will act quickly on this request. Communication from President Trump officially making the request to rescind the funds was read on the House floor Tuesday afternoon. I herewith report 22 rescissions of budget authority totaling $9.4 billion. The proposed rescissions affect programs of the Department of State, as well as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, United States Agency for International Development, the United States Institute of Peace, and other international assistance programs, the message from Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The package would rescind $8.3 billion in foreign aid, largely from funding that was approved for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which was largely dismantled as part of the DOGE efforts earlier this year. An Office of Management and Budget (OMB) spokesperson pointed to millions of dollars in those accounts that funded global LGBTQ programs and other gender equity programs, as well as global climate change and green energy initiatives. It would also cut almost $9 million from the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with an OMB spokesperson pointing to how it funded $3 million for circumcision, vasectomies, and condoms in Zambia and $5.1 million to strengthen the resilience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans gender, intersex, and queer global movements. It also rescinds $22 million from the African Development Foundation. The package calls for more than $2 billion in cuts targeting what it described as unnecessary development assistance, elimination of funds for the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) and other programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than $1.6 billion would be clawed back from the Economic Support Fund (ESF), if Congress approved the proposal, along with $800 million for the Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account at the State Department, which officials note provides funds for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and overseas humanitarian assistance. It also calls for $400 million for global health programs implemented by USAID that funds activities related to controlling HIV/AIDS. This proposal would eliminate only those programs that neither provide life-saving treatment nor support American interests, the request states. This rescission proposal aligns with the Administrations efforts to eliminate wasteful foreign assistance programs. Republicans are heavily messaging on the packages $1.1 billion in rescissions to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding for NPR and PBS two outlets that Republicans have decried as biased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes cutting advanced appropriations approved by Congress for CPB, rescinding $535 million in both fiscal 2026 and 2027 each. These funds would be used to subsidize a public media system that is politically biased and an unnecessary expense to the taxpayer. Enacting the rescission would eliminate Federal funding for CPB, the request states. Both outlets have sued over Trump orders targeting their funding. The cuts would amount to only a fraction of the estimated $175 billion in savings DOGEs website says it has racked up through a combination of efforts, including workforce reductions, grants and contract cancellations, as well as regulatory savings and asset sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, top Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations committees have accused the Trump administration of illegally freezing $425 billion in federal funding as of Tuesday, as it has undertaken a sweeping operation to shrink the size of the federal government. Conservatives in both chambers have been confident that the GOP-led Congress will be able to push through the proposed cuts. Some are hopeful the package will be the first of multiple from the White House in the months ahead, particularly as the Trump administrations downsizing efforts face roadblocks in court. I think well get it done. I really do, House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told reporters shortly after the requests release on Tuesday, though he also said theres certainly some things he would disagree with. However, some senators have already signaled changes will likely be made to the request. Other Republicans have also expressed concerns about how funding cuts would impact television stations back home and about the impact of cutting PEPFAR funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before I decide on what Ill agree to, I want to find out what it would do to my Native American populations who use the am radio, I think FM, in some areas, to actually communicate throughout those rural areas, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said Tuesday. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) also said in a statement that, despite the fast track rescission process, the committee will carefully review the rescissions package and examine the potential consequences of these rescissions on global health, national security, emergency communications in rural communities, and public radio and television stations. The Impoundment Control Act provides the president with a legal pathway to cancel congressionally approved funds. The 1974 law allows the president to temporarily withhold funding after the administration sends its request to Congress. But if Congress fails to greenlight Trumps proposed rescissions, the administration must release the funding. Trump has been the only president to send the special message to Congress in the past two decades. He also attempted to pull back funds during his first term using the same process but was unsuccessful, despite Republicans controlling the House, Senate and White House at the time. 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. The White House just unveiled a new presidential portrait of Donald Trump, and the administration appeared to use a knock-off version of the Austin Powers movie theme to make the reveal in a video posted on X on Monday. The official portrait replaced one introduced earlier this year for Trumps inauguration. The new close-up image shows a stern-looking Trump in closeup wearing a navy suit and a red tie against a dark backdrop. The posting on social media shows a sped-up time-lapse of a staffer hanging the portrait as the bootleg version of Quincy Jones Soul Bossa Nova the music used as the theme to Mike Meyers series of Austin Powers comedies plays in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The portrait utilizes high contrast and dark shadows across the presidents face. The first portrait released for Trumps second term featured different lighting and a background, with a more evenly lit image, showing the president wearing a blue tie in front of an American flag. Both portraits stand out from the one used by Trump in his first term, which was brightly lit and showed a smiling Trump in a blue tie, also in front of an American flag. Trumps new image is the first presidential portrait not to feature an American flag in the background since Richard Nixons in 1969, according to a gallery on the website of the Library of Congress. Most presidential portraits before Nixons predecessor, Gerald Ford, tended to be set against a plain background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House website and President Trumps Facebook account have been updated to feature the new portrait, which has been hung in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the West Wing. Trump's first second-term portrait featured an American flag in the background (Daniel Torok / Library of Congress) Trump's first term portrait showed a brightly lit president smiling at the camera (Shealah Craighead / Library of Congress) The expression in Trumps two portraits from this year is similar to the one seen in his Georgia mug shot from two years ago. His supporters used the image of the president at the Fulton County jail to depict him standing up against what they viewed as the deep state. The Trump campaign was quick to capitalize on the image, putting it on hordes of merchandise. In March, Trump complained about a portrait in the Colorado Capitol, which he claimed was purposefully distorted, and told Democratic Governor Jared Polis to remove it. The portrait was commissioned during his first term and had hung in the Capitol since 2019, but Colorados Republican lawmakers took swift action to remove it. US President Donald Trump will participate in the NATO summit at the end of June in the Netherlands, White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, announced in Washington on Tuesday. Until now, Trump had not confirmed his attendance at the meeting. There had been speculation that he might avoid the summit due to disagreements within the military alliance over higher defence spending by member states, which would have been an escalation in relations between NATO and the United States, which plays an essential role in the alliance. On June 24 and 25, the leaders of the military alliance are due to meet in The Hague and discuss their defence spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is demanding 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) from the alliance partners. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has responded with a compromise formula: 3.5% for the military and 1.5% for infrastructure such as roads or ports, which can be relevant for defence. Trump has long been putting pressure on the NATO partners. During his first term 2017-21, Trump openly threatened to withdraw the US from the military alliance if the other members did not fulfil their obligation to invest at least 2% of their economic output in defence. Since then, he has boasted that it was only through his pressure that the NATO partners increased their spending. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she recently spoke with President Donald Trump about the pardons he floated for the men convicted of plotting to kidnap her. She didn't elaborate on the details on their conversation. "I will just confirm that I have connected with the president directly on this subject and made my thoughts known, and so beyond that I'm not going to share more about our conversation but hopefully he'll take some of those things into consideration when he makes a decision," she told reporters June 3 following a ribbon cutting ceremony in Detroit where she joined community leaders to celebrate state support for revitalizing the city's Livernois and West McNichols Corridor. Whitmer said she spoke with Trump in the past 24 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to reporters May 28 in the Oval Office, Trump said he would consider whether to pardon the convicted Whitmer kidnap plotters. The next day, Whitmer said Trump had previously told her he wouldn't do so in an interview with Michigan Public Radio Network reporter Rick Pluta at the Detroit Regional Chamber Conference on Mackinac Island. She later took the opportunity to condemn political violence from the conference stage and said she hopes he doesn't follow through on the pardons. In August 2022, a federal jury in Grand Rapids convicted Adam Fox, originally of Potterville, and Barry Croft Jr., of Delaware, after prosecutors alleged they had conspired to kidnap and possibly kill Whitmer two years earlier over their frustration with her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fox was sentenced to 16 years in prison on conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess weapons of mass destruction charges, while Croft was sentenced to 19 years on the same two charges as Fox, plus a third charge of knowingly possessing an unregistered destructive device. Both are currently serving their sentences in a maximum security federal prison in Colorado. During their trial, their defense attorneys had claimed the pair were simply tough talkers and never had any actual plans to kidnap Whitmer. Fox and Croft, their attorneys unsuccessfully argued, were entrapped by rogue informants and undercover FBI agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Fox and Croft sought new trials, arguing they didnt get a fair trial before they were convicted because of how the judge overseeing the case set rules on how long their defense attorneys could cross-examine government witnesses. But in April, a U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals panel affirmed their sentences. In total, 14 men were charged for their connections to the plot. In federal court, prosecutors charged Fox, Croft and four others: Kaleb Franks and Ty Garbin took deals to plead guilty and have served reduced prison sentences, while Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were acquitted of all charges. At the trial where Harris and Caserta were acquitted, the jury was deadlocked on charges for Fox and Croft, leading to a second trial where the latter two were ultimately convicted. Whitmer: Trump previously said he would 'drop' idea of pardoning kidnap plotters State prosecutors had mixed results in local courts, landing convictions for some of those accused of providing support to the kidnapping plot, while others were acquitted by juries in local courts. While Trump does have the presidential power to pardon any individual convicted of a crime in the federal court system, that power does not extend to individuals convicted in state courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her latest comments, Whitmer told reporters the impact on the victim in a case that has resulted in a conviction is important. "As a former prosecutor, as the target of this particular plot, I wanted to make sure that the president who's going to make a decision has all the information necessary toward making the right decision," she said. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked at the news briefing following Whitmer's latest statement about any conversation between the governor and Trump about the pardons. "I won't reveal the president's private discussion unless he gives me liberty to do so," Leavitt said. She reiterated what she characterized as Trump's comments on the subject previously, saying, "He said it was something he would look at. Nothing more, nothing less." (This story was updated to add new information and a photo gallery.) Free Press staff writer Todd Spangler contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer spoke to Trump about pardons for kidnap plotters An ice storm leaves a tree coated in Gaylord. March 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of NOAA's National Weather Service. Legislation to forgive ice-storm related school closures was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday, protecting northern Michigan students and schools from mandatory summer school sessions. House Bill 4345, now Public Act 5 of 2025, passed with unanimous support in the Michigan House of Representatives and with near-unanimous support from the Michigan Senate. The plan addresses additional days in the 2024-25 school year, allowing local school boards to waive up to an additional 15 days of instruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school district must be located, at least partially, in a county covered by a state emergency declared by the governor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Due to the recent spring ice storms that ravaged northern Michigan, those counties include Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties. Bill sponsor Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan), said in a statement that he was grateful to Whitmer for signing the bill, and that schools should not be penalized for keeping kids safe during an ice storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a smart, bipartisan win for students, teachers, and local communities, Cavitt said. Now that our snow day forgiveness plan is law, school districts can end the school year when it makes the most sense for them. There will be no state mandate forcing districts to remain open for weeks into the summer and foot all the corresponding bills that would come along with the extended school year. Cavitt said schools dont budget for facility costs in June, and that teachers and students line up summer work opportunities well before the school year ends. Districts also typically plan facility maintenance during that time due to the lack of students in the buildings. For all these reasons, it didnt make sense to force schools into hosting mandatory summer school, Cavitt said. The ice storm threw everything out of whack. Im glad we didnt let it ruin summertime too. Greenpeace activists stole the wax statue of French president Emmanuel Macron from the Musee Grevin on Monday before planting it outside the Russian embassy in Paris. According to reports, activists posing as tourists entered the famous Parisian museum, located in the 9th arrondissement. After posing as museum employees, they managed to steal the statue, worth 40,000, and hid it under a blanket. A man who identified himself as a member of Greenpeace then contacted the museum to claim responsibility. The museum management immediately informed the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The activists then took the statue to the Russian embassy in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, brandishing placards and a banner saying Ukraine burns, business continues to denounce France's economic ties with Russia specifically French imports of gas and fertiliser from Russia. Statement from Greenpeace - Greenpeace - Blusky Greenpeace said in a statement that it had "borrowed" the statue and explained their action on social media. For us, France is playing a double game, said Jean-Francois Julliard, Director General of Greenpeace France. Emmanuel Macron embodies this double discourse: he supports Ukraine but encourages French companies to continue trading with Russia. He added: We are targeting Emmanuel Macron, because he has a particular responsibility in this situation. He is the one who should be at the forefront of European discussions to put an end to trade contracts between Russia and European countries. The protest lasted a few minutes before police intervened. Two people have been arrested, and no news yet on when the wax statue will head back to the Musee Grevin. The United States Marine Corps has officially ended a decades-long policy, leaving many Black men vulnerable and experts questioning racist intent. Back in March, the Marine administration gave soldiers 90 days to be reexamined. Now, the deadline is here. Its no secret solders in the military have to abide by strict grooming policies. All male service members are expected to be clean-shaven, with exceptions being made in the Marines for men suffering from various skin conditions, according to the Marine Corps Times. This so-called shaving waiver was introduced in the 70s, and until right now, theres been no discrepancies. But after the Pentagons recent review of grooming standards, things have changed. In a directive issued in March, soldiers suffering from skin conditions like Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) will no longer be eligible for waivers, Stars and Stripes reported. And if they fail to meet grooming standards, they could be subjected to expulsion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move drew direct pushback from dermatologists who say Black men will disproportionately be affected by the new policy. This is so targeted and intentional, said Chris Adigun, a board-certified dermatologist based in North Carolina told NBC News. PFB commonly known as razor bumps affects around 60 percent of Black men, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. For men with thick, curly facial hair, razor bumps can cause severe discomfort and can negatively affect ones health and confidence. Service members with PFB were required to have a medical exam within 90 days of the March announcement, this marks June as the deadline month. If their condition doesnt improve with a treatment plan, soldiers could be honorably discharged, according to Jacoby Getty, a spokesperson for the Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The Pentagons review comes on the heels of President Donald Trumps blitz on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Many folks like Air Force veteran Ed Anderson told NBC the grooming policy will likely change racial relations in the military. Its mostly soldiers of color who are impacted by this, he said. I dont see this as a productive and effective means of retaining and recruiting troops. African countries have again topped the list of the worlds most ignored crises, with nearly all of the worst-funded humanitarian challenges located in the continent in 2024, according to a new study out this week. Released on Tuesday, the report by the nonprofit Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) lists Cameroon, Mozambique and a host of other African nations as some of the most burdened by violence and displacement, but also the most invisible to donors. The news comes as the United States, formerly the worlds biggest aid provider, massively cut development funding this year. Aid agencies received only half of what they needed in 2024, and experts say further shrinking aid will likely make 2025 even more bleak for people in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight African emergencies were previously ranked as the most ignored in 2023 as well. What does the report say? Millions of people who have been displaced and face food insecurity or lack shelter are receiving little aid because of donor fatigue, poor media coverage and little-to-no political resolution, according to the NRCs 2024 Most Neglected Crises report. The report defined countries in crisis as those that host or have more than 200,000 displaced people, and which have been declared to be in severe crisis emergencies. Of 34 countries analysed, the most invisible according to the NRC report were: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Mali, Uganda, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Honduras and Somalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from funding, there was little progress on effective conflict resolution, disaster prevention and diplomatic engagement in all the affected countries, the report added. In general, aid funding dropped overall in 2024, the NRC noted. The shortfall between what was required to meet humanitarian needs in 2024 and what was delivered was a staggering $25 billion, meaning over half of all needs went unmet, the report stated. Why are African humanitarian emergencies ignored? Donor fatigue and growing waves of nationalistic policies within traditional donor countries are causing the richest countries to reduce foreign aid funding, experts say. A lack of proximity to emergencies, analysts add, also affects attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too many crises across the continent remain in the shadows ignored because they dont make headlines, or because they are not seen as of immediate strategic interest to international partners, Christelle Hure, NRCs head of advocacy in West and Central Africa, told Al Jazeera. Crises that knock on Europes door as happened in 2015 [with mass immigration] tend to receive the greatest media attention, while those far away remain not only out of sight but also out of mind, Hure said. Which are the most neglected African emergencies? Cameroon The West-Central African nation tops the list of the worlds most neglected crises in 2024. In the English-speaking northeast and northwest regions of Cameroon, a protracted civil war which began in 2017 is continuing. That year, thousands took to the streets to protest against the appointment of French-speaking judges, and in general, alleged discrimination from the Francophone-majority government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heavy crackdowns to suppress the protests soon saw armed groups springing up, declaring independence. The government in Yaounde, in turn, declared war. Both the rebels and government forces have targeted civilians. Hundreds have died, and thousands more are displaced internally or have fled to neighbouring Nigeria. The violence there is largely ignored because its not a direct threat to the central government, Beverly Ochieng, a security analyst with United Kingdom-based intelligence firm Control Risks, told Al Jazeera, adding that little has been done to negotiate peace. There was a feeling initially that some of the secessionist leaders were trying to lobby Donald Trump to support their cause but theyve just not received any attention. Meanwhile, in the northern Lake Chad Basin region, also connected to Nigeria, violence by the armed group, Boko Haram, has continued for years, displacing thousands. A US-backed joint force of the Lake Chad Basin countries has largely collapsed since the military governments in Niger and Chad pulled out, leaving Cameroon, Nigeria and Benin. Washingtons shrinking of security presence and operations in African nations is likely to further destabilise the arrangement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cameroon itself hosts refugees fleeing Boko Haram in Nigeria, as well as those from the Central African Republic fleeing fighting between two political groups. Together, some 1.1 million people are internally displaced, and 500,000 are refugees. Despite this, Cameroons displacement crisis was mentioned in fewer than 30,000 articles in English, Spanish, French and Arabic in 2024, compared with the Ukraine war, which was mentioned in 451,000 articles, according to the NRC. Only 45 percent, or $168m of the $371m required, was raised to fund aid in the various crises, according to the United Nations. The government, too, is under fire for seeming indifference: President Paul Biya, 82, and in power since 1982, is often criticised for spending most of his time away in Switzerland. Ethiopia The aftershocks of the Tigray war in the countrys north (2020-2022) merged with new intercommunal fighting in the Oromia and Amhara regions, creating a potent mix of crises which has seen 10 million people pushed out of their homes nationwide, the NRC report noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fano armed group, which claims to represent the interests of the Amhara people, one of Ethiopias significant ethnic groups, is fighting the federal army, which tried to disarm it after they both fought Tigrayan forces during the war. The Oromo Liberation Group, meanwhile, says it is seeking independence for the Oromo people, Ethiopias largest ethnic group. Both groups have been met with force by the government in Addis Ababa, which has launched air strikes. Dozens of civilians have died in the fighting. In addition, drought and flooding have compounded food shortages. In the southern Gofa zone, heavy rains caused two landslides on July 21 that killed more than 200 people, the worst such landslides in the country. Mozambique The Southern African country appears on the list for the first time this year. Political upheaval following hotly contested October elections saw protesters who supported the independent opposition candidate, Venancio Mondlane, shot dead by Mozambican state security. About 400 people died in the violence, according to local media tallies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, ongoing attacks by an armed group with affiliations to ISIL (ISIS-Mozambique) in northern, oil-rich Cabo Delgado flared up in 2024. Violence has continued there since 2022 and has seen thousands displaced, while also disrupting a billion-dollar oil and gas investment project. Government forces working with regional troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwandan soldiers were able to push the fighters back in 2023, allowing many displaced people to return. However, because the fighters are deeply embedded in local communities, the conflict has turned volatile again very quickly. Prone to cyclones due to its location in the Indian Ocean, Mozambique was hit by Cyclone Chido, which also devastated the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, in December. The storm made landfall in the northern region of Mozambique, which is facing armed conflict. Some 120 people were killed, and about 155,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Burkina Faso and Mali Since 2015, more than two million people have been displaced in Burkina Faso because of the activities of violent armed groups like the Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which wants to create a caliphate. Several of those groups now control close to half of the country, despite efforts by the military-led government to push them back with support from Russian forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels have held civilians suspected of supporting government forces under siege for more than two years, blocking entries and exits to now nearly 40 towns and cities. Massacres of villagers, however, have been blamed on both armed groups and government forces who are accused of attacking civilians perceived to be aiding the fighters. Neighbouring Mali is ranked fourth on the neglected crises list and faces a similar situation. Analyst Ochieng attributes shrinking aid to the three military-led countries of the West African Sahel, including Niger, partly to the hostile stances towards Western powers of the leaders there. All three have cut off Western allies which previously provided both military and humanitarian aid, particularly France. Their hostility has extended to humanitarian groups, sometimes perceived as being tied to Western nations, further limiting aid. These military leaders are focused on economic development and they dont even want to be seen as not being able to provide for their people that makes it very difficult for any donors to approach them to provide help, or even for aid agencies to assess what the actual needs are, Ochieng said. A mural is seen on March 1, 2023, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Military forces in Burkina Faso killed 223 civilians, including babies and many children, in attacks on two villages accused of cooperating with rebels, Human Rights Watch said in a report published on Thursday, April 24, 2024 [AP Photo] Other African emergencies Uganda: Although the country itself does not face large-scale internal violence, Uganda is listed because it hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa close to two million people from neighbouring South Sudan, Sudan and the DRC. Shrinking aid, the NRC warned, could escalate friction between local communities and refugees. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Decades of violence by a slew of armed groups vying to control the countrys rich deposits of minerals, and more recently, offensives by the rebel M23 group, have seen hundreds of thousands displaced in eastern DRC between 2024 and early 2025. The outbreak of Mpox in the same region in 2023 contributed to disruption. The African Union and the US are currently leading peace talks between the DRC government and neighbouring Rwanda, accused of backing M23. Other deadly attacks from groups like the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) often go unnoticed. Somalia: Entrenched violence from the al-Shabab armed group, which has been active for decades, as well as drought, continues to displace people in the East African country. It received dangerously low funding in 2024, the NRC said. A Congolese refugee wears a T-shirt featuring a picture of Democratic Republic of the Congos President Felix Tshisekedi while holding an umbrella to shield himself from the sun as he lines up with others for aid during a food distribution operation at the Musenyi refugee camp in Giharo, Burundi on May 7, 2025 [Luis Tato/AFP] Will Trumps aid cuts further affect these crises? US President Donald Trumps sweeping aid cuts after he took office in January, and his decision to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the agency that distributes it, have prompted fears that humanitarian emergencies could worsen in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the worlds biggest aid donor, the US distributed about $70bn in foreign aid yearly, particularly for healthcare. In 2024, the most aid went to Ethiopia, Jordan, DRC, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Nigeria, South Sudan and Syria. With those funds either reduced or halted altogether, aid workers worry that emergencies on the African continent could worsen. Other major donors are also making cuts, observers warn. In February, the UK cut foreign aid by 0.2 percent, while the Netherlands will slash 2.4 billion euros ($2.72bn) in aid from 2027. France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Sweden have all announced reductions to their aid budgets since. Hule of the NRC said the African Union (AU) must take the lead in resolving the continents multiple crises through political negotiations. The blocs Peace and Security Council, tasked with anticipating and mitigating conflict, has previously been criticised as being too slow to act. What is urgently needed today isnt just more funding its clear political commitment, not only from donors but crucially from the African Union and its member states, Hule said. Countries, she added, also need to reduce administrative and regulatory barriers that hamper aid workers. Easing these constraints, in close collaboration with authorities and the African Union, would greatly enhance the efficiency and impact of our collective response, she added. The opposition to the GHF stems from humanitarian organizations reliance on Hamas operatives in Gaza. These organizations are beholden to Hamas because their operations depend on Hamas. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), launched last May with support from Israel and the United States, seeks to deliver aid directly to Gazas civilians, bypassing Hamas to prevent its diversion to military purposes. This initiative threatens Hamass stronghold, as controlling aid has been its final lever to maintain power over Gazas population. By governing aid distribution, Hamas forces civilians to submit to its authority for necessities like food and medicine, while hoarding supplies for its fighters and selling aid at exorbitant prices to fund its war machine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GHF aims to achieve two goals: dismantle Hamas as a governing entity by removing its control over civilians and disrupt its financing mechanism by preventing aid diversion, thus weakening its military capacity. However, international humanitarian organizations, including UN agencies like OCHA, headed by Tom Fletcher, have fiercely opposed the GHF. Their criticisms, framed as humanitarian concerns, are strategically aimed at preventing Israel from winning the war by preserving Hamass control over aid. Despite their own allegation of a humanitarian disaster in Gaza these organizations resist collaboration with the GHF, prioritizing Hamass interests over civilian welfare and the humanitarian purposes for which they were established for. Palestinians carry aid supplies which they received from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 3, 2025, in this screengrab taken from video. (photo credit: REUTERS/Reuters TV) If they truly cared about Gazans, they would support efforts to free civilians from Hamass tyranny, as Gazans themselves are thanking Israel and the U.S. for the GHFs aid. Multiple accounts emerged from the distribution centers- jubilant Gazans thanking Netanyahu and Trump for receiving the aid free of charge for the first time. Humanitarian Organizations Dependence on Hamas The opposition to the GHF stems from humanitarian organizations reliance on Hamas operatives in Gaza. These organizations are beholden to Hamas because their operations depend on Hamass men on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UN agencies and NGOs, such as UNRWA, operate warehouses and distribution networks guarded by Hamas personnel, who control logistics under Hamass oversight as the de facto authority in Gaza. This dependence compromises their independence, as their ability to function hinges on Hamass approval. This reliance makes humanitarian organizations proxies for Hamass interests. Leaders like Tom Fletcher parrot Hamass talking points, cloaked in humanitarian rhetoric, to maintain its control over aid. For instance, Fletchers unsubstantiated claim that 14,000 infants would die without aid within 48 hours or that 10,000 aid trucks are blocked by Israel mirrors Hamas propaganda. Hamas itself has orchestrated campaigns to sabotage the GHF, spreading lies about the IDF massacring Gazans at the distribution points. These lies are parroted on major news networks, but they were quickly dispelled by GHF releasing videos from the time of the alleged incidents showing that Hamas lied. For Hamas, bypassing its control of the flow of humanitarian aid is an existential threat to its grapple over Gaza and it will do everything in its power to prevent the success of the GHF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas leader, Osama Hamdan, urged Gazans to endure hunger and avoid GHF distribution centers, spreading false claims of killings to deter collaboration. It is quite telling that the international humanitarian community is being instrumentalized and used by a terror organization whose purpose is to deny the aid from the population that these organizations purport to care about. IHL Arguments Humanitarian organizations argue that Israels role in the GHF violates IHL (International Humanitarian Law) principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence, claiming that a warring partys involvement in aid delivery is inherently unlawful by violating IHL norms. These arguments are flawed and reveal an unprecedented double standard in the interpretation of IHL that hampers Israels ability to fight Hamas effectively. Neutrality Critics assert that Israels military oversight of GHF distribution centers, including securing perimeters for U.S. contractors, violates neutrality (aid must not align with a belligerent) and independence (aid must be free from military control). This criticism is baseless. No modern war has been fought without Western armies being responsible for humanitarian supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example: In Iraq (20032011), the U.S. established Civil-Military Operations Centers (CMOCs) to coordinate aid with NGOs, directly delivering supplies in secure areas to prevent insurgent theft (U.S. Department of Defense, 2004). USAID funded independent groups like Mercy Corps, but U.S. military involvement was significant. In Afghanistan (20012021), the U.S. conducted airdrops of 2.4 million humanitarian rations and escorted UN convoys, ensuring civilian access while securing routes (WFP, 2002). These actions, far more intrusive than Israels role in the GHF, faced no comparable IHL objections. Israels measuresscreening aid and securing distributionare permitted under Article 23(c) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which allows controls to prevent aid from benefiting the enemy. GHF is not operated by Israel but by private contractors with the IDF only guarding the perimeter. Impartiality Critics claim that directing aid to southern Gaza while restricting northern deliveries violates impartiality, as aid must be distributed based on need without discrimination (Article 70, Additional Protocol I). However, Hamas is the one controlling aid now, diverting supplies to its fighters and selling them for profit. Israels restrictions aim to prevent this, as allowed under Article 23(c), which permits measures to ensure aid reaches civilians, not combatants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that one of the warring parties, Hamas, had been effectively controlling the aid did not seem to bother the same humanitarian organization that alleges that the IDFs involvement in securing the distribution centers is a violation of the impartiality principle. Moreover, IHL permits effective sieges to isolate combatants, provided civilian harm is proportionate (Article 54, Additional Protocol I). Allegations of Weaponization Humanitarian organizations allege that Israel uses the GHF to pressure Hamas or manipulate civilian movements, violating Article 49 (forcible transfer). These claims are exaggerated and echo Hamass propaganda. Hamas actively sabotages GHF centers, spreading misinformation to deter civilians. The GHFs targeted delivery is a practical response to Hamass diversion, not a violation of IHL. Hamas had been the one using the control of the aid as a weapon of war by using the Gazans as pawns in its media war against Israel. Weaponizing IHL The humanitarian communitys criticisms reflect a double standard in interpreting IHL that prevents Israel from dismantling Hamass last lever of powercontrol over aid. The double standard that is applied to Israel comes directly from the symbiotic relationship that UN organization in Gaza gave established with Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These organizations use IHL and the language of human rights to parrot Hamas propaganda by creating a standard of IHL that is impossible to follow. The goal post keeps on changing in such a way that would prevent Israel from effectively achieving a victory over Hamas, the ruling government of Gaza. Hamas is on the brink of collapse, with Gazans storming its warehouses and defying its. The GHF is the final step to break this control, and this is why it is the final nail in Hamass coffin. Precisely, for these, the humanitarian organization has thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the GHF to prevent the final collapse of the Hamas government. True concern for Gazas humanitarian situation requires allowing Israel to finish the war against Hamas. Defeating Hamas will end its tyranny and the immense suffering Hamas has inflicted on its own population. Its been happening almost always the same way: someone is out in public in Massachusetts when strangers in ski masks suddenly surround and whisk them away into a waiting dark SUV. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arent always immediately recognizable as authorities because of their face masks, at-times unmarked vests and clothes unlike the uniformed law enforcement officers with which the public is familiar. At a press conference in Boston on Monday, ICE officials did not answer questions as to why many of its agents have been witnessed working without any immediate identifiers, such as badges or monikers on jackets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the facial disguises, according to Todd Lyons, acting ICE director, are for the agents safety. ... people are out there taking photos of [ICE agents] faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves, Lyons said at the press conference at the John Joseph Moakley courthouse, where officials announced nearly 1,500 people were detained by ICE across Massachusetts in May alone. Lyons said two weeks ago, ICE agents were directly targeted during an operation in Los Angeles by bystanders doxing the agents children and family through social media accounts. 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, Lyons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Massachusetts, police officers are required by law to identify themselves and carry an ID card with their photo and information. Similar rules apply to federal ICE operations, but in recent Massachusetts detainments, what qualifies as proper identification has been inconsistent and unclear, as public outrage reaches a fever pitch in the state over the agencys tactics and arrests. On March 27, Martell Lebron-Wilson was detained by ICE agents in what bystanders thought was a kidnapping outside of the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in Boston. Lebron-Wilson, a 49-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic who entered the country without authorization, was on a lunch break during his trial on allegations of falsifying RMV records when agents swiftly took him into an SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was that a kidnapping? Youre not going to tell us where hes going? a man seen on video asked the federal agents. The ICE agents walked away with no answer. Two days prior, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish woman enrolled in a Tufts University doctoral program, was taken by masked agents from the streets of Somerville. Video from the scene showed Ozturk yelling as bystanders asked the agents what was happening, and if it was a kidnapping. And in a wild scene last month on Eureka Street in Worcester, several ICE agents some masked detained Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, a Brazilian mother of three. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were met by nearly three dozen protesters who demanded to see a warrant and asked, What are you doing here? The only response an ICE agent gave was, We do not need a judicial warrant for this arrest. ICE agents typically do not need a judicial warrant for arrests, though many are carried out with an administrative warrant, according to a Know Your Rights guide from Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. On Monday, Lyons said current ICE operations in Massachusetts are being carried out with assistance from at least the following 10 agencies: U.S. Attorneys Office Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) U.S. Coast Guard Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) U.S/ Marshals Service Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the month of May, 1,461 people were detained by ICE across Massachusetts, the officials said Monday. About half of those people had either been convicted of a crime or had pending criminal charges. 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, acting ICE Boston Office Field Director Patricia Hyde said. Reporters pressed for a comprehensive list of those detained, but 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. The officials also gave more detail on the arrest of 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, who was detained by ICE on Saturday. The Milford High School student was on his way to volleyball practices when he was pulled over by ICE in his fathers car who was actually the intended target of ICEs operations in Milford, Lyons said. Reporters challenged Lyons on the decision to arrest a high school student and asked what danger the teenager who was about to play in the graduation ceremony band the next day was to his community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt say he was dangerous, Lyons replied. I said hes in this country illegally, and were not going to walk away from anybody, he said. More News Read the original article on MassLive. Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called the move an example of how Israel kills any chance for a fair and comprehensive Israeli-Arab settlement. Israels decision last week to block a planned visit to Ramallah by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, and three other Muslim countries triggered predictable hand-wringing around the world, especially in those countries themselves. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, whose trip would have been the highest-ranking visit by a Saudi official since 1967, said the decision showed Israels extremism and rejection of peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi chimed in as well, calling the move an example of how Israel kills any chance for a fair and comprehensive Israeli-Arab settlement. A joint statement by some of the ministers who were scheduled to take part accused Israel of arrogance, disregard for international law, and pursuing illegitimate measures and policies that besiege the brotherly Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership. These condemnations were loud, coordinated, and expected. But they were also, for the most part, performative aimed more at international optics and domestic audiences than at actually changing Israels position. UAE FOREIGN Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (left) speaks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud at a meeting in December in Aqaba, Jordan. (photo credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/REUTERS) Why would Israel agree to green-light a high-profile delegation intended to lend momentum to efforts to push forward a two-state solution precisely at a time when Jerusalem in the wake of the October 7 massacre is adamantly opposed to the idea? Not only is the government opposed, but as polls show, the majority of the public is as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Institute for National Security Studies poll in March found that support for a two-state solution declined to 24% among the general public, down from 38% in September 2024. Ten years ago, by comparison, a similar INSS poll found that 60% of the public supported the idea. In the March poll, only 15% of Jewish Israelis favored a two-state solution, a decline from 31% in September. A Jewish People Policy Institute survey from March had similar results, with only 11% of Jewish Israelis in that poll expressing support for negotiations toward a Palestinian state. The foreign ministers visit was to come just two weeks ahead of an international conference organized by Saudi Arabia and France in New York to push for a two-state solution, with France considering unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state and urging other Western countries to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that context, the Ramallah visit was not an isolated diplomatic gesture. It was a launchpad. Allowing it to proceed would have been, in Israels view, akin to scoring an own goal. Some argue that barring the Saudi foreign minister could further stall long-term normalization with the kingdom or sink hopes of bringing Riyadh into the Abraham Accords framework. But the Saudis themselves have made it abundantly clear: Normalization is contingent on tangible Israeli steps toward Palestinian statehood. Thats a line this Israeli government and much of the public is unwilling to cross, particularly after October 7. From the Israeli perspective, the Palestinians had a ministate of their own in Gaza before October 7. That experiment failed catastrophically. Hamas quickly took over, stockpiled weapons, built an underground terrorist infrastructure, trained a terrorist army, and launched the deadliest attack on Israel since its founding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To now replicate that failed model in Judea and Samaria would, in the minds of most Israelis at this time, be an act of sheer madness. Moreover, a look at the countries represented by foreign ministers in the delegation, at least according to some reports, reveals that Turkey and Qatar were on the list, as were Egypt and the UAE as well. Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan is vehemently anti-Israel, implacable in his poisonous rhetoric, and he hosts Hamas leaders in Ankara. Qatar, for its part, continues to host the terrorist groups leadership and is a major force, if not the primary force, behind the demonization and delegitimization of Israel around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why, then, should Israel allow representatives of these countries into Ramallah to make political statements that could inflame tensions and further undercut Israel in the international arena? Far from serving Israels interests, facilitating this visit would have actively undermined them. Far from serving Israels interests, facilitating this visit would have actively undermined them. This is especially true as June shapes up to be one of the more diplomatically challenging months Israel has faced since the war began. The upcoming French-Saudi conference in New York is likely to rejuvenate calls for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines, with east Jerusalem as its capital. Thats not a framework Israel is prepared to accept, and it need not play along. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not allowing the foreign ministers to visit was one way for Israel to try and prevent the move from picking up steam. Another option being floated in Jerusalem is a more muscular countermeasure: declaring that unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood will trigger Israeli unilateral responses, such as annexing certain parts of the West Bank. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer have reportedly relayed this message to some of their European counterparts. Whether Israel ultimately takes that step, the message is clear: If the international community is going to act unilaterally, so might Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That message needs to be delivered forcefully, because Israels diplomatic isolation exacerbated by the war in Gaza and its humanitarian toll has emboldened key players such as France and Saudi Arabia to try to dictate terms. Jerusalem cannot allow that to happen. Blocking the visit to Ramallah is one way to push back. It sends a signal that Israel is not going to stand by quietly while others try to predetermine its security needs and future. Partial annexation, as a warning or a reality, may be another. In this environment, symbolism matters. High-profile diplomatic visits carry weight, and so does denying them. Israel has made it clear: It will not be a passive participant in a process it fundamentally rejects and believes will endanger its security certainly not in the shadow of October 7. A decade ago, the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, trade organizations, and companies found themselves in a regulatory standoff with American Electric Power over operating costs for six coal-fired power plants in Ohio. The utilitys opponents objected to letting the company collect more money from customers to keep the unprofitable plants running, while the utility argued the charges were a hedge against even higher costs. Before state regulators made a decision, the utility and some of its opponents announced a compromise. As part of the deal, the Sierra Club would drop its opposition in exchange for AEPs commitment to add more solar and wind to its portfolio as well as move up its timeline for closing or converting several coal plants to natural gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Sierra Club representative at the time described it as nowhere near a perfect deal but as one that would significantly reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the states clean energy transition. Such compromises will now be prohibited in Ohio under a new state law that forbids settlements involving the closure of base load power plants. Proponents of House Bill 15, signed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in mid-May, say it will support the states ever-growing power needs and promote competition within its energy sector. Yet critics are questioning the laws definition of base load generating facilities: It only covers electricity sources that run primarily on nonrenewable fuels such as natural gas or nuclear. The definition excludes wind or solar power, even when combined with battery storage. Utility settlements have been a part of regulatory process Negotiating special deals in settlements has long been common in utility regulatory cases. Industry groups or companies have gotten discounts and other benefits in return for dropping opposition to utilities added charges. Parties in court cases often settle before trial, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the same year that the Sierra Club reached a settlement with AEP, a trade group representing industrial customers negotiated a special rate with FirstEnergys Ohio utilities in exchange for dropping opposition to a customer-funded bailout of that companys unprofitable coal and nuclear plants. (The secret terms of that agreement were part of a criminal case filed last year against Ohios former chief utility regulator, Sam Randazzo. They also became part of a House Bill 6-related regulatory case on which regulators will finally hear evidence this month.) HB 15 will still allow settlements with special deals, as long as terms are part of the public record, theres no cash payment, and they do not close or limit base load electricity-generating facilities. Neil Waggoner, who heads the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coal campaign for the Midwest region, suspects the provision is likely a backlash to the environmental groups 2015 settlement with AEP. That deal didnt end up delivering all of the expected clean energy benefits. State rules requiring wind turbines to be a certain distance from other properties ultimately made it impossible for AEP to add the planned 500 megawatts of wind generation, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio refused to allow the utility to charge customers the cost of building 400 MW of solar energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The base load provisions werent part of HB 15 as it originally passed the House, nor were they in the initial versions of the companion Senate bill, SB 2. The language appeared in a substitute version of SB 2 introduced on March 11, the same day that Ed Spiker, chair of the Ohio Coal Association, submitted written testimony pleading the state to enact guardrails to ensure current coal power plants are not forced to close. The terms used in SB 2 included natural gas and nuclear in the definition of a base load electric generating facility but not renewables. The Senate then added the provisions to HB 15 before passing it this spring. Law reflects desire to protect fossil fuels and nuclear The law suggests Republicans continuing willingness to prop up conventional power plants, even when their electricity may cost more than cleaner sources of power. How would you replace base load power generation, given the amount of megawatts that they produce that we certainly require? Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, challenged one witness who spoke against nuclear power plants during a March 11 hearing held by the Senate Energy Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet electricity from coal and nuclear plants remains relatively expensive, compared to that from renewables or natural gas. Ashley Brown, a former state utility regulator, questioned the constitutionality of the new settlement restrictions. I dont know how they can tell somebody you cant shut down a plant, he told Canary Media. Two weeks ago, the Trump administration ordered a retiring Michigan coal plant to stay open, although its unclear whether the mandate will face a court challenge. Separately, regional grid operator PJM Interconnection has sometimes issued orders to keep power-generation facilities running to maintain grid reliability, as it did for former FirstEnergy coal plants. In that case, however, the company was paid to keep the plants open. Waggoner noted that HB 15s language only applies to settlements. Its terms wouldnt stop a company from closing an unprofitable plant on its own accord. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 15 also finally revokes subsidies for two 1950s-era coal plants, which had been put in place by HB 6, the 2019 law at the heart of an ongoing public corruption scandal in Ohio. Yet Beth Nagusky, an adjunct law professor at Case Western Reserve University, wonders whether the provision preventing settlements that close base load power plants is meant to lay the groundwork for new subsidies down the road for nuclear and coal plants, which might become involved in regulatory or judicial cases. I dont think thats even being hidden, Waggoner said. Along the same lines, environmental groups have criticized laws from 2023 and 2024 that include natural gas and nuclear power in the states definition of green energy. As Waggoner sees it, utilities and policymakers who claim to be worried about maintaining enough base load or dispatchable electricity are concerned less about real reliability issues and more about minimizing the importance of renewable energy in the face of climate change, even when renewables are paired with storage. Theyre looking at how do you frame this argument so youre not just saying, We dont want renewables, Waggoner said. Theyre trying to find a way to justify what they want, as opposed to what the moment demands. (WHTM) Governor Josh Shapiro announced that all Commonwealth flags on all Commonwealth facilities, buildings, and grounds across Pennsylvania will be at half-staff today. Heres why. Governor Shapiro announced that all flags will be at half-staff on June 3 to honor DCNR Forest Supervisor, Fire Warden, and Fire Chief of the Carsonville Volunteer Fire Co., David L. Warfel, who passed away last Thursday. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts According to his obituary, Warfel graduated from Halifax High School, was a member and Fire Chief of Carsonville Vol. Fire Company, a Life Member and Trustee of the Halifax Fire Department, a member of the Dauphin County Fire Chiefs Association, a State Fire Instructor, a DCNR Instructor, and a Forest Fire Warden. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, karaoke, and spending time with his family. Governor Shapiro says all Pennsylvania residents are invited to participate in this tribute. The flags will be at half-staff until June 6 at sunset. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been having difficulty defending the Trump administrations poor economic decisionsand it shows, said MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle on The Daily Beast Podcast. Scott Bessent deeply understands economics, Ruhle, a former Wall Street executive, explained, which is why this is so hard for him to justify all of it. She noted that the hedge fund billionaire deeply understands how trade and trade deficit works, but has now been put in a position that requires him to defend a position thats not rooted in truth. One of the reasons he struggles on television is because hes not telling the truth, right? Ruhle told host Joanna Coles. You and I both know being on television is really hard and were actually reporting the truth. Were speaking facts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bessent has, over his years at hedge funds and investment firms, worked with both Republicans and Democrats alike. He had previously donated to Democratic causes, including Al Gores presidential run in 2000. He also used to work for George Soros, who personally donated $170 million to Democratic candidates and campaigns during the 2022 midterms. But he has now turned into yet another mouthpiece for the administration, spouting lies about the economy to justify the presidents actions, though he does so with great difficulty, said Ruhle. Scott Bessent was forced to admit the real impact of Trump's But isnt it also hard for Scott Bessent to go on television because its really about an audience of one, right? asked Coles. Hes sort of scrambling to obey his boss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its extremely difficult for him, replied Ruhle, drawing a contrast with Trumps Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick. The latter official is, she said, always happy to put on the show and the performance because thats what hes always done, she added. Ruhle said that Lutnick is the middle guy who will sell whatever Donald Trump wants him to sell that day to win the trade, to get the commission, whereas Bessent, who has a stronger grasp on the economy, knows when the administration is manufacturing lies. Scott, in some ways, you know, is backed into a corner and hes frustrated because how does he defend Trumps position, or where does he go from here? she said. New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast are released every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Follow our new feed on your favorite podcast platform at beast.pub/dailybeastpod and subscribe on YouTube to watch full episodes. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A man is dead following a shooting inside a convenience store near 21st and Grove early Tuesday. The Wichita Police Department responded to a call of a fight and shooting at The Market convenience store at 21st and Minnesota around 3:15 a.m. When officers arrived, they found Darries Mitchell, 33, of Wichita, had been shot and was not responsive. He later died at the hospital. Wichita Police Sgt. Dan Harty said an argument broke out between two customers before the shots were fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were two employees present when it happened, but they were not injured, Harty said. The suspect fled the scene. Nonprofit helping Wichita family after 4-year-old shot The business was closed as police investigated and looked at camera footage from inside the store. 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The family of a man accused of launching an antisemitic attack that injured 12 people in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday are in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, the White House announced Tuesday. "The wife and five children of illegal alien Mohamed Soliman the suspect in the antisemitic firebombing of Jewish Americans have been captured and are now in ICE custody for expedited removal," the White House said on its official X account. "THEY COULD BE DEPORTED AS EARLY AS TONIGHT," the post concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security is investigating "to what extent" the family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, "knew about this heinous attack, if they had knowledge of it, or if they provided support to it," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote separately on X. She described Soliman as a "terrorist" and "illegal alien" who "will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Poland on May 27. (Alex Brandon / Pool via Getty Images) "I am continuing to pray for the victims of this attack and their families. Justice will be served," Noem continued. Soliman is accused of using a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails on a group of people peacefully calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. At least 12 people were injured and eight, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were admitted to the hospital with burns. An Israeli flag Tuesday at a makeshift memorial for victims of an attack outside the Boulder County Courthouse. (David Zalubowski / AP) Soliman is an Egyptian national. The Department of Homeland Security said Monday that he entered the country legally on a B2 visa, normally issued to tourists, in August 2022 and filed for asylum in September 2022. While his visa expired in February 2023, Soliman had not yet exhausted all legal options to stay in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was charged in Colorado with attempted first-degree murder after deliberation; attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference; first-degree assault, including against an at-risk victim older than 70; and possession of an incendiary device. He remains in custody on $10 million bond. He was also charged with a federal hate crime Monday. Prosecutors said Soliman told authorities he had been planning the attack for a year and he hated what he called the Zionist group. He had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again, J. Bishop Grewell, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado, said at a news conference Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Islamic Society of Colorado Springs said Tuesday that Soliman attended its mosque a few times, but there were no signs that this tragic incident in Boulder would happen. The Islamic Center said that his actions are completely against our religion and our values and we condemn this attack in the strongest terms. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A parliamentary crisis in the Netherlands used to be local news even there. But the withdrawal of Geert Wilders anti-immigration PVV party from the barely eighteen month old coalition government in the Hague is sending shock waves through the EU and across the North Sea. There was a time when the liberal consensus inside establishments across Europe would have crowed about the self-ejection of populists from government, but there is a profound sense of unease not only among the centre-Left in the Hague, so long accustomed to sharing power, but among the EU elite in general. Far from discrediting his movement, they fear that Wilders will ride a fresh protest wave in any new elections. Although he himself was excluded from government office as a price for accepting some of his MPs as ministers in the coalition, Wilders was not neutered as a political force and his ministers do not seem to have been bought off by chauffeur-driven cars and the perks of office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But public discontent with the failure of the coalition to implement effective controls on irregular migration as well as law and order concerns means that it makes political sense for Wilders to walk away. Conventional parties were blocking his popular proposals; dismiss them as populist if you wish, but that wont wish public discontent about immigration away. Wilders party is still polling around 20 per cent, but thats well down on the result he got last year. This shows that radicals lose support if they share power as the price of watering down or abandoning their key promises. Wilders has probably calculated that leaving the coalition government will revive his poll numbers because Dutch public opinion as opposed to parliamentary opinion is still anxious for immigration controls. Across Europe, concerns about uncontrolled migration are compounded by the public sense that their political leaders are impotent to protect their countries borders. Keir Starmers defence review was widely derided as strategy on stilts because he talked about projecting British power into the Asia-Pacific but cannot protect Dover beach from rubber boats. A by-product of the Dutch coalition collapse is that the Hagues hosting of this years Nato summit looks to be a public relations disaster. Having pledged to lead the alliances boost in defence spending, they are unable to implement that policy without a clear parliamentary majority. A Dutch caretaker government will thus be a passive partner in the West as Donald Trump continues to berate European freeloaders. That will be acutely embarrassing for the Nato Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, who left his Dutch premiership as a defence hawk to lead the regeneration of the Atlantic alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This should worry us all, but we need answers rather than ritual moans of concern about populism. European countries that seem impotent to enforce their laws and regulations at their own borders will hardly deter malevolent threats from abroad. Clinging to a discredited de facto open borders approach is fuel for populists because the established parties refuse to grasp that ordinary people can see this humiliating failure for what it is. 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. Geert Wilders has toppled the Dutch government after pulling out of the governing coalition because it would not back his plans for tougher migration rules. The Dutch hard-Right leader withdrew his Party for Freedom (PVV) from the Right-wing alliance, formed eight months after his victory in the November 2023 general election. He vowed he would become prime minister after triggering a snap election less than a year after the warring coalition took office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, I am going to become prime minister of the Netherlands next time and ensure that the PVV becomes bigger than ever in the next elections, he said. Referring to himself in the third person, he added: Today is the day that all of The Hague is against Wilders and the PVV. That is allowed, but I am very much strengthened in my position. After a two-hour emergency meeting of his cabinet, Dick Schoof, the prime minister, announced the collapse of the government, which will continue in a caretaker capacity until after new elections. He said Mr Wilderss decision to quit the government was irresponsible and unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Wilders had demanded his three coalition partners agree to a new 10-point migration plan, which included using the army to close land borders, the deportation of Syrian asylum seekers and an end to family reunification, without prior consultation. Close the borders for asylum-seekers and family reunifications. No more asylum centres opened. Close them, he told them. He also demanded a one strike youre out policy that would ensure migrants convicted of violent or sexual crimes were deported. But after the allies refused to back the plan on Monday morning, the divisive anti-Islam firebrand wrote on X: No signature for our asylum plans ... PVV leaves the coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Wilderss PVV was the largest party in the coalition alongside the conservative-liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Farmers Citizen Movement (BBB) and the centrist New Social Contract. Reckless kamikaze action Caroline Van der Plas, the BBB leader, criticised him for a reckless kamikaze action. Dilan Yesilgoz, the VVD leader, said: The Netherlands needs a mature and responsible leader who will keep us safe. But Wilders is abandoning the Netherlands. The latest poll, from Peil.nl, gives Mr Wilders a narrow lead of 1 per cent over Groenlinks-PVDA, the biggest Left-wing party and opposition, by 31 per cent to 30 per cent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frans Timmermans, the former EU climate chief and leader of the Groenlinks-PVDA, also called for elections as soon as possible. The Dutch Trump was frustrated with the slow pace in introducing the strictest-ever asylum policy agreed with his coalition allies, which has been slowed by legal hurdles. The policy was agreed after months of contentious coalition negotiations that forced Mr Wilders to give up his dream of being prime minister. He agreed to stay out of the cabinet, along with other party leaders, as part of the deal. Dick Schoof, the former spy chief who has never held elected office, became prime minister instead and made the PVVs Marjolein Faber minister for migration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition pledged a two-year asylum crisis act to drive down numbers arriving in the Netherlands and demanded an opt-out from EU asylum rules, which put it on a collision course with Brussels. It planned a maximum reduction in migrant numbers, without giving a hard figure. The agreement included austere reception centres, a hold on processing asylum applications and only temporary asylum being granted. In the first quarter of this year, 4,500 people applied for asylum in the Netherlands half the applications in the same period in 2024. But Ms Faber has struggled to implement the plan, parts of which have been deemed illegal or unworkable by experts. But courts had ordered that funds for overnight asylum shelter continue and budget cuts to asylum aid organisations were reversed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other three party leaders refused to sign up to the plan during an hour-long crisis meeting on Monday night and successfully urged Mr Wilders to sleep on his decision. But on Tuesday morning, after a second meeting lasting less than 15 minutes, Mr Wilders told Mr Schoof he was removing Ms Faber and other PVV ministers from the government. I signed up to the strictest asylum policy, not the downfall of the Netherlands, he told reporters. The government crisis comes just weeks before the Netherlands is due to host world leaders for a Nato summit on June 24 and 25. 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. (FOX40.COM) Several areas in Fairfield are under evacuation orders after a wildfire ignited Monday afternoon. Video Above: The most destructive fires in California history (As of 7/2024) Around 4:30 p.m., Fairfield fire crews responded to a wildfire in the area of Vista Grande and Capitola Way. If youre in the vicinity, please stay alert and avoid the area to allow first responders to work safely, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evacuation orders were given for Palmer Circle, Bear Creek Drive, Cherry Valley Circle, Longview Drive, Skyview Circle, and Shelter Hill Drive. Specifics on evacuation zones can be found on Fairfield.ca.gov. The evacuation orders were in effect for nearly two hours. Around 6:30 p.m., the fire was contained, and all evacuation orders were lifted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. (WFRV) Nearly three months after a bull elk was allegedly illegally killed in Wisconsin, the DNR is still looking for tips. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), it is still asking for the publics help in getting information regarding the illegal killing of a bull elk. The incident reportedly happened in Jackson County. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is reportedly offering a $5,000 reward, and the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the successful prosecution of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WPS: States first large-scale energy storage project now powering the energy grid with sunshine after sunset On the morning of March 18, DNR staff got a report of a dead elk. It was found on private property. Officials say it was determined that the bull elk died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound. The bull was wearing a GPS radio collar that provided investigators with information tied to the illegal shooting, the DNR said. The animal was reportedly one of the last remaining elk originally brought from Kentucky in 2016. It was described as one of the primary breeding bulls for the Central Elk Herd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oshkosh Area School District offering final opportunity to pick up free keepsake bricks Anyone with information is asked to call the DNR at 1-800-847-9367. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Wisconsin man has been charged with forging letters to frame and deport another man who was a potential witness against him in a robbery case. Demetric D. Scott, 52, allegedly sent letters to state and federal officials claiming to be from Ramon Morales Reyes that threatened to kill President Donald Trump and bashed immigration policies. Demetric D. Scott. (Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office) He was charged in a Milwaukee court on Monday with felony witness intimidation, identity theft and two counts of bail jumping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letters were received on May 21 by the Wisconsin Attorney Generals Office, the Milwaukee Police Chief and Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office. The letters were handwritten and all about immigration policy and threatening to kill ICE agents of Donald Trump, according to the criminal complaint. Morales Reyes, 54, was arrested on May 22 because his name was on the return address, the complaint said. The Department of Homeland Security had posted about his arrest in May, with Secretary Kristi Noem saying, Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars. The news release included a photo of Morales Reyes and a photo of the handwritten letter that threatened to shoot Trump at one of his "big" rallies. A letter in which Demetric D. Scott, claiming to be Ramon Morales Reyes, threatened President Donald Trump. (Department of Homeland Security) However, the investigating detective discovered that Morales Reyes doesnt read write or speak English fluently and needed translation assistance. A writing sample also showed Morales Reyes handwriting was different from the one in the letters, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement asked if Morales Reyes knew anyone who would want to get him in trouble. Morales Reyes said only the person who had robbed him Demetric Scott, the complaint said. Morales Reyes told the detective he knew Scott was in jail on an armed robbery charge. Court records show Scott is awaiting trial in Milwaukee County on armed robbery and aggravated battery charges from September 2023. Ramon Morales Reyes. (Department of Homeland Security) Following that interview, law enforcement listened to several of Scotts jail calls and found that, since April 27, he had made several calls about mailing letters, the complaint said. In a May 16 call, Scott said that this dude is a goddamn illegal immigrant and they just need to pick his ass up. Im dead serious cause I got jury trial on July 15th. Later in that call he said: The judge will agree cause if he gets picked up by ICE, there wont be a jury trial so they will probably dismiss it that day. Thats my plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 30, a Milwaukee police detective conducted an interview with Scott and he admitted to writing the letters and addressing the envelopes himself, authorities said, adding that he said he wrote them seeking freedom. He said his intention wasnt to go after Trump, but to prevent Morales Reyes from testifying, authorities said. A search warrant was executed on May 30 at Scotts jail cell and a blue pen was found the letters were written with blue ink along with pink paper with a note reminding himself he needs the attorney general's office address, as well as an envelope. An attorney for Scott, Robert Hampton III, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kime Abduli, an attorney for Morales Reyes, said Morales Reyes was a victim of armed robbery of aggravated battery and Scott is the defendant in the case, which is set for trial July 14. It is our understanding that Mr. Scott targeted (Mr. Morales Reyes) because of his immigration status with the express intent of having him removed from the United States so that (Mr. Morales Reyes) could not testify against him, Abduli said. The attorney said Morales Reyes remains in ICE custody and is in removal proceedings at this time, which does not mean a person will be automatically deported. A senior Department of Homeland Security official said Morales Reyes will remain in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into the threat is ongoing. Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record, the official said. The DHS news release from May said that Morales Reyes had "entered the U.S. illegally at least nine times between 1998-2005" and he had a criminal record with arrests on charges of felony hit and run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier. The release said he'll remain in ICE custody at Dodge County Jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, pending removal proceedings. Cain W. Oulahan, an immigration attorney for Reyes, said that he and his family are relieved that it is now clear who the actual writer of the threatening letters is. They have been traumatized by these events and hope to be reunited soon. We will be seeking his release on bond while his deportation hearings advance. We will also be pursuing any legal options available for him to remain in the U.S." Oulahan added, noting they would like the DHS to issue a public statement "acknowledging their error and calling for a stop to any threats against him and his family." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oulahan said that Reyes has a U visa pending that was filed in March but that the backlog for approving such visas is taking years. Such visas allow undocumented victims and witnesses of certain crimes to stay in the U.S. for up to four years if they help in an investigation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com DENVER (KDVR) As people were dining and walking through the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on Sunday afternoon, screams and flames broke out after a man allegedly threw a makeshift incendiary device into a group of people. An investigation is underway and the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was arrested. According to reports from police and the FBI, the group was part of a pro-Israel demonstration and the suspect was heard yelling Free Palestine after throwing incendiary devices and using a makeshift flamethrower. Overview: What to know as investigation builds in Boulders Pearl Street Mall attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight people were hurt with injuries ranging from minor to severe. FOX31 spoke with multiple people who were in the area at the time and saw the incident unfold. Witnesses described feeling terrified, but that didnt stop them from doing what they could to help. Witnesses go toward smoke and flames to help We saw a fire and we saw a big cloud of smoke, so we ran over to it. As we got there, we saw this fire that was on the ground and it was spreading amongst the grass, witness Matthew Chaudhary told FOX31 in an interview. Rachel Navarro said she was walking on Pearl Street when she saw a fire erupt, and she ran over to help put out the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a man who was holding two spray bottles, seemingly with alcohol based on the smell, and he was trying to spray the fire to keep it going and he was yelling at people and threatening to spray people with the bottles, Navarro said. Boulder attack suspect told police he planned for a year, FBI says: Live Updates She said she saw one woman who was on the ground severely injured, and two other women whose calves were burned and bleeding, so she stayed with them to help and called the police. It was very scary, but Im glad that as far as were aware, everybody is so far ok, she said. Tourist describes chaotic scene on 1st day in Boulder Alex Osante, a tourist who was in Boulder for the first time, told FOX31 that he was eating lunch at an Italian restaurant across the street when he saw a man throw what he described as a Molotov cocktail into a group of people, and chaos ensued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Osante said he saw the man throw another bottle, but he caught himself on fire, so he took off his shirt. He said the man also took off what appeared to be some kind of vest under the shirt. He said people were arguing, yelling and screaming, begging for water to douse on the woman who seemed like she was burning from head to toe. He gave the two waters that he had on his table and a water bottle to help out. He said he would usually run to assist, but not knowing what was happening or if someone had a gun, he said he stayed behind a ledge where he could seek protection. I was in shock as to what was happening right in front of me. It was devastating because Ive never seen something of this caliber happen in front of my face, and then people asking me for help with water and wanting a solution to what was going on, but it was hard to tell what was happening, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspect charged with federal hate crime after attacking pro-Israel group in Boulder Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall, Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Law enforcement officials dress in protective gear to investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A tank associated with the suspect in an attack on a pro-Israel group on the Pearl Street Mall on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Brian H.) The suspect in an attack on a pro-Israel group on the Pearl Street Mall on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Brian H.) The suspect in an attack on a pro-Israel group on the Pearl Street Mall on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Brian H.) The suspect in an attack on a pro-Israel group on the Pearl Street Mall on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Courtesy Brian H.) SWAT and other police were on scene after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (KDVR) Boulder locals react We just gotta live every day like our last because you never know if it will be you know, Boulder local Mason Morris said. Sebastian Gold said he found out about the incident when his girlfriend called him from work and told him they couldnt go to the restaurant he was making reservations at because of the attack. Its just something you never think would happen, you know, and I know the community is going to come back, and Boulder Strong has always been a thing, but even more than ever now, Gold said. Local Jewish community expresses fears Sara Geller said she stopped telling people that she was Jewish on October 7. She told FOX31 she was terrified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just makes me very terrified for my friends who go to synagogue every week because were not actually Jewish Americans arent the ones murdering Palestinians, you know, we just want our hostages to come home so all war, and I mean like all war, can just cease, Geller said. Brian told FOX31 he was afraid of repercussions for his family. You see all these hate crimes that are going on around the country, things that are happening to Jews all around the country, and Ive got two kids and despite my my initial instinct to run into this situation its once I was there, I realized how dangerous it was, which is one of the reasons why I didnt go and and tackle this guy, he said. Witnesses expressed sympathy and hopes that the victims would make a full recovery. As of Monday afternoon, each of the victims are still alive and some were still being treated for burns in the hospital. Suspect admits to attack: FBI The FBI said the suspect was booked into Boulder County Jail on several charges, including first-degree murder. He was also charged with a federal hate crime. An FBI affidavit said Soliman confessed to the attack and allegedly told the police he would do it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, the suspect told police he had been planning the attack for a year and waited until after his daughters graduation to attack. He told investigators he researched and specifically targeted a Zionist group. The group whom he threw the makeshift flamethrower and incendiary device into were holding a demonstration, which the city of Boulder said is a weekly peaceful event. The demonstration was part of the Run for Their Lives organization, according to the complaint. The group 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An Australian mother accused of killing her in-laws with poisoned beef wellington has admitted for the first time that she mixed lethal deathcap mushrooms into the meal. On Tuesday, Erin Patterson told a court she had cooked the dish with a mixture of mushrooms, including a pungent variety she claimed to have bought on holiday, before serving it to her estranged husbands parents in July 2023. She denies murdering Gail Patterson and Don Patterson, both 70, who fell ill hours after dining at her home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Patterson also denies the murder of another guest, Gails sister Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of Mrs Wilkinsons husband Ian, who survived after receiving an organ transplant. Her estranged husband Simon was also invited to the lunch, but pulled out at the last minute. On Tuesday, Colin Mandy, Ms Pattersons defence barrister, asked her: Do you accept that there must have been deathcap mushrooms in it? Yes, I do, the 50-year-old replied. Alleged murder victims Don and Gail Patterson fell ill hours after eating the meal Ms Pattersons defence team have been seeking to portray her as a loving daughter-in-law and home cook who liked to experiment with dehydrating mushrooms after foraging for fungi became a Covid lockdown hobby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I got to a point where I was confident about what I thought that they were, I cut a bit off one of the mushrooms, fried it up with some butter, ate it, then saw what happened, said Ms Patterson. Ms Patterson added that she learnt to identify mushrooms with the help of a Facebook group for foragers. She added: They tasted good, and I didnt get sick. Ian Wilkinson was able to assist police with their investigation after he woke up in intensive care. Accused told victims she had cancer He told officers that Ms Patterson had served her meal on a different coloured plate to the ones on which she served her guests, and that she told them during the lunch that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Tuesday, Ms Patterson admitted in court she had never been diagnosed with the disease. She also said she had a mistrust of doctors following previous incidents of having felt dismissed when she took her children to hospital. Ms Patterson said that when her daughter, now 11, was a baby she had discovered a lump on her abdomen, but doctors initially brushed off her concerns. The growth was later found to be on the girls ovary and required surgery, she said. I took her to a lot of doctors and even the hospital, and what they communicated to me was I was an over-anxious mother, that should relax, and shes just a normal baby, she said. I didnt like hospitals before it like, who does but I didnt trust that these people knew what they were doing, and I was just in a heightened state of anxiety ever after. Relationship with in-laws never changed Ms Patterson also detailed her relationship with her husband for the first time in court, saying the couple had remained good friends after their separation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said they had travelled across Australia and to New Zealand together with their children, but that conflict had arisen over child support payments. Ms Patterson was asked why she had purchased property in both her and her husbands names in 2019 despite them being separated for four years by that point. I always thought that we would bring the family back together, she said. It was something, you know, tangible to say I see a future for us. The court also heard how she had given her husbands siblings 200,000 loans each to purchase their homes after receiving an inheritance. Becoming visibly upset, Ms Patterson said her relationship with in-laws never changed despite the marriage breakdown. I was just their daughter-in-law and they just continued to love me, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial continues. 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. NEED TO KNOW Decades after she first studied to become a teacher, 88-year-old Joan Alexander finally received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Maine She was prevented from student teaching because she was pregnant with her first child After the commencement ceremony on May 11, Joan said that a "hole in my heart has been healed" Decades after she began her coursework to become a teacher, an 88-year-old woman has finally received her degree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, May 11, Joan Alexander was honored at the University of Maines commencement ceremony. Her daughter, Tracy Alexander, and granddaughter, Isabel Beck, were there to represent Joan, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, the school said in a press release. She is most likely the oldest undergraduate degree recipient in the universitys 160-year history. President Joan Ferrini-Mundy said in a speech during the event that Alexander's story "characterizes what the Black Bear spirit is all about. Joans degree was years in the making. In the late 1950s, she was a student at the university and dreamed of running her own classroom one day. But Joan was prohibited from student teaching because she was pregnant with her first child, according to the university. Originally slated to graduate in 1959, Joan went on to raise her four children with her husband, Jim, who was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. When he was deployed, she was left to raise their four girls. She was also an active volunteer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joan told the school that having a degree was important to her. My parents did not complete college, so this was important to me, she said. "My husband and four daughters have their college degrees, so I was the only one amongst my husband and daughters who had not received a college degree. That all changed when her youngest child, Tracy, reached out to the universitys College of Education and Human Development. Tracy Alexander Graduate Joan Alexander with her family. Graduate Joan Alexander with her family. Justin Dimmel, associate dean of the college, helped find a path forward so Joan could finally receive the degree shed worked so hard for. Joan had already completed all of the coursework required at the time, according to the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the early 1980s, she also met the student teaching requirements when she worked as a full-time aide for a preschool program in Southwest Harbor. The college recognized that experience as equivalent to the student teaching she wasnt allowed to complete two decades earlier. 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 was moved by Joans story and was excited to do whatever it would take to ensure that she would be recognized for the work that she did, both as an undergraduate at the University of Maine and throughout her life, Dimmel said in the release. Tracy Alexander Proud graduate Joan Alexander holds her diploma from the University of Maine. Proud graduate Joan Alexander holds her diploma from the University of Maine. Joans commitment to completing her undergraduate education was inspiring to me, my colleagues and the graduating class of 2025, he added. Working with Joan, her daughter Tracy and Joans family has been a highlight of my academic career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Joan, it was a huge accomplishment that shed long yearned for. I didnt realize that it would mean so much to me, but I now feel that a hole in my heart has been healed, she said. Read the original article on People BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham Police Department is investigating after a woman was found dead outside her residence Tuesday morning. At around 6:10 a.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Redstone Drive on a report of a person down, according to the BPD. At the scene, they found Andreika Jeri Robinson, lying unresponsive outside her home and suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Federal grand jury in Birmingham indicts 9 people on immigration crimes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary investigation showed a neighbor observed Robinson unresponsive in a driveway and called 911. Police believe foul play may have played a part in her death. Those with information on the case are asked to call the BPD at 205-254-1764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WJW) A Florida man was arrested last week after he allegedly held a woman against her will for months, investigators said. According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to a business on May 27 after a suspicious note was found in the bathroom. As reported by People, a Jersey Mikes Subs employee found the note, which read, in part, Please help me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the note, a woman said she was being held captive against her will at a residence in the area and that she was afraid for her life. I-Team: What weve learned of possible suspect in Metroparks murder Through surveillance videos, previous case records and witness interviews, detectives were able to identify the suspect as 34-year-old Jordan Williams. Reports show that Williams and the victim have a history of domestic violence situations, the sheriffs office said. According to the department, deputies conducted a search at the residence listed in the note. Once there, deputies found a woman who confirmed that she wrote it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She detailed repeated assaults, threats involving weapons and being held in isolation by Williams for a span of several months, the sheriffs office said in a press release last week. Deadly Ashtabula County shooting suspect taken into custody According to deputies, the victim was taken to a local hospital with suspected broken bones and other injuries. Williams was arrested on several felony charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, battery and battery by strangulation, the release said. Courtesy of Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office He was taken to the Santa Rosa County jail on Wednesday. According to court records, Williams is being held without bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case represents the strength of coordinated work by my staff and the bravery of the victim, Sheriff Bob Johnson wrote in the release. Thanks to her courage and the deputies swift actions, she is now safe and receiving care. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A woman was fatally struck by an Amtrak train in New Hampshire on Tuesday while trying to rescue a dog from the tracks, authorities said. Emergency crews responding to a report of an incident involving pedestrians and a train in a wooded area near Newfields Road in Exeter just before 3:30 p.m. found a couple that had been hit, according to the Exeter Police Department. The woman died as a result of her injuries, while the man suffered minor injuries. Their names havent been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said the dog, which was off leash, ran onto the tracks after the train sounded its horn, prompting the couple to chase after the animal. Preliminary investigation suggests that the victim and a friend were walking a dog along the tracks. The train approached quickly from a corner behind them, and the unleashed dog ran onto the tracks at the sound of the trains horn, the department said in a statement. The couple attempted to get the dog off the tracks, and as a result, both people were struck. There were no additional details immediately available. An investigation remains ongoing. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) Attorney General Phil Weiser says he is shaken by the attack in Boulder another premeditated attack that Weiser says could have been avoided. What didnt happen here that were going to be looking at, just like with the Boulder King Sooper shooting, is did someone know something and didnt know who to talk to? Weiser said. Suspect charged with federal hate crime after attacking pro-Israel group in Boulder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to federal immigration officials, Mohamed Sabry Soliman entered the country in 2022 on a B-2 tourist visa, which is used for tourists from outside the United States to visit. The visa expired in 2023, and he applied for asylum and was awaiting approval. Asylum could take weeks, months, or in some cases, years to get approved, according to immigration lawyer Laura Lichter. The fact that theyve applied for asylum does not necessarily protect them against deportation unless an immigration judge finds that theres a reason that that person would fear harm if they were sent back to their home country, Lichter said. Lichter said it is up to the federal government as this case goes forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its up to the government to let that criminal process go to conclusion before they take action against the person in terms of any immigration case, Lichter said. Weiser says he will be working with the Boulder District Attorney with the support he needs to ensure justice is served. Emergency fund created for victims, Jewish safety after Boulder terrorist attack Were taking action, and we hold this individual account to make a strong statement. We wont tolerate it, Weiser said. Litcher said that immigration issues can be very complicated and Solimans future could change depending on what happens in the days ahead with his trial and decisions made at the federal level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The World Food Prize Foundation announced that Ann McGlynn, founder and executive director of Tapestry Farms in Davenport, is the recipient of the 2025 Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes her work to improve sustainable food access throughout the Quad Cities. Tapestry uses reclaimed, underutilized land to grow over 20,000 pounds and counting of fresh, culturally relevant produce. Ann McGlynn (World Food Prize) Ann McGlynns work with Tapestry Farms is a powerful example of how a local initiative can turn untapped land into vital sources of fresh food, said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. Her commitment to expanding sustainable food access across the Quad Cities embodies the values of compassion, resilience and community the Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award proudly recognizes. Tapestry Farms grew over 11,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables with the help of over a dozen staff members, interns and 300 volunteers in 2024. The farm has 12 locations across the Quad Cities from April to October and grows hydroponically year-round in a 320 square foot shipping container. This helps the nonprofit to grow an additional two to six tons of produce annually. (World Food Prize) Harvests are distributed through food pantries, nonprofits, a monthly subscription service and a farmers market stand. The Quad Cities Community Foundation awarded Tapestry Farms $300,000 over three years to allow them to nearly triple the pounds of food grown and more than double the families served by their culturally specific food pantry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tapestry Farms also supports refugee families with housing, medical and mental healthcare, education, employment, transportation and community connections. They work with about 25 families at a time and have served over 130 families since their founding. McGlynn started Tapestry Farms after working at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, whose congregation welcomed a refugee mother and her six children from the Democratic Republic of Congo. When (then Iowa Governor) Robert Ray made the decision to welcome refugees to the state of Iowa in the mid-1970s, he did so to save lives, McGlynn said. But he didnt stop there. He worked to feed and care for people forcibly displaced from their homes in Cambodia. Then, he forged a path for our entire nation to welcome refugees, as Iowa did with the Refugee Resettlement Act of 1980. Some of the most important people in my life are building their lives in Iowa because of Robert Rays persistence, and our work at Tapestry Farms seeks to nourish people just as he did. I consider it one of the greatest honors of my life to receive an award named for Governor Ray. McGlynn will receive the Iowa SHARES Award at the annual Iowa Hunger Summit on July 16 at the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates in Des Moines. Click here to register. Admission is free in person and an online option is available for a fee. The World Food Prize is an international award that honors individuals who have improved the quality, quantity or availability of food worldwide. The Prize was founded by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, who received the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work that led to increases in agricultural outputs, known as the Green Revolution. The Prize has been awarded to 55 distinguished individuals during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, a week of events dedicated to addressing an issue related to food insecurity or hunger each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is calling for quick intervention to fight the growing threat of the New World screwworm. This flesh-eating bug has cattle ranchers and agricultural leaders across the state on edge. In a statement published last week, Miller celebrated the Department of Agricultures recent $21 million investment to expand sterile fly production in Metapa, Mexicoa big step in the fight against the screwworm flies that devastated livestock throughout the country in the 1960s. The New World Screwworm cannot be eliminated with half-hearted efforts, Miller said. Actual eradication requires the strategic release of millions of sterile flies. I was skeptical of the Biden Administrations approach, but this collaborative effort led by Secretary Brooke Rollins at the United States Department of Agriculture, coupled with strong leadership from Texas Congressional members, will expand North American sterile fly production, marking a crucial step forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millers support follows recent reports from southern Mexico that screwworm infestations are creeping north, raising alarms for ranchers in the Lone Star State. According to a study by the World Organization for Animal Health, the parasites larvae are known to burrow into the wounds of living mammals, including livestock, pets, and even humans, causing extensive tissue damage and potentially death. Miller said the USDAs new investment showcases international cooperation in the battle against the pest. This reinforces our defenses and strengthens our international partnership. Secretary Rollins recognizes the seriousness of this threat and is utilizing appropriate tools with necessary urgency to protect American agriculture, Miller added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller also endorsed the STOP Screwworms Act, which was recently introduced by Rep. Tony Gonzales and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The legislation would create a domestic sterile fly production facility in Texas to boost the USDAs efforts and secure a steady supply of sterile flies for quick deployment across the state. Apparently, as experts previously noted, sterile flies are one of the best solutions to fight the northern migration of the New World screwworm. Meanwhile, Texas A&M University is ramping up its own efforts to protect the cattle industry from the looming screwworm threat. Last week, the university announced a $5 million donation from the Rosenthal family to support a new Meat Science and Technology Center at its campus in Bryan, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials, outside of Millers efforts, continue to urge ranchers to remain vigilant for signs of the parasite and to report any cases immediately to the Texas Animal Health Commission or the USDA. Experts warn that the reintroduction of the New World screwworm could have devastating economic impacts in certain areas, not just for ranchers but also for consumers already facing high beef and overall grocery prices. As The Dallas Express previously reported, Americans are still reeling from the pressures of skyrocketing grocery prices, which the Biden Administration unleashed before he left office. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has announced plans for a new childcare center to further support military families. Tuesday had a second groundbreaking as Wright-Patt continues to expand its childcare services on base. The combined Child Development Center and School Age Care facility will be located within Area A. The building is designed to increase access to high quality childcare for children ages 5 and under, while adding over 200 extra rooms. The new facility will replace the existing school age care building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright-Patt held a prior groundbreaking in May 2024 for a separate center in Area A. Those in charge of the project are excited for the upcoming future that awaits the families on base. It will be done in early Summer 2027, and then well take three to four months to put our furniture and equipment and materials in, Start notifying parents of the wait list, get the staff trained and ready to go, said Necoleia Friend, child youth program project manager. Friend also says this is a wonderful opportunity to support military families at Wright-Patt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LONDON (AP) Bernardine Evaristo doesn't like boundaries. For the Booker Prize -winning novelist, rules about genre, grammar or what a working-class biracial woman can achieve are all to be challenged and swept away. Evaristo was announced Wednesday as recipient of the 100,000-pound ($135,000) Womens Prize Outstanding Contribution Award for her transformative impact on literature and her unwavering dedication to uplifting under-represented voices." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evaristo, 66, received the prize both for her work to help promote women and writers of color, and for writing that takes in poetry, a memoir and seven novels including the Booker-winning Girl, Woman, Other. I just go wherever my imagination takes me, she said. I didnt want to write the kind of novels that would take you on a predictable emotional or moral journey. An eclectic output Evaristo had already explored autobiographical fiction, historical settings and alternate realities when she won the Booker in 2019 for Girl Woman, Other, a polyphonic novel told from the point of view of a dozen characters, largely Black women, with widely varying ages, experiences and sexualities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was the first woman of African heritage to be awarded the prize, which was founded in 1969 and has a reputation for transforming writers careers. When she won, Evaristo was 60 and had been a writer for decades. She says the recognition came at the right time for me. Maybe I wouldnt have handled it so well if I was younger, she told The Associated Press at her London home. It changed my career - in terms of book sales, foreign rights, translation, the way in which I was viewed as a writer. Various other opportunities came my way. And I felt that I had the foundations to handle that. Evaristos house on a quiet suburban street is bright and comfortable, with wooden floors, vibrant textiles and a large wooden writing desk by the front window. Large photos of her Nigerian paternal grandparents hang on one wall. Her work often draws on her roots as the London-born child of a Nigerian father and white British mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like much of Evaristos work, Girl, Woman, Other eludes classification. She calls it fusion fiction for its melding of poetry and prose into a novel that relishes the texture and rhythm of language. I kind of dispense with the rules of grammar, she said. I think I have 12 full stops in the novel. If that sounds dauntingly experimental, readers didnt think so. Girl, Woman, Other has sold more than 1 million copies and was chosen as one of Barack Obamas books of the year. Passion for poetry Evaristo traces her love of poetry to the church services of her Catholic childhood, where she soaked up the rhythms of the Bible and sermons, without realizing I was absorbing poetry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she started writing novels, the love of poetry remained, along with a desire to tell stories of the African diaspora. One of her first major successes, The Emperors Babe, is a verse novel set in Roman Britain. Most people think the Black history of Britain only began in the 20th century, Evaristo said. I wanted to write about a Black presence in Roman Britain - because there was a Black presence in Roman Britain 1,800 years ago. Another novel, Blonde Roots, is set in an alternative historical timeline in which Africans have enslaved Europeans, and was nominated for a major science-fiction award. Mr Loverman, which centers on a closeted gay 70-something Antiguan Londoner, was an attempt to move beyond cliched images of Britains postwar Caribbean immigrants. It was recently made into a BBC television series starring Lennie James and Sharon D. Clarke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Levelling the playing field Her latest award is a one-off accolade marking the 30th anniversary of the annual Womens Prizes for English-language fiction and nonfiction. Womens Prize founder Kate Mosse said Evaristos dazzling skill and imagination, and her courage to take risks and offer readers a pathway into diverse and multifarious worlds over a 40-year career made her the ideal recipient. Evaristo, who teaches creative writing at Brunel University of London, plans to use the prize money to help other women writers through an as-yet undisclosed project. She has long been involved with projects to level the playing field for under-represented writers, and is especially proud of Complete Works, a mentoring program for poets of color that she ran for a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I set that up because I initiated research into how many poets of color were getting published in Britain at that time, and it was under 1% of the total, she said. A decade later, it was 10%. "It really has helped shift the poetry landscape in the U.K.," she said. Partial progress Evaristo followed Girl, Woman, Other with Manifesto, a memoir that recounts the stark racism of her 1960s London childhood, as well as her lifelong battle for creative expression and freedom. If Evaristo grew up as an outsider, these days she is ensconced in the arts establishment: professor, Booker winner, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, and president of the 200-year-old Royal Society of Literature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That milestone - shes the first person of color and the second woman to head the RSL - has not been trouble-free. The society has been ruffled by free speech tows and arguments over attempts to bring in younger writers and diversify its ranks - moves seen by some as watering down the accolade of membership. Evaristo doesnt want to talk about the controversy, but notes that as figurehead president she does not run the society. She says Britain has come a long way since her childhood but we have to be vigilant. The country I grew up in is not the country Im in today, she said. Weve made a lot of progress, and I feel that we need to work hard to maintain it, especially in the current political climate where it feels as if the forces are against progress, and proudly so. Working towards an anti-racist society is something that we should value, and I hope we do, and that we dont backslide too much. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) A team of West Virginia University (WVU) students took home second place in an international competition over the weekend to build next generation Mars rovers and test them in the field. This year, the University Rover Challenge (URC) brought together 114 teams from 15 countries to compete at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, which has terrain similar to the real Martian surface. Team Mountaineers took second place for the second year in a row in the University Rover Challenge finals this past weekend held in Hanksville, Utah (Courtesy WVU Statler College Media Hub) According to a press release from WVUs Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, this is the third year in a row where WVUs Team Mountaineers placed in the top two, following a second-place finish in 2024 and a first-place finish in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Yu Gu, the teams faculty advisor, said in the release that the team focused its efforts on refining last years knowledge while fixing key issues. This year, under the outstanding leadership of [Connor Mann] and [Jalen Beeman], the students represented WVU well against teams from around the world, Gu said. This real-world engineering experience is what makes robotics competition an invaluable educational experience for students. EXCLUSIVE: An up close look at the Green Bank Telescope The competition judges the performance of a teams rover through four different missions: science, delivery, equipment servicing and autonomous navigation. Teams performed tasks like analyzing soil for signs of microbial life, delivering samples and navigating difficult terrain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most rewarding part was seeing our hard work and dedication pay off when stacked against the best in the world, Jalen Beeman said, a team leader and computer science and electrical engineering student at WVU. Robotics is hard, so weve also been trying to lower the barrier for entry to the competition by open-sourcing our designs. At the competition, we had the chance to speak to several teams that used our designs which was very rewarding. To read the full release on Team Mountaineers finish at this years URC competition, visit the WVU website, or go here to learn more about the University Rover Challenge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is facing a primary challenge from a somewhat unexpected source: one-time ally and current deputy Antonio Delgado. Delgado, New Yorks lieutenant governor, announced on Monday that he intends to challenge Hochul in the upcoming 2026 Democratic primary and stressed the need for bold, decisive, transformational leadership in a campaign video. New York, Im not here to play the game. Im here to change it. Im running to be your next Governor. pic.twitter.com/09WnqPEX48 Antonio Delgado (@DelgadoforNY) June 2, 2025 Delgados move underscores a sharp break with Hochul, who appointed him to his current role in May 2022. The two moderates ran on the same ticket in the 2022 election, but they have had a series of public rifts in the years since. In February, Delgado announced that he wouldnt be running alongside Hochul in 2026, fueling speculation about a potential primary challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent seen a vision, Delgado told The New York Times on Monday. I havent seen a decisive leadership that is cleareyed. Hochul has been New Yorks governor since 2021, taking on the role after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned following sexual harassment allegations. During her tenure, shes been known for launching a universal school meal program, implementing a congestion pricing policy in Manhattan and rolling back progressive bail reforms. Delgado was previously a member of Congress before resigning to become Hochuls deputy; he was also a Rhodes Scholar and hip-hop artist. Hochul and Delgados relationship has publicly fractured in the last year. After former President Joe Bidens disastrous debate performance in June 2024, Delgado urged him to drop out of the race, while Hochul, a surrogate for the Biden campaign, declined to do the same. While Lieutenant Governor Delgado has the right to voice his opinion, Governor Hochul believes Democrats must come together, move forward as a united party, and focus on defeating Donald Trump in November, Jen Goodman, a spokesperson for Hochuls campaign, said at the time. Such divides were even more apparent when Delgado urged New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign after he was indicted on federal charges of bribery. I speak for New Yorkers. Thats how I orient myself: as an independently elected individual, Delgado said during a state capitol speech, the Gothamist reported. I serve with the governor. But I dont serve at the pleasure of the governor, right? I am my own person. I have my own voice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hochul had not asked Adams to resign at the time of Delgados remarks and eventually decided not to remove him, proposing increased oversight of his leadership instead. Lt. Gov. Delgado does not now and has not ever spoken on behalf of this administration, Hochul spokesperson Anthony Hogrebe said in February. When Delgado announced that he wouldnt be running with Hochul in February, her office was similarly blunt. Today, Antonio Delgado finally said out loud what has been obvious for quite some time: he is simply not interested in doing the job of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York, Hogrebe said. On Monday, Delgado said in his campaign video that hed aim to focus on policies including affordable housing, universal health care and universal pre-K. Polling suggests that Hochul could be vulnerable, with an April Marist Poll finding that 57% of New Yorkers opposed her decision to run for reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Delgado, Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) as well as Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) have also hinted at their interest in the race, too. The powerful and well-connected have their champions, Delgado said in his campaign announcement. Im running for governor to be yours. New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado will challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul in the governors race next year, becoming the first prominent Democrat to launch a primary challenge against his current boss. Delgados announcement on Monday doesnt come as a major surprise, as he revealed in February that he didnt plan to run for reelection as lieutenant governor next year but would explore all options. Hochul appointed Delgado to serve as her second-in-command in 2022 and the pair was elected to a full term later that year, but their relationship has frayed over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are hurting, and New York deserves better leadership, Delgado told The New York Times in an interview. Theres an absence of bold, decisive, transformational leadership. Hochul, New Yorks first female governor, who first took office following former Gov. Andrew Cuomos (D) resignation, appears potentially somewhat vulnerable in a battle both for her partys nomination and in a general election. Her favorability rating has regularly been underwater and polls show many New Yorkers saying they would prefer another choice as governor in 2026. A Siena College Poll from last month showed 55 percent said they wanted someone else, while only 36 percent said they prefer Hochul. Her favorability rating also dropped slightly after reaching net positive in April for the first time in over a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) has also been considering a primary challenge to Hochul. But any primary challenge to Hochul will still likely be an uphill battle. The same poll showed Hochul well ahead in a hypothetical three-way Democratic primary matchup with 46 percent to Delgados 12 percent and Torress 10 percent. Hochul has also proven herself to be a strong fundraiser. Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper said in a statement that Hochul is a proven leader who has a strong record of putting money in New Yorkers pockets, protecting abortion rights and keeping communities safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Governor knows how to take on big fights and win for New York families and her agenda is overwhelmingly popular with New Yorkers on both sides of the aisle, she said. Meehan-Draper said the DGA, which works to elect Democratic governors around the country, is behind Hochul 100 percent to take on President Trump and build the operation necessary to defeat Republicans in 2026. For years, Governor Hochul has been underestimated and each time proved her critics wrong, she said. Delgado told the Times that he isnt deterred by the polling, saying he hasnt seen from Hochul decisive leadership that is clear-eyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His campaign launch video includes a clip of him saying that he grew up in a middle-class family during a time when children expected to have more opportunities than their parents, but that isnt the case now. Its love of family. Its love of community. Its love of state. Its love of country. And Im dedicated to that. Thats why Im running for governor of New York, Delgado said. He said in the video that the state needs bold leadership and a vision for affordable housing, universal health care and universal pre-K. He also called for standing up to President Trumps attack on the state. The powerful and well-connected have their champions. Im running for governor to be yours, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated: 6:04 p.m. ET Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 New York Post was honored for its stellar coverage of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December by the New York Press Club Monday. The shocking crime allegedly carried out by Ivy League-educated Luigi Mangione gained international attention instantly with The Posts leading the way on breaking numerous stories. The Post, which was founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801 and is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the US, won for crime reporting in the New York City metro area under the newspaper category. The New York Post was honored by the New York Press Club for its coverage of the murder of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson last December. Thompsons suspected murderer Luigi Mangione arriving in New York City on Dec. 19, 2025, after being arrested in Pennsylvania. Paul Martinka The staffers involved included Joe Marino, Larry Celona, Jack Morphet, Reuven Fenton, Kate Sheehy and Matt Troutman, as well as several editors and photographers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Posts local crime coverage is our bread and butter and always a must-read, said Editor-in-Chief Keith Poole. We are honored to be recognized for our outstanding reporting on one of the biggest stories of the year. The Posts coverage became a must-read in the first days of the major news event about Mangione and the hunt for the accused assassin, and continues to be a go-to publication in the months since. Surveillance footage of the shooting outside of the Hilton Hotel in Midtown, Manhattan. Obtained by NY Post Mangione in court in Manhattan on Feb. 20, 2025. Steven Hirsch for NY Post The New York Press Club is a non-profit association dedicated to journalist and media staffers. Dozens of other outlets and reporters received awards for their work over the past year. A young activist who created Black Birders Week won a prestigious award from the North Carolina Wildlife Federation for her research on environmental volunteerism. Urban ecologist Deja Perkins received the honor of Young Conservationist of the Year. The website Black AF in STEM describes Black Birders Week as "a bold and unapologetic reclamation of the Black community's role in environmental spaces." This year, Black Birders Week is May 25-31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perkins created the event in 2020 after a Black birdwatcher named Christian Cooper had the police called on him by a white woman in Central Park after he asked her to leash her dog. In response, Perkins, who was then working on a master's degree at North Carolina State University, co-organized Black Birders Week. "Any one of us could have been Christian Cooper," she told Science News at the time. NCWF's annual awards celebrate organizations and individuals who contribute to the protection and awareness of the state's natural ecosystem. Perkins, who once thought there was no "more to nature than zoos," as Chicago PBS station WTTW reported, was recognized for her dissertation, titled "The Geography of Participation: A Geospatial Analysis of Socio-spatial Gaps in US Participatory Science." It analyzes how data about who volunteers for "environmental monitoring" can illuminate inequities and other societal factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am interested in using geographic information systems to look at past and current patterns to help plan for cities that are sustainable, resilient to climate change, and mutually beneficial for people and wildlife," she wrote on her website. By observing where birds are present or absent she derives information about, as WTTW wrote, "an area's socioeconomics or historical systemic structures like racism." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Perkins' early childhood in Chicago didn't include much nature until her mother signed her up for a conservation program in high school. She came to appreciate how even in urban areas, people work to maintain wild spaces and protect wildlife. At Tuskegee University in Alabama, Perkins developed her love for birds and what they can teach humanity, majoring in natural resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perkins, who believes in the power of local action, also started the organization Naturally Wild, which, according to its website, "empowers Black-identifying individuals and people of color to explore and engage with the wildlife and natural spaces in their neighborhoods." On top of that, the seemingly unstoppable Perkins co-hosts the podcast Bring Birds Back. The podcast's website describes it as "a show about the joy of birds and the ways that humans can help them through simple, everyday actions." "We are out here doing the work to create the change we want to see!" Perkins posted on Instagram. 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. Three young sisters were found dead days after they vanished with their father in Washington, authorities said. The father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, was last seen with his daughters at about 5 p.m. May 30 as they were leaving their home, the Wenatchee Police Department said in a Facebook post. Decker took the girls, aged 5, 8 and 9 years old, on a planned visitation, police said. But he was reported to police when neither he nor the girls were heard from again, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities began searching for Decker and the girls, checking local motels in East Wenatchee and Wenatchee, but they didnt turn up, the Chelan County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Deputies said they narrowed the search area and discovered his white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck abandoned near Rock Island Campground near Leavenworth. The bodies of the three girls were then found June 2 in the area, but their father hasnt been found, deputies said. Decker is wanted on three charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping, deputies said. Decker is a former military with extensive training. It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk, if approached, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who has seen him since May 30 should call 911, but deputies said do not approach him. He weighs about 190 pounds, has black hair, brown eyes and was last seen in a light colored shirt and dark shorts. At the time of the visitation, he had been living in his truck and at motels. Travis Decker, 32, is pictured. Chelan County Sheriff's Office 4-year-old missing 20 minutes dies after being pulled from IN lake, officials say Mother found dead near Alabama waterfall was doing what she loved, son says Son sees mom wading across river lose her footing, get swept away, CA cops say YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) City police, within two and a half hours early Sunday morning, arrested three people on gun charges. About 2:25 a.m., officers pulled over a car at North Maryland and Mahoning Avenues for expired plates when the front passenger, later identified as Anthony Anderson, 20, got out of the car and ran away. Officers chasing Anderson saw him holding what looked like a gun, reports said, which he dropped on the sidewalk while running. He was eventually caught a short time later. Police found the gun and booked Anderson into jail on charges of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony, and obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said the gun police found was reported stolen in February 2024 from Butler, Pa. About 1:10 a.m., officers on patrol downtown noticed several people standing around a car in a city-owned parking lot in the 100 block of West Federal Street. The officers stopped to question them because the lot has a sign that says loitering is not allowed, reports said. When they found an open container of alcohol in the car, the people inside were taken out so it could be searched, and police found a loaded .40-caliber handgun where the driver, Jermaine Fears, 20, was sitting, reports said. He was booked into jail on a charge of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. About 12:05 a.m., police pulled over a car in the 1300 block of Albert Street. Reports said the woman driving the car told police she had a gun in the car and a concealed carry permit. The passenger, Jabron Curry, 20, told police there were no guns in the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Curry and the driver were asked to get out of the car. The driver said police could get the gun she had. As officers went to get it, they found a second gun, a loaded .40-caliber handgun, underneath the seat where Curry was sitting, reports said. Curry was charged with improper handling as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony, because of a 2021 robbery conviction he had in juvenile court. All three men were arraigned Monday in municipal 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 WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Reports said a man arrested for misdemeanors early Sunday after a fight outside a downtown bar was released only to be rearrested within three hours on the East Side. Darnel Sharper, 25, faces charges in two separate cases and was arraigned Monday in municipal court. Sharper was first arrested at about 12:55 a.m. after police were called to the Downtown Hookah Bar, 116 W. Federal St., for a report of a fight in the parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said officers had to use chemical spray to stop the fight and disperse the crowd in the parking lot. Reports said Sharper would not leave even when told several times and was walking backwards, whipping his shirt in front of him and shouting profanity, reports said. Police arrested Sharper on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and failure to disperse. He was taken to the Mahoning County jail and was released on his own recognizance, records show. It is not uncommon for people with low-level misdemeanors to be released on bond after they are taken to the jail if there is a set bond for certain offenses. A jail spokesman said Youngstown Municipal Court has a set bond for those offenses and Sharper was released on a recognizance bond through the court. About 4:40 a.m., police were called to an apartment on Kendis Circle on the East Side for a report of an angry man outside. Reports said a woman there told police Sharper had been nonstop harassing her ever since he was released from jail because he was irate that his girlfriend went out with someone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said police also had a call of Sharper trying to break into an apartment about 3 a.m. on Martin Luther King Boulevard, but when they got there Sharper was gone. At the apartment on Kendis Circle, Sharper kept banging on the womans windows and broke one of her windows with a rock, reports said. He was taken back to jail on a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage. He has remained in jail since his second arrest. Arraignment information from Monday is not yet 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 WKBN.com. RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A zebra on the loose has caused quite a ruckus in Rutherford County as the search for the animal wraps up its third day. According to the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office, the zebras owner brought it home Friday night and reported it missing Saturday morning. The zebra was spotted on Epps Mill Road before making its way to Interstate 24, where deputies closed several lanes of traffic Saturday. PREVIOUS: Zebra remains on the run in Rutherford County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christiana resident Suzan Parsons recalled folding towels after a pool day with her grandchildren when the striped animal crossed into the backyard. Its like a pony with a big booty, Parsons said. I watched the neighbors children and they were going wild; they were running. They were fenced in, but otherwise they would have been probably catching the zebra. Marcy Souza, a professor with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, told News 2 that keeping exotic animals as pets can be challenging. Youre essentially taking a wild animal and trying to put it in a domestic setting and theyre just really not acclimated to that, so theyre not used to fences, Souza said. They live in a savannah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ORIGINAL STORY: Pet zebra runs around Rutherford County, wreaks havoc on I-24 Officials with the TWRA told News 2 their agency does not regulate zebras and provided the following statement: Zebras are a Class III species. We do not regulate them The TN Department of Agriculture does. More than likely, this zebra came from one of the breeders in TN or from one of the exotic animal auctions. If you spot the zebra, youre asked to call the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office at 615-898-7770 to report its location and have been urged not to approach the animal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Olena Harmash and Aleksandar Vasovic KYIV (Reuters) -Senior Ukrainian officials visited Washington on Tuesday to seek U.S. support against Russia while accusing Moscow of dragging its feet at peace talks. Kyiv showed its ability to continue fighting by setting off an explosive device under a bridge that has become a symbol of the Kremlin's claims on Ukrainian territory. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a Russian artillery strike killed four people in the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy, an area where Russian forces have been making advances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, writing on Telegram after meeting U.S. Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, accused Russia of "playing for time, manipulating the talks, trying to avoid U.S. sanctions and not wanting a ceasefire." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha was more blunt, saying Russia had ignored a request to comment on Ukraine's proposals at Monday's second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul. "We demand Russias reply. Each day of silence from them proves their wish to continue the war," Sybiha wrote on social media. Russia, he said, had "passed a set of old ultimatums that do not move the situation any closer to true peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yermak, in the United States with Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, also said he briefed U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff "on the real situation on the battlefield" and invited him to visit Ukraine "to witness the situation firsthand." "We need a ceasefire we have fully supported the U.S. proposal on this since March. We are also ready for a leaders meeting, which Russia continues to avoid," he said. A U.S. official said Yermak was scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. Yermak said officials would also discuss a deal that gives the U.S. preferential access to new Ukrainian mineral projects and sets up an investment fund that could be used for reconstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday's talks in Istanbul made little headway toward ending Russia's war in Ukraine, apart from an exchange of proposals and an undertaking to conduct a new large-scale swap of prisoners of war. Moscow has responded to accusations of foot-dragging by saying Ukraine is not making a genuine effort to seek peace. At the talks, Russia told Ukraine it would agree to end the war only if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army. Ukraine rejects the Russian conditions as tantamount to surrender. "The (peace) settlement theme is extremely complex, it consists of a large number of nuances...," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that "it would be wrong to expect any immediate solutions and breakthroughs here". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not clear what would be the next step in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, but Moscow said early on Wednesday that Istanbul will remain the venue for future talks. COORDINATED ATTACKS Kyiv launched in recent days what appeared to be one of its biggest waves of coordinated attacks of the conflict. Ukraine's SBU security service said it had hit a road and rail bridge that links Russia and Crimea below the water level with explosives. The extent of any damage was not clear and Russian officials later said vehicle traffic had resumed. The bridge is a flagship project for Russian President Vladimir Putin, built after he annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a precursor to the latest conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian officials also announced that emergency crews had restored power to some 700,000 customers in Russian-controlled areas of southern Ukraine - in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions - after drones and shelling had knocked out substations and other infrastructure. Ukraine's attack on Russian-occupied territory in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions followed multiple Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure that have at times left millions of Ukrainians without power. The latest attacks followed drone strikes over the weekend on Russian military airfields, some of which housed long-range nuclear-capable bombers. Ukraine's success in striking deep into Russia has prompted calls by some Russian military bloggers for a harsh response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy denounced the Russian military strike on Sumy, describing the incident as: "all one needs to know about the Russian wish to end this war." He also announced a military shakeup, including the appointment to a new post of a commander who resigned over a deadly Russian attack on a training area. Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address after a meeting of top commanders, said the reshuffle sought to ensure that the military remained focused on combat more than three years after Russia's invasion of its smaller neighbour. (Writing by Timothy Heritage and David Brunnstrom, Editing by Ron PopeskiEditing by Gareth Jones and Rod Nickel) (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced a shakeup of Ukraine's military on Tuesday, including the appointment to a new post of a commander who tendered his resignation over a deadly Russian attack. Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address after a meeting of top commanders, said the reshuffle sought to ensure that the military remained focused on combat more than three years after Russia's invasion of its smaller neighbour. The president said Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, who offered to quit as commander of Ukraine's land forces over an attack on a training area last weekend, would now serve as the new commander of joint forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mykhailo Drapatyi will now focus exclusively on combat matters and has been appointed Commander of the Joint Forces so that he can fully dedicate himself to the front line," Zelenskiy said. The president said another officer, who he did not identify, would be placed in charge of land forces and responsible "for tasks like training, preparation, changes in the territorial recruitment centres". Drapatyi, writing earlier on Facebook, said the president was keeping him in service at the front. "The president listened, expressed support and encouraged me to focus on the most important things - the war, the front and victory," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy said the appointment of Oleh Apostol as commander of paratroops and Robert Brovdi as commander of unmanned systems had also been approved. "This is also part of a broader focus on combat matters," he said. "The successful experience of the best brigades must be scaled across the entire army." He said that Vadym Sukharevskyi had been appointed Commander of the Eastern Operational Command with the task of modernising that command. Ihor Skybiuk was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksander Kozhukhar; Editing by Nia Williams) First came dozens of armed drones launched from trucks traveling deep inside Russia, swarming over military airfields across the country and raining down nuclear-capable long-range bombers. Then, two days later, a massive underwater bomb targeted a key bridge linking occupied Crimea to the Russian mainland. The two daring raids by Ukrainian special forces have stunned the Kremlin, bolstered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and sent shockwaves through defense departments around the world. But there has been an uncharacteristic silence from the White House, and its usually verbose inhabitants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump, who during an infamous Oval Office showdown in February told Zelensky that he didnt have the cards to keep up the fight against Russia, and JD Vance, who in the same meeting asked the Ukrainian president if he had said thank you, once for Washingtons support, have not said a word about one of the most significant setbacks to Russias military in decades. John Bolton, Trumps former national security advisor, told The Independent he was surprised that there has been no public Trump comment, given his propensity to comment on almost anything. 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, in this still image from a video published June 1, 2025. (Governor of Irkutsk Region Igor Kobzev/Telegram) When The Independent asked the White House if Zelensky might have had some cards up his sleeve that the president hadn't known about, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump remains positive at the progress" the two sides have made in U.S.-brokered peace talks that just ended in Istanbul, Turkey. But he also is a realist, and he realizes these are two countries that are at war and have been for a long time because of his predecessors weakness and incompetence, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the U.S. role in brokering those talks, Ukraine did not inform the White House of the attacks in advance. The strikes took out many of the Russian bombers that have been firing barrages of missiles on Ukrainian cities over the past few weeks, but they also destroyed a number of its nuclear-capable strike force that might have threatened the United States. That led many to ask on social media , with just a hint of irony, if JD Vance had said thank you to the Ukrainian president. In any case, there was plenty for Vance and Trump to comment on. So why the silence? The operation, which has been dubbed Russias Pearl Harbor, may have brought home some uncomfortable truths for the president. U.S. President Donald Trump assails Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his infamous Oval Office meeting at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty) Trump has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine is on an inevitable path to destruction, or at risk of starting World War III, if it does not agree to a U.S.-brokered surrender that would see Ukraine give up most of the land that Russia currently occupies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines victories over the past few days have decisively undermined that notion, dealing a strategic and symbolic blow to Russias military strength and striking deep into the countrys interior. Trump has also spent an enormous amount of political capital trying to bring the war to an end, specifically by attempting to enforce terms on Ukraine that it couldnt possibly accept. Those peace talks have been accompanied by a heavy Russian bombing campaign against Ukrainian cities. Ukraines willingness to fight on stands in the way of that aim, which has angered Trump and Vance. Michael Weiss, a Ukraine expert and editor of Insider, an investigative media outlet focused on Russia, said there really wasnt much Trump could say after the last few days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesterday, a Ukrainian intel officer messaged me asking the same question. Why is Trump so quiet? I told him, well whats he going to say? The Ukrainians are starting World War III and making sure Russia wont be able to fight it half as well? he told The Independent. More seriously, I suspect he knows his peace gambit is DOA. Now, even Mike Johnson is pro-sanctions. Pressure is building to penalise Moscow. If he walks away from it all, Ukraine has just shown it wont be helpless or incapacitated, he added. Scores of Russian bombers have been destroyed at Olenya airbase following a drone strike (X/@Osinttechnical) The attack coming as a surprise to the White House is significant. Its clear Zelensky does not trust the U.S. with sensitive information on account of the abrupt pro-Russia spin Trump has put on American policy towards Kyiv since returning to power in January. Some members of the Trump administration are vehemently anti-Ukraine in part because they see Russia as a sympathetic nationalist-run power exerting itself in the face of NATO expansion and American-led hegemony. Many MAGA influencers were quick to attack Ukraine for the raids, fearing a Deep State plot to drag the U.S. deeper into the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This anti-Ukraine view reaches as high as the office of the Vice President, who intervened to blow up an Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky in February by casting the Ukrainian leader as ungrateful and disrespectful to his American patrons. While Democrats and some anti-Trump Republicans have long claimed theres a similar patron-client relationship between Trump and Putin dating back to Russias efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election on Trumps behalf, people close to Trump have suggested the matter is far less complex. The moment the bridge linking Crimea to the Russian mainland is blown up in a huge explosion by Ukrainian forces. (Security Service of Ukraine) The president, The Independent understands, sees Russia as a strong country and Putin as a strong leader a winner, in his own parlance. But the audacity and ingenuity of this weekends Ukrainian attacks may have for now positively influenced his opinion of Zelensky. Put simply, its because Ukraines success makes Moscow look less like a winner and more like the thing Trump hates above all else: a loser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Zelensky indicated that the strikes were intended as such. [W]hen we do show our strength, we do it justly, striking military targets. We show it not only to the Russian aggressors, but also to those of our allies who were once strong supporters but have started to waver, Zelensky wrote on X on Monday. Weiss believes that the last few days might have demonstrated to Trump that Ukraine is not done fighting yet. So long as the U.S. sells arms directly or allows third-party transfers from the Europeans, Kyiv will be in okay shape, he said. Air defense is critical, and this is why knocking out 20 per cent of Russias cruise missile-firing aircraft was such a master stroke. Why hit arrows when you can kill the archer? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made changes at the top of the military leadership. He said in his evening video message on Tuesday that the previous army chief, Mykhailo Drapatyi, has been relieved of organizational tasks such as mobilization, training and preparation of recruits. "Drapatyi will focus exclusively on combat issues and has been appointed Commander of the Joint Forces so that he can concentrate on the front 100%," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reduction in his responsibilities was preceded by a fatal Russian missile attack on a military training ground in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Drapatyi himself had offered his resignation via Telegram two days ago as a consequence of the fiasco, in which he said 12 soldiers were killed and dozens were injured. However, the 42-year-old is considered one of Ukraine's most capable generals. Most recently, he stabilized the situation in front of the embattled city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Observers believe that Zelensky did not want to forgo his leadership qualities at the front. Additionally, Zelensky appointed Oleh Apostol as the head of the paratrooper troops and Robert Brovdi as the head of the drone troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vadym Sukharevskyi is to modernize the entire command structure as the new deputy commander of the Eastern Army Group, said Zelensky. Ukraine is under severe pressure at the front in the ongoing Russian invasion, which has lasted more than three years. Politically, Zelensky called for further sanctions to be imposed on Russia following its missile strike on Sumy, in which four civilians were killed and about 30 injured. He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not change his tactics unless he was put under greater pressure. Editor's note: The story was updated after the Ukrainian delegation arrived in the U.S. A Ukrainian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and including Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, arrived in Washington on June 3, Yermak said. The delegation will discuss "defense support, the battlefield situation, and strengthening sanctions against Russia, namely Senator (Lindsey) Graham's bill," Yermak said on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parties will also discuss efforts to bring abducted Ukrainian children back from Russia, a U.S.-Ukrainian minerals agreement, Russian propaganda connected to Ukrainian churches, and recent peace talks in Istanbul, Yermak added. The trip comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on June 2 that Ukraine seeks defense agreements and a free trade deal with Washington. "I discussed this with President (Donald) Trump... We want to buy (weapons.) This is what the agreement is about no gifts," Zelensky said. The Trump administration has not approved any new major military aid packages for Ukraine, and the assistance allocated under the previous Biden administration is steadily running out. Zelensky's team has therefore offered Washington to buy U.S. weapons instead of receiving them as donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The visit also follows the second round of Russian-Ukrainian peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, which focused on a new prisoner exchange but yet again failed to achieve a breakthrough in peace efforts. Zelensky has urged Trump to impose additional sanctions on Russia if the peace talks stall. "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 on June 2. 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 also said last month 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. This week, the U.S. Senate is expected to "start moving" forward a new bill backed by Senator Graham that would impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, slammed Russia for "once again stalling for time." Rejecting Kyiv's offer of a long-term truce, Russia only proposed a temporary two- to three-day ceasefire in specific areas of the front line to allow for the retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies. Ukraine and Russia also agreed to work on another prisoner exchange with up to 1,200 captives from each side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the commanders of the Unmanned Systems Forces and Air Assault Forces of Ukraine on the evening of 3 June. Robert "Magyar" Brovdi is now the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, and Oleh Apostol is the new commander of the Air Assault Forces. Source: Zelenskyy in a video address; presidential decrees on the website; Unmanned Systems Forces; Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov Quote from Zelenskyy: "The appointment of Oleh Apostol as commander of the Air Assault Forces and Robert Brovdi as commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces has been approved. This also marks a greater focus on combat issues, as the successful experience of the best brigades must be scaled up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Vadym Sukharevskyi, who previously headed the Unmanned Systems Forces, has been appointed deputy commander of Operational Command Skhid (East). Zelenskyy said that Sukharevskyis task would be to modernise this command. Ihor Skybiuk, the previous commander of the Air Assault Forces, has been appointed deputy chief of the General Staff. After one year in office, Sukharevskyi wrote in a social media post that he was proud to have headed the Unmanned Systems Forces during its first and most challenging year of formation. However, he added that at this stage, his vision for the future development of the Unmanned Systems Forces differed from that of the leadership: "I consider it an honest and professional decision in this situation to end my term as commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces. I am leaving my position with deep faith in everyone who continues to carry this idea forward." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Defence Minister Rustem Umierov added that Robert "Magyar" Brovdi's experience with one of the best brigades must now be rolled out across the entire Unmanned Systems Forces command, while Vadym Sukharevskyis key task is to modernise Operational Command East through new approaches and reforms. Prior to the full-scale invasion, Brovdi was a businessman involved in grain trading. His UAV unit evolved from a company-sized formation in 2022 to a full brigade by 2024. In 2025, Brovdi, founder of the strike drone unit "Magyars Birds", was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Colonel Oleh "Formoza" Apostol currently commands the 95th Separate Air Assault Polissia Brigade of Ukraines Air Assault Forces. His brigade was among those involved in the Kursk operation. In 2024, Apostol was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under General Oleksandr Syrskyi. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Yaroslav Shanko as head of Kherson City Military Administration on 3 June 2025. Source: Zelenskyy in a decree posted on the website of the Ukrainian Presidents Office; Shanko on Telegram Quote: "Yaroslav Shanko shall be appointed as head of the Kherson City Military Administration of the Kherson district, Kherson Oblast." Details: Shanko previously served as deputy head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Shanko: "I understand the challenging tasks ahead. I guarantee decency, integrity, and openness no grand promises, only actions. I will soon outline my first steps in office. The priority is protecting people and supporting our brave military." Background: In April 2025, Zelenskyy dismissed Roman Mrochko as head of Kherson City Military Administration. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! KYIV, Ukraine (AP) A Russian rocket attack targeted the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Tuesday, killing at least four people and wounding 25, officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the assault, saying it underscored that Moscow has no intentions of halting the 3-year-old war. The attack came a day after direct peace talks in Istanbul made no progress on ending the fighting. Local authorities said the barrage of rockets struck apartment buildings and a medical facility in the center of Sumy. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Security Service said it attacked a bridge connecting Russia to illegally annexed Crimea, two days after a spectacular Ukrainian drone assault on air bases deep inside Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A vital bridge to Crimea The service, known by its acronym SBU, claimed it damaged the foundations of the Kerch Bridge a key artery for Russian military supplies in the war. The SBU said it detonated 1,100 kilograms (2,400 pounds) of explosives on the seabed overnight, in an operation that took several months to set up. It was the third Ukrainian strike on the bridge since Russias invasion of its neighbor in February 2022, the SBU said. The bridge is now effectively in an emergency condition, the SBU claimed. The agency said no civilians were killed or injured in the operation. It was not possible to independently confirm those claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traffic across the Kerch Bridge was halted for three hours early Tuesday, but it reopened at 9 a.m., official Russian social media channels said. It closed for a second time at 3:20 p.m. and reopened again after two and a half hours. Zelenskyy appeals for pressure on Moscow The Ukrainian president called the attack on Sumy a completely deliberate strike on civilians. Thats all you need to know about Russias desire to end this war, the Ukrainian president wrote on social media. Zelenskyy appealed for global pressure and decisive action from the United States, Europe and everyone in the world who holds power. Without it, he said, Russian President Vladimir Putin "will not agree even to a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war has killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations, as well as tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line where the fighting grinds on despite U.S.-led efforts to broker a peace deal. A stunning Ukrainian drone attack Though Russia has a bigger army and more economic resources than Ukraine, the Ukrainian drone attack over the weekend damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia, Ukrainian officials said, touting it as a serious blow to the Kremlins strategic arsenal and military prestige. The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that the Ukrainian attack set several planes ablaze at two air bases but said the military repelled attempted attacks on three other air bases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Zelenskyy and Putin have been eager to show U.S. President Donald Trump that they share his ambition to end the fighting and avoid possible punitive measures from Washington. Ukraine has accepted a U.S.-proposed ceasefire, but the Kremlin effectively rejected it. Putin has made it clear that any peace settlement has to be on his terms. Delegations from the warring sides agreed Monday to swap dead and wounded troops, but their conditions for ending the war remained far apart. Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president who now serves as deputy head of the countrys Security Council chaired by Putin, indicated on Tuesday that there would be no let-up in Russias invasion. The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone elses delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction" of Ukraines government, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an apparent comment on the latest Ukrainian strikes, he declared that retribution is inevitable. A Putin-Zelenskyy-Trump meeting unlikely soon, Moscow says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to suggestions that a face-to-face meeting between Putin, Trump and Zelenskyy could break the deadlock, saying the possibility was unlikely in the near future. Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has traveled to Washington for talks about defense, sanctions and postwar recovery, said Andrii Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The delegation will meet with representatives from both major U.S. political parties, as well as with advisers to Trump, Yermak added. Ukrainians in Kyiv welcomed the strikes on Russian air bases but were gloomy about prospects for a peace agreement. Russia has invested too many resources in this war to just stop for nothing, said serviceman Oleh Nikolenko, 43. His wife, Anastasia Nikolenko, a 38-year-old designer, said diplomacy cannot stop the fighting. "We need to show by force, by physical force, that we cannot be defeated, she said. Russia recently expanded its attacks on Sumy and the Kharkiv region following Putins promise to create a buffer zone along the border that might prevent long-range Ukrainian attacks from hitting Russian soil. Sumy, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the border, had a prewar population of around 250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its troops had taken the Ukrainian village of Andriivka, close to the border in the Sumy region. Ukraine made no immediate comment on the claim, which could not be independently verified. Russia also fired rocket artillery at Chystovodivka village in the Kharkiv region, killing two people and injuring three others, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. ___ This story was first published on June 3, 2025. It was updated on June 4, 2025, to correct that the Ukrainian secret service said it damaged a bridge that connects Russia to illegally annexed Crimea, not that it attacked inside Russia. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Zohran Mamdani, a leading progressive candidate for NYC mayor, ripped conservative City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino on Tuesday for suggesting he should be deported from the U.S. for his political views, calling her comment a reflection of how President Trump has emboldened extremists. Paladino, one of the Councils most right-leaning members, lobbed the attack late Monday, claiming on X its insane that Mamdani was elected to the state Assembly in 2020 even though he had been a U.S. citizen for less than a decade and is a radical leftist who actually hates everything about the country. Deport, Paladino concluded the post, which included photos of Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Tuesday, Mamdani, who is Muslim, said he has since launching his mayoral campaign in October been targeted with death threats, Islamophobic attacks against me and my family, and now, a sitting New York City Councilmember is calling for my deportation. This isnt just hateful rhetoric its a reflection of what happens when Donald Trumps authoritarian administration is allowed to shove New Yorkers into unmarked vehicles, tear our communities apart and spit in the face of the Constitution, Mamdani said, a reference to the Trump administrations recent deportation raids at courthouses in the city. But let me be clear: New York belongs to all of us. The MAGA extremists may try to divide us, but the movement weve built is proof of the enduring promise of this city. And were not going anywhere. Mamdani, a socialist running on a platform that includes a promise to freeze rent for stabilized tenants, has consistently been polling as the runner-up candidate in the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary. Some recent polls suggest front-runner Andrew Cuomos lead over Mamdani is narrowing as the primary looms just weeks away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Adams who dropped out of the Democratic primary after the Trump administration secured a controversial dismissal of his corruption indictment in April declined to comment on Paladinos post during his weekly press conference Tuesday. I am not going to point out one specific comment, when I said over and over again: We all need to tone down our rhetoric, he said, before turning to reporters in the room: I think many of you should have toned down some of the stuff you wrote about me over these last few years, I condemn a lot of stuff that you guys have said about me. NEW YORK Zohran Mamdani, a leading progressive candidate for NYC mayor, ripped conservative City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino on Tuesday for suggesting he should be deported from the U.S. for his political views, calling her comment a reflection of how President Donald Trump has emboldened extremists. Paladino, one of the Councils most right-leaning members, lobbed the attack late Monday, claiming on X its insane that Mamdani was elected to the state Assembly in 2020 even though he had been a U.S. citizen for less than a decade and is a radical leftist who actually hates everything about the country. Deport, Paladino concluded the post, which included photos of Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Tuesday, Mamdani, who is Muslim, said he has since launching his mayoral campaign in October been targeted with death threats, Islamophobic attacks against me and my family, and now, a sitting New York City Councilmember is calling for my deportation. This isnt just hateful rhetoric its a reflection of what happens when Donald Trumps authoritarian administration is allowed to shove New Yorkers into unmarked vehicles, tear our communities apart and spit in the face of the Constitution, Mamdani said, a reference to the Trump administrations recent deportation raids at courthouses in the city. But let me be clear: New York belongs to all of us. The MAGA extremists may try to divide us, but the movement weve built is proof of the enduring promise of this city. And were not going anywhere. Mamdani, a socialist running on a platform that includes a promise to freeze rent for stabilized tenants, has consistently been polling as the runner-up candidate in the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary. Some recent polls suggest front-runner Andrew Cuomos lead over Mamdani is narrowing as the primary looms just weeks away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Eric Adams who dropped out of the Democratic primary after the Trump administration secured a controversial dismissal of his corruption indictment in April declined to comment on Paladinos post during his weekly press conference Tuesday. I am not going to point out one specific comment, when I said over and over again: We all need to tone down our rhetoric, he said, before turning to reporters in the room: I think many of you should have toned down some of the stuff you wrote about me over these last few years. I condemn a lot of stuff that you guys have said about me. _____ Support Local News Reporting Journalists at the Yakima Herald-Republic bring you timely, in-depth and credible local news. Your generous donation supports their work. Granger High School teacher Stephanie King shows Noe Alvarez, an author from Yakima, a copy of the book her students made during a remote appearance by the author Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Granger High School in Granger, Wash. Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday warned that the war in Ukraine would be "longer and more brutal" than anticipated at the start of the year, and "we must be ready for intensified covert operations, smear campaigns and war propaganda against Hungary". In a post on Facebook, Orban announced that he has convened a meeting of the Defence Council for this afternoon, saying "we must face the fact that transatlantic unity has sharply deteriorated", and referring to the recent intensification of armed action. He said there was a wide gulf between "peace-oriented forces" led by US President Donald Trump and leaders in Brussels and Kyiv "who want to prolong the war". Hungary, he added, must stay on the side of peace, "even if this means disputes with Brussels will become louder". "We must prepare Hungary for attacks with double the force because Hungary is an ally of President Trump," he wrote, warning of "intensified covert operations, smear campaigns, and war propaganda against Hungary". The prime minister concluded: "We are ready to and will defend Hungary and Hungarian families!" Official: Ukraine secret services attempt to influence MPs, govt staff, businessmen Ukraine's secret services have attempted to influence "current and former MPs, journalists, business players as well as government employees", the head of parliament's national security committee said in a post on Facebook. Zoltan Sas, an opposition Jobbik MP, said he had received the information at the body's meeting earlier in the day, in connection with the "Ukrainian spy scandal". Referring to an investigation by the Hungarian civilian secret services, he said, "The endeavours of the Ukrainian network have been revealed and the group of people they tried to influence identified." At the meeting, the committee members were also informed about developments in the war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict, as well as their impact on global politics, Sas said. DefMin: Hungary plays active role in strengthening NATOs eastern flank At the meeting focused on the Russia-Ukraine war, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the allies needed to refrain from any steps that might hinder the success of the United States peace efforts or could lead to an escalation of the conflict. The meeting also touched on regional security, strengthening NATOs eastern flank and increasing defence investments. Eastern NATO countries had been under serious pressure since the start of the war in Ukraine to bolster their defences in response to the threat to their east, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, according to a ministry statement. He said that as a credible ally, Hungary made "outstanding efforts" relative to its size and opportunities to contribute to NATOs activities. Mondays summit of the presidents of the Bucharest Nine comprising Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia and the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Iceland Norway and Sweden) was held in preparation for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. Hungary was represented by the defence minister on behalf of President Tamas Sulyok. 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. During a complex operation in Budapest, police checked 625 people and arrested 11, the Budapest Police Headquarters announced on Tuesday on the police.hu website. They wrote that from last Friday evening until Saturday morning, a criminal and police inspection was held in the V., VI. and VII. districts. In addition to almost a hundred police officers, the National Tax and Customs Office, the Metropolitan Municipality Police Directorate, the Budapest Metropolitan Government Office, the Disaster Prevention and Civil Guard Association and others also participated in the operation. Six hundred and twenty-five people were checked and two hundred and fifty-five vehicles were inspected. According to the information, eleven arrests were made during the checks: most of them were for drug possession, others were taken into custody based on arrest warrants and a separate law. One driver was arrested for drunk driving. The police filed five traffic violation reports and imposed on-the-spot fines or administrative fines in fourteen cases. In addition, six more reports were filed and seven on-the-spot fines were imposed by the police for possession of a device that is particularly dangerous to public safety, drinking alcohol in public, illegal prostitution, and disturbing the peace, the statement 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. Many cultural programs are on offer in Gyor this summer under the title "The experience is complete with you, have a festival in Gyor!". The company which organises the city's key events has put together a colorful cultural program offering for the summer months in collaboration with the local government. According to an announcement by Gyor Projekt on Monday, they have built on traditions, sometimes rethinking and expanding them, and have tried to put together a cavalcade of quality programs that are attractive to all generations. The Summer Opening Concert will be held on June 14, with Thomas Anders performing with The Modern Talking Band at Dunakapu Square. The third Gyor Regional Military Band Festival will be held one day earlier, also hosted by Dunakapu Square. The program begins with a parade of military bands, followed by professional demonstrations and concerts. The program series continues on June 27 and 28 with the Saint Ladislaus Days. In addition to the sacred program elements, the family-friendly festival also features craft activities, petting zoos, themed games, traditional presentations, and an equestrian theater performance to help recall the era of the knight king. The Gyor Rotary Froccsnapos (Froccs Days) will be held on July 18th and 19th this year, in collaboration with the Rotary Clubs of the country and organized by Gyor Projekt, where the proceeds from the sale of froccs and fatty bread will be donated to charitable causes. Various musical programs will ensure a good atmosphere from early afternoon until late evening. The Baroque Wedding will be held this year on August 8th and 9th, when the city center is transformed into a colorful world of the Baroque era, evoking the atmosphere of the 18th century. This key attraction of the series of events taking place on Szechenyi Square, Dunakapu Square, Baross Street and Rado Island sees a selected couple swearing eternal loyalty to each other in Baroque costumes. In the second half of the month, between August 28th and 30th, the Gyor Wine Days will be held at Szechenyi and Dunakapu Squares. The Rado Matine program series, which aims to reconnect Rado Island to the cultural life of Gyor, began at the end of May and will run until September 28. Colorful, diverse events and performers await visitors until autumn, and a cavalcade of all-arts will enliven the coastal area. The summer program series will conclude with the Summer Closing Concert, which will be held on August 30th. 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. Developing a comprehensive plan means sorting through contradictions. We want lower property taxes, but we also want services, said John Shepard, senior community planner with Marvin Planning Consultants of David City. The interstate brings, and it takes away, he said. Shepard and his colleague Spencer Lemon led a workshop Monday at the York Area Senior Center to kick off a series of town hall meetings for York Countys new comprehensive plan. About 20 people attended the event to give their input on the plan, which will replace one written 15 years ago. Were interested in all of York County, Shepard told the group, your hopes, your fears, your dreams. The planners needed the groups insights into where the county needs to go, he said. The county is made up of all its parts, Shepard said. There are no wrong answers. But there were questions five of them to spark discussion among the crowd, divided into four small groups. Question 1: Why do you choose to live or have a business in York County? A common answer was the size of York and other communities in the county. York County has the Goldilocks quality of being not too large nor too small. Some said they live in York County because of access to Interstate 80, but Shepard said that can be a double-edged sword. Yorks larger Walmart might attract shoppers from Seward, but it also might draw locals away from downtown businesses. The family atmosphere and quality of life were other reasons to live here. Question 2: What do you like about York County? Community generosity was one thing people liked about the county, as well as access to medical care, good farm ground and quality education. People are so willing to give in this community, said Stephen Postier, a member of the York City Council. Deb Robertson, director of the Kilgore Memorial Library in York, said local residents are willing to support quality-of-life issues. We just voted in that big bond issue, she said, referring to a $39.5 million bond voters approved in November to expand and improve York Elementary School. Theyve definitely adapted and grown, Postier said of the schools, looking back on his days as a student in York. Question 3: What are the biggest opportunities York County has for the future? Despite saying that a low cost of living was a reason to live in York County, the need for affordable housing came up in answer to more than one question including the opportunities one. If you look at the cost of housing, the market has gone up considerably, one woman said. But you can buy an acreage vs. a condominium, Robertson said. The move to bring manufacturing back to the United States could present an opportunity for York County. The biggest issue is going to be electricity, Postier said. Manufacturing and industry require power. Other opportunities mentioned by the group included biofuels, groundwater and other natural resources, and expanding Highway 81 to four lanes from York to the north. Question 4: What are the biggest challenges York County has right now? The shortage of quality child care topped the list for many. Also mentioned were overreliance on property tax and the use of inheritance tax, which many states dont have and could disappear in Nebraska, as a county revenue source. While some saw affordable housing as an opportunity, others saw it as a challenge, along with recruiting workers who would need somewhere to live. Question 5: How would you describe the ideal York County 20 years from now? Robertson and Betty Fredricks said the ideal would include more housing options so seniors could downsize appropriately. That would open their larger houses for young families to move into. York County 20 years from now should have more people perhaps twice as many, some at the meeting thought. Additional retail options would serve the growing population. Some people would like to see thriving agriculture and industry but also zoning that protects housing. The ideal York County would see six lanes of Interstate 80 pass through it from Lincoln to Grand Island, but its resident would enjoy lower property taxes. All of the responses will help the consultants and York County officials in drawing up the new comprehensive plan, Shepard said. Its necessary to guide growth and development in the county, he said of the document. Shepard said York County probably doesnt need to change a lot about its direction. We need to do what were already doing better, he said. Comprehensive plan meetings If you missed Mondays meeting, you still have six more chances to give your input. The following meetings are all at 6 p.m. June 2, The Hatchery in Henderson June 3, Stone Creek Event Center in McCool Junction June 6, Gresham Community Hall June 10, Waco Community Hall June 11, Benedict Community Hall June 16, Cornerstone Event Center at the York County Fairgrounds Hyundai India's New Brand Ambassador: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has onboarded acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi as its new brand ambassador. The company stated that the actors humble personality and strong connection with the Indian audience align well with Hyundais image in the country. Moreover, this partnership marks a fresh approach for HMIL in engaging with its diverse customer base across India. Notably, Pankaj Tripathi is known for his roles in films and web series where he often plays characters that are relatable and grounded. According to the companys press release, Pankaj Tripathi is celebrated for his versatile performances and grounded appealperfectly embodies HMILs core values of reliability, authenticity, and a deep connection with Indias diverse audience. The company further emphasized that, with a rich legacy of innovation and trust, HMIL has long been a familiar name in Indian households. Were thrilled to welcome Pankaj Tripathi to the Hyundai family as our new Brand Ambassador! His grounded persona aligns with our vision of Progress for Humanity. With this, we strengthen a lineup that already includes iconic personalities.#Hyundai #HyundaiIndia #ILoveHyundai pic.twitter.com/0Uop2b1oAc Hyundai India (@HyundaiIndia) May 30, 2025 Hyundai Motor India's New Campaign The company has launched a new campaign titled Listen to your Dil or the Deals. The campaign aims to reinforce that when it comes to amazing deals or choosing what your heart truly desires, Hyundai stands out as the natural choice. Set in a charming neighborhood, the campaign film presents a witty and lighthearted exchange between Pankaj Tripathi and his neighbors, where he humorously shows off features in his Hyundai EXTER, all while asking if his neighbors car has those features or if he at least managed to grab the best deals on their new car. Pankaj Tripathi chooses Hyundai - for features that matter and offers that delight. Because when it feels right, you just know. Whether you listen to your Dil or the Deals. Youll bring home a Hyundai! Visit your nearest showroom and find your match.#HyundaiIndia #ILoveHyundai pic.twitter.com/G6AgF4kSnb Hyundai India (@HyundaiIndia) June 1, 2025 The campaign reinforces that when it comes to amazing deals or choosing what your heart truly desires, Hyundai stands out as the natural choice. Pankajs trademark flair and effortless charisma breathe life into the narrative, making the campaign both memorable and relatable. The 360-degree campaign will run across TV, print, digital, and radio platforms, ensuring extensive reach and engagement with audiences across India. To resonate deeply with regional audiences, the television commercial (TVC) is presented in seven regional languages: Gujrati, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu. Hyundais Star Shift Before onboarding Pankaj Tripathi, Hyundai had been associated with renowned Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan since 1998. Its still unclear if Tripathi will fully replace Shah Rukh or just appear in certain campaigns. However, this new partnership is likely to impact Hyundais marketing across different platforms in the coming months. Adding further, Hyundai announced that it has sold over 12.7 million vehicles in India since it began operations. This includes more than 3.7 million units exported to over 150 countries. With these numbers, Hyundai has become the top exporter since it entered the Indian market. (This Article Is From The Brand Desk. User Discretion Is advised) Mumbai: Tesla India Motor and Energy Private Ltd has leased a 24,500-square-foot space in Mumbais Kurla West to set up a service centre, located close to its upcoming showroom in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). This move marks a significant step in Teslas plans to enter the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market, although the company does not currently intend to manufacture vehicles in the country. According to real estate documents sourced by CRE Matrix, a property data analytics firm, Tesla has signed a lease and license agreement with Bellissimo in City FC Mumbai I Private to rent the space in Lodha Logistics Park. The agreement is for a five-year period, with a starting monthly rent of Rs 37.53 lakh. Over the duration of the lease, Tesla will pay nearly Rs 25 crore in total, including a security deposit of Rs 2.25 crore, as per the documents. Tesla has made it clear that its current interest lies only in selling its vehicles in India, not in manufacturing them at the moment. They are not interested in manufacturing in India, Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Monday. He added that Tesla is planning to open showrooms in India purely for sales. The minister was speaking at a press conference announcing that Indias flagship EV policy is now open for global carmakers who wish to manufacture and sell EVs in the country. Major players such as Germanys Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, along with South Koreas Hyundai Motor, have already shown interest. All three companies currently have manufacturing operations in India. Hyundai has announced its plans to make India its global hub for EVs. Volkswagen India, meanwhile, is closely watching how the EV policy unfolds and is carefully evaluating its implications before taking further steps. The government has notified guidelines for its forward-looking scheme to enable fresh investments from global manufacturers in the electric cars segment and promote India as a global manufacturing hub for e-vehicles. New Delhi: After sending shockwaves through Pakistan with the BrahMos missile during Operation Sindoor, India is gearing up to unleash another game-changer in its defense arsenal this time, a 100% indigenous 155mm artillery shell developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). While also serving as a message to China, experts believe, it could strengthen Indias battlefield edge from the mountains of Ladakh to the Line of Control (LoC). The DRDO has successfully developed and tested four variants of this next-gen artillery ammunition over the past two years. The move marks a massive step forward in Indias journey toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing, especially in the wake of global supply chain disruptions and ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. India had largely relied on Russia and Israel for artillery shells until now. But with its own advanced 155mm ammunition nearly ready, that dependency may soon end. The DRDO has confirmed successful trials of high-explosive (HE), smoke and Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) shells. The latter is designed for maximum area impact and is considered ideal for suppressing enemy positions. The shells can be fired up to 32 km and weigh approximately 45 kg each. At nearly two feet in length, they meet, and in some aspects exceed, international standards. The user trials are slated for November 2025, and if cleared, mass production will begin for deployment across Indias armed forces. This ambitious project in addition to being about military might, it is also a showcase of public-private partnership in defense. Under the DRDOs Development-cum-Production Partner (DCPP) model, two companies, Jai Ammunition Ltd (a Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary) and Yantra India Ltd, a state-owned firm, have been shortlisted to co-develop and mass-produce the shells. Both firms have worked closely with the DRDO over the past two years, and will now produce prototypes for the Indian Armys evaluation. If approved, it could generate large-scale orders and help reduce Indias massive import bill on defense supplies. Indias artillery ammunition market alone is projected to be worth over Rs 10,000 crore over the next decade, and that is not counting export potential. Countries looking for affordable, reliable and non-aligned defense equipment are already showing interest in Indian offerings, thanks to BrahMoss proven success and now, these new shells. The ability to deliver world-class firepower at competitive costs could make India a sought-after player in the global arms market, especially among nations unable or unwilling to rely on NATO or Russian supply chains. Military experts say the timing is no coincidence. As tensions continue with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and with Pakistan across the LoC, this indigenous artillery development sends a message that India is ready, self-reliant and no longer dependent on foreign suppliers for core battlefield tools. What the BrahMos did in minutes during Operation Sindoor, these shells could now complement on a wider scale. And for China, this is a warning that India is fast reducing its dependency on your ally, Russia, said a senior defense analyst. If the November user trials go as planned, India will not only enhance its firepower but also take a major leap in its Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self reliant) defense goals. The emergence of locally designed artillery shells, experts believe, could be a turning point militarily, economically and diplomatically. The countdown to Indias next big bang has officially begun. Justice Varma Cash Row: In a major decision, the government may introduce an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma, who has been facing a heat in the cash row. According to reports, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is likely to hold talks with all parties in this regard. This comes days after a committee constituted by then Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna to probe the fire incident that occurred on March 14 at Justice Yashwant Varmas Tughlak Crescent residence, raised serious doubts regarding Justice Varmas conduct following the fire. A recent report given to then-CJI Justice Khanna early this month highlights some "unnatural" behaviors regarding a fire at Justice Varma's home. The report, submitted by a special panel, specifically points to how the fire site was cleaned up and Justice Varma's delayed, seemingly unconcerned reaction. The fire reportedly caused significant damage to a storeroom, destroying household items and even, it's claimed, cash. However, Justice Varma's explanation of what happened after the fire has drawn heavy criticism. Justice Varma claims he wasn't there during the fire. He says he cut short his Holi vacation and returned to Delhi only on the evening of March 15 because he was worried about his daughter and elderly mother, who were reportedly unharmed. Despite the seriousness of the fire, Justice Varma didn't personally inspect the site when he got back. According to the report, he stated he spoke with family members and staff to understand the situation, then went to a camp office. He apparently left his wife and daughter to go to the market. He explained that he avoided the site because he was told everything in the storeroom was destroyed. He only visited the site later, at 9:00 PM, after being prompted by the Personal Private Secretary to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. The report notes that Justice Varmas decision to delay inspection and to stay away from the scene until summoned appears counterintuitive and inconsistent with genuine concern, sources said. Further compounding suspicions is the fact that cleaning of the site reportedly took place without any specific instructions or supervision from Justice Varma, said the report. His claim of absence and lack of involvement in the cleanup, having only returned late the previous day, raises doubts about how the scene was managed and whether evidence may have been tampered with or removed, it said. Northeast Floods: Due to heavy rainfall, the Northeast states are experiencing severe floods and landslides that have caused widespread disruption and damage to human life and property. As more deaths from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam were reported on Monday, the total death toll since May 29 has risen to 36. In addition, a report from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) indicated that the overall flood situation in the state has worsened, with over 5.15 lakh people affected by the floods and rainfall across 22 districts. IANS reported, citing the disaster management officials of different northeastern states, that out of 36 individuals who lost their lives, at least 11 were killed in Assam, 10 in Arunachal Pradesh, two in Tripura, one in Nagaland, and six each in Meghalaya and Mizoram. At the same time, no deaths due to the current circumstances have been reported from Manipur. The deaths were reported due to reasons like drowning, waterlogging, and landslides, the officials added. Assam As the death toll from floods and landslides in Assam rose to 11, the ASDMA reports stated that six people died in floods and five others died in landslides. According to ANI, as of Monday (June 2), a total of 1254 villages under 65 revenue circles in 22 districts of the state - Hailakandi, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh, Morigaon, Kamrup, Cachar, Golaghat, Darrang, Majuli, Dhemaji, Biswanath, Kamrup (M), Karbi Anglong West, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Sonitpur, Dima-Hasao, Sivasagar- have been affected in the current floods. On the other hand, the Brahmaputra River, along with Barak and several of their tributaries, are flowing above danger levels at several locations. The floods have caused severe damage to agriculture as 12,610.27 hectares of cropland have been submerged. As per the ASDMA report, 4,67,851 animals have been affected in the floods. It has also caused damage to the infrastructure in the state. In a post on X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that many schools in Silchar are being used as shelter homes for the people affected by the flood. In another post, he wrote, "Like last year, we will help each and every family affected by floods in Assam in a time bound manner." #WATCH | Assam: Severe flood situation in Nagaon following incessant rainfall pic.twitter.com/u4iypDPEHA ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 Arunachal Pradesh As per IANS, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) officials informed that in the current state of floods and downpour, 938 people in 156 villages of 23 districts have been affected. Arunachal Pradesh Governor K T Parnaik has urged citizens to remain alert, especially in vulnerable and landslide-prone areas. Flood-like conditions and landslides have also been reported in Lohit, Changlang, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, West Kameng, Kamle, Lower and Upper Subansiri, Papum Pare, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, and Longding districts. Defence PRO, Guwahati, said on Monday, "A critical humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission was launched by the Indian Air Force yesterday, in response to a request received from the state administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. 14 individuals stranded in the middle of the flooded Bomjir river in the Lower Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, cut off from the mainland, were rescued to a safe location. The operation was undertaken by Mi-17 helicopter." #WATCH | A critical humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission was launched by the Indian Air Force yesterday, in response to a request received from the state administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. 14 individuals stranded in the middle of the flooded Bomjir pic.twitter.com/xlgO2JFIpi ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 Tripura In response to the flood, schools in Tripura's Agartala have been converted into relief camps to accommodate affected families. The authorities have ensured that all essential services, including regular food distribution, access to clean drinking water, and proper medical care, are being provided to the displaced individuals. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Agartala, on Sunday (June 1), issued a red alert across all districts of the state. Manipur In Manipur, over 19,000 people have been affected by floods caused by overflowing rivers and breaches in embankments, mostly in Imphal East and Imphal West districts. According to disaster management officials, more than 3,365 houses have been damaged by heavy rain and floods. Furthermore, the officials informed that 47 landslides were reported in different parts of Manipur during the last four days. #WATCH | Manipur | Flood-like situation persists in Wangkhei, Porompat located in Imphal East district, many areas remain inundated, rescue efforts underway pic.twitter.com/SzCOpmpe1z ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 Sikkim The Government of Sikkim on Tuesday officially declared the damages caused by incessant rainfall in Mangan District since May 28 as a "disaster" under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, ANI reported, citing an official statement. Meanwhile, earlier it was reported that 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. Centre On Flood-Affected Areas Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Assam CM Sarma, Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to take stock of the situation caused by heavy rainfall and floods in the northeast. In addition, PM Modi assured full help and support from the Centre. On the other hand, BJP National President and Union Minister JP Nadda posted on X, "Deeply concerned for the people affected by the continuous heavy rainfall in parts of the Northeastern states. I have directed BJP state units and Karyakartas to provide all possible assistance in accordance with the issued guidelines." He also urged the citizens in the affected areas to take precautions, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow the advisories from local authorities. (with agencies inputs) In a harmonious fusion of tradition and contemporary technology, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata has installed tyres utilized in Sukhoi 4th generation fighter aircraft onto Lord Jagannath's chariot for the Rath Yatra of this year. The festival, one of the city's most eagerly awaited spiritual celebrations, will be held on June 27. This is a major upgrade following 48 years of utilising Boeing aircraft tyres for the chariot. ISKCON authorities state that the old Boeing tyres had created technical problems, and efforts to find appropriate substitutes over the past two decades were underway. "We were facing issues with the old tyres and tried for years to find an alternative. Since Dunlop, the manufacturer of the original Boeing tyres, shut operations long ago, we explored other options," said ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman Das in an interview. "After extensive research, we discovered that tyres used in Sukhoi fighter jets matched the diameter and load specifications required for the chariot. We reached out to MRF, the manufacturer of Sukhoi tyres, and their team inspected our chariot in December 2023," he mentioned. After the evaluation, the tyres were installed on the main wooden chariot, which completed a successful trial run of 20 kilometres in Kolkata on May 31. Das assured that structural changes were incorporated to fit the new tyres. All four of the Sukhoi tyres are capable of carrying a maximum load of 16 tonnes, facilitating the safe transport of the chariot during the Rath Yatra and Ultorath, which is scheduled on July 5. The chariots of the deities accompanying Lord Jagannath will still run on conventional iron wheels. "This is possibly a first-of-its-kind move in the country, if not Asia. We initially fitted Boeing tyres back in 1977, and to our knowledge, such a practice of using aircraft or fighter jet tyres in religious processions is unprecedented," Das said. The new tyres are likely to provide a smoother and safer ride for Lord Jagannath down the roads of Kolkata, as thousands of believers line up to watch the religious procession. Details have emerged for the first time about the extent of damage inflicted by the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor, revealing significant losses for Pakistans military aviation infrastructure. The operation reportedly forced Pakistan to push for a ceasefire, after suffering unexpected blows. The Indian Air Force successfully shot down six Pakistani fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. However, there was no official confirmation regarding whether the aircraft were of American or Chinese origin. Additionally, two high-value aircraftbelieved to be AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) planes equipped with radar systemswere destroyed. A Pakistani combat drone and a C-130 transport aircraft were also neutralised. In todays DNA, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News, analysed the damages that were inflicted on Pakistans Air Force during Operation Sindoor: Watch Full DNA Episode Here: These fighter jets or drones were neutralised by Indian missile strikes or air defence systems while they were stationed at various Pakistani airbases. One of the standout moments of Operation Sindoor was Indias S-400 air defence system shooting down an AWACS-type aircraft flying approximately 300 kilometres inside Pakistani airspacean unprecedented feat. The aircraft could have been used for electronic warfare. Another AWACS aircraft was destroyed in a separate missile strike on Pakistans Bholari Airbase. Rafale and Sukhoi fighter jets from the Indian Air Force also targeted enemy positions, reportedly destroying Chinese-made combat drones. According to sources, the Indian Air Force is still reviewing battlefield data, and further revelations about the scale of Pakistani losses are expected. Meanwhile, despite consistent denials and contradictory statements, Pakistan has admitted internally that the damage was far greater than publicly acknowledged. The Pakistani military has reportedly compiled a dossier confirming that the Indian Air Force struck at least eight more targets than initially disclosed. India had earlier stated it targeted 11 Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sialkot, Pasrur, Sargodha, Sukkur, Chunian, Skardu, Bholari, and Jacobabad, as well as nine terror camps. Strikes were also reported in Lahore and Rawalpindi. However, Pakistans internal assessment lists additional locationsPeshawar, Jhang, Hyderabad, Gujrat, Bahawalnagar, Gujranwala, Attock, and Chhoras having been hit, none of which were officially acknowledged by Indian sources. YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) head and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has hit out aggressively at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-dominated state government, blaming it for putting the state into a "debt trap" with excessive borrowing without any concrete development and welfare initiatives. In a tweet on social media platform X (ex-Twitter), Jagan accused the Chandrababu Naidu government of taking almost 44% of the total debt incurred by the YSRCP government in five yearswithin a single year of coming back to power. "@ncbn garu, you claim decades of experience as CM and deep understanding of governance. But in one year, your government borrowed 44% of what we did in five, without delivering any development or welfare," Jagan wrote. . @ncbn garu, you claim that you possess decades of experience as CM and your so-called deep understanding of governance, but what have those decades of experience delivered? In just one year, your Government availed a debt equivalent to 44% of the total debt our Government pic.twitter.com/UD8lWn2SBE YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) June 2, 2025 The remark comes at a time when there is increasing questioning of the financial health of Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu recently admitted that the state has a debt burden of 10 lakh crore, on which the interest outgo every year will be 40,000 crore. Though Naidu accuses the earlier YSRCP government of running state finances poorly, he has also vowed to introduce fiscal prudence and revive languishing infrastructure and welfare schemes. Naidu has placed the TDP as a party of "administrative discipline" and asserted that the present financial pinch is due to "reckless expenditure and poor planning" during the previous government. The ruling party has criticized the YSRCP time and again for leaving behind empty coffers and incomplete projects. On the other hand, the opposition has accused the TDP of unsustainable lending and not delivering in terms of results on the ground. The political confrontation has intensified as the TDP government approaches its one-year milestone in office, with the financial situation sitting comfortably at the top of the list of issues in the war of words between the two factions. As Andhra Pradesh struggles to contend with financial issues, the controversy surrounding debt is likely to continue to dominate political debate in the state. Jammu and Kashmir: Continuing his crackdown on terror patrons in Jammu and Kashmir, LG Manoj Sinha has sacked three government employees for their alleged involvement in terror links. This comes amid the increased surveillance against terror networks in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The sacked employees are accused of working for terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). The accused have been identified as Malik Ishfaq Naseer, who was working as a police constable; Ajaz Ahmed, working as a teacher in the school education department; and Waseem Ahmad Khan, a Junior Assistant in Government Medical College, Srinagar, said notifications issued by the General Administration Department of the Jammu and Kashmir government. Since taking office in August 2020, Manoj Sinha has prioritised weakening terrorism's infrastructure by targeting both active terrorists and their support networks, including overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers embedded in government institutions. Sinha has ensured aggressive counter-terrorism operations, with security forces neutralising hundreds of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir between 2020 and 2024 and termination of more than 70 OGW/Terror associates from government jobs under Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution. This comes a month after the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, where terrorists killed around 26 civilians, mostly tourists in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier on May 31, the Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested two men, both brothers, for supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). According to the police, the apprehended individuals were Hasin and Kasim, both residents of Rajasthan. According to the officials, the accused, Hasin, had visited Pakistan around 15 years back as his relatives reside there. Currently, he has been in touch with ISI officials for around 4-5 years. In August 2024, he sent SIM cards to Pakistan through Kasim. One of the SIM cards is in his name, and it was used by PIO. During interrogation, it was revealed that Hasin sent pictures of sensitive army establishments to the PIO and received money in lieu of that. The officials added that he also provided OTP with the ability to activate WhatsApp in Pakistan. His ISI handlers also helped him to get a Pakistani Visa for his younger brother Kasim, his brother-in-law and his sister when they went to Pakistan in August 2024, the police said. New Delhi: The Karnataka High Court has slammed actor Kamal Haasan for his recent comment that "Kannada was born out of Tamil," saying it has hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas. The court's remarks came while hearing a petition seeking directions to authorities to ban Haasan's film "Thug Life" in the state. According to a report by Bar and Bench, the controversy began when Haasan commented on a promotional event for "Thug Life" in Chennai, sparking widespread criticism across political lines. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) subsequently declared that the film would not be screened in Karnataka unless Haasan apologized for his remark. The court, led by Single-judge Justice M Nagaprasanna, questioned Haasan's basis for making the statement, asking if he was a historian or linguist. The court emphasized that no citizen has the right to hurt sentiments and that language is a sentiment attached to a particular people. "No citizen has the right to hurt sentiments. Jala, Nila, Bashe - these three things are important to citizens....Language is a sentiment attached to a particular people. You have said something to undermine that," the Court stated. The KFCC president, M Narasimhalu, stated that the controversy has moved beyond cinema, saying, "If he doesn't apologize, Thug Life won't run in Karnataka." Several Kannada groups and language activists have also urged Haasan to retract his statement and apologize publicly. "If a public figure makes a statement like this. No language can be born out of another - where is the material? And what has happened - disharmony. And what have the people of Karnataka asked? (Only) An apology. The circumstances were created by Kamal Haasan, and he has said he won't apologise. You have undermined the sentiments of the people of Karnataka... On what basis? Are you a historian or a linguist?" the Court demanded. Meanwhile, Haasan has refused to back down, stating, "It is a democracy. I believe in law and justice. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala is true." The court, however, seems inclined to agree with the petitioners, suggesting that an apology from Haasan could diffuse the situation. The court's remarks suggest that Haasan's apology could pave the way for the smooth release of "Thug Life" in Karnataka. The film's co-producer, Raajkamal Films International, has argued that Haasan's statement was misquoted and taken out of context, and that his remarks were meant to express love and camaraderie between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. BHOPAL: After the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched 'Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan' in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, the execution of the campaign, which is aimed at strengthening the party at the grassroots level, will begin from June 10. Over 60 observers appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) along with PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) will start visiting in districts assigned to them from June 10, and they will be camping there till June 30. This decision has been taken during the state's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting held in the presence of LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal at Indira Gandhi Bhawan in Bhopal, and in-charge for Madhya Pradesh Congress, Harish Choudhary. Each team will have four members (three observers and one state observer) who will be camping in their assigned districts from June 10 to June 30. During this period, they will hold communication with local party workers, leaders, and common people. "Teams will have e single task to hold meetings with the party's grassroots workers, supporters and common people. After this exercise, teams will pick at least six potential candidates for district presidents. The idea to pick a suitable person for the post of district president," said Harish Choudhary. He further stated that the Congress has decided to strengthen the district Congress president's position by fixing their accountability for the party. District presidents will be empowered to make decisions in the selection of candidates. "Congress Working Committee (CWC) has recently decided to involve district presidents in the selection of candidates. During the CWC meeting (in Delhi), MP Congress leadership has demanded that this process should start from our state," he added. Choudhary also informed that LoP Rahul Gandhi convened four meetings, including the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and observers appointed by AICC, during his visit to Bhopal. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken decisive action to support the flood-affected Northeast region, particularly Assam. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, PM Modi has personally spoken to key state leaders, assuring them of the central government's unwavering support. According to ANI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla on the situation arising due to heavy rainfall and floods in the region. PM Modi has assured all help and support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla on the situation arising due to heavy rainfall and floods in the region. PM Modi has assured all help and support. pic.twitter.com/yMqlk3BoQB ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his proactive stance in response to the severe flooding in the Northeast region, particularly in Assam, and said that the PM has expressed concern and assured full support from the Central Government for our relief and rehabilitation efforts. In a Post on X, he said, "A short while ago, Honble Prime Minister ji called me to enquire about the current flood situation in Assam. I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives. I also apprised him of the relief operation undertaken by the state government. The PM expressed concern and assured full support from the Central Government for our relief and rehabilitation efforts. Grateful for his guidance and unwavering support to the people of Assam." A short while ago, Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji called me to enquire about the current flood situation in Assam. I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives. I also apprised him of the relief Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 3, 2025 The flood situation in Assam remains grim, with the death toll rising to 11 due to floods and landslides. Over 5.15 lakh people across 22 districts have been affected, with Sribhumi being the worst-hit district. The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries are flowing above danger levels, causing extensive damage to agriculture and infrastructure. The PM's intervention has triggered a coordinated response to the disaster. The Assam government, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), is working tirelessly to provide relief and rescue to those affected. Over 1.85 lakh people have taken shelter in 322 relief camps and distribution centers set up by district administrations. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also played a crucial role in supporting the flood-affected areas. He has spoken with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh and the Governor of Manipur, demonstrating the government's commitment to supporting the affected states. The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall over the Northeastern states for the next two days, followed by a decrease in intensity. The government is working closely with disaster management authorities to minimize damage and provide relief to those affected. (With Inputs from ANI) New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough, the Punjab Police, in collaboration with the Counter-Intelligence Unit, has arrested Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) about army movements during Operation Sindoor. Singh, also known as Gagan, was in contact with Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla, who introduced him to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) five years ago. In a post on X, the DGP Punjab Police informed that Singh shared classified details about Indian Army movements during Operation Sindoor, including troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security. "Acting swiftly on information received from Counter-Intelligence-Punjab, Tarn Taran Police, in a joint operation arrests Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, TarnTaran," Punjab DGP posted. "Arrested accused had been in contact with the #Pakistan #ISI and Gopal Singh Chawla, sharing sensitive information concerning army movements during #OperationSindhoor," he added. Acting swiftly on information received from Counter-Intelligence-Punjab, @TarnTaranPolice, in a joint operation arrests Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, #TarnTaran. Arrested accused had been in contact with the #Pakistan #ISI and pic.twitter.com/JIuLVToIMk DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) June 3, 2025 The arrested accused received payments from PIOs via Indian channels, highlighting the complexity of the espionage network, the post highlighted. "Investigations have revealed that he was engaged in sharing classified details, including troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security. Preliminary investigation reveals that Gagandeep Singh had been in touch with Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla for the past five years, through whom he was introduced to the Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). He also received payments from #PIOs via #Indianchannels," the DGP said. Punjab Police have recovered a mobile phone containing shared intelligence and details of over 20 ISI contacts was seized from Singh. Thorough financial and technical investigations are underway to uncover other linkages and the full scope of the espionage network. An FIR has been registered under the Official Secrets Act at PS City, Tarn Taran, and further investigation is in progress. The Punjab Police has arrested Gagandeep Singh for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's ISI, marking the latest in a series of arrests of alleged spies following the Pahalgam attack. Over a dozen people, including two women - Jyoti Malhotra, a social media influencer from Haryana, and Guzala from Punjab - and a CRPF personnel, have been arrested from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in the past two weeks. Investigations suggest a Pakistan-linked spy network operating across northern India, prompting security agencies to intensify their anti-espionage operations. New Delhi: In a heartwarming display of cultural exchange, Errol Musk, father of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has expressed his deep admiration for Sanatan Dharma, an ancient Indian philosophy. The 79-year-old businessman believes that following the principles of Lord Shiva could be the key to achieving world peace and well-being. Errol Musk's fascination with Indian heritage and spirituality is evident in his plans to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a sacred site for Hindus. This visit is a testament to his growing interest in the rich cultural legacy of India. "I think if the whole world followed Shiva, it would be all right," Musk said in an interview. "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." Errol Musks 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 countrys soft power. Musk seniors admiration for spirituality and Sanatan Dharam comes close to the Mahakumbh Mela, which served as a living showcase of Indias 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 Indias spiritual and cultural vitality on the global stage. The South American businessmans 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, Indias 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. (With Input from IANS) Congress Leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday made a sharp remark against the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'surrendered after the United States President Donald Trump's call'. The BJP has come out in sharp criticism against the remark of the Congress leader. Addressing a convention of Congress workers in Bhopal, Gandhi added that if slight pressure is exerted on RSS-BJP, "they run away out of fear". "Now, I understand RSS-BJP well. If slight pressure is put on them, they run away out of fear. When Trump called Modi ji-'Modi ji kya kar rahe ho, Narendra-Surrender and with 'ji hazooor', Narendra ji followed Trump," the Congress Leader said. He also brought up the 1971 war under the then-PM Indira Gandhi and said, "In the 1971 war, the Seventh Fleet (came from the US), India Gandhi said I will do whatever I have to do. This is the difference. This is their character; all of them are like this. Since the Independence movement, they have this habit of writing letters of surrender." surrender - , BJP-RSS character , 1971 Superpowers , pic.twitter.com/RhdQWdRBtV Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 3, 2025 BJP's Backlash BJP Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia in a post on X shared the picture of PM Modi and wrote, "Narendra Modi ji = Thunder; Rahul Gandhi = Blunder" Narendra Modi ji = Thunder Rahul Gandhi = Blunder pic.twitter.com/lqrBnulDmL Gaurav Bhatia (@gauravbhatiabjp) June 3, 2025 On the other hand, speaking to ANI, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, "Rahul Gandhi's words reflect his values as he makes such indecent remarks against the country's Prime Minister. But this is what can be expected from Rahul Gandhi, whose heart beats for Pakistan. Because when he offers a floral tribute to the statue of his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, he does not remove his shoes." "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has given a befitting reply to Pakistan's terror masters. From Salman Khurshid to Shashi Tharoor, every Congress leader is talking about this, and Pakistan itself is giving evidence of this... The people of the country see this uncivilised Rahul Gandhi as an agent of Pakistan..." he added. Trump's Claim For Mediations The tensions between India and Pakistan were escalating for days after the Islamic State had launched a swarm of drone and missile attacks on the Indian territory, following the launch of Operation Sindoor. The Indian Armed Forces had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to avenge the terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 individuals were killed. After Islamabad's aggression that followed the beginning of Operation Sindoor, New Delhi launched strikes on Pakistan's airbases. On May 10, it was announced that a ceasefire had been reached after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart. After this, the US President, on more than one occasion, has claimed credit for helping to stop the hostilities between the two neighbouring countries. The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to provide 20 percent reservation to Agniveers in the recruitment for several positions in the state police force as well as Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to the cabinet decision, the reservation will be applicable for appointment under several categories including constable police, constable PAC, mounted police and fireman. Notably, the first batch of Agniveer recruits is set to retire next year in 2026. The earmarking of 20 percent reservation will enable them to find employment in UP police services. Agniveers were recruited under the Agnipath scheme, a short-term military recruitment initiative launched by the Central government in June 2022, aimed at infusing young, tech-savvy and dynamic profile into the Indian armed forces including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. As the law mandates, 25 percent of Agniveers will be retained by the Indian Armed Forces while the rest 75 percent of Agniveers will be given retirement from the services. UP governments decision to give 20 percent reservation is targeted at this 75 percent lot, who will bow out from the armed forces after four years of service. Also, a special age relaxation of up to three years will also be provided to Agniveers applying for these posts. Reports suggest that UP Police is set to launch about 28,000 vacancies in police department soon, which will have appointment offers at the ranks of sub-inspector, inspector, jail warden, computer operator and other posts. With UP cabinet earmarking 20 percent of vacancies for the Agniveers, they would become eligible to apply for permanent job in UP police and the PAC department. Apart from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana government also approved a similar proposal earlier, where the Agniveers will be entitled to 20 percent reservation in various government posts. New Delhi: Fighter jets stand as the most significant symbols of a nations military strength in modern warfare. Countries like the United States, Russia, and China are actively developing fifth and sixth-generation fighter aircraft to strengthen their air forces. But is Americas F-47 truly the most advanced? Or do Russias Su-57 and Chinas J-35A surpass it in performance? The F-47 is the United States proposed sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, currently in early development stages and expected to become operational by 2029. Developed by Boeing under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, it is designed to set a new standard in aerial combat. Here, we compare the F-47 with Russias Su-57 and Chinas J-35A to determine which bomber stands as the worlds most modern. 1. F-47 (NGAD) Considered the successor to the F-22 Raptor, the aircraft is a sixth-generation stealth fighter that Boeing has been designing since 2020. Its prototypes have already flown in 2019 and 2022, with operational deployment planned between 2025 and 2029. The F-47 can reach speeds above Mach 2 (approximately 2,470 km/h) and boasts a combat radius exceeding 1,000 nautical miles around 70% greater than the F-22s range. Termed Stealth++, its stealth capabilities surpass those of the F-22 and F-35 making it exceptionally difficult to detect by radar or infrared sensors. Powered by advanced turbofan engines like the Pratt & Whitney XA103 or GE XA102, the jet balances fuel efficiency with high speed. It features a modular weapons system capable of long-range missile deployment and drone control, alongside cutting-edge sensor fusion, AI-driven data networking and drone coordination. The F-47 is designed as a system of systems, able to operate alongside two to five cooperative combat aircraft (CCA) drones such as the YFQ-42 and YFQ-44. However, its price tag ranges from $160 to $300 million per jet, making it significantly more expensive than the F-35. Its combat effectiveness is yet to be proven. 2. Russias Su-57 Felon It is a fifth-generation stealth fighter that first took flight in 2010 and was inducted into the Russian Air Force in 2020. It matches the F-47 in speed, reaching over Mach 2, and supports supercruise (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners). The Su-57 has a longer unrefueled range, up to 3,500 km, extendable to 4,500 km with external tanks. However, its stealth is less effective, with a radar cross-section (RCS) between 0.1 and 0.5 square metres making it more detectable than the F-35. It is powered by two AL-41F1 engines generating 35,000 pounds of thrust each and armed with a variety of weapons on 12 hardpoints, including internal bays. The Su-57 excels in maneuverability thanks to thrust vectoring technology. It is considerably cheaper, costing between $35 and $50 million per jet. However, its production remains limited to fewer than 40 units, with output affected by the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Its operational combat experience is also limited, mostly confined to missions in Syria. 3. Chinas J-35A An advanced variant of the Shenyang FC-31, it is a fifth-generation stealth fighter specially designed for naval operations. It was showcased at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow and has a top speed of Mach 1.8 (about 2,200 km/h) with a range near 2,000 km. China claims its stealth capabilities are comparable to the F-35, though exact data is not publicly confirmed. The J-35A uses two WS-19 engines producing 22,000 pounds of thrust each and carries six to eight weapon hardpoints, including PL-15 missiles and guided bombs. Its sensor suite includes AESA radar and electronic warfare systems. With an estimated cost of $70 to $90 million per jet, it is currently in early production stages, with deliveries to Pakistan expected by 2026- which is raising strategic concerns for India. While suitable for aircraft carrier operations, the J-35A lacks combat experience and is powered by engines considered weaker than those of the F-35 or F-47. It also faces criticism for its design, which some say heavily borrows from the F-35 and F-22. When assessing which is most advanced, the F-47s sixth-generation technology places it ahead, thanks to its Stealth++ capability that offers the lowest radar cross-section. It nearly renders it invisible to enemy radar. Its combat radius of over 1,000 nautical miles makes it effective in vast theaters like the Indo-Pacific region. Its drone coordination capability elevates it into a system of systems rather than a standalone fighter. It shines with its superior speed and maneuverability but lags behind the F-47 in stealth and sensor sophistication, compounded by low production numbers and economic challenges. The J-35A fits well for naval applications but is behind the others in combat experience and engine power. 4. F-47 It stands out as the first sixth-generation fighter, combining unmatched stealth, range and advanced drone integration that is far beyond the fifth-generation jets like the F-35, Su-57 and J-35A. Its stealth design helps it evade sophisticated missile systems such as Chinas HQ-9 and Russias S-400. In addition, its ability to control multiple cooperative drones significantly boosts its strike potential. These developments, for India, carry critical implications. The prospect of Pakistan acquiring the J-35A from China heightens regional security concerns, especially with China fielding over 300 J-20 and J-35 aircraft. India currently operates 36 Rafale and Su-30MKI jets but lacks a fifth or sixth-generation fighter. The United States has offered India both the F-35 and the forthcoming F-47, while Russia continues to propose collaboration on the Su-57. Indias indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project aims to deliver a fifth-generation fighter by 2035, but the program requires acceleration to keep pace with regional rivals. With its cutting-edge sixth-generation technology, superior stealth, extended range and drone collaboration, the F-47 is considered the worlds most advanced fighter jet. Russias Su-57 excels in speed and maneuverability but falls short in stealth, while Chinas J-35A is optimised for naval use yet lacks combat-proven capability and engine power. What If China Stops Brahmaputra? When it comes to blunt replies, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma leaves many politicians behind. He is known for expressing his views very clearly, without considering any ramification. When Bangladesh raised the Chicken's Neck - Siliguri corridor issue, Sarma hit back by sharing a map of two chicken necks that Dhaka should be worrying about. Now, Sarma has reacted to Pakistan-China's joint threat related to the Brahmaputra river. Notably, India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty following the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack. Since then, Pakistanis have been raising the Brahmaputra river issue. Reacting to Pakistan's claim, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to counter myths with facts. "What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistans New Scare Narrative. After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: What if China stops the Brahmaputras water to India? said Sarma highlighting the question. He further said, "Lets dismantle this myth not with fear, but with facts and national clarity. Brahmaputra: A River That Grows in India Not Shrinks. China contributes only ~3035% of the Brahmaputras total flow mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall." Sarma said that the remaining 6570% of Brahmaputra water is generated within India, thanks to torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya; major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili and additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi. "At the Indo-China border (Tuting): Flow is ~2,0003,000 m/s. In Assam plains (e.g., Guwahati): Flow swells to 15,00020,000 m/s during monsoon. The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream it is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory," said the Assam CM. Responding to Pakistan, Sarma said, "Even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year. Meanwhile, Pakistan which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access under the Indus Waters Treaty now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights." Sarma said that Pakistan must not forget that Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source and is powered by the country's geography, monsoon, and civilisational resilience. Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, Dr Ranbir Singh, pointed out that the Brahmaputra Basin is the only water-surplus river basin in India, with the rest being water-deficient. "With this dam in China, are we looking at a water-deficient Brahmaputra river basin?" he wondered. The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday reprimanded actor Kamal Haasan over his controversial remark on the origins of the Kannada language, questioning why the police should provide security for his mistake. "Don't use the Right to Speech to hurt sentiments," the court said. The bench, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, made these observations while hearing a petition submitted by Kamal Haasan seeking security for the screening of his movie 'Thug Life' in Karnataka's theatres and multiplexes. Kamal Haasan had stirred controversy by stating that the Kannada language is derived from Tamil. He has also refused to apologise, despite widespread protests against him across the state. The court asked Kamal Haasan's counsel to clarify the actor's stand regarding tendering an apology and adjourned the matter until 2.30 p.m. The bench noted that a prominent person like C. Rajagopalachari had issued a similar statement in 1950 about the origins of the Kannada language and later apologised following protests, even though there was no commercial motive. "If such a big person can apologise, and a similar statement has been issued after 75 years, and there is a commercial motive..." the court observed. " You want to make a profit from the people of Karnataka, and you also maintain that you won't apologise. Even I want to watch the movie, and because of the controversy, I am unable to watch it. If you do not want to apologise, leave it. Why do you want to release it here?" the court questioned. "The cinema is made to make profits, and why should the police give protection for your mistake? The people are demanding an apology from you. You have not denied making the statement; you have agreed to have made the statement and are maintaining that you won't apologise," the court stated. "One statement can resolve the issue, and you are not tendering an apology. If you are not apologising, why are you releasing it in Karnataka?" the court pulled up the actor. The counsel for Kamal Haasan submitted that the actor has not insulted the language and made the statement with love. Meanwhile, office-bearers of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and Industries have commenced a meeting to decide on banning the release of Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' movie in the state. Commenting on Kamal Haasan's issue, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra stated on Tuesday, "The state government is not taking any stand in this regard. Kamal is a popular actor. His love for Tamil is understandable, but he can't insult the Kannada language. It's not too late; he should apologise to the people of Karnataka by correcting his unwise behaviour." New Delhi: Canadian rapper Drake has placed a whopping Rs 6.41 crore ($750,000) bet on Virat Kohlis Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win the much-anticipated IPL 2025 finale today. In their epic clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Gods Plan rapper has put his money on Kohlis team to lift their maiden IPL trophy. In a surprising move, the Kiki Do You Love Me hitmaker revealed on Instagram that he placed the massive wager via crypto-betting platform Stake, sharing a screenshot of the bet. If the Rajat Patidar-led RCB wins, Drake stands to win over $1.3 million (approximately Rs 11.11 crore). The post was accompanied by RCBs iconic slogan, Ee Sala Cup Namde, leaving many of Drakes fansespecially in North Americasurprised by his choice. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the IPL final is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in betting revenue, with wagers ranging from as little as $5 to thousands of dollars from high-stakes punters. The finale is also expected to be a star-studded affair, with Punjab team owner Preity Zinta likely to attend, along with actor RJ Mahvash, who is rumoured to be dating PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohlis wife, is also expected to be present to cheer him on. Several other Bollywood celebrities are also likely to grace the event. RCB reached the final after a convincing win over PBKS in Qualifier 1, while Punjab defeated Mumbai Indians in their playoff battle. Both teams have won 18 matches each out of their 36 games this season. With Drake betting such a staggering amount, all eyes are now on Ahmedabad as the cricketing world awaits tonights high-voltage showdown. SHOCKING 2025 PREDICTION: In the testing times and chaos around the world, some world-famous psychics and astrologers who made some predictions back in time are now hitting the viral button. Remember famous blind mystic Vangeliya Pandeva Gushterova aka Baba Vanga, whose predictions have often caught attention? Well, now meet Nicolas Aujula, a UK-based famous psychic whose 2025 predictions are now making readers wonder about the solid coincidence. Who Is Nicolas Aujula? According to New York Post.com, the 38-year-old London hypnotherapist Nicolas Aujula, predicted that war could break out by the middle of this year due to a lack of compassion in the world." Shocking 2025 Predictions Based on his psychic visions, We will see horrific acts of human evil and violence toward each other in the name of religion and nationalism. He believes WWIII could erupt by mid-year, with the UK no longer immune to its reach. Coincidentally, earlier this month, Pakistan and India faced testing times. After 26 tourists were attacked in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir in a ghastly terror attack. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor where India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, in a military campaign. While China and Turkey's support to Pakistan amid the crisis invited criticism, on the other hand ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is heating up again. Nicolas Aujula's Predictions Nicolas Aujula's past predictions too caught attention. Reportedly, he had predicted that Donald Trump would make a political comeback in 2024. He also spoke about the rising influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The 38-year-old's previous prophecies included war warning and bloodshed besides major natural disasters hitting different regions. TOI reports that his early foresight of the COVID-19 pandemic, fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Black Lives Matter protests too have not gone unnoticed. (This is based on general information and reports based online. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) Kamal Haasan is being called out for over his controversial remark on the origins of the Kannada language. The Thug Life actor refuses to apologise for statement he further wrote to Kannada Film Body he clarifies his response to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) after the film union body decided to ban the release of 'Thug Life' in Karnataka. Kamal Haasan Issues Clarafication Over 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' Remark Amid the ongoing controversy around his Language remark, Kamal Haasan refuses to apologise, issues letter to Kannada Film Chamber. Actor Kamal Haasan has shared his response to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) after the film union body decided to ban the release of his film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka amid the ongoing controversy around his "Kannada is born out of Tamil' remark. In a letter addressed to the President of KFC, Kamal Haasan said that his statement at his film 'Thug Life' audio launch in Chennai has been "misunderstood" as he claims to have spoken it "out of genuine affection" for legendary Dr Rajkumar's family in Karnataka, as per ANI reports. The letter to Kannada Film Body states, "I acknowledge your letter dated 30/05/2025. Out of deep respect for the people of Karnataka, I offer the following with sincerity. It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch -- spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr. Rajkumar's family, especially Shiva Rajkumar -- has been misunderstood and taken out of context. My words were intended only to convey that we are all one and from the same family and not to diminish Kannada in any way," wrote the Thug Life actor' Kamal Haasan said that he loves all languages and has immense "respect" for the love of the Kannadigas for their language. "There is no dispute or debate on the rich legacy of the Kannada language. Like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition that I have long admired. Throughout my career, I have cherished the warmth and affection extended to me by the Kannada-speaking community, and I say this with a clear conscience and conviction: my love for the language is genuine, and I have great respect for the love that Kannadigas have for their mother tongue," wrote Kamal Haasan. He restate his love for different languages and wrote, "My bond with Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam -- and all languages of this land-- is abiding and heartfelt. I have always stood for the equal dignity of all Indian languages and remain opposed to the dominance of any one language over another, as such imbalance undermines the linguistic fabric of the Union of India." He further wrote that he only knows and speaks the "language of cinema" as he believes that it is a "universal language" which only knows the way of "love and bonding." "I know and speak the language of Cinema. Cinema is a universal language that knows only love and bonding. My statement was also only to establish that bond and unity amongst all of us. It is this love and bond that my seniors taught me, which I wanted to share. It is out of this love and bond that Shivanna attended the audio launch event. I regret that Shivanna had to go through such embarrassment on account of this. But I'm sure our true love and respect for each other will always remain and get firmer now," wrote Kamal Haasan. He continued, "Cinema must remain a bridge between people -- never a wall that divides them. This was the intent of my statement, and I have never been nor would ever want to give any room for public unrest and animosity. I sincerely hope my words are received in the spirit they were intended, and that my enduring affection for Karnataka, its people, and their language is recognised in its true light. I earnestly believe that this misunderstanding is temporary and an opportunity to reiterate our mutual love and respect." Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday began hearing petitions seeking direction to authorities, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, not to take any measures--to restrain or refrain from screening and releasing actor Kamal Hassan's movie 'Thug Life' in Karnataka, which is scheduled for release on June 5. The court has adjourned the matter for 2:30 pm. According to Live Law, The court orally remarked that the actor was sticking on to the ego and not apologizing over the controversial remark, The court states, ''This is where you are sticking on to the ego not apologizing... It may be Kamala Hassan or anyone...it is the sentiments of the masses of the state that has been undermined is what the problem has arisen about...You should understand magnitude of the problem. It can lead to something else. Your statement can stop everything else. It is at that cross roads. If your intention is this (Letter to chamber) why not end it with...It is an explanation for a clarification. '' As of now, Thug Life is slated to hit the theatres on June 05, won't be released in Karnataka (With ANI Inputs) New Delhi: Vijay Varma has officially announced another exciting projectand this time, its with none other than acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta. Taking to his Instagram stories, Vijay shared a picture of a bouquet and a heartfelt handwritten note from Mehta, simply captioned: New beginnings. With just two words, he set the tone for what promises to be one of the most exciting actor-director collaborations in recent times. The note from Hansal Mehta welcomed the actor on board and hinted at a powerful creative journey ahead. While the details of the project are still under wraps, the announcement has already sent waves of excitement across the industry and fan circles. Vijay Varma, who has built a reputation for picking unconventional, layered roles, seems to have found the perfect match in Mehta, a filmmaker celebrated for extracting raw, impactful performances. This collaboration comes at a time when Vijay is at the peak of his gameriding high on critical acclaim from Dahaad, Jaane Jaan, and the Mirzapur series. With Hansal Mehta at the helmknown for landmark projects like Scam 1992, Aligarh, and Shahidthis pairing feels as organic as it is explosive. New beginnings, indeedthis one feels like the start of something special. Adding to the excitement, Vijay recently made heads turn at the Muhurat Pooja of his upcoming project, donning an elegant white kurta. The actors effortless style and charismatic presence sparked a wave of admiration on social media, with fans and industry insiders praising his refined traditional look that perfectly balanced simplicity and sophistication. Known for his intense performances and unique choice of roles, Vijay Varma continues to carve a niche for himself in the Indian film industry. The Muhurat Pooja and his choice of a pristine white kurta exemplified his grounded persona and commitment to tradition, even amidst a packed professional schedule. The look not only resonated with his fans but also reflected his thoughtful approach to both craft and public appearances. Looking ahead, Vijays upcoming lineup includes two highly anticipated projects: Gustaakh Ishq and Matka King. Both films promise to showcase different facets of his acting prowess and are already creating a buzz among cinephiles. As he continues to build an impressive body of work, Vijay Varmas journey remains one to watch closelyfor those who appreciate quality cinema and powerful storytelling. New Delhi: Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old Pakistani content creator, was shot dead at her residence in Islamabad, according to a report by Samaa. The young influencer, who hailed from Upper Chitral, had over 4 lakh subscribers on social media. As per the report, the assailant allegedly entered Sanas home and shot her before fleeing the scene. Police are currently investigating the matter. The incident reportedly occurred within the jurisdiction of the Sumbal Police Station and is one of several such tragic incidents recently reported in the country. In a now-viral video, the young TikToker is seen celebrating her birthday with friends. The clip begins with her smiling as she cuts her birthday cakeunaware that it would be her last moment shared on social media. According to police, the suspect had a brief conversation with Sana outside her home before opening fire. She was shot twice and died on the spot. As per NDTV, her body has been moved to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for post-mortem examination. The suspect entered the home, fired multiple shots, and escaped, a Pakistani police official was quoted as saying. Sana sustained two bullets and succumbed to her injuries on the spot. Police also suspect this may be a case of honour killinga murder committed by family members who believe the victim has brought shame to the family. #JusticeForSanaYousaf is now trending on social media, with netizens demanding swift justice for the young influencer. Sana was the daughter of a social activist and focused her content on daily lifestyle, Chitral culture, womens rights awareness, education, and motivational videos for the youth. The motive behind her murder remains unclear. In a similar incident, a 15-year-old girl named Hira was shot dead in Quetta by her father and maternal uncle for posting videos on TikTok. According to Pakistani media reports, her father, Anwarul-Haq, was angry that Hira did not stop using TikTok. He then conspired with his brother-in-law to kill her. Both men were arrested by the police and later confessed to the crime. China denounced U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for calling the Asian country a threat, accusing him of touting a Cold War mentality as tensions between Washington and Beijing further escalate. The foreign ministry said Hegseth vilified Beijing with defamatory allegations the previous day at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a global security conference. The statement also accused the United States of inciting conflict and confrontation in the region. Hegseth deliberately ignored the call for peace and development by countries in the region, and instead touted the Cold War mentality for bloc confrontation, it said, referring to the post-World War II rivalry between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. No country in the world deserves to be called a hegemonic power other than the U.S. itself, it said, alleging that Washington is also undermining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. Chinas army is rehearsing for the real deal, Hegseth said in Singapore. We are not going to sugarcoat it the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent. The Chinese statement said the matter of Taiwan is Chinas internal affair and that the U.S. should never play with fire with it. The statement also alleged Washington had deployed offensive weaponry in the South China Sea, was stoking flames and creating tensions in the Asia-Pacific and turning the region into a powder keg. Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang of Chinas defense ministry called Hegseths comments a provocation and said they distorted Chinas policy positions. At the Singapore forum on Sunday, Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro scoffed at the idea that the U.S. was the problem. The Philippines has been involved in increasingly violent clashes with China over competing claims in the South China Sea. Teodoro said what the Chinese government saw as fair might be contrary to the norms accepted by the rest of the world. The Chinese Embassy in Singapore in separate Facebook posts described Teodoros remarks as groundless accusations and argued that the South China Sea Islands are Chinas inherent territories. The troublemaker is not China, it said, and cited what it said were recent illegal intrusions by the Philippines into the waters adjacent to two reefs. Some outside power was posing the biggest threat to peace with the deployment of offensive weapons and roping in allies for frequent military drills, it said, without naming anyone. Which country is coercing and bullying others, and instigating conflicts and confrontation in the South China Sea? The answer is clear to all, it said. Separately, the Chinese Embassy in Singapore on Saturday criticized attempts to link the issue of Taiwan with that of the war in Ukraine after French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a dangerous double standard in focusing on a potential conflict with China at the cost of abandoning Ukraine. The embassy did not name Macron in its post on Facebook, but the post included a photo showing the French president at the Singapore forum. If one tries to denounce double standards through the lens of a double standard, the only result we can get is still double standard, it said. China, which usually sends its defense minister to the Shangri-La forum, this time sent a lower-level delegation led by Maj. Gen. Hu Gangfeng, the vice president of the Peoples Liberation Army National Defense University. MDT/AP SBI Bank Locker Robbery Case: Anyone who puts their valuables in a bank locker does it trusting that their belongings will be safe. But imagine the shock and helplessness when, despite all precautions, those precious items suddenly disappear right from the bank itself. What happens then? Recently, a similar incident was reported in Bengaluru. A 54-year-old homemaker from the city has lodged a police complaint against officials of the State Bank of Indias Dollars Colony branch, alleging the disappearance of gold and diamond jewellery worth 145 grams from her locker, according to media reports. SBI Bank Locker Robbery: Case Registered Against Bank Officials The victim, Bindu CD, says that despite repeated attempts to contact the bank, she has not received any satisfactory response. Frustrated with the banks attitude, she approached the police. A case has now been registered against the bank officials. According to the complaint, the victim has a savings account with the SBI branch since December 2022. In her complaint filed with the Sadashivanagar police, she mentioned that she had last checked her locker in November 2024 and confirmed all her valuables were intact at that time. However, when she visited the bank to check her locker again on March 28, 2025, The victim discovered that the jewelry was missing. She reported the matter to the bank officials, but they denied having any information about the incident. This raises important questions: What happens next when a locker holder reports missing items, and what do RBI regulations say in such cases? Bank Locker Rules In Case Of Theft The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) implemented new rules related to bank lockers starting January 2022, which were made applicable to all locker holders from January 2023. According to these rules, if the loss or damage of locker contents occurs due to the banks negligencesuch as theft, fire, robbery, or building collapsethe bank is liable to compensate the customer. Adding further, if items are stolen or damaged from the locker, the bank must pay compensation up to 100 times the annual locker rent. Bank Compensates Up To 100 Times Locker Rent For example, if the annual locker rent is Rs 2,000, the bank can be required to pay up to Rs 2,00,000 in compensation to the victim. According to the rules, the banks liability is limited to 100 times the locker rent, even if the value of the items stored is higher. Therefore, it is important for customers to know what items can or cannot be kept in a bank locker. What Can and Cann't Be Stored in Bank Lockers? In bank lockers, you can keep jewelry, important documents (like property papers, certificates), and legally permitted items. However, you cannot store cash, foreign currency, weapons, drugs, poisonous substances, or perishable goods. As per RBI guidelines, if any of these prohibited items are stored and lost, the bank will not provide any compensation. Bank Rules For Locker Safety Banks must monitor locker rooms using CCTV cameras and maintain biometric access and log records. They are required to store CCTV footage for at least 180 days. Additionally, whenever a customer opens their locker, the bank must send an SMS or email notification. At the time of renting a locker, customers must sign an agreement that details the rules and the items allowed, which should be read carefully. Estimated Loss To Woman The woman claimed that her locker contained 145 grams of gold jewelry. Assuming the jewelry was 22-carat gold, the rate on June 3 was 8,882 per gram. Based on this, the value of the 145 grams of gold is approximately 1,287,890, excluding additional making charges. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold talks this week, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Speaking to reporters, Leavitt confirmed that a readout of the call would be provided if the two leaders proceed with the discussion. This development comes after White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett expressed expectations for a conversation between Trump and Xi earlier on Sunday. According to the ANI report, during an appearance on ABC News' "This Week," Hassett mentioned the anticipation of talks between the two leaders, although without specifying a date. Leavitt further clarified, "I can confirm that the two leaders will likely talk this week. And as always, when foreign leaders call, we will provide a readout of those calls." Hassett made the remarks during an appearance on ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday. However, he did not mention the specific date when the two leaders would hold talks. The development comes after Trump accused China of breaching a deal negotiated between officials of the two nations in Geneva last month to roll back high tariffs for 90 days. However, China rejected Trump's allegations on Monday and accused the US of provoking "new economic and trade frictions." On May 30, Trump accused China of violating a recent trade agreement with the US. However, he did not mention China's action that violated its agreement with China. In a post shared on Truth Social, he stated, "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, the 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 didn't 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 didn't want to see that happen. Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy! That is the good news!!! 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," he added. Earlier in May, the US announced a trade deal with China in Geneva. US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said that there was substantial progress between the parties. "I'm happy to report that we made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks. First, I want to thank our Swiss host. The Swiss government has been very kind in providing us this wonderful venue, and I think that led to a great deal of productivity we've seen. We will be giving details tomorrow, but I can tell you that the talks were productive," the White House quoted Bessent as saying. "We had the vice premier, two vice ministers, who were integrally involved, Ambassador Jamieson, and myself. And I spoke to President Trump, as did Ambassador Jamieson, last night, and he is fully informed of what is going on. So, there will be a complete briefing tomorrow morning," he added. US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer said that the parties came to a conclusion very quickly. "This was, as the Secretary pointed out, a very constructive two days. It's important to understand how quickly we were able to come to an agreement, which reflects that perhaps the differences were not so large as maybe thought," he said. Greer hoped that the deal would help the US deal with a trade deficit of USD 1.2 trillion. "That being said, there was a lot of groundwork that went into these two days. Just remember why we're here in the first place -- the United States has a massive USD1.2 trillion trade deficit, so the President declared a national emergency and imposed tariffs, and we're confident that the deal we struck with our Chinese partners will help us to work toward resolving that national emergency," the statement read. (With Inputs from ANI) New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has not so far said a word on Ukraines daring drone assault deep inside Russian territory. The operation destroyed dozens of strategic bombers and reportedly dealt a $7 billion blow to Moscows military power. But it is Trumps silence that is now making the loudest noise in American politics. As Ukraine and its allies cheered the historic Operation Spiderweb, Trumps base erupted not with support, but suspicion. Why did not they tell Trump? asked one MAGA (Make America Great Again)-aligned account on X. Another wrote simply, Where is Trump? Pro-Trump influencer Jack Posobiec speculated on Steve Bannons War Room about whether the Biden administration had secretly backed the plan, which had been in the works for 18 months possibly during Trumps final year in office. Charlie Kirk, a key MAGA figure, said the attack reached very deep into Russia and questioned potential American involvement. Known online as DC Draino, Rogan OHandley alleged without evidence that it was a false flag designed to pull the United States into World War III. Former Pentagon official Dan Caldwell warned that attacking nuclear-capable bombers was reckless and could provoke Russian retaliation against the NATO. He urged the United States to halt any support that may have helped enable the strike. Base vs. Strategy In MAGA circles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is often dismissed as a globalist puppet. While Russias missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians receive scattered attention, Ukrainian military moves like this one spark immediate outrage. Now Trump finds himself trapped between two factions of his own party. On one side are establishment Republicans calling for tougher sanctions on Russia and continued military support for Ukraine. On the other is the MAGA base, which is loud, online and increasingly conspiratorial, demanding that the United States withdraw entirely and stop aiding Ukraine. They want Trump to condemn the drone strike. So far, he has not. In past comments, Trump has criticised both Russia and Ukraine, and he has long cast himself as the only leader capable of brokering peace. But now, as Ukraine lands one of its most strategic hits in the war, Trump is missing from the moment. Experts believe he is intentionally holding back to preserve his image as a neutral and peace-minded dealmaker. He wants to look presidential, said one observer. But in a moment of global drama and domestic division, silence is beginning to look like indecision. Drones and Drama Codenamed as Operation Spiderweb, the Ukrainian strike took 18 months to plan. Over the weekend, Ukraines military launched more than 100 drones at five separate Russian air bases thousands of miles behind enemy lines. According to Ukrainian officials, intelligence operatives smuggled drones inside truck cabins, waited in Russian territory for the right moment and then launched the attack. A total of 117 drones struck strategic aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160 bombers and A-50 surveillance planes. Videos posted online showed drones zipping into the air from truck rooftops, a scene one viewer likened to a sci-fi movie. The strike reportedly caused billions in damage and took out aircraft that are hard, if not impossible, for Russia to replace quickly. But while Ukraine celebrated, MAGA influencers fumed. And Trump, the man who has said he could end the war in 24 hours, said nothing. Peace at a Price Meanwhile, peace talks in Turkey failed to produce any breakthrough. Russia once again demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the territories it claims. Ukraine asked for a full ceasefire, the return of abducted children and a summit between Zelensky and Putin. Russia refused. The only progress came in the form of a prisoner exchange. Ukraines defense minister said all POWs under 25 or in poor health would be swapped. Russia promised to return 6,000 bodies and at least 1,000 prisoners but refused to budge on territorial claims. The timing of Ukraines drone strike, just before the talks, led to speculation it was meant to give Kyiv leverage. But in MAGA circles, it is being cast as a betrayal of Trumps ceasefire push. Now, as MAGA voices grow louder and more paranoid, a new question is taking shape. Is Trump still in control of his movement or is he falling behind it? For a man who built his brand on always having a line and always dominating the narrative, Trumps silence is no longer a strategy. It is a statement. New Delhi: After decades of sourcing weapons and war machines from Russia, India is charting a new course. It is aimed squarely West. In what analysts are calling a tectonic shift, the worlds largest democracy is reducing its dependence on Russian arms. The shift is driven by rising quality concerns, supply chain delays and undeniable impact of the Ukraine war on Moscows military-industrial complex. It is major opening for the United States and European defence giants which are now competing for a bigger slice of Indias $100 billion defence modernisation pie. From fighter jets to submarines, Indias procurement patterns are changing fast. Just over a decade ago, around 76% of Indias defence imports came from Russia. By last year, that figure plunged to 36% (the lowest in over half a century), according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Whats Behind the Shift? Speaking to Bloomberg and other news outlets, Indian officials expressed concerns over Russian equipment delays and the creeping influence of Chinese components in Moscows supply chain. Locked in a tense border standoff with Beijing, that is a red flag wrapped in a strategic emergency for India. US and French defence suppliers are rolling out the red carpet. Multi-billion-dollar deals have been signed for drones, jet engines, howitzers and surveillance aircraft. The India-US defence pipeline is booming 31 MQ-9B drones from General Atomics, co-production of GE-F414 jet engines with HAL and a new 10-year roadmap for military technology sharing sealed during Prime Minister Narendra Modis high-profile 2023 US visit. Oil for Guns Despite the defence pivot, India has not completely abandoned Moscow. Russian oil continues to flow to Indian ports, and legacy weapons still need spare parts. But India is playing the long game betting on Western tech to modernise its forces while maintaining just enough ties with Russia to keep current systems operational. Still, experts warn the window for Russian defence exports to India is closing fast. Russias future role in Indias arsenal will be mostly spare parts and nuclear submarines. That is a massive downgrade from being Indias primary arms supplier. Enter the Americans Under the newly inked U.S.-India defence framework, Washington has gone all in. Co-development projects, industrial tie-ups and technology transfers are now central to the relationship. Indias STA-1 status, which allows streamlined access to sensitive US tech remains intact, and defence exports from America are rising year after year. As U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick put it bluntly, India is finally buying from the United States. That changes everything. The GEHAL engine deal and the $3 billion drone purchase are just the beginning. Talks are underway for the co-production of Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stryker combat vehicles and more maritime surveillance aircraft. The goal is to develop a Made-in-India defence industry powered by Western innovation. China Looms Large The important reason behind Indias urgency is China. With Beijing flexing its muscles in the Indo-Pacific, New Delhi is teaming up with the United States in joint naval exercises, anti-submarine warfare development and AI-driven battlefield technology. Collaborations between Indian defence startups and US firms such as Anduril and Mahindra on autonomous systems are already in motion. The broader vision is building a defence tech ecosystem that fuses American scale with Indian ingenuity. But hurdles remain. US export controls, IP restrictions and black-box components continue to pose challenge for Indian planners. Past efforts such as the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) stumbled over bureaucracy and lack of political will. But the clock is ticking. With a $100 billion procurement budget and Chinas aggression unrelenting, India needs results, not just MoUs. The newly launched INDUS-X initiative and the iCET tech alliance offer hope, but execution will be key. Once the star supplier, Russia is slowly being sidelined. Led by the United States, the West is stepping in with big weapons, big money and even bigger ambitions. And in the middle, India is leveraging its market, military needs and geopolitical clout to build a defence future that is fast, flexible and free of Moscows grip. The launch of Axiom Space's mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which includes Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed to June 10. The Houston-based private space company informed about the delay in a post on X. "The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complex 39A at @NASAKennedy," Axiom Space wrote in the post. The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complex 39A at @NASAKennedy. Tune in for the launch broadcast starting at 6:15 AM EDT. pic.twitter.com/2ACocwFRSQ Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 3, 2025 Captain Shukla is part of the first team of Indian astronauts trained for human spaceflight, with Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair serving as his designated backup. Furthermore, according to ANI, the Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched via SpaceX Falcon 9, is a landmark for India's first astronaut-scientist-led space biology experiments onboard the ISS. Axiom Space, on May 15, had posted, Now targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 8 for Falcon 9 to launch Ax-4, @Axiom_Space's fourth mission to the @Space_Station, from pad 39A in Florida. Food, Nutrition-Related Experiments Earlier, on Saturday, Union Minister for Department of Space, Jitendra Singh, had announced that Astronaut Shukla will conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments onboard the ISS as part of the upcoming Ax-4, a statement from the Ministry of Science and Technology stated. Union Minister Singh added that the first ISS experiment will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae, a high-potential, nutrient-rich food source. The study will focus on key growth parameters and the changes in transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of various algal species in space compared to Earth conditions. The second experiment will investigate the growth and proteomic response of cyanobacteriaspecifically Spirulina and Synechococcus under microgravity, using urea- and nitrate-based media. The research will evaluate the potential of Spirulina as a space "superfood" due to its high protein and vitamin content, assess the feasibility of using nitrogen sources derived from human waste, such as urea, for cyanobacterial growth, and study the effects of microgravity on cellular metabolism and biological efficiency. Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla? Group Captain Shukla will be the first astronaut from the ISRO to visit the station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. He will also be India's second national astronaut to go to space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. The IAF pilot is among the astronauts chosen for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first human space flight. He was promoted to group captain in March of 2024. Once docked at the ISS, the private astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities, ANI reported. Apart from Group Captain Shukla, the 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. In addition, Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission. (with ANI inputs) It seems that Pakistan is getting aftershocks of Operation Sindoor every other day. Every other day a new report or satellite image is made public which adds salt to Pakistan's injury and humiliation. Now, in a fresh setback, a top Jaish-e-Mohammed commander, who has round-the-clock security, has been found dead under mysterious circumstances in Pakistan. Terrorist Abdul Aziz Esar, who recently delivered a fresh anti-India speech threatening Delhi, has now been found dead under mysterious circumstances in Pakistan, according to multiple media reports. Notably, this is the second such incident in a fortnight. Earlier on May 17, Lashkar-e-Taibas top terrorist Saifullah Khalid was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pakistan's Sindh. Notably, JeM is rattled with India's Operation Sindoor in which the Indian Armed Forces targeted nine terror camps on May 7. "India successfully destroyed nine major terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen facilities. Over 100 terrorists were killed in action," said the Government of India. During the Operation Sindoor, India redefined the rules of engagement, striking deep into Pakistans heartland, including Punjab province and Bahawalpur, once considered out of bounds even for US drones. India made it clear: neither the LoC nor Pakistani territory will remain untouched if terror originates from there. Bahawalpur is the main base camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Indian Armed Forces launched coordinated and accurate missile strikes on 9 terrorist bases - 4 located in Pakistan (including Bahawalpur and Muridke) and 5 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (such as Muzaffarabad and Kotli). These locations were key command centers of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), responsible for major attacks like Pulwama (2019) and Mumbai (2008). In a dramatic turn of events, more than 200 inmates escaped from Karachi's Malir Jail after a series of mild earthquakes struck the city earlier this week. The tremors triggered panic inside the prison, providing the perfect opportunity for prisoners to break free amid the confusion. Officials have confirmed that at least 135 escapees remain at large as search operations continue. Chaos After Tremors The jailbreak happened on late Monday night after two minor tremors, 2.6 and 2.8 on the Richter scale, struck northeast of Malir at a depth of 40 km. Inmates from Circles 4 and 5 were evacuated from their barracks as a precautionary measure by Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah, in which more than 600 inmates were shifted out of their cells. "Amid the chaos, 216 prisoners managed to escape," Shah said to Geo News. One prisoner is said to have died in the process, and a number of others including jail officials and three Frontier Corps personnel were injured. Witness Testimonies And Video Footage The social media showed video footage of heavy gunfire from the vicinity of Malir Jail and prisoners running through adjacent roads. One of the re-arrested prisoners, Siraj, reported to journalists: "When the quake hit, everyone started breaking the gates. Many ran off. I escaped during the panic but was later re-arrested." Contradictory Reports On Escape Method Police sources initially reported that prisoners escaped by breaching the outer wall of the jail, which had been weakened by the tremors. Home Minister of Sindh Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar presented a differing version, claiming the escape occurred when 700 to 1,000 prisoners converged on the main gate during the evacuation. In the chaos, about 100 prisoners opened the gate and escaped. Lanjar characterised the jailbreak as the most dangerous in recent memory and suggested probable negligence on the part of staff. There will be a high-level inquiry committee comprising members of the police and other government departments that will examine the incident. Background On Malir Jail Malir Jail has a significant number of inmates arrested on drug-related offenses, with many reportedly suffering from psychological ailments, Sindh Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon has said. These, along with the structural weaknesses and fear caused by the tremors, were responsible for the simplicity of the escape. Earthquake Activity In Karachi Karachi has witnessed 16 weak earthquakes since Sunday, with a few located around the Malir area. The recent jolts created general panic throughout the city, but the episode at Malir Jail is still the most severe reported so far. Security has been bolstered in search operations, and security procedures at all the state correctional institutions in the province are under scrutiny. More information is to be expected as the inquiry continues. The Russia-Ukraine war has taken a dangerous turn after Ukraines bold drone attack, codenamed Operation Spider Web, struck deep inside Russian territory. On June 1, 2025, Ukraines Security Service (SBU) used 117 drones to hit four Russian airbases, damaging over 40 aircraft, including nuclear-capable Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers. This attack, hailed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Ukraines biggest long-range strike, has caused an estimated $7 billion in losses, wiping out 34% of Russias strategic air fleet. While Ukraine celebrates this historic blow, the world holds its breath, fearing Russian President Vladimir Putin might respond with nuclear weapons. With Russias updated nuclear doctrine and advanced missiles like the RS-28 Sarmat, Iskander-M, Oreshnik, and Kh-22/Kh-32, the stakes couldnt be higher. Is this the tipping point for a global catastrophe? Operation Spider Web was a masterstroke of covert warfare. Ukrainian drones, smuggled into Russia inside trucks with hidden compartments, were released remotely to strike airbases with pinpoint accuracy. The attack didnt just destroy planes; it hit Russias pride and its nuclear triad, the backbone of its deterrence strategy. Zelenskyy called it a moment for history books, but the celebration may be short-lived. Russias response could reshape the warand the world. Putin has been clear about his red lines. Last year, he revised Russias nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons. Now, even a conventional attack backed by a nuclear powerlike Ukraines drone strikes supported by Western weaponscould trigger a nuclear response. According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has 5,460 nuclear warheads, with 1,718 ready to launch. This massive arsenal, combined with advanced delivery systems, makes Russias threats chillingly real. One such system is the RS-28 Sarmat, nicknamed Satan-2. This 116-foot, 220-ton intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) can travel 18,000 km at Mach 20, carrying up to 15 nuclear warheads, each 2,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. Despite testing setbacks, Russia is pushing to deploy it, signaling its intent to intimidate the West. A single Sarmat could devastate multiple cities, making it a weapon of apocalyptic potential. Then theres the Oreshnik, a hypersonic intermediate-range missile tested in Ukraines Dnipro last November. With a range of 5,000 km and a speed of Mach 10, it carries six warheads, each with six submunitions. Putin claims its unstoppable, and even with conventional warheads, a few Oreshniks could rival a nuclear strikes destruction. Its use was a warning to NATO, which supplies Ukraine with long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles. The Iskander-M, a short-range ballistic missile, adds to Russias menace. With a 500-km range and Mach 7 speed, it can carry nuclear or conventional warheads. Its maneuvering warhead dodges missile defenses, making it a nightmare for Ukraines air defenses. Russia has used it extensively to hit military and industrial targets, showing its reliability in high-intensity combat. The Kh-22 and Kh-32 missiles, launched from Tu-22M bombers, are older but still deadly. With speeds of Mach 3.5 and ranges up to 1,000 km, theyve pounded Ukraines infrastructure. In 2024, Russia fired at least 74 of these, targeting cities like Kyiv and Odesa. While less precise than modern missiles, their nuclear capability and sheer power make them a constant threat. Russias retaliation could take many forms. A conventional response might involve intensified missile barrages, like the July 2024 attack on five Ukrainian cities using Kh-101 missiles, which damaged a childrens hospital. But the fear is nuclear escalation. Posts on X suggest Russia is considering tactical nuclear weapons in response to Spider Web, though these claims remain unverified. Putins own words last monththat nuclear weapons arent needed yetoffer little comfort when his doctrine now allows their use for attacks like Ukraines. For India, watching from afar, this is a wake-up call. A nuclear escalation would disrupt global stability, spike energy prices, and threaten food security, hitting developing nations hardest. Indias neutral stance in the war has allowed it to balance ties with Russia and the West, but a nuclear crisis would force tougher choices. New Delhi must push for de-escalation through diplomacy, leveraging its voice in forums like the UN. The world stands at a crossroads. Ukraines daring strike has exposed Russias vulnerabilities, but it may have also provoked a wounded bear. Putins next movewhether a conventional blitz or a nuclear gamblewill decide if this war spirals into a global disaster. The international community must act fast to pull both sides back from the brink. Dialogue, not drones or warheads, is the only way to untangle this deadly web. (The author of this article is an award-winning Science Writer and a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany.) South Korea Election Result 2025: Millions of South Koreans voted on Tuesday in a snap Presidential election in a bid to elect a new leader and end months of political instability. The polls come in the wake of six months of turmoil sparked by a shock martial law briefly imposed by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol. After being impeached by parliament in December, Yoon was officially removed from office by the Constitutional Court on April 4th. This happened less than three years into his planned five-year term. His removal led to a snap election, which will now reshape South Korea's political leaders and its foreign policies. Over 70% of South Koreans have voted in the polls to elect their new President. The polls saw a tight contest between South Korean Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo. The exit polls have predicted a victory for Lee Jae-myung, as per broadcaster JTBC. As per the SBS television exit polls, Lee Jae-myung is leading with 51% votes while Kim Moon-soo got support from 39% of the voters. Campaign Report Yesterday, 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. 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. 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. The latest opinion 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. New Delhi: President Donald Trump is facing a fierce political storm, with critics slamming his handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and his defiance of a court ruling that struck down his sweeping trade tariffs. At the center of the controversy is White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitts claim that the president remains positive about progress in Ukraine, despite mounting civilian casualties, stalled peace talks and no new sanctions on Russia. At a high-stakes press briefing, Leavitt faced tough questions about both trade and foreign policy. But her earlier remarks have already ignited backlash. The President remains positive about the progress we have seen. He urged both leaders to sit down and talk Russia handed over a memorandum of peace hostages were exchanged. He believes this war, which was caused by his predecessors weakness, is something he can end through diplomacy, she told journalists. Controversial Positivity on Ukraine The tone of the statement, highlighting optimism and blaming past leadership, triggered disbelief in Washington. Lawmakers across the aisle questioned how the White House could cite progress just days after Ukraine suffered heavy losses and Russia continued its aggressive posture. Her remarks sparked outrage among lawmakers and foreign policy experts, who accused the Trump administration of downplaying the seriousness of the war. Leavitts comments also came amid growing pressure on the president to implement new sanctions on Russia. With Kyiv signaling willingness for a ceasefire and Moscow resisting, lawmakers argue the United States must raise the cost of continued war for Putin. But Trump, according to reports, has expressed displeasure with both sides and privately said Zelensky and Putin are playing games. His reluctance to act decisively has frustrated both Democratic and Republican leaders who fear American credibility is on the line. The presidents critics accuse him of appeasing Moscow and say his inaction contradicts his image as a dealmaker. Court vs Trump The controversy deepened last week when a federal judge ruled that Trump did not have the unilateral authority to impose massive tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners. The decision delivered a legal blow to Trumps America First trade agenda, one he has refused to walk back. Instead of backing down, Trump has doubled down, brushing aside the ruling as overreach and vowing to continue his economic offensive against what he calls unfair global practices. The president, reports suggest, has privately told aides the ruling was politically motivated and has instructed his team to explore workarounds to keep the tariffs in place. The courts decision has fueled fresh debate in Congress over Trumps executive overreach, with some Republicans privately admitting concerns about legal instability and economic fallout just months before the election. Will the administration shift course or stick to its controversial optimism and economic hardball? The world and Trumps political future hang in the balance. The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) has called on those who wish to run in the Sept. 14 elections to submit their nomination committee forms before the end of this week. In a press statement, the CAEAL reminded the public that June 6 is the deadline for submitting application forms for the endorsement of a nomination committee. They urged those intending to stand in the election to submit their application forms as soon as possible, and no later than June 6. As regulations state, a nomination committee must include a minimum of 300 signatures from eligible voters, with each voter only allowed to subscribe to one nomination committee. According to the Legislative Assembly Election Law and the election procedure calendar, the CAEAL will announce by June 8 (Sunday) whether any nomination committee application does not meet the required conditions and regulations. Committee trustees will be notified and given five days to address any deficiencies; otherwise, the nomination committee will be rendered void. After June 6, no supplementary members or replacements to already submitted nomination committee lists will be accepted except for those asked by the CAEAL to correct deficiencies. By June 15 at the latest, the CAEAL will decide whether to confirm or reject the legality of each nomination committee application and will notify the relevant trustees the next day. Trustees may file an appeal with the Court of Final Appeal by June 17 if their application is rejected. The court will then issue a final ruling within five days. In the next stage, candidate lists and their respective political platforms must be submitted by June 26. Each candidate must sign a declaration to uphold the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region and pledge allegiance to the Macao SAR of the Peoples Republic of China. Trustees are also required to provide a deposit of MOP25,000 via bank transfer, cashiers order or check. In the latest update from the CAEAL, issued two weeks ago, only nine nomination committee forms had been submitted. In 2021, a total of 19 nomination committees were confirmed to be participating in the Legislative Assembly direct election. The Times has learned that at least three additional nomination committee forms are expected to be submitted to the CAEAL today and in the coming days, and this number is likely to increase by the end of the week. New Delhi: Turkey has played a dangerous double game. This time, not only with India but with Russia as well. Ankara secretly armed Ukraine with deadly Bayraktar TB2 drones, which Kyiv used to destroy at least 40 Russian fighter jets last week, even while publicly maintaining ties with the Kremlin. This military support came at a time when Turkey was giving Russian tourists and companies a safe haven by defying Western sanctions. But behind the scenes, it was also cozying up to the United States and the NATO. Analysts believe the drone supply was Turkeys way of winning points with Washington, even if it meant putting a knife in Putins back. Drone Diplomacy or Deception? The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 has become one of the worlds most lethal combat drones. It is sleek in design and deadly in execution and can carry out both precision strikes and surveillance. Ukraine received 72 drones between 2019 and 2022. Turkey allegedly sent eight more units after the war began. These drones have allowed Ukraine to carry out devastating attacks deep inside Russian territory and damage or destroy more than 40 Russian military aircraft. Why is Turkey Doing This? Experts suggest Turkeys real motive lies not in helping Ukraine win the war but in pleasing the United States and NATO. As a NATO member, Turkey constantly faces pressure from the West to cut ties with Moscow. Supplying drones gave it a way to appear loyal to the alliance, even while pretending to be neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ironically, this is the same Turkey that has opposed Western sanctions against Russia, kept its airspace open to Russian tourists and allowed Russian businesses to relocate to Turkish soil. Russia Feels Betrayed For Moscow, the drone revelation is nothing short of a betrayal. Kremlin officials have reportedly called it a stab in the back. Russia now sees Turkeys diplomatic double-speak as a strategic threat. President Putin, who had maintained a working relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan despite geopolitical differences, is said to be furious over Ankaras duplicity. Meanwhile, Turkey is attempting to position itself as a mediator in the global arena, claiming it wants peace while arming one side in a war. Trust Lost on All Fronts This latest episode has also damaged Turkeys standing with India. New Delhi has long suspected Ankara of siding with Pakistan on Kashmir, and this fresh betrayal of Russia, a close Indian defense ally, only adds to the mistrust. In trying to play all sides, Muslim world leader, Western ally and neutral peace broker, Turkey may end up losing the trust of all. As global tensions rise, Ankaras balancing act is looking less like diplomacy and more like deception. Despite overt ties with Russia, Turkeys covert support to Ukraine has exposed a major fault line in global diplomacy. For India and Russia, this may serve as a warning that Erdogans Turkey is no longer a reliable partner. New Delhi: US Second Lady Usha Vance recently shared her family's unforgettable experience in India, describing their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "very special". Her children, Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, affectionately referred to PM Modi as "grandfather" and warmly hugged him during their visit to his residence in Delhi, she said. In a conversation at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, on Monday (local time), Vance called the visit to India a "trip of a lifetime for them" and added that it was her children's first visit to India. The Second Lady expressed her delight in experiencing Indian culture and cuisine during their stay. She also spoke about visiting places in North India, including the Taj Mahal, and enjoying Indian food. #WATCH | Washington DC | I think it was a very productive conversation for JD (Vance) and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), of course. But also, I think it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the pic.twitter.com/pzDhXJbTZP ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 Asked about her India visit, she said, "It was the trip of a lifetime for us. My children had never been to India, what with the pandemic and JD's entry into politics and all that. And so they'd grown up just knowing so much about this country, the stories. food, the relationships with grandparents and friends, but they had never actually seen it. So it was just sort of mind-blowing from their perspective. And then for me and JD, I think it just could not have been any more special. We had the opportunity to see some of the greatest sites in North India. We're looking forward to our next trip and trying to get to the parts of the country where my family is from as well. And it just was sort of one hit after another, right? The most incredible food, the peacocks that we got to see, everywhere we went, getting to see the Taj Mahal in the morning and appreciate it as the sun was just sort of coming up, and the cool skies and blue skies over in the background." Vance recalled how her kids had met PM Modi in Paris, and he had given her five-year-old son a birthday present that day. She said PM Modi was very kind and generous to the kids, and the talks between PM Modi and US Vice President JD Vance were "productive." She also spoke about seeing a puppet show in India, which included bits from Ramayana. Usha Vance said, "Meeting the Prime Minister, that was really very special. We'd actually had a chance to meet him before. And it's funny, my kids saw him. They were sort of sleep deprived in Paris, and they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category immediately. They are very into him. They just love him. And he cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day. So, when we were able to visit his home, they just sort of ran up. They were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them." "I think it was a very productive conversation for JD and the Prime Minister, of course. But also, think it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the good. And as you mentioned, there was a puppet show. That was a particular highlight with sort of puppeteering from all over the country, including from Andhra Pradesh, where my family is from. There were bits from the Ramayana. There were sort of comedic bits with animals, and it was a huge hit. My kids have been trying to recreate a home of construction paper, which is going about as well as you can imagine," she added. #WATCH | In a conversation at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, US Second Lady Usha Vance recalls her visit to India and her children's experience meeting PM Modi. She says, "When we were at the Prime Minister's residence, our son was just so taken by pic.twitter.com/OSEnfffrok ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025 Talking about her children's individual experiences, Usha Vance shared that her eldest son, Ewan, was particularly captivated by the temple sculptures, while her middle child, Vivek, was thrilled to see elephants, camels, and peacocks. Her daughter's favorite moment was a ride in an auto-rickshaw. Talking about her children's experience in India, Vance said, "I think JD has probably told the story at some point, but when we were at the Prime Minister's residence, our son was just so taken by everything and then taken by the entire cart of mangoes that was available for him to eat, that he announced to the Prime Minister that he thought he could maybe live there and started making his plans...And our children, they talk about it all the time. They've been all over the place and they've had wonderful opportunities to see the world, but this was special to them. Ewan, our oldest, was really taken by the sculptures in the temple that he visited. He just thought it was incredible craftsmanship and of course showed things that he was very familiar with from stories and from talking with me." "And then, Vivek, our middle child, was very excited to meet elephants and peacocks and a camel and just any animal that he could kind of get his hands on. And then our daughter thinks she's sort of along for the ride. She enjoyed her time in an auto rickshaw. That was maybe the highlight for her. The Secret Service was very generous and allowed us to kind of drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes. So we had a lot of fun with that," she added. JD Vance and his family were on a four-day official visit to India in April. During the visit, PM Modi hosted Vice President Vance and his family at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. During the visit, the children had several playful moments with the Prime Minister. From exploring the lawns to seeing the bird feeder inquisitively, the children indulged in an immersive experience at the Prime Minister's residence. While inside, PM Modi shared several lively moments with Ewan, Vivek, and little Mirabel. PM Modi presented the three children with peacock feathers. Mirabel Vance was seen enjoying a heartwarming moment with her father, holding the feather. JD Vance, accompanied by Usha Vance and their children, visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. They also visited Amber Fort in Jaipur, Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. The Vance family had a fantastic time exploring North India, visiting iconic sites such as the Amber Fort in Jaipur and the Taj Mahal in Agra. They also enjoyed traditional Rajasthani folk dances, including Kacchi Ghodi, Ghoomar, and Kalbeliya, which showcased the rich cultural heritage of India. The visit wasn't just about sightseeing; US Vice President JD Vance also held crucial talks with PM Modi, focusing on strengthening the US-India strategic partnership. Key discussion points included finalizing a bilateral trade agreement, enhancing cooperation in energy, defense, and strategic technologies, and promoting dialogue and diplomacy on regional and global issues. (With Inputs from ANI) To enhance employment security for local residents, the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) has committed to continuing the collection of job vacancy data across various industries and will, at an appropriate time, begin phasing out approximately 183,000 non-resident workers from Macaus labor market. On May 28, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai issued an executive order to establish a task force for employment promotion coordination, led by Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai Kin Ip. During its first meeting this week, Tai emphasized, as noted in his offices statement, that promoting employment is a key priority for Macaus economic efforts. Tai reaffirmed the task forces commitment to conducting in-depth analyses of local labor market conditions, assessing human resource trends, and promptly adjusting policies in response to changes in the employment market. He emphasized to task force members the importance of fully communicating information on local labor supply and demand, compiling vacancy data promptly, and conducting job-matching activities. The Secretary also clarified that the task forces work includes specifying in tender documents the requirement to prioritize hiring local employees during public procurement procedures to enhance employment opportunities for local residents. In an interview with public broadcaster TDM, Chan Un Tong, director of the DSAL and a member of the task force, noted that there are approximately 183,000 non-resident workers in Macau, with most employed in the hotel and catering industry, followed by the construction sector. Among them, the number of non-resident employees in the hotel and catering industry meets the reception capacity required for Macaus development as a tourist city. In the construction industry, the government has previously announced that bidding documents for public works projects will specify a preference for hiring local employees. Chan cited data indicating that most local construction workers are engaged in renovation tasks such as carpentry, painting and plastering, while fewer locals are involved in more physically demanding basic construction work like pile driving, steel fixing and formwork. According to him, the authorities have gathered data on more than 300 job vacancies from various enterprises and industries, including integrated resorts, to facilitate the entry of more local individuals into the workforce. If local people can fill these positions, arrangements will be made for non-resident employees to leave at an appropriate time. Among the 4,000 individuals currently registered as job seekers with the DSAL, half are looking for jobs specifically in clerical, retail and construction areas, he added. The authorities are taking several steps to prioritize local residents and ensure sustained employment, including co-hosting a job fair for graduates next month, organizing at least three weekly job-matching events focused on specific industries, and holding one monthly event with leisure businesses to connect job seekers with potential employers. Additionally, they are developing a vocational training platform that offers customized training to enhance office job seekers skills in areas such as artificial intelligence and business English, while also improving retail job seekers abilities in live-streaming sales and e-commerce. In response to legislator Ron Lams inquiries about setting clear quotas for non-resident workers and specific industry ratios, the DSAL stated that Macau is not suitable for fixed ratios or restrictions on the number of foreign workers in different sectors. It went on to emphasize the importance of moderately importing non-resident workers to support business operations and ensure sustainable socio-economic development, especially for jobs that require high-intensity labor, involve shift work or have a shortage of local candidates. The Legislative Assemblys First Standing Committee met with government representatives on Friday to discuss an amendment bill to the Road Traffic Law, which proposes raising the fine for using mobile phones while driving to MOP900. The bill does not restrict the use of navigation functions or hands-free mobile phone calls while driving except for professional drivers, such as bus drivers, who are prohibited from using these devices at all times for safety reasons. Ella Lei, chair of the committee, stated during a post-meeting press briefing: However, there are specific exceptions. For example, if a driver uses a navigation system to help reach their destination, those features wont incur penalties. Additionally, hands-free devices are also exempt from restrictions. She emphasized that the current law already includes prohibitions against holding, operating, or viewing mobile phones, telecommunications devices, or audiovisual equipment while driving, and that the proposed bill clarifies and strengthens these regulations. In particular, the government highlighted that mobile phone use is not prohibited if the vehicle is parked in a safe location. According to Lei, the new bill also proposes allowing vehicles to be driven autonomously under specific conditions, paving the way for the future development of autonomous driving technology. However, it would still require non-exempt vehicles to be under driver control at all times, with the driver avoiding any behavior that could compromise road safety. Violators may face a fine of MOP300. For clearly dangerous driving behaviors, such as standing while riding a motorcycle, performing stunts, or drifting, the bill proposes to introduce penalties, including a fine of MOP3,000. Meanwhile, the bill also introduces fines for the use of balance bikes, skateboards, scooters, motorized bicycles, and two-person bicycles on public roads or in areas where traffic is restricted or prohibited, with violators facing a fine of MOP600. In vehicle-restricted zones, failure to comply with vehicle length or weight limits will result in a fine of MOP3,000. Additionally, the bill explicitly states that pedestrians must walk only on designated pedestrian paths on bridges and must move in the opposite direction of vehicle traffic. MGM is strengthening its role as a cultural bridge between China and the worldchampioning cross-cultural dialogue through initiatives like the POLY MGM MUSEUMs award-winning Maritime Silk Road exhibition and its support for Macaos showcase at the Venice Biennale, all while elevating the global visibility of Chinese culture. POLY MGM MUSEUMs Maritime Silk Road Exhibition Achieving National Recognition POLY MGM MUSEUMs inaugural exhibition, The Maritime Silk Road Discover the mystical seas and encounter the treasures of the ancient trade route, has been honored with the International and Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan Cooperation Award at the 22nd (2024) Top Ten Museum Exhibitions in China recently. This prestigious recognition highlights the museums role as a bridgehead for Chinese cultures global outreach, reinforcing Macaos position as a hub for international exchange and cross-cultural collaboration, where Chinese culture stays central while embracing coexistence with diverse traditions. Since its grand opening six months ago, POLY MGM MUSEUM has welcomed nearly 700,000 visitors, with attendance continuing to grow. The Top Ten Museum Exhibitions award represents the highest distinction in Chinas museum exhibition sector. Guided by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and organized by the Chinese Museums Association and China Cultural Relics Newspaper, this annual selection aims to elevate exhibition standard and public service level. Parallel Worlds at Venice Biennale: Macaos Presence on the World Stage As part of its ongoing efforts to Macaos cultural development and international collaboration, MGM also supported the Parallel Worlds, Exhibition from Macao, China: 19th International Architecture Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia, which is organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and implemented by the Macao Museum of Art, held from 10 May to 23 November 2025 in Venice, Italy. The exhibition, jointly curated by Wang Shu, the laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and Lu Wenyu, the recipient of the Schelling Architecture Prize, showcases four parallel worlds of Macao: the profound space of historic town, the symbolic representation of integrated resort architecture, the geometric order of the modern city, and the future projection of a digital and intangible city. These aspects are presented as four mirror images, reflecting how Macao maintains its cultural roots amidst globalization while embracing the future with an open attitude. Through aerial photography and a unique perspective, the renowned architectural photographer and Venice Biennale Golden Lion awardee Iwan Baan portrays the relationship between Macaos architecture, urban landscape and natural environment in a compelling narrative. Professors and students from architectural schools in both mainland China and Macao showcase a rich variety of creative installations in the exhibition, providing new ideas for the future development of urban architecture in Macao. MGM Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, NAPE, Macau E info@mgmchina.com.mo W http://www.mgm.mo/ The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has announced a partnership with the toy company Pop Mart to present a tourism project titled Pop Mart Macao Citywalk. The project includes large-scale installations set up at four locations in Macau, aiming to leverage the influence of these characters to make Macau a topic of online conversation. According to MGTO, this project will boost Macaus image as a travel destination globally and raise the citys international profile. The project also aims to foster integration across tourism+IP and manifest Macaus vibrant dynamic as a world center of tourism and leisure. The event will include a consumption lucky draw and check-in activities, aiming to boost the flow of visitors and attract travelers from around the world to Macau for a trendy, fun trip exploring and spending in local communities, for tourism and economic revival, the office remarked. Taking place over 108 days between June 6 and Sept. 21, the MGTO and Pop Mart partnership aims to invite visitors to explore the city and discover the various installations while visiting the surrounding areas. The inauguration ceremony will take place at the Taipa Village Historical Center Archway on June 6 at 2:30 p.m., marked by the unveiling of a 7-meter-high Labubu installation. Visitors throughout the city can discover other Pop Mart characters like Baby Molly, Crybaby, and Dimoo, which will be displayed at Calcada da Igreja de Sao Lazaro, Camoes Square, and St. Augustines Square. Among the designs on display, alongside the 7-meter-high Labubu, there will be a 4-meter-high Dimoo installation that MGTO says merges with Macaus World Heritage architecture. The content of the entire project will be presented at the Pop Station, located in the Ritz Building, Senado Square, which will include a special edition Molly Egg Tart. Additionally, there will be check-in zones and a pop-up sales zone. Visitors and residents can take photos at all the event locations to share on social media in exchange for a Pop Mart Macao Citywalk postcard, while supplies last. Spending at local businesses to enter the lucky draw As announced, the project features a consumption lucky draw, which includes not just e-payment services in Macau but also covers numerous payment tools in Hong Kong, mainland China, Thailand and Malaysia, to attract more visitors to Macau. Users can join the lucky draw instantly by making a single purchase that reaches a required value (MOP100 for e-wallets from Macau, Thailand and Malaysia, HKD100 for Hong Kongs e-wallet, and RMB100 for mainland Chinas e-wallet) at local businesses via payment tools including MPay, Alipay, TrueMoney, and Touch n Go eWallet. Participants have a chance to win unique souvenirs themed Pop Mart Macao Citywalk. Dear Editor, I feel compelled to voice the serious concern regarding Macaus current trajectory. The city is akin to the Titanic heading toward iceberg collisionwithout swift, decisive action, catastrophe is inevitable. Firstly, the so-called diversification strategy remains a hollow echo rather than a viable plan. After 26 years, it has proven ineffective. Genuine diversification requires radical structural reforms rather than superficial slogans. Macaus economy faces headwinds from all directions: Small and medium-sized enterprises are suffocating under regulatory barriers and government policies Official economic figures mask the true extent of hardship, creating a distorted view of recovery. The hurdles to establishing new businesses are monumental, compounded by limited access to essential services such as credit card processingno local bank supports online payments for small enterprises, and global providers show little interest due to perceived risks. Staffing shortages plague many sectors, especially retail and hospitality. Commercial real estate is either overpriced or poorly located, disincentivizing new investment. The primary visitor base remains confined to casino tourists and tour groups, neither of whom contribute sustainably to diversified economic activity. People cannot get around! Transportation infrastructure is grossly inadequate. Casino guests often stay within the confines of the casinos and face severe difficulties returning to their accommodations or exploring the city. Macaus current transportation options make the city seem like a third-world destinationfar behind neighboring regions like mainland China and Hong Kong. The external environment and internal policies have created a perfect storm: Tourists are limited to low-spending shopping experiences, with little incentive or capacity to explore beyond. The citys competitive advantageits favorable tax system, proximity to China and Hong Kong, and the allure of casinosare not enough to sustain long-term growth. To pivot away from this stagnation, real reform is essential. Incremental measures will not suffice; bold, targeted policies are needed: 1. Implement an escalating property vacancy tax: This would compel owners of vacant or abandoned properties to put them back into productive use, thereby stabilizing rents and revitalizing neighborhoods. 2. Introduce a ride-sharing system, such as Didi Car or similar platforms: A reliable, affordable transportation network is crucial for both locals and visitors, alleviating congestion and improving accessibility. Current public transportation options are inadequate and fail to serve the citys needs. 3. Open up the employment market to residents of Zhuhai and Hong Kong: By broadening the labor pool, Macau can attract fresh talent, new ideas, and foster greater economic dynamism. Keeping the market closed simply STOPS any business from coming in and creating new jobs. It LOOKS like a way to protect jobs for Macau people, but its a short-term trap that stifles investment and innovation. Remain with the current policy and watch Macau stagnate day after day, week after week, month after month. 4. Revise banking policies to support property renovation and small business growth: Allow banks to provide long-term loansup to 50 yearsfor older buildings. This would encourage renovation, preserve architectural heritage, and stimulate neighborhood revival. 5. Ensure banks facilitate seamless online transactions for small enterprises: Competitiveness in the digital economy demands modern payment solutions. Macau must remove unnecessary restrictions and partner with global fintech providers. 6. Remove the call for gaming companies to host international events: This is possibly the worst decision that has been made for the future of Macau in the last 15 years. Im aware of many events that were run by Macau people that no longer exist. Instead, the money flows OUT of Macau to international organizations to create events that appeal to a minority, bring in very little if any tourism and destroy the momentum that truly beneficial events were building simply because they did not tick the boxes to count as mandatory spending. Macaus future depends on decisive leadership willing to abandon reliance on an outdated model. The city has the potential to reinvent itself as a vibrant, diversified hubbut only if bold reforms are implemented urgently. Returning to Macau from China creates a sense of traveling back into the past. Businesslike any enterpriseis driven by direction and adaptation. The current stagnation since the 2008 financial crisis is untenable. While other regions surge forward, Macau risks falling irretrievably behind. Its time for strategic action, not complacency. A Macau resident * Out of the blue Govt vows to phase out non-resident workers from labor market * Tourism | Extended weekend pushes daily arrivals above 150,000 * Roadshow | Londoner and Macau travel to Seoul * A resident contends that the city is akin to the Titanic heading toward iceberg collision without swift action * CAEAL urges nomination committees to submit forms ahead of deadline * China blasts US for its computer chip moves and for threatening student visas DOWNLOAD PDF Tuesday, June 3, 2025 edition no. 4729 Russian President Vladimir Putin is stalling at the peace table while preparing a new military offensive in Ukraine, two senior U.S. senators warned yesterday [Macau time], 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. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal spoke to The Associated Press in Paris after meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and touring neighborhoods shattered by what they called the worst Russian bombardments since the full-scale invasion began. In Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron who they say is 100% aligned with them on the war the senators warned the window to prevent a renewed assault is closing. A sweeping U.S. sanctions bill could be the Wests last chance to choke off the Kremlins war economy, they said adding that they hope their firsthand findings will shift momentum in Washington and help bring a skeptical President Donald Trump on board. What I learned on this trip was hes preparing for more war, Graham said of Putin. Blumenthal called the sanctions proposed in legislation bone-crushing and said it would place Russias economy on a trade island. It is crunch time for Putin and for the world because Russia is mounting a new offensive, he said. At the heart of their push is a bipartisan sanctions bill, backed by nearly the entire U.S. Senate but still facing uncertain odds in Washington. It would impose 500% tariffs on countries that continue buying Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports targeting nations like China and India that account for roughly 70% of Russias energy trade and bankroll much of its war effort. Graham called it the most draconian bill Ive ever seen in my life in the Senate. The world has a lot of cards to play against Putin, he said. Were going to hit China and India for propping up his war machine. Peace talks or stalling tactic? With peace talks yielding little and Trumps approach to Ukraine highly uncertain, Graham and Blumenthal have stepped into the breach blunt emissaries on a lonely mission. Political opposites moving in lockstep, theyre crossing Europe, and the aisle, with the moral urgency of two men trying to forestall another Russian offensive before its too late. Peace talks are scheduled to resume today [Macau time] in Istanbul. But Ukrainian officials say Moscow has yet to submit a serious proposal a delay both senators described as deliberate and dangerous. Putin is playing President Trump, Blumenthal said. Hes taking him for a sucker. The senator said Putin is, in effect, stalling and stonewalling, prolonging the conversation so that he can mount this offensive and take control of more territory on the ground. Graham added: We saw credible evidence of a summer or early fall invasion, a new offensive by Putin. Hes preparing for more war. Trump has yet to endorse the sanctions bill, telling reporters Friday: I dont know. Ill have to see it. Graham said the legislation was drafted in consultation with Trumps advisers. Graham backed the presidents diplomatic instincts but said, By trying to engage Putin by being friendly and enticing its become painfully clear hes not interested in ending this war. Blumenthal hoped the bipartisan support for Ukraine at least in the Senate and the personal testimonies they plan to bring home to Congress and the Oval Office may help shift the conversation. He needs to see and hear that message as well from us, from the American people, he said of Putin. A moral reckoning In Kyiv, the senators said, the wars human toll was impossible to ignore. Graham pointed to what Ukrainian officials and Yale researchers estimate are nearly 20,000 children forcibly deported to Russia calling their return a matter of justice, not diplomacy. Blumenthal described standing at mass grave sites in Bucha, where civilians were executed with shots to the head. The destruction, he said, and the stories of those who survived, made clear the stakes of delay. Putin is a thug. Hes a murderer. Both said that failing to act now could pull the U.S. deeper into conflict later. If Putin isnt stopped in Ukraine, Blumenthal said, NATO treaty obligations could one day compel American troops into battle. They see resolve in Europe After a one-hour meeting with Macron in Paris, both Graham, of South Carolina, and Blumenthal, of Connecticut, said they left convinced Europe was ready to toughen its stance. This visit has been a breakthrough moment because President Macron has shown moral clarity in his conversations with us, Blumenthal said. Today, he is 100% aligned with that message that we are taking back to Washington. Blumenthal pointed to the rare bipartisan unity behind the sanctions bill. There are very few causes that will take 41 Republicans and 41 Democrats and put them on record on a single piece of legislation, he said. The cause of Ukraine is doing it. Ahead, Ukrainian military leaders are set to brief Congress and a sanctions vote could follow. President Trump said well know in two weeks whether hes being strung along, Graham said. There will be more evidence of that from Russia. THOMAS ADAMSON, PARIS, MDT/AP The owners of Public Parking, the craft cocktail bar that opened eight months ago on Madisons Near East Side, had to keep quiet about being named one of the nine best new bars in the country by Bon Appetit magazine. Were honestly stoked. I mean, I have no other words for it. Im just really happy, co-owner JR Mocanu said. Mocanu said he and partner Jack Yip got an email from the magazine about a month ago requesting photos and telling them not to tell anybody before the list was released Friday. Public Parking, 711 E. Johnson St., next to the Caribou Tavern, often has lines out the door on Friday and Saturday nights. It was the smallest market among those recognized. The other eight were in Philadelphia; Chicago; Atlanta; New York City; San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; and Houston. We had to keep it under wraps, Mocanu said. I love the fact that they get what the vibe is, where its just whimsical. We have fun with our names and our cocktail presentations. So, it seems like they understood our vibe, and I appreciated that. The first thing that Bon Appetits Noah Kaufman mentions is a drink that comes in a butt-shaped glass, as proof that Public Parking doesnt take itself too seriously. Led by JR Mocanu, who first showed the city his cocktail bona fides at Merchant 15 years ago, the folks behind the bar bring a heavy hand of helpful Midwest nice to complement their sophisticated creations, Kaufman writes. Public Parkings drinks are the result of intense thought and care, he writes. In a world of one-note draft cocktails, Public Parking batches out the woefully underutilized La Louisiane, a New Orleans classic composed of spicy rye, herbal Benedictine, and sweet vermouth that can sometimes skew saccharine but here is balanced and delightful, he said. Im kind of over the moon, and proud of the staff, Mocanu said of all the recognition. I was not expecting this much to be honest. Mocanu, 35, recently spent 10 years in Austin, Texas, opening bars and consulting. One of those bars, Nickel City, was nominated for Best U.S. Bar Team by Tales of the Cocktail in 2023. Early in his career, in the Madison area, besides working at Merchant, he ran the Barmadillo, a seasonal mobile bar in an Airstream, with Robin Room owner Chad Vogel and another partner for almost six years. Mocanu said he got too old for that gig. Its a young mans game. Its a lot of work because when you do catering events like that, especially with our cocktail program, we were essentially working from like 9 in the morning till like 4 in the morning. Its like open and close. We had a great time, but it was a lot of hours. He also has worked at Robin Room, a block away from Public Parking on Johnson Street. Yip, whos also co-owner of Madison sushi restaurants RED and Jacknife, said its a tremendous honor that Bon Appetit featured Public Parking alongside such an inspiring group of industry talents. Jacknife delivers food, mainly sushi rolls, to Public Parking when it opens at 4 p.m. daily. We prioritize freshness, Yip said. To ensure everything is as fresh as possible, he said, they start with smaller batches, about 10 rolls on weekdays and 20 on weekends, with Jacknife on standby for additional deliveries if demand is higher. Rolls are kept in to-go containers in the refrigerator at Public Parking, he said. We love to change up the menu regularly to keep things exciting for our customers. A good neighborhood bar Yip said he and Mocanu named the bar Public Parking as a nod to the idea of accessibility and community. Just like a good neighborhood bar, its meant to be a place where everyone is welcome, Yip said in a text. Theres always a space waiting for you. The name plays off the idea that you dont need a reservation or a reason to stop in. Whether youre coming in for a quick drink or settling in for the night, theres always a seat to park yourself at Public Parking. Mocanu said the name fits their mantra. We wanted to build a space where everyone is welcome. You want a cheap beer, great cocktail, great wine, or just a neat pour of good spirits. Everyone is welcome and we thought the name Public Parking encompasses that. Public Parking is known for its elaborate and creatively named cocktails such as Freaks to the Front, The Suspense Is Terrible, I Hope Itll Last, and Its About Time We Took This Relationship to the Previous Level. Mocanu said coming up with cocktail names is a team effort, but hes named about 80% of them. One cocktail, Grandma Hates My Neck Tattoo, autobiographically named by bartender Jenn Massman, is a $16 drink with Lost Irish whisky, Lustau Spanish brandy, strawberry rhubarb shrub, balsamic vinegar, roasted barley, chicory, dandelion root, honey and lemon. Lucas Endres, Public Parkings bar manager, named the $18 Bing-Bop-Boom-Boom-Boom-Bop made with Ilegal mezcal, La Favorite rhum agricole, caramelized plantain, poblano pepper, mango, lime, pineapple, bay leaf, Bitter Queens Caribbean Spice Bitters, fried plantain flakes, black pepper and mint. Public Parking has 14 employees and Mocanu said thats because the cocktail menu entails a lot of prep work. We make everything in house. So theres a lot of time in the kitchen where were just making all of our vermouth or cordials or bitters. Matthew Tills, the architect behind RED and Jacknife, who works with Knothe & Bruce Architects, helped Mocanu and Yip with the lush look of the 1,800-square-foot space. While Public Parking is best known for its cocktails, people also come in for beer and shots, Mocanu said, adding that hes proud of the bars wine program. We really strive to hit the whole gamut. Its whatever you really want, you have mocktails. ... You dont have to come just for the hardcore cocktails. Its mostly designed to be fun for everybody. As the Bon Appetit blurb put it, Public Parking is, at heart, a neighborhood bar. Walk in for a drink after work and you can easily end up in your seat until 10 p.m. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sunday deported Twin Falls resident and refugee Binod Shah to Bhutan, a country that committed ethnic cleansing against his people decades ago and has never accepted repatriations before President Donald Trumps second term. Shah is a father, husband and co-owner of Shah Automotive in Twin Falls, with his wife Stephanie Shah, a U.S. citizen born and raised in Idaho. He turned himself in to ICE custody in March 23 and was detained in Tacoma, Washington, for 70 days before his deportation. Stephanie Shah told the Times-News on Monday morning that she received a phone call from her husband on Sunday afternoon from New Delhi, India. An ICE officer, she said, allowed Binod Shah to use his phone to call her. He was about to get on another flight to Bhutan. I very much doubt that he will be allowed to stay in Bhutan, considering that nobody else has been, Stephanie Shah said. And I dont know where he will end up or when I will see him again. Binod Shah and his family fled Bhutan when he was 4 to a refugee camp in Nepal. The Bhutanese government in the 1980s saw the growing ethnic population of Nepali people as a threat, according to Human Rights Watch, and removed citizenship from one-sixth of the Bhutanese population. Shah ceased to be a Bhutanese citizen. The United Nations resettled Shah in Twin Falls in 2008. He got into some legal trouble beginning in 2016 and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2018. Immigration courts in 2019 issued his deportation order. Because Bhutan would not accept his repatriation, Shah has been living under an ICE order of supervision since September 2019, according to his lawyer, Neal Dougherty. Trump, this year, has negotiated and put pressure on countries that have not accepted repatriations to receive deportees, Dougherty said. So far this year, ICE has deported at least 18 Bhutanese refugees legally living in the United States back to Bhutan, but it is unclear what has happened to some of those individuals. If its any indication like the reports that weve gotten out of Kathmandu, I think that its very likely that Bhutan takes him into custody and then immediately tries to remove him from the country, Dougherty said on Monday. Nepal newspaper The Kathmandu Post reported March 30 that the Bhutanese government refused to accept 10 U.S. deportees and instead drove them to the border with Nepal. People are scared, people are angry, people all these refugees are being retraumatized because they dealt with the same thing back in Bhutan, Stephanie Shah told the Times-News. She said she fears for her husbands safety and doesnt know what will happen to him. Binod Shahs father in 1994, she said, was imprisoned and tortured in a Bhutanese prison for one year. Stephanie Shah and other community members have written letters to Trump, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and members of Congress to seek a pardon for her husband. You take a good man, a husband, a father, an entrepreneur active in the church and lets deport him because hes easy to catch, instead of the drug lords that are getting pardoned, Stephanie Shah told the Times-News. Policy changes under Trump The Trump administration this year has pardoned 58 individuals, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, including Larry Hoover, who was sentenced to life in prison in Illinois for narcotics conspiracy and a continuing criminal enterprise. The administration also pardoned Utah resident Kentrell Gaulden, who pleaded guilty on November 2024 to prescription drug fraud. The Cache County Sheriffs Office, in northern Utah near the Idaho border, on May 29 issued a statement decrying the pardon. His pardon comes in a grouping with other convicts across the country, Sheriff Chad Jensen and County Attorney Taylor Sorensen wrote. The reason given for these pardons was to correct a politicized and weaponized justice system. ... we feel strongly the Justice System in Cache County is far from a weaponized system of justice. In another shift during Trumps second term, he signed an executive order on January 20, suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The Twin Falls Field Office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, according to Director Chandra Upreti in a May interview, would typically take in 200 refugees in a year but, since the executive order, has only resettled 14 refugees. Of those 14, nine were white South African refugees who arrived in Twin Falls on May 13. Upreti, in an email to the Times-News on Monday, declined to comment on the case of Binod Shah. Unfortunately, I am not able to comment on this, Upreti wrote. I am sorry. A new reality With her husband now deported to Bhutan, Stephanie Shah is left to deal with their mechanic shop and 11-month-old son. I need to make some major decisions about my business and things like that, so Im just kind of taking it one step at a time because its too much otherwise, Stephanie Shah said. Before her husband was taken, she handled the business side and her husband was the mechanic. They both worked hard over the past five years, she said, to make the shop successful. He knew everybody and he helped everybody, and now he cant, she said. Stephanie Shah said she has been a conservative voter her whole life, but this is not what conservative people wanted when they voted for Trump. They wanted illegal immigrants sent back home, she said, and the streets to be safe, but didnt want their neighbors to be taken away. Its not like deporting somebody back to Mexico thats been born and raised in Mexico, she said. Hes a refugee. He is not an illegal immigrant. According to Idahos court information portal, Shah served three sentences for driving under the influence. Regarding her husbands criminal cases, she said many refugees do not understand the cultural and legal differences when they come to the United States. For example, drinking and driving might be legal in their home countries. They get a two-hour orientation where theyre told what McDonalds is and what a credit card is, she said. President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. on Monday hosted two high-profile diplomatic visitors at Malacanan Palace, underscoring the Philippines deepening strategic partnerships with Western allies amid escalating tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea. Mr. Marcos welcomed Her Excellency Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, during a courtesy call that highlighted the growing cooperation between the Philippines and the European Union (EU). - Advertisement - The meeting emphasized shared commitments to regional stability, maritime security, and the rules-based international order. Kallas visit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical friction in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels have continued to assert claims over areas within the Philippines exclusive economic zone. The EU has previously expressed concern over actions that threaten freedom of navigation and the sovereignty of Southeast Asian nations, aligning with the Philippines position on upholding international maritime law, particularly the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Chinas expansive claims. Later the same day, the President also received US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in a separate courtesy visit. The meeting reaffirmed strong bilateral ties between the Philippines and the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing, defense cooperation, and regional security coordination. The back-to-back meetings with Kallas and Gabbard signal a unified front among democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific region, as Manila continues to push back against Beijings increasing assertiveness in contested waters. The visits coincide with a weekend maritime incident where the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) challenged a China Coast Guard vessel operating roughly 76 nautical miles off Zambales, well within the countrys exclusive economic zone. As of writing, neither Malacanang nor the visiting officials disclosed specific details of their discussions. Editors note: This story contains descriptions of sexual violence against children. Jonathan Santos sobbed in one of the stalls of a McDonalds bathroom in Tucson, Arizona, in February. He admitted to molesting a boy. And his Tucson church protected him for years. A member of a Tucson church admitted he molested a boy. The pastor said he knew and never went to the police, flouting state laws that mandate reporting of such incidents. He knew he needed to clock in for work, but he couldnt stop the tears. He could barely even breathe. Santos, 23, had just left the Tucson Police Department in the middle of an interview about sexual abuse he said he experienced as a child at the hands of Jose Mora, a former congregant of the Golden Dawn Tabernacle. Mora was arrested and charged in April for alleged child sex crimes. The charges stem in large part from an Arizona Daily Star/Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team investigation in which Mora publicly admitted to sexually abusing a different child. Santos kept replaying the detective's questions about an incident with Mora when Santos was about 8 years old in 2009: What time of year was it? Who was there? Did anyone else witness it? How did you react? What led up to the interaction? The last question sent Santos mind spiraling into self-blame. It really hit me because to me, in my own head, I had thought, Oh, what did you do to seduce a grown man? Santos remembers thinking, even though thats not what the detective asked. I was like, Even the detective doesn't believe me. It was just self-doubt. Santos said he recognizes now that the detective had to ask detailed questions to investigate and find the truth. But at the time, the query caused him to relive his trauma, leaving him overwhelmed. As Santos cried in the bathroom before starting his shift as a manager at McDonald's, he said he was shocked to be met with support rather than blame. His coworker came into the bathroom, asked if he was OK and pulled him into a hug. Responses like this from coworkers and friends are what have helped Santos heal. Santos said one friend told him he could tell her about his abuse over and over again until he could recount it without crying. He said she was patient and understanding. I wasn't expecting the outcome that I got," Santos said. "I wasnt expecting to be accepted. I wasn't expecting to be comforted." Santos kept his experience private for more than a decade and is now speaking publicly about it for the first time. It took a lot out of me having to mostly deal with it alone, he said. I just kept burying it and burying it, and it wasn't healthy for me. I never imagined being able to say it without stuttering and say it without crying and breaking down. And now he can. He didnt stop Santos said Mora sexually abused him on two occasions when he was between 7 and 9 years old. Mora was in his early 40s. Santos was close in age to two of Moras sons, and he remembers the third son being a baby at the time. Santos said it was normal for him to go over to Moras house to play with the boys. Mora was a family friend and a member of their church, the Golden Dawn Tabernacle. Santos said he remembers one incident where he was at Moras house, playing with Moras sons when out of nowhere" Mora was groping his buttocks and groin, Santos said. During a second incident, Mora picked Santos up from school. Santos said he was at Moras house with the two older sons when the two boys went to take a nap. Santos never napped, he said. He would typically do chores after school, eat dinner and then go to bed. But Santos said Mora brought him into his bedroom anyway. Santos was too small to get onto the bed, so Mora lifted him up into it, Santos said. Mora then grabbed Santos hand and used it to rub Moras groin over his pants, Santos said. Mora forced his other hand under Santos clothes and groped his buttocks, Santos said. Then, Santos said, Mora used his fingers to penetrate the boy. "I didnt know what was happening at all," Santos said. Santos said Mora didnt stop even when Santos defecated. Mora just got Santos a different pair of underwear, Santos said. I do remember him keeping going after he cleaned me up, Santos said. He didnt stop until he finished. Mora declined a request from an Arizona Daily Star reporter to interview him while he is in custody at the Pima County Jail. Mora also did not respond to messages sent via an inmate messaging app that outlined the new allegations against him. Santos said he is not sure how old he was when this abuse happened. But during the second incident, he remembers his mother was out of town to visit his sick grandmother, who died shortly after. Santos said his mother does not want to speak to the media but that she did talk with police. According to the U.S. Social Security Death Index, a woman whose name, family members and location match Santos grandmother died in California on Jan. 18, 2009. That means Santos would have been 7 when Mora allegedly sexually abused him. Indicted Mora was charged April 15 with three counts of sexual conduct with a minor and five counts of child molestation, according to the indictment against him. The indictment alleges that Mora used his finger to sexually penetrate two children in separate incidents that happened a few years apart. It also alleges that Mora groped the childrens genitals and engaged in forced oral contact with one of the children. Two of the counts stem from alleged sex crimes against a victim identified as J.S. in the indictment. Santos said J.S. is him. The other victim in the indictment is Philip, who asked to be identified by his first name only in stories. Philip shared his story publicly for the first time in the Arizona Daily Star in November. Philip said Mora groped him during three incidents over the summer of 2012 when he was 11. Philip said Mora also forced him to have oral sex and penetrated him with his fingers, which Mora denies. All of the incidents happened at Moras home, Philip said. Santos said it is a pattern of behavior. Mora admitted in an interview with Lee Enterprises and the Star that he touched Philip on the genitals and buttocks because Philip had a spirit and he provoked me. Mora said Philip started it and I fell into the trap. Mora acknowledged that he was the adult in the situation, so he was also responsible. Santos said he listened to this interview when the Star published the audio recording of it in November. Hearing Moras words, Santos said it was hard not to think of himself as a demon or the devil. The way (Mora) said it, like, how he was trying to blame the victim, Santos said. It really puts victims into this self-doubt and, like, what if it really was my fault? Getting sexually abused by an adult is never the childs fault. Moras claims that children initiated sexual contact with him are no defense at all in a court of law. It is not legally possible for a child under 15 to consent to physical sexual contact by an adult; nor is it a defense to allege the child initiated the contact. Arizona statute defines molestation of a child as intentionally or knowingly engaging in or causing a person to engage in sexual contact with a child under fifteen years of age. State statute defines sexual conduct with a minor as "intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with" someone under 18. Mora faces life in prison for the charges. His next court date is June 30. Different underwear Santos said he doesnt remember what happened after the second incident, but he knows he came home wearing a pair of underwear that obviously did not belong to him. Santos always wore plain white or black underwear because his parents did not allow him to wear clothes with colorful designs due to their conservative religious beliefs. Mora had made Santos wear one of his sons pairs of underwear, which had a cartoon print on them, Santos said. Santos older brother, Luis Santos, remembers some of the aftermath. Lee Enterprises originally interviewed Luis in October 2023 which is before Jonathan had shared what happened to him with anyone. Luis said he overheard his mother questioning his little brother about why he was wearing different underwear after spending time with Mora. I do remember a question where she asked him, What were you guys doing? Luis said in the 2023 interview. And my brother said, Just laying in bed. Santos' father, Jose Santos, said he didnt know of any specific allegations of abuse when his children were young. I didnt know about these things until recently when they started coming out, he said in Spanish. Once, when his children were younger, he became uncomfortable with Mora because of time another one of his sons had spent with Mora, and the fact that Mora had cut his sons nails, among other things. After that, Santos said, he contacted a church leader to discuss it. He told me to be careful with my kids (around Mora), Santos recalled. I immediately cut off the relationship with this man. I didnt know anything about this man trying to abuse my son, he said. If I had known that this man tried to do something to my sons, I would have done something. Mora's behavior was known in the Golden Dawn church community, including by the pastor, former members said. Philip's father said he sought advice from Golden Dawn pastor Isaac Noriega about Philip's abuse. Noriega said he remembers the Santos family, but he was never told about any kind of incident where Mora gave one of the Santos boys a different pair of underwear. Noriega said he would remember something like that, and if any church leaders were informed, they would have told him right away. "I don't know nothing about that. Zero," Noriega said. "I would remember. I was never told anything like that." Noriega is being investigated by Tucson police for failing to report child sexual abuse allegations, as required by law, but he has not been charged. Mora claimed he was confronted about the underwear in a September 2024 interview with reporters. Mora said Santos father asked him about the underwear, and Mora told him that the boy had picked them out at the store as a birthday present. His father talked to me, Why did I buy him that? Mora said. And I told him, He wanted them. Jonathan Santos said Moras response was just lies. It made him angry. First of all, Walmart doesnt sell single-pair underwear for kids, Santos said. Second of all, no little kid, no ones gonna want one underwear out of the whole store. What got me really heated at the response was how he really belittled a situation that was very traumatizing, very real, and he just belittled it to, Well, it was a birthday, Santos said. It wasnt my birthday. Its not OK, and it really took a mental toll. Never enough Throughout his life, Santos has struggled with depression. Santos felt like he was searching for something in his life but couldn't find it. No matter what goals he accomplished, "it was never enough." I felt like I was never enough, Santos added. Three times, Santos' depression got so severe that he received about a week of inpatient mental health care. Santos said he has seen therapists but never felt comfortable telling them what Mora did to him. As a child, Santos said he thought his abuse wasnt something he should talk about. Hes not sure where that feeling came from, but a conversation with his father in late 2024 gave him a clue. Santos reached out to his father to discuss what happened with Mora, and his father told him not to talk about it, and that he didn't want to talk about it, Santos said. The response was hurtful, Santos said. I knew there was just not the parental figure that I could trust in to talk about something like that. Santos said his mother, however, and others have been there for me. The first person Santos opened up to was his brother, Luis, in late 2023. But even then, Santos only confirmed that Mora did something to him and said he wasnt ready to talk about it in detail. It wasnt until Philip shared his story in the Star in November 2024 that Santos felt comfortable enough to confide in his friends. He said Philip was very brave. I have a lot of respect for the other person who came forward, Santos said. I think it was the newspaper first, when that came out, it was just very inspiring to me. But talking with police was so emotionally taxing that Santos said he reverted back to just burying it down. He left Arizona and moved to El Paso, Texas, to try to forget and start something new. He never planned to come back to finish the police interview. But then Mora was arrested in April, and Santos realized he didnt want Philip to be alone in this like Santos had been for so many years. Santos said he told himself to set your fear aside. "Theres not going to be anything done about it if its just one person on the stand," Santos said. Santos said his thoughts kept going back to the audio recording where Mora blamed Philip. (Mora) needs to be held accountable, Santos said. In the audio, theres no remorse. Its just like, Oh, (Philip) had a devil. He had a demon. They tempted me. They seduced me. No. You need to be held accountable, Santos said, directing his words to Mora. There needs to be justice on what you did, how you preyed (on) younger kids. Youre a predator. Youre a pedophile. I understand the fear of other people that are not coming forward. Ive been there, Santos said. I did everything that you could do to avoid it even moved. And it was still not enough for me. Santos came back to Arizona in early April. He said he finished his interview with Tucson police April 17. Since then, he said hes starting to feel like he might be enough. It just felt like a load came off my back, Santos said. I feel more relieved. I dont feel that depression. I just feel like (it) was something that needed to be done." "The feeling of whatever wasn't measuring up enough just fell off," he said. "I began going easy on myself, and that's all that mattered for me." Tucson police ask that anyone with information about Mora, pastor Noriega or the Golden Dawn Tabernacle call the child sexual assault unit at 520-837-7529. On Friday 30 May, the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) announced an increase in its rates, provoking unprecedented indignation in Cuba. This has brought to the fore discussions on a series of issues central to the future of the Cuban Revolution. Let's start at the beginning. On 30 May, a brief statement from ETECSA announced a unilateral change in its rates. The maximum monthly data plan will be 360 CUP (Cuban pesos), which will give access to 6 GB of data. The price for extra data top-ups will be much higher. In Cuban pesos, an additional 3 GB will cost 3,360 (almost ten times more), and in dollars, an additional 4 GB will cost US$10. This also means that the black market exchange rate (US$1 = 370 CUP) has been used to calculate the conversion, rather than the official rate (US$1 = 120 CUP). This is therefore a real price hike that significantly increases the cost of the service and affects the vast majority of the population. To give you an idea, Communications Minister Mayra Arevich reported in December last year that the average monthly consumption of mobile data is 9.9 GB. This means that the average person will be forced to purchase an additional 3 GB at the prohibitive price of 3,360 CUP. Bear in mind that, according to ONEI data, the monthly state salary is 5,839 CUP. Previously, a 500 CUP plan included 4.5 GB, but there was no limit to the number of plans that could be purchased. Thus, 9 GB used to cost 1,000 CUP, whereas now it will cost 3,700 CUP. In addition to this, the decision was made in violation of ETECSA's service contract, which clearly states that any changes to the conditions must be announced 30 days in advance. Anger erupts On Friday, anger began to spread on social media with all kinds of comments. When the news of the rate hike was published on Cubadebate, it received a total of 1,600 comments, the overwhelming majority of which were critical of the decision, many of them people who openly declared themselves defenders of the Cuban Revolution. Here is one example: I am a university student at the University of Information Sciences, and in May I spent a total of 125 GB downloading programming course videos for my final project. Each course has more than 40 videos. Not only for that subject, but for every difficult subject in my degree We've had to study on YouTube and search for information on different websites to do our assessment projects. That alone uses up a data package in a single afternoon, because to watch the video properly, it has to be in a minimum quality of 360p, and watching it online uses almost as much as downloading it. 6 GB goes in a week doing that every day, and even more now that I'm in midterm and final exam season. Others contrasted the air conditioning in the offices and cars of ETECSA bureaucrats with the economic punishment they have inflicted on the entire population. On my own Facebook page, where there are no counter-revolutionaries, many Cuban comrades commented angrily. We are talking about people who, during the protests of 11 July 2021, responded to the call to take to the streets to defend the revolution. Some now asked themselves, How can I now defend the revolution on social media? Others recalled the massive demonstration that took place this year on 1 May in defence of the revolution: We took to the streets on 1 May and this is how they repay us. Others spoke of class struggle and the need to respond. In recent years, internet use has become so widespread in Cuba that it is now considered a basic right to which the population should have access / Image: Ian Southwell, Flickr In recent years, internet use has become so widespread in Cuba that it is now considered a basic right to which the population should have access. According to official data, there are 8 million active mobile phones in Cuba, 95 percent of which have internet access. The discontent was not only with the decision itself, but also with how it was implemented: without prior notice, by violating the terms of service and without giving any reasonable explanation to the people. The appearance of second-tier ETECSA executives on the Mesa Redonda TV programme to attempt to justify the price rises only made matters worse. The rate hike affects virtually the entire population, but especially university students, many of whom have to access their course materials digitally. So much so that, in an unprecedented decision, the Federation of University Students (FEU) of the University of Havana, together with the FEU of five faculties the University Student Federation of the Faculty of Communication of the University of Havana (FEU FCOM), together with the secretariat of the Faculty of Chemistry (FEU QUIMICA), the Higher Institute of Technology and Applied Sciences (FEU InSTEC), the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing (FEU MATCOM), the Faculty of Philosophy, History and Sociology (FEU FHS) and the Higher Institute of International Relations (FEU ISRI) published a statement of protest against ETECSA's decision. The statement notes that: We consider that these measures restrict the fundamental right to information, education and communication, which are essential pillars for the academic and personal development of students. The increase in the cost of data top ups beyond 6 GB constitutes an obstacle that hinders the fulfilment of our educational and professional responsibilities. This was followed by another formal protest statement from the Federation of University Students of the Faculty of Economics (FEU-EKO) demanding the rectification of these actions. The fact that official mass organisations are speaking out against decisions made by a state-owned company, and which are therefore presumed to have been officially approved, is unprecedented. It reveals, on the one hand, the degree of loss of legitimacy and authority of the leadership of the country and, on the other, the strength of pressure from below. Cuba in crisis It is clear that this is not just about discontent with this particular decision. The unrest over the rate hike has a broader background of worsening living conditions in Cuba. On top of the blow dealt to the island's tourist income by the pandemic, Cuba has faced the tightening of the imperialist blockade by the first Trump administration (these measures have remained in place to this day), the impact of rising energy prices, and restrictions on Venezuelan oil shipments. The unrest over the rate hike has a broader background of worsening living conditions in Cuba / Image: public domain These, among other factors, have led to constant and increasingly prolonged power cuts, generalised price increases and shortages of basic products, as well as the general deterioration of services (medical, educational, etc.). A migration crisis of enormous proportions has been provoked not only by these economic difficulties, but also by the feeling that there is no solution either from within or outside the island. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of people some estimates say more than 15 percent of the population who have left the country in the last two or three years. This factor also makes internet access more important, in order to maintain contact between those who left and their families in Cuba. After 60 years of being subjected to a brutal blockade by the United States, which was aggravated by the collapse of Stalinism more than 30 years ago, it is clear that there are serious problems affecting the economy as a whole. These problems affect a company such as ETECSA, which must purchase internet service on the world market and maintain and repair the network with supplies that also come from the world market. The devaluation of the currency, expressed in the exchange rate differential between the official market and the black market, has negatively affected ETECSA. It is cheaper for relatives to send dollars from abroad to top up their accounts in pesos purchased on the black market, thus depriving the company of foreign currency income. Many can understand that the company needs money. But what is not understood is that this has to be paid for by the general population, including the lowest income sectors that have already been hit by the impact of other economic measures, particularly since the Reorganisation in 2020. The Cuban leadership has responded to the problems caused by the brutal imperialist blockade and the isolation of the revolution with a series of economic measures that represent increasing concessions to the mechanisms of the capitalist market. This includes the creation of private companies and the elimination of universal state subsidies. These measures have had the effect of increasing social and economic inequality. The Cuban Revolution is in grave danger! Among the comments made about the rate hike, many have wondered if we are living under a Cuban perestroika that is, if the Cuban leadership has decided to restore capitalism, but without saying so publicly. One of the comments that has circulated most widely in recent days in Cuban revolutionary media and I emphasise, in revolutionary media has been that of documentary filmmaker Javier Gomez Sanchez. His Facebook post, ETECSA's tariff hike and the culture of government, ends with these devastating paragraphs: A leadership that is united with the people is capable of maintaining support, even when it has to make difficult decisions. But we see nothing of the sort. The Ideological Department no longer exists, not even to function well or badly. It was created because the Revolution needed it to guide the construction of socialism, but in the transition to capitalism, the only ideology needed to guide us is that of the market. There are things that only history teaches. This people has demonstrated extraordinary capacities for sacrifice, but only when guided by great leadership. Keep locking yourselves away in meetings, alienating yourselves with select groups, visiting your cronies, and ignoring the people, and the day will come when you will learn a hard lesson. No one wants that day to come, but it seems that you are working to make it happen. If things continue as they are, they do not bode well for the future. The question is no longer whether you will play the role of Gorbachev. That is becoming increasingly clear. The next question is whether you will end up like Ceausescu. (Emphasis added) Javier Gomez (co-creator of the excellent documentary El insomnio del hombre nuevo, recommended for anyone who wants to understand what revolutionaries in Cuba are discussing today) hits the nail on the head. The danger of continuing down this path the path of pro-capitalist measures applied in a bureaucratic manner is that it could provoke a social explosion that sweeps everything away and carries the revolution with it. The warning is serious, but it is not an exaggeration. It is possible that, under pressure from below, in the coming hours and days, ETECSA, or to be more precise, the government, will partially rectify and make some concessions to popular anger. A televised appearance by First Secretary Diaz-Canel has already been announced. But the problem remains. The Cuban Revolution is in danger. In grave danger. The economic situation in Cuba leaves little room for manoeuvre / Image: vipstano, wikimedia commons In Cuba, the current state was created by the revolution and therefore formally defends the property relations it created: the expropriation of the capitalists, landowners and imperialists. However, the state is not really in the hands of the working class, but in the hands of a bureaucracy that has its own privileges and interests and is not accountable to working people. And this bureaucracy, or an important sector of it, has embarked on the path of capitalist reforms, which it considers the only way to maintain its dominant position. This is justified with arguments such as that the productive forces must be liberated and that it is necessary to put an end to undue gratuities. The dangers threatening the Cuban Revolution are of various kinds. On the one hand, there is the relentless pressure of imperialist encirclement, which, in the final analysis, can only be broken by the advance of the world revolution. On the other hand, there is the pressure of capitalist restoration, which the bureaucracy is moving towards. This must be fought with workers' control and the direct and decisive participation of the working class in the administration of all things. The economic situation in Cuba leaves little room for manoeuvre. Difficult measures will have to be taken in any case, that is certain. But it is one thing for the bureaucracy to take them in defence of its own privileges and with a view to a transition to capitalism, without taking into account the general interests of the working people. It is quite another thing for the revolutionary people to take them consciously, after a discussion of the different options, knowing the dangers they entail and strengthening and defending the revolution as a counterweight. One thing is clear: it does not serve the revolution to apply or accept price hikes; it serves the opposite. In February, the Trump administration announced the Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. Its supposed goal is to root out antisemitic harassment in schools and on college campuses. In reality, its nothing but a smokescreen for attacks on democratic rights and cuts to education funding. [Originally published at communistusa.org] The task forces tactic is: threaten funding first, ask questions later. For example, they canceled $400 million of federal money for Columbia University in March. Columbia caved to the task forces demands, but as of now, the funds have not been restored. Other schools under attack include Brown, Princeton, Northwestern, Cornell, and Harvard. In April, the task force sent Harvard University a letter of demands. To retain billions in grants, they must enforce a total ban on wearing masks; stop funding and recognizing pro-Palestine student clubs; stop any identity-based preferences in hiring and student admissions; and screen all international students to weed out anybody hostile to American values or supportive of terrorism or antisemitism. Harvards lawyers replied that the demands are unlawful and accused the government of overstepping its authority, which in turn responded by freezing over $2 billion in grants. Trump directed the IRS to revoke Harvards tax-exempt status, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem threatened to stop them from admitting international studentsa big source of profit for the university, accounting for 27% of total enrollment. Attacks on democratic rights Whats particularly disgusting is that the task force paints pro-Palestine protesters as violent bigots, infringing on the civil rights of Jewish students. This doublespeak is easy to see through. Whats really happening is the crushing of peaceful Palestine solidarity actionswhich are often led by Jewish students. Targeting international students adds another layer to their tactic. Just as they blamed the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests on out of state agitators, the White House would love to pretend antisemitic international students who support Hamas were behind last years encampments. But protests against Israels US-backed genocide have mobilized plenty of American citizensnot just students. A majority of Americans across all demographics no longer sympathize with Israel and support the formation of a Palestinian state. Why is the government pressuring universities to further crush the democratic rights of students and faculty who dare oppose the war on Gaza? In times of relative class peace, democratic rights are useful for the capitalists to provide a safe outlet for social discontent that wont threaten their system as a whole. But now, with capitalism in its death agony, they are preemptively preparing to confront future explosions of class struggle. Trump is particularly enthusiastic about this, but things were not so different under Biden and the Democrats, who demonized and brutally repressed the Palestine movement. Fight back with class struggle Communists fight for democratic rights, but not out of a commitment to democracy in the abstract. We fight for the democratic rights of the working class as a weapon for organizing against the capitalists. Going through the courts is a dead end, because they are tools created by and for the class enemy. If we want to win genuine freedom of speech and assembly, workers and students must fight back with class-struggle tactics, including strikes and demonstrations, with the goal of putting campuses under the control of the staff, faculty, and students themselves. If the bourgeois government threatens to take away funding, we reply: expropriate the billionaires and bankers! A workers government would use that wealth to fund education and research to solve humanitys greatest problems. Diplomats and cultural leaders gathered in Bamako for the annual African Integration Night, showcasing traditional cuisines and cultural exchanges while addressing the diasporas role in healing historical wounds from slave trade and colonization across Africa and the Sahel region. The events theme focused on examining how the Malian diaspora can contribute to reparations for historical injustices inflicted through slavery and colonial exploitation. Traditional food presentations and tastings formed the evenings centerpiece, creating opportunities for cross-cultural appreciation among participating nations. Moroccan Ambassador to Mali and President of the African Ambassadors Group, Driss Isbayene, emphasized the events significance in promoting continental diversity. This evening allows everyone to journey through Africas various regions and taste specially prepared dishes, he noted, highlighting how the celebration commemorates liberation from colonialism while strengthening African solidarity. Hamadoun Kassogue, a local dramatist, advocated for multiplying such unifying events, stating that frequent cultural exchanges could foster greater harmony among African nations. His vision aligns with broader objectives of cultivating cohesion, peaceful coexistence, and continental love through shared experiences. Malis Minister for African Integration, Mossa Ag Attaher, characterized the event as showcasing unity transcending ethnic, religious, national, and regional diversities. He emphasized how melodies, rhythms, colors, and narratives embody integration aspirations, infusing common cultures with vibrant, unifying energy. The minister expressed conviction that African unity stems primarily from shared history, with cultural identity affirmation representing a common concern. Sixty-nine years after the Organization of African Unitys creation, participants celebrated progress across multiple domains while envisioning improved futures through strengthened cooperation, solidarity values, and fraternal bonds uniting the continents rich traditions and dynamic youth populations. Bill Gates of Microsoft has promised to donate most of his wealth to promote health and education services across Africa over the next 20 years. Speaking at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Gates said that investing his fortune in Africas health and education would help put the continent on a path of prosperity. The 69-year-old said that he would donate 99% of his fortune, estimated at 200 billion dollars by 2045. 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, he said. The announcement could fill some of the void left by the US governments USAID, which cut aid leaving many NGOs in financial trouble. Despite his plan to give away 99% of his fortune, Gates would still remain a billionaire. The United States is nearing a controversial agreement with Rwanda to host asylum seekers and migrants denied entry at the U.S. border, echoing the UKs now-defunct Rwanda scheme. The deal, reportedly advanced under President Donald Trumps renewed migration crackdown, aims to relieve overcrowded U.S. detention centers by outsourcing deportations to Kigali. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed bilateral talks are underway, though no formal details have been disclosed. Analysts note the potential arrangement mirrors the UKs costly and ultimately scrapped plan, which was dismissed by new Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a gimmick and ineffective. Critics, including human rights groups and the United Nations, warn of the legal and ethical dangers. Amnesty Internationals Christian Rumu called the move political and profit-driven, warning it exploits vulnerable populations. Rwanda is in a very difficult situation, and by proposing this service, there is certainly a return that it will be expected, said Rumu. The UNHCR emphasized that any externalization of asylum responsibilities risks violating international refugee protections. The U.S. appears to have already tested Rwanda as a deportation destination, reportedly spending $100,000 to relocate Iraqi national Omar Abdulsattar Ameen to Kigali earlier this year. While the Trump administration touts such deals as practical solutions, rights advocates argue they endanger those fleeing persecution. As Rwanda seeks financial support and geopolitical leverage in the Great Lakes region, concerns grow that political gain is being prioritized over humanitarian duty. ASEAN-China-GCC Summit groundbreaking act of solidarity, self-strengthening for global south 08:55, June 03, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily On May 27, the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) - China-GCC (the Gulf Cooperation Council) Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This unprecedented trilateral summit reflected the growing trend of multipolarity and marked a groundbreaking initiative in regional economic cooperation as the Global South rises. The establishment of a trilateral cooperation mechanism among China, ASEAN, and the GCC, and the deepening of their trilateral partnership, will not only promote economic prosperity for all sides, but also contribute to peace and development in Asia and beyond. This was the first-ever summit among China, ASEAN, and the GCC. At a time when a few major countries are undermining global economic cooperation through protectionism and threatening international stability through unilateralism, the convening of a cross-regional summit by China, ASEAN, and the GCC - fellow members of the Global South - stood as a pioneering act of unity and self-empowerment. It has sent a strong signal that countries of the Global South are becoming more proactive in safeguarding common interests and advancing shared development. Together, China, ASEAN and the GCC account for roughly a quarter of the world's population and economic output, serving as a powerful force for openness and cooperation. The growing cooperation among the three parties builds on a rich historical legacy, rests on strong practical foundations, and responds to the needs of the times. China and ASEAN are each other's largest trading partners, and the two sides have fully completed negotiations on the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. China is also the GCC's largest trading partner and is advancing free trade agreement negotiations with the bloc. As beneficiaries of economic globalization, all three parties understand the vital importance of deepening interregional economic cooperation under the current global circumstances. By steadfastly expanding regional opening up and fully connecting their respective markets, the three sides can unlock vast new development opportunities and generate strong synergy. As an ASEAN media outlet noted, "the combined strength of the three parties could reshape the global economic landscape." In today's world, geopolitical tensions are intensifying, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and talks of "decoupling," "severing supply chains," and "building up fences and barriers" are becoming more frequent, constraining the development space of Global South countries. The summit adopted a joint statement, in which the three parties, with firm resolve, pledged to advance the spirit of inclusivity, sustainability, resilience and equal partnership, charting a united and collective path toward a peaceful, prosperous and equitable future. It demonstrates the parties' joint commitment to multilateralism and fairness and justice. Some media outlets observed that the summit highlighted Asia's growing role as a balancing force in the evolving international landscape. As the largest developing country, China is committed to working with ASEAN and GCC countries to safeguard the common interests of the vast number of developing countries, resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics, and promote a more just and equitable global governance system. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto highly commended China's role, noting that "China has always defended the interests of developing countries." China's high-quality economic development is injecting new momentum into trilateral cooperation. Since the beginning of this year, China's economy has continued its upward recovery trajectory. In the first quarter, its GDP grew by 5.4% year on year, one of the fastest among all major economies. All participants in the summit expressed strong confidence in China's development prospects and hope to seize the opportunities presented by the new cooperation mechanism. The Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit clearly states the parties' commitment to promoting high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and seamless connectivity. To date, all ten ASEAN countries and GCC member states have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China. Accelerating the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with each party's development strategies will further unleash development potential and enhance resilience. As demonstrated by China's newly introduced visa facilitation measures for ASEAN and GCC citizens, China remains committed to high-standard opening up and will continue to roll out more initiatives for both voluntary and unilateral opening up, allowing all sides to share the dividends of China's development. As changes unseen in a century continue to accelerate, cooperation is the only correct path to overcoming shared challenges. The establishment of a trilateral cooperation mechanism among China, ASEAN, and the GCC will foster deeper openness and collaboration, promote stronger collective responsibility, and inject powerful momentum into the shared development and prosperity of all three parties. It will bring greater benefits to their peoples and contribute more significantly to peace and development in Asia and the wider world. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The miRNA data generated in this study were compared and integrated with multiple existing datasets and resources. Credit: Nature Aging (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00778-x A study in Nature Aging from researchers at the UC Davis School of Medicine has identified specific microRNAsnon-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression within cellsthat likely contribute to bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Parkinson's disease. "To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify microRNAs that contribute to the development of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases," said Aliza Wingo, senior author of the study. Wingo is a professor in the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and a staff psychiatrist at VA Northern California Health Care. MicroRNAs act like brakes Genetic instructions for living organisms are contained within the DNA in a cell's nucleus. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is responsible for carrying protein-making instructions from the DNA in the cell's nucleus to the cytoplasm, the gelatinous liquid that fills the cell. In the cytoplasm, the mRNA instructs the cell's protein-making machineryorganelles like ribosomesto make specific proteins based on the instructions received from the DNA. But a different and very small type of RNA, microRNAs, can put the brakes on this protein-making process. First discovered in 1993, microRNAs can stick to mRNA and prevent the protein encoded on it from being made. As a braking mechanism, microRNA regulates the cell, making sure it develops normally. But research shows abnormal regulation from microRNA can contribute to health disorders. More than 2,000 microRNAs have been discovered in humans. Abnormal regulation from microRNAsand how it may contribute to a wide range of diseaseshas become a new area of focus for researchers. The study used post-mortem brain samples from 604 donors (432 female and 172 male) recruited by the Religious Orders Study/Rush Memory and Aging Project. The longitudinal study was launched in 1994. The participants were older, over 70 at the time of death, with a median age of death of 90 years. The researchers looked at tissue from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region toward the front of the brain involved in cognitive processes, working memory and planning. The microRNAs above the red line were significantly associated with each of the conditions studied. Credit: UC Davis Health From the samples, the researchers identified genetic variants associated with brain microRNA levels. Then, they combined this information with results from genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for 16 psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Findings The researchers identified 49 unique microRNAs associated with one or more brain traits, including major depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Performing further analyses, they identified four unique microRNAs that likely contribute to the development of the following psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases: miR-499a-5p: bipolar disorder and schizophrenia miR-92b-3p: Parkinson's disease miR-190b-5p: PTSD miR-1908-5p: bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder "Interestingly, miR-499a-5p contributes to the risk of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and miR-1908-5p to the risk of both bipolar disorder and major depression," said Wingo. "These findings suggest potential shared mechanisms between these pairs of conditions through microRNAs." The researchers also looked at microRNA expression quantitative trait loci (miR-QTLs). These are genetic variants that can influence the levels of microRNAs. Nearly half (224 of 470) of the analyzed microRNAs were shown to have associated miR-QTLs, pointing to potential genetic factors influencing microRNA. The authors note several limitations of the study. All the subjects were older adults of European ancestry. Subsequent studies that include people of diverse ancestry and a wider age range may offer more insights. Another limitation is that the study focused only on one specific brain regionthe dorsolateral prefrontal cortexand may not be typical of other brain regions. Understanding contributors to disease "We know microRNAs regulate gene expression, with a single microRNA potentially influencing hundreds of genes," said Thomas Wingo, co-senior author of the study. Wingo is a professor in the UC Davis Department of Neurology and specializes in treating patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. "Our findings advance the understanding of how microRNAs contribute to the risk of major psychiatric disorders and Parkinson's disease." More information: Selina M. Vattathil et al, Mapping the microRNA landscape in the older adult brain and its genetic contribution to neuropsychiatric conditions, Nature Aging (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00778-x Journal information: Nature Aging 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 Scientists have uncovered remarkable insights into how the earliest brain connections shape infant emotional development, potentially offering new ways to identify children at risk for future behavioral and emotional challenges. The study, led by Dr. Yicheng Zhang and Dr. Mary L. Phillips at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, examined 95 infant-caregiver pairs using advanced brain imaging techniques. Researchers discovered that the microstructure of white matter tractsthe brain's information highwaysat just 3 months of age could predict how infants' emotions and self-soothing abilities would evolve over the following six months. The study has been published in Genomic Psychiatry. Decoding the infant brain's emotional blueprint The research team employed sophisticated Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI), a cutting-edge MRI technique that provides unprecedented detail about brain tissue organization. This technology allowed scientists to peer into the developing brain's architecture with remarkable precision, revealing how the arrangement of neural fibers influences emotional trajectories. "What we're seeing is that the brain's structural organization in early infancy sets the stage for emotional development," explains the research team. The study focused on critical white matter pathways connecting regions responsible for self-awareness, attention to important stimuli, and cognitive controlnetworks that form the foundation of emotional processing throughout life. Key discoveries shape understanding of emotional development The findings revealed distinct patterns linking brain structure to emotional outcomes. Infants with higher neurite dispersion in the forceps minora bundle of fibers connecting the brain's hemispheresshowed greater increases in negative emotionality between 3 and 9 months. This suggests that certain patterns of brain connectivity might predispose infants to heightened emotional reactivity. Conversely, infants with a more complex microstructure in the left cingulum bundle, which connects regions involved in executive control, demonstrated larger increases in positive emotions and improved self-soothing abilities. These discoveries raise intriguing questions about whether early interventions could potentially influence these neural pathways to promote healthier emotional development. Implications for early detection and intervention The ability to identify infants at risk for emotional difficulties before behavioral symptoms emerge represents a significant advance in developmental neuroscience. Previous research has established that high negative emotionality in infancy correlates with increased risk of future anxiety and behavioral disorders, while low positive emotionality links to later depression and social difficulties. Dr. Phillips notes the potential impact, "Understanding these early neural markers could transform how we approach infant mental health, allowing for targeted interventions during critical developmental windows." The research team validated their findings in an independent sample of 44 infants, strengthening confidence in these brain-behavior relationships. Covariate-corrected relationships between WM NODDI measures and the infant emotionality and emotional regulation development (solid lines as regression lines, brighter shadowed area as prediction interval, and darker shadowed areas as corresponding 95% confidence intervals). (A) Association between 3-month FM ODI and 3-to-9-month NE changes. (B) Association between 3-month left CB ODI and 3-to-9-month PE changes. (C) Association between 3-month left CB NDI and 3-to-9-month PE changes. (D) Association between 3-month left CB ODI and 3-to-9-month soothablity changes. Credit: Yicheng Zhang Advanced imaging reveals hidden patterns The study's use of NODDI technology marks a significant methodological advance in infant brain research. Traditional imaging methods often struggle to capture the nuanced organization of developing brain tissue. NODDI's ability to separate different tissue components provides researchers with a clearer picture of how neural pathways mature and organize during this crucial period. The research examined three major white matter tracts: the forceps minor, cingulum bundle, and uncinate fasciculus. Each plays a vital role in connecting brain regions essential for emotional processing and regulation. How might variations in other brain connections influence infant development? What role do environmental factors play in shaping these neural pathways? Bridging neuroscience and clinical practice The findings have immediate relevance for pediatric care and early childhood development. By identifying objective neural markers of emotional development, clinicians could potentially screen for risk factors before behavioral problems emerge. This proactive approach could lead to earlier, more effective interventions. The research team accounted for multiple factors that might influence brain development, including caregiver mental health, socioeconomic status, and infant characteristics. This comprehensive approach strengthens the study's conclusions and suggests that brain microstructure represents a fundamental contributor to emotional development independent of environmental influences. Future directions and unanswered questions While these findings represent a significant advance, they also open new avenues for investigation. How stable are these early neural patterns throughout childhood? Can targeted interventions modify white matter development to promote emotional resilience? The research team's ongoing work aims to address these questions through longitudinal studies following infants into later childhood. The study also highlights the importance of the first year of life as a critical period for brain development. During this time, rapid changes in white matter organization lay the foundation for lifelong emotional and behavioral patterns. Understanding these processes at a neural level could inform everything from parenting practices to public health policies supporting infant development. A new era in developmental neuroscience This research exemplifies the power of advanced neuroimaging to reveal previously hidden aspects of brain development. As technology continues to evolve, scientists gain increasingly sophisticated tools to understand how the brain's earliest organization shapes human behavior and experience. The University of Pittsburgh team's findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that many aspects of emotional and behavioral development have roots in the brain's earliest structural patterns. By identifying these patterns, researchers move closer to developing targeted interventions that could prevent or mitigate future mental health challenges. The implications extend beyond individual children to broader questions about human development. How do genetic and environmental factors interact to shape these early brain patterns? What evolutionary advantages might different patterns of emotional development confer? These fundamental questions drive continued research in this rapidly advancing field. The study demonstrates that even in the earliest months of life, the brain's structural organization profoundly influences emotional development. This knowledge opens new possibilities for supporting healthy development from the very beginning of life. More information: Early infant white matter tract microstructure predictors of subsequent change in emotionality and emotional regulation, Genomic Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.61373/gp025a.0026 Provided by Genomic Press 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: Ball-and-stick model of the cannabidiol molecule. Credit: Public Domain Two cannabis-derived compounds have shown remarkable effectiveness against fungal pathogens in laboratory tests, according to new Macquarie University research. In a study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases , researchers have discovered that bioactives cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) killed harmful Cryptococcus neoformans, a WHO-listed priority fungal pathogen. The compounds also killed dermatophytes that cause common skin infections, and much faster than existing treatments. The findings open the door to possible new treatments for these fungal infections. Fungal infections affect more than one billion people around the world each year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Whether it's athlete's foot, a yeast infection, or the potentially deadly lung infection pneumocystis pneumonia, fungal pathogens are a serious health threat with relatively few effective treatments. Macquarie University's Dr. Hue Dinh, a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Natural Science, and Associate Professor Amy Cain resolved to tackle the growing threat of fungal infections with help from Professor Mark Connor and Dr. Marina Junqueira Santiago from the Macquarie School of Medicine and collaborators at the Universities of Sydney and NSW. Having worked in the field of antimicrobial resistance, Dr. Dinh knew that developing an entirely new drug and getting it to market could take decades. It made more sense to work with pharmacological compounds already approved for use in humans for other conditions, because their safety and mechanism of action are already well known. Cannabis connection Dr. Dinh says one of the challenges in the research project was deciding which cannabinoids to test, and against what. "Hundreds of natural compounds can be extracted from the cannabis plant, and we don't know which ones work," she says. Macquarie Medical School pharmacologist Professor Mark Connor, who has a strong background in researching cannabinoids, joined the team in their quest to target the fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes deadly lung or brain infections. "When Cryptococcus neoformans gets to your central nervous system, it causes life-threatening meningitis. The mortality rate is very high, and it's really hard to treat," says Dr. Dinh. The researchers found two cannabinoidscannabidiol and cannabidivarinthat both quickly killed Cryptococcus neoformans in the laboratory, working even faster than current antifungal therapy. They tested the compounds against 33 other fungal pathogens from clinical, veterinary and environmental settings. This revealed the cannabinoids were effective in killing a range of Cryptococcus species as well as the fungal skin pathogens that cause athlete's foot. Future applications The final part of the study confirmed that cannabinoids could treat a fungal infection in a living organismthe Galleria mellonella (wax moth) larvae, via the Macquarie Galleria Research Facility, bringing this treatment a step closer to patients. The pilot study is an exciting advancement in the search for effective topical treatments because research shows pathogens are less likely to develop resistance to cannabinoids compared to other antimicrobials, Dr. Dinh says. Intravenous administration of cannabinoids to treat systemic infections like lung or brain fungal infections will be more challenging, according to Dr. Dinh, as cannabinoids aren't easily dissolved into injectable formulations. But she has high hopes for topical treatments for common skin infections. "If we can demonstrate that these ones work well for common infections, you could actually just get some CBD oil and then rub it on your skin to treat it." Dr. Dinh and Associate Professor Cain are currently working with commercial partners to develop this product for over-the-counter use. 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: Expert responses regarding the separability and conceptual overlap of set and setting factors, and temporal span of setting in psychedelic clinical trials. Credit: Nature Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-03685-9 As psychedelics gain traction as potential treatments for mental health disorders, an international study led by researchers at McGill University, Imperial College London, and the University of Exeter stands to improve the rigor and reliability of clinical research. Up to now, psychedelic clinical trials have had what has been widely acknowledged as a critical flaw: the failure to properly account for how a person's mindset and surroundings influence the effects of psychedelics such as MDMA and psilocybin. This gap has led to inconsistent study results, making regulatory approval more difficult. To address this, the researchers conducted a Delphi consensus study, bringing together 89 experts from 17 countries for a multi-round debate. The result is the "Reporting of Setting in Psychedelic Clinical Trials (ReSPCT) guidelines," published in Nature Medicine, a 30-item checklist, representing the first global agreement on which psychosocial factors have the greatest impact on a psychedelic experience. "For decades, we've known that psychedelics don't work in isolation. The person's mindset, the therapy room, even the music playing all influence outcomes," said co-lead author Chloe Pronovost-Morgan, a researcher at McGill University and Imperial College London. "Two trials using the same psychedelic drug, at the same dose, can produce completely different results depending on the environment." This approach challenges the way psychoactive drugs are typically studied, where scientists try to control or eliminate outside variables to isolate a drug's effects. These guidelines recognize that context is crucial and should be studied directly. Why guidelines matter By offering a standard framework for evaluating and reporting these variables, the guidelines aim to make trial outcomes more consistent and comparable across studies. Leor Roseman from the University of Exeter is co-senior author and said, "Having clear guidelines for contextual considerations is essential to understand the effects of psychedelics and how they work differently from other psychiatric medications. Our guidelines will also help in replicating results and understanding the true therapeutic potential of psychedelics." The lack of standards has had consequences beyond the research lab, Pronovost-Morgan explained. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently rejected MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, citing inconsistent reporting across trials as a key reason for the decision. "There is immense public interest in psychedelic therapies, particularly for individuals suffering from debilitating mental health conditions like PTSD, depression and anxiety, which have not responded to existing treatments," said co-senior author Kyle Greenway, Assistant Professor in McGill's Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry and a researcher at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research. "Our guidelines offer a new gold standard for psychedelic research, helping bring these treatments to those who need them most." The research team is organizing a three-day workshop in October, where leading experts in psychedelics and neuroscience will discuss how the guidelines can be integrated into research and clinical practice. More information: Chloe Pronovost-Morgan et al, An international Delphi consensus for reporting of setting in psychedelic clinical trials, Nature Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-03685-9 Journal information: Nature 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Colorado has now confirmed 10 measles cases this year, after three more people got sick in the outbreak tied to Denver International Airport. Two of the new cases were unvaccinated adults living in El Paso County who passed through the airport at about the same time on May 14. The third was a vaccinated Arapahoe County resident who was a passenger on Turkish Airlines flight 201, which landed at DIA on May 13 and carried a contagious passenger. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective, meaning a small number of people develop breakthrough cases. All three patients are recovering at home, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declare an outbreak if a state has at least three linked cases. The Turkish Airlines flight meets the definition of an outbreak, but the state health department hasn't seen any evidence of spread throughout the community, spokeswoman Hope Shuler said. The Arapahoe County resident didn't go out during their contagious period, so they couldn't pass on the virus. The El Paso County residents visited three locations between them, and public health officials advised people to watch for symptoms if they went to the following places: Love's Travel Stop and Carls Jr., 748 22 Road, Grand Junction, from 6 to 10 p.m. May 27. Symptoms could develop through June 17. Maverick Gas Station, 2588 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 28. Symptoms could develop through June 18. King Soopers, 1750 W. Uintah St., Colorado Springs, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. May 31. Symptoms could develop through June 21. Unvaccinated people can sometimes prevent infection by getting the measles shot within 72 hours of exposure. That window has passed for people exposed at the truck stop and gas station, but those exposed at King Soopers still have the option. Initial symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. The red rash typically develops about four days after a person becomes contagious. People who think they could have measles should call ahead before visiting a health care provider, so they can take precautions to avoid infecting other patients. Other cases among Colorado residents include another Arapahoe County adult and an Arapahoe County child younger than 5, both of whom arrived on the Turkish Airlines flight; an adult from Pueblo; a Denver baby and an unidentified person who lives in the same house; a Denver adult; and an Archuleta County adult. The child needed care at Children's Hospital Colorado, which hasn't released information about their condition. The adult patients all recovered at home. In a typical year, Colorado has two or fewer measles cases. The last time the state recorded more than 10 in a year was in the 1990s. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Millions of young women around the world face stigma and bias when seeking reproductive health services, often limiting their access to contraception and quality care. A new USC-led study conducted in over 200 clinics across Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Pakistan shows that a focused intervention combining storytelling, peer support, and provider incentives can reduce this bias and expand contraceptive access for the young women who need it most. "Young womenespecially those who are unmarried or don't have childrenoften face subtle but powerful barriers when trying to access contraception," said Zachary Wagner, a health economist at the Center for Economic and Social Research at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the study's corresponding author. "This bias can shape the care they receiveor whether they seek care at all." Published in The Economic Journal, the findings offer a promising way to improve reproductive health services by tackling the root causes of provider bias. By promoting more respectful and inclusive care, the intervention helps ensure that young womenregardless of their marital status or motherhoodcan make informed choices about contraception. Shifting provider attitudes Bias in family planning clinics can take many forms. For example, providers may tell young women they are "too young" to be sexually active and suggest abstinence instead. Others may limit contraceptive options based on age or marital status, implying that young women shouldn't use certain methods or any contraception at all, Wagner said. In collaboration with the nonprofit Pathfinder International, the researchers designed a three-part intervention that was randomly assigned to 227 clinics across Burkina Faso, Tanzania and Pakistan. First, health care providers attended educational sessions where they heard firsthand stories from young women about their experiences with bias, alongside honest reflections from providers who recognized their own past prejudices. To sustain progress, providers joined a dedicated WhatsApp group to share experiences, offer support, and reinforce learning throughout the year. Regular in-person refresher sessions kept the focus on reducing bias, while clinics demonstrating the greatest improvements received quarterly awards to motivate ongoing progress. To assess how providers treated different types of patients, the study used "mystery shoppers"young women trained to pose as real clients seeking family planning services. These shoppers were randomly assigned profiles varying by age, marital status, and motherhood status. They completed the full consultation like any other client but did not select a contraceptive method, instead saying they needed more time or wanted to discuss their options with family members. Alongside mystery shopper data, researchers collected exit surveys and conducted qualitative interviews with providers and clients to gain a fuller understanding of clinic practices. The results showed that clinics receiving the intervention offered young women a broader range of contraceptive optionsincluding long-acting methodsand treated them with greater respect and empathy. This improvement was especially notable for women without children, who initially faced the highest levels of bias. "Our interpretation is that the women most likely to experience biassuch as younger, unmarried women without childrensimply don't visit clinics very often," Wagner said. "While our mystery shoppers represented these groups, many real women in these categories are unlikely to seek care." Among patients surveyed after their visits, there was little difference in contraceptive methods provided, largely because most weren't at high risk of bias in the first place, he added. "The intervention's success across three very different countries shows its potential for broader impact," Wagner said. "Reducing provider bias is a crucial step toward ensuring all young women can make informed decisions about their reproductive health." More information: Zachary Wagner et al, Reducing Bias Among Health Care Providers: Experimental Evidence from Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Pakistan, The Economic Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1093/ej/ueaf012 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: Burst from Pexels Over 1.5 billion people worldwide are affected by some degree of hearing loss. While it is often linked to aging, a lesser-known but significant cause is infections contracted during childhood and adolescence, many of which are preventable. This is particularly true in low- and middle-income countries, where access to hearing care is often limited. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 60% of childhood hearing loss could be prevented through public health measures such as vaccination against rubella and certain forms of meningitis. Statistics like these led a team of researchers, including several from Universite de Montreal's School of Public Health (EPSUM), to conduct an in-depth review of the scientific literature exploring the role vaccination could play in preventing hearing loss in children and adolescents. Their work is published in Communications Medicine. The team included Mira Johri, a professor in the Department of Health Management, Evaluation and Policy at ESPUM; Shoghig Tehinian, a professional doctorate candidate at ESPUM; Myriam Cielo Perez Osorio, a public health researcher at Quebec's Integrated Health and Social Services Center for Monteregie-Ouest; Enis Bars, a professor at the University of Washington; and Brian Wahl, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health. 26 pathogens The researchers conducted an extensive review of the literature to map existing knowledge of the relationship between vaccination and hearing loss prevention. "It was an extremely detailed review because we looked at the pathogens one by one," explained Tehinian. "We identified the available vaccines, their mechanisms of action, and what is known about their impact on hearing." The research team identified 26 infectious agents that can potentially cause hearing loss, including the virus responsible for common diseases such as measles as well as rubella, which is especially dangerous if contracted during pregnancy because it can harm the developing auditory system and cause congenital deafness. Also on the list are the virus that causes mumps, which can lead to sensorineural hearing loss by damaging the inner ear or auditory nerve, and the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis, which cause meningitis and result in permanent hearing damage. Gaps in the research The researchers found a glaring lack of empirical data on the protective effects of vaccines against hearing loss. Of the thousands of scientific articles identified as relevant, only nine published over the past 40 years met the criteria for inclusion in the new analysis. Moreover, these nine studies covered just three infectious agentsrubella, mumps and pneumococcusand were conducted exclusively in high-income countries, such as Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, the United States, Australia and Japan. "If a vaccine is shown to save lives, it's reasonable for policy decisions to be made on that basis," said Johri. "But vaccines can also offer significant benefits in preventing other harms, such as hearing loss, and these benefits deserve greater attention." The design of clinical trials can obscure these additional benefits. Since their primary goal is to demonstrate effectiveness against the target disease, the prevention of side effects such as hearing loss is rarely evaluated systematically. Some clear evidence The nine empirical studies that did examine linkages between vaccines and hearing loss prevention had mixed results. Some found that vaccination can provide protection while others showed no effect. Additionally, the methods used to measure hearing loss varied considerably, making direct comparisons difficult. Population-level studies show that rubella and mumps vaccination significantly reduces rates of deafness associated with these diseases. In Australia, for instance, the introduction of a rubella vaccination program led to a marked decline in cases of congenital deafness. In Sweden, the implementation of an MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination program was associated with a significant reduction in hearing problems among children. Studies on mumps in Japan and the United States also highlight the importance of vaccination in preventing hearing loss caused by this infection. On the other hand, three clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccines in preventing middle ear infections (serous otitis media) found no significant reduction in infection rates. The authors point out, however, that serous otitis media is not a direct indicator of permanent hearing loss. Expanding vaccine access The researchers believe that raising awareness of the hearing-related benefits of vaccination could help strengthen existing immunization programsespecially in low- and middle-income countries, where vaccination coverage is still inadequate. "If vaccination against measles, for example, is already recommended to reduce mortality, the fact that it can also prevent hearing loss could be highlighted as an additional benefit," explained Johri. "This could bolster the case for adopting a universal vaccination program." The study recommends including the effect on hearing loss in vaccine evaluations, both during development and for products already on the market. This factor could also help inform research priorities for new vaccine formulations. "These indirect benefits of vaccination need to be better documented and communicated to the public," said Tehinian. "It could help reduce vaccine hesitancy." "Our School of Public Health is located very close to the former Montreal Institute for the Deaf and Mute," Johri pointed out. "Only a few decades ago, there were so many children with hearing loss that we needed a dedicated facility for them. Now, thanks to antibiotics and vaccines, fewer people in Canada are affected by hearing loss. This is a success story that could be replicated around the world." More information: Mira Johri et al, Vaccination for prevention of hearing loss: a scoping review, Communications Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43856-025-00795-w Journal information: Communications 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: Health department staff members enter the Andrews County Health Department measles clinic carrying doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. Credit: AP Photo/Annie Rice, File 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. 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. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: Overview of sequencing-based neutralization assay. Credit: (2025). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.106811.1 A new study has shown that person-to-person variation in antibody immunity plays a key role in shaping which influenza (flu) strains dominate in a population. The work, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, uses a high-throughput sequencing-based assay to quantify antibody immunity against circulating H3N2 flu strains in both children and adults. The editors describe this as an important study that advances our understanding of population-level immunity, and say that the strength of evidence is compelling. The work will be of interest to immunologists, virologists, vaccine developers and researchers working on mathematical modeling of infectious diseases. Flu viruses accumulate mutations that help them evade antibodies generated by the immune system after prior infections or vaccinations. This process means that people can be reinfected with the flu multiple times in their lives, and vaccines must be regularly updated to remain effective. The human immune response to flu is shaped by a variety of factors, including the strains an individual has previously encountered. "Differences in infection and vaccination histories within a group of people mean that population immunity to a specific variant of the flu is highly varied," says co-lead author Caroline Kikawa, an MD/Ph.D. student in the Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, U.S., and the Division of Basic Sciences and Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, U.S. "Understanding how this variety in antibodies across a population affects the evolutionary success of new flu strains has remained challenging, in part because conventional methods to quantify antibody levels are too slow and can only assess a handful of samples at a time." Kikawa served as lead author of the study alongside Andrea Loes, Staff Scientist and Lab Manager at senior author Jesse Bloom's lab, Division of Basic Sciences and Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutch Cancer Center. To address this challenge, Kikawa, Loes and colleagues developed a high-throughput neutralization assay to measure how well individual serum samplesthe component of blood that contains antibodiescan block infection by a panel of different flu viruses. High-throughput refers to the assay's ability to process large amounts of data simultaneously. The team produced viruses expressing 78 distinct hemagglutinin (HA) proteins from 2023-circulating flu viruses and recent vaccine strains, and tagged each one with a unique genetic "barcode." HA proteins are a part of the virus recognized by antibodies, and can rapidly change to evade the immune response. The team mixed these viruses with sera and used a technique called Illumina sequencing to quantify how well each virus was neutralized. Using this approach, the researchers measured neutralization titersa measurement of how much serum is needed to neutralize the virusagainst the 78 flu variants using 150 serum samples, from children and adults, collected in 2023 in the US. In total, they generated over 11,000 individual titer measurements, creating a detailed snapshot of population immunity at the start of the 20232024 flu season. The results showed wide variation in neutralization responses between individuals. For example, some of the sera collected from children strongly neutralized nearly all tested strains, while others had a much weaker response. Adults generally showed more consistent immunity, but still displayed considerable variation individually. Overall, the highest rates of neutralization responses were found in a subset of children, consistent with the idea that neutralizing antibody responses are highest to strains encountered during the first decades of life. It could also be that children are more prone to the flu and could therefore be more likely to have recent immunological boosting. These findings highlight that immunity to the flu is highly personalized. To evaluate how this variation affects virus evolution, the researchers compared neutralization titers with the growth rates of each viral strain during the 2023 flu season. They used a statistical model called multinomial logistic regression to analyze how the frequency of each strain changed over time in the human population, and compared this to the fraction of serum samples that had low neutralization titers against each strain. They found that the strains that spread most successfully were those that escaped neutralization in a larger fraction of the sera. Specifically, strains were more likely to grow in frequency when a high percentage of individuals had titers below a threshold, indicating weaker immunity against that strain. This suggests that large-scale sequencing-based neutralization assays can help inform our understanding of flu virus evolution. This relationship held when neutralization was measured using individual sera, but not when the sera were pooled together. In some virus surveillance systems, pooled serum samples are used to estimate population immunity. However, this finding suggests that pooled measurements may fail to capture the full range of responses seen in individuals. "Our findings show that individual-level immune variation, not just average immunity across the population, is a key factor in determining which flu strains are most successful," says Loes. While the study involved a large number of titer measurements, the authors note that the samples were collected from a limited set of locations and age groups. Most child samples came from a hospital in Seattle, while adult samples were drawn from vaccinated cohorts in Philadelphia and Australia. As a result, the dataset may not fully reflect global patterns of immunity. "This is nevertheless one of the largest datasets linking human antibody immunity to the success of flu virus strains in a population," says senior author and HHMI Investigator Jesse Bloom, Professor in the Basic Sciences Division and Herbold Computational Biology Program at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, and Affiliate Professor of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington. "It provides a framework for understanding how diverse immune histories can affect viral evolution. These methods could complement existing surveillance systems and support vaccine composition decisions by providing more detailed insights into population immunity." More information: Caroline Kikawa et al, High-throughput neutralization measurements correlate strongly with evolutionary success of human influenza strains, eLife (2025). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.106811.1 Journal information: eLife 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: Antibiotic susceptibility and multidrug resistance. Credit: The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00212-9 Researchers from the University of Liverpool have worked on a UCL-led study that illustrates efforts to reduce child mortality in Africa. Their work investigates how mass treatment with the antibiotic azithromycin (AZM) may lead to increased drug resistance in bacteria that frequently cause pneumonia and meningitis, highlighting the need for careful monitoring. The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, is a collaboration with researchers from UCL, the University of Liverpool, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Program, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and Yale University. The research provides the first data on how mass antibiotic drug administration (MDA) for infectious diseaseswhereby all eligible members of a vulnerable population are treated with a particular drug to reduce childhood mortalitymay shape bacterial populations over time, facilitating the evolution and spread of strains with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As a result of their findings, the authors of the study are calling for long-term genomic surveillance, which is used to track changes in the DNA of pathogens, to monitor trends in antibiotic resistance in places where MDA is used. This would allow the risks of AMR to be appropriately weighed against the benefits of MDA, and to make interventions if necessary. Dr. Akuzike Kalizang'oma, lead researcher on the study from UCL Division of Infection & Immunity and the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Program, said, "Our findings highlight the potential trade-offs between MDA to improve childhood survival and increased AMR that makes common infections more difficult to treat. It is important to get the balance right. "In high mortality regions where this type of program is being rolled out, mortality surveillance to assess the benefits of intervention is needed, so that the risks of AMR can be appropriately weighed against the benefits of MDA. Careful monitoring using robust genomic approaches to monitor the impact of MDA, and guide the appropriate course of action to prevent resistant strains from rapidly spreading in the community is also essential." In the study, the researchers compared samples from 452 children living in areas that received repeated rounds of AZM MDA with 453 samples from children living in areas that received a placebo. Both areas were in Mangochi, a largely rural district close to Lake Malawi. Focusing on bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus), which are commonly carried at the back of the nose of children but also frequently cause life-threatening pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, the team used genome sequencing techniques to read the genetic information of the bacteria, in order to characterize the different pneumococcal types in circulation and identify any AMR traits that they carried. The researchers found that in areas that had received MDA, resistance to AZM and similar antibiotics rose from 21.7% to 32.1% three and a half years after treatment concluded, and that this resistance also spread to children born in these communities subsequently. However, resistance also increased in areas that had received a placebo, from 21% to 30.9% three and a half years post-treatment, suggesting that AMR appeared to be spreading across communities. Additionally, S. pneumoniae strains were identified that had acquired resistance to multiple other antibiotics, including the frontline antibiotic penicillin, which is in widespread use. Professor Robert Heyderman, senior author of the study from UCL Division of Infection & Immunity, said, "The prevailing view for many years has been that resistance to macrolide antibiotics such as AZM goes away once you stop using them. We show that pneumococcal AZM resistance persists and spreads to children not exposed to the antibiotic. "There is also the view that in Africa, because macrolides are not first-line treatment for most serious infections, some resistance is not that important. However, macrolides are used for treating pneumonia, and are first-line treatment for cholera and drug-resistant typhoid. We show that the emergence of pneumococcal AZM resistance is frequently associated with resistance to other important antibiotics. "Without timely detection of resistant strains and intervention, these trends may become difficult to reverse." Following several large clinical trials, in 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a guideline conditionally recommending MDA consisting of two doses per year of AZM among children aged 1 month to 11 months in areas where there is high childhood mortality. The authors stress that AZM MDA programs remain an important tool for improving child survival in populations where mortality is unacceptably high. However, the findings of the study raise questions about the long-term impact of MDA on public health. Without timely detection and intervention, they say these trends have the potential to make common serious infections much more difficult to treat, potentially reversing the benefits of the MDA program. Professor Neil French, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Global Health at the University of Liverpool and one of the authors of the study, said, "Antimicrobial resistance is a major global threat but particularly among the most vulnerable, the exact same population of children who will benefit from AZM MDA. It is essential to get the balance right between early benefits and long-term harm and ensuring efficient surveillance of these mass drug programs will be essential." More information: Akuzike Kalizang'oma et al, Long-term effects of azithromycin mass administration to reduce childhood mortality on Streptococcus pneumoniae antimicrobial resistance: a population-based, cross-sectional, follow-up carriage survey, The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00212-9 Journal information: Lancet Infectious Diseases 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: Helena Lopes from Pexels Pregnancy and birth rates among Minnesota youth have reached their lowest levels since 1990, continuing a decades-long decline, according to the newly released 2025 Minnesota Adolescent Sexual Health Report from the University of Minnesota Medical School's Center for Healthy Youth Development (CHYD). This annual report aims to help Minnesotans understand the current landscape of young people's sexual and reproductive health and how it is tied more broadly to healthy youth development. "Adolescent sexual health is about more than just avoiding pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections," said Jill Farris, MPH, director of training and education for the Center for Healthy Youth Development. "These encouraging trends show that young people are making informed, healthy choices, and they deserve recognition for that. But progress depends on continued investment in supporting the whole adolescentphysically, socially, emotionally and cognitivelywith tools and resources that empower them to make thoughtful decisions about their own sexual health." The new report shows that while STIs are still prevalent among youth, they continue to decline. Chlamydia rates are at the lowest point in decades. This year's report also found: Teen birth and pregnancy rates for 15-to-19-year-olds have dropped nearly 5% and 3%, respectively, from 2022 to 2023. Since 1990, these rates have declined by 70%. Minnesota youth represent a small segment of the population, yet they continue to bear a significant burden of STIs25% of chlamydia and 13% of gonorrhea cases statewide. Disparities in sexual health outcomes among Minnesota youth are complex and intersect across geography, race, gender identity and sexual orientation. This year's report also spotlights an often-overlooked group: youth in the legal system. The findings call attention to how the current approach to youth with sexually harmful behaviors often does more harm than good. Evidence shows punitive responses, such as incarceration or sex offender registrationoften based on models developed for adultsare largely ineffective for youth and can increase the likelihood of reoffending. Despite recent progress, social determinants of healthincluding demographic differences, racial/ethnic disparities, and gender identityand access to care continue to play a key role in young people's ability to access high-quality sexual health information and care. "To effectively support adolescent sexual health, we must address the diverse experiences of all youth," said Farris. "Every young person deserves access to accurate, inclusive sexual health information, and families, caregivers, clinicians and decision-makers in the legal system play a vital role in providing that education." Interactive reports for each of Minnesota's 87 counties are available online. More information: Read the Minnesota Adolescent Sexual Health Report. 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 mother feeding a child as she waits for treatment at a health facility in South Sudan. Scaling up breast feeding could prevent 823,000 infant deaths a year. Credit: Lomora Ronald, CC BY-SA 4.0 Breastfeeding saves lives. It is one of the most powerful, proven investments in child survival, development and health. And yet its practice is being underminednot 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 more than 90%. What these aggressive campaigns for breast milk substitutes (BMS) do not tell parents is that breast milk is essential for building a child's immune systemsomething 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 vulnerablewhen 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% of their marketing budgets on digital toolsfrom apps and virtual baby clubs to paid influencers and online forumsharvesting 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% reduction in the risk of physical and cognitive stunting. These recognized advantages of breast milk had begun to take hold. Since 2012, rates of exclusive breastfeeding have risen from 37% to nearly 48% 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% 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 marketingparents 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 counselors supported by the SUN Movement, the country has far surpassed the global exclusive breastfeeding targets of 50% for 2025, reaching a rate of more than 65%. 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. Let's make sure we use it and ensure this resolution moves from Geneva into meaningful action and change online and on the ground. 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Researchers at the Indiana University Indianapolis Fairbanks School of Public Health have released updated findings that track childhood obesity trends through 2023, revealing that the pandemic-era surge in obesity rates among central Indiana children has not significantly reversed. The new data, drawn from nearly 400,000 additional patient encounters in 2023, offers the most comprehensive picture to date of childhood obesity trends across Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson and Shelby counties. The study now includes data from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2023. The analysis shows that childhood obesity spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking in 2021. Although some demographic groups have seen modest declines since, overall rates remain high. The 2023 data indicate a slight increase from the previous year, underscoring the slow pace of recovery to pre-pandemic levels and the significant variation in outcomes across racial, ethnic and age groups. "Adding another year of data strengthens our ability to monitor trends and reinforces the urgency of addressing childhood obesity," said Thomas Duszynski, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Fairbanks School and an affiliated research scientist at the Regenstrief Institute. "The small changes we see from 2022 to 2023 reflect the long-term challenge of reversing pandemic-era gains." The updated report draws from Indiana's Health Information Exchange, which aggregates electronic health record data from major health systems including IU Health, Eskenazi Health, Ascension St. Vincent, Community Health Network and others. With over a decade of clinical data collected through measured height and weight, this study offers an accurate surveillance system to understand obesity prevalence. "Jump IN has worked for years to make this kind of ongoing data collection possible," said Julie Burns, CEO of Jump IN for Healthy Kids. "Now that we have consistent, high-quality data, we can better design, implement and evaluate programs to reduce childhood obesity and address the health disparities that contribute to it." Key findings include: Obesity remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, with 1 in 5 children aged 2 to 19 affected. Marion County continues to report the highest rates among both males and females. Data from 2023 show small but meaningful shifts in some groups, suggesting that different populations of children are affected by different environmental and social factors, and each may require a tailored approach. While the report uses actual clinical measurements and benefits from a large sample size, researchers note that the data reflect only those children who accessed health care services during the study period. Additionally, demographic classifications combine race and ethnicity in ways that may not fully capture the diversity of identities within the population. "These changes can indicate that different populations of children are impacted by different environmental factors," said Duszynski. "We're looking at structural influences, where kids live, learn and play, that affect their health." The findings highlight the urgent need for evidence-based, targeted interventions. "We must continue investing in community-level strategies that address the complexity of obesity," said Duszynski. "This report gives us the foundation to do that work smarter and more effectively." More information: Weight Trends Among Children and Adolescents within Central Indiana: 2023 Data Addendum (posted April 2025). www.jumpinforhealthykids.org/c ldhood-obesity-data/ 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 new study has found a super-sweet chemical in illegal flavored e-cigarettes that may make them more appealing to kids and teens. The sweetener, called neotame, is up to 13,000 times sweeter than sugar and is usually used in products like ice cream or lip gloss, STAT News reported. But now, researchers say it's showing up in popular disposable vapes. The study, published June 2 in JAMA, tested 11 brands of flavored vapes sold in the U.S.including Elf Bar, Breeze and Mr. Fogand found neotame in all of them, even in products labeled as "zero nicotine." These products are illegal, but they're still sold in gas stations, stores and online. Researchers did not find neotame in the four e-cigarettes authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor in Juul, which awaits FDA approval, STAT News said in a report. Experts say neotame could be a big reason why teens are drawn to these flavored vapes. "We think that the presence of neotame is really a determining factor in the attractiveness and preference for these products," said study author Sven Jordt, a professor at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C. That's especially true for children and teens, who crave sweet tastes much more than adults, Jordt added. The Truth Initiative, an anti-tobacco nonprofit, says flavored vapes now make up 86% of e-cigarette retail sales in the U.S. Most are imported from China, where flavored vapes were banned in 2022, prompting companies to ship them abroad instead. Right now, the FDA has authorized 34 e-cigarettes, all in tobacco or menthol flavors. These make up just 14% of retail sales. The U.S. Supreme Court recently backed the FDA's decision not to authorize flavored vapes, citing their appeal to young people. A 2024 federal survey found that 5.9% of U.S. middle- and high-school students use e-cigarettes. Among those who vape, flavored disposable vapes are the most popular. Public health experts say this is troubling because nicotine can harm developing brains and may lead to smoking or other addictions later in life. Neotame is only FDA-approved for food, not for inhalation. Experts worry about what happens when these sweeteners are breathed into the lungs. "We don't know how safe they are if you inhale them into your lungs," Jordt said. In cigarettes, for example, added sugar can mask bitter flavors. But when burned, it also increases harmful chemicals in the smoke. Sweeteners are also used in nicotine pouches and chewing tobacco. Some experts say companies use this to bypass rules about flavored productseven when the product still has a distinct taste. The law does not say how "sweetness" should be regulated, STAT News added. Some vape brands are now using nicotine analogschemicals similar to nicotine but with a different formula. That makes it unclear whether the FDA has the power to regulate them. In the study, these analog products contained zero nicotine, but still had some neotame. Brands like Spree Bar may be using this strategy to avoid FDA rules, however. In May, the FDA announced it had seized $34 million worth of illegal vapes in Chicago. "I personally have observed kids from good families who have become addicted to vaping," FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said. "Products imported from China may have risks we have yet to understand as a medical profession," Makary added. Still, budget cuts and closure of the CDC's Office of Smoking and Health may limit how much the FDA and CDC can do. "While the research highlights important questions from a toxicological and abuse liability standpoint, the sheer size of the illicit e-cigarette market needs addressing," Cristine Delnevo, director of the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies in New Jersey, told STAT News via email. She added the FDA must enforce the rules and authorize only those products that meet safety standards. 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: When Eliana DeVos plays with her Ariel doll, her mom can't help but get emotional. "I call her my little mermaid," Krystal DeVos, who lives in Corpus Christi, Texas, told CNN. What makes that nickname extra special is the surprising way Eliana's life was savedthrough the use of fish skin. Eliana was born extremely premature, at just 23 weeks and weighing just one pound. She spent 131 days in neonatal intensive care, where she developed a severe, fast-spreading infection on her neck that doctors say nearly took her life. "It was almost like a flesh-eating disease," her mom said. "Her body was attacking something in her neck." The infection led to sepsis, a dangerous condition that can shut down the organs. As her condition worsened, her family and doctors looked for anything that might help. That's when doctors at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, offered a new option: using fish skin to help her wound heal. Dr. Vanessa Dimas, a pediatric plastic surgeon at Driscoll, said Eliana was too fragile for surgery or a human skin graft. "She was a premature baby. The wound was very extensive. And she was pretty sick," Dimas said. Instead, she and wound care nurse practitioner Roxana Reyna used a medical honey solution to clean the wound. Then they added fish skin, a medical product made from wild North Atlantic cod, to help it close and heal. The fish skinmade by the Icelandic company Kerecisacts like a scaffold, helping new skin tissue grow. It's close to human skin in structure and contains omega oils and other natural healing elements. "Once it basically does its job helping the wound heal, it sort of just melts away," Dimas said. In Eliana's case, the results came quickly. After just three days, doctors noticed "dramatic" improvements. They changed her dressings every three days. Ten days after the first fish skin treatment, her wound had closedwith little scarring and no surgery, CNN reported. "There were no adverse reactions," Dimas and Reyna wrote in a report presented in March at the European Wound Management Association Conference in Barcelona, Spain. Three years later, Eliana's scar is barely visible. The doctors say she was likely the first preemie so small to receive this treatment. Fish skin has been used for wound care around the world, but not often in childrenand especially not in babies as small as Eliana. Dr. Arun Gosain, chair of plastic surgery at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said other types of animal tissue have also been used for wound healing. "There are other forms of what we call xenografts, or taking tissue from another species and using it for wound healing," Gosain said. They come from animals like pigs or cows. They don't replace skin but can act as temporary dressings to keep a wound clean and help healing begin. Still, Gosain cautioned that not all wounds will heal with these methods. Further, doctors must be careful about allergiesespecially to fish. In babies, it's not always clear whether they have allergies. "That would be the biggest risk: an unknown allergy that could potentially cause some problems," Dimas said. "Other than that, there's still a chance that the kid may need surgery, because we don't know how much this is going to help us heal the child." For Eliana's mom, the experience was inspiring. "What I hope people take away is that we can be grateful for modern medicine and the power of faith," she told CNN. "Never be fearful to try something new. Always be open-minded and just have faith," she said. "If something sounds different or you've never been exposed to it before, just take a chance and have a little faith. And in our case, it worked out really great." More information: The National Institutes of Health has more on fish skin for wound dressings. 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain For decades, gynecologic cancer treatment has used aggressive surgical intervention and chemotherapy. These methods often harmed fertility. They also caused severe side effects and an uncertain prognosis. Cancer genetic testing has transformed cancer care by enabling precise treatment, predicting recurrence risk, and preserving fertility, once impossible for young patients. To explore how genetic testing guides precision medicine for both gynecologic cancer patients and clinicians, BGI Genomics spoke with two leading experts: Professor Wu Xiaohua, Professor of Medical Oncology at Fudan University's Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, and Professor Du Bin, Chief of Pathology at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital. Rising threat of gynecologic cancers Gynecologic cancerscervical, endometrial, and ovarianpose a growing threat to women's health worldwide. In 2022 alone, these diseases led to 1.47 million new cases and over 680,000 deaths, according to a 2024 Journal of Global Health study. Cervical cancer remains the deadliest, particularly in regions with high HIV rates and limited access to screening. While some cancers have shown improved outcomesovarian cancer survival rose from 36% in 1975 to 51% in 2019others, like endometrial cancer, have seen declining survival and rising mortality, as shown in a study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Gynecologic cancers are often mistaken for other conditions, such as period cramps or bleeding. Prof. Wu recalls a 29-year-old patient who was diagnosed too late. "She had developed an abdominal mass since experiencing stomach pain in high school. During surgery, we found widespread tumors. With profound regret, we performed a complete resection." Ovarian cancer is highly occult, as Prof. Wu explained, "Seventy percent of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Of these, 70% relapse within 23 years, and 70% do not survive beyond five years." Protecting fertility rights For generations, treating cervical cancer meant sacrificing fertilitya devastating consequence for young women. In 2006, Professor Wu Xiaohua and his team performed one of China's first abdominal radical trachelectomies (ART), a procedure that removes cancerous tissue while preserving the uterus. Their patient later gave birth, marking a milestone in fertility-sparing surgery. Then, in 2011, a breakthrough emerged: the "Fudan Standard." Developed by Prof. Wu and his multidisciplinary team at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, this pioneering medical guideline transformed treatment for young cervical cancer patients. Previously, fertility-sparing surgery was limited to tumors under 2 cm. The Fudan Standard safely expanded eligibility to tumors up to 4 cm, doubling the percentage of eligible women under 45 (from 18% to 36%) while slashing recurrence rates from 12% to just 2%. The innovation gained further traction in 2015 when Wu's team introduced a technique to enhance tumor margin assessment during ART. Published in the European Journal of Cancer, this advancement allowed surgeons to make real-time decisions, minimizing the need for additional procedures. Remarkably, none of the patients treated with this method experienced recurrence, confirming its long-term safety and efficacy. Today, the fight against gynecologic cancers increasingly hinges on integrating genetics and precision diagnostics, with tools like tumor gene testing refining treatment strategies and safeguarding patients' quality of life. Prevention over treatment Genetic testing for preventive screening and precision medicine is as vital as surgery in gynecologic cancer care. "Prevention is better than treatmentthis is a fundamental principle," Prof. Wu emphasizes. Guided by this philosophy, as early as 2016, he collaborated with BGI Genomics to conduct China's first multi-center study on BRCA1/2 mutation rates in ovarian cancer, analyzing data from 826 patients across Sichuan, Guangdong, Shanghai, Shandong, Beijing, and other regions. The groundbreaking findings revealed that 28.5% of ovarian cancer patients carried BRCA mutationsa discovery that opened new avenues for precision diagnosis and treatment. "We overcame significant challenges to establish China's first BRCA mutation database for ovarian cancer patients," Prof. Wu noted. Subsequently, the prospective study on the relationship between homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status and platinum-based chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer has helped build the foundation for many subsequent research. Precision medicine improves outcome Gene testing technology has now been widely applied in the diagnosis of various cancers and other diseases. According to Prof. Du Bin, Chief of Pathology at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, with the advancement of oncology, clinical tumor diagnosis demands increasingly higher pathological standards. Tumor genetic testing has become one of the essential tools to meet these requirements and serves as a crucial component of precision medicine. "Modern cancer care demands highly precise diagnostics, and tumor gene testing is a critical weapon in our arsenal," he states. Using endometrial cancer as an example, Prof. Du explains how molecular subtyping has transformed treatment approaches. Back in the days with the absence of molecular classification, all patients may be treated in the same way, which lead to varies treatment outcomes. "Genetic testing reveals a tumor's DNA profile, enabling precision treatmenta major advance over conventional cancer therapy that benefits both doctors and patients," said Prof. Du, "With these advanced tools, we can now perform highly accurate genetic testing to improve treatment outcome." As genetic testing becomes integral to oncology, its applications continue to expand, guiding therapy selection, improving survival rates, and reducing patient suffering. For doctors like Prof. Wu and Prof. Du, it represents not just scientific progress, but hope for countless patients battling cancer. Their works have helped women with ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers to get more personalized and suitable treatment, proving that cutting-edge science can coexist with compassionate care. Provided by BGI Genomics 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 representative picture of an organoid grown by Brian Lin and team. The researchers said it was the first one they ever saw. Credit: Tufts University Using a newly devised, three-dimensional model to study the regeneration of nerve tissue in the nose, researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) and colleagues have discovered that one type of stem cell thought to be dormant may play a more significant role in preserving the sense of smell than originally believed. Unlike cells in the central nervous system, sensory neurons in the nasal cavity have a remarkable ability to regenerate throughout life despite near-constant exposure to the outside environment. Viral infections such as COVID-19, exposure to toxins, or even aging itself can diminish their function or the ability of these cells to replicate, which can lead to a partial or complete loss of smell. The team of researchers devised a new, easy-to-create, three-dimensional olfactory tissue mouse model or organoid to help scientists better study how neurons are continually formed in the nose and why this process might decline in disease and aging. Their research, published recently in Cell Reports Methods, uses this mouse model to show how two types of stem cells in the nose, called horizontal basal cells (HBCs) and globose basal cells (GBCs), communicate and support each other to develop new smell-sensing nerve tissue. "Our research suggests that these two stem cells may be interdependent," says Brian Lin, senior author on the study and a research assistant professor in the Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology. "One type that we thought was largely dormantHBCsmay actually play a crucial role in supporting the production of new neurons and the repair of damaged tissue." Using this model, the team identified a specific subpopulation of HBCs, marked by their production of the protein KRT5, that actively supports the generation of new olfactory neurons. The researchers observed that these particular HBCs play a key role in the formation of the organoids, and they found that when these cells were selectively depleted from the organoid cultures, the generation of new neurons was significantly impaired. These results suggest that these stem cells, once thought to be dormant, are essential players in the regenerative process. "We also looked at cells from mice of different ages and grew them in the model," Lin says. "We found a decline in the ability of the older mice's cells to generate new neurons. We think this is due to a decrease in the GBC population as we age, but we need to do more work to test this hypothesis, and if so, develop ways to rejuvenate them." An easy-to-use model Lead author of the study, Juliana Gutschow Gameiro, a former Ph.D. student visiting GSBS, came to Tufts from the State University of Londrina, Parana, in Brazil. Lin says she was dedicated to developing a model that was easy to create in labs with limited funds and equipment. "Because loss of smell is associated with COVID-19, as well as with Parkinson's disease and other conditions, a much larger number of researchers from a variety of different fields have begun researching olfactory epithelial cells in the last few years," says Lin. "We wanted to develop an easy-to-use model so that non-stem cell biologists and those working in labs with limited resources could use it to better understand how olfactory neurons regenerate and what happens that causes that process to diminish or fail completely," he says. Next step: A human organoid The ultimate goal is to use this mouse-tissue model of olfactory sensory neurons as a pathway to developing a human organoid that can be used to screen drugs to treat people whose sense of smell is significantly diminished or gone. Organoids make pre-clinical trial research quicker, less expensive, and potentially more effective than using whole animals or existing human cell cultures. Organoids have already been developed for lungs, kidneys, and other organs, but not for human olfactory tissue. "It's challenging to get pure olfactory tissue from humans," Lin says. Individuals are anesthetized and a brush similar to a COVID test wand is pushed deep into the nasal cavity. Unlike in their mouse model, human respiratory stem cells and olfactory stem cells collected in this process are difficult to separate. The research team's next challenge is to develop a simple, inexpensive technique for separating human olfactory stem cells and coaxing them to grow in the lab. More information: Juliana Gutschow Gameiro et al, Quiescent horizontal basal stem cells act as a niche for olfactory neurogenesis in a mouse 3D organoid model, Cell Reports Methods (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2025.101055 Journal information: Cell Reports Methods 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: Identification of the desF gene encoding steroid 17-HSDH. Credit: Nature Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-025-01979-9 A study led by Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) member Jason Ridlon, associate professor of animal sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), has revealed that bacteria in the urinary tract can turn corticosteroids into androgenshormones that help prostate cancer grow. The research is published in Nature Microbiology. Ridlon led the microbiological research and hypothesis development while Joseph Irudayaraj, professor of bioengineering and CCIL Associate Director of Shared Resources, developed the microbial bead technology used in the experiments. Ridlon began this work in 2015, hypothesizing that gut and urinary tract bacteria contribute to hormone-driven cancer. "When we obtained our first isolate that generated androgens, we thought, 'Eureka!' The hypothesis has some plausibility," he said. The bacteria converted drugs such as prednisone used in androgen-deprivation therapy into androgens, stimulating cancer cell growth. The team identified two bacterial genes, desF and desG, that make hormone-like compounds. One big surprise was that a hormone called epitestosterone, thought to block cancer, actually caused prostate cancer cells to grow even more. They also studied Propionimicrobium lymphophilum, linked to prostate cancer, which may contribute by producing androgens. "Bacteria in our bodies are an overlooked part of our hormone system," said Ridlon. His Sterolbiome Lab focuses on how microbes affect steroid hormones. This could lead to new treatments, such as drugs that block harmful bacterial hormones. Irudayaraj said, "When we developed the microbial bead technology, we did not realize the broad impact of its applications. Saeed Ahmad, a bioengineering doctoral student in our team, however, was instrumental in extending the methods to encapsulate anaerobic bacteria in the beadsthis formed the basis for all co-culture studies to assess the role of these class of microbes on prostate cancer proliferation." Irudayaraj also noted that the team's work on prostate cancer can be extended to other hormonal cancers, such as breast cancer. "It's nice to know that our work is recognized by highly regarded experts in this field. This also highlights the importance of collaboration across disciplines," Ridlon said about the publication. Ridlon shared that the team is now focused on mapping additional bacterial pathways that metabolize steroids. "We're in the process of describing these new pathways. More will follow when these are published." "We have shown that these beads can withstand pH variations in the gastro-intestinal tract. Our next steps are to make several cocktails of these steroid modulating microbes for experiments in animal models, taking it a step closer to translation," added Irudayaraj. More information: Taojun Wang et al, An expanded metabolic pathway for androgen production by commensal bacteria, Nature Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-025-01979-9 Journal information: Nature Microbiology The City of Missoula adopted the LGBTQIA Pride flag as an official city flag on Monday night in response to a new state law that restricts what can be flown on public property. The Missoula City Council voted 9-2 for the approval, which uses a loophole in the new state law that allows local government flags to be flown. The law restricting flags on public property, known as House Bill 819, bans governments from flying flags that promote "political party, race, sexual orientation, gender or political ideology." The law does not bar people from personally sporting flags, but focuses on official uses of the flag. Ward 1 City Councilor Jennifer Savage said the law limits visibility for the queer community. "If we pass this resolution tonight, we take a stand against a bill that was only meant to silence marginalized groups," Savage said. "We will say we won't go back to the days before Stonewall. We will say that every kid is safe here, and to those kids just trying to be exactly who they are, we will say we see you, we really see you." Savage said as the mother of a queer daughter, she said the removal of Pride flags would create a negative effect for LGBTQIA youth in Missoula. Similar measures have been passed in Boise and Salt Lake City after laws restricting the use of the Pride flag passed in Idaho and Utah. Dozens of residents marched with Pride flags before the meeting and spoke in support of the measure on Monday night. Many of the speakers were local teachers, who said they had to remove Pride flags in their classrooms because of the new law. Wilena Old Person, the chair of Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees, said at the meeting that the issue is about visibility for students. "We really need to honor our students and let them know they are welcome in their schools, in their classrooms, and it is a way for us to show inclusivity," Old Person said. Several local high school students also attended the meeting and spoke in support. While most in the room opposed the new state law, Ward 5 Councilor Bob Campbell and Ward 6 Councilor Sandra Vasecka said they opposed the official flag policy because it serves one group, rather than the larger city community. "Unfortunately adopting the Pride flag, or any other flag, whether it be thin blue line flag, the BLM flag, the Gadsden flag, any of those accepting as an official flag, it does choose sides," Vasecka said. "We do need to remain neutral as a local governing body." The new state law does already have exceptions for several flags like the thin blue line flag, which represents solidarity with police officers, and the Gadsden flag, known for its slogan "don't tread on me." A majority of the councilors said they supported the policy because it pushes back on the restrictive state law and follows the request of hundreds of residents who contacted the city after the state law passed. Ward 4 Councilor Mike Nugent said the city should respond to the state action, whether or not it leads to a lawsuit. "We want people to be able to live their life in Missoula, and this is absolutely the right thing to do," Nugent said. "I don't care if tomorrow it was thrown out in court, it would remain the right thing to do." The resolution passed by city council now allows all forms of the Pride flag to be flown on government property. City Attorney for Civil Services Ryan Sudbury told the Missoulian that since the flag is an official city flag, it could be flown anywhere in the state of Montana. There are still lingering legal questions for the decision, like whether the Pride flag can be Missoula's only official flag. While Nugent argued there is no state code limiting the number of city flags, Sudbury countered that generally a city's flag is the one, official flag. Sudbury also noted that there was no official city flag before the ordinance, although the city does have a logo that could be used on a flag. News of the law quickly sparked disapproval from state Rep. Braxton Mitchell, who authored HB 819. He shared a statement with the Missoulian that said cities should not fly political symbols on public property. Leave it to Missoula to try and turn a city flag into a pride flag," Mitchell said in a statement. "Nothing says unity like politicizing public property. The ultra far left Missoula City Council and their mayor are completely out of touch with reality and the values of the vast majority of Montanans. Taxpayer-owned property should represent everyone, not just the loudest political movements of the moment." He also told the Missoulian that discussions over a potential lawsuit of the city's resolution are ongoing. He argued that the city is violating state law with the measure. Despite Mitchell's characterization of the Pride flag, members of the public said Monday night that the flag is a symbol of unity and does not subscribe to an official political party or ideology. Linus Peterson, a student at Hellgate High School, said he found it sickening that the state government sought to remove the Pride flag from government buildings. "That flag is not a symbol of hate, it is not symbol of extremism, it is not a symbol of violence, it does not promote anything bad, it is a symbol of inclusivity and love," Peterson said. The city council will meet next on Wednesday to begin its fiscal year 2026 budget discussions. Lee Montana State Bureau reporter Carly Graf contributed to this story. Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) has strongly refuted a report published by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on 2 June 2025 regarding alleged links between Adani group entities and Iranian-origin liquified petroleum gas (LPG) shipments, calling the claims 'baseless and mischievous'. In a regulatory filing , AEL categorically denied any deliberate involvement in sanctions evasion or trade connected to Iran, asserting that its operations are fully compliant with both domestic and international laws, including US sanctions. The WSJs story appears to be based entirely on incorrect assumptions and speculation, the company says, adding that any suggestion of wilful contravention of US sanctions was 'slanderous' and could be seen as an 'intentional act to injure the reputation and interests of the Adani group'. Adani further stated that it has no knowledge of any investigation by US authorities into the matter. The WSJ report, authored by Ben Foldy and Dave Michaels, cited evidence suggesting that tankers delivering LPG to Adani's businesses exhibited signs, typically, used to obscure ship movements, such as AIS spoofing. One vessel, the SMS Bros, reportedly loaded LPG in Iran, despite documentation indicating Oman as the origin. The report also mentioned that these actions occurred against the backdrop of earlier legal troubles for Adani, including a 2023 Hindenburg Research report accusing the group of securities violations and a 2024 US fraud indictment involving alleged bribes to Indian officials. However, Adani group asserted that, as a matter of policy, it does not handle cargo originating from Iran or transported by vessels flying the Iranian flag. It also stated that the group does not operate or manage ships owned by Iranian entities. The shipment referred to in the WSJs 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, Adani clarified. The company explained that LPG is an operationally minor segment of its business. Of the groups consolidated revenue of over US$11.7bn (billion) in FY2425, the LPG segment contributed just US$171.2mn (million) or around 1.46% of total revenue, it says. Adani said that all LPG transactions are conducted through established international suppliers, who are contractually obligated to ensure that the cargo originates from non-sanctioned countries. Due diligence, including know-your-customer (KYC) checks, is undertaken to confirm that suppliers are not listed by the office of foreign assets control (OFAC), it says, reiterating its shipping logistics are handled by third-party firms in accordance with global compliance protocols. The group also noted that it uses the S&P global market intelligence network (MINT) to check for any red flags in the historical data of vessels involved in shipments. We do not own, operate or track vessels, including the alleged SMS Bros/Neel, and cannot comment on the activity of vessels we have not contracted and do not control, the statement says. In September 2024, a 38-year-old woman consulted Narendra Kotwal, director of endocrinology at Paras Health, Panchkula. She reported persistent fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, irregular menstrual cycles, mood disturbances such as irritability and low mood, and had gained 5 kg over six months. The woman works nights at a call centre, and lives close to a brightly lit digital billboard. On clinical evaluation, Kotwal--a retired lieutenant general in the Indian Army and president of the Endocrine Society of India--noted that the patient was overweight, and exhibited features suggestive of insulin resistance--skin tags, a high waist-to-hip ratio, and a large neck circumference--indicating a pre-diabetic state. That is not odd: A 2023 study showed that 136 million Indians are pre-diabetic, as we reported in August that year. The patient also had pronounced dark circles under her eyes. Laboratory investigations revealed subclinical hypothyroidism and elevated evening cortisol levels, which disrupt the body's natural stress response and sleep cycle. Kotwal attributed her condition primarily to light pollution or photo pollution--chronic exposure to artificial light at night during biologically-intended sleep hours. Streetlights, illuminated billboards, neon signage, industrial and office lighting during night shifts, household lighting, and external security lights are the common sources of light pollution. Kotwals prescription started with a series of light hygiene measures: installing blackout curtains, wearing an eye mask during sleep, and using blue-light blocking glasses after sunset. Blue light is emitted by electronic gadgets such as smartphones and tablets. She was also advised to avoid screens for at least two hours prior to her intended sleep time. To restore the patient's circadian (24-hourly) rhythm through chronotherapy, Kotwal recommended scheduled bright light exposure in the early evening to increase alertness during her desired wake phase, followed by a gradual dimming of ambient light to cue sleep readiness. Stress management practices, including mindfulness and deep-breathing exercises, were also advised. Regular monitoring and control of the thyroid-stimulating hormone and of blood glucose levels formed an essential component of her long-term care. Diligent adherence to this integrative regimen helped the patient experience significant recovery. However, Kotwal noted that in certain individuals, especially those with persistent sleep disruption and heightened stress, melatonin supplementation or sleeping pills may be required. Left unaddressed, such circadian misalignment may put individuals at the risk of--or exacerbate--metabolic disorders like type-2 diabetes. Diligent adherence to this integrative regimen helped the patient experience significant recovery. However, Kotwal noted that in certain individuals, especially those with persistent sleep disruption and heightened stress, melatonin supplementation or sleeping pills may be required. Left unaddressed, such circadian misalignment may put individuals at the risk of--or exacerbate--metabolic disorders like type-2 diabetes. Anoop Misra, chairman, Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, says clinical practice is increasingly showing up patients of hormonal imbalances and metabolic dysfunction such as diabetes, where light pollution and the ensuing stress and sleep disturbances are suspected contributors. This is, perhaps, an outcome of 80% of the world living under light-polluted skies, according to a world atlas of artificial sky luminance generated in 2016. Misra stressed the need to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between light pollution and metabolic disorders through controlled studies, which India has few of. However, a review of health studies conducted overseas shows that light pollution has a severe detrimental impact on human health, causing mental health issues, cancer and Alzheimers. How artificial light at night causes disease Being exposed to artificial light at night reduces the production of melatonin, popularly called the hormone of darkness since it is produced at night. Insufficient melatonin, in turn, disrupts the bodys circadian rhythm, the biological clock regulating the sleep-wake cycle. The fallout of this isnt just the obvious sleep disturbances--exacerbated metabolic, hormonal and immunological imbalances are some of the other outcomes. study published in Sleep and Vigilance in January 2021 described the role of melatonin in the development and growth of cancer, immune activity, anti-oxidation and free radical scavenging (neutralising free radicals that can potentially harm healthy cells and tissues). Co-author Manisha Naithani, professor of biochemistry at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, explained that the damage starts in the part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, when it receives light signals from photosensitive cells in the retina. The suprachiasmatic nucleus is a part of the brain, located in the front part of the hypothalamus, the central control of the endocrinological system. It works as the brains central clock, regulating the daily rhythm of the body. Naithanis study cites epidemiological evidence supporting the cancer link. A Spanish study showed greater breast cancer risk and prostate cancer risk in people exposed to higher artificial light levels at night, she said. An Israeli study found a 73% increase in breast cancer incidence in areas with high night-time light. Female shift workers such as nurses and police personnel have a higher breast cancer risk (see here and here ), she said. Naithani pointed out that insufficient sleep is associated with hormone-sensitive cancers, meaning cancers that develop as an outcome of hormonal disturbances, such as breast, colorectal and endometrial cancers. Some other side effects of exposure to artificial light at night are weight gain, gut inflammation, mood disorders and low resistance to environmental and emotional stressors. review study published in August 2024 established a clear link between light pollution and sleep disturbances leading to mood alterations, a finding in line with psychiatrists clinical experience. Poor sleep or insomnia is closely tied to depression and anxiety," said Kersi Chavda, consultant psychiatrist, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai. People living in brightly lit urban areas often report feeling more stressed, anxious, or down. Night-time light exposure also makes seasonal depression worse for some, since the natural contrast between night and day gets blurred. Some victims find it harder to concentrate and think clearly during the day. Both Naithani and Chavda cited the blue light from a cell phone, and LEDs, as a key contributor to light pollution. Blue-enriched light affects the suprachiasmatic nucleus the most, causing chronic stress and potentially triggering inflammation and lowering immunity, said Naithani. Children, shift workers and those already dealing with mental health challenges are most vulnerable, added Chavda. Higher outdoor night-time light has also been linked with a higher prevalence of Alzheimers disease. In fact, it was found to be a bigger risk factor for Alzheimers than factors such as alcohol abuse, chronic kidney disease, depression, heart failure and obesity, according to a study published in Frontiers of Neuroscience last year. The challenge, Naithani said, is that the potential detrimental effects of artificial light are not known to all, the hidden perils of light are yet to be brought in full public knowledge so that night-time light can be dealt with effectively. Low awareness among those most exposed to light pollution An online survey published in the Journal of Urban Management in September 2022 found very low awareness of light pollution among Indians aged 16 to 65 years--the age group that is most likely to have a nightlife and be exposed to various kinds of light pollution that the study described, such as light trespass, skyglow, over-illumination, light clutter and glare (see box). When respondents were asked how often they had heard of light pollution, 57% replied they hadnt heard of it at all. When they were asked to explain light pollution, some of them said it referred to violation of UV and other harmful rays in the sunlight, pollution which is not very harmful and maybe something related to environment. Consequently, the authors concluded that the lack of awareness extended the threat associated with light pollution. Public lighting is widely perceived to contribute to safety but research does not prove this link. In fact, a study conducted in the UK showed that darkness does not increase the risk of certain types of crime. Outdoor lighting may lower safety by making victims and potential theft articles more easily visible, said Tanya Bedi, assistant professor, Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. Poor enforcement allows light pollution to grow Artificial light at night has been shown to increase with the growth of a countrys gross domestic product (GDP). But this association is deeper. Its not the GDP volume as such that increases night-time brightness but the physical expansion of cities through real estate, highways, and urban sprawl, explained Bedi. Essentially, as a nation develops, infrastructure indicators such as road and streetlight density contribute to brightness levels, she said. Studies in India comparing light pollution over time show how much more bright the night sky has become. study by Bedi and others at the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, identified Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai as Indias most polluted cities from the perspective of light. Their research also found streets with illumination four times the Indian Standards recommendation A key reason for the excessive increase in night-time luminosity is the outburst of development with no strict regulations. Urban local bodies like municipal corporations, development authorities, and gram panchayats are responsible for public lighting, said Bedi. But compliance with the Indian Standards and the focus on curbing light pollution is usually hindered by a lack of awareness and specific regulations. Bedis study found the rampant use of low-mounted and densely packed luminaires, non-cut-off fixtures (fixtures that cannot direct the light downwards rather than upwards), and lamps of more wattage than required. Both administrative and local level measures are needed to reduce light pollution, she says. Mumbai resident Nilesh Desai complained to the collector of Mumbai City about flood lights installed in the Wilson Gymkhana and the Police Gymkhana in Mumbai in 2017. Desai, who lives in the area, was disturbed by the excess lighting at night. The collector took prompt action, ordering the lights to be switched off at 10 p.m., and set up in a way that no resident is disturbed. He also instructed all gymkhanas to get prior permission to install lights. Since then, Desai has also complained to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation about lighting on construction sites that work round the clock, and digital hoardings, both of which are meant to be switched off at 11 p.m. The challenge is: after the pandemic no enforcement is happening, said Desai. Night matches in the Police Gymkhana start at 11 p.m., it is a pity that awareness about light pollution is very low. I have written to the police commissioner to switch off the Police Gymkhana lights after 10 p.m. but no action has been taken so far. Around the time Desai complained about light pollution from the gymkhanas near Marine Lines, Sumaira Abdulali, founder of Awaaz Foundation, a not-for-profit working on environmental issues, also studied light pollution in Mumbai. We found that coloured LED lights put up at Juhu beach for a beautification project was contributing to light pollution, Abdulali told IndiaSpend. When we inquired, we were told that they were for safety but the light was focused and coloured so it could never serve to increase safety. A review of street lighting on Mumbais main roads showed that it is quite effective in lighting up roads and isnt intrusive, added Abdulali. However, what is intrusive and is getting worse over the years is lighting during festivals, and in recent years, digital hoardings, some building facades and construction sites, and advertisements of new properties. All these lights are intrusive, especially for drivers, in areas of natural beauty such as sea-fronts, and in residential areas, unless you use black-out curtains. Most people dont use these, and why should they? Abdulali wrote to the BMC and objected to the BMCs proposed hoarding policy, opposing brightly lit and moving digital hoardings as a safety hazard for drivers and a health hazard in residential areas. She was even called for a hearing in late 2024, but nothing has come of it as yet, she said. IndiaSpend has reached out to the offices of the commissioners of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Bengaluru. We will update this story when we receive a response. What must be done to protect India from light pollution A salient characteristic of light pollution is that it is localised and hence controllable. Unlike air pollution, it doesnt spread on a windy day. Government authorities should promote better lighting design, said Bedi. State governments should adopt reference standards to control existing and proposed external lighting usage so that the concerned authority--municipal corporations in urban areas and gram panchayats in rural areas--can take necessary action towards responsible parties to resolve light nuisances and enforce dimming schedules for non-essential lighting during off-peak hours. Also practical issues like how tender specifications are framed, and limited technical capacity for monitoring lighting design must be addressed. Practical strategies to mitigate light pollution include mandating the use of full cut-off luminaires and environment-friendly backlight-uplight-glare (BUG) rated lighting fixtures to minimise glare and skyglow, said Bedi. Further, energy efficiency concerns have pushed the widespread adoption of LEDs, but warm-toned LEDs can help reduce circadian rhythm disruptions in both humans and wildlife. Zoning can also play a key role in reducing light pollution. Creating lighting environmental zones, particularly in ecologically sensitive or biodiversity-rich areas, would allow for more adaptive and localised control, said Bedi. Ward-level prioritisation maps would support a phased implementation approach, targeting the most ecologically vulnerable or light-polluted areas first. A lot can be done. But the experience of those who have complained shows that so far, light pollution isnt being taken seriously enough. Rajiv Bajaj, chairman of Bajaj Auto, sounded the alarm last week: if China were to restrict exports of rare earthscrucial for the magnets in electric vehicles (EVs)Indias nascent EV industry could grind to a halt. His anxiety is not unwarranted. As geopolitical tensions rise and trade wars simmer, headlines like these expose uncomfortable truths: the world remains deeply dependent on Chinese supply dominance and India is no exception. In domain after domainartificial intelligence (AI), robotics, green energy and defenceChinas ascendancy is no longer a prediction but a reality. Its stronghold is not accidental; it is the result of sustained State ambition, disciplined execution and an unparalleled mobilisation of resources. This has strategic ramifications, particularly in South Asia. During a brief flare-up between India and Pakistan earlier this year, independent analysts suggested Chinese-supplied military technology may have given Islamabad a temporary edge. More than 80% of Pakistans defence imports now come from China. While New Delhi and Islamabad traded blows and narratives, the real winner sat silently to the northits influence perhaps subtly reconfiguring the regions balance of power. Last week, India was celebrating its ascent to the position of the worlds fourth-largest economy, overtaking Japan. But such pointless milestones belie deeper imbalances. Trade with China, for instance, remains embarrassingly one-sided. Indian exports to China fell by nearly 14.5% in FY24-25, to US$14.25bn (billion). In contrast, Chinese exports to India rose by 11.5%, reaching US$101.7bn. That China is Indias largest trading partnerand simultaneously a strategic adversaryis a paradox New Delhi will increasingly have to reckon with. For years, China was viewed as a cheap manufacturing hub. No longer. When Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012, he made no secret of his intention to move China up the value chain. The Made in China 2025 blueprint, launched in 2015, prioritised a few strategic sectors, from aerospace and semiconductors to clean energy and biotech. While many dismissed it as aspirational, China quietly got to work. The results are now visibleand formidable. In many cutting-edge sectors, China is not catching up but leading. It produces the majority of the worlds EVs, solar panels, wind turbines and drones. It controls 60% of rare earth processing and supplies 40% of the worlds bulk drugs. It is home to the worlds largest high-speed rail network and installs more industrial robots annually than the rest of the world combined. According to the UN Industrial Development Organisation, by 2030 China may account for 45% of global manufacturingup from 30% today and just 6% in 2000. Even areas of relative weakness are being aggressively addressed. Semiconductor fabrication remains a challenge, but Huawei is reportedly developing an indigenous chip supply chain to circumvent Western restrictions, according to the Financial Times. In AI, Chinese firms are narrowing the gap. Earlier this year, Chinese start-up DeepSeek launched an AI model rivalling OpenAIsat a fraction of the price, while its other tech giants followed suit. Without pausing for breath, Beijing is also laying the groundwork for future supremacy. In March, it announced a US$138bn venture capital (VC) fund to invest in frontier technologies such as quantum computing and robotics. Research and development spending continues to climb. The Belt and Road Initiative has expanded Chinas influence across south and central Asia, including in Indias immediate neighbourhood. This matters hugely for India. As Chinas technological and economic dominance grows, New Delhi will face increasing dilemmas. Dependence on Chinese imports weakens domestic industry. The risk of technological lock-in grows as China sets standards in areas such as 5G and AI. Politically, China's leverage expandsboth through economic ties with India's neighbours and its military posturing along the line of actual control. Chinas soft power is growing too. Online, China is winning a subtle propaganda war, projecting itself as a beacon of social order and techno-competence, in stark contrast to the political dysfunction and decaying infrastructure of the West. When the 2025 Democracy Perception Index canvassed more than 110,000 respondents across 100 countries, China turned out to be more popular than the US. What, then, is India to do? The blueprint for economic transformation is no secret. Japan pioneered it. South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore (and partly Thailand and Malaysia) copied it. China supersized it. India has the ingredients: a vast and youthful population, a vibrant entrepreneurial class and a solid (if unevenly distributed) educational base. What it lacks is serious intent and goal orientation. It would be too much to expect Chinas laser-like focus on long-term goals and rapid execution from Indias netas and babus. One place to start would be an unflinching crackdown on corruptionsomething Xi Jinping made a centrepiece of his policies. While such campaigns do not guarantee prosperity, they would signal intent that Indian leadership is, at last, serious about nation-building. Continuing along the same path is not an option. To use Donald Trumps pet expression: China has all the cards now. (This article first appeared in Business Standard newspaper) The national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) has upheld a compensation award of Rs25 lakh and costs against Max Life Insurance Co Ltd, directing the insurer to pay the assured amount along with interest and costs to a Chandrapur-based widow, whose husbands death insurance claim was rejected due to alleged non-disclosure of a pre-existing health condition. In an order issued last month, the NCDRC bench comprising presiding member Subhash Chandra and member air vice-marshal (AVM) J Rajendra (retd) says, "After careful consideration of the entire facts and circumstances of the case, it is evident that Max Life Insurance did not establish that the deceased life assured (DLA) was in fact suffering certain medical conditions and he was aware of the same, prior to answering the questions in the proposal form for obtaining the insurance policy in question. This was imperative to determine whether the DLA answered such questions, knowing them to be false. Because there is a good possibility that the DLA was not aware of his medical condition prior to filling the proposal form and Max Life Insurance has not established anything to the contrary." The dispute dates back to 2013, when complainant Shalini Shastrakar approached the Maharashtra state consumer disputes redressal commission after Max Life Insurance repudiated her claim following the death of her husband, Devendra Wamanrao Shastrakar. He had purchased a life insurance policy worth Rs25 lakh from Max Life Insurance in December 2012 after undergoing all required medical tests. He passed away in April 2013, reportedly due to jaundice. The insurer, however, rejected the claim, arguing that Mr Shastrakar, the policyholder, had concealed his medical history, particularly a diagnosis of heart disease, and claimed he was treated for congestive cardiac failure (CCF) at a local hospital in November 2012, just before the policy was issued. Max Life Insurance argued that this omission constituted material non-disclosure. The Maharashtra state commission, in its 2016 order, found no reliable evidence proving that Mr Shastrakar was aware of or treated for any such heart condition prior to purchasing the policy. It held Max Life Insurance's claim repudiation unjustified and directed the insurer to pay Rs25 lakh with 9% interest from September 2013, Rs1 lakh for mental harassment, and Rs10,000 as litigation costs. Max Life Insurance appealed the decision before NCDRC, but the national commission upheld the earlier order. It observed that Max Life Insurance failed to provide conclusive proof that the deceased had knowingly suppressed a serious health condition. The commission pointed out that key medical documents submitted by Max Life Insurance lacked signatures, were unauthenticated photocopies and were not backed by affidavits from treating doctors or relevant witnesses. It also noted contradictions in Max Life Insurances evidence, such as references to a hospital admission facilitated by one Lata Zode, an individual whose relationship with Mr Shastrakar, the DLA, was never established. The commission cited the Supreme Courts ruling in Mahakali Sujatha vs Future Generali India Life Insurance Co and reiterated the principle of contra proferentem, stating that any ambiguity in insurance documents must be interpreted against the insurer. It also reaffirmed that the burden of proving material non-disclosure rests with the insurance company which Max Life Insurance failed to do. In a strong observation, NCDRC stated that there is a good possibility that the deceased was unaware of any such medical condition prior to filling the insurance proposal form, and thus could not be held guilty of suppressing material facts. With this ruling, Max Life Insurance must now pay the full policy amount of Rs25 lakh along with interest and compensation, totalling more than Rs26.1 lakh, to Ms Shastrakar. The decision serves as a stern reminder to insurers about the importance of fair practices and the heavy burden of proof required to justify claim repudiation. (First Appeal No1653 of 2016 Date: 21 May 2025) The central bureau of investigation (CBI) has arrested a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the 2007 batch, Amit Kumar Singal, currently serving as additional director general at the directorate of taxpayer services in New Delhi, along with an individual, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs25 lakh from a complainant. According to the agency, the IRS officer and his associate had demanded Rs45 lakh in illegal gratification from the complainant in exchange for favourable official treatment. The demand was reportedly accompanied by threats of legal action and harassment if the bribe was not paid. CBI registered a case on 31 May 2025 and laid a trap following a complaint. The individual was caught red-handed while accepting Rs25 lakh on behalf of Mr Singal at the officers residence at Mohali in Punjab. Mr Singal was later apprehended from his residence in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. During subsequent searches at various locations across Delhi, Punjab and Mumbai, CBI seized around Rs1 crore in cash, about 3.5kgs of gold, and about 2kgs of silver from the IRS officers Mohali residence. Officials also recovered documents related to 25 bank accounts and multiple immovable properties. Both accused were produced before a competent court and remanded to 14-day judicial custody, reports say. Investigators suspect the case goes beyond bribery. CBI officials allege that Mr Singal misused his official position by influencing the income tax (I-T) department to initiate tax proceedings against a businessman who had terminated a business partnership with him and his associates. Media reports say that the agency is examining the financial trail, asset declarations and possible links to other beneficiaries or shell entities. More than 800 Emory students, faculty, staff and community members embarked on a journey around the world during the universitys annual Global Festival this spring, exploring diverse cultures through engaging performances, interactive cultural booths, trivia challenges and food trucks. Attendees also enjoyed a K-pop band, an Afro-Peruvian dance, acoustic songs from Brazil, traditional Indian dance and more. The event was hosted by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and the International Student Leadership and Advocacy Board. Camila Quinde, an MPH student from Ecuador who is studying global health, represented La Alianza Latinx at a culture booth. This allowed us to show that theres always something new to learn about other cultures, and at the same time, it was a pleasant surprise to see how many people already knew about ours, said Quinde. It was a space for genuine exchange, sparking curiosity, connection and pride in our roots. Shinn Ko, assistant vice provost at ISSS, says the festival helps foster cross-cultural understanding within the Emory community. The Global Festival serves as a vibrant showcase of the richness of our international student and scholar community, allowing us to celebrate and appreciate our collective diversity. Generous support of co-sponsors including Belonging and Community Justice, the Student Government Association and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing made the 2025 Global Festivals success possible. Anissa Patel, a rising junior and Robert W. Woodruff Scholar in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, has won a $7,000 scholarship from the Udall Foundation in recognition of her leadership and service on environmental issues. A double major in environmental sciences and philosophy, politics and law, Patel is Emorys fifth recipient of the national award. She is among 55 Udall Scholars who will meet this summer to share innovative ideas in conservation, environmental issues and Native American policy. What drove me to apply for the Udall was the opportunity to learn what creative climate solutions other people want to try, Patel says. What is going on now isnt really working, so I think thoughtful engagement with other people will help find new solutions. Patel has been interested in environmental policy since high school, when she advocated for green jobs legislation in her native Massachusetts. She continued that advocacy this spring, when she was among a dozen students from Sunrise Emory who urged the state Public Service Commission to reject Georgia Powers latest energy plan. Patels also has expanded her hands-on research at Emory. She conducts qualitative climate work in associate professor Jola Ajibades climate resilience and transformations lab in the Department of Environmental Sciences. Patel also also finds time to research and write legal memos for Emory Law School professor Mark Nevitt. She does so much incredible work, I dont know when she sleeps, says Nevitt, whose work focuses on environmental law and its connections to national security. I think the sky is really the limit for her remarkable drive and brain. Nevitt said Patel contributed significantly to his Vanderbilt Law Review paper on breaking the repetitive pattern of communities rebuilding after disasters, despite facing further destruction from climate change. Ajibade was similarly impressed when, as as her first assessment of Patels capabilities, she requested a literature review on the relationship between heat waves and marginalized communities. Patel turned in a paper that incorporated communities across the U.S. and Asia, an assessment of how heat affects different people, such as the elderly and farmworkers, and even suggested strategies for adaptation. That was the first project, and now I can tell her what needs to be done and then watch a miracle happen, Ajibade says. She has since assigned Patel projects to examine how natural disasters can compound one another and even a book chapter comparing government regional resilience plans in the global South with residents experiences of recovery. Anissa is on another level, Ajibade adds. Patel will continue other work beyond in addition to the Udall engagement this summer. In June, she is presenting at Science for Georgias conference on climate protection, sharing research she conducted while taking Ajibades climate solutions course. She is also working in Atlanta with the Community Building and Social Change (CBSC) fellowship, which integrates academic learning with community engagement. Her project with the Partnership for Southern Equity focuses on green jobs as workforce development in Atlantas Peoplestown neighborhood. Patel will resume her campus research in the fall, when she is also working with the University Senates Committee on the Environment. She will juggle the work as always, along with participating in the Suri A Cappella group and making plans to prepare for law school. For me, the law is the way to make the greatest amount of change in the rooms I want to be in, Patel says. Ive found through the people and my work at Emory that my passion is to find equitable community solutions to our shared cost of climate change. Researchers at Emory University have provided compelling evidence supporting the existence of an inflammatory subtype of major depression, a breakthrough that could transform how this complex disorder is diagnosed and treated. Led by Andrew H. Miller, MD a pioneer in inflammation research related to depression Emory investigators highlight inflammation as a key driver of depressive symptoms in approximately 25 to 30% of patients. Their work is featured in three recent journal publications. We now understand that inflammation plays a crucial role in a subset of people with depression, says Miller, William P. Timmie Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. This recognition creates an unprecedented opportunity to develop targeted treatments and deliver personalized care to patients who need it most. Miller, who serves as the director of the Behavioral Immunology Program at Emory, leads a team whose expertise in neuropsychiatric and immunological research is driving innovations that promise to reshape diagnosis and treatment for millions affected by major depression. Their research identifies elevated inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the blood, brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid of affected patients. These biological signals correlate with specific symptoms including anhedonia, fatigue and psychomotor slowing, often described as sickness behavior. Importantly, patients with this inflammatory profile respond differently to treatments. Traditional antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be less effective, while alternatives such as ketamine or electroconvulsive therapy show greater promise. This has significant implications for tailoring treatments to individual patients. The Emory team stresses future clinical trials must incorporate biomarkers like CRP to identify and enrich patient groups with this inflammatory subtype. Doing so will improve the precision of treatments and accelerate the development of new therapies targeting inflammation-related pathways. This growing body of work marks a significant step toward precision psychiatry, offering hope for improved outcomes in one of the worlds most challenging mental health conditions. Miller also advocates for the inclusion of an inflammation specifier in upcoming editions of diagnostic manuals such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-6. Including this new category could help doctors better understand the different types of depression, make treatment more personalized and effective, and speed up research into treatments that target the underlying biology of the illness, Miller explains. The three publications co-authored by Miller and colleagues include JAMA Psychiatry, where the authors propose adding inflammation as a specifier for major depression in the upcoming DSM-6. In Biological Psychiatry, Miller, along with Emory colleagues Jennifer Felger, PhD, and Ebrahim Haroon, MD, outline a clinical trial framework specifically designed for this inflammatory subtype. In the third publication, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Miller offers a comprehensive perspective on the scientific and clinical implications of inflammation as a core mechanism in a subset of depression. Daniel Hoskins, a flight line attendant, fuels a Cessna 172S training plane with 100R unleaded fuel as SIU Aviation faculty Kenneth Wilkins and Steven Goetz look on. They are among faculty involved in research on the viability of general aviation aircraft using unleaded fuel, highlighted by its green color. The fuel is stored in a 2,000-gallon mobile refueler. (Photos by Russell Bailey) SIU Aviation researching viability of unleaded fuel by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. Researchers in Southern Illinois University Carbondales School of Aviation could help spur the adoption of an unleaded fuel for general aviation piston aircraft both in the United States and worldwide, reducing the toxic metals presence in the environment. Lead was added to gasoline in the 1920s to increase octane and eliminate engine knock. Because of the health hazards associated with lead, the Environmental Protection Agency required leaded gasoline to be phased out over 20 years starting in 1973. Automakers were able to move away from leaded fuel because cars and trucks typically use 80- to 90-octane fuel components. Piston aircraft pilots couldnt make the transition at that time, however, because there has been nothing to replace the 100-motor octane gasoline required for those plans until recently, said Steven Goetz, an associate professor and chief flight instructor who is one of five faculty members involved in the research. We are trying to get away from the lead, and the government keeps talking about phasing out lead altogether, said Kenneth Wilkins, assistant professor in aviation flight. The aviators concern is that if you get out the lead, do we have a safe alternative? With the assistance of Swift Fuels, an Indiana-based fuel developer and supplier, SIU Carbondale is assessing the companys 100R octane unleaded fuel in two of its Cessna 172S training planes and comparing operational data to other planes in the fleet that use 100 low-lead fuel. While the 100R unleaded fuel is being used on a restricted basis in flight school locations around the country, SIU is, to our knowledge, the only academic institution conducting research that compares operational data from aircraft using the two different fuels, Goetz said. Irene Miller, an assistant professor in aviation management, was researching unleaded fuel use in general aviation planes and contacted Swift Fuels in May 2023. During this period, Swift was working diligently to complete an extensive number of high-stress FAA-certification engine tests, FAA flight tests and ASTM International fuel standards. In September 2024, the FAA issued the first supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for 100R unleaded fuel, which is now positioned for use in the U.S. and Europe. Swifts 100R fuel arrived at SIU in mid-March 2025 and is now being used in two planes, with two Cessna 172S planes using the 100 low-lead fuel in the study for direct comparison. Engine and performance data are also being mined from the programs other general aviation planes using 100 low-lead fuel for aggregate comparison. The other faculty members involved in the research are James Barker, assistant professor, and Matt Harrison, associate professor, both in aviation technologies. Early findings are positive While the study continues, early results for using the unleaded fuel look promising with an eye toward changes in aircraft condition, engine lifecycle and power output. The goal is to have preliminary findings available for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Air Show in July, with publication this fall. Its my understanding that it appears to be the same horsepower and is providing a cleaner burn with less engine wear, said Miller. 100R seems to be performing as expected. So far, we have not seen any abnormalities in aircraft or engine performance. The 100R fuel contains a proprietary valve seat recession additive, designed to ensure proper engine operation and prevent certain types of deposits, corrosion and engine wear. The octane booster Swift Fuels is using to replace the lead is an oxygenate that has a renewable component derived from biomass, Wilkins said. The cylinders appear cleaner, and there is not as much deposit, not as much gunk from the combustion residues because the lead is not in there to hold it, Goetz said, adding that increased fuel burn is not yet showing up in data. FAA interest in research The Federal Aviation Administration has requested operators who are using high-octane unleaded fuels to report any service difficulties or abnormal maintenance issues, Wilkins said. The agency is also interested in hearing from operators who have made the switch to unleaded fuels without any notable issues. Goetz said the agency is keen on finding an unleaded fuel to replace the 100LL, or low lead, across the nations piston engine general aviation fleet of about 180,000 aircraft. The FAA needs data beyond the testing labs to be able to get that, Goetz said. This has the potential to have some really significant impacts and drive not only the research on this but also the practical aspects of what is the government going to do when they start looking at finding a 100LL-octane replacement. Goetz noted there are areas in the country, particularly California, where communities have banned the sale of low-lead fuel, and the FAA is involved in litigation to make sure that low-lead fuel is available to aircraft, noting that the aviation community is also concerned with the environment. We enjoy flying, and we want to be able to continue to do that. We also have to have the fuel to be able to do that, he said. Were OK, in general, with an unleaded alternative, but we need to make sure it is available. We need to make sure it is safe, and that it will not cause any damage to the aircraft because its not a car. If your engine blows up, you cannot just pull over. You have to make sure that the unleaded fuel has at least the same criteria and does the same stuff as low lead in order to maintain the safety of the industry. Swift Fuels CEO Chris DAcosta said his team was very excited by the enthusiasm of the SIU faculty, staff and students, and he looks forward to a long-term collaboration in assisting the deployment of 100R across the U.S. and worldwide. The talks held on Monday focused on boosting bilateral trade and pushing forward reforms at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the minster said. Sharing the update on social media, the minister said, "A fruitful discussion with Nigeria's Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment @JOduwole, in Paris. We explored avenues to boost bilateral trade and strengthen economic cooperation between India and Nigeria. Also, discussed World Trade Organisation reforms. Our shared vision for growth will drive this partnership forward." During his 3-day visit to France, Goyal also met Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). The minister posted on social media, "Glad to meet Dr.@FBirol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (@IEA). Had a good discussion on the overall global energy scenario and the deepening partnership between India and the IEA." Goyal on Sunday commenced his three-day official visit to France, which is part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from June 1 to 5. During his engagements in France, Goyal is holding bilateral meetings with key French Ministers, including Eric Lombard, Minister of Economy, and Laurent Saint-Martin, French Trade Minister. These discussions are focused on strengthening the Indo-French economic partnership and exploring new avenues for enhancing trade and investment cooperation. As part of the high-level visit, a comprehensive agenda of strategic business meetings and engagements has been also scheduled with top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L'Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF and ATR. The visit also includes the India-France Business Round Table and the India-France CEO Forum. These platforms will foster dialogue between leading industry stakeholders from both countries. In addition, the minister will participate in the informal gathering of WTO Ministers on the margins of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. At this crucial forum, he will engage with global counterparts on key multilateral trade issues and present India's priorities and perspectives. Goyal will holding a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key international partners during the course of his visit. (ANI) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 3: iValue Group has partnered with Dynatrace to bring its leading AI-powered observability platform to enterprises across India, Singapore, Dubai, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. Dynatrace enables the world's largest enterprises to transform complexity into their greatest asset, helping them understand their systems and data to analyze, automate, and innovate faster. The Dynatrace platform provides businesses with a holistic view of their entire digital ecosystem, removing the burden of operational monitoring and alert management. By automating these tasks, businesses are empowered to drive their business forward by focusing on innovation and delivering experiences customers love, capabilities which iValue Group will now distribute, implement, and support for customers throughout the region. "At a time when the world's reliance on software has never been greater, the success of businesses hinges on their ability to analyse complex digital systems, automate processes and innovate faster," said Alex Lim, Senior Director, Partners APAC, at Dynatrace. "To achieve this, a modern, AI-powered approach to observability is critical. The Dynatrace platform delivers an unmatched level of insight that helps organizations understand their business like never before. We are excited to work with iValue to empower customers to make better business decisions, increase reliability, and achieve greater resilience." Government organizations increasingly rely on complex IT infrastructures to deliver services and ensure secure interactions with citizens. As part of this partnership, iValue Group will provide Dynatrace solutions exclusively to government entities, leveraging its deep expertise in public sector requirements and its proven track record of delivering value through technology-driven solutions. Dynatrace's advanced observability platform uses AI and automation to provide actionable insights, optimize application performance, and predict potential issues before they impact operations. With its ability to monitor public, private, and hybrid cloud environments, Dynatrace is ideally suited to modernize cloud operations and enable seamless digital experiences for critical government functions. "We are excited to partner with Dynatrace to bring AI-driven observability solutions tailored to the unique requirements of government entities," said R Venkatesh - Chief Revenue Officer of iValue Group. "Government organizations are increasingly looking for solutions that provide real-time insights into their IT ecosystems. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to enabling secure and efficient digital transformation for public sector organizations in India." About iValue Group: iValue Group, the fastest-growing Strategic Technology Advisor, secures and manages enterprises' digital assets in hybrid-cloud environments. With 500+ experts, we offer custom solutions and services, partnering with top OEMs across India, SAARC and SEA. iValue cloud based CoE showcases 25+ integrated solutions stack across OEMs to facilitate risk-free technology adoption in double quick time for our Partners business growth. iValue has direct presence across India, SAARC and Southeast Asia, with local teams covering business and technical needs of partners to address their customer needs across the regions. For more information, visit www.iValueGroup.com or follow @iValueGroup on LinkedIn. (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) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 3: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) today announced the launch of Optigal Prime and Optigal Pinnacle, two world-class, high-performance products in its premium colour-coated steel portfolio Optigal. With this launch, AM/NS India ups its game in the colour-coated steel market in India, introducing for the first time European standard highly corrosion-resistant steel for use in large high-end infrastructure and construction projects such as state-of-the-art airports, railway stations, highways, large building projects. The company is pioneering a new market segment in high-quality C4 specialty steel previously unavailable in India, where it proudly stands as the sole domestic producer. The product will support the Prime Minister's call for accelerated development, which would be the key to achieving a 'Viksit Bharat'. AM/NS India targets a dominant market share in this segment and a 25% share in the overall colour-coated steel segment. The colour-coated steel segment in India, which is estimated to be 3.4 million tonnes market at present, is growing at a sustained pace of around 10 per cent annually. The addition of two new specialised Optigal offerings will bring AM/NS India closer towards its goal of securing 25% within the next two to three years. Optigal Prime is suited for urban and moderately corrosive environments, offering a 15-year warranty. Available in advanced finishes like Silicon Modified Polyester (SMP), Super Durable Polyester (SDP), and PVDF, it is an ideal choice for roofing, cladding, and a range of other construction needs. Optigal Pinnacle is the top-tier variant, designed for harsh industrial and coastal conditions. Backed by a 25-year warranty, it features high-performance PU/PA coatings that offer superior resistance to moisture, UV rays, and extreme temperatures - making it suitable for demanding applications such as airports, warehouses, and marine-facing buildings. Mr. Ranjan Dhar, Director and Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), said: "Launch of Optigal Prime and Optigal Pinnacle reflects our commitment to quality, durability, and sustainable innovation. As India's infrastructure and construction needs evolve on the path to 'Viksit Bharat', we are proud to offer world-class, high-performance steel solutions that address diverse climatic and industrial demands. This marks a significant step forward as we continue to strengthen our value-added product portfolio in line with our brand promise - Smarter Steels, Brighter Futures." Six specialised variants of Optigal Prime and Optigal Pinnacle will be available - High Gloss, Anti-Dust, Anti-Graffiti, Anti-Static, Anti-Microbial, and Cool Roof - that will cater to diverse needs for high-performance steel solutions in rapidly expanding India's construction and infrastructure sectors. These variants have been developed using the advanced Zinc-Aluminium-Magnesium technology to deliver superior protection from corrosion and weathering - up to three times compared to conventional coatings. As part of AM/NS India's commitment to the 'Make in India' initiative, these steel solutions have been designed with an eco-conscious approach - featuring low VOC emissions, no heavy metals or hexavalent chromium, and 100% recyclability, making them an excellent choice for sustainable and future-ready construction. Optigal products are being manufactured at the company's state-of-the-art facility in Pune, Maharashtra. The company's colour-coated steel capacity currently stands at about 7 lakh tonnes annually, with plans to expand to one million tonnes soon, reinforcing its leadership in India's colour-coated steel segment. (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) PNN Howrah (West Bengal) [India], June 3: Licensed character merchandise is no longer a niche in India. As per a 2024 report by Licensing International, India's licensed merchandise market is growing rapidly at a CAGR of 8.3%. The industry currently has a $7631.79 million market share in India. Among this growing demand for affordable and premium licensed merchandise, Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd is making headlines with the launch of its new brand and flagship platform, Multiverse.fashion, which will officially go live on June 27, 2025. Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd. is an experienced organisation with over two decades of manufacturing expertise. The company has grown into a successful conglomerate with brands like Mom's Love, Minute Mirth, Game Begins, Tinyo, Eteenz, Happy Faces, Wildwoods, and Denikid under its umbrella. However, unlike these individual brands, Multiverse.fashion is being launched as a comprehensive umbrella brand, bringing all the company's licensed character-based fashion offerings under one unified identity and platform. With a 700+ strong team and partnerships with over 150 global character franchises--including licenses from Warner Brothers, Paramount, Mattel, Hasbro, and Japanese anime studios--Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd. has established itself as India's largest official character merchandise company. The group boasts more than 2,200 retail touchpoints across 22 Indian states and has received industry recognition for its excellence in design, sustainability, and licensed innovation. With the launch of Multiverse.fashion, Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd. aims to establish a full-spectrum, fan-first fashion house that also serves as a D2C e-commerce platform, catering to the growing demand for reasonably priced, authentic, and high-quality character-focused merchandise. Mr. Ansul Agarwal, a third-generation entrepreneur, is currently spearheading this new initiative. Speaking about the inspiration behind Multiverse.fashion, he said, "We saw a huge gap in the Indian market where fans didn't have access to premium, character-based fashion at fair prices. With Multiverse.fashion, we're merging trend-savvy design, ethical manufacturing, and pop culture into everyday wear for every age group." As a fandom-focused brand, Multiverse.fashion offers an expansive product line that includes tees, joggers, co-ords, denim, sweatshirts, onesies, and more. With monthly character drops and exclusive franchise collaborations, the platform is built to deliver fresh, trend-driven collections for all demographics. Backed by a young and passionate team, Multiverse.fashion is set to lead the licensed merchandise space in India. In today's era of Gen-Z and Millennials, where fashion is synonymous with self-expression, Multiverse.fashion goes beyond selling clothes--it offers fans a sense of identity, nostalgia, and belonging. To explore the latest collections and updates, visit https://multiverse.fashion/ or follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mymultiverse.fashion?igsh=ZmY4cXptMmR1eGkx (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) New Delhi [India], June 3: Oren, a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider in the ESG domain, has announced the strategic acquisition of GoodGovern, a specialist advisory firm focused on corporate governance. As part of the acquisition, industry veteran Rajesh Dahiya, founder of GoodGovern and former senior leader at the Tata Group and Axis Bank, will join Oren as its new Chief Governance Officer. This acquisition comes at a critical juncture. With SEBI's Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) mandate fully in effect and increasing global investor demand for robust ESG performance and transparent governance, Indian businesses are urgently seeking comprehensive solutions that transcend mere regulatory compliance. Oren is now uniquely positioned to empower these companies to navigate this complex landscape, meet national requirements like BRSR, adopt global standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), EcoVadis and unlock sustainable, longterm value. "This acquisition is a pivotal moment for Oren and a significant development for the ESG and sustainability sector in India," said Abhirup Das, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Oren. "GoodGovern's proven excellence in corporate governance, backed by a team of seasoned experts, perfectly complements Oren's mission to provide end-to-end ESG support." Rajesh Dahiya will integrate GoodGovern's deep advisory services, including strategic board development and governance frameworks, into Oren's existing offerings and lead the expanded governance practice. His active board roles at companies like Calibre Chemicals, Max Life Insurance, and Bluestone bring a valuable practitioner's perspective, ensuring that Oren's solutions are not only technologically advanced but also firmly grounded in the practical realities of board-level governance. Rajesh Dahiya commented, "Joining forces with Oren presents a remarkable opportunity to elevate corporate governance standards. Oren's technology platform will enhance our ability to deliver more impactful ESG strategies by providing actionable, data-driven insights, crucial for driving meaningful ESG progress at an organisational level." The combined strength of Oren and GoodGovern delivers a holistic, market-leading solution that seamlessly integrates AI-powered ESG data management with experienced board-level advisory. While Oren's platform facilitates granular GHG emissions accounting (Scope 1, 2, and 3), sustainability reporting, and supply chain due diligence, GoodGovern empowers boards with governance capabilities. Oren: https://www.orennow.com/ GoodGovern: https://goodgovern.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) Nick Careen, IATA's Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security, on Tuesday highlighted that the Indian aviation market has not faced any concerns in terms of operational safety and infrastructure readiness. While speaking to ANI, the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) vice president said, "Specific to this market, we don't have any real concerns...We have not seen any major problems or any major concerns... With PM Modi's presence at the appropriate level and when the right people are involved, you get good outcomes." Careen commented about an incident involving IndiGo flight 6E 2142, saying, "The learning from that (incident) would involve better coordination. I am sure that's something that would be under consideration. I am 100% confident about it" IndiGo flight 6E 2142, flying from Delhi to Srinagar on May 21, was struck by a severe hailstorm that caused visible damage to the aircraft's nose. The aircraft had sought entry into Pakistani airspace to circumvent the weather, but this was denied by Pakistani authorities. The IATA VP also commented on the decision of India and Pakistan to close their airspace for carriers flying out from these countries, saying that airspace should not become a tool in disputes. "We believe airspace should not be used as a tool in disputes and should remain neutral. Unfortunately, that's not always been the case...In the meantime, airlines find a way around, but it does have an impact. It could increase the cost and time. Primarily, we hope that airspace will be managed accordingly and open for everybody to use safely and efficiently," he said. Earlier on Monday, while addressing the IATA's 81st Annual General Meeting, PM Modi had 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 Modi emphasised that with these strengths, India is poised to elevate its aviation sector to unprecedented heights. (ANI) VMPL London [UK], June 3: The Ideas for India 2025 conference, a cornerstone of India Week hosted by Bridge India, emerged as a global platform for visionary dialogue, held at the iconic Royal Lancaster London in its premier auditorium. This landmark event convened over 200 influential delegates, uniting parliamentarians, government leaders, and trailblazing founders from India and the UK to chart India's ascent on the world stage through talent, technology, and trade. The conference was a powerhouse of positively disruptive thought leadership, featuring luminaries such as MP Raghav Chadha from the Aam Aadmi Party, K.T. Rama Rao, Telangana's founding IT Minister; Sachin Pilot, former Minister of IT, Telecom & Corporate Affairs, Govt. of India; the former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr Quraishi, Barbara Mills KC, the UK Chair of the Bar Council; and the founder of IPAC, a body ensuring bipartisan politics in India,; Lord Simon Mcdonald, the former head of the UK's diplomatic service, FCO; and founders of major asset management firms further elevated the event, making it a melting pot of ideas across politics, governance, and business. Discussions ranged from the UK-India free trade agreement--finalized after three years and three UK prime ministers--to the role of India in fostering global diplomatic support, underscoring the event's far-reaching impact. Amidst these high-stakes conversations, Avinav Nigam, CEO of TERN Group, delivered a compelling session on India's emerging soft power: Talent Mobility. A former IIT Bombay alumnus who began his career 20 years ago in rural Japan, rising to lead Ariel's Asia business, and later serving as a founding executive at Hotstar and Cars24 and the Co-Founder & COO of IMMO, companies valued over $10B, Nigam now is the CEO at TERN's mission-driven business spanning 13+ countries, focusing on ethical migration systems. "India has a surplus of 105 million youth aged 18-35, while the world faces an 85 million skilled worker shortage," Nigam stated. "By 2035, 40% of the global workforce will come from India. This is India's moment to take the world into the next decade as the global talent leader, setting the standard with ethical workforce systems." Nigam emphasised the urgent need to address human suffering in migration. "Exploitative agents are causing misery--modern slavery and trafficking are on the rise," he said. "We need ethical, transparent, digital systems and stronger G2G and G2B collaborations to protect vulnerable workers. Talent mobility should be a force for shared prosperity, not exploitation." Nigam also highlighted a global shift: "The locus of power is moving east. India, the fourth-largest economy in the world, isn't just a manufacturing hub--it's an emerging talent superpower, set to overtake Germany soon in GDP. Countries like the UK, with its new free trade agreement, easing rules for India's highIndia's high -skilled workers, and Germany, offering 90,000 worker visas to Indians, see this shift." He underscored TERN Group's mission: "At TERN, we're replacing opaque systems with trust. Our zero-cost, AI-powered model ensures transparency for many thousands of thousands of healthcare & engineering professionals heading to the UK, Germany, the GCC and Japan, where we are closely collaborating with those governments" Ideas for India 2025 underscored India's opportunity to lead global migration standards, with cross-sector collaboration as a key driver. The event cemented India's role as a global influencer, defining how the world's workforce moves and thrives. About TERN Group TERN Group is helping 650,000+ professionals on its platform. TERN Group is a global AI leader in ethical, tech-enabled talent mobility, connecting skilled professionals to overseas opportunities with transparency. Operating in 13+ countries, TERN partners with 80+ German providers, 18+ NHS Trusts, along with GCC, US & Japan clients. (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 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 3: The Minister of Environment & Climate Change, Animal Husbandry, Government of Maharashtra and National Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pankaja Gopinath Munde, extended her strong support to the Tree Plantation Drive led by the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) in collaboration with the Indian Army, held in Thane. In a powerful display of environmental commitment and civil-military collaboration, Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) launched its prelude with a large-scale Tree Plantation Drive in partnership with the Indian Army. The initiative underscored DPIFF's dedication to sustainability and social responsibility, extending the festival's vision beyond cinema into impactful environmental stewardship. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Munde praised the initiative as a powerful example of environmental stewardship and civil-military cooperation. "As the Minister of Environment & Climate Change and a lifelong advocate for sustainable development, I deeply resonate with the essence of initiatives like this Tree Plantation Drive hosted by DPIFF and the Indian Army," she stated. "It is heartening to witness such meaningful efforts under DPIFF's 'Go Green' initiative, which envisions a cleaner, greener, and healthier India." The initiative, part of DPIFF's broader mission to plant 10,000 trees across the country, was held in the presence of DPIFF CEO Abhishek Mishra, Col Vivek Singh Bhadouria, Lt. Harit Khatana, Purnima Potkar, Adv. Shweta A. and dedicated Indian Army personnel. Highlighting the importance of such collective actions, the Minister remarked, "This remarkable drive symbolizes our shared responsibility towards nurturing nature and reflects a powerful unity between civil society and our brave forces." Minister Munde also commended the Indian Army for its active participation, stating, "I wholeheartedly appreciate the Indian Army for extending their steadfast support to this cause-driven initiative and commend the DPIFF team for their unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship." Underscoring the importance of community involvement and decisive action on climate issues, she added, "As someone who has always believed in the intrinsic bond between humanity and nature, I feel proud to be associated with a movement that not only raises awareness but also leads by example. It is truly encouraging that the Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji has earlier applauded DPIFF's green vision reaffirming the significance of such collaborative efforts for a sustainable future." The Tree Plantation Drive marks a milestone in DPIFF's continued commitment to environmental causes, building upon its decade-long legacy of green initiatives. Abhishek Mishra, CEO of Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival, expressed gratitude for the Minister's support and emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating, "We are truly honoured by the encouragement extended by Hon'ble Minister of State for Environment & Climate Change, Ms. Pankaja Gopinath Munde. Her words reaffirm the critical role that united efforts between government, civil society, and the armed forces play in addressing environmental challenges. At DPIFF, our commitment extends beyond cinema, we are equally dedicated to contributing meaningfully to the nation's sustainable future. This Tree Plantation Drive in collaboration with the Indian Army reflects our shared vision for a cleaner, greener India." Col Vivek Singh Bhadouria, Commanding Officer of the 26 AD Regiment, expressed his pride in collaborating with DPIFF, stating, "It is truly an honour for the Indian Army to be part of such a meaningful initiative that serves both our environment and our nation. As protectors of the land, we understand the deep responsibility of preserving it. The Tree Plantation Drive reflects our shared commitment to building a greener, more sustainable future." Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival proudly celebrates India's rich cultural tapestry, having spotlighted over 15 states in collaboration with esteemed entities like Incredible India and the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya. The grand evening brings together dignitaries, celebrities, industry leaders, and media to honour the nation's heritage and the exceptional talent it nurtures. For more information on Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival and its CSR initiatives, you may visit - www.dpiff.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) India and Singapore discussed the tremendous opportunities it offers in the shipping sector on Tuesday. The discussion took place between Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, who discussed investments and bilateral ties in Paris. During the meeting, Goyal underlined India's huge prospects in various sectors, especially the shipping sector. In a post on social media platform X, Goyal added, "Met H.E. Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry @MTI_Sg. Discussed enhancing our bilateral trade & investment ties. Also, highlighted the tremendous opportunities India offers across various sectors, especially in the shipping sector." The Union Budget has placed strong impetus on realising the huge potential of India's shipping sector. The forward-looking document aims at further enabling India's shipbuilding industry with spurring & innovative initiatives to drive investment, generate income for the economy, train and employ human capital and create value for the future of the country. The Union Budget proposes to set up the Maritime Development Fund (MDF) to support India's Maritime sector by providing financial assistance, via equity or debt securities. The initial corpus of the fund is pegged at Rs 25,000 crores, where the Government contribution will be 49 per cent. The remaining balance will be contributed by Major port authorities, other government entities, Central PSEs, Financial Institutions, as well as the private sector. This fund will directly benefit from financing for ship acquisition. It aims at boosting Indian flagged ships' share in the global cargo volume up to 20 per cent by 2047. Further, the indigenous fleet will reduce the dependability of foreign ships, improve the Balance of Payment and secure the Strategic interests of the country. By 2030, MDF is aiming at generating up to Rs 1.5 lakh crore investment in the shipping sector. Goyal commenced his three-day official visit to France on Sunday. This visit is part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from June 1 to 5. During his engagements in France, Goyal held bilateral meetings with key French Ministers, including Eric Lombard, Minister of Economy, and Laurent Saint-Martin, French Trade Minister. These discussions are focused on strengthening the Indo-French economic partnership and exploring new avenues for enhancing trade and investment cooperation. As part of the high-level visit, a comprehensive agenda of strategic business meetings and engagements has been scheduled with the top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L'Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF, and ATR. The visit includes the India-France Business Round Table and the India-France CEO Forum. These platforms will foster dialogue between leading industry stakeholders from both countries. In addition, the minister will participate in the informal gathering of WTO ministers at the margins of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. He will engage with global counterparts at this crucial forum on key multilateral trade issues and present India's priorities and perspectives. During his visit, Goyal will hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key international partners. (ANI) PNN Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 3: At Resonance Hyderabad, the institution achieved outstanding results, with Palla Shiva Sanketh Reddy securing All-India Rank 102 without taking the IIT foundation course during schooling. Highlight of Achievements: * A dedicated student of the Resonance Junior Colleges secured the All-India Rank 102 in the open category, without an IIT Foundation, a remarkable feat. * Never before, in such circumstances, has anyone scored a high All-India Rank in Telugu-speaking states. Accomplished Goals: * 21 Number of students belonging to the open category and other categories of JEE Advanced 2025 have secured ranks below 1000. * 170 students or even more are expected to seek admission in the 23 prestigious IITs across the Nation. * Resonance Junior Colleges has contributed All-India Ranks from every campus. Mr. Purnachandra Rao Narra, Director, Resonance Educational Institutions, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, said: An ordinary student achieving an extraordinary rank is truly inspirational for our Resonite aspirants. According to the Director, Shiva Sanketh Reddy obtained a remarkable All-India Rank, which is the result of strong willpower, hard work, and relentless efforts, along with the right guidance, and everything is possible. He is a studious student from one of the best MPC colleges in Hyderabad, belonging to Resonance Institutions. Resonance Hyderabad has set records and stands up to be the trendsetter in the Telugu-speaking states, and grooms every aspirant to put consistent effort, faith, and total conviction. He further stated that behind the success of every Resonite, one can observe the commitment of the faculty and the unwavering support of the parents. About Resonance Educational Institutions: Establishing a legacy of 25 years, Resonance Kota has gained a huge reputation in the educational sector at the national level. Resonance is the brain-child of Mr. R.K. Verma (an alumnus of IIT Madras), and has become the most powerful transformer in transforming ordinary students into extraordinary. Salient Features of Resonance: * Resonance has 150+ centers across 87 cities and has trained over 1 million students. * To date, Resonance has created 3.3 lakh students admitted into IITs, NITs, IIITs, premier technological universities, and top medical colleges. * Steadily, Resonance has spread its educational activities in Telangana, Hyderabad, in 2018, and Resonance Hyderabad has been initiated under the ideal guidance of Mr. Purnachandra Rao Narra (IIM-Ahmedabad), the Director. Interestingly, Resonance Hyderabad is positioned in both Telugu-speaking states. * Resonance in a short span of six years has established 30+ intermediate colleges in Hyderabad. List of Resonance Hyderabad Students Who Secured AIR Below 1000: Special Achievements in the Open Category: (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) PRNewswire Hong Kong, June 3: Today, Bindo Labs - the parent company and developer of Wonder, a leading payments gateway and fintech platform for merchants in Hong Kong - announced its collaboration with Generali Hong Kong, a member of Generali Group, one of the world's largest integrated insurance and asset management groups, to digitalise payments acceptance for insurance premium collections from policyholders in Hong Kong. A first-of-its-kind innovation, this collaboration leverages Citi's Spring by Citi digital payment acceptance solution to enhance Generali Hong Kong's payments' processing, supporting a more unified customer experience. The strategic collaboration between Wonder, Generali Hong Kong and Citi will link premium collections with policy statuses through automated payments reconciliation and digital payment methods. The solution will both, accelerate insurance policy underwriting growth and improve operational efficiency, as well as enhance the overall customer experience by offering greater convenience. This collaboration marks the first time a global insurance company in Hong Kong can: - Integrate with over 20 payment methods through Wonder's unified online and offline payment solution and Citi's Spring by Citi platform. - Manage cost of acceptance through transparent "interchange plus" pricing model. - Combine digital payment acceptance with direct cash settlement to Citi. - Offer all services on a cloud-based platform which enables effortless upgrades for future development. Jason Ngan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wonder said in a company statement, "The strategic collaboration between Wonder and Citi is founded on the mutual dedication and commitment to empower Generali Hong Kong and its valued clients with streamlined payment solutions for making and receiving payments. Through this landmark collaboration between a bank and fintech in serving leading global financial institutions, it strongly signifies to the banking and finance community that banks and fintechs are not competitors, but rather are ideal strategic collaborators, capable of unleashing synergies through cooperation and jointly creating new value." Alessandro Lavenia, Chief Financial Officer of Generali Hong Kong further added, "Generali Hong Kong has focused on expanding its payment options for policyholders in Hong Kong to drive growth and prepare for future business opportunities. Previously, each new payment method required a dedicated gateway, leading to slow time-to-market. With this strategic collaboration, we can readily adopt new payment methods more quickly while enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience." Anoushka Dua, Head of Payments - Asia South, Japan, Asia North & Australia, Services at Citi said "As our insurance clients swiftly embark on extensive digital transformations, they are reshaping their product offerings into a suite of digital services to remain competitive and enhance customer experiences. We are pleased to support them and act as their banking collaborator on this digital journey, and we look forward to growing together in this dynamic market." Priyanka Gargav, Head of Spring by Citi - APAC & EMEA at Citi said, "Spring by Citi, our innovative digital payment acceptance solution, is empowering insurance clients in their digital transformation. By collaborating with leading fintechs, we aim to deliver, amongst other things: faster settlement, transparent and lower cost, more streamlined reconciliation, and a best-in-class customer experience." This strategic collaboration gained significant attention at the 2024 Hong Kong FinTech Week, showcasing the benefit of a bank and fintech collaborating together to create a more unified payments acceptance solution for businesses and consumers. About Generali Hong Kong In 1981, Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. was first registered as an authorised insurer in Hong Kong, with the business extending into the life insurance sector in 2016 with Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited. With a combination of local knowledge and Generali Group's global expertise, we develop unique and innovative life insurance, general insurance, specialty insurance, and employee benefits solutions to meet the needs of our customers. Website: www.generali.com.hk About Citi Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi About Wonder Wonder is a leading payments and FinTech platform for merchants in Hong Kong and Asia Pacific, enabling any merchant, from micro-businesses to multinational enterprises to pay and get paid effortlessly. Wonder is Hong Kong's first full-stack omni-channel payments platform, allowing merchants to digitally complete KYC onboarding in minutes, open an account, accept payments, pay digitally, and manage transactions all from one single platform. Key products include Wonder App, Wonder Terminal, Wonder Dashboard, Wonder Card and Wonder Taxi. Beyond the full-stack suite of payments and FinTech products, Wonder has also pioneered instant payments settlement (T+0) in Hong Kong and continues to expand access to digital financial services through innovation and strategic partnerships. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Wonder completed a Series A funding round led by Hong Kong Telecom (HKT), and has offices in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Shenzhen, and Changsha. Website: https://wonder.app Media Contact:Name: Wonder InquiryEmail: inquiry@wonder.app (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 3: Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, continues to break new ground in AI-augmented multidisciplinary education with a major milestone--its School of Pharmacy has received formal approval from the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) for its Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharma) programme. This development marks a significant step in establishing Uttar Pradesh as a forward-looking destination for pharmacy education. The School of Pharmacy at CU Uttar Pradesh has been conceptualized with a future-ready educational model aligned with industry demands and driven by cutting-edge technology. The curriculum is designed to balance theoretical foundations with hands-on training, ensuring that students graduate as competent and industry-ready healthcare professionals. The Pharmacy Council of India has granted formal approval to Chandigarh University, Lucknow Campus to begin offering 60 seats in the Pharmacy course from the academic session 2025. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure for Research-Driven Learning The School of Pharmacy offers an infrastructure tailored for advanced research. Students actively participate in projects related to pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, and toxicology. The curriculum has been crafted in collaboration with international industry experts and academicians, enabling students to grasp both traditional and emerging subjects with clarity while sharpening their skills in line with global standards. The availability of AI-powered tools and modern laboratories encourages experiential learning. Students also engage in internships, research assignments, and community-driven projects, making education at CU not only theoretical but deeply practical and immersive. A Booming Sector with Expanding Opportunities With the global pharmaceutical industry projected to grow at an estimated rate of 4.7% from 2024 to 2029--reaching a market size of approximately USD 1,454 billion--career prospects in pharmacy remain robust. Recognizing this trend, Chandigarh University has developed an ecosystem equipped with high-tech labs, experienced industry professionals, and collaborative learning environments to prepare a skilled and adaptable workforce. Industry-Collaborated Education for Future-Ready Professionals Students at the School of Pharmacy can pursue careers in diverse fields such as Clinical Research, Intellectual Property Management, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Control, and Medical Writing. The university also imparts regulatory training in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and Good Clinical Practices (GCP), ensuring graduates are prepared to work in highly regulated environments. Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, stands as a model of integrated education where learning, technology, and industry interface seamlessly. Students not only receive rigorous academic instruction but also benefit from industry training, internships, and research exposure, preparing them for a balanced and successful career. The university's AI-supported, modern campus in Unnao--backed by industry-aligned curriculum, advanced labs, and seasoned faculty--provides a solid academic foundation. Strategic partnerships with leading companies and government bodies further enhance student opportunities by offering essential skill training and diverse career pathways. Academic Leadership at the Helm The school is led by Prof. (Dr.) Amit Verma. Prof. Verma is accompanied by rich international, industry, and academic experience. Having more than 20 years of pharmaceutical education, research, and industrial experience, Prof. Verma has made notable contributions towards international collaborations, drug development plans, regulatory documentation, and innovation in pharmaceutical sciences. He has collaborated with India's and the world's premier institutions and pharmaceutical industries, providing his services in drug discovery, formulation science, regulatory affairs, clinical research and academic leadership. His passion for pharmacy education is evident in his strong desire for interactive learning, digital integration, research mentorship, and international academic collaborations. Being the India's first AI-enabled campus Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh is committed to revolutionize education through modern technology. This smart campus offers AI-powered learning platforms, real-time simulation, virtual labs, that foster an environment of incubation, innovation and critical thinking. The university believe in quality professional education where the eminent faculty on roll are equipped with advanced pedagogy to produce pharmacy professionals to not only adept in their field but also competent in leveraging technology to enhance patient care and drug development. This initiative and commitment ensure our dedication to shape future-ready pharmacy leaders to meet healthcare industry requirement. Backed with the legacy of Chandigarh University Mohali, students will get an opportunity for the international exposure through the collaborations with over 150 foreign universities, enriching their academic and cultural perspectives. Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh is committed to nurturing competent and compassionate pharmacy professionals who can contribute meaningfully to the global healthcare ecosystem". Envisioned to foster a culture of sustainability and empower future global leaders, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, immerses 21st-century learners in a personalised and experiential learning experience, integrating an AI-powered academic model and a multidimensional, futuristic perspective on education. Our Uttar Pradesh campus carries forward the venerable legacy of more than a decade of Chandigarh University, Punjab, which has established itself as India's No. 1 Private University and a torchbearer of groundbreaking pedagogy and research-driven innovation. The AI-augmented new campus offers a broad spectrum of industry-driven futuristic academic programs encompassing data-driven insights, virtual reality experiences, real-world simulations, corporate mentorship, international perspective, interdisciplinary research, cultivation of entrepreneurial spirit, and professional competencies. Website: www.culko.in. (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) The house registrations in Mumbai decline 4 per cent YoY in May and down 12 per cent MoM to 11,565 units, says a report by Nuvama Research. According to report, despite the decline in the number of registrations, the total value of registrations rose 3 per cent YoY to Rs 177 billion. On a monthly basis, the registration value dropped 5 per cent. In the first five months of 2025 (January to May), Mumbai recorded 61,461 housing unit registrations, which is 6 per cent higher compared to the same period last year. By value, registrations rose 17 per cent YoY to Rs 949 billion. The average ticket size of the registered properties also increased 11 per cent YoY to Rs 14.7 million. In Maharashtra, the number of property registrations in May 2025 stood at 148,080 units. This is a 2 per cent decline YoY but a 2 per cent increase compared to April 2025. The report also said that 80 per cent of the total registrations in Mumbai were residential properties. Compact homes, those below 1,000 square feet, continued to dominate the market. Among these, homes sized between 500 and 1,000 square feet were the most preferred, accounting for about 44 per cent of all registrations. Larger homes, those above 1,000 square feet, made up 17 per cent of total registrations in May 2025, compared to 15 per cent in May 2024. This share remained flat on a monthly basis. The report also highlighted that the central and western suburbs were the most active areas, contributing to 87 per cent of the total registrations during the month. The report noted a 1 per cent YoY increase in the share of registrations from central and south Mumbai. This indicates a rise in demand for premium homes in these areas, likely due to new project launches and ongoing infrastructure development. Highlighting the outlook of the sector the report added that "A robust launch trajectory and mortgage rate cut are likely to improve sales in Mumbai going ahead". Overall, year-to-date registrations in 2025 stood at 64,461 units, up 6 per cent YoY. Looking ahead, the report said that a strong pipeline of upcoming housing projects and a possible reduction in mortgage rates could lead to better sales in Mumbai in the coming months. (ANI) NewsVoir Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 3: In a landmark celebration of tradition and transformation, the AVR Swarna Mahal Group, one of South India's most enduring jewellery houses, hosted a prestigious launch event recently (31 May) at Hotel The Leela Palace, Chennai. The event featured the full leadership of the family- owned brand--four directors across generations--and welcomed its distinguished brand ambassador, Actor Arvind Swamy, in an atmosphere of pride and forward-looking purpose. Celebrating 97 glorious years of family legacy, the event paid homage to the unwavering values of purity, innovation, and emotional connection that define the AVR Swarna Mahal Jewellers name. Voices of Legacy and Leadership: What the Directors Said * A.B.S. Sanjjay, Managing Director "We have continuously invested in design, talent, and technology--not just to grow, but to grow responsibly. Our customers are family, and we strive to exceed their expectations every day." * S. Saumyha, Joint Managing Director "At AVR Swarna Mahal, every piece of jewellery is a bridge--connecting generations, cultures, and sentiments. My vision is to honour our heritage while empowering women and communities through our journey." * A.V.R. Siddhanth, Director "We are not just retailing jewellery--we are retailing dreams, experiences, and emotions. With brands like Vendi, Evaglow, and D*REN, we are reshaping how the next generation experiences luxury." * V.R. Shree Smaran, Director "The future is about fusion--of legacy and modernity, of art and technology. As the youngest generation in this legacy, I carry the weight of tradition with the fire of innovation." * Brand Ambassador Arvind Swamy on AVR "AVR Swarna Mahal is not just a name--it's a family. The care, the culture, the craftsmanship--it's all real. And I'm proud to walk alongside this legacy." From the launch of its high jewellery house D*REN to the digital success of Evaglow Diamonds and the rising popularity of Vendi, the group is poised to become not just a national name, but a global Indian brand rooted in values. With 26+ stores, a fast-growing online presence, acclaimed CSR initiatives and nearly a century of trust, AVR Swarna Mahal Group is scripting the next chapter of brilliance--one creation at a time. For more details, please visit: www.avrswarnamahal.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) IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers on Tuesday said that Indian aviation has enormous growth opportunity for both domestic and international markets. The scale and potential of India have made it a "beautiful opportunity" compared to China, which used to have significant development in terms of growth and number of aircraft and travellers a decade ago.Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, IndiGo's CEO said, "China had a significant development in terms of growth and number of aircraft and travellers. Probably like a decade ago, the entire development was there. When we speak about this being India's time, we see enormous growth." Talking about the message of the 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) being held in New Delhi from June 1 to 3, IndiGo CEO said that the big message from this AGM is that this is "India's time." "Big message from this AGM is this is India's time, and the scale and potential and opportunity of India have been a beautiful opportunity here to showcase that to the rest of the world," Elbers told reporters in the National Capital.The last AGM in India was held 42 years ago in 1983. It brings together more than 1,600 participants, including top global aviation industry leaders, government officials and international media representatives.IndiGo's CEO thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government of India for the continuous support."With the support of the Indian government and the strong commitment not only in words but even more so in presence and in actual steps being taken and outlining the vision of the Prime Minister and outlining all the steps and the opportunities which are, I think, it has been very successful in showcasing that to the rest of the world expanding and adding more and more destinations," he said. IndiGo's CEO stated that Indian domestic markets are witnessing enormous growth, and the opportunity for the international market is even greater. "So if you look at that opportunity of new flights and more connections between India and Thailand and Malaysia and Singapore, the opportunity I would say is massive going forward. Again, we are taking the first steps into Europe, and clearly Italy has a lot of potential also for flights," he added.Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, also thanked PM Modi, adding,"I think it's very exciting. I was honoured to meet the honourable Prime Minister. I think the fact that he was prepared to attend the AGM reinforced the vision that he has personally and the Indian government has for the development of the industry here. So very exciting; it was great to hear him talk firsthand about where he sees the industry developing into the future." (ANI) NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 3: Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD), the global campaign driving sustainable innovation in fashion, has just announced something huge: For the first time ever, the RLSD International Student Design Competition final is hitting Taipei - Asia's buzzing epicentre of fashion, culture and cutting-edge creativity. Following fantastic events in the fashion capitals of London and Milan, RLSD has now set its sights eastward and will be landing in the heart of Taipei at the renowned AMBI SPACE ONE, Taiwan's first intelligent, fully immersive venue located in the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper. And you could be there too. Imagine this: Four exceptional finalists - category winners from Apparel, Footwear, Accessories, the People's Choice, plus the newly crowned RLSD Taiwan overall winner - will experience an all-expenses-paid trip to Taiwan. You'll present your designs live, to our influential judging panel that includes Kora Hsieh (Editor-in-Chief, Harper's BAZAAR Taiwan), Yu Lee (Taiwanese fashion influencer), Christopher Koerber (Managing Director, Hugo Boss), Adrien Roberts (International fashion education consultant) and Mike Adler (International celebrity stylist). The final and awards night will unfold over two unforgettable days (27-28 October 2025). Finalists will also get to explore Taipei's Eastern District (Xinyi District), the heartbeat of street style and boundary-pushing individuality. This vibrant neighbourhood reflects the RLSD spirit - merging traditional Taiwanese craftsmanship with futuristic, catwalk-ready innovation that sets Taipei apart. Mike Adler, Celebrity Stylist and RLSD judge, says, "Bringing RLSD to Taipei is incredibly exciting! This is a chance for young designers to shine in one of Asia's most vibrant fashion cities - well known for their unique street style of nonconformist, avant-guard looks. If you're passionate about designing a sustainable future and ready to seize a life-changing opportunity, enter now. Taipei awaits you!" Yu Lee, Taiwanese fashion influencer, added, "It's exciting to see the RLSD international finals held in Taiwan for the first time. Year after year, local designers have brought thoughtful, boundary-pushing work to the competition. This is their moment to be seen on home ground, and it's a powerful sign of the creative energy growing in this part of the world." Each finalist's winning design will feature in the prestigious RLSD Capsule Collection, touring globally at major events. Finalists will also benefit from extensive publicity linked to the competition. Enter today: The RLSD competition is open to current fashion students and graduates from 2023 or 2024. Designs must feature at least 50% cattle hide leather in Apparel, Footwear or Accessories categories. Don't miss your chance! Entries close at 11:59 pm (BST), 30 June 2025. Enter now at: rlsd.internationaldesigncomp.com/competition-event/international-2025 Real Leather. Stay Different. is a global campaign that has reached some 750 million people and hundreds of thousands of students. It makes the case for leather (and other natural materials) and for making the best use of society's waste, particularly the hides that are the by-products of the dairy and meat industries, before looking to the petrochemical industries for manmade materials. Flexible and durable, leather is the natural alternative to fast fashion. Arts Thread is the world's leading digital platform for emerging artists & designers and a launchpad for the next generation of creative talent. Arts Thread has built relationships with over 950 creative institutions connecting to over 400,000 students in approximately 130 countries, partnering with leading brands, organisations, events, media to help launch the next generation of creative talent globally. For further information please visit www.artsthread.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) PNN New Delhi [India], June 3: In a historic convergence of soul, science, and social harmony, His Holiness Gurumahan Sri Krishnamoorthy Jayamani, Founder of the Universal Peace Foundation, was bestowed with the sacred and prestigious title of "GUARDIAN OF GLOBAL PEACE" during the International Laureates Recognition Conclave 2025, held on 28th May 2025 at the tranquil and divine Thirumoorthy Hills, Tamil Nadu. This transformative gathering was envisioned and executed by Mr. Suresh Sathyanarayanan, Chief Research Officer of UNS Research Council and Convenor of IFSMHP, whose unwavering dedication to bridging science with consciousness has sparked a global movement. With over 1,000 respected invitees and more than 250 national and international awardees, the conclave symbolized a collective rising--a unified stand for peace, healing, and holistic progress. In his tribute, Mr. Sathyanarayanan declared: "In a world full of voices, His Holiness Gurumahan radiates a divine silence that speaks straight to the soul. He is not just a teacher of peace--he is the embodiment of it. This title is not an award--it is a truth that the world is now recognizing. When science bows to silence, healing begins." Unified Support from the Scientific FraternityThe event was graced by visionary scientists and wellness leaders who brought not only their presence but also their heartfelt support to the honoring of Gurumahan: -YBHG. Datuk Dr. Ravee, Global Wellness Luminary, acknowledged the spiritual power of Gurumahan's teachings, calling him "a soul who carries the vibration of planetary healing and personal transformation." -Dr. Hemachandran Ravikumar, Ambassador of the Royal Society of Biology (UK) and UNS Chief Research Advisor, expressed: "In Gurumahan, we see not just a master--but a map. A map to the soul's destination. Science stands humble before his light." -Dr. K.P. Sreenivasakumar, Director of ICBR, remarked that "while molecular biology explains life's building blocks, Gurumahan reveals the energy that animates it all." -Dr. Vasanthan G, Director of Lychee Groups, praised Gurumahan as "a leader who shows us how wellness is not in treatment alone, but in inner balance." -Dr. Sanjay Sinha, Vice President of JK Groups, noted that "true leadership is silent and soulful--His Holiness leads through light, not words." -Dr. Mohanavelu, Chief Research Scientist, said that "even in the realm of advanced science, we are now realizing the undeniable power of meditative frequency and consciousness--domains Gurumahan mastered long ago." -Dr. Shanmugavelu, Head of Chemistry, Tamil Nadu University, shared: "While chemistry studies reactions, Gurumahan invokes transformation. His presence alters hearts at the molecular level." Each of these leaders, representing medicine, wellness, corporate innovation, and academic excellence, echoed a unanimous sentiment--that His Holiness Gurumahan's guidance is not confined to spirituality, but essential to the future of human evolution. A Collective AffirmationThe 1,000 invited dignitaries and 250+ awardees, including scientists, educators, doctors, innovators, mental health professionals, students, and spiritual thinkers, stood united in support of the title conferred upon His Holiness. Their collective applause echoed a deeper understanding--that peace, wellness, and awareness must now become core to research, education, and governance. In his closing message, Gurumahan reminded the gathering: "Science without soul becomes sterile. Soul without action becomes stagnant. Today, we unite both. Let peace begin from within and flow outward into every dimension of being." The International Laureates Recognition Conclave 2025, held under the legally certified frameworks of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (Sec. 8), ESIC, NGO Darpan, and 80G & 12A under the Income Tax Act, marks a paradigm shift--where inner awakening is honored alongside intellectual accomplishment. With Mr. Suresh Sathyanarayanan's bold vision and His Holiness Gurumahan's divine light, this conclave not only created history--it opened a sacred path for generations to come. The International Forum of Scientists and Mental Health Professionals (IFSMHP) is a globally recognized interdisciplinary body founded to bridge the worlds of science, mental wellness, and education. Operating under the auspices of the UNS Research Council, IFSMHP serves as a think tank and collaborative hub where scientists, researchers, clinicians, educationists, and wellness professionals converge to address pressing global challenges. The forum is committed to making science more humane and wellness more scientific, advancing a transformative vision that merges cutting-edge research with compassionate public service. Through its international conclaves, youth fellowships, research festivals, and academic mentoring programs, IFSMHP has become a beacon of integrated development, empowering students and professionals alike. One of its flagship missions, "One Scientist Per School," aims to embed scientific thinking and research literacy into the foundation of school education, while its publication-driven ecosystem supports early-career scholars in publishing their work in national and international journals. Grounded in evidence-based integrative practices and guided by ethics, empathy, and equity, IFSMHP is shaping the future of global wellness by uniting science, soul, and service into one powerful movement. (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) Haryana [India], June 3: In a groundbreaking alliance bridging spirituality and luxury, Sugandhim Labs, an international leader in fine fragrance innovation, celebrated the grand opening of its flagship Experience Store in Haryana, India. The store showcases a meticulously curated collection of over 100 unique fragrances, along with astrology-based aromatic solutions, pushing boundaries in both wellness and luxury. Adding a celestial dimension to this moment, Astro Parduman Ji, globally respected astrologer, vastu expert, and spiritual master, was officially unveiled as the Global Brand Ambassador for both Sugandhim Labs and its luxury fragrance brand, World of Perfumers. A Spiritual-Scented Collaboration This visionary collaboration launches an exclusive line of attars and fragrance products inspired by ancient astrological wisdom, crafted to bring emotional balance, spiritual resonance, and cosmic connection through scent. "Fragrance is the bridge between the material and the divine," said Astro Parduman Ji. "I am honored to represent a brand that aligns spiritual energy with sensory elegance." Sugandhim Labs & World of Perfumers is Founded by a trio of global minds, Sugandhim Labs is disrupting the global perfume market with a commitment to accessible luxury, spiritual harmony, and experiential innovation: * Kushal - Visionary entrepreneur driving innovation across three successful startups. * Akhil - International brand strategist with over a decade of experience building multinational consumer brands. * Nikhil - Dubai-based perfume artist and creative force behind over 10 years of fragrance craftsmanship. Operating under its luxury label World of Perfumers, the company draws from iconic fragrance cultures in France, Dubai, and Switzerland, with the mission of democratizing luxury perfumery. From timeless classics to contemporary roll-ons and attars, World of Perfumers has created a scent library that merges global sophistication with Indian soul. Its products are now available through a powerful omnichannel presence--e-commerce, offline experience stores, premium distributors, and top international marketplaces. With a legacy spanning over 49 years, including 15 years of dedicated global practice, Astro Parduman Ji is revered for his transformative guidance across astrology, numerology, vastu, dowsing, and spiritual healing. Having mentored over 27,000 students and consulted individuals worldwide, his appointment signals a deeper integration of spiritual well-being into luxury wellness products. His partnership with Sugandhim Labs marks a unique global movement--where ancient cosmic energy meets the world of fine fragrance. For more information kindly visit: www.worldofperfumers.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) France and India should make the "major success" of the defence sector in bilateral ties a "role model" for other sectors, French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said after the high-level discussions with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Goyal commenced his three-day official visit to France on Sunday. This visit is part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from June 1 to 5. During his engagements in France, Goyal held bilateral meetings with key French Ministers, including Laurent Saint-Martin and Minister of Economy Eric Lombard. These discussions are focused on strengthening the Indo-French economic partnership and exploring new avenues for enhancing trade and investment cooperation. "The defence sector is one of the major success stories in India-France bilateral ties. Let's make this defence sector a role model, an example for other sectors," Saint-Martin told reporters after the bilateral meeting in Paris. The French minister expressed optimism about the stalled European Union-India free trade agreement, suggesting a breakthrough could come in weeks or months, as "we believe in freer trade, and not in trade wars." "I am pretty optimistic that we can have an agreement in the coming weeks or months, because we have to showcase the world that we believe in trade, in freer trade, and not in trade wars," he told reporters. Saint-Martin emphasised that demonstrating commitment to multilateral trade cooperation carries special significance amid current global tensions. "It means a lot for us, because we are living in very troubled times in terms of global trade," he said, adding that both India and France must strengthen their economic and cultural ties. The minister highlighted India's importance in European trade strategy, noting strong backing from Brussels. "India is one of our priorities and I know that the European Commission really wants to fast-track the talks for the pact," Saint-Martin said. France seeks to reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers while addressing sensitive sectors. "We have to take care of, for example, our agriculture, and some norms that we have in terms of environment and sanitary standards," he explained. "A deal at the end is a consensus - both sides have to understand each other's concerns and sensitivities." Saint-Martin acknowledged that Europe-India trade relations remain below their potential, calling for increased exports, investments, and joint ventures between the regions. The 27-nation European Union represents one of India's largest trading partners, yet both sides see room for significant expansion. "The FTA is a way of facilitating trade. This is why we need to lower barriers, but on the other hand, you have to protect sometimes some sectors, and I'm talking about agriculture," he said, outlining the delicate balance required in negotiations. The minister's comments come as global supply chains face disruption and countries seek to diversify trade partnerships beyond traditional routes. The France-India defence cooperation, which includes joint manufacturing and technology transfer agreements, serves as a successful model for deeper economic integration across multiple sectors. (ANI) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, said "we need India as a leader "in the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), which will take place in Yaounde, Cameroon, from March 26 to 29, 2026. "For MC-14, you know, we need India as a leader. India is a leading country, and India is doing well. So India needs to open the way for other developing countries," the WTO DG told reporters in Paris. Highlighting India's leadership role, she said WTO reform must include support for issues important to India, such as agriculture. She also pushed for India's backing on the Investment Facilitation for Development agreement, which is supported by 90 of the 126 participating members. "India is a leading country, and India is doing well. So India needs to open the way for other developing countries. For example, on investment facilitation for development. We want India to support because so many developing countries, 90 out of the 126 who are members, would like to move with this. But for agriculture, we also need to listen to what India's issues are and try to be as supportive as we possibly can," she added. Ahead of the mini-ministerial meeting hosted by Australia in Paris, WTO DG noted that the mini-ministerial meeting is crucial for setting the tone ahead of WTO ministerial Confrence. "Most members believe the WTO is a valuable organisation, but it must be repositioned," she said. WTO DG expressed the need for the repositioning of the multinational trading body, adding that the current disruptions to the multilateral trading system present an opportunity to drive much-needed reforms. "Multilateral trading systems have been disrupted in a way they haven't been before. But guess what? Sometimes I see challenges as opportunities, and I think this is a very good opportunity for the WTO members to look at what those things are that work and should be kept, and there are many," the WTO DG said. "For example, 3/4 of world goods trade is still taking place on WTO terms, MFN terms, and members want to safeguard that, but there are things that also don't work. And when you have this kind of disruption, you ask yourself, what is it that needs to be reformed about the WTO? What is it that developing countries like India don't like? Let them put that on the table. What is it that the US doesn't like? Put that on the table. What do Africans not like about the way the organisation is? Put that on the table. Let's collect these and then let's try to reform it because most members think that it is a very valuable organisation, but it should be repositioned," WTO DG added. The discussions gain urgency ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled for March 26-29, 2026, in Cameroon. The meeting will likely serve as a crucial test for the organisation's ability to bridge growing divisions between developed and developing nations while maintaining its multilateral foundation. The WTO chief's visit to Paris coincides with a mini-ministerial meeting on the margins of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, convened by Australia. Trade ministers from approximately 25 countries, including India, Australia, and Singapore, are participating in discussions about potential WTO reforms. (ANI) At the India-France CEO Forum in Paris saw enthusiastic discussions on strengthening bilateral trade and investment on Tuesday. The forum highlighted the potential for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, which would not only boost trade but also build trust and chemistry between India and France. The Indian business leaders highlighted the potential for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, which would not only boost trade but also build trust and chemistry between India and France. Both Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his French counterpart Laurent Saint-Martin expressed optimism over the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union. Indian industry leaders, including Sanjay Nayar (ASSOCHAM), Sunil Vachani (Dixon Technologies), Rikant Pittie (EaseMyTrip), and Ravi Limaye (Wockhardt), shared their insights on the opportunities and challenges in the India-France partnership. They emphasised the potential for collaboration in areas like manufacturing, tourism, and technology. "Three things stood out for me, the enthusiasm of both the ministers, our minister Piyush Goyal and the French Minister Laurent Saint-Martin about getting the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) done. The message coming out is more than just a trade. It is more about building trust and chemistry, which we have, it takes it to a new level with FTA...," said Sanjay Nayar, President, Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on India-France CEO Forum and meeting between Union Minister Piyush Goyal and French Minister Laurent Saint-Martin. The forum drew participation from several leading French companies. Indian delegation urged French businesses to explore India as a key manufacturing and investment destination. Sunil Vachani, Chairman of Dixon Technologies, pointed out, "There was a big attendance of French companies, they showed a great interest from their side. The biggest reason for this is that France's biggest companies are looking for an alternative supply chain and a reliable partner that can manufacture globally. Minister Piyush Goyal kept this fact forward, saying that they won't get a better alternative than India....India is a big market...message was to come forward and invest in India..." Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder and CEO of EaseMyTrip, spoke about the potential for collaboration in tourism and human capital. "We had a very insightful discussion today with the French companies. I briefed about what the different potential collaboration opportunities are between India and France...there could be a potential synergy between India and France on the diversified talent pool. India currently has approximately 1.5 million engineering graduates every year...India and France can deepen their relationship with tourism corridors," he added. Ravi Limaye, Managing Director of Wockhardt, welcomed the momentum towards the FTA. "I think this was a very important meeting, as the minister said, the trade between India and France is about USD 15 billion, which hardly indicates the kind of potential these two countries have. There are lots of opportunities to increase this trade and do business that will help both these countries. So I think this is a good start," he added. Limaye further emphasised that the two countries of lots of potential and can increase trade and business. "The trade between India and France is about $15 billion, which hardly indicates the kind of potential these two countries have. Lots of opportunities to increase this trade and do business that will help both these countries. I think this is a good start..." Moreover, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the need for reforms in the multilateral trading system. She emphasized India's crucial role in shaping the future of the WTO and its potential to lead the way for other developing countries. "I am very happy that we have the occasion of the mini-ministerial and certainly happy that Minister Piyush is here and will participate, I think he will give a chance to ministers invited by the Australians to be able to talk to each other about the possible reforms to the WTO. Of course the multilateral trading system has been disrupted in a way it hasn't been before. But, sometimes I see challenges as opportunities and I think this is a very good opportunity for the WTO members to look at what are those things that work and should be kept...Most members think that it is a very valuable organisation but it should be repositioned and that's why the mini-minsterial is very important because ministers are going to start that discussion prior to MC14," said Okonjo-Iweala. Union Minister Piyush Goyal met WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi in Paris, France. "Meeting with Minister Goyal was very productive. We spoke about all these issues, about reforms, about the issues India is interested in - like agriculture and how MC14, we need India as a leader. India is a leading country and India is doing well. So, India needs to open the way for other developing countries...," added the WTO Director-General. Goyal also me with ATR Aircraft CEO Nathalie Tarnaud Laude in Paris. The underscored India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new opportunities for cooperation. (ANI) The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday adjourned the release of Kamal Haasan's movie 'Thug Life' to June 10, 2025. The court was hearing a petition concerning the release of 'Thug Life' in Karnataka. The court noted that the letter from Haasan to the KFCC, in response to their demand for an apology, did not contain the word "apology." The petition, filed by the film's producers, seeks the court's intervention to prevent authorities, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), from taking any actions that would hinder or block the film's release or screening in the state. The petitioner, who is associated with the movie, has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the KFCC to resolve the issue. The court has adjourned the hearing to June 10, 2025, allowing time for dialogue between the petitioner and the KFCC. The petitioner has agreed not to screen the movie in Karnataka until the matter is resolved. The controversy surrounding 'Thug Life' intensified after the KFCC issued a directive to ban the film's release in Karnataka. It stated that it will not allow the movie's release due to Haasan's alleged remarks. This decision followed remarks made by Kamal Haasan at the audio launch of the film in Chennai, where he said that "Kannada is born out of Tamil." The statement sparked widespread backlash, particularly from Kannada activists and organisations, who accused Haasan of belittling the Kannada language. In response to the growing tension, Kamal Haasan addressed the KFCC in a letter, clarifying that his comments were misconstrued. He explained that his words, spoken with "genuine affection" for the legendary Dr Rajkumar's family, were meant to express unity rather than diminish the value of Kannada. Haasan expressed his admiration for the Kannada language and its rich cultural legacy, emphasising that he holds "deep respect" for the people of Karnataka. In his letter, Haasan wrote, "I acknowledge your letter dated 30/05/2025. Out of deep respect for the people of Karnataka, I offer the following with sincerity. It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch, spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr Rajkumar's family, especially Shiva Rajkumar, has been misunderstood and taken out of context." He reiterated his commitment to all Indian languages, particularly Kannada, and said, "Like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition that I have long admired. My love for the language is genuine, and I have great respect for the love that Kannadigas have for their mother tongue." Haasan further explained that his bond with all South Indian languages, including Kannada, is "abiding and heartfelt" and that he has always advocated for the equal dignity of all languages. He made it clear that he does not intend to foster division through language and expressed regret for the embarrassment caused to Shiva Rajkumar, who had attended the film's audio launch. As the situation escalated, the matter reached the Karnataka High Court, which began hearing petitions filed by the producers of 'Thug Life'. The petition seeks an injunction preventing the KFCC and other authorities from taking any actions that would obstruct the film's scheduled release in Karnataka on June 5, 2025. The court has adjourned the proceedings and is expected to announce its decision soon, with a final hearing scheduled for June 10, 2025. Kamal Haasan concluded his letter with a passionate statement on the power of cinema to unite people across language and cultural divides. "Cinema must remain a bridge between people--never a wall that divides them. This was the intent of my statement, and I have never been nor would ever want to give any room for public unrest and animosity," he said. He emphasised that his primary goal had always been to foster love and unity through cinema, and he hoped the misunderstanding would be seen in the context of his enduring respect for Karnataka and its people. Haasan also expressed confidence that the controversy would be short-lived and that it would ultimately serve to strengthen the bond between him and the people of Karnataka. (ANI) Actor Jonathan Joss, best known for his role as Chief Ken Hotate in 'Parks and Recreation,' passed away at the age of 59. Chris Pratt, who worked with Joss on both 'Parks and Recreation' and 'The Magnificent Seven,' paid tribute to him on Instagram. He wrote, "Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude. Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones." Joss played the role of Chief Ken Hotate, the leader of the fictional Wamapoke Tribe, in the popular sitcom. He also appeared as Denali, an exiled Comanche warrior, alongside Pratt in the 2016 Western film The Magnificent Seven. Fellow Parks and Recreation actor Nick Offerman also expressed his sadness. "The cast has been texting together about it all day and we're just heartbroken." "Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy," Offerman added. According to San Antonio police, Joss died in a shooting on Saturday, Variety reported. He was 59. San Antonio officers were dispatched to a shooting in progress at a home on Sunday night around 7 p.m. When they arrived at the scene, they "found Joss near the road after he was shot multiple times." The officers attempted life-saving measures until medics arrived, but Joss was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooter fled in a vehicle but was detained by officers a block away and booked for murder. Joss voiced John Redcorn from Season 2 through Season 13 of "King of the Hill" and already recorded lines for the upcoming revival of the popular animated series. He took over the role from original actor Victor Aaron after he died in 1996 in a car accident, as per Variety. (ANI) TV actor Vibhu Raghave, who passed away after a long battle with cancer on June 2, was cremated on Tuesday afternoon. His funeral was attended by his family members, close friends and members of the TV industry. Actors like Mohitt Maalik, Anjali Anand, Chaitanya Chaudhary, Addite Malik and Nakuul Mehta were spotted at the cremation ground, paying last respect to Vibhu. Mohitt and Addite looked inconsolable at the last rites. Several celebrities also took to their Instagram handles to condole the loss of the actor after his demise. Bigg Boss 18 winner Karan Veer Mehra took to Instagram and wrote, "Too Soon. Rest in peace," followed by a heartbreak emoji. Sanaya Irani also wrote an emotional message for Raghave on her Instagram handle. She recalled the actor's "positivity, love, and warmth" for his peers and friends."RIP Friend. I'm sure you are spreading positivity, love and warmth wherever you are. Gone too soon. You will be missed," wrote Sanaya Irani. Saumya Tandon also penned an emotional note for the late actor. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, "My beautiful friend @vibhuzinsta...is with angels now. Left us last night. Vibhu you were beautiful. Inside and out. You taught me how to smile even when everything was falling apart. How to hold on to light when the world felt dark. You were a fighter till the very end -- a real warrior. Even when people gave up hope, you kept going. You never stopped." "We had plans, Vibhu.We wanted to make videos... to talk about everything you were feeling. We thought we had time. We didn't. And now all I'm left with is your voice in my head, your smile, and all the love you gave me. I'll miss you forever. I really will," she grieved. She talked about how Vibhu taught to her life a life "fully, fiercely, with heart." "Life is so damn short. I'm going to try to live it like you did -- fully, fiercely, with heart.To be the best version of myself, every single day. Thank you for being my friend.Thank you for the light, the love, the laughter.And thank you -- truly -- to every single person who contributed, prayed, and gave Vibhu a fighting chance. I'm forever grateful to you all," Saumya added. Vibhu Raghave's co-star Aneri Vajani shared a bunch of throwback photos of the actor while remembering him after his demise. A week before Raghave's demise, actress Vajani also shared a fundraising post for the actor's cancer treatment in Mumbai.She wrote, "Hello everyone ! A little update about our friend Vibhu @vibhuzinsta . He's still battling 4th stage cancer in Nanavati hospital for the last two weeks. It's been an overwhelming journey for all of us to see him go through this. He's fighting it bravely. We have exhausted our funds and we need immediate funds to save him. Pls pray for his recovery & do contribute whatever you can for his hospital treatment. Thank you for your immense love and prayers" Vibhu was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022, and routinely shared updates about his treatment on Instagram. His friends often urged social media users to help raise funds for his treatment. https://www.instagram.com/p/DKJf55Yod7L/?hl=en&img_index=1 Vibhu was in his late 30s. (ANI) The ongoing controversy surrounding Kamal Haasan's movie 'Thug Life' has taken a new turn, with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) reaffirming its demand for an apology from the actor. The dispute revolves around Haasan's controversial remarks at the audio launch of the film in Chennai, where he suggested that "Kannada is born out of Tamil." After a meeting with film industry representatives, KFCC President M Narasimhalu emphasised the chamber's firm stance on the issue, stating that the actor's comments have angered both the government and pro-Kannada organisations. He insisted that Haasan must apologise to the people of Karnataka for his remarks before any further discussion could take place. "He has spoken about our language, and the government, pro-Kannada organisations, everyone is angry. He should apologise. Let him come and discuss," Narasimhalu said. He further added that the KFCC was not prepared to make any decisions or offer mediation without an apology from Haasan. He said that the KFCC's stance is clear: no mediation or resolution can take place without Haasan acknowledging the hurt caused by his statement. "We want an apology from Kamal Haasan. There are rules, and this concerns four states," Narasimhalu said. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has adjourned the hearing of the petition concerning the release of 'Thug Life' to June 10, 2025. The court had previously intervened after the KFCC decided to block the film's release in the state due to the controversy surrounding Haasan's comments. The film's producers filed the petition seeking a court order to allow the release of 'Thug Life' as scheduled on June 5, 2025. The court noted that Haasan's letter to the KFCC in response to their demand did not include the word "apology," further complicating the matter. The court has provided time for dialogue between the petitioners and the KFCC, allowing the producers to engage with the film body in an attempt to resolve the issue. In the interim, the producers have agreed not to release the movie in Karnataka until the matter is settled. In an attempt to quell the rising tensions, Kamal Haasan addressed the KFCC in a heartfelt letter. He clarified that his remarks, made at the Thug Life audio launch, were misunderstood and taken out of context. Haasan explained that his words were spoken out of "genuine affection" for Dr. Rajkumar's family and were intended to convey unity, not to belittle Kannada. "It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch--spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr. Rajkumar's family, especially Shiva Rajkumar--has been misunderstood and taken out of context," Haasan wrote. He emphasised his respect for the Kannada language, and said, "Like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition that I have long admired. My love for the language is genuine, and I have great respect for the love that Kannadigas have for their mother tongue." Haasan also reiterated his support for all Indian languages, including Kannada, and urged that his statement be viewed in the spirit of unity and respect for the people of Karnataka. He expressed regret for the embarrassment caused to Shiva Rajkumar, who had attended the event, and emphasised that his intention was never to divide communities but to strengthen bonds through cinema. As the legal battle continues, Kamal Haasan remains hopeful that the controversy will be resolved amicably and that 'Thug Life' will be able to release as planned in Karnataka. He expressed confidence that the situation would ultimately strengthen his relationship with the people of the state. "Cinema must remain a bridge between people--never a wall that divides them. This was the intent of my statement," Haasan said. He added, "I have never been nor would ever want to give any room for public unrest and animosity." (ANI) 'Outlander' star Sam Heughan is set to take on the role of Macbeth in the Royal Shakespeare Company's upcoming production, marking his debut with the company. Heughan expressed his excitement about returning to the stage after 12 years, and said, "It's the drug I'm looking for," as quoted by Deadline. Heughan, who trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, has always been drawn to the play. He recalled being in awe of Derek Jacobi's portrayal of Macbeth in Adrian Noble's RSC production and even played minor roles in a 2008 production. "I remember just going full circle like, going back to the very first show I ever did in youth theatre. I was an extra on the main stage of the Royal Lyceum theatre in Edinburgh in a production of Macbeth," he said. Heughan's experience playing Jamie Fraser in 'Outlander' for 11 years has dominated his life, but he is excited to explore new challenges. "It becomes your life a hundred percent. And in some ways that's fantastic, and I've been very lucky... So this is really cool. It's a chance for me to sort of, I don't know, find out who I am again or where I was and see what the next step is," he explained, as quoted by Deadline. The production, directed by Daniel Raggett, will feature Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth. Heughan and Williams have discussed the setting, considering various options, including the conflict in Ukraine or a contemporary American setting. "We've been talking about lots of different ways of portraying it... It could be kind of set anywhere," Heughan said. Heughan also hinted at potential future projects related to 'Outlander', including a possible Comic-Con celebration for the prequel series 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood', which premieres on August 8. Season 8 of 'Outlander' is expected to air next year. (ANI) Actor Manjari Fadnnis has come a long way in the industry. From making acting debut in Sunny Deol-starrer 'Rok Sako To Rok Lo' to playing a pivotal role in romantic drama 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na', this curly-haired girl has been winning hearts with her acting prowess since the mid-2000s. In her career so far, she has worked in a wide range of genres, sharing screen space with several renowned artists. In an interview with ANI, Manjari expressed her desire to work with actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. "I really want to work with Amitabh Bachchan sir. I worked with him on an ad film 2-3 years ago. That was an amazing experience. But it was a short ad. I want to work on a full-fledged film with him. Then, I really enjoyed working with Boman Irani sir. I'd love to work with him again," she shared. She also expressed her dream of working with Bollywood's Greek God, Hrithik Roshan. "I would love to work with Hrithik Roshan. I have been his big fan since I was a little girl. So I would love to work with Hrithik. I also want to collaborate with Ranbir. He is a phenomenal actor...," Manjari expressed. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Manjari visited legendary actor Anupam Kher's acting school, 'Actor Prepares', where she interacted with a lot of students. Sharing her experience, Manjari said, "It's actually amazing to meet them. Like, they're filled with so many dreams and so many ambitions. So I really enjoyed spending time with them, and a very bright batch of students." In February 2025, Kher's acting institute 'Actor Prepares' completed 20 years and to mark the special occasion, the 'Saaransh' star took to social media and announced the 'Actor Prepares Awards.' "20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE AND ACTOR PREPARES AWARDS: 20 years ago, I had a simple dream-- to create a space where aspiring actors could hone their craft and find their voice. What began in a small room with a handful of students has grown into a thriving community of performers, and artists. For two decades, we've watched nervous first steps turn into confident strides, hesitant voices transform into powerful performances, and dreams take flight," he wrote. (ANI) Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar slammed the West Bengal government on Monday, claiming that the state is "rapidly turning into the rape capital of India." His comments came during a visit to Hooghly, where he met the family of a rape victim. A 13-yeard-old girl, who had been missing since May 27, was allegedly raped and murdered. The Srirampur Court in Hooghly sent the accused to custody. "The most disturbing part is that the girl, who went missing on the 27th, was later found completely naked. She was also differently-abled. Unfortunately, this is not the only incident -- West Bengal is rapidly turning into the rape capital of India," Majumdar told ANI. Earlier on Monday, Majumdar also visited the family of Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who was repatriated to India on May 14 after being held in custody by Pakistan Rangers since April 23. Majumdar praised the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to bring the BSF jawan back. "On the first day, when I spoke to his wife, the entire family was devastated. But despite the pain, they showed remarkable patience. Following that, under the leadership of our Prime Minister, and with the efforts of the Home Minister and Defence Minister, Purnam Kumar Shaw has been brought back home safely. This is truly commendable. Even earlier, under this leadership, we successfully brought Wing Commander Abhinandan back. This is the mark of a new India under PM Modi," he said. Earlier on May 24, the BSF jawan expressed joy and relief upon arriving in his hometown of Rishra, West Bengal. "I feel good. I came here to meet the people after the operation... I was worried about my parents, so I came home and met my entire family... I was there during the time of Operation Sindoor, and my parents were worried, so I came to meet them," the BSF Jawan said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed happiness over BSF Jawan PK Shaw's safe return. She said the Trinamool Congress government had made efforts for his safe return. Bengal CM told reporters that they had been in touch with Purnam Shaw's wife, Rajani Shaw, throughout and spoke to her four or five times. (ANI) A 23-year-old man was stabbed by three individuals in Delhi's Saboli Khadda locality on June 1, following an altercation, prompting swift police action that led to the arrest of one accused, officials said on Monday. On June 1, information was received from GTB Hospital at Harsh Vihar Police Station regarding the admission of an injured person, identified as Sagar (23), son of Kailash and a resident of Saboli Khadda. According to the police, upon reaching the hospital, the victim reported that on June 1 at around 9:30 PM, he, along with his friends, had gone to Saboli Khadda. There, he was attacked with a knife by three individuals, namely Bittoo, Sohail, and Sultan, following an altercation. After treatment, the victim was discharged from the hospital. Accordingly, a case under Sections 109(1)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at Harsh Vihar Police Station, and investigation was initiated. A dedicated police team, led by Inspector Pradeep Kumar and comprising ASI Jitender, Head Constables Ankit Tomar, Ashish, Rahul, Shashank, Jitender Teotia, and Ankit, was formed to apprehend the accused and expedite the investigation. The team operated under the supervision of Shri Jasod Singh Mehta, ACP/Nand Nagri. Due to prompt and focused efforts, one accused was apprehended within hours. He was identified as Sultan S/o Hassan Mohammad, R/o Gali No. 5, Saboli Bagh, age- 27 yrs. During interrogation, the accused Sultan confessed to the crime and revealed that there was an old enmity with the victim. Efforts are underway to apprehend the absconding co-accused and recover the weapon used in the offence. Further investigation in the case is ongoing. (ANI) The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has announced that it will observe June 4 as "Betrayal Day" across all constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, launching statewide protests against the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government's alleged failure to fulfill its pre-election promises. Speaking to ANI on Monday, YSRCP spokesperson Putha Siva Sankar said that protest rallies will be organised at the constituency level, where party workers will also submit representations to local officials. The demonstrations aim to raise awareness among the public about what the YSRCP describes as the ruling alliance's unfulfilled assurances. "June 4th, YSR Congress Party will be observing the Betrayal Day across Andhra Pradesh in every constituency. We will hold protest rallies and submit the petitions to officials at the constituency level and gather the people about the promises," said Sankar. He alleged that not even a single promise made by TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and his allies has been implemented so far. Among the unfulfilled pledges, Sankar specifically pointed to the "Super Six", "Super Seven", and the 154 pre-poll guarantees which had been central to the ruling alliance's election campaign. "Whatever promises Chandrababu Naidu and his alliance have made, the promises of mainly Super Six and Super Seven and 154 promises they made before elections, no promise has been fulfilled for the people of Andhra Pradesh. Everyone is very angry about this government," he added. Meanwhile, YSRCP leaders visited the residence of former MLA Kakani Govardhan Reddy in Nellore city on Friday to express solidarity with his family following his arrest in an alleged false case. The leaders extended their support to Reddy's family, condemning the legal action against him. Speaking to ANI, Kakani Poojitha, daughter of Kakani Govardhan Reddy, said, "My father is an innocent man who has always fought for the people. It is unjust that such a person has been sent to jail in a false case. I sincerely request that my father be released immediately." The visit comes amid growing support from YSRCP leaders, who have rallied behind Reddy, claiming that the charges against him. Earlier on May 26, Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) condemned the arrest of former Andhra Pradesh minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy and held a protest in Nellore. Along with Chandra Shekhar Reddy, other party leaders, including MLC Parvathareddy Chandrasekhar Reddy and former MLA Kiliveti Sanjeevayya, gathered to express their support and voice their concerns. They stated that Kakani Govardhan Reddy has no direct or indirect connection to the mining case, and arresting him based on someone's false statement is unjust and malicious. Even though he has already challenged the case legally, the ruling party is deliberately obstructing the process to deny him bail, which they described as deplorable. The leaders expressed confidence that Reddy would be acquitted and emerge unscathed in the case. They also said that the unlawful activities and injustices being committed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) would soon be brought to the attention of the people, and those responsible will be held accountable. Former Minister Anil Kumar Yadav said, "Even after a year in power, the alliance government has failed to fulfill a single promise. If they face the public today, people are ready to question them." He further criticised the TDP government, stating that arrests are being carried out unprecedentedly, not seen since India's independence. "From former ministers to YSRCP leaders, arrests are being made out of political vengeance. We will fight these cases legally," he said. He demanded a clear statement from the district SP regarding Kakani Govardhan Reddy's arrest. "We have received information that he has been detained in the DTC. Filing false cases will not scare the YSR Congress Party. In fact, we will continue to work with even more determination on public issues," he concluded. (ANI) The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi temple in Ayodhya was illuminated with vibrant and decorative lights ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Darbar. The sacred ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:30 AM today and will continue until June 5. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to attend the Saryu Jayanti Janmotsav celebrations in Ayodhya on June 5, according to Mahant Rajkumar Das Maharaj, head of Shriramvallabhkunj. The event will be organised by the Anjaneya Sewa Trust. The event will be held from June 5 to 11 and the week-long celebration will feature devotional events, rituals, and spiritual discourses. Speaking about the upcoming celebrations, Mahant Rajkumar Das Maharaj said, "Anjaneya Sewa Trust celebrates Saryu Jayanti Janmotsav. This year, the event will be held from 5 to 11 June. CM Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the event by lighting a lamp and during the evening, ''Katha'' will be organised... "The completion of this is on full moon day (June 11), a special Aarti will be organised... Ram Darbar Pran Pratishtha will also be organised on June 5, which will be attended by CM Yogi Adityanath..." he told ANI. Meanwhile, the President of Anjaneya Seva Samiti, Mahant Shashikant Das urged everyone to attend the event. "The attendance of CM Yogi Adityanath is special for us... I request everyone to attend the event... It is a matter of fortune for us that the CM will be inaugurating the event of Sarayu Janmotsav... The work of developing Ayodhya is gaining momentum under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath... Therefore, he might make any announcements...," he said. Earlier, Ayodhya officials had begun action to ban meat sales along key religious routes like Ram Path and Dharma 14 Kosi Marg, issuing notices to shopkeepers after complaints were raised at CM Yogi Adityanath''s Janata Darbar. Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi also informed that a liquor ban is also being planned. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Mayor Tripathi said that discussions regarding the ban had been ongoing for a long time. "It was under discussion for a very long time that the sale of meat be banned in Ayodhya. It was decided that the sale of meat must be prohibited on Ram Path," said Tripathi. He added that steps would soon be taken to prohibit the sale of liquor in the same areas. "We are sure that we will soon ban liquor sale too...," he told ANI. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a telephonic conversation with the Chief Ministers of the states of Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh where rain-induced landslides, floods and flash floods have wreaked havoc, resulting in the loss of lives. Dhami spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and got information about the heavy rainfall and flood situation in their states. Dhami said that the people of Uttarakhand stood in difficult times with the North Eastern states. The Uttarakhand government would provide all possible assistance to the concerned states if required a statement from the Uttarakhand CMO said. Several northeastern states like Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are grappling with a worsening flood situation following days of relentless rainfall, leading to overflowing rivers and inundation of low-lying areas. Meanwhile, on June 2, Dhami announced to increase the ex-gratia amount given to the dependents of the soldiers from the state who were killed in action from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. The government order, related to compliance with the announcement made by the Chief Minister, was issued on Monday. In the government order issued by the Sainik Welfare Section, it has been clarified that in the sequence of the announcement made by the Chief Minister, this amount will be allowed to the dependents of fallen soldiers who make the supreme sacrifice, from July 26, 2024. In this way, now the dependents of soldiers killed in action will be allowed an ex-gratia amount of Rs 50 lakh. The Chief Minister has said that Uttarakhand is also Veer Bhoomi along with Devbhoomi. "Our brave soldiers have shown their indomitable courage and valour in protecting the borders of the country." He said that many important decisions are also being taken in the interest of the soldiers under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with One Rank-One Pension, construction of the National War Memorial, an increase in defence budget, infrastructure have been strengthened in the border areas. The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed towards the welfare of the soldiers and their families. The ex gratia amount given to the dependents of the soldiers has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. The lump sum and annuity amount given to the soldiers decorated with all the gallantry awards from Param Vir Chakra to Mention in Dispatch has also been increased. It has also been decided to accommodate one member of the martyr's family in a government job in the state. (ANI) With a mission to empower local women and transform seasonal fruits into market-ready products, Ranita is redefining entrepreneurship in Manipur. Her venture began with humble beginnings and no prior experience in food processing. It was after attending a month-long training organised by the District Industries Centre, Imphal East, that Ranita discovered her passion. Motivated by the training, she launched her first product, dehydrated Chinese chives, which became a local favourite. Today, SMILE produces over 80 varieties of dehydrated vegetables and fruit candies made from wild apple, amla, lemon, and olives sourced largely from the hill areas. Most of the raw materials are brought in by tribal women from surrounding districts, giving them a steady income and strengthening local supply chains. "We aim to create value from what nature already offers us in abundance," said Ranita. Before launching SMILE, Ranita and her husband, Hanjabam Surjit Kumar Sharma, had run a successful skills training institute at Keishampat, training over 4,000 students in fashion technology, potloi making, and beauty services. However, when her husband was diagnosed with pancreatitis, they shifted operations to their homestead and reimagined their future. Today, SMILE employs eight women who are responsible for washing, slicing, and packaging. Workers earn between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 monthly, helping them contribute to their household income. "Our products are marketed both online and offline, and we're working to expand our reach across Northeast India," Ranita said. Through sheer perseverance and community focus, Ranita's SMILE stands as a symbol of resilience, turning local abundance into opportunity while uplifting women and showcasing Manipur's rich biodiversity. (ANI) The flood situation in Assam continues to remain grim, with the death toll from floods and landslides rising to 11. According to the flood reports of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 6 people died in floods and 5 others died in landslides in the state. More than 5.15 lakh people of 22 districts of Assam have been affected by the deluge. One more person drowned in flood waters, and two others are missing in the last 24 hours. One person drowned in Hojai district, while two others are missing in Hailakandi and Dibrugarh districts. As of June 2, a total of 1254 villages under 65 revenue circles in 22 districts of the state - Hailakandi, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh, Morigaon, Kamrup, Cachar, Golaghat, Darrang, Majuli, Dhemaji, Biswanath, Kamrup (M), Karbi Anglong West, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Sonitpur, Dima-Hasao, Sivasagar- have been affected in the current floods. The Brahmaputra River, along with Barak and several of their tributaries, are flowing above danger levels at multiple locations, including Neamatighat, Tezpur, Badatighat, Numaligarh, Kampur, Fulertal, and Sribhumi, among others. The flood waters have submerged 12,610.27 hectares of cropland, causing extensive damage to agriculture. Sribhumi remains the worst-affected district with over 1.94 lakh people reeling under floodwaters. Other badly-hit districts include Cachar (77,961 people affected), Nagaon (67,880), Lakhimpur (47,127), Hailakandi (30,234), Dibrugarh (20,179), and Tinsukia (19,289). As many as 1.85 lakh people have taken shelter in 322 relief camps and distribution centres set up by district administrations in flood-hit areas. As per the ASDMA report, 4,67,851 animals have been affected in the floods, with 94 animals washed away in the last 24 hours at various places. The flood waters have also caused infrastructural damage, as on Monday, 49 roads, four bridges, and three embankments were damaged or breached due to floodwaters. As the northeast region reels under heavy rains, with various areas in Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and more are experiencing flooding, landslides, and increasing river levels. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 1 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. In a press release issued on May 2, the India Meteorological Department said that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue over the Northeastern states for the next 2 days and decrease in intensity thereafter. It further said, "Heavy to very heavy rainfall recorded at isolated places over Nagaland and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal; Heavy rainfall at isolated places over Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura." (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to reply to Pakistan over China's threat to stop the Brahmaputra water to India. Giving a befitting reply, he called Brahmaputra 'a river that grows in India'. Sharing a post on X, CM Sarma wrote, "What if China stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan's New Scare Narrative After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: "What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India?" Let's dismantle this myth -- not with fear, but with facts and national clarity: Brahmaputra: A River That Grows in India -- Not Shrinks." He argued that China contributes to only 30-35 per cent of the river's total flow, while the remaining is generated in India. CM Sarma wrote, "China contributes only ~30-35% of the Brahmaputra's total flow, mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 65-70% is generated within India, thanks to: *Torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya *Major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili *Additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi." "At the Indo-China border (Tuting): Flow is ~2,000-3,000 m3/s. In Assam plains (e.g., Guwahati): Flow swells to 15,000-20,000 m3/s during monsoon. The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream -- it is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory," the Assam CM added. Giving a reply to Pakistan, he wrote, "Even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year. Meanwhile, Pakistan, which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access under the Indus Waters Treaty, now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights. Let's remind them: Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source -- it is powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilizational resilience." Sarma's response came after a senior aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, reportedly said that India suspended the flow of the River Indus to Pakistan; China can also do the same to India. Meanwhile, experts from different countries have expressed deep concern over China's proposed "Great Bend Dam" on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which is known as the Brahmaputra in Tibet. Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh and senior BJP leader Tapir Gao said, "It is not going to be a dam, but a 'water bomb' to be used against India and other lower riparian countries." Chairman of Brahmaputra Board, Dr Ranbir Singh, pointed out that the Brahmaputra Basin is the only water-surplus river basin in India, with the rest being water-deficient. "With this dam in China, are we looking at a water-deficient Brahmaputra river basin?" he wondered. Dr Singh also underlined the need for a multi-pronged strategy, including upping the ante against the project, garnering support in international circles, and through collaborations. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday remembered former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on his birth anniversary, praising him in a post as the "sun of knowledge who came to elevate the downtrodden Tamil Nadu". In the post on social media X, Stalin paid tribute to the "guardian of three Tamil languages". "Happy birthday to the Tamil leader Kalaignar, who came as the sun of knowledge to elevate the downtrodden Tamil Nadu! Praise the guardian of the three Tamil languages, who made the classical language special for the Tamil languages, which were seen by the Mu Sangam," the post stated. Stalin further said in his post: "Let us be proud to be the siblings of the leader Kalaignar, who ruled Tamil Nadu as the Chief Minister five times, created a lot of history, and led the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a great movement that guided India, for 50 years, and provided both light and shadow!." M. Karunanidhi, an influential politician and leader, was a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu's politics and played a crucial role in the Dravidian movement and the state's political landscape. Associated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), he served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times, and held his position from 1969 to 1971, 1971 to 1976, 1989 to 1991, 1996 to 2001, and 2006 to 2011. Karunanidhi was known for his powerful oratory skills, and his commitment towards the people of the state, advocating for the rights of the Tamil-speaking population and working towards the cause of social justice. His demise on August 7, 2018, was the end of an era for Tamil Nadu politics. (ANI) Indian National Congress remembered former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on his birth anniversary and praised his legacy, which empowered the marginalised and strengthened the Tamil identity, which continues to inspire generations today. In a post on social media X, Congress stated, "Remembering M. Karunanidhi, a visionary leader, prolific writer, and champion of social justice. His legacy of empowering the marginalised and strengthening the Tamil identity continues to inspire generations. Our heartfelt tribute to him on his birth anniversary!" Earlier today, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also remembered M Karunanidhi, praising him in a post as the "sun of knowledge who came to elevate the downtrodden Tamil Nadu". In the post on social media X, Stalin paid tribute to the "guardian of three Tamil languages." Happy birthday to the Tamil leader Kalaignar, who came as the sun of knowledge to elevate the downtrodden Tamil Nadu! Praise the guardian of the three Tamil languages, who made the classical language special for the Tamil languages, which were seen by the Mu Sangam," the post stated. Stalin further said in his post: "Let us be proud to be the siblings of the leader Kalaignar, who ruled Tamil Nadu as the Chief Minister five times, created a lot of history, and led the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a great movement that guided India, for 50 years, and provided both light and shadow!." M. Karunanidhi, an influential politician and leader, was a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu's politics and played a crucial role in the Dravidian movement and the state's political landscape. Associated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), he served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times, and held his position from 1969 to 1971, 1971 to 1976, 1989 to 1991, 1996 to 2001, and 2006 to 2011.Karunanidhi was known for his powerful oratory skills, and his commitment towards the people of the state, advocating for the rights of the Tamil-speaking population and working towards the cause of social justice. His demise on August 7, 2018, was the end of an era for Tamil Nadu politics. (ANI) All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, part of an all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, arrived at Hyderabad airport on Tuesday after concluding a diplomatic tour of Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. The all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, visited key partner countries to showcase India's continued fight against terrorism, wrapped up its four-country visit on Monday. They departed for India from Algeria. The delegation, led by Panda, included BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak and Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad; and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. During their visit, the delegation briefed international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, highlighting the broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. "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 Modi's '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. Prior to their departure for India, India's Ambassador to Algeria, Swati Vijay Kulkarni, highlighted the strong support extended by Algeria in combating terrorism, noting that the North African nation unequivocally condemned terrorism and affirmed its solidarity with India during the delegation's visit. "As India's global diplomatic outreach, India launched 7 groups of all-party delegations to foster cooperation in combating terrorism. The outreach was taking place in the immediate aftermath of the deadly terror attack that happened in Pahalgam on 22nd April, Operation Sindoor and subsequent developments. One such delegation, led by MP Baijayant Panda and comprising very senior MPs and former Foreign Secretary, visited Algeria from 30th May to 2nd June. During their visit to Algeria, they had very successful and productive engagements. They had two important meetings... During all these engagements, Algeria strongly condemned terrorism. They said that Algeria stands with India on the issue of terrorism. They also said that Algeria will take only the side of justice. So, we are very happy that they have given a very clear and strong message for India to remain united on terrorism," Ambassador Kulkarni said. Earlier, Panda 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 that 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 leave no stone unturned to bring Pakistan onto the grey list again. Meanwhile, delegation members Satnam Singh Sandhu and Rekha Sharma 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. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to take stock of the situation caused by heavy rainfall and floods in the northeastern region. PM Modi assured full help and support from the Centre. Sharing an update on X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "A short while ago, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji called me to enquire about the current flood situation in Assam. I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives. I also apprised him of the relief operation undertaken by the state government." He added, "The Hon'ble PM expressed concern and assured full support from the Central Government for our relief and rehabilitation efforts. Grateful for his guidance and unwavering support to the people of Assam." Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang also shared a post on X, thanking PM Modi for his concern about the flood and landslide situation in the state. He wrote, "Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, On behalf of the people of Sikkim, I extend my heartiest gratitude for your kind concern and support regarding the landslide and flood situation in the state. Our state administration remains fully committed to managing the situation and providing all necessary assistance to those affected. Thank you once again for your kind concern, Sir." The flood situation in Assam remains critical, with the death toll rising to 11. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), six people died in floods while five others died in landslides across the state. More than 5.15 lakh people in 22 districts have been affected. In Sikkim, the state government has officially declared the damage caused by continuous rainfall in Mangan district since May 28 as a "disaster" under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Three army personnel died and six others went missing after a landslide triggered by heavy rain struck an Indian Army camp at Chaten in Lachen town on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, in Manipur, the Fire Service, Assam Rifles, SDRF, NDRF, and Indian Army are carrying out joint evacuation operations to rescue stranded medical students and staff from the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal. The campus has been severely affected by waterlogging due to continuous heavy rainfall. (ANI) I On the third consecutive day of Operation JALRAHAT-II, troops of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles continued their flood rescue and humanitarian relief efforts across Imphal Valley, rescuing 944 civilians from waterlogged and inaccessible regions. The operation included the distribution of 1,500 food packets and 4,000 bottles of clean drinking Water. The troops from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles also organised a dedicated Medical Camp at the Wangkhei Angom Leikai Rehabilitation Camp on 02 June 2025 and provided medical aid to over 250 displaced civilians. The medical team provided emergency treatment for injuries, infections, dehydration and other ailments. Special attention was given to children, the elderly and patients with chronic conditions. Additionally, the camp focused on awareness around hygiene, sanitation, and disease prevention to reduce the risk of secondary health crises (Assam Rifles). In the Wangkhei Ningthem area, in Manipur, troops of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles responded to an SOS call from the family of a man who had sustained a deep cut on his right ankle and was stranded without access to medical care. Braving submerged lanes, a medical team reached the location and carried out on-site suturing, stabilising the injury and preventing further complications. In a timely and courageous response to a distress call, the troops launched a rescue operation in the early hours of 02 June 2025 to save civilians stranded in the flood-affected General Area Heingang of Imphal East District, Manipur. Braving adverse conditions, the troops acted swiftly and efficiently, executing the rescue between midnight and 2:15 AM with utmost professionalism. During the operation, Assam Rifles successfully rescued four civilians trapped by rising floodwaters. Among them were Mr. P. Koba, aged 40, and his 17-year-old son, P. Alex, who were stranded inside a double-storey building. In a simultaneous effort, troops also evacuated 60-year-old Ahongshabam Ibecha and her 25-year-old grandson, A. Suresh, who were trapped in a residence. All individuals were safely relocated to secure locations away from the affected zone. The rapid deployment, effective coordination, and commitment of the personnel not only averted a potential tragedy but also brought timely relief to families in distress. Despite continued rainfall, difficult terrain, and logistical constraints, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles remain on the ground undeterred, providing critical assistance, medical care, and reassurance to thousands impacted by the disaster. Earlier on June 2, Manipur Fire Service, Assam Rifles, SDRF, NDRF, and Indian Army conducted joint evacuation operations to rescue stranded medical students and staff from the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal, following severe waterlogging triggered by heavy rainfall. 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. (ANI) The Delhi Police submitted a detailed report to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding an incident where a foreign national working with an Embassy put up 'Wanted' posters of the Isareli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Chanakyapuri area of the national capital. The posters were spotted by the police 10 to 12 days ago. However, no punitive action has been taken against the individual since he enjoyed a diplomatic passport. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police apprehended two wanted criminals involved in serious crimes in two separate encounters in South East Delhi late Monday night. According to an official, the first encounter took place in Jaitpur, where police arrested Asif, who was accused of attacking Delhi Police Head Constable Karan Mavi on May 27.T The second shootout occurred around 4:30 am in the Kalindi Kunj area, where another accused, Rajpal, was injured during an exchange of fire. The accused were injured during the encounters and were immediately sent to the hospital for treatment. The Jaitpur encounter involved Asif, who had attacked HC Karan Mavi in Jaitpur just a few days ago. He was tracked down and caught during a late-night operation by the police. In a separate operation, the second encounter took place in Kalindi Kunj, where Rajpal, accused of kidnapping and murdering a girl on May 30, was nabbed by the police. During the shootout, bullets struck the bulletproof jacket of SI Shubham from the Special Staff team.A case has been registered under the relevant section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Meanwhile, on Sunday, Delhi police arrested three armed robbers after a brief exchange of fire in Delhi's Usmanpur area, in which two of them were injured during the shootout. The accused, identified as Sameer (21) and Tarun (23), both residents of Shahdara, and Kunal Sharma (23), a resident of Pandav Nagar, Meerut, opened fire on the police team using illegal firearms. The police retaliated, injuring all three suspects during the exchange. According to the official, a police team from PS New Usmanpur was on patrol duty when it received a tip-off regarding the presence of individuals involved in recent robberies who were allegedly planning another crime near 5th Pusta. Upon seeing the police, the suspects attempted to flee into the nearby jungle. When the police team instructed them to stop for a check, the suspects opened fire in an attempt to escape. During the exchange of fire, two suspects sustained bullet injuries to their legs. The injured suspects were taken to JPC Hospital for medical treatment. Crime and forensic teams inspected the spot. During sustained interrogation, all three accused confessed to their involvement in the present and other criminal cases. (ANI) The Union government notified the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment-Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2025, enacted by the President of India. The rules define the category of domicile and documents to be annexed to the application under the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025. According to the Gazette of India, the rules shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, which is June 3, 2025. The rules aim at defining the procedure for any person who is eligible for the grant of a Domicile Certificate in Ladakh. An eligible person may apply for domicile to the Competent Authority, in the format to be made by the Administration of Ladakh, either physically or electronically. The rules define five categories under which a Domicile Certificate can be issued. Category 1 being Ladakh Resident Certificate (LRC) Holder or those eligible for LRC, or children of anyone in this category. They will have to present the LRC or a document to prove their eligibility. Category 2 includes children of residents of the Union Territory of Ladakh who resided outside the Union Territory in connection with employment of business, or other professional or vocational reasons. Category 3 includes any person who has resided in Ladakh for fifteen years or children of any such person in this category. They can present any document as proof of residence, such as a Ration Card, immovable property records, educational records, voter list, electricity utility bills, or an employer certificate. A person who has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in class 10th or 12th class examination in an educational institution located in Ladakh can apply for domicile under Category 4. They are required to present a certificate of education issued by the Head of the Institute and verified by the Chief Education Officer of the School Department of the concerned District, from the date of formation of the Union territory of Ladakh, that is, October 31, 2019 and a class 10th or 12th appearance certificate. Category 5 includes the children of Central Government officers, Officials of Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies of the Central Government, Public sector Banks, Officials of Central Universities and recognised Research Institutions of the Central Government who shall have served the Union territory of Ladakh for a total period of ten years. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala on Tuesday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, Revanth Reddy for criticising all-party delegation and raising questions on Operation Sindoor, saying that they have received an "SMS" from their own leaders to stop "Pakistan-Parasti." From his "SMS" remarks, Poonawalla referred to Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari and Salman Khurshid, who are part of an all-party delegation, visiting multiple key partner countries to put up India's firm stance against terrorism. The BJP leader advised Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, and Revanth Reddy to prioritise the nation's welfare over party and family welfare. "Today RRR - Revanth, Rahul and Ramesh (Revanth Reddy, Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh) got SMS - message from Salman Khurshid, Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor - that stop 'Pakistan Parasti' and don't keep the party and family's welfare over nation's welfare... Triple R are criticising the delegation and Operation Sindoor and insulting the army and Parliamentarians. Salman Khurshid showed the mirror to Rahul Gandhi, saying that no mediation was done from America..." Poonawala told ANI. These remarks came after Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed disappointment over political infighting while the delegation works on a national mission. In a social media 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?" https://x.com/salman7khurshid/status/1929451956411531289 On May 29, Jairam Ramesh took a jibe at the Central government for sending out parliamentarians across the world while the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack are "roaming around." "It has been a month since the Pahalgam attack on April 22. Today, those terrorists are roaming around. They had a role in the December 2023 Poonch terror attack; the Ganderbal attack in October 2024; and in the same month, another attack took place--they had their role in that too. This means that the Pahalgam terrorists are responsible for four attacks in 18 months, and they are roaming around. Our MPs are roaming around, and our terrorists are roaming around too," Ramesh told ANI. Seven groups of MPs have been sent to various countries to present India's stance against terrorism and expose Pakistan's links to it. The delegation of MPs is meeting various political leaders, think tanks and the Indian diaspora in various countries. Earlier, Congress' Udit Raj criticised Shashi Tharoor over his statement in Panama as part of the multi-party delegation and called him a "spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP". Similar criticism had come from Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera also. (ANI) The Punjab Police, based on information received from Counter-Intelligence-Punjab, has arrested a man identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, Tarn Taran, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla. In a post on X, DGP Punjab Police shared information stating that the arrested accused had been in touch with the ISI and Gopal Singh Chawla, sharing classified details concerning army movements during Operation Sindhoor. Investigations have revealed that he was engaged in sharing troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security. Preliminary investigations indicate that Gagandeep Singh had been in contact with Gopal Singh Chawla for the past five years, through whom he was introduced to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). He also received payments from PIOs via Indian channels. During the investigation, a mobile phone containing intelligence shared with the PIOs, as well as details of over 20 ISI contacts, was recovered. An FIR has been registered under the Official Secrets Act at PS City, Tarn Taran, and further investigation is in progress. 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) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday supported the call for a special session of Parliament during the INDIA alliance meeting, saying that his party had already signed the draft proposal prepared for the special session demand. Speaking to ANI, Raut said, "I was told that we are meeting today in the Constitution Club regarding a draft on the Special Session of the Parliament. Our party has already signed the draft. If the Opposition parties demand that a special session should be held, then it should be done..." The meeting will be held today at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. The meeting of opposition leaders under the INDIA alliance aimed to build consensus on demanding a special parliamentary session on major national issues. Meanwhile, reacting to Congress leader Salman Khurshid's controversial remark regarding Article 370, he said, "You go abroad as a representative of the country, not of any party. No one can set the standard of patriotism on opposing or supporting Article 370..." Earlier on Friday, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also responded to Congress leader Salman Khurshid's comments on Article 370, acknowledging that the former External Affairs Minister had admitted the provision was a blunder. Poonawalla highlighted the positive changes in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, citing increased prosperity and people's voices being heard. Speaking to ANI, Poonawala said, "Salman Khurshid is a senior Congress leader and has been External Affairs Minister previously and today he also accepts how 'Pakistan-Parasti, Pattharbazi and Problem of Pakistan' was increasing. Now that Article 370 has been removed, there is Prosperity and People's voice is audible... Article 370 was a blunder of the then governments and especially Nehru, this is accepted by Salman Khurshid himself... But even today, some Congress leaders back the Article 370..." Khurshid had earlier defended Congress's stand on Article 370. He said that Article 370 had created a feeling that Jammu and Kashmir was separate from the rest of India. While addressing Indonesian think tanks and academics in Jakarta, Indonesia, Khurshid stated, "Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called 370 of the Constitution... But Article 370 was abrogated and it was finally put to an end." Also, earlier today, all-party delegation member Salman Khurshid, said that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir must be given back to India. Khurshid, in conversation with ANI, said that India has clearly stated that talks, including talks on the Indus Water Treaty, can happen only when Pakistan's commitment to peace is clear. "There is a long standing unanimous resolution of parliament of India saying that the Pakistan occupied Kashmir must be re-vacated and given back to India and as you know that even in the assembly of Jammu andKashmir, the seats that should have been in that area are kept vacant just for this reason that we have we have a long term commitment that the area is to come back to us. That's one important factor," he said. Khurshid further said that Pakistan negated attempts at making peace, as it continued to attack India over the years. "The second is that the government has reiterated this because, you know, often questions are asked about whether you will talk or not, etc. We have expressed our distress that repeated attempts to speak and negotiate have been betrayed by Pakistan by a subsequent attack and several attacks that happened over the years," he said. Khurshid is part of an all-party delegation led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha. The 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 is visiting many countries as part of India's global outreach against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The delegation has visited Japan, South Korea, and Singapore so far. (ANI) Cargo giants from Middle East tap further into Chinese market, boosted by rising cross-border e-commerce 08:59, June 03, 2025 By Tu Lei ( Global Times Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of the United Arab Emirates' Etihad Airways, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Ezhou Huahu Airport in Central China's Hubei Province on Monday, the latest example of the cargo giants unlocking big trade potential between China and the Middle East. The partnership will focus on increasing flight frequencies, opening new routes, and building joint solutions for cross-border e-commerce, cold chain logistics, and high-value manufacturing. The integration of Ezhou's hub warehouse with Etihad Cargo's global network will create a seamless two-way trade channel, strengthening market access for Chinese exports while enhancing inbound logistics flows, according to a release sent to the Global Times on Monday. The upbeat comments came amid frequent economic and trade exchanges with Middle Eastern countries and as e-commerce cooperation showed great vitality and potential. On April 26, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport opened a direct all-cargo flight to Dubai, the first time for the airport to operate a cargo flight to the Middle East. In December last year, Qatar Airways Cargo and Cainiao agreed to strengthen their existing partnership, aiming to support the growth of cross-border e-commerce and enhance consumer experiences worldwide, and the two parties have optimized logistics flows and cut transit times in major regions, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa. China is a strategic anchor in our global cargo network, especially for e-commerce and high-value shipments. We've built a solid footprint with high-frequency services to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Zhengzhou, and robust links via Hong Kong and Macao, said Mark Drusch, chief cargo officer of Qatar Airways Cargo, in an e-mail interview with the Global Times. In his view, cross-border e-commerce is reshaping China's air cargo landscape. Demand is growing for digital booking, specialized handling, and speed. The carrier noted that its clientele in China spans a diverse range of industries, encompassing e-commerce platforms and technology exporters, as well as pharmaceutical and aerospace companies. It highlighted particularly strong demand growth from businesses operating in high-growth, high-value sectors. We've responded with tailored products like Aerospace and TechLift, built specifically for industries such as semiconductors, aviation and high-tech, he said. From China, the cargo business manages more than 800 tons inbound and more than 2,800 tons outbound of cargo weekly, with seamless onward connections to more than 60 freighter and 160 passenger destinations, according to Drusch. Regarding the strategic cooperation agreement with Ezhou Huahu Airport, this partnership will amplify the airport's strengths across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to Stanislas Brun, chief cargo officer at Etihad Cargo. Etihad Cargo has expanded its capacity to meet increasing customer demand in China. The carrier has increased its total flights to and from China from 11 in 2024 to a planned total of 18 in 2025, strengthening trade links between key global markets. According to the General Administration of Customs, the country's cross-border e-commerce sector maintained strong growth in 2024, with import and export values reaching 2.63 trillion yuan ($365 billion), up 10.8 percent year-on-year. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari expressed his pleasure over Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bhopal on Tuesday and said that the Congress MP is arriving to the city with the aim of starting a campaign of Sangathan Srijan (referring to recreation of organisation). Patwari further said that it is an important day in the history of Indian politics, and it is a matter of good fortune for them that the Congress MP is visiting the capital city. Speaking to ANI, Patwari said, "This is an important day in the history of Indian politics. We are fortunate that Madhya Pradesh got this opportunity. As the hero of the caste census, Rahul Gandhi raised a new voice in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had to agree to his (Rahul Gandhi) point despite refusing. It is a matter of good fortune for us that the warrior of social justice, Rahul Gandhi, is visiting Bhopal today with the aim of starting the campaign of Sangathan Srijan, laying the foundation stone. To start the making of a new structure of the organisation, maintaining transparency from the village level to the ward level, to the bottom for the new thoughts in the Congress party. I believe that today is a very important day." The Congress leader also took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that they should welcome Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister Modi had accepted Rahul's proposal to hold a caste census. "PM Modi reluctantly agreed with Rahul Gandhi over the caste census and with a heavy heart. For this, the BJP should congratulate Rahul Gandhi that Narendra Modi has accepted the issue of Rahul Gandhi's caste census. I say this to the BJP to welcome Rahul Gandhi because your Prime Minister listens to Rahul Gandhi," Patwari added. Meanwhile, MP minister Vishvas Sarang took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi on his visit to Bhopal saying that the Congress leader is on political tourism and it is just a hoax. "The Nehru family has never created an organisation. They created their family and to glorify it, Congress has executed programs all the time, while being in the government or out of power. Rahul Gandhi carries out scripted programs throughout the year and does tourism (referring to visits) at different levels. Sometimes he goes out on a tour for meditation, sometimes he goes abroad. Now, he has embarked on political tourism, and it is just a hoax. With this, neither the government works nor the organisation works nor the party gets strong." The minister claimed that Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bhopal will be a flop and the Congress party, which is divided into groups, will not work through it. "We have seen that Congress has executed programs for the Nehru family all the time. His visit to Bhopal is going to be a flop. One can see all the history sheeter of Bhopal city with Rahul Gandhi in the poster and hoarding installed across the city today. Congress, which is divided into groups, will not work through hoaxes. Rahul Gandhi is out on political tourism." Sarang added. (ANI) National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday welcomed the celebration of both the Kheer Bhawani Mela and the Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, calling it a symbol of communal harmony in Kashmir. He stressed the importance of unity for national progress. While speaking to ANI, Farooq Abdullah said, "It is a matter of joy that the mela of Kheer Bhawani and Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani are being celebrated today. There has always been brotherhood in the valley. We want to see this brotherhood across the country. If we stay united, we will progress..." The Kheer Bhawani Mela is an important annual religious festival for the Kashmiri Pandit community. It is held at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulla Mulla village of Ganderbal district. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, a form of Goddess Durga, and is considered one of the holiest sites for Kashmiri Hindus. Abdullah also appealed to devotees to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, expressing concern over the drop in pilgrim numbers following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. "We should go to Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra and appeal to the people to visit there. There has been a decrease in the number of devotees to Mata Vaishno Devi. People are scared after the tragedy of war that took place recently. The impact of the Pahalgam incident was seen throughout the country..." Abdullah told ANI. Earlier, Abdullah had urged tourists to return to Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that the region seeks peace, not violence. He expressed concern over the negative impact of terror attacks on tourism and the livelihoods of people in places like Pahalgam, especially ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Speaking to ANI in Pahalgam, Abdullah said, "The Prime Minister has sent delegations (to various countries). May they send the message that we want peace and we are not in favour of war... Killing innocent people should be stopped." He added that the local economy, especially in Pahalgam, has suffered due to the "barbaric" April 22 attack. "This year, we expected crores of people to come, and we have no place to accommodate them. But unfortunately, those who killed innocent people did not see what would happen (to taxi drivers, hotel owners, pony owners)... We sell the beauty given by God and earn a living... We are very sad about what happened... Please come back, we are waiting for you (tourists)... 'Bholanath' is also waiting for you as Amarnath Yatra is about to start...", he said. (ANI) CPI General Secretary D Raja alleged that he received no information regarding the INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitutional Club, New Delhi, today. He said that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had not informed him about the meeting. Speaking to ANI, D Raja said, "I have no information about any meeting of the INDIA bloc. I have got no information from either Mr Kharge or Mr Rahul Gandhi. The media is reporting on a meeting of the opposition parties." A group of INDIA bloc leaders is meeting at the Constitution Club today after more than 200 MPs from the Lok Sabha signed a letter to PM Modi calling for a Special Session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor. D Raja supported the demand for a Special Session of Parliament, alleging that Prime Minister Modi has not said anything on the ceasefire statement by US President Donald Trump. "As the Communist Party of India, we have been consistently demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor and related questions. The PM has not yet uttered a word about what Mr Trump said. I don't know whether or not Mr Modi and his government will agree to a special session of Parliament," he said. Earlier, Opposition leaders demanded a Special Session regarding Operation Sindoor. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha wrote 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. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a special session of Parliament concerning Operation Sindoor, alleging that the government had "misled the nation." CPI (Marxist) General Secretary MA Baby also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to convene a special session of Parliament to address the de-escalation of hostilities with Pakistan. (ANI) The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday began hearing petitions seeking direction to authorities, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, not to take any measures--to restrain or refrain from screening and releasing actor Kamal Hassan's movie 'Thug Life' in Karnataka which is scheduled for release on June 5. In its initial observation, the High Court said, "Discretion is the best part of valour, we will not permit anybody's sentiments to be taken for a ride. Mistakes happen; you must know what to do when mistakes happen. You say crores are spent, then leave Karnataka." The Advocate appearing for Hassan said he would return to the court at 2:30 pm. "You use your good office and come back, all is well that ends well. I will take it at 2.30 pm," the Court said, indicating that if the Cine Star were to apologise, the matter would be settled. The movie, directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Kamal Hassan, Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR has been facing trouble in Karnataka after Hassan's remarks on Kannada language sparked anger among local groups, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). The film's release has been banned until the actor issues a public apology for his statement. Narasimhulu, President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, said, "As per the demand of pro-Kannada organisations and also the letter written by the Karnataka Government, we have also given 24 hours to Kamal Hassan to apologise for the statement which you made that hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas of Karnataka state." "We have given him 24 hours as one of our distributors also invested money in his movie from Karnataka; distributors contacted his team, his team has said that he's in Dubai; he will come tomorrow, then there will be a message from Kamal Hassan. We will wait for 24 hours; if he doesn't apologise, his movie will not be allowed to be released in any of the theatres in Karnataka. 100% without his apology movie can not be released," he added. Sa Ra Govindu, member of KFCC and pro-Kannada activist, said Kannadigas will accept his apology wholeheartedly. "It is a simple issue, and Kamal Haasan, being a senior respected actor, can close it by saying one simple sorry to Kannadigas. We are Kannadigas, are very helpful to him in his film career. and Kannadigas will accept his apology wholeheartedly, so we are waiting for him to come back from out of station. once he comes back, he can simply ask for an apology, and then a decision can be taken to release his movie. If not, it is impossible, as distributors in Karnataka have decided, and theatre owners have decided not to release this movie in Karnataka, as they may also face a loss. He has hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas, and he must seek an apology from Karnataka. Earlier, Hassan stood by his statement and said that he believed in law and democracy, stating that he would not apologise to anyone for his actions if he was not wrong. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has sacked three government employees allegedly working for terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), said sources on Tuesday. The accused have been identified as Malik Ishfaq Naseer, who was working as a police constable; Ajaz Ahmed, working as a teacher in the school education department; and Waseem Ahmad Khan, a Junior Assistant in Government Medical College, Srinagar, the sources added. Since taking office in August 2020, Manoj Sinha has prioritised weakening terrorism's infrastructure by targeting both active terrorists and their support networks, including overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers embedded in government institutions. Sinha has ensured aggressive counter-terrorism operations, with security forces neutralising hundreds of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir between 2020 and 2024 and termination of more than 70 OGW/Terror associates from government jobs under Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution. This comes a month after the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, where terrorists killed around 26 civilians, mostly tourists in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier on May 31, the Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested two men, both brothers, for supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). According to the police, the apprehended individuals were Hasin and Kasim, both residents of Rajasthan. According to the officials, the accused, Hasin, had visited Pakistan around 15 years back as his relatives reside there. Currently, he has been in touch with ISI officials for around 4-5 years. In August 2024, he sent SIM cards to Pakistan through Kasim. One of the SIM cards is in his name, and it was used by PIO. During interrogation, it was revealed that Hasin sent pictures of sensitive army establishments to the PIO and received money in lieu of that. The officials added that he also provided OTP with the ability to activate WhatsApp in Pakistan. His ISI handlers also helped him to get a Pakistani Visa for his younger brother Kasim, his brother-in-law and sister when they had gone to Pakistan in August 2024, the police said. (ANI) Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi reached Bhopal on Tuesday and received a warm welcome at the Raja Bhoj airport in the state capital. Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari, Leader of Opposition (LoP) MP assembly, Umang Singhar, veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath and AICC incharge of MP Congress Harish Chaudhary and several others were among the prominent leaders welcoming the Congress MP here. Rahul Gandhi has arrived here to hold various important party meetings and programs. Upon reaching the state party office, the Congress leader paid floral tribute to the statue of his grandmother Indira Gandhi. According to the program schedule, Rahul Gandhi will chair a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee at the state Congress office and hold discussion about the political situation of the state with the senior state leaderships. Thereafter, he will have interaction with MPs and MLAs and hold discussions on Sangathan Srijan with representatives. Additionally, the Congress MP will also attend a special meeting with newly appointed observers by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in each district of the state. Furthermore, Rahul Gandhi will participate in a meeting of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates which include representatives from AICC, state congress, district congress presidents and block presidents at Ravindra Bhavan Auditorium in the city. Earlier, state Congress chief Patwari expressed his pleasure on Rahul Gandhi's arrival in the city and said the Congress MP is coming with the aim of starting a campaign of Sangathan Srijan (referring to recreation of organisation). Patwari claimed that it is an important day in the history of Indian politics, and it is a matter of good fortune for them that the Congress MP is visiting the capital city. "This is an important day in the history of Indian politics. We are fortunate that Madhya Pradesh got this opportunity. As the hero of the caste census, Rahul Gandhi raised a new voice in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had to agree to his (Rahul Gandhi) point despite refusing. It is a matter of good fortune for us that the warrior of social justice, Rahul Gandhi, is visiting Bhopal today with the aim of starting the campaign of Sangathan Srijan, laying the foundation stone. To start the making of a new structure of the organisation, maintaining transparency from the village level to the ward level, to the bottom for the new thoughts in the Congress party. I believe that today is a very important day," Patwari told ANI. The Congress leader also took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that they should welcome Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister Modi had accepted Rahul's proposal to hold a caste census. "PM Modi reluctantly agreed with Rahul Gandhi over the caste census and with a heavy heart. For this, the BJP should congratulate Rahul Gandhi that Narendra Modi has accepted the proposal of Rahul Gandhi's caste census. I say this to the BJP to welcome Rahul Gandhi because your Prime Minister listens to Rahul Gandhi," Patwari added. (ANI) In a successful rescue operation, a group of 34 stranded individuals, including injured Army personnel, their family members, and tourists, were air evacuated from Chaten and safely landed at Pakyong Greenfield Airport. The evacuation mission was carried out by two MI-17 V5 helicopters, marking a crucial step in providing relief to those affected, as per the Government of Sikkim. Meanwhile, on June 2, Stranded 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, is leading 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 along with a high rise of the River Teesta. Earlier, on June 2, the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Sikkim announced 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. "According to information from the District Collector's Office and Tourism Department, approximately 1,670 tourists have been evacuated from various areas in Sikkim. The evacuation efforts are ongoing, with the district administration working tirelessly to ensure the safety of tourists and locals alike", said C Subhakar Rao, Additional Chief Secretary of Tourism, Civil and Aviation Department. 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 by 35-40 feet, snapping regional connectivity. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, speaking after the INDIA alliance meeting on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of the opposition's voice in Parliament. After the meeting at the press conference, Raut said, "There are signatures of 16 political parties on the letter that we have written to the Prime Minister. This is not a normal letter. The opposition is the voice of the public. We want a special session to be called to discuss whatever has happened in the country so far..." Raut questioned the government, asking, "If a ceasefire was called on the suggestion of President Trump, then why can't a special session be held even after repeated requests from the Opposition? Should we go to President Trump for a special session?" When asked about NCP SCP not being on the list of political parties writing a letter to PM Modi, Raut said that Sharad Pawar is also with the alliance. "Sharad Pawar is also with us. Supriya Sule is out with the delegation. When I reach Mumbai, I will speak with Sharad Pawar." Raut stated. Sixteen political parties of the INDIA alliance have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Operation Sindoor and Trump's announcement on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, speaking at the press conference, after the INDIA alliance meeting, the representative Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, emphasised the need for a special session to thank the armed forces and discuss strategies to eradicate terrorism. "16 political parties of the INDIA alliance have written a letter to PM Modi that a special session of the Parliament must be called. During the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the conflict between India and Pakistan, all the opposition parties stood in support of our armed forces and the government of India. When America announced a ceasefire, we demanded that a special session of the Parliament be held so that all the parties could thank our armed forces. " Hooda said. Hooda added, "From Pahalgam to Operation Sindoor to America's announcement of the ceasefire, we should have discussions on them in the Parliament. We should also discuss how to eradicate terrorism and our further strategies in the Parliament. Now that the Govt of India is putting forward its views in front of the world, I think the govt should do the same in the Parliament as well...." Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien reiterated the same, stating that the government is responsible to Parliament, and Parliament is responsible to the people. "16 parties have written a letter to the Prime Minister demanding a special session of the Parliament...The letter talks about Poonch, Uri, Rajouri and having a free discussion in Parliament. The government is responsible to the Parliament; Parliament is responsible to the people. That's why we are demanding a special session of the Parliament." O'Brien said. O'Brien further informed that parties on board and that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will write a separate letter to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, supporting the demand for a special session."The parties that have written a letter to the Prime Minister are the Indian National Congress, Samajwadi Party, AITC, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, CPI (M), IUML, CPI, RSP, JMM, VCK, Kerala Congress, MDMK, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation...AAP will be writing directly tomorrow to the PM..." TMC MP said. A group of INDIA bloc leaders met at the Constitution Club today after more than 200 MPs from the Lok Sabha signed a letter to PM Modi calling for a Special Session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor. 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. (ANI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar chaired a high-level cabinet meeting on Tuesday and approved 47 key proposals, including large-scale infrastructure projects, new government job openings, and significant policy decisions. The Bihar Cabinet approved the creation of 4,858 new posts across various government departments to improve administrative efficiency and public service delivery. Among the major infrastructure decisions, a Rs 1,320 crore plan was approved for setting up a sewerage network project in Sasaram, Aurangabad, and Siwan. In addition, a Rs 328 crore water supply scheme received clearance for Ara, Siwan, and Sasaram cities, aiming to boost urban utility services. The cabinet also approved a new Bridge Maintenance Policy, which would ensure regular inspection, safety checks, and timely repairs of bridges across the state. In a move expected to improve air connectivity, the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in Bihar was reduced from 29 per cent to 4 per cent. A proposal to build a dry dock in Dujra, Patna, was also approved. The facility will be used to repair aircraft, making it the first such unit in the region. In a significant step towards women's empowerment, the cabinet decided that "Jeevika Didis" (members of the state's women's self-help groups) would prepare clothes for children at Anganwadi centres. The area of Phulwari Sharif, Danapur, and Khagol near the capital of Patna will be expanded, and many villages will become part of these cities. Earlier, on Friday, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation of multiple development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore. He was joined by CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Samrat Chowdhary. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the steps being taken by the Union Government towards Bihar's development. Nitish Kumar also praised the Union Government's step to conduct the caste enumeration process in the next population census. "The development work that is being done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development of Bihar. He also announced assistance for Bihar in the budget. Whatever Bihar has received is a matter of pride. I salute the Centre for announcing the caste-based census. People from other parties were trying to create confusion ", Nitish Kumar said. Nitish Kumar asserted that as soon as the NDA came to power in Bihar, they began to work for the development of the state. He added that his government has paid special attention towards the health sector and is working to connect every household with roads. The Bihar CM stressed that many other developmental works, which include the construction of new houses and settlements, will be completed by June 2025. A major highlight of the Prime Minister's visit to Bihar is the foundation stone laying for Stage-II (3x800 MW) of the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project in Aurangabad district, valued at over Rs 29,930 crore. The project is expected to significantly boost electricity generation, industrial development, and employment in the region. PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for key road infrastructure initiatives, including the four-laning of the Patna-Arrah-Sasaram section of NH-119A, six-laning of the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata highway (NH-319B), the Ramnagar-Kacchi Dargah stretch (NH-119D), and a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav targeted Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for not removing his shoes while paying a floral tribute to the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in Bhopal. Speaking to the media, Mohan Yadav said, "I got information about the Lok Sabha LoP's visit... But I did not like the fact that he did not take off his shoes while paying tribute to his grandmother (Indira Gandhi). This is not in alignment with our culture, we maintain sensitivity..." Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to his grandmother and former PM Indira Gandhi as he arrived in Bhopal. He is set to attend various programmes in the city as a part of the Congress's 'Sangathan Srajan Abhiyan' (Organisation Rejuvenation Campaign). According to the program schedule, Rahul Gandhi will chair a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee at the state Congress office and discuss the political situation of the state with the senior state leadership. Thereafter, he will have interaction with MPs and MLAs and hold discussions on Sangathan Srijan with representatives. Additionally, the Congress MP will also attend a special meeting with newly appointed observers by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in each district of the state. Furthermore, Rahul Gandhi will participate in a meeting of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates, which includes representatives from AICC, state congress, district congress presidents and block presidents at Ravindra Bhavan Auditorium in the city. Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari called Gandhi the hero of the caste census and called it an important day in the history of Indian politics. Speaking to ANI, Patwari said, "This is an important day in the history of Indian politics. We are fortunate that Madhya Pradesh got this opportunity. As the hero of the caste census, Rahul Gandhi raised a new voice in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had to agree to his (Rahul Gandhi) point despite refusing. It is a matter of good fortune for us that the warrior of social justice, Rahul Gandhi, is visiting Bhopal today to start the campaign of Sangathan Srijan, laying the foundation stone." He said that the campaign aims to develop a new structure of the organisation, maintaining transparency from the village level to the ward level and develop new thoughts in the Congress party. (ANI) 16 political parties of the INDIA alliance have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Operation Sindoor and Trump's announcement on Tuesday. Speaking at the press conference, after the INDIA alliance meeting, the representative Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, emphasised the need for a special session to thank the armed forces and discuss strategies to eradicate terrorism. "16 political parties of the INDIA alliance have written a letter to PM Modi that a special session of the Parliament must be called. During the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the conflict between India and Pakistan, all the opposition parties stood in support of our armed forces and the government of India. When America announced a ceasefire, we demanded that a special session of the Parliament be held so that all the parties could thank our armed forces. " Hooda said. Hooda added, "From Pahalgam to Operation Sindoor to America's announcement of the ceasefire, we should have discussions on them in the Parliament. We should also discuss how to eradicate terrorism and our further strategies in the Parliament. Now that the Govt of India is putting forward its views in front of the world, I think the govt should do the same in the Parliament as well...." Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien reiterated the same, stating that the government is responsible to Parliament, and Parliament is responsible to the people. "16 parties have written a letter to the Prime Minister demanding a special session of the Parliament...The letter talks about Poonch, Uri, Rajouri and having a free discussion in Parliament. The government is responsible to the Parliament; Parliament is responsible to the people. That's why we are demanding a special session of the Parliament.." O'Brien said. O'Brien further informed that parties on board and that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will write a separate letter to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, supporting the demand for a special session. "The parties that have written a letter to the Prime Minister are the Indian National Congress, Samajwadi Party, AITC, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, CPI (M), IUML, CPI, RSP, JMM, VCK, Kerala Congress, MDMK, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation...AAP will be writing directly tomorrow to the PM..." TMC MP said. Earlier in the day, CPI General Secretary D Raja alleged that he received no information regarding the INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitutional Club, New Delhi, today. He said that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had not informed him about the meeting. Speaking to ANI, D Raja said, "I have no information about any meeting of the INDIA bloc. I have got no information from either Mr Kharge or Mr Rahul Gandhi. The media is reporting on a meeting of the opposition parties." A group of INDIA bloc leaders met at the Constitution Club today after more than 200 MPs from the Lok Sabha signed a letter to PM Modi calling for a Special Session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor. 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. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra on Tuesday welcomed the celebration of the Kheer Bhawani Mela, saying that it reflects the deep-rooted tradition of communal harmony among Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. Speaking to ANI, Karra said, "Like every year, today's fair at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple reflects our deep-rooted tradition of communal harmony among Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. Another testament to this unity was seen during the Pahalgam incident, where a Muslim child and 26 others were killed. Despite attempts by certain forces to disrupt this religious harmony, today's gathering is a clear reminder that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians continue to stand together." The Kheer Bhawani Mela is an important annual religious festival for the Kashmiri Pandit community. It is held at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulla Mulla village of Ganderbal district. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, a form of Goddess Durga, and is considered one of the holiest sites for Kashmiri Hindus. Earlier today, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah welcomed the celebration of both the Kheer Bhawani Mela and the Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, calling it a symbol of communal harmony in Kashmir. He stressed the importance of unity for national progress. While speaking to ANI, Farooq Abdullah said, "It is a matter of joy that the mela of Kheer Bhawani and Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani are being celebrated today. There has always been brotherhood in the valley. We want to see this brotherhood across the country. If we stay united, we will progress..." Abdullah also appealed to devotees to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, expressing concern over the drop in pilgrim numbers following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. "We should go to Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra and appeal to the people to visit there. There has been a decrease in the number of devotees to Mata Vaishno Devi. People are scared after the tragedy of war that took place recently. The impact of the Pahalgam incident was seen throughout the country..." Abdullah told ANI. Earlier, Abdullah had urged tourists to return to Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that the region seeks peace, not violence. He expressed concern over the negative impact of terror attacks on tourism and the livelihoods of people in places like Pahalgam, especially ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Speaking to ANI in Pahalgam, Abdullah said, "The Prime Minister has sent delegations (to various countries). May they send the message that we want peace and we are not in favour of war... Killing innocent people should be stopped." He added that the local economy, especially in Pahalgam, has suffered due to the "barbaric" April 22 attack." "This year, we expected crores of people to come, and we have no place to accommodate them. But unfortunately, those who killed innocent people did not see what would happen (to taxi drivers, hotel owners, pony owners)... We sell the beauty given by God and earn a living... We are very sad about what happened... Please come back, we are waiting for you (tourists)... 'Bholanath' is also waiting for you as Amarnath Yatra is about to start...", he said. (ANI) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana revealed that Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, a resident of Tarn Taran, was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence officers. While speaking to ANI on Tuesday, SSP Rana informed, "According to the directions of Punjab CM and DGP, Tarn Taran police constantly busts the drug and terror nexus. We received information that Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan is in touch with a Pakistani intelligence officer." According to SSP Rana, Gagan has been in touch with Pakistani intelligence officers for the past five years. His main handler is Gopal Singh Chawla, a Khalistani based in Pakistan. "Investigating the same, a team of police carried out an operation and recovered two mobile phones in which, contact numbers of over 20 Pakistani officers were present, and he had also initiated talks with Gopal Singh Chawla. He (Gagan) has been in touch with Pakistani intelligence officers for 5 years..." SSP Rana said. During Operation Sindoor, Gagan was activated to share information about Indian army movements, and investigations revealed that he was sharing sensitive information such as photos and videos. "When Operation Sindoor started, he was activated to share information about the movement of the Indian army, and after checking his phone, it was revealed that he was sharing a lot of sensitive information with Pakistani officers, sending them photos and videos and was active all the while... His main handler is Gopal Singh Chawla, and his passport was made in 2018." SSP Rana added. Further investigation revealed that money was transferred to Gagan's account from a foreign country 7-8 times, with increased activity over the past three months. Furthermore, an FIR has been registered against Gagan under the Official Secrets Act, and further investigation is underway. SSP Rana said, "We are extracting details on whether he travelled to foreign countries or Pakistan... According to the details of his accounts, it was found that money was transferred to his account from a foreign country 7-8 times... His activity had increased over the past 3 months... We are trying to know if he was working as a sleeper cell... FIR has been registered against him under the Official Secrets Act, and his remand will be taken today, and further investigation will be conducted... He was a drug addict, but we will investigate if he was also getting consignments (from Pakistan)." Earlier, in a post on X, DGP Punjab Police shared information stating that Gagandeep had been in touch with the ISI and Gopal Singh Chawla, sharing classified details concerning army movements during Operation Sindhoor. 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. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, on Tuesday announced the expansion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) by three lakh cadets across the country. Several states have already agreed to support this plan and have committed to fast-tracking the necessary training infrastructure, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence. "He also announced the planned expansion of NCC by Three lakh cadets across the country with several States already extending their concurrence and committing to fast-track the necessary training infrastructure," the MoD statement read. "National Cadet Corps (NCC) is an organisation that instils the feeling of nationalism, service... PM Modi has resolved that the number of cadets in the NCC should be between 17-20 lakhs... All the states positively contribute to it and we will achieve the target shortly..." Seth said. The Minister, as per the MoD statement, also highlighted new initiatives, such as appointing ex-servicemen as NCC instructors, which provides new employment opportunities for veterans. He praised the NCC's active involvement in national campaigns like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Naya Savera Scheme, and Nasha Mukti Abhiyan. The Union MoS also congratulated the NCC Mount Everest Expedition team for successfully reaching the summit on May 18. He described this achievement as "a powerful example of cadet courage and resilience." Calling for continued Centre-State collaboration, Seth urged States to fulfill their commitments towards manpower, infrastructure, and funding to support this historic expansion, reinforcing NCC's integral role in shaping the youth and securing the nation's future, the statement added. Earlier in the day, the Minister received a Guard of Honour from the soldiers of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps. In a post on X, he shared, "During my Bhopal visit today, I was given a Guard of Honour by the brave soldiers of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps. During this, I met the soldiers. I got the opportunity to talk to them. Their devotion and dedication towards the nation is exemplary. The Sudarshan Chakra Corps is the pride of the entire nation. Jai Hind." Seth also inaugurated the Special Joint State Representatives and Additional/Deputy Directors General (JS R&A/D) Conference of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during his visit to Bhopal. During the event, Director General of NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh spoke about the NCC's achievements and future plans. He stressed the need for building strong training and camping infrastructure across the country. He also talked about the goal of increasing youth participation and improving cadet performance. The conference was attended by Ministers of Education and Youth Affairs & Sports, senior officers from the Ministry of Defence, state government officials, and NCC Heads from all States. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday praised Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and stated that there was no better teacher than him. Addressing the convocation ceremony of the Graphic Era Deemed University in Dehradun, Dhami stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state had been working towards becoming a leader in education. "If you want to learn the art of project management, then there can be no better teacher than Gadkari ji... His speciality is to complete very important projects at a low cost. You have won the hearts of the people by building a network of roads from small villages to remote hilly areas of the state," Dhami stated. "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, our state government is working to make Uttarakhand a leader in education, like other regions. Machine learning, AI and big data courses are being conducted in colleges. Scientific research is being promoted in the state," Dhami further added. Earlier in the day, CM Dhami took major action and suspended two senior Indian Administrative Officers (IAS) officers and a Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer in the Haridwar land scam, according to an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). A departmental inquiry will be initiated against the suspended officers. A total of 12 officers have been suspended against the officers including District Magistrate (DM) Kamendra Singh, former Municipal Commissioner (MC) Varun Chaudhary and Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ajayveer Singh, the statement said. The scam involves alleged large-scale irregularities in land allocation and transfer. The decisions taken by the Uttarakhand CM are a sign of decisive change in the administrative culture of the state. Earlier on May 25, in another move to bring an end to corruption in the state, the Uttarakhand CM directed officials to conduct campaigns against corruption more effectively and submit detailed reports of actions taken so far in cases related to conversion, as per a release. (ANI) The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam committee trust board in Hyderabad is gearing up to celebrate the annual Brahmotsavalu at the magnificent Venkateswara Swami Temple in Bashir Bagh. This year marks the 20th Brahmotsavas, which began yesterday and will be conducted with great devotional attention. "The Bashibagh Venkateswara Swami Temple in Hyderabad is a spiritual haven for thousands of devotees who visit the shrine every day, feeling as though they have reached Tirupati. Similarly, the newly built temple in Jubilee Hills is also attracting large crowds, with devotees seeking the blessings of Shri Venkateswara Swami," said Union Minister G Kishan Reddy. The temple is currently hosting its Brahmotsavas, a grand celebration that includes spiritual programs and prayers for the well-being of all. The Loka Kalyanam program is also being conducted, with devotees praying for good rains, dairy crops, and protection from natural disasters and illnesses. During the Brahmotsavas, special prayers and spiritual programs are being conducted, including the Loka Kalyanam program, which aims to bring prosperity and happiness to all. The devotees pray for good rains, dairy crops, and protection from natural disasters and illnesses. The trust board extends greetings to all devotees and seeks the blessings of Shri Venkateswara Swami to lead everyone forward with happiness and prosperity", said G Kishan Reddy. The temple, which is a replica of the famous Tirupati temple, attracts thousands of devotees every day, providing a spiritual experience for those who cannot visit Tirupati regularly. The newly built temple in Jubilee Hills is also drawing large crowds. "Every year, Brahmotsavam has been conducted for 20 years. Today is the start of the same... I prayed that the nation's people stay safe, that no natural calamities occur, crops flourish, and that there's no problem like Covid again..." Kishan Reddy said. (ANI) The BJP has launched an all-out attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after he made a crass comment on Operation Sindoor. Mann, while addressing a news conference, referred to reports that the BJP would distribute Sindoor in households, saying, "Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name?" Is this "One Nation, One Husband" scheme? BJP Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal shared the video of CM Mann's comments on X and said, "Bhagwant Mann crosses all limits! Mocking Operation Sindoor, he shamelessly asks: "Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?" Baliawal clarified that Operation Sindoor was a response to terrorists killing Hindus after checking their religion, with sindoor being a marker used to identify women. He accused Mann of having "zero sensitivity" and criticised him for mocking the Indian Army, insulting Veer Naris, and turning sacred symbols into jokes. "Let's set the record straight: There is NO BJP activity sending sindoor to every household. The name Operation Sindoor was used because terrorists were killing Hindus after checking their religion -- sindoor was a marker they used to identify women. This operation was about terrorism, martyrdom, and the protection of Indian lives, but how would Bhagwant Mann, a man with zero sensitivity, understand that? A man who mocks the Indian Army, Insults Veer Naris, turns every sacred symbol into a joke. Such a person will never understand the value of sindoor, which carries sacrifice, love, and devotion," the post read. "Bhagwant Mann must resign immediately and apologise to the entire nation," the BJP Punjab spokesperson further said. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also hit out at Mann, saying, "Shameful! Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann ridicules Operation Sindoor. Once again, the opposition shows its true face -- Disrespecting our armed forces and belittling a successful military operation. If this isn't anti-India in spirit, then what is? 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) The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged abduction, repeated rape, forced abortion, and prostitution of a 15-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Thane. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra to conduct an investigation, ensure the immediate arrest of the main accused, and provide strict punishment under relevant laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the POCSO Act. The NCW also emphasised the need for victim support and rehabilitation. A detailed action-taken report will be submitted within three days. "Taking suo motu cognizance of a deeply disturbing report of the abduction, repeated rape, forced abortion, and prostitution of a 15-year-old girl in Thane, Maharashtra, the Chairperson, NCW, Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar, has directed the DGP to ensure a swift and fair investigation. Immediate arrest of the main accused and strict action under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, POCSO Act, and other applicable laws is paramount. Victim support and rehabilitation must be ensured. A detailed action-taken report to be submitted to NCW within three days," the NCW said in a post on X. https://x.com/NCWIndia/status/1929785667623747756 Earlier on Monday, the NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar strongly condemned the "gross negligence and systemic failures" that led to the tragic death of a minor Dalit rape victim in Bihar's Muzaffarpur, who was kept waiting in an ambulance for over four hours without medical attention. Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, Rahatkar directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) of Bihar to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the case, demanding immediate action against those responsible and a detailed action-taken report within three days. "Taking suo motu cognisance of the tragic death of a minor Dalit rape victim in Bihar's Muzaffarpur, who was kept waiting in an ambulance for over four hours without medical attention, the Chairperson, NCW, Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar, has strongly condemned the gross negligence and systemic failures involved. She has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the case, as well as into the role of hospital authorities and police in this tragic lapse. Immediate action must be taken against those found guilty of dereliction of duty. A detailed action-taken report must be submitted to the Commission within three days," the NCW stated on X. (ANI) Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday targeted the BJP government over reports of Prime Minister Narendra Modi not attending the G7 Summit, scheduled to be held in Canada this year. In a post on X, Jairam termed it as another "big diplomatic bungle", and said that for the first time in six years, India will not be in attendance at the Summit. Jairam Ramesh viewed India's absence from the G7 Summit as a significant diplomatic oversight. He emphasised that India's participation in such forums is crucial, given its growing global influence and the need to shape international policies. "The tradition of inviting Indian PMs continued after 2014. But now, for the first time in 6 years, Vishwaguru will not be in attendance at the Canada summit. Whatever spin may be given, the fact remains that this is yet another big diplomatic bungle," the Congress leader added in the post. He specifically highlighted that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had attended the Summit in 2007 where the famous Singh-Merkel formula for climate change negotiations were unveiled. "The G7 Summit of the Presidents of the USA and France, the Prime Ministers of UK, Japan, Italy, and Canada and the Chancellor of Germany is taking place in Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada, from 15 June 2025. The Presidents of Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Australia have also been invited to the summit. Before 2014, G7 was actually G8 for many years and had included Russia," the Congress MP said. "Dr. Manmohan Singh would be invited for G8 Summits where his voice would be heard. It was at one such summit in Germany in June 2007, where the famous Singh-Merkel formula for climate change negotiations had been unveiled," Jairam added. Further, the Congress Rajya Sabha MP attacked the BJP over US President Donald Trump claims of mediating between India and Pakistan for the cessation of hostilities. "The blunder of allowing the US to overturn decades of Indian foreign policy by mediating between India and Pakistan and allowing American authorities to call for continued talks at a 'neutral site," Jairam Ramesh said on X. US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) once again claimed credit for brokering a cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, asserting that his administration's trade negotiations potentially averted a nuclear war between the two nations. During an interaction with reporters, Trump expressed pride in achieving peace through trade rather than military conflict, reigniting debates over the US role in the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire following the escalation of tension after the Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent reply through Operation Sindoor. The Canadian government is set to host this year's G7 Summit in Alberta on June 15-17. (ANI) Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, emphasising the urgent need for environmental protection amidst growing concerns over pollution and dwindling natural resources said, "We must awaken a renewed consciousness--rooted in love and respect for nature, simplicity in lifestyle, and reverence for forests." Addressing the Bangalore Sustainability Summit on Tuesday, themed "Advancing Sustainable Development Goals: Enhancing the Impact of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships through Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration", jointly organised by O P Jindal Global University and RV University. "The recent challenges, especially the oxygen crisis, have underlined the critical importance of protecting our environment. Sustainable development is deeply embedded in our national ethos and governance philosophy," the Governor said. He highlighted that India has been committed to sustainable progress through landmark initiatives, including Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, National Rural Drinking Water Programme, National Health Mission (Urban & Rural), Digital India, Deendayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana, Kaushal Bharat, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. "States play a pivotal role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and several state-level schemes are contributing meaningfully to this national vision," he added. Praising Bengaluru as a hub of innovation and technological advancement, the Governor noted that the city also grapples with challenges such as rapid urbanisation, climate change, and pressure on natural resources. "It is encouraging to see this summit focus on the power of knowledge sharing and cross-sector collaboration to tackle these challenges and drive impact." He lauded the efforts of Indian universities in promoting sustainable practices and preserving local biodiversity. "Institutions across the country are becoming custodians of environmental responsibility, reflecting the true spirit of World Environment Day." Acknowledging the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Gehlot cited national campaigns such as Clean Air, Save Water, Save Energy, Grow More Plants, and Green Cities as instrumental in spreading environmental awareness among citizens. He also commended the University for its commitment to sustainability. "Since its inception in 2009, the university has consistently demonstrated its dedication to the SDGs. Its recent Gold Medal in the Times Higher Education Online Learning Rankings 2024 and top rank in the Ministry of Education's Clean Campus Ranking are testaments to its environmental leadership and the critical role of youth in nation-building." Concluding his address, Governor Gehlot made a heartfelt appeal, "We must collectively embrace our responsibility to safeguard the environment. Only through unified action can we ensure a clean, healthy planet for future generations. (ANI) BJP MP Baijayant Panda led an all-party delegation to Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria, successfully presented India's stance on terrorism. The delegation shared facts and figures about the Pahalgam terrorist attack and India's response, highlighting Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism. Panda said that all four countries have taken steps against terrorism and have a clear understanding of India's position. "The tour was very successful. We went to four countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria. All four countries have taken steps against terrorism, and their stand is also clear. They understand India. India's history is such that we do not need to give justification. We are a country of non-violence. We went there to give facts and figures about the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and India's response to that. We have also imposed economic sanctions on trade, visas, shipping and water. Our objective is that Pakistan should change its wrong policy and stop openly supporting terrorism. PM Modi has built a very good relationship with the leadership of these countries for the last 10-11 years, and they have also given the highest civilian honours of their country to PM Modi," Panda said. India has imposed economic sanctions on Pakistan, including trade, visa, and shipping restrictions, to pressure the country to change its policy of supporting terrorism. Panda highlighted Pakistan's history of spreading propaganda and its misuse of funding after being removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The delegation discussed these concerns with their counterparts in the visited countries He further spoke about Pakistan's propaganda and misuse of funds, stating, "Pakistan spreads a lot of propaganda. For many years, Pakistan was on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), due to which it was not able to misuse the funding it received for development. Now that it is not on the FATF list, it has misused it, and we have discussed this." PM Modi's strong relationships with the leadership of these countries, built over the past 10-11 years, facilitated the delegation's successful engagement. The all-party delegation, led by Panda and including BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, and Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad; and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, arrived in Delhi after successfully concluding their visits to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain. During their visit, the delegation briefed the international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, India's broader fight against cross-border terrorism, while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. India's Ambassador to Algeria, Swati Vijay Kulkarni, highlighted the strong support extended by Algeria in combating terrorism. She noted that the North African nation unequivocally condemned terrorism and affirmed its solidarity with India during the delegation's visit. "As India's global diplomatic outreach, India launched 7 groups of all-party delegations to foster cooperation in combating terrorism. The outreach was taking place in the immediate aftermath of the deadly terror attack that happened in Pahalgam on 22nd April, Operation Sindoor and subsequent developments. One such delegation, led by MP Baijayant Panda and comprising very senior MPs and former Foreign Secretary, visited Algeria from 30th May to 2nd June. During their visit to Algeria, they had very successful and productive engagements. They had two important meetings... During all these engagements, Algeria strongly condemned terrorism. They said that Algeria stands with India on the issue of terrorism. They also said that Algeria will take only the side of justice. So, we are very happy that they have given a very clear and strong message for India to remain united on terrorism," Ambassador Kulkarni said. Earlier, Panda 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. He highlighted Pakistan's misuse of funds for terrorism and its military, noting that 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 leave no stone unturned to bring Pakistan onto the grey list again. Meanwhile, delegation members Satnam Singh Sandhu and Rekha Sharma hailed the delegation's diplomatic outreach as a resounding success. They noted that the mission has successfully exposed Pakistan's terrorist activities, with all four countries especially Algeria, endorsing India's zero-tolerance stance against terrorism and recognising the nation's challenges with cross-border terror. (ANI) Stressing that the Nilambur by-election is the semi-final before the 2026 Assembly polls, Kerala LoP and Congress MLA VD Satheesan said on Tuesday that they will emerge victorious, which will mark the beginning of the United Democratic Front's (UDF) return to the state. Speaking to ANI, Satheesan said, "This is a political contest, a direct fight between the UDF and the LDF. It is the semi-final leading up to the 2026 Assembly elections, and we are confident of winning by a significant margin. We see this as an opportunity to hold the Pinarayi government accountable, a government that has been in power for the past nine years." "Our role is to advocate for the people, we are their voice, cross-examining the government and the Chief Minister. We will emerge victorious, and this will mark the beginning of the UDF's strong return in the 2026 elections," Satheesan asserted. The Nilambur by-polls are scheduled to be held on June 19, and the counting is scheduled for June 23. The election for the Nilambur seat was necessitated after the resignation of PV Anvar, an LDF-backed MLA, who stepped down in January after making several allegations against the Left government in the state, including claims of RSS influence in the home department and the "framing" of Muslim youth in false cases. Anvar had claimed that he would not be contesting the bypolls, supporting the Congress candidate instead. However, he filed his nomination under the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) banner on Monday. Anvar has been the Nilambur MLA since 2016, backed by the LDF in both the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Michael George also filed his nomination for the Nilambur by-election on Monday. The main contest in the constituency is between United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukath and the LDF's M Swaraj. The byelection has political significance as it is a precursor to next year's state assembly election and will test the popularity of the current government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. (ANI) After concluding their multi-nation visit, the all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha departed for India on Tuesday, emphasising that they are going back "very satisfied" and the job that the Indian Government entrusted to them was accomplished to a "great extent". Speaking to ANI, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi asserted that the purpose of their visit has been fulfilled. "I would say that I feel very much enriched at the end of 13 days of massive touring in five countries. We started the tour on the 21st of May, and today is the 3rd of June, and we are heading towards India. Definitely going to India is very much welcome for all of us. We are looking forward to going to our motherland. But I would definitely say that the purpose with which we had come has been fulfilled in my mind," she said. The BJP MP mentioned that their purpose was to convey to these countries about Pakistan's support for terrorism. "We started from Japan, then we went to the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia. Of course, the responses of the governments in five different countries were different from one another, I must say. We have come here with a purpose. We wanted to convey to these countries India's stand on cross-border terrorism. We wanted to tell them that there was zero tolerance for terrorism. We wanted to tell them that Pakistan has been nurturing, promoting, and nourishing terrorism. Therefore, all the countries with whom we had interaction, we requested to put in a word to Pakistan and tell them that this has to stop. Pakistan has been a habitual offender. It has been creating problems for all of us over a period of time, and that is why we have come and met a cross-section of people," Sarangi said. "We spoke to a couple of people, a couple of societies, a couple of associations, and we are going back very satisfied. I think the job that had been entrusted to us by the government of India has been accomplished to a great extent," Aparajita Sarangi said. Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP, John Brittas, another member of the delegation termed their visit as a "successful" one. "It has been a successful trip to the five nations. We met many sections of society. We could convey the message of India about what actually happened and how cross-border terrorism affects us. We understand that they appreciate that India wants to be on the path of peace and progress," Brittas said. Former Indian Ambassador to France Dr Mohan Kumar, who is a member of the all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, said that the takeaway was that there was unanimous and universal condemnation of terrorism. "We just concluded this visit to five countries...I can confidently say...an all-party delegation was appreciated by all our interlocutors. It was accepted that India spoke in one voice, that is the one takeaway. The second takeaway is that there was a unanimous and universal condemnation of terrorism. There was support for India's action and condolences for victims (of the Pahalgam attack). We have conveyed clearly to them that it was not our choice to have a war and that we were merely responding to the horrific terrorist attacks," Kumar told ANI. BJP MP Hemang Joshi said that they placed strong emphasis on the issue of cross-border terrorism and the proxy war that Pakistan continues to wage against India. "In Indonesia and Malaysia, where the Muslim population is comparatively larger, we met not only political leaders but also delegations from various parties. We also engaged with delegations of Islamic scholars, who jointly stated that terrorism and violence have no place in Islam. All these countries want to move forward in peace. They expressed that India has every right to take a stand in the fight against terrorism. Operation Sindoor was widely appreciated by all," Joshi said. "Throughout this delegation, we never looked at political parties. For these 15 days, we represented India as "Team India" and spoke with one voice on behalf of the country," he asserted. The Indian delegation, led by JD(U) MP Jha, includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi; TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee; CPI-M's John Brittas; and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, among others. 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) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), presenting its arguements on framing charges in the land-for-job scam case on Monday, questioned how all applicants for Group D posts in some zones of Indian Railways could come from just one State. In this case, former Railway Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members, former public servants, and job aspirants 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. The agency alleged that one lakh square feet of land was purchased for Rs 26 lakh. Special Judge Vishal Gogne heard the submissions of senior advocate and Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) DP Singh, who appeared on behalf of the CBI. The special judge on Tuesday listed the matter for hearing on Wednesday. It was submitted on behalf of the CBI that there was enormous pressure to clear the application. Multiple applications were cleared the same day. Why does it happen so quickly? SPP questioned. The process was so tedious, he added. The certificates were never verified. It was further submitted that there is sufficient evidence to show the cash transaction with the person whose land was sold directly or indirectly to Lalu Prasad Yadav at a discounted rate. The agency alleged that these people were appointed. The Delhi High Court has already rejected Lalu Prasad Yadav's plea seeking a stay on the trial court proceedings. On May 31, the Delhi HC dismissed his petition. 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, Yadav 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) are investigating former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family, and several others in connection with the land-for-jobs case. (ANI) Congress leader Salman Khurshid, part of the all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, on Tuesday concluded its multi-nation visit to several countries, including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore. The delegation aimed to build international consensus against terrorism and showcase India's efforts to combat the menace. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Salman Khurshid emphasised that there is widespread consensus among the visited countries on the issue of terrorism. Khurshid noted that while the countries agree on the need to combat terrorism, the next steps depend on Pakistan's response to India's concerns. "We have had a high level of success. Most certainly, our point of view was conveyed and heard very seriously. There is widespread consensus on the issue of terrorism. The problems for everyone are that when they have to talk about the next steps that have to be taken. Now, the next steps, we haven't taken ourselves because they are in the pipeline...it depends a lot on what responses we get from Pakistan...we communicated one way or another...what happens to all these only the future can tell. We have laid out some red lines. We have said that there cannot be terrorism and talk simultaneously," he said. Khurshid clarified that Operation Sindoor has been suspended, not terminated, and can be reactivated if necessary. "Therefore, it can be activated again if there is a need to do. That is the only statement that has come about the future steps. We need to wait for future steps. I hope we have laid the grounds for whatever needs to be done in times to come," Khurshid said. On being asked about the criticism for supporting the Centre, Salman Khurshid highlighted the importance of a unified approach in combating terrorism, stating that despite differences in political opinions, the delegation spoke with one voice on the issue. He emphasized that the country's interests are paramount, and the delegation's efforts were focused on defending India against terrorism. "We are here because our political parties have stamped the approval and decided to send us here...once we come her, we have to speak a single language...you can't say there is zero agreement between opposition and government because in defending the country, in organising the country against terrorism, there is no difference of opinion. If there are differences of opinion, which are voiced and should be voiced within the Indian system...I hope the government also understands this, each one of us has to get back to our respective political parties and we will have to do what our political parties have to do. This is an area where there is convergence, it is country first and country that matters, that is the attitude of everybody," the Congress leader said. Further, on being asked whether the countries will support India after the delegation visit, Khurshid expressed confidence that the delegation's presentations would have a positive impact on the countries' participation in multilateral forums, particularly in supporting India's stance on terrorism. "You can't just assume that it will happen. But I can say with complete certainty that our presentations were very laborious. Our presentations will certainly impact the manner in which they participate in the multilateral forum in the future. It is clear from their reaction that these are additional inputs that would be very helpful to them," he said. The Indian delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi; TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee; CPI-M's John Brittas; and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, among others concluded their multi nation visit on Tuesday. 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) An all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda on Tuesday briefed External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on their recent international visits aimed at promoting India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. The MPs shared feedback from their engagements abroad, highlighting support received from India's international partners. Former Foreign Secretary and delegation member Harsh Vardhan Shringla said the meeting with the EAM at South Block was "quite fruitful." "The meeting was really good; feedback was given to the External Affairs Minister. All delegation members shared their views, and I think the minister got the feedback from the mission as well. But this time, the delegates have shared it first-hand," Shringla told reporters after the meeting. "He (EAM Jaishankar) said that the journey was quite successful, our objectives were completed, and he congratulated the delegation members and leaders," he added. Apart from Panda and Shringla, the delegation included BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, and Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; and Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad. The delegation, during their visit, engaged with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria, and briefed India's international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, as well as its broader fight against cross-border terrorism. The delegation returned from Algeria on Tuesday. Indian Ambassador to Algeria, Swati Vijay Kulkarni, praised the strong support extended by the North African country in combating terrorism. "During their visit to Algeria, they had very successful and productive engagements. They had two important meetings... During all these engagements, Algeria strongly condemned terrorism. They said that Algeria stands with India on the issue of terrorism. They also said that Algeria will take only the side of justice. So, we are very happy that they have given a very clear and strong message for India to remain united on terrorism," Ambassador Kulkarni said. Before departing Algeria, Shringla also emphasized the importance of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in curbing terror financing, particularly in Pakistan. "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," he said. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday attended a review meeting with Union Road Minister Nitin Gadkari on the ropeway project developments in the state. Earlier in the day, Dhami praised Gadkari and said there was no better teacher than him. Addressing the convocation ceremony of the Graphic Era Deemed University in Dehradun, Dhami stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state had been working towards becoming a leader in education. "If you want to learn the art of project management, then there can be no better teacher than Gadkari ji... His speciality is completing very important projects at a low cost. You have won the hearts of the people by building a network of roads from small villages to remote hilly areas of the state," Dhami stated. "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, our state government is working to make Uttarakhand a leader in education, like other regions. Machine learning, AI and big data courses are being conducted in colleges. Scientific research is being promoted in the state," Dhami further added. In March, the Union Cabinet approved the construction of a ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand. The 12.4-kilometre project will be developed at a total capital cost of Rs 2,730.13 crore. Currently, the journey to the Hemkund Sahib Ji is a challenging 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat, which can be done on foot, with ponies or palanquins. The proposed ropeway is planned to provide convenience to pilgrims visiting the Hemkund Sahib Ji and tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers. It will also ensure all-weather last-mile connectivity between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib Ji. The ropeway is planned to be developed in a public-private partnership and will be based on a Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km), seamlessly integrated with the most advanced Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km). Its design capacity is 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), carrying 11,000 passengers per day. The ropeway project will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations, as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, food & beverage (F&B) and tourism throughout the year. (ANI) After the Calcutta High Court rejected the interim bail plea of social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, her lawyer, Md Samimuddin said that the HC has directed the police to produce the case diary so that the "bail hearing can be held on June 5." Speaking to ANI, Samimuddin mentioned that the HC also instructed authorities to ensure proper amenities are provided to her in the correctional home and barred the filing of any fresh FIRs against her. "The High Court has directed the state to produce the case diary so that the bail hearing can be held on the 5th. It also instructed the state to ensure that basic amenities, which are currently lacking in the correctional home, are provided to her. Furthermore, the court stated that no fresh FIR should be filed for the same cause of action, and we are hopeful of getting bail on the 5th," he said. A 22-year-old law student from Pune, Sharmistha Panoli, was arrested by Kolkata Police in Gurugram on Friday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with a video on Operation Sindoor. The Instagram clip was reportedly derogatory towards a particular religion. However, Panoli had deleted the video and issued an apology on May 15. On Saturday, Panoli was produced before the Alipore Court in Kolkata, which remanded her in judicial custody for 14 days. Earlier on June 1, 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. Mishra denounced 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. (ANI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP-led government on Tuesday over his allegations of mediation by the United States in Operation Sindoor, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "surrendered after the US President Donald Trump's call" and that India had bifurcated Pakistan in 1971 war despite threat by the United States. Addressing a convention of Congress workers in Bhopal, Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, attacked the BJP-RSS and alleged that if slight pressure is exerted on them, "they run away out of fear" "Now, I understand RSS-BJP well. If slight pressure is put on them, they run away out of fear. When Trump called Modi ji-'Modi ji kya kar rahe ho, Narender-Surrender and with 'ji hazooor', Narender ji followed Trump. In the 1971 war, Seventh Fleet (came from the US), India Gandhi said I will do whatever I have to do. This is the difference. This is their character; all of them are like this. Since the Independence movement, they have this habit of writing letters of surrender," Rahul Gandhi said. The 1971 war between India and Pakistan led to the creation of Bangladesh. Rahul Gandhi also made allegations against the Modi government in a post on X. "Trump's phone came and Narendraji immediately surrendered. History is witness, this is the character of BJP-RSS, they always budge. India had bifurcated Pakistan in 1971 despite the threat by the United States," Rahul Gandhi said in his post. "The 'babbar sher' and 'shernis' of Congress fight the Superpowers, they do not bow," he added. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhi responded to Islamabad's aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructure. India had conducted Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India effectively responded to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to stop military action following call made by Pakistan DGMO to his Indian counterpart. (ANI) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced to introduce a new technology-driven system to provide more timely and accurate updates on voter turnout trends. The initiative, called the Voter Turnout Ratio (VTR), will be integrated into the ECINET app and allow Presiding Officers (PROs) at each polling station to enter voter turnout data directly every two hours on polling day. "Under this new initiative, the Presiding Officer (PRO) of each polling station, will now be directly entering voter turnout on the new ECINET App every two hours on polling day in order to reduce the time lag in the updation of the approximate polling trends. This will be automatically aggregated at the constituency level. The approximate voting percentage trends will continue to be published every two hours as before," the ECI said in a statement. According to ECI, the new VTR sharing process reduces the time lag associated with earlier manual reporting methods. However, the legal requirement to detail the account of votes recorded by the polling agents remains unchanged. "Under the statutory framework of Rule 49S of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, Presiding Officers (PROs) are required to furnish Form 17C, detailing the account of votes recorded, to polling agents, who are nominated by the candidates and are present at the polling station at the close of poll. While this legal requirement remains unchanged, the process of updating the VTR App, which had evolved as a facilitative, non-statutory mechanism to keep the public informed of the approximate voter turnout percentage trends is being streamlined to ensure faster updation," the ECI said. The PROs will enter the voter turnout data into the ECINET app after the closing of poll, which would reduce the delays and ensure that approximate percentage of votes polled would be available on the updated VTR app constituency-wise. "Where mobile networks are unavailable, entries can be made offline and synced once connectivity is restored. This updated VTR App will become an integral part of ECINET before the Bihar elections," it said. Earlier, sector officers collected voter turnout data manually and passed it on to Returning Officers (ROs) via phone calls, SMS, or messaging apps. "This information was aggregated every two hours and uploaded to the Voter Turnout (VTR) App. The polling percentage trends were often updated hours later, based on physical records arriving late in the night or even the next day, leading to delays of 4-5-hours or more leading to misperceptions by some," it added. (ANI) Veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath expressed pleasure on Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bhopal on Tuesday, saying that there was enthusiasm among all the party workers and it's a proof that Congress is strong and everyone believe in Rahul Gandhi. Nath also highlighted that during the visit and meetings held here at the state party office, the LoP shared the details and necessary guidelines about rejuvenation of the party. "There was enthusiasm among all the Congress workers -- this is proof that the Congress is strong and all theses (workers) believe in Rahul Gandhi. He explained all the details about how the party will be rejuvenated and AICC appointed observers will engage with everyone to ensure that the right District Congress Committees are formed," Nath said. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi reached the capital city and held various party meetings and programs as part of the "Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan" (Organisation Rejuvenation Campaign) here on Tuesday. Congress MLA and Digvijaya Singh's son, Jaivardhan Singh said that 'Sangathan Srijan' is a mission through which observers appointed from AICC will visit each district in the state to bring in new people and the focus is on making strong leaders. "The message is very clear, 'Sangathan Srijan' is a mission through which observers have been appointed from AICC and their sole responsibility will be to visit districts and bring in new people, especially from major towns. The focus is on preparing strong leaders -- horses for the long race -- and making them active through this mission," Singh told ANI. He further said that they are grateful to Rahul Gandhi for dedicating time to Madhya Pradesh Congress and believe that the campaign will make the Congress party strong. Additionally, Congress leader Sajjan Singh Verma said that Rahul Gandhi's visit to the state capital was entirely focused on party affairs and party rejuvenation. "Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bhopal today was entirely focused on party affairs and party rejuvenation. His speech made it clear that from now on, District Presidents will not be appointed based on recommendations. Instead, strong and capable individuals will be elected -- those who will have the authority to distribute tickets for the councillor, Assembly, and Lok Sabha elections. Such will be the power of the new District Presidents," Verma said. (ANI) Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the flood situation in the Northeastern states and urged both the Centre and state governments to respond more effectively, demanding timely relief for all affected victims. "The flood situation in the Northeast is alarming. A large population has been affected. The state and central governments should understand the emergency and try to provide relief to all flood victims and needy people," Chowdhury said. He said that such floods occur every year in the region, and called for long-term mitigation measures. "This flood occurs every year in the Northeast, especially in Assam, and its surrounding areas. A dangerous situation has arisen due to landslides in Sikkim... In this situation, the government should take concrete steps to fight the disaster...," he said. Earlier on Tuesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the flood-affected district of Cachar, Assam and interacted with the people in Relief Camps set up by the state government. "Visited the flood-affected district of Cachar & spoke with the people who are sheltered in Relief Camps set up by our Govt. Reassured the people of all support from our side and have issued instructions to the administration to eliminate long processes and provide quick relief," CM Sarma wrote in a post on X. The Chief Minister shared a video clip of his interaction with the flood-affected people in Cachar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to take stock of the situation caused by heavy rainfall and floods in the northeastern region. PM Modi assured full help and support from the Centre. Sharing an update on X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "A short while ago, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji called me to enquire about the current flood situation in Assam. I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives. I also apprised him of the relief operation undertaken by the state government." He added, "The Hon'ble PM expressed concern and assured full support from the Central Government for our relief and rehabilitation efforts. Grateful for his guidance and unwavering support to the people of Assam." The flood situation in Assam continues to remain grim, with the death toll from floods and landslides rising to 11. According to the flood reports of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 6 people died in floods and 5 others died in landslides in the state. More than 5.15 lakh people of 22 districts of Assam have been affected by the deluge. One more person drowned in flood waters, and two others are missing in the last 48 hours. One person drowned in Hojai district, while two others are missing in Hailakandi and Dibrugarh districts. (ANI) IFFCO, a leading fertiliser player, has said that "misleading propaganda" is being made on social media, newspapers and some media channels about the products of the company following raids conducted at Kishangarh in Rajasthan on some fertilizer units and "no IFFCO fertilizer has been found at the mentioned places". Terming the propaganda as "absolutely wrong", IFFCO, a farmers' cooperative, urged people to keep faith in IFFCO products and reject false propaganda being made. "World's biggest number one fertiliser cooperative IFFCO states that of late, following raids conducted in Kishangarh, Rajasthan on some fertilizer units, misleading propaganda is being made through social media, newspapers and various media channels, about the products of IFFCO which is absolutely wrong," a release said. "No IFFCO fertilizer has been found at the mentioned places. Hence, you are requested to keep your faith in IFFCO products and reject false propaganda being made against IFFCO products' quality," it added. The release said that in the aforesaid action, 'Sagarika Granule' - a Biostimulant manufactured by IFFCO's joint venture Aquagri was found at some places. "Sagarika granule is very popular amongst the farmers, and there is no irregularity in its production as it is being produced based on the technology provided by the central research institute i.e. CSIR-CSMCRI and confirms as per the guidelines of Government of India. Dolomite, Gypsum, Seaweed powder, bentonite etc. found at these places are used in granulation of 'Sagarika Granule' and there is nothing wrong in it," the release added. The company urged people to avoid "misleading propaganda" and "use IFFCO's quality fertilizers and biostimulants". Media reports said that Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirorilal Meena had led a raid on fake fertiliser units in Kishangarh last month. (ANI) As per an ongoing analysis of the damage inflicted upon by the Indian Air Force on Pakistan Air Force, it is emerging that 6 PAF fighter jets, two high value aircraft, over 10 UCAVs, one C-130 transport aircraft along with multiple cruise missiles were destroyed by Indian air-launched cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles. Sources who were involved in the operations launched against Pakistani aggression told ANI that as per the technical analysis of the data available with the IAF, six of the Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft were shot down in air during operations. One high value aerial asset, which could either be an electronic counter measures aircraft or an Airborne Early Warning or Control Aircraft, was taken out by a long range strike by the Sudarshan at distances of around 300 km, they said. The sources said that during the four-day conflict, the strikes at Bholari airbase using air to surface cruise missiles resulted in the loss of another AEWC aircraft of Swedish origin. There are inputs about presence of fighter jets also in the hangar but since the Pakistanis are not even taking out debris from there, "we are not counting the fighter aircraft losses on ground", they said. The Pakistani fighter jets were captured by the Indian Air Force radars and air defence missile systems and were seen vanishing after hits were secured by the air defence systems. The Pakistan Air Force also lost a C-130 transport aircraft during one of the drone strikes by Indian Air Force in the Pakistani Punjab. The Indian Air Force used only air-launched cruise missiles to attack Pakistani bases and no surface- to-surface BrahMos missiles were used in the attacks, they said. In one of strikes on a hangar by Rafale and Su-30 jets, a significant number of Chinese Wing Loong series medium altitude long endurance drones were destroyed , the sources said. More than 10 UCAVs were also destroyed by the different IAF air defence systems over Pakistani air space in the conflict along with large-scale interception of Pakistani air and ground launched cruise and ballistic missiles aimed at different air bases, they said. The Indian Air Force, the sources said, is still carrying out the analysis of the huge amount of data gathered by it during the conflict. The conflict between India and Pakistan started in May 6-7 night when India retaliated by targeting terrorist universities in the Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to Pahalgam terror attack. The conflict lasted till May 10 afternoon when Pakistan side requested for a ceasefire in view of the heavy losses suffered by it in the attacks by the Indian Air Force. (ANI) In a post on X, Jha termed it a major boost for Bihar's aviation sector. "The Bihar Cabinet has taken a landmark step by reducing VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 29% to just 4%. For flights under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), the VAT rate remains unchanged at 1%. Heartfelt gratitude to CM Nitishumar Ji for this progressive decision, one that will encourage more airlines to operate in the state and make air travel more accessible and affordable," Sanjay Jha said. "This reform is expected to significantly boost the number of flights from Patna, Darbhanga, and Gayaji, enhancing Bihar's air connectivity and opening new avenues for tourism, trade, and growth," the JD(U) MP said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar chaired a high-level cabinet meeting on Tuesday and approved 47 key proposals, including large-scale infrastructure projects, new government job openings, and significant policy decisions. The Bihar Cabinet approved the creation of 4,858 new posts across various government departments to improve administrative efficiency and public service delivery. Among the major infrastructure decisions, a Rs 1,320 crore plan was approved for setting up a sewerage network project in Sasaram, Aurangabad, and Siwan. In addition, a Rs 328 crore water supply scheme received clearance for Ara, Siwan, and Sasaram cities, aiming to boost urban utility services. The cabinet also approved a new Bridge Maintenance Policy, which would ensure regular inspection, safety checks, and timely repairs of bridges across the state. In a move expected to improve air connectivity, the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in Bihar was reduced from 29 per cent to 4 per cent. A proposal to build a dry dock in Dujra, Patna, was also approved. The facility will be used to repair aircraft, making it the first such unit in the region. In a significant step towards women's empowerment, the cabinet decided that "Jeevika Didis" (members of the state's women's self-help groups) would prepare clothes for children at Anganwadi centres. The area of Phulwari Sharif, Danapur, and Khagol near the capital of Patna will be expanded, and many villages will become part of these cities. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday visited different relief camps in Silchar, where people affected by the flood are being rehabilitated. He said the government has a plan for giving relief in farming, fishery, veterinary, and horticulture. He also directed officials to upload the names of affected people for quick help. While speaking to the media, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We have a formula for farming land, for fishery, for veterinary, horticulture, we have formula of disbursing relief. I have already advised the DC to upload the names of the people who are suffering, we will help each and every family...We will help each and every family affected by flood..." The chief minister also visited schools in Silchar, which are being used as shelter homes for the flood-affected. Taking to social media, X, Sarma wrote, "Many schools in Silchar are being used as shelter homes for the flood-affected." https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1929863538538954896 "In Hiron Prova Dev Shishu Mandir, a school established in 1980, we will provide free textbooks for the children and will consider their other requests in a time & process-bound manner," the post reads. Sarma, during his visit to a relief camp in Silchar, said he met an injured woman and directed officials to shift her to the Medical College for proper treatment. He assured that the state government will fully support and care for all people affected by the floods during this difficult time. "At a Relief Camp in Silchar, I came across an injured woman. I have asked the administration to promptly take her to the Medical College and ensure she gets proper treatment. In times of such distress, the Govt of Assam will take full care of our people," in a post CM wrote. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1929893428793426204 Sarma added that work on the Gammon Bridge has been delayed by two days but will be finished by July 20. "...Today I have reviewed it, they are delayed by 2 days. But I have asked them to improve the work. We will complete the Gammon Bridge by 20th July," Sarma said. He also said he reviewed the site and instructed officials to explore avenues to find a solution to the issue after the Gammon Bridge is reopened. In another post, CM wrote, "The Sinking Zone near Tarapur is a pressing issue. While 9 piles have been cast, for some of it, stable soil hasn't been found even at 400ft." https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1929834698248732827 "Reviewed the site & instructed officials to explore avenues to find a solution to the issue after Gammon Bridge is reopened," the post reads. The flood situation in Assam continues to remain grim, with the death toll from floods and landslides rising to 11. According to the flood reports of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 6 people died in floods and 5 others died in landslides in the state. More than 5.15 lakh people of 22 districts of Assam have been affected by the deluge. One more person drowned in flood waters, and two others are missing in the last 48 hours. One person drowned in Hojai district, while two others are missing in Hailakandi and Dibrugarh districts. (ANI) After the Calcutta High Court rejected the interim bail plea of Social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh on Tuesday asserted that if anyone engages in hate speech of any kind, appropriate legal action must be taken against the individual. Speaking to the media, Ghosh cleared his party's stand. "This is entirely a legal matter. Our position is very clear -- whether it's on social media or in society at large, hate speech of any kind is unacceptable. If anyone engages in it, appropriate legal action must be taken," he said. Earlier today, the Calcutta High Court rejected the interim bail plea of social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli. Her lawyer, Md Samimuddin, said that the HC has directed the police to produce the case diary so that the "bail hearing can be held on June 5." Speaking to ANI, Samimuddin mentioned that the HC also instructed authorities to ensure proper amenities are provided to her in the correctional home and barred the filing of any fresh FIRs against her. "The High Court has directed the state to produce the case diary so that the bail hearing can be held on the 5th. It also instructed the state to ensure that basic amenities, which are currently lacking in the correctional home, are provided to her. Furthermore, the court stated that no fresh FIR should be filed for the same cause of action, and we are hopeful of getting bail on the 5th," he said. A 22-year-old law student from Pune, Sharmistha Panoli, was arrested by Kolkata Police in Gurugram on Friday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with a video on Operation Sindoor. The Instagram clip was reportedly derogatory towards a particular religion. However, Panoli had deleted the video and issued an apology on May 15. On Saturday, Panoli was produced before the Alipore Court in Kolkata, which remanded her in judicial custody for 14 days. (ANI) After concluding their multi-nation tour, BJP MP Rekha Sharma, who was part of the all-party delegation led by Baijayant Panda, said on Tuesday that it was a very good experience and there is a lot of positivity towards India. Speaking to ANI, Sharma said that there is positivity for India as it talks about peace and development, whereas Pakistan always talks about conflict and terrorism. "It was a very good experience. We visited four countries, and the points raised by our leader, Baijayant Panda, were taken very seriously. The misinformation that Pakistan had spread in those countries, when we countered it with proof, they understood that Pakistan was lying. There is a lot of positivity towards India. From Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Algeria, there is a strong positive sentiment about India because India speaks of development and peace. On the other hand, Pakistan always talks about conflict and terrorism," Rekha Sharma said. "We had to talk about Operation Sindoor, and we also had to convey that India is no longer weak. If Pakistan attempts something like this again, India will continue with Operation Sindoor, and these actions will persist until Pakistan takes meaningful steps against its terror camps," she said. Further, the BJP MP asserted that wherever they visited, they received support, and everyone was speaking against terrorism, "because at some point, these countries too have been victims of terror. They understand what India is going through and they stand with us." "Everyone who participated came from different parties and religions, but they all conveyed the same message--that India is united. It's very important to show other countries that India is united, and that whatever decision the government takes, all parties will stand together in support," Rekha Sharma emphasised. Baijayant Panda-led delegation concluded their four-nation visit and landed in India on Tuesday. Apart from Panda, the delegation included Harsh Vardhan Shringla, BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, and Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; and Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad. The delegation, during their visit, engaged with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria, and briefed India's international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, as well as its broader fight against cross-border terrorism. (ANI) BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari launched a fierce attack on Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, accusing him of making "indecent" remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioning his values and patriotism. Bhandari also alleged that the Congress leader's actions, including offering tributes to former PM Indira Gandhi without removing his shoes, reflect a disregard for Indian traditions and respect. "Rahul Gandhi's words reflect his values. He makes such indecent remarks against the country's Prime Minister. But this is what can be expected from Rahul Gandhi, whose heart beats for Pakistan. Because when he offers floral tributes to the statue of his grandmother (Indira Gandhi), he does not even remove his shoes..." Bhandari said. The BJP leader also highlighted India's firm stance on terrorism under the Modi government. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has given a befitting reply to Pakistan's terror masters. Even Salman Khurshid to Shashi Tharoor, every Congress leader is talking about this, and Pakistan itself is giving evidence of this... The people of the country see this uncivilised Rahul Gandhi as an agent of Pakistan..." he said. His remarks come in the wake of Rahul Gandhi's recent attack on the BJP-led government over alleged US mediation in Operation Sindoor. Addressing Congress workers in Bhopal, Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Modi "surrendered" after receiving a call from US President Donald Trump. He contrasted Modi's reaction with former PM Indira Gandhi's stance during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. He also attacked the BJP-RSS, alleging that if slight pressure is exerted on them, "they run away out of fear." "Now, I understand RSS-BJP well. If slight pressure is put on them, they run away out of fear. When Trump called Modiji-'Modiji kya kar rahe ho, Narender-Surrender and with 'ji hazooor', Narenderji followed Trump. In the 1971 war, Seventh Fleet (came from the US), India Gandhi said I will do whatever I have to do. This is the difference. This is their character; all of them are like this. Since the Independence movement, they have this habit of writing letters of surrender," Rahul Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi also attacked the BJP-led government in a post on X. "Trump's phone came and Narendraji immediately surrendered. History is witness, this is the character of BJP-RSS, they always budge. India had bifurcated Pakistan in 1971 despite the threat by the United States," Rahul Gandhi said in his post. "The 'babbar sher' and 'shernis' of Congress fight the Superpowers, they do not bow," he added. US President Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhi's effective response to Islamabad's aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructure. India had conducted Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India effectively responded to subsequent Pakistan aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to stop military action following call made by Pakistan DGMO to his Indian counterpart. (ANI) Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has started speaking with various political parties for an impeachment motion against High Court judge Yashwant Varma in the next Parliament Session, government sources said on Tuesday. The Supreme Court had constituted an inquiry committee following allegations of "burnt cash" found at a storeroom of his residence when he was a judge of the Delhi High Court. The in-house inquiry committee submitted its report on the issue last month, which has since been forwarded to the Prime Minister and the President of India. "The Parliamentary Affairs Minister has started speaking to all parties for impeachment motion against HC judge Yashwant Varma," a source said. On May 4, a panel of judges tasked with conducting an internal inquiry into allegations of cash being discovered at Justice Yashwant Varma's official residence submitted its report to the then Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna. According to an official communication from the Supreme Court, the three-member committee, comprising Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Justice GS Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka concluded its investigation and presented its findings in a report dated May 3. The Chief Justice of India constituted this committee on March 22 to examine the allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the High Court of Delhi. On April 5, Justice Yashwant Varma was sworn in as a judge of the Allahabad High Court under unusual and contentious circumstances. CPI general secretary D Raja had said on Wednesday that credibility of judiciary needs to be restored and his party will support the action against Justice Varma. "Let them bring the impeachment motion. The Judiciary should understand that it has to work within the framework of the Constitution... To restore the credibility of our judiciary, there must be some strong action. We will support the impeachment motion. But the point is, when will it be brought? We raised several critical questions about the money found in the judge's residence, but concrete action has been delayed... Our party will participate in the debate before the Parliament when this issue is discussed," Raja told ANI. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar had last month referred to the cash-discovery row, saying there is no FIR to date. "We're confronted with the jarring reality. A judge's residence in Lutyens Delhi had burnt notes. There is no FIR to date...Everyone in the country is now thinking whether this will be washed off or fade with time, and they are really concerned. How come the criminal justice system was not operationalised as it would have been done for every other individual?... This issue for which people are waiting with bated breath, the money trail, its source, its purpose," Dhankhar said at an event in the national capital. "Did it pollute the judicial system? Who are the bigger sharks? We need to find out. Already two months have gone by. An investigation is required to be conducted with expedition. So is the case with the registration of an FIR. I do hope and believe that the Supreme Court acted the very best so far because it had a legacy issue of judgments imparted in the nineties," he added. He lauded some of the steps taken by the Supreme Court. "But now is the time to take a call. Partly the confidence has been restored by Justice Khanna. When you put in public domain documentation which people thought will never be shown to them. That was a big step by him to project accountability and transparency. If democratic values have to prosper, I am sure this is a test case. There must be a swift investigation by those concerned with the investigation," the Vice President said. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to mark celebrations for the International Yoga Day, scheduled to be celebrated on June 21 in Andhra Pradesh. In a post on X, the Prime Minister expressed happiness at witnessing people's enthusiasm ahead of the Yoga Day celebrations and said that "Yogandhra 2025" was a commendable effort to popularise the ancient practice. "Gladdening to see enthusiasm building up towards Yoga Day 2025. #Yogandhra2025 is a commendable effort by the people of AP to make Yoga popular. I look forward to marking Yoga Day in AP on the 21st," PM Modi said. "I call upon all of you to mark Yoga Day and also make Yoga a regular part of your lives," he added. The Prime Minister was responding to a post by Union Minister of State (MoS) Health Prataprao Jadhav, who posted on X, "Over 2,000 yoga enthusiasts gathered at the majestic Puligundu Twin Hills near Chittoor for Yogandhra 2025, a powerful and peaceful kickoff to Andhra Pradesh's month-long lead-up to IDY2025. Surrounded by 1,000-ft rock formations, the energy was as grounded as it was uplifting." This year's International Yoga Day is set to be a grand celebration, with Visakhapatnam hosting a record-breaking yoga event. On June 21, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the celebrations, which will feature over 2.5 lakh people performing yoga together at a single location -- an attempt to set a new world record. The grand event will take place along the 27-kilometre-long coastal road of Visakhapatnam, which will serve as the venue for this massive yoga session. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is also expected to join PM Modi for the yoga performance. Reflecting on the journey of International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Modi remarked that the first International Yoga Day was observed on June 21, 2015, and has since evolved into a global celebration of wellness. He described it as India's precious gift to humanity, beneficial for generations to come. As the world prepares for International Yoga Day 2025, the theme "Yoga for One Earth, One Health" is at the centre of this year's celebrations. Numerous initiatives and events are planned around this theme: Coordinated yoga demonstrations at 10,000 locations, aiming for a world record. There will be global partnerships with 10 countries to hold yoga sessions at iconic landmarks, along with the creation of 1,000 yoga parks to promote community participation. Special yoga programmes for differently-abled individuals, senior citizens, children, and marginalised groups will also be there. Further, an impact assessment of yoga's role in public health over the last decade. (ANI) Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on Tuesday rescued two tourists stranded near the Chhoti Lincholi glacier point on their way back from Kedarnath, said an official statement. The incident occurred after the pilgrims, returning from their visit to Kedarnath Dham, attempted to take a shortcut and lost their way. The SDRF team, led by Sub Inspector Jitendra Singh from Post Lincholi, received the alert from the Disaster Control Room, Rudraprayag, and immediately mobilised to the location. Upon arrival, the team initiated a search operation and soon located the stranded individuals on a rocky hillside along the riverbank. According to people at the scene, a group of five pilgrims had deviated from the main route in an attempt to descend quickly via an uncharted path along the river. While three of them managed to return safely, two people named Dharamveer (28) and Shaili Singh (27), both residents of Delhi were trapped on a rocky hill as there was no further path. The situation was further complicated by continuous rainfall, which left the two youths drenched and suffering from the cold. Their condition was deteriorating rapidly due to prolonged exposure to the cold. With prudence and promptness, the SDRF team rescued both people safely and brought them to a safe place, where they were provided with necessary assistance and medical care. Kedarnath Dham Yatra is one of the most difficult religious pilgrimages in the country. After crossing a difficult walking route of about 20 kilometres, one can have darshan of the 11th Jyotilinga situated in the lap of the Himalayan mountains. Horses and mules play a very important role in this difficult religious journey on foot. Incapable and elderly devotees often travel through them, while food items and other essential items are transported to the Yatra route and Kedarpuri by these horses and mules. For the year 2025, the doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham were opened for the devotees on May 2. One month has passed since the doors of Baba were opened. On Sunday, June 1, the number of devotees visiting Baba Kedarnath Dham has crossed 7 lakh. If the average of the last one month is taken, then 24 thousand devotees have reached Kedarpuri for Baba's darshan every day. So far more than seven lakh devotees have reached Shri Kedarnath Dham. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday announced to name the Pachmarhi Sanctuary after Gond ruler Raja Bhabhoot Singh, a symbol of the tribal community's bravery and valour. The CM also chaired a cabinet meeting at Raj Bhavan in Pachmarhi in memory of the Gond ruler and remembered his legacy. Ahead of the cabinet meeting, while addressing the council of ministers, the CM announced to rename the Pachmarhi Sanctuary "The Pachmarhi Sanctuary will now be known as 'Raja Bhabhoot Singh Pachmarhi Sanctuary'. This renaming is dedicated to Raja Bhabhoot Singh's love for nature and his lifelong efforts to protect Pachmarhi from foreign forces. The sanctuary will also showcase details of Raja Bhabhoot Singh's life, his struggles, valour, and contributions. This move aims to enhance local pride and strengthen the identity of the sanctuary, making it a symbol of both historical and natural heritage," the CM said. He also stated that Raja Bhabhoot Singh had a deep influence on the tribal society, and his tales of bravery still resonate in the public consciousness. Holding the cabinet meeting in Pachmarhi is a tribute to his legacy. Recalling Raja Bhabhut Singh's contributions, the Chief Minister said that he was a close ally of freedom fighter Tatya Tope during the 1857 War of Independence. Known for his guerrilla warfare tactics, Bhabhut Singh was referred to as the "Shivaji of Narmadanchal." The British had to summon the Madras Infantry to capture him. Despite constant battles against the British until 1860, they could only arrest him after two years and subsequently hanged him the same year. Additionally, CM announced that three tribal community conventions will be organized this month. The Baiga Convention at Bajag in Dindori on June 7, Kol Convention in Beohari, Shahdol on June 9 to mark Birsa Munda Jayanti, and Sahariya Convention in Kolaras, Shivpuri on June 18. He also informed that from June 9 to 21, state-wide events will be held to commemorate 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public welfare governance. Additionally, the birth centenary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be celebrated, who shared a special bond with Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister further noted that May was a month full of developmental achievements for Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated new airports in Datia and Satna, and the Metro in Indore. He also released the first installment for the construction of 1,271 Atal Gram Good Governance Buildings. These milestones reflect the state's progress in development and welfare. Furthermore, CM Yadav shared that Khandwa district has set a national record in water conservation under the "Water Conservation - Public Participation Campaign" for the period from April 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. Khandwa ranked first in the country among districts, while Madhya Pradesh secured fourth place among states. This is a matter of pride for the state. The Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan is being run from March 30 to June 30, and the Chief Minister called upon all cabinet members to lead public awareness and participation in water conservation efforts in their respective regions. (ANI) BJP MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, member of all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi on Tuesday praised the success of the mission, highlighting the Prime Minister Narendra Midi's clear message of One Bharat, One Message, and One Mission. He underscored that India will deal firmly with terrorism emanating from Pakistan, targeting innocent civilians. Operation Sindoor was cited as an example of India's strong resolve against terrorism. "...I must say that this has been very successful mission because the PM had clearly sent us with One Bharat, One Message and One Mission - that it is a strong resolve of 140 crore Indians and of PM Narendra Modi that terror, henceforth, will face consequences. Any terror which is emanating from Pakistan, which will target our innocent civilians, India will be dealt with very firmly. That is what #OperationSindoor showed us. Operation Sindoor is on, is what we are trying to tell the world...," said Chowta. Members of the all-party delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, have returned to India after a successful mission to several countries. The delegation carried a unified message from 1.4 billion Indians, emphasising that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism will no longer be tolerated. Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Rajeev Rai, part of the all-party delegation stated that the delegation conveyed the voice of the Indian people, emphasizing the need for a strong response to terrorism. He criticised Pakistan's government, saying that the military is the real power behind the scenes and is responsible for sponsoring terrorism. Speaking to ANI, Rajeev Rai said, "We carried with us the voice of 140 crore people of the country, wherever we visited - that people of India, be it the ruling side or the Opposition, will not tolerate Pakistan-sponsored terrorism anymore...I did what our leaders taught us. When the surgical strike took place, Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) supported it first. We should have good relations with neighbours, but if there is any trouble over the country, then it becomes important to give them a befitting reply. There is a puppet government in Pakistan. The power is in the hands of the Pakistani military there, it is the biggest terrorist gang..." He also called for a special session of Parliament to discuss the issue. "I think it (special session of Parliament) should be convened," Rai said. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to immediately call a special session of Parliament to provide a comprehensive briefing on Operation Sindoor and the ceasefire decision between India and Pakistan. In his letter to PM Modi, Sanjay Singh said that after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, and India's response on May 7, the government conducted two all-party meetings, but the Prime Minister was absent from both of them. The delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, also includes Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Mian Altaf Ahmad (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Ashok Kumar Mittal (Aam Aadmi Party), and Former envoys Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. The delegation briefed international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism and engaged with leaders in Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, and Russia. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government has increased Kerala's railway budget from an average of Rs 372 Crore (2009-14) to Rs 3,042 crore in the financial year 2025-26, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday. "PM Narendra Modi Ji has increased Kerala's railway budget from an average Rs372 Cr (2009-14) to Rs3,042 Cr in FY 2025-26. We are working on 3rd and 4th line from North to South Kerala, so that both passengers and cargo can move by rail," Vaishnaw said in a post X. https://x.com/AshwiniVaishnaw/status/1929825539822436631 Vaishnaw said that he discussed key projects with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and sought his support for land acquisition, especially for Angamaly-Erumeli railway project and Road Over Bridges (ROB) and Road Under Bridges (RUB) being sanctioned. The Angamaly-Erumeli railway project, also known as Sabari rail project was first proposed in the Railway Budget of 1997-98. The land acquisition for the project was completed too. The Kerala CM has earlier said that the expansion of the Sabari rail project would provide a significant boost to Kerala's development, while also suggesting that it could be extended in the future to connect Vizhinjam. In December, an official statement from the Kerala CM's office said that the project would be implemented in two phases with an expanded approach, with the state government requesting the Centre's approval, and 50 per cent of the cost of the project will be borne by the state government. The section's plan included the construction of two flyovers and two underpasses. However, land acquisition notifications have now been issued for the next 70 km. A letter from the Railways dated 26.09.2019 informed the state government that the project had been frozen, leading to a halt in further construction activities, including the flyovers. Although the project initially began with full funding from the Railways, on January 7, 2021, the Kerala Government conveyed to the Central Government its readiness to bear 50 per cent of the project cost, then estimated at Rs 2,815 crore, through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). (ANI) On this occasion, the Chief Ministers of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat will join this campaign from their states. Government sources told ANI that the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign has become a mass public campaign, and according to the Environment Ministry, 109 crore trees have been planted so far. The sources further told ANI that this is an emotional campaign which was started by the Prime Minister on June 5, 2024, and once again taking this campaign forward, the Prime Minister is going to launch 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2025' and the Aravalli Green Wall Project on World Environment Day. The 700 km range of the Aravalli is included in four states: Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana. It includes 29 districts, four tiger reserves, and 22 wildlife sanctuaries. The Aravalli Green Wall Project is an initiative to combat land degradation and desertification by creating a green buffer zone along the Aravalli mountain range in India. This project aims to restore degraded ecosystems, enhance groundwater recharge, and promote sustainable land use practices. (ANI) Congress Lok Sabha MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concerns about the security of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar and demanding that the area be declared a "no-war zone." "I earnestly appeal to the Government of India to initiate steps for NO WAR ZONE and protected status to Sri Harmandir Sahib, under a framework that ensures: Permanent, non-political, high-level security for the shrine like Vatican City. International recognition and protection under humanitarian and interfaith harmony principles as per UNO. A clear mechanism to prevent any future military, political, or strategic targeting of this sacred place," Aujla said in the letter. Highlighting the global and national significance of the Golden Temple, which is revered by millions worldwide regardless of their religion, Aujla said that it has become urgent to safeguard the sacred institution with "permanent, non-political, high-level security." "In the wake of recent war like situations, it has become an urgent need of the hour to safeguard this sacred institution with the highest level of permanent and global security," the letter read. His demand comes after Major General Kartik C Seshadri earlier claimed that Pakistan's prime target was the Golden Temple, according to information received from the intelligence, an attempt which was thwarted by the Indian army on May 8. "A recent claim by a senior officer of the Indian Army, of the rank of Major General, stated that Pakistan Air Force had targeted the Golden Temple. This claim is not only alarming but has raised deep concern among the Sikh community worldwide. Given the sensitive geographical and political nature of the region, such threats-- whether real or perceived--pose a risk to national security and global religious harmony," the letter further read. "Any threat to it--real or claimed--has the potential to disturb world peace and affect inter-community trust and harmony. Such perceptions must not be allowed to take root," Aujla added. (ANI) Lok Sabha MP from West Tripura and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday visited flood-hit areas and took stock of affected families staying in relief camps of Agartala and distributed food and essential supplies. Addressing the media, Deb said that while natural disasters like floods are inevitable, the state administration has taken "commendable steps" to provide timely relief and support to the victims. Highlighting improved disaster response mechanisms, Deb noted that floodwaters in Agartala, which used to remain stagnant for four to five days in the past, now recede within two to three hours. "At least now there is a vision," he said, attributing the improvement to the current government's initiatives in upgrading drainage infrastructure and implementing flood mitigation projects. Deb also recalled a major flood management initiative undertaken during his tenure as Chief Minister. "A comprehensive flood mitigation project for the Haora River was sanctioned with support from the DONER Ministry. We had completed the DPR, but due to local protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, the work was delayed. "Had it been completed on time, the situation would have been much better today," he stated. Visiting a relief camp at Hrishi Colony in Pratapgarh English Medium school, Agartala, sheltering 482 families with approximately 2,000 inmates, Deb said the residents were being well looked after by the administration. "The arrangements by the state government are very good, and most people are satisfied. Of course, in times of calamity, some small mistakes may happen, but everyone must come together to help those in need," he said. Deb further said that the early arrival of the monsoon this year posed additional challenges, but the administration responded proactively. "Installation of pumps and redevelopment of ponds under the Smart City Mission have significantly helped in managing the crisis," he noted. Speaking to ANI, Deb emphasised that flood-hit families are now preparing to return to their homes. "All necessary arrangements have been made. Once back, they will clean and resume their normal lives. These are hardworking people who earn through labour," he said. He also announced that the government has prepared a relief package that includes rice, lentils, potatoes, soybeans, spices, and other essentials, designed to sustain affected families for up to 24 days. "Proper arrangements for drinking water and medicines have also been made," he added. "The situation in the camp is quite good. I spoke to some people yesterday and they told me they are receiving proper food and medical aid on time. The government has truly taken care of the people," Deb concluded. Former Tripura CM Deb said that people returning to their homes have all the necessary government support in place. The government has also arranged proper water and medicines. Deb said the overall situation in the camp is good, with people receiving timely food and medical care. "Now the people will return to their homes. All necessary arrangements have been made by the government for them. When they reach their homes, they will clean and tidy up their houses. These are hardworking people who earn their living through labour. A relief package has been prepared for them, which includes everything from rice, lentils, potatoes, soybeans, spices, and other essentials. The package is designed to ensure that they can sustain themselves for 2 to 4 days. The government has also ensured proper arrangements for water and medicines. Efforts are being made to make sure they receive adequate relief once they are back home. The overall situation in the camp is quite good. I asked someone yesterday about their condition here, and they said they are doing very well. They mentioned that the government has taken good care of everyone, providing proper food and medicines on time," Deb said. (ANI) The Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued an advisory to media organisations and journalists on Tuesday, urging them to respect the "privacy of senior armed forces personnel and their families." "The Ministry of Defence appreciates the continued interest and support of the media in covering the activities, achievements, and sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces- the Army, Navy and Air Force. Media engagement plays a critical role in informing the public and fostering a greater understanding of national security matters," the Ministry said in its advisory. "In the context of ongoing operations such as Operation Sindoor, senior officers across the Armed forces have rightfully come into the public eye owing to their leadership roles," the Ministry said. "It has come to the attention of the ministry that this increased focus has extended beyond professional coverage into the personal lives of the officers and their families. Media personnel have reportedly approached their residence, attempted to contact family members, and pursued personal coverage unrelated to their official duties," it added. The Ministry said, "Such actions are deeply inappropriate and potentially compromising to the dignity, privacy, and safety of the officers and their families. While senior officers may serve in prominent public roles, their families remain private citizens and must be treated with due respect and sensitivity." The four points of advisory include -- - Refrain from visiting or attempting to contact the private residences or families of serving or retired Armed Forces personnel for personal stories or interviews, unless expressly invited or cleared through official channels. - Avoid publication or broadcast of personal details, including residential addresses, photographs of family members, or other non-operational information that is not in the public interest. - Focus media coverage on professional and operations aspects of Armed Forces activities and leadership, and avoid speculative or intrusive reporting on private lives. - Respect the boundaries of privacy and operational confidentiality, particularly during periods of active operations or heightened national security. "The Ministry of Defence further reiterates its commitment to transparent and constructive engagement with the media. At the same time, it appeals to all media stakeholders to maintain responsible journalistic standards, respecting the personal space and dignity of those who serve the nation and their families," it added. (ANI) The Government of Mizoram has issued an advisory asking dignitaries and officials to postpone their visits to the state due to severe weather conditions. The advisory comes after several days of heavy rainfall that have triggered landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and rockfalls in many parts of the state. According to the circular released by the General Administration Department on June 2, the continuous rainfall has caused serious disruptions, including the loss of lives, and has badly affected normal life across several districts. District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), led by Deputy Commissioners, are currently involved in round-the-clock disaster relief and rehabilitation work. Due to this, the administration is unable to spare staff or resources for handling official visits and security arrangements. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)'s regional centre in Guwahati, has forecast that the heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue in the coming days. Considering this and to ensure public safety, the Mizoram government has asked all central and state government officials to postpone their planned visits until June 13. The advisory aims to help the local administration focus fully on disaster response and protect everyone's safety. Meanwhile, in Tripura, 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." (ANI) Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday reiterated the demand of the opposition parties and its leaders to convene a special session of Parliament upon arrival of all-party delegations to discuss various issues, especially the developments that followed the ghastly Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. "We, the leaders of INDIA, reiterate our collective and urgent request to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the developments following the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025," Kharge posted on X, quoting the letter signed by prominent opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee among others. Accusing the central government of "keeping people of India and their elected representatives in the dark", the Congress chief said that there are serious questions regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, killing of civilians in Poonch, Uri and Rajouri during the recently concluded conflict between India and Pakistan. He said there were also questions regarding the "ceasefire announcements" and its implications for India's national security and foreign policy. "There are serious questions facing the nation about the terror attack, killing of civilians in Poonch, Uri and Rajouri, the ceasefire announcements, and the implications on our national security and foreign policy. We have supported the government's efforts to engage with the international community on India's position. The government has briefed foreign nations and the media, but not Parliament - keeping the people of India and their elected representatives in the dark," Kharge said. Earlier today, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh also wrote to PM Modi, requesting him to immediately call a special session of Parliament to provide a comprehensive briefing on Operation Sindoor and the ceasefire decision between India and Pakistan. In his letter, Singh said that after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, and India's response on May 7, the government conducted two all-party meetings, but the Prime Minister was absent from both of them. "The Government conducted two all-party meetings to brief political parties about the operation. Regrettably, you, the Prime Minister of India, were not present at either. Your absence has been deeply felt by all parties, and more importantly, by the people of India who expected a strong and unifying presence from their leader at such a crucial moment," the AAP MP said. Singh said that they were surprised to learn about the cessation of hostilities between the two nations through a tweet by US President Donald Trump. (ANI) Shiv Pratap Shukla, Governor of Himachal Pradesh, on Tuesday expressed concern over recent developments in the state, particularly following the Himachal Pradesh High Court's decision to hand over the investigation into the suspicious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation's Chief Engineer and acting General Manager Vimal Negi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Speaking informally with a group of journalists at the Raj Bhawan in Shimla on Tuesday the Governor Shukla showed concern over raising doubts on any central investigating agency. "The developments that have taken place after the High Court handed over the case to the CBI are worrying. It is not right for any state to raise questions on any central agency. All agencies must be allowed to function independently. Raising questions or doubts even before an investigation begins is a serious concern." he said. The Governor emphasised the need to uphold the integrity and independence of investigative institutions, warning against premature judgments that could undermine public trust and institutional authority. Apart from this, the Governor also spoke extensively on the growing menace of drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh. He said he was leading an awareness campaign aimed at eradicating drug addiction from the state, a mission aligned with the national campaign directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I am working to raise public awareness by engaging elected representatives, panchayats, and civil society," Shukla said. "At the same time, we are also trying to generate awareness through institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and among students so that Himachal Pradesh can be made drug-free." He said. The Governor expressed satisfaction that Himachal Pradesh is a state where a significant number of young people join the armed forces and paramilitary services. However, he cautioned that the increasing prevalence of drugs could jeopardise this spirit of enthusiasm and patriotism among the youth. "If the drug problem continues to grow, it could sap the energy and motivation of our young people," he warned. Shukla said that the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, Professor Mahavir, met him today. During the meeting, the Governor urged the academician to launch a strong anti-drug awareness campaign within the university and encourage students to lead the fight against substance abuse. On Tuesday, the Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, also called on the Governor. Though the meeting was formal in nature and aimed at inviting the Governor to the upcoming Speakers' Conference to be held in Dharamshala later this month, the Governor took the opportunity to discuss the broader issue of drug abuse in the state. Shukla revealed that he is sending out letters to all elected MLAs across the state from Raj Bhawan, urging them to participate in anti-drug campaigns within their constituencies actively. "Some legislators have already met me and shared how they are working against drug abuse in their areas. I will continue to encourage all MLAs to take part in this fight," the Governor added. The Governor also expressed specific concern over the increasing use of synthetic drugs like "chitta" and heroin, particularly among young girls. "I am especially worried about the rise of synthetic drugs, especially chitta (heroin), among young women in the state," he said. He appealed to the state government to take steps toward opening more de-addiction centers, particularly those tailored to the needs of women. Shukla asserted that he would continue his awareness campaign until every citizen of Himachal Pradesh joins the mission to make the state drug-free. "I will not stop until every individual in Himachal Pradesh becomes a part of this fight against drugs and we succeed in making the state drug-free," he declared. (ANI) Haryana minister Anil Vij on Tuesday slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent remarks on Operation Sindoor and said that Mann's background as a comedian is evident in his attempt to inject humor into politics. Vij emphasised that certain issues should be treated with seriousness and not mocked. "The Punjab Chief Minister was a comedian before joining politics. He wants to do comedy in politics, too. Such issues should be taken seriously and should not be mocked," said Vij. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the Aam Aadmi Party of being pro-Pakistan and questioned their patriotism. Bittu said, "The statements show how cheap and vile things the Aam Aadmi Party and their Chief Minister can say. The NDA government at the Centre has defeated Pakistan, and you are not able to tolerate it. Will you say anything to show that you stand with Pakistan? ... The country will not forgive you for the words you used against PM Modi today... ?" In a self-made video, Bajwa called Mann's remarks as "shameful" and said the chief minister is unable to understand the value of his role. "This is very shameful. Comedians look good on stage, but Bhagwant Mann does not understand the value of the CM's chair. What kind of joke is this? ... I think it is shameful for the CM to joke about such a thing," Bajwa remarked. Meanwhile, BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa also criticised Mann's statement, calling it "shameful." "This is very shameful. Comedians look good on stage, but Bhagwant Mann does not understand the value of the CM's chair. What kind of joke is this? ... I think it is shameful for the CM to joke about such a thing," Bajwa said. Earlier today, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stirred a controversy after he said that the BJP has turned "Operation Sindoor" into a joke, asking whether this is a "One nation, one husband" scheme. "Did you not see the kind of fun made of Sindoor? What is this - one nation, one husband scheme?" CM Mann said. 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) Reacting to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's controversial remarks on Operation Sindoor, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday strongly condemned the statement and accused Mann of disrespecting the Indian Army. Speaking with ANI, Sirsa said, "From hating and opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he started opposing the Indian Army and now he has come to such an extent that he is using such abusive words against the sisters and daughters of the country... I could never imagine that a Chief Minister could give such a statement. I strongly condemn this." Earlier on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stirred a controversy after he said that the BJP has turned "Operation Sindoor" into a joke, asking whether this is a "One nation, one husband" scheme. "Did you not see the kind of fun made of Sindoor? What is this - one nation, one husband scheme?" CM Mann said. The statement drew swift and sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu taking the lead in condemning the remarks. In a self-made video, Bittu said that the country will not forgive Bhagwant Mann for the words he has used. "The statements show how cheap and vile things the Aam Aadmi Party and their Chief Minister can say. The NDA government at the Centre has defeated Pakistan, and you are not able to tolerate it. Will you say anything to show that you stand with Pakistan? The country will not forgive you for the words you used against PM Modi today," he said. BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa also slammed the Punjab CM, calling his remarks "shameful." "This is very shameful. Comedians look good on stage, but Bhagwant Mann does not understand the value of the CM's chair. What kind of joke is this? ... I think it is shameful for the CM to joke about such a thing," Bajwa said. 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) Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Tuesday said he spoke with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang regarding the flood and landslide situation caused by heavy rains in the state and assured him of full support from the Central Government. The Union Minister said that the central government remained committed to supporting the people of Sikkim. "Spoke to Sikkim CM PS Tamang Golay regarding the flood and landslide situation caused by heavy rains in the State and assured him of every possible support from the Central Government. We remain firmly committed to supporting the people of Sikkim in this challenging time," Scindia posted on X. Earlier on Tuesday, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke with him to take stock of the situation caused by heavy rainfall and floods in the region and assured all help and support from the Centre. In a post on social media platform X, Chief Minister Tamang wrote, "Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, On behalf of the people of Sikkim, I extend my heartiest gratitude for your kind concern and support regarding the landslide and flood situation in the state. Our state administration remains fully committed to managing the situation and providing all necessary assistance to those affected. Thank you once again for your kind concern, Sir." In Sikkim, the state government has officially declared the damage caused by continuous rainfall in Mangan district since May 28 as a "disaster" under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Three army personnel died and six others went missing after a landslide triggered by heavy rain struck an Indian Army camp at Chaten in Lachen town. Incessant rainfall and a cloudburst in northern Sikkim on the night of May 30-31 triggered widespread devastation, severely damaging critical roads and bridges. River Teesta surged by 35-40 feet, snapping regional connectivity. Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur conducted an on-site inspection of the Indreni Bridge on Tuesday amid rising water levels in the Singtam area. His visit came as concern mounted over the safety of the infrastructure and local residents. In view of landslides and a recent bus accident, the state's Tourism and Civil Aviation Department has advised tourists to exercise caution and plan their trips based on the latest road and weather updates from official sources. Jyotiraditya Scindia also said that he spoke to the Manipur Governor regarding the state flood situation and assured support to the affected. "Spoke to the Governor of Manipur @RajBhavManipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, regarding the prevailing flood situation in the State. We stand committed to supporting the affected people and ensuring timely relief and recovery," he posted on X. In response to the ongoing flood situation under Operation Jal Rahat II, the Assam Rifles has continued its relentless humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts across the states of Manipur and Tripura. A total of ten columns have been actively deployed by Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) and Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) to conduct rescue, relief, and medical aid operations. One additional column remains on standby at Haflong for rapid deployment if required, Assam Rifles said in a release. On Monday, Manipur Fire Service, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army conducted joint evacuation operations to rescue stranded medical students and staff from the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal, following severe waterlogging triggered by heavy rainfall. On May 31, several areas in Imphal experienced flood-like conditions due to persistent rainfall and subsequent waterlogging. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke on Tuesday with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to review the flood situation in the northeastern region. The Prime Minister assured full support from the Central Government. Sharing an update on X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "A short while ago, Prime Minister @narendramodi ji called me to enquire about the current flood situation in Assam. I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives. I also apprised him of the relief operation undertaken by the state government." He added, "The PM expressed concern and assured full support from the Central Government for our relief and rehabilitation efforts. Grateful for his guidance and unwavering support to the people of Assam." (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gourav Vallabh on Tuesday strongly criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his recent remarks on Operation Sindoor, accusing him of mocking an issue of national importance. While speaking with ANI, Vallabh said, "What kind of things is the CM of a state saying? This is not a comedy show. You are the CM of a state. You are speaking like social media trolls... Operation Sindoor is the prestige of India, don't mock it. You are the CM of a state, and the people of your state and the entire country expect some seriousness from you..." Earlier on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stirred a controversy after he said that the BJP has turned "Operation Sindoor" into a joke, asking whether this is a "One nation, one husband" scheme. "Did you not see the kind of fun made of Sindoor? What is this - one nation, one husband scheme?" CM Mann said. The statement drew swift and sharp criticism from the BJP, with Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu taking the lead in condemning the remarks. In a self-made video, Bittu said that the country will not forgive Bhagwant Mann for the words he has used. "The statements show how cheap and vile things the Aam Aadmi Party and their Chief Minister can say. The NDA government at the Centre has defeated Pakistan, and you are not able to tolerate it. Will you say anything to show that you stand with Pakistan? The country will not forgive you for the words you used against PM Modi today," he said. BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa also slammed the Punjab CM, calling his remarks "shameful." "This is very shameful. Comedians look good on stage, but Bhagwant Mann does not understand the value of the CM's chair. What kind of joke is this? ... I think it is shameful for the CM to joke about such a thing," Bajwa said. 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) Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari on Tuesday praised the warm reception received by Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi in Bhopal, calling him the "hero of caste census." He credited Rahul Gandhi for compelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi to agree to the demand for conducting a caste-based census. "The way the citizens of Madhya Pradesh welcomed the hero of the caste census on the streets of Bhopal was unprecedented. I am proud of my leader who made (PM) Narendra Modi bow down that the caste census will happen," Patwari told ANI. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Bhopal on Tuesday for a series of party-related engagements. According to the scheduled program, the Congress leader is set to chair a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee at the state Congress office and discuss the current political situation in Madhya Pradesh with senior party leaders. While addressing a Congress workers' convention, Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at PM Modi, alleging that he yielded to US President Donald Trump's request to ease tensions between India and Pakistan. "When Trump signalled, Modi ji picked up the phone and said, 'Modi ji, what are you doing? Narendra Surrender' and with 'ji hizoor', Modiji abided by Trump's orders. You would remember a time when a call didn't come, instead the 7th fleet came (from the US), in the 1971 war (the Bangladesh Liberation War), and Indira Gandhi said that she would do what she had to do. This is the difference. This is their (BJP-RSS) character; they are all like this. Since the Independence movement, they have had this habit of writing letters of surrender," he said. As part of his visit, the Congress leader will also interact with MPs and MLAs and hold discussions on Sangathan Srijan with party representatives. Additionally, he will attend a special meeting with newly appointed All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers assigned to each district in the state. (ANI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi, who is leading the all-party delegation to Spain, said that the delegation met Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and received a very positive response from him and assured support to India in its fight against terrorism. In an interview with ANI, Kanimozhi said that the Members of Parliament also met the association that supports terror victims and termed it a "positive day" for the delegation. She said that the delegation had a "good discussion" with the Spain-India Council on what was happening and looked forward to a better long-term relationship with India. On meetings in Spain, DMK MP said, "The delegation met with the foreign minister of Spain, we met the Senate and we had a meeting with the Spain India Council and the first thing in the morning, we had a meeting with the association which supports victims of terror. So, we had the opportunity to meet all these people today and it was a very positive day. People here are very keenly following what has happened in India and the terror attacks in India and we got a very positive response from the foreign minister who is already in touch with the Minister of External Affairs of India Mr Jaishankar and he assured us of support when India wants to fight against terrorism and bring an end to this. "Also, the Spain-India Council, we had a very good discussion about and a debate about what was happening and they seem to be completely informed and they're really looking forward to a better long-term relationship with India. So, on the whole, it was a very positive day and we definitely have lessons to take back from here. After meeting the Association for Supporting Terror Victims, because India has been inflicted by pain and people have been affected. So, we can take back this message to India and think of something on similar lines," she added. The all-party delegation, led by Kanimozhi, includes Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Ashok Kumar Mittal (Aam Aadmi Party), and Former envoys Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal noted that Spain strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and pledged support to India's counter-terrorism efforts. "It was the last day of our delegation's visit. In Spain, we met the foreign minister, parliamentarians, the trade association, and the association of terror victims. They all said that they condemn all forms of terrorism on every forum and will support India's move to counter terrorism effectively...," he said. During the meeting, Jose Manuel Albares conveyed his understanding and the unequivocal support of Spain for India's efforts to combat terrorism and reaffirmed the importance of global peace. According to the Indian Embassy in India, he stressed that Spain stands with India on the issue of terrorism. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Spain stated, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation called on Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. @jmalbares to apprise him of India's position and to discuss India's efforts at combating terrorism. H.E. 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 emphasized that terrorism will never prevail and that Spain stood with India on this issue." https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929520166460703083 Speaking to ANI, RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta said, "We went to 5 countries and wherever we have gone, and to whomsoever we met-be it people in government, academia, intellectuals and others; they all have a similar view, they don't support terrorism in either form." The all-party delegation met with intellectuals, academicians, think tanks and civil society representatives. During the meeting, the MPs reiterated India's firm stance against terrorism and its unwavering commitment to global peace. "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met with intellectuals, academicians, think tanks and civil society representatives at a discussion hosted by @Spain_India. During the meeting, they reiterated India's firm stance against terrorism and its unwavering commitment to global peace. Members of the foundation expressed staunch support for India's efforts and discussed strategies to combat terrorism," the Indian Embassy in Spain posted on X. https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929577827545882666 The all-party delegation met the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee members, led by Vice President Antonio Gutierrez Limones, to reinforce India's call to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Spain stated, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Vice President Mr. Antonio Gutierrez Limones, to reinforce India's call to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure and end the distinction between terrorists and their enablers. The delegation emphasized that, as the world's fourth-largest economy, India remains committed to peace, but not at the cost of its sovereignty." "Acknowledging that Spain, too, has been a victim of terrorism, the delegation stressed that no single country can combat this menace alone and called for stronger international cooperation," it added. https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929506767622283272 The delegation also met an organisation that supports the victims of terrorism and shared India's experience in confronting cross-border threats, reaffirming a shared resolve to build a safer, more compassionate world. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Spain stated, "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 delegation shared India's experience in confronting cross-border threats, reaffirming a shared resolve to build a safer, more compassionate world." https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929467367001575900 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, resulting in the elimination of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI) US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are "likely" to hold talks this week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday (local time), ABC News reported. While speaking to reporters, Leavitt said that the readout of the call would be provided if the two leaders hold talks. Earlier on Sunday, the White House National Economic Council Director, Kevin Hassett, had said that there was an expectation for Trump and Xi to hold talks this week. Responding to the reporter's query, Leavitt said, "I can confirm that the two leaders will likely talk this week." "And as always, when foreign leaders call, we will provide a readout of those calls," she added, as per ABC News report. Hassett made the remarks during an appearance on ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday. However, he did not mention the specific date when the two leaders would hold talks. The development comes after Trump accused China of breaching a deal negotiated between officials of the two nations in Geneva last month to roll back high tariffs for 90 days. However, China rejected Trump's allegations on Monday and accused the US of provoking "new economic and trade frictions." On May 30, Trump accused China of violating a recent trade agreement with the US. However, he did not mention China's action that violated its agreement with China. In a post shared on Truth Social, he stated, "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, the 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 didn't 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 didn't want to see that happen. Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy! That is the good news!!! 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," he added. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114596705340367716 Earlier in May, the US announced a trade deal with China in Geneva. US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said that there was substantial progress between the parties. "I'm happy to report that we made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks. First, I want to thank our Swiss host. The Swiss government has been very kind in providing us this wonderful venue, and I think that led to a great deal of productivity we've seen. We will be giving details tomorrow, but I can tell you that the talks were productive," the White House quoted Bessent as saying. "We had the vice premier, two vice ministers, who were integrally involved, Ambassador Jamieson, and myself. And I spoke to President Trump, as did Ambassador Jamieson, last night, and he is fully informed of what is going on. So, there will be a complete briefing tomorrow morning," he added. US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer said that the parties came to a conclusion very quickly. "This was, as the Secretary pointed out, a very constructive two days. It's important to understand how quickly we were able to come to an agreement, which reflects that perhaps the differences were not so large as maybe thought," he said. Greer hoped that the deal would help the US deal with a trade deficit of USD 1.2 trillion. "That being said, there was a lot of groundwork that went into these two days. Just remember why we're here in the first place -- the United States has a massive USD1.2 trillion trade deficit, so the President declared a national emergency and imposed tariffs, and we're confident that the deal we struck with our Chinese partners will help us to work toward resolving that national emergency," the statement read. (ANI) US Second Lady Usha Vance has recalled her visit to India and her children's experience in India and called the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi "very special." She said that her children put PM Modi in the grandfather category, and they love him and were hugging him when they visited his residence during their visit to India. In a conversation at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, on Monday (local time), Vance called the visit to India a "trip of lifetime for them" and added that it was her children's first visit to India. She also spoke about visiting places in North India, including Taj Mahal and enjoying Indian food. Asked about her India visit, she said, "It really was the trip of a lifetime for us. My children had never been to India, what with the pandemic and, JD's entry into politics and all that. And so they'd grown up just knowing so much about this country, the stories. food, the relationships with grandparents and friends, but they had never actually seen it. So it was just sort of mind-blowing from their perspective. And then for me and JD, I think it just could not have been any more special. We had the opportunity to see some of the greatest sites in North India. We're looking forward to our next trip and trying to get to the parts of the country where my family is from as well. And it just was sort of one hit after another, right. The most incredible food, the peacocks that we got to see, everywhere we went, getting to see the Taj Mahal in the morning and appreciate it as the sun was just sort of coming up and the cool skies and blue skies over in the background." Vance recalled how her kids had met PM Modi in Paris, and he had given her five-year-old son a birthday present that day. She said PM Modi was very kind and generous to the kids, and the talks between PM Modi and US Vice President JD Vance were "productive." She also spoke about seeing a puppet show in India, which included bits from Ramayana. Usha Vance said, "Meeting the Prime Minister, that was really very special. We'd actually had a chance to meet him before. And it's funny, my kids saw him. They were sort of sleep deprived in Paris and they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category immediately. They are very into him. They just love him. And he really cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day. So, when we were able to visit his home, they just sort of ran up. They were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them." "I think it was very productive conversation for JD and the Prime Minister, of course. But also, think it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the good. And as you mentioned, there was a puppet show. That was a particular highlight with sort of puppeteering from all over the country, including from Andhra Pradesh, where my family is from. There were bits from the Ramayana. There were sort of comedic bits with animals, and it was a huge hit. My kids have been trying to recreate a home of construction paper, which is going about as well as you can imagine," she added. Talking about her children's individual experiences, Usha Vance shared that her eldest son, Ewan, was particularly captivated by the temple sculptures, while her middle child, Vivek, was thrilled to see elephants, camels, and peacocks. Her daughter's favorite moment was a ride in an auto-rickshaw. Talking about her children's experience in India, Vance said, "I think JD has probably told the story at some point, but when we were at the Prime Minister's residence, our son was just so taken by everything and then taken by the entire cart of mangoes that was available for him to eat, that he announced to the Prime Minister that he thought he could maybe live there and started making his plans...And our children, they talk about it all the time actually. They've been all over the place and they've had wonderful opportunities to see the world, but this was really special to them. Ewan, our oldest, was really taken by the sculptures in the temple that he visited. He just thought it was incredible craftsmanship and of course showed things that he was very familiar with from stories and from talking with me." "And then, Vivek, our middle child, was very excited to meet elephants and peacocks and a camel and just any animal that he could kind of get his hands on. And then our daughter thinks she's sort of along for the ride. She really enjoyed her time in an auto rickshaw. That was maybe the highlight for her. The Secret Service was very generous and allowed us to kind of drive in an enclosed area for a few minutes. So we had lot of fun with that," she added. JD Vance and his family were on a four-day official visit to India in April. During the visit, PM Modi Modi hosted Vice President Vance and his family at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. During the visit, the children had several playful moments with the Prime Minister. From exploring the lawns to seeing the bird feeder inquisitively, the children indulged in an immersive experience at the Prime Minister's residence. While inside, PM Modi shared several lively moments with Ewan, Vivek, and little Mirabel. PM Modi presented the three children with peacock feathers. Mirabel Vance was seen enjoying a heartwarming moment with her father, holding the feather. JD Vance, accompanied by Usha Vance and their children, visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. They also visited Amber Fort in Jaipur and Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. (ANI) UK MP for Leicester East, Shivani Raja, met India's all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, and called it a "positive meeting." She expressed willingness to work with India and support it in their endeavours to combat terrorism. In an interview with ANI, Shivani Raja praised India for responding to the terrorist attacks. She called on the UK and other nations to stand up and condemn terrorism. On her meeting with all-party delegation, she said, "We just finished hosting a roundtable along with the Conservative Friends of India at our party Headquarters with the senior delegation from India. It was a really positive meeting, there was a lot of takeaways from that meeting. But overall, it was really positive and we look forward to working with India and supporting them in their endeavours to combat terrorism." She said that the UK has always condemned terrorism, and the UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. "The UK has always condemned terrorist attacks, whether it be in Pahalgam or any other country in the world. This was no different. Our Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, wasted no time in calling out the terrorist attack which happened in 22nd April and I think as citizens of this world, whether you are in politics or not in politics, we all have a duty and responsibility to call out terrorism whenever we see it," Shivani Raja said. Praising India's efforts in its fight against terrorism, Shivani Raja said, "I think India is doing a fantastic job at responding to the terrorist attacks which come to India. But I think the UK, as a whole, and other countries likewise need to stand up and condemn terrorism. That is exactly what the UK has been doing and will continue to do." On what efforts the UK should make in the fight against terrorism, she said, "We should be condemning terrorist attacks and calling out terrorism wherever we see it, regardless of the country. That's what I have been doing, that's what my party has been doing, and that is what the Government here has been doing." She expressed happiness over the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. She expressed excitement about seeing the bilateral relationship grow under the FTA. Regarding the India-UK relationship, Shivani Raja says, "I was personally very thrilled, and I am super pleased to welcome the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). We have such a rich and vibrant British-Indian diaspora here in the UK. So, to see that relationship continue to blossom and grow under the FTA will be really special and I am really excited for it." The all-party delegation met with the Conservative Party's co-chair, Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston CBE, and the Conservative Friends of India's co-chair, Koolesh Shah, on Monday at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) in the UK on Monday. During the meeting, the delegation emphasised Operation Sindoor as the new normal for India in its firm response to terrorism. UK MPs - Shivani Raja, Ameet Jogia and Reena Ranger attended the meeting. In a post on X, Indian High Commission in the UK stated, "The All-Party Delegation met the Co-Chair of the Conservative Party Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston CBE @LordJohnson_ and Co-Chair of the Conservative Friends of India (@wearecfindia) Koolesh Shah at @Conservatives Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) to underscore that the scourge of terrorism remains a threat to all nations. "The delegation emphasised #OperationSindoor as the "new normal" for India in its firm response to cross-border terrorism. The hosts expressed support for India in its fight against terrorism and acknowledged the broader implications of terrorism globally--particularly in the UK. They also underscored the contribution of the Indian diaspora in the UK. MP @ShivaniRaja_LE, @Ameet_Jogia and @Reena_Ranger joined the discussion," it added. https://x.com/HCI_London/status/1929583407899537755 The all-party 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 aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism. 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, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI) Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, heading an all-party Indian delegation, along with other members met with President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss global security concerns. He said that India will be supporting Liberia in their bid for the candidature of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). "We share a very special relation since a very long time. So, we are here in Liberia so that 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 killed who were there for their vacation... No one wants war, but whenever there's a war, we retaliate with complete force," Shinde said while addressing President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence. Shinde also raised Pakistan's alleged role in supporting terrorism and referred to India's past requests to have Pakistan placed under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. "Pakistan has been receiving IMF funds for a long period of time. Pakistan was also put on the FATF grey list. This time also India has requested to put such a country in the grey list because all the terrorist organisations flourish in Pakistan, supported and sponsored by Pakistan," he said during a meeting with a group of Liberian Senators. He added that terrorism is a global issue, not confined to India alone, and urged Liberia and the international community to take a unified stand against it. "Terrorism is not only restricted to a particular nation or country; terrorism has spread across borders. India has been suffering from this kind of terrorist attacks and cross-border terrorism over a period of time. We are here to tell the story of India. This terrorism is not only restricted to India. This terrorism has crossed borders. It has spread to the entire world. We request all nations to stand with India in this fight against terrorism. It is high time that all countries unite in this fight," he said. 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 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) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading an all-party delegation to Brazil, said that they had an "excellent meeting" with Brazil's Vice Foreign Minister Maria Laura da Rocha and that the atmosphere was warm and friendly. He said the Brazilian government showed a clear understanding of India's message regarding the fight against terrorism. On meeting Brazilian Vice Foreign Minister, he said, "Excellent meeting, Vice Foreign Minister and her team were very sympathetic, warm, I would even say, the atmosphere in the meeting was tremendously warm and friendly. And the main purpose for us was to ensure that our message was understood and there would be a feeling of the importance for solidarity in the struggle against terrorism and that's we got from them." The delegation, led by Shashi Tharoor, includes Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, reflecting India's vibrant and inclusive democratic character. The delegation comprises Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. During the meeting, the delegation thanked Brazil for its understanding of terrorism and shared views regarding the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The two sides also explored avenues to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, multilateral diplomacy, and democratic values. "A high-level All-Party Delegation led by Hon'ble MP Dr. @ShashiTharoor met Acting Foreign Minister of Brazil, Amb. Maria Laura da Rocha. They thanked Brazil for its understanding against terrorism, shared views on the Pahalgam attack, and discussed strengthening cooperation on anti-terrorist cooperation, multilateralism, and democratic values," the Indian Embassy in Brazil posted on X. https://x.com/indiainbrazil/status/1929598327701598652 The delegation also held a meeting with India-Brazil Friendship Front President Nelsinho Trad. Shashi Tharoor said that he appreciates Trad's insightful understanding and strong endorsement of India's perspective on recent events. According to Tharoor, Trad said that they have an ally in him and his colleagues in Parliament in Brazil. After meeting India-Brazil Friendship Front (Federal Senate), headed by Senator Nelsinho Trad, Tharoor said, "A very positive meeting in which the Senator laid out very clearly his understanding of India's position. We had stressed that there can be no equivalence between terrorists and victims. We all want peace, but it cannot be at any price, and terrorism will have to pay its own price for what it does. And the Senator said that we have an ally in him and his colleagues in Parliament in Brazil, and we're very pleased to leave on this very positive note. He said when you leave this room, please consider you've had a successful visit. So, I take his words as mine." "Excellent & highly productive meeting with Senator Nelsinho Trad, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front & President of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. Deeply appreciate his insightful understanding & strong endorsement of India's perspective on recent events. Such solidarity strengthens the bonds between our democracies," Tharoor posted on X. Meanwhile, JMM MP Sarfaraz Ahmad says, "Wherever we have gone, we received a good response from the people in the government, diplomats.. Everyone in the world is against terrorism. We shared our experience, how we have suffered and how innocent lives have been lost in India. It was important to expose Pakistan. No one likes Pakistan because of its actions. It has been disturbing us since the beginning..." The delegation also met the Chief Advisor to Brazil's President, Celso Amorim. Sharing details regarding the meeting, Tharoor on X wrote, "Our day in Brasilia begins with a visit to the Presidential Palace, where we meet with my old friend the Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Ambassador Celso Amorim (Brazil's longest-serving Foreign Minister twice & Defence Minister once). A full &rewarding discussion followed." The visit to Brazil is part of India's larger global outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack, aimed at conveying India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. The delegation had earlier visited Panama, Guyana, and Colombia and will now travel to the United States to continue their diplomatic outreach. (ANI) Speaker of Liberia's House of Representatives, Richard Nagbe Koon, and Indian MP Shrikant Shinde underscored the need for united global action against terrorism, calling it a shared global threat that requires international collaboration.. Addressing Group 4 of the all-party Indian delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, Speaker Koon highlighted Liberia's efforts to build regional security alliances through parliamentary cooperation in West Africa. "On the issue of the terrorists that we're all trying to combat worldwide, I recently saw us visiting Sierra Leone, and the essence of our visit to Sierra Leone was to build a parliamentary membership related to the MROU. We feel that with four countries in Africa, especially West Africa, if we are united, we can have a common front on this issue," Koon said. The Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MROU) aims to enhance regional security efforts across West African states. Koon's remarks signaled Liberia's growing intent to address terrorism beyond its borders, in coordination with other nations. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde reiterated India's commitment to peace and its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, especially in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. "We are carrying with us a message of peace and zero tolerance towards terrorism. We have come here for what happened in Pahalgam on April 22. Twenty-six innocent people were brutally killed there. This is not the first terror attack, but there have been many terror attacks in India in the last several years," Shinde said. He added that the international community must join forces and that the countries visited by the Indian delegation have assured their support for India's stance. "This is the time when we should all stand together against terrorism. All the countries we visited have assured us that they are with India in the fight against terrorism," he said. Group 4 of the 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) An all-party delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, has departed for India after concluding their visit to Russia, Latvia, Slovenia, Greece, and Spain. Kanimozhi will arrive in Chennai, while the other delegation members will reach Delhi today. The all-party delegation, led by Kanimozhi, includes Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Ashok Kumar Mittal (Aam Aadmi Party), and Former envoys Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. The delegation visited five nations to brief them on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism. On Monday, Kanimozhi said that the delegation met Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and received a very positive response from him and assured support to India in its fight against terrorism. In an interview with ANI, Kanimozhi said that the Members of Parliament also met the association that supports terror victims and termed it a "positive day" for the delegation. She said that the delegation had a "good discussion" with the Spain-India Council on what was happening and looked forward to a better long-term relationship with India. On meetings in Spain, DMK MP said, "The delegation met with the foreign minister of Spain, we met the Senate and we had a meeting with the Spain India Council and the first thing in the morning, we had a meeting with the association which supports victims of terror. So, we had the opportunity to meet all these people today and it was a very positive day. People here are very keenly following what has happened in India and the terror attacks in India and we got a very positive response from the foreign minister who is already in touch with the Minister of External Affairs of India Mr Jaishankar and he assured us of support when India wants to fight against terrorism and bring an end to this. "Also, the Spain-India Council, we had a very good discussion about and a debate about what was happening and they seem to be completely informed and they're really looking forward to a better long-term relationship with India. So, on the whole, it was a very positive day and we definitely have lessons to take back from here. After meeting the Association for Supporting Terror Victims, because India has been inflicted by pain and people have been affected. So, we can take back this message to India and think of something on similar lines," she added. AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal noted that Spain strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and pledged support to India's counter-terrorism efforts. "It was the last day of our delegation's visit. In Spain, we met the foreign minister, parliamentarians, the trade association, and the association of terror victims. They all said that they condemn all forms of terrorism on every forum and will support India's move to counter terrorism effectively...," he said. During the meeting, Jose Manuel Albares conveyed his understanding and the unequivocal support of Spain for India's efforts to combat terrorism and reaffirmed the importance of global peace. According to the Indian Embassy in India, he stressed that Spain stands with India on the issue of terrorism. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Spain stated, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation called on Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. @jmalbares to apprise him of India's position and to discuss India's efforts at combating terrorism. H.E. 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 emphasized that terrorism will never prevail and that Spain stood with India on this issue." Speaking to ANI, RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta said, "We went to 5 countries and wherever we have gone, and to whomsoever we met-be it people in government, academia, intellectuals and others; they all have a similar view, they don't support terrorism in either form." The all-party delegation met with intellectuals, academicians, think tanks and civil society representatives. During the meeting, the MPs reiterated India's firm stance against terrorism and its unwavering commitment to global peace. "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met with intellectuals, academicians, think tanks and civil society representatives at a discussion hosted by @Spain_India. During the meeting, they reiterated India's firm stance against terrorism and its unwavering commitment to global peace. Members of the foundation expressed staunch support for India's efforts and discussed strategies to combat terrorism," the Indian Embassy in Spain posted on X. The all-party delegation met the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee members, led by Vice President Antonio Gutierrez Limones, to reinforce India's call to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Spain stated, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Vice President Mr. Antonio Gutierrez Limones, to reinforce India's call to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure and end the distinction between terrorists and their enablers. The delegation emphasized that, as the world's fourth-largest economy, India remains committed to peace, but not at the cost of its sovereignty." "Acknowledging that Spain, too, has been a victim of terrorism, the delegation stressed that no single country can combat this menace alone and called for stronger international cooperation," it added. The delegation also met an organisation that supports the victims of terrorism and shared India's experience in confronting cross-border threats, reaffirming a shared resolve to build a safer, more compassionate world. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Spain stated, "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 delegation shared India's experience in confronting cross-border threats, reaffirming a shared resolve to build a safer, more compassionate world." Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was a decisive military action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the elimination of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], June 3 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended a reception hosted on Sunday by the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the UAE, Lorenzo Fanara, on the occasion of his country's National Day. The ceremony, which was held at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, was also attended by a number of officials and heads of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions, in addition to a number of Italian community members in the UAE. In his speech on the occasion, the Italian Ambassador highlighted the UAE-Italy relations, which, he said, are witnessing continuous development and growth across all fields, noting that the UAE is Italy's most important trading partner in the Middle East. (ANI/WAM) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. Tarakarama Rao (KTR) claimed that the party will return to power in the state, and his father, K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), will be the Chief Minister again. Speaking at the occasion of Telangana Formation Day and BRS Silver Jubilee celebrations held at the Dr Pepper Arena (Comerica Centre) in Dallas, USA, KTR highlighted the achievements under the leadership of KCR. According to an official statement, speaking on Telangana Formation Day and remembering the struggle to statehood, KTR said, "Many dream, but few make dreams reality. Just as you chased your dreams, in 2001, a man dreamed not for himself but for four crore Telangana people. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B.R. Ambedkar's call to educate, organise, and agitate, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream," KCR, the lone warrior, began this journey, vowing, "Stone me to death if I abandon this movement." "In three years, we will return to power, and KCR will be Chief Minister again," he added. According to an official statement, quoting the timeless adage, "Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi" (Mother and motherland are greater than heaven), KTR began his address, urging NRIs to excel in their fields abroad while also giving back to their motherland. He called on them to invest in Telangana, stating that the state's journey proves nothing is impossible with determination, resolve, and sincerity. KTR vividly recounted the 14-year relentless struggle led by K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), the architect of the Telangana movement, which turned the state into India's number one in just ten years. KTR showcased how Telangana, once neglected and downtrodden due to decades of discrimination under united rule, blossomed into a prosperous, verdant, and vibrant state under KCR's governance. Addressing challenges faced by Telugu students in the U.S. due to Trump-era policies, he assured that BRS would stand by them, announcing the formation of a legal cell to support and protect them in every way. As per the official statement, Rao said, "The same enthusiasm seen in Telangana during its decennial celebrations is palpable in Dallas today. This is not just a celebration but an occasion to honour the sacrifices of martyrs and every individual who poured their all into achieving Telangana statehood." KTR lauded the enthusiasm of the NRIs and remembered his earlier visit to Dallas. He said, "When we decided to celebrate Telangana Formation Day, NRIs unanimously chose Dallas. Today, seeing your enthusiasm and thousands of you gathered here, I don't feel like I'm in America--I feel like I'm in Hyderabad. In 2015, I came to Dallas seeking investments for Telangana. With confidence and faith in our future, we fulfilled our promises and achieved even more, which fills us with pride." Lauding the governance in BRS' stint in power, he said, "Under KCR, we seized every opportunity to make Telangana number one. We may have lagged in votes recently, but never in loving Telangana. In power or opposition, for us, Telangana is first, India is first." "With schemes like Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Bima, we prevented farmer suicides, setting a national example. KCR's rule turned migration into reverse migration. Today's wonders stem from KCR's vision--while others debated if Telangana would come, he planned what to do when it did," he added. We take pride in NRIs excelling across fields in America. You carry the fragrance of Telangana's soil, shining thousands of miles away. Your talent, skill, and wisdom wave the Telangana flag high. Salutations to you--gems of Telangana, beloved children of India, and beacons of Telugu brilliance. In his speech, KTR also remembered the former Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, saying he reshaped India's destiny and his legacy endures. On the economic front, he said, "In 10 years, Telangana shone with riches, feeding the nation. With 2.5% of India's population, we contribute 5% to GDP--a pride for every Telugu child. From 4.5 lakh crore GSDP in 2014 to 15 lakh crore when we left power, no state matched our 238% growth. Per capita income rose from 1.12 lakh in 2013-14 to 3.56 lakh in 2023. NITI Aayog reports multidimensional poverty dropped from 13.18% in 2015-16 to 3.76% in 2023-24--a 10% reduction in eight years, unmatched in India." "KCR revolutionised irrigation. Kaleshwaram, the world's largest lift irrigation project, revived canals and the Sriramsagar Project. China took 16 years for the Three Gorges Dam; we built Kaleshwaram in four. It's not one barrage but three, with 19 reservoirs, 21 pump houses, 203 km of tunnels, 1,531 km of canals, and 141 TMC storage. Congress calls it a failure over two pillars--stop this propaganda, use this water bounty, we urge on behalf of farmers. Kaleshwaram lifts Godavari waters from 80m to 618m above sea level. Palamuru-Rangareddy project, 90% done, blesses south Telangana, but Congress stalls the rest 10% to deny KCR credit," he said as per the official statement. He said, "We topped Ease of Doing Business. Google, Amazon, Uber, Salesforce, and Apple set up their second-largest campuses in Hyderabad. IT exports rose from 57,000 crores in 2014 to 2.41 lakh crore in 2023, and IT jobs from 3.23 lakh to 9.46 lakh. We led in life sciences, too." (ANI) It's crunch time for India's All-Party Delegation that will now head to the United States in its outreach efforts post Operation Sindoor. Interestingly, the Indian delegation will see a face-off with a Pakistani delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto, which will also be in the US at the same time. India's delegation leader and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, however, is confident of pushing India's message on terrorism across. Tharoor, while speaking to ANI, said that the US media is a difficult space, but those who are against terrorism and deeply care about South East Asia and are against terrorism will listen to India. "In Washington, we'll have the interesting phenomenon of the Pakistani delegation in America, and almost exactly the same days... Tomorrow almost they will be in Washington, while we are in Washington on the same date. So there's going to be perhaps an increase in interest because there are two duelling delegations in the same city," Tharoor told ANI, as the delegation he is leading will be in the US for its last leg of the visit. Tharoor said that though India's case might not be at the top of the agenda for the US media, India can get its message across easily. "It's a challenging environment. America is a very crowded media space, the world's news generator. Therefore, our story may not be at the top of their minds. But if we can get the attention of those who care about South Asia, those who care about India, those who care about terrorism, we can get our message across very, very easily," he said. Tharoor said that the delegation has meetings set up with influential government officials and committees which formulate public opinion. He said, "In Washington we have meetings set up with the entire range of public opinion in Washington, government officials, legislators, there are senators and congressmen, various committees in the House and the Senate, think tanks who are very influential in Washington, particularly those focusing on foreign policy, media and some public addresses, like, for example, the National Press Club... I've been asked to give six or seven interviews, seven or eight interviews to individual American channels and broadcasters, podcasters, and so on," he said. Tharoor said that the US is important to India in terms of defence, intelligence sharing, QUAD, etc. "The US is important to us at all levels because frankly the Security Council in a sense is a small part of our relationship with the US which is huge, whether it comes to trade, whether it comes to defence, whether it comes intelligence sharing, whether it comes to our participation in the QUAD in the G-20, there are just so many avenues in which we cooperate with the US," he said. Tharoor added that it's no coincidence that Pakistan sent its own delegation, but they are not covering as many countries as India is. They are covering countries that they deem important. "It's no accident that the Pakistanis have also sent a delegation abroad, but they're not going to as many countries as the Indian delegations are. They're focusing on what they consider a few key capitals, namely, Washington, Brussels. London. That seems to be the thrust of the Pakistani effort. We have gone to all those capitals and more," he said. Tharoor said that he has enormous respect for the US, but denied claims that the US had mediated in reaching the cessation of hostilities. He added that India never wanted war. "We have enormous respect for the American presidency, and we will speak with that respect in mind. But broadly speaking, our understanding is a bit different... No one needed to persuade us to stop. We had already said to stop. If there was any persuasion by the American president or his senior officials, it would have been persuasion of the Pakistanis. They would have had to be persuaded. We don't need to be persuaded because we don't want war. We want to focus on development. That's the basic message," he said. "We had consistently said from the very beginning on May 7th that we are not interested in prolonging the conflict. This is not the opening salvo in some sort of war. All it is is retribution against the terrorists, period. If Pakistan had not reacted, we would not have reacted," he added. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on May 17 stated that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had tasked him to lead a delegation to present Pakistan's case on the recent escalations of tensions between the two nations. The delegation is led by Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. The nine-member delegation includes Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, reflecting the vibrant and inclusive democratic character of India. The delegation comprises Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. (ANI) A 17-year-old TikTok star, Sana Yousaf, was shot and killed at her Islamabad residence on Monday, according to reports by The Express Tribune and SAMAA TV. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Sumbal police station and marks another in several such instances that have been repeatedly occuring in the country. Earlier this year, a 15-year-old girl was shot dead by her father and maternal uncle in Quetta in an alleged case of honour killing over her presence on TikTok. As per The Express Tribune, Sana was shot at close range by an unidentified assailant who reportedly entered her home and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The report, citing police sources, stated: "The killer reportedly entered the house and opened fire before fleeing the scene." Sana, who hailed from Chitral in Pakistan''s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, had gained popularity through her TikTok videos. Meanwhile, SAMAA TV reported that the suspect may have been a guest at the residence. Quoting police officials, the channel said: "Sana Yousuf, who hailed from Upper Chitral and resided in Sector G-13 of Islamabad, was fatally shot by a guest who had come to visit her at her residence. The assailant fled the scene immediately after the incident, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspect." Her body has been shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a post-mortem examination. Both The Express Tribune and SAMAA TV confirmed that the police are actively investigating the case, although no arrests have been made so far. The motive behind the murder remains unclear. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many of Sana''s followers demanding justice. However, this is not the first case this year involving the murder of a teenage girl influencer in Pakistan. Earlier this year, ARY News reported that a 15-year-old girl named Hira was shot dead by her father and maternal uncle in Quetta in an alleged case of honour killing over her presence on TikTok. According to the report, the father, Anwarul-Haq, was enraged by his daughter''s social media activity and had instructed her to stop posting videos. When she refused, he allegedly conspired with his brother-in-law, Tayyab Ali, to kill her. Police stated that Anwarul-Haq had been living in the United States with his family for several years. He returned to Pakistan with Hira on January 15, while his wife and two other daughters remained in the US. Investigators confirmed that the murder was premeditated. Both accused were arrested and confessed to the crime. The case has been transferred to the Serious Crime Investigation Wing for further inquiry, ARY News reported. (ANI) India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, highlighted the country's economic growth trajectory and its future goals, emphasising the importance of systemic stability for investors. "You mentioned 4.1 trillion GDP that India touched recently. We now have Japan in our rearview. Prime Minister Modi has spoken about taking this to 5 trillion in the coming years, but the eventual goal which we are working towards is to take the Indian economy in the range of 28 to 35 trillion dollars by the year 2047, when we celebrate the centenary of our independence. When we talk of that, and if you position this in the perspective of an investor, for any investor, economic opportunity has to be one of the first drivers for a capital flow to happen. Suppose I'm a four trillion opportunity today looking to become 5, 10, and eventually 30-odd trillion opportunity; that whole journey is not enough in terms of numbers. In that case, it has to be combined with something which the investors truly value. First of all, I would say any investor would look for whether there is systemic stability in the economy, and whether there is systemic stability in the growth of the economy?" Kwatra said. He underlined that while India's GDP growth and economic potential attract investors, systemic stability in the economy and its growth is crucial to sustaining capital inflows. India recently crossed the $4.1 trillion GDP mark, overtaking Japan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi aiming to achieve a $5 trillion economy soon. The long-term vision is to reach an economy valued between $28 to $35 trillion by 2047, marking 100 years of India's independence. Kwatra's remarks highlight India's commitment to creating a stable and conducive environment for investors while pursuing ambitious economic growth targets. This vision aligns with the recent visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Washington DC from May 27 to 29, where he held high-level meetings with senior US officials to bolster strategic and economic ties. Foreign Secretary Misri held wide-ranging discussions with counterparts across the Department of State, National Security Council, Department of Defence, Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Commerce, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The visit was a follow-up to the Prime Minister's visit to the United States on February 13, during which both sides launched the India-U.S. COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century. Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor was also part of the Indian delegation. According to MEA, at a luncheon meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of the bilateral agenda. They underscored that Technology, Trade, and Talent would be the key pillars shaping the India-U.S. partnership in the 21st century. In meetings with Deputy Secretary of Defence Steve Feinberg and Under Secretary for Policy Elbridge Colby, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a robust and forward-looking defence partnership. Discussions focused on co-production and co-development initiatives, sustained joint military exercises, logistics and information-sharing frameworks, and enhancing interoperability between the armed forces, MEA said. Vikram Misri met with Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender, the Foreign Secretary and discussed ways to deepen economic and financial ties, including collaboration in international financial institutions and coordination in the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) processes. In his meeting with Under Secretary of Commerce Jeffrey Kessler, both sides reviewed progress on the India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement, cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, and the need to streamline ITAR and export control regulations. They agreed to convene the next meeting of the India-U.S. Strategic Trade Dialogue at the earliest opportunity, according to MEA. Consistent with the vision outlined in the COMPACT, detailed inter-agency discussions were also held on a range of strategic areas, including defence cooperation, energy security, the TRUST initiative, counter-terrorism, the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture, and collaboration through platforms such as the Quad, I2U2, and IMEEC. Foreign Secretary Misri, along with DNSA Kapoor, jointly chaired a roundtable with industry representatives, focusing on deepening bilateral collaboration in critical and emerging technologies. Additionally, they held a substantive interaction with members of the think tank community, covering the full breadth of the India-U.S. strategic partnership, MEA said. (ANI) As India's all-party delegation concluded its visit to Spain, Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik highlighted key meetings that underscored Spain's strong support for India's fight against terrorism. "Today, we started in the morning by meeting the Association of the Victims of Terrorism, which was a very emotional moment... Then we met the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, they very clearly stated their support for India's actions - they condemned terrorism and whatever action India has taken, they felt was the right approach. In fact, they were so keen that many of them suggested that they should bring a delegation to India to discuss this further..." Patnaik said. These interactions signal Spain's commitment to deepen cooperation with India against cross-border terrorism. The all-party delegation has departed for India after concluding its visit to Russia, Latvia, Slovenia, Greece, and Spain. Kanimozhi will arrive in Chennai, while other delegation members will reach Delhi today. The delegation includes Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Ashok Kumar Mittal (Aam Aadmi Party), and former envoys Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. The delegation briefed five nations on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism. On Monday, Kanimozhi said the delegation met Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, who assured strong support to India in its fight against terrorism. In an interview with ANI, Kanimozhi called it a "positive day" for the delegation. She highlighted their meetings with the foreign minister, the Senate, the Spain-India Council, and the association supporting terror victims. She said the people in Spain are closely following recent terror attacks in India and that the foreign minister, already in touch with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, assured support to combat terrorism. Kanimozhi added that the Spain-India Council showed eagerness for a better long-term relationship with India and the delegation will take back lessons learned from meeting the Association for Supporting Terror Victims, reflecting on India's pain and resilience. AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal noted Spain's strong condemnation of terrorism in all forms and its pledge to support India's counter-terrorism efforts. "It was the last day of our delegation's visit. In Spain, we met the foreign minister, parliamentarians, the trade association, and the association of terror victims. They all said that they condemn all forms of terrorism on every forum and will support India's move to counter terrorism effectively," he said. Jose Manuel Albares conveyed Spain's unequivocal support for India's efforts to combat terrorism and reaffirmed the importance of global peace, according to the Indian Embassy. The Indian Embassy in Spain posted on X that Foreign Minister Albares emphasised that terrorism will never prevail and Spain stands firmly with India on this issue. RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta said, "We went to 5 countries and wherever we have gone, and to whomsoever we met--be it government, academia, intellectuals or others--they all have a similar view: they don't support terrorism in either form." The delegation also met intellectuals, academicians, think tanks, and civil society representatives, reiterating India's firm stance against terrorism and its commitment to global peace. The Indian Embassy in Spain added on X that the foundation members expressed staunch support for India's efforts and discussed strategies to combat terrorism. The delegation met the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Vice President Antonio Gutierrez Limones, to reinforce India's call to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure. They also met an organisation supporting victims of terrorism and shared India's experience confronting cross-border threats, reaffirming a shared resolve to build a safer, more compassionate world. Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was a decisive military action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI) Highlighting the global nature of terrorism, former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy reiterated India's long-standing concerns over cross-border terrorism and stressed Pakistan's role in harbouring terror groups. "Terrorism is indeed a global threat today. India has long suffered from cross-border terrorism. For a very long time, it was understood that terrorism in South Asia is essentially a problem between India and Pakistan. But post September 11th, 2001, it became very clear to the world that all the terrorist attacks that have taken place have some linkage with Pakistan. It harbours a huge number of terrorist organisations..." Chinoy said. He further underscored India's consistent position, stating, "...For a very long time, it was understood that terrorism in South Asia is a matter between India and Pakistan. But post September 11, 2001, it became clear to the world that all the terrorist attacks that have taken place have some linkage with Pakistan. India has always been talking about it..." Chinoy's remarks came during his address in Monrovia, Liberia, as part of ongoing diplomatic outreach focused on security cooperation and counter-terrorism. Alongside him, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader SS Ahluwalia emphasised that terrorism is a global concern, not just India's problem. "It is not a matter of concern for India only. Our visionary PM, Narendra Modi, visualises that in isolation, one nation cannot fight or finish this monster. Today, if it is eliminated in India, then tomorrow, it will appear in another country, because their (Pakistan's) economy runs on this, and they extract money out of it. Today, if you find any terrorist activity in the world, its investigation will lead to Pakistan," Ahluwalia said. BJP MP Atul Garg addressed Pakistan's internal political instability, stating, "Every PM of Pakistan is either jailed... Continuously, the GDP of Pakistan is decreasing... Pakistan has nothing to lose." BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj called for global unity against terrorism, stressing, "Terrorism is not a problem of any region... At this time, the whole world should stand together against terrorism. The terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 was a murder of humanity." The delegation, led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, includes 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. This group 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. This multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI) The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha have returned to India after a month-long exposition tour across Vietnam. Originally scheduled to conclude on May 21, the exposition was extended until June 2 upon a special request by the Government of Vietnam, owing to the spiritually charged atmosphere and growing public reverence. During the extended tour, the sacred relics visited nine cities, drawing over 15 million devotees seeking the blessings of the Buddha, the Ministry of Culture said. The exposition was organised under the guidance of the Government of India and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), continuing a tradition of similar global outreach initiatives. Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Secretary General of the IBC, Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, said, "This entire programme was held under the guidance of the government of India and by the International Buddhist Confederation. We did this earlier as well; we went to Mongolia and Thailand, where Buddha relics were sent. In Vietnam, it has been around a month, people prayed and did darshan of holy Buddha relics..." Building on this spiritual momentum, Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha and leader of the Government of India delegation escorting the relics, explained that the overwhelmingly positive response from people across different provinces in Vietnam prompted an official request for an extension. "Different places, different provinces in Vietnam - the response from the people - they encouraged that this program should be continued to June 2. The Prime Minister of Vietnam requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the program, and our Prime Minister has agreed. This was extended up to June 2..." The extension was subsequently approved by the Indian government following the Vietnamese Prime Minister's formal request to Prime Minister Modi. The sacred relics began their journey in Vietnam on May 3, starting from Ho Chi Minh City, and visited multiple sacred sites across the country. One of the most deeply spiritual and widely attended stops was at Yen Tu Pagoda in Quang Ninh Province, where thousands of devotees gathered to pray and chant. Yen Tu Pagoda holds significant religious and cultural importance in Vietnam, being the birthplace of the Truc Lam Zen sect founded over 700 years ago by King Tran Nhan Tong. The arrival of the relics at this revered site attracted millions, reinforcing the shared spiritual heritage between India and Vietnam. This month-long tour has not only revitalized ancient cultural and spiritual ties dating back nearly 2,000 years but also strengthened bilateral relations under India's Act East Policy. The relics have drawn millions of devotees across Vietnam, with over 15 million people paying their respects throughout the journey. The exposition concluded in the city of Danang, known for its Buddhist institutions and monasteries, where a large number of people gathered to offer their obeisance to the holy relics. This sacred journey symbolizes the enduring values of peace, harmony, and mutual respect, reflecting a profound cultural connection between India and Vietnam. (ANI) All-Party Delegation leader and Congresss MP Shashi Tharoor, speaking on the IMF bailout package to Pakistan, said that India does not have any issues if the IMF issues funds for a country that uses it for development purposes. Tharoor, however expressed his displeasure at the International Monetary Fund for enabling Pakistan thus as they divert those funds to arm themselves to attack India. "We don't begrudge any country its development if the money is to be spent truly on getting people out of poverty or helping deal with development issues. Why would we object? We are humane. We believe in all sorts of well-being of the poorest of the poor in any country. But if that money simply enables Pakistan to divert more resources to supporting terrorism, to arming themselves to attack us, and so on, then it would be most unfortunate. And I hope that the World Bank and the IMF, both of which are bodies in which India does have some influence, I hope they will both be told by our diplomats there that it is extremely important to have complete safeguards to ensure that this money is only spent the way it's supposed to be spent," he said. Earlier on May 10, The International Monetary Fund approved the first review of Pakistan's economic reform program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), enabling a disbursement of approximately USD 1 billion. India, however, firmly opposed providing funds to a country that continues to sponsor cross-border terrorism, warning that such support carries reputational risks for global institutions and undermines international norms. In a post on X, the IMF said, "IMF Board approved the first review of Pakistan's economic reform program under the EFF, enabling a disbursement of ~ $1 billion, reflecting strong program implementation which has contributed to continuing economic recovery." https://x.com/IMFNews/status/1920931733551411303 Later on May 23, India said it is "thankful" for the 11 additional conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Pakistan, while clarifying that it is not opposed to financial assistance meant for genuine developmental purposes. At the same time, it raised serious concerns over the timing of the recent bailout package, suggesting that the funds may have indirectly supported Pakistan's rising defence spending. "We are thankful for the additional 11 conditions imposed by the IMF on Pakistan. However, we are not against any financial assistance provided for genuine developmental agendas. We have raised questions regarding the timing of the recent bailout package given to Pakistan by the IMF," government sources said. "All these arms and ammunition are then used by Pakistan against India," the sources added, citing IMF data. (ANI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the Indian delegation on Tuesday arrived in Lisbon, where he held talks with Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco, President of the Assembleia da Republica of Portugal on strengthening bilateral ties between both countries. Birla also met with the Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment of Tuvalu, Maina Talia who strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. "Had a productive meeting with H.E. Mr. Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco, President of the Assembleia da Republica of Portugal, in Lisbon today. Highlighted the imperative of strengthening our bilateral ties in light of evolving global challenges. We also identified significant potential for collaboration in critical sectors such as renewable energy, digital technology, and defence manufacturing. Shared insights on how India is leveraging technology, including AI, for transparent, efficient, and people-centric legislative processes. Extended an invitation to Portuguese legislators and officials to benefit from Lok Sabha Secretariat programmes for capacity building. Firmly reiterated India's 'Zero Tolerance' stance on terrorism and called upon all nations to unite in this crucial fight," Birla stated in a post on X. https://x.com/ombirlakota/status/1929654677508944001 Birla said that time has now come for the global community to act against institutions who support such acts of terror. "Met Dr. Maina Talia, Hon'ble Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change & Environment of Tuvalu in Lisbon today. Discussed our excellent bilateral relations, including India's ongoing development partnership projects in Tuvalu. Tuvalu expressed strong condemnation of terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir. Time has come for the global community to act decisively against all individuals and organisations, both state and non-state, that support and promote such acts of terror," Birla said. https://x.com/ombirlakota/status/1929549031836942492 Birla arrived in Lisbon on Monday where he said he looked forward to strengthening India-Portugal ties. "Arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, en route to Brasilia. Our nations share a deep commitment to values of democracy and the rule of law, benefiting our citizens and promoting a better world. Looking forward to meeting H.E. Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco, President of the Assembleia da Republica, and strengthening India-Portugal parliamentary ties," he said. https://x.com/ombirlakota/status/1929500064726106330 Birla met Tuvalu's Minister of Home, Climate, Culture and other departments, Maina Talia. Many important topics were discussed in detail between the two countries in the bilateral talks. Tuvalu strongly condemned Pahalgam terror attack, says India's action is justified. Tuvalu was among the first countries to condemn Pahalgam terror attack, and Birla gave detailed information about India's Operation Sindoor, an official statement said. Birla reiterated PM Modi's strong message, that trade and relations with terrorist supporting countries will end. He added that the world community needs to stand together on one platform against terrorism. Increasing mutual diplomatic and strategic cooperation was discussed in the bilateral talks. Both countries are also considering setting up an Indian Embassy in Tuvalu, the statement added. Birla also talked about expanding cooperation under FIPIC (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation) with Tuvalu. Offers education, training and digital support to Tuvalu youth through parliamentary body PRIDE. He said that Tuvalu has become a special partner country for India since the launch of FIPIC. (ANI) The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) reported that approximately 40 per cent of a 1,000-kilogram batch of small yellow croaker imported from China, which contained the prohibited veterinary drug enrofloxacin, has been successfully retrieved, according to Focus Taiwan. The 1,000-kilo shipment had been fully distributed to retail locations across Taiwan, as stated by the TFDA. Efforts to recall the product are still ongoing; however, it remains uncertain how much of it has already been sold to consumers, Focus Taiwan noted. The small yellow croaker from China tested positive for the drug in one of 453 samples of poultry, livestock, and aquatic products examined for drug residues by health authorities during March and April, according to the TFDA, as cited by Focus Taiwan. The batch was imported by A-Quan Frozen Aquatic Products Co. in Tainan, and city officials have imposed a fine of NT$240,000 (US$8,002.82) on the company for violating the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, the TFDA reported, as per Focus Taiwan. In Taiwan, the use of this veterinary drug is permitted in cattle, pigs, and poultry, but not in aquatic products, according to Chen Tzu-ling, Director of the TFDA Central Centre for Regional Administration, as cited by Focus Taiwan. In the summer of 2024, another batch of frozen large yellow croaker imported from China by the same company in Tainan also tested positive for enrofloxacin, Chen noted. This marks the company's second infraction within a year. The base fine was increased to NT$120,000 under regulations, and the company's failure to conduct mandatory self-inspections led to an additional increase, resulting in a total fine of NT$240,000, according to Chen, as stated by Focus Taiwan. Due to this latest case of non-compliance, small yellow croaker imported from China will henceforth face a 20-50 per cent inspection rate at the border, up from the previous standard rate of 2-10 per cent, as noted by Chen. Focus Taiwan reported that enrofloxacin is a synthetic antibacterial agent, and excessive use may lead to gastrointestinal issues and, in severe cases, may negatively affect kidney function, according to the TFDA. (ANI) Beijing sent two aircraft carrier strike groups and numerous warships to the waters both north and south of Taiwan last month, as noted by a Taiwanese security official, amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan, as reported by The Eurasian Times. From May 1 to May 27, around 70 Chinese vessels, including naval ships, were tracked from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea, according to a security official who requested anonymity. In recent years, China has intensified the deployment of warships and fighter jets around Taiwan, pressuring Taipei to recognise its claims of sovereignty over the island, The Eurasian Times reported. China has not dismissed the possibility of using military force to bring Taiwan under its control, posing an ongoing threat of invasion to the island. "Their military activities and grey-zone operations have involved substantial deployments across the entire island chain, representing a strategy of comprehensive maximum pressure," the security official indicated, as quoted by The Eurasian Times. "On average, there have been between 50 to 70 naval and government vessels operating, along with hundreds of flights by different military aircraft, consistently engaging in harassment missions." Some of the vessels travelled through the Miyako Strait into the Western Pacific Ocean for "long-range training, including integrated air-sea exercises," the official added, as cited by The Eurasian Times. On May 19, an additional 30 unnamed Chinese ships, lacking documentation or a port of registry, were spotted near Taiwan's Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait and had been "intentionally deployed to intimidate," the official remarked. Taiwan's defence ministry noted that a total of 75 Chinese aircraft participated in three "combat readiness patrols" near the island during the month, as highlighted by The Eurasian Times. These actions by China were indicative of a "military expansion" effort aimed at controlling the "entire island chain and enhancing their capabilities," the official stated. Since Lai assumed office, China has conducted several large-scale military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan, according to The Eurasian Times. (ANI) All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, headed by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malaysia (Dewan Rakyat), YB Tan Sri Dato' Johari bin Abdul in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, a statement by the High Commission of India in Malaysia said. As per the High Commission, Abdul reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to peace, and thanked the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation for the briefing on India's approach in dealing with terrorism at large. In a post on X, it said, "All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Hon'ble MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with Hon'ble Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malaysia (Dewan Rakyat), H.E. YB Tan Sri Dato' (Dr.) Johari bin Abdul and briefed on India's unwavering policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, and sought cooperation of Parliamentarians of Malaysia in our collective fight against terrorism. Hon'ble Speaker of Malaysia reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to peace, and thanked the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation for the briefing on India's approach in dealing with terrorism at large." https://x.com/hcikl/status/1929782466505855077 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. 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 delegation's tour includes stops in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore, underscoring India's commitment to regional peace, security, and development. (ANI) The BRICS Communication Ministers' meeting was hailed as "quite successful" by TDP leader and Union Minister of State for Communication, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, who highlighted India's remarkable achievements in telecom infrastructure compared to other member countries. Speaking about the event, he said, "I have listened to ten other countries about how they have been doing with their telecom infrastructure. I am proud to say India has achieved something unthinkable. We have connected more than 95 per cent of India. We have high-quality fibre to almost every village. We have more than 80 per cent with 5G connections. We have explained to the world all the best practices we have done, all the satellite-based reforms we have done, and the preventive actions we have taken for the telecom fraud. So all in all, it's quite successful and we are one of the countries that have done much more than many other countries..." Sekhar's remarks underscored India's significant progress in telecom infrastructure showcased during the meeting held in Brasilia. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has left for Brazil to participate in the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, also scheduled in Brasilia, reflecting India's active engagement in BRICS multilateral platforms across sectors including communication and parliamentary diplomacy. Birla will represent India at the forum from June 3 to June 5. The event will focus on discussions around the role of BRICS parliaments in global governance. During the forum, Birla is set to address key topics, including Responsible and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI), among other significant issues. He will also engage in bilateral talks with presiding officers from BRICS countries. In the current geopolitical context, Speaker Birla's visit holds strategic importance for India. The Indian delegation accompanying Birla includes the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Members of Parliament, and other officials. The delegation will also comprise Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; Surendra Singh Nagar, Member of Parliament; Vijay Baghel, Member of Parliament; Vivek Thakur, Member of Parliament; Shabari Byreddy, Member of Parliament; Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General, Lok Sabha; and P.C. Mody, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha. According to a press release, the overall theme of the Eleventh BRICS Parliamentary Forum is 'The Role of BRICS Parliaments in Building a More Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance.' The Lok Sabha Speaker will address the forums on 'Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation for Responsible and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence' and 'BRICS Parliaments United for the Reform of the Multilateral Peace and Security Architecture.' The delegation will also participate in the proceedings during the Plenary Sessions on sub-themes including 'BRICS Parliamentary Action in Search of New Paths for Economic Development'; 'Towards Stronger and More Durable BRICS Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation'; 'BRICS Inter-Parliamentary Alliance for Global Health'; and 'BRICS Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue on Climate and Sustainability.' A Joint Statement will be adopted at the end of the Summit. The Speaker, Lok Sabha, may also hold bilateral meetings with Presiding Officers of participating Parliaments on the sidelines of this Forum. (ANI) A poignant tribute to absent voices marked the ongoing World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer, where a vacant chair was set aside for Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch human rights activist currently incarcerated in Balochistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). The organisers of the forum kept her assigned seat empty during the session to underscore her absence and pay homage to her efforts in the battle for human rights. The announcement that accompanied this gesture made it clear, "Dr Mahrang Baloch is detained today for voicing her opposition to injustice. This unoccupied chair serves as a protest and a tribute to her," as stated by TBP. The act deeply resonated with those present, transforming into a powerful emblem of solidarity with voices muted for championing freedom of expression and human rights. The forum gathered prominent human rights advocates, including lawyer Imaan Mazari, journalist Kiyya Baloch, and numerous international youth leaders and activists, according to TBP. Imaan Mazari shared a photo of the empty chair on social media, stating, "Dr Mahrang Baloch was commemorated today at the Human Rights Conference in Lillehammer." Journalist Kiyya Baloch remarked, "During Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa's address to a full audience, one silent chair honoured Dr. Mahrang Baloch. It symbolised those who are silenced for speaking the truth," as per TBP. Nadia Baloch, Mahrang's sister, who is actively monitoring her case, expressed gratitude to WEXFO: "They not only remembered her name but also honoured her as a symbol of bravery and conscience." She continued, "Just last year, Mahrang stood on this very podium, courageously speaking the truth. Today, she is imprisoned for that same truth. Her only 'offence' is her refusal to silence herself in the face of injustice. As we brace ourselves for a second Eid without her, her absence remains a wound that has yet to heal," reported TBP. Mahrang Baloch, a key figure in the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has been held for several months under the Maintenance of Public Order (3MPO) law in Quetta. Legal challenges to her detention have been rejected by local courts. She was arrested alongside other BYC members, Beebow Baloch, Shah Ji Sibghatullah, Bebarg Zehri, and Gulzadi Baloch, all of whom continue to be in custody under charges brought by the Government of Balochistan, reported TBP. (ANI) Sikyong Penpa Tsering, accompanied by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, and Parliamentarian Tenzin Phuntsok Doring, who are presently in Japan to organise the World Parliamentary Convention on Tibet, spoke to the Tibetan community in Tokyo on Sunday, according to a report from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Sikyong Penpa Tsering highlighted the significant initiatives and accomplishments of the 16th Kashag, particularly its political pursuits aimed at resolving the enduring Tibet-China conflict. He stressed the necessity of demonstrating and validating to the international community that Tibet was historically an independent nation to legitimise the Tibetan cause and strengthen the Central Tibetan Administration's Middle Way Approach. Sikyong underscored that all Tibetans should study and comprehend Tibet's historical background, as reported by CTA. Sikyong affirmed that irrespective of whether one's political position aligns with the Middle Way or total independence, a resolution cannot be achieved without direct engagement with the Chinese government, as per the CTA report. Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from Japanese parliamentarians, especially members of the Japan Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet. He pointed out that the idea of establishing the International Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet in Japan was initially a vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, brought to fruition through the partnership between the Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE). He emphasised the significance of this support group and elaborated on TPiE's ongoing efforts to advocate for legislators globally. He also noted the adoption of pro-Tibet resolutions by various national parliaments as evidence of these efforts, according to the CTA report. Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang encouraged Tibetans living abroad, including those in Japan, to prioritise the conservation and passing down of the Tibetan language and culture to their children. She also called for continued support and aid for the Office of Tibet. As reported by CTA, Parliamentarian Tenzin Phuntsok Doring, representing the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from Australasia and Asia (excluding India, Nepal, and Bhutan), urged unity among Tibetans in Japan and stressed the necessity to broaden the network of local advocates for the Tibetan cause. The event was also graced by Representative Tsewang Gyalpo Arya from the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Office of Tibet), former Representative Pema Gyalpo, and Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, as noted by CTA. (ANI) Former Indian envoy Sujan Chinoy praised the success of Group 4 of the all-party MPs delegation, led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, in fulfilling its objectives during visits to the UAE, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. "The delegation was warmly received at the highest levels of government in all these countries, meeting presidents, vice presidents, foreign ministers, national security advisors, and senior parliamentary leaders. They also engaged with the Indian diaspora, journalists, social media influencers, and think tanks. The main goal was to raise awareness about the threat of global terrorism, particularly Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, in the context of Operation Sindoor. I believe this objective has been fully met, strengthening cooperation between India and African countries to combat Pakistan-based terrorism," Chinoy said. He further highlighted the rising threat of terrorism in Africa, saying, "The African Union comprises a very large number of countries, and recent UN reports suggest that this continent is no longer immune to global terrorism. Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has its tentacles spread across the world. The terrorist networks afflicting Africa also have linkages with networks based in Pakistan. In recent years, Africa has emerged as a major centre for global terrorism, with groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria, al-Shabaab in Somalia, Tanzania, and Kenya, as well as many others operating out of Mozambique. Particularly, the Sahel region of Africa has experienced a significant spike in terrorist incidents." "There's been a perceptible change in terms of the scourge of global terrorism and its extension to this part of the world. So with all these aspects being covered in the discussions, we have been successful in sensitising all our interlocutors, not only in the UAE but also in West Africa, about the need for us to work together to meet this challenge," he added. Reflecting on his personal experience during the outreach visit, Chinoy stated, "I have been serving the nation for the last 44 years, and I am extremely privileged to be a member of this group led by Shrikant Shinde. The group comprised many eminent members of parliament, all of them stalwarts in their own right, and it was a very humbling experience for me to be in their company for so long and to play a supportive role in the huge responsibility that had been placed on the shoulders of each member of this delegation. So it was a learning experience. It was a humbling experience, but above all, it was a tremendous privilege for me to serve in this capacity as a member of this all-party MPs delegation." The delegation, which includes BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, Indian Union Muslim League's E.T. Mohammed Basheer, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, BJP leader S.S. Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, is part of a broader initiative by India to counter global misinformation and highlight its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. The group is also briefing international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its wider strategy to combat cross-border terrorism. This multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI) Former senator and Pashtun nationalist leader Afrasiab Khattak has urged the Pakistani government to clarify the rising influence of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) following the group's threats against Baloch communities and pro-independence organisations, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). In a message shared on the social media platform X, Khattak questioned the lack of response from state institutions regarding the reportedly expanding operational territory of ISIS in Pakistan. He pointed out the concerning trend of foreign militants being apprehended with alleged ties to foreign intelligence agencies and revealed that ISIS has openly declared war on the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Khattak cautioned that the emergence of ISIS-K recalls the activities of al-Qaeda in the region two decades earlier, and he called for accountability from Pakistan's intelligence and security services. His remarks followed a statement made by ISIS-K on May 25th, which accused Baloch militant groups of assaulting its bases in Mastung district, Balochistan. In a video shared by the group, ISIS-K not only threatened armed Baloch factions but also targeted human rights advocates, such as Mahrang Baloch, families of the missing, and participants in peaceful protests, TBP reported. Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad also expressed strong concerns regarding these developments. He indicated that ISIS-K and Pakistani security forces now appear to be united against Baloch nationalist factions, a shift he characterised as a perilous moment in the region's power dynamics. Khalilzad warned the global community that the growing connection between extremist groups and state agents in Balochistan could present serious risks for regional peace and stability, according to the TBP report. The group issued warnings in Pashto and Farsi, calling on its supporters in Balochistan to engage in aggressive actions against Baloch political and nationalist entities. The group specifically incited attacks on demonstrations organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, as stated by TBP. These threats have led to widespread condemnation from Baloch political entities and human rights advocates, who accuse the Pakistani government of utilising extremist organisations as proxies to stifle legitimate political dissent and civil rights movements. According to TBP, human rights organisations have called on international bodies to demand accountability from Pakistan and to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations in Balochistan. (ANI) An All-Party Parliamentary Delegation from India, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with the Parliamentary Special Committee on International Relations and International Trade in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, according to a statement by the High Commission of India in Malaysia. The High Commission said the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the global fight against terrorism. In a post on X, it said, "All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, headed by Hon'ble MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with Parliamentary Special Committee on International Relations and International Trade, chaired by YB Wong Chen, Hon'ble Member of Parliament and Chairman of Parliamentary Special committee on International relations and International Trade, and briefed about the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and India's zero tolerance policy towards terrorism. Discussions focussed on ways to cooperate in the collective fight against terrorism." https://x.com/hcikl/status/1929794958678282377 The Indian delegation also met the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Malaysian Parliament (Dewan Rakyat), YB Tan Sri Dato' Johari bin Abdul, on the same day, the statement by the High Commission of India in Malaysia added. According to the High Commission, the Speaker reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to peace and thanked the Indian delegation for briefing him on India's approach to countering terrorism. In a post on X, it said, "All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Hon'ble MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with Hon'ble Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malaysia (Dewan Rakyat), H.E. YB Tan Sri Dato' (Dr.) Johari bin Abdul and briefed on India's unwavering policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, and sought the cooperation of Parliamentarians of Malaysia in our collective fight against terrorism. Hon'ble Speaker of Malaysia reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to peace, and thanked the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation for the briefing on India's approach in dealing with terrorism at large." https://x.com/hcikl/status/1929782466505855077 The Indian delegation includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, 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 delegation's tour includes stops in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore, underscoring India's commitment to regional peace, security, and development. (ANI) As India intensifies its global campaign against terrorism, BJP leader and Group 4 member of the all-party delegation, Bansuri Swaraj, highlighted the country's unwavering commitment to promoting peace and partnership during the conclusion of their diplomatic visit to the UAE, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. "Together, trade and terror cannot work. Blood and business cannot flow together," Swaraj said, emphasising India's belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam--the world is one family--and its consistent efforts to act as a global friend. She highlighted that terrorism is not a regional issue but a global threat, and said that seven parliamentary delegations had been dispatched with this clear message. "Our Group 4 delegation, under the leadership of Shrikant Eknath Shinde, visited four countries to carry this message forward," she noted. Recalling the support from the UAE, Swaraj said, "This wasn't just a diplomatic visit--it was a declaration of India's resolve. The UAE was the first country to condemn the barbaric attack, expressing its friendship through this clear stand." She highlighted the West African leg of the visit, saying, "Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Liberia are not only longstanding partners of India with strong bilateral ties, but they also hold important roles on the global stage. Our visit was aimed at recognising and reinforcing this influence," she added. Reflecting on the impact of the mission, Swaraj said, "Our diplomatic efforts were highly successful. In Sierra Leone and in the Parliament of Liberia, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the Pahalgam terror victims. The DR Congo also issued a strong statement of support, standing with us in the global fight against terrorism." She expressed confidence in India's growing international stature under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, saying, "The resolve of 140 crore Indians against terrorism is now being echoed around the world." The delegation, led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, includes 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. This group 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. This 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) Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai who was part of the All-Party Delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi to Spain, said that all the countries supported India in its fight against terrorism. Rai said that the biggest terrorist group in the world is the Pakistani army and that terrorism is in their DNA. Rai told ANI, "There's no country that did not support us and wants terrorism to flourish apart from Pakistan and its supporters. Now it depends upon the Indian government how it will corner Pakistan with its terrorism... The biggest terrorist group in the world is the Pakistani army; terrorism is in their DNA and they run terrorism like an industry. This is the only army in the world that does all kinds of businesses like milk, chips, cement, property... People have understood this and have shown solidarity with India." The Samajwadi Party MP further said that all the countries welcomed the ceasefire, but India made it clear that this was strictly a bilateral issue, and that no country should interfere in this matter. He said, "All countries suggested that the ceasefire should continue and advised mediation, but we made it clear that this is a bilateral issue and want no third party mediation on it... We are the largest democratic country and Pakistan is the biggest terrorist country, whose government is a puppet." The visit of All-Party Parliamentary delegation to Spain was successful in effectively conveying India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism to government leaders, lawmakers, civil society and the Indian diaspora- strengthening bilateral ties and mutual understanding. https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929619401919418802 "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met with intellectuals, academicians, think tanks and civil society representatives at a discussion hosted by @Spain_India. During the meeting, they reiterated India's firm stance against terrorism and its unwavering commitment to global peace. Members of the foundation expressed staunch support for India's efforts and discussed strategies to combat terrorism," Indian embassy in Spain said. https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929577827545882666 https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929520166460703083 https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929506767622283272 https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1929467367001575900 Spain was the final leg of the visit of the delegation that went to five countries and in government's global outreach on Operation Sindoor and to articulate India's resolute stance against terrorism. (ANI) All-Party Delegation member and BJP MP Sasmit Patra said that his delegation, led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, had successfully completed its four-nation visit on Tuesday. Patra said that the context of Operation SIndoor was appreciated everywhere. "The context of Operation Sindoor was tremendously appreciated by people who felt that India has a right to protect itself from the barbarism that is happening in the terrorist camps," he said. Patra recounted how in all the countries that they visited- Liberia, UAE, DRC and Sierra Leone, they were met with support. In conversation with ANI, Patra said, "Our delegation, led by MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, has very successfully completed its four-nation visit as the all-party delegation today. We started with the UAE, where we found tremendous support and blessings from the people of the UAE and all their leadership in our fight against terrorism. From there, we moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where there was tremendous condemnation of the kind of terrorist attack that was barbarically undertaken by the terrorists in Pahalgam. We came to Sierra Leone, where the country's parliament stood up in one voice, mourning for one minute in silence the barbaric attack that was done by the terrorists in Pahalgam," he said. Patra said that in Liberia, the National Assembly Speaker held a minute's silence in memory of the innocent lives lost in the Pahalgam terror attack. "We came to Liberia today in the Senate, as well as in the meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Liberia, one minute's silence was held with each of them standing in memory of those who were so mercilessly killed by the terrorists in Pahalgam," he said. Patra said that all these responses by various countries show that India clearly presented Pakistan's terrorist agenda in front of the world. "Each of these instances clearly tells you how profoundly important this delegation has been in not only exposing the terrorism agenda of Pakistan before the world but also very decisively sensitising the world to the growing threat of terrorism that has been perpetrated on India by Pakistan over the last 4 decades," he said. Patra said that visiting with the All-Party Delegation to various countries was a historic moment, and all the host countries admired India's unity. "It has been a great experience to come engage, and probably it's a historic moment that Members of Parliament cutting across party lines spoke in one voice that we are one India, we are one Bharat, and this is the new Bharat, the new India. That whatever, whenever happens for this nation, the entire polity, the entire parliament, the entire ecosystem will stand as one. This is the message of unity and solidarity that has gone across the world, and the world has recognised it, appreciated us, and assured the 100% support for India in its fight against terror," he said. Group 4 delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde concludes the visit to UAE, DR Congo, Sierra Leone and Liberia today. (ANI) The vacant positions for judges at the Supreme Appellate Court in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) have been hindering the delivery of justice to litigants, while relevant authorities seem indifferent towards the region's highest judicial institution, which is responsible for safeguarding the fundamental rights of two million citizens, as reported by Dawn. These statements were made by Muhammad Iqbal Advocate, the newly-elected President of the PoGB Supreme Appellate Court Bar Association, during the oath-taking ceremony for the association's office bearers, according to Dawn. The event was attended by Chief Judge Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan of the PoGB Supreme Appellate Court, Chief Judge Ali Baig of the PoGB Chief Court, Chairman of the PoGB Election Tribunal Mumtaz Ahmed, Gilgit Session Judge Ameer Hamzaza, among others, as reported by Dawn. Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan administered the oath to the newly elected officials of the PoGB Supreme Appellate Court Bar Association. On this occasion, Muhammad Iqbal took the oath as president, Advocate Shakoor Khan as the general secretary, and Advocate Zakaria as the joint secretary. Mr. Iqbal mentioned that the appellate court has faced challenges due to the delay in appointing judges since 2012. He noted that the backlog of cases is growing in the court, negatively impacting litigants, as cited by Dawn. The judge positions at the PoGB Supreme Appellate Court have been unfilled for the past eight years, he stated, adding that last month, the Supreme Court of Pakistan instructed the filling of two vacant judge positions in the PoGB Supreme Appellate Court. Mr. Iqbal expressed disappointment that the two vacant positions remain unfilled despite the Supreme Court's instructions, as highlighted by Dawn. He continued by mentioning that there are thousands of cases awaiting resolution in PoGB's highest court, causing distress for litigants. He pointed out that Chief Judge Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan of the PoGB Supreme Appellate Court is working to resolve cases that can only be addressed by one judge, as noted by Dawn. (ANI) On conclusion of All-Party delegation's visit to four nations, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra said that all the countries that they visited responded positively to India's response to Pahalgam terror attack. In conversation with ANI, Mishra recounted how they did not expect a positive response from an Islamic country like the UAE, but they got a good response instead. "Under the leadership of Shrikant Shinde, we visited four countries. We went to the UAE first. We got very good response there. We did not expect that we would get such a good response from an Islamic country like UAE," he said. He added that Sierra Leone and Liberia even observed silence for the innocent civilians who dies in the attacks. "Today, in the parliament of two countries- Sierra Leone and Liberia, silence was observed to honour the deceased souls (of those who died in Pahalgam terrorist attack). This is a big thing. Everyone has condemned the activities of Pakistan and the terrorist incidents. Everyone has strongly opposed terrorist activities by Pakistan," he said. Mishra said that in the coming days, they expect that these countries will raise their voices in international for a for India. "We expected that in the coming days, these three countries in the UNSC and African Union will raise their voice. Pakistan is a terrorist country that produces terrorists. It trains and dispatches them to India and other countries. We have explained these things very well to them," he said. Mishra said that they met the Indian diaspora in these places as well and got a good response. "We met the Indian diaspora everywhere and got a great response. We have been successful in conveying a message against Pakistan and terrorism. In the coming days, the results of our mission will be revealed to the country and the world," he said. Group 4 delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde concludes the visit to UAE, DR Congo, Sierra Leone and Liberia today. (ANI) In a significant diplomatic outreach, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, leading an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation became the only Indian Member of Parliamentto address two West African parliaments -- the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Liberia, a statement from Shinde's office quoting him said. Delivering a powerful speech in Liberia's Parliament, he emphasised the need for global unity against terrorism, highlighting India's long-standing struggle with the menace. "Terrorism is no longer a regional threat; it is a global menace. As representatives from across India's political spectrum, we are here to expose this hidden war. India urges all nations to adopt a policy of zero tolerance toward terrorism,' said Shinde. Shinde stressed that terrorism knows no borders and urged all nations to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism "Terrorism knows no borders. The time has come for all countries to unite and support India's global campaign against terrorism," said Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, as per the statement. The Indian delegation received a warm welcome from the Speaker of the Liberian Parliament, Richard Nagbe Koon, and Deputy Speaker Thomas P Fallah. In a meeting with Senate President Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Shinde demanded that Pakistan be reinstated on the FATF grey list due to its ongoing support for terrorist groups. "Pakistan has long been a hub for terror organizations. Despite its earlier placement on the FATF grey list, its support for terrorism continues unchecked. India strongly urges the international community to reinstate Pakistan on the FATF grey list," the statement quoted Shinde as saying. Liberia assured its full support for India's anti-terrorism campaign, with the Liberian Senate observing a two-minute silence in memory of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. On Monday, Shinde and the Indian delegation met with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Foreign Affairs Minister Sarah Beslow Nyanti. Liberia assured its full support for India's anti-terrorism campaign. Speaker Koon also underscored the importance of regional unity among West African nations in the fight against terrorism. As a mark of solidarity, the Liberian Senate, on the direction of Senate President Karnga-Lawrence, observed a two-minute silence in memory of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in India, as per the statement. Reaffirming the enduring friendship between India and Liberia, Shinde noted the two nations' strong bilateral ties and India's support during Liberia's times of crisis. He expressed confidence that Liberia -- currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council -- would back India's anti-terrorism initiatives. As part of an African tour initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an all-party parliamentary delegation led by Shinde arrived in Monrovia on Sunday. Shinde's visit strengthened bilateral ties between India and Liberia, with the Indian delegation receiving a warm welcome and ceremonial honors. The delegation also interacted with the Indian diaspora and visited the Gurudwara in Monrovia. As per the statement, Shinde expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading this significant diplomatic mission. (ANI) The all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde concluded India's diplomatic outreach programme, sharing India's stance against terrorism and condemning Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Liberia on Tuesday. Delegation members IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer, BJP MP SS Ahluwalia, and BJP MP Atul Garg unanimously highlighted the strong support from African countries for India's fight against terrorism, their condemnation of the terror attack, and their recognition of Pakistan as a breeding ground for terrorism. The delegation, which visited Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the UAE, successfully exposed Pakistan's role in terrorism while fostering international solidarity. Basheer expressed satisfaction with the mission ahead of their departure, noting that it was "effective" and that the African nations strongly condemned that attack. "I'm satisfied and gratified because the government took us into confidence and entrusted a noble work to us... The leader of this group was very cordial, and he gave all kinds of opportunities to all the members. As far as the outcome of our mission is concerned, I feel it was very effective. All team members have deep knowledge... All the African nations we visited have said they stand strongly with India," the IUML MP stated. "Everybody says that India should take the lead to fight against terrorism. Not only that, but I would also like to say one more thing: that we were able to expose Pakistan," he added. Echoing this sentiment, Ahluwalia thanked Prime Minister Modi for the opportunity to showcase India's stance on the global stage. "First of all, I thank our Prime Minister, who gave me an opportunity to be included in this parliamentary delegation... In the present era, terrorism has emerged as a painful sore that can disturb the peace of any country... In the neighbourhood of India, Pakistan is a breeding centre for terrorism... Our visionary Prime Minister decided that the whole world must unite and fight against terrorism," the BJP MP said. BJP MP Atul Garg also reinforced the positive response, stating, "On visiting different nations, we found out that they are supporting India. We told people about the situation in Pakistan. We received an amazing response in the African countries. The people of Africa love India and Modi ji. There was not one country that did not condemn (the Pahalgam attack)." Earlier, wrapping up a high-level diplomatic mission, the delegation leader and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde described the 13-day visit by the delegation as a unified assertion of India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and a reflection of its rising global stature under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving me the opportunity to lead this delegation. I consider myself fortunate to work alongside experienced parliamentarians and leaders like SS Ahluwalia, ET Mohammed Basheer, Atul Garg, Sasmit Patra, Bansuri Swaraj, Sujan Chinoy, and Manan Kumar Mishra," said Shinde, highlighting the camaraderie and team spirit that developed during the visit. Reflecting on the experience, Shinde said the delegation not only deepened its understanding of the countries visited but also conveyed India's message of peace and its zero-tolerance stance against terrorism. "We carried the voice of 140 crore Indians and the message of our Prime Minister to these nations. Everywhere we went, the warmth and affinity shown towards India were unmistakable. The influence of Prime Minister Modi was clearly visible," he noted. The delegation, led by Shinde, includes 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. The group briefed 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. This all-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI) Shafi Burfat, the leader of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), accused that the Pakistani military is manipulating Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as a pawn to disseminate anti-India rhetoric and distract the global community from state-sponsored terrorism and human rights abuses against marginalised groups such as Sindhis, Baloch, and Pashtuns within Pakistan. "Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is being strategically utilised by the Pakistani military to redirect international focus. This shift seeks to overshadow the increasing awareness of the severe oppression faced by Pakistan's historical nations, including Sindhis, Baloch, Pashtuns, Seraikis, and the population of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), who endure an imposed state framework upheld by the Punjabi-dominated military establishment. These communities continue to face military occupation, systemic human rights breaches, ethnic cleansing, political oppression, and economic exploitation," Shafi Burfat remarked. Shafi Burfat pointed out that the Pakistani military and its intelligence service, ISI, have consistently kidnapped political activists through extrajudicial actions, later abandoning their disfigured bodies in isolated locations--a regime of state terror aimed at silencing dissenting voices and stifling aspirations for freedom. "The internal struggles of these nations for justice and liberty are being violently repressed through state fascism, as Pakistan attempts to conceal this truth from the international community," Shafi Burfat asserted. Sending Bilawal Bhutto to the United Nations serves merely as a diplomatic facade for the military's colonial strategies, aiming to manipulate the global narrative while suppressing genuine democratic and nationalist movements internally, Burfat emphasised in his statement. "Bilawal Bhutto is a politically inexperienced individual who is currently being exploited by the Pakistani military in its propaganda effort against India. Although he hails from Sindh, a nation with a history of oppression, the Punjabi-oriented Pakistani state and its military have long perpetrated fascist atrocities and brutally repressed all historical nations within its confines," Burfat contended. In Balochistan, the Pakistani army--especially the ISI--is involved in the systematic abduction, torture, and enforced disappearance of political activists. Inhumane torture facilities are employed against those seeking justice, and the disfigured bodies of Sindhi, Baloch, and Pashtun activists frequently emerge in deserted areas, standing as grim evidence of state terrorism, Burfat remarked. "Pakistan has devolved into a living nightmare for the nations confined within its borders. These communities are denied the right to exist with dignity, stripped of political liberties, and silenced through violence and intimidation. Their voices are stifled, and their aspirations for self-determination are crushed. Meanwhile, their mineral and natural resources are exploited by Punjabi imperialism, leaving these communities in a state of poverty, malnutrition, and social despair," Burfat stated. The military establishment, largely dominated by Punjabis, has seized millions of acres of land that belong to the Sindhis. They forcibly displace entire communities and villages from their ancestral homes. Recently, in Moro City, Sindh, a coordinated operation to grab land in the village of Bajrani Laghari resulted in the brutal murder of two residents, Zahid Laghari and Irfan Laghari, by operatives from the ISI disguised as civilians. This was a deliberate tactic to instil fear, suppress opposition, and facilitate a military takeover of Sindhi territory, according to Shafi Burfat. In his remarks, Shafi Burfat stated that the military establishment in Sindh is continuing to unlawfully control river waters and extensive agricultural lands. The Sindhi population is persistently protesting against this occupation and the resulting exploitation. The historic nations confined within the borders of Pakistan are actively fighting for liberation from political oppression, economic subjugation, and forced domination. "As representatives of the Sindhi nation, we vehemently denounce and express our shock at Bilawal Bhutto's involvement in supporting the deceptive propaganda of Pakistan's oppressive Punjabi ruling class and its corrupt military. His recent attempts to mislead the international community with narratives against India are nothing more than a perilous act of self-delusion and an effort to mislead the world," stated Shafi Burfat. We are profoundly disturbed by Bilawal Bhutto's immature and irresponsible actions, as he, despite his lack of experience, is being exploited by the Pakistani state and its military to disseminate false narratives about India on global platforms. This is particularly concerning in light of the recent terrorist attacks orchestrated by Pakistan's military within Indian territory. In retaliation, India initiated Operation Sindoor, a targeted and morally justified mission aimed solely at dismantling terrorist sanctuaries within Pakistan, Burfat remarked. "We reject the Pakistani establishment's exploitation of Bilawal Bhutto to falsely portray solidarity among oppressed nations within Pakistan, especially the Sindhis, in its antagonistic stance towards India. The Sindhi nation distinguishes itself from such deception and continues its non-violent fight for freedom and justice. The global community must recognise the reality that the nations trapped and colonised within Pakistan are struggling for liberation from its occupation, fascism, and brutality," claimed Burfat. (ANI) After concluding their four-nation diplomatic tour, the Indian parliamentary delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde departed from Monrovia, Liberia, for India. As part of the visit, the delegation travelled to the UAE, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone, engaging in high-level meetings to strengthen bilateral relations and promote India's global outreach. In a notable diplomatic milestone, Shrikant Shinde became the only Indian Member of Parliament to address the national parliaments of both Liberia and Sierra Leone. A statement from his office highlighted this historic outreach, calling it a step forward in deepening India's parliamentary and diplomatic ties with West Africa. Delivering a powerful speech in Liberia's Parliament, he emphasised the need for global unity against terrorism, highlighting India's long-standing struggle with the menace. "Terrorism is no longer a regional threat; it is a global menace. As representatives from across India's political spectrum, we are here to expose this hidden war. India urges all nations to adopt a policy of zero tolerance toward terrorism,' said Shinde. Shinde stressed that terrorism knows no borders and urged all nations to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism "Terrorism knows no borders. The time has come for all countries to unite and support India's global campaign against terrorism," said Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, as per the statement. The Indian delegation received a warm welcome from the Speaker of the Liberian Parliament, Richard Nagbe Koon, and Deputy Speaker Thomas P Fallah. In a meeting with Senate President Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Shinde demanded that Pakistan be reinstated on the FATF grey list due to its ongoing support for terrorist groups. "Pakistan has long been a hub for terror organizations. Despite its earlier placement on the FATF grey list, its support for terrorism continues unchecked. India strongly urges the international community to reinstate Pakistan on the FATF grey list," the statement quoted Shinde as saying. Liberia assured its full support for India's anti-terrorism campaign, with the Liberian Senate observing a two-minute silence in memory of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. On Monday, Shinde and the Indian delegation met with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Foreign Affairs Minister Sarah Beslow Nyanti. Liberia assured its full support for India's anti-terrorism campaign. Speaker Koon also underscored the importance of regional unity among West African nations in the fight against terrorism. As a mark of solidarity, the Liberian Senate, on the direction of Senate President Karnga-Lawrence, observed a two-minute silence in memory of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in India, as per the statement. Reaffirming the enduring friendship between India and Liberia, Shinde noted the two nations' strong bilateral ties and India's support during Liberia's times of crisis. He expressed confidence that Liberia -- currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council -- would back India's anti-terrorism initiatives. As part of an African tour initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an all-party parliamentary delegation led by Shinde arrived in Monrovia on Sunday. Shinde's visit strengthened bilateral ties between India and Liberia, with the Indian delegation receiving a warm welcome and ceremonial honors. The delegation also interacted with the Indian diaspora and visited the Gurudwara in Monrovia. As per the statement, Shinde expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading this significant diplomatic mission. (ANI) French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin on Tuesday reaffirmed the "conviction" that France is one of "India's best economic partners" after his meeting with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Paris. The minister highlighted the potential to further strengthen bilateral ties through "reforms, stability, innovation, and enhanced market access to the EU and Indian markets." "With my Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal, I reaffirmed a conviction: France is one of India's best economic partners... Reforms, stability, innovation, access to EU and India markets: there's everything to strengthen our bilateral relationship," Saint-Martin stated in a post on X. Following his meeting with Goyal, Saint-Martin also expressed optimism about the ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, anticipating a possible agreement in the coming weeks or months. "It's important to demonstrate that we believe in free trade, not trade wars," he stressed. "Minister Goyal arrived with a strong business delegation - over 50 companies, which is significant. At a time when global trade is facing challenges, we believe it's crucial for India and France to strengthen their ties... The European Union and India are progressing toward a Free Trade Agreement, and as a member of the European Commission, we fully support this... I'm optimistic that we could see an agreement in the coming weeks or months... It's important to demonstrate that we believe in free trade, not trade wars," the French Minister told reporters. He emphasised the importance of fostering deeper cross-border trade and investments between the two nations. "At the same time, we must foster deeper bilateral relations between France and India, which means enhancing cross-investments, more cross-border trade... All the friendship that President Macron and PM Modi have will, of course, help our bilateral relations to go deeper now," he added. Earlier on Monday, the Union Minister held a productive meeting with French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Eric Lombard, focusing on deepening the India-France economic partnership with an emphasis on trade, investments, and technology cooperation. The discussions, which took place during Goyal's three-day official visit to France, also reviewed the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, signalling a strong intent to bolster bilateral ties amidst a shared commitment to innovation and economic growth. "Held a productive meeting with Eric Lombard, French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. Exchanged views on deepening our economic partnership, enhancing trade & investments with a special focus on technology and innovation across key sectors. Also discussed the progress of the India-EU FTA negotiations. Looking forward to stronger India-France economic ties," Goyal said in a post on X. He 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. Goyal also held a series of high-level meetings in Paris with top French CEOs to explore new opportunities for India's growth across key sectors such as renewable energy, automobile manufacturing, electric vehicles (EVs), and consumer products. The minister commenced his three-day official visit to Paris on Sunday as part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from 1 to 5 June 2025. (ANI) An Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, successfully concluded a productive visit to Malaysia, engaging in a series of high-level meetings with political leaders, influential think tanks, and members of the Indian community. India's High Commissioner to Malaysia, BN Reddy, said the delegation met with several Malaysian stakeholders, including the Speaker of Parliament and the Special Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and International Trade, led by YB Wong Chen. The delegation also held discussions with key political parties such as the People's Justice Party (PKR), headed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Democratic Action Party, and the Malaysian Indian Congress, both part of the ruling coalition. The visit also included interactions with leading Malaysian think tanks such as the Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia and the Asia Institute, along with representatives from the local media. Reddy emphasised the importance of the delegation's engagement with the Indian community in Malaysia, which is home to the world's second-largest Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) population and nearly 300,000 Indian passport holders. Summing up the visit, Reddy said, "It has been an extremely productive visit from the perspective of conveying the key message of new India. It's about India's policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, and that message has resonated well." He noted that the delegation effectively highlighted the impact of cross-border terrorism on India's security. "This will have a positive impact on how we go forward in taking this message further," he added. "The groundwork laid by our all-party parliamentary delegation will help enhance future engagement with Malaysian stakeholders," Reddy said. The Indian delegation includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, 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 delegation's tour includes stops in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore, underscoring India's commitment to regional peace, security, and development. (ANI) The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed the media at India House in London on Tuesday, ahead of concluding their visit to the UK. During the interaction, the delegation delivered a strong message on the global threat of terrorism, highlighting Pakistan's misuse of international funds to support terrorism and arms proliferation. The delegation also received widespread support from British parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora for India's democratic unity and firm stance against terrorism. Following the interaction, delegation leader Prasad highlighted the global concern over terrorism as a "cancer" and called for scrutiny of Pakistan's use of international funds, noting the novelty of the all-party delegation initiative. He noted that the delegation met with key UK figures, including the Speaker of the House of Commons and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, emphasising the need for international accountability on terrorism financing amidst appreciation for India's democratic approach. "This has been really good. Our visit to England concludes today. We held a press conference at the India House here; we met the Speaker of the House of Commons this morning. We met the Chairman of the Conservative Party yesterday; we also met Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel. We also met Indian Friends in the Labour Party... We also interacted with Think Tanks. All of them are concerned that terrorism is a cancer... We also said that they (Pakistan) get loans from the IMF and World Bank and they get other funding too. So, is the funding being used for terrorism and weapon purchases or for the poor? This should be asked of them... Everyone said one more thing: that the all-party Parliamentary delegation visit is a new initiative," Prasad said. Congress MP Amar Singh emphasised the delegation's efforts to explain India's terrorism challenges and urged Pakistan's government to clarify its stance. "We met several people here. We met the Speaker, Ministers, a few State Ministers, Labour MPs, and Conservative MPs. We have tried to explain how India is being affected by terrorism... We have also said how our neighbouring country troubles us again and again. Now, their Government has to decide what stand they take. But we have said everything we had to," Singh stated. Meanwhile, AIADMK MP M Thambidurai noted the UK's support for India's anti-terrorism actions, its appreciation of India's democratic unity, and its criticism of Pakistan's military rule and misuse of funds for terrorism. "We met all the elected people of the House of Commons and Senators also... They are all positive... The Indian delegation is much more successful, seeing the reaction of all sections of people in Britain. They are for India; they are against terrorism... They are very unhappy with Pakistan... Instead of developing the country, there is no democracy there. There is a military rule there... They are misusing the money they are getting and using it for terrorism... The UK is one of the countries that have suffered. So, the UK also felt that terrorist camps in Pakistan are a dangerous thing... So, whatever action that has been taken by India to tackle terrorism is being appreciated by them," the AIADMK leader noted. The delegation, led by the BJP MP, 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. (ANI) UK MP Bob Blackman on Tuesday raised critical concerns over Pakistan's use of international aid money during a meeting with the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad in London, questioning whether funds meant for the country's development were being diverted to purchase Chinese weapons for terrorism against India. The BJP MP-led all-party delegation earlier held a meeting with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India in London, where UK MPs affirmed the country's solidarity with India in isolating Pakistan and enhancing security cooperation. Key figures like House of Lords MP Lord Karan Bilimoria and former member of the UK Parliament Shailesh Vara also expressed unanimous cross-party support in the UK for India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, alongside discussions on deepening India-UK ties in trade, security, and education, despite last-minute camera restrictions leading to phone recordings. Blackman expressed the UK's condolences and support for India's anti-terrorism actions, emphasising India's desire for peace and questioning Pakistan's misuse of aid for military purposes, advocating for its use in health initiatives like polio eradication. "We had a meeting and it's great to see the delegation from all parts of India... Everyone from the United Kingdom expresses their condolences and support for the people of India who've suffered this terrorist outrage... India wants peace and tranquillity between the two," Blackman stated. "The money that's sent to Pakistan, what is it used for? What it shouldn't be used for is buying Chinese weapons that would then enable terrorists to attack India, and I take a very strong view that our international aid money that should go to Pakistan should be going for the eradication of polio and other infectious diseases that benefit the people of Pakistan rather than it being used illicitly for military purposes," he added. Lord Karan Bilimoria, who chaired the APPG-India meeting, highlighted the unified cross-party support in both nations against terrorism, reflecting a positive meeting outcome and emphasised the potential for deeper India-UK collaboration in security, education, and the recently agreed FTA, strengthening bilateral ties. "I am very privileged to have chaired the meeting, hosting the cross-party delegation sent by PM Narendra Modi after the atrocities that took place in Kashmir. They came here; they explained to us very clearly what happened and what India's position is and there is a united stand. Cross-party in India, cross-party here in the UK...We are united against terrorism. We will not tolerate terrorism; we have to stop terrorism. It was a very positive meeting with the spirit of unanimous support," Bilimoria stated. "We also had the opportunity to discuss the closeness of India-UK relations going forward, not only with the Free Trade Agreement which has been agreed but also working together on security, particularly counter-terroism as well as on education. So, there is huge potential going forward. From this sad, barbaric atrocity, we have to look forward to working together and standing together," he added. Former UK MP Shailesh Vara appreciated the delegation's in-person visit for providing a clear explanation of the Pahalgam attack, enhancing bilateral understanding and underscored the solid India-UK relationship. "I think it's very good that this cross-party delegation to the UK to give a very good physical explanation of what happened... it is to strengthen our relationship... The India-UK relationship is very solid, but when you have tragedies such as this, it's important that we don't just speak over the phone... we had a very good dialogue with an explanation and a robust exchange of questions and answers," the former MP noted. The all-party delegation was welcomed by APPG India President Sandy Verma, and the meeting was co-chaired by UK MPs Lord Karan Bilimoria and Jeevun Sandher. Many current and former MPs, including Lord Ed Vaizey, Bob Blackman, Barry Gardiner, Gurinder Singh Josan, Gagan Mohindra, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Kanishka Narayan, Shailesh Vara, Baggy Shanker, Mark Pritchard and others also joined the discussion. (ANI) All-party delegation led by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) or NCP SP MP Supriya Sule on Tuesday met with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty, in the New Administrative Capital. After the meeting concluded, Badr Abdelatty condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians and said that such attacks can't be tolerated. Labelling the relationship between India and Egypt as "historic," Abdelatty added that Egypt and India need to enhance their economic relationship to match the excellent political relationship between the two countries and their leaders. "It was a great pleasure to receive the Parliamentary delegation from India...our relationship is historic. But, we need to further enhance our trade investment and economic relationship to match the excellent political relationship between the two countries and their leaders...our position is very clear: we condemn, in the harshest words, the terrorist attack in Kashmir. We cannot tolerate any attacks on civilians," the Egyptian minister told ANI. The delegation led by Supriya Sule 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 Supriya Sule-led parliamentary delegation also paid a floral tribute to Indian soldiers at the Heliopolis War Memorial, who laid their lives in World War I and World War II. Earlier, Congress MP Manish Tewari said the Indian all-party parliamentary delegation began its visit to Egypt with a series of high-level interactions with key members of the Egyptian Parliament and foreign affairs experts, focusing on security cooperation and the fight against state-sponsored terrorism. Speaking to ANI, he informed that as part of their diplomatic outreach, the delegation also visited the Egyptian Council of Foreign Relations, a leading think tank, where they met former Foreign Minister Mohamed Orabi and other senior ambassadors, both serving and retired. "There was a wide range discussion on regional stability and the need to have a global coalition against state-sponsored terror. So in a sense, the first day was very productive, very fruitful, very constructive," Tewari stated, reflecting on the day's engagements. 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) The all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha concluded its 13-day diplomatic mission across five nations--Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore--departing Kuala Lumpur for India on Tuesday. During the visit, the delegation effectively communicated India's unified stance against cross-border terrorism, secured strong international condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, and called for global action to pressure Pakistan to end its support for terrorism. The delegation highlighted India's responsible response to the attack and the international consensus on zero tolerance for terrorism as part of the diplomatic outreach programme following Operation Sindoor. Prior to their departure, delegation leader Sanjay Kumar Jha emphasised the delegation's unity, underscoring its unified voice and India's responsible approach to the ceasefire. "One big thing is that the all-party delegation and the message we are sharing were in one voice and that India is united... All of us spoke in the same voice with the same feeling, and it was felt that we were representing the entire country... They appreciated India's response to the attack in the sense that we did not target civilian or military infrastructure. When the proposal of ceasefire came from Pakistan, India responsibly accepted it," the JD (U) MP stated. BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi also reflected on the tour's impact, highlighting the fulfilment of the mission to expose Pakistan's role in terrorism and seek international pressure on Pakistan. "I would say that I feel very much enriched at the end of 13 days of massive touring in five countries... I would definitely say that the purpose with which we had come has been fulfilled in my mind... The responses of the governments in five different countries were different from one another... We wanted to convey to these countries India's stand on cross-border terrorism... We requested to put in a word to Pakistan and tell them that this has to stop," Sarangi said. Congress leader Salman Khurshid noted the success of their outreach, emphasising the global consensus on terrorism and the need for Pakistan's response to determine future steps. "We have had a high level of success. Most certainly, our point of view was conveyed and heard very seriously... there is widespread consensus on the issue of terrorism... the problems for everyone are that when they have to talk about the next steps that have to be taken... it depends a lot on what responses we get from Pakistan," the Congress leader stated. Former Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar also affirmed the delegation's impact, noting the universal condemnation of terrorism and support for India's defensive actions. "I can confidently say... an all-party delegation was appreciated by all our interlocutors. It was accepted that India spoke in one voice... There was unanimous and universal condemnation of terrorism. There was support for India's action and condolences for victims (of Pahalgam attack)... We have conveyed clearly to them that it was not our choice to have a war and that we were merely responding to the horrific terrorist attacks," Kumar stated. CPI-M MP John Brittas summarised the trip's success, stating that India's peace-oriented stance despite terrorism challenges was successfully communicated. "It has been a successful trip to the five nations. We met many sections of society. We could convey the message of India about what actually happened and how cross-border terrorism affects us. We understand that they appreciate that India wants to be on the path of peace and progress," the CPI-M MP stated. The delegation also included BJP MPs Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, and Hemang Joshi; TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. Their visit was a part of a multi-nation tour to brief international partners on India's counter-terrorism efforts and promote regional cooperation. (ANI) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and UK Permanent Under-Secretary Oliver Robbins co-chaired the 17th UK-India Foreign Office Consultations and the inaugural Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue in the national capital on Tuesday, focusing on deepening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across trade, technology, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. The Foreign Secretary also thanked the UK Government for its expression of solidarity and support in India's fight against terrorism. "17th India-UK Foreign Office Consultations and 1st Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Permanent Under Secretary Oliver Robbins were held in New Delhi. Wide ranging discussions on entire gamut of bilateral relations focusing on further deepening & diversifying India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in areas of Trade & Economy, Technology, Science, Innovation, Defence & Security, Education, Health & Climate & People-to-People exchanges took place. They also discussed the regional & global issues of topical significance. Foreign Secretary thanked UK Government for the expression of solidarity and support to India in fight against terrorism," the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a post on X. "I'm delighted to be in India to help advance one of the UK's most vital partnerships in the world. In a more complex world, there is strong ambition from both governments to take this partnership to even greater heights. I'm looking forward to working with Foreign Secretary Misri to make that a reality," Robbins stated during the meeting. According to a statement from the UK High Commission, the discussions reviewed significant breakthroughs like the historic trade deal. They set an ambitious roadmap for the next decade, underscoring the UK's commitment to economic growth and mutual cooperation on global issues. "They welcomed the significant breakthroughs achieved across the full breadth of the partnership since consultations in London last year, including the announcement of the historic trade deal. Economic growth is the number one mission of the UK Government. Both agreed to work towards implementing the shared vision of the two prime ministers for an ambitious partnership between the UK and India over the next decade," the statement read. "This year's consultations included the inaugural Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue, aimed at building mutual understanding of systems and agreeing on areas for future cooperation on key sectors such as technology and defence," it further added. The Under-Secretary is also expected to meet a wide range of Indian Government partners, including on the G20 and Home Affairs. (ANI) 3 Serbian students advance to "Chinese Bridge" global finals Xinhua) 09:06, June 03, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, departed from London to India on Tuesday after concluding their five-country visit in Europe and the European Union to garner widespread support for India's fight against terrorism and exposed Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism. Prior to their departure, the BJP MP-led delegation, which includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari and 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, met with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India and interacted with the media there, during which the delegation delivered a strong message on the global threat of terrorism, highlighting Pakistan's misuse of international funds to support terrorism and arms proliferation. The delegation also received widespread support from British parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora for India's democratic unity and firm stance against terrorism. Delegation leader Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that during their time in the UK, the delegation met with key UK figures, including the Speaker of the House of Commons and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, emphasising the need for international accountability on terrorism financing amidst appreciation for India's democratic approach. Following the interaction with the media, Prasad highlighted the global concern over terrorism as a "cancer" and called for scrutiny of Pakistan's use of international funds, noting the novelty of the all-party delegation initiative. "This has been really good. Our visit to England concludes today. We held a press conference at the India House here; we met the Speaker of the House of Commons this morning. We met the Chairman of the Conservative Party yesterday; we also met Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel. We also met Indian Friends in the Labour Party... We also interacted with Think Tanks. All of them are concerned that terrorism is a cancer... We also said that they (Pakistan) get loans from the IMF and World Bank and they get other funding too. So, is the funding being used for terrorism and weapon purchases or for the poor? This should be asked of them... Everyone said one more thing: that the all-party Parliamentary delegation visit is a new initiative," Prasad said. Congress MP Amar Singh emphasised the delegation's efforts to explain India's terrorism challenges and urged Pakistan's government to clarify its stance. "We met several people here. We met the Speaker, Ministers, a few State Ministers, Labour MPs, and Conservative MPs. We have tried to explain how India is being affected by terrorism... We have also said how our neighbouring country troubles us again and again. Now, their Government has to decide what stand they take. But we have said everything we had to," Singh stated. Meanwhile, AIADMK MP M Thambidurai noted the UK's support for India's anti-terrorism actions, its appreciation of India's democratic unity, and its criticism of Pakistan's military rule and misuse of funds for terrorism. "We met all the elected people of the House of Commons and Senators also... They are all positive... The Indian delegation is much more successful, seeing the reaction of all sections of people in Britain. They are for India; they are against terrorism... They are very unhappy with Pakistan... Instead of developing the country, there is no democracy there. There is a military rule there... They are misusing the money they are getting and using it for terrorism... The UK is one of the countries that have suffered. So, the UK also felt that terrorist camps in Pakistan are a dangerous thing... So, whatever action that has been taken by India to tackle terrorism is being appreciated by them," the AIADMK leader noted. UK MPs, following the meeting with the delegation from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India, questioned Pakistan's aid misuse as well as backed India's anti-terror stand. UK MP Bob Blackman raised critical concerns over Pakistan's use of international aid money during the meeting with the all-party delegation, questioning whether funds meant for the country's development were being diverted to purchase Chinese weapons for terrorism against India. Key figures like House of Lords MP Lord Karan Bilimoria and former member of the UK Parliament Shailesh Vara also expressed unanimous cross-party support in the UK for India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, alongside discussions on deepening India-UK ties in trade, security, and education, despite last-minute camera restrictions leading to phone recordings. Blackman expressed the UK's condolences and support for India's anti-terrorism actions, emphasising India's desire for peace and questioning Pakistan's misuse of aid for military purposes, advocating for its use in health initiatives like polio eradication. "We had a meeting and it's great to see the delegation from all parts of India... Everyone from the United Kingdom expresses their condolences and support for the people of India who've suffered this terrorist outrage... India wants peace and tranquillity between the two," Blackman stated. "The money that's sent to Pakistan, what is it used for? What it shouldn't be used for is buying Chinese weapons that would then enable terrorists to attack India, and I take a very strong view that our international aid money that should go to Pakistan should be going for the eradication of polio and other infectious diseases that benefit the people of Pakistan rather than it being used illicitly for military purposes," he added. Lord Karan Bilimoria, who chaired the APPG-India meeting, highlighted the unified cross-party support in both nations against terrorism, reflecting a positive meeting outcome and emphasised the potential for deeper India-UK collaboration in security, education, and the recently agreed FTA, strengthening bilateral ties. Former UK MP Shailesh Vara appreciated the delegation's in-person visit for providing a clear explanation of the Pahalgam attack and enhancing bilateral understanding and underscored the solid India-UK relationship. The all-party delegation was welcomed by APPG India President Sandy Verma, and the meeting was co-chaired by UK MPs Lord Karan Bilimoria and Jeevun Sandher. Many current and former MPs, including Lord Ed Vaizey, Bob Blackman, Barry Gardiner, Gurinder Singh Josan, Gagan Mohindra, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Kanishka Narayan, Shailesh Vara, Baggy Shanker, Mark Pritchard and others also joined the discussion. Earlier today, the delegation met UK Minister for Citizenship and Migration and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra at the UK Parliament. Meanwhile, on Monday, the Conservative Party's Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel expressed her pleasure after meeting with an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by Prasad, and stated that "significant areas of discussion were covered." During their diplomatic outreach, the delegation visited the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark. (ANI) Branding Pakistan as a "failed state", UK MP Bob Blackman on Tuesday launched a scathing attack at India's neighbour, questioning if either "democracy or generals" was in charge of Pakistan, referring to the country's unchecked military influence in its governance. Speaking to ANI following a meeting with the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad in London, the UK MP urged the international community to stand with India in its fight against terrorism while blisteringly critiquing Pakistan for its encouragement of terrorism in sovereign Indian territory and its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. He further slammed the nation for fostering a breeding ground for terror that undermines regional peace and stability, while calling for the reunification of Jammu and Kashmir under India as intended in 1947. "Pakistan is a failed state. We don't have democracy in Pakistan. We have the people of parts of Pakistan, who are suffering under Pakistani military rule. So who's in charge? Is it the democracy or the Generals? And it's quite clear that terrorism is encouraged from Pakistan into sovereign India," Blackman stated. "And so we've got to make sure we have to call out the message that the illegal occupation of part of India in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan should end. Those troops should leave, and the whole of Jammu and Kashmir should be united as one principal state, as was intended back in 1947. And then we can lead to the eradication of terrorism and make sure that the people of that great state can celebrate the beauty of the valley," he added. Blackman further raised critical concerns over Pakistan's use of international aid money, questioning whether funds meant for the country's development were being diverted to purchase Chinese weapons for terrorism against India. He also expressed the UK's condolences and support for India's anti-terrorism actions, emphasising India's desire for peace and questioning Pakistan's misuse of aid for military purposes, advocating for its use in health initiatives like polio eradication. "We had a meeting and it's great to see the delegation from all parts of India... Everyone from the United Kingdom expresses their condolences and support for the people of India who've suffered this terrorist outrage... India wants peace and tranquillity between the two," Blackman stated. "The money that's sent to Pakistan, what is it used for? What it shouldn't be used for is buying Chinese weapons that would then enable terrorists to attack India, and I take a very strong view that our international aid money that should go to Pakistan should be going for the eradication of polio and other infectious diseases that benefit the people of Pakistan rather than it being used illicitly for military purposes," he added. The BJP MP-led all-party delegation earlier held a meeting with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India, which Blackman was a member of. During the meeting, the UK MPs affirmed the country's solidarity with India in isolating Pakistan and enhancing security cooperation. Key figures like House of Lords MP Lord Karan Bilimoria and former member of the UK Parliament Shailesh Vara also expressed unanimous cross-party support in the UK for India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, alongside discussions on deepening India-UK ties in trade, security, and education, despite last-minute camera restrictions leading to phone recordings. (ANI) The tremor was felt at 9:57 am, with residents reporting multiple mild tremors since Sunday evening, particularly in areas including Landhi, Malir, Quaidabad, and Gadap. Chief Meteorologist Ameer Haider told ARY News that 18 tremors have been recorded in Karachi since Sunday, caused by seismic activity along the Landhi Fault Line. He added that this energy release from the fault line could continue until Wednesday, but the intensity of the tremors will gradually decrease. He further explained that the tremors are part of ongoing seismic activity along the city's active fault lines, with the Landhi Fault Region being one of two active fault lines near Karachi. The other fault line is located near Thana Bola Khan. According to Haider, historically, no major earthquake has occurred along the Landhi Fault Line. He also noted that the nearby Kirthar mountain range, located near a major tectonic boundary, occasionally experiences moderate seismic events. "The fault line may take a few days to stabilize, so people may continue to feel light tremors in the coming days," he cautioned. The meteorologist confirmed that these mild tremors have not caused any damage so far. (ANI) Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra, represented India at the opening ceremony of the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva on Tuesday, underscoring India's steadfast commitment to global disaster resilience efforts through active participation and knowledge sharing. The event, jointly hosted by the United Nations for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Government of Switzerland, saw India reaffirm its dedication to the Sendai Framework, aligning with its national policies to reduce disaster risks. "Principal Secretary to PM Dr. P.K. Mishra participates in the opening ceremony of 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, reinforcing India's commitment to global disaster resilience efforts," the India at UN in Geneva posted on X. https://x.com/indiaungeneva/status/1929924962694918611?s=48 According to the UN, the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is the main global forum to assess and discuss progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The eighth session of the Global Platform (GP2025) organised by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) from June 2 to 6, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, hosted by the Government of Switzerland. The event will be co-chaired by the Government of Switzerland and UNDRR. The event is expected to assess and discuss progress made in the implementation of the recommendations put forward through the Political Declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly in May 2023 and to give practical guidance to accelerate its further implementation. GP2025 offers a chance for all stakeholders to recommit, with urgency, to accelerate progress on disaster risk reduction towards the achievement of sustainable development. The GP2025 agenda will be guided by the Sendai Framework, in particular its goal, four priorities for action and seven global targets, as well as the key priorities identified in the midterm review of the Sendai Framework, GP2022 Co-Chairs' Summary and Regional Platform meetings that will take place in 2024. Endorsed by the UN General Assembly following the 2015 Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR), the Sendai Framework advocates for: The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries. It recognises that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders, including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders. UNDRR is tasked with supporting the implementation, follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework. (ANI) US President Donald Trump remains optimistic about the progress being seen amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and urged his counterparts from Russia and Ukraine to talk directly with one another, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday (local time). While addressing a press briefing on Tuesday (local time), Leavitt noted that Russia handed over a peace plan to the Ukrainian side and the two nations agreed on the exchange of prisoners from each other's nations. She said that Trump is a realist and knows that the two nations have been engaged in the conflict due to former US President Joe Biden's "weakness and incompetence." When asked about Trump's statement on the Russia-Ukraine war following the Ukrainian drone strike, Karoline Leavitt said, "The President's thinking on the Russia-Ukraine war as it stands, I've spoken to him about it just this morning, is he remains positive at the progress that we've seen. Again, he urged both leaders to sit down and talk directly with one another, and they did that. Russia handed over a memorandum of peace, or a peace plan, or a suggestion of one, I understand, to the Ukrainian side. They also agreed upon the exchange of prisoners or hostages from each other's countries. "He remains positive about the progress that we're seeing, but he also is a realist and he realises these are two countries that are at war and have been for a long time because of his predecessor's weakness and incompetence. So he's working hard to solve this conflict. And that's where his mind is right now on it," she added. Russia and Ukraine held a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday. The two nations agreed to swap dead and captured soldiers, The Washington Post reported. However, there was no significant progress towards ending the war or even agreeing to a ceasefire. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, stated that Russia did not agree to an unconditional ceasefire or a bilateral meeting between the leaders of the two nations. However, both nations agreed to exchange gravely wounded prisoners of war, captives under the age of 25, and the bodies of 6,000 killed soldiers from each side. Umerov also said that Ukraine had proposed holding another round of talks at the end of June. On Monday, a Ukrainian presidential official said that "a certain format" on a presidential level is being discussed, including a meeting between leaders of the US, Russia, Ukraine and Turkiye. He said, "This is crucial for making progress in the negotiation process. We've been telling Russia for a very long time this war must end, and the whole world supports us in that." He stated, "If Russia is serious about ending the war, it will move forward on this. If not, international sanctions must follow." Umerov demanded the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russian forces from occupied territories in Ukraine's east, The Washington Post reported. That point seems to have added tension to the talks between Russia and Ukraine, as the head of the Russian delegation, former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, accused Ukraine of "putting on a show aimed at compassionate Europeans" in post-meeting remarks. Russia has repeatedly denied that the country forcibly took children from occupied Ukrainian territories, The Washington Post reported. Following the first round of talks between Russia and Ukraine in May, the two nations agreed to exchange memorandums mentioning their respective conditions for ending the conflict. Ukraine presented its proposal before the meeting in Istanbul, while Russia presented its proposal during the talks. Furthermore, on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, about ending the Ukraine conflict, as both sides prepare for fresh negotiations in Istanbul. 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. Ukraine carried out a significant drone attack on Sunday targeting deep inside Russian territory, destroying dozens of nuclear-capable bombers and other military aircraft. (ANI) India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, has said that there is great sympathy and understanding in the UK for what India has suffered due to cross-border terrorism that has emanated from Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled territory. In an interview with ANI, Doraiswami emphasised that India's ties with the UK have gained traction. The UK's approach to challenges that have persisted in South Asia has been much more understanding of India's concerns and more willing to respect that these problems need to be solved by India and Pakistan. Responding to questions about the all-party Indian delegation's meetings in the UK, Doraiswami said, "I don't want to put words into either our parliamentarians' mouths or those of our British friends, but I think there was a great deal of receptivity to the message. There is great sympathy and understanding in the UK for what India has gone through in terms of our long and painful journey with cross-border terrorism that has emanated from Pakistan-controlled territory and the state of Pakistan. There is a great sense of understanding of the anger and hurt in India that this scourge just doesn't go away." "That said, of course, the UK has its own position. It's a sovereign government. It will take its own decisions, but in the last decade and more, we see a steady evolution as our relationship with the UK has gained weight, traction, and strategic dimensions. The UK's approach to challenges that have long persisted in South Asia has been much more understanding of our concerns, much more willing to respect the fact that these are problems that have to be solved by India and Pakistan and indeed all other problems in the region by the region. And that India's rise is, in broader terms, the greatest benefit of the Indo-Pacific region and the world as a whole. So, that sense comes through to all our parliamentarians," he added. Doraiswami emphasised that the all-party delegation's visit was aimed at conveying the sentiments of Indian citizens, and India welcomed the international community's understanding of the country's need to ensure national security. When asked about the Indian delegation's expectations from the UK, he said, "I shouldn't, we should never set out expectations of a friend. We have come here as far as I can understand from our parliamentary leaders, the people of India as representatives, that we are not here to seek favour from anybody. We are here to explain our position. We are here to point out what the people of India feel, and of course. We welcome the fact that our partners understand what we have to do, but we will do what we need to do to secure the people of India, any government of India, the current government in particular, are committed and will always remain committed to do whatever is necessary to secure our people, and that message has landed." The all-party delegation, led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, was in the UK to garner widespread support for India's fight against terrorism and to expose Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism. The delegation led by Ravi Shankar Prasad includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari and 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. During the visit, they met with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India. They addressed the media there, during which the delegation delivered a strong message on the global threat of terrorism, highlighting Pakistan's misuse of international funds to support terrorism and arms proliferation. The delegation also received widespread support from British parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora for India's democratic unity and firm stance against terrorism. They were welcomed by APPG India President Sandy Verma, and the meeting was co-chaired by UK MPs Lord Karan Bilimoria and Jeevun Sandher. Many current and former MPs, including Lord Ed Vaizey, Bob Blackman, Barry Gardiner, Gurinder Singh Josan, Gagan Mohindra, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Kanishka Narayan, Shailesh Vara, Baggy Shanker, Mark Pritchard and others also joined the discussion. Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that during their time in the UK, the delegation met with key UK figures, including the Speaker of the House of Commons and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, emphasising the need for international accountability on terrorism financing amidst appreciation for India's democratic approach. Prasad highlighted the global concern over terrorism as a "cancer" and called for scrutiny of Pakistan's use of international funds, noting the novelty of the all-party delegation initiative. "This has been really good. Our visit to England concludes today. We held a press conference at the India House here; we met the Speaker of the House of Commons this morning. We met the Chairman of the Conservative Party yesterday; we also met Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel. We also met Indian Friends in the Labour Party... We also interacted with Think Tanks. All of them are concerned that terrorism is a cancer... We also said that they (Pakistan) get loans from the IMF and World Bank and they get other funding too. So, is the funding being used for terrorism and weapon purchases or for the poor? This should be asked of them... Everyone said one more thing: that the all-party Parliamentary delegation visit is a new initiative," Prasad said. The delegation met UK Minister for Citizenship and Migration and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra at the UK Parliament. The delegation also held a meeting with the UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, and her team on Sunday to share India's firm resolve to counter 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 India's firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism. They also highlighted how #OperationSindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in this ongoing effort." An all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, visited London as part of India's global outreach program to convey the country's firm stance against terrorism. (ANI) An all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, arrived in Brussels after concluding their visit to the United Kingdom. India's Ambassador to Belgium, Saurabh Kumar, received them at the airport in Brussels. During the two-day visit, the delegation is scheduled to hold several meetings aimed at consolidating global consensus against cross-border terrorism. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Belgium and Luxembourg stated, "On One Mission, One Message, One India. An All-Party Delegation led by Hon'ble Member of Parliament Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad was received by Amb @AmbSaurabhKumar upon arrival in Brussels. The visit, during which a series of meetings is scheduled over the next two days, aims to consolidate global consensus against cross-border terrorism." https://x.com/indembassybru/status/1929984357084868792 The delegation led by Ravi Shankar Prasad includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari and 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. Earlier, the delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, visited the UK to garner widespread support for India's fight against terrorism and to expose Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism. The delegation received widespread support from British parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora for India's firm stance against terrorism. Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that during their time in the UK, the delegation met with key UK figures, including the Speaker of the House of Commons and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, emphasising the need for international accountability on terrorism financing amidst appreciation for India's democratic approach. Prasad highlighted the global concern over terrorism as a "cancer" and called for scrutiny of Pakistan's use of international funds, noting the novelty of the all-party delegation initiative. "This has been really good. Our visit to England concludes today. We held a press conference at the India House here; we met the Speaker of the House of Commons this morning. We met the Chairman of the Conservative Party yesterday; we also met Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel. We also met Indian Friends in the Labour Party... We also interacted with Think Tanks. All of them are concerned that terrorism is a cancer... We also said that they (Pakistan) get loans from the IMF and World Bank and they get other funding too. So, is the funding being used for terrorism and weapon purchases or for the poor? This should be asked of them... Everyone said one more thing: that the all-party Parliamentary delegation visit is a new initiative," Prasad said. Congress MP Amar Singh emphasised the delegation's efforts to explain India's terrorism challenges and urged Pakistan's government to clarify its stance. "We met several people here. We met the Speaker, Ministers, a few State Ministers, Labour MPs, and Conservative MPs. We have tried to explain how India is being affected by terrorism... We have also said how our neighbouring country troubles us again and again. Now, their Government has to decide what stand they take. But we have said everything we had to," Singh stated. During the UK visit, the delegation met UK Minister for Citizenship and Migration and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra at the UK Parliament. The delegation also held a meeting with the UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel and her team on Sunday to share India's 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 India's firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism. They also highlighted how #OperationSindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in this ongoing effort." An all-party delegation visited London as part of India's global outreach program to convey the country's firm stance against terrorism. This diplomatic outreach follows Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which claimed 26 lives. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI) An all-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrived in Washington, DC, on Tuesday (local time). India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, received the delegation at the airport. The delegation reached the US after concluding their visit to Belgium. Led by Shashi Tharoor, it includes Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, reflecting India's vibrant and inclusive democratic character. The delegation comprises Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Interestingly, the Indian delegation will see a face-off with a Pakistani delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto, which will also be in the US at the same time. However, Shashi Tharoor has expressed confidence in pushing India's message on terrorism across. Speaking to ANI before departing for Washington, DC, he said that the US media is a difficult space, but those who are against terrorism and deeply care about South East Asia and are against terrorism will listen to India. "In Washington, we'll have the interesting phenomenon of the Pakistani delegation in America, and almost exactly the same days... Tomorrow almost they will be in Washington, while we are in Washington on the same date. So there's going to be perhaps an increase in interest because there are two duelling delegations in the same city," Tharoor told ANI, as the delegation he is leading will be in the US for its last leg of the visit. Tharoor said that though India's case might not be at the top of the agenda for the US media, India can get its message across easily. "It's a challenging environment. America is a very crowded media space, the world's news generator. Therefore, our story may not be at the top of their minds. But if we can get the attention of those who care about South Asia, those who care about India, those who care about terrorism, we can get our message across very, very easily," he said. Tharoor said that the delegation has meetings set up with influential government officials and committees which formulate public opinion. He said, "In Washington we have meetings set up with the entire range of public opinion in Washington, government officials, legislators, there are senators and congressmen, various committees in the House and the Senate, think tanks who are very influential in Washington, particularly those focusing on foreign policy, media and some public addresses, like, for example, the National Press Club... I've been asked to give six or seven interviews, seven or eight interviews to individual American channels and broadcasters, podcasters, and so on," he said. Tharoor said that the US is important to India in terms of defence, intelligence sharing, QUAD, etc. "The US is important to us at all levels because frankly the Security Council in a sense is a small part of our relationship with the US which is huge, whether it comes to trade, whether it comes to defence, whether it comes intelligence sharing, whether it comes to our participation in the QUAD in the G-20, there are just so many avenues in which we cooperate with the US," he said. Tharoor added that it's no coincidence that Pakistan sent its own delegation, but they are not covering as many countries as India is. He said the Pakistani delegation is covering countries that they deem important. "It's no accident that the Pakistanis have also sent a delegation abroad, but they're not going to as many countries as the Indian delegations are. They're focusing on what they consider a few key capitals, namely, Washington, Brussels. London. That seems to be the thrust of the Pakistani effort. We have gone to all those capitals and more," he said. Tharoor said that he has enormous respect for the US, but denied claims that the US had mediated in reaching the cessation of hostilities. He added that India never wanted war. "We have enormous respect for the American presidency, and we will speak with that respect in mind. But broadly speaking, our understanding is a bit different... No one needed to persuade us to stop. We had already said to stop. If there was any persuasion by the American president or his senior officials, it would have been persuasion of the Pakistanis. They would have had to be persuaded. We don't need to be persuaded because we don't want war. We want to focus on development. That's the basic message," he said. "We had consistently said from the very beginning on May 7th that we are not interested in prolonging the conflict. This is not the opening salvo in some sort of war. All it is is retribution against the terrorists, period. If Pakistan had not reacted, we would not have reacted," he added. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on May 17 stated that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had tasked him to lead a delegation to present Pakistan's case on the recent escalations of tensions between the two nations. India's all-party delegation's visit to the US is part of India's larger global outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack, aimed at conveying India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. The delegation had earlier visited Brazil, Panama, Guyana, and Colombia and will now travel to the United States to continue their diplomatic outreach. (ANI) HAMAMATSU, Jun 03 (News On Japan) - A 34-year-old woman has been arrested in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of harboring a man who fled the scene after a car crash that left two children behind. The incident occurred on June 1st when a car veered off a municipal road and fell onto the Tomei Expressway in the citys Chuo Ward. Police say the woman, identified as Noriko Oshida, is suspected of helping Akiya Kurebayashi, who was arrested earlier for driving without a license and abandoning the scene of the accident. Oshida allegedly sheltered Kurebayashi to help him evade arrest. According to investigators, Kurebayashi left two children at the crash site before fleeing. He was later apprehended by police. Oshida, who lives in Mikatahara in Chuo Ward, is unemployed and is believed to be in a relationship with Kurebayashi. Authorities have not disclosed whether Oshida has admitted to the charges. Previously: Unlicensed Driver Arrested After Car Falls Onto Expressway in Hamamatsu Source: TBS SHIZUOKA, Jun 03 (News On Japan) - A Shizuoka Prefecture expert panel overseeing environmental issues linked to the Linear Chuo Shinkansen project met on June 2nd and concluded all discussions related to water resources, ending over a decade of debate. Deputy Governor Hiraki described the outcome as "a major step forward." The panel, held at the Shizuoka Prefectural Government office, focused on the environmental impact of the maglev construction, particularly water resources. On June 2nd, the agenda included contingency planning for the so-called "Tashiro Dam proposal"specifically, how to respond if restrictions on water intake from the dam cannot be maintainedas well as the design and risk management of spoil disposal sites generated by tunnel excavation. During the meeting, Central Japan Railway (JR Tokai) received approval from committee members on its proposed monitoring and risk management plans regarding water resources. As a result, two final dialogue items were marked as "complete." This completion means that all six dialogue items concerning water resourcesoriginally set out by the prefecture as conditions for JR Tokaihave now been fully resolved. The discussions had spanned more than ten years. Takaki Naganaga, director of JR Tokai's Shizuoka construction office, commented, "It is important for us to faithfully follow through on what has been discussed so far. We will continue efforts to ensure that the local community understands the agreements we have reached." Hiraki, the deputy governor, added, "From now on, we will enter the implementation phase concerning water resources. In the sense that we have cleared each dialogue item step by step, today's panel meeting marked a significant milestone for the prefecture." Going forward, the expert panel plans to continue discussions on unresolved issues such as the impact on ecosystems and the handling of excavated soil. Source: SBSnews6 DALIAN, Jun 04 (News On Japan) - Two Japanese men were killed in Dalian, northeastern China, last month, according to an announcement by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Local police have detained a 42-year-old Chinese man on suspicion of murder. The two Japanese men had been staying temporarily in China and were reportedly involved in a business relationship with the suspect. Authorities believe a dispute related to their work may have led to the incident. Police are continuing to investigate the details of what happened. Source: TBS The business and investment opportunities offered in Morocco in various sectors were highlighted by Chief of Moroccos Agency for Investment & Export Development during a TV program broadcast by Euronews. Morocco had the fifth highest GDP in Africa in 2024, while S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the countrys credit rating to BB+ with a positive outlook, replacing the previously stable outlook, said Ali Seddiki, Director of the Moroccan investment Agency. According to S&P, the BB+ status denotes an expectation that the Kingdom will strengthen its track record of implementing reforms to support growth and reduce its deficits. The S&P good rating supports Moroccos efforts to attract foreign direct investment and establish itself as a gateway between Europe and Africa. As Europe grapples with uncertainty over its future economic relationship with the U.S., the European bloc explores other strategic partnerships. When we discuss with our European counterparts, we understand that green and ESG-compatible industries are important for Europeans. They are also looking for additional cost-efficiency, competitiveness, and also for future markets, Mr Sedikki told Euronews. Africa is also the market of the future [] and clearly we think that Morocco is part of the solution for the European companies, he added, showing the merits of Moroccos Investment Charter which seeks to raise the share of private investment to two-thirds of total investment by 2035. The charter implemented investment support mechanisms, an improved business climate by simplifying processes and bureaucracy, improved governance so all regions can benefit, tax incentives and legal safeguards. It works on creating a suitable environment for investors, less bureaucracy, more efficiency, Mr Sedikki explained. The North African country also created a Ministry for Investors and AMDIE to help investors and provide end-to-end services and we work as a one-stop shop for any kind of investor, he added. He also spoke about Moroccos growing green energy industry focusing on wind and solar. The Kingdom aims to produce at least 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, positioning itself as a regional leader in the energy transition in Africa. As the UK has just joined the United States, France, Spain, Germany and several Arab & African countries, recognizing Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara or supporting the autonomy plan, the future of Algeria-backed Polisario Front of Brahim Ghali seems more uncertain than ever. For decades, the Polisario has benefited from political and financial support from the Eastern Bloc, from some African countries including the military regimes in Algeria, Libya, which used the separatist group as a leverage in their hostile schemes against Morocco. The separatist terrorist group, supported since its creation by the Algerian military regime, is going through a diplomatic, strategic and existential crisis amid a major shift in geopolitical landscape. Since 2020, a wave of implicit or explicit recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara and support for its autonomy plan has gained momentum. Washington, Madrid, Berlin, and then today London, consider Rabats proposed autonomy offered for the Sahara under its sovereignty as serious, credible and realistic. Furthermore, the United Kingdom, a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power, unveiled plans to invest in projects in southern Moroccan provinces via the UK Export Finance agency to support the regions socioeconomic development. According to some experts, the British backing of Moroccos territorial integrity strengthens the growing international recognition of the autonomy plan and exacerbates further the isolation of the Polisario and its supporters. For several years, intelligence services have sounded the alarm over Polisarios ties with terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and warned against their links with Iranian proxies active in the Middle-East. To address this threat, fueled by the nexus between separatism and terrorism, lawmakers and influential politicians in the United States and Europe are pushing for the designation of the Polisario a terrorist organization. Currently, the Polisario benefits from the financial, political, military and logistic support provided by the authoritarian Algerian junta headed by Gen. Said Chengriha. But an isolated movement, without political prospects, risks collapse, while its hawkish hardliners are very likely going to join transnational armed networks! The International Air Transport Association (IATA) downgraded its 2025 projections Monday, forecasting fewer than five billion air trips this year compared to the previously anticipated 5.22 billion, as the aviation sector faces mounting economic uncertainties. During IATAs annual general assembly in New Delhi, the organization revised industry profit expectations to $36 billion, down $600 million from earlier estimates. Commercial aviation revenue is now projected at $979 billion, falling short of the $1 trillion milestone envisioned last December. Air cargo volumes also face downward revision, with IATA expecting 69 million tons of freight traffic versus the 72.5 million tons initially forecast. These adjustments reflect broader challenges confronting the global aviation sector as it navigates an increasingly complex economic landscape. The first half of 2025 has brought significant uncertainties to global aviation markets, noted IATA Director General Willie Walsh. Without directly naming President Donald Trump, whose administration launched trade offensive measures in early April, targeting partners including the European Union, Walsh urged policymakers to spare the aviation sector from increased tariffs. Despite these headwinds, Walsh maintained cautious optimism, suggesting 2025 should prove a better year for airlines than 2024. IATA, representing 350 carriers worldwide and claiming 80% of global air traffic, continues monitoring market conditions closely. The revised forecasts underscore aviations vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and trade disputes, even as the industry recovers from pandemic-related disruptions. Airlines must now recalibrate strategies to address softer demand projections while managing operational costs amid uncertain global economic conditions that threaten to constrain both passenger travel and cargo shipments throughout the year. The UK has endorsed Moroccos autonomy plan as the most credible basis to resolve the Sahara issue, as it also looks to deepen economic ties with Morocco, building on 800 years of relations. The United Kingdom has opened a new era in its ties with Morocco with the recognition of the autonomy plan for the Sahara as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute, British foreign secretary David Lammy said, during the first such visit since 2011. With this position the UK becomes the fourth country in the Sahara friendship group to back the Moroccan position, after Spain, the US and France. The UKs position is also a watershed, given its status as a permanent member in the UN security council, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said, urging the UN to take into account the momentum in favor of the autonomy plan and the backing it has been receiving. The UK and Morocco are now poised to build on this momentum to promote regional peace and security by accelerating a solution to a conflict that has long-lasted. The two countries also eye closer cooperation in areas ranging from higher education, to climate, energy, healthcare, defense, procurement and infrastructure, a joint statement said. Bourita said the UKs new position on the Sahara will have economic dimensions with projects in trade and investments being considered in the southern provinces, the Sahara. The UK can consider supporting projects in Western Sahara subject to meeting UKEFs due diligence requirements, the two countries said in a joint statement co-signed by Bourita and Lammy. The UK recognizes Morocco as a key gateway to Africas socio-economic development and reaffirms its commitment to deepening engagement with Morocco as a partner for growth across the continent, it said. In this respect, the UK backed Moroccos initiative to help landlocked Sahel states access global trade through the Atlantic. The United Kingdom commended the leadership of King Mohammed VI in strengthening Moroccan-British relations, promoting regional stability, and fostering national development. This position was expressed in a Joint Communique signed, Sunday in Rabat, following talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 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 King Mohammed VI to foster peace, stability and socio-economic development in Africa, notably, the Initiative of the Atlantic African States Process and the International Royal Initiative to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, recognizing thus the Sovereigns enlightened choice to make the development of the African continent a strategic priority, focusing on pragmatic and solidarity-based cooperation. Regarding the Kings continued commitment to the Palestinian issue, the UK commends the key role played by 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 King Mohammed VI, the Communique says. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has announced that the majority of his $200 billion fortune will be spent over the next two decades on transforming health and education across Africa. Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Gates called for bold investments in human potential as the key to unlocking prosperity across the continent. I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years, Gates told attendees. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa. The 69-year-old philanthropist emphasized maternal and child health as top priorities for the Gates Foundation, along with nutrition, disease prevention, and poverty alleviation. He also urged Africas young innovators to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) to build next-generation healthcare systems. Gates move comes amid declining U.S. aid under President Donald Trumps administration, raising concerns over Africas healthcare future. Mozambiques former First Lady Graca Machel praised the pledge, calling it a timely commitment during a moment of crisis. While the foundation has already disbursed over $100 billion globally, Gates now plans to sunset its operations by 2045. Despite giving away 99% of his wealth, Bloomberg reports Gates will likely remain a billionaire. Critics have questioned the foundations tax status and influence, but Gates remains resolute: People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that he died rich will not be one of them. The Malian army successfully repelled a jihadist assault on its military camp in Timbuktu on Monday (2 June), just one day after a deadly attack in Boulkessi left at least 30 soldiers dead. According to the Malian Armed Forces, 13 attackers were neutralized during the attempted infiltration of the Timbuktu camp. Witnesses reported a car bomb explosion in the city center, followed by intense gunfire. Shells were also fired toward the nearby airport, prompting UN personnel to seek shelter. Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, claimed responsibility for the coordinated assaults. The Timbuktu attack was the groups second in 48 hours, following Sundays (1 June) devastating raid on Boulkessi, near the Burkinabe border. Local officials estimate the death toll there could exceed 60, including soldiers killed, missing, or taken hostage. Many men fought, some until their last breath, a security source in Bamako stated, citing the lack of timely reinforcements during the Boulkessi battle. These attacks highlight the mounting challenges facing Malis military junta, which seized power pledging to end jihadist violence. Since May, over 400 soldiers across Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have reportedly been killed by insurgents. Despite ongoing counteroffensives, the situation remains volatile as jihadist forces exploit Malis political instability and strained military resources. CRC Evans (CRCE), a leader in welding, welding technology, and coating services, has won a major contract renewal to provide project management and pipeline welding services for a transformational water pipeline project in Morocco. State-owned OCP Group is constructing a 219-km water pipeline to transport desalinated water from its facilities in Jorf Lasfar on the Atlantic coast to its operations in Khouribga as part of an initiative to combat water shortages in Morocco. The UK-headquartered CRCE has won its second contract in Morocco following successful completion of work on the first phase of the project in 2024, when it worked with local contractors to complete 4,000 welds on a 72km stretch of 52 diameter pipe. Were very pleased to have secured a new contract for this project on the back of work carried out to date; it confirms our clients confidence to continue to work with them on such a fantastic project, which will bring huge benefits to the local population, said Henk DeGraaf, Onshore Director, CRC Evans. This pipeline will provide desalinated water for fertilizer production, agriculture and industrial community projects, freeing up pressure on local water resources, he added. Steven Mackay, Director of Renewables & Infrastructure, CRC Evans said: Our world leading expertise in coatings and welding, both in terms of our experienced personnel and ground-breaking technology such as our internal welding equipment, with its higher rate of productivity, are crucial in the current project and future water projects to come. Gambias President Adama Barrow has sent a written message to King Mohammed VI. The message was handed over by Gambias foreign minister Mamadou Tangara to his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita during a meeting held Tuesday in Rabat. In a press statement, Mr. Tangara stressed the importance of holding regular consultations between the two countries on topics of common interest, in particular within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as Gambia holds the rotating presidency of this Organization. He lauded the actions and efforts engaged by King Mohammed VI, chairman of Al-Qods Committee, for the Palestinian cause and for consolidation of the Moroccan-Gambian relations. Gambias top diplomat has also reiterated his countrys recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara and hailed the recent UK support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty. For UK, permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Moroccan proposed autonomy plan is the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis to achieving a lasting solution for the decades-long regional conflict. London joins its major western allies, Washington, Paris, Madrid, Berlin in backing Moroccos territorial integrity. The British endorsement of the Moroccan plan is a clear recognition of Rabats sovereignty over the territory. It comes after Morocco has gained growing international support in recent years. Algerias vehement reaction to the United Kingdoms support for Moroccos autonomy plan in Western Sahara has done more than express diplomatic discontent. It laid bare Algiers transformation from a behind-the-scenes sponsor and host of the Polisario militias to the undisguised principal actor in the decades-old territorial dispute. In a statement laced with indignation, Algerias foreign ministry condemned the UKs endorsement of Moroccos 2007 autonomy initiative, calling it a dangerous deviation from international law. But in doing so, Algeria has inadvertently confirmed what Rabat has long asserted: that the real party to the conflict is not the Polisario Front, but Algeria itself. For years, Algeria has cloaked its involvement in the Western Sahara issue under the guise of defending the right to self-determination. Yet under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the masque has fallen. Algiers has moved from diplomatic ambiguity to open hostility, lobbying international actors, attacking Moroccos proposals, and now, directly challenging sovereign decisions of third-party states like the UK and France and previously Spain. It has however lowered its tone with the US, which was the first global power to fully recognize Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara. Algerias shift to take center stage on the Sahara issue is not merely rhetorical. Algerias aggressive posture, recalling ambassadors, issuing condemnations, and orchestrating media campaigns, has effectively sidelined the Polisario separatists, reducing them to their real status of a symbolic proxy in a geopolitical contest driven by Algiers. The Polisarios voice is now barely audible amid Algerias thunderous declarations. Moroccos autonomy plan, which offers substantial self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty, has gained traction globally, with support from the United States, Germany, Spain, France, and now the UK, while the majority of African and all Arab monarchies recognize Rabats sovereignty over its southern provinces. Algerias reaction to this growing consensus has been to double down on maximalist positions, refusing to engage with the plan while rehashing ideological anachronism. By rejecting the autonomy initiative outright, Algeria has exposed its true objective: not a negotiated solution, but the perpetuation of a frozen conflict that serves its failed goal of containing and undermining Morocco economically and politically. In this light, Algerias latest outburst at the UK is a geopolitical maneuver. And in making itself the loudest voice in the room, Algeria has confirmed what it has long denied: that it is the architect and engine of the Sahara conflict. Lincoln County commissioners Monday stressed their commitment to working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the local immigrant population after discussion of a sanctuary jurisdictions list published by the Department of Homeland Security last week. Over the past 10 months, County Board Chairwomen Micaela Wuehler has been working with state officials and Nebraskas congressional delegates to remove 21 Nebraska Counties identified as sanctuary counties for criminal, illegal aliens from a Center for Immigration Studies online list. The list originated from a June 2024 ICE report. So far she has aided in clearing 10 counties from the list, including Lincoln County. A similar list published Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security included some of the same Nebraska counties that the nonprofit Center for Immigration Studies listed: Arthur, Blaine, Grant, Greeley, Hooker, Howard, Logan, Loup, McPherson and Thomas. That list of sanctuary jurisdictions was removed from the DHS website on Sunday, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Several of the Nebraska counties listed a lack of a jail to detain people, which officials believe is the reason for landing on the list. Some counties listed contracts with other counties, including Lincoln County, for detention. Commissioners expressed concern that either DHS was getting its information from the nonprofit, or that DHS was using incorrect information. It became apparent to us that we also needed to focus on making sure that the reporting coming out of the ICE office to the Department of Homeland Security through that detainer list was also corrected and accurate, Wuehler said. A statement issued jointly by multiple west central Nebraska sheriffs and Wuehler made it clear that Nebraska law enforcement has always and will always cooperate with the apprehension, detaining, prosecution and assisting of ICE in any way possible, she said during the meeting. Wuehler also said that, at her urging, a person in Gov. Jim Pillens office also spoke with officials at DHS and the Department of Justice. Im glad that our governor has a good enough relationship with the current federal administration and president that they hear us when we speak, Commissioner Joe Hewgley said The chairwoman also stressed that immigration and the sanctuary for criminal, illegal aliens are two distinctly different topics. I firmly support immigration and I recognize the vital contributions of an immigrant workforce Immigration strengthens our economies and our communities through the legal pathway, Wuehler said. Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer said he has noticed the fear that some of the dialogue nationally has put into the migrant worker community. We have migrant workers that have been in the state for decades, that own homes, own vehicles and pay taxes, he said. They do everything right, and they cant sleep at night, and they see these reports wondering if theyre going to get deported. And who are they scared of the most? The sheriffs department. He said he is fearful that some of these immigrants might be victims of crimes themselves and not report it because theyre afraid of getting arrested and deported. That is absolutely not true, he said. We will arrest criminals and we will deport criminals, but the people that have roots here have nothing to fear. Theyre not on the radar and never will be, in my opinion, as long as Im sheriff. Other business Community Connections Executive Director Jayna Schaaf spoke to the board about the 2026 Community Based Juvenile Services Aid grant that was awarded to the county. Schaaf said they submitted the application for the grant at the end of 2024 and were approved for the full amount they sought, which was just a little over $116,500. The grant will be divided between the juvenile diversion program, the juvenile assessment center and the North Platte Public Schools school support specialist; $5,800 will go to the community planning team and for the implementation plan. Lincoln County Noxious Weeds Superintendent Todd Herndon discussed having additional funding for the Platte Valley Weed Management areas near the North and South Platte rivers to spray phragmites, an invasive grass that requires yearly treatment with herbicides and was declared a noxious weed in 2008. The county has over 33,000 acres of prime phragmites habitat, he said. Platte Valley Weed Management, which has a helicopter to spray the affected areas, has recently asked all counties impacted to contribute extra funds of $10,000 to be able to provide assistance in controlling the weeds, which Herndon said are not accessible by the departments conventional equipment given their proximity to the rivers. Commissioners took no action and said they will discuss it during their upcoming budget planning for the next fiscal year. Three reappointments were made by the board to the Lincoln County Safety Committee. Lincoln County Highway Superintendent Jason Schultz was reappointed to a three-year term as a management representative. Angie Forbes and Charley Wescoat were reappointed to two-year terms as employee representatives. Commissioners also: Approved sending a recommendation to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for Unreel Events LLC on changes they are making to their business Last Chance Bar and Grill. Approved a request from the Sheriffs Office to trade in a 2008 Chevy Impala school travel car for a 2020 Jeep Cherokee at a cost of $25,000. 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. Why Is Everyone Talking About Ms. Rachel Right Now? Climate campaignerand 11 other activists set sail for the Gaza Strip on Sunday afternoon, aboard a ship carrying aid. The mission is aimed at "breaking Israel's siege" of the devastated territory, organizers said.and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, are also among the crew. Hassan has been barred from entering Israel due to her active opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza.The sailing boat Madleen operated by activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition departed from the Sicilian port of Catania, in southern Italy.Child influencer Ms Rachel has been making headlines recently for her outspoken support of children affected by the war in Gaza. Just this week, she posted a video of herself singing toddler favorite Hop Little Bunnies with Rahaf, a 3-year-old double amputee who lost her legs in an airstrike. Over footage of Rahaf bounging happily along to the song, Accurso wrote that she would do everything she can to help Rahaf and children everywhere whose human rights are being violated and thanked the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund for their efforts. U.S. Department of Labor Launches Opinion Letter Program to Clarify Workplace Laws A new initiative aims to improve how individuals and organizations access official guidance on complex workplace regulations across five key enforcement divisions. The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of its opinion letter program. This expands the departments longstanding commitment to providing meaningful compliance assistance that helps workers, employers, and other stakeholders understand how federal labor laws apply in specific workplace situations. The program spans five key enforcement agencies within the department: The Wage and Hour Division will issue opinion letters. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will provide letters of interpretation. The Employee Benefits Security Administration will release advisory opinions and information letters. The Veterans Employment and Training Service will issue opinion letters. The Mine Safety and Health Administration will provide compliance assistance resources through its new MSHA Information Hub, a centralized platform offering guidance, regulatory updates, training materials, and technical support. Opinion letters are an important tool in ensuring workers and businesses alike have access to clear, practical guidance, said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. Launching this program is part of our broader effort to empower the public with the information they need to understand and comply with the laws the department enforces. Opinion letters provide official written interpretations from the departments enforcement agencies, explaining how laws apply to specific factual circumstances presented by individuals or organizations. By addressing real-world questions, they promote clarity, consistency, and transparency in the application of federal labor standards. To support this effort, the department has launched a landing page at dol.gov/opinion-letters. The new site allows users to explore past guidance and provides an easy way to submit new requests to the appropriate agency. This weekend, OPEC+ agreed to add another 411,000 barrels daily to its combined output. The decision came amid expectations of a bigger hike that had weighed on energy stocks prior to the latest meeting of the group. But that wasnt all. Following the OPEC+ decision, oil prices actually jumped. The oil market just remembered that geopolitics exists. That OPEC+ was going to raise its output for another month was already clear, so the hike was not really a surprise. It had the potential to hurt energy stocks because of a perceived imbalance between demand and supply, with the latter exceeding the former, just like the previous two hikes. What many appeared to forget while discussing how energy stocks have trended down lately because of OPEC+ was geopolitics. Last week, Ukrainian forces stepped up their attacks against targets in Russia significantly, especially during the weekend. The escalation comes ahead of yet another attempt to discuss peace in Istanbul, which right now looks more or less doomed to failure. But what it did was remind energy investors that not all is settled in Ukrainevery far from it, in fact. And this means the geopolitical factor for oil prices is very much alive. Oil is trading as if it has just remembered that geopolitics exists, SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes wrote in a note cited by MarketWatch this weekend. Moscow has been provoked on a strategic level, and markets should brace for a forceful Russian retaliation, Innes added. Related: Lower Oil Prices Spur Strong Start to U.S. Driving Season Bloomberg, meanwhile, argued at the end of last week that energy investors were awaiting the weekend meeting of OPEC+ with a sense of dread, expecting another super-sized supply boost at a time when prices are already low. It was an unfortunately timed article given the price move following the OPEC+ announcementbecause the author had probably forgotten about geopolitics. Another argument could be made, however. This is the argument that oil traders have already gotten used to OPEC+s new strategy, which seems to focus on regaining market share, and no longer itching to exit their position every time OPEC+ gathers for a conference call. U.S. shale growth is slowing, which has prompted revisions in oil market balance forecastsand it should also prompt revisions of price projections. The bearish sentiment is still quite strongespecially among media commentators. Reuters Clyde Russell, for instance, argued in a recent column that OPEC+ leaders may have agreed to bring more oil to the market, but suggested there was not enough demand for this oil. Russell focused on Asia as the source of the biggest oil demand growth, pointing to import numbers suggesting softer demand this year compared to last. This softer demand may have a lot to do with oil prices, as suggested by a pickup in imports amid the oil price rout, rather than with a structural decline. According to Bloomberg, energy was the worst-performing industry on the stock market in the second quarter of the year, with the publication citing President Trumps tariff offensive as one reason and the increased risk of recession as a result of that offensive as another. The path of least resistance is still pointing lower in an oil market largely being governed by supply-side dynamics, RBC Capital Markets Helima Croft said in a note last week. It was precisely because of the supply-side dynamics that oil actually rose following OPEC+s production decision for July. A further escalation between Russia and Ukraine could involve the latter targeting oil infrastructure, as it did earlier this year, or the U.S. stepping up sanctions against Russia and also targeting its oil industry. Of course, there is also the worst-case scenario of European countries, maybe even the United States, getting even more directly involved in the war, which would also have direct implications for the supply security of crude oil and, as such, affect prices. As regards the laments about energy stocks and their recent movements, it may be worth noting here that the stock market is a dynamic place, often governed by perceptions, speculation, and, most recently, software algorithms with little to no connection to the physical world. Events in the physical world, however, sooner or later prompt corrections on the stock market if it gets too detached/ Right now may be such a time. The oil market is well supplied, indeed, but the assumption of a major global surplus may turn out to be quite wrongnot least because it was in large part based on another assumption, that of relentless U.S. shale growth. Geopolitics does not tend to feature prominently in most of these forecasts. All in all, they follow the same pattern of EV sales weakening oil demand while supply rises, and how thats bad for prices. But in addition to the Ukraine war, there are supply security uncertainties in places like Libya and Iran, as well. The fact that these uncertainties continue to affect oil prices suggests the EVs-and-surplus refrain might need changing. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com In recent years, Colombias oil production and reserves have been in decline and interest in investing in the countrys crude seemed limited in the post-pandemic landscape. In addition, President Petro has been vocal about supporting a green transition and restricting investment in new fossil fuel projects. However, in recent months, there has been a renewed interest in developing exploration and production. Colombia has long relied on its fossil fuel revenues to support the national economy, with oil and gas contributing around 10 percent of the GDP and 20 percent of exports. State-owned Ecopetrol is responsible for around 64 percent of Colombias oil and gas production and owns 100 percent of its refining capacity. In 2021, Colombia produced an average of 736,400 bpd of crude, a figure which grew to 753,750 bpd in 2022, with crude reserves of 1.8 billion barrels as of January 2022. In 2021, Colombia was South Americas second-largest petroleum and other liquids producer after Brazil. In 2025, Colombia has plans to develop both its onshore and offshore oil and gas resources, as well as invest in green energy. Ecopetrol and Brazils Petrobras are expected to continue exploration and appraisal drilling at the offshore Sirius prospect this year. The companies estimate that the area contains potential gas reserves of 6.1 trillion cubic feet (Tf3), with the first production expected by 2030. Investment in the area is expected to reach up to $5 billion. Ecopetrol is also developing the Papayuela area, which the company says could provide up to 80 percent of Colombias gas needs. It is expected to take between five and seven years to develop and could produce up to 800 million f3/d. Onshore, Canadas NG Energy expects gas output to increase to 130 million f3/d by the end of 2025 in Colombias Sinu-9 area in Cordoba. The company plans to construct two additional pipelines during the second phase of the project, as well as drill three exploration wells. It also hopes to increase output from its Maria Conchita block in the La Guajira region. Plans to improve Colombias pipelines are also underway, with a two-way pipeline between Barranquilla and the Ballena gas field being developed. The developer, Promigas, is expected to invest around $75 million in the pipeline, which will transport up to 170 million f3/d from August 2027. The governments IPAT gas infrastructure expansion programme is also expected to support improvements to the Mariquita-Gualanday, Jamundi-Valle del Cauca and Barrancabermeja-Ballena pipelines. In late May, Colombias leading industry group, the Colombian Oil and Gas Association (ACP), said that investment in fossil fuel exploration and production could increase by around 8 percent this year, to reach $4.68 billion, compared to $4.33 billion in 2024. This is expected to maintain Colombias current crude output, although it is not expected to prevent a fall in gas production. The ACP expects around $740 million to be invested in exploration activities this year, and a further $3.94 billion to go towards production, to keep output at around 760,000 to 770,000 bpd. However, it expects gas output to fall to around 905 million f3/d, compared to 959 million f3/d in 2024. ACP President Frank Pearl stated, Today more investment is required to produce the same amount of oil, due to the natural depletion of the fields and the complexity of the operating environment. Meanwhile, For gas, we are not managing to either increase production or replenish reserves, which is double the challenge when it comes to energy self-sufficiency. While it strives to maintain a steady oil and gas output, Ecopetrol has faced widespread criticism for its failure to manage pollution levels effectively. In March, it was widely reported that Ecopetrol had polluted hundreds of sites with oil, including water sources and biodiverse wetlands. A former employee of the oil firm leaked data including over 800 records of polluted sites from 1989 to 2018, which suggested that the company failed to report around a fifth of the sites. The BBC also found that Ecopetrol has spilt oil hundreds of times since these instances. While Ecopetrol says it complies with national standards and follows sustainability practices, fishermen and rural communities have criticised the company for causing widespread pollution in fossil fuel production areas. Colombia is also investing heavily in a green transition, which could help it to leave its dirty fossil fuel record in the past. In October, the government launched a new $40-million investment plan for an energy transition, aimed at shifting away from a reliance on fossil fuels. The plan included funding for nature conservation, as well as clean energy projects and plans for the electrification of transport. Colombia continues to rely heavily on its oil and gas revenues. However, keeping production levels up has become more challenging in recent years, due to low levels of foreign investment and rapidly depleting oil fields. While Ecopetrol plans to invest heavily in exploration and production in 2025, oil production is expected to remain flat while gas production is likely to fall. Meanwhile, greater investment in green energy projects could help Colombia gradually shift away from a reliance on fossil fuels to shift to renewable alternatives. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Despite LNG setbacks, Russian pipeline gas deliveries to Europe rose 10.3% in May, even as the EU pushes to end all Russian gas imports by 2027. Russian LNG exports fell 3% year-over-year to 13.2 million tons from January to May, largely due to new EU rules and U.S. sanctions. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports out of Russia fell by 3% in January through May from a year earlier, amid tighter EU restrictions on transshipment and U.S. sanctions on a new LNG project that cant find buyers yet. Russias LNG shipments dipped by 3% year-over-year to 13.2 million tons in the first five months of the year, Reuters reports, citing preliminary data from LSEG. Exports to Europe slumped by 12%, while shipments in May alone declined by 14.3%, according to the data. Thats mostly the result of the EU ban on transshipment of Russian LNG for re-export to third countries from EU ports, which took effect in March this year. The EU ban doesnt concern imports for the EU markets, but prohibits EU terminal operators from reloading Russian LNG or re-exporting it to countries outside the bloc, as Europe looks to cut Russias energy revenues without compromising EU gas supply. Moreover, the U.S. and EU sanctions on Russias Arctic LNG 2, which was billed as Russias flagship LNG project, have effectively frozen the start-up of the export facility in the Gydan Peninsula. The project has come under intensifying sanctions from the United States, which have put off any buyers that were previously considering buying cargoes from Arctic LNG 2. Meanwhile, Russias natural gas deliveries via pipeline to Europe jumped by 10.3% in May compared to April. Last month, Russias gas giant Gazprom sent 46.0 million cubic meters of natural gas via the only remaining route to Europe TurkStream, per Reuters estimates based on data from Entsog, the European gas transmission group. 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 While oil prices spiked due to a combination of OPEC+ underwhelming markets and wildfires in Canada, a rising geopolitical risk premium is lifting both Brent and WTI and is set to stick around for a while to come. - US-China trade war and OPEC+s flooding of oil markets with additional supply have lifted refinery margins across the world, with gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel cracks all staying in double digits since the beginning of May. - Global refining margins, as calculated by consultancy Wood Mackenzie, rose to their highest since March 2024 last month, reaching $8.37 per barrel. - Some refiners might be scratching their heads whether early 2025 shutdowns were the best possible outcome - Shells Wesseling and BPs Gelsenkirchen refineries (Germany), as well as Petroineos Grangemouth plant (UK), all shut down for good in April-May. - Whilst Europe and the United States shutter downstream capacity, upcoming giants such as Nigerias 650,000 b/d Dangote refinery or Mexicos 340,000 b/d Dos Bocas continue to be plagued with operational disruptions. Market Movers - US shale driller EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG) agreed to buy Encino Acquisition Partners for 5.6 billion, greatly expanding into the Utica shale basin with the addition of 675,000 net core acres and some 235,000 boe/d of production. - US oil major ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) entered exclusive negotiations with Canadian fuel retailer North Atlantic to divest its 82.89% stake in French retail company Esso for a reported sum of 300 million. - Austrian oil company OMV (VIE:OMV) sold its 5% stake in the Ghasha concession of the UAE, developed alongside ADNOC and ENI, to Russias private major Lukoil for a total consideration of 594 million. - US midstream giant Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) signed a 20-year term deal with Japans Kyushu Electric (TYO:9508) to supply up to 1 million tonnes of LNG from Lake Charles LNG, after taking up a 5 mtpa position in the project. Tuesday, June 03, 2025 The failure of Russia-Ukraine and US-Iran talks did not come as a surprise to oil markets, but both outcomes have confirmed that the geopolitical risk premium will be around for some time. Canadian wildfires could add even more upward momentum to oil prices, while OPEC+ production decisions will continue to be a driving force for prices. The Great Eight Sticks to 411. Eight OPEC+ countries that have started unwinding their 2022 voluntary production cuts agreed to another 411,000 b/d increase for July, the third straight month of expedited output hikes, bringing back 62% of their erstwhile curbs. Canadian Wildfires Scare Oil Sands Producers. With two oil sands operators shutting plants around Albertas Fort McMurray production hub, Canadian oil production is now some 350,000 b/d lower due to widespread wildfires, with Cenovus (TSO:CVE) Christina Lake site taking the biggest output hit so far. Iran Talks Likely to End in Failure. Iran is poised to reject US President Trumps proposal for a new nuclear deal with Iran, according to top Iranian diplomats, after Tehran bemoaned the lack of sanctions-lifting guarantees and refused to ship its entire portfolio of enriched uranium abroad. Trump Wants to Scrap US Heating Oil Reserve. The Trump administrations proposed 2026 budget seeks to eliminate the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, containing 1 million barrels of diesel for force majeure events such as hurricanes, selling the products to boost budget revenues by 80-90 million. Metal Tariffs Come to the Forefront Again. US President Trump announced that he is planning to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminium from the current 25% rate to 50%, reportedly taking effect on June 4, adding pressure on prices in the worlds largest steel importer. Petronas Mulls Full Canada Exit. Petronas, Malaysias national oil company, is reportedly considering selling its Canadian business, mostly focused on Montney gas production holding 800,000 gross acres, for a consideration of $6-7 billion, having bought Progress Energy for $5.3 billion in 2012. Iron Ore Falls on Weak Chinese Manufacturing. Asian iron ore futures slumped to their lowest in two months after Trump signaled new US steel tariffs and China's manufacturing activity contracted for the first time in eight months, sending the July Singapore contract to $94 per metric tonne. Gabon Roils Manganese Export Flows. The government of Gabon announced an export ban on unrefined manganese ore to be imposed from 2029 onwards, mirroring Guineas bauxite and Malis gold policy moves, forcing mining firms such as Frances Eramet (EPA:ERA) to refine the ore domestically. US Cancels Biden-Era Green Projects. The US Energy Department cancelled 24 green energy project awards approved by the previous Biden administration, worth some $3.7 billion, including a 332 million subsidy to Exxons Baytown refinery CCS pilot and 500 million to Heidelberg Materials. Azerbaijan Lures Oil Majors. Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR signed new exploration agreements with BP (NYSE:BP) and ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM), with the former eyeing a farm-in to the Karabakh and ADUA fields whilst the latter will explore the Ganja-Yevlakh-Aghjabadi prospects. IATA Remains Hopeful on SAF. The International Air Transport Association expects sales of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to double year-over-year to 2 million tonnes in 2025, equivalent to 0.7% of airlines consumption, acknowledging that this would cost consumers some $4.4 billion. Brazil Launches New Licensing Round. Brazils hydrocarbons regulator ANP will be offering 13 blocks in its upcoming open acreage licensing round for pre-salt blocks, 7 in the Santos Basin and 6 in the Campos Basin, seeking to boost exploration drilling in the countrys most proven oil play. Venezuelas Oil Exports Remain Steady. Venezuelan crude exports were unchanged in May at 780,000 b/d after state oil firm PDVSA managed to maintain output levels despite Chevrons departure from the country, boosting oil sales to China and curbing exports to Indian refiners. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Brazils government is looking to extract some $6.2 billion from the countrys oil industry in a bid to shore up state finances, Bloomberg has reported, saying one way to get more money out of oil producers was by reviewing the reference prices used to set oil taxes. Another way to raise money from the oil industry that the government is considering is the sale of more exploration licenses, Bloomberg also wrote. Brazil has been struggling to achieve its stated goals, confronted with a combination of higher spending and lower income. The new license sale move is safe enough: Brazil still has untapped and unexplored areas of the presalt zone to offer, some of them close to giant producing fields, including Mero, Tupi, and Atapu. New exploration licensing this year alone could raise some $2.64 billion, if Brazils Congress approves it. On the other hand, there have been some underwhelming results from earlier exploration in the presalt zone, Bloomberg cited one local energy consultant as saying. Changing the reference price for oil tax calculation could be trickier, leading to lower income for oil producers and consequently dampening the appetite for expansion in Brazils oil sector. The efforts to ramp up the economy come as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas approval ratings have slumped to a record low, with approval of Brazils government as a whole down to 24% as of February. To tackle this, the government in March said it would tap Brazils oil fund. The fund, created in 2010 to collect royalties from oil, has accumulated some $3.5 billion to date. The Lula government set up a committee tasked with deciding how to spend the money. Yet that $3.5 billion will, it seems, not be enough, so the government is looking for more money from the countrys oil and gas producers. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com BPs refinery in Rotterdam had both its crude units offline on Tuesday morning, Reuters reports, citing energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. A crude unit with a capacity of 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) went offline early on Tuesday. This follows the shutdown of the other 200,000 bpd crude unit in early May for planned maintenance. As a result of the shutdowns, the 400,000-bpd oil refinery in Rotterdam now has both crude units offline. The Rotterdam refinery is one of Europes largest and has the capacity to process 400,000 bpd of crude, or 19 million tons per year. At the facility, BP produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, fuel oil, and raw materials for the petrochemicals industry. The refinery supplies all BP gas stations in the Netherlands and exports fuels to the U.S., Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the UK. The reduced refining capacity in Europe could boost refining margins for the other refineries at a time when the driving season and peak demand period for the year start. Refining capacity closures and resilient fuel demand have tightened global fuel markets in recent weeks, benefiting refiners globally. Refining margins have been rising this year and hit in May the highest global composite margin in more than a year. As the driving season begins and summer approaches, peak demand in the northern hemisphere is here. Refiners, including U.S. refining giants, are benefiting from the higher margins, although these margins are far below the record highs seen in 2022 amid the oil market turmoil. Still, global composite refining margins hit $8.37 per barrel in Maythe highest level since March 2024, according to data from Wood Mackenzie cited by Reuters. During the second quarter, the higher margins and demand are a boon to refiners, which saw increased turnaround activity and weak refining margins in the first quarter of the year. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Maintenance season for liquefied natural gas plants in the United States caused a decline in exports of the superchilled fuel in May, with the number at 8.9 million metric tons, from an all-time high of 9.3 million tons in April. The data came from LSEG, as reported by Reuters, which noted that the largest LNG production facility in the country, Cheniere Energys Sabine Pass plant, operated at the lowest rate in two years due to maintenance. Of the total exports in May, the biggest chunk went to Europe, as is now usual, at 6.05 million tons, accounting for 68% of the total. Exports of LNG to Asia stood at a modest 1.88 million tons, accounting for 21% of the May total. Earlier this month, the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers warned that the outlook for LNG demand was highly uncertain, with its president saying that although long-term fundamentals remain strong, short- to medium-term demand projections were increasingly difficult to pin down due to volatile pricing, geopolitical fragmentation, and uneven economic recoveries in key Asian markets. U.S. producers of the fuel, however, do not seem concerned about this outlook and are gearing up towards even more production later this year. Cheniere is scheduled to start four of seven new trains at its Corpus Christi plant, Venture Global is set to complete construction work at its new Plaquemines plant, and Golden Pass LNG is about to start producing. Down the road, theres even more LNG coming, with Sempra Energy securing authorization from the federal government to start exports from its Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 facility in Texas, currently under construction. The permit is for 13.5 million tons annually. With it, the amount of new LNG exports that the current administration has authorized so far stands at a daily average of 11.45 billion cu ft of natural gas. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Crude oil prices extended their climb that began Monday as concerns about supply security deepened. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $64.85 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate was changing hands for $62.82 per barrel, after rising by about 3% on Monday, per Reuters. The benchmarks reacted to the latest escalation between Russia and Ukraine, which many seem to expect to spread to Russian oil targets, and to a report saying Iran was about to reject a U.S. proposal for a nuclear deal that would require Tehran to stop any uranium enrichment activities. Iran is drafting a negative response to the U.S. proposal, which could be interpreted as a rejection of the U.S. offer, an unnamed source that Reuters described as a senior diplomat close to the Iranian negotiating team, was quoted as saying. If confirmed, this development would essentially mean a dead end for the negotiations, no deal, and continued U.S. sanctions on Irans oil industry, which would in turn mean continued restrictions of supply from that OPEC member, with China remaining the only one to benefit from discounted Iranian crude. Elsewhere, wildfires in Alberta have shut down close to 350,000 barrels daily in production, which is equal to around 7% of the provinces total but enough to add fuel to the oil price rally. The OPEC+ production update news itself also acted as catalyst for higher prices, it seems. The reason was that many expected an even bigger output hike and when it did not materialize, relief caused bullishness. With the worst fears not panning out, investors unwound their bearish positions they had built prior to the weekends meeting, ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes wrote in a note cited by Reuters. A further bullish factor for oil was the weaker greenback, Bloomberg noted in a report on the latest price developments in commodity markets. Wall Street expects the U.S. dollar to weaken further. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Venezuelas oil exports remained largely unchanged in May despite mounting pressure from the U.S. and the expiration of key licenses that once allowed limited sanctioned trade. Increased shipments to China helped offset a sharp drop in U.S.-authorized sales as state-run PDVSA scrambled to re-route barrels ahead of tightening sanctions. According to internal PDVSA documents and vessel-tracking data, Venezuela shipped 779,000 bpd of crude and refined products last monthdown only slightly from Aprils 783,000 bpd. While exports to U.S.-authorized firms like Chevron and Reliance came to a halt, China-bound cargoes surged to 584,000 bpd, up from 521,000 bpd in April. The resilience comes despite a hard stop to licenses that previously allowed U.S. and European firms to legally engage with Venezuelas sanctioned oil sector. May 27 marked the final deadline for Chevron and others to wind down operations. PDVSA canceled multiple cargoes to Chevron due to payment concerns, and new shipments of Boscan heavy crudeonce sent to U.S. refinerswere instead dispatched to Asia. This shift follows Venezuelas latest controversial election, which saw President Nicolas Maduro tighten his grip on power. With turnout estimated below 15% by the opposition, the Biden administration cited the lack of credible democratic reform as a key reason for letting the licenses expire. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed last week that no further extensions would be granted. In a last-minute move, PDVSA completed a large oil swap with Frances Maurel & Prom and trading giant Vitolthe final U.S.-authorized transaction under the previous license regime. Meanwhile, fuel imports jumped to 159,000 bpd as PDVSA rushed to stockpile heavy naphtha for blending operations. With Western doors closing and sanctions tightening, Venezuelas oil now flows more heavily through intermediaries and shadow channelskeeping barrels moving, but with far less transparency and far more risk. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com So sad to see signs of such vitriol in Oregon, as such with this parked car in Beaverton this summer. The sign was There is ICE in Hell which means that people who work for Immigration Customs Enforcement are evil people going to a place where the wicked are tormented. This is similar to a sign a few weeks ago in Salem, where a person waved her sign saying, Honk if you hate ICE Immigration Customs Enforcement people are just following the law. Change the law if you want change and stop demonizing people. Was this helpful? If so, contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). By Lars Larson NW and national radio host, The Northwest Nonsense In Boulder, Colorado, 8 people lie badly burned in local hospitals and the illegal alien identified as their attacker sits in police custody. I warned you that Joe Bidens open borders policy would bring terrorist attacks. 45 year old Mohamed Sabry Soliman shouted Free Palestine as he threw a molotov cocktail at a pro-Israel march yesterday. Soliman came to the U.S. on a tourist visa 3 years ago and overstayed that. Despite violating the law Joe Biden gave him a 2 year work permit and he overstayed THAT. The work permit ran out two months ago, so on Sunday he attacked a pro-israel march with a fire bomb and a home made flame thrower. President Trump ran on a campaign to do mass deportation of all illegalsa promise that has the support of two-thirds of Americans in public opinion polls. Tens of thousands have already been deported despite the best efforts of illegal alien advocates to use the Federal Courts to block him. In the meantime, 8 real Americans are fighting for their lives, including an 88 year old who survived the Holocaust, but who may not survive Joe Bidens open borders. Thats the Rose City Rap. Join me at noon on KXL for 4 hours of Honestly provocative talk. Im Lars Larson By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com After the Session brought a record number of bills, along came HB 2006 which would set limits on the number of pieces of legislation a lawmaker could introduce. Republican lawmakers have sternly opposed the idea. Oregon Capitol Insider notes, The Joint Ways and Means Committee is excluded from the bill. The bill wouldnt preclude sponsors from introducing more than 25 pieces of legislation if, for instance, another sponsor requested the drafting from legislative counsel. Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, said the idea of bill limits is great, but that the bill is extremely problematic. She noted that the legislation would allow for the Senate president and speaker of the House to authorize additional measures for members or committees. Combined with the 400 measures the governor and state agencies could introduce, thats a problem, she said. You have the majority party being able to authorize, she said. Theres no limit on that. The Oregonian notes, 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 RepublicansThe 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. Was this helpful? If so, contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). 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: Principle of the experiment. Credit: Nature Photonics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-025-01657-6 No image is infinitely sharp. For 150 years, it has been known that no matter how ingeniously you build a microscope or a camera, there are always fundamental resolution limits that cannot be exceeded in principle. The position of a particle can never be measured with infinite precision; a certain amount of blurring is unavoidable. This limit does not result from technical weaknesses, but from the physical properties of light and the transmission of information itself. TU Wien (Vienna), the University of Glasgow and the University of Grenoble therefore posed the question: Where is the absolute limit of precision that is possible with optical methods? And how can this limit be approached as closely as possible? And indeed, the international team succeeded in specifying a lowest limit for the theoretically achievable precision and in developing AI algorithms for neural networks that come very close to this limit after appropriate training. This strategy is now set to be employed in imaging procedures, such as those used in medicine. The study is published in the journal Nature Photonics. An absolute limit to precision "Let's imagine we are looking at a small object behind an irregular, cloudy pane of glass," says Prof Stefan Rotter from the Institute of Theoretical Physics at TU Wien. "We don't just see an image of the object, but a complicated light pattern consisting of many lighter and darker patches of light. The question now is: how precisely can we estimate where the object actually is based on this imageand where is the absolute limit of this precision?" Such scenarios are important in biophysics or medical imaging, for example. When light is scattered by biological tissue, it appears to lose information about deeper tissue structures. But how much of this information can be recovered in principle? This question is not only of technical nature, but physics itself sets fundamental limits here. The answer to this question is provided by a theoretical measure: the so-called Fisher information. This measure describes how much information an optical signal contains about an unknown parametersuch as the object position. If the Fisher information is low, precise determination is no longer possible, no matter how sophisticatedly the signal is analyzed. Based on this Fisher information concept, the team was able to calculate an upper limit for the theoretically achievable precision in different experimental scenarios. Neural networks learn from chaotic light patterns While the team at TU Wien was providing theoretical input, a corresponding experiment was designed and implemented by Dorian Bouchet from the University of Grenoble (F) together with Ilya Starshynov and Daniele Faccio from the University of Glasgow (U.K.). In this experiment, a laser beam was directed at a small, reflective object located behind a turbid liquid, so that the recorded images only showed highly distorted light patterns. The measurement conditions varied depending on the turbidityand therefore also the difficulty of obtaining precise position information from the signal. "To the human eye, these images look like random patterns," says Maximilian Weimar (TU Wien), one of the authors of the study. "But if we feed many such imageseach with a known object positioninto a neural network, the network can learn which patterns are associated with which positions." After sufficient training, the network was able to determine the object position very precisely, even with new, unknown patterns. Almost at the physical limit Particularly noteworthy in the research was the finding that the precision of the prediction was only minimally worse than the theoretically achievable maximum, calculated using Fisher information. "This means that our AI-supported algorithm is not only effective, but almost optimal," says Stefan Rotter. "It achieves almost exactly the precision that is permitted by the laws of physics." This realization has far-reaching consequences: With the help of intelligent algorithms, optical measurement methods could be significantly improved in a wide range of areasfrom medical diagnostics to materials research and quantum technology. In future projects, the research team wants to work with partners from applied physics and medicine to investigate how these AI-supported methods can be used in specific systems. More information: Ilya Starshynov et al, Model-free estimation of the CramerRao bound for deep learning microscopy in complex media, Nature Photonics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-025-01657-6 Journal information: Nature Photonics 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: Andre Luiz, a member of Ribeirao, a quilombola community, looking at the community's reforestation nursery in Bahia, Brazil. Credit: Rayna Benzeev Brazil's Quilombola people, the descendants of Africans who escaped slavery, have lived in the nation's vast Amazon and Atlantic rainforests for centuries. Today, the Quilombolas number about 1.3 million people in the country and have cultivated deep ties to their ancestral territories, where they raise their families and steward the land. But these communities remain largely unseen in the eyes of the government and neglected in scientific research, especially when it comes to their legal rights to the land they call home. A new study published in World Development Sustainability sheds light on this critical gap. Previous research has shown that Indigenous peoples who have secured formal land rights in Brazil have reduced deforestation in their territories. But, according to research from CU Boulder and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, the team didn't see the same pattern in Quilombola communities. While the team was surprised by the result, they said it could point to deeper systemic issues, including a lack of research on the Quilombolas and Brazil's convoluted process for obtaining land rights. "Our research reveals a significant data gap that has rendered Quilombolas less visible in research and reporting," said Peter Newton, the paper's senior author and associate professor in the Department of Environmental Studies. "These communities have been significantly less studied than some others, and without data, the plight of these residents often goes undiscussed and unrecognized." Traditional peoples and lands Brazil's 1988 Constitution recognized that traditional peoples, including Quilombola and Indigenous communities, have rights to receive formal recognition of their ancestral lands, known as land tenure. Prior research from Newton and his colleagues found that Indigenous communities in Brazil's Atlantic Forest who attained full land tenure reduced deforestation and increased forest cover in their communities between 1985 and 2019. The researchers wondered if the same would hold true for Quilombola territories. "Legally-enforced land rights provide communities the ability to prevent invaders from encroaching and land grabbing," said Rayna Benzeev, the first author of both papers, who earned her doctorate from CU Boulder in 2022. "At the same time, when a community knows they'll be able to access the land for many generations into the future, they have more incentive to care for this land." For example, Quilombola farmers have ancestral traditions involving agro-ecology and crop rotation, which allows forests to regenerate. After analyzing more than three decades of satellite imagery and land tenure data, the researchers found no clear difference in deforestation or reforestation rates between territories that had secured formal tenure and those still awaiting it. 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. A broken process The arduous land tenure process for Quilombola communities might be one reason for the result. When Benzeev began collecting data on forest coverage change in Quilombola territories, she noticed a shockingly low rate of land tenure more than three decades after the constitution first guaranteed the rights. Out of 5,900 Quilombola territories, only 176fewer than 3%have been able to complete the process of obtaining formal land rights. The contrast is striking. About 69% of Indigenous territories in Brazil have secured formal tenure. Brazil's National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (INCRA) oversees Quilombola land tenure applications. It requires communities to navigate a complex six-step process to prove their territories are traditional lands. "For a lot of these communities, it's been really hard to reach the end of the six-stage process. This could be due to huge recent decreases in the government budget, or because of strong political opposition to recognizing these territories," Benzeev said. Between 2014 and 2019, Brazil cut INCRA's budget for formalizing land tenure by 89%, effectively paralyzing the process. In addition, reliable data on land use within these areas is sparse. As a result, the team could only include a total of 313 Quilombola territories in their analysis of the 5,900 territories that exist across Brazil, including 98 with full tenure and 215 still in process. "We could only analyze a very small proportion of all Quilombola territories, and that sample might not be representative of the whole picture," Benzeev said. More than trees Even though this study didn't detect an immediate forest benefit from land tenure among Quilombolas, the researchers note that securing land rights for these communities may still be crucial. Forests in Brazil remain under persistent threats, including from legal and illegal logging, ranching, gold mining and large-scale plantations. "It's not that those activities were necessarily legal before a territory gets its land tenure, but once tenure is granted, it becomes clear who owns and manages the land. When those boundaries are fuzzy or can be contested, it's much easier for others to move in," Newton said. Some Quilombola community leaders with whom Benzeev has collaborated said they had been fighting against encroachment from eucalyptus companies for decades. People died in these conflicts, but without land rights, the Quilombolas were not able to stop the violence. "Quilombolas are some of the most marginalized communities in Brazil," Benzeev said. "The fact that they are entitled to land by law but they're not receiving this recognition is a violation of rights, and shows there is still a big gap to address." More information: Rayna Benzeev et al, The impact of land tenure on deforestation and reforestation in Quilombola territories from 1985 to 2020 in Brazil, World Development Sustainability (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.wds.2025.100221 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 huge plumes are at very high altitude and pose no immediate health risk. Canada's wildfires, which have already forced evacuations of more than 26,000 people, continued their stubborn spread Tuesday, with heavy smoke choking millions of Canadians and Americans and reaching as far away as Europe. Alerts were issued for parts of Canada and the neighboring United States warning of hazardous air quality. A water tanker air base was consumed by flames in Saskatchewan province, oil production has been disrupted in Alberta, and officials warned of worse to come with more communities threatened each day. "We have some challenging days ahead of us," Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe told a news conference, adding that the number of evacuees could rise quickly. Every summer, Canada grapples with forest fires, but an early start to the wildfire season this year and the scale of the blazesover two million hectares (494,000 acres) burnedis worrying. The provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been hardest hit. Both declared wildfire emergencies in recent days. "This has been a very difficult time for many Canadians," federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski told reporters in Ottawa. "This wildfire season has started off more quickly, and it's stronger, more intense," she said, adding that the Canadian military has deployed aircraft to evacuate remote towns in Manitoba and was ready to also assist Saskatchewan and Alberta with firefighting. Climate change has increased the impact of extreme weather events in Canada, which is still recovering from the apocalyptic summer of 2023 when 15 million hectares of forests were scorched. As of Tuesday, there were 208 active fires across Canada. Half of them were listed as out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. Many of the affected populations are Indigenous, and some small communities have burned to the ground. Infographic with map showing the movement towards Europe of aerosols in the atmosphere from ongoing wildfires in Canada, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. 'Very intense few weeks' Heavy smoke from the fires, meanwhile, has engulfed part of the continent, forcing residents of four Canadian provinces and the US states of Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin to limit outdoor activities. "Smoke is causing very poor air quality and reduced visibility," Environment Canada said in a statement. Wildfire smoke is comprised of gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, along with water vapor and particle pollution, which can be particularly hazardous to health. Some of the worst smoke was in Alberta where three major oil sands producersCanadian Natural Resources, MEG Energy Corp, and Cenovus Energythis week evacuated workers and temporarily shut down hundreds of thousands of barrels of production per day. Huge plumes of smoke even reached Europe, the European Union's climate monitoring service said Tuesday. Due to their very high altitude, they do not pose an immediate health risk, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), but are likely to result in hazy skies and reddish-orange sunsets. Additional plumes are expected to shade both continents in the coming days. "Central regions of Canada have experienced a very intense few weeks in terms of wildfire emissions," noted Mark Parrington, scientific director at CAMS. Canadian authorities have forecast a more intense fire season than usual in central and western Canada, due in particular to severe or extreme drought. "The significant reduction in snowpack in the spring led to early exposure of soil and vegetation, accelerating surface drying," explained University of Ottawa professor Hossein Bonakdari. "This early exposure acted as a silent amplifier, subtly setting the stage for extreme fires long before the first flame ignited," he said. Elsewhere, extensive forest fires have been raging in Russia's Far Eastern Federal District since early April, particularly east of Lake Baikal, generating carbon emissions of around 35 million tons, Copernicus reported. 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: Credit: George Pak from Pexels Given the growing number of people who turn to ChatGPT when studying a foreign language, pioneering research by UPF reveals the potential and the shortcomings of learning a second language in this way. According to the study, which analyzes the use of ChatGPT by Chinese students learning Spanish, the platform helps them solve specific queries, especially vocabulary, writing, and reading comprehension. Conversely, its use is not part of a coherent and structured learning process and lacks a critical vision of the answers provided by the tool. Thus, foreign language teachers are urged to advise students so that they can make more reflective and critical use of ChatGPT. This is revealed in the first qualitative study in the world to examine how Chinese students use ChatGPT to learn Spanish, developed by the Research Group on Language Learning and Teaching (GR@EL) of the UPF Department of Translation and Language Sciences. The study was conducted by Shanshan Huang, a researcher with the GR@EL, under the supervision of research group coordinator, Daniel Cassany. Both have recently published an article on the subject in the Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning. To carry out their research, the use of ChatGPT by 10 Chinese students who are learning Spanish was qualitatively examined for a week. Specifically, a total of 370 prompts (indications that each user inputs into ChatGPT to obtain the desired information) have been analyzed in depth, along with the corresponding answers from the platform. The study has been complemented by questionnaires administered on the students and comments from the students' own learning diaries. The advantages of ChatGPT The tool served as a single window from which to solve all linguistic queries, which adapts to the needs of each student. Regarding the potential of ChatGPT for learning languages, the study reveals that it allows students get answers to different queries about the foreign language they are learning, in this case Spanish, from just the one technological platform. For example, they can interact with ChatGPT to ask about vocabulary and spelling, instead of first connecting to a digital dictionary and then to a spell checker. Furthermore, the platform adapts to the profile and needs of each specific student, based on the type of interactions proposed by each user. On 9 out of 10 occasions, students do not pose follow-up questions after receiving their first answer from ChatGPT. However, the study warns that most students use ChatGPT uncritically as usually they do not pose follow-up questions after obtaining an initial response to their specific queries about the Spanish language. Of the 370 interactions analyzed, 331 (89.45%) involved a single question-answer. The remainder of the interactions analyzed correspond to 31 successive question-answer circuits in which the student asked the tool for greater clarity and preciseness, having received the initial response information. Most of the queries deal with vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing, and queries concerning oral communication and grammar are residual. On the other hand, the study shows which themes of the specific queries the students raise in the chat. Nearly 90% refer to vocabulary (36.22%), reading comprehension (26.76%) and writing in Spanish (26.49%). However, only one in 10 concerns grammatical queries, especially when it comes to complex concepts and oral expression. The researchers warn that this distribution of the themes of consultations might be explained by cultural and technological factors. On the one hand, the model for learning Spanish in China places less emphasis on oral communication than on writing and reading comprehension skills. On the other hand, version 3.5 of ChatGPT, which is used by the students who participated in the study, is more capable of generating and interpreting written texts than of interacting with users during a conversation. However, there would be a need in subsequent studies to analyze whether the next version of ChatGPT (GPT-4) is taken greater advantage of by foreign language students to improve their oral communication skills. 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. Encouraging a new model of the student-AI-teacher relationship In view of the results of the present study, the researchers stress that, beyond promoting students' digital education, it is even more important to strengthen their critical thinking and self-learning skills. Foreign language teachers can play a fundamental role in guiding students on how to organize their learning step by step with the support of AI tools such as ChatGPT with a critical vision. The UPF study recommends that teachers should help students develop more effective prompts and encourage greater dialogue with ChatGPT to better exploit its capabilities. In short, the study backs building a new relationship model for teachers, AI tools and students that can strengthen and improve their learning process. More information: Shanshan Huang et al, Spanish language learning in the AI era: AI as a scaffolding tool, Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning (2025). DOI: 10.1515/jccall-2024-0026 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 The astronomical records of imperial China are some of the most comprehensive archives in the history of science, spanning over two millennia, from 221 BC to 1911 AD, and providing detailed insight into phenomena ranging from comets to the rate of rotation of Earth. A new article in Isis examines these records and demonstrates the pivotal part they played in shaping the astronomy practices of premodern China, highlighting the archive's role as an arena of historical consciousness and cross-generational collaboration. The greatest source of astronomical data from this textual collection, writes article author Qiao Yang, are the imperial dynastic histories. Covering each of the legitimate dynasties over this period, there are twenty-four such official histories, eighteen of which include monograph sections on astronomy. In "Astronomy as a Science in the Archive of Imperial China (221 BC-AD 1911)," Yang examines the ways that researchers of the era used these records to preserve astronomical data for posterity and to build upon past knowledge in the name of more accurate scientific techniques. In particular, the article follows the contributions made to the archive by one Qi Luqian, an astronomer during the Mongol Yuan dynasty of the 13th and 14th centuries. Qi Luqian, as a member of the empire's Astrological Commission, witnessed the astronomical records under his purview undergo the kind of sorting and processing work that refines many archives. Hundreds of volumes of raw material could be edited and reduced to just a few by the time of the records' final compilation. Additionally, he observed the fragility of the archive's contents: Paper records were vulnerable to destruction by mold, moth infestation, and fire. Scribal error in copying documents was another potential source of information loss and misinformation. It is perhaps for these reasons that Qi Luqian set out to preserve astronomical detail in these records in any way he could. When writing a biography of his supervisor, Guo Shoujing, Qi deviated from the generic norms of this type of work, including in it intensive technical summaries of astronomical instruments and a groundbreaking astro-geodetic survey conducted in the early 1280s. His efforts paid off: the biography was incorporated into the official "History of the Yuan Dynasty" and became the primary reference for future studies of Yuan instrumentation and the astro-geodetic survey. Indeed, writes Yang, this kind of consideration for the future, as well as consultation of the past, characterized much of the astronomical work of imperial China. When confronted with an enigmafor instance, that of a 1299 solar eclipse that failed to materializeastronomers like Qi Luqian turned to histories of previous dynasties in order to identify a pattern. Historical data was also combined with observational data in order to decide long-term variations like tropical year length, and to assess the accuracy of astronomical calculations. Subsequent astronomers' use of Qi Luqian's data reveals that when discrepancies arose between historical and observational data, priority was often given to historical data over first-hand observations. Ultimately, Yang writes, these dynastic histories were fundamental in shaping the astronomical knowledge of imperial China. The formation of the archives, as well as their usage, reflected political, cultural, and material contingencies, and illustrates that the astronomy of the period was not only forged by the new discoveries of certain individual luminaries, but was also a "collaborative and cumulative" process enriched by the preservation of history. More information: Qiao Yang, Astronomy as a Science in the Archive in Imperial China (221 BCAD 1911), Isis (2025). DOI: 10.1086/735710 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: Workers handle a fishing net near a trawler docked at the port of Nea Michaniona, in northern Greece. As a reddish dawn broke over the tiny, coral-rich Greek archipelago of Fournoi, Manolis Mytikas's wooden fishing boat slowly glided home, his nets almost empty. The modest catch nevertheless quickly drew several islanders in search of fresh fish, a rarity in past years in this island chain in the northeastern Aegean Sea, which has fewer than 1,500 inhabitants in total. "Today, there were two of us heading out to sea, and we caught some fish by chance," said the 76-year-old fisherman, his skin deeply tanned by the Mediterranean sun. "Yesterday, we earned 30 euros ($34). The day before yesterday, not a penny. Sometimes, we don't even have enough to eat," he told AFP. But things could be looking up for this small corner of the Aegean Sea. Last month, the Greek government banned bottom trawling in the waters around the archipelago, to protect a recent discovery of exceptionally rich coral reefs. Greece is also outlawing bottom trawling in national marine parks by 2026 and in all protected marine areas by 2030, the first country in Europe to take such a step. Fishing is generally allowed in protected marine areas worldwide, often even by trawlers, which scrape the seabed with a huge funnel-shaped net. Last month, the Greek government banned bottom trawling in the waters around the Fournoi archipelago, to protect a recent discovery of exceptionally rich coral reefs. "Finally!" Mytikas exclaimed when told of the ban. "They've ravaged the sea. They plow the seabed and destroy everything." At the island port, his colleague Vaggelis Markakis, 58, compared trawlers to "bulldozers". "If we stop them from coming here, our sea will come back to life," Mytikas said. "The sea will be filled with fish again." Research conducted in this archipelago by the conservation groups Under the Pole, which organizes diving expeditions in extreme environments, and Archipelagos, in collaboration with European scientific institutions, has highlighted the existence of major underwater animal populations. At depths between 60 and 150 meters (around 200 to 500 feet), scientists have documented over 300 species living on the seabed under minimal light. 'Underwater forests' "What we discovered is beyond imaginationvast coral reefs dating back thousands of years, still intact," gushed Anastasia Miliou, scientific director of Archipelagos. Marks on the seabed left by the metallic plates of a bottom trawler off the coast of the Greek island of Fournoi. The sea floor-dwelling species discovered include vibrantly red gorgonians (Paramuricea clavata) and black corals (Antipathella subpinnata). "When these organisms occur at high densities, they form true underwater forests," said Lorenzo Bramanti, a researcher at the CNRS Laboratory of Ecogeochemistry of Benthic Environments. But these habitats are extremely sensitive. "A single trawl pass is enough to raze them," warned Stelios Katsanevakis, professor of oceanography at the University of the Aegean. And the damage can be potentially irreversible, added Bramanti. "Once destroyed, these forests may take decades or even centuries to recover," said the marine scientist, who has worked on corals in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific. "No one doubts that cutting down a forest is an ecological disaster. The same is true for animal forests," Bramanti said. Coral in the deep sea off the coast of the Greek island of Fournoi. Setting an example By banning bottom trawling around Fournoi, Bramanti hopes Greece will set an example for other Mediterranean countries, he said. "We must act quickly, because these are among the last ecosystems still untouched by climate change," given that they are located at depths greater than 70 meters, he 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. "And we risk losing them before we even truly understand them." But the measure has left industrial fishing professionals fuming. There are around 220 bottom trawlers in Greece, and sector representatives complain restrictions on their activity are excessive. "We were not invited to any kind of discussion on this matter," said Kostas Daoultzis, head of the trawler cooperative at the northern port of Nea Michaniona, one of the country's main fish markets. Daoultzis said the decisions were "based on reports from volunteer organizations... lacking scientific backing". The Greek government at the end of May 2025 banned bottom trawling in the waters around the Fournoi archipelago, to protect a recent discovery of exceptionally rich coral reefs. Greece is also outlawing bottom trawling in national marine parks by 2026 and in all protected marine areas by 2030, the first country in Europe to take such a step. He said trawlers already avoid coral areas, which can damage their equipment. Fournoi fishermen counter that trawlers do fish in their waters, but turn off their tracking systems to avoid detection. Under pressure globally, trawling is likely to be on the agenda at a United Nations Ocean Conference next week in the French city of Nice. Daoultzis said he fears for the survival of his profession. "Our fishing spaces keep shrinking. Our activity is under threat, and consumers will sufferfish prices will skyrocket," he warned. 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: NASA's New Horizons spacecraft captured this image of Pluto's surface shrouded in atmospheric haze. Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI The first observations of Pluto by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) reveal dramatic phenomena on its surface, like seasonal cycles of volatile ice redistribution across its surface, and material being pulled from its very atmosphere onto its main satellite, Charonan eerie interaction that happens nowhere else in our solar system. These exotic conditions are detailed in a series of studies published this spring by an international team of researchers. But while the image of molecules from one globe's atmosphere drifting through space and settling on its celestial sidekick's north and south poles seems strange, one UC Santa Cruz researcher on the team is smiling. The most recent paper, published in Nature Astronomy on June 2, confirms hypotheses first made by UC Santa Cruz's Xi Zhang about Pluto's atmosphere based on the historic flyby of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft in 2015 that gave researchers the closest look yet at the curious orb at the edge of the solar system. Less than a decade earlier, Pluto's long-held status as a full-fledged planet was downgraded to "dwarf planet" due to various cosmic criteria it didn't meet. In the wake of New Horizons' observations of Pluto, Zhang published a paper in 2017 that hypothesized that Pluto's atmosphere was dominated by haze particles, which would've made it completely different from other atmospheres in the solar system. Zhang, a professor of Earth and planetary sciences, posited that these haze particles heat up and cool down, controlling the whole energy balance in Pluto's atmosphere. "It was a crazy idea," said Zhang, adding that many of his peers at the time expressed skepticism. But he and his co-authors also made a clear prediction in their 2017 paper: If the haze is cooling Pluto, it should be emitting strong mid-infrared radiation, and that should be observable once a big and powerful enough telescope was available to astronomers. That moment arrived on Christmas Day 2021, when NASA launched JWST into space to enable observations that would far surpass those made by its ground-based predecessors over the last several decades. Zhang said the current JWST study was motivated by his 2017 hypothesis. "We were really proud, because it confirmed our prediction," he said. "In planetary science, it's not common to have a hypothesis confirmed so quickly, within just a few years. So we feel pretty lucky and very excited." Hazy conditions The Pluto flyby in 2015 revealed a world with surprising landscapes, marked by complex topographybasins, mountains, and valleysongoing geological activity like nitrogen (N) and methane (CH) glaciers, and a chemically rich atmosphere containing volatile compounds such as N, CH, and carbon monoxide. Pluto's hazy atmosphere formed from coupled methane and nitrogen photochemistry, similar to the haze around Saturn's moon Titan. In contrast, Charon was shown to lack an atmosphere and have a more uniform surface dominated by water ice mixed with ammonia-based compounds. Its darker, reddish polar regions are thought to result from the capture and chemical transformation of CH molecules escaping from Pluto's atmosphere. The recent observations with JWST provide a fresh look at this distant system. As reported in the series of papers published this spring, for the first time, the telescope's MIRI instrument enabled separate measurements of the mid-infrared thermal emission from Pluto and Charon in the form of light curves at 18, 21, and 25 m. Then, in May 2023, the instrument captured a high-quality mid-infrared spectrum (4.927 m) of Pluto and its atmosphere. This spectral range, previously unexplored due to the insufficient sensitivity of earlier instruments, revealed unexpected chemical richness that led to a better understanding of atmospheric processes and the origin of Pluto's ices. The JWST light curves also revealed variations in surface thermal radiation by Pluto and Charon during their rotation. By comparing these data with thermal models, the researchers were able to place strong constraints on the thermal inertia, emissivity, and temperature of different regions of Pluto and Charon. These properties are what drive the global ice distributions on Pluto and the exodus of atmospheric molecules to Charon. 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 new JWST data also confirmed a second prediction, made by Zhang's former Ph.D. student Linfeng Wan, another co-author of the Nature Astronomy paper. The new observations agree well with the central prediction in their 2023 study of Charon's rotational light-curve amplitude. "Pluto sits in a really unique spot in the range of how planetary atmospheres behave. So this gives us a chance to expand our understanding of how haze behaves in extreme environments," Zhang explained. "And it's not just Plutowe know that Neptune's moon Triton and Saturn's moon Titan also have similar nitrogen and hydrocarbon atmospheres full of haze particles. So we need to rethink their roles, too." And, Zhang added, there's an even deeper connection. "Before oxygen built up in Earth's atmosphere, about 2.4 billion years ago, life already existed. But back then, Earth's atmosphere was totally differentno oxygen, mostly nitrogen, and a lot of hydrocarbon chemistry," he said. "So by studying Pluto's haze and chemistry, we might get new insights into the conditions that made early Earth habitable." For the Nature Astronomy paper, Zhang and his former Ph.D. student Linfeng Wan contributed theoretical modeling to interpret the JWST data, calculating the thermal spectra and re-evaluating the cooling rates of Pluto's atmosphere. The team behind the series of papers was led by researchers from the Laboratory for Instrumentation and Research in Astrophysics, at the Paris Observatory, and the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne. More information: Tanguy Bertrand et al, Evidence of haze control of Pluto's atmospheric heat balance from JWST/MIRI thermal light curves, Nature Astronomy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02573-z Journal information: Nature Astronomy This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Right maxillary teeth of Jinchuanloong niedu (JCMF0132). (a) labial view; (b) lingual view. Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-03210-5 A team led by China University of Geosciences has described a new species of sauropod, Jinchuanloong niedu, from a partial skeleton and nearly complete skull found in northwestern China, adding a rare non-neosauropod eusauropod to the Middle Jurassic record of East Asia. Eusauropods are the clade that includes nearly all long-necked dinosaurs beyond the earliest forms. They became the only surviving sauropod lineage after a global extinction in the late Early Jurassic. Many later branching forms belong to Neosauropoda, such as the iconic giants Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus. Several non-neosauropod eusauropods also persisted through the Middle Jurassic, dominating faunas in that interval. Fossils preserving complete skulls remain rare among non-neosauropod eusauropods, leaving major gaps in the Middle Jurassic fossil record. In the study, "A new eusauropod (Dinosauria, Sauropodomorpha) from the Middle Jurassic of Gansu, China," published in Scientific Reports, researchers describe the anatomy and evolutionary placement of a previously unknown specimen. Recovered from the lower part of the Xinhe Formation in Jinchuan District, Gansu Province, the Jinchuanloong niedu holotype consists of a nearly complete skull with mandible, five articulated cervical vertebrae, and 29 articulated caudal vertebrae. Site sedimentary beds date to the late Bathonian of the Middle Jurassic, around 165 to 168 million years ago. Caudal vertebrae of Jinchuanloong niedu (JCMF0132). Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-03210-5 Detailed anatomical comparisons with other East Asian sauropods revealed a combination of primitive and derived features. Researchers examined the specimen's cranial and postcranial anatomy through comparative morphological description and scored it in two phylogenetic datasets to evaluate its placement within Eusauropoda. In both analyses, Jinchuanloong was resolved as a diverged non-neosauropod eusauropod, sister to the clade comprising Turiasauria and Neosauropoda. Unique diagnostic traits include a foramen at the base of the maxillary ascending process, an aperture on the anterodorsal surface of the prefrontal, and a robust postorbital with a height-to-length ratio. Maxillary teeth are described as spoon-like in labial view, a shape shared with taxa such as Shunosaurus and Turiasaurus. Unfused neural arches in the posterior caudal vertebrae and a large pineal foramen feature suggest a juvenile or subadult individualsomething to keep in mind when assessing the estimated body length of approximately 10 meters. According to the researchers, Jinchuanloong anatomy contributes to broader discussions about Middle Jurassic sauropod diversification and ecological partitioning in East Asia. The near-complete cranial remains offer an exceptional glimpse into the craniofacial evolution of early eusauropods. "The discovery of Jinchuanloong niedu enriches the diversity of early diverging sauropods and provides additional information to help understand the evolutionary history of sauropods in northwest China," the authors write. Written for you by our author Justin Jackson, 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: Ning Li et al, A new eusauropod (Dinosauria, Sauropodomorpha) from the Middle Jurassic of Gansu, China, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-03210-5 Journal information: Scientific Reports 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: Air eDNA is vacuumed up from a Florida forest using simple laboratory equipment and an air filter. Credit: David Duffy Dublin is known as a city where you can enjoy a few pints of Guinness, get a warm welcome from the locals and hear lively traditional music drifting out of pubs and into the city air. But it's not just music floating on the breeze. The air of Dublin also contains cannabis, poppy, even magic mushroomsat least their DNA. That's according to a new study in Nature Ecology & Evolution that reveals the power of DNA, vacuumed up from the air, which can track everything from elusive bobcats to illicit drugs. "The level of information that's available in environmental DNA is such that we're only starting to consider what the potential applications can be, from humans, to wildlife to other species that have implications for human health," said David Duffy, Ph.D., a professor of wildlife disease genomics at the University of Florida and lead author of a new study showing the widespread utility of DNA vacuumed from the air. Housed at UF's Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Duffy's lab developed new methods for deciphering environmental DNA, also known as eDNA, to study sea turtle genetics. They've expanded the tools to study every speciesincluding humansfrom DNA captured in environmental samples like water, soil and sand. Air eDNA is vacuumed up from a Florida forest using simple laboratory equipment and an air filter. Credit: David Duffy But these errant strands of DNA do not just settle into muddy soil or flow along rivers. The air itself is infused with genetic material. A simple air filter running for hours, days or weeks can pick up signs of nearly every species that grows or wanders nearby. "When we started, it seemed like it would be hard to get intact large fragments of DNA from the air. But that's not the case. We're actually finding a lot of informative DNA," Duffy said. "That means you can study species without directly having to disturb them, without ever having to see them. It opens up huge possibilities to study all the species in an area simultaneously, from microbes and viruses all the way up to vertebrates like bobcats and humans, and everything in between." As a proof of concept, the researchers showed that they could pick up signs of hundreds of different human pathogens from the Dublin air, including viruses and bacteria. Such surveillance could help scientists track emerging diseases. The same method can track common allergens, like peanut or pollen, more precisely than is currently possible, the scientists discovered. Air eDNA is vacuumed up from Dublin using simple laboratory equipment and an air filter. Credit: David Duffy Vials attached to a car help collect air eDNA on the go. Credit: David Duffy In another test of the power of eDNA, Duffy's lab was also able to identify the origin of bobcats and spiders whose DNA was hoovered up from the air in a Florida forest. With little more than an air filter, scientists could track endangered species and identify where they came from, all without having to lay eyes on skittish animals or root around forest floors for scat samples. When trying to save and conserve wildlife, knowing where an animal originates from can be as important as knowing where it currently is. This powerful analysis was paired with impressive speed and efficiency. The team demonstrated that a single researcher could process DNA for every species in as little as a day using compact, affordable equipment, and software hosted in the cloud. That quick turnaround is orders of magnitude faster than would have been possible just a few years ago and opens up advanced environmental studies to more scientists around the world. The same tools can potentially identify sensitive human genetic data, which is why Duffy and his collaborators have called for ethical guardrails for the rapidly developing field of eDNA. "It seems like science fiction, but it's becoming science fact," Duffy said. "The technology is finally matching the scale of environmental problems." More information: Shotgun sequencing of airborne eDNA achieves rapid assessment of whole biomes, population genetics and genomic variation, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-025-02711-w Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution 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 The UK government recently announced plans to fund five small-scale trials related to geoengineering. It's the first time a state research funding body has put serious money into what's known as solar radiation management, or SRM, which seeks to cool the planet by reflecting more of the sun's energy back into space. It's easy to see why countries have been so hesitant to proceed with projects of this nature: SRM is highly controversial, even among scientists. Deliberately altering the atmosphere, a shared global resource, is fraught with ethical, geopolitical and practical problems. It is and always has been a crazy idea. However, many consider the failure to control carbon emissions means not intervening in this way is an even crazier idea. They consider it necessary to avert the collapse of ecosystems and society. Perhaps solar geoengineering is the price we must pay for our wholly inadequate climate change response to date. The good news is that SRM may be able to deliver some progress relatively quickly. Earth has become slightly less reflective over the past few decades. That's mostly thanks to reduced cloud cover (warmer oceans cause clouds above them to evaporate), but also thanks to less snow and ice, and a significant reduction in nasty-but-reflective shipping fuel pollutants. By my calculations (based on data from US climate scientist James Hansen), this reduction in the reflectivity of Earth has caused as much warming as the 750 gigatonnes of CO emitted since 2005. And while it will take decades to achieve significant global cooling through decarbonization, it can be achieved relatively quickly by small increases in reflectivity. Of the 21 projects being funded by Aria, the UK government's Advanced Research and Invention Agency, five are likely to involve small-scale outdoor experiments. They account for about half the 57 million program. Three of the projects concern brightening clouds over the ocean, one explores a method of refreezing the Arctic and the fifth looks at a specific detail of injecting reflective aerosols into the stratosphere. The other projects concern how to govern these technologies and model and monitor their effects. They could also yield insights vital for securing the public and governmental support necessary if these technologies are ever to be deployed on a much larger scale. 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. Marine cloud brightening Marine cloud brightening seeks to make clouds over the ocean more reflective. This is done by turning seawater into an aerosol spray and allowing air currents to loft salt crystals into the clouds, where they enhance the creation of reflective water droplets. The greatest challenge with this method is making enough seawater mist in which the droplets are of a uniform size, about 1 micron in diameter. The Reflect project led by the University of Manchester has received 6.1 million to explore "the technical feasibility and optimal methods" for generating these droplets. A team from the University of Reading has developed a process using drones to fire electric charges through fog to alter the size of its water droplets. Their Brightspark project has been awarded 2 million to determine whether this process would be viable and safe if applied to clouds. A second phase involving small-scale testing in the UK is contingent on further approval by Aria. Daniel Harrison, an oceanographer at Southern Cross University in Australia, has been researching marine cloud brightening for several years for the limited purpose of protecting the corals of the Great Barrier Reef. Preliminary results are positive. His previous work will be extended to assess if, and how, marine cloud brightening could work safely and effectively, but still only as a regional intermittent intervention to protect coral from marine heat waves. This will also be a two-phase project (1 million and 5 million respectively) in which the research will initially deal with modeling and spray design. Subject to further approvals, it will then test the newfound knowledge over the Great Barrier Reef. The remaining two projects are both from teams led by the Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge University (I'm an associate researcher of the centre but I have no involvement in either of these projects). Arctic refreezing Engineer Shaun Fitzgerald has been awarded 9.9 million to extend an existing research project to examine the feasibility of thickening Arctic sea ice by pumping seawater from below the ice on to the surface, where it freezes. The idea is to increase the extent and thickness of sea ice in winter so that it endures longer through the summer. The project also includes modeling to assess the impact this would have on a range of climate phenomena. Most significantly, this includes the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, an ocean current that some fear is in imminent danger of weakening sufficiently to bring Siberian winters to north-west Europe. Stratospheric aerosol injection The final project being funded looks at the injection of aerosols into the stratospherehigher than cloudswhere they would reflect a little of the sun's energy back to space. Many regard this as the form of geoengineering most likely to happen. It is the most studied, as it replicates the natural cooling effect of certain big volcanic eruptions that put massive amounts of sulfate-based aerosols into the stratosphere. Scaling it to be climatically significant is thought to be relatively straightforward, and would probably be the cheapest cooling option. One significant concern is the health and environmental impact of these aerosols as they fall back to the planet's surface. Hugh Hunt, also an engineering professor at Cambridge, has been awarded 5.5 million to examine a range of alternative aerosol compounds. The plan is to send tiny samples into the stratosphere in specially designed gondolas attached to balloons. The gondolas will later be recovered, so that the effect of the stratosphere on the samples can be examined. Nothing will be released into the atmosphere. A small step towards something much bigger Aria is treading a fine line with this program. On the one hand, the organization recognizes that further interventions might be needed to mitigate the harm from the continuing failure to phase out fossil fuels. On the other, it recognizes how controversial such interventions are. It is clearly anxious not to provoke a public furore that could undermine the research effort. In isolation, it is unlikely that this program will fill any knowledge gaps that might encourage policymakers to push climate intervention up the international agenda. What it could demonstrate, however, is that with appropriate controls in place, it is safe to test these options. Perhaps the next funding round will support bigger outdoor experiments. These would help determine which technologies can eventually become the safe and effective climate interventions we desperately need. 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: CC0 Public Domain There was a time when oil and gas companies happily linked themselves to the idea of planet-wide environmental changes. "Each day Humble supplies enough energy to melt 7 million tons of glacier!" boasts the headline from a 1962 double-page spread in Life magazine for Humble Oil, now part of ExxonMobil. Fast forward 60 years and that advert takes on a prophetic quality. Millions of people have experienced first-hand the tragic consequences of how burning fossil fuels is overheating our planet beyond recognition. Not just by melting glaciers but fueling storms, fires and floods. The fossil fuel industry today would never dream of linking its activities to melting glaciers. Instead, it actively denies responsibility for the consequences of extracting and selling some of the most harmful products ever known to humanity. For the decades we have known about climate science, this narrative has been core to how the fossil fuel industry maintains its social legitimacy: that the industry is not responsible for climate change, but everyone else is through their individual actions. Yet a ten-year climate lawsuit brought by a Peruvian farmer and mountain guide has challenged this narrative. In March this year, Saul Luciano Lliuya's case against the European coal-giant RWE was heard in a regional court in Germany. And while the court has now dismissed Lliuya's specific claimfinding the flood risk to Lliuya's particular property is not yet sufficiently greatit did confirm that private companies can in principle be held liable for their share in causing climate damages. This finding has major ramifications for the wider legal battle to make fossil fuel companies accountable. Farmer vs. coal giant Lliuya lives in Huaraz, a city in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. He and the 120,000 residents of this city live in constant danger. The melting glaciers caused by climate change are causing the water levels in Lake Palcacocha above their home to rise. Peru's disaster management agency warns that a flood could occur at any moment. For Lliuya, it is not a matter of if but whenand how bad the flood will be. He therefore embarked on his lawsuit against RWE with this simple premise: as one of the world's top greenhouse gas emitters, it should help pay for flood defenses to protect Huaraz. The total cost of a new dam would have been US$4 million (3 million), and Lliuya was demanding that RWE pay 0.47% of that total, which is US$20,000. This proportional amount was based on a calculation of RWE's contribution to historical global greenhouse gas emissionsmost of which have occurred since the 1990s, long after fossil fuel companies were aware their products would cause dangerous climate change. RWE's revenues are measured in the tens of billions. It could have accepted Lliuya's request and paid for not just its share of the cost, but the full cost of flood defenses for Huaraz. Yet the company fought tooth and nail to prevent the case getting as far as it did. When asked by the court much earlier in the process if it would be willing to settle, the company's lawyers declined, revealing exactly what was at stake: "This is a matter of precedent." On May 28, 2025, the court ruled that the flood risk to Lliuya's home was not sufficiently high to uphold his specific claim. However, its confirmation of the principle that private companies can be held liable for climate damage shows that RWE was, in fact, correct to fear the precedent that Lliuya's case has now helped set. 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. Liabilityacross national borders Despite RWE's attempts to argue otherwise, the case's outcome has far-reaching implications that could shape similar cases in countries such as Switzerland and Belgium, and which may be relevant for other jurisdictions including the UK, Netherlands, US and Japan. Crucially, the case confirms that proportional liability for climate harm is legally possible, even across national borders. And this will still remain a possibility, even if a higher court overrules the German district court in favor of the fossil fuel companies. Why does this matter so much to RWE and other fossil fuel companies, who argue time and again in court that they should not be held responsible? For years, fossil fuel companies have operated as if they would not be held responsible for the emissions from their products. But as the world continues to warm, the harmful impacts of climate change and extreme weather will only intensify, resulting in mounting costsboth those we can calculate, such as damage to infrastructure, and those we cannot, like the loss of our loved ones. With the growing number and accuracy of climate science attribution studies, legal pressure on companies to contribute to climate costs is likely to keep growing. And when you consider that the legal basis for this "polluter pays" principle exists in a similar form in at least 50 nations around the world, then the scale of liability facing the industry becomes clear. More examples are already emerging. In 2024, a Belgian farmer filed a lawsuit against French fossil fuel major TotalEnergies, seeking compensation for damage to his farm as a result of extreme weather. In 2022, four residents of Pari island, Indonesia, started legal proceedings in Switzerland against the Swiss cement firm Holcim. The residents are seeking a 43% reduction in Holcim's carbon emissions by 2030, and around US$4,000 in compensation each for damages caused by flooding. Since 2017, dozens of cities, counties and states across the US have sued fossil fuel producers for climate change-related damages and adaptation costs, potentially totaling trillions of dollarspointing to the industry's increasingly well-documented historical and ongoing deceptions about climate change. And policymakers across countries, including the US, the Philippines and Pakistan are working to enact laws that would directly hold polluting companies financially responsible for climate damages. The new ruling in Germany provides a shot in the arm to all these cases, and the future suits yet to be filed. Perhaps most consequentially of all, public opinion is hardening: growing numbers of people understand that the fossil fuel industry is responsible for climate change, and lawsuits to compel big carbon to pay for climate damages enjoy widespread public support. When Lliuya launched his case nearly a decade ago, the idea of linking an individual corporation to the impacts of its emissions seemed implausible to some. Yet scientific research now makes it possible to link the emissions of individual companies to particular, quantifiable damages caused by climate change. This, coupled with the German court's ruling, makes it increasingly clear that the fossil fuel industry's longstanding deflection of responsibility for planetary warming is doomed to melt away. 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 Some twothirds of riders and drivers for food delivery and ridehailing apps in the UK may work in fear of "unfair feedback" and experience anxiety over sudden changes to working hours, a new survey study led by the University of Cambridge suggests. Threequarters of riders and drivers in the study report anxiety over the potential for income to drop, with over half (51%) saying they risk health and safety while working. Some 42% of delivery and driver gig workers say they suffer physical pain resulting from work. Riders and drivers also report spending an average of ten hours a week waiting for jobs to come through on the appso logged on and working but not making any money. The findings come from the first study to provide statistical data on job quality in the UK gig economy by surveying over 500 casual workers, and are published in the journal Work, Employment and Society. Gig economy delivery riders and ridehailing drivers operate as selfemployed contractors who sign up for work via digital platforms that algorithmically match them with customers and pay a base rate per job, with higher rates at peak times or "surges." With plenty of flexibility, but no guaranteed income or sick pay and limited rights, some argue such work is exploitative. Companies do not publish data on employees or workloads, and the casual nature of appbased employment makes research difficult. "All manner of gig work has exploded in recent years, from delivering food to building websites. Many of us now summon people and labor at the tap of a smartphone screen without much thought, rarely considering the process or the people behind it," said lead author Dr. Alex Wood from Cambridge's Department of Sociology. "Rating systems can lead to deactivation for workers. If your job is at the mercy of a quick click on a stranger's phone, it is likely to fuel a constant hum of uncertainty and anxiety, along with feelings of being judged, monitored and replaceable." The researchers set out to compare gig economy experiences of "local" workersthose tied to locations, e.g. food delivery riderswith those whose labor is digital, such as data entry or coding, and so can "remote" work from anywhere. Data were collected in 2022, when just under half a million people in the UK worked in the gig economy. Researchers listed a survey on remote work platform Upwork with a 10 fee for completion, with 253 participants. Local workersthe riders and driversare harder to reach, so researchers deployed paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram to target users listing gig economy companies such as Deliveroo and Uber as their employers. As many gig workers are recent migrants to the UK, Wood used a variety of languages, including Polish, Spanish and Bengali. A further 257 riders and drivers completed the survey. "Attempts to investigate working conditions in the UK gig economy have been hampered by the difficulty of identifying and accessing people doing the work," said Prof Brendan Burchell, study coauthor and Cambridge sociologist. "Classifying someone as selfemployed doesn't change the fact that they can be economically dependent and exploited." Both local and remote workers said they have tight deadlines threequarters of the time, and scored similarly on anxieties over losing the ability to make a living on their main platform (44% of local and 38% of remote workers). While a higher proportion of riders and drivers feared unfair feedback, remote workers were not far behind. 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. More local workers reported anxiety over the potential for pay to fall (75% compared to 59% of remote workers), and hourly pay was 20% lower on average for riders and drivers (8) than remote gig workers (10). This put average pay for local gig working below the UK minimum wage in 2022. Riders and drivers also said they spend a significant amount of unpaid time on the app waiting for work to come inaround ten hours a week on average, compared to four for remote workers. The flexibility prized by some gig workers came through in the findings. Remote workers reported high levels of autonomy, with 86% saying they could step away during work hours for a personal issue, and 92% reporting the ability to choose their own tasks. By comparison, around twothirds of riders and drivers said the same on both counts. Local workers also benefit from less isolation, with under half (45%) saying they rarely or never interact with other riders or drivers, compared to 75% of remote workers. However, job insecurity and health issues were much higher among local workers. Some 65% of riders and drivers reported anxiety over unexpected changes to working hours (compared to 40% of remote workers), and 74% reported anxiety over potential changes that reduce their say in how they do their job (also 40% for remote workers). Health differences were even more stark. Just over half of riders and drivers said they risked physical health or safety, nearly five times higher than remote workers (51% vs. 11%), and close to half of drivers reported pain from work, more than three times higher than remote workers (42% vs. 13%). "Delivery and ridehailing platforms combine manual work with tight algorithmic management and digital surveillance, while workers have little in the way of rights or bargaining power," added Wood. "Platform companies call themselves tech firms, but in practice they govern, control and profit from labor they claim not to own, without bearing employer responsibility." More information: Beyond the 'Gig Economy': Towards Variable Experiences of Job Quality in Platform Work, Work, Employment and Society (2025). DOI: 10.1177/09500170251336947 Journal information: Work, Employment and Society This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Students' perceptions of their mathematical identity can provide insight into why some lose motivation or underperform in math. "The background of the research project MATHMot is that we know less about how motivation for math develops than about the development of math skills," says researcher Jelena Radisic. A common belief in mathematical research is that students become less motivated for the subject as they get older. "This is correct, but the decline is not the same in all areas. Additionally, this trend varies between different countries and school systems," says Radisic. Radisic and colleagues recently completed the MATHMot-project: Co-constructing mathematics motivation in primary educationA longitudinal study in six European countries. Research shows that fourth graders are less motivated for math than third graders, even though they have learned more. "We know that students' perception of their own competence and beliefs related to the subject greatly affect their willingness to learn more. Therefore, we wanted to find out if some students have what we call a mathematical identity," explains Radisic. "Can I become good at math?" "This question reveals a great deal about how students perceive themselves and how others perceive them. Mathematical identity can help us understand why some lose motivation or do not perform at their best," explains Radisic. MATHMot was conducted between 2020 and 2024 with students from Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Portugal, and Serbia participating in the study. The target group included students in third, fourth and fifth grade, from 50 schools in each country. Researchers used both quantitative and qualitative data in the project. Radisic says, "When we observe students in Norway, their sense of being a 'math person' is more closely linked to how genuinely interested they are in mathematics and how useful they find it, rather than to their math scores." Radisic further explains that in countries where grades are introduced earlier in the school system, the connection between motivation and math scores is stronger. The culture we live in affects our mathematical identity Having a mathematical identity is not just about the individual student. It is also influenced by the surrounding society. The school system, what teachers think, and societal expectations for the subject all play a part. "For Norwegian students, we found that there was low correlation between their math results and whether they saw themselves as a math person," Radisic says. Students who see themselves as math people are more genuinely interested in math, enjoy tackling math problems, and engage with math in everyday life. "We see that boys are more likely to see themselves as math people than girls." What can math teachers do to motivate students? In the project, researchers also looked at what teachers can do to help more students see themselves as capable in math. "We created a booklet for teachers, combining our data with the experiences of the educators from the project," says Radisic. "We also see that encouraging students to use their own experiences in the subject is helpful. This can make students more involved and encourage them to see themselves as math people." It is essential for schools to foster an environment where all students receive support and are encouraged to engage with and explore the mathematical world. At the same time, it is equally important for these topics to be recognized within schools and for teachers to develop the competence to motivate students. "Working on student motivation is an area where teachers can learn from their colleagues and share their own experiences to help others," says Radisic. What can guardians do? "When guardians show that math is interesting, fun, and enjoyable, children also become more motivated for the subject." However, if guardians say that learning math is difficult, it negatively affects children. They perform worse in the subject and lose the desire to learn. Children who were very motivated to learn math also achieved better results in the subject. "Motivation is like an engine that helps us to increase learning on a long-term basis," concludes Radisic. More information: Co-constructing mathematics motivation in primary educationA longitudinal study in six European countries (MATHMot). www.uv.uio.no/ils/english/rese s/mathmot/index.html 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 Northern Italy has been hit by a series of devastating floods in recent years. In March 2025 and the previous autumn, heavy rainfall hammered the region, swamping fields, farms and towns. More than 3,000 had to leave their homes in Emilia-Romagna, between Bologna and Ravenna. The downpours caused widespread floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage. This has been a repeated event since 2023 when the area saw what has been called the worst flood in a century. While climate change is a major factor behind the likelihood of these disasters, human neglect has worsened the risk. Decades of poor maintenance of drainage canals and aging riverbankssome of which are medieval, like those in Bolognahave made the Po valley particularly vulnerable. As the meteorologist James Parrish has explained, when dried-out soil suddenly receives half a year's rainfall in two days, even modern flood defenses cannot cope, especially in a landscape prone to waterlogging. According to the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research and the data collected in 2021 by the National Institute of Statistics, in Emilia-Romagna alone, over 2.5 million live in areas of high or medium flood-risk. Yet if today's floods feel apocalyptic, history tells us that living with floods is nothing new in these territories. Medieval communities faced similar challenges and how they lived with water may offer lessons for today. Since the earliest times, people in the Po valley have developed what the historian Petra van Dam calls an amphibious culture: a way of life that continuously adjusted to the threats and benefits posed by rivers. From the Terramare and Etruscan cultures in the second and first millennium BC (but even earlier) to the middle ages and in some cases even now, communities did not just fight floods; they integrated them into their daily lives and economies. After the fall of the Roman state, Italy entered a period of intense political, socio-economic, climatic and environmental change. As archaeological and historical research shows, settlements from this period often clustered near waterways despite their risks. Every year, rivers overflowed destroying crops or buildings. Evidence of these events comes from contemporary narratives, such as the life of Saint Fredianus, and in the flood layers buried in the soil. Traces are even found in cave minerals in the Apuan Alps. Why live so close to something so destructive? Because rivers also brought huge benefits like fertile land, irrigation, mills, fish, woodlands and trade. Communities adapted in practical ways. They grew crops suited to wet soils, grazed animals in seasonal marshes, and even breached riverbanks on purpose to let in muddy water that deposited rich sediment for farming. To stay dry, they also built houses on natural or artificial high grounds above floodwaters. These strategies show a deep resilience in medieval societies, something to keep in mind also in the current situation. 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. A shared responsibility In early medieval Italy, people dug canals and drained wetlands not just to farm new land, but also to manage flooding and redirect rivers. These projects were often led by monasteries, landowners, and farmers, who worked together out of necessity. Research from the Maremma wetlands in Tuscany shows how communities and rulers cooperated to maintain dikes, drainage channels, and salt pans (where seawater was left to dry and leave behind salt). Local know-how and labor mattered as much as political coordination and investment. Today, people often expect the state to manage floods. But public response is not always quick or fair. For instance, in Traversara, a village severely hit by floods, locals were furious towards proposed mandatory insurance policies, feeling abandoned by authorities. Modern flood defense relies heavily on centralized systems, satellite monitoring and major infrastructure projects. These tools are crucial, but not enough. Historical lessons suggest that effective flood resilience must also incorporate local (historical) knowledge and community participation. Some solutions include restoring spaces for rivers to overflow safely and continuous targeted maintenance of canals and levees. Strengthening and adapting Italy's consorzi di donificalocal organizations responsible for drainage and water managementcould revive a model of shared governance that proved successful for centuries. As recently suggested in the response strategies to the 2023 floods, responsive resilience takes teamwork. National, regional, and local actors must coordinate. In this case, adopting an "amphibious" mentalityone that views rivers not just as threats but as central, living elements of the landscapecould help reshape flood policy. Combining historical understanding with modern science and community empowerment can guide better ways to live with water. Medieval societies, through trial and adaptation, managed to coexist with their rivers. Relearning from them today could help build more sustainable futures in flood-prone regionsnot only in Italy, but across the globe. 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 Mexico's drug cartels are often described as powerful rivals to the state, with their influence measured in weapons, money and murdered officials. But this framing misses a fundamental truth. Organized crime in Mexico is also a system of gendered governanceone that disciplines, controls and sometimes eliminates women to consolidate power. The term "narco-femicide" captures this brutal dynamic. Narco-femicide refers not simply to the killing of women, but to the strategic use of gendered violence by criminal organizations to enforce social norms, maintain control and assert dominance in the absenceor even with the complicityof the state. According to a study by Lantia Intelligence, a Mexico-based data intelligence firm, organized crime was responsible for 60% of femicides in Mexico in 2020. That year, 1,891 women were violently murdered by drug cartelsan increase of nearly 40% compared to 2018. These murders are not private tragedies, nor are they collateral damage. They are political acts, central to how criminal sovereignty in Mexico is exercised and reproduced. Mexico has one of the highest rates of femicide in Latin America. According to Amnesty International, approximately ten women were murdered there every day throughout 2020. In cities such as the border town of Ciudad Juarez, which was once labeled the "femicide capital of the world," these deaths are marked by sexual violence, mutilation and public display. The causes of femicide in Mexico do vary. But a significant proportion of these murders occur in regions such as Jalisco, Guerrero and Chihuahua, where there is a strong cartel presence. The correlation is no coincidence. As the Atlantic Council, an international affairs thinktank, observed in 2024: "in areas [of Mexico] controlled by drug cartels, violence against women intensifies." It added that families often won't report abuse or rape "out of fear of retribution." The same article said that cartels turn attacks on women into "a tool of intimidation and a display of dominance," warning the community not to defy them. The impunity of cartel violence, and examples of brutal public punishment, enforce an unwritten code that women must "know their place." Femicide in cartel-run areas follows a distinct pattern. Women are punished for being too visible, independent or defiant of the patriarchal order imposed by criminal groups. The victims include journalists, business owners and others who pose no military threat but represent a challenge to social control by in some way defying the cartels. 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. One prominent example is Marisol Macias, a journalist who was killed in 2011 in the border city of Nuevo Laredo after denouncing local gangs on the internet. She was decapitated and a handwritten sign was left beside her body saying she was killed in retaliation for her social media posts. More recently, in July 2024, Minerva Perez Castro, the president of an advocacy group for Mexico's fishing industry, was shot dead hours after making public comments about the presence of illegal fishing in the state of Baja California. Organized crime groups have long participated in illegal fishing in northern Mexico. Even when women are involved in organized crime, their roles remain precarious. They are valued only insofar as they serve the cartels' interests, and are easily disposed of if they become liabilities. A 2016 report by Amnesty International found that gangs routinely recruit vulnerable young women to do "the lowest and most dangerous tasks," such as smuggling drugs or acting as lookouts, precisely because they are "considered expendable if arrested." Where is the state? What makes narco-femicide in Mexico so devastating is not just the violence itself, but the vacuum when it comes to accountabilityor worsethe actual collusion of the state. In many regions of Mexico, law enforcement is unwilling or unable to investigate femicides. Disappearances go unrecorded and families face indifference or hostility when demanding answers. In fact, according to Amnesty International, more than 90% of femicides in Mexico go unpunished. This impunity is a structural failure. The boundary between criminal and state power is blurred in regions where there is a strong cartel presence. Police, politicians and criminal groups often operate in overlapping networks, leaving little space for genuine accountability. Meanwhile, Mexico's security strategy has been heavily shaped by the US-funded Merida Initiative. Signed in 2007, the initiative deepened security assistance from the US to Mexico to fight organized crime. The Merida Initiative officially ended in 2021, but Mexico's strategy remains focused on military operations against crime groups and the arrest of cartel kingpins. This has diverted attention from much-needed reforms in local policing and justice, perpetuating impunity and weakening trust in institutions. By failing to protect women, the state effectively legitimizes the cartels' patriarchal rule. As a result, many Mexican women are living under a shadow legal system enforced by cartel violence, one where stepping outside the lines can carry deadly consequences. Narco-femicide demands a response that moves beyond militarized crackdowns and technocratic reforms. Mexico needs policies that prioritize community-based justice, survivor-led advocacy and gender-sensitive policing. The experiences of women and frontline defenders need to be central in both research and public debate. The problem also needs to be named for what it is. Narco-femicide is not a private horror or a cultural anomaly. It is political violence that is perpetrated systematically and strategically. If organized crime governs through the control and erasure of women, then any meaningful resistance must begin by making that violence visible. Cartels and the state must both be held accountable, and these deaths must not be treated as inevitable. 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: AROMA-VOC in 2016 used for field study. Credit: Pennell research group The demand for accurate chemical monitoring sensors is rising globally, as industries continue to grapple with the legacy of manufacturing waste. New commercial mobile monitoring platforms can be part of the solution to this rising challenge, provided they meet the same high standards as previous monitoring technology. Industry-academic partnerships are making this possible, advancing state-of-the-art detection science. Globally, more than 5 billion sites exist that are contaminated with legacy industrial wastes and require remediation before they can be reused and/or redeveloped. Despite recent efforts to change manufacturing practices, the legacy of waste contamination and generation persists. "Chemical wastes are part of our society," says Kelly G. Pennell, Ph.D., the Earl Parker Robinson Chair Professor of Environment and Sustainability in the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. "The idea of zero-waste is both an aspirational goal and an elusive goal," said Pennell. "We know that manufacturing ecosystems are being rapidly disrupted. As a result, there will be unintended, unimagined and uneven consequences of industrial waste that impact the health and environment in communities in various geographic locations." That's why Pennell's team at the University of Kentucky Superfund Research Center collaborated with Entanglement Technologies, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, over the past decade to create meaningful solutions to the chemical waste challenge. A recent study, published in the journal ACS Omega, describes the research team's quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) framework to advance the technology readiness-level of mobile chemical monitoring instruments as they become commercially available. UK graduate student Herman Tay led the work, with Pennell and a leading expert from GSI Environmental Inc., to use Entanglement's AROMA-VOC sensora chemical analyzeras the model for this QA/QC systematic framework. "We are excited to be part of such an important collaboration that enables mobile monitoring to grow and fill the gap in characterizing the impact of manufacturing waste on local communities," said Tony Miller, CEO of Entanglement Technologies. "Our AROMA instruments have evolved to meet the rapidly changing needs of industry and communities worldwide." The instrument the research team discussed in this recent publicationAROMA-VOChas transitioned considerably since Pennell first met Miller to collaborate on a 2016 field study of a superfund site in the San Francisco Bay area. During the 2016 study, Pennell and Miller maintained close interactions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), community stakeholders and collaborated with environmental consultants from Clearwater Group and chemical analysis experts at Beacon Environmental. "The field study provided an opportunity for Entanglement to conduct measurements and make discoveries within the context of a regulated hazardous waste site. The field study with Kelly and her students came at a pivotal time for us. We were transitioning AROMA-VOC towards a mobile design and the field study provided an opportunity to learn in real-time about users' needs, challenges and opportunities," said Miller. 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. Now, AROMA-VOC fits neatly and compactly in the back of a vehicle and can be driven to various locations for chemical monitoring. Entanglement Technologies has experienced tremendous growth, fueled, in part, by strategic partnerships. Its new mobile technology is used by dozens of groups in the United Statesincluding regulatory bodies conducting air quality monitoring such as the EPA, California Air Resources Board, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, industry monitoring fenceline, indoor air and stack emissions, and other universities like Stanford, Baylor and Colorado State. The use of AROMA has even extended overseas and internationally to Canada, the Netherlands and South Korea. Since 2021, when Entanglement Technologies developed the most sensitive analyzer to measure the critical air toxic ethylene oxide in the ambient environment, the company has outgrown its manufacturing space and significantly expanded its team and operations. The partnership between Pennell's team and Entanglement shows how vitally important research collaboration is to the global economyenabling sustainable growth and innovation across industry sectors. More information: Hong Cheng Tay et al, Systematic Quality Assurance/Quality Control Framework for a Volatile Organic Compound Real-Time Monitoring Instrument, Autonomous Rugged Optical Multigas Analyzer for VOCs, ACS Omega (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c10634 Journal information: ACS Omega 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 densest cluster of supermassive black holes identified in the universe. The background image was taken by Hyper Suprime-Cam on the Subaru Telescope. The red and blue shadows represent the density of the supermassive black holes (quasars) and the surrounding hundreds of young, star-forming galaxies, respectively. The white squares frame the quasars, and the larger squares show close up images. Credit: Subaru Telescope / SDSS, Liang et al Quasars are some of the brightest objects in the universe. A quasar is powered by large amounts of matter falling into the supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy. Collisions and mergers between galaxies can cause quasar activity by feeding additional matter into the center of a galaxy. Quasar activity peaked in the early universe, but even then they were relatively rare. So an international research team led by Yongming Liang at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan was surprised when they found a group of 11 quasars in an area of space where you would normally expect to see maybe one, while analyzing data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The previous record holder for quasar over-density had been five. Their paper is published on the arXiv preprint server. Follow-up observations with the Subaru Telescope revealed another mystery. The quasars do not coincide with a dense group of galaxies. Instead, they sit on the boundary between two groups. If galaxy collisions and mergers are responsible for quasar activity, then the densest groups of quasars should be found in the densest group of galaxies. The "Cosmic Himalayas"a towering cluster of energetic quasars shaping the cosmic landscape. Yellow X marks indicate the positions of quasars. The color scale represents the density of neutral hydrogen gas, with red indicating high density and blue indicating low density, or in other words, the blue region is rich in ionized gas. Therefore, the neutral gas concentrates in the left cluster of galaxies, while the ionized gas preferentially appears around the right galaxy clump. Black contour lines show the galaxy density. Gray regions are masked areas due to poor image mosaic or saturation near bright stars. Credit: Subaru Telescope / SDSS, Liang et al This structure, dubbed the "Cosmic Himalayas," cannot be explained by conventional theories, forcing astronomers to rethink the formation scenarios for quasars. The team hopes that new data from next-generation instruments like the Prime Focus Spectrograph on the Subaru Telescope will help to solve the mystery. The research team named this formation the Cosmic Himalayas in reference to how the towering Himalayas on Earth form a boundary between plains and plateaus. The Cosmic Himalayas sit 10.8 billion light years away from Earth in the direction of the constellation Cetus. More information: Yongming Liang et al, Cosmic Himalayas: The Highest Quasar Density Peak Identified in a 10,000 deg2 Sky with Spatial Discrepancies between Galaxies, Quasars, and IGM HI, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2404.15963 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: Credit: CETIN ULAS from Pexels A magnitude 5.8 earthquake shook a coastal town in Turkey on Tuesday, causing panic among residents, officials said. Dozens were reported injured after jumping from windows or balconies to get out of their homes while a teenager died after being taken to the hospital. No major damage was reported. The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said the quake hit at 2:17 a.m. and was centered in the Mediterranean Sea, off the holiday resort of Marmaris. It was felt in neighboring regions, including on the Greek island of Rhodes, waking many from their sleep. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X that a 14-year-old girl was taken to hospital and died there after what he said was an anxiety attack. It was not known if she had any underlying conditions. Nearly 70 other people were treated for injuries after jumping from windows or balconies in panic, he said. There were no reports of damage to buildings, he added. On Rhodes, tourists and residents spent hours overnight outside their hotels and homes after feeling the temblor but island officials said the damage was minor. That's likely because the quake struck at a depth of 60 kilometers (37 miles), according to Efthymios Lekkas, head of Greece's Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization. "Although it was felt in a wider area ... it will not have significant impact on the surface," Lekkas told state-run television. Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent. In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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 crystal of carmine seen by transmission electron microscopy, and its crystal structure. Credit: Erik Svensson Grape Using advanced electron crystallography techniques, researchers at Stockholm University have succeeded in determining the structure of the historically significant red pigment carmine. It turns out that the substance, used today in products such as candy and paint, has a complex porous structure. The study is published in the journal Crystal Growth & Design. Carmine is a natural red coloring agent produced from cochineal extract. The extract from these insects is rich in carminic acid, which is combined with aluminum (Al) and calcium (Ca) to produce carmine. Analysis using advanced electron microscopy techniques has now revealed that this pigment has an unexpected structure. It is a so-called metal complex, built from two calcium ions, two aluminum ions, and four organic ligand molecules of carminic acid. Together, these components form a well-defined, three-dimensional porous structure that has intrigued researchers at the Department of Chemistry. "It was truly surprising that such a long-used pigment made from a naturally occurring molecule had this type of structure," says Erik Svensson Grape, former Ph.D. student at Stockholm University and currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oregon and Uppsala University. He initiated the study of carmine using the new technique, driven by curiosity about how materials are built, and with the hope of discovering new potential applications. "Chemists have only recently begun to deliberately design and use materials with this type of porous architecturefor example in catalysis, pollutant capture, and energy storage. The first commercially available nanoporous materials were only developed in the middle of the 20th century," says Grape. Carmine and carminic acid are commonly used as red coloring agents in food and beverages, including candy, baked goods, sausages, yogurt, and many other products. On ingredient labels, they may appear as cochineal, E120, or Natural Red 4. Credit: Anette Gardeklint Sylla / Stockholm University Why has the structure of carmine remained unknown until now? "Although carmine is a crystalline substance, it hasn't been possible to grow large enough crystals for analysis using traditional methods like single-crystal X-ray diffraction. But with the help of the new electron microscopy techniques available at Stockholm Universityspecifically 3D electron diffraction (MicroED)we've now been able to determine the structure of carmine from real pigment samples," explains Grape. This new knowledge may open new potential applications for carmine, including in environmental applications. "The well-defined structure of carmine could make it easier to identify the pigment in historical artifacts. And the porous structure could also lead to new applications and inspire the development of new materials, for example as an adsorbent to capture pollutants," says Grape. An adsorbent is a material that can concentrate another substance, called an adsorbate, on its surface through a process called adsorption, in which molecules adhere to a surface. Adsorbents are often used to purify water and air, or to separate different substances. Carmine may also become more relevant as a natural alternative to synthetic coloring agents in the food industry. "As synthetic food dyes are increasingly scrutinized by the public due to health concerns, natural pigments like carmine may soon be used more often in the food industry," Grape explains. More information: Erik Svensson Grape et al, Brilliantly Red: The Structure of Carmine, Crystal Growth & Design (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.5c00185 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: Old Vanda station site, Antarctica. The flooded station site in 2023 was a shallow submerged reef surrounded by an open water moat. The station was located on the upper left of the reef. Credit: Antarctica New Zealand; A.D.A.M. The clean-up and site restoration of a New Zealand research station in Antarctica has provided valuable lessons on the challenges of contaminated sites, according to a study in the journal Polar Record. The study found that while tons of contaminated materials were removed from the former Vanda field station, some residual contamination still remained. However, the remediation of the site in Antarctica's Dry Valleys, which had served as a research base for a quarter of a century, didn't affect measurably the water quality of the area's largest and deepest lake or the biological communities that colonized the station footprint. There was no detectable human-induced environmental change to the pristine Lake Vanda following the decommissioning of the research station, conclude researchers from NIWA, Waikato and Canterbury universities, and Antarctica New Zealand. The successful site rehabilitation shows that in a harsh environment, among delicate ecosystems, it is possible to ensure minimal impact from the restoration of a contaminated site, says NIWA aquatic scientist Dr. Clive Howard-Williams. "Located in Antarctica's largest ice-free area, the arid Dry Valleys, Vanda Station is one of the few research stations that have been decommissioned under more stringent Antarctic environmental standards. "Neither minimizing human impact nor climate change may have been top-of-mind when construction commenced in 1968. The eight-building complex was built on a ridge 200m away from Lake Vanda, which has a depth of 78m and some of the clearest water on Earth, with a unique warm bottom layer that is more saline than the Dead Sea." The station facilities included a workshop, lab, generator room, huts for a dozen people, and a toilet above a removable drum, with a tractor hauling supplies and fuel from three helicopter landing areas to the station. The station was occupied every summer from 1968 (and even had staff year-round for three winters), hosting scientists, surveyors, maintenance staff, aircraft crews and VIPs. By the time it was closed in 1992, the site had hosted nearly 17,000 person-daysthe equivalent of nearly 46 years. For a polar desert site, this is a substantial human footprint, says Antarctic inland water expert and veteran of more than three decades in the Dry Valleys, Waikato University's Dr. Ian Hawes. It wasn't the cumulative human impact that prompted the decision to close the research station, but the consequences of changes in climate. "While the station was located 15 m above the level of the large, ice-covered Lake Vanda, over time more glacial meltwater flowed from Antarctica's longest waterway, the Onyx River, into the closed-basin lake. So by 1991, it was just 2.5m below the site. The threat of inundation meant removing the buildings and structures became critically important. "In 1991, the Antarctic Treaty Parties had just agreed on the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which provides for the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment. Its Annex III on waste management and disposal outlines the requirements for the management of wastes associated with present and future activities. 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. "Annex III called for programs to clean up existing waste disposal sites and abandoned work sites so long as their removal didn't result in a greater environmental impact than leaving the structure in its existing location. "It was decided that decommissions of the station would be compliant with the Protocol even though New Zealand did not implement the Protocol into domestic legislation until 1994 as the Antarctica (Environmental Protection) Act." One concern was that compounds not normally found in the lake, such as organic phosphates, hydrocarbons, fats and soot, might contaminate Lake Vanda, says Professor Hawes. "A site survey found soil contamination around the station and other locations with hydrocarbons and domestic waste, including high metal concentrations, and contamination associated with detergents, food scraps, packaging and fuels, particularly in the area known as Greywater Gully. "If contaminants or nutrients were released into the lake, it could affect the unique microbial mat communities that grow on the floor of Lake Vanda. So, a great deal of effort was put into removing the most contaminated soils and groundwater before the site was flooded. "To assess the effectiveness of the rehabilitation, these microbial mats have been monitored, along with levels of trace metals and nutrients in the lake water at the station site." Rather than return the site to a pristine state, the plan focused on ensuring minimal impact on the lake ecosystem, ensuring that benefits outweighed the damage of remediation activities, says Dr. Howard-Williams. "The plan included excavating and removing the soils and contaminated groundwater, including lead-based painted rocks and fuel-splattered dirt, and returning the terrain to a more natural, pre-human appearance. Around 400kg of contaminated groundwater from the gully along with 7,000kg of soil were shipped back to Scott Base for treatment and disposal." Results showed that while initial research suggested contaminants from the gully could potentially impact the lake's ecosystem, 20 years after decommissioning and the complete flooding of the site, there was no evidence of contaminants entering the lake water and the microbial communities colonizing the station site were not significantly different from those developing in uncontaminated areas. Dr. Howard-Williams says while recent guidelines on cleaning up contaminated sites in Antarctica outlined in the Antarctic Clean Up Manual are useful, challenges remain, particularly when not much is known about the consequences of contamination of Antarctic ecosystems. "It has been estimated that across Antarctica there may be around two million cubic meters of abandoned waste materials and hydro-carbon-contaminated sediment. Effective remediation in Antarctica requires early planning, robust environmental baselines, and adaptive strategies grounded in researchrecognizing that full decontamination is rarely possible and must be balanced against the risk of further environmental harm. "Despite the lack of comparable data, detailed clean-up guidelines, and contaminant baselines, Vanda's cleanup not only demonstrates New Zealand's commitment to good environmental management, but it will also serve as an example to other countries involved in operations across Antarctica." More information: I. Hawes et al, Restoration of legacy contaminated sites in Antarctica: Lessons from Vanda Station, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Polar Record (2025). DOI: 10.1017/S0032247424000354 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: Piles of sargassum stretch across the shore in Playa Lucia, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, Monday, June 2, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo A record amount of sargassum piled up across the Caribbean and nearby areas in May, and more is expected this month, according to a new report. The brown prickly algae is suffocating shorelines from Puerto Rico to Guyana and beyond, disrupting tourism, killing wildlife and even releasing toxic gases that forced one school in the French Caribbean island of Martinique to temporarily close. The amount38 million metric tonsis the biggest quantity of algae observed across the Caribbean Sea, the western and eastern Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico since scientists began studying the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt in 2011, said Brian Barnes, an assistant research professor at the University of South Florida who worked on the report published on Monday by the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab. The previous record was set in June 2022, with some 22 million metric tons. "The peaks just seem to keep getting bigger and bigger year after year," he said. But scientists don't know why yet. "It's the million-dollar question," he said. "I don't have a supremely satisfying answer." Three different types of sargassum exist in the Caribbean and nearby areas, reproducing asexually as they remain afloat thanks to tiny air sacs. They thrive in different ways depending on sunlight, nutrients and water temperature, factors that scientists are currently studying, Barnes said. Sargassum covers the coast of Playa Lucia, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, Monday, June 2, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo Experts also have said that agricultural runoff, warming waters and changes in wind, current and rain could have an effect. While large clumps of algae in the open ocean are what Barnes called a "healthy, happy ecosystem" for creatures ranging from tiny shrimp to endangered sea turtles, sargassum near or on shore can wreak havoc. It can block sunlight that coral reefs need to survive, and if the algae sinks, it can smother reefs and sea grasses. Once it reaches shore, the creatures living in the algae die or are picked off by birds, Barnes said. Huge piles of stinky seaweed also are a headache for the Caribbean, where tourism often generates big money for small islands. "It is a challenge, but it's certainly not affecting every single inch of the Caribbean," said Frank Comito, special adviser to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. Sargassum gathers off the coast of Playa Lucia, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, Monday, June 2, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo In the popular tourist spot of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, officials have invested in barriers to prevent sargassum from reaching the shore, he said. In the Dutch Caribbean territory of St. Maarten, crews with backhoes were dispatched in late May as part of an emergency clean-up after residents complained of strong smells of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which can affect a person's respiratory system. "The smell is quite terrible," Barnes said. Meanwhile, in the French Caribbean, officials expect to soon use storage barges and an upgraded special vessel that can collect several tons of seaweed a day. The sargassum "disfigures our coasts, prevents swimming and makes life impossible for local residents," French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou recently told reporters. But Comito said such vessels are "massively expensive" and not a popular option, noting that another optionusing heavy equipment - is labor-intensive. An aerial view shows Punta Santiago's pier and waterfront surrounded by sargassum in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Monday, June 2, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo A pier sits damaged as sargassum surrounds the coastline of Punta Santiago, Humacao, Puerto Rico, Monday, June 2, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo "You have to be careful because there could be sea turtle eggs affected," he said. "It's not like you can go in there and massively rake and scrape the whole thing." Some Caribbean islands struggle financially, so most of the cleanup is done by hotels, with some offering guests refunds or a free shuttle to unaffected beaches. Every year, the amount of sargassum expands in late spring, peaks around summer and starts to decline in the late fall or early winter, Barnes said. The new record set is hardly stationaryexperts said they expect even more sargassum for June. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: Mosquitoes gathered in a container at the Raymond St. Leger lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. Credit: University of Maryland A team of researchers including a University of Maryland entomologist has successfully turned the pesky mosquito's sex life into its downfall. By creating what amounts to a sexually transmitted disease specifically for mosquitoes, the scientists unveiled a potentially powerful new weapon in the global fight against malaria. Published in the journal Scientific Reports earlier this year, the team's study reveals how this innovative approach exploits mosquito mating behavior to deliver a deadly fungal infection to female mosquitoesthe ones responsible for biting and spreading disease to humans. The researchers' invention could have wide-ranging implications for controlling malaria, which kills over 600,000 people annually, with children under five in sub-Saharan Africa bearing the heaviest burden. In recent years, progress in fighting malaria has slowed as mosquitoes developed resistance to chemical treatments and mosquito-borne parasites became more resistant to antimalarial drugs. "It's essentially an arms race between the mosquitoes and us," explained study co-author Raymond St. Leger, a Distinguished University Professor of Entomology at UMD. "Just as they keep adapting to what we create, we have to continuously develop new and creative ways to fight them." One reason combating mosquitoesand the deadly diseases they can carryis so difficult is due to how quickly the pests adapt to control methods. As traditional indoor mosquito repellents like bed nets or spraying improved in efficacy over time, mosquitoes learned to avoid them by heading outside and lying in wait to feed instead. To target these hard-to-reach mosquitoes, the researchers engineered a naturally occurring fungus called Metarhizium to produce insect-specific neurotoxins that kill when injected into a female mosquito's body. By spraying male mosquitoes with fungal spores, scientists could ensure the spread of the fungus to the female mosquitoes the males mated with. In tests conducted in Burkina Faso in West Africa, the team found that nearly 90% of the female mosquitoes died within two weeks of mating with males carrying the modified fungus, compared to only 4% mortality in the group without the modified fungus. Though the modified Metarhizium fungus is deadly to female mosquitoes, it is harmless to humans. Researchers developed a new strain of fungi that acts as a mosquito-only sexually-transmitted disease capable of limiting the disease-carrying insects. Credit: University of Maryland "What makes this fungus particularly promising is that it works with existing mosquito behavior rather than against their natural habits," St. Leger said. "Unlike pesticides or other chemical control methods that mosquitoes can develop resistance to, this method uses the mosquitoes' own biology to deliver the control agent." The researchers also observed that the male mosquitoes treated with the fungus transferred deadly fungal spores to female mosquitoes for up to 24 hours after initial exposure. Thus, male mosquitoes treated with the fungal strain could be released into the environment and continue spreading the fungus through multiple mating encounters. "Interestingly, we noticed that the presence of the fungus did not deter female mosquitoes from mating with infected males. Mating rates stayed the same, which makes this fungus a very powerful mosquito population control tool," St Leger said. "And the fungus additionally made infected mosquitoes less able to sense insecticides, and much more susceptible to them, so it's really a double blow against them." 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. Researchers believe that the modified Metarhizium, a fungus that has widely been used for pest control of other insects in agricultural applications, could be a game-changer in the fight against mosquitoesespecially when used in conjunction with more traditional methods. While challenges remain before this "mosquito STD" can be fully deployed at scale, St. Leger noted that the team's invention represents a significant step forward in humanity's age-old battle against mosquitoes and the bites that spread disease. "Mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animal. It's believed that they alone, by transmitting disease, have killed half of all human beings who have ever lived," St. Leger noted. "Being able to eliminate mosquitoes quickly and effectively will save people all over the world." More information: Etienne Bilgo et al, Transmission of transgenic mosquito-killing fungi during copulation, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83242-5 Journal information: Scientific Reports 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: YouTube First she hovered, and now she's flown. Eaglet Sunny stretched her wings on June 2 and flew out of the family nest for the first time, thrilling fans of the live webcam that monitors the Big Bear family of eagles that includes mom Jackie, dad Shadow and sibling Gizmo. Video showed that, as the eaglet took off at 10:46 a.m., Gizmo's head swiveled, monitoring as Sunny fledged, or made an inaugural flight from the nest. "It's exciting to have this beautiful, successful momentand, at the same time, sad that we won't be seeing her as much anymore," said Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that operates the 24-hour nest cam. "It's great that she's successfully flown the nest." Sometimes when eaglets fly the nest, they don't return, Steers told The Times in an earlier interview. But Sunny didn't go far. Later Monday morning, one of the camera operators found the eaglet perching at the top of a tree nearby the 145-foot-tall Jeffrey pine that holds the family's huge nest. What happens next for newly independent Sunny? Parents, Jackie and Shadow, will be following the eaglet around, protecting her and helping her find food for anywhere between a few weeks and a few months, Steers said. Eagles don't reach sexual maturity until they're around 4 or 5 years old. The first year of life can be perilous for an eagle. Thanks to its inexperience, a juvenile bald eagle has less than a 50% chance of surviving, according to the American Eagle Foundation. If they survive, they can live 15 to 30 years in the wild. Meanwhile, Gizmo will be turning 13 weeks old on Saturday and hasn't taken off yet. Eaglets usually fledge at 10 to 14 weeks of age. Up until Monday, both eaglets had been practicing venturing out onto tree limbs, where they would flap their wings and bounce. They'd also tried hoveringwhich happens when an eaglet catches the wind at just the right moment and it takes their body off the ground, but they don't fully leave the nest. Sunny is the fourth eaglet from Jackie and Shadow that has fledged. Three have fledged since the camera was installed, according to Steers, which she said is par for the course. The webcam was installed in 2015 and recorded its first nesting season in 2017. 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: Grace Boone and a cat owner during a video teleadvice chat. Credit: Grace Booone/UC Davis Caring for a cat with chronic health conditions can be challenging for all involved, from the process of getting to a veterinary clinic to the stress of being in a strange environment with new smells and animals. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, worked with pet owners across the United States and Canada to determine whether video telehealth visits could help improve care and the home environment for cats with feline degenerative joint disease, commonly referred to as feline arthritis. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, show that video calls where pet owners can ask questions and get non-medical advice can be beneficial. More than 95% of those who took part in the research said they would pay for telehealth visits, though most were willing to pay a little less than for in-clinic appointments. "Teleadvice is meant to provide advice and support for caregivers caring for their cats," said lead author Grace Boone, an assistant specialist in the UC Davis Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab. "We found that overall everybody was quite interested in video telehealth for home management of their cats and their mobility issues." A common ailment Routine veterinary care is important to prevent, mitigate and treat health and behavioral problems. And feline arthritis is quite common, present in roughly 6% to 30% of cats under age 10 and from 64% to 92% of those older than 10, Boone said. "Cats are great at hiding signs of pain," said Carly Moody, senior author on the paper and an assistant animal science professor. "These conditions are prevalent and pain is a serious health and welfare issue that needs to be addressed. Telehealth is beneficial because it allows you to take out that clinic stressor for some aspects of care." The researchers recruited 106 pet owners whose cats had mobility issues. Each one filled out a questionnaire about their cat's mobility, barriers to getting in-person care and how they felt about telehealth. Pet owners in the test group took the survey and participated in six video visitsone every three weeks over four monthsand then retook the survey. The control group only received the questionnaire at the beginning of the research and four months later. A presentation on caring for cats with mobility issues also was offered to all participants at the end. In the home video session, Boone asked general questions about the cat's well-being and mobility, and suggested modifications if owners asked for advice. Suggestions included elevated food and water dishes to ease neck strain, larger litter boxes with shorter walls, and additional steps to access favorite places. Pet owners reported that the visits helped them understand their cats' needs, making them more confident in how they cared for their cats. "There's a lot of in-home modifications that can be implemented to increase cat comfort in the home," Moody said. "Telehealth allows veterinary professionals to see and understand the cat's home environment and make recommendations which can be helpful for the cat." 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. Advice not medicine Telehealth visits don't require a veterinarian. A registered veterinary technician or other knowledgeable staff member can conduct the calls, answer questions and give advice. They are not meant to replace in-person veterinary care but rather supplement it, Moody said. "There's ways you can incorporate telehealth to make it easier for the owner and the cat and increase the number of visits and support an owner is receiving, particularly when they're caring for a cat that requires chronic high levels of care at home," Moody said. The visits have the potential to foster better veterinarian-client-patient relationships. "Rather than being something that detracts from in-person care, I think you can improve it and help supplement it," Boone said. Evaluating changes in the home Next up is to determine whether recommended changes based on expert advice can improve a cat's well-being in the home. "I think it would be really interesting to look at these interventions and specifically say, "Are they helpful?" If somebody's not willing to change a lot of things in their home, you could prioritize the ones that make the most difference for the cat's welfare," Moody said. Moody's lab may also examine whether telehealth could be beneficial for other health issues like obesity and disease prevention. More information: Grace Boone et al, Incorporating video telehealth for improving at-home management of chronic health conditions in cats: a focus on chronic mobility problems, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1510006 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain When the heat arrives this week, air quality may be dropping. Wildfire smoke from Canada is expected to move into the region in a couple of daysin an unfortunate repeat of last spring and summer. "There could be a gradual increase in smokier skies over the next few days, with Wednesday having the greatest amount of haze," National Weather Service meteorologist Francis Tarasiewicz told the Herald. "The main impact will be haze in the sky," he added. "Some of the smoke could make it closer to the surface, which could be tougher for those with respiratory issues." Last spring and summer, the wildfire smoke made it smell like the dump at times. This round of wildfire smoke comes as temps suddenly shoot up close to 90 degrees. Temps are expected to be in the mid-80s on Wednesday, followed by around 90 degrees on Thursday. "The first significant heat event of the year could catch folks off-guard who are outside working and recreating," Tarasiewicz said. The National Weather Service advises people to limit time outside during extreme heat, stay hydrated, and limit activities to mornings and evenings. According to AccuWeather, large wildfires have been scorching thousands of acres in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Like last year, winds are bringing the wildfire smoke down into the U.S. "Most of the time, the smoke will be high-flying and dim the sun, leading to vivid sunrises and sunsets and causing a hazy appearance to the sky overhead," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. "However, there will be episodes where the smoke can reach the lower levels of the atmosphere and affect visibility and air quality," the meteorologist added. "That could be a safety concern for travel in extreme cases and pose health problems for some individuals with respiratory issues." The wildfire smoke may prompt health advisories in many cities and states. In Canada, more than 25,000 residents across three provinces have been evacuated due to the worsening air conditions. The Syracuse University Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems is advising residents to take simple steps to protect indoor air quality and personal health in the event of increased smoke levels. "Get ready ahead of time by purchasing or borrowing a HEPA air cleaner and/or a higher-efficiency furnace filter, and masks for going outdoors," said Syracuse University Professor Ian Shapiro. His air quality recommendations include: use air cleaners with HEPA filters; run HVAC fan continuously; close windows and doors to keep out smoke; limit use of exhaust fans; and wear a mask outdoors especially if air quality worsens. 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: In this photo provided by Michigan Technological University, an autonomous high-tech vessel is lowered in Houghton, Mich., on Monday, Sept. 9. 2024, before being used to search for the wreckage of a plane that crashed in Lake Superior in 1968. Credit: Kaden Staley/Michigan Technological University via AP, file Experts searching for plane wreckage in Michigan's Lake Superior found logs and rocks on the bottom but no debris from an aircraft that crashed nearly 60 years ago carrying three people on a scientific assignment. A team from Michigan Technological University returned last week by boat to get closer to 16 targets that appeared on sonar last fall, more than 200 feet (61 meters) below the surface of the vast lake. The crew used side-scan sonar and other remote technology. "We did not locate any sign of the wreckage of the missing aircraft," said Travis White, a research engineer at the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Tech. "However, we did validate our technical approach, as we found physical objects in each target location." The Beechcraft plane carrying pilot Robert Carew, co-pilot Gordon Jones and graduate student Velayudh Krishna Menon left Madison, Wisconsin, for Lake Superior on Oct. 23, 1968. They were collecting data on temperature and other lake conditions for the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Seat cushions and pieces of stray metal have washed ashore over the years along the Keweenaw Peninsula. But the wreckage and the remains of the men have never been found. "We're probably not going to find a fully intact airplane," said Wayne Lusardi, state maritime archaeologist. An autonomous vessel was launched last September, recording sonar readings and other data. After studying those findings over the winter, White, Lusardi and others returned to Lake Superior. "Unfortunately, the targets turned out to be mostly natural: large sunken trees, logs, rocks," White said by email. Metal cans on the lake bottom, believed to be 75 years old, give "hope that the plane wreckage may be reasonably well-preserved and not buried," he said. White said the next challenge will be how to continue the work. "We may attempt a crowdfunding model to see if we can raise some funds for future mapping activities that could help us locate the plane or other historic wrecks," he said. The initial search last fall was organized by the Smart Ships Coalition, a group of more than 60 universities, government agencies, companies and international organizations interested in maritime autonomous technologies. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Sleepy college students huddled around their professor in a quiet campground, shuffling their feet and fending off yawns on a cool May night. It was a few minutes before midnight, and moonlight filtered through the pines in Belleplain State Forest. Elsewhere in New Jerseys southernmost county, other groups gathered much the same way, by dunes, marshes and airports. They stretched their calves and tightened the laces on their hiking boots. They yearned for coffee. James Kellam, an associate professor of biology at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, monitored the time. There was no ceremony, no bullhorn to kick off the competition, just the clock. OK, ladies and gentlemen, its now midnight, Kellam whispered. Good luck. Kellam led one team of students, called the SVC Redtails, down one dark road on this Saturday morning, while a second team from the school, SVC All Gas, No Beaks, went down another. Soon, everyone entered a deeper state of listening, attuning their minds to the rustling treetops and tiny footfalls on the forest floor. They stopped every 20 yards or so and stood, in the silence, scanning the dark woods for birdsong. Were gonna walk around here until we hear an owl, Kellam told his team. Along the shore of Lake Nummy in the Belleplain campground, two robust silhouettes appeared, backlit by a distant light across the water. The birds didnt make a sound, not even their trademark honk, but were unmistakable, nevertheless. Team SVC Redtails had identified its first species in the 42nd annual N.J. Audubon World Series of Birding. Racing to save Stone Harbor's Scotch Bonnet Island before it's swallowed by rising seas Lenore Tedesco, executive director of the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, stood by the nonprofit's large conference room window in late May, surveying an expanse of salt marsh known as Scotch Bonnet Island. It was a idyllic Jersey Shore scene: osprey hovering over thousands of acres of spartina grass rippling in the breeze. Canada goose it is, Kellam said. The New Jersey Audubon Societys World Series of Birding is one of the nations premier bird-watching events, drawing in lifelong hobbyists, ornithologists, professional photographers, precious kids, and newbies who couldnt tell a warbler from a whip-poor-will by sight or sound. It all began as a fundraiser at midnight on May 19, 1984, when 13 teams set out to identify as many birds as possible in 24 hours. Earlier this month, 90 teams of approximately 487 birders took part in a slew of different categories. Most teams converged on Cape May County, a veritable New Jersey Turnpike for migratory birds, while others went out looking statewide. Some teams competed in the Big Stay category, confining themselves to a 17-by-17-foot location to ID any birds that passed by. Wawa played a large role. They have doughnuts, coffee, hoagies, you name it, said David Hedeen of team Zen Zugunruhe. They also have bathrooms, which is key. There was no prize for best team name, but most went above and beyond with puns and clever turns of phrase. Among the competitors were the Raven LunaChicks, Talking Buffleheads, Egrets, Ive had a few, and the Fightn Femelschlagers. (A femelschlag is a small opening in a forest that allows light to get in and create new growth.) Unlike the real World Series or a Super Bowl, the competition is friendly. Sure, competitors could cheat, like the New England Patriots or Houston Astros, and simply tally birds they didnt see or hear, to a point, but theres a strong ethos against that. No one, for instance, could say they saw a condor, not even at the Cape May Zoo. Ocean City sees flurry of new businesses, renovated shops and ownership changes There are still vacant shops downtown, but local businesspeople say there is a new generation of entrepreneurs changing Ocean Citys retail landscape. It used to be much more of a competition, but thats changed, for the better, said Rich Kauffield, chair of New Jersey Audubons board of directors. Its so collegial out there that the birders often help other teams. Theres a harrier out there in the marsh, a member of a carbon footprint team yelled out to a college team Saturday afternoon. Back in the darkness, at Belleplain State Forest, the whip-poor-wills were waking up just after midnight, and not long after, the forest felt full of them. Once the birds wake up, the mind has to focus even harder, like an orchestra conductor, sorting through a symphony of birdsong, trying to pull one new note from the din. Theres a lot of chatter, for the night, but thats definitely an ovenbird, Kellam said in the darkness. As the morning wore on, Kellam led his team down remote Cape May County backroads that led toward the bay. They heard rails in the marshes. Theyd heard owls while scouting earlier in the week, but none called out this morning. At Reeds Beach, a small bayfront community, there were seemingly thousands of laughing gulls rising and falling in the wind above the rough surf. Kellams team saw cormorants and ducks there. By 9 a.m., the team had amassed 63 bird species. During a luncheon at the Nature Center of Cape May with Audubon Society employees, board members, and volunteers, Kauffield said the COVID-19 pandemic and the urge to get outside helped birding explode in popularity over the last five years. Ocean City remembers the dead, honors the living on Memorial Day Hundreds attended Ocean Citys Memorial Day service Monday. Officials and veterans' groups honored Gold Star mothers and a World War II veteran. For one, its become younger and cooler, he said. And there are so many technological advances to help newcomers get out and do it. While old-school binoculars are still a must-have, theres a slew of popular apps that will identify birds by song; Merlin ID was developed by Cornell University. Some birders, like Kellam, still carry the staple Sibley Guide to Birds. That explosion in popularity has had its hiccups, everything from racism and accusations of gatekeeping, as more people of color have become hobbyists, to ethical questions about pressuring rare birds by overcrowding them. In 2022, a snowy owl that appeared in Lancaster County caused a rush of birders to converge on a farm. One Pennsylvania-based Facebook group banned photos of the bird to discourage more people from going. At St. Vincent College, Kellam established a one-credit, pass/fail World Series of Birding Course that culminates with him and students making the six-hour drive to Cape May County every year. Kellam said his students are underdogs. Teams with Cornell University, home to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, are the heavy hitters in the collegiate division. Of course, its all for fun, he said. Will Toret, 18, was tasked with jotting down all the birds the team saw. He found birding through his first hobby: fly-fishing. Adryanna Crawford, 19, had joined St. Vincents birding club. Rachel Saraceni, 24, a continuing education student, said shes always loved birds and figured a class would be fun. Theres quizzes, but theyre definitely low-stress, she said. As the day wore on, Kellam and his team continued to scour the county, but the pace slowed. There are only so many birds. By 4 p.m., they were hovering near 100 birds. Dogs gone from Cape May nature path? With a new nature trail nearing completion, Cape May considers a ban on dogs, citing safety concerns near the school. Whatever we get now is just gravy, he said. At night, the tired team dragged themselves over to the Woodbine Airport, hoping to hear some new birds, like the chuck-wills-widow, but their World Series ended much like it began: More whip-poor-wills, Kellam said. The next morning, Kellam and both of his teams gathered with hundreds of others at the Grand Hotel in Cape May, where the Audubon Society handed out awards. Team Zen Zugunruhe won with 165 birds and, in total, 256 species were identified by all contestants. St. Vincents two teams finished with 122 and 111 birds identified. As you can see, we did not come close to winning, Kellam said. But you also see thats not the point. Children bopped up onto the stage to receive trophies and medals, young enthusiasts who can look for birds for the next half-century or more, particularly when they get a drivers license. We would love to thank our parents, who woke up at 3 a.m. with Wawa coffee to drive us around, said Gavin Qian, 11. We think they had fun. ATLANTIC CITY New Jerseys main utility companies plan to delay steep increases in the price of electricity until the fall, but customers will still pay every penny of the higher rates, just spread out over time. Three utility companies say they have requested permission from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to defer the significantly higher rates brought on by the most recent supplier auction held by PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator. That auction resulted in electric generation prices increasing by 17% to 20% for most New Jerseyans this year, an increase that took effect Sunday. The utilities also plan to extend a moratorium on customer disconnections that exists during the winter to include this summer, and to waive fees for service reconnection for customers whose power had been shut off. The moves come a week before New Jerseys primary election, in which the price of electricity has become a major issue. The steps proposed by the power companies, in response to a request by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, will be but a reprieve for customers; unless they qualify for financial assistance, they will still pay the full amount of the increases, but the cost could be spread out over as many as six months. The utilities say they are required to collect and pay the full amount of the new price of electricity to companies that generate it. It remains to be seen if customers will be charged interest on the deferred payments, but some companies are considering waiving such a fee. Wind woes, electricity price surges prompt New Jersey to reconsider nuclear power New Jersey is taking a new look at nuclear power to help meet its increasing need for electricity as prices soar and the future of offshore wind remains uncertain. There is now widespread recognition that New Jersey needs more power generation to address the forecasted energy supply and demand imbalance, said Kim Hanemann, president and chief operating officer of PSE&G. Each of the utilities stressed that it is not responsible for the soaring cost of power, laying the blame at the feet of the PJM auction, which Murphy has called on federal officials to investigate for potential price manipulation. PJM says it did nothing wrong. PSE&G is not the cause of the 17% rise in electric rates, but we can support our customers by advancing critical solutions, Hanemann said. These actions should help relieve a burden to families and communities just as the weather is getting warmer and electricity usage hits its peak. We encourage our customers to reach out to us if they are struggling to pay their bill so we can help them access the solutions available. Brian Ahrens, a spokesman for Atlantic City Electric, said it and other utility companies are actively working collaboratively with Board of Public Utilities staff on a proposal to manage bill impacts while supporting the areas growing energy needs. While utility companies in New Jersey do not generate their own energy, do not set the price of electricity, and do not profit from these increases, we understand that rising costs stemming from PJMs 2024 capacity auction are a challenge for our customers, and we share the boards concerns on affordability as we head into the summer months where energy use typically increases, he said. And Christopher Hoenig, a spokesman for Jersey Central Power & Light, encouraged customers to contact the company if they are having trouble paying their bill, to discuss assistance plans that are available. He, too, said his company is awaiting a directive from the BPU on additional measures beyond a summer disconnection freeze. JCP&L understands the concerns that many New Jersey families are facing due to increasing rates from electric suppliers, he said. While it is not JCP&Ls delivery rates that are rising, we include and collect these charges on the monthly electric bills, and we are committed to assisting our customers through this time. The BPU said Tuesday it has no new information to release regarding rates. On May 21, the board approved updates to power grid modernization rules intended to reduce delays in the distribution interconnection process to speed up the timeline for projects to come online. Labor, environment groups propose way forward for green energy projects in New Jersey Greater use of solar and wind energy and electric vehicles, modernizing the electrical grid, and training workers to do these jobs can help New Jersey meet its energy needs, a coalition of labor and environmental groups said Wednesday. The cost of electricity is a major issue in the primary elections in which voters will cast ballots June 10. Democrats blame PJM for the increases, while Republicans blame the Murphy administrations push for clean energy, including offshore wind, at the expense of fossil fuel usage. In a May 14 request to power companies to mitigate the rate increases during the summer, Murphy said, We ask that utilities share the load and commit to being part of the solution to the PJM cost crisis. These utilities have reaped billions in profits over the last ten years. State Sen. Vincent Polistina, R-Atlantic, said the timing of the proposed moves is obviously political in a year when voters will choose a new governor. You dont think this might have anything to do with pushing it past the first Tuesday in November, do you? he asked. Its good to give consumers whatever relief we possibly can, but (Democrats) need to take a look at their failures in energy policy that drove up these prices. Republicans also decried the rejection of several amendments they sought to make to utility-related Senate bills that were approved Monday. One called for an investigation of the BPUs role in rising energy prices, and another would have eliminated the Societal Benefits Charge and sales tax fees on electricity bills. WEST WILDWOOD The tiny borough should disband its police department and contract with neighboring Wildwood for police services, according to a recent report from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. The 134-page report outlined multiple problems with the department, from the chain of command to how evidence is handled to recruiting and retaining officers. We understand there have been discussions with the city of Wildwood Police Department to partially cover the borough and possibly as a full-time contract service, the report states. Our review demonstrates that geographically and financially this would be the best option. We also believe it would provide uninterrupted services to the borough and its residents. Jane E. Di Mattia, the West Wildwood commissioner responsible for public affairs and public safety, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday morning. Since February, Detective Mark Weeks of the Cape May County Prosecutors Office has been the officer in charge in West Wildwood, since former Chief Jacquelyn Ferentz began a leave of absence in advance of her retirement. As of late April, the report states, there were four full-time police officers in the department and a single part-time officer. West Wildwood police have almost no accountability for issued police equipment and no investigative function aside from uniformed officers for cases that are not forwarded to the Prosecutors Office, the report states. The report also faulted the departments community outreach. The police department is lacking in community policing and are non-existent with any social media presence to keep the residents informed, the report states. These functions are essential to building community trust relationships. Lawsuit questions expand in West Wildwood WEST WILDWOOD There will be a borough commissioners meeting Wednesday at 3 p.m. the firs Before the report was released to the public Monday, portions were redacted, including sections on the security of the department and the process for handling prisoners. As cited in the report, a 2019 inspection found multiple deficiencies in the processing area. A 2025 inspection found the same results, the recent report states. Among other concerns, the report alleges the department has no functioning internal affairs process, the property and evidence function is in complete disarray, training and discipline are insufficient, and no one is in position to take over as chief. There is a complete lack of leadership in the borough of West Wildwood Police Department, the report states. Wildwoods public safety commissioner, Steve Mikulski, confirmed his city was in talks with West Wildwood about police service. He said West Wildwood officials asked the city to wait for the report to become public. Mikulski said the departments could be a good fit. I firmly believe that Wildwood has a great deal to offer West Wildwood, boasting a class-act chief, detective division and SWAT team. We also have a K-9 unit, he said. The homes in West Wildwood are no longer little bungalows. They are million-dollar properties back there. County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said Tuesday the future of the department rests with the elected officials of West Wildwood. Matthew Ksiazek named new mayor of West Wildwood WEST WILDWOOD For the first time since 2012, Chris Fox is not the mayor of West Wildwood. Our offices role will be dictated by what they choose to do, he said, adding whatever transition takes place should be smooth and maintain public safety. West Wildwood is a little more than a quarter square mile, one of five municipalities on the barrier island known as Five Mile Beach. The report states about 540 people live there year-round, with a summer population as high as 5,000. A two-lane bridge connects the community with the north end of Wildwood at Glenwood Avenue, with the houses along a lagoon on the south side of West 26th Avenue also part of West Wildwood. As of 2023, the department had eight full-time officers, the report states. Mitchell Sklar, executive director of the state chiefs association, led the assessment team, which included Chief Raymond Hayducka of South Brunswick and Voorhees Chief Louis Bordi. In March, a resident questioned the Board of Commissioners about Weeks and Ferentz, and whether Ferentz was still on a leave of absence. Mayor Matthew Ksiazek said he could not discuss personnel, according to the minutes of that meeting. The report states that Ferentz will be on a leave of absence for two years before putting in papers for retirement. Ferentz made statewide news in a high-profile case that included a $1.7 million lawsuit settlement with the borough, one that the Joint Insurance Fund refused to cover, alleging the borough did not defend the lawsuit. Ferentz had filed a whistleblower suit against a former mayor. She had been removed as police chief but was later returned to the job with back pay. At the time, Chris Fox was the mayor of West Wildwood and lived with Ferentz. The commission later hired Foxs daughter as a police officer, in a 2019 vote with Fox abstaining. While Ferentz was the highest-profile West Wildwood officer in the news, she was not the only one. Former Officer Dylan Keenan-Hannum lost his job in a plea deal in 2022 after admitting to texting a former girlfriend that he had a gun and planned to kill her and the man she was with at the time. In March 2020, the borough agreed to pay former Class II police Officer Jeremy Mawhinney $215,000 to settle his lawsuit against the borough, mayor and police chief. He alleged he was fired for writing tickets to political allies of Mayor Fox. Some want to preserve the department. There is a Facebook group called Save the West Wildwood Police Department with 236 listed members. The page states that West Wildwood is the safest community in the Wildwoods because of its police. We believe it is a vital part of our community and identity, the page reads. A police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, blamed borough officials. Spencer Smith, president of FOP Lodge 7, which represents the West Wildwood officers, said the borough commissioners hope the remaining officers will walk away, forcing the closure of the department. Otherwise, the current contract will give each officer three years salary if the department disbands. Rio Grande man accused of throwing shovel at Wildwood police officer during standoff A 60-year-old Rio Grande man was arrested Friday after he allegedly threatened Wildwood police officers and threw a shovel at one during a standoff. The borough has advertised for new officers this year, but Smith said the brough has not taken further steps to fill open positions. Theyre sitting on a ton of resumes, but theyre not interviewing anyone, Smith said. In a May 27 letter to borough officials, he said officer morale is at an all-time low, and that West Wildwood residents deserve police protection. Sitting idly by while the police department crumbles is not a solution, Smith wrote. The neglect to hire more police officers appears that you would like this department to fail. If West Wildwood decides to retain its department, the borough should consider a shared police chief with another community or a shared-service deal to provide partial police coverage overnight, the report states. Otherwise, the borough must recruit and train additional officers, including proper compensation, and establish a process for promotion of a new chief to lead the department. The current highest-ranking officer is a sergeant. It is common for every community to want their own proprietary police department, the report states. However, it does not seem feasible in West Wildwood any longer. 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. Star Village, a neighborhood perched on a hill in the heart of Rapid City, occupies a location that is nothing short of idyllic: There are 360-degree views of the Black Hills and the prairie. Some of the spaces between the duplexes are speckled with trees and lilac bushes. But the natural beauty is a stark contrast to the high crime rates, boarded up buildings and living conditions residents describe as third-world. Right above the heads of all these tourists that are downtown looking at all those presidential statues are people who are living in conditions like this, said Karin Eagle, a resident and community leader. Its kind of an anomaly to have third-world living conditions in a place that advertises as one of the most patriotic cities in America. At a community meeting on a Wednesday night in April, one of many held so far, one resident told the Journal sewage bubbled up through a pipe in his yard and children played in it. He wasnt the only one to describe plumbing issues. A resident showed the Journal his bathroom. The pipe to the sink was broken and the tub didnt drain. The man said he goes to a friends house to bathe. Eagle said she ran a 30-foot snake down her kitchen sink with no success in getting it to drain. Eagle estimated 30 to 35 residents have plumbing issues. Several other residents said their sinks, toilets or bathtubs also dont drain. Another said his unit was without heat for two weeks last winter. He recounted the story as his young son rode his bike through the neighborhood during a prayer walk in May. Another man told the Journal squatters in the next-door unit broke through the wall into his garage and stole his property. There's one lady that was across the street over here who literally had to send her kids to somebody else because there's no heat and there's no water, so she can't keep her kids, Eagle said. And I know that that's gotta be a whole different level of trauma to have to send your kids away because you can't take care of them. Star Village is home to many Native American people. The federal government in the late 19th and early 20th centuries forced Native families to send their children to boarding schools, which Eagle referenced while discussing conditions at Star Village. About 50 children died at the Rapid City Indian Boarding School, but not all deaths are accounted for. Thats a whole other trauma that just kind of gets, you know, stirred back up, she said. As for Star Village, its history dates back to the early 1950s when it was established as Signal Heights, a housing development for Air Force personnel and civilian defense workers. Applications opened in June 1952 for over 100 duplexes, according to Journal archives advertising for tenants. Two decades later, the name was changed to Star Village. By the 1980s, the number of military tenants at Star Village was at 30% and non-military affiliated people could rent there. Star Village is now a low-income housing development under the management and ownership of Tzadik, a Florida company headed up by Adam Hendry. Tzadik purchased Star Village at the end of 2019, and residents said it went downhill from there. The company lists 18 Rapid City properties on their website, but its reach extends well beyond communities at the foot of the Black Hills. Formed in 2007, the companys about section states Tzadik has managed more than $1 billion in apartment complexes, over 15 million square feet of commercial real estate and more than 19,000 units in over 20 states. The section goes on to explain how the company acquired two South Dakota ranches in 2021, and how it runs a total of eight short-term property rentals through Airbnb, describing the properties as breathtaking. What is not mentioned is Tzadiks low-income housing properties like Lacrosse Estates in north Rapid City or Star Village, the apartments it owns and manages in Sioux Falls or recent foreclosure filings. Dakota News Now reported in March Tzadik faces foreclosure for over $14.93 million in debts to Merchant States Bank in Indiana, insurance companies, back taxes and other creditors. Attempts to have the issues fixed at Star Village have been ignored by management, residents told the Journal. The Journal reached out to Tzadiks Star Village number and email but did not receive a response, despite an automated message promising a response within 24 hours. However, there is no shortage of people trying to improve the neighborhood: From community members like Eagle and her son, who sang prayer songs as he walked with burning sage through the neighborhood last month and called out to the neighbors to be a community and share a meal together, to the police department and city code enforcement, people want to see Star Village improve. The first May prayer walk, just ahead of Mothers Day, ended with food for the community and a face painter for children. Eagle organized the event, and about half a dozen joined in on the walk. Others trickled in and settled under lawn tents set up outside 1614 Kellogg Drive, an empty unit the police departments community engagement team has started to move into. Its transforming into a community space with flowers planted outside it and chairs and tables stored inside for events. Community meetings are held on Wednesday nights, and Eagle has organized a total of three of the prayer walks so far this month. Highest crime call volume in Rapid City In 2024, Star Village had the highest number of violent crimes and calls of any housing area in Rapid City, according to the Rapid City Police Department. Violent crimes include simple assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, first-degree burglary, robbery, child abuse and kidnapping. Star Village has the highest reactive police calls for service of any housing area in Rapid City, RCPD Public Information Officer Brendyn Medina said, noting Star Village had 161 calls reported in March. For context, in March of 2025, the housing area with the second highest calls had 80." A reactive police call is defined as any call where the public summons assistance from the police department. The Rapid City Police Department reported that reactive calls for service in Star Village have increased 34% between 2022 and 2024. Violent crime increased 32% throughout the years. In May 2024, due to trends in violent crime in the Star Village neighborhood, the RCPD Community Engagement Team identified the neighborhood as "high importance." After achieving significant improvements at the Big Three Apartments in north Rapid City, Tyler Read the departments community engagement coordinator is now concentrating on Star Village. Read runs a clubhouse on the northside with a food pantry stocked by a local church and video games and events for children. On Monday, he was working on stocking a Star Village pantry with donations from Monument Health. So far the team, along with Read, have hosted eight events, garnering as many as 250 participants. In September 2024, the team, along with United Way of the Black Hills, hosted one of the largest clean up events in the history of Rapid City in Star Village. Together attendees helped remove nearly 36 tons of trash from a total of four onsite maintenance facilities and numerous homes that requested assistance. About 81 volunteers participated in the project, with about 15 staying for the entire day to help the neighborhood. Read said the primary focus so far has been creating a neighborhood resident board that will support the implementation of a $100,000 Love Your Block Grant from Johns Hopkins University the city secured with Journey On and the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Although the Love Your Block Grant is still in place, Wendy Wiener, who was occupying the AmeriCorps VISTA position, said her job was abruptly eliminated on May 7 due to federal budget cuts. However, Wiener has continued to attend community events and participate in efforts towards improvement. The grant will be able to fund a part-time position over two years to help conduct outreach events and programs to residents. Additionally, Read said about $40,000 worth of mini grants will be used to help improve Star Village either by trash pickup, a playground or other amenities. Read said they are still in the early stages and are trying to list out the biggest priorities the residents would want, while being mindful of what is achievable. The goal is to rebuild a sense of community in a place that is struggling with so many issues, Read said. We are here to support and work alongside them to solve these issues. With the grants primary focus beautification of the neighborhood, Read said it still doesnt address the basic human need issues that have been long-neglected. Numerous residents have approached Read to discuss the disrepair of their homes and the unlivable conditions they experience daily. Although the grant cannot address these specific issues, Read stated that he remains committed to assisting the community. It's hard to sell those prettier things when there are much more complicated issues, Read said. But the police department will be there after the grant is over, we will continue to invest and be a part of the community and help them stabilize. To make a more permanent change, Read said the department is currently working with Tzadik Property Management to secure 1614 Kellogg as their long-term location. Read said it is still yet to be determined how the space will be utilized, but the goal is to have a location that can facilitate community gatherings and as a safe program space for youth. The biggest hurdle the department is facing is getting Tzadik to communicate with them or the residents. As things fall into further disrepair, Read said it is time for the company, the community and law enforcement to take accountability to save Star Village. Property company owes city $16K for nuisance fixes Aside from the crime and internal issues in the rental units, there are issues with code violations: couches and treadmills sit outside, empty units are boarded up and trash is an issue. As of the end of April, Tzadik owed the City of Rapid City more than $16,000 for abatement of nuisances, which is when the city cleans something up after the owner doesnt and then charges the owner for the cost. Rapid City Code Enforcement Division Manager John Olson said the city stopped abating in March to allow Tzadik to catch up and work with the city. They have started to send out notices to tenants and the place is beginning to clean up significantly. However, (there is) still a lot of area to grow. They have agreed to clean up three properties per week and appear to be meeting that goal. However, other places are committing violations at the same time, Olson told the Journal. Although the city is making attempts to have the properties cleaned up, the residents say they receive threats of eviction from management rather than maintenance. Matt Rak, the regional maintenance manager for Tzadik, was picking up trash with another Tzadik employee on Monday when he spoke to the Journal and said he's addressing maintenance requests, picking up trash and clearing clogged drains. "Us on the ground here, we're working as hard as we can to make our residents happy and clean up the community and we'll continue to do it," Rak said. When asked if he has the resources he needs from Tzadik, Rak said he does. Olson said code enforcement has also met with the police department in a monthly meeting to discuss updates and work together in regard to Tzadik. The city has also been working with RCPD Community Violence Interruption Project Manager Jamie Kirsch and with the police department and the Love Your Block grant. We have game planned ways to work together and what they need from us as a city and entity, Olson said. Rapid City residents are going to the polls today to vote for members of the Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education and Rapid City Common Council. For City Council, there are contested races in Ward 1, Ward 4 and Ward 5. For school board, candidates face off in Area 3 and Area 6. Canyon Lake Activity Center Poll workers at Canyon Lake Activity Center said the voter turnout was low but slowly picking up as the day progresses. Superintendent for Precinct CL and 5-2 Mary Anne Mertes said there was 40 voters so far between the two precinct Tuesday morning. Long time neighbors Demise James and Phyllif Harper said they came out to vote because it was their civic duty. Though neither disclosed what issues were important to them, James encouraged everyone "to do their civic duty and go out and vote." "If you don't go out to vote, you can't complain," James said. Fellow voter Sunny Long said voting in local elections is vital to a community's future. "It's really important to vote because it's our community and determine which direction we want to take," Long said. "And that direction starts with the kids." Grandview Elementary School At Grandview Elementary School in council Ward 1, retired West Middle School teachers Haze Pearson and Carol Boyles made the trip from their retirement community to cast a ballot. The pair said it was important to get out and vote. In the council election, Pearson said she was impressed when candidate Stephen Tamang came to speak at their facility. "Both of us were very impressed with him, and we got some literature in the mail," she said. Tamang faces Larry Adams for the council seat. "And then I looked in the paper, and again, looked at the views," and decided, Boyles said. "To me, he's very knowledgeable and very community-oriented," Pearson said. Asked about important issues facing the city, Boyles said addressing homelessness is important. She noted the Cornerstone Mission respite center. The zoning for it was approved by the City Council and has been challenged in court by people who live in the area. "I think having the idea of a respite center in that quiet place, very far from all those neighbors that are now protesting, is good. I just think we've got to come up with solutions to help people when they want help," she said. Though the former teachers didn't have a school board race on their ballot, they said the district needs to fix current schools and build new ones. "We need to pass a bond issue. And they just don't," Person said. Boyles said, "Friends will say that, 'We don't have a kid in school.' So what? One of the things I've heard is that people, professional people, especially doctors, don't want to move here because our schools are not what they ought to be, and that's wrong. Let's fix that up." Inside at Grandview, longtime election worker Kathe Strand said there had been 75 votes cast as of 10:40 p.m. Strand said it's important to vote, "Because you can't belly ache if you don't put your input in. You can't sit back and say, 'Why did that person get elected?'" "You gotta be interested in everything that goes on, from the president down," she said. Bethel Church The atrium of Bethel Church on North Maple Street in Ward 4 was quiet around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Poll workers said turnout was slow. The 800 ballots they were provided for Precinct 4-2 were, "wishful thinking" with only 47 people casting a ballot in the seven hours since the polls opened at 7 a.m. "This has been a slow election, being there's only one item on the ballot," said Ken Corrin, who has volunteered as a poll worker with his wife for 15 years. The ballot for the precinct had two names on it: Lance Lehmann and Eltina Three Stars. The two are competing for a Ward 4 council seat. Lehmann is the incumbent. Although the turnout wasn't robust, voters did slowly trickle in. Denise Askvig, a resident of Ward 4 for 25 years, said she came out to vote, "because it's so important. It's our civic duty." "If you don't vote, you can't complain," she said. Askvig said she cast her vote for Lehmann because she knows him, he's caring, and the progress made in north Rapid City. "He's easy to talk to. He listens to our concerns," she said. A states Most Wanted part of group of 8 captured in Chetumal confrontation with police Chetumal, Q.R. The State Attorney Generals Office has arrested Ramon Antonio N, identified as a Most Wanted in Quintana Roo. He was arrested with seven others in relation to the Sunday shootout with police that left three injured and one dead. The arrests of the eight individuals took place following an operation after the armed confrontation between police and criminal gang members in Chetumal Sunday. According to authorities, Ramon Antonio N is facing charges of attempted homicide, unlawful deprivation of liberty, drug dealing, robbery and possession of firearms. In addition, in complementary actions, members of the Interinstitutional Group, composed of the Mexican Army, the National Guard, the Navy, the State Police, and Municipal Citizen Security, arrested seven more people, seizing various narcotics, firearms, and tactical equipment, they reported. Among the items seized were a shotgun, eight .223 mm caliber long guns, two 7.62 mm caliber long guns (known as cuerno de chivo), three handguns, two grenades and fully loaded magazines and live rounds. During the Sunday confrontation, one police officer was injured by a firearm and two others in a vehicle collision. One of the criminal gang members was killed. As part of their investigation, police located a safehouse in the Adolfo Lopez Mateos neighborhood, where a second prisoner was rescued. In custody is Ramon Antonio N,, Uriel N, Edgar Rafael N, Johan Assiel N, Angel Alexander N, Christian N, Ismael de Jesus N and Roger Alejandro N.